寺巷口普通球粒陨石的热变质和冲击变质历史研究

寺巷口陨石是一块经历强冲击变质的普通球粒陨石.系统研究陨石主体和冲击熔融脉的岩相学和矿物学.该陨石中球粒较少且轮廓和内部结构均模糊不清,基质重结晶程度高,橄榄石和辉石的成分非常均一.单斜辉石-斜方辉石矿物对计算得到的平衡温度峰值为891 4-36°C.说明寺巷口陨石的热变质程度与6型一致.陨石主体中的橄榄石具有明显的波状消光和面状变形裂隙,熔长石广泛存在,在冲击熔融脉中含有粗粒的林伍德石和镁铁榴石以及细粒的高压矿物组合,这些特征预示了寺巷口陨石经历了S6级的冲击变质作用且形成冲击脉的峰期压力可能在20 GPa-24 GPa左右,而温度可能高于2000°C.冲击熔融脉中自磷钙矿和铬铁矿的存在可能是因为经历了较长的退火时间,导致其高压矿物的回退.     

火星陨石NWA 8716的岩矿学特征及粗粒橄榄石斑晶的来源

火星陨石可以为研究火星岩浆演化过程提供直接证据并限制其源区特征.通常认为含粗粒橄榄石斑晶辉玻无球粒陨石携带有火星原始地幔的信息,因此选取该类样品Northwest Africa (NWA) 8716为研究对象,进行岩相结构及矿物成分分析. NWA8716由橄榄石、辉石、填隙状熔长石以及其他次要矿物组成.其中橄榄石颗粒有两种级别的粒径,长轴分别约为0.5–1.8 mm和50–400μm.较小橄榄石斑晶内部的熔体包裹体和NWA 8716全岩成分(计算值)均显示明显的轻稀土元素亏损([La/Yb]CI值为0.06–0.1),说明NWA 8716源于一个亏损的火星岩浆池.粗粒橄榄石斑晶的来源对衡量该样品是否能够代表原始熔体成分非常重要.对橄榄石晶体的粒径统计分析发现,粗粒橄榄石斑晶应为堆晶.进一步对铁-镁以及稀土元素分配特征的计算表明NWA 8716并非形成于一个封闭系统,但是计算所得原始熔体成分与全岩成分差异不大,因此粗粒橄榄石斑晶应当来源于与母岩浆成分相似的熔体.总的看来, NWA 8716应当来源于亏损型火星幔源区且演化程度较低.     

元阳铁陨石的矿物岩石学和微量元素地球化学研究

元阳铁陨石是2010年在云南省元阳县山区发现的,其内部的主要矿物为铁纹石和镍纹石,铁纹石的含量很高(约占80%),镍纹石的含量较低.铁纹石中Ni含量为4.88–6.21wt%,镍纹石中Ni含量为26.13–50.27 wt%.副矿物有陨磷铁镍石、闪锌矿和氮铬矿.陨磷铁镍石存在大、小两种颗粒,具有颗粒越大Ni含量越低的特点.元阳铁陨石中没有发现硅酸盐包体.由于经受了地表风化蚀变作用,样品边缘以及铁纹石裂隙间都发生了氧化.元阳铁陨石中铁纹石的条带宽度较粗,属于粗粒八面体结构.中子活化分析结果显示:元阳铁陨石的Ni(7 wt%)和Au(1.565 ppm)的含量都相对较低,和IAB-MG(IAB-Main group)群的铁陨石在化学成分上具有相似性,属于IAB-MG群.相对于其他IAB-MG群铁陨石,元阳铁陨石的Ir(1.00 ppm)含量偏低,这可能是由于其母体中富含Ir的矿相在冲击作用下并没有完全熔融.     

