Nitrate in the Greenland ice sheet in the years following the 1908 tunguska event

The Tunguska event on 30 June 1908 has been subjected to much speculation within different fields of research. Publication of the results of the 1961 expedition to the Tunguska area (Florensky, 1963) supports that a cometary impact caused the event. Based on this interpretation, calculations of the impactor energy release and explosion height have been reported by Ben-Menahem (1975), and velocity, mass, and density of the impactor by Petrov and Stulov (1975). Park (1978) and Turco et al., 1981, Turco et al., 1982, used these numbers to calculate a production of ca. 30 × 10⁶ tons of NO during atmospheric transit. This paper presents a high-resolution study of nitrate concentration in the Greenland ice sheet in ca. 10 years covering the Tunguska event. No signs of excess nitrate are found in three ice cores from two different sites in Greenland in the years following the Tunguska event. By comparing these results with results for other aerosols generally found in the ice, the lack of excess NO₃^? following the Tunguska event can be interpreted as indicating that the impactor nitrate production calculated by Park (1978) and Turco et al., 1981, Turco et al., 1982 are 1–2 orders of magnitude too high. To explain this it is suggested, from other lines of reasoning, that the impactor density determined by Petrov and Stulov (1975) probably is too low.     

The occulation of β Scorpii by Jupiter. IV. Diurnal temperature variations and the methane mixing ratio in the Jovian upper atmosphere

The nightime cooling of the Jovian atmosphere near the occulation level of 10¹⁴cm^?3 is calculated using the models of Strobel (1973) and Strobel and Smith (1973). The amount of cooling is found to depend on χ, the methane mixing ratio; μ the mean molecular weight; and the sunrise temperature. Using the range of sunrise (emersion) temperatures observed by Veverka et al. (1974), the overnight cooling is calculated to be 1.5–5.5°K, if reasonable assumptions are made for χ and μ. The argument may be reversed to show that the agreement in measured sunrise and sunset temperatures obtained by other observers of the β Sco occulation implies that χ cannot be significantly greater than the generally accepted value of 7 ×10^?4.     

A laboratory atlas of the 5ν1 NH3 absorption band at 6475 Å with applications to Jupiter and Saturn

The 5ν₁ absorption band of NH₃ is displayed from 6418 to 6550 Å. The total band intensity has been measured: S_B = 0.66 cm^?1m^?1amagat^?1. Line intensities and self-broadening coefficients have been measured for some of the prominent lines. Our line intensities are in good agreement with those of Rank et al. (1966), but are about 2 times greater than those of Mason (1970). The spectrum displayed was obtained photoelectrically at a pressure of 0.061 atm, and shows many more lines than the spectrum obtained by McBride and Nicholls (1972a) at a pressure of 0.39 atm. Therefore, our new measurements can provide the basis for making a more complete rotational analysis than those of McBride and Nicholls (1972a).Since the total band absorption has previously been measured by others on moderate resolution photoelectric scans of the spectra of Jupiter and Saturn, we can use the band intensity to derive the NH₃ abundance in the atmospheres of these two planets. The NH₃ abundances in a single vertical path obtained by this method are about 10m amagat for Jupiter and 2m amagat for Saturn. These results are in agreement with previous results obtained from higher resolution photographic spectra.     

Near-infrared studies of the satellites of Saturn and Uranus

New JHK photometry and spectrometry (1.4–2.6 μm) are presented for Enceladus, Hyperion, Phoebe, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon. From spectral signatures, mainly in the 2-μm region, water ice is verified on Enceladus and identified on Hyperion and the three Uranian satellites. The JHK photometry shows that Phoebe is different from all other satellites and asteroids observed thus far. The new photometry corroborates the earlier conclusion by Cruikshank et al. (1977) Astrophys. J217, 1006–1010] that the Uranian satellites, as a class, have overall surface reflectances different from other water-ice-covered satellites, and the reason for the difference remains unclear. The diameters and the masses of the Uranian satellites are reviewed in light of the probable high albedo representative of ice-covered surfaces and the new dynamical studies by Greenberg, 1975, Greenberg, 1976, Greenberg, 1978.     

Absolute spectrophotometry of Neptune: 3390 to 7800 Å

Absolute spectrophotometry of Neptune from 3390 to 7800 Å, with spectral resolution of 10 Å in the interval 3390–6055 and 20 Å in the interval 6055–7800 Å, is reported. The results are compared with filter photometry (Appleby, 1973; Wamsteker, 1973; Savage et al., 1980) and with synthetic spectra computed on the basis of a parameterization proposed by Podolak and Danielson (1977) for aerosol scattering and absorption. A CH₄/H₂ ratio of is derived for the convectively mixed part of Neptune's atmosphere, and constrains optical properties of hypothetical aerosol layers.     

