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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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Charge, energy, and LET spectra measurements of charged particles in P0006 experiment of LDEF

Measurements are under way of the charged particle radiation environment of the LDEF satellite using stacks of plastic nuclear track detectors (PNTDs) placed in different locations of the satellite. In the initial work, the charge, energy, and linear energy transfer (LET) spectra of charged particles were measured with CR-39 double layer PNTDs located on the west end of the satellite. Primary and secondary stopping heavy ions as well as relativistic galactic cosmic rays (mostly iron particles) were measured separately. The results will be compared with similar measurements in other locations on LDEF with different orientation and shielding conditions. The remarkably detailed study of the charged particle radiation environment of the LDEF satellite will lead to a better understanding of the radiation environment of the Space Station Freedom. It will enable more accurate prediction of single event upsets (SEUs) in microelectronics and, especially, more accurate assessment of the risk, contributed by the different components of the radiation field to the health and safety of crew members.

Benton, E. V.↗
DOE OSTI2017

γ -ray Constraints on Decaying Dark Matter and Implications for IceCube

Utilizing the Fermi measurement of the γ -ray spectrum toward the Inner Galaxy, we derive some of the strongest constraints to date on the dark matter (DM) lifetime in the mass range from hundreds of MeV to above an EeV. Our profile-likelihood-based analysis relies on 413 weeks of Fermi Pass 8 data from 200 MeV to 2 TeV, along with up-to-date models for diffuse γ -ray emission within the Milky Way. We model Galactic and extragalactic DM decay and include contributions to the DM-induced γ -ray flux resulting from both primary emission and inverse-Compton scattering of primary electrons and positrons. For the extragalactic flux, we also calculate the spectrum associated with cascades of high-energy γ rays scattering off of the cosmic background radiation. We argue that a decaying DM interpretation for the 10 TeV–1 PeV neutrino flux observed by IceCube is disfavored by our constraints. Our results also challenge a decaying DM explanation of the AMS-02 positron flux. In conclusion, we interpret the results in terms of individual final states and in the context of simplified scenarios such as a hidden sector glueball model.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2002

The Anisotropy of the Microwave Background to l=3500: Mosaic Observations with the Cosmic Background Imager

Using the Cosmic Background Imager, a 13-element interferometer array operating in the 26-36 GHz frequency band, we have observed 40 deg (sup 2) of sky in three pairs of fields, each approximately 145 feet x 165 feet, using overlapping pointings: (mosaicing). We present images and power spectra of the cosmic microwave background radiation in these mosaic fields. We remove ground radiation and other low-level contaminating signals by differencing matched observations of the fields in each pair. The primary foreground contamination is due to point sources (radio galaxies and quasars). We have subtracted the strongest sources from the data using higher-resolution measurements, and we have projected out the response to other sources of known position in the power-spectrum analysis. The images show features on scales approximately 6 feet-15 feet, corresponding to masses approximately 5-80 x 10(exp 14) solar mass at the surface of last scattering, which are likely to be the seeds of clusters of galaxies. The power spectrum estimates have a resolution delta l approximately 200 and are consistent with earlier results in the multipole range l approximately less than 1000. The power spectrum is detected with high signal-to-noise ratio in the range 300 approximately less than l approximately less than 1700. For 1700 approximately less than l approximately less than 3000 the observations are consistent with the results from more sensitive CBI deep-field observations. The results agree with the extrapolation of cosmological models fitted to observations at lower l, and show the predicted drop at high l (the "damping tail").

Pearson, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Variability in Galactic Cosmic Radiation- Induced DNA Damage Response in Inbred Mice Is Modulated by Genetics

