Magnetic properties of the LL5 ordinary chondrite Chelyabinsk (fall of February 15, 2013)

Here we characterize the magnetic properties of the Chelyabinsk chondrite (LL5, S4, W0) and constrain the composition, concentration, grain size distribution, and mineral fabric of the meteorite's magnetic mineral assemblage. Data were collected from 10 to 1073 K and include measurements of low‐field magnetic susceptibility (χ₀), the anisotropy of χ₀, hysteresis loops, first‐order reversal curves, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and X‐ray microtomography. The REM and REM′ paleointensity protocols suggest that the only magnetizations recorded by the chondrite are components of the Earth's magnetic field acquired during entry into our planet's atmosphere. The Chelyabinsk chondrite consists of light and dark lithologies. Fragments of the light lithology show logχ₀ = 4.57 ± 0.09 (s.d.) (n = 135), while the dark lithology shows 4.65 ± 0.09 (n = 39) (where χ₀ is in 10^?9 m³ kg^?1). Thus, Chelyabinsk is three times more magnetic than the average LL5 fall, but is similar to a subgroup of metal‐rich LL5 chondrites (Paragould, Aldsworth, Bawku, Richmond) and L/LL5 chondrites (Glanerbrug, Knyahinya). The meteorite's room‐temperature magnetization is dominated by multidomain FeNi alloys taenite and kamacite (no tetrataenite is present). However, below approximately 75 K remanence is dominated by chromite. The metal contents of the light and dark lithologies are 3.7 and 4.1 wt%, respectively, and are based on values of saturation magnetization.     

Parameters of infrasonic waves generated by the Chelyabinsk meteoroid on February 15, 2013

Data from infrasound stations are used to determine the basic parameters of infrasonic waves generated during the passage and airburst of the Chelyabinsk space body: time lag, duration, spectral structure, dispersion dependence, and celerity. A simulation is performed for the parameters of the infrasonic waves. A comparison between the simulation and observation results shows a good agreement.     

Relation of cosmic-ray variations to interplanetary plasma observations for the event of 15 February, 1978

A very rapid, almost symmetric, spike-like cosmic-ray depression occurred on 15 February, 1978, and was detected by the whole network of neutron monitors and underground meson telescopes. It is suggested that this rare cosmic-ray depression was related with the solar flares of 13 February, 1978 and was caused by one forward interplanetary shock wave, taking place in the leading edge of a fast solar wind stream, rather than a shock pair.     

Snow carrots after the Chelyabinsk event and model implications for highly porous solar system objects

After the catastrophic disruption of the Chelyabinsk meteoroid, small fragments formed funnels in the snow layer covering the ground. We constrain the pre‐impact characteristics of the fragments by simulating their atmospheric descent with the atmospheric entry model. Fragments resulting from catastrophic breakup may lose about 90% of their initial mass due to ablation and reach the snow vertically with a free‐fall velocity in the range of 30–90 m s^?1. The fall time of the fragments is much longer than their cooling time, and, as a consequence, fragments have the same temperature as the lower atmosphere, i.e., of about ?20 °C. Then, we use the shock physics code iSALE to model the penetration of fragments into fluffy snow, the formation of a funnel and a zone of denser snow lining its walls. We examine the influence of several material parameters of snow and present our best‐fit model by comparing funnel depth and funnel wall characteristics with observations. In addition, we suggest a viscous flow approximation to estimate funnel depth dependence on the meteorite mass. We discuss temperature gradient metamorphism as a possible mechanism which allows to fill the funnels with denser snow and to form the observed “snow carrots.” This natural experiment also helps us to calibrate the iSALE code for simulating impacts into highly porous matter in the solar system including tracks in the aerogel catchers of the Stardust mission and possible impact craters on the 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko comet observed recently by the Rosetta mission.     

第十五批天文学名词的推荐译名

中国天文学会名词审定委员会从1985年开始在<天文学进展>发表天文学名词的推荐译名,到2007年已公布了14批2280个名词.现再推荐第十五批151个名词,其中大多数是近年来出现的天文学新词.希望读者在试用过程中对译名提出改进意见.     

