Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “ELEMENT ABUNDANCE”

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 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

Abundances of Elements in Stellar Coronae

Interest in stellar coronal abundances was piqued several years ago by the launch of satellites that were able to study the compositions of coronae on stars other than the sun. Motivated by the possibility that other stellar coronae might share the First Ionization Potential (FIP) Effect solar abundance anomaly, we have in recent years been attempting to determine coronal element abundances in other stars. I will review these results, together with similar results reported in the literature, from a critical perspective of understanding the true uncertainties involved in the measurements. The importance of element abundances for coronal physics will be highlighted, and it will be shown that the differences in the chemical compositions of active stars allow us to draw new conclusions regarding the nature of stellar coronae and coronal heating.

Drake, Jeremy↗
NASA NTRS2005

Elemental Composition of 433 Eros: New Calibration of the NEAR-Shoemaker XRS Data

We present relative elemental abundances for six elements (Mg, Al, Si, S, Ca, Fe) in the surface layer of 433 Eros, derived from a new analysis of the solar induced fluorescence measured by the NEARShoemaker X ray Spectrometer (XRS).XRS derived elemental abundances have been presented before. However, calibration of XRS data depends critically on knowledge of the incident solar spectrum, which varies greatly on time scales of seconds to minutes. Unfortunately, the gas solar monitor carried by NEAR was inadequately calibrated prior to launch. The previously published XRS results were based partly on broadband measurements by the Earthorbiting GOES8 (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites) Xray detectors and partly on a preliminary solar monitor calibration carried out by the present authors. The new solar monitor calibration is based on a more recent set of physical models of the solar spectrum at various temperatures, an improved fitting procedure, analysis of a large number of flight spectra, and comparison with concurrent data from the GOES Xray detectors. In addition, the new analysis includes data from three solar flares not considered in earlier papers.

Lim, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The abundances of elements and isotopes in the solar wind

Solar wind abundances have now been measured for eleven elements and the isotopes of the noble gases. Aside from solar wind protons and alpha particles, which have been studied extensively since the 1960's, information for heavier elements is limited. Nevertheless, two effects stand out. First is the enrichment of abundances of elements with low first ionization potential (FIP), most likely the combined result of an atom-ion separation process in the upper chromosphere, and a marginal coupling of low-charge-state heavy ions to protons and alphas during the acceleration of the solar wind. Second, there is variability in the solar wind composition over a whole range of time scales. Recent measurements carried out in the earth's magnetosheath during times that included high-speed coronal-hole-associated flows indicate a significantly lower overabundance of low FIP elements. Given the fact that the He/H ratio is remarkably constant in the coronal hole solar wind, this result suggests that both enrichment and variability are reduced in such flows.

Gloeckler, George↗
NASA NTRS1974

Composition of heavy cosmic rays from 25 to 180 MeV per atomic mass unit

Relative abundances of elements from neon through zinc in the energy range from 25 to 180 MeV per amu have been determined from particle tracks in polycarbonate detectors exposed on the Apollo 16 mission. The ratios of elemental abundances of Ne + Si and 17 less than Z less than 25 to Fe + Co + Ni are found to be 5.8 plus or minus 1.9 and 2.1 plus or minus 0.7, respectively, in agreement with the results from cellulose triacetate detectors by O'Sullivan et al. (1973). These results imply that the heavy particles observed are predominantly galactic in origin. The availability to investigators of unetched plastic detectors exposed to solar-flare particles on the Apollo 16 mission is noted.

Fleischer, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Carbonaceous chondritic xenoliths and planetary-type noble gases in gas-rich meteorites

The source of the planetary-type noble gases in gas-rich meteorites is identified as finely divided (submillimeter to millimeter-sized), widely dispersed carbonaceous chondritic fragments. Trace-element abundances, noble-gas elemental abundances and isotopic abundances of xenon are compatible with the hypothesis that the carbonaceous chondritic carrier is present in amounts of a few percent in the gas-bearing portions of gas-rich chondrites and achondrites.

Wilkening, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Origin of the earth's moon - Constraints from alkali volatile trace elements

Although the moon is depleted in volatile elements compared to the earth, these depletions are not in accord with simple volatility. For example, the Cs/Rb ratios of the earth and moon inferred from basalt are approximately one seventh and one half of the CI ratio, respectively. Volatility considerations alone predict that the lunar Cs/Rb ratio should be equal to or lower than the terrestrial ratio if the moon was derived entirely from earth mantle material. Thus hypotheses such as rotational fission which invoke derivation of lunar material entirely from the earth's mantle may be excluded. The collisional ejection hypothesis of lunar origin requires at least 18 percent of lunar material to be derived from a projectile with dehydrated CI composition to match the lunar Cs/Rb ratio, and 25-50 percent to match both the lunar Cs/Rb ratio and absolute concentrations of Cs and Rb. It remains to be demonstrated that this relatively large contribution of projectile material is consistent with other elemental abundances and element ratios in the moon.

