Characteristics of convection and overshooting in RGB and AGB stars     

Xiang-Jun Lai    Yan Li  National Astronomical Observatories/ Yunnan Observatory  Chinese Academy of Sciences  Kunming  China  Key Laboratory for the Structure  Evolution of Celestial Objects  China Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences  Beijing  China. 《中国天文和天体物理学报》2011,(10)

Based on the turbulent convection model (TCM) of Li & Yang, we have studied the characteristics of turbulent convection in the envelopes of 2 and 5M⊙ stars at the red giant branch and asymptotic giant branch phases. The TCM has been successfully applied over the entire convective envelopes, including the convective unstable zone and the overshooting regions. We find that the convective motions become progressively stronger when the stellar models are located farther up along the Hayashi line. In the convect...  相似文献   

Cassini SAR, radiometry, scatterometry and altimetry observations of Titan’s dune fields     

A. Le Gall  M.A. Janssen  A.G. Hayes  C. Savage  R.D. Lorenz  R.L. Kirk  S. Wall  E.R. Stofan  the Cassini Radar Team 《Icarus》2011,213(2):608-624

Large expanses of linear dunes cover Titan’s equatorial regions. As the Cassini mission continues, more dune fields are becoming unveiled and examined by the microwave radar in all its modes of operation (SAR, radiometry, scatterometry, altimetry) and with an increasing variety of observational geometries. In this paper, we report on Cassini’s radar instrument observations of the dune fields mapped through May 2009 and present our key findings in terms of Titan’s geology and climate. We estimate that dune fields cover ∼12.5% of Titan’s surface, which corresponds to an area of ∼10 million km², roughly the area of the United States. If dune sand-sized particles are mainly composed of solid organics as suggested by VIMS observations (Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) and atmospheric modeling and supported by radiometry data, dune fields are the largest known organic reservoir on Titan. Dune regions are, with the exception of the polar lakes and seas, the least reflective and most emissive features on this moon. Interestingly, we also find a latitudinal dependence in the dune field microwave properties: up to a latitude of ∼11°, dune fields tend to become less emissive and brighter as one moves northward. Above ∼11° this trend is reversed. The microwave signatures of the dune regions are thought to be primarily controlled by the interdune proportion (relative to that of the dune), roughness and degree of sand cover. In agreement with radiometry and scatterometry observations, SAR images suggest that the fraction of interdunes increases northward up to a latitude of ∼14°. In general, scattering from the subsurface (volume scattering and surface scattering from buried interfaces) makes interdunal regions brighter than the dunes. The observed latitudinal trend may therefore also be partially caused by a gradual thinning of the interdunal sand cover or surrounding sand sheets to the north, thus allowing wave penetration in the underlying substrate. Altimetry measurements over dunes have highlighted a region located in the Fensal dune field (∼5° latitude) where the icy bedrock of Titan is likely exposed within smooth interdune areas. The hemispherical assymetry of dune field properties may point to a general reduction in the availability of sediments and/or an increase in the ground humidity toward the north, which could be related to Titan’s asymmetric seasonal polar insolation. Alternatively, it may indicate that either the wind pattern or the topography is less favorable for dune formation in Titan’s northern tropics.  相似文献   

Advanced Technology Solar Telescope: A status report     

S.L. Keil  T.R. Rimmele  J. Wagner  the ATST team 《Astronomische Nachrichten》2010,331(6):609-614

Magnetic fields control the inconstant Sun. The key to understanding solar variability and its direct impact on the Earth rests with understanding all aspects of these magnetic fields. The Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) has been design specifically for magnetic remote sensing. Its collecting area, spatial resolution, scattered light, polarization properties, and wavelength performance all insure ATST will be able to observe magnetic fields at all heights in the solar atmosphere from photosphere to corona. After several years of design efforts, ATST has been approved by the U.S. National Science Foundation to begin construction with a not to exceed cost cap of approximately $298M. Work packages for major telescope components will be released for bid over the next several months. An application for a building permit has been submitted (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)  相似文献   

European Solar Telescope: Progress status     

M. Collados  F. Bettonvil  L. Cavaller  I. Ermolli  B. Gelly  A. Prez  H. Socas‐Navarro  D. Soltau  R. Volkmer  the EST team 《Astronomische Nachrichten》2010,331(6):615-619

