The plasma tails of comets clearly show the demarcation of the solar wind into distinct equatorial and polar regions (Brandt
and Snow (2000), Icarus148, 52–64).The boundary is determined by the maximum extent in latitude of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). The observational
record contains many well-observed equatorial comets, but observations of comets in the polar region are relatively rare.
In addition to its size and brightness, comet Hale–Bopp had an orbital inclination of 89.4° and was well observed for months
in the polar region. We document the comet's large-scale appearance throughout the apparition, including the polar region
and its transition into the equatorial region. The bright dust tail hampered observations of the plasma tail, particularly
near the head, but images taken with a CO+ filter show a very large disconnection event (DE) on May 7 and May 8, 1997. The time of disconnection is estimated at approximately
May 4.0. This DE is associated with a crossing of the HCS. The model calculations of the HCS indicate that other crossings
might have occurred in late April, but given the uncertainty in the calculation, the comet might have missed the HCS. Sparse
observational coverage and the bright dust tail prevent further investigation of the potential earlier HCS crossings. The
plasma tail shows anomalous orientations at the highest latitudes and possible explanations are discussed. 相似文献
We compile a sample of Sun-like stars with accurate effective temperatures, metallicities and colours (from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared). A crucial improvement is that the effective temperature scale of the stars has recently been established as both accurate and precise through direct measurement of angular diameters obtained with stellar interferometers. We fit the colours as a function of effective temperature and metallicity, and derive colour estimates for the Sun in the Johnson–Cousins, Tycho, Strömgren, 2MASS and SDSS photometric systems. For ( B − V )⊙ , we favour the 'red' colour 0.64 versus the 'blue' colour 0.62 of other recent papers, but both values are consistent within the errors; we ascribe the difference to the selection of Sun-like stars versus interpolation of wider colour– T eff–metallicity relations. 相似文献
Hydrogeology Journal - An extensive network of multilevel vibrating-wire piezometers (VWP) was recently created to monitor the spatial and temporal variation of pore pressure (and hydraulic head)... 相似文献
Optical fibre–based sensors have now established their place in the field of geohazard monitoring due to their sensitivity to strain and temperature changes. Progressive development in the technology leads to the availability of novel, accurate and durable sensors at a relatively limited cost. This creates room for original monitoring applications that have been, so far, impeded by the shortcomings of conventional monitoring tools. In this work, we explore the applicability of an interferometric optical fibre sensor as a vibration sensing tool at laboratory scale. We tested the ability of the sensor to identify precursors of instability in a downscaled model of a rainfall-induced landslide composed of granular material. We carried out four experimental tests which involved different sensor deployments and soil mixtures. The recorded signals were processed by means of a time–frequency analysis and we identified two frequency-domain parameters—the spectral centroid and band power—that could provide information on the development of instability. Their ratio yielded a unique parameter through which a precursory stage could be outlined by defining a threshold value based on the data collected at the beginning of the experiment. In our lab tests, precursors of instability were detected 2–3 min before a crack was observed at the surface. This may upscale to a lead time of about 20–30 min or more in the field, classifying our monitoring approach in between an alarm and a warning system. The work presented here can be considered a first promising step towards an innovative monitoring system and shows the potential of optical fibre sensing as a shallow landslide monitoring technique, encouraging further testing, especially in real-case studies.
The aim of this paper is to investigate different aspects of the seasonal-to-interannual temperature variability in Eastern Patagonia, the southernmost area of South America, east of the Andes Cordillera. Homogenous regions of seasonal variability and the atmospheric circulation patterns associated with warm and cold conditions in each of them are described in this study. Relationships between temperature in Eastern Patagonia and that registered in other areas of southern South America are also addressed. Results show that the northern and southern areas of Eastern Patagonia have different temperature variability in summer and autumn whereas the temperature variability tends to be more homogeneous within the region during winter and spring. Warm (cold) conditions in the northern areas are associated with reinforced (weakened) westerlies in summer, winter and spring whereas northerly (southerly) advections of warm (cold) air toward the region produce such conditions in autumn. Temperature in the southern portion of Eastern Patagonia is affected by anticyclonic (cyclonic) anomalies that enhance (reduce) the incoming solar radiation and induce reinforced (weakened) westerlies promoting warm (cold) conditions in the region. Furthermore, cyclonic (anticyclonic) anomalies at subpolar latitudes hinder (favor) outbreaks of cold air increasing (decreasing) the temperature over areas of Eastern Patagonia. The circulation anomalies associated with warm (cold) conditions in Eastern Patagonia also promote cold (warm) conditions over areas of northern Argentina, Paraguay and southern Brazil. Consequently, a dipole of temperature is detected in southern South America with centers of opposite sign over these regions. 相似文献