7,237 research outputs found
The Twist of the Draped Interstellar Magnetic Field Ahead of the Heliopause: A Magnetic Reconnection Driven Rotational Discontinuity
Based on the difference between the orientation of the interstellar
and the solar magnetic fields, there was an expectation that the magnetic field
direction would rotate dramatically across the heliopause (HP). However, the
Voyager 1 spacecraft measured very little rotation across the HP. Previously we
showed that the twists as it approaches the HP and acquires a strong
T component (East-West). Here we establish that reconnection in the eastern
flank of the heliosphere is responsible for the twist. On the eastern flank the
solar magnetic field has twisted into the positive N direction and reconnects
with the Southward pointing component of the . Reconnection drives a
rotational discontinuity (RD) that twists the into the -T direction
and propagates upstream in the interstellar medium towards the nose. The
consequence is that the N component of is reduced in a finite width
band upstream of the HP. Voyager 1 currently measures angles
() close to solar values. We present MHD simulations
to support this scenario, suppressing reconnection in the nose region while
allowing it in the flanks, consistent with recent ideas about reconnection
suppression from diamagnetic drifts. The jump in plasma (the plasma to
magnetic pressure) across the nose of HP is much greater than in the flanks
because the heliosheath is greater there than in the flanks.
Large-scale reconnection is therefore suppressed in the nose but not at the
flanks. Simulation data suggest that will return to its pristine
value past the HP.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures, submitte
New RR Lyrae variables in binary systems
Despite their importance, very few RR Lyrae (RRL) stars have been known to
reside in binary systems. We report on a search for binary RRL in the OGLE-III
Galactic bulge data. Our approach consists in the search for evidence of the
light-travel time effect in so-called observed minus calculated ()
diagrams. Analysis of 1952 well-observed fundamental-mode RRL in the OGLE-III
data revealed an initial sample of 29 candidates. We used the recently released
OGLE-IV data to extend the baselines up to 17 years, leading to a final sample
of 12 firm binary candidates. We provide diagrams and binary parameters
for this final sample, and also discuss the properties of 8 additional
candidate binaries whose parameters cannot be firmly determined at present. We
also estimate that per cent of the RRL reside in binary systems.Comment: MNRAS Letters, in pres
Preparing for Human Exploration
NASA's Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS) Enterprise is defining architectures and requirements for human exploration that radically reduce the costs of such missions through the use of advanced technologies, commercial partnerships and innovative systems strategies. In addition, the HEDS Enterprise is collaborating with the Space Science Enterprise to acquire needed early knowledge about Mars and to demonstrate critical technologies via robotic missions. This paper provides an overview of the technological challenges facing NASA as it prepares for human exploration. Emphasis is placed on identifying the key technologies including those which will provide the most return in terms of reducing total mission cost and/or reducing potential risk to the mission crew. Top-level requirements are provided for those critical enabling technology options currently under consideration
Simulating radiative shocks in nozzle shock tubes
We use the recently developed Center for Radiative Shock Hydrodynamics
(CRASH) code to numerically simulate laser-driven radiative shock experiments.
These shocks are launched by an ablated beryllium disk and are driven down
xenon-filled plastic tubes. The simulations are initialized by the
two-dimensional version of the Lagrangian Hyades code which is used to evaluate
the laser energy deposition during the first 1.1ns. The later times are
calculated with the CRASH code. This code solves for the multi-material
hydrodynamics with separate electron and ion temperatures on an Eulerian
block-adaptive-mesh and includes a multi-group flux-limited radiation diffusion
and electron thermal heat conduction. The goal of the present paper is to
demonstrate the capability to simulate radiative shocks of essentially
three-dimensional experimental configurations, such as circular and elliptical
nozzles. We show that the compound shock structure of the primary and wall
shock is captured and verify that the shock properties are consistent with
order-of-magnitude estimates. The produced synthetic radiographs can be used
for comparison with future nozzle experiments at high-energy-density laser
facilities.Comment: submitted to High Energy Density Physic
Individual Quality Explains Association between Plumage Colouration, Arrival Dates and Mate Acquisition in Yellow Warblers (Setophaga petechia)
Background
In many bird species colour traits influence social dominance and breeding success. In our study we first evaluated whether the colour of the basic plumage (tail feathers grown at the end of the breeding season), that provides an index of individual quality, influenced winter habitat use by yellow warblers. We then evaluated whether winter habitat use (inferred using δ13C and δ15N signatures of winter grown greater-coverts) influenced alternate plumage colouration, after controlling for individual quality using basic plumage colouration. Finally, we investigated whether basic and alternate plumage colouration influenced arrival dates, mate acquisition, breeding phenology and reproductive success of yellow warblers breeding in southern (Revelstoke, B.C.) and arctic (Inuvik, N.W.T.) Canada.
