Fast identification of transits from light-curves

We present an algorithm that allows fast and efficient detection of transits, including planetary transits, from light-curves. The method is based on building an ensemble of fiducial models and compressing the data using the moped compression algorithm. We describe the method and demonstrate its efficiency by finding planet-like transits in simulated Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) light-curves. We show that our method is independent of the size of the search space of transit parameters. In large sets of light-curves, we achieve speed-up factors of the order of 10³ times over an optimized adaptive search in the χ² space. We discuss how the algorithm can be used in forthcoming large surveys like Pan-STARRS and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), and how it may be optimized for future space missions like Kepler and COROT where most of the processing must be done on board.     

A resonance problem of two degrees of freedom

An analytical theory is presented for determining the motion described by a Hamiltonian of two degrees of freedom. Hamiltonians of this type are representative of the problem of an artificial Earth satellite in a near-circular orbit or a near-equatorial orbit and in resonance with a longitudinal dependent part of the geopotential. Using the classical Bohlin-von Zeipel procedure the variation of the elements is developed through a generating function expressed as a trigonometrical series. The coefficients of this series, determined in ascending powers of an auxiliary parameter, are the solutions of paired sets of ordinary differential equations and involve elliptic functions and quadrature. The first order solution accounts for the full variation of the resonance terms with the second coordinate.     

Perturbations of a spheroidal satellite due to direct solar radiation pressure

The orbital accelerations of certain balloon satellites exhibit marked oscillations caused by solar radiation impinging on the surface of the satellites, which, once spherical, have assumed a spheroidal shape producing a component of force at right-angles to the Sun-satellite direction. Given the characteristics and orientation of the satellite, the equations of force are determined by the formulae of Lucas. Otherwise the phase-angle and magnitude of the right-angle force are determined by trial and error, or best-fit techniques. Using a variation of the approach developed by Aksnes, a semi-analytical algorithm is presented for evaluating the perturbations of the Keplerian elements by direct solar radiation pressure on a spheroidal satellite. The perturbations are obtained by summing over the sunlit part of each orbit and allow for a linear variation in the phase-angle. The algorithm is used to determine the orbital accelerations of 1963-30D due to direct solar radiation pressure, and these results are compared to the observed values over two separate periods of the satellite's lifetime.     

Resolving the kinematic distance ambiguity of southern massive young stellar object candidates

We investigate the use of H  i data to resolve the near/far ambiguity in kinematic distances of massive young stellar object (MYSO) candidates. Kinematic distances were obtained from ¹³CO 1-0 (and N₂H⁺) spectral-line observations with the Mopra Telescope towards 94 candidates selected from the Red MSX Source (RMS) survey in the fourth Galactic quadrant  (282° < l < 350°)  . H  i data from the Southern Galactic Plane Survey (SGPS) were used in conjunction with the H  i self-absorption (SA) technique to determine the near or far distance. We resolved the kinematic distance ambiguity to 70 per cent of the sources. We can also simultaneously solve for any multiple line-of-sight component sources. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this technique in comparison with other methods, and also perform confidence checks on the reliability of using the H  i SA technique.
We examined the projected location of these sources in both the Galactic plane and longitude–velocity ( l – v ) diagrams to ascertain any recognizable spiral arm pattern. Although no obvious spiral pattern was found when compared to that proposed by Cordes and Lazio, far distance sources tended to lie on or near spiral arm loci. Near distance sources, however, had peculiar velocity uncertainties consistent with the separation between the spiral arms themselves. The l – v plot shows a more consistent picture, with tangent points of the spiral arm loci easily seen.
We conclude that using the H  i SA technique to determine kinematic distance ambiguities is a quick and reliable method in most cases, with an 80 per cent success rate in determining the correct designation of whether an object is at the near or far distance.     

Small impact craters in the lunar regolith — Their morphologies,relative ages,and rates of formation

Apparently, there are two types of size-frequency distributions of small lunar craters (1–100 m across): (1) crater production distributions for which the cumulative frequency of craters is an inverse function of diameter to power near 2.8, and (2) steady-state distributions for which the cumulative frequency of craters is inversely proportional to the square of their diameters. According to theory, cumulative frequencies of craters in each morphologic category within the steady-state should also be an inverse function of the square of their diameters. Some data on frequency distribution of craters by morphologic types are approximately consistent with theory, whereas other data are inconsistent with theory.A flux of crater producing objects can be inferred from size-frequency distributions of small craters on the flanks and ejecta of craters of known age. Crater frequency distributions and data on the craters Tycho, North Ray, Cone, and South Ray, when compared with the flux of objects measured by the Apollo Passive Seismometer, suggest that the flux of objects has been relatively constant over the last 100 m.y. (within 1/3 to 3 times of the flux estimated for Tycho).Steady-state frequency distributions for craters in several morphologic categories formed the basis for estimating the relative ages of craters and surfaces in a system used during the Apollo landing site mapping program of the U.S. Geological Survey. The relative ages in this system are converted to model absolute ages that have a rather broad range of values. The range of values of the absolute ages are between about 1/3 to 3 times the assigned model absolute age.     

Noble gas space exposure ages of individual interplanetary dust particles

Abstract— The He, Ne, and Ar compositions of 32 individual interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) were measured using low‐blank laser probe gas extraction. These measurements reveal definitive evidence of space exposure. The Ne and Ar isotopic compositions in the IDPs are primarily a mixture between solar wind (SW) and an isotopically heavier component dubbed “fractionated solar” (FS), which could be implantation‐fractionated solar wind or a distinct component of the solar corpuscular radiation previously identified as solar energetic particles (SEP). Space exposure ages based on the Ar content of individual IDPs are estimated for a subset of the grains that appear to have escaped significant volatile losses during atmosphere entry. Although model‐dependent, most of the particles in this subset have ages that are roughly consistent with origin in the asteroid belt. A short (<1000 years) space exposure age is inferred for one particle, which is suggestive of cometary origin. Among the subset of grains that show some evidence for relatively high atmospheric entry heating, two possess elevated ²¹Ne/²²Ne ratios generated by extended exposure to solar and galactic cosmic rays. The inferred cosmic ray exposure ages of these particles exceeds 10⁷ years, which tends to rule out origin in the asteroid belt. A favorable possibility is that these ²¹Ne‐rich IDPs previously resided on a relatively stable regolith of an Edgeworth‐Kuiper belt or Oort cloud body and were introduced into the inner solar system by cometary activity. These results demonstrate the utility of noble gas measurements in constraining models for the origins of interplanetary dust particles.     

Air density at heights near 435 km from the orbit of skylab 1 (1973-27A)

On February 8, 1974, Skylab 1 was manoeuvred into a near circular orbit of inclination 50.04° and perigee near 420km. Orbital parameters have been computed at forty-six epochs thereafter using all available observations. Using these orbital elements, supplemented by orbital decay rates derived from NORAD bulletins, 193 values of air density were determined between 23 February, 1974 and 11, August, 1976. Corrected to a fixed height and normalised with respect to exospheric temperature these values reveal the semi-annual variation, exhibiting maxima in March–April and October–November, and minima in January–February and July–August. For 1974–1976 the July minima are more pronounced than the January minima whilst the April and October maxima appear equal. Overall the variation is greater than that indicated by CIRA 1972.