No abstract

Whiting 1 is a member of the fast-growing group of young globular clusters in the Milky Way halo. Preliminary estimates of its fundamental parameters have been provided using optical photometry and low resolution spectroscopy. In an attempt to strengthen our knowledge of Whiting 1, in this study we employ a complementary approach. Isochrone fitting method was applied on the Near-Infrared Color-Magnitude Diagram and yields an age t=5.7±0.3 Gyr, metallicity z=0.006±0.001 ([Fe/H]=−0.5±0.1) and distance modulus (m − M) 0 =17.48±0.10. Our results confirm that Whiting 1 is a young and moderately metal-rich globular cluster. It is one of the youngest from the Sgr dSph. We fitted an Elson, Fall and Freeman (EFF) profile to the near-infrared number counts, and measured cluster core radius r c =9.1 ′′ ±3.9 ′′ . Two probable eclipsing variables in the cluster were found from multi-epoch V band photometry. Finally, an unknown galaxy cluster was identified on our K vs. (J − K) color-magnitude diagram. It has a redshift z∼1, and it is located at about 1 ′ from the center of Whiting 1 at α J2000 = 02 h 02 m 56.6 s , δ J2000 = −03• 16 ′ 09 ′′ , contaminating the cluster photometry.

Context. 3C 454.3 is a very active flat spectrum radio quasar (blazar) that has undergone a recent outburst in all observed bands, including the optical. Aims. In this work we explore the short-term optical variability of 3C 454.3 during its outburst by searching for time delays between different optical bands. Finding one would be important for understanding the evolution of the spectrum of the relativistic electrons, which generate the synchrotron jet emission. Methods. We performed photometric monitoring of the object by repeating exposures in different optical bands (BVRI). Occasionally, different telescopes were used to monitor the object in the same band to verify the reliability of the smallest variations we observed. Results. Except on one occasion, where we found indications of a lag of the blue wavelengths behind the red ones, the results are inconclusive for most of the other cases. There were either no structures in the light curves to be able to search for patterns, or else different approaches led to different conclusions.

The possibility for tuned excitation of surface plasmon resonance in Ag-In and Ag-Sb films with different compositions and thicknesses was studied in terms of preparation and microstructural and optical properties. The analyses show that plasmon excitation can be achieved both by changing the thickness of the deposited bimetallic films and by varying their composition. The imaginary ε'' part of the complex permittivity of the thin films has a maximum due to the transverse oscillations of free electrons in the range of 1 eV to 3.5 eV. The films’ applicability as amplifying substrates in surface-enhanced fluorescence was tested. Tryptophan and Cu (II)-phthalocyanine (CuPc) dye were used to analyze the efficiency of the localized surface plasmon resonance excitation in the ultraviolet spectral region. Amplification enhancing coefficient of 4.17 times was obtained in the case of CuPc dye.

A detailed field and laboratory study on small 0.84-ha test site of agricultural land near Sofia (Bulgaria) has been carried out in order to test the applicability of magnetic methods in soil erosion estimation in the particular case of strongly magnetic parent material. Field measurements of magnetic susceptibility were carried out with grid size of 6 m, resulting in 258 data points. Bulk soil material was gathered from 78 grid points. Natural, non-disturbed soil section was sampled near the agricultural field for reference profile of complete undisturbed soil. Surface susceptibility measurements reveal well-defined maxima down slope which, however, cannot be assigned directly to a certain depth interval, corresponding with susceptibilities along the non-disturbed soil profile. This is caused by the high magnetic susceptibility of the lithogenic coarse-grained magnetic fraction. Non-uniqueness is resolved by using magnetic susceptibility of coarse (1 mm > d > 63 μm) and fine (d < 63 μm) mechanical fractions and the parameter Δχ = 100*(χ (coarse) -χ (fine))/χ (bulk) (%). It shows increased values in the C-horizon of undisturbed soil profile, which corresponds to a certain part of the studied area. After the application of an empirical model to predict the values of magnetic parameter after tillage homogenization and removal of soil material from the surface, the amount of soil loss is estimated.