Microwave Diagnostics of Dynamic Processes and Oscillations in Groups of Solar Coronal Magnetic Loops

Low-frequency (LF) modulations of the solar microwave radiation (37 GHz) recorded at the Metsähovi Radio Observatory, are analyzed. Since the intensity of solar microwave radiation, produced by the electron gyrosynchrotron mechanism, is dependent on a value of the background magnetic field [Dulk, G. A.: 1985, Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 23, 169–224], slow variations of the magnetic field associated with disturbances of the electric current in a radiating source, can modulate the intensity of the microwave radiation. The observed multi-track features of the LF spectra are interpreted as a signature of a complex multi-loop structure of the radiating source. Application of the equivalent electric circuit models of interacting loops allows to explain and reproduce the main dynamical features of the observed LF modulation dynamic spectra.     

Mixing in Stars and the Evolution of the 3He Abundance

We first recall the observational and theoretical facts that constitute the so-called 3He problem. We then review the chemical anomalies that could be related to the destruction of 3He in red giants stars. We show how a simple consistent mechanism can lead to the destruction of 3He in low mass stars and simultaneously account for the low 12C/13C ratios and low lithium abundances observed in giant stars of different populations. This process should both naturally account for the recent measurements of 3He/H in galactic HII regions and allow for high values of 3He observed in some planetary nebulae. We propose a simple statistical estimation of the fraction of stars that may be affected by this process.     

The Effects of Transverse Magnetic Field and Density Variations on the Particle Energy Spectra in a Reconnecting 3D Current Sheet

Electron and proton acceleration by a super-Dreicer electric field is further investigated in a non-neutral reconnecting current sheet (RCS) with a variable plasma density. The tangential B _z and transverse magnetic field components B _x are assumed to vary with the distances x and z from the X nullpoint linearly and exponentially, respectively; the longitudinal component (a ‘guiding field’) is accepted constant. Particles are found to gain a bulk of their energy in a thin region close to the X nullpoint where the RCS density increases with z exponentially with the index λ and the tangential magnetic field B _x also increases with z exponentially with the index α. For the RCS with a constant density (λ = 0), the variations of the tangential magnetic field lead to particle power-law energy spectra with the spectral indices γ₁ being dependent on the exponent α as: for protons and for electrons in a strong guiding field (β > 10⁻²) and for electrons in a moderate or weak guiding field (β > 10⁻⁴). For the RCS with an exponential density increase in the vicinity of the X nullpoint (λ≥ 0) there is a further increase of the resulting spectral indices γ that depends on the density exponent index λ as for protons and for electrons in weaker guiding fields and as for electrons in stronger guiding fields. These dependencies can explain a wide variety (1.5–10) of particle spectral indices observed in solar flares by the variations of a magnetic field topology and physical conditions in a reconnecting region. This can be used as a diagnostic tool for the investigation of the RCS dynamics from the accelerated particle spectra found from hard X-ray and microwave emission.     

Particle acceleration and kinematics in solar flares – A Synthesis of Recent Observations and Theoretical Concepts (Invited Review)

We review the physical processes of particle acceleration, injection, propagation, trapping, and energy loss in solar flare conditions. An understanding of these basic physical processes is inexorable to interpret the detailed timing and spectral evolution of the radiative signatures caused by nonthermal particles in hard X-rays, gamma-rays, and radio wavelengths. In contrast to other more theoretically oriented reviews on particle acceleration processes, we aim here to capitalize on the numerous observations from recent spacecraft missions, such as from the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO), the Yohkoh Hard X-Ray Telescope (HXT) and Soft X-Ray Telescope (SXT), and the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE). High-precision energy-dependent time delay measurements from CGRO and spatial imaging with Yohkoh and TRACE provide invaluable observational constraints on the topology of the acceleration region, the reconstruction of magnetic reconnection processes, the resulting electromagnetic fields, and the kinematics of energized (nonthermal) particles. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Measurements of the 12C/13C Ratio in Planetary Nebulae and Implications for Stellar Evolution

We present the results of a study aimed at determining the 12C/13C ratio in two samples of planetary nebulae (PNe) by means of mm-wave observations of 12CO and 13CO. The first group includes six PNe which have been observed in the 3He+ hyperfine transition; the other group consists of 23 nebulae with rich molecular envelopes. We have determined the isotopic ratio in 14 objects and the results indicate a range of values between 9 and 23. In particular, three PNe have ratios well below the value predicted by standard evolutionary models ( 20), indicating that some extra-mixing process has occurred in these stars. We briefly discuss the implications of our results for standard and nonstandard stellar nucleosynthesis.