Showing papers by "Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency published in 2021"

Current status of space gravitational wave antenna DECIGO and B-DECIGO

Abstract: The Deci-hertz Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (DECIGO) is a future Japanese space mission with a frequency band of 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz. DECIGO aims at the detection of primordial gravitational waves, which could have been produced during the inflationary period right after the birth of the Universe. There are many other scientific objectives of DECIGO, including the direct measurement of the acceleration of the expansion of the Universe, and reliable and accurate predictions of the timing and locations of neutron star/black hole binary coalescences. DECIGO consists of four clusters of observatories placed in heliocentric orbit. Each cluster consists of three spacecraft, which form three Fabry-Perot Michelson interferometers with an arm length of 1000 km. Three DECIGO clusters will be placed far from each other, and the fourth will be placed in the same position as one of the other three to obtain correlation signals for the detection of primordial gravitational waves. We plan to launch B-DECIGO, which is a scientific pathfinder for DECIGO, before DECIGO in the 2030s to demonstrate the technologies required for DECIGO, as well as to obtain fruitful scientific results to further expand multi-messenger astronomy.

Methane retrieved from TROPOMI: Improvement of the data product and validation of the first 2 years of measurements

Abstract: . The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on board the Sentinel 5 Precursor (S5-P) satellite provides methane (CH 4 ) measurements with high accuracy and exceptional temporal and spatial resolution and sampling. TROPOMI CH 4 measurements are highly valuable to constrain emissions inventories and for trend analysis, with strict requirements on the data quality. This study describes the improvements that we have implemented to retrieve CH 4 from TROPOMI using the RemoTeC full-physics algorithm. The updated retrieval algorithm features a constant regularization scheme of the inversion that stabilizes the retrieval and yields less scatter in the data and includes a higher resolution surface altitude database. We have tested the impact of three state-of-the-art molecular spectroscopic databases (HITRAN 2008, HITRAN 2016 and Scientific Exploitation of Operational Missions – Improved Atmospheric Spectroscopy Databases SEOM-IAS) and found that SEOM-IAS provides the best fitting results. The most relevant update in the TROPOMI XCH 4 data product is the implementation of an a posteriori correction fully independent of any reference data that is more accurate and corrects for the underestimation at low surface albedo scenes and the overestimation at high surface albedo scenes. After applying the correction, the albedo dependence is removed to a large extent in the TROPOMI versus satellite (Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite – GOSAT) and TROPOMI versus ground-based observations (Total Carbon Column Observing Network – TCCON) comparison, which is an independent verification of the correction scheme. We validate 2 years of TROPOMI CH 4 data that show the good agreement of the updated TROPOMI CH 4 with TCCON ( − 3.4 ± 5.6 ppb) and GOSAT ( − 10.3 ± 16.8 ppb) (mean bias and standard deviation). Low- and high-albedo scenes as well as snow-covered scenes are the most challenging for the CH 4 retrieval algorithm, and although the a posteriori correction accounts for most of the bias, there is a need to further investigate the underlying cause.

First Detection of sub-PeV Diffuse Gamma Rays from the Galactic Disk: Evidence for Ubiquitous Galactic Cosmic Rays beyond PeV Energies.

Abstract: We report, for the first time, the long-awaited detection of diffuse gamma rays with energies between 100 TeV and 1 PeV in the Galactic disk Particularly, all gamma rays above 398 TeV are observed apart from known TeV gamma-ray sources and compatible with expectations from the hadronic emission scenario in which gamma rays originate from the decay of π^{0}'s produced through the interaction of protons with the interstellar medium in the Galaxy This is strong evidence that cosmic rays are accelerated beyond PeV energies in our Galaxy and spread over the Galactic disk

Validation of methane and carbon monoxide from Sentinel-5 Precursor using TCCON and NDACC-IRWG stations

