Some statistical properties of transequatorial loops

Yohkoh soft X-ray telescope brought plenty of high quality images, it provides a good chance to research coronal loops, especially for transequatorial loops (TLs). In this paper, we focus on the statistical results of TLs including static properties and dynamic properties.

There are two types of classification about TLs: according to configuration and according to magnetic polarities of footpoints, respectively. The footpoints of TLs never root in sunspot, in a general way, they exist in moderately strong field. The mean separation value of TLs is close to 30° and the separation value varies with solar cycle. The helicity patterns of active regions connected by TLs are discussed, the mean twist value of TLs is close to zero. The formation of TLs is generally thought to be caused by magnetic reconnection, the relationship of TLs eruption with flare and CME is introduced.     

On the nature of coronal loops above the quiet sun network

The structure and dynamics of a box in a stellar corona can be modeled employing a 3D MHD model for different levels of magnetic activity. Depending on the magnetic flux through the surface the nature of the resulting coronal structures can be quite different. We investigate a model of an active region for two sunspots surrounded by magnetic field patches comparable in magnetic flux to the sunspots. The model results in emission from the model corona being concentrated in loop structures. In Gudiksen and Nordlund (2005) the loops seen in EUV and X-ray emission outline the magnetic field, following the general paradigm. However, in our model, where the magnetic field is far from a force-free state, the loops seen in X-ray emission do not follow the magnetic field lines. This result is of interest especially for loops as found in areas where the magnetic field emerging from active regions interacts with the surrounding network.     

Excitation of flare-induced waves in coronal loops and the effects of radiative cooling

EUV imaging observations from several space missions (SOHO/EIT, TRACE, and SDO/AIA) have revealed a presence of propagating intensity disturbances in solar coronal loops. These disturbances are typically interpreted as slow magnetoacoustic waves. However, recent spectroscopic observations with Hinode/EIS of active region loops revealed that the propagating intensity disturbances are associated with intermittent plasma upflows (or jets) at the footpoints which are presumably generated by magnetic reconnection. For this reason, whether these disturbances are waves or periodic flows is still being studied. This study is aimed at understanding the physical properties of observed disturbances by investigating the excitation of waves by hot plasma injections from below and the evolution of flows and wave propagation along the loop. We expand our previous studies based on isothermal 3D MHD models of an active region to a more realistic model that includes full energy equation accounting for the effects of radiative losses. Computations are initialized with an equilibrium state of a model active region using potential (dipole) magnetic field, gravitationally stratified density and temperature obtained from the polytropic equation of state. We model an impulsive injection of hot plasma into the steady plasma outflow along the loops of different temperatures, warm (～1 MK) and hot (～6 MK). The simulations show that hot jets launched at the coronal base excite slow magnetoacoustic waves that propagate to high altitudes along the loops, while the injected hot flows decelerate rapidly with heights. Our results support that propagating disturbances observed in EUV are mainly the wave features. We also find that the effect of radiative cooling on the damping of slow-mode waves in 1–6 MK coronal loops is small, in agreement with the previous conclusion based on 1D MHD models.     

On the heating mechanism of magnetic flux loops in the solar atmosphere

Hα filtergrams and magnetograms indicate that bright features (such as plages and granulation boundaries) correspond to areas of strong vertical magnetic fields and dark features (such as fibrils and filaments) are associated with strong horizontal magnetic field. It was suggested by /1/ that there is an excess dissipation of waves, available for heating, in regions of vertical magnetic fields. With this suggestion in mind, we have investigated the physical heating mechanism due to ponderomotive forces exerted by turbulent waves along curved magnetic flux loops. Results show that the temperature difference (ΔT) between the inside and outside of the flux loop can be classified into three parts; ΔT = ΔT₁ + ΔT₂ + ΔT₃; in which ΔT₁ and ΔT₃ represent the heating or cooling effect from the ponderomotive force, and ΔT₂ is the heating effect due to conversion of turbulent energy from the localized plasma. The specific physical mechanism (i.e., the ponderomotive forces exerted by turbulent waves), is used to illustrate solar atmospheric heating via an example leading to the formulation of plages.     

