Specifics of the orbital evolution of the CORONAS-F satellite at the final stage of its flight

We report the results of our analysis of the variations in the orbit of the CORONAS-F satellite (August 31, 2001–December 6, 2005) during the low-orbit flight stage. We show that extreme solar events and the accompanying phenomena in the near-Earth space and in Earth’s upper atmosphere during the 2004–2005 period (the declining phase of 23rd solar-activity cycle) significantly affected the duration of the “low-orbit” flight stage of the CORONAS-F satellite.     

Influence of solar activity on variations in the density of the Earth’s upper atmosphere

This article studies long-period variations in the Earth’s upper atmosphere density over several solar activity cycles, using long-term data on the evolution of motion of three artificial satellites (Intercosmos-19, Meteor-1-2, and Cosmos-1154) in orbits at heights of 400–1000 km. The time interval when the satellites were in the orbits covered three solar activity cycles (partly the 21st, completely the 22nd, and partly the 23rd). It is found that the variations in the average density of the upper atmosphere at heights of 400–600 km in the 1980–2000 period were governed by the changes in the solar activity level.     

Evolution of the Orbit of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">CORONAS-F</Emphasis> Satellite and a Prediction of its Lifetime

The results of analysis of the trajectory parameters of the orbit of the CORONAS-F spacecraft since its launch (July 2001) and to the present time are reported. Two independent methods are used to compute a prediction for the active lifetime of the satellite in the near-Earth orbit for the period from 2005 through 2006.     

The nature of the high values of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of rock samples with polydomain ferromagnetics

Samples of different rocks, which possess high values of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, were studied by the magneto-mineralogical and optical methods and by microprobe analysis. It was established that for the samples, which contain the pseudo-single-domain ferromagnetite elongated particles, the source of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility is the distribution anisotropy of not only ferromagnetic grains themselves, but also ferromagnetic patterns in the heterogeneous accessory minerals. For samples with multidomain ferromagnetic materials, the nature of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility is caused by the orientation of the ilmenite lamellar phase in the structures of disintegration of titanomagnetites or by the orientation of the ferromagnetic structures of disintegration in iron sulfides.     

Cosmic microspheres in the Carboniferous deposits of the Usolka section (Urals foredeep)

Magnetite microspheres from the Carboniferous deposits of the Usolka reference section were studied by probe microanalysis, with comparison of the distributions of chemical elements and microspheres. The presence of microspheres in sedimentary strata is considered to be an additional factor for stratigraphic correlation between sedimentary sections. The microspheres are shown to be of cosmic nature. The Late Paleozoic paleoclimatic changes (extreme cooling) and biotic crises were caused by the periodical Solar System motion in the Galaxy, cosmic-dust fallout, and meteorite bombardments of the Earth.     

Heat Fluxes in Collisionless Magnetohydrodynamic Shock Waves

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - Properties of solutions for parallel magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) shock waves in collisionless plasma with heat fluxes obtained in the 8-moment MHD approximation are...