Neutrinos from SN1987A: flavor conversion and interpretation of results

After recent results from solar neutrino experiments and KamLAND we can definitely say that neutrinos from SN1987A underwent flavor conversion, and the conversion effects must be taken into account in the analysis of the data. Assuming the normal mass hierarchy of neutrinos we calculate the permutation factors p for the Kamiokande-2, IMB and Baksan detectors. The conversion inside the star leads to p=0.28–0.32; the oscillations in the matter of the Earth give partial (and different for different detectors) regeneration of the original signal, reducing this factor down to 0.15–0.20 (at E=40 MeV). We study in details the influence of conversion on the observed signal depending on the parameters of the original neutrino spectra. For a given set of these parameters, the conversion could lead to an increase of the average energy of the observed events up to 50% and of the number of events by a factor of 2 at Kamiokande-2 and by a factor of 3–5 at IMB. Inversely, we find that neglecting the conversion effects can lead up to 50% error in the determination of the average energy of the original spectrum and about 50% error in the original luminosity. Comparing our calculations with experimental data we conclude that the Kamiokande-2 data alone do not favor strong conversion effect, which testifies for small difference of the original and spectra. In contrast, the combined analysis of the Kamiokande and IMB results slightly favors strong conversion effects (that is, large difference of the original spectra). In comparison with the no-oscillation case, the latter requires lower average energy and higher luminosity of the original flux.     

What helicity can tell us about solar magnetic fields

Concept of magnetic/current helicity was introduced to solar physics about 15 years ago. Earlier studies led to discovery of such fundamental properties as hemispheric helicity rule, and role of helicity in magnetic reconnection and solar eruptions. Later, the concept was successfully applied in studies of different solar processes from solar dynamo to flare and CME phenomena. Although no silver bullet, helicity has proven to be a very useful “tool” in answering many still-puzzling questions about origin and evolution of solar magnetic fields. I present an overview of some helicity studies and briefly analyze their findings.     

New age data from the Lesnaya Group: A key to understanding the timing of arc-continent collision, Kamchatka, Russia

Abstract The Lesnaya Group is part of a thick, poorly dated turbidite assemblage that sits in the footwall of a regionally extensive collision zone in which the Cretaceous–Paleocene Olutorsky island arc terrane was obducted onto continental margin basin strata. Nannoplankton from 18 samples from the upper part of the Lesnaya Group yield Paleocene through Middle Eocene assemblages. Detrital zircons from nine sandstone samples have a young population of fission-track ages that range from 43.7 ± 3.4 to 55.5 ± 3.5 Ma (uppermost Paleocene to Middle Eocene). The deformed footwall rocks of the Lesnaya Group and the overlying thrusts of the Olutorsky arc terrane, are unconformably overlain by neoautochthonous deposits which are Lutetian (lower Middle Eocene) and younger. Together, these new data indicate that thrusting, which is inferred to have been driven by collision of the Cretaceous–Paleocene island arc with north-eastern Asia, took place in the mid-Lutetian, at about 45 Ma.     

Geometry of the fault zone of the 2003 Ms = 7.5 Chuya earthquake and associated stress fields, Gorny Altai

The co-seismic deformations produced during the September 27, 2003 Chuya earthquake (Ms = 7.5) that affected the Gorny Altai, Russia, are described and discussed along a 30 km long segment. The co-seismic deformations have manifested themselves both in unconsolidated sediments as R- and R′-shears, extension fractures and contraction structures, and in bedrock as the reactivation of preexisting schistosity zones and individual fractures, as well as development of new ruptures and coarse crushing zones. It has been established that the pattern of earthquake ruptures represents a typical fault zone trending NW–SE with a width reaching 4–5 km and a dextral strike–slip kinematics. The initial stress field that produced the whole structural pattern of co-seismic deformations during the Chuya earthquake, is associated with a transcurrent regime with a NNW–SSE, almost N–S, trending of compressional stress axis (σ₁), and a ENE–WSW, almost E–W, trending of tensional stress axis (σ₃). The state of stress in the newly-formed fault zone is relatively uniform. The local stress variations are expressed in insignificant deviation of σ₁ from N–S to NW–SE or NE–SW, in short-term fluctuations of relative stress values in keeping their spatial orientations, or in a local increase of the plunge angle of the σ₁. The geometry of the fault zone associated with the Chuya earthquake has been compared with the mechanical model of fracturing in large continental fault zones with dextral strike–slip kinematics. It is apparent that the observed fracture pattern corresponds to the late disjunctive stage of faulting when the master fault is not fully developed but its segments are already clearly defined. It has been shown that fracturing in widely different rocks follows the common laws of the deformation of solid bodies, even close to the Earth surface, and with high rates of movements.     

Quantifying Turbulence Heterogeneity in a Vineyard Using Eddy-Covariance and Scintillometer Measurements

Boundary-Layer Meteorology - Scintillometry is a non-invasive measurement technique for acquiring spatially-averaged surface heat and moisture fluxes in areas where setting up arrays of instruments...     

Intergalactic Pressure and the Maximal Extent of Gaseous Haloes of Field Galaxies

The problem of influence of the ambiental intergalactic pressure on extended gas associated with normal field galaxies is briefly discussed. An empirically established characteristic radius of absorption can not be explained in the context of simple two-phase halo model as a consequence of pressure equilibrium of the hot halo with the smooth intergalactic medium. This conclusion is based upon the stringent constraints on the temperature and density of the intergalactic plasma obtained through the CMBR measurements. On the other hand, ram-pressure stripping caused by peculiar motions of galaxies does present a viable alternative for the hot halo truncation. It is shown that for a particular set of chosen parameters, a simple model is capable of producing the absolute upper limit on the extent of gas associated with the galaxy. The values obtained are compatible with the results of the recent QSO absorption-line studies, and are significantly higher than the radius at which the cooling timescale of the halo gas equates the dynamical timescale.     

The photoionization mechanism of LINERs: stellar and nonstellar

We present high quality spectroscopic observations of a sample of 14 low ionization nuclear emission-line regions (LINERs). Starlight removal is achieved by the subtraction of a suitable absorption-line template galaxy, allowing accurate measurements of emission lines. We use these line fluxes to examine the possible excitation mechanisms of LINERs. We suggest that LINERs with weak [O I] 6300 emission ([O I]/H < 1/6) may beH II regions photoionized by unusually hot O-type stars. LINERs with [O I]/H < 1/6 may be powered by photoionization from a nonstellar continuum. This is supported by the detection of broad h emission, a correlation between line width and critical density, and point-like X-ray emission in several of these objects.     

Survey of Geomagnetic Observations Made in the Northern Sector of Russia and New Methods for Analysing Them

An overview of the geomagnetic observations made in the northern part of Russia is presented from a historical perspective. Several stations were deployed on the territory of the former Soviet Union during the International Geophysical Year, 1957–1958, with the active participation and guidance of the Interagency Geophysical Committee which is inherited by the Geophysical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (GC RAS). In the 1990s, the majority of these stations, especially those in the remoter regions, were closed. Nowadays, the geomagnetic network, including the observatories of the INTERMAGNET program, has been restored. Examples of high-latitude geomagnetic variations in the Russian longitudinal sector are shown, and maps and trends of the secular variation over the territory of Russia presented. Particular attention is paid to the automated processing of data and to the analysis methods used. To process the growing amount of high-resolution geomagnetic data, sophisticated mathematical methods based on the fuzzy logic approach and new discrete mathematical analysis algorithms have been developed. The formal methods and algorithms for recognizing both artificial and natural disturbances in the magnetograms are described.