The carbonate-silicate cycle and CO2/climate feedbacks on tidally locked terrestrial planets

Atmospheric gaseous constituents play an important role in determining the surface temperatures and habitability of a planet. Using a global climate model and a parameterization of the carbonate-silicate cycle, we explored the effect of the location of the substellar point on the atmospheric CO(2) concentration and temperatures of a tidally locked terrestrial planet, using the present Earth continental distribution as an example. We found that the substellar point's location relative to the continents is an important factor in determining weathering and the equilibrium atmospheric CO(2) level. Placing the substellar point over the Atlantic Ocean results in an atmospheric CO(2) concentration of 7 ppmv and a global mean surface air temperature of 247 K, making ～30% of the planet's surface habitable, whereas placing it over the Pacific Ocean results in a CO(2) concentration of 60,311 ppmv and a global temperature of 282 K, making ～55% of the surface habitable.     

DAME: planetary-prototype drilling automation

We describe results from the Drilling Automation for Mars Exploration (DAME) project, including those of the summer 2006 tests from an Arctic analog site. The drill hardware is a hardened, evolved version of the Advanced Deep Drill by Honeybee Robotics. DAME has developed diagnostic and executive software for hands-off surface operations of the evolved version of this drill. The DAME drill automation tested from 2004 through 2006 included adaptively controlled drilling operations and the downhole diagnosis of drilling faults. It also included dynamic recovery capabilities when unexpected failures or drilling conditions were discovered. DAME has developed and tested drill automation software and hardware under stressful operating conditions during its Arctic field testing campaigns at a Mars analog site.     

Establishment of a rearing system of the extremotolerant tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus: a new model animal for astrobiology

Studies on the ability of multicellular organisms to tolerate specific environmental extremes are relatively rare compared to those of unicellular microorganisms in extreme environments. Tardigrades are extremotolerant animals that can enter an ametabolic dry state called anhydrobiosis and have high tolerance to a variety of extreme environmental conditions, particularly while in anhydrobiosis. Although tardigrades have been expected to be a potential model animal for astrobiological studies due to their excellent anhydrobiotic and extremotolerant abilities, few studies of tolerance with cultured tardigrades have been reported, possibly due to the absence of a model species that can be easily maintained under rearing conditions. We report the successful rearing of the herbivorous tardigrade, Ramazzottius varieornatus, by supplying the green alga Chlorella vulgaris as food. The life span was 35 +/- 16.4 d, deposited eggs required 5.7 +/- 1.1 d to hatch, and animals began to deposit eggs 9 d after hatching. The reared individuals of this species had an anhydrobiotic capacity throughout their life cycle in egg, juvenile, and adult stages. Furthermore, the reared adults in an anhydrobiotic state were tolerant of temperatures of 90 degrees C and -196 degrees C, and exposure to 99.8% acetonitrile or irradiation with 4000 Gy (4)He ions. Based on their life history traits and tolerance to extreme stresses, R. varieornatus may be a suitable model for astrobiological studies of multicellular organisms.     

Using electrical impedance spectroscopy to detect water in planetary regoliths

We present data in examination of the utility of electrical impedance spectroscopy measurements for in situ surveys to determine the water content, distribution, and phase in unconsolidated planetary regolith. We conducted calibration experiments under conditions relevant to Mars: the concentration of electrolytes in solution was varied up to 1 M to simulate the effects of unsaturated dissolved minerals and brines. We also varied the water content of heterogeneous water/sand mixtures, made with these electrolytic solutions from 0.01 wt% to 10 wt%. Tests were performed at temperatures from +25 degrees C to -65 degrees C. Conductivity and dielectric permittivity calculated from the impedance measurements indicate an expected dependence on electrolyte concentration and relative independence from electrolyte type for both liquid water and water ice. Conductivity and calculated dielectric relaxation times for these aqueous solutions agree with existing data in the literature. The relative permittivity for heterogeneous water/sand mixtures is dominated by polarization effects for the electrode configuration used. However, the characteristic orientational relaxation of ice is still visible. The conductivity retains the strong dependence on electrolyte concentration, and the permittivity is still not affected by electrolyte type. A "universal" curve between conductivity and water content establishes detectability limits of <0.01 wt% and approximately 0.3 wt% for water/sand mixtures containing liquid water and ice, respectively.     

主动来流条件类平板断面气动力荷载效应分析

利用日本宫崎大学11×9多风扇主动控制来流风洞和高精度动态天平测力设备,测量了类平板断面在正弦风波来流条件三分量气动力荷载,比较了不同来流平均风速、波动幅值、脉动频率和积分尺度等参数条件下类平板断面荷载效应.报导并证实了大气边界层物理风洞固定壁面边界反射效应所产生的倍频放大效应;在获得并验证正弦风波加载离散频率荷载效应可线性迭加的有效频段区间内,初步比较了来流积分尺度和风速湍流度效应对于气动荷载效应的影响,阐明典型节段模型风洞试验结果与传统随机抖振气动力理论的差异.     

Solar Activity and the Climate of Prebaikalia

This paper presents convincing evidence for the reality of manifestations of solar variability in climate characteristics of the Prebaikalia. A numerical estimate is obtained of this influence on ground air temperature. It is shown that the main meaningful variations in air temperature in the region for the period1881-1960 were caused by solar activity. Since the 1960s till the present, with the influence of solar variability continuing, a clear-cut influence of another factor has been observed, the role of which has been steadily increasing, and in the hst decade it has now exceeded the contribution of solar variability. Research results on the variations in hydrological characteristics of Lake Baikal and the Angara river and their connection with solar activity are presented. It is shown that these characteristics are closely correlated with the duration of solar cycles.      

一种用于测量谐振频率和Q值的数字系统

最近研制和测试了一种用于准确测量射频和微波谐振电路的谐振频率和Q值的计算机控制的自动系统。在此系统中,谐振曲线的拐点利用联机数字计算机通过数学计算过程进行识别,并利用它计算谐振频率和Q值。这个系统的主重优点是它的结果与谐振电路谐振频率的性能无关,与信号源的3dB点、幅度、频率漂移无关。也与检测器的不稳定性无关。设计、安装并测试了一种在1—2千兆赫之间工作的试验系统,用实验室小型计算机PDP11/34进行数据采集与处理以及对整个系统的控制。Q值的测量范围在100—1500之间,估计的谐振频率的不确定度为40ppm,Q值为1000的谐振电路的Q值的不确定度为百分之七。     

用于石英谐振器研究的频域反射计

本文介绍一种用于精确测量石英晶体谐振频率特性的调相频域反射计系统的概念和工作原理。反射计法容许被测晶体谐振器远置于一环境试验箱中;这系统还能同时而又单独地对任一给定晶体中发生的不同谐振模(例如,SC切晶体中的b模和c模谐振)进行频率测量。这一反射计技木主要适用于对谐振器进行以下基本研究:频率一温度特性的研究;滞后现象和热冲击效应的研究;幅度一频率因数和多模激励特性的研究以及核幅射效应的研究,等等。本仪器也可应用于晶体生产过程,包括自动化生产、测试以及质量控制等。