James S. A. Brooke

Line strengths and updated molecular constants for the C2 Swan system

Abstract New rotational line strengths for the C2 Swan system ( d Π g 3 – a Π u 3 ) have been calculated for vibrational bands with v ′ = 0 – 10 and v ″ = 0 – 9 , and J values up to J=34–96, using previous observations in 33 vibrational bands. Line positions from several sources were combined with the results from recent deperturbation studies of the v ′ = 4 and v ′ = 6 levels, and a weighted global least squares fit was performed. The updated molecular constants are reported. The line strengths are based on a recent ab initio calculation of the transition dipole moment function. A line list has been made available, including observed and calculated line positions, Einstein A coefficients and oscillator strengths (f-values). The line list will be useful for astronomers, combustion scientists and materials scientists who utilize C2 Swan spectra. Einstein A coefficients and f-values were also calculated for the vibrational bands of the Swan system.

Searching For Chemical Signatures Of Multiple Stellar Populations In The Old, Massive Open Cluster NGC 6791

Galactic open and globular clusters (OCs, GCs) appear to inhabit separate regions of the age-mass plane. However, the transition between them is not easily defined because there is some overlap between high-mass, old OCs and low-mass, young GCs. We are exploring the possibility of a clear-cut separation between OCs and GCs using an abundance feature that has been found so far only in GCs: (anti)correlations between light elements. Among the coupled abundance trends, the Na-O anticorrelation is the most widely studied. These anticorrelations are the signature of self-enrichment, i.e., of a formation mechanism that implies multiple generations of stars. Here we concentrate on the old, massive, metal-rich OC NGC 6791. We analyzed archival Keck/HIRES spectra of 15 NGC 6791 main sequence turn-off and evolved stars, concentrating on the derivation of C, N, O, and Na abundances. We also used WIYN/Hydra spectra of 21 evolved stars (one is in common). Given the spectral complexity of the very metal-rich NGC 6791 stars, we employed spectrum synthesis to measure most of the abundances. We confirmed the cluster super-solar metallicity and abundances of Ca and Ni that have been derived in past studies. More importantly, we did not detect any significant star-to-star abundance dispersion in C, N, O and Na. Based on the absence of a clear Na-O anticorrelation, NGC 6791 can still be considered a true OC, hosting a single generation of stars, and not a low-mass GC.

IMPROVED LINE DATA FOR THE SWAN SYSTEM 12C13C ISOTOPOLOGUE

We present new, accurate predictions for rotational line positions, excitation energies, and transition probabilities of the 12C13C isotopologue Swan d3Π-a3Π system 0-0, 0–1, 0–2, 1–0, 1–1, 1–2, 2–0, 2–1, and 2–2 vibrational bands. The line positions and energy levels were predicted through new analyses of published laboratory data for the 12C13C lines. Transition probabilities were derived from recent computations of transition dipole moments and related quantities. The 12C13C line data were combined with similar data for 12C2, reported in a companion paper, and applied to produce synthetic spectra of carbon-rich metal-poor stars that have strong C2 Swan bands. The matches between synthesized and observed spectra were used to estimate band head positions for a few of the 12C13C vibrational bands and to verify that the new computed line data match observed spectra. The much weaker C2 lines of the bright red giant Arcturus were also synthesized in the band head regions.

Meteoric Smoke Deposition in the Polar Regions: A Comparison of Measurements With Global Atmospheric Models

The accumulation rate of meteoric smoke particles (MSPs) in ice cores – determined from the trace elements Ir and Pt, and superparamagnetic Fe particles - is significantly higher than expected from the measured vertical fluxes of Na and Fe atoms in the upper mesosphere, and the surface deposition of cosmic spherules. The Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) with the Community Aerosol and Radiation Model for Atmospheres (CARMA) has been used to simulate MSP production, transport and deposition, using a global MSP input of 7.9 t d-1 based on these other measurements. The modeled MSP deposition rates are smaller than the measurements by factors of ~32 in Greenland, and ~12 in Antarctica, even after reanalysis of the Ir/Pt ice core data with inclusion of a volcanic source. Variations of the model deposition scheme and use of the United Kingdom Chemistry and Aerosols (UKCA) model do not improve the agreement. Direct removal of MSP-nucleated polar stratospheric cloud particles to the surface gives much better agreement, but would result in an unfeasibly high rate of nitrate deposition. The unablated fraction of cosmic dust (~35 t d-1) would provide sufficient Ir and Pt to account for the Antarctic measurements, but the relatively small flux of these large (> 3 μm) particles would lead to greater variability in the ice core measurements than is observed, although this would be partly offset if significant fragmentation of cosmic dust particles occurred during atmospheric entry. Future directions to resolve these discrepancies between models and measurements are also discussed.

LINE LISTS FOR THE A 2Π-X 2Σ+ (RED) AND B 2Σ+-X 2Σ+ (VIOLET) SYSTEMS OF CN, 13C14N, AND 12C15N, AND APPLICATION TO ASTRONOMICAL SPECTRA

New red and violet system line lists for the CN isotopologues 13C14N and 12C15N have been generated. These new transition data are combined with those previously derived for 12C14N, and applied to the determination of CNO abundances in the solar photosphere and in four red giant stars: Arcturus, the bright very low-metallicity star HD 122563, and carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars HD 196944 and HD 201626. When lines of both red and violet system lines are detectable in a star, their derived N abundances are in good agreement. The mean N abundances determined in this work generally are also in accord with published values.New red and violet system line lists for the CN isotopologues {sup 13}C{sup 14}N and {sup 12}C{sup 15}N have been generated. These new transition data are combined with those previously derived for {sup 12}C{sup 14}N, and applied to the determination of CNO abundances in the solar photosphere and in four red giant stars: Arcturus, the bright, very low-metallicity star HD 122563, and the carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars HD 196944 and HD 201626. When both red and violet system lines are detectable in a star, their derived N abundances are in good agreement. The mean N abundances determined in this work are also generally in accord with published values.

