Optical observations of ion tail structures and velocity flows in comet Halley during the period of the five spacecraft encounters

Observations of the distribution and evolution of a number of the major constituents of the neutral coma (CN, C₂, CH, O, H, Na) of Comet Halley were made during two observing periods, each of 3 weeks duration, from the Table Mountain Observatory, California. The first period was pre-perihelion, in late November/December 1985. The second period, from Feb 28 to March 22 1986, covered the five close spacecraft encounters with Halley, and when ICE flew some 20 M Km upstream of Halley. Sodium emission was recorded in early Dec 1985 from the near-nuclear region at a heliocentric distance of 1.4 AU, an observation confirmed with the UCL Doppler Imaging system. The CN coma could be detected to an outer diameter of more than 4M Km in Dec 1985, and 5 – 6M Km in early March 1986, allowing the production of heavy cometary pick-up ions to be estimated. Observations of the cometary ion coma (H₂O⁺ and CO⁺ ions) showed considerable variability from day to day, particularly during the period of the spacecraft encounters. These observations have been used, in conjuction with the neutral coma data, to map the flow field of cometary ions. In early Dec. 1985, Halley developed a traditional “type I” ion tail, which persisted until late April 1986. It has also been possible to evaluate the ion flow fields within the narrow core of the ion tail, and in the surrounding diffuse, low density, regions populated by pick-up and extracted cometary ions, and by slowed solar wind ions. Tail disconnection events were observed on several occasions, particularly between the VEGA 2 and GIOTTO encounters, and with a highly spectacular event on March 19 1986.     

Organic solids produced from simple C/H/O/N ices by charged particles: applications to the outer solar system.

CH4, CO, and CO2 are all potential one-carbon molecular repositories in primitive icy objects. These molecules are all found in the Comet Halley coma, and are probable but, (except for CH4 detected on Triton and Pluto) undetected subsurface constituents in icy outer solar system objects. We have investigated the effects of charged particle irradiation by cold plasma discharge upon surfaces of H2O:CH4 clathrate having a 200:1 ratio, as well as upon ices composed of H2O plus C2H6 or C2H2 (sometimes plus NH3) which are also plausible constituents. These materials color and darken noticeably after a dose 10(9) - 10(10) erg cm-2, which is deposited rapidly (< or = 10(4) yr.) in solar system environments. The chromophore is a yellowish to tan organic material (a tholin) which we have studied by UV-VIS reflection and transmission, and IR transmission spectroscopy. Its yield, -1 C keV-1, implies substantial production of organic solids by the action of cosmic rays and radionuclides in cometary crusts and interiors, as well as rapid production in satellite surfaces. This material shows alkane bands which Chyba and Sagan have shown to well match the Halley infrared emission spectrum near 3.4 microns, and also bands due to aldehyde, alcohol and perhaps alkene/aromatic functional groups. We compare the IR spectral properties of these tholins with the spectra of others produced by irradiation of gases and ices containing simple hydrocarbons.     

The infrared synthetic spectrum of comet Halley

In order to prepare infrared sounding of comet Halley from the flyby VEGA probes, we have computed the synthetic spectrum between 2.5 and 15 μ of a typical comet at a heliocentric distance of ～ 0.8 AU. The present paper is particularly devoted to the contribution from the cometary gases. For a selection of 20 possible parent molecules, the most efficient excitation process is resonant fluorescence by the solar radiation field. The H₂O, CO, CO₂, CH₄, NH₃ and H₂CO molecules are the best candidates for detection by the IKS infrared spectrometers aboard the VEGA probes. For the water molecule, collisions are too rare to ensure thermal equilibrium in the whole coma ; therefore a limited number of fluorescence lines are expected to be present in the H₂O vibrational bands.     

FY-2C卫星太阳X射线探测器性能定标

通过具体的实验对FY-2C太阳X射线探测器进行了详细的定标.太阳X射线探测器的传感器采用充Ar气的正比计数器.主要探测能量大于4 KeV的太阳X射线流量.在坪特性、效率、正比性、能道划分、能量分辨率和时间分辨率等6个方面详细介绍了定标的方法及结果.定标结果表明,FY-2C卫星的太阳X射线探测器在各个方面都具有很好的性能.最后对FY-2C的在轨探测数据与GOES卫星进行了比较.GOES卫星的太阳X射线传感器采用电离室.FY-2C的探测结果与GOES的探测结果非常吻合.结果表明,FY-2C太阳X射线探测器可以很好地监测太阳X射线的流量变化,为空间环境监测提供有效的服务.      

