Colors and collision rates within the Kuiper belt: problems with the collisional resurfacing scenario

We present a numerical check of the collisional resurfacing (CR) hypothesis proposed to explain the observed color diversity within the Kuiper Belt (where surface reddening due to space weathering is counteracted by regular resurfacing of neutral material after mutual collisions). Deterministic simulations are performed in order to estimate the relative spatial distribution of kinetic energy received by collisions, , for a population of target Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) embedded in a swarm of impactors distributed within the belt. Four different impactor disks have been considered, depending on the excitation and the external limit of the belt and the density of the scattered KBOs (SKBOs) population. The obtained results are compared to the relative color index distribution within the observed Kuiper Belt, in order to derive possible similarities between the high vs low objects spatial distribution in our simulations and the bluer vs redder KBOs distribution in the “real” Kuiper Belt. Such similarities are found for several important features, in particular the general correlations between highly impacted objects and high rms excitation and low perihelion q values that are in good agreement with equivalent correlations found for the bluest objects of the observed belt. Nevertheless, simulations disagree with observations on two crucial points. (1) The plutinos are significantly more collisionally affected than the rest of our test KBO population, whereas there is no observed tendency toward bluer plutinos. (2) There is always a much stronger correlation between and eccentricities than inclinations, whereas observations show just the opposite feature. The presence of numerous SKBO impactors could significantly damp these problematic features, but cannot erase them. Whether these contradictions invalidate the whole CR scenario or not remains yet uncertain, since the physical processes at play are still far from being fully understood and the sample of available observational data is still relatively limited. But it seems nevertheless that the scenario might not hold in its simple present form.     

基于约束条件的地图目标移位

地图目标移位是地图综合和空间信息可视化研究中的一个重要问题,其难点是如何在移位过程中满足一定的约束条件以保持目标之间的空间关系。本文以城市道路扩张为例,借助带约束性Delaunay三角网,结合有限元和空间推理方法,重点探讨顾及空间关系的基于约束条件的地图目标移位问题,并给出满足一定约束条件下的节点移位算法和计算实例。     

网络中移动对象的二维时空索引

基于2DSTMON(2-Dimensional spatio-temporal indexfor moving objects in network)二维时空数据模型,提出了一种新的二维网络中移动对象的时空索引2DSTI及其时空查询算法。这种二维时空索引机制简单且易于实现,支持当前轨迹数据和历史轨迹数据的大量时空查询操作。在此基础上,通过实验实现并验证了二维时空索引机制及其时空查询算法。     

AGN Detection Ranges of MACE and TACTIC Imaging Gamma-Ray Telescopes

Two high-sensitivity imaging gamma-ray telescopes, MACE and TACTIC, are being set up at Mt. Abu, India, for making detailed spectral and temporal investigations of galactic and extragalactic gamma-ray sources in the photon energy bands. E 20–200 GeV and 0.5–5TeV respectively. Here, we estimate the effective red-shift ranges of these telescopes for detecting gamma-ray signals from the EGRET-detected AGN's and identify the most likely candidate-sources for detection by the MACE and the TACTIC, under the assumption that the EGRET-inferred power-law spectra for these AGN's extend into the GeV-TeV range without any change in shape. Extremum bounds of the relevant intergalactic background radiation fields, suggested by various observational and theoretical considerations, have been used to estimate the attenuation of VHE gamma-ray fluxes due to photon-photon pair-production process, leading to the desired z-ranges for these instruments.     

山地学的研究对象和内容浅议──续《发展山地学之我见》

建议将山地学的研究对象定为以地域自然-人文综合体存在的山地系统即山地人地系统．据此提出了山地学的研究内容应围绕山地系统的性质、结构、功能及其演变理论和研究方法这一中心论题展开．     

Jet Deflection by a Quasi-Steady-State Side Wind in the Laboratory

We present experimental data on the steady state deflection of a highly supersonic jet by a side-wind in the laboratory. The use of a long interaction region enables internal shocks to fully cross the jet, leading to the development of significantly more structure in the jet than in previous work with a similar setup (Lebedev et al., 2004). The ability to control the length of the interaction region in the laboratory allows the switch between a regime representing a clumpy jet or wind and a regime similar to a slowly varying mass loss rate. The results indicate that multiple internal oblique shocks develop in the jet and the possible formation of a second working surface as the jet attempts to tunnel through the ambient medium.     

