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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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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

High EneRgy Observatory for Imaging X-rays (HEROIX) Mission Concept

The High EneRgy Observatory for Imaging X-rays (HEROIX) is a next-generation broadband X-ray space telescope concept under development as a Medium-Class Explorer mission. Building on more than three decades of replicated NiCo shell technology at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, HEROIX will deliver 5 arcsecond half-power-diameter imaging resolution in the hard X-ray band. The observatory will incorporate four co-aligned telescopes with advanced multilayer coatings, extending the bandpass into the hard X-ray regime and providing an integrated effective area of 380 cm² at 30 keV. A suite of focal plane detectors will enable imaging capability throughout its 1–80 keV bandpass. This combination of angular resolution and high-energy coverage will open new windows into non-thermal processes in extreme astrophysical environments. HEROIXwill deliver transformative science, advancing the astrophysics community’s understanding of supernova physics, the X-ray binary population of the Galactic Center, accretion-driven galaxy evolution, and the origin of the Cosmic X-ray Background.

Nick Thomas↗
NASA NTRS1975

Role of magnetic fields in physics and astrophysics; Proceedings of the Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 5-7, 1974

The papers deal with the role of magnetism in astrophysics and the properties of matter in the presence of unusually large magnetic fields. Topics include a quantum-mechanical treatment of high-energy charged particles radiating in a homogeneous magnetic field, the solution and properties of the Dirac equation for magnetic fields of any strength up to 10 to the 13th power gauss, experimental difficulties encountered and overcome in generating megagauss fields, the effect of strong radiation damping for an ultrarelativistic charge in an external electromagnetic field, magnetic susceptibilities of nuclei and elementary particles, and Compton scattering in strong external electromagnetic fields. Other papers examine static uniform electric and magnetic polarizabilities of the vacuum in arbitrarily strong magnetic fields, quantum-mechanical processes in neutron stars, basic ideas of mean-field magnetohydrodynamics, helical MHD turbulence, relations between cosmic and laboratory plasma physics, and insights into the nature of magnetism provided by relativity and cosmology. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Canuto, V.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Jet activity in the symbiotic variable R Aquarii

Low-resolution ultraviolet spectra of the R Aquarii jet have been obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE). The most recent IUE observations indicate the ionization state of the jet is increasing. Subarcsecond, Very Large Array observations of R Aquarii have resolved the radio-continuum structure into discrete parcels of emission that are extended and nearly collinear. R Aquarii provides evidence that indicates stellar jet activity is not unique to objects associated with high-energy emission processes alone. Rather, the nature of the aligned radio-optical features that comprise the R Aquarii jet indicate that directional mass expulsion, in the form of discrete-collimated ejecta, probably reflect a general, underlying, physical process associated with a wide variety of peculiar stellar objects. As such, the R Aquarii jet constitutes a prototype for jet activity in composite or peculiar emission stars.

Michalitsianos, A. G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Spacecraft charging in the auroral plasma: Progress toward understanding the physical effects involved

The work is presented in four parts. First, main differences between the plasma environments in geostationary orbit and low polar orbit with regard to high-voltage charging situations are reviewed. Next, results are presented from a calculation of secondary-electron escape currents from negatively-charged spacecraft surfaces having various orientations relative to the local magnetic-field direction. It is shown that for finite ranges of combinations of electric and magnetic field directions, secondary-electron escape is completely suppressed and therefore cannot help to discharge the spacecraft. In such circumstances, secondary electrons may travel distances many times their gyroradii before reimpacting, and this may produce greatly increased secondary-electron surface currents. Thirdly, a simple rough estimate of the required conditions for high-voltage auroral-zone charging is developed. The results suggest that for any given spacecraft, surface potentials are likely to depend more strongly on the ratio of ambient flux of high-energy electrons to that of all ions, than on any other environmental parameter. Finally, preliminary results are presented of numerical simulation work directed toward testing this hypothesis. Numerical instabilities encountered in doing this simulation work probably are closely related to physical sensitivities inherent in the physics of the ion wake behind the spacecraft, and especially to beam-like constituents of the ion population in the wake.

Laframboise, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Probe and radar electron temperatures in an isotropic nonequilibrium plasma.

