The diurnal and solar cycle variation of the charge exchange induced hydrogen escape flux

Using ion temperature and density data at specific points and times in June 1969 provided by the OGO 6 satellite, and altitude profiles of the ion and electron temperature and concentration provided by the Arecibo radar facility over the period February 1972–April 1974, the diurnal and solar cycle variation of the charge exchange induced hydrogen escape flux was investigated. It was calculated that for low to moderate solar activity at Arecibo, the diurnal ratio of the maximum-to-minimum charge exchange induced hydrogen escape flux was approximately 6 with a peak around noon and a minimum somewhere between 0100 and 0300 h L.T. This study of a limited amount of OGO 6 and Arecibo data seems to indicate that the charge exchange induced hydrogen escape flux increases as the F_10.7 flux increases for low to moderate solar activity.     

Planets and Planet-Sized Binaries from the OGLE Transit Survey

The OGLE survey for transiting planets has identified 177 transit candidates. Subsequent radial velocity follow-up of these candidates has allowed the detection of five transiting planets, as well as several dozen eclipsing binaries.Some of these systems consist of solar-type stars transited by small M dwarf companion, including the smallest stellar companions yet measured by transit. As a result, the OGLE transit survey has yielded a wealth of data on the mass-radius relation of planets and low-mass stars. In particular, two planet-sized stars were found, an empirical proof of the model predictions on Jupiter-sized main-sequence stars.     

The Red Rain Phenomenon of Kerala and its Possible Extraterrestrial Origin

A red rain phenomenon occurred in Kerala, India starting from 25th July 2001, in which the rainwater appeared coloured in various localized places that are spread over a few hundred kilometers in Kerala. Maximum cases were reported during the first 10 days and isolated cases were found to occur for about 2 months. The striking red colouration of the rainwater was found to be due to the suspension of microscopic red particles having the appearance of biological cells. These particles have no similarity with usual desert dust. An estimated minimum quantity of 50,000 kg of red particles has fallen from the sky through red rain. An analysis of this strange phenomenon further shows that the conventional atmospheric transport processes like dust storms etc. cannot explain this phenomenon. The electron microscopic study of the red particles shows fine cell structure indicating their biological cell like nature. EDAX analysis shows that the major elements present in these cell like particles are carbon and oxygen. Strangely, a test for DNA using Ethidium Bromide dye fluorescence technique indicates absence of DNA in these cells. In the context of a suspected link between a meteor airburst event and the red rain, the possibility for the extraterrestrial origin of these particles from cometary fragments is discussed.     

茅山东部地区第三纪两期玄武岩综合地质特征

茅山东部地区第三纪两期玄武岩 ,在岩石地层上命名为凉帽顶火山岩锥、方山火山岩锥 ,分别隶属于渐新世三垛组和中—上新世雨花台组 ,相当于两个火山旋回 ,在岩石学、岩石化学、地球化学上有一定的演化规律。两期玄武岩均属钠质碱性玄武岩系列、B类岩浆 ,原始岩浆来源于深部上地幔