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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.

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At least 991 records · Page 55
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DOE OSTI2010

MICROWAVE QUASI-PERIODIC PULSATIONS IN MULTI-TIMESCALES ASSOCIATED WITH A SOLAR FLARE/CME EVENT

Microwave observations of quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) in multi-timescales at the Solar Broadband Radio Spectrometer in Huairou (SBRS/Huairou) on 2006 December 13 are confirmed to be associated with an X3.4 flare/coronal mass ejection (CME) event. It is most remarkable that the timescales of QPPs are distributed in a broad range from hectoseconds (very long period pulsation, VLP, P>100 s), decaseconds (long period pulsation, LPP, 10 < P < 100 s), a few seconds (short period pulsation, SPP, 1 < P < 10 s), deciseconds (slow very short period pulsation, slow-VSP, 0.1 < P < 1.0 s), to centiseconds (fast very short period pulsation, fast-VSP, P < 0.1 s), and form a broad hierarchy. The statistical distribution of QPPs in logarithmic period-duration space indicates that all the QPPs can be classified into two groups: group I includes VLP, LPP, SPP, and some slow-VSPs distributed approximately around a line; group II includes fast-VSP and most of the slow-VSPs dispersively distributed away from the above line. This feature implies that the generation mechanism of group I is different from group II. Group I is possibly related to some MHD oscillations in magnetized plasma loops in the active region; e.g., VLPs may be generated by standing slow sausage mode coupling, resonating with the underlying photospheric 5 minute oscillation, with the modulation amplified and forming the main framework of the whole flare/CME process; LPPs, SPPs, and some slow-VSPs are most likely to be caused by standing fast modes or LRC-circuit resonance in current-carrying plasma loops. Group II is possibly generated by modulations of resistive tearing-mode oscillations in electric current-carrying flaring loops.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF NUCLEAR SPIRALS: FEEDING THE BLACK HOLE IN NGC 1097

We present a harmonic expansion of the observed line-of-sight velocity field as a method to recover and investigate spiral structures in the nuclear regions of galaxies. We apply it to the emission-line velocity field within the circumnuclear star-forming ring of NGC 1097, obtained with the GMOS-IFU spectrograph. The radial variation of the third harmonic terms is well described by a logarithmic spiral, from which we interpret that the gravitational potential is weakly perturbed by a two-arm spiral density wave with an inferred pitch angle of 52{sup 0} {+-} 4{sup 0}. This interpretation predicts a two-arm spiral distortion in the surface brightness, as hinted by the dust structures in central images of NGC 1097, and predicts a combined one-arm and three-arm spiral structure in the velocity field, as revealed in the non-circular motions of the ionized gas. Next, we use a simple spiral perturbation model to constrain the fraction of the measured non-circular motions that is due to radial inflow. We combine the resulting inflow velocity with the gas density in the spiral arms, inferred from emission-line ratios, to estimate the mass inflow rate as a function of radius, which reaches about 0.011 M{sub sun} yr{sup -1} at a distance of 70 pc from the center. This value corresponds to a fraction of about 4.2 x 10{sup -3} of the Eddington mass accretion rate onto the central black hole in this LINER/Seyfert1 galaxy. We conclude that the line-of-sight velocity can not only provide a cleaner view of nuclear spirals than the associated dust, but that the presented method also allows the quantitative study of these possibly important links in fueling the centers of galaxies, including providing a constraint on the mass inflow rate as a function of radius.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

NONLINEAR SIMULATION OF TURBULENT FIELD LINES: DISPERSAL STATISTICS

A new method for the full nonlinear computation of sets of turbulent field lines is introduced that extends the sums of random numbers distribution method previously applied to the computation of individual field lines. With a multiscale variation of the phases consistent with in situ observations of intermittent solar wind (SW) turbulence, the new method allows inclusion of the equivalent of more than four decades of turbulent scales with a fully three-dimensional distribution of wavevectors. As a first application, pairs of magnetic field lines are computed in independent realizations of the turbulence, for spectra typical of the quiet slow SW near 1 AU. The statistics of field-line dispersal are then studied from the simulated pairs of magnetic field lines and compared to earlier theoretical predictions. It appears that while the earlier theoretical picture remains relatively accurate as long as the mean variation of separation logarithm {Lambda} is less than one, the qualitative picture is quickly altered as {Lambda} grows past one.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

