152 research outputs found
Plasma universe
Traditionally the views on the cosmic environent have been based on observations in the visual octave of the electromagnetic spectrum, during the last half-century supplemented by infrared and radio observations. Space research has opened the full spectrum. Of special importance are the X-ray-gamma-ray regions, in which a number of unexpected phenomena have been discovered. Radiations in these regions are likely to originate mainly from magnetised cosmic plasmas. Such a medium may also emit synchrotron radiation which is observable in the radio region. If a model of the universe is based on the plasma phenomena mentioned it is found that the plasma universe is drastically different from the traditional visual universe. Information about the plasma universe can also be obtained by extrapolation of laboratory experiments and magnetospheric in situ measurements of plasmas. This approach is possible because it is likely that the basic properties of plasmas are the same everywhere. In order to test the usefulness of the plasma universe model it is applied to cosmogony. Such an approach seems to be rather successful. For example, the complicated structure of the Saturnian C ring can be accounted for. It is possible to reconstruct certain phenomena 4 to 5 billions of years ago with an accuracy of better than 1%
Cosmogony as an extrapolation of magnetospheric research
A theory of the origin and evolution of the Solar System which considered electromagnetic forces and plasma effects is revised in light of information supplied by space research. In situ measurements in the magnetospheres and solar wind can be extrapolated outwards in space, to interstellar clouds, and backwards in time, to the formation of the solar system. The first extrapolation leads to a revision of cloud properties essential for the early phases in the formation of stars and solar nebulae. The latter extrapolation facilitates analysis of the cosmogonic processes by extrapolation of magnetospheric phenomena. Pioneer-Voyager observations of the Saturnian rings indicate that essential parts of their structure are fossils from cosmogonic times. By using detailed information from these space missions, it is possible to reconstruct events 4 to 5 billion years ago with an accuracy of a few percent
Are Electric Currents Heating the Magnetic Chromosphere?
This paper presents an analysis of three-dimensional vector currents and
temperatures observed in a sunspot from the photosphere to the chromosphere,
spanning a range of heights of approximately 1500 km. With this unique dataset,
based on novel spectro-polarimetric observations of the 850 nm spectral region,
it is possible to conduct for the first time an empirical study of the relation
between currents and chromospheric heating. It is shown that, while resistive
current dissipation contributes to heat the sunspot chromosphere, it is not the
dominant factor. The heating effect of current dissipation is more important in
the penumbra of the sunspot, but even there it is still a relatively modest
contribution.Comment: Submitted to the Astrophysical Journal Letter
Evolution of the Solar System
The origin and evolution of the solar system are analyzed. Physical processes are first discussed, followed by experimental studies of plasma-solid reactions and chemical and mineralogical analyses of meteorites and lunar and terrestrial samples
A Radio Polarimetric Study of the Galactic Center Threads
Multi-frequency, polarimetric VLA observations of the non-thermal filaments
(NTF's), G0.08+0.15, and G359.96+0.09, also known as the Northern and Southern
Threads are presented at 20, 6, 3.6 and 2 cm, with high enough spatial
resolution to be resolved for the first time at 6 and 3.6 cm. The 20 cm image
reveals a wealth of new detail in the radio sources lying within the inner 60
pc of the Galaxy. The Southern Thread has a prominent split along its length,
similar to splitting at the ends of previously studied NTF's. With resolutions
as fine as 2'', the 3.6 and 6 cm images reveal a high degree of continuity and
little substructure internal to the filament. The spectral index of the
Northern Thread has been determined over a broad range of frequencies. Its flux
density falls with frequency, alpha=-0.5 between 90 and 6 cm, and becomes much
steeper (alpha=-2.0) between 6 and 2 cm. The spectral index does not vary
significantly along the length of the Northern Thread, which implies either
that the diffusion timescale for the emitting electrons is less than their
synchrotron lifetime, or that the emitting electrons are reaccelerated
continuously at multiple positions along the filament. Because of the lack of
spectral index variation, we have not located the source of relativistic
electrons. Polarization observations at 6 and 3.6 cm confirm the non-thermal
nature of the emission from the Northern Thread. The fractional polarization in
the Northern Thread reaches 70% in some regions, although the polarized
emission is patchy. Large rotation measures (RM > 2000 rad/m2) have been
observed with irregular variations across the filament.The intrinsic magnetic
field in the Northern Thread is predominantly aligned along its long axis.Comment: 19 pages, incl. 24 figs; to appear in the Astrophysical Journa
An Ab Initio Approach to the Solar Coronal Heating Problem
We present an ab initio approach to the solar coronal heating problem by
modelling a small part of the solar corona in a computational box using a 3D
MHD code including realistic physics. The observed solar granular velocity
pattern and its amplitude and vorticity power spectra, as reproduced by a
weighted Voronoi tessellation method, are used as a boundary condition that
generates a Poynting flux in the presence of a magnetic field. The initial
magnetic field is a potential extrapolation of a SOHO/MDI high resolution
magnetogram, and a standard stratified atmosphere is used as a thermal initial
condition. Except for the chromospheric temperature structure, which is kept
fixed, the initial conditions are quickly forgotten because the included
Spitzer conductivity and radiative cooling function have typical timescales
much shorter than the time span of the simulation. After a short initial start
up period, the magnetic field is able to dissipate 3-4 10^6 ergs cm^{-2} s^{-1}
in a highly intermittent corona, maintaining an average temperature of K, at coronal density values for which emulated images of the Transition
Region And Coronal Explorer(TRACE) 171 and 195 pass bands reproduce observed
photon count rates.Comment: 12 pages, 14 figures. Submitted to Ap
A Minimum-Mass Extrasolar Nebula
By analogy with the minimum-mass solar nebula, we construct a surface-density
profile using the orbits of the 26 precise-Doppler planets found in multiple
planet systems: Sigma = 2200 grams per square centimeter (a/1 AU)^- beta, where
a is the circumstellar radius, and beta = 2.0 plus or minus 0.5. The
minimum-mass solar nebula is consistent with this model, but the uniform-alpha
accretion disk model is not. In a nebula with beta > 2, the center of the disk
is the likely cradle of planet formation.Comment: 15 pages, including 2 figures. To appear in ApJ, 9/04 new version
with prettier page layou
MHD tidal waves on a spinning magnetic compact star
In an X-ray binary system, the companion star feeds the compact neutron star
with plasma materials via accretions. The spinning neutron star is likely
covered with a thin "magnetized ocean" and may support {\it magnetohydrodynamic
(MHD) tidal waves}. While modulating the thermal properties of the ocean, MHD
tidal waves periodically shake the base of the stellar magnetosphere that traps
energetic particles, including radiating relativistic electrons. For a radio
pulsar, MHD tidal waves in the stellar surface layer may modulate radio
emission processes and leave indelible signatures on timescales different from
the spin period. Accretion activities are capable of exciting these waves but
may also obstruct or obscure their detections meanwhile. Under fortuitous
conditions, MHD tidal waves might be detectable and offer valuable means to
probe properties of the underlying neutron star. Similar situations may also
occur for a cataclysmic variable -- an accretion binary system that contains a
rotating magnetic white dwarf. This Letter presents the theory for MHD tidal
waves in the magnetized ocean of a rotating degenerate star and emphasizes
their potential diagnostics in X-ray and radio emissions.Comment: ApJ Letter paper already publishe
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