Lissajous trajectories for lunar global positioning and communication systems

This work proposes a Lunar Global Positioning System (LGPS) and a Lunar Global Communication System (LGCS) using two constellations of satellites on Lissajous trajectories around the collinear L ₁ and L ₂ libration points in the Earth–Moon system. This solution is compared against a Walker constellation around the Moon similar to the one used for the Global Positioning System (GPS) on the Earth to evaluate the main differences between the two cases and the advantages of adopting the Lissajous constellations. The problem is first studied using the Circular Restricted Three Body Problem to find out its main features. The study is then repeated with higher fidelity using a four-body model and higher-order reference trajectories to simulate the Earth-Moon-spacecraft dynamics more accurately. The LGPS performance is evaluated for both on-ground and in-flight users, and a visibility study for the LGCS is used to check that communication between opposite sides of the Moon is possible. The total ΔV required for the transfer trajectories from the Earth to the constellations and the trajectory control is calculated. Finally, the estimated propellant consumption and the total number of satellites for the Walker constellation and the Lissajous constellations is used as a performance index to compare the two proposed solutions.     

Are fossil groups a challenge of the cold dark matter paradigm?

We study six groups and clusters of galaxies suggested in the literature to be 'fossil' systems (i.e. to have luminous diffuse X-ray emission and a magnitude gap of at least 2 mag R between the first and the second ranked member within half of the virial radius), each having good quality X-ray data and Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectroscopic or photometric coverage out to the virial radius. The poor cluster AWM 4 is clearly established as a fossil system, and we confirm the fossil nature of four other systems (RX J1331.5+1108, RX J1340.6+4018, RX J1256.0+2556 and RX J1416.4+2315), while the cluster RX J1552.2+2013 is disqualified as fossil system. For all systems, we present the luminosity functions within 0.5 and 1 virial radius that are consistent, within the uncertainties, with the universal luminosity function of clusters. For the five bona fide fossil systems, having a mass range  2 × 10¹³–3 × 10¹⁴ M_⊙  , we compute accurate cumulative substructure distribution functions (CSDFs) and compare them with the CSDFs of observed and simulated groups/clusters available in the literature. We demonstrate that the CSDFs of fossil systems are consistent with those of normal observed clusters and do not lack any substructure with respect to simulated galaxy systems in the cosmological Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) framework. In particular, this holds for the archetype fossil group RX J1340.6+4018 as well, contrary to earlier claims.     

Influence of glass polymerisation and oxidation on micro-Raman water analysis in alumino-silicate glasses

The development of an accurate analytical procedure for determination of dissolved water in complex alumino-silicate glasses via micro-Raman analysis requires the assessment of the spectra topology dependence on glass composition. We report here a detailed study of the respective influence of bulk composition, iron oxidation state and total water content on the absolute and relative intensities of the main Raman bands related to glass network vibrations (LF: ∼490 cm⁻¹; HF: ∼960 cm⁻¹) and total water stretching (H₂O_T: ∼3550 cm⁻¹) in natural glasses. The evolution of spectra topology was examined in (i) 33 anhydrous glasses produced by the re-melting of natural rock samples, which span a very large range of polymerisation degree (NBO/T from 0.00 to 1.16), (ii) 2 sets of synthetic anhydrous basaltic glasses with variable iron oxidation state (Fe³⁺/Fe_T from 0.05 to 0.87), and (iii) 6 sets of natural hydrous glasses (C_H2OT from 0.4 to 7.0 wt%) with NBO/T varying from 0.01 to 0.76.In the explored domain of water concentration, external calibration procedure based on the H₂O_T band height is matrix-independent but its accuracy relies on precise control of the focusing depth and beam energy on the sample. Matrix-dependence strongly affects the internal calibrations based on H₂O_T height scaled to that of LF or HF bands but its effect decreases from acid (low NBO/T, SM) to basic (high NBO/T, SM) glasses. Structural parameters such as NBO/T (non-bridging oxygen per tetrahedron) and SM (sum of structural modifiers) describe the matrix-dependence better than simple compositional parameters (e.g. SiO₂, Na₂O + K₂O). Iron oxidation state has only a minor influence on band topology in basalts and is thus not expected to significantly affect the Raman determinations of water in mafic (e.g. low SiO₂, iron-rich) glasses. Modelling the evolution of the relative band height with polymerisation degree allows us to propose a general equation to predict the dissolved water content in natural glasses:

     

Retention of biosignatures and mass-independent fractionations in pyrite: Self-diffusion of sulfur

Self-diffusion of sulfur in pyrite (FeS₂) was characterized over the temperature range ∼500-725 °C (∼1 bar pressure) by immersing natural specimens in a bath of molten elemental ³⁴S and characterizing the resulting diffusive-exchange profiles by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). The temperature dependence of the sulfur diffusivity (D_S) conforms to D_S = D_o exp(−E_a/RT), where the pre-exponential constant (D_o) and the activation energy (E_a) are constrained as follows:

