An analytically solvable three-body problem

The problem of three particles interacting through harmonic forces is discussed within the Newtonian formalism. By means of a didactic approach, an exact analytical solution is found, and ways to extend it to the N-body case are pointed out.Comment: In Portuguese. To appear in Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Fisica (RBEF

Timeline analysis and wavelet multiscale analysis of the AKARI All-Sky Survey at 90 micron

We present a careful analysis of the point source detection limit of the AKARI All-Sky Survey in the WIDE-S 90 $\mu$m band near the North Ecliptic Pole (NEP). Timeline Analysis is used to detect IRAS sources and then a conversion factor is derived to transform the peak timeline signal to the interpolated 90 $\mu$m flux of a source. Combined with a robust noise measurement, the point source flux detection limit at S/N $>5$ for a single detector row is $1.1\pm0.1$ Jy which corresponds to a point source detection limit of the survey of $\sim$0.4 Jy. Wavelet transform offers a multiscale representation of the Time Series Data (TSD). We calculate the continuous wavelet transform of the TSD and then search for significant wavelet coefficients considered as potential source detections. To discriminate real sources from spurious or moving objects, only sources with confirmation are selected. In our multiscale analysis, IRAS sources selected above $4\sigma$ can be identified as the only real sources at the Point Source Scales. We also investigate the correlation between the non-IRAS sources detected in Timeline Analysis and cirrus emission using wavelet transform and contour plots of wavelet power spectrum. It is shown that the non-IRAS sources are most likely to be caused by excessive noise over a large range of spatial scales rather than real extended structures such as cirrus clouds.Comment: 16 pages, 19 figures, 5 tables, accepted for publication in MNRA

The Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) for AKARI

The Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) is one of two focal plane instruments on the AKARI satellite. FIS has four photometric bands at 65, 90, 140, and 160 um, and uses two kinds of array detectors. The FIS arrays and optics are designed to sweep the sky with high spatial resolution and redundancy. The actual scan width is more than eight arcmin, and the pixel pitch is matches the diffraction limit of the telescope. Derived point spread functions (PSFs) from observations of asteroids are similar to the optical model. Significant excesses, however, are clearly seen around tails of the PSFs, whose contributions are about 30% of the total power. All FIS functions are operating well in orbit, and its performance meets the laboratory characterizations, except for the two longer wavelength bands, which are not performing as well as characterized. Furthermore, the FIS has a spectroscopic capability using a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS). Because the FTS takes advantage of the optics and detectors of the photometer, it can simultaneously make a spectral map. This paper summarizes the in-flight technical and operational performance of the FIS.Comment: 23 pages, 10 figures, and 2 tables. Accepted for publication in the AKARI special issue of the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japa

MOOC: uma alternativa contemporânea para o ensino de astronomia

Abstract This article aims to present the evolution of the concept of distance education, culminating in the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), and considers this method a viable alternative to astronomy education, differing from the traditional classroom methods and other distance learning methods, in its scope, structure and general characteristics. The work was based on bibliographic research and multiple case study, in which the main MOOC platform in the world was tested for the operational and educational resources offered to students. From this study, an model was proposed for astronomy education.Resumo Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar a evolução do conceito de educação à distância, culminando no Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), considerando este método uma alternativa viável ao ensino de astronomia, diferenciando-se dos métodos tradicionais presenciais e dos demais métodos de ensino a distância (EaD) em função de sua abrangência, estrutura e características gerais. O trabalho se baseou em pesquisa bibliográfica e estudo de caso múltiplo, no qual as principais plataformas MOOC do mundo foram testadas em relação aos recursos operacionais e didáticos oferecidos aos estudantes. A partir deste estudo, um modelo foi proposto para o ensino de astronomia

The infrared astronomical mission AKARI

AKARI, the first Japanese satellite dedicated to infrared astronomy, was launched on 2006 February 21, and started observations in May of the same year. AKARI has a 68.5 cm cooled telescope, together with two focal-plane instruments, which survey the sky in six wavelength bands from mid- to far-infrared. The instruments also have a capability for imaging and spectroscopy in the wavelength range 2-180 mu m in the pointed observation mode, occasionally inserted into a continuous survey operation. The in-orbit cryogen lifetime is expected to be one and a half years. The All-Sky Survey will cover more than 90% of the whole sky with a higher spatial resolution and a wider wavelength coverage than that of the previous IRAS all-sky survey. Point-source catalogues of the All-Sky Survey will be released to the astronomical community. Pointed observations will be used for deep surveys of selected sky areas and systematic observations of important astronomical targets. These will become an additional future heritage of this mission