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At least 307 records · Page 17

Radio and X-ray observations of Abell 754

The cluster of galaxies Abell 754 has been observed at 610 MHz with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope at 1420 MHz with the synthesis telescope of the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory and in the interval 2-10 keV with the rotating modulation collimators on SAS-3. A complete source list for the field is given together with radio contour diagrams of extended sources associated with cluster galaxies. No X-rays were detected and a diameter of greater than 6 arcmin may be assigned to the associated source 4U 0900-09 (2A 0906-095) if a constant intensity is assumed for a single source. Upper limits to the luminosity of the cD galaxy are 2 x 10 to the 44th erg/sec in the X-ray and 5 x 10 to the 39th erg/sec in the radio.

Harris, D. E.↗

The very long type II X-ray bursts from the rapid burster

Two very long type II bursts (greater than 200 sec) from the rapid burster (MXB 1730-335) have been observed on Mar. 3, 1979 UT. Similar long bursts were observed about five months later, in August 1979, by the Japanese satellite Hakucho. This new burst mode is possibly related to the early stage of the turn-on. In this paper, results of the analysis of the bursts from the rapid burster as observed by the SAS 3 X-ray observatory during Mar. 3-5, 1979 are presented.

Basinska, E. M.↗

Discovery of X-ray pulsations from 2S 1417-624

X-ray pulsations having a period of 17.64 sec are detected from the hard, variable galactic X-ray source 2S 1417-624. It is noted that the pulsations were found through a Fourier analysis of 40 satellite orbits of data taken with the rotation modulation collimators aboard SAS 3 in July 1978. The pulse profile shows detailed interpulse structure that is similar in character to the pulse profiles of 4U 0900-40 and A0535+26. Significant changes in pulse period are detected over the eight-day observing interval. It is suggested that these changes may be the result of a large intrinsic spin-up rate for the neutron star or from binary orbital motion, with orbital periods longer than approximately 15 days.

Kelley, R. L.↗

Multiobjective insensitive design of airplane control systems with uncertain parameters

A multiobjective computer-aided design algorithm has been developed which minimizes the sensitivity of the design objectives to uncertainties in system parameters. The more important uncertain parameters are described by a gaussian random vector with known covariance matrix, and a vector sensitivity objective function is defined as the probabilities that the design objectives will violate specified requirements constraints. Control system parameters are found which minimize the sensitivity vector in a Pareto-optimal sense, using constrained minimization algorithms. Example results are shown for lateral stability augmentation system (SAS) design for three Shuttle flight conditions.

Schy, A. A.↗

Pareto-optimal multi-objective design of airplane control systems

A constrained minimization algorithm for the computer aided design of airplane control systems to meet many requirements over a set of flight conditions is generalized using the concept of Pareto-optimization. The new algorithm yields solutions on the boundary of the achievable domain in objective space in a single run, whereas the older method required a sequence of runs to approximate such a limiting solution. However, Pareto-optimality does not guarantee a satisfactory design, since such solutions may emphasize some objectives at the expense of others. The designer must still interact with the program to obtain a well-balanced set of objectives. Using the example of a fighter lateral stability augmentation system (SAS) design over five flight conditions, several effective techniques are developed for obtaining well-balanced Pareto-optimal solutions. For comparison, one of these techniques is also used in a recently developed algorithm of Kreisselmeier and Steinhauser, which replaces the hard constraints with soft constraints, using a special penalty function. It is shown that comparable results can be obtained.

Schy, A. A.↗

Evaluation program for secondary spacecraft cells: Seventeenth annual report of cycle life test

Acceptance tests were conducted on nickel cadmium, silver cadmium, and silver zinc cells to insure that all cells put into the life cycle program meet the specifications outlined in the respective purchase contracts. Statistical information is presented on cell performance characteristics and limitations. Weaknesses discovered in cell design are reported and aid in research and development efforts toward improving the reliability of space batteries. Battery weaknesses encountered in satellite programs such as IMP, NIMBUS, OGO, OAO, SAS, and TETR were studied and remedied through special tests.

Harkness, J. D.↗

New development in flying qualities with application to rotary wing aircraft

Some recent considerations and developments in handling quality criteria are reviewed with emphasis on using fixed wing experience gained in developing MIL-F-8785C and the more recent MiL Standard and Handbook. Particular emphasis is placed on the tasks and environmental conditions used to develop the criterion boundaries, SAS failures, and potential fixed wing criteria that are applicable to rotary wing aircraft.

Hoh, R. H.↗

The hard X-ray flux from gamma Cassiopeiae during 1970-73

X-ray observations are presented of the Be star Gamma Cas obtained with the Uhuru satellite between December 27, 1970, and February 15, 1973. Though variable, the X-ray source (MX 0053+60) persisted throughout the life-time of the Uhuru satellite, with an average daily flux (2-6 keV) of 4.1 counts/s or 4.0 x 10 to the 32nd ergs/s if the star is at a distance of 220 pc. Variations on time scales of months, days, and hours were observed, but a pulsation period was not found. An analysis is made of the continuous X-ray spectrum, and the X-ray flux and its behavior during the early 1970s are compared with more recent observations from the SAS-3, Copernicus, HEAO-1, and Einstein satellites.

Peters, G.↗

Upper limits to pulsed gamma ray emission from PSR 0833-45, 1747-46, and 1818-04

Pulsed gamma ray emission from three pulsars (PSR 0833-45, 1747-46, and 1818-04) have been sought on a balloon flight of the University of New Hampshire Large Gamma Ray Telescope, which incorporates a shielded sodium iodide scintillator array, and was launched from Alice Springs, Australia. Over the energy range 0.1 - 10 MeV, no evidence is found for pulsed gamma rays, and upper limits are set for Vela which are comparable to, or below, the extrapolation to lower energies of the pulsed emission reported by SAS-2 and COS-B.

