Variation in the ionospheric propagating factor M(3000)F2 at Ouagadougou,Burkina Faso

We use hourly monthly median values of propagation factor M(3000)F2 data observed at Ouagadougou Ionospheric Observatory (geographic12.4°N, 1.5°W; 5.9^o dip), Burkina Faso (West Africa) during the years Januar1987–December1988 (average F10.7 < 130 × 10⁻²² W/m²/Hz, representative of low solar flux conditions) and for January 1989–December1990 (average F10.7 ? 130 × 10⁻²² W/m²/Hz, representative of high solar epoch) for magnetically quiet conditions to describe local time, seasonal and solar cycle variations of equatorial ionospheric propagation factor M(3000)F2 in the African region. We show that that seasonal trend between solar maximum and solar minimum curves display simple patterns for all seasons and exhibits reasonable disparity with root mean square error (RMSE) of about 0.31, 0.29 and 0.26 for December solstice, June solstice and equinox, respectively. Variability Σ defined by the percentage ratio of the absolute standard deviation to the mean indicates significant dissimilarity for the two solar flux levels. Solar maximum day (10–14 LT) and night (22–02 LT) values show considerable variations than the solar minimum day and night values. We compare our observations with those of the IRI 2007 to validate the prediction capacity of the empirical model. We find that the IRI model tends to underestimate and overestimate the observed values of M(3000)F2, in particular, during June solstice season. There are large discrepancies, mainly during high solar flux equinox and December solstice between dawn and local midnight. On the other hand, IRI provides a slightly better predictions for M(3000)F2 between 0900 and 1500 LT during equinox low and high solar activity and equinox high sunspot number. Our data are of great importance in the area of short-wave telecommunication and ionospheric modeling.     

蝴蝶翼面形状对绕流结构的影响

蝴蝶的扑翼飞行因其相对翼展较大、扑翼频率低等特点引起广泛关注,尤其是具有越洋迁徙特性的蝴蝶更是备受瞩目。本文以天堂鸟翼凤蝶和黑脉金斑蝶这两种长距离迁徙蝴蝶作为研究原型,利用氢气泡流动显示技术研究这两种不同外形的蝴蝶翼面绕流结构随迎角的变化。在相同的实验条件下,两种模型翼面绕流均出现前缘涡、翼尖涡等流动结构,且绕流结构随迎角的变化趋势基本相同。但由于翼面外形的不同,两种模型在前缘涡的形态、强度及后翼面翼尖绕流结构等方面表现出一定的差异。     

平板上挡板前后涡核位置的测量

在水洞中用氢气泡法在平板上挡板前后的涡核位置进行了测量。本试验旨在确定挡板高度及其雷诺数对涡核装置的影响，结果表明，（ａ）对于单个挡板情况，涡核离开平板的高度和涡核与挡板的距离将随着挡板的高度增加而增加，但涡核的高度和距离与挡板高度的比例随挡板高度的增加而降低；（ｂ）对于两个挡板情况，挡板的高度和挡板之间的距离对涡核位置的影响是主要的。     

Interplanetary Physics Research in China:2006—2008

This brief report summarized the latest advances of the interplanetary physics research in China during the period of 2006—2007,made independently by Chinese space physicists and through international collaboration.The report covers all aspects of the interplanetary physics,including theoretical studies,numerical simulation and data analysis.     

关于氩等离子体热导率的测量

本文对《空气动力学学报》１９９７年第４期上发表的氩等离子体的热导率的实验研究结果的可靠性做了讨论。提出了一些提高实验数据可靠性的建议。     

Solar activity dependence of total electron content derived from GPS observations over Mbarara

