Saturn Kilometric Radiation Near a Source Center on Day 73, 2008

The Cassini spacecraft flew very near a source region of Saturn kilometric radiation (SKR) on day 073 of 2008. This is the second known encounter with a source region at high latitude. The radio and plasma wave instrument, RPWS, observed intense SKR in the extraordinary (X) mode. The electron low-energy spectrometer (ELS) obtained a phase space distribution of sufficient energy and pitch angle resolution to allow growth rate calculations for the observed wave emissions. There is evidence of a shell or horseshoe electron plasma distribution that is unstable to the growth of SKR via the cyclotron maser instability. We present results of these calculations for comparison with a previously reported source region encounter.

An Overview of Saturn Narrowband Radio Emissions Observed by Cassini RPWS (invited)

Saturn narrowband (NB) radio emissions are detected between 3 and 70 kHz, with occurrence probability and wave intensity peaking around 5 kHz and 20 kHz. The emissions usually occur periodically for several days after intensification of Saturn kilometric radiation (SKR). Originally detected by the Voyagers, the extended duration of the Cassini mission and the improved capabilities of the Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) instrument have significantly advanced our knowledge about them. For example, RPWS measurements of the magnetic component have validated the electromagnetic nature of Saturn NB emissions. Evidences show that the 20 kHz NB emissions are generated by mode conversion of electrostatic upper hybrid waves on the boundary of the plasma torus, whereas direction–finding results point to a source in the auroral zone for the 5 kHz component. Similar to SKR, the 5 kHz NB emissions have a clock–like modulation and display two distinct modulation periods identical to the northern and southern hemisphere periods of SKR. Polarization measurements confirm that most NB emissions are propagating in the L–O mode, with the exception of second harmonic NB emissions. At high latitudes closer to the planet, RPWS detected right hand polarized Z–mode NB emissions below the local electron cyclotron frequency (fce), which are believed to be the source of the L–O mode NB emissions detected above the local fce. Although the energy source for the generation of the Z–mode waves is still unclear, linear growth rate calculations indicate that the observed plasma distributions are unstable to the growth of electrostatic cyclotron harmonic emission. Alternatively, electromagnetic Z–mode might be directly generated by the cyclotron maser instability. The source Z–mode waves, upon reflection, propagate to the opposite hemisphere before escaping through mode conversion, which could explain the fact that both rotational modulation periods of NB emissions are observable in each hemisphere.

Testing Mars-inspired operational strategies for semi-autonomous rovers on the Moon: The GeoHeuristic Operational Strategies Test in New Mexico.

We tested the science operational strategy used for the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission on Mars to determine its suitability for conducting remote geology on the Moon by conducting a field test at Cerro de Santa Clara, New Mexico. This region contains volcanic and sedimentary products from a variety of provenances, mimicking the variety that might be found at a lunar site such as South Pole-Aitken Basin.

Mission accomplished? The questions of Hungary’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic community

Almost each of the political forces and the great majority of the public saw no alternative to Euro-Atlantic integration, that is, accession to NATO and the EC (after 1992 the EU) when Hungary regained its independence in 1990. Membership in both organizations had a number of internal and external implications too. Budapest had to introduce sweeping reforms in practically all walks of life. Thus, for instance, NATO-membership required the establishment of a parliamentary democracy, a functioning market economy, and the observance of civil and human rights. At the same time, Hungary had to sign so-called basic treaties with three of its neighbors in which it again committed itself to peaceful relations and the renunciation of any attempt to regain territories it had lost to the countries affected after the First and the Second World Wars. EU-membership needed even more extensive restructuring of the various Hungarian institutions from law enforcement through finances to social services. In addition, Budapest expected that one of the major dilemmas of reconciling the so-called “Hungarian-Hungarian” question with the “good neighbor” policy would be settled within the framework of European integration. The expectations on behalf of the two sides have only been partially realized yet. Thus, Hungary consistently spends much less on defense than the required level within the Atlantic Alliance; Budapest has been trying to compensate with a relative prominent presence in foreign missions. As for the EU, the threat of a “second class membership” has not disappeared; in fact, after the beginning of the economic recession in 2008 it has even become a more realistic perspective; in reality, Hungary has had to accept a relative loss of power even in Central and Eastern Europe. However, Hungary has a vested interest in a “Strong Europe” (this was the official slogan of Hungary’s EU-Presidency during the first six months of 2011) in which “more Europe” should not exclude the country’s closer relations with other regions in the world

Amphibia, Anura, Leiuperidae, Physalaemus feioi Cassini, Cruz and Caramaschi, 2010: distribution extension

We provide new records of the recently described frog Physalaemus feioi in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Records presented here extend the distribution of P. feioi around 113 km straight north from Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro, the previously northernmost known record for the species.