碳质球粒陨石有机物红外光谱研究

碳质球粒陨石是太阳系中最原始的物质之一.通过对碳质球粒陨石的光谱分析,可以建立其与母体小行星之间的联系,有助于探测小行星表面物质成分、研究太阳系早期的演化历史.研究了6个CM2型碳质球粒陨石和11个煤炭样品(碳质球粒陨石所含有机质的地球类比物)可见-远红外谱段反射光谱特征,并分析了它们与有机组分的关系.结果表明,对于不同类型的煤样随着煤化程度的升高,各有机物碳氢基团的吸收峰深度逐渐降低, 3.41μm处脂肪族碳氢化合物的吸收深度与H/C比存在线性正相关,当H/C比小于0.55时, 3.41μm处无明显光谱吸收特征.在3–4μm区域, CM2陨石存在明显的脂肪族CH2、CH3吸收带,缺乏3.28μm芳香族CH吸收带,但在5–6.5μm区域存在微弱的芳香族C=C、CO吸收带,指示CM2碳质球粒陨石的有机组分含有脂肪族和芳香族.陨石红外光谱中3.28μm和5–6.5μm区域光谱特征不明显可能是因为在此波段区域存在含水矿物OH的重叠吸收或受到其他不透明矿物的影响,具体原因有待进一步研究.研究也说明,需要更长的波段范围才能够准确识别小天体有机质类型.     

球粒陨石难熔包体中贵金属的矿物岩石学分析:对太阳星云演化的启示

球粒陨石中的富钙富铝难熔包体(Ca,Al-rich Inclusion,CAI)是太阳系最早形成的物体,保留了太阳星云早期的原始信息,但深入研究发现许多难熔包体具有复杂的演化历史,包括部分熔融和后期变质作用等.针对难熔包体中更为难熔、化学性质更为稳定的贵金属颗粒进行天体化学研究,选取CV群碳质球粒陨石NWA 2140,对其CAI中的贵金属颗粒进行岩石学观察及化学成分测定.根据得到的成分分析结果,能大致推出包体经历过的热力学历程,辨识出两类贵金属合金颗粒,这两类贵金属分别为早期冷凝产物和原生金属的后期蚀变产物.     

X-Wind模式下对宁强碳质球粒陨石光学特征的重新认识

宁强碳质球粒陨石非偏振光、偏正光、反射光下的矿物、组构的光学特征中蕴藏着丰富的有关太阳星云演化初期不挥发组分吸积时的动力、温度、压力、介质信息．在宁强陨石双面抛光片中,矿物组构混杂堆积的构造反映了太阳星云吸积盘上极弱的机械动力环境和近物源吸积作用;外形不规则,边缘参差的矿物集合体和矿物碎片应该是抛落时碰撞破碎的球粒,这些球粒形成于X-Wind模式中的X-区,并被双极喷流抛落到太阳星云的不同部位;在透射光下,从宁强陨石中首次发现存在有玻璃、结晶、及气相包裹体,它们可以反映出太阳星云演化过程中的物质成分、热力学、动力学信息,应该引起重视．实验观察中还发现同一个球粒中锯齿状缝合线连接的橄榄石栅条和橄榄石颗粒．诸多现象需要理论物理、天体物理观察和天体化学实验的科学家共同努力去探讨.X-Wind模式中许多细节有待天体化学实验去检验、补充和完善．     

国内18块普通球粒陨石的岩石矿物学研究

描述了国内收集的18块普通球粒陨石的岩石矿物学特征,其中13块为新疆罗布泊地区的发现型陨石,1块为新疆库姆塔格地区的发现型陨石(Kumtag),1块为新疆阿克赛钦地区的发现型陨石(.Aksai Chin),另外3块分别为降落于青海省西宁市(Xining)、湖北省随州市(Fuhe)以及浙江省东阳市(Dongyang)内的降落型陨石.18块陨石均属于平衡型普通球粒陨石,其中H群8块(全部为H5),L群10块(1块L4,7块L5,2块L6).18块陨石所受冲击变质作用较弱,以S2、S3程度居多.大多数罗布泊陨石经历了较强的风化作用,仅有2块风化程度较低,分别为W1和W2,Kumtag与Aksai Chin陨石风化程度均为W2.在新疆塔克拉玛干沙漠东部的戈壁荒漠区发现的大量陨石表明该区域可能是欧亚地区重要的陨石富集区.     

