301 research outputs found
A comparison of CFD and full-scale measurements for analysis of natural ventilation
CFD modelling techniques have been used to simulate the coupled external and internal flow in a cubic
building with two dominant openings. CFD predictions of the time-averaged cross ventilation flow rates
have been validated against full-scale experimental data under various weather conditions in England.
RANS model predictions proved reliable when wind directions were near normal to the vent openings.
However, when the fluctuating ventilation rate exceeded the mean flow, RANS models were incapable of
predicting the total ventilation rate. Improved results are expected by applying more sophisticated
turbulence models, such as LES or weighted quasi-steady approximations
TOI-942b: A Prograde Neptune in a ∼ 60 Myr Old Multi-transiting System
Mapping the orbital obliquity distribution of young planets is one avenue toward understanding mechanisms that sculpt the architectures of planetary systems. TOI-942 is a young field star, with an age of ∼60 Myr, hosting a planetary system consisting of two transiting Neptune-sized planets in 4.3 and 10.1 day period orbits. We observed the spectroscopic transits of the inner Neptune TOI-942b to determine its projected orbital obliquity angle. Through two partial transits, we find the planet to be in a prograde orbit, with a projected obliquity angle of |λ| = 1-33+41 deg. In addition, incorporating the light curve and the stellar rotation period, we find the true 3D obliquity to be 2-23+27 deg. We explored various sources of uncertainties specific to the spectroscopic transits of planets around young active stars, and showed that our reported obliquity uncertainty fully encompassed these effects. TOI-942b is one of the youngest planets to have its obliquity characterized, and one of even fewer residing in a multi-planet system. The prograde orbital geometry of TOI-942b is in line with systems of similar ages, none of which have yet been identified to be in strongly misaligned orbits
Kepler-22b: A 2.4 Earth-radius Planet in the Habitable Zone of a Sun-like Star
A search of the time-series photometry from NASA's Kepler spacecraft reveals
a transiting planet candidate orbiting the 11th magnitude G5 dwarf KIC 10593626
with a period of 290 days. The characteristics of the host star are well
constrained by high-resolution spectroscopy combined with an asteroseismic
analysis of the Kepler photometry, leading to an estimated mass and radius of
0.970 +/- 0.060 MSun and 0.979 +/- 0.020 RSun. The depth of 492 +/- 10ppm for
the three observed transits yields a radius of 2.38 +/- 0.13 REarth for the
planet. The system passes a battery of tests for false positives, including
reconnaissance spectroscopy, high-resolution imaging, and centroid motion. A
full BLENDER analysis provides further validation of the planet interpretation
by showing that contamination of the target by an eclipsing system would rarely
mimic the observed shape of the transits. The final validation of the planet is
provided by 16 radial velocities obtained with HIRES on Keck 1 over a one year
span. Although the velocities do not lead to a reliable orbit and mass
determination, they are able to constrain the mass to a 3{\sigma} upper limit
of 124 MEarth, safely in the regime of planetary masses, thus earning the
designation Kepler-22b. The radiative equilibrium temperature is 262K for a
planet in Kepler-22b's orbit. Although there is no evidence that Kepler-22b is
a rocky planet, it is the first confirmed planet with a measured radius to
orbit in the Habitable Zone of any star other than the Sun.Comment: Accepted to Ap
Transverse Beam Spin Asymmetries in Forward-Angle Elastic Electron-Proton Scattering
We have measured the beam-normal single-spin asymmetry in elastic scattering
of transversely-polarized 3 GeV electrons from unpolarized protons at Q^2 =
0.15, 0.25 (GeV/c)^2. The results are inconsistent with calculations solely
using the elastic nucleon intermediate state, and generally agree with
calculations with significant inelastic hadronic intermediate state
contributions. A_n provides a direct probe of the imaginary component of the
2-gamma exchange amplitude, the complete description of which is important in
the interpretation of data from precision electron-scattering experiments.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letters; shortened
to meet PRL length limit, clarified some text after referee's comment
Zodiacal Exoplanets in Time (ZEIT). VI. A Three-planet System in the Hyades Cluster Including an Earth-sized Planet
Planets in young clusters are powerful probes of the evolution of planetary systems. Here we report the discovery of three planets transiting EPIC 247589423, a late-K dwarf in the Hyades (≃800 Myr) cluster, and robust detection limits for additional planets in the system. The planets were identified from their K2 light curves as part of our survey of young clusters and star-forming regions. The smallest planet has a radius comparable to Earth (), making it one of the few Earth-sized planets with a known, young age. The two larger planets are likely a mini-Neptune and a super-Earth, with radii of 291+0.11-0.10and 1.45+0.11-0.08 , respectively. The predicted radial velocity signals from these planets are between 0.4 and 2 m s-1, achievable with modern precision RV spectrographs. Because the target star is bright (V = 11.2) and has relatively low-amplitude stellar variability for a young star (2-6 mmag), EPIC 247589423 hosts the best known planets in a young open cluster for precise radial velocity follow-up, enabling a robust test of earlier claims that young planets are less dense than their older counterparts
Strange Quark Contributions to Parity-Violating Asymmetries in the Forward G0 Electron-Proton Scattering Experiment
We have measured parity-violating asymmetries in elastic electron-proton
scattering over the range of momentum transfers 0.12 < Q^2 < 1.0 GeV^2. These
asymmetries, arising from interference of the electromagnetic and neutral weak
interactions, are sensitive to strange quark contributions to the currents of
the proton. The measurements were made at JLab using a toroidal spectrometer to
detect the recoiling protons from a liquid hydrogen target. The results
indicate non-zero, Q^2 dependent, strange quark contributions and provide new
information beyond that obtained in previous experiments.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure
The G0 Experiment: Apparatus for Parity-Violating Electron Scattering Measurements at Forward and Backward Angles
In the G0 experiment, performed at Jefferson Lab, the parity-violating
elastic scattering of electrons from protons and quasi-elastic scattering from
deuterons is measured in order to determine the neutral weak currents of the
nucleon. Asymmetries as small as 1 part per million in the scattering of a
polarized electron beam are determined using a dedicated apparatus. It consists
of specialized beam-monitoring and control systems, a cryogenic hydrogen (or
deuterium) target, and a superconducting, toroidal magnetic spectrometer
equipped with plastic scintillation and aerogel Cerenkov detectors, as well as
fast readout electronics for the measurement of individual events. The overall
design and performance of this experimental system is discussed.Comment: Submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Method
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