THE INFORMATION OF THE MILKY WAY FROM TWO MICRON ALL SKY SURVEY WHOLE SKY STAR COUNT: THE LUMINOSITY FUNCTION

The logarithmic differential star count of the Two Micron All Sky Survey in K{sub s} band can be well approximated by a single power-law luminosity function. With a fiducial Galactic structure, we measure the luminosity function for the entire Milky Way. The distribution of the power-law index is roughly isotropic and shows no obvious trend with the Galactic latitude. The value for the power-law index, the bright and the faint ends of the luminosity function are 1.85 {+-} 0.035, K{sub s} = -7.86 {+-} 0.60 mag, and K{sub s} = 6.88 {+-} 0.66 mag, respectively. Our result strongly supports the notion of a universal luminosity function in our Galaxy. We also find that the luminosity function of LMC/SMC is similar to that of the Milky Way.

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DOE OSTI2010

THREE-DIMENSIONAL DISK-PLANET TORQUES IN A LOCALLY ISOTHERMAL DISK

We determine an expression for the Type I planet migration torque involving a locally isothermal disk, with moderate turbulent viscosity (5 x 10{sup -4} {approx}< {alpha} {approx}< 0.05), based on three-dimensional nonlinear hydrodynamical simulations. The radial gradients (in a dimensionless logarithmic form) of density and temperature are assumed to be constant near the planet. We find that the torque is roughly equally sensitive to the surface density and temperature radial gradients. Both gradients contribute to inward migration when they are negative. Our results indicate that two-dimensional calculations with a smoothed planet potential, used to account for the effects of the third dimension, do not accurately determine the effects of density and temperature gradients on the three-dimensional torque. The results suggest that substantially slowing or stopping planet migration by means of changes in disk opacity or shadowing is difficult and appears unlikely for a disk that is locally isothermal. The scalings of the torque and torque density with planet mass and gas sound speed follow the expectations of linear theory. We also determine an improved formula for the torque density distribution that can be used in one-dimensional long-term evolution studies of planets embedded in locally isothermal disks. This formula can be also applied in the presence of mildly varying radial gradients and of planets that open gaps. We illustrate its use in the case of migrating super-Earths and determine some conditions sufficient for survival.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

X-RAY EMISSION FROM OPTICALLY SELECTED RADIO-INTERMEDIATE AND RADIO-LOUD QUASARS

We present the results of an investigation into the X-ray properties of radio-intermediate and radio-loud quasars (RIQs and RLQs, respectively). We combine large, modern optical (e.g., SDSS) and radio (e.g., FIRST) surveys with archival X-ray data from Chandra, XMM-Newton, and ROSAT to generate an optically selected sample that includes 188 RIQs and 603 RLQs. This sample is constructed independently of X-ray properties but has a high X-ray detection rate (85%); it provides broad and dense coverage of the l-z plane, including at high redshifts (22% of objects have z = 2-5), and it extends to high radio-loudness values (33% of objects have R* = 3-5, using logarithmic units). We measure the 'excess' X-ray luminosity of RIQs and RLQs relative to radio-quiet quasars (RQQs) as a function of radio loudness and luminosity, and parameterize the X-ray luminosity of RIQs and RLQs both as a function of optical/UV luminosity and also as a joint function of optical/UV and radio luminosity. RIQs are only modestly X-ray bright relative to RQQs; it is only at high values of radio loudness (R* {approx}> 3.5) and radio luminosity that RLQs become strongly X-ray bright. We find no evidence for evolution in the X-ray properties of RIQs and RLQs with redshift (implying jet-linked IC/CMB emission does not contribute substantially to the nuclear X-ray continuum). Finally, we consider a model in which the nuclear X-ray emission contains both disk/corona-linked and jet-linked components and demonstrate that the X-ray jet-linked emission is likely beamed but to a lesser degree than applies to the radio jet. This model is used to investigate the increasing dominance of jet-linked X-ray emission at low inclinations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

THE ACS FORNAX CLUSTER SURVEY. IV. DEPROJECTION OF THE SURFACE BRIGHTNESS PROFILES OF EARLY-TYPE GALAXIES IN THE VIRGO AND FORNAX CLUSTERS: INVESTIGATING THE 'CORE/POWER-LAW DICHOTOMY'