Distribution of electric current in solar plasma loops

The distributing profile of electric current in solar plasma loop is a key factor for the MHD instabilities of the loops. However, it is very difficult to measure such profile in single loop. In this paper, we assume that, in spite of the complexity of the structure in most of the sunspots, the distribution of the electric current in some small simple sunspots may reflect the main feature of the distribution in solar plasma loops. We utilize the high-cadence, high-resolution vector magnetograms observed by Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) to derive the longitudinal electric current and analyze the distribution of the longitudinal electric current in the region of sunspots, and simulate the distributing features of the solar plasma loops. From these analysis, we find that the electric current in some small simple sunspots, or to say in plasma loops, are concentrated to their center. Such distribution feature is consistent with the theory of pinch effect in current-carrying plasma loops.     

Nonlinear development of MHD waves in coronal loops

The solar corona, modelled by a low β, resistive plasma slab sustains MHD wave propagations due to footpoint motions in the photosphere. The numerical simulation presents the evolution of MHD waves and the formation of current sheets. Steep gradients at the slab edges, which are signatures of resonance layers are observed. Singularities are removed by the inclusion of finite resistivity. The fast waves develop kink modes. As the plasma evolves the current sheets which provide heating at the edges fragment into two current sheets at each edge which in turn come closer when the twist is enhanced.     

Dynamics of the dayside aurora

Observations of auroral particles by rockets and satellites show the existence of structured “inverted V” type precipitation events with electron characteristic energies ranging up to several hundred eV in the post-noon dayside auroral region. Two station ground-based measurements from Cape Parry, NWT and Sachs Harbour, NWT, Canada from meridian scanners and auroral all-sky TV cameras are used in conjunction with rocket-borne electron measurements to study the temporal and spatial characteristics of the associated auroral emissions. The frequent occurrence of narrow, transient auroral arcs with lifetimes of 1–2 minutes, resulting from the inverted V events, is discussed.     

Dynamics of the dayside Aurora Australis

Current dayside optical studies of Aurora Australis from the Amundsen-Scott Research Station at the South Pole (74 degrees magnetic latitude) show some striking differences from optical results reported from Svalbard. A 6-channel meridian scanning photometer operating during the past three austral winters shows, in particular, the 630 nm emission is much lower, on average, than the Arctic dayside aurora and very weak on some days. The 558 nm intensity is higher relative to 630 nm suggesting the incoming electrons have a higher average energy. There are notable differences in auroral forms, giving further evidence of asymmetries in the two dayside ovals.     

Chemical evolution and the origin of life.

During the last three decades major advances have been made in our understanding of the formation of carbon compounds in the universe and of the occurence of processes of chemical evolution. 1) Carbon and other biogenic elements (C,H,N,O,S and P) are some of the most abundant in the universe. 2) The interstellar medium has been found to contain a diversity of molecules of these elements. 3) Some of these molecules have also been found in comets which are considered the most primordial bodies of the solar system. 4) The atmospheres of the outer planets and their satellites, for example, Titan, are actively involved in the formation of organic compounds which are the precursors of biochemical molecules. 5) Some of these biochemical molecules, such as amino acids, purines and pyrimidines, have been found in carbonaceous chondrites. 6) Laboratory experiments have shown that most of the monomers and oligomers necessary for life can be synthesized under hypothesized but plausible primitive Earth conditions from compounds found in the above cosmic bodies. 7) It appears that the primitive Earth had the necessary and sufficient conditions to allow the chemical synthesis of biomacromolecules and to permit the processes required for the emergence of life on our planet. 8) It is unlikely that the emergence of life occurred in any other body of the solar system, although the examination of the Jovian satellite Europa may provide important clues about the constraints of this evolutionary process. Some of the fundamental principles of chemical evolution are briefly discussed.     

Do all flares occur within a hierarchy of magnetic loops?

X-ray events observed by the Hard X-ray Imaging Spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission frequently indicate the following scenario for solar flares: The initial energy release occurs in a compact magnetic loop and during the impulsive phase may spread rapidly to involve a larger structure. In later phases the soft X-ray emission is from a much larger structure encompassing these initial features and, overlying them all is a huge loop with footpoints separated by up to several hundred thousand km. In the light of these observations, we believe a flare model involving a single magnetic loop is rarely, if ever appropriate.     

