Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Gibson, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Gibson, J..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Modeling Pluto-Charon Mutual Events: CCD Observations with the 60 in. Telescope at Palomar Mountain - 2

We present observations of 15 Pluto-Charon mutual events which were obtained with the 60 in. telescope at Palomar Mountain Observatory. A CCD camera and Johnson V filter were used for the observations, except for one event that was observed with a Johnson B filter, and another event that was observed with a Gunn R filter. We observed two events in their entirety, and three pairs of complementary mutual occultation-transit events.

Buratti, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Space Station Freedom data management system growth and evolution report

The Information Sciences Division at the NASA Ames Research Center has completed a 6-month study of portions of the Space Station Freedom Data Management System (DMS). This study looked at the present capabilities and future growth potential of the DMS, and the results are documented in this report. Issues have been raised that were discussed with the appropriate Johnson Space Center (JSC) management and Work Package-2 contractor organizations. Areas requiring additional study have been identified and suggestions for long-term upgrades have been proposed. This activity has allowed the Ames personnel to develop a rapport with the JSC civil service and contractor teams that does permit an independent check and balance technique for the DMS.

Bartlett, R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Benchmark Lisp And Ada Programs

Suite of nonparallel benchmark programs, ELAPSE, designed for three tests: comparing efficiency of computer processing via Lisp vs. Ada; comparing efficiencies of several computers processing via Lisp; or comparing several computers processing via Ada. Tests efficiency which computer executes routines in each language. Available for computer equipped with validated Ada compiler and/or Common Lisp system.

Davis, Gloria↗
NASA NTRS1992

Asteroid lightcurve observations from 1981

Photoelectric lightcurve observations in the V band, together with estimates of the mean and maximum reduced magnitudes, are presented for 59 different asteroids; 15 new or significantly revised periods are reported. While fits are generally good for objects with moderate phase-relation slope, poor quality fits remain among the highest and lowest albedo objects studied in virtue of their respectively shallow and steep sloping-phase curves.

Harris, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Triton's surface properties - A preliminary analysis from ground-based, Voyager photopolarimeter subsystem, and laboratory measurements

The surface properties of Triton were investigated using data from the ground-based and Voyager photopolarimeter subsystem (PPS) observations of Triton's phase curve. The results indicate that Triton has a high single-scattering albedo (0.96 +/-0.01 at 0.75 micron) and an unusually compacted surface, possibly similar to that of Europa. Results also suggest that Triton's single-particle phase function and the macroscopically rough character of its surface are similar to those of most other icy satellites.

Buratti, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Astrometric observations of comets and minor planets

Comets and planet crossing asteroids are observed so that accurate positions can be determined. The observations are made with the Palomar 1.5 m telescope equipped with a CCD array. The combination of telescope and detector is quite effective at recording faint comets and minor planets. This proves useful for early acquisition of comets and asteroids returning for a new opposition. The resulting positions permit accurate orbits to be determined and allow the properties of the comets and asteroids to be measured by other observers using a variety of techniques. Recoveries and other notable observations of comets and planet crossing asteroids observed during the past years are discussed.

Williams, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Astrometric observations of comets and minor planets

Comets and planet crossings are observed so that accurate positions can be determined. The observations are made with the Palomar 1.5m telescope equipped with a charge coupled device (CCD) array. This combination is quite efficient at recording faint comets and minor planets. This proves quite useful for early acquisition of comets and asteroids returning for a new opposition. The resulting positions permit accurate orbits to be determined and allow the properties of the comets and asteroids to be measured by other observers using a variety of techniques. Recoveries and other notable observations of comets and planet crossing asteroids observed during the past year are discussed.

Williams, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

VHDL simulation with access to transistor models

Hardware description languages such as VHDL have evolved to aid in the design of systems with large numbers of elements and a wide range of electronic and logical abstractions. For high performance circuits, behavioral models may not be able to efficiently include enough detail to give designers confidence in a simulation's accuracy. One option is to provide a link between the VHDL environment and a transistor level simulation environment. The coupling of the Vantage Analysis Systems VHDL simulator and the NOVA simulator provides the combination of VHDL modeling and transistor modeling.

Gibson, J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Next generation VLSI tools

This paper focuses on what features would be useful in VLSI Computer Aided Design Tools and Systems to be used in the next five to ten years. Examples of current design tasks will be used to emphasize the areas where new or expanded VLSI CAD tools are needed. To provide a basis for projecting the future of VLSI tools, a brief history of the evolution of VLSI design software and hardware platforms is presented. The role of design methodology is considered with respect to the anticipated scale of future VLSI design projects. Future requirements of design verification and manufacturing testing are projected based on the challenge of surviving in a competitive market. Examples of VLSI tools reflect the author's involvement on VLSI design teams developing integrated circuits for disk memory and other computer peripherals for the last eight years.

