Z-dependence of the level intervals in 2s 2 2p 2, 2s 2 2p 3 and 2s 2 2p 4

Values of the level intervals in the ground configurations 2s ² 2p ², 2s ² 2p ³ and 2s ² 2p ⁴ have been critically compiled from laboratory observations and from observations of nebular and coronal forbidden transitions. The data are represented within experimental errors by means of semi-empirical extrapolation formulae which contain from 3 to 5 adjusted parameters. The results provide means for checking laboratory and astrophysical identifications and measurements. Tables of best level values are given for the configurations concerned.     

Instability of the 2+2 body problem

The equations of motion of the 2+2 body problem (two interacting particles in the gravitational field of two much more massive primaries m₁ and m₂ in circular keplerian orbit) have an integral analogous to the Jacobi integral of the circular 2+1 body problem. We show here that with 2+2 bodies this integral does not give rise to Hill stability, i.e. to confinement for all time in a portion of the configuration space not allowing for some close approaches to occur. This is because all the level manifolds are connected and all exchanges of bodies between the regions surroundingm ₁,m ₂ and infinity do not contradict the conservation of the integral. However, it is worth stressing that some of these exchanges are physically meaningless, because they involve either unlimited extraction of potential energy from the binary formed by the small bodies (without taking into account their physical size) or significant mutual perturbations between the small masses without close approach, a process requiring, for the Sun-Jupiter-two asteroids system, timescales longer than the age of the Solar System.     

Equilibrium points and hill’s regions in the 1+2 and 2+2 problem

For the 1+2 and 2+2 problems, we obtain the equilibrium points, their stability, and the topology of the constant energy manifold.     

A coupled soil-atmosphere model of H2O2 on Mars

The Viking Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer failed to detect organic compounds on Mars, and both the Viking Labeled Release and the Viking Gas Exchange experiments indicated a reactive soil surface. These results have led to the widespread belief that there are oxidants in the martian soil. Since H2O2 is produced by photochemical processes in the atmosphere of Mars, and has been shown in the laboratory to reproduce closely the Viking LR results, it is a likely candidate for a martian soil oxidant. Here, we report on the results of a coupled soil/atmosphere transport model for H2O2 on Mars. Upon diffusing into the soil, its concentration is determined by the extent to which it is adsorbed and by the rate at which it is catalytically destroyed. An analytical model for calculating the distribution of H2O2 in the martian atmosphere and soil is developed. The concentration of H2O2 in the soil is shown to go to zero at a finite depth, a consequence of the nonlinear soil diffusion equation. The model is parameterized in terms of an unknown quantity, the lifetime of H2O2 against heterogeneous catalytic destruction in the soil. Calculated concentrations are compared with a H2O2 concentration of 30 nmoles/cm3, inferred from the Viking Labeled Release experiment. A significant result of this model is that for a wide range of H2O2 lifetimes (up to 10(5) years), the extinction depth was found to be less than 3 m. The maximum possible concentration in the top 4 cm is calculated to be approximately 240 nmoles/cm3, achieved with lifetimes of greater than 1000 years. Concentrations higher than 30 nmoles/cm3 require lifetimes of greater than 4.3 terrestrial years. For a wide range of H2O2 lifetimes, it was found that the atmospheric concentration is only weakly coupled with soil loss processes. Losses to the soil become significant only when lifetimes are less than a few hours. If there are depths below which H2O2 is not transported, it is plausible that organic compounds, protected from an oxidizing environment, may still exist. They would have been deposited by meteors, or be the organic remains of past life.     

A comparison of theoretical line strengths for the 2s 22p 2 − 2s2p 3 transitions in Ne v with solar data

Results are presented for several theoretical line ratios in Nev involving transitions between multiplets in the 2s ²2p ² and 2s2p ³ configurations. A comparison of these with solar data from the S082A and S-055 instruments on board Skylab reveals generally good agreement between theory and experiment, especially in the case of the high-resolution (S082A) observations. However the 2s ²2p ^{2 1} D – 2s2p ^{3 1} P (365.6 Å) and 2s ²2p ^{2 3}P – 2s2p ^{3 3} S (359 Å) lines appear to be blended, possibly with transitions in Fex and Fexi/Fexiii, respectively. We note that the intensity ratio I(365.6 Å)/I(416.2 Å) should be a valuable calibration check for a high-resolution extreme ultraviolet instrument in the spectral range 360–420 Å.     

