Deep-ocean vertical noise directionality

The structure of beam noise measured at the output of a vertical array in a range dependent ocean basin was investigated using the modified wide-angle parabolic equation (PE). Noise sources were distributed throughout the basin, and the field due to each noise source at an array located in the midbasin was calculated. The response of the array to the superposition of the noise sources was found by beamforming. An efficient and direct approach that superimposes the noise sources on the PE field as the field is marched toward the array was developed. Downslope calculations of the midbasin vertical directionality were made between 50 and 400 Hz with this technique. Use of a geoacoustic model shows that the bottom behaves as a low-pass filter     

5个新发现的X选BL Lac天体

利用ＲＯＳＡＴＶＬＡ方法筛选，从ＲＯＳＡＴＸ射线源中选出了一批新的ＢＬＬａｃ天体和类星体的候选体．１９９６年１２月８日至１７日，利用北京天文台２．１６ｍ望远镜和新从美国引进的ＯＭＲ摄谱仪，对这批新候选体进行了光谱认证．经ＳＵＮ工作站处理，又发现了５个新的Ｘ选ＢＬＬａｃ天体．此外，还对去年作者在ＯＭＲ引进之前发现的ＢＬＬａｃ天体进行了检验，结果发现，去年发现的７个ＢＬＬａｃ天体中，２３２２＋３４３的ＣａＩＩＨ＆Ｋ“Ｂｒｅａｋｓｔｒｅｎｇｔｈ”为２６．９％，稍大于判据２５％，因此，２３２２＋３４３到底是ＢＬＬａｃ天体还是射电星系还有待于进一步测光及偏振观测的验证．     

Low-cost volcano surveillance from space: case studies from Etna, Krafla, Cerro Negro, Fogo, Lascar and Erebus

 Satellite data offer a means of supplementing ground-based monitoring during volcanic eruptions, especially at times or locations where ground-based monitoring is difficult. Being directly and freely available several times a day, data from the advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) offers great potential for near real-time monitoring of all volcanoes across large (3000×3000 km) areas. Herein we describe techniques to detect and locate activity; estimate lava area, thermal flux, effusion rates and cumulative volume; and distinguish types of activity. Application is demonstrated using data for active lavas at Krafla, Etna, Fogo, Cerro Negro and Erebus; a pyroclastic flow at Lascar; and open vent systems at Etna and Stromboli. Automated near real-time analysis of AVHRR data could be achieved at existing, or cheap to install, receiving stations, offering a supplement to conventional monitoring methods. Received: 21 January 1997 / Accepted: 3 April 1997     

Dynamical and compositional assessment of near‐Earth object mission targets

Abstract— Using an H‐plot analysis, we identify 234 currently known near‐Earth objects that are accessible for rendezvous with a “best case” delta‐V of less than 7 km/s. We provide a preliminary compositional interpretation and assessment of these potential targets by summarizing the taxonomic properties for 44 objects. Results for one‐half (22) of this sample are based on new spectroscopic measurements presented here. Our approach provides an easy‐to‐update method for giving guidelines to both observers and mission analysts for focusing on objects for which actual mission opportunities are most likely to be found. Observing prospects are presented for categorizing the taxonomic properties of the most accessible targets that are not yet measured.     

Is the Kolmogoroff model applicable to large-scale turbulence?

We discuss the difficulties encountered when the Heisenberg-Kolmogoroff model for turbulence is applied to the large-scale turbulence in: (A) molecular clouds (specifically the velocity vs size relationship) and (B) stars (specifically, the estimate of convective fluxes).A new model for large-scale turbulence is, therefore, needed.     

Interpretation of aeromagnetic data across the central crystalline shield area of Nigeria

Summary. A residual map of the total magnetic field (above 25 000 nT base) is presented for a portion of the central crystalline shield area of Nigeria and overlapping small portions of the Chad basin and the Benue rift (8°30'−12° 00'lat, and 7°−10°30' long). The map (based on a dataset digitized from recently released aeromagnetic sheets of Nigeria) leads to four results. (1) A magnetic boundary, evident on the map, separates the Younger Granite complexes into two groups. The groups are petrologically different, and the boundary may be a fault line with uplift to the south. (2) South of the boundary the map is dominated by a system of sub-parallel anomalies striking NE–SW, possibly representing major tectonic trends, and a set of fractures through which the Younger Granite complexes were intruded. The trend of the system parallels the Benue rift and lineaments in the oceanic crust off West Africa. (3) Negative magnetic anomalies lie over most of the known ring complexes, and over some suspected buried ring complexes and other intrusions. (4) 2½-and 3-D modelling shows that the larger complexes extend to 12 km depth, and the smaller ones to 6 km. They have nearly vertical sides, and magnetization contrasts range from 0.3 to 0.5 A m⁻¹.     

VO_IMPAT:中国虚拟天文台图像处理分析工具

中国虚拟天文台图像处理分析工具（VO_IMPAT），是由国家天文台虚拟天文台项目组开发的一项服务，它提供了对数字巡天图像数据（Digital Sky Survey，DSS）、天文星表以及其他数据库的交互访问。VO_IMPAT的设计目的是实现多波段天文数据的融合。可以将不同波段的星表叠加到DSS底图上，如光学波段的USNO星表、近红外波段的2MASS星表、射电波段的NVSS星表和X射线波段的RASS星表。同时VO_IMPAT还可以对图像进行放大、缩小、伪彩色、等高线、直方图、尖锐化、平滑化、旋转等处理，不同的星表数据可以采用不同的颜色和图标显示。     

First sodium nightglow results for Natal

The first year of sodium nightglow observations from Natal (6°S, 35°W) are examined. Time variations appear to follow a pattern of their own, different from low latitude results. The major seasonal peak occurs in September-October and the average variation during the night decreases from dusk to dawn. Statistics on cloud coverage show that Natal has roughly only about 3 clear hours per night. The best observing period is April with an average of 5 clear hours per night.