Constraints on a second planet in the WASP-3 system

There have been previous hints that the transiting planet WASP-3 b is accompanied by a second planet in a nearby orbit, based on small deviations from strict periodicity of the observed transits. Here we present 17 precise radial velocity measurements and 32 transit light curves that were acquired between 2009 and 2011. These data were used to refine the parameters of the host star and transiting planet. This has resulted in reduced uncertainties for the radii and masses of the star and planet. The radial-velocity data and the transit times show no evidence for an additional planet in the system. Therefore, we have determined the upper limit on the mass of any hypothetical second planet, as a function of its orbital period.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journa

Palynological constraints on the age of the Carboniferous clastic succession of SW Poland (Fore-Sudetic area) based on miospore data

New palynological studies of the Carboniferous clastic deposits of SW Poland from six deep boreholes have provided diverse, but poorly preserved miospore assemblages. Probably all of these are mixed, consisting of taxa typical of the in terval from the Famennian to the Namurian. Namurian A deposits have been identified in the Paproć 29 and Katarzynin 2 boreholes. The stratigraphic position of rocks from other profiles, where miospores were more badly preserved, has been established in a more general way. In the Objezierze IG 1 borehole the rocks were dated as not older than late Viséan while rocks from the Kalisz IG 1, Dankowice IG 1 and Dymek IG 1 boreholes are considered as not older than Viséan. The abundance of reworked miospores in rocks from the Paproć 29 and Katarzynin 2 boreholes is proof that cannibalzation of older rocks containing miospores took place in this sedimentary basin in the early Namurian. Source rocks belonged either to the Famennian-Tournaisian and Viséan or to a Viséan inter valcontaining Famennian-Tournaisian reworked miospores. Some observations on the limitations of the stratigraphical interpretation of those mixed and poorly preserved miospore assemblages are provided

Complementary data on the palynostratigraphy of the Carboniferous succession of SW Poland

New palynostratigraphical data concerning the Carboniferous sedimentary succession of SW Poland has been obtained from the Czerńczyce IG 1 borehole and the Brońsko boreholes on the northern slope of the Wolsztyn-Leszno High, where the oldest rocks were expected. The miospore assemblages recovered from the Czerńczyce IG 1 borehole allowed assignment of the interval studied to the Marsdenian (Namurian B) and Yeadonian (Namurian C). These results, supplemented with previous palynostratigraphical data, refute the existence of a stratigraphic gap between the early Namurian and Duckmantian (Westphalian B). The reinterpretation of the unpublished miospore results of Górecka et al. (2000b, 2001a) from the Carboniferous rocks from the Brońsko boreholes, also indicate that they should actually be assigned to the upper Marsdenian and Yeadonian. All analysed miospore assemblages are mixed and contain abundant reworked specimens. The results above complement previous opinions and permit a re-evaluation of the stratigraphy of the Carboniferous siliciclastic succession of SW Poland. Its sedimentation was certainly initiated in the earliest Namurian or earlier and probably lasted without long gaps until the Stephanian. The abundance and common occurence of reworked miospores indicate the age of rocks eroded during Carboniferous deposition. The lithological and palynofacial features of the late Namurian rocks from the Czerńczyce IG 1 borehole may be interpreted as a record of the shallowing of the sedimentary basin, including the possibility that some of the sedimentation occured in continental conditions. This means that the transition from the deep marine environment to shallow-water or even continental habitats likely had already taken place by the late Namurian. This suggestion, together with the tectonic deformation dated as post-Bolsovian, corresponds to the timing of the deposition and deformation in the German part of the Variscan Foreland Basin

Palynological data from the Siciny IG 1 and Marcinki IG 1 bore holes and their significance to the interpretation of the Carboniferous succession of SW Poland

This paper describes in detail palynological data from the Carboniferous siliciclastic rock succession from the Siciny IG 1 and Marcinki IG 1 boreholes (SW Poland), that allow reinterpretation of the local stratigraphy. Two rock series of different ages were recognized. Rocks from the Siciny IG 1 section were assigned to the upper Arnsbergian–Alportian (the Lycospora subtriquetra–Kraeuselisporites ornatus (SO) Biozone) and the Bolsovian (the Torispora securis–Torispora laevigata (SL) Biozone). In the upper part of the Carboniferous section in the Marcinki IG 1 section the upper Arnsbergian–Alportian and Duckmantian interval (the Lycospora subtriquetra–Kraeuselisporites ornatus (SO) and the Microreticulatisporites nobilis–Florinites junior (NJ) biozones respectively) were recognized, although the quality of the palynological data from the latter borehole was generally poor. These results conflict with a Viséan age for these rocks interpreted from fossil marine macrofaunas and indicate the reworked nature of the macrofaunas. Possible means of the macrofaunal reworking, sedimentary environment and thermal history, based on the palynological data, are discussed. Repetition of the stratigraphical succession, probably due totectonic deformation of the rocks in both sections, is demonstrated and indicate a post-Bolsovian age for the deformation event

