The β Cephei instability strip

We carried out a series of linear stability analyses of the radial and low-degree non-radial p modes for stellar models with initial masses of     . The stellar models were computed by using convective overshoot distance     , 0.25 and 0.40  H _P. Our numerical results show that the β Cephei instability strip forms a horn-shaped region pointing upwards near the main sequence on the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram (HRD). The lower part of the instability strip for the radial modes join the zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) at     , while the top of the instability strip extends up to     . The instability strip for the non-radial modes is even wider. The overall instability strip is dominated by the radial and non-radial fundamental modes. The first overtone (the radial-order index     is also pulsationally unstable. We have shown that the β Cephei stability is almost independent of the overshoot parameter d _over used for the stellar models, while it depends critically on the metal abundance. With decreasing metal abundance, the instability region shrinks and eventually disappears for     .     

The re-analysis of the ROSAT data of Nova Mus 1983 using white dwarf atmosphere emission models

The analyses of X-ray emission from classical novae during the outburst stage have shown that the soft X-ray emission below 1 keV, which is thought to originate from the photosphere of the white dwarf, is inconsistent with the simple blackbody model of emission. Thus, ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) archival data of the classical Nova Mus 1983 (GQ Mus) have been re-analysed in order to understand the spectral development in the X-ray wavelengths during the outburst stage. The X-ray spectra are fitted with the hot white dwarf (WD) atmosphere emission models developed for the remnants of classical novae near the Eddington luminosity. The post-outburst X-ray spectra of the remnant white dwarf are examined in the context of evolution on the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram using C–O enhanced atmosphere models. The data obtained in 1991 August (during the ROSAT All Sky Survey) indicate that the effective temperature is         . The 1992 February data show that the white dwarf had reached an effective temperature in the range         with an unabsorbed X-ray flux (i.e. ∼ bolometric flux) between     and     . We show that the H burning at the surface of the WD had most likely ceased at the time of the X-ray observations. Only the 1991 August data show evidence for ongoing H burning.     

南方亚热带季风区将乐县森林植被动态变化及其对气候变化的响应

在全球气候变化背景下,植被动态变化以及植被对气候变化的响应方式已经成为生态学和地理学领域的热点。本文对比分析了南方亚热带季风区将乐县不同类型森林植被对不同时间尺度的干旱响应的差别。基于2000-2017年MODIS-EVI数据及气象站点数据,用最大值合成法、趋势分析法以及相关分析法,分析了森林植被及气象因子的动态变化特征,并对比不同森林植被对气候变化响应的差别。研究表明：① 2000-2017年,研究区植被覆盖度、EVI和降水均显著增加,区域内湿度增加,森林长势渐趋良好;② EVI在生长季初期和末期与同期的降水、温度均显著正相关（P<0.1）,初期森林受降水因子的影响更大,末期受温度因子的影响大;③ 1-3月和周年的气候变化对森林的生长至关重要,长时间尺度的湿度增加对森林生长具有显著的促进作用,SPEI的时间尺度越长与EVI的相关性也越大;④ 针阔混交林与同期温度、降水的相关系数最高,并且与不同时间尺度的SPEI相关性均比较高,属于气候敏感型林型,在生产经营中要谨慎预防气候变化对该林型带来的伤害;⑤ 森林覆盖度变化与降水和SPEI_24的相关性极显著,长时间尺度的降水变化是影响森林植被覆盖率变化的重要因素之一。     

北京“数九”时节的气候特征及其变化分析

根据北京市观象台1971～2007年"数九"时节的逐日气象要素资料,利用统计学方法,分析了北京"数九"时节的气候特征及其变化情况.结果显示:北京的寒冷阶段在"三九"至"五九",这期间在"三九"末到"四九"初日平均气温连续4天维持在最低值-3.8℃,各"九"的极端最低气温是-18.3℃,出现在"五九"的第1天;各"九"平均气温的最低值是-3.5℃,出现在"三九",因此,最冷的时段是"三九";"数九"时节81天的平均气温在70~90年代变暖较快,其增温幅度为1.25℃·(10 a)～(-1);各"九"平均气温随年代顺序变化亦属变暖趋势,"五九"的变暖幅度最大,达到1.38℃·(10 a)～(-1).     

