It is an important subject of space weather to forecast accurate arrival time of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) at the Earth. Determination of initial speeds of CMEs is an important factor for this. Here, we estimated the initial speeds of CMEs using solar wind observations near 1 AU and compared these speeds with CME speeds measured by the SOHO coronagraph.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

An internacional project “Lithium in magnetic Ap stars” has been run since 1996 with the purpose of creating an observational database allowing systematic studies of the abnormal occurence of lithium on the surface of cool Ap stars. The 2.6 m telescope at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, the ESO CAT, ESO 1.52 m telescope with FEROS, the Nordic Optical Telescope, and the 74″ telescope at Mount Stromlo were employed to collect observations at the regions of the lithium resonance lines $\lambda 6103$ and $\lambda 6708 \AA$.

Observations of the roAp-stars HD 83368, HD 60435 and HD 3980 revealed considerable periodical Doppler shifts of the line of lithium $\lambda 6708 \AA$ which can be explained by the presence of lithium spots on their surfaces. Conjunction with structures of the magnetic field is apparent.

A detailed study of the blend at $\lambda 6708 \AA$ in HD 101065 confirmed the anomalous overabundance of lithium amounting to 3.1 dex, as well as unusual isotopic ratio $^6{\rm Li}/^7 {\rm Li} \sim 0.3$.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

The East-West asymmetry of sunspot areas has been analyzed on the basis of the Debrecen Photoheliographic Data (DPD). This material provides the opportunity to scrutinize the fine details in the distributions of the East-West differences depending on spot size and central meridional distance during the ascending and the descending phase of 22th cycle.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

We have discovered four intergalactic HII regions in the Stephan's quintet, at more than 25 kpc projected distance from the center of the nearest group galaxy, with no apparent optical connection to it. They have ${\rm M}_B$ ranging from −11.9 to −12.5 mag, colors B$-$R=0.7 to 1.1 mag, radial velocities from 6565 to 6651 km/s and they are superposed onto the HI tail east of NGC 7319, with a mean radial velocity of 6610 km/s. In addition, they have metalicities of the order of 12+log(O/H)=8.58$\pm$0.25, which suggests that they were formed from pre-enriched material. We derive a mean age of $4.6 \pm 0.6$ Myr and a mean stellar mass of $(2.9 \pm 1.4)\times10^4~M_\odot$ for the four objects. The masses, ages, colors, velocities, metalicities and location of the objects suggest that they are HII regions that were formed far away from the galaxies through compression of the intergalactic HI gas by galaxy collisions.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

Observations of the low solar corona, in particular in the EUV, are an effective means of identifying the solar sources of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). SOHO/EIT, with its continuous 24 hours per day coverage, is well suited to perform this task. Source regions and start times of frontside full and partial halo CMEs (that may be geoeffective) can thus be determined. The most frequent EUV signatures of CMEs are coronal dimmings. EIT waves, eruptive filaments and post-eruption arcades are also reliable signatures. Frontside halo CMEs with source regions close to the solar disc center have the strongest chance to hit the Earth. The inspection of the EIT data together with photospheric magnetograms may give an idea about the ejected interplanetary flux rope magnetic field and, in particular, about the presence or absence of southward (geoeffective) field. If a source region is situated close to the solar limb, the corresponding CME also may be geoeffective, as the CME-driven shocks have large angular extent. In this case the storm can be produced by the sheath plasma behind the shock, provided it contains strong enough southward interplanetary magnetic field. Some implications for the operational space weather forecast are discussed. EIT and LASCO are capable to identify the solar sources of the most of geomagnetic storms. In some cases, however, the identification is uncertain, so the observations by the future STEREO mission will be needed for the investigation of similar events.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

I derived the elemental abundances of metallic-line star 2 UMa, using high-dispersion, high signal-to-noise ratio spectra obtained from Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. This study used Kurucz's ATLAS9 and WIDTH9 programs. The star was selected as 1) it has not been the subject of a detailed elemental abundances analysis, and 2) it is relatively sharp-lined and hot enough so that the continuum can be well placed even in the blue. For even cooler Am stars determining the continium will be a major problem. As a guide for the broad-lined and cooler Am stars, a spectral line atlas of 2 UMa will be prepared.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

