Instabilities in rotating relativistic stars driven by viscosity

We investigate the instability driven by viscosity in rotating relativistic stars by means of an iterative approach. We focus on polytropic rotating equilibrium stars and impose an m=2 perturbation in the lapse. We vary both the stiffness of the equation of state and the compactness of the star to study these factors on the critical value T/W for the instability. For a rigidly rotating star, the criterion T/W, where T is the rotational kinetic energy and W the gravitational binding energy, mainly depends on the compactness of the star and takes values around 0.13–0.16, which slightly differ from that of Newtonian incompressible stars (∼0.14). For differentially rotating stars, the critical value of T/W is found to span the range 0.17–0.25. The value is significantly larger than in the rigidly rotating case with the same compactness of the star. Finally we discuss the possibility of detecting gravitational waves from viscosity-driven instabilities using ground-based interferometers.      

Solar p modes of high degree l: coupling by differential rotation

Accurate measurements of solar p-mode frequencies and frequency splittings at high degree l require an adequate theoretical knowledge of the effects of mode coupling, induced by the variation with latitude of the angular velocity of the solar internal rotation. Earlier results for expansion coefficients of composite solutions (coupling coefficients) are due to Woodard. In this paper, the analysis is extended to allow for the dependence of the differential rotation on depth, and the result is expressed in terms of measurable quantities (the rotational splitting coefficients), which makes it convenient for diagnostic purposes. The analysis is based on the approach of quasi-degenerate perturbation theory, and is extended further to address possible effects of mode coupling in the observational line profiles. It is shown, using approximations applicable at high degree l , that the expected line profiles of composite modes in the observational power spectra are not distorted by mode coupling.     

New evidence for strong nonthermal effects in Tycho’s supernova remnant

For the case of Tycho’s supernova remnant (SNR) we present the relation between the blast wave and contact discontinuity radii calculated within the nonlinear kinetic theory of cosmic ray (CR) acceleration in SNRs. It is demonstrated that these radii are confirmed by recently published Chandra measurements which show that the observed contact discontinuity radius is so close to the shock radius that it can only be explained by efficient CR acceleration which in turn makes the medium more compressible. Together with the recently determined new value E _sn=1.2×10⁵¹ erg of the SN explosion energy this also confirms our previous conclusion that a TeV γ-ray flux of (2–5)×10⁻¹³ erg/(cm² s) is to be expected from Tycho’s SNR. Chandra measurements and the HEGRA upper limit of the TeV γ-ray flux together limit the source distance d to 3.3≤d≤4 kpc.     

Hydrodynamics of Supernova Evolution in the Winds of Massive Stars

Core-Collapse supernovae arise from stars greater than 8 M_⊙. These stars lose a considerable amount of mass during their lifetime, which accumulates around the star forming wind-blown bubbles. Upon the death of the star in a spectacular explosion, the resulting SN shock wave will interact with this modified medium. We study the evolution of the shock wave, and investigate the properties of this interaction. We concentrate on the evolution of the SN shock wave in the medium around a 35 solar mass star. We discuss the hydrodynamics of the resulting interaction, the formation and growth of instabilities, and deviations from sphericity.     

Seismic imaging and crustal architecture across the Lachlan Transverse Zone,a possible early cross‐cutting feature of eastern Australia

A 2‐D crustal velocity model has been derived from a 1997 364 km north‐south wide‐angle seismic profile that passed from Ordovician volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks (Molong Volcanic Belt of the Macquarie Arc) in the north, across the Lachlan Transverse Zone into Ordovician turbidites and Early Devonian intrusive granitoids in the south. The Lachlan Transverse Zone is a proposed west‐northwest to east‐southeast structural feature in the Eastern Lachlan Orogen and is considered to be a possible early lithospheric feature controlling structural evolution in eastern Australia; its true nature, however, is still contentious. The velocity model highlights significant north to south lateral variations in subsurface crustal architecture in the upper and middle crust. In particular, a higher P‐wave velocity (6.24–6.32 km/s) layer identified as metamorphosed arc rocks (sensu lato) in the upper crust under the arc at 5–15 km depth is juxtaposed against Ordovician craton‐derived turbidites by an inferred south‐dipping fault that marks the southern boundary of the Lachlan Transverse Zone. Near‐surface P‐wave velocities in the Lachlan Transverse Zone are markedly less than those along other parts of the profile and some of these may be attributed to mid‐Miocene volcanic centres. In the middle and lower crust there are poorly defined velocity features that we infer to be related to the Lachlan Transverse Zone. The Moho depth increases from 37 km in the north to 47 km in the south, above an underlying upper mantle with a P‐wave velocity of 8.19 km/s. Comparison with velocity layers in the Proterozoic Broken Hill Block supports the inferred presence of Cambrian oceanic mafic volcanics (or an accreted mafic volcanic terrane) as substrate to this part of the Eastern Lachlan Orogen. Overall, the seismic data indicate significant differences in crustal architecture between the northern and southern parts of the profile. The crustal‐scale P‐wave velocity differences are attributed to the different early crustal evolution processes north and south of the Lachlan Transverse Zone.     