Chemical evolution on the giant planets and Titan

We summarize the current status of atmospheric chemistry in the atmospheres of the outer solar system with special emphasis on the question of HCN formation on Jupiter, differences between polar and equatorial compositions on Jupiter, the coloration of the Great Red Spot, and the unique environment of Titan.     

Origin and evolution of the Valles Marineris region of Mars

The Valles Marineris Region of Mars is located on the eastern flank of the Tharsis bulge which exhibits dramatic landforms that relate in origin to tectonic, volcanic, and geomorphic processes. Tectonic activity due to crustal extension related to the Tharsis-Syria rise (regional doming or lithospheric response to volcanic loading) appears to be the fundamental influence on the canyon formation and evolution. Tectonic activity contributed to deepen the canyon system and competed with erosional and depositional processes that caused canyon to broaden and fill. The primary tectonic processes appear to have been vertical adjustments of crustal blocks under the influence of N-S and E-W extensional stresses. Canyon wall erosional features and landslide morphologies indicate that materials have been transported from the walls to the floor essentially by mass wasting and downfaulting. However, seepage of liquid water or sublimation of ground ice could have contributed to the enlargement of the tributary canyons, thus suggesting that variations in climatic conditions could have accounted for the morphologic evolution of the canyon system.     

Polynucleotide evolution, hypercycles and the origin of the genetic code

Experiments on polynucleotide replication are described within the frame of a kinetic theory of molecular evolution. Four principles of early evolution are discussed and illustrated by means of a model for the origin of translation.     

Dynamics and control of spacecraft hovering using the geomagnetic Lorentz force

To achieve hovering, a spacecraft thrusts continuously to induce an equilibrium state at a desired position. Due to the constraints on the quantity of propellant onboard, long-time hovering around low-Earth orbits (LEO) is hardly achievable using traditional chemical propulsion. The Lorentz force, acting on an electrostatically charged spacecraft as it moves through a planetary magnetic field, provides a new propellantless method for orbital maneuvers. This paper investigates the feasibility of using the induced Lorentz force as an auxiliary means of propulsion for spacecraft hovering. Assuming that the Earth’s magnetic field is a dipole that rotates with the Earth, a dynamical model that characterizes the relative motion of Lorentz spacecraft is derived to analyze the required open-loop control acceleration for hovering. Based on this dynamical model, we first present the hovering configurations that could achieve propellantless hovering and the corresponding required specific charge of a Lorentz spacecraft. For other configurations, optimal open-loop control laws that minimize the control energy consumption are designed. Likewise, the optimal trajectories of required specific charge and control acceleration are both presented. The effect of orbital inclination on the expenditure of control energy is also analyzed. Further, we also develop a closed-loop control approach for propellantless hovering. Numerical results prove the validity of proposed control methods for hovering and show that hovering around low-Earth orbits would be achievable if the required specific charge of a Lorentz spacecraft becomes feasible in the future. Typically, hovering radially several kilometers above a target in LEO requires specific charges on the order of 0.1 C/kg.     

Homologous flares and the evolution of NOAA active region 2372

A detailed record of the evolution of NOAA Active Region 2372 has been compiled by the FBS Homology Study Group. It was one of the most prolific flare-producing regions observed by SMM. The flares occurred in distinct stages which corresponded to particular evolutionary phases in the development of the active region magnetic field. By comparison with a similar but less productive active region, we find that the activity seems to be related to the magnetic complexity of the region and the amount of shear in the field. Further, the soft X-ray emission in the quiescent active region is related to its flare rate. Within the broader definition of homology adopted, there was a degree of homology between the events within each stage of evolution of AR2372.     

