Spectral signatures of photosynthesis. II. Coevolution with other stars and the atmosphere on extrasolar worlds

As photosynthesis on Earth produces the primary signatures of life that can be detected astronomically at the global scale, a strong focus of the search for extrasolar life will be photosynthesis, particularly photosynthesis that has evolved with a different parent star. We take previously simulated planetary atmospheric compositions for Earth-like planets around observed F2V and K2V, modeled M1V and M5V stars, and around the active M4.5V star AD Leo; our scenarios use Earth's atmospheric composition as well as very low O2 content in case anoxygenic photosynthesis dominates. With a line-by-line radiative transfer model, we calculate the incident spectral photon flux densities at the surface of the planet and under water. We identify bands of available photosynthetically relevant radiation and find that photosynthetic pigments on planets around F2V stars may peak in absorbance in the blue, K2V in the red-orange, and M stars in the near-infrared, in bands at 0.93-1.1 microm, 1.1-1.4 microm, 1.5-1.8 microm, and 1.8-2.5 microm. However, underwater organisms will be restricted to wavelengths shorter than 1.4 microm and more likely below 1.1 microm. M star planets without oxygenic photosynthesis will have photon fluxes above 1.6 microm curtailed by methane. Longer-wavelength, multi-photo-system series would reduce the quantum yield but could allow for oxygenic photosystems at longer wavelengths. A wavelength of 1.1 microm is a possible upper cutoff for electronic transitions versus only vibrational energy; however, this cutoff is not strict, since such energetics depend on molecular configuration. M star planets could be a half to a tenth as productive as Earth in the visible, but exceed Earth if useful photons extend to 1.1 microm for anoxygenic photosynthesis. Under water, organisms would still be able to survive ultraviolet flares from young M stars and acquire adequate light for growth.     

Magnetospheric Boundary Layer Structure and Dynamics as Seen From Cluster and Double Star Measurements

In this review, we discuss the structure and dynamics of the magnetospheric Low-Latitude Boundary Layer (LLBL) based on recent results from multi-satellite missions Cluster and Double Star. This boundary layer, adjacent to the magnetopause on the magnetospheric side, usually consists of a mixture of plasma of magnetospheric and magnetosheath origins, and plays an important role in the transfer of mass and energy from the solar wind into the magnetosphere and subsequent magnetospheric dynamics. During southward Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) conditions, this boundary layer is generally considered to be formed as a result of the reconnection process between the IMF and magnetospheric magnetic field lines at the dayside magnetopause, and the structure and plasma properties inside the LLBL can be understood in terms of the time history since the reconnection process. During northward IMF conditions, the LLBL is usually thicker, and has more complex structure and topology. Recent observations confirm that the LLBL observed at the dayside can be formed by single lobe reconnection, dual lobe reconnection, or by sequential dual lobe reconnection, as well as partially by localized cross-field diffusion. The LLBL magnetic topology and plasma signatures inside the different sub-layers formed by these processes are discussed in this review. The role of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the formation of the LLBL at the flank magnetopause is also discussed. Overall, we conclude that the LLBL observed at the flanks can be formed by the combination of processes, (dual) lobe reconnection and plasma mixing due to non-linear Kelvin-Helmholtz waves.      

再入飞行器迎风面边界层转捩的数值预估

基于求解三维Ｎａｖｉｅｒ－Ｓｔｏｋｅｓ方程,首先数值预估了高超声速三维流动的边界层特性;采用已有的高超声速三维边界层转捩准则,即在转捩位置Ｒｅθ／Ｍｅ＝常数,以及通过修正由ＯＮＥＲＡ提出的代数转捩模型,建立了预估三维边界层转捩的半经验数值技术并应用于三维Ｎａｖｉｅｒ－Ｓｔｏｋｅｓ方程的求解。利用ＨＡＬＩＳ模型及相关的实验数据,首次进行了在Ｍ∞＝６时不同雷诺数及迎角的验证试验。预估结果表明：在不考虑     

基于图像的测量方法在工业风洞跨声速流测量中的最新进展

风洞中非定常复杂流场的实验研究要求先进的测量技术.基于图像的测量技术中最重要的是测量平面流速度场、平面压强分布、模型位置和变形、模型温度以及定量的高速流可视化等技术.DLR(德国宇航研究院)对这些技术的应用包括从低速流到跨声速流、从增升装置到螺旋桨和旋翼、从弹射装置和水塔储水罐尾迹流旋涡到三角翼上涡破裂现象等的研究.由于跨声速风洞的特殊环境,将基于图像的测量技术用于跨声速流要求专门的技术开发和有经验的科学家.给出了DLR空气动力学和流动技术研究所将基于图像的测量技术应用于跨声速流研究的最新进展.     

