Neural Nets and Star/Galaxy Separation in Wide Field Astronomical Images

One of the most relevant problems in the extraction of scientifically useful information from wide field astronomical images (both photographic plates and CCD frames) is the recognition of the objects against a noisy background and their classification in unresolved (star-like) and resolved (galaxies) sources. In this paper we present a neural network based method capable to perform both tasks and discuss in detail the performance of object detection in a representative celestial field. The performance of our method is compared to that of other methodologies often used within the astronomical community.Comment: 6 pages, to appear in the proceedings of IJCNN 99, IEEE Press, 199

Density distribution of particles upon jamming after an avalanche in a 2D silo

We present a complete analysis of the density distribution of particles in a two dimensional silo after discharge. Simulations through a pseudo-dynamic algorithm are performed for filling and subsequent discharge of a plane silo. Particles are monosized hard disks deposited in the container and subjected to a tapping process for compaction. Then, a hole of a given size is open at the bottom of the silo and the discharge is triggered. After a clogging at the opening is produced, and equilibrium is restored, the final distribution of the remaining particles at the silo is analyzed by dividing the space into cells with different geometrical arrangements to visualize the way in which the density depression near the opening is propagated throughout the system. The different behavior as a function of the compaction degree is discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figure

Measuring Areas on Large Scale Nautical Charts on Mercator-Secant

This short paper presents a highly accurate module of surface deformation which permit to calculate, once and for all, the ellipsoid area corresponding to the area measured on nautical charts on Mercator-Secant. The accuracy of the measured surface increases together with the increase of the scale because it depends on the graphic error

The mechanical design of a gas supply and mixing system for the AMS-02 particle detector onboard the international space station

Abstract The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer 02 is a particle physics experiment that will search for antimatter, dark matter, and measure cosmic rays in space aboard the International space station for 3 years . It is comprised of an array of sub-detectors: Transition Radiation Detector (TRD); Time of Flight detector; Anti-Coincidence Counter; Silicon Tracker; Ring Imaging Cherenkov counter; Electromagnetic Calorimeter and requires the operation of a cryogenic super conducting magnet at its core. It is built by an international collaboration of more than 100 scientists spread all over Europe, USA and the far East. The TRD that is located above the Cryomagnet and Upper Time of Flight, consists of several layers of straw modules interleaved with a fiber fleece material and arranged in a conical octagon structure built out of a carbon fiber/aluminum honeycomb sandwich. A charged particle traversing this detector produces characteristic electromagnetic radiation in each layer that is measured in the gas filled array of straw tubes. From this, the mass and momentum of the particle can be measured provided the tubes are filled with the proper gas mixture. The TRD gas supply stores 50 kg of gas corresponding to 8100 l Xe and 2000 l CO2 at 1 atm , filters, mixes, recirculates, and purges a daily supply of Xe/CO2 (80%/20%) gaseous mixture, thus supplying the TRD with clean, mixed gas for the 3-year ISS mission. Designing and building this reliable, weight optimised system to withstand launch loads and the harsh space environment presented a formidable engineering challenge. Adding to the complexity of the system was that a flexible valve/pump arrangement was needed to control mixture ratio, circulation flow and pressure, and purging. These studies are presented in the paper