2.5-dimensional solution of the advective accretion disk： a self-similar approach

We provide a 2.5-dimensional solution to a complete set of viscous hydrodynamical equations describing accretion-induced outflows and plausible jets around black holes/compact objects. We prescribe a self-consistent advective disk-outflow coupling model, which explicitly includes the information of vertical flux. Inter-connecting dynamics of an inflow-outflow system essentially upholds the conservation laws. We provide a set of analytical family of solutions through a self-similar approach. The flow parameters of the disk-outflow system depend strongly on the viscosity parameter α and the cooling factor f.     

On the formation of superdense gaseous cores in the nuclei of disk galaxies — I

A model for the formation of superdense gaseous cores by accretion in the nuclei of disk galaxies has been proposed. Equations for radial flow of gas into the nucleus in the presence of aweak galactic magnetic field have been solved, and time scales for the accretion of an exploding mass in the nucleus (10⁹ M ) have been obtained under several different situations in the absence of any rotation. The time scales are found to lie in the range between a few times 10⁷ yr and 10⁸ yr. Such time scales have been proposed by some authors for repeated explosions in the nuclei of galaxies; they have also proposed that spiral arms in disk galaxies are repeatedly formed and destroyed over such time scales. It is shown that the presence of rotational velocities in the infalling gas practically destroys the efficiency of the accretion process unless such velocities are dissipated by frictional forces within the system. Viscosity of gas is the most obvious dissipative agent. The problem of accretion of a rotating viscous gas will be discussed in a subsequent paper.     

A photometric and spectroscopic study of WW And – an Algol-type,long period binary system with an accretion disc

We have analysed the available spectra of WW And and for the first time obtained a reasonably well defined radial velocity curve of the primary star. Combined with the available radial velocity curve of the secondary component, these data led to the first determination of the spectroscopic mass ratio of the system at q_spec = 0.16 ± 0.03. We also determined the radius of the accretion disc from analysis of the double-peaked H_α emission lines. Our new, high-precision, Johnson VRI and the previously-available Strömgren vby light curves were modelled with stellar and accretion disc models. A consistent model for WW And – a semidetached system harbouring an accretion disc which is optically thick in its inner region, but optically thin in the outer parts – agrees well with both spectroscopic and photometric data.     

The evolution of stellar metallicity gradients of the Milky Way disk from LSS-GAC main sequence turn-off stars: a two-phase disk formation history?

Accurate measurements of stellar metallicity gradients in the radial and vertical directions of the disk and their temporal variations provide important constraints on the formation and evolution of the Milky Way disk. We use 297 042 main sequence turn-off stars selected from the LAMOST Spectroscopic Survey of the Galactic Anticenter(LSS-GAC) to determine the radial and vertical gradients of stellar metallicity,△[Fe/H]/△R and △[Fe/H]/△|Z | of the Milky Way disk in the direction of the anticenter. We determine ages of those turn-off stars by isochrone fitting and measure the temporal variations of metallicity gradients. We have carried out a detailed analysis of the selection effects resulting from the selection, observation and data reduction of LSS-GAC targets and the potential biases of a magnitude limited sample on the determinations of metallicity gradients. Our results show that the gradients, both in the radial and vertical directions, exhibit significant spatial and temporal variations. The radial gradients yielded by stars with the oldest ages( 11 Gyr) are essentially zero at all heights from the disk midplane, while those given by younger stars are always negative. The vertical gradients deduced from stars with the oldest ages( 11 Gyr)are negative and only show very weak variations with Galactocentric distance in the disk plane, R, while those yielded by younger stars show strong variations with R.After being essentially flat at the earliest epochs of disk formation, the radial gradients steepen as age decreases, reaching a maximum(steepest) at age 7–8 Gyr, and then they flatten again. Similar temporal trends are also found for the vertical gradients. We infer that the assembly of the Milky Way disk may have experienced at least two distinct phases. The earlier phase is probably related to a slow, pressure-supported collapse of gas, when the gas settles down to the disk mainly in the vertical direction. In the later phase, there are significant radial flows of gas in the disk, and the rate of gas inflow near the solar neighborhood reaches a maximum around a lookback time of 7–8 Gyr.The transition between the two phases occurs around a lookback time between 8 and11 Gyr. The two phases may be responsible for the formation of the Milky Way's thick and thin disks, respectively. Also, as a consequence, we recommend that stellar age is a natural, physical criterion to distinguish stars from the thin and thick disks. From an epoch earlier than 11 Gyr to one between 8 and 11 Gyr, there is an abrupt, significant change in magnitude of both the radial and vertical metallicity gradients, suggesting that stellar radial migration is unlikely to play an important role in the formation of the thick disk.     

