arXiv subjects

J. Marvin Herndon

Publications and source records attributed to J. Marvin Herndon.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2006

Evidence Contrary to the Existing Exo-Planet Migration Concept

Exo-planet migration is assumed to have occurred to explain close-to-star gas giant exo-planets within the context of the so-called standard model of solar system formation, rather than giving cause to question the validity of that particular model. I present evidence against the concept of planet migration, evidence that is historical, interdisciplinary, and model-independent. First, I demonstrate a flaw in the standard model of solar system formation that would lead to the contradiction of terrestrial planets having insufficiently massive cores. Then, I discuss the evidence that points to the Earth previously having been a Jupiter-like close-to-Sun gas giant and the consequences that arise there from. Observations of close-to-star gas giant exo-planets orbiting stars other than our own Sun, rather than being evidence for planet migration, I submit, are evidence for differing degrees of violence associated with the thermonuclear ignition of their particular stars. As observational resolution improves, one might expect to find other exo-planetary systems, like our own, with their innermost planets stripped of gaseous envelopes. Such systems may be a necessary requirement for the existence of life.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

New Concept for Internal Heat Production in Hot Jupiter Exo-Planets

Discovery of hot Jupiter exo-planets, those with anomalously inflated size and low density relative to Jupiter, has evoked much discussion as to possible sources of internal heat production. But to date, no explanations have come forth that are generally applicable. The explanations advanced typically involve presumed tidal dissipation and/or converted incident stellar radiation. The present, brief communication suggests a novel interfacial nuclear fission-fusion source of internal heat production for hot Jupiters that has been overlooked by theoreticians and which has potentially general applicability.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Discovery of Fundamental Mass Ratio Relationships of Whole-Rock Chondritic Major Elements: Implications on Ordinary Chondrite Formation and on Planet Mercury's Composition

The high occurrence on Earth of ordinary chondrite meteorites and the making of models based upon arbitrary assumptions has led to some confusion about the origin of ordinary chondrites. Major element fractionation among chondrites has been discussed for decades as ratios relative to Si or Mg. Expressing ratios relative to Fe leads to a new relationship admitting the possibility that ordinary chondrite meteorites are derived from two components: one is a relatively undifferentiated, primitive component, oxidized like the CI or C1 chondrites; the other is a somewhat differentiated, planetary component, with oxidation state like the reduced enstatite chondrites. Such a picture would seem to explain for the ordinary chondrites, their major element compositions, their intermediate states of oxidation, and their ubiquitous defiencies of refractory siderophile elements. I suggest that the planetary component of ordinary chondrite formation consists of planet Mercury's missing complement of elements, presumably separated from protoplanetary Mercury during its formation.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Thermonuclear Ignition of Dark Galaxies

Dark matter is thought to be at least an order of magnitude more abundant than luminous matter in the Universe, but there has yet to be an unambiguous identification of a wholly dark, galactic-scale structure. There is, however, increasing evidence that VIRGOHI 21 may be a dark galaxy. If VIRGOHI 21 turns out to be composed of dark stars, having approximately the same mass of stars found in luminous galaxies, it will pose an enigma within the framework of current astrophysical models, but will provide strong support for my concept, published in 1994 in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, of the thermonuclear ignition of stars by nuclear fission, and the corollary, non-ignition of stars. The possibility of galactic thermonuclear ignition is discussed from that framework and leads to my suggestion that the distribution of luminous stars in a galaxy may simply be a reflection of the galactic distribution of the heavy elements.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Enhanced Prognosis for Abiotic Natural Gas and Petroleum Resources

The prognosis for potential resources of abiotic natural gas and petroleum depends critically upon the nature and circumstances of Earth formation. Until recently, that prognosis has been considered solely within the framework of the so-called "standard model of solar system formation", which is incorrect and leads to the contradiction of terrestrial planets having insufficiently massive cores. By contrast, that prognosis is considerably enhanced (i) by the new vision I have disclosed of Earth formation as a Jupiter-like gas giant; (ii) by core formation contemporaneous with raining out from within a giant gaseous protoplanet rather than through subsequent whole-Earth re-melting after loss of gases; (iii) by the consequences of whole-Earth decompression dynamics, which obviates the unfounded assumption of mantle convection, and; (iv) by the process of mantle decompression thermal-tsunami. The latter, in addition to accounting for much of the heat leaving the Earth's surface, for the geothermal gradient observed in the crust, for substantial volcanism, and possibly for earthquake generation as well, also might enhance the prognosis for future abiotic energy supplies by pressurizing and heating the base of the crust, a potential collection point for abiotic mantle methane or other mantle-derived carbon-containing matter.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2006

