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At least 37 records · Page 2

Molecular hydrogen emission in NGC 7027

The spatial distribution of the emission in the v = 1-0 S(1) line of H2 in the planetary nebula NGC 7027 is presented. The excited H2 molecules do not fill the same volume as the ionized gas and most likely reside near the outer edge of the nebula. The spatial resolution of the data, 5 arcsec, is insufficient to define the location of the molecules precisely. An upper limit to the strength of the v = 2-1 S(1) line is given; it is low enough to preclude simple ultraviolet fluorescence as the source of excitation. A simple shock model can fit the line ratio data, however, and there is enough energy in the expanding nebula to sustain such a shock. A rough estimate of 1-4 solar masses for the mass in the molecular cloud surrounding NGC 7027 is derived.

Beckwith, S.↗

Standardization of surface contamination analysis systems

Corrosion products, oils and greases can potentially degrade material bonding properties. The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Surface Contamination Analysis Team (SCAT) utilizes a variety of analytical equipment to detect identify and quantify contamination on metallic and non-metallic substrates. Analysis techniques include FT-IR Microscopy (FT-IR), Near Infrared Optical Fiber Spectrometry (NIR), Optically Stimulated Electron Emission (OSEE), Ultraviolet Fluorescence (UVF) and Ellipsometry. To insure that consistent qualitative and quantitative information are obtained, standards are required to develop analysis techniques, to establish instrument sensitivity to potential contaminants, and to develop calibration curves. This paper describes techniques for preparing and preserving contamination standards. Calibration of surface contamination analysis systems is discussed, and methods are presented for evaluating the effects of potential contaminants on bonding properties.

Boothe, Richard E.↗

Optical Characterization of Cryptoendolithic Chemical Biosignatures on Antarctic Sandstone Surfaces

We have used several non-destructive optical techniques to study the distribution of organic molecules on an Antarctic sandstone sample collected at Battleship Promontory. Cryptoendolithic microorganisms have been found to inhabit rocks in the dry valleys of Antarctica. These dry deserts are an Earth analog to Mars. Future Mars rovers may search for life in the rocks of Mars with similar instrumentation used in this study. Light microscopy was used to determine five distinct regions and to determine textures on the sample. Deep ultraviolet fluorescence spectroscopy was used to scan the rock for the presence of organic molecules. Organic molecules were present in three of the five regions but not in the crust. There were similarities between each region, but each region presented a unique signature. Raman spectroscopy identified the minerals present and also provided more definitive identifications of the organic molecules. X-ray diffraction was also used to definitively identify the minerals present and corroborate the Raman mineral results.

Harju, Ellen R.↗

First-results from the Perseverance SHERLOC Investigation: Aqueous Alteration Processes and Implications for Organic Geochemistry in Jezero Crater, Mars

