Gravitational instability problem of nonuniform media

An instability criterion for perturbations of the gravitational potential in an inhomogeneous, large gas cloud is derived. We assume that perturbations propagate through the central area of the cloud, along the basic state density gradients. The instability criterion obtained in this way represents generalization of the Jeans's criterion to the case when the system is inhomogeneous in the basic state.     

磁场约束的近圆弧形等离子体拱

等离子体弧是日冕中的一种基本结构,其高温观测特性意味着它有较高的等离子体压力。本文在二维近似下,讨论了等离子体拱被两个强磁场区域所约束时的平衡。对于较大的等离子体标高,等离子体具有近似圆弧形的结构。通过求出强磁场区域中的磁场位形,可以得到孤立的等离子体拱的平衡状态。由于总压守恒的边界条件是高度非线性的,整个问题是一类非线性的自由边界问题。在近圆弧形近似下,其基态是一维的非线性问题,而相对于基态的偏离是二维的线性问题。这样,整个问题可以给出分析解。     

GALILEO搜救定位处理的分布式数据融合方法

对遇险目标搜索救援的支持是GALILEO全球卫星导航系统的一项重要民用服务.文章介绍了GALILEO搜索救援子系统(SAR)定位的基本原理.在GALILEO SAR中测量量为时间信号与频率信号,文章详细地给出了两种测量信号的定位方法.基于多传感器信息融合技术,对搜索救援系统中不同测量信号进行综合状态估计.在仿真计算中,采用带噪声的模拟测量数据进行定位,数值计算的结果显示基于多传感器数据融合方法的综合状态估计是可靠的.     

Robotic optical telescopes global network MASTER II. Equipment, structure, algorithms

Presented paper describes the basic principles and features of the implementation of a robotic network of optical telescopes MASTER, designed to study the prompt (simultaneous with gamma radiation) optical emission of gamma-ray bursts and to perform the sky survey to detect unknown objects and transient phenomena. With joint efforts of Sternberg astronomical institute, High altitude astronomical station of the Pulkovo observatory, Ural state university, Irkutsk state university, Blagoveshchensk pedagogical university, the robotic telescopes MASTER?II near Kislovodsk, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk and Blagoveshchensk were installed and tested. The network spread over the longitudes is greater than 6?h. A further expansion of the network is considered.     

The early-contact system BH Centauri:UBV photometry

Some basic equations pertaining to the accretion of perfect magnetofluid on compact objects are derived without assuming that the flow is purely circular or purely radial. In addition, we assume that the magnetofluid exerts negligible self-gravitation and that its flow is stationary and axisymmetric. We restrict ourselves to the case of ‘stiff’ or ‘incompressible’ fluid with an equation of state: pressure = energy-density.     

The quasi-steady state cosmology: Some recent developments

This paper summarises the recent work on the quasi-steady state cosmology. This includes, the theoretical formulation and simple exact solutions of the basic equations, their relationship to observations, the stability of solutions and the toy model for understanding the growth of structures in the universe.     

状态转移矩阵的差分算法及其应用

指出用数值积分方法计算状态转移矩阵在程序实现时存在的困难。根据精密定轨和参数解算的实际需要,提出用差分算法,即通过两条接近的轨道的差来计算状态转移矩阵差分算法的优点是程序具有良好的结构且编程简单,其不足之处是差分时可能损失精度。将差分算法与数值积分方法的结果进行比较,提出克服其不足处的方法。     

Modulation of galactic cosmic ray anisotropy in heliomagnetosphere: Average sidereal daily variation

