Showing papers in "Earth Moon and Planets in 2013"

Stability of the Triangular Points Under Combined Effects of Radiation and Oblateness in the Restricted Three-Body Problem

Abstract: This paper deals with the existence of triangular points and their linear stability when the primaries are oblate spheroid and sources of radiation considering the effect of oblateness up to 10−6 of main terms in the restricted three-body problem; we see that the locations of the triangular points are affected by the oblateness of the primaries and solar radiation pressure. It is further seen that these points are stable for 0 ≤ μ ≤μ c ; and unstable for μ c ≤ μ ≤1/2; where μ c is the critical mass value depending on terms which involve parameters that characterize the oblateness and radiation repulsive forces such that $$ \mu_{c} \in (0,1/2) $$ ; in addition to this an algorithm has been constructed to calculate the critical mass value.

A Model for the Common Origin of Jupiter Family and Halley Type Comets

Abstract: A numerical simulation of the Oort cloud is used to explain the observed orbital distributions and numbers of Jupiter-family (JF) and Halley-type (HT) short-period (SP) comets. Comets are given initial orbits with perihelion distances between 5 and 36 au, and evolve under planetary, stellar and Galactic perturbations for 4.5 Gyr. This process leads to the formation of an Oort cloud (which we define as the region of semimajor axes a > 1,000 au), and to a flux of cometary bodies from the Oort cloud returning to the planetary region at the present epoch. The results are consistent with the dynamical characteristics of SP comets and other observed cometary populations: the near-parabolic flux, Centaurs, and high-eccentricity trans-Neptunian objects. To achieve this consistency with observations, the model requires that the number of comets versus initial perihelion distance is concentrated towards the outer planetary region. Moreover, the mean physical lifetime of observable comets in the inner planetary region (q < 2.5 au) at the present epoch should be an increasing function of the comets’ initial perihelion distances. Virtually all observed HT comets and nearly half of observed JF comets come from the Oort cloud, and initially (4.5 Gyr ago) from orbits concentrated near the outer planetary region. Comets that have been in the Oort cloud also return to the Centaur (5 < q < 28 au, a < 1,000 au) and near-Neptune high-eccentricity regions. Such objects with perihelia near Neptune are hard to discover, but Centaurs with characteristics predicted by the model (e.g. large semimajor axes, above 60 au, or high inclinations, above 40°) are increasingly being found by observers. The model provides a unified picture for the origin of JF and HT comets. It predicts that the mean physical lifetime of all comets in the region q < 1.5 au is less than ∼200 revolutions.

The Method of Selection of Major-Shower Meteors Revisited

Abstract: We apply so-called break-point method to select the dense cores of 10 major meteor showers from the photographic, video, and radio-meteor databases. The major showers can well be selected from photographic and video data, in a lesser degree from radio data. The obtained mean characteristics of Quadrantids, Lyrids, η-Aquarids, α-Capricornids, δ-Aquarids N, δ-Aquarids S, Perseids, Orionids, Leonids, and Geminids are presented. A test to indicate the existence of a suspected shower in radio database is suggested.

Pneumatic and Percussive Penetration Approaches for Heat Flow Probe Emplacement on Robotic Lunar Missions

Abstract: In this paper, the development of heat flow probes for measuring the geothermal gradient and conductivity of lunar regolith are presented. These two measurements are the required information for determining the heat flow of a planetary body. Considering the Moon as an example, heat flow properties are very important information for studying the radiogenic isotopes, the thermal evolution and differentiation history, and the mechanical properties of the interior. In order to obtain the best measurements, the sensors must be extended to a depth of at least 3 m, i.e. beyond the depth of significant thermal cycles. Two approaches to heat flow deployment and measurement are discussed in this paper: a percussive approach and a pneumatic approach. The percussive approach utilizes a high frequency hammer to drive a cone penetrometer into the lunar simulant. Ring-like thermal sensors (heaters and temperature sensors) on the penetrometer rod are deployed into the simulant every 30 cm as the penetrometer penetrates to the required 3 m depth. Once the target depth has been achieved, the deployment rod is removed from the simulant, eliminating any thermal path to the lander. The pneumatic approach relies on pressurized gas to excavate, using a cone-shaped nozzle to penetrate the simulant. The nozzle is attached to a coiled stem with thermal sensors embedded along the length of the stem. As the simulant is being lofted out of the hole by the escaping gas, the stem is progressively reeled out from a spool, thus moving the cone deeper into the hole. Thermal conductivity is measured using a needle probe attached to the end of the cone. Breadboard prototypes of these two heat flow probe systems have been constructed and successfully tested under lunar-like conditions to approximately 70 cm, which was the maximum possible depth allowed by the size of the test bin and the chamber.

