Fractal turbulence and the origin of the galaxies and of the large-scale structure

Observations show that the geometry of the large-scale distribution of galaxies is like a self-similar sponge which can be regarded as a fractal in fractal geometry (the Sierpinski sponge) with the fractal dimensionD _f=3–, =1.7–1.8 is the index in the two-point correlation function.We suggest using a new scheme to explain the origin of galaxies and large-scale structure. In our model, we assume that the density perturbations in the early Universe are adiabatic, and once they come within the horizon, they might produce the vortices of the fractal turbulence because of the Thomson drag. A model of the fractal turbulence is also given in this paper. The results obtained show that the basic characteristics of the galaxies (massM _g, angular momentumJ _g) and the large-scale structure (fractal dimensionD _f) can be explained, if the spectrum of early perturbations is the scale-free Zeldovich spectrum.     

Magnetic Activity and the Interaction Between the Stellar Magnetosphere and the Accretion Disk

Analytical and numerical analysis of the interaction between the magnetosphere of the Pre-Main-Sequence (PMS) stars and accretion disks are converging to a robust, fundamental mechanism for jet formation. They provide a reasonably solid base-line to explain the current observations on the formation of solar-like stars. In this summary, the connection between observations and this paradigm are reviewed critically and some observational tests proposed.     

依巴谷星表和第谷星表的特征和意义

主要论述依巴谷星表和第谷星表的观测特征和天体测量特征,依巴谷卫星在短期内同时测定大量高精度的恒星位置,自行和视差等五个天体测量参数以及星等和色指数,依巴谷星表和第谷星表为建立高精度的光学参考系,为研究恒星的起源,演化,分布,质量,大小和光度等,为研究双星和聚星的分布和运动,为研究星系运动和星系动力学提供了大量的高精度资料,具有重要的科学意义。     

Hypothesis of variable g and the secular accelerations of the Sun and the Moon

It is known that the observed secular accelerations of the Sun and Moon are not consistent with the tidal interactions of the Earth with the Sun and Moon. Following Dicke, the hypothesis of variable constant of gravity is adopted and expressions for the accelerations are derived. It is shown that if the theoretical ratio of the acceleration is equated the observed one, a unique value for —/G can be calculated. Adopting the accelerations obtained by Fotheringham, Newton, Muller and Stephenson, and Stephenson, it is found that — /G ranges from 1.4 × 10^–11 to 3.3 × 10^–11 yr^–1. This estimate is consistent with the one based upon the comparison of the lunar accelerations measured with respect to atomic and ephemis times.     

Influence of the Earth on the background and the sensitivity of the GRM and ECLAIRs instruments aboard the Chinese-French mission SVOM

SVOM (Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Object Monitor) is a future Chinese-French satellite mission which is dedicated to Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) studies. Its anti-solar pointing strategy makes the Earth cross the field of view of its payload every orbit. In this paper, we present the variations of the gamma-ray background of the two high energy instruments aboard SVOM, the Gamma-Ray Monitor (GRM) and ECLAIRs, as a function of the Earth position. We conclude with an estimate of the Earth influence on their sensitivity and their GRB detection capability.     

Heating and reconnection of the emerging magnetic flux-tubes and the role of the interchange instability

We propose in the present paper that the basic behaviors of newly-emerged magnetic regions (NEMR) as seen in EUV and soft X-rays from space are interpreted by the interchange instability of the magnetic field of NEMR in the global situation surrounding it.It is shown that the situation with the NEMR is unstable against the interchange instability, and a continual relaxation to the lower energy state, or a continual invasion of the magnetic flux of the NEMR to the ambient region in the form of fine bundles or thin sheets, will take place in a short time scale of ₁ L/V _A following the change in the boundary condition at the photosphere. The second and the final relaxation is shown to be the enhanced Joule dissipation in a time scale of hours to several days occurring in the thin current sheets on the interface of this intermingled structure which is distributed in a large volume. This hypothesis may provide an explanation for the heating of NEMR to an X-ray emitting temperature, which is otherwise rather difficult to explain. The observed fast reconnection without appreciable flares (except for some smaller brightenings) is another aspect which can be explained in the present hypothesis. Namely, since the situation with the NEMR is unstable for the interchange from the beginning, the stressed configuration is relaxed before storing appreciable energy in the form of magnetic stress and therefore without a drastic release of a large amount of stored stress energy in the form of a flare.     