We formulate the modulation of galactic anisotropy of cosmic rays caused by their orbital deflection in the heliomagnetosphere. According to the formulation, the average sidereal i-th harmonic daily variation (i = 1,2,…) produced from the anisotropy from an arbitrary direction can be expressed by a linear combination of three basic vectors for uni-directional anisotropy and five basic vectors for bi-directional anisotropy. These vectors are obtained by calculating trajectories of cosmic rays (20?10⁴GV) in a model magnetosphere having Parker's Archimedian spiral structure with a flat or a wavy neutral sheet in either of two polarity states, one is called “Positive” state (away field in the northern space of the neutral sheet and toward field in the southern space) and the other is called “Negative” state (reversed state of the above). Among general characteristics of the sidereal daily variations, the most remarkable features are: (1) The observable variations in low rigidity (? 2000 GV) can be produced even from an uni-directional anisotropy in the direction of the Earth's rotation axis. These variations are strongly dependent on the polarity state, i.e., they are greater in the Positive state than in the Negative. (2) Those produced from the anisotropy in the Equatorial plane also show the polarity dependence but contrary to the previous case they are greater in the Negative state than in the Positive. Their magnitude in the former state is not so small even in the extremely low rigidity (～ 100 GV) as compared with that in high rigidity region. (3) These general characteristics are not altered by the introduction of the wavy neutral sheet or the magnetic irregularities, but the variations are affected more or less, depending on the heliolatitudinal extent of the wavy sheet or the degree of cosmic ray scattering with the irregularities, (4) Sidereal daily variation for the wavy sheet shows a toward-away field dependence similar to that of Swinson-type of solar origin, but the dependence is predominant in intermediate rigidity region (～ 500 GV), in marked contrast to that of solar origin. (5) Finally, whichever its direction may be, the uni-directional anisotropy produces the sidereal diurnal variation common to two conjugate stations in the Northern and Southern hemisphere. If there is any difference between the observed variations at the stations, it should be interpreted as being due to higher order anisotropy such as the bi-directional anisotropy.     

Model of the expansive nondecelerative universe

The joint article is concerned with derivation of equations of dynamics of the expansive nondecelerative universe and determination of its basic properties, relations, and parameters with the state equationp=–1/3.     

Basics of Rotating Magnetospheres: Equilibrium and Stability

We present the basic characteristics of a rotating magnetosphere. More specifically, we describe its overall equilibrium state, explain the ‘subcorotation’ phenomenon resulting from plasma production or from outward transport, discuss the conditions under which a magnetospheric system is driven unstable, and comment on the nature of the unstable motions, with emphasis on the interchange motions believed to be responsible for the outward plasma transport. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Modulation of galactic cosmic ray anisotropy in heliomagnetosphere: Influence of cosmic ray scattering on sidereal daily variation

In previous papers, the present authors have shown that the galactic anisotropy is modulated due to cosmic ray orbital deflection in the heliomagnetosphere, and that the sidereal time daily variations of galactic origin can be expressed using the basic vectors, which have been obtained by calculating trajectories of cosmic rays in a model magnetosphere having Parker's Archimedian spiral structure with a flat or a wavy neutral sheet. In the present paper, the magnetic irregularities superposed on the Parker's spiral field have been taken into account, which cause the scattering of cosmic rays and disturb their orbits. We examined the fluctuations of asymptotic directions calculating their orbits by the Monte-Carlo simulation, based on the theory of the multiple scattering process. It is shown that the dispersion of the projected deviation angle is determined mainly by the scattering mean free path and by the structure of the order magnetic field, e.g. the polarity state of the heliomagnetosphere and the extent of the neutral sheet. We investigated also the influence of the fluctuations of asymptotic directions on the sidereal daily variation. It is found that, under some conditions, the scattering causes only the attenuation of the amplitude of the basic vector, and does not change its phase. The attenuation is negligibly small at high rigidities larger than ~ 1000 GV, but becomes more serious with decreasing rigidity. The rigidity dependence curve of the attenuation rate was calculated for various cases. A simple and approximate method is also presented for the derivation of those curves for any value of the magnitude of the mean free path and for various model magnetospheres. It is noted, however, that the lower limiting rigidity below which the present method is not applicable is relatively high in the Positive polarity state.     

Numerical simulation of the general circulation of the Cytherean lower atmosphere

