A solar plage is a bright region in the sun's atmosphere, primarily found in the chromosphere layer. These areas are characterized by elevated temperatures and densities compared to their surroundings and are often associated with sunspots and active regions. Solar plages appear as bright patches in images taken in certain wavelengths, particularly in the hydrogen-alpha (Hα) line, which is commonly used in solar observations.
"Starspot" can refer to a couple of different concepts, depending on the context: 1. **Astronomy**: In the context of stars, a "starspot" is analogous to a sunspot on the Sun. Starspots are cooler, darker areas on the surface of a star caused by magnetic activity. They can affect the radiation output of the star and can be important for understanding stellar activity and behavior.
Stellar mass loss refers to the process by which a star loses a portion of its mass over time, primarily in the form of stellar wind or mass ejection during various phases of its lifecycle. This phenomenon is significant in the context of stellar evolution, influencing a star's lifespan, chemical composition, and the evolution of the interstellar medium.
A superflare is a type of extremely large solar flare that releases a tremendous amount of energy, significantly more than typical solar flares. While standard solar flares can impact space weather and cause disturbances in Earth's magnetosphere, superlares are far more powerful, with energy outputs that can exceed thousands of times that of the largest observed solar flares. Superflares are characterized by their intense brightness and can emit a broad spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, including X-rays and ultraviolet light.
"Supergiant" can refer to a couple of different concepts, primarily in the contexts of astrophysics and gaming: 1. **Astrophysics**: In astronomy, a supergiant is a very large and luminous star that is much brighter and more massive than the Sun. Supergiants are typically classified as spectral types O, B, A, or F and can have diameters up to 1,000 times that of the Sun.
Superhumps are a type of periodic variation in brightness observed in certain cataclysmic variable stars, primarily in an object class known as dwarf novae. These stars undergo eruptions or outbursts caused by the accumulation of material on their surface from a companion star. The term "superhump" specifically refers to a modulation in brightness that is typically slightly longer in period than the orbital period of the binary system.
The Telescope Array Project (TAP) is an extensive cosmic ray observatory located in the west desert of Utah, USA. It is designed to study ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, which are particles from outer space that possess extremely high energies, often exceeding \(10^{18}\) electronvolts.
A tidal disruption event (TDE) occurs when a star passes too close to a supermassive black hole, resulting in the gravitational forces of the black hole tearing the star apart. This event typically happens when the star approaches within a certain critical distance known as the tidal radius. During a TDE, the intense gravitational field of the black hole can exceed the gravitational forces holding the star together, leading to the star being ripped apart.
A transequatorial loop refers to a specific type of coronal loop observed in solar physics, particularly in the context of the sun's magnetic field and solar atmosphere. These loops are essentially massive structures of plasma that extend from one hemisphere of the sun to another, crossing the equatorial plane. They are associated with the sun's magnetic field and are generally formed during periods of solar activity, such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections.
The Wolf number, also known as the Wolf sunspot number, is a measure used to quantify the amount of sunspots on the Sun's surface. It's named after the Swiss astronomer Johann Rudolf Wolf, who developed this index in the 19th century.
An X-ray burster is a type of astronomical object that exhibits sudden and intense bursts of X-ray radiation. These bursts are primarily associated with binary star systems where a compact object, such as a neutron star, is accreting matter from a companion star. In these systems, the gravitational pull of the neutron star draws material from its companion, which leads to the accumulation of hydrogen and helium on the neutron star's surface.
An X-ray transient is a type of astronomical object that emits X-rays in a variable and often short-lived manner. These sources are typically associated with binary star systems where a compact object, such as a black hole or neutron star, is accreting material from a companion star. X-ray transients can exhibit outbursts or flares that can last from days to months, during which their X-ray emission increases significantly, often by several orders of magnitude.