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Hora, Joseph L.

Publications and source records attributed to Hora, Joseph L..

11 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2014

Physical Characterization of Warm Spitzer-observed Near-Earth Objects

Near-infrared spectroscopy of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) connects diagnostic spectral features to specific surface mineralogies. The combination of spectroscopy with albedos and diameters derived from thermal infrared observations can increase the scientific return beyond that of the individual datasets. For instance, some taxonomic classes can be separated into distinct compositional groupings with albedo and different mineralogies with similar albedos can be distinguished with spectroscopy. To that end, we have completed a spectroscopic observing campaign to complement the ExploreNEOs Warm Spitzer program that obtained albedos and diameters of nearly 600 NEOs (Trilling et al., 2010). The spectroscopy campaign included visible and near-infrared observations of ExploreNEOs targets from various observatories. Here we present the results of observations using the low-resolution prism mode (approx. 0.7-2.5 microns) of the SpeX instrument on the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF). We also include near-infrared observations of Explore-NEOs targets from the MIT-UH-IRTF Joint Campaign for Spectral Reconnaissance. Our dataset includes near-infrared spectra of 187 ExploreNEOs targets (125 observations of 92 objects from our survey and 213 observations of 154 objects from the MIT survey). We identify a taxonomic class for each spectrum and use band parameter analysis to investigate the mineralogies for the S-, Q-, and V-complex objects. Our analysis suggests that for spectra that contain near-infrared data but lack the visible wavelength region, the Bus-DeMeo system misidentifies some S-types as Q-types. We find no correlation between spectral band parameters and ExploreNEOs albedos and diameters. We investigate the correlations of phase angle with band area ratio and near-infrared spectral slope. We find slightly negative Band Area Ratio (BAR) correlations with phase angle for Eros and Ivar, but a positive BAR correlation with phase angle for Ganymed.The results of our phase angle study are consistent with those of (Sanchez et al., 2012). We find evidence for spectral phase reddening for Eros, Ganymed, and Ivar. We identify the likely ordinary chondrite type analog for an appropriate subset of our sample. Our resulting proportions of H, L, and LL ordinary chondrites differ from those calculated for meteorite falls and in previous studies of ordinary chondrite-like NEOs.

composition↗
NASA NTRS2012

Thermal Phase Variations of WASP-12b: Defying Predictions

We report Warm Spitzer full-orbit phase observations of WASP-12b at 3.6 and 4.5 micrometers. This extremely inflated hot Jupiter is thought to be overflowing its Roche lobe, undergoing mass loss and accretion onto its host star, and has been claimed to have a C/O ratio in excess of unity. We are able to measure the transit depths, eclipse depths, thermal and ellipsoidal phase variations at both wavelengths. The large-amplitude phase variations, combined with the planet's previously measured dayside spectral energy distribution, are indicative of non-zero Bond albedo and very poor day-night heat redistribution. The transit depths in the mid-infrared-(R(sub p)/R(sub ∗))(sup 2) = 0.0123(3) and 0.0111(3) at 3.6 and 4.5 micrometers, respectively-indicate that the atmospheric opacity is greater at 3.6 than at 4.5 micrometers, in disagreement with model predictions, irrespective of C/O ratio. The secondary eclipse depths are consistent with previous studies: F(sub day)/F(sub ∗) = 0.0038(4) and 0.0039(3) at 3.6 and 4.5 micrometers, respectively. We do not detect ellipsoidal variations at 3.6 micrometers, but our parameter uncertainties-estimated via prayer-bead Monte Carlo-keep this non-detection consistent with model predictions. At 4.5 micrometers, on the other hand, we detect ellipsoidal variations that are much stronger than predicted. If interpreted as a geometric effect due to the planet's elongated shape, these variations imply a 3:2 ratio for the planet's longest:shortest axes and a relatively bright day-night terminator. If we instead presume that the 4.5 micrometer ellipsoidal variations are due to uncorrected systematic noise and we fix the amplitude of the variations to zero, the best-fit 4.5 micrometer transit depth becomes commensurate with the 3.6 micrometer depth, within the uncertainties. The relative transit depths are then consistent with a solar composition and short scale height at the terminator. Assuming zero ellipsoidal variations also yields a much deeper 4.5 micrometer eclipse depth, consistent with a solar composition and modest temperature inversion. We suggest future observations that could distinguish between these two scenarios.