In radiation biology, the ability to predict cancer risk associated with exposure to low doses of high-LET (Linear Energy Transfer) ionizing radiation remains a challenge. Epidemiological methods lack the sensitivity and power to provide detailed risk estimates for cancer and ignore individual sensitivity. We have hypothesized that DNA repair capacity is the primary factor differentiating peoples radiation sensitivity. We previously showed in immortalized human cell lines that characterizing the dose and time dependence of p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) foci formation in the nucleus following X-rays exposure is sufficient to predict DNA repair response to any other LET in the same cell line. We now tested this hypothesis across a population of mice with different genetic background. Fibroblast cells were extracted and cultivated from 76 individual mice from 15 different strains and exposed to HZE (high (H) atomic number (Z) and energy (E) galactic cosmic ray particles) particles and X-rays. Individual radiation sensitivities were investigated by high throughput measurement of DNA repair kinetics that evaluated 53bp1 foci numbers as a surrogate for DNA double-strand breaks at various times post-irradiation. Instead of just counting foci which can be hard to distinguish for high-LET or high doses, we also took into account the track structure of high-LET particles to compute the remaining number of unrepaired tracks as a function of time post-irradiation. As expected, the percentage of unrepaired track over a 48 hours follow-up period increased with LET. In addition, repair rate was modulated by genetics, with animals from the same strain showing small variance while large rate differences were observed between strains. Radiation strain sensitivity ranking was estimated based on repair rates from exposure to each LET evaluated in this work, and ranking for high-LET correlated better with ranking from high dose of X-ray, not low dose. At the in-vivo level, drops in T-cells and B-cells number measured 24 hours after 0.1 Gy (Gray) X-ray exposure, correlated with slower DNA repair kinetic in fibroblast cells of the same strains of mice. At the genomic level, mouse genome wide association (GWA) analysis identified seven significant genetic loci on chromosomes 2, 3, 7, 10, 11, 13 and 19 with different significance depending on the LET. Interestingly, for the two highest LET, a common locus on Chromosome 10 was identified with high enrichment for DNA repair associated genes.Overall, this work suggests that repair kinetics of primary skin fibroblasts is a good surrogate marker for in-vivo radiation sensitivities in other tissues and that this response is modulated by genetics. Our study also confirms that DNA repair kinetics following high doses of X-ray can be used to predict radiation sensitivity to high-LET.

High-LET Radiation↗
NASA NTRS1972

Electron showers of high primary energy in lead.

The development of electron cascade showers in a lead-scintillator sandwich of 8 plastic scintillators in about 20 radiation lengths of lead has been investigated. This detector, which was used for cosmic-ray studies, has been calibrated with electrons with energies from 2 to 15 GeV at SLAC. Measured shower profiles are presented, and expressions are given which allow an extrapolation of the measured data up to energies around 1000 GeV. The results are compared with analytical shower theories and Monte Carlo calculations.

Mueller, D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Antiparticles in the extragalactic cosmic radiation

It may be possible to account for a previously puzzling feature - a bump in the energy range 10 to the 14th power eV to 10 to the 15th power - of the cosmic ray spectrum by hypothesizing a primary extragalactic origin for the bulk of the observed cosmic ray antiprotons, although such an explanation is not unique. In this model, most of the cosmic rays above 10 to the 15th power eV are extragalactic. A method is described of testing this hypothesis experimentally.

Stecker, F. W.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Partially acoustic dark matter, interacting dark radiation, and large scale structure

The standard paradigm of collisionless cold dark matter is in tension with measurements on large scales. In particular, the best fit values of the Hubble rate H 0 and the matter density perturbation σ 8 inferred from the cosmic microwave background seem inconsistent with the results from direct measurements. We show that both problems can be solved in a framework in which dark matter consists of two distinct components, a dominant component and a subdominant component. The primary component is cold and collisionless. The secondary component is also cold, but interacts strongly with dark radiation, which itself forms a tightly coupled fluid. The growth of density perturbations in the subdominant component is inhibited by dark acoustic oscillations due to its coupling to the dark radiation, solving the σ 8 problem, while the presence of tightly coupled dark radiation ameliorates the H 0 problem. The subdominant component of dark matter and dark radiation continue to remain in thermal equilibrium until late times, inhibiting the formation of a dark disk. We present an example of a simple model that naturally realizes this scenario in which both constituents of dark matter are thermal WIMPs. Our scenario can be tested by future stage-IV experiments designed to probe the CMB and large scale structure.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1988

Transport of cosmic ray nuclei in various materials

Cosmic-ray heavy ions have become a concern in space radiation effects analyses. Heavy ions rapidly deposit energy and create dense ionization trails as they traverse materials. Collection of the free charge disrupts the operation of microelectronic circuits. This effect, called the single-event upset, can cause a loss of digital data. Passage of high linear energy transfer particles through the eyes has been observed by Apollo astronauts. These heavy ions have great radiobiological effectiveness and are the primary risk factor for leukemia induction on a manned Mars mission. Models of the transport of heavy cosmic-ray nuclei through materials depend heavily on our understanding of the cosmic-ray environment, nuclear spallation cross sections, and computer transport codes. Our group has initiated and pursued the development of a full capability for modeling these transport processes. A recent review of this ongoing effort is presented in Ref. 5. In this paper, we discuss transport methods and present new results comparing the attenuation of cosmic rays in various materials.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health↗
NASA NTRS1993

HZE reactions and data-base development

The primary cosmic rays are dispersed over a large range of linear energy transfer (LET) values and their distribution over LET is a determinant of biological response. This LET distribution is modified by radiation shielding thickness and shield material composition. The current uncertainties in nuclear cross sections will not allow the composition of the shield material to be distinguished in order to minimize biological risk. An overview of the development of quantum mechanical models of heavy ion reactions will be given and computational results compared with experiments. A second approach is the development of phenomenological models from semi-classical considerations. These models provide the current data base in high charge and energy (HZE) shielding studies. They will be compared with available experimental data. The background material for this lecture will be available as a review document of over 30 years of research at Langley but will include new results obtained over the last year.

