| 1. |
- de Jong, R. S., et al.
(author)
-
4MOST : Project overview and information for the First Call for Proposals
- 2019
-
In: The Messenger. - : European Southern Observatory. - 0722-6691. ; 175, s. 3-11
-
Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- We introduce the 4-metre Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (4MOST), a new high-multiplex, wide-field spectroscopic survey facility under development for the four-metre-class Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) at Paranal. Its key specifications are: a large field of view (FoV) of 4.2 square degrees and a high multiplex capability, with 1624 fibres feeding two low-resolution spectrographs (R = λ/Δλ ~ 6500), and 812 fibres transferring light to the high-resolution spectrograph (R ~ 20 000). After a description of the instrument and its expected performance, a short overview is given of its operational scheme and planned 4MOST Consortium science; these aspects are covered in more detail in other articles in this edition of The Messenger. Finally, the processes, schedules, and policies concerning the selection of ESO Community Surveys are presented, commencing with a singular opportunity to submit Letters of Intent for Public Surveys during the first five years of 4MOST operations.
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
- Abdalla, E., et al.
(author)
-
Cosmology intertwined : A review of the particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology associated with the cosmological tensions and anomalies
- 2022
-
In: Journal of High Energy Astrophysics. - : Elsevier BV. - 2214-4048 .- 2214-4056. ; 34, s. 49-211
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The standard Λ Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) cosmological model provides a good description of a wide range of astrophysical and cosmological data. However, there are a few big open questions that make the standard model look like an approximation to a more realistic scenario yet to be found. In this paper, we list a few important goals that need to be addressed in the next decade, taking into account the current discordances between the different cosmological probes, such as the disagreement in the value of the Hubble constant H0, the σ8–S8 tension, and other less statistically significant anomalies. While these discordances can still be in part the result of systematic errors, their persistence after several years of accurate analysis strongly hints at cracks in the standard cosmological scenario and the necessity for new physics or generalisations beyond the standard model. In this paper, we focus on the 5.0σ tension between the Planck CMB estimate of the Hubble constant H0 and the SH0ES collaboration measurements. After showing the H0 evaluations made from different teams using different methods and geometric calibrations, we list a few interesting new physics models that could alleviate this tension and discuss how the next decade's experiments will be crucial. Moreover, we focus on the tension of the Planck CMB data with weak lensing measurements and redshift surveys, about the value of the matter energy density Ωm, and the amplitude or rate of the growth of structure (σ8,fσ8). We list a few interesting models proposed for alleviating this tension, and we discuss the importance of trying to fit a full array of data with a single model and not just one parameter at a time. Additionally, we present a wide range of other less discussed anomalies at a statistical significance level lower than the H0–S8 tensions which may also constitute hints towards new physics, and we discuss possible generic theoretical approaches that can collectively explain the non-standard nature of these signals. Finally, we give an overview of upgraded experiments and next-generation space missions and facilities on Earth that will be of crucial importance to address all these open questions.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Ågren, Karin, et al.
(author)
-
Detection of currents and associated electric fields in Titan's ionosphere from Cassini data
- 2011
-
In: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 116:4, s. A04313-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present observations from three Cassini flybys of Titan using data from the radio and plasma wave science, magnetometer and plasma spectrometer instruments. We combine magnetic field and cold plasma measurements with calculated conductivities and conclude that there are currents of the order of 10 to 100 nA m (2) flowing in the ionosphere of Titan. The currents below the exobase (similar to 1400 km) are principally field parallel and Hall in nature, while the Pedersen current is negligible in comparison. Associated with the currents are perpendicular electric fields ranging from 0.5 to 3 mu V m (1).
|
|
| 6. |
- Amm, O., et al.
(author)
-
Towards understanding the electrodynamics of the 3-dimensional high-latitude ionosphere : present and future
- 2008
-
In: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 26:12, s. 3913-3932
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Traditionally, due to observational constraints, ionospheric modelling and data analysis techniques have been devised either in one dimension (e. g. along a single radar beam), or in two dimensions (e. g. over a network of magnetometers). With new upcoming missions like the Swarm ionospheric multi-satellite project, or the EISCAT 3-D project, the time has come to take into account variations in all three dimensions simultaneously, as they occur in the real ionosphere. The link between ionospheric electrodynamics and the neutral atmosphere circulation which has gained increasing interest in the recent years also intrinsically requires a truly 3-dimensional (3-D) description. In this paper, we identify five major science questions that need to be addressed by 3-D ionospheric modelling and data analysis. We briefly review what proceedings in the young field of 3-D ionospheric electrodynamics have been made in the past to address these selected question, and we outline how these issues can be addressed in the future with additional observations and/or improved data analysis and simulation techniques. Throughout the paper, we limit the discussion to high-latitude and mesoscale ionospheric electrodynamics, and to directly data-driven (not statistical) data analysis.
|
|
| 7. |
- Büchert, A., et al.
