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NASA NTRS2011

Quantitative Examination of a Large Sample of Supra-Arcade Downflows in Eruptive Solar Flares

Sunward-flowing voids above post-coronal mass ejection flare arcades were first discovered using the soft X-ray telescope aboard Yohkoh and have since been observed with TRACE (extreme ultraviolet (EUV)), SOHO/LASCO (white light), SOHO/SUMER (EUV spectra), and Hinode/XRT (soft X-rays). Supra-arcade downflow (SAD) observations suggest that they are the cross-sections of thin flux tubes retracting from a reconnection site high in the corona. Supra-arcade downflowing loops (SADLs) have also been observed under similar circumstances and are theorized to be SADs viewed from a perpendicular angle. Although previous studies have focused on dark flows because they are easier to detect and complementary spectral data analysis reveals their magnetic nature, the signal intensity of the flows actually ranges from dark to bright. This implies that newly reconnected coronal loops can contain a range of hot plasma density. Previous studies have presented detailed SAD observations for a small number of flares. In this paper, we present a substantial SADs and SADLs flare catalog. We have applied semiautomatic detection software to several of these events to detect and track individual downflows thereby providing statistically significant samples of parameters such as velocity, acceleration, area, magnetic flux, shrinkage energy, and reconnection rate. We discuss these measurements (particularly the unexpected result of the speeds being an order of magnitude slower than the assumed Alfven speed), how they were obtained, and potential impact on reconnection models.

Savage, Sabrina L.↗
NASA NTRS2011

The EVE Doppler Sensitivity and Flare Observations

The Extreme-ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) obtains continuous EUV spectra of the Sun viewed as a star. Its primary objective is the characterization of solar spectral irradiance, but its sensitivity and stability make it extremely interesting for observations of variability on time scales down to the limit imposed by its basic 10 s sample interval. In this paper we characterize the Doppler sensitivity of the EVE data. We find that the 30.4 nm line of He II has a random Doppler error below 0.001 nm (1 pm, better than 10 km/s as a redshift), with ample stability to detect the orbital motion of its satellite, the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Solar flares also displace the spectrum, both because of Doppler shifts and because of EVE's optical layout, which (as with a slitless spectrograph) confuses position and wavelength. As a flare develops, the centroid of the line displays variations that reflect Doppler shifts and therefore flare dynamics. For the impulsive phase of the flare SOL2010-06-12, we find the line centroid to have a redshift of 16.8 +/- 5.9 km/s relative to that of the flare gradual phase (statistical errors only). We find also that high-temperature lines, such as Fe XXIV 19.2 nm, have well-determined Doppler components for major flares, with decreasing apparent blueshifts as expected from chromospheric evaporation flows.

Hudson, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Lyman-Alpha Comes of Age

The Lyman-alpha (Lyα) line is the strongest recombination line of hydrogen, which constitutes the dominant share of normal matter in the Universe. Fifty-one years ago, it was predicted that Lyα emission should appear prominently in the spectra of young primordial galaxies. For the next 30 years, this prediction was tested by many surveys, but none found the predicted galaxies at the predicted luminosities. The blame for these non-detections was squarely cast on the resonant nature of the Lyα line, which requires Lyα photons to scatter off many hydrogen atoms before escaping from a galaxy. This can hugely increase the path that they traverse, and consequently also the probability that they will be absorbed by dust. This remained the dominant explanation of the missing high-redshift lines for decades, despite some dissenting opinions about the effect of dust. The spectra of nearby galaxies from the International Ultraviolet Explorer are inconclusive about what allows galaxies to be Lyα emitters. The ‘missing’ lines were finally detected 20 years ago, at flux levels much below the original predictions - a difference that we understand to be predominantly due to the hierarchical growth of galaxies, such that star-forming objects at high redshift are much less massive than anticipated in the original prediction. The discovery and study of Lyα galaxies has blossomed into an invaluable method for understanding the youngest stages of galaxy formation, the circumgalactic medium, and ultimately the epoch of reionization. The high equivalent widths of Lyα galaxies from the earliest high-redshift surveys show that they are low-mass galaxies dominated by young stellar populations. The Sakura CLAW workshop (which used the Twitter hashtag #SakuraCLAW) gathered more than 110 participants (Fig. 1) who showcased progress that pushed the frontiers of Lyα galaxy science in sample size, sensitivity, redshifts and physical understanding..

