Detection of HCO+ towards Cygnus OB2 No. 12

HCO⁺ has been detected for the first time towards the star Cygnus OB2 No. 12 through emission of the 1–0 rotational transition at 89 GHz. The CO( J =2−1) transition has also been observed. The observations are consistent with a model of dense regions embedded in a low-density clump gas. If actually present, the dense component would have an aggregate size L 1300 au, in agreement with estimates of small-scale density fluctuations observed along diffuse lines of sight.     

Underestimation of fine grain quartz OSL dating towards the Eemian: Comparison with palynostratigraphy from Azzano Decimo,northeastern Italy

Palynostratigraphical records have been used to understand the response of vegetation to climate change, and benefit from independent dating to ensure a robust correlation with global climate and sea-level change. In order to constrain the pollen chronology of a long sedimentary core taken at Azzano Decimo in the Friulian foreland of northeastern Italy, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) has been applied to fine grain quartz. The samples meet all the standard performance criteria set to test the reliability of the single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol, and still show increasing dose response at 500 Gy. OSL ages are in good agreement with radiocarbon dating and the pollen interpretation down to 70 ka, and with D_e values of ～140 Gy, but below this point, they display an increasing age underestimation towards the Eemian and beyond. The comparison of D_e values measured using both a SAR and single-aliquot regeneration and added-dose (SARA) protocol, confirmed that both were successfully correcting for sensitivity changes in the quartz during measurement of the burial dose, and this was not the reason for the age underestimation. The quartz OSL dose response curve for all samples is best described by a saturating exponential plus linear (SEPL) function. Although all underestimated ages are derived from D_e values that fall on the high dose linear region of this curve, it is unclear if this is the cause of the underestimation.     

Tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the Lower Pliocene Periadriatic foredeep in Central Italy

The Periadriatic foredeep (Italy) was generated by Neogene downbending of the Adria Plate under the Apennine Chain. The basin is filled with Plio-Pleistocene siliciclastic turbidites. Its substratum consists of the carbonate succession of the southwestern Adria Plate margin. The influence of the basin’s morphology on sedimentation and subsequent tectonic evolution is investigated in the Abruzzo sector of the foredeep (Cellino Basin). The substratum is composed of Messinian evaporites that dip towards the Apennines (W). A NNW component along the depocentral axis is divided into four blocks with different depths. The substratum was also affected by a Messinian extensional fault system, not involving the overlying Pliocene sequence. This morphology controlled the distribution of the turbidites in the lower part of the Cellino Basin. The Plio-Pleistocene compressional deformation of the foredeep produced an inner complex structure (Internal Structure), involving the foredeep substratum and an outer imbricate thrust system (Coastal Structure), detached over the faulted Messinian evaporites. This thrust system is parallel to the extensional faults, suggesting a strong influence of the substratum morphology on the development of the compressional structures. The overall structural setting was validated with a balanced cross-section. Out-of-sequence thrusting and non-coeval deformation within each thrust sheet characterize the local tectonic history.     

Three Reflection Telescopes for Wide Field Space Astronomy. First Results from a 30 cm Prototype and Prospects

We present the basic concepts of the two-mirror, three-reflection optical system (2MTRT), and discuss the important benefits of such a system for space projects: wide ( 2^°) correctedand unvignetted FOV, without the use of refractive optics for thefield correction, planarity of the focal surface for an optimizedinstallation of wide area detectors, easy telescope adjustement, small volume and little mass.We also report the results of optical tests made with a 30 cm prototype,equipped with a 2k × 2k CCD camera, and give examples of scientific programmes which can be performed from space and in hostile terrestrial sites such as the Antarctic Plateau.     

Multi-parametric approach to the analysis of soil radon gas for its validation as geoindicator in two sites of the Phlegrean Fields caldera (Italy)

Radon is considered one of the short- and immediate-term earthquake precursors by International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior. For this reason, the accurate and reliable measurement of its specific activity in soil gas is mandatory. Since its presence is influenced by many environmental factors, in order to eliminate this influence on the radon activity measurement a multi-parametric and multi-site analysis is necessary. Following this approach, a continuous radon monitoring was carried out in two sites of the Phlegrean Fields caldera (Campania, Italy) using the RaMonA system, which also allows for the measurement of temperature, relative humidity and pressure. In particular, the dependence of measured radon specific activity on the meteorological conditions was studied using the multiple linear regression method. The analysis was implemented also by testing data averages on different timescales. In this paper, the results of a preliminary analysis performed on data collected throughout 2012 are presented; the outcomes obtained allow to emphasize site-specific behavior and to discriminate apparent radon “anomalies” of climatic origin from those tied to the phenomena occurring in the earth’s crust. The method employed showed its usefulness by removing the effects of meteorological conditions and thus to better identify the possible radon anomalies caused by seismo-volcanic activity. The peculiarities of the different sites and some correlations with earthquakes are discussed.