Analysis of the light curves of RT Persei by automatized fourier techniques

A new method has been developed by Kopal (1977c, Paper XII) to make use of expressions for the fractional loss of light ₀ ^l of the arbitrarily limb-darkened stars in the form of Hankel transforms of zero-order, in order to evaluate the explicit forms of the ₀ ^l s for different types of eclipse, as well as of the momentsA _2m of the respective light curves in a closed form. The automated method has been tested successfully on the light curves of RT Persei. Also, a photometric curve fit of RT Persei is investigated by application of numerical quadratures to determine the theoretical light curve appropriate for the Roche model. Finally a comparative discussion is given of various methods of light curve analaysis.On leave from Department of Physics, University of Ferdowsi, Mashad, Iran.     

Silicon monoxide and the 10 μm interstellar feature

Laboratory spectra of SiO particles of 1 m radius show a broad structureless extinction peak at 9.6m. The wavelength dependence of extinction from SiO, an amorphous silicon oxide, provides a good match to that of interstellar dust.     

Comparison of crude oils and their alteration products

A simple method is proposed for using gas Chromatographic data on the high molecular weight saturated fractions of crude oils to make comparisons of source materials, migration mechanisms and, in particular, alteration processes within reservoirs. The preferential loss of normal alkanes by bacterial attack on a light crude is one of several processes readily followed using this scheme.     

Formation of the Bencubbin polymict meteoritic breccia

The Bencubbin meteorite is a polymict breccia consisting of a host fraction of ~60% metal and ~40% ferromagnesian silicates and a selection of carbonaceous, ordinary and ‘enstatite’ chondritic clasts. Concentrations of 27 elements were determined by neutron activation in replicate samples of the host silicates and the ordinary and carbonaceous chondritic clasts; 12 elements were determined in the host metal. Compositional data for the ordinary chondrite clast indicate a classification of LL4 ± 1. Refractory element data for the carbonaceous chondrite clast indicate that it belongs to the CI-CM-CO clan; its volatile element abundances are intermediate between those of CM and CO chondrites. Abundances of nonvolatile elements in the silicate host are similar to those in the carbonaceous chondrite clast and in CM chondrites; the rare earths are unfractionated. We conclude that it is not achondritic as previously designated, but chondritic and that it is probably related to the CI-CM-CO clan; its volatile abundances are lower than those in CO chondrites. Oxygen isotope data are consistent with these classifications. Host metal in Bencubbin and in the closely related Weatherford meteorite has low abundances of moderately volatile siderophiles; among iron meteorite groups its nearest relative is group IIIF.We suggest that Bencubbin and Weatherford formed as a result of an impact event on a carbonaceous chondrite regolith. The impact generated an ‘instant magma’ that trapped and surrounded regolithic clasts to form the polymict breccia. The parent of this ‘magma’ was probably the regolith itself, perhaps mainly consisting of the so-called ‘enstatite’ chondrite materials. Accretion of such a variety of materials to a small parent body was probably only possible in the asteroid belt.     

The chemistry of orthophosphate uptake from seawater on to calcite and aragonite

The chemistry of orthophosphate uptake from synthetic seawater onto the surfaces of synthetic calcite, aragonite and low-magnesium biogenic calcite has been studied, in order to elucidate the kinetics of the process (generally believed to be the major control of dissolved reactive phosphate in carbonate-rich marine sediments). Our results differ from those obtained by others, who have studied orthophosphate uptake in low ionic strength solutions and at much higher supersaturations relative to apatite.In both ‘free drift’ and chemostat experiments, Mg and F have only a minor effect on the reaction rate. Even at constant solution composition the rate of orthophosphate uptake was found to decrease by 10⁶ over a two week period. The data from the ‘free drift’ experiments can be fitted to the Elovich equation. This indicates that the kinetics observed for this reaction can be explained by an exponential decrease in available surface reaction sites and/or a linear increase in the activation energy associated with chemisorption as the reaction proceeds.     

The formation and clay mineral reactions of melanoidins

Sugars and amino acids condense readily to form polymers known as melanoidins that closely resemble natural humic substances. In this study melanoidins are formed by reacting glucose with each of three amino acids: glutamic acid, valine and lysine. The basic amino acid, lysine, reacts with glucose at a much greater rate than either of the other two compounds. The chemical properties of the melanoidins are strongly influenced by the amino acid from which they are formed. The nitrogen contents, acidities and electrophoretic behavior of the polymers all reflect functional group distributions inherited from the amino acids. These chemical differences strongly influence the extent of association of the melanoidins with kaolinite and montmorillonite clay minerals. Laboratory simulations suggest that melanoidin formation may be favored in marine environments where basic amino acids should preferentially condense with sugars to form nitrogen-rich polymers that have a great affinity for clay mineral surfaces.     

Ice clathrate as a possible source of the atmospheres of the terrestrial planets

The presence and compositions of atmospheres on the terrestrial planets do not follow directly from condensation models which would have Earth accreting near 500°K. No single mechanism yet proposed adequately accounts for the abundances of noble gases and carbon and nitrogen in the atmospheres. We show that the composition of clathrates forming at low temperatures in cold regions of the nebula can be predicted. Addition of about 1 ppm clathrate material to the Earth can explain observed abundances of Ar, Kr, and Xe. Condensation and adsorption processes occuring at 400–500°K are necessary to explain the observed abundances of Ne, H₂O, C, and N. Possible sources of clathrates could be cometary bodies formed in the outer solar system.     

Absolute spectrophotomery of comets 1973XII and 1975IX: II. Profiles of the Swan bands

Absolute spectrophotometric measurements of the Swan bands of two comets have been compared with computed synthetic spectra using modern Franck-Condon and Hönl-London factors, and varying rotational, vibrational, and electronic excitation temperatures. Rotational and vibrational temperatures were obtained for the comets. Although the electronic excitation temperature and the molecular column density cannot be separated, a relationship is found between these two quantities. A review is made of recent determinations of column densities for CN in comets.     

Evidence for the depletion of ammonia in the Uranus atmosphere

The theoretical disk brightness temperature spectra for Uranus are computed and compared with the observed microwave spectrum. It is shown that the emission observed at short centimeter wavelengths originates deep below the region where ammonia would ordinarily begin to condense. We demonstrate that this result is inconsistent with a wide range of atmospheric models in which the partial pressure of NH₃ is given by the vapor-pressure equation in the upper atmosphere. It is estimated that the ammonia mixing ratio must be less than 10^?6 in the 150 to 200°K temperature range. This is two orders of magnitude less than the expected mixing ratio based on solar abundances. The evidence for this depletion and a possible explanation are discussed.     

Vertical extent of zonal winds on Venus

Possible interrelationships of different observations have been studied to clear up some obvious inconsistencies and develop a coherent picture of the kinematics of the Venus atmosphere. There is a wind shear in the vicinity of 60 km with vertical dimensions on the order of a scale height. The kinematical model has negligible surface winds, speeds increasing with altitude to approximately 45 km, a layer of high-speed retrograde zonal winds extending from approximately 45 to 60 km, a wind shear between 60 and 65 km, and slow atmospheric motions above this. Spacecraft data show that the region of high-speed winds is thicker on the day side of the planet than on the night side.