On ionospheric disturbances in relation to geomagnetic disturbances

Summary Disturbances in the critical frequency of theF2-region of the ionosphere at Watheroo on international magnetically disturbed days are analyzed together with simultaneous geomagnetic data at the same station. The results show that the daily average disturbanceDm (foF2) becomes negative or positive according as the maximum of the disturbance daily variationSD (foF2) takes place in night time or in daytime respectively. This fact may show that bothDm (foF2) andSD (foF2) are due to the condition that the daytime increase in the daily variation of theF2-region is reduced or enhanced owing to vertical drift of the ionosphere caused by electric currents responsible for geomagneticSD.     

A minimalistic approach for evapotranspiration estimation using the Prophet model

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of the recently introduced Prophet model for estimating reference evapotranspiration (ETo). A comparative study was conducted for benchmarking the model results with support vector regression (SVR) and temperature-based empirical models (Thornthwaite and Hargreaves) in southern Japan. The performance of the Prophet, SVR and temperature-based empirical models was evaluated by Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and coefficient of determination (R²). The results indicate that temperature-based Prophet and SVR models have greater accuracy than the empirical models. The Prophet model with sole input of relative humidity, sunshine hours or windspeed showed acceptable accuracy (NSE > 0.80; R² > 0.80), while SVR models with similar inputs showed greater errors. Accuracy improved with increasing number of input parameters, giving excellent performance (NSE > 0.95; R² > 0.95) with all input parameters. Hence, the Prophet model is a new promising approach for modelling ETo with limited input variables.     

Wide-Field Camera for Gravitational Microlensing Survey: MOA-cam2

We have constructed a large, mosaic CCD camera called MOA-cam2 which has 4096 × 6144-pixelsto search for gravitational microlensing events. MOA-cam2 has three4096 × 2048-pixel SITe CCD chips, which have a very high quantum efficiency (nearly 80% in the wave region 500 to 800 nm),and three buttable sides. We have placed the threechips side by side with 100 m dead space. MOA-cam2 has been installed on the 61 cm Boller and Chivens telescope of the MOA collaboration at the Mt. John University Observatory (MJUO) in NewZealand since July 1998. The field coverage is 0.92° × 1.38° per exposure. The technical details of MOA-cam2 and the first images obtained with the Boller and Chivens telescope are presented. MOA-cam2 introduces a second phase of research on gravitational microlensing by the MOA collaboration.     

Magnetic properties of ferromagnetic ilmenites

Summary Magnetic and crystallographic properties of solid solutionsxFeTiO₃. (1–x) Fe₂O₃ of hematite (Fe₂O₃) and ilmenite (FeTiO₃), which have rhombohedral crystal structure, are examined in detail for the whole range of 0 x 1. Samples examined are mineral grains separated out from natural rocks and artificially synthesized ones. The minerals of the hematite-ilmenite series for 0.55<x are ferromagnetic and their Curie-point decreases in proportion to increase inx, becoming 0 C aroundx=0.8. Those for 0.55 >x >0 are feeble ferromagnetic, probably being anti-ferromagnetic just same as hematite. Finally probable cause of the ferromagnetism forx>0.55 is briefly discussed. It seems that presence of ferromagnetic ilmenite must always be taken into consideration whenever magnetism of rocks is studied in relation to various geophysical phenomena.

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Zusammenfassung Die magnetischen und krystallographischen Eigenschaften der festen LösungenxFeTiO₃. (1–x) Fe₂O₃ von Hämatit (Fe₂O₃) und Ilmenit (FeTiO₃), die eine rhombohedrale Krystallstruktur haben, wurden im ganzen Bereich von 0 x 1 ausführlich untersucht. Die untersuchten Proben waren aus Naturgesteinen getrennten sowie aus zusammengesetzten künstlichen Mineralkörner. Die Minerale der Hämatit-Ilmenitschen Reihe von 0.55<x sind ferromagnetisch, und ihr Curie-Punkt nimmt proportional mit der Zunahme vonx ab, und fallsx ungefähr 0.8 erreicht, wird er 0 C. Die Minerale von 0.55 >x >0 sind hingegen schwach ferromagnetisch, und vielleicht sind sie genau wie das Hämatit antiferromagnetisch. Zum Schlusse wurde die wahrscheinliche Ursache des Ferromagnetismus im Umfang von x>0.55 kurz besprochen. Es scheint, dass man das Vorhandensein von ferromagnetischem Ilmcnit immer dann in Betracht ziehen muss, wenn man den Gesteinmagnetismus in Bezug auf die verschiedenen geophysikalischen Phänomene untersucht.

