Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko: Modeling of orientation and structure

The comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is the current target of the mission Rosetta, initially planned to investigate comet 46P/Wirtanen. These two comets have similar orbits, except the distance to the Sun at perihelion, but different orbital histories and different masses. Thus, structures of the nuclei can be significantly different. The evolution of comet Wirtanen was simulated by several authors, while comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko became an object of high interest only recently and is not well investigated. In the present work we simulate the evolution of the nucleus, down to tens of meters below the surface, using an extended version of the model previously applied for comet Wirtanen [Kossacki et al., 1999. Comet 46P/Wirtanen: evolution of the subsurface layer. Icarus 142, 202-218.]. The model includes strengthening of the nucleus due to sintering of the ice grains. Simulations are performed for different latitudes, accounting for the evolution of the orbit and for changes of the nucleus orientation, as well as diurnal and seasonal changes of insolation. The calculated loss of water vapor from the comet is integrated over the nucleus surface and is compared with the observational data. We have found, that the sublimation through the dust mantle can be large enough to reproduce the profile of the total water production as a function of time from perihelion. The required dependence of thickness of the dust layer on latitude qualitatively matches present distribution of the absorbed solar flux. The non-gravitational acceleration in the comet motion together with the simulated sublimation flux are used in order to estimate the mass and the bulk density of the nucleus.     

Electromagnetic induction fields in the deep ocean north-east of Hawaii: implications for mantle conductivity and source fields

Summary. We have analysed a thirty-six day recording of the natural electric and magnetic field variations obtained on the deep ocean floor north-east of Hawaii. The electromagnetic fields are dominated by tides which have an appreciable oceanic component, especially in the east electric and north magnetic components. The techniques of data analysis included singular value decomposition (SVD) to remove uncorrelated noise. There are three degrees of freedom in the data set for periods longer than five hours, indicating a correlation of the vertical magnetic field and the horizontal components, suggesting source field inhomogeneity. Tensor response functions were calculated using spectral band averaging with both SVD and least squares techniques and rotated to the principal direction. One diagonal component, determined mainly by the north electric and east magnetic fields, is not interpretable as a one-dimensional induction phenomenon. The other diagonal term of the response function indicates a rapid rise in conductivity to 0.05 mho m⁻¹ near 160 km. No decrease in conductivity below this depth is resolvable. Polarization analysis of the magnetic field indicates moving source fields with a wavelength near 5000 km. Model studies suggest that the two dimensionality in the response function may be caused by motion in the ionospheric current system.     

On singularities in electrodynamics and gravitational theory

The singularity and particle problems in electrodynamics and gravitational theory are discussed. Comparing different modifications of MAXWELL 's electrodynamics and general theory of relativity, arguments are given which show possibilities of solving these problems by a modification that replaces EINSTEIN 's equations by those of the EINSTEIN -BACH -WEYL -type.     

On causality in dynamic response analysis by time-dependent boundary element methods

The ramifications of a particular type of causality constraint, namely so-called shadow-zones, are explored in the context of time-dependent boundary element methods. In particular, wave propagation problems in 2-D elastic soil media with a non-convex shape are analysed.     

Die Aufnahme von Wasserdampf durch menschliche Haut,Pflanze und Erdboden

Zusammenfassung Laboratoriumsversuche und Feldbeobachtungen zeigen einen unerwartet starken Transport von Wasserdampf in die menschliche Haut, in getrocknete und in lebende Pflanzen und in trockenen Erdboden hinein. Diese Vorg?nge selbst beruhen offenbar auf Diffusion und Sorption. Dabei ist für menschliche Haut und für Pflanzen das Entstehen hoher osmotischer Drucke, d. h. niederer Wasserkonzentration, wahrscheinlich gemacht; doch sind die Ursachen dafür noch unbekannt.

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Summary Laboratory experiments and field observations show surprisingly high amounts of transfer of water vapor into human skin, into dry and living plants, and into dry soil. The processes involved seem to be based on diffusion and sorption. These results may be explained by assuming the existence of high osmotic pressures in skin and in plants; the reason for this concentration is not yet known.

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Résumé Des essais de laboratoire et dans la nature montrent un transport inattendu de vapeur d'eau dans la peau humaine, dans des plantes séchées et vivantes ainsi que dans le sol sec. Les phénomènes reposent apparemment sur la diffusion et sur la sorption. En ce qui concerne la peau humaine et les plantes, il est donc probable qu'elles entretiennent des pressions osmotiques élevées; mais la cause en est encore inconnue.

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Contribution Number 32 of the Department of Meteorology and Climatology, University of Washington.

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Herrn Dr.Anders K. ?ngstr?m zu seinem 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Infiltration von Flusswasser in Dünengebieten

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Martian Seasonal CO2 Ice in Polygonal Troughs in Southern Polar Region: Role of the Distribution of Subsurface H2O Ice

The Mars Orbiter Camera onboard the Mars Global Surveyor has obtained several images of polygonal features in the southern polar region. In images taken during the end of the southern spring, when the surrounding surface is free of the seasonal frost, CO₂ ice still appears to be present within the polygonal troughs. In Earth's polar regions, polygons such as these are indicative of water ice in the ground below. We analyzed the seasonal evolution of the thermal state and the CO₂ content of these features. Our 2-D model includes condensation and sublimation of the CO₂ ice, a self consistent treatment of the variations of the thermal properties of the regolith, and the seasonal variations of the local atmospheric pressure which we take from the results of a general circulation model. We find that the residence time of seasonal CO₂ ice in troughs depends not only on atmospheric opacity and albedo of the CO₂ ice, but also and most significantly on the distribution of water ice in the regolith. Optical properties of the atmosphere and surface CO₂ ice can be independently obtained from observations. To date this is not true about the distribution of water ice below the surface. Our analysis quantifies the dependence of the seasonal cycle of the CO₂ ice within the troughs on the assumed distribution of the water ice below the surface. We show that presence of water ice in the ground at a depth smaller than the depth of the troughs reduces winter condensation rate of CO₂ ice. This is due to higher heat flux conducted from the water ice rich regolith toward the facets of the troughs.