The Swift GRB MIDEX mission

Swift is a first-of-its-kind multiwavelength transient observatory for γ-ray burst astronomy. It has the optimum capabilities for the next breakthroughs in determining the origin of γ-ray bursts and their afterglows, as well as for using bursts to probe the early Universe. Swift will also monitor the soft gamma repeaters and perform the first sensitive hard X-ray survey of the sky. The mission is being developed by an international collaboration and consists of three instruments, the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT), the X-ray Telescope (XRT), and the Ultraviolet and Optical Telescope (UVOT). The BAT, a wide-field γ-ray detector, will detect >100 γ-ray bursts per year with a sensitivity 5× that of BATSE. The sensitive narrow-field XRT and UVOT will be autonomously slewed to the burst location within 20–70 s to determine 0.3–5.0″ positions and perform optical, UV, and X-ray spectrophotometry. Strong education/public outreach and follow-up programs will help to engage the public and the astronomical community. Swift launch is planned for late 2004.     

Time of flight measurements over a radio link from Uppsala to Bruntingthorpe and their application to testing predictions methods that approximate the ray tracing technique

Time of flight measurements (TOF) over the radio link between Uppsala (Tx: 59.9°N, 17.6°E) and Bruntingthorpe (Rx: 52.5°N, 1.1°W) have been performed every 2 min at six frequencies (4.637, 6.954, 8.008, 10.391, 11.118, and 14.364 MHz) during the period November 2006–January 2008. Such measurements have been compared with the TOF provided by three prediction methods that approximate the ray tracing technique: IRI-95, SIRM&BR_D, and ICEPAC. The root mean square deviation (rms) between TOF monthly median measurements and TOF monthly median predictions and the differences (DP) between the length of the median and predicted ray path have been calculated. The results, which are presented in terms of rms and DP for different seasons and different time periods, have indicated that the approximate methods are inadequate and that for more accurate predictions ray tracing techniques should be applied.     

Cosmic Ray Electrons

Modulation of cosmic electrons is similar to that of nuclei, but there are clear differences. At energies below 100 MeV the electron spectrum has a negative slope, which may in some way be related to electrons released from the magnetosphere of the planet Jupiter. If there is such a relationship, its nature is not established, and alternative explanations for the upturn exist. At higher energies, electrons are predominantly negatively charged, and it is probable that the difference in net charge sign from that of nuclei is responsible for many of the observed differences in the behavior of electrons and nuclei under modulation. A consistent picture of the cosmic positron abundance and its time variation may be emerging from the world dataset.     

Effects of geomagnetic activity and atmospheric power variations on quantitative measures of brain activity: Replication of the Azerbaijani studies

This study replicates and extends the observations by Babayev and Allahveriyeva that changes in right hemispheric electroencephalographic activity are correlated with increases in geomagnetic activity. During the geomagnetically quiet interface between solar cycle 23 and 24 quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) measurements were completed for normal young adults in three separate experiments involving about 120 samples over 1.5 years. The most consistent, moderate strength correlations occurred for the changes in power within the gamma and theta ranges over the right frontal lobe. Real-time measures of atmospheric power obtained from polar orbiting satellites showed similar effects. The preferential involvement of the right frontal lobe and the regions subject to its inhibition with environmental energetic changes are consistent with the behavioural correlations historically associated with these conditions. They include increased incidence of emotional lability, erroneous reconstruction of experiences, social confrontations, and unusual perceptions.     

Thin structure of temporal profiles of solar flares January 15, 17 and 20, 2005 by data of AVS-F apparatus onboard CORONAS-F satellite

The count rate temporal profiles and energy spectra of the solar flares January 15, 17, 20 2005 in hard X-ray and gamma energy bands by data of AVS-F apparatus onboard CORONAS-F satellite are discussed. The energy spectra of these solar flares contain positron line and neutron capture line. Solar flares of January 17 and 20 spectra also contain some nuclear lines. Thin structure with characteristic timescales of 33–92 s is presented on flares temporal profiles in energy bands corresponding to the observed spectral features, which are confirmed by periodogram analysis (confidence level is 99%).     