Abstract: . The Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) mission with the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on board has been measuring solar radiation backscattered by the Earth's atmosphere and surface since its launch on 13 October 2017. In this paper, we present for the first time the S5P operational methane ( CH4 ) and carbon monoxide (CO) products' validation results covering a period of about 3 years using global Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) and Infrared Working Group of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC-IRWG) network data, accounting for a priori alignment and smoothing uncertainties in the validation, and testing the sensitivity of validation results towards the application of advanced co-location criteria. We found that the S5P standard and bias-corrected CH4 data over land surface for the recommended quality filtering fulfil the mission requirements. The systematic difference of the bias-corrected total column-averaged dry air mole fraction of methane ( XCH4 ) data with respect to TCCON data is - 0.26 ± 0.56 % in comparison to - 0.68 ± 0.74 % for the standard XCH4 data, with a correlation of 0.6 for most stations. The bias shows a seasonal dependence. We found that the S5P CO data over all surfaces for the recommended quality filtering generally fulfil the missions requirements, with a few exceptions, which are mostly due to co-location mismatches and limited availability of data. The systematic difference between the S5P total column-averaged dry air mole fraction of carbon monoxide (XCO) and the TCCON data is on average 9.22±3.45 % (standard TCCON XCO) and 2.45±3.38 % (unscaled TCCON XCO). We found that the systematic difference between the S5P CO column and NDACC CO column (excluding two outlier stations) is on average 6.5±3.54 %. We found a correlation of above 0.9 for most TCCON and NDACC stations. The study shows the high quality of S5P CH4 and CO data by validating the products against reference global TCCON and NDACC stations covering a wide range of latitudinal bands, atmospheric conditions and surface conditions.

Collisional history of Ryugu’s parent body from bright surface boulders

Abstract: The asteroid (162173) Ryugu and other rubble-pile asteroids are likely re-accumulated fragments of much larger parent bodies that were disrupted by impacts. However, the collisional and orbital pathways from the original parent bodies to subkilometre rubble-pile asteroids are not yet well understood1–3. Here we use Hayabusa2 observations to show that some of the bright boulders on the dark, carbonaceous (C-type) asteroid Ryugu4 are remnants of an impactor with a different composition as well as an anomalous portion of its parent body. The bright boulders on Ryugu can be classified into two spectral groups: most are featureless and similar to Ryugu’s average spectrum4,5, while others show distinct compositional signatures consistent with ordinary chondrites—a class of meteorites that originate from anhydrous silicate-rich asteroids6. The observed anhydrous silicate-like material is likely the result of collisional mixing between Ryugu’s parent body and one or multiple anhydrous silicate-rich asteroid(s) before and during Ryugu’s formation. In addition, the bright boulders with featureless spectra and less ultraviolet upturn are consistent with thermal metamorphism of carbonaceous meteorites7,8. They might sample different thermal-metamorphosed regions, which the returned sample will allow us to verify. Hence, the bright boulders on Ryugu provide new insights into the collisional evolution and accumulation of subkilometre rubble-pile asteroids. The Hayabusa2 team has discovered two types of bright boulder on the dark, carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu. One type has a spectrum consistent with material from an anhydrous silicate-rich asteroid, likely introduced by one or more collisions in Ryugu’s past.

Thermal and near-infrared sensor for carbon observation Fourier transform spectrometer-2 (TANSO-FTS-2) on the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite-2 (GOSAT-2) during its first year in orbit

Abstract: . The Japanese Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite-2 (GOSAT-2), in orbit since 29 October 2018, follows up the GOSAT mission, itself in orbit since 23 January 2009. GOSAT-2 monitors carbon dioxide and methane in order to increase our understanding of the global carbon cycle. It simultaneously measures carbon monoxide emitted from fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning and permits identification of the amount of combustion-related carbon. To do this, the satellite utilizes the Thermal and Near Infrared Sensor for Carbon Observation Fourier-Transform Spectrometer-2 (TANSO-FTS-2). This spectrometer detects gas absorption spectra of solar radiation reflected from the Earth's surface in the shortwave-infrared (SWIR) region as well as the emitted thermal infrared radiation (TIR) from the ground and the atmosphere. TANSO-FTS-2 can measure the oxygen A band (0.76 µ m), weak and strong CO 2 bands (1.6 and 2.0 µ m), weak and strong CH 4 bands (1.6 and 2.3 µ m), a weak CO band (2.3 µ m), a mid-wave TIR band (5.5–8.4 µ m), and a long-wave TIR band (8.4–14.3 µ m) with 0.2 cm −1 spectral sampling intervals. TANSO-FTS-2 is equipped with a solar diffuser target, a monochromatic light source, and a blackbody for spectral radiance calibration. These calibration sources permit characterization of time-dependent instrument changes in orbit. The onboard-recalibrated instrumental parameters are considered in operational level-1 processing and released as TANSO-FTS-2 level-1 version 102102 products, which were officially released on 25 May 2020. This paper provides an overview of the TANSO-FTS-2 instrument, the level-1 processing, and the first-year in-orbit performance. To validate the spectral radiance calibration during the first year of operation, the spectral radiance of the version 102102 product is compared at temporally coincident and spatially collocated points from February 2019 to March 2020 with TANSO-FTS on GOSAT for SWIR and with AIRS on Aqua and IASI on METOP-B for TIR. The spectral radiances measured by TANSO-FTS and TANSO-FTS-2 agree within 2 % of the averaged bias and 0.5 % standard deviation for SWIR bands. The agreement of brightness temperature between TANSO-FTS-2 and AIRS–IASI is better than 1 K in the range from 220 to 320 K. GOSAT-2 not only provides seamless global CO 2 and CH 4 observation but also observes local emissions and uptake with an additional CO channel, fully customized sampling patterns, higher signal-to-noise ratios, and wider pointing angles than GOSAT.

