Engineering topics

Nielsen, K. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Nielsen, K. E..

16 records

NASA NTRS2010

Origin of the Central Constant Emission Component of Eta Carinae

The X-ray campaign observation of the wind-wind colliding (WWC) binary system, Eta Carinae, targeted at its periastron passage in 2003, presented a detailed view of the flux and spectral variations of the X-ray minimum phase. One of the discoveries in this campaign was a central constant emission (CCE) component very near the central WWC source (Hamaguchi et al. 2007, ApJ, 663, 522). The CCE component was noticed between 1-3 keY during the X-ray minima and showed no variation on either short timescales within any observation or long timescales of up to ~ 10 years. Hamaguchi et al. (2007) discussed possible origins as collisionally heated shocks from the fast polar winds from Eta Car or the fast moving outflow from the WWC with the ambient gas, or shocked gas that is intrinsic to the wind of Eta Car. During the 2009 periastron passage, we launched another focussed observing campaign of Eta Carinae with the Chandra, XMM-Newton and Suzaku observatories, concentrating on the X-ray faintest phase named the deep X-ray minimum. Thanks to multiple observations during the deep X-ray minimum, we found that the CCE spectrum extended up to 10 keV, indicating presence of hot plasma of kT approx.4-6 keV. This result excludes two possible origins that assume relatively slow winds (v approx. 1000 km/s) and only leaves the possibility that the CCE plasma is wind blown bubble at the WWC downstream. The CCE spectrum in 2009 showed a factor of 2 higher soft band flux as the CCE spectrum in 2003, while the hard band flux was almost unchanged. This variation suggests decrease in absorption column along the line of sight. We compare this result with recent increase in V-band magnitude of Eta Carinae and discuss location of the CCE plasma.

Hamaguchi, Kenji↗

NASA NTRS2009

Eta Carinae across the 2003.5 Minimum: Analysis in the Visible and Near Infrared Spectral Region

We present an analysis of the visible through near infrared spectrum of Eta Car and its ejecta obtained during the "Eta Car Campaign with the Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) at the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT)". This is a part of the larger effort to present a complete Eta Car spectrum, and extends the previously presented analyses with the Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (HST/STIS) in the UV (1240-3159 Angstrom) to 10,430 Angstrom. The spectrum in the mid and near UV is characterized by the ejecta absorption. At longer wavelengths, stellar wind features from the central source and narrow emission lines from the Weigelt condensations dominate the spectrum. However, narrow absorption lines from the circumstellar shells are present. This paper provides a description of the spectrum between 3060 and 10,430 Angstroms, including line identifications of the ejecta absorption spectrum, the emission spectrum from the Weigelt condensations and the P-Cygni stellar wind features. The high spectral resolving power of VLT/UVES enables equivalent width measurements of atomic and molecular absorption lines for elements with no transitions at the shorter wavelengths. However, the ground based seeing and contributions of nebular scattered radiation prevent direct comparison of measured equivalent widths in the VLT/UVES and HST/STIS spectra. Fortunately, HST/STIS and VLT/UVES have a small overlap in wavelength coverage which allows us to compare and adjust for the difference in scattered radiation entering the instruments' apertures. This paper provides a complete online VLT/UVES spectrum with line identifications and a spectral comparison between HST/STIS and VLT/UVES between 3060 and 3160 Angstroms.

