High velocity neutron stars and γ-ray bursts

The observations of the BATSE instrument on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory show that the spatial distribution of -ray burst sources is isotropic but radially non-uniform. As is well known, the spectral features, the time histories and the X-ray tails present in some -ray bursts suggest that they may arise from galactic neutron stars. But, low velocity neutron stars born in the Galactic disk would concentrate toward the galactic plane and center, and could not fit the BATSE results. However, the high velocity neutron stars with velocity 1000 km s^–1 may escape from the Galactic gravitational field and form a nearly isotropic distribution. Here we calculate the three statistical values of V/V _max, sin² b and cos as functions of the intensitiesC _max/C _min and find that they could be fitted by the distribution of high velocity neutron stars under the assumption that the high velocity neutron stars should turn on as -ray burst sources only after some time (perhaps after they have ceased to be radio pulsars). Our calculation shows that the statistical value of cos is more sensitive than sin² b to the angular distribution of high velocity neutron stars, i.e. the deviation of cos from 0 is more readily detected than the deviation of sin² b from 1/3, so we expect that with the increasing sensitivity of instrument and the more exact value of cos , it is possible to determine whether this high velocity neutron star model is correct. Some results are discussed in the text.     

Spatial correlation of Hα filaments and photospheric velocity

The location of H filaments is compared with maps of the photospheric line of sight velocity V and the magnetic field H . It is found that (1) H filaments are associated with regions of ¦V ¦ 300m s^–1, (2) always both positive as well as negative velocities are present under H structures, (3) stable (long lasting) portion of filaments frequently occur at the position of H = 0 as well as V = 0 lines, (4) this association remains valid for the longitudes less than 50° from central meridian.     

The velocity field in the atmosphere of δ Cephei

Observations related to the photospheric velocity field of Cephei can be interpreted as follows: during the whole cycle of pulsations the only motion form in the atmosphere is a wave motion with a nearly constant full amplitude of approximately 15 km s^–1, and a wavelength of about 10⁶ km (which are quantities, about equal to the amplitudes of pulsational velocity and radius of the star). There are no significant small-scale turbulent velocity components. The microturbulent and macroturbulent velocities, as derived from spectral line observations, are fully compatible with this picture.     

Evolution of isolated G-band bright points: size,intensity and velocity

We study the evolution pattern of isolated G-band bright points(GBPs)in terms of their size, intensity and velocity. Using a high resolution image sequence taken with the Hinode/Solar Optical Telescope(SOT), we detect GBPs in each image by the Laplacian and Morphological Dilation algorithm, and track their evolutions by a 26-adjacent method in a three-dimensional space-time cube. For quantifying the evolution, we propose a quantification method based on lifetime normalization which aligns the different lifetimes to common stages. The quantification results show that, on average, the diameter of isolated GBPs changes from 166 to 173 km, then down to 165 km; the maximum intensity contrast changes from 1.012 to 1.027, then down to 1.011; however, the velocity changes from 1.709 to 1.593 km s-1, then up to 1.703 km s-1. The results indicate that the evolution follows a pattern such that the GBP is small, faint and fast-moving at the birth stage, becomes big, bright and slow-moving at the middle stage, then gets small, faint and fast-moving at the decay stage until disappearance. Although the differences are very small, a two-sample t-test is used to demonstrate there are significant differences in means between the distributions of the different stages. Furthermore, we quantify the relationship between the lifetimes of GBPs and their properties. It is found that there are positive correlations between the lifetimes and their sizes and intensities with correlation coefficients of0.83 and 0.65, respectively; however, there is a negative correlation between the lifetimes and velocities with a correlation coefficient of –0.49. In summary, the longer the GBP persists, the bigger, brighter and slower it will be.     

