Model dependence of transonic properties of accretion flows around black holes

We analytically study how the behaviour of accretion flows changes when the flow model is varied. We study the transonic properties of the conical flow, a flow of constant height and a flow in vertical equilibrium, and show that all these models are basically identical, provided that the polytropic constant is suitably changed from one model to another. We show that this behaviour is extendible even when standing shocks are produced in the flow. The parameter space where shocks are produced remains roughly identical in all these models when the same transformation among the polytropic indices is used. We present applications of these findings.     

Advances in understanding of the mechanism for generation of earthquake thermal precursors detected by satellites

Stresses building up during an earthquake preparation phase also manifest themselves in the form of a so called increased land surface temperature (LST) leading to a thermal precursor prior to the earthquake event. This phenomenon has now been validated by our observations of short-term thermal anomalies detected by infrared satellite sensors for several recent past earthquakes around the world. The rise in infrared radiance temperature was seen to vary between 5 and 12 °C for different earthquakes. We discuss in this paper different explanations for the generation of such anomalies that have been offered. Emission of gases due to the opening and closure of micropores upon induced stresses and also the participation of ground water have been propounded as a possible cause for generation of thermal anomalies. Seismo-ionosphere coupling, by which gases like radon move to the earth–atmosphere interface and cause air ionization thus bringing about a change in air temperature, relative humidity, etc., has been put forth by some workers. A mechanism of low frequency electromagnetic emission was tested and experimented by scientists with rock masses in stressed conditions as those that exist at tectonic locations. The workers proposed the positive hole pair theory, which received support from several scientific groups. Positive holes (sites of electron deficiency) are activated in stressed rocks from pre-existing yet dormant positive hole pairs (PHPs) and their recombination at rock–air interface leads to a LST rise. A combination of remote sensing detection of rock mechanics behavior with a perception of chemistry and geophysics has been applied to propose the remote sensing rock mechanics theory. Remote sensing detections of such anomalies confirm so far proposed lab theories for such a hotly debated field as earthquake precursor study by providing unbiased observations with consistency in time and space distribution.     

Are sea-level-rise trends along the coasts of the north Indian Ocean consistent with global estimates?

Mean-sea-level data from coastal tide gauges in the north Indian Ocean were used to show that low-frequency variability is consistent among the stations in the basin. Statistically significant trends obtained from records longer than 40 years yielded sea-level-rise estimates between 1.06–1.75 mm yr^− 1, with a regional average of 1.29 mm yr^− 1, when corrected for global isostatic adjustment (GIA) using model data. These estimates are consistent with the 1–2 mm yr^− 1 global sea-level-rise estimates reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.     

Plasma instability at the inner edge of the accretion disk—I

In this paper, the analytical and numerical results of the stability analysis of the accretion disk at the inner boundary is presented. Including the effect of finite conductivity in the disk dynamics, a simple calculation considering only the radial perturbation has been carried out. Within local approximation, it is concluded that the disk is stable to Kelvin-Helmholtz and resistive electromagnetic modes whereas the magnetosonic mode can destabilise the disk structure.     

Plasma instability at the inner edge of the accretion disk— II

A two-dimensional instability analysis for a magneto-keplerian disk flow around a compact object is presented here. Using the eigenvalue technique, linearly coupled perturbed equations have been numerically solved within the local approximation. It is concluded that Kelvin-Helmholtz, magnetosonic (fast and slow) and resistive electromagnetic modes exist. However, only the magnetosonic mode can destabilise the disk structure. Further, we discuss the properties of different modes as a function of disk parameters and plot the eigenmode structures for different physical quantities.     

Full Resolution Images From The Mauritius Radio Telescope

The first set of full resolution images have been made using the Mauritius Radio Telescope (MRT) for the Right Ascension range 18:00 to 19:00 hours and the declination range -70^° to -10^°.This is a part of the southern sky survey at 151.5 MHz being carried out using the MRT. To minimise the effect of bandwidth decorrelation, the images are made from the visibilities recorded with four different delay settings. This paper discusses three key issues of data analysis for the survey: Selection of good data for the survey, detection and removal of interference in the images and, preliminary analysis of these images. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characterization of Surface Geological Material in Northwest India and Adjoining Areas of Pakistan Using Normalized Difference Water Index,Land Surface Temperature and Silica Index

Land surface temperature (LST) shows negative correlation with the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). Variability in the degree of correlation between LST and NDWI is ascribed to the physical character of specific geological material. Northwest India exhibits various landforms with different geological materials and has been broadly classified into four zones. Structural ridges of Aravalli Mountain of different rock compositions show strong variability both in NDWI (range 1.154, SD?=?0.0599) and in LST (range 24 °C and SD?=?2.54). Negative LST–NDWI correlation in this sector is partially linear. Western Thar Desert, having homogenous silica sand of lower emissivity shows least variability in its NDWI (range 0.88, SD?=?0.027) and moderate variability in its LST (20 °C, SD?=?2.389). Strong negative correlation of LST with NDWI is exhibited here. Band ratio Silica map in this sector shows strong positive correlation with LST. The eastern part of the Thar desert with mixed rocky knobs, and wind-blown sand shows low variability in NDWI (range 0.85) as well as LST (range 15 °C). Area in Indus–Bias–Sutlej River basin, dominated with fluvial sediments with lesser amount of windblown sediments, show low variability of NDWI (0.85) and moderate variability of LST (range 23 °C). In the areas, around Luni river higher NDWI trend is recorded, which is unrelated to present drainage trends indicating presence of palaeo-drainage. In addition, high NDWI and high LST bearing linear zones at places are interpreted as structural lineaments/faults based on pattern, moisture content and thermal high.     

Accuracy Assessment of Digital Elevation Model Generated by SAR Stereoscopic Technique Using COSMO-Skymed Data

Radargrammetry technique using the stereoscopic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is used for the generation of a digital elevation model (DEM) of a region requires only the amplitude images. SAR stereoscopic technique is analogous to the stereo-photogrammetric technique where the optical stereoscopic images are used for DEM generation. While the advantages of the SAR images are their indifference to atmospheric transparency and solar illumination conditions, the side-looking geometry of the SAR increases the complexity in the SAR stereo analysis. The availability of high spatial and temporal resolution SAR data in recent years has facilitated generation of high-resolution DEM with greater vertical accuracy using radargrammetric technique. In the present study, attempt has been made to generate the DEM of Dehra Dun region, India, from the COSMO-Skymed X-band SAR data-pair acquired at 8 days interval through the radargrammetry technique. Here, radargrammetric orientation approach has been adopted to generate the DEM and various issues and processing steps with the radargrammetry technique have been discussed. The DEM was validated with ground measured elevation values using a differential global positioning system and the root-mean-square error of the DEM was found as 7.3 m. The DEM was compared with the reference DEM of the study area generated from the Cartosat-1 stereo data with a model accuracy of 4 m.     

Understanding the cause and effect relationship of debris slides in Papum Pare district,Arunachal Himalaya,India

Natural Hazards - Slope failures are recurrent phenomena during the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) season in the mountainous regions of Arunachal Himalaya, NE India, with a consequent damaging impact...