Penrose process in Kerr-Taub-NUT spacetime

Penrose process on rotational energy extraction of the black hole in the Kerr-Taub-NUT spacetime is studied. It has been shown that for the radial motion of particles NUT parameter slightly shifts the shape of the effective potential down. The dependence of the extracted energy from compact object on NUT parameter has been found.     

Interaction between phantom field and modified Chaplygin gas

In this letter, we have considered a flat FRW universe. Instead of considering only one candidate for the dark energy, we have considered the interaction between phantom field and modified Chaplygin gas. It has been shown that the potential of the phantom field increases from a lower value with evolution of the universe. It has been observed that the field has an increasing tendency and the potential has also an increasing tendency with passage of cosmic time. In the evolution of the universe the crossing of w=−1 has been realized by this interacting model.     

Tachyon reconstruction of ghost dark energy

Recently it has been argued that a possible source for the dark energy may arise due to the contribution to the vacuum energy of the QCD ghost in a time-dependent background. In this paper we establish a connection between interacting ghost dark energy and tachyon field. It is demonstrated that the evolution of the ghost dark energy dominated universe can be described completely by a single tachyon scalar field. The potential and the dynamics of the tachyon field are reconstructed according to the evolutionary behavior of ghost energy density.     

On the role of reverse current on the hard X-ray production in solar flares and time-lags between high- and low-energy photons

The evolution of energy and angular distributions of electrons has been studied accounting for the reverse current effect by combining analytically treated small angle multiple scatterings with large angle Monte-Carlo calculations. Reverse current and potential variations as function of column density have been computed. It is found that the reverse current decreases steeply with increase in electron energy. However, it becomes significant for low-energy electrons. By use of these distributions and bremsstrahlung crosssection, the X-ray energy spectrum has been calculated. The nature of the resulting X-ray spectrum integrated over all column depths is similar to the one without reverse current. The time-lag between high-and low-energy photon production has been calculated. It is found that there is a small difference between time-lags as function of observation angles. This fact can be used to test the validity of the beamed thick target model.     

Differential Rotation in Self Gravitating Filaments

The effect of differential rotation on the equilibria of self-gravitating filaments has been examined for isothermal and logatropic equations of state (EOS). Parametric regions for existence of solutions and upper limits for (the ratio of the rotational kinetic energy to the gravitational potential energy) have been worked out for the different laws of rotation. Effect of magnetic field has also been discussed.     

One hundred and fifty-three diatomic molecules,molecular ions,and radicals of astrophysical interest

A critical analysis of the 583 available references in literature has been made to select 153 diatomic molecules, molecular ions, and radicals of astrophysical significance. The results have been arranged in a text-cum-tabular form. The compilation contains various information for each molecule, such as the dissociation energy, spectral region, transition levels, astrophysical objects where the respective molecules have been detected (say, comet, meteorite, Sun, planet, star, interstellar matter, Galaxy, etc.); computed theoretical parameters (i.e., FCFs, transition probabilities, r-centroids, PE curves), and available laboratory data with respective references.In many problems involving the estimation of the physical condition (viz., temperature, pressure, density, and abundance) of the emitter, in various cosmic sources, it is desirous to have a knowledge of the theoretical parameters as well as the experimental details for the molecular spectra of interest.A few important areas of active research in laboratory astrophysics have also been identified in this article: laboratory astrophysics, molecular cloud chemistry, isotopic abundance, planetary and cometary atmospheres through satellites.Besides, some interesting plots of the dissociation energy vs molecular weight, dissociation energy vs total atomic number, dissociation energy vs atomic number differences, ionization potential vs total atomic number, ionization potential vs atomic number differences, and ionization potential vs molecular weight for respective molecules have also been enumerated. Thirty-one new diatomic molecules/molecular ions/radicals of astrophysical significance have also been listed.Astrophysics and Space Science Review Paper.     

Distribution of gravitational potential energy within the solar system

The orbital gravitational potential energies of the planets and of the satellites have been estimated and compared to the gravitational potential energies of the bodies themselves and to the gravitational potential energy of the Sun. From the point of view of the gravitational potential energy distribution two quite different groups of the planets can be distinguished clearly. However, the gravitational potential energy of the systems is mainly concentrated within the central bodies, only about 10^–5 in orbiting bodies.     

