Mass loading of planetary atmospheres by rocky satellites—II: Transport and enhanced lifetimes of satellite ejecta in planetary magnetospheres

Extensive studies have been conducted concerning individual mass, temporal and positional distribution of submicron rocky ejecta existing in the satellite-planetary gravitational sphere of influence. The transit time of the major portion of the ejecta that is transported from the satellite's gravitational sphere of influence to the planetary magnetopause is about one week and represents a mass loading pulse occurring each satellite orbit. The mass-flux distributions of lunar ejecta at the surface of the magnetopause for a complete lunar orbit are presented. Spatial mass densities of lunar ejecta in specific zones of the magnetosphere provide a means to compare sporadic interplanetary dust spatial mass densities in the same zones.     

X-rays from the first massive black holes

X-ray studies of high-redshift (z > 4) active galaxies have advanced substantially over the past few years, largely due to results from the new generation of X-ray observatories. As of this writing X-ray emission has been detected from nearly 60 high-redshift active galaxies. This paper reviews the observational results and their implications for models of the first massive black holes, and it discusses future prospects for the field.     

Preliminary analysis of shuttle multispectral radiometer data for Southern Egypt

The Shuttle Multispectral Infrared Radiometer (SMIRR) is a spectroradiometer covering the region from 0.5 to 2.5 μm in 10 channels that acquired data from spots 100 m in diameter along the subspacecraft ground track. It was flown aboard the second flight of the space shuttle Columbia, November 12–14, 1981. Data collected during orbit 16 over southern Egypt show that carbonate rocks, kaolinite, and possibly montmorillonite can be identified by their SMIRR spectral signatures and limited knowledge of the lithologic units present. Detailed analysis of SMIRR data for this area indicates that calcite, kaolinite, and montmorillonite rocks give rise to absorption features that result in characteristic 10 channel spectra.     

Non-expert interpretations of hurricane forecast uncertainty visualizations

Uncertainty represented in visualizations is often ignored or misunderstood by the non-expert user. The National Hurricane Center displays hurricane forecasts using a track forecast cone, depicting the expected track of the storm and the uncertainty in the forecast. Our goal was to test whether different graphical displays of a hurricane forecast containing uncertainty would influence a decision about storm characteristics. Participants viewed one of five different visualization types. Three varied the currently used forecast cone, one presented a track with no uncertainty, and one presented an ensemble of multiple possible hurricane tracks. Results show that individuals make different decisions using uncertainty visualizations with different visual properties, demonstrating that basic visual properties must be considered in visualization design and communication.     

Analysis of the resonance and ways of its elimination at the descent of spacecrafts in the rarefied atmosphere

In this paper uncontrolled motions of blunt-shaped spacecrafts of small elongation descended in the rarefied atmosphere is considered. Such spacecrafts can have three balancing position of a spatial angle of attack. It can result in a resonance at change of a dynamic pressure at the descend. It is shown, that numerical integration of equations of perturbed motion does not allow to receive authentic results because of stochastic character of transients. Procedure of calculation of the upper and lower estimates of parameters of motion with use of received averaged equations and a stability criteria is developed. Efficiency of this procedure is shown on an example of hypothetical spacecraft descent. The analysis of ways of the resonance elimination is executed. In result, analytical formulas for the initial angular velocity of the spacecraft and for spacecraft's geometrical parameters are obtained.     

A gravity wave analysis near to the Andes Range from GPS radio occultation data and mesoscale numerical simulations: Two case studies

Global maps of potential wave energy per unit mass, recently performed with the Global Positioning System (GPS) Radio Occultation (RO) technique and different satellite missions (CHAMP and SAC-C since 2001, GRACE and COSMIC since 2006) revealed in Argentina, at the eastern side of the highest Andes Mountains, a considerable wave activity (WA) in comparison with other extra-tropical regions. The main gravity wave (GW) sources in this natural laboratory are deep convection (mainly during late Spring and Summer), topographic forcing and geostrophic adjustment.     

基于CELMS数据的月球东海微波辐射特性研究

根据月壤(FeO+TiO2)含量数据和"嫦娥2号"卫星CELMS数据,对月球东海地区微波辐射特性进行了研究。结果表明,在东海内部(FeO+TiO2)含量较高的地区,其正午和午夜时刻的亮温值都比较高,亮温差值也比较大,但亮温及亮温差值的分布随频率变化呈现不均匀性;Maunder撞击坑的(FeO+TiO2)含量较低,但其低频和高频亮温及亮温差值的表现正好相反;区域F(约10°S/106°W)、G(约5°S/104°W)和以(13°S/103°W)为中心的区域的微波辐射存在明显异常。这些区域的微波辐射特性对研究东海地区的形成演化过程具有重要意义。     

双层结构月球的自由天平动与受迫天平动

根据JPL/NASA发布的月球行星历表DE430/LE430提供的月球物理参数,计算了月球主转动惯量;使用刚体月球转动微分方程获得的月球物理天平动解析关系式,计算了不同分层模型的月球自由天平动三个模式的频率及周期,比较并讨论了不同的解析结果;在此基础上,评估了月球受迫天平动一个模式的幅度。     

基于“嫦娥2号”CELMS数据的冯·卡门撞击坑微波辐射特性

冯·卡门（Von Kármán）撞击坑位于月球背面的SPA盆地西北部,切穿了浅层月壳,具有异常的矿物成分分布。基于微波辐射计数据的月壤微波辐射特性分析,对月球热演化和岩浆演化研究具有重要的参考价值。本研究基于“嫦娥2号”卫星微波辐射计数据,采用时角分析、双线性插值方法,生成了研究区域的亮温（T_B）图和亮温差（dT_B）图像;结合Arcgis软件,叠加地质图,并结合成分、地形图,研究了Von Kármán撞击坑微波辐射特性。研究结果表明：研究区北部出现高T_B异常,初步判定为下垫面温度较高;研究区南部出现与钛铁矿（FeO+TiO₂）含量分布相对应的亮温表现;结合研究区的微波辐射特性,重新进行了冯·卡门撞击坑地质解译;根据冯·卡门撞击坑的亮温表现,建议北部为着陆区重点选择区,其次为南部和西部。     

Studies of strong gravitational fields near super-massive black hole horizons with space missions

General relativity (GR) can be probed by several tests in the weak gravitational field limit. On the contrary, very poor information exists about GR tests in strong gravitational fields. Here, we focus on the interaction of light rays with the strong gravitational field of a massive black hole and show that relativistic images may form. Hence, we calculate the shapes of shadows (mirages) forming just near BH horizons and discuss the possibility to estimate the black hole parameters (mass, spin and charge) by future astrometric missions. In 2007, the Radioastron space telescope will be launched and it will allow to evaluate those parameters for the black hole hosted at the center of our Galaxy.