Royal Institute and Observatory of the Spanish Navy

About: Royal Institute and Observatory of the Spanish Navy is a facility organization based out in San Fernando, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Gamma-ray burst & Magnetic anomaly. The organization has 50 authors who have published 106 publications receiving 2565 citations. The organization is also known as: Instituto y Observatorio de Marina de San Fernando.

Statistical analysis of the oceanic magnetic anomaly data

Abstract: The study of the statistical properties of ocean magnetic anomalies could be very important to obtain new understanding on plate tectonics, especially about the past properties of the lithospheric oceanic plates. Here we analyse in terms of statistical distributions the ocean magnetic anomaly data at the global scale covering the crustal oceanic ages from the present to 180 Ma. Our results show that the marine magnetic anomaly data follow the Laplace statistical distribution. This behaviour is observed at global scale and for any time interval within the last 180 Ma. In addition, the statistical parameters of the Laplace distribution are used to define some properties of the crustal oceanic magnetic field, focusing our investigation on the Cretaceous Normal Superchron. Finally, we also provide a physical explanation of this statistical distribution of marine magnetic anomaly data using a test with synthetic data.

CCD survey with the CMASF from the Southern Hemisphere

Abstract: A subcatalogue with positions and magnitudes of stars brighter than V =1 6 and declinations between −30 ◦ and 0 ◦ is presented. The observations have been carried out with the C´ irculo Meridiano Automatico de San Fernando at the Carlos Ulrrico Cesco Observatory in San Juan (Argentina) in the framework of an agreement between the ROA and the OAFA. The final goal of this collaboration is to publish a survey of positions and magnitudes of stars brighter than V = 16 and with declinations between −55 ◦ and +30 ◦ .

Last Results in the GRB Field

Abstract: Much has been advanced in the GRB field in the last 5 years. The central engines that power these extraordinary events are thought to be the collapse of massive stars rather than the merging of compact objects as previously also suggested. Short GRBs still remain a mystery as no counterparts have been detected so far.

Variable polarization in the optical afterglow of GRB 021004

Abstract: We present polarimetric observations of the afterglow of gamma-ray burst (GRB) 021004, obtained with the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) and the Very Large Telescope (VLT) between 8 and 17 hours after the burst. Comparison among the observations shows a 45 degree change in the position angle from 9 hours after the burst to 16 hours after the burst, and comparison with published data from later epochs even shows a 90 degree change between 9 and 89 hours after the burst. The degree of linear polarization shows a marginal change, but is also consistent with being constant in time. In the context of currently available models for changes in the polarization of GRBs, a homogeneous jet with an early break time of t_b ~ 1 day provides a good explanation of our data. The break time is a factor 2 to 6 earlier than has been found from the analysis of the optical light curve. The change in the position angle of the polarization rules out a structured jet model for the GRB.

Observations with the ROA CCD Transit Circle in Argentina

Abstract: The Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada (ROA) meridian circle was built in 1948 by Grubb Parsons. It has an aperture of 18 cm and a focal length of 266 cm. In 1996 June was moved to the Estacion de Altura Carlos Ulrrico Cesco in the Republica Argentina in 1996. Until november 1999 the observations were carry out with a moving slit micrometer. In spring 2001 the result of these observations has been published, forming the first Hispano-Argentinian Meridian Catalogue (HAMC). In december 1999 was installed a SpectraSource CCD camera of 1552 × 1024 pixels of 9 µm. The CCD camera observe in drift scan mode. A survey of the south hemisphere is being observed from +3° to −60° of declination.