A European X-ray astrophysics mission

Five instruments (Bragg Spectrometer, Large Area Proportional and Scintillation Counter Detectors, Wide Field X-ray Cameras and a Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor) are discussed and estimates of their performance are given. Their scientific aims are summarized and sample observing programmes are discussed

Spherical Redshift Distortions

Peculiar velocities induce apparent line of sight displacements of galaxies in redshift space, distorting the pattern of clustering in the radial versus transverse directions. On large scales, the amplitude of the distortion yields a measure of the dimensionless linear growth rate $\beta \approx \Omega^{0.6}/b$, where $\Omega$ is the cosmological density and $b$ the linear bias factor. To make the maximum statistical use of the data in a wide angle redshift survey, and for the greatest accuracy, the spherical character of the distortion needs to be treated properly, rather than in the simpler plane parallel approximation. In the linear regime, the redshift space correlation function is described by a spherical distortion operator acting on the true correlation function. It is pointed out here that there exists an operator, which is essentially the logarithmic derivative with respect to pair separation, which both commutes with the spherical distortion operator, and at the same time defines a characteristic scale of separation. The correlation function can be expanded in eigenfunctions of this operator, and these eigenfunctions are eigenfunctions of the distortion operator. Ratios of the observed amplitudes of the eigenfunctions yield measures of the linear growth rate $\beta$ in a manner independent of the shape of the correlation function. More generally, the logarithmic derivative $\partial/\partial\ln r$ with respect to depth $r$, along with the square $L^2$ and component $L_z$ of the angular momentum operator, form a complete set of commuting operators for the spherical distortion operator acting on the density. The eigenfunctions of this complete set of operators are spherical waves about the observer, with radial part lying in logarithmic real or Fourier space.Comment: 15 pages, with 1 embedded EPS figur

Optimal Big Data Aggregation Systems - From Theory to Practical Application

The integration of computers into many facets of our lives has made the collection and storage of staggering amounts of data feasible. However, the data on its own is not so useful to us as the analysis and manipulation which allows manageable descriptive information to be extracted. New tools to extract this information from ever growing repositories of data are required. Some of these analyses can take the form of a two phase problem which is easily distributed to take advantage of available computing power. The first phase involves computing some descriptive partial result from some subset of the original data, and the second phase involves aggregating all the partial results to create a combined output. We formalize this compute-aggregate model for a rigorous performance analysis in an effort to minimize the latency of the aggregation phase with minimal intrusive analysis or modification. Based on our model we find an aggregation overlay attribute which highly affects aggregation latency and its dependence on an easily findable trait of aggregation. We rigorously prove the dependence and find optimal overlays for aggregation. We use the proven optima to create simple heuristics and build a system, NOAH, to take advantage of the findings. NOAH can be used by big data analysis systems. We also study an individual problem, top-k matching, to explore the effects of optimizing the computation phase separately from aggregation and create a complete distributed system to fulfill an economically relevant task

Experimental study of spectral and spatial distribution of solar X-rays

The study of the physical conditions within the solar corona and the development of instrumentation and technical expertise necessary for advanced studies of solar X-ray emission are reported. Details are given on the Aerobee-borne-X-ray spectrometer/monochromator and also on the observing program. Preliminary discussions of some results are presented and include studies of helium-like line emission, mapping O(VII) and Ne(IX) lines, survey of O(VII) and Ne(IX) lines, study of plage regions and small flares, and analysis of line emission from individual active regions. It is concluded that the use of large-area collimated Bragg spectrometers to scan narrow wavelength intervals and the capability of the SPARCS pointing control to execute a complex observing program are established

The BLM Planning Process: Chasing the Rabbit

11 pages

The BLM Planning Process: Chasing the Rabbit

11 pages

Transition region features observed with Hinode/EIS

Two types of active region feature prominent at transition region temperatures are identified in Hinode/EIS data of AR 10938 taken on 2007 January 20. The footpoints of 1 MK TRACE loops are shown to emit strongly in emission lines formed at log T=5.4-5.8, allowing the temperature increase along the footpoints to be clearly seen. A density diagnostic of Mg VII yields the density in the footpoints, with one loop showing a decrease from 3x10^9 cm^-3 at the base to 1.5x10^9 cm^-3 at a projected height of 20 Mm. The second feature is a compact active region transition region brightening which is particularly intense in O V emission (log T=5.4) but also has a signature at temperatures up to log T=6.3. The Mg VII diagnostic gives a density of 4x10^10 cm^-3, and emission lines of Mg VI and Mg VII show line profiles broadened by 50 km/s and wings extending beyond 200 km/s. Continuum emission in the short wavelength band is also found to be enhanced, and is suggested to be free-bound emission from recombination onto He^+.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, submitted to PASJ Hinode first results issu