A clast of Bali‐like oxidized CV material in the reduced CV chondrite breccia Vigarano

Abstract— The CV (Vigarano‐type) chondrites are a petrologically diverse group of meteorites that are divided into the reduced and the Bali‐like and Allende‐like oxidized subgroups largely based on secondary mineralogy (Weisberg et al., 1997; Krot et al., 1998b). Some chondrules and calcium‐aluminum‐rich inclusions (CAIs) in the reduced CV chondrite Vigarano show alteration features similar to those in Allende: metal is oxidized to magnetite; low‐Ca pyroxene, forsterite, and magnetite are rimmed and veined by ferrous olivine (Fs_40–50); and plagioclase mesostases and melilite are replaced by nepheline and sodalite (Sylvester et al., 1993; Kimura and Ikeda, 1996, 1997, 1998). Our petrographic observations indicate that Vigarano also contains individual chondrules, chondrule fragments, and lithic clasts of the Bali‐like oxidized CV materials. The largest lithic clast (about 1 times 2 cm in size) is composed of opaque matrix, type‐I chondrules (400–2000 μm in apparent diameter) surrounded by coarse‐grained and fine‐grained rims, and rare CAIs. The matrix‐chondrule ratio is about 1.1. Opaque nodules in chondrules in the clast consist of Cr‐poor and Cr‐rich magnetite, Ni‐ and Co‐rich metal, Ni‐poor and Ni‐rich sulfide; low‐Ni metal nodules occur only inside chondrule phenocrysts. Chromium‐poor magnetite is preferentially replaced by fayalite. Chondrule mesostases are replaced by phyllosilicates; low‐Ca pyroxene and olivine phenocrysts appear to be unaltered. Matrix in the clast consists of very fine‐grained (<1 μm) ferrous olivine, anhedral fayalite grains (Fa_80–100), rounded objects of porous Ca‐Fe‐rich pyroxenes (Fs_10–50Wo₅₀), Ni‐poor sulfide, Ni‐ and Co‐rich metal, and phyllosilicates; magnetite is rare. On the basis of the presence of the Bali‐like lithified chondritic clast—in addition to individual chondrules and CAIs of both Bali‐like and Allende‐like materials—in the reduced CV chondrite Vigarano, we infer that (1) all three types of materials were mixed during regolith gardening on the CV asteroidal body, and (2) the reduced and oxidized CV materials may have originated from a single, heterogeneously altered asteroid.     

Plankton prognoses in the North Sea

Ocean Dynamics - Our understanding of the marine ecosystem is expressed in our ability to predict ecological processes. Several approaches are compared to make such predictions on plankton...     

2050年前长江流域极端降水预估

20世纪90年代长江流域日最大降水增加主要出现在长江以南地区和金沙江流域,ECHAM5/MPI-OM模型也大致模拟出了这种趋势。在IPCC给出的3种不同的排放情景下,2000-2050年长江上游日最大降水均有上升趋势,2020年前A2情景下日最大降水最大,A1B最小;长江中下游日最大降水在2025年之前均有明显上升趋势,之后略有下降,波动较大。长江流域未来日最大降水增多的区域可能主要出现在长江以南地区,而极端降水减少的区域可能出现在长江以北地区。     

Composite lightcurve of asteroid Moskva (787)

89 CCD frames of the asteroid Moskva (787) were obtained over six nights. Lightcurves have been acquired for each night. We suggest a possible composite lightcurve with a corresponding rotational period of 0.4 days. This is to the knowledge of the authors the first lightcurve of Moskva(787) to be published.     

Small satellites for global coverage: Potential and limits

There is an increasing need for Earth Observation (EO) missions to meet the information requirements in connection with Global Change Studies. Small and cost-effective missions are powerful tools to flexibly react to information requirements with space-borne solutions. Small satellite missions can be conducted relatively quickly and inexpensively by using commercial off-the-shelf-technologies, or they can be enhanced by using advanced technologies. A new class of advanced small satellites, including autonomously operating “intelligent” satellites may be created, opening new fields of application. The increasing number of small satellites and their applications drive developments in the fields of small launchers, small ground station networks, cost-effective data distribution methods, and cost-effective management and quality assurance procedures. There are many advantages of small satellite missions, like more frequent mission opportunities, a faster return of data, larger variety of missions, more rapid expansion of the technical and/or scientific knowledge base, greater involvement of small industry, feasibility by universities and others.This paper deals with general trends in the field of small satellite missions for Earth observation. Special attention is given to the potential of spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution of small satellite based systems. Examples show small satellites offer also the unique possibility to install affordable constellations to provide good daily coverage of the globe and/or allow us to observe dynamic phenomena.The facts and examples given in this paper lead to the conclusion: Small satellites are already powerful tools for monitoring global, regional and local phenomena. In the future, their application spectrum will even broaden based on the ongoing development in many areas of technology and observation techniques.     

中国东部诸流域的干旱和湿润期:模式和预测

降水观测记录是近50a来中国九大流域干旱和湿润期时空变化分析的基础.以两年为时间尺度引入标准降水指数(SPI)来分析评价气候变化情景,结果表明黄河流域、长江流域和淮河(或珠江)流域等三个主要的区域表现为低频率变化指数:另外分析显示北方地区自20世纪70年代以来干旱更频繁的出现,在SPI时间序列中呈现负趋势变化.这也许与表征SPI信号的长周期有关(24a和48a周期).与这些长周期一起,也有一些其它方面的因素有助于频谱变化,范围从3a到9a不等.在指数时间序列中这些周期成分的存在为长期预测干旱和湿润期提供了很好的条件.