Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Doxsey, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Doxsey, R..

At least 19 records

The Hubble Space Telescope Snapshot Survey. IV - A summary of the search for gravitationally lensed quasars

We report the concluding results of the HST Snapshot Survey for gravitationally lensed quasars. New observations of 153 high-luminosity z above 1 quasars are presented, bringing to 498 the total number of quasars observed in the survey. The new observations do not reveal new candidates for gravitational lensing. We present tables summarizing all of the snapshot observations, with measured V-magnitudes, accurate to 0.1 mag, for each of the quasars successfully observed. The observed frequency of lensing of quasars into multiple images is 3-6 out of 502, depending on whether one counts candidates that are not yet securely confirmed and cases in which clusters play a role. This frequency is in the range predicted by calculations with a vanishing cosmological constant, assuming galaxies can be modeled by unevolving isothermal spheres dominated in their centers by dark matter. The observed frequency is an order of magnitude lower than expected in such models when the universe is strongly dominated by a cosmological constant. This conclusion is, however, sensitive to the model assumptions and to the precise number of actual lensed quasars.

Maoz, D.↗

The Hubble Space Telescope Snapshot Survey. III - Further observations in search of gravitationally lensed quasars

We present new HST Snapshot Survey observations of 163 high-luminosity z greater than 1 quasars, bringing the total number observed to date in the survey to 347 quasars. Each exposure was searched for evidence on gravitational lensing. Among the newly observed quasars, six have additional point sources at separations of 2-6 arcsec, but in all six cases ground-based data indicate that gravitational lensing is not involved. No point sources were found at smaller separations. Counting the one new lens candidate the survey has uncovered and the known lenses excluded from the sample, the observed frequency of lensing of quasars by galaxies is 5/351. This frequency is in the range predicted by models with a vanishing cosmological constant, but an order of magnitude lower than expected in models strongly dominated by a cosmological constant.

Maoz, D.↗

Gravitational lensing of quasars as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope Snapshot Survey

Results from the ongoing HST Snapshot Survey are presented, with emphasis on 152 high-luminosity, z greater than 1 quasars. One quasar among those observed, 1208 + 1011, is a candidate lens system with subarcsecond image separation. Six other quasars have point sources within 6 arcsec. Ground-based observations of five of these cases show that the companion point sources are foreground Galactic stars. The predicted lensing frequency of the sample is calculated for a variety of cosmological models. The effect of uncertainties in some of the observational parameters upon the predictions is discussed. No correlation of the drift rate with time, right ascension, declination, or point error is found.

Maoz, D.↗

The snapshot survey - A search for gravitationally lensed quasars with the Hubble Space Telescope

The first results from the HST Non-Proprietary Snapshot Survey are presented in order to investigate new examples of multiply imaged quasars that are the result of gravitational lensing. None of the approximately 30 quasars observed at high spatial resolution show evidence of multiple imaging by gravitational lensing. These results are compared with lower resolution ground-based surveys and current theoretical predictions. Several engineering problems in the observatory's performance are addressed. It particular, the large telescope pointing errors and drift rates are found to be primarily the result of the lack of correction for stellar aberration when pointing and tracking are performed solely with gyroscopes. The implications for the possibly low intrinsic gyro drift rate on future observations are discussed.

Bahcall, J. N.↗

Identification and properties of the M giant/X-ray system HD 154791 = 2A 1704+241

The Aerial V X-ray source 2A 1704+241 (= 4U 1700+24 = 3A 1703+241) is identified with the M3 II star HD 154791. The identification is based on a precise X-ray position determined by the HEAO 1 scanning modulation collimator and the Einstein Observatory imaging proportional counter, together with a spectrum measured by the International Ultraviolet Explorer. The ultraviolet spectrum shows strong emission of C IV 1550 A, N v 1238 A, and Mg II 2800 A, which is very unusual among M giants. This is the first X-ray detection of an M giant which has a completely normal optical spectrum. The X-ray luminosity reaches three orders of magnitude above the mean upper limit for the coronal X-ray flux from M giants. Although there is no direct evidence for a binary system, since radial velocity variations have not been observed, it is shown that a plausible neutron star binary model can be constructed.

Garcia, M.↗

H0323 + 022 - A puzzling high-latitude X-ray/optical/radio source

HEAO 1 has located a flaring X-ray source, H0323 + 022, at high galactic latitude. This source is identified with a V = 16.5 UV-excess object. While the counterpart has been observed on two occasions to have zero redshift absorption lines, these features have been absent on at least five other occasions. The high IR flux of the object indicates a multicomponent source. Einstein Observatory observations indicate that the X-ray source has two components, a steady soft component and a variable hard one which exhibits a pronounced 60-sec dip, as well as flaring activity, on time scales as small as six hours. A 5 GHz detection of the source, with a flux density of 41 + or - 1 mJy, has also been made by Feigelson et al (1982).

