Morphological redshift estimates for galaxy clusters in a Sunyaev–Zel'dovich effect survey

We develop a new method to estimate the redshift of galaxy clusters through resolved images of the Sunyaev–Zel'dovich effect (SZE). Our method is based on morphological observables which can be measured by actual and future SZE experiments. We test the method with a set of high-resolution hydrodynamical simulations of galaxy clusters at different redshifts. Our method combines the observables in a principal component analysis. After calibrating the method with an independent redshift estimation for some of the clusters, we show – using a Bayesian approach – how the method can give an estimate of the redshift of the galaxy clusters. Although the error bars given by the morphological redshift estimation are large, it should be useful for future SZE surveys where thousands of clusters are expected to be detected; a first preselection of the high-redshift candidates could be done using our proposed morphological redshift estimator. Although not considered in this work, our method should also be useful to give an estimate of the redshift of clusters in X-ray and optical surveys.     

Size-Flux Relation in Solar Active Regions

We present a study of the relationship between integral area and corresponding total magnetic flux for solar active regions. It is shown that some of these relationships are satisfied to simple power laws. Fractal examination showed that some of these power laws can not be justified inside the simple models of stationary magnetic flux tube aggregation. All magnetic fluxes and corresponding areas were calculated using the data measured with the Solar Magnetic Field Telescope of the Huairou Solar Observing Station in Beijing.     

昆仑山8.1级地震前中国大陆的构造应变背景

利用“网络工程”1998～2001年累积的1181个测站的GPS重复观测资料，采用双三次样条函数模型建立中国大陆水平运动模型速度场，用大地坐标在椭球面上计算各类应变场，详细分析了2001年昆仑山8．1级地震前中国大陆水平构造应变场空间分布特征。各类构造应变场的最高值都出现在喜马拉雅构造带与昆仑山地块内(地震断裂带南侧)，鲜水河—安宁河断裂带次之。分析表明，昆仑山8．1级地震正好发生在张性面膨胀应变率的高值区，第一、第二和最大剪应变率高值区边缘的突变区和最大、最小主应变率的高值区。     

Wavelet Analysis of Space Solar Telescope Images

The scientific satellite SST (Space Solar Telescope) is an important research project strongly supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Every day, SST acquires 50 GB of data (after processing) but only 10GB can be transmitted to the ground because of limited time of satellite passage and limited channel volume. Therefore, the data must be compressed before transmission. Wavelets analysis is a new technique developed over the last 10 years, with great potential of application. We start with a brief introduction to the essential principles of wavelet analysis, and then describe the main idea of embedded zerotree wavelet coding, used for compressing the SST images. The results show that this coding is adequate for the job.     

Merging of low-mass systems and the origin of the fundamental plane

We present the preliminary results of a study of how small stellar systems merge to form larger ones. As we display the families of galaxies in the μ_e - R_e plane (effective surface brightness versus effective radius) we realize that different morphological types occupy different loci, evidencing the different physical mechanisms operating in each family. As proposed by Capaccioli et al. (1992) this diagram is the logical equivalent of the HR diagram for stars. Here we take some initial steps in understanding of how we can establish the evolutionary tracks, solely due to dynamical processes, in the μ_e - R_e plane, ultimately making a dwarf elliptical to turn into a normal elliptical galaxy. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Radial drift of particles in the solar nebula: implications for planetesimal formation

For standard cosmic abundances of heavy elements, a layer of small particles in the central plane of the solar nebula cannot attain the critical density for gravitational instability. Youdin and Shu (2002, Astrophys. J. 580, 494-505) suggest that the local surface density of solids can be enhanced by radial migration of particles due to gas drag. However, they consider only motions of individual particles. Collective motion due to turbulent stress on the particle layer acts to inhibit such enhancement and may prevent gravitational instability.     

Seismic Inference using Genetic Algorithms

A flood of reliable seismic data will soon arrive. The migration to largertelescopes on the ground may free up 4-m class instruments for multi-sitecampaigns, and several forthcoming satellite missions promise to yieldnearly uninterrupted long-term coverage of many pulsating stars. We willthen face the challenge of determining the fundamental properties of thesestars from the data, by trying to match them with the output of ourcomputer models. The traditional approach to this task is to make informedguesses for each of the model parameters, and then adjust them iterativelyuntil an adequate match is found. The trouble is: how do we know that oursolution is unique, or that some other combination of parameters will notdo even better? Computers are now sufficiently powerful and inexpensivethat we can produce large grids of models and simply compare all ofthem to the observations. The question then becomes: what range ofparameters do we want to consider, and how many models do we want tocalculate? This can minimize the subjective nature of the process, but itmay not be the most efficient approach and it may give us a false sense ofsecurity that the final result is correct, when it is really justoptimal. I discuss these issues in the context of recent advances inthe asteroseismological analysis of white dwarf stars.