3d transition metal L-edge X-ray absorption studies of the dichalcogenides of Fe, Co and Ni

The X-ray absorption spectra of the transition metal L_3,2-edges of the dichalcogenides FeS₂ (pyrite), FeSe₂, FeTe₂, CoS₂, CoSe₂, CoTe₂, NiS₂, NiSe₂ and NiTe₂ have been studied. These spectra are compared with theoretical simulations make using the atomic multiplet approach assuming on octahedral site for the metal atoms. The Ni spectra can be closely simulated using this approach but the Fe and Co spectra show less good fits to the experimental data. The reasons for this and its implications for the use of L-edge spectra in the study of such minerals are discussed in terms of the covalency and the ground states of the compounds; these results indicate the mixing of the ground states increases in the order Ni<Co<Fe.     

Weathering of ilmenite from Chavara deposit and its comparison with Manavalakurichi placer ilmenite,southwestern India

The magnetic fractions of ilmenite from the beach placer deposit of Chavara, southwest India have been studied for mineralogical and chemical composition to assess the range of their physical and chemical variations with weathering. Chavara deposit represents a highly weathered and relatively homogenous concentration. Significant variation in composition has been documented with alteration. The most magnetic of the fractions of ilmenite, separated at 0.15 Å, and with a susceptibility of 3.2 × 10^?6 m³ kg^?1, indicates the presence of haematite–ilmenite intergrowth. An iron-poor, titanium-rich component of the ilmenite ore has been identified from among the magnetic fractions of the Chavara ilmenite albeit with an undesirably high Nb₂O₅ (0.28%), Cr₂O₃ (0.23%) and Th (149 ppm) contents. The ilmenite from Chavara is compared with that from the nearby Manavalakurichi deposit of similar geological setting and provenance. The lower ferrous iron oxide (2.32–14.22%) and higher TiO₂ (56.31–66.45%) contents highlight the advanced state of alteration of Chavara. This is also evidenced by the relatively higher Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ratio compared to Manavalakurichi ilmenite. In fact, the ilmenite has significantly been converted to pseudorutile/leucoxene.     

On the propagation of chromospheric condensations in solar flares (II)

We study the evolution of the mass motion velocity in the chromospheric condensation, when it propagates into the deeper atmosphere. The condensation is represented by a shock-like structure. Its momentum equation can be solved after some approximations. The computations are carried out for two cases, i.e., the case that the gas pressure just behind the condensation front is constant and the case that the pressure increase at the top of the condensation is constant. The results show that the duration of the condensation in the second case is considerably longer than that in the first case. The most evident difference of the velocity evolution between the two cases appears in their later phase. A comparison of the results in this paper with the dynamic simulations indicates that the second case may be closer to the real situation.     

Influence of rotational darkening on ultraviolet interstellar extinction

Der Einfluß der Rotationsverdunklung schnell rotierender Sterne wird einer Neudiskussion unterzogen. Dafür werden filterphotometrische Helligkeiten vom Satelliten ANS herangezogen. Von schwach verfärbten B Sternen (E(B - V) 0.1 mag) wurden die Helligkeiten vom Einfluß der interstellaren Extinktion befreit. Die Verleilung der Sterne im Rotationsgeschwindigkeits-Farbenindex-Diagramm weist eine Streuung auf, die den Betrag der photometrischen Fehler übersteigt. Die Lage der Sterne im Rotationsgeschwindigkeits-Farbenindex-Diagramm befindet sich in qualitativer Übereinstimmung mit entsprechenden theoretischen Resultaten. Bei der Diskussion von individuell abweichenden Verläufen der interstellaren Extinktion vom durchschnittlichen Extinktionsgesetz sollte der Einfluß der Rotationsverdunklung als eine mögliche Quelle für die Abweichungen in Betracht gezogen und geprüft werden.     

Evidence for downflow following a coronal transient?

On 11 September 1973 a peculiar prominence was observed. The prominence displayed strong ( 50km s^–1) systematic motions toward and away from the observer. The unusual spectrographic appearance of the prominence might have been due to downflowing material lifted into the corona during an earlier coronal transient.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

The heliographic latitude dependence and sector structure of the interplanetary magnetic field 1969–1974: Results from the HEOS satellites

Data from the two HEOS satellites obtained during the period December 1968 to August 1974 are used to investigate the large-scale properties of the interplanetary magnetic field.The sector structure has been deduced from the observed times of sector boundary crossings which are tabulated. A two-sector pattern existed throughout most of the period with occasional intervals of 2–3 months duration in which four sectors appeared. The variation of the dominant sector polarity with heliographic latitude showed a reversal in sense during 1971 at the time of the reported reversal in the Sun's polar field. A statistical analysis of the change in polarity distribution with latitude suggests that at Earth's orbit the sector boundaries are inclined to the solar equator on average at an angle of 12 deg.No evidence was found in the HEOS measurements of the north-south field component to confirm the systematic latitude-dependent deviation of the plasma flow away from the solar equatorial plane suggested by several analyses of data from previous spacecraft. The mean field magnitude and the average amplitude of the directional fluctuations appeared to be independent of heliographic latitude within the ±7.3° range explored.     

Eclipsing binary system AV Hydrae

The eclipsing binary AV Hya has been observed photoelectrically inU, B andV filters on 15 nights. The primary eclipse appeared to be total with a totality of 23 min duration. A modified period of 0^d.6 834 062 has been obtained. Geometrical elements could only be determined for partial transit case.     

THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO METEORITE

The San Juan Capistrano chondrite fell on 15 March 1973; the total recovered mass was 56 g. Electron microprobe, chemical and petrographic studies show it to be a member of the H group and of petrologic type 6. Rare gas studies show that only minor radiogenic gas loss has occurred and yield a K-Ar age of 4.6 × 10⁹ years and a Kr-Kr exposure age of 29 × 10⁶ years.     

AN ANALYTICAL SCHEME FOR CHONDRITIC METEORITES

A chemical scheme is reported for the analysis of chondritic materials and results are presented for the Cocklebiddy meteorite. Analytical problems associated with chondrite inhomogeneity including phase leaching selectivity and the completeness of individual phase attack are considered. Data obtained by this method can be used to classify chondrites according to the accepted weight and molar ratio methods (Van Schmus and Wood, 1967: Wasson, 1974) The analytical scheme uses selective leaching techniques to determine, in each sample, the chemical composition of metallic, sulphide and silicate phases. Elemental concentrations are obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry, flame photometry, spectrophotometry or titration techniques, and the total sample average compositions are determined on fully oxidised specimens by XRF     

Absorption effects due to intergalactic long whiskers of pyrolytic graphite and the cosmic microwave background

Earlier (Rana, 1979, 1980) it was shown that an intergalactic medium containing natural graphite whiskers could not adequately thermalize the ambient radiations to generate 3 K microwave backgroud. In the present paper we have carried out a similar investigation with whiskers of pyrolytic graphite. Provided the abundance is about 10^–34 g cm^–3, the model is capable of thermalizing the background. Some of the observational consequences have been studied with reference to extragalactic astronomy and quasistellar objects. No conflicting evidence has been found so far.