Equation of state and anisotropy of pressure of magnetars

Magnetars are the neutron stars with the highest magnetic fields up to 10¹⁵–10¹⁶ G. It has been proposed that they are also responsible for a variety of extra-galactic phenomena, ranging from giant flares in nearby galaxies to fast radio bursts. Utilizing a relativistic mean field model and a variable magnetic field configuration, we investigate the effects of strong magnetic fields on the equation of state and anisotropy of pressure of magnetars. It is found that the mass and radius of low-mass magnetars are weakly enhanced under the action of the strong magnetic field, and the anisotropy of pressure can be ignored. Unlike other previous investigations, the magnetic field is unable to violate the mass limit of the neutron stars.     

Secular evolution of the orbits of hypothetical satellites of Uranus

The problem of the secular perturbations of the orbit of a test satellite with a negligible mass caused by the joint influence of the oblateness of the central planet and the attraction by its most massive (or main) satellites and the Sun is considered. In contrast to the previous studies of this problem, an analytical expression for the full averaged perturbing function has been derived for an arbitrary orbital inclination of the test satellite. A numerical method has been used to solve the evolution system at arbitrary values of the constant parameters and initial elements. The behavior of some set of orbits in the region of an approximately equal influence of the perturbing factors under consideration has been studied for the satellite system of Uranus on time scales of the order of tens of thousands of years. The key role of the Lidov–Kozai effect for a qualitative explanation of the absence of small bodies in nearly circular equatorial orbits with semimajor axes exceeding ~1.8 million km has been revealed.     

Graphical representation of periodic motion of the line of nodes of the Moon

In the text-books of astronomy, sections generally related to the Moon deal with the orbital elements of the Earth-Moon system such asa, e, i, , and the time of perigee passage. While the MEAN of the first of the three elements do not vary, mean longitude of the ascending node-mean longitude of the lunar perigee and the time of perigee passage undergoes secular as well as periodic changes due predominantly to the action of the Sun's gravitational attraction. While to a certain degree, explanations related to the calculation of the lunar orbit parameters are given, not a single graphical representation of these short- or long-periodic changes are presented. We allow the number of data related to these periodic changes must cover a large span of time; and if regression of the line of nodes or advances of the line of apses are to be graphically seen, data covering 18.61 and 8.85 yr, respectively, are needed. In this work we particularly aim at the graphical representation of the periodic changes of the line of nodes.     

Observations of the intensity of the penumbra of sunspots

Observations of the penumbral intensity of sunspots in 13 wavelength regions are presented. In 4 wavelength regions 54 sunspots are measured. In the other wavelength regions the number of sunspots considered ranges from 3–19.The penumbral intensity alters with position within the spot. This intensity variation is found to be comparable with the change in intensity from one spot to another. The penumbral intensity is found to be independent of spot size in the sample considered.The penumbra model of Kjeldseth Moe and Maltby (1969) with = 0.055 is supported by the measurements.     

Test of the hypothesis of circular motion of interstellar clouds

The study of the motion of interstellar clouds by direct dynamical methods is hindered by the lack of a complete set of initial conditions of the motion. The hypothesis of the circular motion of interstellar matter of various composition is tested on the basis of the catalog of Brand and Blitz. A modification of the method proposed by Edmondson and Hoerner, which was successfully used for a statistical investigation of the shapes of the orbits of globular clusters, is used. It is established that interstellar clouds move in nearly circular orbits with small deviations, so that data on the spiral structure of the Galaxy obtained by radio-astronomical methods should be considered as close to reality. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 239–246, April-June, 2000.     

A Possible Mechanism of Superrotation of the Atmosphere of Venus

A hypothesis is proposed for the mechanism of superrotation of the atmosphere of Venus involving the following processes. Winds near the planet's surface, making up part of the Hadley cell, flow past the surface relief and excite internal atmospheric gravity waves. While moving upward, these waves become unstable and collapse generating turbulent eddies. Some portion of the energy of these eddies is transferred to a two-dimensional flow, which is maintained also at the expense of instability of large-scale motions. In this flow, the inverse energy cascade (transition from smaller eddies to larger eddies), or negative viscosity, appears as a key element of this mechanism. Large-scale quasi-two-dimensional turbulent eddies transfer their energy to Rossby planetary waves which, in turn, transmit it to a zonal flow. Based on this hypothesis and the existing experimental data, the time period over which superrotation is established, as well as the vertical and horizontal eddy viscosity coefficients, is estimated. In parallel, arguments in favor of the proposed hypothesis are obtained.     

The accuracy of observations of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter taken at the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory of the Academy of Sciences of Georgia

The sets of photographic observations of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter taken at the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory of the Academy of Sciences of Georgia are analyzed here. Positional observations of the system of Jupiter were made in the period from 1985 to 1994 with the use of the double Zeiss astrograph in order to determine the exact coordinates of Jupiter and its satellites. The accurate positions of the satellites and Jupiter itself, as well as their stellar (equatorial) coordinates relative to the stars of the currently available catalogs and the relative ??satellite ?? satellite?? coordinates were obtained from the observations. From the comparison of the observation results with the modern theories of motion of satellites, the accuracy in determining the positions of the satellites and Jupiter was analyzed. The results of observations are presented in the Pulkovo database of observations of Solar System bodies that is accessible to users at http://www.puldb.ru.     

