Multifrequency study of the Large Magellanic Cloud supernova remnant (SNR) B0513−692 and new SNR candidate J051327−6911

We present a new multiwavelength study of supernova remnant (SNR) B0513−692 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The remnant also has a strong, superposed, essentially unresolved, but unrelated radio source at its north-western edge, J051324−691049. This is identified as a likely compact H  ii region based on related optical imaging and spectroscopy. We use the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) at 4790 and 8640 MHz  (λ≃ 6 cm and λ≃ 3.5 cm)  to determine the large-scale morphology, spectral index and polarization characteristics of B0513−692 for the first time. We detect a strongly polarized region (49 per cent) in the remnant's southern edge  (λ≃ 6 cm)  . Interestingly, we also detect a small (∼40 arcsec) moderately bright, but distinct optical, circular shell in our Hα imagery which is adjacent to the compact H  ii region and just within the borders of the north-eastern edge of B0513−692. We suggest that this is a separate new SNR candidate based on its apparently distinct character in terms of optical morphology in three imaged emission lines and indicative SNR optical spectroscopy (including enhanced optical [S  ii ] emission relative to Hα).     

A new Wolf–Rayet star and its ring nebula: PCG 11

In a search for new Galactic planetary nebulae from our systematic scans of the Anglo-Australian Observatory/United Kingdom Schmidt Telescope (AAO/UKST) Hα Survey of the Southern Galactic Plane, we have identified a Population I Wolf–Rayet star of type WN7h associated with an unusual ring nebula that has a fractured rim. We present imagery in Hα, the 843-MHz continuum from the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope (MOST), the mid-infrared from the Midcourse Space Experiment ( MSX ), and confirmatory optical spectroscopy of the character of the nebula and of its central star. The inner edge of the Hα shell shows gravitational instabilities with a well-defined wavelength around its complete circumference.     

Colour equations for UK Schmidt Telescope Tech-Pan film exposures

Kodak Technical Pan (Tech-Pan) film is a standard panchromatic emulsion that was used at the UK 1.2-m Schmidt Telescope (UKST) for a variety of broad-band exposures between 1992 and 2003. However, despite its versatility and frequent use, no formal presentation of its colour-term stability has been provided. A sample of 32 short-exposure Tech-Pan films was specifically acquired in five wavebands with a view to establishing the photometric relationships between Tech-Pan and the equivalent glass-based emulsions previously used. These films have been measured using the SuperCOSMOS measuring machine and the data reduced to provide the appropriate quantitative information. New colour terms relating these measurements to the Cousins photoelectric system are presented. They are shown to be stable, reproducible, generally small and similar to colour terms previously derived for the older emulsions on glass that Tech-Pan effectively replaced. These results give confidence in the use of Tech-Pan photometry from on-line UKST legacy survey archives.     

Effect of iron and carbonation on the diffusion of iodine and rhenium in waste encasement concrete and soil fill material under hydraulically unsaturated conditions

Assessing long-term performance of Category 3 cement wasteforms and accurate prediction for radionuclide encasement requires knowledge of the radionuclide–cement interactions and mechanisms of retention (i.e. sorption or precipitation). A set of sediment-concrete half-cell diffusion experiments was conducted under unsaturated conditions (4% and 7% by weight moisture content) using carbonated and non-carbonated concrete–soil half cells. Results indicate the behavior of Re and I release was comparable within a given half-cell test. Diffusivity in soil is a function of moisture content; a 3% increase in moisture content affords a one to two order of magnitude increase in diffusivity. Release of I and Re was 1–3 orders of magnitude less from non-carbonated, relative to carbonated, concrete monoliths. Inclusion of Fe in non-carbonate monoliths resulted in the lowest concrete diffusivity values for both I and Re. This suggests that in the presence of Fe, I and Re are converted to reduced species, which are less soluble and better retained within the concrete monolith. The release of I and Re was greatest from Fe-bearing, carbonated concrete monoliths, suggesting carbonation negates the effect of Fe on the retention of I and Re within concrete monoliths. This is likely due to enhanced formation of microcracks in the presence of Fe, which provide preferential paths for contaminant migration. Although the release of I and Re were greatest from carbonated concrete monoliths containing Fe, the migration of I and Re within a given half cell is dependent on the moisture content, soil diffusivity, and diffusing species.     

