A survey of orbits of co-orbitals of Mars

Many asteroids with a semimajor axis close to that of Mars have been discovered in the last several years. Potentially some of these could be in 1:1 resonance with Mars, much as are the classic Trojan asteroids with Jupiter, and its lesser-known horseshoe companions with Earth. In the 1990s, two Trojan companions of Mars, 5261 Eureka and 1998 VF₃₁, were discovered, librating about the L₅ Lagrange point, 60° behind Mars in its orbit. Although several other potential Mars Trojans have been identified, our orbital calculations show only one other known asteroid, 1999 UJ₇, to be a Trojan, associated with the L₄ Lagrange point, 60° ahead of Mars in its orbit. We further find that asteroid 36017 (1999 ND₄₃) is a horseshoe librator, alternating with periods of Trojan motion. This asteroid makes repeated close approaches to Earth and has a chaotic orbit whose behavior can be confidently predicted for less than 3000 years. We identify two objects, 2001 HW₁₅ and 2000 TG₂, within the resonant region capable of undergoing what we designate “circulation transition”, in which objects can pass between circulation outside the orbit of Mars and circulation inside it, or vice versa. The eccentricity of the orbit of Mars appears to play an important role in circulation transition and in horseshoe motion. Based on the orbits and on spectroscopic data, the Trojan asteroids of Mars may be primordial bodies, while some co-orbital bodies may be in a temporary state of motion.     

Graphical representation of periodic motion of the line of nodes of the Moon

In the text-books of astronomy, sections generally related to the Moon deal with the orbital elements of the Earth-Moon system such asa, e, i, , and the time of perigee passage. While the MEAN of the first of the three elements do not vary, mean longitude of the ascending node-mean longitude of the lunar perigee and the time of perigee passage undergoes secular as well as periodic changes due predominantly to the action of the Sun's gravitational attraction. While to a certain degree, explanations related to the calculation of the lunar orbit parameters are given, not a single graphical representation of these short- or long-periodic changes are presented. We allow the number of data related to these periodic changes must cover a large span of time; and if regression of the line of nodes or advances of the line of apses are to be graphically seen, data covering 18.61 and 8.85 yr, respectively, are needed. In this work we particularly aim at the graphical representation of the periodic changes of the line of nodes.     

An explanation of the discretization of redshifts of quasars

Published in Astrofizika, Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 700–702, October–December, 1995.     

A Possible Mechanism of Superrotation of the Atmosphere of Venus

A hypothesis is proposed for the mechanism of superrotation of the atmosphere of Venus involving the following processes. Winds near the planet's surface, making up part of the Hadley cell, flow past the surface relief and excite internal atmospheric gravity waves. While moving upward, these waves become unstable and collapse generating turbulent eddies. Some portion of the energy of these eddies is transferred to a two-dimensional flow, which is maintained also at the expense of instability of large-scale motions. In this flow, the inverse energy cascade (transition from smaller eddies to larger eddies), or negative viscosity, appears as a key element of this mechanism. Large-scale quasi-two-dimensional turbulent eddies transfer their energy to Rossby planetary waves which, in turn, transmit it to a zonal flow. Based on this hypothesis and the existing experimental data, the time period over which superrotation is established, as well as the vertical and horizontal eddy viscosity coefficients, is estimated. In parallel, arguments in favor of the proposed hypothesis are obtained.     

Equation of state and anisotropy of pressure of magnetars

Magnetars are the neutron stars with the highest magnetic fields up to 10¹⁵–10¹⁶ G. It has been proposed that they are also responsible for a variety of extra-galactic phenomena, ranging from giant flares in nearby galaxies to fast radio bursts. Utilizing a relativistic mean field model and a variable magnetic field configuration, we investigate the effects of strong magnetic fields on the equation of state and anisotropy of pressure of magnetars. It is found that the mass and radius of low-mass magnetars are weakly enhanced under the action of the strong magnetic field, and the anisotropy of pressure can be ignored. Unlike other previous investigations, the magnetic field is unable to violate the mass limit of the neutron stars.     

