Feasibility study of a multiple flyby mission of main belt asteroids

Specific information on the surface morphology, composition, mean density, and internal structure of asteroids, which is necessary to advance our understanding of asteroids, can be obtained only by a detailed investigation of individual bodies: this will require space missions to individual targets. Since an essential characteristic of the asteroids is their variety, several objects must be visited. The Ariane launcher developed presently in Europe makes a multiple flyby mission possible. The first results of our feasibility study are particularly encouraging: during one revolution, five to six preselected main belt asteroids may be approached to within 1000 km with relative velocities which lie between 3 and 14 km/sec using a total impulse correction on the order of 1 to 2 km/sec. The weight of the spacecraft, excluding the engine and the propellant, would be at least 250 kg. This allows a scientific payload of 50 to 60 kg, in which priority will be given to an imaging system and radar altimeter.     

On the nature of interstellar grains

Data on interstellar extinction are interpreted to imply an identification of interstellar grains with naturally freeze-dried bacteria and algae. The total mass of such bacterial and algal cells in the galaxy is enormous, 10⁴⁰ g. The identification is based on Mie scattering calculations for an experimentally determined size distribution of bacteria. Agreement between our model calculations and astronomical data is remarkably precise over the wavelength intervals µ^–1 < ;^–2 < 1.94µ^–1 and 2.5µ^–1 < ;^–1 < 3.0 ;^–1. Over the more restricted waveband 4000–5000 Å an excess interstellar absorption is found which is in uncannily close agreement with the absorption properties of phytoplankton pigments. The strongest of the diffuse interstellar bands are provisionally assingned to carotenoid-chlorophyll pigment complexes such as exist in algae and pigmented bacteria. The 2200 Å interstellar absorption feature could be due to degraded cellulose strands which form spherical graphitic particles, but could equally well be due to protein-lipid-nucleic acid complexes in bacteria and viruses. Interstellar extinction at wavelengths <1800 Å could be due to scattering by virus particles.     

On the possibility of submillimetric interstellar lines detection by means of laser heterodyne techniques

The search for extraterrestrial and, in particular, interstellar molecules has suddenly increased in the last ten years after the discovery of many complex organic molecules by radioastronomy. Since some very interesting lines are not detectable in the radio region, but only in the middle and far infrared, heterodyne techniques seem to be a powerful tool for interstellar line detection in the submillimetric region and the detection of CO at 870 in Orion (Philipps and Huggins, 1977) represents an encouraging success for further efforts in this new field of research. In this work the possibility of observing interstellar lines at heterodyne laser wavelengths already available in laboratory has been considered. We also computed relative intensities for some representative rotational lines of interstellar molecules at three typical temperatures (10, 20, 50 K) assuming thermodynamic equilibrium and optically thin regions. The results achieved with heterodyne laser techniques developed in the laboratory are discussed here in order to study the possibility for ground and space astronomical observations.     

The terrestrial cratering record: I. Current status of observations

The location, size, and principal characteristics of the currently known proven and probable terrestrial impact structures are tabulated. Of the 78 known probable structures, only 3 are Precambrian and the majority are <300 my in age. A survey of the variation in preservation with size and age indicates that, unless protected by sedimentary cover, a structure <20 km in diameter has a recognizable life of <600 my. The depth-diameter relationships of terrestrial structures are similar to lunar craters; however, it is believed that terrestrial craters were always shallower than their lunar counterparts. Complex structures formed in sedimentary targets are shallower than those in crystalline targets, and the transition from simple to complex crater morphology occurs in sedimentary strata at approximately one-half the diameter of the morphology transition in crystalline rocks. This is a reflection of target strength. Although observations indicate that crater size, target strength, and surface gravity are variables in the formation of complex craters, they do not permit an unequivocal choice between collapse and rebound processes for the formation of complex structures. It may be that both processes act together in the modification of crater morphology during the later stages of excavation. The major emphasis of recent shock metamorphic studies has been toward the development of models of cratering processes. An important contribution has been the identification, through meteoritic contamination in the melt rocks, of the type of bolide at a number of probable impact structures. This has served to strengthen the link between the occurrence of shock metamorphic effects and their origin by hypervelocity meteorite impact.     

