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Ulich, B. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Ulich, B. L..

17 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Surface control techniques for the segmented primary mirror in the large lunar telescope

The large lunar telescope is a proposed moon-based telescope which incorporates a sixteen-meter segmented primary mirror. An error budget is developed for the active control system of the primary mirror. A control methodology for the primary mirror is then described which utilizes piston sensors for measuring the relative piston error between adjacent segments as well as a separate sensor which measures the tilt of each segment with respect to the pointing direction of the telescope. A trade study is conducted in which the following types of tilt sensors are examined to determine their applicability to this program: stellar wavefront sensors, such as a Hartmann-Shack or a shearing interferometer; holographic optical elements; interferometers; scanning systems; and some nonoptical systems which electronically measure the relative tilt between adjacent segments. In addition, two independent methods of quantitatively verifying the performance of the telescope using either a phase retrieval algorithm or an image sharpening technique, both of which are based on the quality of a stellar image, are presented.

Gleckler, Anthony D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The bipolar molecular outflow of V645 Cygni

A map is presented of the CO J = 3-2 line emission from the cloud associated with V645 Cygni. Line wings extending to 15 km/s on either side of the central velocity can be attributed to a bipolar outflow over a region 1 arcmin in angular extent. The redshifted and blueshifted emission peaks are separated by 20 arcsecs along an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the polarization vector of the visible light. The outflow is of relatively low velocity, low mass, and low mechanical luminosity.

Schulz, A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A New Generation of Sub Mm Telescopes, Made of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) appears to be the material most suited for the construction of submillimeter telescopes (SMT) not only for ground-based use but also for space applications. The accuracy of the CFRP reflectors needs to be improved beyond value of the 17 micron rms envisaged for the 10 m SMT.

Mezger, P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Planetary observations at a wavelength of 1.32 mm

Observations at a wavelength of 1.32 mm have been made of the Jovian planets, Ceres, the satellites Callisto and Ganymede, and the HII region DR 21. The observed brightness temperatures are presented. Those of the Jovian planets agree with the values expected from model atmosphere calculations, except that of Jupiter, which is lower than expected. Ceres and the satellites do not have atmospheres so their emission arised in their subsurface layers. The observed brightness temperatures are intermediate between those measured at infrared and centimeter wavelengths.

Ulich, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Alignment and phasing of deployable telescopes

The experiences in coaligning and phasing the Multi-Mirror Telescope (MMT), together with studies in setting up radio telescopes, are presented. These experiences are discussed, and on the basis they furnish, schemes are suggested for coaligning and phasing four large future telescopes with complex primary mirror systems. These telescopes are MT2, a 15-m-equivalent MMT, the University of California Ten Meter Telescope, the 10 m sub-mm wave telescope of the University of Arizona and the Max Planck Institute for Radioastronomy, and the Large Deployable Reflector, a future space telescope for far-IR and sub-mm waves.

Woolf, N. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

New interstellar molecular transitions in the 2 millimeter range

A Sgr B2 kinetic temperature of about 47 K is derived based on observations of K components of the 9K-8K transition of CH3CCH. Interstellar line emission is detected in the 2 mm wavelength region from SO, (S-34)O, SO2, CH3OH, CH3CCH, CH3CH2CN, HC3N, and nine unidentified transitions. The methylacetylene K component data combined with the derived data reduction technique, demonstrates the utility of the molecule as a temperature probe of molecular clouds when two or more rotational transitions are observed. Evidence for the existence of interstellar HNO is presented, and an attempt is made to detect sulfuric acid, formic anhydride, and the 0-18 isotopic for CO2 in interstellar clouds and in the Venusian atmosphere during inferior conjunction.

Hollis, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A radio search for interstellar phosphorus compounds

The J = 1-0 and 3-2 transitions of phosphorus nitride, PN, with resolvable hyperfine components at 46.99 GHz and blended components at 140.97 GHz, and transitions of phosphine, PH3, at 47.39 and 46.94 GHz, arising from a small induced dipole moment, have been searched for but not found in interstellar molecular clouds. The J = 3/2-1/2, F - 3/2-3/2 transition of nitric oxide, NO, and the J(K-K+) = 16(4, 12) -15(5, 11) transition of sulfur dioxide, SO2, have been detected in Orion and Sagittarius B2. An unidentified emission line, U140921.8 MHz, has been observed in IRC + 10216.

Hollis, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Absolute brightness temperature measurements at 3.5-mm wavelength

Careful observations have been made at 86.1 GHz to derive the absolute brightness temperatures of the sun (7914 + or - 192 K), Venus (357.5 + or - 13.1 K), Jupiter (179.4 + or - 4.7 K), and Saturn (153.4 + or - 4.8 K) with a standard error of about three percent. This is a significant improvement in accuracy over previous results at millimeter wavelengths. A stable transmitter and novel superheterodyne receiver were constructed and used to determine the effective collecting area of the Millimeter Wave Observatory (MWO) 4.9-m antenna relative to a previously calibrated standard gain horn. The thermal scale was set by calibrating the radiometer with carefully constructed and tested hot and cold loads. The brightness temperatures may be used to establish an absolute calibration scale and to determine the antenna aperture and beam efficiencies of other radio telescopes at 3.5-mm wavelength.