     

Formal proposal for the Bathonian GSSP (Middle Jurassic) in the Ravin du Bès Section (Bas-Auran, SE France)

The Bathonian Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) is proposed at the base of limestone bed RB071 (bed 23 in Sturani 1967) in the Ravin du Bès Section (43° 57′ 38′′ N, 6° 18′ 55′′ E), Bas-Auran area, “Alpes de Haute Provence” French department. The Ravin du Bès Section, as formal candidate GSSP for the base of the Bathonian Stage, satisfies most of the requirements recommended by the International Commission on Stratigraphy: 1) The exposure extends over 13 m in thickness. At the Bajocian-Bathonian transition, no vertical (bio-, ichno- or tapho-) facies changes, condensation, stratigraphic gaps or hiatuses have been recorded. Structural complexity, synsedimentary and tectonic disturbances, or important alterations by metamorphism are not relevant constraints. 2) There is a well-preserved, abundant and diverse fossil record across the boundary interval, with key markers (ammonites and nannofossils) for worldwide correlation. The base of the Bathonian Stage and Zigzag Zone in Bas-Auran corresponds to the first occurrence level of Gonolkites convergens Buckman, which coincides with the first occurrence of Morphoceras parvum Wetzel. Calcareous nannofossils, as secondary global marker, are present in all beds and allow characterizing the Bajocian-Bathonian transition. 3) Regional analyses of sequence stratigraphy and manganese chemostratigraphy are available. Spectral gamma-ray data corroborate an Early Bathonian deepening half-cycle of second order. 4) The criteria of accessibility, conservation and protection are assured by the “Réserve Naturelle Géologique de Haute Provence”. The Cabo Mondego Section (Portugal) is suggested as the Bathonian auxiliary section and point (ASSP) within this GSSP proposal.     

Sediment chemical contamination of a shallow water area close to the industrial zone of Porto Marghera (Venice Lagoon, Italy)

The industrial zone of Porto Marghera is one the most important "contaminated sites of national interest" (SIN) in Italy, being identified as an area of high environmental risk. The site includes a wide shallow water area of the Venice Lagoon extending toward the city of Venice, which was investigated in order to acquire information on the pollutant level and distribution. Grain-size, heavy metal, nutrient, and organic micropollutant concentrations were determined in the surface sediment layers (0-5 and 5-10 cm depths) of 51 sites. A generally low contamination was found, except for Hg concentration, which increases the toxicological risk in most of the sites of the area, according to the results of a comparison with Sediment Quality Guidelines. A heavy pollution fingerprint (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn up to 15.2, 257, 11.9, 248, and 3010 mg/kg d.w., respectively) was instead found near the Tresse Island, which is ascribed to the spill of pollutants from the contaminated sediment disposed therein. Grain-size and heavy metal profiles down to a depth of 40 cm in eight selected sites, finally show a probable decrease of the pollution affecting the area in recent years.     

Identifying run‐off contributions during melt‐induced run‐off events in a glacierized alpine catchment

We analysed contributions to run‐off using hourly stream water samples from seven individual melt‐induced run‐off events (plus one rainfall event) during 2011, 2012 and 2013 in two nested glacierized catchments in the Eastern Italian Alps. Electrical conductivity and stable isotopes of water were used for mixing analysis and two‐component and three‐component hydrograph separation. High‐elevation snowmelt, glacier melt and autumn groundwater were identified as major end‐members. Discharge and tracers in the stream followed the diurnal variations of air temperature but markedly reacted to rainfall inputs. Hysteresis patterns between discharge and electrical conductivity during the melt‐induced run‐off events revealed contrasting loop directions at the two monitored stream sections. Snowmelt contribution to run‐off was highest in June and July (up to 33%), whereas the maximum contribution of glacier melt was reached in August (up to 65%). The maximum groundwater and rainfall contributions were 62% and 11%, respectively. Run‐off events were generally characterized by decreasing snowmelt and increasing glacier melt fractions from the beginning to the end of the summer 2012, while run‐off events in 2013 showed less variable snowmelt and lower glacier melt contributions than in 2012. The results provided essential insights into the complex dynamics of melt‐induced run‐off events and may be of further use in the context of water resource management in alpine catchments. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Recent (1980–2009) evidence of climate change in the upper Karakoram, Pakistan