Although early observations with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) pointed to a sharp dichotomy among early-type galaxies in terms of the logarithmic slope {gamma}' of their central surface brightness profiles, several studies in the past few years have called this finding into question. In particular, recent imaging surveys of 143 early-type galaxies belonging to the Virgo and Fornax Clusters using the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on board HST have not found a dichotomy in {gamma}', but instead a systematic progression from central luminosity deficit to excess relative to the inward extrapolation of the best-fitting global Sersic model. Given that earlier studies also found that the dichotomy persisted when analyzing the deprojected density profile slopes, we investigate the distribution of the three-dimensional luminosity density profiles of the ACS Virgo and Fornax Cluster Survey galaxies. Having fitted the surface brightness profiles with modified Sersic models, we then deproject the galaxies using an Abel integral and measure the inner slopes {gamma}{sub 3D} of the resulting luminosity density profiles at various fractions of the effective radius R{sub e} . We find no evidence of a dichotomy, but rather, a continuous variation in the central luminosity profiles as a function of galaxy magnitude. We introduce a parameter, {Delta}{sub 3D}, that measures the central deviation of the deprojected luminosity profiles from the global Sersic fit, showing that this parameter varies smoothly and systematically along the luminosity function.

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DOE OSTI2011

STAR CLUSTERS IN THE TIDAL TAILS OF INTERACTING GALAXIES: CLUSTER POPULATIONS ACROSS A VARIETY OF TAIL ENVIRONMENTS

We have searched for compact stellar structures within 17 tidal tails in 13 different interacting galaxies using F606W- and F814W-band images from the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 on the Hubble Space Telescope. The sample of tidal tails includes a diverse population of optical properties, merging galaxy mass ratios, H I content, and ages. Combining our tail sample with Knierman et al., we find evidence of star clusters formed in situ with M{sub V} < -8.5 and V - I < 2.0 in 10 of 23 tidal tails; we are able to identify cluster candidates to M{sub V} = -6.5 in the closest tails. Three tails offer clear examples of 'beads on a string' star formation morphology in V - I color maps. Two tails present both tidal dwarf galaxy candidates and cluster candidates. Statistical diagnostics indicate that clusters in tidal tails may be drawn from the same power-law luminosity functions (with logarithmic slopes {approx}-2 to -2.5) found in quiescent spiral galaxies and interiors of interacting systems. We find that the tail regions with the largest number of observable clusters are relatively young ({approx}<250 Myr old) and bright (V {approx}< 24 mag arcsec{sup -2}), probably attributed to the strong bursts of star formation in interacting systems soon after periapse. Otherwise, we find no statistical difference between cluster-rich and cluster-poor tails in terms of many observable characteristics, though this analysis suffers from complex, unresolved gas dynamics and projection effects.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

THE EFFECTS OF GRAIN SIZE AND GRAIN GROWTH ON THE CHEMICAL EVOLUTION OF COLD DENSE CLOUDS

We investigate the formation of molecules during the chemical evolution of a cold dense interstellar cloud using a gas-grain numerical code in order to study the effects of grain-size distribution and grain growth on molecular abundances. Three initial size distributions have been used, based on earlier models. To incorporate different granular sizes, we divided the distribution of sizes utilized into five logarithmically equally spaced ranges, integrated over each range to find its total granular number density, and assigned that number density to an average size in that range. We utilized rate coefficients for surface reactions, accretion, and desorption as functions of grain size. We then followed the chemical evolution of the surface populations of the five average-sized grains along with the gas-phase chemistry. We find that the total effective granular surface area of a distribution is an important parameter in the determination of surface abundances, with and without grain growth. The effect on gas-phase abundances can also be sizable. Grain growth with time increases the rate of depletion of molecules, such as CO, produced in the gas phase. Use of a size distribution for grains in gas-grain models does not improve the agreement of calculated and observed abundances, in the gas or on grains, as compared with models containing 'classical' grains of a fixed radius of 0.1 {mu}m. This result helps to verify the quality of the classical grain approximation for cold cloud models. Further, it provides an important basis for future gas-grain models.