A survey of orbits of co-orbitals of Mars

Many asteroids with a semimajor axis close to that of Mars have been discovered in the last several years. Potentially some of these could be in 1:1 resonance with Mars, much as are the classic Trojan asteroids with Jupiter, and its lesser-known horseshoe companions with Earth. In the 1990s, two Trojan companions of Mars, 5261 Eureka and 1998 VF₃₁, were discovered, librating about the L₅ Lagrange point, 60° behind Mars in its orbit. Although several other potential Mars Trojans have been identified, our orbital calculations show only one other known asteroid, 1999 UJ₇, to be a Trojan, associated with the L₄ Lagrange point, 60° ahead of Mars in its orbit. We further find that asteroid 36017 (1999 ND₄₃) is a horseshoe librator, alternating with periods of Trojan motion. This asteroid makes repeated close approaches to Earth and has a chaotic orbit whose behavior can be confidently predicted for less than 3000 years. We identify two objects, 2001 HW₁₅ and 2000 TG₂, within the resonant region capable of undergoing what we designate “circulation transition”, in which objects can pass between circulation outside the orbit of Mars and circulation inside it, or vice versa. The eccentricity of the orbit of Mars appears to play an important role in circulation transition and in horseshoe motion. Based on the orbits and on spectroscopic data, the Trojan asteroids of Mars may be primordial bodies, while some co-orbital bodies may be in a temporary state of motion.     

Potential energy of continuous and discrete distributions of matter from the point of view of the application of the virial theorem

The potential energy of clusters of stars in which the distribution of matter is taken to be continuous is compared with that of static model clusters in which the distribution of matter is discrete, the comparison being made from the point of view of applying the virial theorem to estimate the masses of the clusters. There is good agreement on the average between the two cases as long as the stellar distribution is random. Systematic differences occur whenever there is any departure from randomness. However, reduction of the mass of a cluster as estimated by means of the virial theorem by even as much as a factor of 2 on the average would seem to require even greater departures from randomness in the stellar distribution than are considered here. As might be expected there are sometimes very large fluctuations in the potential energy from one cluster to the next in the discrete case.Contributions of the Louisiana State University Observatory, No. 30.     

Estimation of the Time Scale of Merging of the Components of Contact Binaries of the W UMa Type

Time scales of the transition from contact binary systems of the W UMa type to single stars of the blue straggler type are estimated. A model of one-way mass transfer from the primary component to the companion inside a common envelope (Eggen et al.) and a model of a contact binary lying on the zero-age main sequence with a companion that is losing mass (F. van't Veer) are used to calculate these scales. The merging times of components were calculated for 304 contact systems of the W UMa type from the Catalog of Approximate Photometric and Absolute Elements of Eclipsing Variable Stars on a scale of loss of mass and orbital angular momentum due to magnetic braking, under the assumption of synchronization of the axial rotation and orbital revolution. On the basis of the resulting statistics, the characteristic merging scales are 0.4-0.6 and 0.5-0.7 Gyr, respectively, for the above two models. The results of a comparison with the work of other authors are discussed.     

On a probable mechanism of superrotation of the atmosphere of venus

It is shown in the paper that the mechanism of superrotation of the atmosphere of Venus consists of several interrelated processes, including the transport of angular momentum from the solid planet to the atmosphere at a wind flow over the planet’s surface relief, the upward transport of momentum by threedimensional turbulent vortices, the inverse energy cascade in a large-scale quasi-two-dimensional flow, and the horizontal transfer of angular momentum in the Hadley cell. These processes make different contributions to the superrotation at different altitudes.     

Viscosity of the lithosphere of Enceladus

High resolution Voyager II images of Enceladus reveal that some regions on its surface are highly cratered; the most heavily cratered surfaces probably date back to a period of heavy bombardment. The forms of many of the craters on Enceladus are similar to those of fresh lunar craters, but many of the craters are much shallower in depth, and the floors of some craters are bowed up. The flattering of craters and bowing up of the floors are indicative of viscous relaxation of the topography. Analysis of the forms of the flattened craters suggests that the viscosity at the top of the lithosphere, in the most heavily cratered regions, is between 10²⁴ and 10²⁵ P. The exact time scale for the collapse of the craters is not known, but probably was between 100 my and 4 gy. The flattened craters are located in distinct zones that are adjacent to zones, of similar age, where craters have not flattened. The zones where flattened craters occur possibly are regions in which the heat flow was (or is) higher than that in the adjacent terrains. Because the temperature at the top of the lithosphere of Enceladus would be less than or equal to that of Ganymede and Callisto, if it is covered by a thick regolith, and because the required viscosity on Enceladus is one to two orders of magnitude less than that for Ganymede and Callisto, it can be concluded that the lithospheric material on Enceladus is different from that of Ganymede and Callisto. Enceladus probably has a mixture of ammonia ice and water ice in the lithosphere, whereas the lithospheres of Ganymede and Callisto are composed primarily of water ice.     

