Solar System Research Articles

Influence of interstellar environment near the solar system on cosmic-ray spectra and dipole anisotropy

Influence of interstellar environment near the solar system on cosmic-ray spectra and dipole anisotropy

Implementation Approaches of Thermoelectric Generator in Photovoltaic System: A Review

Solar energy is one of the viable solutions for global energy demand. To compete with traditional resources, solar cells have to be reliable and cost-effective. This paper reviews the basics of thermoelectric generators (TEGs), including their working principles and main physical properties. TEGs transform heat directly to electricity based on the Seebeck effect, which generates an electric voltage based on the difference in temperature of a material. It presents methods for energy harvesting by using TEGs integrated with photovoltaic (PV) systems and discusses the application and findings of this hybrid model. By converting solar system waste heat or primary heat flow into additional heating, cooling, and electricity, TEGs enhance PV system efficiency. This paper reviews the methods and effects of integrating thermoelectric devices with PV systems, summarizing key findings from previous studies. The paper concludes that the integration of TEGs significantly improves the functionality and efficiency of PV systems, as evidenced by previous studies. Received: 14 November 2024 | Revised: 27 April 2025 | Accepted: 29 May 2025 Conflicts of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work. Data Availability Statement Data available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Author Contribution Statement Oluwasegun Henry Jaiyeob: Conceptualization, Software, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing, Visualization. Mohammad Karimzadeh Kolamroudi: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing, Visualization, Supervision, Project administration. Cemal Kavalcioglu: Validation, Investigation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Çağrı Özkan: Software, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Said EL Khatib: Conceptualization, Resources, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing.

A Library of 77 Multibody Solar and Extrasolar Subsystems—A Review of Their Dynamical Properties, Global Mean-Motion Resonances, and the Landau-Damped Mean Tidal Fields

We revisit 77 relaxed (extra)solar multibody (sub)systems containing 2–9 bodies orbiting about gravitationally dominant central bodies. The listings are complete down to (sub)systems with 5 orbiting bodies and additionally contain 33 smaller systems with 2–4 orbiting bodies. Most of the multiplanet systems (68) have been observed outside of our solar system, and very few of them (5) exhibit classical Laplace resonances (LRs). The remaining 9 subsystems have been found in our solar system; they include 7 well-known satellite groups in addition to the four gaseous giant planets and the four terrestrial planets, and they exhibit only one classical Laplace resonant chain, the famous Galilean LR. The orbiting bodies (planets, dwarfs, or satellites) appear to be locked in/near global mean-motion resonances (MMRs), as these are determined in reference to the orbital period of the most massive (most inert) body in each (sub)system. We present a library of these 77 multibody subsystems for future use and reference. The library listings of dynamical properties also include regular spacings of the orbital semimajor axes. Regularities in the spatial configurations of the bodies were determined from patterns that had existed in the mean tidal field that drove multibody migrations toward MMRs, well before the tidal field was erased by the process of `gravitational Landau damping’ which concluded its work when all major bodies had finally settled in/near the global MMRs presently observed. Finally, detailed comparisons of results help us discern the longest commonly-occurring MMR chains, distinguish the most important groups of triple MMRs, and identify a new criterion for the absence of librations in triple MMRs.

All-Day Freshwater Harvesting Using Solar Auto-Tracking Assisted Selective Solar Absorption and Radiative Cooling

The shortage of freshwater resources has become the core bottleneck of global sustainable development. Traditional freshwater harvesting technologies are restricted by geographical conditions and environmental limitations, making them increasingly difficult to satisfy the growing water demand. In this study, based on the synergistic coupling mechanism of photothermal conversion and radiative cooling, a solar auto-tracking assisted selective solar absorber and radiative cooling all-weather freshwater harvesting device was innovatively developed. The prepared selective solar absorber achieved a high absorptivity of 0.91 in the solar spectrum (0.3–2.5 μm) and maintained a low emissivity of 0.12 in the mid-infrared range (2.5–20 μm), significantly enhancing the photothermal conversion efficiency. The radiative cooling film demonstrated an average cooling effect of 7.62 °C during typical daytime hours (12:00–13:00) and 7.03 °C at night (22:00–23:00), providing a stable low-temperature environment for water vapor condensation. The experimental results showed that the experimental group equipped with the solar auto-tracking system collected 0.79 kg m−2 of freshwater in 24 h, representing a 23.4% increase compared to the control group without the solar auto-tracking system. By combining theoretical analysis with experimental validation, this study presents technical and economic advantages for emergency water and island freshwater supply, offering an innovative solution to mitigate the global freshwater crisis.