Optical observations of ion tail structures and velocity fields in comet Giacobini-Zinner near the time of the ICE encounter

Observations of constituents of the neutral coma (CN. C₂. CH. O. H) of Giacobini-Zinner were made for a period of nearly three weeks during late August/early September 1985 from La Palma Observatory, Canaries Is. in addition to studies of structures and flows in the ion coma and tail. The neutral coma (in CN) was observed to extend to a radius of at least 400,000 Km, far beyond the “bow wave” identified by the ICE spacecraft. The ion coma (detected to a sunward distance of about 50,000 Km) and ion tail fan (max. length about 500,000 Km, recorded in CO⁺ and H₂O⁺ were also observed throughout the period before and after the ICE encounter. An extended Type I ion tail central condensation was not observed. The maximum observed extent of the ‘ionospheric tail’ was about 50,000 Km, five hours prior to the ICE encounter. This ionospheric tail rapidly diffused into a broad tail fan.     

A surge obsrved in Hα and CIV

Simultaneous Hα (MSDP at Meudon) and C IV (UVSP aboard SMM) measurements of Active Region 2701 were made on October 2, 1980. Isodensity and velocity maps were derived for both lines and superposed. A good correlation was found between Hα and C IV velocities. A surge was observed for 10 minutes. The base was located in a bright point in CIV and Hα, and escaping matter followed the same channel (“absorbing” in Hα, “emitting” in C IV). The velocity along the surge was about 80 kms.-1 in Hα and 100 km s-1 in C IV. A loop appeared in C IV. We discuss the existing models and conclude that the vertical pressure gradient was capable of driving the surge.     

Complex organics in laboratory simulations of interstellar/cometary ices.

We present the photochemical and thermal evolution of both non-polar and polar ices representative of interstellar and pre-cometary grains. Ultraviolet photolysis of the non-polar ices comprised of O2, N2, and CO produces CO2, N2O, O3, CO3, HCO, H2CO, and possibly NO and NO2. When polar ice analogs (comprised of H2O, CH3OH, CO, and NH3) are exposed to UV radiation, simple molecules are formed including: H2, H2CO, CO2, CO, CH4, and HCO (the formyl radical). Warming produces moderately complex species such as CH3CH2OH (ethanol), HC(=O)NH2 (formamide), CH3C(=O)NH2 (acetamide), R-CN and/or R-NC (nitriles and/or isonitriles). Several of these are already known to be in the interstellar medium, and their presence indicates the importance of grain processing. Infrared spectroscopy, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry demonstrate that after warming to room temperature what remains is an organic residue composed primarily of hexamethylenetetramine (HMT, C6H12N4) and other complex organics including the amides above and polyoxymethylene (POM) and its derivatives. The formation of these organic species from simple starting mixtures under conditions germane to astrochemistry may have important implications for the organic chemistry of interstellar ice grains, comets and the origins of life.     

In-situ photopolarimetric measurements of dust and gas in the coma of Halley''s comet

The Halley Optical Probe Experiment (HOPE) on board the Giotto spacecraft has provided the first in-situ measurements, both of the dust and of some gaseous species, from inside the coma of the comet. The instrument has already been described /1/, together with first results /2/. The purpose of this note is to show how optical measurements can lead to in-situ information, how those were obtained during the 13–14 march 1986 Halley fly-by, and what is the status of the data analysis.     

贫燃型汽车尾气NOx的催化净化

用溶胶-凝胶混合法制备了Al₂O₃,Ag/Al₂O₃,Sn/Al₂O₃,Ga/Al₂O₃,Co/Al₂O₃和Pt/Al₂O₃等催化剂.在相同实验条件下,比较了C₃H₆在这些催化剂上还原NO的活性,并考察了反应条件对C₃H₆和CH₃OH在Ag/Al₂O₃上还原NO性能的影响.结果表明,Ag/Al₂O₃的还原NO活性优于其它催化剂.H₂O对Ag/Al₂O₃催化剂的NO还原具有可逆抑制作用,SO₂降低C₃H₆在Ag/Al₂O₃上还原NO的活性,但会显著提高CH₃OH还原NO的活性.     

空间尘埃的充电过程及与等离子体参数的关系

考虑了地球附近的彗星、行星环、行星际介质等空间尘埃等离子体环境中尘埃颗粒的充电问题．应用典型的空间尘埃等离子体参数，计算了不同种类的尘埃颗粒，以及不同等离子体成分下等离子体中尘粒的平衡电势，得到了尘埃颗粒的平衡电势与尘埃等离子体成分、温度，及其他等离子体参数之间的相互关系．     

A review of 9-year performance and operation of the MOPITT instrument

The MOPITT (Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere) instrument has provided more than nine years of global carbon monoxide (CO) measurements on a continuous basis since its launch aboard the Terra Spacecraft on December 18th, 1999. This paper gives an overview of the core sub-system performance and major issues of the in-flight instrument over the mission period. Some of the instrument anomalies are also discussed. The major successes are: (1) the concept of using a combination of correlation systems such as Length Modulated Cells (LMCs) and Pressure Modulated Cells (PMCs) to retrieve CO profiles in the troposphere; (2) the redundant design in the instrumentation which was crucial for coping with unexpected in-flight anomalies and for continuing the mission in the case of component failure; (3) the thermal environment on orbit that is so stable that some calibration procedures are not necessary; and (4) the recent production of CO total column retrieved from the MOPITT 2.3 μm channel.     

