Towards a cooperation between the arts,space science research and the European Space Agency – Preliminary findings of the ESA Topical Team Arts and Sciences (ETTAS)

The arts offer alternative insights into reality, which are explored by science in general, and broadened by the activities conducted by the European Space Agency [4] and other space agencies. Similar to the way the members of ESA are ambassadors for spaceflight and science, artists and cultural professionals are ambassadors for human expression, experimentation, and exploration. In June 2011, the ESA Topical Team Arts and Sciences (ETTAS) held a three-day workshop at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. During this workshop, topics and ideas were discussed to develop initiatives between the arts, sciences and ESA. The aim was to foster and expand the human and cultural aspects of space exploration, and at the same time offer a means of communication that aims to reach audiences beyond the scope of traditional space-related channels. The consensus of the team was that establishing and sustaining a transdisciplinary professional community consisting of ESA representatives, scientists and artists would fuel knowledge transfer, and mutual inspiration. Potential ways to provide a sustainable cooperation within and between the various groups were discussed. We present the preliminary findings including a number of measures and mechanisms to initiate and conduct such an initiative. Plausible organisational measures, procedures and consequences, as well as a proposition on how to proceed are also discussed. Overall, the involvement and cooperation between the arts, space science research and ESA will enhance in the citizens of the ESA member states the sense of public ownership of ESA results, and participation in ESA?s research.     

Glycine identification in natural jarosites using laser desorption Fourier transform mass spectrometry: implications for the search for life on Mars

The jarosite group minerals have received increasing attention since the discovery of jarosite on the martian surface by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. Given that jarosite can incorporate foreign ions within its structure, we have investigated the use of jarosite as an indicator of aqueous and biological processes on Earth and Mars. The use of laser desorption Fourier transform mass spectrometry has revealed the presence of organic matter in several jarosite samples from various locations worldwide. One of the ions from the natural jarosites has been attributed to glycine because it was systematically observed in combinations of glycine with synthetic ammonium and potassium jarosites, Na(2)SO(4) and K(2)SO(4). The ability to observe these organic signatures in jarosite samples with an in situ instrumental technique, such as the one employed in this study, furthers the goals of planetary geologists to determine whether signs of life (e.g., the presence of biomolecules or biomolecule precursors) can be detected in the rock record of terrestrial and extraterrestrial samples.     

卫星舱内两类剂量计测量结果的比较

本文利用1994年和1996年两次返回式卫星的搭载条件对舱内辐射剂量进行了对比测量．通过对比测量,研究不同掺杂、不同厚度LiF剂量计测量空间辐射剂量的特点;研究GM计数管计数和LiF剂量间的转换系数以及转换系数随屏蔽状况的变化;由剂量和GM计数研究粒子平均碰撞阻止本领的估计方法．结果表明,不同掺杂、不同厚度的LiF剂量计测量结果间无显著差异,而转换系数几乎不受舱内位置和屏蔽状态的影响．不同厚度LiF剂量计,不同屏蔽状态的GM计数管计数和剂量—计数转换系数的比较研究以及对粒子平均碰撞阻止本领的估计表明,舱内辐射剂量起决定作用的是高能粒子成分,其平均碰撞阻止本领估计约为5MeV／cm．