Engineering topics

Walsh, J. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Walsh, J. R..

8 records

NASA NTRS2010

HST WFC3 Early Release Science: Emission-Line Galaxies from IR Grism Observations

We present grism spectra of emission line galaxies (ELGs) from 0.6-1.6 microns from the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). These new infrared grism data augment previous optical Advanced Camera for Surveys G800L (0.6-0.95 micron) grism data in GOODS South, extending the wavelength coverage well past the G800L red cutoff. The ERS grism field was observed at a depth of 2 orbits per grism, yielding spectra of hundreds of faint objects, a subset of which are presented here. ELGs are studied via the Ha, [O III ], and [OII] emission lines detected in the redshift ranges 0.2 less than or equal to z less than or equal to 1.6, 1.2 less than or equal to z less than or equal to 2.4 and 2.0 less than or equal to z less than or equal to 3.6 respectively in the G102 (0.8-1.1 microns; R approximately 210) and C141 (1.1-1.6 microns; R approximately 130) grisms. The higher spectral resolution afforded by the WFC3 grisms also reveals emission lines not detectable with the G800L grism (e.g., [S II] and [S III] lines). From these relatively shallow observations, line luminosities, star formation rates, and grism spectroscopic redshifts are determined for a total of 25 ELGs to M(sub AB)(F098M) approximately 25 mag. The faintest source in our sample with a strong but unidentified emission line--is MAB(F098M)=26.9 mag. We also detect the expected trend of lower specific star formation rates for the highest mass galaxies in the sample, indicative of downsizing and discovered previously from large surveys. These results demonstrate the remarkable efficiency and capability of the WFC3 NIR grisms for measuring galaxy properties to faint magnitudes.

Straughn, A. N.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Ultraviolet interstellar polarization observed with the Hubble Space Telescope

We have used the Faint Object Spectrograph of the Hubble Space Telescope to observe interstellar linear polarization from 1300 to 3300 A in two stars with well-studied interstellar polarization at visible wavelenths. The wavelength dependence of linear polarization declines smoothly with decreasing wavelength and is devoid of structure associated with the prominent 2175 A absorption bump in the interstellar extinction curve. The data for one star (HD 161056) are consistent with an extrapolation based on the Serkowski formula of a fit to the ground-based polariztion; the other star (HD 7252) shows excess (super-Serkowski) polarization relative to the extrapolation. Out of a total of 10 stars now studied by means of spectropolarimetry in the satellite ultraviolet, including eight obseved with the Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photopolarimeter, five (those of longest lambda (sub max)) show Serkowski behavior, and four others show super-Serkowski behavior; only one (HD 197770) shows evidence for polarization associated with the 2175 A bump. These results place important constraints on the nature of the bump feature.

Somerville, W. B.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Anisotropic ionizing radiation in Seyfert galaxies. I - The extended narrow-line region in Markarian 573

The morphology, kinematics, and ionization state of the nuclear extended narrow-line region (ENLR) of the Seyfert 2 galaxy Mrk 573 are studied using narrow-band images of a grid of long-slit spectra. The entire ENLR is mapped spectroscopically, and velocity structure is studied. The velocity field map shows a typical galactic rotation picture with some important deviations. A simple geometric model, in accordance with the 'unified schemes', is employed to study the effects of various parameters of the observed picture. The best match is achieved when a biconical radiation field illuminates the ISM of the host galaxy that takes part in a normal galaxy rotation but also has radial motions close to the nucleus. The emission-line images reveal an ENLR elongated along the radio axis in the northwest-southeast direction, but a map of the flux ratio forbidden O III 5007/(H-alpha + forbidden N II) shows a different structure, with the highest excitation peak offset by about 4 arcsec along the radio axis to the southeast.

Tsvetanov, Zlatan↗

NASA NTRS1977

Conceptual design of an on-board optical processor with components

The specification of components for a spacecraft on-board optical processor was investigated. A space oriented application of optical data processing and the investigation of certain aspects of optical correlators were examined. The investigation confirmed that real-time optical processing has made significant advances over the past few years, but that there are still critical components which will require further development for use in an on-board optical processor. The devices evaluated were the coherent light valve, the readout optical modulator, the liquid crystal modulator, and the image forming light modulator.

Walsh, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Selected time delay data, phase 3

The results of a study on time delays in communication systems applicable to the teleoperator program are presented. Time delay data for 11 specific orbits of interest are shown. These data can be used in the MSFC teleoperator simulator to investigate the effect of time delays in the communications link on the teleoperator control functions.

Walsh, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1975

A coherent light scanner for optical processing of large format transparencies

A laser scanner is discussed in which the scanning beam is random-access addressable and perpendicular to the image input plane and the irradiance of the scanned beam is controlled so that a constant average irradiance is maintained after passage through the image plane. The scanner's optical system and design are described, and its performance is evaluated. It is noted that with this scanner, data in the form of large-format transparencies can be processed without the expense, space, maintenance, and precautions attendant to the operation of a high-power laser with large-aperture collimating optics. It is shown that the scanned format as well as the diameter of the scanning beam may be increased by simple design modifications and that higher scan rates can be achieved at the expense of resolution by employing acousto-optic deflectors with different relay optics.

Callen, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Typical teleoperator time delay profiles, phase 2

The results of the second phase of a study on time delays in communications systems applicable to the teleoperator program are presented. Estimates of the maximum time delays that will be encountered and presents time delay profiles are given for (1) ground control to teleoperator in low earth orbit, (2) ground control to teleoperator in geosynchronous orbit, and (3) low earth orbit control to teleoperator in low earth orbit.

Wetherington, R. D.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Study of mathematical modeling of communication systems transponders and receivers

The modeling of communication receivers is described at both the circuit detail level and at the block level. The largest effort was devoted to developing new models at the block modeling level. The available effort did not permit full development of all of the block modeling concepts envisioned, but idealized blocks were developed for signal sources, a variety of filters, limiters, amplifiers, mixers, and demodulators. These blocks were organized into an operational computer simulation of communications receiver circuits identified as the frequency and time circuit analysis technique (FATCAT). The simulation operates in both the time and frequency domains, and permits output plots or listings of either frequency spectra or time waveforms from any model block. Transfer between domains is handled with a fast Fourier transform algorithm.

Walsh, J. R.↗