Engineering topics

Mullan, D. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Mullan, D. J..

At least 37 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1987

Magnetohydrodynamic modeling of coronal bright points

Coronal bright points are known to be magnetic in nature. A two-dimensional MHD code was devleoped to investigate the rsponse of a stratified atmosphere to a localized magnetic structure. If a bright point occurs at a region where flux tubes of opposite polarity have encountered by chance it is found that, in the presence of stratification, a net upward mass flux results. Upflow velocities of up to one half of the Alfven speed are produced. The implications of the results for mass outflows from bright points in coronal holes are discussed.

Waldron, W. L.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Velocity fields in a low-latitude coronal hole - Results from the Solar Maximum Mission

The Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite has been used to observe Doppler signatures in C IV in a low-latitude coronal hole as it crossed the central meridian (1985 February 2-8). Scatter plots of C IV emission intensity versus velocity do not show the pronounced positive correlation which has been reported in other regions on the sun. These data suggest that the coronal hole may control the gross velocity field in the solar atmosphere at the level where C IV is formed. Some localized regions of upflow coincide with EUV bright points in the coronal hole.

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Ultraviolet observations of astronomical phenomena

The purpose was to study various aspects of mass loss in stars of different types. The observational part of the research was directed at three Cepheid variables; the archival part of the research was directed at hot stars (for information on corotating interaction regions) and at cool giants (for study of variability in the mass losing part of the atmosphere).

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Ionic charge states of solar energetic particles - Effects of flare X-rays

Ionic charge states of solar energetic particles (SEP) from three flares have been reported by Luhn et al. (1984). Interpretations of the mean charges in terms of a source temperature Ts (assuming collisional ionization equilibrium) yield inconsistent results. For Mg, the required Ts (up to 8 x 10 to the 6th K) are larger than for N and Si by factors of up to 5. Here it is pointed out that flare X-rays photoionize the ambient corona, causing apparent ionization temperatures there to exceed the local electron temperature, Te. Using realistic flare X-ray fluxes, it is shown that the charge data for six elements (C, N, Ne, Mg, Si, and S) can be fitted if the source is at coronal temperatures (Te = 1-2 x 10 to the 6th K), but the ionization equilibrium is radiation dominated. For oxygen, a slight inconsistency persists in the three flares.

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Displaced narrow absorption components in the spectra of mass-losing OB stars - Indications of corotating interaction regions?

The discovery of displaced narrow components (DNCs) in an increasingly large number of stars of various spectral types suggests that an explanation of these features may contribute significantly to understanding of winds from stars of all types. The reported properties of DNCs are summarized here with a view to evaluating one particular scenario for DNC formation which involves corotating interaction regions (CIRs) in the stellar wind. The relevant features of the CIR scenario are summarized, and the extent to which DNC properties support the CIR scenario is discussed.

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A search for outflows from X-ray bright points in coronal holes

Properties of X-ray bright points using two of the instruments on Solar Maximum Mission were investigated. The mass outflows from magnetic regions were modeled using a two dimensional MHD code. It was concluded that mass can be detected from X-ray bright points provided that the magnetic topology is favorable.

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Ionic charge distributions of energetic particles from solar flares

The effects which solar flare X-rays have on the charge states of solar cosmic rays is determined quantitatively. Rather than to characterize the charge distribution by temperature alone, it is proposed that the X-ray flux at the acceleration site also is used. The effects of flare X-rays are modeled mathematically.

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Models of transition regions in hybrid stars

Models for the transition regions of six hybrid stars, four bright giants and two supergiants, are calculated. The models include mass loss and prescribe Alfven waves as the source of mechanical energy. The momentum and energy deposition rates required at each level of the atmosphere are evaluated. The final models for all six stars have mass loss rates lying below the current VLA upper limits by factors of two to ten, and have densities which agree with those derived by density-sensitive line ratios. The density vs. temperature structure in Alpha TrA agree well with that derived by Hartmann et al. (1985). Wave amplitudes and magnetic field strengths are derived as functions of height, and the amplitudes are found to agree well with the observed line widths in Alpha TrA.

Brosius, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Anomalous abundances of solar energetic particles and coronal gas: Coulomb effects and First Ionization Potential (FIP) ordering

The first ionization potential (FIP) ordering of elemental abundances in solar energetic particles and in the corona which can both be explained Coulomb effects is discussed. Solar energetic particles (SEP) and coronal gas have anomalous abundances relative to the photosphere. The anomalies are similar in both cases: which led to the conclusion that SEP acceleration is not selective, but merely preserves the source abundances. It is argued that SEP acceleration can be selective, because identical selectivity operates to determine the coronal abundances. The abundance anomalies are ordered by first ionization potential (FIP).

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Formation of the H-alpha absorption line in the chromospheres of cool stars

The theory of the formation of the H-alpha absorption line in the chromospheres of cool stars is discussed and a number of results are presented which demonstrate that observations of this line can provide valuable information on certain properties of stellar chromospheres. It is shown that the widespread existence of strong H-alpha absorption in cool stars indicates the equally widespread existence of stellar chromospheres. The calculations also reinforce the idea that the great widths of H-alpha absorption lines in late-type giant stars are due to nonthermal chromospheric velocity fields.

