A photometric study of poor clusters of galaxies

Sixteen poor clusters of galaxies with suspected cD galaxies are studied usingV-band photographs taken with the 105 cm Kiso Schmidt telescope. Galaxian images were automatically detected using an image detection software developed for the present study. It is found from the luminosity functions that the richness of the clusters are well correlated with the optical properties of central galaxies and the X-ray luminosities of the clusters.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

Observations of C2 Molecules in the Coma of Comets at Mitaka

In order to monitor the various phenomena of comets, we continuously made the near-nucleus imaging observations of comets at National Astronomical Observatory, Mitaka. Here we report on the results of the observations of two spectacular comets. One is the analysis of photometry of C₂ emission images in the coma of comet Hyakutake (C/1996 B2). By comparing the production rates of C₂ radicals with C₂H₂ molecules, we conclude that the most C₂ radicals were originated from C₂H₂, while some of them might be produced from other parents. The second item is the analysis of the morphology of C₂ emission images in the coma of comet Hale-Bopp(C/1995 O1). By applying a ring masking technique, we detected asymmetrical distribution of the C₂ molecules. The results of these two comets might suggest that a portion of C₂ radicals were formed by the disintegration of the small organic dust grains, like the so-called CHON particles. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Age constraints on the Palaeoproterozoic Lomagundi–Jatuli Event in Zimbabwe: Zircon geochronology of the Magondi Supergroup

The ca. 2.2–2.1 Ga Magondi Supergroup on the Zimbabwe Craton in Southern Africa is mainly composed of sedimentary rocks deposited in a rift basin/passive continental margin, which record a unique episode in carbon isotope perturbation called the Lomagundi–Jatuli Event (LJE). This study reports new U–Pb ages of detrital zircons from the Deweras and Lomagundi groups of the Magondi Supergroup, and of igneous zircons from underlying granitoids, to constrain the timing of the LJE and to identify the provenance of the Magondi Supergroup. Most analysed detrital zircon grains range in ages between ca. 2.9 and 2.6 Ga. Three ca. 2.3–2.2 Ga detrital zircons from sandstone of the Deweras Group, with the youngest ²⁰⁷Pb‐²⁰⁶Pb age of 2,216 ± 22 Ma, indicate the onset of LJE in the Zimbabwe Craton was almost simultaneous to that in Fennoscandia and the Superior Craton, supporting the global synchronicity of the LJE.     

Characterization of polychlorinated biphenyls and brominated flame retardants in sediments from riverine and coastal waters of Surabaya, Indonesia

A total of 33 surficial sediments from riverine and coastal waters from Surabaya, Indonesia were analyzed for PCBs and BFRs. Concentrations of PCBs (62 congeners), PBDEs (14 congeners) and HBCDs (3 isomers) varied from <DL-420, <DL-35 and <DL-5.4 ng g⁻¹ dw, respectively. Higher concentrations of these compounds were found in riverine than coastal sediments. Their levels and distribution were influenced by proximity to the point sources and TOC. The predominant congeners were CB-153, -28, -138, -149, -180, -33 and BDE-209, -207, -206, -197, -196, -183, -99, -47 for PCBs and PBDEs, respectively, and γ-isomer for HBCDs. Debromination of BDE-209 might be taking place producing lower toxic congeners in sediment. Levels of PCBs in riverine sediments were comparable with some polluted areas worldwide, but PBDEs and HBCDs were lower. Hazard assessment of PCBs indicated possible toxic potential, particularly in areas close to point sources.     

Distribution of ephyrae and polyps of jellyfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aurelia</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">aurita</Emphasis> (Linnaeus 1758) <Emphasis Type="Italic">sensu lato</Emphasis> in Mikawa Bay,Japan

We surveyed the distribution of colonies of polyps of Aurelia aurita sensu lato (s.l.) in Mikawa Bay, Japan. First, we surveyed the distribution of ephyrae of A. aurita s.l. at 75 stations encompassing the whole of Mikawa Bay in early 2008. A total of 37 ephyrae were sampled mostly from fishing ports. Ephyrae were most abundant around the islands located near the mouth of the bay, and decreased from the western part to the eastern part of Mikawa Bay. Next, we selected five fishing ports in Mikawa Bay where ephyrae occurred and surveyed the underside of floating piers and underwater overhangs of wharfs. We found dense colonies of polyps of A. aurita s.l. under nearly all of the floating piers at the two islands located near the mouth of the bay. Fitting a logistic regression model to the dataset showed that the percentage coverage of Aurelia polyps was significantly greater at the two islands compared with the other locations. In addition, the coverage of Aurelia polyps was greater when the coverage of other fouling organisms was in the range of 65–90%, and the coverage of Aurelia polyps was lower on floating piers with a vinyl surface and on concrete wharfs. The combined distribution of polyp colonies of A. aurita s.l. in Ise Bay and Mikawa Bay suggested that A. aurita s.l. in the two bays probably forms a single population and shoals of medusae mainly originate from protected harbors along the mouth-part of the bays.     

