Meteoroids, Meteors, and the Near-Earth Object Impact Hazard

In considering the modern-day hazard from infalling near-Earth asteroids and comets, the focus has shifted toward the smallest, most frequent impacts that can do damage on the ground, like the 1908 Tunguska aerial burst. There is considerable uncertainty about the potential for damage by objects in the range 20 to 100 m diameter. Since smaller, less dangerous, meter-sized meteoroids are part of a continuum of small interplanetary bodies, derived by a collisional cascade and Yarkovsky spin-up, research on such phenomena by meteor scientists can shed light on a vital question that will soon have great practical relevance as new telescopic searches for near-Earth asteroids come on line: what is the threshold size between harmless high-altitude airbursts and impacts that can cause lethal damage on the ground?     

Cyclical Spectral and Photometric Variations of the Apparently Single Wolf-Rayet Star WR 134

Evidence is presented for the existence of a 2.3 day periodicity in the line-profile changes of the apparently singleWolf-Rayet star WR 134. This cyclical variability may be induced either by the presence of an orbiting collapsed companion, or by the rotational modulation of a largely inhomogeneous outflow. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Determination of the Velocity of Meteors Based on Sinodial Modulation and Frequency Analysis

In meteor photography the velocity of meteors is generally obtained from a chopper which blocks periodically the incident light beam in front of the camera lens. In this paper I examine modulation of the meteor trail instead with a sinodial function and use frequency analysis to compute accurately the mean atmospheric velocity.     

Radar Backscatter from Underdense Meteors and Diffusion Rates

Many meteoroids burn up between about 120 km and 70 km, deposit metals and dust and form ionized trails which are detected by radars. Model studies about the influence of neutral or positively charged background dust on the ambipolar diffusion indicate that significant smaller decay times should be observed for weak meteor echoes compared to strong meteor echoes which can affect the estimation of temperatures. The variation of meteor decay times in dependence on echo strength, height, and season was studied using radar observations at 69° N, 22° S, and 67° S. Significantly reduced decay times were found for weak echoes below about 88 km at low latitudes throughout the year, and at high latitudes with the exception of summer. In summer at high latitudes, decreasing decay times of weak and strong meteors are observed at altitudes below about 85 km during the appearance of noctilucent clouds. The impact of reduced decay times on the estimation of neutral temperatures from decay times is discussed.     

Estimated Visual Magnitudes of the EISCAT UHF Meteors

We have investigated the conditions for simultaneous meteor observations with the EISCAT UHF radar system and telescopic optical devices. The observed characteristics of 410 meteors detected by all three UHF receivers are compared with model simulations and their luminosity is calculated as a part of a meteoroid ablation model using a fifth order Runge–Kutta numerical integration technique. The estimated absolute visual magnitudes are in the range of +9 to +5. The meteors should therefore be observable using intensified CCD or EMCCD (Electron Multiplying CCD) cameras with telephoto lenses. A possible setup of a coordinated radar and optical campaign is suggested.     

云南天文台对流星的视频观测

近20年来，随着CCD和像增强器的发展，小巧灵活的流星视频观测系统在世界上逐渐多了起来．并且，最终将可能逐步取代流星的目视观测和普通照相观测．介绍云南天文台I号流星彗星视频照相系统的研制及其初步观测结果．这一系统由容易转换的5组件构成．用于流星观测的大视场相机的视场约36度，单帧图像可观测到约6等恒星．实测的恒星星等测量精度可达约0.2等．还讨论了视频照相机比传统的感光胶卷照相的长处，以及视频照相系统的改进与发展．     

Photometric Observations and Light Curves Analysis of Go Cygni

Photoelectric observations, in U, B and V, of the system GO Cygni were obtained during 1995 at the Birouni Observatory, Shiraz, Iran, and the corresponding light curves analysed with the use of Wilson-Devinney;'s techniques. New photoelectric and absolute elements for the system are given. The period of the system, a reverse Algol type semi-detached binary was found to continue its increasing. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Analysis of Multicolor Photometric Observations of SS 433

Observations of the rapid photometric variability of SS 433 in the BVR bands, obtained on Mt. Maidanak during 12 nights in 1989-90, are presented. The behavior of the U - B, B - V, and V - R color indices is analyzed on the basis of multicolor photoelectric observations. It is found that, both for rapid variability during a night and for variability on the scale of the orbital period, color-brightness relations exist for U-(U - B) and B-(B - V), analogous to the well-known V-(V - R) relation, with a characteristic property: the color indices decrease with increasing brightness. It is shown that the object's reddening upon a brightness decrease is not due only to eclipses. The behavior of the color characteristics can be explained by the interaction of the relativistic jets with the atmosphere around the accretion disk.     

