Variation of Emission Line Width in Mid- and High-Latitude Corona

Spectroscopic studies of the solar corona, using the high spatial and spectral resolution 25-cm coronagraph at the Norikura Solar Observatory for equatorial off-limb observations, indicated that the variation of radiance and line width with height is different for different temperature lines. The line width of the forbidden red emission line [Fe x] 6374 Å was found to increase with height, and that of the green emission line [Fe xiv] 5303 Å decreased with height. This had been interpreted in terms of the interaction between different temperature plasmas but needed to be confirmed. Further observations were made on several days during 2004, in two emission lines simultaneously covering the mid-latitude and polar regions to investigate the existence of the observed variation in other parts of the solar corona. In this study, we have analysed several raster scans that cover mid- and high-latitude regions of the off-limb corona in all four bright emission lines [Fe x] 6374 Å, [Fe xi] 7892 Å, [Fe xiii] 10747 Å, and [Fe xiv] 5303 Å. We find that the FWHM of the red line increases with height and that of the green line decreases with height, similar to the observations in the equatorial regions. The line widths are higher in the polar regions for all of the observed emission lines except the green line. Higher values of FWHM in polar regions may imply higher non-thermal velocities, which could be further linked to a non-thermal source powering the solar-wind acceleration, but the reason for the behaviour of the green emission line remains to be explored.     

Dynamics of Coronal Bright Points as Seen by Sun Watcher Using Active Pixel System Detector and Image Processing (SWAP), Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), and Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI)

The Sun Watcher using Active Pixel system detector and Image Processing (SWAP) onboard the PRoject for OnBoard Autonomy-2 (PROBA2) spacecraft provides images of the solar corona in EUV channel centered at 174 Å. These data, together with the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), are used to study the dynamics of coronal bright points. The evolution of the magnetic polarities and associated changes in morphology are studied using magnetograms and multi-wavelength imaging. The morphology of the bright points seen in low-resolution SWAP images and high-resolution AIA images show different structures, whereas the intensity variations with time show similar trends in both SWAP 174 Å and AIA 171 Å channels. We observe that bright points are seen in EUV channels corresponding to a magnetic flux of the order of 10¹⁸ Mx. We find that there exists a good correlation between total emission from the bright point in several UV–EUV channels and total unsigned photospheric magnetic flux above certain thresholds. The bright points also show periodic brightenings, and we have attempted to find the oscillation periods in bright points and their connection to magnetic-flux changes. The observed periods are generally long (10?–?25 minutes) and there is an indication that the intensity oscillations may be generated by repeated magnetic reconnection.     

Bianchi type V universe with bulk viscous matter and time varying gravitational and cosmological constants

We consider spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Bianchi type V space- time with a bulk viscous fluid source, and time varying gravitational constant G and cosmological term Λ. The coefficient of bulk viscosity ζ is assumed to be a simple linear function of the Hubble parameter H (i.e. ζ = ζ 0 + ζ 1 H , where ζ 0 and ζ 1 are constants). The Einstein field equations are solved explicitly by using a law of variation for the Hubble parameter, which yields a constant value of the deceleration parameter. Physical and kinematical parameters of the models are discussed. The models are found to be compatible with the results of astronomical observations.     

Temperature distribution of viscous incompressible flow along an infinite flat plate with variable suction

Unsteady two-dimensional flow of an incompressible viscous fluid along an infinite flat plate is considered. The free-stream velocity follows the exponentially increasing small perturbation law. The suction of the plate is variable.     

Extremal charged black holes,dark matter and dark energy

Formation of black holes may be constrained by intrinsic parameters characterizing them such as electric charge. Here we discuss the effects of a relatively minute excess of charge on extremal black hole formation and the horizon. We extend the implications of this argument to the formation of primordial black holes (PBH) in the early universe which gives a possible reason for the lack of detection of Hawking radiation. These charge limits also apply to dark matter (DM) particles that may form PHBs in the early universe. The constraint thus obtained on the electric charge of DM particles could also account for the required magnitude of the repulsive dark energy (DE) currently causing an accelerated universe which provides a possible unified picture of DM and DE.     