Nielsen, K. E.↗

NASA NTRS2008

Eta Carinae across the 2003.5 Minimum: Analysis in the Visible and Near Infrared Spectral Region

We present analysis of the visible through near infrared spectrum of eta Car and its ejecta obtained during the 'eta Car Campaign with the Ultraviolet Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) at the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT)'. This is a part of larger effort to present a complete eta Car spectrum, and extends the previously presented analyses with the Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (HST/STIS) in the UV (1240-3159 A) to 10,430 A. The spectrum in the mid and near UV is characterized by the ejecta absorption. At longer wavelengths, stellar wind features from the central source and narrow emission lines from the Weigelt condensations dominate the spectrum. However, narrow absorption lines from the circumstellar shells are present. This paper provides a description of the spectrum between 3060 and 10,430 A, including line identifications of the ejecta absorption spectrum, the emission spectrum from the Weigelt condensations and the P-Cygni stellar wind features. The high spectral resolving power of VLT/UVES enables equivalent width measurements of atomic and molecular absorption lines for elements with no transitions at the shorter wavelengths. However, the ground based seeing and contributions of nebular scattered radiation prevent direct comparison of measured equivalent widths in the VLT/UVES and HST/STIS spectra. Fortunately, HST/STIS and VLT/UVES have a small overlap in wavelength coverage which allows us to compare and adjust for the difference in scattered radiation entering the instruments apertures. This paper provide a complete online VLT/UVES spectrum with line identifications and a spectral comparison between HST/STIS and VLT/UVES between 3060 and 3160 A.

Nielsen, K. E.↗

NASA NTRS2006

The Homunculus: a Unique Astrophysical Laboratory

eta Car is surrounded by bipolar shells, the Homunculus and the internal Little Homunculus, that are observed in both emission and absorption. Thin disks, located between the bipolar lobes, include the very bright Weigelt blobs and the neutral emission structure called the Strontium filament. All are affected by changes in UV and X-Ray flux of the binary system. For example, the normally ionized Little Homunculus recombines during the few month long spectroscopic minimum and then reionizes. Spectral data, obtained with Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (HST/STIS) and with Very Large Telescope/UltraViolet Echelle Spectrograph (VLT/UVES), provide a wealth of information on spectroscopic properties of neutral and singly-ionized metals and on chemistry of nitrogen rich, carbon, oxygen poor, dense, warm gas. This information is important to understand gamma ray bursters (GRB) that reveal red-shifted near-UV metallic absorptions from pre-GRB stellar ejecta.

Gull, T. R.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Accurate VUV Laboratory Measurements of Fe III Transitions for Astrophysical Applications

We report preliminary measurements of Fe III spectra in the 1150 to 2500 A wavelength interval. Spectra have been recorded with an iron-neon Penning discharge lamp (PDL) between 1600 and 2500 A at Imperial College (IC) using high resolution Fourier (FT) transform spectroscopy. These FT spectrometer measurements were extended beyond 1600 A to 1150 A using high-resolution grating spectroscopy at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These recorded spectra represent the first radiometrically calibrated measurements of a doubly-ionized iron-group element spectrum combining the techniques of vacuum ultraviolet FT and grating spectroscopy. The spectral range of the new laboratory measurements corresponds to recent HST/STIS observations of sharp-lined B stars and of Eta Carinae. The new improved atomic data can be applied to abundance studies and diagnostics of astrophysical plasmas.

Blackwell-Whitehead, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Targeting Inaccurate Atomic Data in the Eta Car Ejecta Absorption

The input from the laboratory spectroscopist community has on many occasions helped the analysis of the eta Car spectrum. Our analysis has targeted spectra where improved wavelengths and oscillator strengths are needed. We will demonstrate how experimentally derived atomic data have improved our spectral analysis, and illuminate where more work still is needed.

Nielsen, K. E.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Eta Carinae: Orientation of The Orbital Plane

