G. P. Kuiper

Water vapor in the atmosphere of Venus

Abstract Infrared spectra of Venus produced by a Fourier spectrometer flown aboard the NASA CV 990 jet aircraft were analyzed for water-vapor content by comparison with calculated model spectra. The reflecting layer model gave an abundance of 1.6 ± 0.4 μ of precipitable water for the two-way transmission of the Venus atmosphere. The scattering model resulted in a value of 0.25 ± 0.10 μ of water per scattering mean free path. Neither is regarded as a definitive model, but derived mixing ratios will not be significantly in error. An abundance of CO2 using an number of bands in our region was determined for both models. The volume mixing ratios of H2O to CO2 obtained were 0.6 × 10−6 and 1.0 × 10−6 for the reflecting layer and scattering model, respectively.

Surveyor v: discussion of chemical analysis.

Material of basaltic composition at the Surveyor V landing site implies that differentiation has occurred in the moon, probably due to internal sources of heat. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that extensive volcanic flows have been responsible for flooding and filling the mare basins. The processes and products of lunar magmatic activity are apparently similar to those of the earth.

On the origin of the solar system, I

The principal dynamical properties of the planetary and satellite systems listed in Section 2 require these bodies to have condensed in highly-flattened nebulae which provided the dissipation forces that produced the common directions of orbital motion, and the lowe andi values. Minimum masses of these nebulae can be estimated on the assumption that the initial solar abundances apply, starting from the empirical data on present planetary and satellite compositions and masses.The asteroids and comets are assumed to be direct condensations and accretion products in their respective zones (2–4 AU and 20–50 AU), without the benefit of gravitational instability in the solar nebula, owing to the comparatively low density there; with gravitational instability accelerating and ultimately dominating the accretion of the planets and major satellites, in zones approaching and exceeding the local Roche density. Only in the case of Jupiter, gravitational instability appears to have dominated from the outset; the other planets are regarded as hybrid structures, having started from limited accretions.In Section 3 the empirical information on protostars is reviewed. ‘Globules’ are described, found to have the typical range of stellar masses and with gaseous compositions now well known thanks largely to radio astronomy. They contain also particulate matter identified as silicates, ice, and probably graphite and other carbon compounds. The measured internal velocities would predict a spread of total angular momenta compatible with the known distribution of semi-major axes in double stars. The planetary system is regarded as an ‘unsuccessful’ binary star, in which the secondary mass formed a nebula instead of a single stellar companion, with 1–2% of the solar mass. This mass fraction gives a basis for an estimate of thefrequency of planetary systems. The later phases of the globules are not well known empirically for the smaller masses of solar type; while available theoretical predictions are mostly made for non-rotating pre-stellar masses.Section 5 reviews current knowledge of the degree of stability of the planetary orbits over the past 4.5×109 yr, preparatory to estimates of their original locations and modes of origin. The results of the Brouwer and Van Woerkom theory and of recent numerical integrations by Cohenet al. indicate no drastic changes in Δa/a over the entire post-formation history of the planets. Unpublished numerical integrations by Dr P. E. Nacozy show the remarkable stability of the Jupiter-Saturn system as long as the planetary masses are well below 29 times their actual values. Numerical values of Δa/a are collected for all planets. The near resonances found for both pairs of planets and of satellites are briefly reviewed.Section 6 cites the statistics on the frequency and masses of asteroids and information on the Kirkwood gaps, both empirical and theoretical. An analogous discussion is made for the Rings of Saturn, including its extension observed in 1966 to the fourth Saturn satellite, Dione. The reality, or lack of it, of the divisions in the Rings are considered. The numbers of Trojan asteroids are reviewed, as is the curious, yet unexplained, bimodal distribution of their orbital inclinations. Important information comes from the periods of rotation of the asteroids and the orientation of their rotational axes.The major Hirayama families are considered as remnants of original asteroid clusterings whose membership has suffered decreases through planetary perturbations. Other families with fewer large members may be due to collisions. The three main classes of meteorites, irons, stones, and carbonaceous chondrites all appear to be of asteroidal origin and they yield the most direct evidence on the early thermal history of the solar system. While opinion on this subject is still divided, the author sees in the evidence definite confirmation of thecold origin of the planetary system, followed by ahot phase due to the evolving sun that caused the dissolution of the solar nebula. This massive outward ejection, that included the smaller planetesimals, appears to have caused the surface melting of the asteroids by intense impact, with the splashing responsible for the formation of the chondrules. The deep interiors of the asteroids are presumably similar to the C1 meteorites which have recently been found to be more numerous in space by two orders of magnitude than previously supposed.

ON THE ORIGIN OF BINARY STARS

Until rather recently1 it was commonly believed that spectroscopic binary stars had formed by fission from stellar parents ; and that the visual binaries had formed from independent condensations. In a previous paper2 1 pointed out that this view was almost certainly incorrect and that a single mechanism, i.e., independent condensation, must be held responsible for the origin of all binaries. The reasons for this conclusion were partly empirical and partly theoretical :

Imaging of Mercury and Venus from a flyby

Abstract This paper describes the results of study of an imaging experiment planned for the 1973 Mariner Venus/Mercury flyby mission. Scientific objectives, mission constraints, analysis of alternative systems, and the rationale for final choice are presented. Severe financial constraints ruled out the best technical alternative for flyby imaging, a film/readout system, or even significant re-design of previous Mariner vidicon camera/tape recorder systems. The final selection was a vidicon camera quite similar to that used for Mariner Mars 1971, but with the capability of real time transmission during the Venus and Mercury flybys. Real time data return became possible through dramatic increase in the communications bandwidth at only modest sacrifice in the quality of the returned pictures. Two identical long focal length cameras (1500 mm) were selected and it will be possible to return several thousand pictures from both planets at resolutions ranging from equivalent to Earthbased to tenths of a kilometer at encounter. Systematic high resolution ultraviolet photography of Venus is planned after encounter in an attempt to understand the nature of the mysterious ultraviolet markings and their apparent 4- to 5-day rotation period. Full disk coverage in mosaics will produce pictures of both planets similar in quality to Earthbased telescopic pictures of the Moon. The increase of resolution, more than three orders of magnitude, will yield an exciting first look at two planets whose closeup appearance is unknown.

The new Martian nomenclature of the international Astronomical Union

Abstract A new nomenclature for Martian regions and topographic features uncovered by Mariner 9, as officially adopted by the International Astronomical Union, is described. About 180 craters, generally of diameters >100 km, have been named, as well as 13 classes of topographic features designated catena, chasma, dorsum, fossa, labyrinthus, mensa, mons, patera, planitia, planum, tholus, vallis, and vastitas. In addition seven craters and the Kepler Dorsum are named on Phobos, and two craters on Deimos. Coordinates and maps of each named features are displayed.

Lunar theory and processes: Post-sunset horizon "afterglow"

Lunar postsunset horizon afterglow observed by Surveyor 7, discussing small particle diffraction on surface

The Apollo Program and Lunar Science

“The great thrust of the Apollo program was… the manned operation and the new categories of experiments this opened up…. The geochemical isotope-dating and magnetic results from the returned samples alone would have justified the manned Apollo missions.” Gerard Kuiper, astronomer, who was the principal investigator of the U.S. Ranger program, 1960–1966, is director of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory of the University of Arizona.

ON THE NATURE OF THE VENUS CLOUDS

A comparison of a wide range of Venus observations with the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared reflection spectra and thermodynamic properties of a variety of candidate materials indicates that the principal constituent of the Venus clouds is partially hydrated FeCl2.

Lunar theory and processes: Discussion of chemical analysis

Lunar elemental abundances examined by Surveyor project, discussing albedo contrasts, surface rock density, bulk composition, thermal regime and chondritic meteorites