Photometric and Colorimetric Observations of Asteroid 423 Diotima and Their Analysis

Series of photometric and colorimetric observations of the Main-Belt asteroid 423 Diotima during its five oppositions were obtained at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. It was concluded, based on the results of a frequency analysis of the V-band photometry obtained in 1990, that the asteroid is a binary system: the rotation period of the primary component is equal to 4_. ^h56, and the period of rotation and the orbital period of the satellite are equal to 14_. ^h90. An analysis of simultaneous BV and BVR observations made in 1993 and 1998–1999 yielded a rotation period of 4_. ^h54 ± 0_. ^h01 for the primary component. An analysis of the sets of V-band observations of the asteroid made from 1982 through 2000 allowed us to find the period of forced precession, which was equal to 113^d (or 226^d). It was suggested that the axis of the primary component of the binary asteroid precesses and the large amplitude of brightness variations (about 1 ^m ) is due to its lenticular shape.     

基于CSST多色测光的时序测光精度分析

中国巡天空间望远镜(Chinese Survey Space Telescope, CSST)是中国的首个大型空间光学望远镜, 将对包括系外行星探测在内的诸多科学目标开展研究, 有望取得前沿科学进展. 时序测光精度是CSST重要的性能指标, 受到物理噪声和仪器噪声的影响, 需要通过数值模拟对其分析和评估. 模拟基于目前公布的CSST主要技术参数, 建立了时序的恒星信号和噪声模型, 以CSST的i波段为例, 分析凝视观测模式下的测光精度. 通过数值仿真, 展示了孔径测光中各项噪声的贡献, 特别是由指向抖动和像素响应不均匀性导致的抖动噪声. 模拟结果还给出了测光孔径的推荐范围. 为了获得更高的信噪比, 可以减小仪器抖动振幅和像素不均匀性, 或者采用参考星较差测光的方式. 结果为CSST后续的时序测光精度与不同指标参数的相关性分析、系外行星探测能力评估以及测光数据处理提供了模拟数据的支撑.     

The Meteors, Meteoroids and Interplanetary Dust Program of the International Heliophysical Year 2007/9

Under the title ‘Meteors, Meteoroids and Interplanetary Dust’, meteor research is included in the program of the International Heliophysical Year 2007/9.We list issues for coordinated meteor research within the framework of this global international program.     

The Photometric Observations and the Light Curve Analysis of U Pegasi

The system of U Pegasi was observed photometrically in B and V filtersin 1998 at Birouni Observatory, University of Shiraz, Iran. Two Lightcurves were obtained and have been analyzed separately of Wilson-Devinneycode. New geometrical and physical elements for the system are given. Theabsolute dimensions of the binary have been derived by combining thephotometric solution with spectroscopic data of the system. The lightcurves analysis indicate that U peg is an overcontact W UMa system with Wtype components which fill their corresponding Roche lobe. The resultsobtained in this study indicate that U Peg may be lied on main sequencewith estimated masses of 0.565 M and 0.362 M .     

The First International Conference “Comets,Asteroids, Meteors,Meteorites, Astroblemes,and Craters (CAMMAC-1)”

The conference was held in Vinnitsa (Ukraine) from September 26 until October 2, 1999. It was devoted to minor bodies in the Solar System, to structures on the surfaces of planets and the Earth, as well as to craters and astroblemes. The CAMMAC-1 meetings were held in the M. Kotsyubinskii Vinnitsa Pedagogical University. About 80 representatives from 19 research organizations of 15 European cities attended the conference. Thirty-six oral papers and a number of poster papers were presented and discussed. Several new scientific results are evaluated in the resolution, and the most topical problems in the study of minor bodies and impact structures on the surfaces of the Earth and planets are formulated.     

Analysis of Polarimetric,Photometric, and Spectroscopic Observations of Comet C/1996 Q1 (Tabur)

We present the imaging polarimetry and photometry of Comet C/1996 Q1 (Tabur) obtained on October 10, 1996, with a two-channel focal reducer attached to the 2-m Pik Terskol Observatory telescope through blue (4430/44 Å) and red (6420/26 Å) continuum filters and through a 6620/59 Å filter that isolated the NH₂(0.7.0) band. We analyze the 3600–9300 Å long-slit spectrograms of the comet taken on October 5–6, 1996, with the 2.6-m Crimean Astrophysical Observatory telescope. The NH₂(0.8.0) 6408 Å emission and an unidentified 6428 Å emission were found to fall within the pass band of the red filter. The blue filter transmits weak unidentified emissions at 4424–4444 Å and partially C₂(4360 Å). Correction for the depolarizing effect of molecular emissions resulted in an increase of the dust polarization by 2–4% in the near-nucleus region and by almost a factor of 2 in the outer coma regions. However, the polarization and color differences between different coma regions remained even after correction for the contribution of emissions. We found no dust polarization difference between the gas comet Tabur and the dust comet C/1988 A1 (Liller), which are believed to be fragments of a common parent comet. The NH₂coma was found to be elongated perpendicular to the comet radius vector. The causes of the spatial asymmetry in the NH₂molecular distribution are yet to be established. We study the evolution of activity and the spatial distribution of dust brightness, polarization, and color in the comet. We consider a taxonomic classification of gas and dust comets according to dust polarization properties. The polarization differences between dust and gas comets at large phase angles are most likely related both to the actual differences in dust and to the effect of molecular emissions, nuclear gas- and dust-production rates and to the evolution of grain properties with distance from the nucleus.     