Variability of Horizontal Magnetic Field Intensity Over Nigeria During Low Solar Activity

Abstract: Magnetic field intensity of the horizontal component (H) data measured from Magnetic Data Acquisition System (MAGDAS) at Ilorin (geographic latitude: 8.47°N, geographic longitude: 4.68°E, geomagnetic latitude: 1.82°S, geomagnetic longitude: 78.6°S), Nigeria in the year 2009 (a low activity year) was used to study the diurnal, monthly-median and standard deviation of the solar quiet of the horizontal component (S q H). The diurnal variation of S q H and its corresponding monthly median variation (MS q H) shows minima values at pre-sunrise hours between 0500 and 0600 LT. The S q H value shows a daytime maximum variation range between 20 and 91 nT and a nighttime minimum variation range from 1 to 4 nT. The occurrences of daytime maxima of the S q H values that were observed in all the months are between the hours of 1000 and 1200 LT. The daytime maximum of the MS q H values from the entire months were seen at 1100 LT with exceptions of January and December. The month of October has the highest value (61 nT) and the lowest value was observed in December (35 nT). It is clearer that the range in maximums of S q H and MS q H variations during the daytime period in all the months is greater than the range in minimums observed at nighttime period (post-sunset and pre-sunrise). The monthly standard deviation (STD) depicts the index of variability of all the day-to-day variations in each month. Counter electrojet (CEJ) events were observed in the morning and as well during the evening hours. The magnitudes and frequencies of CEJ events during the evening hours are greater than that of the morning hours. CEJ seen during the morning period around 0500–0600 LT is the consequence of late reversals of nighttime westward currents to daytime eastward currents. A semi-annual variation with peak values during March, April, September and October was observed. Seasonal variation that was characterized with CEJ was also investigated.

Towards an Understanding of the Fall Circumstances of the Hoba Meteorite

Abstract: Using the observed attributes of the Hoba meteorite, that it is a single mass which survived impact intact, we investigate the possible conditions leading to its fall. Specifically, we asses the scenario in which the Hoba progenitor is envisioned as encountering Earth’s atmosphere at a shallow angle of entry, with a low velocity and stabilized profile to the oncoming airflow. In order to physically survive impact we find, via the planar impact approximation, that the Hoba meteorite must have landed with a speed smaller than a few hundred meters per second. We find that the envisioned model can satisfy, in its extreme limit of low entry speed, maximum area profile and near horizontal entry angle the required landing conditions. We deduce that the progenitor mass for the Hoba meteorite was likely of order 5 × 105 kg, and that a simple impact crater, now eroded, having a diameter of some 20 m and a depth of about 5 m was produced upon impact. We estimate that the typical arrival time interval for such massive, Hoba-like meteorite falls is of order 5 × 106 years.

The New Peruvian Meteorite Carancas: Mössbauer Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction Studies

Abstract: The Carancas meteorite fell on 15 September 2007 approximately 10 km south of Desaguadero, near Lake Titicaca, Peru, producing bright lights, clouds of dust in the sky and intense detonations. The Carancas meteorite is classified as a H4–5 ordinary chondrite with shock stage S3 and a degree of weathering W0. The Carancas meteorite is characterized by well defined chondrules composed either of olivine or pyroxene. The Mossbauer spectra show an overlapping of paramagnetic and magnetic phases. The spectra show two quadrupole doublets associated to olivine and pyroxene; and two magnetic sextets, associated with the primary phases kamacite/taenite and Troilite (Fe2+). Metal particles were extracted from the bulk powdered samples exhibit only kamacite and small amounts of the intergrowth tetrataenite/antitaenite. X-Ray diffractogram shows the primary phases olivine, pyroxene, troilite, kamacite, diopside and albite. Iron oxides has not been detected by Mossbauer spectroscopy or XRD as can be expected for a meteorite immediately recovered after its fall.

