Diurnal Motion Research Articles

On the vertical structure and spectral characteristics of the marine Low-Level Jet

The aim of this work is the study of the vertical structure and the spectral characteristics of the marine Low Level Jets (LLJs) which are associated with frontal events. The analyzed data are based on remote sensing (sodar) and in-situ instrumentation measurements, performed during summer 2003, in the frame of the Coupled Boundary Layers Air–Sea Transfer Experiment in Low Winds (CBLAST-Low), at Nantucket Island, MA, U.S.A. The study of the vertical structure of the lower marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer (MABL), during a ten day period, has shown that the first 100 to 200m, is characterized by strongly stable atmospheric conditions which are modified to slightly stable or almost neutral at higher levels. The frequent development of LLJs was also observed and was associated with frontal events, depending on the meteorological conditions. In order to understand the influence of the different physical processes and to study the vertical distribution of the wind intensity variations at the various time scales of interest, the Hilbert–Huang Transform (HHT) algorithm was applied to the time series of the wind data from the sodar, at different levels. Results are presented and discussed for certain LLJ cases, where the observed LLJs were persistent for several hours or days while the analysis of the wind speed data showed high amplitude variations corresponding to contributions not only from inertial but also from diurnal and meso-scale motions.

The annual cycle of vertical mixing and restratification in the Northern Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba (Red Sea) based on high temporal and vertical resolution observations

The stratification in the Northern Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba follows a well-known annual cycle of well-mixed conditions in winter, surface warming in spring and summer, maximum vertical temperature gradient in late summer, and erosion of stratification in fall. The strength and structure of the stratification influences the diverse coral reef ecosystem and also affects the strength of the semi-diurnal tidal currents. Long-term (13 months) moored thermistor data, combined with high temporal and vertical resolution density profiles in deep water, show that transitions from summer to fall and winter to spring/summer occur in unpredictable, pulses and are not slow and gradual, as previously deduced from monthly hydrographic measurements and numerical simulations forced by monthly climatologies. The cooling and deepening of the surface layer in fall is marked by a transition to large amplitude, semi-diurnal isotherm displacements in the stratified intermediate layer. Stratification is rebuilt in spring and summer by intermittent pulses of warm, buoyant water that can increase the upper 100–150m by 2°C that force surface waters down 100–150m over a matter of days. The stratification also varies in response to short-lived eddies and diurnal motions during winter. Thus, the variability in the stratification exhibits strong depth and seasonal dependence and occurs over range of timescales: from tidal to seasonal. We show that monthly or weekly single-cast hydrographic data under-samples the variability of the stratification in the Gulf and we estimate the error associated with single-cast assessments of the stratification.

Global, Regional and National Geodetic Reference Frames for Geodesy and Geodynamics

In July 2003 the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) established the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS). The GGOS is integrating the three basic components: geometry, the earth rotation and gravity. The backbone of this integration is the existing global ground network, based on the geodetic space techniques: very long baseline interferometry, satellite laser ranging, global navigation satellite systems and Doppler orbitography and radiopositioning integrated by satellite. These techniques have to operate as one global entity and in one global reference frame. The global reference frame in the GGOS is a realization of the International Terrestrial Reference System (ITRS). The ITRS is a world spatial reference system co-rotating with the Earth in its diurnal motion in the space. The IAG Subcommision for the European Reference Frame (EUREF) in 1991 recommended that the terrestrial reference system for Europe should be coincident with ITRS at the epoch t 0 = 1989.0 and fixed to the stable part of the Eurasian Plate. It was named the European Terrestrial Reference System 89 (ETRS89). On the 2nd of June 2008, the Head Office of Geodesy and Cartography in Poland commenced operating the ASG-EUPOS multifunctional precise satellite positioning system. The ASG-EUPOS network defines the European Terrestrial Reference System ETRS89 in Poland. A close connection between the ASG-EUPOS stations and 15 out of 18 Polish EUREF permanent network stations controls the realization of the ETRS89 on Polish territory. This paper is a review of the global ITRS, as well as a regional and a national geodetic reference systems ETRS89.

