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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.

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NASA NTRS1977

Apollo-Soyuz pamphlet no. 2: X-rays, gamma-rays

The nature of high energy radiation and its penetration through earth's atmosphere is examined with emphasis on X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic radiation and the instruments used in their detection. The history of radio astronomy and the capabilities of the Uhuru satellite are summarized. The ASTP soft X-ray experiment (MA-048) designed to study the spectra in the range from 0.1 to 10 keV and survey the background over a large section of the sky is described, as well as the determination of SMC C-1 as an X-ray pulsar. The crystal activation experiment (MA-151) used to measure the radioactive isotopes created by cosmic rays in crystals used for gamma ray detectors is also discussed.

Page, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The masses of neutron stars - Observational constraints

The present state of empirical knowledge concerning neutron-star masses is reviewed on the basis of information obtained for the nine known X-ray pulsars in binary systems. Pulse profiles and other pulse parameters of these X-ray pulsars are examined, and allowable mass ranges are estimated for four X-ray pulsars in binary systems as well as for the binary pulsar PSR 1913+16. The approximate mass ranges obtained include 1.2 to 2.4 solar masses for 3U 0900-40, 0.7 to 4.3 solar masses for Cen X-3, 0.8 to 1.8 solar masses for SMC X-1, 0.0 to 2.3 solar masses for Her X-1, and either 1.4 to 1.8 solar masses or 0.0 to 1.8 solar masses for PSR 1913+16 if the companion is a normal white dwarf or some other type of star, respectively. Theoretical implications of these results are briefly considered.

Rappaport, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Ultraviolet absorption by interstellar gas at large distances from the galactic plane

Eighteen high-dispersion IUE spectra of six stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud, three stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud, and two foreground stars were analyzed. Fourteen spectra cover the wavelengths 1150-2000 A, and four cover 1900-3200 A; the velocity resolution is about 25 km/s. All the Magellanic Cloud spectra exhibit very strong interstellar absorption lines due to a wide range of ionization stages at galactic velocities and at velocities associated with the IMC or SMC. The observational results are related to current theoretical ideas about the origin and physical state of gaseous galactic halos; the analysis is restricted to the Milky Way absorption features.

Savage, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

CNO abundances in H II regions of the Magellanic clouds and the galaxy with implications regarding the nucleosynthesis of the CNO element group

Final abundance results of IUE observations of the UV spectra of three H II regions in the Small Magellanic Cloud and four H II regions in the Large Magellanic Cloud are presented. Calculated yields of carbon and oxygen derived are y(C)=.00063 and y(O)=.0016. The nucleosynthetic origin of nitrogen was evaluated as being predominantly a secondary element produced from carbon as its seed. Plotting log N/C versus log C/H yielded the rather unexpected result that log N/C decreases with lo C/H over the SMC-LMC-Orion range. The cause of this relationship is discussed.

Dufour, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The carbon abundance in the Magellanic Clouds from IUE observations of H II regions

Results are given of observations of the UV spectra of several H II regions in the Magellanic Clouds, with emphasis on obtaining the carbon abundance from the UV lines of C II, C III, and C IV. The observations and results are described, and theoretical model calculations are presented of the H II regions and the relative abundances of H, He, C, N, O, S, Cl, and Ar computed from the UV and visual spectra. In addition, the abundance results for the Magellanic Clouds are compared with the sun, the Orion Nebula, and galactic planetary nebulae. In comparison with solar abundances, carbon is found to be depleted relative to hydrogen in the Magellanic Clouds by an amount larger than that of nitrogen and oxygen in the SMC and by an amount between that of nitrogen and oxygen in the LMC. It is noted that the results are consistent with a scenario that nitrogen and oxygen have greater primary yields in massive stars than carbon, which may be produced predominantly in less massive stars (such that C/N and C/O in galaxies are initially very low and subsequently increase with evolution). Subsequently, the C/N ratio may decrease as secondary production of nitrogen in less massive stars becomes significant.

Dufour, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Observation of two gamma-ray bursts by Vela X-ray detectors

Bursts of X-rays coincident in time with two gamma-ray burst events were observed by the 3-12 keV collimated X-ray detectors on the Vela spacecraft. Both of these observations show recurrence on a time scale of hundreds of seconds. For one of these events (GB 720514) the X-ray detection gives an improved position as well as information on the spectrum late in the outburst. The other event (GB 740723) is of special interest because the source, not previously located, is consistent in direction with the binary pulsar SMC X-1 in the Small Magellanic Cloud; this is the first moderately small error box for a gamma-ray burst to contain a strong X-ray source.

