Spatially resolved kinematics and stellar populations of brightest cluster and group galaxies

We present an examination of the kinematics and stellar populations of a sample of three brightest group galaxies (BGGs) and three brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) in X-ray groups and clusters. We have obtained high signal-to-noise ratio Gemini/Gemini South Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) long-slit spectra of these galaxies and use Lick indices to determine ages, metallicities and α-element abundance ratios out to at least their effective radii. We find that the BGGs and BCGs have very uniform masses, central ages and central metallicities. Examining the radial dependence of their stellar populations, we find no significant velocity dispersion, age, or α-enhancement gradients. However, we find a wide range of metallicity gradients, suggesting a variety of formation mechanisms. The range of metallicity gradients observed is surprising, given the homogeneous environment these galaxies probe and their uniform central stellar populations. However, our results are inconsistent with any single model of galaxy formation and emphasize the need for more theoretical understanding of both the origins of metallicity gradients and galaxy formation itself. We postulate two possible physical causes for the different formation mechanisms.     

ELECTROLYTIC CORROSION OF IRON METEORITES

Six iron meteorites were electrolyzed and the resulting corrosion was studied by a potentiostatic technique. It was found that both iron and nickel in the kamacite phase dissolve, and that neither iron nor nickel dissolve from taenite. The rate of corrosion was shown to be inversely proportional to the nickel content. However, structure, as well as nickel content, plays an important part in the electrolytic process. The Coya Norte, Chile meteorite dissolved more rapidly and more easily (at a lower potential) than did pure iron even though the Coya Norte meteorite contains 5.5% nickel.     

Hard Burst Emission from the Soft Gamma Repeater SGR 1900+14

We present evidence for burst emission from SGR 1900+14 with a power-law high-energy spectrum extending beyond 500 keV. Unlike previous detections of high-energy photons during bursts from soft gamma repeaters (SGRs), these emissions are not associated with extraordinarily bright flares. Not only is the emission hard, but the spectra are better fitted by D. Band's gamma-ray burst (GRB) function rather than by the traditional optically thin thermal bremsstrahlung model. We find that the spectral evolution within these hard events obeys a hardness/intensity anticorrelation. Temporally, these events are distinct from typical SGR burst emissions in that they are longer ( approximately 1 s) and have relatively smooth profiles. Despite a difference in peak luminosity of greater, similar1011 between these bursts from SGR 1900+14 and cosmological GRBs, there are striking temporal and spectral similarities between the two kinds of bursts, aside from spectral evolution. We outline an interpretation of these events in the context of the magnetar model.     

Geochemical signature of historical mining: Fowey Estuary, Cornwall, UK

Geochemical analyses of intertidal sediments from the northern part of the Fowey Estuary, Cornwall, UK, reveal a clear pulse in Sn concentration in sediments which predate 1880. Sn concentrations at the base of the cores increase rapidly to peak values of 1200 ppm and then decrease to values of 200 ppm at the present-day sediment surface. The mineralogy of the sediments is consistent with an origin from the release of mine waste from tin streaming and smelt products into the estuary. Further to the south, the down-core geochemistry of the estuary sediments is uniform with values of typically 400 ppm. This is interpreted as due to the natural reworking of the recognised pulse in particulate mine waste seen to the north.     

Toppling rock slope failures examples of analysis and stabilization

SummaryToppling Rock Slope Failures — Examples of Analysis and Stabilization Three case histories of toppling failures of rock slopes, and the methods used to ensure that failure did not disrupt operations below the slope, are described. The application of Goodman and Bray's limit equilibrium analysis of multi-block failures to these three slopes is demonstrated.The first failure occurred in a 20 m high granite slope that was stabilized by removing the top 6 m and installing a number of tensioned rock anchors in the toe. The second failure occurred in a sequence of folded sandstone, shale and coal. This slide was too large to stabilize, so the movement rate was monitored while mining continued in the pit below until shortly before failure took place. In the third failure, the top 8 m of a single 12 m high toppling block was removed by blasting to prevent further rotational movement.

