Formation of oligopeptides on the surface of small bodies in solar system by cosmic radiation.

The present experiment indicates that oligopeptides are easily produced in solid state from mixtures of simple amino acids by irradiating with high energy charged particles. We investigated such amino acids and their mixtures as tryptophan, tyrosine and glycine. The thin films was irradiated with protons (6.6 MeV). Such dipeptides as Trp-Trp, Gly-Tyr, Tyr-Gly, and Tyr-Tyr have been detected as products of irradiation. Cosmic rays might be an effective energy source for abiotic formation of bioorganic compounds on the surface of small bodies in the solar system on early stage of formation of planets as well as at present day.     

Extragalactic and galactic U.V. observations owing to the balloon borne scap telescope at the wavelength 2000 Å

The use of the 2 000 Å transmission window of the atmosphere permitted to observe for the first time from a balloon gondola the nearest galaxies ; 30 arc/sec. resolution images were obtained for M 31, spiral arms and nucleus, M 33, M 101, with their external spiral structure, M 82 and NGC 3 077. Nearly three hundred more distant galaxies have been detected up to the magnitude V = 13. Several HII regions of the Galaxy have been observed, chiefly NGC 7 000 and the Cyghus Loop. Numerous blue stars of the halo have been identified.     

Extreme ultraviolet observations of the solar corona: First results from the coronal diagnostic spectrometer on SOHO

We present first results from the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) aboard the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). CDS is a double spectrometer operating in the 151–785 Å range. This region of the solar spectrum is rich in emission lines from trace elements in the solar atmosphere, which can be used to derive diagnostic information on coronal and transition region plasmas. Early spectra are presented and well identified lines are listed. In addition, examples of images in selected wavelength ranges are shown, for a prominence, a loop system and a bright point, demonstrating well the power of such extreme ultraviolet observations.     

X-Ray images of the supernova remnant puppis A

Space Science Reviews -     

Ionospheric electron heating by a rocket borne electron accelerator

A “mother-daughter” rocket code-named “Electron 2” was launched from And?ya, Northern Norway in November, 1978. The “daughter”, carrying a 10 keV electron accelerator, was separated from the “mother” payload with a speed of 0.4 m/s. A series of plasma diagnostic instruments were included on the “mother” to study effects produced by the interaction between the electron beam and the ionospheric plasma. Results obtained by two different plasma probes are presented. It was found that pronounced changes in the ambient electron population took place in regions penetrated by the electron beam. Estimates of the dimensions of the disturbed region are presented.     

Dust optical properties: A comparison between cometary and interplanetary grains

A better understanding of cometary dust optical properties has been derived from extensive observations of comet Halley, complemented by other cometary observations at large phase angles and/or in the infrared. Also, further analysis of IRAS observations and improvements in inversion techniques for zodiacal light have led to some progress in our knowledge of interplanetary dust.

Synthetic curves for phase angle dependence of intensity and polarization are presented, together with typical albedo values. The results obtained for interplanetary dust are quite reminiscent of those found for comets. However, the heterogeneity of the interplanetary dust cloud is demonstrated by the radial dependence of its local polarization and albedo; these parameters are also found to vary with inclination of the dust grains' orbits with respect to the ecliptic. Such results suggest drastic alterations with temperature in the texture of cometary dust, and would favor an important asteroidal component in the zodiacal cloud.     

Helium, Oxygen, Proton, and Electron (HOPE) Mass Spectrometer for the Radiation Belt Storm Probes Mission

The HOPE mass spectrometer of the Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) mission (renamed the Van Allen Probes) is designed to measure the in situ plasma ion and electron fluxes over 4π sr at each RBSP spacecraft within the terrestrial radiation belts. The scientific goal is to understand the underlying physical processes that govern the radiation belt structure and dynamics. Spectral measurements for both ions and electrons are acquired over 1 eV to 50 keV in 36 log-spaced steps at an energy resolution ΔE _FWHM/E≈15 %. The dominant ion species (H⁺, He⁺, and O⁺) of the magnetosphere are identified using foil-based time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry with channel electron multiplier (CEM) detectors. Angular measurements are derived using five polar pixels coplanar with the spacecraft spin axis, and up to 16 azimuthal bins are acquired for each polar pixel over time as the spacecraft spins. Ion and electron measurements are acquired on alternate spacecraft spins. HOPE incorporates several new methods to minimize and monitor the background induced by penetrating particles in the harsh environment of the radiation belts. The absolute efficiencies of detection are continuously monitored, enabling precise, quantitative measurements of electron and ion fluxes and ion species abundances throughout the mission. We describe the engineering approaches for plasma measurements in the radiation belts and present summaries of HOPE measurement strategy and performance.     

Dynamics of cavity development in the centrifugal pump impeller

In this paper, some features of cavity development are presented for a case of a flow around the blade profile of the centrifugal pump impeller. Based on the photographs obtained in visualization of the cavitation centrifugal pump operation conditions, we refined the shape, volumes, and parameters of cavity growth in the centrifugal pump flow passage. Also presented are the relations characterizing the features of cavity formation in the centrifugal force field.     

On shrouding a first stage high-temperature turbine blade

In this paper, some factors that help in shrouding a rotor blade are analyzed, namely, a decrease of the blade profile chord, partial cuts of the shroud, its controlled cooling. Also shown is a real possibility to significantly improve the turbine economical operation owing to the use of shroud taking into account the influence of variations in losses on the blades and in the radial clearance as well as in cooling air consumption.