Malhotra, Sangeeta↗
NASA NTRS1991

Basic research in solar physics

This grant, dating back more than 20 years has supported a variety of investigations of the chromospheres and coronae of the Sun and related cool stars by the Principal Investigator, his postdocs and graduate students, and colleagues at other institutions. This work involved studies of radiative transfer and spectral line formation theory, and the application of these techniques to the analysis of spectra obtained from space and ground-based observatories in the optical, ultraviolet, x-ray and radio portions of the spectrum. Space observations have included the analysis of spectra from OSO-7, Skylab, SMM, and the HRTS rocket experiments. Recent work has concentrated on the interaction of magnetic fields, plasma and radiation in the outer atmospheres of the Sun and other magnetically active stars with different fundamental parameters. Our study of phenomena common to the Sun and stars, the 'solar-stellar connection', can elucidate the fundamental physics, because spatially-resolved observations of the Sun provide us with the 'groundtruth,' while interpretation of stellar data permit us to isolate those parameters critical to stellar activity. Recently, we have studied the differences in physical properties between solar regions of high magnetic flux density and the surrounding plasma. High-resolution CN and CO spectroheliograms have been used to model the thermal inhomogeneities driven by unstable CO cooling, and we have analyzed spatially resolved UV spectra from HRTS to model the thermal structure and energy balance of small-scale structures. The study of nonlinear relations between atmospheric radiative losses and the photospheric magnetic flux density has been continued. We have also proposed a new model for the decay of plages by random walk diffusion of magnetic flux. Our analysis of phenomena common to the Sun and stars included the application of available spectroscopic diagnostics, establishing evidence that the atmospheres of the least active stars are heated at a 'basal' rate that is also found in the centers of solar supergranules, and using the Doppler-imaging technique to measure the position, size, and brightness of stellar active regions. We are computing multi-component models for solar and stellar atmospheres, and models for coronal loops and for the transition-region down flows. The study of solar and stellar flares permits us to assess the role of turbulent energy transport, to pinpoint the mechanism behind Type I radio bursts, to determine whether plasma radiation or cyclotron maser is responsible for microwave flares on M dwarfs, and to extend our knowledge of the basic physics pertinent to cyclotron-maser processes operating on the Sun.

Linsky, Jeffrey L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Rotational velocities of later B type and A type stars as determined from ultraviolet versus visual line profiles

Theoretical line profiles of the Si III 1299 and Fe II 2756 lines are computed for rotating B5-A7 model stars, and compared with observed profiles from IUE spectra to derive rotational velocities. Real differences in widths for ultraviolet as compared with visual line profiles exist in the sample of B type stars (but not for the A type rapidly rotating stars), although these are not as large as previously reported in the literature. Comparison with the theoretical line profiles gives rotational velocities that are in good agreement with visually determined v sin i values for the same stars, which suggests that the shape-distorted, gravity-darkened models are reasonable.

Carpenter, K. G.↗
NASA NTRS2001

GALSPEC: A Tool for Computing the Spectra of Star-Forming Galaxies of Low Metallicity

