ASCA Observation of the Quiescent X-Ray Counterpart to SGR 1627-41

We present a 2-10 keV ASCA observation of the field around the soft gamma repeater SGR 1627-41. A quiescent X-ray source, whose position is consistent both with that of a recently discovered BeppoSAX X-ray source and with the Interplanetary Network localization for this soft gamma repeater, was detected in this observation. In 2-10 keV X-rays, the spectrum of the X-ray source may be fit equally well by a power-law, blackbody, or bremsstrahlung function, with unabsorbed flux approximately 5x10-12 ergs cm-2 s-1. We do not confirm a continuation of a fading trend in the flux, and we find no evidence for periodicity, both of which were noted in the earlier BeppoSAX observations.     

Effects of climate change on coastal fresh groundwater resources

This study evaluates the impacts of climate change on fresh groundwater resources specifically salinity intrusion in water resources stressed coastal aquifers. Our assessment used the Hadley Centre climate model, HadCM3 with high and low emission scenarios (SRES A2 and B2) for years 2000–2099. In both scenarios, the annual fresh groundwater resources losses indicate an increasing long-term trend in all stressed areas, except in the northern Africa/Sahara region. We also found that precipitation and temperature individually did not show good correlations with fresh groundwater loss. However, the relationship between the aridity index and fresh groundwater loss exhibited a strong negative correlation. We also discuss the impacts of loss of fresh groundwater resources on socio-economic activities, mainly population growth and per capita fresh groundwater resources.     

Mechanism and tectonic implications of the great Banda Sea earthquake of November 4, 1963

The Banda Sea earthquake of November 4, 1963 (h = 100 km, m_B = 7.8) is probably one of the largest intermediate-depth shocks to have occurred worldwide this century. The mechanism of this earthquake is studied in detail on the basis of P-wave first motion, surface wave and aftershock data. From the analysis of long-period multiple surface waves, a seismic moment of 3.1 × 10²⁸ dyn-cm is obtained, which is the largest reported so far for any intermediate or deep focus shock. This value, together with the estimated fault area of 90 × 70 km², gives an average dislocation of 7.0 m and a stress drop of 120 bar. This event represents an oblique thrust movement on a plane with dip direction N170°E, dip 48° and rake 52°. A geometrical consideration for the fault plane and the configuration of the inclined seismic zone beneath the Banda arc suggests, almost definitely, that the large-scale faulting took place within the subducted plate and offset it. Further repetition of such large-scale faulting might eventually break the subducted plate. The 1963 Banda Sea earthquake thus represents a seismological manifestation of the large-scale deformation of the subducted plate in the mantle.     

Deep-circulation current through the Main Gap of the Emperor Seamounts Chain in the North Pacific

The deep-circulation current in the North Pacific carries lower circumpolar deep water (LCDW), which is characterized by high dissolved oxygen and low echo intensity of reflected sound pulses. Using the characteristics of LCDW, we examined a branch current of the deep circulation passing through the Main Gap of the Emperor Seamounts Chain (ESC) by analyzing conductivity temperature depth profiler (CTD) data and data of velocity and echo intensity from a lowered acoustic Doppler current profiler (LADCP), which were obtained along 170°E immediately west of the ESC, along 180°W and 175°W over the northern slope of the Hess Rise, and along 165°W. The velocity and water characteristics showed that the eastern branch current of the deep circulation, which has penetrated into the Northwest Pacific Basin (NWPB) through Wake Island Passage, bifurcates around 30°N, 170°E in the NWPB into the westward main stream and a northward branch current, and that the latter current proceeds along the western side of the ESC and passes through the Main Gap of the ESC, flowing eastward. The current in the Main Gap at 170°E flows southeastward with eastward velocity cores around 4000 dbar and at depths greater than 4800 dbar centered at 5400 dbar. The current in the deeper core is stronger and reaches a maximum velocity of approximately 10 cm s^?1. The eastward current in the Main Gap enters the Northeast Pacific Basin (NEPB) and flows eastward along the northern slope of the Hess Rise. As the current flows downstream, the characteristics of LCDW carried by the current are diluted gradually. To the east of the Hess Rise, the branch current joins another branch current of the deep circulation from the south carrying less-modified LCDW. As a result, LCDW carried from the Main Gap is renewed by mixing with the less-modified LCDW coming from the south. Carrying the mixed LCDW, the confluence flows eastward south of 37°N at 165°W toward the northeastern region of the NEPB, where the LCDW overturns and changes to North Pacific Deep Water (NPDW). NPDW is probably carried by the westward current in the upper deep layer north of 37°N at 165°W.     

A possible explanation of photon emission from supernova remnants by jitter radiation

We investigate a possibility that non-thermal X-ray emission in a supernova remnant(SNR) is produced by jitter radiation, which is the analogue of synchrotron radiation in small-scale random magnetic fields. We can fit the multi-wavelength data of SNRs RX J1713.7-3946 (G347.3-0.5) and RX J0852.0-4622 (G266.6-1.2) by constructing pure jitter and inverse Compton (IC) emission models. We find that the physical fit parameters of random magnetic fields take values of several tens of μG strength and of the order of ∼10⁷ cm correlation length. These properties of random magnetic fields in collisionless shock of SNRs are discussed.      

Numerical studies on the structure of the cosmic ray electron halo in starburst galaxies

The structure of the cosmic ray electron halo of a starburst galaxy depends strongly on the nature of galactic wind and the configuration of the magnetic field. We have investigated these dependencies by solving numerically the propagation of electrons originating in starburst galaxies, most likely in supernova remnants. The calculations are made for several models for the galactic winds and for the configuration of the magnetic fields for comparison with observations. Our simulation of a quasi-radio halo reproduces both the extended structure of ∼9 kpc and the subtle hollow structure near the polar region of the radio halo that are observed in the starburst galaxy NGC 253. These findings suggest the existence of strong galactic wind in NGC 253.