A note on obtaining an approximate value for the period of a periodic solution of\ddot x = - V\prime (x)

The first integral of yields an integral for the period of a periodic solution, if such exists. In general, this integral cannot be evaluated. By means of an approximate solution along with the minimization of a mean-square error, one can obtain an approximate value for the period in terms of the amplitude of the motion. The calculated period agrees very well with the period obtained by means of numerical integration for the case of orbit-orbit resonance involving the motion of two satellites of a planet.The same method is applied to obtain an alternative derivation of the first Krylov-Bogoliuboff averaging method in non-linear mechanics.     

Compatibility conditions for a non-quadratic integral of motion

Conditions are found which are satisfied by the coefficients of the expression being a second integral of the motion of an autonomous dynamical system with two degrees of freedom. The coefficientsA, B. , ,E are differentiable functions of the cartesian position coordinatesx, y. The velocity components are denoted by . It is shown that must be constant andB must be of the formB =f(x+y) +g(x-y) wheref, g are arbitrary.Given andB one can always find the remaining coefficientsA, E and also the corresponding potential and second integral. Depending on the specifica case at hand a certain number of arbitrary constants (or arbitrary functions) enter into the potential and the second integral. To each potential (which may be of the separable or nonseparable type in the coordinatesx andy)there corresponds one integral of the above form.     

The restricted two-body problem in constant curvature spaces

We perform the bifurcation analysis of the Kepler problem on and . An analog of the Delaunay variables is introduced. We investigate the motion of a point mass in the field of a Newtonian center moving along a geodesic on and (the restricted two-body problem). For the case of a small curvature, the pericenter shift is computed using the perturbation theory. We also present the results of numerical analysis based on an analogy with the motion of a rigid body.     

On the integrability cases of the equation of motion for a satellite in an axially symmetric gravitational field

The projection of an axially symmetric satellite's orbit on a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (z=const.) is given by the second-order differential equation. $$\frac{{y''}}{{1 + y'^2 }} = \bar \Psi _y - y'\bar \Psi _{x,}$$ where the prime denotes the derivative with respect tox and \(\bar \Psi (x,y)\) is a known function. Two integrability cases have been investigated and it has been shown that for these two cases the integration can be carried out either by quadratures or reduced to a first-order differential equation. Analytical and physical properties are expressed, and it is shown that the equation can be derived from the calssical plane eikonal equation of geometric optics.     

Die Mittleren Geschwindigkeiten Der Sterne In 58 Kugelförmigen Sternhaufen

The mean velocities of the stars in 58 globular clusters are derived from the photometric measurements of Kron and Mayall (1960). The mass-visual brightness ratio is used. The velocities are falling in the interval 2.9v11.6 km s^–1, their mean value is 6.75 km s^–1.

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Mitteilungen Serie A.     

The Restricted Three-Body Problem: Comments on the Rotational Effect

The synchronization between the orbital motion and axial rotation of the two component stars of a binary system is reviewed. Some previous published papers are mentioned and the general conclusion is outlined: If we shall use a rotating coordinate system synchronous with one of the two stellar axial rotations, it is not possible to obtain a Jacobi integral and the Roche geometry cannot be further analyzed. In addition, a theoretical approach is summarized in order to use the axial rotations of the two component stars, even if the constants of the stellar structure (k₂)₁, (k₂)₂must be taken into consideration. So it is found that if the stellar angular velocities are higher than the corresponding Keplerian angular velocity (ω_i≫ ω_k, i= ), the problem of the rotational effect could be of practical consideration. Finally, a theoretical relationship between the two constants (k₂)₁and (k₂)₂of the stellar structure is established.     

The Evolution of Dilatonic Universe with a Double Exponential Potential

In this paper, dilaton in Weyl-Scaled induced gravitational theory is regarded as a candidate of dark energy. When the potential of dilaton field is taken as the form of a double exponential , we find that there exist attractor solutions in dilatonic dark energy model, and these attractors correspond to an equations of state and a cosmic density parameter , which are important features for a dark energy model that can meet the current observations. We find out the sufficient condition of the existence of a late time de Sitter attractor.     

