Non-equilibrium Ionization Research Articles

Study of X-ray emission from the S147 nebula by SRG/eROSITA: Supernova-in-the-cavity scenario

The Simeis 147 nebula (S147) is particularly well known for a spectacular net of Hα-emitting filaments. It is often considered one of the largest and oldest (∼105 yr) cataloged supernova remnants in the Milky Way, although the kinematics of the pulsar PSR J0538+2817 suggests that this supernova remnant might be a factor of three younger. The former case is considered in a companion paper, while here we pursue the latter. Both studies are based on the data of SRG/eROSITA All-Sky Survey observations. Here, we confront the inferred properties of the X-ray emitting gas data with the scenario of a supernova explosion in a low-density cavity, such as a wind-blown-bubble. This scenario assumes that a ∼20 M⊙ progenitor star has had a low velocity with respect to the ambient interstellar medium, and so stayed close to the center of a dense shell created during its main-sequence evolution till the moment of the core-collapse explosion. The ejecta first propagate through the low-density cavity until they collide with the dense shell, and only then does the reverse shock go deeper into the ejecta and power the observed X-ray emission of the nebula. The part of the remnant inside the dense shell remains non-radiative till this point, plausibly in a state with Te < Ti and nonequilibrium ionization. On the contrary, the forward shock becomes radiative immediately after entering the dense shell, and, being subject to instabilities, gives the nebula its characteristic “foamy” appearance in Hα and radio emission.

EMISSA: Exploring millimetre indicators of solar-stellar activity III. Comparison of Ca II indices and millimetre continua in a 3D model atmosphere

Amongst several spectral lines, some of the strongest chromospheric diagnostics are offered by the Ca II H K lines. These lines can be used to gauge the temperature stratification of the atmosphere since the line core and wings are formed in different regions of the solar atmosphere. Furthermore, the Ca II lines act as tracers for the magnetic structure of the solar atmosphere, as the line cores are formed in the upper chromosphere even though they are formed in non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE). In contrast, the formation of millimetre (mm) continuum radiation occurs under local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) conditions. As a result, the brightness temperatures obtained from observations with the Atacama Large Millimetre/Submillimetre Array (ALMA) offer a complementary perspective on the activity and thermal structure of stellar atmospheres. The overall aim is to establish more robust solar/stellar activity indicators using ALMA observations in comparison with classical diagnostics, such as the s index and infrared triplet (IRT) index. We employed the 1.5D radiative transfer codes RH1.5D and advanced radiative transfer (ART) to compute the synthetic spectra for the Ca II lines and the millimetre (mm) continua, respectively. These calculations were performed using an enhanced network atmosphere model, which incorporates non-equilibrium hydrogen ionisation generated by the state-of-the-art 3D radiation magnetohydrodynamics (rMHD) Bifrost code. To account for the limited spatial resolution of ALMA, we simulated the effect using a Gaussian point spread function (PSF). Additionally, we analysed the correlations and slopes of scatter plots between the Ca II indices and mm continuum for the original and degraded resolutions, focusing on the entire simulation box, quiet Sun regions, and enhanced network patches separately. The activity indices generated from these lines could further be used to compare the spectra of Sun-like stars with the solar spectrum. We present a comparative study between synthetic continuum brightness temperature maps at mm wavelengths (0.3 mm to 8.5 mm) and the Ca II activity indices; namely, the s index and infrared triplet (IRT) index. The Ca II activity indices and mm brightness temperatures are weakly correlated at the high resolution, with the highest correlation observed at a wavelength of 0.3 mm, corresponding to ALMA band 10. As the resolution decreases, the correlation consistently increases. Conversely, the slopes exhibit a decreasing trend with increasing wavelength, while the degradation of resolution does not noticeably affect the calculated slopes. As the spatial resolution decreases, the standard deviations of the Ca II activity indices and brightness temperatures decrease, while the correlations between them increase. However, the slopes do not exhibit significant changes. Consequently, these relationships could be valuable for calibrating the mm continuum maps obtained through ALMA observations.

Parametric resonance of Alfvén waves driven by ionization-recombination waves in the weakly ionized solar atmosphere.

