Modelling the X-ray cluster dipole and cluster contribution to the soft X-ray background

We investigate the sampling and dipole convergence properties of flux-limited samples of mock X-ray clusters in relation to their underlying 'parent' cluster distribution. To this purpose, we resort to numerical simulations of the cluster distribution and extract samples resembling the main observational features of X-ray selected cluster samples. The flux-limited samples, being quite sparse, underestimate the amplitude of the 'parent' cluster dipole by ≈ 15 per cent on average for Local Group-like observers. However, the general shapes of their dipole amplitude profiles are in relatively good agreement. We also calculate the expected contribution of clusters, selected according to the relevant criteria, to the soft (i.e. 0.1–2.4 keV) extragalactic X-ray background (XRB), using the ESO Key Project X-ray luminosity function, assuming a flat universe with vanishing cosmological constant. We obtain a value of about 10 per cent of the observed XRB flux.     

The Deutsch field gamma-ray pulsar – II. Application of the model

A new model for gamma-ray pulsars presented by Higgins & Henriksen is applied to the cases of the seven known gamma-ray pulsars. Those pulsars that are not presently observed in gamma-rays, but are candidates for observation by the next generation of gamma-ray telescopes, are discussed. The case of millisecond pulsars is discussed, and it is shown that these objects should radiate at detectable levels, in opposition to the predictions of other gamma-ray pulsar models.     

The magnetic field and rotational period of 53 Camelopardalis

The magnetic Ap star 53 Cam has been described as the best object for testing theories of elemental diffusion in the presence of a stellar magnetic field. It is thus vital to determine the rotational period of this very important star as accurately as possible. An improved period (8.026 81±0.000 04 d) is derived here by combining new measurements of the effective magnetic field with previously published values.     

空间VLBI的研究现状

评述了过去近三十年中空间VLBI的发展．其内容包括空间VLBI的简短发展历史,空间VLBI与地面VLBI的不同、空间VLBI的目前状况和空间VLBI的未来展望。着重介绍了作为首次空间VLBI的VSOP的各个方面情况,并给出了VSOP的连续谱、谱线普查样本,供参考。     

Time‐series photometric spot modelling – VI. A new computer code and its application to 23 years of photometry of the active giant IM Pegasi

We present and apply a new computer program named SpotModeL to analyze single and multiple bandpass photometric data of spotted stars. It is based on the standard analytical formulae from Budding and Dorren. The program determines the position, size, and temperature of up to three spots by minimizing the fit residuals with the help of the Marquardt‐Levenberg non‐linear least‐squares algorithm. We also expand this procedure to full time‐series analysis of differential data, just as real observations would deliver. If multi‐bandpass data are available, all bandpasses can be treated simultaneously and thus the spot temperature is solved for implicitly. The program may be downloaded and used by anyone. In this paper, we apply our code to an ≈23 year long photometric dataset of the spotted RS CVn giant IM Peg. We extracted and modelled 33 individual light curves, additionally, we fitted the entire V dataset in one run. The resulting spot parameters reflect the long term light variability and reveal two active longitudes on the substellar point and on the antipode. The radius and longitude of the dominant spot show variations with 29.8 and 10.4 years period, respectively. Our multicolour data suggests that the spot temperature is increasing with the brightening of the star. The average spot temperature from V, I_C is 3550 ± 150 K or approximately 900 K below the effective temperature of the star.     

High‐frequency waves and granulation

The theory of periodical shear flow is applied for the exploration of the effect of solar granulation on highfrequency waves in the solar photosphere. It is shown that upgoing and downgoing waves are trapped in intergranular spaces and granules, respectively. Upgoing waves in fast downflows are unstable. The theory is in a good agreement with observations.     

3‐D hydrodynamic simulations of the solar chromosphere

We present first results of three‐dimensional numerical simulations of the non‐magnetic solar chromosphere, computed with the radiation hydrodynamics code CO⁵BOLD. Acoustic waves which are excited at the top of the convection zone propagate upwards into the chromosphere where the waves steepen into shocks. The interaction of the waves leads to the formation of complex structures which evolve on short time scales. Consequently, the model chromosphere is highly dynamical, inhomogeneous, and thermally bifurcated.     

奇异星壳层塌缩的数值研究

当奇异星表面的电场不足以支撑整个壳层的时候,壳层就有可能全部落入奇异核中.对这一过程的研究,可以为观测上证认奇异星提供一些可能的理论线索.数值计算表明,底部密度为-8.3×1010gcm-3,亦即质量为-3 4×10-6M(?)的壳层在约5.4×10-3s时间内塌缩到奇异核中,可导致一次持续约0.15s的爆发事件.在过程中平均每个重子释放约6.3 MeV的能量,总辐射能则可高达-1046-1047ergs.这可以用来解释宇宙中一些爆发现象.