For the past 10 years there has been an active debate over whether fast shocks play an important role in ionizing emission line regions in Seyfert galaxies. To investigate this claim, we have studied the Seyfert 2 galaxy Mkn 78, using HST UV/optical images and spectroscopy. Since Mkn 78 provides the archetypal jet-driven bipolar velocity field, if shocks are important anywhere they should be important in this object. Having mapped the emission line fluxes and velocity field, we first compare the ionization conditions to standard photoionization and shock models. We find coherent variations of ionization consistent with photoionization model sequences which combine optically thick and thin gas, but are inconsistent with either autoionizing shock models or photoionization models of just optically thick gas. Furthermore, we find absolutely no link between the ionization of the gas and its kinematic state, while we do find a simple decline of ionization degree with radius. We feel this object provides the strongest case to date against the importance of shock related ionization in Seyferts.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

The new model of coronal loop in the form of the double magnetic flux tube embedded into the uniform external magnetic field is proposed to explain the coronal oscillations phenomena. We investigate the MHD-waves in the magnetic flux tube, wich consists of the dense hot cylindrical cord surrounded by the co-axial shell. The magnitudes of Alfven and sound speeds in the cord, in the shell and in the environment are $V_{Ai}$, $C_{si}$, $V_{Am}$, $C_{sm}$, $V_{Ae}$, $C_{se}$ correspondingly. Under the coronal conditions we have \[ C_{se}<C_{si}< V_{Ai}<V_{Ae},\\ C_{si}< V_{Am},\ C_{se}<C_{sm}<V_{Am},\\ C_{sm}<V_{Ai}.\]To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

By investigating ten typical magnetic clouds (MCs) associated with large geomagnetic storms (Dst $\leq-100$ nT) from 2000 to 2003, the geoeffectiveness of MCs with various orientations is addressed. It is found that the Dst peak values during the geomagnetic storms are well estimated by applying flux rope model to these magnetic clouds. A high correlation between estimated and observed Dst values is obtained. Moreover, the effect of orientations of MCs on intensities of geomagnetic storms is studied. It is found that the favorable orientations of MCs are approximately at $\theta\sim70^{\circ}$ and $\phi\sim40^{\circ}$ in GSE coordinates to cause large geomagnetic storms. Further, by analyzing solar observations of four associated erupted filaments, the question who determine the orientations of MCs is studied. The likelihood of predicting the intensities of a geomagnetic storms several tens hours before their occurrences is also discussed.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

At high spatial and temporal resolution, coronal loops are observed to have a highly dynamic nature. Recent observations with SOHO and TRACE frequently show localized brightening “raining” down towards the solar surface. What is the origin of these features? Here we present for the first time a comparison of observed intensity enhancements from an EIT shutterless campaign with non–equilibrium ionization simulations of coronal loops in order to reveal the physical processes governing fast flows and localized brightening. We show that catastrophic cooling around the loop apex as a consequence of footpoint–concentrated heating offers a simple explanation for these observations. An advantage of this model is that no external driving mechanism is necessary as the dynamics result entirely from the non-linear character of the system.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

The study of orbital parameters of multiple Ap stars may lead to new suggestions about the origin and magnetic properties of the components. 53 Cam is one of the best studied binaries among Ap stars. However, the nature of its secondary star remains unclear despite the wealth of spectroscopic observations. The system was first directly resolved by speckle interferometry method in 1980 at the 4 m KPNO telescope McAlister et al. (1983). The authors supposed that the magnitude difference between the components could be close to zero. From that time, 16 speckle measurements of the system were made, including 7 observations collected with the SAO 6 m telescope. In addition to relative positions of the components, speckle observations from the 6 m telescope provide high accuracy magnitude difference estimates.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

