An intensified C.C.D. camera for telescope guidance

This paper deals with the study and the fabrication of an intensified C.C.D. camera for guiding telescopes or for searching fields containing faint stars. It describes the sensor of the camera (by connecting the Thomson C.C.D. and the RTC image intensifier) and its three working modes. The first is the direct exploitation of the video signal sent to the TV monitor, in conformity with the C.C.I.R. standard (the N.T.S.C. standard is also available). However, the study of stability and sensitivity of the intensifier lead us to create a second working mode necessary for the correct detection of faint objects (by an averaging filter improving the signal to noise ratio). The last mode is the integration by the C.C.D. itself: it allows a maximum of three-seconds integration time (therefore the detection of fainter objects), with the help of a thermoelectric cooling system. Moreover, the tests made on the 1.52 meter telescope of the O.A.N. (Calar-Alto, Spain) have been successful and confirm the capabilities of this camera to replace the intensified TV tube cameras, like the super-isocon camera.     

Comment on: “Electrical coupling of the E- and F-regions”: by R. A. Heelis,P. C. Kendall,R. J. Moffett,D. W. Windle and H. Rishbeth

New measurements have been made of the reduced polarization in a Fraunhofer line (Hβ) of blue sky light. The value of the depolarization agrees well with a previously reported intensity filling-in effect. There is no evidence of a change of the azimuth of vibration of the polarization across the line profile.     

C. de Jager, Europe, space, and the Sun

The paper presents an overview of C. de Jager's career and his achievements in space science and solar physics. His role as a European space leader and as one of the founders of ESRO and ESA is outlined. The international dimension of this outstanding scientist is illustrated through personal memories and a long-lasting friendship.Dedicated to Cornelis de Jager     

Comment on “Comparison of the composition of the Tempel 1 ejecta to the dust in Comet C/Hale-Bopp 1995 O1 and YSO HD 100546” by C.M. Lisse, K.E. Kraemer, J.A. Nuth III, A. Li, D. Joswiak [2007. Icarus 187, 69-86]

Lisse et al. [Lisse, C.M., Kraemer, K.E., Nuth III, J.A., Li, A., Joswiak, D., 2007. Icarus 187, 69-86] recently presented a new analysis of an ISO spectrum of Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp), from which they claimed the identification of many new dust species. Among them are PAHs, which were not found in our first analysis of the ISO spectra. We present here a re-examination of the ISO observations of Comet Hale-Bopp. From the absence of PAHs features in the 5.25-8.5 μm region, we infer that PAHs are at least twice less abundant than derived by Lisse et al. The carbonate feature at 7.00 μm is marginally present, but lower by a factor 2 to 3 than predicted by the model of Lisse et al.     

Rebuttal to “Comment on the paper “Comparison of the composition of the Tempel 1 ejecta to the dust in Comet C/Hale-Bopp 1995 O1 and YSO HD 100546” by C.M. Lisse, K.E. Kraemer, J.A. Nuth III, A. Li, and D. Joswiak"

This response is to address the comments made by Drs. J. Crovisier and D. Bockelee-Morvan concerning the spectral analysis of Lisse et al. [Lisse, C.M., Kraemer, K.E., Nuth, J.A., Li, A., Joswiak, D., 2007. Icarus 187, 69-86] of the mid-IR ISO SWS spectrum of Comet Hale-Bopp 1995 O1 taken on October 6, 1996, and to support the conclusions made in Lisse et al. concerning the positive detection of PAHs in this comet. We also present some additional information determined from the Deep Impact and STARDUST missions, demonstrating the presence of PAHs in other comets, to support the plausibility of the Hale-Bopp PAH detection.