The masers of E-type methanol in orion KL and SGR B2

Using a simplified model the statistical equilibrium and radiative transfer equations of E-type-CH₃OH are solved for Orion KL and SgrB2. According to our calculation results and the observation data taken by Matsakiset al. (1980) and Morimotoet al. (1985a, b), the physical conditions of both sources are estimated. In theJ ₂-J ₁ E methanol maser region of Orion KL, the density, kinetic temperature, dust temperature, and the fractional abundance are 0.8–2×10⁶ cm^–3, 150, 30–90 K, 0.8–8×10^–6. In the 4_–1-3₀ E and 5_–1-4₀ E methanol maser region of Sgr B2 the correspondance physical conditions above are 10⁴ cm³, 45, 23 K, and 7×10^–7, respectively.     

The absorption lines in the spectra of high redshift qsos

Based on the spectra of 4 high-redshift quasars (resolution 2A) obtained by us [1–5] using IPCS on the RGO Cassegrain spectrograph of the AAT, we point out the following. 1. Auto-correlation peaks at in PKS 0805+046 and PKS 1442+101 suggest that the large number of absorption lines shortward of L_α in high redshift quasars are due to absorption by hydrogen clouds. 2. The distribution of absorption lines and the correlation function of indicate that PKS 0528-250 may be an exception, requiring further observation. 3. Absorption redshift systems containing metallic lines may be produced by either matter ejected from the quasar, or an associated galaxy cluster or an intervening galaxy. 4. The randomness in the column density and the dispersion velocity deduced from the curve of growth of the pair supports the hypothesis that the pure L_α absorption comes from primitive hydrogen clouds in the early, exploding universe. 5. The number of hydrogen clouds per unit redshift interval is determined by the data of absorption lines of quasars with Z > 3.     

Spectroscopic observations of delta orionis

The H profile in the spectrum of Orionis shows phase-dependent changes, with a period of variation equal to the orbital period fo the binary system. The profile shape changes from a normal absorption profile at zero phase to a P Cygni-type at a later phase, to an absorption profile having emission at the centre of the profile, to a normal absorption profile at the end of the period. The spectra have been obtained at the Cassegrain focus of Kavalur Observatory telescopes (50 and 100 cm) at 17.2 Å mm^–1 reciprocal dispersion and resolution 0.3 Å at 6562.817 Å. Assuming that the P Cygni profile is formed by a spherically-symmetrical region, the analysis gives a shell radius of 2.18 stellar radius and an electron density in the shell equal to 6.54×10^–9 cm^–3, with the observed expansion velocity of 50 km/s^–1, a mass loss of 1.3×10^–7 M per year.An analysis has been carried on the radial velocity data of earlier observers and the present radial velocity data. It is found that the orbital elements change. The presence of apsidal motion is confirmed by the increasing value of . The radial velocity of the centre of mass, , shows periodic variation. These observations confirm the presence of a third body. The values ofK (mean amplitude),P (period),a sini, and mass functionf(m), indicate a regular decrease, thereby confirming the mass transfer/mass loss from the system.     

Late Pleistocene deep-water circulation in the subantarctic eastern Atlantic

We present three new benthic foraminiferal δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, and total organic carbon time series from the eastern Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean between 41°S and 47°S. The measured glacial δ¹³C values belong to the lowest hitherto reported. We demonstrate a coincidence between depleted late Holocene (LH) δ¹³C values and positions of sites relative to ocean surface productivity. A correction of +0.3 to +0.4 [‰ VPDB] for a productivity-induced depletion of Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) benthic δ¹³C values of these cores is suggested. The new data are compiled with published data from 13 sediment cores from the eastern Atlantic Ocean between 19°S and 47°S, and the regional deep and bottom water circulation is reconstructed for LH (4–0 ka) and LGM (22–16 ka) times. This extends earlier eastern Atlantic-wide synoptic reconstructions which suffered from the lack of data south of 20°S. A conceptual model of LGM deep-water circulation is discussed that, after correction of southernmost cores below the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) for a productivity-induced artifact, suggests a reduced formation of both North Atlantic Deep Water in the northern Atlantic and bottom water in the southwestern Weddell Sea. This reduction was compensated for by the formation of deep water in the zone of extended winter sea-ice coverage at the northern rim of the Weddell Sea, where air–sea gas exchange was reduced. This shift from LGM deep-water formation in the region south of the ACC to Holocene bottom water formation in the southwestern Weddell Sea, can explain lower preformed δ¹³C_DIC values of glacial circumantarctic deep water of approximately 0.3‰ to 0.4‰. Our reconstruction brings Atlantic and Southern Ocean δ¹³C and Cd/Ca data into better agreement, but is in conflict, however, with a scenario of an essentially unchanged thermohaline deep circulation on a global scale. Benthic δ¹⁸O-derived LGM bottom water temperatures, by 1.9°C and 0.3°C lower than during the LH at deepest southern and shallowest northern sites, respectively, agree with the here proposed reconstruction of deep-water circulation in the eastern South Atlantic Ocean.     