Global dust storm signal in the meteorological excitation of Mars' rotation

AbstractThe meteorological excitation of Mars' rotation refers to the change of Mars' orientation parameters caused by meteorological processes, e.g., that portion due to variations of atmospheric circulation and surface pressure, and a cryospheric part due to the variable Martian polar ice caps associated with the CO2 sublimation/condensation effects. Global dust storms (GDSs) are unique meteorological events on Mars that cause changes in surface pressure, polar caps extent, and circulation patterns on a global scale, which in turn alter Mars' rotation under the conservation of Mars' total angular momentum. In this paper, the GDS signal in the meteorological excitation of Mars' rotation is investigated on seasonal, diurnal, and semidiurnal time scales, based on the Martian Climate Database. On seasonal scales, the cryospheric excitation plays a less important role in general, due to its location at high latitudes, than its atmospheric counterpart. The GDS brings (−3%, +15%) changes in the amplitude of annual polar motion and length‐of‐day (LOD) variation and (+22%, −34%) changes in the amplitude of semiannual polar motion and LOD variation. On diurnal and semidiurnal scales, the cryospheric excitation can be fully neglected in comparison to its atmospheric counterpart. A significant GDS signal is found with respect to the diurnal polar motion and semidiurnal LOD excitation variation, because of strong atmospheric tides arising from GDS effects. The amplitude increases in diurnal polar motion and semidiurnal LOD variation during some periods of the Martian year may reach 3–5 times as large as those during the same stage in a typical Martian year.

FLIGHT BEHAVIOR OF STEPPE BUZZARDS (BUTEO BUTEO VULPINUS) DURING SPRING MIGRATION IN SOUTHERN ISRAEL: A TRACKING-RADAR STUDY

ABSTRACT In spring 1992, steppe buzzard migration was studied by tracking radar in the Arava Valley near Hazeva (150 m below sea level) and in the Negev Highlands near Sede Boqer (470 m above sea level). Entire gliding and soaring phases were recorded. The flight altitude of the steppe buzzards depended on the time of day. Migration was slightly higher above ground and lasted longer towards sunset in the Arava than in the Negev. The maximum altitudes, about 2000 m above ground in the Arava and about 1000 m in the Negev, were reached in the early afternoon. The relatively low average climbing rates in thermals of 2 m/s can be explained by the fact that the whole diurnal circle is included in this average and that the observation sites were not situated at the edge of large rocky slopes where large thermal updrafts occur, but rather on flat surfaces. Strong thermals were used longer for soaring than weak ones. The climbing rate in thermals was a decisive trait when explaining the flight behavior of migratin...

Variability of internal tides and near‐inertial waves on the continental slope of the northwestern South China Sea

AbstractStructure and variability of internal tides (IT) and near‐inertial waves (NIW) on the continental slope of the northwestern South China Sea were investigated, based on 9‐month moored current observations from autumn to early summer in 2008 and 2009. The diurnal IT kinetic energy, dominant over that of semidiurnal tides, is found to exhibit apparent seasonal variability—strongest in summer and weakest in winter—whereas the semidiurnal variance remained nearly uniform throughout the observation period. Moreover, the diurnal IT were more coherent (i.e., phase‐locked to the astronomical forcing) than the semidiurnal constituents. Coherent diurnal variance accounts for about 40% of diurnal motions, but semidiurnal tides contain a much smaller fraction (10%) of coherent motions. Further analysis demonstrates that the diurnal IT are dominated by the first mode, whereas the semidiurnal tides show a variable multimodal structure: the second mode is dominant in summer and comparable to the first mode in spring and autumn, but the first mode predominates in winter. Multimodal semidiurnal IT are more influenced by varying stratification structures and background currents and thus exhibit highly incoherent and intermittent behavior, which may wash out seasonal variability during their long propagation from the generation source. The observed NIW are seasonally independent and comparable to the semidiurnal motions. During the passage of Typhoon Hagupit, however, the NIW became the most energetic component of the inertia‐gravity waveband motions. NIW energy and shear were significantly enhanced and exceeded tidal counterparts by a factor of 2 to 3 in the upper layer.

A MULTI-BASELINE 12 GHz ATMOSPHERIC PHASE INTERFEROMETER WITH ONE MICRON PATH LENGTH SENSITIVITY

We have constructed a five station 12 GHz atmospheric phase interferometer (API) for the Submillimeter Array (SMA) located near the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Operating at the base of unoccupied SMA antenna pads, each station employs a commercial low noise mixing block coupled to a 0.7 m off-axis satellite dish which receives a broadband, white noise-like signal from a geostationary satellite. The signals are processed by an analog correlator to produce the phase delays between all pairs of stations with projected baselines ranging from 33–261 m. Each baseline's amplitude and phase is measured continuously at a rate of 8 kHz, processed, averaged and output at 10 Hz. Further signal processing and data reduction is accomplished with a Linux computer, including the removal of the diurnal motion of the target satellite. The placement of the stations below ground level with an environmental shield combined with the use of low temperature coefficient, buried fiber optic cables provides excellent system stability. The sensitivity in terms of rms path length is 1.3 microns which corresponds to phase deviations of about 1° of phase at the highest operating frequency of the SMA. The two primary data products are: (1) standard deviations of observed phase over various time scales, and (2) phase structure functions. These real-time statistical data measured by the API in the direction of the satellite provide an estimate of the phase front distortion experienced by the concurrent SMA astronomical observations. The API data also play an important role, along with the local opacity measurements and weather predictions, in helping to plan the scheduling of science observations on the telescope.

