Advanced Technology Solar Telescope: A status report

Magnetic fields control the inconstant Sun. The key to understanding solar variability and its direct impact on the Earth rests with understanding all aspects of these magnetic fields. The Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) has been design specifically for magnetic remote sensing. Its collecting area, spatial resolution, scattered light, polarization properties, and wavelength performance all insure ATST will be able to observe magnetic fields at all heights in the solar atmosphere from photosphere to corona. After several years of design efforts, ATST has been approved by the U.S. National Science Foundation to begin construction with a not to exceed cost cap of approximately $298M. Work packages for major telescope components will be released for bid over the next several months. An application for a building permit has been submitted (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

European Solar Telescope: Progress status

In this paper, the present status of the development of the design of the European Solar Telescope is described. The telescope is devised to have the best possible angular resolution and polarimetric performance, maximizing the throughput of the whole system. To that aim, adaptive optics and multi‐conjugate adaptive optics are integrated in the optical path. The system will have the possibility to correct for the diurnal variation of the distance to the turbulence layers, by using several deformable mirrors, conjugated at different heights. The present optical design of the telescope distributes the optical elements along the optical path in such a way that the instrumental polarization induced by the telescope is minimized and independent of the solar elevation and azimuth. This property represents a large advantage for polarimetric measurements. The ensemble of instruments that are planned is also presented (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Infrared spectral evolution of carbon stars

We collected almost all Highly Processed Data Products(HPDP)of ISO SWS01 spectra for the Galactic visual carbon stars,infrared carbon stars,extreme carbon stars and carbon-rich proto-planetary nebulae(PPNs).Those infrared spectra are primarily analyzed and discussed.It is shown that either spectral shapes/peaks,or main molecular/dust features are evidenced to change in the sequence of visual carbon stars,infrared carbon stars,extreme carbon stars and carbon-rich PPNs.Statistically,in this sequence,continua are gradually changed from blue to red and locations of spectral peaks of continua are also gradually changed from short wavelengths to long wavelengths.In addition,in this sequence,intensifies of main molecular/dust features are also gradually changed from prominent in the short wavelengths to prominent in the long wavelengths.Furthermore,from 2MASS and IRAS photometric data,the sequence is also proved.Results in this paper strongly support the previous suggestion for the evolution sequence of carbon-rich objects in our Galaxy,that is the sequence of visual carbon stars→infrared carbon stars→extreme carbon stars→carbon-rich PPNs.     

法国高层大气所空间综合孔径项目研究进展

概述了法国高层大气所空间综合孔径项目背景、科学目标以及有效载荷,介绍了该项目演示系统的基本工作原理,探讨了该演示系统的望远子系统、指向子系统、共相子系统和成像子系统,并分别给出了该演示系统在非共相控制和共相控制情况下对半导体激光器和白光点光源的成像结果,实验结果表明演示系统不同独立望远镜之间已经基本实现了共相成像。最后对该演示系统进行了总结,并指出该系统可以进一步优化之处。该演示系统对我国综合孔径成像实验研究具有一定的借鉴意义。     

用于测量圆顶视宁度的微温脉动仪的研制

为评价云南天文台丽江2.4m望远镜的圆顶视宁度,研制了一种能测量温度、气压和微温脉动的仪器。在天文圆顶附近,望远镜前方光路上,放置几组微温传感器,可以测得圆顶附近影响天文观测的湍流强度的分布情况。介绍了这套仪器的基本原理,电路设计,程序设计,实验定标以及一个简单的测试。     

Distribution and interplay of geologic processes on Titan from Cassini radar data

