Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
J. Mouzay, I. Couturier-Tamburelli, N. Pietri, T. Chiavassa
Summary: Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the photochemical evolution induced by long-UV irradiation of benzene ices in Titan's atmosphere. The formation of volatile photo-products and residue dominated by nu CH IR features from UV photolysis of benzene ices were observed, providing insights into the composition of Titan's stratospheric haze layer. Additionally, the characterization of benzene-containing aerosol analogs induced by long-UV will contribute to Titan's surface organics layer and future Dragonfly space mission.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Masaru Kogure, Jia Yue, Huixin Liu
Summary: A rare Antarctic stratospheric sudden warming occurred on August 30, 2019, leading to a decrease in gravity wave activity over the Andes and zonal mean gravity wave activity over Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. The decline in gravity wave activity was likely caused by wave saturation and weakening zonal wind.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Melissa S. Ugelow, Carrie M. Anderson
Summary: Observations have shown the presence of HC3N ice in the stratosphere of Titan and it is believed to be common in other celestial bodies. Previous experimental studies on HC3N ice have focused on thin ice films formed by annealing processes, which contradicts Titan's stratospheric ice clouds formation mechanism. Therefore, experimental measurement of HC3N thin ice films formed in a similar manner to those in Titan's stratosphere is crucial for understanding the optical properties of HC3N ice.
PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Kesar Tandekar, Neeraj Kumar Mishra, Sabbani Supriya
Summary: This passage describes the remarkable reversible solid state photochromic behavior of Keplerate compound 1 when wetted with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and irradiated with sunlight, resulting in a color change from yellow to dark green. It also highlights that the photochromic phenomenon can only be activated in the presence of the DMF solvent.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
M. Slipski, A. Kleinbohl, D. M. Kass
Summary: The authors study the mesospheric CO2-ice clouds in the atmosphere of Mars and find that their spatial distribution and seasonal evolution are governed by the interplay of thermal tides and gravity waves. They also investigate the nighttime cloud distribution and provide an explanation for the observed day-to-night differences.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Edwin A. Bergin, Eliza M. -R. Kempton, Marc Hirschmann, Sandra T. Bastelberger, D. J. Teal, Geoffrey A. Blake, Fred J. Ciesla, Jie Li
Summary: We focus on the supply of solid-state organics as the main source of volatile carbon in terrestrial planet formation. The soot line, where solid-state organics are irreversibly destroyed, is a key location within the planet-forming disk. Our study explores the atmospheric composition of a planet receiving its materials from the zone between the soot line and water ice line, and finds that such planets would have a mantle rich in reduced carbon and low water content, which can lead to the formation of obscuring atmospheric hazes powered by the high volatile content of the mantle. These planets, although not found in our solar system, are likely common in the galaxy and may have an impact on habitability.
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nurun Nahar Lata, Bo Zhang, Simeon Schum, Lynn Mazzoleni, Rhenton Brimberry, Matthew A. Marcus, Will H. Cantrell, Paulo Fialho, Claudio Mazzoleni, Swarup China
Summary: This study investigated the physicochemical properties and ice nucleation activity of free tropospheric particles collected at a remote observatory in the North Atlantic Ocean. It was found that particles with different transport patterns had significant differences in size-resolved chemical composition, mixing state, and phase state. Particles with higher viscosity were found to be more ice active in the deposition mode at specific temperatures. This research provides a better understanding of the role of long-range transported free tropospheric aerosols in ice cloud formation.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
A. Sledd, T. S. L'Ecuyer, J. E. Kay, M. Steele
Summary: As Arctic sea ice retreats, the warming of the upper ocean in response to atmospheric heat fluxes is influenced by the timing of sea ice retreat and the radiative impacts of clouds. Clouds can reflect solar radiation and counteract summer warming, explaining up to 13% more variability in maximum annual sea surface temperatures under modern-day CO2 concentrations. Summer clouds have little direct effect on maximum annual SST under pre-industrial CO2 concentrations, but they become three times more sensitive when CO2 concentrations are four times pre-industrial levels.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
J. Mouzay, K. Henry, I Couturier-Tamburelli, G. Danger, N. Pietri, T. Chiavassa
Summary: A massive noxious stratospheric cloud has been detected on Titan's south pole since 2015, with an experimental simulation showing the presence of nitriles formed through photo-processing. These results are crucial for the upcoming Dragonfly mission on Titan, shedding light on the potential organic compounds present in the stratospheric cloud.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Orit Altaratz, Ilan Koren, Eyal Agassi, Eitan Hirsch, Yoav Levi, Nir Stav
Summary: SubLCL clouds are clouds that form below the estimated lifting condensation level (LCL) on predicted cloud-free days. Research has shown that humidified parcels in the mid-boundary layer may be the driving mechanism for the formation of these clouds. Additionally, the height of the LCL above the boundary layer top and the relative humidity near the boundary layer top are good predictors of the appearance of these clouds.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
German Molpeceres, Johannes Kaestner, Gleb Fedoseev, Danna Qasim, Richard Schoemig, Harold Linnartz, Thanja Lamberts
Summary: The study presents a new formation pathway for formaldehyde (H2CO) involving the reaction of carbon atoms with amorphous solid water. The mechanism proposed, which includes proton transfer catalysis and low barriers, helps to explain the observed small kinetic isotope effect in experiments comparing the formation of H2CO to D2CO.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Michelle Sykes Akerman, Roey Sagi, Hiley Iny, Micha Asscher
Summary: This study investigates the distribution and mixing of atoms and molecules in amorphous solid water at low temperatures and finds that the physical properties of guest species and their interaction with water molecules play a significant role in the extent of mixing and distribution.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Alexey Potapov, Jeroen Bouwman, Cornelia Jaeger, Thomas Henning
Summary: Our study aims to compare laboratory silicate grain/water ice mixtures with astronomical observations to evaluate the presence of dust/ice mixtures in interstellar and circumstellar environments. The combination of laboratory data and infrared observations provides evidence of solid-state water in the diffuse interstellar medium, impacting future studies and observations in cosmic dust grain analogues. The traditional onion-like layered ice model is challenged by the comparable spectra of icy mixtures observed in astrophysical environments.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jeremy Bourgalais, Nathalie Carrasco, Ludovic Vettier, Antoine Comby, Dominique Descamps, Stephane Petit, Valerie Blanchet, Jerome Gaudin, Yann Mairesse, Bernard Marty
Summary: This study investigates the formation pathways of aromatics in Titan's atmosphere through experimental analysis, highlighting the importance of benzene and toluene. A speculative mechanism based on sequential H-elimination/CH3-addition reactions is proposed for the growth of aromatics, with suggestions for future updates of photochemical models of Titan's atmosphere.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoyu Jiao, Congcong He, Huan Yu, Jun He, Chengjun Wang
Summary: Photochemical reactions involving aqueous HNO3 and H2O2 in polar stratospheric clouds can lead to the production of halogen radicals, which may contribute to ozone depletion.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Siteng Fan, Peter Gao, Xi Zhang, Danica J. Adams, Nicholas W. Kutsop, Carver J. Bierson, Chao Liu, Jiani Yang, Leslie A. Young, Andrew F. Cheng, Yuk L. Yung
Summary: Pluto, Titan, and Triton are unique solar system bodies with icy surfaces and chemically reducing atmospheres. Studies show that their haze particles are bimodally distributed, indicating complex physical and chemical processes in their atmospheres. Further research is encouraged to reanalyze observations of hazes on Titan and Triton.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ronald Albright, Abigail Corbett, Xun Jiang, Ellen Creecy, Sally Newman, King-Fai Li, Mao-Chang Liang, Yuk L. Yung
Summary: This article uses OCO-2 SW to investigate photosynthetic activity in different seasons in the Amazon region and found a positive correlation between precipitation and photosynthesis, as well as a decrease in photosynthetic activity during the dry/fire season, leading to an increase in atmospheric CO2.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Stuart Bartlett, Jiazheng Li, Lixiang Gu, Lana Sinapayen, Siteng Fan, Vijay Natraj, Jonathan H. Jiang, David Crisp, Yuk L. Yung
Summary: This article presents a new approach to exoplanet characterization using complexity science techniques, which can evaluate the complexity of planets by analyzing the temporal variability of light. The method is demonstrated by comparing Earth and Jupiter data, showing its potential in identifying planets with rich dynamics.
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Stuart Bartlett, Andrew K. Gao, Yuk L. Yung
Summary: This paper presents a novel computational architecture based on thermal convection gates and heat flux-mediated information flows. By using numerical simulations, the authors demonstrate a universal Boolean logic operation (NOR) performed by simpler convective gates. The gates in this study do not rely on obstacle flows or periodic boundary conditions, which improves their experimental realizability. The authors also show the potential of constructing these simulated circuits using modern 2-dimensional fluidics equipment, opening up new possibilities for thermal fluid-based computation.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Lixiang Gu, Zhao-Cheng Zeng, Siteng Fan, Vijay Natraj, Jonathan H. Jiang, David Crisp, Yuk L. Yung, Yongyun Hu
Summary: Analyzing time-resolved disk-integrated spectral images of the Earth can provide important baseline information for characterizing exoplanets in the future. This study utilized data from the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) onboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) and used a mathematical model to simulate and reconstruct the spectral observations. The study also examined the correlation between the principal components of the spectrophotometric light curves and atmospheric and surface features.
ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Xu Zhang, David Berkinsky, Charles R. Markus, Sathya R. Chitturi, Fred J. Grieman, Mitchio Okumura, Yangcheng Luo, Yuk L. Yung, Stanley P. Sander
Summary: The absence of organic molecules on Mars may be explained by the acceleration of methane decomposition and oxidation through the activation of perchlorate-rich Martian soils by ultraviolet radiation. This study demonstrates that UV-activated perchlorate surfaces can significantly increase the production rates of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile chlorine oxides from methane.
Article
Optics
Zhao-Cheng Zeng, Olivia Addington, Thomas Pongetti, Robert L. Herman, Keeyoon Sung, Sally Newman, Andreas Schneider, Tobias Borsdorff, Yuk L. Yung, Stanley P. Sander
Summary: Atmospheric isotopologues of water vapor, such as HDO, play a crucial role in understanding Earth's hydrological cycles. However, current measurements lack data targeting the planetary boundary layer. In this study, HDO and H2O column data were retrieved from CLARS-FTS observations over the Los Angeles basin, and the isotopological abundance delta(D) was calculated. The results show good agreement between CLARS-FTS measurements and other observations, providing high spatial and temporal resolution datasets for further study of hydrological processes in the LA megacity.
JOURNAL OF QUANTITATIVE SPECTROSCOPY & RADIATIVE TRANSFER
(2022)
Article
Optics
Sihe Chen, Vijay Natraj, Zhao-Cheng Zeng, Yuk L. Yung
Summary: This paper presents an improved method for retrieving aerosol parameters from OCO-2 measurements, which leads to an enhanced accuracy in XCO2 retrieval. By using a combination of radiance measurements in the continuum and inside the absorption band, the aerosol optical depth, layer height, and uncertainties can be accurately predicted.
JOURNAL OF QUANTITATIVE SPECTROSCOPY & RADIATIVE TRANSFER
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Karen Willacy, SiHe Chen, Danica J. Adams, Yuk L. Yung
Summary: Titan's atmosphere serves as a natural laboratory for studying the synthesis of organic molecules. Recent advancements in this field include the detection of C-3 molecules and ring molecules. By using computational codes and reaction rate coefficients, researchers have been able to explain the observed data and identify the significant role of ion chemistry in the production of c-C3H2 at high altitudes.
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Optics
V. Natraj, R. Spurr, A. Gao, T. Le, Z. C. Zeng, S. Fan, Y. L. Yung
Summary: This article introduces a new radiative transfer model that can accurately calculate in vertically inhomogeneous atmospheres, with spherical capability and linearization features, making it particularly useful for remote sensing retrieval applications.
JOURNAL OF QUANTITATIVE SPECTROSCOPY & RADIATIVE TRANSFER
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Xun Jiang, Ronald Albright, Ellen Creecy, King-Fai Li, Mao-Chang Liang, Sally Newman, Xinyue Wang, Thishan Dharshana Karandana Gamalathge, Yuk L. Yung
Summary: Using satellite observations, it has been found that carbon dioxide levels over the Congo basin are 2 ppm higher than the regional background during the dry season due to biomass burning and reduced photosynthesis. The contribution from biomass burning during this season is larger than that from the biosphere, and better seasonal fire management is crucial for reducing global carbon emissions as per international agreements.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhao-Cheng Zeng, Thomas Pongetti, Sally Newman, Tomohiro Oda, Kevin Gurney, Paul I. Palmer, Yuk L. Yung, Stanley P. Sander
Summary: This study uses atmospheric remote sensing data to demonstrate a decreasing trend in methane emissions in the Los Angeles area from 2011 to 2020. These findings provide important guidance for efforts to reduce methane emissions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuan Wang, Xiaojian Zheng, Xiquan Dong, Baike Xi, Yuk L. Yung
Summary: In this study, the warm-cloud physics parameterizations in the NCAR Community Atmospheric Model version 6 and 5 (SCAM6 and SCAM5) are evaluated using measurements from the ARM Aerosol and Cloud Experiments in the Eastern North Atlantic (ACE-ENA) field campaign. The results show that both SCAM6 and SCAM5 can simulate the structure and properties of marine boundary layer clouds, but they underestimate cloud liquid water content, cloud droplet size, and rain liquid water content while overestimating surface rainfall. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding biases in cloud physics parameterizations through combining single-column modeling with in situ observations.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jingyu Wang, Siteng Fan, Chao Liu, Vijay Natraj, Leslie A. Young, Yuk L. Yung
Summary: The flyby of the New Horizons spacecraft in 2015 July revealed Pluto's unexpected cold atmosphere and confirmed the existence of its atmospheric haze. This study investigates the influence of organic ice components in Pluto's haze on its scattering properties by comparing observations and simulated particle scattering properties. The results suggest that organic ice can affect Pluto's haze chemistry and optical properties, but additional scattering sources/mechanisms are still required to fully explain the observed scattering observations.
PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Optics
Yuk L. Yung
Summary: This article discusses Professor Goody's illustrious scientific career, which can be divided into three pivotal phases. The article highlights Professor Goody's insights and wisdom as a scientist, which provide invaluable lessons for both emerging scientists and seasoned professionals.
JOURNAL OF QUANTITATIVE SPECTROSCOPY & RADIATIVE TRANSFER
(2023)