Mantle Decompression Thermal-Tsunami

Previously in geophysics, only three heat transport processes have been considered: conduction, radiation, and convection or, more generally, bouyancy-driven mass transport. As a consequence of whole-Earth decompression dynamics, I add a fourth, called mantle decompression thermal-tsunami, which may emplace heat at the base of the crust from a heretofore unanticipated source.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2005

Teaching Earth Dynamics: What's Wrong with Plate Tectonics Theory?

Textbooks frequently extol plate tectonics theory without questioning what might be wrong with the theory or without discussing a competitive theory. How can students be taught to challenge popular ideas when they are only presented a one-sided view? In just a few pages, I describe more than a century of geodynamic ideas. I review what is wrong with plate tectonics theory and with Earth expansion theory, and describe my new Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics Theory, which unifies the two previous dominant theories in a self- consistent manner. Along the way, I disclose details of what real science is all about, details all too often absent in textbooks and classroom discussions. In these few pages, I only touch on highlights and just part the curtain a bit so that teachers might glimpse ways to bring to their students some of the richness and excitement of discovery that becomes evident when one begins to question prevailing, currently popular perceptions of our world.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv2005

Georeactor Variability and Integrity

As a deep-Earth energy source, the planetocentric nuclear-fission georeactor concept is on a more secure scientific footing than the previous idea related to the assumed growth of the inner core. Unlike previously considered deep-Earth energy sources, which are essentially constant on a human time-scale, variability in nuclear fission reactors can arise from changes in composition and/or position of fuel, moderators, and neutron absorbers. Tantalizing circumstantial evidence invites inquiry into the possibility of short-term planetocentric nuclear fission reactor variability. This brief communication emphasizes the importance of scientific integrity and highlights the possibility of variable georeactor power output so that these might be borne in mind in future investigations, especially those related to the Earth's heat flux.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2005

Teaching About Nature's Nuclear Reactors

Naturally occurring nuclear reactors existed in uranium deposits on Earth long before Enrico Fermi built the first man-made nuclear reactor beneath Staggs Field in 1942. In the story of their discovery, there are important lessons to be learned about scientific inquiry and scientific discovery. Now, there is evidence to suggest that the Earth's magnetic field and Jupiter's atmospheric turbulence are driven by planetary-scale nuclear reactors. The subject of planetocentric nuclear fission reactors can be a jumping off point for stimulating classroom discussions about the nature and implications of planetary energy sources and about the geomagnetic field. But more importantly, the subject can help to bring into focus the importance of discussing, debating, and challenging current thinking in a variety of areas.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv2005

Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics

The principles of Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics are disclosed leading to a new way to interpret whole-Earth dynamics. Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics incorporates elements of and unifies the two seemingly divergent dominant theories of continential displacement, plate tectonics theory and Earth expansion theory. Whole-Earth decompression is the consequence of Earth formation from within a Jupiter-like protoplanet with subsequent loss of gases and ices and concomitant rebounding. The initial whole-Earth decompression is expected to result in a global system of major primary decompression cracks appearing in the rigid crust which persist as the basalt feeders for the global, mid-oceanic ridge system. As the Earth subsequently decompresses, the area of the Earth's surface increases by the formation of secondary decompression cracks, often located near the continental margins, presently identified as oceanic trenches. These secondary decompression cracks are subsequently in-filled with basalt, extruded from the mid-oceanic ridges, which traverses the ocean floor by gravitational creep, ultimately plunging into secondary decompression cracks, emulating subduction. Much of the evidence presented in support of plate tectonics supports Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics, but without necessitating mantle convection/circulation or basalt re-cycling. Moreover, the timescale for Earth decompression is not constrained to the last 200 million years, the maximum age of the current ocean floor.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Background for Terrestrial Antineutrino Investigations: Radionuclide Distribution, Georeactor Fission Events, and Boundary Conditions on Fission Power Production

