Real-time zenith tropospheric delays in support of numerical weather prediction applications

The Geodetic Observatory Pecný (GOP) routinely estimates near real-time zenith total delays (ZTD) from GPS permanent stations for assimilation in numerical weather prediction (NWP) models more than 12 years. Besides European regional, global and GPS and GLONASS solutions, we have recently developed real-time estimates aimed at supporting NWP nowcasting or severe weather event monitoring. While all previous solutions are based on data batch processing in a network mode, the real-time solution exploits real-time global orbits and clocks from the International GNSS Service (IGS) and Precise Point Positioning (PPP) processing strategy. New application G-Nut/Tefnut has been developed and real-time ZTDs have been continuously processed in the nine-month demonstration campaign (February–October, 2013) for selected 36 European and global stations. Resulting ZTDs can be characterized by mean standard deviations of 6–10 mm, but still remaining large biases up to 20 mm due to missing precise models in the software. These results fulfilled threshold requirements for the operational NWP nowcasting (i.e. 30 mm in ZTD). Since remaining ZTD biases can be effectively eliminated using the bias-reduction procedure prior to the assimilation, results are approaching the target requirements in terms of relative accuracy (i.e. 6 mm in ZTD). Real-time strategy and software are under the development and we foresee further improvements in reducing biases and in optimizing the accuracy within required timeliness. The real-time products from the International GNSS Service were found accurate and stable for supporting PPP-based tropospheric estimates for the NWP nowcasting.     

Sailing at the brink – The no-limits of near-/now-term-technology solar sails and SEP spacecraft in (multiple) NEO rendezvous

Near-Earth object (NEO) in-situ exploration can provide invaluable information for science, possible future deflection actions and resource utilisation. This is only possible with space missions which approach the asteroid from its vicinity, i.e. rendezvous. This paper explores the use of solar sailing as means of propulsion for NEO rendezvous missions. Given the current state of sail technology, we search for multiple rendezvous missions of up to ten years and characteristic acceleration of up to 0.10 mm/s². Using a tree-search technique and subsequent trajectory optimisation, we find numerous options of up to three NEO encounters in the launch window 2019–2027. In addition, we explore steerable and throttleable low-thrust (e.g. solar-electric) rendezvous to a particular group of NEOs, the Taurid swarm. We show that an acceleration of 0.23 mm/s² would suffice for a rendezvous in approximately 2000 days, while shorter transfers are available as the acceleration increases. Finally, we show low-thrust options (0.3 mm/s²) to the fictitious asteroid 2019 PDC, as part of an asteroid deflection exercise.     

世界上最壮丽的景色——意大利恺撒奥古斯都酒店

概况海拔1000英尺以上的悬崖上,意大利奥古斯都恺撒酒店提供卡普里岛的最壮观的景色之一。从酒店的客房内,你可以眺望到令人惊叹的美景。那不勒斯湾附近,维苏威火山,索伦托海岸,伊斯基亚和卡普里岛包括由Axel Munthe,我们的别墅是令人惊叹的风景庆祝。     

Meteor Phenomena and Bodies

Meteoroids can be observed at collision with the Earth's atmosphere as meteors. Different methods of observing meteors are presented: besides the traditional counts of individual events, exact methods yield also data on the geometry of the atmospheric trajectory; on the dynamics and ablation of the body in the atmosphere; on radiation; on the spectral distribution of radiation; on ionization; on accompanying sounds; and also data on orbits. Theoretical models of meteoroid interaction with the atmosphere are given and applied to observational data. Attention is paid to radar observations; to spectroscopic observations; to experiments with artificial meteors and to different types of meteor sounds. The proposed composition and structure of meteoroids as well as their orbits link them to meteorites, asteroids and comets. Meteor streams can be observed as meteor showers and storms. The rate of influx of meteoroids of different sizes onto Earth is presented and potential hazards discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

天堂也不过如此 让人心旷神怡的斐济

斐济位于西南太平洋中心,是南太平洋地区的交通枢纽,号称南太平洋的"十字路口"。地跨东、西半球,180度经线贯穿其中,因而成为世界上既是最东又是最西的国家。斐济由332个岛屿组成,多为珊瑚礁环绕的火山岛,其中106个岛有人居住。在斐济,很容易让人发出"天堂不过如此"的感叹。清凉的海风吹拂着高耸入云椰林,岛上热带树木浓绿成荫,海滩边洁白的沙滩,海里奇形怪状的珊瑚礁,色彩斑斓的鱼儿将海水搅得五彩缤纷,到处充满热带海洋的原始美感。     

植物能量 助力抗氧化

自由基人若要活着,除了要有食物供给充足的营养外,更需要靠不断地呼吸来获得氧气,氧气更是身体进行各种氧化反应所必需的,然而当人体正在利用氧气进行某些代谢反应时,不可避免地会产生一些不稳定物质,而这些不稳定的物质都是氧气的"变身",它们的个性非常活泼,不喜欢安安稳稳地呆在原地,甚至喜欢去攻击别人,由于它们这种不喜欢受拘束的个性,我们称之为自由基。     

Taxonomy of Human Wayfinding Tasks: A Knowledge-Based Approach

Abstract

Although the term “Wayfinding” has been defined by several authors, it subsumes a whole set of tasks that involve different cognitive processes, drawing on different cognitive components. Research on wayfinding has been conducted with different paradigms using a variety of wayfinding tasks. This makes it difficult to compare the results and implications of many studies. A systematic classification is needed in order to determine and investigate the cognitive processes and structural components of how humans solve wayfinding problems. Current classifications of wayfinding distinguish tasks on a rather coarse level or do not take the navigator's knowledge, a key factor in wayfinding, into account. We present an extended taxonomy of wayfinding that distinguishes tasks by external constraints as well as by the level of spatial knowledge that is available to the navigator. The taxonomy will help to decrease ambiguity of wayfinding tasks and it will facilitate understanding of the differentiated demands a navigator faces when solving wayfinding problems.