Main-oval Auroral Emission from a T6 Brown Dwarf: Observations, Modeling, and Astrometry

Abstract From a series of 5 GHz Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) radio observations taken over a 1 yr span, we present the detection of compact, highly polarized radio emission from the T6 brown dwarf WISE J112254.72+255022.2, compatible with electron cyclotron maser emission. Both the total and polarized lightcurves show variability in correspondence with a rotation period of 1.95 ± 0.03 hr. Comparison with models indicates that the quasi-steady radio emission of this brown dwarf is produced in circumpolar auroral rings, with remarkable similarity to the main-oval auroras in Jupiter. We have detected a large 100% polarized flare in one of the VLBA epochs (2022.82), which may imply the existence of active longitudes in the auroral rings with a nonaxisymmetric beaming cone radiation pattern, similar to the dusk/dawn asymmetries seen in the Jovian radio emissions. We also present a high-precision astrometric analysis of the sky motion of WISE J112254.72+255022.2, resulting in revised values of proper motion and parallax with an improvement in precision of 1 order of magnitude. The common kinematics of WISE J112254.72+255022.2 with its wide companion, the M dwarf LHS 302, is confirmed with submilliarcsecond precision, suggesting that this brown dwarf may have formed by gravitational fragmentation of the outer part of a protostellar disk around LHS 302. The astrometric analysis imposes very tight bounds on the presence of low-mass companions around WISE J112254.72+255022.2, ruling out objects more massive than Saturn. Our results strengthen the analogy between radio-emitting brown dwarfs and the magnetized planets of our solar system.

Forecasting-Based Design and Optimization of Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic System Using MMC and ANFIS for Peak Load Shaving and Ancillary Support in Bahir Dar Distribution Substation

Peak load shaving is a crucial strategy for enhancing grid reliability, efficiency, and sustainability by reducing maximum electricity demand. This study investigates the design and optimization of a 100-kW grid-connected Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system for peak load shaving and ancillary support at the Bahir Dar Distribution Substation (15 kV side). The system addresses the projected overloading of the substation within 22 months from 2023, as forecasted using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based on historical domestic customer data. Utilizing Bahir Dar’s abundant solar resources, the PV system replaces diesel gensets at the Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) datacenter, contributing to the national electrification goal by 2030. To enhance power quality and grid stability, the proposed system integrates an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)-based boost converter for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), increasing the DC-link voltage from 437.6V to 730.04V. A five-level Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) with Voltage Oriented Control (VOC) is implemented. Achieving a significant reduction in Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) from 16.27% to 1.12%, ensuring compliance with international standards. Additionally, the economic feasibility analysis indicates that the PV system, consisting of 41 panels in series and 8 in parallel, requires a total installation cost of $39,013 and generates approximately 170,209.18 kWh annually. Compared to the existing diesel-based power system, which incurs an annual operating cost of 571,663.35 ETB, the PV system offers substantial cost savings with an estimated payback period of 27 months. Despite these advantages, challenges such as weather variability, transient response analysis, and system scalability remain. Future work will focus on real-world validation through hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, grid disturbance simulations including Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) and Low Frequency Ride Through (LFRT), and field trials to assess large-scale deployment feasibility. The findings highlight the potential of grid-connected PV systems to enhance energy reliability, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and support Ethiopia’s transition to a cleaner and more sustainable power infrastructure.

Income Distribution and Viability of Solar Photovoltaic Adoption in Rural Communities: A Comprehensive Analysis

This study examines the relationship between income distribution and feasibility of adopting solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in rural Indian communities, aiming to promote sustainable and decentralized energy access. Using systematic sampling and household-level surveys, data were collected from six villages across the states of West Bengal and Nagaland, covering 174 households. Analysis of daily electricity consumption revealed that average energy demand ranged from 0.8 kWh day⁻¹ in lower-income households to 3.2 kWh day⁻¹ in higher-income households. At the same time, kerosene usage remained minimal at less than 0.1 liters per household per day, and it was used primarily as backup during power outages. Grid-connected PV systems with battery storage and polycrystalline panels were identified as the most context-appropriate and technically balanced solution for rural electrification based on energy requirements, infrastructure reliability, and user behaviours. System design and sizing were adapted for each income group, with results showing that energy generation exceeded daily demand in all cases. It was found that higher-income households benefit from greater savings and shorter return on investment periods, whereas lower-income groups face affordability challenges despite appropriately scaled systems. These findings underscore the technical and economic viability of solar PV systems across income segments while also highlighting the need for targeted financial and policy interventions to ensure equitable adoption. Integrating socioeconomic factors into rural energy planning is essential for achieving inclusive and effective solar energy deployment in India.