New high-resolution estimates of the permafrost thermal state andhydrothermal conditions over the Northern Hemisphere

Abstract: . Monitoring of the thermal state of permafrost is important in environmental science and engineering applications. However, such data are generally unavailable mainly due to the lack of ground observations and the uncertainty of traditional physical models. This study produces novel permafrost datasets for the Northern Hemisphere (NH), including predictions of the mean annual ground temperature (MAGT) at the zero annual amplitude depth and active layer thickness (ALT) with a 1-km resolution for the period of 2000–2016, as well as estimates of the probability of permafrost occurrence and permafrost zonation based on hydrothermal conditions. These datasets integrate unprecedentedly large amounts of field data (1,002 boreholes for MAGT and 452 sites for ALT) and multisource geospatial data, especially remote sensing data, using statistical learning modelling with an ensemble strategy. Thus, these data are more accurate than those of previous circumpolar maps (bias = 0.02 ± 0.16 °C, RMSE = 1.32 ± 0.13 °C for MAGT; bias = 2.71 ± 16.46 cm, RMSE = 86.93 ± 19.61 cm for ALT). The datasets suggest that the areal extent of permafrost (MAGT ≤ 0 °C) in the NH, excluding glaciers and lakes, is approximately 15.03 (13.84–19.29) × 106 km2, and the areal extent of permafrost regions (permafrost probability > 0) is approximately 20.14 × 106 km2. The areal fractions of humid, semiarid/subhumid, and arid permafrost regions are 51.84 %, 44.83 %, and 3.33 %, respectively. The areal fractions of cold (≤ −3.0 °C), cool (−3.0 °C to −1.5 °C), and warm (> −1.5 °C) permafrost regions are 37.93 %, 14.35 %, and 47.72 %, respectively. These new datasets based on the most comprehensive field data to date contribute to an updated understanding of the thermal state and zonation of permafrost in the NH. They are potentially useful for various fields, such as in climatology, hydrology, ecology, agriculture, public health, and engineering planning. As a baseline, these datasets are also of great importance for evaluating future changes in MAGT, ALT, permafrost extent, and other spatial features of permafrost in the NH. All of the datasets are published through the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center (TPDC), and the link is https://data.tpdc.ac.cn/en/data/5093d9ff-a5fc-4f10-a53f-c01e7b781368 or https://doi.org/10.11888/Geocry.tpdc.271190 (Ran et al., 2021b).

Intercontinental comparison of optical atomic clocks through very long baseline interferometry

Abstract: The comparison of distant atomic clocks is foundational to international timekeeping, global positioning and tests of fundamental physics. Optical-fibre links allow the most precise optical clocks to be compared, without degradation, over intracontinental distances up to thousands of kilometres, but intercontinental comparisons remain limited by the performance of satellite transfer techniques. Here we show that very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), although originally developed for radio astronomy and geodesy, can overcome this limit and compare remote clocks through the observation of extragalactic radio sources. We developed dedicated transportable VLBI stations that use broadband detection and demonstrate the comparison of two optical clocks located in Italy and Japan separated by 9,000 km. This system demonstrates performance beyond satellite techniques and can pave the way for future long-term stable international clock comparisons. Very long baseline interferometry is used to compare two optical clocks located in Japan and Italy through the observation of extragalactic radio sources. This approach overcomes limitations of the performance of satellite transfer techniques.

