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We present the discovery and characterization of six short-period, transiting giant planets from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) -- TOI-1811 (TIC 376524552), TOI-2025 (TIC 394050135), TOI-2145 (TIC 88992642), TOI-2152 (TIC 395393265), TOI-2154 (TIC 428787891), & TOI-2497 (TIC 97568467). All six planets orbit bright host stars (8.9, Comment: 20 Pages, 6 Figures, 8 Tables, Accepted by MNRAS

Patterned ground on chalkland at Hare Park, Cambridgeshire, includes patterns associated with a periglacial climate (stripes, nets), but also a type of pattern distinctly differing from these. These patterns are seen in the Fort field, to the east of the Hare Park ridge, which extends northwards across the Chalk escarpment and from the Anglian till plateau to the south. Three valleys are present in the Fort field, draining to the NE. Stripes and nets are associated with the two older valleys, and are associated with incision of streams of the Chalk escarpment. The other patterns, developed on the surface of the Moulton Head, consist of depressed rings and arcs forming wide and low ditches. These are shown to be filled with sandy sediment. They result from Chalk solution associated with pools formed by groundwater released from a perched aquifer in the Chalk. The pools pre-dated the head, with the depth of depression reflecting the degree of subsequent subsidence, and the patterns are related to the presence of sand bodies older than the head. The Fort field patterns are related to the superficial deposits immediately to the west by analysis of boreholes and local geological records. The Moulton Head interdigitates with clays interpreted as being of proglacial origin, as are the Head Gravels of Hare Park. The proglacial origin is related to the Fenland mid-Wolstonian Tottenhill glaciation at c. 160 ka. The relation of the Palaeolithic archaeology of Hare Park to the deposits is considered and compared with records of palaeoliths in proglacial sediments in southern Fenland.

We present seven new transiting hot Jupiters from the WASP-South survey. The planets are all typical hot Jupiters orbiting stars from F4 to K0 with magnitudes of V = 10.3 to 12.5. The orbital periods are all in the range 3.9--4.6 d, the planetary masses range from 0.4--2.3 Mjup and the radii from 1.1--1.4 Mjup. In line with known hot Jupiters, the planetary densities range from Jupiter-like to inflated (rho = 0.13--1.07 rho_jup). We use the increasing numbers of known hot Jupiters to investigate the distribution of their orbital periods and the 3--4-d "pile-up".

We report the discovery and initial characterisation of Qatar-1b, a hot Jupiter orbiting a metal-rich K dwarf star, the first planet discovered by the Alsubai Project exoplanet transit survey. We describe the strategy used to select candidate transiting planets from photometry generated by the Alsubai Project instrument. We examine the rate of astrophysical and other false positives found during the spectroscopic reconnaissance of the initial batch of candidates. A simultaneous fit to the follow-up radial velocities and photometry of Qatar-1b yield a planetary mass of 1.09+/-0.08 Mjup and a radius of 1.16+/-0.05 Rjup. The orbital period and separation are 1.420033 days and 0.0234 AU for an orbit assumed to be circular. The stellar density, effective temperature and rotation rate indicate an age greater than 4 Gyr for the system.

International audience; We report on three new transiting hot Jupiter planets, discovered from the WASP surveys, which we combine with radial velocities from OHP/ SOPHIE and Euler/CORALIE and photometry from Euler and TRAPPIST. The planets WASP-76b, WASP-82b, and WASP-90b are all inflated, with radii of 1.7-1.8 R-Jup. All three orbit hot stars, of type F5-F7, with orbits of 1.8-3.9 d, and all three stars have evolved, post-main-sequence radii (1.7-2.2 R-circle dot). Thus the three planets fit a known trend of hot Jupiters that receive high levels of irradiation being highly inflated. We caution, though, about the presence of a selection effect, in that non-inflated planets around similar to 2 R-circle dot post-MS stars can often produce transits too shallow to be detected by the ground-based surveys that have found the majority of transiting hot Jupiters.

