Matter-antimatter boundary layers with a magnetic neutral sheet

An earlier model of matter-antimatter boundary layers has been extended to include a sheet with a reversed magnetic field. The derived layer thickness is largely unaffected by a magnetic field-reversal, provided that the width of the corresponding magnetic neutral sheet becomes substantially smaller than the layer thickness. This condition is likely to be satisfied within parameter ranges of cosmical interest. The present model represents a crude first approach, and a more rigorous treatment of a quasi-neutral ambiplasma is desirable which also includes the problem of stability.     

Vertical motions in an intense magnetic flux tube

The recent discovery of localised intense magnetic fields in the solar photosphere is one of the major surprises of the past few years. Here we consider the theoretical nature of small amplitude motions in such an intense magnetic flux tube, within which the field strength may reach 2 kG. We give a systematic derivation of the governing expansion equations for a vertical, slender tube, taking into account the dependence upon height of the buoyancy, compressibility and magnetic forces. Several special cases (e.g., the isothermal atmosphere) are considered as well as a more realistic, non-isothermal, solar atmosphere. The expansion procedure is shown to give good results in the special case of a uniform basic-state (in which gravity is negligible) and for which a more exact treatment is possible.The form of both pressure and velocity perturbations within the tube is discussed. The nature of pressure perturbations depends upon a critical transition frequency, _p , which in turn is dependent upon depth, field strength, pressure and density in the basic (unperturbed) state of the tube. At a given depth in the tube pressure oscillations are possible only for frequencies greater than _p for frequencies below _p exponentially decaying (evanescent) pressure modes occur. In a similar fashion the nature of motions within the flux tube depends upon a transition frequency, _v . At a given depth within the tube vertically propagating waves are possible only for frequencies greater than _v ; for frequencies below _v exponentially decaying (evanscent) motions occur.The dependence of both _v and _p on depth is determined for each of the special cases, and for a realistic solar atmosphere. It is found that the use of an isothermal atmosphere, instead of a more realistic temperature profile, may well give misleading results.For the solar atmosphere it is found that _v is zero at about 12 km above optical depth ₅₀₀₀= 1, thereafter rising to a maximum of 0.04 s^–1 at some 600 km above ₅₀₀₀ = 1. Below ₅₀₀₀ = 1, in the convection zone, _v has a maximum of 0.013 s^–1. The transition frequency, _p , for the pressure perturbations, is peaked at 0.1 s^–1 just below ₅₀₀₀ = 1, falling to a minimum of 0.02 s^–1 at about one scale-height deeper in the tube     

Absolute spectrophotomery of comets 1973XII and 1975IX: II. Profiles of the Swan bands

Absolute spectrophotometric measurements of the Swan bands of two comets have been compared with computed synthetic spectra using modern Franck-Condon and Hönl-London factors, and varying rotational, vibrational, and electronic excitation temperatures. Rotational and vibrational temperatures were obtained for the comets. Although the electronic excitation temperature and the molecular column density cannot be separated, a relationship is found between these two quantities. A review is made of recent determinations of column densities for CN in comets.     

Photoelectron fluxes in cometary atmospheres

The photoelectron fluxes in cometary atmospheres are calculated by a Monte Carlo method. This is the first quantitative model calculation of this kind. A pure H₂O atmosphere is assumed with a sublimation rate of 10³⁰ molecules sec^?1 at 1 AU. Discussions of the energetics of electron gas and of the elementary collisional processes in determining the fluxes largely concern this water atmosphere. Influences on the photoelectron fluxes are also investigated for CO, another possible constituent. The excitation rate of the ${}^1\text{D}$ level of atomic oxygen in electron impacts is evaluated. It is highly improbable that the photoelectrons are responsible for the observed 6300 Å emission of the order of 1 kR at a heliocentric distance of 1 AU. The structure of the heat equation for thermal electrons is analyzed and a drastic change of the plasma behavior within the coma region is expected.     

