Pi 2 pulsations and the eastward electrojet: A case study

We report the results of a case study of two Pi 2 pulsations observed near the eastward electrojet by the Scandinavian Magnetometer Array. The power of the two Pi 2 pulsations, calculated using a standard Fast Fourier Transform method, peaks near the centre of the eastward electrojet. For both events there is a strong latitudinal gradient in the power poleward of the equatorward border of the electrojet. The sense of polarisation is predominantly clockwise at the northern stations and anticlockwise at the southern stations although the reversal from clockwise to anticlockwise does not occur at a constant latitude. For the first event the polarisation reversal occurs at higher latitudes in the western half of the array; for the second the polarisation reversal occurs at higher latitudes at the edges of the array. The polarisation reversal does not appear to be related to the location of the eastward electrojet. Equivalent current vectors of the Pi 2 pulsations, obtained by rotating the band pass filtered data through 90°, exhibit clear vortex structures in both events. The vortices change sense of direction at half the period of the Pi 2 pulsation. A simple model for the ionospheric electric field in accord with the field line resonance theory reconstructs the basic features of the observed Pi 2 equivalent current system. We thus conclude that Pi 2 signatures in the region of the eastward electrojet and far away from the auroral break-up region are governed by the field line resonance mechanism.     

Near-infrared imaging of H2 in molecular outflows from young stars

In an attempt to identify the molecular shocks associated with the entrainment of ambient gas by collimated stellar winds from young stars, we have imaged a number of known molecular outflows in H₂ v=1-0 S(1) and wide-band K. In each flow, the observed H₂ features are closely associated with peaks in the CO outflow maps. We therefore suggest that the H₂ results from shocks associated with the acceleration or entrainment of ambient, molecular gas. This molecular material may be accelerated either in a bow shock at the head of the flow, or along the length of the flow through a turbulent mixing layer.     

The relation between the synodic and sidereal rotation period of the Sun

The relation between the synodic and sidereal rotation period of the Sun for an arbitrary date of observation is derived taking into account details of the Earth's motion. The transformation procedure between the synodic (apparent) and sidereal rotation period presented here can be performed without using the annual ephemerides.     

Bounds for mass and rotation of black holes in the observable universe

The bounds for the energy change rate of a Maxwell field in the outer space of a rotating black hole, calculated by de Vries (1994) and de Vries (1995), enable us to deduce limits for the rotation and the mass of black holes. For this purpose we assume that a certain part of the anisotropies of the cosmic background radiation is due to absorption or superradiance of black holes (Teukolsky, 1973, Starobinskii and Churilov, 1973). The knowledge of these anisotropies yields bounds for rotation and mass of the black holes in the observable universe.     

Nonlinear models of pulsation and mass loss

We briefly discuss the current status of our radiation-hydrodynamical models of pulsation in various stellar objects and of dust-driven mass loss in LPVs. We emphasize the importance of a future combined modelling of pulsation and mass loss in AGB stars which has to be based on reliable physical and numerical methods.     

On the possible detection of large-scale solar meridional motions by analyzing A-type spots from the Greenwich photoheliographic results

The age dependence of the recently described asymmetry of penumbrae of large stable sunspots was analyzed. Young sunspots showed shorter eastern penumbrae, which differed by a maximum of ± 10 % from their mean width. For older sunspots the western penumbrae became smaller than the mean penumbra reaching differences of 20 % for spots of two months age.Mitteilungen aus dem Kiepenheuer-Institut Nr. 293     

Modeling a cometary nucleus

Considerations are summarized concerning the physical properties of and plasma phenomena around a cometary nucleus aiming at a new model of the nucleus and its interaction with the solar wind.Paper dedicated to Professor Hannes Alfvén on the occasion of his 80th birthday, 30 May 1988.     

Agriculture,soil erosion and fluvial processes in the basin of the Jialing Jiang (Sichuan Province/China)

The Red Basin is a tectonic structure. Master stream is the Jialing Jiang, the most important tributary of the Chang Jiang in this area. The landforms are a cuesta landscape, climate is subtropic. Under irrigation 3 harvests of grain are possible. Small farms dominate. The region is overpopulated. Industrialization is in its infancy. Intense deforestation, extension of arable land and increasing grazing of animals on slopes and scarps of field-terraces have caused a change in precipitation, water regime and discharge of stream-borne material in the catchment area of the Rating Jiang. This differs distinctly from the neighbouring rivers and can be compared with the rivers of the loess areas of N China. Severe soil erosion destroys arable land at a growing rate. Unlike the loess area in the Red Basin, there is only a thin layer of soil which can be regenerated only over a long period of time. Afforestation and hydraulic engineering are intended to retard soil erosion. More effective would be diminished intensity of land use and the supply of organic material from plant decay — hitherto used as fuel - for soil. formation. But lack of employment outside agriculture prevents more extensive land use. So the destructive intervention into the ecosystem reflects the strain of increasing population in the stage of beginning industrialization. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** ABI02050 00004