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2016

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Articles 1 - 18 of 18

Full-Text Articles in The Sun and the Solar System

Calculating And Analyzing Night Sky Brightness For The Commerce/Greenville, Texas Area, Rebecca Bosmans Dec 2016

Calculating And Analyzing Night Sky Brightness For The Commerce/Greenville, Texas Area, Rebecca Bosmans

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.


Growth Of Methanogens In The Presence Of Perchlorate Salts: A Study For Possible Life On Mars, John Cale Dec 2016

Growth Of Methanogens In The Presence Of Perchlorate Salts: A Study For Possible Life On Mars, John Cale

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The Phoenix Lander collected soil samples from Mars, and it detected perchlorate salts in its analysis [1]. As oxidizing agents, perchlorates pose a threat to the hypothesis that there may be microbial life on Mars. Since Mars is very dry, perchlorate may continue to accumulate in the soil. If anaerobic methanogens inhabit Mars, then they must be able to grow in the presence of perchlorate salts. There were four species of methanogens tested in this project. The methanogens were first exposed to small concentrations of calcium perchlorate, and then they were gradually tested at higher concentrations. Growth was measured by …


Effects Of Mars Regolith Analogs, Uvc Radiation, Temperature, Pressure, And Ph On The Growth And Survivability Of Methanogenic Archaea And Stable Carbon Isotope Fractionation: Implications For Surface And Subsurface Life On Mars, Navita Sinha Dec 2016

Effects Of Mars Regolith Analogs, Uvc Radiation, Temperature, Pressure, And Ph On The Growth And Survivability Of Methanogenic Archaea And Stable Carbon Isotope Fractionation: Implications For Surface And Subsurface Life On Mars, Navita Sinha

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Mars is one of the suitable bodies in our solar system that can accommodate extraterrestrial life. The detection of plumes of methane in the Martian atmosphere, geochemical evidence, indication of flow of intermittent liquid water on the Martian surface, and geomorphologies of Mars have bolstered the plausibility of finding extant or evidence of extinct life on its surface and/or subsurface. However, contemporary Mars has been considered as an inhospitable planet for several reasons, such as low atmospheric surface pressure, low surface temperature, and intense DNA damaging radiation. Despite the hostile conditions of Mars, a few strains of methanogenic archaea have …


Development Of A Pluto Chamber For Surface Simulations, Zachary Michael Mcmahon Dec 2016

Development Of A Pluto Chamber For Surface Simulations, Zachary Michael Mcmahon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In light of the exciting new discoveries being made by the New Horizons team, more data on Pluto is available than ever before. However, with the increase in recovered data, there is now a need for laboratory data to interpret it. Laboratory simulation of these conditions and subsequent testing of materials and samples therein is now possible and necessary to understand what has been observed. To do these simulations, a vessel that can achieve low temperatures and high vacuum is required. The scope of this work presented here was to design, build, and test a chamber that could perform these …


Book Review: The International Atlas Of Mars Exploration: From Spirit To Curiosity: V.2: 2004 To 2014, T. D. Oswalt Oct 2016

Book Review: The International Atlas Of Mars Exploration: From Spirit To Curiosity: V.2: 2004 To 2014, T. D. Oswalt

Publications

This document is Dr. Oswalt’s review of The International Atlas of Mars Exploration: from Spirit to Curiosity : V.2: 2004 to 2014 by Philip J. Stooke. 444p bibl index, 9781107030930 $145.00, 9781139344470 LC Call Number: 1000


Experimental Simulations Of Recurring Slope Lineae And Other Flow Formation Features On Mars, Julia Ann Heydenreich Aug 2016

Experimental Simulations Of Recurring Slope Lineae And Other Flow Formation Features On Mars, Julia Ann Heydenreich

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Various flow formation features from gullies to recurring slope lineae (RSL) have been identified across the martian surface. The formation of these geologic features are still being determined. Recently, several aspects of these flow features indicate that salt water flows in the subsurface during the warmer months when the ice melts. This paper explores the formation of these processes using laboratory experimental simulations. Experiments were conducted in a wooden flume under varying martian conditions of temperature, slope angle, regolith simulant and a liquid subsurface flow. By adjusting the flume at specific heights, several slopes were obtained to mimic the slopes …


Variability Of Mars' Seasonal North Polar Cap, Richard W. Schmude Jr. Jul 2016

Variability Of Mars' Seasonal North Polar Cap, Richard W. Schmude Jr.