(author)
-
Dioxin contamination in food : Bayreuth, Germany, from September 28 to October 1, 2000
- 2001
-
In: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. - : Ecomed Publishers. - 0944-1344 .- 1614-7499. ; 8:2, s. 84-88
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Dioxin and PCB monitoring programs for food and feeding stuff in most countries of the world, including many European Countries are currently inadequate. Better control of food production lines and food processing procedures is needed to minimize entry of dioxin to the food chain and will help to avoid dioxin contamination accidents. This would also improve the ability to trace back a possible contamination to its source. European guidelines for monitoring programs should be established to ensure comparable and meaningful results. These guidelines should define the minimum requirements for the design of monitoring programs, analytical methods, and quality assurance.Though data from Northern Europe shows that the general population exposure to dioxin and PCB has decreased during the last ten years these compounds continue to be a risk of accidental contamination of the food chain. The most prominent recent example is the Belgian dioxin contamination of feeding stuff in 1999. The Belgian dioxin contamination was not detected due to dioxin monitoring programs but by their direct biological effects seen in animals. Four other cases of dioxin contamination have been detected in Europe since 1997 due to local monitoring programs. One of them (citrus pulp pellets 1998) was in a much larger scale than the Belgian dioxin contamination.The general population's exposure to dioxins and PCBs is still in the same range (1-4 pg WHO-TEQ/kg body weight and day) as the recently revised WHO tolerable daily intake (TDI). There is concern that short-term high level exposure to dioxins, furans, and PCB may cause biological effects on the human fetal development and further research is required.Further actions to control sources building on considerable advances already made in many countries may need to be supplemented by measures to prevent direct contamination of feeding stuff or food to reduce general population exposure further.
|
|
| 8. |
|
|
| 9. |
- Buchert, Stephan, et al.
(author)
-
The Pedersen current carried by electrons : a non-linear response of the ionosphere to magnetospheric forcing
- 2008
-
In: Annales Geophysicae. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 26:9, s. 2837-2844
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Observations by the EISCAT Svalbard radar show that electron temperatures T-e in the cusp electrojet reach up to about 4000 K. The heat is tapped and converted from plasma convection in the near Earth space by a Pedersen current that is carried by electrons due to the presence of irregularities and their demagnetising effect. The heat is transfered to the neutral gas by collisions. In order to enhance T-e to such high temperatures the maximally possible dissipation at 50% demagnetisation must nearly be reached. The effective Pedersen conductances are found to be enhanced by up to 60% compared to classical values. Conductivities and conductances respond significantly to variations of the electric field strength E, and "Ohm's law" for the ionosphere becomes non-linear for large E.
|
|
| 10. |
- Buchert, T., et al.
(author)
-
Is there proof that backreaction of inhomogeneities is irrelevant in cosmology?
- 2015
-
In: Classical and quantum gravity. - : IOP PUBLISHING LTD. - 0264-9381 .- 1361-6382. ; 32:21
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- No. In a number of papers, Green and Wald argue that the standard FLRW model approximates our Universe extremely well on all scales, except close to strong-field astrophysical objects. In particular, they argue that the effect of inhomogeneities on average properties of the Universe (backreaction) is irrelevant. We show that this latter claim is not valid. Specifically, we demonstrate, referring to their recent review paper, that (i) their two-dimensional example used to illustrate the fitting problem differs from the actual problem in important respects, and it assumes what is to be proven; (ii) the proof of the trace-free property of backreaction is unphysical and the theorem about it fails to be a mathematically general statement; (iii) the scheme that underlies the trace-free theorem does not involve averaging and therefore does not capture crucial non-local effects; (iv) their arguments are to a large extent coordinate-dependent, and (v) many of their criticisms of backreaction frameworks do not apply to the published definitions of these frameworks. It is therefore incorrect to infer that Green and Wald have proven a general result that addresses the essential physical questions of backreaction in cosmology.
|
|
