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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 NTRS1983

The optical counterparts of compact galactic X-ray sources

Ninety-six optical identifications of X-ray sources presumed to be compact objects are presented and discussed. X-ray and optical classifications of the sources are considered, and the several types of systems are discussed. These include neutron star binaries with massive and low-mass stellar components, neutron stars in supernova remnants, cataclysmic variables, and 'isolated' hot white dwarfs. The information that can be derived from optical observations of neutron-star systems with low-mass optical companions is emphasized.

Bradt, H. V. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The nature of Aquila X-1

Photometry in the UBV spectra was used to observe Aquila X-1. This X-ray source, usually producing flux on the order of 1-10% that of the Crab Nebula, often behaves in a manner resembling the behavior of galactic X-ray stars. A description of the calibration methods used in the observations is presented, with attention to photoelectric-photographic methods. These observations suggest a quiescent spectral class near Ko, i.e., a dwarf at a distance of 1.6 kpc. The more intense X-ray emissions are said to be generated from internal heating of the stellar atmosphere, with additional energy supplied by a low-mass companion star. This explaination is at variance with the semi-detached Roche model.

Margon, B.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Evolutionary effects of helium diffusion in population II stars

Evolutionary calculations continuing until well past turnoff are presented for models of low-mass Population II stars which take into account the effects of the diffusion of helium relative to hydrogen. Evolutionary tracks, cluster isochrones and hydrogen distributions were obtained for stellar masses in the range 0.75 to 1.01 solar masses, both in the presence and absence of diffusion. It is found that for a star of a given mass, diffusion speeds up the evolutionary process on the main sequence, although after turnoff evolution is slowed with respect to the case without diffusion. As the stars ascend the red giant branch, their outer regions are remixed so that evidence of helium diffusion is erased, and the evolutionary tracks of the models with and without diffusion converge. Thus, if the age of a globular cluster is determined from the absolute magnitude at turnoff or from fitting isochrones, diffusion results in a 25% reduction in the derived age at a turnoff magnitude of 4.23, and a 14% reduction at a turnoff magnitude of 3.45.

Stringfellow, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

X-ray astronomy from Uhuru to HEAO-1

The nature of galactic and extragalactic X-ray sources is investigated using observations made with nine satellites and several rockets. The question of X-ray pulsars being neutron stars or white dwarfs is considered, as is the nature of Population II and low-luminosity X-ray stars, the diffuse X-ray emission from clusters of galaxies, the unidentified high-galactic-latitude (UHGL) sources, and the unresolved soft X-ray background. The types of sources examined include binary pulsars, Population II X-ray stars (both nonbursters and bursters) inside and outside globular clusters, coronal X-ray emitters, and active galactic nuclei. It is concluded that: (1) X-ray pulsars are strongly magnetized neutron stars formed in the evolution of massive close binaries; (2) all Population II X-ray stars are weakly magnetized or nonmagnetic neutron stars accreting from low-mass companions in close binary systems; (3) the diffuse emission from clusters is thermal bremsstrahlung of hot matter processed in stars and swept out by ram pressure exerted by the intergalactic gas; (4) most or all of the UHGL sources are active galactic nuclei; and (5) the soft X-ray background is emission from a hot component of the interstellar medium.

Clark, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The settling of helium and the ages of globular clusters

Model low-mass globular-cluster stars were evolved with their helium allowed to diffuse under the influence of gravity, thermal diffusion, and concentration gradient. The evolution tended to speed up. Also, the turnoff point moved toward lower luminosity and slightly lower surface temperature. If the luminosity at turnoff is used as the sole criterion for determining the age of a globular cluster, the inferred ages of such clusters are reduced by about 22% from starting values in the vicinity of 15 billion years.

Noerdlinger, P. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

X-ray bursters and the X-ray sources of the galactic bulge

An attempt is made to distill from observational and theoretical information on the galactic bulge X-ray sources in general, and on the X-ray burst sources in particular, those aspects which seem to have the greatest relevance to the understanding of these sources. Galactic bulge sources appear to be collapsed objects of roughly solar mass, in most cases neutron stars, which are accreting matter from low-mass stellar companions. Type I bursts seem to result from thermonuclear flashes in the surface layers of some of these neutron stars, while the type II bursts from the Rapid Burster are almost certainly due to an instability in the accretion flow onto a neutron star. It is concluded that the studies cited offer a new and powerful observational handle on the fundamental properties of neutron stars and of the interacting binary systems in which they are often contained.