The Perseverance rover landed in Jezero crater, a site selected to fulfill the Mars-2020 mission goals of characterizing the geology of habitable environments and searching for signs of life while collecting samples for return to Earth [1]. Jezero hosted an open-basin lake during the late Noachian/early Hesperian (~3.7 Ga) [1-2], has units associated with the largest carbonate deposit identified on Mars [3-4], and has a well-preserved delta with clay and carbonate-bearing sediments, well-suited to preservation of organics [1,3-4]. Investigating the nature of organics and aqueous environments within their geologic con-text allows us to understand important aqueous processes and determine habitability within Jezero crater. Previous in situ landed measurements of organics could not resolve their spatial and mineralogical con-text [5-6]. Although Martian meteorites lack geological context, the spatial distribution of organic compounds in Martian meteorites have allowed recognition of an association between aqueous processes and organics [7-8]. Here, we show for the first time in-situ associations between carbonate-forming ultramafic alteration process, later stage aqueous sulfate and perchlorate formation, and organics on the Martian surface. Methodology and geological context: We use the Perseverance rover’s SHERLOC instrument (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Lumines-ence of Organics and Chemicals), a deep-ultraviolet fluorescence and Raman scattering spectrometer capable of mapping the organic and mineral composition with a spatial resolution of 100 μm resolution to report the presence of organics and aqueously formed minerals at Jezero crater [9]. These spectral detections were compared with co-located images obtained with the autofocus context imager (ACI) and the WATSON camera for textural analysis [9]. As of writing, the Per-severance rover has abraded five targets that were measured with the SHERLOC instrument. The five targets are located in two different orbitally-identified geological units within the floor of Jezero crater; the Crater Floor Fractured Rough unit (CF-Fr) and the Séítah region within the Crater Floor Fractured 1 unit (CF-F1) [10]. In orbital infrared spectroscopic data, the CF-Fr unit is associated with pyroxene spectral signatures and minor alteration, while the Séítah region is associated with olivine and minor Mg-rich carbonates and clays [3-4,10]. Carbonation of ultramafic protolith recorded within Jezero crater: All scans of abraded targets within the Séítah region reveal strong peaks at 1080–1090 cm−1 consistent with carbonate and peak singlets or doublets at 820–840 cm−1 attributed to olivine (Fig. 1), consistent with orbital infrared observations. Our detailed micron-scale petrographic and spectroscopic evidence shows that these carbonates formed through carbonation of an ultramafic protolith. The supporting observations include: (1) Carbonate cation compositions match those of olivine, suggesting mixed Fe- and Mg-olivine gave rise to mixed Fe- and Mg-carbonates, similar to observations of ultramafic systems on Earth and within Martian meteorites [3-4,7-8]. (2) The ob-served carbonates co-occur with hydrated materials, gypsum, and potentially aqueously-formed phases, amorphous silicates and phosphate. (3) The spectral and textural variation of olivine and carbonate dominated zones and olivine-carbonate mixtures within both primary grains and interstitial zones are expected for carbonated ultramafic protoliths. (4) These mineral associations and textures closely resemble those observed within the ALH84001 and Nakhlite meteorites attributed to olivine carbonation on Mars [6-7]. Taken together, micron-scale SHERLOC documentation of these phenomena bridge previous orbital and meteorite observations and demonstrate in-situ regionally extensive (~106 km2) ultramafic alteration resulting in geo-logical deposition of carbonates. Furthermore, we observe that olivine carbonation was involved in preserving and possibly synthesizing organics, which makes this environment potentially habitable, as previously suggested in [1,3-4] (Fig. 1). Late-stage aqueous perchlorate and sulfate in Jezero crater: An abrasion target within the CF-Fr unit contains combinations of high intensity 950-955 cm−1 peaks and minor 1090-1095 cm−1 and 1150-1155 cm−1 peaks that are spectral fits to anhydrous perchlorate (Fig. 1). Some spectra show a combination of 950-955 cm−1 peaks with equally strong 1010-1020 cm−1 peaks, low intensity broad features at 1120 cm−1, and occasional broad 3450 cm−1 hydration (-OH) features, indicating a mixture of Ca-sulfate and perchlorate that is minimally hydrated (Fig. 1). The detections of per-chlorates within Jezero crater differ from previous measurements (e.g. Phoenix lander, Curiosity rover, Tissint meteorite [7,11]) because they are observed to be intimately related to aqueous processes including sulfate formation, they present as a secondary white void-fill occurring within the interior of the rock, and they are found to likely be Na-perchlorate. implications for their formation: Three different types of organics embedded within three different lithologies were observed within the abraded targets. Organics associated with low intensity ~340 nm fluorescence were widespread within targets with no apparent association to particular minerals (Fig. 1). Organics associated with ~305 nm and ~275 nm fluorescence correlated with sulfates within the Bellegarde target in the CF-Fr unit, while organics associated with high intensity ~340 nm fluorescence correlated with carbonate, phosphate, and amorphous silicate mixtures within the Garde target in the Séítah region (Fig. 1). Although assignment of fluorescence signatures to specific organic compounds is not conclusive, ~340 nm fluorescence is generally more consistent with 2-ring aromatic organics, ~275 nm fluorescence is more consistent with 1-ring aromatic organics, and ~305 nm fluorescence can be created by either 2- or 1-ring aromatics [12]. These observations indicate that the strongest fluorescence signatures interpreted as organics were found in materials associated with aqueous processes, i.e. sulfate- and carbonate-bearing materials, suggesting both brines and ultramafic carbonation aqueous environments were capable of preserving organics on ancient Mars. In Martian meteorites, simple aromatic organics proposed to have been synthesized through aqueous processes can be found within minerals associated with olivine carbonation and in spatial association with perchlorate and sulfate materials [7-8], similar to SHERLOC observations. Hence, we advance an abiotic aqueous synthesis origin for the organics although we cannot rule out the presence of organics from meteoritic in-fall or putative organic biosignatures. Detailed analyses will be required upon return of these materials to Earth.