测定天文大气折射和建立电磁波折射延迟实测模型(Ⅳ)-瞬时天文纬度测定值

根据测定天文大气折射的原理,以及建立电磁波折射延迟改正模型的需要,叙述了对瞬时天文纬度测定值的严格要求;分析了经典测量仪器和空间大地测量技术所得的瞬时纬度测定值在这里不适用的原因;提出采用子午方向以外的各给定方位的时角测定值与计算值之差,解算瞬时纬度测定值的新方法,以避免大气折射修正值残差的影响;文章对观测数据的处理提出了特殊要求,并论述了所拟专用测量仪器对实施这一方法的可行性。     

Properties of the 15 February 2011 Flare Seismic Sources

The first near-side X-class flare of Solar Cycle 24 occurred in February 2011 (SOL2011-02-05T01:55) and produced a very strong seismic response in the photosphere. One sunquake was reported by Kosovichev (Astrophys. J. Lett. 734, L15, 2011), followed by the discovery of a second sunquake by Zharkov, Green, Matthews et al. (Astrophys. J. Lett. 741, L35, 2011). The flare had a two-ribbon structure and was associated with a flux-rope eruption and a halo coronal mass ejection (CME) as reported in the CACTus catalogue. Following the discovery of the second sunquake and the spatial association of both sources with the locations of the feet of the erupting flux rope (Zharkov, Green, Matthews et al., Astrophys. J. Lett. 741, L35, 2011), we present here a more detailed analysis of the observed photospheric changes in and around the seismic sources. These sunquakes are quite unusual, taking place early in the impulsive stage of the flare, with the seismic sources showing little hard X-ray (HXR) emission, and strongest X-ray emission sources located in the flare ribbons. We present a directional time–distance diagram computed for the second source, which clearly shows a ridge corresponding to the travelling acoustic-wave packet and find that the sunquake at the second source happened about 45 seconds to one minute earlier than the first source. Using acoustic holography we report different frequency responses of the two sources. We find strong downflows at both seismic locations and a supersonic horizontal motion at the second site of acoustic-wave excitation.     

Experimental Study of the Product Composition of the Chelyabinsk Meteorite (LL5) Outgassing

The Chelyabinsk meteorite sample of type LL5 was subjected to calcination in the specially constructed instrument in the temperature range 200–800°C in increments of 100°C. The composition of the obtained volatile constituents was examined on a chromatograph. Detected were: CO₂, H₂O, and N₂ in concentrations of 5–40 μg/g of the sample; H₂, CO, CH₄, and H₂S in concentrations of 0.1–2.0 μg/g. By observing changes in the selected component concentrations over time (up to 90 minutes), it was concluded that chemical reactions in the system between volatile components occur directly during outgassing.

     

Bidirectional distribution of energetic protons in the 18 February 1979 interplanetary shock event

Pitch angle distributions of 35–1000 keV protons in the 18 January 1979 interplanetary shock event are presented and discussed in this paper. The observed, apparently unusual distributions can be well explained by assuming a magnetic bottle configuration of the interplanetary magnetic field immediately prior to the shock passage. The implication of such a magnetic configuration on the acceleration of charged particles by shock waves is also discussed.     

Astronomical aspects of building a system for detecting and monitoring hazardous space objects

In order to meet the practical priority of the mass detection of hazardous celestial bodies (HCBs) during the creation of a system to counteract space hazards (asteroids, comet hazards and space debris), we need clear technical requirements for the detection instruments designed (created). Specially targeted astronomical investigations into the basic properties of the HCB ensemble were conducted to specify such requirements (limitations). The paper presents these findings. As to asteroid and comet hazards, quantitative limitations on the HCB size (50 m) have been introduced and quantitative definitions of threatening and collisional HCB orbits have been proposed for the first time. It is shown that at a lead time of 30 days, it is necessary to detect HCBs at distances of about 1 AU, which corresponds to a telescope’s resolving power of V ～ 23 ^m . This entails the necessity to design wide-angle large-aperture telescopes. For detecting and monitoring space debris objects and meteoroids in the near-earth space at a time scale of about several days, faster instruments with smaller apertures but larger vision fields are efficient. An example is given of a basic design of a space-based system that takes into account the astronomical requirements discussed.     

