Light scattering by nonspherical ice grains: An application to noctilucent cloud particles

The light scattered by noctilucent cloud particles is nearly fully polarized at scattering angles in the vicinity of 90 . This was one of the reasons to conclude that the upper limit of their sizes is not larger than about 0.12 m. Nevertheless, this estimate was made on the basis of the Mie scattering theory for spherical particles, whereas many investigators noted usefulness of highly aspherical shapes of noctilucent cloud particles. In this paper, we used rigorous light scattering theory for randomly oriented nonspherical particles to calculate the degree of linear polarization of the scattered light for ice grains of different shape. By comparing these calculations with rocket polarization measurements of noctilucent clouds, we show that, as for spherical particles, the upper limit of particle equal-volume radii for slightly flattened and elongated grains is of about 0.12 m, while for highly aspherical plate-like and needle-like particles this upper limit is substantially larger and is of about 0.18–0.20 m. We also report calculations of the volumetric scattering cross-section for particles of different shape and show that randomly oriented spheroids have (slightly) smaller scattering cross section per unit particle mass than equal-volume spherical grains. Nevertheless, if in noctilucent clouds plate-like and needle-like grains grow to much larger sizes than spherical particles, their scattering efficiency may be much greater.     

Quiet-Sun emission and local sources at meter and decimeter wavelengths and their relationship with the coronal neutral sheet

We analysed multifrequency 2-dimensional maps of the solar corona obtained with the Nançay radioheliograph during two solar rotations in 1986. We discuss the emission of the quiet Sun, coronal holes and local sources and its association with chromospheric and coronal features as well as with large-scale magnetic fields. The brightness temperature of the quiet Sun was 5 to 5.5 × 10⁵ K at 164 MHz and 4.5 to 5 × 10⁵ K at 408 MHz. A coronal hole, also detected in the 10830 Å He i line, had a brightness temperature of 4.5 × 10⁵ at 164 and 2.5 × 10⁵ at 408 MHz. We give statistics of source brightness temperatures (on the average 8% above the background at 164 MHz and 14% at 408 MHz), as well as distributions in longitude and latitude. Although we found no significant center-to-limb effect in the brightness temperature, the sources were not visible far from the central meridian (apparently a refraction effect). The brightest sources at 164 MHz were near, but not directly above active regions and had characteristics of faint type I continua. At 408 MHz some sources were observed directly above active regions and one was unambiguously a type I continuum. The majority of the fainter sources showed no association with chromospheric features seen on H synoptic charts, including filaments. Most of them were detected at one frequency only. Sources identified at three frequencies (164, 327, and 408 MHz) were located in regions of enhanced large-scale magnetic field, some of them at the same location as decayed active regions visible one rotation before on synoptic H charts. Multifrequency sources are associated with maxima of the green line corona. The comparison with K-corona synoptic charts shows a striking association of the radio sources with dense coronal regions, associated with the coronal neutral sheet. Furthermore, we detected an enhanced brightness region which surrounds the local sources and is stable over at least one solar rotation. We call this feature a coronal plateau and we identify it with the radio counterpart of the coronal neutral sheet.     

Some observations on migration within and from the former USSR in the 1990s

"Patterns of population distribution revealed from 1989 census data are used to assess how future population movements could be affected by current political, social, and economic changes. Much migration in the USSR has reflected central planning decisions as much as the spontaneous decisions of individuals. To the extent that the influence of the command economy diminishes and a market economy emerges, major new directions of migration flows can be expected. The return of ethnic 'expatriates' to home republics can be expected to increase, as can economic migration to areas with favorably perceived economic prospects, and migration to Central and Western Europe."     

GPS单点测速的误差分析及精度评价 (英文)

Error sources which decrease the accuracy of GPS in absolute velocity determination have been changed since SA was turned off. Firstly, quantities of all kinds of error sources that influence velocity determination are analyzed. The potential accuracy of GPS absolute velocity determination is derived from both theory and field GPS data simulation. After that, two tests were carried out to evaluate the performance of GPS absolute velocity determination in the case of a static and an airborne GPS receiver and INS （Inertial Navigation System） instrument in kinematic mode. In static mode, the receiver velocity has been estimated to be several mm/s with the carrier-phase derived Doppler measurements, and several cm/s with the receiver generated Doppler measurements. In kinematic mode, GPS absolute velocity estimates are compared with the synchronized measurements from the high accuracy INS. The root mean square statistics of the velocity discrepancies between GPS and INS come up to dm/s. Moreover, it has a strong correlation with the acceleration or jerk of the aircraft.     

