Lunar exosphere influence on lunar-based near-ultraviolet astronomical observations

The potential effect of the lunar exosphere on the near-ultraviolet sky background emission is predicted for Lunar-based Ultraviolet Telescope (LUT: a funded Chinese scientific payload for the Chang’e-III mission). Using the upper limit on the OH concentration inferred from the recent MIP CHACE results, our calculations show that the sky brightness due to the illuminated exosphere is <8.7 photons⁻¹ cm⁻² arcsec⁻² within the wavelength range 245–340 nm. By evaluating the signal-to-noise ratios of observations of an AB = 13 mag point source at a series of sky background levels, our analysis indicates that the detection performance of LUT can be moderately degraded by the lunar exosphere emission in most cases. An AB = 13 mag point source can still be detected by the telescope at a signal-to-noise ratio more than 8 when the OH concentration is less than 2 × 10⁸ molecules cm⁻³. However, the effect on the performance is considerable when the exosphere is as dense as suggested by CHACE.     

Monitoring the moon's transient atmosphere with an all-sky imager

An indispensable tool in terrestrial aeronomy, all-sky imaging has recently been shown to be useful in studies of the Moon's exosphere. Two days after the peak of the 1998 Leonid meteor shower, an extended region of neutral sodium emission was detected in the night sky using a bare-CCD imaging system. The feature was found to be a train of sodium gas originating from the Moon. Subsequent observations indicate the feature is normally visible (max. brightness ∼15–90 Rayleighs (R)) during nights near the time of new Moon. Monthly monitoring of the feature using an all-sky system can provide useful information about the time-variability of the lunar atmosphere. Several processes are believed to be responsible for the production of lunar Na and evidence is presented indicating that two of these processes were each responsible for the observed brightness enhancements of the sodium feature on two separate new Moon periods in January and March 2000.     

The ground-based large-area wide-angle γ-ray and cosmic-ray experiment HiSCORE

The question of the origin of cosmic rays and other questions of astroparticle and particle physics can be addressed with indirect air-shower observations above 10 TeV primary energy. We propose to explore the cosmic ray and γ-ray sky (accelerator sky) in the energy range from 10 TeV to 1 EeV with the new ground-based large-area wide angle (ΔΩ ∼ 0.85 sterad) air-shower detector HiSCORE (Hundred^∗i Square-km Cosmic ORigin Explorer). The HiSCORE detector is based on non-imaging air-shower Cherenkov light-front sampling using an array of light-collecting stations. A full detector simulation and basic reconstruction algorithms have been used to assess the performance of HiSCORE. First prototype studies for different hardware components of the detector array have been carried out. The resulting sensitivity of HiSCORE to γ-rays will be comparable to CTA at 50 TeV and will extend the sensitive energy range for γ-rays up to the PeV regime. HiSCORE will also be sensitive to charged cosmic rays between 100 TeV and 1 EeV.     

ASTROSAT

The ASTROSAT satellite is an Indian National Space Observatory under development in India. Due for launch in 2010, ASTROSAT will carry a complement of five scientific instruments enabling simultaneous observations from the optical through to the hard X-ray energy band. This capability will enable broad-band spectroscopy and high time-resolution monitoring of both galactic and extra-galactic targets, such as X-ray binaries and AGN. One of the instruments is being built in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency and another in collaboration with the University of Leicester. ASTROSAT also carries a scanning sky monitor to observe the variable X-ray sky. After an initial period of science verification and guaranteed time, a certain fraction of ASTROSAT observing time will also be made available to the community via a call for proposals. Here I summarise the instrument complement and principle scientific objectives of the mission.     

Ultraviolet images of galaxies from the Optical Monitor on XMM-Newton

A large number of galaxies, both normal and active, have been observed in ultraviolet light by the Optical Monitor on XMM-Newton. These are some of the deepest wide-field ultraviolet images of these galaxies yet obtained, and in many cases the first collected in this waveband. We present images of five active galaxies, and discuss the potential uses of the ultraviolet surface brightness distribution and morphology, in association with X-ray data, for Active Galactic Nuclei, star formation and galaxy evolution studies.     