Variability of carbon monoxide in the mars atmosphere

In January of 1982 we measured a microwave spectrum of CO in the Martian atmosphere utilizing the rotational J = 1 → 2 transition of CO. We have analyzed data and reanalyzed the microwave spectra of R. K. Kakar, J. W. Waters, and W. J. Wilson, (Science196, 1090–1091, 1977, measured in 1975) and J. C. Good and F. P. Schloerb, (Icarus47, 166–172, 1981 measured in 1980) in order to constrain estimates of the temporal variability of CO abundance in the Martian atmosphere. Our values of CO column density from the data of Karar et al., Good and Schloerb, and our own are 1.7 ± 0.9 × 10²⁰, 3.0 ± 1.0 × 10²⁰, and 4.6 ± 2.0 × 10²⁰cm^?2, respectively. The most recent estimate of CO column density from the 1967 infrared spectra of J. Connes, P. Connes, and J.P. Maillard, (Atlas de Spectres Infarouges de Venus, Mars, Jupiter, et Saturne, Editions due Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, 1969), is 2.0 ± 0.8 × 10²⁰ cm^?2 (L.D.G. Young and A.T. Young, Icarus30, 75–79, 1977). The large uncertainties given for the microwave measurements are due primarily to uncertainty in the difference between the continuum brightness temperature and atmospheric temperatures of Mars. We have accurately calculated the variation among the observations of the continuum (surface) brightness temperature of Mars, which is primaroly a function of the observed aspect of Mars. A more difficult problem to consider is variability of global atmospheric temperatures among the observations, particularly the effects of global dust storms and the ellipticity of the orbit of Mars. The large bars accompanying our estimates of CO column density from the three sets of microwave measurements are primarily caused by an assumed uncertainty of ±10°K in our atmospheric temperature model due to possible dust in the atmosphere. A qualitative consideration of seasonal variability of global atmospheric temperatures among the measurements suggests that there is not strong evidence for variability of the column abundance of CO on Mars, although variability of 0–100% over a time scale of several years is allowed by the data set. The implication for the variability of Mars O₂ is, crudely, a factor of two less. We found that the altitude distribution of CO in the atmosphere of Mars was not well constrained by any of the spectra, although our spectrum was marginally better fitted by an altitude increasing profile of CO mixing ratios.     

The pole orientation of asteroid 433 Eros determined by photometric astrometry

Refinements to the pole-determination method photometric astrometry (PA) were completed in 1983 (R. C. Taylor and E. F. Tedesco, 1983, Icarus54, 13–22). A goal is to redo the pole analysis for every asteroid whose pole had been determined from earlier versions of PA: Previous PA poles are reviewed in this paper. Asteroid 433 Eros is in that collection and has redone. The result are prograde rotation; a sidereal period of 0.219588 ± 0.000005 day; and a north pole at 22° longitude, +9° latitude. The uncertainty of the pole is 10°. The pole position of Eros determined by C.D. Vesely (1971, In Physical Studies of Minor Planets (T. Gehrels, Ed.), pp. 133–140, NASA SP-267) and Dunlap (1976, Icarus28, 69–78), using earlier versions of photometric astrometry, were within 21 and 7°, respectively, of the present result.     

Spatially resolved absolute spectrophotometry of Saturn: 3390 to 8080 Å

Absolute spectrophotometry of four regions on the visible disk of Saturn (north and south polar regions, equatorial band, south “temperate” region) from 3390 to 8080 Å is reported. Spectral resolution is 10 Å in the interval 3390–6055 Å, and 20 Å; aperture size is 1.92 arcsec. The explicit purpose of our observations was to provide ground-based photometric calibration for the Pioneer Saturn Imaging Photopolarimeter (IPP). We also compare our data with earlier spectrophotometric measurements of Saturn (R.L. Younkin and G. Munch, 1963,Mem. Soc. Roy. Sci. Liege7, 123–136; W.M. Irvine and A.P. Lane, 1971,Icarus16, 10–26; T.B. McCord, T.V. Johnson, and J.H. Elias, 1971,Astrophys. J.165, 413–424) and with the M. Podolak and R.EE. Danielson (1977)Icarus30, 479–492) parameterization of “Axel Dust.” The latter reproduces the broad features but not the details of the observed spectral reflectivity (I/F). We find that large depths of clear molecular hydrogen (>14 km-am in the temperate regions) are needed to match the observed upturn in reflectivity shortward of 3800 Å.     

