Venus: Preliminary prediction of the mineral composition of surface rocks

A thermodynamical analysis of the multicomponent system SiTiAlFeMnMgCaNaKPCHO open with respect to CO₂, CO, H₂O was carried out. Hydration and carbonatization processes are proposed to be geochemical consequences of the hypothesis of quasi-equilibrium conditions between the troposphere and crustal surface rocks. The probable rock-forming hydrated mineral phases are represented by epidote, glaucophane, tremolite, phlogopite, and annite; the carbonatization results in existence of calcite and dolomite as rock-forming minerals of weathered alkaline lavas. The surface rocks are assumed to have high ferric/ferrous iron ratios. The wollastonite equilibrium is rejected as a buffering chemical reaction. Hydrated minerals could be stable at least up to 5-km depths and contribute about 0.1 × 10²⁴ g of H₂O whereas about (0.7–0.8) × 10²⁴ g of H₂O would be consumed in ferrous iron oxidation with concomitant hydrogen dissipation. The distribution of H₂O in the outer planetary shells is possibly a function of their temperatures.     

Optical Spectroscopy of Quasars Discovered by SRG/eROSITA with a 2.5-m Telescope at the Caucasus Mountain Observatory of SAI MSU

Astronomy Letters - Based on observations with the transient double-beam spectrograph (TDS) at the 2.5-m telescope of the Caucasus Mountain Observatory of SAI MSU, we have determined the redshifts...     

The Klyuchevskoi Eruptions of 2015–2016

This paper deals with the summit eruptions of 2015–2016, as well as with the 2016 subterminal eruption of Klyuchevskoi. We estimate the dimensions of the depression that was produced by a landfall in the southeastern trough of the volcano. We estimated the volume and area of landfall deposits. The observed volumes of landfalls during the terminal eruptions of 1944?1945, 1985, and 2016 can vary within 0.006?0.140 km³. The theoretical volumes can reach 4?8 km³. We discuss the leading factors that cause landfalls on Klyuchevskoi. These include irreversible creep at depth, the influence of cracks and fissuring in the volcanic cone, as well as the constant intrusive activity of the volcano. Geodetic measurements revealed that the rates of sliding for several individual patches on the slopes varied between 6.7 cm/yr and 19.4 cm/yr. Video and photographic observations were used to estimate the thermal power of stable steam–gas and ash jets, volume of pyroclastics, and the volume of the erupted lava. The thermal power of the steam–gas jets for 2015 was approximately 122 × 10⁶ kW, that of the gas–ash jets was 5.9 × 10⁶ kW. The volume of discharged pyroclastic material was V = 0.00007 km³ for 2015 and V = 0.0003 km³ for 2016.     

Methodology of the experimental study of the state of spent nuclear fuel on the bottom of arctic seas

A methodology of experimental simulation of the state of spent nuclear fuel that is situated on the sea bottom as a result of some catastrophes or dumping is developed. Data on long-term (more than 2000 days) experiments on the estimation of the ⁸⁵Kr and ¹³⁷Cs release rate from spent nuclear fuel (fragments of irradiated UO₂ pellets) were first obtained; these estimates prove the correctness of the hypothesis put forward by us in the early 1990s concerning an earlier ⁸⁵Kr release (by one order of magnitude higher than that of ¹³⁷Cs) as compared to other fission fragments in the case of the loss of integrity of a fuel containment as a result of corrosion on the sea bottom. The method and technique of the onboard ⁸⁵Kr and ¹³⁷Cs sampling and extraction (as well as the sampling of tritium, a product of triple ²³⁵U fission) and their radiometric analysis at coastal laboratories are developed. Priority data on the ⁸⁵Kr background in the bottom layers of the Barents and Kara Seas and the ¹³⁷Cs and ³H in these seas (state of 2003) are presented. Models necessary for the estimation of the dilution of the fission products of spent nuclear fuel and their transport on the bottom in accident and dumping regions are developed. An experimental method for the examination of the state of spent nuclear fuel on the sea bottom (1 expedition each 2–3 years) by the ⁸⁵Kr release into the environment (a leak tracer) is proposed; this release is an indicator of the destruction of a fuel containment and the release of products of spent nuclear fuel in the case of ²³⁵UO₂ corrosion in sea water.     

Optical observations of gamma-ray bursts, the discovery of supernovae 2005bv, 2005ee, and 2006ak, and searches for transients using the “MASTER” robotic telescope

We present the results of observations obtained using the MASTER robotic telescope in 2005–2006, including the earliest observations of the optical emission of the gamma-ray bursts GRB 050824 and GRB 060926. Together with later observations, these data yield the brightness-variation law t ^?0.55±0.05 for GRB 050824. An optical flare was detected in GRB 060926—a brightness enhancement that repeated the behavior observed in the X-ray variations. The spectrum of GRB 060926 is found to be F _E ～ E ^?β , where β = 1.0 ± 0.2. Limits on the optical brightnesses of 26 gamma-ray bursts have been derived, 9 of these for the first time. Data for more than 90% of the accessible sky down to 19 ^m were taken and reduced in real time during the survey. A database has been composed based on these data. Limits have been placed on the rate of optical flares that are not associated with detected gamma-ray bursts, and on the opening angle for the beams of gamma-ray bursts. Three new supernovae have been discovered: SN 2005bv (type Ia)—the first to be discovered on Russian territory, SN 2005ee—one of the most powerful type II supernovae known, and SN 2006ak (type Ia). We have obtained an image of SN 2006X during the growth stage and a light curve that fully describes the brightness maximum and exponential decay. A new method for searching for optical transients of gamma-ray bursts detected using triangulation from various spacecraft is proposed and tested.     

