Tidal evolution of Dysnomia, satellite of the dwarf planet Eris

The past tidal evolution of the satellite Dysnomia of the dwarf planet Eris can be inferred from the current physical and orbital properties of the system. Preliminary considerations, which assumed a circular orbit for the satellite, suggested that the satellite formed close to the planet, perhaps as a result of a giant impact, and that it is thus unlikely that smaller satellites lie further out. However, if the satellite's orbit is eccentric, even if the eccentricity is very small, a qualitatively different past tidal evolution may be indicated. Early in the Solar System's history, the satellite may have been on a highly eccentric orbit much farther from the planet than it is now, suggestive of a capture origin. Additional satellites farther out cannot be ruled out.     

(42355) Typhon-Echidna: Scheduling observations for binary orbit determination

We describe a strategy for scheduling astrometric observations to minimize the number required to determine the mutual orbits of binary transneptunian systems. The method is illustrated by application to Hubble Space Telescope observations of (42355) Typhon-Echidna, revealing that Typhon and Echidna orbit one another with a period of 18.971±0.006 days and a semimajor axis of 1628±29 km, implying a system mass of (9.49±0.52)×¹⁰¹⁷ kg. The eccentricity of the orbit is 0.526±0.015. Combined with a radiometric size determined from Spitzer Space Telescope data and the assumption that Typhon and Echidna both have the same albedo, we estimate that their radii are and , respectively. These numbers give an average bulk density of only , consistent with very low bulk densities recently reported for two other small transneptunian binaries.     

Laboratory simulations of redeposition of impact ejecta on mineral surfaces

We present quantitative laboratory studies that simulate the effect of redeposition of impact-ejecta on mineral surfaces. We produced deposits of natural olivine (Fo90) and forsterite on olivine and forsterite powder samples by ns-pulsed laser ablation. The deposits produce changes in the optical reflectance (0.66-2.5 μm). We show that significant darkening and reddening of the surface occurs when the deposit is olivine but not if it is forsterite. This is attributed to the formation of metallic iron nanoparticles in the olivine deposits. We also characterized structural and chemical changes using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In situ XPS measurements show that the olivine deposits are reduced, with 50% of the iron becoming metallic. Transmission electron microscope studies confirm the presence of 2-3 nm crystalline iron nanoparticles in the olivine deposits. The scanning electron microscope shows that both olivine and forsterite deposits smoothen the topography of the powder surface, which could have effects on processes such as exosphere-surface interactions and sputtering. We conclude that the effect of coatings produced by micrometeorite impacts will not be uniform on airless bodies but will depend on the composition of the terrain.     

The blazar sequence: a new perspective

We revisit the so-called 'blazar sequence', which connects the observed bolometric luminosity to the shape of the spectral energy distribution (SED) of blazars. We propose that the power of the jet and the SED of its emission are linked to the two main parameters of the accretion process, namely the mass of the black hole and the accretion rate. We assume (i) that the jet kinetic power is proportional to the mass accretion rate; (ii) that most of the jet dissipation takes place at a distance proportional to the black hole mass; (iii) that the broad line region exists only above a critical value of the disc luminosity, in Eddington units, and (iv) that the radius of the broad line region scales as the square root of the ionizing disc luminosity. These assumptions, motivated by existing observations or by reasonable theoretical considerations, are sufficient to uniquely determine the SED of all blazars. This framework accounts for the existence of 'blue quasars', i.e. objects with broad emission lines but with SEDs resembling those of low-luminosity high-energy peaked BL Lacertae (BL Lac) objects, as well as the existence of relatively low-luminosity 'red' quasars. Implications on the possible evolution of blazars are briefly discussed. This scenario can be tested quite easily once the AGILE and especially the GLAST satellite observations, coupled with information in the optical/X-ray band from Swift , will allow the knowledge of the entire SED of hundreds (and possibly thousands) blazars.     