Earth’s precession–nutation motion: the error analysis of the theories IAU 2000 and IAU 2006 applying the VLBI data of the years 1984–2006

The long-term systematic errors of the analytical theories IAU 2000 and IAU 2006 of the Earth’s precession–nutational motion are studied making use of the VLBI data of 1984–2007. Several independent methods give indubitable evidence of the significant quadratic error in the IAU 2000 residuals of the precessional angle while the adopted value of the secular decrease /cy of the Earth’s ellipticity e (derived from Satellite Laser Ranging data) should manifest itself in the residuals of as the negative quadratic trend . The problem with the precession of the IAU 2006 theory adopted as a new international standard and based on the precession model P03 (Capitaine et al., Astron Astrophys 432:355–367, 2005) appears to be even more serious because the above mentioned quadratic term has already been incorporated into the P03 precession. Our analysis of the VLBI data demonstrates that the quadratic trend of the IAU 2006 residuals does amount to the expected value (30.0 ± 3) mas/cy². It means, first, that the theoretical precession rate of IAU 2006 should be augmented by the large secular correction and, second, that the available VLBI data have potentiality of estimating the rate . And indeed, processing these data by the numerical theory ERA of the Earth’s rotation (Krasinsky, Celest Mech Dyn Astron 96:169–217, 2006, Krasinsky and Vasilyev, Celest Mech Dyn Astron 96:219–237, 2006) yields the estimate /cy statistically in accordance with the satellite-based . On the other hand, applying IAU 2000/2006 models, the positive value /cy is found which is incompatible with the SLR estimate and, evidently, has no physical meaning. The large and steadily increasing error of the precession motion of the IAU 2006 theory makes the task of replacing IAU 2006 by a more accurate model be most pressing.     

3He enrichments by magnetosonic waves in current-driven instabilities

A theoretical model for³He enrichments in solar energetic particles is developed. First, current-driven, electrostatic instabilities that have frequencies ( is the cyclotron frequency of³He) are investigated for a plasma consisting of H,⁴He,³He, and electrons with the density of³He much lower than those of H and⁴He. It is found that in many cases the oblique ion-acoustic waves can have positive growth rates at frequencies and, at the same time, negative growth rates at and at _H. This can occur near the marginal state of the instability. The wave damping at these frequencies is caused by the cyclotron resonances of⁴He and H. The cyclotron damping at is negligible, however, because the abundance of³He is very small. The H cyclotron waves can be unstable at for a wide region of plasma parameters; the electron-to-ion temperature ratio must beT _e /T _H 1.5. To destabilize the₄He cyclotron waves with , high⁴He density and high electron temperature are both required. Then,³He enrichments are studied on the basis of the theory of nonlinear magnetosonic waves, which can promptly accelerate ions. The current-driven electrostatic waves with can enhance fluctuation velocities of³He. Thus, in the presence of these waves, magnetosonic waves can selectively accelerate³He particles to high energies. Finally, cyclotron resonances of heavy ions with the waves or are briefly discussed.     

Kepler's problem in constant curvature spaces

In this article the generalization of the motion of a particle in a central field to the case of a constant curvature space is investigated. We found out that orbits on a constant curvature surface are closed in two cases: when the potential satisfies Iaplace-Beltrami equation and can be regarded as an analogue of the potential of the gravitational interaction, and in the case when the potential is the generalization of the potential of an elastic spring. Also the full integrability of the generalized two-centre problem on a constant curvature surface is discovered and it is shown that integrability remains even if elastic forces are added.     

On the existence of prevalent westward shifts in the solar atmosphere

A statistical analysis of the deviations of the sideral angular rotation velocities () of single sunspot groups from the averaged rotation curve , shows that positive deviations tend to be greater than negative ones: we can therefore deduce the existence of prevalent westward shifts in the solar atmosphere. This effect is only partially due to the sunspot group proper motions at the beginning of their evolution, and it could indicate the prevalence of westward currents in the solar photosphere.     