乌希里克铁陨石的组织结构、冷却历史和定量预测模型

铁陨石记录了陨石母体所经历的熔融、分异和冷却的热历史, 研究铁陨石内部的组织结构对理解陨石母体的热历史和内部圈层结构有重要的指导意义. 分析阿勒泰铁陨石个体-乌希里克(Wuxilike)铁陨石中铁纹石和镍纹石所构造的维斯台登(Widmanstatten)纹、梳状合纹石以及云状区等组织结构来探究其各自的形成过程. 通过热动力学计算软件和数据库, 建立了Widmanstatten经过取向校正的冷却速率计算模型, 并据此计算了该陨石在695℃–400℃区间内的冷却速率; 通过研究梳状合纹石内部铁、镍纹石中Ni元素的成分分布及其位相关系, 推理得到梳状合纹石的低温马氏体分解形成机制; 通过研究云状区域中颗粒大小和局部Ni含量的关系, 得出形成云状区域所对应的铁陨石在350℃下的冷却速率. 据此模拟计算出该铁陨石在695℃–200℃范围内形成Widmanstatten纹、各类合纹石和云状区的整个热历史. 基于固态相变所建立的定量模型可望为分析铁陨石的冷却历史提供更为准确的分析手段.     

NWA 13943(CK5型)碳质球粒陨石的矿物岩石学和稳定同位素组成研究

CK型陨石是一类高度氧化的碳质球粒陨石, 金属/磁铁矿的比值接近零. 与其它类型的碳质球粒陨石(岩石类型: 1-3)不同, 大多数CK型陨石在母体上经历了强烈的热变质过程(550--1270K), 以4-6型为主. 多项证据表明, CK和CV3型陨石具有成因联系. 但是, 两者在岩相结构和化学组成方面仍存在微小差异. 因此, 精细地区分和比较两者的地球化学特征对于验证CK-CV单一母体假说非常重要. Northwest Africa (NWA) 13943是一块新发现的陨石, 经历过较强烈的热变质作用. 利用扫描电子显微镜和电子探针, 确定了NWA 13943的岩石类型. 并运用质谱分析技术, 重点测定了NWA 13943陨石的全岩氧同位素和铬同位素组成. 综合岩石结构、矿物化学成分、氧同位素异常(△¹⁷O,△代表同位素分馏值)和铬同位素异常(ε⁵⁴Cr, ε表示样品中的同位素比值与标样中的同位素比值的相对偏差的10⁴倍),CK和CV型陨石的母体可能形成于原行星盘中两个相似但不同的化学源区.     

风暴洋晚期玄武岩厚度及规模研究

风暴洋是月球最大的月海,分布着大面积的晚期(爱拉托逊纪)玄武岩,是研究月球晚期岩浆活动的良好场所.了解月球晚期玄武岩的厚度、体积乃至喷发通量对于了解风暴洋乃至月球晚期的热演化具有重要意义.爱拉托逊纪玄武岩富橄榄石和钛铁矿,其下伏的雨海纪玄武岩富辉石,这两类玄武岩的光谱特征差异十分明显,极易通过高光谱数据进行地层识别.基于月球矿物制图仪(Moon Mineralogy Mapper,M3)数据判断撞击坑是否穿透上覆地层,利用撞击坑挖掘法研究风暴洋爱拉托逊纪玄武岩的厚度,并绘制风暴洋地区晚期玄武岩的高分辨率厚度分布图.结果表明:风暴洋爱拉托逊纪玄武岩的平均厚度约为(24±2)–(88±2)m,最大厚度出现在阿利斯塔克坑(Aristarchus)西部,大多超过60 m,最小厚度值分布于研究区最南部,厚度约为28–31 m.嫦娥五号预定着陆区(吕姆克山,Mons Rumker)附近的厚度约为31–38 m.马里厄斯坑(Marius)以东的区域厚度约为35–45 m,远小于Weider等人所估测的100–300 m.风暴洋地区暴露的爱拉托逊纪玄武岩总体积约为1.39×10~4km3,仅占风暴洋地区玄武岩总体积的1.6%,表明爱拉托逊纪玄武岩浆活动较之雨海纪已极大减弱.     