We observed the extreme close-in hot Jupiter system WASP-12 with HST. Near-UV transits up to three times deeper than the optical transit of WASP-12b reveal extensive diffuse gas, extending well beyond the Roche lobe. The distribution of absorbing gas varies between visits. The deepest NUV transits are at wavelength ranges with strong photospheric absorption, implying the absorbing gas may have temperature and composition similar to the stellar photosphere. Our spectra reveal significantly enhanced absorption (greater than 3 \sigma below the median) at ~200 wavelengths on each of two HST visits; 65 of these wavelengths are consistent between the two visits, using a strict criterion for velocity matching which excludes matches with velocity shifts exceeding ~20 km/s. Excess transit depths are robustly detected throughout the inner wings of the MgII resonance lines independently on both HST visits. We detected absorption in FeII 2586A, the heaviest species yet detected in an exoplanet transit. The MgII line cores have zero flux, emission cores exhibited by every other observed star of similar age and spectral type are conspicuously absent. WASP-12 probably produces normal MgII profiles, but the inner portions of these strong resonance lines are likely affected by extrinsic absorption. The required Mg+ column is an order of magnitude greater than expected from the ISM, though we cannot completely dismiss that possibility. A more plausible source of absorption is gas lost by WASP-12b. We show that planetary mass loss can produce the required column. Our Visit 2 NUV light curves show evidence for a stellar flare. We show that some of the possible transit detections in resonance lines of rare elements may be due instead to non-resonant transitions in common species. We present optical observations and update the transit ephemeris., Comment: 79 pages, 23 figures, published in ApJ "replaced" version is identical except for corrected punctuation in the arXiv abstract

We present SuperWASP observations of HAT-P-14b, a hot Jupiter discovered by Torres et al. The planet was found independently by the SuperWASP team and named WASP-27b after follow-up observations had secured the discovery, but prior to the publication by Torres et al. Our analysis of HAT-P-14/WASP-27 is in good agreement with the values found by Torres et al. and we refine the parameters by combining our datasets. We also provide additional evidence against astronomical false positives. Due to the brightness of the host star, V = 10, HAT-P-14 is an attractive candidate for further characterisation observations. The planet has a high impact parameter, b = 0.907 +/- 0.004, and the primary transit is close to grazing. This could readily reveal small deviations in the orbital parameters indicating the presence of a third body in the system, which may be causing the small but significant orbital eccentricity, e = 0.095 +/- 0.011. The system geometry suggests that the planet narrowly fails to undergo a secondary eclipse. However, even a non-detection would tightly constrain the system parameters.

Middle and Late Devensian thermal contraction networks and cracks are described from the southern Fenland, Cambridgeshire. They are associated with gravel aggradations of low terraces of the River Great Ouse. Two networks are described, one set younger than the other. Three types of contraction crack are described. Type 1 occurs within the gravel aggradation of a c. 3 m OD terrace; type 2 penetrates this gravel and is filled with a complex of sediments, including primary, secondary and trough fillings; type 3 penetrates younger lacustrine sediments and gravels associated with Lake Sparks, the lake formed by the damming of Fenland by Late Devensian ice at the Wash. The networks are related to type 2 and type 3 cracks. The relation of permafrost periods to the stratigraphy and landscape development is described, together with the chronology. Periods of sand-loess and cover sand deposition are identified. A period of permafrost degradation may be associated with change of climate and/or the development and proximity of Lake Sparks. A major period of permafrost in the area is correlated with the Weichselian Late Pleniglacial major permafrost event in the Netherlands (24 ka to 17 ka BP) and a similar major event in Poland (22 ka to 19/20 ka BP). This appears to be, broadly, the period leading up to and associated with the advance of the Late Devensian (Weichselian) ice in Britain and on the continent. Des reseaux de fentes de contraction thermique et de fissures datant du milieu et de la fin de la derniere glaciatton sont decrits dans le sud des Fens (Cambridgeshire-Angleterre). Ils sont associes avec des accumulations de graviers sur des basses terrasses de la riviere ‘Great Ouse’. Deux reseaux sont decrits, l'un etant plus jeune que l'autre. Trois types de fissures de contraction sont egalement decrites. Le type 1 est developpe dans l'accumulation graveleuse d'une terrasse de 3 m; le type 2 penetre ce gravier et est rempli par un complexe de sediments comprenant des remplissages primaires, secondaires et en auge; le type 3 s'enfonce dans des sediments lacustres plus jeunes et dans des graviers associes avec la formation du lac Sparks, lac produit a la suite de la fermeture des Fens par de la glace de la fin de la derniere glaciation remplissant le golfe du Wash. Les reseaux sont ceux appartenant aux fissures de types 2 et 3. Les relations existant entre les periodes ou ont existe un pergelisol et a la fois la stratigraphie, et le developpement du paysage sont decrits, en měme temps que la chronologie. Des periodes de depǒt de loess sableux et de sables de couverture sont identifies. Une periode de degradation du pergelisol peut ětre associee avec des changements de climat et/ou avec le developpement et la proximite du Lac Sparks. Une periode majeure d'extension du pergelisol dans la region est mise en relation avec la periode de developpement maximum du pergelisol a la fin du pleniglaciaire Weichselien aux Pays-Bas (24–17 Ka BP) et un evenement semblable connu en Pologne (22–19/20 Ka BP). Cette pkriode semble Ctre en gros, la periode conduisant a, et associee avec, l'avance de la glace Devensienne (Weichselienne) dans les Iles Britanniques et sur le continent.

