Mass motions in a heated flare filament

Energy transport in a hot flare plasma is examined with particular reference to the influence of fluid motion. On the basis of dimensional considerations the dynamical timescale of the flare plasma is shown to be comparable to the timescale for energy loss by conduction and radiation. It is argued that mass motion is likely to have a profound influence on the evolution of the flare.The detailed response of a flare filament to a localized injection of energy is then analyzed. Radiative, conductive and all dynamical terms are included in the energy equation. Apart from greatly enhancing the rate of propagation of the thermal disturbance through space, mass motion is found to be significant in transferring energy through the moving fluid.Finally the predicted thermal structure is discussed and it is concluded that the presence of mass motions in the flare may be inferred from the form of the soft X-ray differential emission measure.     

MaxEnt power spectrum estimation using the Fourier transform for irregularly sampled data applied to a record of stellar luminosity

The principle of maximum entropy is applied to the spectral analysis of a data signal with general variance matrix and containing gaps in the record. The role of the entropic regularizer is to prevent one from overestimating structure in the spectrum when faced with imperfect data. Several arguments are presented suggesting that the arbitrary prefactor should not be introduced to the entropy term. The introduction of that factor is not required when a continuous Poisson distribution is used for the amplitude coefficients. We compare the formalism for when the variance of the data is known explicitly to that for when the variance is known only to lie in some finite range. The result of including the entropic measure factor is to suggest a spectrum consistent with the variance of the data which has less structure than that given by the forward transform. An application of the methodology to example data is demonstrated.     

Computational Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics

Computational fluid dynamics, indeed all computation, is easy enough when there are no large or small parameters in the problem, but this is unfortunately rarely the case in astrophysics. Although much can be achieved by the intelligent use of dimensional analysis in order to rescale the problem, this is seldom enough to carry out interesting computations on a uniform grid and there is little prospect that increases in computer power can do much to alleviate this in the near future. It is, however, possible to construct hydrodynamic codes that use a hierarchical grid to achieve high resolution in places where the solution varies rapidly and this, combined with rescaling, enormously extends the range of problems that can be tackled. The power of these methods is illustrated by the applying them to the propagation of detonations in Type Ia supernovae. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

原子钟噪声的蒙特卡络模拟方法

讨论了原子钟噪声的蒙特卡络模拟方法．具体过程是：先产生模拟所需的正态分布随机数，从实际钟的阿仑方差估算出噪声电平，然后用１组递点函数产生高质量的模拟钟时差的随机序列．在对１台商品铯钟进行具体模拟后，给出了真实数据与模拟值的阿仑方差之问的相符程度，最后对实际问题进行了分析．     

TheHI content of the Eridanus group of galaxies

The HI content of galaxies in the Eridanus group is studied using the GMRT observations and the HIPASS data. A significant HI deficiency up to a factor of 2–3 is observed in galaxies in the high galaxy density regions. The HI deficiency in galaxies is observed to be directly correlated to the local projected galaxy density, and inversely correlated to the line-of-sight radial velocity. Furthermore, galaxies with larger optical diameters are predominantly in the lower galaxy density regions. It is suggested that the HI deficiency in Eridanus is due to tidal interactions. In some galaxies, evidences of tidal interactions are seen. An important implication is that significant evolution of galaxies can take place in the group environment. In the hierarchical way of formation of clusters via mergers of groups, a fraction of the observed HI deficiency in clusters could have originated in groups. The co-existence of S0s and severely HI deficient galaxies in the Eridanus group suggests that tidal interaction is likely to be an effective mechanism for transforming spirals to S0s.     

Eolian erosion of the Martian surface,part 1: Erosion rate similitude

A similitude parameter is derived which is based on theoretical considerations of erosion due to sand in saltation. This parameter has been used to correlate wind tunnel experiments of particle flow over model craters. The characteristics of the flow field in the vicinity and downstream of a crater are discussed and it is shown that erosion is initiated in areas lying under a pair of trailing vortices. The erosion rate parameter is used to calculate erosion rates on Mars, reported in Part 2, to be published later.     

Self-consistent electromagnetic field in a nearly co-rotating magnetosphere

An example of the self-consistent solution which belongs to the non-trivial solution, obtained in a previous paper (Kaburaki, 1985), is found in a nearly co-rotating inner magnetosphere. Though the stellar wind is neglected there compared with the co-rotatinal velocity, drift motion around the magnetic axis, which is a manifestation of inertial effects, is determined self-consistently with the electromagnetic field. In this process, explicit expressions for the energy integral in the rotating frame and for the density distribution are also obtained. These expressions contain a fundamental length, which is to be evaluated according to physical conditions of a magnetosphere and determines the asymptotic-kinetic energy of a plasma particle at infinity. The electric current associated with the drift motion is too small to alter the original magnetic field, but the electric field is modified by the inertial effects even in the inner magnetosphere. The integrated Ohm's law is used to describe a force balance in the rotating frame, in the limits of weak and strong magnetic field.     