Archaean asteroid impacts, banded iron formations and MIF-S anomalies: A discussion

The origin of mass-independent fractionation (MIF-S) of sulphur isotopes (δ³³S) recorded in sediments older than 2.45 Ga is widely interpreted in terms of UV-triggered reactions under oxygen-poor ozone-depleted atmosphere conditions (Farquhar, J., Bao, H., Thiemens, M. [2000] Science, 289, 756; Farquhar, J., Peters, M., Johnston, D.T., Strauss, H., Masterson, A., Wiechert, U., Kaufman, A.J. [2007] Nature, 449, 706-709; Farquhar, J., Wing, B.A. [2003] Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 213, 1-13; Kaufman, A.J., Johnston, D.T., Farquhar, J., Masterson, A.L., Lyons, T.W., Bates, S., Anbar, A.D., Arnold, G.L., Garvin, J., Buick, R. [2007a] Science, 317, 1900-1903; Kaufman, A.J., Farquhar, J., Johnston, D.T., Lyons, T.W., Arnold, G.L., Anbar, A. [2007b] Deep Time Drilling Project of the NASA Astrobiology Drilling Program). Observed mid-Archaean variability of MIF-S signatures raises questions regarding the extent of atmospheric anoxia (Ohmoto, H., Watanabe, Y., Ikemi, H., Poulson, H.R., Taylor, B. [2006] Nature, 406, 908-991; Farquhar et al., 2007). Late Archaean (∼2.7-2.5 Ga) and mid-Archaean (∼3.2 Ga) sequences in the Pilbara Craton (Western Australia) and Kaapvaal Craton (South Africa), in which MIF-S data were measured, contain asteroid impact ejecta units dated as 2.48, 2.56, 2.63, 3.24, 3.26 and 3.47 Ga old (Lowe, D.R., Byerly, G.R., Kyte, T., Shukolyukov, A., Asaro, F., Krull, A. [2003] Astrobiology, 3, 7-48; Simonson, B.M., Hassler, S.W. [1997] Aust. J. Earth Sci., 44, 37-48; Simonson, B.M., Glass, B.P. [2004] Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 32, 329-361; Glikson, A.Y. [2004] Astrobiology, 4, 19-50; Glikson, A.Y. [2006] Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 246, 149-160; Glikson, A.Y. [2008] Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 267, 558-570). Mass balance calculations based on iridium and ⁵³Cr/⁵²Cr isotopic anomalies (Byerly, G.R., Lowe, D.R. [1994] Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 58, 3469-3486; Kyte, F.T., Shukloyukov, A., Lugmair, G.W., Lowe, D.R., Byerly, G.R. [2003] Geology, 31, 283-286) and on impact spherule size distribution (Melosh, H.J., Vickery, A.M. [1991] Nature, 350, 494-497) suggest projectiles several tens of kilometers in diameter (Byerly and Lowe, 1994; Shukloyukov, A., Kyte, F.T., Lugmair, G.W., Lowe, D.R., Byerly, G.R. [2000]. In: Koeberl, C., Gilmour, I. (Eds.), Impacts and the Early Earth, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 99-116; Kyte, F.T., Shukloyukov, A., Lugmair, G.W., Lowe, D.R., Byerly, G.R. [2003] Geology, 31, 283-286). Due to incomplete preservation these impacts represent a minimum rate of the Archaean impact flux. High UV radiation associated with low ozone levels in the Archaean atmosphere may have been further enhanced by large impacts, accentuating MIF-S anomalies. The appearance of iron-rich sediments above late and mid-Archaean impact ejecta units (Glikson, A.Y. [2006] Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 246, 149-160; Glikson, A.Y., Vickers, J. [2007] Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 254, 214-226) may be related either to microbial oxidation of ferrous iron or, alternatively, photochemical oxidation of ferrous to ferric iron. Given post-2.45 Ga diluting of possible MIF-S anomalies by the oxygenating ocean sulfate reservoir (Pavlov, A.A., Kasting, J.F. [2002] Astrobiology, 2, 27-41), similar MIF-S anomalies may have been associated with Proterozoic and Phanerozoic impacts, although to date little evidence exists in this regard (Marouka, T., Koeberl, C., Newton, J., Gilmour, I., Bohor, B.F. [2002] Geological Society of America Special Paper 356, pp. 337-344; Koeberl, C., Thiemens, M. [2008] Multi-sulfur isotopes in cretaceous-tertiary boundary samples from the Western interior-search for photochemical effects 2008. Joint Meeting of the Geological Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies with the Gulf Coast Section of SEPM. <http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2008AM/finalprogram/abstract_148134.htm> (abstract)). Detailed sampling and isotopic analyses across the impact ejecta fallout units are required in order to test possible relationships between Archaean impacts and MIF-S anomalies.     

