The frequency of novae in the Galaxy

Recent statistics indicate that each year an average of 3.5 novae or nova-like objects are discovered in the Galaxy. With reasonable assumptions about the completeness of the surveys, we arrive at an overall galactic production rate of 76±38 y^–1. When recurrent novae are omitted, this rate drops to 60±30 y^–1. Hence, it seems that our Galaxy is more prolific than M31 in nova production. The total amount of material released into galactic space by novae each year is about one-tenth that ejected by supernovae.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Location of the electron acceleration region in solar flares

Observations of impulsive solar flare X-rays 10 keV by the OGO-5 satellite and the measurements of energetic solar electrons made with the Explorer-35 and Explorer-41 (IMP-5) satellites during the period March 1968–September 1969 have been analyzed in order to determine the ion density in the X-ray source region as well as the location of the electron acceleration region in the solar atmosphere. If we assume that the efficiency of escape of the accelerated electrons into interplanetary space is 10^–3, the observations are found to be consistent with the following interpretation: (i) the ion density in the X-ray source region varies from event to event and lies between 10⁹ and 10¹¹ ions cm^–3 for those events in which the impulsive X-ray emission could be detected; (ii) for those events in which no impulsive emission was detected above threshold, the ion density in the X-ray source was < 10⁹ ions cm^–3; (iii) at least in some small solar flares the region where the electrons are accelerated during the flash phase is located in the lower corona.     

Abundance enhancements of silicon to iron in solar energetic particles and their implications

Differential energy spectra of low abundant elements between silicon and iron of energetic solar particles (SEP) in the August 4, 1972 event were measured in the energy region of 10 to 40 MeV amu^–1 using rocket-borne Lexan detectors. The relative abundances of elements were determined and abundance enhancements, i.e., SEP/photospheric ratios, and their energy dependence were derived in 10–40 MeV amu^–1 interval. It is found that there are four types of abundance enhancements as a function of energy as follows: (a) silicon, iron, and calcium show fairly strong energy dependence which decreases with increasing energy and at 20–40 MeV amu^–1 reaches photospheric values; (b) in case of sulphur enhancement factors are independent of energy and the values are close to unity; (c) argon shows energy independent enhancements of about 3 to 4 in 10–40 MeV amu^–1; (d) titanium and chromium show weakly energy-dependent, but very high abundance enhancement factor of about 10 to 40. These features are to be understood in terms of the atomic properties of these elements and on the physical conditions in the accelerating region. These are important not only for solar phenomena but also to gain insight into the abundance enhancements of cosmic-ray heavy nuclei.on leave from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay, India.     

Low-energy charged particle ring around equator in the altitude range 400–1100 km

Measurements of charged particle fluxes at energies >-13 MeV (if protons), by means of a detector system of high geometrical factor (950 cm² sr), flown on OGO-6 satellite, reveals a ring of low energy charged particles around equator with fluxes of the order of 50–70 particles (m^–2 s^–1 sr^–1), in the altitude range of 400–1100 km. The ring of charged particles exists below the inner radiation belt and is restricted to ±4° of the geomagnetic equator. Distribution of the maximum flux with geomagnetic latitude andL is presented. Comparison of the observed fluxes with earlier measurements of low energy particles, reveals a differential energy spectrum of the type KE^– with the exponent nearly equal to 2.4 to 3.     

Spectral evolution of Nova V400 Per (1974) and Nova V373 Sct (1975)

Photographic and spectroscopic observations of the two galactic novae, V400 Per and V373 Sct, which appeared in 1974 and 1975, have been carried out at Asiago. The light curves of the two novae were characterized by the presence of brightness oscillations during the early decline. The spectral evolution was quite normal: the spectra showed at first, over a relatively strong continuum, wide emission bands of moderate excitation, accompanied by blueshifted absorptions, with radial velocities of –1760 km s^–1 (Nova Per) and –1260 km s^–1 (Nova Sct). Later, after the novae entered the nebular stage, the continuum weakened, the absorption disappeared and the novae displayed the usual emission spectrum, with permitted and forbidden lines of high excitation ([Oiii], Niii, Hei, Heii). Forbidden lines of Fevi and Fevii-and in Nova Sct, also Fex and Ax-were present for a time, but they soon disappeared, so that at the end the spectrum was dominated by the [Oiii] nebular lines, even stronger than H.     

