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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 37 records · Page 2

SMM observations of K-alpha radiation from fluorescence of photospheric iron by solar flare X-rays

High-resolution Fe K-alpha spectra near 1.94 A observed during solar flares with the Bent Crystal Spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission are presented. The evidence for two possible excitation mechanisms, electron impact and fluorescence, is examined. It is found that the fluorescence mechanism satisfactorily describes the results, while the observations do not support electron collisional excitation of the Fe K-alpha transitions in low ionization stages (II-XII) of iron. Using Bai's model of the fluorescent excitation process, the photospheric iron abundance relative to that of hydrogen is estimated to be 5-6 x 10 to the -5th. The mean height of the soft X-ray source producing the K-alpha fluorescence is calculated on the basis of this model for about 40 large flares. The solar K-alpha lines are found to be about 25 percent wider than those measured in the laboratory. Weak line features observed at wavelengths shorter than that of the K-alpha lines are discussed.

Parmar, A. N.↗

Advanced Non-Intrusive Instrumentation for Propulsion Engines

Changes in engine technology such as higher temperatures, higher tip speeds, new metal/composite/ceramic materials together with radical changes in design philosophy will require amongst other prerequisites the ability to measure and to monitor key internal gas and structural characteristics. The symposium papers presented non-intrusive measurement and analysis technologies in the following categories: Laser Point Measurements (11); Absorption and Infrared Techniques (4); Paints - Surface Sensors (6); Laser Induced Fluorescence (6); Mechanical (7); Films (5); Laser Planar Measurement (9); and a Keynote Address.

Propulsion↗

Vasomotor tone does not affect perfusion heterogeneity and gas exchange in normal primate lungs during normoxia

To determine whether vasoregulation is an important cause of pulmonary perfusion heterogeneity, we measured regional blood flow and gas exchange before and after giving prostacyclin (PGI(2)) to baboons. Four animals were anesthetized with ketamine and mechanically ventilated. Fluorescent microspheres were used to mark regional perfusion before and after PGI(2) infusion. The lungs were subsequently excised, dried inflated, and diced into approximately 2-cm(3) pieces (n = 1,208-1,629 per animal) with the spatial coordinates recorded for each piece. Blood flow to each piece was determined for each condition from the fluorescent signals. Blood flow heterogeneity did not change with PGI(2) infusion. Two other measures of spatial blood flow distribution, the fractal dimension and the spatial correlation, did not change with PGI(2) infusion. Alveolar-arterial O(2) differences did not change with PGI(2) infusion. We conclude that, in normal primate lungs during normoxia, vasomotor tone is not a significant cause of perfusion heterogeneity. Despite the heterogeneous distribution of blood flow, active regulation of regional perfusion is not required for efficient gas exchange.

Non-NASA Center↗

Stripping-mechanism dependence of the Ar 2s fluorescence yield

Argon L1 fluorescence yields have been calculated for the individual multiplet states of ions containing from three to six M-shell vacancies. Effective fluorescence yields for these charge states are computed for statistically distributed states and for distributions that would arise in sequential stripping. For Ar L1M6, the latter result is about 430 times smaller than the former.

Chen, M. H.↗

High-resolution observation of the Venus dayglow spectrum 1250-1430 angstroms

The spectrum of the dayglow of Venus between 1250 and 1430 A was measured in high resolution with the International Ultraviolet Explorer. Seven exposures which were made with the short wavelength camera in the high dispersion mode using the large aperture were combined to give a total exposure time of 309 min. The atomic oxygen lines at 1302.2, 1304.9, 1306.0, and 1355.6 A are present. In addition, the (14,3) and (14,4) bands of the carbon monoxide fourth positive system at 1317 and 1354 A respectively are identified. These bands are compared with synthetic spectra, showing the excitation mechanism to be fluorescent scattering of solar Lyman alpha radiation.

Lane, A. L.↗

The dependence of electroglow on the solar flux

Data from Voyager 2 UV spectrometer observations of electroglow at wavelengths below 110 nm in the atmospheres of Saturn, Jupiter, and Uranus are presented in extensive tables and graphs, analyzed statistically, and compared with the predictions of theoretical models. Findings reported include (1) a dependence (to within 10 percent) of electroglow intensity on the inverse square of heliocentric distance, (2) Uranian electroglow spectra consistent with Rayleigh-Raman scattering of sunlight, and (3) local-time electroglow variations suggesting a solar-flux-dependent excitation mechanism. Mechanisms involving the fluorescence of solar UV radiation in the H2 Lyman and Werner bands or H(-) photolysis are discussed.

