Radio Astrometry

The utilization of conventional and VLBI interferometer techniques for accurate determination of UTI, polar motion, and radio source position catalog data is discussed

Stretched Exponential Relaxation Arising from a Continuous Sum of Exponential Decays

Stretched exponential relaxation of a quantity n versus time t according to n = n_0 exp[-(lambda* t)^beta] is ubiquitous in many research fields, where lambda* is a characteristic relaxation rate and the stretching exponent beta is in the range 0 < beta < 1. Here we consider systems in which the stretched exponential relaxation arises from the global relaxation of a system containing independently exponentially relaxing species with a probability distribution P(lambda/lambda*,beta) of relaxation rates lambda. We study the properties of P(lambda/lambda*,beta) and their dependence on beta. Physical interpretations of lambda* and beta, derived from consideration of P(lambda/lambda*,beta) and its moments, are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figures; version to be published in Phys. Rev.

Antiferromagnetism in EuCu2As2 and EuCu1.82Sb2 Single Crystals

Single crystals of EuCu2As2 and EuCu2Sb2 were grown from CuAs and CuSb self-flux, respectively. The crystallographic, magnetic, thermal and electronic transport properties of the single crystals were investigated by room-temperature x-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetic susceptibility \chi versus temperature T, isothermal magnetization M versus magnetic field H, specific heat Cp(T) and electrical resistivity \rho(T) measurements. EuCu2As2 crystallizes in the body-centered tetragonal ThCr2Si2-type structure (space group I4/mmm), whereas EuCu2Sb2 crystallizes in the related primitive tetragonal CaBe2Ge2-type structure (space group P4/nmm). The energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and XRD data for the EuCu2Sb2 crystals showed the presence of vacancies on the Cu sites, yielding the actual composition EuCu1.82Sb2. The \rho(T) and Cp(T) data reveal metallic character for both EuCu2As2 and EuCu1.82Sb2. Antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering is indicated from the \chi(T), Cp(T), and \rho(T) data for both EuCu2As2 (T_N = 17.5 K) and EuCu1.82Sb2 (T_N = 5.1 K). In EuCu1.82Sb2, the ordered-state \chi(T) and M(H) data suggest either a collinear A-type AFM ordering of Eu+2 spins S=7/2 or a planar noncollinear AFM structure, with the ordered moments oriented in the tetragonal ab plane in either case. This ordered-moment orientation for the A-type AFM is consistent with calculations with magnetic dipole interactions. The anisotropic \chi(T) and isothermal M(H) data for EuCu2As2, also containing Eu+2 spins S=7/2, strongly deviate from the predictions of molecular field theory for collinear AFM ordering and the AFM structure appears to be both noncollinear and noncoplanar.Comment: 21 pages, 22 figures, 4 Table

Optical spectroscopy of GX 339-4 during the high-soft and low-hard states - I

We carried out spectroscopic observations of the candidate black hole binary GX 339−4 during its low–hard and high–soft X-ray states. We have found that the spectrum is dominated by emission lines of neutral elements with asymmetric, round-topped profiles in the low–hard state. In the high–soft state, however, the emission lines from both neutral and ionized elements have unambiguously resolved double-peaked profiles. The detection of double-peaked emission lines in the high–soft state, with a larger peak separation for higher ionization lines, indicates the presence of an irradiatively heated accretion disc. The round-topped lines in the low–hard state are probably caused by a dense matter outflow from an inflated non-Keplerian accretion disc. Our data do not show velocity modulations of the line centres caused by the orbital motion of the compact object, neither do the line basewidths show substantial variations in each observational epoch. There are no detectable absorption lines from the companion star. All these features are consistent with those of a system with a low-mass companion star and low orbital inclination

Pneumatic inflatable end effector

The invention relates to an end effector device for robot or teleoperated type space vehicle which includes an inflatable balloon member carried on the end of tubular member which has a hollow center or conduit through which a suitable pressurized fluid is supplied. The device may be inserted into a variety of shaped openings or truss-type structures for handling in space

