BVRI photometry of possible standard stars in NGC 188

CCD photometry of possible standard stars, in Cousins B, V, R and I, in a field in the region of NGC 188 is presented.     

Laboratory studies on the sputtering contribution to the sodium atmospheres of Mercury and the Moon

To ascertain the importance of sputtering by solar wind ions on the formation of a sodium exosphere around Mercury and the Moon, we have irradiated with 4 keV He ions, the Na bearing tectosilicates: albite, labradorite, and anorthoclase, as well as adsorbed Na layers deposited on albite and on olivine (a neosilicate that does not contain Na). Sodium at the surface and near surface (<40 Å) was quantified with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy before and after each irradiation to determine the depletion cross section. We measured a cross section for sputtering of Na adsorbed on mineral surfaces, σ_s ≈ 1 × 10^?15 cm² atom^?1. In addition, mass spectrometric analyses of the sputtered flux show that a large fraction of the Na is sputtered as ions rather than as neutral atoms. These results have strong implications for modeling the sodium population within the mercurian and the lunar exospheres.     

Multi-wavelength observations of the onset phase of a coronal mass ejection

The structure and dynamics of the initial phases of a coronal mass ejection (CME) seen in soft X-ray, extreme ultraviolet and optical emission are described. The event occurred on the SW limb of the Sun in active region AR 8026 on 9 April 1997. Just prior to the CME there was a class C1.5 flare. Images taken with the Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) reveal the emergence of a candle-flame shaped extreme ultraviolet (EUV) cavity at the time of the flare. Yohkoh images, taken about 15 min later, show that this cavity is filled with hot X-ray emitting gas. It is most likely that this is the site of the flare. Almost simultaneous to the flare, an H surge or small filament eruption occurs about 50 arc sec northwards along the limb from the EUV cavity. At both the site of the core of the hot, EUV cavity and the filament ejection are X-ray jets. These jets seem to be connected by hot loops near their bases. Both jets disappear within a few minutes of one another.Clear evidence of the CME first appeared in the Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) and EIT images 40 min after the flare and onset of the filament ejection. It seems to come from a region between the two X-ray jets. This leads to the speculation that magnetic field reconnection near one footpoint of a loop system triggers reconnection near its other footpoint. The loop system is destabilized and ultimately gives rise to the CME. This possibility is supported by magnetic field and H images taken when the active region was at disk center which show that the active region had a double bipole structure with dark H filaments between the bipoles.     

Analysis of horizontal and vertical ring structure based on analytical model and satellite data: Application to the North Brazil Current Rings

A theoretical analysis of the principal oceanic ring parameters (tangential and angular velocities, shape function, horizontal and vertical scale of the ring) is described. The theoretical model consists of a reduced gravity model of the lens-like vortices with solid body rotation. The application of this approach is tested by comparison with data from the North Brazil Current Rings Experiment and remote sensing data. Specifically, we used the data corresponding to the surfaceintensified North Brazil Current ring (R-3) surveyed in February–March 1999, using direct velocity and hydrographical measurements. The theoretical model was used for evaluating the geometrical structure of the surface-intensified rings that produce remarkable signals in satellite data. The principal ring parameters from the model were compared with those from satellite data (altimetry and drifter information), which were estimated by using the method of minimization of the multivariable objective functions. Although the proposed model is linear in its conception, a good agreement was observed between the model and the primary characteristics of the observed rings. The model, however, allows for improvement in its assumptions, since its application is rather limited to intense ocean rings.     

Water temperature behaviour in the River Loire since 1976 and 1881

Analysis of monthly mean river temperatures, recorded on an hourly basis in the middle reaches of the Loire since 1976, allows reconstruction by multiple linear regression of the annual, spring and summer water temperatures from equivalent information on air temperatures and river discharge. Since 1881, the average annual and summer temperatures of the Loire have risen by approximately 0.8?°C, this increase accelerating since the late 1980s due to the rise in air temperature and also to lower discharge rates. In addition, the thermal regime in the Orleans to Blois reach is considerably affected by the inflow of groundwater from the Calcaires de Beauce aquifer, as shown by the summer energy balance. To cite this article: F. Moatar, J. Gailhard, C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Molecular evidence for life in the 3.5 billion year old Warrawoona chert

The biological origin of organic matter in the oldest siliceous sediments (cherts) is still debated. To address this issue, the insoluble organic matter (kerogen) was isolated from a chert of the Warrawoona group. The chemical structure of the kerogen was investigated through a combination of analytical techniques including solid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance and pyrolysis. Although dominated by aromatic hydrocarbons, the pyrolysate comprises a homologous series of long chain aliphatic hydrocarbons characterized by odd-over-even carbon number predominance. This distribution is only consistent with a biological origin. As kerogen must be contemporaneous of the solidification of the chert, this observation should be regarded as an evidence for the presence of life on Earth, 3.5 By ago.     

