Information content in astronomical images

We should like to point out that the special non-singular Bianchi type-I solution of no-scale supergravity, recently obtained by Barrow and Deruelle (1988), does not exist. The most general consistent non-singular Bianchi type-I solution has been derived recently by us (Lorenz-Petzold, 1988).     

Effects of Hall currents and Coriolis forces on the instability of a self-gravitating plasma of variable density

The hydromagnetic instability of a self-gravitating, incompressible rotating plasma of variable density has been examined in the presence of Hall currents. The system is assumed to be permeated by a variable horizontal magnetic field. The solution of the relevant linearized perturbation equations has been obtained by the normal mode technique through a variational principle which is shown to characterize the problem. Proper solutions have been obtained for a semi-infinite plasma having exponential density stratification along the vertical. The dispersion relation has been derived and solved numerically for different values of the physical parameters involved. It is found that Hall currents and Coriolis forces have both destabilizing influence as the growth rate of the unstable modes is found to increase with the increase of both Hall currents and Coriolis forces.     

Thermosolutal-convective instability of a composite plasma in a stellar atmosphere including the effects of variable magnetic field and rotation

Thermosolutal-convective instability of a composite plasma in a stellar atmosphere is considered. The effect of a variable horizontal magnetic field and the simultaneous effect of a uniform rotation and a variable horizontal magnetic field have been considered on the thermosolutal-convective instability. We have derived the sufficient conditions for the existence of monotonic instability. It is found that the criteria for monotonic instability hold good in the presence of a variable horizontal magnetic field as well as in the presence of a uniform rotation and a variable horizontal magnetic field.     

A study of fluoride,calcium and magnesium in the Northern Indian Ocean

Estimation of fluoride in the Northern Indian Ocean gives an average concentration of 1.31 ± 0.01 mg/l and a F/Cl ratio of (6.84 ± 0.01) · 10^?5. The Ca/Cl ratio in the area is 0.02229 ± 0.000005 with an average calcium concentration of 432 ± 5 mg/l. In the Bay of Bengal this ratio is influenced by river runoff while in the Arabian Sea the outflow from the Red Sea increases the ratio. The Mg/Cl ratio is observed to be 0.06631 ± 0.00003 with an average magnesium concentration of 1281 ± 14 mg/l. Neither the river runoff nor the Red Sea outflow has any influence on this ratio. Similarities or differences of these values spatially and with reference to literature data are discussed.     

Effects of magnetic shear,spot, and plage rotation on prominence evolution

We have studied the evolution of two dark H filaments as prominences during their disk passage from 12 to 19 February, 1992 and 6 to 17 March, 1992, using Kodaikanal Observatory H and Caii K spectroheliograms. Both the filaments were well outside the spot regions. However, they were connected to sunspots by small threads. Outside the spot regions, the filaments were also anchored between opposite polarity plage regions. Both the filaments were almost straight in the beginning. However, they acquired a curved shape (inverted U-shape) as the spot and plages underwent rotation. It is shown that rotation of the plage and spot plays an important role in the evolution of prominences, one serving as the anchor and the other imparting necessary shear. Once the shear reaches a critical value it starts unwinding the filaments, resulting in the fine structure of the two prominences studied.     

Density measurement from A1 IX λ385.03/λ392.42 line ratio

A1 IX EUV line ratio 385.03/392.42 has been found to be density sensitive. Using this, an electron density of 3.7 × 10⁸ cm^–9 is found in the quiet, Sun off-limb from Skylab observation reported by Vernazza and Reeves (1978).     

Periodogram analysis of the light curves of 59 Aurigae

The photoelectricV observations of the Scuti star 59 Aur have been analysed using the techniques of periodogram analysis and least-squares solutions. The fundamental mode is found to be more prominent than the first overtone in the pulsation of 59 Aur. The period ratio of the first overtone to the fundamental (i.e.,P ₁/P ₀=0.748) indicates that the star pulsates in the radial mode. The absolute magnitude, effective temperature and mass of the star are derived to be 1 _. ^m 22, 7300 K and 2.0M , respectively. No variations exceeding±0 _. ^m 01 about the mean values ofB-V andU-B colours have been found during a pulsation cycle.     

Inventory of degraded lands of Palamau district, Bihar — A remote sensing approach

In this study, an attempt has keen made for the identification, categorisation and mapping of degraded lands in Palamau district of Bihar using remotely sensed data (IRS-1A, raise colour composite, on 1:50,000 scale), It was observed that water erosion is the main cause of land degradation affecting 6.27 per cent area of the district, of which 5.22 per cent is subjected to severe to very severe erosion and remaining 1.05 per cent is moderately to severely gulleid land Degradation due to rock quarries, mine spoils and dumps accounted for only 0.01 per cent of the district area. Degraded lands were mostly confined to agricultural areas (4.76%) follwed by forest lands (1.10%) and opert-scrub/pastures (0.42%), respectively, Subdivision-wise categorisation of degraded lands was also attempted for efficient location-speeific reclamation planning and easy monitoring.     

Defining equivalent stationary PSDF to account for nonstationarity of earthquake ground motion

This paper presents three approaches to defining the stationary power spectrum density function (PSDF) of strong ground acceleration, for prediction of structural response corresponding to the strong-motion stationary part of the input excitation. The first approach defines the PSDF in terms of the Fourier amplitude spectrum and a stationary duration of ground acceleration. The PSDF obtained by this approach predicts accurately the response of structures with low to intermediate natural periods. In the second approach, we introduce the concept of stationary duration of response, which is defined as a function of the natural period and damping ratio of the oscillator. Using this approach, it is possible to get accurate estimates of response amplitudes for the broad range of natural periods. However, it is not convenient in practical applications to deal with several stationary durations for a given input excitation. Further, to evaluate these durations it is necessary to specify both the Fourier and the response spectra of ground accelerations; whereas the common engineering practice is to specify the response spectrum only. Therefore, the third approach suggests the use of the response ‘spectrum compatible’ PSDF. The paper presents several improvements in the general methodology used for this purpose. The improvements mainly relate to using more accurate peak factors and to using the transient nature of response. The spectrum compatible PSDFs, as evaluated in the present study, provide realistic specification of strong ground motion for stochastic seismic response analyses of structures.     

Seismotectonic and liquefaction studies of an industrial site in Northern India

Foundation soil of the proposed fertiliser complex in Northern India is examined for its susceptibility to liquefaction during an earthquake. Information on geotectonic set up and earthquake occurrences in the region around the site is used for defining the earthquake parameters of the ground motion. The effective peak ground acceleration for the site is estimated to be of the order of 0.15 g. Laboratory tests were carried out on soil samples obtained from the site on a horizontal vibration table. The test results were used in determining the possibility of liquefaction employing the methodology developed at the Department of Earthquake Engineering, University of Roorkee. About 10 m of a thick soil layer below the top 1.5 m stiff clay is likely to liquefy. Remedial measures used at the site to counter the possibility of liquefaction are mentioned.