Varying alpha: New constraints from seasonal variations

New Constraints on Varying Alpha

I briefly present some current theoretical motivations for time or space variations of the fundamental constants of nature and review current key observational results. I focus on the fine-structure constant, and particularly on measurements using quasars and the cosmic microwave background. I also compare various observational results to the simplest model-building expectations .

Observational Constraints on Varying-Alpha Domain Walls

We consider the possibility that current hints of spatial variations of the fine structure constant at high redshift, based on VLT/UVES and Keck/HIRES observations, could be caused by a biased domain wall network described by a scalar field non-minimally coupled to the electromagnetic field. We show that in order to be responsible for the reported spatial variations of the fine structure consta...

Unveiling constraints to cassava production in Cambodia: An analysis from farmers’ yield variations

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is currently the most important upland crop of Cambodia, but information on yield variations and causal factors which is important for efficiently targeting efforts to increase production is still lacking. The objectives of this study were to determine the yield variations and causal factors for cassava production in Kampong Cham province in Cambodia. Fort...

Seasonal and diurnal variations of Hg over New England

Factors influencing diurnal to interannual variability in Hg over New England were investigated using multiyear measurements conducted by AIRMAP at the Thompson Farm (TF) coastal site, an inland elevated site at Pac Monadnock (PM), and two month measurements on Appledore Island (AI) in the Gulf of Maine. Mixing ratios of Hg at TF showed distinct seasonality with maxima in March and minima in Oc...

Seasonal and diurnal variations of Hg ◦ over New England