We present our recent results from the observation of the O VI λ λ1032,1038 emission doublet in Seyfert galaxies of type 2 with the FUV spectrograph on the FUSE satellite. These observations are part of our investigation to contrast the properties of the OVI emission line and the absorbing outflows in a sample of rigorously matched Seyfert 1s and 2s, in the framework of the Unified Scheme. The OVI emission line is an excellent diagnostic of the outflowing hot gas at temperatures of ∼106K. In the Unified Scheme, Seyferts of type 2 are those whose central regions are obscured by the ubiquitous dusty torus. We interpret our results in this framework.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

A new volume-limited sample of 84 isolated pairs of galaxies has been selected from the UZC catalogue. Galaxies in pairs are brighter than $M_{Zw}-5\log h =-18.9$. The projected separation between pair members is $r < 200 h^{-1}$ kpc, the isolation criterion requires the pair to have no further companion within a $R=1 h^{-1}$ Mpc distance. Morphological classification for both members is available for 57 pairs. Out of these, 9 are early-type (E+E) pairs, 29 late type (S+S) pairs, and 19 mixed (E+S) pairs. We find a deficit of luminous dominants among E+E and E+S pairs relative to S+S pairs, while the distance between pair members is statistically undistinguishable. However, among the 12 pairs that are not only close but also luminous, the fraction of E+E and S+S pairs is 8% and 83% respectively. This result is consistent with star-formation being enhanced in S+S pairs (but not in spirals in S+E pairs) in extremely close isolated pairs.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

Outside the solar disk cool emissions can be recorded. They are inserted into the surrounding hot corona and their properties are still not well known. Emissions from neutral hydrogen can be registred using the well known H-alpha line. With a coronagraph it is possible to record this line through an interference filter broad enough to avoid Doppler effects. In these observations we used a 0.3 nm width filter associated to a 15 cm aperture coronagraph equipped with a 16 bits 1K-CCD camera. The filter is wide enough to excude all usual Doppler shift effects produced during a prominence eruption.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

We investigate whether the spectral-type of a locally dominant (most luminous) galaxy can be used to select sets of galaxies that are physically associated (groups). We assume that passive dominants trace a group-like potential, and SF-dominants a field-like environment. The group sample includes 988 groups selected in the 2dFGRS applying a maximum magnitude difference criterion. We find that the average number of passive galaxies associated to a dominant is larger when the dominant is passive, a result supporting our assumption that galaxy associations around a passive dominant are reliable groups. Finally we show that, to reduce the contamination by unbound galaxy associations (SF-dominant), ${\rm a}\geq 3$ passive-members criterion is more efficient than ${\rm a}\geq 6$ all-members criterion.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

Low-luminosity nebular emission is found in the centers of a large fraction of galaxies, and in many cases the energy source powering these systems is ambiguous. This is particularly true for H II/LINER “transition” objects, although a reasonable explanation for these sources is that their emission is the composite result of a weak accretion-powered system surrounded by star-forming regions. This contribution describes results from a Hubble Space Telescope spectroscopic survey that probes the structure of nearby transition objects and other emission nuclei. The results provide only limited support for the composite picture for these sources; the emission nuclei do not show a strong tendency for the nebular classification to depend on aperture size. The strongest variations in forbidden line ratios appear to be mediated by a gradient of decreasing nebular density with increasing radius.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

Shocks driven by energetic coronal mass ejections and other interplanetary transients are mainly responsible for large disturbances in geomagnetic field of Earth and play a key role in producing a geomagnetic storm or substorm. A geomagnetic storm is a global disturbance in Earth's magnetic field usually occurred due to abnormal conditions in the IMF and solar wind plasma emissions caused by various solar phenomenon. Identifying intense geomagnetic storms with Dst decrease more than/or equal to 300 nT occurred during 1981-2001, a correlative study has been performed to analyze the associated solar and interplanetary causes of these 09 events using solar wind plasma, IMF and solar geophysical data. It is observed statistically that 55% storms have occurred during solar maximum and 45% occurred during minimum phase of solar cycles. Further, study reveals that 77% intense storms are associated with CMEs, which confirms earlier findings.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

