Spectroscopic studies of three novae

We present our spectroscopic observations of the novae V1425, V1493, and V1494 Aql carried out with the 125-cm telescope at the Crimean Station of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute in the wavelength range 4000–11000 Å. We measured the emission-line intensities, determined the nova shell expansion velocities from the line profile FWHMs and components, and estimated the interstellar reddening from the first members of the Balmer series. The chemical composition of the nova shells is analyzed. Nitrogen and oxygen were found to be overabundant in V1425 and V1494 Aql; the helium abundance turned out to be normal in the two stars.     

SOS: the visible spectroscopic survey of 820 asteroids

We present the results of a visible spectroscopic survey of 820 asteroids carried on between November 1996 and September 2001 at the 1.52 m telescope at ESO (La Silla). The instrumental set-up allowed an useful spectral range of about 4900 Å<λ<9200 Å. The global spatial distribution of the observed asteroids covers quite well all the region between 2.2 and 3.3 AU though some concentrations are apparent. These are due to the fact that several sub-sets of asteroids, such as families and groups, have been selected and studied during the development of the survey. The observed asteroids have been classified using the Tholen and the Bus taxonomies which, in general, agree quite well.     

赤点石斑鱼人工配合饵料中蛋白质最适含量的研究

本文探讨了不同蛋白质含量的配合饵料对赤点石斑鱼（Epinephelusakaara）生长的影响。通过60d度验得出：在各配合饵料组中，蛋白质含量为49．52％的试验的相对增重率（46．84％）体长相对增长率（15．96％）、蛋白质效率（60．35％）和饵料转化率（29．85％）等均为最佳。配合饵料组鱼体肌肉营养成分（蛋白质、脂肪、氨基酸和鲜味氨基酸）也均优于对照组，而更接近野生鱼。经回归方程分析，赤点石斑鱼人工配合饵料中蛋白质最适含量为48．37％～49．24％。     

中国对虾配合饵料中维生素C添加量的研究

于１９９１年７月２１日－８月１９日在河北省唐海县西林养殖场以养成期中国对虾为材料，在其配合饵料中添加维生素Ｃ进行中国对虾对维生素Ｃ需要量的试验。结果表明，当中国对虾体长为５．５－７．５ｃｍ时，若以本项研究采用的配合饵料的基本成分和配比为基础，配饵中维生素Ｃ的最佳变化添加量为０．０１８％－０．０３０％。研究发现，变动的维生素Ｃ适宜添加量对于中国对虾具有明显的促进生长，增强抗病力和抗低氧能力以及提高存     

Observations of CO in the atmosphere of Mars with PFS onboard Mars Express

We have analyzed spectra of CO recorded with the instrument PFS onboard Mars Express in the (1-0) band. The dataset we used ranges in time from January until June 2004 (L_S=331^°.17 until L_S=51^°.61; end of Mars Year 26, beginning of Mars Year 27). The aim of this work was to determine the amplitude of the CO mixing ratio departures from the mean globally averaged value currently admitted (8±3×10^-4) [Kaplan, L.D., Connes, J., Connes, P., 1969. Carbon monoxide in the martian atmosphere. Astron. J. 157, L187-L192] as a function of season, local time and location on the planet. We therefore processed the data from 90 calibrated orbits. The globally averaged CO mixing ratio value we derive from our dataset, 11.1×10^-4, is compatible with the range found by Kaplan et al. [1969. Carbon monoxide in the martian atmosphere. Astron. J. 157, L187-L192], although somewhat higher than the “standard” value. However, the CO mixing ratio we retrieve exhibits large variations (roughly between 3×10^-4 and 18×10^-4). Such relative variations have been used on a statistical basis to derive main trends as a function of latitude for three L_S ranges: 331-360^°, 0-30^° and 30-52^°. For the first L_S range, we seem to have an enhancement of the CO mixing ratio towards the northern latitudes, probably linked to the CO₂ condensation in winter on the north polar cap. The situation for the two other L_S ranges is not so clear, mainly as we lack data on the southern hemisphere. We roughly agree with the work of Krasnopolsky [2007. Long-term spectroscopic observations of Mars using IRTF/CSHELL: mapping of O2 dayglow, CO and search for CH4. Icarus 190, 93-102] for L_S=331-360^°, thus confirming the effect of seasonal condensation of CO₂ on the north polar cap, but we have no agreement for other seasons.     

Spectral properties and composition of potentially hazardous Asteroid (99942) Apophis

The known close approach of Asteroid (99942) Apophis in April 2029 provides the opportunity for the case study of a potentially hazardous asteroid in advance of its encounter. The visible to near-infrared (0.55 to 2.45 μm) reflectance spectrum of Apophis is compared and modeled with respect to the spectral and mineralogical characteristics of likely meteorite analogs. Apophis is found to be an Sq-class asteroid that most closely resembles LL ordinary chondrite meteorites in terms of spectral characteristics and interpreted olivine and pyroxene abundances, although we cannot rule out some degree of partial melting. A meteorite analog allows some estimates and conjectures of Apophis' possible range of physical properties such as the grain density and micro-porosity of its constituent material. Composition and size similarities of Apophis with (25143) Itokawa suggest a total porosity of 40% as a “current best guess” for Apophis. Applying these parameters to Apophis yields a mass estimate of 2×¹⁰¹⁰ kg with a corresponding energy estimate of 375 Mt for its potential hazard. Substantial unknowns, most notably the total porosity, allow uncertainties in these mass and energy estimates to be as large as factors of two or three.     

