The High Altitude Observatory Coronagraph/Polarimeter on the Solar Maximum Mission

The High Altitude Observatory Coronagraph/Polarimeter, to be flown on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Solar Maximum Mission satellite, is designed to produce images of the solar corona in seven wavelength bands in the visible spectral range. The spectral bands have been chosen to specifically exclude or include chromospheric spectral lines, so as to allow discrimination between ejecta at high (coronal) and low (chromospheric) temperatures, respectively. In addition, the instrument features spectral filters designed to permit an accurate color separation of the F and K coronal components, and a narrow band (5.5 Å) filter to observe the radiance and polarization of the Fe xiv 5303 Å line. The effective system resolution is better than 10 arc sec and the instrument images a selected quadrant (or smaller field) on an SEC vidicon detector. The total height range that may be recorded encompasses 1.6 to more than 6.0R (from Sun center). The instrument is pointed independently of the SMM spacecraft, and its functions are controlled through the use of a program resident within the onboard spacecraft computer. Major experimental goals include: (a) Observation of the role of the corona in the flare process and of the ejecta from the flare site and the overlying corona; (b) the study of the direction of magnetic fields in stable coronal forms, and, perhaps, ejecta; and (c) examination of the evolution of the solar corona near the period of solar maximum activity.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

塔里木西北缘阿克苏地区大陆拉斑玄武岩对新元古代裂解事件的制约

塔里木西北缘新元古界苏盖特布拉克组不整合覆盖在前寒武纪阿克苏群蓝片岩及侵入其中的基性岩墙之上,苏盖特布拉克组底部发育两层玄武岩夹层,其形成时代和成因背景对认识塔里木板块前寒武纪构造演化及有关的超大陆循环和地球动力学过程具有重要意义。本文对这两层玄武岩进行了全岩地球化学和锆石U-Pb年代学研究。结果显示,玄武岩均属于大陆拉斑玄武岩系列,微量元素地球化学特性与典型的大陆溢流玄武岩非常相似,其岩浆来源于富集地幔,并遭受了一定程度的地壳混染作用。玄武岩中锆石的LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄分布在1945~755Ma,这些锆石均属于玄武岩浆上升过程中从地壳岩石捕获的继承锆石,记录了塔里木北缘元古代期间多期变质和岩浆事件。这一年龄范围表明,玄武岩形成的时代应晚于755Ma。本文的研究结果表明,阿克苏大陆拉斑玄武岩形成于板内裂谷环境,可能与新元古代Rodinia超大陆之下的地幔柱活动有关,是塔里木板块从Rodinia超大陆裂解出来的直接证据。     

A numerical study of local stellar motions

The orbits of over 10000 stars are integrated in a steady-state model of the Galaxy for a time 6.0×10⁸ yr. Initially, the stars are placed randomly inside spheres of 500 pc and 50 pc radius and are given random velocities, such that the sample has a Maxwellian or a spheroidal velocity distribution. The spheres are placed at the Sun's distance from the galactic centre (10 kpc) and are given a circular velocity of 250 km s^?1. The mean velocities and dispersions of stars within 1 kpc of an ‘observer’ moving at the circular velocity are calculated as functions of time. The quantities show a strong time-dependence with oscillations of period 10⁸ yr. The oscillations are independent of the mass model and occur also in an inverse square force field. A vertex deviation of the velocity ellipsoid, an asymmetric drift and aK-effect occur as natural consequences of the oscillations. Attempts to apply the Oort method for density determinations in the galactic plane are also influenced by the oscillations. Spiral density waves appear to have a small effect on the motions of the test stars.     

Economic Impacts of Carbon Charges on U.S. Agriculture

We evaluate the farm sector impacts that would result from implementing a system of carbon based charges on energy intensive inputs. Our emphasis is on production costs, crop acreage, commodity prices, input use, farm income, and farm welfare. The charges considered – $14, $100, and$200 per metric ton of carbon – were developed from the literature and areconsistent with reducing U.S. GHG emissions to a 1990 minus 7% level by 2010 underdifferent levels of carbon trading and developing country participation. Impacts are relatively modest for a charge of $14 per mt. Relative to baseline conditions, producer and consumer surplus decline 0.02 and 0.03 percent, respectively. Across crop and livestock commodities, price increases and production declines are all less than 1.0%. As the carbon charge increases, farm sector impacts become more pronounced and determination of whether the aggregate effect is significant or not becomes more subjective.     

