Smooth models of overshooting at the base of the solar convective zone

A set of smoothed temperature gradient profiles around overshooting layers at the solar convective zone bottom is considered. In classical local theories of convection the one point defined according to the Schwarzschild criterion is enough to describe a convective boundary. To get a sophisticated picture of the overshooting we use four points to compute the transition overshooting functions. Analyzing the transition gradient profiles we found that the overshooting convective flux may be either positive or negative. A negative overshooting flux appears in nonlocal convective theories and causes a steep temperature gradient profile. But we propose an evenly smoothed gradient which corresponds to a convective flux positive everywhere. To outline the effect of the temperature gradient on the solar oscillations the squared Brunt–Väisälä frequency N ² is calculated. In local convective theories the N ² profile shows the discontinuity of the first derivative at the convective boundary, while all smoothed profiles eliminate the break.     

Low Visibility Formation and Forecasting on the Northern Coast of Brazil

Visibility analysis and forecast at the Maceio International Airport in the Brazilian Northeast (NEB) was the principal goal of this investigation. Surface meteorological data of the Maceio International Airport were used for low visibility frequency study. Low visibility in NEB was provoked more frequently by light fog (LF) formation (1,098 or 92 h month^?1 on average). Haze and fog were very rare (81 h and one event per year, respectively on average). Light fog with a visibility less than 2 km usually was detected together with rain or drizzle. Low visibility was observed more frequently at night and during the rainy season. Applications of the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model for light fog forecast were tested. Thermodynamic processes were studied by vertical profile, elaborated by: (1) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data for Maceio (because of some radiosonde absence) and (2) forecast vertical temperature and humidity profiles were produced, using Air Parcels Trajectories of the HYSPLIT model at the pattern levels. The synoptic situations before and during low visibility phenomena were analyzed using different products of NCEP reanalysis, the high resolution (10 km) ETA model and infrared satellite images. Wave disturbance in the trade winds field, localized on the northwest periphery of the South Atlantic subtropical High, usually accompanied the phenomena. A humidity advection, weak ascendant movement and thermal inversion absence at the low levels were created by these waves. The middle level’s descendent movement provoked the humidity accumulation at levels below. Satisfactory results of the HYSPLIT model applications for light fog forecast were obtained with 12 h antecedence. In particular, stable level forecast by the ETA model was forecast satisfactorily with 12 h antecedence; vertical movements were predicted better with up to 48 h antecedence. The PSU/NCAR mesoscale model (MM5) and PAFOG models were tested for analysis and forecast of an intensive fog event. Intensive fog provoked a fatal accident of a small airplane near the Maceio Airport in 2007. These fog formation processes were studied by NCEP reanalysis data, the high resolution regional model MM5, and satellite and radar data. Fog formation was simulated by PAFOG model and satisfactory results were obtained with 10 h antecedence.     

The magnetic and thermodynamical structure of a coronal hole

A nonpolytropic model of a polar coronal hole at 2 R R 5 R is constructed. Our main assumptions are: (1) the magnetic structure of the Sun can be described by a combination of dipole-like and radial fields; (2) in the magnetically dominated region [(v ²/2) < (B ²/8)] the influence of the outflow on the magnetic structure is negligible. The magnetic and thermodynamic structures are obtained by solving the force balance equation for plasma with the observationally derived electron density. Profiles of velocities in the acceleration regime are presented and the influence of the outflow on the thermodynamic structure of the solar corona above the polar region is discussed.This paper is the first part of a joint project of the Space Environment Laboratory, the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, and the High Altitude Observatory, NCAR. The second paper by Munro and Tzur is in preparation.Work done while at the Space Environment Laboratory, NOAA, ERL, Boulder, CO 80303, U.S.A.1982–83 Visiting Fellow at the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, National Bureau of Standards and University of Colorado.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.Visitor at NCAR.     

