Five-minute oscillations of solar equivalent widths

Equivalent widths of weak and moderately strong Fraunhofer lines observed in an area roughly 3500 × 10000 km in extent are found to show small variations of the order of 1 mÅ, on a time scale of minutes. The dependence of amplitude on line strength and excitation closely fits that predicted for a compressional disturbance associated with temperature variations that manifest themselves in the equivalent widths. The rms amplitude is about 20K near τ₅₀₀₀ = 10^-2. These equivalent width variations frequently exhibit a 5-min periodicity and are accompanied by prominent oscillations of velocity. Power spectra of both quantities closely resemble each other and demonstrate that most of the equivalent width variations in the range 200 to 500 s are due to the thermal response of the atmosphere to 5-min oscillations. A systematic phase lag between velocity and equivalent width is observed, in the sense that temperature leads velocity by an average angle of 120°. This deviates significantly from 90° valid for standing adiabatic waves, showing that in the line-forming layers, τ₅₀₀₀ ≈ 10^-2, the 5-min oscillations are markedly affected by radiative exchange. The observed phase lag implies a radiative decay time of ≈40 s, a value which agrees with modelatmosphere predictions for the line-forming layers. Since the observed wave trains frequently show constant amplitude over a much longer time, a continuous feed-back of energy seems to occur.     

Complexities of rock fracture and rock friction from deformation of Westerly granite

A series of rock friction experiments has been carried out to study the complexities in rock fracture and rock friction. Intact Westerly granite samples were loaded to shear failure in a laboratory polyaxial loading apparatus. The resultant fractured samples were reloaded to cause frictional sliding. Both polyaxial loading (₁ > ₂ > ₃ > 0) and equal confining condition (₁ > ₂ = ₃ > 0) were used. The deformation processes were monitored by macroscopic axial stress-strain, optical holography, and ultrasonic velocity measurements.Intense localized deformation along the fracture occurred very early in the loading of fractured samples. Contacts on the fracture surfaces continuously broke during loading. No acoustic velocity anomaly was observed for the fractured sample, in contrast to a 25% drop in the velocity before the failure of the corresponding intact sample. The current study and previous research suggest that the deformation localization is an important process in governing the instability of rock friction. Instability analysis of rock friction needs to include not only the deformation processes along the sliding surfaces, but also those adjacent to the fractures such as the localized deformation along the fractures observed in the current study. The instability analysis of rock friction with rate- and state-dependent friction laws does not specifically include the deformation localization adjacent to the faults and thus ignores an important class of instability as described byRudnicki (1977).A dependence of frictional strengths on the stress components normal to the sliding and in the plane of the fracture surface was observed. This dependence can be understood by considering the loading of the irregular fracture surface under polyaxial loading conditions. This observation requires the friction laws in the macroscopic scale to be modified for those cases where the three principal stresses (₁, ₂, and ₃) are significantly different.     

Lamellar exsolution systems in clinopyroxene

Exsolution systems in synthetic pyroxenes were studied by transmission electron microscopy. An iron free sample En₈₀Wo₂₀ was prepared by devitrifying glass at 1300°C. Samples with bulk composition En₅₀Fs₃₀Wo₂₀ and En₃₅Fs₃₈Wo₂₇ were given various but well-defined heat treatments. The exsolution systems observed cannot unambiguously be related to the heat treatment. Periodic lamellar exsolution was observed parallel to (001) and (100) with sharp satellite reflections in the diffraction diagram. In more complex exsolution systems coarse (100) lamellae were found together with fine lamellae parallel to (001) and (100). An unusual phenomenon occurs at a (100) twin boundary where both individuals display exsolution lamellae parallel to (001). Pigeonite lamellae in one twin meet augite lamellae of the other individual at the twin boundary and vice-versa. The precise matching is achieved by a change in width near the boundary. Smoothly curved phase boundaries are developed in the obtuse angle of crosshatched (100) and (001) pigeonite lamellae in augite, whereas the boundaries in the acute angle are straight with sharp edges. This is consistent with elastic energy constraints.     

