The extinction coefficients in mid- and farinfrared of silicate and iron-oxide minerals of interest for astronomical observations

Extinction measurements were made for some silicate and iron-oxide mineral grains in mid- and far-infrared region. For far-infrared region, high temperature magnesium silicates such as olivine and pyroxenes show the absorption spectra of steep dependence as ^–3 ( being the wavelength) with some peak structure, but the spectrum of magnetite shows ^–1 dependence.     

Mid- and far-infrared variability of PV Cep

We present the collection of all the mid- and far-IR observations (λ=3–170 μm) of the young eruptive variable PV Cep available so far in the literature. These data allow us to confirm that flux variability is a prominent feature at mid-IR wavelength (λ=3–25 μm). Color-magnitude plots clearly indicate that the observed variability is not extinction-driven, but mainly influenced by fluctuations of the mass accretion rate. We interpret such variability as due to a hot spot created onto the stellar surface by the column of accreting matter, which heats the inner parts of the disk and determines the observed increase of the near- mid-IR luminosity. A quantitative characterization is given for both the spot itself and the additional thermal component created by it. Far-IR data (λ=60–170 μm) are consistent with the presence of a temperature stratification in a massive and quite un-evolved circumstellar disk.     

Stability of hydrous minerals on the martian surface

The presence of water-bearing minerals on Mars has long been discussed, but little or no data exist showing that minerals such as smectites and zeolites may be present on the surface in a hydrated state (i.e., that they could contain H₂O molecules in their interlayer or extra-framework sites, respectively). We have analyzed experimental thermodynamic and X-ray powder diffraction data for smectite and the most common terrestrial zeolite, clinoptilolite, to evaluate the state of hydration of these minerals under martian surface conditions. Thermodynamic data for clinoptilolite show that water molecules in its extra-framework sites are held very strongly, with enthalpies of dehydration for Ca-clinoptilolite up to three times greater than that for liquid water. Using these data, we calculated the Gibbs free energy of hydration of clinoptilolite and smectite as a function of temperature and pressure. The calculations demonstrate that these minerals would indeed be hydrated under the very low-P (H₂O) conditions existing on Mars, a reflection of their high affinities for H₂O. These calculations assuming the partial pressure of H₂O and the temperature range expected on Mars suggest that, if present on the surface, zeolites and Ca-smectites could also play a role in affecting the diurnal variations in martian atmospheric H₂O because their calculated water contents vary considerably over daily martian temperature ranges. The open crystal structure of clinoptilolite and existing hydration and kinetic data suggest that hydration/dehydration are not kinetically limited. Based on these calculations, it is possible that hydrated zeolites and clay minerals may explain some of the recent observations of significant amounts of hydrogen not attributable to water ice at martian mid-latitudes.     

Mid-infrared extinction coefficients of amorphous silicates

Mid-infrared extinction coefficients of five natural amorphous silicates and seven synthetic glasses were measured. Three bands at about 10, 12, and 20 μm were seen for all the measured samples. The quantities of these bands are found to have good correlations with the SiO₂ content of the samples. The correlations are the most remarkable for the 10 μm band. As the SiO₂ content decreases, the peak wavelengthλ _m shifts to longer side, the peak heightK _m decreases and the full width of half maximumW increases. A quantityλ _m K _m W is constant within 15%. Empirical formula $$\lambda_m (\mu m) = {11.10-2.30 x 10^-2} {[SiO_2 wt.\%]} \pm 0.15$$ and $$W(\mu m) = {5.14-4.68 x 10^- 2} {[SiO_2 wt.\%]} \pm 0.30$$ are obtained for the measured samples. Therefore, the correlation is present between the 10 μm peak wavelengthλ _m and peak widthW for amorphous silicates. The change in peak widthW is remarkable compared the change in peak wavelengthλ _m as the SiO₂ content varies. For the 12 μm band the correlations with the SiO₂ content are not so good. A tendency that theλ _m shifts to the red and theK _m lowers as the decreasing SiO₂ content are found. For the samples with SiO₂ content less than 50% the 12 μm band cannot recognized as the peak. For the 20 μm band, theλ _m is almost independent on SiO₂ content and theK _m lowers with decreasing SiO₂ content. The results are compared with the observed 10 μm band of the astronomical objects. A method to estimate the SiO₂ content of astronomical grain materials is proposed and 48±8% SiO₂ wt.% is found corresponding to the peak wavelength of 9.7 μm and the peak width of 2.5–3.0 μm of typical celestial objects.     