On the relation between the ERP and the rotation vector

This paper deals with the Earth Rotation Parameters (ERP), and presents a formula to calculate the rotation vector.     

Interstellar Extinction and the Intrinsic Colors of Classical Cepheids in the Galaxy, the LMC, and the SMC

New methods are applied to samples of classical cepheids in the galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, and the Small Magellanic Cloud to determine the interstellar extinction law for the classical cepheids, R _B:R _V:R _I:R _J:R _H:R _K= 4.190:3.190:1.884:0.851:0.501:0.303, the color excesses for classical cepheids in the galaxy, E(B-V)=-0.382-0.168logP+0.766(V-I), and the color excesses for classical cepheids in the LMC and SMC, E(B-V)=-0.374-0.166logP+0.766(V-I). The dependence of the intrinsic color (B-V)₀ on the metallicity of classical cepheids is discussed. The intrinsic color (V-I)₀ is found to be absolutely independent of the metallicity of classical cepheids. A high precision formula is obtained for calculating the intrinsic colors of classical cepheids in the galaxy: (<B>-<V>)₀=0.365(±0.011)+0.328(±0.012)logP.     

On the Magnetic Correspondence between the Photosphere and the Heliosphere

The solar magnetic field maps every point in the corona to a corresponding place on the solar surface. Identifying the magnetic connection map is difficult at low latitudes near the heliospheric current sheet, but remarkably simple in coronal hole interiors. We present a simple analytic magnetic model (‘pseudocurrent extrapolation’) that reproduces the global structure of the corona, with significant physical advantages over other nearly analytic models such as source-surface potential field extrapolation. We use the model to demonstrate that local horizontal structure is preserved across altitude in the central portions of solar coronal holes, up to at least 30 R_s, in agreement with observations. We argue that the preserved horizontal structure may be used to track the magnetic footpoint associated with the location of a hypothetical spacecraft traveling through the solar corona, to relate in situ measurements of the young solar wind at ∼10–30 R_s to particular source regions at the solar surface. Further, we discuss the relationship between readily observable geometrical distortions and physical parameters of interest such as the field-aligned current density.     

On the planetary acceleration and the rotation of the Earth

We have developed a cosmological model for the Earth rotation and planetary acceleration that gives a good account (data) of the Earth astronomical parameters. These data can be compared with the ones obtained using space-base telescopes. The expansion of the universe has shown to have an impact on the rotation of planets, and in particular, the Earth. The expansion of the universe causes an acceleration that is exhibited by all planets.     

The relationship between the strength of the IMF and the frequency of magnetic pulsations on the ground and in the solar wind

It has been established for some time that there is a correlation between the frequency of Pc 3–4 geomagnetic pulsations observed on the ground and the strength of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). The recent discovery of an apparently similar relationship between pulsations in the same frequency band in the solar wind and the strength of the IMF led to the suggestion that some magnetospheric Pc 3–4 pulsations have an exogenic source.In this paper we offer a statistical reappraisal of some of the earlier results, and an analysis of newly available ground and solar wind pulsation data sets, which suggest that on the basis of a frequency-field strength relationship alone, the case for an exogenic source is still unproven.We do, however, find support for the frequency-field strength relationship (for ground pulsations), which was the original basis for the Borok B index for prediction of the strength of the IMF. We also confirm that pulsation frequency is, at best, an imprecise predictor and show that any derived relationship is strongly dependent on the data sets used.     

On the accelerations of the Moon and Sun,the constant of gravitation,and the origin of mountains