Parametric coupling of waves is one of the most efficient mechanisms of energy transfer that can lead to the growth or decay of waves. This transfer occurs at frequencies close to their natural frequencies. In partially ionized solar plasma, there are a multitude of waves that can undergo this process. Here, we study the parametric coupling of Alfvén waves propagating in a partially ionized solar plasma with ionization-recombination waves identified by our study to appear in a plasma in ionization non-equilibrium. Depending on the parameters that describe the plasma (density, temperature), coupling can lead to a parametric resonance. Our study determines the occurrence conditions of parametric resonance, by finding the boundaries between stable and unstable regions in the parameter space. Our results show that collisions and non-equilibrium recombination can both contribute to the onset of unstable behaviour of parametrically resonant Alfvén waves. This article is part of the theme issue 'Partially ionized plasma of the solar atmosphere: recent advances and future pathways'.

Partial ionization of plasma in solar prominences.

The plasma in cool cores of solar prominences is partially ionized and its ionization degree, in general, depends on the actual kinetic temperature and density of the plasma and the ions considered. However, we demonstrate that under typical prominence conditions, the dominant mechanism contributing to partial ionization is photoionization by radiation diffusing through the plasma. This mechanism strongly depends on the radiation illuminating prominences from the surrounding solar atmosphere. The understanding of the partial ionization of prominence plasma thus requires a complex solution of the non-LTE radiative-transfer problem. In this paper, we discuss the ionization of hydrogen, helium and some other important species. We also demonstrate the role of non-equilibrium ionization. This article is part of the theme issue 'Partially ionized plasma of the solar atmosphere: recent advances and future pathways'.

Investigation of Nonequilibrium Ionization Plasma during a Giant Flare of UX Arietis Triggered with MAXI and Observed with NICER

We detected a giant X-ray flare from the RS CVn–type binary star UX Ari using the Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image on 2020 August 17 and started a series of Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer observations 89 minutes later. For a week, the entire duration of the flare was covered with 32 snapshot observations including the rising phase. The X-ray luminosity reached 2 × 1033 erg s−1, and the entire energy release was ∼1038 erg in the 0.5–8.0 keV band. X-ray spectra characterized by continuum emission with lines of Fe xxv Heα and Fe xxvi Lyα were obtained. We found that the temperature peaks before the flux does, which suggests that the period of plasma formation in the magnetic flare loop was captured. Using the continuum information (temperature, flux, and their delay time), we estimated the flare loop size to be ∼3 × 1011 cm and the peak electron density to be ∼4 × 1010 cm−3. Furthermore, using the line ratio of Fe xxv and Fe xxvi, we investigated any potential indications of deviation from collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE). The X-ray spectra were consistent with CIE plasma throughout the flare, but the possibility of an ionizing plasma away from CIE was not rejected in the flux rising phase.

Anomalous Emission from Li- and Na-like Ions in the Corona Heated via Alfvén Waves

The solar ultraviolet intensities of spectral lines originating from Li- and Na-like ions have been observed to surpass the expectations derived from plasmas with coronal approximation. The violation of the coronal approximation can be partially attributed to nonequilibrium ionization (NEI) due to dynamic processes occurring in the vicinity of the transition region. To investigate the impact of these dynamics in the Alfvén wave-heated coronal loop, a set of equations governing NEI for multiple ion species was solved numerically in conjunction with 1.5-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equations. Following the injection of Alfvén waves from the photosphere, the system undergoes a time evolution characterized by phases of evaporation, condensation, and quasi-steady states. During the evaporation phase, the ionization fractions of Li- and Na-like ions were observed to increase when compared to the fractions in ionization equilibrium, which led to an enhancement in the intensity of up to 1.6. This over-fractionation of Li- and Na-like ions was found to be induced by the evaporation process. While collisions between shocks and the transition region temporarily led to deviations from ionization equilibrium, on average over time, these deviations were negligible. Conversely, under-fractions of the ionization fraction led to a reduction in intensity down to 0.9 during the condensation phase and the quasi-steady state. Given the dependency of the over/under-fractionation on mass circulations between the chromosphere and the corona, these observations will serve as valuable benchmarks to validate not only Alfvén wave models but also other existing mechanisms on coronal heating.

