Investigating the Astrophysical Applicability of Radiative and Non-Radiative Blast wave Structure in Cluster Media

We describe experiments that investigate the capability of an experimental platform, based on laser-driven blast waves created in a medium of atomic clusters, to produce results that can be scaled to astrophysical situations. Quantitative electron density profiles were obtained for blast waves produced in hydrogen, argon, krypton and xenon through the interaction of a high intensity (I ≈ 10¹⁷ Wcm⁻²), sub-ps laser pulse. From this we estimate the local post-shock temperature, compressibility, shock strength and adiabatic index for each gas. Direct comparisons between blast wave structures for consistent relative gas densities were achieved through careful gas jet parameter control. From these we investigate the applicability of different radiative and Sedov-Taylor self-similar solutions, and therefore the (ρ,T) phase space that we can currently access.     

The 2dF-SDSS LRG and QSO Survey: the star formation histories of luminous red galaxies

We present a detailed investigation into the recent star formation histories of 5697 luminous red galaxies (LRGs) based on the Hδ (4101 Å), and [O  ii ] (3727 Å) lines and the D4000 index. LRGs are luminous  ( L > 3 L *)  galaxies which have been selected to have photometric properties consistent with an old, passively evolving stellar population. For this study, we utilize LRGs from the recently completed 2dF-SDSS LRG and QSO Survey (2SLAQ). Equivalent widths of the Hδ and [O  ii ] lines are measured and used to define three spectral types, those with only strong Hδ absorption (k+a), those with strong [O  ii ] in emission (em) and those with both (em+a). All other LRGs are considered to have passive star formation histories. The vast majority of LRGs are found to be passive (∼80 per cent); however, significant numbers of k+a (2.7 per cent), em+a (1.2 per cent) and em LRGs (8.6 per cent) are identified. An investigation into the redshift dependence of the fractions is also performed. A sample of SDSS MAIN galaxies with colours and luminosities consistent with the 2SLAQ LRGs is selected to provide a low-redshift comparison. While the em and em+a fractions are consistent with the low-redshift SDSS sample, the fraction of k+a LRGs is found to increase significantly with redshift. This result is interpreted as an indication of an increasing amount of recent star formation activity in LRGs with redshift. By considering the expected lifetime of the k+a phase, the number of LRGs which will undergo a k+a phase can be estimated. A crude comparison of this estimate with the predictions from semi-analytic models of galaxy formation shows that the predicted level of k+a and em+a activities is not sufficient to reconcile the predicted mass growth for massive early types in a hierarchical merging scenario.     

Sedimentation rates on embanked floodplains determined through quartz optical dating

We investigate the use of quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating for determining fluvial overbank sedimentation rates over decades to centuries. For the study we took 11 samples from three cores from an embanked floodplain along the River Waal (Rhine) near Neerijnen (The Netherlands). We propose a measurement protocol for young fluvial quartz based on the single-aliquot regenerative dose procedure. Parameters for the protocol are chosen to isolate the fast OSL component, eliminate an ultrafast OSL component and avoid thermal transfer. The protocol shows excellent dose recovery and recycling ratios. For each sample, a Gaussian is fitted to the lower part of the equivalent dose distribution to obtain an estimate of the burial dose. We discuss the validity of the OSL ages using internal and external controls, and conclude that there is no evidence for large systematic offsets in the OSL ages. OSL based sedimentation rates are between ～3 and 8 mm/a, in line with previous estimates.     

A statistically selected Chandra sample of 20 galaxy clusters – II. Gas properties and cool core/non-cool core bimodality

We investigate the thermodynamic and chemical structure of the intracluster medium (ICM) across a statistical sample of 20 galaxy clusters analysed with the Chandra X-ray satellite. In particular, we focus on the scaling properties of the gas density, metallicity and entropy and the comparison between clusters with and without cool cores (CCs). We find marked differences between the two categories except for the gas metallicity, which declines strongly with radius for all clusters  ( Z ∝ r ^−0.31)  , outside  ∼0.02 r ₅₀₀  . The scaling of gas entropy is non-self-similar and we find clear evidence of bimodality in the distribution of logarithmic slopes of the entropy profiles. With only one exception, the steeper sloped entropy profiles are found in CC clusters whereas the flatter slope population are all non-CC clusters. We explore the role of thermal conduction in stabilizing the ICM and conclude that this mechanism alone is sufficient to balance cooling in non-CC clusters. However, CC clusters appear to form a distinct population in which heating from feedback is required in addition to conduction. Under the assumption that non-CC clusters are thermally stabilized by conduction alone, we find the distribution of Spitzer conduction suppression factors, f _c, to be lognormal, with a log (base 10) mean of  −1.50 ± 0.03  (i.e.   f _c= 0.032  ) and log standard deviation  0.39 ± 0.02  .     

