Gravity field of Mars from Mariner 9 tracking data

Further reduction of Doppler tracking data from Mariner 9 confirms our earlier conclusion that the gravity field of Mars is considerably rougher than the fields of either the Earth or the Moon. The largest positive gravity anomaly uncovered is in the Tharsis region which is also topographically high and geologically unusual. The best determined coefficients of the harmonic expansion of the gravitational potential are: J₂ = (1.96 ± 10.01) × 10^?3 ; C₂₂ = ?(5.1 ± 0.2) × 10^?5; and S₂₂ = (3.4 ± 0.2) × 10^?5. The other coefficients have not been well determined on an individual basis, but the ensemble yields a useful model for the gravity field for all longitudes in the vicinity of 23° South latitude which corresponds to the periapse position for the orbiter.The value obtained for the inverse mass of Mars (3 098 720 ± 70 M⊙^?1) is in good agreement with prior determinations from Mariner flyby trajectories. The direction found for the rotational pole of Mars, referred to the mean equinox and equator of 1950.0, is characterized by α = 317°.3 ± 0°.2, δ = 52°.7 ± 0°.2. This result is in excellent agreement with Sinclair's recent value, determined from earth-based observations of Mars' satellites, but differs by about 0°.5 from the previously accepted value. Other important physical constants that have either been refined or confirmed by the Mariner 9 data include: (i) the dynamical flattening, f = (5.24 ± 0.02) × 10^?3; (ii) the maximum principal moment of inertia, C = (0.375 ± 0.006) MR²; and (iii) the period of precession of Mars' pole, P ? (1.73 ± 0.03) × 10⁵ yr, corresponding to a rate of 7.4 sec of arc per yr.     

Vertical distribution of water vapor and mars model lower and middle atmosphere

Observations and model calculations of water vapor diffusion suggest that about half the amount of water vapor is distributed with constant mixing ratio in the Martian atmosphere, the other half is the excess water vapor in the lower troposphere. During 24 hr the total content of water vapor may vary by a factor of two. The eddy diffusion coefficient providing agreement between calculations and observations is K = (3–10) × 10⁶ cm² sec^?1 in the troposphere. An analytical expression is derived for condensate density in the stratosphere in terms of the temperature profile, the particle radius r, and K. The calculations agree with the Mars 5 measurements for r = 1.5 μm, condensate density 5 × 10^?12 g/cm³ in the layer maximum at 30 to 35 km, condensate column density 7 × 10^?6 cm^?2, K = (1?3) × 10⁶ cm² sec^?1, and the temperature profile T = 185 ? 0.05z ? 0.01z² at 20 to 40 km. Condensation conditions yield a temperature of 160°K at 60 km in the evening; the scale height for scattered radiation yields T = 110°k at 80 to 90 km. The Mars model atmosphere has been developed up to 125 km.     

Effects of a physical librations of the moon caused by a liquid core,and determination of the fourth mode of a free libration

An analytical theory of lunar physical librations based on its two-layer model consisting of a non-spherical solid mantle and ellipsoidal liquid core is developed. The Moon moves on a high-precision orbit in the gravitational field of the Earth and other celestial bodies. The defined fourth mode of a free libration is caused by the influence of the liquid core, with a long period of 205.7 yr, with amplitude S = 0″0395 and with an initial phase Π₀ = ?134° (for the initial epoch 2000.0). Estimates of dynamic (meridional) oblatenesses of a liquid core of the Moon have been estimated: ?_D = 4.42 × 10^?4, μ_D = 2.83 × 10^?4 (?_D + μ_D = 7.24 × 10^?4). These results have been obtained as a result of comparison of the developed analytical theory of physical librations of the Moon with the empirical theory of librations of the Moon constructed on the basis of laser observations.     