Statistical Study of the CME-Solar Flares Associated Events

Abstract: The aim of this paper is studying the relation between the coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and their associated solar flares. I used the CMEs data (obtained from CME catalogue) which observed by SOHO/LASCO, during the Solar Cycle 23rd (1996–2006), during this period I selected 12,433 CME records. Also I used the X-ray flares data which provided geostationary operational environmental satellite (GOES), during the same interval in the 1–8 A GOES channel, the recorded flare events are 22,688. I filtered these CMEs and solar flare events to select 529 CME-Flare events. I found that there is a moderate relation between the solar flare fluxes and their associated CME energies, where R = 58 %. In addition I found that 61 % of the CME-Flare associated events ejected from the solar surface after the occurrence of the associated flare. Furthermore I found that the CME-Flare relation improved during the period of high solar activity. Finally, I examined the CME association rate as a function of flare longitude and I found that the CME association rate of the total 529 selected CME-Flare events are mostly disk-Flare events.

Electron Pitch-Angle Diffusion by ECH Waves in Earth and Jupiter Magnetospheres: Contribution to Diffuse Auroral Precipitation

Abstract: Pitch-angle diffusion coefficients of electrons have been calculated for resonant interaction with electrostatic electron-cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves using quasi linear diffusion theory. Calculations have been performed for the planets Earth and Jupiter at three radial distances for each planet. Electron precipitation fluxes have also been calculated and compared with observed fluxes. At Earth, electrons of energy ≤200 eV may be put on strong diffusion at L = 10. At lower L values, observed ECH wave amplitudes are insufficient to put electrons on strong diffusion. At Jupiter, electrons can be put on strong diffusion at all L values. However, the energy of electrons which may be put on strong diffusion decreases from about 1 keV at L = 7 to ~100 eV at L = 17. It is concluded that ECH waves may be partly responsible for diffuse auroral precipitation of low energy electrons at Jupiter for lower L values. At Earth contribution of ECH waves to diffuse aurora is quite small.

A Simulation Study of the Plasma Wave Enhancements in the Earth’s Equatorial Plasmasphere

Abstract: In the equatorial plasmasphere, plasma waves are frequently observed. To improve our understanding of the mechanism generating plasma waves from instabilities, a comparison of observations, linear growth-rate calculations, and simulation results is presented. To start the numerical experiments from realistic initial plasma conditions, we use the initial parameters inferred from observational data obtained around the plasma-wave generation region by the Akebono satellite. The linear growth rates of waves of different modes are calculated under resonance conditions, and compared with simulation results and observations. By employing numerical experiments by a particle code, we first show that upper hybrid-, Z-, and whistler-mode waves are excited through instabilities driven by a ring-type velocity distribution. The simulation results suggest a possibility that energetic electrons with energies of some tens of keV confined around the geomagnetic equator are responsible for the observed enhancements of Z- and whistler-mode waves. While the comparison between linear growth-rate calculations and observations shows the different tendency of wave amplitude of Z-mode and whistler-mode waves, the wave amplitude of these wave modes in the simulation results is consistent with the observation.

Deflection of Hazardous Near-Earth Objects by High Concentrated Sunlight and Adequate Design of Optical Collector