planetary↗
NASA NTRS1998

Investigating the Near-Infrared Properties of Planetary Nebulae II. Medium Resolution Spectra: Medium Resolution Spectra - 2

We present medium-resolution (R approximately 700) near-infrared (lambda = 1 - 2.5 micrometers) spectra of a sample of planetary nebulae (PNe). A narrow slit was used which sampled discrete locations within the nebulae; observations were obtained at one or more positions in the 41 objects included in the survey. The PN spectra fall into one of four general categories: H1 emission line-dominated PNe, H1 and H2 emission line PNe, H2 emission line-dominated PNe, and continuum-dominated PNe. These categories correlate with morphological type, with the elliptical PNe falling into the first group, and the bipolar PNe primarily in the H2 and continuum emission groups. The categories also correlate with C/O ratio, with the O-rich objects falling into the first group and the C-rich objects in the groups. Other spectral features were observed in all catagories, such as continuum emission from the central star, and warm dust continuum emission towards the long wavelength end of the spectra. H2 was detected in four PNe in this survey for the first time. An analysis was performed using the H2 line ratios in all of the PN spectra in the survey where a sufficient number of lines were observed to determine the ortho-to-para ratio and the rotational and vibrational excitation temperatures of the H-2 in those objects. One unexpected result from this analysis is that the H-2 is excited by absorption of ultraviolet photons in most of the PNe, although there are several PNe in which collisional excitation plays an important role. The correlation between bipolar morphology and H2 emission has been strengthened with the new detections of H2 in this survey.

Hora, Joseph L.↗
NASA NTRS1996

A Butterfly in the Making: Revealing the Near-Infrared Structure of Hubble 12

We present deep narrowband near-IR images and moderate resolution spectra of the young planetary nebula Hubble 12. These data are the first to show clearly the complex structure for this important planetary nebula. Images were obtained at lambda = 2.12, 2.16, and 2.26 micron. The lambda = 2.12 Am image reveals the bipolar nature of the nebula, as well as complex structure near the central star in the equatorial region. The images show an elliptical region of emission, which may indicate a ring or a cylindrical source structure. This structure is possibly related to the mechanism that is producing the bipolar flow. The spectra show the nature of several distinct components. The central object is dominated by recombination lines of H I and He I. The core is not a significant source of molecular hydrogen emission. The east position in the equatorial region is rich in lines of ultraviolet-excited fluorescent H2. A spectrum of part of the central region shows strong [Fe II] emission, which might indicate the presence of shocks.

Hora, Joseph L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The near-infrared structure and spectra of the bipolar nebulae M2-9 and AFGL 2688: The role of ultraviolet pumping and shocks in molecular hydrogen excitation

High-resolution near-infrared images and moderate resolution spectra were obtained of the bipolar nebulae M2-9 and AFGL 2688. The ability to spatially and spectrally resolve the various components of the nebulae has proved to be important in determining their physical structure and characteristics. In M2-9, the lobes are found to have a double-shell structure. The inner shell is dominated by emission from hydrogen recombination lines, and the outer shell is primarily emission from H2 lines in teh 2-2.5 micron region. Analysis of H2 line ratios indicates that the H2 emission is radiatively excited. A well-resolved photodissociation region is observed in the lobes. The spectrum of the central source is dominated by H recombination lines and a strong continuum rising toward longer wavelengths consistent with a T = 795 K blackbody. Also present are lines of He I and Fe II. In contrast, the N knot and E lobe of M2-9 show little continuum emission. The N knot spectrum consists of lines of (Fe II) and hydrogen recombination lines. In AGFL 2688, the emission from the bright lobes is mainly continuum reflected from the central star. Several molecular features from C2 and CN are present. In the extreme end of the N lobe and in the E equatorial region, the emission is dominated by lines of H2 in the 2-2.5 region. The observed H2 line ratios indicate that the emission is collisionally excited, with an excitation temperature T(sub ex) approixmately = 1600 +/- 100 K.

