Image Stabilization System for Hinode (Solar-B) Solar Optical Telescope

The Hinode Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) is the first space-borne visible-light telescope that enables us to observe magnetic-field dynamics in the solar lower atmosphere with 0.2 – 0.3 arcsec spatial resolution under extremely stable (seeing-free) conditions. To achieve precise measurements of the polarization with diffraction-limited images, stable pointing of the telescope (<0.09 arcsec, 3σ) is required for solar images exposed on the focal plane CCD detectors. SOT has an image stabilization system that uses image displacements calculated from correlation tracking of solar granules to control a piezo-driven tip-tilt mirror. The system minimizes the motions of images for frequencies lower than 14 Hz while the satellite and telescope structural design damps microvibration in higher frequency ranges. It has been confirmed from the data taken on orbit that the remaining jitter is less than 0.03 arcsec (3σ) on the Sun. This excellent performance makes a major contribution to successful precise polarimetric measurements with 0.2 – 0.3 arcsec resolution. K. Kobayashi now at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812, USA.     

Highly depleted Hadean mantle reservoirs in the sources of early Archean arc-like rocks, Isua supracrustal belt, southern West Greenland

Growing evidence from the accessible geological record reveals that crust-mantle differentiation on Earth started as early as 4.4 Ga. In order to assess the extent of early Archean mantle depletion, we obtained ¹⁷⁶Lu-¹⁷⁶Hf, ¹⁴⁷Sm-¹⁴³Nd, and high field strength element (HFSE) concentration data for the least altered, well characterized boninite-like metabasalts and associated metasedimentary rocks from the Isua supracrustal belt (southern West Greenland). The metasediments exhibit initial εHf₍₃₇₂₀₎ values from −0.7 to +1.5 and initial εNd₍₃₇₂₀₎ values from +1.6 to +2.1. Initial εHf₍₃₇₂₀₎ values of the least altered boninite-like metabasalts span a range from +3.5 to +12.9 and initial εNd₍₃₇₂₀₎ values from −0.3 to +3.2. These initial Hf-isotope ratios display coherent trends with SiO₂, Al₂O₃/TiO₂ and other relatively immobile elements, indicating contamination via assimilation of enriched components, most likely sediments derived from the earliest crust in the region. This model is also consistent with previously reported initial γOs₍₃₇₂₀₎ values for some of the samples. In addition to the positive εHf₍₃₇₂₀₎ values, the least disturbed samples exhibit positive εNd₍₃₇₂₀₎ values and a co-variation of εHf₍₃₇₂₀₎ and εΝd₍₃₇₂₀₎ values. Based on these observations, it is argued, that the most depleted samples with initial εHf₍₃₇₂₀₎ values of up to +12.9 and high ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf of ∼0.05 to ∼0.09 tap a highly depleted mantle source with a long term depletion history in the garnet stability field. High precision high field strength element (HFSE) data obtained for the Isua samples confirm the contamination trend. Even the most primitive samples display negative Nb-Ta anomalies and elevated Nb/Ta, indicating a subduction zone setting and overprint of the depleted mantle sources by felsic melts generated by partial melting of eclogite. Collectively, the data for boninite-like metabasalts support the presence of strongly depleted mantle reservoirs as previously inferred from Hf isotope data for Hadean zircons and combined ¹⁴²Nd-¹⁴³Nd isotope data for early Archean rocks.     

Spatio-temporal variability of behavioral patterns in hydrology in meso-scale basins of the Rhineland Palatinate (1972–2002)

Changes in spatio-temporal rainfall patterns have an effect on the hydrological behavior of river basins, the magnitude of the effects depending among others on the physiographic basin characteristics. To assess climate and discharge fluctuations, a visualization tool was developed as a contribution to exploratory data analysis. The tool combined statistical tests of hydro-climatological variables with physiographic basin characteristics. Test results agree with previous studies and suggested a relationship between rainfall, discharge and mean date of the annual maximum discharge on the one the hand and lithology, altitude and west to east positioning of the basins on the other hand. The visualization tool capable of combining the statistical test results with the geologic and topographic configuration of the study area and allowed a reflection on the hydro-climatological as well as spatio-temporal behavior of meso-scale basins by means of exploratory data analysis.     

