Study of thermal properties of the lunar regolith based on in situ temperature measurements and experiments on soil simulants

The experimental design and the development of a theory to interpret the experimental data from measurements of the thermal conductivity of lunar core samples. Measurements conducted while the lunar material is still in the core tube reduce the possibility of physical and chemical disturbances to the sample. The sample was heated externally by radiation at a known rate, the variation of temperature was measured at the surface of the core sample, and thermal conductivity was determined by comparing the observed temperature with the theoretically expected one

The Long Term Temperature Variation in the Lunar Subsurface

Introduction: Lunar surface heat flow values were measured directly during the Apollo missions. These experiments were carried out on Apollo 15 and 17 for about six years between July 7, 1971 and September 30, 1977. The heat flow values derived from these two measurement sites were 21 mW/m2 and 14 mW/m2 respectively [1]. Langseth et al. concluded the repre-sentative global lunar heat flow to be around 18 mW/m2 based on approximately the first 3 years of data until the end of the 1974 (see Figure 1). Recently, Saito et al. (2006) succeeded in archiving the heat flow data from March 1 1976 until September 30th 1977 [2]. These data are very useful for identify-ing this very long-term variation because we could extend the period of data almost by a factor of two (from 3 years to 6 years) compared to the data ar-chived previously. Because an anomaly had occurred on April 28th, 1976 on the Apollo 15 experiment, the data of Apollo 15 could not be expanded. Therefore, the data obtained by Apollo 17 were used for long term analysis

Морфобіологічні особливості та перспективи використання у декоративному садівництві украЇни Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae Juss.)

The purpose – to study of morphobiological aspects of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae Juss.) growth, development and seed productivity in a culture in M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine (NBG). Material and methods. A. mexicana is annual ornamental plant. The research of the ontogenetic development was based on I.P. Ignatieva (1983). Phenological observations were carried out according to R.A. Carpysonova (1972). Seed productivity was determined by the method of I.V. Vaynahiy (1993). Results. The plants of A. mexicana were characterized by rapid development in a culture of NBG. Formation of vegetative sphere of plants continued for 30–33 days. The flowering phase was observed on the 46–48th day after germination, the appearance of the first ripe fruit on the 78th day. The leaf series consisted of six leaves. Changes of leaf morphology were not only in the increasing of size, but in the increasing divisions of leaf and the complications of its form also. From 24 to 45 flowers were forming on one plant. The phase of flowering continued for more than two months. Seeds productivity of the plant was 6650 seeds on average. Duration of generative period was 116–149 days. Conclusions. Annual cycle of development of A. mexicana in conditions of NBG ends with a normal fruiting marked by high level of seed productivity. The plants of A. mexicana are characterized by a short period of vegetative development and a long generative period. The perspectives of use of A. mexicana in gardening are designed according to data obtained.Мета – дослідити морфобіологічні аспекти росту та розвитку і насінну продуктивність Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae Juss.) в умовах культури в Національному ботанічному саду ім. М.М. Гришка НАН України (НБС). Матеріал та методи. A. mexicana належить до групи однорічних квітниково-декоративних рослин. Онтогенетичний розвиток досліджено за методикою І.П. Ігнатьєвої (1983). Фенологічні спостереження проводили згідно з рекомендаціями Р.А. Карпісонової (1972). Насінну продуктивність визначали за методикою І.В. Вайнагія (1993). Результати. В умовах культури в НБС рослини A. mexicana характеризуються швидкими темпами розвитку. Формування вегетативної сфери триває 30–33 доби, фаза цвітіння настає на 46–48-му добу після появи сходів, перші дозрілі плоди з'являються на 78-му добу. Листкова серія складається з шести листків. Зміни в морфології листків полягають у збільшенні розмірів листкової пластинки, ступеня її розсіченості, ускладненні форми. На одній рослині формується від 24 до 45 квіток. Фаза цвітіння в умовах України триває понад 2 міс. Насінна продуктивність однієї рослини становила в середньому 6650 насінин. Тривалість генеративного періоду розвитку — 116–149 діб. Висновки.В умовах НБС річний цикл A. mexicana завершується повноцінним плодоношенням з високими показниками насінної продуктивності. A. mexicana характеризується коротким прегенеративним періодом розвитку і тривалим генеративним періодом. На підставі даних щодо фенології, біометричних показників та аутекологічних вимог виду запропоновано використовувати A. mexicana як універсальну рослину

Re-Analysis of HFT Data Using the Apollo Lunar Surface Gravimeter Data

Introduction: The Apollo Passive Seismic Experiment (PSE) was carried out on Apollo 12, 14, 15 and 16. Network observations of four seismic stations were performed for five years from 1972 to 1977. The PSE was a successful mission that informed us of the lunar crustal thickness and seismic velocity structure of the Moon from direct observations of the lunar interior (e.g. [1]). However, the paucity of seismic stations and the limited number of usable seismic events have been a major problem of lunar seismology. An additional observation point enables us to expand the network and the observable area will expand accordingly. Using a data set called the Work Tape, Kawamura et al. (2008) [2] showed that the Lunar Surface Gravimeter (LSG) on Apollo 17 functioned as a seismograph. With this additional seismic station, we tried the first seismic analysis using the LSG data

Lost Apollo heat flow data suggest a different lunar bulk composition

Lunar surface heat flow values were measured on the Apollo missions between 1971 and 1977. However, the late-term data have been lost. We succeeded in archiving the data after March 1, 1976. We will introduce the new set of archived data

The Lunar Surface Gravimeter as a Lunar Seismograph

Introduction: The primary objective for the Lunar Surface Gravimeter (LSG) on Apollo 17 was to search for gravitational waves, but it failed in detecting them [1]. When the instrument was deployed on the Moon, the sensor beam could not be balanced in the proper equilibrium position. Consequently, the LSG was not able to function as originally designed. Lauderdale and Eichelman (1974) [1] concluded that “no provision has been made to supply data from the experiment to the National Space Science Data Center.” However, it was reported in Giganti et al. (1977) [2] that though they had not detected gravitational waves, after a series of reconfigurations the beam was recentered and the LSG gathered useful data. Besides the observation of gravitational waves, the LSG was also designed to observe seismic signals and tidal deformations [3]. According to Giganti et al. (1977) [2] LSG’s sensitivity covered the frequency range from 1~16Hz (Fig.1). There are several types of moonquakes reported, deep moonquakes, meteorite impacts, and high frequency teleseismic (HFT). Each of the moonquakes is known to have a resonant frequency around 1Hz and in addition, HFT has a predominant frequency around 10 Hz [4]. Therefore it is likely that the LSG was detecting the seismic events on the Moon. However, the LSG data have not been analyzed from a seismological point of view

How to avoid potential pitfalls in recurrence plot based data analysis

Recurrence plots and recurrence quantification analysis have become popular in the last two decades. Recurrence based methods have on the one hand a deep foundation in the theory of dynamical systems and are on the other hand powerful tools for the investigation of a variety of problems. The increasing interest encompasses the growing risk of misuse and uncritical application of these methods. Therefore, we point out potential problems and pitfalls related to different aspects of the application of recurrence plots and recurrence quantification analysis