782 research outputs found
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Sonar behaviour in non-terrestrial ocean exploration
A goal for a future Europan payload is to determine the extent of the postulated sea, aspects of acoustic remote sensing are discussed with a view to operating a sonar in such an subsurface ocean
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A miniature UV-VIS spectrometer for the surface of Mars
A miniature spectrometer is in the process of development for a future Mars mission, to measure the UV-VIS spectrum encountered at the martian surface. With an intended mass of ~100 g, the spectrometer is planned as part of the ESA ExoMars mission
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A close encounter with a terrestrial dust devil
We report on an extremely well characterised encounter with a terrestrial dust devil, and its comparison with martian dust devils
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Icelandic debris flow and their relationship to martian gullies
Abstract not available
The S.S. Reading: Does it Float?
Increasing numbers of both elementary and secondary teachers have implemented Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) as a part of their program in reading instruction. Much of this implementation has occurred and will continue primarily on the recommendation of its proponents. There has been no serious examination of the assumptions by these proponents of its effectiveness in bringing about the benefits claimed for it. The tremendous importance attached to learning to read and the limited time available in which to provide instructional activities toward that end should lead us to a rigorous evaluation of SSR whenever and wherever it becomes a component of the reading program
Superallowed 0+ to 0+ nuclear beta decays: A new survey with precision tests of the conserved vector current hypothesis and the standard model
A new critical survey is presented of all half-life, decay-energy and
branching-ratio measurements related to 20 0+ to 0+ beta decays. Compared with
our last review, there are numerous improvements: First, we have added 27
recently published measurements and eliminated 9 references; of particular
importance, the new data include a number of high-precision Penning-trap
measurements of decay energies. Second, we have used the recently improved
isospin symmetry-breaking corrections. Third, our calculation of the
statistical rate function now accounts for possible excitation in the daughter
atom. Finally, we have re-examined the systematic uncertainty associated with
the isospin symmetry-breaking corrections by evaluating the radial-overlap
correction using Hartree-Fock radial wave functions and comparing the results
with our earlier calculations, which used Saxon-Woods wave functions; the
provision for systematic uncertainty has been changed as a consequence. The new
corrected Ft values are impressively constant and their average, when combined
with the muon liftime, yields the up-down quark-mixing element of the
Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix, V_{ud} = 0.97425(22). The unitarity
test on the top row of the matrix becomes |V_{ud}|^2 + |V_{us}|^2 + |V_{ub}|^2
= 0.99995(61). Both V_{ud} and the unitarity sum have significantly reduced
uncertainties compared with our previous survey, although the new value of
V_{ud} is statistically consistent with the old one. From these data we also
set limits on the possible existence of scalar interactions, right-hand
currents and extra Z bosons. Finally, we discuss the priorities for future
theoretical and experimental work with the goal of making the CKM unitarity
test even more definitive.Comment: 36 pages, 11 tables, 9 figure
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Constraints on the Huygens landing site topography from the Surface Science Package Acoustic Properties Instrument
We present analysis of the results from the Huygens acoustic sounder instrument. The sounder sees a relatively smooth terrain, with specular reflectance characteristics
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The Beagle 2 environmental sensors: intended measurements and scientific goals
The Beagle 2 lander, due for arrival on Mars in December 2003, carries an Environmental Sensors Suite to monitor the local meteorology and carry out simple dust and oxidant measurements. The suite is described, and the scientific goals are discussed
The Evaluation of V_{ud}, Experiment and Theory
The value of the V_{ud} matrix element of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM)
matrix can be derived from nuclear superallowed beta decays, neutron decay, and
pion beta decay. We survey current world data for all three. Today, the most
precise value of V_{ud} comes from the nuclear decays; however, the precision
is limited not by experimental error but by the estimated uncertainty in
theoretical corrections. Experimental uncertainty does limit the neutron-decay
result, which, though statistically consistent with the nuclear result, is
approximately a factor of three poorer in precision. The value obtained for
leads to a result that differs at the 98% confidence level from the
unitarity condition for the CKM matrix. We examine the reliability of the small
calculated corrections that have been applied to the data, and assess the
likelihood of even higher quality nuclear data becoming available to confirm or
deny the discrepancy. Some of the required experiments depend upon the
availability of intense radioactive beams. Others are possible today.Comment: 21 pages, 1 figure, LaTe
VLA Survey of Dense Gas in Extended Green Objects: Prevalence of 25 GHz Methanol Masers
We present resolution Very Large Array (VLA) observations of four
CHOH - 25~GHz transitions (=3, 5, 8, 10) along with 1.3~cm
continuum toward 20 regions of active massive star formation containing
Extended Green Objects (EGOs), 14 of which we have previously studied with the
VLA in the Class~I 44~GHz and Class~II 6.7~GHz maser lines (Cyganowski et al.
2009). Sixteen regions are detected in at least one 25~GHz line (=5), with
13 of 16 exhibiting maser emission. In total, we report 34 new sites of
CHOH maser emission and ten new sites of thermal CHOH emission,
significantly increasing the number of 25~GHz Class I CHOH masers observed
at high angular resolution. We identify probable or likely maser counterparts
at 44~GHz for all 15 of the 25~GHz masers for which we have complementary data,
providing further evidence that these masers trace similar physical conditions
despite uncorrelated flux densities. The sites of thermal and maser emission of
CHOH are both predominantly associated with the 4.5 m emission from
the EGO, and the presence of thermal CHOH emission is accompanied by 1.3~cm
continuum emission in 9 out of 10 cases. Of the 19 regions that exhibit 1.3~cm
continuum emission, it is associated with the EGO in 16 cases (out of a total
of 20 sites), 13 of which are new detections at 1.3~cm. Twelve of the 1.3~cm
continuum sources are associated with 6.7~GHz maser emission and likely trace
deeply-embedded massive protostars
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