Late Stages of Stellar Evolution

A large fraction of ISO observing time was used to study the late stages of stellar evolution. Many molecular and solid state features, including crystalline silicates and the rotational lines of water vapour, were detected for the first time in the spectra of (post-)Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars. Their analysis has greatly improved our knowledge of stellar atmospheres and circumstellar environments. A surprising number of objects, particularly young planetary nebulae with Wolf-Rayet (WR) central stars, were found to exhibit emission features in their ISO spectra that are characteristic of both oxygen-rich and carbon-rich dust species, while far-IR observations of the PDR around NGC 7027 led to the first detections of the rotational line spectra of CH and CH⁺. Based on observations with ISO, an ESA project with instruments funded by ESA Member States (especially the PI countries: France, Germany, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom), and with the participation of ISAS and NASA.     

Dual-Task Interference in Spatial Reorientation: Linguistic and Nonlinguistic Factors

Abstract

Language has been proposed as a medium that serves to promote spatial orientation through integrating geometric and featural information (Spelke, 2003 Spelke, E. S. 2003. “What makes us smart? Core knowledge and natural language”. In Language in mind: Advances in the study of language and thought, Edited by: Gentner, D. and Goldin-Meadow, S. 277–312. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press..  [Google Scholar]). This proposal has been explored in dual-task experiments where linguistic resources are blocked by verbal shadowing. Although some studies report disruption in using environmental cues for spatial reorientation, findings have not been consistently replicated, and the source of disruption to reorientation by verbal shadowing remains unclear. We examined conditions under which verbal shadowing affects reorientation. Shadowing of meaningful language disrupted healthy adults' use of geometric and featural information to reorient only when task instructions were unclear and when extraneous visual information provided a source of nonlinguistic interference. Reorientation was examined during the shadowing of meaningful prose or nonword syllables and was similar under both concurrent task conditions. These results indicate that language is not necessary for spatial cue integration.     

新冠疫情致商用航空发动机市场大幅下滑

今年受新冠疫情爆发的影响,全球航空运输市场出现前所未有的下滑,致使封存和停飞的飞机上有约38000台商用喷气发动机处于闲置状态。尽管各大发动机制造商都在出台各类策略以求损失较小,但这场危机仍然对发动机的三个关键领域均有波及:新发动机的生产、在役发动机的支持、以及未来的研发。     

Comprehensive data reduction package for the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrograph: IGRINS

We present a Python-based data reduction pipeline package (PLP) for the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrograph (IGRINS), an instrument that covers the complete H- and K-bands in one exposure with a spectral resolving power of 40,000. The reduction steps carried out by the PLP include flat-fielding, background removal, order extraction, distortion correction, wavelength calibration, and telluric correction using spectra of A type standard stars. As the spectrograph has no moving parts, the PLP automatically reduces the data using predefined functions for the processes of order extraction, distortion correction, and wavelength calibration. Before the telluric correction of the target spectra, the intrinsic hydrogen absorption features of the standard A star are removed with a Gaussian fitting algorithm. The final result is the flux of the target as a function of wavelength. Users can customize the predefined functions for the extraction of the spectrum from the echellogram and adjust the parameters for the fitting functions for the spectra of celestial objects, using “fine-tuning” options, as necessary. Presently, the PLP produces the best results for point-source targets.     

Critical wake vortex encounter scenarios

A simulation-based method was developed to investigate the severity of Wake Vortex Encounters (WVEs). This paper describes an important part of this method: the determination of worst-case WVE conditions, which is referred to as Worst-Case Search (WCS). The WCS results permit to reduce time and costs of WVE severity related piloted simulator tests and allow the comparison of the hazard that vortices of different generator aircraft exert on a follower aircraft.The WCS is based on a high fidelity, offline simulation of the follower aircraft that includes the interacting wake vortex, a hazard criterion that rates the severity of each WVE, and a pilot model. It can be formulated as an optimisation problem that is solved with the optimisation tool MOPS (Multi Objective Parameter Synthesis). MOPS varies the encounter geometry until the simulation yields maximum values of the WVE hazard criterion.Worst-case encounter conditions for different parameters were investigated and sensitivity studies performed. The influence of the height above ground, the core radius, and the models for the wake vortex velocity profiles on the severity of a WVE was examined. To show the capability of the method, a comparison of the severity of a WVE behind two different heavy transport aircraft for a 20 t aircraft was made. The WCS method demonstrated its applicability and delivered the worst-case encounter geometry.

