Ultraviolet variability of HD 62001 – The central star of the missing nebula V-V 1-7

IUE observations of HD 62001 do not confirm the ultraviolet variability of 0.15 mag seen from the ANS observations. These intriguing variations in ANS observations seem to be caused by a nearby (∼ 70 arcsec away) B star getting in and out of the field of view of the telescope, which had a jitter of 20 arcsec. There seems to be no evidence for the presence of a hot companion, either from the energy distribution or from UV variability. However, visual light variations are present. This, coupled with the radial velocity variations, indicates a binary nature probably of Algol type. Based on observations obtained with IUE satellite at the Villafranca Satellite Tracking Station of the European Space Agency.     

THE WAVELENGTH COMPONENT VECTORGRAM: A TOOL FOR RESOLVING TWO-COMPONENT FLUORESCENT MIXTURES

We consider the problem of resolving the total luminescence spectra of two-component mixtures.Non-negativity of the constituent spectra is commonly used as a criterion to accomplish this resolution,but its application seldom leads to unique answers. Sometimes, the condition must be relaxed because nosolution satisfying non-negativity exists. In these cases judgments must be made concerning which partsof the spectra will be allowed to go negative and by how much. The wavelength component vectorgramn (WCV) is presented here as a tool for assisting theexperimenter in making these judgments. Even when non-negative resolutions exist, it may happen thatresolutions with slight negative elements will more closely match the spectra of the pure constituents.The WCV can also be used as a tool for detecting these cases. The methodology is illustrated with realdata from a two-component mixture.     

RAPID ESTIMATION OF THE NUMBER OF COELUTING COMPONENTS IN LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY BY FACTOR ANALYSIS

Evaluation of the results of factor analysis of sets of spectroscopically detected chromatograms is carriedout by examining the shapes of the abstract factors.This is done either by visual inspection or by analysisof the power density spectra produced from them.Owing to constraints imposed by the column functionand the spectroscopic instrument function,the information content of the chromatograms necessarilyoccurs at low spatial frequencies.As a consequence,it appears as relatively broad features in the abstractchromatograms and as a peak in the low-frequency region of the corresponding power density plot.Onthe basis of examination of the power density distribution,a well-defined distinction is made betweenprimary and secondary abstract factors.The major uncertainty encountered in determining the numberof chemical components appears to arise from effects of contaminants in reagents.     

A portable remote methane detector using an InGaAsP DFB laser

A portable remote methane detector based on infrared-absorption spectroscopy using an InGaAsP distributed-feedback laser is described. This equipment transmits a laser beam and detects a fraction of the backscatter reflected from the target. From this, the detector thereby measures the integrated methane concentration between the detector and the target. The equipment operator can easily detect methane clouds at a distance by hand-scanning the laser beam. To achieve a high sensitivity of detection, wavelength-modulation spectroscopy is applied to the infrared-absorption measurement for methane. The wavelength of the light source is modulated at a frequency of 10 kHz, and the center wavelength is stabilized at the center of the 2₃ band R(3) line of methane (1.65372 m). When used with typical targets at distances up to 10 m, the detector has a detection limit of less than 5 ppm-m. To the best of the authors knowledge, the detector is the only hand-held product capable of remote methane detection. Recently, this novel equipment was commercially introduced into the Japanese market as a product named the Portable Remote Methane Detector (PRMD). Some PRMD units were in research use for detecting methane emissions from garbage landfills, although the PRMD was mainly developed for remote detection of leaks from natural gas pipelines. The author expects that the PRMD could become the standard equipment for field measurements of methane emissions from land.     

Confocal laser scanning microscopy and Raman imagery of ancient microscopic fossils

Among all problems confronting the study of ancient permineralized (petrified) microscopic fossils, two stand out, the need for (1) accurate documentation of their three-dimensional morphology, and (2) direct analysis of their chemical composition and that of their surrounding mineral matrices. To address these problems we demonstrate the use of two techniques that we have recently introduced to Precambrian paleobiology: confocal laser scanning microscopy and Raman imagery. These techniques, both of which are non-intrusive and non-destructive, can provide data by which to characterize, in situ and at micron-scale resolution, the cellular and organismal morphology of thin section-embedded organic-walled fossils. In addition, Raman imagery provides direct analyses of the molecular–structural composition of the kerogenous components of such fossils and of their surrounding matrices, and a means to assess quantitatively the geochemical maturity of the preserved organics. Use of these techniques for studies of ancient microscopic fossils can provide information in three dimensions at high spatial resolution about their morphology and cellular anatomy, taphonomy and fidelity of preservation, composition and mode of preservation, and their biogenicity and syngenetic origin with the rocks in which they occur.     

