The solubility and speciation of molybdenum in water vapour at elevated temperatures and pressures: Implications for ore genesis

The solubility of molybdenum trioxide in liquid-undersaturated water vapour has been investigated experimentally at 300, 320, and 360 °C and 39-154 bars. Results of these experiments show that the solubility of MoO₃ in water vapour is between 1 and 29 ppm, which is 19-20 orders of magnitude higher than the vapour pressure of MoO₃(g). Molybdenum solubility increases exponentially with f_H2O, suggesting the formation of a gaseous hydrated complex of the type MoO₃·nH₂O by the reaction:

(A.1)     

Charging and motion of dust grains near the terminator of the moon

We discuss the formation of strong local electric fields near minicraters or hills in the vicinity of the terminator. Electrons, having large thermal velocity compared to the solar wind speed can easily penetrate into the shadowed part of a minicrater. At the same time only protons with velocities much higher than their thermal speed can reach such regions. This results in the formation of a strong local negative potential whose magnitude depends on the steepness of the shadowed slope of the minicrater. The extremely small conductivity of the lunar regolith at the shadowed side of the crater prevents any significant electric discharge and thus supports the formation of a strong potential difference at scales much smaller than the Debye radius. Our estimates show that the created local electric fields are sufficiently strong enough to elevate dust grains with the sizes of the order of above the surface. The suggested mechanism is efficient only after sunset rather close to the terminator. Far away from the terminator at the dark side the fluxes of charged particles hitting the surface are so small that the process of dust elevation becomes too weak.     

Anthropogenic influence on the organic fraction of sediments in two contrasting estuaries: a biochemical approach

Abundance and biochemical composition of organic materials in sediments of the estuaries of Mundaka and Bilbao (SE Bay of Biscay) were analysed to assess the effect of organic wastes released to these systems. Organic and labile contents were higher in the sediments of Bilbao, denoting organic enrichment with poorly decomposed materials by human dumping. Spatially, organic matter distribution skewed seaward in Bilbao and upward in Mundaka, in agreement with the location of major point sources of sewage. Labile material, proteins and protein:carbohydrate ratio showed upward increases in both estuaries, attributed to the oxygen restrictive conditions to decompose organic materials. Vertical distribution of organic components into sediments reflected the history of human activities. In Bilbao, the significant reduction of organic and labile compounds, and the decrease of protein:carbohydrate values in top layers seem a result of recent remedial actions to reduce urban sewage inputs and improve environmental conditions. Higher contributions of proteins and lipids were associated with anthropogenic materials, and higher contributions of carbohydrates with autochthonous materials. High protein:carbohydrate values indicate poorly decomposed materials of human origin. The close relationship of carbohydrates with chloropigments in Mundaka suggests that phytobenthic populations and derived detritus contributed to a greater extent to the organic fraction in this estuary.     

Altimetry and transponder ground simulation experiment

We have designed and built a compact demonstrator unit for the investigation of altimetry and transponder applications. A small light-weight breadboard carries a compact frequency doubled Nd:YAG pulse laser, an afocal beam expansion optics, a small receiver telescope with spectral and spatial filter arrangements and a sensitive photo-detector. The output laser energy can be as high as 45 mJ with a pulse-width of 3 ns and the telescope aperture is 10 cm. Simulations [Degnan, J.J., 2006. Simulating interplanetary transponder and laser communications experiments via dual station ranging to SLR satellites. In: Proceedings of the 15th International Workshop on Laser Ranging, Canberra, Australia, pp. 457-462] suggested that the link margin for low Earth orbiting satellites (LEO) is comfortable. Successful satellite laser ranging from this dual-station experiment in several different configurations was achieved up to the MEO orbit in a 10 day provisional installation.     

Influence of a stellar cusp on the dynamics of young stellar discs and the origin of the S-stars in the Galactic Centre

Observations of the Galactic Centre show evidence of one or two disc-like structures of very young stars orbiting the central supermassive black hole within a distance of a few 0.1 pc. A number of analyses have been carried out to investigate the dynamical behaviour and consequences of these discs, including disc thickness and eccentricity growth as well as mutual interaction and warping. However, most of these studies have neglected the influence of the stellar cusp surrounding the black hole, which is believed to be one to two orders of magnitude more massive than the disc(s).
By means of N -body integrations using our bhint code, we study the impact of stellar cusps of different compositions. We find that although the presence of a cusp does have an important effect on the evolution of an otherwise isolated flat disc, its influence on the evolution of disc thickness and warping is rather mild in a two-disc configuration. However, we show that the creation of highly eccentric orbits strongly depends on the graininess of the cusp (i.e. the mean and maximum stellar masses). While Chang recently found that full cycles of Kozai resonance are prevented by the presence of an analytic cusp, we show that relaxation processes play an important role in such highly dense regions and support short-term resonances. We thus find that young disc stars on initially circular orbits can achieve high eccentricities by resonant effects also in the presence of a cusp of stellar remnants, yielding a mechanism to create S-stars and hypervelocity stars.
Furthermore, we discuss the underlying initial mass function (IMF) of the young stellar discs and find no definite evidence for a non-canonical IMF.     