A New TanSat XCO_2 Global Product towards Climate Studies

The 1st Chinese carbon dioxide(CO2)monitoring satellite mission,TanSat,was launched in 2016.The 1st TanSat global map of CO2 dry-air mixing ratio(XCO2)measurements over land was released as version 1 data product with an accuracy of 2.11 ppmv(parts per million by volume).In this paper,we introduce a new(version 2)TanSat global XCO2 product that is approached by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics Carbon dioxide retrieval Algorithm for Satellite remote sensing(IAPCAS),and the European Space Agency(ESA)Climate Change Initiative plus(CCI+)TanSat XCO2 product by University of Leicester Full Physics(UoL-FP)retrieval algorithm.The correction of the measurement spectrum improves the accuracy(?0.08 ppmv)and precision(1.47 ppmv)of the new retrieval,which provides opportunity for further application in global carbon flux studies in the future.Inter-comparison between the two retrievals indicates a good agreement,with a standard deviation of 1.28 ppmv and a bias of?0.35 ppmv.     

DuneXpress

The DuneXpress observatory will characterize interstellar and interplanetary dust in-situ, in order to provide crucial information not achievable with remote sensing astronomical methods. Galactic interstellar dust constitutes the solid phase of matter from which stars and planetary systems form. Interplanetary dust, from comets and asteroids, represents remnant material from bodies at different stages of early solar system evolution. Thus, studies of interstellar and interplanetary dust with DuneXpress in Earth orbit will provide a comparison between the composition of the interstellar medium and primitive planetary objects. Hence DuneXpress will provide insights into the physical conditions during planetary system formation. This comparison of interstellar and interplanetary dust addresses directly themes of highest priority in astrophysics and solar system science, which are described in ESA’s Cosmic Vision. The discoveries of interstellar dust in the outer and inner solar system during the last decade suggest an innovative approach to the characterization of cosmic dust. DuneXpress establishes the next logical step beyond NASA’s Stardust mission, with four major advancements in cosmic dust research: (1) analysis of the elemental and isotopic composition of individual interstellar grains passing through the solar system, (2) determination of the size distribution of interstellar dust at 1 AU from 10^− 14 to 10^− 9 g, (3) characterization of the interstellar dust flow through the planetary system, (4) establish the interrelation of interplanetary dust with comets and asteroids. Additionally, in supporting the dust science objectives, DuneXpress will characterize dust charging in the solar wind and in the Earth’s magnetotail. The science payload consists of two dust telescopes of a total of 0.1 m² sensitive area, three dust cameras totaling 0.4 m² sensitive area, and a nano-dust detector. The dust telescopes measure high-resolution mass spectra of both positive and negative ions released upon impact of dust particles. The dust cameras employ different detection methods and are optimized for (1) large area impact detection and trajectory analysis of submicron sized and larger dust grains, (2) the determination of physical properties, such as flux, mass, speed, and electrical charge. A nano-dust detector searches for nanometer-sized dust particles in interplanetary space. A plasma monitor supports the dust charge measurements, thereby, providing additional information on the dust particles. About 1,000 grains are expected to be recorded by this payload every year, with 20% of these grains providing elemental composition. During the mission submicron to micron-sized interstellar grains are expected to be recorded in statistically significant numbers. DuneXpress will open a new window to dusty universe that will provide unprecedented information on cosmic dust and on the objects from which it is derived.     

A mixed-dimensional finite volume method for two-phase flow in fractured porous media

We present a vertex-centered finite volume method for the fully coupled, fully implicit discretization of two-phase flow in fractured porous media. Fractures are discretely modeled as lower dimensional elements. The method works on unstructured, locally refined grids and on parallel computers with distributed memory. An implicit time discretization is employed and the nonlinear systems of equations are solved with a parallel Newton-multigrid method. Results from two-dimensional and three-dimensional simulations are presented.     

