A New Iguanodontian Dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation,Nakhon Ratchasima in Northeastern Thailand

Here we report a new iguanodontian dentary found from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation, Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast Thailand. A unique character, which is an elongated and flat shape of the dentary ramus, makes it possible to assign the specimen to the new genus of non‐hadrosaurid iguanodontian, Ratchasimasaurus suranareae gen. et sp. nov. R. suranareae shows both primitive and derived characters, such as a caudally inclined coronoid process and alveolar trough with a primitive crown impression, and a derived buccal shelf between tooth row and coronoid process. The discovery of a new iguanodontian from the Indochina Terrene, considering that the previously reported “Probactrosaurus‐like” iguanodontian, points out a great diversity of this group in the late Early Cretaceous in Thailand, and corresponds to the Asian iguanodontian diversity at that time.     

Global mapping of the degree of space weathering on asteroid 25143 Itokawa by Hayabusa/AMICA observations

Abstract— We obtained color images of near‐Earth asteroid 25143 Itokawa by the Hayabusa multiband imaging camera to characterize the regional color properties. Images were obtained for the whole disk from the gate position (GP) and home position (HP) at a spatial resolution of 0.8–3.7 m/pixel. Whole‐disk spectra are adjusted to the telescopic data obtained by the University of Hawai'i's 88‐inch telescope using the Eight Color Asteroid Survey (ECAS) system. The disk‐resolved measurements show large variations in the three visible channels. We present a map of an index related to the degree of space weathering, which has been newly developed based on laboratory measurements. We find large variations in the degree of space weathering on Itokawa. Fresh materials are observed in regions of steep slopes and craters, whereas mature materials are ubiquitously distributed. This result suggests that pristine ordinary chondrite‐like materials have been exposed through weathered layers by excavation. By also examining close‐up images obtained during touchdown rehearsal, we find that most rocks in Itokawa's rough terrains are weathered. Instead of a regolith blanket, the surface of this small asteroid is covered with weathered rocks and gravels.     

Cometary dust trail associated with Rosetta mission target: 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

A thin, bright dust cloud, which is associated with the Rosetta mission target object (67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko), was observed after the 2002 perihelion passage. The neckline structure or dust trail nature of this cloud is controversial. In this paper, we definitively identify the dust trail and the neckline structure using a wide-field CCD camera attached to the Kiso 1.05-m Schmidt telescope. The dust trail of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko was evident as scattered sunlight in all images taken between September 9, 2002 and February 1, 2003, whereas the neckline structure became obvious only after late 2002. We compared our images with a semi-analytical dynamic model of dust grains emitted from the nucleus. A fading of the surface brightness of the dust trail near the nucleus enabled us to determine the typical maximum size of the grains. Assuming spherical compact particles with a mass density of 10³ kg m⁻³ and an albedo of 0.04, we deduced that the maximum diameter of the dust particles was approximately 1 cm. We found that the mass-loss rate of the comet at the perihelion was on or before the 1996 apparition, while the mass-loss rate averaged over the orbit reached . The result is consistent with the studies of the dust cloud emitted in the 2002/2003 return. Therefore, we can infer that the activity of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko has showed no major change over the past dozen years or so, and the largest grains are cyclically injected into the dust tube lying along the cometary orbit.     

1990年代以来日本大都市圈的结构变化

基于既有研究综述了1990年代以来日本大都市圈的发展动态。1990年代初期,东京都市圈郊区扩张的势头停止,取而代之的是中心区的人口增加,即人口的都心回流趋向。究其原因,泡沫经济中持续上升的地价于1986~1991年间开始回落,由此引发了城市中心区的住宅建设,带动了诸多价格适中的商品住房供给。此外,伴随少子化,人们为追求住宅面积而迁往郊区的势头也已减弱;日益增多的老年人反而为了追求便利性从郊区的独立住宅迁往市中心居住,郊区一些公共交通不便的居住区人口开始减少。在地方都市圈,类似的现象也已出现,甚至还存在总人口减少的可能。在此状况下,抑制郊区开发、建设紧凑城市的规划政策开始受到重视。     

A New Nodosaurid Ankylosaur from the Chaochuan Formation of Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, China

Dongyangopelta yangyanensis gen. et sp. nov. from the Chaochuan Formation (Albian-Cenomanian) of Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, China is characterized: the convex anterior surface of the first presacral rod centrum strongly inflates laterally and slightly curves posteriorly; the fused pelvic shield composes of larger pebble-shaped bosses, defined by smaller tubercles or flat stretches of bone; most osteoderms are heavily roughened with notches and grooves for dermal attachment along the edge; domed triradiate osteoderm is present; sigmoid curvature of the dorsal surface of the ilium is present; the preacetabular process curves lateroventrally at the anterior end and has a shallow groove in the edge of the lateral and anterior ends and strong lateromedial expansion of the distal femur. The femoral head is well separated from the greater trochanter, indicating that Dongyangopelta is a nodosaurid ankylosaur, the second from southeast China. Phylogenetic analysis also positions this taxon in the Nodosauridae clade. Dongyangopelta differs from Zhejiangosaurus in the characters of presacral rod, ilium, and femur. Dongyangopelta represents the first ankylosaur outside North America and Europe that definitively possesses a pelvic shield with fused armor.