Characterization of Cosmic Materials in the Laboratory

One of the main objectives of modern astrophysics is the characterisation of properties and evolution of materials present in space. Production, processing and analysis of cosmic dust analogues in the laboratory represents a powerful tool to interpret astronomical observations and to contribute to the solution of puzzling problems which are so far unsolved. In the present paper we summarize recent results obtained in our laboratory on carbon-based and silicate materials able to simulate various types of cosmic grains. The laboratory data are applied to discuss the nature of spectral features observed in the interstellar medium and in comets. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The plasma physics of shock acceleration

The notion that plasma shocks in astrophysical settings can and do accelerate charged particles to high energies is not a new one. However, in recent years considerable progress has been achieved in understanding the role particle acceleration plays both in astrophysics and in the shock process itself. In this paper we briefly review the history and theory of shock acceleration, paying particular attention to theories of parallel shocks which include the backreaction of accelerated particles on the shock structure. We discuss in detail the work that computer simulations, both plasma and Monte Carlo, are playing in revealing how thermal ions interact with shocks and how particle acceleration appears to be an inevitable and necessary part of the basic plasma physics that governs collisionless shocks. We briefly describe some of the outstanding problems that still confront theorists and observers in this field.     

The high throughput X-ray spectroscopy mission: XMM

The high throughput X-ray astrophysics mission is the second cornerstone in ESA's long-term space science programme. The long-duration X-ray observatory consists of three heavily nested X-ray imaging telescopes coupled to X-ray CCD cameras and gratings which provide a high throughput facility for cosmic X-ray spectroscopy. The mission is due for launch in 1998 with an anticipated lifetime of over ten years. The basic mission including the model payload is described and the capability of the observatory to tackle some of the more important scientific priorities are highlighted. Examples of some of the type of results we can expect from the mission are also provided. This observatory should enable major advances in X-ray astrophysics to be made at the turn of the century.     

A Hitch-hiker’s Guide to Stochastic Differential Equations

In this review, an overview of the recent history of stochastic differential equations (SDEs) in application to particle transport problems in space physics and astrophysics is given. The aim is to present a helpful working guide to the literature and at the same time introduce key principles of the SDE approach via “toy models”. Using these examples, we hope to provide an easy way for newcomers to the field to use such methods in their own research. Aspects covered are the solar modulation of cosmic rays, diffusive shock acceleration, galactic cosmic ray propagation and solar energetic particle transport. We believe that the SDE method, due to its simplicity and computational efficiency on modern computer architectures, will be of significant relevance in energetic particle studies in the years to come.     

Software testing: from theory to practice

This paper is about the disparity between what is known and what is being learned in academia and what is being used in industry. The author believes there are many reasons. Some of these represent accidental and some essential problems. Most are part of a general issue of quality in the software products. Most problems that make it more difficult to apply testing techniques are part of a larger problem which make them more cost-effective to produce high quality software. The author presents a list of reasons industry does not use the highly advanced, and in some cases, highly developed software testing techniques that are available. The problems are divided into three broad categories: problems in industry; problems in academic research and education; and problems in the interface between the two     

Particle Scattering by Magnetic Fields

The need for a correct quantitative treatment of the interactions between cosmic rays and turbulent magnetic fields continues to be one of the fundamental problems of modern astrophysics. It is the aim of this paper to review new developments in the understanding of mechanisms involved in the scattering of charged particles by magnetic field fluctuations. Special emphasis is given to a comparison of transport parameters determined from the modeling of spacecraft and neutron monitor observation of solar particle events, with theoretical predictions derived from a spectral analysis of simultaneously measured fluctuation spectra. It appears that the traditional quasi-linear theory of particle scattering requires only a slight modification, and the major problem still is our lack of knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of the magnetic turbulence. Possibilities to better reconcile the theory with observations by properly taking into account the microphysics of wave and turbulence aspects of the fluctuations, and to use energetic particles as probes to study certain properties of the magnetic turbulence, are discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Gravitomagnetism in Physics and Astrophysics

Based on general relativity, the article reviews gravitomagnetism in physics and astrophysics. Emphasis is put on observational effects. Accelerated reference frames in flat spacetime are discussed to illuminate the gravitomagnetic field. Compact insight into the dynamics of gravitationally interacting non-spinning and spinning objects is achieved by employing the Hamilton formalism.     

一种改进的备件系统优化模型及解法

目前各民航企业都面临着航材备件积压问题。即使是依照渡音公司的首期清单推荐的备件数量准备还是不能避免出现积压问题，这就要求从整体上对备件进行优化。BARLOW模型是一种简单有效的优化模型，但是它的评价函数不甚理想。改进了BARLOW模型的评价函数，使其更符合民航备件的实际情况。     

多介质数据库管理系统NAIMDB——模型与方法

采用面向对象的方法构造数据模型,把命名的线性表定义为简单对象。用表可以嵌套的性质构造复杂的多介质对象。对象分为3个层次,即原子对象,简单对象和复杂对象。简单对象在数据库中有实际的物理存贮;复杂对象在数据库中只存贮它的结构描述,即相应嵌套表的结构描述。     

Solar and Heliospheric Modulation of Galactic Cosmic Rays

The significance of external influences on the environment of Earth and its atmosphere has become evident during recent years. Especially, on time scales of several hundred years, the cosmogenic isotope concentration during the Wolf-, Spoerer-, Maunder- and Dalton-Minimum indicates an increased cosmic ray flux. Because these grand minima of solar activity coincide with cold periods, a correlation of the Earth climate with the cosmic ray intensities is plausible. Any quantitative study of the effects of energetic particles on the atmosphere and environment of the Earth must address their transport to Earth and their interactions with the Earth’s atmosphere including their filtering by the terrestrial magnetosphere. The first problem is one of the fundamental problems in modern cosmic ray astrophysics, and corresponding studies began in the 1960s based on Parker’s cosmic ray modulation theory taking into account diffusion, convection, adiabatic deceleration, and (later) the drift of energetic particles in the global heliospheric magnetic field. It is well established that all of these processes determining the modulation of cosmic rays are depending on parameters that are varying with the solar magnetic cycle. Therefore, the galactic cosmic ray intensities close to Earth is the result of a complex modulation of the interstellar galactic spectrum within the heliosphere. The modern view of this cosmic ray modulation is summarized in our contribution.     

