Rare gases and fossil particle tracks in the Kenna ureilite

Fossil particle tracks and spallation-produced He and Ne in the Kenna ureilite indicate that it existed in space as a small object for 23 m.y. In our study of Kenna, we found no evidence of trapped He or Ne. Large amounts of heavy rare gases occur in Kenna in concentrations typical of ureilites. In a step-wise release of gases, the isotopic compositions of Kr and Xe were found to be constant above 600°C, revealing the presence of a single retentively sited component. The Xe isotopic abundances are characterized by 124:126:128:129:130:131:132:134:136 = 0.471:0.414:8.280:103.61: 16.296:81.92:100:37.70:31.23. This isotopic composition is distinct from AVCC (average carbonaceous chondritic), but similar to compositions known for some time in certain temperature fractions of Renazzo, Murray and Murchison. Kenna-type Xe appears to be one of the several components found in carbonaceous chondrites.

Binz et al. (Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 39, 1576–1579, 1975) have recently found that many volatile trace elements are strongly depleted in ureilites. Thus, the relatively large amounts of heavy rare gases present in ureilites did not result from a mixture of a volatile-rich component with the ureilite host. It appears that some material rich in carbon and heavy rare gases was incorporated into a differentiated ureilite host. All current hypotheses which purport to explain the origin of trapped gases in meteorites encounter difficulty in accounting for trapped gases in ureilites in a straightforward manner.     

Ocean tide perturbations in the orbits of GEOS 1 and GEOS 2

Douglaset al. (1973) have estimated tidal parameters from the orbits of GEOS 1 and GEOS 2. Their results, interpreted in terms of Love numbers, are rather dispersive due in part to their neglect of the ocean tides. The ocean tidal corrections are estimated in this paper, but although they do not explain all of the discrepancy they do emphasise the importance of these perturbations on the motion of close Earth satellites. The remaining discrepancies could result in part from the fact that part of the long period tidal perturbations have been absorbed by the zonal harmonics in the Earth's gravity field.     

Lunar atmospheric H2 detections by the LAMP UV spectrograph on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

We report on the detection of H₂ as seen in our analysis of twilight observations of the lunar atmosphere observed by the LAMP instrument aboard NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Using a large amount of data collected on the lunar atmosphere between September 2009 and March 2013, we have detected and identified, the presence of H₂ in the native lunar atmosphere, for the first time. We derive a surface density for H₂ of 1.2 ± 0.4 × 10³ cm⁻³ at 120 K. This is about 10 times smaller than originally predicted, and several times smaller than previous upper limits from the Apollo era data.     

Astron observations of the Rapid Burster MXB 1730-335 and constraints on burster parameters from spectra of trailing bursts

We report on eight X-ray bursts detected by ASTRON from the Rapid Burster (RB) on 13 and 28 April and 16 August, 1983. Six of them (trailing bursts), with durations of 1.5–2 min, rise times of 5–10 s and intervals of 1–1.5 hours, exhibit spectral softening during the burst decay and may be related to the type I bursts. Two of the bursts (triangle bursts) observed on 28 April at interval of 28 min with much longer rise times (30–50 s) and longer durations (3 min), do not show distinct spectral softening. Persistent flux from RB on 16 August was estimated asF _p(2.0–2.4)×10^–9 erg cm^–2 s^–1. Spectral evolution of two trailing bursts was investigated by fitting their spectra in consecutive time intervals with the blackbody (BB), isothermal scattering photosphere (SP) and thermal bremsstrahlung (TB) models. Around the burst maxima the SP model fits the data best whereas in the burst tails the TB model is generally better. The BB model is worse than at least one of the two others. Interpretation of the burst spectra in terms of the BB radiation leads to improbably small neutron star mass and radius (M<0.86M ,R _NS<5 km) if the peak luminosity does not exceed the Eddington limit. Interpretation of the spectra around the burst maxima (3–15 s from the burst onset) in terms of an isothermal SP yields reasonable constraints onM,R _NS, and distanceD. For instance, for the hydrogen photosphere we obtainedM=(1.0–2.1)M R _NS=(7.1–16.4) km ifD=11 kpc. If one postulatesM=1.4M , thenD=(8.5–13) kpc for hydrogen photosphere; if, besides,D=11 kpc, thenR _NS=(8.1–13.3) km. It follows also from the SP-interpretation that the photosphere radius may increase up to 20–30 km in maxima of the trailing bursts when the luminosity becomes close to the Eddington luminosity.     