Pulsational properties of V2109 Cyg

In this study V2109 Cyg (a pulsating δ Scuti star) has been modelled. In treating the oscillation equations perturbation in gravitational potential energy has been taken into account. Both radial and nonradial oscillations are treated with adiabatic approximation. The so called radial fundamental frequency (5.3745 c/d) and the nonradial frequency (5.8332 c/d) were obtained within a satisfactory precision. It was found that the Cowling approximation introduced more error as one went from low overtones to high overtones in radial oscillations. A similar trend was observed in nonradial case with low values of l. By keeping the effective temperatures almost the same as with V2109 Cyg two more models with different masses have also been calculated to see the effect of inclusion of perturbation in gravitational potential energy on oscillation frequencies in different masses. Conclusion arrived is that one must be careful to employ the Cowling approximation especially for high nonradial oscillation frequencies. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Potential energy of gravitationally interacting spherical galaxies

A theory has been developed for obtaining the potential energy of two interpenetrating spherically symmetric galaxies of unequal dimensions due to their mutual gravitational interaction. The mass distribution in both the galaxies is assumed to be that of a polytrope of integral index. A basic function that occurs in the theory has been tabulated for the cases of polytropes of indicesn=0 and 4 for four ratios of the radii.     

Transition probabilities and dissociation energy of astrophysical molecule GeH

The Franck-Condon factors andr-centroids, which are very closely related to vibrational transition probabilities, have been evaluated by the more reliable numerical integration procedure for the bands of A ² Δ - X² π_r system of astrophysical molecule GeH, using a suitable potential. The dissociation energy for the electronic ground state of astrophysical molecule GeH has been estimated precisely as D ⁰ ₀ = 2.69 ± 0.05 eV by fitting the empirical potential function to the experimental potential energy curve using correlation coefficient. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The potential of an electrostatically clean geostationary satellite and its use in plasma diagnostics

Electrostatic charging has given rise to problems on several geostationary spacecraft. This has led to a rigorous electrostatic cleanliness approach in the case of the scientific geostationary satellite GEOS in order to secure correct electric field and low energy plasma measurements. The present paper outlines the relevant charging mechanism, describes a new method for the determination of the equilibrium potential, and reports on actual potential measurements. The potentials observed are very closely related to the actual plasma conditions at the geostationary orbit. It is generally possible to use the potential measurements to characterize the particle population encountered by the spacecraft.Measurements carried out over a period of 4 years are presented by way of examples. A careful analysis shows that the chosen examples are representative and reflect the conditions observed on all other days of the mission. The results lead to the overall conclusion that the equilibrium potential of GEOS in sunlight is always moderately positive and only rarely exceeds + 10 V with respect to ambient space. At no instance in the sunlit portion of the orbit does the spacecraft assume a negative potential. We find that the observed moderate positive equilibrium potential generally is a function of cold plasma density. During the night and early morning part of the orbit we can, however, identify periods where the high energy particle population dictates the equilibrium potential. The electrostatic cleanliness design of GEOS avoids negative charging also under these conditions. In eclipse, a negative potential cannot be avoided but here the electrostatic cleanliness approach chosen for GEOS prevents any differential charging and avoids potentials of several thousand volts which have appeared on other satellites. The cost, in time and effort, of the precautions employed has clearly been justified. The specially developed techniques have since been used on other satellites and the lessons learned have also been applied successfully to operational spacecraft such as METEOSAT 2.     

Dynamics of interacting phantom and quintessence dark energies

We present models, in which phantom energy interacts with two different types of dark energies including variable modified Chaplygin gas (VMCG) and new modified Chaplygin gas (NMCG). We then construct potentials for these cases. It has been shown that the potential of the phantom field decreases from a higher value with the evolution of the Universe.     

The integral Newton's and MacLaurin's theorems in tensor form

The current paper deals with the investigation of the gravitational potential of heterogeneous ellipsoids and its extension to the tensor potential, since little attention has been given to this point in the last century. In this view, both integral Newton's and integral MacLaurin's theorems are formulated in tensor form. The generalization is extended to heterogeneous homeoids and focaloidally striated ellipsoids, respectively. A discontinuity in the tensor potential is found across a homogeneous, infinitely thin focaloid, which vanishes in the spherical limit. The potential‐energy tensors related to focaloidally striated ellipsoids are expressed in integral form, depending on the density profile. All the results are particularized to the spherical limit, for which both Newton's and MacLaurin's theorems hold. With the aim of illustrating the procedure, an explicit calculation of the potential‐energy tensors is outlined in the special case of homogeneous, spherical configurations. Finally, an application is made to the Coma cluster of galaxies.     

