实时控制时钟的几种设计方法

介绍了3种在天文观测中用于实时控制、实时数据采集的时钟设计方法,比较了硬件制作的难易程度。     

New estimates for the sublimation rate for ice on the Moon

The strong hydrogen signal that the Lunar Prospector saw at the Moon's poles suggests that water ice may be present near the surface of the lunar regolith. A robotic mission to obtain in situ samples and to quantify the amount of this valuable resource must be designed carefully to avoid dissipating too much heat in the regolith during coring or drilling and, thus, causing the ice to sublimate before it is processed. Here I use new results for the saturation vapor pressure of water ice to extend previous estimates of its sublimation rate down to a temperature of 40 K, typical of the permanently shaded craters near the lunar poles where the water ice is presumed to be trapped. I find that, for temperatures below 70 K, the sublimation rate of an exposed ice surface is much less than one molecule of water vapor lost per square centimeter of surface per hour. But even if a small ice sample (∼4 ng) were heated to 150 K, it could exist for over two hours without sublimating a significant fraction of its mass. Hence, carefully designed sampling and sample handling should be able to preserve water ice obtained near the lunar poles for an accurate measurement of its in situ concentration.     

Method for the determination of the distribution function for the mean frequency of supernova explosions

A method is suggested for the determination of the distribution function for the mean frequency of supernova explosions, which is similar to the Ambartsumian method for the determination of the distribution function for the mean flare frequency of flare stars. This method has not been applied because of the lack of the required data.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 561–566, November, 1996.     

2.4m望远镜网络安全初步设计

云南天文台将在2.4m望远镜建立远程观测系统。由于远程观测系统通过网络实现通信,必然会面临网络上的各种威胁。为了保证整个网络系统的安全,避免各种不安全因素造成的损失。在对现在望远镜网络分析基础上设计了安全的网络结构,并实现了具有入侵检测功能的防火墙,这些措施初步保障了2.4m望远镜网络系统的安全。     

Evidence for the fifth element

Evidence for an accelerated expansion of the universe as it has been revealed 10 years ago by the Hubble diagram of distant type Ia supernovae represents one of the major modern revolutions for fundamental physics and cosmology. It is yet unclear whether the explanation of the fact that gravity becomes repulsive on large scales should be found within general relativity or within a new theory of gravitation. However, existing evidences for this acceleration all come from astrophysical observations. Before accepting a drastic revision of fundamental physics, it is interesting to critically examine the present situation of the astrophysical observations and the possible limitation in their interpretation. In this review, the main various observational probes are presented as well as the framework to interpret them with special attention to the complex astrophysics and theoretical hypotheses that may limit actual evidences for the acceleration of the expansion. Even when scrutinized with skeptical eyes, the evidence for an accelerating universe is robust. Investigation of its very origin appears as the most fascinating challenge of modern physics.     

Interferometric space missions for the search for terrestrial exoplanets: Requirements on the rejection ratio

The requirements on space missions designed to study Terrestrial exoplanets are discussed. We then investigate whether the design of such a mission, specifically the Darwin nulling interferometer, can be carried out in a simplified scenario. The key element here is accepting somewhat higher levels of stellar leakage. We establish detailed requirements resulting from the scientific rationale for the mission, and calculate detailed parameters for the stellar suppression required to achieve those requirements. We do this utilizing the Darwin input catalogue. The dominating noise source for most targets in this sample is essentially constant for all targets, while the leakage diminishes with the square of the distance. This means that the stellar leakage has an effect on the integration time only for the nearby stars, while for the more distant targets its influence decreases significantly. We assess the impact of different array configurations and nulling profiles and identify the stars for which the detection efficiency can be maximized.     

星流的搜寻

在冷暗物质的宇宙学模型框架里,银河系(尤其是银晕)至少部分起源于对周围卫星星系的吸积。随着新技术和新设备的不断应用,大规模巡天项目的成功实施使天文学家获得了越来越多、越来越全面的关于银河系的数据。通过对这些数据进行分析,天文学家发现了很多星流的候选体,为银河系的等级并合理论提供了观测上的证据。随着对星流研究的扩大和深入,人们对银河系及其结构和起源的了解也越来越详细。介绍了搜寻星流的方法,以及基于这些方法获得的星流研究结果。     

Combined system for the compensation of the solar pressure-induced disturbing torque for geostationary satellites

The problem is considered of determining the shape and dimensions of the passive component in a combined system for offsetting the solar pressure-induced disturbing torque for geostationary spacecraft with asymmetrical solar arrays. The problem statement, numerical solution algorithm, and calculated results are presented. The resulting shape, the study suggests, not only has the required compensation properties but is also the most efficient from the standpoint of manufacture and functional reliability.     