Polarimetric NIR reflectance measurements of regolith simulants at zero phase angle

Polarimetric reflectance measurements have been made at a wavelength of for a suite of predominantly lunar regolith simulants in support of development efforts for the BepiColombo Laser Altimeter (BELA). Measurements were made using an instrument at the University of Bern, Switzerland, that has been modified to accommodate photometric characterizations of laboratory samples down to 0^° phase angle (g) with linearly polarized illumination and a linearly polarized receiver. The data reveal opposition surges that are dominated by polarization state-conserving reflectance terms for all samples. Relative strengths of the trans-state reflectance terms are lowest for the darkest samples, suggesting that multiple scattering is responsible for state conversions. Normal albedo measurements of the lunar simulants range from 0.13 to 0.22 at zero illumination angle (i=0^°). The total reflectance of the regolith simulants at g=0^° were found to decrease with increasing i, which is inconsistent with predictions of reflectance models for Mercury. However, the g=0^° reflectance remains higher at i>0^° than would be expected for a gray Lambert surface that is scaled to the g=i=0^° reflectance value. Polarization ratios for reflectance under polarized illumination but unconstrained emission show that the samples scatter light in the in-plane polarization state more efficiently than in the transverse state at g=0^° and i>0^°. The opposite is true for g>0^° polarization ratios, which indicate that transverse polarized illumination scatters more efficiently at high g. The polarization effect appears to correlate with the sample's characteristic grain size, but the statistical basis of this trend is weak. The implications of these measurements upon the performance of the BELA instrument are discussed.     

Altitude profile of H in the atmosphere of Venus from Lyman α observations of Venera 11 and Venera 12 and origin of the hot exospheric component

Two extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectrophotometers flown in December 1978 on Venera 11 and Venera 12 measured the hydrogen Lyman α emission resonantly scattered in the atmosphere of Venus. Measurements were obtained across the dayside of the disk, and in the exosphere up to 50,000 km. They were analyzed with spherically symmetric models for which the radiative transfer equation was solved. The H content of the Venus atmosphere varies from optically thin to moderately thick regions. A shape fit at the bright limb allows one to determine the exospheric temperature T_c and the number density n_c independently of the calibration of the instrument or the exact value of the solar flux. The dayside exospheric temperature was measured for the first time in the polar regions, with T_c = 300 ± 25°K for Venera 11 (79°S) and T_c = 275 ± 25°K (59°S) for Venera 12. At the same place, the density is n_c = 4_?2⁺³ × 10⁴ atom.cm^?3, and the integrated number density N_t from 250 to 110 km (the level of CO₂ absorption) is 2.1 × 10¹² atom.cm^?2, a factor of 3 to 6 lower than that predicted in aeronomical models. This probably indicates that the models should be revised in the content of H-bearing molecules and should include the effect of dynamics. Across the disk the value of N_t decreases smoothly with a total variation of two from the morning side to the afternoon side. Alternately it could be a latitude effect, with less hydrogen in the polar regions. The nonthermal component if clearly seen up to 40,000 km of altitude. It is twice as abundant as at the time of Mariner 10 (solar minimum). Its radial distribution above 4000 km can be simulated by an exospheric distribution with T = 10³⁰K and n = 10³ atom.cm^?3 at the exobase level. However, there are less hot atoms between 2000 and 4000 km than predicted by an ionospheric source. A by-product of the analysis is a determination of a very high solar Lyman α flux of 7.6 × 10¹¹ photons (cm² sec Å)^?1 at line center (1 AU) in December 1978.     

Vulkanogene Glasscherben-Relikte in Kohlentonsteinen des Saar-Lothringer Oberkarbons sowie Herkunft und Menge der Pyroklastika

Zusammenfassung Obwohl Kohlentonsteine aus dem Saar-Lothringer Oberkarbon seit etwa 170 Jahren bekannt sind, gelang erst in jüngster Zeit der Nachweis und die Identifikation vulkanogener Relikte im petrographischen Stoffbestand. Diese befinden sich in Kohlentonsteinen des Stefan A: KTst 0=950; Westfal D: KTst 1=700; Westfal C: KTst 3 =400, KTst 4a=330, KTst 4aß=322, KTst 4=320, KTst 5=300 und im KTst 6=270. Das entspricht einem Anteil von ca. 18 % an der Gesamtzahl der in diesem limnischen Steinkohlenrevier beobachteten Kohlentonsteine, die hier große praktische und wissenschaftliche Bedeutung besitzen. Die pseudomorphen Relikte bestehen aus kleinen Splittern, kleinen und größeren Fragmenten mit teilweise gut erhaltenem blasigen Gefüge von Vitroklasten — sie zeigen die für Aschenschmelztuffe typisch verschweißte Scherbentextur. Die Glassubstanz ist meist zu mikrokristallinem Kaolinit devitrifiziert. Der eindeutige Nachweis dieser Relikte ist für die Genese bedeutungsvoll, liefern sie doch nun den sicheren Beweis, daß der primäre Stoffbestand aus aerisch abgelagertem pyroklastischen Material bestand, das intensive chemische Verwitterungs- und diagenetische Umbildungsprozesse erfahren hat. Für die 43 Kohlentonsteine des Saar-Lothringer Oberkarbons wird eine pyroklastische Eruptionsmenge von mindestens 8,2 km³ Festvolumen bzw. 20,5 km³ Lokkervolumen angenommen. Die Eruptionen erfolgten vermutlich aus der in der Nähe befindlichen Metz-Hunsrück-Südrand-Tiefenstörung, die nach Reflexionsseismik bis unter die Moho reicht.

