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At least 397 records · Page 22

Observations of shadow bands at the total solar eclipse of 16 February 1980

Photoelectric observations of short term light variations (shadow bands) at the 16 Feb. 1980 total solar eclipse have been made using a set of spatially separated PIN diodes. Light variations in a bandpass of 1-500 Hz were detected during the half-minutes preceding and following the total phase. Fourier analysis of the noise spectrum of the variations reveals a sharp drop-off for frequencies above 50 Hz and an overall spectrum quite similar to previously reported power spectra of stellar scintillation. This is consistent with an atmospheric origin for the shadow bands. Cross-correlations between the detector outputs are low, suggesting a short persistence time for the turbulent elements causing the patterns.

Marschall, L. A.↗

The eclipse of Epsilon Aurigae visible spectroscopy and ultraviolet activity

The preliminary results of the study of several high resolution spectrograms (lambda 3500 - lambda 7000 A), obtained at the Haute Provence Observatory (OHP) in France, at different epochs before, during and after the eclipse are reported. Some of these spectrograms are compared with corresponding IUE high resolution observations, in order to study the effects of the intrinsic UV activity, towards the longer wavelengths.

Ferluga, S.↗

Micron CO in the eclipse spectrum of Epsilon Aur

Two micrometer spectrum of epsilon Aur was observed at high resolution (lambda/delta lambda approx. 40000) with the KPNO 4m telescope and FTS approximately every 100 days during the recent eclipse. CO delta v=2 lines appeared in the spectrum only after mid-totality. No CO features were present JD 2445478 but weak absorption lines were present on 2445592. The CO strengthened in the spectrum and remained present until at least 2445812. CO was again absent after forth contact when the spectrum was observed on 2445912. The CO appears to originate in a cool (approx. 1000 K), turbulent region. Excitation temperatures, velocities, and column densities is presented.

Hinkle, K. H.↗

A collection of Galilean satellite eclipse observations, 1652-1983. I

The most complete collection of extant Galilean satellite eclipse observations since 1652 has been assembled. Since many of the old data exist only in manuscript form or in archaic forms (e.g., apparent time, local time, sidereal time, Julian calendar, etc.), they have been reduced to a modern proleptic Universal Time (UT) system (where the day begins at midnight) on the Gregorian calendar. Many of the data had been presumed to be lost for more than a century and since they are very valuable for discussion of long-term effects on the satellites, they are presented here for present as well as future generations of astronomers. The data are invaluable for long-term studies of Galilean satellite motion and for the determination of physical parameters.

Lieske, J. H.↗

Emission in the hydrogen-Brackett lines of Epsilon Aurigae during eclipse

Results of high-resolution infrared spectroscopy of Epsilon Aur performed from 1982 and 1985 in order to investigate the effects of eclipse on spectral lines at near-infrared wavelengths are reported. The profiles of the Brackett-alpha and Brackett-gamma lines of hydrogen are reported. The B-alpha emission has an integrated flux of 9 x 10 to the -15th W/sq m, a FWHM of 60 km/s, and a radial velocity that follows the predicted velocity curve of the primary star more closely than that of the secondary. The mean B-alpha/B-gamma flux ratio was approximately unity on the three dates both lines were observed, indicating optically thick emission. It is concluded that the emission originates in a flow rather than from material in Keplerian revolution; the Brackett line emission probably has the same source as the previously observed H-alpha emission.

Backman, D. E.↗

A collection of Galilean satellite eclipse observations, 1652-1983. II

The largest collection of Galilean satellite eclipse observations extent has been gathered from the published literature and from manuscript collections from 1652 to 1983. Many of the observations were thought to have been irretrievably lost for more than a century. The collection will be of great value in evaluating long-term effects on the Galilean satellites such as the possible existence of tidal dissipation on their periods.

Lieske, J. H.↗

HD 47755, a new eclipsing binary

The IUE spectra of the close binary star HD 47755 have been examined in order to determine its geometry, chemical composition, and light curve. UBV fluxes in the spectra, when dereddened for E(B-V) = 0.09 yield an effective temperature of 16,500 K. The ratio of the mean radii of the stars is found to agree well with an old blueband spectrophotometric value. Eclipses in the binary have been observed and a complex green light curve is derived. It is suggested that the wind from at least one of the components of HD 47755 is the source of the complexity in the light curve. The geometry of the HD 47755 is compared to that of V 641 Mon, A definite cluster member of NGC 2264. The interstellar line spectrum is found to be similar to that of V 641 Mon and the column densities for a few interstellar ions are given in a table. Evaluation of the nonastrometric evidence indicates that HD 47755 is also a member of NGC 2264.

Koch, R. H.↗

The ultraviolet spectrum of the eclipsing binary IM Aurigae

Low dispersion IUE spectra have been obtained at primary and secondary minima, together with a high dispersion spectrum near maximum, for the eclipsing Algol-type IM Aurigae system. The weak, sharp absorption features noted at two distinct velocities in the high dispersion data are attributed to circumbinary gaseous shells and/or gas streams between the stellar components. The implications of these results for the recently observed increase in O-C values of the primary minimum, which prompted this UV spectral search for evidence of a recent mass-loss event, are discussed.

Bruhweiler, F. C.↗

Modeling Pluto-Charon mutual eclipse events. I - First-order models

The present 'first order' analytical and numerical models of light curves due to mutual events between close planetary binaries, the effects of shadowing are included. Attention is given to the case of the Pluto-Charon system. The results of the analytical and numerical approaches agree to well within the expected light curve measurement error. The model predicts that the current mutual eclipse event series will end by November 1990.