Type Ia supernovae: An explosion in the regime of a convergent delayed detonation wave

The model of a presupernova’s carbon-oxygen (C-O) core with an initial mass of 1.33 M _⊙, an initial carbon abundance X _C ⁽⁰⁾ =0.27, and a mean rate of increase in mass of 5 × 10^?7 M _⊙ yr^?1 through accretion in a binary system evolved from the central density and temperature ρ_c=10⁹ g cm^?3 and T _c=2.05 × 10⁸K, respectively, by forming a convective core and its subsequent expansion to an explosive fuel ignition at the center. The evolution and explosion equations included only the carbon burning reaction ¹²C+¹²C with energy release corresponding to the complete conversion of carbon and oxygen (at the same rate as that of carbon) into ⁵⁶Ni. The ratio of mixing length to convection-zone size α_c was chosen as the parameter. Although the model assumptions were crude, we obtained an acceptable (for the theory of supernovae) pattern of explosion with a strong dependence of its duration on α_c. In our calculations with sufficiently large values of this parameter, α_c=4.0 × 10^?3 and 3.0×10^?3, fuel burned in the regime of prompt detonation. In the range 2.0×10^?3≥α_c≥3.0×10^?4, there was initially a deflagration with the generation of model pulsations whose amplitude gradually increased. Eventually, the detonation regime of burning arose, which was triggered from the model surface layers (with m ? 1.33 M _⊙) and propagated deep into the model up to the deflagration front. The generation of model pulsations and the formation of a detonation front are described in detail for α_c=1.0 × 10^?3.     

Magnetic field decay of magnetars in supernova remnants

In this paper, we modify our previous research carefully, and derive a new expression of electron energy density in superhigh magnetic fields. Based on our improved model, we re-compute the electron capture rates and the magnetic fields’ evolutionary timescales t of magnetars. According to the calculated results, the superhigh magnetic fields may evolve on timescales ～(10⁶?10⁷) yrs for common magnetars, and the maximum timescale of the field decay, t≈2.9507×10⁶ yrs, corresponding to an initial internal magnetic field B ₀=3.0×10¹⁵ G and an initial inner temperature T ₀=2.6×10⁸ K. Motivated by the results of the neutron star-supernova remnant (SNR) association of Zhang and Xie (2011), we calculate the maximum B ₀ of magnetar progenitors, B _max～(2.0×10¹⁴?2.93×10¹⁵) G when T ₀=2.6×10⁸ K. When T ₀～2.75×10⁸?1.75×10⁸ K, the maximum B ₀ will also be in the range of ～10¹⁴?10¹⁵ G, not exceeding the upper limit of magnetic field of a magnetar under our magnetar model. We also investigate the relationship between the spin-down ages of magnetars and the ages of their SNRs, and explain why all AXPs associated with SNRs look older than their real ages, whereas all SGRs associated with SNRs appear younger than they are.     

Interaction Between Two CMEs During 14 – 15 February 2011 and Their Unusual Radio Signature

We report a detailed analysis of an interaction between two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that were observed on 14?–?15 February 2011 and the corresponding radio enhancement, which was similar to the “CME cannibalism” reported by Gopalswamy et al. (Astrophys. J. 548, L91, 2001). A primary CME, with a mean field-of-view velocity of 669 km?s^?1 in the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)/Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO), was more than as twice as fast as the slow CME preceding it (326 km?s^?1), which indicates that the two CMEs interacted. A radio-enhancement signature (in the frequency range 1 MHz?–?400 kHz) due to the CME interaction was analyzed and interpreted using the CME data from LASCO and from the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) HI-1, radio data from Wind/Radio and Plasma Wave Experiment (WAVES), and employing known electron-density models and kinematic modeling. The following results are obtained: i) The CME interaction occurred around 05:00?–?10:00 UT in a height range 20?–?25 R_⊙. An unusual radio signature is observed during the time of interaction in the Wind/WAVES dynamic radio spectrum. ii) The enhancement duration shows that the interaction segment might be wider than 5 R_⊙. iii) The shock height estimated using density models for the radio enhancement region is 10?–?30 R_⊙. iv) Using kinematic modeling and assuming a completely inelastic collision, the decrease of kinetic energy based on speeds from LASCO data is determined to be 0.77×10²³ J, and 3.67×10²³ J if speeds from STEREO data are considered. vi) The acceleration, momentum, and force are found to be a=?168 m?s^?2, I=6.1×10¹⁸ kg?m?s^?1, and F=1.7×10¹⁵ N, respectively, using STEREO data.     

