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At least 631 records · Page 35

Results from the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) Experiment on the Cassini-Huygens Probe

The Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer was one of six instruments on the Cassini-Huygens Probe mission to Titan. The GCMS measured in situ the chemical composition of the atmosphere during the probe descent and served as the detector for the pyrolization products for the Aerosol Collector Pyrolyser (ACP) experiment to determine the composition of the aerosol particles. The GCMS collected data from an altitude of 146 km to ground impact. The Probe and the GCMS survived impact and collected data for 1 hour and 9 minutes on the surface. Mass spectra were collected during descent and on the ground over a range of m/z from 2 to 141. The major constituents of the lower atmosphere were confirmed to be N2 and CH4. The methane mole fraction was uniform in the stratosphere. It increased below the tropopause, at about 32 km altitude, monotonically toward the surface, reaching a plateau at about 8 km at a level near saturation. After surface impact a steep increase of the methane signal was observed, suggesting evaporation of surface condensed methane due to heating by the GCMS sample inlet heater. The measured mole fraction of Ar-40 is 4.3x10(exp -5) and of Ar-36 is 2.8x10(exp -7). The other primordial noble gases were below 10(exp -8) mole fraction. The isotope ratios of C-12/C-13 determined from methane measurements are 82.3 and of N-14/N-15 determined from molecular nitrogen are 183. The D/H isotope ratio determined from the H2 and HD measurements is 2.3x10(exp -4). Carbon dioxide, methane, acetylene and cyanogen were detected evaporating from the surface in addition to methane. The GCMS employed a quadrupole mass filter with a secondary electron multiplier detection system and a gas sampling system providing continuous direct atmospheric composition measurements and batch sampling through three gas chromatographic (GC) columns, a chemical scrubber and a hydrocarbon enrichment cell. The GCMS gas inlet was heated to prevent condensation, and to evaporate volatiles from the surface after impact.

Niemann, H.↗

Results from the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) Experiment on the Cassini-Huygens Probe

The Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer was one of six instruments on the Cassini-Huygens Probe mission to Titan. The GCMS measured in situ the chemical composition of the atmosphere during the probe descent and served as the detector for the pyrolization products for the Aerosol Collector Pyrolyser (ACP) experiment to determine the composition of the aerosol particles. The GCMS collected data from an altitude of 146 km to ground impact. The Probe and the GCMS survived impact and collected data for 1 hour and 9 minutes on the surface. Mass spectra were collected during descent and on the ground over a range of mlz from 2 to 141. The major constituents of the lower atmosphere were confirmed to be N2 and CH4. The methane mole fraction was uniform in the stratosphere. It increased below the tropopause, at about 32 km altitude, monotonically toward the surface, reaching a plateau at about 8 km at a level near saturation. After surface impact a steep increase of the methane signal was observed, suggesting evaporation of surface condensed methane due to heating by the GCMS sample inlet heater. The measured mole fraction of Ar-40 is 4.3x10(exp -5) and of Ar-36 is 2.8x10(exp -7). The other primordial noble gases were below 10(exp -8) mole fraction. The isotope ratios of C-12/C-13 determined from methane measurements are 82.3 and of N-14/N-15 determined from molecular nitrogen are 183. The D/H isotope ratio determined from the H2 and HD measurements is 2.3x10(exp -4). Carbon dioxide, ethane, acetylene and cyanogen were detected evaporating from the surface in addition to methane. The GCMS employed a quadrupole mass filter with a secondary electron multiplier detection system and a gas sampling system providing continuous direct atmospheric composition measurements and batch sampling through three gas chromatographic (GC) columns, a chemical scrubber and a hydrocarbon enrichment cell. The GCMS gas inlet was heated to prevent condensation, and to evaporate volatiles from the surface after impact.

Niemann, Hasso↗

Micrometeorite dynamic pyrometamorphism: Observation of a thermal gradient in iron-nickel sulfide

Dynamic pyrometamorphism describes the mineralogical changes in a micrometeorite that occur in response to flash-heating during atmospheric entry. Mineral reactions during this event will be endothermic and act as local sinks for thermal energy which delays a uniform temperature distribution in decelerating micrometeorites. The most common pyrometamorphic reaction is formation of magnetite nanocrystal decorations on Mg,Fe-silicate grains and magnetite or (partial) maghemite rims. Constituent silicates also respond to this thermal event and show formation of olivine-maghemite symplectites and growth of garnet and partial laihunitisation. In continued effort to constrain dynamic pyrometamorphism of unmelted interplanetary dust particles (IDP's), I determined the mineralogical composition, and Fe,Ni-sulfide chemistry, in the sulfide-rich particles L2005C39, L2005E40, and L2006A28 using a JEOL 2000FX analytical electron microscope equipped with a TN5500 energy dispersive spectrometer for in situ microanalysis. Sulfide compositions in these three IDP's are distinctly different from those in silicate-rich particle L2005T13 which might suggest a delicate balance of the fO2/fS2 ratios during dynamic pyrometamorphism.

Rietmeijer, Frans J. M.↗

Processing and properties of SiC whisker- and particulate-reinforced reaction bonded Si3N4

The microstructure and mechanical properties of reaction bonded Si3N4 (RBSN) reinforced with SiC whiskers of particles were investigated using RBSN composites made from colloidally pressed octanol dispersions of high-purity Si powders mixed with either SiC whiskers or alpha-SiC particles. Results of investigations, revealing high conversions of Si to Si3N4, specific surface areas, and constant relative densities and strengths, showed that the uniform microstructure and small flaw size of the matrix were maintained in the composites and that no degradation of the reinforcements was taking place. Neither the monolithic nor the composite materials exhibited R-curve behavior. A modest increase in fracture toughness was observed only in the RBSN containing 33 vol pct SiC(p).

