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Ricker, G. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Ricker, G. R..

36 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

A dual charge-coupled device /CCD/, astronomical spectrometer and direct imaging camera. I - Optical and detector systems

The MASCOT (MIT Astronomical Spectrometer/Camera for Optical Telescopes), an instrument capable of simultaneously performing both direct imaging and spectrometry of faint objects, is examined. An optical layout is given of the instrument which uses two CCD's mounted on the same temperature regulated detector block. Two sources of noise on the signal are discussed: (1) the CCD readout noise, which results in a constant uncertainty in the number of electrons collected from each pixel; and (2) the photon counting noise. The sensitivity of the device is limited by the sky brightness, the overall quantum efficiency, the resolution, and the readout noise of the CCD. Therefore, total system efficiency is calculated at about 15%.

Meyer, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Dual charge-coupled device /CCD/, astronomical spectrometer and direct imaging camera. II - Data handling and control systems

The data collection system for the MASCOT (MIT Astronomical Spectrometer/Camera for Optical Telescopes) is described. The system relies on an RCA 1802 microprocessor-based controller, which serves to collect and format data, to present data to a scan converter, and to operate a device communication bus. A NOVA minicomputer is used to record and recall frame images and to perform refined image processing. The RCA 1802 also provides instrument mode control for the MASCOT. Commands are issued using STOIC, a FORTH-like language. Sufficient flexibility has been provided so that a variety of CCDs can be accommodated.

Dewey, D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Observations of an X-ray QSO

This paper reports X-ray, optical, radio, and IR measurements of the z = 0.068 QSO MR2251-178, which was initially discovered on the basis of its X-ray emission. Data are provided on the position, optical colors, and 2-10-keV X-ray luminosity of this low-redshift QSO. An absolute V magnitude of -24.2 is implied, and the X-ray/optical luminosity ratio is estimated to be about 3:1 at peak X-ray brightness. It is shown that the optical spectrum of MR2251-178 is quite normal for a QSO, except for an extremely broad H-alpha emission line with a FWZI of 30,000 to 40,000 km/s. The overall spectrum of MR2251-178 from the radio to the X-ray region is plotted, and the photometric history of this QSO since 1889 is briefly discussed.

Ricker, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Discovery of an X-ray QSO

The discovery of X-ray QSO MR2251-178 at a distance of 410 Mpc is reported. The observations are based on signals (2-11 keV) from NRAO's Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope and from two independent rotating modulation collimators (RMC). Coordinates are given and positional identification with X-ray source 2A2251-179 is made. Examination of POSS plates and redshift has given rise to speculation that MR2251-178 could actually be a Seyfert galaxy; but its high luminosity would tend to support the contention that it is, indeed, a QSO.

Ricker, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Transient structure in the high-energy X-ray light curve of NP 0532

The paper reports the observation of pulsed fractions in the primary and secondary peaks, as well as in the interpulse region, of the high-energy X-ray light curve of NP 0532. A statistical analysis of light-curve data is performed, and a similar analysis is carried out using simulated data. It is concluded that a previously reported third peak in the light curve was transient in nature.

Ryckman, S. G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

High-energy X-ray observations of the southern sky

Results are reported for high-energy (above 17 keV) balloon-borne X-ray observations in the southern sky which detected at least five sources that produced X-ray counts above background with a significance of four or more standard deviations. The probable sources observed include GX 301-2 (3U 1223-62), GX 1+4 (3U 1728-24), GX 5-1 (3U 1758-25), GX 3+1 (3U 1744-26), and GX 331-1. It is noted that some or all of the flux attributed to GX 5-1 might be due to 3U 1820-30 and that GX 3+1 was not completely resolved from GX 1+4. Energy spectra are given for each source along with upper limits to periodic fluctuations of the detected fluxes in the frequency range from 0.01 to 100 Hz. A possible observation of a flux from the eclipsing binary source 3U 1700-37 is discussed.

Ricker, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The Perseus and Coma clusters of galaxies at energies above 20 keV

Observations of the Perseus and Coma clusters of galaxies were made on June 21, 1974, with a balloon-borne X-ray telescope (energies of approximately 20-150 keV). No positive detection was made. The data favor a thermal bremsstrahlung mechanism for the X-ray production in the Perseus cluster of galaxies over the inverse Compton mechanism. In the case of the Coma cluster of galaxies, the data are inconclusive with respect to determining the origin of the X-rays.

Scheepmaker, A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Observations of Cygnus X-3 from a balloon-borne X-ray telescope

X-ray measurements in the energy range 20-150 keV were made from a balloon-borne telescope on June 1 1975. Three scans, centered at phases 0.45, 0.60, and 0.70, respectively, of the 4.8 hr cycle, were conducted. The observed relative intensity as a function of phase differs significantly from previously reported X-ray measurements.

Ricker, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

An orientable, stabilized balloon-borne gondola for around-the-world flights

A system capable of pointing a balloon-borne telescope at selected celestial objects to an accuracy of approximately 10 arc minutes for an extended period (weeks to months) without reliance on telemetry is described. A unique combination of a sun/star tracker, an on-board computer, and a gyrocompass is utilized for navigation, source acquisition and tracking, and data compression and recording. The possibilities for intelligent activities by the computer are also discussed.

Ricker, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

High-energy X-ray spectra of five sources.

On October 15-16, 1970, we carried out balloon X-ray observations from Australia at energies above 15 keV. We present the high-energy X-ray spectra of three sources discovered by us, GX 301-2, GX 304-1, and GX 1 + 4. The data suggest that these high-energy sources correspond to the sources 2U 1223-62, 2U 1258-61, and 2U 1728-24 respectively. We also present the spectra for two additional sources, GX 5-1 (2U 1757-25) and GX 3 + 1 (2U 1744-26). The average intensity of the highly variable source GX 301-2 was observed to be as great as Tau X-1 in the energy range 15-50 keV.

Ricker, G. R.↗