空间应用短波CCD系统增益的放射源标定和估算

为满足国内空间天气监测预报研究,建立自主的空间天气数据获取系统,正在开发太阳软X-EUV空间成像望远镜。CCD作为空间望远镜的成像器件,在研制的过程中需要掌握其基本特性,对其进行标定测试。介绍了在热真空罐中使用Fe55放射源进行CCD增益标定的实验和实验数据的两种处理方式,得到了-8℃至0℃温度范围内的增益值,结果表明两种处理方式的结果符合较好,温度变化对增益的影响较小,并以这些温度下增益的平均值作为最终的增益值结果。     

Mineralogy,petrology, chronology,and exposure history of the Chelyabinsk meteorite and parent body

Three masses of the Chelyabinsk meteorite have been studied with a wide range of analytical techniques to understand the mineralogical variation and thermal history of the Chelyabinsk parent body. The samples exhibit little to no postentry oxidation via Mössbauer and Raman spectroscopy indicating their fresh character, but despite the rapid collection and care of handling some low levels of terrestrial contamination did nonetheless result. Detailed studies show three distinct lithologies, indicative of a genomict breccia. A light‐colored lithology is LL5 material that has experienced thermal metamorphism and subsequent shock at levels near S4. The second lithology is a shock‐darkened LL5 material in which the darkening is caused by melt and metal‐troilite veins along grain boundaries. The third lithology is an impact melt breccia that formed at high temperatures (~1600 °C), and it experienced rapid cooling and degassing of S₂ gas. Portions of light and dark lithologies from Chel‐101, and the impact melt breccias (Chel‐102 and Chel‐103) were prepared and analyzed for Rb‐Sr, Sm‐Nd, and Ar‐Ar dating. When combined with results from other studies and chronometers, at least eight impact events (e.g., ~4.53 Ga, ~4.45 Ga, ~3.73 Ga, ~2.81 Ga, ~1.46 Ga, ~852 Ma, ~312 Ma, and ~27 Ma) are clearly identified for Chelyabinsk, indicating a complex history of impacts and heating events. Finally, noble gases yield young cosmic ray exposure ages, near 1 Ma. These young ages, together with the absence of measurable cosmogenic derived Sm and Cr, indicate that Chelyabinsk may have been derived from a recent breakup event on an NEO of LL chondrite composition.     

Magneto-Acoustic Energetics Study of the Seismically Active Flare of 15 February 2011

Multi-wavelength studies of energetic solar flares with seismic emissions have revealed interesting common features between them. We studied the first GOES X-class flare of Solar Cycle 24, as detected by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). For context, seismic activity from this flare (SOL2011-02-15T01:55-X2.2, in NOAA AR 11158) has been reported by Kosovichev (Astrophys. J. Lett., 734, L15, 2011) and Zharkov et?al. (Astrophys. J. Lett., 741, L35, 2011). Based on Dopplergram data from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), we applied standard methods of local helioseismology in order to identify the seismic sources in this event. RHESSI hard X-ray data are used to check the correlation between the location of the seismic sources and the particle-precipitation sites in during the flare. Using HMI magnetogram data, the temporal profile of fluctuations in the photospheric line-of-sight magnetic field is used to estimate the magnetic-field change in the region where the seismic signal was observed. This leads to an estimate of the work done by the Lorentz-force transient on the photosphere of the source region. In this instance, this is found to be a significant fraction of the acoustic energy in the attendant seismic emission, suggesting that Lorentz forces can contribute significantly to the generation of sunquakes. However, there are regions in which the signature of the Lorentz force is much stronger, but from which no significant acoustic emission emanates.     

On the occurrence and origin of anthropogenic radionuclides found in a fragment of the Chelyabinsk (LL5) meteorite

A piece of the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteorite was investigated for its content of anthropogenic radionuclides. In addition to traces of cesium‐137 that had been previously reported for this particular fragment, we found an unusually high amount of strontium‐90, which indicates that the source of this contamination was the Kyshtym accident (1957). A high Sr‐90/Cs‐137 activity ratio is characteristic for Kyshtym‐derived contaminations. Based on the cesium‐137 content in the soil from the finding site, it is estimated that the fragment was contaminated with soil particles in the milligram range upon impact. Investigation of the soil revealed very unusual ferromagnetic characteristics and an iron‐rich chemical composition. Mössbauer spectroscopy indicated the presence of steel components in this soil, suggesting that the investigated meteorite fragment was found in an industrial dumping site rather than natural soil.     

The orbit and dynamical evolution of the Chelyabinsk object

The orbit of the Chelyabinsk object is calculated, applying the least‐squares method directly to astrometric positions. The dynamical evolution of this object in the past is studied by integrating equations of motion for particles with orbits from the confidence region. It is found that the majority of the Chelyabinsk clones reach the near‐Sun state. Sixty‐seven percent of these objects have collisions with the Sun for 15 Myr in our numerical simulations. The distribution of minimum solar distances shows that the most probable time for the encounters of the Chelyabinsk object with the Sun lies in the interval from ?0.8 Myr to ?2 Myr. This is consistent with the estimate of a cosmic ray exposure age of 1.2 Myr (Popova et al. 2013). A parent body of the Chelyabinsk object should experience strong tidal and thermal effects at this time. The possible association of the Chelyabinsk object with 86039 (1999 NC43) and 2008 DJ is discussed.     