Test of the hypothesis of circular motion of interstellar clouds

The study of the motion of interstellar clouds by direct dynamical methods is hindered by the lack of a complete set of initial conditions of the motion. The hypothesis of the circular motion of interstellar matter of various composition is tested on the basis of the catalog of Brand and Blitz. A modification of the method proposed by Edmondson and Hoerner, which was successfully used for a statistical investigation of the shapes of the orbits of globular clusters, is used. It is established that interstellar clouds move in nearly circular orbits with small deviations, so that data on the spiral structure of the Galaxy obtained by radio-astronomical methods should be considered as close to reality. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 239–246, April-June, 2000.     

The absence of satellites of asteroids

A CCD-imaging survey was made for satellites of minor planets at distances of about 0.1 to 7 arcmin from 1 Ceres, 2 Pallas, 4 Vesta, 6 Hebe, 7 Iris, 8 Flora, 15 Eunomia, 29 Amphitrite, 41 Daphne, and 44 Nysa, with cursory inspection of 192 Nausikaa. Satellites larger than 3 km were not found in this work, nor in previous photographic surveys. Not finding them appears to be consistent with theoretical studies of collisions in the asteroid belt by several authors. The satellites would have to be larger than at least 30 km to be collisionally stable. Tidal effects would lead to synchronous rotation and therefore long periods of rotation (several days), which are not generally observed. Taking tidal stability into account, we conclude that the only possible satellites for main-belt asteroids, with stability over eons, are near-contact binaries. The only other rare possibility for a satellite might be a piece of debris from a recent collision, and it would now be chaotic and collisionally unstable.     

Distribution of Doppler Redshifts of Associated Absorbers of SDSS Quasars

Doppler redshifts of a sample of Mg II associated absorbers of SDSS DR7 quasars are analysed. We find that there might be three Gaussian components in the distribution of the Doppler redshift. The first Gaussian component, with the peak being located at z _Dopp?=???0.0074, probably arises from absorbers with outflow histories observed in the direction close to jets of quasars. The second Gaussian component, with the peak being located at z _Dopp?=???0.0017, possibly arises from absorbers with outflow histories observed in the direction far away from jets of quasars. Whereas, the third Gaussian component, with the peak being located at z _Dopp?=???0.0004, might arise from the random motion of absorbers with respect to quasars.     

Theory of motion of hyperion

We solve by an appropriate method the difficulty of near-commensurability, $\text{n}\text{n}{}_1$$\text{3}\text{4}$, in the motion of Hyperion (Saturn VII) and give a first-order solution of its motion. Our result explains two interesting observed features, the regression of the apsidal line and the exclusive occurrence of apocentre C conjunction of SVII and SVI.     

Investigation of Times of Minima of Selected Early-Type Eclipsing Binaries

New precise times of minimum light for several early-type eclipsing binaries were obtained at three observatories. The changes of period of the following measured binaries are discussed: V1182 Aql, LY Aur, SZ Cam, FZ CMa, QZ Car, LZ Cen, V606 Cen, AH Cep and TU~Mus.     

Structure of clusters. Application of new methods of analysis

Gor'kii Pedagogical Institute. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 71–78, January–February, 1989.     

Theory of relaxation of pulsar angular velocity within the framework of the general theory of relativity

The dynamics of the rotation of a two-component system in a neutron star is considered within the framework of the general theory of relativity. Equations for the angular velocities of the normal and superfluid components are obtained in the W approximation. It is shown that the solutions of these equations can describe the relaxation of pulsar angular velocity after a glitch. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 89–100, January–March, 1999.     

Simulation of compact groups of galaxies

Self-consistent simulations of seven groups of galaxies with halos have been performed to find a constraint upon the size of missing halos around spiral galaxies. An initial galaxy, which consists of 100 superstars, has half-mass radius 41 kpc and central velocity dispersion 235 km s^–1. The simulations start from the epoch of maximum expansion. The initial conditions involve a variety of spatial distributions of galaxies, and the velocity dispersion of galaxies as would be permitted for maximum expansion. Dense groups having collapse times shorter than (2/3)H ₀ ^–1 are shown to form multiple mergers in a Hubble timeH ₀ ^–1 . From a comparison of the frequencies of cD galaxies, or multiple mergers, in observed and simulated groups, it is concluded that the effective radius of missing halos is less than 41 kpc.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

Properties of the motion of the isolated body of the problem of three bodies

We investigate the condition for the third body of the problem of three bodies to be an “isolated body”, and the properties of its motion, particularly in the case where the system has a negative total angular momentum. We give the permitted regions for the acceleration and radius vector of the isolated body, the law of variation of its velocity and the region of escape of the isolated body.     