Spectroscopic study of the envelope of Nova Mon 2012, a γ-ray source

Based on our spectrophotometric observations, we have studied the envelope of the HeN Nova Mon 2012. The abundances of some chemical elements in the envelope and its mass have been estimated. Our results show that the helium, nitrogen, oxygen, and neon abundances in the Nova envelope exceed the solar ones by a factor of 1.5, 33, 9, and 95, respectively. The envelope mass has been found to be 2.3 × 10^?4 M _⊙.     

Spectroscopic studies of the classical Cepheid ζ Gem: Analysis of the velocity field in the atmosphere and manifestation of the presence of a circumstellar envelope

Based on five high-resolution spectra in the range 5625–7525 ?A taken in 1995 and covering the ascending branch of the light curve from minimum to maximum, we have performed spectroscopic studies of the classical Cepheid ζ Gem. The atmospheric parameters and chemical composition of the Cepheid have been refined. The abundances of the key elements of the evolution of yellow supergiants are typical for an object that has passed the first dredge-up: a C underabundance, N, Na, and Al overabundances, and nearly solar O and Mg abundances. We have estimated [Fe/H] = +0.01 dex; the abundances of the remaining elements are also nearly solar. The metal absorption lines in all spectra show a clear asymmetry and the formation of secondary blue (B1 and B2) and red (R1 and R2) components, just as for the Cepheid X Sgr. The Hα absorption line is also split into blue (B) and red (R) components with different depths changing with pulsation phase. To analyze the velocity field in the atmosphere of ζ Gem, we have estimated the radial velocities from specially selected (with clear signatures of the B1, B2, R1, and R2 components) absorption lines (neutral atoms and ions) of metals (38 lines) and the B and R components of the Hα line. Analysis of these estimates has shown that their scatter is from ?22 to 36 km s^?1 for all pulsation phases but does not exceed 35–40 km s^?1 for each individual phase, while it does not exceed 22 km s^?1 for the Hα line components. The radial velocity estimates for the metal lines and their B1 and B2 components have been found to depend on the depths, suggesting the presence of a velocity gradient in the atmosphere. No significant difference in velocities between the atoms and ions of the metal lines is observed, i.e., there is no significant inhomogeneity in the upper atmospheric layers of the Cepheid. Since the averaged radial velocity estimates for the cores of the metal lines and their B1 and B2 components change with pulsation phase and coincide with those for the B component of the Hα line, they are all formed in the Cepheid’s atmosphere. The formation and passage of a shock wave due to the κ-mechanism at work can be responsible for the stronger scatter of the B1 and B2 components in their velocities at phases after the Cepheid’s minimum radius. The averaged velocities of the R1 components also change with pulsation phase and differ only slightly from the remaining ones. On the other hand, the mean velocity estimate for the R component of the Hα line at all phases is +32.72 ± 2.50 km s^?1 and differs significantly from the bulk of the velocities, suggesting the formation of this component in the envelope around the Cepheid. The unusual behavior of the mean velocities for the R2 components of the metal absorption lines can also point to their formation in the envelope and can be yet another indicator of its presence around ζ Gem.     

Small impact craters in the lunar regolith — Their morphologies,relative ages,and rates of formation

Apparently, there are two types of size-frequency distributions of small lunar craters (1–100 m across): (1) crater production distributions for which the cumulative frequency of craters is an inverse function of diameter to power near 2.8, and (2) steady-state distributions for which the cumulative frequency of craters is inversely proportional to the square of their diameters. According to theory, cumulative frequencies of craters in each morphologic category within the steady-state should also be an inverse function of the square of their diameters. Some data on frequency distribution of craters by morphologic types are approximately consistent with theory, whereas other data are inconsistent with theory.A flux of crater producing objects can be inferred from size-frequency distributions of small craters on the flanks and ejecta of craters of known age. Crater frequency distributions and data on the craters Tycho, North Ray, Cone, and South Ray, when compared with the flux of objects measured by the Apollo Passive Seismometer, suggest that the flux of objects has been relatively constant over the last 100 m.y. (within 1/3 to 3 times of the flux estimated for Tycho).Steady-state frequency distributions for craters in several morphologic categories formed the basis for estimating the relative ages of craters and surfaces in a system used during the Apollo landing site mapping program of the U.S. Geological Survey. The relative ages in this system are converted to model absolute ages that have a rather broad range of values. The range of values of the absolute ages are between about 1/3 to 3 times the assigned model absolute age.     