Thirty-one new diatomic molecules in cosmic objects spectra

The dissociation energy and ionization potential of 97 diatomic molecules, molecular ions, and radicals according to their molecular weight have been listed in tabular form.Some interesting plots of the dissociation energy vs molecular weight, dissociation energy vs total atomic number, and dissociation energy vs atomic number differences for respective molecules have also been enumerated.Thirty one new diatomic molecules/molecular ions/radicals of astrophysical significance have also been listed on the basis of theoretical grounds.     

The rate of the reaction between CN and C2H2 at interstellar temperatures

The rate coefficient for the important interstellar reaction between CN and C2H2 has been calculated as a function of temperature between 10 and 300 K. The potential surface for this reaction has been determined through ab initio quantum chemical techniques; the potential exhibits no barrier in the entrance channel but does show a small exit channel barrier, which lies below the energy of reactants. Phase-space calculations for the reaction dynamics, which take the exit channel barrier into account, show the same unusual temperature dependence as determined by experiment, in which the rate coefficient at first increases as the temperature is reduced below room temperature and then starts to decrease as the temperature drops below 50-100 K. The agreement between theory and experiment provides strong confirmation that the reaction occurs appreciably at cool interstellar temperatures.     

Local potential analysis of MHD instability

In many astrophysical problems, the study of the stability of an atmosphere in the presence of a magnetic field is of importance. In most cases the MHD instabilities of atmospheres are studied by energy principle of Bernsteinet al. (1958). In this paper, a general method for studying the stability of a system subject to MHD equations of conditions has been proposed. This is based on the local potential concept put forward by Glansdorff and Prigogine (1964). The scheme for securing stability criteria has been demonstrated in two particular cases.     

Magnetic equilibria and instabilities

Solar flares are understood as a process of explosive liberation of magnetic energy, coming after a slow phase of energy build-up. The slow evolution of magnetic equilibria may end up with (a) the termination of an equilibrium sequence, or (b) an instability. The distinction between the two can be made by drawing schematic potential curves. Case (a) has been extensively studied in two-dimensional models. The appearance of multiple solutions, or disappearance of a solution takes place as the system evolves away from the current-free configuration. Case (b) can be discussed in terms of ideal MHD or resistive MHD instabilities. A possible route to explosive energy release is suggested by combining these two cases.     

Does the Hubble redshift flip photons and gravitons?

Due to the Hubble redshift, photon energy, chiefly in the form of CMBR photons, is currently disappearing from the universe at the rate of nearly 10⁵⁵ erg s⁻¹. An ongoing problem in cosmology concerns the fate of this energy. In one interpretation it is irretrievably lost, i.e., energy is not conserved on the cosmic scale. Here we consider a different possibility which retains universal energy conservation. Treating gravitational potential energy conventionally as ‘negative’, it has earlier been proposed that the Hubble shift flips positive energy (photons) to negative energy (gravitons) and vice versa. The lost photon energy would thus be directed towards gravitation, making gravitational energy wells more negative. Conversely, within astrophysical bodies, the flipping of gravitons to photons would give rise to a ‘Hubble luminosity’ of magnitude −UH ₀, where U is the internal gravitational potential energy of the object. Preliminary evidence of such an energy release is presented in bodies ranging from planets, white dwarfs and neutron stars to supermassive black holes and the visible universe.     

Radiative capture of proton by $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ at low energy

Within the framework of potential cluster model, astrophysical S-factor of radiative capture reaction \(^{12}\mathrm{C} (\mathrm{p},\gamma)^{13}\mathrm{N}\) has been calculated in the two body cluster model for the energy range 0–1 MeV. The nuclear interaction in the initial and final states is described by the Woods–Saxon potential. The calculated astrophysical S-factor and rates are compared with known experimental results.     

Transition probabilities and dissociation energy of astrophysical molecule CoH

The Franck-Condon (FC) factors (transition probabilities) and r-centroids have been evaluated by the reliable numerical integration procedure for the bands of the A ³ φ₄ →X ³ φ₄ system of astrophysical molecule CoH, using a suitable potential. The dissociation energy D ⁰ ₀ = 2.5 ± 0.05 eV for the electronic ground state of CoH has been estimated by fitting Hulburt-Hirschfelder function to the experimental potential energy curve, using the correlation coefficient. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.