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At least 397 records · Page 22

Creepy (not KREEPy) Gold-Indium Intermetallic Compounds on Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Samples

A series of Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) sessions to measure hydrogen (H) in Martian meteorite minerals was completed using the Cameca 6f SIMS and NanoSIMS 50L at Arizona State University (ASU). During these sessions, a “creeping” phenomenon has occurred, where the edges of samples pressed in indium are covered by a metal alloy. We summarize these observations herein, present a collection of preliminary data, and discuss explanations and concerns for future SIMS work. We conclude the report with a research plan for further study.

Dudley, J. M.↗

A Persistent Simulation Environment for Autonomous Systems

The age of Autonomous Unmanned Aircraft Systems (AUAS) is creating new challenges for the accreditation and certification requiring new standards, policies and procedures that sanction whether a UAS is safe to fly. Establishing a basis for certification of autonomous systems via research into trust and trustworthiness is the focus of Autonomy Teaming and TRAjectories for Complex Trusted Operational Reliability (ATTRACTOR), a new NASA Convergent Aeronautics Solution (CAS) project. Simulation Environments to test and evaluate AUAS decision making may be a low-cost solution to help certify that various AUAS systems are trustworthy enough to be allowed to fly in current general and commercial aviation airspace. NASA is working to build a peer-to-peer persistent simulation (P3 Sim) environment. The P3 Sim will be a Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) environment were AUAS avatars can interact with a complex dynamic environment and each other. The focus of the effort is to provide AUAS researchers a low-cost intuitive testing environment that will aid training for and assessment of decisions made by autonomous systems such as AUAS. This presentation focuses on the design approach and challenges faced in development of the P3 Sim Environment is support of investigating trustworthiness of autonomous systems.

Kelley, Benjamin N.↗

White light modeling, algorithm development, and validation on the micro-arcsecond metrology testbed

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM), scheduled for launch in early 2010, is an optical interferometer that will perform narrow angle and global wide angle astrometry with unprecedented accuracy, providing differential position accuracies of 1uas, and 4uas global accuracies in position, proper motion and parallax. SIM astrometric measurements are synthesized from pathlength delay measurements provided by three Michelson-type, white light interferometers. Two of the interferometers are used for making precise measurements of variations in the spacecraft attitude, while the third interferometer performs the science measurement. The ultimate performance of SIM relies on a combination of precise fringe measurements of the interfered starlight with picometer class relative distance measurements made between a set of fiducials that define the interferometer baseline vectors. The focus of the present paper is on the development and analysis of algorithms for accurate white light fringe estimation, and on the preliminary validation of these algorithms on the Micro-Arcsecond Testbed (MAM).

Shen, Janice TsaePyng↗

Overview of Phobos/Deimos Regolith Ion Sample Mission (PRISM) Concept

Far more definitive information on composition is required to resolve the question of origin for the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos. Current infrared spectra of the objects are inconclusive due to the lack of strong diagnostic features. Definitive compositional measurements of Phobos could be obtained using in-situ X-ray, gamma-ray, or neutron spectroscopy or collecting and returning samples to Earth for analysis. We have proposed, in lieu of those methods, to derive Phobos and Deimos compositional data from secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) measurements by calibrating the instrument to elemental abundance measurements made for known samples in the laboratory. We describe the Phobos/Deimos Regolith Ion Sample Mission (PRISM) concept here. PRISM utilizes a high-resolution TOF plasma composition analyzer to make SIMS measurements by observing the sputtered species from various locations of the moons' surfaces. In general, the SIMS technique and ion mass spectrometers complement and expand quadrupole mass spectrometer measurements by collecting ions that have been energized to higher energies, 50-100 eV, and making measurements at very low densities and pressures. Furthermore, because the TOF technique accepts all masses all the time, it obtains continuous measurements and does not require stepping through masses. The instrument would draw less than 10 W and weigh less than 5 kg. The spacecraft, nominally a radiation-hardened 12U CubeSat, would use a low-thrust Solar Electric Propulsion system to send it on a two-year journey to Mars, where it would co-orbit with Deimos and then Phobos at distances as low as 27 km.

