Structure in the EAS size spectrum: analysis of the CASA-MIA results

We present an analysis of the very recent data from the CASA-MIA extensive air shower array (M.A.K. Glasmacher, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Michigan (1998) in terms of a search for the structure in the shower size spectrum claimed by us from an analysis of “the world's data”. Our earlier claim is found to be supported to the extent that there is strong evidence for the existence of structure in the spectrum which cannot obviously be explained by the conventional Galactic Modulation Model. There is modest evidence for the structure being of “our” form and strong support for “our” mass composition when “corrected” to the interaction model advocated by us. None of the results are inconsistent with there having been a recent, nearby, single supernova.     

Rushing to equilibrium: a simple model for the collisional evolution of asteroids

A simple mathematical model for the evolution of a system of collisionally interacting bodies—such as the asteroid population—consists of two coupled, nonlinear, first-order differential equations for the abundances of “small” and “big” bodies. The model easily allows us to recover Dohnanyi's value for the exponent of the equilibrium mass distribution. Moreover, the model shows that any initial value for the ratio of “big” to “small” bodies rapidly relaxes to the equilibrium ratio, corresponding to the exponent, and that integrating the evolution equations backward in time—an attractive possibility to investigate the mass distribution of primordial planetesimals—leads to strong numerical instability.     

Solving the G-dwarf problem with a three-component model of the chemical evolution of the Galaxy

A three-component chemical evolution model of the Galaxy is presented, which we believe will cast a new light on the G-dwarf problem. The model is based on a scenario of the Galaxy consisting of three major evolutionary phases: halo, thick disk and thin disk, separated by two short interludes of rapid collapse. The evolution of different stellar populations are treated separately, the combination of which yields an overall metallicity distribution function for the solar neighbourhood. We tested three different models using the same set of basic equations: the “prompt initial enrichment” (PIE) model, the “proportional yield” (PPY) model and the “collapse” (CLP) model. Best-fit parameters are derived. The results show that the different populations have remarkably different IMFs, while mass exchange has only minimally affected the chemical evolution in the solar vicinity, so that the solar vicinity can be regarded as a closed system, at least in the late stage of the Galactic evolution.     

A “division” treatment of the sky background in CCD images

Considering the errors transmitted from all pre-treatments, I suggest a “division” method for removing the sky background including interference fringes in CCD images. Compared to the traditional method, which may be called a “subtraction” method, the “division” method is easier to carry out and gives more accurate brightness measurement especially for the fainter images.     

Response time of the high-latitude dayside ionosphere to sudden changes in the north-south component of the IMF

The time scale of the response of the high-latitude dayside ionospheric flow to changes in the North-South component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) has been investigated by examining the time delays between corresponding sudden changes. Approximately 40 h of simultaneous IMF and ionospheric flow data have been examined, obtained by the AMPTE-UKS and -IRM spacecraft and the EISCAT “Polar” experiment, respectively, in which 20 corresponding sudden changes have been identified. Ten of these changes were associated with southward turnings of the IMF, and 10 with northward turnings. It has been found that the corresponding flow changes occurred simultaneously over the whole of the “Polar” field-of-view, extending more than 2° in invariant latitude, and that the ionospheric response delay following northward turnings is the same as that following southward turnings, though the form of the response is different in the two cases. The shortest response time, 5.5 ± 3.2 min, is found in the early- to mid-afternoon sector, increasing to 9.5 ± 3.0 min in the mid-morning sector, and to 9.5 ± 3.1 min near to dusk. These times represent the delays in the appearance of perturbed flows in the “Polar” field-of-view following the arrival of IMF changes at the subsolar magnetopause. Overall, the results agree very well with those derived by Etemadi et al. (1988, Planet. Space Sci. 36, 471) from a general cross-correlation analysis of the IMF B_z and “Polar” beam-swinging vector flow data.     

Triple splitting with the F2-region of the ionosphere at high and mid-latitudes

The occurrence of the third (z-ray) component of the F2-trace on ionograms is investigated at high- and mid-latitudes. Diurnal variations show a systematic shift, with magnetic inclination, of the time of maximum occurrence. Seasonal variations show a winter maximum, and an inverse sunspot-cycle relationship exists. Maximum occurrence appears between a magnetic inclination of 70° and 80° with a fall-off either side.

