Lunar Cycle Research Articles

Induced sexual reproduction ex situ reveals bidirectional sex change of the coral Montastraea cavernosa

Induction of gonad maturation and synchronized spawning of corals ex situ has been mostly used to propagate corals for restoration, but it also provides a unique opportunity to study the reproductive biology of species. We present, for the first time, the induction of gonad maturation and synchronous spawning of the coral Montastraea cavernosa in a laboratory. This was achieved by mimicking the annual temperature, sun and moon cycles experienced in the northern portion of Florida’s Coral Reef. Similarly to field observations, peak spawning of M. cavernosa colonies in the laboratory occurred 5–10 nights after the full moons of July, August, and/or September, 75–125 min after sunset. This coral species was known as gonochoric, meaning colonies are either females (release eggs) or males (release sperm). Yet, three consecutive years observing the same colonies ex situ revealed that these corals are capable of changing sexes annually, and they can do so in both directions. Spawning observations and histology showed corals shifting from male to female, others shifting from female to male, and several changing sex one year and reverting to their original sex in the following year. The sex change was not related to size, nor likely socially driven. A greater number of colonies was observed to shift from female to male when food provision was reduced. Further studies are required to determine if food availability drives sex change in this species.

Linkage of El Niño-Southern Oscillation to astronomic forcing

Abstract Deciphering the causes of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) represents one of the greatest scientific and societal challenges because ENSO impacts people’s safety, food, water, health, and economy. Traditionally, ENSO has been considered a phenomenon that is mostly influenced by the interactions between oceanic and atmospheric processes, i.e. by the internal variability in Earth’s ocean-atmosphere system. However, dendrochronological records of climate indices, ENSO among them, have statistically significant variance at periodicities related to solar activity (sunspots) and lunar precessions. Other studies indicate a modulation by the lunar nodal cycle of ocean’s mixing and its implications on water and air temperatures, steric sea levels, coastal flooding, rain, river discharge and heat transport. Those findings suggest that astronomic forces may influence ENSO. In fact, this study shows that a fit to well-established periodicities from lunar precessions, solar activity and their interactions explains 91% of the variance of an ENSO index smoothed at 5 years, and 67% of a 3 yr filtered ENSO index. Provided that the future Earth’s ocean-atmospheric system remains roughly within historical bounds under a changing climate in the next 2–3 decades, one can venture a projection into the future of 3- and 5 yr smoothed ENSO variability. Such projection is given here and might help in preparations for adaptation and mitigation measures caused by ENSO-related coastal hazards.

Patterns of spawning and settlement of reef fishes as strategic responses to post-settlement competition

Settlement is a critical transition in the life history of reef fish, and the timing of this event can have a strong effect on fitness. Key factors that influence settlement timing are predictable lunar cyclic variation in tidal currents, moonlight, and nocturnal predation risk as larvae transition from pelagic to benthic environments. However, populations typically display wide variation in the arrival of settlers over the lunar cycle. This variation is often hypothesized to result from unpredictable conditions in the pelagic environment and bet-hedging by spawning adults. Here, we consider the hypothesis that the timing of spawning and settlement is a strategic response to post-settlement competition. We use a game theoretic model to predict spawning and settlement distributions when fish face a tradeoff between minimizing density-independent predation risk while crossing the reef crest vs. avoiding high competitor density on settlement habitat. In general, we expect competition to spread spawning over time such that settlement is distributed around the lunar phase with the lowest predation risk, similar to an ideal free distribution in which competition spreads competitors across space. We examine the effects of overcompensating density dependence, age-dependent competition, and competition among daily settler cohorts. Our model predicts that even in the absence of stochastic variation in the larval environment, competition can result in qualitative divergence between spawning and settlement distributions. Furthermore, we show that if competitive strength increases with settler age, competition results in covariation between settler age and settlement date, with older larvae settling when predation risk is minimal. We predict that competition between daily cohorts delays peak settlement, with priority effects potentially selecting for a multimodal settlement distribution.