Orbital elements of the mild and strong barium stars formed through a wind accretion scenario

Taking account of the metallicity dependence of the s-process nucleosynthesis in the AGB stars, we adopted the wind accretion model with the condition of total angular momentum conservation and used the Monte-Carlo method to study the variations and the distributions of the orbital elements of the mild and strong Ba stars. The calculated results show that the level of heavy-element overabundance in a Ba star depends on the orbital period. Since there is a strong dependence of s-process yields on the initial stellar metallicity of the AGB star and a strong increase of the s-process yields in AGB stars with decreasing metallicity, the calculated results strongly suggest that the initial metallicity of the Ba star systems is another important parameter for the level of heavy-element overabundance in a Ba star. The strong Ba stars generally have lower metallicities than mild Ba stars. The masses of AGB progenitor and Ba star are other two parameters which also have some impact on the heavy-element overabundance in the Ba star.     

Merger Dynamics of the Pair of Galaxy Clusters——A399 and A401

Convincing evidence for a past interaction between the two rich clusters A399 and A401 was recently found in the X-ray imaging observations. We examine the structure and dynamics of this pair of galaxy clusters. A mixture-modeling algorithm was applied to obtain a robust partition into two clusters, which allowed us to discuss the virial mass and velocity distribution of each cluster. Assuming that these two clusters follow a linear orbit and they have once experienced a close encounter, we model the binary cluster as a two-body system. As a result, four gravitationally bound solutions are obtained. The recent X-ray observations seem to favor a scenario in which the two clusters with a true separation of 5.4h-1 Mpc are currently expanding at 583 km s-1 along a direction with a projection angle of 67.5°, and they will reach a maximum extent of 5.65 h-1 Mpc in about 1.0 h-1 Gyr.     

CSO CO(2–1) and Spitzer IRAC observations of a bipolar outflow in high-mass star-forming region IRAS 22506+5944

We present Caltech Submillimeter Observatory CO(2–1) and Spitzer IRAC observations toward IRAS 22506+5944, which is a 10~4 L_⊙massive star-forming region. The CO(2–1) maps show an east-west bipolar molecular outflow originating from the 3 mm dust continuum peak. The Spitzer IRAC color-composite image reveals a pair of bow-shaped tips which are prominent in excess 4.5 μm emission and are located at the leading fronts of the bipolar outflow, providing compelling evidence for the existence of bow-shocks as the driving agents of the molecular outflow. By comparing our CO(2–1) observations with previously published CO(1–0) data, we find that the CO(2–1)/(1–0) line ratio increases from low(~5 kms~(-1)) to moderate(~8–12 kms~(-1)) velocities, and then decreases at higher velocities. This is qualitatively consistent with the scenario that the molecular outflow is driven by multiple bow-shocks. We also revisit the position-velocity diagram of the CO(1–0) data, and find two spur structures along the outflow axis, which are further evidence for the presence of multiple jet bowshocks. Finally, power-law fittings to the mass spectrum of the outflow gives power law indexes more consistent with the jet bow-shock model than the wide-angle wind model.     

An Analysis of Average Pulsar Profiles and A Study of the ρ-P relation of Pulsars

Using the method of Gaussian Fit Separation of Average Profile (GF-SAP), we re-examine the average profiles of nine pulsars at several frequencies, ranging from 408-1642 MHz. This method enables us to obtain the number of components for each pulsar, and the parameters for each component, the width, position and amplitude. The ρ-P relation for the inner cone and outer cone are studied separately, and the results are, respectively, ρ = p-0.51±0.05 and ρ= p-0.42±0.06 The results can be interpreted as a confirmation of the double-cone structure of pulsar emission beams. The altitudes of emission region, and the radius-to-frequency-map (RFM) are also examined; for the outer cone, we obtained γ(v) ∝v-0.19±0.09.     

