X-ray emission from planetary nebulae calculated by 1D spherical numerical simulations

We calculate the X-ray emission from both constant and time-evolving shocked fast winds blown by the central stars of planetary nebulae (PNe) and compare our calculations with observations. Using spherically symmetric numerical simulations with radiative cooling, we calculate the flow structure and the X-ray temperature and luminosity of the hot bubble formed by the shocked fast wind. We find that a constant fast wind gives results that are very close to those obtained from the self-similar solution. We show that in order for a fast shocked wind to explain the observed X-ray properties of PNe, rapid evolution of the wind is essential. More specifically, the mass-loss rate of the fast wind should be high early on when the speed is  ∼300–700 km s⁻¹  , and then it needs to drop drastically by the time the PN age reaches ∼1000 yr. This implies that the central star has a very short pre-PN (post-asymptotic giant branch) phase.     

Doppler shift measurements on the green coronal line—evidence for largescale macroscopic mass motion

Fabry-Perot interferometric observations on the green coronal line (λ 5303 å) carried out during the total solar eclipse of 1980 February 16 have yielded relative Doppler shift velocities with an accuracy of ± 7 km s^-1. The values show a peak in the 30–50 km s^-1 range indicating largescale macroscopic mass motion in the solar maximum corona.     

Doppler radar sounding of volcanic eruption dynamics at Mount Etna

Besides their common use in atmospheric studies, Doppler radars are promising tools for the active remote sensing of volcanic eruptions but were little applied to this field. We present the observations made with a mid-power UHF Doppler radar (Voldorad) during a 7-h Strombolian eruption at the SE crater of Mount Etna on 11–12 October 1998. Main characteristics of radar echoes are retrieved from analysis of Doppler spectra recorded in the two range gates on either side of the jet axis. From the geometry of the sounding, the contribution of uprising and falling ejecta to each Doppler spectrum can be discriminated. The temporal evolution of total power backscattered by uprising targets is quite similar to the temporal evolution of the volcanic tremor and closely reproduces the overall evolution of the eruption before, during and after its paroxysm. Moreover, during the sharp decrease of eruptive activity following the paroxysm, detailed analysis of video (from camera recording), radar and seismic measurements reveals that radar and video signals start to decrease simultaneously, approximately 2.5 min after the tremor decline. This delay is interpreted as the ascent time through a magma conduit of large gas slugs from a shallow source roughly estimated at about 500 m beneath the SE crater. Detailed analysis of eruptive processes has been also made with Voldorad operating in a high sampling rate mode. Signature of individual outburst is clearly identified on the half part of Doppler spectra corresponding to rising ejecta: temporal variations of the backscattered power exhibit quasi periodic undulations, whereas the maximum velocity measured on each spectrum displays a sharp peak at the onset of each outburst followed by a slow decay with time. Periodicity of power variations (between 3.8 and 5.5 s) is in agreement with the occurrence of explosions visually observed at the SE vent. Maximum vertical velocities of over 160 m s^–1 were measured during the paraoxysmal stage and the renewed activity. Finally, by using a simplified model simulating the radar echoes characteristics, we show that when Voldorad is operating in high sampling rate mode, the power and maximum velocity variations are directly related to the difference in size and velocity of particles crossing the antenna beam.Editorial responsibility: A. Woods     

VALIDATION OF NEAR-SURFACE WINDS OBTAINED BY A HYBRID WRF/CALMET MODELING SYSTEM OVER A COASTAL ISLAND WITH COMPLEX TERRAIN

The results from a hybrid approach that combines a mesoscale meteorological model with a diagnostic model to produce high-resolution wind fields in complex coastal topography are evaluated.The diagnostic wind model(California Meteorological Model,CALMET) with 100-m horizontal spacing was driven with outputs from the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) model to obtain near-surface winds for the 1-year period from 12 September 2003 to 11 September 2004.Results were compared with wind observations at four sites.Traditional statistical scores,including correlation coefficients,standard deviations(SDs) and mean absolute errors(MAEs),indicate that the wind estimates from the WRF/CALMET modeling system are produced reasonably well.The correlation coefficients are relatively large,ranging from 0.5 to 0.7 for the zonal wind component and from 0.75 to 0.85 for the meridional wind component.MAEs for wind speed range from 1.5 to 2.0 m s-1 at 10 meters above ground level(AGL) and from 2.0 to 2.5 m s-1 at 60 m AGL.MAEs for wind direction range from 30 to 40 degrees at both levels.A spectral decomposition of the time series of wind speed shows positive impacts of CALMET in improving the mesoscale winds.Moreover,combining the CALMET model with WRF significantly improves the spatial variability of the simulated wind fields.It can be concluded that the WRF/CALMET modeling system is capable of providing a detailed near-surface wind field,but the physics in the diagnostic CALMET model needs to be further improved.     

