Long term spectral variability in the soft gamma-ray repeater SGR 1900+14

We present a systematic analysis of all the BeppoSAX data of SGR1900+14. The observations spanning five years show that the source was brighter than usual on two occasions: ～20 days after the August 1998 giant flare and during the 10⁵?s long X-ray afterglow following the April 2001 intermediate flare. In the latter case, we explore the possibility of describing the observed short term spectral evolution only with a change of the temperature of the blackbody component. In the only BeppoSAX observation performed before the giant flare, the spectrum of the SGR1900+14 persistent emission was significantly harder and detected also above 10 keV with the PDS instrument. In the last BeppoSAX observation (April 2002) the flux was at least a factor 1.2 below the historical level, suggesting that the source was entering a quiescent period.     

Distribution and functional response of sublittoral soft bottom assemblages to sedimentary constraints

Mollusc and annelid polychaete macrofaunal assemblages were studied in a sublittoral sandy bottom of 1.8 km² extension, along the western Calabrian coast (low Tyrrhenian Sea). The strict coupling of the local sedimentary dynamics with the benthic assemblages was investigated on a small spatial scale (patchiness), at the mesoscale depth-related gradients and at the level of functional/trophic habits. Non-metrical correlations (ρ), index of dispersion (Di) and dispersion weighted abundances, averaged per depth level highlighted the response of some characteristic species to the patchiness of sediments as well as to the predominant environmental gradients. Species habits and trophic guilds, that were assessed in terms of biomass (wet weight) and secondary “pseudo-production” (abundance × biomass), clarified the differential functional response of the assemblages at different depth levels. Polychaetes reached 84.86% abundance and showed a highly clumped distribution of sessile species (Ditrupa arietina, Aponuphis brementi, Chone acustica, Spiophanes kroyeri); to a lower extent the motile species (Hyalinoecia tubicola, Marphisa bellii, Phylo foetida) were present. Molluscs reached 15.14% abundance and only some bivalve taxa showed significant aggregated distributions (Corbula gibba, Tellina donacina, Tellina distorta), whereas gastropod species were more evenly distributed. Total biomasses were almost equal between the two taxonomic groups (46.41 g WW on average). Biotic–environmental rank matching highlighted depth, very fine sands (60–200 μm), sorting grade, skewness index and pH as being the most influential factors in the distributions of some species, followed secondarily by coarse silts (40–60 μm) and coarser sands (200–2000 μm). Within the local context of water/sediment oligotrophy, the adaptive strategies of macrofauna to a highly seasonal supply of autochthonous phytoplanktonic seston associated with imported macro debris and terrigenous components were emphasized. Evidence of such a differential nutrient supply was the clear functional differentiation of the shallower levels from the deeper ones, and the presence of an intermediate zone which was selectively dominated, in terms of abundance and biomass, by microphagous filter/suspension feeders. Moreover, the shortage of burrowing deposit feeders as well as the prevalence of motile macrophagous omnivores beyond 20 m depth may be considered as ecologically correlated aspects.     

Probing the Nekhoroshev Stability of Asteroids

We apply the spectral formulation of the Nekhoroshev theorem to investigate the long-term stability of real main belt asteroids. We find numerical indication that some asteroids are in the so-called Nekhoroshev stability regime, that is they are on chaotic orbits but their motion is stable over very long times. We have analyzed the motion of bodies in different regions of the belt, to assess the sensitivity of our method. We found that it allows us to clearly discriminate between different dynamical regimes, such as the one described by the Nekhoroshev stability, the one well described by the KAM theory, and the unstable chaotic regime in which diffusion in phase space can be detected over time spans much shorter than the age of the solar system.     

Envelope instability in giant planet formation

We compute the growth of isolated gaseous giant planets for several values of the density of the protoplanetary disk, several distances from the central star and two values for the (fixed) radii of accreted planetesimals. Calculations were performed in the frame of the core instability mechanism and the solids accretion rate adopted is that corresponding to the oligarchic growth regime. We find that for massive disks and/or for protoplanets far from the star and/or for large planetesimals, the planetary growth occurs smoothly. However, notably, there are some cases for which we find an envelope instability in which the planet exchanges gas with the surrounding protoplanetary nebula. The timescale of this instability shows that it is associated with the process of planetesimals accretion. The presence of this instability makes it more difficult the formation of gaseous giant planets.     

UV habitable zones around M stars

During the last decade there was a change in paradigm, which led to consider that terrestrial-type planets within liquid-water habitable zones (LW-HZ) around M stars can also be suitable places for the emergence and evolution of life. Since many dMe stars emit large amount of UV radiation during flares, in this work we analyze the UV constrains for living systems on Earth-like planets around dM stars. We apply our model of UV habitable zone (UV-HZ; Buccino, A.P., Lemarchand, G.A., Mauas, P.J.D., 2006. Icarus 183, 491–503) to the three planetary systems around dM stars (HIP 74995, HIP 109388 and HIP 113020) observed by IUE and to two M-flare stars (AD Leo and EV Lac). In particular, HIP 74995 hosts a terrestrial planet in the LW-HZ, which is the exoplanet that most resembles our own Earth. We show, in general, that during the quiescent state there would not be enough UV radiation within the LW-HZ to trigger the biogenic processes and that this energy could be provided by flares of moderate intensity, while strong flares do not necessarily rule-out the possibility of life-bearing planets.     

