13,490 research outputs found
Reference list for stability theory in ordinary differential equations
Reference list for stability and control theory in ordinary differential equation
3.8-Micron Photometry During the Secondary Eclipse of the Extrasolar Planet HD 209458b
We report infrared photometry of the extrasolar planet HD 209458b during the
time of secondary eclipse (planet passing behind the star). Observations were
acquired during two secondary eclipses at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility
(IRTF) in September 2003. We used a circular variable filter (1.5-percent
bandpass) centered at 3.8 microns to isolate the predicted flux peak of the
planet at this wavelength. Residual telluric absorption and instrument
variations were removed by offsetting the telescope to nearby bright comparison
stars at a high temporal cadence. Our results give a secondary eclipse depth of
0.0013 +/- 0.0011, not yet sufficient precision to detect the eclipse, whose
expected depth is approximately 0.002 - 0.003. We here elucidate the current
observational limitations to this technique, and discuss the approach needed to
achieve detections of hot Jupiter secondary eclipses at 3.8 microns from the
ground.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, in press for MNRA
What is Causing This Man\u27s Rectal Pain and Urinary Retention?
Case: A 23-year-old man presented to an urgent care office with a 2-week history of rectal pain and scant rectal bleeding. In the few days leading up to his presentation, he also had a fever of 101° F (38.3° C), inguinal lymphadenopathy, and urinary retention
A Ground-Based Search for Thermal Emission from the Exoplanet TrES-1
Eclipsing planetary systems give us an important window on extrasolar planet
atmospheres. By measuring the depth of the secondary eclipse, when the planet
moves behind the star, we can estimate the strength of the thermal emission
from the day side of the planet. Attaining a ground-based detection of one of
these eclipses has proven to be a significant challenge, as time-dependent
variations in instrument throughput and atmospheric seeing and absorption
overwhelm the small signal of the eclipse at infrared wavelengths. We gathered
a series of simultaneous L grism spectra of the transiting planet system TrES-1
and a nearby comparison star of comparable brightness, allowing us to correct
for these effects in principle. Combining the data from two eclipses, we
demonstrate a detection sensitivity of 0.15% in the eclipse depth relative to
the stellar flux. This approaches the sensitivity required to detect the
planetary emission, which theoretical models predict should lie between
0.05-0.1% of the stellar flux in our 2.9-4.3 micron bandpass. We explore the
factors that ultimately limit the precision of this technique, and discuss
potential avenues for future improvements.Comment: 10 pages, 1 table, four figures, accepted for publication in PAS
SETI science working group report
This report covers the initial activities and deliberations of a continuing working group asked to assist the SETI Program Office at NASA. Seven chapters present the group's consensus on objectives, strategies, and plans for instrumental R&D and for a microwave search for extraterrestrial in intelligence (SETI) projected for the end of this decade. Thirteen appendixes reflect the views of their individual authors. Included are discussions of the 8-million-channel spectrum analyzer architecture and the proof-of-concept device under development; signal detection, recognition, and identification on-line in the presence of noise and radio interference; the 1-10 GHz sky survey and the 1-3 GHz targeted search envisaged; and the mutual interests of SETI and radio astronomy. The report ends with a selective, annotated SETI reading list of pro and contra SETI publications
A Statistical Model of Magnetic Islands in a Large Current Layer
We develop a statistical model describing the dynamics of magnetic islands in
very large current layers that develop in space plasma. Two parameters
characterize the island distribution: the flux contained in the island and the
area it encloses. We derive an integro-differential evolution equation for this
distribution function, based on rules that govern the small-scale generation of
secondary islands, the rates of island growth, and island merging. Our
numerical solutions of this equation produce island distributions relevant to
the magnetosphere and corona. We also derive and analytically solve a
differential equation for large islands that explicitly shows the role merging
plays in island growth.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
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