Maimonides and Māshā᾿allāh on the Ninth Orb of the Signs and Astrology

This paper is mainly concerned with the reception of the theory of a starless ninth orb by Maimonides (1138–1204). Maimonides addressed this topic in two of his works: first, in the third chapter of the Laws of the Foundation of the Torah , part of his code of Jewish law, the Mishneh Torah ; and, at a later date, in the Guide of the Perplexed . I begin with the approach to the ninth orb in the Laws of the Foundation of the Torah , where it is presented as a starless orb divided into twelve signs named for the twelve zodiacal constellations. My contention is that Maimonides extracted the ideas about the ninth orb from a cosmological work ascribed to Māshāʾallāh, an early Abbasid astrologer, or from some later work derived from Māshāʾallāh’s cosmology. I also clarify the unusual features of this model as presented by Māshāʾallāh and try to determine the rationale behind its inclusion in Māshāʾallāh’s cosmology as well as in Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah . This, I maintain, has to do not only with cosmological but also and especially with astrological considerations. Then I briefly study the approach to the ninth orb in the Guide , where it is incorporated in its “classical” form, i.e., as the all-encompassing orb imparting the diurnal motion to all the other motions, and weigh the difference between this and the Mishneh Torah . Last, in a short postscript, I broaden the scope to show that Māshāʾallāh’s cosmology, particularly the ninth starless orb divided into twelve signs, was widely known in the Arabic world before Maimonides, especially among Jewish intellectuals in Muslim Spain.

Coastal water circulation response to radiational and gravitational tides within the southeastern Bay of Biscay

The Basque coastal area, in the southeastern Bay of Biscay, can be characterised as being strongly influenced by land climate. This, together with the presence of irregular and steep topography, complicates considerably the coastal water circulation patterns. Time-series of hourly currents, surface atmospheric pressure and wind data were analysed for two coastal stations. This research quantified the contribution of gravitational and radiational tides (breezes and solar atmospheric tides) to the coastal water circulation. Moreover, the spatial and seasonal differences in such processes were determined. This investigation has revealed that radiational tides induce diurnal and semidiurnal water motions. These exist together with higher frequency diurnal harmonics caused by anharmonic radiational wind forcing. The radiational forcing contributed similarly to water motion at the stations. The radiational currents varied seasonally, accounting for 20% and 8% of the total kinetic energy in summer and winter, respectively. In comparison, the gravitational currents were more pronounced in the station affected by estuarine dynamics.

애니메이션 모듈이 지구과학 영재학생들의 별의 일주운동 개념 변화에 미치는 효과

본 연구는 애니메이션 모듈을 활용한 수업이 학생들의 별의 일주운동 개념변화에 얼마나 효과적인지 알아보기 위한 것이다. 이를 위해 별의 일주운동을 학습하지 않은 학생 4명을 연구 대상으로 선정하였다. 애니메이션 모듈은 Flash MX를 사용하여 3차원적 공간개념을 이해하기 쉽게 개발하였다. 또한, 개별학습이 용이하도록 교사가 육성 녹음한 내용을 삽입하였고, 보충 학습자료를 제시하였다. 애니메이션 모듈은 태양계의 운동 단원으로 지구의 운동, 달의 운동, 행성의 운동으로 구성되었다. 애니메이션 모듈을 적용하기 전에 질문지와 면담을 통해 학생들의 별의 일주운동에 대한 선개념을 분석하였다. 애니메이션 모듈을 활용한 학습 후 사후 검사를 실시하고 사전 검사와 비교하여 개념 변화를 알아보았다. 그 결과, 중위도 방위별 별의 움직임을 제대로 표현하지 못한 3명의 학생은 모든 방향에 걸쳐 정확하게 나타냈다. 그리고 4명의 학생들이 별의 일주운동 모습이 모든 방향에서 직선 형태로 움직인다고 생각하였다. 또한, 중위도에서 별이 움직이는 각도가 직각으로 움직인다고 생각했던 4명의 학생 모두 비스듬하게 움직이는 것으로 개념이 변화하였다. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of astronomical animation module on students' conceptual change regarding the concepts of diurnal motion of stars. Four students participated in this study, who never learned about the diurnal motion of stars. An animation module was developed by using Flash MX to readily understand the concept of space. In addition, we inserted a teacher's voice with supplementary materials into the animation module to help students learn individually. The animation module was comprised of the movement of the Earth, the Moon and the planet. The earth science gifted students' preconception on diurnal motion of stars was analyzed with pre-test using questionnaires and interviews. After the instruction with animation module, the effect of conceptual change was examined by comparing pre and post-test. The results indicated that three students correctly presented about the motion of the star by all directions in middle latitude. Four students showed their understanding that stars travelled straight in all directions. Finally, all of four students whose preconceptions were that the star rotated perpendicularly showed the conceptual change of diurnal motion that the star traveled diagonally.

