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At least 145 records · Page 8

Luna 24: 90-150 micrometer fraction - Implications for remote sampling of regolith

An analysis of the mineral grains and glasses found in the 90 to 150 micron fraction of the Luna 24 core sample is presented and implications for the automatic collection of planetary and asteroidal regoliths are discussed. Electron microprobe analysis for pyroxene, olivine, plagioclase, opaque minerals and glass in samples at various depths indicate that polymineralic grains have compositions similar to those of gabbroic and basaltic fragments from coarser samples, while monomineralic grains contain an additional population of Mg-rich olivines and pyroxene. Most of the glasses are found to be related to mare basalts or local regolith, with nonmare material represented by glasses of highland basalt and low K Fra Mauro composition. It is concluded that as regards mineralogy and petrology, a single grab sample would have been as useful and a series of grab samples on a long traverse would have been more useful than the Luna 24 core sample, with the fine sample being more informative than the coarse.

Papp, H. A.↗

Volcanic resurfacing rates and implications for volatiles on Io

The rates of volcanic resurfacing on Io are estimated on the basis of two separate observations and the implications of these rates for the volatile history of Io and the supply of material to the Jovian torus are discussed. Rates of resurfacing based on the lack of observable impact craters and assuming a Jovian cratering rate similar to those of the moon and Mars are found to be on the order of 0.1 cm/year. Estimated deposition rates of volcanic matter are found to be in general agreement with cratering rate determinations, if large particle deposition, undetected volcanic activity, volcanic flows and gas condensation are taken into account. Escape rates from Io estimated for sulfur, oxygen and sodium, based on their concentrations around Io, indicate that only a fraction of the present volcanic material can escape. Thermal and nonthermal escape mechanisms are suggested to account for the current loss of sulfur and oxygen from Io's upper atmosphere, while sputtering of atoms from the surface by impacting magnetospheric ions is suggested as the mechanism of sodium supply.

Johnson, T. V.↗

Gaseous halos - Implications for cluster, galaxy, and radio-source evolution

Substantial amounts of enriched gas produced during the early stages of galactic evolution can be stably contained within massive extended halos and released into the intracluster medium by galaxy collisions at a relatively late epoch. If most of the intracluster gas in rich clusters originates in this manner, the onset of ram-pressure stripping can be delayed until z is no more than about 0.5. Prior to this, such clusters contain many spiral and gas-rich elliptical galaxies, thereby accounting for the unusually large proportion of blue galaxies found in distant clusters. Implications are drawn for X-ray observations of rich clusters and for the morphology of extended extragalactic radio sources.

Norman, C.↗

Soil stabilization by a prokaryotic desert crust - Implications for Precambrian land biota

The ecology of the cyanophyte-dominated stromatolitic mat forming the ground cover over desert areas of Utah and Colorado is investigated and implications for the formation of mature Precambrian soils are discussed. The activation of the growth of the two species of filamentous cyanophyte identified and the mobility of their multiple trichromes upon wetting are observed, accompanied by the production and deposition of a sheath capable of accreting and stabilizing sand and clay particles. The formation of calcium carbonate precipitates upon the repeated wetting and drying of desert crust is noted, and it is suggested that the desert crust community may appear in fossil calcrete deposits as lithified microscopic tubes and cellular remains of algal trichromes. The invasion of dry land by both marine and freshwater algae on the model of the desert crust is proposed to be responsible for the accumulation, stabilization and biogenic modification of mature Precambrian soils.

Campbell, S. E.↗

Pressure and temperature dependence kinetics study of the NO + BrO yielding NO2 + Br reaction - Implications for stratospheric bromine photochemistry

The reactivity of NO with BrO radicals over a wide range of pressure (100-700 torr) and temperature (224-398 K) is investigated using the flash photolysis-ultraviolet absorption technique. The flash photolysis system consists of a high-pressure xenon arc light source, a reaction cell/gas filter/flash lamp combination, and a 216.5 half-meter monochromator/polychromator/spectrography for wavelength selectivity. The details of the reaction and its corresponding Arrhenius expression are identified. The results are compared with previous measurements, and atmospheric implications of the reaction are discussed. The NO + BrO yielding NO2 + Br reaction is shown to be important in controlling the concentration ratios of BrO/Br and BrO/HBr in the stratosphere, but this reaction does not affect the catalytic efficiency of BrOx in ozone destruction.