CAD-DRASTIC: chloride application density combined with DRASTIC for assessing groundwater vulnerability to road salt application

Road salt is pervasively used throughout Canada and in other cold regions during winter. For cities relying exclusively on groundwater, it is important to plan and minimize the application of salt accordingly to mitigate the adverse effects of high chloride concentrations in water supply aquifers. The use of geospatial data (road network, land use, Quaternary and bedrock geology, average annual recharge, water-table depth, soil distribution, topography) in the DRASTIC methodology provides an efficient way of distinguishing salt-vulnerable areas associated with groundwater supply wells, to aid in the implementation of appropriate management practices for road salt application in urban areas. This research presents a GIS-based methodology to accomplish a vulnerability analysis for 12 municipal water supply wells within the City of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The chloride application density (CAD) value at each supply well is calculated and related to the measured groundwater chloride concentrations and further combined with soil media and aquifer vadose- and saturated-zone properties used in DRASTIC. This combined approach, CAD-DRASTIC, is more accurate than existing groundwater vulnerability mapping methods and can be used by municipalities and other water managers to further improve groundwater protection related to road salt application.     

Diel behavior of stable isotopes of dissolved oxygen and dissolved inorganic carbon in rivers over a range of trophic conditions,and in a mesocosm experiment

Rates of diel (24-h) biogeochemical processes in rivers and their effect on daily changes in the concentration of metals and metalloids have been well documented in the literature over the last 20 years. Investigations into the effects of these processes on aquatic systems and the underlying mechanisms that control the processes can significantly improve our understanding of how natural aquatic environments function and will respond to changing environmental conditions and anthropogenic impacts. Daily changes in the rates of biogeochemical processes have, more recently, been shown to influence the stable isotope composition of dissolved oxygen and dissolved inorganic carbon in natural waters. Here we present a comprehensive picture of the persistence and reproducibility of diel cycles of the ¹⁸O composition of dissolved molecular oxygen (δ¹⁸O-DO) and the ¹³C composition of dissolved inorganic carbon (δ¹³C-DIC) across five Montana, USA rivers investigated over a 4-year period. A mesocosm experiment showed the same behavior in δ¹⁸O-DO and δ¹³C-DIC as seen in riverine settings across light and dark periods.A cross plot of δ¹⁸O-DO and δ¹³C-DIC from each stream exhibits a clockwise elliptical pattern which is attributed to the daily changes in the balance of metabolic rates as well as air–water gas exchange. The amplitude of the change in the isotope composition is shown to be directly related to the trophic state of the river and a relationship between net productivity and diel changes in δ¹⁸O-DO and δ¹³C-DIC is presented. This relationship between trophic status with δ¹⁸O-DO, δ¹³C-DIC and production emphasizes the significance of how rates of biogeochemical processes in natural systems can influence the daily changes in the composition of surface waters.     

First detection of optical light from SNR G279.0+1.1

This is the initial paper in a series presenting the first optical detections and subsequent follow-up spectroscopy of known southern Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs) previously discovered in the radio. These new detections come from the Anglo-Australian Observatory (AAO)/United Kingdom Schmidt Telescope Hα survey of the southern Galactic plane which has opened up fresh opportunities to study Galactic remnants. Here, we present the first optical imaging and follow-up spectra of Galactic SNR G279.0+1.1 where a series of 14 small-scale fragmented groups of Hα filaments have been discovered in a     area centred on G279.0+1.1. Individually they are somewhat inconspicuous but collectively they are completely enclosed within the overall radio contours of this known SNR. Three of these filamentary groupings are particularly prominent and optical spectra have been obtained across two of them. Their morphological structure and spectral characteristics are typical of optically detected SNR filaments. A very strong [S  ii ] emission relative to Hα has been detected with  [S  ii ]/Hα > 0.7  and 1.1, confirming strong, shock-heated emission. This is sufficient to classify these filaments in the likely SNR domain and therefore indicating a direct connection with the radio remnant. Other typical SNR emission lines such as [O  ii ] at 3727 Å, Hβ, [O  iii ] at 4959 and 5007 Å, Hα and [N  ii ] at 6548 and 6584 Å were also detected, lending strong support to an SNR origin of these optical filaments. The value and insights that these optical data can provide for known remnants are discussed along with their relevance to the Galactic nitrogen abundance. A serendipitous discovery of an adjacent H  ii region is also briefly described.     

Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer (C1XS)—Instrument design and technical details

The UK-built Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer (C1XS) is flying as an ESA instrument on India's Chandrayaan-1 mission to the Moon. The Chandrayaan-1 mission launched on the 22nd October 2008 and entered a 100 km polar lunar orbit on the 12th November 2008. C1XS builds on experience gained with the earlier D-CIXS instrument on SMART-1, but will be a technically much more capable instrument. Here we describe the instrument design.