The Cassini Titan Radar Mapper is providing an unprecedented view of Titan’s surface geology. Here we use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image swaths (Ta-T30) obtained from October 2004 to December 2007 to infer the geologic processes that have shaped Titan’s surface. These SAR swaths cover about 20% of the surface, at a spatial resolution ranging from ∼350 m to ∼2 km. The SAR data are distributed over a wide latitudinal and longitudinal range, enabling some conclusions to be drawn about the global distribution of processes. They reveal a geologically complex surface that has been modified by all the major geologic processes seen on Earth - volcanism, tectonism, impact cratering, and erosion and deposition by fluvial and aeolian activity. In this paper, we map geomorphological units from SAR data and analyze their areal distribution and relative ages of modification in order to infer the geologic evolution of Titan’s surface. We find that dunes and hummocky and mountainous terrains are more widespread than lakes, putative cryovolcanic features, mottled plains, and craters and crateriform structures that may be due to impact. Undifferentiated plains are the largest areal unit; their origin is uncertain. In terms of latitudinal distribution, dunes and hummocky and mountainous terrains are located mostly at low latitudes (less than 30°), with no dunes being present above 60°. Channels formed by fluvial activity are present at all latitudes, but lakes are at high latitudes only. Crateriform structures that may have been formed by impact appear to be uniformly distributed with latitude, but the well-preserved impact craters are all located at low latitudes, possibly indicating that more resurfacing has occurred at higher latitudes. Cryovolcanic features are not ubiquitous, and are mostly located between 30° and 60° north. We examine temporal relationships between units wherever possible, and conclude that aeolian and fluvial/pluvial/lacustrine processes are the most recent, while tectonic processes that led to the formation of mountains and Xanadu are likely the most ancient.     

塔里木盆地寒武系层状硅质岩与硅化岩的元素、δ30Si、δ18O地球化学研究

塔里木盆地寒武系发育层状硅质岩和硅化岩,层状硅质岩主要发育于塔东下寒武统深水沉积相区;硅化岩发育于塔东上寒武统斜坡沉积区与西部台地区寒武系白云岩中。根据显微结构特征,可将硅化岩分为放射状硅化岩与交代残余结构硅化岩两种。分析结果表明,层状硅质岩在Al—Fe-Mn三元图中位于正常海水沉积硅质岩区内,在微量元素平均地壳标准化图解上显示平缓右倾的特征;层状硅质岩Si同位素组成护。δ30Si为0．99‰～1．4‰,O同位素组成δ18O为21．4‰～24．4‰,与沉积型硅质岩相吻合,指示了正常海水沉积成因。硅化岩区别于层状硅质岩的典型特征是具有高U异常的特征;罗西斜坡放射状硅化岩具有较高的微量元素和稀土元素含量（∑REE为18．8～96．9μg／g）与较低的Si、O同位素值（δ18O和δ30Si值分别为15．8‰和1．7‰）;西部台地区交代残余结构硅化岩具有较低微量元素和稀土元素含量（∑REE为0．58～2．61μg／g）与较高的δ30Si（1．0‰～3．8‰）、δ18O（21．6‰～27．0‰）值特征。盆地东西部硅化岩的地球化学差异可能与硅化流体的温度差异有关,罗西斜坡放射状硅化岩硅化温度相对更高;另一方面,硅化过程对h430SiO4选择性较高,因而形成的交代石英具有较高的铲勘值。根据古城4井硅化岩包裹体均一温度与交代石英的O同位素值计算得到交代流体的δ18O值为9．1‰,该值与酸性岩浆水的δ18O值相似,指示了硅化流体可能来自于岩浆或变质水;以δ18O值（9．1‰）作为西部台地区硅化流体的O同位素值,计算得到西部台地区硅化岩硅化流体温度为101．3～158．5℃。根据石英O同位素温度计计算的硅化流体温度呈东高西低的趋势,指示了硅化流体可能来自台地东部。     

Geology and activity around volcanoes on Io from the analysis of NIMS spectral images