Recent southern Indian Ocean climate variability inferred from a Law Dome ice core: new insights for the interpretation of coastal Antarctic isotopic records

Stable isotopes in water have been measured along a very high accumulation ice core from Law Dome on the east Antarctic coast. These enable a detailed comparison of the isotopic records over sixty years (1934–1992) with local (Antarctic station data) and remote meteorological observations (atmospheric reanalyses and sea-surface temperature estimates) on a seasonal to inter-annual time scale. Using both observations and isotopic atmospheric general circulation model (GCM) results, we quantify the relationships between stable isotopes (d ¹⁸O, dD and deuterium excess; d = dD –8 × d ¹⁸O) with site and source temperature at seasonal and decadal time scales, showing the large imprint of source conditions on Law Dome isotopes. These calibrations provide new insights for the quantitative interpretation of temporal isotopic fluctuations from coastal Antarctic ice cores. An abrupt change in the local meridional atmospheric circulation is clearly identified from Law Dome deuterium excess during the 1970s and analysed using GCM simulations.     

Till mélange at Amsdorf, central Germany: sediment erosion, transport and deposition in a complex, soft-bedded subglacial system

Glacial mélange in the open-cast mine at Amsdorf, central Germany, consists of several square meters of large, sorted sediment blocks embedded in till. The blocks are composed of largely intact to slightly deformed glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine sand, silt and clay, initially deposited in a proglacial lake (2–3 km up-ice) and subsequently overridden by a glacier. The blocks typically have cuboid to subrounded outlines, are randomly distributed in the till, and the contacts with the surrounding till are distinctly sharp. Underneath the mélange are varved clays which exhibit strong deformations occasionally intervening with entirely undisturbed areas. It is suggested that the blocks were entrained into debris-rich basal-ice by bulk freeze-on when the glacier sole was lowered onto the bottom of an overridden lake. After entrainment the blocks were transported englacially and re-deposited (with far-traveled till matrix) as a melt-out till from stagnant ice. The glacier moved mainly by sliding enhanced by low-permeability varved clays in the substratum. The glacier is believed to have been of a polythermal type. These results show that bulk freeze-on can lead to entrainment of soft sediment blocks at least 20 m² in size, and that these blocks can be englacially transported with little or no deformation for several kilometers and more. The occurrence of deformed and undeformed clays under the till mélange indicates a possible mosaic of coupled and decoupled ice, the latter caused by a thin, transient subglacial water film separating the bed from the glacier.     

Greigite (Fe3S4): magnetic properties and first domain observations

Recently the ferrimagnetic iron sulphide greigite (Fe₃S₄) has been recognized as an important carrier of magnetic remanence in young sediments. New magnetic measurements and properties of this rare mineral are presented. Magnetic domain observations were made using the Bitter method and the magneto-optical Kerr effect. In most cases the domain structures observed are very complicated and their interpretation is rather difficult. The cause of this domain structure is very likely high magnetostriction. A first attempt to establish a relationship between grain size and domain state is made.     

Molecular parameters of maturation in the Toarcian shales,Paris Basin,France—III. Changes in aromatic steroid hydrocarbons

Three series of monoaromatic steroid hydrocarbons (basepeak = m/z 239, 253 and 267) and four series of triaromatic steroid hydrocarbons (basepeak = m/z 217, 231, 245 and 259) have been recognised by computerised gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in a variety of samples of Lower Toarcian shales from the Paris Basin. An increase in the extent of aromatisation of the monoaromatic steroid hydrocarbons in the m/z 253 series (measured by the abundance of monoaromatic components relative to triaromatic components in the m/z 231 series) is observed with increasing maturity. Variations between reported maximum burial depth and extent of aromatisation are explicable partly in terms of new maximum burial depth information for some of the shales. The extent of carbon-carbon bond cracking in the side chains of the aromatic steroid hydrocarbons has only begun to be significant in certain of the deepest samples.     

Chromosomes of the siberian snow sheep, Ovis nivicola, and implications concerning the origin of amphiberingian wild sheep (subgenus Pachyceros)

The chromosomes of Ovis nivicola, described for the first time, exhibit 2n = 52, the lowest diploid number to be reported for wild sheep and goats. The new chromosomal data, together with a review of the fossil history of the genus, lead us to conclude that the bighorned wild sheep (subgenus Pachyceros) evolved their distinctive characteristics while isolated in the ice-free Beringian refugium, and then migrated southward into western North America when the glacial barriers melted, as first suggested by Cowan (1940).