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Résumé On étudie les proprietés magnétiques et cristallographiques des solutions solides rhombohédralesxFeTiO₃. (1–x) Fe₂O₃ de l'hématite (Fe₂O₃) et de l'ilménite (FeTiO₃) pour l'étendue totale de 0 x 1. Les échantillons examinés sont des minéraux séparés par des grains naturels et des grains artificiellement synthétisés. On montre que les minéraux de la série hématite-ilménite sont ferromagnétiques pourx>0.55 et que leur point de Curie diminue en proportion à l'acroissement de x: il est atteind à 0 C quandx est environ 0.8. Les minéraux pour 0.55 >x >0 sont faiblement ferromagnétiques, étant probablement antiferromagnétiques comme l'hématite pure. Finalement, on discute briévement l'origine probable du ferromagnétisme des solutions solides dans l'étenduex>0.55. Il semble que la présence de l'ilménite ferromagnétique doit Être considérée lorsqu'on étudie le magnétisme des roches par rapport aux divers phénomènes géophysiques.

     

The lunar rock and mineral characterization consortium: Deconstruction and integrated mineralogical,petrologic, and spectroscopic analyses of mare basalts

The lunar rock and mineral characterization consortium (LRMCC) has conducted coordinated mineralogy/petrography/spectroscopy analyses of a suite of pristine lunar basalts. Four basalt slabs (two low‐Ti, two high‐Ti) and paired thin sections were analyzed. Thin sections were analyzed for mineralogy/petrography, while the slabs were used to prepare particulate separates of major mineral phases and bulk samples. Mineral separates and particulate bulk samples were crushed to controlled grain sizes and their reflectance spectra measured in the NASA RELAB at Brown University. The resulting data set provides an essential foundation for spectral mixing models, offers valuable endmember constraints for space weathering analyses, and represents critical new ground truth results for lunar science and exploration efforts.     

Observation of pressure-induced phase transition of δ-AlOOH by using single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction method

Pressure-induced phase transition of δ-AlOOH was confirmed between 6.1 and 8.2 GPa by using a single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction method. The phase transition is reversible and unquenchable. Results from analysis of the distribution of X-ray diffraction intensities at 8.2 GPa reveal an additional systematic, absence of k + l odd for 0kl in comparison with h + l odd for h0l observed prior to the phase transition (space group, P2₁ nm). The space group of the post-transition phase should be Pnnm or Pnn2 to satisfy the systematic absence rule. Crystal structure refinements of the post-transition phase conducted for the three models (Pnnm, Pnn2, and P2₁ nm) indicate that the space group of the post-transition phase is Pnnm. The O–O distance of hydrogen bond in the post-transition phase at 8.2 GPa is 2.439(6) Å and is significantly longer than the predicted distance (2.366 Å) of the hydrogen bond symmetrization in δ-AlOOH. The H distribution in the post-transition phase would display a fully disordered hydrogen bond pattern.     

Governance of disaster emergency wells in three cities in Japan affected by earthquakes

Concern has grown regarding how public and private sectors should make effective use of local groundwater to alleviate negative impacts of water-supply cutoff following an earthquake event, which can be regarded as an emergency groundwater governance problem. Existing literature on groundwater governance, however, is based on the tacit assumption of groundwater utilization under normal social conditions, and scant consideration has been given to the role of groundwater following occurrence of a natural disaster. This study conducted questionnaire surveys to reveal how groundwater was used in three cities (Kumamoto, Sapporo, and Sendai) in Japan struck by large earthquakes between 2010 and 2020. Results revealed substantial differences between these cities in terms of groundwater utilization following earthquake occurrence. The time between the restoration of the electricity supply and restoration of the waterworks, and the social capital accumulated by local governments, are indicated as possible reasons for such differences. Analysis also identified policy challenges for improved groundwater governance in an emergency: (1) establishment of a strategy for emergency water supply through combined use of groundwater and other water sources, (2) enhancement of methods for timely inspection of groundwater quality following occurrence of a disaster, (3) maintenance of records of the number of registered disaster emergency wells (DEWs), (4) creation of methods for publicizing locational information on DEWs with adequate regard for the privacy of well owners, and (5) recognition of the importance of making DEWs part of overall disaster preparedness.