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ZusammenfassungKippvorgänge beim Bruch von Felsböschungen — Beispiele für die Berechnung und Stabilisierung Es werden drei Fallstudien von Brüchen von Felsböschungen durch Kippen und die dabei angewendeten Sicherungsmethoden beschrieben. Die Anwendung der Grenzgleichgewichtsbetrachtung von Massenbewegungen, die durch Kippvorgänge ausgelöst wurden, nach Goodman and Bray, auf drei Felshänge wird gezeigt.Der erste Bruch ereignete sich in einer 20 m hohen Böschung in Granit. Die Stabilisierung bestand in der Entfernung der obersten 6 m und der Einbringung von einigen Vorspannankern. Der zweite Bruch ereignete sich in einer Serie von gefalteten Sandsteinen, Schiefern und Kohlen. Da die Größe dieser Rutschung eine Stabilisierung unmöglich machte, wurden die Bewegungen genau registriert und der Abbau bis kurz vor dem eigentlichen Bruch fortgesetzt. Das dritte Beispiel ist ein einzelner 12 m hoher, kippender Block, dessen oberste 8 m weggesprengt wurde, um ein weiteres Kippen zu verhindern.

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RésuméDéfauts par chute de rampes rocheuses — Exemples des analyses et de stabilisation Ce résumé décrit trois événements de rupture de pentes rocheuses et les méthodes de stabilisation utilisées. Dans ces trois cas l'auteur montre l'utilisation de l'analyse de la limite d'équilibre des masses rocheuses pour un mouvement de basculement selon Goodman et Bray.Le premier cas a eu lieu sur une rampe granitique de 20 m hauteur, laquelle a été stabilisée en 6 m de roche au sommet et en possant quelque d'ancrage au pied de la pente. La deuxième défaut s'a produit avec une séquence de roches de formation gréseuse, d'argile schisteuse et du charbon. Cette glissement a été trop grande pour être stabilisée, donc la raison de mouvement a été controlée au même temps qu'on travaillait dans le puit au dessous quelque temps avant que le défaut se produisse. Dans le troisième défaut les 8 m de sommet d'un seul bloc rocheux ont été dépilés par des méthodes explosifs pour prévenir ultérieur mouvements rotatives.

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With 6 Figures     

The Electrostatic Lunar Dust Analyzer (ELDA) for the detection and trajectory measurement of slow-moving dust particles from the lunar surface

Micron and submicron-sized dust particles can be lifted from the lunar surface due to continual micrometeoroid bombardment and electrostatic charging. The characteristics of these dust populations are of scientific interest and engineering importance for the design of future equipment to operate on the lunar surface. The mobilized grains are expected to have a low velocity, which makes their detection difficult by traditional methods that are based on momentum transfer or impact energy. We describe a newly developed instrument concept, the Electrostatic Lunar Dust Analyzer (ELDA), which utilizes the charge on the dust for detection and analysis. ELDA consists of an array of wire electrodes combined with an electrostatic deflection field region, and measures the mass, charge, and velocity vector of individual dust grains. The first basic prototype of the ELDA instrument has been constructed, tested and characterized in the laboratory. The instrument is set up to measure over a velocity range 1–100 m/s and is sensitive to particles from an approximate mass range from 2×10⁻¹⁶ to 10⁻¹¹ kg, depending on the charge state and velocity.     

A spatial and temporal drought risk assessment of three major tree species in Britain using probabilistic climate change projections

Probabilistic climate data have become available for the first time through the UK Climate Projections 2009, so that the risk of change in tree growth can be quantified. We assessed the drought risk spatially and temporally using drought probabilities calculated from the weather generator data and tree species vulnerabilities using Ecological Site Classification model across Britain. We evaluated the drought impact on the potential yield class of three major tree species (Picea sitchensis, Pinus sylvestris, and Quercus robur), which cover around 59 % (400,700 ha) of state-managed forests, across the lowlands and uplands. We show that drought impacts result mostly in reduced tree growth over the next 80 years when using B1, A1B, and A1FI IPCC emissions scenarios, but varied spatially. We found a maximum reduction of 94 % but also a maximum increase of 56 % in potential stand yield class in the 2080s from the baseline climate (1961–1990). Furthermore, potential production over the state-managed forests for all three species in the 2080s is estimated to decrease due to drought by 42 % in the lowlands and by 32 % in the uplands in comparison to the baseline climate. Our results reveal that potential tree growth and forest production on the state-managed forests in Britain is likely to reduce, and indicate where and when adaptation measures are required. Moreover, this paper demonstrates the value of probabilistic climate projections for an important economic and environmental sector.     

Further evidence for the existence of sub‐littoral populations of toheroa,Amphidesma ventricosum Gray (eulamelli‐branchiata), off the west coast of New Zealand

The finding of shells of toheroa (Amphidesma ventricosum Gray) which had been drilled by gastropods absent from the littoral zone, is presented as evidence for the existence of sub‐littoral populations of toheroa.