Evidence is presented to suggest a z-ray association with “Spread-F” fronts, and a possible mechanism for the recording of the z-ray trace at the transmitter site is described. This involves longitudinal propagation of the o-mode at its normal reflection level, coupling at this point, and ultimate reflection for the z-ray mode as a result of sloping ionization contours belonging to “Spread-F” fronts extending in directions perpendicular to the magnetic meridian.

An association with V.L.F. emissions (“dawn-chorus”) is discussed.     

Predicting the polarization of the microwave background from the WMAP temperature maps

In this paper, we study how to predict the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) using knowledge of only the temperature (intensity) and the cross-correlation between temperature and polarization. We derive a “Wiener prediction” method and apply it to the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) all-sky CMB temperature maps and to the MAXIMA field.     

Identification of “small” dust impacts in the Ulysses dust detector data

Since October 1990, 3 weeks after the launch of the Ulysses spacecraft, the dust detector onboard recorded impacts of cosmic dust particles. Besides dust impacts, the detector recorded noise from a variety of sources. So far, a very rigid scheme had been applied to eliminate noise from impact data. The data labeled “big” dust impacts previously led to the identification of interstellar dust and of dust streams from Jupiter. The analysis presented here is concerned with data of signals of small amplitudes which are strongly contaminated by noise. Impacts identified in this data set are called “small” impacts. It is shown that dust impacts can be clearly distinguished from noise for most of the events due to the multi-coincidence characteristics of the instrument. 516 “small” impacts have been identified. For an additional 119 events, strong arguments can be given that they are probably small dust impacts. Thereby, the total number of dust impacts increases from 333 to 968 in the time period from 28 October 1990 to 31 December 1992. This increase permits a better statistical analysis, especially of the Jupiter dust streams which consist mostly of small and fast particles. Additional dust streams have been identified between the already known streams before and after Jupiter flyby. The dependence of the deflection from the Jupiter direction, the stream intensity and width on Jupiter distance support the assertion that they have been emitted from the Jovian system. The masses of the 635 “small” dust particles range from 6 × 10⁻¹⁷ to 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ g with a mean value of 1 × 10⁻¹² g, which compares to a range from 1 × 10⁻¹⁶ to 4 × 10⁻⁹ g with a mean value of 2 × 10⁻¹¹ g for the previously identified 333 “big” dust particles.     

Helioseismology and the solar interior dynamics

The inversion of helioseismic modes leads to the sound velocity inside the Sun with a precision of about 0.1 per cent. Comparisoons of solar models with the “seismic sun” represent powerful tools to test the physics: depth of the convection zone, equation of state, opacities, element diffusion processes and mixing inside the radiative zone. We now have evidence that microscopic diffusion (element segregation) does occur below the convection zone, leading to a mild helium depletion in the solar outer layers. Meanwhile this process must be slowed down by some macroscopic effect, presumably rotation-induced mixing. The same mixing is also responsible for the observed lithium depletion. On the other hand, the observations of beryllium and helium 3 impose specific constraints on the depth of this mildly mixed zone. Helioseismology also gives information on the internal solar rotation: while differential rotation exists in the convection zone, solid rotation prevails in the radiative zone, and the transition layer (the so-called “tachocline”) is very small. These effects are discussed, together with the astrophysical constraints on the solar neutrino fluxes.     

Lichenometry in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru: “Little Ice Age” moraine chronology

This paper is a comparison and compilation of lichenometric and geomorphic studies performed by two independent teams in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru, in 1996 and 2002 on 66 “Little Ice Age” moraines of 14 glaciers. Using eleven new control points, we recalibrated the initial rapid growth phase of the previously established Rhizocarpon subgenus Rhizocarpon growth curve. This curve was then used to estimate the age of “Little Ice Age” moraines. The time of deposition of the most prominent and numerous terminal and lateral moraines on the Pacific-facing side of the Cordillera Blanca (between AD 1590 and AD 1720) corresponds to the coldest and wettest phase in the tropical Andes as revealed by ice-core data. Less prominent advances occurred between AD 1780 and 1880.     

Luminescence of Dust in the Nebula CED 201

This article is a study of luminescence in reflection nebulae and other objects consisting of dust or containing solid matter. New concepts and ideas, in particular the concept of frozen hydrocarbon particles, are proposed. Luminescence emission in the spectrum of the reflection nebula CED 201 is studied. Data analysis strategies and the identification process are discussed. Six previously unknown emission features are discovered in the spectrum of CED 201 over 4650-7525 Å. Three are identified as photoluminescence of solid hydrocarbons and the others are ascribed to ERE. It is proposed that the dust component of CED 201 be regarded as a complex of frozen hydrocarbon particles.     

