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At least 37 records · Page 2

The R Aquarii-jet at UV and radio wavelengths

The jet and central star of the peculiar symbiotic variable R Aquarii was monitored with IUE low resolution SWP 1200 to 2000 A spectra, in order to detect possible temporal variations. The absolute line intensities of N V, C IV and He II, as well as numerous other ionic species in the jet are found to vary on a timescale of 1.5 yr. High spatial resolution radio VLA maps and SiO maser millimeter interferometer observations of the star are quoted.

Michalitsianos, A. G.↗

Celestial Reference Frames at Multiple Radio Wavelengths

In 1997 the IAU adopted the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF) built from S/X VLBI data. In response to IAU resolutions encouraging the extension of the ICRF to additional frequency bands, VLBI frames have been made at 24, 32, and 43 gigahertz. Meanwhile, the 8.4 gigahertz work has been greatly improved with the 2009 release of the ICRF-2. This paper discusses the motivations for extending the ICRF to these higher radio bands. Results to date will be summarized including evidence that the high frequency frames are rapidly approaching the accuracy of the 8.4 gigahertz ICRF-2. We discuss current limiting errors and prospects for the future accuracy of radio reference frames. We note that comparison of multiple radio frames is characterizing the frequency dependent systematic noise floor from extended source morphology and core shift. Finally, given Gaia's potential for high accuracy optical astrometry, we have simulated the precision of a radio-optical frame tie to be approximately10-15 microarcseconds ((1-sigma) (1-standard deviation), per component).

quasars↗

Radio wavelength observations of magnetic fields on active dwarf M, RS CVn and magnetic stars

The dwarf M stars, YZ Canis Minoris and AD Leonis, exhibit narrow-band, slowly varying (hours) microwave emission that cannot be explained by conventional thermal radiation mechanisms. The dwarf M stars, AD Leonis and Wolf 424, emit rapid spikes whose high brightness temperatures similarly require a nonthermal radiation process. They are attributed to coherent mechanisms such as an electron-cyclotron maser or coherent plasma radiation. If the electron-cyclotron maser emits at the second or third harmonic gyrofrequency, the coronal magnetic field strength equals 250 G or 167 G, and constraints on the plasma frequency imply an electron density of 6 x 10 to the 9th/cu cm. Radio spikes from AD Leonis and Wolf 424 have rise times less than or equal to 5 ms, indicating a linear size of less than or equal to 1.5 x 10 to the 8th cm, or less than 0.005 of the stellar radius. Although Ap magnetic stars have strong dipole magnetic fields, they exhibit no detectable gyroresonant radiation, suggesting that these stars do not have hot, dense coronae. The binary RS CVn star UX Arietis exhibits variable emission at 6 cm wavelength on time scales ranging from 30 s to more than one hour.

Lang, Kenneth R.↗

Atmospheric Waves and Dynamics Beneath Jupiters Clouds from Radio Wavelength Observations

We observed Jupiter at wavelengths near 2 cm with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) in February 2015. These frequencies are mostly sensitive to variations in ammonia abundance and probe between approx. 0.5- 2.0 bars of pressure in Jupiters atmosphere; within and below the visible cloud deck which has its base near 0.7 bars. The resultant observed data were projected into a cylindrical map of the planet with spatial resolution of approx. 1500 km at the equator. We have examined the data for atmospheric waves and observed a prominent bright belt of radio hotspot features near 10 N, likely connected to the same equatorial wave associated with the 5-m hotspots. We conducted a passive tracer power spectral wave analysis for the entire map and latitude regions corresponding to eastward and westward jets and compare our results to previous studies. The power spectra analysis revealed that the atmosphere sampled in our observation (excluding the NEB region) is in a 2-D turbulent regime and its dynamics are predominately governed by the shallow water equations. The Great Red Spot (GRS) is also very prominent and has a noticeable meridional asymmetry and we compare it, and nearby storms, with optical images. We find that the meridional radio profile has a global north-south hemisphere distinction and find correlations of it to optical intensity banding and to shear zones of the zonal wind profile over select regions of latitude. Amateur optical images taken before and after our observation complemented the radio wave- length map to investigate dynamics of the equatorial region in Jupiters atmosphere. We find that two radio hotspots at 2 cm are well correlated with optical plumes in the NEB, additionally revealing they are not the same 5 m hotspot features correlated with optical dark patches between adjacent plumes. This analysis exploits the VLAs upgraded sensitivity and explores the opportunities now possible when studying gas giants, especially atmospheric dynamics of layers beneath upper level clouds.

radio observations↗

A decametric wavelength radio telescope for interplanetary scintillation observations

A phased array, electrically steerable radio telescope (with a total collecting area of 18 acres), constructed for the purpose of remotely sensing electron density irregularity structure in the solar wind, is presented. The radio telescope is able to locate, map, and track large scale features of the solar wind, such as streams and blast waves, by monitoring a large grid of natural radio sources subject to rapid intensity fluctuation (interplanetary scintillation) caused by the irregularity structure. Observations verify the performance of the array, the receiver, and the scintillation signal processing circuitry of the telescope.

