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At least 253 records · Page 14

Constraining the High-Energy Emission from Gamma-Ray Bursts with Fermi

We examine 288 GRBs detected by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope's Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) that fell within the field-of-view of Fermi's Large Area Telescope (LAT) during the first 2.5 years of observations, which showed no evidence for emission above 100 MeV. We report the photon flux upper limits in the 0.1-10 GeV range during the prompt emission phase as well as for fixed 30 s and 100 s integrations starting from the trigger time for each burst. We compare these limits with the fluxes that would be expected from extrapolations of spectral fits presented in the first GBM spectral catalog and infer that roughly half of the GBM-detected bursts either require spectral breaks between the GBM and LAT energy bands or have intrinsically steeper spectra above the peak of the nuF(sub v) spectra (E(sub pk)). In order to distinguish between these two scenarios, we perform joint GBM and LAT spectral fits to the 30 brightest GBM-detected bursts and find that a majority of these bursts are indeed softer above E(sub pk) than would be inferred from fitting the GBM data alone. Approximately 20% of this spectroscopic subsample show statistically significant evidence for a cut-off in their high-energy spectra, which if assumed to be due to gamma gamma attenuation, places limits on the maximum Lorentz factor associated with the relativistic outflow producing this emission. All of these latter bursts have maximum Lorentz factor estimates that are well below the minimum Lorentz factors calculated for LAT-detected GRBs, revealing a wide distribution in the bulk Lorentz factor of GRB outflows and indicating that LAT-detected bursts may represent the high end of this distribution.

Gehrels, Neil↗

Relation Between Type II Bursts and CMEs Inferred from STEREO Observations

The inner coronagraph (COR1) of the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) mission has made it possible to observe CMEs in the spatial domain overlapping with that of the metric type II radio bursts. The type II bursts were associated with generally weak flares (mostly B and C class soft X-ray flares), but the CMEs were quite energetic. Using CME data for a set of type II bursts during the declining phase of solar cycle 23, we determine the CME height when the type II bursts start, thus giving an estimate of the heliocentric distance at which CME-driven shocks form. This distance has been determined to be approx. 1.5Rs (solar radii), which coincides with the distance at which the Alfven speed profile has a minimum value.We also use type II radio observations from STEREO/WAVES and Wind/WAVES observations to show that CMEs with moderate speed drive either weak shocks or no shock at all when they attain a height where the Alfven speed peaks (approx. 3Rs - 4Rs). Thus the shocks seem to be most efficient in accelerating electrons in the heliocentric distance range of 1.5Rs to 4Rs. By combining the radial variation of the CME speed in the inner corona (CME speed increase) and interplanetary medium (speed decrease) we were able to correctly account for the deviations from the universal drift-rate spectrum of type II bursts, thus confirming the close physical connection between type II bursts and CMEs. The average height (approx 1.5Rs) of STEREO CMEs at the time of type II bursts is smaller than that (2.2Rs) obtained for SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) CMEs. We suggest that this may indicate, at least partly, the density reduction in the corona between the maximum and declining phases, so a given plasma level occurs closer to the Sun in the latter phase. In two cases, there was a diffuse shock-like feature ahead of the main body of the CME, indicating a standoff distance of 1Rs - 2Rs by the time the CME left the LASCO field of view.

Solar Energetic Particles↗

NICER Detection of Strong Photospheric Expansion during a Thermonuclear X-Ray Burst from 4U 1820–30

The Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) on the International Space Station (ISS) observed strong photospheric expansion of the neutron star in 4U1820–30 during a Type I X-ray burst. A thermonuclear helium flash in the star’s envelope powered a burst that reached the Eddington limit. Radiation pressure pushed the photosphere out to ∼200 km, while the blackbody temperature dropped to 0.45 keV. Previous observations of similar bursts were performed with instruments that are sensitive only above 3 keV, and the burst signal was weak at low temperatures. NICERʼs 0.2–12 keV passband enables the first complete detailed observation of strong expansion bursts. The strong expansion lasted only 0.6 s, and was followed by moderate expansion with a 20 km apparent radius, before the photosphere finally settled back down at 3 s after the burst onset. In addition to thermal emission from the neutron star, the NICER spectra reveal a second component that is well fit by optically thick Comptonization. During the strong expansion, this component is six times brighter than prior to the burst, and it accounts for 71% of the flux. In the moderate expansion phase, the Comptonization flux drops, while the thermal component brightens, and the total flux remains constant at the Eddington limit. We speculate that the thermal emission is reprocessed in the accretion environment to form the Comptonization component, and that changes in the covering fraction of the star explain the evolution of the relative contributions to the total flux.

