The February 1986 solar activity: A comparison of GIOTTO,VEGA-1, and IMP-8 solar wind measurements with MHD simulations

Large disturbances in the interplanetary medium were observed by several spacecraft during a period of enhanced solar activity in early February 1986. The locations of six solar flares and the spacecraft considered here encompassed more than 100° of heliolongitude. These flares during the minimum of cycle 21 set the stage for an extensive multi-spacecraft comparison performed with a two-dimensional, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical experiment. The plasma instruments on the European Space Agency (ESA)'s GIOTTO spacecraft, on its way to encounter Comet Halley in March 1986, made measurements of the solar wind for up to 8 hours per day during February. We compare solar wind measurements from the Johnstone Plasma Analyzer (JPA) experiment on GIOTTO with the MHD simulation of the interplanetary medium throughout these events. Using plasma data obtained by the IMP-8 satellite in addition, it appears that an extended period of high solar wind speed is required as well as the simulated flares to represent the interplanetary medium in this case. We also compare the plasma and magnetometer data from VEGA-1 with the MHD simulation. This comparison tends to support an interpretation that the major solar wind changes at both GIOTTO and VEGA-1 on 8 February, 1986 were due to a shock from a W05° solar flare on 6 February, 1986 (06:25 UT). The numerical experiment is considered, qualitatively, to resemble the observations at the former spacecraft, but it has less success at the latter one.     

‘Committing to Place’ at the Local Scale: the potential of youth education programs for promoting community participation in regional natural resource management

Emerging approaches to environmental governance require a greater level of community participation than did previous approaches in which these responsibilities largely rested with government agencies. There is consequently a need for increased engagement with NRM among a broad community sector. This paper examines initiatives by two prominent government agencies, the Murray–Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) and the National Museum of Australia (NMA), to engage school children from regional communities using education programs that focus on place and environmental health. We focus on the MDBC's International Riverhealth Conference held in Mildura in 2003 and the associated Murray–Darling Basin TalkBack Classroom sponsored by the NMA and the Parliamentary Education Office (PEO). We explore how key themes of local scale, place-based identities, youth voice and critical engagement are developed in these programs and consider how they relate to the environmental agency of children. We then reflect on the potential for the kinds of environmental agency promoted through these programs to help build the capacity of local communities to progress larger goals of environmental restoration and sustainability in the Murray–Darling Basin. The evaluation research reported here forms part of the Committing to Place research project, an Australian Research Council Linkage grant involving the University of Tasmania, the National Museum of Australia and the Murray–Darling Basin Commission.     

Derivation of density and temperature from the Cassini–Huygens CAPS electron spectrometer

In this paper we present two methods to derive electron fluid parameters from the CAPS–ELS spectrometer on board the Cassini spacecraft currently in orbit around Saturn. In the first part of the paper we give a basic overview of the instrument and describe the challenges inherent in the derivation of density and temperature values using these techniques. We then describe a method to calculate electron moments by integrating the particle distribution function. We also describe a second technique in which we fit the electron energy spectrum with a Gaussian curve and use the peak energy of this curve to derive density and temperature values. We then compare the two methods with particular emphasis on their application to Cassini SOI observations in the saturnian environment and point out the limitations of the two techniques. We will show that results from the two very different methods are in agreement when the physical properties of the environment and of the observed electron populations have been inferred from inspection of the raw data. Finally we will suggest future developments that will remove these limitations.     

First ENA observations at Mars: Solar-wind ENAs on the nightside

We present measurements with an Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA) imager on board Mars Express when the spacecraft moves into Mars eclipse. Solar wind ions charge exchange with the extended Mars exosphere to produce ENAs that can spread into the eclipse of Mars due to the ions' thermal spread. Our measurements show a lingering signal from the Sun direction for several minutes as the spacecraft moves into the eclipse. However, our ENA imager is also sensitive to UV photons and we compare the measurements to ENA simulations and a simplified model of UV scattering in the exosphere. Simulations and further comparisons with an electron spectrometer sensitive to photoelectrons generated when UV photons interact with the spacecraft suggest that what we are seeing in Mars' eclipse are ENAs from upstream of the bow shock produced in charge exchange with solar wind ions with a non-zero temperature. The measurements are a precursor to a new technique called ENA sounding to measure solar wind and planetary exosphere properties in the future.     