Cronyn, W. M.↗

Earth-based remote sensing of planetary surfaces and atmospheres at radio wavelengths

Two reasons for remote sensing from the Earth are given: (1) space exploration, particularly below the surfaces or underneath cloud layers, is limited to only a very few planets; and (2) a program of regular monitoring, currently impractical with a limited number of space probes, is required. Reflected solar and nonthermal radiation are discussed. Relativistic electrons, trapped in large magnetospheres on Saturn and Jupiter, are discussed. These electrons produce synchrotron radiation and also interact with the ionosphere to produce bursts of low frequency emission. Because most objects are black-bodies, continuum radiometry is emphasized. Spectroscopic techniques and the measurement of nonthermal emission are also discussed.

Dickel, J. R.↗

Coordinated observations of Markarian 180 at ultraviolet, X-ray, optical and radio wavelengths

The results of multifrequency observations of MrK 180 = 1133+704, a BL Lac object embedded in a giant elliptical galaxy are presented. The importance of MrK 180 derives mostly from its association of a quasar-like object with a galaxy whose absorption line redshift (z = 0.046) unambiguously determines its distance. This implies that physical conditions within this local quasar can be discussed without the confusion introduced by distance uncertainties.

Mufson, S. L.↗

Jupiter's zone-belt structure at radio wavelengths. I - Observations

VLA maps of Jupiter's thermal emission at 1.3, 2, 6, and 20 cm wavelengths are presented. The resolution at the four wavelengths is 0.218, 0.075, 0.108, and 0.144 Jovian radii, respectively. Bright bands across the disk are clearly visible at 2 and 6 cm. These bands agree with the dark belts seen at optical and the bright bands seen at infrared wavelengths.

De Pater, I.↗

Soft X-ray emissions, meter-wavelength radio bursts, and particle acceleration in solar flares

A detailed study of the relationship between metric radio bursts and soft X-ray flares has been made using an extensive data set covering 15 yr. It is found that type IV emission is mainly associated with long-duration 1-8 A events that are known to be well associated with coronal mass ejections. In contrast, type II and type III bursts originate primarily in impulsive soft X-ray events that are not necessarily accompanied by mass ejection. Strong type III bursts, in particular, appear to occur only in association with relatively impulsive flares. It is suggested that coronal shocks responsible for type II bursts are blast waves generated in impulsive energy releases.

Cane, H. V.↗

Spectral diagnostics from X-ray to radio wavelengths

A spectral diagnostic is defined as an observable spectral quantity that can be used to measure a physical parameter characterizing the observed plasma. The first step in establishing a spectral line is to determine whether the upper state of the transition is excited primarily by collisions (typically by electrons), by a radiative process, or by recombination (either direct or cascade). The ultraviolet portion of the spectrum is emphasized as it is well studied, the background photospheric continuum is weak for cool stars, and the spectrum consists of an interesting mix of lines formed by all three mechanisms.

Linsky, Jeffrey L.↗

First detection of HDO in the atmosphere of Venus at radio wavelengths - An estimate of the H2O vertical distribution

The 225.9 GHz line of HDO has been detected in absorption in the atmosphere of Venus, with the 30-m IRAM antenna. This measurement gives information regarding the vertical distributions of HDO, and thus H2O, in this planet. The observations are consistent with an H2O vertical distribution strongly depleted by saturation at an altitude of 95 km, and, assuming a D/H enrichment of 120 with respect to the terrestrial value, with a mixing ratio of 3.5 (+ or - 2.0) ppm in the range 65-95 km.

Encrenaz, T.↗

The solar spectral irradiances from x ray to radio wavelengths

Sources of new measurements of the solar EUV, UV, and visible spectrum are presented together with discussion of formation of the solar spectrum as a problem in stellar atmospheres. Agreement between the data and a modern synthetic spectrum shows that observed radiative variability is a minor perturbation on a photosphere in radiative equilibrium and local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). Newly observed solar variability in 1992 defines a magnetic episode on the Sun closely associated with changes in both spectral irradiances and the total irradiance. This episode offers the opportunity to track the relationship between radiation and magnetic flux evolution.

White, O. R.↗