Measurements in N2-CH4(C2H2) discharges of reaction rates and thermochemical constants for Titan atmosphere study

The kinetic reactions in N2-xCH4(C2H2) gas discharges with x less than 1% have been studied by emission spectroscopy in the afterglow of D.C. discharges and by mass spectroscopy from radiolysis ionization using alpha particles. The pressure range is from several Torr to 100 Torr. At the end of N2 D.C. discharges at room temperature, for a residence time of about 10(-2) s, the dominant active species are the N atoms with density of 10(14)-10(15) cm-3 for N2 density of about 10(17) cm-3 (3 Torr), the N2(X,V) vibrational molecules with for example [N2(X,V = 10)] approximately 10(14) cm-3 and the electronic metastable molecules N2(A 3 sigma u +) with a density of 10(12) cm-3. In such conditions, the following kinetic reactions have been studied: N2(A) + N2(A) --> N2(C,B,V') + N2(X), N2(A) + N2(X,V>5) --> N2(X) + N2(B,V') in pure N2 post-discharges and N2(A) + CH4 --> products, C + N + M2 --> CN(B,V') + M2, N2(X,V>4) + CN --> N2(X) + CN(B,A,V'), in N2-1% CH4 post-discharges. The clustering reactions of N2-(1-5%)CH4(C2H2) gas mixtures after radiolysis ionization have been studied for the H2CN+ nN2 ions and the equilibrium constants have been determined in the temperature range T = 140-300 K.     

The rate of the reaction between C2H and C2H2 at interstellar temperatures

The reaction between the radical C2H and the stable hydrocarbon C2H2 is one of the simplest neutral-neutral hydrocarbon reactions in chemical models of dense interstellar clouds and carbon-rich circumstellar shells. Although known to be rapid at temperatures > or = 300 K, the reaction has yet to be studied at lower temperatures. We present here ab initio calculations of the potential surface for this reaction and dynamical calculations to determine its rate at low temperature. Despite a small potential barrier in the exit channel, the calculated rate is large, showing that this reaction and, most probably, more complex analogs contribute to the formation of complex organic molecules in low-temperature sources.     

The condensation and vaporization behavior of ices containing SO2, H2S, and CO2: implications for Io

In an extension of previously reported work on ices containing CO, CO2, H2O, CH3OH, NH3, and H2, measurements of the physical and infrared spectral properties of ices containing molecules relevant to Jupiter's moon Io are presented. These include studies on ice systems containing SO2, H2S, and CO2. The condensation and sublimation behaviors of each ice system and surface binding energies of their components are discussed. The surface binding energies can be used to calculate the residence times of the molecules on a surface as a function of temperature and thus represent important parameters for any calculation that attempts to model the transport of these molecules on Io's surface. The derived values indicate that SO2 frosts on Io are likely to anneal rapidly, resulting in less fluffy, "glassy" ices and that H2S can be trapped in the SO2 ices of Io during night-time hours provided that SO2 deposition rates are on the order of 5 micrometers/hr or larger.     

The 2.5-5.0 micrometers spectra of Io: evidence for H2S and H2O frozen in SO2

Infrared spectra of Io in the region 2.5-5.0 micrometers, including new observational data, are analyzed using detailed laboratory studies of plausible surface ices. Besides the absorption bands attributable to sulfur dioxide frosts, four infrared spectral features of Io are shown to be unidentified. These unidentified features show spatial and temporal band strength variations. One pair is centered around 3.9 micrometers (3.85 and 3.91 micrometers) and the second pair is centered around 3.0 micrometers (2.97 and 3.15 micrometers). These absorptions fall close to the fundamental stretching modes in H2S and H2O, respectively. The infrared absorption spectra of an extensive set of laboratory ices ranging from pure materials, to binary mixtures of H2S and H2O (either mixed at different concentrations or layered), to H2O:H2S:SO2 mixtures are discussed. The effects of ultraviolet irradiation (120 and 160 nm) and temperature variation (from 9 to 130 K) on the infrared spectra of the ices are examined. This comparative study of Io reflectance spectra with the laboratory mixed ice transmission data shows the following: (1) Io's surface most likely contains H2S and H2O mixed with SO2. The 3.85- and 3.91-micrometers bands in the Io spectra can be accounted for by the absorption of the S-H stretching vibration (nu 1) in H2S clusters and isolated molecules in an SO2-dominated ice. The weak 2.97- and 3.15-micrometers bands which vary spatially and temporally in the Io spectra coincide with the nu 3 and nu 1 O-H stretching vibrations of clusters of H2O molecules complexed, through hydrogen bonding and charge transfer interactions, with SO2. (2) The observations are well matched qualitatively by the transmission spectra of SO2 ices containing about 3% H2S and 0.1% H2O which have been formed by the condensation of a mixture of the gases onto a 100 K surface. (3) No new features are produced in the region 2.5 to 5.0 micrometers in the spectrum of these ices under prolonged ultraviolet irradiation or temperature variation up to 120 K. (4) Comparison of the Io spectra to transmission spectra of both mixed molecular ices and layered ices indicates that only the former can explain the shifts and splitting of the absorption bands seen in the Io spectrum and additionally can account for the fact that solid H2S is observed in the surface material of Io at temperature and pressure conditions above the sublimation point of pure H2S.     