Horizontal branch stars: the interplay between observations and theory,and insights into the formation of the Galaxy

We review and discuss horizontal branch (HB) stars in a broad astrophysical context, including both variable and non-variable stars. A reassessment of the Oosterhoff dichotomy is presented, which provides unprecedented detail regarding its origin and systematics. We show that the Oosterhoff dichotomy and the distribution of globular clusters in the HB morphology-metallicity plane both exclude, with high statistical significance, the possibility that the Galactic halo may have formed from the accretion of dwarf galaxies resembling present-day Milky Way satellites such as Fornax, Sagittarius, and the LMC—an argument which, due to its strong reliance on the ancient RR Lyrae stars, is essentially independent of the chemical evolution of these systems after the very earliest epochs in the Galaxy’s history. Convenient analytical fits to isochrones in the HB type–[Fe/H] plane are also provided. In this sense, a rediscussion of the second-parameter problem is also presented, focusing on the cases of NGC 288/NGC 362, M13/M3, the extreme outer-halo globular clusters with predominantly red HBs, and the metal-rich globular clusters NGC 6388 and NGC 6441. The recently revived possibility that the helium abundance may play an important role as a second parameter is also addressed, and possible constraints on this scenario discussed. We critically discuss the possibility that the observed properties of HB stars in NGC 6388 and NGC 6441 might be accounted for if these clusters possess a relatively minor population of helium-enriched stars. A technique is proposed to estimate the HB types of extragalactic globular clusters on the basis of integrated far-UV photometry. The importance of bright type II Cepheids as tracers of faint blue HB stars in distant systems is also emphasized. The relationship between the absolute V magnitude of the HB at the RR Lyrae level and metallicity, as obtained on the basis of trigonometric parallax measurements for the star RR Lyr, is also revisited. Taking into due account the evolutionary status of RR Lyr, the derived relation implies a true distance modulus to the LMC of (m–M)₀=18.44±0.11. Techniques providing discrepant slopes and zero points for the M _V (RRL)–[Fe/H] relation are briefly discussed. We provide a convenient analytical fit to theoretical model predictions for the period change rates of RR Lyrae stars in globular clusters, and compare the model results with the available data. Finally, the conductive opacities used in evolutionary calculations of low-mass stars are also investigated. M. Catelan is John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellow.     

An analysis of apparent r-mode oscillations in solar activity,the solar diameter,the solar neutrino flux,and nuclear decay rates,with implications concerning the Sun’s internal structure and rotation,and neutrino processes

This article presents a comparative analysis of solar activity data, Mt Wilson diameter data, Super-Kamiokande solar neutrino data, and nuclear decay data acquired at the Lomonosov Moscow State University (LMSU). We propose that salient periodicities in all of these datasets may be attributed to r-mode oscillations. Periodicities in the solar activity data and in Super-Kamiokande solar neutrino data may be attributed to r-mode oscillations in the known tachocline, with normalized radius in the range 0.66–0.74, where the sidereal rotation rate is in the range 13.7–14.6 year⁻¹. We propose that periodicities in the Mt Wilson and LMSU data may be attributed to similar r-mode oscillations where the sidereal rotation rate is approximately 12.0 year⁻¹, which we attribute to a hypothetical “inner” tachocline separating a slowly rotating core from the radiative zone. We also discuss the possible role of the Resonant Spin Flavor Precession (RSFP) process, which leads to estimates of the neutrino magnetic moment and of the magnetic field strength in or near the solar core.     

The nature and structure of the emission line nebula K 3-35: a very young planetary nebula with precessing bipolar jet-like outflows?

We present Hα, [N  II ]6583 and 6-cm continuum images of the emission line nebula K 3-35. The optical images reveal an extended nebula (size ≃ 11 × 9 arcsec² in [N  II ]) in which most of the emission originates in a very narrow (width 0.7–1.3 arcsec) S-shaped region which extends almost all along the nebula (≃ 7 arcsec). The 6-cm continuum emission also arises in this narrow region, which is characterized by an exceedingly high point-symmetry and systematic and continuous changes of the orientation with respect to the nebular centre. The properties of the narrow region suggest that it represents a system of precessing bipolar jet-like components. Two low-excitation, compact bipolar knots near the tips of the jet-like components are observed in the deduced [N  II ]/Hα image ratio. These knots may be generated by the interaction of the collimated outflows with surrounding material. A comparison of the optical and radio images shows the existence of differential extinction within the nebula. Maximum extinction is observed in a disc-like region which traces the equator of the elliptical shell previously observed at 20-cm continuum. All available data strongly suggest that K 3-35 is a very young planetary nebula in which we could be observing the first stages of the formation of collimated outflows and point-symmetric structures typically observed in planetary nebulae. The properties of the jet-like components in K 3-35 are in good agreement with models of binary central stars in which highly collimated outflows originate either from a precessing accretion disc or via magnetic collimation in a precessing star.     

