A Parallel Adaptive 3D MHD Scheme for Modeling Coronal and Solar Wind Plasma Flows

A parallel adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) scheme is described for solving the governing equations of ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) in three space dimensions. This solution algorithm makes use of modern finite-volume numerical methodology to provide a combination of high solution accuracy and computational robustness. Efficient and scalable implementations of the method have been developed for massively parallel computer architectures and high performance achieved. Numerical results are discussed for a simplified model of the initiation and evolution of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in the inner heliosphere. The results demonstrate the potential of this numerical tool for enhancing our understanding of coronal and solar wind plasma processes. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Longitudinal Waves in Coronal Loops

Outwardly propagating intensity disturbances are a common feature in large, quiescent coronal loop structures. In this paper, an overview is given of the observed properties and the theoretical modelling. As a large number of events have been observed and analysed, good statistical results on the estimated parameters have now been obtained. The theoretical modelling mainly focuses on two distinct aspects, namely the observed rapid damping of the perturbations, thought to be due to thermal conduction and the origin of the driver. Leakage of the solar surface p-modes is the main candidate to explain the observed periodicity, due to the strong correlation between loop position and period and the filamentary nature of the observed coronal intensity perturbations. Recent observational results appear to confirm the leakage and subsequent upward propagation of the solar surface 5 minute oscillations into the overlying atmospheric layers.     

Experimental and theoretical burning of solid rocket propellants near the pressure deflagration limit

Burning of composite solid rocket propellants near the pressure deflagration limit (PDL) was studied experimentally in two different test chambers. The propellant tested was a nonmetallized ammonium perchlorate-based composite propellant (AP 84/CTPB 16). Measurements were taken of the regression rate, oscillations frequency and flame luminosity. Self-sustained oscillations were detected near the PDL that matched reasonably well the predictions of the analytical nonlinear stability theory and of the numerically solved nonlinear mathematical model. Both experimental and numerical results show the burning rate oscillations near the PDL due to statically unstable burning, that is the only combustion regime possible below a certain pressure. When pressure is further reduced the amplitude of the oscillations increases and their frequency decreases, until extinction follows abruptly below a pressure that corresponds to the PDL.     

Rio de la Plata estuarine system: Relationship between river flow and frontal variability

This paper deals with the application of SeaWIFS images to characterize spatial and temporal variability of fronts in the Rio de la Plata estuarine system over the period 2000–2003. We aim to depict the relationship between river outflow and variability of fronts’ loci on monthly to ENSO-related timescales and the influence of the winds along Rio de la Plata (axial winds) on the abrupt changes in frontal dynamics over synoptic timescales. During the studied period both La Niña (July 1999–June 2000) and El Niño (April 2002–May 2003) events induced significant displacements of fronts. Three distinct fronts were analyzed between river, estuarine, coastal and marine waters of the Rio de la Plata: Main Turbidity Front, Main Marine Front, and Secondary Marine Front. Their number, location and separation seem to be mainly related to river outflow and second, to fresh (>8 m/s) axial winds. During low discharge periods (i.e. summer time and/or La Niña events) these winds induce abrupt changes in the location of fronts (100–200 km) and greater separation between them over synoptic timescale, whereas during high river discharge or ENSO years some of the variability of fronts location is explained by the river’s outflow fluctuations, especially by the high variability of the River Uruguay discharge.     

Current Issues and Future Trends: DVB-RCS Satellite Systems

The telecommunications market is reaching new types of customers who require their applications anywhere and anyway. Therefore, the DVB-RCS standard, which had great success in the fixed version is changing in this direction. The main objective of this work is to give an overview of architectures and technologies that can be used for implementation of a first-generation of advanced mobile satellite systems for the provision of broadband multimedia services.     