A thermodynamic model of high temperature lava vaporization on Io

We modified the MAGMA chemical equilibrium code developed by Fegley and Cameron (1987, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 82, 207-222) and used it to model vaporization of high temperature silicate lavas on Io. The MAGMA code computes chemical equilibria in a melt, between melt and its equilibrium vapor, and in the gas phase. The good agreement of MAGMA code results with experimental data and with other computer codes is demonstrated. The temperature-dependent pressure and composition of vapor in equilibrium with lava is calculated from 1700 to 2400 K for 109 different silicate lavas in the ONaKFeSiMgCaAlTi system. Results for five lavas (tholeiitic basalt, alkali basalt, Barberton komatiite, dunite, and a molten type B1 Ca, Al-rich inclusion) are discussed in detail. The effects of continuous fractional vaporization on chemistry of these lavas and their equilibrium vapor are presented. The predicted abundances (relative to Na) of K, Fe, Si, Al, Ca, and Ti in the vapor equilibrated with lavas at 1900 K are lower than published upper limits for Io's atmosphere (which do not include Mg). We predict evaporative loss of alkalis, Fe, and Si during volcanic eruptions. Sodium is more volatile than K, and the Na/K ratio in the gas is decreased by fractional vaporization. This process can match Io's atmospheric Na/K ratio of 10±3 reported by Brown (2001, Icarus 151, 190-195). Silicon monoxide is an abundant species in the vapor above lavas. Spectroscopic searches are recommended for SiO at IR and mm wavelengths. Reactions of metallic vapors with S- and Cl-bearing volcanic gases may form other unusual gases including MgCl₂, MgS, MgCl, FeCl₂, FeS, FeCl, and SiS.     

