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At least 595 records · Page 33

Materials and formation of the Imbrium basin

A study of Imbrium basin deposits has been conducted, including geologic mapping, analysis of orbital geochemical data, earth-based near-IR spectroscopy, and analytical modeling. The morphologic facies of the deposits display an unusual bilateral symmetry with respect to the main rim of the basin, which is thought to be 1160 km in diameter and composed of Apennine-Carpathian-Alpes mountain ranges. The Imbrium ring structure consists of six concentric rings ranging from 550-3200 km in diameter. The evolution of the target for the Imbrium basin impact is discussed. It is suggested that the Imbrium impact, which occurred 3.85 Gyrs ago, formed a basin predominantly by a proportional-growth crater-forming mechanism.

Spudis, Paul D.↗

On the origin of the Orion and Monoceros molecular cloud complexes

A detailed model for the origin of the Orion and Monoceros cloud complexes is presented, showing that a single high-velocity H I cloud-galaxy collision can explain their main observed features. The collision generates massive shocked layers, and self-gravity can then provide the conditions for the transformation of these layers into molecular clouds. The clouds formed by the collision maintain the motion of their parental shocked gas and reach positions located far away from the plane. According to this model, both the Orion and Monoceros complexes were formed some 60 million yr ago, when the original shocked layer was fragmented by Galactic tidal forces.

Franco, J.↗

Observed velocity fluctuations on a major Antarctic ice stream

Recent ice velocity measurements on the major Antarctic Ice Stream B are compared with those collected 10 years ago. The results show that the ice flow in the mouth of Ice Stream B has decelerated by about 20 percent. The possible causes of this deceleration are discussed on the basis of present knowledge of current regional dynamics, and the possible effects of this deceleration on future ice stream behavior are examined.

Stephenson, S. N.↗

The role of specialized processors in the NAS program - Retrospective/prospective

The Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation (NAS) Program was initiated by NASA to establish a national resource for scientific research and engineering applications of computational fluid dynamics. This paper examines the changing views of the roles of general purpose and special purpose processors in this program in response to changes in technology as well as changes in perceived needs. The time period covered extends from more than 10 years ago, through the present, and concludes with some speculative concepts for the future roles of specialized processors in the advanced NAS system.

Levin, Eugene↗

High-temperature processing of oxide superconductors and superconducting oxide-silver oxide composite

High temperature processing was found to partially convert the green 211 phase oxide to 123 phase. High Tc superconductivity was observed in Bi-Sr-Cu-O and Y-Sr-Cu-O systems prepared using the same heat treatment process. High temperature processing presents an alternative synthetic route in the search for new high Tc superconductors. An unusual magnetic suspension with enhancement in critical current density was observed in the 123 and AgO composite.

Wu, M. K.↗

Highly labile elements

Certain elements of high lability are very responsive to thermal processes, being either highly volatile during primary nebular condensation or highly mobile by postaccretionary metamorphic or shock heating. Data for highly labile elements indicate that different thermal processes were important in the genesis of each of the chondritic groups and a discussion of each is given. Contents of highly labile elements in a given group of contemporary falls differ from those of the same group that fell in Antarctica more than 0.1 Myr ago. This difference is due either to a time-dependent change in meteorite sources or, less likely, orbital variation of the meteorite flux to Earth.

Lipschutz, Michael E.↗

A comparative study of the early terrestrial atmospheres

The CO2 abundance required for maintenance of the climatic conditions speculated to have existed 4 billion years ago on the earth, Mars, and Venus is presently sought by means of a one-dimensional radiative-convective atmospheric model. It is ascertained on this basis that the terrestrial and Martian atmospheres were highly stable, and unlikely to proceed to a moist or runaway greenhouse state even if CO2 partial pressure were equivalent to 100 bars on earth. The proximity of Venus to the sun rendered its atmosphere highly susceptible to rapid water vapor photodissociation and hydrogen escape.

