Minor planet short periodic perturbations: The indirect part of the disturbing function

Leverrier's development of the indirect part of the disturbing function has been extended to include terms up to degree 4 in eccentricity and inclination; the resulting series has been expressed with respect to a fixed plane, and in a computer readable form (a list of integers). Tests have been performed for the relative significance of the terms of degrees 2, 3 and 4, and estimates have been obtained for the accuracy of the short periodic perturbations of a minor planet, and of the corresponding mean orbital elements. It was found that: (i) even in extreme cases, the indirect part of the disturbing function gives rise to very small short periodic perturbations; (ii) bodies of very high eccentricity/inclination and those close to mean motion resonances are most significantly affected; (iii) indirect perturbations for minor planets can be computed up to the degree 2 terms only, without any significant loss of accuracy; and (iv) higher degree indirect perturbations appear to be important only for their contribution to the long periodic effects of higher order (with respect to the perturbing mass).     

Radioactive and trace element distribution in basaltic rocks of Lower Silesia

Summary The distribution of radioactive(Th, U, K) and selected trace(Rb, Sr, Ba, Y, Zr, V, Cr, Ni) elements in volcanic rocks from the Opole and Jawor regions of the Lower Silesia has been studied. The behaviour of these elements in the studied rocks indicates that the Lower Silesian volcanic rocks are characterized by less differentiated type than other volcanic rocks of the Bohemian Massif, the Opole rock types probably having a less differentiated character than the Jawor rock types.

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¶rt;a an¶rt;u a¶rt;uamu(Th, U, K) u m ¶rt;u(Rb, Sr, Ba, Y, Zr, V, Cr, Ni) m auu n¶rt;a am n u u uuu. a n mam n¶rt;num, m aum u uuu n¶rt;mam ¶rt; aamuu n¶rt; u ¶rt;uuau, aum u ana¶rt; uu. au a n¶rt;num, m auu n¶rt; amu n ¶rt;uuau ma ua n¶rt; u amu .

     

Tensor structure and the least squares

It is shown that for linear parametric adjustment models all the least-squares equations can be obtained from a commutative diagram, where the observation and parameter spaces are regarded as covariant. Their contravariant counterparts are defined through the metric property of the covariance matrix of the observations.     

Core waves recorded in central Europe

Summary The core waves recorded at four seismograph stations in Central Europe were investigated with the aim to find the most suitable set of travel-time curves and a fitting model of the core structure. Another travel-time curve was constructed by means of time differences between the core phases. The differences in the features of the travel-time curves were studied using records of shallow, intermediate and deep shocks from the same focal region (Tonga).     

Trends in planetary wave activity in the upper middle atmosphere inferred from the nighttime LF radio wave absorption measurements

Summary The nighttime LF radio wave absorption in the lower ionosphere measured at two frequencies in central Europe over 1963–1985 is used to infer planetary wave activity and its long-term trend in the upper middle atmosphere (∼90–100 km). The observed positive trend is roughly consistent with results based on daytime absorption. Nighttime results are less pronounced and less statistically significant probably due to perturbing effects of geomagnetic activity. The observed trends, which are probably of anthropogenic origin, are together with the daytime results [3,4] the first evidence of long-term trends in planetary wave activity in the upper middle atmosphere.     

The Use of Resonant Orbits in Satellite Geodesy: A Review

Dynamic resonance, arising from commensurate (orbital or rotational) periods of satellites or planets with each other, has been a strong force in the development of the solar system. The repetition of conditions over the commensurate periods can result in amplified long-term changes in the positions of the bodies involved. Such resonant phenomena driven by the commensurability between the mean motion of certain artificial Earth satellites and the Earth’s rotation originally contributed to the evaluation and assessment of the Stokes parameters (harmonic geopotential coefficients) that specify the Earth’s gravitational field. The technique constrains linear combinations of the harmonic coefficients that are of relevant resonant order (lumped coefficients). The attraction of the method eventually dwindled, but the very accurate orbits of CHAMP and GRACE have recently led to more general insights for commensurate orbits applied to satellite geodesy involving the best resolution for all coefficients, not just resonant ones. From the GRACE mission, we learnt how to explain and predict temporary decreases in the resolution and accuracy of derived geopotential parameters, due to passages through low-order commensurabilities, which lead to low-density ground-track patterns. For GOCE we suggest how to change a repeat orbit height slightly, to achieve the best feasible recovery of the field parameters derived from on-board gradiometric measurements by direct inversion from the measurements to the harmonic geopotential coefficients, not by the way of lumped coefficients. For orbiters of Mars, we have suggestions which orbits should be avoided. The slow rotation of Venus results in dense ground-tracks and excellent gravitational recovery for almost all orbiters.     

Trends and evolution of contamination in a well-dated water reservoir sedimentary archive: the Brno Dam, Moravia, Czech Republic

The sedimentary record from dams can provide important information about stratigraphy and pollution history of densely populated river basins. The Brno Dam is a small reservoir within the Morava River catchment (Czech Republic) accumulating lacustrine sediments since 1940 (dam filling). The stratigraphy of the dam sediments was studied using multiproxy stratigraphic analysis (X-ray densitometry, bulk magnetic susceptibility, diffuse spectral reflectance and cation-exchange capacity) of five sediment cores supported by ground-penetration radar sections. Concentrations of heavy metals were studied by X-ray fluorescence analysis. The thickness of the dam sediments decreases from 220 cm in the proximal part, near the feeder, to only 10 cm in the distal part, near the dyke. Sediments consist predominantly of finely-laminated silty sands, silts and clays. The sedimentation rate for the last ~22 years, inferred from ¹³⁷Cs dating, decreases from 4.2 cm per year in the proximal part of the dam to 0.29 cm per year in its distal part. Distinct long-term trends were found in the depth profiles of heavy metal concentrations. The heavy metal contents increase significantly after 1940 in all cores, with peak concentrations confined to layers deposited in the 1960s and 1980s. A decreasing trend occurred after 1989 (the decline in Czech heavy industry). The results also show that heavy metal contamination is dependent on lithology (hyperpycnal flow layers related to floods). Increased concentrations of phosphorus in the sediments indicate long-term eutrophication of the dam. Despite the recent decreasing trends in heavy metal concentrations the phosphorus contents remain high in recent years and have caused persisting problems with algal growth in the dam mentioned by previous authors.     

Silver and silver microparticles of the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary sediment of Fish Clay Højerup (Stevns Klint,Denmark)

We report the occurrence of micrometer-sized silver particles in the red (“impact” or “ejecta”) layer of the Fish Clay. These appear to be embedded into the biogenic/abiogenic calcite matrix. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicates that these microparticles are composed of pure silver (>99% of the total weight). Scanning electron microscopy images reveal irregular and predominantly rounded shapes with rugged surfaces. Numerous silver microparticles are spherical, and some exhibit dendritic textures. These microparticles were probably originated during the Chicxulub asteroid impact event, or immediately afterwards, and dispersed globally.