Vertical profiles of HCN, HC3N, and C2H2 in Titan's atmosphere derived from Cassini/CIRS data

Mid-infrared limb spectra in the range 600-1400 cm⁻¹ taken with the Composite InfraRed Spectrometer (CIRS) on-board the Cassini spacecraft were used to determine vertical profiles of HCN, HC₃N, C₂H₂, and temperature in Titan's atmosphere. Both high (0.5 cm⁻¹) and low (13.5 cm⁻¹) spectral resolution data were used. The 0.5 cm⁻¹ data gave profiles at four latitudes and the 13.5 cm⁻¹ data gave almost complete latitudinal coverage of the atmosphere. Both datasets were found to be consistent with each other. High temperatures in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere were observed at Titan's northern winter pole and were attributed to adiabatic heating in the subsiding branch of a meridional circulation cell. On the other hand, the lower stratosphere was much colder in the north than at the equator, which can be explained by the lack of solar radiation and increased IR emission from volatile enriched air. HC₃N had a vertical profile consistent with previous ground based observations at southern and equatorial latitudes, but was massively enriched near the north pole. This can also be explained in terms of subsidence at the winter pole. A boundary observed at 60° N between enriched and un-enriched air is consistent with a confining polar vortex at 60° N and HC₃N's short lifetime. In the far north, layers were observed in the HC₃N profile that were reminiscent of haze layers observed by Cassini's imaging cameras. HCN was also enriched over the north pole, which gives further evidence for subsidence. However, the atmospheric cross section obtained from 13.5 cm⁻¹ data indicated a HCN enriched layer at 200-250 km, extending into the southern hemisphere. This could be interpreted as advection of polar enriched air towards the south by a meridional circulation cell. This is observed for HCN but not for HC₃N due to HCN's longer photochemical lifetime. C₂H₂ appears to have a uniform abundance with altitude and is not significantly enriched in the north. This is consistent with observations from previous CIRS analysis that show increased abundances of nitriles and hydrocarbons but not C₂H₂ towards the north pole.     

S2O, polysulfuroxide and sulfur polymer on Io's surface?

To settle the question of disulfur monoxide and sulfur monoxide deposition and occurrence on Io's surface, we performed series of laboratory experiments reproducing the condensation of S₂O at low temperature. Its polymerization has been monitored by recording infrared spectra under conditions of temperature, pressure, mixing with SO₂ and UV-visible radiation simulating that of Io's surface. Our experiments show that S₂O condensates are not chemically stable under ionian conditions. We also demonstrate that SO and S₂O outgassed by Io's volcanoes and condensing on Io's surface should lead to yellow polysulfuroxide deposits or to white deposits of S₂O diluted in sulfur dioxide frost (i.e., S₂O/SO₂ < 0.1%). Thus S₂O condensation cannot be responsible for the red volcanic deposits on Io. Comparison of the laboratory infrared spectra of S₂O and polysulfuroxide with NIMS/Galileo infrared spectra of Io's surface leads us to discuss the possible identification of polysulfuroxide. We also recorded the visible transmission spectra of sulfur samples resulting from polysulfuroxide decomposition. These samples consist in a mixture of sulfur polymer and orthorhombic sulfur. Using the optical constants extracted from these measurements, we show that a linear combination of the reflectance spectra of our samples, the reflectance spectrum of orthorhombic S₈ sulfur and SO₂ reflectance spectrum, leads to a very good matching of Io's visible spectrum between 330 and 520 nm. We conclude then that Io's surface is probably mainly composed of sulfur dioxide and a mixture of sulfur S₈ and sulfur polymer. Some polysulfuroxide could also co-exist with these dominant components, but is probably restricted to some volcanic areas.     

Physical properties of near-Earth Asteroid (33342) 1998 WT24

During its close Earth approach in 2001, the E-class near-Earth Asteroid (33342) 1998 WT24 was the focus of extensive radar, optical, and thermal infrared observations. We present a physical model of this object, estimated from Arecibo and Goldstone radar images that cover multiple rotations and span over 100° of sky motion. The asteroid has an equivalent diameter of 415±40 m and a diffuse radar scattering law that is identical in both senses of circular polarization, implying a surface that is extremely rough on centimeter-to-decimeter scales. The shape is dominated by three large basins, which may be impact craters or a relic of past dynamical disruption of the object. Analysis of YORP perturbations on WT24's spin state predicts that the asteroid's spin rate is decreasing at a rate of . Simply extrapolating this rate suggests that the asteroid will despin over the next 150 kyr and was spinning at its surface disruption rate 75 kyr ago, but the rotational evolution of WT24 depends on the surface's thermal properties and probably is more complex than a simple spin-down.     

In situ thermal conductivity measurements of Titan's lower atmosphere

Thermal conductivity measurements, presented in this paper (Fig. 3), were made during the descent of the Huygens probe through the atmosphere of Titan below the altitude of 30 km. The measurements are broadly consistent with reference values derived from the composition, pressure and temperature profiles of the atmosphere; except in narrow altitude regions around 19 km and 11 km, where the measured thermal conductivity is lower than the reference by 1% and 2%, respectively. Only single data point exists at each of the two altitudes mentioned above; if true however, the result supports the case for existence for molecules heavier than nitrogen in these regions (such as: ethane, other primordial noble gases, carbon dioxide, and other hydrocarbon derivatives). The increasing thermal conductivity observed below 7 km altitude could be due to some liquid deposition during the descent; either due to condensation and/or due to passing through layers of fog/cloud containing liquid nitrogen-methane. Thermal conductivity measurements do not allow conclusions to be drawn about how such liquid may have entered the sensor, but an estimate of the cumulative liquid content encountered in the last 7 km is 0.6% by volume of the Titan's atmosphere sampled during descent.