Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “MAGNETIC STARS”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 343 records · Page 19

Magnetic field in a low-mass protostar disk - Millimeter polarimetry of IRAS 16293-2422

We have measured the millimeter polarization of IRAS 16293-2422, a low-mass protostar candidate embedded in the east streamer of the Rho Ophiuchi dark cloud. The source has a linear polarization at 1.1 mm of (2.8 +/- 0.5) percent at a position angle of 144 deg +/- 5 deg with a 19 arcsec beam. If this polarization is due to thermal emission from magnetically aligned nonspherical grains in a dust disk around the central (proto)star, then the magnetic field threads across the disk at a position angle of 54 deg +/- 5 deg projected on the sky. This direction is the same as that of the minor axis of the elongated circumstellar gas disk (of scale 1600 AU) and of the direction of one of the quadratic outflows. There is no positive evidence for a twisted magnetic field in the dust disk, which constrains the hydromagnetic models for molecular outflows, at least for this source.

Tamura, Motohide↗

The discovery of magnetically controlled circumstellar matter in the helium-weak stars HD 5737 and HD 79158

The paper reports the discovery, using combined IUE spectroscopy and Zeeman polarimetric magnetic field measurements, of magnetically controlled circumstellar material in two helium-weak stars. HD 5737 = Alpha Sculptoris is, except for its extreme helium deficiency, similar to the He weak sn star HD 21699. A unique period for the magnetic and C IV and Si IV variations of 21.65 days is reported. The effective (longitudinal) field nulls coincide extremely well with C IV line strength maxima. The magnetic field and equatorial trapped plasma are highly oblique to the rotation axis (about 70 deg), and the line variations appear to be stable. Similar magnetospheric variations in HD 79158 = 36 Lyncis have been discovered, for which no period had been previously available. The period is 3.84 days, yet it too displays magnetic-equatorial plasma. The magnetospheric axis is highly oblique to the rotation axis, around 80 deg.

Shore, Steven N.↗

The magnetic white dwarfs

Observations of isolated magnetic white dwarfs are compared with those of Angel et al. (1981). A list of 21 currently known magnetic white dwarfs is presented, and additions and deletions of stars from the list of Angel et al. are discussed. The spectrum of the hydrogen atom in extremely strong fields, and the field distribution of stars in the 1-700 MG range are calculated. It is observed that the distribution of magnetic stars has remained constant/decade of field strength from about 10 to the 6th to 10 to the 9th G. Consideration is given to the rotation rates and suface compositions of white dwarfs.

Schmidt, Gary D.↗

The Stellar Imager (SI) Mission Concept

The Stellar Imager (SI) is envisioned as a space-based, UV-optical interferometer composed of 10 or more one-meter class elements distributed with a maximum baseline of 0.5 km. It is designed to image stars and binaries with sufficient resolution to enable long-term studies of stellar magnetic activity patterns, for comparison with those on the sun. It will also support asteroseismology (acoustic imaging) to probe stellar internal structure, differential rotation, and large-scale circulations. SI will enable us to understand the various effects of the magnetic fields of stars, the dynamos that generate these fields, and the internal structure and dynamics of the stars. The ultimate goal of the mission is to achieve the best-possible forecasting of solar activity as a driver of climate and space weather on time scales ranging from months up to decades, and an understanding of the impact of stellar magnetic activity on life in the Universe. In this paper we describe the scientific goals of the mission, the performance requirements needed to address these goals, the "enabling technology" development efforts being pursued, and the design concepts now under study for the full mission and a possible pathfinder mission.

Carpenter, Kenneth G.↗

Formation Flying and the Stellar Imager Mission Concept

The Stellar Imager (SI) is envisioned as a space-based, W-optical interferometer composed of 10 or more one-meter class elements distributed with a maximum baseline of 0.5 km. image stars and binaries with sufficient resolution to enable long-term studies of stellar magnetic activity patterns, for comparison with those on the sun. It will also support asteroseismology (acoustic imaging) to probe stellar internal structure, differential rotation, and large-scale circulations. SI will enable us to understand the various effects of the magnetic fields of stars, the dynamos that generate these fields, and the internal structure and dynamics of the stars. The ultimate goal of the mission is to achieve the best-possible forecasting of solar activity as a driver of climate and space weather on time scales ranging from months up to decades, and an understanding of the impact of stellar magnetic activity on life in the Universe. In this paper we briefly describe the scientific goals of the mission, the performance requirements needed to address these goals, and the "enabling technology" development efforts required, with specific attention for this meeting to the formation-flying aspects. It is designed to

Carpenter, Kenneth G.↗

The ROSAT All-Sky Survey of active binary coronae. I - Quiescent fluxes for the RS Canum Venaticorum systems

One hundred and thirty-six RS CV(n) active binary systems were observed with the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) during the All-Sky Survey component of the mission. The entire sky was surveyed, which represents the largest sample of RS CV(n) systems observed to date at any wavelength, including X-rays. X-ray surface fluxes for the RS CV(n) systems are found to lie in the range 10 exp 4 to 10 exp 8 ergs/sq cm seconds. Surface flux as a function of (B - V) color is reported. A decrease in surface flux with increasing rotation period for the entire sample is observed. The rotation period provides the best stellar or orbital parameter to predict the X-ray surface flux level. The absence of correlation of F(x) or L(x) with Gamma is noted due to the fact that the coronal heating mechanism for these active stars must be magnetic in character, and the magnetic field depends on the interaction between convection and differential rotation inside the star. X-ray properties of the RS CV(n) systems with 6 cm radio and C IV UV emission systems is compared.