Evidence for a shock wave in visible light and radio observations of the 1980 June 29 event

Shock waves, as evidenced by type II radio bursts, often accompany flares and coronal mass ejection transients. At present, the density enhancements observed by coronagraphs are believed by some to be ejected matter from the low corona, and by others to be the compressed material behind a shock front. If the former is correct, one would expect in some cases to see a density enhancement, associated with the compression region of the shock, some distance ahead of the transient ejecta. Such a density enhancement has not been previously reported.The coronal transient of 1980 June 29 (0233 UT) was observed with the High Altitude Observatory's Coronagraph/Polarimeter aboard SMM. This flare-associated coronal transient event was well observed with the Culgoora Radioheliograph, including a well-developed type II burst. Visible on the coronagraph images is a faint circular arc moving out well ahead of the transient loops. This arc is moving at more than 900 km s^?1 while the transient itself is moving at a speed of about 600 km s^?1. Both the arc and transient appear to have originated either prior to the X-ray flare or at some height above the flare at the time of the flare. The type II burst observed at Culgoora is associated with the transient loops, and no type II emission is identified with the faint arc.Due to its great speed, we interpret the faint arc as a manifestation of a shock wave, but also envision a separate shock wave associated with the transient loops as evidenced by the type II emission. Preliminary density measurements are consistent with this interpretation, and show the outer shock wave associated with the faint arc to have a Mach number M_A ≤ 1.7. At present we have no convincing explanation for the lack of a type II burst in association with the arc.This work was supported in part by NASA through grants NSG-7287 and NAGW-91 to the University of Colorado, Boulder, and S-55989 to the High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research. The National Center for Atmospheric Research, NCAR, is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

Dynamics of the low altitude secondary proton radiation belt

At the interface between the upper atmosphere and the radiation belt region, there exists a secondary radiation belt consisting mainly of energetic ions that have become neutralized in the ring current and the main radiation belt and then re-ionized by collisions in the inner exosphere. The time history of the proton fluxes in the 0.64 – 35 MeV energy range was traced in the equatorial region beneath the main radiation belts during the three year period from 21 February 1984 to 26 March 1987 using data obtained with the HEP experiment on board the Japanese OHZORA satellite. During most of this period a fairly small proton flux of −1.2 cm⁻² s⁻¹ sr⁻¹ was detected on geomagnetic field lines in the range 1.05 < L < 1.15. We report a few surprisingly deep and rapid flux decreases (flux reduction by typically two orders of magnitude). These flux decreases were also long in duration (lasting up to three months). We also registered abrupt flux increases where the magnitude of the proton flux enhancements could reach three orders of magnitude with an enhancement duration of 1–3 days. Possible reasons for these unexpected phenomena are discussed.     

Induced geomagnetic variation and crustal evolution of the southern peninsula of India

The current thinking on crustal evolution and the influence of Precambrian lineaments on tectonism and mineralization provide support for the conjecture that zones of high electrical conductivity exist in the crust which are related to the tectonic and mineralized zones. Studies by the present authors using geological and tectonic data from remote sensing techniques, in particular, together with relevant data on anomalous geomagnetic variations reported in this paper would serve as additional contribution towards the global model.     

Neutron stars: Classification and evolution

The general aproach is considered which describs the evolution of neutron stars in terms of their interaction with surrounding matter. All possible states of neutron stars are classified from this point of view. Classification and evolution of binaries contaning neutron stars are also considered.     

Chemical and biological evolution in space

Astronomical infrared spectra are used to confirm the existence of complex organic molecules produced by ultraviolet photoprocessing of interstellar grain mantles. This material is shown to be the major component of the interstellar grains between the sun and the galactic center and, by inference, constitutes more than 10 million solar masses — or close to one part in a thousand of the entire mass of the milky way galaxy. It may be demonstrated that the primitive chemistry of the earth's surface was dominated by these extraterrestrial molecules after aggregated into comets if the rate of comet impacts with the earth was comparable with that required to account for the extinction of species over the past 300 million years.

Ultraviolet irradiation of bacterial spores has been studied for the first time under simulated interstellar conditions. The inactivation time predicted for the less dense regions of space is at most several hundred years. Within molecukar clouds it is shown on theoretical and experimental grounds that this t the estimated cloud. However survival of spores during their initial exposure to the solar ultraviolet presents a problem for panspermia because it requires that in the process of ejection from the earth's surface they must be enclosed within a cocoon (or mantle) of ultraviolet absorbing material of 0.6 μm thickness. Thus, although panspermia can not be rejected on the basis of lack of interstellar survival there may remain insurmountable obstacles to its occuring because of the very special protective shield requirements during ejection from its planetary source.