磁暴期间环电流离子中性原子成像的模拟与观测比较研究

采用已经建立的环电流离子解析模型,结合Chamberlain地冕中性层模型,研究了2004年11月一次大磁暴期间的环电流区域中性原子(ENA)图像.结果表明,模拟的ENA图像与TC-2卫星搭载的中性原子成像仪(NUAUD)的观测图像在方位角或地方时分布、高度或纬度分布和能谱分布方面存在一定的差异.如果依据磁暴发展的不同阶段来选择环电流离子模型的方位角不对称因子和通量最大方向的方位角,增大地冕中性层在低高度区域的密度或者考虑氢(H)以外的其他中性成分,改进注入边界处的离子能谱分布函数,且考虑不同种类环电流离子的比例随磁暴发展可能发生的变化,该模型有望产生更符合观测的模拟ENA图像.     

Refinements in the data analysis of VIRTIS-M-IR Venus nightside spectra

The successful long-duration radiation measurements performed by the VIRTIS instrument aboard ESA’s Venus Express spacecraft have provided an excellent collection of atmospheric and surface data that stand out due to their high temporal and spatial coverage of the planet and due to a high diversity of measurement and environmental conditions.     

Organic molecules in the gas phase of dense interstellar clouds.

Since a previous COSPAR review on this subject, the number of molecular species identified by astronomers in dense interstellar clouds or in the envelopes expelled by evolved stars has grown from about eighty to approximately one hundred. Recent detections in stellar envelopes include the radical CP, the second phosphorus-containing astronomical molecule; SiN, the first astronomical molecule with a Si-N bond; and the HCCN radical. In the dense interstellar clouds recent detections or verifications of previous possible identifications include the H3O+ ion, which is a critical intermediary in the production of H2O and O2; the CCO radical, which is isoelectronic with HCCN; the SO+ ion, which appears to be diagnostic of shock chemistry; two new isomers of cyanoacetylene, HCCNC and CCCNH; and the two cumulenes H2C3 and H2C4. Some recent work is also described on the mapping of interstellar clouds in multiple molecular transitions in order to separate variations in chemical abundance from gradients in physical parameters.     

Numerical simulations of the radiance from the comet 46P/Wirtanen in the various configurations of the measurements during “Rosetta” mission

The work we present deals with the spectrometric measurements of VIRTIS instrument of the Comet P/Wirtanen planned for the Rosetta mission. This spectrometer can monitor (VIRTIS M channel: 0.250μm – 0.980μm; Δκ=20cm⁻¹; 0.980 – 5.0 μm; Δκ = 5cm⁻¹; VIRTIS H channel: 2.0 μm – 5.0 μm; Δκ=2cm⁻¹) the nucleus and the coma in order to provide a general picture of coma's composition, the production of gas and dust, the relationship of coma production to surface composition and the structure and variation of mineralogy of the nucleus surface. During the mission the observation conditions of the spectroscopic investigation change due to different relative positions spacecraft/comet, and to the different illumination conditions of the surface at various distances of the comet to the Sun. The nucleus surface is continuously modified by the ice sublimation accompanied by gas and dust emission. Consequently the surface also its spectrophotometric properties changes and their monitoring can give a new insight. The important role of simulations is to predict the results of measurements in various experimental condition what, in the future, can help in interpretation of the measured data.

In this paper the first results of our simulation the radiance from the comet in the 0.25–5.0μm spectral range at two distances from the Sun (1AU and 3AU) are shown. The distance between the Rosetta orbiter and the nucleus surface as well as the sun zenith angles are taken into account according to the Rosetta mission phases. In fact the surface and coma properties vary along the comet orbit, and should be taken into account in our calculations. The optical parameters of the dust on the surface (e.g. reflectance) and in the coma (e.g. Q_ext) were calculated from optical constants of possible comet analogues. The thermodynamic parameters of the comet are taken from the models of comet evolution. Through this kind of modelling it is possible to identify the surface characteristics in spectra of the radiation from the surface of nucleus transmitted through the coma loaded with dust and gases.