The 2dF-SDSS LRG and QSO Survey: the spectroscopic QSO catalogue

We present the final spectroscopic QSO catalogue from the 2dF-SDSS LRG (luminous red galaxy) and QSO (2SLAQ) survey. This is a deep,  18 < g < 21.85  (extinction corrected), sample aimed at probing in detail the faint end of the broad line active galactic nuclei luminosity distribution at   z ≲ 2.6  . The candidate QSOs were selected from SDSS photometry and observed spectroscopically with the 2dF spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. This sample covers an area of 191.9 deg² and contains new spectra of 16 326 objects, of which 8764 are QSOs and 7623 are newly discovered [the remainder were previously identified by the 2dF QSO Redshift Survey (2QZ) and SDSS]. The full QSO sample (including objects previously observed in the SDSS and 2QZ surveys) contains 12 702 QSOs. The new 2SLAQ spectroscopic data set also contains 2343 Galactic stars, including 362 white dwarfs, and 2924 narrow emission-line galaxies with a median redshift of   z = 0.22  .
We present detailed completeness estimates for the survey, based on modelling of QSO colours, including host-galaxy contributions. This calculation shows that at   g ≃ 21.85  QSO colours are significantly affected by the presence of a host galaxy up to redshift   z ∼ 1  in the SDSS ugriz bands. In particular, we see a significant reddening of the objects in   g − i   towards the fainter g -band magnitudes. This reddening is consistent with the QSO host galaxies being dominated by a stellar population of age at least 2–3 Gyr.
The full catalogue, including completeness estimates, is available on-line at http://www.2slaq.info/ .     

Geography as the world discipline: connecting popular and academic geographical imaginations

This article addresses and connects two areas of controversy within contemporary geography: the parochialism of contemporary human geography and the gulf between university and non-university geography. It is argued that we can find the cause of the latter phenomenon in the origin of the former, namely in academic geography's unwillingness to re-imagine the 'global claim' that it has inherited from its imperial past. This difficulty has created the conditions for the representation of popular geography as intrinsically dated, as politically suspect and/or as mere 'traveller's tales'. It is suggested that geography cannot escape the burden of its global claim. Rather it needs to critically engage this formerly imperial paradigm and, in so doing, re-ignite geography's role in public debate and as public knowledge.     

Numerical models of hydraulic fracturing and the interpretation of syntectonic veins

The hydraulic fracture is modelled as an ellipse in an infinite elastic medium with an internal fluid pressure and loaded under biaxial stresses at infinity. The available stress function for this model has been evaluated numerically, and the magnitudes of the stresses generated around the crack calculated for a variety of loading conditions and crack orientations. Fracture initiation is predicted from the Griffith maximum tensile stress criterion. The location of the maximum tensile stress around the crack is recorded and it is found that for many conditions of applied stresses and crack fluid pressure, the hydraulic shear fracture has a symmetrically developed maximum tensile stress and fracture initiation will occur by growth along the direction of the crack. It is also predicted that fracture initiation will occur when the ratio of fluid pressure to applied least principal stress is considerably less than one. The elastic strain energy fields around elliptical hydraulic flaws have been calculated, and in particular, the change in strain energy upon introduction of a small flaw, and the change in strain energy upon growth of this flaw, have been investigated. The results allow an evaluation of the second part of the Griffith criterion-that fracture growth is accompanied by a decrease in strain energy-for hydraulic fractures. Changes in strain energy with small increases in fluid pressure provide a physical basis for dilatancy hardening and fracture instability. Quasi-static growth from a flaw is modelled by calculating changes in strain energy for unit increases in half length. The distinction between fractures which show an increasing and a decreasing rate of change in strain energy with increasing length, and between fractures which may only extend spontaneously for short distances and those which may show extensive spontaneous growth on the basis of the rate of change of strain energy with length, is made. A gradual drop in crack fluid pressure once the threshold for fracture initiation has been passed may promote the extent to which spontaneous crack growth occurs.The formation of syntectonic veins, particularly in rocks being deformed under low grade metamorphic conditions, is often the most abundant evidence of natural hydraulic fracturing in rocks. Commonly observed geometric features of syntectonic veins-length, simple tapering, symmetric and asymmetric forking, branching, irregular zig-zag traces, en échelon patterns—are discussed primarily with reference to the strain energy model for growth established, and the geometric variation is interpreted in terms of variation in applied stress and fluid pressure conditions and the rate of change of stored strain energy with crack growth. In particular, terminal branching arises when the minimum stress changes from a symmetric to an asymmetric location at the tip of a growing shear fracture, and terminal forking results when there is an increase in the energy release rate during crack growth, and may be symmetric or asymmetric depending on the location of the minimum stress at the crack tip at the time of forking.     

