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Selected Works

1997

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Stars, Interstellar Medium and the Galaxy

The Hanle Effect As A Diagnostic Of Magnetic Fields In Stellar Envelopes I. Theoretical Results For Integrated Line Profiles., R. Ignace, K. H. Nordsieck, J. P. Cassinelli Aug 1997

The Hanle Effect As A Diagnostic Of Magnetic Fields In Stellar Envelopes I. Theoretical Results For Integrated Line Profiles., R. Ignace, K. H. Nordsieck, J. P. Cassinelli

Richard Ignace

The Hanle effect concerns the modification of polarized resonance-line scattering by magnetic fields; thus, it can be used as a diagnostic of stellar magnetic fields. The Hanle effect has been used to determine the field strength and distribution of magnetic structures present in prominences of the Sun. To investigate its potential use in stellar astronomy, the simplified case of an optically thin axisymmetric ring illuminated by a stellar point source is considered. The results are then used to derive the polarization from polar plumes, equatorial disks, and spherical shells. The integrated line polarization is calculated for axisymmetric rings with a …


Inference Of Steady Stellar Wind V(R) Laws From Optically Thin Emission Lines I. Idealised Analysis For The Profile Of A Single Line., J. C. Brown, L. L. Richardson, J. P. Cassinelli, R. Ignace Aug 1997

Inference Of Steady Stellar Wind V(R) Laws From Optically Thin Emission Lines I. Idealised Analysis For The Profile Of A Single Line., J. C. Brown, L. L. Richardson, J. P. Cassinelli, R. Ignace

Richard Ignace

Abstract The form of the profile Flambda_0__({DELTA}λ) of an emission line from a steady spherical wind of velocity profile v(r) is derived for the case when optical depths are small, when stellar occultation of the wind is neglected, and when v(r) is highly supersonic. It is shown how the resulting integral equation for v(r), given Flambda_0__ ({DELTA}λ), can be inverted to yield v(r) if the line emissivity function j(r) is known. Solutions are demonstrated for simulated data in the case of a recombination line (j{prop.to}n^2^) for various trial forms of v(r). The solution is unique provided dv/dr does not change …