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End date: 2020 × Start date: 2019 × DDC: 520 × DDC: 530 × Has files: Yes ×

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    Latitudinal variation in the abundance of methane (CH4) above the clouds in Neptune's atmosphere from VLT/MUSE Narrow Field Mode Observations
    (Orlando, Fla. : Academ. Press, 2019) Irwin, Patrick G.J.; Toledo, Daniel; Braude, Ashwin S.; Bacon, Roland; Weilbacher, Peter M.; Teanby, Nicholas A.; Fletcher, Leigh N.; Orton, Glenn S.
    Observations of Neptune, made in 2018 using the new Narrow Field Adaptive Optics mode of the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) from 0.48 to 0.93 μm, are analysed here to determine the latitudinal and vertical distribution of cloud opacity and methane abundance in Neptune's observable troposphere (0.1–∼ 3bar). Previous observations at these wavelengths in 2003 by HST/STIS (Karkoschka and Tomasko 2011, Icarus 205, 674–694) found that the mole fraction of methane above the cloud tops (at ∼ 2 bar) varied from ∼ 4% at equatorial latitudes to ∼ 2% at southern polar latitudes, by comparing the observed reflectivity at wavelengths near 825 nm controlled primarily by either methane absorption or H2–H2/H2–He collision-induced absorption. We find a similar variation in cloud-top methane abundance in 2018, which suggests that this depletion of methane towards Neptune's pole is potentially a long-lived feature, indicative of long-term upwelling at mid-equatorial latitudes and subsidence near the poles. By analysing these MUSE observations along the central meridian with a retrieval model, we demonstrate that a broad boundary between the nominal and depleted methane abundances occurs at between 20 and 40°S. We also find a small depletion of methane near the equator, perhaps indicating subsidence there, and a local enhancement near 60–70°S, which we suggest may be associated with South Polar Features (SPFs) seen in Neptune's atmosphere at these latitudes. Finally, by the use of both a reflectivity analysis and a principal component analysis, we demonstrate that this depletion of methane towards the pole is apparent at all locations on Neptune's disc, and not just along its central meridian.
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    The enigmatic highly peculiar binary system HD 66051
    (Tatranská Lomnica : Astronomický Ústav SAV, 2020) Paunzen, E.; Niemczura, E.; Kolaczek-Szymanski, P.A.; Hubrig, S.
    HD 66051 (V414 Pup) is an eclipsing and spectroscopic double-lined binary, hosting two chemically peculiar stars: a highly peculiar B star as pri-mary and an Am star as secondary. It also shows out-of-eclipse variability that is due to chemical spots. Using a set of high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations, a weak magnetic field on the primary was found. The investigation of the new high-resolution UVES spectrum of HD 66051 allowed us to decide on the chemical peculiarity type of both components with more reliability. © 2020 Astronomical Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences.
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    The STIX Aspect System (SAS): The Optical Aspect System of the Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-Rays (STIX) on Solar Orbiter
    (Dordrecht [u.a.] : Springer Science + Business Media B.V, 2020) Warmuth, A.; Önel, H.; Mann, G.; Rendtel, J.; Strassmeier, K.G.; Denker, C.; Hurford, G.J.; Krucker, S.; Anderson, J.; Bauer, S.-M.; Bittner, W.; Dionies, F.; Paschke, J.; Plüschke, D.; Sablowski, D.P.; Schuller, F.; Senthamizh Pavai, V.; Woche, M.; Casadei, D.; Kögl, S.; Arnold, N.G.; Gröbelbauer, H.-P.; Schori, D.; Wiehl, H.J.; Csillaghy, A.; Grimm, O.; Orleanski, P.; Skup, K.R.; Bujwan, W.; Rutkowski, K.; Ber, K.
    The Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX) is a remote sensing instrument on Solar Orbiter that observes the hard X-ray bremsstrahlung emission of solar flares. This paper describes the STIX Aspect System (SAS), a subunit that measures the pointing of STIX relative to the Sun with a precision of ±4′′, which is required to accurately localize the reconstructed X-ray images on the Sun. The operating principle of the SAS is based on an optical lens that images the Sun onto a plate that is perforated by small apertures arranged in a cross-shaped configuration of four radial arms. The light passing through the apertures of each arm is detected by a photodiode. Variations of spacecraft pointing and of distance from the Sun cause the solar image to move over different apertures, leading to a modulation of the measured lightcurves. These signals are used by ground analysis to calculate the locations of the solar limb, and hence the pointing of the telescope.