Low-frequency gravitational waves from cosmological compact binaries

We consider gravitational waves emitted by various populations of compact binaries at cosmological distances. We use population synthesis models to characterize the properties of double neutron stars, double black holes and double white dwarf binaries, and white dwarf–neutron star, white dwarf–black hole and black hole–neutron star systems.
We use the observationally determined cosmic star formation history to reconstruct the redshift distribution of these sources and their merging rate evolution.
The gravitational signals emitted by each source during its early spiralling in phase add randomly to produce a stochastic background in the low-frequency band with spectral strain amplitude between ~10⁻¹⁸ and ~5×10⁻¹⁷ Hz^−1/2 at frequencies in the interval ~5×10⁻⁶–5×10⁻⁵ Hz.
The overall signal, which at frequencies above 10⁻⁴ Hz is largely dominated by double white dwarf systems, might be detectable with LISA in the frequency range 1–10 mHz and acts like a confusion-limited noise component, which might limit the LISA sensitivity at frequencies above 1 mHz.     

Radar detection of Asteroid 2002 AA29

Radar echoes from Earth co-orbital Asteroid 2002 AA29 yield a total-power radar cross section of 2.9×10⁻⁵ km² ±25%, a circular polarization ratio of SC/OC=0.26±0.07, and an echo bandwidth of at least 1.5 Hz. Combining these results with the estimate of its visual absolute magnitude, H_V=25.23±0.24, from reported Spacewatch photometry indicates an effective diameter of 25±5 m, a rotation period no longer than 33 min, and an average surface bulk density no larger than 2.0 g cm⁻³; the asteroid is radar dark and optically bright, and its statistically most likely spectral class is S. The H_V estimate from LINEAR photometry (23.58±0.38) is not compatible with either Spacewatch's H_V or our radar results. If a bias this large were generally present in LINEAR's estimates of H_V for asteroids it has discovered or observed, then estimates of the current completeness of the Spaceguard Survey would have to be revised downward.     

A Study of 2MASS Low Surface Brightness Galaxies

A study is being made of a sample of about 4,000 Low Surface Brightness (LSB) galaxies detected in the 2MASS all-sky near-infrared survey. These objects have similar central K-band surface brighnesses as optically selected LSBs. About 1,000 of them were observed in HI, and one third of these were detected. BVRI CCD photometry was obtained of 65 objects. These multi-wavelength data provide us with important information on a large, homogenous sample of LSB galaxies (e.g., colors, gas content). They will be used to construct models of the star formation histories and evolution of LSBs, and for a study of their Tully-Fisher (TF) relation, particularly to search for deviations from the ‘classical’ TF relation. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Correlations between seabirds and ocenic fronts around the Pribilof Islands,Alaska

Located on the extensive continental shelf of the Bering Sea, the Pribilof Islands, Alaska are the site of one of the largest breeding colonies of seabirds in the northern hemisphere. During summer these islands are surrounded by a front that separates vertically homogeneous waters from well stratified waters farther seaward. We studied the front with hydrographic data and the bird distributions with concurrent counts during summer 1977 and spring, summer and fall 1978. Murres (Uria lomvia and U. aalge) sitting on the water aggregated near the front during summer 1977 and probably during summer 1978. Other species, such as northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) and auklets (Aethia pusilla and A. cristatella) were unaffected by the front. We hypothesize that the aggregation of the murres was related to an enhanced availability of their food near the front.     

Dating Micrometre‐Thin Rims Using a LA‐ICP‐MS Depth Profiling Technique on Zircon from an Archaean Metasediment: Comparison with the SIMS Depth Profiling Method

Laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) was examined as a tool for measuring isotopic variation as a function of ablation depth in unpolished zircon from an Archaean metasediment specimen. This technique was able to identify micrometre‐thin (> 3 μm) isotopically distinct mineral domains characterised by ca. 100 Myr younger ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages associated with 2s age uncertainties as low ~ 0.2%, as well as elevated U content relative to grain interiors (up to an order of magnitude). Our calculated drilling rate suggests that each laser pulse excavated depths of ~ 0.06 μm. Ages resolved through the LA‐ICP‐MS methods overlap the 2s uncertainties of ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages measured using SIMS depth profiling on the same zircon population. The rims were further evinced by the detection of relative enrichment (> 3 orders of magnitude) in REE in the outermost micrometres of the same zircon, measured using a different and independent LA‐ICP‐MS depth profiling technique. We propose a LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb technique capable of quickly identifying and quantifying rims, which are indication of late, yet geologically significant, fluid events that are otherwise undefined.     

US public opinion on climate change issues: implications for consensus-building and policymaking

While the Conference of the Parties wrangle at an international scale with climate policy, a quiet set of policies and measures is being implemented at a local scale by municipalities across the globe. This study examines the motivation municipalities have for undertaking policies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, when the theory of free-ridingwould predict that local administrations should find it difficult to unilaterally reduce their emissions for the benefit of the global climate. Through interviews with officials and/or staff in 23 municipalities in the United States enacting climate policy, data are gathered that suggest local government abatement policies are primarily a top—down decision based on what officials or staff members believe to be “good business” or rational policy choices. They are primarily driven by the potential for realised or perceived cost savings and co-benefits rather than by public pressure. Economic data from some dozen municipal projects are analyzed, finding, while municipalities lack sophisticated accounting techniques, some justification for the often-disputed claim that at least initial reductions in emissions can be made at cost savings. In the United States, with the lack of national abatement policies, it is municipalities that are leading the way in beginning to implement mitigation strategies, even if only for initial reductions.