Evidence for the stratification of Fe in the photosphere of G191-B2B

The presence of heavy elements in the atmospheres of the hottest H-rich DA white dwarfs has been the subject of considerable interest. While theoretical calculations can demonstrate that radiative forces, counteracting the effects of gravitational settling, can explain the detections of individual species, the predicted abundances do not accord well with observation. However, accurate abundance measurements can only be based on a thorough understanding of the physical structure of the white dwarf photospheres, which has proved elusive. Recently, the availability of new non-local thermodynamic equilibrium model atmospheres with improved atomic data has allowed self-consistent analysis of the extreme ultraviolet (EUV), far UV and optical spectra of the prototypical object G191-B2B. Even so, the predicted and observed stellar fluxes remain in serious disagreement at the shortest wavelengths (below ≈190 Å), while the inferred abundances remain largely unaltered. We show here that the complete spectrum of G191-B2B can be explained by a model atmosphere where Fe is stratified, with increasing abundance at greater depth. This abundance profile may explain the difficulties in matching observed photospheric abundances, usually obtained by analyses using homogeneous model atmospheres, to the detailed radiative levitation predictions, particularly as the latter are only strictly valid for regions deeper than where the EUV/far UV lines and continua are formed. Furthermore, the relative depletion of Fe in the outer layers of the atmosphere may be evidence for radiatively driven mass-loss in G191-B2B.     

The D-CIXS X-ray mapping spectrometer on SMART-1

The D-CIXS Compact X-ray Spectrometer will provide high quality spectroscopic mapping of the Moon, the primary science target of the ESA SMART-1 mission. D-CIXS consists of a high throughput spectrometer, which will perform spatially localised X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. It will also carry a solar monitor, to provide the direct calibration needed to produce a global map of absolute lunar elemental abundances, the first time this has been done. Thus it will achieve ground breaking science within a resource envelope far smaller than previously thought possible for this type of instrument, by exploiting two new technologies, swept charge devices and micro-structure collimators. The new technology does not require cold running, with its associated overheads to the spacecraft. At the same time it will demonstrate a radically novel approach to building a type of instrument essential for the BepiColombo mission and potential future planetary science targets.     

Spectroscopy of solar prominences from space and ground

Two quiescent solar prominences were observed in July 2000 from SUMER aboard SOHO and from the two German solar telescopes at Tenerife. Two‐dimensional images taken at the VTT simultaneously in the spectral lines Hβ at 4862 Å and Ca II at 8542 Å show no significant spatial variation of their pressure‐sensitive emission ratio. Slit spectra of the Ca II 8542 Å and He I 10830 Å lines obtained at the Gregory‐Coudé telescope yield 8000 K < T_kin < 9000 K and 3 km/s < V_n–th < 8 km/s. Among the various spectral ranges observed with SUMER, we first investigate the Lyman emission lines, which were fitted by Gaussians yielding reliable spectral radiances and line widths for the series members 5 < k < 18. A determination of the level population gives for the lower series members a Boltzmann temperature of 60 000 K, the higher members being over‐populated. This temperature indicates an origin of the Lyman lines from hot surroundings of the cool prominence body seen in the ground‐based data; this also holds for the ‘hotter’ SUMER lines.     

On the causes of the observed magnetic field imbalance in solar active regions

Based on a topological magnetic field model for active region (AR) 8086 observed on September 15–21, 1997, we calculate the evolution of the magnetic flux imbalance during its disk passage. We have established possible causes of the observed imbalance. Using model ARs produced by perfectly balanced magnetic field sources as examples, we show that even in this case, the observed imbalance can reach a significant value, depending on the AR size and location. The peculiar properties of the magnetic field imbalance in ARs predicted by the topological model must be taken into account when present-day magnetographic observations of the Sun are interpreted.     

Planetary protection principles used for Phobos-Grunt mission

The article presents an analysis of the Phobos-Grunt mission, a classification of its phases in terms of planetary protection, and the main principles of activities management and definition of actions for fulfilling the planetary-protection requirements developed by Committee on Space Research.     

Ejector and bipolar outflow of the radio galaxy M87

The superfine structure of the jet formation region in the radio galaxy M87 has been investigated. An accretion disk and high- and low-velocity jet and counterjet components have been identified. The high-velocity bipolar outflow is ejected from the central disk region, a nozzle 4 mpc in diameter, while the low-velocity one is ejected from a ring 60 mpc in diameter and 14 mpc in width. The low-velocity plasma flow is a hollow tube with a built-in helix. The observed helical structure of the high-velocity jet is determined by precession. The components of the structure, its disk and bipolar outflow, suggest solid-body rotation. Ring currents and aligned magnetic fields are generated in them under the action of an external magnetic field. The bipolar outflows are ejected coaxially but in opposite directions—along and opposite to the disk field. As a result, the jet flow accelerates, while the counterjet one decelerates. This causes the extent of the region of radiative cooling of the ejected relativistic electrons in the counterjet to decrease and maintains their “afterglow” at large distances in the jet. The high collimation of the rotating flows is determined by their interaction with the environment.     

Spectroscopic studies of Cepheids (S Cru,AP Pup,AX Cir,S TrA,T Cru,R Mus,S Mus,U Car) and semiregular bright supergiants (V382 Car,HD 75276, R Pup) in the southern hemisphere

We present the second part of the results of our work to investigate the atmospheric parameters and chemical composition of southern-hemisphere Cepheids obtained by analyzing 24 spectra for eight bright Cepheids and three semiregular bright supergiants taken with the 1.9-m telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory. The chemical composition and atmospheric parameters have been determined for S Cru, AP Pup, AX Cir, S TrA, T Cru, R Mus, S Mus, U Car, V382 Car, HD 75276, and R Pup.