上海天文台65米射电望远镜谱线观测及数据校准

谱线观测是上海天文台65 m射电望远镜的主要观测手段之一,在和美国国家射电天文台联合研制脉冲星和谱线观测终端的基础上,开发了观测控制软件,设计了流量定标的硬件和软件,开发了频率校准程序。经过大量的观测测试,证明观测和数据校准系统的有效性,并于2015年下半年对国内用户开放,取得了大量的观测结果。详细介绍本终端的组成和功能,观测控制软件的流程,结合观测数据介绍流量定标和频率校准的处理方法和结果,并给出下一步的工作计划。     

NVST垂直双光谱切换扫描系统

1 m新真空太阳望远镜(New Vacuum Solar Telescope, NVST)的科学目标之一是对太阳活动区域进行二维光谱扫描观测。基于1 m新真空太阳望远镜多波段光谱仪(Multi-Band Spectrometer, MBS)和大色散光谱仪(High Dispersion Spectrometer, HDS)提出了垂直双光谱切换扫描系统,可实现相互垂直的两个光谱仪的光谱扫描观测任务,并实现两个光谱仪之间的切换。分析了光谱扫描观测的原理和过程,结合终端仪器系统的具体构造,完成了扫描系统的光机结构设计和装调分析,并对扫描系统进行了性能测试,包括系统稳定性、扫描直线度以及扫描步幅精度。测试结果满足预期功能需求和精度要求,为后续1 m新真空太阳望远镜进行常规光谱扫描观测提供了支持。     

基于基线信噪比估计台站性能参数与射电源流量密度

对于天体测量与大地测量VLBI观测,所选取射电源的强弱以及参加观测的台站系统的性能表现对其观测结果具有重要的影响。以基线信噪比为观测量建立观测方程,采用带约束条件的最小二乘估计方法,统一估算射电源的流量密度和台站的系统等效流量密度,从而对所选取射电源以及台站在VLBI观测中的性能表现进行评估。使用国际VLBI网观测数据验证了射电源流量密度及台站性能参数估计方法的正确性,并利用中国VLBI网实测数据评估了国内VLBI台站的性能表现。     

FMG载荷地面试观测导行跟踪系统的设计与实现

全日面矢量磁像仪(Full-disk vector MagnetoGraph, FMG)是先进天基太阳天文台(Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory, ASO-S)卫星的3台主载荷之一,为开展FMG全系统性能测试和定标试验,已搭建用于FMG外场测试的地面试观测平台.利用该平台模拟FMG在轨跟踪状态,研制了基于全日面太阳图像的望远镜导行系统.该系统通过大面阵CCD (Charge Coupled Device)采集太阳像、多重逻辑条件判定、微调恒动跟踪速度校正偏移等策略,实现了RMS (Root Mean Square)优于1′′/30 min的跟踪精度.通过分析FMG方案阶段试观测的太阳纵向磁图,开启导行30 min后磁图特征点在赤经方向的偏移比恒动条件下减少17.5′′,提升了磁图空间分辨率.测试过程中该系统达到设计指标且工作稳定,为FMG地面试观测提供了良好的技术支撑.     

Ⅰ型光电等高仪观测结果的初步分析

Ⅰ型光电等高仪是我国独立自主、自力更生研制的新型测时、测纬仪器.新仪器于1971年底在我台安装调试.试验观测的结果已经发表.本文分析了该仪器从1973年10月到1974年12月期间的观测结果,评价了仪器性能.分析结果表明,新仪器完全消除了人差的影响,观测精度是良好的.利用这个期间的资料,初步研究了 FK_4星表的系统误差和改进光行差常数等问题.     

采用单片机控制的人卫记时仪

本文介绍了为我台人卫观测的打印经纬仪配套而研制的记时仪的性能.说明了单片机的应用推动天文仪器的更新换代.为观测质量的提高和资料处理自动化,展示了美好的前景.     

德令哈13.7m望远镜谱线OTF观测系统

紫金山天文台研制的毫米波段多波束超导成像频谱接收机(简称超导成像频谱仪)于2010年底安装到13.7 m望远镜上.为发挥超导成像频谱仪的观测能力,紫金山天文台研发了基于多波束接收机的快速高效巡天的OTF(On-The-Fly)观测方法,在国际上首次提出并运用了"隔行扫描"的OTF扫描方法,对该方法进行了系统的测试和验证,并做了观测参数的优化.研发了"OTF观测星表生成器"软件,该软件提供参考点查找、观测时间估算、rms(root mean square)估算、最佳观测时段选择等功能.研发了OTF数据预处理软件,该软件具有坏数据剔除、数据修正功能,并能够结合GILDS软件完成数据网格化(Gridding)处理.通过实际观测测试,观测结果与美国五大学射电天文台(Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory,FCRAO)观测相符.该系统2011年用于13.7 m望远镜谱线成图观测,在银河画卷项目观测和其他课题成图观测中得到广泛的应用,取得了很好的观测结果,验证了该系统的有效性.     