Galilean satellites: 1976 radar results

Radar observations of the Galilean satellites, made in late 1976 using the 12.6-cm radar system of the Arecibo Observatory, have yielded mean geometric albedos of 0.04 ± , 0.69 ± 0.17, 0.37 ± 0.09, and 0.15 ± 0.04, for Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, respectively. The albedo for Io is about 40% smaller than that obtained approximately a year earlier, while the albedos for the outer three satellites average about 70% larger than the values previously reported for late 1975, raising the possibility of temporal variation. Very little dependence on orbital phase is noted; however, some regional scattering inhomogeneities are seen on the outer three satellites. For Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, the ratios of the echo received in one mode of circular polarization to that received in the other were: 1.61 ± 0.20 1.48 ± 0.27, and 1.24 ± 0.19, respectively, with the dominant component having the same sence of circularity as that transmitted. This behavior has not previously been encountered in radar studies of solar system objects, whereas the corresponding observations with linear polarization are “normal.” Radii determined from the 1976 radar data for Europa and Ganymede are: 1530 ± 30 and 2670 ± 50 km, in fair agreement with the results from the 1975 radar observations and the best recent optical determinations. Doppler shifts of the radar echoes, useful for the improvement of the orbits of Jupiter and some of the Galilean satellites, are given for 12 nights in 1976 and 10 nights in 1975.     

Time-evolution of cosmic-ray intensity modulation

Application of analyzing time-series into trigonometric series allows the investigation of cosmic-ray intensity variations in a wide periodicity range from a few months to 10 or even more years. By this technique, the amplitude and the phase of all observed fluctuations can be given. For this purpose, cosmic-ray data of five ground-based neutron-monitor stations for the time interval 1964–1985 have been analyzed.Two kinds of periodicities appeared in these data. The first one includes occurrences at periods greater than two years, as the ones of 10.41, 8.41, and 5.50 yr, which differ very little in amplitude from station to station but are similar in phase, and the second one includes periodicities smaller than two years (24, 12, 8, and 6 months) which are similar in all stations but appeared in variable time intervals.The possible origin of each observed variation due to a contribution either of cosmic-ray interaction in the upper atmosphere or to the solar dynamics is discussed.     

A comparison of Hα and soft X-ray characteristics of spotless and spot group flares

A comparative analysis of spotless and spot group flares recorded at Hvar and Kanzelhöhe Observatories during the 21st cycle of solar activity is presented. The rate of occurrence of two-ribbon flares was found to be significantly higher for the spotless flares. In comparison with spot group flares of corresponding H importance, the soft X-ray peak values have been systematically lower for the spotless flares. The highest peak values and the energy released in soft X-rays was found for flares with a H ribbon protruding over a major spot umbra. It was found that the effective plasma temperatures in spotless flares have been considerably lower than the temperatures in spot group flares.     

Neutron stars

Erevan State University. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 111–123, July–August, 1989.     

On the periodical structures in populations of galaxies and of clusters of galaxies

Analysing the distribution of the redshift of clusters of galaxies, obtained from the catalogue of SCHMIDT (1986), two already known periodical structures were confirmed and both periods were extended by a number of periods — approximately by two times (We elucidated 5 new periods in the first structure and 4 in the second.). The statistical significance of these structures was estimated to 0.01 in the first case and to 0.02 in the second one. Particularly, the second structure may be the largest known object in the Universe (about 900 Mpc at H = 75 km s^-1 Mpc^-1). These results agree with the predictions of the axion-dominated early Universe. In addition, we discovered periodical structures of an another type — in luminosity functions of galaxies, which are members of rich clusters. Bei der Analyse des Katalogs von SCHMIDT (1986) wurden zwei periodische Strukturen in den Verteilungen der Rotverschiebungen von Galaxienhaufen festgestellt. In den beiden Strukturen wurden 5 bzw. 4 neue Perioden beobachtet, weshalb sich die Periodenzahl in jeder der beiden Strukturen etwa verdoppelt hat. Die statistische Signifikanzen dieser Strukturen wurden zu 0.01 und 0.02 abgeschätzt. Möglicherweise entspricht die zweite Struktur dem größten bekannten Objekt des Weltalls (etwa 900 Mpc bei H = 75 km s^-1 Mpc^-1). Diese Resultate stützen die Theorie eines axiondominierten frühen Universums. Außerdem wurden weitere periodische Strukturen in der Leuchtkraftfunktion von Galaxien aus reichen Galaxien-haufen entdeckt.