Infrared photometry of Nova Delphini 2013 (=V339 Del) in the first sixty days after its outburst

The results of JHKLM photometry for Nova Delphini 2013 obtained in the first sixty days after its outburst are analyzed. Analysis of the energy distribution in a wide spectral range (0.36–5 µm) has shown that the source mimics the emission of normal supergiants of spectral types B5 and A0 for two dates near its optical brightness maximum, August 15.94 UT and August 16.86 UT, respectively. The distance to the nova has been estimated to be D ≈ 3 kpc. For these dates, the following parameters have been estimated: the source’s bolometric fluxes ～9 × 10^?7 and ～7.2 × 10^?7 erg s^?1 cm^?2, luminosities L ≈ 2.5 × 10⁵ L _⊙ and ≈2 × 10⁵ L _⊙, and radii R ≈ 6.3 × 10¹² and ≈1.2 × 10¹³ cm. The nova’s expansion velocity near its optical brightness maximum was ～700 km s^?1. An infrared (IR) excess associated with the formation of a dust shell is shown to have appeared in the energy distribution one month after the optical brightness maximum. The parameters of the dust component have been estimated for two dates of observations, JD2456557.28 (September 21, 2013) and JD2456577.18 (October 11, 2013). For these dates, the dust shell parameters have been estimated: the color temperatures ≈1500 and ≈1200 K, radii ≈6.5 × 10¹³ and 1.7 × 10¹⁴ cm, luminosities ～4 × 10³ L _⊙ and ～1.1 × 10⁴ L _⊙, and the dust mass ～1.6 × 10²⁴ and ～10²⁵ g. The total mass of the material ejected in twenty days (gas + dust) could reach ～1.1 × 10^?6 M _⊙. The rate of dust supply to the nova shell was ～8 × 10^?8 M _⊙ yr^?1. The expansion velocity of the dust shell was about 600 km s^?1.     

Ultraviolet Spectral Behavior of TVCol During and After Flaring Activity

We studied the intermediate polar TVCol during and after its flare in November 1982 observed in the ultraviolet range with the International Ultraviolet Explorer. Two spectra revealing the variations of emission lines at different times are presented. We have estimated a new value of the reddening from the 2200 Å absorption feature, E (B ? V ) = 0.12 ± 0.02, and calculated the line fluxes of C IV and He II emission lines produced in the outer accretion disk. The average ultraviolet luminosity of emitting region during and after the flare is approximately 4 × 10³² erg s^?1 and 9 × 10³⁰ erg s^?1, the corresponding average mass accretion rate is nearly 3 × 10¹⁵ erg s^?1 (4.76 × 10^?11M_⊙ yr^?1) and 5 × 10¹³ erg s^?1 (7.9³ × 10^?13M_⊙ yr^?1), and the average temperature of the emitting region during and after flare is estimated to be of about 3.5 × 10³ K and 2 × 10³ K. We attribute this flare to a sudden increase in the mass accretion rate leading to the outburst activity.     

The millimeter spectrum of Titan: Detectability of HCN,HC3N,and CH3CN and the CO abundance

The flux emitted by Titan's disk in millimeter lines of HCN, HC₃N, CH₃CN, and CO is calculated by means of a radiative transfer formulation which takes into account the sphericity of the atmosphere. It is demonstrated that the plane-parallel approximation for radiative transfer is no longer valid, especially in the core of emission lines, when Titan is not spatially resolved. The antenna temperatures which would be measured by large radiotelescopes observing Titan at frequencies of (1?0) and (2?1) transitions of CO, of (1?0), (2?1), and (3?2) transitions of HCN, and of selected transitions of HC₃N and CH₃CN in the range 80–300 GHz are calculated. The observability of these transitions is investigated. It is concluded that there is the possibility of inferring the vertical stratospheric distribution of these species from line shape measurements to be achieved with existing or forthcoming radioastronomical instrumentation. The determination of the CO abundance by D. O. Muhleman, G. L. Berge, and R. T. Clancy (1984, (Science (Washington, D.C.), 223, 393–396) from measurements at 115.3 GHz in two 200 MHz bands, is reinterpreted by means of this radiative transfer formulation. A CO mixing ratio between 3 × 10^?5 and 18 × 10^?5, with a most plausible value of 7.5 × 10^?5, is found.     

On the production of nitric oxide by cosmic rays in the mesosphere and stratosphere

Nitric oxide is formed in the atmosphere through the ionization and dissociation of molecular nitrogen by galactic cosmic rays. One NO molecule is formed for each ion pair produced by cosmic ray ionization.The height-integrated input (day and night) to the lower stratosphere is of the order of 6 × 10⁷ NO molecules cm^?2/sec in the auroral zone (geomagnetic latitude Φ ? 60°) during the minimum of the sunspot cycle and 4 × 10⁷ NO molecules cm^?2/sec in the subauroral belt and auroral region (Φ? 45°) at the maximum of solar activity. The tropical production is less than 10^?7 NO molecules cm^?2/sec above 17 km and at the equator the production is only 3 × 10⁶NO molecules cm^?2/sec.     

