THE  BLAZHKO  EFFECT:  100  YEARS  AFTER

Vasile  POP

Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy

Astronomical Observatory Cluj-Napoca

Str. Cireşilor 19, 400487 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

E-mail: vpop@math.ubbcluj.ro

Abstract. This paper attempts to provide an overview of the observational and theoretical status of the fascinating
long-term modulation of the pulsation of the RR Lyrae stars. Out of the huge amount of literature connected with the
present subject, I have selected the newest results.

Key words: astrophysics – RR Lyrae stars – Blazhko effect.

 

 

 

MULTI-SCALE  STATISTICAL  ANALYSIS  OF  THE  SOLAR  WIND  PARAMETERS  FLUCTUATIONS

NEDELIA  ANTONIA  POPESCU 1,  EMIL  POPESCU 1, 2

1 Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy

Str. Cuţitul de Argint 5, 040557 Bucharest, Romania

E-mail: nedelia@aira.astro.ro

 

2 Technical University of Civil Engineering

Bd. Lacul Tei 124, 020396 Bucharest, Romania

E-mail: epopescu@utcb.ro

Abstract. Based on time series of solar wind plasma and magnetic field data from Ulysses, statistical methods of analysis are used
for the investigation of intermittent comportment of solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field during 2001. Probability distribution
functions and generalized structure functions method are applied on the Ulysses/SWOOPS and VHM data, in order to study the
scaling of the solar wind velocity and interplanetary magnetic field magnitude fluctuations, at different scales (time lags τn =2n days,
n = 0, 1, 2, ...7).

Key words: solar physics – solar wind – probability distribution function – intermittent behaviour – interplanetary magnetic field fluctuations.

 

 

 

VELOCITY  DETERMINATIONS  FOR  MAGNETOACOUSTIC  SHOCK  WAVES  FROM  SOHO/EIT  IMAGES

ADRIAN  SABIN  POPESCU

Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy

Str. Cuţitul de Argint 5, 040557 Bucharest, Romania

E-mail: sabinp@aira.astro.ro

Abstract. We use a new multi-wavelength technique applied to the solar corona SOHO/EIT images containing magnetoacoustic waves
(EIT waves). In this way we constrain the wave phase velocity. We give, as well, some
b-model correlations with height for the vertical
extent of the wave. We apply them to the particular EIT wave triggered by the eruptive event from
15 August 2001.

Key words: solar corona – extreme ultraviolet – plasma waves.

 

 

 

SEELIGER’S  TWO-BODY  PROBLEM  (II):  EQUILIBRIA

EMIL  POPESCU 1, 3,  DANIEL  PAŞCA 2,  VASILE  MIOC 3,  NEDELIA  ANTONIA  POPESCU 3

1 Technical University of Civil Engineering

Bd. Lacul Tei 124, 020396 Bucharest, Romania

E-mail: epopescu@utcb.ro

 

2 University of Oradea, Department of Mathematics and Informatics

Str. Universităţii 1, 410087 Oradea, Romania

E-mail: dpasca@uoradea.ro

 

3 Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy

Str. Cuţitul de Argint 5, 040557 Bucharest, Romania

E-mail: vmioc@aira.astro.ro, nedelia@aira.astro.ro

Abstract. We offer a deeper insight into the two-body problem associated to the potential proposed by Hugo Seeliger at the end of 1800s.
Our goal is now to find the equilibria of the corresponding central-force problem. First, we resort to McGehee-type transformations to write
the motion equations and the first integrals of energy and angular momentum. Then we search for equilibria, taking into account the whole
interplay among the parameter A of the field, the constant K of the field, and the integration constants of energy (h) and angular momentum (C).
We find the number of equilibria for each such situation, and we locate them via their distances from the central body. An important issue is that
the positions of the equilibria do not depend on A; they are completely determined by the values of the two integration constants h and C
(K being a defining constant).

Key words: celestial mechanics – two-body problem – Seeliger’s theory of gravitation – equilibria.

 

 

 

MANEV  POTENTIAL  AND  SATELLITE  ORBITS

IOANNIS  IRAKLIS  HARANAS 1,  VASILE  MIOC 2

1 Department of Physics and Astronomy, York University

4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada

E-mail: ioannis@yorku.ca

 

2 Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy

Str. Cuţitul de Argint 5, 040557 Bucharest, Romania

E-mail: vmioc@aira.astro.ro

Abstract. A good description for various physical, astrophysical and astronomical problems can be obtained by employing a Manev-type
of gravitational potential, which was first introduced by Manev as a classical alternative to the theory of relativity, and allows for the same
motion of the perihelion as general relativity does. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate Kaula’s important results for the derivation of
perturbing potentials as functions of the orbital elements, used in satellite orbital theory in the case of such a potential. We achieve this using
Lagrange’s planetary equations, once the disturbing potential that corresponds to Manev correction has been converted to a function of the
orbital elements. Second we derive the changes of the satellite orbital elements and compare them with the existing general relativistic expressions,
and also with those of parameterized post-Newtonian gravity.

Key words: celestial mechanics – satellite dynamics – Manev field – Kaula’s theory – relativistic effects.

 

 

 

THE  ROMANIAN  ASTRONOMICAL  OBSERVATORY  OF  CLUJ-NAPOCA:  NINETIETH  ANNIVERSARY

Vasile  POP 1,  Ovidiu  FURDUI1,  VASILE  MIOC 2

1 Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy

Astronomical Observatory Cluj-Napoca

Str. Cireşilor 19, 400487 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

E-mail: vpop@math.ubbcluj.ro , ovidiu.furdui@gmail.com

 

2 Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy

Str. Cuţitul de Argint 5, 040557 Bucharest, Romania

E-mail: vmioc@aira.astro.ro

Abstract. We present the history of the Cluj-Napoca Astronomical Observatory, from foundation to actual endowment and activity.
We also survey the characteristic astronomical researches undertaken in this observatory, and the  most significant persons who worked 
and work here.
The paper is intended to emphasize the role of the Cluj-Napoca Astronomical Observatory in the Romanian astronomical
life at its 90th anniversary.

Key words: history of Astronomy – astronomical observatories.