The GREGOR polarimetric calibration unit

The new Solar telescope GREGOR is designed to observe small‐scale dynamic magnetic structures below a size of 70 km on the Sun with high spectral resolution and polarimetric accuracy. For this purpose, the polarimetric concept of GREGOR is based on a combination of post‐focus polarimeters with pre‐focus equipment for high precision calibration. The Leibniz‐Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam developed the GREGOR calibration unit which is an integral part of the telescope. We give an overview of the function and design of the calibration unit and present the results of extensive testing series done in the Solar Observatory “Einsteinturm” and at GREGOR (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Lukewarm models of the intergalactic medium

The physical state of a moderately dense, uniform, pure hydrogen medium, pervading the metagalaxy and partaking in the general cosmic expansion, is considered. The cosmic X-ray photon spectrum, which is now observed down to about 0.25 keV, together with various plausible extrapolations down to the Lyman limit, is invoked as the source of ionization and heating of this medium. Isothermal and adiabatic modes of expansion of the intergalactic medium are studied as limiting cases of the present mode of expansion. The isothermal mode generates highly ionized but lukewarm (7700 KT25000 K) models of the medium, with the, so far unknown, turnover point in the cosmic X-ray spectrum as the parameter required to fix the temperature and degree of ionization uniquely, for any assumed value of the present density. The adiabatic mode, while giving rise to high degrees of ionization, also produces significantly higher temperatures which are independent of density and always greater than about 28000 K. In conclusion, a possible explanation for the anomalous 3C 9 result is adduced.     

Chromospheric heating above supergranular boundaries

A geometrical optics technique developed in order to study energy transport by weak fast-mode hydromagnetic shock waves in a non-homogeneous, anisotropic medium has been applied to the problem of the heating of the chromosphere in the regions of intensified magnetic field which occur above the boundaries of supergranular cells. The results of the calculation indicate that there should be a temperature enhancement in the regions of the chromospheric network. This temperature enhancement is advanced as a possible mechanism for the origin of the observed calcium emission network.Publications of the Goethe Link Observatory, Indiana University, No. 106.Presently at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratories, Los Alamos, New Mexico.     

A search for rhenium lines in the Fraunhofer spectrum

On the basis of a series of low-noise, high-resolution photometric tracings of the Fraunhofer spectrum a search has been made in the sun for the ultimate lines of neutral rhenium. The records examined show no convincing evidence for the presence of solar Rei lines. For the rhenium content of the photosphere the present investigation gives an upper limit of approximately logN _Re =-0.3, on the standard scale where logN _H = 12.00.     

The cosmic γ-ray spectrum from secondary particle production in cosmic-ray interactions

The cosmic -ray spectrum below 1 GeV arising from cosmic ray p-p interactions is calculated. Its characteristics are determined by the properties of secondary neutral pion production occurring at accelerator energies. A model is chosen for numerical calculations in which the two dominant modes of neutral pion production at accelerator energies are the production of the (1.238) isobar and one fireball. The effect of -p and p- interactions on the cosmic -ray spectrum is also calculated. The final results are given in terms of both differential and integral -ray energy spectra.     

Neutron star models based on an improved equation of state

Using an equation of state for cold degenerate matter which takes nuclear forces and nuclear clustering into account, neutron star models are constructed. Stable models were obtained in the mass range above 0.065M and density range 10^14.08 to 10^15.4 gm/cm³. All of these models were found to be bound. The outer crystalline layer of the star was found to have a thickness of 200 m or more depending on the mass of the model.     

Positions and motions of solar bursts at decameter wavelengths

The positions and motions of solar bursts in the range 20 to 60 MHz have been measured by the means of a sweep-frequency grating interferometer with angular resolution of 5 arc at 60 MHz decreasing to 15 arc at 20 MHz. The positional characteristics of the decameter wavelength bursts are discussed in terms of the commonly accepted theories of the origin of radio bursts from plasma and synchrotron radiations.     

Observations of the infrared triplet of singly ionized calcium

Observations are presented of the Caii infrared triplet (8498 Å, 8542 Å, and 8662 Å) at three positions on the solar disk to make possible direct analyses of the lines and comparisons with theoretical computations. The source functions for the two strongest lines (8542 Å and 8662 Å) are equal at those heights corresponding to the wings of the lines (¦¦ > 0.4 Å) but not to those of the cores. We suggest that the apparent source function inequality in the cores is due to limb darkening caused by inhomogeneities in the chromosphere.Of the National Bureau of Standards and University of Colorado.     

Evidence for a coronal magnetic bottle at 10 solar radii

The Faraday rotation of a radio source (Pioneer 6) occulted by the solar corona has been measured by Levy et al. (1969). During the course of these measurements, three large-scale transient phenomena were observed. These events were preceded by subflares and class 1 flares. These transient events are interpreted as evidence for a coronal magnetic bottle at 10 R _⊙. The velocity of propagation for the disturbance is set at 200 km/sec; the dimension of the region, 10 R _⊙; field strength at 10 R _⊙, 0.02 G; particle density, 2.0 × 10⁴/cm³; Alfvén speed, 320 km/sec. From the nature of the observations and the lack of related effects from similar flares on the interplanetary sector pattern observed at 1 AU, it is suggested that such coronal magnetic bottles expand to perhaps 10–30 R _⊙ and then contract to a few solar radii. Such a phenomena is evidence for an expansion of the corona with a sub-Alfvénic velocity. It is further suggested that such magnetic bottles may be important in the storage and diffusion of solar generated cosmic ray particles. NAS-NRC Postdoctoral Resident Research Associate.     

Spectroscopic determinations of solar rotation

Spectral line shift data obtained from full-disk magnetograms recorded at Mt. Wilson are analyzed for differential rotation. The method of analysis is discussed and the results from the data for 1966 through 1968 are presented. The average equatorial velocity over this period is found to be 1.93 km/sec or 13.76 deg/day (sidereal). This corresponds to a sidereal period of 26.16 days. The average results are = 2.78 × 10^-6 - 3.51 × 10^-7 sin² B - 4.43 × 10^-7 sin⁴ B rad/sec, whereB is the solar latitude. This indicates a smaller decrease of angular velocity with latitude than found by earlier investigators. Variations from day to day are caused by large-scale short-lived velocity fields on the solar surface. There also appear to be secular variations.Currently at the Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, Arizona.