A new class of LRS Bianchi type-II dark energy models with variable EoS parameter

A new class of dark energy models in a Locally Rotationally Symmetric Bianchi type-II (LRS B-II) space-time with variable equation of state (EoS) parameter and constant deceleration parameter have been investigated in the present paper. The Einstein’s field equations have been solved by applying a variation law for generalized Hubble’s parameter given by Berman: Nuovo Cimento 74:182 (1983) which generates two types of solutions for the average scale factor, one is of power-law type and other is of the exponential-law form. Using these two forms, Einstein’s field equations are solved separately that correspond to expanding singular and non-singular models of the universe respectively. The dark energy EoS parameter ω is found to be time dependent and its existing range for both models is in good agreement with the three recent observations of (i) SNe Ia data (Knop et al.: Astrophys. J. 598:102 (2003)), (ii) SNe Ia data collaborated with CMBR anisotropy and galaxy clustering statistics (Tegmark et al.: Astrophys. J. 606:702 (2004)) and latest (iii) a combination of cosmological datasets coming from CMB anisotropies, luminosity distances of high redshift type Ia supernovae and galaxy clustering (Hinshaw et al.: Astrophys. J. Suppl. 180:225 (2009); Komatsu et al. Astrophys. J. Suppl. 180:330 (2009)). The cosmological constant Λ is found to be a positive decreasing function of time and it approaches a small positive value at late time (i.e. the present epoch) which is corroborated by results from recent supernovae Ia observations. The physical and geometric behaviour of the universe have also been discussed in detail.     

LRS Bianchi type-II massive string cosmological model in General Relativity

The present study deals with locally rotationally symmetric (LRS) Bianchi type II cosmological model representing massive string. The energy-momentum tensor for such string as formulated by Letelier (Phys. Rev. D 28:2414, 1983) is used to construct massive string cosmological model for which we assume that the expansion (θ) in the model is proportional to the shear (σ). This condition leads to A=B ^m , where A and B are the metric coefficients and m is proportionality constant. For suitable choice of constant m, it is observed that in early stage of the evolution of the universe string dominates over the particle whereas the universe is dominated by massive string at the late time. Our model is in accelerating phase which is consistent to the recent observations of type Is supernovae. Some physical and geometric behavior of the model is also discussed.     

Dark energy models with anisotropic fluid in Bianchi Type-VI 0 space-time with time dependent deceleration parameter

We present two dark energy (DE) models with an anisotropic fluid in Bianchi type-VI ₀ space-time by considering time dependent deceleration parameter (DP). The equation of state (EoS) for dark energy ω is found to be time dependent and its existing range for derived models is in good agreement with the recent observations. Under the suitable condition, the anisotropic models approach to isotropic scenario. We also find that during the evolution of the universe, the EoS parameter for DE changes from ω>−1 to ω=−1 in first model whereas from ω>−1 to ω<−1 in second model which is consistent with recent observations. The cosmological constant Λ is found to be a positive decreasing function of time and it approaches a small positive value at late time (i.e. the present epoch) which is corroborated by results from recent type Ia supernovae observations. The cosmic jerk parameter in our derived models is also found to be in good agreement with the recent data of astrophysical observations. The physical and geometric aspects of both the models are also discussed in detail.     

On the Jeans Criterion of a Stratified Heat Conducting Gaseous Medium in the Presence of Non-uniform Rotation and Magnetic Field

The problem of self-gravitational instability of an infinite, homogeneous stratified gaseous medium with finite thermal conductivity and infinite electrical conductivity, in the presence of non-uniform rotation and magnetic field in the Chandrasekhar’s frame of reference, is studied. It is found that the magnetic field, whether uniform or non-uniform, has no effect on the Jeans’ criterion for gravitational instability and remains essentially unaffected. However, the thermal conductivity has the usual stabilizing effect on the criterion that the adiabatic sound velocity occurring in the Jeans criterion is replaced by the isothermal sound velocity. Thus, the present analysis extends the results of Chandrasekhar for the case of heat conducting medium and for non-uniform rotation and magnetic field.     

On Absorption and Scattering of P Modes by Small-Scale Magnetic Elements

The solar surface is characterised everywhere by the presence of small-scale magnetic structures. Their collective behaviour in the form of active regions is known to have strong influence on p-mode power. For example, sunspots and plages are strong absorbers of acoustic waves. This paper studies the effects of individual small-scale magnetic elements to understand the details of absorption of p-mode power. For this, we consider a thin magnetic flux tube and calculate the phase shifts and the absorption coefficients by numerically solving the linearised MHD equations. The phase shifts calculated from the Born Approximation are then compared for the same range of degrees. The results are discussed with a view to understanding the physical mechanism.     

