Formation of a small impact structure discovered within the Agoudal meteorite strewn field,Morocco

A relic impact structure was recognized within the strewn field of the Agoudal iron meteorite. The heavily eroded structure has preserved shatter cones in a limestone basement, and remnants of autochthonous and allochthonous breccias. Fragments of iron incorporated into the allochthonous breccia have a chemical composition (Ni = 5.16 wt%, Ir = 0.019 ppm) similar to that of the Agoudal meteorite, supporting a syngenetic origin of the strewn field and the impact structure. The total recovered mass of Agoudal meteorite fragments is estimated at approximately 500 kg. The estimated size of the SE–NW‐oriented strewn field is 6 × 2 km. Model calculations with minimal preatmospheric size show that a similar meteorite strewn field plus one small crater with observed shock effects could be formed by fragmentation of a meteoroid approximately 1.4 m in diameter with an impact angle of approximately 60° from the horizontal. However, the most probable is an impact of a larger, 3–4 m diameter meteoroid, resulting a strewn field with approximately 10 craters, 10–30 m in diameter each, plus numerous meteorite fragments. The calculated scattering area of meteorite shrapnel ejected from these impact craters could completely cover the observed strewn field of the Agoudal meteorite.     

Peculiarities of the outer radiation belt dynamics during the strong magnetic storm of May 15, 2005

The dynamics of energetic electrons (E _e =0.17–8 MeV) and protons (E _p =1 MeV) of the outer radiation belt during the magnetic storm of May 15, 2005, at high (GOES-10 and LANL-84 geosynchronous satellites) and low (Meteor-3M polar satellite) altitudes is analyzed. The data have been compared to the density, plasma velocity, solar wind, and magnetic field measurements on the ACE satellite and geomagnetic disturbances. During the magnetic storm main phase, the nighttime boundary of the region of trapped radiation and the center of westward electrojet shifted to L ～ 3. Enhancements of only low-energy electrons were observed on May 15, 2005. The belt of relativistic electrons with a maximum at L ～ 4 was formed during the substorm, the amplitude of which reached its maximum at ～0630 UT on May 16. The results are in good agreement with the regularity relating the position of a maximum of the new relativistic electron belt, boundaries of the trapped radiation region, and extreme low-latitude position of westward electrojet center to the Dst variation amplitude.     

Dynamics of radiation belt relativistic electrons in November 2004–January 2005

The radiation belt dynamics during the extreme solar events in November 2004 and January 2005 is studied based on the measurements of relativistic electrons (with energies of 0.8–8 MeV) on the Express-A2 geostationary satellite and Meteor-3M polar satellite. New radiation belts of relativistic electrons in the space (L ～ 3) between the stationary outer and inner belts were formed as a result of either superstorm (|Dst|_max = 373 and 289 nT). The position of the maximums of these belts (L _max = 2.9 and 3.1) coincides with the known dependence of L _max on the magnetic storm Dst variation amplitude: |Dst|_max = 2.75 × 10⁴/L _max ⁴ . In November–December the new belt very slowly (ΔL ～ 0.1 per month) shifted toward the Earth. During the series of moderate (～100 nT) magnetic storms that developed as a result of the extreme solar events in January 2005, the belt in the space shifted toward deeper L shells (L ～ 2.5). The moderate January storms produced new belts with L _max ≥ 4.     

Ozone content over the Russian federation in 2007

The review is compiled based on the results of the operational of the Total Ozone (TO) Monitoring System in the CIS and Baltic countries, functioning in the operational regime at the Central Aerological Observatory (CAO). Basic TO observational data for each month of the fourth quarter of 2007 and for the year as a whole are summarized. Long-term TO changes at Russian stations are compared with similar changes at two foreign stations in the temperate latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Data on the spring Antarctic ozone anomaly of 2007 are considered. Results of regular observations of surface ozone concentration in the Moscow region are also presented.     

An experience of the humidity forecasts verification and assessment of their applicability in forecasting of the aircraft icing zones

Results of verification of the relative humidity forecasting performed by using a number of numerical models are presented. Efficiency of forecasting of possible conditions combinations that cause the aircraft icing, such as negative temperature and high relative humidity, is assessed. The best results are demonstrated by the NCEP global model and semi-Lagrangian model with varying resolution. Significant discrepancies in the humidity initial fields modeled by using different models are revealed.     

Ozone content over the Russian Federation in 2008

Areview is compiled based on the results of the system of monitoring total ozone (TO) over the CIS and Baltic countries that is operated in real time at the Central Aerological Observatory (CAO). The TO monitoring system uses the data from the national M-124 filter ozonometer network operated under the methodological guidance of the Main Geophysical Observatory. The performance of the system as a whole is operationally verified against the OMI satellite (US NASA) observations. The main TO observational data are summarized for each month of the fourth quarter of 2008, for a quarter, and a year as a whole. Data on the Spring Antarctic Ozone Anomaly in 2008 are presented. Results of regular surface ozone observations in the Moscow region and in Kiev are also considered.     

Hopanes and hopenes of the Lower Cambrian Sinyaya Formation (northern slope of the Aldan Anteclise)

Hopane hydrocarbons contained in organic matter from the Lower Cambrian Sinyaya Formation, southeast of the Siberian platform, were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. This study first identified C₂₈ 28, 30-bisnorhopane and its homologues present in high concentrations in autochthonous organic matter from East Siberian sedimentary basins. These biomarkers can be used in distinguishing between the sources of naphthides on the northern slope of the Aldan anteclise. Two saturated naphthenic hydrocarbons, C₃₁ homohopene and C₃₁ 28-norhomohopene, were also detected. This study provides some details on hopane distribution, organic matter accumulation conditions, and the degree of OM catagenesis.     

26Al as a heat source for early melting of planetesimals: Results from isotopic studies of meteorites

Ion microprobe studies of magnesium isotopic composition in igneous components from several chondritic meteorites have been carried out to look for²⁶Mg excess that may be attributed to the presence of the now-extinct radionuclide²⁶Al(τ ∼ 1 Ma) at the time of formation of these objects. A positive evidence for the presence of²⁶Al in the analysed objects will strengthen its case as the primary heat source for the early thermal metamorphism/melting of meteorite parent bodies. Based on calculated temperature profiles inside chondritic objects of different sizes and initial²⁶Al/²⁷Al ratios, we have estimated the initial abundances of²⁶Al needed to provide the heat necessary for the wide range of thermal processing seen in various types of meteorites. The magnesium isotopic data obtained by us do not provide definitive evidence for the presence of²⁶Al at the time of formation of the analysed igneous phases in different chondritic meteorites. Experimental evidence for a planetary scale distribution of²⁶Al in the early solar system to serve as a significant heat source for the thermal metamorphism and melting of meteorite parent bodies (planetesimals) remains elusive.