http://hdl.handle.net/10379/4252 2017-10-29T23:53:28Z http://hdl.handle.net/10379/5866 The study of neutron star magnetospheres with LOFT Shearer, Andrew The Large Observatory for X-ray Timing, LOFT, is designed to perform fast X-ray timing and spectroscopy with uniquely large throughput (Feroci et al. 2014). LOFT focuses on two fundamental questions of ESA’s Cosmic Vision Theme “Matter under extreme conditions”: what is the equation of state of ultradense matter in neutron stars? Does matter orbiting close to the event horizon follow the predictions of general relativity? These goals are elaborated in the mission Yellow Book (http://sci.esa.int/loft/ 53447-loft-yellow-book/) describing the LOFT mission as proposed in M3, which closely resembles the LOFT mission now being proposed for M4. The extensive assessment study of LOFT as ESA’s M3 mission candidate demonstrates the high level of maturity and the technical feasibility of the mission, as well as the scientific importance of its unique core science goals. For this reason, the LOFT development has been continued, aiming at the new M4 launch opportunity, for which the M3 science goals have been confirmed. The unprecedentedly large effective area, large grasp, and spectroscopic capabilities of LOFT’s instruments make the mission capable of state-of-the-art science not only for its core science case, but also for many other open questions in astrophysics. LOFT’s primary instrument is the Large Area Detector (LAD), a 8.5m2 instrument operating in the 2–30 keV energy range, which will revolutionise studies of Galactic and extragalactic X-ray sources down to their fundamental time scales. The mission also features a Wide Field Monitor (WFM), which in the 2–50 keV range simultaneously observes more than a third of the sky at any time, detecting objects down to mCrab fluxes and providing data with excellent timing and spectral resolution. Additionally, the mission is equipped with an on-board alert system for the detection and rapid broadcasting to the ground of celestial bright and fast outbursts of X-rays (particularly, Gamma-ray Bursts). This paper is one of twelve White Papers that illustrate the unique potential of LOFT as an X-ray observatory in a variety of astrophysical fields in addition to the core science. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10379/4435 Whitecaps and the marine atmosphere, report no. 6 Doyle, David M. This study is concerned with the interdependence of 10m elevation wind speed, oceanic whitecap coverage and marine aerosol concentration. The field work is divided into two distinct phases. On Inishmore Co. Galway. aerosol concentrations and ambient meteorological conditions were monitored, at a coastal site, over a two year period. The station is described. The dependence of the concentration of the 'Large' and 'Giant' aerosol components of the marine atmosphere on wind speed, wind direction and other factors is discussed. The relationship of Giant maritime particles to wind speed is N(2.5+) = 5.34 x 10(3)U(1.39) The STREX experiment took place in the Gulf of Alaska, from mid-October to mid-December 1980. The influence of such factors as 10m elevation wind speed, sea-surface temperature, and atmospheric.stability on whitecap coverage and on the concomitant production of marine aerosol particles is evaluated. The degree of oceanic whitecap cover was estimated photographically. The relationship between oceanic whitecap coverage, W, and wind speed, U, is W = 6.22 x 10(-3)3U(2.21) There is an enhancement of the positive dependence of aerosol concentration upon whitecap cover with increasing droplet radius. Both the Inishmore and STREX results are compared to previously published data sets. They are also compared to each other. The results of these comparisons are, in general, quite favourable. 1984-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10379/4378 Whitecaps and the marine atmosphere, report no. 3 Spillane, M. C.; O'Muircheartalgh, I.G.; Monahan, E.C. This report covers the period from 1 July, 1980 to 31 March, 1981, and is devoted to a description of the work carried out, and the results obtained, during this interval on the on-going ONR-sponsored study of "The Influence of Whitecaps on the Marine Atmosphere". The publications to date resulting from the whitecap project are listed in Table 1.1., with those numbered from 10 onward relating specifically to the period covered by this report. The full text of the paper delivered on 28 July, 1980 in Manchester at the VI International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity (item 10) is included as Chapter 2 of this report (an abstract of this paper appeared in the July 1980 report to ONR, i.e. in item 9). The note submitted in January, 1981 to the JASIN News (item 12) is reproduced as Chapter 7 of the present report. 1981-04-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10379/4265 Whitecaps and the marine atmosphere, report no. 8 Monahan, E. C. During the 12-month-long period covered by this report, i.e. in the 1 October 1984 - 30 September interval, all facets of the Whitecap Project progressed apace. The field work during this year included both international and local measurement programmes. Data were obtained in the North Sea during the HEXOS Meetpost Noordwijk experiment, and along the west coast of Ireland, aboard the LOUGH BELTRA and at the Gort na gCapall field station on Inishmore. The effect of changes in water temperature on the aerosol productivity of whitecaps was investigated using the whitecap simulation tank. A detailed study of the production of condensation nuclei by whitecaps was carried out in this tank in co-operation with a colleague from t he State University of New York at Albany. 1985-10-01T00:00:00Z