On the impulsiveness of the Hα emission from a flaring atmosphere

Emissions from solar flares may reveal fast fluctuations, which can be attributed to small-scale injections of energetic electrons. In this paper, we perform numerical calculations of the Hα emission from a flaring atmosphere bombarded by a pulsating electron beam. We assume that the variation of the electron beam flux consists of two components: a fluctuation component and a background component. The results show that the amplitude of Hα fluctuations varies depending on the magnitude of the background flux of the electron beam. In the case of a higher background flux, the Hα fluctuations are more significant than in the case of a lower background flux. This result is compatible with the observations in which the Hα fluctuations appear preferentially near the hard X-ray maximum.     

Understanding magnetotail current sheet meso-scale structures using MHD simulations

Recent Cluster observations have strongly supported the existence of meso-scale structure in the magnetotail current sheet. In our study, a magnetohydrodynamic simulation event study exhibited current sheet behavior comparable to that seen in the Cluster observations. Geotail and DoubleStar observations also show that the simulation is providing a realistic representation of the magnetosphere during the period of interest; that is, when the current sheet evidently becomes bifurcated. The magnetohydrodynamic simulation allows us to place the local observations into a global contest. It shows that the observations can be explained in terms of localized reconnection tailward of the Cluster location and the formation of a flux rope nearby. The simulation also features wave-like structure across the current sheet.     

Recent results on solar activity at submillimeter wavelengths

Since the installation of the Solar Submillimeter Telescope (SST) in 1999 in the Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito (CASLEO, Argentina), the almost unexplored solar emissions at frequencies >100 GHz started to reveal new insights about thermal and non-thermal processes in active regions. SST operates at the frequencies of 212 and 405 GHz providing the unique opportunity to distinguish and investigate emission mechanisms. We present a review of the most relevant findings obtained. An statistical study made with observations of a selected sample of active regions shows that their flux density spectra increase with frequency. Rapid brightenings (pulses) are always observed both at 212 and 405 GHz in association to solar flares lasting for some tens to hundreds of milliseconds. They are well correlated between the two frequencies and have flux spectra either flat or increasing with frequency. The flux of submillimeter wave pulses remain within the same order of magnitude for different bursts, ranging typically 100–300 s.f.u. at 212 GHz and 500–1000 s.f.u. at 405 GHz. The time evolution of the pulse occurrence rate usually reproduces the time profile of the X-rays/γ-rays emission, and the bulk emission at submillimeter waves, when the latter is observable. There are examples of good correlation between individual pulses at submillimeter waves and hard X-rays/γ-rays. Submillimeter pulses are not restricted to flare events, but appear to be a general phenomenon that occurs over active regions as well. The starting time of the rapid submillimeter wave pulses is coincident or precedes the projected launch time of the coronal mass ejections. SST observations of the November 4, 2003 large flare revealed a new and yet unknown spectral component with intensities increasing towards even higher frequencies, appearing along with, but separated from the well-known microwave component.     

On the source region of flux transfer events

We have examined the region of occurrence of flux transfer events for three distinct orientations of the interplanetary magnetic field: nearly horizontal in the solar magnetospheric equator, diagonally southward at 45° to the magnetospheric equator and nearly due south. For horizontal IMF conditions the FTE's occur in a horizontal band about ± 6 R_E wide. For diagonally southward IMF conditions, the FTE's occur in a diagonal swath about ± 6 R_E wide passing through the subsolar point. For duskward but nearly due southward IMF conditions, our observations reveal FTE's throughout the northern morning quadrant. These observations are consistent with a near equatorial source for flux transfer events and hence with component merging and not anti-parallel merging. These observations also help understand the energetic ion anisotropies seen in these events.     

Hard X-rays emission from active galactic nuclei

The X-Rays emission from Active Galactic Nuclei has been known since the first observations obtained by Uhuru. their X-Rays spectra are determining to investigate the radiation process and for the diffuse X-Rays background problem.We will present spectral observations of AGN's in the range 20–100 KeV obtained with a one square meter area balloon borne experiment.From the comparison with previous data a clear evidence of flux variability is obtained.     