Lewin, W. H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

X-ray emission from young stars and implications for the early solar system

Recent observations of soft X-ray emission from solar-type stars obtained with the Einstein X-Ray Observatory indicate that X-ray luminosity is inversely correlated with stellar age. If this result is applied to the sun and if X-ray emission is a valid indicator of other manifestations of solar activity, then past solar wind and flare levels can be inferred. It can qualitatively explain the excess xenon and nitrogen found in the lunar regolith compared to the level expected from the contemporary solar wind. X-ray emission from T Tauri and other low-mass pre-main-sequence stars is both highly luminous and variable, indicating the presence of flares approximately 4000 times stronger than the largest flares seen in the contemporary sun. The proton flux from such solar flares during the one to ten million-year pre-main-sequence phase would be sufficient to account for the Al-26 anomaly in meteorites.

Feigelson, E. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Location of the Norma transient with the HEAO 1 scanning modulation collimator

A precise position has been obtained for an X-ray transient source in Norma. The location uncertainty includes a variable star previously suggested to be the optical counterpart. This transient is associated with the steady X-ray source MX 1608-52 and probably with an X-ray burst source. A binary system containing a low-mass primary and a neutron-star or black-hole secondary of a few solar masses is consistent with the observations.

Fabbiano, G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The discovery of 50 minute periodic absorption events from 4U 1915-05

An analysis of X-ray observations shows that the steady flux from 4U 1915-05 undergoes periodic absorption dips with a period of 50 minutes. This period most probably represents the underlying orbital period of the system, and variations in the depth and duration of these events suggest that they are caused by a bulge on the edge of the accretion disk at the point where the gas stream impacts the disk. The mass-losing star in this system is probably a low-mass white dwarf, and the spectrum of the dips indicates that the metallicity of the absorbing material is at least a factor of 17 below solar values. The discovery of the 50-minute binary period supports earlier suggestions that X-ray burst sources are in binary systems.

White, N. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A four-hour orbital period of the X-ray burster 4U/MXB1636-53

The characterization of X-ray burst sources and other, non-bursting galactic bulge X-ray sources as low-mass close binary systems is generally accepted. The companion stars of the transient burst sources Aql X-1 and Cen X-4 are of spectral types G7-K3V and K3-7V, respectively. If these stars fill their Roche lobe, their orbital periods are in the range of 5-8 hr. X-ray observations offer evidence for a Cen X-4 orbital period of about 8 hr. An analysis of average optical properties yields values for the typical companion star masses and orbital periods of this class of low-mass X-ray binaries of about 0.6 solar masses and 6 hr, respectively.

Pedersen, H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Binary X-ray stars and supernovae of type I

Most of the strong galactic X-ray sources must be low-mass close binary systems, such as Her X-1 and Sco X-1. Two evolutionary scenarios are discussed, both involving type I supernovae that occur when mass-accreting white dwarfs are driven over their mass limit. In one, accepting the correctness of the idea that a neutron star or black hole is the seat of the X-ray emission, the SN occurs before the system is an X-ray source. Another possibility is that the white dwarf is the X-ray source, just prior to its collapse and the ensuing SN.

Gursky, H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Accreting neutron stars in highly compact binary systems and the nature of 3U 1626-67

We discuss the existence of pulsing X-ray sources that consist of neutron stars in highly compact binary systems (orbital periods not more than Od3), undergoing accretion from low-mass late-type dwarf or degenerate-dwarf companions. An appropriate mass transfer rate can be driven by the decay of the orbit due to gravitational radiation, a self-excited wind, and/or the evolution of the companion. Such a system may result from the evolution of a cataclysmic variable, wherein a degenerate dwarf collapses to form a neutron star after accreting sufficient mass to exceed the Chandrasekhar limit. We apply this model to the 7s7 X-ray pulsar 3U 1626-67, and demonstrate that it can explain the apparent lack of Doppler shifts in the X-ray pulsations from this source. The model may also account for other observed properties of the source, including (1) the apparent faintness and large ultraviolet excess of the optical counterpart, (2) the lack of X-ray eclipses, and (3) an approximately 1000 s quasi-periodic oscillation in the source intensity that was recently observed with the SAS 3 satellite.

