Airglow and star photographs in the daytime from a rocket

Photographs of the constellation Cygnus taken in the daytime from altitudes above 100 kilometers indicate that the day sky brightness in the wave-length region from 3600 to 7000 angstroms is only slightly brighter than the night sky viewed from the ground. No diffuse cloud of particles was apparent in the vicinity of the rocket payload, but discrete particles must be considered in the design of instruments for rockets and satellites. The resultant data and reports of star sightings from manned spacecraft indicate similar optical environments for both types of vehicles, that is, discrete particles and relatively low levels of background brightness, only slightly brighter than the night sky as an upper limit.     

Orientation of Migratory Restlessness in the White-Crowned Sparrow

Individuals of two migratory races of white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) caged under an open sky showed a pronounced orientation in their night restlessness during normal periods of migration for the species. In August and September 1958 most birds showed a southerly orientation at night; daytime activity was random to somewhat northerly. In April and May 1959 most birds showed a strong northerly orientation at night; daytime activity was random to somewhat southerly (1).     

Effects of the Large June 1975 Meteoroid Storm on Earth's Ionosphere

The June 1975 meteoroid storm detected on the moon by the Apollo seismometers was the largest ever observed. Reexamination of radio data taken at that time showed that the storm also produced pronounced disturbances on Earth, which were recorded as unique phase anomalies on very low frequency (VLF) radio propagation paths in the low terrestrial ionosphere. Persistent effects were observed for the major storm period (20 to 30 June 1975), including reductions in the diurnal phase variation, advances in the nighttime and daytime phase levels, and reductions in the sunset phase delay rate. Large nighttime phase advances, lasting a few hours, were detected on some days at all VLF transmissions, and for the shorter propagation path they were comparable to solar Lyman alpha daytime ionization. Ion production rates attributable to the meteor storm were estimated to be about 0.6 to 3.0 ions per centimeter cubed per second at the E and D regions, respectively. The storm was a sporadic one with a radiant (that is, the point of apparent origin in the sky) located in the Southern Hemisphere, with a right ascension 1 to 2 hours larger than the sun's right ascension.     

Roadrunners: activity of captive individuals

Two roadrunners, Geococcyx californianus, readily accepted an activity wheel as an outlet for locomotor activity. The birds were strictly diurnal and tended to be most active per unit of time in the predusk hours. There was less activity on partly overcast days than on clear days. Dim light and darkness were strongly inhibitory, even during daytime hours; bright light was stimulatory, even during nighttime hours. These findings appear to open the way for quantitative comparative studies of the influences of environmental factors on the activity of cursorial birds.     

云南古茶园与常规茶园小气候特征比较研究

对单一种植的常规茶园和天然林下的古茶园茶叶萌芽期小气候观测资料的对比分析表明：古茶园由于有高大树木的遮蔽，减弱了阳光的直接照射，其冠顶光照强度远小于常规茶园和旷地；并且造成古茶园昼间的树冠附近热力效应呈现负值，降低了茶树近旁气温；而夜间的热力效应呈现正值，起到保持茶树近旁的气温的作用．常规茶园由于没有其他树木的遮蔽，其光照强度与旷地接近，导致白天茶树近旁气温高于旷地，而夜间低于旷地，显示了不同种植方法对茶树近旁气温的影响是十分显著的．水汽压常规茶园昼问高于古茶园，而夜晚低于古茶园；相对湿度则是昼间常规茶园低于古茶园，夜晚高于古茶园．由此可知，古茶园光照较弱、昼间平均气温低、夜间平均气温高，日较差较小，湿度适中，适合于茶树生长，有利于茶树体内物质的形成和积累，导致茶叶品质的提高，乃是古茶园能够长期维持较好品质的原因之一．     

Mercury's Rotation Period: Photographic Confirmation

Photographic measures of surface features on Mercury have led to a rotation period of 58.663 +/- 0.021 days, which is in good agreement with the 58.646-day period required by a predicted 2:3 resonance between the axial and orbital periods. The incorrect interpretation of earlier visual and photographic observations which supported an 88-day rotation period appears to be partially explained by peculiar characteristics associated with the observability of various hermo-graphic longitudes. The apparent contrast of most of the recorded surface features is marginal for visual observation when viewed through the terrestrial daytime sky. The intrinsic contrast of a relatively conspicuous feature was measured as 0.20, a value lower than that of typical markings observed on the moon and Mars.     