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DOE OSTI2011

THE SUPER-LINEAR SLOPE OF THE SPATIALLY RESOLVED STAR FORMATION LAW IN NGC 3521 AND NGC 5194 (M51a)

We have conducted interferometric observations with the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter Astronomy (CARMA) and an on-the-fly mapping with the 45 m telescope at Nobeyama Radio Observatory (NRO45) in the CO (J = 1-0) emission line of the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 3521. Using the new combined CARMA + NRO45 data of NGC 3521, together with similar data for NGC 5194 (M51a) and archival SINGS H{alpha}, 24 {mu}m THINGS H I, and Galaxy Evolution Explorer/Far-UV (FUV) data for these two galaxies, we investigate the empirical scaling law that connects the surface density of star formation rate (SFR) and cold gas (known as the Schmidt-Kennicutt law or S-K law) on a spatially resolved basis and find a super-linear slope for the S-K law when carefully subtracting the background emissions in the SFR image. We argue that plausibly deriving SFR maps of nearby galaxies requires the diffuse stellar and dust background emission to be subtracted carefully (especially in the mid-infrared and to a lesser extent in the FUV). Applying this approach, we perform a pixel-by-pixel analysis on both galaxies and quantitatively show that the controversial result whether the molecular S-K law (expressed as {Sigma}{sub SFR{proportional_to}{Sigma}H{sub 2}{sup {gamma}}{sub H{sup 2}}) is super-linear or basically linear is a result of removing or preserving the local background. In both galaxies, the power index of the molecular S-K law is super-linear ({gamma}{sub H{sub 2}}{approx}>1.5) at the highest available resolution ({approx}230 pc) and decreases monotonically for decreasing resolution. We also find in both galaxies that the scatter of the molecular S-K law ({sigma}{sub H{sub 2}}) monotonically increases as the resolution becomes higher, indicating a trend for which the S-K law breaks down below some scale. Both {gamma}{sub H{sub 2}} and {sigma}{sub H{sub 2}} are systematically larger in M51a than in NGC 3521, but when plotted against the de-projected scale ({delta}{sub dp}), both quantities become highly consistent for the two galaxies, tentatively suggesting that the sub-kpc molecular S-K law in spiral galaxies depends only on the scale being considered, without varying among spiral galaxies. A logarithmic function {gamma}{sub H{sub 2}}=-1.1 log [{delta}{sub dp}/kpc]+1.4 and a linear relation {sigma}{sub H{sub 2}}=-0.2 [{delta}{sub dp}/kpc]+0.7 are obtained through fitting to the M51a data, which describes both galaxies impressively well on sub-kpc scales. A larger sample of galaxies with better sensitivity, resolution, and broader field of view are required to test the general applicability of these relations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

THE PROTOSTELLAR LUMINOSITY FUNCTION

The protostellar luminosity function (PLF) is the present-day luminosity function of the protostars in a region of star formation. It is determined using the protostellar mass function in combination with a stellar evolutionary model that provides the luminosity as a function of instantaneous and final stellar mass. In 2010, McKee and Offner considered three main accretion models: the isothermal sphere (IS) model, the turbulent core (TC) model, and an approximation of the competitive accretion (CA) model. We also consider the effect of an accretion rate that tapers off linearly in time and an accelerating star formation rate. For each model, we characterize the luminosity distribution using the mean, median, maximum, ratio of the median to the mean, standard deviation of the logarithm of the luminosity, and the fraction of very low luminosity objects. We compare the models with bolometric luminosities observed in local star-forming regions and find that models with an approximately constant accretion time, such as the TC and CA models, appear to agree better with observation than those with a constant accretion rate, such as the IS model. We show that observations of the mean protostellar luminosity in these nearby regions of low-mass star formation suggest a mean star formation time of 0.3 {+-} 0.1 Myr. Such a timescale, together with some accretion that occurs non-radiatively and some that occurs in high-accretion, episodic bursts, resolves the classical 'luminosity problem' in low-mass star formation, in which observed protostellar luminosities are significantly less than predicted. An accelerating star formation rate is one possible way of reconciling the observed star formation time and mean luminosity. Future observations will place tighter constraints on the observed luminosities, star formation time, and episodic accretion, enabling better discrimination between star formation models and clarifying the influence of variable accretion on the PLF.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

