Curation protocol of Phobos sample returned by Martian Moons eXploration

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission will launch a spacecraft in 2024 to return samples from Phobos in 2029. Curatorial work for the returned Phobos samples is critical for the sample allocation without degrading the sample integrity and subsequent sample analysis that will provide new constraints on the origin of Phobos and the evolution of the circum-Mars environment. The Sample Analysis Working Team of the MMX is designing the sample curation protocol. The curation protocol consists of three phases: (1) quick analysis (extraction and mass spectrometry for gases), (2) pre-basic characterization (bulk-scale observation), and (3) basic characterization (grain-by-grain observation and allocation of the sample aliquots). Nondestructive analyses within the clean chamber (e.g., visible and near-infrared spectral imaging) and outside the chamber (e.g., gas mass spectrometry) are incorporated into the curation flow in coordination with the MMX mission instrument teams for ground-truthing the remote-sensing data sets. The MMX curation/sample analysis flow enables the seamless integration between the sample and remote-sensing data sets to maximize the scientific value of the collected Phobos samples.     

Further characterization of carbonaceous materials in Hayabusa‐returned samples to understand their origin

Carbonaceous materials in the sample catcher of the Hayabusa spacecraft were assigned as category 3 particles. We investigated the category 3 particles with a suite of in situ microanalytical methods. Possible contaminants collected from the cleanrooms of the spacecraft assembly and extraterrestrial sample curation center (ESCuC) were also analyzed in the same manner as category 3 particles for comparison. Our data were integrated with those of the preliminary examination team for category 3 particles. Possible origins for the category 3 particles include contamination before and after the operation of the Hayabusa spacecraft.     

Planetary nebulae in the circumnuclear region of M31: a spectroscopic sample

Planetary nebulae(PNe) are an important tool for studying the dynamics and chemical evolution of galaxies in the Local Universe, given their characteristic bright emission line spectra. The Andromeda Galaxy(M31) provides a unique laboratory for studying PNe in the circumnuclear region,thanks to its proximity and almost uniformly low line-of-sight extinction that ensures observations with high resolution and sensitivity. Using the WIYN/Hydra multi-fiber spectrograph, we have obtained optical(4119–6882 A?) spectra of 77 PN candidates selected from Hubble Space Telescope narrow-band imaging, which are located within the central ~500 pc region of M31. Among these candidates, 49(64%) are spectroscopically observed for the first time. The spectra of 300 previously known PNe and H Ⅱ regions, which primarily reside in the disk, are also taken for comparison. All 77 circumnuclear PN candidates exhibit prominent emission lines, including [O Ⅲ]λ5007, [N Ⅱ]λ6583, Hα and Hβ,strongly suggesting that they are genuine PNe. We measured the line fluxes, radial velocities and line widths for all objects, and found that the radial velocities of the circumnuclear PNe generally trace rotation of the inner bulge. We also estimated a dynamical mass of ~6.4±0.5×10~9 M_⊙ enclosed within an effective galactocentric radius of 340 pc, which is compatible with the previously estimated total stellar mass in this region.     

Planetary transit observations at the University Observatory Jena: TrES‐2

We report on observations of several transit events of the transiting planet TrES‐2 obtained with the Cassegrain‐Teleskop‐Kamera at the University Observatory Jena. Between March 2007 and November 2008 ten different transits and almost a complete orbital period were observed. Overall, in 40 nights of observation 4291 exposures (in total 71.52 h of observation) of the TrES‐2 parent star were taken. With the transit timings for TrES‐2 from the 34 events published by the TrES‐network, the Transit Light Curve project and the Exoplanet Transit Database plus our own ten transits, we find that the orbital period is P = (2.470614 ± 0.000001) d, a slight change by ∼0.6 s compared to the previously published period. We present new ephemeris for this transiting planet. Furthermore, we found a second dip after the transit which could either be due to a blended variable star or occultation of a second star or even an additional object in the system. Our observations will be useful for future investigations of timing variations caused by additional perturbing planets and/or stellar spots and/or moons (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Planetary transit observations at the University Observatory Jena: XO‐1b and TrES‐1

We report on observations of transit events of the transiting planets XO‐1b and TrES‐1 with a 25 cm telescope of the University Observatory Jena. With the transit timings for XO‐1b from all 50 available XO, SuperWASP, Transit Light Curve (TLC)‐Project‐ and Exoplanet Transit Database (ETD)‐data, including our own I ‐band photometry obtained in March 2007, we find that the orbital period is P = (3.941501 ± 0.000001) d, a slight change by ∼3 s compared to the previously published period. We present new ephemeris for this transiting planet. Furthermore, we present new R ‐band photometry of two transits of TrES‐1. With the help of all available transit times from literature this allows us to refine the estimate of the orbital period: P = (3.0300722 ± 0.0000002) d. Our observations will be useful for future investigations of timing variations caused by additional perturbing planets and/or stellar spots and/or moons (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Chemical composition of a sample of bright solar‐metallicity stars

