Solar-planetary cycles in Jupiter's great red spot darkness

The change in the darkness of the Great Red Spot (GRS) of Jupiter (1894–1974) has been analysed with Fourier (FFT), Maximum Entropy and Power spectrum (Blackman-Tukey window) (PSA) methods of spectrum analysis. Significance, non-randomness and stationarity tests assigned high variance to periodicities of 33 ± 4, 13–15, about 11, 9 and 3 yrs. The highest correlation between solar activity and GRS darkness was found for the 14th and 16th solar cycle. The periodicities obtained are interpreted as the combined eftects of solar activity, planetary resonances and internal jovian mechanisms.     

A 2D numerical study of explosive events in the solar atmosphere

Two-dimensional (2D) compressible magnetohydrodynamic simulations are performed to explore the idea that the asymmetric reconnection between newly emerging intranetwork magnetic field flux and pre-existing network flux causes the explosive events in the solar atmosphere. The dependence of the reconnection rate as a function of time on the density and temperature of the emerging flux are investigated. For a Lundquist number of L _u= 5000 we find that the tearing mode instability can lead to the formation and growth of small magnetic islands. Depending on the temperature and density ratio of the emerging plasma, the magnetic island can be lifted upward and convected out of the top boundary, or is suppressed downward and convected out of the top boundary, or is suppressed downward nad submerged below the bottom boundary. The motions of the magnetic islands with different direction are accompanied respectively with upward or downward high velocity flow which might be associated with the red- and blue-shifted components detected in the explosive events.     

Simulating colour variations in pulsating sdB stars

After briefly recalling basic facts about the metallicity gradients inspiral galaxies, we summarize two recent N-body gas-dynamical modelsthat implement a non-instantaneous gas recycling and point our their potential for an improved treatment of the chemical evolution ingalactic disks.     

Change in cloud-top temperatures over Europe

Long-term measurements from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) onboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites were evaluated to assess variability in cloud-top temperatures over central and eastern Europe that saw radical infrastructural changes after the fall of the East Bloc in 1989 that has affected the pollution levels and hence cloud albedo. Four years in the late 1980s (1985-1988) and in the late 1990s (1997-2000) were chosen, as these are distinctively marked as episodes of very high and lower air pollution (sulphates and particulate matter). During the late 1980s, low- and medium-level clouds were colder by more than 2 K and convective clouds even by 4 K. Cloud-tops over and around polluted regions are higher, and their temperatures showed stronger variability, suggesting an indirect aerosol effect in the thermal spectral range as well.     

Optical properties of solid and liquid sulfur at visible and infrared wavelengths

Knowledge of the optical constants of elemental sulfur has potential applications to Venus, Jupiter, Io, Amalthea, and the Earth. The real part, n, of the index of refraction of liquid sulfur (at 133°C) and of solid orthorhombic sulfur (at 25°C) for the wavelength range 0.4–2.0 μm were measured ellipsometrically. The imaginary part, k, of the refractive index of liquid sulfur was obtained by transmittance measurements at the same temperature and wavelength range. The reflectance of semi-infinite slabs of solid and liquid sulfur is calculated using the measured n and k values. We confirm that sulfur melts on Io would be classified as “black” by the Voyager imaging system.     

The new polymict eucrite Dar al Gani 983: Petrography,chemical composition,noble gas record,and evolution

Abstract— Mineralogical and chemical studies of Dar al Gani 983 show that this meteorite is a eucrite. Its texture is that of an impact breccia. It contains cumulate pyroxene and feldspar megacrysts, a variety of recrystallized melt clasts, clasts of subophitic basalt, and mesostasis. These components are embedded in a matrix of fragmental pyroxene and plagioclase. In addition, the entire rock is penetrated by glassy melt veins and patches, and displays features of strong shock. The mineralogical and chemical evidence obtained for DaG 983 indicates that this meteorite experienced a complex evolutionary history. The presence of cumulate silicate crystals implies substantial, large scale cratering events on the HED asteroid. As a result of these impacts, rocks from different intrusive bodies to extrusive surface layers were laterally and vertically transported to form a thoroughly mixed megaregolith. DaG 983 represents a sample of this megabreccia.