Townsend, Lawrence W.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Method for registration of solar cosmic rays by detecting neutrons

We consider a method of detecting the ionizing component of solar cosmic rays (SCRs) with energy from tens of MeV to tens of GeV by measuring the energy loss of SCR protons and light nuclei in scintillators and the multiplicity of the local neutron generation in a converter. Scintillation detectors based on stilbene, lithium glass, and solid-state photomultiplier tubes are capable of detecting fast neutrons with a temporal resolution of 10 ns and rejecting the gamma-ray background in the measuring system. The method will allow investigating the nucleon components of primary SCRs in circumterrestrial space.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

MODELING THE VARIATIONS OF DOSE RATE MEASURED BY RAD DURING THE FIRST MSL MARTIAN YEAR: 2012–2014

The Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD), on board Mars Science Laboratory’s (MSL) rover Curiosity, measures the energy spectra of both energetic charged and neutral particles along with the radiation dose rate at the surface of Mars. With these first-ever measurements on the Martian surface, RAD observed several effects influencing the galactic cosmic-ray (GCR) induced surface radiation dose concurrently: (a) short-term diurnal variations of the Martian atmospheric pressure caused by daily thermal tides, (b) long-term seasonal pressure changes in the Martian atmosphere, and (c) the modulation of the primary GCR flux by the heliospheric magnetic field, which correlates with long-term solar activity and the rotation of the Sun. The RAD surface dose measurements, along with the surface pressure data and the solar modulation factor, are analyzed and fitted to empirical models that quantitatively demonstrate how the long-term influences ((b) and (c)) are related to the measured dose rates. Correspondingly, we can estimate dose rate and dose equivalents under different solar modulations and different atmospheric conditions, thus allowing empirical predictions of the Martian surface radiation environment.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Detection of reflected Cherenkov light from extensive air showers in the SPHERE experiment as a method of studying superhigh energy cosmic rays

Although a large number of experiments were carried out during the last few decades, the uncertainty in the spectrum of all nuclei of primary cosmic rays (PCRs) with superhigh energies is still high, and the results of many experiments on nuclear composition of PCRs are contradictory. An overview of the SPHERE experiment on detecting Vavilov-Cherenkov radiation from extensive air shower (EAS) reflected from a ground snow surface is given. A number of experimental studies implementing this method are presented and their results are analyzed. Some other popular methods of studying PCRs with superhigh energies (E{sub 0} > 10{sup 15} eV) and their main advantages and drawbacks are briefly considered. The detecting equipment of the SPHERE-2 experiment and the technique of its calibration are considered. The optical properties of snow, which are important for experiments on reflected Cherenkov light (CL) from EAS, are discussed and the history of observing reflected EAS CL is described. The algorithm of simulating the detector response and calculating the fiducial acceptance of shower detection is described. The procedure of processing the experimental data with a subsequent reconstruction of the spectrum of all PCR nuclei and analysis of the mass composition is shown. The first results of reconstructing the spectrum and separating groups of cosmic-ray nuclei with high energies in the SPHERE-2 experiment are presented. Main sources of systematic errors are considered. The prospects of developing the technique of observation of reflected EAS CL in future experiments are discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Maps of Primary Radiatoin Dose Around the Lunar South Pole: Preliminary Assessment of Artemis Landing Sites

The Moon has a harsh radiation environment that poses significant challenges to future science and exploration activities. Exposure hazards from space radiation are primarily due to galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and solar energetic particles (SEPs) that are incident at the lunar surface from all directions. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter’s (LRO) Cosmic Ray Telescope for Effects of Radiation (CRaTER) instrument has been observing space radiation around the Moon since 2009. The CRaTER observations show a steady GCR flux with intermittent SEP events that have much higher fluxes. During solar minimum, the GCR flux is higher, while the SEP events are less common. On the other hand, during solar maximum, the SEP events have are more frequent and the GCR flux is lower. This is due to variations in solar activity. GCRs have characteristic energies spanning from 1 MeV to 10s of GeV. SEPs, however, have much lower energy ranges of 50 keV to 100s of MeV.

