Long-term prediction of the foF2 on the rising and falling parts of the solar cycle

In this paper we intend to enlarge the fof2 long-term prediction accuracy taking into account the systematic variations of the hysteresis and secular-time phenomena.     

Rocket observation of the ultraviolet spectrum of comet Halley

An ultraviolet sounding rocket telescope/spectrograph experiment observed Comet Halley on 26 February 1986, 17 days after perihelion. From the long-slit spectra, the production rates of O, C, and CO are calculated. The derived water production rate is a lower limit of 5.0 × 10²⁹ s⁻¹ and the volume mixing ratio of CO to H₂O is 21%. The predicted brightness distribution from a radial outflow model with H₂O and CO as parent molecules are in accordance with the measured spatial profiles of OI and CO emissions. The ratio of the production rates of CO to C is 2.7 which is consistent with the carbon source being the photodissociation of CO. However, the radial outflow model which best fits the CO data predicts significantly weaker CI emissions than was observed. A better fit to the carbon data is found when an inner coma source of C at a rate of 3% of the water production rate is included in the model.     

Trapped particle energy spectrum in shuttle middeck

We describe the differential energy spectrum of trapped particles measured by a solid-state charged particle telescope in the mid-deck of the Space Shuttle during the period of solar maximum. The telescope was flown in two high altitude flights at 28.5° and 57° inclination. Assuming, as is normally done, that the variations of Shuttle orientation during the missions lead to average isotropic incident spectra, the observed spectrum disagrees significantly from AP8 model calculations. This indicates the need to take into consideration the variations of solid-angle direction relative to the magnetic field. The measurements show that there is a very significant flux of secondary light ions. The energy spectra of these ions does not agree with the production spectrum from radiation transport calculations based on omni-directional AP8 Max model as an input energy spectrum.

We also describe measurements of linear energy transfer spectra using a tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) flown both in the mid-deck and the payload bay of the Space Shuttle. Comparisons are made between linear energy transfer spectral measurements AP8 model-based radiation transport predictions, and thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) measurements. The absorbed dose-rate measurements using TLD's are roughly 25% lower than the TEPC-measured dose rate measurements.     

Pioneer Venus observations during comet Halley''s inferior conjunction

On February 4, 1986 Halley passed through inferior conjunction with Venus but was at high latitudes. Not all data for this time period have been received. However, the data that are available suggest that at most only weak effects associated with Halley were seen at Pioneer Venus. The data during this time, however, are useful for correlating with the behavior of the plasma tail.     

Circumstellar habitable zones: an overview

We review aspects of circumstellar habitable zones based on results reported at the First International Conference on Circumstellar Habitable Zones (held in 1994 at NASA Ames Research Center). Recent advances in atmospheric radiative transfer modeling have shown that circumstellar habitable zones are wider than previously thought. New considerations may allow a much shorter time scale both for the origin as well as the evolution of biological forms. The most abundant M dwarf stars, contrary to previous views, appear to be able to support the necessary conditions for a habitable zone around them. New planet formation models indicate that at least one planet should form within the circumstellar habitable zone of single dwarf stars regardless of mass. Biogenic materials also appear to be widespread and delivery to terrestrial planets via cometary impacts may be a viable mechanism. Finally, biology will modify a planet and provide positive feedback, in general, to increase the habitability of a planet. Overall, new astronomical, planetary, and biological considerations each seem to indicate that habitable zones around other stars may be both more widespread and more stable than previous research had indicated.     

The pleurodele, an animal model for space biology studies.

Pleurodeles waltl, an Urodele amphibian is proposed as a model for space biology studies. Our laboratory is developing three types of experiments in space using this animal: 1) in vivo fertilization and development ("FERTILE" project); 2) influence of microgravity and space radiation on the organization and preservation of specialized structures in the neurons and muscle cells (in vitro; "CELIMENE" PROJECT); 3) influence of microgravity on tissue regeneration (muscle, bone, epidermis and spinal cord).     