Hα emission line profiles of solar flares with turbulent velocity fields

The H line profile in a flare atmospheric model superposed by a spatially correlated velocity field is studied in detail in this paper. The computations are carried out with the assumption that the velocity field is represented by a Kubo-Anderson process. It is found that the shape and the intensity of the H line profile depend greatly on the parameters of the velocity field. The variation of the profile and its relative deviation with respect to different correlation lengths is more complex than in the case of absorption lines. It is also shown that such a profile cannot be matched by those produced in the usually-used micro- and macro-turbulent approaches, especially for the velocity field with an intermediate correlation length. The results imply that the flare atmosphere should be highly turbulent in order to explain the observed H line profile with only weak central reversal in the flare spectra. Particularly, the effects of meso-turbulent fields should be taken into account in order to improve the spectral diagnostics and modelling of the flare atmosphere.     

Evolution of isolated G-band bright points： size,intensity and velocity

We study the evolution pattern of isolated G-band bright points(GBPs)in terms of their size, intensity and velocity. Using a high resolution image sequence taken with the Hinode/Solar Optical Telescope(SOT), we detect GBPs in each image by the Laplacian and Morphological Dilation algorithm, and track their evolutions by a 26-adjacent method in a three-dimensional space-time cube. For quantifying the evolution, we propose a quantification method based on lifetime normalization which aligns the different lifetimes to common stages. The quantification results show that, on average, the diameter of isolated GBPs changes from 166 to 173 km, then down to 165 km; the maximum intensity contrast changes from 1.012 to 1.027, then down to 1.011; however, the velocity changes from 1.709 to 1.593 km s-1, then up to 1.703 km s-1. The results indicate that the evolution follows a pattern such that the GBP is small, faint and fast-moving at the birth stage, becomes big, bright and slow-moving at the middle stage, then gets small, faint and fast-moving at the decay stage until disappearance. Although the differences are very small, a two-sample t-test is used to demonstrate there are significant differences in means between the distributions of the different stages. Furthermore, we quantify the relationship between the lifetimes of GBPs and their properties. It is found that there are positive correlations between the lifetimes and their sizes and intensities with correlation coefficients of0.83 and 0.65, respectively; however, there is a negative correlation between the lifetimes and velocities with a correlation coefficient of –0.49. In summary, the longer the GBP persists, the bigger, brighter and slower it will be.     

Surface velocity network with anti-solar differential rotation on the activeK-giant σ Geminorum

We demonstrate the power of the local correlation tracking technique on stellar data for the first time. We recover the spot migration pattern of the long-period RS CVn-type binary σ Gem from a set of six Doppler images from 3.6 consecutive rotation cycles. The resulting surface flow map suggests a weak anti-solar differential rotation with α ≈ –0.0022 ± 0.0016, and a coherent poleward spot migration with an average velocity of 220 ± 10ms-1. This result agrees with our recent findings from another study and could also be confirmed theoretically. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Radial velocity and profile variations of the ultraviolet circumstellar lines in ζ tauri

The radial velocity and profile variations of UV lines of the shell star Tau have been examined in the IUE spectra obtained in 1978–1982. The neutral atoms, and once or twice-ionized ions (exceptCii, Aliii, Siiii resonance lines) follow the same velocity variations as in the visual spectra, while the Siiv andCiv resonance lines show a constant negative velocity (–50 km s^–1 at the core). The Aliii,Cii resonance lines and probably Feiii (mult. No. 34) are formed in both regions, i.e., in lowly-ionized and highly-ionized regions and the Siiii resonance line is formed in a highly-ionized region.Paper presented at the Lembang-Bamberg IAU Colloquium No. 80 on Double Stars: Physical Properties and Generic Relations, held at Bandung, Indonesia, 3–7 June, 1983.     

Variation of bar strength with central velocity dispersion in spiral galaxies

We investigate the variation of bar strength with central velocity dispersion in a sample of barred spiral galaxies. The bar strength is characterized by Q _g , the maximal tangential perturbation associated with the bar, normalized by the mean axisymmetric force. It is derived from the galaxy potentials which are obtained using near-infrared images of the galaxies. However, Q _g is sensitive to bulge mass. Hence we also estimated bar strengths from the relative Fourier intensity amplitude (A ₂) of bars in near-infrared images. The central velocity dispersions were obtained from integral field spectroscopy observations of the velocity fields in the centers of these galaxies; it was normalized by the rotation curve amplitude obtained from HI line width for each galaxy. We found a correlation between bar strengths (both Q _g and A ₂) and the normalized central velocity dispersions in our sample. This suggests that bars weaken as their central components become kinematically hotter. This may have important implications for the secular evolution of barred galaxies.     

