An investigation of the Eigenvalue Calibration Method (ECM) using GASP for non-imaging and imaging detectors     

Gillian Kyne  David Lara  Gregg Hallinan  Michael Redfern  Andrew Shearer 《Experimental Astronomy》2016,41(1-2):43-66

Polarised light from astronomical targets can yield a wealth of information about their source radiation mechanisms, and about the geometry of the scattered light regions. Optical observations, of both the linear and circular polarisation components, have been impeded due to non-optimised instrumentation. The need for suitable observing conditions and the availability of luminous targets are also limiting factors. The science motivation of any instrument adds constraints to its operation such as high signal-to-noise (SNR) and detector readout speeds. These factors in particular lead to a wide range of sources that have yet to be observed. The Galway Astronomical Stokes Polarimeter (GASP) has been specifically designed to make observations of these sources. GASP uses division of amplitude polarimeter (DOAP) (Compain and Drevillon Appl. Opt. 37, 5938–5944, 1998) to measure the four components of the Stokes vector (I, Q, U and V) simultaneously, which eliminates the constraints placed upon the need for moving parts during observation, and offers a real-time complete measurement of polarisation. Results from the GASP calibration are presented in this work for both a 1D detector system, and a pixel-by-pixel analysis on a 2D detector system. Following Compain et al. (Appl. Opt. 38, 3490–3502 1999) we use the Eigenvalue Calibration Method (ECM) to measure the polarimetric limitations of the instrument for each of the two systems. Consequently, the ECM is able to compensate for systematic errors introduced by the calibration optics, and it also accounts for all optical elements of the polarimeter in the output. Initial laboratory results of the ECM are presented, using APD detectors, where errors of 0.2 % and 0.1° were measured for the degree of linear polarisation (DOLP) and polarisation angle (PA) respectively. Channel-to-channel image registration is an important aspect of 2-D polarimetry. We present our calibration results of the measured Mueller matrix of each sample, used by the ECM, when 2 Andor iXon Ultra 897 detectors were loaned to the project. A set of Zenith flat-field images were recorded during an observing campaign at the Palomar 200 inch telescope in November 2012. From these we show the polarimetric errors from the spatial polarimetry indicating both the stability and absolute accuracy of GASP.  相似文献   

Small-scale auroral arc distortions     

Thomas J. Hallinan  T. Neil Davis 《Planetary and Space Science》1970,18(12):1735-1736

Small-scale spatially periodic distortions of auroral forms have been studied utilizing low-light level television observations made at various locations in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The most commonly observed features were folds and vortex-like curl formations. The curls, identified here with the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability due to fluid shear, invariably had a counterclockwise rotational shape and motion when viewed in a direction anti-parallel to the Earth's magnetic field. The typical measured wavelength (5 km) and measured growth rate (4.2 sec⁻¹) were used to evaluate the Kelvin-Helmholtz dispersion relation for the apparent shear ω_s = ∂ ν_x/ ∂y (28 sec⁻¹). The apparent horizontal velocities of both folds (0–5 km/sec) and curls (0–22 km/sec) were invariably observed to be counterclockwise with respect to the multiple arc centre when viewed antiparallel to B. Consistent agreement between rotational shape and rotational motion suggests that the apparent growth rate and the apparent horizontal velocities closely approximate the actual values. If the shear results from E×B drifts in a space charge field, the calculated value for ω_s, implies an unneutralized electron density 0–1 cm⁻³ and a ΔE across the arc element 500mV/m. The velocity measurements indicate that the ΔE values for individual elements can combine to produce transient electric fields at the edges of multiple arcs as high as 1000 mV/m.  相似文献   

The Coma-Leo I distance ratio and the Hubble constant     

Michael D. Gregg 《New Astronomy》1997,1(4):363-371

The diameter-velocity dispersion relation in B, V, and K for three early-type galaxies in the Leo I (M96) group is derived from published photometry and kinematic data. The relations in all three colors have slopes which agree well with those for the Coma cluster. The RMS scatter of the Leo I galaxies in each color is extremely small, consistent with the group's compactness. These relations yield estimates of the Coma-Leo I distance ratio of 9.01 ± 0.51, 8.77 ± 0.43, and 8.82 ± 0.31, respectively, with a weighted mean of 8.84 ± 0.23. The general agreement among the three colors indicates that the early-type galaxies in Leo I and Coma have similar stellar populations.