Stability of NSLS-II girder–magnet assembly

The low-emittance design of the NSLS-II (a new state-of-the-art medium energy third-generation storage ring) requires that the uncorrelated vertical RMS motion between the multipole magnets on a girder be less than 25 nm. The stability of the girder–magnet assembly is affected by factors such as ambient vibration, temperature fluctuations and diurnal floor motion in the storage ring. In this paper we discuss the design features of a high-stability girder–magnet assembly for the NSLS-II.

Contribution of geometry of interaction between interplanetary and terrestrial magnetic fields into global magnetospheric state and geomagnetic activity

The paper presents results of our study of dependence of geomagnetic activity from geoeffective parameters taking into account mutual orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field, electric field of the solar wind and geomagnetic moment. We attract a reconnection model elaborated by us made allowance for changes of geometry of the solar wind–magnetosphere interaction during annual and diurnal motions of the Earth. We take as our data base the interplanetary magnetic field and solar wind velocity measured at 1 a.u. at ecliptic plane for the period of 1963–2005 and K p , D st , a m indices. Taken as a whole a geoeffective parameter suggested by us explains 95% of observed variations of the indices. Changes of the geometric factor determined by mutual orientation of the solar wind electric field and geomagnetic moment explain larger than 75% of observed statistical variations of D st and a m indices. Based on our results we suggest a new explanation of semi-annual and UT variation of geomagnetic activity.

Hydrochemical variations of epikarst springs in vertical climate zones: a case study in Jinfo Mountain National Nature Reserve of China

High temporal resolution (15 min) measurements of stage, pH, electric conductivity, temperature, and other hydrochemical parameters of groundwater at two sites in the Jinfo Mountain Nature Reserve of China were collected using automatic data loggers. Bitan Spring (BS 700 m a.s.l.) sits in subtropical climate zone, while Shuifang Spring (SS 2,060 m a.s.l.) is located in plateau temperate climate. The data show that hydrochemistry of epikarst springs at different altitudes is very sensitive to the changes of their physical environment, especially two factors: air temperature and soil CO2 concentration. Springs at lower altitude are associated with higher air temperature and soil CO2 concentration, thus more likely leading to more active karst processes than those at higher elevation. Water temperature and pH of BS showed a noticeable diurnal circle with high values in daytime and low values at night. The data also indicate that at least there are two effects that could impact the variations of groundwater hydrochemistry during flood pulse: dilution effect and CO2 effect.