The far-ultraviolet spectral region is rich in diagnostics of star formation in galaxies; it gives information not only about the star-forming complex, but also about the dust and circumstellar gas. We have therefore developed a tool, called GALSPEC, for computing far-UV spectra of star-forming galaxies. The user controls the process through a graphical user interface (GUI) by specifying the input parameters for the stars, dust, and gas. GALSPEC computes the integrated spectrum of a star-forming complex, given the rate of star formation, metallicity (0.2 Z(sub \odot) or 0.5 Z(sub \odot)), and IMF upper mass limit. To compute the integrated spectrum, GALSPEC makes use of a library of stellar spectra composed of observed spectra from HST and model spectra calculated with the TLUSTY/SYNSPEC program (Hubeny & Lanz 1995). GALSPEC then applies wavelength-dependent extinction according to Calzetti's starburst extinction law. The mechanical luminosity from massive stars and supernovae sweeps up interstellar material thereby forming an expanding shell with a central cavity. GALSPEC computes the absorption spectrum of the shell using the CLOUDSPEC program (Hubeny 2000), a combination of Ferland's CLOUDY program and SYNSPEC.

Heap, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Do all barium stars have a white dwarf companion?

International Ultraviolet Explorer short-wavelength, low-dispersion spectra were analyzed for four barium, two mild barium, and one R-type carbon star in order to test the hypothesis that the barium and related giants are produced by mass transfer from a companion now present as a white dwarf. An earlier tentative identification of a white dwarf companion to the mild barium star Zeta Cyg is confirmed. For the other stars, no ultraviolet excess attributable to a white dwarf is seen. Limits are set on the bolometric magnitude and age of a possible white dwarf companion. Since the barium stars do not have obvious progenitors among main-sequence and subgiant stars, mass transfer must be presumed to occur when the mass-gaining star is already on the giant branch. This restriction, and the white dwarf's minimum age, which is greater than 8 x 10 to the 8th yr, determined for several stars, effectively eliminates the hypothesis that mass transfer from an asymptotic giant branch star creates a barium star. Speculations are presented on alternative methods of producing a barium star in a binary system.

Dominy, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Searching for Radial Velocity Variations in eta Carinae

A hot companion of eta Carinae has been detected using high resolution spectra (905 - 1180 A) obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite (see poster by Sonneborn et al.). Analysis of the far-UV spectrum shows that eta Car B is a luminous hot star. The N II 1084-86 emission feature indicates that the star may be nitrogen rich. The FUV continuum and the S IV 1073 P-Cygni wind line suggest that the effective temperature of eta Car B is at least 25,000 K. FUV spectra of eta Carinae were obtained with the FUSE satellite at 9 epochs between 2000 February and 2005 July. The data consists of 12 observations taken with the LWRS aperture (30x30 arcsec), three with the HIRS aperture (1.25x20 arcsec), and one MRDS aperture (4x20 arcsec). In this paper we discuss the analysis of these spectra to search for radial velocity variations associated with the 5.54-year binary orbit of Eta Car AB.

Iping, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Ultraviolet astronomy instrumentation for sounding rocket and Shuttle/Spacelab missions

The paper deals with an electrographic Schmidt camera for wide-field imaging and objective-spectrographic sky surveys, and with a nebula spectrograph designed to obtain slit spectra of nebulae and other diffuse sources. Each of these ultraviolet astronomy instruments has been successfully used in sounding rocket flights. It is seen that, with some minor modifications, both instruments should be readily adaptable to Spacelab missions.

Carruthers, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Lyman alpha line shapes from electron impact H2 dissociative processes in the Jovian auroral zone

Over the past two years several Lyman alpha line profile spectra of Jupiter were obtained using the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) telescope. Several different regions of the planet were observed including the auroral zone, the low and mid latitudes, and the equatorial region which includes the Lyman alpha bulge region. These results have presented a very interesting picture of atomic hydrogen on Jupiter with explanations that range from ion outflow in the auroral zone to large thermospheric winds at low and mid latitudes. New data are needed to address the outstanding questions. Almost certainly, high resolution spectra from the Hubble Space Telescope will play a role in new observations. Better data also require better models, and better models require new laboratory data as inputs. The purpose of this program is two-fold: (1) to introduce a method by which new laboratory electron impact measurements of H2 dissociation can be used to calculate both the slow and fast H(S-2) and H(P-2) fragments in an H2 atmosphere; and (2) to determine the predicted Lyman alpha line shape that would result from electron impact production of these dissociative fragments in the Jovian auroral zone.