On the difference between low-ℓ p-mode frequencies seen in velocity and in intensity

We compare the line profiles and frequencies of low =0, 1, 2 acoustic oscillations seen in observations in velocity (by the GOLF and GONG experiments) and in intensity (LOI instrument). Our study indicates that the systematic shift between the frequencies of low- pmodes in intensity and in velocity measurements recently discovered by Toutain and co-workers is merely an artifact of their reduction techniques. The results obtained agree perfectly with the theoretical expectation that solar oscillations are the global eigenmodes simultaneously visible in velocity and intensity with the frequencies and line profiles coinciding within the error bars.     

Stellar atmospheric velocity fields: The Beta Cephei variables γ Peg and β Cep

The shape parameters of a number of selected ultraviolet lines in BUSS-spectra of the Beta Cephei stars Peg and Cep have been analyzed to determine the principal parameters of the atmospheric velocity field. We find for both stars a fairly high value (5 km s^–1) for the microturbulent line-of-sight velocity component, which confirms an earlier result based on lower resolution UV spectra. Macroturbulent and rotational velocities are virtually zero in the atmosphere of Peg; for Cep we findv _rotsini=40 km s^–1.On leave from Akita University, Akita, Japan.     

Does the large-scale solar magnetic field distribution really reflect the convective velocity fields?

We have tried to decide whether the typical circular cellular-like features, which are striking during some intervals in the large-scale distribution of weak magnetic fields measured with low resolution, are related to large-scale convective motions. Two scales of such patterns were found and their morphological, kinematical and evolutionary behaviour was estimated. Their slower and overall rotation is also demonstrated in comparison with the rotation of highly averaged sunspot and magnetic fields. It is difficult to explain all the observed characteristics as random, or due to the method of field measurement and map construction used. We also discuss the change of their magnetic field polarities with the solar polar field reversal.     

A 1972 prediction of Uranian rings based on the Alfvén critical velocity effect

It is speculated from an empirical point of view that there may be yet unobserved matter around the planet Uranus inside the orbit of Miranda. Such matter, if any, is likely to be emplaced in the form of rings.In December, 1972, this paper — exactly as it is presented here, but with the title On the Posibility of Existence of a Ring of Uranus-was submitted to another scientific journal in the relevant field and was rejected. After the discovery of the Uranian rings, the same journal was requested to reopen the question of publication. This was done, and the paper was again rejected. The author has providedThe Moon and the Planets with proof of the original submission.Paper dedicated to Professor Hannes Alfvén on the occasion of his 70th birthday, 30 May 1978.     

Large-scale galactic turbulence: can self-gravity drive the observed H i velocity dispersions?

Observations of turbulent velocity dispersions in the H  i component of galactic discs show a characteristic floor in galaxies with low star formation rates and within individual galaxies the dispersion profiles decline with radius. We carry out several high-resolution adaptive mesh simulations of gaseous discs embedded within dark matter haloes to explore the roles of cooling, star formation, feedback, shearing motions and baryon fraction in driving turbulent motions. In all simulations the disc slowly cools until gravitational and thermal instabilities give rise to a multiphase medium in which a large population of dense self-gravitating cold clouds are embedded within a warm gaseous phase that forms through shock heating. The diffuse gas is highly turbulent and is an outcome of large-scale driving of global non-axisymmetric modes as well as cloud–cloud tidal interactions and merging. At low star formation rates these processes alone can explain the observed H  i velocity dispersion profiles and the characteristic value of  ∼10 km s⁻¹  observed within a wide range of disc galaxies. Supernovae feedback creates a significant hot gaseous phase and is an important driver of turbulence in galaxies with a star formation rate per unit area  ≳10⁻³ M_⊙ yr⁻¹ kpc⁻²  .     

