Forum in astronomy or astrophysics research

Archive for April, 2010

Stellar Jet Oscillations

I’m making the prediction that HH30 (and other stellar jet systems) are
actually going through magnetic dipole reversal or dipole excursion
sequences.  I understand that searching for Faraday Rotations can
reveal the orientation of the field.  Is there any one out there that
can begin making observations to determine the magnetic field
orientation of HH30?

As is well known, the Sun goes through a dipole reversal sequence
approximately every eleven (11) years.  I am suggesting a large scale
primitive current loop model for stellar jets systems and for stars in
general.  The model is straightforward and only requires the pi/2
radian rotation of the current direction everywhere in a current loop
system.  Starting with a toroidal current loop we see that a dipole
magnetic field is produced.  By means of a pi/2 radian rotation of the
current direction at every point on the loop (all in the same direction
as clockwise, for example) a toroidal current structure makes the
transition to the poloidal current mode.  Current flow in a poloidal
current structure would be described as a donut with the current
direction at the outer equator pointing or converging toward the donut
hole. For a torus structure with the minor radius slightly less than
the major radius we see that the current density rises as the inner
equator is approached and begins to diverge past the inner equator to
spread out evenly at the outer equator.  Of course, during the poloidal
current mode takeing the place of what previously was a large scale
inner current loop is now a large scale magnetic flux loop.

During the toroidal current mode the structure displays magnetic dipole
features and during the poloidal current mode it would display electric
dipole features (current going into the North pole and out the South
pole, for example).

Based upon this model we should see the ejection of strongly positively
charged masses along one pole and the ejection of strongly negative
masses along the other.

Is there a means to discern between ejecta of stellar jets to determine
if the ejected material has a charge bias emerging from either pole?

Examining the NASA photos of HH30 which were taken 11 months apart at:

      http://www.aip.de/~cfendt/hh30.html

shows the material being ejected to the right as being more luminous
than blobs ejected to the left.

Part of the legend for this previously embargoed photo states:

"The presence of the blobs suggests that the star formation process is
fitful and episodic, as chunks of material fall onto the newborn star."

Such a statement seems somewhat of a contrived interpretation of the
operation of this stellar jet and imposes ideas which are popular but
which are not at all in evidence.   On the other hand, our own star,
the Sun, does go through regular dipole reversal sequences and it isn’t
taking things for a big stretch to suggest that a similar field
reversal process is precisely what is going on with HH30 since the
spacing of the ejecta is quite regular.  But HH30, which seems to eject
brighter and more massive blobs to the right may only be going through
dipole excursion events where the current direction changes to poloidal
and then instead of making another pi/2 radian rotation in the same
direction perhaps only rotates back in the opposite direction.

Now I stated above that "The model is straightforward and only requires
the pi/2 radian rotation of the current direction everywhere in a
current loop system."  One might say I am begging the question here
about the current direction rotation process itself and I admit that I
am but only because I am suggesting that current direction rotations
are ubiguitous in the universe and is precisely the mechanism which can
account for quite a bit of astrophysical phenomenon.  I’m not
suggesting that a magical rotation appear in order to make this all
look right but rather that we have evidence of such rotations already
and that we have lacked both the recognition of the phenomenon and
because of that then also a precise description or mathematical
treatment of the rotation of the current direction is also lacking.  
Further, it may be that it must remain lacking as long as current is
only interpreted as a scalar even though admittedly must also have a
direction (at any point of evaluation).  The two (current magnitude and
current direction) are generally treated separately but I would suggest
that if we treat current as a vector then we can surmise that Del X I =
partial P/partial t.  Where I is current (boldfaced to indicate a
vector), P is Poynting vector (E X H) and represents the instantaneous
power density measured in watts per m^2.  The integration of the
Poynting vector over a closed surface yields the total power crossing
the surface in an outward sense.  If we shrink the surface area by
suggesting a rise in current density is equivalent to a current pinch
then we still get power crossing in an outward sense but that outward
sense for a positive curvature of a surface is divergent and we are
ignoring the rapid rise in vector potential density across the same
surface.  So we could suggest that it could be written Del X I =
partial A(sub d)/partial t where A(sub d) is electromagnetic vector
potential density.  This is because alternatively we see that wherever
there is a current density increase via a current pinch effect that
there also must be a volume charge density increase and that implies a
surface charge density increase so that we see a rise in E. Since
E=-DelV-(partial A)/partial t and since partial E/partial t implies a
rotation of magnetic field intensity in Ampere’s per meter there is
implied the rotation of the current’s direction (or the current’s
vector) around the axis of the vector potential.

We also see that for a poloidal current ring structure that we obtain
an interior toroidal magnetic flux loop.  The same considerations must
apply to this flux loop as applied to the current loop since it can be
thought of as a magnetic flux ‘current’.  Again then, we can write Del
X phi= partial P/partial t or Del X phi = partial A(sub d)/partial t
using similar arguments,

Perhaps the reason that we have failed to see these things in the past
is because of the way in which we have chosen to mathematically
represent the concept of the motion of charged particles.  Because of
this we have perhaps been blinded with respect to the rotational
tendency of the current vector or flux vector when there is a rise in
current density or flux density.  But whatever the reason, the rotation
of the current direction is a reality which we can no longer afford to
ignore.