The Coma-Leo I distance ratio coupled with estimates of the absolute distance to the Leo I group allows the Hubble constant to be determined, free of the uncertainties which arise when working with the Virgo cluster. Several high quality distance estimates are available from a variety of techniques: Cepheids in M96 (Tanvir, N.R., et al., 1995, Natur, 377, 27) and M95 (Graham, J.A., et al., 1997, ApJ, 477, 535), surface brightness fluctuations (Tonry, J.L., et al., 1997, ApJ, 475, 399), planetary nebulae luminosity functions (Ciardullo, R., et al., 1993, ApJ, 419, 479), and the luminosity of the red giant branch tip (Sakai, S., Freedman, W.L., & Madore, B.F., 1996, in: Formation of the Galactic Halo, Inside and Out, eds. H. Morrison & A. Sarajedini, PASP Conf. Series Vol. 92). Adopting a cosmic recession velocity of the Coma cluster in the microwave background frame of 7200 ± 300 km s⁻¹, these distance estimates lead to values of the Hubble constant ranging from 70 to 81 km s⁻¹ Mpc⁻¹, with an unweighted mean of 75 ± 6 km s⁻¹ Mpc⁻¹.  相似文献   

A salt-stratified tank for measuring the dynamic response of conductivity probes     

Gregg  M. Meagher  T. Aagaard  E. Hess  W. 《Oceanic Engineering, IEEE Journal of》1981,6(4):113-118

A 2 1/2-m-high salt-stratified tank has been developed to measure the dynamic response functions of conductivity probes. By using stirring grids to sharpen a two-layer interface, it has been possible to obtain the response functions over the wavenumber range of 0.5 to 300 cycles/m. Test probes, which are mounted on the end of a vertically oriented ram, have been fired through the interface at speeds from 5 mm/s to 3.1 m/s.  相似文献   

Anthropogenic effects on the smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) in the United States     

Seitz JC  Poulakis GR 《Marine pollution bulletin》2006,52(11):1533-1540

Bycatch mortality in net fisheries was the major reason for the decline of the endangered smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata, in the United States. These fisheries have been reduced or eliminated in some states including Florida--where most smalltooth sawfish are currently found in the United States. To determine whether other factors are still affecting this species, we obtained non-net fishery entanglement, injury, and mortality data by soliciting information from anyone who may have encountered this species. Smalltooth sawfish were damaged by marine pollution (e.g., polyvinyl chloride pipe, monofilament line, non-monofilament line) and injured by humans. Examples of injuries caused directly by humans include removal of rostra, shooting an individual with a powerhead, and shooting another with arrows. Many people are aware that the smalltooth sawfish is protected by state and federal laws, but some are still not aware of (or willing to accept) this status. The impacts of marine pollution and injuries directly caused by humans on this endangered species can be ameliorated by incorporating fisher education into the conservation and management processes.  相似文献   

Petrogenesis of an 800 m lava sequence in eastern Uruguay: insights into magma chamber processes beneath the Paraná flood basalt province     

S. P. Turner  L. A. Kirstein  C. J. Hawkesworth  D. W. Peate  S. Hallinan  M. S. M. Mantovani 《Journal of Geodynamics》1999,28(4-5)

Major and trace element along with representative Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data are presented for drill core samples which intersect an 800 m lava pile in eastern Uruguay. The lavas form part of the Paraná flood basalt province, are low-Ti in composition but distinct from the low-Ti Gramado magma type, and have been termed the Treinte Y Trés magma type. The lava pile overlies a large positive gravity anomaly inferred to reflect an east–west trending, mid-crustal mafic intrusive body with a calculated volume of 35,000 km³. Smooth up-section compositional variations in the basalts are interpreted to record magma evolution within this mid-crustal magma chamber. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb increase throughout the sequence yet Mg remains relatively constant in the lower 200 m of the sequence, suggesting a role for magma chamber recharge. Above this the lavas show a regular, up-section decrease in Mg coupled with increasing ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and this is interpreted to reflect crystal fractionation combined with crustal contamination. The data provide further evidence that contamination of flood basalt magmas in crustal magma chambers is a common phenomenon and calculations suggest that the amount of crustal addition may be as high as 60–70%. Nevertheless, the effects of this crustal contamination do not appear able to account for the discrepancy between key incompatible trace element ratios and isotope ratios of the lavas and those of any putative mantle plume. In fact, La/Ta decreases with decreasing Mg and increasing ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr indicating that the effects of crustal contamination were actually to reduce La/Ta and implying that the parental magmas had very high La/Ta (90). These constraints are clearly inconsistent with an asthenospheric origin for the parental magmas and so, consistent with mass balance calculations, it is inferred that they were derived from the lithospheric mantle.  相似文献   

Evolution of a Carboniferous carbonate-hosted sphalerite breccia deposit,Isle of Man     