Gamow and the physics and evolution of stars

The high temperature sensitivity of thermonuclear reactions and the neurrino emission at the final stages of stellar evolution (urca process) are the most crucial Gamow's contribution to the physics and evolution of stars. G. Gamow made one of a few first attempts in astrophysics to get a comprehensive picture of stellar evolution from the main sequence (thenormal stars in his terminology) through the formation of white dwarfs, gravitational collapse of stellar cores and supernova explosions.     

Cosmic Rays in Galactic and Extragalactic Magnetic Fields

We briefly review sources of cosmic rays, their composition and spectra as well as their propagation in the galactic and extragalactic magnetic fields, both regular and fluctuating. A special attention is paid to the recent results of the X-ray and gamma-ray observations that shed light on the origin of the galactic cosmic rays and the challenging results of Pierre Auger Observatory on the ultra high energy cosmic rays. The perspectives of both high energy astrophysics and cosmic-ray astronomy to identify the sources of ultra high energy cosmic rays, the mechanisms of particle acceleration, to measure the intergalactic radiation fields and to reveal the structure of magnetic fields of very different scales are outlined.     

Science with GRASP

The GRASP mission — Gamma Ray Astronomy with Spectroscopy and Positioning — is currently under assessment by ESA as a future space astronomy mission. The GRASP telescope will be the first high-resolution spectral imager to operate in the gamma-ray region of the spectrum. This, coupled with its high sensitivity, will enable GRASP to address many basic questions related to the physics of celestial objects thus offering a major step forward in high-energy astrophysics.     

Effects of Magnetic Fields in the Solar Atmosphere on Global Oscillations

Helioseismology is practically the only efficient experimental way of probing the solar interior. Without it, the results of theoretical solar models would remain untested and, consequently, less reliable when applying them for investigating remote stars. Hence, having a firm understanding of the applicability and reliability of helioseismology and the awareness of its limits are essential in solar physics and also in astrophysics. One of the weaknesses of the currently popular helioseismic models is that they allow only limited interaction between the global acoustic oscillation modes and the magnetic lower solar atmosphere, although, observations confirm strong coupling of helioseismic oscillations to the atmospheric magnetic field. The present article overviews the attempts of taking into account atmospheric magnetic effects in the theoretical models of global solar oscillations.     

Quantum Field Theoretic Description of Matter in the Universe

Quantum field theory at finite temperature and density can be used for describing the physics of relativistic plasmas. Such systems are frequently encountered in astrophysical situations, such as the early universe, supernova explosions, and the interior of neutron stars. After a brief introduction to thermal field theory the usefulness of this approach in astrophysics will be exemplified in three different cases. First the interaction of neutrinos within a supernova plasma will be discussed. Then the possible presence of quark matter in a neutron star core and finally the interaction of light with the Cosmic Microwave Background will be considered.     

KEY MEASUREMENTS IN THE FUTURE – Working Group Report

The experimental basis of cosmic-ray astrophysics consists of detailed measurements of the cosmic-ray intensity arriving near earth, of observations of photons in all wavelength bands generated by cosmic ray interactions in the interstellar medium or in the cosmic-ray sources, and of laboratory studies of high energy particle interactions. In addition, a large body of astronomical information on the composition of stellar atmospheres and of the interstellar medium, including interstellar dust grains, is required to bring cosmic-ray data into context with subjects such as nucleosynthesis and evolution of the galaxy. This report will summarize some of these observational questions, will discuss specific experimental needs in current research, and will review some of the key measurements that can be expected for the near future. This review will neither be complete nor attempt to establish observational priorities. However, it will illustrate the variety of observational activities that are required to achieve progress.     

Astrophysical implications of higher-dimensional gravity

We review the implications of modern higher-dimensional theories of gravity for astrophysics and cosmology. In particular, we discuss the latest developments of STM theory in connection with dark matter, particle dynamics and the cosmological constant, as well as related aspects of quantum theory. There are also more immediate tests of extra dimensions, notably involving perturbations of the cosmic 3K microwave background and the precession of a supercooled gyroscope in Earth orbit. We also outline some general features of embeddings, and include pictures of the big bang as viewed from a higher dimension.     

L'avion,plateforme d'observations scientifiques

Transition between high altitude manned observatories and unmanned balloon-borne or rocket-borne experiments is achieved with high flying aircrafts, at altitudes above tropopause (>12 km), which became readily available, at reasonable cost and reliability, in the past five or ten years.This paper reviews the development of scientific uses of aircrafts, especially for astronomy and geophysics, with some emphasis placed on infrared problems, closely related to the scale height of the chief infrared absorber, i.e. telluric water vapor.Absorbers distribution vs altitude and spectral characteristics are summarized (Figures 1, 2, 3).Capabilities of various available aircrafts are compared (Table I) and the various ways to consider modifications are discussed: structural modifications or design problems to fit telescopes or light collectors on board. Tables II and III list the advantages of airborne observations, compared to other spatial carriers, and also the specific problems connected with aircrafts. Adopted solutions to these problems are exposed (Figures 4, 5, 6, 7) and costs are briefly discussed.Finally, a few examples of scientific results, gathered in the few past years from aircraft, are given, both in astronomy and in geophysics.