Enhancing heat transfer in nanofluids: Exploring nanoparticle aggregation using deep learning optimization

Nanofluids, which consist of nanoparticles suspended in normal base fluids, have proved to be effective in improving the performance of heat transfer equipment in various fields such as electronics cooling, automotive engine systems, and biomedical therapy. Still, the problem of nanoparticle agglomeration is a serious one which negatively impacts the thermal conductivity and stability of nanofluids. This research evaluates the aggregation versus non-aggregation effect of performance on nanofluids highlighting their usage in any conditions that would demand either of the types. It also presents an innovative use of artificial intelligence tools that engages deep learning by providing insights into nanofluid behavior and its formulation, as well as the structural stability under aggregation. Recent developments in the use of deep learning models such as Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks are presented in this paper for modeling and predicting the rate of aggregation of nanoparticles and management of nanofluid in real-time systems. These machine learning methodologies have led to better modeling of thermal and rheological property prediction (alongside many interesting features), in extreme dynamic processes. The use of nanofluids in electronics cooling, solar thermal systems and biomedical applications has been reviewed in order to demonstrate the impressive abilities of these nanofluids in these industries. Future efforts will center on merging the more advanced deep learning models with the corresponding real-time control monitoring systems to achieve adaptive regulation and optimization of the nanofluid properties over changing working conditions. In addition, work will continue in the area of nanofluids stability improvement using new stabilization methods and more effective machine learning methods that will forecast the aggregation process in dynamic systems. Finally, the use of hybrid approaches, interdisciplinary experimental strategies and computer-guiding techniques will be vital in advancing predictive modeling and expanding the advancement of nanofluid utilization in advanced energy systems, medical applications and industrial processes.

Solar system research prospects for the decade and beyond

Solar system research prospects for the decade and beyond

Planetary fine-tuning, cosmological fine-tuning, and the multiverse

Many philosophers and scientists take cosmological fine-tuning—roughly the fact that our universe would have been devoid of life if it had had slightly different cosmological parameters—to point to the existence of a designer or multiverse. Planetary fine-tuning—roughly the fact that our planet would have been devoid of life if it had slightly different intrinsic characteristics or relations to other objects in the solar system—points to the existence of many planets. It may seem that since astronomy independently confirms the existence of many planets, planetary fine-tuning is of less philosophical interest than cosmological fine-tuning. This paper shows that any such appearance is illusory by defending four arguments for the conclusion that our planetary fine-tuning evidence supports the existence of a multiverse.

Hybrid high-performance computing enhanced machine learning framework for nano-thermal conductivity in MWNT-oil-based solar cooking systems

Solar cooking is a very pertinent alternative for energy-challenged regions, but conventional systems are miserably lacking in heat retention and efficiency, as well as adaptability to changing solar conditions. The presented theoretical study proposes an HPC hybrid model designed to optimize nano-thermal behavior in oil-based solar cooking systems with MWNTs. The proposed scheme is an amalgamation of five advanced modules: adaptive multiphase heat transfer modeling (AMPHTM), topological data analysis (TDA), graph-theoretic heat flow optimization (GTHFO), fractal-based multi-scale thermal transport modeling (FB-MTTM), and thermo-optical spectral mapping (TOSM-HA). These modules together provide real-time corrections for MWNT dispersion, topological clustering, and spectral mismatch while enhancing thermal transport at multiple scales. Modeling and simulation predicted enhanced effective thermal conductivity under dynamic solar conditions, ranging from 0.49 to 1.27 W/mK in the 0.01%–0.1% MWNT volume fraction. Reduction of heat loss by 45% and improvement of cooking efficiency by 25% to 30% in 30 min compared to baseline methods. The topological instability in MWNT dispersion was diminished using a clustering index of 0.027, and spectral absorption in the near-infrared region saw a 2.85-fold enhancement compared with base fluids. The very multi-paradigms adaptive thermosystem presents new horizons in precision thermal control for solar cooking and puts into perspective a real-time field-scalable envision for nano-thermal optimization in sustainable energy technologies in process.

