Adaptive optics for large telescopes

The performance of large telescopes is determined both by their angular resolution and by their collection area. It is, therefore, important to achieve as high an angular resolution as possible by site selection, by avoiding image deterioration by the telescope and its environment, and by real time image restoration by adaptive optics. We summarize the principles of adaptive optics, their predicted performance and the current programs underway to implement adaptive optics for astronomical purposes.Paper presented at the Symposium on the JNLT and Related Engineering Developments, Tokyo, November 29–December 2, 1988.     

The light curve analysis of MM Herculis

The photoelectric light curves of MM Her obtained in 1983 and 1984 by Evren (1985, 1987) were analyzed by two different methods. Firsly, the effects of the wave-like distortions on the observations were removed from the observed magnitudes by obtaining its mathematical expression. The remaining light curves were analyzed by using Wood's approach. Later, the light curves of the same years were treated by the method of Wilson-Devinney and distortions seen in the light curves were thought to be explained by locating the spots on the surface of the cooler component. The results obtained by two different approaches are in good agreement.     

Distribution of iron on Vesta

We have completed a mapping study of 7.6 MeV gamma rays produced by neutron capture by Fe at the surface of the main belt asteroid 4 Vesta as measured by the bismuth germanate scintillator of the Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND) on the Dawn spacecraft. The procedures used to determine Fe counting rates are presented, along with a global map, constituting the necessary initial step to quantify Fe abundances. While the final calibration of orbital data to absolute concentrations has not been determined, the range of fully corrected Fe counting rates is compared with that of Fe in howardites. We find that the global distribution of corrected Fe counting rates is generally consistent with mineralogy and composition determined independently by other instruments on the Dawn spacecraft, including measurements of pyroxene absorption bands by the Visible and Infrared Spectrometer and Framing Camera, and an index of diogenitic materials provided by neutron absorption measurements by GRaND. In addition, there is a distinctive low Fe region in the western hemisphere that was not reported by reflectance or optical observations, possibly indicating the presence of a cumulate eucrite component in Vesta's regolith.     

X-ray plateaus followed by sharp drops in GRBs 060413, 060522, 060607A and 080330： Further evidences for central engine afterglow from gamma-ray bursts

The X-ray afterglows of GRBs 060413, 060522, 060607A and 080330 are characterized by a plateau followed by a very sharp drop. The plateau could be explained within the framework of the external forward shock model but the sharp drop can not.We interpret the plateau as the afterglows of magnetized central engines, plausibly magnetars. In this model, the X-ray afterglows are powered by the internal magnetic energy dissipation and the sudden drop is caused by the collapse of the magnetar. Accordingly,the X-ray plateau photons should have a high linear polarization, which can be tested by future X-ray polarimetry.     

On the perturbations of the five outer planets by the four inner ones

The expressions given by Clemence were checked by the comparison of numerical values of their second differentials with the numerical values of the perturbing forces. Agreement was good in most cases, save that the use of the second differentials unduly magnified some terms rightly neglected by Clemence. In the appendix the work of Clemence is compared with that of Carpenter and the differences are found to be all smaller than the contributions from the secular variation of the eccentricity, which are so small that they were neglected by Clemence. The differences can be removed by considering the secular variation of the eccentricity and by making a small adjustment in the integration constants.     

Laboratory simulations of sulfur depletion at Eros

The X-ray spectrometer of the Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission discovered a low abundance of sulfur on the surface of asteroid Eros, which is seemingly inconsistent with the match of the overall surface composition to that of ordinary chondrites. Since troilite, FeS, is the primary sulfur-bearing mineral in ordinary chondrites, we investigated the hypothesis that sulfur loss from surface FeS could result from ‘space weathering’ by impact of solar wind ions and micrometeorites. We performed laboratory studies on the chemical alteration of FeS by 4 keV ions simulating exposure to the solar wind and by nanosecond laser pulses simulating pulsed heating by micrometeorite impact. We found that the combination of laser irradiation followed by ion impact lowers the S:Fe atomic ratio on the surface by a factor of up to 2.5, which is consistent with the value of at least 1.5 deduced from the NEAR measurements. Thus, our results support the hypothesis that the low abundance of sulfur at the surface of Eros is caused by space weathering.     

Sediment transport by liquid surficial flow: Application to Titan

Sediment transport by surficial flow likely occurs on Titan. Titan is thought to have a volatile cycle, such as on Earth and likely in the past on Mars, which would entail surficial liquid flow. And surficial flow is implied in interpretations of Cassini-Hyugens data as showing fluvial channels, which would require sediment transport by surficial flow to form the observable features. We present calculations from basic hydraulic formulae of sediment entrainment and transport by surficial flow. First, we describe the conditions for (non-cohesive) sediment entrainment by grain size through use of the Shields' threshold curve. We then calculate settling velocities by grain size to describe the type of sediment transport—washload, suspended load, or bedload—that would follow entrainment. These calculations allow derivation of required flow depths for sediment transport by grain size over a given slope. A technique to estimate required flow velocities and unit discharges is also presented. We show the results of these calculations for organic and water ice sediment movement by liquid methane flow under Titan gravity. For comparative purposes, plots for movement of quartz sediment by water on Earth and basalt sediment by water on Mars are also included. These results indicate that (non-cohesive) material would move more easily on Titan than on Earth or Mars. Terrestrial field observations suggest that coarse grain transport is enhanced by hyperconcentration of fine-grained sediment; and the apparent availability of organic (fine grained) sediment on Titan, in conjunction with the possibility of convection-driven rainstorms, may lead to hyperconcentrated flows. Thus, significant sediment transport may occur on Titan during individual overland flow events.     