Cram, L. E.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Corotating Interaction Regions in Stellar Winds: Particle Acceleration and Non-thermal Radio Emission in Hot Stars

A co-rotating interaction region (CIR) forms in a stellar wind when a fast stream from a rotating star overtakes a slow stream. The CIR's were studied in detail in the solar wind over the past decade primarily because they are efficient sources of particle acceleration. Here, CIR's in OB star winds are used to explain two properties of such winds: deposition of non-radiative energy in the wind far from the stellar surfaces and acceleration of non-thermal particles.

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Rotational modulation of chromospheric emission in cool giants and 'hybrid' stars

Archival data from the International Ultraviolet Explorer have been used to study temporal variations of the Mg II h and k emission lines in eight late-type giants. Evidence is presented that the variations are periodic in nature. It is argued that the periodicities can be interpreted in terms of rotation. It is found that the four fastest rotators in the sample are 'hybrid' stars.

Brosius, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Corotating interaction regions in stellar winds

In a stellar wind, a corotating interaction region (CIR) is formed when a rotating star emits wind in a non-spherically symmetric manner. CIRs have been studied in detail in the solar wind: here, their role in stellar winds is considered. The radial distance at which CIRs form (in terms of the stellar radius) is proportional to the ratio of wind speed to the rotational speed at the stellar surface: in the sun, this ratio is approximately 200, but it may be much smaller than that in other stars. The properties of CIRs appear to be able to account for certain features of 'hybrid stars' (i.e., cool giants with cool winds plus 'warm' lines in their UV spectra), for X-ray emitting structures in hot star winds, and for the appearance of extended chromospheres in cool supergiants.

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Closed and open magnetic fields in stellar winds

A numerical study of the interaction between a thermal wind and a global dipole field in the sun and in a giant star is reported. In order for closed field lines to persist near the equator (where a helmet-streamer-like configuration appears), the coronal temperature must be less than a critical value Tc, which scales as M/R. This condition is found to be equivalent to the following: for a static helmet streamer to persist, the sonic point above the helmet must not approach closer to the star than 2.2-2.6 stellar radii. Implications for rapid mass loss and X-ray emission from cool giants are pointed out. The results strengthen the case for identifying empirical dividing lines in the H-R diagram with a magnetic topology transition locus (MTTL). Support for the MTTL concept is also provided by considerations of the breakdown of magnetostatic equilibrium.

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Model chromospheres of RS CVn stars - Balmer line profiles in Gamma Andromedae

Two models have been constructed for the chromosphere of the RS CVn star Gamma And, one with a low-pressure transition zone, and one with a high pressure transition zone. The high pressure model predicts an H alpha line profile which agrees fairly well with high resolution observations of Gamma And, without the need to include nonthermal line broadening. The low pressure model predicts an H alpha profile which agrees very well with the observations, after application of macroturbulent broadening with a gaussian velocity parameter of about 30 km/sec. Methods which could distinguish between the two alternatives are discussed, and it is suggested that if the low-pressure model is valid, the large macroturbulence may be associated with unstable magnetic flux loops in the atmosphere.

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Onset of rapid mass loss in cool giant stars - Magnetic field effects

The possibility that closed magnetic field loops exist in steady state in stellar atmospheres in the HR diagram is examined. A model derived by Pneuman (1968) for helmet streamers in the solar corona is applied using a semi-empirical technique, to find that long-lived closed loops exist only below a certain boundary in the HR diagram. The region below this boundary is occupied by stars which are known to have hot coronae and slow mass loss. It is suggested that rapid mass loss sets in when closed field loops can no longer exist in steady state in the atmosphere.

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Theoretical studies of the RS Canum Venaticorum stars

The activity in RS Canum Venaticorum (CVn) is investigated. Models for chromospheric structure are developed and the role of magnetic fields both in the photosphere as well as in the chromosphere and upper atmosphere are examined. T Tau stars are also studied from the same points of view. The properties of magnetic field loops are used to help understand the atmospheric structure in RS CVn stars. The concepts developed in the case of these stars appear to be applicable over a much broader region of the HR diagram. The absence of stable magnetic loops in the atmospheres of late type giant stars suggests that the atmospheres of RS CVn active components are qualitatively distinct from the solar atmosphere.

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Magnesium emission variability among late-type giant stars

Profiles of the Mg II h and k emission features in the spectra of 21 late-type giant stars were obtained. Emission strengths were separately measured in the shortward (S) and longward (L) components. Variations in total emission intensity (S + L) can be interpreted as evidence for variations in the rate of mechanical energy deposition in the chromosphere. Mass loss processes in the corona/outer atmosphere may be strong enough to affect the ratio of S/L: thus, rapid mass loss causes S/L to be less than unity. Rapid mass loss is likely caused by deposition of mechanical energy by stellar wind. Variations in S/L are a measure of variations in the rate of mechanical energy deposition in the corona/outer atmosphere. The stellar sample variations were divided into four classes: (1) variations in S/L; (2) variations in the circumstellar absorption components; (3) variations in the total flux; and (4) no evidence for variations found on the time scales used.

Mullan, D. J.↗