Endolithic cyanobacteria in halite rocks from the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert

In the driest parts of the Atacama Desert there are no visible life forms on soil or rock surfaces. The soil in this region contains only minute traces of bacteria distributed in patches, and conditions are too dry for cyanobacteria that live under translucent stones. Here we show that halite evaporite rocks from the driest part of the Atacama Desert are colonized by cyanobacteria. This colonization takes place just a few millimeters beneath the rock surface, occupying spaces among salt crystals. Our work reveals that these communities are composed of extremely resistant Chroococcidiopsis morphospecies of cyanobacteria and associated heterotrophic bacteria. This newly discovered endolithic environment is an extremely dry and, at the same time, saline microbial habitat. Photosynthetic microorganisms within dry evaporite rocks could be an important and previously unrecognized target for the search for life within our Solar System.     

今后十年的卫星遥感

1978年,航宇局将发射陆地卫星-C、海洋卫星-A和热容量绘图卫星。大约在1981年,还要发射陆地卫星-D。陆地卫星-D可能携带七个光谱段的主题绘图仪,也许还要装多光谱扫描器。美国地质勘探局提出了一种三个谱段的线性列阵遥感器。在出击式飞行的航天飞机上、在欧洲空间实验室和由航天飞机发射和维修的某些不载人飞行器上,都将带有大幅面测绘相机。到八十年代中期,可能会出现地球同步实时观测系统。     

供测量高阻率材料电压、电流和电阻用的前置放大器

本文介绍一种供测量高阻率材料直流电压、电流和电阻用的前置放大器,其测量范围分别为:电压:30μv～10v;电流:10~(-2)～10~(-13)A;电阻:10~3～10~(13)Ω。若在反馈回路中接入适当的电容器还可测量电荷。本前置放大器采用市场上供应的运算放大器制成,其体积较小,并可与市场上大量供应的电压表或记录器联合使用,适用于无定形的(非晶体的)半导体薄膜电气性能的就地测量。     

关于S形进气道中的旋流研究

本文给出了具有典型飞机进气道比例的S形管道在不同攻角下,压力分布和旋流的实验结果。为了减小大攻角下的旋流,研究了两种方法:一是通过扰流板改变管道内气流的压力分布,二是通过辅助进气门引入自由流空气,向分离流补充能量。结果表明,在低攻角下旋流很弱并呈现为典型的反向旋转对涡二次流动,而在高攻角下则为一个很强的单涡旋转流动。至于反旋流措施,扰流板的效果最好,通过变化其尺寸不仅能改变旋流方向,而且还可完全消除旋流。本文建议用一个旋流系数,SC_(60),来描述名义发动机进口处的旋流。其值对原设计模型在30°攻角时为0.188,而通过辅助进气门引入自由流空气向分离流补充能量后为0.068,当采用一个0.15倍喉道宽度的扰流板时,旋流系数变为-0.039。本研究使S形进气道中旋流的产生、发展和性质得到进一步的认识。     

可见光和红外传感器的飞行实验

可见光和近可见光传感器在研究阶段初期曾被广泛应用,后来,微波传感器的出现使其相形见拙。然而,在近期的大量新一代传感器的飞行实验中,这种传感器大有东山再起之势。本文将简要介绍可见光及红外等第一代传感器及其在机载实验中的使用情况,叙述从机械式到推扫式扫描仪再到非扫描传感器的发展过程。本文所提及的传感器均为法国及欧洲最新的传感器设备。     

稳定的文氏电桥振荡器设计

幅度稳定度和频率稳定度是设计振荡器的主要问题。后者一般是涉及选择适当的元件,而前者是这里设计的放大器要解决的。若振幅稳定度和失真要求不高,简单的限幅型振荡器一般就足够了。获得幅度稳定的一种方法是加入诸如自