Photometric modelling of the Martian dust rings

There are reasons to expect that Mars is surrounded by a region of dust, similar to rings, originating from the bombardment of Phobos and Deimos by meteroids. Using a simple radiative transfer model, we have investigated the angular distribution and the absolute values of the solar radiance scattered by such a dust region, to the purpose of assessing the possibilities and limitations of future photometric searches after the circummartian dust. Our model values of the number density of the dust grains in the space around Mars and of their size distribution have been derived from the results obtained by other authors. The single-scattering albedo of the dust grains has been deduced from the reflectance spectra of Phobos, taken by the spacecraft Phobos 2. Calculations, carried out for a few phenomenological phase functions, have shown that in the visible the radiance scattered by the rings is well within the detectability range of a modern sensible photometer, so that the prospectives for photometric search for the Martian dust rings are optimistic. Furthermore, our results confirm that the dust region could not be observed by the Viking cameras and this supports o our assumptions regarding the optical properties of the circummartian grains.     

Book and Multimedia Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Blind Watchers of the Sky: The People and Ideas that Shaped Our View of the Universe by Rocky Kolb Mining the Sky: Untold Riches from the Asteroids, Comets, and Planets by John S. Lewis The Sun as a Star by Roger J. Tayler Shadow of a Star: The Neutrino Story of Supernova 1987A by Alfred K. Mann. W. H. Freeman Worlds Unnumbered: The Search for Extrasolar Planets by Donald Goldsmith     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 32 edited by G. Burbidge, D. Layzer and A. Sandage. Properties and Growth of Diamond edited by G. Davies. INSPEC, the Institution of Electrical Engineers, 1994 Noble Gas Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry edited by J. Matsuda. Explore the Planets by G. Jeffrey Taylor.     

The metallic-line star HD 153286

The spectrum of the metallic-line and magnetic star HD 153286 has been studied. The line intensity is constant within the limit of the errors, while the radial velocity is slightly variable. A differential analysis by means of the curve-of-growth method has been made, using 5 And, F5 V as standard star. Moreover, an atmospheric model has been computed; the results of the fine analysis indicate a defect of Sc by a factor of 30 and a defect of Ca by a factor included between 4 and 25; Si, Ti, V, Cr and Fe are normal, Mn, Co, Ni in slight excess by factors included between 2 and 5. Sr, Y, Zr, Ba and La are in excess by factors lower than 10; Ce, Nd and Sm are almost normal; Eu and Gd are in excess by factors of 250 and 4, respectively. These results are compared with the predictions of the diffusion theory.     

Sunspot Observations Made by Hallaschka During the Dalton Minimum

We present and analyse the sunspot observations performed by Franz I.C. Hallaschka in 1814 and 1816. These solar observations were carried out during the so-called Dalton minimum, around the maximum phase of Solar Cycle 6. These records are very valuable because they allow us to complete observational gaps in the collection of sunspot group numbers, improving the coverage for this epoch. We have analysed and compared the observations made by Hallaschka with the records made by other contemporary observers. Unfortunately, the analysis of the sunspot areas and positions showed that they are too inaccurate for scientific use. We conclude, however, that the sunspot counts made by Hallaschka are similar to those made by other astronomers of that time. The observations by Hallaschka confirm a low level of solar activity during the Dalton minimum.     

Perturbations of a spheroidal satellite due to direct solar radiation pressure

The orbital accelerations of certain balloon satellites exhibit marked oscillations caused by solar radiation impinging on the surface of the satellites, which, once spherical, have assumed a spheroidal shape producing a component of force at right-angles to the Sun-satellite direction. Given the characteristics and orientation of the satellite, the equations of force are determined by the formulae of Lucas. Otherwise the phase-angle and magnitude of the right-angle force are determined by trial and error, or best-fit techniques. Using a variation of the approach developed by Aksnes, a semi-analytical algorithm is presented for evaluating the perturbations of the Keplerian elements by direct solar radiation pressure on a spheroidal satellite. The perturbations are obtained by summing over the sunlit part of each orbit and allow for a linear variation in the phase-angle. The algorithm is used to determine the orbital accelerations of 1963-30D due to direct solar radiation pressure, and these results are compared to the observed values over two separate periods of the satellite's lifetime.     

