Radar and photometric observations and shape modeling of contact binary near-Earth Asteroid (8567) 1996 HW1

We observed near-Earth Asteroid (8567) 1996 HW1 at the Arecibo Observatory on six dates in September 2008, obtaining radar images and spectra. By combining these data with an extensive set of new lightcurves taken during 2008-2009 and with previously published lightcurves from 2005, we were able to reconstruct the object’s shape and spin state. 1996 HW1 is an elongated, bifurcated object with maximum diameters of 3.8 × 1.6 × 1.5 km and a contact-binary shape. It is the most bifurcated near-Earth asteroid yet studied and one of the most elongated as well. The sidereal rotation period is 8.76243 ± 0.00004 h and the pole direction is within 5° of ecliptic longitude and latitude (281°, −31°). Radar astrometry has reduced the orbital element uncertainties by 27% relative to the a priori orbit solution that was based on a half-century of optical data. Simple dynamical arguments are used to demonstrate that this asteroid could have originated as a binary system that tidally decayed and merged.     

Wide-band high linearity active dipole for low frequency radio astronomy

We have developed an active dipole that is intended for use in new generation low frequency array applications. The preamplifier of the active dipole has very high linearity (input IP2 = 70 dBm, input IP3 = 31 dBm) and low noise temperature (100?C360 K). The frequency dependence of the dipole impedance and the match between the dipole and preamplifier have been optimized to achieve Galactic noise limited operation. The ratio between the antenna temperature due to Galactic noise and the noise temperature of the preamplifier is 10 ± 1.5 dB over the whole 10 to 70 MHz range. The total cost of the active cross-dipole is 220 euro.     

Investigation of non-linear site amplification at two downhole strong ground motion arrays in Taiwan

Non-linear seismic response of soil is studied by comparing the spectral ratios of surface to downhole horizontal accelerations on weak and strong motion. Data from two boreholes are analysed. One is drilled in the alluvial deposits in the south–west quadrant of the SMART 1 array. The second one penetrates Pleistocene terrace deposits in the northern part of the SMART2 array. Observed weak and strong motion spectral ratios are compared with the theoretical ones predicted by the geotechnical soil model which postulates a hysteretic constitutive law. A significant non-linear response is found at the first site for the events with surface peak acceleration exceeding roughly 0–15g. Deamplification of the strong motion occurred in the frequency range from approximately 1 to 10 Hz. The maximum observed difference between the average weak and strong motion amplification functions of an 11 m-thick near-surface stratum is a factor of 2–3. Nonlinear response characteristics are in qualitative agreement with the model. An additional corollary is that the amplification function calculated from the shear wave coda is equivalent to the average amplification calculated over the ensemble of small earthquakes. No statistically significant non-linear response is detected on the second array, that is tentatively accounted for by the stiffer soil conditions and weaker accelerations achieved at the SMART2 site. The results indicate that the non-linear amplification can be detectable at certain soil conditions above a threshold acceleration level.     

Neue Vorstellungen über den Tiefbau von Vorsenken

Zusammenfassung Der geologische Tiefenbau und die Entwicklungsgeschichte der Kopetdag-, Terek-Kaspi-, Indol-Kuban- und Karpaten-Vorsenke sind ähnlich. Es zeigt sich, daß die genannten Vorsenken keine Zonen kurzzeitiger Durchbiegungen sind, die sich in der orogenen Schlußentwicklungsetappe des alpidischen Faltengebietes gebildet haben, sondern daß sie langlebige negative Strukturen darstellen. Die Intensität ihrer Durchbiegung zu Beginn des alpidischen geotektonischen Zyklus (in der Jura und Kreidezeit) ist mit der Größe der Absenkung im Neogen-Quartär vergleichbar. Im Verlaufe des gesamten alpidischen Zyklus entwickelten sich die Senken posthum.Überall dort, wo notwendige geophysikalische Untersuchungen durchgeführt wurden, wurde unter diesen Senken unterhalb eines mächtigen alpidischen Gesteinskomplexes ein genauso mächtiger Sedimentkomplex variszischen Alters festgestellt. Territorial fallen die Zonen der maximalen Mächtigkeiten des variszischen und alpidischen Gesteinskomplexes zusammen.