In this paper, the present status of the development of the design of the European Solar Telescope is described. The telescope is devised to have the best possible angular resolution and polarimetric performance, maximizing the throughput of the whole system. To that aim, adaptive optics and multi‐conjugate adaptive optics are integrated in the optical path. The system will have the possibility to correct for the diurnal variation of the distance to the turbulence layers, by using several deformable mirrors, conjugated at different heights. The present optical design of the telescope distributes the optical elements along the optical path in such a way that the instrumental polarization induced by the telescope is minimized and independent of the solar elevation and azimuth. This property represents a large advantage for polarimetric measurements. The ensemble of instruments that are planned is also presented (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)  相似文献   

Infrared spectral evolution of carbon stars     

Pei-Sheng Chen  Xiao-Hong Yang  Hong-Guang Shan National Astronomical Observatories /Yunnan Observatory  Key Laboratory for the Structure  Evolution of Celestial Objects  Chinese Academy of Sciences  Kunming  China 《中国天文和天体物理学报》2010,10(4)

We collected almost all Highly Processed Data Products(HPDP)of ISO SWS01 spectra for the Galactic visual carbon stars,infrared carbon stars,extreme carbon stars and carbon-rich proto-planetary nebulae(PPNs).Those infrared spectra are primarily analyzed and discussed.It is shown that either spectral shapes/peaks,or main molecular/dust features are evidenced to change in the sequence of visual carbon stars,infrared carbon stars,extreme carbon stars and carbon-rich PPNs.Statistically,in this sequence,continua are gradually changed from blue to red and locations of spectral peaks of continua are also gradually changed from short wavelengths to long wavelengths.In addition,in this sequence,intensifies of main molecular/dust features are also gradually changed from prominent in the short wavelengths to prominent in the long wavelengths.Furthermore,from 2MASS and IRAS photometric data,the sequence is also proved.Results in this paper strongly support the previous suggestion for the evolution sequence of carbon-rich objects in our Galaxy,that is the sequence of visual carbon stars→infrared carbon stars→extreme carbon stars→carbon-rich PPNs.  相似文献   

法国高层大气所空间综合孔径项目研究进展     

伏西洋  郭红锋 《天文研究与技术》2010,7(1)

概述了法国高层大气所空间综合孔径项目背景、科学目标以及有效载荷,介绍了该项目演示系统的基本工作原理,探讨了该演示系统的望远子系统、指向子系统、共相子系统和成像子系统,并分别给出了该演示系统在非共相控制和共相控制情况下对半导体激光器和白光点光源的成像结果,实验结果表明演示系统不同独立望远镜之间已经基本实现了共相成像。最后对该演示系统进行了总结,并指出该系统可以进一步优化之处。该演示系统对我国综合孔径成像实验研究具有一定的借鉴意义。  相似文献   

用于测量圆顶视宁度的微温脉动仪的研制     

王红帅  李志  刘威卫 《天文研究与技术》2010,7(1)

为评价云南天文台丽江2.4m望远镜的圆顶视宁度,研制了一种能测量温度、气压和微温脉动的仪器。在天文圆顶附近,望远镜前方光路上,放置几组微温传感器,可以测得圆顶附近影响天文观测的湍流强度的分布情况。介绍了这套仪器的基本原理,电路设计,程序设计,实验定标以及一个简单的测试。  相似文献   

Distribution and interplay of geologic processes on Titan from Cassini radar data     

R.M.C. Lopes  E.R. Stofan  J. Radebaugh  G. Mitri  R.L. Kirk  J.I. Lunine  R. Lorenz  L. Wye  R.J. Ollerenshaw  A. LeGall  R. West  P. Callahan  P. Valora  the Cassini RADAR Team 《Icarus》2010,205(2):540-558

The Cassini Titan Radar Mapper is providing an unprecedented view of Titan’s surface geology. Here we use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image swaths (Ta-T30) obtained from October 2004 to December 2007 to infer the geologic processes that have shaped Titan’s surface. These SAR swaths cover about 20% of the surface, at a spatial resolution ranging from ∼350 m to ∼2 km. The SAR data are distributed over a wide latitudinal and longitudinal range, enabling some conclusions to be drawn about the global distribution of processes. They reveal a geologically complex surface that has been modified by all the major geologic processes seen on Earth - volcanism, tectonism, impact cratering, and erosion and deposition by fluvial and aeolian activity. In this paper, we map geomorphological units from SAR data and analyze their areal distribution and relative ages of modification in order to infer the geologic evolution of Titan’s surface. We find that dunes and hummocky and mountainous terrains are more widespread than lakes, putative cryovolcanic features, mottled plains, and craters and crateriform structures that may be due to impact. Undifferentiated plains are the largest areal unit; their origin is uncertain. In terms of latitudinal distribution, dunes and hummocky and mountainous terrains are located mostly at low latitudes (less than 30°), with no dunes being present above 60°. Channels formed by fluvial activity are present at all latitudes, but lakes are at high latitudes only. Crateriform structures that may have been formed by impact appear to be uniformly distributed with latitude, but the well-preserved impact craters are all located at low latitudes, possibly indicating that more resurfacing has occurred at higher latitudes. Cryovolcanic features are not ubiquitous, and are mostly located between 30° and 60° north. We examine temporal relationships between units wherever possible, and conclude that aeolian and fluvial/pluvial/lacustrine processes are the most recent, while tectonic processes that led to the formation of mountains and Xanadu are likely the most ancient.  相似文献   

