Analysis of errors in the tracking mechanisms of the 1.25-m telescope of the Crimean Laboratory of the SAI and the 1.5-m telescope of the Maidanak Observatory

Low-frequency (0–0.5 Hz) errors in the positions of stars in the focal plane of the ZTE 1.25-m telescope of the Crimean Laboratory of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute and the AZT-22 1.5-m telescope of the Maidanak Observatory in Uzbekistan are analyzed using data obtained during the operation of two optical compensators designed to correct the tilt of incoming wave fronts. A spectral analysis is used to identify possible origins of these errors. The amplitudes of periodic errors in the main worm-and-worm gears of the tracking mechanisms have been measured to be 1.5″ (a period of 240 s) for the 1.25-m telescope and 0.15″ (167 s) for the 1.5-m telescope. The rates of constant drifts have also been determined.     

Classification of optical identifications of radio sources from complete samples

Classifications of the optical counterparts and radio spectra of nine radio sources are presented. The observations were carried out using the 2.1-m optical telescope in Cananea (Mexico) at 4200–9000 Å and the RATAN-600 radio telescope at 0.97–21.7 GHz. Five objects have been classified as quasars (three have redshifts z>2), two as BL Lac objects, one as an elliptical galaxy, and one as an absorption-line galaxy.     

Radio and optical spectral studies of radio sources

Optical identifications and an analysis of the radio spectra of eight radio sources from a flux-density-complete sample at declinations 4°–6° (B 1950) are presented. The observations were carried out at 4000–9000 Å on the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory and at 0.97–21.7 GHz on the RATAN-600 telescope. Five of the eight sources are quasars and three are emission-line radio galaxies.     

Radio and optical spectra of objects from two complete samples of radio sources

We present optical identifications and radio spectra for ten radio sources from two flux-density-complete samples. Radio variability characteristics are presented for four objects. The observations were obtained on the RATAN-600 radio telescope at 0.97–21.7 GHz and the 2.1 m telescope of the Haro Observatory in Cananea, Mexico at 4200–9000 Å. Among the ten objects studied, three are quasars, four are BL Lac objects, two are radio galaxies, and one is a Sy 1 galaxy. Two of the sources identified with BL Lac objects, 0509+0541 and 0527+0331, show rapid variability on time scales of 7–50 days.     

Detection of a cyclotron line in the radio spectrum of a solar active region and its interpretation

Observations of the active region AR 7962 obtained at 2–32 cm on the RATAN-600 radio telescope on May 10–12, 1996, are presented. The high-resolution measurements detected a narrow feature near 8.5 cm against the background of the smooth spectrum of the local source associated with sunspots. This narrow-band emission is identified with a bright, pointlike, high-frequency source at 1.7 cm recorded on maps made using the Nobeyama radio telescope. The characteristics of the observed line (lifetime 3 days, brightness temperature of the order of several million Kelvin, relative width of about 10%) suggest that it can be explained as thermal cyclotron radiation at the third harmonic of the electron gyrofrequency from a compact source containing a dense, hot plasma; the corresponding higher frequency emission could be due to thermal Bremsstrahlung. Analysis of the RATAN-600 and Nobeyama data can be used to probe the magnetic field, kinetic temperature, and electron density in the radiation source in the corona.     

Mapping of bipolar outflows and methanol masers in the CS(2-1)line

Eighteen regions (bipolar outflows and methanol masers) are mapped in the CS(2-1) line using the 20-m Onsala radio telescope. The coordinates of the CS emission peaks are refined. The sizes and masses of dense regions are estimated for 13 maps. Measurement of the angular sizes of regions of emission indicates that all the sources were resolved by the Onsala radio telescope. The lower limit for the linear dimensions of the CS condensations studied is 0.2–2.1 pc. The hydrogen densities and masses of the CS condensations are estimated to be n(H₂)=(0.3–13.1)×10⁴ cm^?3 and (M ≈ 7–2800M _⊙). Methanol masers are associated with denser and more massive regions, whether or not the maser condensation is connected with a bipolar outflow.     

Microvariability of line profiles in the spectra of OB stars: III. The supergiant ρ LEO

We observed the bright supergiant ρ Leo (B1 lab) in January–February 2004 using the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory (Russia) and the 1.8-m telescope of the Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory (South Korea). 47 spectra with high time resolution (4–10 min), signal-to-noise ratios 300–1000, and spectral resolutions 45 000–60 000 were obtained. We detected variability in the HeI, SiII, SiIII, and NII line profiles, which may be due to rotational modulation of the profiles and photospheric pulsations of ρ Leo. The possible influence of the stellar magnetic field on the line-profile variations is discussed.     

Refractive shift in the position of the pulsar PSR B0329+54, measured at 111, 610, and 2300 MHz

The results of an analysis of timing data for the pulsar PSR B0329+54 obtained in 1968–2012 on the Large Scanning Antenna of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory at 111 MHz, the 64 m DSS-14 telescope of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at 2.3 GHz, and the 64 m telescope of the Kalyazin Radio Astronomy Observatory at 610 MHz are presented. The astrometric and spin parameters of the pulsar are derived at a new epoch. The coordinates of the pulsar and its proper motion measured at the three frequencies differ. These differences have a systematic character, and are interpreted as a secular, refractive shift in the apparent position of the pulsar that arises because it is observed through large-scale inhomogeneities of the interstellar medium, leading to variations in the angle of refraction.     

