Temperature structure and dynamics of the middle atmosphere of Venus

The definitive data set for the mean thermal structure of the Venusian middle atmosphere is published for the first time. Some recent interim results on a modelling study to interpret the measured thermal field in terms of the global dynamics are also presented. These indicate that (a) the zonal winds on Venus fall to very low values above about 90 km, (b) there is a strong mid-latitude jet which circles the planet approximately every two days, (c) the observed solar tides are dominated by the semi-diurnal component, in agreement with theory.     

RBE for non-stochastic effects.

Evidence is reviewed concerning the variation of RBE values of high-LET radiations for non-stochastic effects, generally impairment of tissue integrity and function. The RBE values are dependent on the type of radiation, the type of tissue effect and the dose rate or fractionation schedule. RBE values depend strongly on the effect considered, with high values for late effects in lung, kidney and central nervous system. RBE values generally increase with decreasing dose rate or dose per fraction. Maximum values can be derived by extrapolation on the basis of a radiobiological model. These values are denoted RBEm to distinguish them from RBEM derived for stochastic effects, e.g. carcinogenesis. Values of RBEm are generally in the range of 2 to 10 and are considerably smaller by a factor of 2 to 5 than values of RBEM for various types of stochastic effects. RBE values for effects from actual exposures to mixtures of high-LET and low-LET radiations can be derived by considering the doses received and the tissue at risk. Applications of RBEm values will yield estimates of maximum values of equivalent doses and these should only be applied for planning medical interventions if the contribution from high-LET radiation is small. The selection of Q values for radiation protection is mostly based on RBE--values and the application of Q values in cases where non-stochastic effects are important might therefore result in an overestimate of the risks of exposure.     

Fertilization and development of eggs of the South African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis, on sounding rockets in space.

Egg rotation and centrifugation experiments strongly suggest a role for gravity in the determination of the spatial structure of amphibian embryos. Decisive experiments can only be made in Space. Eggs of Xenopus laevis, the South African clawed toad, were the first vertebrate eggs which were successfully fertilized on Sounding Rockets in Space. Unfixed, newly fertilized eggs survived reentry, and a reasonable number showed a seemingly normal gastrulation but died between gastrulation and neurulation. Only a few reached the larval stage, but these developed abnormally. In the future, we intend to test whether this abnormal morphogenesis is due to reentry perturbations, or due to a real microgravity effect, through perturbation of the reinitiation of meiosis and other processes, or started by later sperm penetration.     

Results from the Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) on the Compton Observatory

The Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory covers the high energy gamma ray energy range, approximately 30 MeV to 30 GeV, with a sensitivity considerably greater than earlier high energy gamma-ray satellites. Thus far, 4 pulsars have been detected and their properties measured, including in 3 cases the energy spectrum as a function of phase. The details of the galactic plane are being mapped and a spectra of the center region has been obtained in good agreement with that expected from cosmic ray interactions. The Magellanic clouds have been examined with the Large Magellanic Cloud having been detected at a level consistent with it having a cosmic ray density compatible with quasi-stable equilibrium. Sixteen Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN's) have been seen thus far with a high degree of certainty including 12 quasars and 4 BL Lac objects, but no Seyferts. Time variation has been detected in some of these AGN's.     

Heavy-ion effects on cellular and subcellular systems: inactivation, chromosome aberrations and strand breaks induced by iron and nickel ions.

A broad spectrum of particles and energies has been used in the last years to study the influence of the radiation quality i.e. of the physical parameters of the particle beam on the biological effectiveness ?2?12?. In these measurements a common structure of the functional dependence of the induction probability per particle (cross section) from the linear energy transfer is observed for different biological endpoints. Because of the relevance for space research, we present in this report our data from experiments with iron and nickel particles, in particular. Our experiments were designed to investigate the relationship between the inactivation and chromosome aberration in mammalian cells and the induction of single and double strand breaks in SV40 DNA in respect to the parameters of the track formation like LET and particle energy.     

Protein crystal growth aboard the U.S. space shuttle flights STS-31 and STS-32.

