The stochastic behaviour of a galactic model dynamical system

We study the stochastic behaviour of a time-independent dynamical system that has closed zero velocity curves for arbitrarily large energies. Thus no escapes appear in such a system and we can study the stochasticity of the system for any value of the energy. The numerical results show that the degree of stochasticity grows as the energy increases from zero, but then it reaches a maximum and for still larger energies it decreases slowly.     

3D hydrodynamics and radiative transfer

Finite difference codes for the solution of the fully three dimensional equations of hydrodynamics, self-gravitation, and radiative transfer have been developed for use on relatively modest computers. Originally developed to study the collapse and fragmentation of protostellar clouds, this family of codes has been used to study a variety of astrophysical problems, with a particular emphasis on cosmogonical issues.     

The Einstein polarization interferometer for cosmology (EPIC) and the millimeter-wave bolometric interferometer (MBI)

We provide an overview of a mission concept study underway for the Einstein Inflation Probe (EIP). Our study investigates the advantages and tradeoffs of using an interferometer (EPIC) for the mission. We also report on the status of the millimeter-wave bolometric interferometer (MBI), a ground-based pathfinder optimized for degree-scale CMB polarization measurements at 90 GHz.     

Orbit computation for transneptunian objects

Using statistical orbital ranging, we systematically study the orbit computation problem for transneptunian objects (TNOs). We have automated orbit computation for large numbers of objects, and, more importantly, we are able to obtain orbits even for the most sparsely observed objects (observational arcs of a few days). For such objects, the resulting orbit distributions include a large number of high-eccentricity orbits, in which TNOs can be perturbed by close encounters with Neptune. The stability of bodies on the computed orbits has therefore been ascertained by performing a study of close encounters with the major planets. We classify TNO orbit distributions statistically, and we study the evolution of their ephemeris uncertainties. We find that the orbital element distributions for the most numerous single-apparition TNOs do not support the existence of a postulated sharp edge to the belt beyond 50 AU. The technique of statistical ranging provides ephemeris predictions more generally than previously possible also for poorly observed TNOs.     

Wavelet analysis of Wolf-Rayet emission line variability:

A wavelet analysis technique is developed and used to study variable spectral features on top of broad emission lines in Wolf-Rayet stars. A decomposition of the signal in discrete structures allows one to look for scaling laws. Results from the study of two Wolf-Rayet stars suggest we are seeing the upper tail-end of a scaled distribution. This provides a test for turbulence models, and sets new constraints on theoretical wind models.     

The circular restricted four-body problem

By generalizing the restricted three-body problem, we introduce the restricted four-body problem. We present a numerical study of this problem which includes a study of equilibrium points, regions of possible motion and periodic orbits. Our main motivation for introducing this problem is that it can be used as an intermediate step for a systematic exploration of the genral four-body problem. In an analogous way, one may introduce the restrictedN-body problem.     

A statistical analysis of hard X-Ray solar flares

In this study we perform a statistical study on, 8319 X-Ray solar flares observed with the Hard X-Ray Burst Spectrometer (HXRBS) on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite (SMM). The events are examined in terms of the durations, maximum intensities, and intensity profiles. It is concluded that there is no evidence for a correlation between flare intensity, flare duration, and flare asymmetry. However, we do find evidence for a rapid fall-of in the number of short-duration events.     

The evolution from visible to infrared variable AGB stars

Results of the Vassiliadis and Wood (1993) model for the evolution on the AGB are used to study how DENIS can complement an optical and IRAS based study of Long Period Variable AGB stars in a field towards the galactic bulge.     

Neon and argon optical emission lines in ionized gaseous nebulae: implications and applications

In this work, we present a study of the strong optical collisional emission lines of Ne and Ar in an heterogeneous sample of ionized gaseous nebulae for which it is possible to derive directly the electron temperature and hence the chemical abundances of Ne and Ar. We calculate using a grid of photoionization models new ionization correction factors for these two elements and we study the behaviour of Ne/O and Ar/O abundance ratios with metallicity. We find a constant value for Ne/O, while there seems to be some evidence for the existence of negative radial gradients of Ar/O over the discs of some nearby spirals. We study the relation between the intensities of the emission lines of [Ne  iii ] at 3869 Å and [O  iii ] at 4959 and 5007 Å. This relation can be used in empirical calibrations and diagnostic ratios extending their applicability to bluer wavelengths and therefore to samples of objects at higher redshifts. Finally, we propose a new diagnostic using [O  ii ], [Ne  iii ] and Hδ emission lines to derive metallicities for galaxies at high z .     

On a temporary confinement of chaotic orbits of four dimensional symplectic mapping: A test on the validity of the synthetic approach

Poincaré maps for Hamiltonian systems with 3 degrees of freedom lead to the study of four dimensional symplectic mappings. As a test for the validity of a synthetic mapping of order 3 using gradient informations, we study the evolution with time of Liapounov Indicators in the case of the four dimensional standard map with chaotic and stable zones. Both Liapounov Indicators show the same behaviour for the real and synthetic mappings. They reveal exploding diffusion phenomena for temporarily confined chaotic orbits. The distribution of the time of explosion fits well with a Poisson law for the real mapping, but not for the synthetic one. However the mean time of explosion is essentially the same in both cases.     

