Four-peak longitudinal distribution of the equatorial plasma bubbles observed in the topside ionosphere: Possible troposphere tide influence

In this paper we consider an idea of the troposphere tide influence on the character of the longitudinal variations in the distribution of the equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) observed in the topside ionosphere. For this purpose, the obtained EPB longitudinal patterns were compared with the thermosphere and ionosphere characteristics having the prominent “wave-like” longitudinal structures with wave number 4, which are uniquely associated with the influence of the troposphere DE3 tides. The characteristics of the equatorial mass density anomaly (EMA), equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA), zonal wind and pre-reversal E?×?B drift enhancement (PRE) were used for comparison. The equinox seasons during high solar activity were under consideration. It was obtained that the longitudinal patterns of the EMA and zonal wind show the surprising similarity with the EPB distributions (R???0.8, R???0.72). On the other hand, the resemblance with the ionosphere characteristics (EIA, PRE) is rather faint (R???0.37, R???0.12). It was shown that the thermosphere zonal winds are the most possible transfer mediator of the troposphere DE3 tide influence. The most successful moment for the transfer of the troposphere DE3 tide energy takes place in the beginning of the EPB production, namely, during the seed perturbation development.     

The Galaxy Cluster Mass Scale and Its Impact on Cosmological Constraints from the Cluster Population

Space Science Reviews - The QB50 mission is a satellite constellation designed to carry out measurements at between 200–380 km altitude in the ionosphere. The multi-needle Langmuir probe...     

Hypersonic vehicle aerodynamic design using modified sequential approximate optimization

Hypersonic vehicles are receiving increased attention within the aerospace community due to their high cruise speed and long-range capabilities. In this paper, a modified Sequential Approximate Optimization method is proposed for an optimized aerodynamic design of a hypersonic vehicle. As part of this approach, a constrained experimental design method is developed to handle the constraints more efficiently. A radial basis function is used to surrogate time-consuming CFD analysis. An efficient and more robust numerical mesh morphing scheme for the hypersonic vehicle is developed for the generation of high-quality meshes. Within this paper, a novel adaptive infilling strategy is proposed which uses an inaccurate search technique coupled with an elite archive. This allows the location of a more promising sample region and hence improves the surrogate accuracy, thereby further enhancing the optimization efficiency. A hypersonic vehicle aerodynamic design problem is solved using the proposed approach and satisfactory results are obtained at much lower computational costs. The lift-to-drag ratio is increased by 23.8% when compared with the base configuration while also satisfying the volume and lift constraints. The pressure and Mach contours have been compared with those of the base configuration and the results demonstrate the strength of the optimized configuration. The modified sequential approximate optimization for designing an improved hypersonic vehicle is worth referencing in future work.     

The Venus ionosphere

Physical properties of the Venus ionosphere obtained by experiments on the US Pioneer Venus and the Soviet Venera missions are presented in the form of models suitable for inclusion in the Venus International Reference Atmosphere. The models comprise electron density (from 120 km), electron and ion temperatures, and relative ion abundance in the altitude range from 150 km to 1000 km for solar zenith angles from 0° to 180°. In addition, information on ion transport velocities, ionopause altitudes, and magnetic field characteristics of the Venus ionosphere, are presented in tabular or graphical form. Also discussed is the solar control of the physical properties of the Venus ionosphere.     

Detection of suprathermal ionospheric O+ ions inside the plasmasphere

The plasma diagnostic experiments on the AUREOL-3 satellite have revealed flows of low energy 0⁺ ions deep inside the night plasmasphere during a large substorm. Flux gradients of the 0⁺ ions were accompanied by enhancements of ELF electric field noise. The appearance of suprathermal ions at $\text{L ? 2.5 – 3}$ is interpreted within the framework of electrostatic ion-cyclotron acceleration of ionospheric ions in the diffuse auroral zone /12/ followed by a radial displacement of these ions inside the plasmasphere driven by azimuthal electric fields during substorm activity. Electrostatic oscillations observed inside the plasmasphere are apparently associated with gradient instability at the sharp boundaries of suprathermal ion flows.     

Paradoxes in mechanics caused by vibrations

New paradoxical phenomena encountered during experiments with vibrating fluids and solid bodies are reviewed.     

Performance of a centrifugal phytotron.

It is possible to cultivate plants under an artificial gravity field generated by a centrifugal device in space. In order to determine an optimal magnitude of gravity, there is a need to investigate the relationship between plant and growth and gravity, including not only reduced gravity but also gravity greater than 1G. A prototype centrifugal phytotron was designed and fabricated in order to investigate the relationship between plant growth and increased gravity. This device enables us to cultivate plants over the long term by controlling environmental conditions in the phytotron such as temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration and light intensity. The results of our experiment indicate that plant seeds can germinate and grow even under an artificial gravity which changes sinusoidally from 2G to 4G.     

Generalized Problem of Two Fixed Centers or the Darboux-Gredeaks Problem

A brief review of publications on the problem of two fixed centers is given, including its generalizations and astronomical applications. A comparison of the Darboux potential with that of Eve Gredeaks is made. An account of the basic points of development of modern high-precision theories of the motion of planetary satellites, based on the Gredeaks’ intermediate orbit, is given.__________Translated from Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, Vol. 43, No. 3, 2005, pp. 194–200.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Lukyanov, Emeljanov, Shirmin.Dedicated to the memory of Professor Evgenii Petrovich Aksenov     

A model of radiation conditions during spacecraft flights in the interplanetary space and in the Earth's magnetosphere.

Based on the available measurement data, simulations of radiation conditions during spacecraft flights in the interplanetary space and in the Earth's and Jupiter's radiation belts has been carried out. The > or = 10 MeV and > or = 30 MeV solar flare proton fluence forecast has been proposed for Cycle 22. Radiation conditions due to both magnetospheric electrons and protons and to solar flare protons, magnetic rigidity cutoff being taken into account, have been evaluated on spacecraft trajectories in the Earth's and Jupiter's magnetospheres.     

1E 1740.7-2942 revisited: Confirmation of its identification with the core of a double sided radio jet structure

After more than two years of successful in-orbit operations, the γ-ray coded aperture SIGMA telescope has accumulated 800 hours of live-time observations of the Galactic Center region, including the remarkable hard source identified with the X-ray source 1E 1740.7–2942. The long-term behavior of the soft γ-ray emission of 1E 1740.7–2942, as determined from the SIGMA survey, supplemented with previously available soft γ-ray data, leads to its identification with a singular radio source, which consists of a double sided radio jet emanating from a compact variable core whose variability is correlated with that of the soft γ-ray source. The compact radio core, which lies well inside the improved soft γ-ray (40–150 keV) error circle (27″ radius) derived from the high-resolution SIGMA survey, is also inside the ROSAT and TTM error circle derived respectively in the soft and hard X-ray bands.