Temporal patterns in dolphin foraging activity in the Mediterranean Sea: insights from vocalisations recorded during the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative

Marine organisms continually adapt their physiology and behaviour to temporal variations in their environment, resulting in diurnal rhythmic behaviour, particularly when foraging. In delphinids, these rhythms can be studied by recording echolocation clicks, which can provide indicators of foraging activity. The foraging rhythms of delphinids and their relationship to temporal parameters are poorly documented and most studies so far have used moored passive acoustic systems. The present study provides, for the first time, information on the activity rhythms of delphinids investigated in relation with temporal variables at a basin scale from a moving platform, in the western and central Mediterranean Sea. We used passive acoustic recordings collected by hydrophones towed along transect lines during the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative in the summer 2018. We extracted variables that may influence daily and monthly rhythms, including time of day, lunar cycle, lunar illumination and sea state and fitted generalised additive models. The nycthemeral and lunar cycles were the two main factors influencing dolphin activity rhythms. Echolocation activity was predominant at night, with a maximum of 0.026 acoustic events per minute at 21:00/22:00 compared to as few as 0.0007 events per minute at 11:00. These events were also more frequent during the third quarter of the moon; 0.033 acoustic events on day 22 of the lunar cycle as opposed to 0.0008 on day 8 of the lunar cycle, corresponding to the first quarter of the moon. Variations in the echolocation activity of delphinids in the Mediterranean Sea could reflect variation in their foraging effort and be related to prey density, composition, accessibility and catchability within dolphin foraging depth range. These results should also improve interpretation of passive acoustic monitoring data.

Factors influencing fish migration in one of the world's largest inland fisheries

Fish from Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake are economically, culturally, and nutritionally significant for people in the Lower Mekong Basin, providing income, livelihoods, and protein. Fish in this system generally migrate toward upstream Mekong River in dry season and return in early wet season. However, drivers of fish migration from Tonle Sap Lake to the Mekong River are not well-understood. In this paper, we utilized Mixed Effects Random Forest to predict the catch weight of six fish species migrating from the Tonle Sap Lake to the Mekong River using precipitation, lunar cycle, and hydrologic conditions like river stage, streamflow, flow magnitude, and timing as predictors. As a surrogate for fish migration, we used daily fish catch weight from 2002 through 2008 at the bagnet, or Dai, fisheries along Tonle Sap River, a migration corridor connecting Tonle Sap Lake to the Mekong River. We found that migration of large fish was mainly cued by streamflow and flow magnitude, while smaller fish migrate depending on the combination of streamflow and flow timing. Streamflow less than average cumulative flow was the most important driver for migration of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, and Cirrhinus microlepis. Migration of Cyclocheilichthys enoplos and Osteochilus melanopleurus was highly dependent on the number of low- and minimum-flow days. Cumulative flows, period of high flow and water level were the main predictors of the small mud-carp Henicorhynchus entmema's migration, while individuals of Labiobarbus leptocheilus migrated out of the Tonle Sap Lake depending on the number of days after 7-, 30-, and 90-day minimum flows. These results suggest that flow characteristics can be used to aid conservation and adaptive management of Cambodia's Dai fisheries.

Auto-luminescence in seedlings: possible indicators for the gravimetric tide?

Germinating seedlings emit light in the visible range spontaneously, and these emissions are related to metabolism and reactive-oxygen species (ROS) processes. Several series of germination tests had such biological auto-luminescence (BAL) recorded in controlled conditions, fostering applications for the non-invasive, real-time evaluation of a seedling’s germinability and vigor when submitted to chemical and/or physical perturbations. However, long-term analysis of the BAL time-series of control samples conducted in different locations around the globe reveals that their BAL signals (and thus their metabolism) appear to follow the local gravimetric tide (g-tide) time profile. This indicates that the small daily and monthly variations in gravity acceleration due to the relative positioning of the Sun and Moon with respect to the Earth’s surface influence these signals. The gravimetric tide is a natural phenomenon that affects all things, fluid or solid, and is an uncontrollable variable in normal laboratory settings on Earth’s crust. All things on Earth have evolved under these pervasive cycles, with periods ranging from ∼12.2 h up to 28 d, which correspond to the Moon cycle. Tide-like cycles occur in living beings of different types, from the simplest bacteria to the most complex human beings, and we speculate that water availability at the molecular level could be a significant physical factor in modulating bio-activity by enabling protein folding and all metabolic pathways that require a synchronized organization to adapt to external environmental conditions. In this study, we summarize published results of a seedling’s BAL with cycle patterns resembling the g-tide in Limeira/BR, Prague/CZ, Leiden/NL, and Hamamatsu/JP and discuss the possible implications of this phenomenon for chronobiological studies.