热流限制下的最优气动力辅助变轨

以变轨能量消耗最小为优化目标，应用极大值原理研究了飞行过程受热流限制和升力系统约束下的气动力辅助共面变轨问题，飞行过程成分第一自由弧段，约束弧段，第二自由弧段三个部分，讨论了升力系数的最优表达式，分析了飞行过程中两种约束的相互作用，给出了约束弧起始位置的角点条件和终端的横截条件下，对不同的初值选取方法讨论了三种计算策略，并给出了数值算例。     

基于模糊机会约束规划的机会阵雷达方向图综合

针对机会阵雷达方向图综合的不确定问题,提出了一种基于模糊机会约束规划的方向图综合规划模型。该模型基于可信性理论,综合考虑天线单元分布的随机性以及激励状态的不确定性,将参与方向图综合时激励打开的天线数目看做一个梯形模糊变量,用以描述综合时的复杂不确定环境。随后,将规划模型转化为清晰等价形式,再结合遗传算法和灰关联综合评价法则设计了一种混合智能优化算法,用于求解该模型。以一维任意非均匀线阵为例,对主瓣宽度和最大副瓣电平进行了优化。仿真表明:优化后结果的可信性高于置信水平,验证了该算法的有效性。     

Surface Composition of Vesta: Issues and Integrated Approach

The instruments on the Dawn spacecraft are exceptionally well suited to characterize and map the surface composition of Vesta in an integrated manner. These include a framing camera with multispectral capabilities, a high spectral resolution near-infrared imaging spectrometer, and a gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer. Three examples of issues addressed at Vesta are: (1) What is the composition of Vesta??s interior and differentiation state as exposed by the Great South Crater? (2) How has space weathering affected Vesta, both globally and at a local scale? and (3) Are volatiles or hydrated material present on Vesta??s surface? We predict that Dawn finds many surprises, such as an olivine-bearing mantle exposed near the south-pole, a weakly or un-weathered surface that has been relatively recently resurfaced, and a very thin layer of surficial volatiles derived from interaction with the solar wind.     

1. Transport of Mass,Momentum and Energy in Planetary Magnetodisc Regions

The rapid rotation of the gas giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn, leads to the formation of magnetodisc regions in their magnetospheric environments. In these regions, relatively cold plasma is confined towards the equatorial regions, and the magnetic field generated by the azimuthal (ring) current adds to the planetary dipole, forming radially distended field lines near the equatorial plane. The ensuing force balance in the equatorial magnetodisc is strongly influenced by centrifugal stress and by the thermal pressure of hot ion populations, whose thermal energy is large compared to the magnitude of their centrifugal potential energy. The sources of plasma for the Jovian and Kronian magnetospheres are the respective satellites Io (a volcanic moon) and Enceladus (an icy moon). The plasma produced by these sources is globally transported outwards through the respective magnetosphere, and ultimately lost from the system. One of the most studied mechanisms for this transport is flux tube interchange, a plasma instability which displaces mass but does not displace magnetic flux—an important observational constraint for any transport process. Pressure anisotropy is likely to play a role in the loss of plasma from these magnetospheres. This is especially the case for the Jovian system, which can harbour strong parallel pressures at the equatorial segments of rotating, expanding flux tubes, leading to these regions becoming unstable, blowing open and releasing their plasma. Plasma mass loss is also associated with magnetic reconnection events in the magnetotail regions. In this overview, we summarise some important observational and theoretical concepts associated with the production and transport of plasma in giant planet magnetodiscs. We begin by considering aspects of force balance in these systems, and their coupling with the ionospheres of their parent planets. We then describe the role of the interaction between neutral and ionized species, and how it determines the rate at which plasma mass and momentum are added to the magnetodisc. Following this, we describe the observational properties of plasma injections, and the consequent implications for the nature of global plasma transport and magnetodisc stability. The theory of the flux tube interchange instability is reviewed, and the influences of gravity and magnetic curvature on the instability are described. The interaction between simulated interchange plasma structures and Saturn’s moon Titan is discussed, and its relationship to observed periodic phenomena at Saturn is described. Finally, the observation, generation and evolution of plasma waves associated with mass loading in the magnetodisc regions is reviewed.