Results
The colour (chroma and hue) of tail feathers, grown on the breeding grounds, was not related to subsequent winter habitat use. Greater covert and tail feather colour (chroma and hue) were correlated, suggesting genetics and/or individual quality played a role in pigment deposition. After controlling for individual difference in tail colour, δ13C values did not explain any variation in greater covert colour, but birds with high δ15N signatures had greater coverts with higher chroma. Male arrival dates varied with tail chroma in Revelstoke and tail hue in Inuvik. Males that arrived early paired with older and/or more colourful mates that initiated clutches earlier, and at one site (Revelstoke) were more likely to fledge young. In addition, in Revelstoke (but not Inuvik) males with high tail hue also acquired more colourful mates. In contrast, after controlling for individual differences in tail colour, greater covert colour did not affect male arrival date, the quality of the mate obtained or reproductive success in either population.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that plumage colour effects on breeding phenology and mate acquisition result from differences in the intrinsic quality of individuals rather than a carry-over effect of winter habitat use
Uncertainty Estimates for Theoretical Atomic and Molecular Data
Sources of uncertainty are reviewed for calculated atomic and molecular data
that are important for plasma modeling: atomic and molecular structure and
cross sections for electron-atom, electron-molecule, and heavy particle
collisions. We concentrate on model uncertainties due to approximations to the
fundamental many-body quantum mechanical equations and we aim to provide
guidelines to estimate uncertainties as a routine part of computations of data
for structure and scattering.Comment: 65 pages, 18 Figures, 3 Tables. J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. Final
accepted versio
Astrobiology and the Human Exploration of Mars
In March 2007, the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) chartered the Human Exploration of Mars Science Analysis Group (HEM-SAG), co-chaired by J. B. Garvin and J. S. Levine and consisting of about 30 Mars scientists from the U.S. and Europe. HEM-SAG was one of a half dozen teams charted by NASA to consider the human exploration of Mars. Other teams included: Mars Entry, Descent and Landing, Human Health and Performance, Flight and Surface Systems, and Heliospheric/Astrophysics. The results of these Mars teams and the development of an architecture for the human exploration of Mars were summarized in two recent publications: Human Exploration of Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0, NASA Special Publication-2009-566 (B. G. Drake, Editor), 100 pages, July 2009 and Human Exploration of Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0, NASA Special Publication-2009-566 Addendum (B. G. Drake, Editor), 406 pages, July 2009. This presentation summarizes the HEM-SAG conclusions on astrobiology and the search for life on Mars by humans
Is the magnetic field in the heliosheath laminar or a turbulent bath of bubbles?
All the current global models of the heliosphere are based on the assumption
that the magnetic field in the heliosheath, in the region close to the
heliopause is laminar. We argue that in that region the heliospheric magnetic
field is not laminar but instead consists of magnetic bubbles. Recently, we
proposed that the annihilation of the "sectored" magnetic field within the
heliosheath as it is compressed on its approach to the heliopause produces the
anomalous cosmic rays and also energetic electrons. As a product of the
annihilation of the sectored magnetic field, densely-packed magnetic
islands/bubbles are produced. These magnetic islands/bubbles will be convected
with the ambient flows as the sector region is carried to higher latitudes
filling the heliosheath. We further argue that the magnetic islands/bubbles
will develop upstream within the heliosheath. As a result, the magnetic field
in the heliosheath sector region will be disordered well upstream of the
heliopause. We present a 3D MHD simulation with very high numerical resolution
that captures the north-south boundaries of the sector region. We show that due
to the high pressure of the interstellar magnetic field a north-south asymmetry
develops such that the disordered sectored region fills a large portion of the
northern part of the heliosphere with a smaller extension in the southern
hemisphere. We suggest that this scenario is supported by the following changes
that occur around 2008 and from 2009.16 onward: a) the sudden decrease in the
intensity of low energy electrons detected by Voyager 2; b) a sharp reduction
in the intensity of fluctuations of the radial flow; and c) the dramatic
differences in intensity trends between GCRs at V1 and 2. We argue that these
observations are a consequence of V2 leaving the sector region of disordered
field during these periods and crossing into a region of unipolar laminar
field.Comment: 36 pages, 15 figures, submitted to Ap
- …