Turnover Frequency in Solar Microwave Bursts with an Extremely Flat Optically Thin Spectrum

Four microwave bursts have been selected from the Nobeyama Radio Polarimeter (NoRP) observations with an extremely flat spectrum in the optically thin part and a very hard spectral index between 0 and ?1 in the maximum phase of all bursts. It is found that the time evolution of the turnover frequency is inversely proportional to the time profiles of the radio flux in all bursts. Based on the nonthermal gyrosynchrotron theory of Ramaty (Astrophys. J. 158, 753, 1969), the local magnetic field strength and the electron spectral index are calculated uniquely from the observed radio spectral index and the turnover frequency. We found that the electron energy spectrum is very hard (spectral index 1?–?2), and the time variation of the magnetic field strength is also inversely proportional to the radio flux as a function of time in all bursts. Hence, the time evolution of the turnover frequency can be explained directly by its dependence on the local magnetic field strength. The high turnover frequency (several tens of GHz) is mainly caused by a strong magnetic field of up to several hundred gauss, and probably by the Razin effect under a high plasma density over \(10^{10}~\mbox{cm}^{-3}\) in the maximum phase of these bursts. Therefore, the extremely flat microwave spectrum can be well understood by the observed high turnover frequency and the calculated hard electron spectral index.     

From Nearby Low Luminosity AGN to High Redshift Radio Galaxies: Science Interests with Square Kilometre Array

We present detailed science cases that a large fraction of the Indian AGN community is interested in pursuing with the upcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA). These interests range from understanding low luminosity active galactic nuclei in the nearby Universe to powerful radio galaxies at high redshifts. Important unresolved science questions in AGN physics are discussed. Ongoing low-frequency surveys with the SKA pathfinder telescope GMRT, are highlighted.     

气象无线传感网观测节点的设计与实现

针对传统自动气象站对电力和通讯基础设施依赖性强,应用环境受到限制的问题,设计并实现了一种基于无线传感器网络的气象观测节点。气象观测节点的硬件系统以CC2530芯片为核心,使用锂电池供电,通过模拟和数字接口连接气象传感器,射频部分工作在2.4 GHz。软件系统以TinyOS操作系统为基础,开发了基于LEPS协议的多跳路由协议和气象传感器驱动程序。在野外环境中对气象观测节点的功耗、通信距离、传感器及组网性能进行了测试。测试结果表明,气象观测节点在没有电力和通信基础设施的环境中能够形成一个稳定的多跳自组织数据采集与传输网络,适合在高山、海岛、沙漠等艰苦地区进行部署和应用。     

Effect of snow cover on pan-Arctic permafrost thermal regimes

This study quantitatively evaluated how insulation by snow depth (SND) affected the soil thermal regime and permafrost degradation in the pan-Arctic area, and more generally defined the characteristics of soil temperature (T_SOIL) and SND from 1901 to 2009. This was achieved through experiments performed with the land surface model CHANGE to assess sensitivity to winter precipitation as well as air temperature. Simulated T_SOIL, active layer thickness (ALT), SND, and snow density were generally comparable with in situ or satellite observations at large scales and over long periods. Northernmost regions had snow that remained relatively stable and in a thicker state during the past four decades, generating greater increases in T_SOIL. Changes in snow cover have led to changes in the thermal state of the underlying soil, which is strongly dependent on both the magnitude and the timing of changes in snowfall. Simulations of the period 2001–2009 revealed significant differences in the extent of near-surface permafrost, reflecting differences in the model’s treatment of meteorology and the soil bottom boundary. Permafrost loss was greater when SND increased in autumn rather than in winter, due to insulation of the soil resulting from early cooling. Simulations revealed that T_SOIL tended to increase over most of the pan-Arctic from 1901 to 2009, and that this increase was significant in northern regions, especially in northeastern Siberia where SND is responsible for 50 % or more of the changes in T_SOIL at a depth of 3.6 m. In the same region, ALT also increased at a rate of approximately 2.3 cm per decade. The most sensitive response of ALT to changes in SND appeared in the southern boundary regions of permafrost, in contrast to permafrost temperatures within the 60°N–80°N region, which were more sensitive to changes in snow cover. Finally, our model suggests that snow cover contributes to the warming of permafrost in northern regions and could play a more important role under conditions of future Arctic warming.     

Cosmological and astrophysical neutrino mass measurements

Cosmological and astrophysical measurements provide powerful constraints on neutrino masses complementary to those from accelerators and reactors. Here we provide a guide to these different probes, for each explaining its physical basis, underlying assumptions, current and future reach.     

Elemental abundance analyses with DAO spectrograms. XXVIII. Comparisons with two series of automated elemental abundance analyses

We compare the results of our series of fine analyses based on Dominion Astrophysical Observatory long camera coudé spectra with those of the same stars from the series of automated elemental abundance analyses by Hill (1995) and by Erspamer and North (2003). We usually find good agreement with the results of the first paper for those elements with well-determined abundances and somewhat poorer agreement with results of the second paper.     

Nonradial eruption of a kinking filament observed from STEREO

On 5 April 2008, a filament at the periphery of an active region was observed by the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager telescope aboard the STEREO-A spacecraft, which showed up as a prominence eruption in the field-of-view from STEREO-B. The filament at STEREO-A 304 Å was first lengthened toward a region with weak overlying magnetic field so evolved as a large-scale one consisting of bright and dark threads twisting with each other, and then the portion below the weak field underwent an eruption. Meanwhile, the corresponding STEREO-B 304 Å prominence threads exhibited a kinking structure and tilting motion, with its center deflecting from the radial direction. By using three-dimension (3D) reconstruction technology, we obtain the 3D topology for the kinked prominence when its apex arrived at 1.4 radii, from which a clockwise rotation of about 90° is found in the course of the eruption. By comparing the 3D structure with the magnetic-field configuration computed by using the Potential-Field Source-Surface (PFSS) model, it is suggested that the filament erupted against the rather weaker than stronger overlying magnetic field, which make it appear to tilt toward one side.