Single star scidar: atmospheric parameters profiling using the simulated annealing algorithm

In this paper, we present a new method to estimate, for each turbulent layer labelled i , the horizontal wind speed   v ( h _i )  , the standard deviation of the horizontal wind speed fluctuations  σ _v ( h_i )  and the integrated value of   C ² _n   over the thickness  Δ h_i   of the turbulent layer   C ² _n ( h_i )Δ h_i   , where   h_i   is the altitude of the turbulent layer. These parameters are extracted from single star scintillation spatiotemporal cross-correlation functions of atmospheric speckles obtained within the generalized mode. This method is based on the simulated annealing algorithm to find the optimal solution required to solve the problem. Astrophysics parameters for adaptive optics are also calculated using   C ² _n ( h_i )  and   v ( h_i )  values. The results of other techniques support this new method.     

Extraction and analysis of geological lineaments by combining ASTER-GDEM and Landsat 8 image data in the central high atlas of Morocco

Natural Hazards - The present work focuses on using remote sensing techniques and geographical information system (GIS) to automatically extract lineaments in the southeast of Morocco, which is one...     

Numerical heat and fluid flow modeling of the Hercynian Draa Sfar polymetallic (Zn–Pb–Cu) massive sulfide deposit,Central Jbilets,Morocco

Draa Sfar is a polymetallic (Zn–Pb–Cu) volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit with an actual resource of 13 Mt at 4.0% Zn and 1.3% Pb. It is part of the central Jbilets area known for its several Cu–Zn ore deposits. The ore is hosted in the upper Visean-Namurien sedimentary formation. Owing to the complexity of the geology of the ore deposits, numerical simulation approach was attempted to shed light into the temperature distribution, the circulation of the hydrothermal fluid and the genesis of massive sulfide ore bodies by evaluating the permeability, porosity, and thermal conductivity. On the basis of this simulation approach, the ore is predicted to be deposited at a temperature ranging between 230 and 290 °C. This temperature range is dependent on the pre-existing temperature of the discharge area where a metal-rich fluid precipitated the ore. The duration of the Draa Sfar ore body formation is predicted to be 15, 000 to 50, 000 years. Based on geological studies of Draa Sfar deposit together with the aforementioned results of the simulation approach, an ore genetic model for the massive sulfide ore bodies is proposed. In this model, the supply of ore-forming fluids is ensured by the combination of seawater and magmatic waters. Magma that generated rhyodacite dome acted as the heat source that remobilized the circulation of these ore-bearing fluids. The NW-SE trending faults acted as potential pathways for both the downward and upward migration of the ore-forming fluids. Due to their high permeability, the ignimbritic facies, host rocks of Draa Sfar ore bodies, have favored the circulation of the fluids. The mixing between the ore-forming fluids of magmatic origin and the descending seawaters and/or in situ pore waters led to the formation the ore bodies in 35,000 years. The position and size of the ore body, determined by the simulation approach, is consistent with the actual field geological data.     

High-altitude wind velocity at Oukaimeden observatory

This paper aims at studying the wind at 200 mbar over the Moroccan observatory Oukaimeden, as high-altitude winds have been adopted as a useful parameter for site characterization in terms of the suitability of a site for the development of some adaptive optics techniques. The data used come from the National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis data base, which is widely acknowledged as being reliable. Statistical analyses of 200-mbar wind speed since 1983 are performed. Comparison with some of the main observatory sites worldwide qualifies Oukaimeden as one of the best observatory sites in terms of 200-mbar wind statistics. Our analysis of a record of seeing measurements during the years 2003 and 2004 concludes that while 200-mbar wind speed can be used as a parameter for ranking astronomical sites in term of their suitability for adaptive optics, it cannot be used for the whole atmospheric seeing prediction. A comparison of monthly values of the seeing parameter at Oukaimeden, La Silla and Paranal demonstrates the high seeing quality of Oukaimeden, as the seeing values measured were lower than those of La Silla and Paranal for most of the time during the comparison period. Furthermore, a statistical analysis of atmospheric stratified seeing, wavefront coherence time and isoplanatic angle measured with a Multi-Aperture Scintillation Sensor instrument over Paranal from 2004 to 2007 have been performed. We found good correlations between 200-mbar wind velocity and levels 4, 5 and 6 seeing, wavefront coherence time and isoplanatic angle, with corresponding correlation coefficients of 0.74, 0.79, 0.70, 0.97 and 0.78.     

Moroccan participation in the study of solar oscillations

An international program of cooperation linked Astrophysics Department of the University of Nice and the Astronomical and Geophysical Laboratory of Rabat. This program has permitted the installation of an observational instrument for the study of solar seismological phenomena in the framework of the IRIS programme, on the mountain site of Oukaïmeden, in Morocco.     

A simple flux integration photometer for day time site testing at Oukaimeden

We describe here a simple irradiance photometer built at Astrophysical and Geophysical Laboratory (LAG) for the integrated photometry of sun light at Oukaimeden, a 2700m summit in the Morrocan High Atlas. The solar irradiance measurement is performed simultaneously at three wavelengths to sample different levels of the sky transparency. The total of 1182 days in the data base shows that the number of clear hours is about 3086 per year which represents 65.32% of clear sky. The extinction coefficient is computed to evaluate the quality of the sky transparency at the site. We find that there is a seasonal effect for the sky transparency, and the monthly average of the extinction coefficient has a minimum value of about 0.05 in winter (oct-nov-dec) and a maximum of about 0.15 in summer (jun-jul) at 700 nm.     

Meteor Detection from the Fireball Moroccan Network: First Orbital Results and Links to Parent Bodies

Astronomy Reports - A network of meteor stations is being deployed in Morocco with the aim to determine meteor trajectories and their relationships with possible parent bodies. Several meteor...