On the rate of ancient meteoroidal flux: Studies of the pre-mare crater population on the Moon

According to radiometric dating of lunar rocks, meteoroidal bombardment and accompanying cratering on the Moon were intensive in the first 0.7×10⁹ y, the so-calledterra stage. Recently the hypothesis of a terminal cataclysm has been gaining acceptance, meaning that a sharp increase in the bombardment followed by a steep decay occurred at the end of theterra stage.The purpose of this paper is to investigate possible variations in the intensity of the bombardment during theterra stage by analyzing the population of large (3–1000 km)terra craters and comparing it with results obtained by theoretical models. The proportion of fresh craters is specifically used.Observational data were obtained by studying the craters on an oldterra surface photographed by Zond 8 and/or covered by LTO and LM maps and by conducting a statistical study of theterra listed in the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Catalog. Mathematical models were developed in such a way as to make them dimensionless, and as such applicable even without the knowledge of the physical constants and variables involved. Particularly powerful is the method of measuring time as multiples of the average lifetime of a crater of that size.The following conclusions and/or interpretations are reached. (1) A crater remains fresh for less than 20% of the average life of a crater of that size. (2) A condition of equilibrium (i.e., on the average, a new impact does not cause a net increase in the total number of craters) is reached or almost reached on lunarterrae. (3) The age of theterra surface is more than three average lifetimes of the 2 km to at least 20 km size craters (4) The observedterra crater population isnot the result of two cataclysms, one at the beginning of the stage and one at the end. (5) This population, however, could be the result of a constant or slowly decaying flux continuing until the end of the stage, when the terminal cataclysms occurred. This sequence of events cannot be proven or disproven. (6) If no terminal cataclysm occurred, then the meteoroidal flux during theterra stage was slowly decaying or constant. (7) The formation of all the large multi-ringed basins essentially contemporaneously is doubtful.     

A numerical study of aerosol growth in Titan's atmosphere

We present a simple model for the formation and growth of photochemical aerosols in the atmosphere of Titan. We show that, in general, an optically thick layer of particles in the size range required by models of Titan cannot be obtained at pressures less than about 2 mbar. Since the thin model of Titan's atmosphere requires that the inversion not extend below pressures of 0.11 mbar (D. M. Hunten and J. J. Caldwell, 1978, preprint), it seems to be ruled out by the calculations.     

A model for a structure in the galactic nebula S206

The galactic nebula S206 contains a half shell of high excitation nebulosity which is centred on the associated exciting star. The suggestion has been made that this structure is caused by the interaction of stellar mass loss from the star with nebular gas. A steady state model of such an interaction is investigated quantitatively. The required mass loss rate from the star is about 10^–7 M yr^–1 which is compatible with the observationally derived mass-loss rates from early-type stars.     

Energetic properties of interplanetary plasma at the earth's orbit following the August 4, 1972 flare

Solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field data were obtained by the PROGNOZ 1 and PROGNOZ 2 satellites during the period following the August 4, 1972 (0621 UT) solar flare. A thermalized plasma was recorded one hour after the shock followed two hours later by the plasma piston with a bulk velocity higher than 1700 km s^-1. The comparison between the PROGNOZ and PIONEER 9 solar wind data shows an attenuation of the plasma properties with the deflection from the flare's meridian.     

A model for thinning of the plasma sheet

A one-dimensional model for thinning of the plasma sheet is developed on the basis of launching a fast mode MHD rarefaction wave propagating in the tailward direction along the plasma sheet. Behind the rarefaction wave the pressure is reduced, leading to thinning of the plasma sheet and also to an Earthward plasma flow with a speed on the order of the sound speed a₀. The plasma sheet thickness is reduced by a factor of 2 if an Earthward plasma flow speed of 0.8a₀ is induced. The predictions of the model are in reasonable agreement with observations.     

The structure of the atmosphere of Uranus

Models of the interior of Uranus (Podolak, 1976) suggest that the abundances of such substances as CH₄ are greatly enhanced with respect to solar abundances of heavy elements. Such enhancement leads to a new type of model atmosphere for Uranus, which agrees with observation if the internal energy flux is small (?10%) compared with the absorbed solar energy. An important feature of the models is the presence of a cloud of CH₄ droplets whose top is at a temperature of ?90°K and a pressure of ?4atm. Above the cloud, the atmosphere is stable because of the rapid decrease of the thermal flux with depth. Being saturated, most of the observable gaseous CH₄ is near the cloud; the CH₄ abundance above the cloud, of the order of 5 km-am, is a very sensitive function of the cloud-top temperature.     