We present samples from a spectroscopic atlas of the sharp-lined, magnetic Chemically Peculiar star HR 8216 (A6pCr) based on spectrograms obtained with the long camera of the 1.22-m telescope of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory using a Reticon detector. For the spectral region $\lambda\lambda 3830-4770$ the inverse dispersion is $2.4\,\AA\,mm^{-1}$ with a 2 pixel resolution of 0.072 Å. At the continuum the mean signal-to-noise ratio is 200. The wavelengths in the laboratory frame, the equivalent widths, and the identifications of the various spectral features are given. This atlas should provide useful guidance for studies of similar stars and for atomic physicists interested in improving atomic line parameters.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

We make use of extensive HST optical and VLA radio observations of the Seyfert galaxy Markarian 78 to analyse the properties of the jet flow. Our starting assumption is that the jet's power can be inferred from the energy stored in the radio lobe, and the jet's momentum flux can be inferred from the momentum of the ionized gas. Using the properties of three regions, we derive a jet flow power of ∼1040.5 erg s−1 and momentum flux of ∼1033.5 dyne. Assuming the jet contains both thermal and relativistic material, we find that the thermal component dominates both the jet's luminosity and its momentum flux. We find the jet to be mildly transonic, with speed only a few times that of the [OIII] velocities. The jet is, however, quite dense, with sufficient ram pressure to accelerate the ionized gas to the observed velocities. Over the region lifetime, the jet can provide the thermal component of the lobes, and likely does this by entraining ISM material en route. These jet properties seem, at least to us, to be eminently plausible, suggesting an approach of this kind may be appropriate for other radio quiet objects.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

The main drivers of strong geomagnetic activity at the Earth are interplanetary manifestations of coronal mass ejections. A magnetic storm can be caused by compressed sheath fields before the CME, by the CME ejecta or by the combination of these two structures. The most geoeffective subset of CMEs are magnetic clouds. When observed near 1 AU magnetic clouds are characterized by monotonous rotation of magnetic field direction through a large angle, high magnetic field magnitude, low temperature and low plasma beta. We have investigated the magnetic structure and the geomagnetic consequences of magnetic clouds identified from WIND and ACE data for the years 1997-2003. The geomagnetic response of a certain magnetic cloud depends greatly on its magnetic structure and orientation of sheath fields. We have investigated drivers of intense magnetic storms (Dst ¡ −100 nT) during the interval of 1997-2002, i.e. rising, maximum and early declining phases of solar cycle 23. Sheath regions and post-shock streams caused nearly half of all intense storms. Importance of sheath regions as storm drivers even increased as the level of the storm increased. In 2003 two most intense geomagnetic storms of the solar cycle 23 took place. Both of these were driven by southward fields embedded in a magnetic cloud that had axis highly inclined to the ecliptic plane. Though sheath regions alone efficiently drive intense Dst storms (¡ −100 nT) the largest storms (Dst ¡ −300 nT) require exceptionally long-time and intense southward magnetic fields that presumably only magnetic clouds can provide. High solar wind dynamic pressure seems to be important in generating extremely intense Dst storms. As an example we show solar wind condition during Nov 19-20, 2003 magnetic cloud that caused the largest storm of the solar cycle 23.

Magnetic clouds have smoothly changing magnetic field direction combined with low solar wind dynamic pressure. Sheath regions typically have rapidly varying magnetic field direction and high dynamic pressure. Thus, these two solar wind drivers put magnetosphere under different type of driving. We also studied the responses of the Dst index that aims to measure the strength of the equatorial ring current and the Kp index that records more global and higher latitude activity than Dst to different storm drivers. We found that in general sheath regions generate higher Kp activity when compared to the level of the the Dst disturbance than magnetic clouds. In some cases rapidly fluctuating magnetic field in the sheath region caused very strong high-latitude activity (Kp 8-9) though the Dst index was significantly less enhanced. This suggest that magnetospheric current systems have different responses to different solar wind drivers.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html