Radiometer effect in the μSCOPE space mission

Space experiments to test the Equivalence Principle (EP) are affected by a systematic radiometer effect having the same signature as the target signal. In [PhRvD 63 (2001) 101101(R)] we have investigated this effect for the three proposed experiments currently under study by space agencies: μSCOPE, STEP and GG, setting the requirements to be met—on temperature gradients at the level of the test masses—for each experiment to reach its goal. We have now re-examined the radiometer effect in the case of μSCOPE and carried out a quantitative comparative analysis, on this issue, with the proposed heliocentric LISA mission for the detection of gravity waves. We find that, even assuming that the μSCOPE spacecraft and payload be built to meet all the challenging requirements of LISA, temperature gradients along its test masses would still make the radiometer effect larger than the target signal of an EP violation because of flying in the low geocentric orbit required for EP testing. We find no way to separate with certainty the radiometer systematic disturbance from the signal. μSCOPE is designed to fly a second accelerometer whose test masses have the same composition, in order to separate out systematic effects which—not being composition dependent like the signal—must be detected by both accelerometers. We point out that this accelerometer is in fact insensitive to the radiometer effect, just as it is to an EP violation signal, and therefore even having it onboard will not allow this disturbance to be separated out. μSCOPE is under construction and it is scheduled to fly in 2004. If it will detect a signal to the expected level, it will be impossible to establish with certainty whether it is due to the well known classical radiometer effect or else to a violation of the equivalence principle—which would invalidate General Relativity. The option to increase the rotation speed of the spacecraft (now set at about 10⁻³ Hz) so as to average out the temperature gradients which generate the radiometer effect, is allowed in the GG design, not in that of STEP and μSCOPE.     

A Submillimeter HCN Laser in IRC +10216

We present subarcsecond thermal infrared imaging of HD 98800, a young quadruple system composed of a pair of low-mass spectroscopic binaries separated by 0&farcs;8 (38 AU), each with a K-dwarf primary. Images at wavelengths ranging from 5 to 24.5 μm show unequivocally that the optically fainter binary, HD 98800B, is the sole source of a comparatively large infrared excess on which a silicate emission feature is superposed. The excess is detected only at wavelengths of 7.9 μm and longer, peaks at 25 μm, and has a best-fit blackbody temperature of 150 K, indicating that most of the dust lies at distances greater than the orbital separation of the spectroscopic binary. We estimate the radial extent of the dust with a disk model that approximates radiation from the spectroscopic binary as a single source of equivalent luminosity. Given the data, the most likely values of disk properties in the ranges considered are Rin=5.0+/-2.5 AU, DeltaR=13+/-8 AU, lambda0=2+4-1.5 μm, gamma=0+/-2.5, and sigmatotal=16+/-3 AU2, where Rin is the inner radius, DeltaR is the radial extent of the disk, lambda0 is the effective grain size, gamma is the radial power-law exponent of the optical depth tau, and sigmatotal is the total cross section of the grains. The range of implied disk masses is 0.001-0.1 times that of the Moon. These results show that, for a wide range of possible disk properties, a circumbinary disk is far more likely than a narrow ring.     

2-Gyr Simulation of the Oort-cloud Formation II. A Close View of the Inner Oort cloud after the First Two Giga-years

We simulate the formation of the Oort cloud (OC) till the age of 2 Gyr starting from an initial disc of planetesimals made by 10 038 test particles. The results on the outer part of the distant comet reservoir are reported by Neslu?an et al. (this issue). Here we deal with the evolution of the population and structure at 2 Gyr of the complementary inner part of the Oort cloud. The dynamical evolution of the massless test particles was followed via the numerical integration of their orbits. We considered the perturbations produced by four giant planets assuming they have their current orbits and masses, as well as the perturbations caused by the Galactic tide and passing stars. The efficiency of the formation of inner OC is found to be very low: only about 1.1% of all considered particles ended in this part of the OC. At 2 Gyr, the dynamics of the inner cloud is mainly governed by the dominant z-term of the Galactic tide. The number density of the bodies is proportional to the heliocentric distance, r, as r ^?3.53. The directional distribution of orbits is still strongly inhomogeneous. There are large empty regions in the space angles around the Galactic Equator points with the galactic longitude 90 and 270° (non-rotating frame), or there are only few bodies having the ecliptical latitude higher than +60° or lower than 60°. A strong concentration of objects at the Ecliptic is apparent up to ≈1,000 AU, with a possible—but still not proved—extension to ≈1,500 AU. Beyond r ≈ 6,000 AU, bodies directly above and below the Sun, with respect to the Ecliptic, are absent.     

