Carbon dioxide photoelectron energy peaks at Mars

The ELectron Spectrometer (ELS) from the Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA-3) flown on the Mars Express spacecraft has an 8% energy resolution, combined with the capability to oversample the martian electron distribution. This makes possible the resolution and identification of electrons generated as a result of the He 304 Å ionization of CO₂ at the martian exobase on the dayside of the planet. Ionospheric photoelectrons were observed during almost every pass into the ionosphere and CO₂ photoelectron peaks were identified near the terminator. Atmospherically generated CO₂ photoelectrons are also observed at 10,000 km altitude in the martian tail near the inner magnetospheric boundary. Observations over a wide range of spacecraft orbits showed a consistent presence of photoelectrons at locations along the inner magnetospheric boundary and in the ionosphere, from an altitude of 250 to 10,000 km.     

Synchrotron‐based infrared microspectroscopy as a useful tool to study hydration states of meteorite constituents

Abstract— We present the results of the infrared (IR) microscopic study of the anomalous carbonaceous chondrites Dhofar (Dho) 225 and Dhofar 735 in comparison to typical CM2 chondrites Cold Bokkeveld, Murray, and Mighei. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) 2.5–14 μm reflectance measurements were performed on conventional polished sections using an infrared microscope with a synchrotron radiation source. We demonstrate that the synchrotron‐based IR microspectroscopy is a useful, nondestructive tool for studying hydration states of meteorite constituents in situ. Our results show that the matrices of Dho 225 and Dho 735 are dehydrated compared to the matrices of typical CM2 chondrites. The spectra of the Dho 225 and Dho 735 matrices lack the 2.7–2.8 μm absorption feature present in the spectra of Cold Bokkeveld, Murray, and Mighei. Spectral signatures caused by Si‐O vibrations in fine‐grained, Fe‐rich olivines dominate the 10 μm spectral region in the spectra of Dho 225 and Dho 735 matrices, while the spectra of normal CM2 chondrites are dominated by spectral signatures due to Si‐O vibrations in phyllosilicates. We did not detect any hydrated phases in the spectra of Dho 225 and Dho 735 polished sections. In addition, the near‐infrared reflectance spectra of Dho 225 and Dho 735 bulk powders show spectral similarities to the Antarctic metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrites. We confirm the results of previous mineralogical, chemical, and isotopic studies indicating that the two meteorites from Oman are the first non‐Antarctic metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrites.     

Plasma intrusion above Mars crustal fields—Mars Express ASPERA-3 observations

Using data of the ASPERA-3 instrument on board the European Mars Express spacecraft we investigate the effect of the martian crustal fields on electrons intruding from the magnetosheath. For the crustal field strength we use published data obtained by the Mars Global Surveyor MAG/ER instrument for a fixed altitude of 400 km. We use statistics on 13 months of 80-100 eV electron observations to show that the electron intrusion altitude determined by a probability measure is approximately linearly dependent on the total field strength at 400 km altitude. We show that on the dayside the mean electron intrusion altitude describes the location of the Magnetic Pile-Up Boundary (MPB) such that we can quantify the effect of the crustal fields on the MPB. On the nightside we quantify the shielding of precipitating electrons by the crustal fields.     

Magnetic changes observed in the formation of two filaments in a complex active region: TRACE and MSDP observations

This paper is focused on the formation of two filaments in a complex center of decaying active regions (AR 8329 and AR 8326), located in the northern hemisphere. The observations were obtained in Hα by the Multi-channel Subtractive Double Pass spectrograph (MSDP mounted on the German telescope VTT in Tenerife) and EUV lines with TRACE (Transition Region And Corona Explorer). High Doppler shifts are found to be related to the ends of filament segments where canceling magnetic fields are also located (as seen on magnetograms from Big Bear Solar Observatory). At these locations, velocities along the line of sight, derived by using a cloud model method reach −20 km s⁻¹, the segments of filaments merge and frequently a time-related sub-flare is observed by TRACE. The chirality of the filament segments has been determined by different methods: the segments of dextral chirality join together and form a long dextral filament, and a single filament of sinistral chirality forms end to end with the dextral filament but does not merge with it. Assuming a model of twisted flux tube for filament material, we suggest that the dextral filament has negative helicity and a relationship between its formation and the close by sunspot with the same sign of helicity.     

Low-eccentricity motion of asteroids near the 2/1 Jovian resonance

(903) Nealley moves on an orbit of low eccentricity with a mean motion that is slightly larger than the 2/1 value of resonance. This orbit and some related fictious orbits are studied by numerical integrations of the four-body problem Sun-Jupiter-Saturn-asteroid over an interval of 110000 yr. The author's experience on related cases of resonance allows a study of the variation of suitably defined orbital parameters. The long-term evolution of the orbits is compared with earlier predictions. Some of the librating orbits are temporarily captured in a secondary resonance that refers to three-dimensional motion and is demonstrated by a special example.