On the derivation of empirical limits on the helium abundance in coronal holes below 1.5R s

We present a simple technique describing how limits on the helium abundance, , the ratio of helium to proton number density, can be inferred from measurements of the electron density, temperature and their gradients below 1.5R _s. As an illustration, we apply this technique to emission line intensities in the extreme ultraviolet, measured in polar coronal holes. The example indicates that can be significantly large in the inner corona. This technique could be applicable to the more extensive data to be obtained from coordinated ground and space-based observations during the Ulysses south polar passage and the Spartan flight, and subsequently during the SOHO mission. Limits on the helium abundance in the solar wind can thus be derived from its source region and compared to interplanetary values.     

UV studies and the solar wind

The solar wind carves a cavity in the flow of interstellar H atoms through the solar system by charge-exchange ionization. The resulting Ly- sky pattern depends on the latitude distribution of the solar wind flux and velocity. We review how the solar wind characteristics (mass flux latitude distribution) can be retrieved from Ly- observations, yielding a new remote sensing method of solar wind studies, through UV optical measurements.     

Ultraviolet spectroscopy of the extended solar corona during the Spartan 201 mission

The instruments on the Spartan 201 spacecraft are an Ultraviolet Coronal Spectrometer and a White Light Coronagraph. Spartan 201 was deployed by the Space Shuttle on 11 April 1993 and observed the extended solar corona for about 40 hours. The Ultraviolet Coronal Spectrometer measured the intensity and spectral line profile of HI Ly and the intensities of OVI 103.2 and 103.7 nm. Observations were made at heliocentric heights between 1.39 and 3.5 R. Four coronal targets were observed, a helmet streamer at heliographic position angle 135°, the north and south polar coronal holes, and an active region above the west limb. Measurements of the HI Ly geocorona and the solar irradiance were also made. The instrument performed as expected. Straylight suppression, spectral focus, radiometric sensitivity and background levels all appear to be satisfactory. The uv observations are aimed at determining proton temperatures and outflow velocities of hydrogen, protons and oxygen ions. Preliminary results from the north polar coronal hole observations are discussed.     

Probing the solar wind acceleration region using spectroscopic techniques

Measurements of the intensities and profiles of UV and EUV spectral lines can provide a powerful tool for probing the physical conditions in the solar corona out to 8 R and beyond. We discuss here how measurements of spectral line radiation in conjunction with measurements of the white light K-corona can provide information on electron, proton and ion temperatures and velocity distribution functions; densities; chemical abundances and mass flow velocities. Because of the fundamental importance of such information, we provide a comprehensive review of the formation of coronal resonance line radiation, with particular emphasis on the H i L line, and discuss observational considerations such as requirements for rejection of stray light and effects of emission from the geocorona and interplanetary dust. Finally, we summarize some results of coronal H i L and white light observations acquired on sounding rocket flights.Paper presented at the IX-th Lindau Workshop The Source Region of the Solar Wind.     

Spartan 201 coronal spectroscopy during the polar passes of ulysses

Spartan 201 is a shuttle deployed spacecraft that is scheduled to perform ultraviolet spectroscopy and white light polarimetry of the extended solar corona during two 40 hour missions to occur in September 1994 and August 1995. The spectroscopy is done with an ultraviolet coronal spectrometer which measures the intensity and spectral line profile of HI Ly up to heliocentric heights of 3.5 solar radii. It also measures the intensities of the OVI doublet at 1032 and 1037 Å and of Fe XII at 1242 Å. The HI Ly line profile measurements are used to determine the random velocity distribution of coronal protons along the line-of-sight. The absolute HI Ly intensities can be used together with electron densities from the white light coronagraph to estimate electron temperatures from hydrogen ionization balance calculations, and bulk outflow velocities from models of Doppler dimmed resonant scattering. Intensities of minor ion lines are used to determine coronal abundances and outflow velocities of O⁵⁺. Ultraviolet spectroscopy of extended coronal regions from the 11 April 1993 mission of Spartan 201 are discussed.     

High-resolution observations of Hα flare regions

This paper gives a review of the recent high-resolution H observations of solar flares and flare-productive active regions. From studies of the morphological and evolutional features of H flare emitting regions, two types of two-ribbon flares, which are termed separating two-ribbon flare and confined two-ribbon flare, are discussed. The former is characterized by conspicuous separating motions or expanding motions of the H two ribbons, whereas the latter shows only a short range of or no separating motions of the two ribbons. The explosive compact flares, which occur in some compact newly-emerging flux regions, are also discussed.Attention is paid to the successive and impulsive brightenings of H flare points which form the H flare kernels and the front lines of H two ribbons at the impulsive phases of flares. Temporal relationships between H line intensities or profiles and hard X-ray or microwave emissions are discussed to discriminate the energy transport mechanisms in the flare loops.H monochromatic image of high spatial resolution, at the present time, is the most sensitive detector for finding the first appearance of newly-emerging magnetic flux region and the developing features of sheared configuration of magnetic field, both of which are the key factors in flare energy build-up processes. It is suggested that the successive emergence of a twisted magnetic flux rope might be essential for the production of a major flare.Contributions from the Kwasan and Hida Observatories, Kyoto University, No. 292.     