东江流域近50年径流系数时空变化特征

基于东江流域1964-2012 年降雨、蒸发和径流等气象水文资料,采用线性倾向估计、M-K趋势检验及变化幅度和变化弹性等多种方法,结合ArcGIS自相关等空间统计分析技术,分析了东江流域径流系数的时空变化特征及其对降雨、蒸发和地表植被等影响因素的空间对应关系。结果表明：近50 年来,东江流域年径流系数均呈上升趋势,且随着流域空间尺度的增大而增加,总体形成“南北低、中间高”的空间分布格局;径流系数变化幅度及变化弹性在20 世纪90年代之后显著增加。径流系数变化幅度热度指数高值区大致位于东源及其以北地区。相较于蒸发和地表植被覆盖,流域降雨变化趋势与径流系数及其变动幅度热度指数的空间分布格局具有较好的一致性。本文可为识别变化环境下流域来水过程变异提供科学参考依据。     

综合多层优选尺度的高分辨率影像分割

采用面向对象方法处理高空间分辨率遥感影像时,影像分割质量对后续影像的信息提取结果影响很大。本文主要针对高分辨率影像分割中地物多尺度的问题,提出了一种基于多层优选尺度的高分辨率影像分割算法。该算法首先采用一系列规律变化的尺度对高分辨率影像进行多尺度分割,然后通过单分割层全局标准差的变化与尺度的关系确定一组最优分割尺度。在此基础上,通过各优选分割层之间的包含关系,局部建立多层次对象树,从整体上形成影像森林;通过局部同质性异质性综合评价指数的比较及父层光谱特征的限制来选取多层次对象树中的优势对象,从而获得最终的高分辨率影像分割结果。最后,本文分别采用了Geoeye和ZY3多光谱影像进行了2组分割实验,结果表明本文算法能有效地提高正常分割影像对象的比例。     

The Existence of a Planet beyond 50 AU and the Orbital Distribution of the Classical Edgeworth-Kuiper-Belt Objects

We study the effects of a Mars-like planetoid with a semimajor axis at about ∼60 AU orbiting embedded in the primordial Edgeworth-Kuiper belt (EKB). The origin of such an object can be explained in the framework of our current understanding of the origin of the outer Solar System, and a scenario for the orbital transport mechanism to its present location is given. The existence of such an object would produce a gap in the EKB distribution with an edge at about 50 AU, which seems to be in agreement with the most recent observations. No object at low eccentricity with semimajor axis beyond 50 AU has been detected so far, even though the present observing capabilities would allow an eventual detection (B. Gladman et al. 1998, Astron. J.116, 2042-2054; D. Jewitt et al. 1998, Astron. J.115, 2125-2135; E. I. Chiang and M. E. Brown 1999, Astron. J.118, 1411-1422; R. L. Allen et al. 2000, Astrophys. J.549, 241-244; C. A. Trujillo et al. 2001, Astron. J.122, 457-473; B. Gladman et al. 2001, Astron. J.122, 1051-1066; C. A. Trujillo and M. E. Brown 2001, Astrophys. J.554, 95-98). Finally, ranges for the magnitude and proper motion of the proposed object are given.     

Photometric Light Curve for the Kuiper Belt Object 2000 EB173 on 78 Nights

Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) are generally very faint and cannot in practice be monitored with a well-sampled long-term light curve; so our discovery of the bright KBO 2000 EB₁₇₃ offers an excellent opportunity for synoptic studies. We present a well-sampled photometric time series (77 R and 29 V magnitudes on 78 nights) over a 225-day time span centered on the 2001 opposition. The light curve (corrected to the year 2001 opposition distance) varies from 19.11 to 19.39 mag with a single peak that is smooth, time symmetric, and coincident with opposition. All variations in the light curve are consistent with a linear opposition surge (R_OPP=19.083+0.125∗α, where α is the solar phase angle), while any rotational modulation must have a peak-to-peak amplitude of less than 0.097 mag. This is the first measured opposition surge for any KBO (other than Pluto). The V−R color is 0.63±0.02, with no apparent variation with phase at the few percent level. With R=19.11 at opposition, 2000 EB₁₇₃ remains the brightest known KBO and a prime target for future photometric and spectroscopic studies.     

Photometric variability of the protoplanetary nebula LSIV-12°111

We present our photometric observations of an early B supergiant with an infrared excess, the protoplanetary object LSIV-12°111, and the previously suspected variable star NSV 24971. We confirm its photometric variability. During two observing seasons (2000–2001), the star exhibited rapid irregular light variations with amplitudes $\Delta V \sim 0\mathop .\limits^m 3$ , $\Delta B \sim 0\mathop .\limits^m 3$ , and $\Delta U \sim 0\mathop .\limits^m 4$ and a time scale of ～1^d. There is no correlation between the colors and magnitudes of the star. The variability patterns of LSIV-12°111 and two other hot post-AGB stars, V886 Her and V1853 Cyg, are shown to be similar.