Yelle, Roger V.↗

On the carbon abundance in Comet Halley derived from the 3 micron feature: Comparison with interstellar dust

In spite of some similarities with the infrared features observed in the interstellar medium, the 3 micron signature observed in comet Halley's spectrum shows two distinct differences: (1) the 3.28 micron and 3.37 micron cometary features are both in emission, while the 3.37 micron interstellar feature is most often observed in absorption; and (2) there is no associated emission feature beyond 6 micron in the cometary spectrum. These two facts can be simply explained if it is assumed that the excitation mechanism is resonance fluorescence by the solar IR radiation field. With this assumption, it is found that hydrocarbons are present in roughly equal quantities in both the saturated forms, with a total carbon abundance of about 30 percent of H2O. This carbon abundance can be compared with the abundances derived for the interstellar dust when all condensed (or condensable) components are considered.

Encrenaz, Therese↗

Outer layers of a carbon star: The view from the Hubble Space Telescope

To advance our understanding of the relationship between stellar chromospheres and mass loss, which is a common property of carbon stars and other asymptotic giant branch stars, we have obtained ultraviolet spectra of the nearby N-type carbon star UU Aur using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). In this paper we describe the HST observations, identify spectral features in both absorption and emission, and attempt to infer the velocity field in the chromosphere, upper troposphere, and circumstellar envelope from spectral line shifts. A mechanism for producing fluoresced emission to explain a previously unobserved emission line is proposed. Some related ground-based observations are also described.

Johnson, H. R.↗

Radiation-induced chromosome aberrations in ataxia telangiectasia cells: high frequency of deletions and misrejoining detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization

The mechanisms underlying the hyper-radiosensitivity of AT cells were investigated by analyzing chromosome aberrations in the G(2) and M phases of the cell cycle using a combination of chemically induced premature chromosome condensation (PCC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosome painting probes. Confluent cultures of normal fibroblast cells (AG1522) and fibroblast cells derived from an individual with AT (GM02052) were exposed to gamma rays and allowed to repair at 37 degrees C for 24 h. At doses that resulted in 10% survival, GM02052 cells were approximately five times more sensitive to gamma rays than AG1522 cells. For a given dose, GM02052 cells contained a much higher frequency of deletions and misrejoining than AG1522 cells. For both cell types, a good correlation was found between the percentage of aberrant cells and cell survival. The average number of color junctions, which represent the frequency of chromosome misrejoining, was also found to correlate well with survival. However, in a similar surviving population of GM02052 and AG1522 cells, induced by 1 Gy and 6 Gy, respectively, AG1522 cells contained four times more color junctions and half as many deletions as GM02052 cells. These results indicate that both repair deficiency and misrepair may be involved in the hyper-radiosensitivity of AT cells.

NASA Center JSC↗

Recent observations of the OI 8446 A emission over Millstone Hill

Evening twilight spectra of the OI 8446 A emission were obtained during May and June of 1993 using a single-etalon, pressure scanning, Fabry-Perot interferometer located in the Millstone Hill Optical Facility. The goals of this work are to positively identify the 8446 A emission in the twilight airglow and to determine the intensity decay as a function of solar depression angle. Also, a study of the relative triplet line strengths is performed in hopes of establishing the importance of the primary excitation mechanisms (photoelectron impact or Bowen fluorescence) during the twilight period. Although absent in most of the data, a distinct auroral influence is also found to contribute considerably, on occasion, to the emission over Millstone Hill. The ratio of the combined 8446.26 A and 8446.38 A intensities to the 8446.76 A intensity varies as 0.13 +/- 0.03 per degree of solar depression angle, indicating that secondary excitation mechanisms are becoming increasingly important as evening twilight progresses. Bowen fluorescence is not found to be the primary excitation mechanism at any time during twilight, contributing just a few Rayleighs at most. These observations are an important first step toward a better characterization of highly variable thermospheric oxygen concentrations through ground-based measurements of the OI 8446 A emission.

