Infrared radiation from compact X-ray sources

Observations of the X-ray binaries 4U 0115+634 and A 0535+262 performed in 1981 – 1982 revealed significant IR variabilities of these sources. 4U 0115+634 was observed twice, in the state close to X-ray activity, and in the state of low activity, thus changing from K = 7^m.75 to K > 9^m. A 0535+262 shows the temporal variations ranged from tens minutes to some days. The regular variations of IR brightness are suspected with teh period close to 104 s that corresponds to the period of axial rotation of neutron star in A 0535+262. The results obtained present arguments in favour of hypothesis that IR radiation is generated near the accreting neutron star and is possibly of maser nature.     

X-ray radiation from accreting, magnetized neutron stars

A review is given of recent developments in the theory of emission from a magnetized plasma for accreting neutron star conditions. Some observational data on X-ray pulsars are discussed, and present problems are indicated.     

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.     

β Cephei stars from a photometric point of view

This is an observational review, with an emphasis on photometric data and their interpretation. Two lists are presented, one containing Cephei stars, and the other, Cephei suspects. These lists then serve as a basis for discussing such topics as the location of Cephei stars in the observational and theoretical H-R diagrams, the evolutionary state of these stars, the period-luminosity and period-luminosity-color relations, and observational identification of pulsation modes. The paper also includes references to recent work connected with the theoretical discovery that an opacity mechanism is responsible for the excitation of Cephei-star pulsations. Finally, observational programs for verifying the consequences of this discovery are suggested.Belgian Fund for Scientific Research (NFWO).     

Vertical and radial metallicity gradients in high latitude galactic fields with SDSS

We used the ugr magnitudes of 1437467 F-G type main-sequence stars with metal abundance $-2?[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]?+0.2$ dex and estimated radial and vertical metallicity gradients for high Galactic-latitude fields, $50°<b?90°$ and $0°<l?360°$, of the Milky Way Galaxy. The radial metallicity gradient $d[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}]/\mathit{dR}=-0.042\pm 0.011$ dex kpc^?1 estimated for the stars with $1.31<z\le 1.74$ kpc is attributed to the thin-disc population. While, the radial gradients evaluated for stars at higher vertical distances are close to zero indicating that the thick disc and halo have not undergone a radial collapse phase at least at high Galactic latitudes. The vertical metallicity gradients estimated for stars with three different Galactic latitudes, $50°<b?65°,65°<b?80°$ and $80°<b?90°$ do not show a strong indication for Galactic latitude dependence of our gradients. The thin disc, $0.5<z?2$ kpc, with a vertical metallicity gradient $d\left[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}\right]/\mathit{dz}=-0.308\pm 0.018$ dex kpc^?1, is dominant only in galactocentric distance interval $6<R?10$ kpc, while the thick disc ($2<z?5$ kpc) could be observed in the intervals $6<R?10$ and $10<R?15$ kpc with compatible vertical metallicity gradients, i.e. $d\left[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}\right]/\mathit{dz}=-0.164\pm 0.014$ dex kpc^?1 and $d\left[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}\right]/\mathit{dz}=-0.172\pm 0.016$ dex kpc^?1. Five vertical metallicity gradients are estimated for the halo ($z>5$ kpc) in three galactocentric distance intervals, $6<R?10,10<R?15$ and $15<R?20$ kpc. The first one corresponding to the interval $6<R?10$ kpc is equal to $d\left[\mathrm{Fe}/\mathrm{H}\right]/\mathit{dz}=-0.023\pm 0.006$ dex kpc^?1, while the others at larger galactocentric distances are close to zero. We derived synthetic vertical metallicity gradients for 2,230,167 stars and compared them with the observed ones. There is a good agreement between the two sets of vertical metallicity gradients for the thin disc, while they are different for the thick disc. For the halo, the conspicuous difference corresponds to the galactocentric distance interval $6<R?10$ kpc, while they are compatible at higher galactocentric distance intervals.     

Real-time GLE alert in the ANMODAP Center for December 13, 2006

Within the last years, a real-time system to monitor high energy cosmic rays for space weather use has been operated at Athens cosmic ray station. Neutron monitors and satellite high resolution data in real time are used, making it possible to observe cosmic rays in dual energy range observations. In large solar energetic particle (SEP) events, ground level enhancement (GLE) can provide the earliest alert for the onset of the SEP event. This system watches for count rate increases recorded in real time by 23 neutron monitors, which triggers an alarm if a ground level enhancement (GLE) of cosmic ray intensity is detected.     

The onset of sunspot cycle 24 and galactic cosmic ray modulation

The annual mean sunspot number (SSN) has a minimum value in 2008, while the monthly mean SSN has a value of zero in August 2009. The galactic cosmic ray modulation for cycle 24 began at earth orbit in January 2010. We study the onset characteristics of the new modulation cycle using data from the global network of neutron monitors. They respond to time variations in different segments of the galactic cosmic ray rigidity spectrum. The corresponding temporal variations in the interplanetary magnetic field intensity (B) and solar wind velocity (V) as well as the tilt angle of the heliospheric current sheet are also studied. There is a lag of 3 months between a large, sharp increase of the tilt angle of the heliospheric current sheet and the onset of modulation. Some neutron monitors are undergoing long-term drifts of unknown origin.     

（20～400）MeV准单能中子参考辐射场的建立方法CSCD

为了满足对高能中子辐射场测量仪器进行校准的需要,必需建立20MeV以上的准单能中子参考辐射场.对国际上（20～400） MeV准单能中子参考辐射场的建立情况及建立方法进行了调研,可通过7Li（p,n）7Be反应获得该能区准单能中子场,中子束流轮廓可通过转换体和影像板进行测量,辐射场中子能谱可利用液体闪烁探测器或者238U裂变电离室通过飞行时间法进行测量,可建立高效率的反冲质子望远镜作为该能区的中子注量测量初级标准.     

Study of the 28 October 2003 and 20 January 2005 solar flares by means of 2.223 MeV gamma-emission line

By the data on intensity-time profiles of the neutron capture line of 2.223 MeV we have studied some characteristics of two solar flares, 28 October 2003 and 20 January 2005 (INTEGRAL and CORONAS-F observations, respectively). The SINP code was applied making allowance for the main processes of neutron interactions and deceleration in the solar plasma, character of neutron source, losses of neutrons and density model of the solar atmosphere. Comparison of the computed time profiles of 2.223 MeV line with observed ones for the flare of 28 October 2003 confirms the results obtained earlier for three other flares. Namely, the effect of density enhancement (EDE) in the sub-flare region, as well as the variations (hardening) of accelerated particle spectrum in the course of the event have been confirmed. The usual modeling procedure by the SINP code, however, seems to be inapplicable to the event of 20 January 2005. Possible causes of density enhancements during some flares and peculiarities of the 20 January 2005 flare are discussed.