High-dispersion spectroscopic observations of Venus during 1968 and 1969 II. The carbon-dioxide band at 8689 Å

Thirty well-exposed photographic plates showing the spectrum of the carbon-dioxide band at 8689 Å in the atmosphere of Venus were obtained during 1968 and 1969. All spectra were obtained at a dispersion of 2 Å/mm for Venus phase angles varying from 10° to 126°. We find rotational temperatures ranging from 236 to 274 K. The average value of the rotational temperature is 246 ± 1 K (one standard deviation); for our 1967 observations, the rotational temperatures ranged from 222 to 248 K, with an average value of 238 ± 4 K. The variation of the equivalent width of the 8689 Å band, with Venus phase angle, was very similar for the two sets of observations (53 plates). The temporal variations, of approximately 30% were comparable with the phase variations over this limited range of phase angle.     

Nightglow OH (8, 3) band intensities and rotational temperature at 23°S

The OH (8, 3) band airglow emission has been observed over 1 year at a latitude of 23°S. The average band intensity observed was 385 Rayleighs with a nocturnal range typically less than 100 R. The nocturnal variation in rotational temperature was usually less than 10°K, and the mean temperature was 179°K. The nocturnal variation of intensity is usually uncorrelated with that of the rotational temperature. Time average values of these parameters do, however, show some correlation. On some occasions large post-twilight and pre-dawn intensity enhancements are observed.     

The lightcurve and rotation period of asteroid 139 Juewa

Results of broad-band photoelectric photometry of 139 Juewa during 5 consecutive nights in March 1974 are presented. The synodic period found is 20.9 hr. A linear phase coefficient, β = 0.080 ± 0.004, is determined between phase angles of 0.9° to 1.5°. This value is similar to that for the lunar highlands and for three other asteroids (4 Vesta, 20 Massalia, 110 Lydia) at similar phase angles, indicating that these surfaces have comparable porosities. The composite lightcurve presented covers 80% of the rotational period; short timescale features in the lightcurve are seen which correspond to topography a few kilometers in size.     

Measurements of thermospheric temperatures at a mid-latitude station

Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements of the nightglow 630.0 nm line have been made at Beveridge(37°28′S, 145°6′E) from December 1980 to September 1981.Thermospheric temperatures have been derived from these measurements and compared to the MSIS model. Good agreement is found except during summer when the experimental temperatures are consistently higher (～ 100 K) than the model values. The experimental values are well described by a function similar to that used by Hernandez (1982b) to describe 7 years of data obtained at Fritz Peak which is at a similar mid-latitude to Beveridge. The fit to the Beveridge data indicates larger seasonal and magnetic variations in the temperature than given by the MSIS model.     

Tensor anisotropy of cosmic rays

Long-termobservations of the muon intensity of galactic cosmic rays at the Nagoya (35°10′ N, 136°58′ E) and Yakutsk (62°01′ N, 129°43′ E) stations have revealed amplitude-phase annual and semiannual oscillations of the semidiurnal variation. These oscillations are attributable to the properties of the cosmic-ray anisotropy tensor that result from shielding by the interplanetary magnetic field and solar-wind shear flow. The mentioned tensor is also shown to have a north-south asymmetry.     

Polar cap oh airglow rotational temperatures at the mesopause during a stratospheric warming event

OH (8-3) band rotational temperature was observed at 78.4°N during a stratospheric wanning event. A negative temperature wave of the order of 40 K observed near the mesopause seems to be associated with a corresponding stratospheric warming of the order of 20 K. A 1–2-day delay is observed between the maximum stratospheric warming and the maximum cooling near the mesopause seen in the OH rotational temperature change.     

High-dispersion spectroscopic observations of Venus near superior conjunction: II. The carbon dioxide band at 7883 Å

Nine plates of the 7883-Å CO₂ band were taken between phase angles 7.2 and 10.7° in 1971. A curve-of-growth analysis of 28 rotational lines in the band indicates an average rotational temperature of 236 ± 8°K; the average slope of the curve of growth was 0.63 ± 0.06. The results for this band are compared to those for the 7820-Å band.     