We present a detailed analysis of seven young stars observed with the spectrograph SOPHIE at the Observatoire de Haute‐Provence for which the chemical composition was incomplete or absent in the literature. For five stars, we derived the stellar parameters and chemical compositions using our automatic pipeline optimized for F, G, and K stars, while for the other two stars with high rotational velocity, we derived the stellar parameters by using other information (parallax), and performed a line‐by‐line analysis. Chromospheric emission‐line fluxes from Caii are obtained for all targets. The stellar parameters we derive are generally in good agreement with what is available in the literature. We provide a chemical analysis of two of the stars for the first time. The star HIP 80124 shows a strong Li feature at 670.8 nm implying a high lithium abundance. Its chemical pattern is not consistent with it being a solar sibling, as has been suggested. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Along‐track compositional and textural variation in extensively melted grains returned from comet 81P/Wild 2 by the Stardust mission: Implications for capture‐melting process

Abstract— Five amorphous (extensively melted) grains from Stardust aerogel capture Track 35 were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM); two from the bulb, two from near the bulb‐stylus transition, and one from near the terminal particle. Melted grains consist largely of a texturally and compositionally heterogeneous emulsion of immiscible metal/sulfide beads nanometers to tens of nanometers in diameter in a silica‐rich vesicular glass. Most metal/sulfide beads are spherical, but textures of non‐spherical beads indicate that some solidified as large drops during stretching and breaking while in translational and rotational motion, and others solidified from lenses of immiscible liquid at the silicate‐melt/vesicle (vapor) interface. Melted grains appear to become richer in Fe relative to Mg, and depleted in S relative to Fe and Ni with increasing penetration distance along the aerogel capture track. Fe/S ratios are near unity in grains from the bulb of Track 35, consistent with the dominance of Fe‐monosulfide minerals inferred by previous research on Stardust materials. Near‐stoichiometric Fe/S in melted grains from the bulb suggests that Fe‐sulfides in the bulb were dispersed and melted during formation of the bulb but did not lose S. Along‐track increases in Fe/S in melted grains from the bulb through the bulb‐stylus transition and continuing into the stylus indicate that S initially present as iron monosulfide may have been progressively partially volatilized and lost from the melted grains with greater penetration of the grains deeper into the aerogel during capture‐melting of comet dust. Extensively melted grains from the bulbs of aerogel capture tracks may preserve better primary compositional information with less capture‐related modification than grains from farther along the same capture tracks.     

Toward an unbiased sample of X‐ray selected normal galaxies outside the local Universe

This paper shows that our understanding of the statistical properties of X‐ray selected normal galaxies (e.g. X‐ray luminosity function) can be significantly improved by combining a wide‐area XMM‐Newton survey with the moderare resolution and high S/N optical spectroscopy of the SDSS. Such a combined dataset has the potential to minimise uncertainties that affect existing normal galaxy samples at X‐rays, such as small number statistics, cosmic variance, AGN contamination and incompleteness at bright X‐ray luminosities. It is demonstrated that a 100 deg² XMM‐Newton survey in the SDSS area to the limit f_X(0.5–2 keV) ≈ 5 × 10^–15 erg cm^–2 s^–1 will detect over 400 X‐ray selected normal galaxies with excellent control over systematic biases, thereby providing tight contraints on the X‐ray luminosity function at z ≈ 0.1. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Report of the Science Community Workshop on the proposed First Sample Depot for the Mars Sample Return Campaign

The Mars 2020/Mars Sample Return (MSR) Sample Depot Science Community Workshop was held on September 28 and 30, 2022, to assess the Scientifically-Return Worthy (SRW) value of the full collection of samples acquired by the rover Perseverance at Jezero Crater, and of a proposed subset of samples to be left as a First Depot at a location within Jezero Crater called Three Forks. The primary outcome of the workshop was that the community is in consensus on the following statement: The proposed set of ten sample tubes that includes seven rock samples, one regolith sample, one atmospheric sample, and one witness tube constitutes a SRW collection that: (1) represents the diversity of the explored region around the landing site, (2) covers partially or fully, in a balanced way, all of the International MSR Objectives and Samples Team scientific objectives that are applicable to Jezero Crater, and (3) the analyses of samples in this First Depot on Earth would be of fundamental importance, providing a substantial improvement in our understanding of Mars. At the conclusion of the meeting, there was overall community support for forming the First Depot as described at the workshop and placing it at the Three Forks site. The community also recognized that the diversity of the Rover Cache (the sample collection that remains on the rover after placing the First Depot) will significantly improve with the samples that are planned to be obtained in the future by the Perseverance rover and that the Rover Cache is the primary target for MSR to return to Earth.     