Determination and analysis of coronal hole radio spectra

Solar radio maps obtained by our group and others over a wide wavelength range (millimeter to meter) and over a considerable time span (1973–1978) have allowed us to compute the radio spectrum of an average coronal hole, i.e., the brightness temperature inside a coronal hole normalized by the brightness temperature of the quiet Sun outside the coronal hole measured at several different radio wavelengths. This radio spectrum can be used to obtain the changes of the quiet Sun atmosphere inside coronal holes and also as an additional check for coronal hole profiles obtained by other methods. Using a standard solar atmosphere and a computer program which included ray tracing, we have tried to reproduce the observed radio spectrum by computing brightness temperatures at many different wavelengths for a long series of modifications in the electron density, neutral particle density and temperature profiles of the standard solar atmosphere. This analysis indicates that inside an average coronal hole the following changes occur: the upper chromosphere expands by about 20% and its electron density and temperature decrease by about 10%. The transition zone experiences the largest change, expanding by a factor of about 6, its electron density decreases by a similar factor, and its temperature decreases by about 50%. Finally in the corona the electron density decreases by about 20% and the temperature by about 15%.     

A magnetohydrodynamic theory of coronal loop transients

A magnetohydrodynamic theory is presented for coronal loop transients. It is shown that the heliocentrifugal motion of a transient loop, as exhibited by the translational displacement of the axis of the loop, is driven by the magnetohydrodynamic buoyancy force exerted by the ambient medium. Self-induced hydromagnetic force, which includes the magnetic force produced by the internally driven current and the thermal force produced by the pressure imbalance between the internal and external gas pressures, causes the peripheral expansion of the loop, as exhibited by the lateral broadening and longitudinal stretching. This contention is substantiated by an analysis based on a model structure for a coronal loop.Besides accounting for the acceleration and expansion of a transient loop, this magnetohydrodynamic theory also provides an explanation for the initial ejection of a coronal loop from stationary equilibrium. Magnetic unwinding in consequence of abrupt magnetic activities at the solar surface will cause the periphery of a stationary coronal loop to expand. The increase in volume will enhance the magnetohydrodynamic buyoyancy force to exceed the gravitational force. Once a coronal loop is ejected from the solar surface, it will be continually accelerated and undergo expansion. Eventually a transient loop will blend with the ambient solar wind. This is also indicated by the theory presented in this paper.     

Geology and tectonics of the Argyre area on Mars: Comparisons with other basins in the solar system

Despite evident similarities, the Argyre basin exhibits important differences with regard to its lunar counterparts, as the Orientale basin. These differences concern both the stratigraphy of the impact related units and the tectonics of these areas. The Argyre basin is not surrounded by ejecta with radial facies, but by an annulus of structurally uplifted and faulted preimpact basement. That is different from the lunar basins which exhibit a large annulus of radial facies but only a narrow ring of uplifted terrains. The Argyre basin is surrounded by five or more outer discontinuous rings extending far away from the basis edge. That is different from the lunar basins which are surrounded by only one, continuous and closer ring. These differences could be partially explained by the external conditions, but mainly by differences in the crustal properties and lithospheres thickness which would have been thinner on Mars than on the Moon.     

Wavelength calibration by combining arc and night sky lines for LAMOST

A novel method is presented for the wavelength calibration of the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST). The proposed method combines the arc lines and night sky lines, and can achieve high performance. Firstly, the initial wavelength calibration is performed by employing arc lines. Afterwards, the centroids of sky lines are calculated by the initial calibration results and adjusted by the gravity method iteratively. Finally, the ultimate wavelength calibration is obtained by fitting the centroids of arc lines and sky lines with their corresponding wavelengths. Experiments are performed on the data observed by LAMOST, and the results of the proposed method are more accurate than that of the calibration only by arc lines or sky lines. The calibration sky lines are dense in the red channel (5,700–9,000 Å) of LAMOST, but only a few ones are in the blue channel (3,700–5,900 Å). The new method achieves excellent results in the red channel as the substantial sky lines are employed, and the calibration accuracy of the blue channel is also enhanced in some degree by the scare sky lines.     

Momentum loss for antimatter meteors

The momentum loss for a possible antimatter meteor entrance can be described by the combination of two terms. One which can be characterized by the mechanism of annihilation and a second one, the well known mechanism, which is common for all koinomatter (ordinary) meteors. That is, the momentum loss caused by the air molecules swept up by the moving object. We discuss, in this paper, the contribution of the rocket effect caused by the action of the secondaries which can be produced by the annihilation interactions of the antiatoms with the air molecules. The momentum loss of an iron type meteor made of antimatter, as a function of its equivalent radius R, can be described by the formula, J (MeV/c) = 8R (cm), for values of R within the range 1 cm < R < 5 cm and can be resulted by a single annihilation interaction of a nucleon-antinucleon pair.     

Discussion session on star formation,molecular clouds and the interstellar medium

In this panel discussion contributions were made by K. Strom, L. Nordh and H. Zinnecker on the contributions of surveys to the study of star formation regions, by B. Burton on a survey of galactic H I and by E. Dwek on the detection of galactic supernovae by infrared surveys. The contributions of K. Strom, L. Nordh and E. Dwek are summarized here.