1m红外太阳望远镜光电导行系统的反馈控制分析

我国正在研制中的1m红外太阳望远镜是目前国内唯一的地平式真空太阳塔,主要用于活动区磁场的精细光谱分析和太阳活动区磁场的时空精细结构研究.要求望远镜必须长时间高精度跟踪太阳(0.3"/30s、1"/10min)才能实现它的科学目标.光电导行是实现望远镜高精度跟踪观测目标的关键控制技术,通过检测观测目标像在图像传感器上的移动量作为反馈控制信号对望远镜实行闭环控制.首先建立了光电导行系统的控制系统模型,然后分析了系统的稳定性能、暂态性能、时域特性、频域特性及跟踪性能,并采用PID控制器对系统进行优化设计,以提高光电导行反馈控制系统的稳定性和跟踪精度.通过计算机仿真设计,采用PID控制算法能实现1m红外太阳望远镜的跟踪要求.     

云南1米红外太阳塔分布式CCD实时控制与图像采集系统软件研制

分布式多CCD实时控制与图像采集系统软件的研制是1 m红外太阳塔进入常规观测的必要条件。重点讨论了太阳塔多CCD实时控制与图像采集软件系统的研制,包括软件系统采取的主控前置系统结构、工作流程,为了解决主控机和前置机之间通信而设计的通信协议,利用双缓存、双模数变换器(Analog-to-Digital Converter,ADC)、存储器直接访问(Direct Memory Access,DMA)技术提高图像处理和存储速度,利用多线程机制实现多CCD的同步图像采集,前置系统定时向主控系统发送心跳信息以增强系统的可靠性。经实际测试,系统达到了预定指标,初步满足1 m红外太阳塔的观测需求。     

基于FPGA的空间太阳磁像仪自校正稳像系统研制

太阳磁像仪是开展太阳磁场观测研究的核心仪器,其中的稳像系统是空间太阳磁像仪的关键技术之一,针对深空探测卫星系统对载荷重量、尺寸限制严苛的要求,设计了基于图像自校正方法的稳像观测系统.介绍了一套基于现场可编程门阵列(Field-Programmable Gate Array, FPGA)和数字信号处理器(Digital Signal Processor, DSP),通过基于自相关算法的高精度稳像方法设计,并结合精确偏振调制、准确交替采样控制等系统软硬件设计,克服由于卫星平台抖动、指向误差等因素造成的图像模糊,实现实时相关、校正、深积分的稳像观测系统.针对像素尺寸为1 K×1 K、帧频为20 fps的CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)探测器,实现了1像元以内的实时稳像观测精度.在完成实验室测试后, 2021年6月18日在国家天文台怀柔太阳观测基地35 cm太阳磁场望远镜上开展了实测验证,结果表明该系统能够有效地完成太阳磁像仪自校正稳像观测,获得了更高分辨率的太阳磁场数据.稳像系统的成功研制不仅可以为深空太阳磁像仪的研制提供轻量化、高...     

On the theory of the oblateness of the Sun

In this paper we first emphasize why it is important to know the successive zonal harmonics of the Sun's figure with high accuracy: mainly fundamental astrometry, helioseismology, planetary motions and relativistic effects. Then we briefly comment why the Sun appears oblate, going back to primitive definitions in order to underline some discrepancies in theories and to emphasize again the relevant hypotheses. We propose a new theoretical approach entirely based on an expansion in terms of Legendre's functions, including the differential rotation of the Sun at the surface. This permits linking the two first spherical harmonic coefficients (J ₂ and J ₄) with the geometric parameters that can be measured on the Sun (equatorial and polar radii). We emphasize the difficulties in inferring gravitational oblateness from visual measurements of the geometric oblateness, and more generally a dynamical flattening. Results are given for different observed rotational laws. It is shown that the surface oblateness is surely upper bounded by 11 milliarcsecond. As a consequence of the observed surface and sub-surface differential rotation laws, we deduce a measure of the two first gravitational harmonics, the quadrupole and the octopole moment of the Sun: J ₂=−(6.13±2.52)×10⁻⁷ if all observed data are taken into account, and respectively, J ₂=−(6.84±3.75)×10⁻⁷ if only sunspot data are considered, and J ₂=−(3.49±1.86)×10⁻⁷ in the case of helioseismic data alone. The value deduced from all available data for the octopole is: J ₄=(2.8±2.1)×10⁻¹². These values are compared to some others found in the literature. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1005238718479     

Accounting for the viscosity of the fluid core in the problem of the physical libration of the moon

A two-component theoretical model of the physical libration of the Moon in longitude is constructed with account taken of the viscosity of the core. In the new version, a hydrodynamic problem of motion of a fluid filling a solid rotating shell is solved. It is found that surfaces of equal angular velocity are spherical, and a velocity field of the fluid core of the Moon is described by elementary functions. A distribution of the internal pressure in the core is found. An angular momentum exchange between the fluid core and solid mantle is described by a third-order differential equation with a right-hand side. The roots of a characteristic equation are studied and the stability of rotation is proved. A libration angle as a function of time is found using the derived solution of the differential equation. Limiting cases of infinitely large and infinitely small viscosity are considered and an effect of lag of a libration phase from a phase of action of an external moment of forces is ascertained. This makes it possible to estimate the viscosity and sizes of the lunar fluid core from data of observations.     

