On the Origin of Pluto's Small Satellites by Resonant Transport

The orbits of Pluto's four small satellites (Styx, Nix, Kerberos, and Hydra) are nearly circular and coplanar with the orbit of the large satellite Charon, with orbital periods nearly in the ratios 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, and 6:1 with Charon's orbital period. These properties suggest that the small satellites were created during the same impact event that placed Charon in orbit and had been pushed to their current positions by being locked in mean-motion resonances with Charon as Charon's orbit was expanded by tidal interactions with Pluto. Using the Pluto-Charon tidal evolution models developed by Cheng et al. (2014), we show that stable capture and transport of a test particle in multiple resonances at the same mean-motion commensurability is possible at the 5:1, 6:1, and 7:1 commensurabilities, if Pluto's zonal harmonic $J_{2P} = 0$. However, the test particle has significant orbital eccentricity at the end of the tidal evolution of Pluto-Charon in almost all cases, and there are no stable captures and transports at the 3:1 and 4:1 commensurabilities. Furthermore, a non-zero hydrostatic value of $J_{2P}$ destroys the conditions necessary for multiple resonance migration. Simulations with finite but minimal masses of Nix and Hydra also fail to yield any survivors. We conclude that the placing of the small satellites at their current orbital positions by resonant transport is extremely unlikely.Comment: 22 pages, including 7 figures; accepted for publication in Icaru

Perfluoro (Imidoylamidine) diamidines

Perfluoroether triazine elastomers having improved properties are prepared from oligomeric imidoylamidines that were in turn, prepared by the process of: (1) reacting a perfluorodinitrile with liquid ammonia to yield a perfluorodiamidine, (2) isolating the perfluorodiamidine, (3) reacting the isolated diamidine with a perfluorodinitrile to yield a perfluoro(imidoylamidine) dinitrile, and then repeating the steps to sequentially grow an oligomer of desired molecular size. The isolated amidine and nitrile intermediates are also disclosed. The elastomers can be fashioned into seals, gaskets, and sealing components and the like

Complete Tidal Evolution of Pluto-Charon

Both Pluto and its satellite Charon have rotation rates synchronous with their orbital mean motion. This is the theoretical end point of tidal evolution where transfer of angular momentum has ceased. Here we follow Pluto's tidal evolution from an initial state having the current total angular momentum of the system but with Charon in an eccentric orbit with semimajor axis $a \approx 4R_P$ (where $R_P$ is the radius of Pluto), consistent with its impact origin. Two tidal models are used, where the tidal dissipation function $Q \propto$ 1/frequency and $Q=$ constant, where details of the evolution are strongly model dependent. The inclusion of the gravitational harmonic coefficient $C_{22}$ of both bodies in the analysis allows smooth, self consistent evolution to the dual synchronous state, whereas its omission frustrates successful evolution in some cases. The zonal harmonic $J_2$ can also be included, but does not cause a significant effect on the overall evolution. The ratio of dissipation in Charon to that in Pluto controls the behavior of the orbital eccentricity, where a judicious choice leads to a nearly constant eccentricity until the final approach to dual synchronous rotation. The tidal models are complete in the sense that every nuance of tidal evolution is realized while conserving total angular momentum - including temporary capture into spin-orbit resonances as Charon's spin decreases and damped librations about the same.Comment: 36 pages, including 18 figures; accepted for publication in Icaru

Process for preparing perfluorotriazine elastomers and precursors thereof

Perfluoroether triazine elastomers having improved properties and utility in seals, gaskets, sealing components and the like are prepared from oligomeric imidoylamidines that have, in turn, been prepared by the process of (1) reacting a perfluorodinitrile with liquid ammonia to yield a perfluorodiamidine, (2) isolating the perfluorodiamidine, (3) reacting the isolated diamidine with a perfluorodinitrile to yield a perfluoror(imidoylamidine) dinitrile, and then repeating step (1), (2), and (3) to sequentially grow an oligomer of desired molecular size. The isolated amidine and nitrile intermediates are also described

Possible TeV Source Candidates In The Unidentified EGRET Sources

We study the $\gamma$-ray emission from the pulsar magnetosphere based on outer gap models, and the TeV radiation from pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) through inverse Compton scattering using a one-zone model. We showed previously that GeV radiation from the magnetosphere of mature pulsars with ages of $\sim 10^5-10^6$ years old can contribute to the high latitude unidentified EGRET sources. We carry out Monte Carlo simulations of $\gamma$-ray pulsars in the Galaxy and the Gould Belt, assuming the pulsar birth rate, initial position, proper motion velocity, period, and magnetic field distribution and evolution based on observational statistics. We select from the simulation a sample of mature pulsars in the Galactic plane ($|b|\leq 5^\circ$) and in the high latitude ($|b|> 5^\circ$) which could be detected by EGRET. The TeV flux from the pulsar wind nebulae of our simulated sample through the inverse Compton scattering by relativistic electrons on the microwave cosmic background and synchrotron seed photons are calculated. The predicted fluxes are consistent with the present observational constraints. We suggest that strong EGRET sources can be potential TeV source candidates for present and future ground-based TeV telescopes.Comment: Minor changes, MNRAS in pres