Axel dust on Saturn and Titan

The scattering and absorption properties of Axel dust were investigated by means of Mie theory. We find that a flat distribution of particle radii between 0 and 0.1 μm, and an imaginary part of the index of refraction which varies as λ^?2.5 produce a good fit to the variation of Titan's geometric albedo with wavelength (λ) provided that τ_ext, the extinction optical depth of Titan's atmosphere at 5000 Å, is about 10. The real part of the complex index is taken to be 2.0. The model assumes that the mixing ratio of Axel dust to gas is uniform above the surface of Titan. The same set of physical properties for Axel dust also produces a good fit to Saturn's albedo if τ_ext = 0.7 at 5000 Å. To match the increase in albedo shortward of 3500 Å, a clear layer (containing about 7 km-am H₂) is required above the Axel dust. Such a layer is also required to explain the limb brightening in the ultraviolet. These models can be used to analyze the observed equivalent widths of the visible methane bands. The analysis yields an abundance of the order of 1000 m-am CH₄ in Titan's atmosphere. The derived CH₄/H₂ mixing ratio for Saturn is about 3.5 × 10^?3 or an enhancement of about 5 over the solar ratio.     

A study of motions in the winter mesosphere using the partial reflection drift technique

Intensive partial reflection drift observations were made at Adelaide (35°S) for a seven day period in June 1973. The results have been analysed to isolate the prevailing motion and oscillations of various time scales: planetary, 24 hr, 12 hr and gravity waves. Each is discussed in turn with particular emphasis on the variability of energy from day to day and as a function of height. Evidence is presented for the local generation of planetary waves, the presence of the evanescent S_?2¹ mode in the 24 hr oscillation, the influence of the S₄² mode in the 12 hr oscillation and a definite polarization of gravity waves. The energies of all the forms of motion are shown to decay exponentially with increasing height and the deposition of energy and momentum in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere is discussed.     

The structure of a type-II supernova remnant G 160.5+2.8 (HB-9) observed at λ=12m

A two-dimensional brightness distribution of the old supernova remnant G 160.5+2.8 (HB-9) has been measured at a frequency of 25 MHz with the T-Shaped UTR-2 radio telescope, with the resolution 29×27. The source has a distinctly pronounced, almost spherical envelope. At the same time, individual features located near the internal boundary of the source are observable.Certain considerations are put forward to validate a suggestion that the brightest feature in the decameter range (maximum at=4^h55^m.3 and =46°.37) might be of an extragalactic origin.From structure considerations, the velocity of the pulsar PSR 0459+47 projected on HB-9 is estimated. The estimate does not contradict the hypothesis of Damasheket al. (1978) concerning a possible genetic relation between HB-9 and PSR 0459+47.     

Unsteady MHD flow past a porous plate with step function change in suction at slip flow regime

Unsteady two-dimensional hydromagnetic flow of an electrically conducting viscous incompressible fluid past a semi-infinite porous flat plate with step function change in suction velocity is studied allowing a first order velocity slip at the boundary condition. The solution of the problem is obtained in closed form and the results are discussed with the aid of graphs for various parameters entering in the problem.Notations B intensity of magnetic field - H magnetic field parameter,H=(M+1/4)^1/2–1/2 - h rarefaction parameter - L ₁ slip coefficient; ;I, mean free path of gas molecules;f, Maxwell's reflection coefficient - M magnetic field parameter - r suction parameter - t time - t dimensionless time - u velocity of the fluid - u dimensionless velocity of the fluid - U velocity of the fluid at infinity - v suction velocity - v ₁ suction velocity att<=0 - v ₂ suction velocity att>0 - x distance parallel to the plate - y distance normal to the plate - y nondimensional distance normal to the plate - v kinematic viscosity - electric conductivity of the fluid - density of the fluid - shear stress at the wall - nondimensional shear stress at the wall - erf error function - erfc complementary error function