Engineering topics

Backus, P. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Backus, P. R..

5 records

NASA NTRS1996

Jet Propulsion Laboratories in Space: The Production of Astrophysical Jets by Magnetic Accretion Disks, and a Super-Eddington Wind Model for the Early Stages of GROJ1455-40

Measurements of the properties of gravitational lenses have the power to tell us what sort of universe we live in. The brightest known radio Einstein ring/gravitational lens PKS 1830-211, whilst obscured by our galaxy at optical wavelengths, has recently provided a lensing galaxy redshift of 0.89 through the detection of a new absorption feature, most likely due to neutral hydrogen in a second redshift system at z=0.19.

PKS 1830-211↗

NASA NTRS1996

PKS 1830-211: A Possible Compound Gravitational Lens

Measurements of the properties of gravitational lenses have the power to tell us what sort of universe we live in. The brightest known radio Einstein ring/gravitational lens PKS 1830-211, whilst obscured by our Galaxy at optical wavelengths, has recently provided a lensing galaxy redshift of 0.89 through the detection of molecular absorption in the millimetre waveband.

new absorption feature lensing galaxy redshift sec↗

NASA NTRS1986

High-sensitivity observations of 28 pulsars

Average 430-MHz pulse profiles and, where possible, modulation indices and pulse-nulling fractions are computed for 28 pulsars. Morphological classifications are determined for most of the pulsars. It is found that core emission components tend to have lower modulation indices than conal components, and that pulsars having only a core component never exhibit pulse pulling. PSR 1612 + 07 is shown to undergo mode changes.

Weisberg, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Pulsar PRS 0656 + 14 - Period and spindown

Observations from various sources are used to explain the larger-than-expected period noted for pulsar 0656 + 14 on July 7, 1984 (Ashworth and Lyne, 1981). No indication of orbital motion was found, and most of the observations are consistent with a simple secular spindown. The derived period derivative of (54.3 + or - 1.3) x 10 to the -15th at epoch 2444300 is far greater than the previously reported value.

Domingue, D.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Pulsar PSR 0656+14: period and spindown

On July 7, 1984 pulsar 0656+14 was found to exhibit a larger period than expected. Using observations from a number of sources, we have attempted to explain this discrepancy. No indications of orbital motion was found. The available evidence indicates that the star has a period derivative of 54 10(-15) s s-1 rather than 1.6 10(-15) s s-1 as previously reported.

NASA Center ARC↗