Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Spectroscopic”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10

Infrared and Raman spectroscopic studies of structural variations in minerals from Apollo 11, 12, 14 and 15 samples, volume 3

Infrared and Raman vibrational spectroscopic data, yielding direct information on molecular structure, were obtained for single grains ( 150 microns) of minerals, basalts, and glasses isolated from Apollo 11, 12, 14, and 15 rock and dust samples, and for grains in Apollo 14 polished butt samples. From the vibrational data, specification substitutions were determined for the predominant silicate minerals of plagioclase, pyroxene, and olivine. Unique spectral variations for grains of K-feldspar, orthopyroxene, pyroxenoid, and ilmenite were observed to exceed the ranges of terrestrial samples, and these variations may be correlatable with formation histories. Alpha-quartz was isolated as pure single grains, in granitic grains composited with sanidine, and in unique grains that were intimately mixed with varying amounts of glass. Accessory minerals of chromite and ulvospinel were isolated as pure grains and structurally characterized from their distinctive infrared spectra. Fundamental vibrations of the SiO4 tetrahedra in silicate minerals were used to classify bulk compositions in dust sieved fractions, basalt grains and glass particles, and to compare modal characteristics for maria, highland and rille samples. No hydrated minerals were found in any of the samples studied, indicating anhydrous formation conditions.

Estep, P. A.↗

Spectroscopic studies of the exhaust plume of a quasi-steady MPD accelerator

Spectroscopic and photographic investigations are reported that reveal a complex azimuthal species structure in the exhaust plume of a quasi-steady argon MPD accelerator. Over a wide range of operating conditions the injected argon remains collimated in discrete jets which are azimuthally in line with the six propellant injector orifices. The regions between these argon jets, including the central core of the exhaust flow, are occupied by impurities such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen ablated from the Plexiglas back plate of the arc chamber. The features of this plume structure are found to be dependent on the arc current and mass flow rate. It is found that nearly half the observed velocity is attained in an acceleration region well downstream of the region of significant electromagnetic interaction. Recombination calculations show that the ionization energy is essentially frozen.

Bruckner, A. P.↗

Spectroscopic and photometric observations of M supergiants in Carina.

Spectroscopic study of 30 Southern-Hemisphere M supergiants mostly in Carina in the blue and near-infrared, and photometrical study of these stars from 0.4 to 18 microns. The uncertainties in the determinations of interstellar extinction are discussed, and the spatial distribution of the M supergiants in the Carina arm is shown. The presence of the 11-micron excess attributed to silicate dust is a common feature. Stars of the same spectral type and luminosity class are remarkably homogeneous in their long-wave behavior. The silicate feature becomes more prominent in the more luminous stars and in stars of later spectral type. Four composite systems show little long-wave excess. The two VV Cephei objects have excesses probably produced by gas emission, and the other two have little or no excess - supporting the suggestion that the presence of the early star prohibits the formation of a dust envelope. Three stars - VY CMa, VX Sgr, and HD 9767 - appear to be extreme examples of stars with large excesses over the entire long-wave region. It is suggested that these objects are surrounded by large amounts of particulate material over a great range of distances from the stars.

Humphreys, R. M.↗

Formation of spectral lines in a planetary atmosphere. II - Spectroscopic evidence for the structure of the visible Venus clouds.

We demonstrate in this article that there is spectroscopic evidence for the structure of the visible Venus cloud layers. From physically realistic models of the lower Venus atmosphere, we have shown that only observations of the phase variations of the CO2 bands in the Venus spectrum can provide the information for a unique identification of the structure of the cloud layers. It is proved that Venus cannot have a single dense cloud layer, but must have two scattering layers; a thin aerosol layer situated in the lower stratosphere, overlying a dense cloud deck. The aerosol plays an important role in the scattering of radiation, so that its identification provides an explanation of the reflecting layer-scattering model controversy for the interpretation of spectra formed in a cloudy planetary atmosphere.

Hunt, G. E.↗

Spectroscopic observations of 22 quasi-stellar objects.

Spectroscopic observations of 22 QSOs are described, and redshifts of 20 are given. A corrected redshift for 3C 407 is included, and an error in that published for PKS 0226-038 is pointed out. The variability of the large-redshift 5C 2.56 is discussed. Lines of Si II have been found in OI 318.