POLIS: A spectropolarimeter for the VTT and for GREGOR

The polarimetric Littrow Spectrograph POLIS is designed for vector polarimetry at high angular and spectral resolution. It measures the magnetic field simultaneously in the photosphere and the chromosphere of the sun. Both branches of the polarimetry unit are dual beam systems with a single rotating modulator for both wavelengths and polarizing beam splitters in front of each CCD camera. POLIS has been installed at the VTT on Tenerife and has seen First Light on 17 May 2002. A modified version of POLIS will be developed for the balloon mission Sunrise . That version will have UV capabilities down to 200 nm.     

Models for the Origin of the Quadrantids

We present two scenarios for production of the Quadrantid stream based on two different models for its origin: the extinct model in which 2003EH1 was an active comet that released the dust particles during past 5000 years, stopping its activity abruptly in AD 1488; and the split model; in which a catastrophic disruption of an asteroid at AD 1488 released a large number of dust particles in a single event. We calculate the orbital evolution of test particles released in both cases and derive the resulting size distribution of surviving meteoroids in the current Quadrantid stream in the form of s ^−α ds, where s denotes the radius of a meteoroid. We find α = 3.1 in the extinct model and 2.0 in the split model. In addition, the radius of the surviving meteoroids is derived as s >10 μm in the both models. We propose, based on our estimation of the infrared color ratio for the Quadrantid stream derived from both models, that infrared observations of the Quadrantid stream may determine which origin model is more reasonable.     

Novel spaceways for reaching the Moon: an assessment for exploration

The renewed interest of the major space agencies for the exploration of the Moon has made a review of the present/near future scenario and the related accessible mission profiles desirable. In particular the application of the dynamical systems approach to spaceflight dynamics could bring a significant contribution. A simple method for evaluating the efficiency of these novel spaceways for reaching the Moon if compared to more traditional mission profiles is presented and some general considerations on their utilization for automatic precursor missions as well as for the setting up and the maintenance of a Moon Base are discussed.     

Literal expressions for the co-ordinates of the moon

This paper describes a method for finding literal expressions for the first order terms in the Moon's co-ordinates. The method is based on the use of rectangular co-ordinates and was originally proposed by Euler. The variation curve and the terms dependent on the first power of the Lunar eccentricity have been obtained. These results are compared with those of Hill and a number of errors in Hill's results have been found.     

Magnetic field aligned modeling for the upper F region and for the plasmasphere

Existing empirical models, e.g., the IRI and the PRIME model, have shortcomings for the upper-most F region and usually have no realistic formulation for the plasmasphere. These shortcomings can be overcome by replacing purely height oriented modeling by magnetic field aligned approaches.A magnetic field approximation is presented which uses dipole field lines with apexes above the dip equator. Modeling along these field lines can be based on diffusive equilibrium. For a single ion plasma (e.g., an H+ plasma) the integrations which are necessary to model along the field lines in a realistic way can be carried out by means of series expansions. For a multiple ion plasma and in case of arbitrary dependence of electron and ion temperatures on the coordinates one has to apply numerical integration.The principles of joining a field aligned model to a height oriented one are discussed including a method to cross the dip equator in a consistent way.A practical example is presented with a plasmasphere model added to the global model NeUoG which was developed at the University of Graz. The future development aims at replacing all of the topside F region of the model by a magnetic field aligned approach.     

Corrections for the Lutz-Kelker bias for Galactic masers

Based on published data, we have collected information about Galactic maser sources with measured distances. In particular, 44 Galactic maser sources located in star-forming regions have trigonometric parallaxes, proper motions, and radial velocities. In addition, ten more radio sources with incomplete information are known, but their parallaxes have been measured with a high accuracy. For all 54 sources, we have calculated the corrections for the well-known Lutz-Kelker bias. Based on a sample of 44 sources, we have refined the parameters of the Galactic rotation curve. Thus, at R ₀ = 8kpc, the peculiar velocity components for the Sun are (U _⊙, V _⊙, W _⊙) = (7.5, 17.6, 8.4) ± (1.2, 1.2, 1.2) km s^?1 and the angular velocity components are ω ₀ = ?28.7 ± 0.5 km s^?1 kpc^?1, ω ₀′ = +4.17 ± 0.10 km s^?1 kpc^?2, and ω₀″ = ?0.87 ± 0.06 km s^?1 kpc^?3. The corresponding Oort constants are A = 16.7 ± 0.6 km s^?1 kpc^?1 and B = ?12.0 ± 1.0 km s^?1 kpc^?1; the circular rotation velocity of the solar neighborhood around the Galactic center is V ₀ = 230 ± 16 km s^?1. We have found that the corrections for the Lutz-Kelker bias affect the determination of the angular velocity ω ₀ most strongly; their effect on the remaining parameters is statistically insignificant. Within themodel of a two-armed spiral pattern, we have determined the pattern pitch angle $i = - 6_.^ \circ 5$ and the phase of the Sun in the spiral wave χ ₀ = 150°.     