We report the discovery of a low-density exoplanet transiting an 11th magnitude star in the Southern hemisphere. WASP-15b, which orbits its host star with a period P=3.7520656+-0.0000028d has a mass M_p=0.542+-0.050M_J and radius R_p=1.428+-0.077R_J, and is therefore the one of least dense transiting exoplanets so far discovered (rho_p=0.247+-0.035g cm^-3). An analysis of the spectrum of the host star shows it to be of spectral type around F5, with an effective temperature T_eff=6300+-100K and [Fe/H]=-0.17+-0.11., Submitted to AJ

International audience; We report on the discovery of WASP-12b, a new transiting extrasolar planet with R pl = 1.79+0.09 -0.09 RJ and M pl = 1.41+0.10 -0.10 M J. The planet and host star properties were derived from a Monte Carlo Markov Chain analysis of the transit photometry and radial velocity data. Furthermore, by comparing the stellar spectrum with theoretical spectra and stellar evolution models, we determined that the host star is a supersolar metallicity ([M/H] = 0.3+0.05 -0.15), late-F (T eff = 6300+200 -100 K) star which is evolving off the zero-age main sequence. The planet has an equilibrium temperature of T eq = 2516 K caused by its very short period orbit (P = 1.09 days) around the hot, twelfth magnitude host star. WASP-12b has the largest radius of any transiting planet yet detected. It is also the most heavily irradiated and the shortest period planet in the literature.

Depressions and embayments of the southern Fenland margin and islands are ascribed to periglacial processes in the Devensian Stage (last cold stage) of the Pleistocene. The processes, which may be included in the general term thermokarst, include thermal erosion as an important element. The age of the active landscape evolution appears to be Late Devensian. The Crowland Bed of the Fenland Pleistocene succession is a product of these processes.

We report the discovery of WASP-3b, the third transiting exoplanet to be discovered by the WASP and SOPHIE collaboration. WASP-3b transits its host star USNO-B1.0 1256-0285133 every 1.846834+-0.000002 days. Our high precision radial-velocity measurements present a variation with amplitude characteristic of a planetary-mass companion and in-phase with the light-curve. Adaptive optics imaging shows no evidence for nearby stellar companions, and line-bisector analysis excludes faint, unresolved binarity and stellar activity as the cause of the radial-velocity variations. We make a preliminary spectroscopic analysis of the host star finding it to have Teff = 6400+-100 K and log g = 4.25+-0.05 which suggests it is most likely an unevolved main sequence star of spectral type F7-8V. Our simultaneous modelling of the transit photometry and reflex motion of the host leads us to derive a mass of 1.76 +0.08 -0.14 M_J and radius 1.31 +0.07-0.14 R_J for WASP-3b. The proximity and relative temperature of the host star suggests that WASP-3b is one of the hottest exoplanets known, and thus has the potential to place stringent constraints on exoplanet atmospheric models., 10 pages, 7 figures, 4 tables, submitted for publication in MNRAS

