A Martian PFS average spectrum: Comparison with ISO SWS

The evaluation of the planetary Fourier spectrometer performance at Mars is presented by comparing an average spectrum with the ISO spectrum published by Lellouch et al. [2000. Planet. Space Sci. 48, 1393.]. First, the average conditions of Mars atmosphere are compared, then the mixing ratios of the major gases are evaluated. Major and minor bands of CO₂ are compared, from the point of view of features characteristics and bands depth. The spectral resolution is also compared using several solar lines. The result indicates that PFS radiance is valid to better than 1% in the wavenumber range 1800-4200 cm⁻¹ for the average spectrum considered (1680 measurements). The PFS monochromatic transfer function generates an overshooting on the left-hand side of strong narrow lines (solar or atmospheric). The spectral resolution of PFS is of the order of 1.3 cm⁻¹ or better. A large number of narrow features to be identified are discovered.     

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.     

Variations in lithospheric conductivity in the Kamchatka subduction zone

The revealed regularities in the behavior of the electric conductivity of the geological medium on the Shipunskii Peninsula are in qualitative agreement with the seismicity variations in the Kamchatka region. The possible nature of variations in deep conductivity is considered.     

Manifestations of Degassing in the Upper Part of the Pechora Sea Sediment Section and Its Relation to Tectonics

Doklady Earth Sciences - The spatial distribution of subsurface seismoacoustic anomalies of the “bright spot” type in the Pechora Sea, which are indicators of free gas accumulation, is...     

Low-order dynamical behavior in the martian atmosphere: Diagnosis of general circulation model results

The hypothesis of a low dimensional martian climate attractor is investigated by the application of the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) to a simulation of martian atmospheric circulation using the UK Mars general circulation model (UK-MGCM). In this article we focus on a time series of the interval between autumn and winter in the northern hemisphere, when baroclinic activity is intense. The POD is a statistical technique that allows the attribution of total energy (TE) to particular structures embedded in the UK-MGCM time-evolving circulation. These structures are called empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). Ordering the EOFs according to their associated energy content, we were able to determine the necessary number to account for a chosen amount of atmospheric TE. We show that for Mars a large fraction of TE is explained by just a few EOFs (with 90% TE in 23 EOFs), which apparently support the initial hypothesis. We also show that the resulting EOFs represent classical types of atmospheric motion, such as thermal tides and transient waves. Thus, POD is shown to be an efficient method for the identification of different classes of atmospheric modes. It also provides insight into the non-linear interaction of these modes.     

The new Martian nomenclature of the international Astronomical Union

A new nomenclature for Martian regions and topographic features uncovered by Mariner 9, as officially adopted by the International Astronomical Union, is described. About 180 craters, generally of diameters >100 km, have been named, as well as 13 classes of topographic features designated catena, chasma, dorsum, fossa, labyrinthus, mensa, mons, patera, planitia, planum, tholus, vallis, and vastitas. In addition seven craters and the Kepler Dorsum are named on Phobos, and two craters on Deimos. Coordinates and maps of each named features are displayed.     

Variability of thermohaline fields in the East China Sea

Characteristic features of the water structure and dynamics in the East China Sea, which is the zone of the formation of the Kuroshio Current, are studied from a database of mean multiannual hydrological and meteorological characteristics gathered for more than a half-century period and the data of expeditionary observations in this region. Characteristic distinctions between the waters in different regions of the current zone are shown. It was found that the formation of the structure of the water in the current zone is affected by the variability of the water exchange via the straits of the Ryukyu Islands and by the supply of the shelf waters against the background of the climatic variability.     

Accumulation of acid sites on natural clinoptilolite under recurring dehydration

A new ¹H NMR approach was applied to study the influence of recurring dehydration on the acidity of a natural Ca-rich zeolite clinoptilolite. It has been found that thermal cycling progressively increases the rate of the proton exchange between water molecules in the rehydrated state. The observed effect is interpreted as a result of the irreversible accumulation of specific structural defects represented by Brønsted acid sites: each dehydration at 720 K adds to the acid sites in an amount of the order of 10^?3 per unit cell. The number of these defects, detected by NMR in hydrated mineral, is in reasonable agreement with their amount estimated for the dehydrated state with an IR-spectroscopy CO-probe method. A comparison of the results obtained for two distinct zeolite samples shows that the Ca²⁺ ions are of first importance in the dehydration-induced formation of the active acid sites. The barrier for the proton-transfer reaction between the acid sites and H₂O molecules in hydrated clinoptilolite is found to be 46 kJ mol^?1, which is not too different from the value of 54 kJ mol^?1 reported recently for natural chabazite.     

Correlation of the anomalies in the electric field and electric conductivity of the lithosphere to earthquakes in Kamchatka

The data of long-term electromagnetic monitoring are used for studying the dynamics of electric conductivity of the medium and the electric field of the terrestrial sources. The electric conductivity of the medium is estimated from the magnetotelluric transfer functions (impedance tensor and telluric tensor). The electric field of terrestrial sources is identified by filtering the variations of the observed electric field of the Earth. The magnetotelluric parameters and the electric field of terrestrial sources feature anomalous changes of supposedly earthquake-related origin. The anomalies associated with the same earthquake are not simultaneous. It is shown that these anomalies are generated by processes occurring at different depths. The strong earthquake is preceded by the appearance of surface anomalies several months before the event and accompanied by a deep coseismic anomaly. The probable nature of the recognized anomalies is discussed.