Rethinking fish-friendliness of pumps by shifting focus to both safe and timely fish passage for effective conservation

Globally, catadromous freshwater eels of the genus Anguilla are of conservation concern, including critically endangered European eel (Anguilla anguilla). Pumping stations that move river water to a higher elevation severely impact eels during their seaward spawning migration. Fish-friendly pumps can mitigate fish injury and mortality but here we uniquely rethink a fish-friendly pump as a fish passage solution. In this pluriannual study, the seasonal timing of pump operation was misaligned with the typical silver eel migration period. Eels were almost exclusively nocturnal but night-time pumping represented as little as 5.6% a year. Night-time eel approaches were primarily influenced by pump duration and temperature, but did not align with lunar phase, unlike in unregulated rivers. After reaching the pumping station, eel passage was influenced by weedscreen aperture and increased when the aperture was increased. Passive sensor collision suggested non-pump infrastructure could cause injury and mortality to eels. It is therefore recommended pump operation should align with the timing of silver eel migration, weedscreen and pump entrance efficiencies should be maximised, and non-pump infrastructure must have low fish injury risk. Ultimately, considering the entire structure a fish passage solution will help ensure fish-friendly pumps have high conservation value for anguillid eels globally.

Lunar rhythms and their carry-over effects may shape environmental sex determination in a coral reef fish.

Lunar rhythms shape spawning phenology and subsequent risks and rewards for early life-history stages in the sea. Here, we consider a perplexing spawning phenology of the sixbar wrasse (Thalassoma hardwicke), in which parents spawn disproportionately around the new moon, despite the low survival of these larvae. Because primary sex determination in this system is highly plastic and sensitive to social environments experienced early in development, we ask whether this puzzling pattern of spawning is explained by fitness trade-offs associated with primary sexual maturation. We used otoliths from 871 fish to explore how spawning on different phases of the moon shapes the environments and phenotypes of settling larvae. Offspring that were born at the new moon were more likely to settle (i) before other larvae, (ii) at a larger body size, (iii) at an older age, (iv) to the best quality sites, and (v) as part of a social group-all increasing the likelihood of primary maturation to male. Selection of birthdates across life stage transitions suggests that the perplexing spawning phenology of adults may reflect an evolutionarily stable strategy that includes new moon spawning for compensatory benefits later in life, including preferential production of primary males at certain times.

Traditional Beliefs and Real Influence of Full Moon Days on the Behavior of Community Pharmacy Customers in Estonia

Traditional beliefs about the influence of the moon’s phases on human well-being and health remain vague in Estonia. The study hypothesized that Estonian pharmacists have noticed a periodic increase in the number of problematic pharmacy visitors, which can be associated with full moon days (3 days before and after). The observational study was conducted in 22 community pharmacies in Estonia (11 in standard and 11 in blind group), a total of 76 pharmacists filled out an observation diary daily for 10 months. Additionally, a questionnaire was used for 400 randomly selected employees of pharmacies. During the full moon period, the number of conflicts in the community pharmacies increased by 2.7 in the standard group and 3 times in the blind group (p<0.01). Pharmacists’ opinions about the full moon’s effect on the behavior of pharmacy visitors and themselves are described. Also, the sales of medicines for nervous system disorders increase on full moon days. Sensitive customers believe in the influence of the full moon and experience changes thanks to autosuggestion. The behavior of visitors is emotionally more unstable, with an increased level of anxiety. There is a need for further research on the impact of moon phases on behavioral aspects when providing medical and pharmaceutical care.

Blue shark vertical movement patterns in the Central Mediterranean: bycatch mitigation windows revealed from pop-up satellite archival tag data

