scholarly journals Synthesizing Observations and Theory to Understand Galactic Magnetic Fields: Progress and Challenges

Galaxies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rainer Beck ◽  
Luke Chamandy ◽  
Ed Elson ◽  
Eric G. Blackman

Constraining dynamo theories of magnetic field origin by observation is indispensable but challenging, in part because the basic quantities measured by observers and predicted by modelers are different. We clarify these differences and sketch out ways to bridge the divide. Based on archival and previously unpublished data, we then compile various important properties of galactic magnetic fields for nearby spiral galaxies. We consistently compute strengths of total, ordered, and regular fields, pitch angles of ordered and regular fields, and we summarize the present knowledge on azimuthal modes, field parities, and the properties of non-axisymmetric spiral features called magnetic arms. We review related aspects of dynamo theory, with a focus on mean-field models and their predictions for large-scale magnetic fields in galactic discs and halos. Furthermore, we measure the velocity dispersion of H i gas in arm and inter-arm regions in three galaxies, M 51, M 74, and NGC 6946, since spiral modulation of the root-mean-square turbulent speed has been proposed as a driver of non-axisymmetry in large-scale dynamos. We find no evidence for such a modulation and place upper limits on its strength, helping to narrow down the list of mechanisms to explain magnetic arms. Successes and remaining challenges of dynamo models with respect to explaining observations are briefly summarized, and possible strategies are suggested. With new instruments like the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), large data sets of magnetic and non-magnetic properties from thousands of galaxies will become available, to be compared with theory.

Author(s):  
Lior Shamir

Abstract Several recent observations using large data sets of galaxies showed non-random distribution of the spin directions of spiral galaxies, even when the galaxies are too far from each other to have gravitational interaction. Here, a data set of $\sim8.7\cdot10^3$ spiral galaxies imaged by Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is used to test and profile a possible asymmetry between galaxy spin directions. The asymmetry between galaxies with opposite spin directions is compared to the asymmetry of galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The two data sets contain different galaxies at different redshift ranges, and each data set was annotated using a different annotation method. The results show that both data sets show a similar asymmetry in the COSMOS field, which is covered by both telescopes. Fitting the asymmetry of the galaxies to cosine dependence shows a dipole axis with probabilities of $\sim2.8\sigma$ and $\sim7.38\sigma$ in HST and SDSS, respectively. The most likely dipole axis identified in the HST galaxies is at $(\alpha=78^{\rm o},\delta=47^{\rm o})$ and is well within the $1\sigma$ error range compared to the location of the most likely dipole axis in the SDSS galaxies with $z>0.15$ , identified at $(\alpha=71^{\rm o},\delta=61^{\rm o})$ .


GigaScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Cameron Waller ◽  
Jordan A Berg ◽  
Alexander Lex ◽  
Brian E Chapman ◽  
Jared Rutter

Abstract Background Metabolic networks represent all chemical reactions that occur between molecular metabolites in an organism’s cells. They offer biological context in which to integrate, analyze, and interpret omic measurements, but their large scale and extensive connectivity present unique challenges. While it is practical to simplify these networks by placing constraints on compartments and hubs, it is unclear how these simplifications alter the structure of metabolic networks and the interpretation of metabolomic experiments. Results We curated and adapted the latest systemic model of human metabolism and developed customizable tools to define metabolic networks with and without compartmentalization in subcellular organelles and with or without inclusion of prolific metabolite hubs. Compartmentalization made networks larger, less dense, and more modular, whereas hubs made networks larger, more dense, and less modular. When present, these hubs also dominated shortest paths in the network, yet their exclusion exposed the subtler prominence of other metabolites that are typically more relevant to metabolomic experiments. We applied the non-compartmental network without metabolite hubs in a retrospective, exploratory analysis of metabolomic measurements from 5 studies on human tissues. Network clusters identified individual reactions that might experience differential regulation between experimental conditions, several of which were not apparent in the original publications. Conclusions Exclusion of specific metabolite hubs exposes modularity in both compartmental and non-compartmental metabolic networks, improving detection of relevant clusters in omic measurements. Better computational detection of metabolic network clusters in large data sets has potential to identify differential regulation of individual genes, transcripts, and proteins.


Author(s):  
Richard J. Anthony ◽  
John P. Clark ◽  
Stephen W. Kennedy ◽  
John M. Finnegan ◽  
Dean Johnson ◽  
...  

This paper describes a large scale heat flux instrumentation effort for the AFRL HIT Research Turbine. The work provides a unique amount of high frequency instrumentation to acquire fast response unsteady heat flux in a fully rotational, cooled turbine rig along with unsteady pressure data to investigate thermal loading and unsteady aerodynamic airfoil interactions. Over 1200 dynamic sensors are installed on the 1 & 1/2 stage turbine rig. Airfoils include 658 double-sided thin film gauges for heat flux, 289 fast-response Kulite pressure sensors for unsteady aerodynamic measurements, and over 40 thermocouples. An overview of the instrumentation is given with in-depth focus on the non-commercial thin film heat transfer sensors designed and produced in the Heat Flux Instrumentation Laboratory at WPAFB. The paper further describes the necessary upgrade of data acquisition systems and signal conditioning electronics to handle the increased channel requirements of the HIT Research Turbine. More modern, reliable, and efficient data processing and analysis code provides better handling of large data sets and allows easy integration with the turbine design and analysis system under development at AFRL. Example data from cooled transient blowdown tests in the TRF are included along with measurement uncertainty.