Evidence continues to build that Eta Carinae is a massive binary system with a hidden hot companion in a highly elliptical orbit. We present imaging and spectroscopic evidence that provide clues to the orientation of the orbital plane. The circumstellar ejecta, known as the Homunculus and Little Homunculus, are hourglass-shaped structures, one encapsulated within the other, tilted at about 45 degrees from the sky plane. A disk region lies between the bipolar lobes. Based upon their velocities and proper motions, Weigelt blobs B, C and D, very bright emission clumps 0.1 to 0.3" Northwest from Eta Carinae, lie in the disk. UV flux from the hot companion, Eta Car B, photoexcites the Weigelt blobs. Other clumps form a complete chain around the star, but are not significantly photoexcited. The strontium filament, a 'neutral' emission structure, lies in the same general direction as the Weigelt blobs and exhibits peculiar properties indicative that much mid-UV, but no hydrogen-ionizing radiation impinges on this structure. It is shielded by singly-ionized iron. P Cygni absorptions in Fe I I lines, seen directly in line of sight from Eta Carinae, are absent in the stellar light scattered by the Weigelt blobs. Rather than a strong absorption extending to -600 km/s, a low velocity absorption feature extends from -40 to -150 km/s. No absorbing Fe II exists between Eta Carinae and Weigelt D, but the outer reaches of the wind are intercepted in line of sight from Weigelt D to the observer. This indicates that the UV radiation is constrained by the dominating wind of Eta Car A to a small cavity carved out by the weaker wind of Eta Car B. Since the high excitation nebular lines are seen in the Weigelt blobs at most phases, the cavity, and hence the major axis of the highly elliptical orbit, must lie in the general direction of the Weigelt blobs. The evidence is compelling that the orbital major axis of Eta Carinae is projected at -45 degrees position angle on the sky. Moreover the milliarcsecond-scale extended structure of Eta Carinae, recently detected by VLTI, may be evidence of the binary companion in the disk plane, not necessarily of a single star as a prolate spheroid extending along the ejecta polar axis.

Gull, T. R.↗

NASA NTRS2006

The Character and Variability of the Eta Carinae Wind Lines

The binarity of Eta Carinae has been debated for a long time. We have searched for more evidence for a companion star in a spectroscopic investigation of the Eta Carinae stellar wind lines, using moderate spectral and high angular resolution HST/STIS data. Over Eta Carinae's 5.54 year spectroscopic period many of the observable wind lines in the NUV/Optical spectral region exhibit peculiar line profiles with unusual velocity shifts relative to the system velocity. Some of the lines are exclusively blue-shifted over the entire cycle. Their ionization/excitation imply formation not in the stellar wind but rather in the interface between the two massive stars. We have analyzed velocity and intensity variations over the spectroscopic period and interpreted what the variations tell us about the geometry of the nebular structure close to Eta Carinae.

Nielsen, K. E.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Physical Conditions of Eta Car Complex Environment Revealed From Photoionization Modeling

The very massive star, Eta Carinae, is enshrouded in an unusual complex environment of nebulosities and structures. The circumstellar gas gives rise to distinct absorption and emission components at different velocities and distances from the central source(s). Through photoionization modeling, we find that the radiation field from the more massive B-star companion supports the low ionization structure throughout the 5.54 year period. The radiation field of an evolved O-star is required to produce the higher ionization . emission seen across the broad maximum. Our studies utilize the HST/STIS data and model calculations of various regimes from doubly ionized species (T= 10,000K) to the low temperature (T = 760 K) conditions conductive to molecule formation (CH and OH). Overall analysis suggests the high depletion in C and O and the enrichment in He and N. The sharp molecular and ionic absorptions in this extensively CNO - processed material offers a unique environment for studying the chemistry, dust formation processes, and nucleosynthesis in the ejected layers of a highly evolved massive star.

