The atmospheric general circulation: Some unresolved issues

Several questions concerning the general circulation for which satisfactory answers are not yet available are discussed. The focus is on the zonal mean heat balance, since problems in our understanding of this balance are a fundamental limitation on our ability to model climate and climate change. The questions are: How strong is the atmosphere's poleward heat transport? What are the relative roles of large-scale eddies and small-scale convection in stabilizing the mid-latitude atmosphere? What are the dynamical mechanisms that maintain the time mean zonal mean state in mid-latitudes? Some suggestions for addressing these questions are given.     

苏北地区陆相中生界地层问题探讨

长期以来苏北地工陆相中生界地层问题突出,表现在对钻井地层划分对比上观点很不统一,对地层发育与分布的认识模糊不清。通过地层古生物、钻井地层划分对比研究,结合多方面最新资料和成果,对象山群的分布范围、葛村组的发育与分布、“黑浦口”的归属等问题,提出了新观点。     

Decrease in the clear air transmission at Helwan Observatory site

Clear air atmospheric transparency of eight nights at Helwan Observatory site during autumn period of 1987 have been determined using the yellow filter GG5. The prevailing atmospheric transmission extends to 58%. A comparison with previous values obtained with the same filter and site during autumn period of 1963 shows a considerable decrease at the present years in the clear air transmission of the site of Helwan. This can be attributed to the aerosol pollution of the site caused mainly by the increase of the industrial centers at Helwan Zone. Clear air atmospheric transparency values at the beginning of winter season and at spring season are also given.     

Palaeosecular Variation of the Geomagnetic Field in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska

Sequences of late Tertiary to Quaternary lava flows at six Aleutian Island sites were sampled for palaeosecular variation (PSV) measurement using palaeomagnetic methods. Due to limitations in probable time span represented by each sequence of flows and statistical constraints, data from only two sites are considered in themselves to be reliable indicators of PSV. When all the data are combined to give greater statistical significance, an angular standard deviation of palaeofield directions of = 10.8° is obtained. This is compatible with other Pacific Ocean PSV data and points to the persistence of the present secular variation low in this region at least into Quaternary time.     

A new photometricWBVR system

The new photometric systemWBVR was described. It is close toUBVR but is defined by strictly fixed response curves and the secondary standards distributed uniformly in the northern sky was construct. The magnitudes of these standards were coordinated to the self-consistent system. All standards were examined for a possible brightness variability.     

Quasiperiodic Jovian Radio bursts: observations from the Ulysses Radio and Plasma Wave Experiment

The Ulysses flyby of Jupiter has permitted the detection of a variety of quasiperiodic magnetospheric phenomena. In this paper, Unified Radio and Plasma Wave Experiment (URAP) observations of quasiperiodic radio bursts are presented. There appear to be two preferred periods of short-term variability in the Jovian magnetosphere, as indicated by two classes of bursts, one with 40 min periodicity, the other with 15 min periodicity. The URAP radio direction determination capability provides clear evidence that the 40 min bursts originate near the southern Jovian magnetic pole, whereas the source location of the 15 min bursts remains uncertain. These bursts may be the signatures of quasiperiodic electron acceleration in the Jovian magnetosphere; however, only the 40 min bursts occur in association with observed electron bursts of similar periodicity. Both classes of bursts show some evidence of solar wind control. In particular, the onset of enhanced 40 min burst activity is well correlated with the arrival of high-velocity solar wind streams at Jupiter, thereby providing a remote monitor of solar wind conditions at Jupiter.     

A comparison of type III solar radio burst theories using satellite radio observations and particle measurements

The required electron density to excite a type III solar burst can be predicted from different theories, using the low frequency radio observations of the RAE-1 satellite. Electron flux measurements by satellite in the vicinity of 1 AU then give an independent means of comparing these predicted exciter electron densities to the measured density. On this basis, one theory predicts the electron density in closest agreement with the measured values.NAS/NRC Postdoctoral Resident Research Associate.     

Detection of langmuir solitons: implications for type III burst emission mechanisms at 2ω PE

We present the experimental verification of existing theoretical models of emission mechanisms of solar type III bursts at the second harmonic of the plasma frequency, _pe . This study is based on the detection of Langmuir and envelope solitons by the Ulysses spacecraft inside three type III burst source regions. We show that the oscillating-two-stream instability, coherent radiation by Langmuir solitons and stochastic phase mixing of the Langmuir waves in the strong turbulence regime are the appropriate emission mechanisms at 2 _pe .     

国外大地电磁响应函数估计方法

从本质上来说,能否得到大地电磁响应函数的无偏估计,取决于实测电磁场时间序列中所含噪声的类型和强度。当磁场时间序列不含噪声且电场仅含不相关噪声时,单站ＲｏｂｕｓｔＬＳ方法是有效的;当磁场和电场时间序列同时含有不相关噪声时,Ｒｏｂｕｓｔ远参考方法也是有效的;但当磁场和电场时间序列含较强的相关噪声时,已有的方法已无能为力。文中在简要回顾大地电磁法的发展历史之后,对国外估计大地电磁响应函数的方法作了较全面的总结和评述,并着重介绍了几种值得关注的新方法。应该指出,受欢迎的方法必须兼顾估计的精度、稳定性和野外工作效率。     

A radiation-driven disc wind model for massive young stellar objects

The generation of magnetic fields by a battery, operating in an ion–electron plasma around a Kerr black hole, is studied in the 3+1 split of the Kerr metric. It is found that the gravitomagnetic contributions to the electron partial pressure are able to drive currents. The strength of the equilibrium magnetic field should be higher than for the classical Biermann battery, which is found to operate in this relativistic context as well, since the gravitomagnetic driving terms can less easily be quenched than the classical ones. In axisymmetry the battery can induce only toroidal magnetic fields. Once a toroidal magnetic field is present, however, the coupling of gravitomagnetic and electromagnetic fields generates a poloidal magnetic field even in axisymmetry. A rotating black hole, embedded in plasma, will therefore always generate toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields.