Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Spherical astronomy'

The main focus of the work described here within, is the development of an analysis pipeline that can detect gravitational waves transients that have a duration from a large fraction of a second up to 100 seconds. Firstly, we will present the basic theory of gravitational waves, their generation and their detection. We will then review the current state of the art of gravitational waves transient search algorithms and their limitations. We also introduce the coherent search pipeline that has been developed from the ground up to find such intermediate length gravitational waves, and discuss in detail how it differs from other pipelines, and what makes it so well suited to this task. Further, we will describe the powerful glitch rejection algorithm and sky localisation solution that using the spherical harmonic basis made possible. Finally, we demonstrate the use of this method on real data, and compare our results against a mature pipeline.

The equivalence principle has proven to be central to theories of gravity, with General Relativity being the simplest and most elegant theory to embody the principle. Most alternative theories of gravity struggle to satisfy the principle and still be distinct from GR. Extensions of cosmological and quantum theories question the irrefutably of the equivalence at every scale. The possibility of an equivalence principle violation at galactic scales would be an exciting prospect. In this thesis, we will carefully examine the equivalence principle through the study of chameleon scalar-tensor theories, this will include solutions for hypothetical stars known as boson stars. Such theories find varied application, especially in cosmology, where they model dark energy and inflation. The AWE hypothesis, is an instance of this. It is a nonuniversally coupled model in which violations of the equivalence principle on galactic scales may be apparent. We investigate spherically symmetric and static solutions within the framework of this theory. The constraints obtained from galactic rotation curves results in values of the couplings that show no significant violation of the equivalence principle or values consistent with a theory of dark energy

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This work aims to establish a connection among Mathematics with Geography and Astronomy. In this perspective it aims to encompass an interdisciplinary approach in understanding the geographical concepts of the globe, as well as the concepts inherent in the celestial sphere underlying the theoretical foundations of Euclidean Geometry, in order to present a logical and deductive structure of Geometry and Trigonometry in that sphere. This work complements the existing gap between the subjects of Geography and Mathematics in High School because it gives Mathematical supports to the lines (parallels and meridians) and geographic coordinates. Being therefore useful for undergraduate Mathematics students, the same way that teachers of Mathematics and Geography from High School and Elementary Education. Moreover, it also contemplates the sky watchers who wish to have a look at Astronomy from a point of view of Greek antiquity, since the study of Spherical Trigonometry was totally linked to the celestial study.
O presente trabalho tem como objetivo principal estabelecer uma conexão da Matemática com a Geografia e a Astronomia. Nesta perspectiva visa contemplar uma abordagem interdisciplinar na compreensão dos conceitos geográficos do globo terrestre, assim como, dos conceitos inerentes à esfera celeste acoplados na fundamentação teórica de Geometria Euclidiana, a fim de apresentar uma estrutura lógica e dedutiva da geometria e da trigonometria na esfera. O trabalho complementa a lacuna existente entre as disciplinas de Geografia e Matemática do Ensino Médio, pois fundamenta matematicamente, as linhas (paralelos e meridianos) e coordenadas geográficas. Sendo, portanto, útil para alunos de Graduação de Licenciatura em Matemática, da mesma forma que aos professores de Matemática e Geografia do Ensino Médio e Fundamental. Além disso, também contempla aos observadores do céu que queiram olhar a astronomia de um ponto de vista da antiguidade grega, pois o estudo da trigonometria esférica estava totalmente vinculado ao estudo celestial.

Les compteurs proportionnels sphériques sont utilisés pour la recherche de matière noire par la collaboration NEWS-G depuis 2013 avec le détecteur SEDINE installé au Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane. Ce premier détecteur a permis d'établir une nouvelle limite de la section efficace d'interaction WIMP-nucléon pour des WIMPs de masse inférieur à 0.6 GeV/c². Depuis, la collaboration travail à la mise au point d'un nouveau détecteur. Cette thèse se concentre sur deux aspects améliorés pour le second détecteur. L'étude du bruit de fond observé par SEDINE a permis de conclure que celui-ci est dominé par le présence de la chaine de désintégration du Pb²¹⁰ sur les surfaces et dans le matériaux composant le détecteur et son blindage. Ceci a permis de sélectionner des matériaux et des procédés de fabrication permettant de réduire le bruit de fond du prochain détecteur. Le second développement concerne l'anode du détecteur. Placée au centre de la sphère, l'anode assure la formation du signal. Les derniers développements montrent la capacité de ce composant à assurer la détection d'électrons uniques en étant stable et avec une bonne résolution
The spherical proportional counters have been used by the NEWS-G collaboration since 2013 for dark matter search with the SEDINE detector installed at the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane. This first detector allowed for establishing a new limit on the WIMP-nucleon cross section for WIMPs of mass less than 0.6 GeV/c². Since then, the collaboration has been working on the development of a new detector. This thesis focuses on two improved aspects of the second detector. The study of the background observed by SEDINE led to the conclusion that it is dominated by the presence of Pb²¹⁰ decay chain on the surfaces and in the materials making up the detector and its shielding. This allowed for the selection of materials and manufacturing methods to reduce the background noise of the next detector. The second development concerns the detector anode. Placed in the center of the sphere, the anode ensures the formation of the signal. The latest developments show the ability of this component to ensure the detection of single electrons while being stable and with good resolution. This study made it possible to develop a new generation of detector which will be installed at SNOLAB in 2020

Recent experimental achievements in active noise control (ANC) for cooling fans have used near-field error sensors whose locations are determined according to a theoretical condition of minimized sound power. A theoretical point source model, based on the condition previously stated, reveals the location of near-field pressure nulls that may be used to optimize error sensor placement. The actual locations of these near-field pressure nulls for both an axial cooling fan and a monopole loudspeaker were measured over a two-dimensional grid with a linear array of microphones. The achieved global attenuation for each case is measured over a hemisphere located in the acoustic far field of the ANC system. The experimental results are compared to the theoretical pressure null locations in order to determine the efficacy of the point source model. The results closely matched the point source model with a loudspeaker as the primary source, and the sound power reduction was greatly reduced when error sensors were placed in non-ideal locations. A weakness of the current near-field modeling process is that a point monopole source is used to characterize the acoustic noise from an axial cooling fan, which may have multipole characteristics. A more complete characterization of fan noise may be obtained using a procedure based on the work of Martin and Roure [J. Sound Vib. 201 (5), 577--593 (1997)]. Pressure values are obtained over a hemisphere in the far field of a primary source and the contributions from point source distributions up to the second order, centered at the primary source, may be calculated using a multipole expansion. The source information is then used in the aforementioned theoretical near-field calculation of pressure. The error sensors are positioned using the complete fan characterization. The global far-field attenuation for the multipole expansion model of fan noise is compared to that of previous experiments. Results show that the multipole expansion model yields a more accurate representation the near field, but is not successful in achieving greater sound power reductions in the far field.

Le détecteur proportionnel sphérique gazeux, SPC (Spherical Proportional Counter), est un nouveau concept de détecteur de particules. Ses principales caractéristiques sont : un seuil très bas en énergie indépendant du volume (faible capacité électronique), une bonne résolution en énergie, une grande robustesse et une seule voie de lecture. SEDINE, un détecteur bas bruit de fond, destiné à la recherche de matière noire légère, a été fabriqué et installé au Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane. Il est actuellement opérationnel et vise à mesurer les évènements rares à bas seuil en énergie. La sensibilité dans la détection d’événements rares étant à basse énergie directement corrélée au niveau du bruit de fond du détecteur, la diminution du seuil en énergie ainsi que celle du bruit de fond ont été la problématique principale de cette thèse. Un effort important a été consacré à la mise en opération du dispositif expérimental. Plusieurs paramètres de détection ont été optimisés : homogénéité du champ électrique dans le volume de l’enceinte, tenue aux étincelles, niveau du bruit de fond électronique et l’étanchéité du détecteur. Le détecteur a été optimisé pour assurer un fonctionnement avec un gain stable à haute pression. La modification du blindage, les nettoyages de l’enceinte du détecteur et l’ajout d’une tente anti-Radon ont permis de réduire significativement le bruit de fond de SEDINE. Les progrès accomplis ont permis d’augmenter la sensibilité du détecteur à basse énergie à une valeur comparable, pour des WIMPs à basse masse, aux autres expériences de recherche souterraines. Nous présentons donc des résultats avec un bruit de fond mesuré, dans la région du keV, qui nous permet de donner une figure d’exclusion compétitive pour la production de la matière noire légère
The Spherical gaseous detector (or Spherical Proportional Counter, SPC) is a novel type of a particle detector, with a broad range of applications. Its main features in- clude a very low energy threshold which is independent of the volume (due to its very low capacitance), a good energy resolution, robustness and a single detection readout channel. SEDINE, a low background detector installed at the underground site of Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane is currently being operated and aims at measuring events at a very low energy threshold, around 40 eV. The sensitivity for the rare events detection at low energy is correlated to the detector background and to the decreasing the level of energy threshold, which was the main point of this thesis. A major effort has been devoted to the operating of the experimental detector. Several detection parameters were optimized: the electric field homogeneity in the sphere, keeping clear of sparks, the electronic noise level and the leak rate of the detector. The detector is optimized for operation with a high pressure stable gain. The modification of the shield, cleanings of the detector and the addition of an anti-Radon tent have significantly reduced the background of SEDINE. Progress has increased the sensitivity of the detector at low energy up to a value comparable to the results other underground research experiences for the low mass WIMPs. We will present the results with a measured background in the region of keV, which has allowed us to show a competitive figure of exclusion for the production of light dark matter

L'analyse des propriétés statistiques de la distribution de la matière dans le cosmos (Grandes Structures, LSS or Large Scale Structure) est l'une des principales sondes cosmologiques qui permettent l'étude du modèle standard cosmologique, en particulier les paramètres caractérisant la matière noire et l'énergie noire. Les Oscillations Acoustiques Baryoniques (BAO's) sont l'une des mesures qui peuvent être extraites de l'étude de la distribution de matière à grande échelle (LSS).L'observation de la distribution cosmique de la matière à partir de l'émission à 21 cm de l'hydrogène atomique neutre (HI) est une nouvelle méthode, complémentaire des relevés optiques pour cartographier la distribution de la matière dans le cosmos. La méthode de cartographie d'intensité (Intensity Mapping) a été proposée depuis moins d'une dizaine d'années comme une méthode efficace pour cartographier en trois dimensions l'émission radio à 21 cm. Elle n'implique en particulier pas la détection des objets individuels (galaxies), et peut donc être effectué avec des instruments plus modestes en taille que ceux comme SKA ou FAST qui sont conçus pour détecter les galaxies à 21 cm à des distances cosmologiques. Des interféromètres radio utilisant un ensemble de réflecteurs cylindriques ou paraboliques fixes, observant le ciel en mode transit sont adaptés à la cartographie d'intensité. Le mode d'observation spécifique de ce type de radio télescope en cartographie d'intensité est étudié dans le cadre de ce travail de thèse. On montre en particulier qu'une méthode spécifique de reconstruction des cartes du ciel à partir des visibilités peut être appliquée aux observations de ces interféromètres fonctionnant en mode transit. Cette méthode correspond à la décomposition en modes m des harmoniques sphériques et est très performante pour la reconstruction de grandes zones du ciel observées en mode transit. Un code de reconstruction fondé sur ce principe a été développé, ainsi que différents critères de comparaison des performances instrumentales, comme le lobe d'antenne synthétisé, le spectre de bruit sur les cartes reconstruites et la réponse globale de l'instrument dans le plan (l,m) des harmoniques sphériques. La méthode a été appliquée à différentes configurations des interféromètres composés de réflecteurs paraboliques ou cylindriques dans le cadre des projets PAON-4 et Tianlai. Outre l'optimisation des configurations des interféromètres Tianlai et PAON-4, le travail présenté inclut une première application de la méthode aux données PAON-4
The analysis of the statistical properties of the distribution of matter in the cosmos (LSS or Large Scale Structure) is one of the main cosmological probes that allow the study of the cosmological standard model, in particular the parameters characterizing dark matter and dark energy. Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations (BAO's) are one of the measurements that can be extracted from the study of matter distribution in large-scale structure (LSS).The observation of the cosmic distribution of the matter from neutral atomic hydrogen (HI) 21 cm emission is a new method, complementary to the optical observation to map the distribution of matter in the cosmos. In the last decade, the Intensity Mapping method has been proposed as an effective method for mapping the 21cm radio emission in three dimensions. In particular, it does not require the detection of individual objects (galaxies), and can therefore be performed with instruments smaller in size than those such as SKA or FAST, which are designed to detect 21 cm galaxies at cosmological distances. A radio interferometer using a set of fixed cylindrical or parabolic reflectors observing the sky in transit mode are suitable instruments for intensity mapping surveys. The specific observational mode from this type of radio telescope by intensity mapping is studied in the context of this thesis. We show in particular that a specific sky maps reconstruction method from the visibilities can be applied to the observations of these interferometers operating in transit mode. This method corresponds to the m-modes decomposition of the spherical harmonics and is very efficient for the reconstruction of large sky areas observed in transit mode. A reconstruction code based on this principle has been developed, as well as different criteria for the comparison of instrumental performances, such as the synthesized antenna lobe, the noise spectrum of the reconstructed maps and the overall instrument response in the spherical harmonics (l,m) plane. The method has then been applied to different configurations of interferometers composed of parabolic or cylindrical reflectors in the PAON-4 and Tianlai projects. In addition to optimizing the Tianlai and PAON-4 interferometer configurations, the work presented here includes a first application of the method to the PAON-4 data