Estimated masses of fissioning and non-fissioning radioactive elements and their respective distributions within the Earth are presented, based upon the fundamental identity of the components of the interior 82% of the Earth, the endo-Earth, with corresponding components of the Abee enstatite chondrite meteorite. Within limits of existing data, the following generalizations concerning the endo-Earth radionuclides can be made: (1) Most of the K-40 may be expected to exist in combination with oxygen in the silicates of the lower mantle, perhaps being confined to the upper region of the lower mantle where it transitions to the upper mantle; (2) Uranium may be expected to exist at the center of the Earth where it may undergo self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reactions, but there is a possibility that some non-fissioning uranium may be found scattered diffusely within the core floaters which are composed of CaS and MgS; and, (3) Thorium may be expected to occur within the core floaters at the core-mantle boundary, although its presence as well at the center of the Earth cannot be ruled out. Results of nuclear georeactor numerical simulations show: (1) The maximum constant nuclear fission power level is 30 terawatts; (2) U-235 comprises 76 percent of present-day georeactor fission, U-238 comprises 23 percent; and, (3) Thorium can neither be fuel nor converted into fuel for the georeactor.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

Total Mass of Ordinary Chondrite Matter Originally Present in the Solar System

Recently, I reported the discovery of a new fundamental relationship of the major elements (Fe, Mg, Si) of chondrites that admits the possibility that ordinary chondrite meteorites are derived from two components, a relatively oxidized and undifferentiated, primitive component and a somewhat differentiated, planetary component, with oxidation state like the highly reduced enstatite chondrites, which I suggested was identical to Mercury's complement of lost elements. Subsequently, on the basis of that relationship, I derived expressions, as a function of the mass of planet Mercury and the mass of its core, to estimate the mass of Mercury's lost elements, the mass of Mercury's alloy and rock protoplanetary core, and the mass of Mercury's gaseous protoplanet. Here, on the basis of the supposition that Mercury's complement of lost elements is in fact identical to the planetary component of ordinary chondrite formation, I estimate, as a function of Mercury's core mass, the total mass of ordinary chondrite matter originally present in the Solar System. Although Mercury's mass is well known, its core mass is not, being widely believed to be in the range of 70 to 80 percent of the planet mass. For a core mass of 75 percent, the calculated total mass of ordinary chondrite matter originally present in the Solar System amounts to 1.83E24 kg, about 5.5 times the mass of Mercury. That amount of mass is insufficient in itself to form a planet as massive as the Earth, but may have contributed significantly to the formation of Mars, as well as adding to the veneer of other planets, including the Earth. Presently, only about 0.1 percent of that mass remains in the asteroid belt.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Mercury's Protoplanetary Mass

Major element fractionation among chondrites has been discussed for decades as ratios relative to Si or Mg. Recently, by expressing ratios relative to Fe, I discovered a new relationship admitting the possibility that ordinary chondrite meteorites are derived from two components, a relatively oxidized and undifferentiated, primitive component and a somewhat differentiated, planetary component, with oxidation state like the highly reduced enstatite chondrites, which I suggested was identical to Mercury's complement of lost elements. Here, on the basis of that relationship, I derive expressions, as a function of the mass of planet Mercury and the mass of its core, to estimate the mass of Mercury's lost elements, the mass of Mercury's alloy and rock protoplanetary core, and the mass of Mercury's gaseous protoplanet. Although Mercury's mass is well known, its core mass is not, being widely believed to be in the range of 70-80 percent of the planet mass. For a core mass of 75 percent, the mass of Mercury's lost elements is about 1.32 times the mass of Mercury, the mass of the alloy and rock protoplanetary core is about 2.32 times the mass of Mercury, and the mass of the gaseous protoplanet of Mercury is about 700 times the mass of Mercury. Circumstantial evidence is presented in support of the supposition that Mercury's lost elements is identical to the planetary component of ordinary chondrite formation.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Protoplanetary Earth Formation: Further Evidence and Geophysical Implications