Georgia Journal of Science

Mars’ seasonal north polar cap (hereafter sNPC) underwent year-to-year changes between 2008 and 2015 or Mars years 29–33. The writer monitored changes in the sNPC using images made with the MARCI camera onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Nine isolated bright spots corresponding to Korolev, Lomonosov, and Louth Craters, the albedo features Ierne, Olympia (or Lemuria), and Cecropia, and three unnamed features were examined. The following was concluded: 1) the sNPC underwent small year-to-year changes between 2008 and 2015 [MY = 29–33], 2) there are no years where all temporary frost features lasted longer than their mean lifespan, and 3) …


Back Half Of The Year, Ian R. Clarke Jul 2016

Back Half Of The Year, Ian R. Clarke

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Here we are in the back half of 2016, and the days are getting shorter. We have, as of today, lost 18 minutes since the solstice on June 20, and the speed of that change is quickening. You may wonder why it is that we have our hottest weather after our longest day is behind us. The simple answer is that it takes time for land and water masses to warm up. That’s the reason that Sept. 21 is likely to be a lot warmer than March 21, even though they have the same amount of daylight. [excerpt]


Living In The Milky Way, Ian R. Clarke Jun 2016

Living In The Milky Way, Ian R. Clarke

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

It’s finally here. Today, June 20 at 6:34 p.m., is the the summer solstice, also known as the first day of summer and, confusingly enough, midsummer’s eve. From a scientific perspective, it marks the moment the sun reaches its northernmost point in our sky. As a result of that position, it’s the shortest night and longest day if you live north of the equator. [excerpt]


The Dawn–Dusk Asymmetry Of Ion Density In The Dayside Magnetosheath And Its Annual Variability Measured By Themis, Andrew P. Dimmock, Tuija I. Pulkkinen, Adnane Osmane, Katariina Nykyri May 2016

The Dawn–Dusk Asymmetry Of Ion Density In The Dayside Magnetosheath And Its Annual Variability Measured By Themis, Andrew P. Dimmock, Tuija I. Pulkkinen, Adnane Osmane, Katariina Nykyri

Publications

The local and global plasma properties in the magnetosheath play a fundamental role in regulating solar wind–magnetosphere coupling processes. However, the magnetosheath is a complex region to characterise as it has been shown theoretically, observationally and through simulations that plasma properties are inhomogeneous, non-isotropic and asymmetric about the Sun-Earth line. To complicate matters, dawn–dusk asymmetries are sensitive to various changes in the upstream conditions on an array of timescales. The present paper focuses exclusively on dawn–dusk asymmetries, in particularly that of ion density. We present a statistical study using THEMIS data of the dawn–dusk asymmetry of ion density in the …


Investigating Mineral Stability Under Venus Conditions: A Focus On The Venus Radar Anomalies, Erika Kohler May 2016

Investigating Mineral Stability Under Venus Conditions: A Focus On The Venus Radar Anomalies, Erika Kohler

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Radar studies of the surface of Venus have identified regions with high radar reflectivity concentrated in the Venusian highlands: between 2.5 and 4.75 km above a planetary radius of 6051 km, though it varies with latitude. Previous research has proposed several theories on the source of these anomalies, including increased surface roughness, metallic materials with higher dielectric constants, or ferroelectric materials. Prior work suggests several processes that could be the origin of these anomalies, such as surface-atmospheric interactions or low lying clouds or fog. Alternatively, these anomalies could result from a semi-metallic compound trapped at the cooler conditions in the …


Understanding The Surface Induced Phosphorylation Of Prebiotic Molecules By Schreibersite, Danna Qasim Apr 2016

Understanding The Surface Induced Phosphorylation Of Prebiotic Molecules By Schreibersite, Danna Qasim

Master of Science in Chemical Sciences Theses

The study of the surface of a meteoritic mineral, schreibersite (Fe,Ni)3P, was investigated to provide insight into the role of the mineral’s surface in aqueous-phase phosphorylation reactions. The optimization of a custom-designed ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) apparatus and Fe2NiP (schreibersite) surface was performed to permit surface science analysis. The bare surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which showed some oxidation and segregation of phosphorous within the near-surface region. The interaction and/or reaction of water (H2O), methanol (CH3OH), formic acid …


