Lunar motion: Theory and observations

Results of several fits of the lunar theory ELP 2000-82B and of Moons' theory of libration are presented. The theories are fitted both to JPL numerical integrations and to LLR observations     

Relict mountain slope deposits of northern Portugal: facies,sedimentogenesis and environmental implications

This paper deals with the formation processes and the palaeoenvironmental significance of relict slope deposits located on the uppermost part of the north Portugal mountains. For this purpose, seven key sites representative of the different lithofacies have been selected and analysed in detail. The data show that three main dynamic processes are responsible for the emplacement of regional fossil slope deposits: runoff, debris flows and dry grain flows. The ubiquity of these processes and the lack of frost‐related features or landforms do not support the existence of severe Pleistocene climates in this part of the lberian Peninsula as postulated by previous work. Pedological data gathered at one of the study sites show that a subalpine environment was probably present at 700–800 m altitude between 29 and 14 kyr. Using data from the Pyrenees Mountains, a 6.5 to 12°C depression in mean annual temperature has been tentatively postulated for this Pleniglacial period. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Membership in the open cluster NGC 2301

Astrometric cluster membership probabilities have been derived from proper motion of the open cluster NGC 2301. A comparison with previous investigations is presented.     

Celestial-mechanical peculiarities of Uranus’s satellite system

We consider the structural peculiarities of Uranus’s satellite system associated with its separation into two groups: inner equatorial satellites moving in nearly circular orbits and distant irregular satellites with retrograde motion in highly elliptical orbits. The intermediate region is free from satellites in a wide range of semimajor axes. By analyzing the evolution of satellite orbits under the combined effect of solar attraction and Uranus’s oblateness, we offer a celestial-mechanical explanation for the absence of equatorial satellites in this region. M.L. Lidov’s studies during 1961–1963 have served as a basis for our analysis.     

Upwelling and river runoff as sources of dissolved nitrous oxide to the Alsea estuary,Oregon

Surface waters of Alsea Bay, an unpolluted estuary on the Oregon coast, were analysed for nitrous oxide, nitrate and nitrite on a weekly or biweekly basis during the summer of 1979. The estuary was found to be a variable source of N₂O to the atmosphere. Large and rapid increases in the concentrations of N₂O, NO₃^?, and NO₂^? occurred at the beginning of the sampling period and are attributed to the influx of nutrient-rich upwelling water into the estuary with the tide. The subsequent decline in concentrations of nitrate, nitrite and nitrous oxide over the remainder of the summer is attributed to a decrease in upwelling intensity, a decline in nitrification rates and to assimilatory nitrate reduction. Measurements of nitrous oxide at six stations along the Alsea River were also made in September and October before and after the onset of the rainy season. Samples taken after flood conditions were established were systematically 50% higher than pre-flood samples. The data suggest that soil runoff results in elevated concentrations of N₂O in rivers.     

Deceleration in the Earth's rotation due to the Sun

Summary The estimate of the tidal long-term decrease in the angular velocity of the Earth's rotation due to the Sun is given as –(0.8±0.3)×10 ^–22 rad s ^–2. It was computed on the basis of the observed total long-term decrease in , of the observed tidal deceleration of the Moon and the observed decrease in the second-degree zonal Stokes geopotential harmonic term. Adopting the estimate given, the product of the Love number and the tidal phase lag angle due to the Sun (in degrees) comes out as 0.53±0.20.

---

am a z nuuu u z mu au u, az : –(0,8±0,3) 10 ^–22 a¶rt; ^–2 . ¶rt; ua n a¶rt;a u , n a¶rt;a nuu u ¶rt;z ¶rt;uu u n a¶rt;a u mz az znmuaz naama ma. u num n au, m nu¶rt;u ua a a z u ( za¶rt;a) a z nuua a (0,53±0,20).

     

Tidal contribution of the satellites to removing the angular momentum of Jupiter

Summary It has been shown that dynamically, on the basis of the distribution of angular momenta, the Jovian system cannot be considered an analogue within the Solar system. The total tidal decrease in the angular momentum of Jupiter and in its angular velocity of rotation have been estimated, as well as the loss of mechanical energy due to tidal dissipation. It has been concluded that there are no dynamical contradictions with the hypothesis of the common cosmogonic origin of Jupiter and of its eight close satellites.

---

aam, m ¶rt;uauu, n an¶rt;u m uma ¶rt;uu, um numa umam aayu um. a a y au ma uma ¶rt;uu numa u z mu z au u—a nuuz mu, ma a nmu au yuu um u—a ¶rt;uunauu. a au, m m ¶rt;uauu azau zunm m zuu aaa numa u z uau u nmu.

     

Structural investigation of the synthetic CaAn(PO4)2 (An = Th and Np) cheralite-like phosphates

The crystallographic structures of the synthetic cheralite, CaTh(PO₄)₂, and its homolog CaNp(PO₄)₂ have been investigated by X-ray diffraction at room temperature. Rietveld analyses showed that both compounds crystallize in the monoclinic system and are isostructural to monazite LnPO₄ (Ln = La to Gd). The space group is P2₁/n (I.T. = 14) with Z = 2. The refined lattice parameters of CaTh(PO₄)₂ are a = 6.7085(8) Å, b = 6.9160(6) Å, c = 6.4152(6) Å, and β = 103.71(1)° with best fit parameters R _wp = 4.87%, R _p = 3.69% and R _B = 3.99%. For CaNp(PO₄)₂, we obtained a = 6.6509(5) Å, b = 6.8390(3) Å, c = 6.3537(8) Å, and β = 104.12(6)° and R _wp = 6.74%, R _p = 5.23%, and R _B = 6.05%. The results indicate significant distortions of bond length and angles of the PO₄ tetrahedra in CaTh(PO₄)₂ and to a lesser extent in CaNp(PO₄)₂. The structural distortions were confirmed by Raman spectroscopy of CaTh(PO₄)₂. A comparison with the isostructural compounds LnPO₄ (Ln = Ce and Sm) confirmed that the substitution of the large rare earth trivalent cations with Ca²⁺ and Th⁴⁺ introduces a distortion of the PO₄ tetrahedra.     

Photochemical models of the atmosphere and their application in ozonosphere and climate studies: A review

This review is devoted to problems in the photochemical modeling of atmospheric processes. The physicochemical and mathematical foundations underlying the construction of photochemical models are described, a classification of the atmospheric reactions is presented, and the features of photochemical modeling are considered under various irradiance conditions for various atmospheric layers and geographical regions. Atmospheric processes that are important to photochemical models are discussed. Applications involving photochemical models are outlined. Some results are presented to illustrate the capabilities of photochemical models. Special attention is given to relatively recent directions in photochemical modeling, such as data assimilation and inverse problems. The review can be used by experts in areas related to atmospheric chemistry as a basic source of knowledge on the subject and for the development of photochemical modules for atmospheric models.