Collisional-radiative modeling of shock-heated nitrogen mixtures

A three-temperature collisional-radiative model for shock-heated nitrogen–argon mixtures is developed to facilitate the study of nonequilibrium electronic excitation and ionization behind strong shock waves. Model predictions accurately reproduce measurements of N2 dissociation for mixtures of 2%–10% N2 in argon, with some discrepancies observed for 20% N2 mixtures. Potential causes of the discrepancies are discussed. Net dissociation in mixtures containing 20% N2 is significantly impacted by the dissociation of N2(A), the first excited electronic state of N2, indicating that molecular electronic excitation can affect net dissociation in shock-heated nitrogen flows. The collisional-radiative model successfully predicts the three-stage behavior and induction time observed in concentration measurements of atomic nitrogen in its fourth excited state, the 3s4P level, behind reflected shocks. Mechanisms for the observed behavior are discussed, which deviate from those inferred using a simpler kinetic model. Excited state number density predictions are strongly influenced by the modeling of radiation self-absorption and the inclusion of the measured non-ideal pressure rise. At higher N2 concentrations, the measured data indicate increased efficiency of atomic nitrogen electronic excitation in collisions with N as compared to collisions with N2 and Ar. A global sensitivity analysis of the excited state predictions is then performed, identifying the processes in the kinetic model that most sensitively influence the predicted excited state time history and further clarifying the dominant mechanisms affecting the experimental observables.

X-Ray Diagnostics of Cassiopeia A’s “Green Monster”: Evidence for Dense Shocked Circumstellar Plasma

The recent survey of the core-collapse supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A) with the MIRI instrument on board the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) revealed a large structure in the interior region, referred to as the “Green Monster.” Although its location suggests that it is an ejecta structure, the infrared properties of the “Green Monster” hint at a circumstellar medium (CSM) origin. In this companion paper to the JWST Cas A paper, we investigate the filamentary X-ray structures associated with the “Green Monster” using Chandra X-ray Observatory data. We extracted spectra along the “Green Monster” as well as from shocked CSM regions. Both the extracted spectra and a principal component analysis show that the “Green Monster” emission properties are similar to those of the shocked CSM. The spectra are well fit by a model consisting of a combination of a nonequilibrium ionization model and a power-law component, modified by Galactic absorption. All the “Green Monster” spectra show a blueshift corresponding to a radial velocity of around −2300 km s−1, suggesting that the structure is on the near side of Cas A. The ionization age is around n e t ≈ 1.5 × 1011 cm−3 s. This translates into a preshock density of ∼12 cm−3, higher than previous estimates of the unshocked CSM. The relatively high n e t and relatively low radial velocity suggest that this structure has a relatively high density compared to other shocked CSM plasma. This analysis provides yet another piece of evidence that the CSM around Cas A’s progenitor was not that of a smooth steady wind profile.

Do Type Ia Supernovae Explode inside Planetary Nebulae?

The nature of Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) explosions remains an open issue, with several contending progenitor scenarios actively being considered. One such scenario involves an SN Ia explosion inside a planetary nebula (PN) in the aftermath of a stellar merger triggered by a common envelope (CE) episode. We examine this scenario using hydrodynamic and nonequilibrium ionization simulations of the interaction between the SN ejecta and the PN cocoon into the supernova remnant (SNR) phase, focusing on the impact of the delay between the CE episode and the SN explosion. We compare the bulk dynamics and X-ray spectra of our simulated SNRs to the observed properties of known Type Ia SNRs in the Milky Way and the Magellanic Clouds. We conclude that models where the SN explosion happens in the immediate aftermath of the CE episode (with a delay ≲1000 yr) are hard to reconcile with the observations, because the interaction with the dense PN cocoon results in ionization timescales much higher than those found in any known Type Ia SNR. Models with a longer delay between the CE episode and the SN explosion (∼10,000 yr) are closer to the observations, and may be able to explain the bulk properties of some Type Ia SNRs.