An attempt to interpret the temperature profile of the KTB pilot drillhole (Germany) by paleoclimatic considerations

The temperature profile of the KTB pilot drillhole, T(z)_KTB-PH,is distinctly nonlinear: a temperature deficit ΔT (relative to a linear temperature-depth profile) is especially pronounced in the depth range 500–3500 m. The depth dependence of the deficit, Δ(z) is compared to be anticipated effect of surface paleoclimatic variations, ΔT_pc(z), at the drillsite on the temperature profile. The latter can be calculated from available paleo-climatic models. If ΔT_pc(z) is added to T(z)_KTB-PH, a nearly linear temperature-depth curve results with an average geothermal gradient of 27.9°C/km. This, together with an average vertical thermal conductivity of 3.0 W/mK, estimated from KTB drillcore data, implies a heat flow density at the KTB site of 84 mW/m². This modelled value is in good agreement with heat flow determinations in the adjacent Eger graben structure (Western Bohemian massif).     

A possible interpretation of the optical spectrum for BL Lac-type objects

On the basis of Sobolev's method, the population of 30 levels of hydrogen atom is determined allowing for the radiative and collision processes of the heating and ionization of the medium with velocity gradient gradv=10^–9–10^–11s^–1, electron temperatureT _e=10⁴ K-2×10⁴ K and electron densityN _e=10¹⁰ cm^–3–10¹¹ cm^–3. The central source radiation is characterized by a power spectrum with spectral indices varying from 0 to 2. A region of possible physical conditions is found where the thermal diffuse radiation of the envelope exceeds the emission in the Balmer H line.     

UBV photometry at geographic latitude 69°22′ North

UBV measurements of the light of the night sky in the auroral zone during three seasons are presented. The mean brightness of the night sky in theV band is found to be equal one 18^m1 star (arc sec)^–2, with considerable variations. The observed meanB-V andU-B indicies are +0 _. ^m 7 and –1 _. ^m 6, respectively.Light curves of variable stars during strong auroral activities are also shown. On the basis of measurements we briefly discuss the possibility of accurate stellar photometry in the auroral region.     

Damping constant and turbulence in the solar atmosphere

In the region of the formation of weak and medium-strong lines, the microturbulence increases with height (V _ver=0.7–0.9 km s^-1, V _hor= 1.1–1.5 km s^-1), the macroturbulence decreases (V _ver=1.6–1.4 km s^-1, V _hor= 2.4–1.5 km s^-1), and the total velocity field (vertical component) is depth-independent (1.7 km s^-1). The empirical damping constants for Fe, Ti, Cr, Ni lines are equal 1.3₆, 1.7₆, 1.6₆, 1.6₆, respectively. The correlation length (the Kubo-Anderson process has been used) in the solar photosphere is 520–550 km.     

Extreme ultraviolet spectra of solar active regions and their analysis

Extreme ultraviolet spectra of several active regions are presented and analyzed. Spectral intensities of 3 active regions observed with the NRL Skylab XUV spectroheliograph (170–630 Å) are derived. From this data density sensitive line ratios of Mg viii, Si x, S xii, Fe ix, Fe x, Fe xi, Fe xii, Fe xiii, Fe xiv, and Fe xv are examined and typically yield, to within a factor of 2, electron pressures of 1 dyne cm^–2 (n _e T = 6 × 10¹⁵ cm^–3 K). The differential emission measure of the brightest 35 × 35 portion of an active region is obtained between 1.4 × 10⁴ K and 5 × 10⁶ K from HCO OSO-VI XUV (280–1370 Å) spectra published by Dupree et al. (1973). Stigmatic EUV spectra (1170–1710 Å) obtained by the NRL High Resolution Telescope and Spectrograph (HRTS) are also presented. Doppler velocities as a function of position along the slit are derived in an active region plage and sunspot. The velocities are based on an absolute wavelength scale derived from neutral chromospheric lines and are accurate to ±2 km s^–1. Downflows at 10⁵ K are found throughout the plage with typical velocities of 10 km s^–1. In the sunspot, downflows are typically 5 to 20 km s^–1 over the umbra and zero over the penumbra. In addition localized 90 and 150 km s^–1 downflows are found in the umbra in the same 1 × 1 resolution elements which contain the lower velocity downflows. Spectral intensities and velocities in a typical plage 1 resolution element are derived. The velocities are greatest ( 10 km s^–1) at 10⁵ K with lower velocities at higher and lower temperatures. The differential emission measure between 1.3 × 10⁴ K and 2 × 10⁶ K is derived and is found to be comparable to that derived from the OSO-VI data. An electron pressure of 1.4 dynes cm^–2 (n _e T = 1.0 × 10¹⁶ cm^–3 K) is determined from pressure sensitive line ratios of Si iii, O iv, and N iv. From the data presented it is shown that convection plays a major role in determining the structure and dynamics of the active region transition zone and corona.     