We investigate here recent (1980–2009) climate variability in the upper Karakoram, Northern Pakistan, of particular interest given the peculiar glacier behavior during the last two decades. Differently from other glacierized regions in the Hindu Kush–Karakoram–Himalaya region, glaciers in the Karakoram display limited ice thinning, and in some cases advancing has been detected. Climate analysis is required to describe recent (i.e., last three decades) variability, to aid highlighting of the factors driving glacier evolution. Starting from monthly data, we analyze seasonal values of total precipitation, number of wet days, maximum (max) and minimum (min) air temperature, max precipitation in 24 h, and cloud cover for 17 weather stations in the upper Karakoram, clustered within three climatic regions as per use of principal components analysis. We detect possible nonstationarity in each of these regions by way of (1) linear regression, (2) moving window average, and (3) Mann–Kendall test, also in progressive form, to detect the onset date of possible trends. We then evaluate linear correlation coefficients between Northern Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index and climate variables to assess effectiveness of teleconnections, claimed recently to affect climate in this area. Also, we compare temperature within the investigated zone against global temperature anomalies, to evidence enhanced warming within this area. We found mostly nonsignificant changes of total precipitation, unless for few stations displaying increase in Chitral-Hindu Kush region and Northwest Karakoram, or Gilgit area, and decrease in Western Himalaya, Kotli region. Max precipitation is mostly unchanged, unless for slight increase in Chitral and Gilgit areas, and slight decrease in Kotli region. Number of wet days is mostly increasing in Gilgit area, and decreasing in Chitral area, with no clear signal in Kotli region. Min temperatures increase always but during Summer, when decreasing values are detected, especially for Gilgit and Chitral regions. Max temperatures are found to increase everywhere. Cloud cover is significantly increasing in Gilgit area, but decreasing otherwise, especially in Kotli region. Max temperature regime is significantly positively correlated against global thermal anomaly, while min temperature regime is nonsignificantly negatively correlated. Max and min temperatures seem mostly negatively correlated to NAO. Some dependence of trend intensity for the considered variables against altitude is found, different for each region, suggesting that investigation of weather variables at the highest altitudes is warranted to discriminate further climate variability in the area.     

Melting of Fe–Ni–Si and Fe–Ni–S alloys at megabar pressures: implications for the core–mantle boundary temperature

High pressure melting behavior of three Fe-alloys containing 5 wt% Ni and (1) 10 wt% Si, (2) 15 wt% Si or (3) 12 wt% S was investigated up to megabar pressures by in situ X-ray diffraction and laser-heated diamond anvil cell techniques. We observe a decrease in melting temperature with increasing Si content over the entire investigated pressure range. This trend is used to discuss the melting curve of pure Fe. Moreover, our measurements of eutectic melting in the Fe–Fe₃S system show a change in slope around 50 GPa concomitant with the fcc–hcp phase transition in pure solid iron. Extrapolations of our melting curve up to the core–mantle boundary pressure yield values of 3,600–3,750 K for the freezing temperature of plausible outer core compositions.     

Dissolution and carbonation of a serpentinite: Inferences from acid attack and high P-T experiments performed in aqueous solutions at variable salinity

Dissolution experiments on a serpentinite were performed at 70 °C, 0.1 MPa, in H₂SO₄ solution, in open and closed systems, in order to evaluate the overall dissolution rate of mineral components over different times (4, 9 and 24 h). In addition, the serpentinite powder was reacted with a NaCl-bearing aqueous solution and supercritical CO₂ for 24 h at higher pressures (9-30 MPa) and temperatures (250-300 °C) either in a stirred reactor or in an externally-heated pressure vessel to assess both the dissolution rate of serpentinite minerals and the progress of the carbonation reaction. Results show that, at 0.1 MPa, MgO extraction from serpentinite ranges from 82% to 98% and dissolution rate varies from 8.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ mole m⁻² s⁻¹ to 4.2 × 10⁻⁹ mole m⁻² s⁻¹. Attempts to obtain carbonates from the Mg-rich solutions by increasing their pH failed since Mg- and NH₄- bearing sulfates promptly precipitated. On the other hand, at higher pressures, significant crystallization (5.0-10.4 wt%) of Ca- and Fe-bearing magnesite was accomplished at 30 MPa and 300 °C using 100 g L⁻¹ NaCl aqueous solutions. The corresponding amount of CO₂ sequestered by crystallization of carbonates is 9.4-15.9 mole%. Dissolution rate (from 6.3 × 10⁻¹¹ mole m⁻² s⁻¹ to 1.3 × 10⁻¹⁰ mole m⁻² s⁻¹) is lower than that obtained at 0.1 MPa and 70 °C but it is related to pH values much higher (3.3-4.4) than that (−0.65) calculated for the H₂SO₄ solution.Through a thorough review of previous experimental investigations on the dissolution kinetics of serpentine minerals the authors propose adopting: (i) the log rate [mole m⁻² s⁻¹] value of −12.08 ± 0.16 (1σ), as representative of the neutral dissolution mechanism at 25 °C and (ii) the following relationship for the acidic dissolution mechanism at 25 °C:

log rate=-0.45(±0.09)×pH-10.01(±0.30).