Coma Morphology And Constraints On The Rotation Of Comet Hale–Bopp (C/1995 O1)

We present constraints on the spin state of comet Hale-Bopp based on coma morphology. Three cases of rotational states are compatible with near perihelion observations: (1) principal-axis rotation, (2) complex rotational state with a small precessional angle, or (3) complex rotational state with a large ratio between the component periods. For principal axis rotators, images from 1996 (pre-perihelion) are consistent with a rotational angular momentum vector, M, directed at ecliptic longitude and latitude (250°, -5°) while images from late 1997 (post-perihelion) indicate (310°, -40°). This may suggest a change in M. A complex rotational state with small precessional angle requires only a small or no change in M over the active orbital arc. In this case, M is directed near ecliptic longitude and latitude (270°, -20°). A rotationally excited nucleus with a large ratio between component periods requires the nucleus to be nearly spherical. The transformation of dust coma morphology from near-radial jets to bright arcs and then again to near-radial jets is interpreted as a heliocentric and geocentric distance dependent evolutionary sequence. The spiral structures seen in CN filters near perihelion (in contrast to sunward side arcs seen in continuum) can be explained if the precursor of CN molecules (likely sub-micron grains) are emitted from the nucleus at low levels (≈ 10% of the peak daytime emission) during the nighttime. This may be indicative of a nucleus with a CO-rich active area(s). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Binningup H5 Chondrite: A New Fall from Western Australia

Abstract— Following a brilliant daylight fireball at 10:10 a.m. (local time) on 30 September 1984, a single stone weighing 488.1 grams was recovered from Binningup beach (33°09′23″S, 115°40′35″E), Western Australia. Data from 23 reported sightings of the fireball indicate an angle of trajectory 20–40° from the horizontal, a flight-path bearing N210°E and an end-point (ca. 32°39′S, 115°54.5′E) at a height of ～20–30 km. A recrystallized chondritic texture and the presence of olivine and low-Ca orthopyroxene with compositions of Fa_18.4 (PMD 1.1)and Fs_16.1 (PMD 1.1), respectively, show that Binningup is a typical member of the H-group of ordinary chondrites. Uniform mineral compositions and the presence of generally microcrystalline plagioclase feldspar indicate that the meteorite belongs to petrologic type 5. Pervasive fracturing of silicates suggests mild pre-terrestrial shock loading. Measurements (dpm kg^?1) of cosmogenic radionuclides including ²²Na (61 ± 5), ²⁶Al (49 ± 3) and ⁵⁴Mn (66 ± 10) indicate a normal history of irradiation.     

On the Rotational Temperature of AlH in Sunspots

A search has been carried out for the presence of rotational lines of two bands of the (0, 0) and (1, 1) A ¹Π?–?X ¹Σ⁺ system of the AlH molecule in the high resolution Fourier Transform Spectra of sunspots observed at the National Solar Observatory at Kitt Peak. Though the presence of the AlH molecule in sunspots was confirmed by Wallace, Hinkle, and Livingston (An Atlas of Sunspot Umbral Spectra in the Visible from 15?000 to 25?000 cm^?1 (3920 to 6664 Å), Tech. Rep. 00-001, National Solar Observatory, Tucson, AZ, 2000), there is no report on the rotational temperature in the literature by identifying AlH molecular lines. The results obtained in this new search using a suitable identification technique are compared with the results reported by Wallace, Hinkle, and Livingston (2000). In view of the fact that the rotational temperatures of the molecules could be used to test photospheric and sunspot models, the effective rotational temperature for the (0, 0) band of the A?–?X system of AlH molecule is estimated by measuring the equivalent widths of well resolved spectral lines and its value justifies the existence of the AlH molecule in sunspots.     

Tidal and solar cycle effects on the OI 5577 Å, NaD and OH(8,3) airglow emissions observed at 23°S

The upper mesosphere airglow emissions OI 5577, NaD and OH have been observed at Cachoeira Paulista (22.7°S; 45.0°W) Brazil. Nocturnal variations and their seasonal dependencies in amplitude and phase, and the annual variations of these emissions are presented, analysing the data obtained from 1977 to 1982 during the ascending phase of the last solar cycle. The nocturnal variations of the OI 5577 emission and the OH rotational temperature showed a significant semidiurnal oscillation, with the phase of maximum moving from midnight in January to early morning in June. Semiannual variation of the OI 5577 and NaD emissions with the maximum intensities in April/May and October/November were observed. The OH rotational temperature, however, showed an annual variation, maximum in summer and minimum in winter, while no significant seasonal variation was found in the OH emission intensities. Long-term intensity variations are also presented with the solar sunspot numbers and the 10.7 cm flux.     