The last two successful flybys of Io by Galileo in 2001 (orbits I31, I32) allowed the Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer to enrich its collection of IR spectral image cubes of the satellite. These data cover hemispheric portions of Io, several volcanic centers as well as their surroundings with a spatial resolution ranging from 2 to 93 km pixel⁻¹. They map thermal emission from the hot-spots and the distribution of solid SO₂ in the 1.0-4.7 μm spectral range. We obtain maps of SO₂ abundance and granularity from the NIMS data using the method of Douté et al. (2002, Icarus 158, 460-482). The maps are correlated to distinguish four different physical units that indicate zones of SO₂ condensation, metamorphism and sublimation. We relate these information with visible images from Galileo's Solid State Imaging System and with detailed mapping of the thermal emission produced by Io's surface. Our principal goal is to understand the mechanisms controlling how lava, pyroclastics and gas are emitted by different types of volcanoes and how these products evolve. The 800 km diameter white ring of fallout created by a violent “Pillanian” eruption during summer of 2001 is at least partly composed of solid SO₂ and has enriched preexisting regional deposits. Orange materials have been recently or are currently emplaced 240 km south from the main eruption site, possibly as sulfur flows. A similar event may have taken place in the past at Ababinili Patera (12.5° N, 142° W). Carefull study of SO₂ maps covering the Emakong region also suggests that sulfur forms the bright channel-fed flow emerging from the south eastern side of the caldera. Within the main caldera of Tvashtar Catena completely cooled patches of crust exist. Elsewhere, the caldera is still cooling from previous episodes of flooding. We confirm that Amirani emits constantly large amount of SO₂ gas by interaction of fresh lava with the volatiles of the underlying plains. Nevertheless SO₂ frost is not the major component of the bright white ring seen in the SSI images. Over the whole Gish Bar region, SO₂ frost seems barely stable and is constantly regenerated. The stability increases along gray filamentary structures which could be faults filled with materials having peculiar thermal properties. Northwest of Gish Bar Patera, a localized bright deposit shows an unusual spectral signature potentially indicative of H₂O molecules forming ice crystals or being trapped in a nonidentified matrix. The Chaac region may present a thickened old crust reducing the geothermal flux to levels lower than 0.5 W m⁻² and thus creating a cold trap for SO₂. Looking at the abundance and degree of metamorphose of SO₂, we establish the relative age of different flows and ejecta for the Sobo Fluctus. Finally the assumption that the white patches in visible images indicate SO₂ rich deposits is once again challenged. In the Camaxtli region we identify a topographically controlled compact white deposit showing only moderate SO₂ abundance. In contrast, we detect two spots of quite pure SO₂ ice on the gray flanks of Emakong. Furthermore, the close association of fumarolic SO₂ and red S₂ already noted for several volcanic centers is observed at Tupan.     

山东东营凹陷新生代天文地层表简介

综合山东东营凹陷郝科1等6口井的天文地层研究结果提出"东营凹陷新生代天文地层表",表中列出的是"国际地层表(2004)"、"中国区域年代地层表(2000)"和0—65Ma期间天文偏心率405ka周期编号以及东营凹陷孔店组(顶部)至平原组各组的年龄以及东营凹陷新生代51Ma以来3个大的地层不整合:1)沙河街组二段下部,大约33.8—33.4Ma期间405ka周期振幅不明显、100ka周期较强,与南大西洋33.4—33.7Ma和热带太平洋33.6—33.7Ma期间沉积物中显著转折等特征可作对比;2)东营组-馆陶组界线上下,东营组三角洲顶面最后萎缩时间约为24.467Ma,推测由此至渐新世末(23.03Ma),大约近1.5Myr期间本区没有大的湖泊,而是冲积—河流相沉积,中新世初(23.03Ma)快速隆起,直到约18—16Ma开始馆下段的上部沉积,这一区域性角度不整合面形成大约持续5—7Myr;3)上新统-更新统界线上下,根据本区东辛2-4井古地磁和天文地层研究,测出布容、松山、高斯和吉尔伯特等4个极性时,求出2.546Ma—1.806Ma期间[明上(上)亚段顶]可能沉积并剥蚀过的地层厚度为129m;1.806—0.908Ma期间,因构造活动本区上升成为高山,第四系平一段底部形成了大的不整合面。     

山东济阳坳陷始新统-渐新统天文地层界线年龄分析

山东济阳坳陷沙河街组上部天文地层研究是以牛38井沙三段中亚段顶界年龄34.892Ma作为标定,分析和计算出沙二段下亚段底年龄为33.799Ma、沙段二段上亚段底为33.338Ma、沙一段底为32.940Ma和东营组底为31.829Ma。从天文地层界线年龄分析,沙三段-沙二段界线的年龄大致可对比为"国际地层表(2004)"始新统-渐新统界线年龄33.90Ma,而沙二段下亚段-上亚段界线年龄比国际始新统-渐新统界线的滞后大约600ka。在"中国区域地层表"始新统-渐新统界线年龄(32Ma)和"国际地层表"的始新统-渐新统界线年龄(33.9Ma)之差的1.9Myr,大致相当于本区计算的沙一、二段的持续时间。SP数据的小波分析表明,在沙二段-沙三上亚段界线附近,即约33.8Ma之后,约405ka周期开始变得不明显、不规则,幅度亦下降,剧烈突变发生时间在33.4Ma左右。上述界线对应偏心率周期的理论值突变的时间。因此推论始新世-渐新世转折期是偏心率多个理论周期重迭而导致的一个特殊的时期,也是本区沙二段下亚段这段地层形成不整合面的时间,大约在33.8—33.4Ma期间。