Book Review: Moons Of The Solar System: From Giant Ganymede To Dainty Dactyl, T. D. Oswalt Apr 2016

Book Review: Moons Of The Solar System: From Giant Ganymede To Dainty Dactyl, T. D. Oswalt

Publications

This document is Dr. Oswalt’s review of Moons of the Solar System : from Giant Ganymede to Dainty Dactyl by James A. Hall, III. Springer 2015. 297p index afp, 9783319206356 $34.99, 9783319206363 $19.99


Mystery Of The Moon's Origin, Abubakr Hassan Jan 2016

Mystery Of The Moon's Origin, Abubakr Hassan

UNF Undergraduate Capstone Projects and Honors Theses

The dominant theory of the moon’s origin is the Giant Impact Hypothesis, which states that the moon formed when a Mars-sized object - named Theia - impacted the proto-Earth early in the solar system’s formation, with the resulting material contributing to the formation of the Moon. Using models of planetary development and the solar system’s formation, we attempt to answer where the impactor - Theia - might have originated from. We conclude that the Asteroid belt is a likely location for Theia’s formation, and we find that the parameters associated with this point of origin may help advance other models …


Data From: How Uncertainty In The Neutral Wind Limits The Accuracy Of Ionospheric Modeling And Forecasting, Michael David, Jan Sojka, Robert W. Schunk Jan 2016

Data From: How Uncertainty In The Neutral Wind Limits The Accuracy Of Ionospheric Modeling And Forecasting, Michael David, Jan Sojka, Robert W. Schunk

Browse all Datasets

Output files from runs of the TDIM ionospheric model used for the figures and calculations in the article in JGR Space Physics.


The Encyclopedia Of Neutrosophic Researchers - Vol. 1, Florentin Smarandache Jan 2016

The Encyclopedia Of Neutrosophic Researchers - Vol. 1, Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

This is the first volume of the Encyclopedia of Neutrosophic Researchers, edited from materials offered by the authors who responded to the editor’s invitation. The authors are listed alphabetically. The introduction contains a short history of neutrosophics, together with links to the main papers and books. Neutrosophic set, neutrosophic logic, neutrosophic probability, neutrosophic statistics, neutrosophic measure, neutrosophic precalculus, neutrosophic calculus and so on are gaining significant attention in solving many real life problems that involve uncertainty, impreciseness, vagueness, incompleteness, inconsistent, and indeterminacy. In the past years the fields of neutrosophics have been extended and applied in various fields, such as: …


Investigation Of Lunar Subsurface Cavities Using Thermal Inertia And Temperature Maximum To Minimum Ratios, Rachel Ann Slank Jan 2016

Investigation Of Lunar Subsurface Cavities Using Thermal Inertia And Temperature Maximum To Minimum Ratios, Rachel Ann Slank

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Previous studies have revealed a small number of subsurface cavities, including lava tubes, as well as skylights, lava flow pits, and impact melt pits on the Moon. The interiors of subsurface cavities would have been protected from micrometeorite bombardment, solar radiation, space weathering, and extreme diurnal temperature swings over long periods of geologic time. As a result, subsurface cavities can provide access to pristine crustal samples and stratigraphy. These cavities may also harbor important volatiles, such as water ice, that would enable future exploration missions by relieving many operational constraints, including the supply of propellants and life support. In addition, …


Rapid Orbit Refinement Of Potential Near-Earth Objects And Recovery Of Nearly Lost Asteroids, Austin Lantz Caughey Jan 2016

Rapid Orbit Refinement Of Potential Near-Earth Objects And Recovery Of Nearly Lost Asteroids, Austin Lantz Caughey

Theses and Dissertations

The Minor Planet Center alerts researchers about potential discoveries of new Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) on their NEO Confirmation Page (NEOCP). Most of these are indeed previously unstudied objects, which must be studied very promptly while initial predictions of their motions are still accurate. My thesis project has focused on the observation of these bodies, and the submission of their measured positions to the MPC within a few hours of observation. Data has been obtained using the Skynet Robotic Telescope Network, including the R-COP telescope in Perth, Australia; the PROMPT 3 telescope in La Serena, Chile; and Yerkes Observatory in Williams …