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At least 757 records · Page 42

Vertical Advection Effects on Hyper-accretion Disks and Potential Link between Gamma-Ray Bursts and Kilonovae

Recent simulations on super-Eddington accretion flows have shown that, apart from the diffusion process, the vertical advection based on magnetic buoyancy can be a more efficient process to release the trapped photons in the optically thick disk. As a consequence, the radiative luminosity from the accretion disk can be far beyond the Eddington value. Following this spirit, we revisit the structure and radiation of hyper-accretion disks with mass accretion rates in the range of 10{sup −3}∼10 M{sub ⊙} s{sup −1}. Our results show that, due to the strong cooling through the vertical advection, the disk temperature becomes lower than that in the classic model without the vertical advection process, and therefore the neutrino luminosity from the disk is lower. On the other hand, the gamma-ray photons released through the vertical advection can be extremely super-Eddington. We argue that the large amount of escaped gamma-ray photons may have more significant contribution to the primordial fireball than the neutrino annihilation, and may hint at a link between gamma-ray bursts and kilonovae in the black hole hyper-accretion scenario.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Episodic jet power extracted from a spinning black hole surrounded by a neutrino-dominated accretion flow in gamma-ray bursts

It was suggested that the relativistic jets in gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are powered via the Blandford-Znajek (BZ) mechanism or the annihilation of neutrinos and anti-neutrinos from a neutrino cooling-dominated accretion flow (NDAF). The advection and diffusion of the large-scale magnetic field of an NDAF is calculated, and the external magnetic field is found to be dragged inward efficiently by the accretion flow for a typical magnetic Prandtl number P{sub m}=η/ν∼1. The maximal BZ jet power can be ∼10{sup 53}-10{sup 54} erg s{sup –1} for an extreme Kerr black hole, if an external magnetic field with 10{sup 14} Gauss is advected by the NDAF. This is roughly consistent with the field strength of the disk formed after a tidal disrupted magnetar. The accretion flow near the black hole horizon is arrested by the magnetic field if the accretion rate is below than a critical value for a given external field. The arrested accretion flow fails to drag the field inward and the field strength decays, and then the accretion re-starts, which leads to oscillating accretion. The typical timescale of such episodic accretion is of an order of one second. This can qualitatively explain the observed oscillation in the soft extended emission of short-type GRBs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Magnetic fields in damped Ly-alpha systems

The probability of Faraday rotation in various types of metal-line absorbers is computed by combining the incidence of Faraday rotation in a sample of radio-selected QSOs with the incidence of foreground metal-line absorption. The sample is divided into subsets with and without damped Ly-alpha absorption. The probability of Faraday rotation is significantly higher in the damped subset. The probability is higher in the damped subset than in nondamped subsets selected on the basis of Mg II or C IV absorption. From evidence linking damped systems to the progenitors of galactic disks and the Mg II systems to the progenitors of galactic halos, it is concluded that magnetic fields were significantly higher in protogalactic disks than in protogalactic halos. It is estimated that the B fields in two damped Ly-alpha systems with z of about 2 are a few micro-Gauss.

Wolfe, A. M.↗

HIGH-RESOLUTION X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY OF THE BURSTING PULSAR GRO J1744-28

The bursting pulsar GRO J1744-28 is a Galactic low-mass X-ray binary that distinguishes itself by displaying type-II X-ray bursts: brief, bright flashes of X-ray emission that likely arise from spasmodic accretion. Combined with its coherent 2.1 Hz X-ray pulsations and relatively high estimated magnetic field, it is a particularly interesting source to study the physics of accretion flows around neutron stars. Here we report on Chandra/High Energy Transmission Grating observations obtained near the peak of its bright 2014 accretion outburst. Spectral analysis suggests the presence of a broad iron emission line centered at E {sub l} ≅ 6.7 keV. Fits with a disk reflection model yield an inclination angle of i ≅ 52° and an inner disk radius of R {sub in} ≅ 85 GM/c {sup 2}, which is much further out than typically found for neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries. Assuming that the disk is truncated at the magnetospheric radius of the neutron star, we estimate a magnetic field strength of B ≅ (2-6) × 10{sup 10} G. Furthermore, we identify an absorption feature near ≅ 6.85 keV that could correspond to blue-shifted Fe XXV and point to a fast disk wind with an outflow velocity of v {sub out} ≅ (7.5-8.2) × 10{sup 3} km s{sup –1} (≅ 0.025c-0.027c). If the covering fraction and filling factor are large, this wind could be energetically important and perhaps account for the fact that the companion star lost significant mass while the magnetic field of the neutron star remained strong.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Magnetic skyrmion bubble motion driven by surface acoustic waves