Longitudinal distribution of X-bremsstrahlung on the solar disc

In this paper, the dependence of the intensity of solar bremsstrahlung in the spectral range from 1–60 keV on heliographic longitude is investigated. Considering a flare mechanism, which assumes that the electrons move in a preferred direction in the course of their acceleration (according to the model of Takakura and Kai (1966) the electrons move parallel to the solar surface), we come to the conclusion that the maximum of the bremsstrahlung intensity is shifted with increasing electron velocity towards the direction of motion of electron beams. In the case of the Takakura and Kai flare mechanism, the slow electrons ( ), i.e. with small energies of 1–10 keV, reach the maximum of the bremsstrahlung intensity round the CM; for higher velocities ( ), i.e. for higher energies of 10–60 keV, the direction of the maximum is shifted away from the CM towards the disc limb. These theoretical conclusions were proved by experimental research conducted by means of satellites.     

Recent progress in the theory of Trojan asteroids

In previous publications the author has constructed a long-periodic solution of the problem of the motion of the Trojan asteroids, treated as the case of 1:1 resonance in the restricted problem of three bodies. The recent progress reported here is summarized under three headings:

1. The nature on the long-periodic family of orbits is re-examined in the light of the results of the numerical integrations carried out by Deprit and Henrard (1970). In the vicinity of the critical divisor $$D_k \equiv \omega _1 - k\omega _2 ,$$ not accessible to our solution, the family is interrupted by bifurcations and shortperiodic bridges. Parametrized by the normalized Jacobi constant α², our family may, accordingly, be defined as the intersection of admissible intervals, in the form $$L = \mathop \cap \limits_j \left\{ {\left| {\alpha - \alpha _j } \right| > \varepsilon _j } \right\};j = k,k + 1, \ldots \infty .$$ Here, {α_j(m)} is the sequence of the critical α_j corresponding to the exactj: 1 commensurability between the characteristic frequencies ω₁ and ω₂ for a given value of the mass parameterm. Inasmuch as the ‘critical’ intervals |α?α_j|<ε_j can be shown to be disjoint, it follows that, despite the clustering of the sequence {α_j} at α=1, asj→∞, the family extends into the vicinity of the separatrix α=1, which terminates the ‘tadpole’ branch of the family.
2. Our analysis of the epicyclic terms of the solution, carrying the critical divisorD _k , supports the Deprit and Henrard refutation of the E. W. Brown conjecture (1911) regarding the termination of the tadpole branch at the Lagrangian pointL ₃. However, the conjecture may be revived in a refined form. “The separatrix α=1 of the tadpole branch spirals asymptotically toward a limit cycle centered onL ₃.”
3. The periodT(α,m) of the libration in the mean synodic longitude λ in the range $$\lambda _1 \leqslant \lambda \leqslant \lambda _2$$ is given by a hyperelliptic integral. This integral is formally expanded in a power series inm and α² or \(\beta \equiv \sqrt {1 - \alpha ^2 }\) .

The large amplitude of the libration, peculiar to our solution, is made possible by the mode of the expansion of the disturbing functionR. Rather than expanding about Lagrangian pointL ₄, with the coordinatesr=1, θ=π/3, we have expandedR about the circler=1. This procedure is equivalent to analytic continuation, for it replaces the circle of convergence centered atL ₄ by an annulus |r?1|<ε with 0≤θ<2π.     

Sound and thermal waves propagation in a hydrogen plasma heated by an external radiation field

The thermal equilibrium of a hydrogen plasma heated and ionized by an external radiation field, diluted by a factorW _* and defined by an effective temperatureT _*, is studied. In addition, the problem of propagation of acoustic and thermal waves in the above plasma model is also analysed. It is found that an external radiation field has stabilizing effects against wave amplification. From the dispersion relation obtained, the phase velocity for sound and thermal waves and their respective scale-length of damping (or anti-damping) is calculated as a function of the frequency for representative values of the plasma temperature and the external radiation fieldT _*.     