Orbital change experiments with a Mars general circulation model

We use a Mars general circulation model to examine the effect of orbital changes on the planet’s general circulation and climate system. Experiments are performed for obliquities ranging from 0° to 60° for two different longitudes of perihelion. Each experiment simulates a full Mars year assuming a fixed atmospheric dust distribution and fixed amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere/cap system. We find that global mean surface temperatures and pressures decline with increasing obliquity due to the increasing extent of the winter polar caps. The seasonal CO₂ cycle and intensity of the solstice circulation amplify considerably with increasing obliquity such that global dust storms are likely at both solstices. The most significant feature of the high obliquity solstice circulations is the development of an intense low-level jet associated with the return branch of the Hadley circulation.Model surface stresses are used to map regions of preferred dust lifting, which are defined in terms of an annual deflation potential. For the present obliquity, the model-predicted regions of high deflation potential are in good agreement with Cantor et al.’s (2001, J. Geophys. Res.106, 23653-23688) observations, which gives us some confidence in the model’s ability to predict where lifting might occur when Mars’ orbit parameters are different than they are today. In general we find that the dust lifting potential increases sharply with obliquity and is greatest at times of high obliquity when perihelion coincides with northern summer solstice. Over an obliquity cycle, the model global annual deflation potential ranges from several tenths of a millimeter at 0° obliquity to almost 15 mm at 60° obliquity. Much higher values are possible when the atmosphere is very dusty.We find a strong correlation between the deflation potential and surface thermal inertia: regions of high deflation potential correspond to regions of high thermal inertia (high rock abundance), and regions of low deflation potential correspond to regions of low thermal inertia (high dust/sand abundance). Furthermore, while the regions of preferred lifting (high deflation potential) expand somewhat with increasing obliquity and dust loading, the central parts of Tharsis, Arabia, and Elysium show no tendency for significant lifting at any obliquity or longitude of perihelion. These regions may therefore be very old and represent net long-term sinks for atmospheric dust. It is the topography of the planet, through its influence on surface pressure and wind systems, which ultimately determines where dust accumulates.Finally, as was found by Fenton and Richardson (2001, J. Geophys. Res.106, 32885-32909), we find no tendency for the development of east-southeasterly winds at the Pathfinder site for any of our orbital change experiments. This suggests that the ancient wind regime discussed by Greeley et al. (2000, J. Geophys. Res.105, 1829-1840) was produced by other factors, such as polar wander.     

三孔较差像运动测量仪计算和统计的进一步探讨

从天文选址的角度出发 ,介绍了影响望远镜光学成像质量的大气湍流的成因、特性以及它对星光波前的影响 ,进而对衡量大气宁静度的量度值———大气视宁度做了详细的叙述 ,包括其测量方法 ,以及目前国际天文选址界常用的较差像运动测量仪的测量原理 ,介绍了云台三孔较差像运动测量仪的光学和硬件结构组成部分 ,对图像处理 /采集软件中用Waldie法计算大气视宁度值与用Roddier法计算大气视宁度值的不同之处进行了理论的分析 ,编写了Roddier法相应软件 ,并用于实测中测量了大气视宁度的值 ,得到一些有意义的结果。     

A low density of the extragalactic background light revealed by the H.E.S.S. spectra of the BL Lac objects 1ES 1101-232 and H 2356-309

The study of the TeV emission from extragalactic sources is hindered by the uncertainties on the diffuse Extragalactic Background Light (EBL). The recent H.E.S.S. results on the blazars 1ES 1101-232 and H 2356-309 represent a breakthrough on this issue. Their unexpectedly hard spectra allow an upper limit to be derived on the EBL in the optical/near-infrared range, which is very close to the lower limit given by the resolved galaxy counts. This result seems to exclude a large contribution to the EBL from other sources (e.g. Population III stars) and indicates that the intergalactic space is more transparent to γ-rays than previously thought. A discussion of EBL absorption effects and further observational tests with Cherenkov telescopes are presented. For the H.E.S.S. collaboration.     

Construction of the Database for Pulsating Variable Stars

A database for pulsating variable stars is constructed to favor the study of variable stars in China. The database includes about 230,000 variable stars in the Galactic bulge, LMC and SMC observed in an about 10 yr period by the MACHO(MAssive Compact Halo Objects) and OGLE(Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment) projects. The software used for the construction is LAMP, i.e., Linux+Apache+MySQL+PHP. A web page is provided for searching the photometric data and light curves in the database through the right ascension and declination of an object. Because of the flexibility of this database, more up-to-date data of variable stars can be incorporated into the database conveniently.     

