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At least 1,189 records · Page 66

The acceleration and propagation of solar flare energetic particles

A review of the most pertinent data on solar energetic particles is presented, and the implications of the data are discussed, taking into account radio emissions, hard X-rays, gamma rays, energy spectra and electron-proton correlations, chemical compositions, and isotopic and ionic compositions. The mechanisms of solar flare particle acceleration are considered along with solar flare particle spectra in interplanetary space. Attention is given to stochastic acceleration, shock acceleration, acceleration in direct electric fields, the mean free paths of solar electrons and protons in interplanetary space, and an illustration of the probable effect of adiabatic deceleration on the spectra of solar flare ions at the time of maximum.

Forman, M. A.↗

Multiband far-infrared observations of the NGC 6334 complex

Multiband far-infrared (20-155 microns) observations of the large H II region/molecular cloud complex NGC 6334 are presented. The observations were performed simultaneously in four bands with effective wavelengths 21, 42, 71, and 134 microns. Eight far-infrared sources were detected which cover the range from sources with little of no continuum radio emission to well-developed H II regions. Maps of dust temperature and far-infrared optical depth of the complex are presented which reveal large-scale variations in the color temperature and optical depth. Star formation in the complex is discussed and it is concluded that a Rayleigh-Taylor instability generated by the gravitational attraction of the galactic plane can explain the regular separation of the far-IR sources.

Loughran, L.↗

Radio polarization characteristics of two RS CVn binaries

The results of multifrequency epoch VLA observations of polarized radio emission from the nearby active RS CVn binaries UX Arietis and HR 1099 are reported. For both systems, there is an excellent correlation between handedness of circular polarization and frequency. Helicity reversal is almost always seen between 1.4 and 5.0 GHz, possibly due to optical depth effects. There may also be an anticorrelation between total intensity and fractional circular polarization, especially at 5 GHz. This is consistent with models in which intense flares are associated with compact selfabsorbed synchrotron sources, while the quiescent emission arises from larger gyrosynchrotron-emitting plasma.

Mutel, R. L.↗

High-angular resolution observations of stellar binary systems

A long-term program designed to investigate the spatial structure of centimetric radio emission from close binary systems using multistation VLBI array is discussed. Eleven binaries, including eight RS CVn systems, Algol, LSI 61 deg 303, and Cyg X-1, have been detected. The measured brightness temperatures vary from T(B) about 10 exp 8.5 K during periods of low activity to T(B) about 10 exp 10.5 K during flares. Extensive observation of a few sources has shown that the spatial structure is 'core-halo' with linear dimensions of about a stellar radius and the binary system, respectively. The observations are consistent with gyrosynchrotron emission of mildly relativistic electrons in magnetic fields of about 10 exp 1.5 + or - 0.5 gauss. The core sources appear to be optically thick, while the halo component is optically thin.

Lestrade, J.-F.↗

Simultaneous submillimeter and infrared observations of flat-spectrum radio sources

Observations are presented of 12 extragalactic nonthermal radio emission sources made at eight wavelengths between 1.25 and 1000 microns, including the important submillimeter wavelength of 350 microns. Nine of the objects were detected at 350 microns, roughly double the number of objects of this type that have previously been detected at this wavelength. The majority of the observations were made within a three-week time span. The results, combined with other studies, show that these objects generally have flat energy distributions at wavelengths longer than 1 mm that break in most cases between 350 microns and 1 mm. At wavelengths shorter than 1 mm, the energy distributions fall with a rough power-law behavior with a spectral index of about -1. For many of the objects, there is a definite break or curvature in the energy distributions at wavelengths near 2.2 microns, with the fluxes falling even more steeply into the near infrared. At the time of the observations, both OJ 287 and 3C 273 were undergoing flares. The results are generally consistent with the flares propagating out to longer wavelengths with time.

Roellig, T. L.↗

The clumpy circumstellar medium around young supernova remnants

Each of the youngest supernova remnants known in the Milky Way, Cas A, Kepler's SNR, and Tycho's SNR, shows a different morphological structure caused by different conditions in the progenitor stars and their surroundings. In all three cases, however, the observed shells have a thickness of about 1/4 the radius, a sharp outer edge, and significant brightness irregularities. These features require that the circumstellar medium be highly clumped. To investigate the phenomenon, models of the expansion have been constructed using a one-dimensional spherical hydrodynamic code. As a supernova shock moves down the external density gradient of the star, material behind the shock begins to go into free expansion. Then as surrounding material is encountered a reverse shock moving back into the ejectum will be formed. Until the expansion has swept up about eight times the ejected mass when the situation can be considered as a point explosion in its surroundings, the dynamics are controlled by conditions between the shocks. The region is also where the synchrotron radio emission from relativistic electrons trapped in magnetic fields arises. Initial particles and fields are accelerated and amplified by eddy motion at the interface between the ejected and swept-up material and at the boundaries of clumps. Polarimetry shows that these SNR have a net radial orientation of their magnetic fields apparently from stretching by Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities at the contact surfaces. Without clumps the observed shell is much too narrow and steep on the inside.