Lancaster, R. S.↗

Spectrum synthesis of CN in comets

The CN B-X (0-0) R branch fluorescence spectra for three comets (Austin, Bennett, Halley) were calculated and compared to the observed spectra. The synthesized spectrum in each case was shifted to allow for the comparison of the individual line intensities. The Swings effect (excitation of CN band in comet spectra by solar fluorescence) is clearly visible. In addition to the R(0-0) band in the CN spectrum, the P(1-1) band also contributes lines in the spectral region of observation. This branch was calculated and compared to P/Halley. The overall agreement between observations and the CN spectral model is quite good. An exception to this statement would be the high J rotation lines intensities within the R(0-0) branch of P/Halley. Additional analysis is necessary to determine if this difference is due to mechanisms in addition to fluorescence (e.g., collisions).

Kleine, Marvin↗

Identification of the emission features near 3.5 microns in the pre main sequence star HD 97048

The spectrum of HD97048 was measured with a resolving power of 450 between 3.37 and 3.64 microns. The prominent feature near 3.5 microns is well resolved, with a peak at 3.53 microns and a wing extending to a shorter wavelength. The weaker feature near 3.4 microns is found to peak at 3.43 microns, in contrast to the 3.40 micron feature seen in other astronomical objects. The observed spectrum strongly resembles laboratory spectra of mixtures of monomeric and dimeric formaldehyde embedded in low temperature solids. Of various possible excitation mechanisms, ultraviolet pumped infrared fluorescence of formaldehyde in interstellar grains provides the best explanation for the observed spectrum of HD 97048.

Baas, F.↗

Laboratory identification of the emission features near 3.5 microns in the pre-main sequence star HD 97048

This paper presents the results of a laboratory study of formaldehyde (H2CO) suspended in low temperature molecular matrices with compositions similar to what may be found in the 'dirty ice' mantles of grains. It is shown that the emission features near 3.5 microns in the pre-main-sequence star HD 97048 can be matched by a mixture of chemical complexes of H2CO with surrounding molecules in the grain. Furthermore, a discussion is presented of various possible excitation mechanisms for this emission. The conclusion is, that for the features near 3.5 microns in HD 97048, UV pumped IR fluorescence is the most likely mechanism.

Van Der Zwet, G. P.↗

IUE observations of the Jovian dayglow emission

IUE spectra of Jupiter are examined in light of recent models put forward to explain the anomalously bright ultraviolet emissions seen from the upper atmospheres of the outer planets. Chi-squared fits of the IUE spectra with model spectra produced by two proposed excitation mechanisms, electron impact and fluorescence of solar radiation, result in consistently higher chi-squared values for the solar fluorescence model. No conclusive evidence is found in the IUE data for the dominance of solar fluorescence over electron excitation in producing the Jovian dayglow emission.

Mcgrath, M. A.↗

On the origin of 4640-4650 A emission in X-ray stars

The origin is investigated for a prominent and rapidly variable emission feature near the 4640-A line which has been observed in the optical counterparts of Sco X-1, Cyg X-2, Her X-1, Cen X-3, 3U 0900-40, and 3U 1700-37. It is suggested that the emission is generated in the vicinity of a compact X-ray source by the interaction of X-rays with nearby gaseous matter and that three likely sources of the emission are the ions C III, N III, and O II. Results are presented for a detailed mathematical model of an X-ray source surrounded by a uniform distribution of matter and are used to evaluate possible emission mechanisms. It is concluded that selective emission of N III (4634 to 4641 A) in the Bowen fluorescence process may be the responsible mechanism.

Mcclintock, J. E.↗

Broad-band gain in optically pumped S2

The broad fluorescence spectrum and Franck-Condon shift of the B-X system of S2 are exploited in broad-band-gain experiments using the absorption of 308-nm XeCl excimer radiation to pump the level (upsilon-prime = 4) in an S2 vapor with and without Ar. The fluorescence spectra are examined to determine the effects of gas collisions, and the intense near-UV and visible bands are attributed to the redistribution of the population among the upsilon-prime levels resulting from S2-Ar collisions. Broad-band gain is observed on the rare-gas relaxation bands (2,17) (about 475 nm) and (3,18) (480 nm), while absorption is found in the (0,6), (0,7), and (0,8) near-UV (about 360-380-nm) bands where a transient population cascading down the X-state manifold fills the lower levels. It is inferred from the achievement of gain over much of the S2 fluorescence bandwidth that nonselective pumping mechanisms like discharges, solar energy, or flashlamps can be used with S2 as the tunable, chemically stable 'dye'.

Epler, J. E.↗