P. H Phipps↗
DOE OSTI2018

Detection of UV Radiation from Extensive Air Showers: Prospects for Cherenkov Gamma-Ray Astronomy

Cherenkov emission of extensive air showers (EAS) from cosmic gamma rays and cosmic-ray protons has been modelled. Spectral density of such emission in the 240–700 nm band has been determined for 3 GeV–10 TeV primaries of both sorts. It has been shown that the ratio of EAS Cherenkov emission fluxes in the optical and ultraviolet (UV) bands substantially depends on the sort of the primary, so the ratio can be employed to select gamma-ray events from the background produced by cosmic rays. Detection of EAS Cherenkov emission with specialized silicon photomultipliers sensitive in the UV band would allow one to substantially extend the duty cycle of a Cherenkov gamma-ray telescope, as it would be possible to observe the showers during moonlit nights. The UV-sensitive silicon photomultipliers developed at the Ioffe Institute would allow to detect gamma-ray-induced EAS at the Cherenkov gamma-ray observatory ALEGRO over a threshold of about 40 GeV at 5 km above sea level and about 80 GeV at 2 km above sea level.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

THE FRACTIONAL IONIZATION OF THE WARM NEUTRAL INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM

When the neutral interstellar medium is exposed to extreme-ultraviolet and soft X-ray radiation, the argon atoms in it are far more susceptible to being ionized than the hydrogen atoms. We make use of this fact to determine the level of ionization in the nearby warm neutral medium. By analyzing Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer observations of ultraviolet spectra of 44 hot subdwarf stars a few hundred parsecs away from the Sun, we can compare column densities of Ar I to those of O I, where the relative ionization of oxygen can be used as a proxy for that of hydrogen. The measured deficiency [Ar I/O I]=-0.427{+-}0.11 dex below the expectation for a fully neutral medium implies that the electron density n(e) Almost-Equal-To 0.04 cm{sup -3} if n(H) = 0.5 cm{sup -3}. This amount of ionization is considerably larger than what we expect from primary photoionizations resulting from cosmic rays, the diffuse X-ray background, and X-ray emitting sources within the medium, along with the additional ionizations caused by energetic secondary photoelectrons, Auger electrons, and photons from helium recombinations. We favor an explanation that bursts of radiation created by previous, nearby supernova remnants that have faded by now may have elevated the ionization, and the gas has not yet recombined to a quiescent level. A different alternative is that the low-energy portion of the soft X-ray background is poorly shielded by the H I because it is frothy and has internal pockets of very hot, X-ray emitting gases.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2003

Benchmark studies of the effectiveness of structural and internal materials as radiation shielding for the international space station

Accelerator-based measurements and model calculations have been used to study the heavy-ion radiation transport properties of materials in use on the International Space Station (ISS). Samples of the ISS aluminum outer hull were augmented with various configurations of internal wall material and polyethylene. The materials were bombarded with high-energy iron ions characteristic of a significant part of the galactic cosmic-ray (GCR) heavy-ion spectrum. Transmitted primary ions and charged fragments produced in nuclear collisions in the materials were measured near the beam axis, and a model was used to extrapolate from the data to lower beam energies and to a lighter ion. For the materials and ions studied, at incident particle energies from 1037 MeV/nucleon down to at least 600 MeV/nucleon, nuclear fragmentation reduces the average dose and dose equivalent per incident ion. At energies below 400 MeV/nucleon, the calculation predicts that as material is added, increased ionization energy loss produces increases in some dosimetric quantities. These limited results suggest that the addition of modest amounts of polyethylene or similar material to the interior of the ISS will reduce the dose to ISS crews from space radiation; however, the radiation transport properties of ISS materials should be evaluated with a realistic space radiation field. Copyright 2003 by Radiation Research Society.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health↗
DOE OSTI2015

PRECIPITATION-REGULATED STAR FORMATION IN GALAXIES

Galaxy growth depends critically on the interplay between radiative cooling of cosmic gas and the resulting energetic feedback that cooling triggers. This interplay has proven exceedingly difficult to model, even with large supercomputer simulations, because of its complexity. Nevertheless, real galaxies are observed to obey simple scaling relations among their primary observable characteristics. Here we show that a generic emergent property of the interplay between cooling and feedback can explain the observed scaling relationships between a galaxy's stellar mass, its total mass, and its chemical enrichment level, as well as the relationship between the average orbital velocity of its stars and the mass of its central black hole. These relationships naturally result from any feedback mechanism that strongly heats a galaxy's circumgalactic gas in response to precipitation of colder clouds out of that gas, because feedback then suspends the gas in a marginally precipitating state.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