Kreutzberger, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Ionization and thermal equilibrium models for O star winds based on time-independent radiation-driven wind theory

Ab initio ionization and thermal equilibrium models are calculated for the winds of O stars using the results of steady state radiation-driven wind theory to determine the input parameters. Self-consistent methods are used for the roles of H, He, and the most abundant heavy elements in both the statistical and the thermal equilibrium. The model grid was chosen to encompass all O spectral subtypes and the full range of luminosity classes. Results of earlier modeling of O star winds by Klein and Castor (1978) are reproduced and used to motivate improvements in the treatment of the hydrogen equilibrium. The wind temperature profile is revealed to be sensitive to gross changes in the heavy element abundances, but insensitive to other factors considered such as the mass-loss rate and velocity law. The reduced wind temperatures obtained in observing the luminosity dependence of the Si IV lambda 1397 wind absorption profile are shown to eliminate any prospect of explaining the observed O VI lambda 1036 line profiles in terms of time-independent radiation-driven wind theory.

Drew, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Abundances and Distributions of Volatile Elements (Na, S, Cl, K) Within Lunar Volcanic Glass Spheres

This research developed and applied high-precision analytical methods (electron microprobe) to determine the major- and minor-element abundances (Si, Ti, A], Cr, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, Na, K) in three suites of Apollo 14 volcanic green glasses. Since the precision of these data was a factor of 5-10 better than previously published results, the data provided the strongest constraints yet achieved on the geochemical processes that operated at depths less than 400 kilometers inside the Moon. The results of this work were submitted to the 29th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, formed the basis for a Master's Thesis, and were published in the top-tier geochemical journal. Additional high-precision data on the trace abundances of sodium (Na), sulfur (S), and potassium (K) in the Apollo 17 volcanic orange glasses (74220) were also acquired during this grant-period. These data show diffusion profiles within individual 200-micron diameter, glass spherules that were apparently generated during the fire-fountain eruption of this magma in the presence of a transient vapor phase. Although these results have not yet been published, publication is planned in 2001 after additional numerical modeling has been completed. This work has also catalyzed on-going collaborative work with Professor Timothy Grove (MIT) to analyze and understand the origin of the Apollo 15 volcanic green glasses. That work will be completed for publication in 2001.

Delano, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Origin of Apollo 17 rocks and soils

Lithophile trace element abundances have been determined by mass spectrometric isotope dilution for a suite of Apollo 17 samples. The six mare basalts have generally similar relative trace element abundances; they are also similar to Apollo 11 trace element poor basalts. It is suggested that these basalts were derived by partial fusion of cumulates. The Apollo 17 highland breccias show an order of magnitude range in trace element abundances although there is a clustering of KREEP-rich samples which are interpreted as mixtures. The Apollo 17 soils show only a limited range of trace element abundances. They are mixtures of highland breccias, mare basalts, and orange-black 'soil'. There appear to be two groups of soils, Light Mantle and the rest. Both groups seem to have the same basalt component, which is similar to Station 4 basalt from Shorty Crater and probably is the uppermost basalt unit throughout the Taurus-Littrow valley.

Philpotts, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Chemical characterization of lunar core 60009

A total of 27 major, minor and trace element abundances in 27 fine fractions (smaller than 1 mm) of core 60009 were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The core was divided into five chemically defined stratigraphic units. Unit 1, 0.5 to 11.5 cm, is characterized by low Ca and Al abundances which increase towards the base of the unit and high ferromagnesian element abundances. Unit 2, 11.5 to 19.8 cm, has higher abundances of Ca and Al and lower abundances of ferromagnesian elements than unit 1 and is much more uniform. Unit 3, 19.8 to 25.7 cm is very similar to unit 1 and may have been derived from the same source region. Unit 4, 25.7 to 29.6 cm, has the highest Ca and Al abundances of all the units defined and the lowest abundances of ferromagnesian elements. The ferromagnesian elements generally decrease in abundance towards the base of the unit. This unit exhibits a positive Eu anomaly. Unit 5, 29.6 to 31.5 cm, has the lowest Ca and Al abundances and highest ferromagnesian abundances of all the units. The unit boundaries correspond well with major unit boundaries characterized by Duke and Nagle (1974) on the basis of textural parameters, structure, composition and thickness of layers.

