On the Solar Origins of Intense Geomagnetic Storms Observed During 6–11 March 1993

Intense geomagnetic storms with DST index -100 nT were recorded on 9 March and 11 March 1993 associated with solar activity on 6 March and 9-10 March, respectively. In this paper, we discuss the characteristic features of the solar origins of the two events that gave rise to coronal and interplanetary disturbances and as a consequence produced strong geomagnetic activity at the Earth. The source of the activity in one case is attributed to a major 3M7.0 flare that occurred on 6 March 1993 and in the other case, to two large filament disruptions on the disk during 9-10 March, 1993. Both these sources were found to be located near changing or varying low-latitude coronal holes. They were also located close to the heliospheric currents sheets. Distinct X-ray activity was observed for both the events as observed by the Yohkoh SXT telescope. The detailed evolution and a comparison of these events on the basis of Yohkoh soft X-ray observations are presented here.     

The runaway instability of self-gravitating tori with non-constant specific angular momentum around black holes

We discuss the runaway instability of axisymmetric tori with non-constant specific angular momentum around black holes, taking into account self-gravity of the tori. The distribution of specific angular momentum of the tori is assumed to be a positive power law with respect to the distance from the rotational axis. By employing the pseudo-Newtonian potential for the gravity of the spherical black hole, we have found that self-gravity of the tori causes a runaway instability if the amount of the mass which is transferred from the torus to the black hole exceeds a critical value, i.e. 3 per cent of the mass of the torus. This has been shown by two different approaches: (1) by using equilibrium models and (2) by dynamical simulations. In particular, dynamical simulations using an SPH code have been carried out for both self-gravitating and non-self-gravitating tori. For non-self-gravitating models, all tori are runaway stable. Therefore we come to the conclusion that self-gravity of the tori has a stronger destabilizing effect than the stabilizing effect of the positive power-law distribution of the angular momentum.     

Rare earth element distribution in the Melrose-b howardite: Pre-terrestrial negative Ce anomaly

In order to investigate the genetic nature of the polymict breccia howardite Melrose-b, a whole-rock sample was separated into four fractions after pulverization and the rare earth element (REE) abundances were precisely determined by isotopic dilution in those fractions. Such an investigation shows that the three precipitated fine-particle fractions are depleted in Ce by the same factor (0.62 ～ 0.64) in spite of differences in mineralogy, while the corresponding factor of Ce depletion for the suspended-matter fraction is 0.462; the smaller value indicates a greater depletion in Ce.The weight fraction values of four fractions calculated from the REE abundances are in satisfactory agreement with the actual values. The concentration ratios between plagioclase and mainly pigeonite fractions accord with those observed in similar phases of the Juvinas eucrite [1]. Moreover, the bulk pattern synthesized from the three fine-particle fractions is similar in absolute level to that for the Zmenj howardite [1]. It is concluded that the negative Ce anomaly reflects the effect predating the igneous activity in the parent planetary body.     

Arsenic release from biotite into a Holocene groundwater aquifer in Bangladesh

Continuous core sediments (to a depth of 90.1 m) taken at a transitional area of Holocene and Pleistocene deposits in Sonargaon, Bangladesh were characterized for their mineralogy and chemistry. Among the sediments of the lower part of the Holocene aquifer (depth: 18–29 m), where most domestic wells are installed, As is mostly fixed in biotite and organic phases. A positive correlation of As concentration with those of Al and Fe but not that of total organic C clearly suggests that biotite is a primary source of As. Although microbial reduction–dissolution of As-containing Fe oxyhydroxides is thought to cause As-enriched groundwater in the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna delta plain, the authors conclude that chemical weathering of biotite is the primary formation mechanism and prevailing reducing conditions contribute to the expansion of As-enriched groundwater in the study area.     

Hard X-ray emission from the solar corona

This review surveys hard X-ray emissions of non-thermal electrons in the solar corona. These electrons originate in flares and flare-related processes. Hard X-ray emission is the most direct diagnostic of electron presence in the corona, and such observations provide quantitative determinations of the total energy in the non-thermal electrons. The most intense flare emissions are generally observed from the chromosphere at footpoints of magnetic loops. Over the years, however, many observations of hard X-ray and even γ-ray emission directly from the corona have also been reported. These coronal sources are of particular interest as they occur closest to where the electron acceleration is thought to occur. Prior to the actual direct imaging observations, disk occultation was usually required to study coronal sources, resulting in limited physical information. Now RHESSI has given us a systematic view of coronal sources that combines high spatial and spectral resolution with broad energy coverage and high sensitivity. Despite the low density and hence low bremsstrahlung efficiency of the corona, we now detect coronal hard X-ray emissions from sources in all phases of solar flares. Because the physical conditions in such sources may differ substantially from those of the usual “footpoint” emission regions, we take the opportunity to revisit the physics of hard X-radiation and relevant theories of particle acceleration.     

Transition of solar cycle length in association with the occurrence of grand solar minima indicated by radiocarbon content in tree-rings

In this paper, we review the variation of the 11-year solar cycle since the 15th century revealed by the measurement of radiocarbon content in single-year tree-rings of Japanese cedar trees. Measurements of radiocarbon content in absolutely dated tree-rings provide a calibration curve for accurate dating of archaeological matters, but at the same time, enable us to examine the variations of solar magnetic activity in the pre-historical period. The Sun holds several long-term quasi-cyclic variations in addition to the fundamental 11-year sunspot activity cycle and the 22-year polarity reversal cycle, and it is speculated that the property of the 11-year and the 22-year solar cycle varies in association with such long-term quasi-cycles. It is essential to reveal the details of solar variations around the transition time of solar dynamo for illuminating the mechanisms of the long-term solar variations. We therefore have investigated the property of the 11-year and 22-year cycles around the two grand solar minima; the Maunder Minimum (1645–1715 AD) and the Spoerer Minimum (1415–1534 AD), the periods of prolonged sunspot minima. As a result, slight stretching of the “11-year” and the “22-year” solar cycles was found during these two grand solar activity minima; continuously during the Maunder Minimum and only intermittently during the Spoerer Minimum. On the contrary, normal or slightly shortened 11-year cycles were detected during the interval period of these two minima. It suggests the inverse correlation between the solar cycle length and solar magnetic activity level, and also the change of meridional flow during the grand solar activity minima. Further measurements for the beginning of the grand solar minima will provide a clue to the occurrence of such prolonged sunspot disappearance. We also discuss the effect of solar variations to radiocarbon dating.     

