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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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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Analysis of hydrogen Lyman-alpha observations of the coma of Comet P/Halley near the perihelion

The pioneer Venus Orbiter Ultraviolet Spectrometer measurements of the Lyman-alpha intensity of atomic hydrogen excited by solar resonance scattering in the coma of Comet P/Halley acquired from December 28, 1985, to January 6, 1986, and from January 31, 1986, to March 6, 1986, are simulated with the Monte Carlo Particle Trajectory Model corrected for optical depth effects. Spatially detailed comparisons between data and model show excellent agreement and are used to infer that the highest cometary activity may not be at perihelion, but about 2 1/2 weeks before. An improved set of H2O production rates is presented for the period of time that the spectrometer was observing and is found to be consistent with the rates from other types of measurements. The apparent discrepancy between Stewart (1987) in early March and International Ultraviolet Explorer OH derived rates is resolved. The problem with the conversion of 18-cm OH radio brightness to H2O production rates is also discussed.

Smyth, William H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The far-ultraviolet energy distribution of Sirius B from Voyager 2

Observations of Sirius obtained with the Voyager 2 ultraviolet spectrometer clearly reveal the presence of flux from the white dwarf Sirius B at wavelengths between 950 and 1100 A. These observations are in good agreement with all previous ultraviolet observations of Sirius B, and in particular with the IUE observations of Boehm-Vitense, Dettmann, and Kapranidis. A joint analysis of the Voyager 2 and IUE observations yields a temperature range of 26,000-28,000 K. A reexamination of current ultraviolet, visible, and X-ray observations produces good general agreement, but no single, mutually consistent, temperature for Sirius B. The Voyager 2 observations can be used to place a firm upper limit of 28,000 K on the temperature of Sirius B.

Holberg, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Dynamic interferometer alignment and its utility in UV Fourier transform spectrometer systems

Dynamic alignment has been demonstrated as a practical approach to alignment maintenance for systems in the infrared region of the spectrum. On the basis of work done by OPTRA, this technique was introduced in commercial Fourier transform spectrometer systems in 1982 and in various forms is now available from a number of manufacturers. This paper reports on work by OPTRA to extend the basic technique to systems operating in the ultraviolet. In addition, this paper reports the preliminary results of the development of an alignment system using a laser diode in place of a gas laser normally found in dynamic alignment systems. A unique optical system and spatial heterodyne technique allows for achievement of a metrology system with characteristics that fully satisfy the requirements of an ultraviolet spectrometer system.

Dorval, Rick K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Future ultraviolet observations from space

Astronomical facilities to observe from space in the ultraviolet are reviewed. For the immediate future, IUE and the extreme ultraviolet spectrometers of Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are available for furthering knowledge of cataclysmic variables. The Hubble Space telescope is scheduled for launch in 1986 and will be available to guest observers. The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer, which is expected to provide the capability to observe in the far and extreme ultraviolet, is planned for launch in the 1990s.

Kondo, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Far-ultraviolet albedo of the moon

The albedo and photometric function of the moon have been measured between 121.6 and 168.0 nm by comparing the brightness of the moon, observed with an orbiting far-ultraviolet spectrometer during the Apollo 17 mission, to the solar brightness observed simultaneously from a sounding rocket. The instruments were carefully cross-calibrated. In contrast to what is found in the visible and the near ultraviolet, the brightness of the moon is found to increase toward shorter wavelengths; the moon is 'blue' in the far ultraviolet. This is confirmed by a laboratory study of lunar samples. A brief review of lunar albedo measurements in the 120-600-nm range is given.

Lucke, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Results of induced atmosphere measurements from the Apollo program

Experiments on Apollo missions 15, 16, and 17 were utilized in an attempt to learn about the induced environment in the vicinity of manned spacecraft. Photographic sequences were examined to obtain scattered light data from the spacecraft-generated particulates during quiescence periods and after liquid dumps. The results allowed estimates of the obscuration factor and the clearing times after dumps. It was found that the clearing times were substantially longer than anticipated. The mass spectrometer detected a high molecular flux in lunar orbit which was induced by the spacecraft. It is shown that this is most likely caused by small ice crystals being continually produced in lunar orbit. Other data from the ultraviolet spectrometer and the stellar camera are also analyzed, and estimated values or upper limits are placed on the total scattering background, the size and number of particles generated, the velocity range, and the column density.

