Be phenomenon in open clusters: results from a survey of emission-line stars in young open clusters

Emission-line stars in young open clusters are identified to study their properties, as a function of age, spectral type and evolutionary state. 207 open star clusters were observed using the slitless spectroscopy method and 157 emission stars were identified in 42 clusters. We have found 54 new emission-line stars in 24 open clusters, out of which 19 clusters are found to house emission stars for the first time. About 20 per cent clusters harbour emission stars. The fraction of clusters housing emission stars is maximum in both the 0–10 and 20–30 Myr age bin (∼40 per cent each). Most of the emission stars in our survey belong to Classical Be class (∼92 per cent) while a few are Herbig Be stars (∼6 per cent) and Herbig Ae stars (∼2 per cent). The youngest clusters to have Classical Be stars are IC 1590, NGC 637 and 1624 (all 4 Myr old) while NGC 6756 (125–150 Myr) is the oldest cluster to have Classical Be stars. The Classical Be stars are located all along the main sequence (MS) in the optical colour–magnitude diagrams (CMDs) of clusters of all ages, which indicates that the Be phenomenon is unlikely due to core contraction near the turn-off. The distribution of Classical Be stars as a function of spectral type shows peaks at B1–B2 and B6–B7 spectral types. The Be star fraction [N(Be)/N(B+Be)] is found to be less than 10 per cent for most of the clusters and NGC 2345 is found to have the largest fraction (∼26 per cent). Our results indicate there could be two mechanisms responsible for the Classical Be phenomenon. Some are born Classical Be stars (fast rotators), as indicated by their presence in clusters younger than 10 Myr. Some stars evolve to Classical Be stars, within the MS lifetime, as indicated by the enhancement in the fraction of clusters with Classical Be stars in the 20–30 Myr age bin.     

Electron-acoustic solitary waves in a relativistically degenerate quantum plasma with two-temperature electrons

Using the Quantum hydrodynamic (QHD) model Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) type solitary excitations of electron-acoustic waves (EAWs) have been examined in a two-electron-populated relativistically degenerate super dense plasma. It is shown that relativistic degeneracy parameter significantly influences the conditions of formation and properties of solitary structures.     

Comments on the heating of solar active regions by magnetic energy dissipation

The method of Kumar and Narain (1985) to calculate the twisting velocity of magnetic field appears to be erroneous. Hence, their conclusion about Tucker's proposal for the heating of active regions by magnetic energy dissipation may not be correct.     

Axi-symmetric Analysis of Geosynthetic-reinforced Granular Fill-soft Soil System with Group of Stone Columns

The paper presents a mechanical model to predict the behavior of geosynthetic-reinforced granular fill resting over soft soil improved with group of stone columns subjected to circular or axi-symmetric loading. The saturated soft soil has been idealized by spring-dashpot system. Pasternak shear layer and rough elastic membrane represent the granular fill and geosynthetic reinforcement layer, respectively. The stone columns are idealized by stiffer springs. The nonlinear behavior of granular fill and soft soil is considered. Consolidation of the soft soil due to inclusion of stone columns has also been included in the model. The results obtained by using the present model when compared with the reported results obtained from laboratory model tests shows very good agreement. The effectiveness of geosynthetic reinforcement to reduce the maximum and differential settlement and transfer the stress from soft soil to stone columns is highlighted. It is observed that the reduction of settlement and stress transfer process are greatly influenced by stiffness and spacing of the stone columns. It has been further observed that for both geosynthetic-reinforced and unreinforced cases, the maximum settlement does not change if the ratio between spacing and diameter of stone columns is greater than 4.     

Area Change and Thickness Variation over Pensilungpa Glacier (J&;K) using Remote Sensing

Accurate representations of the Earth’s surface in the form of digital elevation models (DEMs) are essential for a variety of applications in glaciological and remote-sensing research. In the present study area change and thickness variation over Pensilungpa glacier was attempted using remote sensing approach. It can be remarked that a net loss of 9.23 sq. km. which is 38% of the glacier area mapped in 1962 indicate a drastic change over the glacier area during 1962–2007. Estimation of glacier thickness change on Pensilungpa glacier based on ASTER DEM (2003) and Survey of India (SOI) contour based DEM (1962) indicated increase in the glacier elevation in the accumulation zone mainly by 30 to 90 m and similar reduction by 30 to 90 m in the ablation zone.     

On the interaction of mesoscale eddies and a tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal

Natural Hazards - Oceanic eddies span over a wide range of sizes and affect the thermodynamic properties of water column. By modifying the thermal structure of the upper ocean, these eddies...     

Structural analyses of the crystalline rocks between Dirang and Tawang,West Kameng district,Arunachal Himalaya

In Kameng Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, the crystalline rocks of Se La Group of Higher Himalaya are thrust over the Lesser Himalayan rocks of Dirang Formation, Bomdila Group along the Main Central Thrust and exhibit well preserved structures on macro- to microscopic scales. Detailed analysis of structures reveals that the rocks of the area have suffered four phases of deformation D₁, D₂, D₃ and D₄. These structures have been grouped into (i) early structures (ii) structures related to progressive ductile thrusting and (iii) late structures. The early structures which developed before thrusting formed during D₁ and D₂ phases of deformation, synchronous to F₁ and F₂ phases of folding respectively. The structures related to progressive ductile shearing developed during D₃ phase of deformation, when the emplacement of the crystalline rocks took place over the rocks of Dirang Formation along the Main Central Thrust. Different asymmetric structures/kinematic indicators developed during this ductile/brittle-ductile regime suggest top-to-SSW sense of movement of the crystalline rocks of the area. D₄ is attributed to brittle deformation. Based on satellite data two new thrusts, i.e. Tawang and Se La thrusts have been identified parallel to Main Central Thrust, which are suggestive of imbricate thrusting. Strain analysis from the quartz grains of the gneissic rocks reveals constriction type of strain ellipsoid where k value is higher near the MCT, gradually decreases towards the north. Further, the dynamic analysis carried out on the mesoscopic ductile and brittle-ductile shear zones suggest a NNE-SSW horizontal compression corresponding to the direction of northward movement of Indian Plate.     

Anthropogenic arsenic menace in Delhi Yamuna Flood Plains

Arsenic, one of the most poisonous chemical elements, was analyzed in the waters of the host of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, i.e., New Delhi. The study revealed shocking outcomes with arsenic concentrations well beyond the safe limits set by WHO, and a maximum concentration up to 180 ppb was found in the groundwater. Analysis of around 120 water samples collected extensively along the Yamuna Flood Plain showed that more than 55% had arsenic contamination beyond the WHO limit of 10 ppb. The maximum value of arsenic in coal and fly ash from Rajghat coal-based thermal power plant contained 200 and 3,200 ppb, respectively. Moreover, the ore petrography of coal samples shows the presence of arsenopyrite mineral. Maximum concentration of arsenic contamination is found within a 5-km radius from power plants. In the perspective of Delhi, arsenic contamination is purely anthropogenic due to coal-based thermal power plants, which had already shown toxic arsenic, fluorine and China-type coal effects. The presence of such power plants in coal field locations, e.g., West Bengal and Bangladesh, could release the arsenic due to combustion in superthermal power plants, thus accentuating the arsenic concentration besides the natural arsenic coming from the foreland basins of the Himalaya in Indian sub-continent.