The principal features which distinguish the atmosphere on Venus from that of the Earth are the slow rotation of the planet, the large mass of the atmosphere, and the opacity of the atmosphere to long-wave radiation. The slow rotation of the planet gives rise, first of all, to nongeostrophuc dynamics (the atmosphere gas has a tendency to move along the pressure gradient), with the result that the region of the main influx of solar energy is located on one side of the planet, and the region of maximum cooling on the other. These considerations lead to a much simpler scheme of circulation than that in the Earth's atmosphere.The large mass of the atmosphere is the cause of a high thermal and mechanical inertia, which explains why the atmospheric circulation is asymmetrical relative to the solar-antisolar axis. The daily center of circulation is displaced to the second half of the Cytherean solar day, i.e., to the line of zero budget of thermal energy corresponding to a height of the Sun abobe the horizon of about 20°. The notions of cold and warm regions are very relative for Venus. While the horizontal temperature differences on the Earth may reach 100°, a mean horizontal temperature drop as small as 3° in the Cytherean atmosphere may be looked upon as an exceptional phenomenon. This high thermal homogeneity is due to a very large thermal inertia, with cooling at the poles never manifesting itself in the temperature fields obtained.The opacity of the Cytherean atmosphere to long-wave radiation results in vertical heat transfer by turbulence, mesoscale convection, and large-scale currents. This produces adiabatic stratification in the troposphere and a high temperature in the lower layers.These phenomena were studied in a general manner using two- and three-level models. Steps have recently been undertaken to investigate in greater detail the vertical structure of the troposphere on Venus using ten-level models. It appeared that the vertical dynamic structure of the troposphere is very much dependent on the distribution in height of the solar energy influx. In the greenhouse model, the entire atmosphere is affected by circulation. Pronounced velocity maxima are observed in the lower and upper layers. In a model with adsorption of solar radiation in the upper layer, the velocity is small in the lower layers, but it rapidly increases and changes its direction several times in the upper layers. The mean kinetic energy of the atmosphere proves to be two to three times smaller than in the greenhouse model.Attempts have been made in the calculations to find the principal modes of the statistical fluctuations. The results obtained show that atmospheric circulation may be represented by a global mean basic state following the rotation of the planet with deviations from that basic state which are indeterminate disturbances. The mean basic state exhibits a high degree of symmetry relative to the equator. On account of nonlinearity, the disturbances were observed in all the models independently of space and time resolution. This phenomenon appears to reflect the actual properties of the Cytherean atmosphere and has no bearing on the details of the numerical scheme.     

Origin and evolution of the solar system,II

(7)Formation of celestial bodies. The basic concepts of the accretional process are discussed, and the inadequacy of the contractional model is pointed out. A comparison is made between the general pre-planetary state on the one hand and the present state in the asteroidal region on the other. A model for accretion of resonance-captured grains leading to the formation of resonance-captured planets and satellites is suggested.(8)Spin and accretion. The relation between the accretional process and the spin of planets is analyzed.(9)Accretion of planets and satellites. It is shown that jet streams are a necessary intermediate stage in the formation of celestial bodies. The time sequence of planet formation is analyzed, and it is shown that the newly accreted bodies have a characteristic internal heat structure; the cases of the Earth and the Moon are considered in detail. A region of high initial temperature is found at 0.4 of the present Earth radius, whereas the culminating temperature of the Moon is near its present surface. An accretional heat wave is found to proceed outwards, and may produce the observed differentiation features.     

Avalanche models for solar flares (Invited Review)

This paper is a pedagogical introduction to avalanche models of solar flares, including a comprehensive review of recent modeling efforts and directions. This class of flare model is built on a recent paradigm in statistical physics, known as self-organized criticality. The basic idea is that flares are the result of an ‘avalanche’ of small-scale magnetic reconnection events cascading through a highly stressed coronal magnetic structure, driven to a critical state by random photospheric motions of its magnetic footpoints. Such models thus provide a natural and convenient computational framework to examine Parker's hypothesis of coronal heating by nanoflares. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1013301521745     

Monte Carlo Modeling of the Thermal Conductivity of Porous Cometary Ice

The basic structure of comet nuclei is an aggregation of grains, with a size distribution that extends over several orders of magnitude and a similar distribution of pores. Although attempts have been made to assess the effect of porosity on the thermal conductivity, the effect of pore size distribution has been ignored. Modeling a porous structure with a wide size distribution would require a very fine 3-D grid, so as to accommodate the smallest and largest voids. In order to circumvent this difficulty, we adopt a hierarchical procedure. Thus we assume a random and fractal porous structure and use a 3-D Monte Carlo model. The basic configuration is a cube made of unit cells of two types, (ice) filled and void, randomly distributed. Their relative number corresponds to a prescribed porosity. We solve the heat transport equation for this cube until a steady state is obtained, and from this solution the effective thermal conductivity is derived. The calculations are repeated for a range of porosities and temperatures, since the ice conductivity is temperature dependent. The basic cube serves as a unit filled cell in a larger cube, and in this way the hierarchical structure of the medium is built up.We find that the thermal conductivity is lowered by several orders of magnitude at high porosities. The correction factor, obtained as a fit to the results of our calculations, is expressed as a smooth function of the porosity, which tends to zero as the porosity approaches the percolation threshold of the solid. If only the porosity of the medium is known, this correction is not uniquely determined, but rather a range of values is possible. Only if the size distribution of the pores is known does the correction become uniquely determined.     