Abstract: Some detailed astronomical and applied aspects deflection of hazardous near-Earth objects (NEO) by direct high concentrated sunlight, causing intensive local ablation of their surfaces, are considered. The major requirements to solar concentrating optics within a single collector (a large mirror) approach, along with the asteroid properties being most substantial in achieving the predetermined effect for the period less than a year (mid-thrust action), are discussed. Such a hastened strategy may become topical in the case of late detection of potential danger, and also, if required, in providing the possibility for some additional action. It is also more acceptable in the public perception and keeping the peace for mankind rather than a long-run expectation of the incorrigible deflection resulting shortly ahead of the predicted hazard. The conventional concave reflectors have been graved to be practically inapplicable within the high concentrating geometry. This is primarily because of the dramatic spread of their focal spots at needful inclinations of optical axis from the direction toward the Sun, as well as of problematic use of the secondary optics. An alternative design of a mirrored ring-array collector is presented (as a tested and approved point-focus version of innovative reflective lenses for sunlight concentration within this approach), and comparative analysis was made. The assessment argues in favor of such a type of high-aperture optics having more capabilities than conventional devices. Mainly, this is because of the underside position (as respects the entrance aperture) of its focal area that allows avoidance of target shadowing the reflecting surfaces and minimizes their coating by the ejected debris. By using the modern asteroids database, some key estimations have been obtained. The surface irradiance around 4–5 MW/m2 (average across the focal spot concentration level ~5 × 103) for the ring-array collector size ~0.5 of asteroid diameter might suffice to deflect a 0.5-km-diameter NEO during several months. For the larger diameter NEOs, to 1.3–2.2 km, the required collector sizes are about the asteroid diameters, and they are even greater for more massive objects.

Gamma (γ)-Ray Activity as a Tool for Identification of Hidden Ejecta Deposits Around Impact Crater on Basaltic Target: Example from Lonar Crater, India

Abstract: Geophysical techniques based on radioactivity measurements are not generally used for exploration of asteroid impact craters. Our studies on the field and laboratory measurements of radioactivity on samples from the Lonar crater, India, show that this technique could be an important method for mapping the distribution of ejecta around the deeply excavated impact craters particularly when these structures are formed on relatively old target rocks/palaeosol. The Lonar ejecta shows ~1.3 times higher γ-ray count rates in the field on average compared to the underlying palaeosol and ~1.9 times higher values over the target basalt while measured by a portable Geiger–Muller pulse counter. The absorbed γ-dose rate (D) of the Lonar samples, computed from 232Th, 238U, and 40K abundances in these samples, also show that the ejecta has distinct bulk dose rates (average ~8.42 nGy h−1) as compared to those of the palaeosol (~18.34 nGy h−1), target basalt (~11.97 nGy h−1), and the impact-melts and spherules (~14 nGy h−1). Therefore, radioactivity mapping of the terrestrial and planetary impact craters by direct methods has importance in mapping ejecta distributions around these structures.

A Postulated Planetary Collision, the Terrestrial Planets, the Moon and Smaller Solar-System Bodies

Abstract: In a scenario produced by the Capture Theory of planetary formation, a collision between erstwhile solar-system giant planets, of masses 798.75 and 598.37 M⊕, is simulated using smoothed-particle hydrodynamics. Due to grain-surface chemistry that takes place in star-forming clouds, molecular species containing hydrogen, with a high D/H ratio taken as 0.01, form a layer around each planetary core. Temperatures generated by the collision initiate D–D reactions in these layers that, in their turn, trigger a reaction chain involving heavier elements. The nuclear explosion shatters and disperses both planets, leaving iron-plus-silicate stable residues identified as a proto-Venus and proto-Earth. A satellite of one of the colliding planets, captured or retained by the proto-Earth core, gave the Moon; two massive satellites released into heliocentric orbits became Mercury and Mars. For the Moon and Mars, abrasion of their surfaces exposed to collision debris results in hemispherical asymmetry. Mercury, having lost a large part of its mantle due to massive abrasion, reformed to give the present high-density body. Debris from the collision gave rise to asteroids and comets, much of the latter forming an inner reservoir stretching outwards from the inner Kuiper Belt that replenishes the Oort Cloud when it is depleted by a severe perturbation. Other features resulting from the outcome of the planetary collision are the relationship of Pluto and Triton to Neptune, the presence of dwarf planets and light-atom isotopic anomalies in meteorites.

Point Discharge Current During a Solar Eclipse

Abstract: The effect of solar eclipse of July 22, 2009, obscuring up to 91 %, upon the value of point discharge current (PDC) has been reported in this paper. The observation had been taken from Kolkata (Lat. 22.56°N, Long. 88.5°E). During the eclipse period, significant variations in the magnitude of PDC were observed than their average value for the same period in other days. The average value of the PDC for the successive ±10 days adjacent to the solar eclipse day was about 2.253 A.U. (Arbitrary Unit), while the minimum value showed about 2.242 A.U. at the time of greatest phase at 06:26.4 IST (Indian Standard Time). The results are mainly interpreted in terms of changes of the conductivity of the medium during the solar eclipse.