Keek, L.↗

NICER Observation of Unusual Burst Oscillations in 4U 1728-34

The Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer has observed seven thermonuclear X-ray bursts from the lowmass X-ray binary neutron star 4U 1728-34 from the start of the mission’s operations until 2019 February. Three of these bursts show oscillations in their decaying tail, with frequencies that are within 1 Hz of the previously detected burst oscillations from this source. Two of these burst oscillations have unusual properties: they have large fractional root mean square (rms) amplitudes of 48% ± 9% and 46% ± 9%, and they are detected only at photon energies above 6 keV. By contrast, the third detected burst oscillation is compatible with previous observations of this source, with a fractional rms amplitude of 7.7% ± 1.5% rms in the 0.3 to 6.2 keV energy band. We discuss the implications of these large-amplitude burst oscillations, finding that they are difficult to explain with the current theoretical models for X-ray burst tail oscillations.

Data analysis methods↗

A NICER Thermonuclear Burst from the Millisecond X-Ray Pulsar SAX J1808.4–3658

The Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) has extensively monitored the 2019 August outburst of the 401 Hz millisecond X-ray pulsar SAX J1808.4–3658. In this Letter, we report on the detection of a bright helium-fueled Type I X-ray burst. With a bolometric peak flux of (2.3 ± 0.1) × 10(exp −7) erg/s sq.cm, this was the brightest X-ray burst among all bursting sources observed with NICER to date. The burst shows a remarkable two-stage evolution in flux, emission lines at 1.0 and 6.7 keV, and burst oscillations at the known pulsar spin frequency, with ≈4% fractional sinusoidal amplitude. We interpret the burst flux evolution as the detection of the local Eddington limits associated with the hydrogen and helium layers of the neutron star envelope. The emission lines are likely associated with Fe, due to reprocessing of the burst emission in the accretion disk.

Bult, Peter↗

A Study of the Swelling and Bursting of the High Pressure Coupling (HPC) of a Two-Stage Light Gas Gun

• Need for data at muzzle velocities of 7.0 km/s and above to simulate impacts of space debris and naturally occurring meteoroids • The two-stage light gas gun is a well known way of achieving these velocities • There is a danger of significant swelling and even bursting of the HPC (high pressure coupling). • A consistent picture of the swelling and bursting of the HPCs of two Ames two-stage light gas guns is developed, based on the following: 1. Experimental measurements of the swelling and bursting of the HPCs of two two-stage light gas guns. 2. Stress-strain calculations of the swelling and bursting of thick walled steel tubes. 3. Experimental measurements swelling and bursting of thick walled steel tubes. 4. CFD calculations of the maximum pressures in the HPC of a two-stage light gas gun using the code LGGUN. • It is shown that model developed predicts swelling and bursting that agrees reasonably well with measured data. • Hence, it is suggested that the model could be used in the design of a two-stage light gas guns to assess the risk of swelling and bursting and to give maximum suggested operating conditions for an existing gun.

Ballistic Range↗

Evaluation of Maximum Allowable Working Pressure and Svensson Burst Pressure Recommended in API 579-1 2021 Edition

Abstract API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 2021 Edition provides the minimum wall thickness, the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP), and the membrane stress equations for thin and thick-walled cylindrical shells subject to internal pressure in Section 2C.3.3.1 of Appendix 2C – Thickness, MAWP, and Stress Equations for an FFS Assessment. The minimum wall thickness and MAWP are determined using the hoop stress and the Tresca yield criterion. Section 2C.7 – Estimation of Burst Pressure newly added the Svensson method for calculating burst pressure of cylindrical shells under internal pressure, where the plastic yielding is characterized by the von Mises yield criterion. For thin-walled cylinders, the von Mises flow solution of burst pressure in Equation (2C.179) was recommended. For thick-walled cylinders, an implicit burst pressure solution in an integral equation (2C.176) was recommended. But this integral equation is inconvenient to use in practice. It is well known that the classic plasticity theory includes the Tresca and von Mises yield criteria, with the Tresca criterion predicting a lower bound solution and the von Mises criteria predicting an upper bound solution. In addition, the present author developed an average shear stress yield criterion that can determine more accurate limit and burst pressures for thin and thick-walled cylinders. This work uses these three yield criteria to evaluate the minimum required wall thickness, MAWP and Svensson burst pressure recommended in the API 579 code.

burst pressure↗

Evaluation of Maximum Allowable Working Pressure and Svensson Burst Pressure Recommended in API 579-1 2021 Edition