Kevin L. Shelton  Justin M. Beasley  Jay M. Gregg  Martin S. Appold  Stephen F. Crowley  James P. Hendry  Ian D. Somerville 《Mineralium Deposita》2011,46(8):859-880

A newly discovered, extensive sphalerite-bearing breccia (~7.5 wt.% Zn) is hosted in dolomitised Carboniferous limestones overlying Ordovician–Silurian metasedimentary rocks on the Isle of Man. Although base metal sulphide deposits have been mined historically on the island, they are nearly all quartz vein deposits in the metamorphic basement. This study investigates the origin of the unusual sphalerite breccia and its relationship to basement-hosted deposits, through a combination of petrographic, cathodoluminescence, fluid inclusion, stable isotope and hydrogeologic modelling techniques. Breccia mineralisation comprises four stages, marked by episodes of structural deformation and abrupt changes in fluid temperature and chemistry. In stage I, high-temperature (T _h > 300°C), high-salinity (20–45 wt.% equiv. NaCl) fluid of likely basement origin deposited a discontinuous quartz vein. This vein was subsequently dismembered during a major brecciation event. Stages II–IV are dominated by open-space filling sphalerite, quartz and dolomite, respectively. Fluid inclusions in these minerals record temperatures of ~105–180°C and salinities of ~15–20 wt.% equiv. NaCl. The δ³⁴S values of sphalerite (6.5–6.9‰ Vienna-Canyon Diablo troilite) are nearly identical to those of ore sulphides from mines in the Lower Palaeozoic metamorphic rocks. The δ¹⁸O values for quartz and dolomite indicate two main fluid sources in the breccia’s hydrothermal system, local Carboniferous-hosted brines (~0.5–6.0‰ Vienna standard mean ocean water) and basement-involved fluids (~5.5–11.5‰). Ore sulphide deposition in the breccia is compatible with the introduction and cooling of a hot, basement-derived fluid that interacted with local sedimentary brines.  相似文献   

Soil Carbon: Policy and Economics   总被引：4，自引：2，他引：4  

Gregg Marland  Bruce A. McCarl  Uwe Schneider 《Climatic change》2001,51(1):101-117

Agricultural soils provide a prospective way of mitigating the increasing atmospheric concentration of CO₂. A number of agricultural practices are known to stimulate the accumulation of additional soil carbon and early indications are that some might sequester carbon at relatively modest costs with generally positive environmental effects. We discuss, under 10 themes, policy and economic issues that will determine whether programs for sequestration of carbon in agricultural soils can succeed. The issues involve contexts for implementation, economics, private property rights, agricultural policy, and institutional and social structures. Ultimately, success will depend on the incentive structure developed and the way in which carbon sequestration is integrated into the total fabric of agricultural policy.  相似文献   

A commentary on: Tropical forests and the greenhouse effect: A management response     

Gregg Marland 《Climatic change》1991,19(1-2):227-232

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Data Assimilation Modeling of the Barotropic Tides in the Korea/Tsushima Strait     

Jeffrey?W.?BookEmail author  Pavel?Pistek  Henry?Perkins  Keith?R.?Thompson  William?J.?Teague  Gregg?A.?Jacobs  Moon-Sik?Suk  Kyung-Il?Chang  Jae-Chul?Lee  Byung?Ho?Choi 《Journal of Oceanography》2004,60(6):977-993

During 1999–2000, 13 bottom mounted acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) and 12 wave/tide gauges were deployed along two lines across the Korea/Tsushima Strait, providing long-term measurements of currents and bottom pressure. Tidally analyzed velocity and pressure data from the moorings are used in conjunction with other moored ADCPs, coastal tide gauge measurements, and altimeter measurements in a linear barotropic data assimilation model. The model fits the vertically averaged data to the linear shallow water equations in a least-squares sense by only adjusting the incoming gravity waves along the boundaries. Model predictions are made for the O₁, P₁, K₁, μ₂, N₂, M₂, S₂, and K₂ tides. An extensive analysis of the accuracy of the M₂ surface-height predictions suggests that for broad regions near the mooring lines and in the Jeju Strait the amplitude prediction errors are less than 0.5 cm. Elsewhere, the analysis suggests that errors range from 1 to 4 cm with the exception of small regions where the tides are not well determined by the dataset. The errors in the model predictions are primarily caused by bias error in the model’s physics, numerics, and/or parameterization as opposed to random errors in the observational data. In the model predictions, the highest ranges in sea level height occur for tidal constituents M₂, S₂, K₁, O₁, and N₂, with the highest magnitudes of tidal velocities occurring for M₂, K₁, S₂, and O₁. The tides exhibit a complex structure in which diurnal constituents have higher currents relative to their sea level height ranges than semi-diurnal constituents.  相似文献