Yohkoh observations of the solar corona

The Yohkoh soft X-ray telescope obtains several images every 90 minutes. Data from the declining phase of the solar cycle have been used to compare the X-ray signal with other indicators of activity and to study coronal heating. X-ray emission from a north polar coronal hole is found broadly consistent with results of previous EUV observations. In diffuse emission regions, temperature rises to around 2.2 MK and levels off in the height range 1.5 – 1.9 R_O. Such emission underlies streamers and may be the source of the low-speed solar wind. X-ray signatures for Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) events which involve the detection of reduced X-ray intensities in the corona, have been developed with Yohkoh data. CME observations are described     

The occurrence of single hard X-raysources in solar flares

The ‘standard’ thick target flare model predicts the existence of strong hard X-ray emission at the footpointsof a flare loop. However, Yohkoh observations suggest that up to 20% of events with data available in three or more Hard X-ray Telescope (HXT) channels show only a single source. Combining datasets from Yohkoh, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), and Nobeyama Radio Heliograph (NoRH), we compare the characteristics of these single source events to double source events. The objective of this study is to determine whether these represent unresolved double footpoints, asymmetric electron deposition due to magnetic mirroring effects, or a genuine departure from the ‘standard’ model.     

Studies on the imaging characteristics of Yohkoh Soft X-ray Telescope: Optical aberration and scattering

In order to better understand the characteristics of Yohkoh Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) mirror, we have analyzed the in-flight overexposed image (the starburst image) obtained during the solar flare observation. It has been revealed from our study that the intensity distribution inside the shadows shown in the scattering difference image contains little of the scattered component of the PSF and matches almost correctly the extension of the PSF core profile. Also it is found that the scattering wing of the SXT PSF is connected smoothly to the PSF core within the distance of about 100–200 arcsec from the peak. With numerical simulations we have shown that an increase in energy affects not only the level of scattering wing, but also both the shape and the absolute level of the PSF core. The results have revealed, however, that the energy dependence for the SXT PSF cannot be easily estimated with the data obtained from one filter alone, which implies that the data analysis using multiple filters will enable us to determine the absolute amount of scattered component as well as the energy dependence of the SXT PSF. Details on the analysis of starburst image and the results from numerical simulations will be introduced and discussed thoroughly.     

An investigation of small GOES flares with intense hard X-ray bursts

Most solar flare observations show that intense hard X-ray bursts come from large flares that have a large GOES classification (large peak 1 – 8 Å flux). This correlation, known as the “Big Flare Syndrome”, suggests that more intense flares tend to have harder spectra. We have observed 7 flares that are exceptions to this. These flares have small GOES classifications ranging from B1.4 to C5.5 and peak hard X-ray count rates similar to those often observed from M class flares. This paper examines the cause of this anomoly using the Yohkoh Soft X-Ray Telescope, Hard X-Ray Telescope, and Bragg Crystal Spectrometer. Two hypotheses are proposed for the exceptions: (1) flares with multiple magnetic loops and common footpoints, producing multiple hard X-ray emission regions and low density thermal plasma distributed over a large volume, and (2) high densities in the magnetic loops restricting the propagation of the non-thermal electrons in the loop after magnetic reconnection has occurred and suppressing chromospheric evaporation. Two of the flares support the first hypothesis. The other flares either have data missing or are too small to be properly analysed by the Yohkoh instruments.     

基于图像特征分析的物体轮廓提取

对物体的轮廓进行分析提取,是计算机视觉方向的基础问题之一,对其进行研究对于复杂场景的分析理解至关重要。本文对室内场景图像进行研究,基于图像特征进行图像分割,提取物体轮廓。在彩色场景图像全局轮廓后验边界概率（gPb）提取算法的基础上,加入深度图像信息,对室内场景的彩色、深度（RGB-D）图像中的物体轮廓进行分析。通过多尺度信息融合,计算得到多尺度轮廓后验概率（mPb）和谱后验概率（sPb）,两后验概率加权综合得到gPb。而后结合超度量轮廓图与分水岭算法,对基于方向特征变化的gPb图像融合处理,最终得到清晰的物体轮廓。本文所提方法在通用的RGB-D数据库基础上进行实验。实验结果表明,本文所提出的方法能提取出清晰的室内物体轮廓图。      

Centaurus A: Multiwavelength observations of the nearest active galaxy from radio to gamma-rays