Optical design of visible emission line coronagraph on Indian space solar mission Aditya-L1

The ground based observations of the coronal emission lines using a coronagraph are affected by the short duration of clear sky and varying sky transparency. These conditions do not permit to study small amplitude variations in the coronal emission reliably necessary to investigate the process or processes involved in heating the coronal plasma and dynamics of solar corona. The proposed Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) over comes these limitations and will provide continuous observation 24 h a day needed for detailed studies of solar corona and drivers for space weather predictions. VELC payload onboard India’s Aditya-L1 space mission is an internally occulted solar coronagraph for studying the temperature, velocity, density and heating of solar corona. To achieve the proposed science goals, an instrument which is capable of carrying out simultaneous imaging, spectroscopy and spectro-polarimetric observations of the solar corona close to the solar limb is required. VELC is designed with salient features of (a) Imaging solar corona at 500 nm with an angular resolution of 5 arcsec over a FOV of 1.05Ro to 3Ro (Ro:Solar radius) (b) Simultaneous multi-slit spectroscopy at 530.3 nm [Fe XIV],789.2 nm [Fe XI] and 1074.7 nm [Fe XIII] with spectral dispersion of 28mÅ, 31mÅ and 202mÅ per pixel respectively, over a FOV of 1.05Ro to 1.5Ro. (c) Multi-slit dual beam spectro-polarimetry at 1074.7 nm. All the components of instrument have been optimized in view of the scientific objectives and requirements of space payloads. In this paper we present the details of optical configuration and the expected performance of the payload.     

Pullout behavior of suction anchors in soft marine clays

In the field of ocean engineering, a beginning has been made in the use of large‐sized suction anchors for safe anchoring of large compliant structures. Suction anchors derive most of their uplift resistance from passive suction developed during the pullout movement. This article describes a set of laboratory tests on model suction anchors of three different embedment ratios to estimate the pullout behavior of suction anchors in soft clays typical of Indian marine clays. Tests were conducted on model anchors installed in soil beds prepared at four different consistencies in a test tank. This study shows the influence of soil consistency and embedment ratio (L/D) on the pullout behavior of suction anchors and on the variation of suction pressure at the top of the soil plug. The test results reveal that the behavior of suction anchors is much better than the behavior of open‐ended anchors from the considerations of both capacity and deformation. The consistent development of suction inside the anchor top confirms the plug formation and significant breakout resistance in the form of suction‐induced reversed end bearing. The results are further analyzed in terms of suction breakout factors. Further, the effect of burial depth of suction anchor on pullout behavior is shown.     

Geochemical constraints on cumulate textured Ti-rich Al-depleted Komatiites from Chotanagpur Gneissic Complex,Eastern India

For the first time occurrence of Ti rich Al depleted ultramafic cumulates having komatiitic signature in the northwestern fringe of Chotanagpur Gneissic Complex is presented. These rocks exhibit intrusive relationship with metasedimentary rocks and metaultramafites. Geochemically they are characterized by Mg# 79.1–91.60, high TiO₂ (1.29–1.54 wt%), significantly low Al₂O₃/TiO₂ and (Gd/Yb)_n >1. Major oxides, trace and REE content suggest low degree of fractional crystallization and lesser degree of partial melting. These Al depleted komatiites are characterized by high concentration of incompatible elements than most suites of Barberton type komatiites. High Ti content suggests less degree of majorite garnet melting, leaving behind garnet in the restite. The rock shows higher Ti/Sc (190),Ti/V (22), Zr/Y (3), Zr/Sc (4), V/Sc (8), Zr/Sm (28) and Zr/Hf (47) ratios than primitive mantle and REE distribution pattern shows gentle slope from LREE to HREE in most samples pointing towards mantle metasomatism and crustal contamination during emplacement. The observed chemical characteristics indicate derivation of komatiite from an enriched mantle source and represent plume activity in an extensional tectonic regime of intracratonic setting.     

Crop yield estimation model for Iowa using remote sensing and surface parameters

Numerous efforts have been made to develop various indices using remote sensing data such as normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), vegetation condition index (VCI) and temperature condition index (TCI) for mapping and monitoring of drought and assessment of vegetation health and productivity. NDVI, soil moisture, surface temperature and rainfall are valuable sources of information for the estimation and prediction of crop conditions. In the present paper, we have considered NDVI, soil moisture, surface temperature and rainfall data of Iowa state, US, for 19 years for crop yield assessment and prediction using piecewise linear regression method with breakpoint. Crop production environment consists of inherent sources of heterogeneity and their non-linear behavior. A non-linear Quasi-Newton multi-variate optimization method is utilized, which reasonably minimizes inconsistency and errors in yield prediction.