In situ Observations of CIRs on STEREO,Wind, and ACE During 2007 – 2008

During the 2007 and 2008 solar minimum period, STEREO, Wind, and ACE observed numerous Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs) over spatial separations that began with all the spacecraft close to Earth, through STEREO separation angles of ～?80 degrees in the fall of 2008. Over 35 CIR events were of sufficient intensity to allow measurement of He and heavy ion spectra using the IMPACT/SIT, EPACT/STEP and ACE/ULEIS instruments on STEREO, Wind, and ACE, respectively. In addition to differences between the spacecraft expected on the basis of simple corotation, we observed several events where there were markedly different time-intensity profiles from one spacecraft to the next. By comparing the energetic particle intensities and spectral shapes along with solar wind speed we examine the extent to which these differences are due to temporal evolution of the CIR or due to variations in connection to a relatively stable interaction region. Comparing CIRs in the 1996?–?1997 solar minimum period vs. 2007?–?2008, we find that the 2007?–?2008 period had many more CIRs, reflecting the presence of more high-speed solar wind streams, whereas 1997 had almost no CIR activity.

     

STEREO Observations of Energetic Ions in Corotating Interaction Regions During the May 2007 Solar Events

Solar Physics - Elemental composition and energy spectra of ～?0.1?–?1.0 MeV/n heavy ions were analyzed in two corotating interaction region (CIR) events...     

Odyssey: a solar system mission

The Solar System Odyssey mission uses modern-day high-precision experimental techniques to test the laws of fundamental physics which determine dynamics in the solar system. It could lead to major discoveries by using demonstrated technologies and could be flown within the Cosmic Vision time frame. The mission proposes to perform a set of precision gravitation experiments from the vicinity of Earth to the outer Solar System. Its scientific objectives can be summarized as follows: (1) test of the gravity force law in the Solar System up to and beyond the orbit of Saturn; (2) precise investigation of navigation anomalies at the fly-bys; (3) measurement of Eddington’s parameter at occultations; (4) mapping of gravity field in the outer solar system and study of the Kuiper belt. To this aim, the Odyssey mission is built up on a main spacecraft, designed to fly up to 13 AU, with the following components: (a) a high-precision accelerometer, with bias-rejection system, measuring the deviation of the trajectory from the geodesics, that is also giving gravitational forces; (b) Ka-band transponders, as for Cassini, for a precise range and Doppler measurement up to 13 AU, with additional VLBI equipment; (c) optional laser equipment, which would allow one to improve the range and Doppler measurement, resulting in particular in an improved measurement (with respect to Cassini) of the Eddington’s parameter. In this baseline concept, the main spacecraft is designed to operate beyond the Saturn orbit, up to 13 AU. It experiences multiple planetary fly-bys at Earth, Mars or Venus, and Jupiter. The cruise and fly-by phases allow the mission to achieve its baseline scientific objectives [(1) to (3) in the above list]. In addition to this baseline concept, the Odyssey mission proposes the release of the Enigma radio-beacon at Saturn, allowing one to extend the deep space gravity test up to at least 50 AU, while achieving the scientific objective of a mapping of gravity field in the outer Solar System [(4) in the above list].      

GAUGE: the GrAnd Unification and Gravity Explorer

The GAUGE (GrAnd Unification and Gravity Explorer) mission proposes to use a drag-free spacecraft platform onto which a number of experiments are attached. They are designed to address a number of key issues at the interface between gravity and unification with the other forces of nature. The equivalence principle is to be probed with both a high-precision test using classical macroscopic test bodies, and, to lower precision, using microscopic test bodies via cold-atom interferometry. These two equivalence principle tests will explore string-dilaton theories and the effect of space–time fluctuations respectively. The macroscopic test bodies will also be used for intermediate-range inverse-square law and an axion-like spin-coupling search. The microscopic test bodies offer the prospect of extending the range of tests to also include short-range inverse-square law and spin-coupling measurements as well as looking for evidence of quantum decoherence due to space–time fluctuations at the Planck scale.     

Influence of natural and anthropogenic activities on UV Index variations – a study over tropical urban region using ground based observations and satellite data

Measurements of total ozone column and solar UV radiation under different atmospheric conditions are needed to define variations of both UV and ozone and to study the impact of ozone depletion at the Earth’s surface. In this study, spectral and broadband measurements of UV-B irradiance were obtained along with total ozone observations and aerosol optical depth measurements in the tropical urban region of Hyderabad, south India. We specifically used an Ultra-Violet Multifilter Rotating Shadow band Radiometer (UVMFR-SR), to measure UV irradiance in time and space. To assess the aerosol and O₃ effects on ground-reaching UV irradiance, we used measurements from a Microtops II sun photometer in addition to the Tropospheric Ultraviolet Visible radiation (TUV) model. We also assessed the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program – Operational Line Scanner (DMSP-OLS) night time satellite data for inferring biomass burning fires during the study period. Results clearly suggested a negative correlation between the DMSP-OLS satellite derived fire count data and UVMFR-SR data suggesting that aerosols from biomass burning are directly attenuating UV irradiance in the study region. Also, correlation analysis between UV index and ozone measurements from sun photometer and TOMS-Ozone Mapping Instrument (OMI) indicated a clear decrease in ground reaching UV-B irradiance during higher ozone conditions. The higher levels are attributed to photochemical production of O₃ during the oxidation of trace gases emitted from biomass burning. Results also suggested a relatively high attenuation in UV irradiance (~6% higher) from smoke particles than dust. We also found a relatively good agreement between the modeled (TUV) and measured UV irradiance spectra for different atmospheric conditions. Our results highlight the factors affecting UV irradiance in a tropical urban environment, south India.