New high resolution observations of the solar diameter from space and ground with the microsatellite program PICARD

The PICARD microsatellite mission will provide 2 to 6 years simultaneous measurements of the solar diameter, differential rotation and solar constant to investigate the nature of their relations and variabilities. The 100 kg satellite has a 40 kg payload consisting of 3 instruments which will provide an absolute measure (better than 10 milliarcsec) of the diameter and the solar shape, a measure of total solar irradiance, and UV and visible flux in selected wavelength bands. Now in Phase B, PICARD is expected to be launched before mid-2003. The engineering model of the diameter telescope will be used on ground simultaneously with the satellite to investigate the atmospheric bias and state on the possible accuracy of the ground measurements carried up to now. We review the scientific goals linked to the diameter measurement, present the payload, and give a brief overview of the program aspects.     

On thermonuclear convection: I shellular instability

Abstract

As the sun evolves, a sharp compositional peak of He ³ builds up in the core. Nuclear reactions involving He ³ are very temperature sensitive, as a result, this He ³ layer is susceptible to thermal instability. The small horizontal wavenumber g-modes have large time scales, comparable to the thermal time scale. Using a two-layer model, we find that such “shellular modes” are the most unstable. As a result of nuclear heating, these modes may be excited in the solar core in a shallow layer confined to the He ³ zone. A possible effect of such shellular convection on the solar neutrino problem is discussed. In this paper we discuss the linear theory; the nonlinear effects will be treated in a subsequent paper.     

天体物理中的重力波和磁重力波

本文简要综述重力波和磁重力波在各种天体物理场合中的应用 ,我们描述在具有开放径向磁场的恒星大气各种磁流体波之间的相互转换过程 ,强调磁重力波被束缚在恒星冕内的可能性 ,并探讨恒星内部高频的声波模 (p -模 )被低频的重力波模 (g -模 )所调制的过程 ,一旦有了足够长时间未间断高质量的日震数据 ,太阳内部的重力波模对声波模的调制效应—即每一个分立声波模的频率精细结构—则可被用来寻找深陷于太阳内部的重力波模或进一步独立地约束重力波模的振幅上限