Space-based aperture array for ultra-long wavelength radio astronomy

The past decade has seen the advent of various radio astronomy arrays, particularly for low-frequency observations below 100 MHz. These developments have been primarily driven by interesting and fundamental scientific questions, such as studying the dark ages and epoch of re-ionization, by detecting the highly red-shifted 21 cm line emission. However, Earth-based radio astronomy observations at frequencies below 30 MHz are severely restricted due to man-made interference, ionospheric distortion and almost complete non-transparency of the ionosphere below 10 MHz. Therefore, this narrow spectral band remains possibly the last unexplored frequency range in radio astronomy. A straightforward solution to study the universe at these frequencies is to deploy a space-based antenna array far away from Earths’ ionosphere. In the past, such space-based radio astronomy studies were principally limited by technology and computing resources, however current processing and communication trends indicate otherwise. Furthermore, successful space-based missions which mapped the sky in this frequency regime, such as the lunar orbiter RAE-2, were restricted by very poor spatial resolution. Recently concluded studies, such as DARIS (Disturbuted Aperture Array for Radio Astronomy In Space) have shown the ready feasibility of a 9 satellite constellation using off the shelf components. The aim of this article is to discuss the current trends and technologies towards the feasibility of a space-based aperture array for astronomical observations in the Ultra-Long Wavelength (ULW) regime of greater than 10 m i.e., below 30 MHz. We briefly present the achievable science cases, and discuss the system design for selected scenarios such as extra-galactic surveys. An extensive discussion is presented on various sub-systems of the potential satellite array, such as radio astronomical antenna design, the on-board signal processing, communication architectures and joint space-time estimation of the satellite network. In light of a scalable array and to avert single point of failure, we propose both centralized and distributed solutions for the ULW space-based array. We highlight the benefits of various deployment locations and summarize the technological challenges for future space-based radio arrays.     

Influence of discontinuities on the stability of cut slopes in weathered meta-sedimentary rocks

The meta-sedimentary rocks along Pos Selim Highway in Perak State, Malaysia showed a gradational weathering profile based on differences particularly in textures, hardness, lateral changes in colour and consistency of material extension. Both large and small scale discontinuities observed in the investigated rocks reduce the physical and mechanical properties of the rocks, and provide slip surfaces for failures. Rock and soil samples were tested using established standards to determine their characteristics and responses under a wide variety of disturbances. Kinematic analyses were also carried out to determine the modes and likely modes of failures.

Petrographic analyses revealed associated micro-structures, and the implications of these micro-structures showed shearing components along planes of weakness. From the determined index properties of the tested soil samples, the weathered quartz mica schist is not suitable for structural support. Further study involving unconsolidated undrained direct shear box tests carried out under total stress, revealed a non-uniform response of the rocks to shearing disturbance along discontinuity planes, and the rate and depth of deformation. The shear strength components of the investigated rocks were thereby prescribed in terms of cohesion and friction angle. From the kinematic analyses across this extended cut slope, there are possibilities of wedge and planar failures.     

Yield Estimation Model and Water Productivity of Wheat Crop (Triticum aestivum) in an Irrigation Command Using Remote Sensing and GIS

Crop yield estimation has an important role on economy development and its accuracy and speed influence yield price and helps in deciding the excess or deficit production conditions. The water productivity evaluates the irrigation command through water use efficiency (WUE). Remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) techniques were used for crop yield and water productivity estimation of wheat crop (Triticum aestivum) grown in Tarafeni South Main Canal (TSMC) irrigation command of West Bengal State in India. One IRS P6 image and four wide field sensor (WiFS) images for different months of winter season were used to determine the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) for area under wheat crop. The temporally and spatially distributed spectral growth profile and AREASUM of NDVI (A_NDVI) and SAVI (A_SAVI) with time after sowing of wheat crop were developed and correlated with actual crop yield of wheat (Y_act). The developed relationships between A_SAVI and Y_act resulted high correlation in comparison to that of A_NDVI. Using the developed model the RS based wheat yield (Y_RS) predicted from A_SAVI varied on entire TSMC irrigation command from 22.67 to 33.13 q ha⁻¹ respectively, which gave an average yield of 26.50 q ha⁻¹. The RS generated yield based water use efficiency (WUE_YRS) for water supplied from canal of TSMC irrigation command was found to be 6.69 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹.     

Integrating remote sensing and GIS for identification of groundwater prospective zones in the Narava basin, Visakhapatnam region, Andhra Pradesh

This paper mainly deals with the integrated approach of remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) to delineate groundwater prospective zones in Narava basin, Visakhapatnam region. The various thematic maps generated for delineating groundwater potential zones are geomorphology, geology, lineament density, drainage density, slope and land use/land cover (LULC). Weighted index overlay (WIO) technique is used to investigate a number of choice possibilities and evaluate suitability according to the associated weight of each unit. The integrated map of the area shows different zones of groundwater prospects, viz. very good (18.9% of the area), good (26.4% of the area), moderate (17.1% of the area) and poor (37.6% of the area). The categorization of groundwater potential was in good agreement with the available water column in the basin area.     

Earthquake-induced built-up damage identification using IRS-P6 data: a comparative study using fuzzy-based classifiers

The 8 October 2005 earthquake caused widespread destruction in both the state of Jammu and Kashmir of India and Northern Pakistan. Due to poor accessibility in the hazardous and difficult mountainous terrain, a proper and comprehensive ground-based survey was not possible. However, with the help of remote sensing data and its analysis techniques, it is feasible to undertake both earthquake-related damage identification and assessment. This study attempts to document and identify built-up damaged (BD) areas using spectral indices taking temporal multispectral images from IRS-P6 LISS-IV. Five spectral indices have been used to identify BD areas using supervised possibilistic c-means (PCM) and noise cluster (NC) classifiers, to analyse the satellite data. The result indicates that Class Based Sensor Independent (CBSI) based Transformed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (TNDVI) temporal indices provide the best results for identifying BD areas, while Simple Ratio (SR) index gives the best results for built-up undamaged area identification. Further, it observed that PCM classifier performed better in comparison to NC classifier.     

Migratory Patterns and Settlement Experiences of African Australians of Refugee Background in Murray Bridge,South Australia

In the past decade Australian immigration policy has emphasised settlement of refugees/humanitarian entrants in rural and regional locations, in preference to metropolitan areas. The settlement outcomes of a case study of African humanitarian entrants of South Sudanese background in Murray Bridge, a regional centre in South Australia, are examined. These participants were self-settled secondary movers from metropolitan Adelaide. The factors which attracted them were centred on employment. Settlement outcomes for Murray Bridge respondents were better than their urban counterparts, in terms of both housing and employment outcomes. However, some later left Murray Bridge because of a lack of opportunities for tertiary education. The results highlight issues of sustainability of settlement and retention, in regional centres in Australia, and of the fluidity of attraction and retention factors and therefore settlement in regional centres.     

Bianchi Type I Magnetized String Cosmological Model in General Relativity

Bianchi Type I magnetized string cosmological model following the techniques used by Letelier and Stachel, is investigated. To get a determinate model, we assume a condition ∊ = λ (geometric string) where ∊ is the rest energy density, λ the string tension density and expansion (θ) is proportional to eigen value σ₁ ¹ of shear tensor (σ _j ⁱ ), which leads to A = ℓ (BC) ⁿ where A, B, C are metric potentials and ℓ and n are constants. The behaviour of the model in presence and absence of magnetic field is discussed. The physical and geometrical aspects of the model are also discussed.