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Structure and development of the Pre-Copetdag, Terek-Caspian, Indol-Kuban, and Pre-Carpathian fore deeps are similar. The fore deeps were not zones of short term subsidence during the final stage of orogenic development of the Alpine folded belt, but they were long term subsidence zones. The rates of subsidence at the beginning of the Alpine geotectonic cycle (during Jurassic and Cretaceous) and at the end of the cycle (during Neogene and Quaternary) are comparable.Wherever geophysical investigations were carried out in this zone, beneath the Alpine sediments a Hercynian sediment complex of equal thickness was found. The areas of maximum thickness in both complexes coincide.

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Résumé La structure géologique et le développement historique des avant-fosses de Copetdag, Terek-Caspienne, Indol-Kouban et des Carpates sont semblables. Il appert que ces dépressions ne sont pas des zones d'inflexion de courte durée qui se sont formées pendant l'étape finale du plissement alpin, mais qu'ils présentent des structures négatives de longue durée. L'intensité de leur affaissement au commencement du cycle géotectonique alpin (au Jurassique et au Crétacé) est comparable, en grandeur, avec celui de la période néogène-quaternaire. Au cours de l'ensemble du cycle alpin, les dépressions se sont développées de façon posthume.Partout où ont eu lieu des explorations géophysiques, nous avons découvert sous ces avant-fosses, un épais complexe de roches alpines, et sous elles un complexe aussi puissant de sédiments varisques. Spatialement les zones des puissances maximum des complexes alpins et varisques coïncident.

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Lead Induces Different Responses of Two Subpopulations of Phagocytes in the Holothurian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eupentacta fraudatrix</Emphasis>

In view of increasing lead pollution (Pb²⁺) of coastal waters, the compensatory abilities of holothurians need to be assessed. The goal of the work is to clarify the functional and phenotypical differences between two types of phagocytes (P1 and P2) in Eupentacta fraudatrix exposed to Pb(NO₃)₂. It has been shown that 2 mg L^?1 lead exposure for 48 h increases the number of P2 phagocytes as compared to P1 cells, does not significantly affect cell viability in both P1 and P2 phagocyte fractions, and significantly enhances chromatin condensation in P2 but not in P1 phagocytes. A lead concentration of 4 mg L^?1 increases the number of P1 phagocytes compared to that of P2 type, and does not change cell viability and chromatin condensation in P1 phagocytes. In the P2 type, it decreases cell viability and does not influence the level of apoptosis. The protection against lead-induced apoptosis is apparently mediated by the activities of antioxidant enzymes, especially glutathione S-transferase. The differences in labeling cell surface receptors of P1 and P2 phagocytes by plant lectins also indicate the specific phenotypic properties of these cells. The results clarify the potential and GSH-dependent mechanisms of immune adaptation in holothurians that have been shortly exposed to lead at concentrations close to the maximum environmentally relevant level in coastal waters. Additionally, P1 and P2 phagocytes are first shown to have different functions and phenotypes during the response to lead, which indicates the complexity of the phagocytic system in holothurians and contributes to understanding the immunity evolution.     

Photometric Evolution of the Orbital Light Curves of the Slow Nova V723 Cas

UBVRI photoelectric and CCD photometry of the slow nova V723 Cas obtained in the years 1995–2003 is presented. The evolution of light curves in 1-year intervals, folded with the orbital period 0.69326 days, shows an increase of the amplitude of the wave-like variations from 0.07 to 1.3 mag during the years 1997–2003. The fact that the shape and amplitude of the orbital light curves does not depend on wavelength is most probably related to the geometry of eclipses combined with the distribution of circumstellar matter in the system.     

Accretion Flows: Aspects of Gas Dynamic Modeling

We present our view on the application of numerical models to accretion flows in astrophysics. Special attention is paid to the problem of existence of steady-state solutions in time-dependent calculations and to origin of numerically induced instabilities. The problem is considered of the supersonic wind accretion onto gravitating objects. We also present the results of the gas dynamic simulation of accretion on a body imitating the shape of the star magnetosphere with holes in its polar regions. This shape can occur as a result of the cusp disintegration owing to theRayleigh–Taylor instability in the equatorial region of the magnetosphere. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Exact distributions for apparent waves in irregular seas

We discuss the long-run distributions of several characteristics for the apparent waves in a Gaussian sea. Three types of one-dimensional wave records are considered: 1) the seaway in time at a fixed position; 2) the instantaneous profile along a horizontal line; 3) the encountered seaway. Exact integral forms of the joint long run distributions are derived for the apparent periods, lengths, and heights. Results of numerical approximations of these distributions are presented in examples. For the computations we considered, as the input spectra, empirical estimates of the frequency spectra as well as JONSWAP type spectra. Effective algorithms are discussed and utilized in the form of a comprehensive computer package of numerical routines.