Thermally altered subsurface material of asteroid (162173) Ryugu

Abstract: Analyses of meteorites and theoretical models indicate that some carbonaceous near-Earth asteroids may have been thermally altered due to radiative heating during close approaches to the Sun1–3. However, the lack of direct measurements on the subsurface doesn’t allow us to distinguish thermal alteration due to radiative heating from parent-body processes. In April 2019, the Hayabusa2 mission successfully completed an artificial impact experiment on the carbonaceous near-Earth asteroid (162173) Ryugu4,5, which provided an opportunity to investigate exposed subsurface material and test potential effects of radiative heating. Here we report observations of Ryugu’s subsurface material by the Near-Infrared Spectrometer (NIRS3) on the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. Reflectance spectra of excavated material exhibit a hydroxyl (OH) absorption feature that is slightly stronger and peak-shifted compared with that observed for the surface, indicating that space weathering and/or radiative heating have caused subtle spectral changes in the uppermost surface. The strength and shape of the OH feature suggests that the subsurface material experienced heating above 300 °C, similar to the surface. In contrast, thermophysical modelling indicates that radiative heating cannot increase the temperature above 200 °C at the estimated excavation depth of 1 m, even at the smallest heliocentric distance possible for Ryugu. This supports the hypothesis that primary thermal alteration occurred on Ryugu’s parent body. Hayabusa2 created an artificial crater on Ryugu to analyse the subsurficial material of the asteroid. Results show that the subsurface is more hydrated than the surface. It experienced alteration processes that can be traced back to Ryugu’s parent body.

The Global Satellite Precipitation Constellation: current status and future requirements

Abstract: To address the need to map precipitation on a global scale a collection of satellites carrying passive microwave (PMW) radiometers has grown over the last 20 years to form a constellation of about 10-12 sensors at any one time. Over the same period, a broad range of science and user communities has become increasingly dependent on the precipitation products provided by these sensors. The constellation presently consists of both conical and cross-track scanning precipitation-capable multi-channel instruments, many of which are beyond their operational and design lifetime but continue to operate through the cooperation of the responsible agencies. The Group on Earth Observations and the Coordinating Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS), among other groups, have raised the issue of how a robust, future precipitation constellation should be constructed. The key issues of current and future requirements for the mapping of global precipitation from satellite sensors can be summarised as providing: 1) sufficiently fine spatial resolutions to capture precipitation-scale systems and reduce the beam-filling effects of the observations; 2) a wide channel diversity for each sensor to cover the range of precipitation types, characteristics and intensities observed across the globe; 3) an observation interval that provides temporal sampling commensurate with the variability of precipitation; and 4) precipitation radars and radiometers in low inclination orbit to provide a consistent calibration source, as demonstrated by the first two spaceborne radar/radiometer combinations on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission Core Observatory (CO). These issues are critical in determining the direction of future constellation requirements, while preserving the continuity of the existing constellation necessary for long-term climate-scale studies.

Penetration of MeV electrons into the mesosphere accompanying pulsating aurorae

Abstract: Pulsating aurorae (PsA) are caused by the intermittent precipitations of magnetospheric electrons (energies of a few keV to a few tens of keV) through wave-particle interactions, thereby depositing most of their energy at altitudes ~ 100 km. However, the maximum energy of precipitated electrons and its impacts on the atmosphere are unknown. Herein, we report unique observations by the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) radar showing electron precipitations ranging from a few hundred keV to a few MeV during a PsA associated with a weak geomagnetic storm. Simultaneously, the Arase spacecraft has observed intense whistler-mode chorus waves at the conjugate location along magnetic field lines. A computer simulation based on the EISCAT observations shows immediate catalytic ozone depletion at the mesospheric altitudes. Since PsA occurs frequently, often in daily basis, and extends its impact over large MLT areas, we anticipate that the PsA possesses a significant forcing to the mesospheric ozone chemistry in high latitudes through high energy electron precipitations. Therefore, the generation of PsA results in the depletion of mesospheric ozone through high-energy electron precipitations caused by whistler-mode chorus waves, which are similar to the well-known effect due to solar energetic protons triggered by solar flares.

Anomalously porous boulders on (162173) Ryugu as primordial materials from its parent body

Abstract: Planetesimals—the initial stage of the planetary formation process—are considered to be initially very porous aggregates of dusts1,2, and subsequent thermal and compaction processes reduce their porosity3. The Hayabusa2 spacecraft found that boulders on the surface of asteroid (162173) Ryugu have an average porosity of 30–50% (refs. 4–6), higher than meteorites but lower than cometary nuclei7, which are considered to be remnants of the original planetesimals8. Here, using high-resolution thermal and optical imaging of Ryugu’s surface, we discovered, on the floor of fresh small craters ( 70%, which is as high as in cometary bodies. The artificial crater formed by Hayabusa2’s impact experiment9 is similar to these craters in size but does not have such high-porosity boulders. Thus, we argue that the observed high porosity is intrinsic and not created by subsequent impact comminution and/or cracking. We propose that these boulders are the least processed material on Ryugu and represent remnants of porous planetesimals that did not undergo a high degree of heating and compaction3. Our multi-instrumental analysis suggests that fragments of the highly porous boulders are mixed within the surface regolith globally, implying that they might be captured within collected samples by touch-down operations10,11. The Hayabusa2 spacecraft found dark boulders with very high porosity (>70%, as high as cometary nuclei) at the bottom of small craters on Ryugu. Such boulders are probably the most pristine parts of the planetesimals that formed Ryugu’s parent body and might have been captured by Hayabusa2 sampling.