Solar magnetic fields and convection

Recent developments in solar dynamo and other theories of magnetic fields and convection are discussed and extended. A basic requirement of these theories, that surplus fields are eliminated by turbulent or eddy diffusion, is shown to be invalid. A second basic requirement, that strong surface fields are created by granule or supergranule motions, is shown to be improbable. Parker's new thin-filament dynamo, based on the Petschek mechanism, is shown to provide the alternative possibilities: either the magnetic fields halt all convection or a steady state is reached in which the fields are a tangle of long, thin filaments. From the above and other considerations it is concluded that the dynamo and related diffuse-field theories are unacceptable, that solar magnetic fields are not dominated by convection, and that all the fields emerge as strong, concentrated fields (flux ropes) which were wound and twisted from a permanent, primordial field. The discussion may, incidentally, provide the physical elements of a deductive theory of hydromagnetic convection.     

The temperature anisotropy and adiabatic cooling of the protons in the solar wind

A simple theoretical expression for the mean kinetic temperature of the protons in a steady state as a function of heliocentric distance is derived. The basic assumption is that the temperature anisotropy of the protons is invariant in space where binary encounters are rare. For an assumed base temperature of 5 × 10⁵K at a distance of 0.05 AU, the calculated temperature at a distance of 1 AU is in the range (2–4) × 10⁴K for an average anisotropy factor of 3: this range of temperatures is close to the observed average value under so-called ‘quiet’ conditions. Measurement of the anisotropy factor at different heliocentric distances is required to test the basis of the model.     

Normal modes of synchronous rotation

The dynamics of synchronous rotation and physical librations are revisited in order to establish a conceptually simple and general theoretical framework applicable to a variety of problems. Our motivation comes from disagreements between the results of numerical simulations and those of previous theoretical studies, and also because different theoretical studies disagree on basic features of the dynamics. We approach the problem by decomposing the orientation matrix of the body into perfectly synchronous rotation and deviation from the equilibrium state. The normal modes of the linearized equations are computed in the case of a circular satellite orbit, yielding both the periods and the eigenspaces of three librations. Libration in longitude decouples from the other two, vertical modes. There is a fast vertical mode with a period very close to the average rotational period. It corresponds to tilting the body around a horizontal axis while retaining nearly principal-axis rotation. In the inertial frame, this mode appears as nutation and free precession. The other vertical mode, a slow one, is the free wobble. The effects of the nodal precession of the orbit are investigated from the point of view of Cassini states. We test our theory using numerical simulations of the full equations of the dynamics and discuss the disagreements among our study and previous ones. The numerical simulations also reveal that in the case of eccentric orbits large departures from principal-axis rotation are possible due to a resonance between free precession and wobble. We also revisit the history of the Moon's rotational state and show that it switched from one Cassini state to another when it was at 46.2 Earth radii. This number disagrees with the value 34.2 derived in a previous study.     

Chaos in three-body dynamics: Kolmogorov–Sinai entropy

An ensemble of Newtonian three-body models with close initial separations is investigated by following the evolution of a 'drop' in the homology map. The onset of chaos is revealed by the motion and the complex temporal deformation of the drop. In the state of advanced chaos, the drop spreads over almost the whole homology map, quite independently of its initial position on the map. A general quantitative measure of this process is the mean exponential rate of spreading, which bears resemblance to Kolmogorov–Sinai entropy; this is introduced and estimated in terms of the homology mapping. In a similar manner we also estimate the mean exponential rate of divergence of initially close-by trajectories. This is a close analogue to the Lyapunov exponent. These parameters measure two complementary aspects of dynamical instability, which is the basic mechanism of the onset of chaos.     

On the clustering phase transition in self-gravitating N-body systems

The thermodynamic behaviour of self-gravitating N -body systems has been worked out by borrowing a standard method from molecular dynamics. The link between dynamics and thermodynamics is made in the microcanonical ensemble of statistical mechanics. Through the computation of basic thermodynamic observables and of the equation of state in the     plane, the clustering phase transition appears to be of the second-order type. The dynamical–microcanonical averages are compared with their corresponding canonical ensemble averages, obtained through standard Monte Carlo computations. The latter seem to have completely lost any information about the phase transition. Finally, our results – obtained in a 'microscopic' framework – are compared with some existing theoretical predictions – obtained in a 'macroscopic' (thermodynamic) framework: qualitative and quantitative agreement is found, with an interesting exception.