Cerenkov radiation and the front structure of a beam injected into the ionosphere

An investigation of the front structure of the beam injected into the ionosphere in conditions corresponding to the “Electron Echo” Experiment (Hendrickson et al., 1971) is presented. It is shown that the front region of the beam is bunched and the Cerenkov radiation of the bunched beam is investigated. An explanation of the maxima of the amplitudes for definite pitch angles, observed in experiments, is given.     

The radioastronomical “time machine” effect can help the solution of the gamma ray bursts mystery

The possible low-frequency radio emission from the progenitors of gamma ray bursts can experience a delay from tens of seconds to hours on the way to the observer due to the dispersion in galactic and extragalactic plasma, and thus reach the observer as a radio afterglow of the burst. This opens a unique possibility (peculiar “time machine”) of seeing what happened at that place before the catastrophe.     

Electronic Multi-beam Radio Astronomy Concept: Embrace a Demonstrator for the European SKA Program

ASTRON has demonstrated the capabilities of a 4 m², dense phased array antenna (Bij de Vaate et al., 2002) for radio astronomy, as part of the Thousand Element Array project (ThEA). Although it proved the principle, a definitive answer related to the viability of the dense phased array approach for the SKA could not be given, due to the limited collecting area of the array considered. A larger demonstrator has therefore been defined, known as “Electronic Multi-Beam Radio Astronomy Concept”, EMBRACE, which will have an area of 625 m², operate in the band 0.4–1.550 GHz and have at least two independent and steerable beams. With this collecting area EMBRACE can function as a radio astronomy instrument whose sensitivity is comparable to that of a 25-m diameter dish. The collecting area also represents a significant percentage area (∼10%) of an individual SKA “station.” This paper presents the plans for the realisation of the EMBRACE demonstrator.     

MHD oscillations in the solar spike radiation

In this paper the observed 1.4–1.6 s quasi-periodic oscillations in the spike radiation of the microwave outburst of 1981 May 16 are analysed in teras of MHD waves. We point out that the fast magnetoacoustic waves (“sausage” mode) propagating inside and outside a loop can modulate the magnetic field and the pitch angle distribution of the electron beams in the source region. The growth rate of electron-cyclotron-maser instability is then affected to give rise to the quasi-periodic oscillations. Quantitative estimates of relevant physical parameters are given.     

Influence of the pulsar parameters on γ-ray burst afterglows

By applying the fireball model of γ-ray burst with a central pulsar, the radiation fluxes of the afterglows of two γ-ray bursts, GRB970228 and GRB000301c, are calculated. The results of the calculation agree very well with the observations. The differing characters of the light curves with a “break” in the optical waveband R of the afterglows of two bursts are interpreted, in terms of differing pulsar parameter values.     

Three-body planetary problem: study of KAM stability for the secular part of the Hamiltonian

The Hamiltonian representing the average over the mean-motion angles (i.e. the secular part) of the three-body planetary problem is considered. An efficient algorithm constructing invariant tori for the trajectories in phase space is provided. To give a possible practical application, we consider a toy-model including the main terms of the secular part of a hypothetic Sun-Jupiter-Saturn system having eccentricities and inclinations equal to 1/20 of the true ones. The scheme of a KAM proof of the stability of the model is sketched. The proof is “computer assisted”.     

Separating E from B

In a microwave background polarization map that covers only part of the sky, it is impossible to separate the E and B components perfectly. This difficulty in general makes it more difficult to detect the B component in a data set. Any polarization map can be separated in a unique way into “pure E”, “pure B” and “ambiguous” components. Power that resides in the pure E(B) component is guaranteed to be produced by E(B) modes, but there is no way to tell whether the ambiguous component comes from E or B modes. A polarization map can be separated into the three components either by finding an orthonormal basis for each component, or directly in real space by using Green functions or other methods.     

Anomalous electron temperatures above the South American magnetic field anomaly

With an instrument on board the Japanese satellite EXOS-A electron temperatures of more than 1000 K above the “normal” values have been observed in the night-time topside F-region above the geographic region where the total magnetic field is below 20000 nT. Simultaneously enhanced wave emissions on 45 kHz, 2 MHz and 3 MHz were found and an increase in particle precipitation. The observations are described in detail and several mechanism are discussed which can explain the results.