A Review of Phase-Change Material-Based Thermal Batteries for Sustainable Energy Storage of Solar Photovoltaic Systems Coupled to Heat Pumps in the Building Sector

Buildings account for about a third of global energy and it is thus imperative to eliminate the use of fossil fuels to power and provide for their thermal needs. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology can provide power and with electrification, heating/cooling, but there is often a load mismatch with the intermittent solar supply. Electric batteries can overcome this challenge at high solar penetration rates but are still capital-intensive. A promising solution is thermal energy storage (TES), which has a low cost per unit of energy. This review provides an in-depth analysis of TES but specifically focuses on phase change material (PCM)-based TES, and its significance in the building sector. The classification, characterization, properties, applications, challenges, and modeling of PCM-TES are detailed. Finally, the potential for integrating TES with PV and heat pump (HP) technologies to decarbonize the residential sector is detailed. Although many studies show proof of carbon reduction for the individual and coupled systems, the integration of PV+HP+PCM-TES systems as a whole unit has not been developed to achieve carbon neutrality and facilitate net zero emission goals. Overall, there is still a lack of available literature and experimental datasets for these complex systems which are needed to develop models for global implementation as well as studies to quantify their economic and environmental performance.

Design and development of flexible curved shaped solar photovoltaic panel: A conceptual framework

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the potential of flexible curved solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, emphasizing their ability to enhance solar energy capture while integrating aesthetically into various architectural contexts. Traditional flat solar panel systems, although efficient, often face limitations regarding spatial utilization and their visual impact on urban environments. This study aims to address these challenges by developing a structured framework for the design and implementation of flexible C-shaped and S-shaped solar PV panels.Utilizing cubic Bézier curves, this research focuses on achieving precise control over the curvature of solar panels, thereby optimizing sunlight exposure and energy efficiency. By employing a methodological approach that integrates both experimental and modeling strategies, this study explores the operational advantages of flexible solar panels, including enhanced energy production and greater adaptability to diverse architectural settings. The research methodology is systematically outlined, encompassing the identification of the problem statement, establishment of a relevance framework, and integration of design optimization alongside considerations of materials and manufacturing processes. Moreover, the incorporation of cubic Bézier curves represents a significant contribution to the field, enabling improved efficiency in solar energy collection while addressing the aesthetic concerns of solar technologies. Through extensive evaluations involving simulation and experimental methods, the study provides insights into the performance of the proposed designs, highlighting the potential for broader adoption of aesthetically integrated solar solutions.The findings of this research not only fill gaps in the existing literature regarding flexible curved solar panels but also offer a roadmap for future advancements in renewable energy technologies. By connecting theoretical insights with practical applications, this study emphasizes the importance of innovative design in promoting sustainable energy practices and significantly contributes to the ongoing development of flexible solar PV technology.

Experimental Study of a Stationary Parabolic Trough Collector with Modified Absorbers for Domestic Water Heating

The requirement for energy transition through the residential sector has increased research on the dissemination of solar thermal power systems in this area. Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC), as one of the matured solar technologies for thermal power generation, has shown huge potential in meeting demands for heating and domestic hot water systems. In this experimental study, several small-scale PTCs have been developed with four alternative absorber shapes: a simple cylindrical absorber, a spiral absorber, and two different configurations of a sinusoidal absorber to examine their performance under domestic application (non-evacuated and non-tracking). The study aims to analyze the applicability of such systems to be used as a water-heating source in buildings and compare the performance of the proposed configurations in terms of thermal efficiency to find the most appropriate design. The experimental results revealed that the simple shape provides a minimum average thermal efficiency of 24%, while the maximum thermal efficiency of 32% is obtained with the spiral shape. Studying various orientations of the sinusoidal shape revealed that thermal efficiencies of 30% and 20% could be achieved using the parallel and the perpendicular shapes, respectively. Finally, a concise economic and environmental analysis is performed to study the proposed systems as solutions for domestic water heating applications, which highlights the suitability of PTCs for integration with future sustainable buildings.

