Periastron precession measurements in transiting extrasolar planetary systems at the level of general relativity

Transiting exoplanetary systems are surpassingly important among the planetary systems since they provide the widest spectrum of information for both the planet and the host star. If a transiting planet is on an eccentric orbit, the duration of transits T _D is sensitive to the orientation of the orbital ellipse relative to the line of sight. The precession of the orbit results in a systematic variation in both the duration of individual transit events and the observed period between successive transits,   P _obs  . The periastron of the ellipse slowly precesses due to general relativity and possibly the presence of other planets in the system. This secular precession can be detected through the long-term change in   P _obs  (transit timing variations, TTV) or in T _D (transit duration variations, TDV). We estimate the corresponding precession measurement precision for repeated future observations of the known eccentric transiting exoplanetary systems (XO-3b, HD 147506b, GJ 436b and HD 17156b) using existing or planned space-borne instruments. The TDV measurement improves the precession detection sensitivity by orders of magnitude over the TTV measurement. We find that TDV measurements over a approximately 4 yr period can typically detect the precession rate to a precision well exceeding the level predicted by general relativity.     

Spacetime is not just space and time

Our physical intuition usually separates space from time, ignoring the spacetime character of the physical reality. In strongly curved spacetimes this may lead to confusion and paradoxes. I present here two examples: (1) in the non-static cosmological spacetimes with flat space sections, the cosmological expansion of space is a true physical effect. Contrary to what the intuition imagines, it cannot be explained as a motion of matter in a non-expanding flat space. (2) Contrary to intuition, for static spacetimes the mathematically simplest 3+1 split is not given by the direct projection as in the standard ADM scheme. The simplest split is defined by a counter intuitive “optical geometry” that redshifts both space and time by the same conformal factor.     

An application of the Kerr black hole fly-wheel model to statistical properties of QSOs/AGNs

The aim of this work is to demonstrate the properties of the magnetospheric model around Kerr black holes (BHs), the so-called fly-wheel (rotation driven) model. The fly-wheel engine of the BH–accretion disc system is applied to the statistics of QSOs/AGNs. In the model, the central BH is assumed to be formed at z ∼10² and obtains nearly maximum but finite rotation energy (∼extreme Kerr BH) at the formation stage. The inherently obtained rotation energy of the Kerr BH is released through a magnetohydrodynamic process. This model naturally leads to a finite lifetime of AGN activity.
Nitta, Takahashi & Tomimatsu clarified the individual evolution of the Kerr BH fly-wheel engine, which is parametrized by BH mass, initial Kerr parameter, magnetic field near the horizon and a dimensionless small parameter. We impose a statistical model for the initial mass function (IMF) of an ensemble of BHs using the Press–Schechter formalism. With the help of additional assumptions, we can discuss the evolution of the luminosity function and the spatial number density of QSOs/AGNs.
By comparing with observations , it is found that a somewhat flat IMF and weak dependence of the magnetic field on the BH mass are preferred. The result explains well the decrease of very bright QSOs and decrease of population after z ∼2.     

基于IGS超快星历预报卫星钟差及其精度分析

在实时GPS精密单点定位中,能否快速有效地得到高精度的卫星钟差预报值是影响实时单点定位速度和精度的一个重要因素,由于GPS原子钟的高频率、高敏感和极易受到外界及其本身因素影响的性质使得卫星钟差预报至今都没能得到很好地解决,本文在目前的卫星钟差预报基础上,分别探讨了利用灰色模型理论、线性模型和二次多项式模型等方法,以IGS超快星历中2004年12月7日卫星钟差观测资料预报8日的卫星钟差为例进行卫星钟差预报研究,初步得出如下结论:在利用IGS超快星历的前一天的卫星钟差观测值预报后一天的钟差时,线性模型相对方便有效;而灰色模型只要选取合适的模型指数系数,能得到较高精度;但二次多项式模型预报精度较差。利用线性模型能达到或优于IGS超快星历预报钟差的预报精度。     

Power calculation for gravitational radiation: oversimplification and the importance of time scale

A simplified formula for gravitational‐radiation power is examined. It is shown to give completely erroneous answers in three situations, making it useless even for rough estimates. It is emphasised that short timescales, as well as fast speeds, make classical approximations to relativistic calculations untenable (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Spectral lag of gamma‐ray bursts caused by the intrinsic spectral evolution and the curvature effect

Assuming an intrinsic ‘Band’ shape spectrum and an intrinsic energy‐independent emission profile we have investigated the connection between the evolution of the rest‐frame spectral parameters and the spectral lags measured in gamma‐ray burst (GRB) pulses by using a pulse model. We first focus our attention on the evolution of the peak energy, E_0,p, and neglect the effect of the curvature effect. It is found that the evolution of E_0,p alone can produce the observed lags. When E_0,p varies from hard to soft only the positive lags can be observed. The negative lags would occur in the case of E_0,p varying from soft to hard. When the evolution of E_0,p and the low‐energy spectral index α₀ varying from soft to hard then to soft we can find the aforesaid two sorts of lags. We then examine the combined case of the spectral evolution and the curvature effect of fireball and find the observed spectral lags would increase. A sample including 15 single pulses whose spectral evolution follows hard to soft has been investigated. All the lags of these pulses are positive, which is in good agreement with our theoretical predictions. Our analysis shows that only the intrinsic spectral evolution can produce the spectral lags and the observed lags should be contributed by the intrinsic spectral evolution and the curvature effect. But it is still unclear what cause the spectral evolution (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

深埋隧洞微震活动区与岩爆的相关性研究

基于锦屏二级水电站深埋引水隧洞和排水洞大量微震监测数据及上百个不同等级岩爆实例,研究了深埋隧洞微震活动区与岩爆之间的关系。研究结果表明：（1）微震活动分布范围主要介于掌子面后方3倍洞径至前方1.5倍洞径之间,而岩爆高发区位于掌子面后方3倍洞径以内,表明岩爆高发区与微震事件主要分布范围相吻合;（2）隧洞工程岩爆潜在风险重点关注区域是掌子面后方3倍洞径已开挖范围,以及掌子面前方1.5倍洞径施工范围;（3）微震事件及岩爆分布呈区域性集结特点,其中一部分岩爆发生于微震事件集结区内部,另一部分岩爆发生于微震事件集结区边缘,这是岩体破坏过程中所固有的现象,与微震事件集结区边缘局部应力集中密切相关。     

福建及粤赣地区内陆与相邻地区地震活动相关性探讨

以福建及粤赣地区内陆为分析区域,基于该区域的地质构造环境,主要使用测震学分析方法,结合GPS、形变等手段的研究成果,研究分析该区域与周边地区地震活动的互动关系。结果发现,青藏亚板块和中国台湾地区的强震活动对福建及粤赣地区内陆地震活动有影响,地震活动具有较明显的相关关系。