Naumann, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Five Decades Observing Earth's Atmospheric Trace Gases Using Ultraviolet and Visible Backscatter Solar Radiation from Space

Over the last five decades, Earth’s atmosphere has been extensively monitored from space using different spectral ranges. Early efforts were directed at improving weather forecasts with the first meteorological satellites launched in the 1960s. Soon thereafter, the intersection between weather, climate and atmospheric chemistry led to the observation of atmospheric composition from space. During the 1970s the Nimbus satellite program started regular monitoring of ozone integrated columns and water vapor profiles using the Backscatter Ultraviolet Spectrometer, the Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer and the Satellite Infrared Spectrometer instruments. Five decades after these pioneer efforts, continuous progress in instrument design, and retrieval techniques allow researchers to monitor tropospheric concentrations of a wide range of species with implications for air quality, climate and weather. The time line of historic, present and future space-borne instruments measuring ultraviolet and visible backscattered solar radiation designed to quantify atmospheric trace gases is presented. We describe the instruments technological evolution and the basic concepts of retrieval theory. We include a review of algorithms developed for ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, bromine monoxide, water vapor and glyoxal, a selection of studies using these algorithms, the challenges they face and how these challenges can be addressed. The paper ends by providing insights on the opportunities that new instruments will bring to the atmospheric chemistry, weather and air quality communities and how to address the pressing need for long-term, inter-calibrated data records necessary to monitor the response of the atmosphere to rapidly changing ecosystems.

Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer↗
NASA NTRS1974

Ultraviolet stellar spectrophotometry from a balloon platform

A 40 centimeter diameter aperture, balloon-borne telescope and ultraviolet spectrometer is described and selected scientific results are briefly reviewed. The general configuration of the 0.4 angstrom resolution instrument is shown and the utilization of servo-controlled secondary mirror, image dissector detector, and special mirror coatings are discussed. An outlook for astronomical research in the mid-ultraviolet from balloon-borne telescopes is presented together with future development plans for JSC's balloon-borne payload.

Kondo, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Ozone determinations with the NOAA SBUV/2 system

The NOAA satellite ozone monitoring program was initiated by the National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS) in December 1984, with the launch of the NOAA-9 spacecraft carrying the first operational Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Spectrometer (SBUV/2). This instrument and its successor on NOAA-11, launched in 1988, are similar to the SBUV instrument launched by the NASA in 1978 on the Nimbus-7 research spacecraft. Measurements by the SBUV and SBUV/2 instruments overlap beginning in 1985. These instruments use measurements of the reflected ultraviolet solar radiation from the atmosphere to derive total ozone amounts and ozone vertical profiles. Since launch, the NOAA instruments and the derived products have been undergoing extensive evaluation by scientists of NOAA and NASA. Measurements obtained with these instruments are processed in real time by the NESDIS. These are reprocessed as the SBUV/2 instrument characterization is refined and as the retrieval algorithm for processing the data is improved. The NOAA-9 ozone data archive begins in March 1985 and continues through October 1990. The archive of NOAA-11 data begins in January 1989 and the data continues to be acquired in 1992.

Planet, Walter G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The composition of Phobos - Evidence for carbonaceous chondrite surface from spectral analysis

In connection with a need for more definitive information concerning the composition of Phobos in a study of its origin, an ultraviolet-visible-infrared reflectance spectrum of the Martian satellite was compiled from the Mariner 9 ultraviolet spectrometer, Viking lander imaging, and ground-based photometric data. The probable surface composition of Phobos was deduced by comparing the obtained spectrum with the spectra of asteroids of known composition. The considered data show that the reflectivity of Phobos is flat from 1100 to 400 nm but decreases sharply in the ultraviolet to about 1 percent at 212 nm. The reflectance spectrum is similar to the spectra of asteroids Ceres and Pallas which were found to have surface compositions similar to that of carbonaceous chondrites. It is concluded that the surface composition of Phobos is also similar to that of carbonaceous chondrites. The results of the investigation point to different modes of origin for Mars and Phobos.

Pang, K. D.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A survey of local interstellar hydrogen from OAO-2 observations of Lyman alpha absorption

The Wisconsin far ultraviolet spectrometer aboard OAO-2 observed the wavelength region near 1216 A for 69 stars of spectral type B2 or earlier. From the strength of the observed interstellar L sub alpha absorption, atomic hydrogen column densities were derived over distances averaging 300 pc away from the sun. The OAO data were compared to synthetic ultraviolet spectra, originally derived from earlier higher resolution rocket observations, which were computer processed to simulate the effects of absorption by different amounts of hydrogen followed by the instrumental blending.

Savage, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The far ultraviolet spectra of Upsilon Cyg and Mu Cen

The spectra of the 'pole-on' Be stars Upsilon Cyg and Cen have been observed in the region 1000-1450 A with the Princeton Ultraviolet Spectrometer on board the Copernicus satellite. The data include scans of intermediate resolution (0.2 A) with U2 and high resolution scans (0.05 A) of selected suspected shell lines with U1. The spectra of Upsilon Cyg and Mu Cen are compared with a complete intermediate resolution Copernicus scan of the equator-on Be star Phi Per. The ultraviolet spectra of Upsilon Cyg and Mu Cen appear to be identical to those observed in non-Be stars of comparable ground-based spectral type. Neither emission nor shell features are observed. However, numerous strong shell features are seen in Phi Per. An upper limit on the column density of hydrogen in our line of sight is computed for Upsilon Cyg from the observed strength of a weak feature at 1130.4 A identified as an Fe III shell line. Estimates for the dimensions of the circumstellar envelope are then obtained.