Dempsey, Robert C.↗

The Atmospheric Dynamics of alpha Tau (K5 III) - Clues to Understanding the Magnetic Dynamo in Late-Type Giant Stars

Using HST/GHRS, HST/STIS and FUSE archival data for alpha Tau and the CHIANTI spectroscopic code, we have derived line shifts, volumetric emission measures, and plasma density estimates, and calculated filling factors for a number of UV lines forming between 10,000 K and 300,000 K in the outer atmosphere of this red giant star. The data suggest the presence of low-temperature extended regions and high-temperature compact regions, associated with magnetically open and closed structures in the stellar atmosphere, respectively. The signatures of UV lines from alpha Tau can be consistently understood via a model of upward-traveling Alfven waves in a gravitationally stratified atmosphere. These waves cause non-thermal broadening in UV lines due to unresolved wave motions and downward plasma motions in compact magnetic loops heated by resonant Alfven wave heating.

Carpenter, Kenneth G.↗

The Atmospheric Dynamics of alpha Tau (K5 III) - Clues to Understanding the Magnetic Dynamo in Late-Type Giant Stars

Using HST/GHRS, HST/STIS and FUSE archival data for alpha Tau and the CHIANTI spectroscopic code, we have derived line shifts, volumetric emission measures, and plasma density estimates, and calculated filling factors for a number of UV lines forming between 10,000 K and 300,000 K in the outer atmosphere of this red giant star. The data suggest the presence of low-temperature extended regions and high-temperature compact regions, associated with magnetically open and closed structures in the stellar atmosphere, respectively. The signatures of UV lines from alpha Tau can be consistently understood via a model of upward-traveling Alfven waves in a gravitationally stratified atmosphere. These waves cause non-thermal broadening in UV lines due to unresolved wave motions and downward plasma motions in compact magnetic loops heated by resonant Alfven wave heating.

Carpenter, Kenneth G.↗

The Atmospheric Dynamics of Alpha Tau (K5 III) - Clues to Understanding the Magnetic Dynamo in Late-Type Giant Stars

Using HST/GHRS, HST/STIS and FUSE archival data for a Tau and the CHIANTI spectroscopic code, we have derived line shifts, volumetric emission measures, and plasma density estimates, and calculated filling factors for a number of UV lines forming between 10,000 K and 300,000 K in the outer atmosphere of this red giant star. The data suggest the presence of low-temperature extended regions and high-temperature compact regions, associated with magnetically open and closed structures in the stellar atmosphere, respectively. The signatures of UV lines from a Tau can be consistently understood via a model of upward-traveling Alfv6n waves in a gravitationally stratified atmosphere. These waves cause nonthermal broadening in UV lines due to unresolved wave motions and downward plasma motions in compact magnetic loops heated by resonant Alfven wave heating.

Carpenter, Kenneth G.↗

A study of the kinematic dynamo equation with time-dependent coefficients

During an active star formation epoch the interstellar medium of a galaxy is in a hyperactive state, and the average turbulent velocity is higher than in the long periods between star formation epochs. The galactic magnetic field generated by dynamo action depends strongly on the turbulent velocity, so that generation of magnetic field should vary with star formation activity. This paper is a preliminary study of the kinematic dynamo equation with time-dependent coefficients simulating the time dependence of the star formation activities. Ko and Parker argued in a simple model that the thickness of the dynamo region is the most sensitive dynamo parameter. The present work shows that the effect of inflating the galactic disk suddenly is to transform a stationary magnetic field into a growing field while keeping the profile more or less intact. Plane wave solutions for a dynamo with power-law time-dependent parameters show that the field may decay first and then grow, and vice versa, which is quite different from a constant parameter dynamo.