E L Scheller↗

Vacuum ultraviolet laser induced fluorescence on a Si atomic beam

A broadly applicable vacuum ultraviolet experiment is described for measuring radiative lifetimes of neutral and singly-ionized atoms in a beam environment to 5-percent accuracy using laser induced fluorescence. First results for neutral Si are reported.

O'Brian, T. R.↗

Ultraviolet Opacity and Fluorescence in Supernova Envelopes

By the time the expanding envelope of a Type 2 supernova becomes transparent in the optical continuum, most of the gamma-ray luminosity produced by radioactive Fe/Co/Ni clumps propagates into the hydrogen/helium envelope and is deposited there, if at all. The resulting fast electrons excite He 1 and H 1, the two- photon continua of which are the dominant internal sources of ultraviolet radiation. The UV radiation is blocked by scattering in thousands of resonance lines of metals and converted by fluorescence into optical and infrared emission lines that escape freely. We describe results of Monte Carlo calculations that simulate non-LTE scattering and fluorescence in more than five million allowed lines of Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni. For a model approximating conditions in the envelope of SN 1987A, the calculated emergent spectrum resembles the observed one. For the first 2 yr after explosion, the ultraviolet radiation (lambda less than or approximately equals 3000) is largely blocked and converted into a quasi continuum of many thousands of weak optical and infrared emission lines and some prominent emission features, such as the Ca 2 lambdalambda8600 triplet. Later, as the envelope cools and expands, it becomes more transparent, and an increasing fraction of the luminosity emerges in the UV band.

Li, Hongwei↗

The O(3P) and N(4S) density measurement at 225 km by ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence in the Apollo-Soyuz test project

The densities of O(3P) and N(4S) at 225 km were determined during the Apollo Soyuz Test Project by a resonance absorption/fluorescence technique in which OI and NI line radiation produced and collimated on board the Apollo was reflected from the Soyuz back to the Apollo for spectral analysis. The two spacecraft maneuvered so that a range of observation angles of plus or minus 15 deg with respect to the normal to the orbital velocity vector was scanned. The measurements were made at night on two consecutive orbits at spacecraft separations of 150 and 500 m. The resulting relative counting rates as function of observation angle were compared to calculated values to determine the oxygen value. This value agrees with mass spectrometric measurements made under similar conditions. The nitrogen value is in good agreement with other measurements and suggests a smaller diurnal variation than is predicted by present models.

Kaufman, F.↗

Ultraviolet-pumped infrared fluorescent molecular hydrogen emission in reflection nebulae

Strong molecular hydrogen emission at 2.41 microns has been observed in three out of six reflection nebulae surveyed. A spectrum of one nebula, Parsamyan 18, shows several H2 lines whose intensity ratios have values agreeing with those predicted if the excitation is due to UV-pumped fluoresence and disagreeing with those predicted for shock and X-ray excitations.

Sellgren, K.↗

OH fluorescence in comets - Fluorescence efficiency of the ultraviolet bands

The present investigation is concerned with the calculation of the fluorescence efficiency of OH over a wide range of heliocentric radial velocities. Three vibrational states in each of the two lowest electronic states are included in these calculations, producing a total of nine vibrational bands in the ultraviolet. The attempt is made to reproduce observed, ultraviolet, cometary spectra of OH by utilizing the Swings fluorescence mechanism. The inclusion of four rotational states within each of the three vibrational states and a detailed solar atlas make it possible to match observations very well, although there remain some discrepancies. This ability to reproduce observations provides confidence that the more general results obtained for the fluorescence efficiency as a function of heliocentric radial velocity can be used in interpreting both previous and future observations of OH in comets.

Schleicher, D. G.↗

Quantitative photoabsorption and fluorescence study of HCl in vacuum ultraviolet

The photoabsorption and fluorescence cross sections of HCl were measured in the 106-185 nm region. Sharp absorption bands appear at wavelengths shorter than 135 nm, and fluorescence occurs at several excited states. The fluorescence cross sections are generally quite small, indicating that the excited states are strongly predissociative. The molecular processes for producing the VUV and UV fluorescences are investigated, and the Rydberg characteristics of the strong absorption bands are discussed.