First ENA observations at Mars: Subsolar ENA jet

The Neutral Particle Detector (NPD), an Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA) sensor of the Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA-3) on board Mars Express, detected intense fluxes of ENAs emitted from the subsolar region of Mars. The typical ENA fluxes are (4-7) × 10⁵ cm⁻² sr⁻¹ s⁻¹ in the energy range 0.3-3 keV. These ENAs are likely to be generated in the subsolar region of the martian exosphere. As the satellite moved away from Mars, the ENA flux decreased while the field of view of the NPD pointed toward the subsolar region. These decreases occurred very quickly with a time scale of a few tens of seconds in two thirds of the orbits. Such a behavior can be explained by the spacecraft crossing a spatially constrained ENA jet, i.e., a highly directional ENA emission from a compact region of the subsolar exosphere. This ENA jet is highly possible to be emitted conically from the subsolar region. Such directional ENAs can result from the anisotropic solar wind flow around the subsolar region, but this can not be explained in the frame of MHD models.     

The Development of the Chagas' Online Data Entry System (CODES-GIS)

This article describes a web‐based data entry and GIS‐driven mapping system designed for an ethnographic and entomological survey of Chagas’ disease, an emerging zoonotic disease, and Triatoma dimidiata, a primary vector, in the Los Tuxtlas region of Veracruz, Mexico. To better understand this disease in the region, a collaborative, multi‐disciplinary study was initiated to conduct a spatial investigation of T. dimidiata and a community‐by‐community survey of local perceptions of the disease. In order to facilitate such a collaborative effort the CODES‐GIS was developed. This system allows for (near) real‐time mapping, analyses, disease reporting, and results sharing. CODES‐GIS provides a framework for a research team working in a remote area with limited technology, software, or GIS expertise to benefit from (near) real‐time spatial analyses performed at collaborating institutions. The system is bi‐directional, where field personnel can upload data to the system for field‐based map production. Likewise, laboratory personnel can upload diagnostics data for viewing by field personnel. In this way, the system provides a virtual link between the field and the laboratory to increase the speed at which results are returned to the local community. The CODES‐GIS is described along with a selection of study results.     

Downhole Weir for Measuring Flow Rate in RecirculationWellsWells

Recirculating wells are increasingly being used for ground water remediation and aquifer characterization investigations. Determination of flow rate is required for proper design and spacing of recirculation wells. The measurement of flow rate, however, can be difficult using standard equipment. To overcome some of the flow measurement problems associated with more common measurement systems, a new device in the form of a downhole weir was developed for recirculating wells that use a two-casing design. The weir was designed to measure flow rates between 10 and 40 gpm. In this flow range, the weir had an accuracy of ±2.8 gpm. This accuracy may be improved with some modifications.     

The population genetic structure of the waratah anemone (Actinia tenebrosa) around New Zealand

The genetic structure of populations is often shaped by the reproductive system and larval properties of the species. The waratah anemone (Actinia tenebrosa) reproduces through both asexual clones, which have very short-distance dispersal, and sexual larvae, which are believed to disperse much greater distances. The impact of this mixed strategy on the New Zealand population structure of Actinia tenebrosa was investigated using microsatellite markers. The analysis incorporated 24 sampling locations from around New Zealand and one Australian location, using four microsatellite markers, n = 420. We observed low connectivity and high genetic differentiation between all locations sampled, with a distinct pattern of isolation by distance. The most distinct grouping of locations sampled was the north-east of the North Island from Cape Reinga to East Cape, which was identified by SAMOVA and STRUCTURE analyses as being moderately diverged from the remainder of the country. A tentative correlation was observed between genetic clustering and biogeographic regionalisation, where the distribution of a number of genetic clusters matched previously defined biogeographic regions. Within each location sampled, large numbers of clones were present and a latitudinal cline was observed in the relative contribution of asexually and sexually generated recruits, with an increase in asexual recruits on the South Island's east coast.