Variations in the Radial Dependence of the Interplanetary Scintillation Level in the Descending Phase of Solar Cycle 24

Astronomy Reports - The results of the long-term (2015–2019) series of interplanetary scintillation observations carried out with the LPA LPI radio telescope at the frequency 111 MHz are...     

Objects from a cross-identification of the IRAS and low-frequency Texas radio catalogs

A cross-identification of objects in the low-frequency (365 MHz) Texas radio catalog and in IRAS catalogs at four infrared wavelengths has yielded a list of 715 objects for further studies. Objects with steep spectra for which the difference in the centers of gravity of the radio and infrared sources was less than 3″ were selected from this list. Seventeen of the objects have been observed at six wavelengths using the RATAN-600 radio telescope. Spectra of nine objects from the initial list for which there were candidate optical counterparts were obtained using the 2.1-m telescope of the INAOE. The results of these observations are discussed. The presence of steep spectral indices for the radio sources is confirmed. The possible optical counterparts include interacting galaxies, an infrared galaxy, two emission-line galaxies, and a candidate BL Lac object. Optical images of the optical counterparts are presented together with radio and optical spectra.     

Results of tracking a spacecraft in the vicinity of the L2 libration point of the Sun–Earth system

The launch of the Spektrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) international orbiting astrophysical observatory is planned for the near future. It is planned tomaneuver SRGinto the vicinity of the L2 libration point of the Sun–Earth system, where it will be kept in a quasi-stable orbit. The spacecraft orbit must be maintained in order to carry out the scientific program of the project, which requires obtaining information about the current parameters of its motion. With the aim of developing methods for making optical measurements and estimating the required volume of measurement data and their accuracy, observations of the Gaia spacecraft, which is located in the vicinity of L2, were made at the Sayan Observatory in 2014–2015. The results of observations of the Gaia spacecraft on the 1.6-m infrared telescope of the Sayan Observatory are presented. The measured brightness of the spacecraft was 20.7–22^m, which is close to the limiting magnitude of the telescope. The accuracy of these astrometric measurements was about one arcsecond. Possibilities for obtaining accurate astrometric data for the SRG spacecraft in orbit in the vicinity of L2 are discussed, as well as the required observing conditions and the volume of measurement data required for adequate prediction of the spacecraft motion.     

The gravitational lens Q2237+0305: Reduction and analysis of the observational data

The results of V RI photometry of the gravitationally lensed system Q2237+0305 carried out on the 1.5-m telescope of the Maidanak Observatory in 2004–2005 are presented. The method used to reduce the observational data is described in detail. An analysis of the brightness and color variations of the system’s components is presented.     

Numerical studies of shear banding in interface shear tests using a new strain calculation method

Strain localization is closely associated with the stress–strain behaviour of an interphase system subject to quasi‐static direct interface shear, especially after peak stress state is reached. This behaviour is important because it is closely related to deformations experienced by geotechnical composite structures. This paper presents a study using two‐dimensional discrete element method (DEM) simulations on the strain localization of an idealized interphase system composed of densely packed spherical particles in contact with rough manufactured surfaces. The manufactured surface is made up of regular or irregular triangular asperities with varying slopes. A new simple method of strain calculation is used in this study to generate strain field inside a simulated direct interface shear box. This method accounts for particle rotation and captures strain localization features at high resolution. Results show that strain localization begins with the onset of non‐linear stress–strain behaviour. A distinct but discontinuous shear band emerges above the rough surface just before the peak stress state, which becomes more expansive and coherent with post‐peak strain softening. It is found that the shear bands developed by surfaces with smaller roughness are much thinner than those developed by surfaces with greater roughness. The maximum thickness of the intense shear zone is observed to be about 8–10 median particle diameters. The shear band orientations, which are mainly dominated by the rough boundary surface, are parallel with the zero extension direction, which are horizontally oriented. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectra of Standard Radio Sources at the Current Epoch

The results of observations aimed at determining the spectra of standard radio sources in an “artificial-Moon” absolute flux scale at epoch 2015.5 at wavelengths of 3.5–18 cm are presented. The sample includes sources with small angular sizes, used as flux-density standards for the calibration of various types of antennas, including large synthesized apertures, over a wide range of frequencies. The artificial-Moon flux scale is constructed in a way that makes it the most accurate of existing scales, and the only scale for which source spectra are not deformed. The methods used to construct the articial-Moon flux scale are briefly described. Repeat measurements of the spectra of standard sources, required to preserve the accuracy of the flux scale, were carried out in 2014–2017 (at a mean epoch of 2015.5) on the 32-m telescope of the Svetloe Observatory of the Institute of Applied Astronomy at four wavelengths: 18, 13, 6.2, and 3.5 cm. The characteristic properties of the measurement methods are discussed, and the data obtained are compared with data from earlier epochs.     