Doxsey, R.↗

The future of VLBI observatories in space

The angular resolution of radio maps made by earth-based VLBI observations can be exceeded by placing at least one element of a VLBI array into earth orbit. A VLBI observatory in space can offer the additional advantages of increased sky coverage, higher density sampling of Fourier components, and rapid mapping of objects whose structure changes in less than a day. This paper explores the future of this technique.

Preston, R. A.↗

A-3 scientific results

The scanning modulation collimator experiment designed to identify the optical counterparts of celestial X-ray sources is described. Identification of galactic sources is discussed. Results concerning active galaxies are presented.

Doxsey, R.↗

Measurements of X-ray source positions by the scanning modulation collimator on HEAO 1

This paper reports preliminary results on the positions of X-ray sources obtained with the modulation collimator on the first NASA High Energy Astronomy Observatory, HEAO 1. Calibration on Sco X-1 establishes the experiment capabilities to be within 7 sec as limited by aspect errors. For the reported X-ray sources certain ambiguities in their positions are resolved and the previous optical identifications of four sources are confirmed, two of which are X-ray bursters and one of which is the black hole candidate Cir X-1. An accurate position for a new transient source is also presented.

Gursky, H.↗

Position and pulse profile of the X-ray transient 4U 0115 + 63

The celestial position of the 3.6-s X-ray pulsar, 4U 0115 + 63, has been measured to a precision of 12 arcsec in one dimension with the scanning modulation collimator experiment on HEAO 1. This result, together with a position obtained with SAS 3, has led to the identification of an early-type star as the optical counterpart. An X-ray luminosity of approximately 3 by 10 to the 37th power erg/s (3-13 keV) is inferred from the observed flux of about 30% that of the Crab and an estimated distance of 5 kpc. The pulse profile over the energy range 3-13 keV is similar to that of Cen X-3.

Johnston, M.↗

Location of unidentified weak X-ray sources by the HEAO-1 scanning modulation collimator

Four weak sources for which precise positions have been obtained from the HEAO-1 Scanning Modulation Collimator (MC) experiment are discussed. One source (4U 0446+44) with the center of the cluster of galaxies containing 3C129 and 3C129.1 has been identified, and its angular size has been measured. One source with a galactic star is identified, although it is at galactic latitude b = 51 deg. The other two sources, 2A 0526-328 and 2A 0922-317, remain unidentified.

Schwartz, D. A.↗

On two new X-ray sources in the SMC and the high luminosities of the Magellanic X-ray sources

The discovery of two new X-ray sources, SMC X-2 and SMC X-3, in the Small Magellanic Cloud is reported. They have hard spectra, and their luminosities in the energy range 2-11 keV are 1.0 and 0.7 by 10 to the 38th power erg/sq cm per sec, respectively. It is shown that the luminosity distribution of the known Magellanic X-ray sources, which are now nine in number, is shifted toward higher luminosities with respect to that of similar sources in the Galaxy, and that the cause of the shift is probably an underabundance of heavy elements in the material accreted by the X-ray sources.

Clark, G.↗

Nova Ophiuchi 1977 - An X-ray nova

This letter reports the observation by the HEAO 1 satellite experiments of the X-ray nova in Ophiuchus discovered by Kaluzienski and Holt (1977), which is designated H1705-25. The SAO/MIT scanning modulation collimator has been used in conjunction with the NRL large-area sky survey to give two possible positions for the X-ray nova, each having errors of 0.3 by 1.8 arcmin. The discovery of a 16.5-magnitude optical nova (Nova Ophiuchi 1977) in one of the error boxes is reported, and the X-ray source is identified with the optical nova. The object is classified as being of the A0620-00 and A1524-61 type; i.e., a low-mass binary system.

Griffiths, R. E.↗

On the optical identifications of five X-ray sources

The data from a recently completed survey of the galactic plane with the SAS-3 modulation collimators provide precise (20 to 60 arcsec) celestial positions of galactic X-ray sources. Preliminary positions of 60-arcsec precision are reported for five sources. One of these led to the identification of the star, Gamma Cas, as an X-ray source, and the others lend substantial confidence to previously proposed optical identifications: 3U 0352+30 = X Per, 3U 1145-61 = HEN 715, GX301-2 = WRA977, and GX304-1 = MMV star. These identifications seem to establish the existence of a previously suggested class of Be-star X-ray emitters.

Bradt, H. V.↗

Variable mid-latitude X-ray source 3U 0042+32

A celestial location with an error circle of radius one minute is reported for the mid-latitude X-ray source 3U 0042+32; comparison of observations from the Ariel-5 and Uhuru satellites with data obtained from two independent rotation modulation collimators yields the precise position. Studies to detect regular pulsations and energy spectra of the X-ray source are also discussed. Analysis of the peak X-ray flux in the error circle, as well as certain distance constraints, suggests that the source of the flux may be a neutron star in a distant galactic binary system having a companion that undergoes episodes of mass transfer due to eruption or orbital eccentricity.

Rappaport, S.↗