9학년 학생의 공간 능력 차이에 따른 지구자전 개념의 획득

본 연구의 목적은 9학년 학생의 공간능력 차이에 따른 지구자전 개념을 알아보는 것이다. 광역시 소재 9학년 학생 83명중 천체의 공간운동 개념 평가(김기정, 1997)에서 개념 획득 정도가 비슷하면서 공간능력에 차이가 있는 남학생 2명과 여학생 2명을 각각 표집하여 질적 분석의 대상으로 삼았다. 연구 결과, 공간능력이 높은 학생일수록 개념이 올바르고 개념들을 입체적 공간으로 재구성하여 이해하였다. 공간능력이 낮을수록 개념이 불완전하고 단편적인 개념들을 암기하고 있었다. 성별에 따라서는 공간능력이 높은 남학생은 개념들을 간단 명료하게 표현하였고, 낮은 학생은 자전에 대한 방향을 일주운동과 연관시켜 해석하지 못했다. 반면에 여학생은 공간능력이 높을 때 개념들을 구체적으로 표현하였으며, 낮을수록 개념들을 입체적으로 표현하지 못하였다. 따라서 공간능력이 높은 학생은 문제 상황을 제시하여 스스로 해결할 수 있도록 하고, 낮은 학생은 현상들을 직접 관찰하여 쉽게 이해 할 수 있도록 학습 자료를 개발하여야겠다. 여학생은 공간을 입체적으로 조작해 볼 수 있도록 하고 남학생은 사물을 여러 관점으로 생각해 볼 수 있도록 교수 전략 및 학습 자료 등을 개발 한다면 천문단원의 공간능력이 향상되고, 개념 획득이 잘 될 수 있을 것이라 기대한다. The purpose of this study is to investigate student's Acquisition about the conception of the Earth Rotation between difference of their Spatial Sensibility. In this study, four students were selected out of 83 9th graders in Gwangju, Korea. The spatial sensibility test instrument was developed by the Korean Testing Center, and the test instruments of 'the movement of celestial bodies' were developed by Kim (1997). The results were as follows: Students with higher spatial sensibility understood precisely about the Earth's rotation in stereoscopic space. However, those with lower spatial sensibility failed to grasp the Earth's rotation and memorized it as fragmentary concepts. As for gender effect, male student with higher spatial sensibility explained the concepts clearly, while that with lower spatial sensibility has difficulty with the Earth's rotation in relation to the diurnal motion of celestial bodies. On the other hand, female student with higher spatial sensibility explained the concepts correctly in detail, while that with lower spatial sensibility had difficulty explaining the concepts in stereoscopic space. Therefore, students with higher spatial sensibility should be presented with problems in which they form their own solution. Those with lower spatial sensibility should be allowed to understand the phenomena intuitively. In developing teaching methods, female students should interact with the concepts in stereoscopic space directly, while male students should consider the celestial objects from various viewpoints. Then spatial sensibility in relation to the movement of celestial bodies would be expected to improve.

Response of the high-latitude polar ionosphere to changes in the orientation of the Poynting vector near the Earth orbit relative to the geomagnetic moment orientation

The effect of the mutual orientation of the Poynting vector P of the electromagnetic energy density in the solar wind and the vector M of the Earth’s magnetic moment (taking into account its orbital and diurnal motions) on the geomagnetic activity has been examined for the first time using the measurements of the solar wind parameters on the Earth orbit in 1963–2005. The component Pm of the vector P along the vector M is shown to have a pronounced annual variation with the extrema in November and May and a diurnal variation with the extrema at ∼6 and 18 UT. The phases of the variations are shown to be determined only by the geometric parameters and are independent of the sign of the sector structure of the interplanetary magnetic field. The experimental data on the planetary and high-latitude geomagnetic activity, which is a response to changes in the orientation of P relative to M, are presented. The power of the sources of the electromagnetic energy of the solar wind during strong geomagnetic disturbances is also estimated.

Semidiurnal signal in UT1 due to the influence of tidal gravitation on the triaxial structure of the Earth

AbstractThe axial component of Earth rotation, which is conventionally expressed by Universal Time (UT1), contains small physical signals with diurnal and subdiurnal periods. This part of the spectrum is dominated by the tidal effects which are regular and predictable. The largest components express the influence of the gravitationally forced ocean tides with diurnal and semidiurnal periods and amplitudes up to 0.02 milliseconds (ms) in UT1 corresponding to an angular displacement of 0.30 milliarcseconds (mas); see Table 8.3 of the IERS Conventions (IERS, 2003). There are also smaller subdiurnal components (amplitudes up to 0.03 mas), designated as “spin libration” by Chao et al. (1991), due to direct influence of the tidal gravitation on those features of the Earth's density distribution which are expressed by the non-zonal terms of the geopotential. These components are not included in the models recommended by the IERS Conventions, in contrast to the corresponding effect in polar motion (ibid., Table 5.1).Here we consider in detail the subdiurnal libration in UT1. We derive an analytical solution for the structural model of the Earth consisting of an elastic mantle and a liquid core which are not coupled to each other. The reference solution for the rigid Earth is computed by using the satellite-determined coefficients of geopotential and the recent developments of the tide generating potential (TGP). We arrived to the conclusion that the set of terms with amplitudes exceeding the truncation level of 0.005 mas consists of 11 semidiurnal harmonics due to the influence of the TGP term u22 on the equatorial flattening of the Earth expressed by the Stokes coefficients C22, S22. There is an excellent agreement between our estimates for the rigid Earth and the amplitudes derived by Wünsch (1991). The only important difference is the term with the tidal code ν2, which seems to be overlooked in the development of Wünsch. Our amplitudes computed for an elastic Earth with liquid core appear to be in reasonable agreement with those derived by Chao et al. (1991), but the latter model was not complete. The estimated effect is superimposed on the ocean tide influences having the same frequencies but 9 to 11 times larger amplitudes. Nevertheless, its maximum peak-to-peak size is about 0.105 mas, hence definitely above the current uncertainty of UT1 determinations. Comparison with the corresponding model of prograde diurnal polar motion associated with the Earth's triaxiality (IERS Conventions, Table 5.1) shows that: 1) the two effects are of similar size, 2) there is consistency between the underlying dynamical models, parameters employed, etc. In conclusion, we recommend adding the model developed here to the set of procedures provided by the IERS Conventions.