Grain size dependence of far-infrared extinction spectra of amorphous fine grains

The far-infrared extinction spectra of fused silica grains with the size range from 1.8 m to 60 Å were measured. The spectra depend clearly on the grain size. For large grain sizes (from 1.8 m to 400 Å) the spectra show almost the ^–2 dependence ( is the wavelength), which resembles that of the bulk material. For fine grains (70 and 60 Å) the spectra are less steep, the wavelength dependence being ^–1. This grain size dependence of extinction spectra agrees essentially with the prediction of Seki and Yamamoto.     

On extinction by small graphite,silicate and iron particles

The refractive indices of graphite, silicate and iron, which are believed to be candidates for interstellar dust grains, are shown to exhibit large experimental uncertainties. The Mie scattering theory has been used to demonstrate how errors in the refractive indices are manifested in the extinction curves for small spheres in the wavelength range from 0.1 μm to 2 μm. It is found that the transmitted errors in the extinction curves are wavelength dependent: for graphite, significant errors occur in the far ultraviolet part of the extinction curve; for silicates, in the near ultraviolet; while for iron the error is relatively small in the wavelength range considered.     

Infrared diffuse reflectance spectra of carbonaceous chondrites: Amount of hydrous minerals

Abstract— Infrared diffuse reflectance spectra (2.53–25 μm) of some carbonaceous (C) chondrites were measured. The integrated intensity of the absorption bands near 3 μm caused by hydrous minerals were compared with the modal content of hydrous minerals for the meteorites. The CM and CI chondrites show larger values of the integrated intensity than those of the unique C chondrites Y82162, Y86720 and B7904, suggesting that the amount of hydrous minerals in the CM and CI chondrites is larger, which supports the contention that hydrous minerals were dehydrated by thermal metamorphism in the unique chondrites. Orgueil (CI) has the largest value of the integrated intensity among the C chondrites we measured and shows a sharp absorption band at 3685 cm^?1 (2.71 μm) that is not seen in the spectra of the CM chondrites. There is an excellent correlation between the observed hydrogen content in C chondrites and the integrated intensity. The CM chondrites show a wide variation in the strength of absorption bands at 1470 cm^?1 (6.8 μm), despite the similarity in absorption features near 3 μm for all CM chondrites. The 1470 cm^?1 band could be due to the presence of some hydrocarbons but may also be a result of terrestrial alteration processes.     

Robotic search for ices and hydrous minerals at the lunar poles using a combined X-ray diffraction and fluorescence instrument

There is a growing body of evidence that points to the survival of water or hydrous minerals on the Moon and the potential for large aqueous reservoirs in shadowed craters at the lunar poles. CheMin, an XRD/XRF instrument that is currently under development, could provide a definitive test of whether the polar hydrogen signal measured by the recent Lunar Prospector mission is an indication of a significant water reservoir or merely reflects an anomalously rich accumulation of solar-wind hydrogen. Proposed enhancements of CheMin could be used in conjunction with a drilling system capable of penetrating the upper few tens of centimeters of the lunar regolith to search for ices or hydrous minerals. This advanced version of the CheMin instrument would be within the size, mass, and power constraints of Ariane 5 micromissions.     

Nanodiamonds and silicate minerals in ordinary chondrites as determined by micro‐Raman spectroscopy

We present here the Raman spectroscopic study of silicate and carbonaceous minerals in three ordinary chondrites with the aim to improve our understanding the impact process including the peak metamorphic pressures present in carbon‐bearing ordinary chondites. The characteristic Raman vibrational peaks of olivines, pyroxenes, and plagioclase have been determined on three ordinary chondrites from India, Dergaon (H5), Mahadevpur (H4/5), and Kamargaon (L6). The Raman spectra of these meteorite samples show the presence of nanodiamonds at 1334–1345 cm^?1 and 1591–1619 cm^?1. The full‐width at half maximum (FWHM) of Raman peaks for Mahadevpur and Dergaon reflect the nature of shock metamorphism in these meteorites. The frequency shift in Raman spectra might be because of shock effects during the formation of the diamond/graphite grains.     