Electron temperatures measured by electrostatic probes and radar backscatter are distinct physical quantities, the temperature from each technique determined from a different moment of the electron-distribution function. Numerical inequality of temperatures results from a non-Maxwellian electron-distribution function or, equivalently, from a nonequilibrium electron plasma. Probe and backscatter electron temperatures are studied for low- and high-energy (isotropic) distortions of the distribution function. The nonequilibrium plasma generally produces higher probe than backscatter temperatures; however, the temperature difference is small for distortions due to realistic photoelectron populations. If the ionosphere is in a highly nonequilibrium state, probe and backscatter temperatures would differ from the temperature characterizing the average electron kinetic energy, and a single temperature applicable to a variety of physical processes would no longer exist.

Hoegy, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Initiation of non-tropical thunderstorms by solar activity

Correlative evidence accumulating since 1926 suggests that there must be some physical coupling mechanism between solar activity and thunderstorm occurrence in middle to high latitudes. Such a link may be provided by alteration of atmospheric electric parameters through the combined influence of high-energy solar protons and decreased cosmic ray intensities, both of which are associated with active solar events. The protons produce excess ionization near and above 20km, while the Forbush decreases a lowered conductivity and enhanced fair-weather atmospheric electric field below that altitude. Consequent effects ultimately lead to a charge distribution similar to that found in thunderclouds, and then other cloud physics processes take over to generate the intense electric fields required for lightning discharge.

Herman, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Physics of the Jovian magnetosphere

Jupiter's magnetic field and magnetosphere are considered along with the ionosphere, the low-energy plasma in the Jovian magnetosphere, the low-energy particle population, high-energy particles, and spectrophotometric studies of the Io torus. Other topics explored are related to the phenomenology of magnetospheric radio emissions, plasma waves in the Jovian magnetosphere, theories of radio emissions and plasma waves, and magnetospheric models. Attention is also given to aspects of plasma distribution and flow, microscopic plasma processes in the Jovian magnetosphere, symbols and acronyms, coordinate systems, and selected physical parameters of Jupiter and Io.

Dessler, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Evidence for beam-stimulated precipitation of high energy electrons

Observations have been made in conjunction with two active magnetospheric experiments (Araks and Trigger) in which an electron beam apparently stimulated the precipitation of high-energy electrons from the deep magnetosphere. In both experiments, the data were obtained from rocket-boosted, parachute-borne X-ray bremsstrahlung detectors which were initially deployed at an altitude of 80 km near the foot of the flux tubes affected by each experiment. The X-ray results from these experiments are discussed and compared in terms of beam physics. It is concluded that artificial electron beams injected from ionosphere can stimulate pitch angle scattering and precipitation of higher energy electrons in the magnetosphere via a particle-wave-particle interaction. This mechanism operates over at least one order of magnitude of injection energy.

Bering, E.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Next-Generation Hard X-ray Missions: SuperHERO and HEROIX

High-energy X-ray observations have transformed our understanding of astrophysical systems where non-thermal processes dominate, from shock-accelerated particles in supernova remnants to relativistic jets and hot coronae in active galactic nuclei. NuSTAR’s pioneering focusing images of the hard X-ray sky have demonstrated the immense scientific potential of this band, while also highlighting how limited angular resolution constrains our ability to fully characterize complex physical processes in faint extended sources and resolving faint sources in crowded sky regions. In this presentation, I will discuss a pathway to overcome these challenges through NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s replicated NiCo full-shell X-ray mirror technology. Specifically, I will discuss the SuperHERO hard X-ray telescope to achieve better than 10-arcsecond half-power diameter (HPD) angular resolution on a balloon flight observing the Crab Nebula, and the High EneRgy Observatory for Imaging X-rays (HEROIX) Medium-Class Mission concept to achieve an integrated effective area of 570 cm2 at 30 keV with 5 arcsec HPD angular resolution.