Scaling Trends of Digital Single-Event Effects: A Survey of SEU and SET Parameters and Comparison With Transistor Performance

Abstract: The history of integrated circuit (IC) development is another record of human challenges involving space. Efforts have been made to protect ICs from sudden malfunctions due to single-event effects (SEEs). These effects are triggered by only a single strike of particle radiation, such as an $\alpha $ -ray or cosmic ray, originating from our solar activity and galactic events including supernovas. This article explores how SEEs have evolved along with the progress in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) digital IC technology, or device scaling, from the early micrometer-scale generations to the current nanometer-scale generations. For this purpose, focusing on basic digital elements, that is, inverters and static random access memories (SRAMs), this study collected more than 100 sets of data on four characteristic parameters of single-event upsets (SEUs) and single-event transients (SETs), both of which are undesired flips in digital logic states. The results show that all the examined parameters, such as the SEU critical charge, decrease with the device feature size. Analysis involving structure classification, such as bulk versus silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates and planar versus fin channels, reveals relationships between the examined SEE parameters and other device features such as the power supply voltage. All the data collected in this survey are explicitly given in tables for future exploration of IC reliability.

Reconstructing the formation history of top-shaped asteroids from the surface boulder distribution

Abstract: Finding the basic mechanism governing the surface history of asteroids of various shapes is essential for understanding their origin and evolution. In particular, the asteroids (162173) Ryugu1 and (101955) Bennu2 currently being visited by Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx appear to be top shaped. This distinctive shape, characterized by a raised equatorial bulge, is shared by other similarly sized asteroids, including Didymos A3, 2008 EV54 and 1999 KW4 Alpha5. However, the possibly common formation mechanism that causes the top-like shape is still under debate. One clue may lie in the boulders on their surfaces. The distribution of these boulders, which was precisely measured in unprecedented detail by the two spacecraft1,2, constitutes a record of the geological evolution of the surface regolith since the origin of these asteroids. Here, we show that during the regolith migration driven by Yarkovsky–O’Keefe–Radzievskii–Paddack spin-up6–9 the surface boulders coevolve with the underlying regolith and exhibit diverse dynamical behaviours: they can remain undisturbed, sink into the regolith layer and become tilted, or be totally buried by the downslope deposition, depending on their latitudes. The predominant geological features commonly observed on top-shaped asteroids, including the boulder-rich region near the pole1,10, the deficiency of large boulders in the equatorial area10,11 and partially buried, oblique boulders exposed on the regolith surface12,13, are commensurate with this coevolution scenario. The surface regolith migration thus is the prevalent mechanism for the formation history of the top-shaped asteroids with stiffer cores. The distribution of boulders on the surface of top-shaped asteroids such as Bennu or Ryugu tells us about the processes driving their evolution. A model shows that the spin-up induced by the Yarkovsky–O’Keefe–Radzievskii–Paddack (YORP) effect can explain simultaneously both the latitudinal behaviour of the boulders and the regolith migration.

Pre-flight Calibration and Near-Earth Commissioning Results of the Mercury Plasma Particle Experiment (MPPE) Onboard MMO (Mio)