Centaurus A (Cen A, NGC 5128) is the nearest active galaxy and, notably, the viewing angle with respect to the jet axis is very large (> 70°). A first contemporaneous OSSE, COMPTEL, and EGRET spectrum obtained in October 1991 covers an energy range from 50 keV up to 1 GeV. This γ-ray broad-band spectrum was taken when Cen A was in an intermediate emission state as defined by the BATSE X-ray light-curve. The first simultaneous multiwavelength spectrum from radio to γ-rays was measured in July 1995 when Cen A was in a low emission state (the prevailing state for the last 7 years). The different spatial and temporal resolution in the different frequency regimes produces problems in the construction and interpretation of the multiwavelength spectra. These are addressed in this paper. The detection of emission > 1 MeV makes the inclusion of such high-energy emission into models for the spectral energy distribution mandatory.     

X-ray plasma ejections and jets from solar compact flares observed with the Yohkoh soft X-ray telescope

Yohkoh soft X-ray observations have revealed coronal X-ray plasma ejections and jets associated with solar flares. We have studied an X-ray plasma ejection on 1993 November 11 in detail, as a typical example of X-ray plasma ejections (possibly plasmoids expected from the reconnection model). The results are as follows: (1) The shape of the ejected material is a loop before it begins to rise. (2) The ejecta are already heated to 5 – 16 MK before rising. (3) The kinetic energy of the ejecta is smaller than the thermal energy content of the ejecta. (4) The thermal energy of the ejecta is smaller than that of the flare regions. (5) The acceleration occurs during the impulsive phase. These results are compared with the characteristics of X-ray jets, and a possible interpretation (for both plasmoids and jets) based on the magnetic reconnection model is briefly discussed.     

抑制复原图像振铃波纹的频域循环边界算法

提出了一种基于Wiener滤波的频域循环边界复原算法,并给出了有效的规整化表达式和信噪比估算方法.复原算法首先将原观测图像按反射对称的方式延拓,形成一个新的观测图像(称为延拓图像);然后,用Wiener滤波算法复原延拓图像,并取延拓图像的复原图像的主值序列作为原观测图像的复原图像.对延拓图像在频域进行复原处理时,需要使用FFT(Fast Fourier Transform)技术,将延拓图像进行周期延拓,因其结合边界在垂直方向上的梯度为零,且边界平滑满足微分条件,抑制了复原图像的振铃波纹.复原过程中,将噪声与原始图像的功率谱之比规整化为原观测图像信噪比的函数.实验结果表明,该算法对周边区域梯度变化较大的观测图像复原效果较好.      

Phase resolved study of the CRSF in MX 0656-072

MXB 0656-072 is an accreting X-ray pulsar with a Be star companion, showing notable emission in H. In October 2003 this system exhibited a large and extended X-ray outburst. RXTE observations during this outburst indicated a pulse period of 160.4 s and a cyclotron resonance scattering feature in the spectrum at 32 keV. This paper presents pulse profile analysis and phase-resolved X-ray spectroscopy of RXTE observations during this outburst.     

A highly-ionized absorber as a new explanation for the spectral changes during dips from X-ray binaries

We report the XMM-Newton detection of narrow Fe xxv and Fe xxvi X-ray absorption lines at 7 keV in the persistent emission of the dipping low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) 4U 1323−62. Such features have now been reported in a growing number of LMXBs seen almost edge-on, indicating that the highly-ionized plasma probably originates in an accretion disk atmosphere or wind. During dipping intervals of 4U 1323−62, the strength of the Fe xxv feature increases while that of the Fe xxvi feature decreases, consistent with the presence of less strongly ionized material in the line-of-sight. As observed previously, the changes in the X-ray spectrum during dips are inconsistent with a simple increase in absorption by cool material. However, we show that the changes in both the narrow absorption features and the continuum can be modeled self-consistently by variations in the properties of an ionized absorber. From persistent to deep dipping the photo-ionization parameter decreases while the equivalent hydrogen column density of the ionized absorber increases. No partial covering of any component of the spectrum, and hence no extended corona, are required. Since highly-ionized absorption features are seen from many other dip sources, this mechanism may also explain the overall changes in X-ray spectrum observed during dipping intervals from these systems.     

Observational study of magnetic chirality of solar active regions

We present the evolution of magnetic field and relationship with the magnetic (current) helicity in solar active regions from a series of photospheric vector magnetograms obtained at Huairou Solar Observing Station near Beijing, and also longitudinal magnetograms by MDI of SOHO, white light and 171 Å images by TRACE and soft X-ray images by Yohkoh.The conclusions in the analysis of the formation process of complex and delta magnetic configuration in some super active regions are the following: (1) The magnetic shear and gradient provide the non-potentiality of the magnetic field of active regions reflecting the existence of electric current. (2) Some of large-scale delta active regions could be due to the emergence of highly sheared non-potential magnetic flux bundles from the subatmosphere with amount of magnetic helicity, in addition to the emergence of twisted magnetic ropes. (3) We also present some results on the study of the magnetic (current) helicity in solar active regions.     

