Radar and infrared observations of binary near-Earth Asteroid 2002 CE26     

Michael K. Shepard  Jean-Luc Margot  Michael C. Nolan  Benjamin Estes  Eric L. Volquardsen  Lance A.M. Benner  Steven J. Ostro 《Icarus》2006,184(1):198-210

We observed near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) 2002 CE26 in August and September 2004 using the Arecibo S-band (2380-MHz, 12.6-cm) radar and NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF). Shape models obtained based on inversion of our delay-Doppler images show the asteroid to be 3.5±0.4 km in diameter and spheroidal; our corresponding nominal estimates of its visual and radar albedos are 0.07 and 0.24, respectively. Our IRTF spectrum shows the asteroid to be C-class with no evidence of hydration. Thermal models from the IRTF data provide a size and visual albedo consistent with the radar-derived estimate. We estimate the spin-pole to be within a few tens of degrees of λ=317°, β=−20°. Our radar observations reveal a secondary approximately 0.3 km in diameter, giving this binary one of the largest size differentials of any known NEA. The secondary is in a near-circular orbit with period 15.6±0.1 h and a semi-major axis of 4.7±0.2 km. Estimates of the binary orbital pole and secondary rotation rate are consistent with the secondary being in a spin-locked equatorial orbit. The orbit corresponds to a primary mass of M=1.95±0.25×¹⁰¹³ kg, leading to a primary bulk density of , one of the lowest values yet measured for a main-belt or near-Earth asteroid.  相似文献   

Use of chemical tracers in assessing the diet and foraging regions of eastern North Pacific killer whales     

Krahn MM  Herman DP  Matkin CO  Durban JW  Barrett-Lennard L  Burrows DG  Dahlheim ME  Black N  LeDuc RG  Wade PR 《Marine environmental research》2007,63(2):91-114

Top predators in the marine environment integrate chemical signals acquired from their prey that reflect both the species consumed and the regions from which the prey were taken. These chemical tracers-stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen; persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations, patterns and ratios; and fatty acid profiles-were measured in blubber biopsy samples from North Pacific killer whales (Orcinus orca) (n=84) and were used to provide further insight into their diet, particularly for the offshore group, about which little dietary information is available. The offshore killer whales were shown to consume prey species that were distinctly different from those of sympatric resident and transient killer whales. In addition, it was confirmed that the offshores forage as far south as California. Thus, these results provide evidence that the offshores belong to a third killer whale ecotype. Resident killer whale populations showed a gradient in stable isotope profiles from west (central Aleutians) to east (Gulf of Alaska) that, in part, can be attributed to a shift from off-shelf to continental shelf-based prey. Finally, stable isotope ratio results, supported by field observations, showed that the diet in spring and summer of eastern Aleutian Island transient killer whales is apparently not composed exclusively of Steller sea lions.  相似文献   

Incorporating irregular nonlinear waves in coupled simulation and reliability studies of offshore wind turbines     

Puneet Agarwal  Lance Manuel 《Applied Ocean Research》2011,33(3):215-227

Design of an offshore wind turbine requires estimation of loads on its rotor, tower and supporting structure. These loads are obtained by time-domain simulations of the coupled aero-servo-hydro-elastic model of the wind turbine. Accuracy of predicted loads depends on assumptions made in the simulation models employed, both for the turbine and for the input wind and wave conditions. Currently, waves are simulated using a linear irregular wave theory that is not appropriate for nonlinear waves, which are even more pronounced in shallow water depths where wind farms are typically sited. The present study investigates the use of irregular nonlinear (second-order) waves for estimating loads on the support structure (monopile) of an offshore wind turbine. We present the theory for the irregular nonlinear model and incorporate it in the commonly used wind turbine simulation software, FAST, which had been developed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), but which had the modeling capability only for irregular linear waves. We use an efficient algorithm for computation of nonlinear wave elevation and kinematics, so that a large number of time-domain simulations, which are required for prediction of long-term loads using statistical extrapolation, can easily be performed. To illustrate the influence of the alternative wave models, we compute loads at the base of the monopile of the NREL 5MW baseline wind turbine model using linear and nonlinear irregular wave models. We show that for a given environmental condition (i.e., the mean wind speed and the significant wave height), extreme loads are larger when computed using the nonlinear wave model. We finally compute long-term loads, which are required for a design load case according to the International Electrotechnical Commission guidelines, using the inverse first-order reliability method. We discuss a convergence criteria that may be used to predict accurate 20-year loads and discuss wind versus wave dominance in the load prediction. We show that 20-year long-term loads can be significantly higher when the nonlinear wave model is used.  相似文献   

The 2dF–SDSS LRG and QSO (2SLAQ) Survey: the z < 2.1 quasar luminosity function from 5645 quasars to g= 21.85     