Abstract: BepiColombo Mio (previously called MMO: Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter) was successfully launched by Ariane 5 from Kourou, French Guiana on October 20, 2018. The Mercury Plasma/Particle Experiment (MPPE) is a comprehensive instrument package onboard Mio spacecraft used for plasma, high-energy particle and energetic neutral atom measurements. It consists of seven sensors including two Mercury Electron Analyzers (MEA1 and MEA2), Mercury Ion Analyzer (MIA), Mass Spectrum Analyzer (MSA), High Energy Particle instrument for electron (HEP-ele), High Energy Particle instrument for ion (HEP-ion), and Energetic Neutrals Analyzer (ENA). Significant efforts were made pre-flight to calibrate all of the MPPE sensors at the appropriate facilities on the ground. High voltage commissioning of MPPE analyzers was successfully performed between June and August 2019 and in February 2020 following the completion of the low voltage commissioning in November 2018. Although all of the MPPE analyzers are now ready to begin observation, the full service performance has been delayed until Mio’s arrival at Mercury. Most of the fields of view (FOVs) of the MPPE analyzers are blocked by the thermal shield surrounding the Mio spacecraft during the cruising phase. Together with other instruments on Mio including Magnetic Field Investigation (MGF) and Plasma Wave Investigation (PWI) that measure plasma field parameters, MPPE will contribute to the comprehensive understanding of the plasma environment around Mercury when BepiColombo/Mio begins observation after arriving at the planet Mercury in December 2025.

The effect of microgravity on the human venous system and blood coagulation: a systematic review.

Abstract: New findings What is the central question of this study? Recently, an internal jugular venous thrombus was identified during spaceflight: does microgravity induce venous and/or coagulation pathophysiology, and thus an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)? What is the main finding and its importance? Whilst data are limited, this systematic review suggests that microgravity and its analogues may induce an enhanced coagulation state due to venous changes most prominent in the cephalad venous system, as a consequence of changes in venous flow, distension, pressures, endothelial damage and possibly hypercoagulability in microgravity and its analogues. However, whether such changes precipitate an increased VTE risk in spaceflight remains to be determined. Abstract Recently, an internal jugular venous thrombus was identified during spaceflight, but whether microgravity induces venous and/or coagulation pathophysiology, and thus, an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unclear. Therefore, a systematic (Cochrane compliant) review was performed of venous system or coagulation parameters in actual spaceflight (microgravity) or ground-based analogues in PubMed, MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Cochrane Library, European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumfahrt databases. Seven-hundred and eight articles were retrieved, of which 26 were included for evaluation with 21 evaluating venous, and five coagulation parameters. Nine articles contained spaceflight data, whereas the rest reported ground-based analogue data. There is substantial variability in study design, objectives and outcomes. Yet, data suggested cephalad venous system dilatation, increased venous pressures and decreased/reversed flow in microgravity. Increased fibrinogen levels, presence of thrombin generation markers and endothelial damage were also reported. Limited human venous and coagulation system data exist in spaceflight, or its analogues. Nevertheless, data suggest spaceflight may induce an enhanced coagulation state in the cephalad venous system, as a consequence of changes in venous flow, distension, pressures, endothelial damage and possibly hypercoagulability. Whether such changes precipitate an increased VTE risk in spaceflight remains to be determined.

First comprehensive quantification of annual land use/cover from 1990 to 2020 across mainland Vietnam

Abstract: Extensive studies have highlighted a need for frequently consistent land cover information for interdisciplinary studies. This paper proposes a comprehensive framework for the automatic production of the first Vietnam-wide annual land use/land cover (LULC) data sets (VLUCDs) from 1990 to 2020, using available remotely sensed and inventory data. Classification accuracies ranged from 85.7 ± 1.3 to 92.0 ± 1.2% with the primary dominant LULC and 77.6 ± 1.2% to 84.7 ± 1.1% with the secondary dominant LULC. This confirmed the potential of the proposed framework for systematically long-term monitoring LULC in Vietnam. Results reveal that despite slight recoveries in 2000 and 2010, the net loss of forests (19,940 km2) mainly transformed to croplands over 30 years. Meanwhile, productive croplands were converted to urban areas, which increased approximately ten times. A threefold increase in aquaculture was a major driver of the wetland loss (1914 km2). The spatial–temporal changes varied, but the most dynamic regions were the western north, the southern centre, and the south. These findings can provide evidence-based information on formulating and implementing coherent land management policies. The explicitly spatio-temporal VLUCDs can be benchmarks for global LULC validation, and utilized for a variety of applications in the research of environmental changes towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

The luminous red nova at 2018bwo in NGC 45 and its binary yellow supergiant progenitor

