23,929 research outputs found
Multispectral data analysis Final report
Contour maps and prediction lines demonstrating existence of water depth information in multispectral dat
Malmquist Bias and the Distance to the Virgo Cluster
This paper investigates the impact of Malmquist bias on the distance to the
Virgo cluster determined by the H_0 Key Project using M100, and consequently on
the derived value of H_0. Malmquist bias is a volume-induced statistical effect
which causes the most probable distance to be different from the raw distance
measured. Consideration of the bias in the distance to the Virgo cluster raises
this distance and lowers the calculated value of H_0. Monte Carlo simulations
of the cluster have been run for several possible distributions of spirals
within the cluster and of clusters in the local universe. Simulations
consistent with known information regarding the cluster and the errors of
measurement result in a bias of about 6.5%-8.5%. This corresponds to an
unbiased distance of 17.2-17.4 Mpc and a value of H_0 in the range 80-82
km/s/Mpc.
The problem of determining the bias to Virgo illustrates several key points
regarding Malmquist bias. Essentially all conventional astronomical distance
measurements are subject to this bias. In addition, the bias accumulates when
an attempt is made to construct "distance ladders" from measurements which are
individually biased. As will be shown in the case of Virgo, the magnitude and
direction of the bias are sensitive to the spatial distribution of the parent
poputation from which the observed object is drawn - a distribution which is
often poorly known. This leads to uncertainty in the magnitude of the bias, and
adds to the importance of minimizing the number of steps in "distance ladders".Comment: 19 pages, 3 figures, Latex, To appear in Ap
Planar ion trap (retarding potential analyzer) experiment for atmosphere explorer
The retarding potential analyzer and drift meter were carried aboard all three Atmosphere Explorer spacecraft. These instruments measure the total thermal ion concentration and temperature, the bulk thermal ion velocity vector and some limited properties of the relative abundance of H(+), He(+), O(+) and molecular ions. These instruments functioned with no internal failures on all the spacecraft. On AE-E there existed some evidence for external surface contamination that damaged the integrity of the RPA sweep grids. This led to some difficulties in data reduction and interpretation that did not prove to be a disastrous problem. The AE-D spacecraft functioned for only a few months before it re-entered. During this time the satellite suffered from a nutation about the spin axis of about + or - 2 deg. This 2 deg modulation was superimposed upon the ion drift meter horizontal ion arrival angle output requiring the employment of filtering techniques to retrieve the real data
Aquatic Vegetation, Largemouth Bass and Water Quality Responses to Low-Dose Fluridone Two Years Post Treatment
Whole-lake techniques are increasingly being used to selectively
remove exotic plants, including Eurasian watermilfoil
(
Myriophyllum spicatum
L.). Fluridone (1-methyl-3-phenyl-
5-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4(1
H
)-pyridinone), a systemic
whole-lake herbicide, is selective for Eurasian watermilfoil
within a narrow low concentration range. Because fluridone
applications have the potential for large effects on plant assemblages
and lake food webs, they should be evaluated at
the whole-lake scale. We examined effects of low-dose (5 to 8
ppb) fluridone applications by comparing submersed plant
assemblages, water quality and largemouth bass (
Micropterus
salmoides
) growth rates and diets between three reference
lakes and three treatment lakes one- and two-years post treatment.
In the treatment lakes, fluridone reduced Eurasian watermilfoil
cover without reducing native plant cover, although
the duration of Eurasian watermilfoil reduction varied among
treatment lakes. (PDF has 11 pages.