In a previous paper Lyttleton (1976) has shown that the apparent secular accelerations of the Sun and Moon, as given by de Sitter, can be largely explained if the Earth is contracting at the rate required by the phase-change hypothesis for the nature of the core. More reliable values for these accelerations have since become available which warrant a redetermination of the various effects concerned on the basis of constantG, and this is first carried out in the present paper. The lunar tidal couple, which is the same whetherG is changing or not, is found to be (4.74±0.38)×10²³ cgs, about three-quarters that yielded by the de Sitter values, while within the theory the Moon would take correspondingly longer to reach close proximity to the Earth at about 1.5×10⁹ years ago.The more accurate values of the accelerations enable examination to be made of the effects that a decreasingG would have, and it is shown that a valueG/G=–3×10^–11 yr^–1 can be weakly satisfied compared with the close agreement found on the basis of constantG, while a value as large numerically asG/G=–6×10^–11 yr^–1 seems to be definitely ruled out. On the iron-core model, an intrinsic positive component of acceleration of the angular velocity cannot be reconciled at all with the secular accelerations even for constantG, and far less so ifG is decreasing at a rate suggested by any recent cosmological theory.ItG=0, the amount of contraction available for mountain-building would correspond to a reduction of surface area of about 49×10⁶ km² and a volume to be redistributed of 160×10⁹ km³ if the time of collapse were 2.5×10⁹ years ago. For earlier times, the values are only slightly reduced. IfG/G=–3×10^–11 yr^–1, the corresponding values are 44×10⁶ km² and 138×10⁹ km³ for collapse at –2.5×10⁹ yr, and not importantly smaller at 38×10⁶ km² and 122×10⁹ km³ for collapse at –4.5×10⁹ yr. Any of these values would suffice to account in order of magnitude for all the eras of mountain-building. An intense brief period of mountain-building on an immense scale would result from the Ramsey-collapse at whatever time past it may have occurred.     

Solar wind and other gases in the regoliths of the Pesyanoe parent object and the moon

We report new data from Pesyanoe‐90,1 (dark lithology) on the isotopic signature of solar wind (SW) Xe as recorded in this enstatite achondrite which represents a soil‐breccia of an asteroidal regolith. The low temperature (≤800°C) steps define the Pesyanoe‐S xenon component, which is isotopically consistent with SW Xe reported for the lunar regolith. This implies that the SW Xe isotopic signature was the same at two distinct solar system locations and, importantly, also at different times of solar irradiation. Further, we compare the calculated average solar wind “SW‐Xe” signature to Chass‐S Xe, the indigenous Xe observed in SNC (Mars) meteorites. Again, a close agreement between these compositions is observed, which implies that a mass‐dependent differential fractionation of Xe between SW‐Xe and Chass‐S Xe is >1.5%_o per amu. We also observe fractionated (Pesyanoe‐F) Xe and Ar components in higher temperature steps and we document a fission component due to extinct ²⁴⁴Pu. Interestingly, the Pesyanoe‐F Xe component is revealed only at the highest temperatures (>1200°C). The Pesyanoe‐F gas reveals Xe isotopic signatures that are consistent with lunar solar energetic particles (SEP) data and may indicate a distinct solar energetic particle radiation as was inferred for the moon. However, we cannot rule out fractionation processes due to parent body processes. We note that ratios ³⁶Ar/³⁸Ar≤5 are also consistent with SEP data. Calculated abundances of the fission component correlate well with radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar concentrations, revealing rather constant ²⁴⁴Pu/K ratios in Pesyanoe, and separates thereof, and indicate that both components were retained. We identify a nitrogen component (δ¹⁵N = 44%_o) of non‐solar origin with an isotopic signature distinct from indigenous N (δ¹⁵N = ?33%^o). While large excesses at ¹²⁸Xe and ¹²⁹Xe are observed in the lunar regolith samples, these excesses in Pesyanoe are small. On the other hand, significant ¹²⁶Xe isotopic excesses, comparable to relative excesses observed in lunar soils and breccias, are prominent in the intermediate temperature steps of Pesyanoe‐90,1.     

Anisotropic expansion of the universe and the anisotropy and linear polarisation of the cosmic microwave background

The relativistic transfer equation for polarised radiation is solved in an axisymmetric Bianchi type I universe. Previous results concerning the linear polarisation induced in the cosmic microwave background radiation by Thomson scattering in an anisotropically expanding universe are confirmed. Work partly done at the Osservatorio Astrofisico, Catania (Italia).     

Source and maintenance of the argon atmospheres of Mercury and the Moon

Abstract— We propose that argon‐40 measured in the lunar atmosphere and that in Mercury's atmosphere is due to current diffusion into connected pore space within the crust. Higher temperatures at Mercury, along with more rapid loss from the atmosphere, will lead to a similar or smaller column abundance of argon at Mercury than at the Moon, given the same crustal abundance of potassium. Because the noble gas abundance in the mercurian atmosphere represents current effusion, it is a direct measure of the crustal potassium abundance. We assume a fractal distribution of distance to a connected pore space, with the shortest distance increasing with depth. Given this “rock size” distribution, we show that the diffusive flux is not a unique function of temperature. Even though the diffusion coefficient is an exponential function of temperature, the flux to the surface is fairly insensitive to the temperature.     

