The effect of neglecting VLBI reference station clock offsets on UT1 estimates

Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) allows to monitor universal time (UT1) by conducting regular international experiments. Such dedicated observation networks are equipped with different hardware components, which require different processing strategies when the data are correlated. As the timing units at each stations are usually offset with respect to universal time (UTC) this effect should be considered during correlation processing. Thus, it is investigated how neglecting of these offsets theoretically impacts the estimation of UT1. Three different strategies for the proper handling of the timing offset will be discussed and their advantages/drawbacks will be pointed out. Moreover, it is studied how neglecting of these timing offsets affects UT1 time-series and how such a missing correction can be applied a posteriori. Although the discussed effect is for most of the UT1 experiments smaller than the formal error of the estimates, it is important to consider station clock offsets properly in next-generation VLBI systems, which are expected to improve accuracy of results by about one order of magnitude.     

重力跳动对多相流体系统的影响

研究了重力跳动对液桥表面及内部流体流动的影响, 以期明确重力跳动对多相流体系统的作用效果. 理论研究表明, 当重力跳动作用于液桥时, 液桥反响频率的大小取决于液桥尺寸和物性参数; 实验研究显示重力跳动引入的液桥表面振动、液桥内部流动与温度振动之间存在着三角耦合关系; 数值模拟结果揭示了重力跳动作用于液桥时液桥内部流体的流动结构. 另外, 对理论、实验与数值模拟结果进行了对比验证, 得到了吻合一致的结果.      

Solar system planets observed with Suzaku

Recent results of solar system planets observed with the Japanese X-ray astronomy satellite Suzaku are reviewed. Thanks to the low instrumental background and good energy resolution, X-ray CCDs onboard Suzaku are one of the best probes to study diffuse X-ray emission. An overview of the Suzaku data of Jupiter and Earth is presented, along with preliminary results of Mars. Firstly, diffuse hard X-ray emission is discovered in 1–5 keV at Jovian radiation belts. Its spectrum is represented by a power-law continuum with a photon index of ∼1.4. This emission could originate from inverse-Compton scattering of solar photons by tens MeV electrons. Secondly, variable diffuse soft X-rays are serendipitously found during observations in the directions of the north ecliptic pole and galactic ridge. Good time correlations with the solar wind and emission lines found in the X-ray spectra are firm evidences of a solar wind charge exchange emission with Earth’s exosphere. Thirdly, diffuse X-ray emission from Martian exosphere via the solar wind charge exchange is investigated for the first time at solar minimum. A stringent upper limit on the density of the Martian exosphere is placed from the Suzaku data.     

Orbital design and technological feasibility of Halley mission

Missions to Halley's comet in 1985–1986 are discussed. They include pre-perihelion encounter, post-perihelion encounter, the utilization of Venus swing-by, one round mission in which the spacecraft goes the round of the Sun before the encounter and missions to the point beneath the perihelion of Halley's orbit. Technological feasibility of the small spacecraft is also discussed on the basis of the use of the improved version of M-3S launch vehicle.     

Estimating the High-Resolution Mean Sea-Surface Velocity Field by Combined Use of Altimeter and Drifter Data for Geoid Model Improvement

The mean sea-surface height obtained from satellite altimeters is different from the geoid by the amount of mean sea-surface dynamic topography associated with ocean currents. Assuming geostrophy at the sea surface, the mean sea-surface dynamic topography can be obtained from the mean sea-surface velocity field. This field is derived by combining anomalies (i.e., deviations from the mean) of sea-surface velocity obtained from altimeter data and in situ surface velocities estimated from trajectories of surface drifting-buoys (hereafter, drifters). Where a drifter measured the surface velocity, the temporal mean velocity can be estimated by subtracting the altimeter-derived velocity anomaly at that time from the drifter-measured surface velocity. The method is applied to the surface flow field of the North Pacific, using TOPEX/POSEIDON and ERS-1/2 altimeter data, and WOCE-TOGA surface drifter data obtained from October 1992 through December 2000. The temporal mean velocity field is estimated with a resolution of quarter degrees in both latitude and longitude. The obtained mean velocity field clearly shows the Kuroshio and Kuroshio Extension, which are narrower and stronger than the climatological mean features derived from historical hydrographic data averaged over several decades. Instantaneous velocities are estimated by summing up these temporal mean velocities and anomalies, every ten days during the eight years. They compare well with in situ velocities measured by the surface drifters. The instantaneous velocity field shows energetic fluctuation of the Kuroshio Extension vividly. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Communication system and operation for lunar probes under lunarsurface

In the Japanese LUNAR-A mission, penetrators will be deployed to the Moon for global seismic measurement. The unique communication system between the subsurface probes under the lunar surface and the lunar orbiter is described. Radiowave propagation through a crater which is formed at the penetration is investigated by means of scaled measurements in a simulating environment. Acquisition and tracking sequence is optimized within limited power capacity of the probe to maximize contact time between the probe and the spacecraft