Relativistic solar protons in the ground level event of 23 February 1956: New study

In this study we applied again to the outstanding solar particle event of 23 February 1956, the largest one in the entire history of observations of solar cosmic rays. Due to significant improvement of the analysis/modeling techniques and new understanding of physical processes in the solar atmosphere and interplanetary space, a possibility arises to interpret the old data in the light of modern concept of multiple particle acceleration at/near the Sun. In our new analysis the data of available then neutron monitors and muon telescopes are used. The technique of the analysis includes: (a) calculation of asymptotic cones of ground-based detectors; (b) modeling of cosmic ray detector responses at variable parameters of the flux of solar relativistic protons; (c) determination of primary solar proton parameters outside magnetosphere by comparison of computed responses with observations. Certain evidence was obtained that the flux of relativistic solar protons consisted of two distinct components: prompt and delayed ones. The prompt component with exponential energy spectrum caused a giant impulse-like increase at a number of European cosmic ray stations. The delayed component had a power-law spectrum and was a cause of gradual increase at cosmic ray stations in the North American region. A numerical simulation of the proton acceleration in the vicinity of the magnetic reconnection region brings to the proton spectrum with exponential dependence on energy. This agrees with observational data for the prompt component. It is also shown that the huge increase in ∼5000% on neutron monitors was due to the prompt component only with the exponential proton spectrum. The power-law spectrum of comparable intensity gave considerably smaller effect.     

磁层顶通量传输事件轴向统计分析

磁层顶通量传输事件（Flux Transfer Event,FTE）与磁重联相关,其典型特征为磁场法向分量的双极变化.在不同FTE模型里,FTE结构可能为重联的通量管、由多X线重联形成的闭合磁通量绳或者由单X线重联形成的开放磁场环,从而在磁层顶有不同的整体位形.使用一种新的轴向分析方法,对Cluster在一个向阳面磁层顶穿越季观测到的505个FTE进行统计研究.结果表明:在磁层顶中低纬度的侧翼,大多数FTE轴向均为沿磁层磁力线方向即南北方向,少数FTE轴向沿着不同于磁层磁力线方向的东西方向;在高纬磁层顶,大多数FTE轴向沿东西方向,少数FTE轴向沿着磁层磁力线方向即南北方向.这些统计特征有助于重新认识FTE的全球形态.      

Maps of hydrogen isotopes at low altitudes in the inner zone from sampex observations

The PET instrument aboard the SAMPEX satellite has provided us with long-term intra-calibrated observations of geomagnetically trapped protons and deuterons in the inner zone, suitable for use in constraining the low-altitude portions of radiation belt models being developed as successors to AP-8. These observations have been summarized elsewhere (Looper et al., 1996). Here we report a detection of geomagnetically-trapped tritium at energies from 14 to 35 MeV/nuc below L = 1.2, at about 1/8 the flux of deuterium previously reported at that location and at similar energy per nucleon. We also demonstrate the utility of the SAMPEX/PET observations for measuring the east-west anisotropy in the trapped particle flux at low altitudes, which is due to displacement of particle gyrocenters from the position of observation in a region of strong flux gradients. This anisotropy is implicitly ignored in omnidirectional radiation-flux models, but it can be important to mission planners considering how to distribute shielding over the surface of oriented spacecraft in low Earth orbit.     

Dust optical properties: A comparison between cometary and interplanetary grains

A better understanding of cometary dust optical properties has been derived from extensive observations of comet Halley, complemented by other cometary observations at large phase angles and/or in the infrared. Also, further analysis of IRAS observations and improvements in inversion techniques for zodiacal light have led to some progress in our knowledge of interplanetary dust.

Synthetic curves for phase angle dependence of intensity and polarization are presented, together with typical albedo values. The results obtained for interplanetary dust are quite reminiscent of those found for comets. However, the heterogeneity of the interplanetary dust cloud is demonstrated by the radial dependence of its local polarization and albedo; these parameters are also found to vary with inclination of the dust grains' orbits with respect to the ecliptic. Such results suggest drastic alterations with temperature in the texture of cometary dust, and would favor an important asteroidal component in the zodiacal cloud.     

The detection of energetic cometary and solar particles by the EPONA instrument on the Giotto mission

EPONA is an energetic particle detector system incorporating totally depleted silicon surface barrier layer detectors. Active and passive background shielding will be employed and, by applying various techniques, particles of different species, including electrons, protons, alpha particles and pick-up ions of cometary origin may be detected over a wide spectrum of energies extending from the tens of KeV into the MeV range.

The instrument can operate in two modes namely (a) in a cruise phase or storage mode and (b) in a real time mode. During the real time mode, observations at high spatial (octosectoring) and temporal (0.5s) resolution in the cometary environment permit studies to be made of accelerated particles at the bow shock and/or in the tail of the comet. In conjunction with magnetic field measurements on board Giotto, observations of energetic electrons and their anisotropies can determine whether the magnetic field lines in the cometary tail are open or closed. Further, the absorption of low energy solar particles in the cometary atmosphere can be measured and such data would provide an integral value of the pertaining gas and dust distribution. Solar particle background measurements during encounter may also be used to correct the measurements of other spacecraft borne instruments potentially vulnerable to such radiation.

Solar particle flux measurements, obtained during the cruise phase will, when combined with simultaneous observations made by other spacecraft at different heliographic longitudes, provide information concerning solar particle propagation in the corona and in interplanetary space.     