Evaluating thermal history models for the Otway Basin, southeastern Australia, using (U-Th)/He and fission-track data from borehole apatites

New apatite helium and fission-track data from the Otway Basin are consistent with previously published borehole ages, confirming earlier suggestions that existing thermal models for basin evolution should be reevaluated. Analysis of the relationship between helium ages and grain size in newly analyzed samples, as well as in samples previously reported, reveals that grain size variations may contribute to the previously reported scatter in helium ages among aliquots of the same sample. In addition, systematic variations in apatite grain size with borehole depth or temperature may also have a significant effect on the interpretation of borehole helium age data. Incorporation of the observed grain size variations in Otway borehole apatites into forward models based on published thermal histories, principally based on vitrinite reflectance and fission-track data, suggests that existing models for the eastern Otway Basin are broadly consistent with the helium data. In contrast, thermal histories for western basin boreholes, now thought to be at maximum temperatures, predict helium ages that are generally older than the observed ages, implying that basin temperatures were hotter than indicated by the models. This discrepancy is consistent with a Cenozoic heating event in parts of the western Otway Basin similar to that documented for the eastern basin. The relatively wide spread of apparent apatite fission-track (AFT) ages and compositions compared to the restricted age range of helium measurements on coexisting grains, although not conclusive, supports previous suggestions that composition does not appear to affect the sensitivity of the He closure temperature in apatite.     

Growing up with rivers? Rivers in London children's worlds

This paper presents the results from exploratory research which set out to investigate London children's perceptions and uses of river environments. Mainly qualitative, multi-method research was carried out in four primary schools with children aged 9–11, focusing on two rivers near to the schools. Rivers were found to be marginal to the children's everyday lives and outdoor play, being perceived as polluted, neglected, and initially dangerous places. However, when experienced on visits observed as part of the research, some of these perceptions changed and rivers were also found to afford many special activities and experiences for the children. The visits were generally seen to have a positive effect on the children's perceptions of rivers, at least in the short term. This suggests that, if managed appropriately, rivers could be potentially rewarding play areas for children. Moreover, children could provide valuable input for river managers in suggesting ways of improving suitable local rivers for increased recreational uses.     

数据仓库基础上的辅助决策应饪——指挥监测中心桌面系统简介

指挥监测中心桌面系统是建立在数据仓库基础上,以Business Objects XI作为项目开发运行平台,专门为领导决策服务的定制系统,实现预警、监督、查询等功能,重点是实现主要关注指标的实时监测。     

《汶川地震灾害地图集》简介

由国家科学技术部、国家测绘局、民政部、国家发展和改革委员会等部门主持编制、成都地图出版社出版的《汶川地震灾害地图集》已正式出版发行。徐冠华、马宗晋、     

三江地区义敦岛弧碰撞造山过程：花岗岩记录

义敦岛弧碰撞造山带是特提斯－喜马拉雅巨型造山带中的一个复合造山带。本文利用义敦岛弧碰撞造山带29个花岗岩体的43件同位素测年数据，结合岩石地球化学特征，建立了造山带花岗岩的时间坐标。初步识别出4套不同成因类型的花岗岩，即印支期弧花岗岩、燕山早期同碰撞花岗岩、燕山晚期A型花岗岩和喜马拉雅期花岗岩。据此，再造了造山带的形成过程与演化历史：印支期的大规模俯冲造山作用（238－210Ma)，形成义敦火山岩浆弧；大约自206Ma始，发生弧－陆碰撞，伴随岛弧地壳挤压收缩和剪切变形，发育同碰撞花岗岩；进入燕山晚期（138－73Ma)，岛弧碰撞造山带发生造山后伸展作用，形成A型花岗岩带；喜马拉雅期发生陆内造山作用（65－15Ma)，岛弧碰撞造山带出现逆冲－推覆和大规模走滑平移，伴随喜马拉雅期花岗岩的侵位和拉分盆地的形成。