Intermineral oxygen three‐isotope systematics of silicate minerals in equilibrated ordinary chondrites

High‐precision oxygen three‐isotope ratios were measured for four mineral phases (olivine, low‐Ca and high‐Ca pyroxene, and plagioclase) in equilibrated ordinary chondrites (EOCs) using a secondary ion mass spectrometer. Eleven EOCs were studied that cover all groups (H, L, LL) and petrologic types (4, 5, 6), including S1–S4 shock stages, as well as unbrecciated and brecciated meteorites. SIMS analyses of multiple minerals were made in close proximity (mostly <100 μm) from several areas in each meteorite thin section, to evaluate isotope exchange among minerals. Oxygen isotope ratios in each mineral become more homogenized as petrologic type increases with the notable exception of brecciated samples. In type 4 chondrites, oxygen isotope ratios of olivine and low‐Ca pyroxene are heterogeneous in both δ¹⁸O and Δ¹⁷O, showing similar systematics to those in type 3 chondrites. In type 5 and 6 chondrites, oxygen isotope ratios of the four mineral phases plot along mass‐dependent fractionation lines that are consistent with the bulk average Δ¹⁷O of each chondrite group. The δ¹⁸O of three minerals, low‐Ca and high‐Ca pyroxene and plagioclase, are consistent with equilibrium fractionation at temperatures of 700–1000 °C. In most cases the δ¹⁸O values of olivine are higher than those expected from pyroxene and plagioclase, suggesting partial retention of premetamorphic values due to slower oxygen isotope diffusion in olivine than pyroxene during thermal metamorphism in ordinary chondrite parent bodies.     

The formation of eucrites: Constraints from metal‐silicate partition coefficients

Abstract— This study explores the controls of oxygen fugacity and temperature on the solubilities of Fe, Ni, Co, Mo, and W in natural eucritic liquids to better constrain the formation of eucritic melts. The solubilities of all five elements in molten silicate in equilibrium with FeNiCo‐, FeMo‐, and FeW‐ alloys increase with increasingly oxidizing conditions and decrease with decreasing temperatures. In applying these data to formation scenarios of the eucrite parent body, we find that the siderophile element abundances in eucrites (meteoritic basalts) cannot be explained by a single‐step partialmelting process from a chondritic, metal‐containing source. The Ni content of the partial melt is too high, and the W and Mo contents are too low compared to the abundances in eucritic meteorites. But Fe, Ni, and Co concentrations in eucrites can be modeled by metal‐silicate equilibrium during more or less complete melting of the eucrite parent body with subsequent fractional crystallization of olivine and orthopyroxene. However, the computed values of Mo are still too low and those of W too high when compared with Mo and W abundances in eucritic meteorites. One possibility is that the Mo and W partition coefficients strongly depend on pressure, although the howardite‐eucrite‐diogenite (HED) parent body only had a minimal pressure gradient (maximum interior pressure = 0.1 GPa). Alternatively, sulfides may have played some role in establishing Mo abundances.     

Spatial Distribution and North–South Asymmetry of Coronal Bright Points from Mid-1998 to Mid-1999

Full-disc full-resolution (FDFR) solar images obtained with the Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) were used to analyse the centre-to-limb function and latitudinal distribution of coronal bright points. The results obtained with the interactive and the automatic method, as well as for three subtypes of coronal bright points for the time period 4 June 1998 to 22 May 1999 are presented and compared. An indication of a two-component latitudinal distribution of coronal bright points was found. The central latitude of coronal bright points traced with the interactive method lies between 10^∘ and 20^∘. This is closer to the equator than the average latitude of sunspots in the same period. Possible implications for the interpretation of the solar differential rotation are discussed. In the appendix, possible differences between the two solar hemispheres are analysed. More coronal bright points were present in the southern solar hemisphere than in the northern one. This asymmetry is statistically significant for the interactive method and not for the automatic method. The visibility function is symmetrical around the central meridian.     

Overtones of silicate and aluminate minerals and the 5–8 μm ice bands of deeply embedded objects

The distinct patterns, relatively low intensities and peak positions of overtone-combination bands of silicates and oxides suggest that the 5–8 μm spectral region can provide clues for the dust composition when near optically thick conditions exist for the 10-μm silicate feature. We present 1000–2500 cm⁻¹ room-temperature laboratory spectra obtained from powders of silicate, aluminate and nitride minerals and silicate glasses. The spectra exhibit overtone absorption bands with mass absorption coefficients ∼100 times weaker than the fundamentals. These data are compared with the 5–8 μm spectra of deeply embedded young stellar objects observed with the Short Wavelength Spectrometer on the Infrared Space Observatory . Fits of the laboratory data to the observations, after subtraction of the 6.0-μm H₂O ice feature and the 6.0-μm feature identified with organic refractory material, indicate that crystalline melilite (a silicate) or metamict hibonite (a radiation-damaged crystalline aluminate) may be responsible for much of the 6.9-μm absorption feature in the observations, with melilite providing the best match. A weaker 6.2-μm absorption in the young stellar object spectra is well matched by the spectra of hydrous crystalline amphibole silicates (actinolite and tremolite). Relative abundances of Si–O in room-temperature amphiboles to low-temperature H₂O ice are in the range 0.46–3.9 and in melilite are in the range 2.5–8.6. No astronomical feature was matched by the overtones of amorphous silicates because these bands are too broad and peak at the wrong wavelength. Hence, this analysis is consistent with the 10-μm features of these objects being due to a mixture of crystalline and amorphous silicates, rather than only amorphous silicates.     