New eucrite Dar al Gani 872: Petrography,chemical composition,and evolution

Abstract— Dar al Gani 872 (DaG 872) is a new meteorite from Libya that we classified by means of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), electron microprobe, and optical microscopy. According to our results, DaG 872 is a Mg‐rich main group eucrite, i.e., a monomict noncumulate basaltic eucrite displaying a predominant coarse‐grained relict subophitic and a fine‐grained granulitic texture. The meteorite also shows pockets of late‐stage mesostasis and is penetrated by several calcite veins due to terrestrial weathering. Finally, it exhibits shock phenomena of stage 1–2 including heavily fractured mineral components, undulose extinction of plagioclase, kinked lamellae, and mosaicism in pyroxenes corresponding to peak pressures of ?20 GPa. In view of petrographic criteria as well as compositional and exsolution characteristics of its pyroxenes, the sample represents a metamorphic type 5 eucrite. Assuming the metamorphic type to be a function of burial depth on the parent body and taking into account the relatively high shock stage, the excavation of DaG 872 was likely induced by a major impact event. Prior to this point, DaG 872 apparently underwent a 4‐stage geological evolution that is reflected by intricate textural and mineralogical features.     

Evolution and classification of acapulcoites and lodranites from a chemical point of view

Abstract— We examined 15 bulk samples of the acapulcoite‐lodranite clan for their major, minor, and trace element concentrations using INAA techniques. Among the analyzed meteorites are 2 new acapulcoites (Dhofar [Dho] 290, Thiel Mountains [TIL] 99002) as well as an additional acapulcoite that has been described previously only in very brief form (Graves Nunataks [GRA] 98028). The petrographic attributes of these 3 samples are addressed thoroughly. We also include petrographic information on 2 acapulcoites from Africa: Northwest Africa (NWA) 725 and NWA 1058. In general, our study strongly supports the widely accepted idea that acapulcoites and lodranites evolved through partial melting and melt migration of metal/sulfide phases and plagioclase. Furthermore, we concur with previous researchers that the original bimodal classification scheme for acapulcoites and lodranites proves to be too simple. Based on our data set, we introduce an alternative, extended scheme. With respect to their elemental distribution patterns, we distinguish 5 subtypes comprising primitive, typical, transitional, and enriched acapulcoites on one hand and lodranites on the other. The chemical distinction between the primitive, typical, and transitional acapulcoites is rather subtle and gradual. It stands in contrast to the clear modifications observed for the signatures of the enriched acapulcoites and the lodranites. The definition of subcategories basically reflects the concentrations of 2 key elements: K and Se. We note, however, that the assignment of subgroups may not be exclusively inferred from elemental abundances but should also consider additional petrographic information.     

Mollusc and brachiopod skeletal hard parts: Intricate archives of their marine environment

The biogenic carbonate hard parts of fossil bivalves, cephalopods and brachiopods are among the most widely exploited marine archives of Phanerozoic environmental and climate dynamics research. The advent of novel analytical tools has led many workers to explore non‐traditional geochemical and petrographic proxies, and work performed in neighbouring disciplines sheds light on the complex biomineralization strategies applied by these organisms. These considerations form a strong motivation to review the potential and problems related to the compilation and interpretation of proxy data from bivalve, cephalopod and brachiopod hard parts from the viewpoint of the sedimentologist and palaeoceanographer. Specific focus is on the complex biomineralization pathways of a given dissolved ion or food particle from its aquatic environment via the digestion and biomineralization apparatus in molluscs and brachiopods and its incorporation into a biomineral. Given that molluscs and brachiopods do not secrete their hard parts from seawater but rather from their mantle and periostracum, this paper evaluates differences and similarities of seawater versus that of body fluids. Cephalopods, bivalves and brachiopods exert a strong biological control on biomineralization that, to some degree, may buffer their shell geochemistry against secular changes in seawater chemistry. Disordered (amorphous) calcium carbonate precursor phases, later transformed to crystalline biominerals, may be significant in carbonate archive research due to expected geochemical offset relative to the direct precipitation of stable phases. A reasonable level of understanding of the related mechanisms is thus crucial for those who use these skeletal hard parts as archives of the palaeo‐environment. The impact of what is commonly referred to as ‘biological factors’ on the geochemistry of mollusc and brachiopod hard parts is explored for conventional isotope systems such as carbon, oxygen, strontium and traditionally used element to calcium ratios. In particular, the often used δ¹³C_carb or the Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca elemental proxies are fraught with problems. An interesting new research field represents the analysis, calibration and application of non‐traditional proxies to mollusc and brachiopod hard parts. Examples include the carbonate clumped isotope (Δ₄₇) approach and the analysis of the isotopes of Ca, Mg, N, Li, S or element to Ca ratios such as Li/Ca or B/Ca and rare earth elements. Based on considerations discussed here, a series of “do's and don'ts” in mollusc and brachiopod archive research are proposed and suggestions for future work are presented. In essence, the suggestions proposed here include experimental work (also field experiments) making use of recent archive organisms or, where possible, a reasonable recent analogue in the case of extinct groups. Moreover, the detailed understanding of the architecture of mollusc and brachiopod hard parts and their ultra‐structures must guide sampling strategies for geochemical analyses. Where feasible, a detailed understanding of the diagenetic pathways and the application of multi‐proxy and multi‐archive approaches should form the foundation of fossil carbonate archive research. The uncritical compilation of large data sets from various carbonate‐shelled organisms collected at different locations is not encouraged.