Terrell, J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The gaseous galactic halo as inferred from the line spectra of the galaxies Markarian 509 and Fairall 9

Narrow interstellar absorption lines of S II 1259.52, Si II 1260.42, and Fe II 1608.46 due to gas in the disk and the halo of the Galaxy have been detected in the spectrum of the Seyfert galaxy Mrk 509 with the International Ultraviolet Explorer. This gas is also seen at higher resolution in the Ca II and Na I absorption lines in two components at LSR velocities of +6 and +62 km/s. In addition, narrow Ly-alpha and C IV absorption near the Seyfert redshift seem to be present in the spectrum. Si II 1260.42 absorption from the galactic disk and from the Magellanic Stream or the halo of the SMC have been detected with the IUE in the spectrum of Fairall 9. The observations of these two objects when combined with existing results are shown to be consistent with a corotating galactic halo having a height of less than 10 kpc at the sun.

York, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Hard X-ray observations of fast pulsars from HEAO-1

A favorable combination of sensitive area and viewing time for the UCSD/MIT Hard X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Telescope on satellite HEAO-1 permitted significant contributions to the study of binary systems. Results are reviewed for five fast pulsars: Her X-1, 4U0115+63, LMC X-4, SMC X-1 and Cen X-3.

Gruber, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

X-ray observations of Be stars

Be star binaries with neutron star companions are shown to constitute a major class of X-ray sources. Some general observational and interpretive techniques of X-ray astronomy are reviewed. Data for 12 Be/X-ray binary systems are summarized. The Be/X-ray binaries are found to be systematically wider systems, with lower-mass primaries, and with significantly more transient behavior than the 'standard' massive X-ray binaries such as Cen X-3 and SMC X-1. The difference between the two types of X-ray binaries is explained in the context of slightly different evolutionary scenarios for the progenitor binaries. The 'standard' massive X-ray binaries result from wind-mass-loss dominated evolution of very massive close binaries, while Be/X-ray binaries probably result from mass-transfer dominated evolution of systems with primary masses less than approximately 20 solar masses. The implications of the X-ray observations of Be/X-ray binaries for Be stars in general are discussed.

Rappaport, S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

X-ray emission from normal galaxies

The results of Einstein Observatory studies of X-ray emission from normal galaxies, including the LMC and SMC, M31, M33, M101, NGC 247, M81 and M100, and N253 are surveyed. The X-ray luminosity of normal galaxies is proportional to their optical luminosity, revealing no strong dependence on galaxy type. The number of individual sources detected are comparable to the number of sources expected on mass considerations. There are substantial numbers of X-ray sources in the Magellanic Clouds with luminosities in the range 10 to the 35th-36th ergs/s, lower than most X-ray binaries but higher than known uncollapsed stellar systems. About seven X-ray sources with luminosities of at least 10 to the 39th ergs/s in the 0.5-3.0 keV band have been found in the arms of nearby spiral galaxies.

Long, K. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Ultraviolet high-resolution spectroscopy of the X-ray binary Sk 160/SMC X-1

High-resolution IUE spectra of Sk 160, the optical counterpart of the X-ray source SMC X-1, show substantial variations with orbital phase of the resonance P Cygni profiles. These variations are ascribed to the changing ionization state in the stellar wind caused by the X-rays emitted by the companion, as suggested by Hatchett and McCray and first established for the galactic X-ray binary Vela X-1. Furthermore, the profile observed during X-ray eclipse differs significantly from profiles of similar stars in the absence of X-ray ionization.

Hammerschlag-Hensberge, G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

On fast X-ray rotators with long-term periodicities

The support of previous SAS 3 spacecraft observations by new data gathered by the Monitor Proportional Counter aboard the HEAO 2 spacecraft indicates that the pulse period history of the 13.5 sec-pulsing X-ray source LMC X-4 is consistent with standard accretion and torque models only if LMC X-4 is a fast rotator for which the accretion torques nearly cancel. This result leads to a neutron star magnetic field strength estimate of about 1.2 x 10 to the 13th G. Strong evidence is noted for Her X-1's status as a fast rotator, while SMC X-1 is probably an intermediate-to-fast rotator. In the context of slaved disk models for these objects, it is noted that the precession periods expected for the companion stars are significantly longer than the observed 1-2 month time scales; slaved disk models are thereby undermined.