Advancing tests of relativistic gravity via laser ranging to Phobos

Phobos Laser Ranging (PLR) is a concept for a space mission designed to advance tests of relativistic gravity in the solar system. PLR’s primary objective is to measure the curvature of space around the Sun, represented by the Eddington parameter γ, with an accuracy of two parts in 10⁷, thereby improving today’s best result by two orders of magnitude. Other mission goals include measurements of the time-rate-of-change of the gravitational constant, G and of the gravitational inverse square law at 1.5-AU distances—with up to two orders-of-magnitude improvement for each. The science parameters will be estimated using laser ranging measurements of the distance between an Earth station and an active laser transponder on Phobos capable of reaching mm-level range resolution. A transponder on Phobos sending 0.25-mJ, 10-ps pulses at 1 kHz, and receiving asynchronous 1-kHz pulses from earth via a 12-cm aperture will permit links that even at maximum range will exceed a photon per second. A total measurement precision of 50 ps demands a few hundred photons to average to 1-mm (3.3 ps) range precision. Existing satellite laser ranging (SLR) facilities—with appropriate augmentation—may be able to participate in PLR. Since Phobos’ orbital period is about 8 h, each observatory is guaranteed visibility of the Phobos instrument every Earth day. Given the current technology readiness level, PLR could be started in 2011 for launch in 2016 for 3 yr of science operations. We discuss the PLR’s science objectives, instrument, and mission design. We also present the details of science simulations performed to support the mission’s primary objectives.     

CHAMP加速仪资料的快速校标研究

对星载加速仪进行校标是有效利用星载加速仪测量数据的基础,目前校标方法都是建立在星载GPS资料处理的基础上,对处理软件和计算设备的要求都非常高.为了满足高层大气阻力研究的需要,提出了一种快速高效的校标方法,即利用GFZ公布的CHAMP卫星快速轨道作为观测资料,采用有尺度因子和线性偏差的加速仪测量值代替非引力模型摄动加速度...     

Detecting ionized bubbles in redshifted 21-cm maps

Linear transient phenomena induced by flow non-normality in thin self-gravitating astrophysical discs are studied using the shearing sheet approximation. The considered system includes two modes of perturbations: vortex and (spiral density) wave. It is shown that self-gravity considerably alters the vortex mode dynamics; its transient (swing) growth may be several orders of magnitude stronger than in the non-self-gravitating case and two to three times larger than the transient growth of the wave mode. Based on this finding, we comment on the role of vortex mode perturbations in a gravitoturbulent state. We also describe the linear coupling of the perturbation modes, caused by the differential character of disc rotation. The coupling is asymmetric: vortex mode perturbations are able to excite wave mode perturbations, but not vice versa. This asymmetric coupling lends additional significance to the vortex mode as a participant in spiral density waves and shock manifestations in astrophysical discs.     

Early star formation and galaxy formation triggered by the evolution of large-scale density perturbations

The evolution of small-scale density perturbations on the background of increasing large-scale perturbations of supercluster size will be considered. In the case that the characteristic length scales of both perturbation modes differ significantly, the interaction between both modes has to be taken into account already within lowest order of approximation. It will be shown that in this case an effective amplification for the smaller-scale perturbations occurs. For these perturbations the characteristic times of evolution decreases in dependence on the considered mass-scales more or less rapidly. Therefore, the growth of adiabatic density perturbations on mass-scales up to galaxy masses seems to be triggered by the density evolution of superclusters which the smaller-mass perturbations are embedded in. A model for the formation of observed condensed matter distribution will be proposed.     

Effects of motion of the equatorial plane on the orbital elements of an earth satellite

Exact differential equations relating the perturbations to satellite orbital elements by the motion of the Earth's equatorial plane are derived, and they are solved to second order in precession. The system proposed in a previous paper (Kozai, 1960), in which the inclination and the argument of perigee are referred to the equator of date and the longitude of the ascending node is measured from a fixed point along a fixed plane and then along the equator of date, can still be recommended for precise studies of satellite motion even when the second-order perturbations are taken into account.     

Future instrumentation for solar physics: a double channel MOF imager on board ASI Space Mission ADAHELI

A Magneto-Optical Filter-based system has been proposed as an optional payload for ASI’s low-budget Solar Mission ADAHELI, which has completed its Phase A feasibility study. The instrument is capable of providing simultaneous Dopplergrams, intensity and magnetic solar full-disk maps using the potassium 770 nm and sodium 589 nm solar Fraunhofer lines. The instrument is a version, re-designed for a space environment, of the one which has run an observing campaign at the South Pole in 2008 with unprecedented performance. The MOF-based system we present here is a low-cost, low-weight instrument, thus particularly fit to space applications, capable of providing stability and sensitivity of signals on long-term observations. The instrument will explore regions of the oscillation spectrum not available to other missions’ instruments.     