Gibson, J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The filters for the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer - Calibration and lifetesting results

The results of the transmission calibrations of the seven sets of flight integration filters for the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) satellite are presented. The Berkely EUV Calibration Facility was used to determine absolute transmissions over six orders of magnitue at 28 wavelengths. A lifetesting program designed to monitor changes in the transmission and mechanical properties of the EUVE filters over the lifetime of the mission is described.

Vedder, P. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Asteroid families, dynamics and astrometry

The proper elements and family assignments for the 1227 Palomar-Leiden Survey asteroids of high quality were tabulated. In addition to the large table, there are also auxiliary tables of Mars crossers and commensurate objects, histograms of the proper element distributions, and a discussion. Probably the most important part of the discussion describes the Mars crossing boundary, how the closest distances of approach to Mars and Jupiter are calculated, and why the observed population of Mars crossers should bombard that planet episodically rather than uniformly. Analytical work was done to derive velocity distributions of family forming events from proper element distributions subject to assumptions which may be appropriate for cratering events. Software was developed for a microcomputer to permit plotting of the proper elements. Three orthogonal views are generated and stereo pairs can be printed when desired. This program was created for the study of asteroid families. The astrometry task is directed toward measuring and reducing positions on faint comets and the minor planets with less common orbits. The observational material is CCD frames taken with the Palomar 1.5 m telescope. Positions of 10 comets and 16 different asteroids were published on the Minor Planet Circulars.

Williams, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Origin of asteroids and small bodies

During the past year three periodic comets were recovered. They were Tsuchinshan 2, Whipple, and Daniel. Follow up positions on four newly discovered comets appeared on IAU cards: Machholz, Hartley, Maury, and Shoemaker 3. Halley was captured shortly after its 1985 conjunction and a set of exposures in late summer was one of the earliest showing tail development. A variety of interesting asteroids were also captured.

Williams, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Small Solar System Bodies

The feasibility of using ranging data to a spacecraft lander on a synchronously rotating satellite to determine the satellite's orbit, the planet's orbit, the lander coordinates, and the principal term of forced physical librations was studied. Classifications of asteroids into their proper elements and families are also presented. Measurements and reduction of positions on comets and the minor planets with less common orbits was the focus for the astrometry program.

Williams, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Phylogenetic origins of the plant mitochondrion based on a comparative analysis of 5S ribosomal RNA sequences

The complete nucleotide sequences of 5S ribosomal RNAs from Rhodocyclus gelatinosa, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, and Pseudomonas cepacia were determined. Comparisons of these 5S RNA sequences show that rather than being phylogenetically related to one another, the two photosynthetic bacterial 5S RNAs share more sequence and signature homology with the RNAs of two nonphotosynthetic strains. Rhodobacter sphaeroides is specifically related to Paracoccus denitrificans and Rc. gelatinosa is related to Ps. cepacia. These results support earlier 16S ribosomal RNA studies and add two important groups to the 5S RNA data base. Unique 5S RNA structural features previously found in P. denitrificans are present also in the 5S RNA of Rb. sphaeroides; these provide the basis for subdivisional signatures. The immediate consequence of obtaining these new sequences is that it is possible to clarify the phylogenetic origins of the plant mitochondrion. In particular, a close phylogenetic relationship is found between the plant mitochondria and members of the alpha subdivision of the purple photosynthetic bacteria, namely, Rb. sphaeroides, P. denitrificans, and Rhodospirillum rubrum.

Villanueva, E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Measuring: The quantifying art

The photograph of a comet or asteroid against background stars contains information in analog form regarding the relative positions of comet and star images. Measuring is the procedure for covnerting this information to digital form for computation of the object's accurate equatorial coordinates at the time of observation. The use of one- and two-coordinate measuring engines to measure the positions of images which may be elongated, comatic, or both, as well as round images is discussed along with the training of novice measurers to cope with such images. The grading of plates for potential accuracy of positions, preparation of plates for measuring, the accuracy of measurement, effects of telescope focal length and reduction technique upon the accuracy of positions, and the procedures and checks which may prevent erroneous positions also are discussed.

Gibson, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Self-Locating Latch

New latch secures fitting without displacing fitting and without regard to where on latch fitting makes intitial contact.

Gibson, J.↗