Construction of lunar DEMs based on reflectance modelling

Existing lunar DEMs obtained based on laser altimetry or photogrammetric image analysis are characterised by high large-scale accuracies while their lateral resolution is strongly limited by noise or interpolation artifacts. In contrast, image-based photometric surface reconstruction approaches reveal small-scale surface detail but become inaccurate on large spatial scales. The framework proposed in this study therefore combines photometric image information of high lateral resolution and DEM data of comparably low lateral resolution in order to obtain DEMs of high lateral resolution which are also accurate on large spatial scales. Our first approach combines an extended photoclinometry scheme and a shape from shading based method. A novel variational surface reconstruction method further increases the lateral resolution of the DEM such that it reaches that of the underlying images. We employ the Hapke IMSA and AMSA reflectance models with two different formulations of the single-particle scattering function, such that the single-scattering albedo of the surface particles and optionally the asymmetry parameter of the single-particle scattering function can be estimated pixel-wise. As our DEM construction methods require co-registered images, an illumination-independent image registration scheme is developed. An evaluation of our framework based on synthetic image data yields an average elevation accuracy of the constructed DEMs of better than 20 m as long as the correct reflectance model is assumed. When comparing our DEMs to LOLA single track data, absolute elevation accuracies around 30 m are obtained for test regions that cover an elevation range of several thousands of metres. The proposed illumination-independent image registration method yields subpixel accuracy even in the presence of 3D perspective distortions. The pixel-wise reflectance parameters estimated simultaneously with the DEM reflect compositional contrasts between different surface units. Specifically, the detected variations of the parameter of the single-particle scattering function indicate small-scale variations of the regolith particle size, possibly as a result of differences in soil maturity.     

基于图像拼接的微小零件视觉检测方法

针对毫米级微小尺寸零件的高准确度检测问题,提出了一种基于图像拼接技术的视觉检测方法,即利用亚像素微小位移结合相位相关的自动拼接方法。以两幅图像的拼接为例,这种方法首先对第一幅图像利用三次样条插值,进行亚像素微小位移;然后用处理后的第一幅图像与第二幅图像进行相位相关处理,计算两者的相关功率谱函数分布图;再根据分布图中功率谱最大值求出两幅图像的亚像素配准关系;最后根据配准关系把两幅图像拼接起来。实验表明,使用这种拼接方法,准确度可达到亚象素级,并具有抗噪声、易实现自动化等特点。     

基于双谱重构的图像降噪

提出了一种基于双谱重构的图像去噪方法.该方法的基本理论依据是:高阶统计量对高斯噪声的不敏感性.它首先计算图像的高阶谱,而得到的高阶谱中理论上将不再包含高斯噪声,然后再通过高阶谱重构图像的幅值和相位信息,最后还原至空间域而得到去噪后的图像.它是高阶谱域的变换与重构方法.仿真结果和分析表明,该双谱重构法较好地解决了去除噪声与保留细节之间的矛盾,无论从直观视觉和从定量分析结果,该双谱重构法都优于中值滤波法和高阶累积量方法.     

基于原始投影正弦图的X-CT硬化校正

在X射线层析成像(X-CT,X-ray Computed Tomography)技术中,X射线束能谱的多色性将导致层析重建图像出现杯状或条状等射束硬化伪迹,降低成像质量.在分析射束硬化现象具有的3个物理属性基础上,提出了一种对原始多色投影正弦图进行操作的硬化校正方法,并从数学上证明了其校正原理. 针对该方法带来的噪声放大问题,研究了一种基于高、低频信息分类处理的噪声抑制方法.计算机仿真和2种典型试件的实际CT扫描数据的硬化校正结果表明了该方法的有效性.与传统基于多项式拟合技术的校正法相比,该方法不需要事先进行建模扫描和计算,校正程序简单、实时,校正结果具有更高信噪比,且不受扫描条件限制.      

A question raised from the observation of dynamic cusp formation: When and where does particle acceleration occur?

