Hierarchical star formation from the time–space distribution of star clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud

The average age difference between pairs of star clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) increases with their separation as the ∼ 0.35 power. This suggests that star formation is hierarchical in space and in time. Small regions form stars quickly and large regions, which often contain the small regions, form stars over a longer period. A similar result found previously for Cepheid variables is statistically less certain than the cluster result.     

Frequency analysis of Cepheids in the Large Magellanic Cloud: new types of classical Cepheid pulsators

We have performed a detailed systematic search for multiperiodicity in the Population I Cepheids of the Large Magellanic Cloud. In this process, we have identified for the first time several new types of Cepheid pulsational behaviour. We have found two triple-mode Cepheids pulsating simultaneously in the first three radial overtones. In 9 per cent of the first overtone (FO) Cepheids, we have detected weak but well-resolved secondary periodicities. They appear either very close to the primary pulsation frequency or at a much higher frequency with a characteristic period ratio of 0.60–0.64. In either case, the secondary periodicities must correspond to non-radial modes of oscillation. This result presents a major challenge to the theory of stellar pulsations, which predicts that such modes should not be excited in Cepheid variables. Non-radial modes have also been found in three of the fundamental first overtone (FU/FO) double-mode Cepheids, but no such oscillations have been detected in single-mode Cepheids pulsating in the FU mode.
In 19 per cent of double-mode Cepheids pulsating in the first two radial overtones (FO/SO type), we have detected a Blazhko-type periodic modulation of amplitudes and phases. Both modes are modulated with a common period, which is always longer than 700 d. Variations of the two amplitudes are anticorrelated, and maximum of one amplitude always coincides with minimum of the other. We have compared observations of modulated FO/SO Cepheids with predictions of theoretical models of the Blazhko effect, showing that the currently most popular models cannot account for properties of these stars. We propose that the Blazhko effect in FO/SO Cepheids can be explained by a non-stationary resonant interaction of one of the radial modes with another, perhaps non-radial, mode of oscillations.     

An iras atlas of ysos in nearby dark clouds

We are using the newIRAS Sky Survey Atlas to construct a catalog of Galactic dark clouds and their associated Young Stellar Objects (YSOs). FromIRAS 100 and 60µm data we calculate images of the 100µm optical depth distribution in the clouds. Using theIRAS Faint Source Catalog we identify sources which have colors indicative of YSOs and have positions that lie inside cloud boundaries in the optical depth images. Here we present some preliminary results of applying this analysis to the Chamaeleon dark cloud complex.     

CO2 clouds, CAPE and convection on Mars: Observations and general circulation modeling

The thermal emission spectrometer (TES) and the radio science (RS) experiment flying on board the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft have made observations of atmospheric temperatures below the saturation temperature of carbon dioxide (CO₂). This supersaturated air provides a source of convective available potential energy (CAPE), which, when realized may result in vigorous convective mixing. To this point, most Mars atmospheric models have assumed vertical mixing only when the dry adiabatic lapse rate is exceeded. Mixing associated with the formation of CO₂ clouds could have a profound effect on the vertical structure of the polar night, altering the distribution of temperature, aerosols, and gasses.Presented in this work are estimates of the total planetary inventory of CAPE and the potential convective energy flux (PCEF) derived from RS and TES temperature profiles. A new Mars Global Circulation Model (MGCM) CO₂ cloud model is developed to better understand the distribution of observed CAPE and its potential effect on Martian polar dynamics and heat exchange, as well as effects on the climate as a whole. The new CO₂ cloud model takes into account the necessary cloud microphysics that allow for supersaturation to occur and includes a parameterization for CO₂ cloud convection. It is found that when CO₂ cloud convective mixing is included, model results are in much better agreement with the observations of the total integrated CAPE as well as total column non-condensable gas concentrations presented by Sprague et al. [2005a, GRS measurements of Ar in Mars’ atmosphere, American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #37, #24.08, and 2005b, Distribution and Abundance of Mars’ Atmospheric Argon, 36th Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, #2085] When the radiative effects of water ice clouds are included the agreement is further improved.     

Global mean cloud coverage on Venus in the near-infrared

We present a map of the global mean lower cloud coverage of Venus. This map is the average of 35 nights of 2.26 μm night side observations taken at NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility on Mauna Kea, over the years spanning 2001-2007. The atmosphere of Venus is a very dynamic system, and the lower clouds are constantly changing [Crisp, D., Allen, D.A., Grinspoon, D.H., Pollack, J.B., 1991a. The dark side of Venus: near-infrared images and spectra from the Anglo-Australian Observatory. Science, 253, 1263-1266]. By studying average cloud coverage, the daily variations are suppressed in order to see the underlying persistent cloud pattern. We find a relatively thick but highly variable equatorial band of clouds (±20° in latitude) and more quiescent mid-latitude clouds that are less opaque on average, with persistent cloudiness near the poles. We show that there is enough variation between our daily observations or between observations taken in different months that they cannot be considered individually representative of the global mean. We also compare the cloud coverage map to the topography of Venus and find no definitive correlations with high altitude features.     

Venus wind map at cloud top level with the MTR/THEMIS visible spectrometer, I: Instrumental performance and first results

Solar light gets scattered at cloud top level in Venus’ atmosphere, in the visible range, which corresponds to the altitude of 67 km. We present Doppler velocity measurements performed with the high resolution spectrometer MTR of the Solar telescope THEMIS (Teide Observatory, Canary Island) on the sodium D2 solar line . Observations lasted only 49 min because of cloudy weather. However, we could assess the instrumental velocity sensitivity, per pixel of 1 arcsec, and give a value of the amplitude of zonal wind at equator at .