Solar radiation scattered in the Venus atmosphere: The Venera 11,12 data

Results of the scattered solar radiation spectrum measurements made deep in the Venus atmosphere by the Venera 11 and 12 descent probes are presented. The instrument had two channels: spectrometric (to measure downward radiation in the range 0.45 < γ < 1.17 μm) and photometric (four filters and circular angle scanning in an almost vertical plane). Spectra and angular scans were made in the height range from 63 km above the planet surface. The integral flux of solar radiation is 90 ± 12 W m^?2 measured on the surface at the subsolar point. The mean value of surface absorbed radiation flux per planetary unit area is 17.5 ± 2.3 W m^?2. For Venera 11 and 12 landing sites the atmospheric absorbed radiation flux is ～15 W m^?2 for H >; 43 km and ～45 W m^?2 for H < 48 km in the range 0.45 to 1.55 μm. At the landing sites of the two probes the investigated portion of the cloud layer has almost the same structure: it consists of three parts with boundaries between them at about 51 and 57 km. The base of clouds is near 48 km above the surface. The optical depth of the cloud layer (below 63 km) in the range 0.5 to 1 μm does not depend on the wavelength and is ～29 and ～38 for the Venera 11 and 12 landing sites, respectively. The single-scattering albedo, ω₀, in the clouds is very close to 1 outside the absorption bands. Below 58 km the parameter (1 ? ω₀) is <10^?3 for 0.49 and 0.7 μm. The parameter (1 ? ω₀) obviously increases above 60 km. Below 48 km some aerosol is present. The optical depth here is a strong function of wavelength. It varies from 1.5 to 3 at λ = 0.49 μm and from 0.13 to 0.4 at 1.0 μm. The mean size of particles below the cloud deck is about 0.1 μm. Below 35 km true absorption was found at λ < 0.55 μm with the (1 ? ω₀) maximum at H ≈ 15 km. The wavelength and height dependence of the absorption coefficient are compatible with the assumption that sulfur with a mixing ratio ～2 × 10^?8 normalized to S₂ molecules is the absorber. The upper limits of the mixing ratio for Cl₂, Br₂, and NO₂ are 4 × 10^?8, 2 × 10^?11, and 4 × 10^?10, respectively. The CO₂ and H₂O bands are confidently identified in the observed spectra. The mean value of the H₂O mixing ratio is 3 × 10^?5 < F_H2O < 10^?4 in the undercloud atmosphere. The H₂O mixing ratio evidently varies with height. The most probable profile is characterized by a gradual increase from F_H2O = 2 × 10^?5 near the surface to a 10 to 20 times higher value in the clouds.     

On the velocity of jets powering hot spots similar to those in Cygnus A

Hot spots similar to those in the radio galaxy Cygnus A can be explained by the strong shock produced by a supersonic but classical jet \(\left( {u_{jet}< c/\sqrt 3 } \right)\) . The high integrated radio luminosity (L?2×10⁴⁴ erg s^?1) and the strength of mean magnetic field (B?2×10^?4 G) suggest the hot spots are the downstream flow of a very strong shock which generates the ultrarelativistic electrons of energy ?≥20 MeV. The fully-developed subsonic turbulence amplifies the magnetic field of the jet up to 1.6×10^?4 G by the dynamo effect. If we assume that the post-shock pressure is dominated by relativistic particles, the ratio between the magnetic energy density to the energy density in relativistic particles is found to be ?2×10^?2, showing that the generally accepted hypothesis of equipartition is not valid for hot spots. The current analysis allows the determination of physical parameters inside hot spots. It is found that:

1. The velocity of the upstream flow in the frame of reference of the shock isu ₁?0.2c. Radio observations indicate that the velocity of separation of hot spots isu _sep?0.05c, so that the velocity of the jet isu _jet=u ₁+u _sep?0.25c.
2. The density of the thermal electrons inside the hot spot isn ₂?5×10^?3 e ^? cm^?3 and the mass ejected per year to power the hot spot is ?4M ₀yr^?1.
3. The relativistic electron density is less than 20% of the thermal electron density inside the hot spot and the spectrum is a power law which continues to energies as low as 30 MeV.
4. The energy density of relativistic protons is lower than the energy density of relativistic electrons unlike the situation for cosmic rays in the Galaxy.