A photometric and spectroscopic study of the B[e]/X-ray transient CI Cam

We compare U BV R photometry of CI Cam obtained using facilities at the Sternberg Astronomical Institute in 1998–2001 and medium-resolution spectroscopy obtained at the Special Astrophysical Observatory in the same period. The photometric measurements and fluxes in the Balmer and some Fe II emission lines in the post-outburst quiescent spectrum of CI Cam display cyclic variations with a period of 1100±50^d. These variations could be due to orbital motion in a widely separated binary; one component, a giant, produces a reflection effect on the surface facing the other, compact component. Our V-band photometry confirms the \(11\mathop d\limits_. 7\) period found by Miroshnichenko before the outburst but shows a lower amplitude (3%). We investigate the possibility that this photometric period is the same as the rotational period of the radio jets measured using the VLA. Based on modeling of the radio map, we estimate the inclination of the jet rotation axis to the line of sight, i=35°–40°; the angle between the rotational axis and jet ejection direction, ?=7°–10°; and the jet spatial velocity, 0.23–0.26 c. The equivalent widths and fluxes of various spectral lines show different variation amplitudes during outburst and significantly different behavior during quiescence. We have detected five patterns of behavior, which provide evidence for stratification of the gas and dust envelope surrounding the system. The brightening of the [N II] forbidden line is delayed by 50–250^d relative to the X-ray outburst maximum.     

The distribution of rare-earth elements in orebodies of the dzhimidon base-metal deposit and in the host rocks in North Ossetia,Russia

The sources of material that make up veins at hydrothermal deposits were estimated by distribution of REE in ores and host rocks. Paleozoic granites (major ore-hosting rocks at most deposits) and Precambrian schists (ore-hosting rocks typical only of the Dzhimidon deposit), which are the predominant rocks of the Sadon district, played an important role in the formation of base-metal ores.     

Loop technique: dynamics of metal/melt equilibration

Summary I report here the experimental results on the dynamics of equilibration of silicate melts suspended from Ni loops of different diameters at 1400 °C and at constant oxygen fugacity. It is found that saturation of silicate melt of anorthite-diopside eutectic composition with Ni is reached during the first few hours because the nickel ions in the melt diffuse extremely rapidly. Fast convection usually results in relatively homogeneous Ni content throughout the sample for loops with diameters 3.2–4.0 mm. Hence, glass homogeneity with respect to an element of interest may not be sufficient evidence that metal/melt equilibrium is reached. It is demonstrated that central parts of Ni diffusion profiles in samples with diameter as low as 2.6 mm are also “flattened” by convection. Possible driving forces of convection in a loop sample are discussed.

---

Zusammenfassung Die Loop-Technik: Dynamik der Metall/Schmelze ?quilibrierung Hier werden die experimentellen Ergebnisse zur ?quilibrierungs-Dynamik von Silikatschmelzen vorgelegt. Diese wurden bei konstanter Sauerstoff-Fugazit?t von Ni-loops verschiedener Durchmesser bei 1400 °C suspendiert. Es zeigt sich, dass Ni-S?ttigung von Silikatschmelzen von eutektischer Anorthit-Diopsid-Zusammensetzung schon w?hrend der ersten Stunden erreicht wird, da die Ni-Jonen ausserordentlich rasch in die Schmelze diffundieren. Rasche Konvektion führt zu relativ homogener Nickel-Verteilung in der Probe wenn loops mit 3.2–4.0 mm Durchmesser verwendet werden. Homogene Verteilung eines Elementes im Glas bedeutet nicht notwendigerweise, dass Gleichgewicht zwischen Metall und Schmelze erreicht wurde. Es wird gezeigt, dass zentrale Teile von Nickeldiffusions-Profilen in Proben von bis zu 2.6 mm Durchmesser auch durch Konvektion “abgeflacht” sein k?nnen. M?gliche Kr?fte die zur Konvektion in loop-Proben führen k?nnen werden diskutiert.

---

---

Received November 8, 1999; revised version accepted July 15, 2000     

The Characteristics of the Organic Matter of the Upper Devonian Domanik-Type Deposits in the Northern and Central Regions of the Volga-Ural Basin According to Saturated Biomarkers Composition

The composition of saturated biomarkers (alkanes, steranes, and triterpanes) in the Upper Devonian sediments (the Sargaev, Semiluk, and Mendym horizons, the Famennian stage) that belong to the Domanik formation, which is widespread on the territory of the Volga-Ural basin, was studied. The section elongated from N to S that covers the northern and central regions of the Volga-Ural basin was observed. A set of 21 parameters was used to characterize saturated hydrocarbons, including those rarely used in geochemical studies. For each parameter a set of mean values for the considered region as a whole and its individual parts was calculated and distribution-density plots were built. It was established that the most representative parameter for characterizing the Domanik-type deposits as a whole is a highly specific parameter, that is, the ratio of 29,30-bisnorhopane C₂₈ to hopane C₂₉. Most of the characteristics of the genetic composition demonstrate the difference between the organic matter (OM) of the vault part of the region and the Mukhanov- Erokhovsky trough. There are large differences in the parameters that characterize the maturity of OM. The characteristic values of the parameters for both the vault and the depression zone are given; two to three genetic groups of OM were determined for the majority of the parameters in both regions. A method for constructing the distribution-density graphs of the parameters is proposed that makes it possible to take their features fully into account.