Some exact analytic self-similar solution in the theory of flare-UPS in novae

A stellar model in which density in the undisturbed gas is assumed to obey power law is considered. An exact analytic self-similar solution for shock velocity, pressure and density is obtained under the assumption of isothermal conditions in the rear flow field. An expression to study analytically the extent of vacuum in the inner core of the gaseous sphere is deduced for any explosion problem and is applied here to obtain the extent of the inner vacuum analytically.     

Absorption of acoustic waves by sunspots

Observations of the scattering of acoustic waves by sunspots show a substantial deficit in scattered power relative to incident power. A number of calculations have attempted to model this process in terms of absorption at the magnetohydrodynamic Alfvén resonance. The results presented here extend these calculations to the case of a highly structured axisymmetric translationally invariant flux-tube embedded in a uniform atmosphere. The fractional energy absorbed is calculated for models corresponding to flux-tubes of varying radius, mean flux-density and location below the photosphere. The effects of twist are also included.It is found that absorption can be very efficient even in models with low mean magnetic flux density, provided the flux is concentrated into intense slender annuli. Twist is found to increase the range of wave numbers over which absorption is efficient, but it does not remove the low absorption at low azimuthal orders which is a feature of resonance absorption calculations in axisymmetric geometry, and which is in conflict with observation.These results suggest that resonance absorption could be an efficient mechanism in plage fields and fibril sunspots as well as in monolithic sunspots. At present it is too early to make any definite deductions about sunspot structure from the observations, but the possible future use of sunspot seismology to resolve open questions in the theory of sunspots is briefly discussed.     

Acceleration of particles by electron plasma waves in a moderate magnetic field

A general scheme is established to examine any magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) configuration for its acceleration potential including the effects of various types of plasma waves. The analysis is restricted to plasma waves in a magnetic field with electron cyclotron frequency less than, but comparable to, the electron plasma frequency (moderate field). The general role of electron plasma waves is examined in this paper independent of a specific MHD configuration or generating mechanism in the weak turbulence limit. The evolution of arbitrary wave spectra in a non-relativistic plasma is examined, and it is shown that the nonlinear, process of induced scattering on the polarization clouds of ions leads to the collapse of the waves to an almost one-dimensional spectrum directed along the magnetic field. The subsequent acceleration of non-relativistic and relativistic particles is considered. It is shown for non-relativistic particles that when the wave distribution has a negative slope the acceleration is retarded for lower velocities and enhanced for higher velocities compared to acceleration by an isotropic distribution of electron plasma waves in a magnetic field. This change in behavior is expected to affect the development of wave spectra and the subsequent acceleration spectrum.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

On the systems of selenographic coordinates,their determination and terminology

Attention is drawn to the absence in literature of the precise definitions of selenographic and celestial selenocentric coordinate systems. In certain cases inaccuracies in the formulation of the first Cassini law occur. This is due to the fact that the principal directions dealt with in the theory of lunar rotation are being constantly confused. A clear-cut definition of the principal coordinate systems concerned with the lunar rotation is given. It is indicated that there is no necessity in a special astronomical time service on the Moon. Since the future expeditions to the Moon will be able to keep terrestrial time, the problem of the hour angle is simply solved by the Formula (11).     

A gravitationally non-degenerate cosmological model with expanding and shearing viscous fluid in general relativity

The object of this paper is to investigate the behaviour of viscosity in a cosmological model, in which the coefficient of shear viscosity is assumed to be proportional to rate of expansion in the model. The behaviour of the model in the absence of shear viscosity is also discussed.     

The collapse of iron-oxygen stars: Physical and mathematical formulation of the problem and computational method

A statement of the problem of gravitational collapse and a computational method are described. The main feature of the collapse — its extremely high heterogeneity — is taken into account. The structure of a collapsing star is characterized by a dense and hot nucleon core which is opaque with respect to neutrino radiation and is embedded in to and extended envelope, almost transparent to neutrinos. The envelope is gradually being accreted onto the core. The enormous amount of energy, radiated in the form of neutrinos and antineutrinos, make us pay particular attention to relatively small absorption of neutrino radiation by extended envelope (so-called energy of deposition). The inclusion of the energy deposition in the calculations is of importance for the problem of transformation of an implosion into an explosion. The deposition is taken into consideration in the approximation of diluted neutrino radiation which escapes from neutrino photosphere and is partially absorbed in the envelope. Both the generation of energy due to deposition and the change of neutronto-proton ratio are taken into account. The increase of the mass of the core, which is opaque with respect to neutrino radiation, is fully taken into account in the calculations of the gravitational collapse.     

