PSF-fitting techniques for crowded field 3D spectroscopy

From a historical point of view, it was only through the advent of the CCD as a linear, high dynamic range panoramic detector that it became possible to overcome the source confusion problem for stellar photometry, e.g., in star clusters or nearby galaxies. The ability of accurately sampling the point-spread-function (PSF) in two dimensions and to use it as a template for fitting severely overlapping stellar images is of fundamental importance for crowded-field photometry, and has thus become the foundation for the determination of accurate color-magnitude diagrams of globular clusters and the study of resolved stellar populations in nearby galaxies. Analogous to CCDs, the introduction of integral field spectrographs has opened a new avenue for crowded-field 3D spectroscopy, which benefits in the same way from PSF-fitting techniques as CCD photometry does. This paper presents first experience with sampling the PSF in 3D spectroscopy, reviews the effects of atmospheric refraction, discusses background subtraction problems, and presents several science applications as obtained from observations with the PMAS instrument at Calar Alto Observatory.     

Titan's surface at 2.2-cm wavelength imaged by the Cassini RADAR radiometer: Calibration and first results

The first comprehensive calibration and mapping of the thermal microwave emission from Titan's surface is reported based on radiometric data obtained at 2.2-cm wavelength by the passive radiometer included in the Cassini Radar instrument. The data reported were accumulated from 69 separate observational segments in Titan passes from Ta (October 2004) through T30 (May 2007) and include emission from 94% of Titan's surface. They are diverse in the key observing parameters of emission angle, polarization, and spatial resolution, and their reduction into calibrated global mosaic maps involved several steps. Analysis of the polarimetry obtained at low to moderate resolution (50+ km) enabled integration of the radiometry into a single mosaic of the equivalent brightness temperature at normal incidence with a relative precision of about 1 K. The Huygens probe measurement of Titan's surface temperature and radiometry obtained on Titan's dune fields allowed us to infer an absolute calibration estimated to be accurate to a level approaching 1 K. The results provide evidence for a surface that is complex and varied on large scales. The radiometry primarily constrains physical properties of the surface, where we see strong evidence for subsurface (volume) scattering as a dominant mechanism that determines the emissivity, with the possibility of a fluffy or graded-density surface layer in many regions. The results are consistent with, but not necessarily definitive of a surface composition resulting from the slow deposition and processing of organic compounds from the atmosphere.     

The politics of greening unceded lands in the settler city

ABSTRACT

Urban greening is a buzz term in urban policy and research settings in Australia and elsewhere. In a context of settler colonial urbanism, like Australia, a first fact becomes clear: urban greening is always being practiced on unceded Indigenous lands. Recognising this requires some honest reckoning with how this latest urban policy response perpetuates dispossessory settler-colonial structures. In this paper, we listen to the place-based ontologies of the peoples and lands from where we write to inform understanding the city as an always already Indigenous place – a sovereign Aboriginal City. In so doing, the paper tries to practice a way of creating more truthful and response-able urban knowledge practices. We analyse three distinct areas of scholarly research that are present in the contemporary literature: urban greening and green infrastructure; urban political ecology; and more-than-human cities. When placed in relationship of learning with the sovereign Aboriginal City, our analysis finds that these scholarly domains of urban greening work to re-organise colonial power relations. The paper considers what work the practice and scholarship of ‘urban greening’ might need to do in order to become response-able and learn to learn with Indigenous sovereignties and ontologies.     

Tremblements de terre et anomalies magnétiques

Résumé On a déjà souvent signalé que le champ magné ique terrestre s'est trouvé modifié de fa?on durable à la suile de mouvements séismiques. L'auteur rappelle plusieurs exemples récents d'anomalies magnétiques mesurées au Japon à la suite d'importants séismes (Kato). L'anomalie magnélique duBassin de Paris se déforme dans le temps en liaison possible avec des déplacements magmatiques et une activité séismique avortée. Le séisme du 11 juin 1938 en Belgique montre d'intéressants rapports avec l'anomalie magnétique belge. Les cartes isoporiques mondiales présentent des relations avec les cartes de séismicité (Omer). L'auteur pense que séismes et déformations du champ magnétique terrestre sont plus ou moins étroitement liés et que peut être une réaction atomiqueen chaine peut expliquer les séismes orogéniques et leurs répliques.

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Summary It was yet often noted that the earth's magnetic field has been steadily modified on the result of seismic earth movements. The author cites many recent examples of magnetic anomalies measured in Japan after major earthquakes (Kato). The ?Bassin de Paris?'s magnetic anomaly is modified during a certain time in a possible connection with magmatic removals and with some seismic activity. The earthquake of June 11 th., 1938 in Belgium shows some very interesting connections with the belgian magnetic anomaly. Suggestive relationships are noted between changes in the earth's secular magnetic field and areas of seismicity (Omer). The author thinks that the earthquakes and the deformations of the earth's magnetic field are more or less closely connected one with another, and it may perhaps be that the atomic energy (chain reactions) may explain some orogenic earthquakes and their aftershocks.

