The rotational structure of the B-X system of sulfur dimers in the spectra of Comet Hyakutake (C/1996 B2)

We have constructed line-by-line fluorescence models for the ro-vibrational bands of the B-X system of sulfur dimers (S₂). For the first time the detailed rotational lines of the bands are clearly resolved in the high-resolution echelle spectra of Comet Hyakutake (C/1996 B2), which were obtained at the Kitt Peak 4-m telescope on 26.4 March 1996 (UT). In order to construct satisfactory band models of the B-X system, we first compared the models to laboratory spectra available in literature, and then compared the models including Swings effects to the high-resolution spectra of Hyakutake. From the model fits, we derived a rotational temperature of 70±10 K, which should represent a temperature of a coma region close to the nucleus, where most of the S₂ emissions originate. We present previously proposed scenarios for the origin of S₂ in cometary comae, and compare them with our spectral analysis.     

A hit-and-run giant impact scenario

The formation of the Moon from the debris of a slow and grazing giant impact of a Mars-sized impactor on the proto-Earth (Cameron and Ward [1976]. Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf.; Canup and Asphaug [2001]. Nature 412, 708) is widely accepted today. We present an alternative scenario with a hit-and-run collision (Asphaug [2010]. Chem. Erde 70, 199) with a fractionally increased impact velocity and a steeper impact angle.     

Recommendation for the discrimination of human-related and natural seismicity

Various techniques are utilized by the seismological community, extractive industries, energy and geoengineering companies to identify earthquake nucleation processes in close proximity to engineering operation points. These operations may comprise fluid extraction or injections, artificial water reservoir impoundments, open pit and deep mining, deep geothermal power generations or carbon sequestration. In this letter to the editor, we outline several lines of investigation that we suggest to follow to address the discrimination problem between natural seismicity and seismic events induced or triggered by geoengineering activities. These suggestions have been developed by a group of experts during several meetings and workshops, and we feel that their publication as a summary report is helpful for the geoscientific community. Specific investigation procedures and discrimination approaches, on which our recommendations are based, are also published in this Special Issue (SI) of Journal of Seismology.     

Chemical complexity in galaxies

ALMA will be able to detect a broad spectrum of molecular lines in galaxies. Current observations indicate that the molecular line emission from galaxies is remarkably variable, even on kpc scales. Imaging spectroscopy at resolutions of an arcsecond or better will reduce the chemical complexity by allowing regions of physical conditions to be defined and classified.     

Radiation field in the troposphere and stratosphere from 240–1000 NM-I. General analysis

A method for rapid calculation of the multiply-scattered solar induced radiation field in the troposphere and stratosphere is presented. The method is described in sufficient detail so that the mathematical model can be incorporated in a straightforward manner into photochemical models of the troposphere and stratosphere. Results are described which show that multiple scattering and ground albedo can result in large amplifications of the radiation field in the photochemically active region 240–1000 nm.     

An analysis of the OI 1304 a dayglow using a Monte Carlo resonant scattering model with partial frequency redistribution

A Monte Carlo model of the atomic oxygen 1304 A airglow triplet has been developed which accurately describes the transport of resonance radiation under very optically thick conditions. Partial frequency redistribution, temperature gradients, pure absorption, and multilevel scattering are accounted for properly.Analysis of a recent rocket experiment which observed the 1304 A dayglow shows that all features of the data can be explained by photoelectron impact excitation and resonant scattering of sunlight. The latter source dominates below 100 and above 500 km, and is stronger at intermediate altitudes than previously thought. Recent observations of the photoelectron flux from AEE are consistent with both the 1304 and 1356 A dayglow, as are the laboratory cross-sections of Stone and Zipf (1974) for electron excitation of the $\text{OI}{}^3\text{S}$ and ${}^5\text{S}\text{levels}$. There is no need to lower the laboratory cross-sections by a factor of 2 as has been suggested by previous work.The OI 1304 A emission can now be used with confidence to study excitation processes and atomic oxygen densities in planetary atmospheres.     

Young asteroid mixing revealed in ordinary chondrites: The case of NWA 5764, a polymict LL breccia with L clasts

Polymict chondritic breccias—rocks composed of fragments originating from different chondritic parent bodies—are of particular interest because they give insights into the mixing of asteroids in the main asteroid belt (occurrence, encounter velocity, transfer time). We describe Northwest Africa (NWA) 5764, a brecciated LL6 chondrite that contains a >16 cm³ L4 clast. The L clast was incorporated in the breccia through a nondestructive, low‐velocity impact. Identical cosmic‐ray exposure ages of the L clast and the LL host (36.6 ± 5.8 Myr), suggest a short transfer time of the L meteoroid to the LL parent body of 0.1 ± 8.1 Myr, if that meteoroid was no larger than a few meters. NWA 5764 (together with St. Mesmin, Dimmitt, and Glanerbrug) shows that effective mixing is possible between ordinary chondrite parent bodies. In NWA 5764 this mixing occurred after the peak of thermal metamorphism on the LL parent body, i.e., at least several tens of Myr after the formation of the solar system. The U,Th‐He ages of the L clast and LL host, identical at about 2.9 Ga, might date the final assembly of the breccia, indicating relatively young mixing in the main asteroid belt as previously evidenced in St. Mesmin.     

Structural control on bulk melt properties: Single and double quantum Si NMR spectroscopy on alkali-silicate glasses

The structure of 21 binary potassium, rubidium and cesium silicate glasses (in the range 15-50 mol% alkali oxide) was analyzed by ²⁹Si single quantum and double quantum MAS NMR spectroscopy. Their glass transition temperatures (T_g) were measured by calorimetry. The chemical shifts and the relative abundance of Qⁿ species correlate with the cationic field strength (Z/r) of the network modifier. A correlation is observed between T_g and the inverse of the entropy of mixing of the different Qⁿ species, which is explained in the framework of the Adam-Gibbs relaxation theory. At high alkali content, up to 44% of the SiO₄ tetrahedra are part of three-membered rings. At a given alkali content, the abundance of these rings increases with increasing cation size. The abundance of three-membered rings in K-silicate melts correlates with a temperature and a non-linear composition dependence of the heat capacity. It is also a possible cause for the anomalous volumetric behavior of potassium silicate glasses.