竖向入射S波作用下单桩水平地震响应简化解析方法

基于连续介质模型并考虑桩-土运动相互作用,将单桩视为一维线弹性梁,研究了竖向入射S波作用下的单桩水平地震响应问题。将竖向入射S波模拟为基岩水平位移,基于平面应变模型建立的土体控制方程,推导出地震作用下土体水平动力阻抗函数表达式。将土体阻抗代入单桩控制方程并联立桩-土接触条件及桩顶和桩底的边界条件,得出了竖向入射S波作用下单桩的地震响应解析解。通过将所得解与已有文献理论解和有限元结果进行对比,验证了该方法的合理性。基于所得理论解进行参数分析得出：桩-土模量比的增加可以明显降低桩-土运动相互作用因子的最小值,而较大桩身长径比以及土体滞回阻尼对桩-土运动相互作用因子的影响较小;对于桩顶水平地震放大因子来说,桩-土模量比的增加仅在高共振频率处抑制其幅值,较大桩身长径比对其影响较小,而滞回阻尼比的增加会显著抑制共振频率处的幅值;桩身地震响应仅在较小桩径比时受桩-土模量比的影响明显,并随桩-土模量比的增加而降低。     

A Three-dimensional Wave Activity Flux of Inertia–Gravity Waves and Its Application to a Rainstorm Event

A three-dimensional transformed Eulerian-mean(3D TEM) equation under a non-hydrostatic and non-geostrophic assumption is deduced in this study. The vertical component of the 3D wave activity flux deduced here is the primary difference from previous studies, which is suitable to mesoscale systems. Using the 3D TEM equation, the energy propagation of the inertia–gravity waves and how the generation and dissipation of the inertia–gravity waves drive the mean flow can be examined. During the mature stage of a heavy precipitation event, the maximum of the Eliassen–Palm(EP) flux divergence is primarily concentrated at the height of 10–14 km, where the energy of the inertia–gravity waves propagates forward(eastward) and upward. Examining the contribution of each term of the 3D TEM equation shows that the EP flux divergence is the primary contributor to the mean flow tendency. The EP flux divergence decelerates the zonal wind above and below the high-level jet at the height of 10 km and 15 km, and accelerates the high-level jet at the height of 12–14 km. This structure enhances the vertical wind shear of the environment and promotes the development of the rainstorm.     

Low frequency variations in currents on the southern continental shelf of the Caspian Sea

The Caspian Sea (CS) is the largest enclosed basin in the world, located inside the Eurasian continent in the Northern Hemisphere. Although there have been few studies of the dynamics of the coastal zone in the CS, observations show that oscillations with periods from 2–3 days to 1–3 weeks dominate. These oscillations are presumed to be related to the synoptic variability of direct wind impact and to coastally-trapped waves (CTW). Here, we describe and interpret current meter observations on the continental margins of the southern CS from 2012 to 2014 to identify and characterize CTW there. Time series analysis provides evidence for both remote and locally wind-forced eastward traveling signals with time lags consistent with CTW theory. A wind-forced model with two CTW modes is able to reproduce the structure, amplitudes, and phases of observed alongshore current fluctuations, explaining half of the variance at frequencies less than 1 cpd. Remote forcing effects are present at all times, but are most striking when the local winds are weak, as in summer. The CTW calculations also suggest that the source region for the remote forcing may extend farther north along the west coast of the CS.     

南海冬季海浪的时空变率特征

The spatial and temporal variation characteristics of the waves in the South China Sea(SCS) in the boreal winter during the period of 1979/1980–2011/2012 have been investigated based on the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts interim(ERA-Interim) reanalysis dataset. The results show that the leading mode of significant wave height anomalies(SWHA) in the SCS exhibits significant interannual variation and a decadal shift around the mid-1990 s, and features a basin-wide pattern in the entire SCS with a center located in the west of the Luzon Strait. The decadal change from a weak regime to a strong regime is mainly associated with the enhancement of winter monsoon modulated by the Pacific decadal oscillation(PDO). The interannual variation of the SWHA has a significant negative correlation with the El Ni?o Southern Oscillation(ENSO) in the same season and the preceding autumn. For a better understanding of the physical mechanism between the SCS ocean waves and ENSO, further investigation is made by analyzing atmospheric circulation. The impact of the ENSO on the SWHA over the SCS is bridged by the East Asian winter monsoon and Pacific-East Asian teleconnection in the lower troposphere. During the El Ni?o(La Ni?a), the anomalous Philippine Sea anticyclone(cyclone) dominates over the Western North Pacific, helps to weaken(enhance) East Asian winter monsoon and then emerges the negative(positive) SWHA in the SCS.