The rotational temperatures of Silicon hydride isotopomer lines in sunspot umbrae

The published sunspot spectrum obtained with National Solar Observatory/Kitt Peak laboratory’s high signal to noise ratio telescope and high resolution Fourier Transform Spectrometer were used for the study. A search was made for the prominent lines of the (0, 0) and (1, 1) A²Δ − X²Π for Silicon hydride isotopomers which lie between 23500 cm⁻¹ and 24500 cm⁻¹. The presence of lines from the (0, 0) and (1, 1) A²Δ − X²Π transition of SiH molecule coincided with the sunspot umbral lines suggest that Silicon hydride appears to be a non-negligible component of sunspot umbrae. However, the presence of A²Δ − X²Π (0, 0) and (1, 1) bands of SiD was found to be doubtful because of the lack of number of well identified lines in sunspot umbral spectra. Equivalent widths have been measured for well-resolved lines and, thereby, the rotational temperatures have been estimated for the band systems for which the presence is confirmed.     

Search for magnetic field oscillations in a sunspot umbra

In order to search for oscillations in velocity and magnetic field strength within a sunspot umbra, a time series of spectra has been obtained through a circular analyzer and the Gregory-Coudé telescope at the Observatorio del Teide, Tenerife. The velocity oscillations clearly show peaks of power at periods between 2 and 7 minutes, with a maximum at 5 minutes. The apparent variations of the magnetic field strength, however, don't exhibit significant oscillations; these fluctuations are rather produced by the influence of parasitic stray light from the surrouding quiet sun which are also visible in the measured time variations of the umbral contrast of continuum intensity.     

On the unusual H∈ emission in a sunspot umbra spectrum

A study is made of characteristics of the oscillatory process in a sunspot where, in addition to the high brightness in the cores of the H and K Caii lines, the H∈ line was also in emission. A bright H∈ emission persisted during six days at least. An analog of the behaviour of the Caii and H∈ lines can be seen, presumably, on dwarf stars dKe and dMe.     

On the effective temperature of large sunspot umbra using CrH sextets electronic state molecular lines

A high-resolution spectrum clearly shows the presence of A ⁶Σ⁺–X ⁶Σ⁺(0,0;0,1;1,0;2,0;2,1) and (2,2) bands system of CrH molecular lines in the spectral range 10,000 cm⁻¹ to 14,050 cm⁻¹. At least 3928 lines of the six bands, accounting for 57% of the lines registered in the laboratory can be identified with certainty in the sunspot spectrum. Most of the lines are found blended with TiO, CaH, MgH and other atomic species. These molecular lines are typically much more temperature sensitive than atomic lines, which make them ideal, complementary tool for studying cool stellar atmospheres as well as the internal structure of sunspots. Equivalent width for an adequate number of well identified molecular lines of these bands using the Gaussian-profile approximation method versus rotational quantum number J has been used to determine the effective rotational temperature of the CrH molecule. The range of effective rotational temperature value obtained from these bands is 1766 K to 2442 K. This range agrees well with the effective rotational temperatures derived for other molecules in sunspot umbrae.     

Identification of Zirconium Oxide molecular lines in the sunspot umbral spectra

The ZrO molecule has been detected in sunspot umbrae through the identification of following laboratory molecular transitions: ¹Σ⁺ ? X¹Σ⁺ (0, 0), A³Φ₂ ? X²Δ₁ (0, 0), A³Φ₃ ? X²Δ₂ (0, 0), A³Φ₄ ? X²Δ₃ (0, 0), B³Π₂ ? X³Δ₃ (0, 0), B³Π₁ ? X³Δ₂ (0, 0) and B³Π₀ ? X³Δ₁ (0, 0) in red – infrared region using high resolution, visible range Fourier Transform Spectrum of sunspot umbra observed at the National Solar Observatory in Kitt Peak (NSO/KP). Much new identification has been made in the searched spectral wavenumber region from 16650 cm^?1 to 18007 cm^?1 of sunspot spectrum. Equivalent widths of well resolved lines, versus rotational quantum number J have been used to determine the effective rotational temperature for seven bands of the ZrO molecule. This result agrees well with the temperatures derived for other molecules’ presence in sunspot umbrae. It is evident that ZrO molecular lines are formed in higher layers of the atmosphere of relatively “cold” sunspots.     

H and K lines in the sunspot umbra: A source function and Doppler width

An inversion of line profiles H and K Ca ii in the umbra of two sunspots is performed. By means of a numerical experiment, a tentative study of possible application of the method of intercomparison of lines in the multiplet (Goldberg's method) is made in cases when the condition of source function equality in multiplet is not fulfilled. It is found that the source functions of H and K lines in the sunspot umbra vary in a monotonous way. Their ratio in the layers for which measured values of Δλ_D are available differs from unity. In the region of the lower chromosphere under consideration, the Doppler width is decreasing with height.     