Hora, Joseph L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

KSPEC-a near-infrared cross-dispersed spectrograph

KSPEC (k-band spectrograph) is an infrared spectrograph designed primarily for spectroscopy in the 2.0-2.5 micrometer region. It offers two different optical configurations. The first is a cross-dispersed echelle mode designed to cover the atmospheric windows from 1-2.5 micrometer in one spectral frame of a 256x256 format on a Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer-3 (NICMOS-3) HgCdTe detector array. This configuration of the spectrograph provides medium spectral resolution (lambda/delta-lambda approximately = 500) for spectral classification work, emission-line detection, and redshift measurements. Alternatively, KSPEC can be equipped with a different spectrograph camera, giving a long-slit, single-order spectrum from 2.05-2.35 micrometer. The instrument uses a second NICMOS-3 infrared detector array for slit viewing, to facilitate the acquisition of optically invisible objects, to document the slit position, and to monitor it during long spectroscopic integrations. KSPEC does not contain any moving components, making it a very reliable, relatively low-cost instrument that is easy to use.

Hodapp, Klaus-Werner↗
NASA NTRS1994

Solar system observations with MIRAC

Results from MIRAC (Mid-InfraRed Array Camera) observations of the planets mercury and Jupiter and Comet Swift-Tuttle are presented. A complete description of MIRAC can be found in Hora (1991) and Hoffmann et al. (1993).

Deutsch, Lynne K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Near- and mid-infrared imaging of the planetary nebulae BD +30 deg 3639 and IC 418

We present near- and mid-IR images of the planetary nebulae BD +30 deg 3639 and IC 418, with a unique combination of high spatial and spectral resolution. The mid-IR images were obtained with MIRAC, a new IR array camera. For BD +30 deg 3639, the mid-IR images at 10.0, 11.2, 12.4, 12.8, and 13.2 microns have allowed us to separate the various spectral emission components such as the broad UIR features, the 12.8-micron forbidden Ne II emission feature, and continuum emission, to determine the distribution of these components in the nebula. For IC 418, we have obtained high-resolution images in both the near- and mid-IR. The images in the near-IR at J, H, and K are important for determining the source of the IR excess; one component of the excess is located near the central star. We have also imaged the halo emission at H and K, which has been detected in earlier studies, and have determined its spatial extent. The mid-IR images at 9.8 and 11.7 microns show continuum emission coincident with the ionized zone and suggest that SiC emission originates from the region near the central star.

Hora, Joseph L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A new near-infrared imaging study of AFGL 2688

The object AFGL 2688 is a bipolar nebula surrounding a post-asymptotic giant branch star and is in transition toward becoming a planetary nebula. We present new NIR images in the I, J, H, and K bandpasses. These images reveal a wealth of structure in the nebula not previously seen. We find that the northern lobe is not smooth, but clumpy. There is evidence in the I-band image for periodic variations in mass-loss rate. In addition, we present narrowband images centered on the V = 1 - 0 S(1) line of molecular hydrogen and nearby continuum. The narrowband images reveal that broadband flux found in the equatorial region is dominated by line emission from vibrationally excited molecular hydrogen. H2 emission is also present in the lobes. Our K-band images show the equatorial emission to be in the form of a ring or torus extending around the object at a distance R about 7 x 10 exp 16 (D/1 kpc) cm. Mechanisms for exciting the equatorial H2 emission are discussed; we conclude that shocks are the only plausible source. We have analyzed the broadband images using models which assume single scattering of photons from the central star. We find that the bipolar axis is inclined to the plane of the sky by i about 5 deg. The images are best reproduced by models in which the density of scattering dust decreases fairly rapidly with increasing stellar latitude, with little or no dust near the poles. Furthermore, the optical depth is found to have very little wavelength dependence, which implies that the dust in AFGL 2688 is different from that in the interstellar medium.

Latter, William B.↗