Verner, E. M.↗

NASA NTRS2006

NUV Spectroscopic Studies of Eta Car's Weigelt D across the 2003.5 Minimum

HST/STIS high dispersion, high spatial resolution spectra in the near UV (2424-2705A) were recorded of Weigelt D, located 0.25" from Eta Carinae, before, during and after the star's 2003.5 minimum. Most nebular emission, including Lyman-alpha pumped Fe II and [Fe III] lines show phase dependent variations with disappearance at the minimum and reappearance a few months later. Circumstellar absorptions increase at minimum, especially in the Fe II resonance lines originating not only from ground levels but also meta stable levels well above the ground levels. These ionization/excitation effects can be explained by a sudden change in UV flux reaching the blobs, likely due to a line-of-sight obscuration of the hotter companion star, Eta Car B, recently discovered by Iping et al. (poster, this meeting). The scattered starlight seen towards Weigelt D display noticeable different line profiles than the direct starlight from Eta Carinae. P-Cygni absorption profiles in Fe II stellar lines observed directly towards Eta Carinae, show terminal velocities up to -550 km/s. However, scattered starlight of Weigelt D display significant lower velocities ranging from -40 to -150 km/s.We interpret this result to be indicative that no absorbing Fe II wind structure exists between the Central source and Weigelt D. The lower velocity absorption appears to be connected to the outer Fe II wind structure of Eta Car A extending beyond Weigelt D intersecting the observer's line of sight. This result is consistent with the highly extended wind of Eta Car A.

Ivarsson, S.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Eta Carinae and the 2003.5 Minimum: Ultraviolet Changes of the Central Source and the Very Nearby Ejecta

We utilized the high spatial and high spectral resolution of the HST/STIS MAMA echelle modes in the ultraviolet (0.025 sec spatial resolution and 30,000 to 120,000 spectral resolving power) to view changes in and around Eta Carinae before and after the X-Ray drop which occurred on June 29, 2003. Major changes in the spectra of the Central Source and nearby nebulosities occurred between June 22 and July 5. Visibility of the Central Source dropped, especially between 1175 and 1350 A, but not uniformly through the UV. This fading is likely due to multiple line absorptions both in the source and in the intervening ejecta. Nebular emission of Si III and Fe III, located 0.09 sec to the west, disappeared. By July 29, a bright feature extending up to 0.07 sec east of the Central Source became prominent in broad emission lines near 2500 A, but was not noticeable longward of 2900 A. ACS/HRC imagery and STIS CCD spectra taken concurrently are being examined for larger scale changes. Numerous narrow velocity components between -146 and -585 km/s were identified in spectra before the minimum. New components appeared primarily in Fe II absorption lines with velocities between -170 and -380 km/s. While the lines of the -513 km/s component did not change, most lines of the -146 km/s component changed considerably. Lines originating from high energy levels diminished or disappeared, while lines originating from lower energy levels strengthened. Strong absorption lines of Ti II, not present before the X-Ray drop, appeared within seven days, but disappeared by July 29. Further analysis of these unprecedented data will provide significant new information about the structure of Eta Carinae and its periodic variations.

Gull, T. R.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Changes in the Far UV Spectrum of Eta Carinae Near the 2003 Minimum

High resolution 905-1180 spectra of \eta Carinae have been obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite at nine epochs between February 2000 and June 2003 . This period of time extends from the broad maximum up to the very beginning of the minimum of the 5.52-year period initially discovered by A. Damineli. The flux levels were unchanged between February 2000 through February 2003 with minor spectral differences. The X-Ray minimum started on June 29, 2003 . Three observations were accomplished on June 10, June 17 and June 27 leading up to the minimum. Substantial changes were present in the June 10 and June 17 spectra, but a very significant change occurred by June 27, 2003. Longward of 1100A, the overall flux dropped 10 to 30 %. Shortward of 1100A, there are spectral intervals with NO decrease in flux even down to the shortest wavelengths (920--950 ). This indicates that dust absorption has a negligible role in the observed spectral changes and that line absorptions play a major role. Throughout the spectrum there are intervals ranging in width of 3-10A with strong increased absorption. Significant absorptions may be associated with the red portion of the following stellar wind lines: C III 977, O VI 1031,1037, P V 1117, while other absorption features are much broader, more extended and not clearly associated with well-known spectral transitions. Given the complexity of the STIS echelle spectra taken in this period of time, many of these absorption features are likely due to multiple absorption lines

Iping, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS2004

UV Nebular Absorption in Eta Car and Weigelt D

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are a spectacular manifestation of solar activity. CMEs typically appear as looplike features that disrupt helmet streamers in the solar corona. They are believed to be the primary cause of large, non-recurrent geomagnetic storms. The goal of our research sponsored by NASA's Supporting Research and Technology Program in Solar Physics is to investigate how the corona evolves to produce these eruptions. In the following sections we describe the work performed under this contract.