Dickel, J. R.↗

Statistical analysis of fast hard X-ray bursts by SMM observations and microwave bursts by ground-based observations

In order to understand the relationship between fast hard X-ray bursts (HXRB) and microwave bursts (MWB), data were used from the following publications: NASA Technical Memorandum 84998; Solar Geological Data (1980 to 1983); monthly report of Solar Radio Emission; and NASA and NSF: Solar Geophysical Data (1980 to 1983). For analyzing individual events, the criterion of the same event for HXRB and MWB is determined by peak time difference. There is a good linear correlation between the physical parameter of HXRB and MWB.

Li, Chun-Sheng↗

Extremely rapid radio spikes in flares: A review

Radio spikes of a few to tens of milliseconds of the solar radio emission have recently seen a surge of interest of theoreticians who are fascinated by their high brightness temperature of up to 10 to the 15th power K, their association with hard X-ray bursts, and a possibly very intimate relation to electron acceleration. Their bandwidth and global distribution in frequency were quantitatively measured only recently. This review is intended to emphasize the considerable extend of old and new observational knowledge which is hardly touched upon by theory. The wide range of spike observations is summarized and brought into perspective of recent models. It is concluded that spikes yield a considerable potential for the diagnostics of energetic particles, their origin, and history in astrophysical plasmas.

Benz, A. O.↗

Rapid spectral and flux time variations in a solar burst observed at various dm-mm wavelengths and at hard X-rays

A solar burst was observed with high sensitivity and time resolution at cm-mm wavelengths by two different radio observatories (Itapetinga and Algonquin), with high spectral time resolution at dm-mm wavelengths by patrol instruments (Sagamore Hill), and at hard X-rays (HXM Hinotori). At the onset of the major burst time structure there was a rapid rise in the spectral turnover frequency (from 5 to 15 GHz), in about 10s, coincident to a reduction of the spectral index in the optically thin part of the spectrum. The burst maxima were not time coincident at the optically thin radio frequencies and at the different hard X-ray energy ranges. The profiles at higher radio frequencies exhibited better time coincidence to the high energy X-rays. The hardest X-ray spectrum (-3) coincided with peak radio emission at the higher frequency (44 GHz). The event appeared to be built up by a first major injection of softer particles followed by other injections of harder particles. Ultrafast time structures were identified as superimposed on the burst emission at the cm-mm high sensitivity data at X-rays, with predominant repetition rates ranging from 2.0 to 3.5 Hz.

Zodivaz, A. M.↗

Particle acceleration in solar flares

The most direct signatures of particle acceleration in flares are energetic particles detected in interplanetary space and in the Earth atmosphere, and gamma rays, neutrons, hard X-rays, and radio emissions produced by the energetic particles in the solar atmosphere. The stochastic and shock acceleration theories in flares are reviewed and the implications of observations on particle energy spectra, particle confinement and escape, multiple acceleration phases, particle anistropies, and solar atmospheric abundances are discussed.

Ramaty, R.↗

A two-dimensional radial outflow model of plasma at Jupiter

An analytic solution illustrating the behavior of incompressible irrotational plasma outflow in two dimensions is given for application to the Jovian magnetosphere. Plasma is assumed to emanate from the Alfven surface and is channeled downtail by the confining magnetopause surface. Conformal transformation methods are used to map this complex magnetotail geometry into a rectangular box for which the solution to Laplace's equation is expressed in simple form. The model suggests that a dipole layer is formed on the dawn side in the vicinity of the Alfven surface where the flow bifurcates into clockwise and counterclockwise motion. An electric field discontinuity of this type fixed in local time may be able to account for several anomalous spin-periodic phenomena, namely, the modulation of Io-independent radio emissions and the injection of energetic electrons into interplanetary space.

Barbosa, D. D.↗

Cataclysmic variables. Recent multi-frequency observations and theoretical developments; Proceedings of the 93rd IAU Colloquium, Bamberg, West Germany, June 16-19, 1986

Papers are presented on the formation and evolution of low-mass close binaries with compact components, the periods of cataclysmic variables, multiwavelength observations of dwarf novae during outbursts, and radio emission from cataclysmic variables. Also considered are long-term optical photometry of the dwarf nova VW Hyi, periodic modulations in the optical light curves of EX Hydrae, and Echelle-Mepsicron time-resolved spectroscopy of the dwarf nova SS Cygni. Other topics include UV and X-ray observations of cataclysmic variables, new EXOSAT observations of TV Columbae, accretion disk evolution, and the boundary layer in cataclysmic variables.

