Shock-associated plasma density fluctuations in the interstellar medium

Theories of diffuse shock acceleration of the cosmic rays that predict that there should be regions of intense Alfven waves both upstream and downstream of the shock front are considered. Observations of similar waves near solar system shock waves show that they produce substantial density fluctuations. Such density fluctuations might produce observable scattering of radio waves. Observations which searched for angular broadening or blurring of radio sources whose lines of sight pass close to or through supernova remnants are discussed. No definite cases of remnant-associated scattering are detected. However, the source CL 4, which is viewed through the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant, may be such an object and merits further observation

Calculation of the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of upper-surface-blown wing-flap configurations

An engineering method for predicting the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of wing-flap configurations with upper surface blowing (USB) was developed. Potential flow models were incorporated into the prediction method: a wing and flap lifting surface model and a jet wake model. The wing-flap model used a vortex-lattice to represent the wing and flaps. The wing had an arbitrary planform and camber and twist, and the flap system was made up of a Coanda flap and other flap segments of arbitrary size. The jet wake model consisted of a series of closely spaced rectangular vortex rings. The wake was positioned such that it was tangent to the upper surface of the wing and flap between the exhaust nozzle and the flap trailing edge. It was specified such that the mass, momentum, and spreading rates were similar to actual USB jet wakes. Comparisons of measured and predicted pressure distributions, span load distributions, and total lift and pitching-moment coefficients on swept and unswept USB configurations are included. A wide range of thrust coefficients and flap deflection angles were considered at angles of attack up to the onset of stall

Theoretical Study of Ducted Fan Performance

Existing computer program improved capability for predicting performance of ducted fan in uniform axial flo

The small amplitude of density turbulence in the inner solar wind

International audienceVery Long Baseline Interferometer (VLBI) observations were made of radio sources close to the Sun, whose lines of sight pass through the inner solar wind (impact parameters 16-26 RE). Power spectra were analyzed of the interferometer phase fluctuations due to the solar wind plasma. These power spectra provide information on the level of plasma density fluctuations on spatial scales of roughly one hundred to several thousand kilometers. By specifying an outer scale to the turbulence spectrum, we can estimate the root-mean-square (rms) amplitude of the density fluctuations. The data indicate that the rms fluctuation in density is only about 10% of the mean density. This value is low, and consistent with extrapolated estimates from more distant parts of the solar wind. Physical speculations based on this result are presented

The fourth workshop on nonlinear processes in space plasmas: epilogue and telesis

International audienceNo Abstract available

A Technique for Measuring Electrical Currents in the Solar Corona

A technique is described for measuring electrical currents in the solar corona. It uses radioastronomical polarization measurements of a spatially-extended radio source viewed through the corona. The observations yield the difference in the Faraday rotation measure between two closely-spaced lines of sight through the corona, a measurement referred to as {\em differential Faraday rotation}. It is shown that the expression for differential Faraday rotation is proportional to the path integral $\oint n \vec{B}\cdot \vec{ds}$ where $n$ is the plasma density and $\vec{B}$ is the coronal magnetic field. The integral is around a closed loop (Amperian Loop) in the corona. If the plasma density is assumed roughly constant, the differential Faraday rotation is proportional to the current within the loop, via Ampere's Law. The validity of the constant density approximation is discussed, and two test cases are presented in which the associated error in the inferred current is small, of order tens of percent or less. The method is illustrated with observations of the radio source 3C228 with the Very Large Array (VLA) in August, 2003. A measurement of a differential Faraday rotation ``event'' on August 16, 2003, yields an estimate of $2.5 \times 10^9$ Amperes in the Amperian Loop. A smaller event on August 18 yields an enclosed current of $2.3 \times 10^8$ Amperes. The implications of these currents for coronal heating are briefly discussed.Comment: Revised version of paper; accepted for Astrophysical Journal, vol 670, November 20, 200

Four Stokes parameter radio frequency polarimetry of a flare from AD Leonis

Observations of the four Stokes parameters of a 430 MHz flare from the UV Ceti-type star AD Leonis are presented. The maximum amplitude of the event was 0.52 flux units and the durations at one-half and one-tenth maximum were 12 and 40 seconds, respectively. The degree of circular polarization at maximum intensity was approximately 56 percent and was later observed to be as high as 92 percent. Linear polarization was also observed at a level of about 21 percent at flare maximum which allowed an upper limit of 440 radians - sq m to be placed on the rotation measure

Calculation of aerodynamic characteristics of STOL aircraft

Method predicts lift and pitching moment characteristics of STOL aircraft with externally-blown, jet-augmented wing-flap combinations using potential-flow approach which involves combination of two flow models. Method can accommodate multiple engines per wing panel and part-span flaps

Short-duration solar microwave bursts and associated soft X-ray emission

Two hundred and fifty-nine short-duration microwave (15.4 GHz) bursts which occurred during the period of January 1968 to March 1970 were correlated with possible soft X-ray (2-12 A) flares occurring simultaneously. Sixty-six percent of the microwave bursts which were observed during periods of soft X-ray data coverage had associated soft X-ray flares. A study of an index of impulsiveness of the microwave flares failed to show a separation of the events into subclasses which could be attributed to distinctly different physical mechanisms. A weak (0.43) correlation was found between the intensities of the microwave and X-ray flares. A very weak (0.15) and statistically questionable correlation was found between the total energy released in these two energy ranges. Two models for the electron acceleration mechanism are discussed

Computation of aerodynamic interference between lifting surfaces and lift- and cruise-fans

Sequence of three computer programs predicts aerodynamic interference on lifting surfaces of transport-type aircraft which are equipped with lift and cruise fans; for example, high-bypass-ratio engine and wing-pylon tail configuration or fuselage-mounted lift-fan and wing-tail configuration