A PRECISE CLUSTER MASS PROFILE AVERAGED FROM THE HIGHEST-QUALITY LENSING DATA

We outline our methods for obtaining high-precision mass profiles, combining independent weak-lensing distortion, magnification, and strong-lensing measurements. For massive clusters, the strong- and weak-lensing regimes contribute equal logarithmic coverage of the radial profile. The utility of high-quality data is limited by the cosmic noise from large-scale structure along the line of sight. This noise is overcome when stacking clusters, as too are the effects of cluster asphericity and substructure, permitting a stringent test of theoretical models. We derive a mean radial mass profile of four similar mass clusters of high-quality Hubble Space Telescope and Subaru images, in the range R = 40-2800 kpc h {sup -1}, where the inner radial boundary is sufficiently large to avoid smoothing from miscentering effects. The stacked mass profile is detected at 58{sigma} significance over the entire radial range, with the contribution from the cosmic noise included. We show that the projected mass profile has a continuously steepening gradient out to beyond the virial radius, in remarkably good agreement with the standard Navarro-Frenk-White form predicted for the family of cold dark matter (CDM) dominated halos in gravitational equilibrium. The central slope is constrained to lie in the range, -dln {rho}/dln r = 0.89{sup +0.27}{sub -0.39}. The mean concentration is c{sub vir} = 7.68{sup +0.42}{sub -0.40} (at M{sub vir} = 1.54{sup +0.11}{sub -0.10} x 10{sup 15} M{sub sun} h {sup -1}), which is high for relaxed, high-mass clusters, but consistent with {Lambda}CDM when a sizable projection bias estimated from N-body simulations is considered. This possible tension will be more definitively explored with new cluster surveys, such as CLASH, LoCuSS, Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam, and XXM-XXL, to construct the c{sub vir}-M{sub vir} relation over a wider mass range.

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DOE OSTI2011

THE INFLUENCE OF PICK-UP IONS ON SPACE PLASMA DISTRIBUTIONS

The addition and incorporation of highly ordered distributions of pickup ions can increase the ordering of space plasmas, decreasing their entropy, and driving them away from equilibrium. In this study, we present a model for describing the entropy decrease of heliospheric plasmas caused by the pick-up ions and their highly ordered arrangement. We consider a plasma flow consisting of two proton populations: (1) a solar wind distribution that is in quasi-equilibrium and (2) a spherical shell distribution of pick-up protons. Because all protons are indistinguishable, they equally share a hybrid state, where the hybrid probability distribution is given by the normalized sum of the distributions of the solar wind and pick-up protons. We derive an analytical formulation of the thickness of the pick-up proton shell distribution. Then we show that the entropy of the hybrid state depends on a dimensionless fluctuation number, {Theta}, which is a measure of the organizing role of pick-up protons. This number characterizes and compares two types of fluctuations, the thermal motion of solar wind protons and the bounded motion of pick-up protons that forms the spherical shell distribution. We find that the entropy variation between the hybrid and original states is proportional to the negative logarithm of {Theta}. When the two competing fluctuations balance each other, {Theta} {approx} 1, the pick-up protons have no effect on the entropy of solar wind protons. Remarkably, while sunward of the termination shock pick-up ions act to slightly increase entropy, throughout the inner heliosheath their effect is to decrease the entropy dramatically.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

ORBIT-BASED DYNAMICAL MODELS OF THE SOMBRERO GALAXY (NGC 4594)

We present axisymmetric, orbit-based models to study the central black hole (BH), stellar mass-to-light ratio (M/L), and dark matter (DM) halo of NGC 4594 (M104, the Sombrero Galaxy). For stellar kinematics, we use published high-resolution kinematics of the central region taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, newly obtained Gemini long-slit spectra of the major axis, and integral field kinematics from the Spectroscopic Areal Unit for Research on Optical Nebulae instrument. At large radii, we use globular cluster kinematics to trace the mass profile and apply extra leverage to recovering the DM halo parameters. We find a BH of mass M{sub .} = (6.6 {+-} 0.4) x 10{sup 8} M{sub sun} and determine the stellar M/L{sub I} = 3.4 {+-} 0.05 (uncertainties are the 68% confidence band marginalized over the other parameters). Our best-fit DM halo is a cored logarithmic model with asymptotic circular speed V{sub c} = 376 {+-} 12 km s{sup -1} and core radius r{sub c} = 4.7 {+-} 0.6 kpc. The fraction of dark to total mass contained within the half-light radius is 0.52. Taking the bulge and disk components into account in our calculation of {sigma}{sub e} puts NGC 4594 squarely on the M-{sigma} relation. We also determine that NGC 4594 lies directly on the M-L relation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