Lightfoot, A.↗

The constitution of the topside ionosphere.

Topside ionosphere constitution, examining electron and ion distribution, charged particle scale height, ion composition, electron and ion temperatures and magnetosphere

IONOSPHERIC COMPOSITION↗

Charge composition of solar cosmic rays

The composition of energetic solar particles is reviewed for all solar events in which measurements on helium and heavier nuclei have been made simultaneously in the same detector during a given particle event. For nuclei of equal charge-to-mass ratio, the relative abundances have been the same within uncertainties in every measurement, and consistent with spectroscopic photospheric estimates. Iron has a slightly different charge-to-mass ratio but is still of considerable interest. An observation of the Fe/O in the January 24, 1971 solar event has provided a second determination of this value.

Bertsch, D. L.↗

Solar flare particle radiation

The characteristics of the solar particles accelerated by solar flares and subsequently observed near the orbit of the earth are studied. Considered are solar particle intensity-time profiles, the composition and spectra of solar flare events, and the propagation of solar particles in interplanetary space. The effects of solar particles at the earth, riometer observations of polar cap cosmic noise absorption events, and the production of solar cell damage at synchronous altitudes by solar protons are also discussed.

Lanzerotti, L. J.↗

Apollo 15 and 16 results of the integrated geochemical experiment.

A number of experiments carried in orbit on the Apollo 15 and 16 spacecraft were used in the compositional mapping of the lunar surface. The observations involved measurements of secondary (fluorescent) X-rays, gamma rays and alpha particle emissions. A large scale compositional map of over 20% of the lunar surface was obtained for the first time. It was possible to demonstrate significant chemical differences between the mare and the highlands, to find specific areas of high radioactivity and to learn something about the composition of the moon's hidden side.

Adler, I.↗

Lunar surface cosmic ray experiment

The galactic cosmic ray and solar flare experiment on Apollo 16 is reported. The published papers presented describe the experiment, equipment, data processing techniques, and operational history. The principle findings include: (1) The composition of heavy ions in interplanetary space at energies between approximately 30 and 130 MeV/nucleon is the same, within experimental errors. (2) The ability of a Lexan stack to determine simultaneously the energy spectra of major elements from He up to Fe in the energy interval 0.2 to 30 MeV/nucleon revealed systematic changes in the composition of solar flare particles as a function of energy. (3) Heavy ions emitted in a solar flare appear to be completely stripped of electrons, and are not in charge equilibrium at the time of acceleration and releases from the sun.

Price, P. B.↗

Preliminary report of mineralogical and petrographic study of the Luna 16 lunar surface material sample

Unsorted powder and grains larger than 0.5 mm from the L-16-19-118 lunar sample consisted of eight basaltic fragments, four fragments of breccias (of which one was quite light), one white grain (maskelynite), one chondrule, and slagged dark partially glassy chunks. The mineralogical composition of all rounded particles led to the assumption that they are all of lunar origin; but their presence in the regolith indicates formation of chondrulic meteorites. The existence of several grains of pyroxene coated with a thin glassy film merits attention.

Christophe-Michel-levi, M.↗

Shock-induced melting in anorthositic rock 60015 and a fragment of anorthositic breccia from the 'picking pot' /70052/

Microscopic and chemical evidence are presented to support the contention that shock-generated incipient grain-boundary melting of plagioclase occurred in an anorthositic lunar rock and that shock-generated plagioclase liquid was present along grain boundaries during post-shock adiabatic expansion in a fragment of anorthositic breccia. The first contention is supported by microtextural relationships in the rock, the composition of its metal particles (most iron with some cobalt and less nickel), and glass inclusions with vapor bubbles. The second contention is supported by angular irregular voids in the fragment as well as the occurrence of oriented glass filaments in some of the voids. It is shown that shock-generation of 'cataclastic anorthosite' and high-temperature plagioclase liquids can explain the exceptionally young lead and argon ages of the anorthositic rock. The results of the breccia study indicate that shock lithification of plagioclase-rich particulate material from the highland regolith is due to grain-boundary melting of plagioclase.

Sclar, C. B.↗

The meteorology of Jupiter

From the point of view of meteorology the most important differences between Jupiter and the earth are related to the fact that Jupiter has an appreciable internal energy source and probably lacks a solid surface. The composition and vertical structure of the Jovian atmosphere is considered along with the composition of Jovian cloud particles, turbulence in Jupiter's atmosphere, data on the horizontal structure and motions of the atmosphere, and questions related to the longevity of Jupiter's clouds. Attention is given to the barotropic characteristics of Jupiter's atmosphere, the radiation balance in the atmosphere of the earth and of Jupiter, and studies of the Great Red Spot.

Ingersoll, A. P.↗

Radiometry of satellites and of the rings of Saturn

Brightness temperatures at wavelengths between 8 microns and 3.7 cm are tabulated for satellites of known size; except for Titan, they are consistent with blackbody emission values. For Titan a more complex thermal radiation spectrum with three separate regimes is identified. Radiometric brightness measurements, when used in conjunction with photometry, are shown to determine satellite sizes and albedos; this technique is calibrated by using satellites and asteroids with radii evaluated from other methods. Eclipse radiometry indicates the thermophysical properties of surface layers; such observations show that the uppermost coverings of Phobos, Callisto, and Ganymede have remarkably low thermal conductivities. Infrared and radar detections of the rings of Saturn are surveyed; the important constraints that they provide on ring particle sizes and bulk composition are outlined.

Morrison, D.↗