The first microgravity protein crystal growth experiments were performed on Spacelab I by Littke and John. These experiments indicated that the space grown crystals, which were obtained using a liquid-liquid diffusion system, were larger than crystals obtained by the same experimental system on earth. Subsequent experiments were performed by other investigators on a series of space shuttle missions from 1985 through 1990. The results from two of these shuttle flights (STS-26 and STS-29) have been described previously. The results from these missions indicated that the microgravity grown crystals for a number of different proteins were larger, displayed more uniform morphologies, and yielded diffraction data to significantly higher resolutions than the best crystals of these proteins grown on earth. This paper presents the results obtained from shuttle flight STS-32 (flown in January, 1990) and preliminary results from the most recent shuttle flight, STS-31 (flown in April, 1990).     

Heavy ion measurement on LDEF.

A stack of CR-39 track detectors was exposed on the NASA satellite LDEF and recovered after almost 6 years in space. The quick look analysis yielded heavy ion tracks on a background of low energy secondaries from proton interactions. The detected heavy ions show a steep energy spectrum which indicates a radiation belt origin.     

Precision orbit determination for TOPEX/Poseidon using TDRSS doppler tracking data

Precision orbit determination on the TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) altimeter satellite is now being routinely achieved with sub-5cm radial and sub-15 cm total positioning accuracy using state-of-the-art modeling with precision tracking provided by a combination of: (a) global Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS), or (b) the Global Positioning System (GPS) Constellation which provides pseudo-range and carrier phase observations. The geostationary Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) satellites are providing the operational tracking and communication support for this mission. The TDRSS Doppler data are of high precision (0.3 mm/s nominal noise levels). Unlike other satellite missions supported operationally by TDRSS, T/P has high quality independent tracking which enables absolute orbit accuracy assessments. In addition, the T/P satellite provides extensive geometry for positioning a satellite at geostationary altitude, and thus the TDRSS-T/P data provides an excellent means for determining the TDRS orbits. Arc lengths of 7 and 10 days with varying degrees of T/P spacecraft attitude complexity are studied. Sub-meter T/P total positioning error is achieved when using the TDRSS range-rate data, with radial orbit errors of 10.6 cm and 15.5 cm RMS for the two arcs studied. Current limitations in the TDRSS precision orbit determination capability include mismodeling of numerous TDRSS satellite-specific dynamic and electronic effects, and in the inadequate treatment of the propagation delay and bending arising from the wet troposphere and ionosphere.     

Modelling mesoscale processes in the global geospace system

Intermediate or mesoscale processes mediate the transfer of mass, momentum, and energy across the dynamic solar wind-magnetosphere interface, and the propagation of this input through the system to the ionosphere and atmosphere. The Dartmouth-Berkeley-Minnesota theory team has identified a number of mesoscale phenomena to be investigated as part of the GGS program, including: (1) effects of upstream density fluctuations on magnetopause dynamics, (2) three-dimensional reconnection, (3) magnetopause depletion layer studies, (4) ring current interaction with Pc 1 and Pc 5 waves, (5) generation of ion Larmor-scale current layers in the near Earth plasmasheet, (6) test particle studies in the magnetotail, (7) simulation of magnetosphere- ionosphere coupling including effects of kinetic Alfvén waves and (8) auroral acceleration region studies of the effects of kinetic Alfvén waves on particle distribution functions. A broad range of techniques will be implemented including ideal and reduced MHD, two fluid, hybrid, particle-in-cell and test particle simulations. Detailed comparison of simulation results with GGS satellite and ground based data will be undertaken.     

The stability of magnetic fields relevant to two-ribbon flares

The preflare structure, prior to two-ribbon flares, is thought to consist of magnetic field arcades. As a first approximation, the magnetic field is assumed to be invariant along the length of the arcade. The ideal MHD stability of such structures is studied using the energy method. The dense photosphere is simulated by line-typing the magnetic field and a discussion of boundary conditions is presented. Using the energy method, sufficient conditions for stability are obtained for certain magnetohydrostatic fields that also include the effect of gravity. Under certain circumstances, these conditions become necessary and sufficient. Some comments on resistive effects are mentioned.