Discovering Exoplanets Through Hidden Markov Model Analysis,
2013
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Discovering Exoplanets Through Hidden Markov Model Analysis, Jon Drobny
Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Research Publications
The goal for the project is to develop a Hidden Markov Model for the detection and characterization of extrasolar planets through the analysis of light curves.
Nature And Degree Of Aqueous Alteration Of Outer Main Belt Asteroids And Cm And Ci Carbonaceous Chondrites,
2013
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Nature And Degree Of Aqueous Alteration Of Outer Main Belt Asteroids And Cm And Ci Carbonaceous Chondrites, Driss Takir
Doctoral Dissertations
CM (Mighei-like) and CI (Ivuna-like) carbonaceous chondrites are primitive meteorites that consist of some of the most pristine matter known in the Solar System. They are thought to be genetically related to outer Main Belt asteroids (C-, D-, G-, F-, T-, and B-types) that span the 2.5 < a < 4.0 AU region. They are also thought to be the source that might have delivered water and organics to terrestrial planets during their accretion. The goal of this dissertation is to develop reliable 3-µm [micron] spectral indicators that can place constraints on the degree and location of aqueous alteration in the outer Main Belt region, and on the nature of phyllosilicate mineralogy on the surface of these asteroids. To that end, we have undertaken combined petrologic, geochemical, and spectroscopic analyses of CM and CI chondrites and outer Main Belt asteroids. Using the SpeX spectrograph/imager at NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF), we measured near-infrared (NIR: 0.7-4.0 µm) spectra of 40 outer Main Belt asteroids that allowed the identification of four 3-µm spectral groups, each of which presumably reflects a distinct surface mineralogy. We also measured spectra of 9 CM chondrites (in addition to the CI chondrite Ivuna) in the laboratory under asteroid-like conditions. These measurements revealed three spectral groups of CM chondrites, all of which are distinct from the spectrum of Ivuna on the basis of the 3-μm band center and shape of spectra, showing that distinct parent body aqueous alteration environments experienced by different carbonaceous chondrites can be distinguished using reflectance spectroscopy. All CM and CI chondrites in the present study are found to be similar to the group of asteroids that are located in the 2.5 < a < 3.3 AU region and exhibit a sharp 3-µm feature, attributed to OH-stretching in hydrated minerals. However, no meteorite match was found for asteroids with a rounded 3-µm feature that are located farther from the Sun (3.0 < a < 4.0 AU), or for groups with distinctive spectra like 1 Ceres or 52 Europa.
Martian Dune Fields: Aeolian Activity, Morphology, Sediment Pathways, And Provenance,
2013
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Martian Dune Fields: Aeolian Activity, Morphology, Sediment Pathways, And Provenance, Matthew Chojnacki
Doctoral Dissertations
Wind has likely been the dominant geologic agent for most of Mars’ history. The wide-spread nature of sand dunes there shows that near-surface winds have commonly interacted with plentiful mobile sediments. Early studies of these dunes suggested minimal activity, dominantly unidirectional simple dune morphologies, and little variations in basaltic sand compositions. This dissertation examines martian sand dunes and aeolian systems, in terms of their activity, morphologies, thermophysical properties, sand compositions, geologic contexts, and source-lithologies using new higher-resolution orbital data. Although previous evidence for contemporary dune activity has been limited, results presented in Chapter II show substantial activity in Endeavour Crater, …
On Chlorine Salts: Their Detection, Stability And Implications For Water On Mars And Europa,
2013
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
On Chlorine Salts: Their Detection, Stability And Implications For Water On Mars And Europa, Jennifer Hanley
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Chlorine salts (e.g. chlorides, chlorates and perchlorates) are an important factor in the stability of water on the surfaces of planetary bodies. Here we have shown that perchlorate and chlorate salts will lower the freezing point of water, allowing it to be liquid down to ~204 K. These salts will also slow down the evaporation rate, extending the lifetime of the liquid water solution. Chlorine salts have been detected on Mars, which has significant implications for the stability of water and hence its habitability. To study their effects on the stability of water on planetary surfaces, we need to first …
Magnesium Isotopic Compositions Of The Moon And Achondrites: Implications For Their Origin And Evolution,
2013
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Magnesium Isotopic Compositions Of The Moon And Achondrites: Implications For Their Origin And Evolution, Fatemeh Sedaghatpour
