Anomalous Fe II spectral effects and high H I Lyα temperature in gas blobs near η Carinae

We consider the origin of the anomalously high intensity of the ultraviolet Fe II λλ2507/2509 Å lines observed with high spatial and spectral resolutions from gas blobs (GBs) near η Carinae. This rare effect in stellar spectra is attributable to a combination of several factors: (1) the high hydrogen density(>10⁸ cm^?3) that ensures the blockingof the Lyman continuum by GBs and, accordingly, the formation of a cold H I region with completely ionized Fe atoms; (2) the small distance between the GBs and the central star that ensures a high (>8000–10000 K) Lyα H spectral temperature, which photoexcites Fe II selectively; and (3) the population of Fe II levels and, accordingly, the opening of a stimulated emission channel, which together with spontaneous transitions creates a radiative cycle where a single Fe II ion can multiply absorb Lyα emission.     

Long-term Evolution of the Outgassing of Comet Hale-Bopp From Radio Observations

C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) has been observed on a regular basis since August 1995 at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths using IRAM, JCMT, CSO and SEST radio telescopes. The production rates of eight molecular species (CO, HCN, CH₃OH, H₂CO,H₂S, CS, CH₃CN,HNC) have been monitored as a function of heliocentric distance(r_h from 7 AU pre-perihelion to 4 AU post-perihelion. As comet Hale-Bopp approached and receded from the Sun, these species displayed different behaviours. Far from the Sun, the most volatile species were found in general relatively more abundant in the coma. In comparison to other species, HNC, H₂CO and CS showed a much steeper increase of the production rate with decreasing r_h. Less than 1.5 AU from the Sun, the relative abundances were fairly stable and approached those found in other comets near 1 AU. The kinetic temperature of the coma, estimated from the relative intensities of the CH₃OH and CO lines, increased with decreasing r_h, from about10 K at 7 AU to 110 K around perihelion. The expansion velocity of the gaseous species, derived from the line shapes, also increased with a law close tor_h ³. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Granitic rocks as a source of granite: The Gösta and Sundsta Granites,south-west Sweden

Granites, among them three generations of microline-rich granites, intruded repeatedly between 1600 and 900 Ma in the South-western Swedish Gneiss Complex. The deformed and metamorphosed Gösta and Sundsta granites are medium-grained, pale greyish red rocks belonging to the oldest generation of microclinerich granites.Biotite dominates over hornblende. Allanite, titanite, apatite and zircon are important accessory minerals. The granites are metaluminous and syeno- to monzogranitic in composition. SiO₂ varies between 70.4 and 78.7% and K₂O/Na2_O between 0.86 and 2.32. Na and K are poorly correlated with the other major elements. The rocks are low in MgO (< 0.9%) and FeO (< 3.6%). They are characterized by high Rb/Sr, Ba/Sr and Ba/Rb ratios. The ratio Nb/Ta is almost constant ( 12) and the ratio Al/Ga decreases slightly with increasing SiO₂ content. The Gösta granite has small, negative Eu anomalies, differentiated light and almost flat heavy rare earth element patterns. It intruded into continental crust approximately 1560 Ma ago. It is argued that the granites formed from continental rocks by pseudoeutectic partial melting at a fairly shallow depth. The source is older than the dominant country rock.     

Fault induced permanent ground deformations—an experimental comparison of wet and dry soil and implications for buried structures

Fault surface ruptures constitute a great risk to human lives, buildings and infrastructure. Despite this few building codes contain risk reducing provisions. Experiments provided results for establishing design rules in terms of possible dislocation and failure strains. Dry and wet soil behave substantially different. A brief discussion on counteracting effects of the wet soil on the interaction between a buried structure and the surrounding ground is included.