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Chapman, R. D.

Publications and source records attributed to Chapman, R. D..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1997

An investigation into the milliarcsecond attitude control errors of Hubble Space Telescope

An analysis of the fine pointing errors of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), in the range from 1 to 15 milliarcsecs, is reported on. The emphasis is on the study of the performance characteristics of the pointing control system, fine guidance sensors and the optical telescope assembly, which produce relative attitude and astrometric measurement errors. Since the first servicing mission in December 1993, the HST relative short term position stability is of the order of 3 milliarcsecs RMS when averaged over 1 min intervals. At this level of accuracy, longer term systematic attitude errors in this range can have a noticeable impact on the telescope's observations. The various error sources are described, including: internal temperature effects; spacecraft structure temperature effects; calibration procedures, and computational inaccuracies.

Bradley, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Sungrazing comet observations associated with SOHO

The possibilities of SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) related observations of sungrazing comets are discussed. Cometary science was previously identified as a secondary goal of two SOHO instruments (LASCO (Large Angle Spectroscopic Coronagraph) and SWAN (Solar Wind Anisotropy)), and it is believed that valuable contributions to this field may be possible by these and other SOHO instruments. It is demonstrated that observations of sungrazing comets should represent only infrequent intrusions to the basic science goals of the SOHO instruments. In fact, the primary contribution of SOHO instruments may be the discovery of sungrazing (and other) comets during nominal Sun pointed operations, and the subsequent rapid notification of ground based observers concerning these targets of opportunity.

St.cyr, O. Chris↗
NASA NTRS1986

Scattered light in the IUE spectra of Epsilon Aurigae

Recent infrared photometry indicates that the alleged disk of particulate matter surrounding the mysterious secondary object in the Epsilon Aur system is cold, around 500 K. IUE spectra, on the other hand, contain significant flux in excess of that expected from an F0 Ia star in the far UV, which if interpreted as a hot secondary star leads to a possible contradiction with the IR data. Other models of the UV excess have been proposed, including the idea that the bulk of the short-wavelength flux is light scattered into the SWP camera from longer wavelengths. With the recent availability of a detailed generalized IUE descattering algorithm it is possible to thoroughly investigate the scattered-light contribution to the short-wavelength continuum. It is found that the IUE spectra are indeed partially contaminated by scattered light, but that even after correction for this instrumental effect a significant time-dependent UV excess is still present.

Altner, B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Observation and interpretation of Zeta Aurigae stars

The ultraviolet observations of four Zeta Aurigae stars are reviewed. A, probably oversimplified, interpretation of the observations points to a straight forward connection between the spectral type of the B star and the amount of high temperature plasma in the systems.

Chapman, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Scattered light in the IUE spectra of Epsilon Aurigae

As a result of this work it was found that light scattered from the longer wavelengths constitutes a small but non-negligible, wavelength and time dependent fraction of the measured flux in the far UV. The reality of the UV excess has not been unambigiously ruled out. However, it is noted that there are still uncertainties in the assumed scattering profile. New measurements of the scattering properties of the cross disperser grating are planned in order to verify the results of Mount and Fastie and extend the wavelength coverage into the far wings of the profile. The results of these measurements will no doubt reduce some of these uncertainties. For the present, it is felt that the BCH approach is a significant improvement over the methods heretofore available for the treatment of scattered light in IUE spectra.

Aitner, B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Epsilon Aurigae

In April 1984, fourth contact ended the two year long eclipse of Epsilon Aurigae. An astrometric study of the study of the system was carried out by Van de kamp (1978) leading to the conclusion that the orbit is seen very close to edge on. The eclipse was monitored by a number of groups from the ground and from spacecraft such as the IUE. Ultraviolet observations of the system from IUE have thrown new light on the nature of the system that led to the conclusion that the secondary object is probably a cold, dusty accretion disk surrounding a star that is completely hidden inside the disk.

Chapman, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Comet Halley returns: A teachers' guide 1985-1986

This booklet has been put together as an aid for teachers in elementary and secondary schools. It is divided into two distinct parts. The first part is a brief tutorial which introduces some of the most important concepts about comets, including their historical significance. A list of selected readings is provided at the end of the booklet. The second part of the booklet contains a number of suggested activities, built around the comet. These include both classroom exercises and carefully described field work to observe the comet. Guidance is provided on where to look for the comet, how to observe it, and to photograph it.

Chapman, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Future of Ultraviolet Astronomy Based on Six Years of IUE Research

Physical insights into the various astronomical objects which were studied using the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite. Topics covered included galaxies, cool stars, hot stars, close binaries, variable stars, the interstellar medium, the solar system, and IUE follow-on missions.

