High-resolution H i and radio continuum observations of the SNR G290.1−0.8

We have observed the supernova remnant (SNR) G290.1−0.8 in the 21-cm H  i line and the 20-cm radio continuum using the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). The H  i data were combined with data from the Southern Galactic Plane Survey to recover the shortest spatial frequencies. In contrast, H  i absorption was analysed by filtering extended H  i emission, with spatial frequencies shorter than 1.1 kλ. The low-resolution ATCA radio continuum image of the remnant shows considerable internal structure, resembling a network of filaments across its 13-arcmin diameter. A high-resolution ATCA radio continuum image was also constructed to study the small-scale structure in the SNR. It shows that there are no structures smaller than ∼17 arcsec, except perhaps for a bright knot to the south, which is probably an unrelated object. The H  i absorption study shows that the gas distribution and kinematics in front of SNR G290.1−0.8 are complex. We estimate that the SNR probably lies in the Carina arm, at a distance 7 (±1) kpc. In addition, we have studied nearby sources in the observed field using archival multiwavelength data to determine their characteristics.     

γ射线暴的研究进展（Ⅳ：特强γ射线暴和软γ重复暴

最近CGRO上的仪器观测到了两个迄今为止发现的最强的λ暴GB930131和GB940217,其光子最高能量均达GeV量级;GB930131的峰值计数率达2×10~6个光子s~(-1);而GB940217的持续时间竟长达90min。另外沉寂了多年的软重复暴源SGR1900 14和SGR1806-20的再次爆发也由BATSE发现。一系列的观测还发现这些软重复暴均与X射线源对应且与超新星遗迹成协。文中对特强暴和软重暴(SGR)的性质及研究进展作了较为详细的评述。     

The integrated optical spectrum of the Crab nebula and evidence for its fading synchrotron continuum

A flux-calibrated optical spectrum integrated over the entire Crab nebula was obtained by making drift scans with a long-slit spectrograph. Compared to observations obtained over the past 40 years, these new data confirm an earlier controversial result that the [O iii ]  λλ4959, 5007  equivalent width is increasing with time, although the rate of ∼0.9 per cent yr⁻¹ is somewhat slower than that measured previously. Additionally, the Hβ equivalent width is increasing at a comparable rate, but the measured fluxes of both Hβ and [O  iii ] have changed less than their respective equivalent widths. The different rates of change in the measured fluxes and equivalent widths of these lines suggest that the optical synchrotron continuum from the Crab nebula is indeed fading rapidly. The apparent decline is consistent with a rate around  −0.5 (±0.2)  per cent yr⁻¹ at wavelengths near 5000  Å inferred independently from measurements of the optical continuum flux during the same time period.     

班公湖—怒江构造带西段三叠纪—侏罗纪构造—沉积演化

班公湖－怒江构造带西段在大地构造位置上处于特提斯构造域东端，横跨班公湖－怒江断裂带。三叠纪－株罗纪期间，其构造－沉积演化经历了大陆初始裂谷（T）、原洋裂谷（J1）、残余弧后盆地（J2－J3）阶段。初始裂谷阶段的拉张是呈南断北超的半地堑式由东向西进行的，逐渐形成地堑式原洋裂谷盆地。中晚侏罗世，南部新特提斯洋壳开始北各俯冲,产生的区域挤压应力使原洋裂谷逐渐封闭，裂谷盆地的小洋壳表现出以南向俯冲为主的双向式腑冲，同时伴生区域热沉降，盆地具残余弧后盆地的性质。该阶段,羌南地区发育碳酸盐岩为主的稳定陆缘沉积，冈度斯－念青唐古拉板片北部则形成广泛南超的近源碎屑沉积。     

Assessing natural and cultural influence on soil in remnant tropical woodlands

Rural Hong Kong contains culturally protected enclaves of remnant woodlands that provide sanctuary for vegetation, wildlife and soil. This study focuses on the influence of natural and cultural factors on soil properties in woodlands with different human activities. At each of the nine selected sites, two pits were dug to collect soil samples for analysis of 24 physical and chemical properties. Analyses of variance between soil attributes and site factors suggest the prominence of woodland size, and important contribution of topography, aspect and parent material. Soil indicators of human impacts and the tenacity of woodland soil towards anthropogenic disturbance were demonstrated.