A new approach to evaluation of the effect of the two half-Lambert surfaces composed of different albedoes on the emergent radiation at the top of the atmosphere

A new way is adopted for the evaluation of the upwelling radiation from atmosphere bounded by two half-Lambert surfaces. The atmosphere is assumed to be homogeneous, and is composed of aerosol, molecules, and absorbent gases, where the model aerosol is of the oceanic and water soluble types.In the computational procedure, an iterative doubling-adding equation is expanded into a series of the radiative interaction modes between atmosphere and surface. Next, a probability of radiation interacting with respective half surfaces is calculated based on the assumption of single-scattering in the atmosphere. On the basis of this probability, the emergent radiation at the top of the atmosphere is approximately calculated by considering the radiative intractions to be twice as large. The effect of the multiple-scattering is fully taken into account. A numerical simulation exhibits the extraordinary effect near the two half-surface boundary of different albedoes. The effect of the other half-surface on the radiance decreases monotonically with the distance from the boundary. The present new version enable us to quantitatively discuss radiative transfer near the boundary of two half-surfaces even if the optical thickness is large and (or) surface albedo is great.     

Rhenium and osmium systematics on iron and stony iron meteorites

Abstract— Re and Os abundances and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁶Os isotopic ratios in 12 iron meteorites of various groups and five stony iron meteorites have been determined by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The series of iron meteorites studied have Re and Os concentrations ranging from 0.004 to 3.3 ppm and 0.03 to 41 ppm, respectively. The ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁶Os ratios in these meteorites fall between 3.0 and 6.1 and the ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁶Os between 1.0 and 1.2, giving an initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁶Os isotopic ratio of 0.790 and a Re-Os age of iron meteorites of 4.30 ± 0.28 Ga when employing the decay constant of 1.64 × 10^?11 yr^?1. The observed Re-Os age for iron meteorites appears somewhat younger than that for chondrites. The resultant younger age might be due either to a very slow cooling of the parental planetesimals or due to a secondary “shock” event. However, for definite conclusions about the Re-Os age, higher precisions of the Re and Os isotopic measurements and of the decay constant of ¹⁸⁷Re are required. Furthermore, the clear elucidation of the mechanisms for the fractionation of the Re/Os abundance ratios are related to the understanding of the meaning of the Re-Os age. The Re and Os abundances in pallasite stony iron meteorites are extremely low compared with those for most iron meteorites. On the other hand, the Re and Os abundances in mesosiderite stony iron meteorites show values comparable with those observed in most iron meteorites. The difference in Re and Os abundances in pallasite and mesosiderite stony iron meteorites strongly suggests that these stony iron meteorites are different in origin or history of chemical evolution. Re and Os abundances in the series of iron and stony iron meteorites were found to have a wide variation covering nearly four orders of magnitude, with a very high correlation coefficient (0.996), and a slope very slightly less than unity. The regression line observed here covers various groups of iron meteorites, stony iron meteorites and also chondrites. Masuda and Hirata (1991) suggested the possible direct mixing process of particles of most refractory metallic elements with gaseous clouds of less refractory matrix elements, since the Re and Os were predicted theoretically to be the first elements to condense as a solid phase from the high temperature solar nebula. The aims of this paper are to present a reliable technique for the Re-Os chronology and to study the cosmochemical sequences of the meteoritic metals.     

Major Element Compositions and Rare—earth Element Abundaces of Cenozoic Basalts in Eastern China：Implications for a Pressure Control over LREE／HREE Fractionation in Continental Basalt

Major element compositions and rare-earth element (REE) and transition element(Ni,Cr and V) abundances have been determined on 44 basalt samples from eastern China.These basalts have SiO2 contents ranging from 38.63 to 55.24(wt.%),and Na2O K2O from 3.1 to 9.4(wt.%).Ni and Cr abundances are largely variable,respectively falling in ranges 60-605 and 78-1150 ppm.REE abundances,especially light rare-earth elements(LREE), are highly variable.La/Sm and La/Yb ratios vary 2.8 to 7.6 and 1.8 to 8.1. Although the segregation mainly of olivine and clinopyroxene is requested to account for the vari-able and low MgO,CaO/Al2O3,Cr and Ni characteristic of these basalts studied here,the differ-ences in REE composition of the basalts are still related mainly to the partial melting process.Obvious varations in REE abundances could be principally attributed to the partial melting process.Obvious variations in REE abundances could be principally attributed to the partial melting processes that took place at different depths,in spite of some variations caused by the fractional crystallization processes.REE abundances and La/Sm and La/Yb ratios systematically decrease with increasing SiO2,which probably indicated that the basaltic magma derived from a deeper level has higher LREE and LREE/HREE ratios than that from a shallower level.As viewed from the fact that the D^Yb/D^La ratios of clinopyroxenes in the basaltic system increase with increasing pressure,the increase of LREE/HUEE ratios with increasing melting depth can be interpreted as the pressure dependence of bulk D^HREE/D^LREE ratios of silicate minerals,in addition to the pressure control over the melting degree.