Long term modulation of cosmic rays and inferable electromagnetic state in solar modulating region

It is demonstrated that the long term variation in cosmic ray intensity I(t) can be described by an integral equation,

$\text{I(t)=I}{}_{\mathrm{\infty }}\text{?}\text{∫}\text{0}\text{∞}\text{f(τ)S(t?τ)}\text{d}\text{τ}$

, which is derived from a generalization of Simpson's coasting solar wind model. A source function S(t?τ) is given by some appropriate solar activity index at a time t?τ(τ ? 0) and the characteristic functionf(τ)(?0 forτ ? 0) expresses the time dependence of the efficiency of the intensity depression due to solar disturbances represented by S(t ?τ) when the disturbances generated at the solar surface propagate through the modulating region with the solar wind. It is demonstrated further that the equation can be derived from the general diffusion-convection theory on some assumptions, and as a result, the source and characteristic functions can be related to diffusion coefficient and its transition in space. Assuming the sunspot number R (or two activity indices including R) as the source function, the characteristic function f(τ) [or f(τ)'s] is obtained with data of the cosmic ray intensity extended over several decades. Based on the theory, one can obtain from f(τ) the following physical quantities in space, such as the transition and life time of solar disturbances, the boundary of the modulating region, and the radial and time dependences of the diffusion coefficient, radial density gradient and modulated intensity of cosmic rays. Results deduced from the present analysis are consistent with those obtained directly or indirectly by space observations.     

The polarization of the inner solar corona at the eclipse of 10 July 1972

Photographs of the corona in the continuum spectrum (580–700 nm) have been obtained with a doublet camera (F=4m) through rotating sector polarizers with the vibrational directions oriented radially and tangentially to the solar limb. Isophotes of the total emission and its polarized component, as well as diagrams giving the degree of polarization for the (K+F)-corona and the electron corona proper (P _K), have been plotted up to the distance of 1R from the limb. In some inner regions the polarizationP _K exceeds the highest value possible for Thomson scattering under the given conditions. The reality of this anomally is dubious; systematic photometrical errors may account for it. Three-dimensional forms of 15 different coronal rays have been ascertained by comparing the course of polarization along the rays to the family of Baumach curves. The rays are found to deflect substantially from the radial directions out of the plane of the sky. Mean values of the coronal brightness and polarization versus the distance from the Sun have been determined. Contrary to well-known models (Van de Hulst) the mean polarization of the electron corona (P _K) decreases with distance after reaching the maximum (50%) at (1.4–1.6)R from the Sun's centre. This decrease can be explained by deflection of the streamers from radial directions.     

Auroral recombination of N and O: A possible source for emission in the γ and δ bands of NO

Radiative recombination of N and O provides a significant source for auroral emission in the γ and δ bands of NO with selective population of vibrational levels in the A²Σ⁺ and C²Π states. This mechanism may account for emissions detected near 2150 Å. Models are derived for the auroral ionosphere and include estimates for the concentrations of N and NO. The concentration of NO is estimated to have a value of about 10⁸ cm^?1 near 140 km in an IBC III aurora. The corresponding density for N is about 5 × 10⁷cm^?3 and the concentration ratio $\text{NO}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ has a value of about 5.5.     

A model for thinning of the plasma sheet

A one-dimensional model for thinning of the plasma sheet is developed on the basis of launching a fast mode MHD rarefaction wave propagating in the tailward direction along the plasma sheet. Behind the rarefaction wave the pressure is reduced, leading to thinning of the plasma sheet and also to an Earthward plasma flow with a speed on the order of the sound speed a₀. The plasma sheet thickness is reduced by a factor of 2 if an Earthward plasma flow speed of 0.8a₀ is induced. The predictions of the model are in reasonable agreement with observations.     

The Jovian surface condition and cooling rate

A theory which is almost fully analytic is used to investigate Jupiter's cooling rate. We find that a simple model of contraction with adiabatic interior structure gives a total cooling time to the present which is in good agreement with the age of the solar system. The interplay between the surface condition and the cooling rate is exhibited and discussed. The current rate of change of the effective temperature is calculated to be ?1°K/0.145×10⁹ yr. Discrepancies with fully numerical investigations of the Jovian age and cooling rate are noted.     