New insights into a familiar friend: COJ=2–1 mapping of the bipolar outflow source NGC 1333 (HH 7–11)

We have observed the bipolar outflow source NGC 1333 (HH 7–11) in theJ=2–1 transition of¹²CO, and find evidence for a strong westerly termination of the red outflow lobe at a velocityV _lsr 27 km s^–1, together with maximal mean red-flow velocities v centred upon both the driving source SVS 13 and the westerly limit of the outflow zone. As a consequence, we propose a model for the source in which the red-shifted outflow is directly impinging upon a nearby molecular cloud, causing extensive surface erosion and/or diversion of the jet material.Paper presented at the 11th European regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.     

Some comments on Suemoto's paper ‘an empirical,statistical model for the formation of the cores of chromospheric Fraunhofer lines’

We discuss a recent model for the solar chromosphere proposed by Suemoto (Solar Phys. 54, 3). We conclude that the model is incompatible with the basic constraints imposed by high resolution observations and by line formation theory, and that consequently the model does not adequately describe the solar chromosphere.Mitteilung aus dem Fraunhofer-Institut Nr. 159.     

The magnetic geometry and structure of the giant post-flare arch of 21–22 May, 1980

On 21–22 May, 1980 the HXIS instrument aboard SMM imaged an enormous, more-or-less stationary, X-ray arch structure near the position of a large two-ribbon flare which immediately preceded it in time. As described by vestka et al. (1982), the arch remained visible for up to 10 hours. Previous inferences of the height, orientation, and physical parameters of this feature have been based largely on the X-ray data and on radio observations of the associated stationary Type I noise storm. In the present paper we use the observed photospheric line-of-sight magnetic field distribution to compute, in the current-free approximation, the three-dimensional topology of the coronal field above the flare site. Comparing the HXIS intensity contours of the arch to the projected shapes of the field lines suggests that the arch is indeed aligned with certain coronal flux tubes and allows an independent determination of the geometrical arch parameters to be made. This procedure indicates that the true height of the arch is about 70000 km, i.e., appreciably less than was suggested previously (although it is still certainly to be classified as a giant feature of the post-flare evolution).These results suggest that the arch may be a by-product of magnetic reconnection occurring far above the flare site, analogous to the post-flare loops seen at lower heights. Unlike the latter, however, the field lines undergoing reconnection here link more distant parts of the active region; i.e., they do not represent direct linkages across the magnetic neutral line and thus appear to be topologically quite distinct from those which thread the underlying post-flare loops. In fact, of this group of peripheral field lines, the arch could simply comprise the lowest-lying ones to have been opened up by the flare process (and the first to reconnect again). This would explain why both the arch and the post-flare loops were visible early in the decay phase, being products of separate reconnection processes. Moreover, because of the lower plasma density and longer cooling times of the arch, this feature persisted long after the post-flare loops faded from view. A calculation of the magnetic energy liberated by reconnection shows that this process is easily capable of satisfying the overall energy requirements of the arch (the latter as determined from observations).On leave from Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, U.S.A.     

On the signatures of companion formation in the spectral energy distributions of Sz54 and Sz59—the young stars with protoplanetary disks

We study spectral energy distributions of two young systems Sz54 and Sz59, that belong to Chameleon II star forming region. The results of the modeling indicate that protoplanetary disks of these systems contain gaps in the dust component. These gaps could be a result of a planetary or brown dwarf companion formation, because the companion would accumulate a disk material, moving along its orbit. In a present work we have determined physical characteristics of the disks. We also discuss possible companion characteristics, based on the geometrical parameters of the gaps.     

A study of the nature of the Hα-emission stars LkHα112, 115, 118, and 119

The present study of the nature of the stars LkH112, LkH115, LkH118, and LkH119 is based on low-dispersion IDS spectra and photometric measurements in the wavelength range between 0.33 and 3.8 m. These stars are located in the direction of the extremely young open cluster NGC 6530 (Walker, 1957). The purpose of this study is, in general, to know whether they belong to the group of intermediate mass pre-main sequence objects, also known as Herbig Ae/Be stars, and, in particular, what special characteristics they possess. The result is as follows. The stars are very young; probably only LkH112 and LkH115 are members of the above-mentioned class of objects. The membership of LkH118 and LkH119 in this group is doubtful.Based on observations made at the European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile.