Modeling Pulsar Wind Nebulae

In the last few years, new observations by CHANDRA and XMM have shown that Pulsar Wind Nebulae present complex but similar inner features, with the presence of axisymmetric rings and jets, which are generally referred to as a jet-torus structure. Due to the rapid growth in accuracy and robustness of numerical schemes for relativistic fluid-dynamics, it is now possible to model the flow and magnetic structure of the relativistic plasma responsible for the emission. Recent results have clarified how the jet and rings are formed, suggesting that the morphology is strongly related to the wind properties, so that, in principle, it is possible to infer the conditions in the unshocked wind from the nebular emission. I will review here the current status in the modeling of Pulsar Wind Nebulae, and, in particular, how numerical simulations have increased our understanding of the flow structure, observed emission, polarization and spectral properties. I will also point to possible future developments of the present models.     

System aspects and transmission impairments of active phased arrays for satellite communications

The communications link and system aspects of active phased arrays that are used in multiple-beam satellite systems are assessed through measurements and analysis. Three link parameters are investigated and their effects on the overall carrier-to-interference ratio (CIR) are quantified. The first parameter is the intermodulation components that are generated at the nonlinear amplifier outputs and contribute to well-formed interference in the far-field radiation of the array. The second is the bit-error ratio (BER) degradation due to the multi-carrier operation of the active array. Measurement results are shown to demonstrate this effect. The third link parameter is the cochannel interference caused by frequency reuse in multiple-beam systems. The paper starts by reviewing early developments of phased arrays for multiple-beam satellite communications applications. A key component in these developments is the modular monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) beam-forming matrices that generate a number of simultaneous and independently digitally controlled beams     

Theoretical fundamentals for constructing an integrated safety system of airborne ergatic complex operation

The initial statements are formulated and a technique is considered to solve a problem of providing trouble-free airborne ergatic complex (AEC) operation under the action of external disturbances, equipment failure, pilot’s errors and other unfavorable factors.     

Spacecraft “Foton-M” in-flight thermal conditions

The problem of thermal conditions aboard the “Foton-M” spacecraft during its orbital flight is under consideration in this paper. The problem is very acute for performing microgravity experiments onboard of the orbital platform, because on one hand, many experiments need a definite temperature range to be performed, and on the other hand all electrical devices aboard radiate heat. To avoid uncontrolled heating of the environment special heat exchangers are used. To transport heat from different places of the capsule to heat exchanger special fans are installed given definite orientation. All the heat exchange facilities should be designed in advance being adjusted to current capsule loading and heat radiation by equipment. Thus special tools are needed predicting the capsule thermal conditions being function of equipment placement.The present paper introduces a new developed prognostic mathematical model able to forecast temperature distribution inside the capsule with account of fan induced air flows, thermal irradiation by scientific equipment and heat losses due to cooling system.     

Observations of Photospheric Dynamics and Magnetic Fields: From Large-Scale to Small-Scale Flows

This paper reviews solar flows and magnetic fields observed at the photospheric level. We first present the context in which these observations are performed. We describe the various temporal and spatial scales involved, and the coupling between them. Then we present small-scale flows, mainly supergranulation and flows around active regions. Flows at the global scale are then reviewed, again with emphasis on the flows, i.e. differential rotation, torsional oscillation and meridional circulation. In both small- and global-scale we discuss the coupling between flow fields and magnetic field and give an overview of observational techniques. Finally, the possible connection between studies of solar activity and stellar activity is briefly discussed.     

SVSS: Intelligent video surveillance system for aircraft

Safety and security are the most discussed topics in the aviation field. The latest security initiatives in the field of aviation propose [1I] the aircraft carriers to implement video surveillance within the aircraft at strategic locations. The current proposals allow the video surveillance data to be stored within the aircraft and monitored by one of the flight crew. The monitoring crew will be responsible for identifying the anomaly within the aircraft and take necessary preventive actions. With the introduction of additional technology within the aircraft, mere human perception may not be sufficient to make a decision. In this research work, the authors explore the possibility of implementing a smart video surveillance system (SVSS) within the aircraft that is tuned toward detecting the behavioral anomaly within the aircraft. The SVSS will generate security triggers when it detects an anomaly within the aircraft. These triggers could be combined with other triggers generated by different aircraft components (possible alarms from the flight crew, data traffic anomaly, or alarm generated by one of the avionics components) to provide a better understanding of the situation to the monitoring crew.     

