An exact solution to the relativistic advance of perihelion: correcting the Einstein approximation

New calculations of the main term of the advance of perihelion for the asteroid Icarus and planet Mercury are discussed. With the help of this author’s previously published formula for the advance, results are then compared to the values given by Einstein’s approximation.     

Microtextures and crystal chemistry of pigeonite in the ureilites ALHA77257, RKPA80239, Y‐791538, and ALHA81101

Abstract— The microtextures of pigeonite in four ureilites, Allan Hills (ALH) 77257, Reckling Peak (RKP) A80239, Yamato (Y‐) 791538, and Allan Hills A81101, chosen to span a range of composition and shock level, were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM); two of the samples were also investigated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction to determine Fe²⁺‐Mg cation site partitioning. The low‐shock and compositionally homogeneous pigeonites in ALHA77257 and RKPA80329 (Wo 6.4 for both, mg 86.3 and 84.3 respectively) display irregularly spaced, shock‐induced stacking faults oriented parallel to (100), and large antiphase domains (50–100 nm). Antiphase domains have no preferential orientation. No evidence of exsolution was observed. The low‐shock Y‐791538 pigeonite is homogeneous and has higher Ca and mg (Wo 9.4, mg 91.2). TEM investigation showed spinodal decomposition, indicative of incipient exsolution; small antiphase domains were observed (～5 nm). Single crystal refinement yielded R_4s? = 5.71%, with Fe²⁺‐Mg partitioning coefficient k_d = 0.077(8) and T_c = 658(35) °C. ALHA81101 has compositionally heterogeneous pyroxenes, with large local variations in Wo and mg (Wo = 4–13, mg = 86–68). No compositional gradients from core to rim of grains were observed, and the heterogeneity is interpreted as related to cation migration during shock. In one relatively Ca‐rich region (Wo～12), TEM analysis showed augite‐pigeonite exsolution lamellae, with spacing 145(20) nm. Results for ALHA77257, RKPA80239, and Y‐791538 support a model of rapid cooling following breakup of the ureilite parent body. The presence of exsolution lamellae in ALHA81101 can be related to a local shock‐induced Ca enrichment and provides no constraint on the late cooling history.     

Pressure effects on martian crustal magnetization near large impact basins

Abstract— Martian crust endured several large meteoroid impacts subsequent to the demise of an early global magnetic field. Shock pressures associated with these impacts demagnetized parts of the crust, to an extent determined by shock resistance of magnetic materials in the crust. Impacts that form large basins generate pressures in excess of 1 GPa within a few crater radii of their impact sites. Crustal materials near the surface experience significantly reduced impact pressure, which varies with depth and distance from the impact point. We present new demagnetization experiments on magnetite (Fe₃O₄), hematite (α‐Fe₂O₃), and titanohematite (Fe_2‐xTi_xO₃ where x <0.2). Our measurements show that pressures of ?1 GPa are sufficient to partially demagnetize all of these minerals. The efficiency of demagnetization by impact pressure is proportional to the logarithm of the minerals' magnetic coercivity. The impact pressure magnetic response from exsolved titanohematite samples is consistent with the magnetization decay near Prometheus impact basin and may point to an oxidized igneous rock in Terra Sirenum region at the time of acquisition of magnetic remanence. The remaining magnetic anomalies near large impact basins suggest moderate crustal coercivity. These anomalies point to titanomagnetite as a magnetic carrier and more reduced condition during crustal formation.     

Distribuzione geografica dell'attivita' magnetica terrestre

Riassunto Richiamate le caratteristiche secondo cui le perturbazioni regolari ed irregolari del campo terrestre concorrono a definire l'attività geomagnetica, se ne analizza la distribuzione geografica mediante le grandezze:HR _H ,ZR _Z , e (10^–4.²). Di queste sono illustrati e discussi gli andamenti in funzione della latitudine geomagnetica, dedotti dai valori medi calcolati per quasi tutte le stazioni funzionanti durante l'Anno Polare 1932–33 ed il triennio successivo 1933–36. Si rileva particolarmente il massimo assoluto di attività della zone anulare delle aurore, e quello relativo delle regioni equatoriali. Segue un'indagine, a carattere piuttosto indicativo, sulla ripartizione geografica del grado di variazione dell'attività nel tempo, introducendo a tale scopo opportuni indici ed esponendone il comportamento. Conclude la Nota un cenno sugli andamenti stagionali dell'attività e della variabilità geomagnetica.     

Variographic analysis of tropical forest cover from multi-scale remotely sensed imagery

Tropical forest mapping is one of the major environmental concerns at global and regional scales in which remote sensing techniques are firmly involved. This study examines the use of the variogram function to analyse forest cover fragmentation at different image scales. Two main aspects are considered here: (1) analysis of the spatial variability structure of the forest cover observed at three different scales using fine, medium and coarse spatial resolution images; and (2) the study of the relationship between rescaled images from the finest spatial resolution and those of the medium and coarse spatial resolutions. Both aspects are analysed using the variogram function as a basic tool to calculate and interpret the spatial variability of the forest cover. An example is presented for a Brazilian tropical forest zone using satellite images of different spatial resolutions acquired by Landsat TM (30 m), Resurs MSU (160 m) and ERS ATSR (1000 m). The results of this study contribute to establishing a suitable spatial resolution of remotely sensed data for tropical forest cover monitoring.     