High-resolution optical and infrared spectroscopic observations of Cir X-1

We present new optical and infrared (IR) observations of Cir X-1 taken near apastron. Both sets of spectra show asymmetric emission lines. Archival optical observations show that an asymmetric Hα emission line has been in evidence for the past 20 years, although the shape of the line has changed significantly. We present an eccentric (e∼0.7–0.9) low-mass binary model, where the system consists of a neutron star orbiting around a (sub)giant companion star of 3–5 M⊙. We suggest that the broad components of the emission lines arise in a high-velocity, optically thick flow near the neutron star, while the narrow components of the optical and the IR lines arise near the companion star and a heated ejecta shell surrounding the binary respectively. In this model, the velocity of the narrow component reflects the space velocity of the binary; the implied radial velocity (+430 km s−1 after correcting for Galactic rotation) is the highest velocity known for an X-ray binary

Laser net - A concept for monitoring wingtip vortices on runways

Network of laser beams passes over runway to photodetectors on opposite side, magnitude of beam deflection indicates magnitude of density gradient encountered. Visual display of beam deflections affects go, no-go decision for takeoff and landing

Physical properties of EuPd2As2 single crystals

The physical properties of self-flux grown EuPd2As2 single crystals have been investigated by magnetization M, magnetic susceptibility chi, specific heat Cp, and electrical resistivity rho measurements versus temperature T and magnetic field H. The crystal structure was determined by powder x-ray diffraction measurements, which confirmed the ThCr2Si2-type body-centered tetragonal structure (space group I4/mmm) reported previously. The rho(T) data indicate that state of EuPd2As2 is metallic. Long-range antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering is apparent from the chi(T), Cp(T), and rho(T) measurements. For H \parallel c the chi(T) indicates two transitions at TN1 = 11.0 K and TN2 = 5.5 K, whereas for H \perp c only one transition is observed at TN1 = 11.0 K. Between TN1 and TN2 the anisotropic chi(T) data suggest a planar noncollinear AFM structure, whereas at T < TN2 the chi(T) and M(H,T) data suggest a spin reorientation transition in which equal numbers of spins cant in opposite directions out of the ab plane. We estimate the critical field at 2 K at which all Eu moments become aligned with the field to be about 22 T. The magnetic entropy at 25 K estimated from the Cp(T) measurements is about $11\%$ smaller than expected, possibly due to an inaccuracy in the lattice heat capacity contribution. An upturn in rho at T < TN1 suggests superzone energy gap formation below TN1. This behavior of rho(T < TN1) is not sensitive to applied magnetic fields up to H = 12 T.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables and 52 references; To appear in J. Phys.: Condens. Matte

A critical evaluation of training needs for child protection in UK sport

Child protection is a relatively new topic in sport about which there was no professional education until the mid-1990s. This paper presents the findings from a study of delegates attending twelve, regional, one-day National Coaching Foundation courses for policy makers in sport during 1997 and 1998 (n= 235). The course was designed to give delegates a basic awareness of the different forms of child abuse and protection and was intended to help them develop appropriate policies and procedures for child protection. Results point to a serious training gap around child protection in sport: whereas sports personnel, at both junior and senior levels, are committed to improving child protection policy and practice they appear to lack the confidence, knowledge or organisational systems for doing this effectively

Modelling of the B-type binaries CW Cep and U Oph: A critical view on dynamical masses, core boundary mixing, and core mass

Context: Intermediate-Mass stars are often overlooked as they are not supernova progenitors but still host convective cores and complex atmospheres which require computationally expensive treatment. Due to this, there is a general lack of such stars modelled by state of the art stellar structure and evolution codes. Aims: This paper aims to use high-quality spectroscopy to update the dynamically obtained stellar parameters and produce a new evolutionary assessment of the bright B0.5+B0.5 and B5V+B5V binary systems CW Cep and U Oph. Methods: We use new spectroscopy obtained with the Hermes spectrograph to revisit the photometric binary solution of the two systems. The updated mass ratio and effective temperatures are incorporated to obtain new dynamical masses for the primary and secondary. With these, we perform isochrone-cloud based evolutionary modelling to investigate the core properties of these stars. Results: We report the first abundances for CW Cep and U Oph as well as report an updated dynamical solution for both systems. We find that we cannot uniquely constrain the amount of core boundary mixing in any of the stars we consider. Instead, we report their core masses and compare our results to previous studies. Conclusions: We find that the per-cent level precision on fundamental stellar quantities are accompanied with core mass estimates to between ~ 5-15%. We find that differences in analysis techniques can lead to substantially different evolutionary modeComment: 15 pages, 7 figures, two appendices with 4 figures each. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic