Galactic water vapor emission: further observations of variability

Recent observations of the 1.35-centimeter line emission of water vapor from galactic sources show short-term variability in the spectra of several sources. Two additional sources, Cygnus 1 and NGC 6334N, have been observed, and the spectra of W49 and VY Canis Majoris were measured over a wider range of radial velocity.     

Venus: further evidence of impact cratering and tectonic activity from radar observations

Earth-based radar images at a resolution of 10 kilometers show a diverse surface terrain on Venus, probably produced by both impact events and tectonic activity. Only a small number of craters of apparent impact origin are seen. Large-scale features show lineaments and parallel ridges suggesting tectonic origins.     

Aerosol and climate: some further considerations

Approximate numerical radiative calculations show that whether added aerosol causes heating or cooling of the earth-atmosphere system is a function not only of its intrinsic absorption-backscatter characteristics but also of its particular location in the atmosphere with respect to the average cloud as well as of both the cloud reflectivity and the underlying surface reflectivity.     

Montmorillonite: electron-optical observations

Fine-grained micas are consistent impurities in Camp-Berteaux (Morocco) and Wyoming montmorillonities. These micas give selected-area electron diffraction spot patterns with triclinic, monoclinic, and hexagonal symmetries similar tO those reported previously for monmorillonites. Camp-Berteaux montmorillonite appears as folded and flexible polycrystalline aggregates with pronounced texturing along the [02],[11], and[1ī] directions. Wyoming montmorillonite displays better crystallinity and larger crystallite size, and its structure is no longer truly "turbostratic".     

Venus: further evidence of vortex circulation

A space-time composite of polar stereographic ultraviolet images of Venus from Mariner 10 shows a remarkable circumpolar vortex. The vortex is characterized by a cloud which appears similar to dense terrestrial stratus having an albedo that is 50 percent higher. Spiral streaks converge into it from low latitudes, akin to the spiral bands of a hurricane. The bright visible polar cloud is not axisymmetric but has roughly an elliptical shape. The high brightness of the polar cloud suggests that it has a different origin from the rest of the Venus cloud cover.     

Viking magnetic properties investigation: further results

The amounts of magnetic particles held on the reference test chart and backhoe magnets on lander 2 and lander 1 are comparable, indicating the presence of an estimated 3 to 7 percent by weight of relatively pure, strongly magnetic particles in the soil at the lander 2 sampling site. Preliminary spectrophotometric analysis of the material held on the backhoe magnets on lander 1 indicates that its reflectance characteristics are indistinguishable from material within a sampling trench with which it has been compared. The material on the RTC magnet shows a different spectrum, but it is suspected that the difference is the result of a reflectance contribution from the magnesium metal covering on the magnet. It is argued that the results indicate the presence, now or originally, of magnetite, which may be titaniferous.     

Methylotrophic bacteria: biochemical diversity and genetics

Bacteria that are able to use methane as a sole carbon and energy source also carry out a broad range of biotransformations, some of which have industrial and environmental significance. Genetic studies on methylotrophs, including the use of recombinant DNA techniques, show promise for the isolation and cloning of genes coding for specific functions.     

Acquired factor 8 antibodies: further immunologic and electrophoretic studies

Seven new cases of acquired inhibitors of Factor VIII have been typed immunologically as (gamma2kappa2) antibodies. Electrophoretic mobility on starch block of a combined group of 13 such antibodies is considerably more rapid than that of the bulk of immunoglobulin G.