Observations of double stars at Pulkovo with 65 cm Zeiss refractor

Some results of the photographic observations of double stars with 65 cm refractor of Pulkovo observatory are presented. We use the apparent motion parameters (AMP) method which allows to determine the orbits and to carry out the dynamical investigation of wide binaries on the basis of a short arc of their orbital motion. We have determined more than 40 orbits for wide pairs and also the sum of masses and in some cases—the mass-ratio of components. The references to our works and the basic results of observations are contained in Kisselev et al. [2004. Catalogue of relative positions of visual double stars made on the observations with 26^″ refractor of Pulkovo observatory. Strassbourg, I/297]. We apply two ways of revealing the hidden mass of our stars, namely: revealing of possible perturbations from comparison of observational and calculated positions using differences O-C (for instance, perturbations in the orbital motion of ADS 15571) and also by means of comparison of the sum of the masses obtained by us and the sum of the masses obtained by means of the mass-luminosity relation. An excess of masses of about 1-3 solar masses is detected for binaries: ADS 497, ADS 8450 and ADS 10329 by means of last method.The estimations of the masses for some binaries are discussed. Also we justify the necessity of precise parallaxes and relative radial velocities of stars, which could be measured by space telescopes such as the GAIA as the additional parameters for determination of orbits of binaries.     

Absolute astronomical accelerometry

Two distinct but fully compatible novel concepts are proposed here for solar/stellar velocity measurements. The first is that of absolute accelerometry proper. This involves two simultaneously, operating servo-control loops First, a variable path-difference Fabry-Perot interferometer is adjusted so that its bandpasses track the fluctuations of either a single spectral line (in the solar case, leading to the solar accelerometer), or of all lines simultaneously (stellar accelerometer). The second loop involves a tunable laser tracking one of the FP bandpasses. The net overall result is that a laser line tracks the stellar/solar ones: the problem of measuring Doppler-shift changes has been transferred from the incoherent to the coherent optics domain. One then measures the beat frequency generated by mixing the tunable laser beam with that of stabilized laser. Only velocity changes are accessible; the devices are true accelerometers, but absolute ones. All instrumental or spectral characteristics drop out; no calibration of any kind is required; hence, one may hope for an unusually low level of systematic errors. The second concept is that of optimum measurement of Doppler shifts as far as photon count limitations are concerned. A simple but so far never performed calculation leads to the fundamental RMS velocity error corresponding to a given spectral profile and photon count. One next shows that a dispersive spectrometer with an image detector may closely approach that limit provided direct access to a computer is available, and the signal is treated by a specific algorithm. This treatment being precisely the one used in the stellar accelerometer, our device is seen as the first proposed one approaching fundamental limits in this field; however, standard radial velocity measurements (not involving accelerometry) should also benefit from our proposal. A full calculation shows that a velocity error reduction of the order of 30 is within reach relative to the most efficient so far available device, i.e., CORAVEL. For faint objects, detector noise must be added, but the treatment remains demonstrably optimum. The two principal fields of application for absolute accelerometry are celestial seismology (a seismometer is nothing but an accelerometer), and the search for extra-solar planetary systems. In both cases a large number of objects will be accessible with a small telescope. One may also look for solar system accelerations (relative to some system of reference stars) due to any cause whatsoever: for instance a faint solar companion, or even gravitational waves.     

Neural network interpolation of the magnetic field for the LISA Pathfinder Diagnostics Subsystem

LISA Pathfinder is a science and technology demonstrator of the European Space Agency within the framework of its LISA mission, which aims to be the first space-borne gravitational wave observatory. The payload of LISA Pathfinder is the so-called LISA Technology Package, which is designed to measure relative accelerations between two test masses in nominal free fall. Its disturbances are monitored and dealt by the diagnostics subsystem. This subsystem consists of several modules, and one of these is the magnetic diagnostics system, which includes a set of four tri-axial fluxgate magnetometers, intended to measure with high precision the magnetic field at the positions of the test masses. However, since the magnetometers are located far from the positions of the test masses, the magnetic field at their positions must be interpolated. It has been recently shown that because there are not enough magnetic channels, classical interpolation methods fail to derive reliable measurements at the positions of the test masses, while neural network interpolation can provide the required measurements at the desired accuracy. In this paper we expand these studies and we assess the reliability and robustness of the neural network interpolation scheme for variations of the locations and possible offsets of the magnetometers, as well as for changes in environmental conditions. We find that neural networks are robust enough to derive accurate measurements of the magnetic field at the positions of the test masses in most circumstances.     

