EChOSim: The Exoplanet Characterisation Observatory software simulator

EChOSim is the end-to-end time-domain simulator of the Exoplanet Characterisation Observatory (EChO) space mission. EChOSim has been developed to assess the capability of the EChO mission concept to detect and characterise the atmospheres of transiting exoplanets. Here we discuss the details of the EChOSim implementation and describe the models used to represent the instrument and to simulate the detection. Software simulators have assumed a central role in the design of new instrumentation and in assessing the level of systematics affecting the measurements of existing experiments. Thanks to its high modularity, EChOSim can simulate basic aspects of several existing and proposed spectrometers including instruments on the Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer, ground-based and balloon-borne experiments. A discussion of different uses of EChOSim is given, including examples of simulations performed to assess the EChO mission.     

Spectrophotometric observations of variable stars

We present the results of our visual and near-infrared spectrophotometric observations for 77 variable stars obtained during 1971–1991 in Chile, Armenia, and Bolivia. The quasi-monochromatic, extraatmospheric fluxes from the stars are given in absolute energy units (W m^?2 m^?1) at all wavelengths of the spectral range at 2.5-nm intervals.     

High resolution polarimetric measurements in a sunspot

A Fabry-Perot interferometer is being used for two-dimensional spectropolarimetric measurements. We demonstrate the suitability of the setup for the measurement of the magnetic field and present some preliminary results from first observations.     

Hydromagnetic Rayleigh problem for a porous wall in slip flow regime

An analysis of the Rayleigh problem in MHD for a porous wall in a slip flow regime is considered. The normal velocity of suction/injection at the wall is assumed to be time dependent. The solution of the problem is obtained in the form of a power series, in terms of known functions. The variations of the velocity field and the skin friction are shown graphically and are followed by a quantitative discussion.Science Update, The Pioneer, India, 21 July 1995 edition     

Far-infrared contribution to interstellar extinction from graphite whiskers

A mass contribution of graphite whiskers as small as 0.1% to the population of interstellar grains could dramatically change their far-infrared extinction properties. With varying mass fractions of graphite whiskers, and for different size parameters, the infrared extinction could vary from a ^-2 dependence to ⁰, consistent with the requirements of some astronomical observations.     

Brief description of bare essentials of surface transfer and results from simulations with the HAPEX-MOBILHY data

The Bare Essentials of Surface Transfer (BEST) land surface scheme is briefly described and the key physical parameterisations discussed. Results are then presented to illustrate how the model performs, with forcing data for HAPEX-MOBILHY, compared to a series of other schemes in the simulation of evaporation and sensible heat. The implications of the models performance, and some indications of the future development of the scheme are provided. The basic version of BEST was found to overestimate evaporation for the HAPEX-MOBILHY data, simulating 816 mm yr⁻¹ compared to a range of 550 to 816 mm yr⁻¹ for all models. A modification to the β parameterisation reduced the evaporation to 759 mm yr⁻¹ which, although an improvement, is still probably too high.     

Influence of rotational darkening on ultraviolet interstellar extinction

Der Einfluß der Rotationsverdunklung schnell rotierender Sterne wird einer Neudiskussion unterzogen. Dafür werden filterphotometrische Helligkeiten vom Satelliten ANS herangezogen. Von schwach verfärbten B Sternen (E(B - V) 0.1 mag) wurden die Helligkeiten vom Einfluß der interstellaren Extinktion befreit. Die Verleilung der Sterne im Rotationsgeschwindigkeits-Farbenindex-Diagramm weist eine Streuung auf, die den Betrag der photometrischen Fehler übersteigt. Die Lage der Sterne im Rotationsgeschwindigkeits-Farbenindex-Diagramm befindet sich in qualitativer Übereinstimmung mit entsprechenden theoretischen Resultaten. Bei der Diskussion von individuell abweichenden Verläufen der interstellaren Extinktion vom durchschnittlichen Extinktionsgesetz sollte der Einfluß der Rotationsverdunklung als eine mögliche Quelle für die Abweichungen in Betracht gezogen und geprüft werden.     

Culgoora radio and skylab euv observations of emerging magnetic flux in the lower corona

Detailed comparisons of Culgoora 160 MHz radioheliograms of solar noise storms and Skylab EUV spectroheliograms of coronal loop structures are presented. It is concluded that: (1) there is a close association between changes in large-scale magnetic fields in the corona and the onset or cessation of noise storms; (2) these coronal changes result from the emergence of new magnetic flux at the photospheric level; (3) although new magnetic flux at the photospheric level is often accompanied by an increase in flare activity the latter is not directly responsible for noise storm activity; rather the new magnetic flux diffuses slowly outwards through the corona at rates 1–2 km s^–1 and produces noise storms at 160 MHz 1–2 days later; (4) the coronal density above or in large-scale EUV loop systems is sufficiently dense to account for noise storm emission at the fundamental plasma frequency; (5) the scatter in noise storm positions can be accounted for by the appearance and disappearance of individual loops in a system.     

An analysis of the spectrum of the zeta geminorum

Four spectrograms of the cepheid Geminorum at different phases have been analysed for the determination of the abundances of various elements. The analysis shows that the atmosphere of Gem has an essentially solar composition.