Hot bubbles of planetary nebulae with hydrogen-deficient winds. III. Formation and evolution in comparison with hydrogen-rich bubbles

We seek to understand the evolution of Wolf-Rayet central stars by comparing the diffuse X-ray emission from their wind-blown bubbles with that from their hydrogen-rich counterparts with predictions from hydrodynamical models. We simulate the dynamical evolution of heat-conducting wind-blown bubbles using our 1D radiation-hydrodynamics code NEBEL/CORONA . We use a post-AGB-model of 0.595 but allow for variations of its evolutionary timescale and wind power. We follow the evolution of the circumstellar structures for different post-AGB wind prescriptions: for O-type central stars and for Wolf-Rayet central stars where the wind is hydrogen-poor, more dense, and slower. We use the CHIANTI software to compute the X-ray properties of bubble models along the evolutionary paths. We explicitly allow for non-equilibrium ionisation of key chemical elements. A sample of 12 planetary nebulae with diffuse X-ray emission ---seven harbouring an O-type and five a Wolf-Rayet nucleus--- is used to test the bubble models. The properties of most hydrogen-rich bubbles (X-ray temperature, X-ray luminosity, size) and their central stars (photon and wind luminosity) are fairly well represented by bubble models of our 0.595 AGB remnant. The bubble evolution of Wolf-Rayet objects is different, thanks to the high radiation cooling of their carbon- and oxygen-rich winds. The bubble formation is delayed, and the early evolution is dominated by condensation instead of evaporation. Eventually, evaporation begins and leads to chemically stratified bubbles. The bubbles of the youngest Wolf-Rayet objects appear chemically uniform, and their X-ray properties can be explained by faster-evolving nuclei. The bubbles of the evolved Wolf-rayet objects have excessively low characteristic temperatures that cannot be explained by our modelling. The formation of nebulae with O-type nuclei follows mainly a single path, but the formation pathways leading to the Wolf-Rayet-type objects appear diverse. Bubbles with a pure Wolf-Rayet composition can exist for some time after their formation despite the presence of heat conduction.

X-Rays from RS Ophiuchi’s 2021 Eruption: Shocks In and Out of Ionization Equilibrium

The recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi (RS Oph) underwent its most recent eruption on 2021 August 8 and became the first nova to produce both detectable GeV and TeV emission. We used extensive X-ray monitoring with the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer Mission (NICER) to model the X-ray spectrum and probe the shock conditions throughout the 2021 eruption. The rapidly evolving NICER spectra consisted of both line and continuum emission that could not be accounted for using a single-temperature collisional equilibrium plasma model with an absorber that fully covered the source. We successfully modeled the NICER spectrum as a nonequilibrium ionization collisional plasma with partial covering absorption. The temperature of the nonequilibrium plasma shows a peak on day 5 with a kT of approximately 24 keV. The increase in temperature during the first five days could have been due to increasing contribution to the X-ray emission from material behind fast polar shocks or a decrease is the amount of energy being drained from the shocks into particle acceleration during that period. The absorption showed a change from fully covering the source to having a covering fraction of roughly 0.4, suggesting a geometrical evolution of the shock region within the complex global distribution of the circumstellar material. These findings show evidence of the ejecta interacting with some dense equatorial shell initially, and with less dense material in the bipolar regions at later times during the eruption.

The Observed O vi Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg: Estimating the Hidden Material in Circumgalactic and Intergalactic Clouds

This paper proposes a new method for estimating the total quantity of material in moving circumgalactic and intergalactic clouds from O vi measurements. We simulate high-velocity clouds (HVCs) with the FLASH hydrodynamic code and track the ionization and recombination of all ionization levels of oxygen as a function of time. We calculate the O vi/oxygen ratio (f O VI ) in our dynamic nonequilibrium ionization clouds, finding that it differs significantly from that in static gas. We find that O vi exists in cool, medium, and hot gas in the clouds. As such, it traces all of the hydrogen rather than merely the ionized hydrogen. The total quantity of hydrogen along a typical observed line of sight through a cloud can be estimated from the observed O vi column density, metallicity, and our f O VI . We provide the simulations’ f O VI values, a prescription for finding f O VI for observed dynamic clouds, and a methodology for calculating the total hydrogen column density from f O VI and an observed O vi column density. As examples, we use our f O VI values to estimate the total hydrogen column densities along various observed sight lines through two HVCs, Complex C and the Magellanic Stream, finding that these clouds contain more material than previous lower limits. We also extend this analysis to low-redshift intergalactic O vi clouds, finding that they contain several times more baryonic material than previously thought and therefore may account for a significant fraction of the Universe’s baryons.