Identification of some diffuse interstellar features

Twenty-eight of the thirty-nine diffuse interstellar bands identified by Herbig (1975) are shown to constitute three vibronic systems with origins at 14 321, 15 153, and 15 343 cm^–1 (vac). Structure within these three systems arises from the excitation of vibrational modes withv ₁=275 cm^–1,v ₂=445.5 cm^–1, andv ₃=793 cm^–1. The electronic origins at 14 321 and 15 343 cm^–1 correspond to narrow lines observed in the spectrum of Cr³⁺ ions at cubic sites in MgO solids while the 15 153 cm^–1 origin arises in Mn⁴⁺ : MgO. Hence, many of the diffuse bands in the visible likely are due to small MgO particles containing these ions. This observation is compatible with recent experimental data showing broad bands at 160 nm and 220 nm from finely divided MgO solids that match features in the interstellar extinction curve.     

Steady mass-loss from supermassive stars

Structures of Newtonian super-massive stars are calculated with the opacity for Comptor effectK ₀/(1 + T), whereK ₀=0.21(1 +X and =2.2×10^–9K^–1. The track of the Main-Sequence is turned right in the upper part of the HR diagram. Mass loss will occur in a Main-Sequence stage for a star with mass larger than a critical mass. The cause of mass loss and the expansion of the radius is continuum radiation pressure. The critical mass for mass loss is 1.02×10⁶ M for a Population I star, and 1.23×10⁵ M for Population III star. Mass loss rates expected in these stars are 3.3×10^–3 and 4.0×10^–3 M yr^–1, respectively.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

Cation distribution and exsolution in the Luna-20 pyroxenes as the chronological indicator of their thermal history

During the process of continuous post-crystallization cooling, the degree of phase transformation in pyroxenes (ordering and decomposition of solid solutions) is determined by the total cooling time and by cooling rates at individual stages; this degree can also be applied to the estimation of the sub-solidus cooling time of pyroxenes and of rocks, genetically associated with them (geochronometer). The degree of Fe²⁺-Mg order in distribution between theM ₁ andM ₂ sites observed in orthopyroxenes can be used as the criterion for the sub-solidus cooling rates of orthopyroxenes. A technique for approximate estimation of cooling time (rates) of orthopyroxenes in the 1000–500°C interval is suggested on the basis of an ion exchange reaction kinetic model, with the adoption of a few assumptions. X-ray structural analysis study revealed the character of the Fe²⁺-Mg intersite distribution in the M-511 and M-533 orthopyroxenes from the Luna-20 regolith; the obtainedK _D values make 0.072(T _e ^o ~ 460°C) and 0.06 (T _e ^o ~ 480°C), respectively. The corresponding evaluation of the linear cooling rate in the 1000-500°C range, as inferred by the obtained data, gave the value of 0.2–0.25° h^–1. Two features of the exosolution relate to the sub-solidus cooling rate of clinopyroxenes: the degree of phase separation by composition W_o and the exsolution scale . The monocrystal X-ray diffraction study, the transmission electron microscopy and the X-ray microprobe analysis produced the exsolution parameters for clinopyroxenes 2001-3, 2001-6 and 559 from the Luna-20 regolith: W_o 26%, 28% and 45% respectively; 300 Å, 1000 Å and 60 , respectively. The solvus temperatures (T _e) of the clinopyroxenes 2001-3 and 2001-6 make, respectively, 1100 ± 25°C and 1095 ± 45°C; the spinodal temperatures (T _s) areT _s =T _e – 50°C and represent quenching temperatures of the given pyroxenes in relation to the exsolution process. The cooling time fromT _cryst. toT _s was estimated and the value of the formal linear cooling rate was found to be ~ 90° h^–1 (2001-3) and ~ 8° h^–1 (2001-6). The average value of the pyroxene 559 sub-soldius cooling rate in the 1150–1000°C range was four orders less. The obtained data were discussed in view of the possible genesis of the studied Luna-20 pyroxenes.     