Nee, J. B.↗

Fluorescence equilibrium in the ultraviolet spectra of Comets Seargent (1978 m) and Bradfield (1979 l)

Detailed fluorescence calculations for OH including the Swings effect were performed. These calculations were used to reproduce the high resolution spectra of Comets Seargent and Bradfield taken with IUE. The calculations also provide the OH fluorescence efficiencies (g factors), as a function of heliocentric radial velocity, which are needed to derive OH abundances from measured fluxes. A close examination of the spectra shows no sign of the corresponding emission bands of OD allowing upper limits to be placed on the ratio N(OD)/N(OH). Preliminary attempts to reproduce the CO+ band structure by fluorescence are discussed.

Donn, B.↗

Fluorescence from photoexcitation of C2H5OH by vacuum ultraviolet radiation

The photoabsorption and fluorescence cross sections of C2H5OH have been measured in the 46-200 nm region. Fluorescence is dispersed to identify the emission systems, which are mainly OH(A-X), CH(A,B-X), and the H Balmer series. The photodissociation processes that produce the observed emissions are discussed.

Han, J. C.↗

Fish scale-loss caused by simulated hydraulic shear stress

Riverine fishes found within streams impacted by hydropower also often pass through hydropower turbines during annual downstream migrations. During turbine passage events, fish may experience a suite of stressors including rapid pressure changes, impacts from turbine blades, and exposure to hydraulic shear. Scale-loss is often observed in fish collected below dams and hydraulic shear is the most likely cause of this trauma. While exposure to shear may cause other injuries, scale-loss appears to be the most common non-lethal injury observed to date. We sought to quantify how hydraulic shear may cause scale-loss in rainbow trout, gizzard shad, and hybrid striped bass by precisely controlling the exposure level (velocity) and duration (seconds) of a water jet. We targeted the same area for all three species found between the operculum and dorsal fin on the left, lateral surface. Exposure velocities ranged from 0 (controls) to 11.0 meters/second but fish were only exposed to the water jet for 1.5 seconds. A 0.2 milligram/milliliter solution of fluorescein was used to stain the areas of scale-loss by submerging each fish in this solution for at least 6 minutes. Fluorescein was used because it interacts with epithelial tissue that has been damaged and it fluoresces under ultraviolet lighting. Fish were photographed under short- and longwave ultraviolet lighting in a dark chamber to capture fluorescence. Fish photographs were analyzed using ImageJ and the proportion of descaled area was estimated for each fish within a 35 by 35-millimeter square. In general, these data highlight how exposure to hydraulic shear may lead to significant levels of descaling in riverine fishes.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Ultraviolet continuum and H2 fluorescent emission in Herbig-Haro objects 43 and 47

IUE short wavelength spectra are presented for the low excitation Herbig-Haro objects HH 43 and HH 47. In the former, several emission lines in the Lyman band of H2 from an excited state are observed which are due to fluorescence from the H Ly-alpha line pumping a lower state (that is in turn excited by a low-velocity shock wave). No evidence of highly ionized gas emission is found in the UV spectra, and both objects exhibit a UV continuum which peaks in the vicinity of 1500 A and is probably caused by H two-photon emission enhanced by low velocity shock collisional excitation.

Schwartz, R. D.↗

The ultraviolet continuum and the fluorescent H2 lines in low-excitation Herbig-Haro objects

Long-exposure IUE observations are used here to determine the spatial distribution of the fluorescent H2 line emission in the low-excitation objects HH 43 and HH 47. In HH 43, the spatial distribution of the fluorescent H2 line emission has a width equal to or smaller than the width of the point-spread function of IUE, while both the short-wavelength UV continuum and the optical forbidden S II lines show distributions which are wider by more than a factor of two. In HH 47, the results are qualitatively analogous, but the differences between the fluorescent HH 23 emission distribution on the one hand, and the UV continuum and optical forbidden S II distribution on the other, are smaller. These distributions indicate that the appropriate conditions for the formation of fluorscent H2 lines are fulfilled only in rather narrow regions for these low-excitation objects. A continuous energy distribution in HH 43 and HH 47 is found which differs only slightly from that in the high-excitation objects HH 1 and HH 2.

Boehm, K. H.↗

Radiative lifetimes in B I using ultraviolet and vacuum-ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence

Radiative lifetimes of the eight lowest even parity levels in the doublet system of B I are measured using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence in the UV and VUV on an atomic beam of boron. The accurate lifetimes provide a base for improved determination of absolute transition probabilities in B I. The techniques described are broadly applicable to measurement of lifetimes of levels with transitions in the visible, UV, and VUV in almost any element.

O'Brian, T. R.↗