Here, we study the dynamical control of a magnetic skyrmion bubble by using counter-propagating surface acoustic waves (SAWs) in a ferromagnet. First, we determine the bubble mass and derive the force due to SAWs acting on a magnetic bubble using Thiele’s method. The force that pushes the bubble is proportional to the strain gradient for the major strain component. We then study the dynamical pinning and motion of magnetic bubbles by SAWs in a nanowire. In a disk geometry, we propose a SAWs-driven skyrmion bubble oscillator with two resonant frequencies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

THE SUN’S PHOTOSPHERIC CONVECTION SPECTRUM

Spectra of the cellular photospheric flows are determined from full-disk Doppler velocity observations acquired by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) instrument on the Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft. Three different analysis methods are used to separately determine spectral coefficients representing the poloidal flows, the toroidal flows, and the radial flows. The amplitudes of these spectral coefficients are constrained by simulated data analyzed with the same procedures as the HMI data. We find that the total velocity spectrum rises smoothly to a peak at a wavenumber of about 120 (wavelength of about 35 Mm), which is typical of supergranules. The spectrum levels off out to wavenumbers of about 400, and then rises again to a peak at a wavenumber of about 3500 (wavelength of about 1200 km), which is typical of granules. The velocity spectrum is dominated by the poloidal flow component (horizontal flows with divergence but no curl) at wavenumbers above 30. The toroidal flow component (horizontal flows with curl but no divergence) dominates at wavenumbers less than 30. The radial flow velocity is only about 3% of the total flow velocity at the lowest wavenumbers, but increases in strength to become about 50% at wavenumbers near 4000. The spectrum compares well with the spectrum of giant cell flows at the lowest wavenumbers and with the spectrum of granulation from a 3D radiative-hydrodynamic simulation at the highest wavenumbers.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Modeling High-Energy Gamma-Rays from the Fermi Bubbles - Oral Presentation [Slides]

In 2010, the Fermi Bubbles were discovered at the galactic center of the Milky Way. These giant gamma-ray structures, extending 50 degrees in galactic latitude and 20-30 degrees in galactic longitude, were not predicted. We wish to develop a model for the gamma-ray emission of the Fermi Bubbles. To do so, we assume that second order Fermi acceleration is responsible for the high-energy emission of the bubbles. Second order Fermi acceleration requires charged particles and irregular magnetic fields—both of which are present in the disk of the Milky Way galaxy. I use the assumption of second order Fermi acceleration in the transport equation, which describes the diffusion of particles. By solving the steady-state case of the transport equation, I compute the proton spectrum due to Fermi second order acceleration and compare this analytical solution to a numerical solution provided by Dr. P. Mertsch. Analytical solutions to the transport equation are taken from Becker, Le, & Dermer and are used to further test the numerical solution. I find that the numerical solution converges to the analytical solution in all cases. Thus, we know the numerical solution accurately calculates the proton spectrum. The gamma-ray spectrum follows the proton spectrum, and will be computed in the future.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Modeling High-Energy Gamma-Rays from the Fermi Bubbles

In 2010, the Fermi Bubbles were discovered at the galactic center of the Milky Way. These giant gamma-ray structures, extending 55° in galactic latitude and 20°-30° in galactic longitude, were not predicted. We wish to develop a model for the gamma-ray emission of the Fermi Bubbles. To do so, we assume that second order Fermi acceleration is responsible for the high-energy emission of the bubbles. Second order Fermi acceleration requires charged particles and irregular magnetic fields{ both of which are present in the disk of the Milky Way galaxy. By solving the steady-state case of the transport equation, I compute the proton spectrum due to second order Fermi acceleration. I compare the analytical solutions of the proton spectrum to a numerical solution. I find that the numerical solution to the transport equation converges to the analytical solution in all cases. The gamma-ray spectrum due to proton-proton interaction is compared to Fermi Bubble data (from Ackermann et al. 2014), and I find that second order Fermi acceleration is a good fit for the gamma-ray spectrum of the Fermi Bubbles at low energies with an injection source term of S = 1.5 × 10 -10 GeV -1 cm -3 yr -1 . I find that a non-steady-state solution to the gamma-ray spectrum with an injection source term of S = 2 × 10 -10 GeV -1 cm -3 yr -1 matches the bubble data at high energies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Long-term Study of the Solar Filaments from the Synoptic Maps as Derived from H{sub α} Spectroheliograms of the Kodaikanal Observatory