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Tonsteins in the Carboniferous of the Saar-Lorraine basin are known since about 170 years. Volcanic glass remains, however, have been proven as constituents of the tonstein only recently. They occur in tonsteins of Stephanian A: KTst 0=950; Westphalian D: KTst 1=700; Westphalian C: KTst 3=400, KTst 4a=330, KTst 4aß= 322, KTst 4=320, KTst 5=300 and KTst 6=270. Tonsteins with volcanic glass fragments amount to 18% of the total tonsteins observed in the limnic Saar-Lorraine basin. They are important to applied geology, e.g. for seam identification and correlation, as well as for scientific reasons, namely for the determination of provenance and genesis of tonsteins.The volcanic remains consist of tiny glass splinters, glass fragments, and of fragments with well preserved gasbubble texture. The welded splinter texture is typical of welded pyroclastic ash deposits. Much of the glass has been devitrified to microcrystalline kaolinite. The indisputable evidence of volcanic remains is essential when considering the genesis of tonsteins, as they provide proof that tonsteins are primarily composed of eolian pyroclastic constituents which were altered by chemical weathering and diagenesis.For the 43 horizons of the coal tonsteins found in the Upper Carboniferous of the Saar-Lorraine basin, a pyroclastic eruption quantity of at least 8.2 km³ of solid volume or 20.5 km³ of bulk volume is assumed. The eruptions possibly took place along the nearby deep-seated Metz fault at the southern rim of the Hunsrück. This fault, reaches below the Moho according to reflection seismic.

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Résumé Bien que des tonstein du Carbonifère supérieur de SarreLorraine soient connus depuis 170 ans c'est seulement il y a peu de temps que des fragments de verre volcanique y ont été identifiés. Ces fragments ont été rencontrés dans les niveaux de tonstein suivants: Stephanien A: KTst 0=950; Westphalien D: KTst 1=700; Westphalien C: KTst 3=400, KTst 4a=330, KTst 4aß=322, KTst 4=320, KTst 5=300 et KTst 6=270. Ces niveaux représentent une proportion de l'ordre de 18% dans le total des couches de tonstein carbonifère rencontrées dans ce bassin houiller limnique où elles présentent un grand intérêt tant au point de vue pratique que scientifique. Les verres se présentent en esquilles et en fragments de tailles diverses, montrant parfois une structure bulleuse bien conservée; ils présentent également les structures d'agglomération propres aux tufs soudés à chaud. Le verre est le plus souvent dévitrifié en kaolinite microcristalline. La présence de ces fragments est d'un intérêt particulier pour la genèse du dépôt puisqu'elle fournit la preuve que celui-ci était constitué de matériaux primaires pyroclastiques sédimentés dans l'air, matériaux qui ont subi ensuite des altérations chimiques et des transformations diagénétiques intenses.Pour l'ensemble des 43 horizons de tonstein du Carbonifère supérieur de la Sarre-Lorraine, on admet un volume de matières pyroclastiques d'au moins 8,2 km³ (volume à l'état monolithique) ou de 20,5 km³ (volume à l'état fragmenté). Ces éruptions ont probablement pour origine la faille de Metz, située à proximité, qui forme la limite sud du Hunsrück et que la sismique-réflexion permet de prolonger jusqu'au Moho.

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Das Thema dieser Arbeit war Gegenstand des KurzvortragesBurger &Wolf (1987) auf dem XI. ICC in Peking (31. 8. bis 4. 9. 1987). Vorliegende Bearbeitung stellt die originäre Fassung dar.     

Three-dimensional model and late stage warping of the Plattengneis Shear Zone in the Eastern Alps

The Plattengneis shear zone is a 250–600 m thick, flat lying, Cretaceous, eclogite facies, mylonitic shear zone, with north-over-south transport direction, that is exposed over almost 1000 km² in the Koralpe region along the eastern margin of the Alps. Although the shear zone is one of the largest in the Alps, its role in the Eoalpine metamorphic evolution and the subsequent exhumation of the region, remain enigmatic and its large-scale geometry is not well understood. The outcrop pattern suggests that the shear zone is made up of a single sheet that is folded into a series of open syn- and antiforms with wavelengths of about 10 km. Eclogite bodies occur above, within and below the shear zone and there is no metamorphic grade change across the shear zone. In the south, the fold axes strike east–west and plunge shallowly to the east. In the north, the fold axes are oriented in north–south direction and form a dome shaped structure of the shear zone. Total shortening during this late stage warping event was of the order of 5%. Indirect evidence constrains this folding event to have occurred between 80 and 50 Ma and the fold geometry implies that the final exhumation in the Koralpe occurred somewhat later than further north. Interestingly, the shear zone appears to strike out of the topography in the south and dip into the topography in the north, so that north of the shear zone only hanging-wall rocks are exposed and south of it only foot-wall rocks. Possibilities for the geometric relationship of the Plattengneis shear zone with the surrounding south dipping detachments are discussed.