An expanding circumstellar cloud of Zeta Aurigae

Strong absorption satellite lines of CaI 6572 were found on spectrograms taken on three successive days just after the fourth contact of the 1971–72 eclipse of Zeta Aurigae. The radial velocities of the satellite lines are –88 km s^–1, –74 km s^–1, and –180 km^–1, respectively, relative to the K-type primary star (K4 Ib). These absorptions should be due to a circumstellar cloud in which the column density of neutral calcium atoms is 1×10¹⁷ cm^–2 and the turbulent velocities come to 20–50 km s^–1. It is suggested that the cloud may be formed by the rocket-effect of the Lyman quanta of the B-type component (B6 V). We estimate the density in the cloud to be 2×10¹¹ atoms cm^–3 fors=10R _K and 2×10¹⁰ atoms cm^–3 fors=10² R _K, wheres denotes the distance of the cloud from the K star andR _K the K star's radius. The mass loss rate of the K-type component is also estimated to be about 10^–7 M yr^–1, assuming that the expansion of the K star occurs isotropically.     

A prominence model based on spectral observations

Intensities and profiles of the H, H, H, K, and D₃ lines are measured in a solar prominence. From the profiles of these lines we estimate T = 6400 K and _t = 5.7 km s^–1. We construct a simple isothermal model which explains the H intensity and profile for an assumed total particle density n _T = 3 × 10¹¹ cm^–3, and a filling factor, = 1/6.From this model we find that the source function in the H line is nearly constant through the prominence. We estimate from the model that the radiative energy loss at the center of the prominence is of the order of 10⁷ erg s^–1 g^–1.     

Vacuum energy in cosmic dynamics

The analysis of the Th/U ratio in meteorites and the evolutionary ages of globular clusters favour values of the cosmic age of (19±5)×10⁹ yr. This evidence together with a Hubble parameterH ₀>70 km s^–1 Mpc^–1=(14×10⁹ yr)^–1 cannot be reconciled in a Friedmann model with =0. It requires a cosmological constant in the order of 10^–56 cm^–2, equivalent to a vacuum density _v =10^–29 g cm^–3 The Friedmann-Lemaître models (>0) with a hot big-bang have been calculated. They are based on a present value of the baryonic matter density of ₀=0.5×10^–30 g cm^–3 as derived from the primordial⁴He and²H abundances.For a Hubble parameter ofH ₀=75 km s^–1 Mpc^–1, our analysis favours a set of models which can be represented by a model with Euclidean metric (density parameter ₀=1.0, deceleration parameterq ₀=–0.93, aget ₀=19.7×10⁹ yr) and by a closed model with perpetual expansion (₀=1.072,q ₀=–1.0, aget ₀=21.4×10⁹ yr). A present density parameter close to one can indeed be expected if the conjecture of an exponential inflation of the very early universe is correct.The possible behaviour of the vacuum density is demonstrated with the help of Streeruwitz' formula in the context of the closed model with an inflationary phase at very early times.     

Propagation of the cosmic-ray iron group at intermediate energies

Elemental abundances of the VH group of cosmic radiation have been measured in the energy interval 250–550 MeV nucl^–1 in a balloon exposure at Sioux Falls (South Dakota) of a plastic detector LeXAN stack. The so obtained abundances have been extrapolated to the sources in the frame of the homogeneous model correcting for energy loss. After taking into account solar modulation, the best fit to model values has led to a escape mean free path _e = 5E ^–0.4 g cm^–2, whereE is the energy in GeV nucl^–1, forE>1 GeV nucl^–1, and a constant _e = 5 g cm^–2 forE1 GeV nucl^–1. When turning to the diffusion model, also including an energy loss term, a diffusion coefficientD=3×10²⁸ cm² s^–1 has been estimated.     