Energy Spectra of low-Flux Protons in the Inner Heliosphere under Quiet Solar Conditions

The energy spectra of protons at energies in the range of about 1–100 MeV are investigated during time periods of low solar activity using data sets from near Earth spacecraft. These populations pose a tough experimental and theoretical problem that remains unsolved up to now. We attempt to provide a consistent definition of low-flux quiet-time periods relevant to low solar activity as well as quasi-stationary periods useful at higher levels of solar activity. Using statistical methods, the possible instrumental contribution to the lowest observed proton fluxes for various detectors is estimated. We suggest and prove that there exists a low-flux population of charged particles in the energy range of about 1–10 MeV, which is present in the inner heliosphere even during the quietest conditions at lowest solar activity. The dynamics of the variations of proton spectra over the solar cycle is investigated. A series of low-flux periods is examined in detail and energy spectra of protons are approximated in the form of J(E)=AE ^–+CE. By determining the best fitting parameters to the energy spectra correlations are made among them as well as with monthly sunspot numbers characterizing solar activity. It has been demonstrated that the value of the energy minimum of proton spectrum E _min that `divides' the two populations – `solar/heliospheric' and `galactic' – is shifted towards higher values with increasing solar activity. Protons have been argued to be predominantly of solar origin up to several MeV near the solar cycle minimum and up to 20–30 MeV at maximum. The slope of the lower spectrum branch (parameter ) slightly decreases with increasing solar activity. The minimum fluxes observed during the last 3 minima of solar activity are compared; the lowest fluxes were those during the 1985–1987 period.     

Populations of highly excited atoms and ions in the optically thin plasma

Treating it as a boundary-value problem, the equations of highly excited state populations of atoms and ions are theoretically studied in case of recombining plasma. Scattering and spontaneous transitions as well as those induced by background radiation, are taken into account in the kinetic equations. The kinetic coefficients for inelastic scattering of incident charged particles on highly excited atoms and ions have been calculated in the asymptotically exact case: 1.6×10⁵ (z/n)²)T _e ^–1 1.The distribution functions over the Rydberg states, analytically found, allow to determine amplification factor and optical depth of radio-recombination lines as functions of cosmic plasma parameters.     

First Energetic Particle Events Observed by the ERNE Instrument

The energetic particle instrument ERNE on-board SOHO started its observations on December 15, 1995. The low-energy sensor of ERNE, LED, is capable of measuring particles in the energy range from 1 to 10 MeV nucl^-1. From the beginning of the year 1996 until May 22, 1996, LED-observations included four energetic particle events above threshold intensities. An energetic particle event caused by a corotating interaction region that accelerated protons upto 10 MeV, was observed during January 20–25. Another similar particle event occured on May 6–12. The events were separated by four solar rotation periods. They had similar time profiles, but the one in May had a harder spectrum and a lower intensity level. The ⁴He-to-proton ratios were in accordance with the solar wind value. Energetic particles observed during April 22–23 and May 14–17 were accelerated at the Sun. The first one was apparently an outcome from an active region observed on the west limb by telescopes on-board SOHO. Protons were detected at energies from 1 to 10 MeV. For this event, the⁴He-to-proton ratio in the range 1.5–5 MeV nucl^-1 was 3%. No ³He ions were detected. The period of May 14–15 was, in contrast, extremely ³He-rich: it had a³He-to-proton ratio of 1.5 ± 0.6 and a ³He-to- ^4He ratio as high as 8. The period of May 14–17 comprised at least three individual, one-day-long events. The first two events were ³He-rich, while the last one seemed to have a normal composition.     

A possible observational constraint on the production of lithium by galactic novae

Recent computations (D'Antona and Mazzitelli, 1982), together with the general scheme of evolution of cataclysmic binaries (CBs), lead to conclude that the secondaries in those CBs having periods shorter than 4.5 hr have a large³He content in the envelope, ranging from 10^–4 (P=4.5 hr) to >2×10^–3 (P=3 hr) in mass fraction, if the nova systems have an age of some billion years. The consequence on the frequency of novae outbursts is shortly examined. If lithium is produced by galactic novae, the⁷Li content of old disk stars should be very close to the Population II content.Presented at the 5th European Workshop on White Dwarfs, Kiel, 1984.     

On the production of positive molecular ions in cometary comas

Positively charged molecular ions, such as H₂O⁺, which have been observed in cometary. comas, may be efficiently produced by the evaporation of positively charged clathrate grains of radii in the range 10^–6–10^–5 cm. Such grains may be expelled from nuclei of comets, along with gaseous molecules. Grain charging occurs via interaction with solar ultraviolet photons and/or solar wind protons. Observational data on the total quantities as well as the distributions of H₂O and H₂O⁺ in cometary comas are shown to be in accord with detailed model calculations.On leave from: Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay, India.     