Dibraccio, Gina↗

NASA’s Orion Crew Module Seakeeping Simulation and Test Comparisons in Ocean Wave Environments

The NASA Orion Crew Module (CM) post-landing seakeeping and uprighting capabilities are being evaluated across a variety of ocean wave conditions. This paper provides an overview of quarter-scale and full-scale test data and how it compares with the CM seakeeping dynamic simulation results evaluated using Wave Energy Convertor Simulator (WEC-Sim).This includes a discussion of the status of the dynamic modeling effort, correlation of model inputs with the wave field from the test, and a comparison of the results against the physical test data with emphasis on the full-scale results. Analysis in the frequency domain showed similar response characteristics between the model and the test and shows energy peaks corresponding to both the natural response and the forced response due to the wave environment. Time domain comparisons showed that the linear WEC-Sim model under predicted the amplitude of the pitch and roll motion of the test article, with improved matching for smaller, longer crested waves. An attempt was made to correlate the pitch/roll response to incident wave slope to account for a possible delay in the BTA’s response. The results did not show a strong relationship in the response characteristics to incident wave slope, but better correlation was seen by comparing responses in the frequency domain. Evaluation of the simulation’s ability to match test results aided in understanding the current fidelity of the CM model in WEC-Sim and identifying areas for model improvement

Abigail Lockard↗

Location, location: deciphering the significance of in-situ hydrogen analyses of Martian meteorite phases

Understanding how inner planets acquired their volatiles such as hydrogen (H) is fundamental to constrain models of solar system formation [e.g. 1]. One avenue of estimating the H content and isotopic characteristics of differentiated planets is to analyze the samples we have from them as meteorites. Ideally, the H content and isotopic characteristic of the mantle sources of these igneous rocks should give insight into the volatile origin of each planetary body. The mantle H signatures can be estimated from that of the parent melt, which in turn may be derived from that of the first crystallized phases. However, we will illustrate the processes that can modify the H content and D/H ratios of pyroxene, olivine and feldspar in selected Martian meteorites relative to those of their mantle sources, with two key protocols for SIMS analysis. The first key is to put each analysis in textural context ("location, location"). In particular, of prime importance is whether an analysis is done at the center or the edge of a mineral grain, close or far from a shock disturbed area, and in a mineral crystallized at the beginning or late in the differentiation sequence. Accompanying the H analyses done by SIMS with major and trace element data at the same analysis locations allows to constrain the history of crystallization, cooling, alteration and shock of the meteorite. For example, volcanic degassing can be evidenced by decreasing water contents and increasing D/H ratios from core to edge of nakhlite pyroxenes [2]. Traverses of H analyses in pyroxene and maskelynite in shergottite LAR 06319 provide examples of H contents and D/H ratios modified during degassing following shock [3]. The second key is to assess if the area analyzed by SIMS has shock generated damage of the mineral structure, as will be shown in pyroxene and olivine from shergottite RBT 04262. Olivine in shergottites have too high water contents to be explained with an igneous origin and their D/H ratios are more consistent with terrestrial alteration, as observed before [4]. A review of all these processes shows how careful one has to be prior to using H measurements in meteorites to infer the origin and amount of water in differentiated planetary interiors.

A.H. Peslier↗

HAT m:N Activity Overview

Since 2020, researchers from the Human Autonomy Teaming (HAT) Laboratory at NASA Ames Research Center have conducted human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulation research to study a new control paradigm for operations involving multiple remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). Colloquially referred to as "m:N," this paradigm is characterized by multiple operators collaboratively controlling multiple vehicles between them. The m:N name expresses a ratio whereby m is the number of operators and N is the number of vehicles shared between them. In this presentation, HAT Lab researchers provide a high-level overview of the m:N studies that have been performed to-date. These include a study of the m:N concept of operations (CONOPS) and the attending roles and responsibilities ("ConOps/R&R Sim"), a study focused on contingency management involving dynamic, inter-operator transfers of vehicles ("Handoff Sim"), and a study examining the effects of pilot-ATC communication systems on workload ("UAM Comms Sim"). A selection of key results are provided. The presentation concludes with a brief discussion of planned research into m:N operations.