Joss, P. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The chemical composition of population I stars.

A comparison of observed and theoretical mass-luminosity relations for unevolved stars in high-mass eclipsing binary systems and in low-mass visual binary systems is used to find the hydrogen and metals abundances of Population I stars: X = 0.69 plus or minus 0.12 and Z = 0.036 plus or minus 0.039. Alternatively, by adopting Z = 0.03 plus or minus 0.01, one finds X = 0.71 plus or minus 0.03. Limitations of the method are discussed briefly.

Stothers, R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

X-ray bursters

The main properties of X-ray bursts, as well as the value of these bursts for understanding low-mass X-ray binaries, are discussed. The analysis of the X-ray spectrum of bursts during their decay has provided evidence that X-ray bursts arise from neutron stars. It is thus illustrated how observations of the X-ray bursts may be used to obtain information about the properties of neutron stars. In particular, a method for measuring the radii of neutron stars from observations of X-ray bursts is proposed, based on the results of the blackbody radii of X-ray bursters.

Van Paradijs, J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

On the abundance of carbon monoxide in galaxies - A comparison of spiral and Magellanic irregular galaxies

CO emission has been sought in 52 directions toward six irregular, Magellanic-type galaxies, with null results at a typical detection limit of 0.04 K for a line width of 10 km/s. The positions searched correspond to those of bright OB star clusters, H II regions, H I peaks, and dark clouds. In two cases, one-third of the optical galaxy was covered by the observations. CO has been detected at 2.6 mm toward the nucleus of the low-mass SA(s)dm galaxy NGC 7793. The results imply that the mean surface brightness of CO emission in Magellanic irregulars is less than that of the Galaxy and other spirals which have been studied. Two categories of explanations for this are discussed, including (1) those based on a lower heating rate for interstellar clouds in irregulars, and thus a lower CO temperature, and (2) those based on a lower CO abundance.

Elmegreen, B. G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The evolution of highly compact binary stellar systems

A new theoretical treatment of the evolution of highly compact binary systems is presented. The evolution is calculated until almost the entire mass of the secondary has been transferred to the primary or lost from the system. It is assumed that gravitational radiation from the system is the cause of mass transfer. It is found that the structure of the mass-losing star can be approximated by an n = 3/2 polytrope, and as a result a relatively large number of different cases can be explored and some general conclusions drawn. An explanation is found for the existence of a cutoff in the orbital period distribution among the cataclysmic variables and light is shed upon the possible generic relationships among cataclysmic variables, the low-mass X-ray binaries, and the spectrally soft transient X-ray sources.

Rappaport, S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The structure and evolution of Jupiter - The fluid contraction stage

The complete evolution of a contracting star of Jovian mass consisting of a convective adiabatic homogeneous fluid is determined using stellar structure methods, improved model atmosphere calculations, and substantially improved thermodynamic properties for hydrogen and hydrogen-helium fluids. The model atmospheres are calculated in the form of time-averaged vertical temperature structures, including all relevant sources of opacity and a solar energy deposition component, and the thermodynamic properties are modified to obtain better agreement with Monte Carlo results for metallic fluids. The resultant gravitationally contracting evolutionary models are found to have two phases: an early stellar phase similar to a typical low-mass pre-main-sequence body and a later phase constituting an approach to a degenerate-dwarf cooling curve. The first phase is shown to have high luminosities and internal temperatures, while the second gives excellent agreement with the observed radius and luminosity of Jupiter. Analysis indicates that the equation of state and superadiabaticity have the strongest influence on evolution over planetary time scales.

Graboske, H. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Highly compact binary X-ray sources

It is proposed that many of the X-ray sources associated with the galactic bulge are accreting neutron stars or black holes with masses of at least about 1 solar mass in ultrashort-period binary systems with very low-mass (no more than about 0.5 solar mass) stellar companions. It is demonstrated that this hypothesis may provide a coherent picture of the evolutionary history and observational properties of these sources, including the apparent lack of conspicuous optical counterparts and the apparent absence of X-ray eclipses.

Joss, P. C.↗