Non-adiabatic interactions in excitedC 2 H molecules and their relationship toC 2 formation in comets

A unified picture of the photodissociation of theC ₂ H radical has been developed using the results from the latest experimental and theoretical work. This picture shows that a variety of electronic states ofC ₂ are formed during the photodissociation of theC ₂ H radical even if photoexcitation accesses only one excited state. This is because the excited states have many avoided corssings and near intersections where two electronic states come very close to one another. At these avoided crossings and near intersections, the excited radical can hop from one electronic state to another and access new final electronic states of theC ₂ radical. The complexity of the excited state surfaces also explains the bimodal rotational distributions that are observed in all of the electronic states studied. The excited states that dissociate through a direct path are limited by dynamics to produceC ₂ fragments with a modest amount of rotational energy, whereas those that dissociate by a more complex path have a greater chance to access all of phase space and produce fragments with higher rotational excitation. Finally, the theoretical transition moments and potential energy curves have been used to provide a better estimate of the photochemical lifetimes in comets of the different excited states of theC ₂ H radical. The photochemically active states are the 2²₊, 2²II, 3²II, and 3²₊, with photodissociation rate constants of 1.0×10^–6, 4.0×10^–6, 0.7×10^–6, and 1.3×10^–6s^–1, respectively. These rate constants lead to a total photochemical lifetime of 1.4×10⁵ s.     

Quiet-time periods observed by EPHIN/SOHO during the minimum of the 22nd solar cycle

An analysis of the hydrogen and helium isotopic composition from EPHIN data, during the quiet-time period from January 1 to June 1, 1996, is presented. An isotopic discrimination and background rejection have been applied and relationships between the abundances of ²H/¹H, ³He/⁴He, and ⁴He/¹H have been calculated. The energy spectra in the 4–50 MeV nucl^–1 range have been obtained and the contribution of the different spectral components have been analysed in this energy range. We conclude that the main contribution to the ⁴He spectrum is of anomalous origin, while the proton and ³He spectra have contributions mainly from particles of solar origin at low energies and from the galactic cosmic radiation modulated by the heliosphere at high energies. The deuterium spectrum is mainly of galactic origin.     

Enhancement of solar heavy nuclei at high energies in the 4 July 1974 event

Relative abundances of energetic nuclei in the 4 July 1974 solar event are presented. The results show a marked enhancement of abundances that systematically increase with nuclear charge numbers in the range of the observation, 6 Z 26 for energies above 15 MeV nucl.^–1 While such enhancements are commonly seen below 10 MeV nucl^–1, most observations at higher energies are found to be consistent with solar system abundances. The energy spectrum of oxygen is observed to be significantly steeper than most other solar events studied in this energy region. It is proposed that these observations are characteristic of particle populations at energies 1 MeV nucl^–1, and that the anomalous features observed here may be the result of the high energy extension of such a population that is commonly masked by other processes or populations that might occur in larger solar events.     

Constraints for cataclysmic binary evolution as derived from space distributions

Space densities and galacticz-distributions of novae, recurrent novae, dwarf novae and symbiotic stars are newly determined and discussed in the context of earlier determinations. The data are then compared with the distributions of single and binary stars of possibly related types (late type giants, Mira variables, Algol systems, W UMa systems).Novae and dwarf novae have similar distributions, those of fairly young stellar populations. The observed space density of potential novae (novalike objects) indicates that the mean recurrence time of novae might be as small as a few hundred years, which leads, with given nova shell masses and mass transfer rates in the minimum stage, to a secular decrease of the masses of the components undergoing nova outbursts.Recurrent novae and symbiotic stars have distributions of older stellar populations, similar to those of late type giants and Mira variables.On the basis of galactic distribution, novae and dwarf novae are closely related and may be final stages of W UMa systems, as well as progenitors of supernovae of type I. A small fraction of W UMa systems seems to belong to an older population. If evolutionary transitions between these types of stars can be substantiated, the presence of a minority of novae and dwarf novae in globular clusters and of supernovae I in elliptical galaxies can be explained.Due to the lack of sufficiently well determined space distributions of Algol binaries, the suggestion that long-period Algol systems might be the progenitors of cataclysmic binaries can as yet neither be substantiated nor refuted. A very high space density of long-period Algol systems in the solar neighbourhood is derived. The observed space density of cataclysmic binaries could be explained by the transformation of a small percentage of the long-period Algol systems by common envelope evolution.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.     

The interrelationship between cosmic dust and the microwave background

Attention is given to the radiation of microwaves by charged dust in space. Presently-used particle distributions do not restrict the presence in space of large numbers of small (r<10^–6 cm) silicate grains, but it is shown that such densities (10^–25–10^–26 g cm^–3) of small grains would produce a microwave background with an energy density of the same order of magnitude as the energy density of the (presumed) cosmological 3 K background. Limits set by the isotropy of the latter are: (HI clouds)10^–26, (Galactic plane)10^–30, (Halo)10^–32, (Local Group)10^–34 g cm^–3. These limits imply that either there is a cutoff in particle distributions atr10^–6 cm, or that the density of silicate grains in space has been generally overestimated, or that cosmic rays have broken up a lot of grains so that they now form a population of grains of very small size (10^–7 cm) which are difficult to detect by conventional methods. One way to look for the latter population is by studying expected distortions of the 3 K spectrum to the short wavelength side of the portion hitherto observed (grains may have a size distribution able to give an approximate black-body curve for radiation from larger grains of 10^–6 cm size), and by testing the effective energy density of the 3 K field in other galaxies.     