Geology and activity around volcanoes on Io from the analysis of NIMS spectral images     

Sylvain Douté  Rosaly Lopes  Robert Carlson  the Galileo NIMS Team 《Icarus》2004,169(1):175-196

The last two successful flybys of Io by Galileo in 2001 (orbits I31, I32) allowed the Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer to enrich its collection of IR spectral image cubes of the satellite. These data cover hemispheric portions of Io, several volcanic centers as well as their surroundings with a spatial resolution ranging from 2 to 93 km pixel⁻¹. They map thermal emission from the hot-spots and the distribution of solid SO₂ in the 1.0-4.7 μm spectral range. We obtain maps of SO₂ abundance and granularity from the NIMS data using the method of Douté et al. (2002, Icarus 158, 460-482). The maps are correlated to distinguish four different physical units that indicate zones of SO₂ condensation, metamorphism and sublimation. We relate these information with visible images from Galileo's Solid State Imaging System and with detailed mapping of the thermal emission produced by Io's surface. Our principal goal is to understand the mechanisms controlling how lava, pyroclastics and gas are emitted by different types of volcanoes and how these products evolve. The 800 km diameter white ring of fallout created by a violent “Pillanian” eruption during summer of 2001 is at least partly composed of solid SO₂ and has enriched preexisting regional deposits. Orange materials have been recently or are currently emplaced 240 km south from the main eruption site, possibly as sulfur flows. A similar event may have taken place in the past at Ababinili Patera (12.5° N, 142° W). Carefull study of SO₂ maps covering the Emakong region also suggests that sulfur forms the bright channel-fed flow emerging from the south eastern side of the caldera. Within the main caldera of Tvashtar Catena completely cooled patches of crust exist. Elsewhere, the caldera is still cooling from previous episodes of flooding. We confirm that Amirani emits constantly large amount of SO₂ gas by interaction of fresh lava with the volatiles of the underlying plains. Nevertheless SO₂ frost is not the major component of the bright white ring seen in the SSI images. Over the whole Gish Bar region, SO₂ frost seems barely stable and is constantly regenerated. The stability increases along gray filamentary structures which could be faults filled with materials having peculiar thermal properties. Northwest of Gish Bar Patera, a localized bright deposit shows an unusual spectral signature potentially indicative of H₂O molecules forming ice crystals or being trapped in a nonidentified matrix. The Chaac region may present a thickened old crust reducing the geothermal flux to levels lower than 0.5 W m⁻² and thus creating a cold trap for SO₂. Looking at the abundance and degree of metamorphose of SO₂, we establish the relative age of different flows and ejecta for the Sobo Fluctus. Finally the assumption that the white patches in visible images indicate SO₂ rich deposits is once again challenged. In the Camaxtli region we identify a topographically controlled compact white deposit showing only moderate SO₂ abundance. In contrast, we detect two spots of quite pure SO₂ ice on the gray flanks of Emakong. Furthermore, the close association of fumarolic SO₂ and red S₂ already noted for several volcanic centers is observed at Tupan.  相似文献   

FIES: The high‐resolution Fiber‐fed Echelle Spectrograph at the Nordic Optical Telescope     

J.H. Telting  G. Avila  L. Buchhave  S. Frandsen  D. Gandolfi  B. Lindberg  H.C. Stempels  the NOT staff  S. Prins 《Astronomische Nachrichten》2014,335(1):41-45

FIES is a cross‐dispersed high‐resolution echelle spectrograph at the 2.56 m Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT), and was optimised for throughput and stability in 2006. The major 2006 upgrade involved the relocation of FIES to a stable environment and development of a fiber bundle that offers 3 different resolution modes, and made FIES an attractive tool for the user community of the NOT. Radial‐velocity stability is achieved through double‐chamber active temperature control. A dedicated data reduction tool, FIEStool, was developed. As a result of these upgrades, FIES is now one of the work‐horse instruments at the NOT. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)  相似文献