Nonequilibrium Ionization Effects on Synthetic Spectra in the AWSoM Solar Corona

In this work, we combined AWSoM’s nonequilibrium ionization (NEI) calculations from Szente et al. with the synthetic spectral computations of SPECTRUM to predict nonequilibrium line intensities across the entire domain of the AWSoM 3D global model. We find that the resulting spectra are strongly affected by nonequilibrium effects in the fast-wind regions and streamer edges and that these effects propagate to narrowband images from SoHO/EIT, SECCHI/EUVI, and SDO/AIA. The dependence shows a different nature for each line observed, resulting in significant changes in line intensity, which need to be accounted for during plasma diagnostics. However, we also find that these effects depend on the local plasma properties, and that no single correction can be developed to account for nonequilibrium effects in observed spectra and images. With a comparison to observational data, we saw that the changes due to NEI, while significant, are not sufficient to account for the differences between Hinode/EIS spectra and AWSoM/SPECTRUM predictions.

A comprehensive hydrodynamical study of SB DEM L50: understanding off-centre SNe and soft X-ray luminosity

ABSTRACT The superbubbles (SBs) carved in the interstellar medium by stellar winds and supernovae (SNe) are filled with hot (T > 106 K) gas that produces soft X-ray emission (0.3–2.0 keV). Models that assume a constant density medium and central SNe events fail to reproduce the soft X-ray luminosity that is observed in some SBs. We address this problem by generating models that trace the history of SNe in the SB, and produce off-centre SNe, and account for the missing soft X-ray emission. We test the models against archival, radio, optical, and X-ray observations of the SB DEM L50 located in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The soft X-ray properties of DEM L50, including its high luminosity, make it a perfect candidate to test our models. Furthermore, the multiple wave-band observations of this object will help us assess how well our models can reproduce other SB properties beside its soft X-ray properties. We find that a configuration where DEM L50 forms at the edge of a filament reproduces the observed soft X-ray luminosity, optical morphology, shell velocity, and swept-up mass of neutral gas. This configuration is supported by IR observations of the LMC. In addition, we find that off-centre SNe, which enhance soft X-ray emission, naturally occur for all of the initial ambient conditions we tested in our models. Finally, we show that an off-centre SN can explains the observed soft X-ray luminosity of DEM L50, and that the resulting luminosity is consistent with a plasma in non-equilibrium ionization.

Formation of Hε in the solar atmosphere

Context. In the solar spectrum, the Balmer series line Hε is a weak blend on the wing of Ca II H. Recent high-resolution Hε spectroheliograms reveal a reversed granulation pattern and in some cases, even unique structures. It is apparent that Hε could potentially be a useful diagnostic tool for the lower solar atmosphere. Aims. Our aim is to understand how Hε is formed in the quiet Sun. In particular, we consider the particular physical mechanism that sets its source function and extinction, how it is formed in different solar structures, and why it is sometimes observed in emission. Methods. We used a 3D radiative magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation that accounts for non-equilibrium hydrogen ionization, run with the Bifrost code. To synthesize Hε and Ca II H spectra, we made use of the RH code, which was modified to take into account the non-equilibrium hydrogen ionization. To determine the dominant terms in the Hε source function, we adopted a multi-level description of the source function. Making use of the synthetic spectra and simulation, we studied the contribution function to the relative line absorption or emission and compared it with atmospheric quantities at different locations. Results. Our multi-level source function description suggests that the Hε source function is dominated by interlocking, with the dominant interlocking transition being through the ground level, populating the upper level of Hε via the Lyman series. This makes the Hε source function partly sensitive to temperature. The Hε extinction is set by Lyman-α. In some cases, this temperature dependence gives rise to Hε emission, indicating heating. The typical absorption profiles show reversed granulation and the Hε line core reflects mostly the Ca II H background radiation. Conclusions. Synthetic Hε spectra can reproduce quiet Sun observations quite well. High-resolution observations reveal that Hε is not just a weak absorption line. Regions with Hε in emission are especially interesting to detect small-scale heating events in the lower solar atmosphere, such as Ellerman bombs. Thus, Hε can be an important new diagnostic tool for studies of heating in the solar atmosphere, augmenting the diagnostic potential of Ca II H when observed simultaneously.

