Optimising optimal image subtraction

Difference imaging is a technique for obtaining precise relative photometry of variable sources in crowded stellar fields and, as such, constitutes a crucial part of the data reduction pipeline in surveys for microlensing events or transiting extrasolar planets. The Optimal Image Subtraction (OIS) algorithm of Alard & Lupton (1998) permits the accurate differencing of images by determining convolution kernels which, when applied to reference images with particularly good seeing and signal‐to‐noise (S/N), provide excellent matches to the point‐spread functions (PSF) in other images of the time series to be analysed. The convolution kernels are built as linear combinations of a set of basis functions, conventionally bivariate Gaussians modulated by polynomials. The kernel parameters, mainly the widths and maximal degrees of the basis function model, must be supplied by the user. Ideally, the parameters should be matched to the PSF, pixel‐sampling, and S/N of the data set or individual images to be analysed. We have studied the dependence of the reduction outcome as a function of the kernel parameters using our new implementation of OIS within the IDL‐based TRIPP package. From the analysis of noise‐free PSF simulations of both single objects and crowded fields, as well as the test images in the ISIS OIS software package, we derive qualitative and quantitative relations between the kernel parameters and the success of the subtraction as a function of the PSF widths and sampling in reference and data images and compare the results to those of other implementations found in the literature. On the basis of these simulations, we provide recommended parameters for data sets with different S/N and sampling. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Inferring the emission regions for different kinds of gamma‐ray bursts

Using a theoretical model describing pulse shapes, we have clarified the relations between the observed pulses and their corresponding timescales, such as the angular spreading time, the dynamic time as well as the cooling time. We find that the angular spreading timescale caused by curvature effect of fireball surface only contributes to the falling part of the observed pulses, while the dynamic one in the co‐moving frame of the shell merely contributes to the rising portion of pulses provided the radiative time is negligible. In addition, the pulses resulted from the pure radiative cooling time of relativistic electrons exhibit properties of fast rise and slow decay (a quasi‐FRED) profile together with smooth peaks. Besides, we interpret the phenomena of wider pulses tending to be more asymmetric to be a consequence of the difference in emission regions. Meanwhile, we find the intrinsic emission time is decided by the ratios of lorentz factors and radii of the shells between short and long bursts. Based on the analysis of asymmetry, our results suggest that the long GRB pulses may occur in the regions with larger radius, while the short bursts could locate at the smaller distance from central engine. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Rapid rotation,active nests of convection and global-scale flows in solar-likestars

In the solar convection zone, rotation couples with intensely turbulent convection to build global-scale flows of differential rotation and meridional circulation. Our sun must have rotated more rapidly in its past, as is suggested by observations of many rapidly rotating young solar-type stars. Here we explore the effects of more rapid rotation on the patterns of convection in such stars and the global-scale flows which are self-consistently established. The convection in these systems is richly time dependent and in our most rapidly rotating suns a striking pattern of spatially localized convection emerges. Convection near the equator in these systems is dominated by one or two patches of locally enhanced convection, with nearly quiescent streaming flow in between at the highest rotation rates. These active nests of convection maintain a strong differential rotation despite their small size. The structure of differential rotation is similar in all of our more rapidly rotating suns, with fast equators and slower poles. We find that the total shear in differential rotation, as measured by latitudinal angular velocity contrast, ΔΩ, increases with more rapid rotation while the relative shear, ΔΩ/Ω, decreases. In contrast, at more rapid rotation the meridional circulations decrease in both energy and peak velocities and break into multiple cells of circulation in both radius and latitude. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Meridional circulation in the radiation zones of rotating stars: Origins,behaviors and consequences on stellar evolution

Stellar radiation zones are the seat of meridional currents. This circulation has a strong impact on the transport of angular momentum and the mixing of chemicals that modify the evolution of stars. First, we recall in details the dynamical processes that are taking place in differentially rotating stellar radiation zones and the assumptions which are adopted for their modelling in stellar evolution. Then, we present our new results of numerical simulations which allow us to follow in 2D the secular hydrodynamics of rotating stars, assuming that anisotropic turbulence enforces a shellular rotation law and taking into account the transport of angular momentum by internal gravity waves. The different behaviors of the meridional circulation in function of the type of stars which is studied are discussed with their physical origin and their consequences on the transport of angular momentum and of chemicals. Finally, we show how this work is leading to a dynamical vision of the evolution of rotating stars from their birth to their death. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Monte‐Carlo simulation of a possible correlation between the estimated luminosity distances and internal extinctions of type Ia supernovae