Photochemistry of nitrogen in the Martian atmosphere

Models are developed for the photochemistry of a CO₂H₂ON₂ atmosphere on Mars and estimates are given for the concentrations of N, NO, NO₂, NO₃, N₂O₅, HNO₂, HNO₃, and N₂O as a function of altitude. Nitric oxide is the most abundant form of odd nitrogen, present with a mixing ratio relative to CO₂ of order 10^?8. Deposition rates for nitrite and nitrate minerals could be as large as 3× 10⁵ N equivalent atoms cm^?2 sec^?1 under present conditions and may have been higher in the past.     

Cosmological molecular hydrogen and the distortion of the relict radiation spectrum

The distortions of the relict radiation spectrum in the region of the wavelength <120 are considered. These distortions are due to the emission of photons under the formation of molecular hydrogen in the expanding universe in the cosmological epoch 40z200. It is shown that the real intensity of the relict radiation in the region of the wavelength under consideration must significantly exceed Planck's intensity, with a radiation temperature amounting to 2.8 K.     

Torsional waves on the Sun and the activity cycle

Some properties of the recently-discovered torsional oscillations of the Sun are presented. The detailed relation of this velocity feature to magnetic activity gives evidence that these motions represent a fundamental oscillation within the Sun that is responsible for the solar activity cycle and that they are not a natural consequence of an - dynamo. A new torsional oscillation with wave number 1 hemisphere^–1 is demonstrated to exist on the Sun.     

Unusual coronal activity following the flare of 6 November 1980

For almost 30 hr after the major (gamma-ray) two-ribbon flare on 6 November 1980, 03:30 UT, the Hard X-Ray Imaging Spectrometer (HXIS) aboard the SMM satellite imaged in > 3.5 keV X-rays a gigantic arch extending above the active region over the limb. Like a similar configuration on 22 May 1980, this arch formed the lowest part of a stationary post-flare radio noise storm recorded at metric wavelengths at Nançay and Culgoora. 6.5 hr after the flare a coronal region below the arch started quasi-periodic pulsations in X-ray brightness, observed by several SMM instruments. These brightness variations had no response in the chromosphere (H), very little in the transition layer (O v), but they clearly correlated with similar variations in brightness at 169 MHz. There were 13 pulses of this kind, with apparent periodicity of about 20 min, until another flare occurred in the active region at 15:00 UT. All the brightenings appeared within a localized area of about 30000 km² in the northern part of the active region, but they definitely did not occur all at the same place.The top of the X-ray arch, at an altitude of 155 000 km, was continuously and smoothly decaying, taking no part in the striking variations below it. Therefore, the area variable in brightness does not seem to be the footpoint of the arch, as we supposed for similar variations on 22 May. More likely, it is a separate region connected directly with the source of the radio storm; particles accelerated in the storm may be dumped into the low corona and cause the X-ray enhancements. The X-ray arch was enhanced by two orders of magnitude in 3.5–5.5 keV X-ray counts and the temperature increased from 7.3 × 10⁶ to 9 × 10⁶ K when the new two-ribbon flare occurred at 15:00 UT. Thus, it is possible that energy is brought into the arch via the upper parts of the reconnecting flare loops - a process that can continue for hours.     

Cosmic ray intensity variations and two types of high speed solar streams

This study deals with the short-term variations of cosmic ray intensity during the interval 1973–78. Daily means of high latitude neutron and meson monitors from the same station and those of a low latitude neutron monitor have been analysed using the Chree method of superposed epochs. The zero epoch for the Chree analyses corresponds to the day of a substantial increase (V 200 km s^–1) in the solar wind speed to values of 550 km s^–1 and which persists at such high values for an interval of at least three days. The investigation reveals the existence of two types of cosmic ray intensity variations with distinctly different spectral characteristics. During the interval 1973–76, relative changes in the neutron and meson monitor rates are nearly equal indicating an almost flat rigidity spectrum of variation. During 1977–78, however, the spectrum acquires a negative spectral character similar to that observed for Forbush decreases. We suggest that events of the interval 1973–76 are essentially due to high speed streams associated with solar coronal holes and that events of the interval 1977–78 are due to fast streams from solar active regions with flare activity.