Anisotropic Bianchi type-I models in string cosmology

The present study deals with a spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Bianchi-I cosmological models representing massive strings. The energy-momentum tensor, as formulated by Letelier (1983), has been used to construct massive string cosmological models for which we assume the expansion scalar in the models is proportional to one of the components of shear tensor. The Einstein’s field equations have been solved by applying a variation law for generalized Hubble’s parameter in Bianchi-I space-time. We have analysed a comparative study of accelerating and decelerating models in the presence of string scenario. The study reveals that massive strings dominate in the decelerating universe whereas strings dominate in the accelerating universe. The strings eventually disappear from the universe for sufficiently large times, which is in agreement with current astronomical observations.     

Degenerate equilibrium states of collisionless stellar systems

We study spherically symmetrical equilibrium states of collisionless stellar systems confined to a spherical box. These equilibrium states correspond to the statistics introduced by Lynden-Bell in his theory of 'violent relaxation', and are described by a Fermi–Dirac distribution function. We compute the corresponding equilibrium diagram and show that a global entropy maximum exists for any accessible control parameter. This equilibrium state shows a pronounced separation between a degenerate core and a halo. We therefore check that degeneracy is able to stop the gravitational collapse (of a collisionless system), and we propose a simple model for the 'core–halo' structure. We also discuss the relevance of our study for real galaxies or other astrophysical systems such as massive neutrinos.     

Parent stars of extrasolar planets – VIII. Chemical abundances for 18 elements in 31 stars

We present the results of detailed spectroscopic abundance analyses for 18 elements in 31 nearby stars with planets (SWPs). The resulting abundances are combined with other similar studies of nearby SWPs and compared to a sample of nearby stars without detected planets. We find some evidence for abundance differences between these two samples for Al, Si and Ti. Some of our results are in conflict with a recent study of SWPs in the SPOCS data base. We encourage continued study of the abundance patterns of SWPs to resolve these discrepancies.     

On the implementation of the program for exploration of Solar System small bodies

The paper discusses two missions for studies of various typical Solar System small bodies. The first mission is intended to study the Martian satellites and will be completed by delivering soil samples to the Earth; the second will perform a comprehensive study of a small asteroid body and deliver a radio beacon to the latter. The similarity of the technological base for both missions that enables the use of a unified design baseline is analyzed. It is suggested that the missions be joined into an integrated program consisting of two stages and that their optimal sequence order be determined.     

The photogravitational Hill problem with oblateness: equilibrium points and Lyapunov families

We introduce a new version of Hill’s problem that incorporates the effects of radiation of the primary and oblateness of the secondary and study the basic dynamical features of this new model-problem. This formulation is more appropriate for some astronomical applications as an approximation to the corresponding restricted three-body problem. We use iterative methods for deriving approximate expressions of the equilibrium point locations and study their stability properties by using a linear stability analysis. All equilibrium points are unstable. We also employ singular perturbations methods for obtaining approximate expressions of the Lyapunov families emanating from equilibrium points, in both coplanar and spatial case, and numerical techniques for their continuation.     

Flare Build-up study Workshop

This final Workshop of the Flare Build-up Study (FBS) aimed for an up-to-date synthesis of the preflare state based on new knowledge gained during and since the Solar Maximum Year (SMY). More joint discussions were held than was customary at previous FBS Workshops among the study groups. Consensus was possible on some broad issues, but for the thornier aspects of preflare activity the Workshop had to settle for tentative conclusions and to redefine goals for improved future studies. Some of the highlights are summarized below for each study group.     

Dynamical stability in scalar-tensor cosmology

We study FRW cosmology for a double scalar-tensor theory of gravity where two scalar fields are nonminimally coupled to the geometry. In a framework to study stability and attractor solutions of the model in the phase space, we constrain the model parameters with the observational data. For an accelerating universe, the model behaves like quintom dark energy models and predicts a transition from quintessence era to phantom era.     

Self-similar MHD shock waves for a rotating atmosphere under the force of gravitation

A study has been made of self-similar magnetohydrodynamic spherical shock waves for a rotating atmosphere taking into account the effect of self-gravitation. The energy is assumed to vary with some power of time. A study has been made to investigate the effects of magnetic field in the presence and absence of gravitation. The variation of flow variables is shown in tables for several different cases of physical interest.     

Optical Characteristics of the Soft X-Ray Telescope Aboard <Emphasis Type="Italic">Yohkoh</Emphasis>

We have studied the point spread function (PSF) of the Yohkoh Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) using the pre-launch calibration data. It is revealed from our study that both a careful consideration on the undersampling effect and a proper choice of statistics are indispensable for determining the best fit analytical function for the SXT PSF. We present the results of numerical simulations supporting our approach toward proper handling of the undersampled PSF. Examples of the derived SXT PSF using a limited number of pre-launch calibration data are shown as a case study.     

Order-of-scattering of partially polarized radiation in inhomogeneous,anisotropically scattering atmospheres

A complete set of transfer equations required for the order-of-scattering analysis of partially polarized radiation in inhomogeneous, anisotropically scattering atmospheres is provided. The equations have been derived for both a local study using the radiative transfer equation and its associated auxiliary equation for the source-matrix, and a global study in terms of the scattering and transmission matrices; they account for the polarity of the scattering medium. Their derivations for the finite order scattering and the finitely cumulative scattering, in particular, have yielded important new equations expressing the invariance principles and the integro-differential recurrences for the scattering and transmission matrices. These novel expressions contain as a special case Bellmanet al's (1972) equations for the simpler case of isotropic scattering of unpolarized light in homogeneous atmospheres.