Application of SVM on satellite images to detect hotspots in Jharia coal field region of India

The present paper deals with the application of Support Vector Machine (SVM) and image analysis techniques on NOAA/AVHRR satellite image to detect hotspots on the Jharia coal field region of India. One of the major advantages of using these satellite data is that the data are free with very good temporal resolution; while, one drawback is that these have low spatial resolution (i.e., approximately 1.1 km at nadir). Therefore, it is important to do research by applying some efficient optimization techniques along with the image analysis techniques to rectify these drawbacks and use satellite images for efficient hotspot detection and monitoring. For this purpose, SVM and multi-threshold techniques are explored for hotspot detection. The multi-threshold algorithm is developed to remove the cloud coverage from the land coverage. This algorithm also highlights the hotspots or fire spots in the suspected regions. SVM has the advantage over multi-thresholding technique that it can learn patterns from the examples and therefore is used to optimize the performance by removing the false points which are highlighted in the threshold technique. Both approaches can be used separately or in combination depending on the size of the image. The RBF (Radial Basis Function) kernel is used in training of three sets of inputs: brightness temperature of channel 3, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Global Environment Monitoring Index (GEMI), respectively. This makes a classified image in the output that highlights the hotspot and non-hotspot pixels. The performance of the SVM is also compared with the performance obtained from the neural networks and SVM appears to detect hotspots more accurately (greater than 91% classification accuracy) with lesser false alarm rate. The results obtained are found to be in good agreement with the ground based observations of the hotspots. This type of work will be quite helpful in the near future to develop a hotspots monitoring system using these operational satellites data.     

Amplitude modulation of VLF emission and absorption of cosmic noise by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pc</Emphasis>5 geomagnetic pulsations in the period of geomagnetic storms on October 30–31, 2003

Modulation of the VLF emission and riometric absorption by Pc5 geomagnetic pulsations is studied in the period of strong geomagnetic disturbances on October 30–31, 2003. Some conclusions about the regime of pitch-angular diffusion into the loss cone are made. The better coincidence of VLF emission modulation with geomagnetic pulsations in other longitude sectors is explained by the global character of excitation of the pulsations and by damping of their amplitudes at the meridian of observation of the VLF emission, which is associated with intensification of auroral electrojets.Translated from Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, Vol. 42, No. 6, 2004, pp. 632–639.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Solovyev, Mullayarov, Baishev, Barkova, Samsonov.     

Structure of the earth’s magnetosheath at small fluctuations in the interplanetary magnetic field direction

Spatial structure of the magnetosheath of the Earth was studied under the conditions when no sharp (more than 40° during 5 min) changes in the interplanetary magnetic field direction were observed. On the basis of 24 flights of the Interball-1 satellite through the magnetosheath, it is found that three regions differing from each other by parameters of the field and plasma can be observed in the magnetosheath under the above-indicated conditions. These regions also differ from the solar wind region before front of the Earth’s magnetospheric bow shock. Empirical distributions of parameters were studied in each region. Taking into account the influence of the interplanetary magnetic field direction on the processes in the magnetosheath, the cases of quasi-perpendicular and quasi-parallel shock waves were considered separately. The study showed that the distribution of parameters in the selected regions (in the solar wind before front of the bow shock, in the magnetosheath behind the bow shock (post-shock), in the region of the magnetosheath with minimal fluctuations in the field, and in the inner magnetosheath) differ from each other at any interplanetary magnetic field direction.     

On the problem of lunar radiation environment

In connection with projects of manned bases on the Moon it becomes topical to estimate radiation danger for their inhabitants. In this paper we describe a method of evaluation of the radiation environment on the lunar surface produced by galactic and solar cosmic rays. The roles of both primary and secondary radiations generated in the depth of the lunar soil under the action of high-energy protons and nuclei are taken into account. Calculated fluxes of particles are used in order to estimate annual averaged absorbed and equivalent local dose rates in tissues. It is established that in the lunar rock the contribution of secondary neutrons to the dose rate exceeds that of protons. The contribution of the secondary particles generated by nuclei of galactic cosmic rays to the dose rate is estimated.     