The height distribution of the kinetic temperature and turbulent velocity of solar Hα spicules

The height distribution of the kinetic temperature of solar H spicules is determined using the widths of optically thin hydrogen and metallic lines obtained at the total solar eclipse of 1966: the temperature was found to be 8600 K at the height of 2200 km measured from the radial optical depth of unity at 5000 Å, and to decrease to a minimum of 5000 K ± 180 K at 3200 km, and to increase again to 8200 K at 6000 km.The height distribution of the non-thermal turbulent velocity is also determined and is shown to be consistent with the neutral helium line widths emitted at the kinetic temperature of 5000–8000 K.     

Diagnostics of horizontal velocity field in the solar atmosphere: Line Ba II λ 455.403 nm

We proposed a method for diagnostics of the horizontal velocity field based on 2D observations at the center of the solar disk with high spatial and temporal resolution. The method consists in semiempirical modeling of the solar atmosphere by solving the inverse radiative transfer problem and subsequent obtaining horizontal velocities by solution of the corresponding hydrodynamic equations. We investigated the diagnostic capabilities of the line Ba II λ 455.403 nm (considering hyperfine structure and isotope splitting) for studying the horizontal velocity field of the nonhomogeneous solar atmosphere.     

A Search for High—velocity Gas Associated H2O Masers and Ultracompact HⅡ Regions

With the objective of studying the relationships between high-velocity gas and water maser emission the results of a search from 95 IRAS sources for high-velocity gas associated with star forming molecular clouds are reported. 21 sources have been identified as molecular outflow candidates.     

Generation of ULF waves in the polar cusp region by velocity shear-driven kinetic Alfvén modes

The velocity shear of ion beams observed in the polar cusp region can drive the kinetic Alfvén modes unstable. A hot ion beam can excite both a resonant kinetic Alfvén wave instability and a nonresonant coupled Alfvén ion-acoustic wave instability. For the case of a cold ion beam only the latter instability is excited. For the altitude range of 5–7R _e , velocity shearS0.04–1.0 is needed to excite the kinetic Alfvén wave instabilities. HereS=(dV _B / _cB dx), whereV _b is the streaming velocity,and _cB is the gyrofrequency of the bean ions. The excited modes have frequencies, in the satellite frame of reference, in the ULF frequency range. The noise generated by the velocity shear-driven Alfvén modes is electromagnetic in nature. These modes have a substantial component of parallel electric fields and, therefore, they can play an important role in the ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling process occurring in the polar cusp region.     

The origin of chondrules and chondrites: Debris from low‐velocity impacts between molten planetesimals?

Abstract– We investigate the hypothesis that many chondrules are frozen droplets of spray from impact plumes launched when thin‐shelled, largely molten planetesimals collided at low speed during accretion. This scenario, here dubbed “splashing,” stems from evidence that such planetesimals, intensely heated by ²⁶Al, were abundant in the protoplanetary disk when chondrules were being formed approximately 2 Myr after calcium‐aluminum‐rich inclusions (CAIs), and that chondrites, far from sampling the earliest planetesimals, are made from material that accreted later, when ²⁶Al could no longer induce melting. We show how “splashing” is reconcilable with many features of chondrules, including their ages, chemistry, peak temperatures, abundances, sizes, cooling rates, indented shapes, “relict” grains, igneous rims, and metal blebs, and is also reconcilable with features that challenge the conventional view that chondrules are flash‐melted dust‐clumps, particularly the high concentrations of Na and FeO in chondrules, but also including chondrule diversity, large phenocrysts, macrochondrules, scarcity of dust‐clumps, and heating. We speculate that type I (FeO‐poor) chondrules come from planetesimals that accreted early in the reduced, partially condensed, hot inner nebula, and that type II (FeO‐rich) chondrules come from planetesimals that accreted in a later, or more distal, cool nebular setting where incorporation of water‐ice with high Δ¹⁷O aided oxidation during heating. We propose that multiple collisions and repeated re‐accretion of chondrules and other debris within restricted annular zones gave each chondrite group its distinctive properties, and led to so‐called “complementarity” and metal depletion in chondrites. We suggest that differentiated meteorites are numerically rare compared with chondrites because their initially plentiful molten parent bodies were mostly destroyed during chondrule formation.