ABSTRACT API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 2021 Edition provides the minimum wall thickness, the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP), and the membrane stress equations for thin and thick-walled cylindrical shells subject to internal pressure in Section 2C.3.3.1 of Appendix 2C – Thickness, MAWP, and Stress Equations for an FFS Assessment. The minimum wall thickness and MAWP are determined using the hoop stress and the Tresca yield criterion. Section 2C.7 – Estimation of Burst Pressure newly added the Svensson method for calculating burst pressure of cylindrical shells under internal pressure, where the plastic yielding is characterized by the von Mises yield criterion. For thin-walled cylinders, the von Mises flow solution of burst pressure in Equation (2C.179) was recommended. For thick-walled cylinders, an implicit burst pressure solution in an integral equation (2C.176) was recommended. But this integral equation is inconvenient to use in practice. It is well known that the classic plasticity theory includes the Tresca and von Mises yield criteria, with the Tresca criterion predicting a lower bound solution and the von Mises criteria predicting an upper bound solution. In addition, the present author developed an average shear stress yield criterion that can determine more accurate limit and burst pressures for thin and thick-walled cylinders. This work uses these three yield criteria to evaluate the minimum required wall thickness, MAWP and Svensson burst pressure recommended in the API 579 code.

burst pressure↗

Anomalous type III bursts explained in terms of intermittent solar wind streams observed by Pioneer spacecraft.

Occasional solar radio bursts drift downward in frequency (like type III bursts), but the drift slows or ceases or it may even reverse. These anomalous forms are called L-bursts, U-bursts, etc., and are observed as low as 1 MHz by spacecraft. The conventional explanation involves guidance of relativistic exciting particles by solar magnetic fields that do not have the spiral shape expected in undisturbed conditions. A reasonable alternative explanation is possible and, indeed, it follows directly from the inferences which have been drawn from the Stanford dual-frequency experiment flown on four Pioneer spacecraft. Analysis of temporal variations in these data leads to the conclusion that narrow streams of enhanced concentration have lifetimes which are typically about one day and the streams seem to be intermittently ejected by long-enduring sources at the sun. Each enhancement is thought to lie along a spiral and to have a beginning and an end. It may happen that relativistic exciters encounter the tail of such a discrete streamer; the concentration encountered by such exciters would initially decline but, at the streamer tail, it would level off and perhaps increase. The plasma frequency versus time (the burst frequency) would then cease to drop in the typical type III profile and would level off or increase (as in a U-burst).

Croft, T. A.↗

Turbulent bursts and rings on a cone in helium at Me = 7.6.

Review of data obtained on turbulent burst geometry and growth characteristics for cone boundary-layer transition in a helium wind tunnel at a boundary-layer edge Mach number (Me) of 7.6. Detailed data concerning turbulent spot geometry and downstream propagation velocities were obtained using a spark schlieren system with sequential spark capability. In one particular test evidence of a symmetrical turbulent burst ring was obtained; all other bursts developed in a singular random manner. Profiles of the apparent outer edges of the bursts were obtained, and the velocities of the leading and trailing edges of the bursts relative to the local velocity were determined. The velocities of the leading and trailing edges were found to be fairly consistent for each observation, with the leading edge of the burst traveling at about local edge velocity, while the trailing edge moved supersonically relative to local speed.

Fischer, M. C.↗

X-ray bursts from solar flares behind the limb

Data from the OSO-7 X-ray experiment were used in a search for behind-the-limb solar X-ray bursts. Seventeen active centers were found as likely seats of such bursts. The spectra of 37 over-the-limb X-ray bursts were analyzed. The distributions of maximum temperature, maximum emission measure, and characteristic cooling time do not differ in a statistically significant way from the distributions for center events. The observations support the view that the dominant cooling mechanism is conduction, for the cooling times derived from the temperature histories are too small to be explained by radiative cooling. The fraction of over-the-limb bursts which have an nonthermal component is 2/3, exactly the same as found for the 122 X-ray bursts studied in Datlowe et al. (1974b). Thick-target models of X-ray emission would suggest that hard X-ray sources would be rapidly occulted with increasing longitude of the burst location, yet just the contrary was observed.

Roy, J.-R.↗

Observations of magnetospheric bursts of high-energy protons and electrons at approximately 35 earth radii with Imp 7

Proton and electron bursts (above 0.29 MeV and above 0.22 MeV, respectively) in the vicinity of the magnetosphere are studied on the basis of a high-sensitivity experiment. Although the bursts are a permanent feature in the upstream solar wind, the range of observed intensities varies by at least 5 orders of magnitude, depending on magnetic activity. The bursts are typically associated with weak fluctuations in the interplanetary magnetic field, which suggests the presence of hydromagnetic waves. Burst are found in and about the magnetosheath, plasma sheet, and magnetotail boundary layer, and also outside the bow shock; however, they rarely appear at distances greater than 10 earth radii north or south of the neutral sheet. Dawn-dusk asymmetries are present in intensity but not necessarily in frequency of occurrence. Proton bursts are highly anisotropic upstream from the bow shock and in the magnetosheath, while electron bursts are anisotropic only in the upstream solar wind.

