Common Proper Motion Search for Faint Companions Around Early-Type Field Stars – Progress Report

The multiplicity of early-type stars is still not well established. The derived binary fraction is different for individual star forming regions, suggesting a connection with the age and the environment conditions. The few studies that have investigated this connection do not provide conclusive results. To fill in this gap, we started the first detailed adaptive-optic-assisted imaging survey of early-type field stars to derive their multiplicity in a homogeneous way. The sample has been extracted from the Hipparcos Catalog and consists of 341 BA-type stars within ∼300 pc from the Sun. We report the current status of the survey and describe a Monte-Carlo simulation that estimates the completeness of our companion detection.     

The radius of the Sun at centimeter waves and the brightness distribution across the disk

We report observations of the solar radio radius at wavelengths between 1.2 and 11 cm performed with the Bonn 100 m-telescope. In combination with former measurements of the centre-to-limb variation of the solar brightness these observations are discussed in terms of atmospheric models. We consider the solar disk to be covered by arches at low latitudes, while at the poles coronal holes are located. The temperature dependence on height is taken from EUV-line intensities, hydrostatic equilibrium is adopted, spicules are assumed to be responsible for the relatively low brightening. The interpretation of our measurements demands certain values of the brightness temperature of spicules as a function of wavelength within a modest interval.     

On depth-dependence of photospheric oscillations

We report on results from photographic observations of photospheric oscillations as a function of depth. Using rms-values and power-spectra from shifts of entire line-profiles, we find qualitatively an increase of the velocity-amplitude with increasing height. We get more quantitative informations by comparing measured asymmetries of line-profiles with calculated ones derived from Voigt-functions containing a depth dependent velocity-field.We find the scale-height H ₀ of photospheric velocity oscillations to be 930±100 km. This result is to be compared with H ₀ = 1100±200 km obtained by Canfield (1976), who used velocity weighting functions of the line centres.Further, we show that a general observed line asymmetry of medium strong lines (c-shape) does not depend on the phase of oscillations.Mitt. aus dem Kiepenheuer-Institut Nr. 178.     

The design of the Central-Axis Reflector (ZAS)

The Central-Axis Reflector, the design principle which is presented below is a segmented-mirror telescope. The inventions relate mainly to the optical system and to the tracking apparatus.A large number of small individual mirror bodies, ground off-axis (hexagonal/polygonal) produce one primary mirror with closed circular aperture when joined together.The overall design of the tracking apperatus results directly —and thus without unnecessary adornment — from the two planes of to aminimum but which are required for tracking of the telescope.Paper presented at the Symposium on the JNLT and Related Engineering Developments, Tokyo, November 29–December 2, 1988.     

Die Ablenkung des Lichtes an der Sonne und die Änderung Seiner Geschwindigkeit und Wellenlänge

Zusammenfassung Die Ergebnisse der Radar-Echo-Messungen von I. I. Shapiro, welche auf eine Verringerung der Lichtgeschwindigkeit beim Vorübergang des Lichtes an der Sonne hinweisen, werden zusammen mit der Ablenkung des Lichtes und der Verschiebung seiner Spektrallinien wellentheoretisch erklärt. Es genügt hierzu die Annahme eines materiellen lichtwellentragenden Mediums mit einer Dichte unterhalb des empirischen Vakuums; das Medium muss dann radial zur Sonne eine geringe Inhomogenität besitzen, die in entsprechenden kleinen Zusatzgliedern in den Maxwellschen Gleichungen ihren Ausdruck findet.Auf protophysikalischer Grundlage aufbauend wird die Phasengleichung (22) der an der Sonne vorbeigehenden Lichtwellen unter einfachsten Annahmen abgeleitet und integriert; als Resultat ergeben sich die drei genannten Effekte in Übereinstimmung mit der Erfahrung (Gleichung (39), (44), (47)).