Total flux density radio observations as a tool for understanding AGN behaviour

A wealth of information on the properties of jets in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) can be derived from total flux density observations at high radio frequencies. This includes, for example, the Doppler factor, the Lorentz factor, and the viewing angle of the jet. We have earlier calculated these parameters for a sample of ～80 sources of different AGN types using almost 20 years of 22 and 37 GHz data from Metsähovi Radio Observatory. We have now gathered data for an additional ten years, and studied the long term characteristic variability time scales of a large sample of AGNs using the first order structure function, the discrete autocorrelation function and the Lomb-Scargle periodogram. Some of the results will be presented in this paper. We also stress the importance of long term observations of AGNs, the main reason for this being misinterpretations of source properties due to insufficient time coverage. Only a few observing epochs will too easily lead to incorrect conclusions about variability, continuum spectra, and the general detectability of the source, not to mention the exclusion of interesting objects from further studies. This is particularly important when considering, for example, the Planck satellite for which the quality of the main mission product, the accurate cosmic microwave background anisotropy maps, depends heavily on the elimination of foreground sources such as AGNs.     

Physical investigation of the potentially hazardous Asteroid (144898) 2004 VD17

In this paper we present the observational campaign carried out at ESO NTT and VLT in April and May 2006 to investigate the nature and the structure of the near-Earth object (144898) 2004 VD17. In spite of a great quantity of dynamical information, according to which it will have a close approach with the Earth in the next century, the physical properties of this asteroid are largely unknown. We performed visible and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy, as well as polarimetric observations. Polarimetric and spectroscopic data allowed us to classify 2004 VD17 as an E-type asteroid. A good agreement was also found with the spectrum of the aubrite meteorite Mayo Belwa. On the basis of the polarimetric albedo (pv=0.45) and of photometric data, we estimated a diameter of about 320 m and a rotational period of about 2 h. The analysis of the results obtained by our complete survey have shown that (144898) 2004 VD17 is a peculiar NEO, since it is close to the breakup limits for fast rotator asteroids, as defined by Pravec and Harris [Pravec, P., Harris, A.W., 2000. Icarus 148, 12-20]. These results suggest that a more robust structure must be expected, as a fractured monolith or a rubble pile in a “strength regime” [Holsapple, K.A., 2002. Speed limits of rubble pile asteroids: Even fast rotators can be rubble piles. In: Workshop on Scientific Requirements for Mitigation of Hazardous Comets and Asteroids, Washington, September, 2002].     

Ammonia-water ice laboratory studies relevant to outer Solar System surfaces

Although water- and ammonia-ices have been observed or postulated as important components of the icy surfaces of planetary satellites in the outer Solar System, significant gaps exist in our knowledge of the spectra and behavior of such mixtures under astrophysical conditions. To that end, we have completed low-temperature spectroscopic studies (1-20 μm) of water-ammonia mixtures, with an emphasis on features in the near-IR, a region which is accessible to ground-based observations. The influences of composition, formation temperature, thermal- and radiation-processing, and phase (crystalline or amorphous) of the components were examined. Spectra of both pure NH₃ and H₂O-NH₃ icy mixtures with ratios from 0.7 to 57 were measured at temperatures from 10 to 120 K. Conditions for the formation and thermal stability of the ammonia hemihydrate (2NH₃⋅H₂O) and the ammonia monohydrate (NH₃⋅H₂O) have been examined. Band positions of NH₃ in different H₂O-ices and major band positions of the hydrates were measured. We report spectral shifts that depend on concentration and temperature. The radiation-induced amorphization of the hemihydrate was observed and the radiation destruction of NH₃ in H₂O-ices was measured. Implications of these results for the formation, stability, and detection of ammonia on outer satellite surfaces are discussed.     

后装配组件的分析与设计方法

后装配组件的分析与设计方法是为如何方便组装、拆卸和替换组件而提出的，它是建立在面向对象和基于组件的软件工程基础上，把组件的概念引入到需求分析中，建立起组件与具体需求的映射关系。该方法能根据用户需求变化直接确定要维护的组件，从而提高组件的适应能力。