Recent developments in space-borne zodiacal light photometry

The 1985 International Solar Polar Mission will provide the first opportunity to perform measurements from out of the ecliptic and from above the solar poles. Included in this mission is the Zodiacal Light/Background Starlight Experiment of the Ruhr-University Bochum, FRG (in collaboration with the State University of New York at Albany). The experiment is based on the use of a multicolor, sky-scanning photopolarimeter, which will be carried on the NASA S/C.The scientific objectives of the experiment are to investigate the intensity, polarization, and color of the diffuse sky brightness and determine the spatial distribution and physical properties of the interplanetary dust, including a possible interstellar component, as a function of S/C position in and out of the ecliptic.The instrument will allow simultaneous measurements in two separate wavelength bands. Measurements will be performed at 180, 220, 240, 280, 320, 350, 360, 440, 540, 640, 800 nm, including the state of polarization. Two different fields-of-view (1 sq deg and 5.6 sq deg) can be selected.The use of a microprocessor system in the instrument electronics will provide flexibility in measurement sequences and programs, on-board data processing and data quality control.     

飞行体的海空背景反射与辐射计算

研究了对近海飞行体的红外特性有重要影响的海空背景辐射的反射特性.讨论了波浪面起伏随机规律,随机起伏对海面自身辐射及对阳光反射的影响,推演了此种随机起伏波浪面的自身辐射及反射的阳光在观测点形成的辐照度的计算方法.给出的算例结果表明,海空背景对飞行体的红外特性尤其对其前半球的红外特性有重要的意义.     

Non-LTE analysis of a new pulsating PG 1159-type central star detected in the ROSAT XRT all sky survey

We summarize the analysis of a new PG 1159 star, i.e., a hydrogen deficient pre-white dwarf detected in the ROSAT XRT all sky survey /1/. The X-ray source RX J2117.1+3412 is relatively faint (≈0.33 cnt s⁻¹) and was selected for optical identification on the basis of its extreme X-ray softness. With V = 13.2, the counterpart of the X-ray source is in the optical the second brightest member of the PG1159 class. CCD imagery reveals that the star is surrounded by an old highly excited planetary nebula of faint surface brightness. Optical line profiles of HeII, CIV, and OVI and the overall optical and ROSAT PSPC (0.1–2.4 keV) energy distributions are compared to predictions of NLTE model atmospheres. We find an excellent agreement between the atmospheric parameters derived from optical and soft X-ray data. The effective temperature of the star is extremely high (150,000 K). Abundances of He, C and O are found to be consistent with those derived in other PG1159 stars whereas the surface gravity is significantly smaller in RXJ2117.1+3412. New optical spectra presented here show the presence of ultra-high excitation lines of O VIII.     

一种快速全天星图识别算法

对星敏感器全天识别算法进行了研究,综合考虑三角形匹配识别法和四面体识别法的优缺点,提出一种改进的快速全天星图识别算法.该算法通过优化导航星对角距筛选方法,节省存储空间;同时引入K矢量法用于加快星图识别中角距匹配的速度;在三角形识别不唯一时,引入第四颗观测星进行四面体识别,提高识别成功率;并在三角形识别结束后增加投影验证功能以避免误识别.仿真结果表明,该算法合理有效,可节省存储空间,减小星图识别时间,提高识别正确率,具有很好的实用价值.     

Gamma Astrometric Measurement Experiment (GAME) – Implementation and performance

The GAME mission concept is aimed at testing the General Relativity, through precise measurement of the gravitational deflection of light by the Sun, by means of an optimised telescope operating in the visible and launched in orbit on a small class satellite. We describe the proposed mission profile, the preliminary payload design and the expected performance. The targeted precision on the γ parameter of the PPN formulation of General Relativity is in the range 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁷. The measurement principle relies on the differential astrometric signature on the stellar positions. The instrument concept is based on a dual field, multiple aperture Fizeau interferometer, observing simultaneously two sky regions close to the solar limb. A beam combiner folds the telescope line of sight on two different directions on the sky, separated by a base angle of 4°. The diluted optics approach achieves an efficient rejection of the scattered solar radiation, while retaining an acceptable angular resolution on the science targets.     

低电离层反射结构的日变化模型

本文提出了日出日落过渡期低电离层的运动斜曲面反射模型。结合白天和晚上的球面反射结构，形成了一个完整的低电离层反射结构日变化模型，提出了反射区的概念，从而使已有珠球面电离层反射的的天波场强计算公式改进为积分形式，更适于一般情况。文中计算了Ｍ台－青岛路径和Ｍ台－新乡路径－跳低频波场强幅度和相位的日变化值，并与实验结果进行了比较分析。     

基于坐标系转换与QTM编码的天球面探测覆盖栅格化分析方法研究

提出一种基于坐标系转换与QTM编码的天球面探测覆盖栅格化分析方法,并对其计算精度和效率进行了实验分析,相比传统算法和经纬网格编码方法,该方法具有明显的效率和精度优势,能够满足以天球面为探测目标的空间科学卫星有效载荷探测覆盖分析和任务规划的需要.      

