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Photographic observations made during the solar eclipses of 1963, 1966, 1968, and 1970 indicate the presence of previously unidentified celestial objects in the near-angular vicinity of the sun. Observational data and equipment are described. Possible origins of the objects are enumerated, as well as suggested future experiments to confirm the results.
Five pairs of spectra of the eclipsing binary star beta Lyrae, obtained in May 1971 with the Cassegrain spectrograph of a 36-inch telescope at a dispersion of 39 A per mm, are presented. Variations of the He-I 4471-A line and a possibly related spectral feature are discussed.
The masses and MK classes were calculated for the eclipsing spectroscopic binary LX Persei. Its spectrum shows strong H and K emission and doubled lines in the photographic region. The Ca II emission velocity shifts vary in phase with the secondary's absorption lines and are presumably associated with this component. The stars are tentatively classed as G0 V and K0 IV, and the cooler component is the more massive by a ratio of 0.96. The system has a period of 8.0 days.
Orbital solutions were obtained for the early-type eclipsing binary LY Aurigae from the light curves obtained with the OAO-2 by Heap and from the V light curve obtained from ground-based observations by Mayer and Horak. The solutions take into account the existence of a nearby companion not accounted for by previous investigators. The spectroscopic observations by Mayer and Batten were used to compute absolute dimensions for the binary orbit and for each component. This binary system presents an unique opportunity to determine accurately the absolute dimensions of an O9.5 III star.
It may be possible to understand the apparent intermittent nature of the post-eclipse brightenings and nonbrightenings of Io in terms of a nonuniform distribution of blue reflectors grouped in the hemisphere centered at 0 deg longitude. The dimensions required for such blue mirrors are consistent with very large craters. The high blue albedo of water frost and other ices makes these materials likely candidates for the reflectors.
Brinkmann (1973) has suggested that the Galilean satellites might briefly manifest a brightening at mid-eclipse due to a concentration of light refracted into the geometric umbra of Jupiter by the atmosphere around the terminator. Results obtained using two different models of the Jovian atmosphere indicate that such a brightening is unlikely even for Callisto due to the probable aerosol concentration in the Jovian atmosphere at the relevant altitudes.
A general procedure for computing the effects of eclipses by a torus, including both the outer horizon and the inner or hole horizon, was developed. The procedure can be used for any of the simple figures of revolution encountered in binary-star models. That is, the thickness can be made negligible to produce a thin ring, the hole radius can be set to zero to yield a thin disk, the radius to the center of the elliptical meridian section can be brought to zero to give an ellipsoid of revolution, or the equatorial axis of the elliptical meridian section can be made to equal zero to produce a section of a right circular cylinder.
The transient event counter (TEC), senses and counts transients having a voltage rise of greater than five volts in three separate wire harnesses: the attitude control harness, the solar array instrumentation harness and the solar array power harness. The operational characteristics of TEC are defined and the preliminary results obtained through the first 90 days of operation including the spring 1976 eclipse season are presented. The results show that the Communications Technology Satellite was charged to the point where discharges occurred. The discharge induced transients did not cause any anomalous events in spacecraft operation. The data indicate that discharges can occur at any time during the day without preference to any local time quadrant. The number of discharges occurring in the one second sample interval are greater than anticipated. The compilation and review of the data is continuing.
The transient event counter is described, defining its operational characteristics, and presenting the preliminary results obtained through the first 90 days of operation including the Spring 1976 eclipse season. The results show that the CTS was charged to the point where discharges have occurred. The discharge induced transients have not caused any anomalous events in spacecraft operation. The data indicate that discharges can occur at any time during the day without preference to any local time quadrant. The number of discharges occurring in the 1 sec sample interval are greater than anticipated.
Medium-resolution spectra were made of Io as it emerged from two eclipses in December 1975. In the wavelength range 4000-5800 A, no spectral changes greater than the standard deviations were observed when the spectrum of Io just after reappearance was divided by the spectrum of Io 20 min later. No substantial increase in total brightness was observed over the same time interval. These observations were made at a time when the sub-earth point was in Io's northern hemisphere; therefore, prediction of positive posteclipse brightening in this circumstance is not confirmed.
The performance of the nickel hydrogen batteries on board the NTS-2 satellite was determined after being in orbit for several months. The effects of the eclipses were presented as well as the power loading operations.
Equatorial scans of Saturn at 20 microns wavelength, obtained with the Mayall 4-m telescope in 1978-79, show a continuing decrease in the specific brightness of the A and B rings as the ring plane projection approaches and edge-on apparition. The decreased brightness of the previously dominant B ring reveals more clearly a large difference in brightness between the east and west ansae portions of the C ring, in contrast to a barely discernible difference for the other ring ansae. The amount of eclipse cooling is compatible with a C ring particle size of about 1 cm. It is proposed here that the B ring brightness variation could partially result from a decrease of absorbed insolation by a modest amount of visible scattering.
Observations of the system zeta Aurigae made around primary eclipse are described, and their significance is discussed in a preliminary fashion.
Spectrophotometric light curves of 12 Galilean satellite eclipses are reported. The observations were made in 20 to 30 channels over the wavelength range 3240 to 10,500 A using the 200-in. telescope. The initial data processing is described. These data measure the Jovian aerosol content in the lower stratosphere and uppermost troposphere and the methane abundance in the lower stratosphere. The data are consistent with a lack of limb darkening on the Galilean satellites. The orbit of Callisto is shown to be inclined 0.08 + or - 0.02 deg to the equatorial plane of Jupiter.
Aerosol profiles of the Jovian stratosphere and troposphere are presented using the Galilean satellite eclipse technique. The aerosol content is tenuous and varies with altitude, increasing rapidly with downward passage through the tropopause. The data indicate the presence of some aerosols of undetermined structure above the tropopause. An extended haze distribution is proposed, but the possibility that the stratospheric aerosol resides in a thin layer is not excluded.
The methane abundance in the lower Jovian stratosphere is measured using the Galilean satellite eclipse technique. The average mixing ratio at the locations measured is larger than the expected value for a solar abundance of carbon with the expected value for a solar abundance of carbon with the possibility of some zenographic variation. Observationally compatible values are found for the South Temperate Zone, the edge of the Great Red Spot and the South Tropical Zone, and the Great Red Spot.
It is shown that each of the three quantifiable brightening characteristics (i.e., amplitude, time-scale /half-life/, and temporal variability) suggests that brightening of Io may be due to condensation and sublimation of SO2 frost. This is concentrated within a region that encompasses both the subsolar points at the time of entrance into and emergence from eclipse, and volcanic sources. Qualitatively and intuitively, an SO2 frost hypothesis is found to provide good possibilities for explaining any variations in Io's ability to brighten, which may occur on a time scale of years.
The basic theory of solar flux attenuation by the earth's atmosphere is reviewed and a model of the time-varying flux observed by a satellite during eclipse passage developed. The general model is applied to the specific problem of variations in photoelectron flux during penumbral passage and the effects of wavelength, solar activity, and atmospheric constituents on photoelectron emission investigated. Predictions of the photoelectron current expected from tungsten and aluminum surfaces are then successfully compared with actual observations from the ATS-5 and Injun 5 satellites confirming the validity of the model.