m:N↗

Effect of local environment on Ly$α$ line profile in DESI/ODIN LAEs

Lyman-Alpha Emitters (LAEs) are star-forming galaxies with significant Ly$α$ emission and are often used as tracers of large-scale structure at high redshift. We explore the relationship between the Ly$α$ line profile and environmental density with spectroscopy from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) of LAEs selected with narrow-band photometry through the One-hundred-deg$^2$ DECam Imaging in Narrowbands (ODIN) survey. We use LAE surface density maps in the N419 (z $\sim$ 2.45) and N501 (z $\sim$ 3.12) narrow bands to probe the relationship between local environmental density and the Ly$α$ line profile. In both narrow bands, we stack the LAE spectra in bins of environmental density and inside and outside of protocluster regions. The N501 data shows $\sim$15% higher Ly$α$ line luminosity for galaxies in protoclusters, suggesting increased star formation in these regions. However, the line luminosity is not appreciably greater in protocluster galaxies in the N419 band, suggesting a potential redshift evolution of this effect. The shape of the line profile itself does not vary with environmental density, suggesting that line shape changes are caused by local effects independent of a galaxy's environment. These data indicate a potential relationship between LAE local environmental density, ionized gas distribution, and Ly$α$ line luminosity.

Uzsoy, Ana M. [Harvard-Smithsonian Ctr. Astrophys.↗

A Chemodynamical Census of the Milky Way's Ultra-Faint Compact Satellites. I. A First Population-Level Look at the Internal Kinematics and Metallicities of 19 Extremely-Low-Mass Halo Stellar Systems

Deep, wide-area photometric surveys have uncovered a population of compact ($r_{1/2} \approx$ 1-15 pc), extremely-low-mass ($M_* \approx$ 20-4000 $M_{\odot}$) stellar systems in the Milky Way halo that are smaller in size than known ultra-faint dwarf galaxies (UFDs) and substantially fainter than most classical globular clusters (GCs). Very little is known about the nature and origins of this population of "Ultra-Faint Compact Satellites" (UFCSs) owing to a dearth of spectroscopic measurements. Here, we present the first spectroscopic census of these compact systems based on Magellan/IMACS and Keck/DEIMOS observations of 19 individual UFCSs, representing $\sim$2/3 of the known population. We securely measure mean radial velocities for all 19 systems, velocity dispersions for 15 (predominantly upper limits), metallicities for 17, metallicity dispersions for 8, and $\textit{Gaia}$-based mean proper motions for 18. This large new spectroscopic sample provides the first insights into population-level trends for these extreme satellites. We demonstrate that: (1) the UFCSs are kinematically colder, on average, than the UFDs, disfavoring very dense dark matter halos in most cases, (2) the UFCS population is chemically diverse, spanning a factor of $\sim$300 in mean iron abundance ($\rm -3.3 \lesssim [Fe/H] \lesssim -0.8$), with multiple systems falling beneath the "metallicity floor" proposed for GCs, and (3) while some higher-metallicity and/or younger UFCSs are clearly star clusters, the dynamical and/or chemical evidence allows the possibility that up to $\sim$50% of the UFCSs in our sample (9 of 19) may represent the smallest and least-massive galaxies yet discovered.

Cerny, William [Yale U.] (ORCID:0000000316977062)↗

FolpsD: combining EFT and phenomenological approaches for joint power spectrum and bispectrum analyses

We present a theoretical model for the power spectrum and bispectrum of galaxy clustering that exploits the complementarity between small-scale power spectrum information and large-scale bispectrum measurements. We extend the FOLPS code by combining its one-loop EFT galaxy power spectrum with a tree-level galaxy bispectrum projected onto the tripolar spherical harmonics (Sugiyama) basis. To access additional small-scale information, we also consider a line-of-sight damping factor in both statistics, mirroring approaches commonly used in studies of redshift-space distortions. We test the model using DESI DR2 galaxy mocks. Even without damping, the joint analysis of the EFT power spectrum and bispectrum significantly improves constraints and reduces parameter degeneracies relative to power spectrum analyses alone. For LRG-like samples, including the damping further extends the range beyond $k\sim 0.3 \,h \text{Mpc}^{-1}$ in the power spectrum and $k \sim 0.24 \,h \text{Mpc}^{-1}$ in the bispectrum without introducing statistically significant parameter biases. This leads to up to $\sim 30\%$ tighter constraints on $A_s$ and $ω_{cdm}$. For low signal-to-noise tracers such as QSOs, however, the damping parameters are weakly constrained and can absorb noise fluctuations, leading to shifts in inferred parameters. Similar limitations may arise in models where cosmological information is encoded in power-spectrum shape features degenerate with the damping, such as scenarios with massive neutrinos. In contrast, for $w_0w_a$CDM we obtain $15\%$ and $21\%$ tighter constraints on $w_0$ and $w_a$, respectively, yielding a deviation from constant dark energy at slightly more than the $1σ$ level using full-shape information alone. The code is publicly available at https://github.com/cosmodesi/FolpsD