低纬子午环的总体设计要求

根据地面光学天体测量发展的需要和低纬子午环课题目标的要求，叙述了该仪器的总体设计要求和提出这些要求的理由，强调指出了如何高精度地测定仪器的制造误差、安装误差和重力变形、热变形的影响，以及如何消除测量仪器误差的各设备的零点偏差及其漂移的影响，以便保持仪器观测系统的长期稳定性。     

Predictions for the LCROSS mission

Abstract— We describe the results of a variety of model calculations for predictions of observable results of the LCROSS mission to be launched in 2009. Several models covering different aspects of the event are described along with their results. Our aim is to bracket the range of expected results and produce a useful guide for mission planning. In this paper, we focus on several different questions, which are modeled by different methods. The questions include the size of impact crater, the mass, velocity, and visibility of impact ejecta, and the mass and temperature of the initial vapor plume. The mass and velocity profiles of the ejecta are of primary interest, as the ejecta will be the main target of the S‐S/C observations. In particular, we focus on such quantities as the amount of mass that reaches various heights. A height of 2 km above the target is of special interest, as we expect that the EDUS impact will take place on the floor of a moderate‐sized crater ?30 km in diameter, with a rim height of 1–2 km. The impact ejecta must rise above the crater rim at the target site in order to scatter sunlight and become visible to the detectors aboard the S‐S/C. We start with a brief discussion of crater scaling relationships as applied to the impact of the EDUS second stage and resulting estimated crater diameter and ejecta mass. Next we describe results from the RAGE hydrocode as applied to modeling the short time scale (t 0.1 s) thermal plume that is expected to occur immediately after the impact. We present results from several large‐scale smooth‐particle hydrodynamics (SPH) calculations, along with results from a ZEUS‐MP hydrocode model of the crater formation and ejecta mass‐velocity distribution. We finish with two semi‐analytic models, the first being a Monte Carlo model of the distribution of expected ejecta, based on scaling models using a plausible range of crater and ejecta parameters, and the second being a simple model of observational predictions for the shepherding spacecraft (S‐S/C) that will follow the impact for several minutes until its own impact into the lunar surface. For the initial thermal plume, we predict an initial expansion velocity of ?7 km s^?1, and a maximum temperature of ?1200 K. Scaling relations for crater formation and the SPH calculation predict a crater with a diameter of ?15 m, a total ejecta mass of ?10⁶kg, with ?10⁴kg reaching an altitude of 2 km above the target. Both the SPH and ZEUS‐MP calculations predict a maximum ejecta velocity of ?1 km s^?1. The semi‐analytic Monte Carlo calculations produce more conservative estimates (by a factor of ?5) for ejecta at 2 km, but with a large dispersion in possible results.     

The science process for selecting the landing site for the 2011 Mars Science Laboratory

The process of identifying the landing site for NASA’s 2011 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) began in 2005 by defining science objectives, related to evaluating the potential habitability of a location on Mars, and engineering parameters, such as elevation, latitude, winds, and rock abundance, to determine acceptable surface and atmospheric characteristics. Nearly 60 candidate sites were considered at a series of open workshops in the years leading up to the launch. During that period, iteration between evolving engineering constraints and the relative science potential of candidate sites led to consensus on four final sites. The final site will be selected in the Spring of 2011 by NASA’s Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate. This paper serves as a record of landing site selection activities related primarily to science, an inventory of the number and variety of sites proposed, and a summary of the science potential of the highest ranking sites.     

Redefining the limit dates for the Maunder Minimum

The Maunder Minimum corresponds to a prolonged minimum of solar activity a phenomenon that is of particular interest to many branches of natural and social sciences commonly considered to extend from 1645 until 1715. However, our knowledge of past solar activity has improved significantly in recent years and, thus, more precise dates for the onset and termination of this particularly episode of our Sun can be established. Based on the simultaneous analysis of distinct proxies we propose a redefinition of the Maunder Minimum period with the core “Deep Maunder Minimum” spanning from 1645 to 1700 (that corresponds to the Grand Minimum state) and a wider “Extended Maunder Minimum” for the longer period 1618–1723 that includes the transition periods.     

On the collision probability for comets with the Sun

We consider the collision probability for comets with the Sun under the suppositions of different velocity distributions and various initial conditions. We solve the problem applying Laplace's method and using Schiaparelli's hyperboloid of visibility. The probabilities obtained in this manner are given separately for elliptic and hyperbolic orbits.