Does Diffuse Circumnuclear Gas around Sgr A* Achieve Collisional Ionization Equilibrium or Remain Non-equilibrium Ionization?

The feeding and feedback processes at the vicinity of a supermassive black hole (BH) are essential for our understanding of the connection between supermassive BH and its host galaxy. In this work, we provide a detailed investigation, both observational and theoretical, on the diffuse (∼2″–20″, ∼0.08–0.8 pc) X-ray emission around Sgr A*. Over two-decade Chandra observations are gathered to obtain highest signal-to-noise to date. We find that, the line center of iron lines of the outer 8″–18″ region, , is comparable to that () of the inner 2″–5″ region. This is somewhat unexpected, since the gas temperature decreases further away from the central BH. Based on a dynamical inflow–outflow model that considers the gas feeding by stellar winds from Wolf–Rayet stars, we calculate the X-ray spectrum based on both the conventional collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE) assumption, and the newly developed non-equilibrium ionization (NEI) assumption. We find that, theoretically gases within ∼8″–10″ remain in a CIE state, outside of this radius they will be in the NEI state. A comparison of the properties of ∼6.6 keV iron lines between CIE and NEI is addressed. Interestingly, the NEI interpretation of outer region is supported by the Chandra line center ϵ c measurements of this region.

The Impact of Multifluid Effects in the Solar Chromosphere on the Ponderomotive Force under SE and NEQ Ionization Conditions

The ponderomotive force has been suggested to be the main mechanism to produce the so-called first ionization potential (FIP) effect—the enrichment of low-FIP elements observed in the outer solar atmosphere, in the solar wind, and in solar energetic events. It is well known that the ionization of these elements occurs within the chromosphere. Therefore, this phenomenon is intimately tied to the plasma state in the chromosphere and the corona. For this study, we combine IRIS observations, a single-fluid 2.5D radiative magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model of the solar atmosphere, including ion–neutral interaction effects and nonequilibrium (NEQ) ionization effects, and a novel multifluid multispecies numerical model (based on the Ebysus code). Nonthermal velocities of Si iv measured from IRIS spectra can provide an upper limit for the strength of any high-frequency Alfvén waves. With the single-fluid model, we investigate the possible impact of NEQ ionization within the region where the FIP may occur, as well as the plasma properties in those regions. These models suggest that regions with strongly enhanced network and type II spicules are possible sites of large ponderomotive forces. We use the plasma properties of the single-fluid MHD model and the IRIS observations to initialize our multifluid models to investigate the multifluid effects on the ponderomotive force associated with Alfvén waves. Our multifluid analysis reveals that collisions and NEQ ionization effects dramatically impact the behavior of the ponderomotive force in the chromosphere, and existing theories may need to be revisited.