Zeeman splitting of molecular lines in sunspot spectra

The presence of magnetic splitting in a line of MgH (first discovered by Wöhl) is confirmed by photo-electric observations. The umbral magnetic field deduced from the line splitting was 3150 ± 200 G against 2360 ± 200 G given by FeI 5250. This difference is opposite in sign to that found by Wöhl. Lines from the B ² —X ² transition of CaH are also shown to be broadened by Zeeman splitting.     

On spatial characteristics of five-minute oscillations in the sunspot umbra

Using a differential method we have carried out observations of oscillations in six sunspots. Spectral lines Fe i 5434 Å and Fe i 5576 Å were used. Horizontal waves are not observed in the sunspot umbra photosphere. Results obtained indicate that, at least, the sunspot umbra oscillates as a single whole.     

A new method to calculate the resonant response of a sunspot model atmosphere to magneto-atmospheric waves

In order to understand the observed oscillations in sunspots we present a new method for calculating the resonant response of a realistic semi-empirical model of the sunspot umbral atmosphere and subphotosphere to magneto-atmospheric waves in a vertical magnetic field. The depth dependence of both the adiabatic coefficient and the turbulent pressure is taken into account. This requires an extension of the wave equations by Ferraro & Plumpton (1958). We compare the coefficients of wave transmission, re flection, and conversion between fast mode and slow mode waves for different assumptions, compare the results with those from earlier modelling efforts, and point out possible sources of mistakes. The depth dependence of the adiabatic coefficient strongly influences the resulting spectrum of resonance frequencies. The condition of a conservation of wave flux is violated if the depth dependence of the turbulent pressure is not properly considered.     

On the minimum intensity of the Na D2-5890 Å line in sunspot umbra

The line-to-continuum intensity ratio for the center of the Na D₂ absorption line in a spot of area 20 × 10^–6 in the Rome Group 5847 was found to be 0.033±0.05 on 6–7/7/70 by two methods.Goethe Link Publication No. 139. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.     

Identification of SiH lines in the solar disk spectrum

A new investigation of the presence of SiH lines in the solar disk spectrum has been performed. It may be concluded that molecular absorption lines of SiH are present in the disk spectrum with maximum equivalent widths of about 2 mÅ. A value of the oscillator strength of SiH has been derived (f ₀₀ = 0.0008 ± 0.0004).     

An attempt of identification of barium hydride molecular lines in sunspot umbral spectra

A high-resolution sunspot umbra spectrum recorded in National Solar Observatory, Kitt Peak in the visible and infrared wave number range 13, 600 – 25, 000cm⁻¹ was taken in the present study for identifying the rotational lines of barium hydride (BaH) molecule. Number of chance coincidences was evaluated for the A ²Π_1/2 – X ²Σ ((0,0), (1,1), (2,2), (1,0), (2,1)), A ²Π_3/2 – X ²Σ ((0,0), (1,1), (2,2)), B ²Π_1/2 – X ²Σ (0,0), B ²Π_3/2 – X ²Σ (0,0), C ²Σ – X ²Σ ((1,1), (1,0), (2,2), (2,1), (3,2)) and D ²Σ – X ²Σ ((1,0), (2,0), (3,0), (4,0), (5,0), (8,0), (9,0)) band systems of BaH using line identification procedure. The obtained number of chance of coincidences was compared with I- parameter values. The highly resolved rotational lines were chosen to evaluate equivalent widths using triangle approximation method. The effective rotational temperatures were calculated for the bands (0,0), (1,1), (2,2) and (2,1) of A ²Π_1/2 – X ²Σ, (0,0) (1,1) and (2,2) of A ²Π_3/2 – X ²Σ, B ²Π_1/2 – X ²Σ (0,0) and B ²Π_3/2 – X ²Σ (0,0) of BaH molecule. The rotational temperature values calculated for these bands were found to be in the range 1185 – 3514 K. They were also compared with the already reported sunspot temperatures.     

On the presence of SH in the sunspot spectrum

The expected equivalent widths of individual rotational lines of the most intense Q ₂ branch of the 0-0 band of the A ²-X²_i; system of S³²H and S³⁴H have been calculated in the umbral spectrum for five disk positions using Zwaan's (1974) sunspot model. Percentage abundance of S³⁴ in the terrestrial case has been considered valid in our calculations.Strong lines of S³²H and S³⁴H of the A-X band system should be detectable in the sunspot spectrum. The molecule SH may play a possible role as a major opacity source in the ultraviolet spectrum of sunspots along with the molecule OH in the upper layers (up to _0.5m = 1.0) wherefrom most of the continuum arises. Study of this molecule in the umbral spectrum may also provide the solar isotopic abundance ratio N(S³²)/N(S³⁴).     