Atmospheric gamma-ray spectrum between 10 and 100 MeV

An experiment made with a baloon-borne large volume (16×16×24 cm³) omnidirectional plastic scintillator sensitive to high-energy -radiation is described. Two flights were carried out on 25 November, 1973 and 24 February, 1978 at high geomagnetic cut-off rigidities. For an omnidirectional detector and for energies greater than several MeV, most of the detected photons are secondary -rays produced through interactions of the charged cosmic rays with the atmosphere. To unfold the observed pulse height spectrum and obtain the incident -ray spectrum, the detector response function is calculated numerically. By using this response function a differential flux dJ/dE=(0.33±0.1)E ^–1.2±0.2 photons cm^–2 s^–1 MeV^–1 averaged over all zenith angles, is estimated for the atmospheric -radiation, at 5 g cm^–2, in the 10–100 MeV energy range. This result is compared with other observations made with different types of detectors and at different geomagnetic latitudes.Members of the Carrera del Investigador Cientifico y Tecnológico del Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) from Argentina.     

Theoretical spectra of cataclysmic variables

We present two methods of modelling accretion disks in dwarf novae. The first one determines self-consistently the structure of a disk together with the radiation field. The computed theoretical spectra agree well with the observations of the dwarf nova WX Hyi in quiescence as well as in superoutburst. The second method is a modification of Tylenda's (1981) approach. We have used it to calculate models of disks around main-sequence accretors. The most interesting result is that no unique solution exists for a moderate mass flux around 10^–6 Myr^–1. Such disks are thus probably unstable.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Energetic Particles and Coronal Mass Ejections: a Case Study From ace and Ulysses

In 2001 the Ulysses spacecraft crossed the ecliptic plane near perihelion. The heliographic longitude with respect to the Earth was within ±20° of the west solar limb while it was ±15° of the ecliptic plane, which meant that coronal mass ejections seen off the solar west limb were likely to pass over Ulysses. On 10 May the largest >38 keV electron intensity of the mission, since the Jovian encounter in 1992, was observed, which was accompanied by a fast perpendicular shock. This event was preceded by a fast coronal mass ejection some two and a half days earlier which is the probable source of the shock. However, both the ACE spacecraft and Ulysses observed, simultaneously, an intense, prompt electron event on 7 May from a solar flare associated with earlier coronal mass ejections also observed off the west limb; Ulysses was magnetically connected to a longitude well behind the west limb. ACE did not observe any (at the 0.1% level) energetic electrons which were associated with the 10 May event seen at Ulysses. We discuss in detail the energetic particles seen at the two spacecraft during 7–11 May, with the objective of understanding the origin of the intense electron event seen on 10 May and the manner in which particles escaping from the shock populate the inner heliosphere. The energy spectrum of the ions at both ACE and Ulysses exhibits a maximum at around 400 keV; this form of the spectrum was seen at the shock itself. It appears that the strong shock driven by the fast coronal mass ejection is able to populate a large fraction of the inner heliosphere with accelerated ions. The shock-accelerated electrons do not pervade the inner heliosphere in the same manner as the ions. We suggest that the electron acceleration was enhanced by the presence of multiple coronal mass ejections.     

First Byurakan Spectral Sky Survey. Blue stellar objects. XI. Region +80 ≤ δ ≤ +90°

The eleventh list of blue stellar objects in the second part of the First Byurakan Spectral Sky Survey (FBS) is presented. The list consists of 64 objects located in the region +80 +90° and 2^h 08^m a 20^h 15^m. The objects haveV magnitudes in the range 12.3–17.4 andB–V color indices in the range -0.55-+0.55. Of the 98 objects, 56 are newly discovered. Tentative classifications are given for 28 objects, of which there is one planetary nebula, 6 possible quasars, 15 possible white dwarfs, and 6 possible cataclysmic variables. Two of the latter are possibly novae having erupted at the epoch of exposure of the FBS plates in this region.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 531–540, November, 1996.     

Nucleation in novae

We consider the possibility that dust grains in novae could nucleate on ions. We examine how different ejected masses and different elemental abundances effect the availability of nucleation centres, and we show how this model could explain why only novae of intermediate speed classes form dust.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.