The sky brightness when the rising sun is in eclipse

Part of the “Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project” is the study of a historical record of “double dawn” and its astronomical interpretation. We used the light meter on ordinary cameras to determine the sky variation during normal sunrises and sunsets, set up a way of calculating the variation when the rising sun is in eclipse, and identified the range and intensity of the double dawn phenomenon. For this, we organized a mass participation of the observation of the 1997-03-09 eclipse in Xinjiang Province. The observations are in good agreement with our model calculation and prove that an eclipsed sunrise could indeed give rise to the phenomenon of “double dawn”     

Detection of Leonids meteoric dust in the upper atmosphere by polarization measurements of the twilight sky

A new method for the meteoric dust detection in the upper atmosphere based on the polarimetric observations of the twilight sky is proposed. Polarization measurements are effective for detection of the meteoric dust scattering on the background consisting basically of troposphere multiple scattering. The method is based on the observed and explained polarization properties of the sky background during different stages of twilight. It is used to detect the mesosphere dust after the Leonids maximum in 2002, estimate its altitude range and to investigate its evolution—slow decrease of the altitude. The polarization method takes into account the multiple scattering and sufficient contribution of moonlight scattering background and turns out to be more sensitive than existing analogs used in the present time.     

On a systematic bias in surface brightness fluctuations based distances due to gravitational microlensing

The effect of gravitational microlensing on the determination of extragalactic distances using the surface brightness fluctuations (SBF) technique is considered and a method to calculate SBF amplitudes in the presence of microlensing is presented. With a simple approximation for the magnification power spectrum at low optical depth, the correction to the SBF-based luminosity distance is calculated. The results suggest the effect can be safely neglected at present but may become important for SBF-based Hubble diagrams at luminosity distances of about 1 Gpc and beyond.     

Fuor observations III. FU Orionis during 1984–1990. A remarkable change in the brightness decrease rate

Astronomical Institute, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences. Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 11–25, July–August, 1991.     

Observational limits to source confusion in the millimetre/submillimetre waveband

The first observations to detect a population of distant galaxies directly in the submillimetre waveband have recently been made using the new Submillimetre Common-User Bolometer Array (SCUBA) on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT). The results indicate that a large number of distant galaxies are radiating strongly in this waveband. Here we discuss their significance for source confusion in future millimetre/submillimetre-wave observations of both distant galaxies and cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) anisotropies. Earlier estimates of such confusion involved significant extrapolation of the results of observations of galaxies at low redshifts; our new estimates do not, as they are derived from direct observations of distant galaxies in the submillimetre waveband. The results have important consequences for the design and operation of existing and proposed millimetre/submillimetre-wave telescopes: the Planck Surveyor survey will be confusion-limited at frequencies greater than 350 GHz, even in the absence of Galactic dust emission; a 1σ confusion noise limit of about 0.44 mJy beam⁻¹ is expected for the JCMT/SCUBA at a wavelength of 850 μm; and the subarcsecond resolution of large millimetre/submillimetre-wave interferometer arrays will be required in order to execute very deep galaxy surveys.     

Observations of the center-to-limb variation of the solar brightness in the far infrared (10 to 25 microns)

Existing models of the solar atmosphere predict a limb brightening in the far infrared wavelengths. At shorter wavelengths this effect is confined to the extreme limb but at 25 it extends inward from the limb to cos = 0.3. Observations of I()/I(1.0) were made with the McMath Solar Telescope through atmospheric windows at 10.4, 17.9, 20.4, and 24.2 microns, respectively. The measurements, after having been smoothed, are compared with the theoretical predictions taking into account the diffraction pattern of the telescope. The expected brightening does not appear.Kitt Peak National Observatory Contribution No. 260. - Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.Presently at Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, Ariz., U.S.A.     