The coating hypothesis for ammonia ice particles in Jupiter: Laboratory experiments and optical modeling

We report laboratory experiments and modeling calculations investigating the effect of a hydrocarbon coating on ammonia ice spectral signatures. Observational evidence and thermochemical models indicate an abundance of ammonia ice clouds in Jupiter's atmosphere. However, spectrally identifiable ammonia ice clouds are found covering less than 1% of Jupiter's atmosphere, notably in areas of strong vertical transport, indicating a short lifetime for the signature of ammonia absorption on condensed ammonia particles [Baines, K.H., Carlson, R.W., Kamp, L.W., 2002. Icarus 159, 74-94]. Current literature has suggested coating of ammonia ice particles by a hydrocarbon haze as a possible explanation for this paradox. The work presented here supports the inference of a coating effect that can alter or suppress ammonia absorption features. In the experiments, thin films of ammonia ices are deposited in a cryogenic apparatus, coated with hydrocarbons, and characterized by reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy. We have observed the effects on the ammonia ice absorption features near 3 and 9 μm with coverage by thin layers of hydrocarbons. Modeling calculations of these multilayer thin films assist in the interpretation of the experimental results and reveal the important role of optical interference in altering the aforementioned ammonia spectral features. Mie and T-matrix scattering calculations demonstrate analogous effects for ammonia ice particles and investigate the relative effects of ammonia ice particle size, shape, and coating layer thickness on the ice particle spectral signatures.     

Optical constants of amorphous and crystalline H2O-ice in the near infrared from 1.1 to 2.6 μm

Using new laboratory spectra, we have calculated the real and imaginary parts of the index of refraction of amorphous and crystalline H₂O-ice from 20 to 150 K in the frequency range 9000-3800 cm⁻¹ (1.1-2.6 μm) at a spectral resolution of 1 cm⁻¹. These optical constants can be used to create model spectra for comparison to spectra from Solar System objects. We also analyzed the differences between the amorphous and crystalline H₂O-ice spectra, including weakening of bands and shifting of bands to shorter wavelength in amorphous H₂O-ice spectra. We have also observed two spectrally distinct phases of amorphous H₂O-ice.     

Trapping and adsorption of CO2 in amorphous ice: A FTIR study

The interaction of carbon dioxide and amorphous water ice at 95 K is studied using transmission infrared spectroscopy. Samples are prepared in two ways: co-deposition of the gases admitted simultaneously or sequential deposition, in which amorphous water ice (ASW) is grown first and CO₂ vapor is added subsequently. In either case, a fraction of the CO₂ molecules is found to interact with water in a way that gives rise to shifts and splittings in the infrared bands with respect to those of a pure CO₂ solid. In co-deposition experiments, a larger amount of carbon dioxide is trapped within the amorphous water than in sequential deposition samples, where a substantial proportion of molecules appears to be trapped in macropores of the ASW. The specific surface area of sequential samples is evaluated and compared to previous literature results. When the sequential samples are heated to 140 K, beyond the onset temperature at which water ice undergoes a phase transition, the CO₂ molecules at the pores relocate inside the bulk in a structure similar to that found in co-deposited samples, as deduced by changes in the shape of the CO₂ infrared bands.     

The Euro3D data format: A common FITS data format for integral field spectrographs

As integral field spectrographs have become more common around the world and in Europe in particular, the need for a common data format has been recognized. Here, we present the Euro3D format that is adapted as a post‐instrumentalsignature‐removal format for all instruments within the Euro3D network. It follows the FITS standard, and includes several extensions, all of them being binary FITS tables. This article is intended to give a comprehensive overview, but does not attempt to serve as a full definition document. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)