A model for binary-binary close encounters and collisions from a dynamical point of view

The goal of this paper is to provide a model for binary-binary interactions in star clusters, which is based on simultaneous binary collision of a special case of the one-dimensional 4-body problem where four masses move symmetrically about the center of mass. From the theoretical point of view, the singularity due to binary collisions between point masses can be handled by means of regularization theory. Our main tool is a change of coordinates due to McGehee by which we blow-up the singular set associated to total collision and replace it with an invariant manifold which includes binary and simultaneous binary collisions, and then gain a complete picture of the local behavior of the solutions near to total collision via the homothetic orbit.     

A new calibration of Wesselink's correlation for the determination of stellar radii

By means of a new homogeneous set of data from 34 double-lined detached systems, we have recalibrated the colour-surface brightness correlation in the interval –0.3(B-V)_o0.95. A comparison is made with Wesselink's calibration. We find that Wesselink's method can provide a good estimate of the stellar radii.     

Groundwater flow model, recharge estimation and sustainability in an arid region of Patagonia, Argentina

The Península Valdés, in northeastern Patagonia, Argentina, is characterised by its arid climate and the lack of perennial watercourses; thus, all economic activities depend on the groundwater resources. Water demand is mainly associated with tourism, which is centralised in Puerto Pirámides and supplied by a water desalination plant, and to sheep farming, supplied by the local aquifer. Due to the exponential growth of tourism, the government is planning to exploit groundwater and convey it by aqueduct to the abovementioned locality. The objectives of this study were to corroborate the conceptual geohydrological model, to develop a mathematical model to simulate the response of the aquifer to different scenarios, and to assess the incidence of water input into the system as a variable—a function that poses difficulties in the models for arid regions. The Visual Modflow 4.1 code was used, calibrating it in trial-and-error mode, changing the recharge and hydraulic conductivity parameters with different variants in the recharge zone and in the inclusion or exclusion of the evapotranspiration module. Results indicate the importance of the recharge analysis by treating rainfall at daily time steps. The adjusted model was exposed to four scenarios with variations in water input and in output by pumping. It can be concluded that under different input conditions, but with a controlled extraction, the system responds in a sustainable manner.     

Origin of EL3 chondrites: Evidence for variable C/O ratios during their course of formation—A state of the art scrutiny

Mineral inventories of enstatite chondrites; (EH and EL) are strictly dictated by combined parameters mainly very low dual oxygen (fO₂) and sulfur (fS₂) fugacities. They are best preserved in the Almahata Sitta MS‐17, MS‐177 fragments, and the ALHA 77295 and MAC 88136 Antarctic meteorites. These conditions induce a stark change of the geochemical behavior of nominally lithophile elements to chalcophile or even siderophile and changes in the elemental partitioning thus leading to formation of unusual mineral assemblages with high abundance of exotic sulfide species and enrichment in the metallic alloys, for example, silicides and phosphides. Origin and mode of formation of these exotic chondrites, and their parental source regions could be best scrutinized by multitask research experiments of the most primitive members covering mineralogical, petrological, cosmochemical, and indispensably short‐lived isotopic chronology. The magnitude of temperature and pressure prevailed during their formation in their source regions could eventually be reasonably estimated: pre‐ and postaccretionary could eventually be deduced. The dual low fugacities are regulated by the carbon to oxygen ratios estimated to be >0.83 and <1.03. These parameters not only induce unusual geochemical behavior of the elements inverting many nominally lithophile elements to chalcophile or even siderophile or anthracophile. Structure and mineral inventories in EL3 and EH3 chondrites are fundamentally different. Yet EH3 and EL3 members store crucial information relevant to eventual source regions and importantly possible variation in C/O ratio in the course of their evolution. EL3 and EH3 chondrites contain trichotomous lithologies (1) chondrules and their fragments, (2) polygonal enstatite‐dominated objects, and (3) multiphase metal‐rich nodules. Mineralogical and cosmochemical inventories of lithologies in the same EL3 indicate not only similarities (REE inventory and anomalies in oldhamite) but also distinct differences (sinoite‐enstatite‐graphite relationship). Oldhamite in chondrules and polygonal fragments in EL3 depict negative Eu anomaly attesting a common cosmochemical source. Metal‐dominated nodules in both EL3 and EH3 are conglomerates of metal clasts and sulfide fragments in EH3 and concentrically zoned C‐bearing metal micropebbles (≥25 μm ≤50 μm) in EL3 thus manifesting a frozen in unique primordial accretionary metal texture and composition. Sinoite‐enstatite‐diopside‐graphite textures reveal a nucleation and growth strongly suggestive of fluctuating C/O ratio during their nucleation and growth in the source regions. Mineral inventories, sulfide phase relations, sinoite‐enstatite‐graphite intergrowth, carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions of graphite, spatial nitrogen abundance in graphite in metal nodules, and last but not least ¹²⁹I/¹²⁹Xe and ⁵³Mn/⁵³Cr systematics negate any previously suggested melting episode, pre‐accretionary or dynamic, in parental asteroids.     

Estimation of diffusion constants by observations of isokinetic effects: a test for radiogenic argon and strontium

A method of estimating unknown diffusion constants, by testing isokinetic effects, is briefly outlined. The calculated Ar^rad and Sr^rad diffusion constants agree well with experimental data. The employment of the method is suggested for the setting up of diffusion experiments.