Preliminary limits on a logarithmic correction to the Newtonian gravitational potential in the solar system

Using the supplementary advances of the perihelia provided by INPOP10a (IMCCE, France) and EPM2011 (IAA RAS, Russia) ephemerides, we obtain preliminary limits on a logarithmic correction to the Newtonian gravitational potential in the solar system. This kind of correction may originate from fundamental frameworks, like string theories or effective models of gravity due to quantum effects and the non-local gravity scheme. We estimate upper limit of Tohline-Kuhn-Kruglyak parameter λ and lower bound of Fabris-Campos parameter α, which parametrize the correction and connect each other by αλ=?1. In our estimation, we take the Lense-Thirring effect due to the Sun’s angular momentum and the uncertainty of the Sun’s quadrupole moment into account. These two factors were usually absent in previous works. We find that INPOP10a yields the upper limit as α=?(0.66±5.82)×10^?4 kpc^?1 [or the lower limit as λ=(0.15±8.76)×10⁵ kpc] while EPM2011 gives α=(0.52±1.74)×10^?4 kpc^?1 [or the lower limit as λ=?(0.19±3.29)×10⁵ kpc]. The limits of |λ| are greater than the result based on the rotation curves of spiral galaxies by about 3 orders of magnitude, indicating its effects might be screened in high density regions.     

Preliminary limits of a logarithmic correction to the Newtonian gravitational potential in binary pulsars

We obtain preliminary limits on a logarithmic correction to the Newtonian gravitational potential by using five binary pulsars:PSR J0737-3039,PSR B1534+12,PSR J1756-2251,PSR B1913+16 and PSR B2127+11C.This kind of correction may originate from fundamental frameworks,like string theories,effective models of gravity due to quantum effects and the non-local gravity scheme.We estimate the upper limit of the Tohline-Kuhn-Kruglyak parameter λ and the lower limit of the FabrisCampos parameter a,which parameterize the correction and are connected to each other by αλ=—1.By analyzing the advances of periastron of these binary pulsars,we find that the preliminary upper limit of α is 0.19±0.14 kpc~(-1) and the preliminary lower limit of λ is-5.2±3.8 kpc.They are compatible with the bounds based on dynamics of spiral galaxies but quite different from those given by solar system dynamics.These results indicate that this logarithmic correction might be more observable in current timings of binary pulsars than in motions of the solar system.     

Perturbations due to the shape of the Moon in lunar theory

We compute the perturbations on the motion of the Moon due to its shape. The accuracy is estimated at 1.10^–5 in longitude and latitude and 5 parts in 10¹¹ in distance.     

Astrophysical supplements to the ASCC‐2.5. II. Membership probabilities in 520 Galactic open cluster sky areas

We present a catalogue (CSOCA) of stars residing in 520 Galactic open cluster sky areas which is the result of the kinematic (proper motion) and photometric member selection of stars listed in the homogeneous All‐sky Compiled Catalogue of 2.5Million Stars (ASCC‐2.5).We describe the structure and contents of the catalogue, the selection procedure applied, and the proper motion and photometric membership constraints adopted. In every cluster area the CSOCA contains the complete list of the ASCC‐2.5 stars regardless of their membership probability. For every star the CSOCA includes accurate J2000 equatorial coordinates, proper motions in the Hipparcos system, BV photometric data in the Johnson system, proper motion and photometric membership probabilities, as well as angular distances from the cluster centers for about 166 000 ASCC‐2.5 stars. If available, trigonometric parallaxes, spectral types, multiplicity and variability flags from the ASCC‐2.5, and radial velocities with their errors from the Catalogue of Radial Velocities of Galactic Stars with high precision Astrometric Data (CRVAD) are also given. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On a method to determine the effective extension,visibility of the Balmer continuum,and the effective mass in solar flares

A method to determine the emission measure and hence the effective extension of solar flares is described. The conditions for the Balmer continuum to be visible in disk flares is also considered. The concept of the effective mass is introduced and it is shown that this mass is a little less than that of a plasma filling the whole spectroscopic volume and including thin and dense filaments and the intervals between them as well. In this connection it is necessary to have high energy electron fluxes. It is assumed that these electrons maintian a high temperature in the interval volume; being a source of powerful X-rays, such hot intervals can heat cool filaments and they in their turn reradiate in the visible and ultraviolet regions of the flare spectrum. Taking one flare as an example, we give curves of the emission measure, effective mass and numbers of hydrogen atoms in the second quantum state versus time. These curves agree qualitatively with the light curve characteristics for most of the flares.     

