Saturn's rings: Particle composition and size distribution as constrained by observations at microwave wavelengths: II. Radio interferometric observations

The sizes, composition, and number of particles comprising the rings of Saturn may be meaningfully constrained by a combination of radar- and radio-astronomical observations. In a previous paper, we have discussed constraints obtained from radar observations. In this paper, we discuss the constraints imposed by complementary “passive” radio observations at similar wavelengths. First, we present theoretical models of the brightness of Saturn's rings at microwave wavelengths (0.34–21.0 cm), including both intrinsic ring emission and diffuse scattering by the rings of the planetary emission. The models are accurate simulations of the behavior of realistic ring particles and are parameterized only by particle composition and size distribution, and ring optical depth. Second, we have reanalyzed several previously existing sets of interferometric observations of the Saturn system at 0.83-, 3.71-, 6.0-, 11.1-, and 21.0-cm wavelengths. These observations all have spatial resolution sufficient to resolve the rings and planetary disk, and most have resolution sufficient to resolve the ring-occulted region of the disk as well. Using our ring models and a realistic model of the planetary brightness distribution, we are able to establish improved constraints on the properties of the rings. In particular, we find that: (a) the maximum optical depth in the rings is ～ 1.5 ± 0.3 referred to visible wavelengths; (b) a significant decrease in ring optical depth from λ3.7 to λ21.0 cm allows us to rule out the possibility that more than ～30% of the cross section of the rings is composed of particles larger than a meter or so; this assertion is essentially independent of uncertainties in particle adsorption coefficient; and (c) the ring particles cannot be primarily of silicate composition, independently of particle size, and the particles cannot be primarily smaller than ～0.1 cm, independently of composition.     

On the rate of ancient meteoroidal flux: Studies of the pre-mare crater population on the Moon

According to radiometric dating of lunar rocks, meteoroidal bombardment and accompanying cratering on the Moon were intensive in the first 0.7×10⁹ y, the so-calledterra stage. Recently the hypothesis of a terminal cataclysm has been gaining acceptance, meaning that a sharp increase in the bombardment followed by a steep decay occurred at the end of theterra stage.The purpose of this paper is to investigate possible variations in the intensity of the bombardment during theterra stage by analyzing the population of large (3–1000 km)terra craters and comparing it with results obtained by theoretical models. The proportion of fresh craters is specifically used.Observational data were obtained by studying the craters on an oldterra surface photographed by Zond 8 and/or covered by LTO and LM maps and by conducting a statistical study of theterra listed in the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Catalog. Mathematical models were developed in such a way as to make them dimensionless, and as such applicable even without the knowledge of the physical constants and variables involved. Particularly powerful is the method of measuring time as multiples of the average lifetime of a crater of that size.The following conclusions and/or interpretations are reached. (1) A crater remains fresh for less than 20% of the average life of a crater of that size. (2) A condition of equilibrium (i.e., on the average, a new impact does not cause a net increase in the total number of craters) is reached or almost reached on lunarterrae. (3) The age of theterra surface is more than three average lifetimes of the 2 km to at least 20 km size craters (4) The observedterra crater population isnot the result of two cataclysms, one at the beginning of the stage and one at the end. (5) This population, however, could be the result of a constant or slowly decaying flux continuing until the end of the stage, when the terminal cataclysms occurred. This sequence of events cannot be proven or disproven. (6) If no terminal cataclysm occurred, then the meteoroidal flux during theterra stage was slowly decaying or constant. (7) The formation of all the large multi-ringed basins essentially contemporaneously is doubtful.     

Shock waves and type II radiobursts in the interplanetary medium

The planetary radio astronomy experiment on the Voyager spacecraft observed several type II solar radiobursts at frequencies below 1.3 MHz; these correspond to shock waves at distances between 20R and 1 AU from the Sun. We study the characteristics of these bursts and discuss the information that they give on shock waves in the interplanetary medium and on the origin of the high energy electrons which give rise to the radioemission. The relatively frequent occurence of type II bursts at large distances from the Sun favors the hypothesis of the emission by a longitudinal shockwave. The observed spectral characteristics reveal that the source of emission is restricted to only a small portion of the shock. From the relation between type II bursts, type III bursts and optical flares, we suggest that some of the type II bursts could be excited by type III burst fast electrons which catch up the shock and are then trapped.     

Estimation of coronal magnetic field from razin effect in solar decametric continuum burst

A solar flare of importance 1B which occurred at 06:36 UT on April 27, 1979 on the solar disk (N 20, E 16) produced intense radio bursts. The most interesting feature of this event is the observation of a strong continuum radiation (type IV) starting at 06:53 UT and lasting for about 10 min in the decametric range. This continuum radiation displayed sharp low frequency cut-off, which varied from about 40 to 30 MHz in a quasiperiodic manner and could be attributed to Razin effect. The perturbation of this cut-off frequency is interpreted as that induced by the passing MHD shock wave through the region of the trapped energetic electrons. Assuming model electron density values and using the observed cut-off frequency, the magnitude of coronal magnetic field around 2R from Sun center works out to be about 6 G.     

A geographical interpretation of an attempt at migratory regionalization in Italy

In the first part, the authors review a group of studies dealing with the identification of regional differences in Italian migratory patterns, especially using the concept of migration field. The second part is devoted to a study of the hierarchical clustering of Italian provinces using 1973 inter-provincial migratory flow data. (summary in ENG, FRE)     

On the influence of massless scalar and vector electromagnetic fields on the singularity character in anisotropic cosmology

It is shown that, for the scalar-tensor cosmology (STC) by Jordan-Brans-Dicke (JBD), in general anisotropic solution the oscillatory mixmaster regime near the singularity will be destroyed by the scalar source-free field and replaced by monotonousV ₃-collapse into the point or into the line and plane (only in caseG0) even in the presence of the primordial source-free electromagnetic (EM) field.     

On the interplanetary cosmic-ray scintillations

The equation for the two-particles cosmic-ray distribution function is derived by means of the Boltzmann kinetic equation averaging. This equation is valid for arbitrary ratio of regular and random parts of the magnetic field. For small energy particles the guiding-center approximation is used. On the basis of the derived equation the dependence between power spectra of cosmic-ray intensity and random magnetic field is obtained. If power spectra are degree functions for high energy particles ( 10 GeV nucleon^–1), then the spectral exponent of magnetic field lies between and –2, where is the spectral exponent of cosmic-ray power spectra. The experimental data concerning moderate energy particles are in accordance with =, which demonstrates that the magnetic fluctuations are isotropic or cosmic-ray space gradient is small near the Earth orbit.     

Far-infrared spectral observations of Saturn and its rings

The spectrum of Saturn and its rings between 45 and 115 μm has been measured at an average resolving power of 14 from the NASA Lear Jet. The combined brightness temperature of the rings and planetary disk decreases beyond 65 μm, in disagreement with previous results. A brightness temperature of 65 ± 10°K is obtained for the planetary disk in the 80–110-μm wavelength range if a large-particle, constant-emissivity model is assumed for the rings. The possible effects of small particles in the rings are briefly considered.