Identification of lines in the spectrum of the quasar 0420-388

The plasma-laser star model for quasars has been used to identify the emission and absorption lines as well as the continuum discontinuity in the spectrum of the quasar 0420-388. The Hei 3680 discontinuity is identified for the first time in an astronomical spectra. Two predictions are made.     

A study of weak molecular and atomic lines in the photospheric spectrum

An attempt is made to detect the lines of Mg²⁵H and Mg²⁶H in the photospheric spectrum, using calculated isotope shifts. From comparisons with the Mg²⁴H lines of the ² –² transition in the (0, 0) band the ratios Mg²⁵/Mg²⁴ = 0.12 ± 0.04 and Mg²⁶/Mg²⁴ = 0.12 ± 0.02 are derived. These are essentially the same as the terrestrial ratios. The profile of one line of Mgi confirms these values.The wavelengths of MgH and C₂ lines, when corrected for the gravitational red shift, indicate that macroturbulent (or streaming) velocities die out near log ₀ = – 1.0. From the equivalent widths of the MgH lines a rotational temperature of 5132 ± 200 K is obtained and compared to predictions from various model atmospheres. The band oscillator strength is found to be 0.024 ± 0.002, in serious disagreement with the single laboratory determination.The profiles of MgH, C₂, CN and some weak atomic lines are used to derive the variation of the radial component of microturbulence with optical depth, on the assumption of streaming velocities of 2.5–3.0 km/sec. A slow increase with increasing height in the photosphere is found, over the range –1.5 < log₀< 0.2.The center-limb variation of the equivalent widths of MgH and C₂ lines for a wholly inhomogeneous model is found to be the same as for a model which is homogeneous above log ₀ = - 1.0. With such a model as the latter, the center-limb variation of the profiles of the selected molecular and atomic lines is moderately-well reproduced by an anisotropic microturbulent velocity with a tangential component of 3 km/sec which seems to be constant with height over the range considered.     

A study of the green TiO band in the sunspot spectrum

The equivalent widths of the TiO lines in the α system have been measured on a high dispersion (11 mm/Å) spectrogram of large sunspot. The lines were so weak that the measurement was made by methods giving maximum and minimum equivalent widths, depending on the adopted continuum. The rotational temperature obtained in this way was about 3000 °K. The result is unaffected by stray light because there are no TiO lines in the undisturbed spectrum. The calculation of equivalent widths using several sunspot models (all of which can satisfy the observed data) shows that the logarithmic optical depth at the effective layer of molecular line formation is about -1.6.     

Hemispheric asymmetry of sunspot area in solar cycle 23 and rising phase of solar cycle 24: Comparison of three data sets

Analysis of long-term solar data from different observatories is required to compare and confirm the various level of solar activity in depth. In this paper, we study the north–south asymmetry of monthly mean sunspot area distribution during the cycle-23 and rising phase of cycle-24 using the data from Kodaikanal Observatory (KO), Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) and Solar Optical Observing Network (SOON). Our analysis confirmed the double peak behavior of solar cycle-23 and the dominance of southern hemisphere in all the sunspot area data obtained from three different resources. The analysis also showed that there is a 5–6 months time delay in the activity levels of two hemispheres. Furthermore, the wavelet analysis carried on the same data sets showed several known periodicities (e.g., 170–180 days, 2.1 year) in the north–south difference of sunspot area data. The temporal occurrence of these periods is also the same in all the three data sets. These results could help in understanding the underlying mechanism of north–south asymmetry of solar activity.     

Identification of X-ray lines in the spectrum of the arcsec-scale precessing jets of SS 433

The extended X-ray emission observed at arcsec scales along the propagation trajectory of the precessing relativistic jets of the Galactic microquasar SS 433 features a broad emission line, with the position of the centroid being significantly different for the approaching and receding jets (≈7.3 and ≈6.4 keV, respectively). These observed line positions are at odds with the predictions of the kinematic model for any of the plausible bright spectral lines in this band, raising the question of their identification. Here we address this issue by taking into account time delays of the emission coming from the receding regions of the jets relative to that from the approaching ones, which cause a substantial phase shift and distortion of the predicted line positions for the extended (~10¹⁷ cm) emission compared to the X-ray and optical lines observed from the central source (emitted at distances ~10¹¹ and ~10¹⁵ cm, respectively). We demonstrate that the observed line positions are fully consistent with the Fe XXVI Lyα (E ₀ = 6.96 keV) line emerging from a region of size ~6 × 10¹⁶ cm along the jet. This supports the idea that intensive reheating of the jets up to temperatures >10 keV takes place at these distances, probably as a result of partial deceleration of the jets due to interaction with the surrounding medium, which might cause collisions between discrete dense blobs inside the jets.