Investigation of Energy Efficiency in a Zeolite-Water Adsorption Solar Cooling System Utilizing Locally Sourced Materials for the Conservation Chamber

Adsorption solar refrigerators are one of the technologies used to produce cold for preserving products. These systems are mainly made up of a collector-reactor, a condenser and an evaporator placed in the enclosure to be cooled. The cold room of an adsorption-based solar cold production unit installed in an open-air area is subject to heat and mass transfer, resulting in fluctuations in temperature and humidity. This paper presents a study of the impact of four different types of composite materials on the regulation of the interior ambience of an agri-food preservation unit by solar cold produced by zeolite/water adsorption. This formulation was proposed on the basis of the materials most commonly used in construction in Burkina Faso. After determining their thermophysical properties, the research was carried out by comparing the materials cut laterite blocks (BLT), compressed earth blocks (BTC), refractory clay and cement breeze block. BLT, then adobe, have a longer heat diffusion time than BTC and hollow breeze-block. They therefore offer better thermal inertia. Thus, the shell of the sideboard is a BTC-insulator-aluminium formulation. The insulation is either imported polystyrene or a locally formulated straw panel. The useful volume of the sideboard is 100 L. The results of the temperature measurements were recorded by the data acquisition system at regular six-minute intervals over a period of eight hours. The results showed that, for a given insulation thickness, heat loss increases with volume. Considering the maximum of the straw panel from 20 mm to 200 mm, the energy saving is 2600 kJ/day. Theoretically, this energy saving would produce 7.5 kg/day of ice. For polystyrene, the gain is 1,200 kJ/day. Furthermore, the overall heat transfer coefficient decreases with increasing thickness. For a thickness of 20 mm, it is 0.25 W/m2K for polystyrene and 0.55 W/m2K for compressed strawboard. When the thickness is increased by 180 mm, for example, these values drop to 0.02 W/m2K and 0.15 W/m2K, respectively. These results for both insulating materials can be explained, in part, by their insulating properties. Polystyrene has a thermal conductivity 4 times lower than that of compressed strawboard. The evaluation of the energy gains of the sideboard shows a considerable advantage in using an envelope composed of earth-polystyrene-aluminium. This was confirmed by the thermal performance coefficients.

Late gas released in the young Kuiper belt could have significantly contributed to the carbon enrichment of the atmospheres of Neptune and Uranus

Exo-Kuiper belts have been observed for decades, but the recent detection of gas in some of them may change our view of the Solar System's youth. Late gas produced by the sublimation of CO (or CO_2) ices after the dissipation of the primordial gas could be the norm in young planetesimal belts. Hence, a gas-rich Kuiper belt could have been present in the Solar System. The high C/H ratios observed on Uranus and Neptune could be a clue to the existence of such late gas that could have been accreted onto young icy giants. The aim of this paper is to estimate the carbon enrichment of the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune caused by the accretion of the gas released from a putative gas-rich Kuiper belt. We want to test whether a young, massive Kuiper belt such as that usually assumed by state-of-the-art models can explain the current C/H values of ∼ 50-80 times the protosolar abundance for Uranus and Neptune. We developed a model that can follow the gas released in the Kuiper belt, as well as its viscous evolution and its capture onto planets. We calculated the final C/H ratio and compared it to observations. We studied the influence of several important parameters such as the initial mass of the belt, the viscosity of the disc, and the accretion efficiency. We find that the assumption of a primordial Kuiper belt with a mass of tens of Earth masses leads to significant CO gas accretion onto the giants, which can lead to high C/H ratios, especially for Uranus and Neptune. We find that an initial Kuiper belt of ∼ 50 M_⊕ could entirely account for the present-day C/H enrichment in the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune. However, given the fact that S/H is also significantly enriched in the deep atmospheres of these planets, but still less enriched than C/H, a more likely scenario is that these planets first accreted an envelope enriched in C/H and S/H in similar amounts, and that the sublimation of CO from the Kuiper belt led to an additional enrichment in C/H of perhaps 30 times the protosolar value in Neptune, and 20 times in Uranus. For the same model, the additional enrichments in C/H are 2 and 0.2 in Saturn and Jupiter, respectively. Our model shows that a relatively massive gas-rich Kuiper belt could have existed in the Solar System's youth, which significantly enriched the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune with carbon. Late gas accretion and its effect on the metallicities of the outer giant planets could be a universal scenario that also occurs in extrasolar systems. Observations of sub-Jupiter exoplanets could provide very useful information to better constrain this scenario, with an enrichment in carbon and oxygen (for sufficiently war planets) compared to other elements that should be inversely proportional to their envelope mass.