Calculation of the global system of the field-aligned currents on the dayside of the magnetosphere

Using the well-known equation for the normal component of the current which exist near the tangential discontinuity in the plasma in the case of the frozen-in magnetic field, and supposing that the current closes in the ionosphere in the auroral oval in the region 1, one calculates and compares with the data of observations the dependence of the density of the field-aligned current at the level of the ionosphere on the local time.     

Rotation of the elastic Earth: the role of the angular-velocity-dependence of the elasticity-caused perturbation

We calculate the so-called convective term, which shows up in the expression for the angular velocity of the elastic Earth, within the Andoyer formalism. The term emerges due to the fact that the elasticity-caused perturbation depends not only on the instantaneous orientation of the Earth but also on its instantaneous angular velocity. We demonstrate that this term makes a considerable contribution into the overall angular velocity. At the same time the convective term turns out to be automatically included into the correction to the nutation series due to the elasticity, if the series is defined by the perturbation of the figure axis (and not of the rotational axis) in accordance with the current IAU resolution. Hence it is not necessary to take the effect of the convective term into consideration in the perturbation of the elastic Earth as far as the nutation is related to the motion of the figure axis.     

Impact of the Quadrupole Moment of the Sun on the Dynamics of the Earth-Moon System

Range of values of the Sun's mass quadrupole moment of coefficient J₂ arising both from experimental and theoretical determinations enlarge across literature on two orders of magnitude, from around 10^-7 until to 10^-5. The accurate knowledge of the Moon's physical librations, for which the Lunar Laser Ranging data reach an outstanding precision level, prove to be appropriate to reduce the interval of J₂ values by giving an upper bound of J₂. A solar quadrupole moment as high as 1.1 10^-5 given either from the upper bounds of the error bars of the observations, or from the Roche's theory, is not compatible with the knowledge of the lunar librations accurately modeled and observed with the LLR experiment. The suitable values of J₂ have to be smaller than 3.0 10^-6. As a consequence, this upper bound of 3.0 10^-6 is accepted to study the impact of the Sun's quadrupole moment of mass on the dynamics of the Earth-Moon system. Such as effect (with J₂ = 5.5±1.3 × 10^-6) has been already tested in 1983 by Campbell & Moffat using analytical approximate equations, and thus for the orbits of Mercury, Venus, the Earth and Icarus. The approximate equations are no longer sufficient compared with present observational data and exact equations are required. As if to compute the effect on the lunar librations, we have used our BJV relativistic model of solar system integration including the spin-orbit coupled motion of the Moon. The model is solved by numerical integration. The BJV model stems from general relativity by using the DSX formalism for purposes of celestial mechanics when it is about to deal with a system of n extended, weakly self-gravitating, rotating and deformable bodies in mutual interactions. The resulting effects on the orbital elements of the Earth have been computed and plotted over 160 and 1600 years. The impact of the quadrupole moment of the Sun on the Earth's orbital motion is mainly characterized by variations of , , and . As a consequence, the Sun's quadrupole moment of mass could play a sensible role over long time periods of integration of solar system models. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the role of the motion of the photospheric footpoints of the magnetic field lines

By means of a simple relation between the velocity v of the fluid particle and the velocity v_f of the photospheric footpoint of the magnetic field line v_z and B_z being respectively the components of v and the magnetic field B normal to the photospheric surface, it is shown formally that through the phtospheric surface the transport of all the quantities attributed to the magnetic field, such as the magnetic flux, the magnetic energy and the helicity, is independent of v_z, and v_f is the only kinematical quantity on which the transport depends. In addition, in the neighborhood of the neutral line the velocity v_l of the moving curve of constant B_z is found to be equal approximately to the component of v or v_f in the direction of v_l. Since v_l can be measured or extimated, so can the components of v and v_f near the neutral line.     

Determination of the temperature of the solar corona from the spectrum of the electron-scattering continuum

When the K-corona is formed by the scattering of photospheric radiation from free electrons, the Fraunhofer lines are greatly broadened by the thermal motions of the hot electrons. This paper discusses the possibility of measuring the coronal electron temperature from the residual depressions in the K-coronal spectrum. If the ratio of the intensities at 4100 Å and 3900 Å can be measured to an accuracy of ±1%, the coronal temperature can be inferred to an accuracy of ±0.2 MK. The temperature of a coronal inhomogeneity may also be measured by this method, provided the position angle is known.Now at Fraunhofer Institute, Freiburg, Germany.     

On the systematic errors of the determinations of the absolute orientation of the meridian marks

The classical method of determination of the absolute azimuth (or Bessel's parameter n) can secure sufficiently precision for RA from observations of stars at high geographical latitudes during polar night only.