Lagrangian Points (lagrangian + point)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


High-dispersion spectroscopy of two A supergiant systems in the Small Magellanic Cloud with novel properties

MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 2 2010
R. E. Mennickent
ABSTRACT We present the results of a spectroscopic investigation of two novel variable bright blue stars in the SMC, OGLE004336.91-732637.7 (SMC-SC3) and the periodically occulted star OGLE004633.76-731204.3 (SMC-SC4), whose photometric properties were reported by Mennickent et al. (2010). High-resolution spectra in the optical and far-UV show that both objects are actually A + B type binaries. Three spectra of SMC-SC4 show radial velocity variations, consistent with the photometric period of 184.26 d found in Mennickent et al. 2010. The optical spectra of the metallic lines in both systems show combined absorption and emission components that imply that they are formed in a flattened envelope. A comparison of the radial velocity variations in SMC-SC4 and the separation of the V and R emission components in the H, emission profile indicate that this envelope, and probably also the envelope around SMC-SC3, is a circumbinary disc with a characteristic orbital radius some three times the radius of the binary system. The optical spectra of SMC-SC3 and SMC-SC4 show, respectively, He i emission lines and discrete blue absorption components (BACs) in metallic lines. The high excitations of the He i lines in the SMC-SC3 spectrum and the complicated variations of Fe ii emission and absorption components with orbital phase in the spectrum of SMC-SC4 suggests that shocks occur between the winds and various static regions of the stars' corotating binary-disc complexes. We suggest that BACs arise from wind shocks from the A star impacting the circumbinary disc and a stream of former wind-efflux from the B star accreting on to the A star. The latter picture is broadly similar to mass transfer occurring in the more evolved (but less massive) algol (B/A + K) systems, except that we envision transfer occurring in the other direction and not through the inner Lagrangian point. Accordingly, we dub these objects prototype of a small group of Magellanic Cloud wind-interacting A + B binaries. [source]


Effects of local thermodynamics and of stellar mass ratio on accretion disc stability in close binaries

ASTRONOMISCHE NACHRICHTEN, Issue 8 2009
G. Lanzafame
Abstract Inflow kinematics at the inner Lagrangian point L1, gas compressibility, and physical turbulent viscosity play a fundamental role on accretion disc dynamics and structure in a close binary (CB). Physical viscosity supports the accretion disc development inside the primary gravitational potential well, developing the gas radial transport, converting mechanical energy into heat. The Stellar-Mass-Ratio (SMR) between the compact primary and the secondary star (M1/M2) is also effective, not only in the location of the inner Lagrangian point, but also in the angular kinematics of the mass transfer and in the geometry ofthe gravitational potential wells. In this work we pay attention in particular to the role ofthe SMR, evaluating boundaries, separating theoretical domains in compressibility-viscosity graphs where physical conditions allow a well-bound disc development, as a function ofmass transfer kinematic conditions. In such domains, the lower is the gas compressibility (the higher the polytropic index ,), the higher is the physical viscosity (,) requested. In this work, we show how the boundaries of such domains vary as a function of M1/M2. Conclusions as far as dwarf novae outbursts are concerned, induced by mass transfer rate variations, are also reported. The smaller M1/M2, the shorter the duration of the active-to-quiet and vice-versa transitional phases. Time-scales are of the order of outburst duration of SU Uma, OY Car, Z Cha and SS Cyg-like objects. Moreover, conclusions as far as active-quiet-active phenomena in a CB, according to viscous-thermal instabilities, in accordance to such domains, are also reported (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Large eddy simulation of turbulent flows in complex and moving rigid geometries using the immersed boundary method

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 7 2005
Mayank Tyagi
Abstract A large eddy simulation (LES) methodology for turbulent flows in complex rigid geometries is developed using the immersed boundary method (IBM). In the IBM body force terms are added to the momentum equations to represent a complex rigid geometry on a fixed Cartesian mesh. IBM combines the efficiency inherent in using a fixed Cartesian grid and the ease of tracking the immersed boundary at a set of moving Lagrangian points. Specific implementation strategies for the IBM are described in this paper. A two-sided forcing scheme is presented and shown to work well for moving rigid boundary problems. Turbulence and flow unsteadiness are addressed by LES using higher order numerical schemes with an accurate and robust subgrid scale (SGS) stress model. The combined LES,IBM methodology is computationally cost-effective for turbulent flows in moving geometries with prescribed surface trajectories. Several example problems are solved to illustrate the capability of the IBM and LES methodologies. The IBM is validated for the laminar flow past a heated cylinder in a channel and the combined LES,IBM methodology is validated for turbulent film-cooling flows involving heat transfer. In both cases predictions are in good agreement with measurements. LES,IBM is then used to study turbulent fluid mixing inside the complex geometry of a trapped vortex combustor. Finally, to demonstrate the full potential of LES,IBM, a complex moving geometry problem of stator,rotor interaction is solved. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


The resonant structure of Jupiter's Trojan asteroids , I. Long-term stability and diffusion

MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 4 2006
P. Robutel
ABSTRACT We study the global dynamics of the jovian Trojan asteroids by means of the frequency map analysis. We find and classify the main resonant structures that serve as skeleton of the phase space near the Lagrangian points. These resonances organize and control the long-term dynamics of the Trojans. Besides the secondary and secular resonances, that have already been found in other asteroid sets in mean motion resonance (e.g. main belt, Kuiper belt), we identify a new type of resonance that involves secular frequencies and the frequency of the great inequality, but not the libration frequency. Moreover, this new family of resonances plays an important role in the slow transport mechanism that drives Trojans from the inner stable region to eventual ejections. Finally, we relate this global view of the dynamics with the observed Trojans, identify the asteroids that are close to these resonances and study their long-term behaviour. [source]


Ordered and chaotic spiral arms

ASTRONOMISCHE NACHRICHTEN, Issue 9-10 2008
P.A. Patsis
Abstract The stellar flow at the arms of spiral galaxies is qualitatively different among different morphological types. The stars that reinforce the spiral arms can be either participating in an ordered or in a chaotic flow. Ordered flows are associated with normal (non-barred) spiral galaxies. Typically they are described with precessing ellipses corresponding to stable periodic orbits at successive energies (Jacobi constants). On the contrary, the spiral arms in barred-spiral systems may be supported by stars in chaotic motion. The trajectories of these stars are associated with the invariant manifolds of the unstable Lagrangian points (L1,2). Response and orbital models indicate that this kind of spirals either stop at an azimuth smaller than , /2, or present large gaps at about this angle. Chaotic spirals appear in strong bars having (L1,2) close to the ends of the bar. The arms of barred-spiral systems with corotation away from the end of the bar can be either as in the case of normal spirals, or supported by banana-like orbits surrounding the stable Lagrangian points (L4,5). We find also models combining ordered and chaotic flows. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]