The century long (1914–2007) H{sub α} (656.28 nm) spectroheliograms from the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO) have been recently digitized. Using these newly calibrated, processed images we study the evolution of dark elongated on-disk structures called filaments, which are potential representatives of magnetic activities on the Sun. To our knowledge, this is the oldest uniform digitized data set with daily images available today in H{sub α}. We generate Carrington maps for the entire time duration and try to find the correlations with maps of the same Carrington rotation from the Ca ii K KSO data. Filaments are segmented from the Carrington maps using a semi-automated technique and are studied individually to extract their centroids and tilts. We plot the time-latitude distribution of the filament centroids, producing a butterfly diagram which clearly shows the presence of poleward migration. We separate polar filaments for each cycle and try to estimate the delay between the polar filament number cycle and the sunspot number cycle peaks. We correlate this delay with the delay between polar reversal and sunspot number maxima. This provides new insight on the role of polar filaments on polar reversal.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

An observational search for solar pulsations at periods from 7 to 70 minutes

Results are reported for measurements of the large-scale solar velocity field performed by comparing Doppler shifts from the disk center and limb with the aid of the magnetically insensitive Fe I line at 5123.730 A. Average power spectra are plotted, but no statistically significant periodicities are found at periods between 7 and 70 min. The sensitivities of the present observations and those of Hill et al. (1976) are compared, and the temperature change for an oscillation in the sun's atmosphere is calculated using the HSRA. It is concluded that the statistical significance and solar origin of the peaks in the SCLERA power spectrum are not well established and that the reality of the solar pulsations reported by Hill et al. is questionable.

Dittmer, P. H.↗

Differential capacitance sensor as position detector for a magnetic suspension densimeter

In the present work, which consists of adapting a magnetic suspension densimeter for use at pressures up to 350 bars, a differential capacitance sensor is developed for use in the servosystem of a magnetic suspension densimeter for detecting the position of a magnetic buoy. This type of sensor has not been used previously in magnetic suspension densimeters. Its design, performance, and advantages are outlined. A cutaway drawing and a schematic diagram of the capacitance sensor and magnetic buoy are presented and described. The concentric-disk design of the sensor capacitor plates and the high degree of symmetry which results from the printed circuit fabrication approach minimize the sensor sensitivity to lateral displacement of the buoy and to the dielectric constant of the surrounding medium. A high-power microscope is necessary to monitor the position of the buoy relative to the support coil.

Frederick, N. V.↗

CCD use at Lick Observatory

The CCD detector and data handling system in regular use at Lick Observatory are described. A grism system has been installed on the automated Cassegrain spectrograph at the Shane 3-meter telescope. A very compact CCD cooling system has been developed using a commercial gas expansion refrigerator; the dewar is a cylinder 15 cm in diameter and 6 cm high. The data acquisition computer, an LSI 11/23 with 256 kbyte RAM, 160 Mbyte Winchester disk, and color video display, provides for FITS format magnetic tape storage as well as preliminary analysis of images and spectra. The 3-meter telescope spectrographic system uses a 500 x 500 pixel thinned CCD. Design information and operational experience for these detector systems are presented along with some results to illustrate the quality of the data being obtained and the current limitations of the CCD detectors and data system.

Lauer, T. R.↗

A unified model of accretion flows and X ray emission in low mass X ray binary systems

Recent work on a unified model of accretion flows and X-ray emission in low mass X-ray binaries is summarized. In this model, a weakly magnetic neutron star accretes gas simultaneously from a Keplerian disk and a corona above the inner part of the disk. Photons are produced and escape through an approximately radial inflow of gas captured from the inner disk corona. Changes in the optical depths of the central corona and the radial flow may explain the Z-shaped hardness-intensity and color-color tracks observed in the most luminous sources. Numerical simulations show that the radial flow oscillates when the luminosity rises to within a few percent of the Eddington critical luminosity L sub E, and that the oscillation frequency is approximately 5 to 10 Hz if the radial flow develops approximately 300 km from the neutron star. The 10 to 20 Hz oscillations observed in Sco X-1 when it is on the flaring branch are discussed.

Lamb, F. K.↗

Magnetic Or Optical Surface Layer Would Indicate Strain

In proposed method of obtaining information on strain at surface of material specimen, magnetic coat (like that on magnetic tape) or optical coat (like that on compact disk) applied to all or part of surface monitored. Coating layer and associated measuring equipment, taken together, constitute system called "material strain monitor" (MSM). MSM important in research in materials and mechanics; in particular, expected to compete strongly with systems based on image-analysis and laser techniques now being developed to obtain information on strain fields.

