Radial drift of particles in the solar nebula: implications for planetesimal formation

For standard cosmic abundances of heavy elements, a layer of small particles in the central plane of the solar nebula cannot attain the critical density for gravitational instability. Youdin and Shu (2002, Astrophys. J. 580, 494-505) suggest that the local surface density of solids can be enhanced by radial migration of particles due to gas drag. However, they consider only motions of individual particles. Collective motion due to turbulent stress on the particle layer acts to inhibit such enhancement and may prevent gravitational instability.     

An atlas of the optical spectrum of supernova 1987A in the large magellanic cloud

Photographic spectra of SN1987A in the LMC have been obtained from 1987 February 25 to 1988 June 30. Microdensitometer tracings of these have been reduced to intensity and corrections for instrumental response have been applied to the spectra. This paper presents these data in an atlas format, discusses the reduction procedures in detail, and presents radial velocity measurements of selected lines in the spectra     

An introduction to Maslov's asymptotic method

Summary. Familiar concepts such as asymptotic ray theory and geometrical spreading are now recognized as an asymptotic form of a more general asymptotic solution to the non-separable wave equation. In seismology, the name Maslov asymptotic theory has been attached to this solution. In its simplest form, it may be thought of as a justification of disc-ray theory and it can be reduced to the WKBJ seismogram. It is a uniformly valid asymptotic solution, though. The method involves properties of the wavefronts and ray paths of the wave equation which have been established for over a century. The integral operators which build on these properties have been investigated only comparatively recently. These operators are introduced very simply by appealing to the asymptotic Fourier transform of Ziolkowski & Deschamps. This leads quite naturally to the result that phase functions in different domains of the spatial Fourier transform are related by a Legendre transformation. The amplitude transformation can also be inferred by this method. Liouville's theorem (the incompressibility of a phase space of position and slowness) ensures that it is always possible to obtain a uniformly asymptotic solution. This theorem can be derived by methods familiar to seismologists and which do not rely on the traditional formalism of classical mechanics. It can also be derived from the sympletic property of the equations of geometrical spreading and canonical transformations in general. The symplectic property plays a central role in the theory of high-frequency beams in inhomogeneous media.     

Numerical models of subduction and forearc deformation

Summary. Finite element models for shallow subduction produce realistic behaviour for a wide variety of mechanical strength and density distributions. Characteristic displacements are found to occur even without a discrete low-strength megathrust if there is a high-density subducted plate to localize lithospheric compression. A high-density plate is itself unnecessary in the presence of a low-strength megathrust and regional compression.
Successful finite element models produce an outer arc at the top of the trench slope, and forearc basin with geometry characteristic of natural analogues. These structural features occur by upward inelastic bending of the lithospheric wedge overlying the megathrust. This mechanically unstable behaviour may dissipate significant energy and cause the megathrust to migrate continuously by accretion, tectonic erosion, or abandonment and reinitiation farther offshore. Upward bending in the overriding plate is promoted by low megathrust dip, low megathrust shear strength, and high horizontal compression in the overriding plate.     

GEOGRAPHY ON THE PLANETS: GIFT OF REMOTE SENSING*

Extraterrestrial geography has become a reality, as we move from Earth's moon to the planets. A broad-scale regional physiography is being established on twenty planets and satellites through remote sensing techniques. Spacecraft images yield most of the information on Solar System landscapes. Topographic measurements are extracted by monoscopic image-processing, stereophotogrammetry, and radar analysis. Invisible parts of the spectrum furnish non-topographic data.     

Lithium abundance in cold giants

Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 271–281, September–October, 1990.     

Reef exploration in the East Sengkang Basin,Sulawesi, Indonesia

Reconnaissance seismic shot in 1971/72 showed a number of well defined seismic anomalies within the East Sengkang Basin which were interpreted as buried reefs. Subsequent fieldwork revealed that Upper Miocene reefs outcropped along the southern margin of the basin. A drilling programme in 1975 and 1976 proved the presence of shallow, gas-bearing, Upper Miocene reefs in the northern part of the basin. Seismic acquisition and drilling during 1981 confirmed the economic significance of these discoveries, with four separate accumulations containing about 750 × 10⁹ cubic feet of dry gas in place at an average depth of 700 m. Kampung Baru is the largest field and contains over half the total, both reservoir quality and gas deliverability are excellent. Deposition in the East Sengkang Basin probably started during the Early Miocene. A sequence of Lower Miocene mudstones and limestones unconformably overlies acoustic basement which consists of Eocene volcanics. During the tectonically active Middle Miocene, deposition was interrupted by two periods of deformation and erosion. Carbonate deposition became established in the Late Miocene with widespread development of platform limestones throughout the East Sengkang Basin. Thick pinnacle reef complexes developed in the areas where reef growth could keep pace with the relative rise in sea level. Most reef growth ceased at the end of the Miocene and subsequent renewed clastic sedimentation covered the irregular limestone surface. Late Pliocene regression culminated in the Holocene with erosion. The Walanae fault zone, part of a major regional sinistral strike-slip system, separates the East and West Sengkang Basins. Both normal and reverse faulting are inferred from seismic data and post Late Pliocene reverse faulting is seen in outcrop.     

A POORLY GRAPHITISED CARBON CONTAMINANT IN STUDIES OF EXTRATERRESTRIAL MATERIALS

Poorly-graphitised carbon particles are formed during manufacture of sample substrates (holey carbon films) for Analytical Electron Microscopy studies of small particles. The particles form during heat treatment of cellulose acetobutyrate at about 975 °C and 1050 °C. In AEM studies of fine-grained carbonaceous extraterrestrial materials, these particles are easily recognised.