Watson, R. T.↗

Spectra of Fe-Ti silicate glasses - Implications to remote-sensing of planetary surfaces

Optical spectra of synthetic Fe-Ti silicate glasses and the temperature variations of the spectral features were investigated. The spectra are assigned to absorptions due to crystal field (CF) transitions in Ti(3+), Fe(2+) in octahedral coordination, and Fe(2+) in tetrahedral coordination, and to metal-metal and oxygen-metal charge transfer (CT) transitions which contribute to the near ultraviolet absorption edge. Temperature variations of the optical bands have been studied to explore implications for remote sensing. Caution is urged in the use of the absorption edge as a measure of TiO2 concentrations on planetary surfaces and in regolith samples.

Nolet, D. A.↗

Laboratory measurements of the O+/2D/ + N2 and O+/2D/ + O2 reaction rate coefficients and their ionospheric implications

Rate coefficients which have been measured at thermal energies for the charge transfer reactions of metastable O+/2D/ ions with N2 and O2 are reported. It is found that at an effective temperature of about 550 K, k(n2) = (8 + or - 2) x 10 to the -10 cu cm/sec and k(O2) = (7 + or - 2) x 10 to the -10 cu cm/sec. Drift tube-mass spectrometer measurements employ the reaction He(+) + O2 as the source of metastable O+ ions, showing that the ions produced in this manner are in the 2D state rather than the 2P state, a possible alternative identification. Finally, consideration is given to the ionospheric implications of the laboratory measurements.

Johnsen, R.↗

New gas phase inorganic ion cluster species and their atmospheric implications

Recent experimental laboratory observations, with high-pressure mass spectroscopy, have revealed the existence of previously unreported species involving water clustered to sodium dimer ions, and alkali metal hydroxides clustered to alkali metal ions. The important implications of these results concerning the existence of such species are here discussed, as well as how from a practical aspect they confirm the stability of certain cluster species proposed by Ferguson (1978) to explain masses recently detected at upper altitudes using mass spectrometric techniques.

Maerk, T. D.↗

A comparison of high-temperature flare models with observations and implications for the low-temperature flare

EUV data from the Harvard College Observatory and Naval Research Laboratory instruments on board the Skylab Apollo telescope mount, together with SOLRAD 9 X-ray data, are analyzed in order to empirically deduce the variation of emission measure with temperature in the atmosphere of a number of solar flares. A 'mean' differential emission measure profile Q(T) for a flare is constructed which is then compared with the profile predicted by a number of theoretical models. It is found that realistic flare models must include both conductive and radiative terms in the energy equation, and that hydrodynamic terms may be important at low temperatures. The implications of the results obtained are discussed for flare models in general and it is shown that the inclusion of the conductive term into models which have hitherto neglected it can perhaps resolve some of the observational difficulties with such models.

Machado, M. E.↗

Implications of cyclotron features in the X-ray spectrum of Hercules X-1

The modification of physical processes due to an intense magnetic field is investigated in order to uncover implications for X-ray spectra from binary pulsars. It is found that for large enough fields, the quantum nature of electron orbits must be taken into account, and for densities typical of binary X-ray pulsars it is found that electrons spend most of their time in the ground state. For this case, the production of cyclotron line photons following collisional excitation is estimated and the effects of the transfer of line photons through the hot plasma are considered. A line feature as narrow as reported by Truemper et al. appears unlikely. However, more recent observations allow a much broader line; in addition, a consistent absorption feature due to knock-on electrons may explain the spectral steepening at about 20 keV.

Bussard, R. W.↗

Carbynes in meteorites - Detection, low-temperature origin, and implications for interstellar molecules

The presence, origin and implications of carbynes in meteorites are investigated. A sample of the Allende meteorite was pyrolyzed at temperatures from 25 to 750 C and examined by solid probe time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Fragments released upon heating at 250 to 330 C are found to be composed of macromolecules containing triply bonded carbon units and cyanoacetylenes, as well as some methyl- and phenylacetylenes. Although carbynes are well known to form from the condensation of carbon vapors above 2600 K or by shock greater than 600 kbar, which would be unlikely in Allende, it is found that carbynes rather than graphite are formed metastably by the disproportionation of CO at low temperatures when chromite is present as a catalyst. Results imply that metastable formation mechanisms may be the principal source of interstellar polycyanoacetylenes and meteoritic and terrestrial carbynes.

Hayatsu, R.↗

Implications of gamma ray observations for particle acceleration Experimental prospects

The relationship of gamma ray observations to the energetic particle acceleration phenomena is discussed. In particular the requirements for production of gamma rays by energetic particles are reviewed. The present state of observations of gamma rays is also reviewed and where there is a clear connection, the implications for particle acceleration theory is pointed out. In conclusion, a brief summary is given for instrument capabilities for the next major USA satellite experiments to be conducted in the 1980s.