On the dissolution time of a class of binary systems

To test the various theories of the dissolution time of binary systems, we have performed a series of numerical experiments. The present simulations represent a number of binaries subject to perturbations by passing field stars. Various masses and velocities of the field stars were used to exhibit their effects on the dissolution time. Because of simplicity, the pair considered consisted of a primary of one solar mass plus a secondary of negligible mass.The computations gave, among other things, the evolution in time of the energies and excentricities of the secondary components. We found from these results the need to redefine the concept of time of dissolution to represent more realistically the rate of loss of secondary components. The dissolution times found from the present computations do not agree with any of the existing theories, neither in the general behavior nor in actual numerical values. The times of dissolution found in the present calculations are between a factor of two and a factor of fifteen longer than predicted by existing theories.     

The stability of periodic orbits in the three-body problem

A method is developed to study the stability of periodic motions of the three-body problem in a rotating frame of reference, based on the notion of surface of section. The method is linear and involves the computation of a 4×4 variational matrix by integrating numerically the differential equations for time intervals of the order of a period. Several properties of this matrix are proved and also it is shown that for a symmetric periodic motion it can be computed by integrating for half the period only.This linear stability analysis is used to study the stability of a family of periodic motions of three bodies with equal masses, in a rotating frame of reference. This family represents motion such that two bodies revolve around each other and the third body revolves around this binary system in the same direction to a distance which varies along the members of the family. It was found that a large part of the family, corresponding to the case where the distance of the third body from the binary system is larger than the dimensions of the binary system, represents stable motion. The nonlinear effects to the linear stability analysis are studied by computing the intersections of several perturbed orbits with the surface of sectiony ₃=0. In some cases more than 1000 intersections are computed. These numerical results indicate that linear stability implies stability to all orders, and this is true for quite large perturbations.     

The uniform,regular differential equations of the KS transformed perturbed two-body problem

The Newtonian differential equations of motion for the two-body problem can be transformed into four, linear, harmonic oscillator equations by simultaneously applying the regularizing time transformation dt/ds=r and the Kustaanheimo-Stiefel (KS) coordinate transformation. The time transformation changes the independent variable from time to a new variables, and the KS transformation transforms the position and velocity vectors from Cartesian space into a four-dimensional space. This paper presents the derivation of uniform, regular equations for the perturbed twobody problem in the four-dimensional space. The variation of parameters technique is used to develop expressions for the derivatives of ten elements (which are constants in the unperturbed motion) for the general case that includes both perturbations which can arise from a potential and perturbations which cannot be derived from a potential. These element differential equations are slightly modified by introducing two additional elements for the time to further improve long term stability of numerical integration.Originally presented at the AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialists Conference, Vail, Colorado, July 1973     

The structure of the extended phase space of the Sitnikov problem

The extended phase space of the Sitnikov problem is studied by using a stroboscopic map and computing escape times. Comparisons of phase portraits and plots of escape times reveal the intrinsic connection between the geometry of the phase space and the dynamical behaviour of the system. Properties of the phase space are analysed both in the central regular region and far from it. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

SPICES: spectro-polarimetric imaging and characterization of exoplanetary systems

SPICES (Spectro-Polarimetric Imaging and Characterization of Exoplanetary Systems) is a five-year M-class mission proposed to ESA Cosmic Vision. Its purpose is to image and characterize long-period extrasolar planets and circumstellar disks in the visible (450?C900 nm) at a spectral resolution of about 40 using both spectroscopy and polarimetry. By 2020/2022, present and near-term instruments will have found several tens of planets that SPICES will be able to observe and study in detail. Equipped with a 1.5 m telescope, SPICES can preferentially access exoplanets located at several AUs (0.5?C10?AU) from nearby stars (<25 pc) with masses ranging from a few Jupiter masses to Super Earths (??2 Earth radii, ??10 M_??) as well as circumstellar disks as faint as a few times the zodiacal light in the Solar System.     

A new method of initial orbit determination

Up to now we have been dealing with the construction of entirely analytical planetary theories such as VSOP82 (Bretagnon, 1982) and TOP82 (Simon, 1983). These theories take into account the whole of the Newtonian perturbations of nine point masses: the Sun, the Earth-Moon barycentre, the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. They also take into account perturbations due to some minor planets, to the action of the Moon and the relativistic effects. The perturbations of these last three types are in a very simple way under analytical form but they considerably increase the computations when introduced in the numerical integration programs.In the present paper we thus study a solution in which the Newtonian perturbations for the ten point masses are treated through numerical integration, the other perturbations being analytically added.     

Amelioration des theories planetaires analytiques

The VSOP82 and TOP82 theories intend to represent the motion of planets, with a satisfactory accuracy, over an interval of 1000 years from and after J2000.0. The precision of the newtonian part of the solutions for the system of the sun and eight point masses is given in table 1. We present the construction of complements in order to keep this accuracy over one thousand years for the real motion: the relativistic perturbations, the perturbations by the minor planets, the perturbations by the Moon. Besides, we have undertaken the improvement of the solutions through lengthening the interval of validity up to six thousand years from and after J2000.0.