Durham, Richard↗

Arsine in Saturn and Jupiter

New spectra of Saturn and Jupiter are reported that show a prominent, heretofore unidentified absorption near 2126/cm. The observation is interpreted as unambiguous evidence for the presence of arsine, AsH3. The abundance of AsH3 appears to be almost a factor of two higher in Saturn than in Jupiter. The observed enrichments are consistent with the core instability model for the formation of giant planets. Models of arsenic chemistry that predict strong depletions of AsH3 at temperatures below 370 K are not consistent with the observations, suggesting that vertical convection or perhaps some other mechanism inhibits depletion. Arsenic is the first new element identified in a planetary atmosphere since germanium was found in Jupiter a decade ago.

Noll, Keith S.↗

Uranium-series dated authigenic carbonates and Acheulian sites in southern Egypt

Field investigations of aggraded paleovalleys, which were identified in southern Egypt using SIR, are discussed. Acheulian artifacts were found in authigenic carbonate deposites along the edges of the paleovalleys. Uranium series dating of 25 carbonate samples shows that widespread carbonate deposition in the area occurred about 45, 141, and 212 thousand years ago. Analysis of the carbonate suggests that the deposition may be related to late Pleistocene humid climates that facilitated human settlement in the region.

Szabo, B. J.↗

The C-12/C-13 abundance ratio in Comet Halley

The individual (C-13)N rotational lines in Comet Halley are resolved using high-resolution spectra of the CN B2Sigma(+)-X2Sigma(+) (0,0) band. The observe C-12/C-13 abundance ratio excludes a site of origin for the comet near Uranus and Neptune and suggests a condensation environment quite distinct from other solar system bodies. Two theories are presented for the origin of Comet Halley. One theory suggest that the comet originated 4.5 Gyr ago in an inner Oort cloud at a heliocentric distance greater than 100 AU where chemical fractionation led to the C-13 enrichment in the CN parent molecule prior to condensation of the comet nucleus. According to the other, more plausible theory, the comet nucleus condensed relatively recently from the interstellar medium which has become enriches in C-13 and was subsequently gravitationally captured by the solar system.

Wyckoff, Susan↗

The early solar system abundance of Pu-244 as inferred from the St. Severin chondrite

The isotopic composition of Xe released in stepwise heating of neutron-irradiated samples of the St. Severin chondrite was measured. This analysis shows that at the time of formation of most chondritic meteorites, approximately 4.56 x 10 to the 9th yr ago, the atomic ratio of Pu-244/U-238 was 0.0068 + or - 0.0010 in chondritic meteorites. This value is believed to be more reliable that inferred from earlier analyses of St. Severin and is the best estimate for the early solar system abundance of Pu-244. The comparison of Xe compositions between irradiated and unirradiated samples shows that the composition of trapped (ambient) Xe in St. Severin has a significantly lower value of Xe-136/Xe-130 than average carbonaceous chondrites.

Hudson, G. B.↗

A decade of computer simulations for Space Shuttle aerodynamics

Ten years ago computer simulations of the flow field around the Space Shuttle Orbiter were limited to inviscid calculations for the windward side of the forebody and viscous calculations for selected 2-D problems. Advances in computer hardware and numerical methods during the past ten years made it possible to calculate viscous flow over the complete orbiter configuration at angle of attack. The equations solved are the Reynolds-averaged, Navier-Stokes equation, simplified by either the thin-layer or parabolized approximation. An algebraic eddy viscosity model is used for turbulent flow. The free stream is assumed to be a perfect gas for wind tunnel conditions and a real gas in thermodynamic equilibrium for flight conditions. Four examples of recent computer simulations are presented. Flow field results include oil flow patterns on the surface and Mach number contours, isobars, and cross-flow velocity vectors in the shock layer.