H2O maser pumping: The effect of quasi-resonance energy transfer in collisions between H2 and H2O molecules

The effect of quasi-resonance energy transfer in collisions between H₂ and H₂O molecules in H₂O maser sources is investigated. New data on the state-to-state rate coefficients for collisional transitions for H₂O and H₂ molecules are used in the calculations. The results of ortho-H₂O level population inversion calculations for the 22.2-, 380-, 439-, and 621-GHz transitions are presented. The ortho-H₂O level population inversion is shown to depend significantly on the population distribution of the para-H₂ J = 0 and 2 rotational levels. The possibility of quasi-resonance energy transfer in collisions between H₂ molecules at highly excited rotational-vibrational levels and H₂O molecules is considered. The quasi-resonance energy transfer effect can play a significant role in pumping H₂O masers in the central regions of active galactic nuclei and in star-forming regions.     

The C3H2 2(20)-2(11) transition: absorption in cold dark clouds

The first observations of the 2(20)-2(11) transition of cyclopropenylidene (C3H2) at 21.6 GHz are described. In all cases where it has been detected, the line appears in absorption, showing that this transition is "refrigerated" (i.e., Tex < 2.7 K) in cold dust clouds. These results are compared with those for the 1(10)-1(01) transition of C3H2, and the consequences for the excitation of C3H2 qualitatively discussed.     

Observations of CH4, C2H6, and C2H2 in the stratosphere of Jupiter

We have performed high-resolution spectral observations at mid-infrared wavelengths of CH4 (8.14 micrometers), C2H6 (12.16 micrometers), and C2H2 (13.45 micrometers) on Jupiter. These emission features probe the stratosphere of the planet and provide information on the carbon-based photochemical processes taking place in that region of the atmosphere. The observations were performed using our cryogenic echelle spectrometer CELESTE, in conjunction with the McMath-Pierce 1.5-m solar telescope between November 1994 and February 1995. We used the methane observations to derive the temperature profile of the jovian atmosphere in the 1-10 mbar region of the stratosphere. This profile was then used in conjunction with height-dependent mixing ratios of each hydrocarbon to determine global abundances for ethane and acetylene. The resulting mixing ratios are 3.9(+1.9)(-1.3) x 10(-6) for C2H6 (5 mbar pressure level), and 2.3 +/- 0.5 x 10(-8) for C2H2 (8 mbar pressure level), where the quoted uncertainties are derived from model variations in the temperature profile which match the methane observation uncertainties.     

Structure of the 2:1 and 3:2 jovian resonances

The chaotic regions of the phase space in the vicinity of the 2:1 and 3:2 jovian resonances are identified by using a mapping technique derived from a second-order expansion of the disturbing function for the planar elliptical restricted three-body problem. It is shown that both resonances have extensive chaotic regions which in some cases can lead to large changes in the eccentricity of asteroid orbits. Although the 3:2 resonance is shown to be more chaotic than the 2:1 resonance, the existence of the Hilda group of asteroids and the Hecuba gap may be explained by distinct differences in the location of the high-eccentricity regions at each resonance. The problem of the convergence of the expansion of the disturbing function in the outer asteroid belt is also discussed.     

Wavelength predictions for the 1s2 2p - 1s2p3p satellite transitions

The energy differences between 1s ²2p 1s2p3p transitions and the corresponding 1s ² 1s3p resonances are expressed by means of a polynomial function of the atomic number. The agreement with experimental data from lithium to potassium is very good. Interpolated values for nitrogen to sodium and argon as well as extrapolation for calcium are reported.     

H2O-H2SO4 system in Venus' clouds and OCS, CO, and H2SO4 profiles in Venus' troposphere