The solar Na/Ca and S/Ca ratios: A close comparison with carbonaceous chondrites

Solar abundances based on recent laboratory oscillator strengths confirm the relationship between solar matter and carbonaceous chondrites. Within spectroscopic uncertainties (typically±40%) these meteorites contain refractory and volatile elements in solar proportions. Significant improvement of accuracy at present seems restricted to a few abundant elements having reliable quantum-mechanical oscillator strengths, and necessitates strictly differential spectrum analysis. Taking this into account, the solar abundance ratios Na/Ca and S/Ca have been determined to an accuracy of±15%. The results are:Na/Ca= 0.91and S/Ca= 6.8. These volatile/refractory ratios just match type 1 carbonaceous chondrites, but contrast with other types.These and related interstellar abundance features place constraints on the condensation process and a potential heterogeneity of the solar nebula. There is evidence that no drastic pre-solar separation of interstellar gas and grains has occurred, but minor imbalance may be a common mechanism co-determining stellar metal content.     

Some properties of unstable slip on rough surfaces

In this paper we report results obtained from various friction experiments under direct and oblique shear loading conditions. We used four rock types of varying brittleness (quartzite, anhydrite, limestone, pyrophyllite) with different surface roughness. The observations concentrate on the time span several milliseconds before dynamic failure occurs. During this period a premonitory, unstable phase of slip (slip 2) occurs. This differs importantly from a premonitory, stable process (slip 1) with durations of hundreds of seconds. On smooth surfaces slip 2 is usually observed with ductile rocks and less reliably with brittle rocks. Slip 2 is mostly accompanied by acoustic emissions, which increase in rate of occurrence and in magnitude until the stick-slip event. Foreshocks are observed during approximately 50% of the slip 2 events on rough surfaces. Foreshocks far exceed the acoustic noise level, which is also prevalent before stick-slip events on rough surfaces. In the direct shear experiment, where two faults are being loaded simultaneously, in about 20% of the cases precursory slip 2 was observed on the opposite side on which the final stick-slip event occurred.     

Mechanism development and modelling of tropospheric multiphase halogen chemistry: The CAPRAM Halogen Module 2.0 (HM2)

A new detailed multiphase halogen mechanism, the CAPRAM Halogen Module 2.0 (HM2), has been developed and coupled to the multiphase chemistry mechanism RACM-MIM2ext/CAPRAM 3.0n. The overall mechanism comprises 1,705 reactions including 595 reactions of the HM2. Halogen chemistry box model studies have been, for the first time, performed with a non-permanent cloud scenario for pristine open ocean regions in mid-latitudes. Moreover, detailed time-resolved reaction flux analysis has been used to investigate the multiphase halogen reaction cycles in more detail. Clouds significantly change the multiphase halogen chemical system and new reaction cycles are proposed for in-cloud conditions. While most gas phase concentrations are decreased for chlorine and iodine species, they are increased for bromine. Flux analyses determined the relative contributions of the methylene dihalides CH₂IX (X = Cl, Br, I) as the main I atom source with a contribution of about 80 % to the total iodocarbon sources. Furthermore, HOI was confirmed to be important for chlorine activation. It is shown that 25 % of the ozone loss can be attributed to halogens. VOC oxidation by halogens is important as halogens account for about 20 % of the methane oxidation and up to 80 % of the oxidation of other VOCs. In other cases, enhanced VOC and VOC oxidation product concentration levels were found. For example, 15 % of the methyl peroxyl radicals are formed after the reaction of chlorine atoms with methane or methyl hydroperoxide. In the aqueous phase, changes in the oxidation of organics do only occur for highly oxidised organics without a C-H bond. For example, over 80 % of oxalic acid are oxidised by electron transfer with Cl₂ ^? in deliquescent particles during non-cloud periods.