Two-Component Structure of the Radio Source 0014+813 from VLBI Observations within the CONT14 Program

We consider a method of reconstructing the structure delay of extended radio sources without constructing their radio images. The residuals derived after the adjustment of geodetic VLBI observations are used for this purpose. We show that the simplest model of a radio source consisting of two point components can be represented by four parameters (the angular separation of the components, the mutual orientation relative to the poleward direction, the flux-density ratio, and the spectral index difference) that are determined for each baseline of a multi-baseline VLBI network. The efficiency of this approach is demonstrated by estimating the coordinates of the radio source 0014+813 observed during the two-week CONT14 program organized by the International VLBI Service (IVS) in May 2014. Large systematic deviations have been detected in the residuals of the observations for the radio source 0014+813. The averaged characteristics of the radio structure of 0014+813 at a frequency of 8.4 GHz can be calculated from these deviations. Our modeling using four parameters has confirmed that the source consists of two components at an angular separation of ~0.5 mas in the north–south direction. Using the structure delay when adjusting the CONT14 observations leads to a correction of the average declination estimate for the radio source 0014+813 by 0.070 mas.     

Periodic orbits in the free-fall three-body problem

Periodic solutions of the general free-fall three-body problem are investigated for the case of equal masses. The initial conditions are chosen on a Hill surface in form space. The use of the form space reduces the dimension of the problem and makes it possible to represent the region of possible initial conditions on the Hill surface, together with a color scale. The regions obtained can be used to improve the precision of the initial conditions for the periodic orbits in the free-fall three-body problem.     

Influence of shoreline configuration on characteristics of coastal currents

Three basic types of shoreline are singled out: convex, concave, and even. Statistical characteristics of the currents near each type of shoreline were subjected to comparative analysis. Characteristic features of the current regime for each type of shoreline configuration were determined.     

European Venus Explorer (EVE): an in-situ mission to Venus

The European Venus Explorer (EVE) mission was proposed to the European Space Agency in 2007, as an M-class mission under the Cosmic Vision Programme. Although it has not been chosen in the 2007 selection round for programmatic reasons, the EVE mission may serve as a useful reference point for future missions, so it is described here. It consists of one balloon platform floating at an altitude of 50–60 km, one descent probe provided by Russia, and an orbiter with a polar orbit which will relay data from the balloon and descent probe, and perform science observations. The balloon type preferred for scientific goals is one which oscillates in altitude through the cloud deck. To achieve this flight profile, the balloon envelope contains a phase change fluid, which results in a flight profile which oscillates in height. The nominal balloon lifetime is 7 days—enough for one full circumnavigation of the planet. The descent probe’s fall through the atmosphere takes 60 min, followed by 30 min of operation on the surface. The key measurement objectives of EVE are: (1) in situ measurement from the balloon of noble gas abundances and stable isotope ratios, to study the record of the evolution of Venus; (2) in situ balloon-borne measurement of cloud particle and gas composition, and their spatial variation, to understand the complex cloud-level chemistry; (3) in situ measurements of environmental parameters and winds (from tracking of the balloon) for one rotation around the planet, to understand atmospheric dynamics and radiative balance in this crucial region. The portfolio of key measurements is complemented by the Russian descent probe, which enables the investigation of the deep atmosphere and surface.     

Estimation of methane sources from concentration measurements in the area of gas production in the north of Western Siberia

Data on atmospheric methane concentrations, measured at different levels (20, 30, and 60 m) with a time step of 20 min at an observation point at a distance of 50 km from the Urengoi field, are presented. The NOAA HYSPLIT model was used to identify technogenic emissions, and method of nocturnal accumulation was used to evaluate emissions from wetlands. It is demonstrated that observed short-term increases in methane concentration can be caused by salvo gas emissions during technological operations in the gas field. Mean methane flux density is estimated for the wetland adjoining the observation point.     

Spatial structure of the Black Sea current field

Three spatial zones with characteristic current regimes are singled out based on experimental data: a zone of coastal anticyclonic current vorticity, the Rim Cyclonic Current zone, and a zone of cyclonic current vorticity. Statistical and energy characteristics are given for each zone.     

“Hot” particles of the Yenisei River: Radioisotope composition,structure, and behavior in natural conditions

The radioisotope compositions, structure, and behavior of “hot” particles under the natural conditions of the Yenisei River in the nearby influence zone of Krasnoyarsk mining and chemical combine were examined in this study. By the composition of gamma-radiating isotopes, all particles are divided into three groups: mono-isotopic, bi-isotopic and poly-isotopic. Mono-isotopic “hot” particles, containing only ⁶⁰Co were discovered for the first time. Transuranium elements (²⁴¹Am and ²⁴³Cm) were revealed in poly-isotopic particles. Investigation of poly-isotopic particles by means of a scan electron microscope showed that the presence of UO₂ together with the lack of activation of ¹⁵²Eu testifies to the reactor origin of this particle. Experiments showed that in natural conditions “hot” particles under the influence of filtrating water and moisture of pore solutions are gradually dissolved and radionuclides are repeatedly drawn into migration.     

Hydrochemical and Microbiological Features of Lake Mogil'noe

A comprehensive hydrochemical and microbiological study was conducted in Lake Mogil'noe. The vertical hysrochemical structure of the lake was analyzed. Large amounts of mineral compounds containing biogenic elements and their organic forms are shown to accumulate in the anaerobic zone of the lake. An abrupt increase in the concentration of C_org is recorded in the near-bottom layer, where it is almost an order of magnitude higher than that in the anaerobic zone of the Black Sea at a depth of 2000 m. All the processes are found to be most rapid in the boundary layer between the aerobic and anaerobic zones (8.25–9.25 m), where the primary production attains its maximum, the concentration of sulfates abruptly increases relative to the aerobic and anaerobic zones, microorganism population is maximum, as are the rates of sulfate reduction and glucose consumption by heterotrophic organisms.     

The Effect of the Long-Term Variations in Climate Conditions on the Hydrological Structure and Ecology of the Black Sea

A scale of the atmospheric thermal conditions is elaborated, and the statistical distribution of the air temperature deviations from the norm is assessed. The cause of formation of the extreme atmospheric thermal conditions is found. Parameters of the winter hydrological structure are calculated, and their correlation with climatic conditions is shown. For the first time, the dynamic factor affecting the Black Sea hydrological structure is established, and its effect is shown.     

Relaxation time distribution from time domain induced polarization measurements

We propose an algorithm for inverting time domain induced polarization data to a relaxation time distribution. The algorithm is based on the (Tikhonov) regularized solution of the 1^st kind Fredholm integral equation. We test the algorithm on synthetic data, and show its robustness for a noise level, typical of laboratory time domain measurements. We also show that, for the inversion purpose, the time domain data must be obtained with the different current wavelengths. We then test the algorithm on the experimental data recently obtained on brine-saturated medium-grained quartz sand (average grain diameter of 4 × 10⁻⁴ m), and on sand mixtures. For the medium-grained sand, relaxation time distribution contains a main peak at 25 s. Different amounts (3%, 8% and 12%) of fine-grained quartz sand (average grain diameter of 1.12 × 10⁻⁴ m) were added to the medium-grained quartz sand. For the sand mixture, an additional peak is observed in the relaxation time distributions, in the time range from 1.0 to 2.5 s. The magnitude of the second peak increases with the increase of the fine-grained sand content. Therefore, the experimental data show that peaks in the relaxation time distributions are related to the grain size. On the basis of the known peak location, and of the known grain size value, we obtained the values of the diffusion coefficient, which were found to be of the same order of magnitude as those in the bulk solution.