A STUDY OF GRAVITATIONAL LENS CHROMATICITY WITH THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

We report Hubble Space Telescope observations of six gravitational lenses with the Advanced Camera for Surveys. We measured the flux ratios between the lensed images in seven filters from 8140 #Angstrom# to 2200 #Angstrom#. In three of the systems, HE0512-3329, B1600+434, and H1413+117, we were able to construct UV extinction curves partially overlapping the 2175 #Angstrom# feature and characterize the properties of the dust relative to the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds. In HE1104-1804, we detect chromatic microlensing and use it to study the physical properties of the quasar accretion disk. For a Gaussian model of the disk exp (- r{sup 2}/2r{sup 2}{sub s}), scaling with wavelength as r{sub s} {proportional_to}{lambda}{sup p}, we estimate r{sub s} ({lambda}3363) = 4{sup +4}{sub -2} (7 {+-} 4) light days and p = 1.1 {+-} 0.6 (1.0 {+-} 0.6) for a logarithmic (linear) prior on r{sub s} . The remaining two systems, FBQ0951+2635 and SBS1520+530, yielded no useful estimates of extinction or chromatic microlensing.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

REJUVENATING THE MATTER POWER SPECTRUM. III. THE COSMOLOGY SENSITIVITY OF GAUSSIANIZED POWER SPECTRA

It was recently shown that applying a Gaussianizing transform, such as a logarithm, to the nonlinear matter density field extends the range of useful applicability of the power spectrum by a factor of a few smaller. Such a transform dramatically reduces nonlinearities in both the covariance and the shape of the power spectrum. Here, analyzing Coyote Universe real-space dark-matter density fields, we investigate the consequences of these transforms for cosmological parameter estimation. The power spectrum of the log-density provides the tightest cosmological parameter error bars (marginalized or not), giving a factor of 2-3 improvement over the conventional power spectrum in all five parameters tested. For the tilt, n{sub s} , the improvement reaches a factor of five. Similar constraints are achieved if the log-density power spectrum and conventional power spectrum are analyzed together. Rank-order Gaussianization seems just as useful as a log transform to constrain n{sub s} , but not other parameters. Dividing the overdensity by its dispersion in few-Mpc cells, while it diagonalizes the covariance matrix, does not seem to help with parameter constraints. We also provide a code that emulates these power spectra over a range of concordance cosmological models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

TESTING THEORIES IN BARRED-SPIRAL GALAXIES

According to one version of the recently proposed 'manifold' theory that explains the origin of spirals and rings in relation to chaotic orbits, galaxies with stronger bars should have a higher spiral arms pitch angle when compared to galaxies with weaker bars. A subsample of barred-spiral galaxies in the Ohio State University Bright Galaxy Survey was used to analyze the spiral arms pitch angle. These were compared with bar strengths taken from the literature. It was found that the galaxies in which the spiral arms maintain a logarithmic shape for more than 70 Degree-Sign seem to corroborate the predicted trend.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

THE SOLAR FLARE IRON ABUNDANCE

The abundance of iron is measured from emission line complexes at 6.65 keV (Fe line) and 8 keV (Fe/Ni line) in RHESSI X-ray spectra during solar flares. Spectra during long-duration flares with steady declines were selected, with an isothermal assumption and improved data analysis methods over previous work. Two spectral fitting models give comparable results, viz., an iron abundance that is lower than previous coronal values but higher than photospheric values. In the preferred method, the estimated Fe abundance is A(Fe) = 7.91 {+-} 0.10 (on a logarithmic scale, with A(H) = 12) or 2.6 {+-} 0.6 times the photospheric Fe abundance. Our estimate is based on a detailed analysis of 1898 spectra taken during 20 flares. No variation from flare to flare is indicated. This argues for a fractionation mechanism similar to quiet-Sun plasma. The new value of A(Fe) has important implications for radiation loss curves, which are estimated.

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