Complexities on the acapulcoite‐lodranite parent body: Evidence from trace element distributions in silicate minerals

Abstract— The trace element distributions of individual minerals from seven acapulcoites and lodranites have been studied. Systematic differences are evident between some members of the two groups. Specifically, pyroxenes from the lodranites MacAlpine Hills (MAC) 88177 and Lewis Cliff (LEW) 88280 exhibit depletions of the rare earth elements (REE) and other incompatible trace elements (Ti, Zr, Y), relative to acapulcoite (Acapulco, Allan Hills (ALH) A81261) pyroxenes, that are consistent with the formation and removal of 15% or more silicate partial melts from these meteorites. Phosphate REE patterns in these lodranites also support this scenario. However, other members of the acapulcoite‐lodranite clan exhibit more complex trace element variations. Elephant Moraine (EET) 84302, which has been classified as transitional between the acapulcoites and lodranites, generally has trace element characteristics similar to the acapulcoites. However, its plagioclase REE compositions suggest a somewhat greater degree of metamorphism than that experienced by acapulcoites such as Acapulco and ALHA81261. Similar and elevated REE abundances in the silicate phases from acapulcoite ALHA81187 and lodranite Graves Nunataks (GRA) 95209 suggest that these two meteorites, in fact, experienced similar thermal histories. This probably included some silicate partial melting, although little melt appears to have been lost from the samples. The observed variations in the trace element abundances of these samples from the acapulcoite‐lodranite clan emphasize the complex and varied processes that have acted on their parent body. The simple bimodal classification of these meteorites based primarily on petrographic criteria, which has been used to date, appears to be inadequate to describe this diverse group of samples, as they represent a range of degrees of partial melting, both with and without accompanying melt migration. In some instances, secondary processes on the parent body, such as cryptic metasomatism, have further modified sample compositions.     

Seyfert galaxies and the radio–far-infrared correlation

We have observed a sample of 149 Seyfert galaxies and radio-quiet quasars at 13 cm with both a 275-km radio interferometer and the 6-km compact array of the Australia Telescope. The high-resolution observations searched for the presence of compact, high-brightness-temperature radio emission from the active nucleus. The low-resolution observations measured the total radio emission from the galaxy disc and Seyfert core and lobes. From these we draw the following conclusions. (i) Seyfert galaxies that lack compact radio cores display a correlation between radio and far-infrared (FIR) emission similar to the correlation displayed by normal spirals, albeit with greater scatter. The correlation is found to be intrinsic and is not an artefact of the richness effect. (ii) A very different radio–FIR correlation is displayed by those Seyferts that harbour compact radio cores. These tend to be more radio-loud than either normal spirals or the Seyferts that lack compact cores. The compact core emission thus seems to be responsible for the generally poor radio–FIR correlation displayed by Seyfert galaxies. (iii) The radio–FIR correlation is not significantly improved by subtracting off the 0.1-arcsec (20- to 200-pc) compact radio emission from the total radio emission. This suggests that the emission from the active galactic nucleus has significant structure on scales larger than 0.1 arcsec. Perhaps these structures are the 'linear' radio features that have been seen previously in Seyfert nuclei.     

Estimation of trace element concentrations in the lunar magma ocean using mineral‐ and metal‐silicate melt partition coefficients

This study uses experimentally determined plagioclase‐melt D values to estimate the trace element concentrations of Sr, Hf, Ga, W, Mo, Ru, Pd, Au, Ni, and Co in a crystallizing lunar magma ocean at the point of plagioclase flotation. Similarly, experimentally determined metal‐silicate partition experiments combined with a composition model for the Moon are used to constrain the concentrations of W, Mo, Ru, Pd, Au, Ni, and Co in the lunar magma ocean at the time of core formation. The metal‐silicate derived lunar mantle estimates are generally consistent with previous estimates for the concentration of these elements in the lunar mantle. Plagioclase‐melt derived concentrations for Sr, Ga, Ru, Pd, Au, Ni, and Co are also consistent with prior estimates. Estimates for Hf, W, and Mo, however, are higher. These elements may be concentrated in the residual liquid during fractional crystallization due to their incompatibility. Alternatively, the apparent enrichment could reflect the inappropriate use of bulk anorthosite data, rather than data for plagioclase separates.     