Waite, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Simultaneous UV and optical study of O star winds and UV and optical covariability of O star winds

Simultaneous ultraviolet and optical observations of 10 bright O stars were organized in several observing campaigns lasting 3-6 days each. The observing campaigns included 12 observatories in the Northern hemisphere obtaining high resolution spectroscopy, photometry, and polarimetry, as well as 24-hour coverage with the IUE (International Ultraviolet Explorer) observatory. Over 600 high dispersion SWP spectra were acquired with IUE at both NASA and VILSPA for the completion of this work. The massive amount of data from these observing campaigns, both from IUE and the ground-based instruments, has been reduced and analyzed. The accompanying paper describes the data acquisition, analysis, and conclusions of the study performed. The most important results of this study are the strong confirmation of the ubiquitous variability of winds of O stars, and the critical correlation between rotation of the star and the wind variability as seen in the ultraviolet and optical spectral lines.

Nichols, Joy S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Ultraviolet spectrometer observations of Neptune and Triton

Results from the occultation of the sun by Neptune imply a temperature of 750 + or - 150 kelvins in the upper levels of the atmosphere (composed mostly of atomic and molecular hydrogen) and define the distributions of methane, acetylene, and ethane at lower levels. The ultraviolet spectrum of the sunlit atmosphere of Neptune resembles the spectra of the Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus atmospheres in that it is dominated by the emissions of H Lyman alpha (340 + or - 20 rayleighs) and molecular hydrogen. The extreme ultraviolet emission in the range from 800 to 1100 angstroms at the four planets visited by Voyager scale approximately as the inverse square of their heliocentric distances. Weak auroral emissions have been tentatively identified on the night side of Neptune. Airglow and occultation observations of Triton's atmosphere show that it is composed mainly of molecular nitrogen, with a trace of methane near the surface. The temperature of Triton's upper atmosphere is 95 + or - 5 kelvins, and the surface pressure is roughly 14 microbars.

Broadfoot, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Resolving the Structure of Ionized Helium in the Intergalactic Medium with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer

The neutral hydrogen and the ionized helium absorption in the spectra of high-redshift quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) are unique probes of structure in the universe at epochs intermediate between the earliest density fluctuations seen in the cosmic background radiation and the distribution of galaxies visible today. We present Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) observations of the line of sight to the QSO HE2347-4342 in the 1000-1187 angstrom band at a resolving power of 15,000. Above redshift z = 2.7, the IGM is largely opaque in He II Ly-alpha (304 angstroms). At lower redshifts, the optical depth gradually decreases to a mean value tau = 1 at z = 2.4. We resolve the He II Ly-alpha absorption as a discrete forest of absorption lines in the z = 2.3 - 2.7 redshift range. Approximately 50% of these spectral features have H I counterparts with column densities N(sub HI) > 10(exp 12.3)/sq cm visible in a Keck spectrum. These account for most of the observed opacity in He II Ly-alpha. The remainder have N(sub HI) < 10(exp 12.3)/sq cm, below the threshold for current observations. A short extrapolation of the power-law distribution of H I column densities to lower values can account for these new absorbers. The He II to H I column density ratio eta averages approximately 80, consistent with photoionization of the IGM by a hard ionizing spectrum resulting from the integrated light of quasars at high redshift, but there is considerable scatter. Values of eta > 100 in many locations indicate that there may be localized contributions from starbursts or heavily filtered QSO radiation.