The estimate of the deceleration in the earth's rotation due to the sun

The tidal long-term decrease in the angular velocity of the Earth's rotation has been estimated on the basis of the angular momentum tidal balance in the Earth-Moon-Sun system. The observed (LLR) tidal long-term decrease in the Moon's mean motion, the apparent secular acceleration in the mean longitude of the Sun and the long-term decrease in the 2nd degree zonal geopotential parameter were used.Presented at the XXth General Assembly of the I.A.G., Vienna, August 15, 1991.     

Element mobility due to weathering in the L5 Bayard chondrite

Abstract— In order to assess weathering effects, sixteen elements were determined by neutron activation in the surficial layer and the interior of the extensively weathered Bayard L5 chondrite. Na, As, Sb, La and Sm show enrichment in the surface; for these elements soil concentrations are greater than in the meteorite. Elements showing no significant differences between surface and interior are Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Se, Eu, Yb, Ir and Au; with the exception of Eu and Yb, soil concentrations were lower than those in the chondrite. Concentrations of Fe, Ni and Co, and to some extent Na, are lower than the mean of the L-chondrite values probably due to oxidation and leaching from the chondrite. The data support an L classification for the Bayard chondrite.     

Diffusion of trapped particles due to the bounce-drift resonance interaction in the magnetosphere

Within the framework of the quasi-linear approximation, the hybrid diffusion process due to the bounce-drift resonance interaction between trapped particles and low-frequency field fluctuations is examined. The diffusion coefficients obtained, which are valid for particles with large pitch angles, cover the previous results in a few limiting cases. In general, the diffusion coefficients depend strongly on the spatial structure of the power spectrum along field lines, as well as the frequency dependence. The relative importance of the radial diffusion and field-aligned acceleration for ringcurrent particles is discussed. It is shown that the field-aligned acceleration exceeds the inward penetration of the particles near the plasmapause.     

Perturbations in satellite orbits due to variations in rotation of the central body

Variations in satellite orbital elements are derived due to perturbations in the external gravitational field of the central body caused by mass deformations of the body occurring from variations in its rotation; the central body is assumed to be perfectly elastic. General theory derived is applied to the actual Earth, as an example; possible resonances are discussed.     

Relativistic positioning: errors due to uncertainties in the satellite world lines

Global navigation satellite systems use appropriate satellite constellations to get the coordinates of an user—close to Earth—in an almost inertial reference system. We have simulated both GPS and GALILEO constellations. Uncertainties in the satellite world lines lead to dominant positioning errors. In this paper, a detailed analysis of these errors is developed inside a great region surrounding Earth. This analysis is performed in the framework of the so-called relativistic positioning systems. Our study is based on the Jacobian (J) of the transformation giving the emission coordinates in terms of the inertial ones. Around points of vanishing J, positioning errors are too large. We show that, for any 4-tuple of satellites, the points with J=0 are located at distances, D, from the Earth centre greater than about 2R/3, where R is the radius of the satellite orbits which are assumed to be circumferences. Our results strongly suggest that, for D-distances greater than 2R/3 and smaller than 10⁵ km, a rather good positioning may be achieved by using appropriate satellite 4-tuples without J=0 points located in the user vicinity. The way to find these 4-tuples is discussed for arbitrary users with D<10⁵ km and, then, preliminary considerations about satellite navigation at D<10⁵ km are presented. Future work on the subject of space navigation—based on appropriate simulations—is in progress.