Photometric variability of Uranus and Neptune, 1950-2004

Photoelectric intermediate-band b and y photometry of Uranus and Neptune obtained at each apparition since 1972, combined with broadband B and V photometry from 1950 to 1966, provide a record of planetary variability covering 2/3 of Uranus' 84-year orbital period and 1/3 of Neptune's 165-year orbital period. Almost all of the data were obtained with a dedicated 21-inch photometric telescope at Lowell Observatory. The data are quite homogeneous, with yearly uncertainties typically smaller than 0.01 mag (1%). The lightcurve of Uranus is sinusoidal with peaks at the solstices. The b amplitude slightly exceeds the expected 0.025 mag purely geometrical variation caused by oblateness as the planetary aspect changes, seen from Earth. The y amplitude is several times larger, indicating a strong equator-to-pole albedo gradient. The lightcurve is asymmetrical with respect to southern solstice, evidence of a temporal albedo variation. Neptune's post-1972 lightcurve exhibits a generally rising trend since 1972 interpreted by Sromovsky et al. [Sromovsky, L.A., Fry, P.M., Limaye, S.S., Baines, K.H., 2003. Icarus 163, 256-261] as a lagged sinusoidal seasonal variation. However, the 1950-1966 lightcurve segments are much fainter than expected, missing the proposed seasonal sinusoid by 0.1-0.2 mag. A major unknown component is therefore needed to explain Neptune's long-term variation. The apparent relationship between Neptune's brightness variation and the 11-year solar cycle seen in cycles 21-22 (1972-1996) has apparently now faded away. Further interpretation of the data in this paper will be found in a companion paper by Hammel and Lockwood [Hammel, H.B., Lockwood, G.W., 2005. Icarus. Submitted for publication].     

Photometric Variability of Neptune, 1972-2000

We present Strömgren b (472-nm) and y (551-nm) photometry of Neptune based on photoelectric measurements obtained at every apparition from 1972 to 2000. Neptune has brightened by 11% in b and 10% in y since 1980 with most of the increase occurring after 1990. By appending b data to published B magnitudes measured at Lowell from 1950 to 1966 and transformed to b, we show that Neptune is now brighter than at any time during the past half century. The nature of the year-to-year variations changed around 1990 when a steady rising trend overshadowed what appeared to be an inverse correlation with cyclic solar activity. By matching observations in b and y with near-infrared J (1.2-μm) and K (2.2-μm) photometry before, during, and after Neptune's 1976 infrared outburst, we show that the pattern of visible albedo variation parallels the infrared variation but with an amplitude 20-50 times smaller. A detailed comparison of photometry with ground-based and Voyager images at visible and red wavelengths during the 1989 Voyager encounter shows that small brightness variations occur when large discrete features rotate across Neptune's disk. This provides a rough association between visible features and photometric effects that we use to infer the state of Neptune's atmosphere for years when only photometry was available. A year-by-year analysis of variance of the photometry suggests that the 1976 and 1986-1989 infrared outbursts were isolated episodes of unusually vigorous atmospheric activity. Detrended magnitudes of Neptune are correlated with solar activity over the entire 29-year interval as well as 22-year subintervals, with solar UV now being favored as a causative mechanism rather than solar modulated galactic cosmic rays.     

大天区望远镜中sCMOS相机的测光精度分析

与传统CCD (Charge Coupled Device)相机相比, s COMS (scientific Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)相机被广泛装备于超大天区巡天设备,与传统CCD相机不同的是sCMOS相机采用卷帘式快门,因此对其进行测光精度的分析工作是很有意义的.首先,将s CMOS相机拍摄的图像与UCAC2 (The Second U.S. Naval Observatory CCD Astrograph Catalog)星表进行匹对,识别图像中的UCAC2标准星.接着对图中的标准星进行测光并提取测光数据进行最小二乘直线拟合,获得了相应的系统转换系数并得到仪器星等至标准星等的转换公式.然后,将转化后的仪器星等和标准星等做差并计算相应的均方根误差.最后,利用计算得到的均方根误差评估sCMOS相机的测光精度,并将标准星按星等划分后,分析了相应的测光误差.计算结果表明在标准测光夜测量亮度亮于14等的星时,测光精度优于0.15 mag.通过实测精度分析可知卷帘快门sCOMS相机具有较高的测光精度,基本满足空间碎片巡天观测的要求.