Comparison of chromospheric diagnostics in a 3D model atmosphere

Context. The Hα line, one of the most studied chromospheric diagnostics, is a tracer of magnetic field structures, while the intensity of its line core provides an estimate of the mass density. The interpretation of Hα observations is complicated by deviations from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) or instantaneous statistical equilibrium conditions. Meanwhile, millimetre (mm) continuum radiation is formed in LTE, and therefore the brightness temperatures from Atacama Large Millimetre-submillimetre Array (ALMA) observations provide a complementary view of the activity and the thermal structure of stellar atmospheres. These two diagnostics together can provide insights into the physical properties of stellar atmospheres, such as their temperature stratification, magnetic structures, and mass density distribution. Aims. In this paper, we present a comparative study between synthetic continuum brightness temperature maps at mm wavelengths (0.3 mm to 8.5 mm) and the width of the Hα 6565 Å line. Methods. We used the 3D radiative-transfer codes Multi3D and Advanced Radiative Transfer (ART) to calculate synthetic spectra for the Hα line and the mm continua, respectively, from an enhanced network atmosphere model with non-equilibrium hydrogen ionisation generated with the state-of-the-art 3D radiation magnetohydrodynamics (rMHD) code Bifrost. We use a Gaussian point spread function (PSF) to simulate the effect of ALMA’s limited spatial resolution and calculate the Hα versus mm continuum correlations and slopes of scatter plots for the original and degraded resolution of the whole box, quiet sun, and enhanced network patches separately. Results. The Hα linewidth and mm brightness temperatures are highly correlated and the correlation is highest at a wavelength of 0.8 mm, that is, in ALMA Band 7. The correlation systematically increases with decreasing resolution. On the other hand, the slopes decrease with increasing wavelength. The degradation of resolution does not have a significant impact on the calculated slopes. Conclusions. With decreasing spatial resolution, the standard deviations of the observables, Hα linewidth, and brightness temperatures decrease and the correlations between them increase, but the slopes do not change significantly. These relations may therefore prove useful in calibrating the mm continuum maps observed with ALMA.

Chandra X-ray measurement of gas-phase heavy element abundances in the central parsec of the galaxy

ABSTRACT Elemental abundances are key to our understanding of star formation and evolution in the Galactic Centre. Previous work on this topic has been based on infrared (IR) observations, but X-ray observations have the potential of constraining the abundance of heavy elements, mainly through their K-shell emission lines. Using 5.7 Ms Chandra observations, we provide the first abundance measurement of Si, S, Ar, Ca, and Fe, in four prominent diffuse X-ray features located in the central parsec of the Galaxy, which are the manifestation of shock-heated hot gas. A two-temperature non-equilibrium ionization spectral model is employed to derive the abundances of these five elements. In this procedure, a degeneracy is introduced due to uncertainties in the composition of light elements, in particular, H, C, and N. Assuming that the hot gas is H-depleted but C- and N-enriched, as would be expected for a standard scenario in which the hot gas is dominated by Wolf–Rayet star winds, the spectral fit finds a generally subsolar abundance for the heavy elements. If, instead, the light elements had a solar-like abundance, the heavy elements have a fitted abundance of ∼1–2 solar. The α/Fe abundance ratio, on the other hand, is mostly supersolar and insensitive to the exact composition of the light elements. These results are robust against potential biases due to either a moderate spectral signal-to-noise ratio or the presence of non-thermal components. Implications of the measured abundances for the Galactic Centre environment are addressed.

Prospects of Detecting Nonthermal Protons in Solar Flares via Lyman Line Spectroscopy: Revisiting the Orrall–Zirker Effect

Solar flares are efficient particle accelerators, with a substantial fraction of the energy released manifesting as nonthermal particles. While the role that nonthermal electrons play in transporting flare energy is well studied, the properties and importance of nonthermal protons are rather less well understood. This is in large part due to the paucity of diagnostics, particularly at the lower-energy (deka-keV) range of nonthermal proton distributions in flares. One means to identify the presence of deka-keV protons is by an effect originally described by Orrall & Zirker. In the Orrall–Zirker effect, nonthermal protons interact with ambient neutral hydrogen, and via charge exchange produce a population of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) in the chromosphere. These ENAs subsequently produce an extremely redshifted photon in the red wings of hydrogen spectral lines. We revisit predictions of the strength of this effect using modern interaction cross sections, and numerical models capable of self-consistently simulating the flaring nonequilibrium ionization stratification, and the nonthermal proton distribution (and, crucially, their feedback on each other). We synthesize both the thermal and nonthermal emission from Ly α and Ly β, the most promising lines that may exhibit a detectable signal. These new predictions are weaker and more transient than prior estimates, but the effects should be detectable in fortuitous circumstances. We degrade the Ly β emission to the resolution of the Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (SPICE) instrument on board Solar Orbiter, demonstrating that though likely difficult, it should be possible to detect the presence of nonthermal protons in flares observed by SPICE.