     

The X-ray source SLX 1732-304 in the globular cluster Terzan 1: The spectral states and an X-ray burst

ART-P/Granat observations of the X-ray burster SLX 1732-304 in the globular cluster Terzan 1 are presented. The X-ray (3–20 keV) fluxes from the source differed by more than a factor of 4 during the observing sessions on September 8 (F _x ? 6.95 × 10^?10 erg cm^?2 s^?1) and October 6, 1990 (F _x ? 1.64 × 10^?10 erg cm^?2 s^?1). The intensity variations of SLX 1732-304 were apparently accompanied by variations in its hardness: whereas the source in its high state had the spectrum with a distinct exponential cutoff typical of bright low-mass X-ray binaries, its low-state spectrum could be satisfactorily described by a simple power law with a photon index α?1.7. During the ART-P observation on September 8, a type I X-ray burst was detected from SLX 1732-304.     

Kinematic Properties of Slow ICMEs and an Interpretation of a Modified Drag Equation for Fast and Moderate ICMEs

We report kinematic properties of slow interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) identified by SOHO/LASCO, interplanetary scintillation, and in situ observations and propose a modified equation for the ICME motion. We identified seven ICMEs between 2010 and 2011 and compared them with 39 events reported in our previous work. We examined 15 fast (V _SOHO?V _bg>500 km?s^?1), 25 moderate (0 km?s^?1≤V _SOHO?V _bg≤500 km?s^?1), and 6 slow (V _SOHO?V _bg<0 km?s^?1) ICMEs, where V _SOHO and V _bg are the initial speed of ICMEs and the speed of the background solar wind. For slow ICMEs, we found the following results: i) They accelerate toward the speed of the background solar wind during their propagation and reach their final speed by 0.34±0.03 AU. ii) The acceleration ends when they reach 479±126 km?s^?1; this is close to the typical speed of the solar wind during the period of this study. iii) When γ ₁ and γ ₂ are assumed to be constants, a quadratic equation for the acceleration a=?γ ₂(V?V _bg)|V?V _bg| is more appropriate than a linear one a=?γ ₁(V?V _bg), where V is the propagation speed of ICMEs, while the latter gives a smaller χ ² value than the former. For the motion of the fast and moderate ICMEs, we found a modified drag equation a=?2.07×10^?12(V?V _bg)|V?V _bg|?4.84×10^?6(V?V _bg). From the viewpoint of fluid dynamics, we interpret this equation as indicating that ICMEs with 0 km?s^?1≤V?V _bg≤2300 km?s^?1 are controlled mainly by the hydrodynamic Stokes drag force, while the aerodynamic drag force is a predominant factor for the propagation of ICME with V?V _bg>2300 km?s^?1.     

Estimation of Solar Prominence Magnetic Fields Based on the Reconstructed 3D Trajectories of Prominence Knots

We present an estimation of the lower limits of local magnetic field strengths in quiescent, activated, and active (surges) prominences, based on reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) trajectories of individual prominence knots. The 3D trajectories, velocities, tangential and centripetal accelerations of the knots were reconstructed using observational data collected with a single ground-based telescope equipped with a Multi-channel Subtractive Double Pass imaging spectrograph. Lower limits of magnetic fields channeling observed plasma flows were estimated under assumption of the equipartition principle. Assuming approximate electron densities of the plasma n _e=5×10¹¹?cm^?3 in surges and n _e=5×10¹⁰?cm^?3 in quiescent/activated prominences, we found that the magnetic fields channeling two observed surges range from 16 to 40?Gauss, while in quiescent and activated prominences they were less than 10?Gauss. Our results are consistent with previous detections of weak local magnetic fields in the solar prominences.     

A galactic model with a pulsating active nucleus

The accumulation and distribution of rare-light elements in the Galaxy is investigated according to a model of the galaxy at which center there exists a pulsating active nucleus with decreasing activity with time. The abundances of rare-light elements rapidly decrease with approaching to the galactic center whereas the most abundant region of these elements is the annular region of the radial distance ofr=8～14 kpc from the galactic center. In the inner region ofr?8 kpc the abundances of these elements have varied by two to three orders of magnitude from the early days of the galactic history till now, but inr?8 kpc they have been almost constant within a factor of 2. It has become clear that if the nuclides D,³He,⁷Li,¹⁰B and¹¹B have been produced mainly by the shock process taking place in the outer envelope of type-II supernova, they must have been created by the mass fractions of the supernova of some 2.7×10^?3, 1.7×10^?4, 6.9×10^?8, 1.7×10^?7 and 7.9×10^?7, respectively, to account for the solar system abundances.     

