The sensitivity of EGRET to gamma-ray polarization

A Monte Carlo simulation shows that the EGRET gamma-ray telescope aboard the GRO satellite does not have sufficient sensitivity to detect linear polarization, even for 100% polarized gamma-ray sources. This is confirmed by analysis of calibration data. Several data selection techniques suggested to enhance polarization sensitivity have been evaluated and found to not significantly improve sensitivity.NRC/NAS RESEARCH ASSOCIATE     

Polarization observations of four southern pulsars at 1560 MHz

We present some interesting results from the mean pulse polarization observations of four southern pulsars made at the Australian National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Parkes, using the 64-m telescope in June and July, 1988. The 2 × 16 × 5 MHz filter system from Jodrell Bank has proved excellent in de-dispersing the pulse signals and measuring their polarization properties. We give the data for the four pulsars in some detail and discuss their spectral behaviour.     

Polarization transfer in a pulsar magnetosphere

Propagation of radio waves in the ultrarelativistic magnetized electron–positron plasma of a pulsar magnetosphere is considered. The polarization state of the original natural waves is found to vary markedly on account of the wave mode coupling and cyclotron absorption. The change is most pronounced when the regions of mode coupling and cyclotron resonance approximately coincide. In cases when the wave mode coupling occurs above and below the resonance region, the resultant polarization appears essentially distinct. The main result of the paper is that in the former case the polarization modes become non-orthogonal. The analytical treatment of the equations of polarization transfer is accompanied by numerical calculations. The observational consequences of polarization evolution in pulsar plasma are discussed as well.     

长江三峡库区地震地形变监测研究

三峡地壳形变监测网络结合空间大地测量(GPS、InSAR)和传统大地测量的优点，在1998年以来的三峡工程建设期间和2003年水库首次蓄水中获取了大量监测成果。结果显示库区地壳运动的基本图像：垂直形变较为显著，主要来自因蓄水荷载而产生的形变，水平形变不明显．库区主要断层的活动性在蓄水期间有明显加强迹象。水准测量反映从1998年首期观测至2003年10月首次蓄水后的库区垂直位移．沉降范围较大；GPS给出了2003年蓄水前后库区的垂直位移，形变的范围主要集中在水库近岸区域。水准测量与GPS观测反应的垂直位移的量级基本一致，沉降的最大幅度在3～4cm左右。水准监测、GPS观测与重力监测结果有一定的对应性。从地壳形变监测与研究结果分析，近期负荷改变而诱发中强地震的可能性不大。     

Comparisons of Infrared Colors and Emission-line Intensities between Two types of Seyfert 2 Galaxies

We study the relation between the infrared colors[ OⅢ] emission lines,gaseous absorbing column density(NH) ,and the detectability of the polarized (hidden)broad-line region(HBLR) in a large sample of 75 Seyfert 2 galaxies(Sy2s).From the indicators of star-formation activity,f60/f100 and LFIR/LB,we find some evidence that the Sy2s without HBLR show higher star-formation activities than those with HBLR,in agreement with previous prediction.Also,we confirm that the HBLR Sy2s tend to have a larger luminosity ratio of the core to the host galaxy,suggesting that the HBLR Sy2s display more powerful AGN activity.Howerver,the level of obscuration found in previous papers in nearly indistinguishable between the two types of Sy2s.The results support the statement that the non-HBLR Sy2s,with a weaker core component and a stronger star-formation activity component,are intrinsically different from the HBLR Sy2s,which are Sy1 systems with a hidden powerful AGN core and a low star-formation activity.The indications are that the non-HBLR Sy2s might be at an earlier evolutionary phase than the HBLR Sy2s.