An explication of the radiometric method for size and albedo determination

A new radiometric model for disk-integrated photometry of asteroids is presented. With empirical support from photometry of Mercury and the Moon, the model assumes that observed sunward beaming of the infrared emission is due to craters. In contrast to earlier theoretical studies of the lunar emission, the observable flux ratio between a cratered sphere and a smooth sphere is calculated for large ranges in wavelength, temperature, and phase angle. Revised diameters and albedos based on the crater model are given for 84 asteroids. The revised values are in good agreement with Morrison's (1977) radiometric results. It is shown that the systematic discrepancy between radiometric and polarimetric albedos (Zellner and Gradie, 1976) is probably a double-valued function of albedo. Some typical geometric albedos from this paper, Morrison (1977), and Zellner and Gradie (1976), respectively, are: Ceres (0.050 ± 0.005, 0.053 ± 0.004, 0.068), Vesta (0.235 ± 0.032, 0235 ± 0.11, 0.271), mean C type (0.031 ± 0.009, 0.035 ± 0.009, 0.061 ± 0.005), mean S type (0.117 ± 0.030, 0.136 ± 0.032, 0.181 ± 0.23), and mean M type (0.105 ± 0.037, 0.115 ± 0.033, 0.157 ± 0.079). Areas of disagreement between radiometry and polarimetry are underscored, and research to resolve them is suggested.     

Towards a more habitable Mars — or — the coming martian spring

Two schemes are presented in which matter is moved closer to Mars so as to increase the equinoctal precession period of Mars. In such a way the Martian springs, during which Mars is habitable in the long winter model of Sagan (1971), could be extended and, in fact, prolonged indefinitely. The schemes involve using solar energy to move the satellite Phobos and/or material from the asteroid belt. Difficulties exist with the proposals but they are presented to stimulate discussion.     

Asteroidal collisions

Taff (1973) has concluded that asteroidal collisions rates are much lower than those found by previous authors. His calculations are found to be in error as a consequence of inclusion of an extraneous and incorrect factor of ～10^?5. The assumption of molecular chaos in the asteroid belt, while not strictly correct, is not an important source of error in calculations of asteroidal collision rates.     

Interpretation of the infrared polarization of Venus

A contradiction in the sulfuric acid cloud hypothesis of Venus, i.e., nondetection of 4.8 μm polarization by Landau (1975), is examined on the basis of the multiple scattering calculations for the cloud model of Hansen and Hovenier (1974) including an internal heat source. Results show that the polarized thermal component cannot depolarize the scattered sunlight, and therefore a large polarization of about 13% is expected at a phase angle of 110° and wavelength of 4.8 μm, in contrast with Landau's measurements. Our computations are, however, in agreement with the measurements by S. Sato et al. (in “Proceedings, 10th Lunar and Planetary Symposium,” pp. 179–182. Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science, University of Tokyo, July 11–13, 1977).     

Ultraviolet observations of small bodies in the solar system by OAO-2

Broadband filter photometry from 2100 to 4300 Å has been obtained by OAO-2 for the following objects: The Galilean satellites; Titan; the rings of Saturn; and three asteroids. Agreement with independent ground-based photometry in the region of overlap is good. The previously known decrease in reflectivity from visual to ground-based ultraviolet wavelengths continues to 2590 Å for all these objects. Europa's reflectivity continues to decline towards 2110 Å, and the rings' reflectivity levels off from 2590 to 2110 Å. Other targets were too faint at 2110 Å to be measured reliably by OAO-2.The low ultraviolet albedo of Titan has important implications for that planet's atmospheric structure (Caldwell, Larach, and Danielson, 1973; Danielson, Caldwell, and Larach, 1973; Caldwell, 1974b). The ultraviolet reflectivity of Saturn's rings is suggestive of a two-component system, one being pure H₂O particles. The ultraviolet albedos of the Galilean satellites are consistent with existing upper limits for atmospheric abundances, but require either that former estimates of the fractional coverage of H₂O frost are too high, an unlikely circumstance, or that the frost has been darkened by some external agent in the space environment.     

Methane absorption in the Jovian atmosphere I. The Lorentz half-width in the 3v3 band at 1.1 μm

The Lorentz half-width α_L, of the fine-structure components of the methane 3v₃R-branch in the Jovian spectrum has been measured from photoelectric observations of the singlet R(1). A value of α_L = 0.088_?0.011^+0.015Å, or 0.072_?0.009+0.009 cm^?1, has been found. Curves of growth for the 3v₃R-branch manifolds have been calculated, using the measured value of α_L and assuming a reflecting-layer atmosphere. The Walker-Hayes (1967) equivalent widths have been reanalyzed for rotational temperature and methane abundance. The half-width derived here is significantly different from a similar measurement made by C. B. Farmer (1969). The source of the discrepancy remains obscure.     

Scattering of light from particulate surfaces: I. A laboratory assessment of multiple-scattering effects

A convenient photometric function for many particulate surfaces is the generalization of the Lommel-Seeliger law derived by Hapke (1963) and Irvine (1966). This generalization accounts for the effects of mutual shadowing among particles, but still assumes that multiple scattering within the surface layer can be neglected—an assumption which is evidently valid for dark surfaces. We describe a series of laboratory measurements which test the range of validity of this basic assumption, and the applicability of the Hapke-Irvine photometric function, for particulate surfaces whose normal reflectances ranges from 0.04 to 1.04. We find that multiple-scattering effects can be neglected, and that the Hapke-Irvine function can be used, for particulate surfaces whose normal reflectance is about 0.3, or less. The function is definitely inapplicable to surfaces whose normal reflectance exceeds 0.4.     