AGN↗
NASA NTRS1986

The central engine of quasars and active galactic nuclei Hadronic interactions of shock-accelerated relativistic protons

The detailed dynamics are presented of a model for AGNs and QSOs based on spherically symmetric accretion onto a black hole and dissipation of the accretion energy in a collisionless shock. The basic assumptions and equations relevant for the model are presented, and the relations between the physical parameters are given in terms of the shock parameters. The latter are calculated for varying Mach numbers, and the resulting scaling laws are discussed and compared to the data, in particular the recently discovered correlations between luminosity and mass. The model can naturally produce ultrarelativistic electrons with flat spectra, a feature which, when coupled with e(+)-e(-) pair production, can account for the observed continuum radiation from these objects over essentially the whole electromagnetic spectrum. The model also predicts the emission of high-energy neutrinos with a luminosity roughly equal to that of the photons.

Kazanas, D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Exercise hyperthermia as a factor limiting physical performance - Temperature effect on muscle metabolism

The effect of trunk cooling on the muscle contents of ATP, ADP, AMP, creatine phosphate (CrP), and creatine, as well as of glycogen, some glycolytic intermediates, pyruvate, and lactate were assessed in 11 fasted dogs exercised at 20 C on treadmill to exhaustion. Without cooling, dogs were able to run 57 min, and their rectal (Tre) and muscle (Tm) temperatures increased to 41.8 and 43.0 C, respectively. Cooling with ice packs prolonged the ability to run by 45 percent, and resulted in lower Tre (by 1.1 C) and Tm (by 1.2 C). Depletion of muscle content of total high-energy phosphates (ATP + CrP) and glycogen, and increases in contents of AMP, pyruvate, and lactate were lower in cooled dogs than in non-cooled dogs. The muscle content of lactiate correlated positively with TM. These results indicate that hypothermia accelerates glycolysis, and shifts the equilibrium between high- and low-energy phosphates in favor of the latter. The adverse effect of hypothermia on muscle metabolism may be relevant to the limitation of endurance.

Kozlowski, S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Pair Production and Annihilation in Strong Magnetic Fields

Electromagnetic phenomena occurring in the presence of strong magnetic fields are currently of great interest in high-energy astrophysics. In particular, the process of pair production by single photons in the presence of fields of order 10 to the 12th power Gauss is of importance in cascade models of pulsar gamma ray emission, and may also become significant in theories of other radiation phenomena whose sources may be neutron stars (e.g., gamma ray bursts). In addition to pair production, the inverse process of pair annihilation is greatly affected by the presence of superstrong magnetic fields. The most significant departures from annihilation processes in free space are a reduction in the total rate for annihilation into two photons, a broadening of the familiar 511-keV line for annihilation at rest, and the possibility for annihilation into a single photon (which dominates the two-photon annihilation for B ( 10 the 13th power Gauss). The physics of these pair conversion processes, which is reviewed briefly, can become quite complex in the teragauss regime, and can involve calculations which are technically difficult to incorporate into models of emission mechanisms in neutron star magnetospheres. However, theoretical work, especially the case of pair annihilation, also suggests potential techniques for more direct measurements of field strengths near the stellar surface.

Daugherty, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Pair production and annihilation in strong magnetic fields

Electromagnetic phenomena occurring in the presence of strong magnetic fields are currently of great interest in high-energy astrophysics. In particular, the process of pair production by single photons in the presence of fields of order 10 to the 12th power Gauss is of importance in cascade models of pulsar gamma ray emission, and may also become significant in theories of other radiation phenomena whose sources may be neutron stars (e.g., gamma ray bursts). In addition to pair production, the inverse process of pair annihilation is greatly affected by the presence of superstrong magnetic fields. The most significant departures from annihilation processes in free space are a reduction in the total rate for annihilation into two photons, a broadening of the familiar 511-keV line for annihilation at rest, and the possibility for annihilation into a single photon which dominates the two-photon annihilation for B (10 to 13th power Gauss) The physics of these pair conversion processes, which is reviewed briefly, can become quite complex in the teragauss regime, and can involve calculations which are technically difficult to incorporate into models of emission mechanisms in neutron star magnetospheres. However, theoretical work, especially the case of pair annihilation, also suggests potential techniques for more direct measurements of field strengths near the stellar surface.