Ulich, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Radio and X-ray variability of the nucleus of Centaurus A /NGC 5128/

Centaurus A (NGC 5128) has been observed at radio frequencies of 10.7, 31.4, 85.2, and 89 GHz and at X-ray energies greater than 20 keV. These observations, together with results reported by other workers, are interpreted in terms of models of the nucleus of this radio galaxy. The radio observations cover the period from 1973 through early 1977. The X-ray observations cover two 10-day intervals, one in July and August (1975) and the other in July and August 1976. The source exhibits significant variability in all the observed radio frequencies. The observed radio and X-ray intensities show some concurrent variations but do not track one another throughout the observations. A model of the source in which X-rays are produced by inverse Compton scattering of blackbody photons by relativistic electrons is proposed to explain these observations. The observed variations in the electromagnetic spectrum are shown to be consistent with adiabatic expansion of a trapped plasma in conjunction with turbulent accelerations of the relativistic electrons. Upper limits obtained with the model indicate that there may be sufficient energy available in the nucleus to form radio lobes with the same total energy as those already present.

Beall, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Radio and X-ray variability of the nucleus of Centaurus A (NGC 5128)

Centaurus A was observed at radio frequencies of 10.7, 31.4, 85.2, and 89 GHz and at X-ray energies greater than 20 keV. The source exhibits significant variability in all the observed radio frequencies. The observed radio and X-ray intensities show some concurrent variations but do not track one another throughout the observations. A model of the source in which X-rays are produced by inverse Compton scattering of blackbody photons by relativistic electrons is proposed to explain these observations. The observed variations in the electromagnetic spectrum are consistent with adiabatic expansion of a trapped plasma in conjunction with turbulent accelerations of the relativistic electrons.

Beall, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Radio detection of interstellar sulfur dioxide

Interstellar sulfur dioxide (SO2) has been detected in emission from the direction of the Orion Nebula molecular cloud and from Sgr B2. SO2 is the heaviest interstellar molecule detected to date, and the only nonlinear triatomic molecule which does not contain hydrogen. The remarkable Orion emission profiles suggest that two components are supporting the SO2 emission: a dense circumstellar-type envelope, which may be in maser emission, and a warm galactic cloud component.

Snyder, L. E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Observations and analysis of lunar radio emission at 3.09 mm wavelength

An analysis of data on lunar radio emission at 3.09 mm wavelength is presented. The data were obtained during a single lunation in a manner that facilitates their comparison with a calculated model. Specific regions of the moon (Copernicus, Sea of Serenity, Sea of Tranquillity, Ocean of Storms, and an highland region near the mean center) were studied with enough angular resolution to distinguish between different types of terrain. The data were absolutely calibrated and yield a new measurement of the lunation average brightness temperature of the center of the moon.

Ulich, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Absolute brightness temperature measurements at 2.1-mm wavelength

Absolute measurements of the brightness temperatures of the Sun, new Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus, and of the flux density of DR21 at 2.1-mm wavelength are reported. Relative measurements at 3.5-mm wavelength are also preented which resolve the absolute calibration discrepancy between The University of Texas 16-ft radio telescope and the Aerospace Corporation 15-ft antenna. The use of the bright planets and DR21 as absolute calibration sources at millimeter wavelengths is discussed in the light of recent observations.

Ulich, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Planetary brightness temperature measurements at 8.6 mm and 3.1 mm wavelengths.

New measurements of the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn at 3.1- and 8.6-mm wavelengths are given. The temperatures reported for the planets at 3.1-mm wavelength are higher than previous measurements in this wavelength range and change the interpretation of some planetary spectra. For Mercury, it is found that the mean brightness temperature is independent of wavelength and that a temperature-dependent thermal conductivity is not required to match the observations. In the case of Mars, the spectrum is shown to rise in the millimeter region, as simple models predict. For Jupiter, the need to recalculate the spectrum with recent models is demonstrated. The flux density scale proposed by Dent (1972) has been revised according to a more accurate determination of the millimeter brightness temperature of Jupiter.

Ulich, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Observations of the total lunar eclipse on February 10, 1971 at 3.1 mm wavelength.

Observations were made of the total lunar eclipse on February 10, 1971 at a wavelength of 3.1 mm at the Millimeter Wave Observatory of the University of Texas at Austin. Eclipse cooling curves obtained for Copernicus, Mare Serenitatis, and a mountainous region indicate maximum temperature decreases of 6.77%, 6.37%, and 7.51%, respectively. Cooling rates of about 6 K/hour were measured. The normalized solar insolation has also been calculated for each region.

Ulich, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Planetary observations at millimeter wavelengths

Observations of the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were made at 3.1 mm and 8.6 mm wavelengths with a 16-foot radio telescope between March and August, 1971. Absolute brightness temperature data are given. All errors are one standard deviation and include uncertainties in antenna gain calibration. The solar and lunar temperatures are in excellent agreement with published observations. The planetary measurements at 3.1 mm are consistently higher than previous results. The implications of higher temperatures with respect to existing atmospheric and surface models are discussed.

Ulich, B. L.↗