Feature modeling approach to simulating Loop Current Frontal Eddies

Loop Current Frontal Eddies (LCFE) in the Gulf of Mexico are simulated with a regional configuration of the Princeton Ocean Model using a feature-oriented initialization technique. The initialization procedure is based on a prior investigation of stability characteristics of the Loop Current (LC). Zonal channel experiments conducted with a multi-layer intermediate equations model allowed to identify conditions necessary for formation and growth of frontal eddies. The simulations were able to reproduce key features of LCFE-topography interaction in the DeSoto Canyon region observed during the “Eddy Intrusion” study.     

Temporal behaviour of artificial small-scale ionospheric irregularities: Review of experimental results

Features of artificial small-scale ionospheric irregularities (ASI) induced at F-region heights by powerful HF waves are discussed. The investigations presented here were performed during the past two decades at the Zimenki and Sura heating facilities, located at middle latitudes near Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia, as well as at the Gissar facility located at a lower latitude near Dushanbe, Tadzhikistan. The measurements were made by a variety of diagnostic methods employing artificial field-aligned scattering of HF and VHF radio waves, sounding of the disturbed region by means of low-power probing waves and testing of the artificial turbulence by means of stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE). The dependence of ASI on such parameters as transverse scale length of the artificial irregularities, their location in the disturbed region, the power of the heating wave, the duration of HF radiation, geophysical conditions, aftereffects of the preceding modification, and the schedule of heater operation is considered for both the development stage after pump turn-on and the decay stage after pump turn-off. The temporal evolution of ASI spectral characteristics during the heater period is discussed. An empirical model for the ASI, based on the data available, was elaborated and verified by computer simulation of SEE generation.     

Temporal evolution of HF-excited plasma waves, measured at different pump frequencies by stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE)

Experimental results concerning the growth and decay times of different spectral components of stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE) are presented. A new method of measurement, employing a special pulsed pump scheme for the ionospheric plasma modification, has been elaborated and applied for studying HF-induced processes with high time resolution. The measurements performed show that the development and relaxation of different SEE features have an intricate pattern which depends on the emission frequency shift from the pump frequency, on the proximity of the pump frequency to the gyroharmonic frequencies, on the intensity of artificial ionospheric turbulence, and on the ionospheric conditions. The scope of this method for studies of HF plasma turbulence is discussed.     

Climatic Changes in the Dynamic Topography and Geostrophic Circulation of the Arctic Ocean

Doklady Earth Sciences - According to historical oceanographic data, anomalies in the dynamic topography during the winter period were calculated and two climatic stages of dynamic condition of the...     

Proper motions and CCD photometry of stars in the region of the open cluster NGC 6866

We present the results of our comprehensive study of the Galactic open star cluster NGC 6866. The positions of stars in the investigated region have been obtained with the “Fantasy” automatic measuring machine from 10 plates of the normal astrograph at the Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory. The size of the investigated field is 40′ × 40′, the limiting magnitude is B ∼ 16_· ^m 6, and the maximum epoch difference is 79 yr. For 1202 field stars, we have determined the relative proper motions with an rms error of 2.5 mas yr⁻¹. Out of them, 423 stars may be considered cluster members with a probability P > 70% according to the astrometric criterion. Photometric diagrams have been used as an additional criterion. We have performed two-color BV CCD photometry of stars with the Pulkovo ZA-320M mirror astrograph. The U magnitudes from the literature have also been used to construct the two-color diagrams. A total of 267 stars have turned out to be members of NGC 6866 according to the two criteria. We present refined physical parameters of the cluster and its age estimate (5.6 × 10⁸ yr). The cluster membership of red and blue giants, variable, double, and multiple stars is considered. We have found an almost complete coincidence of the positions of one of the stars in the region (a cluster nonmember) and a soft X-ray source in the ROSAT catalog. The “Fantasy” automatic measuring machine is described in the Appendix.     

Tectonic evolution of the Siberian Platform during the Vendian and Phanerozoic

This paper presents characteristics of the structural regions surrounding the Siberian Platform and discusses the Vendian-present time evolution of the Siberian Paleocontinent with the Siberian Craton making up its nucleus. It shows that the paleocontinent underwent significant intraplate compressional deformations with vertical movements and formation of inversion structural features within broad areas. Such epochs of deformation took place at the Riphean-Vendian time boundary, during the Late Paleozoic, Late Triassic, Early Cretaceous, and during the Late Cenozoic. The principal rifting events took place during the Middle-Late Devonian. The paper presents paleotectonic reconstructions of East Siberia at several key time intervals.     

Medium-range forecasts of large ice cover discontinuities for hydrometeorological support of navigation in the Arctic basin

A brief characteristic of the Arctic ice cover discontinuities (ICD) is given. Their practical importance for vessels operating in this region as well as necessity of forecasting such indicators as the prevailing disposition of discontinuities and location of zones of their formation and closure are noted. The forecasting technique is based on the method of complex analogs. A summary of forecasts produced for the Arctic navigation areas since 1991 is provided. It is shown, that recent upgrading of the original methodology allowed to produce forecasts in on-line mode, to present digital maps of the forecast data, and to transfer them directly to the vessel’s automated workplace. A number of practical examples are presented for illustrating the navigation efficiency if forecast and actual ICD data are used. The results of forecast verification are given.