118513531
Instrumental methods for professional and amateur collaborations in planetary astronomy
Amateur contributions to professional publications have increased exponentially over the last decades in the field of planetary astronomy. Here we review the different domains of the field in which collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers are effective and regularly lead to scientific publications.We discuss the instruments, detectors, software and methodologies typically used by amateur astronomers to collect the scientific data in the different domains of interest. Amateur contributions to the monitoring of planets and interplanetary matter, characterization of asteroids and comets, as well as the determination of the physical properties of Kuiper Belt Objects and exoplanets are discussed.
54637934
The puzzling temporally variable optical and X-ray afterglow of GRB 101024A
Aims. We present the optical observations of the afterglow of the Swift burst GRB 101024A and try to reconcile these observations with the X-ray afterglow data of GRB 101024A using current afterglow models Methods. We employ early optical observations, using the Zadko Telescope combined with X-ray data, to compare them with the reverse shock/forward shock model. Results. The early optical light curve reveals a very unusual steep decay index of α ∼ 5. This is followed by a flattening and possibly a plateau phase coincident with a similar feature in the X-ray. We discuss these observations in the framework of the standard reverse shock/forward shock model and energy injection. The plateau phase might also be the signature of the formation of a new magnetar.
33144366
Herschel/HIFI observations of spectrally resolved methylidyne signatures toward the high-mass star-forming core NGC 6334I
Context. In contrast to the more extensively studied dense star-forming cores, little is known about diffuse gas surrounding star-forming regions. Aims: We study the molecular gas in the Galactic high-mass star-forming region NGC 6334I, which contains diffuse, quiescent components that are inconspicuous in widely used molecular tracers such as CO. Methods: We present Herschel/HIFI observations of methylidyne (CH) toward NGC 6334I observed as part of the "Chemical HErschel Survey of Star forming regions" (CHESS) key program. HIFI resolves each of the six hyperfine components of the lowest rotational transition (J = 3/2 - 1/2) of CH, observed in both emission and absorption. Results: The CH emission features appear close to the systemic velocity of NGC 6334I, while its measured FWHM linewidth of 3 km s-1 is smaller than previously observed in dense gas tracers such as NH3 and SiO. The CH abundance in the hot core is ~7 × 10-11, two to three orders of magnitude lower than in diffuse clouds. While other studies find distinct outflows in, e.g., CO and H2O toward NGC 6334I, we do not detect any outflow signatures in CH. At least two redshifted components of cold absorbing material must be present at -3.0 and +6.5 km s-1 to explain the absorption signatures. We derive a CH column density (NCH) of 7 × 1013 and 3 × 1013 cm-2 for these two absorbing clouds. We find evidence of two additional absorbing clouds at +8.0 and 0.0 km s-1, both with NCH ≈ 2 × 1013 cm-2. Turbulent linewidths for the four absorption components vary between 1.5 and 5.0 km s-1 in FWHM. We constrain the physical properties and locations of the clouds by matching our CH absorbers with the absorption signatures seen in other molecular tracers. Conclusions: In the hot core, molecules such as H2O and CO trace gas that is heated and dynamically influenced by outflow activity, whereas the CH molecule traces more quiescent material. The four CH absorbing clouds have column densities and turbulent properties that are consistent with those of diffuse clouds: two are located in the direct surroundings of NGC 6334, and two are unrelated foreground clouds. Local density and dynamical effects influence the chemical composition of the physical components of NGC 6334, which causes some components to be seen in CH but not in other tracers, and vice versa. Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.Acknowledgements (page 5) are only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org
18597318
Stellar evolution through the ages: period variations in galactic RRab stars as derived from the GEOS database and TAROT telescopes
Context. The theory of stellar evolution can be more closely tested if we have the opportunity to measure new quantities. Nowadays, observations of galactic RR Lyr stars are available on a time baseline exceeding 100 years. Therefore, we can exploit the possibility of investigating period changes, continuing the pioneering work started by V. P. Tsesevich in 1969. Aims. We collected the available times of maximum brightness of the galactic RR Lyr stars in the GEOS RR Lyr database. Moreover, we also started new observational projects, including surveys with automated telescopes, to characterise the O‐C diagrams better. Methods. The database we built has proved to be a very powerful tool for tracing the period variations through the ages. We analyzed 123 stars showing a clear O‐C pattern (constant, parabolic or erratic) by means of different least‐squares methods. Results. Clear evidence of period increases or decreases at constant rates has been found, suggesting evolutionary effects. The median values are �=+0.14 d Myr −1 for the 27 stars showing a period increase and �=‐0.20 d Myr −1 for the 21 stars showing a period decrease. The large number of RR Lyr stars showing a period decrease (i.e., blueward evolution) is a new and intriguing result. There is an excess � � � �
117717977
Optically Selected GRB Afterglows, a Real Time Analysis System at the CFHT
We attempt to detect optical GRB afterglows on images taken by the Canada France Hawaii Telescope for the Very Wide survey, component of the Legacy Survey. To do so, a Real Time Analysis System called "Optically Selected GRB Afterglows" has been installed on a dedicated computer in Hawaii. This pipeline automatically and quickly analyzes Megacam images and extracts from them a list of variable objects which is displayed on a web page for validation by a member of the collaboration. The Very Wide survey covers 1200 square degrees down to i'=23.5. This paper briefly explain the RTAS process.