This paper describes a Monte Carlo simulation of type Ia supernova data. It was shown earlier that the data of SNe Ia might contain a possible correlation between the estimated luminosity distances and internal extinctions. This correlation was shown by different statistical investigations of the data. In order to remove observational biases (for example the effect of the detection limit of the observing instrument) and to test the reality of the effect found earlier we developed a simple routine which simulates extinction values, redshifts and absolute magnitudes for Ia supernovae. We pointed out that the correlation found earlier in the real data between the internal extinction and luminosity distance does not occur in the simulated sample. Furthermore, it became obvious that the detection limit of the observing devices used in supernova projects does not affect the far end of the redshift‐luminosity distance relationship of Ia supernovae. This result strengthens the earlier conclusions of the authors that SN Ia supernovae alone do not support the existence of dark energy. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Numerical investigation of the orbit of Interball‐1

We investigated the motion of the Earth's artificial satellite Interball‐1 by using a method suitable for the computation of large eccentricity orbits. Though the measured and the computed orbital elements differ from each other within the measured error bound, we found a slight tendency for secular decreasing in the semi‐major axis, caused probably by electromagnetic drag. We analysed the dominant role of the Moon in the variations of the orbital eccentricity, leading to zero perigee height and the end of the lifetime of the satellite. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

油页岩资源评价关键参数及其求取方法

资源评价关键环节之一就是评价参数标准的确定和求取。全国首次油页岩资源评价结果表明：油页岩质量评价关键参数主要有含油率（ω）、干燥基的灰分（A^g）、干燥基的低位发热量（Q^g_DW）及干燥基的全硫含量（S^g_Q）;油页岩资源量评价关键参数包括矿层可采厚度（H）、矿体有效面积（S）、矿体体重（D）、矿体资源类型等。不同参数的意义和评价标准不同,在表征单个工程控制点、块段油页岩体或单层油页岩等不同地质特征时,各参数的求取方法、计算公式有一定的差异性。进行油页岩资源评价时,应根据不同的目的选取不同的参数和计算方法。     

The eSTAR network – agent architectures for astronomy

The eSTAR Project uses intelligent agent technologies to carry out resource discovery, submit observation requests and analyze the reduced data returned from a meta‐network of robotic telescopes. Linking ground based telescopes with astronomical satellites, and using the emerging field of intelligent agent architectures to provide crucial autonomous decision making in software, the project has succeeded in combining data archives and research class telescopes, along with distributed computing nodes, to build an ad‐hoc peer‐to‐peer heterogeneous network of resources. We present the current operations paradigm of the eSTAR network and describe the direction in which the project intends to develop over the next few years. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Gyldén‐type problem revisited: More refined analytical solutions

We resume and consistently extend our previous researches concerning the Gyldén‐type problem (a two‐body problem with time‐dependent equivalent gravitational parameter). To approach most of the concrete astronomical situations to be modelled in this way, we consider a periodic small perturbation. For the nonresonant case, we present a second‐order analytical solution. For the resonant case, we adopt the most realistic astronomical situation: only one dominant term of the Hamiltonian. In this case we point out a fundamental model of resonance, common to every resonant situation, and, moreover, identical to the first fundamental model of resonance . Considering the simplest model of periodic change of the equivalent gravitational parameter, we .nd that all possible resonances are con.ned to the first fundamental model. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

土力学的现状及其数值分析方法中某些问题的讨论

概括性地论述了土力学目前的状况,指出土力学仍然处于半理论、半经验的发展水平。论述了土力学数值分析方法在工程应用中存在的问题,并对如何正确地使用土力学的数值分析方法和改变土力学数值分析在工程应用中的不利状况进行了讨论。另外,就如何改善这种状况提出了一些措施。从这些讨论可以得到以下结论,土力学还处于发展的初期阶段,随着土力学的理论及其数值分析方法的不断发展,以及其使用经验的不断积累,计算土力学在工程实践中将会得到越来越多的应用,它必将成为岩土工程分析中的有力工具。