We report the discovery of a sub-Jupiter mass exoplanet transiting a magnitude V=11.7 host star 1SWASP J030928.54+304024.7. A simultaneous fit to the transit photometry and radial-velocity measurements yield a planet mass M_p=0.53+-0.07M_J, radius R_p=0.91^{+0.06}_{-0.03}R_J and an orbital period of 3.722465^{+0.000006}_{-0.000008} days. The host star is of spectral type K3V, with a spectral analysis yielding an effective temperature of 4800+-100K and log g=4.45+-0.2. It is amongst the smallest, least massive and lowest luminosity stars known to harbour a transiting exoplanet. WASP-11b is the third least strongly irradiated transiting exoplanet discovered to date, experiencing an incident flux F_p=1.9x10^8 erg s^{-1} cm^{-2} and having an equilibrium temperature T_eq=960+-70K., Comment: Submitted to A&A on 17-Sep-2008

The Wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP) photometrically surveys a large number of nearby stars to uncover candidate extrasolar planet systems by virtue of smallamplitude lightcurve dips on a . 5-day timescale typical of the \Hot-Jupiters." Observations with the SuperWASP-North instrument between April and September 2004 produced a rich photometric dataset of some 1.3£10 9 datapoints from 6.7 million stars. Our custom-built data acquisition and processing system produces » 0:02 mag photometric precision at V =13. We present the transit-candidates in the 03h-06h RA range. Of 141,895 lightcurves with su‐cient sampling to provide adequate coverage, 2688 show statistically significant transit-like periodicities. Of these, 44 pass visual inspection of the lightcurve, of which 24 are removed through a set of cuts on the statistical signiflcance of artefacts. All but 4 of the remaining 20 objects are removed when prior information at higher spatial-resolution from existing catalogues is taken into account. Of the four candidates remaining, one is considered a good candidate for follow-up observations with three further second-priority targets. We provide detailed information on these candidates, as well as a selection of the false-positives and astrophysical false-alarms that were eliminated, and discuss brie∞y the impact of sampling on our results.

We present optical lightcurves of 428 periodic variable stars coincident with ROSAT X-ray sources, detected using the first run of the SuperWASP photometric survey. Only 68 of these were previously recognised as periodic variables. A further 30 of these objects are previously known pre-main sequence stars, for which we detect a modulation period for the first time. Amongst the newly identified periodic variables, many appear to be close eclipsing binaries, their X-ray emission is presumably the result of RS CVn type behaviour. Others are probably BY Dra stars, pre-main sequence stars and other rapid rotators displaying enhanced coronal activity. A number of previously catalogued pulsating variables (RR Lyr stars and Cepheids) coincident with X-ray sources are also seen, but we show that these are likely to be misclassifications. We identify four objects which are probable low mass eclipsing binary stars, based on their very red colour and light curve morphology., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics. This submission does not include Figure 1 (lightcurves & power spectra). The 107 panels of Figure 1 can be found online at http://physics.open.ac.uk/~ajnorton/wasp_rosat/

This paper describes the performance of XMM-Newton for serendipitous surveys and summarises the scope and potential of the XMM-Newton Serendipitous Survey. The role of the Survey Science Centre (SSC) in the XMM-Newton project is outlined. The SSC's follow-up and identification programme for the XMM-Newton serendipitous survey is described together with the presentation of some of the first results., 9 pages, 4 figs, accepted for A&A Letters, XMM issue, version with higher resolution figs available from http://xmmssc-www.star.le.ac.uk/papers

We present light curves and periods of 53 candidates for short period eclipsing binary stars identified by SuperWASP. These include 48 newly identified objects with periods, 5 pages of text, 18 pages of figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in A&A. (Slight formatting modifications to previous uploaded version)

Harry Godwin died on 12 August 1985 at the age of 84. His lifetime saw both the transformation of plant ecology to a leading experimental subject in the plant sciences and the related development of Quaternary research as an interdisciplinary science subject to, and contributing to, botany, zoology, geology, archaeology and geography. In both these developments Godwin was a pioneer and took a very major part, providing active and enthusiastic leadership, with valuable discipline, throughout his long career at Cambridge. His work led him to close friendships, both with his professional colleagues and students and with a wider range of researchers he worked with in the field. Few of his associates did not benefit from his readily given advice and help over the years. Godwin greatly relished the life and relationships he found at C am bridge, an enjoyment he mulled over in his last book Cambridge and Clare (55)*, an autobiography that celebrates his personal and scientific life, and that greatly enlarges this memoir.