Naranan, S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Stellar winds from hot stars in the Magellanic Clouds

O and B stars in the LMC and SMC have been observed with the IUE in order to compare their winds and mass loss rates with those of their galactic counterparts. It is found that while the wind terminal velocities are generally about 20 percent lower than in galactic stars of the same spectral type, it is not clear that the mass loss rates are significantly lower. This conclusion differs from the conclusions of other studies, and the reasons are discussed. The most important reason is that a less luminous set of stars with new spectral types determined from slit spectra is being examined. The discussion of stellar winds rests heavily on a comparison of relevant wind parameters observed in O stars using both high and low dispersion IUE spectra.

Garmany, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A theoretical and observational study of the Red Giant Branch phase transition in Magellanic Cloud clusters - A progress report

Preliminary results are reported for an investigation comparing theoretical models of the sudden appearance of an extended RGB (and its effects on the spectral energy distributions of stellar populations) with data from ESO CCD observations of clusters in the LMC and SMC. Isochrones for the entire RGB are being constructed on the basis of 100 new evolutionary sequences (calculated using the evolution code of Sweigart and Gross, 1976 and 1978) to permit determination of synthetic colors and spectral energy distributions. The observations so far indicate a main sequence about 0.1 mag redder than that predicted by the present models or by the isochrones of VandenBerg and Bell (1985), and fail to show a B-V color difference at the RGB phase transition.

Buonanno, R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Fault-Tolerant Local-Area Network

Local-area network (LAN) for computers prevents single-point failure from interrupting communication between nodes of network. Includes two complete cables, LAN 1 and LAN 2. Microprocessor-based slave switches link cables to network-node devices as work stations, print servers, and file servers. Slave switches respond to commands from master switch, connecting nodes to two cable networks or disconnecting them so they are completely isolated. System monitor and control computer (SMC) acts as gateway, allowing nodes on either cable to communicate with each other and ensuring that LAN 1 and LAN 2 are fully used when functioning properly. Network monitors and controls itself, automatically routes traffic for efficient use of resources, and isolates and corrects its own faults, with potential dramatic reduction in time out of service.

Morales, Sergio↗
NASA NTRS1987

The interstellar medium toward SN 1987A

High-resolution spectra of SN 1987A obtained with the IUE satellite show absorption features from the disk and halo of the Galaxy and the LMC. A rich variety of elements and ionization states is found, including allowed resonance lines of abundant elements with ionization states ranging from C I and O I to Al III, Si IV, and C IV. The Si IV and C IV absorption at LMC velocities is unusually strong toward the supernova as compared to most other stars in the LMC and SMC. The origin of these lines is discussed.

Dupree, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1987

An atlas of optical spectrophotometry of Wolf-Rayet carbon and oxygen stars

The atlas contains a homogeneous set of optical spectrophotometric observations (3300-7300 A) at moderate resolution (about 10 A) of almost all WC and WO stars in the Galaxy, the LMC, and the SMC. The data are presented in the form of spectral tracings (in magnitude units) arranged by subtype, with no correction for interstellar reddening. A montage of prototype stars of each spectral class is also shown. Comprehensive line identifications are given for the optical lines of WC and WO spectra, with major contributions tabulated and unidentified lines noted.

Torres, Ana V.↗
NASA NTRS1988

An all sky study of fast X-ray transients

In the HEAO 1 A-2 survey of fast X-ray transients, a search of 2 to 20 keV scanning data was made for brief increases in flux, greater than 4 millicrabs, on timescales approximately 1 to 10 to the 4th s above a 12-hour average. The search was divided into two regions, and all-sky survey of the Galaxy, and a survey of the Magellanic Clouds. In the latter, 37 events were found and identified with 4 of the 5 brighest sources in the LMC, plus 2 as flares from a foreground star. Np X-ray bursts, no gamma-ray bursts, and no events from the SMC were found. In the all-sky survey, after excluding well-known variable sources, out of the equivalent of approximately 104 days of data, 15 events were found which falling into 2 broad categories: flares from coronal sources, roughly isotropically distributed, with optically thin thermal spectra; and harder fast transients apparently distributed near the Galactic plane. The first were identified as flares from ubiquitous active cool dwarf stars. It was hypothesized that the second may have been from distant Be-neutron star binaries. However, at least two of the harder, more luminous events remained unidentified. Future research should examine the nature of these rare events, and how they may fit into a hierarchy of hard fast transients from gamma-ray bursts to outbursts from pulsar systems.

Connors, Alanna↗