Shadows as a tool to evaluate black hole parameters and a dimension of spacetime

Shadow formation around supermassive black holes were simulated. Due to enormous progress in observational facilities and techniques of data analysis researchers approach to opportunity to measure shapes and sizes of the shadows at least for the closest supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center. Measurements of the shadow sizes around the black holes can help to evaluate parameters of black hole metric. Theories with extra dimensions (Randall–Sundrum II braneworld approach, for instance) admit astrophysical objects (supermassive black holes, in particular) which are rather different from standard ones. Different tests were proposed to discover signatures of extra dimensions in supermassive black holes since the gravitational field may be different from the standard one in the general relativity (GR) approach. In particular, gravitational lensing features are different for alternative gravity theories with extra dimensions and general relativity. Therefore, there is an opportunity to find signatures of extra dimensions in supermassive black holes. We show how measurements of the shadow sizes can put constraints on parameters of black hole in spacetime with extra dimensions.     

Project of the mission to Phobos

This article provides the main scientific objectives and characteristics of the Phobos-Soil project, intended to fly to the Martian satellite Phobos, deliver its soil samples to the Earth, as well as explore Phobos, Mars, and the Martian environment with onboard scientific instruments. We give the basic parameters of the ballistic scenario of the mission, spacecraft, and some scientific problems to be solved with the help of the scientific instruments installed on the spacecraft.     

Formalized analysis of crustal seismicity in the Sikhote Alin orogen and adjacent areas

The fractal dimension of the epicentral field of earthquakes (D = 1.6) is determined for the Sikote Alin orogen and adjacent areas. According to this parameter, the region occupies the position between the Kamchatka Peninsula, Kuril Islands (1.61 and 1.69), the East China area, and the Lake Baikal region (1.55 and 1.40). Differentiation of the studied area based on the fractal dimension of the number of earthquakes and on the released energy calculated per unit square shows that the most active crustal areas are associated with the Kharpi–Kur–Priamur’e zone of the northeastern orientation, which is the northern segment of the Tan-Lu transregional fault system. Analysis of the time series of seismic events (MLH ≥ 2.4) in the Sikhote Alin and adjacent areas in the period from 1960 to 2013 shows that the “harmonic” with a 10.5-year period is most clearly displayed. This period (11–13 years) was previously distinguished by B.V. Levin and coauthors from the study of the largest number of earthquakes with M ≥ 4.4 for the period of 1971–2003.     

The First Data on the N Isotopic Composition of the Permian and Triassic of Northeastern Russia and Their Significance for Paleotemperature Reconstructions

Doklady Earth Sciences - It is proposed that unstable temperature conditions in the Late Wuchiapingian and Early Changhsingian (Late Permian) changed in the Boreal Superrealm to less contrasting...     

Apsidal motion in the close binary IT cassiopeiae

In 1982 and 1993, we carried out highly accurate photoelectric WBVR measurements for the close binary IT Cas. Based on these measurements and on the observations of other authors, we determined the apsidal motion $\left[ {\dot \omega _{obs} = {{(11\mathop .\limits^ \circ 0 \pm 2\mathop .\limits^ \circ 5)} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{(11\mathop .\limits^ \circ 0 \pm 2\mathop .\limits^ \circ 5)} {100 years}}} \right. \kern-0em} {100 years}}} \right]$ . This value is in agreement with the theoretically calculated apsidal motion for these stars $\left[ {\dot \omega _{th} = {{(14^\circ \pm 3^\circ )} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{(14^\circ \pm 3^\circ )} {100 years}}} \right. \kern-0em} {100 years}}} \right]$ .     

Model radiation spectrum for an accretion disk near a rotating black hole

ASCA, RXTE, and Chandra observations of Seyfert galaxies indicate the presence in their spectra of broad emission lines with characteristic double-peaked pro files, which could arise in the inner regions of an accretion disk. In such regions, general relativistic effects must be taken into account, and may even dominate. In connection with this, we have constructed the radiation spectrum for an individual spectral line for a model isothermal Kerr accretion disk. This demonstrates the manifestation of general relativistic effects in pure form, unclouded by effects associated with models for the structure of the disk itself. It is assumed that matter in the disk moves in circular geodesics in the equatorial plane. The spectrum retains a characteristic two-peaked profile for wide ranges of values of the radial coordinate of the radiating region, angular momentum of the black hole, and viewing angle. The inner regions of the disk make an appreciable contribution to the red wing of the spectrum.     

First results from the plasma composition spectrometer PROMICS-3 in the Interball project

PROMICS-3 is a plasma experiment flown in the Russian project Interball. It performs three-dimensional (3D) measurements of ions in the energy range 4 eV–70 keV with mass separation and of electrons in the energy range 12 eV–35 keV. The Interball project consists of two main satellites, the Tail Probe and the Auroral Probe, each with one subsatellite. The Interball Tail Probe was launched on 3 August 1995, into a 65° inclination orbit with apogee at about 30 R_E. Both main satellites carry identical PROMICS-3 instruments and thus direct comparisons of the particle distributions will be possible once the Auroral Probe is launched. Furthermore, PROMICS-3-Tail is the first instrument measuring the 3D ion distribution function in the magnetospheric boundary layers at high latitudes. In this paper we describe the PROMICS-3 instrument and show initial results from the Tail probe, measurements of the mag-netosheath, plasma sheet, and ring current plasmas.     

N and C Isotopic Compositions of the Lower Triassic of Southern Primorye and Reconstruction of Habitat Conditions of Marine Organisms after Mass Extinction at the End of the Permian

Data on the N and C isotopic composition are presented for the Lower Triassic claystones of the Abrek section of southern Primorye (Far East). The results showed five N isotopic intervals and several negative C isotopic excursions of the Induan–lower Olenekian stages of the Abrek section.     

The Position of the Wuchiapingian–Changhsingian Boundary in Northeast Russia on the Basis of Radioisotopic and Chemostratigraphic Data

Doklady Earth Sciences - The approximate position of the Wuchiapingian–Changhsingian boundary of the Upper Permian in Northeast Russia was determined for the first time on the basis of the...