Personal Prayer, Church Attendance and Social Capital among Rural Churchgoers: Quantitative Empirical Methods as a Tool for Mission and Ministry

Syriac Heritage of the Saint Thomas Christians: Language and Liturgical Tradition Saint Thomas Christians – origins, language and liturgy

According to the anonymous Syriac apocryphal Acts of Thomas from the first half of the 3rd century, the apostolic mission to India began during the first half of the first century CE. Thomas the Apostle himself is supposed to bring the Gospel to India’s king and eventually to die as a martyr in South India near Madras. As mentioned in the Indian tradition, St Thomas did not travel directly to Madras but made landfall in the coastal region of Kerala. The historical sources mentioned the existence of an ancient group of Christians from Kerala, traditionally called Saint Thomas Christians, since the end of the 2nd century. We have no detailed information about Christianity in Kerala in the first three centuries. One could only speculate what language was used in prayers (most probably Aramaic, and later Syriac), what the early liturgy looked like (doubtless similar to the early Christian one).

The tradition of St. Thomas’ mission to India in the light of Patristic sources

The Church tradition calls the followers of Christ in India Saint Thomas Christians. Where does this designation come from and why is it connected with the name of one of the Apostles of Christ? Taking into account the extant records, it seems that the appearance of Christ’s disciples in India was formerly associated with another Apostle, St. Bartholomew. According to Ecclesiastical History written by Eusebius of Caesarea, the hypothetical founder of the Catechetical School of Alexandria, Pantaenus, travelled to India in the middle of the 2nd century.

L’attualit della dottrina cristologica di Calcedonia

The Christological doctrine defined during the Chalcedon Council (451) was the point of reference to consolidate the Christian doctrine in the fifth century. It also became the foundation of the evangelizing mission led by the Church in the following centuries. In the context of the new challenges and interpretation a question, whether the Chalcedon doctrine needs to be reinterpreted, arises. This article tries to show the relevance of the Christological dogma which was defined by the Chalcedon Council. The attention is paid to this dogma rooted in the Church Tradition and also to its soteriological and anthropological meaning. The soteriological perspective, which was given the utmost importance during the Chalcedon Council and similarly during other councils held in the first millennium, proves the doctrinal relevance of the dogma and furthermore makes it more meaningful. From the hermeneutic point of view this article presents the need of referring to the principle of theological apophatism in order to interpret the dogma correctly.

Il Sinodo dei Vescovi nella Chiesa postconciliare (sintesi)

The history of the Church for the past twenty centuries was moulded not only by the authorities of Church offi ces, such as the offi ce of Bishop of Rome or the offi ce of the diocesan bishop but also by the personal authority of the saints from various nations. The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was an important period for the refl ection of the Church on itself and its mission in the service of the Gospel. Due to its discussion this Council considerably contributed to establishing the institution of the Synod of Bishops by Paul VI on 15 September 1965. This took place during the last session of the conciliar debates. After the completion of the Second Vatican Council, the Synod of Bishops has remained an institution which originates from the Council and shapes the image of the Church confi rmed by the contemporary post-conciliar period and meetings. That is why one of the most crucial contributions of the Second Vatican Council to the organizational structure and the method of management of the Church is undoubtedly the Synod of Bishops, which is confi rmed by the passing post-conciliar period and meetings of this institution whose number equals 24. Simultaneously, the Synod of Bishops played and has still been playing a crucial role also in the pontifi cates of the post-conciliar Popes, particularly during the years of the long-lasting pontifi cate of John Paul II (1978-2005). Furtthermore, the current pontifi cate indicates that Pope Benedict XVI attaches a high importance to this institution, summoning the Synod of Bishops regularly. The Person and the Challenges Volume 1 (2011) Number 2 228 The afore-mentioned Popes of the post-conciliar Church modelled the theological and legal image of the Synod of Bishops as well. First of all, in this current the following should be listed: the before-mentioned m.p. „Apostolica sollicitudo” by Paul VI establishing the institution which has been remaining the theological and legal backbone of the Synod of Bishops till today and later, giving it the current legal depiction with division into the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (ordinary and extraordinary ones) and the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops promulgated by the Pope John Paul II in 1983 under the Code of Canon Law. Furthermore, statutory regulations of this central institution of the Church which are the Regulations of the Synod of Bishops from the years: 1966, 1969, 1971 and 2006 should be mentioned. The Regulation of the Synod of Bishops has shaped the works of its individual meetings in a practical way. In this current we should also refer to multi-layered statements of the Bishops of Rome at numerous circumstances about the Synod of Bishops and their constant practice of issuing post-synodal apostolic exhortations.