2017 ◽  
pp. 83-99
Author(s):  
Sivamathi Chokkalingam ◽  
Vijayarani S.

The term Big Data refers to large-scale information management and analysis technologies that exceed the capability of traditional data processing technologies. Big Data is differentiated from traditional technologies in three ways: volume, velocity and variety of data. Big data analytics is the process of analyzing large data sets which contains a variety of data types to uncover hidden patterns, unknown correlations, market trends, customer preferences and other useful business information. Since Big Data is new emerging field, there is a need for development of new technologies and algorithms for handling big data. The main objective of this paper is to provide knowledge about various research challenges of Big Data analytics. A brief overview of various types of Big Data analytics is discussed in this paper. For each analytics, the paper describes process steps and tools. A banking application is given for each analytics. Some of research challenges and possible solutions for those challenges of big data analytics are also discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (1) ◽  
pp. 238-248
Author(s):  
N Kleeorin ◽  
N Safiullin ◽  
K Kuzanyan ◽  
I Rogachevskii ◽  
A Tlatov ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT A theory of the mean tilt of sunspot bipolar regions (the angle between a line connecting the leading and following sunspots and the solar equator) is developed. A mechanism of formation of the mean tilt is related to the effect of the Coriolis force on meso-scale motions of super-granular convection and large-scale meridional circulation. The balance between the Coriolis force and the Lorentz force (the magnetic tension) determines an additional contribution caused by the large-scale magnetic field to the mean tilt of the sunspot bipolar regions at low latitudes. The latitudinal dependence of the solar differential rotation affects the mean tilt, which can explain deviations from Joy’s law for the sunspot bipolar regions at high latitudes. The theoretical results obtained and the results from numerical simulations based on the non-linear mean-field dynamo theory, which takes into account conservation of the total magnetic helicity and the budget equation for the evolution of the Wolf number density, are in agreement with observational data of the mean tilt of sunspot bipolar regions over individual solar cycles 15–24.


1976 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 323-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.-H. Rädler

One of the most striking features of both the magnetic field and the motions observed at the Sun is their highly irregular or random character which indicates the presence of rather complicated magnetohydrodynamic processes. Of great importance in this context is a comprehension of the behaviour of the large scale components of the magnetic field; large scales are understood here as length scales in the order of the solar radius and time scales of a few years. Since there is a strong relationship between these components and the solar 22-years cycle, an insight into the mechanism controlling these components also provides for an insight into the mechanism of the cycle. The large scale components of the magnetic field are determined not only by their interaction with the large scale components of motion. On the contrary, a very important part is played also by an interaction between the large and the small scale components of magnetic field and motion so that a very complicated situation has to be considered.


2009 ◽  
Vol 703 (1) ◽  
pp. L90-L93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Battaner ◽  
Joaquín Castellano ◽  
Manuel Masip

1990 ◽  
Vol 140 ◽  
pp. 115-116
Author(s):  
R. Meinel ◽  
D. Elstner ◽  
G. Rüdiger ◽  
F. Krause

Radio polarization observations of spiral galaxies suggest the existence of large-scale galactic magnetic fields which are of either axisymmetric -spiral (ASS) or bisymmetric-spiral (BSS), i.e. non-axisymmetric, structure (cf. Beck, 1939). Clear evidence for a BSS field was indicated for M31 by M. Krause et al. (1989).


2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (7) ◽  
pp. 1209-1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rich Mooi

The fossil record of the Echinodermata is relatively complete, and is represented by specimens retaining an abundance of features comparable to that found in extant forms. This yields a half-billion-year record of evolutionary novelties unmatched in any other major group, making the Echinodermata a primary target for studies of biological change. Not all of this change can be understood by studying the rocks alone, leading to synthetic research programs. Study of literature from the past 20 years indicates that over 1400 papers on echinoderm paleontology appeared in that time, and that overall productivity has remained almost constant. Analysis of papers appearing since 1990 shows that research is driven by new finds including, but not restricted to, possible Precambrian echinoderms, bizarre new edrioasteroids, early crinoids, exquisitely preserved homalozoans, echinoids at the K-T boundary, and Antarctic echinoids, stelleroids, and crinoids. New interpretations of echinoderm body wall homologies, broad-scale syntheses of embryological information, the study of developmental trajectories through molecular markers, and the large-scale ecological and phenotypic shifts being explored through morphometry and analyses of large data sets are integrated with study of the fossils themselves. Therefore, recent advances reveal a remarkable and continuing synergistic expansion in our understanding of echinoderm evolutionary history.


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