2007/2008
The thesis is focused on the dynamics of galaxies in the outskirts of galaxy clusters, where the matter is affected by an overall infall motion towards the cluster centre. Starting from the classical results of the spherical collapse model, we determined new theoretical constraints for the mass profile of clusters as a function of the cosmological parameters. We investigated the importance of the turnaround radius (i.e. the radius where the infall motion counterbalances the Hubble expansion motion) as well as the possibility of directly extracting the mass profile from the infall velocity pattern of member galaxies. The theoretical results were applied to a sample of simulated clusters (Borgani et al. 2004, Biviano et al. 2006) to keep the 3-dimensional dynamics under control. We demonstrated that: (1) most clusters are compatible with a single mass profile in the external region (provided their size and mass are normalized to the turnaround scale); (2) it is possible to extract the individual mass profiles of clusters using a selected subset of galaxies identified on their redshift-position distribution; (3) the Jeans equation and the virial theorem must be corrected in the outskirts of clusters to take into account the overall infall motion of matter. Taking advantage of these results, we developed a new technique for estimating the mass profile in cluster outskirts which only relies on the observational properties of member galaxies. This technique turns out to be simpler and more reliable than the current methods and is suitable to be applied to observations.
La tesi è incentrata sulla dinamica delle galassie nelle periferie degli ammassi di galassie, dove la materia è interessata da un moto complessivo di caduta verso il centro dell'ammasso. A partire dai risultati classici del modello di collasso sferico, abbiamo determinato dei nuovi vincoli teorici al profilo di massa degli ammassi in funzione dei parametri cosmologici. Abbiamo analizzato l'importanza del raggio di "turnaround" (ossia il raggio dove il moto di caduta è controblanciato dal moto di espansione di Hubble) e la possibilità di estrarre il profilo di massa direttamente dalla velocità di caduta delle galassie. Abbiamo poi applicato questi risultati teorici a un campione di ammassi simulati (Borgani et al. 2004, Biviano et al. 2006) per tenere sotto controllo la dinamica in tre dimensioni. Con quest'analisi, siamo stati in grado di dimostrare che: (1) la quasi totalità degli ammassi è compatibile con un unico profilo di massa nelle regioni esterne (purché le loro dimensioni e masse siano riscalate rispetto al raggio di turnaround); (2) è possibile estrarre il profilo individuale di un ammasso utilizzando un ristretto sottoinsieme di galassie, identificate dalla distribuzione dei loro redshift e delle loro posizioni; (3) l'equazione di Jeans e il teorema del viriale devono essere corretti nelle periferie degli ammassi in modo da tener conto del moto di caduta della materia. Grazie a questi risultati, abbiamo sviluppato una nuova tecnica per stimare il profilo di massa nelle zone esterne, basata unicamente sulle proprietà osservative delle galassie. Questa tecnica risulta essere più semplice e affidabile degli altri metodi attualmente utilizzati ed è adatta ad essere applicata alle osservazioni.
XXI Ciclo
1981