IMPACT AND IMPACT-LIKE STRUCTURES IN ALGERIA PART I FOUR BOWL-SHAPED DEPRESSIONS

From orbital, aviation and geologic documents, four circular depressions on the Sahara sedimentary platform were selected for field investigation because of their possible impact origin. Our results can be summarized as follows: Amguid Crater (26° 05′N; 004° 23.5′E; 450 m diameter, 30 m deep) is perfectly circular, with a steep wall, a raised rim and an ejecta blanket. The strata are uplifted, outward dipping, dislocated and locally overturned at the rim crest. Large blocks are scattered around the rim. There is petrological evidence of shock by planar elements in quartz. Amguid is a well preserved impact crater probably no older than 100,000 years. Talemzane (33° 19′N; 004° 02′E; 1.7 km diameter, 70 m deep) is also perfectly circular and displays a raised rim. The strata are uplifted, outward dipping, and locally highly fractured. Numerous breccia veins are clearly exposed in the crater wall. Consolidated ejected debris form a continuous blanket more than 500 m outward from the rim. Reworked mixed breccias are exposed at the base of the crater wall. Planar elements are observed in quartz clasts in the mixed breccia. Talemzane is an impact crater on the order of 0.5 to 3 million years old. El Mouilah (33° 51′N; 002° 03′E; 4.5 km diameter, 130 m deep) is almost perfectly circular, the walls are steep and there is a central dome. In spite of a promising morphology, there is no field evidence of impact. El Mouilah is possibly a recent collapse structure due to dissolution in the thick underlying limestone and gypsum formations or purely erosional in origin. Aflou (34° 00′N; 002° 03′E) is not circular (3 × 5 km) but was selected because it appears in the literature as a probable impact crater, the main argument being the existence of fused materials in the center (Marks et al., 1972). We found no evidence of impact, but several occurrences of igneous rocks along an E-W direction suggest a structurally controlled volcanic activity. A volcanic activity is also supported by the existence of a local magnetic anomaly centered on the depression. Aflou is neither an impact structure nor a crater. Located on a probable structural dome, at the intersection of several structural trends, the formation of the depression can be due to erosion and/or dissolution in the thick underlying limestone and gypsum formations.     

Jupiter's atmosphere: Observations and interpretation of the microwave spectrum near 1.25-cm wavelength

Measurements of Jupiter's disk-temperature spectrum in the 20- to 24-GHz (1.5 cm < λ < 1.25 cm) region are reported. These data are combined with previously published data to produce a uniformly calibrated thermal spectrum of Jupiter in the wavelength interval 0.85 to 2.1 cm. Model studies are carried out to determine optimum pressure-temperature profiles for an assumed radiative-convective temperature structure. We find the temperature at the 1-bar total effective pressure level is between 140 and 165°K, with a most probable value of 153°K, provided that NH₃ is uniformly saturated in the clouds on a global scale. We show that the temperature profile for the microwave model is ～20°K cooler than the profiles derived from infrared data. An explanation of this discrepancy is discussed in terms of a model which invokes different NH₃ distributions in the belts and zones.     

Photometric properties of powdered sulfur

The spectrophotometric (0.39 < λ < 0.7 λm) properties of three particle-size fractions (diameters <10 λm, <150 λm, and 420–850 λm) of sulfur have been investigated in the laboratory. Particle size, temperature, thermal history, and scattering geometry are all shown to influence the spectral reflectance of the normal (S₈) sulfur samples and an “orange-colored” S₈ sample produced by quenching molten sulfur. A scattering law consisting of a linear combination of lunar-like and Lambertian terms adequately describes the data for all particle sizes. Where sulfur is darkest (λ < 0.45 λm), the reflectance decreases with increasing particle size, whereas where sulfur is brightest (λ > 0.45 λm) the reflectance increases with decreasing particle size. In reflected light, the long wavelength edge of the strong ultraviolet absorption retreats smoothly to shorter wavelengths with decreasing temperature at ～1.6Å/°K, a value lower than the 2.2Å/°K value previously reported for transmitted light. Near opposition, sulfur powders are found to follow closely a Minnaert limb darkening law except where the reflectance is low, i.e., in the strong ultraviolet absorption band of the larger particle size fractions. It is clear from our data that quantitative comparisons between disk-integrated observations of Io and laboratory measurements of flat samples of sulfur are not adequate unless temperature effects and changes in scattering geometry are included.     

Mars and Jupiter: Radio emission at 1.35 cm

We report observations of the radio disk temperatures of Mars and Jupiter made during October 1971, at a wavelength of 1.35 cm. The mean disk temperature of Jupiter is 136 ± 5°K, in good agreement with the value 139 ± 6°K obtained by Wrixon et al. (1971) with the same instrument three years earlier. The disk temperature of Mars is 181 ± 11°K, consistent with an essentially wavelength independent disk temperature for Mars at radio wavelengths. The ratio of the two disk temperatures, 1.33 ± .07, is largely free of the systematic uncertainties: antenna gain, pointing, and atmospheric extinction.     