Constraints on Meteoric Smoke Composition and Meteoric Influx Using SOFIE Observations With Models

The composition of meteoric smoke particles in the mesosphere is constrained using measurements from the Solar Occultation For Ice Experiment (SOFIE) in conjunction with models. Comparing the multiwavelength observations with models suggests smoke compositions of magnetite, wustite, magnesiowustite, or iron-rich olivine. Smoke compositions of pure pyroxene, hematite, iron-poor olivine, magnesium silicate, and silica are excluded, although this may be because these materials have weak signatures at the SOFIE wavelengths. Information concerning smoke composition allows the SOFIE extinction measurements to be converted to smoke volume density. Comparing the observed volume density with model results for varying meteoric influx (MI) provides constraints on the ablated fraction of incoming meteoric material. The results indicate a global ablated MI of 3.3 ± 1.9 t d−1, which represents only iron, magnesium, and possibly silica, given the smoke compositions indicated here. Considering the optics and iron content of individual smoke compositions gives an ablated Fe influx of 1.8 ± 0.9 t d−1. Finally, the global total meteoric influx (ablated plus surviving) is estimated to be 30 ± 18 t d−1, when considering the present results and a recent description of the speciation of meteoric material.

Impacts of meteoric sulfur in the Earth's atmosphere

A meteoric sulfur input function and a sulfur ion chemistry scheme have been incorporated into a chemistry-climate model, in order to study the speciation of sulfur between the stratosphere and the thermosphere (~20 – 120 km), and the impact of the sulfur input from ablation of cosmic dust. The simulations have been compared to rocket observations of SO+ between 85 and 110 km, MIPAS observations of SO2 between 20 and 45 km, and stratospheric balloon-borne measurements of H2SO4 vapor and sulfate aerosol. These observations constrain the present day global flux of meteoric sulfur to ≤ 1.0 t S d-1, i.e. 2 orders of magnitude smaller than the flux of S into the stratosphere from OCS photo-oxidation and explosive volcanic SO2 injection. However, the meteoric sulfur flux is strongly focused into the polar vortices by the meridional circulation, and therefore the contribution of SO2 of meteoric origin to the polar upper stratosphere during winter is substantial (~ 30% at 50 km for a flux of 1.0 t S d-1). The Antarctic spring sulfate aerosol layer is found to be very sensitive to a moderate increase of the input rate of meteoric sulfur, showing a factor of 2 enhancement in total sulfate aerosol number density at 30 km for an input of 3.0 t S d-1. The input rate estimate of 1.0 t S d-1 suggests an enrichment of sodium relative to sulfur of 2.7 ± 1.5 and is consistent with a total cosmic dust input rate of 44 t d-1.

Line lists for the A2PI-X2Sigma+ (red) and {B2Sigma+-X2Sigma} (violet) Systems of CN, 13C14N, and 12C15N, and Application to Astronomical Spectra

New red and violet system line lists for the CN isotopologues 13C14N and 12C15N have been generated. These new transition data are combined with those previously derived for 12C14N, and applied to the determination of CNO abundances in the solar photosphere and in four red giant stars: Arcturus, the bright very low-metallicity star HD 122563, and carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars HD 196944 and HD 201626. When lines of both red and violet system lines are detectable in a star, their derived N abundances are in good agreement. The mean N abundances determined in this work generally are also in accord with published values.New red and violet system line lists for the CN isotopologues {sup 13}C{sup 14}N and {sup 12}C{sup 15}N have been generated. These new transition data are combined with those previously derived for {sup 12}C{sup 14}N, and applied to the determination of CNO abundances in the solar photosphere and in four red giant stars: Arcturus, the bright, very low-metallicity star HD 122563, and the carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars HD 196944 and HD 201626. When both red and violet system lines are detectable in a star, their derived N abundances are in good agreement. The mean N abundances determined in this work are also generally in accord with published values.

LINE LISTS FOR THE A {sup 2}Π-X {sup 2}Σ{sup +} (RED) AND B {sup 2}Σ{sup +}-X {sup 2}Σ{sup +} (VIOLET) SYSTEMS OF CN, {sup 13}C{sup 14}N, AND {sup 12}C{sup 15}N, AND APPLICATION TO ASTRONOMICAL SPECTRA

New red and violet system line lists for the CN isotopologues 13C14N and 12C15N have been generated. These new transition data are combined with those previously derived for 12C14N, and applied to the determination of CNO abundances in the solar photosphere and in four red giant stars: Arcturus, the bright very low-metallicity star HD 122563, and carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars HD 196944 and HD 201626. When lines of both red and violet system lines are detectable in a star, their derived N abundances are in good agreement. The mean N abundances determined in this work generally are also in accord with published values.New red and violet system line lists for the CN isotopologues {sup 13}C{sup 14}N and {sup 12}C{sup 15}N have been generated. These new transition data are combined with those previously derived for {sup 12}C{sup 14}N, and applied to the determination of CNO abundances in the solar photosphere and in four red giant stars: Arcturus, the bright, very low-metallicity star HD 122563, and the carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars HD 196944 and HD 201626. When both red and violet system lines are detectable in a star, their derived N abundances are in good agreement. The mean N abundances determined in this work are also generally in accord with published values.