2060 Chiron back to a minimum of brightness     

Daniela Lazzaro  Marcos A. Florczak  Alberto Betzler  Othon C. Winter  Silvia M. Giuliatti-Winter  Claudia A. Angeli  Dietmar W. Foryta 《Planetary and Space Science》1996,44(12):1547-1550

The results of photometric observations of comet/asteroid 2060 Chiron at the Observatório do Pico dos Dias (Brazil-OPD) and the Observatoire de Haute-Provence (France-OHP) during 1994 and 1995 are presented. The analysis of the data shows a decrease of 2060 Chiron brightness from its peak values of 1988–1991. The absolute magnitude, H_v, varies from a maximum of 6.6 in February 1994 up to a minimum of 6.8 in June 1995. Therefore 2060 Chiron is back to a minimum of activity close to that of 1983–1985. The slope parameter G is found to be G = 0.71 ± 0.15. It is suggested that the H-G magnitude system, generally adopted to present 2060 Chiron brightness, is not the most appropriate due to the cometary activity of this object.  相似文献   

measurement of noise power spectrum in photon counting PMT's and the effect of the observed (1/f) noise on astronomical photometry     

S. S. Raouf  A. R. Sadik  N. K. Wafi  K. M. Aboud 《Astrophysics and Space Science》1986,127(2):207-218

In astronomical photometry, the sensitivity of observations is limited by the dark counts of the photomultiplier tube. In the present work, the effect of dark count noise in photon counting systems is investigated by theory and experimental measurements. Dark counts are considered to be originating from two sources, namely: dc fluctuations and random pulses.Experimental measurements were carried out to determine noise effects in different operating regions of noise dominance. The results provide strong evidence that: in normal operating mode, where the effect of random pulses is dominant, dark counts do not follow Poisson statistics. The observed noise shows strong (1/f) power spectrum, where the observed noise power is found to increase with time of observation.The results are important in photon counting systems operating under dark count limited mode. The conclusions drawn can be useful in obtaining more accurate error estimates and in assessing astronomical photometric observations and data reduction techniques.  相似文献   

The discovery of new galaxy members in the NGC 5044 and 1052 groups     

N. P. F. MKay  C. G. Mundell †  S. Brough  Duncan A. Forbes  D. G. Barnes  P. A. James  P. Goudfrooij  V. Kozhurina-Platais  R. Whitaker 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2004,352(4):1121-1134

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PREDICTING MARTIAN AND VENUSIAN METEOR SHOWER ACTIVITY     

Apostolos A. Christou 《Earth, Moon, and Planets》2004,95(1-4):425-431

Based on the number of planet-approaching cometary orbits at Mars and Venus relative to the Earth, there should be ample opportunities for observing meteor activity at those two planets. The ratio of planet-approaching Jupiter family comets (JFCs) at Mars, Earth, and Venus is 4:2:1 indicating that JFC-related outbursts would be more frequent at Mars than the Earth. The relative numbers of planet-approaching Halley-type comets (HTCs) implies that the respective levels of annual meteor activity at those three planets are similar. We identify several instances where near-comet outbursts (Jenniskens, P.: 1995, Astron. Astrophys. 295, 206–235) may occur. A possible double outburst of this type at Venus related to 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Padjusakova may be observable by the ESA Venus Express spacecraft in the summer of 2006. Similarly, the Japanese Planet-C Venus orbiter may observe an outburst related to 27P/Crommelin’s perihelion passage in July 2011. Several additional opportunities exist to observe such outbursts at Mars from 2019 to 2026 associated with comets 38P/Stephan-Oterma, 13P/Olbers and 114P/Wiseman-Skiff.  相似文献   

