The topological association of Hα structures and magnetic fields

The topological associations between H structures and magnetic fields are examined for an active region observed on two different dates. The structures seen in the on and off band of H filtergrams are compared with the contour maps of magnetic fields at the level of magnetogram observations. Similar comparisons are made also with the configurations of force-free magnetic lines of force at various heights evaluated with the use of formulations developed previously by Nakagawa and Raadu (1972).Among the results of significance, we may note that (1) H plages could be identified with regions of magnetic field larger than ±80 G, (2) the network of bright dots seen in H -1 Å filtergrams follow closely ±80 G contours. (3) stable prominences lie along either neutral lines or valleys of magnetic fields, (4) the configuration of magnetic lines of force shows discrete domain structures suggesting bipolar nature of local magnetic fields, and (5) within a domain the configuration is governed apparently by evalutional consequences. Details of analyses are described with discussions on the limitations and possible future improvements.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.Operated by Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

On axisymmetric hydromagnetic equilibria

The physical characteristics of possible axisymmetric equilibria are examined on the basis of the integrals of hydromagnetic equations. It is shown for nearly spherical configurations that a surface differential rotation is possible only in the absence of a meridional circulation with either purely toroidal or purely poloidal magnetic field. In the presence of a meridional circulation, it is shown that no surface rotation or constant rotation is possible if the magnetic field is purely toroidal, and that no rotation is possible if the magnetic field is purely poloidal. A brief discussion is given on the possible solutions including the case of stellar winds with force-free magnetic fields.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

The solar differential rotation and ‘Rossby-type’ waves

It has been suggested that the solar differential rotation might be maintained by nearly horizontal non-spherical convective circulation called the Rossby-type waves (the wave motions characterized by the close balance of the Coriolis force and pressure gradient in horizontal motions). In this paper, such Rossby-type waves which could be excited in the upper solar convection zone are considered, and the possibility of maintenance of the solar differential rotation by such waves is examined. A numerical estimate, in terms of the rate of conversion of the kinetic energy of such wave motions into the mean rotational motion, indicates this possibility. The implications and limitations of the results are also discussed.Visiting Scientist to the High Altitude Observatory on leave of absence from the Department of Astronomy, University of Tokyo, Japan.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

The topology of force-free magnetic field near bipolar sunspots

The topological character of a new type of solution representing a force-free magnetic field near bipolar sunspots is examined. It is shown that some of the observed topological features of chromospheric fibrils and filaments in H can be interpreted in terms of the configuration of the magnetic lines of force of the present solution. In particular, by the examples considered the observed twisted S-shape topology of lower lying fibrils and the orientation of prominences (higher filaments) associated with sunspots are successfully reproduced.Visiting scientist at the High Altitude Observatory.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

The Global Stratotype Section and Point （GSSP） for the base of the Holocene Series/Epoch （Quaternary System/Period） in the NGRIP ice core

The Greenland ice core from NorthGRIP （NGRIP） contains a proxy climate record across the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary of unprecedented clarity and resolution. Analysis of an array of physical and chemical parameters within the ice enables the base of the Holocene, as reflected in the first signs of climatic warming at the end of the Younger Dryas/Greenland Stadial 1 cold phase, to be located with a high degree of precision.     

Giant planet formation

The accumulation of giant planets involves processes typical for terrestrial planet formation as well as gasdynamic processes that were previously known only in stars. The condensible element cores of the gas-giants grow by solid body accretion while envelope formation is governed by stellar-like equilibria and the dynamic departures thereof. Two hypotheses for forming Uranus/Neptune-type planets — at sufficiently large heliocentric distances while allowing accretion of massive gaseous envelopes, i.e. Jupiter-type planets at intermediate distances — have been worked out in detailed numerical calculations: (1) Hydrostatic gas-accretion models with time-dependent solid body accretion-rates show a slow-down of core-accretion at the appropriate masses of Uranus and Neptune. As a consequence, gas-accretion also stagnates and a window is opened for removing the solar nebula during a time of roughly constant envelope mass. (2) Gasdynamic calculations of envelope accretion for constant planetesimal accretion-rates show a dynamic transition to new envelope equilibria at the so called critical mass. For a wide range of solar nebula conditions the new envelopes have respective masses similar to those of Uranus and Neptune and are more tightly bound to the cores. The transitions occur under lower density conditions typical for the outer parts of the solar nebula, whereas for higher densities, i.e. closer to the Sun, gasdynamic envelope accretion sets in and is able to proceed to Jupiter-masses.     

Growth and sedimentation of dust grains in the primordial solar nebula

Of the formation processes in the solar system, the process of growth and sedimentation of dust grains in the primordial solar nebula is investigated for a region near the Earth's orbit. The growth equation for dust grains, which are sinking as well as being in thermal motion, is solved numerically in the wide mass range between 10^?12 and 10⁶ g. Any turbulent motions in the nebula are assumed to have already decayed when the sedimentation begins. The numerical simulation shows that the growth and sedimentation proceed faster than was found by Kusaka et al. (1970) but in accordance with the estimate of Safronov (1969) owing to a cooperative interaction of the growth and the sedimentation; that is, at about 3 × 10³ years after the beginning of the growth and sedimentation a dust layer, composed of centimeter-sized grains, is formed at the equator of the solar nebula. Furthermore, the mass density of dust grains floating in the outer layers of the nebula is found to be of the order of 10^?5 after 10⁵ years compared with that before the sedimentation. From these results, it can be estimated that at about 5 × 10³ years after the beginning of sedimentation the dust layer breaks up owing to the onset of gravitational instability.     

Environmental Conditions Determining the Timing of the Lifetime Maximum Intensity of Tropical Cyclones over the Western North Pacific and Their Frequency of Occurrence

Environmental conditions determining the timing of the lifetime maximum intensities of tropical cyclones (TCs) are investigated for the TCs over the western North Pacific during the period 2008-2017. The results show that the land controls the timings of the lifetime maximum intensities in 42% of the TCs over this basin, indicating that accurate track forecasts are beneficial for TC intensity forecasts. With respect to other TCs that are not affected by the land (i.e., Ocean-TCs), the timings of their lifetime maximum intensities are determined by multiple oceanic factors. In particular, interactions between TCs and cold-core eddies occur in a large proportion (nearly 60%) of Ocean-TCs at or shortly after the times of their lifetime maximum intensities, especially in strong TCs (categories 4 and 5), suggesting that a consideration of the above interactions is necessary for improving TC intensity forecasting skills. In addition, unfavorable oceanic heat content conditions become common as the latitude increases over 25°N, influencing half of the Ocean-TCs. Strong vertical wind shear contributes detrimentally to the atmospheric environment in 17% of the TCs over this basin, especially in moderate and weak TCs. In contrast, neither the maximum potential intensity nor the humidity in the middle level of the atmosphere plays dominant roles when TCs turn from their peak intensities to weakening.