17272445
The CFHTLS real time analysis system: "optically selected GRB afterglows" Overview and performance
Aims. We describe a deep and wide search for optical GRB afterglows in images taken with MegaCAM at the Canada France Hawaii Telescope, within the framework of the CFHT Legacy Survey. Methods. This search is performed in near real-time thanks to a Real Time Analysis System (RTAS) called ”Optically Selected GRB Afterglows”, which has been installed on a dedicated computer in Hawaii. This pipeline automatically and quickly analyzes Megacam images to construct catalogs of astronomical objects, and compares catalogs made from images taken at different epochs to produce a list of astrometrically and photometrically variable objects. These objects are then displayed on a web page to be characterized by a member of the collaboration. Results. In this paper, we comprehensively describe the RTAS process from image acquisition to the final characterization of vari able sources. We present statistical results based on one full year of oper ation, showing the quality of the images and the performance of the RTAS. The limiting magnitude of our search is r’ =22.5 on average and the observed area amounts to 1178 square degrees. We have detected about 13.10 6 astronomical sources of which about 0.01% are found to vary by more than one tenth of a magnitude. We discuss the performance of our instrumental setup with a sample of simulated afterglows. This sample allows us to compare the effi ciency of our search with previous works, to propose an optimal observational strategy, and to discuss general considerations on the searches for GRB optical afterglows. We postpone to a forthcoming paper the discussion of the characterizati on of variable objects we have found, and a more detailled analysis of the nature of those resembling GRB afterglows. Conclusions. The RTAS has been continuously operating since November 2004. Each month 15-30 square degrees are observed many times over a period of 2-3 nights. The real-time analysis of the data has revealed no convincing afterglow candidate so far.
116491269
Spherical symmetry in Rainich's theory
123579352
A note on the cylindrically symmetric, static solutions of the weak field equations
The general solution of the weak field equations of the nonsymmetric unified field theory in the magnetic case is reduced to the solution of a second-order differential equation with movable critical points. Some special solutions are discussed.
117518735
A note on geometry of the new cosmology.
119929847
The nonsymmetric unified field theory
This paper reviews the recent progress in the nonsymmetric unified field theory of Einstein and Straus and its current status as a theory of macrophysics of gravitation and electromagnetism.
118556020
The mesotrons of eddington
SummarySome aspects of Eddington’s fundamental theory are reviewed. It is shown that an electrically neutral particle of rest mass close to that of π0-meson can be predicted using a quadruple phase reference frame. An attempt is made to calculate the lifetimes of the π-mesons using an extension of Eddington’s arguments.RiassuntoSi considerano alcuni aspetti della teoria fondamentale di Eddington. Si dimostra che si può prevedere una particella elettricamente neutra con massa a riposo prossima a quella del mesone π0 usando un sistema di riferimento della fase quadruplo. Si tenta di calcolare la vita dei mesoni π con un’estensione degli argomenti di Eddington.РеэюмеЗаново рассматриваются некоторые аспекты фундаментальной теории Эддингтона. Покаэывается, что может быть предскаэана масса покоя злектрически нейтральной частицы, блиэкая к массе π0 меэона, при испольэовании системы отсчета квадруплетной фаэы. Предпринимается попытка вычислить времена жиэни π меэонов, испольэуя обобшение аргументов Эддингтона.