6,383 research outputs found
The Primordial Lithium Problem
Big-bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) theory, together with the precise WMAP cosmic
baryon density, makes tight predictions for the abundances of the lightest
elements. Deuterium and 4He measurements agree well with expectations, but 7Li
observations lie a factor 3-4 below the BBN+WMAP prediction. This 4-5\sigma\
mismatch constitutes the cosmic "lithium problem," with disparate solutions
possible. (1) Astrophysical systematics in the observations could exist but are
increasingly constrained. (2) Nuclear physics experiments provide a wealth of
well-measured cross-section data, but 7Be destruction could be enhanced by
unknown or poorly-measured resonances, such as 7Be + 3He -> 10C^* -> p + 9B.
(3) Physics beyond the Standard Model can alter the 7Li abundance, though D and
4He must remain unperturbed; we discuss such scenarios, highlighting decaying
Supersymmetric particles and time-varying fundamental constants. Present and
planned experiments could reveal which (if any) of these is the solution to the
problem.Comment: 29 pages, 7 figures. Per Annual Reviews policy, this is the original
submitted draft. Posted with permission from the Annual Review of Nuclear and
Particle Science, Volume 61. Annual Reviews, http://www.annualreviews.org .
Final published version at
http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-nucl-102010-13044
XMM-Newton observations of SDSS J143030.22001115.1: an unusually flat spectrum AGN
We present XMM observations of the AGN SDSS 1430-0011. The low S/N spectrum
of this source obtained in a snap shot Chandra observation showed an unusually
flat continuum. With the follow up XMM observations we find that the source
spectrum is complex; it either has an ionized absorber or a partially covering
absorber. The underlying power-law is in the normal range observed for AGNs.
The low luminosity of the source during Chandra observations can be understood
in terms of variations in the absorber properties. The X-ray and optical
properties of this source are such that it cannot be securely classified as
either a narrow line Seyfert 1 or a broad line Seyfert 1 galaxy.Comment: Submitted to A
Can Galactic Cosmic Rays Account for Solar 6Li Without Overproducing Gamma Rays?
Cosmic-ray interactions with interstellar gas produces both 6Li, which
accumulates in the interstellar medium (ISM), and mesons, which decay
to gamma-rays which propagate throughout the cosmos. Local 6Li abundances and
extragalactic gamma-rays thus have a common origin which tightly links them. We
exploit this connection to use gamma-ray observations to infer the contribution
to 6Li nucleosynthesis by standard Galactic cosmic-ray (GCR) interactions with
the ISM. Our calculation uses a carefully propagated cosmic-ray spectrum and
accounts for 6Li production from both fusion reactions () as well as from spallation channels ({p,\alpha+CNO \to ^6Li). We find
that although extreme assumptions yield a consistent picture, more realistic
ones indicate that solar 6Li cannot be produced by standard GCRs alone without
overproducing the hadronic gamma rays. Implications for the primordial 6Li
production by decaying dark matter and cosmic rays from cosmological structure
formation are discussed. Upcoming gamma-ray observations by GLAST will be
crucial for determining the resolution of this problem.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure To be published in ApJ
Bell's Theorem from Moore's Theorem
It is shown that the restrictions of what can be inferred from
classically-recorded observational outcomes that are imposed by the no-cloning
theorem, the Kochen-Specker theorem and Bell's theorem also follow from
restrictions on inferences from observations formulated within classical
automata theory. Similarities between the assumptions underlying classical
automata theory and those underlying universally-unitary quantum theory are
discussed.Comment: 12 pages; to appear in Int. J. General System
Neutron activation analysis traces copper artifacts to geographical point of origin
Impurities remaining in the metallic copper are identified and quantified by spectrographic and neutron activation analysis. Determination of the type of ore used for the copper artifact places the geographic point of origin of the artifact
Free-flight measurements of the rolling effectiveness and drag of trailing-edge spoilers on a tapered sweptback wing at Mach numbers 0.6 and 1.4
Free-flight measurements of some effects of spoiler span and projection and wing flexibility on rolling effectiveness and drag of plain spoilers on a tapered sweptback wing at Mach numbers between 0.6 and 1.6
Superluminous supernovae: No threat from Eta Carinae
Recently Supernova 2006gy was noted as the most luminous ever recorded, with
a total radiated energy of ~10^44 Joules. It was proposed that the progenitor
may have been a massive evolved star similar to eta Carinae, which resides in
our own galaxy at a distance of about 2.3 kpc. eta Carinae appears ready to
detonate. Although it is too distant to pose a serious threat as a normal
supernova, and given its rotation axis is unlikely to produce a Gamma-Ray Burst
oriented toward the Earth, eta Carinae is about 30,000 times nearer than
2006gy, and we re-evaluate it as a potential superluminous supernova. We find
that given the large ratio of emission in the optical to the X-ray, atmospheric
effects are negligible. Ionization of the atmosphere and concomitant ozone
depletion are unlikely to be important. Any cosmic ray effects should be spread
out over ~10^4 y, and similarly unlikely to produce any serious perturbation to
the biosphere. We also discuss a new possible effect of supernovae, endocrine
disruption induced by blue light near the peak of the optical spectrum. This is
a possibility for nearby supernovae at distances too large to be considered
"dangerous" for other reasons. However, due to reddening and extinction by the
interstellar medium, eta Carinae is unlikely to trigger such effects to any
significant degree.Comment: 19 pages, 2 figures; Revised version as accepted for publication in
Astrobiolog
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