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At least 415 records · Page 23

Measurement of stratospheric aerosol on Saturn using an eclipse of Titan

Measurements of the aerosol content in the Saturn atmosphere made during an eclipse of Titan by Saturn are presented. Observations of the ingress of Titan into the shadow of Saturn on December 20.08, 1979 were made by the 74-in telescope at Kottamia Station in Egypt at an effective wavelength of 6728 A with FWHM of 1000 A. The deviation of the observed light curve after a satellite darkening of 3 mag from that predicted for a clear Saturn atmosphere is interpreted in terms of an aerosol layer decreasing in extinction coefficient from a base altitude 5 km below the planetary tropopause to an altitude of up to 75 km above the tropopause. For an aerosal layer extending to 75 km above the tropopause calculations reveal possible optical depths ranging from 0.020 to 0.050. The range of the optical depth is comparable to that of the Jupiter atmosphere, and suggests that similar processes may be responsible for the stratospheric haze on both planets.

Smith, D. W.↗

Submillimeter observations of solar limb-brightening in the total solar eclipse of 31 July 1981

Eight flights of the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) were devoted to solar observation. The successful observation of a total solar eclipse was accomplished. The observations were made simultaneously at 30, 50, 100, and 200 microns. The successful adaptation of the KAO for solar observations thus provided the most detailed data to date in this spectral band. The results from a preliminary analysis of the KAO data are summarized: (1) the 200 micron limb is extended about 3 arc sec above the 30 micron limb, indicating the prescence of cool dense material up to the altitudes of spicules; (2) strong radial darkening of the quiet sun intensity profile appeared at 200 microns, probably an indication that hot material in the low chromosphere is recessed into vertical magnetic flux tubes embedded in a cooler nonmagnetic substrate, which obscures the heated material approaching the limb; (3) active regions were observed to undergo a strong increase in contrast above the quiet sun background at wave lengths of 100 microns and longer; and (4) the moon was mapped for use as a photometric standard for determining the absolute intensity of the sun in all four wavelength bands.

Becklin, E. E.↗

UV observations of the 1981 eclipse of 32 Cygni

Preliminary results of an extensive set of high dispersion UV spectra of the supergiant eclipsing system 32 Cyg are detailed and contrasted with spectroscopic studies of other Zeta Aur systems.

Stencel, R. E.↗

High resolution interferometric observations of the solar limb at 4.9 and 10.7 GHz during the solar eclipse of October, 1977

The radial intensity profile of the quiet solar limb has been measured at high spatial resolution using the VLA at 4.9 GHz and the Owens Valley solar interferometer at 10.7 GHz during the partial solar eclipse of October 12, 1977. The spatial resolution (13.8 arcsec at 4.9 GHz and 7.4 arcsec at 10.7 GHz) was provided primarily by the lunar limb. Substantial limb brightening at 4.9 GHz was found with a peak brightness temperature corresponding to an 80% increase over the disk value, and a possible small limb enhancement at 10.7 GHz. The results are consistent with a simple model consisting of a uniform disk (provided by a thoroughly roughened transition zone) overlaid by a corona in hydrostatic equilibrium with a density of 5 x 10 to the 8th at its base. The lack of the secant-like variation in the microwave intensity from center to limb is explained by a corona contained in loop structures rather than in spherically symmetric layers.

Marsh, K. A.↗

Submillimeter extensions of the solar limb determined from observations of the total eclipse of 1981 July 31

First results are presented of observations of a lunar occultation of the solar limb made from the Kuiper Airborne Observatory in the 30 micrometr, 50 micrometer, 100 micrometer, and 200 micrometer continuum during the total solar eclipse of 1981 July 31. The solar limb was extended at the longer wavelengths up to 1000 km higher than predicted from smooth plane-parallel chromospheric models. Results at both second and third contact show the infrared limb extensions to be approximately 0".8, 1"5, 2".5 and 3".0 above the visible limb in the observed bands, respectively. A possible interpretation proposes chromospheric fine structure inhomogeneities of greater density than presently incorporated in models of the middle chromosphere.

Lindsey, C.↗

Secondaries of eclipsing binaries. IV - The triple system Lambda Tauri

High signal-to-noise ratio Reticon observations of Lambda Tauri have been obtained along with high-quality orbital elements for both the primary and secondary of the eclipsing system. The velocity curve of the secondary is determined for the first time. The findings include: K(1) = 56.9 + or - 0.6 km/s, K(2 = 215.6 + or - 0.7 km/s, m(1) = 7.18 + or - 0.09 solar masses, and m(2) = 1.89 + or - 0.04 solar masses. The 33-day periodicity in the residuals is confirmed and is present in the secondary velocities as well as those of the primary, and can unambiguously be ascribed to orbital motion about a third body. The K and f(m) for the 33-day orbit are 10.1 + or - 0.7 km/s and 0.0034 + or - 0.0008 solar masses. The photometry shows that the orbits are coplanar to within seven degrees. The mass of the third body is 0.7 + or - 0.2 solar masses; it is most probably a K dwarf.

Fekel, F. C., Jr.↗

Local circumstances in Java during the total solar eclipse of 1983

A total solar eclipse of unusually long duration will occur on 11 June 1983. The path of totality begins in the Indian Ocean, passes over many of the islands of Indonesia and ends in the Coral Sea. The duration of totality is maximum near Java where weather prospects are also quite favourable. Local circumstances are examined in detail, presenting predictions for 34 cities on the island. A consideration of lunar-shadow geometry is given to clarify some of the confusion concerning the advantages of observing from the centre line. A comparison of the present predictions with those of the U.S. Naval Observatory reveals some differences which could have important implications for observers.

Espenak, F.↗

The 1982 eclipse of 31 Cygni

UBV photometry and optical-UV spectroscopy of the primary eclipse of the long period Zeta Aurigae-like system 31 Cygni are reported. The precise timings made possible by the photometry imply that the spectral features could be due to an accretion shock associated with a hot star embedded in an extended chromosphere surrounding the red supergiant. The data also suggest an extended clumpy structure to the atmosphere of the late-type supergiant in the binary.

Hopkins, J. L.↗

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↗