Solar system

Abstract:

Both the global average per capita consumption of meat and the total amount of meat consumed are rising, driven by increasing average individual incomes and by population growth. The consumption of different types of meat and meat products has substantial effects on people’s health, and livestock production can have major negative effects on the environment. Here, we explore the evidence base for these assertions and the options policy-makers have should they wish to intervene to affect population meat consumption. We highlight where more research is required and the great importance of integrating insights from the natural and social sciences.

Abstract:

The Atmospheric Remote-Sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, ARIEL, has been selected to be the next M4 space mission in the ESA Cosmic Vision programme. From launch in 2028, and during the following 4 years of operation, ARIEL will perform precise spectroscopy of the atmospheres of about 1000 known transiting exoplanets using its metre-class telescope, a three-band photometer and three spectrometers that will cover the 0.5 μm to 7.8 μm region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The payload is designed to perform primary and secondary transit spectroscopy, and to measure spectrally resolved phase curves with a stability of < 100 ppm (goal 10 ppm). Observing from an L2 orbit, ARIEL will provide the first statistically significant spectroscopic survey of hot and warm planets. These are an ideal laboratory in which to study the chemistry, the formation and the evolution processes of exoplanets, to constrain the thermodynamics, composition and structure of their atmospheres, and to investigate the properties of the clouds.

Abstract:

We use nighttime Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) data to look for discrete regions of elevated nighttime temperatures indicative of endogenic activity on Dione's surface. This is achieved by producing low latitude and midlatitude (less than 60°) maps of Dione's nighttime surface temperature, derived from 10 to 1,100-cm−1 CIRS data. The surface temperatures observed do not show evidence of any small discrete regions of elevated nighttime temperatures and are comparable to temperatures predicted by a passive thermophysical model of Dione's surface. Thus, we conclude that no evidence for activity exists on Dione at midlatitude to low latitude. Using the derived surface temperature maps, we set upper limits for the temperature at which a 50-, 100-, or 200-km2 hot spot would remain undetected by this study. We find the mean temperature of such a hot spot would be 117.1 ± 47.2 K (−249 F), 104.8 ± 27.7 K (−272 F), and 95.4 ± 19.5 K (−288 F) for a 50-, 100-, and 200-km2 hot spot, respectively, corresponding to endogenic emission of 1.07, 0.68, and 0.47 GW.