In the Mediterranean Sea, pelagic longline fisheries, targeting tuna and swordfish, have contributed significantly to the bycatch of threatened chondrichthyan species, such as blue shark (Prionace glauca). The Mediterranean blue shark population is assessed as critically endangered, making a timely implementation of mitigation measures crucial. A comprehensive understanding of blue shark habitat use dynamics is essential for deriving appropriate mitigation measures. This study aimed at evaluating vertical movement behaviour and investigating factors potentially influencing the movements of blue sharks in the Mediterranean Sea. Twenty-six blue sharks, bycaught in a longline fishery in the southern Adriatic, were tagged with pop-up satellite archival tags. Analysis of data from thirteen recovered tags revealed a distinctive diel movement pattern. Blue sharks used shallower waters during the night and deeper waters during the day, characterised by steep ascents and descents during sunset and sunrise, respectively. In addition, lunar phases were also influencing the depth of blue shark movements, with sharks using deeper waters right before and during full-moon. Shark size, salinity, currents, spatial location and time of the year were additional factors influencing blue shark depth use. The observed tendency of blue sharks to use deeper areas at daytime and prior and during the full moon period offers possibilities to develop and test bycatch mitigation strategies. Aligning longline fishing schedules and fishing depths with blue shark behaviour during the fishing seasons could hold promise to effectively reduce spatio-temporal overlap between fishing and blue shark distribution and may ultimately decrease the bycatch impact of the fishery.

The lunar cycle does not influence catch rates or foraging success of neonatal reef sharks in an amphidromic nursery system

The lunar cycle does not influence catch rates or foraging success of neonatal reef sharks in an amphidromic nursery system

Living between sand and waves: Age and feeding habits of sand sole (Pegusa lascaris, Risso 1810) and brill (Scophthalmus rhombus, Linnaeus, 1758) on the beaches of the Gulf of Cádiz (Southwest Iberian Peninsula)

Within ecosystems that are used as nurseries, surf zones are crucial for many species due to the protection and sustenance these areas provide. Many commercially important species live in these zones during their early years, including the sand sole (Pegusa lascaris) and the brill (Scophthalmus rhombus). The objective of this study was to determine the age and feeding habits of individuals from both species living in the surf zone, as well as any potential variations with the environmental variables such as time of the day, lunar phases or season. The average size was 15.66 ± 3.71 cm (TL) for the sand sole and 11.49 ± 5.66 cm (TL) for the brill. The length-weight relationship for the sand sole was TW = 0.005*TL3.230 (parameter a: 95 % C.I.: 0.004–0.006 and parameter b: 95 % C.I.: 3.134–3.326), while for the brill it was TW = 0.013*TL3.048 (parameter a: 95 % C.I.: 0.012–0.016 and parameter b: 95 % C.I.: 2.988–3.108). In both the sand sole (92.4 %) and the brill (85.6 %), the most abundant age classes were 0+ and 1+, with significant differences in the abundance of age classes, depending on the season, in the case of the brill. The sand sole primarily feeds on cumaceans and bivalves, with significant variations in diet based on the time of the day, moon phases, and season, whereas the brill preys on mysids. This research provides new insights into how both species utilize the surf zone, using these areas as nurseries in their early years of life. This underscores the importance of these zones and the potential of the ecosystem services they offer.

Multi‐method sampling increases detectability and assessment of spatio‐temporal interactions of mammals and birds in wetland habitats

Abstract Freshwater habitats support high levels of biodiversity and provide important habitat for wetland‐dependent taxa; however, impairment of aquatic connectivity through wetland loss, stream alterations and light pollution impacts species persistence and community resilience. Quantifying occupancy of these habitats to assess their use by mammals and birds can be challenging, especially for cryptic species. This study examines wetland habitat use by mammals and birds, and their spatial and temporal relationships within the Beaver Hills Biosphere in Alberta, Canada. As part of a multi‐method detection approach, camera boxes, cameras on beaver dams, and camera rafts allowed for multivariate analyses to determine temporal and spatial patterns of habitat use and species associations, while field sampling and environmental DNA (eDNA) provided data on site occupancy by a subset of semi‐aquatic mammals. From ~50,000 images, over 84 species were detected, including 52 species of birds and 25 species of mammals. Several species were spatially associated, and although most species of mammals exhibited temporal overlap, there were distinct differences, especially on beaver dams where predators such as coyotes and white‐tailed deer shared the same space. Temporally, birds were detected most often during the day and mammals at night. During new moon phases, use of beaver dams by beavers decreased dramatically, and use of camera rafts by muskrats increased. Winter field surveys allowed for a broad overview of wetland occupancy and abundance of some species, particularly by beavers and muskrats, and occasionally winter use by other semi‐aquatic mammals. Where there was limited detection of more cryptic species of semi‐aquatic mammals, eDNA analysis successfully detected American water shrew, American mink, North American river otter and northern bog lemming more often than camera and field methods. Applying a multi‐method monitoring approach for mammals and birds in wetland habitats is critical at a time when freshwater systems are experiencing dramatic declines in relative abundance of monitored wildlife populations, with many of these species underrepresented in conventional surveys.

Turning Night into Day: The Creation and Validation of Synthetic Nighttime Visible Imagery Using the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day–Night Band (DNB) and Machine Learning

Abstract Meteorological satellite imagery is a critical asset for observing and forecasting weather phenomena. The Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day–Night Band (DNB) sensor collects measurements from moonlight, airglow, and artificial lights. DNB radiances are then manipulated and scaled with a focus on digital display. DNB imagery performance is tied to the lunar cycle, with the best performance during the full moon and the worst with the new moon. We propose using feed-forward neural network models to transform brightness temperatures and wavelength differences in the infrared spectrum to a pseudo-lunar reflectance value based on lunar reflectance values derived from observed DNB radiances. JPSS NOAA-20 and Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (SNPP) satellite data over the North Pacific Ocean at night for full moon periods from December 2018 to November 2020 were used to design the models. The pseudo-lunar reflectance values are quantitatively compared to DNB lunar reflectance, providing the first-ever lunar reflectance baseline metrics. The resulting imagery product, Machine Learning Nighttime Visible Imagery (ML-NVI), is qualitatively compared to DNB lunar reflectance and infrared imagery across the lunar cycle. The imagery goal is not only to improve upon the consistent performance of DNB imagery products across the lunar cycle, but ultimately to lay the foundation for transitioning the algorithm to geostationary sensors, making global continuous nighttime imagery possible. ML-NVI demonstrates its ability to provide DNB-derived imagery with consistent contrast and representation of clouds across the full lunar cycle for nighttime cloud detection. Significance Statement This study explores the creation and evaluation of a feed-forward neural network to generate synthetic lunar reflectance values and imagery from VIIRS infrared channels. The model creates lunar reflectance values typical of full moon scenes, enabling quantifiable comparisons for nighttime imagery evaluations. Additionally, it creates imagery that highlights low clouds better than its infrared counterparts. Results indicate the ability to create visually consistent nighttime visible imagery across the full lunar cycle for the improved nighttime detection of low clouds. Wavelengths chosen are available on both polar and geostationary satellite sensors to support the utilization of the algorithm on multiple sensor platforms for improved temporal resolution and greater simultaneous geographic coverage over polar orbiters alone.

Acoustic monitoring of artificial reefs reveals Atlantic cod and weakfish spawning and presence of individual bottlenose dolphins.

The artificial reefs in New York's waters provide structure in areas that are typically flat and sandy, creating habitat for a multitude of species as an area to spawn, forage, and reside. Passive acoustic data collected on the Fire Island and Shinnecock artificial reefs between 2018 and 2022 detected spawning-associated calls of weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), as well as the presence of individual bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) through their signature whistles. Weakfish and Atlantic cod were more vocally active on the Fire Island reef, where Atlantic cod grunts peaked during a new moon phase in December, and weakfish spawning experienced variable peaks between mid-July and mid-August on both reefs. Fifty-seven individual bottlenose dolphins were identified, with whistle repeats ranging from seconds to years apart. Passive acoustic monitoring allows for simultaneous collection of information on multiple species at different trophic levels as well as behavioral information that helps managers understand how these animals utilize these habitats, which can lead to improved conservation measures.

Analysis of Patient Presentations to the Emergency Department Due to Anxiety Associated with the Lunar Cycle and Seasonality

Analysis of Patient Presentations to the Emergency Department Due to Anxiety Associated with the Lunar Cycle and Seasonality

PENGARUH FASE BULAN TERHADAP HASIL TANGKAPAN IKAN DI PELABUHAN MUNCAR KABUPATEN BANYUWANGI

The influence of the moon's phases in the sky is a factor that is closely related to the behavior of fish, one of which is the fish's attraction to light. The purpose of this research was to examine the differences in fish catches based on the phases of the moon at Muncar Port, Banyuwangi Regency. This type of research is descriptive quantitative research with ex post facto survey method. This research uses ex post facto research with a Causal Comparative Research design. The results showed that there was no difference in fish catch based on the phase of the moon in one year. The results of the analysis that has been carried out show that the average fish catch in each phase of the moon in one year is almost the same. Based on the research data, it can be concluded that in the bright moon, the fish catches are less. However, during the dark moon the fish catch becomes abundant.