LAI-2000冠层分析仪在不同植物群体光分布特征研究中的应用

【目的】寻求快速准确确定各种农林植物冠层透光率及其随时间变化规律的方法，以及通过冠层分析确定农林植物冠层消光系数的方法。【方法】应用LAI-2000冠层分析仪和LI-1400数据采集器连接LI-190、LI-191传感器，测定了高秆作物（玉米）、矮秆作物（大豆）和林木群体（楸树、白蜡、栾树苗圃幼林冠层）的LAI、叶倾角、冠层开度及群体透光率。【结果】（1）LAI-2000测得的冠层开度，与全天群体透光率相关非常密切。相关系数达0.9308，回归直线的截距为0.015，接近于0，斜率为1.0668，接近于1。所以，完全可以使用冠层开度估计透光率。阴天比晴天估计效果更好。（2）用实测的LAI和群体透光率，准确计算出了农林植物群体的消光系数。消光系数有明显的日变化，玉米冠层一日中出现两个极大值，中午最低。【结论】LAI-2000冠层分析仪能给出群体内不同天顶角方向的天空开度，能更详细地表达植物群体结构特征；群体内某一点的冠层开度与该点的冠层透光率在数值上几乎相等，所以冠层内透光率测定不再需要冠层上下同时测光计算，而直接由测冠层开度得到；LAI-2000无损测定冠层LAI，可用于计算群体消光系数，文中所计算的消光系数，处在文献报道的正常范围。     

Nitrogen dioxide in the stratosphere and troposphere measured by ground-based absorption spectroscopy

The NO(2) abundance in the stratosphere has been determined from ground-based spectra of the rising and setting sun and moon and of the twilight sky near 4500 angstroms. The spectra were taken at the Fritz Peak Observatory, at an altitude of 3 kilometers in the Colorado mountains. Separation of the stratospheric contribution requires observations at a relatively unpolluted site; direct measurement of the tropospheric absorption in the Colorado mountains often yields an upper limit on the tropospheric mixing ratio of 0.1 part per billion. The stratospheric NO(2) abundance is two to three times greater at night than during the day and increases significantly during the course of a sunlit day; these changes are related to photolytic decomposition of NO(2) and N(2)O(5) in the daytime stratosphere. Absorption by NO(3) was sought but not found; the results set an upper limit of 2 percent on the nighttime abundance ratio of NO(3) to NO(2) in the stratosphere.     

Appearance of vegetation in ultraviolet light: absorbing flowers, reflecting backgrounds

Flowers that uniformly absorb ultraviolet light may contrast strikingly with a bright ultraviolet-reflecting background, such as densely hairy or glaucous foliage, white soils, or the sky. Shadows will not resemble these flowers if the appearance of each in visible light is also considered. Examples are shown from Mexican heliotropiums and Michigan dune plants.     

Optical environment in gemini space flights

The optical environment of spacecraft is discussed in terms of sky luminance, spacecraft corona, spacecraft scattered light, and glare sources. Rocket data show that sky luminance is not normally a significant factor; that spacecraft corona may be important at times; and that scattering from spacecraft protrusions and glare sources may be very significant. The range of effects for the scattered light sources is very broad and will depend on spacecraft geometry. An alternative approach in terms of primary sources is used to emphasize the overriding importance of sunlight scattered directly or indirectly.     

Oceili: a celestial compass in the desert ant cataglyphis

In addition to multifaceted lateral compound eyes, most insects possess three frontal eyes called ocelli. Each ocellus has a single lens, as does the vertebrate eye. The ocelli of some flying insects, locusts and dragonflies, have been shown to function as horizon detectors involved in the visual stabilization of course. In a walking insect, the desert ant Cataglyphis, it is now shown that the ocelli can read compass information from the blue sky. When the ant's compound eyes are occluded and both sun and landmarks are obscured, the ocelli, using the pattern of polarized light in the sky as a compass cue, help in guiding the ant back home.     