Peters, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Far-ultraviolet studies. VIII - Apollo 17 search for zodiacal light

The analysis in a previous paper of a large quantity of far-ultraviolet spectrometer data from the Apollo 17 mission is reexamined with the intent of searching for zodiacal light. An upper limit at somewhat longer wavelengths than before is set. Spectrometer scannings were made from 1180 to 1680 A every 12 sec. Little evidence for a dependence of the residuals (calculated by subtracting the star catalog integration from the observed signal at 1558 to 1669 A for two portions of the sky) on an ecliptic parameter is shown. The present data do not show any detection of far ultraviolet zodiacal light or indeed of any light at all, but merely reflect the limitations of the star catalog integration.

Henry, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Steady flows in the chromosphere and transition-zone above active regions as observed by OSO-8

Two years of data from the University of Colorado ultraviolet spectrometer aboard OSO-8 were searched for steady line-of-sight flows in the chromosphere and transition-zone above active regions. The most conspicuous pattern that emerges from this data set is that many sunspots show persistent blueshifts of transition-zone lines indicating velocities of about 20 km/s with respect to the surrounding plage areas. The data show much smaller shifts in ultraviolet emission lines arising from the chromosphere: the shifts are frequently to the blue, but sometimes redshifts do occur. Plage areas often show a redshift of the transition-zone lines relative to the surrounding quiet areas, and a strong gradient of the vertical component of the velocity is evident in many plages. One area of persistent blueshift was observed in the transition-zone above an active region filament. The energy requirement of these steady flows over sunspots is discussed.

Lites, B. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Far-ultraviolet studies. III - A search for light scattered at large angles by dust

The Apollo 17 far-ultraviolet spectrometer was used during trans-earth coast to measure the brightness of two regions at moderate galactic latitudes. The signal obtained can be entirely accounted for by light from stars in the field of view, with no contribution from galactic-plane starlight scattered off interstellar dust. It is concluded that the interstellar grains are extremely poor large-angle scatterers in the far-ultraviolet.

Henry, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Upper limits to the interstellar radiation field between 775 and 1050 A

A 40-A resolution extreme-ultraviolet spectrometer, sensitive to radiation in the 775-1050 A band, was flown on a Black Brant VC rocket to measure the night sky brightness in this region of the electromagnetic spectrum. A weak signal above background was recorded in most channels as the spectrometer's field of view scanned the sky in the vicinity of the galactic plane from Monoceros to Andromeda. Because the earth's upper atmosphere may produce some radiation in this wavelength region, the possibility cannot be excluded that some or all of the observed signal is terrestrial in origin. However, observational upper limits can be established at the 95-per cent confidence level for the intensity of an extraterrestrial extreme ultraviolet background which ranges from 6 millionths erg/sq cm/s/sr/A at 1050 A to 4 ten-millionths erg/sq cm/s/sr/A at 775 A. These results are consistent with existing theoretical predictions.

Paresce, F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ultraviolet albedos of Uranus and Neptune

Observations on Uranus, Neptune, and four G-type stars which were obtained with the five channel ultraviolet spectrometer aboard the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite are reported. The paper uses these data to derive geometric albedos between 1800 and 3300 A for Uranus and between 2200 and 3300 A for Neptune. It is shown that the albedos are in good agreement with ground measurements near 3300 A and with OAO 2 measurements near 2500 A. In addition, it is noted that the albedos are smaller than theoretical predictions for deep pure H2 Rayleigh-Raman scattering atmospheres, which confirms earlier predictions that additional sources of ultraviolet absorption are required in the upper atmosphere of these planets. Consideration is given to the possibility that the Uranian atmosphere contains an extra absorber, noting that the identification of this absorber is difficult from broad-band spectrophotometric measurements.

Savage, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Voyager observations of dust scattering near the Coalsack nebula

We present the results of four observations of the sky in the direction of the Coalsack nebula. These observations were made using the ultraviolet spectrometers aboard the two Voyager spacecraft in the spectral range between 912 and 1600 A. Intense diffuse emission with a spectrum characteristic of an early B star was observed in all four targets, which we interpret as starlight forward scattered by interstellar dust in the foreground of the main mass of the Coalsack. While more detailed modeling is necessary to derive values for the optical constants of the dust grains, our data indicate that there is no decrease in the albedo toward shorter wavelengths, arguing that the far-ultraviolet rise in the interstellar extinction curve is due to an increasing number density of small particles rather than to a new population of low albedo grains.

Murthy, Jayant↗