The improvement of greenhouse gas inventory as a tool for reduction emission uncertainties for operations with oil in the Russian Federation

The high quality inventory is an important step to greenhouse gas emission mitigation. The inventory quality is estimated by means of the uncertainty analysis. The level of uncertainty depends upon the reliability of activity data and the parameters used. An attempt has been made to improve the accuracy of the estimates through a shift from production-based method (IPCC Tier 1) (IPCC 2000) to enhanced combination of production-based and mass balance methods (IPCC Tier 2) (IPCC 2006) in the estimation of emissions from operations with oil that are key in the national greenhouse gas inventory of the Russian Federation. The IPCC Tier 2 (IPCC 2006) was adapted for the national conditions. The greenhouse gas emissions were calculated for 1990 to 2009 with the use of both methods. The quantitative uncertainty assessment of the calculations was performed, and the outcomes were compared. The comparison showed that the estimates made with the use of higher tier method resulted in higher accuracy and lower uncertainties (26 % respectively compared to previously derived 54 %).     

Martian Topography: Scaling, Craters, and High-Order Statistics

The high-order structure functions of Mars topography reveal three specific ranges of scales: (1) scaling range at small scales where the structure functions exhibit scaling behavior; (2) transition range where the structure functions continue to grow but do not reveal scaling; and (3) saturation range at large scales where the structure functions saturate. The scaling and saturation ranges are explored in detail in respect to scaling and intermittency. Analysis of the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data and computer simulations suggest that there are two potential contributors to the small-scale scaling: (i) scale-invariant surface formation; and (ii) effects of discrete morphological forms such as craters. The crater effect also provides an explanation for the large-scale intermittency revealed using the normalized structure functions within the saturation range, which cannot be explained by the ‘scale-invariant’ concept. Overall, the obtained results suggest that the “crater” contribution to the structure function behavior often dominates over the effect of the scale-invariant surface formation.     

Climate Change and Geochemistry May Explain the Finding of Marine Cyanobacteria in a Continental Saline Lake

正1 Introduction Alkaline Lake Khilganta located in a steppe zone of South Siberia(N 50°42'535,E 115°06'086)is unique among adjacent lakes because of a development of a thick(up to 3 cm)cyanobacterial mat dominated by     

Internal deformation of Sikhote Alin volcanic belt, far eastern Russia: Paleocene paleomagnetic results

We present paleomagnetic results of Paleocene welded tuffs of the 53–50 Ma Bogopol Group from the northern region (46°N, 137°E) of the Sikhote Alin volcanic belt. Characteristic paleomagnetic directions with high unblocking temperature components above 560 °C were isolated from all the sites. A tilt-corrected mean paleomagnetic direction from the northern region is D=345.8°, I=49.9°, α₉₅=14.6° (N=9). The reliability of the magnetization is ascertained through the presence of normal and reversed polarities. The mean paleomagnetic direction from the northern region of the Sikhote Alin volcanic belt reflects a counterclockwise rotation of 29° from the Paleocene mean paleomagnetic direction expected from its southern region. The counterclockwise rotation of 25° is suggested from the paleomagnetic data of the Kisin Group that underlies the Bogopol Group. These results establish that internal tectonic deformation occurred within the Sikhote Alin volcanic belt over the past 50 Ma. The northern region from 44.6° to 46.0°N in the Sikhote Alin volcanic belt was subjected to counterclockwise rotational motion through 29±17° with respect to the southern region. The tectonic rotation of the northern region is ascribable to relative motion between the Zhuravlevka terrane and the Olginsk–Taukhinsk terranes that compose the basements of the Sikhote Alin volcanic belt.     

Dynamical Properties of a Sample of Ellipticals

On the basis of Jeans equations we study some dynamical properties of a sample of E galaxies considered as oblate and prolate spheroids. Although the results emphasize the anisotropy as the dominant dynamical factor both for oblate and prolate configurations, the sample contains some oblate galaxies apparently isotropic consistent with full rotational support. Comparisons of the mass-to-luminosity ratios obtained from our models with ratios derived from recent evolutionary synthesis models do not seem to leave room for nonluminous matter within the ranges (of the order of one de Vaucouleurs' radius) of the kinematical observations. Such comparisons suggest that a flatter than the classical Salpeter IMF would lead to better agreement with the dynamical results obtained within the framework of our models.