Abstract: Luminous red novae (LRNe) are astrophysical transients associated with the partial ejection of a binary system’s common envelope shortly before its merger. Here we present the results of our photometric and spectroscopic follow-up campaign of AT 2018bwo (DLT 18x), a LRN discovered in NGC 45, and investigate its progenitor system using binary stellar-evolution models. The transient reached a peak magnitude of M r = −10.97 ± 0.11 and maintained this brightness during its optical plateau of t p = 41 ± 5 days. During this phase, it showed a rather stable photospheric temperature of ∼3300 K and a luminosity of ∼1040 erg s−1 . Although the luminosity and duration of AT 2018bwo is comparable to the LRNe V838 Mon and M31-2015LRN, its photosphere at early times appears larger and cooler, likely due to an extended mass-loss episode before the merger. Toward the end of the plateau, optical spectra showed a reddened continuum with strong molecular absorption bands. The IR spectrum at +103 days after discovery was comparable to that of a M8.5 II type star, analogous to an extended AGB star. The reprocessed emission by the cooling dust was also detected in the mid-infrared bands ∼1.5 years after the outburst. Archival Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescope data taken 10−14 yrs before the transient event suggest a progenitor star with T prog ∼ 6500 K, R prog ∼ 100 R ⊙ , and L prog = 2 × 104 L ⊙ , and an upper limit for optically thin warm (1000 K) dust mass of M d M ⊙ . Using stellar binary-evolution models, we determined the properties of binary systems consistent with the progenitor parameter space. For AT 2018bwo, we infer a primary mass of 12–16 M ⊙ , which is 9–45% larger than the ∼11 M ⊙ obtained using single-star evolution models. The system, consistent with a yellow-supergiant primary, was likely in a stable mass-transfer regime with −2.4 ≤ log(Ṁ /M ⊙ yr−1 ) ≤ −1.2 a decade before the main instability occurred. During the dynamical merger, the system would have ejected 0.15–0.5 M ⊙ with a velocity of ∼500 km s−1 .

Modified granular impact force laws for the OSIRIS-REx touchdown on the surface of asteroid (101955) Bennu

Abstract: The OSIRIS-REx mission collected a sample from the surface of the asteroid (101955) Bennu in 2020 October. Here, we study the impact of the OSIRIS-REx Touch-and-Go Sampling Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) interacting with the surface of an asteroid in the framework of granular physics. Traditional approaches to estimating the penetration depth of a projectile into a granular medium include force laws and scaling relationships formulated from laboratory experiments in terrestrial-gravity conditions. However, it is unclear that these formulations extend to the OSIRIS-REx scenario of a 1300-kg spacecraft interacting with regolith in a microgravity environment. We studied the TAGSAM interaction with Bennu through numerical simulations using two collisional codes, pkdgrav and gdc-i. We validated their accuracy by reproducing the results of laboratory impact experiments in terrestrial gravity. We then performed TAGSAM penetration simulations varying the following geotechnical properties of the regolith: packing fraction (P), bulk density, inter-particle cohesion (σc), and angle of friction (ϕ). We find that the outcome of a spacecraft-regolith impact has a non-linear dependence on packing fraction. Closely packed regolith (P ≳ 0.6) can effectively resist the penetration of TAGSAM if ϕ ≳ 28° and/or σc ≳ 50 Pa. For loosely packed regolith (P ≲ 0.5), the penetration depth is governed by a drag force that scales with impact velocity to the 4/3 power, consistent with energy conservation. We discuss the importance of low-speed impact studies for predicting and interpreting spacecraft–surface interactions. We show that these low-energy events also provide a framework for interpreting the burial depths of large boulders in asteroidal regolith.

Long-duration spaceflight alters estimated intracranial pressure and cerebral blood velocity.

Abstract: Key points During long-duration spaceflights, some astronauts develop structural ocular changes including optic disc oedema that resemble signs of intracranial hypertension. In the present study, intracranial pressure was estimated non-invasively (nICP) using a model-based analysis of cerebral blood velocity and arterial blood pressure waveforms in 11 astronauts before and after long-duration spaceflights. Our results show that group-averaged estimates of nICP decreased significantly in nine astronauts without optic disc oedema, suggesting that the cephalad fluid shift during long-duration spaceflight rarely increased postflight intracranial pressure. The results of the two astronauts with optic disc oedema suggest that both increases and decreases in nICP are observed post-flight in astronauts with ocular alterations, arguing against a primary causal relationship between elevated ICP and spaceflight associated optical changes. Cerebral blood velocity increased independently of nICP and spaceflight-associated ocular alterations. This increase may be caused by the reduced haemoglobin concentration after long-duration spaceflight. Abstract Persistently elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) above upright values is a suspected cause of optic disc oedema in astronauts. However, no systematic studies have evaluated changes in ICP from preflight. Therefore, ICP was estimated non-invasively before and after spaceflight to test whether ICP would increase after long-duration spaceflight. Cerebral blood velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCAv) was obtained by transcranial Doppler sonography and arterial pressure in the radial artery was obtained by tonometry, in the supine and sitting positions before and after 4-12 months of spaceflight in 11 astronauts (10 males and 1 female, 46 ± 7 years old at launch). Non-invasive ICP (nICP) was computed using a validated model-based estimation method. Mean MCAv increased significantly after spaceflight (ANOVA, P = 0.007). Haemoglobin decreased significantly after spaceflight (14.6 ± 0.8 to 13.3 ± 0.7 g/dL, P 90%) of astronauts, suggesting that the cephalad fluid shift during spaceflight does not systematically or consistently elevate postflight ICP in astronauts. Independently of nICP and ocular alterations, the present results of mean MCAv suggest that long-duration spaceflight may increase cerebral blood flow, possibly due to reduced haemoglobin concentration.