Near-infrared study of Titan's resolved disk in spectro-imaging with CFHT/OASIS

We present observations of Titan taken on November 17, 2000, with the near-infrared spectro-imaging system OASIS, mounted downstream of the CFHT/PUEO adaptive optics system. We have spatially resolved Titan's disk at Greatest Eastern Elongation. Our spectra cover the 0.86- range with a spectral resolution of 1800. By studying Titan at these wavelengths, we have recovered several pieces of information on the vertical and latitudinal structure of the atmosphere and surface of the satellite. The observing conditions were sufficiently good (AO-corrected seeing of 0.34”) so as to allow us to separate the disk into 7 independent elements. From the flux contained in the methane band, we find that at higher altitudes on Titan, the North-South asymmetry is undergoing changes with respect to previous years when the South was much brighter than the North. This asymmetry still prevails in the troposphere, but at higher levels the well-known “Titan smile”—previously reported—disappears. We believe that we even have evidence for a reversal. The year 2000 may then represent the beginning of a seasonal change in Titan's haze distribution in the near-infrared, something which has been confirmed since but was not visible in the previous years. By comparing regions on Titan's disk with similar surface and stratospheric characteristics, we find an differences in the latitudinal distribution of the aerosol content in the intermediate altitude levels. Reflectivity measurements derived in the window (and hence pertaining to the surface conditions) show that the equatorial regions of the leading side are brighter than the surrounding areas, due to the presence of the large bright zone observed since 1994. Given our spatial resolution, we find this region to be 6% brighter than northern latitudes, 7% brighter than the South pole and in total we have a contrast of 9% between the darker and the brighter areas distinguishable on our images. The methane window yields a geometric albedo of about 0.26 for the bright center of Titan's disk. This region is affected by a strong H₂O telluric absorption and therefore we could not derive any precise information on the surface composition from the original spectrum. We have, however, been able to correct for the telluric lines by using a stellar spectrum taken just before our Titan observations. We were then able to apply our radiative transfer code and after modeling surface albedo values of about 0.37 and 0.29 for the brightest and darkest areas respectively were found. We investigate possible surface components, compatible with our data, such as water ice, hydrocarbon liquid, tholin deposits or silicates.     

Graben-fissure systems in Guinevere Planitia and Beta Regio (264°-312°E, 24°-60°N), Venus, and implications for regional stratigraphy and mantle plumes

Detailed mapping in a 14,000,000 km² area of northwestern Guinevere Planitia and northern Beta Regio bounded by 264°-312°E, 24°-60°N has revealed thousands of long extensional lineaments (graben, fissures and related fractures). These can be grouped into radiating, circumferential and linear systems. Thirty four radiating systems have been identified, of which 16 have radii greater than 300 km and eight have radii greater than 1000 km. Twenty six linear (straight) systems with a length greater than 300 km have been distinguished of which six have a length greater than 1000 km. Linear systems are generally associated with rifts, although some may represent distal portions of radiating systems. In addition, 19 circumferential systems, some associated with coronae, have been identified. The distribution of each system is compared with the host geology in order to place the graben-fissure systems in a regional stratigraphic framework. The majority of systems are: (1) younger than tesserae, ridge belts and densely fractured plains, (2) coeval with, and in many cases, define fracture belts, (3) partially flooded by wrinkle-ridged plains units, and (4) older than smooth and lobate plains units and young rifts. The inventory of radiating graben-fissure systems that we catalogue represents a database of tectono-magmatic centers that complements the centers defined using other criteria, e.g., large volcanoes, coronae, and shield fields. We have attempted to identify those systems that are underlain by dike swarms in order to evaluate their relationship to mantle plumes. At least 11 of the radiating systems extend well beyond any central topographic uplift and are therefore interpreted to be underlain by dike swarms.     

A Robotics Perspective On Human Spaceflight

There has traditionally been a dichotomy in the space community regarding the efficacy of human versus robotic exploration of space. I argue that no such dichotomy is necessary, and that there is a natural and synergistic division of labour between man and machine, and that this division of labour will evolve in symbiotic fashion. The present state-of-the-art robotics technology is insufficient to replace the human in space, but is sufficient to act as a useful, even necessary, tool in aiding the astronaut in the conduct of useful work. I further argue that as robotics technology advances, the human will be further relieved to perform tasks best suited to human decision-making and flexibility that is unlikely in the near-term to be matched by autonomous or teleoperated machines. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.