Jet-Disc Coupling in the Accreting Black Hole Xte J1118+480

We interpret the rapid correlated UV/optical/X-ray variability of XTE J1118+480 as a signature of the coupling between the X-ray corona and a jet emitting synchrotron radiation in the optical band. We propose a scenario in which the jet and the X-ray corona are fed by the same energy reservoir where large amounts of accretion power are stored before being channelled into either the jet or the high energy radiation. This time-dependent model reproduces the main features of the rapid multi-wavelength variability of XTE J1118+480. A strong requirement of the model is that the total jet power should be at least a few times larger than the observed X-ray luminosity, implying a radiative efficiency for the jet ∊_j3 × 10⁻³. This would be consistent with the overall low radiative efficiency of the source. We present independent arguments showing that the jet probably dominates the energetic output of all accreting black holes in the low-hard state. Partially supported by PPARC     

A simple model for the evolution of supermassive black holes and the quasar population

An empirically motivated model is presented for accretion-dominated growth of supermassive black holes (SMBH) in galaxies, and the implications are studied for the evolution of the quasar population in the Universe. We investigate the core aspects of the quasar population, including space density evolution, evolution of the characteristic luminosity, plausible minimum masses of quasars, the mass function of SMBH and their formation epoch distribution. Our model suggests that the characteristic luminosity in the quasar luminosity function arises primarily as a consequence of a characteristic mass scale above which there is a systematic separation between the black hole and the halo merging rates. At lower mass scales, black hole merging closely tracks the merging of dark haloes. When combined with a declining efficiency of black hole formation with redshift, the model can reproduce the quasar luminosity function over a wide range of redshifts. The observed space density evolution of quasars is well described by formation rates of SMBH above  ∼10⁸  M_⊙  . The inferred mass density of SMBH agrees with that found independently from estimates of the SMBH mass function derived empirically from the quasar luminosity function.     

A TEM study of four particles extracted from the Stardust track 80

Abstract— Four particles extracted from track 80 at different penetration depths have been studied by analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM). Regardless of their positions within the track, the samples present a comparable microstructure made of a silica rich glassy matrix embedding a large number of small Fe‐Ni‐S inclusions and vesicles. This microstructure is typical of strongly thermally modified particles that were heated and melted during the hypervelocity impact into the aerogel. X‐ray intensity maps show that the particles were made of Mg‐rich silicates (typically 200 nm in diameter) cemented by a fine‐grained matrix enriched in iron sulfide. Bulk compositions of the four particles suggest that the captured dust particle was an aggregate of grains with various iron sulfide fraction and that no extending chemical mixing in the bulb occurred during the deceleration. The bulk S/Fe ratios of the four samples are close to CI and far from the chondritic meteorites from the asteroidal belt, suggesting that the studied particles are compatible with chondritic‐porous interplanetary dust particles or with material coming from a large heliocentric distance for escaping the S depletion.     

First rocks sampled in Antarctica (1840): Insights into the landing area and the Terre Adélie craton

In January 1840, Dumont d’Urville's expedition landed along the coast of “Terre Adélie” and took three rock specimens, the first ever sampled on the Antarctic continent. The petrological and geochemical study of these samples, stored at the “Muséum national d’histoire naturelle”, in Paris, characterizes them as migmatitic cordierite + microcline-bearing paragneiss and mesocratic quartz + biotite-bearing amphibolite. The paragneiss reached 670 °C at 3.2 kbar, suggesting an abnormal high-T gradient of ca. 60 °C/km during the regional metamorphism that affected the “Terre Adélie” craton 1.7 Ga ago. The studied samples are identical to the rocks observed at the “Rocher du Débarquement”, confirming that this was the actual landing place. On the other hand, quartz diorite and volcanic rocks reportedly sampled in Adélie Land during the same expedition and stored at Le Mans and Toulouse Museums do not originate from Antarctica. The examination of Dumont d’Urville's map suggests an icecap shrinking by 9 km in the landing area since 1840.     

