Asymmetry of 56Ni ejecta and polarization in the type-IIP supernova 2004dj

I study the question of whether the asymmetry of ⁵⁶Ni ejecta that results in the asymmetry of the Hα emission line at the nebular epoch of the type-IIP supernova SN 2004dj can account for the recently detected polarization of the supernova radiation. I have developed a model of the Hα profile and luminosity with nonthermal ionization and excitation in a spherically symmetric envelope for an asymmetric bipolar ⁵⁶Ni distribution. I have calculated the polarized radiation transfer against the background of the recovered electron density distribution. The observed polarization is shown to be reproduced at the nebular epoch around day 140 for the same parameters of the envelope, and the ⁵⁶Ni distribution for which the evolution of the Hα luminosity and profile is explained. Yet the model polarization decreases with time more slowly than is observed. The origin of the additional component responsible for the early polarization on day 107 is discussed.     

Isotope fractionation of neon during stepheating extraction?: a comment on ‘Re‐interpretation of the existence of a primitive plume under Australia based on neon isotope fractionation during step heating’ by Gautheron and Moreira (2003)

Using a Rayleigh distillation fractionation model, we calculate that the maximum isotope fractionation potentially achievable is less than 5% during the early stages of gas release from a sample. Our calculation corrects the erroneous conclusions of Gautheron and Moreira (2003), who re‐interpreted the plume‐like neon isotopic compositions found in metasomatic apatite from a south‐eastern Australian xenolith (Matsumoto et al., 1997) to be the result of Rayleigh‐type isotope fractionation of originally MORB‐type neon during stepheating gas extraction. We stress that the modelling of neon isotopic fractionation by Gautheron and Moreira (2003) is incorrect, and that the finding of a plume‐like neon isotopic composition in the apatite by Matsumoto et al. (1997) remains a quite valid and robust conclusion.     

A synthesis map of the sky at 34.5 MHz

This paper describes a wide-field survey made at 34.5 MHz using GEETEE,1 the low frequency telescope at Gauribidanur (latitude 13°36′12′′N). This telescope was used in the transit mode and by per forming 1-D synthesis along the north-south direction the entire observable sky was mapped in a single day. This minimized the problems that hinder wide-field low-frequency mapping. This survey covers the declination range of-50° to + 70° (- 33° to +61° without aliasing) and the complete 24 hours of right ascension. The synthesized beam has a resolution of 26′ x 42′ sec (δ- 14°. 1). The sensitivity of the survey is 5 Jy/beam (1σ). Special care has been taken to ensure that the antenna responds to all angular scale structures and is suitable for studies of both point sources and extended objects This telescope is jointly operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore and the Roman Research Institute, Bangalore.     

Chandrasekhar's perturbation method-oriented theories up to third order for uniformly and differentially-rotating polytropic stars: Error-removing techniques

In this paper we analyse error-removing techniques used without sufficient theoretical support in a previous paper, where Chandrasekhar's higher-order perturbation theories were developed for either uniformly or differentially-rotating polytropic stars.     

Anomalies of some tidal waves of UT1

Summary. The M _f and M _m waves of UT1 have been analysed from the BIH data during the period 1967.0 to 1984.0 in order to derive the Love number k .
These analyses performed during successive intervals of this period show some anomalies in the values of the Love number k derived from the M _f wave. Large variations with time of the amplitude and the phase appear for this wave while the values derived from the M _m wave present a good stability during the whole period.
The spectrum of the UT1-residuals (as obtained by removing the theoretical zonal tidal UT1 terms) shows the existence of a perturbation wave near the M _f period. This wave lies in the range 13.5–13.9 day according to the analysed interval; it could be related with the perturbation wave noticed by some authors near the M _f gravimetric wave.     

Spectra of simulated lightning on Venus,Jupiter, and Titan

Laser-induced plasmas in various gas mixtures were used to simulate lightning in other planetary atmospheres. This method of simulation has the advantage of producing short-duration, high-temperature plasmas free from electrode contamination. The laser-induced plasma discharges in air are shown to accurately simulate terrestrial lightning and can be expected to simulate lightning spectra in other planetary atmospheres. Spectra from 240 to 880 nm are presented for simulated lightning in the atmospheres of Venus, Earth, Jupiter, and Titan. The spectra of lightning on the other giant planets are expected to be similar to that of Jupiter because the atmospheres of these planets are composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. The spectra of Venus and Titan show substantial amounts of radiation due to the presence of carbon atoms and ions and show CN Violet radiation. Although small amounts of CH₄ and NH₃ are present in the Jovian atmosphere, only emission from hydrogen and helium is observed. Most differences in the spectra can be understood in terms of the elemental ratios of the gas mixtures. Consequently, observations of the spectra of lightning on other planets should provide in situ estimates of the atmospheric and aerosol composition in the cloud layers in which lightning is occuring. In particular, the detection of inert gases such as helium should be possible and the relative abundance of these gases compared to major constituents might be determined.     

Results of Photometric and Polarimetric Observations of the Fuor V1057 Cyg from the Time of an Outburst to the Present

Observations of the brightness, color, and polarization of the fuor V1057 Cyg over more than 30 years are presented and briefly discussed. Variability of the linear polarization was found.     

CCD photometry inVRI bands of the galactic cluster NGC 2818

bdAbstract The open cluster NGC 2818 containing a planetary nebula has been observed inVRI bands using the CCD system at prime focus of the 2.3-metre Vainu Bappu Telescope. The study extending to starsV ∼ 21 magnitude establishes the distance modulus as(m-M) ₀ = 12.9 ±0.1 for the cluster. Based on the fitting of theoretical isochrones computed for solar metallicity, an age of 5(±1) × 10₈ years has been assigned to the cluster. Association of the planetary nebula with the cluster indicates that the progenitor mass of the planetary nebula on the main sequence is ≥2.5M_⊙ Based on observations obtained with the Vainu Bappu Telescope.