Nielsen, K. E.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Determining Cloud Parameters with the Curve-Of-Growth: Application Eta Car

We have investigated the NUV part of the Eta Car spectrum, using data with high spatial and high spectral resolving power obtained with the HST/STIS under the Treasury Program. The NUV spectrum of Eta Car Shows a great contribution of absorption features from neutral and singly ionized elements along the line-of-sight. A large number of velocity systems have been observed. The two most prominent, with Doppler shifts corresponding to -146 and -513 km/s respectively, are shown to be useful for investigations of the gaseous environments responsible for the absorption. The -146 and the -513 km/s velocity systems display different characteristics regarding the ionization state and spectral line width, which suggest that they originate at different distances from the central object. We have investigated the absorption structures before the spectroscopic minimum, occurring during the summer of 2003, with a standard curve-of-growth. We have independently derived the column density and the b-value for the Fe II (-146 km/s) and Ti II (-513 km/s) velocity systems. The excitation temperature has been determined for the -146 km/s velocity system using the photo-ionization code \textsc(cloudy). The -146 km/s velocity structure shows noticeable variation over the spectroscopic minimum. The sudden appearance and disappearance of Ti II and V II are astonishing. We have made an attempt to analyze these variations with the curve-of-growth method and will present preliminary results.

Vieira, G. L.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Regional Aerosol Optical Depth Characteristics from Satellite Observations: ACE-1, TARFOX and ACE-2 Results

Analysis of the aerosol properties during 3 recent international field campaigns ACE-1, TARFOX and ACE-2 are described using satellite retrievals from NOAA AVHRR data. Validation of the satellite retrieval procedure is performed with airborne, shipboard, and land-based sunphotometry during ACE-2. The intercomparison between satellite and surface optical depths has a correlation coefficient of 0.93 for 630 nm wavelength and 0.92 for 860 nm wavelength, The standard error of estimate is 0.025 for 630 nm wavelength and 0.023 for 860 nm wavelength. Regional aerosol properties are examined in composite analysis of aerosol optical properties from the ACE-1, TARFOX and ACE-2 regions. ACE-1 and ACE-2 regions have strong modes in the distribution of optical depth around 0.1, but the ACE-2 tails toward higher values yielding an average of 0.16 consistent with pollution and dust aerosol intrusions. The TARFOX region has a noticeable mode of 0.2, but has significant spread of aerosol optical depth values consistent with the varied continental aerosol constituents off the eastern North American Coast.

Durkee, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1994

The evolution of cloud-to-ground lightning within a portion of the 10-11 June 1985 squall line

The character of cloud-to-ground lightning is examined during the life cycle of a distinct mesoscale segment of the 10-11 June 1985 mesoscale convective system (MCS). Three phases of lightning activity are identified and related to both the radar-observed structure of the convection and to the severe weather produced by the MCS. Positive strikes to ground are dominant when the MCS is first developing. Negative strikes then dominate during a period of intense leading-line convective activity with high storm tops. Finally, a period of relatively frequent positive strikes within the trailing stratiform region occurs during the demise of the MCS. This last phase begins after the vertical extent of the leading convective line decreases rapidly and markedly, with moderate intensity echoes (i.e., 30-40 dBZ) occurring mostly below the freezing level. The first period of frequent positive flashes results from the lightning associated with a single severe thunderstorm in southwest Kansas; however, a second severe storm occurs nearby and produces mainly negative strikes. An extended period of strong surface winds does not appear to have any direct relationship with the observed character of the lightning activity.

Nielsen, K. E.↗