Dynamics of Planetary Satellites in the Solar System

After the discovery of a huge number of satellites around Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus, it is necessary to collect together information about all of the planetary satellite systems and to define the possible classification of objects and types of their motion. We give physical parameters of the satellites: their masses, sizes, apparent magnitudes in opposition, and geometrical albedos. We present some of the orbital quantities that characterize the orbits, their shapes and orientation in space, as well as data on the rotation of satellites. The emphasis is on the peculiarities of their motion—the forces acting on them, the main orbital perturbations, and the influence of commensurabilities in the mean motions of satellites. We list references to the main theories of their motion.     

Planetary perturbations of the Moon in ELP 2000

A new solution for the planetary perturbations of the Moon is being built in the frame of ELP 2000, using Bretagnon's planetary theories, and achieved at the first order. It contains the two actions commonly distinguished: direct and indirect. The internal precision of computation is 2×10^–6 arcsec. First-order planetary perturbations, in the direct case (Venus & Mars), have been compared to Standaert's solution. The major discrepancy reaches 70 cm in the longitude of Venus. Perturbations of the second order with respect to planetary masses, have been undertaken and illustrations are given. Finally, new values for the perigee and node motions are proposed.Proceedings of the Conference on Analytical Methods and Ephemerides: Theory and Observations of the Moon and Planets. Facultés universitaires Notre Dame de la Paix, Namur, Belgium, 28–31 July, 1980.     

The XMM‐LSS cluster sample and its cosmological applications: Prospects for the XMM next decade

The well defined selection function of the XMM‐LSS surveys enables a simultaneous modelling of the observed cluster number counts and of the evolution of the L_X‐T_X relation. We present results pertaining to the first 5 deg² for a well controlled sample comprising 30 objects: they are compatible with the WMAP3 parameter set along with cluster selfsimilar evolution. Extending such a survey to 200 deg² would (1) allow discriminating between the major scenarios of the cluster L_X‐T_X evolution and (2) provide a unique self‐sufficient determination of σ⁸ and Γ with an accuracy of ∼5% and 10% respectively, when adding mass information from weak lensing and S‐Z observations. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Probing molecular and isotopic features of meteoritic insoluble organic matter by solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with sub‐milligram sample

We recorded one‐ and two‐dimensional solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of meteoric insoluble organic matter with unprecedented sensitivity and resolution permitting us to reveal unambiguous spectroscopic fingerprints relevant to its molecular and isotopic features. Two‐dimensional ¹H‐¹H and ¹H‐¹³C correlation experiments have unveiled the spatial proximity between aliphatic and aromatic groups proving a highly branched character of a rigid macromolecular network composed of short aliphatic chains linking together small aromatic units. One‐dimensional ²H and two‐dimensional ¹H‐²H correlation spectroscopy delivered evidence of significant reduction in the deuterium enrichment of aromatic species relevant to interstellar processes, proto‐planetary disk chemistry, and to determining the origin of the meteoritic insoluble organic matter. The experimental approach developed in this work opens new perspectives for systematic and nondestructive analysis at the molecular level of meteoritic insoluble organic matter even with a very small amount of sample from some particularly rare chondrites.     

On the Definition of the Astrocentric Coordinates in the Planetary Problem

Astronomy Letters - Two ways of defining the Poincaré astrocentric coordinates in the planetary problem are considered and compared. Both ways are shown to lead to the same system of equations...     

Invariant Tori in the Secular Motions of the Three-body Planetary Systems

We consider the problem of the applicability of KAM theorem to a realistic problem of three bodies. In the framework of the averaged dynamics over the fast angles for the Sun–Jupiter–Saturn system we can prove the perpetual stability of the orbit. The proof is based on semi-numerical algorithms requiring both explicit algebraic manipulations of series and analytical estimates. The proof is made rigorous by using interval arithmetics in order to control the numerical errors.     

Ca‐Al‐Fe‐rich inclusion in the Vigarano CV3 chondrite

Abstract– An anomalous Ca‐Al‐Fe‐rich spherical inclusion (CAFI) was found in the Vigarano CV3 chondrite. The CAFI has an igneous texture and contains large amounts of almost pure and coarse‐grained hercynite grains (approximately 56 vol%) as well as refractory phases such as grossite and perovskite. However, melilite and Mg‐spinel, which are common in ordinary Ca‐Al‐rich inclusions, are very rare (<1 vol%). Another unique characteristic of the CAFI is the presence in its core of dmitryivanovite (CaAl₂O₄), which was formed by shock metamorphism of a low‐pressure form of CaAl₂O₄ that was originally crystallized from a molten droplet. The fine‐grained hercynite and unidentified aluminous phase in the rim of the CAFI may have been produced from grossite during aqueous alteration in the Vigarano parent body.     

Planetary reflectance measurements in the region of planetary thermal emission

As planetary reflectance measurements are extended into the infrared, the emitted thermal radiation becomes larger than the reflected solar component. This paper describes a method for removal of the thermal component from planetary reflectance measurements and discusses the limitations involved. Examples are shown for the case of lunar observations where the temperature and emissivity are known and for Mercury where it is assumed the temperature and emissivity are unknown.