Generalised variational assimilation of cloud-affected brightness temperature using simulated hyper-spectral atmospheric infrared sounder data

Assimilated channel brightness temperature data from infrared sounders accounting for cloud effects have a positive effect on weather forecasting, especially in weather-sensitive areas. When cloud effects are included, the channel brightness temperature deviations follow a non-Gaussian distribution. However, classical variational data assimilation follows a Gaussian distribution. When processing the cloud-affected brightness temperature, useful data are lost through the cloud detection process, thus assimilating some channel brightness temperatures with weight function peaks above the cloud top. Furthermore, strict quality control of brightness temperature removes outliers. By adopting the generalised variational assimilation method, which assumes that errors follow a non-Gaussian distribution, this paper assimilates the cloud-affected brightness temperature using simulated data for the hyper-spectral atmospheric infrared sounder (AIRS). A channel set is formed by dynamically selecting AIRS channels. The experiments for retrieving temperature and humidity data demonstrate that the generalised variational assimilated cloud-affected brightness temperature method performs better than the classical method.     

Diviner红外温度与嫦娥卫星微波探测仪月表亮温的比较分析

提出使用高分辨率的Diviner辐射计红外温度作为月壤热传导的边界输入条件,使得月壤物理温度廓线的模拟更接近月表真实情况. 利用Diviner物理温度廓线模拟的微波亮温与嫦娥二号卫星微波探测仪（CELMS2）的实测亮温匹配,来分析CELMS2数据的有效性和稳定性,为月壤微波特性的反演奠定基础. 以哥白尼坑区域为例,对比分析了Diviner辐射计红外通道温度与CELMS1实测微波亮温的变化趋势. 选择月球虹湾地区内一位置点（45.1°-45.5°N,33.1°-33.5°W）,分析了CELMS2在该位置点内5个月球时刻的亮温数据. 通过对实测亮温与模拟亮温在经纬度和太阳高度角的匹配分析得到,在高频微波通道内两者的相关性达到96%以上,表明嫦娥二号微波探测仪亮温数据具有较高的稳定性,可以为月壤特性反演研究提供可靠数据来源.      

基于背景和变化稀疏性的瞬变源图像重建算法

针对射电干涉测量通过结合长时间观测的多组可见度数据对静态源进行高空间分辨率成像，但无法得到时变信息的问题，提出了一种基于背景和目标变化的直和空间上稀疏性的稀疏基线综合孔径动态场景图像重建算法。将起始时刻的亮温和相邻时刻的亮温变化作为待求解矢量，不同时刻的亮温表示为它们的和，构造测量方程，并利用起始时刻亮温和相邻时刻亮温的稀疏性进行求解，重建出不同时刻的瞬变源图像。仿真实验结果表明，对于小区域背景下的瞬变源，所提算法与已有方法相当，对于大区域背景下的瞬变源，所提算法优于已有方法。      

The low energy gamma-ray experiments on GRO in perspective

The NASA Gamma-Ray Observatory, GRO, will carry two instruments for low energy gamma-ray astronomy. The ‘Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment - OSSE’ represents the latest step in the evolution of collimated detectors. A large detection area, simultaneous source and background observation and rigorous control over systematic errors yield significant improvements in sensitivity over earlier instruments. The ‘Imaging Compton Telescope - COMPTEL’ brings the proven concept of the Compton telescope to the state of the art level. Position sensitive scintillation detectors make it possible to generate sky images with a resolution of about 2° over a f.o.v. of about 1 sr. The complementary nature of these two experiments promises a first in-depth exploration of the sky in a wavelength range which covers the transition from the X-ray sky to the apparently unrelated high energy gamma-ray sky. Possible directions of further evolution of these experiments will be discussed.     