Substructure of the core of the perseus supercluster of galaxies

The hierarchical substructure of the core of the Perseus cluster of galaxies (A426, A262, A347, N507, and N383) is investigated using the method of S-tree diagrams. In the main system M (100 galaxies), two substructures AM (35 galaxies) and BM (13 galaxies) are determined. The group AM can be identified with the cluster A262 and the group N507; BM can be identified with the group N383; A426 and A347 are in the main system. The axis of symmetry of the system M passes through the Seyfert galaxy N1275 and is parallel to the axis of symmetry of the group AM, which is the core of increased density of the cluster of galaxies. Radial segregation of galaxies by morphological types is observed in the systems M and AM. The distribution of galaxies by position angles is uniform. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 65–72, January-March, 1998.     

Limits of predictability of gravitational systems

The concept of finite predictability of gravitational many-body systems is related to the non-deterministic nature of celestial mechanics and of dynamics, in general. The basic, fundamental reasons for the uncertainty of predictions are as follows: (1) the initial conditions are known only approximately since they are obtained either from observations or from approximate computations; (2) the equations of motion given by a selected model describe the actual system only approximately; (3) the physical constants of the dynamical system have error limits; (4) the differential equations of motion are non-integrable and numerical integration methods must be used for solution, generating errors in the final result at every integration step.In addition to these reasons, mostly depending on our techniques, there are some more fundamental reasons depending on the nature of the dynamical system investigated. These are the appearance of regions of instability, non-integrability and chaotic motion.Details, effects and controls of these regions for finite predictability are discussed for various dynamical systems of importance in celestial mechanics with special emphasis on planetary systems.     

Observations and Theoretical Analysis of Lightcurves of Natural Satellites of Planets

We present the results of photometric observations of Saturn's seventh satellite Hyperion and four other planetary satellites: Saturn's moon Phoebe and three Jovian satellites Himalia, Elara, and Pasiphae. The observations have been conducted from September, 1999 to March, 2000, and during September–October, 2000. Analysis of periodic variations in Hyperion's lightcurve was performed. The lightcurve was modeled using the software package developed for calculating the rotational dynamics of a satellite. Our data generally indicate that over the period of observations Hyperion was in the chaotic mode of rotation.     

An Analysis of the Condensation Temperature of Elements of Extrasolar Planetary Systems

Using high signal-to-noise ratio spectra of extrasolar planet-hosting stars, we obtained the atmospheric parameters, accurate metallicities and the differential abundance for 15 elements (C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni and Ba). In a search for possible signatures of metal-rich material accreting onto the parent stars, we found that , for a given element, there is no significant trend of increasing [X/H] with increasing condensation temperature Tc. In our sample of planet-harboring stars, the volatile and refractory elements behave similarly, and we can not confirm if there exists any significant dependence on the condensation temperature Tc.     

Flattening of galaxies of different morphological types in subclusters of Coma

This paper deals with the observed variation in the flattening of galaxies with the density of galaxies in the subclusters of Coma surrounding NGC 4889, NGC 4874, and NGC 4839 based on data from the Abastumani Combined Catalog of Galaxies. The mean values of the observed ratios of the diameters of the galaxies, as well as histograms of their distributions, indicate that in the central, dense regions of the subclusters within a volume of 0.5h ₇₅ ⁻¹ Mpc³, E and S0 type galaxies are close to spheroidal. A significant reduction in the mean values of the diameters of the galaxies in the subclusters is noted, regardless of their morphology relative to the galaxies in the halo of the Coma cluster. In the subclusters, spiral galaxies are found with a hydrogen deficit that is more than 5 times the hydrogen deficit in spirals within the halo of the cluster. According to their 3-D coordinates, most of the galaxies with a hydrogen deficit are located closer to the south-east edge of the subcluster surrounding NGC 4874 near an extended gas filament in the x-ray region. This may indicate that the subcluster is moving toward a central condensation of faint galaxies in the Coma cluster and a possible merger with it. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 50, No. 3, pp. 355–368 (August 2007).