Zur Entwicklung der luftelektrischen Grundanschauungen

Zusammenfassung Die luftelektrischen Grundanschauungen haben im Laufe der Entwicklung mehrfach erhebliche Wandlungen durchgemacht. Auf die Entwicklungsperiode, in der man die auffallenden Parallelen im Verhalten luftelektrischer und meteorologischer Größen aufzuklären sich bestrebte — sie findet etwa mitF. Exner ihr Ende—, folgt eine Phase bewußter Emanzipation der luftelektrischen Forschung, während der man in den meteorologischen Einflüssen nur Störungen sieht. Etwa in den zwanziger Jahren beginnt dann eine Reaktion gegen dieses Isolationsbestreben und mit der früher lange vergeblich versuchten Aufklärung des luftelektrischen Grund- und Existenzproblems leitet sich eine neue Entwicklungsphase ein, die man sinngemäß als korrelative Phase bezeichnen möchte. Nach einer eingehenden und nach den inneren gründen dieser mehrmaligen Schwenkung suchenden Darstellung wird im zweiten Teil der vorliegenden Arbeit das Problem der luftelektrischen Tagesgänge behandelt und als Beweis für die komplexe elektro-meteorologische Arbeits- und Betrachtungsweise in seinen neuesten Entwicklungen kurz dargestellt. Die enge Verbindung zwischen dem luftelektrischen Geschehen und dem vertikalen atmosphärischen Massenaustausch legt die Benutzung luftelektrischer Untersuchungen in der Austausch-und Luftkörperforschung nahe.

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Summary In the course of the development the fundamental notions about atmospheric electricity have experienced considerable changes. In a first period expiring about withF. Exner, one tried to explain the striking parallels of electrical and meteorological phenomena; then follows a period with a distinct emancipation of atmospheric electricity, where meteorological influences were admitted but as perturbations. In the twenties begins a reaction to this isolationist views and a new evolution starts which might be called correlative phase. The author analyses and explains these repeated changes, and in a second part he discusses the problem of the diurnal variation of atmospheric electricity and shows the complexity of electro-meteorological relations. The close connexion between the phenomena of atmospheric electricity and the turbulent vertical exchange urges to employ investigations of atmospheric electricity for investigations in exchange and air-mass research.

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Résumé En matière d'électricité atmosphérique les points de vue ont souvent varié considérablement. Dans une première période allant jusqu'àF. Exner environ, on a essayé d'expliquer le parallélisme évident entre les phénomènes électriques et météorologiques; puis on a envisagé les premiers pour eux-mêmes, indépendamment des influences météorologiques considérées alors comme des «perturbations». Autour des années 1920, une réaction se dessine contre cette discrimination, et une nouvelle phase commence que l'on pourrait appeler corrélative. Après une analyse approfondie de ces fluctuations de la théorie, l'auteur aborde dans la deuxième partie de son étude le problème des variations diurnes des phénomènes électriques et montre la complexité des relations les unissant à ceux de l'atmosphère ellemême. La liaison étroite entre les phénomènes de l'électricité atmosphérique et les échanges turbulents de masse dans la verticale prouve l'utilité des recherches électriques pour l'étude de cet échange et pour celle des masses d'air de l'atmosphère.

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Mit 14 Textabbildungen.

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Herrn Prof. Dr.H. Benndorf zum 80. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Investigating the Halogen Chemistry From High-Latitude Nighttime Stratospheric Measurements of OClO and NO2

Two cases of simultaneous nighttime measurements of NO₂ and OClO in the winter polar stratosphere are analyzed in order to test our present knowledge of halogen chemistry in the presence of high amount of NO₂ at low temperature. Comparisons with Lagrangian model calculations using several hypotheses are performed. First simulations, using the admitted constant rates of chemical reaction, strongly underestimate the measured OClO while the NO₂ profiles are correctly reproduced. If uncertainties in actinic fluxes calculations are taken into account, simulation results do not show a significant reduction of the underestimation. A better agreement can be achieved if the formation of unstable isomers of ClONO₂ and of BrONO₂ occurs in the cold conditions of the polar stratosphere. An approximate value of the branching ratios of the channels leading to ClONO₂ and ClOONO, and to BrONO₂ and BrOONO, necessary to reproduce both OClO and NO₂ is given and discussed.     

Carbonyl Sulphide (OCS) Variability with Latitude in the Atmosphere

Abstract

Carbonyl sulphide (OCS) is an important precursor of sulphate aerosols and consequently a key species in stratospheric ozone depletion. The SPectromètre InfraRouge d'Absorption à Lasers Embarqués (SPIRALE) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) balloon-borne instruments have flown in the tropics and in the polar Arctic, and ground-based measurements have been performed by the Qualité de l'Air (QualAir) Fourier Transform Spectrometer in Paris. Partial and total columns and vertical profiles have been obtained to study OCS variability with altitude, latitude, and season. The annual total column variation in Paris reveals a seasonal variation with a maximum in April–June and a minimum in November–January. Total column measurements above Paris and from SWIR balloon-borne instrument are compared with several MkIV measurements, several Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) stations, aircraft, ship, and balloon measurements to highlight the OCS total column decrease from tropical to polar latitudes. OCS high-resolution in situ vertical profiles have been measured for the first time in the altitude range between 14 and 30?km at tropical and polar latitudes. OCS profiles are compared with Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) satellite measurements and show good agreement. Using the correlation between OCS and N₂O from SPIRALE, the OCS stratospheric lifetime has been accurately determined. We find a stratospheric lifetime of 68?±?20 years at polar latitudes and 58?±?14 years at tropical latitudes leading to a global stratospheric sink of 49?±?14?Gg?S?y^?1.