Charles Cagle

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An Intellectual Challenge

I don’t know how far your academic work has carried you into physics,
chemistry, cosmology, and math but an absolutely spectacular
intellectual shoot-out started on the Hydrino Study Group on 28 May.
Things rapidly got quite intense but the quality of the on-going
discussion has been extremely high. It really makes you appreciate the
potential of the Internet to foster intellectual debate.

Lots of interesting information has come out. For just one example see

http://www.egroups.com/message/hydrino/413?&start=388

If you enjoy an intellectual challenge then it’s well worth your time to
study this scientific dialog. You may even have a contribution or
criticism to make.

I suggest that you start with the following post

http://www.egroups.com/message/hydrino/328

You might want to glance at the "…/Concepts.htm" URL referenced in
this particular post — it gives a useful begining context. Utilize the
blue FORWARD ARROW at the top of each page to follow the thread.  Great
fun!

[Mod. note: posted with the usual disclaimer about URLs
included. Followups set to sci.astro -- mjh]

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YOUR opportunity to comment on graduate education!

The National Doctoral Program Survey <http://survey.nagps.org> is your
opportunity to comment on your doctoral program experience.  While over
17,000 current and recent doctoral students from nearly 4,000 doctoral
programs (at more than 370 institutions across the U.S.A. and Canada)
have already completed The National Doctoral Program Survey, we need
YOUR participation to make the results meaningful.

The Survey is available online <http://survey.nagps.org>, takes
approximately 15 minutes to complete, is anonymous, and is your chance
to speak up about your experiences with advising, TA and research
training, and career services (among other things) in your graduate
department or program.  Results will be tabulated by discipline and
department and made PUBLICLY AVAILABLE on the Internet in Fall 2000
for those programs with sufficient participation.

Results will only be released for those degree-granting departments
with at least 10 responses, to ensure anonymity and provide meaningful
results.  As of June 1, only 445 of the 3,986 departments represented
have satisfied this requirement.  The higher the number of responses
received, the more valuable the data will be to YOU, your graduate
student association, your institution, and others working to
improve doctoral education.  You can view participation levels at
your institution by visiting
<http://survey.nagps.org/survey/participation.cfm>

Please go to <http://survey.nagps.org> today, complete the survey
yourself, and send this message on to everyone you know who has been
enrolled in a doctoral program for at least one semester since 1995.
Completing this survey (and encouraging others to do the same) only
takes a few minutes but can stimulate change in graduate education for
years to come.

Sincerely,

The National Doctoral Program Survey Team
National Association of Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS)
E-mail: PhDSur…@nagps.org
Web:    <http://survey.nagps.org/>

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Large Telescopes.

From June 19-27, I will be attending an astronomy camp held by University
of Arizona and Steward Observatory.  As part of this camp, we will have the
opportunity to use a number of very large aperture telescopes and advanced
CCDs to do some type of research project of our own choosing.  This can be
almost anything, but it does have to address some type of question.  The
problem is that i have no idea what type of project to do.  I am open to any
and all suggestions.  The scopes I will have access to are the 40" and 60"
reflectors at Mt. Lemmon, the 61" reflector at Steward Observatory, and an
assortment of standard 4"-10" scopes.  Along with the telescopes, I will
have access to the following:

  *A 2048×2048 thinned backside illuminated CCD camera capable of imaging
from UV to very near IR at the 61" with B, V, R, & I filters.
  *A 1024×1024 pixel wide-field near infrared camera at the 61" (1-2.5
microns)
  *SBIG ST-6 CCD (375×242 pixels) with R, G, & B filters for all telescopes
  *35 mm camera mount for astrophotography, for all telescopes
  *Photon-counting aperture photometer with U, B, V, R, & I filters, for all
telescopes
  *Several 1.25" and 2" eyepieces (including a 55mm Televue Ploessl and a
35mm Televue Panoptic)
  *Optomechanics Research grating spectrometer, for all telescopes. It can
be used for visual spectroscopy (with an eyepiece), for photographic
spectroscopy (with a 35mm camera), or CCD spectroscopy (with the ST-6 CCD)
  *Diffraction gratings that thread into 1.25" eyepieces, mostly for visual
use on smaller 8" and 4" telescopes

More information about the equiptment can be found at
http://ethel.as.arizona.edu/astro_camp/facilities.html.  I would appreciate
any suggestions for projects via email, as I cannot always check the NGs.
On behalf of all the other campers, I want to thank you in advance for
helping us out.

Sincerely,
  Zan Hecht
  ahe…@earthlink.net

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starstuff.org

I found this cool new website called Starstuff.org.  It’s
at http://www.starstuff.org.  It’s run by actual astronomers
and puts together interesting stories and original contributions.

Cheers,
Dave

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New Planetarium

June 12, 2000                                        CONTACT: Jan McKay
                                                          (216)
231-4600, ext 218

        THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY UNVEILS THE DESIGN OF
ITS NEW PLANETARIUM

Cleveland, Ohio –  Design plans for the new Nathan and Fannye Shafran
Planetarium to be built on the grounds of The Cleveland Museum of
Natural History were unveiled yesterday.