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The main objectives of this thesis are to estimate Mg isotopic compositions of the Moon and achondrites, to understand the behavior of Mg isotopes during magmatic differentiation processes in different planetary bodies, and to evaluate the extent of Mg isotopic heterogeneity in the solar system. In order to achieve these goals, Mg isotopes have been measured for 47 well-characterized lunar samples and 22 differentiated meteorites by MC-ICPMS. The limited Mg isotopic variations among mare and highland regolith, mare breccias, and highland impact-melt rocks reflect negligible Mg isotope fractionation during lunar surface processes (e.g. solar wind, cosmic rays, micrometeorite bombardments, meteorite …
A Search For Volatile Ices On The Surfaces Of Cold Classical Kuiper Belt Objects,
2013
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
A Search For Volatile Ices On The Surfaces Of Cold Classical Kuiper Belt Objects, Daine Michael Wright
Masters Theses
The surprisingly complex dynamical distribution of small bodies among and beyond the orbits of the planets has changed our understanding of Solar System evolution and planetary migration. Compositional information about the small bodies in the Solar System provides constraints for models of Solar System formation. According to most models, the Kuiper Belt population known as the cold classicals formed at distances far enough from the Sun for these objects to be composed of an appreciable fraction of volatile ices of diverse composition (H2O, CO2, CH4, light hydrocarbons, e.g. CH3OH) and their orbits …
Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability Of The Cme Reconnection Outflow Layer In The Low Corona,
2013
University of Warwick
Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability Of The Cme Reconnection Outflow Layer In The Low Corona, Claire Foullon, Erwin Verwichte, Katariina Nykyri, Markus J. Aschwanden, Iain G. Hannah
Publications
New capabilities for studying the Sun allow us to image for the first time the magnetic Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instability developing at the surface of a fast coronal mass ejecta (CME) less than 150 Mm above the solar surface. We conduct a detailed observational investigation of this phenomenon, observed off the east solar limb on 2010 November 3, in the EUV with SDO/AIA. In conjunction with STEREO-B/EUVI, we derive the CME source surface position. We ascertain the timing and early evolution of the CME outflow leading to the instability onset. We perform image and spectral analysis, exploring the CME plasma structuring …
A Statistical Analysis Of Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (Emic) Waves And Their Correlation To The 11-Year Solar Cycle,
2013
University of New Hampshire - Main Campus
A Statistical Analysis Of Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (Emic) Waves And Their Correlation To The 11-Year Solar Cycle, Erik A. Lindgren
Honors Theses and Capstones
This thesis presents a statistical analysis of EMIC waves measured at Halley Research Station from 2008 through 2012. An introduction covering the origin of and theory behind EMIC waves is provided, along with a background covering previous statistical research regarding EMIC waves. Guidelines regarding EMIC wave definition and analysis are described along with examples of how they were used. The data shows an increase in the total number of EMIC waves as well as the number and percentage of EMIC waves with maximum frequency above 1 Hz during the 5-year period. The results suggest that the total number of EMIC …
Determination Of Average Loss Lifetimes For Near‐Earth Electrons In Solar Storms,
2013
Washington University in St Louis
Determination Of Average Loss Lifetimes For Near‐Earth Electrons In Solar Storms, John Blears
Undergraduate Theses—Unrestricted
The rate of electron wave‐particle scattering in the near‐Earth magnetosphere is investigated using multiple simulations of solar storms from solar cycle 23 (1996‐2005). Simulations are created using the Hot Electron and Ion Drift Integrator (HEIDI) model, which analyzes the drifts of keV‐energy electrons through the inner magnetosphere and identifies the precipitation of these particles into the upper atmosphere. The loss lifetime formulation used by HEIDI, which represents the rate at which the keV‐energy of the electrons is extinguished, predicts unreasonably large loss lifetimes deep in the inner magnetosphere. This discrepancy between the values used by the HEIDI model and those …
Mars Up Close: Scott Murchie's Team Of Scientists Helps Uncover The Secrets Of The Red Planet,
2013
Colby College
Mars Up Close: Scott Murchie's Team Of Scientists Helps Uncover The Secrets Of The Red Planet, Tom Nugent
Colby Magazine
Planetary geologist Scott Murchie ’81 leads a team that built and operates the high-tech camera now orbiting Mars and analyzes images used to help select landing sites for the Phoenix lander and the Mars Science Laboratory, scheduled for launch in 2009. Murchie’s work is groundbreaking—literally.