MMS星座对磁层顶磁通量绳内离子惯性尺度结构的观测

利用MMS观测数据,对磁层顶通量绳内离子惯性尺度（d_i）的结构进行分析研究.结果发现,许多不同尺度（约1d_i至数十d_i）的通量绳内都存在具有d_i尺度的电流 j _m,其方向在磁层顶局地坐标系的-M方向,即与磁层顶查普曼-费拉罗电流同向,由电子在+M方向的运动（ v _em）携带.这些电流结构具有以下特征:磁鞘与磁层成分混合,磁场为开放形态;离子去磁化,电子与磁场冻结;N方向（即垂直于磁层顶电流片方向）的电场 E _n显著增大,幅度达到约20mV·m-1,并伴有明显的尖峰状起伏,该增强和尖峰状起伏的电场对应于霍尔电场.分析表明,电流、电子与离子运动的偏离以及霍尔电场之间遵从广义欧姆定律,三者密切关联.进一步对磁层顶磁重联的探测数据进行分析发现,在很多重联区内也存在与通量绳内相似的结构,其尺度约为d_i量级,其中霍尔电场 E _N、电流 j _M和电子速度 v _eM均与通量绳内对应物理量的方向相同且幅度相近.基于上述观测事实,采用经典FTE通量绳模型,对通量绳内电流、电子运动和霍尔电场的起源进行了初步探讨,认为其来源于磁层顶无碰撞磁重联区内的相应结构,并且后者在离子尺度通量绳的形成过程中起到重要作用.      

Models of P/Borrelly: Activity and dust mantle formation

Comet 19P/Borrelly was observed by Deep Space One spacecraft on September 22, 2001 (Soderblom et al., 2002).The DS1 images show a very dark and elongate nucleus with a complex topography; the IR spectra show a strong red-ward slope consistent with a very hot and dry surface (345K to 300K). During DS1 encounter the comet coma was dominated by a prominent jet but most of the comet was inactive, confirming the Earth-based observations that <10% of the surface is actively sublimating. We have developed a thermal evolution model of comet PBorrelly, using a numerical code that is able to solve the heat conduction and gas diffusion equations at the same time across an idealized spherical nucleus ( De Sanctis et al., 1999, 2000; Capria et al., 2000; Coradini et al., 1997a,b). The comet nucleus is composed by water, volatiles ices and dust in different proportions. The refractory component is made by grains that are embedded in the icy matrix. The code is able to account for the dust release, contributing to the dust flux, and the formation of dust mantles on the comet surface. The model was applied to a cometary nucleus with the estimated physical and dynamical characteristics of P/Borrelly in order to infer the status and activity level of a body on such an orbit during the DS1 observation. The comet gas flux, differentiation and thermal behavior were simulated and reproduced. The model results are in good agreement with the DS1 flyby results and the ground based observations, in terms of activity, dust coverage and temperatures of the surface.     

Sources of inner radiation zone energetic helium ions: Cross-field transport versus in-situ nuclear reactions

Radial transport theory for inner radiation zone MeV He ions has been extended by combining radial diffusive transport, losses due to Coulomb friction and charge exchange reaction with local generation of ³He and ⁴He ions due to nuclear reactions taking place on the inner edge of the inner radiation zone. From interactions between high energy trapped protons and upper atmospheric constituents we have included a nuclear reaction yield helium flux source that was numerically derived from a nuclear reaction model originally developed at the Institute of Nuclear Researches of Moscow, Russia and implemented in the computer system at the University of Campinas, Brazil. Magnetospheric transport computations have been made covering the L-shell range L=1.0 to 1.6 and the resulting MeV He ion flux distributions show a strong influence of the local nuclear source mechanism on the inner zone energetic He ion content.     

涡旋微槽流动与传热特性数值模拟

涡旋微槽散热器具有传输高热流密度的潜力,在解决航空航天高功率密度器件热控制方面具有广泛应用前景.在实验研究的基础上,采用有限体积法对不同体积流量和槽道结构的涡旋微槽中的流动与传热特性进行了数值模拟研究.对涡旋微槽流动的稳定性进行了分析,给出了摩擦因子和Nu数沿流动方向的变化曲线,并采用场协同原理对涡旋微槽强化传热的机理进行了探讨.计算得到的微槽平均传热系数和摩擦阻力系数与实验数据进行了对比.结果表明:涡旋微槽中二次流的出现是涡旋微槽强化传热的机理所在.     