Cherry, M. L.↗

Searches for gamma ray emission from radio pulsars

Searches were made for pulsed high energy (E 35 MeV) gamma radiation from 43 pulsars using the SAS-2 data base and radio parameters. No positive results were found, and the upper limits are consistent with the concept that gamma ray production efficiency increases with increasing apparent age. Two limits suggest that efficiency cannot be a simple function of apparent age beyond 10,000,000 years.

Thompson, D. J.↗

X-ray observations of AM Herculis in its low state

AM Her was observed with the Einstein Imaging Proportional Counter during the low state of 1980 August. The light curve shows an eclipse at phi sub m = 0.0 similar to the one observed in the customary high state. The spectral distribution of the X-ray photons does not show any soft component. The IPC flux suggests that the intensity of the hard component in the low state is about one-tenth of the intensity of the hard component during the high state, similar to the variation in the optical magnitude. The comparison of the present data with a previous SAS 3 X-ray observation of AM Her in the low state suggests that the soft component is different in similar accretion regimes. The possibility that this component originates from reprocessing of the hard flux becomes then more unlikely.

Fabbiano, G.↗

X-ray burst observations of Serpens X-1

Fifty-seven X-ray bursts observed with SAS 3 in the period 1976 July to 1979 March are reported. Their general features (e.g., maximum burst flux, integrated burst flux, spectral hardness, and rise time) and the relations between them are discussed. Also a comparison is made between these burst features and the associated persistent X-ray flux. The latter appears to be correlated with the maximum burst flux; the temperature of the plasma that produces the persistent flux is roughly proportional to this flux.

Sztajno, M.↗

Orbital period changes in Centaurus X-3

Two new times of mid-X-ray eclipse for Cen X-3 are presented on the basis of pulse arrival time analyses of pointed observations with SAS 3. When combined with all other published eclipse times based on Doppler delay measurements, the results show that the 2.1d binary period is decreasing at an average rate of 1.8 x 10 to the -6th/yr. The decrease, however, is seen as having significant fluctuations about a smooth, linear decrease. The changes observed in the orbital period can be accounted for by mass loss from the system through the L2 point, although the rates required are implausibly high. It is also shown that the long-term overall orbital decay can readily be interpreted as the result of torques exerted by the tidally distorted companion star (Krzeminski's star) on the orbiting neutron star. It is noted that the inferred asynchronism between the orbital frequency and the rotation frequency of the companion star may be maintained by mass and angular momentum loss in a stellar wind or by a tidal instability related to the Darwin effect. However, this would not provide a natural explanation for any short-term deviations from a constant rate of orbital decay.

Kelley, R. L.↗

Simulation evaluation of flight controls and display concepts for VTOL shipboard operations

A ground-based evaluation of several control-system concepts and display formats for use in shipboard landing operations of a V/STOL aircraft (AV-8A Harrier) is reported. The study was conducted in the Vertical Motion Simulator at Ames Research Center. The control systems ranged from a rate-damping SAS to a translational-velocity command system; displays ranged from a head-down presentation of attitude and altitude to two different head-up formats that provided position and velocity information. Results of pilot evaluations of the aircraft's handling qualities, as well as measures of task performance and control power use during landing on a moving deck in visual meteorological condtions, are presented.

Farris, G. G.↗

Studies of highly variable galactic X-ray sources with HEAO-1

Analysis HEAO-Al data on MXB1659-29 revealed a 7.1 hour period from this X-ray burst source. The erratic dips seen in both SAS-3 and HEAO-Al data were concentrated within 1.5 hours (about 25%) of the orbital cycle. There appeared to be a stable dip at the end of the 1.5 h of erratic varibility. It was established that the stable dip was a true eclipse of the central X-ray emitting object. MXB1659-29 is the first X-ray burster to show eclipses and a precise orbital clock.

Cominsky, L.↗

Nickel Cadmium Charge Control Concepts

The design and testing of charge control concepts for several power systems is presented. The design of the CRAM charge control system for the SAS satellites and the design of the battery charge regulator for the AMPTE satellites is reviewed. Another charge control concept examined is for the OPEN program and its use of a microprocessor. The use of the voltage limiter is also discussed.

Sullivan, R. M.↗

Searches for gamma ray emission from radio pulsars

Searches were made for pulsed high energy (E greater than 35 MeV) gamma radiation from 43 pulsars using the SAS-2 data base and radio parameters. No positive results were found, and the upper limits are consistent with the concept that gamma ray production efficiency increases with increasing apparent age. Two limits suggest that efficiency cannot be a simple function of apparent age beyond 1,000,000 years. Previously announced in STAR as N83-24463

Thompson, D. J.↗

Discovery of 9.3 s X-ray pulsations from 2S 1553-542 and a determination of the orbit

X-ray pulsations with a period of 9.3 s from the transient galactic X-ray source 2S 1553-542 were detected. The data were obtained with SAS 3 during the only known outburst of the source in 1975 June. Pulse-timing analyses of the data, which span an interval of 20 days, show that there were large changes in the pulse period that are readily attributable to binary orbital motion. The inferred orbital period is 30.6 + or - 2.2 days and the X-ray mass function is 5.0 + or - 2.1 solar masses. These orbital parameters, the transient nature of the source, and the probable lack of an early-type giant companion star, lead to the tentative conclusion that 2S 1553-542 is a Be/X-ray binary system.

Kelley, R. L.↗