Simulated observations of the electron coronal density irregularity\overline {n^2 } /(\bar n)^2

A technique to derive the coronal density irregularity factor , wheren is the electron density, has been proposed by Fineschi and Romoli (1993). This technique will exploit the unique UVCS capability of cotemporal and cospatial measurements of both UV line radiation and K-coronal polarized brightness,pB.The ratio of the measured H I Lyman (Ly-) line intensity to the resonant-scattering dominated H I Lyman (Ly-) intensity can be used to extract the collisional component of the Ly-. This component yields an estimate of . The quantity is then obtained from the UVCS white-light K-coronal measurements.We present simulated observations of the UVCS for coronal atmosphere models with different filling factors and electron density profiles, and for different coronal structures (e.g., coronal holes, streamers). These simulations will show how the proposed technique may be used to probe inhomogeneities of the solar corona.     

Electron coronal density irregularity\overline {n^2 } /(\bar n)^2 from measurements of K-coronal and lyman lines brightnesses

We propose a technique to derive the coronal density irregularity factor , wheren is the electron density. The absolute photometric comparison between the intensity of UV lines and the white-light K-coronal polarized brightness (pB) provides an unique constraint on the inhomogeneity of the corona. The ratio of the measured H I Lyman (Ly-) line intensity to the resonant-scattering dominated H I Lyman (Ly-) intensity can be used to extract the collisonal component of the Ly-. This component yields an estimate of . The quantity is then obtained from white-light K-coronal measurements. The use of lines of the same atomic species minimizes the effects due to outflow velocities (i.e., Doppler dimming), and reduces the errors introduced by the uncertainties in the ionization balance, the atomic parameters, and the solar abundances. The UVCS/SOHO unique capability of performing cotemporal and cospatial measurements of the Ly- and Ly- lines, and ofpB makes this instrument ideal for implementing this technique.     

Coronal mass ejections at high heliographic latitudes: Ulysses

Nine coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have been detected in the solar wind by the Ulysses plasma experiment between 31° and 61° South. One of these events, which was also a magnetic cloud, was directly associated with an event observed by the soft X-ray telescope on Yohkoh in which large magnetic loops formed in the solar corona directly beneath Ulysses. This association suggests that the flux rope topology of the magnetic cloud resulted from reconnection between the legs of neighboring magnetic loops within the rising CME. The average CME speed (740 km s^–1) at these latitudes was comparable to that of the normal solar wind there and is much greater than average CME speeds observed either in the solar wind in the ecliptic plane or in the corona close to the Sun. We suggest that the same basic acceleration process applies to both slow CMEs and the normal solar wind at any latitude.     

Eruptive prominences as sources of magnetic clouds in the solar wind

Large amounts of coronal material are propelled outward into interplanetary space by Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). Thus one might expect to find evidence for expanding flux ropes in the solar wind as well. To prove this assumption magnetic clouds were analyzed and correlated with H-observations of disappearing filaments. When clouds were found to be directly associated with a disappearing filament, the magnetic structure of the cloud was compared with that of the associated filament. Additionally the expansion of magnetic clouds was examined over a wide range of the heliosphere and compared with the expansion observed for erupting prominences.     

Signature of coronal holes and streamers in the interplanetary space

The properties of different solar wind streams depend on the large scale structure of the coronal magnetic field. We present average values and distributions of bulk parameters (density, velocity, temperature, mass flux, momentum, and kinetic and thermal energy, ratio of thermal and magnetic pressure, as well as the helium abundance) as observed on board the Prognoz 7 satellite in different types of the solar wind streams. Maximum mass flux is recorded in the streams emanating from the coronal streamers while maximum thermal and kinetic energy fluxes are observed in the streams from the coronal holes. The momentum fluxes are equal in both types of streams. The maximum ratio of thermal and magnetic pressure is observed in heliospheric current sheet. The helium abundance in streams from coronal holes is higher than in streams from streamers, and its dependences on density and mass flux are different in different types of the streams. Also, the dynamics of -particle velocity and temperature relative to protons in streams from coronal holes and streamers is discussed.     