中国古代彗星记录的证认

对中国古代彗星记录的研究状况进行了全面论述,讨论了古代彗星名称、记录和轨道的确定,以事实说明,据这些彗星记录不可能得垤精确的轨道;回顾了古代彗星证认的历史发展,着重分析进行短周期彗得证认时可能出现的问题和解决方法;总结了古代彗星证认的意义：一是有助于短周期彗星长期演化的研究,二是有助于历史年代的确定。     

Oscillating pulsar polar gaps

An analytical model for oscillating pair creation above the pulsar polar cap is presented in which the parallel electric field is treated as a large amplitude, superluminal, electrostatic wave. An exact formalism for such wave is derived in one dimension and applied to both the low-density regime in which the pair plasma density is much lower than the corotating charge density and the high-density regime in which the pair plasma density is much higher than the corotating charge density. In the low-density regime, which is relevant during the phase leading to a pair cascade, a parallel electric field develops resulting in a rapid acceleration of particles. The rapid acceleration leads to bursts of pair production and the system switches to the oscillatory phase, corresponding to the high-density regime, in which pairs oscillate with net drift motion in the direction of wave propagation. Oscillating pairs lead to a current that oscillates with large amplitude about the Goldreich–Julian current. The drift motion can be highly relativistic if the phase speed of large amplitude waves is moderately higher than the speed of light. Thus, the model predicts a relativistic outflow of pairs, a feature that is required for avoiding overheating of the pulsar polar cap and is also needed for the pulsar wind.     

Modelling the magnetic field and differential rotation effects for the vicinity of the base of convective zone in the Sun

In this work, some numerical solutions of magnetohydrodynamics equations are investigated in the presence of differential rotation with the use of previously developed algorithm. This algorithm includes the thin shell approximation and a special separation of variables which were used to obtain the radial and latitudinal variations of physical parameters in spherical coordinates. The magnetic field profile is chosen to produce comparable magnetic fluxes found in previous works. The sphericity and density shape parameters relevant to model is determined by using two different known differential rotation profiles. It is found that the shape of variations in physical parameters is strongly dependent to magnetic field profile and there is a considerable change in density with respect to reference model. It is as well shown that the spherical symmetric distributions of physical parameters are broken for the region of study.     

Synthetic secular theories of the planetary orbits: Regular and chaotic behavior

Modern computer technology allows dynamical astronomers to investigate the long term stability of real systems as thoroughly as ever. However, the process is not straightforward and new problems need to be solved. This work deals with only one such problem: the construction-from the numerical integration- of a secular perturbation theory that is able to describe the dynamical behavior of the system. The discussion refers to the outer planets and is based on the knowledge acquired by the author during her participation in project LONGSTOP. A digital filter is used in order to reduce the output and eliminate short periodic terms. Filtering uncovers long term variations in the semimajor axes. From the filtered output a secular perturbation theory is constructed in the assumption that the solution is regular, as secular perturbation theories can only be constructed for regular solutions. If we succeed, this means that the solution is indeed regular for the computed span of time; if not-and this can be established in a rigorous way-it has to be concluded a posteriori that the solution is not regular. The LONGSTOP 1A and 1B integrations show well that as the timespan of the integration increases it is possible to detect the non-regular behavior of the solution. This happens in the eccentricity of Saturn at the 10^–4 level.     

Rotational modes in a slowly and uniformly rotating star

A perturbation method is derived forr-modes in a slowly and uniformly rotating star. In contrast to previous studies, the perturbation of the gravitational potential is included in the perturbation method.On the assumption that the effects of the centrifugal force are taken into account in the equilibrium model up to the second order in the angular velocity, an eigenvalue problem of sixth-order in the radial coordinate is derived that allows one to determine the zeroth-order toroidal displacement field and the third-order term in the expansion of the eigenfrequency. Furthermore, another eigenvalue problem is derived that governs the first-order toroidal displacement field and the fourth-order term in the expansion of the eigenfrequency. This second eigenvalue problem is also of the sixth-order in the radial coordinate.It is shown that the third-order term in the expansion of the eigenfrequency is real, and that the fourth-order term is zero.     

Suppression of the kink instability for magnetic flux ropes in the chromosphere

Energy storage in chromospheric flux ropes is discussed, in the context of solar flares. The structure is represented by a cylindrically symmetric magnetic field of finite length. The field is assumed to be approximately force-free. The stability of the field to a kink perturbation is investigated. Flux ropes are rooted in dense photospheric material. So the ends of the field lines are taken to be fixed on rigid boundaries for all perturbations. An energy perturbation method is used and the boundary conditions give a stabilizing effect. It is shown that for a moderate degree of twisting the fields are stable to a kink perturbation. Thus energy can be stored in cylindrical fields prior to release in a solar flare.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

On the interpretation of the photometry of irregular variable stars observed intermittently

This note is concerned with the inherent possibilities and limitations in the characterisation of irregular variables when, as is almost inevitably the case, the observations are not effectively continuous. The historical tendency to interpret almost everything in terms of strict periodicity is criticised. The basic logic of the situation is discussed, and it is emphasised that intermittency of observation inevitably blunts our knowledge of the spectrum of the variation. This can be restored to only a limited extent, depending on how reliably it is possible to presume missing observations by interpolation. Some applcation is made to a recent publication on 3C 345.A knowledge of formal Fourier theory is assumed, and the aim is to discuss critical principles rather than to recommend any fixed procedures of interpretation.