A comprehensive photometric study of the Algol-type eclipsing binary: BG Pegasi

This study presents new photometric observations of classical Algol type binary BG Peg with a δ Scuti component. The light curve modeling was provided with the physical parameters of the component stars in the BG Peg system for the first time. After modeling light curves in B and V filters, the eclipse and proximity effects were removed from the light curve to analyze intrinsic variations caused by the hotter component of the system. Frequency analysis of the residuals light represents the multi-mode pulsation of the more massive component of the BG Peg system at periods of 0.039 and 0.047 days. Two frequencies could be associated with non-radial (l = 2) modes. The total amplitude of the pulsational variability in the V light curve was found to be about 0.045 mag. The long-term orbital period variation of the system was also investigated for the first time. The O–C analysis indicates periodic variation superimposed on a downward parabola. The secular period variation means that the orbital period of the system is decreasing at a rate of ?5.5 seconds per century, probably due to the magnetic activity of the cooler component. The tilted sinusoidal O–C variation may be caused by the gravitational effect of an unseen component around the system.     

Breakup of moving clusters in the galactic disk

Numerical simulations are used to analyze the breakup of moving groups in the Galactic disk through the internal velocity dispersion of the group components and the tidal effect of the external regular gravitational Galactic field and giant molecular clouds. The initial locations of the group centroids correspond to well-known moving streams: the Hyades, the Pleiades, the Ursa Major cluster, and the group HR 1614. The mean group breakup times have been found as a function of the adopted limiting group size. The interactions of stream stars with giant molecular clouds reduce significantly the group lifetime.     

Calibration/Data Assimilation Approach for Integrating GRACE Data into the WaterGAP Global Hydrology Model (WGHM) Using an Ensemble Kalman Filter: First Results

We introduce a new ensemble-based Kalman filter approach to assimilate GRACE satellite gravity data into the WaterGAP Global Hydrology Model. The approach (1) enables the use of the spatial resolution provided by GRACE by including the satellite observations as a gridded data product, (2) accounts for the complex spatial GRACE error correlation pattern by rigorous error propagation from the monthly GRACE solutions, and (3) allows us to integrate model parameter calibration and data assimilation within a unified framework. We investigate the formal contribution of GRACE observations to the Kalman filter update by analysis of the Kalman gain matrix. We then present first model runs, calibrated via data assimilation, for two different experiments: the first one assimilates GRACE basin averages of total water storage and the second one introduces gridded GRACE data at \(5^\circ\) resolution into the assimilation. We finally validate the assimilated model by running it in free mode (i.e., without adding any further GRACE information) for a period of 3 years following the assimilation phase and comparing the results to the GRACE observations available for this period.     

Modelling a storm surge under future climate scenarios: case study of extratropical cyclone Gudrun (2005)

Weather Research and Forecasting atmosphere model and Finite Volume Community Ocean Model were for the first time used under the pseudo-climate simulation approach, to study the parameters of an extreme storm in the Baltic Sea area. We reconstructed the met-ocean conditions during the historical storm Gudrun (which caused a record-high +275 cm surge in Pärnu Bay on 9 January 2005) and simulated the future equivalent of Gudrun by modifying the background conditions using monthly mean value differences in sea surface temperature (SST), atmospheric air temperature and relative humidity from MIROC5 in accordance with the IPCC scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 for 2050 and 2100. The simulated storm route and storm surge parameters were in good accordance with the observed ones. Despite expecting the continuation of recently observed intensification of cyclonic activity in winter months, our numerical simulations showed that intensity of the strongest storms and storm surges in the Baltic Sea might not increase by the end of twenty-first century. Unlike tropical cyclones, which derive their energy from the increasing SST, the extratropical cyclones (ETCs) harvest their primary energy from the thermal differences on the sides of the polar front, which may decrease if the Arctic warms up. For climatological generalizations on future ETCs, however, it is necessary to re-calculate a larger number of storms, including those with different tracks and in different thermal conditions.     

Encounters of the Sun with nearby stars in the past and future

The relative space motions of the Sun and nearby stars are considered. The coordinates and velocities of the stars are taken from the Catalogue of Nearby Stars by Gliese and Jahreiss (1991). The minimum space separation between the Sun and every star as well as the corresponding moment of time are calculated by two ways. Firstly, the straight line motions are considered. Secondly, the effect of the Galaxy potential is taken into account. The Galaxy model proposed by Kutuzov and Ossipkov (1989) is used. Twenty five stars approaching the Sun closer than two parsecs are selected. The effects of the uncertainties in the observational data are studied. The influence of the encounters to the Oort cloud is discussed.     

Absolute gravity determination with JILAG-3 — improved data evaluation and instrumental technics

In addition to the on-line data evaluation during the measurements with the absolute gravity meter JILAG-3, a subsequently more intensive examination of the measured time/distance data pairs is performed. This allows an additional assessment of the gravity results, the station quality and the measurement conditions. Sinusoidal disturbances in the raw data deteriorate the determination of gravity. Incoming microseisms affect the mean result of the free-fall experiments randomly after a large number of measurements. Instrumental vibrations of the gravity meter during the measurement procedure may influence the gravity result systematically. A station comparison indicates that a 30 Hz frequency is triggered by JILAG-3 itself and influences the measurements depending on the stability of the foundation. Using a mathematical filter it is possible to separate the deteriorations from the gravity acceleration. Up to now an improvement in the absolute accuracy of gravity after filtering could not be proved, but an increase of the precision is indicated.     

Anwendung einfacher Konservierungsverfahren für Wasseruntersuchungen

Samples taken from the influent and effluent of a biological wastewater treatment plant were immediately analysed and investigated at different intervals within four weeks after sampling. They were stored in the dark at 277 and 293 K and at pH 2 and pH 12 each. None of the measures resulted in a correct stabilization or preservation of the samples: orthophosphate cannot be stabilized by any measure, the total phosphate needs not be stabilized, the COD gives values which are still useful only at pH 2 and 277 K, TOC and DOC do not show useful results with none of the applied techniques, equally insufficient are the results for ammonium- and nitrate-ions. In addition, differences occur in the behaviour of the samples taken from the influent and effluent. In agreement with the results published in the literature, the chemical analysis has to be carried out within 6 h after sampling.