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Shapiro (1968) published the first results of radar-echo-observations on Venus and Mercury in the neighbourhood of upper conjunctions with the Sun; the observations indicate a decrease of the velocity of light passing the Sun. The theory of Soldner is disproved; and the general relativity is in accord with the observed facts. But not this theory alone. In this publication the deflection of light, decrease of the velocity of light, and displacement of spectral-lines are explained with the aid of a wavetheory. Hereby the assumption of a material medium carrying light-waves is sufficient, the density of which is below that of the empirical vacuum; hence, the medium must have a small inhomogeneityh radial to the Sun, and the Maxwell equations contain small additional terms (Equation (3)). They lead to the field equations (4) and (5). The protophysical fundamentals of the wave-theory (6), (8), (9), (10a) lead to the Equations (12) of wave-phase. If we assume that the behaviour of the light passing the Sun is independent (in first approximation) from the wave-form (F), the Equation (22) of wave-phase, is deduced for simple-periodic waves of light. Figure 1 outlines the slope and deflection of the ray of light by the Sun. Section 5 contains the solution of (22); and Section 6 the results. The constant of inhomogeneity =1/210^–5 (of the radius of the Sun) produces a deflection (39) of light passing the Sun. The length of waves of the light approaching the Sun is decreased to a minimum and is increasing with increasing distance from the Sun until the former value ((43) and (44)). The velocity of light approaching the Sun is decreased to a minimum and increases with increasing distance from the Sun to its former value ((46) and (47)).

     

North-south asymmetries in the green corona brightness between 1947 and 1976

The north-south asymmetry has been studied using the green emission corona brightness in the period of 1947–1976. (N - S)/(N + S) values are constructed with the 5-deg opposite coronal belts brightnesses between ± 5 and ± 60 deg. Power spectra analyses were performed to study periodicities of these (N - S)/(N + S) values. Two noticeable periodicities (14.5 and 5 yr) have been found.     

Evidence of NW extension of the North Anatolian Fault Zone in the Marmara Sea: a new interpretation of the Marmara Sea (Izmit) earthquake on 17 August 1999

Active faults aligning in NW–SE direction and forming flower structures of strike-slip faults were observed in shallow seismic data from the shelf offshore of Avcılar in the northern Marmara Sea. By following the parallel drainage pattern and scarps, these faults were traced as NW–SE-directed lineaments in the morphology of the northern onshore sector of the Marmara Sea (eastern Thrace Peninsula). Right-lateral displacements in two watersheds of drainage and on the coast of the Marmara Sea and Black Sea are associated with these lineaments. This right-lateral displacement along the course of these faults suggests a new, active strike-slip fault zone located at the NW extension of the northern boundary fault of the ?ınarcık Basin in the Marmara Sea. This new fault zone is interpreted as the NW extension of the northern branch of the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ), extending from the ?ınarcık Basin of the Marmara Sea to the Black Sea coast of the Thrace Peninsula, and passing through B üy ük ?ekmece and K ü ? ük ?ekmece lagoons. These data suggest that the rupture of the 17 August 1999 earthquake in the NAFZ may have extended through Avcılar. Indeed, Avcılar and İzmit, both located on the Marmara Sea coast along the rupture route, were strongly struck by the earthquake whereas the settlements between Avcılar and İzmit were much less affected. Therefore, this interpretation can explain the extraordinary damage in Avcılar, based on the newly discovered rupture of the NAFZ in the Marmara Sea. However, this suggestion needs to be confirmed by further seismological studies.     

High-resolution sediment echosounding off Peru: Late Quaternary depositional sequences and sedimentary structures of a current-dominated shelf

About 6000 km of both bathymetric and high-resolution acoustic profiles were acquired on the shelf and upper slope offshore Peru between 9° S and 14° S. Two new sediment echosounder systems – SEL-96 and SES-2000DS – provided details of the sedimentary structures of the Quaternary sequences within the Sechura-Salaverry, Huacho and Pisco Basins. To a great extent, the poleward undercurrent determines the distribution of sediments. The undercurrent has generated numerous erosional unconformities, it has winnowed hardgrounds and has created mudwaves common between 250 m and 400 m water depth. Distinct subbottom reflectors within sedimentary units represent hiatuses due to periods of intensified winnowing or non-deposition. Erosional unconformities usually marked by pronounced reflectors suggest shifts of the undercurrent system related to climatic changes and eustatic variations of sea level. On a larger scale, the stacked prograding depositional sequences reflect the sea-level cycles of the Middle Pleistocene to the Holocene. Based on the stratigraphy of our piston cores and that of Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 680, the depositional sequences limited by extended unconformities were assigned to oxygen isotope stages 1 to 7. Other sedimentary structures are small straight channels that were conduits for downslope sediment transport. Deformed sediments associated with synsedimentary normal faults result from creep movements indicating beginning slope failure.     

Underwater sounds near a fuel receiving facility in western Hong Kong: relevance to dolphins

Western Hong Kong is home to two species of marine mammals: Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides). Both are threatened in many parts of their range in southeast Asia [for example, International Biological Research Institute Reports 9 (1997), 41; Asian Marine Biology 14 (1997) 111]. In 1998, when the new Hong Kong International Airport opened in western Hong Kong, small tankers (about 100 m long, cargo capacity about 6300 metric tons) began delivering fuel to the Aviation Fuel Receiving Facility (AFRF) just off Sha Chau Island, north of the airport. Calibrated sound recordings were taken over a 4-day period from a quiet, anchored boat at distances 80-2000 m from aviation fuel delivery activities at the AFRF. From the recordings, 143 sections were selected for analysis. Narrowband spectral densities on the sound pressures were computed, and one-third octave band levels were derived for center frequencies from 10 to 16,000 Hz. Broadband levels, viz. 10-20,000 Hz. were also computed. The results showed that the Sha Chau area is normally noisy underwater, with the lowest broadband levels measured corresponding to those expected during a storm at sea (sea state 6). This background noise is believed to come largely from heavy vessel traffic in the Urmston Road to the north and east of Sha Chau and from vessels in the Pearl River Estuary to the West. The sound levels from the AFRF tankers are comparable to the levels measured from similar- and smaller-sized supply vessels supporting offshore oil exploration. The strongest sounds recorded were from a tanker leaving the AFRF at distance 100 m from the hydrophone, for which the one-third octave band level at 100 Hz was 141 dB re 1 microPa (spectrum level 127 dB re 1 microPa2/Hz) and the 10-20,000 Hz broadband level was 146 dB. At distances of 100 m or more and frequencies above 300 Hz, the one-third octave band levels were less than 130 dB (spectrum level 111 dB re 1 microPa2/Hz) and decreased with increasing frequency and distance. At distances greater than about 500 m, AFRF-associated sounds were negligible, masked by the generally high noise level of the area and attenuated by poor transmission in the very shallow water (<10 m). Because it is believed that humpbacked dolphins and finless porpoises are not very sensitive to sounds below 300 Hz, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) stipulated that dedicated terminal vessels not radiate underwater sounds at spectrum levels greater than 110 dB re 1 microPa2/Hz at frequencies above 300 Hz and distances greater than 300 m. The spectrum levels at 300 Hz and higher frequencies of sounds from the tankers arriving, departing, or off-loading at AFRF were less than 110 dB re 1 microPa2/Hz even at distances of 200 m or less. The AA stipulation was met. However, it is presently unknown whether the generally strong noise levels of western Hong Kong inhibit acoustically based feeding and communication, or result in increased stress or permanent shifts in hearing thresholds.     

Organized bacterial assemblies in manganese nodules: evidence for a role of S-layers in metal deposition

Polymetallic/ferro-manganese nodules (Mn-nodules) reach sizes of up to 10 cm in diameter and are abundantly found on the seabed. To date, the origin of Mn-nodules remains unclear, and both abiogenic and biogenic origins have been proposed. In search of evidence for a contribution of microbial processes to the formation of Mn-nodules, we analyzed those spherical nodules which contain a concentrically banded texture in their interior. The Mn-nodules were collected at a depth of 5,152 m from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Our high-resolution scanning electron microscopy analyses reveal first published evidence that endolithic microorganisms exist and are arranged in a highly organized manner on plane mineral surfaces within the nodules. These microorganisms are adorned on their surfaces with S-layers, which are indicative for bacteria. Moreover, the data suggest that these S-layers are the crystallization seeds for the mineralization process. We conclude that the mineral material of the Mn-nodule has a biogenic origin, and hope that these data will contribute to the development of biotechnological approaches to concentrate metals from seawater using bacteria in bioreactors.