Model simulations of the impact of the 27-day solar rotation period on stratospheric ozone and temperature

Results are presented from two-year simulations of the effects of short-term solar ultraviolet (UV) variability using the Met. Office coupled chemistry-climate model. The model extends from the ground to 0.1 mbar and contains a complete range of chemical reactions allowing representation of all the main ozone formation and destruction processes in the stratosphere. The simulations were achieved by incorporating a 27-day oscillation in the pre-calculated model photolysis rates. Amplitudes for this signal were determined using solar spectral UV observations from the SOLar STellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (SOLSTICE) instrument. Two experiments were carried out, one in which the UV variability was included in both the photolysis and radiation schemes and one in which only the photolysis scheme was modified.

The model reproduced several main features of observed correlations between short-term solar UV variability and both ozone and temperature in the tropical upper stratosphere, including the downward propagation of the phase lag and sensitivities of ozone and temperature to solar UV which are similar in magnitude to those observed. In the lower stratosphere, the ozone response to solar UV variability has not been well characterised from observations. Both model runs show a reversal of the propagation of phase lag below 10mb. The model response was found to be different between the two runs indicating that radiatively induced dynamical effects may play a significant role in the ozone response to solar UV variability.     

Main characteristics of biological components of developing life support system observed during the experiments aboard orbital complex MIR.

Since 1990, the orbital complex MIR has witnessed several incubator experiments for determination of spaceflight effects on embryogenesis of Japanese quail. First viable chicks who had completed the whole embryological cycle in MIR microgravity hatched out in 1990; it became clear that newborns would not be able to adapt to microgravity unaided. There were 8 successful incubations of chicks in the period from 1990 to 1999. In 1995-1997 the MIR-NASA space science program united Russian and US investigators. As a result, experiments Greenhouse-1 and 2 were performed with an effort to grow super dwarf wheat from seed to seed, and experiment Greenhouse-3 aimed at receiving two successive generations of Brassica rapa. But results of these experiments could not be used for definitive conclusions concerning effects of spaceflight on plant ontogenesis and, therefore, experiments Greenhouse-4 and 5 were staged within the framework of the Russian national space program. The experiments finally yielded wheat seeds. Some of the seeds was left on the space station and, being planted, gave viable seedlings which, in their turn, produced the second crop of space seeds.     

Measuring satellite antennas with a compact hologram test range

Testing of satellite antennas at high millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths has some specific problems not encountered at lower frequencies. The atmospheric attenuation due to water and oxygen molecule resonances at certain frequency bands can be substantial. Therefore, conventional far-field test methods for electrically large antennas are ruled out by the required far-field distance of kilometers or even tens of kilometers. However, the compact antenna test range (CATR) makes such far-field tests possible within an indoor chamber having a controlled atmosphere. The application and ongoing development of a CATR based on a hologram as the focusing element are outlined     

Variations of the gravitational field as a motive power for rhythmics of biochemical processes.

Variations of the gravitational field affected by the Sun and the Moon while the Earth's moving along the orbit seem to be a powerful source of many rhythmical processes typical of biochemical processes. Studies carried out in AARI revealed the obvious relationships between the dynamics of some biochemical reactions and lambda(D)-function describing the regular variations of the gravitational field under combined influence of the Sun and the Moon. The following of them are examined as examples: the rate of the unithiol oxidation in vitro, concentration of the thiol compounds in human urine, some hematological indicators (rate of the erythrocytes sedimentation, hemoglobin content). Compatibility of run of the biochemical indicators and lambda(D)-function is indicative of essential influence of the regular variations of the gravitational field on rhythmics of the biochemical processes. As this takes place, the solar activity acts like to the instability factor. Balance of the solar activity effects and the varying gravitational field effect alter in time depending on location in the solar activity cycle.     

A high-altitude barium radial injection experiment

On 16 March 1980 a rocket launched from Poker Flat, Alaska, carried a new type of high-explosive barium shaped charge to 571 km, where detonation injected a thin disk of barium vapor with high velocity nearly perpendicular to the magnetic field. The purpose of the experiment, named “King Crab,” was to advance knowledge of the instabilities, waves, and optical and magnetic effects produced. The TV images of the injection are spectacular, revealing three major regimes of expanding material which showed early instabilities in the neutral gas. The most unusual effect of the injection is a peculiar rayed barium-ion structure lying in the injection plane and centered on a 5 km “black hole” surrounding the injection point. Preliminary computer simulations show a similar rayed structure development due to an electrostatic instability.     

Measurements of the artificially stimulated precipitation of electrons from the inner radiation belt in the experiment “SPOLOKH-2”

Evidence for an enhancement of the electron flux associated with a barium chaped charge release from “SPOLOKH-2” rocket payload, launched from Volgograd (L = 2.2) on June 29, 1978, will be presented. There is also evidence for a periodic train of particle bursts occurring with about 11 second period during more than 100 seconds after the release. The observed phenomena is interpreted as a “trigger-effect”.     

D-region IRI profiles in relation to radio observations

The D-region IRI profiles are compared with the direct rocket measurements as well as with ground-based radio observations by a variety of techniques. The characteristics of D-region IRI profiles and the dependence of electron density on solar zenith angle, sunspot number, latitude and season are discussed. The sensitivity of certain reflection coefficients on the height distribution of electron density below 70 km is illustrated with a typical example. For D-region modelling, the results show the importance of simultaneous measurement of reflection and conversion coefficients together with polarization phase over a wide frequency range.     

GPS based IPS for ERP vehicles

GPS is an innovative technique for an electronic road pricing (ERP) system. By using GPS technology, ERP systems will be extremely efficient and cost-effective. This paper describes the next generation of ERP in Singapore and proposes a GPS based multisensor positioning system for ERP vehicles. Multisensor fusion algorithms are presented for the integration system. The integrated positioning system (IPS) developed in this paper makes it possible to realize GPS based ERP with a simple composition and low cost