An internal variable model for the creep of rocksalt

Summary The creep strain rate of rocksalt, like that of other ductile crystalline materials, can be described by a power law equation of the type ( ) ⁿ , where the active stress is the difference between the total deviatoric applied stress and an internal stress _i . In this paper, the origin and the nature of this internal stress, which develops during inelastic deformation of the material, are discussed. It is shown that this internal stress can serve as an internal (or state) variable in the constitutive model of rocksalt, which reflects the microstructure evolution of the material under the competitive action of hardening and recovery mechanisms.An analysis of experimental data, both our own and those taken from the literature, demonstrates that such a law is able to correctly reproduce rocksalt creep test results in the steady-state domain. The proposed model is in accordance with the macroscopic and microscopic behavior of salt, and with direct measurements of the internal stresses made by others on this material.     

Cosmic-ray propagation in compressible turbulent media

The influence of compressibility of media on both the statistical acceleration and the turbulent diffusion of cosmic-ray particles is investigated. The averaging over an ensemble of random velocity fields of the medium was performed in the kinetic equation. The kinetic coefficients, which are responsible for the particle acceleration, were obtained in the cases of weak and strong scattering due inhomogeneous magnetic fields.     

Unsteady hydromagnetic flow through a porous medium between two infinite parallel porous plates with time-varying suction

Unsteady two-dimensional flow of a viscous incompressible and electrical-conducting fluid through a porous medium bounded by two infinite parallel plates under the action of a transverse magnetic field is presented when there is time-varying suction at the plates. The lower plate is at rest while the upper plate is oscillating in its own plane about a constant mean velocity. Expressions for the velocity, fluctuating parts of the velocity, amplitude, and phase of the skin-friction are obtained. The flow phenomenon has been characterized by the parametersK (permeability of the porous medium),N(magnetic parameter) (frequency parameter), andA(variable suction parameter) and the role of these parameters on the flow characteristics has been studied.     

Astrometric investigation with the Tautenburg Schmidt telescope

The observations and the plate reduction technique for the determination of positions and absolute proper motions which is used in Potsdam are described. Recent results have shown that an accuracy of about 0 _. 1 for positions and 0 _. ⁷ cent _. ^–1 for proper motions can be achieved both for bright (8^m–12^m) and faint (16^m–18^m) stars. Three astrometric programmes using the Tautenburg plates are presented.     

V792 Her=HD 155638: A totally eclipsing RS CVn binary

Photometry of HD 155638=V792 Her has been analyzed to determine the elements of this totally eclipsing RS CVn binary. The light variation outside eclipse was found to have a period of 27^d.07±0^d.07, which is slightly different from the 27^d.5384±0^d.0045 orbital period. Analysis of the eclipses was achieved by a modification of the Russell-Merrill technique. With the aid of radial velocity measures, absolute elements were obtained for the hot and cool stars, respectively;R _h=2.58R ,R _c=12.28R ,M _h=1.40M ,M _c=1.46M ,i=80^o.61 and velocity semi-amplitudesK _c=48.36 km s^–1±0.79 km s^–1, andK _h=50.50 km s^–1±0.33 km s^–1. The apparent magnitudes areV _h=9 ^m .73 andV _c=8 ^m .48. The distance to HD 155638 was estimated to be 310 parsecs.     

Geodynamic implications of astrometry

The transition from local horizon and terrestrial BIH-systems to celestial reference frames is well known to be affected by various geodetic parameters such as polar motion (x_p(t), y_p(t)), UT1-TUC (where UT1 is basically dependent on variations in UT0 and t=time), plumb line deflections (, ) of observation stations, global and local tidal deformations etc. Variations of such quantities with (relative) resolution of the order of 0.001 and better, such as VLBI, demand the application of continuous high-precision (world-wide) geodynamic surveys whenever global theories and sufficient models are not available and the introduction of improved local and global models (geophysical and relativistic) is needed in order to match astrometric observations related to different reference frames. Prediction of parameters for immediate transformation from one system of reference into the other is sometimes of interest.The paperreviews recent results of different observations,points out a number of still open and unresolved problems in observations and modeling, anddiscusses related consequences. Conclusions for geodynamics drawn from comparison of observed data with models based on astronomical and geophysical observations give way to new understanding of basic phenomena of relevance for various disciplines.     

The far UV spectrum of the O4I(n)f star ζ Puppis

A detailed list of line identifications of the far UV spectrum of the O4I(n)f star Puppis (HD 66811) in the wavelength range 1168–1984 Å recorded on 16 April, 1981 with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) is presented. The detailed analysis of the radial velocities measured in the same wavelength range is also presented.     

Realisation of a celestial system based on VLBI geodynamics programs

The relative orientations of various VLBI celestial reference frames are evaluated on the basis of coordinate differences of common sources. It is shown that an accuracy better than 0.001 can be achieved. Possible regional deformations in the different catalogues are investigated; they are found to reach a few 0.001 in some restricted zones. The application of these studies to the realisation of a combined celestial reference frame consistent with the BIH Terrestrial System is outlined.     

Magnetic reconnection in high-temperature plasma of solar flares

Quasi-steady high-temperature current sheets are an energy source during the main or hot phase of solar flares. Such sheets are shown to be stabilized with respect to the tearing instability by a small transverse component of magnetic field existing in the sheets.     

Plasma acceleration,injection, and loss: Observational aspects

The sudden and dramatic acceleration of charged particles seems to be a universal phenomenon which occurs in plasmas occupying a wide range of spatial scales. These accelerations are typically accompanied by intrusions of the energized plasma into adjacent regions of space. A physical understanding of these processes can only be obtained by carefully coordinated experimental and theoretical studies which are designed to let nature display what is happening without imposing limitations associated with existing paradigms. Studies of the Earth's magnetosphere are hampered by the lack of adequate sampling in space and time. The feature matching technique of building magnetic and electric field models can help compensate for the extreme sparseness of experimental data but many future studies will still require large numbers of spacecraft placed in carefully coordinated orbits. History shows that magnetospheric research has sometimes faltered while various attractive conjectures were explored, but that direct observations play the role of a strict teacher who has little concern for the egos of scientists. Presumably this teacher will also discard the author's pet notion: that the ignition of portions of the auroral shell in association with Earth flares results in the heating of ionospheric particles (and some particles of solar origin) that are then convected inward to form the ring current. The author, of course, hopes that at least some aspects of this notion will surive and will help lead the way to a better understanding of the Earth's neighbourhood.Paper dedicated to Professor Hannes Alfvén on the occasion of his 80th birthday, 30 May 1988.