Transformation of amplitudes and frequencies of precession and nutation of the earth’s rotation vector to amplitudes and frequencies of diurnal polar motion

The temporal change of the rotation vector of a rotating body is, in the first order, identical in a space-fixed system and in a body-fixed system. Therefore, if the motion of the rotation axis of the earth relative to a space-fixed system is given as a function of time, it should be possible to compute its motion relative to an earth-fixed system, and vice versa. This paper presents such a transformation. Two models of motion of the rotation axis in the space-fixed system are considered: one consisting only of a regular (i.e., strictly conical) precession and one extended by circular nutation components, which are superimposed upon the regular precession. The Euler angles describing the orientation of the earth-fixed system with respect to the space-fixed system are derived by an analytical solution of the kinematical Eulerian differential equations. In the first case (precession only), this is directly possible, and in the second case (precession and nutation), a solution is achieved by a perturbation approach, where the result of the first case serves as an approximation and nutation is regarded as a small perturbation, which is treated in a linearized form. The transformation by means of these Euler angles shows that the rotation axis performs in the earth-fixed system retrograde conical revolutions with small amplitudes, namely one revolution with a period of one sidereal day corresponding to precession and one revolution with a period which is slightly smaller or larger than one sidereal day corresponding to each (prograde or retrograde) circular nutation component. The peculiar feature of the derivation presented here is the analytical solution of the Eulerian differential equations.

A low-cost celestial globe for hands-on astronomy

A low-cost celestial globe is developed to support astronomical coordinate learning. It isused for demonstrating how stars are positioned and to analyse the motion of celestialbodies or diurnal motion. The model was implemented at a weekend astronomy campprovided for students from schools in the northeastern region of Thailand. A series ofactivities required the students to describe the position of celestial objects and their motiondue to the rotation of the Earth.

Variations of diurnal and inertial spectral peaks near the bi‐diurnal critical latitude

Three sets of ADCP data obtained from the upper ocean are used to examine possible influence of parametric subharmonic instability (PSI) at ϕc ≈ 13–15°N. Both kinetic‐energy and shear spectra at ϕc reveal that significant peaks appear at subharmonic frequencies of diurnal internal tides. Especially, the 0.5 K1 (subharmonic of K1 tides) can be trapped poleward of its critical latitude (14.52°N), significantly distinguished from wind generated near‐inertial internal waves. Moreover, the enhanced 0.5 K1 motions are more or less subject to a fortnightly spring‐neap circle. Relative to a higher latitude (say 18°N), diurnal motions at ϕc are greatly weakened. In contrast, small vertical‐scale motions in the inertial band and the shear induced by these motions are significantly enhanced. Likely, PSI mechanism plays an important role in these observations, whilst trapped sub‐inertial waves (0.5 K1) may be associated with the presence of negative sub‐inertial eddies.

Setting up Copernicus? Astronomy and Natural Philosophy in Giambattista Capuano da Manfredonia's Expositio on the Sphere

AbstractIn 1499, while Copernicus studies in Bologna, the commentary on Sacrobosco's Sphere by the Padua master Francesco Capuano da Manfredonia first appears in print. It will be revised and reprinted several times thereafter. Like Copernicus, Capuano has a high view of astronomy and mingles astronomical and physical considerations (flies moving on wheels, men on ships, impetus, comets, raptus). Also, Capuano offers a flawed argument against a two-fold (diurnal and zodiacal) motion of the Earth. Multiple thematic resonances between Capuano's commentary and De revolutionibus, I, 5-11, suggest the hypothesis that Copernicus is answering Capuano, whose work was owned by Joachim Rheticus, if not Copernicus himself.