Inouye, Mamoru↗

Long-term changes in solar wind elemental and isotopic ratios - A comparison of two lunar ilmenites of different antiquities

The solar wind components in two lunar ilmenites are examined. The noble gas and nitrogen elemental and isotopic abundances of lunar regolith breccia sample 79035, assumed to have been exposed to solar winds more than 2 Ga ago, are analyzed using stepwise oxidation and pyrolysis. This sample is compared with the data of Frick et al. (1988) for soil sample 71501, recently exposed to solar winds. It is observed that the two elements differ in terms of xenon abundance, helium and neon isotopic rates, and He/Ar elemental ratios. It is concluded that there have been isotopic and elemental abundance changes in solar wind composition over time.

Becker, Richard H.↗

Meteoritic silicon carbide and its stellar sources - Implications for galactic chemical evolution

Interstellar silicon carbide grains in meteorites provide a novel means for studying the carbon-star population of about 5 x 10 to the 9th years ago. Their C-12/C-13 ratios differ greatly from the solar value but resemble those of present-day csrbon stars, implying little change in the galactic C-13 inventory. Isotope data on nitrogen and silicon suggest that the silicon carbide grains come mainly from red giants, with small contributions from novae.

Ming, Tang↗

Stratigraphy and geologic history of Mercury

The geologic evolution of Mercury based on the Mariner-10 mission data is discussed. As reconstructed through photogeological analysis of global geologic relations of rock-stratigraphic units, Mercury's geologic history is shown to involve intensive early impact bombardment and widespread resurfacing by volcanic lavas. Evidence is presented to indicate that this volcanic activity essentially ended as much as 3 Gyr ago, with most of the major geologic events being completed within the first 1 to 1.5 Gyr of Mercurian history.

Spudis, Paul D.↗

Neon isotope studies of Fayetteville and Kapoeta meteorites and clues to ancient solar activity

Under the assumption that the solar-flare bombardment of the irradiated grains of gas-rich meteorites occurred about 4.5 b.y. ago on the parent body regoliths at 3 A.U., an estimate of the solar cosmic ray-produced Ne-21 is made by studying etched pyroxene minera separates from both light and dark portions of the gas-rich meteorites Fayetteville and Kapoeta. Excesses of solar cosmic ray Ne-21 were observed in dark portions of these meteorites, after accounting for their galactic cosmic ray Ne-21 production and solar flare Ne-21. In order to produce the estimated solar cosmic ray Ne-21 in the present samples, highly enhanced solar cosmic ray proton fluxes from the ancient sun are required.

Padia, J. T.↗

The early environment and its evolution on Mars - Implications for life

There is considerable evidence that the early climate of Mars was very different from the inhospitable conditions there today. This early climate was characterized by liquid water on the surface and a dense atmosphere composed predominantly of CO2. The duration of these warm initial conditions on the surface of Mars is uncertain, but theoretical models suggest that they could have persisted for hundreds of millions up to a billion years. From studies of the earth's earliest biosphere, it is known that, by 3.5 Gyr ago, life had originated on earth and reached a fair degree of biological sophistication. If Mars did maintain a clement environment for longer than it took for life to originate on earth, then the question of the origin of life on Mars follows naturally. Since over two thirds of the Martian surface is more than 3.5 Gyr old, the possibility exists that Mars may hold the best record of the events that led to the origin of life, even though there may be no life there today.

Mckay, Christopher P.↗

The presence of Sm-146 in the early solar system and implications for its nucleosynthesis

A correlation of Nd-142/Nd-144 with Sm-144/Nd-144 in two meteorites which have a large range in Sm-144/Nd-144 in their constituent mineral phases is presented as evidence for the presence of the p-process nucleus Sm-146 in the early solar system and its alpha-decay into Nd-142. The ratio Sm-146/Sm-144 is estimated to be about 0.015 at the time of solar system formation, 4.56 AE ago. It is suggested that the abundance of Sm-146 is compatible with p-proc ess production rate estimates, but not with the production rate for Sm-146 based on a photodisintegration model for the production of p-process nuclides.

Prinzhoffer, A.↗