K–Ar dating and δO–δD tracing of illitization within and outside the Shea Creek uranium prospect,Athabasca Basin,Canada

Isotope analyses (K–Ar, δ¹⁸O and δD) were performed on illite from both the sandstone cover and the underlying basement, close to and distant from Shea Creek, an unconformity-type U deposit (Athabasca Basin, Canada); the illite had previously been characterized crystallographically. In the barren areas away from deposit, illite is mainly of the cis-vacant 1M polytype occurring as relatively coarse-grained lath-shaped particles, while it occurs as fine-grained particles of the trans-vacant 1M type next to and in the U mineralized strata. The tectonic-induced hydrothermal system that favored illite crystallization was multi-episodic 1453 ± 2, 1330 ± 20 and probably about 1235 Ma ago. These illite-forming episodes appear to have occurred contemporaneously to those favoring the concentration of the associated U oxides, which were dated independently by the U–Pb method in the Shea Creek deposits and elsewhere in the Athabasca Basin.     

Micro-scale flood risk analysis based on detailed 2D hydraulic modelling and high resolution geographic data

The paper presents a consistent micro-scale flood risk analysis procedure, relying on detailed 2D inundation modelling as well as on high resolution topographic and land use database. The flow model is based on the shallow-water equations, solved by means of a finite volume scheme on multi-block structured grids. Using highly accurate laser altimetry, the simulations are performed with a typical grid spacing of 2 m, which is fine enough to represent the flow at the scale of individual buildings. Consequently, the outcomes of hydraulic modelling constitute suitable inputs for the subsequent exposure analysis, performed at a micro-scale using detailed land use maps and geographic database. Eventually, the procedure incorporates social flood impact analysis and evaluation of direct economic damage to residential buildings. Besides detailing the characteristics and performance of the hydraulic model, the paper describes the flow of data within the overall flood risk analysis procedure and demonstrates its applicability by means of a case study, for which two different flood protection measures were evaluated.     

Lithostratigraphic and structural controls of ‘tsavorite’ deposits at Lemshuku,Merelani area,Tanzania

The first study of the Lemshuku ‘tsavorite’ mining district is presented. From bottom to top, the lithostratigraphic column corresponds to a metasedimentary sequence composed of quartzite, fine-grained graphitic gneiss, kyanite-graphite gneiss, biotite-almandine gneiss, metasomatized graphitic gneiss and dolomitic marble. ‘Tsavorite’ occurs in quartz veins and rarely as nodular concretions. Two factors control mineralization: (1) lithostratigraphy, with ‘tsavorite’ in association with pyrite and graphite confined to quartz veins within the metasomatized graphitic gneiss; and (2) structure, with the mineralized veins characteristically controlled by tight isoclinal folds associated with shearing.     

Origin of micro-layering in a deep magma chamber: Evidence from two ultramafic–mafic layered xenoliths from Puy Beaunit (French Massif Central)

The origin of magmatic layering is still hotly debated. To try to shed some light on this problem, two ultramafic–mafic layered xenoliths from Puy Beaunit (French Massif Central) were investigated in detail. The nodules belong to a stratiform intrusion emplaced in the deep crust during the Permian (257 ± 6 Ma; Féménias, O., Coussaert, N., Bingen, B., Whitehouse, M., Mercier, J.-C., Demaiffe, D., 2003. A Permian underplating event in late- to post-orogenic tectonic setting. Evidence from the mafic–ultramafic layered xenoliths from Beaunit (French Massif Central). Chem. Geol. 199 293–315.). The 3 to 5 cm thick nodules have, in common, a central orthopyroxenite layer; the succession of layers is, respectively, norite–orthopyroxenite–norite (PBN 00-01) and norite–orthopyroxenite–harzburgite (PBN 00-03). The variations of both major (by electron microprobe) and trace, essentially the RE, elements (by LA-ICP-MS) were measured in major mineral phases (orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, spinel) along cross-section perpendicular to the layering. Strong grain size, chemical and textural variations occur along these sections: they can be continuous or discontinuous, symmetrical or asymmetrical. Such complex variations cannot be solely related to a single magmatic history (fractional crystallisation, mineral sorting). Other processes such as element enrichment by residual liquid channelling along layer boundaries and/or sub-solidus recrystallisation and element redistribution must be invoked. It appears, in particular, that element distribution in the central orthopyroxenite layer could result from the injection of micro-sills of orthopyroxene-rich liquid between previously consolidated layers.