Dynamical models of stellar motions at the peripheries of open clusters

A model for a uniform, gravitating, ellipsoidal star cluster moving in a circular orbit around the Galactic center is considered. Three independent isolated integrals of stellar motion are written for this model. The characteristic features of the motion of a cluster star according to these three integrals are analyzed. Retrograde stellar motions dominate at the periphery of the model cluster, and the distribution of the stellar velocities is elongated along the direction of the cluster motion. A phase-space density function that depends on two of the integrals of motion is constructed. The distribution of the stellar velocities is constructed for the case of a three-integral phase-space density. Possible applications of the results are discussed.     

Solar activity effects in the ionospheric D region

Variations in the D-region electron concentration within the solar activity cycle are considered. It is demonstrated that conclusions of various authors, who have analyzed various sets of experimental data on [e], differ significantly. The most reliable seem to be the conclusions based on analysis of the [e] measurements carried out by the Faraday rotation method and on the theoretical concepts on the D-region photochemistry. Possible QBO effects in the relation of [e] to solar activity are considered and an assumption is made that such effects may be the reason for the aforementioned disagreement in conclusions on the [e] relation to solar indices.Paper Presented at the Second IAGA/ICMA (IAMAS) Workshop on Solar Activity Forcing of the Middle Atmosphere, Prague, August 1997     

Ionospheric Precursors of Geomagnetic Storms. 1. A Review of the Problem

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The problem of the occurrence of disturbances of the ionospheric F2-layer parameters prior to the beginning of a geomagnetic storm is discussed. It is shown that...     

Diurnal and Seasonal Variations in Trends in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>-Layer Critical Frequency

Long-term changes in the E-layer critical frequency foE at three stations in the European region (Juliusruh, Slough, and Rome) are analyzed by the method described in detail in the previous paper by the authors. It is found that two former stations demonstrate a well-pronounced change in foE (a trend) during the two previous decades. At the same time, the same features of the behavior of the aforementioned trend k(foE) are obtained for both stations. The trend is positive and negative in the morning and evening hours, respectively. It is minimal near the local noon. That explains the small value of k(foE) obtained in the previous paper for 1200 LT. A well-pronounced seasonal behavior of k(foE) is detected: the trend is minimal and maximal in the summer period and at the end of fall—beginning of winter, respectively. The trend maximal amplitude in the morning hours reaches +0.04 MHz per year, whereas the minimal amplitude in evening hours is–0.06 MHz per year. No systematic changes in foE exceeding 0.01 MHz in magnitude per year are found for Rome station.     

Comparison of overflow simulations on different vertical grids using the Finite Element Ocean circulation Model

The Finite Element Ocean circulation Model (FEOM) is applied to study the sensitivity of density driven overflows to the vertical discretization and bottom topography representation using the dynamics of overflow mixing and entrainment (DOME) setup. FEOM allows for hybrid grids combining σ, z + σ, full cell, partly shaved cell and fully shaved cell grids within the same numerical kernel thus isolating as far as possible effects of mesh geometry from those of model numerics. The sensitivity of diapycnal mixing, entrainment, plume thickness and plume meridional distribution to vertical discretization and partly to the subgrid process parameterization is explored. It is shown that simulations on pure σ grids or the combination of z + σ resolve the overflow processes best in terms of downslope plume propagation, plume thickness and dilution, and also have the least resolution dependence. Grids using z-levels generate excessive spurious mixing when resolution is insufficient. Applying partial cells improves the plume representation, but still requires higher horizontal and vertical resolution to converge to the σ grid results. It is demonstrated that increasing lateral viscosity causes the plume thickness to reduce whereas increasing lateral diffusivity has opposite effect. When keeping the Prandtl number constant, the increase in diffusivity and viscosity leads to an increase in mixing and plume thickness on z-level grids and also on σ-grids when lateral dissipation is oriented along geopotential surfaces. Using the along σ- diffusion helped to obtain correct plume thickness and entrainment on σ grids. Increasing the vertical mixing coefficients leads to an increase in diapycnal mixing and in downslope penetration as well.     

The role of the deep mixing in the Storfjorden shelf water plume

Hydrographic observations in deep Fram Strait evidence a plume of Storfjorden Brine-enriched Shelf Water in 1986, 1988 and 2002. The plume spreads along the continental slope over 600 km away from its formation area and reaches 2000 m depth. The plume is 30 to 80 m thick in the deep layer of Fram Strait; it is almost 0.4 °C warmer and 0.06 more saline than the ambient water. The velocity of the plume, observed by a moored current meter in Fram Strait, is 12.60±4.70 cm s⁻¹ .The hydrographic properties of the plume are used to study entrainment. A streamtube model with four entrainment parameterizations is applied. Two Froude-number dependent parameterizations lead to mixing mostly happening over the shelf break, where the Froude number is large. This is in agreement with the traditional view, but is inconsistent with the observed temperature and salinity of the Storfjorden plume. Therefore further entrainment assumptions (a constant and a volume-dependent entrainment) are tested. The volume-dependent entrainment scheme yields the best representation of entrainment in the Storfjorden plume. Our results emphasize the necessity of strong mixing in the deep layers in Fram Strait to achieve an agreement with observed properties of the plume.     

Energy Parameters of Ore-Forming Deep Fluid Systems

The energy parameters of ore-forming deep fluid systems (enthalpy and Gibbs free energy) for compounds of S, Cl, and B have been estimated by thermodynamic methods at a lithosphere depth of 1000–20 km. At a depth of 1000 km, ore-forming fluids are dominated by BF₃. With a decrease in a depth to 100–20 km, the range of fluid ore-forming systems becomes wider due to the B, F, Cl, and S compounds providing a real basis for development of the voluminous ore-forming fluid systems at the top of the lithosphere.