The INTEGRAL view of Gamma-Ray Bursts

After more than six and half years in orbit, the ESA space observatory INTEGRAL has provided new, exciting results in the soft gamma-ray energy range (from a few keV to a few MeV). With the discovery of about 700 hard X-Ray sources, it has changed our previous view of a sky composed of peculiar and “monster” sources. The new high energy sky is in fact full of a large variety of normal, very energetic emitters, characterized by new accretion and acceleration processes (see also IBIS cat4 (Bird et al., 2010). At the same time, about one GRB/month is detected and imaged by the two main gamma-ray instruments on board: IBIS and SPI. In this paper, we review the major achievements of the INTEGRAL observatory in the field of Gamma-Ray Bursts. We summarize the global properties of Gamma-Ray Bursts detected by INTEGRAL, with respect to their duration, spectral index, and peak flux distributions. We recall INTEGRAL results on the spectral lag analysis, showing how long-lag GRBs appear to form a separate population at low peak fluxes. We review the outcome of polarisation studies performed by using INTEGRAL data. Finally, concerning single GRB studies, we highlight the properties of particularly interesting Gamma-Ray Bursts in the INTEGRAL sample.     

Characteristics of recent dust storms over the Indian region using real time multi-satellite observations from the direct broadcast receiving system at IMD

In this study, observations from microwave satellites, visible and infrared instruments have been analyzed to detect dust storm over north and north–west part of India during 18–23 March 2012. This study investigated the approach to utilize the multi satellite data of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on-board the Terra and Aqua satellite and the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) on-board NOAA satellite to study the characteristics of dust storms from real time direct broadcast (DB) receiving system installed at three places of India Meteorological Department (IMD). The dust storm detection is based on the infrared brightness temperature (BT) difference between channels at 11 and 12 μm and polarized BT difference between two channels of 89 and 23.8 GHz. It is found that the significant differences between the BT of channel 89 and 23.8 can be used as a discriminator of identifying dust storm. The Total Ozone Mapping Spectroradiometer (TOMS) Aerosol Index (AI) and AMSU-A 23 GHz channel BT from NOAA satellite over the north and north-west part of India have also been analyzed. The result indicated the characteristic behavior between BT and AI during the different phases of the dust storm. Finally, the occurrence of dust outbreaks has also been validated with sky radiometer of IMD, which confirms the presence of a dust storm over the Indian region. Further, the findings of the study and its approaches apply to the other dust storm cases which occurred during the months of April and June 2012. The integrated approach suggested the potential to use high resolution data of microwave as well as thermal–infrared using multi-satellite observations from real time direct broadcast system for the detection of severe, moderate or weak dust storms very well. The approach is found to be promising for operational application.     

Initial results from COMPTEL onboard GRO

COMPTEL is the first imaging telescope to explore the MeV gamma-ray range (0.7 to 30 MeV). At present, it is performing a complete sky survey. In later phases of the mission selected celestial objects will be studied in more detail. The data from the first year of the mission have demonstrated that COMPTEL performs very well. First sky maps of the inner part of the Galaxy clearly identify the plane as a bright MeV-source (probably due to discrete sources as well as diffuse radiation). The Crab and Vela pulsar lightcurves have been measured with unprecedented accuracy. The quasars 3C273 and 3C279 have been seen for the first time at MeV energies. Both quasars show a break in their energy spectra in the COMPTEL energy range. The 1.8 MeV line from radioactive ²⁶A1 has been detected from the central region of the Galaxy and a first sky map of the inner part of the Galaxy has been obtained in the light of this line. Upper limits to gamma-ray line emission at 847 keV and 1.238 MeV from SN 1991T have been derived. Upper limits to the interstellar gamma-ray emissivity have been determined at MeV-energies. Several cosmic gamma-ray bursts within the field-of-view have been located with an accuracy of about 1°. On 1991 June 9, 11 and 15, COMPTEL observed gamma-ray emission (continuum and line) from three solar flares. Also neutrons were detected from the June 9 and June 15 flares.     

X射线天文卫星观测需求分析与控制总体设计

对X射线天文卫星观测需求进行了分析，提炼了观测任务对观测模式、源的高精度定位与对准、轨道、热控、测控数传等多项需求与约束；针对X射线观测的多需求、多约束难点，设计了集巡天观测、定点观测与小天区扫描观测于一体的观测模式，解决了一颗卫星同时实现全天扫描、银道面深度扫描、重要惯性区域扫描、重要及机遇目标深度观测以及伽马暴全天监测的多种观测需求的难题，该技术已在我国硬X射线调制望远镜卫星上得到应用.