The near- and far-infrared colours of MASH planetary nebulae

We have analysed the near-infrared (NIR) and far-infrared (FIR) colours of MASH I and MASH II (the Macquarie/AAO/Strasbourg surveys) planetary nebulae (PNe), using data deriving from the Two-Micron All-Sky Survey and Infrared Astronomical Satellite . We were able to identify ∼5 per cent of the sources in the NIR, and a slightly larger fraction (∼12 per cent) in the FIR. It is concluded that whilst the NIR colours of these nebulae are consistent with those of less evolved (and higher surface brightness) PNe, their FIR colours are markedly different. This disparity is likely to arise as a result of an evolution in dust temperatures, in their line emission characteristics, and in the relative contributions of the 8.6 and 11.3 μm polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission features. A rump of ∼9 per cent of the detected sources have values  log[ F (25 μm)/ F (60 μm)]  which are lower than can be explained in terms of normal nebular evolution, however. If these are comparable in nature to the undetected PNe, then this would argue that ∼1 in 10 of MASH I and II nebulae may represent galactic H  ii regions, Stromgren spheres, symbiotic nebulae or other unrelated categories of source.     

Thermal histories of angrite meteorites: Trace element partitioning among silicate minerals in Angra dos Reis,Lewis Cliff 86010, and experimental analogs

Abstract— We measured rare earth element (REE) abundances in selected silicate phases in the angrites Angra dos Reis (AdoR) and Lewis Cliff (LEW) 86010 in order to further clarify the thermal history of AdoR. We also carried out a preliminary experimental study designed to examine apparent REE partitioning between silicates (fassaite, olivine, kirschsteinite, and melt) in synthetic analogs of angrites under disequilibrium conditions at liquidus temperatures. Silicates in AdoR are homogeneous with respect to major, minor, and trace elements, which is consistent with the interpretation that AdoR underwent extensive subsolidus equilibration. REE distributions in olivine and kirschsteinite in AdoR are similar to those in LEW 86010 and are consistent with the formation of kirschsteinite by exsolution from olivine during cooling and/or annealing. There is no evidence for a disequilibrium trace element signature that could have been inherited from rapid cooling at liquidus temperatures. This is supported by our petrographic observations of the occurrence of kirschsteinite within olivine aggregates in AdoR. Olivine/kirschsteinite pairs in AdoR record closure temperatures around 600–650 °C.     

Variation of Emission Line Width in Mid- and High-Latitude Corona

Spectroscopic studies of the solar corona, using the high spatial and spectral resolution 25-cm coronagraph at the Norikura Solar Observatory for equatorial off-limb observations, indicated that the variation of radiance and line width with height is different for different temperature lines. The line width of the forbidden red emission line [Fe x] 6374 Å was found to increase with height, and that of the green emission line [Fe xiv] 5303 Å decreased with height. This had been interpreted in terms of the interaction between different temperature plasmas but needed to be confirmed. Further observations were made on several days during 2004, in two emission lines simultaneously covering the mid-latitude and polar regions to investigate the existence of the observed variation in other parts of the solar corona. In this study, we have analysed several raster scans that cover mid- and high-latitude regions of the off-limb corona in all four bright emission lines [Fe x] 6374 Å, [Fe xi] 7892 Å, [Fe xiii] 10747 Å, and [Fe xiv] 5303 Å. We find that the FWHM of the red line increases with height and that of the green line decreases with height, similar to the observations in the equatorial regions. The line widths are higher in the polar regions for all of the observed emission lines except the green line. Higher values of FWHM in polar regions may imply higher non-thermal velocities, which could be further linked to a non-thermal source powering the solar-wind acceleration, but the reason for the behaviour of the green emission line remains to be explored.     

Modeling far-infrared observations of young stellar objects

The exotic quantum process of photon splitting has great potential to explain the softness of emission in soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) if they originate in neutron stars with surface fields above the quantum critical fieldB _cr = 4.413×10¹³ Gauss. Splitting becomes prolific at such field strengths: its principal effect is to degrade photon energies, initiating a cascade that softens gamma-ray spectra. Uniform field cascade calculations have demonstrated that emission could be softened to the observed SGR energies for fields exceeding about 10¹⁴ Gauss. Recently, we have determined splitting attenuation lengths and maximum energies for photon escape in neutron star environments including the effects of magnetospheric dipole field geometry. Such escape energies _esc suitably approximate the peak energy of the emergent spectrum, and in this paper we present results for _esc as a function of photon emission angles for polar cap and equatorial emission regions. The escape energy is extremely insensitive to viewing perspective for equatorial emission, arguing in favour of such a site for the origin of SGR activity.