Features of the mass transfer in magnetic cataclysmic variables with fast-rotating white dwarfs

The flow structure in magnetic cataclysmic variables was investigated taking into account the effects of strong magnetic field and fast rotation of the white dwarf. We modeled the AE Aqr system as a unique object that has the rotation period of the white dwarf is about 1000 times shorter than the orbital period of the binary system. Observations show that in spite of fast rotation of the white dwarf some part of the stream from the inner Lagrange point comes into the Roche lobe region. We analyzed possible mechanisms preventing material to outflow from the system.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures. Proceedings of the Conference "Physics at the Magnetospheric Boundary" (Geneva, Switzerland, 25 - 26 June, 2013), to be published in "EPJ Web of Conferences

The complex behavior of the satellite footprints at Jupiter: the result of universal processes?

At Jupiter, some auroral emissions are directly related to the electromagnetic interaction between the moons Io, Europa and Ganymede on one hand and the rapidly rotating magnetospheric plasma on the other hand. Out of the three, the Io footprint is the brightest and the most studied. Present in each hemisphere, it is made of at least three different spots and an extended trailing tail. The variability of the brightness of the spots as well as their relative location has been tentatively explained with a combination of Alfvén waves’ partial reflections on density gradients and bi-directional electron acceleration at high latitude. Should this scenario be correct, then the other footprints should also show the same behavior. Here we show that all footprints are, at least occasionally, made of several spots and they all display a tail. We also show that these spots share many characteristics with those of the Io footprint (i.e. some significant variability on timescales of 2-3 minutes). Additionally, we present some Monte-Carlo simulations indicating that the tails are also due to Alfvén waves electron acceleration rather than quasi-static electron acceleration. Even if some details still need clarification, these observations strengthen the scenario proposed for the Io footprint and thus indicate that these processes are universal. In addition, we will present some early results from Juno-UVS concerning the location and morphology of the footprints during the first low-altitude observations of the polar aurorae. These observations, carried out in previously unexplored longitude ranges, should either confirm or contradict our understanding of the footprints

Advancing Our Understanding of Martian Proton Aurora through a Coordinated Multi-Model Comparison Campaign

Proton aurora are the most commonly observed yet least studied type of aurora at Mars. In order to better understand the physics and driving processes of Martian proton aurora, we undertake a multi-model comparison campaign. We compare results from four different proton/hydrogen precipitation models with unique abilities to represent Martian proton aurora: Jolitz model (3-D Monte Carlo), Kallio model (3-D Monte Carlo), Bisikalo/Shematovich et al. model (1-D kinetic Monte Carlo), and Gronoff et al. model (1-D kinetic). This campaign is divided into two steps: an inter-model comparison and a data-model comparison. The inter-model comparison entails modeling five different representative cases using similar constraints in order to better understand the capabilities and limitations of each of the models. Through this step we find that the two primary variables affecting proton aurora are the incident solar wind particle flux and velocity. In the data-model comparison, we assess the robustness of each model based on its ability to reproduce a MAVEN/IUVS proton aurora observation. All models are able to effectively simulate the data. Variations in modeled intensity and peak altitude can be attributed to differences in model capabilities/solving techniques and input assumptions (e.g., cross sections, 3-D versus 1-D solvers, and implementation of the relevant physics and processes). The good match between the observations and multiple models gives a measure of confidence that the appropriate physical processes and their associated parameters have been correctly identified and provides insight into the key physics that should be incorporated in future models

Hot Spots Drift in Synchronous and Asynchronous Polars: Results of Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation

In this paper, the characteristics of hot spots on an accretor surface are investigated for two types of polars: the eclipsing synchronous polar V808 Aur and the non-eclipsing asynchronous polar CD Ind in configuration of an offset and non-offset magnetic dipole. The drift of hot spots is analyzed based on the results of numerical calculations and maps of the temperature distribution over the accretor surface. It is shown that a noticeable displacement of the spots is determined by the ratio of ballistic and magnetic parts of the jet trajectory. In the synchronous polar, the dominant influence on the drift of hot spots is exerted by variations in the mass transfer rate, which entail a change in the ballistic part of the trajectory. It was found that when the mass transfer rate changes within the range of 10−10M⊙/year to 10−7M⊙/year, the displacement of the hot spot in latitude and longitude can reach 30∘. In the asynchronous polar, a change in the position of hot spots is mainly defined by the properties of the white dwarf magnetosphere, and the displacement of hot spots in latitude and longitude can reach 20∘