Determining Diffuse Solar Irradiance: A Comparison of Single and Multiparameter Separation Models for Nepal

Abstract Increasing the use of solar energy technologies, such as photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, presents Nepal with a significant opportunity to realize its potential for sustainable development. Despite being located in the global sunbelt, Nepal's understanding of its solar resource remains limited and has not been adequately explored in the existing literature. To address this gap, this study developed a model to separate hourly global solar irradiance into its direct and diffuse components using a single predictor variable (clearness index), specifically tailored for Nepal, as shown in kd=1−0.04kt+0.09kt2−5.63kt3+4.60kt4. The results showed that the model's performance, measured by root mean squared error and mean bias error, was comparable to that of the leading multiparameter separation method (Engerer2). Given the elegant simplicity of the model, it offers a promising starting point for those wanting to calculate the diffuse and direct solar irradiance from measurements of global solar irradiance on a horizontal surface which can then be used to assess the performance of solar energy systems in Nepal.

Solar photovoltaic power predictive optimization for maximum power point tracking system using AI

Solar tracking systems are commonly used in large-scale solar power installations, where maximizing energy production is crucial. By utilizing solar trackers, these systems can increase their energy output by up to 30% compared to fixed-tilt solar installations. These systems are more complex and expensive than fixed-tilt systems but can provide higher energy yields in locations with high solar insolation. The objective of solar power tracking systems is to maximize the capture of solar radiation by continuously adjusting the orientation and tilt of the solar panels. these systems can ensure that the solar panels receive the highest possible level of sunlight throughout the day. This optimized alignment allows for increased energy production and improved overall system performance. Two different ML approaches, such as support vector machine (SVM) and Gaussian process regression (GPR), were considered and compared. The basic input parameters, including solar PV panel temperature, ambient temperature, solar flux, time of day, and relative humidity. In this paper to showcase the effectiveness and accuracy of SVM and GPR models in forecasting solar PV power, the results of these models are compared using root mean squared error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) criteria.

Super Resolution Reconstruction of Mars Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing Images Integrating Multi-Source Data

As the planet most similar to Earth in the solar system, Mars holds an important role in exploring significant scientific problems, such as the evolution of the solar system and the origins of life. Research on Mars mainly rely on planetary remote sensing technology, among which thermal infrared remote sensing is of great studying significance. This technology enables the recording of Martian thermal radiation properties. However, the current spatial resolution of Mars thermal infrared remote sensing images remains relatively low, limiting the detection of fine-scale thermal anomalies and the generation of higher-precision surface compositional maps. While updating extraterrestrial exploration satellites can help enhancing the spatial resolution of thermal infrared images, this method entails high cost and long update cycles, making improvement difficult to conduct in the short term. To address this issue, this paper proposes a super-resolution reconstruction method for Mars thermal infrared remote sensing images integrating multi-source data. First, based on the principle of domain adaptation, we introduced a method using highly correlated visible light images as auxiliary to enhance the spatial resolution of thermal infrared images. Then, a multi-sources data integration method is designed to constrain the thermal radiation flux of resulting images, ensuring the radiation distribution remains consistent with the original low-resolution thermal infrared images. Through both subjective and objective evaluations, our method is demonstrated to significantly enhance the spatial resolution of existing Mars thermal infrared images. It optimizes the quality of existing data, increasing the resolution of the original thermal infrared images by four times. In doing so, it not only recovers finer texture details to produce better visual effects than typical super-resolution methods, but also maintains the consistency of thermal radiation flux, with the error after applying the consistency constraint reduced by nearly tenfold, ensuring the applicability of the results for scientific research.

Tuning the Legacy Survey of Space and Time Observing Strategy for Solar System Science: Incremental Templates in Year 1

Abstract The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is due to commence the 10 yr Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) at the end of 2025. To detect transient/variable sources and identify solar system objects (SSOs), the processing pipelines require templates of the static sky to perform difference imaging. During the first year of the LSST, templates must be generated as the survey progresses; otherwise, SSOs cannot be discovered nightly. The incremental template generation strategy has not been finalized; therefore, we use the Metric Analysis Framework (MAF) and a simulation of the survey cadence (one_snap_v4.0_10yrs) to explore template generation in Year 1. We have assessed the effects of generating templates over timescales of days–weeks, when at least four images of sufficient quality are available for ≥90% of the visit. We predict that SSO discoveries will begin ∼2–3 months after the start of the survey. We find that the ability of the LSST to discover SSOs in real time is reduced in Year 1. This is especially true for detections in areas of the sky that receive fewer visits, such as the North Ecliptic Spur (NES), and in less commonly used filters, such as the u and g bands. The lack of templates in the NES dominates the loss of real-time SSO discoveries; across the whole sky the MAF main-belt asteroid (MBA) discovery metric decreases by up to 63% compared to the baseline observing strategy, whereas the metric decreases by up to 79% for MBAs in the NES alone.