2,453 research outputs found
Variability in high-mass X-ray binaries
Strongly magnetized, accreting neutron stars show periodic and aperiodic
variability over a wide range of time scales. By obtaining spectral and timing
information on these different time scales, we can have a closer look into the
physics of accretion close to the neutron star and the properties of the
accreted material. One of the most prominent time scales is the strong
pulsation, i.e., the rotation period of the neutron star itself. Over one
rotation, our view of the accretion column and the X-ray producing region
changes significantly. This allows us to sample different physical conditions
within the column but at the same time requires that we have
viewing-angle-resolved models to properly describe them. In wind-fed high-mass
X-ray binaries, the main source of aperiodic variability is the clumpy stellar
wind, which leads to changes in the accretion rate (i.e., luminosity) as well
as absorption column. This variability allows us to study the behavior of the
accretion column as a function of luminosity, as well as to investigate the
structure and physical properties of the wind, which we can compare to winds in
isolated stars.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomische
Nachrichten (proceedings of the XMM-Newton Workshop 2019
INTEGRAL-RXTE observations of Cygnus X-1
We present first results from contemporaneous observations of Cygnus X-1 with
INTEGRAL and RXTE, made during INTEGRAL's performance verification phase in
2002 November and December. Consistent with earlier results, the 3-250 keV data
are well described by Comptonization spectra from a Compton corona with a
temperature of kT~50-90 keV and an optical depth of tau~1.0-1.3 plus reflection
from a cold or mildly ionized slab with a covering factor of Omega/2pi~0.2-0.3.
A soft excess below 10 keV, interpreted as emission from the accretion disk, is
seen to decrease during the 1.5 months spanned by our observations. Our results
indicate a remarkable consistency among the independently calibrated detectors,
with the remaining issues being mainly related to the flux calibration of
INTEGRAL.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. Figs. 2 and 3 are best viewed in color. Accepted
for publication in the INTEGRAL special edition of A&A
Changes in growth of tropical forests: evaluating potential biases
Over the past century almost every ecosystem on Earth has come under the
influence of changes in atmospheric composition and climate caused by human activity.
Tropical forests are among the most productive and extensive ecosystems, and it has been
hypothesized that both the dynamics and biomass of apparently undisturbed, old-growth
tropical forests have been changing in response to atmospheric changes. Long-term forest
sample plots are a critical tool in detecting and monitoring such changes, and our recent
analysis of pan-tropical-forest plot data has suggested that the biomass of tropical forests
has been increasing, providing a modest negative feedback on the rate of accumulation of
atmospheric CO2. However, it has been argued that some of these old forest plot data sets
have significant problems in interpretation because of the use of nonstandardized methodologies.
In this paper we examine the extent to which potential field methodological errors may
bias estimates of total biomass change by detailed examination of tree-by-tree records from
up to 120 Neotropical plots to test predictions from theory. Potential positive biases on
measurements of biomass change include a bias in site selection, tree deformities introduced
by the measurement process, poor methodologies to deal with tree deformities or buttresses,
and nonrecording of negative growth increments. We show that, while it is important to
improve and standardize methodologies in current and future forest-plot work, any systematic
errors introduced by currently identified biases in past studies are small and calculable.
We conclude that most tropical-forest plot data are of useful quality, and that the evidence
does still weigh conclusively in favor of a recent increase of biomass in old-growth tropical
forests
The postulates of gravitational thermodynamics
The general principles and logical structure of a thermodynamic formalism
that incorporates strongly self-gravitating systems are presented. This
framework generalizes and simplifies the formulation of thermodynamics
developed by Callen. The definition of extensive variables, the homogeneity
properties of intensive parameters, and the fundamental problem of
gravitational thermodynamics are discussed in detail. In particular, extensive
parameters include quasilocal quantities and are naturally incorporated into a
set of basic general postulates for thermodynamics. These include additivity of
entropies (Massieu functions) and the generalized second law. Fundamental
equations are no longer homogeneous first-order functions of their extensive
variables. It is shown that the postulates lead to a formal resolution of the
fundamental problem despite non-additivity of extensive parameters and
thermodynamic potentials. Therefore, all the results of (gravitational)
thermodynamics are an outgrowth of these postulates. The origin and nature of
the differences with ordinary thermodynamics are analyzed. Consequences of the
formalism include the (spatially) inhomogeneous character of thermodynamic
equilibrium states, a reformulation of the Euler equation, and the absence of a
Gibbs-Duhem relation.Comment: 28 pages, Revtex, no figures. An important sentence and several minor
corrections included. To appear in Physical Review
Relativistic quantum mechanics of a Dirac oscillator
The Dirac oscillator is an exactly soluble model recently introduced in the
context of many particle models in relativistic quantum mechanics. The model
has been also considered as an interaction term for modelling quark confinement
in quantum chromodynamics. These considerations should be enough for
demonstrating that the Dirac oscillator can be an excellent example in
relativistic quantum mechanics. In this paper we offer a solution to the
problem and discuss some of its properties. We also discuss a physical picture
for the Dirac oscillator's non-standard interaction, showing how it arises on
describing the behaviour of a neutral particle carrying an anomalous magnetic
moment and moving inside an uniformly charged sphere.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figur
The Large Aperture GRB Observatory
The Large Aperture GRB Observatory (LAGO) is aiming at the detection of the
high energy (around 100 GeV) component of Gamma Ray Bursts, using the single
particle technique in arrays of Water Cherenkov Detectors (WCD) in high
mountain sites (Chacaltaya, Bolivia, 5300 m a.s.l., Pico Espejo, Venezuela,
4750 m a.s.l., Sierra Negra, Mexico, 4650 m a.s.l). WCD at high altitude offer
a unique possibility of detecting low gamma fluxes in the 10 GeV - 1 TeV range.
The status of the Observatory and data collected from 2007 to date will be
presented.Comment: 4 pages, proceeding of 31st ICRC 200
Water Cherenkov Detectors response to a Gamma Ray Burst in the Large Aperture GRB Observatory
In order to characterise the behaviour of Water Cherenkov Detectors (WCD)
under a sudden increase of 1 GeV - 1 TeV background photons from a Gamma Ray
Burst (GRB), simulations were conducted and compared to data acquired by the
WCD of the Large Aperture GRB Observatory (LAGO). The LAGO operates arrays of
WCD at high altitude to detect GRBs using the single particle technique. The
LAGO sensitivity to GRBs is derived from the reported simulations of the gamma
initiated particle showers in the atmosphere and the WCD response to
secondaries.Comment: 5 pages, proceeding of the 31st ICRC 200
An international network to monitor the structure, composition and dynamics of Amazonian forests (RAINFOR)
The Amazon basin is likely to be increasingly affected by environmental changes: higher temperatures, changes in precipitation, CO2 fertilization and habitat fragmentation. To examine the important ecological and biogeochemical consequences of these changes, we are developing an international network, RAINFOR, which aims to monitor forest biomass and dynamics across Amazonia in a co-ordinated fashion in order to understand their relationship to soil and climate. The network will focus on sample plots established by independent researchers, some providing data extending back several decades. We will also conduct rapid transect studies of poorly monitored regions. Field expeditions analysed local soil and plant properties in the first phase (2001–2002). Initial results suggest that the network has the potential to reveal much information on the continental-scale relations between forest and environment. The network will also serve as a forum for discussion between researchers, with the aim of standardising sampling techniques and methodologies that will enable Amazonian forests to be monitored in a coherent manner in the coming decades
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