Burbidge, E. M.↗

Spectroscopic observations of the optical candidate for Cygnus X-1.

The spectroscopic binary BD+34 3815 (= HDE 226868) with a period of 5.6 days, which is the brightest object in the position box for the X-ray source Cyg X-1, is studied to determine whether it meets all the requirements for being a black hole. Evidence is presented that the mass of the secondary is larger than the upper limits for white dwarfs or neutron stars, but there is no conclusive evidence that the optical binary is an X-ray source, and that the secondary is a collapsed object.

Brucato, R.↗

Spectroscopic results in helium from the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus plasma

Spectroscopic measurements were carried out on the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus experiment in which a steady state ion heating method based on the modified Penning discharge is applied in a bumpy torus confinement geometry. Electron temperatures in pure helium are measured from the ratio of spectral line intensities. Measured electron temperatures range from 10 to 100 eV. Relative electron densities are also measured over the range of operating conditions. Radial profiles of temperature and relative density are measured in the two basic modes of operation of the device called the low and high pressure modes. The electron temperatures are used to estimate particle confinement times based on a steady state particle balance.

Richardson, R. W.↗

Spectroscopic observations of HZ Herculis. II

Preliminary results from an extensive series of spectroscopic observations of the HZ Her optical counterpart of the eclipsing, pulsating X-ray binary Her X-1. Spectrograms with a dispersion of 30 A/mm reveal a spectral type as late as F5 near minimum in the light curve with the G-band and metallic lines present. Narrow Fe lines show that HZ Her is not a rapid rotator. Low-dispersion (115 A/mm) spectra, obtained with 10-minute time resolution, reveal rapid (10-min) variations in the 4640 N III emission and in the 4471 He I absorbtion features. The H-beta absorption is variable in equivalent width, and shows evidence of being partially filled with emission.

Bopp, B. W.↗

Spectroscopic observations of spatial and temporal variations on Venus

Details of the Table Mountain spectroscopic patrol of Venus in September-October 1972 are given. The data indicate systematic variation over the disc, with more CO2 absorption near the terminator than at the limb, and slightly more in the southern than in the northern hemisphere. The semiregular four-day variation, reported to occur simultaneously over the disk at 8689 A by Young et al. (1973), is confirmed by observations of the 7820 A and 7883 A CO2 bands.

Young, A. T.↗

Spectroscopic results in helium from the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus plasma

Spectroscopic measurements have been carried out on the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus experiment in which a steady state ion heating method based on the modified Penning discharge is applied in a bumpy torus confinement geometry. Electron temperatures in pure helium are measured from the ratio of spectral line intensities. Measured electron temperatures range from 10 to 100 eV. Relative electron densities are also measured over the range of operating conditions. Radial profiles of temperature and relative density are measured in the two basic modes of operation of the device called the low and high pressure modes. The electron temperatures are used to estimate particle confinement times based on a steady state particle balance.

Richardson, R. W.↗

Holographic direct-vision spectroscope

Spectroscope incorporates two prisms combined with holographic grating as dispersing element. This provides high dispersion with selective undeviated wavelength. Prisms with different indices of refraction and/or angles for construction and reconstruction may be used. Also, different prisms for input and output may be used.

Franke, J. M.↗

Effect of anode ring arrangement on the spectroscopic characteristics of the NASA Lewis bumpy torus plasma

The modified Penning discharge in the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus is normally produced by an anode ring at high voltage in each of the 12 magnetic mirror midplanes. For this investigation, the plasma was run with 12, 6, 3, and 1 anode rings. When 3 anode rings were used, the spectroscopically determined relative electron density and mean ion residence time increase by factors of 10 and 5, respectively, in one mode of operation. The discharge is observed to uniformly fill all bumps around the torus regardless of the anode arrangement and number. A plasma density on axis of 10 to the 11th power cm/3 is estimated for the 3 anode case in one mode of operation based on an observed discharge current to ion loss rate correlation and a measured mean ion residence time of .5 msec.