Chupp, E. L.↗

Multispectral Resource Sampler (MRS): Proof of concept. Study on bidirectional reflectance. A simulation analysis of bidirectional reflectance properties and their effects on scene radiance. Implications for the MRS

A study was performed to evaluate the geometrical implication of a Multispectral Resource Sampler; a pointable sensor. Several vegetative targets representative of natural and agricultural canopies were considered in two wavelength bands. All combinations of Sun and view angles between 5 and 85 degrees zenith for a range of azimuths were simulated to examine geometrical dependance arising from seasonal as well as latitudinal variation. The effects of three different atmospheres corresponding to clear, medium and heavy haze conditions are included. An extensive model data base was generated to provide investigators with means for possible further study of atmospheric correction procedures and sensor design questions.

Smith, J. A.↗

The composition of mesosiderite olivine clasts and implications for the origin of pallasites

The composition of olivine clasts from the mesosiderites Emery, Mincy and Pinnaroo is investigated, and implications of the results for the origin of the pallasites, which, although chemically distinct, may be related to the diogenites, eucrites, howardites and mesosiderites, are discussed. Centimeter-sized olivines were analyzed by electron microprobe, and instrumental neutron activation analysis was performed on one olivine each from Emery and Pinnaroo and an olivine separate from the Brenham pallasite. The olivine compositions are found to range from Fa8 to Fa28, with Emery samples having values from Fa18 to Fa28, and to require essentially total melting of a source composition rich enough in FeO to produce basaltic clasts. It is argued that the mesosiderite olivines were formed in the outer few kilometers of their parent body, as were those of the pallasites, which have the same compositions as the mesosiderite olivines. A model is then developed for the origin of the pallasites as a by-product of igneous differentiation in the external heating of a chondritic parent body.

Mittlefehldt, D. W.↗

Variations in gravitoinertial force level affect the gain of the vestibulo-ocular reflex - Implications of the etiology of space motion sickness

Recordings of horizontal nystagmus were obtained on 16 male subjects exposed to repeated patterns of horizontal angular acceleration, constant velocity rotation, and sudden-stop deceleration in the laboratory and in the free-fall and high-force periods of parabolic flight. Nystagmus intensity was a clear function of gravitoinertial force level: slow phase velocity and beat frequency increased during exposure to high force levels and decreased in free-fall compared to values obtained at 1 G. These findings indicate that the gain of the vestibulo-ocular reflex decreases in free-fall. This fact likely accounts for the disorientation and dizziness sometimes experienced by astronauts when moving their heads in the early phases of orbital flight and again after splashdown. The implications of the present findings, both for the etiology and for the treatment of space motion sickness, are discussed.

Lackner, J. R.↗

Neutrino masses, neutrino oscillations, and cosmological implications

Theoretical concepts and motivations for considering neutrinos having finite masses are discussed and the experimental situation on searches for neutrino masses and oscillations is summarized. The solar neutrino problem, reactor, deep mine and accelerator data, tri decay experiments and double beta-decay data are considered and cosmological implications and astrophysical data relating to neutrino masses are reviewed. The neutrino oscillation solution to the solar neutrino problem, the missing mass problem in galaxy halos and galaxy cluster galaxy formation and clustering, and radiative neutrino decay and the cosmic ultraviolet background radiation are examined.

Stecker, F. W.↗

IPAD products and implications for the future

The betterment of productivity through the improvement of product quality and the reduction of cost is addressed. Productivity improvement is sought through (1) reduction of required resources, (2) improved ask results through the management of such saved resources, (3) reduced downstream costs through manufacturing-oriented engineering, and (4) lowered risks in the making of product design decisions. The IPAD products are both hardware architecture and software distributed over a number of heterogeneous computers in this architecture. These IPAD products are described in terms of capability and engineering usefulness. The future implications of state-of-the-art IPAD hardware and software architectures are discussed in terms of their impact on the functions and on structures of organizations concerned with creating products.

Miller, R. E., Jr.↗

Mechanisms for lithospheric heat transport on Venus Implications for tectonic style and volcanism

The mechanisms of plate recycling, lithospheric conduction, and hot spot volcanism are each evaluated to determine which is the dominant mode of lithospheric heat transfer on Venus, with attention given to the implications of each mechanism for the interpretation of Venus surface features. It is thought that plate recycling on Venus cannot be excluded on the basis of either theoretical arguments or present observations on topography and radar backscatter. Landforms caused by plate convergence and divergence on Venus, it is noted, would differ substantially from those on the earth owing to the high surface temperature and the absence of oceans on Venus, the lack of free or hydrated water in subducted material, the possibility that subduction would more commonly be accompanied by lithospheric delamination, and the rapid spreading rates that would be required if plate recycling removed a significant fraction of the internal heat. The possibility that the dominant mechanism early in the history of the planet was different from the one at work now is thought to merit consideration.

Solomon, S. C.↗