Even if the “Rosetta mission” is postponed, with the consequence of a target change, we think that our idea and the method used for the simulations can be useful also for the new Rosetta target - the comet 67P/Churyumov Gerasimenko.     

Organic chemistry in Titan's atmosphere: new data from laboratory simulations at low temperature.

Many experiments have already been carried out to simulate organic chemistry on Titan, the largest satellite of Saturn. They can provide fruitful information on the nature of minor organic constituents likely to be present in Titan's atmosphere, both in gas and aerosol phases. Indeed, all the organic compounds but one already detected in Titan's atmosphere have been identified in simulation experiments. The exception, C4N2, as well as other compounds expected in Titan from theoretical modeling, such as other N-organics, and polyynes, first of all C6H2, have never been detected in experimental simulation thus far. All these compounds are thermally unstable, and the temperature conditions used during the simulation experiments were not appropriate. We have recently started a new program of simulation experiments with temperature conditions close to that of Titan's environment. It also uses dedicated analytical techniques and procedures compatible with the analysis of organics only stable at low temperatures, as well solid products of low stability in the presence of O2 and H2O. Spark discharge of N2-CH4 gas mixtures was carried out at low temperature in the range 100-150 K. Products were analysed by FTIR, GC and GC-MS techniques. GC-peaks were identified by their mass spectrum, and, in most cases, by comparison of the retention time and mass spectrum with standard ones. We report here the first detection in Titan simulation experiments of C6H2 and HC5N. Their abundance is a few percent relative to C4H2 and HC3N, respectively. Preliminary data on the solid products indicate an elemental composition corresponding to (H11C11N)n. These results open new prospects in the modeling of Titan's haze making.     

Investigation of magnetospheric processes with the use of a source of strong magnetic field in the ionosphere

More than 20 years ago V.P. Shabansky suggested that the magnetic system installed aboard the satellite, could be used as a physical instrument for studying the processes which occur in the near Earth space. The corresponding space scales of an artificial “magnetosphere”—“magnisphere”—are 10 m in the experiment with relatively small magnets in the ionosphere and 100 m in the solar wind. The corresponding similarity criteria are estimated. The possible scheme of the experiment with a superconducting magnet (magnetic moment 10⁵ A · m²) installed aboard the satellite is considered. The experimental complex includes a number of systems for measuring the fluxes of charged particles in a wide energy range, DC electric and magnetic fields, the electromagnetic fields in different frequency bands (from X-rays to radio). The scientific objectives are discussed in detail.     

Peculiarities of the environment disturbance during the electron beam injection from the rocket

The paper presents some results obtained when a beam of electrons (energy 2 to 3.5 keV, current 0.2 to 0.4A) was injected from aboard the rocket at 100 to 150 km.At the moments the beam was injected perturbations of the near-rocket region are observed with a cross-section of about 500 m, it is much larger than the region over which the injected beam is extended.The appearance of the above region can be explained by the interaction of accelerated ions with the surroundings; the ions are generated during the positive rocket charge neutralization owing to discharge mechanisms. It is confirmed by direct measurements of the rocket potential which is about 2 kV near the apogee.     

Free and membrane-bound calcium in microgravity and microgravity effects at the membrane level.

The changes of [Ca2+]i controlled is known to play a key regulatory role in numerous cellular processes especially associated with membranes. Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated an increase in calcium level in root cells of pea seedlings grown aboard orbital station "Salyut 6". These results: 1) indicate that observed Ca(2+)-binding sites of membranes also consist in proteins and phospholipids; 2) suggest that such effects of space flight in membrane Ca-binding might be due to the enhancement of Ca2+ influx through membranes. In model presented, I propose that Ca(2+)-activated channels in plasma membrane in response to microgravity allow the movement of Ca2+ into the root cells, causing a rise in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ levels. The latter, in its turn, may induce the inhibition of a Ca2+ efflux by Ca(2+)-activated ATPases and through a Ca2+/H+ antiport. It is possible that increased cytosolic levels of Ca2+ ions have stimulated hydrolysis and turnover of phosphatidylinositols, with a consequent elevation of cytosolic [Ca2+]i. Plant cell can response to such a Ca2+ rise by an enhancement of membranous Ca(2+)-binding activities to rescue thus a cell from an abundance of a cytotoxin. A Ca(2+)-induced phase separation of membranous lipids assists to appear the structure nonstable zones with high energy level at the boundary of microdomains which are rich by some phospholipid components; there is mixing of molecules of the membranes contacted in these zones, the first stage of membranous fusion, which was found in plants exposed to microgravity. These results support the hypothesis that a target for microgravity effect is the flux mechanism of Ca2+ to plant cell.