Lateglacial and Holocene talus slope development and rockwall retreat on Mynydd Du, UK

Modification of Lateglacial and Holocene talus sheets by debris flows and gully incision on Mynydd Du, Wales, has resulted in a convergence of upper slope form characterised by an upper rectilinear slope gradient of 36°±3° and a range of concavities of c. 0.1–0.2. In most cases, gully incision and accumulation of debris cones have led to an increase in slope concavity. Evidence for talus erosion, reworking and redeposition on the upper slope emphasises secondary reworking processes, as well as primary talus accumulation on the upper slope, and permits construction of a model of talus development at Mynydd Du. On the basis of talus volume, calculation of the first rockwall retreat data set for southern Britain suggests that c. 7.1 m (84%) of overall rockwall retreat (8.5 m) took place during the Lateglacial, and only c. 1.4 m (16%) occurred during the Holocene. These figures imply that Lateglacial retreat rates ranged from 1.01 to 2.44 m ka⁻¹, with an overall mean rate of 1.23 m ka⁻¹. In contrast, Holocene rockwall retreat rates range from 0.10 to 0.17 m ka⁻¹, with a mean rate of 0.12 m ka⁻¹. Approximately 27% of cliff retreat is attributed to microgelivation. While similar to Holocene and present-day alpine environments, these Lateglacial retreat rates are one order of magnitude higher than most equivalent values for arctic sites. This reflects both ‘alpine-style’ diurnal freeze–thaw activity on Mynydd Du during the Younger Dryas and paraglacial rock-mass instability following deglaciation. Assuming an exponential decline in rockwall sediment release, it is estimated that approximately half the talus had accumulated within c. 1 ka of deglaciation. At one site, paraglacial talus accumulation appears to have contributed significantly to the glacial sediment transport system of a subsequent ice advance. Present-day rates of rockwall retreat and talus accumulation by rockfall are estimated to be 0.014 and 0.022 mm yr⁻¹ (m ka⁻¹), respectively, similar to values for other British sites and markedly lower than Holocene rates of cliff recession due to microgelivation. By implication, the geomorphic significance of microgelivation may have been greatly underestimated in studies of inland rock-slope evolution in temperate, mid-latitude environments.     

Seismic stratigraphic analysis of non-marine Lower Cretaceous strata in the Wessex and North Celtic Sea Basins

Non-marine strata of Early Cretaceous age ('Wealden facies') are found at outcrop in the type localities of the Wessex Basins, southern England (and adjacent subsurface) and in extensive and thick successions filling the North Celtic Sea Basin. Sedimentology, paleontology, petrology and geochemistry have traditionally been used as evidence in determining the climatic, tectonic and sea level controls on Wealden facies, sedimentary processes and stratigraphy. Analysis of seismic data, through seismic facies and sequence stratigraphic analysis, allows direct comparison of the Wealden in these basins and new interpretations to be made of the tectonic and depositional influences. In the north-eastern end of the North Celtic Sea Basin, tectonic controls on seismic facies can be demonstrated and are related to coarse-grained fan-delta horizons documented in core. In the south-western North Celtic Sea Basin, adjacent to the Cretaceous proto-Atlantic, tectonic controls are less apparent, and changes in relative sea level were probably more important in controlling the preservation of stratigraphic sequences. Where the non-marine Lower Cretaceous succession is imaged clearly, the stratigraphic similarity between parts of the North Celtic Sea and the Weald and Channel Basins suggests a wider control by relative sea-level fluctuations. However, important variations in seismic facies within the basins indicate localized, dominant tectonic control. The recognition of a very distinctive 'lower' Wealden seismic facies, observed as undulatory (?channelized) and downlapping reflections, is contrasted with either the parallel or synsedimentary fault-dominated 'upper' Wealden facies. These seismic characteristics reflect the previously recognized climatic/tectonic change from Hastings to Weald Clay Group environments. The debate on tectonics versus eustacy is further complicated: palaeoclimate appears to be a third process responsible for stratigraphic variation.