Etude palynologique sur sept excavations de la compagnie des eaux dans le suffolk. Presentation de la stratigraphie, interpretation des dates et place du «Norwick Crag» dans les series

Summary The East Anglian Pleistocene succession records eight temperate stages with forest and also interstadials with forest in two of the intervening cold stages. The forest histories of these temperate stages and interstadials are described. The records through the Pleistocene of the tree genera involved are considered. The forest assemblages in each of four substages of the temperate stages (pre-temperate, early-temperate, late-temperate, post-temperate) are compared. The development of heath in the temperate stages is also examined. Floristic and phytogeographic changes indicated by the palaeobotanical evidence give information on Tertiary-relic genera and on extinctions, and have a bearing on the problem of the history of cold stage refugia. The success or failure of particular genera in response to the stress of climatic change is discussed. Finally, comparisons are made with Pleistocene forest history in north-west Europe.

The dates presented in this paper comprise results of determinations made at the University Radiocarbon Dating Research Laboratory, mostly during the latter half of 1974. Radioactivity was measured with proportional counters using pure carbon dioxide at 2 atmospheres pressure as filling gas. Effects of cosmic and local environmental radiation on the counters were reduced by surrounding them completely with 1) a plastic scintillator anticoincidence shield, 7.5cm thick, viewed by 2 photomultiplier tubes operating in coincidence mode, the output pulses of which were in anticoincidence with the proportional counters signals, and 2) by a 17.5 ton lead castle.

SUMMARY The relation between pollen deposition and phytosociology of 11 plant communities on the island of Ceann Ear, Monach Isles, has been studied. The relation of the phytosociology (frequency, Domin rating) of each community to the pollen analysis of a sample within it is described and the recognition of each community by its pollen spectrum is discussed. The representation of each pollen taxon in the pollen analyses in relation to the flora is tabulated, resulting in a classification of types of representation, from widespread to local to absent. The minimum percentage of pollen of off-island taxa is low (16%), over half being longdistance transport of Betula and Pinus. The frequency of off-island pollen is considered in relation to the frequency of community and out-community pollen, and various features of a plant community are suggested as possible factors in determining the relationship: height of vegetation, exposure, rate of local pollen deposition and the nature of the material trapping pollen. The significance of the results for the interpretation of fossil pollen spectra with high non-tree pollen frequencies (cold stages, post-Mesolithic clearances) is considered in relation to the reflection of a mosaic of plant communities and of regional plant communities in the pollen rain, to long-distance pollen transport and to grazing.

SUMMARY A pollen diagram from the pre-Pleistocene marine sediments near Orford, Suffolk, shows the presence of a forest flora, mainly coniferous, with a number of exotic genera of Eastern Asian/North American affinity, including Sequoia-type, Sciadopitys and Taxodium-type. It is suggested that this pollen assemblage may be Brunssumian (Lower Pliocene) in age.

SUMMARY A pollen diagram from freshwater sediments resting on glacio-fluvial outwash at Trysull, Staffordshire, England shows a sequence relating to the development of temperate stage forest. Correlation with a nearby Hoxnian site at Nechells, Birmingham is suggested.

SUMMARY The history of the application of palaeobotany to the development of Pleistocene stratigraphy in Britain is reviewed. Problems arising in the interpretation of pollen assemblages are discussed from palaeobotanical and stratigraphical points of view. Problems of correlation and nomenclature are also discussed.

Evidence for climatic conditions on the continents during the cold stages lies in a number of a re a s : glacial history, vegetational and faunal history, periglacial history, weathering horizons. Whereas glacial history provides evidence of periods of glacierization within cold stages, palaeontology provides evidence of a variety of climates within cold stages, as does the periglacial evidence, at times when glacierization was not extensive. T he definition and history of cold stages is considered. The evidence for climatic change is reviewed, based on the occurrence of periglacial phenom ena and fossil floras and faunas, and the problems of interpreting cold-stage climates are consider

SummaryPollen analyses have been made from sediments associated with vertebrate remains, including Arvicola cantiana, collected early in the 19th century from Ostend, Norfolk. They indicate that the fauna is of Cromerian zone IV date. Comparison with other pollen-dated Cromerian faunas implies that the early water vole Mimomys savini was replaced by the more advanced A. cantianaduring the second half of the Cromerian temperate stage. This is important in setting possible age limits to the faunas of such sites as Westbury, Mauer and Vérteszöllös.