A Search For Exozodiacal Clouds With Kepler,
2013
Carnegie Institution of Washington
A Search For Exozodiacal Clouds With Kepler, Christopher C. Stark, Alan P. Boss, Alycia J. Weinberger, Brian K. Jackson, Michael Endl, William D. Cochran, Marshall Johnson, Caroline Caldwell, Eric Agol, Eric B. Ford, Jennifer R. Hall, Khadeejah A. Ibrahim, Jie Li
Brian Jackson
Planets embedded within dust disks may drive the formation of large scale clumpy dust structures by trapping dust into resonant orbits. Detection and subsequent modeling of the dust structures would help constrain the mass and orbit of the planet and the disk architecture, give clues to the history of the planetary system, and provide a statistical estimate of disk asymmetry for future exoEarth-imaging missions. Here, we present the first search for these resonant structures in the inner regions of planetary systems by analyzing the light curves of hot Jupiter planetary candidates identified by the Kepler mission. We detect only one …
A Multispectral Assessment Of Complex Impact Craters On The Lunar Farside,
2013
The University of Western Ontario
A Multispectral Assessment Of Complex Impact Craters On The Lunar Farside, Bhairavi Shankar
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Hypervelocity collisions of asteroids onto planetary bodies have catastrophic effects on the target rocks through the process of shock metamorphism. The resulting features, impact craters, are circular depressions with a sharp rim surrounded by an ejecta blanket of variably shocked rocks. With increasing impact energy, the inner crater cavity can preserve complex morphologies including terraced walls, central uplifts, and melted rocks. The lack of erosion due to the absence of water or an atmosphere makes the Moon the perfect target to study impact crater processes, in particular the distribution of highly shocked materials within impact craters of different sizes. …
Ensemble Forecasting Of Coronal Mass Ejections Using The Wsa-Enlil With Coned Model,
2013
Air Force Institute of Technology
Ensemble Forecasting Of Coronal Mass Ejections Using The Wsa-Enlil With Coned Model, D. Emmons, Ariel O. Acebal, A. Pulkkinen, A. Taktakishvili, Peter Macneice, D. Odstrcil
Faculty Publications
The combination of the Wang‐Sheeley‐Arge (WSA) coronal model, ENLIL heliospherical model version 2.7, and CONED Model version 1.3 (WSA‐ENLIL with CONED Model) was employed to form ensemble forecasts for 15 halo coronal mass ejections (halo CMEs). The input parameter distributions were formed from 100 sets of CME cone parameters derived from the CONED Model. The CONED Model used image processing along with the bootstrap approach to automatically calculate cone parameter distributions from SOHO/LASCO imagery based on techniques described by Pulkkinen et al. (2010). The input parameter distributions were used as input to WSA‐ENLIL to calculate the temporal evolution of the …
Book Review: Weird Worlds: Bizarre Bodies Of The Solar System And Beyond,
2013
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Book Review: Weird Worlds: Bizarre Bodies Of The Solar System And Beyond, T. D. Oswalt
Publications
This document is Dr. Oswalt’s review of Weird Worlds : Bizarre Bodies of the Solar System and Beyond by David A. J. Seargent. Springer, 2013 309p, 1461470633 $34.95, 9781461470632 $34.95.