     

Konstruktive und thermodynamische Eigenschaften des Piche-Evaporimeters

Zusammenfassung Im ersten Teil der Arbeit werden der Einfluß von Temperaturänderungen auf die Anzeige des Piche-Evaporimeters und der Einfluß des Lochdurchmessers im Filterpapier auf den Unterdruck im Rohr untersucht. In beiden Fällen ergibt sich eine sehr gute Übereinstimmung zwischen dem experimentellen Ergebnis und entsprechenden theoretischen Überlegungen.Messungen der Verdunstung des Piche-Evaporimeters, bei denen die Strahlung durch eine äquivalente elektrische Heizung des Filterpapiers ersetzt wurde, erlauben zusammen mit den Messungen der übrigen für die Verdunstung maßgebenden Parameter die Bestimmung der Wärmeübergangszahl des Filterpapierblättchens des Piche-Evaporimeters als Funktion der Windgeschwindigkeit. Das dabei gefundene Potenzgesetz, welches weitgehend den aus der Literatur bekannten Formeln für die Wärmeübergangszahl folgt, ermöglicht es, die Verdunstung und die Mitteltemperatur des Filterpapiers des Piche-Evaporimeters mit Hilfe der vonG. Hofmann angegebenen Formeln und der in ihnen auftretenden meteorologischen Parameter (Lufttemperatur, Windgeschwindigkeit, Strahlungsbilanz, relative Luftfeuchtigkeit) zu errechnen. Auch hier ergibt sich eine sehr gute Übereinstimmung der berechneten Werte mit den gemessenen, so daß die Abhängigkeit der Meßwerte eines Piche-Evaporimeters von den für dessen Anzeige maßgebenden Parametern hinreichend geklärt erscheint.

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Summary First are investigated the effect of temperature variations on the readings of a Piche evaporimeter, and the effect of the size of the hole pierced into the filter paper on the underpressure within the tube. In both cases good agreement is found between experimental results and theoretical considerations.The heat transfer coefficient of the filter paper as a function of wind velocity was ascertained by observing evaporation and the pertinent parameters; radiation, however, was replaced by an equivalent electric heating of the filter paper. The relationship follows a power law and corresponds largely with other formulae given in the literature. By applyingG. Hofmann's formulae (containing air temperature, wind velocity, net radiation, and relative humidity) the relationship can be used to calculate the mean temperature of the filter paper and the amount of evaporation. The agreement between calculated and observed results is very good. It seems, therefore, that the relationship between the Piche evaporimeter readings and the meteorological parameters governing its reactions is sufficiently clarified.

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Résumé On étudie tout d'abord l'influence des variations de température sur les indications de l'évaporimètre de Piche, ainsi que l'effet du diamètre du trou du papier-filtre sur la dépression du tube. Dans les deux cas la théorie et l'expérience sont parfaitement d'accord.En mesurant ensuite l'évaporation de l'instrument exposé à un chauffage électrique équivalent à la radiation et en tenant compte des autres paramètres, on peut déterminer le coefficient de transfert de chaleur du filtre en fonction de la vitesse du vent. La loi exponentielle trouvée qui correspond bien aux formules connues pour le transfert de chaleur, permet alors de calculer l'évaporation et la température moyenne du filtre à l'aide des formules données parG. Hofmann et des paramètres météorologiques (température de l'air, vitesse du vent, bilan radiatif, humidité relative). Là aussi, l'accord entre la théorie et l'expérience est très satisfaisant, ce qui établit convenablement et de façon suffisante le lien entre les indications de l'évaporimètre de Piche et les conditions d'expérience.

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Mit 10 TextabbildungenTeil einer Diplomarbeit für Meteorologie an der Universität München (1959).     

Factors that contributed to recent eutrophication of two Slovenian mountain lakes

Increased eutrophication was recently observed in the 5th (5J) and 6th (6J) Triglav Lakes, two remote Slovenian mountain lakes. Sediment phosphorus (P) pools were analysed and potential external P sources affecting the lakes (atmospheric deposition, terrestrial export and nearby hut) evaluated, to assess the effects of internal and external changes on the lakes. A sequential extraction procedure was used to quantify five P fractions from the sediments: adsorbed (NH₄Cl–P), redox-sensitive (BD–P), aluminium- (NaOH–P) and calcium- (HCl–P) bound, and refractory organic (Res–P) P. Total phosphorus (TP) contents in surface sediment of 5J and 6J were 1430 and 641 µg P g^?1 dry weight sediment (dw), respectively. TP varied with depth in 5J sediments, but displayed no discernible pattern, whereas it decreased steadily downcore in 6J. Contents of all P forms were distinctly higher in 5J than 6J, but their rank order and relative abundances were similar in the two lakes. Res–P was the most abundant P fraction, followed by HCl–P. Together, the two P forms accounted for nearly 80 and 90% of TP in 5J and 6J sediments, respectively. BD–P and NaOH–P were less abundant, with each fraction accounting for 3 to 9% of TP, whereas NH₄Cl–P was least abundant. Atmospheric deposition and terrestrial export were substantial sources of P for the lakes. Delivery of the former was estimated to be at least 7.5 mg P m^?2 yr^?1 and the latter around 20 mg P m^?2 yr^?1. We concluded that P was not retained in the catchment effectively, likely because of only slightly acidic soil pH (5.9), relatively low aluminium content and high organic matter content (53%) in soils, resulting in higher vulnerability of the studied lakes to eutrophication. The mountain hut could also be a significant source of P for the lakes. Each year, it could potentially contribute ~12 kg of soluble P to the environment, but the true impact of the hut on lake trophic status remains unclear.     

Geostrophic Wind, Gradient Wind, Thermal Wind And The Vertical Wind Profile – A Sample Analysis Within A Planetary Boundary Layer Over Arctic Sea-Ice

For the interpretation of many boundary-layer field experiments the geostrophic wind is needed as an external parameter. However, quite often and especially in remote areas this wind is not known at all or difficult to determine because there are not enough measurements of the surface pressure.Here it is shown how measurements carried out with the HELIPOD system, a helicopter-borne meteorological turbulence measuring system, may be used to evaluate the geostrophic wind. This is done by the analysis of the pressure field at different heights. An additional analysis of the temperature field in the same heights allows for the discussion of the quality of the derived geostrophic wind. An intercomparison with the vertical wind profile enables us to discuss the influence of the curvature of the isobars. From this, finally, also the gradient wind can be estimated.