New results for the space radiation environment of MIR space station obtained by Liulin dosimeter-radiometer. Comparison with LET spectrometer NAUSICAA

Since 1988 high sensitivity semiconductor dosimeter-radiometer “Liulin” worked on board of MIR space station. Device measured the absorbed dose rate and the flux of penetrating particles. The analysis of the data hows the following new results:

In October 1989 and after March 24, 1991, two additional stable maximums in flux channel were observed in the southern-eastern part of South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA). These two maximums existed at least several months and seem to be due to trapped high energy electron and proton fluxes. In April 1991 additional maximums were localized in the following geographical coordinates regions: LATITUDE = (−35 °)–(−50 °) LONGITUDE = 332 ° − 16 ° and lat.(−46 °)–(−52 °) long. 360 ° − 60 °. Additional maximums diffusion occurs inside radiation belt. Appearance of these maximums seems to be closely connected with preceding powerful solar proton events and associated geomagnetic dynamics of new belt disturbances. After the series of solar proton events in June 1991 we observed significant enhancement of this new radiation belt formation. To achieve sufficient accuracy of dose rate predictions in low Earth orbits the structure and dynamics of new belt should be carefully analyzed to be included in a new environment model.

From the inter comparison of the data from “Liulin” and French developed tissue equivalent LET spectrometer NAUSICAA in the time period August–November 1992 we come to the following conclusions: Mainly there is good agreement between both data sets for absorbed dose in the region of SAA; Different situation of the instruments on the station can explain the cases when differences up to 2 times are observed; At high latitudes usually the tissue equivalent absorbed dose observations are 2 times larger than “Liulin” doses.     

Adaptational changes in the neural control of cardiorespiratory function in a confined environment: the CNEC#3 experiment

The goal of the study was to characterize the changes in neurovegetative control of the circulation, attending the presumed physiological and psychological stress originated by the isolation and confinement typical of the living condition of space stations, as simulated in a ground based unit, using time and frequency domain analysis. As a secondary goal we sought to verify the implementation of real time data acquisition, for off line spectral analisys of R-R interval, systolic arterial pressure (by Finapres) and respiration (by PVF2 piezoelectric sensors).

We addressed the cardiorespiratory and neurovegetative responses to standardized, simple Stressors (active standing, dynamic and static handgrip) on the EXEMSI 92 crew, before, during and after the isolation period.

On average the appropriate excitatory responses (to stand, dynamic and static handgrip) were elicited also in isolation and confinement.

Active standing and small masses muscular exercises are easy to be performed in a confined and isolated environment and provide a valuable tool for investigating the adaptational changes in neural control mechanisms.

The possibility there exists of using this time and frequency domain approach to monitor the level of performance and well being of the space crew in (quasi) real time.     

Chronic hyperhydration and hematological changes in trained subjects during prolonged restriction of motor activity

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of a daily intake of fluid and salt supplementation (FSS) on the hemoglobin content of endurance trained athletes during hypokinesia (decreased number of steps from 10,000 to 3000 steps per day). The studies were performed on 30 long-distance runners who had a VO2max average of 66 ml kg-1 min-1 and were in the age range of 19-24 years. Prior to their exposure to hypokinesia (HK) of 364 days, all volunteers were on an average of 10,000 steps per day. All volunteers were divided into three equal groups: the first group underwent normal ambulatory life (control subjects), the second group was kept under continuous restriction of motor activity (hypokinetic subjects), and the third group was placed under continuous restriction of motor activity and consumed 26 ml water kg-1 body weight daily and 0.1 g sodium chloride kg-1 body weight in the form of supplementation (hyperhydrated subjects). For simulation of the hypokinetic effect, the number of steps taken per day by the second and third groups of volunteers was restricted to an average of 3000. During the hypokinetic period we determined reticulocytes (Rt), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), plasma volume (PV), red blood cell (RBC) mass and VO2max. In hyperhydrated volunteers the content of Hb and Hct decreased significantly, while PV, RBC mass and Rt count increased significantly. In hypokinetic volunteers Hb and Hct increased, while PV, RBC and Rt decreased significantly. It was concluded that chronic hyperhydration may be used to attentuate an increase in the Hb content of physically conditioned subjects during prolonged restriction of motor activity.     

Solar wind charge states measured by ULYSSES/SWICS in the south polar hole

The Ulysses mission now has an extensive data base covering several passes of the south polar coronal hole as the spacecraft proceeds to higher latitudes. Using composition measurements from the SWICS experiment on the Ulysses spacecraft, we have obtained charge state distributions, and hence inferred coronal ionization temperatures, for several solar wind species. In particular, we present an overview of Oxygen ionization temperature measurements, based on the O⁷⁺/O⁶⁺ ratio, for the period January 1993 until April 1994 (23°S to 61°S heliographic latitude), and detailed Oxygen, Silicon and Iron charge state distributions of the south polar hole during a two month period of nearly continuous hole coverage, Dec 1993–Jan 1994 (45°S to 52°S heliographic latitude).