Chronology and cooling history of the Tianmenshan pluton in South Jiangxi Province and their geological significance

Geochronological studies on the crust-derived Tianmenshan pluton were undertaken by SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating and Ar-Ar dating of biotite, muscovite and K-feldspar, giving a petrogenetic age of 167 Ma. Owing to the closure systems in different minerals, the cooling history of the pluton can be determined with an age-temperature diagram. The late hydrothermal event has been recognized, which is related probably with mineralization. In terms of the comparative geochronological and petrologic records, it is concluded that there are some constrains on tectonic evolution and that the formation of the Tianmenshan pluton proceeded in a transition period from Indosinian post-orogeny extension to strong compressive tectonics. And the timing of the hydrothermal event matches the compressive climax of the Yanshanian orogeny. The temporal gap between granite emplacement and wolframite mineralization could last 10-20 Ma owing to the low cooling rate of the pluton.     

Study on rain-runoff process in the peripheral mountainous area of the Sichuan Basin

Studies on rain-runoff process in the peripheral mountainous area of the Sichuan Basin, which is regarded as a key ecological shelter, will contribute to flood control and environmental protection for the Upper Yangtze River Basin. In two typical catchments--the Fujiang River Catchment and the Wujiang River Catchment, rainfall simulations have been conducted to study the rain-runoff processes of yellow soil and limestone soil in three types of land use--forestland, farmland and grassland. Results showed that （1） within the same rainfall process, overland flow occurs first on farmland, then on grassland, and finally on forestland; （2） soil surface coverage has a great impact on the occurrence and amount of overland flow. The runoff amount can increase 2-4 times after the coverage is removed; （3） the infiltration before the occurrence of overland flow will decrease because of higher gravel contents of soil, but it takes no effect on infiltration once overland flow becomes stable; （4） the runoff coefficient of the limestone soil forestland is greater than that of the yellow soil forest land, but less than that of the farmland; （5） three empirical infiltration models, including Horton＇ model, Kostiakov＇ model, and modified Kostiakov＇ model, were compared by using the observed results under rainfall simulation. The results showed that the Kostiakov＇ model performed better than both the Horton＇ model and modified Kostiakov model. According to the results of this research, the Kostiakov＇s model can be used to simulate rainfall infiltration when water erosion is modeled in the peripheral mountainous area of the Sichuan Basin.     

Using spectral information from the NIR water absorption features for the retrieval of canopy water content

Canopy water content (CWC) is important for mapping and monitoring the condition of the terrestrial ecosystem. Spectral information related to the water absorption features at 970 nm and 1200 nm offers possibilities for deriving information on CWC. In this study, we compare the use of derivative spectra, spectral indices and continuum removal techniques for these regions. Hyperspectral reflectance data representing a range of canopies were simulated using the combined PROSPECT + SAILH model. Best results in estimating CWC were obtained by using spectral derivatives at the slopes of the 970 nm and 1200 nm water absorption features. Real data from two different test sites were analysed. Spectral information at both test sites was obtained with an ASD FieldSpec spectrometer, whereas at the second site HyMap airborne imaging spectrometer data were also acquired. Best results were obtained for the derivative spectra. In order to avoid the potential influence of atmospheric water vapour absorption bands the derivative of the reflectance on the right slope of the canopy water absorption feature at 970 nm can best be used for estimating CWC.     

Use of laser range and height texture cues for building identification

Airborne LiDAR has found application in an increasing number of mapping and Geo-data acquisition tasks. Apart from terrain information generation, applications such as automatic detection and modeling of objects like buildings or vegetation for the generation of 3-D city models have been explored. Besides the height itself, height texture defined by local variations of the height is a significant parameter for object recognition. The paper explores the potential of the analysis of height texture as a cue for the automatic detection of objects in LiDAR datasets. A number of texture measures were computed. Based on their definition and computation these measures were used as bands in a classification algorithm, and objects like buildings, single trees, and roads could be recognized.     

Urban cadastral mapping using very high resolution remote sensing data

With growing urban expanses, one of the pre-requisites for effective governance is Urban Information Systems (UIS) with content down to individual properties (and individuals). The basic input i.e., a map, in UIS should show individual property boundaries showing the plan outline of all structures existing within, at a scale of 1:1000 and larger with sub-metre to centimeters planimetric and geometric accuracy. With very high resolution remote sensing data of the order of 1m available in hand, it is possible to prepare maps with high resolution spatial content. The present exercise demonstrates a method of preparing a geometrically and planimetrically accurate urban cadastral map on very large scale for a small area of about 5 sq km. IKONOS merged data with 1m resolution is used for the purpose. Mapping was done in conjunction with on-site measurements and sketches. Guides are used to maintain shape symmetry and accuracy of buildings and other features. Working out cost of mapping per unit area is another objective in the present exercise. For want of fully or semi-automatic methods of information extraction from very high resolution remote sensing data, it is imperative that mapping should be carried out in conjunction with some on-site measurements wherever necessary.