Heyman, Joseph S.↗

Science with the Square Kilometre Array

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is the centimeter- and meter-wavelength telescope for the 21st Century. Its Key Science Projects are (a) The end of the Dark Ages, involving searches for an H i signature and the first metalrich systems; (b) Testing theories of gravitation using an array of pulsars to search for gravitational waves and relativistic binaries to probe the strong-field regime; (c) Observations of H i to a redshift z ~ 2 from which to study the evolution of galaxies and dark energy. (d) Astrobiology including planetary formation within protoplanetary disks; and (c) The origin and evolution of cosmic magnetism, both within the Galaxy and in intergalactic space. The SKA will operate over the wavelength range of at least 1.2 cm to 4 m (70 MHz to 25 GHz), providing milliarcsecond resolution at the shortest wavelengths.

cosmic microwave↗

Atmospheric Lunar Tide in the Low Latitude Thermosphere-Ionosphere

We present simultaneous, independent measurements of the atmospheric semidiurnal lunar tide in neutral winds and plasma velocities from NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer, and in atomic oxygen 135.6 nm airglow measured by the Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk. Westward tidal winds near 115 km at the magnetic equator occur during part of the upward phase of the in-situ plasma drift. Vertical motions associated with the field-aligned plasma velocity occur away from the magnetic equator. The morphology of the lunar tide, and the phasing between the airglow and plasma velocities are consistent with E × B drift as a mechanism for linking neutral wind and plasma perturbations. This work provides the first observational quantification of global-scale E- and F-region coupling through E × B and field-aligned vertical drifts. Plain Language Summary: Tidal winds propagating upward from the neutral atmosphere influence ionospheric dynamo electric fields and vertical plasma drifts. However, these mechanisms have never been fully identified in comprehensive and simultaneous measurements spanning the ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere (ITM) system. The atmospheric lunar tide is an effective marker of ITM coupling because it originates at Earth's surface, propagates vertically, and is fully sampled in daytime-only and post-sunset satellite measurements. We utilize measurements from two new NASA missions to track the lunar tide in neutral and plasma velocities, and in an electron density proxy. Our work provides observational confirmation, and quantitative estimates of F-region vertical plasma motions driven by neutral winds and electrodynamical forces

Ruth S. Lieberman↗

Resolving the Azimuthal Ambiguity in Vector Magnetogram Data with the Divergence-Free Condition: Theoretical Examination

We demonstrate that the azimuthal ambiguity that is present in solar vector magnetogram data can be resolved with line-of-sight and horizontal heliographic derivative information by using the divergence-free property of magnetic fields without additional assumptions. We discuss the specific derivative information that is sufficient to resolve the ambiguity away from disk center, with particular emphasis on the line-of-sight derivative of the various components of the magnetic field. Conversely, we also show cases where ambiguity resolution fails because sufficient line-of-sight derivative information is not available. For example, knowledge of only the line-of-sight derivative of the line-of-sight component of the field is not sufficient to resolve the ambiguity away from disk center.

Crouch, A.↗

Magnetic Causes of Solar Coronal Mass Ejections: Dominance of the Free Magnetic Energy Over the Magnetic Twist Alone

We examine the magnetic causes of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) by examining, along with the correlations of active-region magnetic measures with each other, the correlations of these measures with active-region CME productivity observed in time windows of a few days, either centered on or extending forward from the day of the magnetic measurement. The measures are from 36 vector magnetograms of bipolar active regions observed within -30" of disk center by the Marshal Space Flight Center (MSFC) vector magnetograph. From each magnetogram, we extract six whole-active-region measures twice, once from the original plane-of-the-sky magnetogram and again a h r deprojection of the magnetogram to disk center. Three of the measures are alternative measures of the total nonpotentiality of the active region, two are alternative measures of the overall twist in the active-region's magnetic field, and one is a measure of the magnetic size of the active region (the active region's magnetic flux content). From the deprojected magnetograms, we find evidence that (1) magnetic twist and magnetic size are separate but comparably strong causes of active-region CME Productivity, and (2) the total free magnetic energy in an active region's magnetic field is a stronger determinant of the active region's CME productivity than is the field's overall twist (or helicity) alone. From comparison of results from the non-deprojected magnetograms with corresponding results from the deprojected magnetograms, we find evidence that (for prediction of active-region CME productivity and for further studies of active-region magnetic size as a cause of CMEs), for active regions within approx.30deg of disk center, active-region total nonpotentiality and flux content can be adequately measured from line-of-sight magnetograms, such as from SOH0 MDI.

Falconer, D. A.↗