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An experiment was conducted in conjunction with the total solar eclipse on 29 March 2006 in Libya to measure both the electron temperature and its flow speed simultaneously at multiple locations in the low solar corona by measuring the visible K-coronal spectrum. Coronal model spectra incorporating the effects of electron temperature and its flow speed were matched with the measured K-coronal spectra to interpret the observations. Results show electron temperatures of (1.10 +/- 0.05) MK, (0.70 +/- 0.08) MK, and (0.98 +/- 0.12) MK, at 1.1 Solar Radius from Sun center in the solar north, east and west, respectively, and (0.93 +/- 0.12) MK, at 1.2 Solar Radius from Sun center in the solar west. The corresponding outflow speeds obtained from the spectral fit are (103 +/- 92) km/s, (0 + 10) km/s, (0+10) km/s, and (0+10) km/s. Since the observations were taken only at 1.1 Solar Radius and 1.2 Solar Radius from Sun center, these speeds, consistent with zero outflow, are in agreement with expectations and provide additional confirmation that the spectral fitting method is working. The electron temperature at 1.1 Solar Radius from Sun center is larger at the north (polar region) than the east and west (equatorial region).

This paper reports a recently started project for a 2-m diameter robotic telescope dedicated to astronomy and education. After a brief recall of SAGAM-REOSC background in this domain, the project will be presented with more details on the telescope optics, mount and control system, the dome, the coating chamber and the weather station. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The tectonic plate boundary between Eurasia and Africa is complex, in that it cannot be characterized as a single discrete plate boundary Deformation near this plate boundary varies from trans-tensional in the Azores archipelago, through strike-slip in the eastern Atlantic basin, to overall compressional between the European and African continents, with extensional sub-domains in the Mediterranean Sea. This complex pattern of deformation, related plate motion, and underlying driving forces leads to strong variations in seismic hazard throughout the region. A better understanding of the plate boundary processes requires knowing crust and upper mantle structure in the region, which is best investigated with three-component, broadband seismic data. To investigate the region's three-dimensional crust and upper mantle structure, we are carrying out a multiinstitutional project (MIDSEA) involving seismologists from 10 countries on the northern, southern, and western sides of the plate boundary.