We present observations of a C9.4 flare on 2002 June 2 in EUV (TRACE) and X-rays (RHESSI). The multiwavelength data reveal: (1) the involvement of a quadrupole magnetic configuration; (2) loop expansion and ribbon motion in the pre-impulsive phase; (3) gradual formation of a new compact loop with a long cusp at the top during the impulsive phase of the flare; (4) appearance of a large, twisted loop above the cusp expanding outward immediately after the hard X-ray peak; and (5) X-ray emission observed only from the new compact loop and the cusp. In particular, the gradual formation of an EUV cusp feature is very clear. The observations also reveal the timing of the cusp formation and particle acceleration: most of the impulsive hard X-rays (>25 keV) were emitted before the cusp was seen. This suggests that fast reconnection occurred during the restructuring of the magnetic configuration, resulting in more efficient particle acceleration, while the reconnection slowed after the cusp was completely formed and the magnetic geometry was stabilized. This observation is consistent with the observations obtained with Yohkoh/Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) that soft X-ray cusp structures only appear after the major impulsive energy release in solar flares. These observations have important implications for the modeling of magnetic reconnection and particle acceleration.     

Calculation of X-ray polarization during flares

The polarization of X-radiation emitted by electrons which are accelerated during flares is investigated in a non-thermal model. Monte Carlo calculations combining analytically treated multiple-scattering and random large-angle scattering processes yield the energy and angular distributions of flare electrons penetrating the upper solar atmosphere. The X-ray polarization derived from these distributions is computed as a function of energy, observation angle and column density traversed by the electrons. Initially monoenergetic electrons as well as electrons with a power-law spectrum are considered. The degree of polarization of the total X-radiation obtained by summing over all layers of the atmosphere is compared with observations.     

Diffuse thermal emission from very hot gas in starburst galaxies: Spatial results

New BeppoSAX observations of the nearby prototypical starburst galaxies NGC 253 and M82 are presented. A companion paper (Cappi et al. 1998) shows that the hard (2–10 keV) spectrum of both galaxies, extracted from the source central regions, is best described by a thermal emission model with kT ∼ 6–9 keV and abundances ∼ 0.1-0.3 solar. The spatial analysis yields clear evidence that this emission is extended in NGC 253, and possibly also in M82. This quite clearly rules out a LLAGN as the main responsible for their hard X-ray emission. Significant contribution from point-sources (i.e. X-ray binaries (XRBs) and Supernovae Remnants (SNRs)) cannot be excluded; neither can we at present reliably estimate the level of Compton emission. However, we argue that such contributions shouldn't affect our main conclusion, i.e., that the BeppoSAX results show, altogether, compelling evidence for the existence of a very hot, metal-poor interstellar plasma in both galaxies.     

解体速度增量计算方法研究

解体速度增量是解体事件强度的重要指征, 它决定了解体产生碎片的轨道分布. 通过分析解体速度增量可以推断解体强度, 确定解体形式. 解体速度增量有两种计算方法, 即轨道位置演化法和轨道面相交法. 轨道位置演化法是根据解体前后轨道速度的变化直接得到解体速度增量; 而轨道面相交法是利用母体以及解体碎片的球面三角几何关系, 根据解体碎片的倾角和升交点赤经变化, 以及母体轨道的倾角和近地点辐角, 计算解体时刻母体轨道的真近点角, 从而得到解体的时间和速度增量. 相比来说, 轨道位置演化法适用于数据精度高, 解体高度高情况下的解体事件分析, 而轨道面相交法适用于解体高度低, 碎片数据公布时间较为滞后的解体事件分析. 根据解体速度增量的计算方法及其原理, 对两种方法的适用性进行了比较和讨论, 并选取已经发生的三次解体事件, 利用美国公布的TLE数据, 针对具体情况选择计算方法, 给出了三次解体事件发生的时间和解体碎片在空间三个方向上的速度增量.      

ROSAT PSPC observations of two starburst galaxies

We present results from ROSAT observations of NGC 1808 and NGC 2903. Exposures of 10 ksec each with the PSPC detector show X-ray sources at the central positions of both galaxies which are classified as nuclear starburst galaxies. Both targets, NGC 1808 and NGC 2903 appear slightly extended in X-ray maps in the energy band 0.1–2.4 keV. The X-ray spectrum of NGC 1808 shows almost complete absorption below 0.5 keV, indicating an extremely high hydrogen column density towards that source (N_H ≈ 8 × 10²¹cm⁻² resulting from model fits on the PSPC spectrum). In case of NGC 2903, the number of counts in the ROSAT band is significantly lower than expected from a previous EINSTEIN investigation of the source.