Some Astronomical Aspects of the Study of Lunar Regolith

Abstract: This article provides some astronomical background for a systematic study of the lunar regolith. The Moon, like other atmosphere-less bodies, is the subject to all kinds of cosmic radiation, which are imprinted in the lunar surface. Therefore, the study of the lunar regolith for signs of cosmic radiation can assist to trace the history of changes in these emissions over time. Mostly changes in the solar wind and galactic cosmic rays are very interesting at time intervals from a few tens of millions of years to several billion years. The paper develops the idea of paleoregolith, the possible location of which can be seen on the slopes of some craters (Euler, Bessel) in images obtained by camera of LRO spacecraft (LROC). Because of the complexities of placing a spacecraft on the slopes of craters, some other possible locations of paleoregolith are offered to consideration. To study the recent history of the evolution of the Moon and the inner planets (up to 200 million years) the stored information in impact and volcanic melts, which are widely represented in the LROC images, should be considered.

Observation Plan for Refining Shape Model of (6) HEBE

Abstract: As the number of observatories located on the surface of Earth is increasing largely in decades more and more photometric data of asteroids is observed to make the research about their various physical and chemical characteristics. Compared with hundreds of thousands of asteroids found up to now, rare hundreds of three-dimensional shape models of asteroids have been built from the tremendous photometric data with incessant observations, i.e. lightcurves. For some specific asteroid already with many observed lightcurves, the unceasing observation is not too much valuable, nevertheless an additional lightcurve observed in a request viewing aspect can refine the shape model and other related parameters. This article taking the asteroid (6) HEBE for example, attempts to introduce a method to make the observation plan by combining the request of the shape model and the orbital limitation of asteroids. Through analyzing the distribution of lightcurves of (6) HEBE, small cabins without any lightcurve data are found, which can be filled by new observations at some specified dates when the positions of Asteroid, Sun, Earth are limited as the request geometry.

Variation of Spectral Radiance of the Zenith Sky During the Annular Eclipse on May 21, 2012

Abstract: The absolute brightness of the zenith sky was measured using a simple calibrated spectrometer during the annular solar eclipse event on May 21, 2012 in Fujioka City, Japan (362924°N, 1390823°E) The sensitivity of the spectrometer was calibrated as a function of wavelength between 400 and 700 nm with an integral sphere The brightness of the sky decreased to 6 % of its usual condition at the maximum magnitude of the annular eclipse of 095 for all wavelengths The curve describing the variation of sky brightness accords well with the total luminosity of the solar disk estimated by a simple model that accounts for the limb darkening effect This study provides zenith sky radiance as a function of wavelength and solar elevation angle, which is useful for the investigation of new optical instruments for atmospheric studies

Arbitrary Amplitude Ion Acoustic Solitary Waves in An Unmagnetized Two Electron Population Ultra-Relativistic Dense Plasmas

Abstract: The nonlinear wave structure of arbitrary amplitude ion acoustic solitary waves (IASWs) are studied in the Sagdeev’s pseudopotential framework for an ultra-relativistic degenerate dense plasma comprising cold and hot electrons and inertial ultra-cold ions. By employing standard normal-mode analysis the dispersion relation for linear waves is studied. The numerical results are presented to understand the features of ion acoustic solitary wave structures. It is shown that the present plasma model supports IASWs having positive potential well. Also, it is found that the small amplitude rarefactive double layer solution can exist in such a plasma system in some parametric region. It is shown that solitary structures and double layers are affected by relevant plasma parameters.

Developing an Optical Lunar Occultation Measurement Reduction System for Observations at Kaau Observatory

Abstract: We present here a detailed explanation of the reduction method that we use to determine the angular diameters of the stars occulted by the dark limb of the moon. This is a main part of the lunar occultation observation program running at King Abdul Aziz University observatory since late 1993. The process is based on the least square model fitting method of analyzing occultation data, first introduced by Nather et al. (Astron. J. 75:963, 1970).