Harmonics of low-amplitude anisotropic wave trains in cosmic rays

The purpose of this work is to investigate the first three harmonics of low-amplitude anisotropic wave trains (LAEs) of cosmic ray intensity and their association with solar and heliospheric parameters. The significant behaviour of these events is that the amplitude remains low for the first harmonic and high for the second/third harmonics, whereas direction of the anisotropy shift is towards earlier hours for the first harmonic and towards later hours for the second/third harmonic compared to annual average anisotropy. The first two harmonics are found to correlate well with the solar activity cycle during these LAEs. The amplitude and the direction of the first two harmonics do not show any significant association with the polarity change of the Bx/By component of the interplanetary magnetic field during LAEs. However, the third harmonic (amplitude and phase) shows some positive correlation with the Bx and negative correlation with the By component. The occurrence of LAEs is dominant for the positive polarity of Bx and the negative polarity of By. The occurrence of LAEs is dominant during the period of average solar wind velocity but their occurrence during high-speed solar wind streams cannot be overlooked. The frequency of occurrence of these LAEs is more during co-rotating streams.The amplitude of first and second harmonic shows deviations for different values of geomagnetic activity index Ap. However, the amplitude of second harmonic and direction of all the three harmonics do not show any significant association with the Ap-index. The Ap-index consistently remains in the range 14?Kp?31 during these events.The amplitude of first and third harmonic and the direction of first harmonic show deviations for different values of proton density. However, the amplitude of the second harmonic and the direction of the second and third harmonics do not show any significant association with proton density. The occurrence of LAEs is dominant when proton density remains ?20. The cosmic ray intensity during LAEs has good anti-correlation with interplanetary magnetic field strength (B) and its Bx component, whereas it shows a good correlation with its By component. However, it shows significant anti-correlation with sunspot number, the product (R×V) and (R×B).     

Solar cycle variations inP-modes and chromospheric magnetism

The effect onp-mode frequencies of a horizontal chromospheric canopy field is studied theoretically and the results compared with Libbrecht and Woodard's observations of frequency changes. Combined changes in field strength and chromospheric temperature cause frequency shifts that are similar in form to those observed. Frequency shifts inp-modes offer the possibility of signatures of solar activity cycles distinct from sunspot numbers and butterfly diagrams.     

DETECTION OF SHORT-PERIOD CORONAL OSCILLATIONS DURING THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE OF 24 OCTOBER, 1995

An experiment to search for short-period oscillations in the solar corona was conducted during the total solar eclipse of 1995 October 24 at Kalpi, India. The intensity in the continuum, centred around 5500 Å and with a passband having a half-width of 240 Å, was recorded at a counting rate of 20 Hz using a thermoelectric-liquid cooled photomultiplier. The power-spectrum analysis of the data reveals that most of the power is contained in 6 frequencies below 0.2 Hz. A least-square analysis gives the periods of the 6 frequency components to be 56.5, 19.5, 13.5, 8.0, 6.1, and 5.3 s. These oscillations are found to be sinusoidal, and their amplitudes are found to lie in the rangeinebreak 0.2–1.3% of the coronal brightness. Assuming these oscillations to be fast magnetosonic modes, the calculations indicate the availability of enough flux for the heating of the active regions in the solar corona.     

Improvement of groundwater quality due to fresh water ingress in Potharlanka Island, Krishna delta, India

Hydrochemical study had been carried out on the groundwater resources of Potharlanka Island, Krishna delta, India. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed at 42 sites in December 2001 and October 2006. A comparative study of hydrochemical data indicates: groundwater is mildly alkaline with a pH of 7.0–8.2; electrical conductivity (EC) varies from 605 to 5,770 μS/cm in December 2001, and 652–5,310 μS/cm in October 2006. More than 62% of the groundwater samples in 2006 have TDS value <2,000 mg/l, which is within permissible limit of potable water, but 57% of the samples in 2001, are higher than the maximum permissible limit. Extremely low HCO₃/Cl and variable high Mg/Ca (molar ratios) had been indicated the transformation of the fresh groundwater aquifer systems to saline in 2001. Groundwater of this Island is mainly classified as Na–Cl and mixed types. A high percentage of Na–Cl type of these waters indicates the possibility of seawater ingression/intrusion process during 2001 and comparatively mixed water type indicates the dilution activities of groundwater. Excessive withdrawal of groundwater has caused the increase of saline water intrusion. Improvement of groundwater quality in this Island due to artificial recharge structures made by NGRI under RGNDWM project and affects of the flood due to heavy rainfall of the months of September–October 2005 are discussed in this paper.     

Carbonaceous and inorganic species in PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> during wintertime over Giridih,Jharkhand (India)

Ambient concentrations of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and water soluble inorganic ionic components (WSIC) of PM₁₀ were studied at Giridih, Jharkhand, a sub-urban site near the Indo Gangatic Plain (IGP) of India during two consecutive winter seasons (November 2011–February 2012 and November 2012–February 2013). The abundance of carbonaceous and water soluble inorganic species of PM₁₀ was recorded at the study site of Giridih. During winter 2011–12, the average concentrations of PM₁₀, OC, EC and WSIC were 180.2?±?46.4; 37.2?±?6.2; 15.2?±?5.4 and 18.0?±?5.1 μg m^?3, respectively. Similar concentrations of PM₁₀, OC, EC and WSIC were also recorded during winter 2012–13. In the present case, a positive linear trend is observed between OC and EC at sampling site of Giridih indicates the coal burning, as well as dispersed coal powder and vehicular emissions may be the source of carbonaceous aerosols. The principal components analysis (PCA) also identifies the contribution of coal burning? +?soil dust, vehicular emissions?+?biomass burning and seconday aerosol to PM₁₀ mass concentration at the study site. Backward trajectoy and potential source contributing function (PSCF) analysis indicated that the aerosols being transported to Giridih from upwind IGP (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) and surrounding region.