Calculations of shock wave energy parameters in the presence of high-voltage electrical discharge in water for the transition region

A technique for calculating the energy parameters of shock waves at electrical discharge in water is presented for the transition region of discharge channel expansion using as the base the predetermined characteristics of discharge circuit. The technique is based on the solution of energy transport equation that is similar in form to that of radiative transfer. The validity of the presented approach was experimentally verified.     

Aerodynamics of smart flap under ground effect

Aerodynamic characteristics of two-dimensional smart flap under the ground effect have been assessed by a numerical simulation. In this process, a pressure-based implicit procedure to solve Navier–Stokes equations on a nonorthogonal mesh with collocated finite volume formulation is used. The boundedness criteria for this procedure are determined from the Normalized Variable Diagram (NVD) scheme. The procedure incorporates the k–ε eddy–viscosity turbulence model. Cantilever beam with uniformly varying load with roller support at the free end is considered for the configuration of the smart flap. The method is first validated against experimental data. Then, the algorithm is applied for turbulent aerodynamic flows around airfoil with smart and conventional flaps for different attack angle, flap angle and ground clearance where the results of two flaps are compared. The comparisons show that the quality of the solution is considerable.     

Modelling of galactic Carbon in an asymmetrical heliosphere: Effects of asymmetrical modulation conditions

Observations of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) from the two Voyager spacecraft inside the heliosheath indicate significant differences between them, suggesting that in addition to a possible global asymmetry in the north–south dimensions (meridional plane) of the heliosphere, it is also possible that different modulation (turbulence) conditions could exist between the two hemispheres of the heliosphere. We focus on illustrating the effects on GCR Carbon of asymmetrical modulation conditions combined with a heliosheath thickness that has a significant dependence on heliolatitude. To reflect different modulation conditions between the two heliospheric hemispheres in our numerical model, the enhancement of both polar and radial perpendicular diffusion off the ecliptic plane is assumed to differ from heliographic pole to pole. The computed radial GCR intensities at polar angles of 55° (approximating the Voyager 1 direction) and 125° (approximating the Voyager 2 direction) are compared at different energies and for both particle drift cycles. This is done in the context of illustrating how different values of the enhancement of both polar and radial perpendicular diffusion between the two hemispheres contribute to causing differences in radial intensities during solar minimum and moderate maximum conditions. We find that in the A > 0 cycle these differences between 55° and 125° change both quantitatively and qualitatively for the assumed asymmetrical modulation condition as reflected by polar diffusion, while in the A < 0 cycle, minute quantitative differences are obtained. However, when both polar and radial perpendicular diffusion have significant latitude dependences, major differences in radial intensities between the two polar angles are obtained in both polarity cycles. Furthermore, significant differences in radial intensity gradients obtained in the heliosheath at lower energies may suggest that the solar wind turbulence at and beyond the solar wind termination shock must have a larger latitudinal dependence.     

Solar Irradiance Variability Since 1978

Since November 1978 a set of total solar irradiance (TSI) measurements from space is available, yielding a time series of more than 25 years. Presently, there are three TSI composites available, called PMOD, ACRIM and IRMB, which are all constructed from the same original data, but use different procedures to correct for sensitivity changes. The PMOD composite is the only one which also corrects the early HF data for degradation. The results from the detailed analysis of the VIRGO radiometry allow a good understanding of the effects influencing the long-term behaviour of classical radiometers in space. Thus, a re-analysis of the behaviour of HF/NIMBUS-7 and ACRIM-I/SMM was indicated. For the former the situation is complicated by the fact that there are no in-flight means to determine changes due to exposure to solar radiation by comparison with a less exposed radiometer on the same spacecraft. The geometry and optical property of the cavity of HF is, however, very similar to the PMO6-type radiometers, so the behaviour of the PMO6V radiometers on VIRGO can be used as a model. ACRIM-I had to be revised mainly due to a henceforth undetected early increase and a more detailed analysis of its degradation. The results are not only important for solar radiometry from space, but they also provide a more reliable TSI during cycle 21. The differences between the revised PMOD composite and the ACRIM and IRMB are discussed by comparison with a TSI reconstruction from Kitt-Peak magnetograms. As the PMOD composite is the only one which has reliable data for cycle 21, the behaviour of the three solar cycles can now be compared and the similarities and differences discussed.     

Spherical accretion of massive black holes: A model for galactic nuclei

The possibility of explaining the continuous emission of active galactic nuclei in the frame of a model of spherical accretion onto a massive black hole is discussed. Cool inhomogeneities (T 10⁴°K) within the accretion flow could be responsible for the broad line emission if half of the accreting matter is in the dense phase. A crucial test of this hypothesis is the expected correlation between the ratio of the luminosity in lines to the total luminosity and the hardness of the continuous spectrum.     

Spectroscopic analysis of the solar flare event on 2002 August 3 with the use of RHESSI and RESIK data

We use simultaneous observations from RESIK and RHESSI instruments to compare plasma properties of a major solar flare in its rise and gradual phase. This event occurred on 2002 August 3 (peak time at 19:06 UT). The flare had a very good coverage with RESIK data and well-resolved soft and hard X-ray sources were seen in RHESSI images. Spectra of X-ray radiation from RHESSI images are studied and compared with RESIK measurements in different flare phases. Result shows large differences in flare morphology and spectra between flare rise and gradual phase.     

X-Ray spectroscopic investigation of the coronal structure of capella

The binary system Capella (G6 III + F9 III) has been observed on 1979 March 15 and on 1980 March 15–17 with the Objective Grating Spectrometer (OGS) onboard theEinstein Observatory. The spectrum measured with the 1000 l/mm grating covers the range 5–30 Å with a resolution < 1 Å. The spectra show evidence for a bimodal temperature distribution of emission measure in an optically thin plasma with one component 5 million degrees and the other one 10 million degrees. Spectral features can be identified with line emissions from O VIII, Fe XVII, Fe XVIII, Fe XXIV, and Ne X ions. Good spectral fits have been obtained assuming standard cosmic abundances. The data are interpreted in terms of emission from hot static coronal loops rather similar to the magnetic arch structures found on the Sun. It is shown that the conditions required by this model exist on Capella. Mean values of loop parameters are derived for both temperature components.     

First detection of an X-ray burst and a one hour intensity dip in 4U1323-62

We report the results of a 1.4 10⁴s observation of the region of 4U 1323-62 with the EXOSAT ME. The source has a flux of 7–8 10^-11 erg/cm²s (2–10 keV) and a power-law spectrum with 1.1 < < 1.8. During our observation, the source showed a symmetric 60% dip in its X-ray flux of R~1 hr. The spectrum hardens during the dip. Inside the dip we observed an X-ray burst with a 2–10 keV peak flux of 7 10^-10 erg/cm²s. The burst spectrum is black-body, and shows evidence of cooling during the burst decay. The discovery of a burst from 4U 1323-62 settles the classification of the source; the observation of a dip suggests that we may be able to measure its orbital period in the near future.