Recently, I showed that the "standard model" of solar system formation is wrong,yielding the contradiction of terrestrial planets having insufficiently massive cores, and showed instead the consistency of Eucken's 1944 concept of planets raining out in the central regions of hot, gaseous protoplanets. Planets generally consist of concentric shells of matter, but there has been no adequate geophysical explanation to account for the Earth's non-contiguous crustal continental rock layer, except by assuming that the Earth in the distant past was smaller and subsequently expanded. Here, I show that formation of Earth, from within a Jupiter-like protoplanet, will account for the compression of the rocky Earth to about 64 percent of its current radius, yielding a closed, contiguous continental shell with concomitant Earth expansion commencing upon the subsequent removal of its protoplanetary gaseous shell. I now propose that Earth expansion progresses, not from spreading at mid-oceanic ridges as usually assumed, but primarily by the formation of expansion cracks (often near continental margins) and the in-filling of those cracks with basalt (produced from volume expansion in the mantle), which is extruded mainly at mid-oceanic ridges, solidifies and traverses the ocean floor by gravitational creep to regions of lower gravitational potential energy, ultimately plunging downward into distant expansion cracks, emulating subduction. Viewed from that perspective, most of the evidence presented in support of plate tectonics supports Earth expansion; mantle convection is not required, and the timescale for Earth expansion is no longer constrained to about 200 million years, the maximum age of the current ocean floor.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Solar System Formation Deduced from Observations of Matter

Aspects of our Solar System's formation are deduced from observations of the chemical nature of matter. Massive cores are indicative of terrestrial-planet-composition-similarity to enstatite chondrite meteorites, whose highly-reduced state of oxidation may be thermodynamically stable in solar matter only at elevated temperatures and pressures. Consistent with the formation of Earth as envisioned by Arnold Eucken, thermodynamic considerations lead to the deduction that the terrestrial planets formed by liquid-condensation, raining out from the central regions of hot, gaseous protoplanets. The mass of protoplanetary-Earth, estimated to be 275-305mE, is similar to the mass of Jupiter, 318mE. Solar primordial gases and volatile elements were separated from the terrestrial planets early after planet formation, presumably during some super-luminous solar event, perhaps even before Mercury had completely formed. The pre-super-luminosity-terrestrial-planet mass distribution appears to be more consistent with observations of the close-in gas-giants of other planetary systems than the present-day-terrestrial-planet mass distribution. Although primarily formed by raining out from the centers of hot, gaseous protoplanets, evidence for the Earth and, by inference for the other terrestrial planets, suggests some outer, minor, secondary accretion of oxidized matter in the grain-growth accumulation way envisioned by George W. Wetherill. By contrast, the so-called "standard model" for our Solar System's formation has flawed conceptual underpinnings and would lead to the contradiction of terrestrial planets having insufficiently massive cores.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Background for Terrestrial Antineutrino Investigations: Scientific Basis of Knowledge on the Composition of the Deep Interior of the Earth

I present from a historical perspective a logical progression of understanding, related to the composition of the deep interior of the Earth, that comes from fundamental discoveries and from discoveries of fundamental quantitative relationships in nature. By following step by step the reasoning from that understanding, one might begin to appreciate what is not yet known that pertains to recent interest in geo-antineutrinos and also what should be investigated to further advance that understanding.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

Ordinary Chondrite Formation from two Components: Implied Connection to Planet Mercury

Major element fractionation among chondrites has been discussed for decades as ratios relative to Si or Mg. Expressing ratios relative to Fe leads to a new relationship admitting the possibility that ordinary chondrite meteorites are derived from two components: one is a relatively undifferentiated, primitive component, oxidized like the CI or C1 chondrites; the other is a somewhat differentiated, planetary component, with oxidation state like the reduced enstatite chondrites. Such a picture would seem to explain for the ordinary chondrites, their major element compositions, their intermediate states of oxidation, and their ubiquitous deficiencies of refractory siderophile elements. I suggest that the planetary component of ordinary chondrite formation consists of planet Mercury's missing complement of elements.

astro-ph↗