Mead, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The 1982 eclipse of 31 Cygni

UBV photometry and optical-UV spectroscopy of the primary eclipse of the long period Zeta Aurigae-like system 31 Cygni are reported. The precise timings made possible by the photometry imply that the spectral features could be due to an accretion shock associated with a hot star embedded in an extended chromosphere surrounding the red supergiant. The data also suggest an extended clumpy structure to the atmosphere of the late-type supergiant in the binary.

Hopkins, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Mg II profile variations of Zeta Aurigae

Variations in the Mg II 2800-A doublet of Zeta Aurigae have been observed. The Mg II profiles deviate from simple P-Cygni profiles in that they exhibit an absorption feature consistent with Chapman's (1981) interpretation of C IV absorption as evidence of a column of accretion onto the B-star component of the binary. The opening angle of the shock cone containing the accretion column is found to exceed 16 deg, implying a stellar wind velocity of approximately 67 km/s, unless the H II region temperature is unusually high. The turbulence velocity of the wind then appears to be about 33 km/s, compared to values of order 10 km/s previously determined closer to the K-star surface.

Ahmad, I. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The partial phase of the eclipse of epsilon Aurigae

Ultraviolet spectra of the peculiar eclipsing binary Epsilon Aurigae (FO Ia + ?) were obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer at pre-eclipse and ingress partial phases. The results show a wavelength dependence of the eclipse in contrast to the grayness (non-wavelength dependence) of the eclipse observed in visible light. From the current results, incorporating previous observations, it is suggested that: (1) the obscuration of the light of the F supergiant by the disk proposed by Huang (1965) is the result of electron scattering in visible light; (2) the increase in the eclipse depths toward shorter wavelengths observed in the ultraviolet is caused by dust; and (3) the temperature of the disk is in the range from 1000 to 2000 K.

Chapman, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

UV observations of the 1981 eclipse of 32 Cygni

Preliminary results of an extensive set of high dispersion UV spectra of the supergiant eclipsing system 32 Cyg are detailed and contrasted with spectroscopic studies of other Zeta Aur systems.

Stencel, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Pre-eclipse ultraviolet spectra of Epsilon Aurigae

Existing high dispersion, long wavelength IUE, high dispersion long and short wavelength, and Balloon borne ultraviolet stellar spectrograph (BUSS) spectra providing a baseline measurement of the ultraviolet spectrum of the Epsilon Aurigae system before eclipse are reviewed. Plans for ultraviolet spectrum IUE observations during the 1982 to 1984 eclipse of Epsilon Aurigae are presented.

Chapman, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The evolutionary state of zeta Aurigae

Ultraviolet studies, originally undertaken to ascertain the state of the atmosphere of the K-supergiant component of the zeta Aurigae system, have been sidetracked by the discovery of significant accretion effects. An analysis of the phase dependence of the profiles of resonance lines in Mg II and C IV has led to a qualitative model of the wind flow from the K star. At the position of the B star the flow velocity is about 100 km/sec and the density is 0.000003 per cu cm, leading to a mass loss rate of 2 x 10 to the -8th solar masses per year. This wind interacts with the B star in a shock, which will be described, leading to accretion on the B star at a rate of 4 x 10 to the -10th solar masses per year.

Chapman, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The 1979-1980 eclipse of Zeta Aurigae. II - The emission spectrum

UV observations using the IUE are employed to discuss the strength and changes of Zeta Aur between a second contact and mid-eclipse in 1979, the relative visibility of the supergiant's chromosphere as compared with the circumstellar (CS) nebular scattering of the B star photons, and the origin of the high speed CS components observed at all orbital phases. Agreement has been found for a spectoscopic radius of 200 solar radii and a 400 pc distance, and eclipse emission lines were recorded from 1238.9-2802.7 microns. An asymmetry in the Fe III lines at 46 plus or minus 15 km/sec was seen during eclipse and is taken to indicate downflowing material. The high speed wind flowing from the K supergiant is thought to expand homogeneously until encountering the B type main sequence star, where an accretion bow shock forms, and the smaller star's passage near the K star at periastron may cause local surface heating and subsequent high speed flows.

Stencel, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The 1979-1980 eclipse of Zeta Aurigae. I - The circumstellar envelope

A model of the K-star wind far from the K star, and its interaction with the B star, has been derived from a study of Mg(+) and C(+++) resonance lines in the spectrum of Zeta Aurigae during 1979 and 1980. A mass loss rate from the K star of 2 x 10 to the -8th solar masses/year is suggested by the data; the rate of accretion of the K supergiant's material by the B star then being such that the matter accreted over a period of ten years is of the order of the total mass of the photosphere of the B star.

Chapman, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The corona associated with solar filaments

Spectroheliograms in high temperature ions such as Fe XV show the existence of both filaments that are brighter than the ambient corona and filaments that are darker than the ambient corona. The relationship of the filaments to photospheric magnetograms is described, and a possible physical mechanism to explain the differences is discussed.

Chapman, R. D.↗