Drechsel, H.↗

Multiepoch VLBI observations of 4C 39.25 - Superluminal motion amid stationary structure

Eight VLBI maps of the quasar 4C 39.25 are presented, covering the time interval November 1979 to July 1985. During this period the compact components at the eastern and western ends of the source remained roughly stationary with respect to each other. A third component emerged from the western component in 1982 and proceeded to move (relative to the other two components) eastward at a rate of 0.16 + or - 0.02 marcsec per year. This corresponds to an average apparent speed between 3.2c and 8.4c for Hubble's constant between 100 and 50 km/s Mpc and q0 between 1 and 0. This superluminal motion contrasts with the stationary structure observed in the 1970s and also still observed between the eastern and western ends of the source. Possible explanations include superluminal feeding of a stationary compact counterpart to a classical radio lobe, an obstacle in a relativistic jet, a relativistic jet which alternatively expands and contracts owing to gradients in the confining pressure, and gravitational lensing of the compact radio emission.

Shaffer, David B.↗

The speeds of electrons that excite solar radio bursts of type III

Evidence is presented that solar type III radio bursts at kilometric wavelengths are excited by electrons with average speeds of 0.14 c; i.e., in good agreement with in situ measurements by Lin et al. (1981; 1986), but considerably lower than the generally accepted values of 0.3 to 0.5 c. A set of 28 bursts for which electrons and/or plasma waves were observed at ISEE-3 is examined, and it is found that the initial parts of all bursts were due to plasma radiation at the fundamental, and that the fastest electrons that produce radio emission range from 0.25 c down to 0.07 c (average 0.14 c). The slower electrons, those that produce fundamental radiation at approximately the time of burst peak, have an average speed of 0.06 c and a range from about 0.10 c down to 0.03 c.There is no evidence in the data for a systematic increase or decrease of exciting electron speed with distance from the sun.

Dulk, G. A.↗

1E 0116.3-0116 - A peculiar, X-ray-bright early-type galaxy

The identification of 1E 0116.3-0116 with an E3 galaxy belonging to a sparse group of galaxies makes this object worthy of study. The optical spectrum of the galaxy exhibits no nuclear activity, and its radio emission is consistent with early-type galaxy status. In the event that the gas is isothermal, its surface brightness profile yields a total mass greater than 10 to the 13th solar masses. The cooling time of the gas is on average of the same order as the Hubble time.

Maccagni, D.↗

Atmospheric science on the Galileo mission

The atmospheric science goals of the Galileo mission, and instruments of the probe and orbiter are described. The current data available, and the goals of the Galileo mission concerning the chemical composition of the Jovian atmosphere; the thermal structure of the atmosphere; the nature of cloud particles and cloud layering; the radiative energy balance; atmospheric dynamics; and the upper atmosphere are discussed. The objectives and operations of the atmospheric structure instrument, neutral mass spectrometer, helium abundance interferometer, nephelometer, net flux radiometer, lightning and radio emission detector, solid state imaging system, NIR mapping spectrometer, photopolarimeter radiometer, and UV spectrometer are examined.

Hunten, D. M.↗

The magnetospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus

The results published by U.S. scientists during 1983-1986 from studies related to the magnetospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus are discussed. Consideration is given to the magnetic fields of these planets, charged particle environments, the interactions between the planetary rings and planetary satellites, the solar wind interactions, radio emissions, and auroras. Special attention is given to observations of (1) a small flux of energetic electrons and protons in the otherwise radiation-free environment in the magnetosphere under the rings of Saturn (interpreted as interactions of Galactic cosmic rays with the rings), (2) spokes, and (3) Saturn ring erosion.

Connerney, J. E. P.↗

1.4 GHz continuum sources in the Cancer cluster

Results of 1.4-GHz continuum observations are presented for 11 VLA fields, using the D-configuration, which contain the A group of the Cnc cluster (CC). Sixteen Zwicky spiral galaxies in the CC were detected, but no ellipticals, confirming the finding that spiral galaxies with close companions tend to have enhanced radio emission. Over 200 continuum sources beyond the CC are tabulated. The spectral index (relative to 610 MHz) is given for many of the sources, including some of the Zwicky galaxies. There is a suggestion for a nonuniform number surface-density distribution of the sources, not correlated with the CC. Possible predictions of such nonuniformities, from assumptions on 'super-superclusters', are discussed.

Salpeter, E. E.↗