Dynamics of rotation of super-Earths

We numerically investigate the dynamics of rotation of several close-in terrestrial exoplanet candidates. In our model, the rotation of the planet is disturbed by the torque of the central star due to the asymmetric equilibrium figure of the planet. We model the shape of the planet by a Jeans spheroid. We use surfaces of section and spectral analysis to explore numerically the rotation phase space of the systems adopting different sets of parameters and initial conditions close to the main spin–orbit resonant states. One of the parameters, the orbital eccentricity, is critically discussed here within the domain of validity of orbital circularization timescales given by tidal models. We show that, depending on some parameters of the system like the radius and mass of the planet, eccentricity etc., the rotation can be strongly perturbed and a chaotic layer around the synchronous state may occupy a significant region of the phase space. 55 Cnc e is an example.     

Properties of the motion of the isolated body of the problem of three bodies

We investigate the condition for the third body of the problem of three bodies to be an “isolated body”, and the properties of its motion, particularly in the case where the system has a negative total angular momentum. We give the permitted regions for the acceleration and radius vector of the isolated body, the law of variation of its velocity and the region of escape of the isolated body.     

Theory of motion of hyperion

We solve by an appropriate method the difficulty of near-commensurability, $\text{n}\text{n}{}_1$$\text{3}\text{4}$, in the motion of Hyperion (Saturn VII) and give a first-order solution of its motion. Our result explains two interesting observed features, the regression of the apsidal line and the exclusive occurrence of apocentre C conjunction of SVII and SVI.     

Determination of Planetocentric Coordinates of the Center of the Illuminated Part of the Spherical Planet's Visible Disk

Exact formulas are derived for calculating the correction for phase to the central meridian longitude and the latitude of the center of the illuminated part of the visible disk of a spherical planet in projection onto the plane of the sky. The range of possible values of the phase correction to the central meridian longitude is determined. The proposed formulas are valid for any planet's orientation with respect to the Earth and Sun and allow a transition, in planetocentric coordinates, from the center of the geometric disk of a spherical planet to the center of the illuminated part of the planet's visible disk. The reduction formulas are derived for direct and inverse transitions between the two aforementioned points of the planetary disk in geocentric equatorial coordinates. The examples of special cases of illumination of visible disks of planets in specific ephemeris are given.     

Limits of predictability of solar activity

The study of a nonlinear chaotic map of 11-year cycle maxima evolution recently derived from observations is presented with the purpose of predicting the features of the long-term variability of solar activity. It is stressed that dynamical forecast is limited by the Lyapunov time and a statistical approach can be justified due to the ergodic properties of the chaotic evolution. The Gleissberg variation is described as a chaotic walk and its distribution over length is shown to be broad. The global minima are identified as laminar slots of temporal intermittency and their typical distribution over length is also given. We note that a long sunspot cycle can be used as a precursor of the global minimum and a close sequence of global minima (once in approximately 1500–2000 years) may be responsible for the climatic changes (Little Ice Ages).     

Distribution of Doppler Redshifts of Associated Absorbers of SDSS Quasars

Doppler redshifts of a sample of Mg II associated absorbers of SDSS DR7 quasars are analysed. We find that there might be three Gaussian components in the distribution of the Doppler redshift. The first Gaussian component, with the peak being located at z _Dopp?=???0.0074, probably arises from absorbers with outflow histories observed in the direction close to jets of quasars. The second Gaussian component, with the peak being located at z _Dopp?=???0.0017, possibly arises from absorbers with outflow histories observed in the direction far away from jets of quasars. Whereas, the third Gaussian component, with the peak being located at z _Dopp?=???0.0004, might arise from the random motion of absorbers with respect to quasars.     

Observations and Theoretical Analysis of Lightcurves of Natural Satellites of Planets

We present the results of photometric observations of Saturn's seventh satellite Hyperion and four other planetary satellites: Saturn's moon Phoebe and three Jovian satellites Himalia, Elara, and Pasiphae. The observations have been conducted from September, 1999 to March, 2000, and during September–October, 2000. Analysis of periodic variations in Hyperion's lightcurve was performed. The lightcurve was modeled using the software package developed for calculating the rotational dynamics of a satellite. Our data generally indicate that over the period of observations Hyperion was in the chaotic mode of rotation.     

Substructure of the core of the perseus supercluster of galaxies

The hierarchical substructure of the core of the Perseus cluster of galaxies (A426, A262, A347, N507, and N383) is investigated using the method of S-tree diagrams. In the main system M (100 galaxies), two substructures AM (35 galaxies) and BM (13 galaxies) are determined. The group AM can be identified with the cluster A262 and the group N507; BM can be identified with the group N383; A426 and A347 are in the main system. The axis of symmetry of the system M passes through the Seyfert galaxy N1275 and is parallel to the axis of symmetry of the group AM, which is the core of increased density of the cluster of galaxies. Radial segregation of galaxies by morphological types is observed in the systems M and AM. The distribution of galaxies by position angles is uniform. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 65–72, January-March, 1998.