Richardson, R. W.↗

Development of a spectroscopic photoelectric imaging Fabry-Perot interferometer preliminary observational results

In order to observe extended astronomical objects at high spatial and spectral resolution, a spectroscopic photoelectric imaging Fabry-Perot interferometer was constructed. Among the properties chosen for the instrument are an air-spaced, piezoelectrically scanned design allowing an accurately settable free spectral range and employing a single etalon of high finesse. Careful design of the etalon mountings and optical train preserves high ligh throughput. Spectra of single spatial elements with a photomultiplier were obtained, and an SEC vidicon detector was used to record a series of images through the interferometer while scanning the wavelength in discrete steps. The latter procedure yields sufficient information to reconstruct spectral features over the entire object, and for the conditions assumed, either series of observations requires only a small fraction of a rotational period for Jupiter or Saturn. An electronic control system was also constructed which permits rapid and flexible variation of the operational mode of the Fabry-Perot and its ancilliary devices so as to minimize loss of observational time.

Smith, W. H.↗

Effect of anode ring arrangement on the spectroscopic characteristics of the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus plasma

The modified Penning discharge in the NASA Lewis Bumpy Torus is normally produced by an anode ring at high voltage in each of the 12 magnetic mirror midplanes. For this investigation, the plasma was run with 12, 6, 3, and 1 anode rings. When 3 anode rings were used, the spectroscopically determined relative electron density and mean ion residence time increased by factors of 10 and 5, respectively, in one mode of operation. The discharge is observed to uniformly fill all bumps around the torus regardless of the anode arrangement and number. A plasma density on axis of 100 billion per cu cm is estimated for the 3-anode case in one mode of operation based on an observed discharge current to ion loss rate correlation and a measured mean ion residence time of .5 msec.

Richardson, R. W.↗

Venus' spectroscopic phase variation - Implications of the Mariner 10 photographs

The recent ultraviolet photographs of Venus by Mariner 10 have shown an irregular cloud structure. There is an apparent tendency for clearing along a wide equatorial band more or less centered on the subsolar point. This synoptic picture is in marked contrast to the uniform cloud cover conventionally used in model calculations of the variation with phase of CO2 absorption bands. To illustrate the consequences of subsolar weakening of CO2 absorption, a mathematically simple (but realistically naive) model is used. Two conclusions are reached: (1) efforts to distinguish between single- and double-layer models for the clouds from spectroscopic data alone are not merely ambiguous (as argued earlier by Chamberlain and Smith); with present data they are hopeless; (2) the decrease in the CO2 absorption close to full phase, as reported by Young et al., could result entirely from an equatorial darkening that is relatively inconsequential at the crescent phase and increasingly predominant for fuller phases.

Chamberlain, J. W.↗

High-dispersion spectroscopic observations of Venus during 1968 and 1969. II - The carbon-dioxide band at 8689 A

Results are reported for an extensive series of high-resolution spectroscopic observations of the CO2 band at 8689 A in the atmosphere of Venus which were made over a period of one year at a dispersion of 2 A/mm for Venus phase angles varying from 10 to 126 deg. The equivalent widths of lines in the band are measured, the rotational temperature is calculated, and the CO2 abundance over various areas on the planet is determined. The results are compared with those of previous observations of the CO2 bands at 8689, 7820, and 7883 A, and good agreement is found regarding the temperatures and abundances derived for the different bands. It is concluded that the CO2 abundance varies over the planet and that its distribution does not remain constant with time.

Schorn, R. A. J.↗

Spectroscopic observations of winds on Venus

Measurements of the differential Doppler shift between various points on Venus using a high-resolution PEPSIOS interferometer. Using both a CO2 line and a Fraunhofer line a mean zonal-wind velocity of about -83 m/s is found near the equator; the velocity appears to vary from about -2 to -125 m/s with a time scale of greater than one week. Meridional velocities are measured to be weak. The equatorial zonal velocity appears to be smaller in the 'morning' than in the 'afternoon'. A comparison with reported velocities of the ultraviolet dark markings reveals general agreement in that both find the motion to be retrograde, variable, and accelerated during the day. A new potential source of systematic error in all spectroscopic determinations of the differential Doppler shift of nonuniformly illuminated objects is pointed out.

Traub, W. A.↗