4,088 research outputs found
Discovery of Extremely Large-Amplitude Quasi-Periodic Photometric Variability in WC9-Type Wolf-Rayet Binary, WR 104
We discovered that the Wolf-Rayet (WR)+OB star binary, WR 104, renowned for
its associated "dusty pinwheel nebula" recently spatially resolved with
infrared interferometry, exhibits strong quasi-periodic optical variations with
a full amplitude of 2.7 mag. Such a large-amplitude, continuous variation has
been unprecedented in a WR star. The optical quasi-period (~241 d) is in almost
perfect agreement with the interferometric period (243.5+/-3 d). The remarkable
agreement of the dominant period in optical variability with the orbital period
supports that the strongly varying dust obscuration is physically related to
the binary motion, rather than sporadic dust-forming episodes. Considering the
low orbital inclination (11+/-7 deg) and the nearly circular orbit inferred
from the interferometric observations, the strongly variable line-of-sight
extinction suggests that the highly structured extinction can be being formed
via an ejection of dust in the direction of the binary rotation axis. Another
viable explanation is that the three-dimensional structure of the shock front,
itself is the obscuring body. Depending on the geometry, the dusty shock front
near the conjunction phase of the binary can completely obscure the inner
WR-star wind and the OB star, which can explain the amplitude of optical fading
and the past observation of remarkable spectral variation.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, to appear in PASJ (Letters), using an alternative
style fil
Deep Transient Optical Fading in the WC9 Star WR 106
We discovered that the WR9-type star WR 106 (HDE 313643) underwent a deep
episodic fading in 2000. The depth of the fading (dV ~ 2.9 mag) surpassed those
of all known similar "eclipse-like" fadings in WR stars. This fading episode
was likely to be produced by a line-of-sight episodic dust formation rather
than a periodic enhancement of dust production in the WR-star wind during the
passage of the companion star though an elliptical orbit. The overall 2000
episode was composed of at least two distinct fadings. These individual fadings
seem to more support that the initial dust formation triggered a second dust
formation, or that the two independent dust formations occurred by the same
triggering mechanism rather than a stepwise dust formation. We also discuss on
phenomenological similarity of the present fading with the double fading of R
CrB observed in 1999-2000.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Astron. Astrophys. (Letters
Recurrent Nova IM Normae
We detected the second historical outburst of the 1920 nova IM Nor. Accurate
astrometry of the outbursting object revealed the true quiescent counterpart
having a magnitude of R=17.0 mag and B=18.0 mag. We show that the quiescent
counterpart shows a noticeable variation. From the comparison of light curves
and spectroscopic signatures, we propose that IM Nor and CI Aql comprise a new
class of recurrent novae bearing some characteristics similar to those of
classical novae. We interpret that the noticeable quiescent variation can be a
result of either high orbital inclination, which may be also responsible for
the low quiescent brightness, or the presence of high/low states. If the second
possibility is confirmed by future observations, IM Nor becomes the first
recurrent nova showing state changes in quiescence. Such state changes may
provide a missing link between recurrent novae and supersoft X-ray sources.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Astronomy and Astrophysics Letter
Investigation of boundary layer and turbulence characteristics inside the passages of an axial flow inducer
A study of the boundary layer and turbulence characteristics inside the passages of an axial flow inducer is reported. The first part deals with the analytical and experimental investigation of the boundary layer characteristics in a four bladed flat plate inducer passage operated with no throttle. An approximate analysis for the prediction of radial and chordwise velocity profiles across the passage is carried out. The momentum integral technique is used to predict the gross properties of the boundary layer. Equations are given for the exact analysis of the turbulent boundary layer characteristics using the turbulent field method. Detailed measurement of boundary layer profiles, limiting streamline angle and skin friction stress on the rotating blade is also reported. Part two of this report deals with the prediction of the flow as well as blade static pressure measurements in a three bladed inducer with cambered blades operated at a flow coefficient of 0.065. In addition, the mean velocity and turbulence measurements carried out inside the passage using a rotating triaxial probe is reported
Simulation of the Directional Dark Matter Detector (D3) and Directional Neutron Observer (DiNO)
Preliminary simulation and optimization studies of the Directional Dark
Matter Detector and the Directional Neutron Observer are presented. These
studies show that the neutron interaction with the gas-target in these
detectors is treated correctly by GEANT4 and that by lowering the pressure, the
sensitivity to low-mass WIMP candidates is increased. The use of negative ion
drift might allow us to search the WIMP mass region suggested by the results of
the non-directional experiments DAMA/LIBRA, CoGeNT and CRESST-II.Comment: Proceedings of the 3rd International conference on Directional
Detection of Dark Matter (CYGNUS 2011), Aussois, France, 8-10 June 201
How to Support Decision Making of Local Government in Prioritising Policy Menu Responding to Citizens’ Views: An Exploratory Study of Text Mining Approach to Attain Cognitive Map Based on Citizen Survey Data
It has been on the political agenda for the local governments how to satisfy their citizens to enhance their commitment and contribution to the communities. Especially in this ageing population era with tight fiscal conditions, it is essential for the government to know the prioritised policy menu in realising citizen satisfaction. This study aims to explore an applicable system based on citizen survey result. In our study, following literature review, we conducted focus group discussions to explore citizens’ willingness to participate in local policy design, which leads us to be convinced that some activated citizens are supportive to the local governmental policy decision. Based on this qualitative result, we tried to make a cognitive map which indicated which policy fields are prioritised by citizens. Throughout this procedure, we validate the feasible practice to support local governmental decision making based on the result of citizen survey
Five-Year Optical and Near Infrared Observations of the Extremely Slow Nova V1280 Scorpii
We present optical (, , , and ) and near
infrared (, and ) photometric and spectroscopic observations
of a classical nova V1280 Scorpii for five years from 2007 to 2011. Our
photometric observations show a declining event in optical bands shortly after
the maximum light which continues 250 days. The event is most probably
caused by a dust formation. The event is accompanied by a short ( 30
days) re-brightening episode ( 2.5 mag in ), which suggests a
re-ignition of the surface nuclear burning. After 2008, the band
observations show a very long plateau at around = 10.5 for more than 1000
days until April 2011 ( 1500 days after the maximum light). The nova had
taken a very long time ( 50 months) before entering the nebular phase
(clear detection of both [\ion{O}{iii}] 4959 and 5007) and is still continuing
to generate the wind caused by H-burning. The finding suggests that V1280 Sco
is going through the historically slowest evolution. The interval from the
maximum light (2007 February 16) to the beginning of the nebular phase is
longer than any previously known slow novae: V723 Cas (18 months), RR Pic (10
months), or HR Del (8 months). It suggests that the mass of a white dwarf in
the V1280 Sco system might be 0.6 M_\mathrm{\sun} or smaller. The distance,
based on our measurements of the expansion velocity combined with the directly
measured size of the dust shell, is estimated to be 1.1 0.5 kpc.Comment: 17 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in A&
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