Gordon T. Richards  Scott M. Croom  Scott F. Anderson  Joss Bland-Hawthorn  Brian J. Boyle  Roberto De Propris  Michael J. Drinkwater  Xiaohui Fan  James E. Gunn  &#;eljko Ivezi&#;  Sebastian Jester  Jon Loveday  Avery Meiksin  Lance Miller  Adam Myers  Robert C. Nichol  Phil J. Outram  Kevin A. Pimbblet  Isaac G. Roseboom  Nic Ross  Donald P. Schneider  Tom Shanks  Robert G. Sharp  Chris Stoughton  Michael A. Strauss  Alexander S. Szalay  Daniel E. Vanden Berk  Donald G. York 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2005,360(3):839-852

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The 2dF-SDSS LRG and QSO Survey: the spectroscopic QSO catalogue     

Scott M. Croom  Gordon T. Richards  Tom Shanks  Brian J. Boyle  Robert G. Sharp  Joss Bland-Hawthorn  Terry Bridges  Robert J. Brunner  Russell Cannon  Daniel Carson  Kuenley Chiu  Matthew Colless  Warrick Couch  Roberto De Propris  Michael J. Drinkwater  Alastair Edge  Stephen Fine  Jon Loveday  Lance Miller  Adam D. Myers  Robert C. Nichol  Phil Outram  Kevin Pimbblet  Isaac Roseboom  Nicholas Ross  Donald P. Schneider  Allyn Smith  Chris Stoughton  Michael A. Strauss  David Wake 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2009,392(1):19-44

We present the final spectroscopic QSO catalogue from the 2dF-SDSS LRG (luminous red galaxy) and QSO (2SLAQ) survey. This is a deep,  18 < g < 21.85  (extinction corrected), sample aimed at probing in detail the faint end of the broad line active galactic nuclei luminosity distribution at   z ≲ 2.6  . The candidate QSOs were selected from SDSS photometry and observed spectroscopically with the 2dF spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. This sample covers an area of 191.9 deg² and contains new spectra of 16 326 objects, of which 8764 are QSOs and 7623 are newly discovered [the remainder were previously identified by the 2dF QSO Redshift Survey (2QZ) and SDSS]. The full QSO sample (including objects previously observed in the SDSS and 2QZ surveys) contains 12 702 QSOs. The new 2SLAQ spectroscopic data set also contains 2343 Galactic stars, including 362 white dwarfs, and 2924 narrow emission-line galaxies with a median redshift of   z = 0.22  .
We present detailed completeness estimates for the survey, based on modelling of QSO colours, including host-galaxy contributions. This calculation shows that at   g ≃ 21.85  QSO colours are significantly affected by the presence of a host galaxy up to redshift   z ∼ 1  in the SDSS ugriz bands. In particular, we see a significant reddening of the objects in   g − i   towards the fainter g -band magnitudes. This reddening is consistent with the QSO host galaxies being dominated by a stellar population of age at least 2–3 Gyr.
The full catalogue, including completeness estimates, is available on-line at http://www.2slaq.info/ .  相似文献   

A radar survey of M- and X-class asteroids II. Summary and synthesis     

Michael K. Shepard  Beth Ellen Clark  Michael C. Nolan  Christopher Magri  Lance A.M. Benner  Alan W. Harris  Robert D. Stephens 《Icarus》2010,208(1):221-494

Using the S-band radar at Arecibo Observatory, we observed six new M-class main-belt asteroids (MBAs), and re-observed one, bringing the total number of Tholen M-class asteroids observed with radar to 19. The mean radar albedo for all our targets is , significantly higher than the mean radar albedo of every other class (Magri, C., Nolan, M.C., Ostro, S.J., Giorgini, J.D. [2007]. Icarus 186, 126-151). Seven of these objects (Asteroids 16 Psyche, 129 Antigone, 216 Kleopatra, 347 Pariana, 758 Mancunia, 779 Nina, 785 Zwetana) have radar albedos indicative of a very high metal content , and consistent with a remnant iron/nickel core interpretation (irons) or exotic high metal meteorite types such as CB. We propose designating these high radar albedo objects as Mm. Two asteroids, 110 Lydia and 678 Fredegundis, have more moderate radar albedos , but exhibit high values at some rotation phases suggesting a significant metal content. The remaining 10 objects have moderate radar albedos at all rotation phases. Most of our targets have visible/near-infrared spectra (Hardersen, P.S., Gaffey, M.J., Abell, P.A. [2005]. Icarus 175, 141-158; Fornasier, S., Clark, B.E., Dotto, E., Migliorini, A., Ockert-Bell, M., Barucci, M.A. [2009]. Icarus, submitted for publication) that indicate the presence of at least some silicate phases. All of the non-Mm asteroids show a positive correlation between visual and radar albedo but the reasons for this are not clear. All of the higher radar albedo targets (the 7 Mm asteroids, Lydia, and Fredegundis) show moderate to large variations in radar albedo with rotation phase. We suggest that their high radar reflectivity exaggerates irregularities in the asteroid shape to cause this behavior. One-third of our targets show evidence for asteroid-scale concavities or bifurcation. Based on all the evidence available, we suggest that most Tholen M-class asteroids are not remnant iron cores or enstatite chondrites, but rather collisional composites of silicates and irons with compositions more analogous to stony-iron meteorites and high-iron carbonaceous chondrites.  相似文献   

