Heterodyne spectroscopy of the 158 micron C II line in M42

We have obtained velocity-resolved spectra of the 12C II 157.8 microns 2P3/2-2P1/2 fine structure line in the M42 region of Orion. Observations at 0.8 km s-1 resolution with a laser heterodyne spectrometer show multiple velocity components in some locations, with typical linewidths of 3-5 km s-1. Spectra of theta 1C and BN-KL also show weak emission from the F = 2-1 hyperfine component of the equivalent 13C II line. From the observed 12C II/13C II line intensity ratios, we deduce that the 12C II emission is optically thick with tau approximately 5 at both positions. Excitation temperatures of 128 K and 90 K, together with column densities of approximately 1 x 10(19) cm-2 and approximately 4 x 10(18) cm-2, are derived for theta 1C and BN-KL, respectively.     

A new approach to the librational solution in the Ideal Resonance Problem

The librational motion of the Ideal Resonance Problem (Garfinkel, 1966, Jupp, 1969) is treated through an initialnon-canonical transformation which, however, leaves the equations of motion in a quasi-canonical form, with Hamiltonian expressed in standard trigonometric functions amenable to traditional averaging techniques. The perturbed solutions, similarly expressed intrigonometric near-identity transformations, and their frequencies can be found to arbitrary order, with the elliptic integrals expected of the system introduced only in a final explicit quadrature for a Kepler-type equation in the angular variable. The specific transformations and resulting equations of motion are introduced, and explicit solutions for the original variables are found to second order, with mean motion accurate to fifth. Limitation of the present solution to the librational region, the extension of that solution to higher order, and observations on the form of the associated Hamiltonian are also discussed.     

Union republic migration trends in the USSR during the 1980s

"This article examines union republic migration trends in the USSR between 1979 and 1987 and prospects for indigenous out-migration from rural areas in Central Asia. The study is based on migration data derived by the residual technique and migration data from the 1985 microcensus. Results indicate that a south-to-north and probably Russian-dominated migration trend emerged in the 1980s, one which marks an almost complete reversal from earlier periods, especially 1959-70. Although Central Asia continues to have low levels of indigenous out-migration, labor surpluses and relatively waning capital investment in Central Asia may change this situation."     

The role of cavities and mantles in the ultraviolet extinction peak of graphite spheres with particular reference to a possibly discovered C60 structure

A computer routine using rigorous Güttler theory was developed to consider effects of concentric cavities and organic mantles within and around graphite spheres, with a view to assessing the stability of the extinction peak near 4.60 m^–1. The newly discovered stable carbon molecule of 60 atoms gives an absorption band at 4.60 m^–1 which closely agrees with the observed; moreover, it leads to the observed extinction rise in the far UV and can possibly explain the fine structure around the 5.5–7 m^–1 dip, while its own structure deals successfully with the main objections to previous carbon-graphite models. The role of the electric vector component perpendicular to the basal plane of the crystal in achieving the fit is stressed.     

Evolution of galaxies: One-zone model with a birth-rate stellar function depending on gas density and temperature

In this paper closed one-zone models with a birth-rate stellar function depending on gas density and temperature are built up, in order to make a zeroth order approximation of thermo-chemical evolution of galaxies. To get a more realistic picture, the models are allowed first to expand with the universe and then to contract according to three successive time-scales, in order to simulate violent relaxation, rapid contraction, and slow contraction processes.Star formation occurs according to a birth-rate (m, t) _g ⁿ T ^r m ^p ( _g , gas density;T, gas temperature; andm, star mass), which reproduces the usual Schmidt-type law in the limitr0. Further we suppose that synthesized metals and helium are instantaneously mixed when returned to gas component at star death, and that relative metal abundances are time-independent: ( any element heavier than He, ). An energy fraction of each typical supernova event is assumed to heat interstellar medium, which is also though always to maintain a steady state.Under these hypotheses it becomes possible to use the interstellar cooling function of Dalgarno and McCray (1972), which is related to a special cosmic abundance of elements, to express analytically an interstellar cooling function related to any abundance. At this stage, numerical computations are performed up to about 12 Gy and the results analyzed in order to reproduce some morphological features observed in the galaxy, namely: (i) the extreme scarcity of stars with nearly zero metal content; (ii) the metal content and mass fraction of halo stars; (iii) the metal content and mass fraction of disk stars; and (iv) the ratio of the present-day birth-rate to the past birth-rate averaged over the age of the disk. It is found that a whole class of theoretical models exist, with slope of the mass spectrum between –2.5 and –2.6, which range from a Schmidt's law limitn=1.3 andr=0 to the opposite limitn=0 andr=–1.2, and are able to fit more or less at the same extent the observations mentioned above. On the analysis of further computations, it is also shown that an universal birth-rate stellar function is in contradiction with neither a dynamical hystory starting from the initial expansion of proto-galaxies, nor a morphological sequence where the amount of angular momentum is the only free parameter for any given mass, at least for what concerns spiral types. Finally, possible refinements for future work are briefly outlined.     