The First DIRECT Distance to a Detached Eclipsing Binary in M33

We present the first direct distance determination to a detached eclipsing binary in M33, which was found by the DIRECT Project. Located in the OB 66 association, it was one of the most suitable detached eclipsing binaries found by DIRECT for distance determination, given its 4.8938 day period. We obtained follow-up BV photometry and spectroscopy from which we determined the parameters of the system. It contains two O7 main sequence stars with masses of and and radii of and , respectively. We derive temperatures of K and K and determine the reddening . Using HST photometry for flux calibration in the V band, we obtain a preliminary distance modulus of mag ( kpc). The photometry and thus distance is subject to revision in the final paper.     

Die offenen sternhaufen M36, M38 und NGC 2477

The open star clusters M36, M38 and NGC 2477 were investigated by the strip method on charts of photographs taken with the Schmidt-Spiegel of the German Observatory Hoher List (M36/38) and the Curtis-Schmidt Telescope of the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory (NGC 2477). The results are — Masses: 830, 2350, 4400 ; radii: 6.4, 10.0, 10.0 pc; central densities: 9.9, 15.3, 32.5 pc^–3; density laws: Gaussian (M36), generalized law of Schuster withn=3.00, 2.79; mean velocities of the stars 0.74, 1.01, 1.38 km s^–1.

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Mitteilungen Serie A.     

Special Families of Orbits in the Direct Problem of Dynamics

The direct problem of dynamics in two dimensions is modeled by a nonlinear second-order partial differential equation, which is therefore difficult to be solved. The task may be made easier by adding some constraints on the unknown function = f _y /f _x , where f(x, y) = c is the monoparametric family of orbits traced in the xy Cartesian plane by a material point of unit mass, under the action of a given potential V(x, y). If the function is supposed to verify a linear first-order partial differential equation, for potentials V satisfying a differential condition, can be found as a common solution of certain polynomial equations.The various situations which can appear are discussed and are then illustrated by some examples, for which the energy on the members of the family, as well as the region where the motion takes place, are determined. One example is dedicated to a Hénon—Heiles type potential, while another one gives rise to families of isothermal curves (a special case of orthogonal families). The connection between the inverse/direct problem of dynamics and the possibility of detecting integrability of a given potential is briefly discussed.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Non—integrability of Hill's lunar problem

We prove that Hill's lunar problem does not possess a second analytic integral of motion, independent of the Hamiltonian. In order to obtain this result, we avoid the usual normalization in which the angular velocity of the rotating reference frame is put equal to unit. We construct an artificial Hamiltonian that includes an arbitrary parameter b and show that this Hamiltonian does not possess an analytic integral of motion for in an open interval around zero. Then, by selecting suitable values of , b and using the invariance of the Hamiltonian under scaling in the units of length and time, we show that the Hamiltonian of Hill's problem does not possess an integral of motion, analytically continued from the integrable two–body problem in a rotating frame.     

Secondary production of antiprotons in cosmic radiation

A reliable representation to the invariant cross-section for the production of antiprotons ( ) in inclusive reactions has been obtained, which fits the data extremely well from threshold to ISR energies. Using this, the production spectrum of by cosmic ray interaction with interstellar gas is calculated and is compared with other existing calculations. The equilibrium spectrum in the Galaxy has been derived from about 100 MeV to a few hundred GeV in kinetic energy using Leaky Box Model for the propagation of cosmic rays, by taking into account all energy loss processes. It is found that /P ratio calculated here is very much smaller than the observed ratio. In view of the fact that this excess of observed /P ratio is much larger than the measured upper limits on the fraction of antimatter in the form of antinuclei, the excess /P ratio has not been attributed to the existence of antimatter. Instead, it is shown that Closed Galaxy Model for the propagation of cosmic rays predicts more antiprotons than observed. Therefore, it is suggested that if cosmic rays contain about 50% new component of local origin, the resulting Closed Galaxy Model explains well the observations. The present calculations also predict too small a flux of below a few hundred MeV to make this energy region ideally suited to look for antiprotons of primordial origin.     

Fourier analysis of the light curves of eclipsing variables,VI

A numerical study is given of a family of orthonormal polynomials , introduced in a previous communication of this series (Kopal, 1975) for the elimination of the proximity effects from observed light variations of close eclipsing systems; and tables are presented which should facilitate applications of this technique to practical cases.