湖北省太阳能资源时空分布特征及区划研究

利用武汉、宜昌等7个站点1961~2004年逐年、逐月太阳总辐射与日照百分率资料,采用最小二乘法确定湖北省太阳总辐射计算公式参数,推算出广大无辐射观测地区的逐年、逐月太阳总辐射;结合日照时数、晴天日数、阴天日数等指标,对湖北省太阳能资源的时空分布特征及气候变化趋势进行了分析;以全国太阳能资源区划为基础,制定了湖北省太阳能资源区划指标,开展了湖北省太阳能区划工作。结果表明:湖北太阳能资源北多南少,同纬度相比,平原多,山区少;太阳能资源夏季最丰富,尤其是8月,总辐射、日照时数、晴天日数均为全年最高,湖北东部秋季大气层结稳定,太阳能资源仅次于夏季;冬季虽然晴天较多,但由于太阳直射南半球,夜长昼短,总辐射全年最低。将全省太阳能资源分为3个区,鄂东北7~12月每月有近一半或以上的晴天,为1级可利用区,也是湖北太阳能资源最佳区域;江汉平原、鄂东南、鄂北岗地部分地区等地为2级可利用区,是光电与光生物质能综合利用的最佳区域;鄂西南、长江河谷地区为太阳能贫乏区。     

干旱且无昼夜温差条件下玉米叶片Ψ_w、Ψ_s、Ψ_p和叶片伸长速度的变化

以盆栽玉米（掖单４号）幼苗为材料，在土壤缓慢干旱但无昼夜温差条件下，研究了叶片Ψｗ、Ψｓ、Ψｐ和叶片伸长速度的昼夜变化。结果表明干旱条件下，白天叶片伸长速度大于夜间叶片伸长速度；白天叶基部Ψｐ值高于夜间Ψｐ值；白天叶基部的高Ψｐ_值是Ψｓ值增加（即渗透调节作用）所致。Ψｐ值较高是白天叶片伸长速度较高的重要原因。     

晴空条件下光合有效辐射中散射辐射的测量模型

为了解决散射辐射地面测量中难以摆脱遮光装置的问题,本研究通过调整传统的直接测量方法,拟建立晴空条件下的散射辐射估算模型。具体方法是,选择晴朗无云的天气条件,在美国华盛顿州普罗瑟市郊无绿色植物覆盖的空旷场地上测试07:30—19:30(间隔15 min)的北向局部散射辐射数据(PAR_f-N)和总体散射辐射数据(PAR_f)。测试同时拍摄天空图像,并计算其灰度特征值(H)和颜色特征值(B)。结果分析表明:1)PAR_f-N与PAR_f之间呈指数函数关系,决定系数r²为0.768;2)天空图像的H值与PAR_f之间呈三次函数关系,r²为0.688;3)结合PAR_f-N、H和B值,及常见气象因素,构建多元线性回归模型,最优模型引入了7个变量,其校正和预测相关系数及校正和预测均方根误差分别为0.951、0.958和27.897、25.526。研究表明该估算模型可在较大程度上提高预测性能及其稳定性。     

Pineal beta-adrenergic receptor: diurnal variation in sensitivity

The responsiveness of the pineal beta-adrenergic receptor that regulates serotonin-N-acetyltransferase activity is nearly ten times greater at the end of the light period (0600 to 1800 hours) than at the end of the dark period (1800 to 0600 hours). These changes in sensitivity of the postsynaptic beta-adrenergic receptor are related to diurnal changes in the release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerves innervating the pineal. Supersensitivity of the receptor appears to result from decreased release of the neurotransmitter during daytime, and subsensitivity from increased release at night.     

Direct Radiometric Observations of the Water Vapor Greenhouse Effect Over the Equatorial Pacific Ocean

Airborne radiometric measurements were used to determine tropospheric profiles of the clear sky greenhouse effect. At sea surface temperatures (SSTs) larger than 300 kelvin, the clear sky water vapor greenhouse effect was found to increase with SST at a rate of 13 to 15 watts per square meter per kelvin. Satellite measurements of infrared radiances and SSTs indicate that almost 52 percent of the tropical oceans between 20°N and 20°S are affected during all seasons. Current general circulation models suggest that the increase in the clear sky water vapor greenhouse effect with SST may have climatic effects on a planetary scale.     