Cygnus A     

C.L. Carilli  P.D. Barthel 《Astronomy and Astrophysics Review》1996,7(1):1-54

Cygnus A was the first hyper-active galaxy discovered, and it remains by far the closest of the ultra-luminous radio galaxies. As such, Cygnus A has played a fundamental role in the study of virtually all aspects of extreme activity in galaxies. We present a review of jet theory for powering the double-lobed radio emitting structures in powerful radio galaxies, followed by a review of observations of Cygnus A in the radio, optical, and X-ray relevant to testing various aspects of jet theory. Issues addressed include: jet structure from pc- to kpc-scales, jet stability, confinement, composition, and velocity, the double shock structure for the jet terminus and the origin of multiple radio hotspots, the nature of the filamentary structure in the radio lobes, and the hydrodynamic evolution of the radio lobes within a dense cluster atmosphere, including an analysis of pressure balance between the various gaseous components. Also discussed are relativistic particle acceleration and loss mechanisms in Cygnus A, as well as magnetic field strengths and geometries both within the radio source, and in the intracluster medium. We subsequently review the classification, cluster membership, and the emission components of the Cygnus A galaxy. The origin of the activity is discussed. Concentrating on the nuclear regions of the galaxy, we review the evidence for an obscured QSO, also given the constraints on the orientation of the radio source axis with respect to the sky plane. We present an overview of models of central engines in AGN and observations of Cygnus A which may be relevant to testing such models. We conclude with a brief section concerning the question of whether Cygnus A is representative of powerful high redshift radio galaxies. Received October 10, 1995  相似文献   

Ca ii K interstellar observations towards early-type disc and halo stars – distances to intermediate- and high-velocity clouds     

J. V. Smoker  B. B. Lynn  W. R. J. Rolleston  H. R. M. Kay  E. Bajaja  W. G. L. Poppel  F. P. Keenan  P. M. W. Kalberla  C. J. Mooney  P. L. Dufton  R. S. I. Ryans 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2004,352(4):1279-1290

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Urban geology: Glasgow's hidden industrial heritage     

MICHAEL A. E. BROWNE  REW A. McMILLAN  IAN H. FORSYTH 《Geology Today》1986,2(3):74-78

The growth of Glasgow from a small town into a heavily industrialised conurbation depended greatly on its local geological riches. Extensive mining and quarrying of a range of minerals took place from the 18th century onwards. The early underground stoop and room (pillar and stall) workings, and the backfilled quarries, together with variably consolidated natural superficial deposits, have bequeathed to the city a heritage of unwanted engineering problems which cannot easily be quantified. Recent work by the British Geological Survey (BGS) illustrates the scale of both geological and man-made problems.  相似文献   

Long-Term Changes of Polar Activity of the Sun     

V. I. Makarov  A. G. Tlatov  D. K. Callebaut 《Solar physics》2004,224(1-2):49-59

We discuss long-time changes of polar activity of the Sun using the new observational data sets in the optical range during 1872–2001. A study of the secular and cycle variations of the magnetic activity at the high-latitude regions is the main goal that includes polar magnetic field reversals during 1872–2001 and secular changes of the duration of polar activity cycles. The secular increase of the area of polar zones during the minimum activity in the last 120 years and as consequence a decrease of coronal temperature of the Sun in the high-latitude zones during the last 50 years. Correlation between the polar cycles of Caii-K bright points with the Wolf sunspot numbers cycles, W(t), and the 22-year polar magnetic cycles of Caii-K bright points at the high latitudes during 1905–1995 is discussed.  相似文献   

Dynamical-friction galaxy–gas coupling and cluster cooling flows     

Amr A. El-Zant  Woong-Tae Kim  Marc Kamionkowski 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2004,354(1):169-175

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Instrument development to search for biomarkers on mars: Terrestrial acidophile, iron-powered chemolithoautotrophic communities as model systems     

V. Parro  J.A. Rodríguez-Manfredi  C. Compostizo  E. Vez  M. Moreno-Paz  P. Fernández-Calvo  J. Pérez-Mercader  J. Gómez-Elvira 《Planetary and Space Science》2005,53(7):729-737

Recent findings by the MER rover opportunity confirming the presence of iron minerals that can only be formed in the presence of water emphasize the study of analogous environments to Mars on Earth. The study of chemolithoautotrophic communities living in acidic iron-rich habitats is highly relevant in order to identify Mars analog environment-specific biomarkers. Iron oxidizing bacteria like Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans have ways of life for which it is feasible to identify a past or present hypothetical niche on Mars. We have developed a strategy for biomarker identification based on: (i) search for biosignatures on acid and metal-rich environments; (ii) development of an immunosensor microarray; and (iii) integration into an instrument for autonomous and remote operation. The instrument that we have built, called Signs Of LIfe Detector (SOLID), is capable of processing a variety of samples for the detection of specific biomarkers. Antibodies against several bacterial strains have been developed and tested in a microarray biosensor on SOLID. Tests with field samples have been successfully performed, allowing the detection of L. ferrooxidans, A. ferrooxidans present in sediment samples.  相似文献