Results from the Eso Large Program on Transneptunian Objects and Centaurs

BVRI photometry of 107 TNOs and Centaurs establishes the range of spectral gradients to be between –5 to 55%/100 nm (with one exception). A cluster of very red Cubewanos is firmly identified in orbits of low inclination and eccentricity beyond 40 AU from the Sun. Further correlations between surface colours and dynamical parameters (inclination and perihelion distance) are suggested for Cubewanos and scattered disk objects, but lack complete confidence for their reality. Plutinos and Centaurs do not show any clear correlation between surface colours and orbital parameters. We present in this paper 12 spectra obtained in the visible region and nine of them for which we obtained also near infrared spectra up to 2.4 microns. A few other objects have been observed, but the data are still under reduction and analysis. The principal reported results obtained are: (i) a wide range of visible slopes; (ii) evidence for surface variations on 2001 PT₁₃; and (iii) possible detection of few percent of water ice (1999 TC_36}, 2000 EB₁₇₃, 1999 DE₉, 2001 PT₁₃, 2000 QC₂₄₃, 1998 SG₃₅).     

基于InSAR同震形变观测反演2010年新西兰南岛Mw7.1 Darfield地震同震破裂分布

2010年9月4日新西兰南岛Canterbury平原发生了M_w7.1地震,震源深度约为10 km.本次地震发生在一条震前不为人所知的断层上.我们利用覆盖整个震区的合成孔径雷达(SAR)观测资料,通过干涉处理分析获得雷达视线向(LOS)同震形变场;以此资料为约束反演了断层的几何参数以及同震破裂分布.结果显示,该地震造成四条相对独立断层的破裂.大部分的地震矩释放发生在Greendale断层(编号1-4),其错动以右旋走滑为主,最大破裂约为8.5 m.其它三条断层中,经过震源的逆冲断层最大破裂为5.1 m (编号6),位于Greendale断层以西的逆冲断层最大破裂为3.5 m (编号5),位于Greendale断层北面的走滑断层最大破裂为1.9 m(编号7).反演的Greendale断层地表滑动与地质调查得到的地表破裂在形态和数值上均吻合较好.本次地震释放的地震矩为5.0×10¹⁹N·m,矩震级为7.1.板块边界带形变场分析表明,Darfield地震的发生受边界带应变分配在该地区残留构造应力场控制,其复杂性体现了区域构造应力场的特点.地震对其周围地区的应力场影响较大,库仑应力增加区与余震分布有一定对应关系,并在2011年Christchurch 6.3级地震发震断层区域造成约0.1bar的库仑应力增加,对此地震有一定的触发作用.     

The IAU 2009 system of astronomical constants: the report of the IAU working group on numerical standards for Fundamental Astronomy

In the 2006?C2009 triennium, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group on Numerical Standards for Fundamental Astronomy determined a list of Current Best Estimates (CBEs). The IAU 2009 Resolution B2 adopted these CBEs as the IAU (2009) System of Astronomical Constants. Additional work continues to define the process of updating the CBEs and creating a standard electronic document.     

Trace-element zoning patterns in porphyroblastic garnets in low-T eclogites: Parameter optimization of the diffusion-limited REE-uptake model

Compositional zoning patterns of the major elements and REEs in prograde-zoned garnets whose Mg/(Mg + Fe) atomic ratios increase rimward have been widely used to understand the metamorphic P–T–t trajectories, and the diffusion-limited REE-uptake model is a promising way to interpret their growth rates and the REE diffusion kinetics in the low-temperature eclogite. In order to elucidate their growth kinetics with Skora et al.'s (2006) diffusion-limited REE uptake model for prograde-zoned garnets, we examine the trace-element zoning patterns of two prograde-zoned porphyroblastic garnets (~6 mm in size) in low-temperature eclogites from two different localities. Core-to-rim trace-element profiles in a garnet (prp_5–9alm_61–67sps_1–3grs_24–30) of a glaucophane-bearing epidote eclogite of Syros (Cyclades, Greece) are characterized by the presence of Y + HREE peaks in the mantle, which might be attributed to a continuous breakdown of the titanite to form rutile during the garnet growth. In contrast, those in a garnet (prp_4–7alm_61–68sps_3–10grs_23–24) extracted from a lawsonite-eclogite of the South Motagua Mélange (SMM) (Guatemala) have prominent central peaks of Y + HREEs. Although the REE profiles of both the garnets can be explained by the diffusion-limited uptake, their Mn profiles suggest that their growth-rate laws are different: i.e., diffusion-controlled (Syros) and interface-controlled (SMM). Prior to the model application, we optimize the number of the parameters as the garnet grows with the interface-controlled processes based on the growth Péclet number. In particular, we propose the ratio of the REE diffusivity in the eclogitic matrix to the garnet growth rate as the new parameter. Visualizing the values of the new parameters allows to readily understand the relationship between the REE profiles and the REE-diffusion/garnet-growth kinetics in low-T eclogite. Our model refinement leads to the simple quantitative characterization of core-to-rim REE profiles in garnet in low-temperature eclogites.     

Availability of an equation to evaluate error by optical path discretization in radiative transfer computation based on the successive order of scattering method

The availability of an equation to evaluate the influence of multiple scattering in the single scattering process corresponding to a layer of arbitrary optical thickness was established. In order to confirm the validity of this equation, the radiance distribution in this layer was computed using a plane–parallel layer model based on the successive order of scattering method. The relative errors in a radiance distribution computed were evaluated as a function of optical thickness by the derived equation. It was shown that this equation provides a theoretical background for determining layer thickness using the plane–parallel layer model.