Evaluation of Nocturnal Aerosol Optical Depth Determining From a Lunar Photometry in Lanzhou of Northwest China

AbstractA Cimel Sun‐sky‐lunar photometer (CE318‐T) is designed to perform daytime and nighttime photometric measurements and calculate diurnal cycle of aerosol optical depth (AOD). Nevertheless, the determination of nocturnal AOD from CE318‐T requires a precise knowledge of extraterrestrial lunar irradiance, which significantly changes with moon's phase angle (MPA) and lunar libration in a single night. This study evaluated the 1‐year nocturnal AODs at Lanzhou by using three different methods, which were validated by collocated measurements of DIAL Lidar (as a reference) and Cimel software (as a proxy). The results indicated that three independent approaches could implement a similar performance to compute nocturnal AOD near full moon phase (i.e., MPA = 0°) under moderate aerosol loading. The spectral AOD values at nighttime calculated by ROLO Lunar Langley (Robotic Lunar Observatory model) and Sun‐moon Gain Factor (SMGF) methods are significantly underestimated under low moon's illumination or high MPA (MPA < −47° or MPA > 47°) and distinctly dependent on MPA. The RIMO correction factor (RCF) (ROLO Implementation for Moon photometry Observation correction factor) method could compensate the underestimated extraterrestrial lunar irradiances of ROLO model for about 6.76%–9.78%, and thus greatly improve the calculation accuracy of nighttime AOD. The day/night coherence transition test has demonstrated that we would obtain a good diurnal variation of AODs at Lanzhou after RCF correction. The overall averages of nocturnal AOD440nm differences between Cimel software and ROLO model and SMGF method are 0.064 ± 0.024 and 0.052 ± 0.022, respectively, while the corresponding difference of RCF is less than 0.021 ± 0.014 for all wavelengths, falling within uncertainty range of AERONET AOD products (∼±0.02). The diurnal variations of AODs determined from RCF method agree well with synchronous results of DIAL Lidar, with total mean AOD532nm differences of 0.038 ± 0.024 and 0.023 ± 0.017 in daytime and nighttime, respectively. The spectral AODs computed from RCF method are well consistent with Cimel software, although there are some discrepancies under low AOD cases (AOD440nm < 0.30), and the overall average of AOD440nm differences are less than −0.0053 ± 0.002 and −0.0185 ± 0.013 in daytime and nighttime, respectively. Our results confirmed that the CE318‐T photometer can be reasonably calculated nighttime AOD and Ångström exponent (AE440–870nm) at urban Lanzhou by using three independent methods, although the former two need to be greatly improved under low moon's illumination. The RCF method was proved to reliably calculate nocturnal AOD from moonlight irradiance, which didn't rely on MPA. A more accurate lunar irradiance model needs to be developed to improve the underestimation of current ROLO model. Long‐term climatological information of nocturnal AOD is crucial for comprehensively characterizing the diurnal variations of aerosol optical properties and atmospheric boundary layer structure during the winter at typical northern city of China, which deserves to be further investigated in the future.

Evaluation of the high-robustness nuclear power cycle against lunar surface environmental threat

Heat sinks exposed to the lunar surface environment cause fluctuations in the energy cycle due to variations in lunar thermal conditions, leading to non-design operations of the energy system. Such suboptimal operations decrease energy efficiency and shorten the lifespan of system components. This paper introduces an innovative design for a highly robust lunar nuclear power cycle that mitigates environmental threats on the lunar surface. A reverse closed Brayton cycle increases the waste heat discharge temperature. Higher waste heat temperatures allow the heat sink panels to have greater heat radiation per unit area, countering the negative disturbances from lunar environmental changes on the energy system. Under the dual threats of lunar dust toxicity and intense solar radiation, the output reduction of this robust nuclear cycle is only 0.96% that of traditional nuclear power cycles with the same thermoelectric parameters. Moreover, even under severe environmental threats, the power quality of this robust nuclear cycle remains 10.8 times better than that of conventional designs with the same nighttime output design baseline. In conclusion, employing a reverse Brayton cycle to increase waste heat emission temperature effectively enhances the robustness of the nuclear power cycle. This paper proposes a new nuclear thermoelectric system framework to withstand threats from the lunar surface environment.

Correlation between Lunar Phases and Rainfall Patterns in Mexico

Correlation between Lunar Phases and Rainfall Patterns in Mexico