SUMMARYA flora found in a clay lens in the Corton Beds at Lowestoft indicates a late- or full-glacial type of environment during an interval in the deposition of the Corton Beds. The interval may be related to drainage changes associated with the retreat of the North Sea Drift ice and advance of the Lowestoft Till ice.

The University of Cambridge Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory has been completely rebuilt and modernized, incorporating new techniques developed here for the various stages of measurements. Sample radioactivity is measured in gas proportional counters after conversion to highly purified CO2. Four counters are mounted within a single anticoincidence shield consisting of plastic scintillation material. This is surrounded by a graded cosmic ray shield of low radioactive steel, boron loaded wax, and finally, about 16 tons of ancient low radioactive lead blocks. The electronics are all solid state devices except for the stabilized high voltage supplies.

Ice wedge casts, the biggest 1.5 m deep, were found in stratified sand and gravel in sections in the Salpausselka I end-moraine in eastern Finland. Their distribution suggests that they were formed in the end of the Late Weichselian Younger Dryas period and possibly in early Flandrian time, which agrees with the dating of the youngest ice wedge casts in southern Sweden and Scotland formed in the Younger Dryas period.

The dates presented here comprise results obtained since our last list (R., 1973, v. 15, p. 156-164). Pure carbon dioxide prepared from the samples is used to fill copper proportional counters at two atmospheres pressure. The detectors are protected from environmental radiation by a massive lead shield inside which, and completely surrounding the proportional counters, is a high efficiency plastic scintillation anticoincidence screen (Switsur, Hall, and West, 1970). Modern sample gas is obtained from combustion of a.d. 1845 to 1855 rings of an oak tree grown near Cambridge, felled in 1950. Background samples are prepared from Welsh anthracite or Connemara limestone. The contemporary standard is compared frequently with the activity of NBS oxalic acid international standard. Age calculations are based on the 14C half-life of 5568 years and the uncertainty stated as one standard deviation calculated from the statistical analysis of sample and standard counting rates.

SUMMARYInterglacial organic deposits, at Wortwell in Norfolk, containing bones of Elephas antiquus, plant remains and molluscs, are shown to be of Ipswichian age. The plant and molluscan assemblages of an early part of the interglacial and of the mixed oak forest zone are described and compared with similar assemblages from Ipswichian and Hoxnian deposits. The relation between this deposit and other local Pleistocene deposits in the Waveney Valley is discussed.

Summary Marine clay appearing to crop out between the Chalk and a boulder clay resembling the Purple Till of Holderness has been sampled by gravity coring on the flanks of the Inner Silver Pit between 53° 24·8′ to 53° 30·2′ N and 0° 40·8′ to 0° 41·8′ E. Foraminiferal assemblages obtained from five sites are mostly dominated by Elphidium clavatum and indicate middle Pleistocene interglacial conditions; in all forty-five species of foraminifera are recorded. Pollen indicating zones IIIb and IV of the temperate Hoxnian stage is present in the same

Measurements reported in this paper were obtained in the Cambridge Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory during 1970–71. For most determinations, pure carbon dioxide at a pressure of 2 atm was used to fill the copper proportional counters, of 0.5 L or 1.5 L volume. The counters were protected by a massive lead shield and a plastic scintillation anticoincidence screen (Switsur, Hall, and West, 1970). Modern sample gas was obtained from the 1845 to 1855 growth rings of a locally grown oak tree which was felled in 1950. Background was prepared from Welsh anthracite. The contemporary standard is compared frequently with the activity of the International NBS oxalic acid standard. Sample ages are calculated using the conventional half-life of 5568 ± 30 years and the uncertainty stated in terms of one standard deviation of the counting statistics.