The design by architects van Dijk Pace Westlake of Cleveland will spark
the imagination of visitors to University Circle as its iridescent,
innovative shape rises 60 feet into the air, east of the Museum off Wade
Oval Drive. The golden, metal-clad, highly-machined structure will have
the precision of an astronomical object and, in fact, will function as
one.

The external view of the building will feature a cone with a chamfered
top that will slope upward to Polaris, the North Star, at a 41 degree
angle. Sighting markers located in the arrival plaza will assist
visitors in locating the star.  The building itself will cast various
shadows depending upon the time of year and markings will be situated in
the plaza floor.

The planetarium’s outer surface will be clad with titanium-plated
stainless steel panels of a copper color. The roof is of the same
material. There will be minimal distinction between the roof and wall,
and each panel in the wall may feature a fiber optic light, causing the
building to glow in the darkness, similar to astronomical objects in
space. By day, its conical shape will reflect sunlight in interesting
ways.

An atrium area will connect the Museum to the planetarium, allowing
visitors inside to view the rising building in front of them thereby
creating anticipation of the out-of-this-world experience.

"This planetarium design will create a new architectural landmark for
Cleveland," said Dr. James E. King, Museum Director.  "It visually
represents the excitement that is generated when we study the universe.
And, the fact that the planetarium building itself is designed as an
astronomical object shows the high creativity in a firm like van Dijk
Pace Westlake.  We are thrilled with what they have developed for this
major addition to the Museum."

The gallery adjacent to the planetarium theater will feature exhibitions
designed by the Museum staff working with Andre Bilodeau of Design +
Communications in Montreal. The gallery will give visitors an
understanding of some of the basic questions of observational astronomy.

The new Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium will be larger in size
than the Museum’s current one and will hold a 40-foot dome and 100
seats. It will also utilize the most recent advances in computer
controlled optics, as well as laser and video projection techniques.

A new sophisticated projector system produced by Zeiss, Inc., a German
optical firm, will be at the heart of the planetarium.  It is capable of
projecting all of the stars that are visible to the human eye, about
7,000. It reproduces the motions and appearances of the visible planets
in the night sky, as well as the motions and appearances of the Sun and
Moon.  The quality of the projection will be so precise that visitors
will be able to observe star clusters, double stars and nebulae in the
same way that they would be observed in the sky.

A second major projection system will produce brilliant full-dome images
of celestial phenomena and will be installed with special color laser
effects.  Digital computer graphics with an infinite palette of colors
will combine with the Zeiss system to bring the universe dazzlingly to
life.

A third projection system will take visitors to the surface of various
planets and moons, to a docking with an international space station and
to any number of earthbound locations to experience the local
environment.

"The Museum has a strong tradition of astronomy education and opened the
first planetarium in Ohio in 1934.  Now, we are strengthening this
tradition even further and as plans develop, we will share them with the
entire community," said King.

The $6.6 million capital campaign for the project is 63 percent
completed. Museum board member Joseph Shafran of Cleveland, along with
Joan Shafran of Boston, Paula Krulak of New York City and their parents,
Nathan and Fannye Shafran of Cleveland, contributed the lead gift of $1
million. A total of 65 gifts have been received. Additional lead
contributors to this date include: The Fred A. Lennon Charitable Trust,
The Reinberger Foundation, and The Second Foundation.

Groundbreaking is set for this September. The Gilbane Building Company
will oversee construction.

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Rocket Propellant Universe

Check out this cool club:

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/rocketpropellantuniverse


Miguel

[Mod. note: usual disclaimer about posted URLs. Please do not post in
   HTML -- mjh]

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New Mars brightness temperatures from old Mars model

For those astronomers sitll using my 1976 Mars model to
calibrate millimeter, submillimeter and far infrared data:
I extended the table of Mars brightness temperatures at
http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/old_mars.txt
out to August 2011.


Edward L. (Ned) Wright, UCLA Astronomy, Los Angeles CA 90095-1562
(310)825-5755, FAX (310)206-2096   wri…@astro.ucla.edu
http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/intro.html

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Online data for long period variables

The AAVSO has just placed online data for over 300 long period variables.
This data includes millions of observations and goes back more than 40
years and can be accessed immediately online via this URL:
                http://www.aavso.org/adata/onlinedata/index.stm
  As always, data not online can be requested and e-mailed to you. This is
available for anyone in the public, amateur or professional.

Aaron Price, Technical Assistant, UNIX, CGI.
American Association of Variable Star Observers
http://www.aavso.org

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[?] TAASS

Does anyone know of a project called "the amateur all-sky survey"
(TAASS) headed by a retired physicist somewhere in Illinois named Tom
Drogy (Droghey, Drogey, Droghy, etc. ?) ? I would be most interested in
a web address that would put me in touch with the group but an address
or phone number would be great too.

Thanks in advance!


Sincerely,

Ted Amenta
Breckenridge Ski School
PSIA level III certified ski instructor
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Ted_Amenta/hello.htm

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