A high-resolution bragg spectrometer for the observation of the hot interstellar medium X-ray emission

We present a high-resolution Bragg spectrometer designed for the observation of the soft X-ray cosmic diffuse background. The instrument concept is derived from the de Broglie geometry for the study of extended sources. It consists in a mosaïc of spherical TlAP crystals associated with position sensitive detectors located on the focussing surface. The spectral resolution and its variation with the field of view is estimated by Monte-Carlo simulations for different X-ray energies chosen among the most intense lines emitted by an astrophysical plasma in the temperature range 1–4×10⁶K. The estimated sensitivity and the simulations of actual space observations show that the instrument is capable to separate the strongest lines emitted by the most abundant ions (OVII,OVIII, FeXVII, NeIX, etc.) and to map the whole sky during a six month mission.     

Some peculiarities in the Asteroidal Belt

The analysis of the fine structure of the Asteroidal Belt evidenciates a group of asteroids next to the resonance 4/9 with Jupiter. In this group and in other groups associated to the Hirayama families there are indications that their orbital parameters can be represented by quantum numbers as defined here and in two of our previous works. Together with this the distribution of the eccentricities and inclinations of the orbital planes of short period comets and diverse type of asteroids indicates that they can be classified as objects with e > sin i and objects with e > sin i with a limit e = sin i which determinates geometrical properties of the orbits related with discrete states in the solar system. This study lets open the possibility of following studies in order to confirm the quantum characteristics of the Asteroidal Belt being these characteristics common to all the solar system and depending of the same fundamental constant of action per mass unit H ₀ = 1/2 ₀ × T ₀ (potential × time) because only a small part of all the available data in the Asteroid Belt is used here.     

Quadratic analytical solution of general systems through formal hamiltonization

A technique for the quadratic analytical solution of general nonlinearly perturbed periodic systems is presented. It relies on a device recognized as early as Birkhoff (1927), through which any system of ordinary differential equations can be cast in Hamiltonian form through the introduction of a set of auxiliary conjugate variables. The particular implementation applies the author's quadratic Hamiltonian approach, utilizing Lie transforms (so admitting of easy inversion), and featuring the ability to determine the frequencies of the system to twice the order of the solution at the last step. The method is exemplified through an analysis of the van der Pol equation to find the solution to second order, and frequencies to fourth, of the limit cycle of the system. Finally, the relationship of the approach to other perturbation techniques, particularly the vector/matrix Lie transform method, is discussed.     

Precursor heating and acceleration by Langmuir waves: The type II Supernova case

The effect of shock wave propagation is investigated with respect to precursor heating and acceleration, upstream, with the aim of explaining Supernova (SN) observations.A model is presented, where two different sources of Langmuir waves produce upstream heating and acceleration: (1) Langmuir waves excited by resonance beam particles, that are accelerated through the shock front by Bell's mechanism; and (2) Langmuir waves, created in the post-shock turbulent zone.The most important processes considered in the calculations are: (1) the heating efficiency of beam particles of different velocity; (2) Bell's acceleration efficiency; (3) the spectrum of Langmuir waves created in a turbulent regime; (4) the effects of density, and of the density gradient in the medium, where the shock propagates.The calculations are applied to type II SN. The results show that temperatures of 10⁵–10⁶ K, obtained in the preshock region, can explain P-Cygni observed line profiles. Moreover, accelerations of the plasma in front of the shock up tov10⁸ cm s^–1 by momentum exchange, are in good agreement with observations.Partially supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Technológico (CNPq) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP).     

Culgoora radio and skylab euv observations of emerging magnetic flux in the lower corona

Detailed comparisons of Culgoora 160 MHz radioheliograms of solar noise storms and Skylab EUV spectroheliograms of coronal loop structures are presented. It is concluded that: (1) there is a close association between changes in large-scale magnetic fields in the corona and the onset or cessation of noise storms; (2) these coronal changes result from the emergence of new magnetic flux at the photospheric level; (3) although new magnetic flux at the photospheric level is often accompanied by an increase in flare activity the latter is not directly responsible for noise storm activity; rather the new magnetic flux diffuses slowly outwards through the corona at rates 1–2 km s^–1 and produces noise storms at 160 MHz 1–2 days later; (4) the coronal density above or in large-scale EUV loop systems is sufficiently dense to account for noise storm emission at the fundamental plasma frequency; (5) the scatter in noise storm positions can be accounted for by the appearance and disappearance of individual loops in a system.