Martian CO abundance from the J = 1 → 0 rotational transition: Evidence for temporal variations

Mars was observed in the CO (J = 1 → 0) 2.6-mm wavelength line between 29 March and 1 April, 1980. The data were analyzed using a model atmosphere based on Viking measurements. A least-squares fit of the model to the observed line profile yielded an average CO mixing ratio of (3.2 ± 1.1) × 10^?3. This value is four times larger than that obtained by L. D. Kaplan, J. Connes, and P. Connes, 1969 (Astrophys. J.157, L187-L195) from analysis of an infrared spectrum obtained in 1967 by J. Connes, P. Connes, and J. P. Maillard, 1969 (Atlas of Near Infrared Spectra of Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris). Models of the Martian atmospheric chemistry indicate that this implied temporal variation could easily exist and that it would be due primarily to variations in the abundance of H₂O.     

Near-infrared colorimetry of J6 Himalia and S9 Phoebe: A summary of 0.3- to 2.2-μm reflectances

VJHK measurements of J6 Himalia and S9 Phoebe, using the new NASA IRTF telescope, show that these objects have carbonaceous chondritic type colors in the 0.5- to 2.2-μm region. For Phoebe, this is in contrast to the JHK colors published by Cruikshank (1980), which indicated that the satellite's surface was unlike the material found on asteroids and on the dark side of Iapetus. J6 is known to have a low albedo from thermal infrared studies (Cruikshank, 1977), and the new VJHK observations of S9 imply that it also has a low albedo. The H and K reflectances of S9 are slightly lower than those of J6, suggesting some slight difference in surface composition or a contamination by foreign material. The conjectured low albedo of S9 can be tested with measurements in the thermal infrared.     

Neptune's rotation period: A correction and a speculation on the difference between photometric and spectroscopic results

An error in the Hayes and Belton (1977), Icarus32, 383–401) estimate of the rotation period of Neptune is corrected. If Neptune exhibits the same degree of limb darkening as Uranus near 4900 Å, the rotation period is 15.4 ± 3 hr. This value is compatible with a recent spectroscopic determination of Munch and Hippelein (1979) who find a period of 11.2_?1.2^+1.8 hr. However, if, as indirect evidence suggests, the law of darkening on Neptune at these wavelengths is less pronounced than on Uranus, then the above estimates may need to be lengthened by several hours. Recent photometric data are independently analyzed and are found to admit several possible periods, none of which can be confidently assumed to be correct. The period of Neptune most probably falls somewhere in the range 15–20 hr. The Hayes-Belton estimate of the period of Uranus is essentially unaffected by the above-mentioned error and remains at 24 ± 4 hr. All observers agree that the rotation period of Uranus is longer than that of Neptune.     

The regulation of hydrogen and oxygen escape from Mars

It is shown that under present conditions the Jeans escape flux of hydrogen from Mars in the form of H and H₂ is constrained to be the same as twice the non-thermal (McElroy, 1972) escape of O atoms. The mediation of the chemical chain that recombines CO₂ plays an essential role in regulating the escape of hydrogen to match that of oxygen, confirming a mechanism postulated by McElroy and Donahue (1972). It is also shown that if the oxygen flux changes, a change in the O₂ mixing ratio results and the consequence is to induce a large change in the odd hydrogen concentration, and consequently in H₂ production and hydrogen escape. The effect is to stabilize the hydrogen escape flux at twice the O flux. It is shown that surface chemistry should not change the operation of this mechanism but has consequences for the eddy coefficient variation at low altitudes. There is a strong correlation between low humidity, large solar zenith angles and large O₃ abundances. The effect of argon in a mixing ratio as large as 0.3 on these results is also investigated.     

Infrared spectrum of Io, 2.8–5.2 μm

The reflectance spectrum of Io is presented from 2.8 to 5.2 μm, extending the earlier results of D. P. Cruikshank, T. J. Jones, and C. B. Pilcher (1978, Astrophys. J. 225, L89–L92), and demonstrating the full extent of the broad and deep spectral absorption between 3.5 and 4.8 μm. Laboratory spectra of nitrates and carborates diluted with sulfur do not satisfactorily reproduce the Io spectrum, but new information based on the recently discovered volcanic activity on the satellite lead to consideration of other classes of compounds as reported in a companion paper (F. P. Fanale, R. H. Brown, D. P. Cruikshank, and R. N. Clark, 1979, Nature280, 761–763).