Satellite retrieval of aerosol combined with assimilated forecast

Abstract: . We developed a new aerosol satellite retrieval algorithm combining a numerical aerosol forecast. In the retrieval algorithm, the short-term forecast from an aerosol data assimilation system was used as an a priori estimate instead of spatially and temporally constant values. This method was demonstrated using observation of the Advanced Himawari Imager onboard the Japan Meteorological Agency's geostationary satellite Himawari-8. Overall, the retrieval results incorporated strengths of the observation and the model and complemented their respective weaknesses, showing spatially finer distributions than the model forecast and less noisy distributions than the original algorithm. We validated the new algorithm using ground observation data and found that the aerosol parameters detectable by satellite sensors were retrieved more accurately than an a priori model forecast by adding satellite information. Further, the satellite retrieval accuracy was improved by introducing the model forecast instead of the constant a priori estimates. By using the assimilated forecast for an a priori estimate, information from previous observations can be propagated to future retrievals, leading to better retrieval accuracy. Observational information from the satellite and aerosol transport by the model are incorporated cyclically to effectively estimate the optimum field of aerosol.

Massive star formation in the Carina nebula complex and Gum 31. I. the Carina nebula complex

Abstract: Herein, we present results from observations of the 12CO (J=1-0), 13CO (J=1-0), and 12CO (J=2-1) emission lines toward the Carina nebula complex (CNC) obtained with the Mopra and NANTEN2 telescopes. We focused on massive-star-forming regions associated with the CNC including the three star clusters Tr14, Tr15, and Tr16, and the isolated WR-star HD92740. We found that the molecular clouds in the CNC are separated into mainly four clouds at velocities -27, -20, -14, and -8 km/s. Their masses are 0.7x10^4Msun, 5.0x10^4 Msun, 1.6x10^4 Msun, and 0.7x10^4 Msun, respectively. Most are likely associated with the star clusters, because of their high 12CO (J=2-1)/12CO (J=1-0) intensity ratios and their correspondence to the Spitzer 8 micron distributions. In addition, these clouds show the observational signatures of cloud--cloud collisions. In particular, there is a V-shaped structure in the position--velocity diagram and a complementary spatial distribution between the -20 km/s cloud and the -14 km/s cloud. Based on these observational signatures, we propose a scenario wherein the formation of massive stars in the clusters was triggered by a collision between the two clouds. By using the path length of the collision and the assumed velocity separation, we estimate the timescale of the collision to be ~1 Myr. This is comparable to the ages of the clusters estimated in previous studies.

The tertiary structure of the human Xkr8-Basigin complex that scrambles phospholipids at plasma membranes.

Abstract: Xkr8–Basigin is a plasma membrane phospholipid scramblase activated by kinases or caspases. We combined cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography to investigate its structure at an overall resolution of 3.8 A. Its membrane-spanning region carrying 22 charged amino acids adopts a cuboid-like structure stabilized by salt bridges between hydrophilic residues in transmembrane helices. Phosphatidylcholine binding was observed in a hydrophobic cleft on the surface exposed to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. Six charged residues placed from top to bottom inside the molecule were essential for scrambling phospholipids in inward and outward directions, apparently providing a pathway for their translocation. A tryptophan residue was present between the head group of phosphatidylcholine and the extracellular end of the path. Its mutation to alanine made the Xkr8–Basigin complex constitutively active, indicating that it plays a vital role in regulating its scramblase activity. The structure of Xkr8–Basigin provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying phospholipid scrambling. Cryo-EM and X-ray crystal structures reveal the architecture of the human Xkr8–Basigin complex, providing insights into the molecular mechanism of phospholipid scrambling.