Characteristics of convection and overshooting in RGB and AGB stars

Based on the turbulent convection model (TCM) of Li & Yang, we have studied the characteristics of turbulent convection in the envelopes of 2 and 5M⊙ stars at the red giant branch and asymptotic giant branch phases. The TCM has been successfully applied over the entire convective envelopes, including the convective unstable zone and the overshooting regions. We find that the convective motions become progressively stronger when the stellar models are located farther up along the Hayashi line. In the convect...     

Cassini SAR, radiometry, scatterometry and altimetry observations of Titan’s dune fields

Large expanses of linear dunes cover Titan’s equatorial regions. As the Cassini mission continues, more dune fields are becoming unveiled and examined by the microwave radar in all its modes of operation (SAR, radiometry, scatterometry, altimetry) and with an increasing variety of observational geometries. In this paper, we report on Cassini’s radar instrument observations of the dune fields mapped through May 2009 and present our key findings in terms of Titan’s geology and climate. We estimate that dune fields cover ∼12.5% of Titan’s surface, which corresponds to an area of ∼10 million km², roughly the area of the United States. If dune sand-sized particles are mainly composed of solid organics as suggested by VIMS observations (Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) and atmospheric modeling and supported by radiometry data, dune fields are the largest known organic reservoir on Titan. Dune regions are, with the exception of the polar lakes and seas, the least reflective and most emissive features on this moon. Interestingly, we also find a latitudinal dependence in the dune field microwave properties: up to a latitude of ∼11°, dune fields tend to become less emissive and brighter as one moves northward. Above ∼11° this trend is reversed. The microwave signatures of the dune regions are thought to be primarily controlled by the interdune proportion (relative to that of the dune), roughness and degree of sand cover. In agreement with radiometry and scatterometry observations, SAR images suggest that the fraction of interdunes increases northward up to a latitude of ∼14°. In general, scattering from the subsurface (volume scattering and surface scattering from buried interfaces) makes interdunal regions brighter than the dunes. The observed latitudinal trend may therefore also be partially caused by a gradual thinning of the interdunal sand cover or surrounding sand sheets to the north, thus allowing wave penetration in the underlying substrate. Altimetry measurements over dunes have highlighted a region located in the Fensal dune field (∼5° latitude) where the icy bedrock of Titan is likely exposed within smooth interdune areas. The hemispherical assymetry of dune field properties may point to a general reduction in the availability of sediments and/or an increase in the ground humidity toward the north, which could be related to Titan’s asymmetric seasonal polar insolation. Alternatively, it may indicate that either the wind pattern or the topography is less favorable for dune formation in Titan’s northern tropics.     

Dawn; the Vesta–HED connection; and the geologic context for eucrites,diogenites, and howardites

The Dawn mission has provided new evidence strengthening the identification of asteroid Vesta as the parent body of the howardite, eucrite, and diogenite (HED) meteorites. The evidence includes Vesta's petrologic complexity, detailed spectroscopic characteristics, unique space weathering, diagnostic geochemical abundances and neutron absorption characteristics, chronology of surface units and impact history, occurrence of exogenous carbonaceous chondritic materials in the regolith, and dimensions of the core, all of which are consistent with HED observations and constraints. Global mapping of the distributions of HED lithologies by Dawn cameras and spectrometers provides the missing geologic context for these meteorites, thereby allowing tests of petrogenetic models and increasing their scientific value.     

用于测量圆顶视宁度的微温脉动仪的研制

为评价云南天文台丽江2.4m望远镜的圆顶视宁度,研制了一种能测量温度、气压和微温脉动的仪器。在天文圆顶附近,望远镜前方光路上,放置几组微温传感器,可以测得圆顶附近影响天文观测的湍流强度的分布情况。介绍了这套仪器的基本原理,电路设计,程序设计,实验定标以及一个简单的测试。     

“华北型”煤田岩溶水害及防治现状

“华北型”煤田的开采普遍受到煤层底板岩溶承压水的威胁，近年来，煤田岩溶水害的机理研究取得突破性进展，认为岩溶裂隙水网络是发生突水的物质基础，隔水层的岩石水学性质及厚度是突水的制约因素，断裂构造是突水的关键因素，采矿活动是突水的诱发因素；在水害防治方面，采用疏水降压、注浆改造、帷幕截流等技术方法，取得了明显的技术效果，本文旨在介绍水害现状，分析探讨治理对策，为治理煤田水害提供参考。     

钇易解石族的端员—钛钇易解石的发现

本矿物为新发现的钇易解石族的端员矿物－钛钇易解石，产于江西省龙南县足洞燕山期中粒白云母花岗岩及其风化壳中。矿物属斜方晶系，常呈板状或短柱状，为天然晶质体，浅黄色，粒度为０．０７５ｍｍ，硬度４．７，比重４．７３，二轴正晶，Ｎｇ＝２．２４８，Ｎｍ＝２．２１２，Ｎｐ＝２．１９４，Ｎｇ－Ｎｐ＝０．０５４，２Ｖ＝７０°。空间群为Ｄ＾１６２ｈ－Ｐｍｎｂ，ａ０＝０．７５０ｎｍ，ｂ０＝１．０９２ｎｍ，Ｃ０＝０．５     

东昆仑西端布喀达坂峰地区二叠纪孢粉型化石的发现

在东昆仑西端布喀达坂峰地区二叠纪地层中首次发现陆相孢粉与海相疑源类化石一起保存的孢粉—疑源类化石组合。经对两个样品较为丰富的孢粉型化石研究后发现,上部组合以裸子植物花粉占优势,双囊无肋花粉最多,可与塔里木盆地的卡伦达尔组的孢粉组合做粗略的比较,但组合中出现了时代偏晚的Ephedripites及Taeniae-sporites,因此,研究区马尔争组中段复理石地层的时代当为中二叠世—晚二叠世。     

Laihunite—A new iron silicate mineral

Laihuite reported in the present paper is a new iron silicate mineral found in China with the following characteristics:

1. This mineral occurs in a metamorphic iron deposit, associated with fayalite, hypersthene, quartz, magnetitc, etc.
2. The mineral is opaque, black in colour, thickly tabular in shape with luster metallic to sub-metallic, two perfect cleavages and specific gravity of 3.92.
3. Its main chemical components are Fe and Si with Fe³⁺>Fe²⁺. The analysis gave the formula of Fe Fe _1.00 ³⁺ ·Fe _0.58 ²⁺ ·Mg _0.03 ²⁺ ·Si_0.96O₄.
4. Its DTA curve shows an exothermic peak at 713°C.
5. The mineral has its own infrared spectrum distinctive from that of other minerals.
6. This mineral is of orthorhombic system; space group:C _2h ^/5 ?P2₁/c; unit cell:α=5.813ű0.005,b=4.812ű0.005,c=10.211ű0.005,β=90.87°.
7. The Mössbauer spectrum of this mineral is given, too.