Fifty Years of Cosmic Radiation Data

Cosmic radiation has been measured by a variety of techniques since 1933. This paper presents the evolution of data acquisition, processing, and availability of cosmic radiation data from the early years to the present time. Information on the worldwide network of neutron monitor stations and the availability of these cosmic radiation records is included. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Space Weather applications with CDPP/AMDA

AMDA (Automated Multi-Dataset Analysis), a new data analysis service, recently opened at the French Plasma Physics Data Center (CDPP). AMDA is developed according to the Virtual Observatory paradigm: it is a web-based facility for on-line analyses of space physics. Data may come from its own local database as well as remote ones. This tool allows the user to perform classical manipulations such as data visualization, parameter computation and data extraction. AMDA also offers innovative functionalities such as event searches on the content of the data in either visual or automated ways, generation, use and management of time tables (event lists). The general functionalities of AMDA are presented in the context of Space Weather with example scientific use cases.     

Analysis of static loading of a helicopter tubular skid landing gear

A three-dimensional design model of a helicopter tubular skid landing gear based on the application of the large beam displacement theory is presented. The design model takes into account special features of constructive, physical and geometrical deformation nonlinearity. The analysis of a real helicopter structure is given that confirms sufficient validity of calculation results obtained using the model developed by comparing with the results of the finite element analysis.     

Antideuteron based dark matter search with GAPS: Current progress and future prospects

The General Antiparticle Spectrometer (GAPS) is a new approach to the indirect detection of dark matter. It relies on searching for primary antideuterons produced in the annihilation of dark matter in the galactic halo. Low energy antideuterons produced through Standard Model processes, such as collisions of cosmic-rays with interstellar baryons, are greatly suppressed compared to primary antideuterons. Thus a low energy antideuteron search provides a clean signature of dark matter. In GAPS antiparticles are slowed down and captured in target atoms. The resultant exotic atom deexcites with the emission of X-rays and annihilation pions, protons and other particles. A tracking geometry allows for the detection of the X-rays and particles, providing a unique signature to identify the mass of the antiparticle. A prototype detector was successfully tested at the KEK accelerator in 2005, and a prototype GAPS balloon flight is scheduled for 2011. This will be followed by a full scale experiment on a long duration balloon from Antarctica in 2014. We discuss the status and future plans for GAPS.     

The IMF pile-up regions near the Earth and Venus: lessons for the solar wind - Mars interaction

The Mars Global Surveyor mission has revealed that localized crustal paleomagnetic anomalies are a common feature of the Southern Hemisphere of Mars. The magnetometer measured small-scale magnetic fields associated with many individual magnetic anomalies have magnitudes ranging from hundreds to thousands nT at altitude above 120 km. That makes Mars globally different from both Venus and Earth. The data collected by Lunar Prospector near the Moon were interpreted as evidence that above regions of inferred strong surface magnetic fields on the Moon the SW flow is deflected, and a small-scale mini-magnetosphere exists under some circumstances. With a factor of 100 stronger magnetic fields at Mars and a lower SW dynamic pressure, those conditions offer the opportunity for a larger size of small `magnetospheres' which can be formed by the crustal magnetic fields. Outside the regions of the magnetic anomalies, the SW/Mars interaction is Venus-like. Thus, at Mars the distinguishing feature of the magnetic field pile-up boundary most likely varies from Venus-like to Earth-like above the crustal magnetic field regions. The observational data regarding the IMF pile-up regions near Venus and the Earth are initially reviewed. As long as the SW/Mars interaction remains like that at Venus, the IMF penetrates deep into the Martian ionosphere under the `overpressure' conditions. Results of numerical simulations and theoretical expectations regarding the temporal evolution of the IMF inside the Venus ionosphere and appearance of superthermal electrons are also reviewed and assessed.     

Microperturbations on the <Emphasis Type="Italic">International Space Station</Emphasis> during physical exercises of the crew

The results of a preliminary analysis of microperturbations on the International Space Station during physical exercises of the crew are presented. The goal of this paper is to identify the parameters of perturbations when physical exercises are performed. The results of measurements by sensors of microaccelerations of both Russian and American segments during physical exercises in the service module of the Russian segment are analyzed.