Results from the transition region camera

Three series of high resolution ultra-violet pictures of the Sun have been obtained during the three flights of rocket experiment T.R.C. (Transition Region Camera) which took place on 3 July 1979, 23 September 1980 and 13 July 1982. These pictures reveal many structures in Ly alpha and ultraviolet continua at 160 nm and 220 nm. The scientific objectives, instrumentation, flight conditions and campaigns of simultaneous observations are described.The contribution of T.R.C. to solar physics is discussed in the framework of chromospheric multicomponent models, magnetic flux tubes, local heating and periodic structures in the chromosphere.     

A Light Source System of Multi-star Simulator with Adjustable Background and Controllable Magnitude

A light source of multi-star simulator capable of background adjustment and magnitude control has been designed. Two integrating spheres are employed as the star-point light source and the background light source respectively. A beam splitter prism has been designed to serve as the beam combiner for the star-point and the background light sources, and a mathematical model has been constructed respectively to compute the light flux of the two integrating spheres. A magnitude testing system and a background testing system have been created using low-light illuminometer, luminance meter, and testing instruments to measure the star-point magnitude and the background luminance of the multi-star simulator. The test results suggest that the star-point magnitude is adjustable from 0 to +5m_v, with a simulation precision superior to ±0.026m_v. The maximum background luminance is 3.8×105 cd·m-2, and the minimum background luminance is 6.4×10-2 cd·m-2. The designed light source system can meet the requirements for simulating the stellar map with a sky background.      

太阳10.7 cm射电辐射流量预报方法初探

引进“相似周”方法,通过两种方式对第23周太阳10.7cm辐射流量（F10.7）月均值进行预报和预报,由“相似周”方法得到的第23周太阳黑子数月均平滑预测值来预测F10.7月均值和直接采用“相似周”方法对F10.7月均平滑值进行预测,通过对两种预报试验结果分析,得到以下结论。（1）两种预测结果与实际都比较吻合,都得到双峰结构。（2）直接通过相似周预测的F10.7的月均值结果较间接通过太阳黑子数的预测结果所推断的F10.7预测结果更接近实际观测结果。（3）使用“相似周”,预报方法,可以给出F10.7比较精细的剖面结构,这是其他普通预报方法很难做到的。     

TeV gamma-ray observations of pulsar wind nebulae with the HESS detector

High energy stereoscopic system (HESS) is a recent operational detector dedicated to the observation of γ-rays in the very high energy range. Situated in Namibia, it is composed of four Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes and gives a significant improvement in sensitivity and in accuracy of the reconstructed γ-ray parameters. First results on observations of pulsar wind nebulae are reported here. The binary system PSR B1259-63/SS 2883 has been detected in 2004 around the periastron, showing clear flux variations. The pulsar wind nebula around PSR B1706-44 has been observed and upper limits on its flux have been derived.     

部分开放多极磁场中的日冕磁绳灾变

采用球坐标下二维三分量理想MHD模型，研究部分开放多极背景磁场中日冕磁绳的灾变现象．背景磁场由含3个闭合双极场的冕流和带赤道中性电流片的开放场构成，磁绳位于中心双极场的下方，其特性由环向磁通和轴向磁通表征．对给定的环向磁通，存在轴向磁通的一个临界值；对给定的轴向磁通，也存在环向磁通的一个临界值．在该临界值以下，磁绳附着于太阳表面，系统处于平衡状态；该临界值一旦被超越，磁绳将脱离太阳表面向上喷发，说明部分开放多极背景磁场中的日冕磁绳系统存在灾变现象．本文算例表明，灾变点对应的磁能阈值超过对应部分开放场(中心双极场开放，两侧的双极场仍维持闭合)能量约15％，其超过部分可为日冕物质抛射一类太阳爆发提供能源．     

一个基于观测的太阳风背景模型

建立由太阳光球磁场和日冕偏振亮度等观测约束的单流体太阳风模型,包括日冕和太阳风的等离子体密度、速度和磁场,温度还有待于以后处理.这里采用高山观测台(HAO)MKⅢ的日冕偏振亮度(pB)在1.36Rs上的观测概图,根据Guhathakurta在1996年发展的日冕电子密度反演模型确定日冕的电子密度分布.同时采用Wilcox太阳观测台(WSO)的光球磁场视向分量的观测概图作为底部边界,根据Zhao等在1994年发展的水平电流-电流片(HCCS)模型得到全球磁场.Phillips在1995年及McComas在2003年分别用Ulysses第一次和第二次跨极飞行的观测发现,归一化到1 AU的太阳风动量流密度除了在10°～30°的纬度范围内略低以外几乎不变.根据这一结论,结合已经得到的密度数据,就可以得到日冕和太阳风的速度.将上面的模型应用于1918卡林顿自转周稳态太阳风的研究,结果与太阳活动极小期的观测基本相符,但是与观测相比较低速高密度区偏大,因此密度模型还有待改进.