Planets and minor planets CCD observations with the CMT and the CMASF

CCD observations of planets and minor planets obtained while surveying the northern and southern hemispheres using the CMT on La Palma (Spain) and the CMASF at El Leoncito (Argentina) are presented.Also presented is the possibility of observing some Solar System bodies with these instruments in the future.     

Radial mixing and the transition between the thick and thin Galactic discs

The analysis of the kinematics of solar neighbourhood stars shows that the low- and high-metallicity tails of the thin disc are populated by objects which orbital properties suggest an origin in the outer and inner Galactic disc, respectively. Signatures of radial migration are identified in various recent samples, and are shown to be responsible for the high-metallicity dispersion in the age–metallicity distribution. Most importantly, it is shown that the population of low-metallicity wanderers of the thin disc (−0.7 < [Fe/H] < −0.3 dex) is also responsible for the apparent hiatus in metallicity with the thick disc (which terminal metallicity is about −0.2 dex). It implies that the thin disc at the solar circle has started to form stars at about this same metallicity. This is also consistent with the fact that 'transition' objects, which have α-element abundance intermediate between that of the thick and thin discs, are found in the range [−0.4, −0.2] dex. Once the metal-poor thin disc stars are recognized for what they are – wanderers from the outer thin disc – the parenthood between the two discs can be identified on stars genuinely formed at the solar circle through an evolutionary sequence in [α/Fe] and [Fe/H]. Another consequence is that stars that can be considered as truly resulting of the chemical evolution at the solar circle have a metallicity restricted to about [−0.2, +0.2] dex, confirming an old idea that most chemical evolution in the Milky Way have preceded the thin disc formation.     

The orbital resonances between the asteroid Toro and the Earth and Venus

Among the very few tabulated asteroids with perihelion inside or closely outside the Earth's orbit some have periods nearly commensurable with the Earth's. The perturbed orbit of one of these, 1685 Toro, has been integrated over 1200 years. The results show that Toro is at present captured in resonance with the Earth and also that Venus has a drastic influence on the orbital elements. Toro's orbit is librating with a main period of 800 years and peak-to-peak amplitude of about 65°. The mechanism of libration is discussed.Paper dedicated to Professor Hannes Alfvén on the occasion of his 70th birthday, 30 May 1978.     

Micro- and macroturbulent motions and the velocity spectrum of the solar photosphere

A given motion field in a stellar atmosphere is usually observed through filters defined by line shifts and -broadenings and conventionally called macroturbulence and microturbulence.These filters can be defined and computed exactly, as a function of the wave number of the velocity field (Figure 1).We apply the results to several cases of an assumed motion field spectrum, and to observations of broadenings and displacements of solar Fraunhofer lines formed at a depth ₅ = 0.1 (Figure 2).The results show that virtually all energy of the photospheric motions at that level is contained in a small range of wavenumbers, corresponding to the observed distribution of granular cell diameters. In other words: a well-developed spectrum of hydrodynamical turbulence extending over a large range of wavelengths does not exist at that level of the photosphere.     

Delivery of Water and Volatiles to the Terrestrial Planets and the Moon

From modeling the evolution of disks of planetesimals under the influence of planets, it has been shown that the mass of water delivered to the Earth from beyond Jupiter’s orbit could be comparable to the mass of terrestrial oceans. A considerable portion of the water could have been delivered to the Earth’s embryo, when its mass was smaller than the current mass of the Earth. While the Earth’s embryo mass was growing to half the current mass of the Earth, the mass of water delivered to the embryo could be near 30% of the total amount of water delivered to the Earth from the feeding zone of Jupiter and Saturn. Water of the terrestrial oceans could be a result of mixing the water from several sources with higher and lower D/H ratios. The mass of water delivered to Venus from beyond Jupiter’s orbit was almost the same as that for the Earth, if normalized to unit mass of the planet. The analogous per-unit mass of water delivered to Mars was two?three times as much as that for the Earth. The mass of water delivered to the Moon from beyond Jupiter’s orbit could be less than that for the Earth by a factor not more than 20.