Measurement of the Abundance of Helium-3 in the Sun and in the Local Interstellar Cloud with SWICS on Ulysses

The abundance of 3He in the present day local interstellar cloud (LIC) and in the sun has important implications for the study of galactic evolution and for estimating the production of light nuclei in the early universe. Data from the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer (SWICS) on Ulysses is used to measure the isotopic ratio of helium (3He/4He = ) both in the solar wind and the local interstellar cloud. For the solar wind, the unique high-latitude orbit of Ulysses allows us to study this ratio in the slow and highly dynamic wind in the ecliptic plane as well as the steady high-latitude wind of the polar coronal holes. The 3He+/4He+ ratio in the local cloud is derived from the isotopic ratio of pickup helium measured in the high-speed solar wind. In the LIC the ratio is found to be (2.48 _-0.62 ^+0.68 ) × 10^-4 with the 1- uncertainty resulting almost entirely from statistical error. In the solar wind, is determined with great statistical accuracy but shows systematic differences between fast and slow solar wind streams. The slow wind ratio is variable. Its weighted average value (4.08 ± 0.25) × 10-4 is, within uncertainties, in agreement with the Apollo SWC results. The high wind ratio is less variable but smaller. The average in the fast wind is (3.3 ± 0.3) × 10-4.     

Excitation of the Lyman-α in the night sky

The experiments pertaining to the excitations of Lyman- radiation in the night sky are reviewed. Various possible modes of excitation are considered. Scattering of solar L in interplanetary hydrogen is not suitable because of an insufficient amount of hydrogen and difficulty in accounting for the large night time albedo contrasted with the small daytime value. Transport by multiple scattering in the exosphere produces an appreciable excitation as well as the correct variation of intensity as function of zenith angle. However, the process fails by a factor of 4 for a solar flux of 6 ergs/cm² sec and the 3 × 10¹² atoms/cm² geocorona consistent with absorption measurements. A direct scattering in a geocoma far from the earth overcomes the albedo and thin atmosphere problems. However, there is difficulty in accounting for the presence of the amount of hydrogen necessary beyond 15 earth radii. Also the absence of H excitation by Lyman- is a problem. No explanation so far proposed appears adequate. Experiments are suggested.     

Processes affecting abundances in the solar wind

Data on composition in the solar wind are summarized and compared with best estimates of abundances in the outer convective zone of the Sun. Several mechanisms of element and isotope fractionation are discussed in relation to observed abundances and their variations.The evidence available so far indicates that in addition to ion fractionation in the corona there is a separation mechanism operating at low solar altitude that affects solar wind composition. It is suggested that the systematic depletion of helium observed in the solar wind is in part caused by ion-neutral separation in the chromosphere-transition zone. Conditions for this mechanism to be effective are discussed. It is shown that ion-neutral separation is much more pronounced than ion-ion separation under these conditions. Therefore, this mechanism should fractionate elements according to the rate at which first ionization occurs. This implies that isotope fractionation by this mechanism is minor.Ion-neutral separation may be responsible for the general depletion that is observed in the slow interstream solar wind as well as in the fast streams coming out of coronal holes. However, the occurrences of very low He/H ratios are probably caused in the corona.Paper presented at the IX-th Lindau Workshop The Source Region of the Solar Wind.     

Ariel-6 medium energy spectral observations of active galaxies

X-ray spectra of the BL Lac type object Mkn 421 and several Seyfert type 1 galaxies; IIIZw2, MCG8-11-11 and NGC 4151, have been obtained using the Leicester University instrument on board the Ariel-6 satellite. The Mkn 421 spectrum is best represented by two powerlaw components, the soft component having 3.4 whilst the hard flux has 1.0. In MCG8-11-11 there is clear evidence for spectral variability between our observation in late 1979 and that of HEAO-1/A2 in 1977. The Ariel-6 spectrum of MCG8-11-11 can be fitted by a powerlaw of index 2.1 together with an iron line at 6.2 keV with an equivalent width of 1.6 keV. The first X-ray spectrum of IIIZw2 is also presented, fitting with a powerlaw we find an index of 1.7. With the exception of NGC 4151 there is no evidence for a significant column of cool material along the line of sight.     

The gravity-darkening of the main-sequence components of spectral types A, F and G in detached close binary systems

From analysis of the photometric ellipticity effect in seven well-understood detached close binary systems, empirical values of the exponent of gravity-darkening have been practically deduced for eleven main-sequence components of spectral types A, F and G which should cover the range of structural change (from radiative to convective) in stellar atmospheres. The result indicate that values of the exponent diminish gradually with decreasing effective temperatures from 1.0 for radiative atmospheres with T > 8500 K to = 0.2 0.3 for convective atmospheres with T < 6500 K, in spite of some uncertainty in the reflection correction process.     