Age of the peel sandstone group,isle of man     

Stephen F. Crowley  Kenneth T. Higgs  John D.A. Piper  Lance B. Morrissey 《Geological Journal》2009,44(1):57-78

An Early Devonian age for the continental, red‐bed succession of the Peel Sandstone Group can be defined on the basis of: (1) a derived marine fauna of late Wenlock (Homerian) age, (2) a Scoyenia ichnofacies assemblage (including Beaconites and Diplichnites) characteristic of latest Silurian to Early Devonian (Lower Old Red Sandstone magnafacies) sediments in the British Isles, (3) a microflora of late Lochkovian to Pragian age, (4) a detrital palaeomagnetic remanence that pre‐dates local, Acadian palaeomagnetic directions and coincides with a prominent, southerly, Late Silurian to Early Devonian excursion in the local apparent polar wander path, and (5) a mid‐Devonian palaeomagnetic remanence that overprints (?)Acadian, thrust‐related folding. Data presented in this study confirm previous suggestions (Allen and Crowley 1983) that the Peel Sandstone Group represents a rare example of Early Devonian sedimentation preserved on the northern margin of the former Eastern Avalonia microcontinent. Potential correlations and linkages with other Lower Old Red Sandstone successions exposed in the Anglo‐Welsh Basin are developed and discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献   

Positive Relationship between Freshwater Inflow and Oyster Abundance in Galveston Bay,Texas   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

David Buzan  Wen Lee  Jan Culbertson  Nathan Kuhn  Lance Robinson 《Estuaries and Coasts》2009,32(1):206-212

Analysis of fisheries-independent data for Galveston Bay, Texas, USA, since 1985 shows eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) frequently demonstrate increased abundance of market-sized oysters 1 to 2 years after years with increased freshwater inflow and decreased salinity. These analyses are compared to Turner’s (Estuaries and Coasts 29:345–352, 2006) study using 3-year running averages of oyster commercial harvest since 1950 in Galveston Bay. Turner’s results indicated an inverse relationship between freshwater inflow and commercial harvest with low harvest during years of high inflow and increased harvest during low flow years. Oyster populations may experience mass mortalities during extended periods of high inflow when low salinities are sustained. Conversely, oyster populations may be decimated during prolonged episodes of low flow when conditions favor oyster predators, parasites, and diseases with higher salinity optima. Turner’s (Estuaries and Coasts 29:345–352, 2006) analysis was motivated by a proposed project in a basin with abundant freshwater where the goal of the project was to substantially increase freshwater flow to the estuary in order to increase oyster harvest. We have the opposite concern that oysters will be harmed by projects that reduce flow, increase salinity, and increase the duration of higher salinity periods in a basin with increasing demand for limited freshwater. Turner’s study and our analysis reflect different aspects of the complex, important relationships between freshwater inflow, salinity, and oysters.  相似文献   

Corrigendum to “Physical properties of near-Earth Asteroid (33342) 1998 WT24” [Icarus 195 (2008) 614-621]     

Michael W. Busch  Lance A.M. Benner  Jon D. Giorgini  Randy Rose  Christopher Magri  Michael C. Nolan 《Icarus》2008,197(1):375

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The difficulties of dating mafic dykes: an Antarctic example   总被引：5，自引：0，他引：5  

Lance P. Black  Peter D. Kinny  John W. Sheraton 《Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology》1991,109(2):183-194

Archaen gneisses of the Vestfold Hills of East Antarctica are transected by several compositionally discrete suites of tholeiitic dykes. A representative of one of those suites, which has been dated in the present study, shows that not only Rb–Sr whole-rock isochrons, but also U–Pb zircon techniques (if not properly applied) can produce erroneous crystallisation ages. Two zircon populations were recovered from the mafic dyke itself, one of which is 2,483±9 Ma in age and clearly of xenocrystic origin. The other yields an age of 1,025±56 Ma, which is not ascribed to the magmatic crystallisation of the dyke, but rather to the time that it underwent metamorphic/metasomatic alteration as a response to high-grade tectonism in the adjacent mobile belt. It is presumed that the zircon in question formed by the breakdown of another mineral or minerals (possibly magmatic baddeleyite), due either to ingress of a siliceous fluid, or more probably by the release of silica from the breakdown of pyroxene to amphibole. A cogenetic 1–2 cm wide felsic vein, of late magmatic/early hydrothermal origin, also contains two zircon populations. Again, most of the grains therein, which are interpreted as of xenocrystic origin, grew at 2,483±9 Ma. However, a few euhedral zircons with very high U and Th contents grew at 1,248±4 Ma, which is taken to be the formation age of both the felsic vein and the enclosing mafic dyke.  相似文献