A survey of the peculiar radio emission of the solar behind-limb event on 16th February 1984

Basing on radio measurements from different stations the paper presents a compilation of observations and resultinng questions concerning the interpretation of some remarkable features of the solar behind-limb event on 16th February 1984. The event was related to a very strong relativistic particle emission. Attention is paid to the related microwave radiation stimulating a discussion of the discrimination between plasma and gyromagnetic radiation being important for plasma diagnostics. Another outstanding feature is the occurrence of a spectacular multi-band U-shaped type II burst pattern challenging a discussion of possible higher harmonic plasma radiation.     

Results of Complex Observations of Asteroid (596) Scheila at the Sanglokh International Astronomical Observatory

Results of astrometric and BVRI photometric observations of the active asteroid (596) Scheila are presented. The observations were carried out at the Zeiss-1000 telescope of the Sanglokh International Astronomical Observatory of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan on June 16?17 and from July 30 to August 1, 2017. The coordinates of the object and its orbit were determined; and the apparent brightness in four filters, the absolute brightness in the V and R filters, and the color indices were obtained. The light curves suggest that no substantial changes in the asteroid’s brightness occurred during the observations. The absolute brightness of the asteroid in the V and R filters was (9.1 ± 0.05)^m and (8.8 ± 0.03)^m, respectively. The mean value of the asteroid diameter was (119 ± 2) km. The mean values of the color indices (B?V = (0.72 ± 0.05)^m, V?R = (0.29 ± 0.03)^m, and R?I = (0.31 ± 0.03)^m) agree well with the values for asteroids of the P- and D-types and its averages. The rotation period of the asteroid estimated from photometric observations was 16.1 ± 0.2 h. The analysis of the data has shown that the asteroid continues to exhibit the same values of absolute brightness and other characteristics as those before the collision with a small body in December 2010, though the latter resulted in the outburst event and cometary activity of the asteroid. Most likely, the collision of asteroid (596) Scheila with a small body did not lead to catastrophic changes in the surface of the asteroid or to its compete break-up.     

The ionospheric effects in D-layer and solar proton precipitation zones during the 16 February 1984 event

The results of the geophysical and VLF (10–16 kHz) radio propagation measurements on the net of observatories during the solar proton event on 16 February 1984 are analysed. It is shown that the abnormal ionization region caused by solar protons consisted of two parts. One of them was the direct access zone in the middle and morning side of the polar cap, the other was the precipitation region of the quasi-trapped particles in the mid-day and evening sectors of the auroral zone. The probable profiles of the lower ionosphere electron density are determined from the VLF and satellite data of the energetic spectra at the maximum penetration. It is shown that the effective electron concentration at the height 45 km was close to 10³ cm⁻³.     

天文数据库回顾与展望

随着新一代巡天观测、时域观测等天文项目的推进,当前的天文数据量越来越大。面对天文领域日益增长的大数据集和大数据流,需要一些高效的数据存储和数据处理方法来对数据进行管理。天文数据库以及在其基础上提供的数据服务的出现部分解决了这样的问题。借助于计算机技术和信息技术的进步,一些更加专业的针对天文领域的数据发现、数据挖掘、数据交互等工作正在逐步标准化。基于虚拟天文台技术和天文信息学的新型天文数据服务正深入天文用户的日常科研生活中。首先简单回顾了天文数据库的历史,然后通过对几个典型天文数据库的举例分析,从天文数据库的类型、提供的服务等方面介绍了当前天文数据库的特点和最新进展,并对今后天文数据库的发展做了展望。     

测定天文大气折射和建立电磁波折射延迟实测模型(Ⅰ)-观测原理和可行性

简述了天文大气折射和电磁波中性大气折射延迟的成因,以及不同观测站、不同方位的折射值存在差异的事实;根据测定瞬时天文大气折射、建立本地实测模型的观测原理和要求,分析了长期以来不能直接测定天文大气折射的几个主要障碍,介绍了现已具备的排除这些障碍的必要条件,为建立天文大气折射实测模型,和随观测站、随方位而异的电磁波折射延迟改正模型提供了保证。