Kriss, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Ultraviolet Broad Absorption Features and the Spectral Energy Distribution of the QSO PG 1351+641

We present a moderate-resolution (approximately 20 km/s) spectrum of the broad-absorption line QSO PG 1351+64 between 915-1180 angstroms, obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE). Additional low-resolution spectra at longer wavelengths were also obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and ground-based telescopes. Broad absorption is present on the blue wings of C III lambda977, Ly-beta, O VI lambda-lambda-1032,1038, Ly-alpha, N V lambda-lambda-1238,1242, Si IV lambda-lambda-1393,1402, and C IV lambda-lambda-1548,1450. The absorption profile can be fitted with five components at velocities of approximately -780, -1049, -1629, -1833, and -3054 km/s with respect to the emission-line redshift of z = 0.088. All the absorption components cover a large fraction of the continuum source as well as the broad-line region. The O VI emission feature is very weak, and the O VI/Ly-alpha flux ratio is 0.08, one of the lowest among low-redshift active galaxies and QSOs. The ultraviolet continuum shows a significant change in slope near 1050 angstroms in the restframe. The steeper continuum shortward of the Lyman limit extrapolates well to the observed weak X-ray flux level. The absorbers' properties are similar to those of high-redshift broad absorption-line QSOs. The derived total column density of the UV absorbers is on the order of 10(exp 21)/s, unlikely to produce significant opacity above 1 keV in the X-ray. Unless there is a separate, high-ionization X-ray absorber, the QSO's weak X-ray flux may be intrinsic. The ionization level of the absorbing components is comparable to that anticipated in the broad-line region, therefore the absorbers may be related to broad-line clouds along the line of sight.

Zheng, W.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Ultraviolet Broad Absorption Features and the Spectral Energy Distribution of the QSO PG 1351+64

We present a moderate-resolution (approximately 20 km s(exp -1) spectrum of the mini broad absorption line QSO PG 1351+64 between 915-1180 A, obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE). Additional low-resolution spectra at longer wavelengths were also obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and ground-based telescopes. Broad absorption is present on the blue wings of C III (lambda)977, Ly(beta), O VI (lambda)(lambda)1032,1038, Ly(alpha), N V (lambda)(lambda)1238,1242, Si IV (lambda)(lambda)1393,1402, and C IV (lambda)(lambda)1548,1450. The absorption profile can be fitted with five components at velocities of approximately -780, -1049, -1629, -1833, and -3054 km s(exp -1) with respect to the emission-line redshift of z = 0.088. All the absorption components cover a large fraction of the continuum source as well as the broad-line region. The O VI emission feature is very weak, and the O VI/Ly(alpha) flux ratio is 0.08, one of the lowest among low-redshift active galaxies and QSOs. The UV (ultraviolet) continuum shows a significant change in slope near 1050 A in the restframe. The steeper continuum shortward of the Lyman limit extrapolates well to the observed weak X-ray flux level. The absorbers' properties are similar to those of high-redshift broad absorption-line QSOs. The derived total column density of the UV absorbers is on the order of 10(exp 21) cm(exp -2), unlikely to produce significant opacity above 1 keV in the X-ray. Unless there is a separate, high-ionization X-ray absorber, the QSO's weak X-ray flux may be intrinsic. The ionization level of the absorbing components is comparable to that anticipated in the broad-line region, therefore the absorbers may be related to broad-line clouds along the line of sight.

Zheng, W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Ultraviolet high-excitation Fe II fluorescence lines excited by O VI, C IV, and H I resonance emission as seen in IUE spectra

Archival high-dispersion spectra from the IUE are used in a search for Bowen emission lines of Fe II excited by the stronger transition of the O VI resonance doublet. The possibility of using these Fe II emission lines as a diagnostic of the strength of the far-ultraviolet emission of O VI at 1032 A is explored. It is found that the Fe II emission lines are quite common and strong in symbiotic stars, particularly those of the type known as 'symbiotic novae', as well as in normal novae. The lines are observed in central stars of some planetary nebulae of the O VI sequence besides a few central stars of type WR. High density, high excitation, and high temperature are suggested to be requirements for the excitation of the Fe II fluorescence lines. It is pointed out that while these lines were observed in PG 1159-035 and K1-16, they were not observed in AGNs.

Feibelman, Walter A.↗