Daugherty, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS1961

Systems Engineering of a Nuclear-Electric Spacecraft

Studies have shown that nuclear-electric propulsion systems will provide superior payload capability and unique advantages over chemical systems for high-energy deep-space missions. Conceptual design studies of unmanned spacecraft employing nuclear-electric propulsion systems have been undertaken to determine some of the major integration problems. Early recognition of these problems will help to stimulate the development effort that will be required to bring these systems into fruitful utilization. Typical designs under consideration for interplanetary missions for the next decade employ a nuclear reactor providing thermal energy to a turbogeneration system which, in turn, supplies electrical power to an ion engine for primary propulsion and additional utility power for guidance and control, powered-flight radio transmission, instrumentation, et cetera. The major systems and components which form a complete spacecraft are listed in this Report, and a review of the significant physical and operational characteristics of these various systems and components which affect spacecraft integration is made. Conceptual.configurations and detailed weight studies for a 60-kilowatts-electric Venus-capture spacecraft and a 1-megawattelectric Jupiter-capture spacecraft are shown to illustrate typical physical arrangements based on the various hardware constraints. From these configurations, the major development goals are ascertained and summarized.

SPACECRAFT↗
NASA NTRS1976

A mechanism for the production of pulsar radio radiation

Recent theoretical studies have suggested that avalanches of electron-positron pairs are produced by spark discharges near the magnetic poles of pulsars. This pair production mechanism may result in a double-peaked particle distribution function. We investigate collective effects caused by a high-energy electron-positron beam traversing a low-energy electron-positron plasma for an astrophysically interesting range of physical parameters. The principal result of this paper is to identify transverse unstable waves whose phase propagation may occur at any arbitrary angle (other than zero) with respect to the magnetic field but whose group velocity is along the magnetic field and approximately the speed of light. It is suggested that the observed radio pulses from pulsars may be caused by the focusing of these transverse waves along the open field lines extending from a pulsar's polar cap to the light cylinder.

Hardee, P. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A broad look at solar physics adapted from the solar physics study of August 1975

The current status of our knowledge of the basic mechanisms involved in fundamental solar phenomena is reviewed. These include mechanisms responsible for heating the corona, the generation of the solar wind, the particle acceleration in flares, and the dissipation of magnetic energy in field reversal regions, known as current sheets. The discussion covers solar flares and high-energy phenomena, solar active regions; solar interior, convection, and activity; the structure and energetics of the quiet solar atmosphere; the structure of the corona; the solar composition; and solar terrestrial interactions. It also covers a program of solar research, including the special observational requirements for spectral and angular resolution, sensitivity, time resolution, and duration of the techniques employed.

Parker, E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The high energy X-ray spectrum of 4U 1700-37 observed from OSO 8

The most intense hard X-ray source in the confused region in Scorpius has been identified as 4U 1700-37 (=HD 153919). Observations extending over three binary periods in 1978 September were carried out with the high-energy X-ray spectrometer on OSO 8. The 3.4 day modulation is seen above 20 keV with the intensity during eclipse being consistent with zero flux. The photonumber spectrum from 20 to 150 keV is well represented by a single power law with a photonumber spectral index of -2.77 + or - 0.35 or by a thermal bremsstrahlung spectrum with kT = 27 (+15, -7)keV. The counting rate above 20 keV outside of eclipse shows no evidence for the 96.8 minute X-ray modulation previously reported at lower energies. Despite the difficulties that exist in reconciling both the lack of periodic modulation in the emitted X-radiation and the orbital dynamics of the system with our currently accepted theories of the evolution and physical properties of neutron stars, the observed properties of 4U 1700-37 are all consistent with the source being a spherically accreting neutron star rather than a black hole.

Dolan, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1981

On ionization equilibrium in solar flares as determined from X-ray emissionlines of Ca XVIII and Ca XIX

A diagnostic capable of determining the state of ionization equilibrium in flare plasmas is important for the determination of the physical conditions in flares. An experiment on the Air Force satellite P78-1 has provided high-resolution X-ray spectra which make it possible to determine the state of the ionization equilibrium in coronal flare plasmas. The considered investigation has the objective to show that the interpretation of the calcium results is complicated by several possible blends to line q, and to point out a variation in the observed ratios which seems difficult to account for. Possible explanations for the observations are discussed, taking into account the possibility that the ionization equilibrium calculations have to be improved. Another possible explanation is related to a suggestion made by Urnov (1981) and Karev et al. (1980) concerning the effects produced by the presence of high-energy nonthermal electrons.

Doscher, G. A.↗