Miospore evidence for the Carboniferous age of rocks from the Świebodzice Unit (Sudetes, SW Poland)

The paper provides new results of palynological studies of rocks from the Świebodzice Unit. An abundant Carboniferous miospores were found in rocks of the Pogorzała Formation from the southern part of this unit. These miospores occur in rocks containing also macrofloral and marine macrofaunal fossils, partly reworked, which were usually considered Upper Devonian. Two miospore sub-assemblages of different ages and colours have been distinguished. One of them consists of poorly preserved miospores, dark in colour, which indicate the Late Visean–Serpukhovian age of the rocks. The other sub-assemblage, found only in a few samples, consists of much lighter and well-preserved miospores of the Asturian age. Their presence is considered as a result of stratigraphical leakage. Observation of the miospore colour indicates that the thermal event occurred after the Late Devonian and before the Asturian and the palaeotemperature exceeded ~180°C. These new data indicate that the geological history of the Świebodzice Unit lasted longer and was much complex than it was previously considered

Remarks on palynostratigraphy of the Namurian Wałbrzych Formation in the northern part of the Intrasudetic Basin (SW Poland)

Rich assemblages of the Namurian miospores were recorded in the deposits of the Wałbrzych Formation from the northern part of the Intrasudetic Basin. One hundred twenty five miospore taxa were determined and two miospore zones were distinguished. Deposits from Konradów and Biały Kamień belong to the Stenozonotriletes triangulus-Rotaspora knoxi (TK) Zone, correlated to the middle Namurian A. Deposits from Szczawno Zdrój appeared to be younger, because they represents the Lycospora subtriquetra-Kraeuselisporites ornatus (SO) Zone (late Namurian A)

Miospore evidence for the Carboniferous age of rocks from the Świebodzice Unit (Sudetes, SW Poland)

The paper provides new results of palynological studies of rocks from the Świebodzice Unit. An abundant Carboniferous miospores were found in rocks of the Pogorzała Formation from the southern part of this unit. These miospores occur in rocks containing also macrofloral and marine macrofaunal fossils, partly reworked, which were usually considered Upper Devonian. Two miospore sub-assemblages of different ages and colours have been distinguished. One of them consists of poorly preserved miospores, dark in colour, which indicate the Late Visean–Serpukhovian age of the rocks. The other sub-assemblage, found only in a few samples, consists of much lighter and well-preserved miospores of the Asturian age. Their presence is considered as a result of stratigraphical leakage. Observation of the miospore colour indicates that the thermal event occurred after the Late Devonian and before the Asturian and the palaeotemperature exceeded ~180°C. These new data indicate that the geological history of the Świebodzice Unit lasted longer and was much complex than it was previously considered

Palynology of the upper Visean Paprotnia Beds (Bardo Unit, Polish Sudetes)

The siliciclastic rocks of the Paprotnia Beds from the Bardo Unit (Polish Sudetes) provide abundant and diverse palynological material. The miospore assemblages recovered allow distinction of two miospore biozones. The Tripartites vetustus–Rotaspora fracta (VF) Biozone was recognized in the lower and the middle parts of the section. In its upper part the Cingulizonates capistratus (Cc) Subbiozone, the lower part of the Cingulizonates capistratus–Bellispores nitidus (CN) Biozone was distinguished. These results indicate that the rocks of the Paprotnia section, considered earlier on the basis of biostratigraphic and radiometric data as upper Asbian, should be assigned to the upper Asbian and Brigantian. The location of the Asbian/Brigantian boundary and the possible occurrence of a gap in the Brigantian part of the section are discussed. Palynofacies observations of miospore preservation and frequency provided additional information, which confirm the gradual shallowing of the environment of deposition from offshore to onshore. Thermal maturity assessment of organic matter, based on miospore colour, indicates early mature and mature stages of organic matter thermal alteration