Aircraft health management network: A user interface

Network management is one of the most discussed topics in the networking fraternity. The efficiency of the network management suit is measured by the number of parameters/components handled by the application while making decisions. In the case of internet-enabled aircrafts, along with network security, even aircraft safety needs to be considered as a factor while designing the Network Management suit. This requires the Network Management suit to monitor/analyze the aircraft-related data (avionics data, physical security parameters, etc.) while determining the proper functioning of the overall system. Herein, these authors present a framework for Network Management suit that, along with network health, monitors inputs from avionics, video surveillance system, weather monitoring system, and manual pilot alarms, and based on the situation, reconfigures the on-board networking devices to stream appropriate flight-critical data to the ground station. The proposed framework attempts to provide a comprehensive user interface for the flight health monitoring crew with all relevant data.     

Ozone mini-hole observation over the Balkan Peninsula in March 2005

Areas with dimensions of 1000–3000 km in which the total ozone content (TOC) decreases fast are called ozone mini-holes. They are generated mainly dynamically in two ways, either by poor-ozone air mass transport from the tropics to higher latitudes by planetary wave activity or, they are connected with strong adiabatic uplifting of the tropopause height. An ozone mini-hole, generated by the second mechanism, was observed over the Balkan Peninsula on 19/21 March 2005. In the middle of March, the polar vortex was strongly disturbed by Rossby waves, reaching up to the lower stratosphere. Warming episodes over a geographical area, covering the Barents Sea and the Polar Sea north from Central Siberia, displaced a polar vortex fragment extremely southwards. However, the vorticity was weak and the stratospheric temperatures did not reach low values, providing conditions for ozone chemical destruction via heterogenic reactions. At the same time, a Rossby wave ridge was located below the European polar fragment. In the period from 13 to 19 March, the thermal tropopause over Sofia was uplifted almost by 3 km. Ozone distributions observed by the SCIAMACHY instrument on 18–21 March show a fast TOC decrease westwards from Ireland, which was moving eastwards during the next days, increasing the area in which the ozone content decreased. On 20/21 March low ozone content was observed above the Stara Zagora (42°N, 25°E) ground-based station by means of the GASCOD instrument, using DOAS technique. The TOMS Earth probe instrument detected 237 DU over Sofia. This is a record low March value from the beginning of the TOMS instrument measurements in 1978. In March/April the ozone distribution was characterized by its mean annual maximum of 360 DU at 42°N.     

Interplanetary scintillations of an ensemble of radio sources during the solar activity minimum of cycles 23/24

The results of observations of interplanetary scintillations of a statistical ensemble of radio sources in the period of 2007–2011 are presented. Observation were carried out in the monitoring regime with the BSA LPI radio telescope at the frequency 111 MHz. Fluctuations of radio emission flux of all sources (a few hundred in total) were recorded 24 hours a day. Those sources were investigated, which had a scintillating flux greater than 0.2 Jy and fell within the sky band of 8° width in declination, corresponding to radio telescope’s 16-beam system. The statistical ensemble of radio sources is characterized by the mean variance of a scintillating radiation flux, which is proportional to the squared scintillation index. It follows from the obtained data that the radial dependence of a mean scintillation index during a deep solar activity minimum of 2008–2009 occurs to be weaker than one could expect in the case of spherically symmetric geometry of the solar wind. Suppression of a radial dependence of the mean scintillation index is explained by the effect of the heliospheric current sheet, which reveals itself in a high density of solar wind’s turbulent plasma in the helioequator plane. It is shown that the level of scintillations, averaged over monthly series of observations, was changing synchronously with the solar activity level.