Vertical total electron content (VTEC) observed at Mbarara (geographic co-ordinates: 0.60°S, 30.74°E; geomagnetic coordinates: 10.22°S, 102.36°E), Uganda, for the period 2001–2009 have been used to study the diurnal, seasonal and solar activity variations. The daily values of the 10.7 cm radio flux (F_10.7) and sunspot number (R) were used to represent Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Variability (EUV). VTEC is generally higher during high solar activity period for all the seasons and increases from 0600 h LT and reaches its maximum value within 1400 h–1500 h LT. All analysed linear and quadratic fits demonstrate positive VTEC-F_10.7 and positive VTEC-R correlation, with all fits at 0000 h and 1400 h LT being significant with a confidence level of 95% when both linear and quadratic models are used. All the fits at 0600 h LT are insignificant with a confidence level of 95%. Generally, over Mbarara, quadratic fit shows that VTEC saturates during all seasons for F_10.7 more than 200 units and R more than 150 units. The result of this study can be used to improve the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) prediction of TEC around the equatorial region of the African sector.     

Response of the EIA ionosphere to the 7-8 May 2005 geomagnetic storm

In this paper, response of low latitude ionosphere to a moderate geomagnetic storm of 7–8 May 2005 (SSC: 1920 UT on 7 May with Sym-H minimum, ∼−112 nT around 1600 UT on 8 May) has been investigated using the GPS measurements from a near EIA crest region, Rajkot (Geog. 22.29°N, 70.74°E, Geomag.14°), India. We found a decrease in total electron content (TEC) in 12 h after the onset of the storm, an increase during and after 6 h of Sym-H deep minimum with a decrease below its usual-day level on the second day during the recovery phase of the storm. On 8 May, an increase of TEC is observed after sunset and during post-midnight hours (maximum up to 170%) with the formation of ionospheric plasma bubbles followed by a nearly simultaneous onset of scintillations at L-band frequencies following the time of rapid decrease in Sym-H index (−30 nT/h around 1300 UT).     

Propagation of non-linear ion-sound pulses in dusty plasma waveguides

There are a lot of objects in space associated with dusty plasma inclusions. Such inclusions may bear a prolonged shape and behave as waveguides for ion-sound waves. In the case of space plasmas, the dust particles can possess both negative charge, due to electron attachment, and positive one, due to photoionization. In this paper the propagation of linear and non-linear ion-sound wave pulses in the dusty plasma waveguides, possessing positive charge, is studied. It has been demonstrated that non-linear dynamics of baseband pulse propagation in plasma waveguide possesses essentially non-solitonic behavior. Namely, propagation of a long ion-sound pulse leads to an excitation of a shock-like wave but not a stable localized nonlinear pulse. Also, when a Korteveg–de Vries (KdV) soliton is incident onto the dusty plasma waveguide, some part of the soliton energy is captured by the waveguide and transformed into a multi-pulse structure. Additionally, an interaction of dusty plasma inclusions with KdV soliton can lead to the occurrence of transverse instabilities of the soliton and its eventual destruction.     

Physical mechanism of the vertical electric field generation over active tectonic faults

The concept of the Global Electric Circuit (GEC) provides an explanation of the existence of a vertical atmospheric electric field and coupling between the ground and ionosphere. Presently, ionospheric physics pays more attention to electric fields and coupling processes in the polar and auroral regions, whereas in other areas the potential difference between the ground and ionosphere usually is not taken into account. Regional processes exist, however, that are able to significantly affect the GEC parameters and through modification of the ionospheric potential to create plasma density irregularities of different scales within the ionosphere. One such source of ionosphere modification is air ionization in the vicinity of active tectonic faults, which takes place due to increased radon emanation. This paper considers the process of local modification of the GEC and corresponding ionospheric variability due to tectonic activity.     

热障涂层技术在航空发动机涡轮叶片上的应用

热障涂层是提高航空发动机涡轮叶片工作温度的有效途径之一。根据某型发动机高压涡轮工作叶片、导向器叶片的结构特点和各种涂层制备技术的优缺点,制定了工作叶片和导向叶片表面底层、面层和内腔的涂层制备方案。对工作叶片、导向器叶片材料试样表面涂层的性能开展一系列测试试验。结果表明:涂层性能满足要求,涂层制备方案合理可行;对工作叶片、导向器叶片内表面涂层的厚度,气膜孔径的影响以及质量增加情况进行测量分析,结果均满足设计要求,表明涂层制备工艺合理可行。