Sarris, E. T.↗

Discovery of X-ray bursts from several sources near the galactic centre

Three X-ray burst sources have been discovered within approximately 0.5 deg of the Galactic center. All bursts from this region show a low-energy cutoff near 3 keV. The bursts from MXB 1743-29 show distinct double and triple peaks; the time interval between bursts from this source was about 1.46 day. The intervals between bursts from MXB 1742-29 and MXB 1743-28 were approximately 0.55 day and 10 min respectively. Steady emission from this collection of burst sources could account for most of the flux from the apparently extended X-ray source GCX (3U 1743-29).

Lewin, W. H. G.↗

Spectra of cosmic gamma-ray bursts in the hard X-ray range

Hard X-ray measurements of six gamma-ray bursts observed by detectors on the OGO-5 and OSO-6 satellites during the period Oct. 1969 to Apr. 1971 are presented. Spectra for five of the six bursts were determined using measurements from both satellites in order to reduce ambiguities due to uncertain source locations. A significant fraction, 20 to 60%, of the energy of the bursts fall in the hard X-ray range (20 to 130 keV). The time-integrated spectra were fitted by power-law, exponential, and thermal bremsstrahlung functions. They are consistent with power-laws which steepen at energies approx. above 150 keV, as reported earlier for two other bursts. Evidence for spectral variability from event to event in the hard X-ray region is presented. The hard X-ray spectra of the gamma-ray bursts differ from those of the recently discovered 1 to 15 keV bursts.

Share, G. H.↗

Hard X-ray spectra of cosmic gamma-ray bursts

Hard X-ray measurements of six gamma-ray bursts observed during the period from October 1969 to April 1971 are presented. The measurements were made with detectors on the OGO-5 and OSO-6 satellites. Spectra for five of the six bursts have been determined using measurements from both satellites in order to reduce ambiguities due to uncertain source locations. A significant fraction, about 20-60%, of the energy of the bursts falls in the hard X-ray range (20-130 keV). The time-integrated spectra have been fitted by power-law, exponential, and thermal-bremsstrahlung functions. They are consistent with power laws which steepen at energies of at least 150 keV, as reported earlier for two other bursts. Evidence for spectral variability from event to event in the hard X-ray region is presented. For a power-law representation, the power-law index has values ranging from approximately unity to 2.5. The hard X-ray spectra of the gamma-ray bursts differ significantly from those of the recently discovered 1-15-keV X-ray bursts.

Kane, S. R.↗

Interplanetary baseline observations of type III solar radio bursts

Simultaneous observations of type III radio bursts from spacecraft separated by 0.43 AU have been made using the solar orbiters Helios-A and Helios-B. The burst beginning at 19:22 UT on March 28, 1976, has been located from the intersection of the source directions measured at each spacecraft and from burst arrival-time differences. The source positions range from 0.03 AU from the sun at 3000 kHz to 0.08 AU at 585 kHz. The electron density along the burst trajectory and the exciter velocity (0.13c) were determined directly without the need to assume a density model, as has been done with single-spacecraft observations. The separation of Helios-A and -B has also provided measurements of burst directivity at low frequencies. For the March 28 burst the intensity observed from near the source longitude (Helios-B) was 3-10dB greater than that from 60 deg west of the source (Helios-A)

Weber, R. R.↗

HEAO observations of X-ray bursts from MXB1730-335

The March 18, 1978 burst activity of the rapid burster MXB 1730-335 was studied by examining 58 minutes of quick-look data for the A2 and A4 experiments on HEAO 1. Very large, moderately sized, and small bursts are characterized. Type II bursts were found to show a spectral softening during burst decay. The existence of flux was sought in the 85-160 keV energy range, and it was found that the large type II bursts contain less than 5% of their total X-ray energy in this range. The implications of the lack of a hard X-ray flux with respect to accretion instability models of X-ray bursts are considered.

Hoffman, J. A.↗

Optical observations of X-ray bursts from MXB 1837 + 05

Optical observations of the X-ray burst source MXB 1837 + 05 (Ser X-1) made at different observatories are discussed. Six X-ray bursts were detected with SAS-3 X-ray Observatory during these observations, but no simultaneous optical signals were seen during or after any of these bursts. For an assumed burst duration of 10 sec, the 3-sigma upper limits of the ratio of the detected energy in an optical burst to that in an X-ray burst range from 3 x 10 to the minus fifth to 6 x 10 to the minus fifth.

Bernacca, P. L.↗