7,912 research outputs found
Some aspects of metallic ion chemistry and dynamics in the mesosphere and thermosphere
The relationship between the formation of sporadic layers of metallic ion and the dumping of these ions into the upper mesosphere is discussed in terms of the tidal wind, classical (i.e., windshear) and other more complex, perhaps highly nonlinear layer formation mechanisms, and a possible circulation mechanism for these ions. Optical, incoherent scatter radar, rocket, and satellite derived evidence for various layer formation mechanisms and for the metallic ion circulation system is reviewed. The results of simple one dimensional numerical model calculations of sporadic E and intermediate layer formation are presented along with suggestions for more advanced models of intense or blanketing sporadic E. The flux of metallic ions dumped by the tidal wind system into the mesosphere is estimated and compared with estimates of total particle flux of meteoric origin. Possible effects of the metallic ion flux and of meteoric dust on D region ion chemistry are discussed
Peculiar Velocity and Deaberration of the Sky
Recent studies have found the earth's peculiar velocity to be significant in
microwave background based tests for compact cosmic topology, and modifications
to these tests have been proposed. Tests of non-gaussianity, weak lensing
analysis and new tests using improved CMB data will also be sensitive to
peculiar velocity. We propose here to simplify matters by showing how to
construct a deaberrated CMB map to which any test requiring a Hubble flow
viewpoint can be applied without further complication. In a similar manner
deaberration can also be applied to object surveys used for example in
topological searches and matter distribution analysis. In particular we have
produced a revised list of objects with z > 1.0 using the NASA/IPAC
Extragalactic Database.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, v4 accepted by Ap
Simultaneous VHF and UHF radar observation of the mesosphere at Arecibo during a solar flare: A check on the gradient-mixing hypothesis
The results of a two wavelength (VHF and UHF) mesosphere experiment performed at the Arecibo Observatory on January 5, 1981 are discussed. The 46.8-MHz VHF radar (3.21 m Bragg scale) was operated to provide spectral measurements of signals scattered from refractivity fluctuations due to turbulence. Other physical parameters such as radial velocities, scattered signal power, and Doppler spread due to turbulence can be derived from signal spectra. The 430-MHz UHF radar (0.36 m Bragg scale) was used for D-region electron-density measurements using the incoherent scatter technique with a comparable height resolution. The radars were pointed symmetrically about the vertical with a beam spacing of 5.5 degree in the meridional plane. Occurrence of a type 4 solar flare during the experiment produced enhanced D-region electron-density gradients. This was a unique circumstance that provided the possibility of testing the basic premises of the turbulent gradient-mixing hypothesis
Usefulness of multifrequency MST radar measurements, part 2.6B
Scattering of radio waves from atmospheric refractive-index irregularities induced by turbulence was invoked almost four decades ago to explain the characteristics of signals received on VHF/UHF ionospheric and tropospheric forward-scatter links. Due to the bistatic geometry of these links a slender, horizontally extended, common volume or cell is formed in space. The principal contribution to scattering arises from refractive-index fluctuations in this volume at the Bragg wave number K approx. sub B = K approx. sub i -k approx. sub s vectors. It has been surmised that the use of more than one frequency in probing the middle-atmosphere regions should help resolve several issues pertaining to the scattering mechanism. These issues are briefly re-examined in this note. The implications of the radar equation are discussed. The problems arising due to layered structure of turbulence and the choice of frequencies most suitable for multifrequency measurements are considered
Gamma-Ray Bursts via Pair Plasma Fireballs from Heated Neutron Stars
In this paper we model the emission from a relativistically expanding
electron-positron pair plasma fireball originating near the surface of a heated
neutron star. This pair fireball is deposited via the annihilation of neutrino
pairs emanating from the surface of the hot neutron star. The heating of
neutron stars may occur in close neutron star binary systems near their last
stable orbit. We model the relativistic expansion and subsequent emission of
the plasma and find 10^51 to 10^52 ergs in gamma-rays are produced with
spectral and temporal properties consistent with observed gamma-ray bursts.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Submitted to the Conference Proceedings of the
5th Huntsville Gamma-Ray Burst Symposiu
Interference detection and correction applied to incoherent-scatter radar power spectrum measurement
A median filter based interference detection and correction technique is evaluated and the method applied to the Arecibo incoherent scatter radar D-region ionospheric power spectrum is discussed. The method can be extended to other kinds of data when the statistics involved in the process are still valid
The discrete prolate spheroidal filter as a digital signal processing tool
The discrete prolate spheriodall (DPS) filter is one of the glass of nonrecursive finite impulse response (FIR) filters. The DPS filter is superior to other filters in this class in that it has maximum energy concentration in the frequency passband and minimum ringing in the time domain. A mathematical development of the DPS filter properties is given, along with information required to construct the filter. The properties of this filter were compared with those of the more commonly used filters of the same class. Use of the DPS filter allows for particularly meaningful statements of data time/frequency resolution cell values. The filter forms an especially useful tool for digital signal processing
Development of electrical test procedures for qualification of spacecraft against EID. Volume 2: Review and specification of test procedures
A combined experimental and analytical program to develop system electrical test procedures for the qualification of spacecraft against damage produced by space-electron-induced discharges (EID) occurring on spacecraft dielectric outer surfaces is described. A review and critical evaluation of possible approaches to qualify spacecraft against space electron-induced discharges (EID) is presented. A variety of possible schemes to simulate EID electromagnetic effects produced in spacecraft was studied. These techniques form the principal element of a provisional, recommended set of test procedures for the EID qualification spacecraft. Significant gaps in our knowledge about EID which impact the final specification of an electrical test to qualify spacecraft against EID are also identified
Constraints on the Evolution of the Primordial Magnetic Field from the Small-Scale Cosmic Microwave Background Angular Anisotropy
Recent observations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) have extended
the measured power spectrum to higher multipoles 1000, and there
appears to be possible evidence for excess power on small angular scales. The
primordial magnetic field (PMF) can strongly affect the CMB power spectrum and
the formation of large scale structure. In this paper, we calculate the CMB
temperature anisotropies generated by including a power-law magnetic field at
the photon last-scattering surface (PLSS). We then deduce an upper limit on the
PMF based on our theoretical analysis of the power excess on small angular
scales. We have taken into account several important effects such as the
modified matter sound speed in the presence of a magnetic field. An upper limit
to the field strength of 4.7 nG at the present scale of 1
Mpc is deduced. This is obtained by comparing the calculated theoretical result
including the Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) effect with recent observed data on the
small-scale CMB anisotropies from the
(WMAP), the Cosmic Background Imager (CBI), and the Arcminute Cosmology
Bolometer Array Receiver (ACBAR). We discuss several possible mechanisms for
the generation and evolution of the PMF.Comment: 27 pages, 4 figures, accepted to ApJ April 10, 200
Imaging density disturbances in water with 41.3 attosecond time resolution
We show that the momentum flexibility of inelastic x-ray scattering may be
exploited to invert its loss function, alowing real time imaging of density
disturbances in a medium. We show the disturbance arising from a point source
in liquid water, with a resolution of 41.3 attoseconds (
sec) and 1.27 ( cm). This result is used to
determine the structure of the electron cloud around a photoexcited molecule in
solution, as well as the wake generated in water by a 9 MeV gold ion. We draw
an analogy with pump-probe techniques and suggest that energy-loss scattering
may be applied more generally to the study of attosecond phenomena.Comment: 4 pages, 4 color figure
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