New in the physics of planetary atmosphere

We present here an overview of the results of Russian investigations of planetary atmospheres in 2003–2006 prepared by the Commission on Planetary Atmospheres of the National Geophysical Committee for the National Report on Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences to the 24th General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (Perugia, June 2–13, 2007).     

Modeling the Atmospheres of Tidally Locked Super-Earths Orbiting Low-Mass Host Stars Using a Nonhydrostatic General Circulation Model

Astronomy Letters - We present the results of our numerical simulations of the general circulation in the atmosphere of a hypothetical super-Earth within a model based on the solution of the...     

Principles of Pulsar Space Navigation

Astronomy Reports - The paper considers the principles of space navigation using pulsars observed in the radio range. The requirements for receiving equipment are outlined, a recommended pulsar...     

On the existence of planets around the pulsar PSR B0329+54

Results of timing measurements of the pulsar PSR B0329+54 obtained in 1968–2012 using the Big Scanning Antenna of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory (at 102 and 111 MHz), the DSS 13 and DSS 14 telescopes of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2388 MHz), and the 64 m telescope of the Kalyazin Radio Astronomy Observatory (610 MHz) are presented. The astrometric and rotational parameters of the pulsar are derived at a new epoch. Periodic variations in the barycentric timing residuals have been found, which can be explained by the presence of a planet orbiting the pulsar, with an orbital period P₁ = 27.8 yr, mass m _c sin i = 2M_?, and orbital semi-major axis a = 10.26 AU. The results of this study do not confirm existence of a proposed second planet with orbital period P₂ = 3 yr.     

A one-dimensional numerical model of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O cloud formation in the Martian atmosphere

A one-dimensional numerical model with a size distribution of aerosol particles in Martian atmosphere is developed. The model incorporates detailed microphysics and turbulent transport. Dust particles suspended in the Martian atmosphere play a role of cloud condensation nuclei. Diurnal cycle of condensational processes is obtained on the basis of GCM temperature profiles. An effective radius of ice particles is 1–2 μm near the lower boundary of cloud layer and 0.2–0.3 μm at the altitude of 50–60 km. These results are consistent with solar infrared occultations by SPICAM experiment on Mars-Express. Near-surface fogs may form under specific conditions. The connections of condensational processes and cloud macroscopic parameters on microphysical properties of aerosol particles are main focus of this paper. In particular, the dependence on variations of cloud condensation nuclei contact parameter is analyzed, taking into account new experimental data of adsorption properties of minerals at low temperatures.