MHD Modeling of Mass Transfer Processes in Close Binary Stars

A three-dimensional numerical model has been developed to study the flow structure in close binary systems with a magnetic field. The model uses a system of equations of modified magnetic hydrodynamics, which allows describing all the main dynamic effects associated with the magnetic field. It takes into account the processes of radiation heating and cooling, heating due to current dissipation, as well as magnetic field diffusion. The model allows calculations in a wide range of magnetic field values. Comparison of the calculation results with observational data confirms the reliability and high efficiency of the model. The paper presents the calculation results of the flow structure in a typical intermediate polar. It is shown that an accretion disk is formed in such a binary system, which has the following characteristic features: “hot line”, tidal shock waves, precession density wave, magnetospheric region, and accretion columns. In this case, the magnetic field in the disk is predominantly toroidal. The paper also presents the results of calculations for typical polars. In such systems, instead of an accretion disk, a collimated stream of matter is formed, moving along the magnetic field lines to the magnetic poles of the white dwarf. It is shown that in synchronous polars, variations of the mass transfer rate lead to a change in the spatial configuration of the flow. In asynchronous polars, changes in the flow structure for different phases of the beat period are observed as well as the processes of switching the flow between the magnetic poles of the accretor. Numerical calculations of the asynchronous system are performed under the assumption of the dipole configuration of the magnetic field for different values of the dipole offset relative to the center of the white dwarf. The paper presents a method for estimating this offset from observational light curves

Hot Spots Drift in Synchronous and Asynchronous Polars: Results of Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation

In this paper, the characteristics of hot spots on an accretor surface are investigated for two types of polars: the eclipsing synchronous polar V808 Aur and the non-eclipsing asynchronous polar CD Ind in configuration of an offset and non-offset magnetic dipole. The drift of hot spots is analyzed based on the results of numerical calculations and maps of the temperature distribution over the accretor surface. It is shown that a noticeable displacement of the spots is determined by the ratio of ballistic and magnetic parts of the jet trajectory. In the synchronous polar, the dominant influence on the drift of hot spots is exerted by variations in the mass transfer rate, which entail a change in the ballistic part of the trajectory. It was found that when the mass transfer rate changes within the range of 10−10M⊙/year to 10−7M⊙/year, the displacement of the hot spot in latitude and longitude can reach 30∘. In the asynchronous polar, a change in the position of hot spots is mainly defined by the properties of the white dwarf magnetosphere, and the displacement of hot spots in latitude and longitude can reach 20∘

Features of the mass transfer in magnetic cataclysmic variables with fast-rotating white dwarfs

The flow structure in magnetic cataclysmic variables was investigated taking into account the effects of strong magnetic field and fast rotation of the white dwarf. We modeled the AE Aqr system as a unique object that has the rotation period of the white dwarf is about 1000 times shorter than the orbital period of the binary system. Observations show that in spite of fast rotation of the white dwarf some part of the stream from the inner Lagrange point comes into the Roche lobe region. We analyzed possible mechanisms preventing material to outflow from the system

The Ganymede aurora …

In this Report we present the Monte Carlo model for calculation of oxygen UV and IR emissions due to the electron precipitation in the Ganymede polar regions. These techniques will provide column densities of atmospheric species at better than or equal to 1 km spatial resolution, and will constrain the amount of some specific compounds from limb scans and during stellar occultation. This investigation also needs characterization of the vertical temperature profile from ground up to about 400 km altitude with ~5 km vertical resolution as well as mapping of water vapour concentration. This can be performed by multiple water line observations in the 200-600 μm wavelength range. It shall be complemented by ion and neutral mass spectrometry of plasma particles, radio occultations to measure structures of the neutral atmosphere and ionosphere, and plasma wave measurements to constrain plasma density and temperature of the ionosphere