Meteorite Ablation Evaluated from Data on the Distribution of Cosmogenic Neon Isotopes

The type of the functional dependence of the ratio of the production rates of the cosmogenic isotopes ²²Ne/²¹Ne_c on their location depth d (cm) in ordinary chondrites with a radius R 60 cm was determined on the basis of experimental data on the elemental production rates of cosmogenic Ne isotopes in chondrites (Leya et al., 2000a). The dependence found is of the type ²²Ne/²¹Ne_c = Aexp(–Bd) + C, where the parameters A, B, and C are determined from the relationships: B = 0.560exp(–0.0105R) – 0.187, C = 0.170exp(–0.092R) + 1.083, and 0.170exp(–0.092R) + 1.144. These relationships were used to calculate the average weighted values of the ²²Ne/²¹Ne_c ratio for the volume of the fallen meteorite depending on its given preatmospheric radius. The data obtained served as a basis for plotting a nomogram that makes it possible to estimate the mass lost during passage through the Earth's atmosphere (ablation quantity) from the mass of the fallen meteorite and the average value of the ²²Ne/²¹Ne_c ratio measured in it. The average (median) value of ablation found for 262 chondrites was 91.5^+2.1 _–2.6%. In addition to the earlier-established (Alexeev, 2001a; Alexeev, 2001b) peculiarities of H5-chondrites that distinguish them from H-chondrites of other petrologic types, H5-chondrites appeared to exhibit a higher degree of ablation. The observed effect and other distinctive features of H5-chondrites may be due to the specific evolution of the parent body of H-chondrites in the process of its disintegration, reaccumulation, and subsequent reworking of the surface layers.     

The relationship betweenG andh in a closed Universe

In a closed expanding-contracting Universe, matter will be subject to an inward acceleration large enough to prevent perpetual expansion. A closed Universe must also perform a simple harmonic motion, which might consist either of one single cycle or of an infinite series of oscillations about a central point. It is the purpose of this study to find the rate ofa ₀, the cosmic acceleration, from which the gravitational constantG can be determined. It will be shown from Ampère's equation and Planck's radiation law that it is possible to derivea ₀=7.623×10^–12 ms^–2, a value which also conforms with the uncertainty principle. The relationship betweena ₀ and electromagnetic radiation is based on the concept that charges (such as electrons) must emit radiation while accelerating. The rate ofa ₀ yields a universal gravitational constant ofG=6.645×10^–11 N m² kg^–2.     

Stellar structure with a Boltzmann factor: An extension to chemically heterogeneous H−He-stars

We present an attempt for an extension of the modified Boltzmann model, which was introduced by Callebautet al. (1982) as an improvement of the polytropic models, to the case of chemically-heterogeneous stars in equilibrium, containing H and He, by proposing a density profile of the formp=C ₁ T ^N exp (–_H m(–_*)/kT) +C ₂ T ^N exp (–_He m(–_*)/kT. Analytical properties are derived and numerical as well as analytical arguments are presented for the conclusion that this hypothesis for a density profile imposes an almost constant chemical profile to the model as a whole, thereby making it in this form unsuited for the study of heterogeneous stars. A comparison is made with the former Boltzmann model in the homogeneous limit.     

Some requirements of a colliding comet source of gamma ray bursts

Colliding comets in the Solar System may be an important source of gamma ray bursts. The spherical gamma ray comet cloud required by the results of the Venera Satellites (Mazets and Golenetskii, 1987) and the BATSE detector on the Compton Satellite (Meeganet al., 1992a, b) is neither the Oort Cloud nor the Kuiper Belt. To satisfy observations ofN(>P _max) vsP _max for the maximum gamma ray fluxes,P _max > 10^–5 erg cm^–2 s^–1 (about 30 bursts yr^–1), the comet density,n, should increase asn a ¹ from about 40 to 100 AU wherea is the comet heliocentric distance. The turnover above 100 AU requiresn a ^–1/2 to 200 AU to fit the Venera results andn a ^1/4 to 400 AU to fit the BATSE data. Then the masses of comets in the 3 regions are from: 40–100 AU, about 9 earth masses,m _E; 100–200 AU about 25m _E; and 100–400 AU, about 900m _E. The flux of 10^–5 erg cm^–2 s^–1 corresponds to a luminosity at 100 AU of 3 × 10²⁶ erg s^–1. Two colliding spherical comets at a distance of 100 AU, each with nucleus of radiusR of 5 km, density of 0.5 g cm^–3 and Keplerian velocity 3 km s^–1 have a combined kinetic energy of 3 × 10²⁸ erg, a factor of about 100 greater than required by the burst maximum fluxes that last for one second. Betatron acceleration in the compressed magnetic fields between the colliding comets could accelerate electrons to energies sufficient to produce the observed high energy gamma rays. Many of the additional observed features of gamma ray bursts can be explained by the solar comet collision source.