Cosmological variability of fundamental physical constants

Gamow was one of the pioneers who studied the possible variability of fundamental physical constants. Some versions of modern Grand Unification theories do predict such variability. The paper is concerned with three of the constants: the fine-structure constant , the ratio of the proton massm _p to the electron massm _e, and the ratio of the neutron massm _n tom _e. It is shown on the basis of the quasar spectra analysis, that all the three constants revealed no statistically significant variation over the last 90% of the life time of the Universe. At the 2 significance level, the following upper bounds are obtained for the epoch corresponding to the cosmological redshiftsz2–3: /<1.5×10^–3, m _p/m _p<2×10^–3, and m/m<3×10^–4, where x is a possible deviation of a quantityx from its present value,m=m _p+m _n, and the nucleon masses are in units ofm _e. (According to new observational data which became known most recently, m _p/m _p<2×10^–4) In addition a possible anisotropy of the high-redshift fine splitting over the celestial sphere is checked. Within the relative statistical error 3 < 1% the values of turned out to be the same in various quadrants of the celestial sphere, which corresponds to their equality in causally disconnected areas. However, at the 2 level a tentative anisotropy of estimated / values is found in directions that approximately coincide with the direction of the relic microwave background anisotropy.The revealed constraints serve as criteria for selection of those theoretical models which predict variation of ,m _p orm _n with the cosmological time.     

The magnetogram inversion technique: Applications to the problem of magnetospheric substorms

The magnetogram inversion technique (MIT) is based upon recordings of geomagnetic variations at the worldwide network of ground-based magnetometers. MIT ensures a calculation of a global spatial distribution of the electric field, currents and Joule heating in the ionosphere. Variant MIT-2 provides, additionally, continuous monitoring of the following parameters: Poynting vector flux from the solar wind into the magnetosphere (); power, both dissipated and accumulated in the magnetosphere; magnetic flux in the open tail; and the magnetotail length (l _T) (distance between the dayside and nightside neutral points in the Dungey model). Using MIT-2 and data of direct measurements in the solar wind, an analysis is made of a number of substorms, and a new scenario of substorms is suggested. The scenario includes the convection model, the model with a neutral line and the model of magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling (outside the current sheet), i.e., the three known models. A brief review is given of these and some other substorms models. A new element in the scenario is the strong positive feedback in the primary generator circuit, which ensures growth of the ratio = / _Aby an order of magnitude or more during the substorms. Here _Ais the Pointing vector flux in the Akasofu-Perrault approximation, i.e., without the feedback taken into account. The growth of during the substorm is caused only by the feedback effect. It is assumed that the feedback arises due to an elongation of the magnetotail, i.e., a growth of l _Tby a factor of (23) during the substorm.In the active phase of substorm, a part (the first active phase) has been identified, where the principal role in the energetics is played by the feedback mechanism and the external energy source (although the internal source plus reconnection inside the plasma sheet make a marked contribution). In the second active phase (expansion) the external generator (solar wind) is switched off, and the main role is now played by the internal energy source (the tail magnetic field and ionospheric wind energy).Models of DP-2 DP-1 transitions are also considered, as well as the magnetospheric substorm-solar flare analogy.     

Coronal streamers' theories

Some theoretical aspects of solar coronal streamers are discussed with emphasis on the current sheet and reconnection processes going on along the axis of the streamer. The dynamics of the streamer is a combination of MHD and transport, with acceleration of particles due to reconnection and leakage of plasma outwards as a slow solar wind as the observable results. The presence of the almost-closed magnetic bottles of streamers that can store high-energy particles for significant times provides the birdcage for solar cosmic rays, the reconnection in the sheet feeds medium-energy protons into the corona for the large-scale storage needed for certain flare models, and the build-up of excess density sets the stage for coronal mass ejections.     

SOHO contribution to the understanding of mass supply and flows in the solar corona

We expect a variety of dynamic phenomena in the quiescent non-flaring corona. Plasma flows, such as siphon flows or convective flows of chromospheric material evaporating into the corona, are expected whenever a pressure differences is established either between the footpoints or between the coronal and chromospheric segments of a coronal loop. Such flows can induce phenomena of spatial and temporal brightness variability of the corona. In particular, evaporation induces a net mass input into the corona and consequently coronal density enhancements. Flows are also expected in the regions where energy is released during magnetic reconnection. From the observational point of view the dynamics of the solar atmosphere has been investigated in great detail mostly in the lower transition region with the HRTS, and during flares with theSolar Maximum Mission andYohkoh. The high spectral, temporal and spatial resolution of theSOHO ultraviolet spectrometers should enable us in the near future to fill the gap providing a continuous coverage from the chromosphere to the corona, in the 10⁴–10⁶ K domain, and therefore to best study the dynamics throughout the solar atmosphere.