Study of the post-flare loops on 29 July 1973

Bright and dark curvilinear structures observed between the two major chromospheric ribbons during the flare of 29 July 1973 on films from the Big Bear Solar Observatory are interpreted as a typical system of coronal loops joining the inner boundaries of the separating flare ribbons. These observations, made through a 0.25 Å H filter, only show small segments of the loops having Doppler shifts within approximately ± 22 km s^–1 relative to the filter passband centered at H, H -0.5 Å or H +0.5 Å. However, from our knowledge of the typical behavior of such loop systems observed at the limb in H and at 5303 Å, it has been possible to reconstruct an appoximate model of the probable development of the loops of the 29 July flare as they would have been viewed at the limb relative to the position of a prominence which began to erupt a few minutes before the start of the flare. It is seen that the loops ascended through the space previously occupied by the filament. On the assumption that H fine structures parallel the magnetic field, we can conclude that a dramatic reorientation of the direction of the magnetic field in the corona occurred early in the flare, subsequent to the start of the eruption of the filament and prior to the time that the H loops ascended through the space previously occupied by the filament.     

Potential and inductive electric fields in the magnetosphere during auroras

During quiescent auroras the large-scale electric field is essentially irrotational. The volume formed by the plasma sheet and its extension into the auroral oval is connected to an external source by electric currents, which enter and leave the volume at different electric potentials and which supply sufficient energy to support the auroral activity. The location of the actual acceleration of particles depends on the internal distribution of electric fields and currents. One important feature is the energization of the carriers of the cross-tail current and another is the acceleration of electrons precipitated through relatively low-altitude magnetic-field-aligned potential drops.Substorm auroras depend on rapid and (especially initially) localized release of energy that can only be supplied by tapping stored magnetic energy. The energy is transmitted to the charged particle via electric inductive fields.The primary electric field due to changing electric currents is redistributed in a complicated way—but never extinguished—by polarization of charges. As a consequence, any tendency of the plasma to suppress magnetic-field-aligned components of the electric fields leads to a corresponding enhancement of the transverse component.     

A dipole field model for axisymmetric alfvén waves with finite ionosphere conductivities

An axisymmetric model for approximate solution of the magnetospheric Alfvén wave problem at latitudes above the plasmapause is proposed, in which a realistic dipole geometry is combined with finite anisotropic ionosphere conductivities, thus bringing together various ideas of previous authors. It is confirmed that the axisymmetric toroidal and poloidal modes interact via the ionospheric Hall effect, and an approximate method of solution is suggested using previously derived closed solutions of the uncoupled wave equations.A solution for zero Hall conductivity is obtained, which consists of sets of independent shell oscillations, regardless of the magnitude of the Pedersen conductivity. One set reduces to the classical solutions for infinite Pedersen conductivity, while another predicts a new set of harmonics of a quarter-wave fundamental, with longer eigenperiods than the classical solutions for a given L-shell.     

An extended investigation of Helios 1 and 2 observations: The interplanetary magnetic field between 0.3 and 1 AU

Helios-1 and 2 spacecraft allowed a detailed investigation of the radial dependence of the interplanetary magnetic field components between 0.3 and 1 AU. The behaviour of the radial component B _ris in a very good agreement with Parker's model (B _r r ^-2) and the azimuthal component B also shows a radial dependence which is close to theoretical predictions (B r ^-1). Experimental results for the normal component B and for the field magnitude B are consistent with those from previous investigations. The relative amplitude of the directional fluctuations with periods less than 12 hr is essentially independent of heliocentric distance, while their power decreases approximately as r ^–3 without any appreciable difference between higher and lower velocity regimes.Also at Laboratorio Plasma nello Spazio, CNR, Frascati.     

Photoelectric lightcurve and period of rotation of the asteroid 182 Elsa

Photoelectric observations on five consecutive nights yield a period of rotation of 80 ± 2 hr with an amplitude of 0.7 magnitude for 182 Elsa, making it the longest period of rotation known to date. 182 Elsa is classed as an S object with a diameter of 48 km.     

High spatial and spectral resolution 10-μm observations of jupiter

Ten-micrometer spectra of the North Tropical Zone, North Equatorial Belt, and Great Red Spot at a spectral resolution of 1.1 cm^?1 are compared to synthetic spectra. These ground-based spectra were obtained simultaneously with the Voyager 1 encounter with Jupiter in March, 1979. The NH₃ vertical distribution is found to decrease with altitude significantly faster than the saturated vapor pressure curve and is different for the three observed regions. Spatial variability in the NH₃ mixing ratio could be caused by changes in the amount of NH₃ condensation or in the degree of the NH₃ photolysis. The C₂H₆ emission at 12 μm has approximately the same strength at the North Tropical Zone and North Equatorial Belt, but it is 30% weaker at the Great Red Spot. A cooler temperature inversion or a smaller abundance of C₂H₆ could explain the lower C₂H₆ emission over the Great Red Spot.