Zusammenfassung

Zur Untersuchung der Heftigkeit von Wirbelschleppen wurde eine simulationsbasierte Methode entwickelt. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt einen wichtigen Bestandteil dieser Methode: die Bestimmung der ungünstigsten (worst case) Einflugbedingungen in die Wirbelschleppe. Die Kenntnis dieser Bedingungen gestattet eine Zeit- und Kostenreduzierung bei wirbelschleppenbezogenen Simulatorversuchen mit Piloten und ermöglicht gleichzeitig einen Vergleich der vom Wirbel ausgehgehenden Gefährdung für verschiedene Kombinationen voraus- und einfliegender Flugzeuge.Die Worst-Case-Bedingungen werden mit einer Offline-Simulation des Folgeflugzeugs bestimmt, die Modelle für die Wechselwirkung mit der Wirbelschleppe und für das Pilotenverhalten sowie Kriterien für die Gefährdung durch den Wirbel umfasst. Für die Steuerung der Simulation und die Worst-Case-Suche wird die Optimierungssoftware MOPS (Multi Objective Parameter Synthesis) verwendet. MOPS variiert die Geometrie des Wirbelschleppendurchflugs bis die Simulation die maximalen Kriterienwerte für die Gefährdung durch den Wirbel liefert.Die Worst-Case-Bedingungen wurden für unterschiedliche Parameter untersucht. Der Einfluss der Höhe über Grund, des Kernradius' und der unterschiedlichen Modelle für das Wirbelgeschwindigkeitsprofil auf die von den Wirbelschleppen ausgehenden Gefährdung wurde dabei ermittelt. Um die Leistungsfähigkeit der Methode zu demonstrieren, wurde die Gefährdung von Wirbelschleppen zweier generierender Flugzeuge (heavy class) auf ein nachfolgendes 20 t Transportflugzeug verglichen. Die Anwendbarkeit der Methode wurde bestätigt und die ungünstigsten Einflugbedingungen berechnet.     

Mars Phobos and Deimos Survey (M-PADS) – A martian Moons orbiter and Phobos lander

We describe a Mars ‘Micro Mission’ for detailed study of the martian satellites Phobos and Deimos. The mission involves two ∼330 kg spacecraft equipped with solar electric propulsion to reach Mars orbit. The two spacecraft are stacked for launch: an orbiter for remote investigation of the moons and in situ studies of their environment in Mars orbit, and another carrying a lander for in situ measurements on the surface of Phobos (or alternatively Deimos). Phobos and Deimos remain only partially studied, and Deimos less well than Phobos. Mars has almost always been the primary mission objective, while the more dedicated Phobos project (1988–89) failed to realise its full potential. Many questions remain concerning the moons’ origins, evolution, physical nature and composition. Current missions, such as Mars Express, are extending our knowledge of Phobos in some areas but largely neglect Deimos. The objectives of M-PADS focus on: origins and evolution, interactions with Mars, volatiles and interiors, surface features, and differences. The consequent measurement requirements imply both landed and remote sensing payloads. M-PADS is expected to accommodate a 60 kg orbital payload and a 16 kg lander payload. M-PADS resulted from a BNSC-funded study carried out in 2003 to define candidate Mars Micro Mission concepts for ESA’s Aurora programme.     

Expectations for Infrared Spectroscopy of 9P/Tempel 1 from Deep Impact

The science payload on the Deep Impact mission includes a 1.05–4.8 μm infrared spectrometer with a spectral resolution ranging from R∼200–900. The Deep Impact IR spectrometer was designed to optimize, within engineering and cost constraints, observations of the dust, gas, and nucleus of 9P/Tempel 1. The wavelength range includes absorption and emission features from ices, silicates, organics, and many gases that are known to be, or anticipated to be, present on comets. The expected data will provide measurements at previously unseen spatial resolution before, during, and after our cratering experiment at the comet 9P/Tempel 1. This article explores the unique aspects of the Deep Impact IR spectrometer experiment, presents a range of expectations for spectral data of 9P/Tempel 1, and summarizes the specific science objectives at each phase of the mission.     

Recurrent isolation of hydrogen peroxide-resistant spores of Bacillus pumilus from a spacecraft assembly facility

While the microbial diversity of a spacecraft assembly facility at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, CA) was being monitored, H2O2-resistant bacterial strains were repeatedly isolated from various surface locations. H2O2 is a possible sterilant for spacecraft hardware because it is a low-temperature process and compatible with various modern-day spacecraft materials, electronics, and components. Both conventional biochemical testing and molecular analyses identified these strains as Bacillus pumilus. This Bacillus species was found in both unclassified (entrance floors, anteroom, and air-lock) and classified (floors, cabinet tops, and air) locations. Both vegetative cells and spores of several B. pumilus isolates were exposed to 5% liquid H2O2 for 60 min. Spores of each strain exhibited higher resistance than their respective vegetative cells to liquid H2O2. Results indicate that the H2O2 resistance observed in both vegetative cells and spores is strain-specific, as certain B. pumilus strains were two to three times more resistant than a standard Bacillus subtilis dosimetry strain. An example of this trend was observed when the type strain of B. pumilus, ATCC 7061, proved sensitive, whereas several environmental strains exhibited varying degrees of resistance, to H2O2. Repeated isolation of H2O2-resistant strains of B. pumilus in a clean-room is a concern because their persistence might potentially compromise life-detection missions, which have very strict cleanliness and sterility requirements for spacecraft hardware.