The nature of TW Pictoris

The results of X-ray and optical observations of the candidate intermediate polar TW Pic are presented in an attempt to understand its nature. We find no sign of the previously proposed ∼2 h white-dwarf spin period and ∼6 h orbital period of TW Pic in its X-ray light curve. There is therefore no convincing evidence in support of its previous classification. The lack of X-ray pulsation could be the result of a low inclination angle, but in that case there would be no reason why an optical pulsation should have been seen previously. Negative results from polarimetry also preclude TW Pic from being a polar. One possibility may be that the shorter of the two periods is in fact the orbital period, whilst the longer one is a harmonic of a disc precession period. Alternatively, both the high accretion rate and period structure of TW Pic indicate that it may be a system that displays persistent negative superhumps. In this case the true orbital period of the binary may be around 6.36 h and the shorter of the two previously identified periods, 1.996 h, represents the (shifted) second harmonic of a negative superhump period of 6.06 h. Under this interpretation, it would be the longest period system to display such a phenomenon. Finally there is also evidence that TW Pic may be a VY Scl star, in which case it would be the longest period member of that subclass too.     

Galactic 1.275-MeV emission from ONe novae and its detectability by INTEGRAL/SPI

Models of Galactic 1.275‐MeV emission produced by the decay of the radionuclide ²²Na have been computed. Several frequency–spatial distributions of novae have been investigated using recent results of nova rates and spatial distributions of novae in our Galaxy. These models allow us to estimate the lower limit of the ²²Na mass ejected per ONe nova detectable with the future spectrometer (SPI) of the INTEGRAL observatory as a function of the frequency–spatial distribution of ONe novae in the Galaxy. Calculations using recent estimations of the expected ²²Na mass ejected per ONe nova show that the detection of the Galactic emission of 1.275‐MeV photons will be difficult with the future spectrometer of the INTEGRAL observatory, whereas the cumulative emission around the Galactic Centre has some chance of being detected during the deep survey of the central radian of the Galaxy.     

Magnetic perturbations to the acoustic modes of roAp stars

We study the effect of a large-scale surface magnetic field on the non-radial acoustic modes of roAp stars. Special attention is given to the use of a variational principle which is used for determining the shifts in the frequencies with relative ease, enabling us to avoid having to calculate the perturbed eigenfunctions. With knowledge of the frequency shifts we then estimate the eigenfunctions in a simpler, albeit approximate way. The results indicate frequency shifts of the order of few μHz, which depend on the order, degree and azimuthal order of the mode. The loss of energy through Alfvén waves is also estimated from the imaginary parts of the frequency shifts. The results indicate that the loss is particularly high near specific frequencies. This might indicate the presence of a selection effect, which could make some modes more likely to be excited than others. However, our results do not explain why the modes observed appear always to be aligned with the axis of the magnetic field. Finally, the estimated perturbed eigenfunctions contain strong components of spherical harmonics that differ from those of the original unperturbed modes.     

New views of Betelgeuse: multi-wavelength surface imaging and implications for models of hotspot generation

We report contemporaneous multi-wavelength interferometric imaging of the red supergiant star Betelgeuse ( α Orionis), using the Cambridge Optical Aperture Synthesis Telescope (COAST) and the William Herschel Telescope (WHT), at wavelengths of 700, 905 and 1290 nm. We find a strong variation in the apparent symmetry of the stellar brightness distribution as a function of wavelength. At 700 nm the star is highly asymmetric, and can be modelled as the superposition of three bright spots on a strongly limb-darkened disc. However, at 905 nm only a single low-contrast feature is visible and at 1290 nm the star presents a featureless symmetric disc. The change in spot contrast with wavelength is consistent with a model in which the bright spots represent unobscured areas of elevated temperature, owing perhaps to convection, on a stellar disc that itself has a different appearance, i.e. geometrical extent and limb-darkening profile, at different wavelengths. The featureless centre-to-limb brightness profile seen at 1290 nm is consistent with this model and suggests that future interferometric monitoring of the star to quantify the size changes associated with radial velocity variations should be performed at similar wavelengths in the near-infrared.     

Photospheric variability of O stars

The characteristics of the line profile variations observed in optical transitions of O-type stars are reviewed. For a few well-observed stars, there is compelling evidence that the variations are due to photospheric velocity fields from one or more modes of nonradial pulsation. However, the origin of the line profile variations observed in most O stars is not yet established. To date, there is little empirical evidence to suggest that the variability in optical absorption lines of O stars is causally linked to the stellar wind variability commonly observed in their UV resonance lines.     

Corrections to Solar Thermal Structure when a Turbulent Magnetic Field is Included

Correction of non-ideal effect due to a magnetic fluctuating tensor is derived from the ideal MHD equations. The inclusion of a magnetic turbulent field leads to modifications of the hydrostatic equilibrium equation and thermodynamical variables such as the temperature T, the adiabatic exponent γ, the adiabatic temperature gradient △↓ad and the temperature gradient △↓. In particular, the modifications in the adiabatic and radiative temperature gradients will result in a change in the Schwarzchild criterion, hence in the location of the base of the convective zone. Incorporating the modifications, we construct a modified thermodynamical equilibrium structure of the Sun.