Ali, M. Z.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Identifying Galactic Cosmic Ray Origins With Super-TIGER

Super-TIGER (Super Trans-Iron Galactic Element Recorder) is a new long-duration balloon-borne instrument designed to test and clarify an emerging model of cosmic-ray origins and models for atomic processes by which nuclei are selected for acceleration. A sensitive test of the origin of cosmic rays is the measurement of ultra heavy elemental abundances (Z > or equal 30). Super-TIGER is a large-area (5 sq m) instrument designed to measure the elements in the interval 30 < or equal Z < or equal 42 with individual-element resolution and high statistical precision, and make exploratory measurements through Z = 60. It will also measure with high statistical accuracy the energy spectra of the more abundant elements in the interval 14 < or equal Z < or equal 30 at energies 0.8 < or equal E < or equal 10 GeV/nucleon. These spectra will give a sensitive test of the hypothesis that microquasars or other sources could superpose spectral features on the otherwise smooth energy spectra previously measured with less statistical accuracy. Super-TIGER builds on the heritage of the smaller TIGER, which produced the first well-resolved measurements of elemental abundances of the elements Ga-31, Ge-32, and Se-34. We present the Super-TIGER design, schedule, and progress to date, and discuss the relevance of UH measurements to cosmic-ray origins.

deNolfo, Georgia↗
NASA NTRS1988

The abundances of elements and isotopes in the solar wind

Studies of the chemical and isotopic composition of the solar wind are reviewed. Solar wind abundance measurements are discussed and solar wind, coronal, and photospheric abundances for elements between H and Fe are presented. Also, consideration is given to the determination of the solar wind isotopic composition of the noble gases using foil collection techniques and the observation of solar wind heavy ions with the mass per charge spectrometer on ISEE-3. Other topics include solar wind observations with solid state detectors, solar wind abundances in the magnetosheath and the plasma sheet, and high-mass resolution measurements of chemical elements and isotopes in the solar wind.

Gloeckler, George↗
NASA NTRS1987

Siderophile elements in planetary mantles and the origin of the moon

The collisional ejection and the coaccretion hypotheses of lunar origin are examined in the context of theories of planetary accretion and of siderophile element abundances in planetary mantles. The information concerning the possible dynamical environments within which the terrestrial planets may have grown and the known abundances of siderophile and chalcophile elements in the mantles of the earth, the moon, and the hypothetical shergottite parent body is used to evaluate the existing hypotheses of lunar origin. The analysis indicates that none of the existing theories concerning lunar origin is fully consistent with observed siderophile element abundances in the lunar and terrestrial mantles.

Drake, Michael J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Genesis of the Angra dos Reis and other achondritic meteorites

Major, minor, and trace element abundances were determined in seven Angra dos Reis samples, which included whole rocks, fassaite (clinopyroxene), olivine, and whitlockite separates, via sequential instrumental neutron activation analysis. The rare earth element abundance patterns and the trace element abundance patterns of this achondritic meteorite are discussed. A two-stage crystal-liquid fractionation model with source material containing olivine, orthopyroxene, and clinopyroxine is presented for the genesis of Angra dos Reis. Multilinear regression analysis was used to estimate possible composition and properties of the parent magmas. Angra dos Reis was compared with other achondrites, cumulate eucrites and nakhlites in particular. It is thought that the unique Angra dos Reis could not be related to those achondrites by crystal-liquid fractionation of the same parent body.

Ma, M.-S.↗
NASA NTRS2001

The Heavy Nuclei Explorer (HNX) Mission

The Heavy Nuclei eXplorer (HNX) mission was recently selected by NASA for a Small Explorer (SMEX) Mission Concept Study to begin in 2001. The primary scientific objectives of HNX are to measure the age of the galactic cosmic rays (GCR) since nucleosynthesis, determine the injection mechanism for the GCR accelerator (Volatility or FIP), and study the mix of nucleosynthetic processes that contribute to the source of GCRs. The experimental goal of HNX is to measure the elemental abundances of all individual stable nuclei from neon through the actinides and possibly beyond. HNX is composed of two instruments: ECCO, which measures elemental abundances of nuclei with Z(sup 3)72, and ENTICE, which measures elemental abundances of nuclei with 10(f)Z(f)82. We will discuss the mission and the science that can be addressed by HNX.

Binns, W. R.↗