Unsolved Problems In Special And General Relativity,
2013
University of New Mexico
Unsolved Problems In Special And General Relativity, Florentin Smarandache, Fu Yuhua, Zhao Fengjuan
Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications
This book includes 21 papers written by 23 authors and co-authors. All papers included herein are produced by scholars from People’s Republic of China, except two papers written by Prof. L. Sapogin, V. A. Dzhanibekov, Yu. A. Ryabov from Russia, and by Prof. Florentin Smarandache from USA. The editors hope that all these papers will contribute to the advance of scholarly research on several aspects of Special and General Relativity. This book is suitable for students and scholars interested in studies on physics. The first paper is written by Hua Di. He writes that Einstein’s general theory of relativity cannot …
Penetration Forces For Subsurface Regolith Probes,
2012
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Penetration Forces For Subsurface Regolith Probes, Ahmed Elshafie
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Investigating planetary bodies using penetrometers can provide detailed information about its history and evolution. An estimation of subsurface density and porosity can be made from the shape of the penetration curve. Using penetrometers mounted on planetary platforms could be challenging due to the uncertainty of the subsurface composition and since the maximum allowed force for penetration is the weight of the lander or rover on the surface. Estimation of penetration forces can provide a reliable constraint on the maximum reachable depth without endangering the whole mission. Therefore, knowledge of the required penetration force to specific depths can be helpful in …
Exploring The Surface Liquid And Lake Regions Of Titan With Laboratory Experimentation And Cassini Spacecraft Data,
2012
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Exploring The Surface Liquid And Lake Regions Of Titan With Laboratory Experimentation And Cassini Spacecraft Data, Felix Casimir Wasiak
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The surface liquids and lake regions of Titan are studied utilizing three unique techniques, the results of which are reported in this dissertation. The development of a facility to simulate the surface conditions of Titan, and to conduct experiments on samples within that facility, brings an understanding of Titan's surface not possible through observation and modeling alone. The properties of this facility are presented, including conceptual methodology, design, implementation, performance, and experimental results. The facility, the main component of which is a simulation chamber, allows for Titan temperatures of 90 - 94 K and a 1.5 bar N2 atmosphere. The …
Abrupt Longitudinal Magnetic Field Changes And Ultraviolet Emissions Accompanying Solar Flares,
2012
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Abrupt Longitudinal Magnetic Field Changes And Ultraviolet Emissions Accompanying Solar Flares, B. M. Johnstone, G. J.D. Petrie, Jeffrey J. Sudol
Physics & Engineering Faculty Publications
No abstract provided.
Trajectories And Distribution Of Interstellar Dust Grains In The Heliosphere,
2012
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Trajectories And Distribution Of Interstellar Dust Grains In The Heliosphere, Jonathan D. Slavin, Priscilla C. Frisch, Hans-Reinhard Müller, Jacob Heerikhuisen
Dartmouth Scholarship
The solar wind carves a bubble in the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM) known as the heliosphere. Charged interstellar dust grains (ISDG) encountering the heliosphere may be diverted around the heliopause or penetrate it depending on their charge-to-mass ratio. We present new calculations of trajectories of ISDG in the heliosphere, and the dust density distributions that result. We include up-to-date grain charging calculations using a realistic UV radiation field and full three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic fluid + kinetic models for the heliosphere. Models with two different (constant) polarities for the solar wind magnetic field (SWMF) are used, with the grain trajectory calculations done …
Development And Test Of A Vlf-Receiver For Monitoring Solar Flares,
2012
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Development And Test Of A Vlf-Receiver For Monitoring Solar Flares, Liz Klar, Chris Phillips, Akito D. Kawamura, Eric Zirnstein
Von Braun Symposium Student Posters
No abstract provided.