Ko, Chung-Ming↗

Feige 7 - A hot, rotating magnetic white dwarf

Results are reported for image-tube-scanner and digicon observations of Feige 7, a faint blue star identified as a probable white dwarf. It is found that this star is a magnetic white dwarf showing a very rich spectrum with Zeeman subcomponents of both hydrogen and neutral helium as well as periodic spectrum and circular-polarization variations. A polarization period of 2.2 hr is computed, and a surface magnetic-field strength of about 18 MG is determined by matching features of the absorption spectrum to Zeeman components. It is suggested that the only reasonable explanation for the periodic variations in circular polarization is an oblique rotator with the spin axis approximately in the plane of the sky and tilted by about 24 deg to the magnetic axis. An effective temperature in the range from 20,000 to 25,000 K is estimated, an absolute magnitude of about 10.5 is derived, and the atmosphere is shown to be helium-dominated. The evolution of Feige 7 is discussed in terms of possible magnetic-field effects on atmospheric composition, rotation velocity (5.5 km/s for a radius of 7000 km), and the origin of white-dwarf magnetic fields.

Liebert, J.↗

The Stellar Imager (SI) Mission Concept

The Stellar Imager (SI) is envisioned as a space-based, UV-optical interferometer composed of ten or more one-meter class elements distributed with a maximum baseline of 0.5 km. It will image stars and binaries with 100 to 1000 resolution elements on their surface and enable long-term studies of stellar magnetic activity patterns and their evolution with time for comparison with those on the sun. It will also sound their interiors through asteroseismology to image internal structure, differential rotation, and large-scale circulations. SI will enable us to understand the various effects of magnetic fields of stars, the dynamos that generate them, and the internal structure and dynamics of the stars in which they exist. The ultimate goal is to achieve the best-possible forecasting of solar activity on times scales ranging up to decades, and an understanding of the impact of stellar magnetic activity on astrobiology and life in the Universe. The road to that goal will revolutionize our understanding of stars and stellar systems, the building blocks of the Universe. Fitting naturally within the NASA long-term time line, SI complements defined missions, and with them will show us entire other solar systems, from the central star to their orbiting planets.

Carpenter, Kenneth G.↗

The high energy X-ray spectrum of 4U 0900-40 observed from OSO 8

The X-ray source 4U 0900-40 (= Vela XR-1) was observed with the high-energy X-ray spectrometer on OSO 8 for one week in 1976 and three weeks in 1978. Spectra of the source are presented above 16 keV. No systematic difference exists between the X-ray eclipse centers and the eclipse centers predicted from optical ephermerides. Short period intrinsic variability in the system's X-ray intensity may be related to changes in the Compton scattering optical depth in the system and does not require sporadic mass transfer via Roche lobe overflow. The 282 s modulation in the source's X-ray flux above 21 keV consists of two essentially similar pulses per period, most easily interpreted as arising from the two different magnetic poles of a rotating neutron star. The secondary appears to be a spherically accreting, magnetic neutron star.

Dolan, J. F.↗

Nonhomologous contraction and equilibria of self-gravitating, magnetic interstellar clouds embedded in an intercloud medium: Star formation. II - Results

The paper studies the equilibrium of self-gravitating isothermal models of interstellar clouds with a frozen-in magnetic field linked smoothly to the field of a hot tenuous intercloud medium. Equilibrium states are determined which can be reached by clouds contracting nonhomologously from a spherical uniform initial state. Three free parameters characterize the problem: a dimensionless initial radius related to the Jeans length of the cloud, the initial ratio of the magnetic and gas pressures in the cloud, and the initial ratio of the intercloud and cloud pressures. The dependence of the solutions on each of these parameters is investigated. It is found that: (1) the frozen-in field causes the cloud to become oblate with its major axis normal to the field lines; (2) the flattening increases as the magnetic-field strength, gravitational forces, or intercloud pressure increases; (3) increasing intercloud pressure eventually leads to gravitational collapse; and (4) the cloud can reach equilibrium only if its radius does not exceed some critical value. The observed inefficiency of the star-formation process within massive clouds is examined and explained in terms of magnetic phenomena in a collapsing cloud.

Mouschovias, T. C.↗

The Stellar Imager (SI) Mission Concept

The Stellar Imager (SI) is envisioned as a space-based, UV-optical interferometer composed of 10 or more one-meter class elements distributed with a maximum baseline of 0.5 km. It will image stars and binaries with one hundred to one thousand resolution elements on their surface and enable long-term studies of stellar magnetic activity patterns and their evolution with time, for comparison with those on the sun. It will also sound their interiors through asteroseismology to image internal structure, differential rotation, and large-scale circulations. SI will enable us to understand the various effects of magnetic fields of stars, the dynamos that generate them, and the internal structure and dynamics of the stars in which they exist. The ultimate goal is to achieve the best-possible forecasting of solar activity on times scales ranging up to decades, and an understanding of the impact of stellar magnetic activity on astrobiology and life in the Universe. The road to that goal will revolutionize our understanding of stars and stellar systems, the building blocks of the Universe. Fitting naturally within the NASA and ESA long-term time lines, SI complements defined missions, and with them will show us entire other solar systems, from the central star to their orbiting planets. In this paper we will describe the scientific goals of the mission, the performance requirements needed to address those goals, and the design concepts now under study.

Carpenter, Kenneth G.↗