The gamma-ray observatory mission objectives and its significance for gamma-ray astronomy

The Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) is an approved NASA mission, programmed for launch in 1988. Its complement of four detectors has established goals: 1) to study the nature of compact γ-ray sources such as neutron stars and black holes, or objects whose nature is yet to be understood; 2) to search for evidence of nucleosynthesis especially in the regions of supernovae; 3) to study structural features and dynamical properties of our galaxy; 4) to explore other galaxies, especially the extraordinary types such as radio, Seyferts, and quasars; and 5) to study cosmological effects by examining the diffuse radiation in detail. This paper discusses the design, objectives, and expected scientific results of each of the GRO instruments in view of the GRO mission goals.     

Multi-component synchrotron self-compton emission from NGC 1275

COS-B gamma-ray data (70–5000 MeV) in the latitude range 10°< |b| <90° are compared with the expected emission from cosmic-ray interactions with interstellar gas. An additional component is found to be necessary to explain the latitude dependence of the emission. Two possible origins for this component are discussed: a gamma-ray halo around the Galaxy and a local emission region.     

Hard X-ray observations of Cygnus X-1 with the MISO telescope

The black hole candidate Cygnus X-1 was observed in the hard X ray - soft γ ray energy range by the MISO telescope on two different occasions: in September 1979 and May 1980. We have measured two hard X-ray states of the source: in 1979 the observed spectrum confirms the superlow state measured in the same period by the HEAO-3 satellite, while in 1980 the MISO X-ray data are consistent with the so called low state of Cygnus X-1. In both occasions, no γ -ray excess has been observed above 200 KeV.     

Radiation from relativistic shocks in turbulent magnetic fields

Using our new 3-D relativistic particle-in-cell (PIC) code parallelized with MPI, we investigated long-term particle acceleration associated with a relativistic electron–positron jet propagating in an unmagnetized ambient electron–positron plasma. The simulations were performed using a much longer simulation system than our previous simulations in order to investigate the full nonlinear stage of the Weibel instability and its particle acceleration mechanism. Cold jet electrons are thermalized and ambient electrons are accelerated in the resulting shocks. Acceleration of ambient electrons leads to a maximum ambient electron density three times larger than the original value as predicted by hydrodynamic shock compression. In the jet (reverse) shock behind the bow (forward) shock the strongest electromagnetic fields are generated. These fields may lead to time dependent afterglow emission. In order to calculate radiation from first principles that goes beyond the standard synchrotron model used in astrophysical objects we have used PIC simulations. Initially we calculated radiation from electrons propagating in a uniform parallel magnetic field to verify the technique. We then used the technique to calculate emission from electrons in a small simulation system. From these simulations we obtained spectra which are consistent with those generated from electrons propagating in turbulent magnetic fields with red noise. This turbulent magnetic field is similar to the magnetic field generated at an early nonlinear stage of the Weibel instability. A fully developed shock within a larger simulation system may generate a jitter/synchrotron spectrum.     

非恒定温度场合弹上性能退化型部件贮存可靠性评估

导弹在贮存期内要反复经历运输、存放、检测、维修和战备值班等过程,其环境温度并不恒定,而是在一定范围内发生动态变化。对性能参数有变化趋势的弹上部件而言,有必要考虑环境温度变化对其可靠性的影响,因此提出一种非恒定温度剖面下的贮存可靠性评估方法。首先,分析产品实际性能退化的特点,选择带有非线性漂移项的Wiener过程描述产品的退化性能,推导出试验环境下产品的寿命分布。然后,采用Gamma分布拟合贮存期间的弹内温度分布。进而利用比例风险模型描述温度变化对产品可靠性的影响,推导弹上性能退化型部件在非恒定温度剖面下的无条件寿命分布,并给出模型参数的极大似然估计。算例表明本方法实际可行。