Monte Carlo study on distortion of the space-dimension in COBE monopole data

A concise explanation of studies on distortion of space-time dimension is briefly introduced. Second we obtain the limits (i.e., bounded values) of the dimensionless chemical potential μ, the Sunyaev–Zeldovich (SZ) effect y and distortion of the space-dimension ε by Monte Carlo (MC) analysis of the parameter set (T, d=3+ε, μ, and y) in cosmic microwave data assuming that the SZ effect is positive (y>0). In this analysis, the magnitude of the space-dimension d with distortion of the space-dimension ε is defined by d=3+ε. The limits of μ and y are determined as |μ|<9×10^?5 (2σ) (μ=(?3.9±2.6)×10^?5 (σ)), |y|<5×10^?6 (2σ) (y=(2.0±1.4)×10^?6 (σ)), while the distortion of the space-dimension is |ε|<6×10^?5 (2σ) (ε=(?0.78±2.50)×10^?5 (σ)). The magnitudes of these three estimated limits are ordered as . The estimated limit of |y|<5×10^?6 appears to be related to re-ionization processes occurring at redshift z _ri ～10. We also present data analysis assuming a relativistic SZ effect.     

Lightnings and nitric oxide on Venus

In an updating of energy characteristics of lightnings on Venus obtained from Venera-9 and -10 optical observations, the flash energy is given as 8 × 10⁸ J and the mean energy release of lightnings is 1 erg cm^?2 s which is 25 times as high as that on the Earth. Lightnings were observed in the cloud layer. The stroke rate in the near-surface atmosphere is less than 5 s^?1 over the entire planet if the light energy of the stroke exceeds 4 × 10⁵ J and less than 15 s^?1 for (1–4) × 10⁵ J.The average NO production due to lightnings equals 5 × 10⁸ cm^?2 s^?1, the atomic nitrogen production is equal to 7 × 10⁹ cm^?2s^?1,the N flux toward the nightside is 3.2 × 10⁹ cm^?2s^?1, the number densities [N] = 3 × 10⁷cm^?3 and [NO] = 1.8 × 10⁶cm^?3 at 135 km. Almost all NO molecules in the upper atmosphere vanish interacting with N and the resulting NO flux at 90-80 km equals 5 × 10⁵cm^?2s^?1, which is negligibly small as compared with lightning production. If the predissociation at 80–90 km is regarded as the single sink of NO, its mixing ratio, f_NO, is 4 × 10^?8, for the case of a surface sink f_NO = 0.8 × 10^?9 at 50 km. Excess amounts, $\text{f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>NO</mtext>}}\text{? 4 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?8}}$, may exist in the thunderstorm region.     

An upper limit on the X-ray luminosity of the microlensing black hole OGLE-1999-BUL-32

Having analyzed the 1999 scanning observations of the Galactic-center region with the PCA spectrometer onboard the RXTE observatory, we obtained upper limits on the flux from the microlensing black hole OGLE-1999-BUL-32 in 1999–2000. We show that the X-ray luminosity of this black hole did not exceed L _x ? 3 × 10³³(d/1kpc)² erg s^?1. Near the maximum amplification of the background star (on June 6, 1999), the upper limit was L _x ? 7 × 10³³(d/1kpc)² erg s^?1.     

Kinematics of the Gould Belt based on open clusters

We have redetermined the kinematic parameters of the Gould Belt using currently available data on the motion of nearby young (log t < 7.91) open clusters, OB associations, and moving stellar groups. Our modeling shows that the residual velocities reach their maximum values of ?4 km s^?1 for rotation (in the direction of Galactic rotation) and +4 km s^?1 for expansion at a distance from the kinematic center of ≈300 pc. We have taken the following parameters of the Gould Belt center: R ₀ = 150 pc and l ₀ = 128°. The whole structure is shown to move relative to the local standard of rest at a velocity of 10.7 ± 0.7 km s^?1 in the direction l = 274° ± 4° and b = ?1° ± 3°. Using the derived rotation velocity, we have estimated the virial mass of the Gould Belt to be 1.5 × 10⁶ M _⊙.