IMPACT AND IMPACT-LIKE STRUCTURES IN ALGERIA PART II MULTI-RINGED STRUCTURES

While Part I was devoted to the study of bowl-shaped depressions in Algeria, the present article focuses on multi-ringed structures of possible impact origin on the Algerian Sahara platform. Four structures were selected from orbital, aviation and geologic documents but only three were visited. TIN BIDER (27°36′N; 005°07′E) is a concentric multiple ring structure at least 6 km in diameter. Upper-Cretaceous sedimentary beds outside the structure dip inward a few degrees at the periphery and become extremely folded nearer the center, yet a general circular symmetry is always retained. A clearly exposed contact between upper deformed beds and underlying on-deformed beds is remarkably flat, dipping less than 10° inward. The upper beds display strong centrifugal folding. In the center of the structure Lower-Cretaceous sandstones about 0.5 km above their normal stratigraphic position are exposed. Although no shatter cones, intensive brecciation, or fracturing were observed, there is definite petrographic evidence of shock metamorphism (planar elements) in the quartz grains of the central sandstones. Tin Bider is a probable impact structure. It is the only astrobleme known with such prominent ductile deformations, a characteristic which may be due to the nature of the target materials. Detailed studies are now required to understand the mechanism of deformation of this multi-ringed structure. Its formation may be early Tertiary in age. FOUM TEGUENTOUR (26°14.5′N; 002°25′E) is an 8 km diameter bull's eye ring pattern. Although the high circularity and the morphology are consistent with an impact origin, the prominence of ductile deformation, the nature of the formations (clay-gypsum with sandstone intercalcations), the type of folds, the relationships between the structure and a surrounding plateau, and the lack of any evidence of shock effects better support a diapiric origin. MAZOULA (28°24′N; 007°49′E) is an 800 m diameter multi-ring feature with a 300 m wide anticlinal dome which rises some 30–35 m above the surrounding horizontal strata. The dome is capped by a flat-lying massive carbonate layer dipping on the flanks in accordance to the surface topography. There are no special disturbances, no fractures or breccias. Mazoula is not impact in origin but may be a Cretaceous rudistid reef and/or a salt diapir.     

High-dispersion spectroscopic observations of Venus near superior conjunction: I. The carbon dioxide band at 7820 Å

Nine plates of the 7820 Å CO₂ band were taken in 1971. A curve-of-growth analysis of the CO₂ lines indicates a rotational temperature of 241 ± 2°K, with an average slope to the curve of growth of 0.60 ± 0.03. The Venus phase angle ranged from 7.2 to 10.7°. The equivalent widths of the 1971 data fall on a smooth curve fit through the 1969 data for this band; there does not appear to be any discontinuity in the phase curve at small phase angles.     

Correlations between OH,NaD and OI 5577 Å emissions in the airglow

Simultaneous measurements of the night airglow OI 5577 Å and OH (8,3) band have been carried out at Cachoeira Paulista (23°S, 45°W), Brazil since 1976. Cross correlation analyses between the nocturnal variations of these emissions and also with the OH rotational temperature (ROT) for various time shifts are presented. It is found that OH (8,3) is well correlated with ROT but with a time lag of about 1 h. The variations of OI 5577 Å lead OH (8,3) by about 2–3 h and ROT covaries with 5577 Å with a time lag less than 1 h. For the sake of comparison, OI 5577 Å, OH and NaD data from a number of IQSY stations have been analysed. It is noted that (1) OI 5577 Å leads OH by about 2 h at mid-latitude stations and (2) OH is well correlated with Na 5893 Å with a time lag of less than 1 h. The presence of the phase lagged correlation patterns between OH/5577 Å, OH/ROT and OH/NaD indicates vertical propagation of a wavelike perturbation of the upper atmosphere.     

Photometry of Phoebe

Observatios of Phoebe (S9) in the V filter at small solar phase angles (0.2° to 1.2°) with the MIT SNAPSHOT CCD are presented. The value of Phoebe's sideral rotational period is refined to 9.282 ± 0.015hr. Assuming the Voyager-derived 110 km radius, Phoebe's observed mean opposition V magnitude of 16.176 ± 0.033 (extrapolated from small angles) corresponds to a geometric albedo of 0.084 ± 0.003. A strong opposition effect is indicated by the 0.180 ± 0.035 mag/deg solar phase coefficient observed at these small phase angles. The data are shown to be compatible with a phase function for C-type asteroids (K. Lumme and E. Bowell, 1981, Astron. J. 86, 1705–1721; K. Lumme, E. Bowell, and A. W. Harris, 1984, Bull. Amer. Astron. Soc. 16, 684), but give a poorer fit to the average asteroid phase relation of T. Gehrels and E.F. Tedesco (1979, Astron. J. 84, 1079–1087). Phoebe's rotational lightcurve in the V filter is roughly sinusoidal, with a 0.230-mag peak-to-peak amplitude and weaker higher order harmonics indicating primarily bimodal surface feature contrast. In addition to these photometric results, precise positions on 3 nights are given.