A coupled problem of diffusion and condensation is solved for the H2SO4-H2O system in Venus' cloud layer. The position of the lower cloud boundary and profiles of the H2O and H2SO4 vapor mixing ratios and of the H2O/H2SO4 ratio of sulfuric acid aerosol and its flux are calculated as functions of the column photochemical production rate of sulfuric acid, phi H2SO4. Variations of the lower cloud boundary are considered. Our basic model, which is constrained to yield fH2O (30 km) = 30 ppm (Pollack et al. 1993), predicts the position of the lower cloud boundary at 48.4 km coinciding with the mean Pioneer Venus value, the peak H2SO4 mixing ratio of 5.4 ppm, and the H2SO4 production rate phi H2SO4 = 2.2 x 10(12) cm-2 sec-1. The sulfur to sulfuric acid mass flux ratio in the clouds is 1 : 27 in this model, and the mass loading ratio may be larger than this value if sulfur particles are smaller than those of sulfuric acid. The model suggests that the extinction coefficient of sulfuric acid particles with radius 3.7 micrometers (mode 3) is equal to 0.3 km-1 in the middle cloud layer. The downward flux of CO is equal to 1.7 x 10(12) cm-2 sec-1 in this model. Our second model, which is constrained to yield fH2SO4 = 10 ppm at the lower cloud boundary, close to the value measured by the Magellan radiooccultations, predicts the position of this boundary to be at 46.5 km, which agrees with the Magellan data; fH2O(30 km) = 90 ppm, close to the data of Moroz et al. (1983) at this altitude; phi H2SO4 = 6.4 x 10(12) cm-2 sec-1; and phi co = 4.2 x 10(12) cm-2 sec-1. The S/H2SO4 flux mass ratio is 1 : 18, and the extinction coefficient of the mode 3 sulfuric acid particles is equal to 0.9 km-1 in the middle cloud layer. A strong gradient of the H2SO4 vapor mixing ratio near the bottom of the cloud layer drives a large upward flux of H2SO4, which condenses and forms the excessive downward flux of liquid sulfuric acid, which is larger by a factor of 4-7 than the flux in the middle cloud layer. This is the mechanism of formation of the lower cloud layer. Variations of the lower cloud layer are discussed. Our modeling of the OCS and CO profiles in the lower atmosphere measured by Pollack et al. (1993) provides a reasonable explanation of these data and shows that the rate coefficient of the reaction SO3 + CO --> CO2 + SO2 is equal to 10(-11) exp(-(13,100 +/- 1000)/T) cm3/s. The main channel of the reaction between SO3 and OCS is CO2 + (SO)2, and its rate coefficient is equal to 10(-11) exp(-(8900 +/- 500)T)cm3/s. In the conditions of Venus' lower atmosphere, (SO)2 is removed by the reaction (SO)2 + OCS --> CO + S2 + SO2. The model predicts an OCS mixing ratio of 28 ppm near the surface.     

The S2N2 metallicity calibrator and the abundance gradient of M 33

We introduce the log(Hα/[S  ii ]λλ6717+6731) versus log(Hα/[N  ii ]λ6583) (S2N2) diagnostic diagram as a metallicity and ionization parameter indicator for H  ii regions in external galaxies. The location of H  ii regions in the S2N2 diagram was studied both empirically and theoretically. We found that, for a wide range of metallicities, the S2N2 diagram gives single-valued results in the metallicity–ionization parameter plane. We demonstrate that the S2N2 diagram is a powerful tool to estimate metallicities of high-redshift  ( z ∼ 2)  H  ii galaxies. Finally, we derive the metallicity for 76 H  ii regions in M 33 from the S2N2 diagram and calculate an O/H abundance gradient for this galaxy of −0.05 (±0.01) dex kpc⁻¹.     

Composite spectra paper 2: HD 88021/2

HD 88021/2 (ADS 7662) is a very close visual binary. The accepted visual orbit, which is of very high eccentricity and graded “reliable”, led to the expectation of a periastron passage in 1981, when there should have been a large difference in radial velocity between the components. No such event took place, and there is little indication that it is likely to occur in the near future. A new interpretation of the visual orbital data leads to an orbit of a different character from those hitherto proposed. A decision between the competing orbits should be possible within a very few years. Meanwhile, the method of spectral subtraction developed in Paper 1 has enabled us to separate the spectra of the two components and to show that their spectral types are K0 III and A2m.     

Radiation chemistry of H2O + O2 ices

The chemistry and spectroscopy of proton-irradiated H₂O + O₂ ices have been investigated in relation to the production of oxidants in icy satellite surfaces. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), ozone (O₃), and the hydroperoxy (HO₂) and hydrogen trioxide (HO₃) radicals have all been observed, and their temperature and dose dependent production trends have been measured. We find that O₂ aggregates form during the growth of H₂O + O₂ ice films, and the presence of these aggregates greatly affects the HO₂ and H₂O₂ yields. In addition, we have found that the position of the spectral maximum of the ν₃ vibration of O₃ shifts with ice composition, giving an indication of the degree of dispersion of O₃ molecules within the ice. We discuss the relevance of these measurements to icy satellite surfaces.     

The oblate spheroids version of the restricted photogravitational 2+2 body problem

The paper deals with the restricted photogravitational 2+2 body problem when the primaries are oblate spheroids. A study of the effect of the oblateness on the equilibrium positions and on the areas of the permissible motion of the minor bodies, is also made.