Spectral studies with the Special Astrophysical Observatory 6 m and RATAN-600 telescopes

We present optical identifications, classifications, and radio spectra for 19 radio sources from a complete sample in flux density with declinations 10°–12°30′ (J2000) obtained with the 6-m optical telescope (4000–9000 Å) and RATAN-600 radio telescope (0.97–21.7 GHz) of the Special Astrophysical Observatory. Twelve objects with redshifts from 0.573 to 2.694 have been classiffied as quasars, and two objects with featureless spectra as BL Lac objects. Four objects are emission-line radio galaxies with redshifts from 0.204 to 0.311 (one also displaying absorption lines), and one object is an absorption-line galaxy with a redshift of 0.214. Radio flux densities have been obtained at six frequencies for all the sources except for two extended objects. The radio spectra of five of the sources can be separated into extended and compact components. Three objects display substantial rapid (on time scales from several days to several weeks) and long-term variability of their flux densities.     

Deep surveys and the nonthermal noise of radio telescopes

The paper presents an analysis of catalogs of discrete radio sources and the results of deep surveys carried out with angular resolutions to 1.5″ and limiting flux densities to 9 μJy at frequencies from 80 MHz to 8.5 GHz using large radio telescopes around the world. We consider the influence on the sensitivity of a radio telescope of the nonthermal noise associated with variations in the total flux due to fluctuations in the number of unresolved sources with fluxes lower than the observed value that fall in the main lobe of the antenna beam when the direction in which the receiver is pointed is changed (the first component), and also due to sources with fluxes higher than the observed value that arrive in the scattering region of the telescope (the second component). With growth in the sensitivity and resolution of a telescope, the second component of this nonthermal noise determines to an appreciable extent the limiting capability of the telescope for carrying out deep surveys. We estimate the number of antenna beams per source that are required to reach a specified sensitivity in deep surveys. The results of our calculations are compared with data derived from catalogs and numerous surveys.     

First Telescope of the Russian–Cuban Observatory

Astronomy Reports - Beginning of operation of the first Russian–Cuban Observatory telescope, a wide-field 20-cm robotic telescope installed at the observational site optical station in...     

Distribution of inhomogeneities in the interstellar plasma in the directions of three distant pulsars from observations with the RadioAstron ground–space interferometer

The RadioAstron ground–space interferometer has been used to measure the angular sizes of the scattering disks of the three distant pulsars B1641–45, B1749–28, and B1933+16. The observations were carried out with the participation of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope; two 32-m telescopes at Torun, Poland and Svetloe, Russia (the latter being one antenna of the KVAZAR network); the Saint Croix VLBA antenna; the Arecibo radio telescope; the Parkes, Narrabri (ATCA), Mopra, Hobart, and Ceduna Australian radio telescopes; and the Hartebeesthoek radio telescope in South Africa. The full widths at half maximum of the scattering disks were 27 mas at 1668 MHz for B1641–45, 0.5 mas at 1668 MHz for B1749–28, and 12.3 at 316 MHz and 0.84 mas at 1668 MHz for B1933+16. The characteristic time scales for scatter-broadening of the pulses on inhomogeneities in the interstellar plasma τ_sc were also measured for these pulsars using various methods. Joint knowledge of the size of the scattering disk and the scatter-broadening time scale enables estimation of the distance to the effective scattering screen d. For B1641–45, d = 3.0 kpc for a distance to the pulsar D = 4.9 kpc, and for B1749–28, d = 0.95 kpc for D = 1.3 kpc. Observations of B1933+16 were carried out simultaneously at 316 and 1668 MHz. The positions of the screen derived using the measurements at the two frequencies agree: d ₁ = 2.6 and d ₂ = 2.7 kpc, for a distance to the pulsar of 3.7 kpc. Two screens were detected for this pulsar from an analysis of parabolic arcs in the secondary dynamic spectrum at 1668 MHz, at 1.3 and 3.1 kpc. The scattering screens for two of the pulsars are identified with real physical objects located along the lines of sight toward the pulsars: G339.1–04 (B1641–45) and G0.55–0.85 (B1749–28).     

The high-resolution Echelle Spectrograph of the 6-m telescope of the special astrophysical observatory

Results of the development and implementation of the Nasmyth Echelle Spectrograph (NES) of the 6-m telescope of the Special AstrophysicalObservatory are presented. The NES is a tunable spectral system with a large-diameter collimated beam that is suitable for various types of observations. Selected scientific programs carried out by the developers of the instrument are described as illustrations of its application. The possible development of the spectrograph with the 6-m telescope over the coming 19 years is discussed.     

Structure and Evolution of Powerful H2O Maser Flares in the Protostellar Object IRAS 18316–0602 (G25.65+1.05)

Astronomy Reports - The structure and evolution of powerful H2O maser flares in the source IRAS 18316–0602 are studied using the results of observations on the 22-m radio telescope of the...