Dunbar, R. Scott↗

The moderately interacting Algol-type eclipsing binary RY Geminorum

Ultraviolet spectra of the Algol-type semidetached system RY Geminorum, whose components can be described as A0 V and K0 IV, have been matched to the ultraviolet spectrum by Kurucz (1979) model atmospheres, and a best fit is found for T(eff) = 9150 K. Comparison with standard star spectra requires that this value be raised to 9400 K. The color excess of the system is determined to be no more than E(B-V) = 0.03 mag; the distance to the system is about 360 pc. The masses are approximately 2.36 and 0.38 solar masses, and the radii are 2.5 and 5.8 solar radii, respectively. The separation of the two centers is 26 solar radii. Evidence for a circumstellar line absorption is found in optical and ultraviolet spectrograms, and evidence is found in IUE spectra taken in partial eclipse for circumstellar emission lines of the type detected previously in the WS Serpentis stars and in several semidetected systems of the Algol type.

Plavec, Mirek J.↗

Was the eclipse comet of 1893 a disconnected coronal transient?

The comet-like feature obsereved in the solar corona by the Lick Observatory eclipse expedition to Chile in 1893 bears an interesting resemblance to the disconnection coronal transient reported by Illing and Hundhausen. Reports of possibly-related limb activity are reviewed to see whether a pre-discovery observation of a relatively rare type of coronal mass ejection was mis-interpreted. The goal of this study is to learn more about the morphology of mass ejections by examining observations that extend down to the low corona of a disconnection event.

Cliver, E. W.↗

Colliding stellar winds in the eclipsing Wolf-Rayet binary V444 Cygni

High resolution spectra of V444 Cygni have been obtained using the International Ultraviolet Explorer Satellite. These spectra span both eclipses and include one observation at third quadrature. Together with seven archival spectra, they provide reasonably complete phase coverage for the system. The variations in the P Cygni profiles of the He(II) and N(IV) lines, imply the existence of a low density region in the WR wind. This region occupies a relatively narrow range of orbital phase coinciding with the highest terminal velocities observed in C IV. These data are interpreted to be evidence of an interaction region separating the winds of the O-star and Wolf-Rayet star.

Brown, Douglas N.↗

Time-resolved IUE studies of cataclysmic variables. I - Eclipsing systems IP Peg, PG 1030+590, and V1315 Aql

IUE time-resolved spectra of the high-inclination cataclysmic variables IP Peg, PG 1030+590, and V1315 Aql are analyzed in order to determine the characteristics of the disk, hotspots, and white dwarfs. The UV continuum flux distributions are generally flatter than systems of low inclination and high mass-transfer rate, and the white dwarfs/inner disk appear to be relatively cool (15,000-19,000 K) for their orbital periods, possibly because the boundary layers are blocked from view. The continuum fluxes increase at spot phases, with the spot providing the dominant flux in IP Peg. The spot temperatures range from hot (20,000 K) in IP Peg, and perhaps in PG 1030+590, to cool (11,000 K) in V1315 Aql. The C IV emission lines show slightly larger decreases at spot phases than during eclipse, which implies an extended stream area.

Szkody, Paula↗

Eclipse measurements of Io's sodium atmosphere

The satellites of Jupiter eclipsed each other in 1985, and these events allowed an unusual measurement of the sodium in Io's extended atmosphere. Europa was used as a mirror to look back through the Io atmosphere at the sun. The measured column abundances suggest that the atmosphere is collisionally thin above 700 km and may be collisionally thin to the surface. The sodium radial profile above 700 km resembles a 1500 K exosphere with a surface density near 20,000 sodium atoms per cubic centimeter, but a complete explanation of the dynamics requires a more complex nonthermal model: the calculated loss rates suggest that the atmosphere is being replaced on a time scale of hours.

Schneider, Nicholas M.↗

The atmospheric eclipse of 31 Cygni in the ultraviolet

Theoretical spectra are compared with high-dispersion IUE observations for the 1982 atmospheric eclipse of 31 Cyg. It is found that temperature increases with height in the chromosphere, showing a range of 5,000-14,400 K for four lines of sight. Turbulence remains in the range 20-25 km/s throughout the chromosphere. The turbulence and temperature values may be lower in chromospheric gas just above the temperature minimum. The temperature-minimum region of the upper photosphere was found to have a temperature near 2,500 K. The velocity structure of wind lines of O I, Si II, Mg II, and Fe II indicates that most of the wind on the side of the K supergiant toward the B dwarf is photoionized to the next higher ionization stage. Abundances of heavy elements are shown to be close to solar with anomalies that may be the result of systematic errors in the oscillator strengths.

Eaton, Joel A.↗

Physical implications of the eclipsing binary pulsar

The observed characteristics of the msec pulsar P1957+20, discovered in an eclipsing binary by Fruchter et al. (1988), are considered theoretically. Model equations for the stellar wind and optical emission are derived and used to estimate the effective temperature and optical luminosity associated with wind excitation; then the energy levels required to generate such winds are investigated. The color temperature of the pulsar-heated stellar surface calculated under the assumption of adiabatic expansion is 1000-10,000 K, in good agreement with the observational estimate of 5500 K.

Wasserman, Ira↗

Colliding stellar winds in the eclipsing Wolf-Rayet binary V444 Cygni

High resolution spectra of V444 Cygni have been obtained using the International Ultraviolet Explorer Satellite. These spectra span both eclipses and include one observation at third quadrature. Together with seven archival spectra, they provide reasonably complete phase coverage for the system. The variations in the P Cygni profiles of the He(II) and N(IV) lines, imply the existence of a low density region in the WR wind. This region occupies a relatively narrow range of orbital phase coinciding with the highest terminal velocities observed in C IV. These data are interpreted to be evidence of an interaction region separating the winds of the O-star and Wolf-Rayet star.

Shore, Steven N.↗