3mm多普勒云雷达测量反演云内空气垂直速度的研究

垂直指向的W-波段大气云雷达(WACR)不仅测量云粒子的反射率因子Z, 而且测量多普勒速度谱。本文利用寿县气象站WACR在2008年11月1日一个时段的测量, 进行云内空气垂直速度反演试验。首先讨论个例中反射率、 Doppler平均速度及谱宽的分布特征及原因, 然后利用小粒子示踪法和改进的以小粒子示踪法为基础的粒子下降速度w0—反射率因子 (w0－Z) 关系法反演了云内空气垂直速度, 进而结合Doppler谱数据分析反演结果。结果显示: 小粒子示踪法在湍流较弱时能比较精确地反演空气垂直速度, 而湍流较强时, 湍流造成的误差不可忽略; 改进算法在湍流较强时能够减少湍流对反演结果的影响。     

新一代天气雷达故障处理和故障标准化平台的研发与应用

新一代天气雷达是一个组成结构复杂的探测平台,各个组合之间比较分散。由于机械运转的持续性,且对运行环境要求严格,所以雷达系统易发故障。对不同类型的雷达故障进行归纳和简析,并进行归类,按照雷达故障产生的原因分类为:雷达部件故障、软件故障、灾害引起的雷达故障、虚假报警、雷达产品图像错误。天气雷达故障处理和故障标准化平台的开发将相应的成果应用于日常的气象探测设备的监控业务中,并集成到综合气象观测系统运行监控平台,以实现天气雷达故障的快速响应和维修。对2007年6月至2010年5月新一代天气雷达的运行能力进行了计算,并抽样其中2种型号的天气雷达,对故障案例进行分析研究,给出了故障的分系统分布情况。     

2009年天津地区首场降雪过程分析

基于NCEP再分析资料、多普勒天气雷达产品与风云卫星云参数反演产品,对天津地区2009年的首场降雪过程进行了分析,研究表明:①造成此次降雪的主要天气系统是东移高空槽和地面倒槽;②降雪回波具备典型层云稳定性降水回波的特点,最强回波不超过35 dBz,伴随着降雪结束,回波顶高有所下降;③降雪过程云粒子有效半径数值维持在20μm,云体过冷层厚度、云顶高度较大,云顶温度在-30℃左右.随着降雪结束,云粒子有效半径、云体过冷层厚度和云顶高度数值逐渐减小,云顶温度则有所升高;④地面降水量和云粒子有效半径、云顶高度、云体过冷层厚度呈现正相关,与云顶温度呈现负相关.     

一次致雹强风暴的多普勒雷达特征分析

利用NCEP再分析资料和北京、天津的多普勒天气雷达产品对2007年7月9日华北中部地区一次伴有短时暴雨、局地冰雹和短时大风等强对流天气过程进行分析研究。分析表明,此次天气过程发生前高空转为前倾槽,并具有较强的不稳定层结;近地层的风切变线是雷暴生成的条件。物理量诊断分析表明：降水前水汽辐合区已从近地层扩展到850 hPa,但比较浅薄;低层辐合、高层辐散的配置加强了垂直上升运动;强对流天气发生区域处于垂直上升运动最强的区域内。多普勒天气雷达产品分析表明：致雹风暴具有中气旋特征和类似强降水超级单体的性质;路径预报的准确率与雷暴的总数目和移动异向性有关,雷暴的实际移向角度与雷达的路径预报相比存在明显偏差,总体偏差在29～67°之间,但路径预报产品仍对天气预报具有一定指示性;风廓线产品中3-7 km高度内垂直风切变矢量随高度呈顺时针旋转,在这种有利的条件下风暴有可能发展成强降水超级单体。     

利用GPS伪距导出的多普勒频移测速

推导了利用伪距观测值获取多普勒频移的公式,并利用导出的多普勒频移来确定载体的速度。实测数据表明,利用伪距导出的多普勒频移测速,可以达到dm/s级的水平。在没有原始多普勒观测值或者相位观测出现了频繁周跳的情况下,可以利用伪距导出的多普勒频移获得载体概略的速度信息。