A study on possible solar and geomagnetic effects on the precipitation over northwestern Argentina

The precipitation over Tucuman (26.8°S; 65.2°W), which is representative of the Northwestern region of Argentina, is analyzed in search of an association with solar and geomagnetic activity, with the purpose of contributing to the controversial issue on the connection between climate variation and anthropogenic vs. natural forcing. Monthly time series of precipitation, sunspot number (Rz), and aa index were used for the period 1884–2010. A wavelet analysis was performed first which, due to the time series length, shows significant results only for periodicities lower than 32 years. Due to the transient character and non-constant phase of the results, any sustained wavelet coherence between precipitation and either sunspots or aa could be noticed. Moving averages and correlations were also assessed. The 11 and 22-year running mean of precipitation is positively correlated to Rz and aa when the whole period of analysis is considered. However, a shift in the long-term behavior of precipitation is noticed around 1940, which implies different correlation values with Rz and aa when the period before or after this year are considered. The solar cycle length is also considered for this statistical study and partly confirms the results obtained with Rz and aa. We propose plausible physical explanations based on geomagnetic activity and total solar irradiance effects over atmospheric circulation that could support the statistical result. A deeper analysis and broader geographical coverage is needed in order to detect a connection between precipitation and solar variability discernible from greenhouse gases effects. We emphasize the idea of the importance of recognizing and quantifying the different forcing acting on precipitation (or any other climate parameter), which sometimes can be barely evident from a solely statistical analysis.     

Hipparchus vs. Ptolemy and the Antikythera Mechanism: Pin–Slot device models lunar motions

The ancient Greek astronomical calculator known as the Antikythera Mechanism has been analyzed using geometrical, calculus, trigonometric and complex variable methods. This analysis demonstrates that the Mechanism modeled the variations in the Moon’s angular velocity as seen from the Earth, to better than 1 part in 200. A major implication of this analysis is that the Antikythera Mechanism of the 2nd century BCE modeled the anomalistic motion of the Moon more accurately than Ptolemy’s account of Hipparchus’s theory of the 2nd century CE. In the present work, mathematics, astronomy, history and methodology of the sciences combine in the study of a unique artifact, preserved for posterity in an ancient ship that sank in the Mediterranean 2100 years ago and recovered by Greek sponge divers at the dawn of the 20th century.     

Polar caps and auroral zones under idealized axisymmetric magnetic fields

The geomagnetic field, modified by the solar wind, determines the shape, area and location of polar caps and auroral zones, among other magnetosphere and upper atmosphere characteristics. Since the field varies greatly with time it is of interest to analyze polar caps and auroral zones variations linked to magnetic field variations of intensity and pattern. Polar caps and auroral zones locations and areas for various single harmonic axial field configurations are obtained analytically assuming a simple magnetopause model. As the axial degree n increases, the polar caps and auroral zones total number, given by n + 1 and 2n respectively, also increase. However, their total areas decrease from a larger value in the case of an axial dipole to a minimum for an axial octupole (n = 3), and then increase for increasing degrees. The increasing rate is much higher in the auroral zones case to the point that it exceeds the dipolar value at n = 5 while in the polar caps case this occurs at n = 8. The absolute latitudes of the auroral zones and polar caps that reside around the geographical poles increase with axial degree. Our results represent an end-member case of the evolution of auroral zones and polar caps during polarity reversals if the transition involves axial dipole energy cascade to higher axial degrees. Evidence for such an energy transfer is found in the historical record of the geomagnetic secular variation.     

Polarizing gas at small optical depths around Algols

The origins of visible-band linear polarimetry of Algols and objects related to them are reviewed. It is pointed out, not for the first time, that the polarization signals of these systems can vary sporadically by significant amounts. The difficulty of evaluating the interstellar component of the observed polarization is discussed and these components are evaluated anew for each object studied in this paper. With one possible exception, the polarization signals intrinsic to these binaries derive from electron scattering. A well-defined model is applied to the constant and variable (but phase-locked) polarization signals. Limits to the mass associated with a scattering disk in each binary are derived. Within broad limits, concentrations of scattering mass within and above or below the orbital plane are also developed as are the centroid longitudes of these concentrations within the system. It is pointed out that very few measures of visible-band, circular polarization have been made but that cm-wavelength measures of Algol itself have been very informative.     

Polarizing gas at small optical depths around Algols

The origins of visible-band linear polarimetry of Algols and objects related to them are reviewed. It is pointed out, not for the first time, that the polarization signals of these systems can vary sporadically by significant amounts. The difficulty of evaluating the interstellar component of the observed polarization is discussed and these components are evaluated anew for each object studied in this paper. With one possible exception, the polarization signals intrinsic to these binaries derive from electron scattering. A well-defined model is applied to the constant and variable (but phase-locked) polarization signals. Limits to the mass associated with a scattering disk in each binary are derived. Within broad limits, concentrations of scattering mass within and above or below the orbital plane are also developed as are the centroid longitudes of these concentrations within the system. It is pointed out that very few measures of visible-band, circular polarization have been made but that cm-wavelength measures of Algol itself have been very informative.