Search results for "Universe"

Evaluation of observed and modelled aerosol lifetimes using radioactive tracers of opportunity and an ensemble of 19 global models

2015

Abstract. Aerosols have important impacts on air quality and climate, but the processes affecting their removal from the atmosphere are not fully understood and are poorly constrained by observations. This makes modelled aerosol lifetimes uncertain. In this study, we make use of an observational constraint on aerosol lifetimes provided by radionuclide measurements and investigate the causes of differences within a set of global models. During the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant accident of March 2011, the radioactive isotopes cesium-137 (137Cs) and xenon-133 (133Xe) were released in large quantities. Cesium attached to particles in the ambient air, approximately according to their av…

Convective hydration in the tropical tropopause layer during the StratoClim aircraft campaign: pathway of an observed hydration patch

2018

The source and pathway of the hydration patch in the TTL (tropical tropopause layer) that was measured during the Stratospheric and upper tropospheric processes for better climate predictions (StratoClim) field campaign during the Asian summer monsoon in 2017 and its connection to convective overshoots are investigated. During flight no. 7, two remarkable layers are measured in the TTL, namely (1) the moist layer (ML) with a water vapour content of 4.8–5.7 ppmv in altitudes of 18–19 km in the lower stratosphere and (2) the ice layer (IL) with ice content up to 1.9 eq. ppmv (equivalent parts per million by volume) in altitudes of 17–18 km in the upper tropo…

Précipitations à Madagascar, Mayotte, la Réunion et les Îles Éparses durant la saison des pluies (1971-1999) : rôle et contribution des talwegs tropi…

2014

7 pages; International audience; Cette étude, sur la base d’un jeu de données pluviométriques original, recherche les mécanismes à l’origine de lavariabilité spatiotemporelle des précipitations journalières observées sur Madagascar, Mayotte, La Réunion et les îlesÉparses. L’étude se concentre sur le début et le coeur de l’été austral de 1971 à 1999. Un focus sur la contribution desTalwegs Tropicaux-Tempérés (TTT) est réalisé. Dans une première partie, une classification sur les séries de précipitationsde vingt-neuf stations a mis en évidence six types de jours et de mécanismes associés. La classe sèche est associée à desanomalies cycloniques, deux des cinq classes dont associées à des TTT, …

Towards a rapidly rotating liquid sodium dynamo experiment

2002

The main characteristics of the Earth's dynamo are reviewed. The combined actions of Coriolisand Lorentz forces lead to the so--called ``magnetostrophic'' regime. We derive an estimate of the power needed to sustain the magnetic field in this regime. We show that an experimentwith liquid sodium can be designed to operate in the magnetostrophic regime. Such an experiment would bring most valuable informations on the mechanisms of planetary dynamos. In order toprepare this large--scale experiment and explore the magnetostrophic balance, a smaller scale liquid sodium set--up has been designed and is being built. It consists of a rapidly rotating spherical shell filled with liquid sodium, in wh…

The Detailed Science Case for the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer, 2019 edition

2019

(Abridged) The Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) is an end-to-end science platform for the design, execution and scientific exploitation of spectroscopic surveys. It will unveil the composition and dynamics of the faint Universe and impact nearly every field of astrophysics across all spatial scales, from individual stars to the largest scale structures in the Universe. Major pillars in the science program for MSE include (i) the ultimate Gaia follow-up facility for understanding the chemistry and dynamics of the distant Milky Way, including the outer disk and faint stellar halo at high spectral resolution (ii) galaxy formation and evolution at cosmic noon, via the type of revolutionary…

ESPRESSO highlights the binary nature of the ultra-metal-poor giant HE 0107-5240

2020

Context. The vast majority of the known stars of ultra low metallicity ([Fe=H] >-4:5) are known to be enhanced in carbon, and belong to the 'low-carbon band' (A(C) = log(C=H) + 12 7:6). It is generally, although not universally, accepted that this peculiar chemical composition reflects the chemical composition of the gas cloud out of which these stars were formed. The first ultra-metalpoor star discovered, HE 0107-5240, is also enhanced in carbon and belongs to the 'low-carbon band'. It has recently been claimed to be a long-period binary, based on radial velocity measurements. It has also been claimed that this binarity may explain its peculiar composition as being due to mass transfer fro…

EXO-PLANETARY HIGH-TEMPERATURE HYDROCARBONS BY EMISSION AND ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY (e-PYTHEAS PROJECT)

2019

International audience; e-PYTHEAS is a multidisciplinary project which combines theoretical and experimental work with exoplanet modelling applications. It sits on the frontier between molecular physics, theoretical chemistry and astrophysics. It aims at enhancing our understanding of the radiative properties of hot gaseous media to allow for improved analysis and interpretation of the large mass of data available on the thousands of exoplanets and exoplanetary systems known to date. Our approach is to use theoretical research validated by laboratory experiments and to then inject it into models of the atmospheres of the giant gaseous planets in the solar system and other planetary systems.…

Biotic control of atrazine degradation in soils: functional diversity of degradation and macrofauna effects.

2006

communication oraleFR2116communication orale

Chapter 7 Biogeographic patterns of fish

2014

Migrations et changements climatiques : l’histoire évolutive des lemmings.

2019

6 pages; National audience