On the constrained structure of duality symmetric Maxwell theory
The constrained structure of the duality invariant form of Maxwell theory is
considered in the Hamiltonian formulation of Dirac as well as from the
symplectic viewpoint. Compared to the former the latter approach is found to be
more economical and elegant. Distinctions from the constrained analysis of the
usual Maxwell theory are pointed out and their implications are also discussed.Comment: Latex, 12 page
Inferring the three-dimensional distribution of dust in the Galaxy with a non-parametric method: Preparing for Gaia
We present a non-parametric model for inferring the three-dimensional (3D)
distribution of dust density in the Milky Way. Our approach uses the extinction
measured towards stars at different locations in the Galaxy at approximately
known distances. Each extinction measurement is proportional to the integrated
dust density along its line-of-sight. Making simple assumptions about the
spatial correlation of the dust density, we can infer the most probable 3D
distribution of dust across the entire observed region, including along sight
lines which were not observed. This is possible because our model employs a
Gaussian Process to connect all lines-of-sight. We demonstrate the capability
of our model to capture detailed dust density variations using mock data as
well as simulated data from the Gaia Universe Model Snapshot. We then apply our
method to a sample of giant stars observed by APOGEE and Kepler to construct a
3D dust map over a small region of the Galaxy. Due to our smoothness constraint
and its isotropy, we provide one of the first maps which does not show the
"fingers of god" effect.Comment: Minor changes applied. Final version accepted for publication in A&A.
15 pages, 17 figure
Diagnostics Of Disks Around Hot Stars
We discuss three different observational diagnostics related to disks around hot stars: absorption line determinations of rotational velocities of Be stars; polarization diagnostics of circumstellar disks; and X-ray line diagnostics of one specific magnetized hot star, theta(1) Ori C. Some common themes that emerge from these studies include (a) the benefits of having a specific physical model as a framework for interpreting diagnostic data; (b) the importance of combining several different types of observational diagnostics of the same objects; and (c) that while there is often the need to reinterpret traditional diagnostics in light of new theoretical advances, there are many new and powerful diagnostics that are, or will soon be, available for the study of disks around hot stars
Feasibility study - 30 watt per pound roll-up solar array Quarterly technical report, 1 Jul. - 30 Sep. 1967
Configuration, rod tradeoff, and deployment parameter studies for design of solar panel arra
Smart grids for rural conditions and e-mobility - Applying power routers, batteries and virtual power plants
Significant reductions of greenhouse gas emission by use of renewable energy sources belong to the common targets of the European Union. Smart grids address intelligent use and integration of conventional and renewable generation in combination with controllable loads and storages. Two special aspects have also to be considered for smart grids in future: rural conditions and electric vehicles. Both, the increasing share of renewable energy sources and a rising demand for charging power by electrical vehicles lead to new challenges of network stability (congestion, voltage deviation), especially in rural distribution grids. This paper describes two lighthouse projects in Europe (“Well2Wheel” and “Smart Rural Grid”) dealing with these topics. The link between these projects is the implementation of the same virtual power plant technology and the approach of cellular grid cells. Starting with an approach for the average energy balance in 15 minutes intervals in several grid cells in the first project, the second project even allows the islanded operation of such cells as a microgrid. The integration of renewable energy sources into distribution grids primary takes place in rural areas. The lighthouse project “Smart Rural Grid”, which is founded by the European Union, demonstrates possibilities to use the existing distribution system operator infrastructure more effectively by applying an optimised and scheduled operation of the assets and using intelligent distribution power routers, called IDPR. IDPR are active power electronic devices operating at low voltage in distribution grids aiming to reduce losses due to unbalanced loads and enabling active voltage and reactive power control. This allows a higher penetration of renewable energy sources in existing grids without investing in new lines and transformers. Integrated in a virtual power plant and combined with batteries, the IDPR also allows a temporary islanded mode of grid cells.
Both projects show the potential of avoiding or postponing investments in new primary infrastructure like cables, transformers and lines by using a forward-looking operation which controls generators, loads and batteries (mobile and stationary) by using new grid assets like power routers.
While primary driven by physical restrictions as voltage-band violations and energy balance, these cells also define and allow local smart markets. In consequence the distribution system operators could avoid direct control access by giving an incentive to the asset owners by local price signals according to the grid situation and forecasted congestions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version
Translations and dynamics
We analyze the role played by local translational symmetry in the context of
gauge theories of fundamental interactions. Translational connections and
fields are introduced, with special attention being paid to their universal
coupling to other variables, as well as to their contributions to field
equations and to conserved quantities.Comment: 22 Revtex pages, no figures. Published version with minor correction
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