Polarized light cues underlie compass calibration in migratory songbirds

Migratory songbirds use the geomagnetic field, stars, the Sun, and polarized light patterns to determine their migratory direction. To prevent navigational errors, it is necessary to calibrate all of these compass systems to a common reference. We show that migratory Savannah sparrows use polarized light cues from the region of sky near the horizon to recalibrate the magnetic compass at both sunrise and sunset. We suggest that skylight polarization patterns are used to derive an absolute (i.e., geographic) directional system that provides the primary calibration reference for all of the compasses of migratory songbirds.     

A bright millisecond radio burst of extragalactic origin

Pulsar surveys offer a rare opportunity to monitor the radio sky for impulsive burst-like events with millisecond durations. We analyzed archival survey data and found a 30-jansky dispersed burst, less than 5 milliseconds in duration, located 3 degrees from the Small Magellanic Cloud. The burst properties argue against a physical association with our Galaxy or the Small Magellanic Cloud. Current models for the free electron content in the universe imply that the burst is less than 1 gigaparsec distant. No further bursts were seen in 90 hours of additional observations, which implies that it was a singular event such as a supernova or coalescence of relativistic objects. Hundreds of similar events could occur every day and, if detected, could serve as cosmological probes.     

不同光照条件下东北红豆杉幼苗光合特性日变化

为了解东北红豆杉的光适应特性以达到高效培育的目的,以5年生东北红豆杉幼苗为研究对象,研究3种光照条件下(全光照FL、60%全光照F1和30%全光照F2)东北红豆杉幼苗光合特性的日变化规律,明确其幼苗随光温变化的生理响应特点。结果显示:3组幼苗的净光合速率(Pn)均呈现双峰变化趋势,9:00时Pn的峰值显著高于15:00时的峰值,且F2条件下的Pn最高,F1次之,FL最低;显然增加光照强度后,幼苗的Pn受到了强光的抑制。气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)的日变化规律与Pn相似,呈现出明显的双峰趋势,F2条件下幼苗的Gs变化幅度要小于其他2组幼苗的Gs;上午F2条件下幼苗的Tr最高,下午FL条件下的Tr最高。胞间CO2浓度(Ci)呈现V型变化趋势,上午F2条件下幼苗的Ci最高,下午最低,且与FL条件下的幼苗差异显著。气孔限制值(Ls)的变化趋势与Ci完全相反。总体而言,幼苗增加光照强度后,在1 d内,从外观上幼苗生长状态正常,但净光合速率明显下降。      

不同补光位置下草莓光合特性、光能和电能利用效率研究

以草莓为试验材料,激光植物生长灯(光质组成红∶蓝=7∶1)为光源,研究了日光温室不同补光位置(顶端补光C1、水平补光C2、不补光CK)对其光合特性、光能利用效率和电能利用效率的影响。结果表明:①C1、C2与CK相比显著提高植株长势,C1处理下植株的根部发育更好。②通过阴天加密观测温室内各处理由北向南(I～V)植株叶片的光合特性发现,净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度和胞间CO_2浓度的南北差值均为CK最大,C2最小。③通过阴天下测量各处理植株10:00和14:00的叶片叶绿素荧光参数发现,F_v/F_m和F_v/F_o两个值均以C2最高,CK最低;非光化学淬灭以CK最大,C2最小。④各处理草莓果实光能利用效率在果实成熟过程中整体为先下降后上升然后再下降的趋势,在花后21 d达到最大;各处理电能利用效率变化趋势与光能利用效率相同,在花后14 d达到最大;生产单位质量草莓果实所需的光量子数以CK(4.905)最多,C1(3.171)最少;C1和C2生产单位质量草莓果实消耗的电能分别为8.207和8.507 kJ·g~(-1)。⑤C1和C2处理下草莓果实的单果重、产量、糖、酸及VC等指标均优于CK。