XMM-Newton observations of low luminosity Be/X-ray candidates

A small number of early Be stars exhibit X-ray luminosities intermediate between those typical of early type stars and those radiated by Be/X-ray binaries in the quiescent state. We report on XMM-Newton observations of two such Be stars, HD 161103 and SAO 49725 which were originally discovered in a systematic cross-correlation between the ROSAT all-sky survey and SIMBAD. The new observations confirm the X-ray luminosity detected by ROSAT (L_X  10³² erg s⁻¹) and the hardness of their X-ray spectra (thin thermal with kT  8–10 keV or power law with photon index of 1.7) which are both unusual for normal early type stars. We discuss the possible origin of this excess X-ray emission in the light of the models proposed for γ-Cas, magnetic disc-star interaction or accretion onto a compact companion object, neutron star or white dwarf, and compare the properties of these two sources with those of the new massive systems discovered in the XMM- Newton/SSC survey of the Galactic plane.     

Structural development of the X-ray limb flare of 30 April 1980

We describe the development of the limb flare of 30 April 1980, 20:20 UT, as observed by the Hard X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (HXIS) aboard the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM). It consisted of a short-lived bright nucleus (FWHM < 10,000 km), just inside the Sun's limb; a longer lasting tongue, extending to a height of 30,000 km, and a more complicated feature, approximately situated at the Sun's limb. The tongue was a pre-existing magnetic structure that started emitting X-rays only a few seconds after the bright nucleus, and which had a slightly higher temperature than the nucleus; its X-ray emission may be caused by electrons escaped from the nucleus.     

Contributions from nearby pulsars to the local cosmic ray electron spectrum

PSR J0437-4715 is one of the closest millisecond pulsars (MSPs) to Earth, lying at a distance of ∼140 pc. This pulsar has a characteristic age of 4.9 Gyr and a relatively low spindown power of ∼10³⁴ ergs/s. During its rather long lifetime, a large fraction of the energy output has been in the form of multi-TeV electrons. In this paper, we investigate the possible contribution of this nearby MSP to the local interstellar electron spectrum (LIS). The old age of the system justifies a steady-state evaluation of the contribution from this pulsar to the LIS. We calculate the electron spectrum at the light cylinder in the framework of a General Relativistic polar cap (PC) model, and use this as an injection spectrum in a diffusion model. The younger Geminga pulsar is also very close to Earth and warrants investigation. A steady-state approach is however no longer justified, so we use an impulsive injection model. We will present results of a study of the contribution from these pulsars to the cosmic ray (CR) LIS. Our calculations show that pulsars like Geminga can make a non-negligible contribution to the LIS.     

Teaching astronomy for pre-service elementary teachers: A comparison of methods

This study investigates the effect of text structure and “hands-on” methods in the acquisition of the concepts of moon phases and seasons for pre-service elementary teachers. The goal is to evaluate the most appropriate method for facilitating conceptual change. The presentation of two main misconceptions associated with each concept (moon phases and seasons) is tested. Sixty pre-service elementary teachers are divided into three same size experimental groups after a pre-test on their knowledge about astronomy: one group read a simple expository text that presents factual information about seasons and moon phases, another group read a refutation text that moreover presents explicitly two main and usual misconceptions about each concept and arguments to refute them; the last group participates to a refutation modelling activity by testing, for each concept, three hypothesis: the scientific explanation and the two common misconceptions. The hands-on method is used as a way to refute the pre-conceptions thanks to a collaborative activity in small groups.     

Lunar astrobiology: a review and suggested laboratory equipment

In October of 2005, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Alcatel Alenia Spazio released a "call to academia for innovative concepts and technologies for lunar exploration." In recent years, interest in lunar exploration has increased in numerous space programs around the globe, and the purpose of our study, in response to the ESA call, was to draw on the expertise of researchers and university students to examine science questions and technologies that could support human astrobiology activity on the Moon. In this mini review, we discuss astrobiology science questions of importance for a human presence on the surface of the Moon and we provide a summary of key instrumentation requirements to support a lunar astrobiology laboratory.     

卫星导航地面试验验证的平行系统方法

应用平行系统理论,研究全球卫星导航系统（GNSS）人工建模、计算实验和平行执行的方法。首先构建GNSS平行系统框架,分析GNSS平行系统人工建模的关键技术,提出基于代理（Agent）的导航系统实体建模方法;然后根据计算实验需求,设计GNSS平行系统在人工建模、试验支持与运行维护等方面的计算实验方法及流程。在此基础上,给出GNSS平行系统的运行模式及其平行执行过程。最后,以GNSS平行系统在人员培训方面的应用为例,说明GNSS平行系统在实际GNSS运行维护方面的应用。研究结果表明,建立GNSS平行系统是提高GNSS建设和运行维护效率的有效方法。     

速率偏频激光陀螺偏频速率模糊PID自适应控制的设计与实现

应用模糊 PID自适应技术设计并实现了激光陀螺偏频速率的控制系统,结果表明 :偏频台速率平稳性优于 3.1 2× 1 0 - 4;角速率正反换向速度快,在± 60°/ s之间的转换时间约为 1 4 ms,而且换向过程速率超调很小。该控制系统在实际系统中得到了良好的应用     

基于图像的测量方法在工业风洞跨声速流测量中的最新进展

风洞中非定常复杂流场的实验研究要求先进的测量技术.基于图像的测量技术中最重要的是测量平面流速度场、平面压强分布、模型位置和变形、模型温度以及定量的高速流可视化等技术.DLR(德国宇航研究院)对这些技术的应用包括从低速流到跨声速流、从增升装置到螺旋桨和旋翼、从弹射装置和水塔储水罐尾迹流旋涡到三角翼上涡破裂现象等的研究.由于跨声速风洞的特殊环境,将基于图像的测量技术用于跨声速流要求专门的技术开发和有经验的科学家.给出了DLR空气动力学和流动技术研究所将基于图像的测量技术应用于跨声速流研究的最新进展.     

临近空间飞艇内部自然对流换热计算研究

综合考虑太阳辐射、长波辐射、对流换热等热环境因素对临近空间飞艇热特性的影响,建立飞艇热特性的数学模型,编写程序并计算得到蒙皮表面温度分布。以此作为热边界条件,采用Fluent软件模拟其内部自然对流的流动状态和温度分布,对不同季节不同时刻飞艇内部自然对流换热系数进行了计算分析,并对四个自然对流经验公式进行了评价分析。结果表明,Eckert-Jackson和Bayley公式更适用于计算浮空器内部自然对流换热,与数值模拟结果相比,平均绝对误差（MAD）分别为22.6%和24.1%。