Bansal, P. [Michigan U., MCTP; Michigan U.] (ORCID↗

A New Record Census of Dwarf AGN and a Bimodal $M_{\rm BH}$-$M_{\star}$ Scaling Relation with DESI DR1

Using the first spectroscopic data release from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI DR1), we search for AGN signatures in 1,678,787 low-redshift ($0.001 \le z \le 0.45$) line-emitting galaxies. Based on the [NII]-BPT emission-line ratio diagnostic, we identify AGN in 314,245/1,211,573 (25.9%) high-mass ($\log (M_{\star}/M_{\odot}) > 9.5$) and 9648/467,214 (2.1%) dwarf ($\log (M_{\star}/M_{\odot}) \le 9.5$) galaxies. Among these AGN, 17,949 are broad-line candidates (BL-AGN) with broad H$α$ emission, enabling black hole (BH) mass estimates using single-epoch virial methods. We find that the AGN fraction in line-emitting galaxies increases monotonically with stellar mass, rising from $\sim$1.4% at the low-mass end to $\sim$93.3% at the high-mass end. Using the large BL-AGN sample, we extend the $M_{\rm BH} - M_{\star}$ scaling relation down to $\log (M_{\star}/M_{\odot}) \approx 7.8$ and $\log (M_{\rm BH}/M_{\odot}) \approx 4.4$. In the context of high-redshift overmassive BHs, our results suggest that galaxies and their central BHs may follow two distinct evolutionary pathways across cosmic time. With this paper, we release the EmFit value-added catalog, containing emission-line flux and width measurements for $\sim$7.4 million galaxies, the largest catalog with emission-line decomposition into narrow, broad, and outflow components to date. This work significantly expands upon the early DESI results and provides a statistical sample for probing the galaxy$-$BH connection in the low-mass galaxy regime.

Pucha, Ragadeepika [Utah U.; Arizona U., Astron. D↗

Clustering of high-redshift quasars with DESI DR2

We present clustering measurements for high-redshift quasars using data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument Data Release 2. Our sample consists of quasars with $2.0 < z < 3.5$ in the luminosity range $M_{1450} \leq -19.94$ mag. We measure the mean quasar bias $b_Q(\bar{z} = 2.48) = 3.61 \pm 0.01$ for the full sample of $\sim 715,000$ quasars and quantify the redshift evolution of quasar bias by dividing the sample into four equal redshift bins. There is strong evolution of the quasar bias with redshift that is well fit by the function $b_Q(z) = a [(1 + z)^2 - 6.565] + b$ with $a=0.230 \pm 0.007$ and $b=2.394 \pm 0.035$, and this fit is also a good match to lower redshift measurements in the literature. This bias evolution is consistent with a characteristic halo mass of $\bar{M}_{\mathrm{h}} \sim 10^{12}\,\mathrm{M_\odot}$ that does not vary significantly with redshift. The inferred duty cycles for quasars in our sample are $f_{\mathrm{duty}} \sim 10^{-2}$, staying mostly constant over redshifts. We investigate the luminosity dependence of quasar clustering by dividing each of our four redshift bins into three luminosity bins. The size of our quasar sample permits the first statistically significant measurement of the luminosity dependence of quasar bias at these redshifts. We measure weak dependence of quasar bias on luminosity at fixed redshift, inconsistent with no dependence, but weaker than predicted by a model in which quasar luminosity is tightly correlated with halo mass. These clustering measurements provide a stringent test for models of active black hole light curves and the black hole-halo connection at high redshift.

Charles, M. [Ohio State U.; Chicago U., KICP] (ORC↗

In-Band Scattering and Absorption of Infrared Blocking Foam Filters for Millimeter-wave Cameras

Expanded closed-cell polymer foams are widely used as thermal infrared (IR) blocking filters in millimeter-wave cameras, particularly for Cosmic Microwave Background observations. Precise knowledge of their millimeter-wave properties is essential for optimizing sensitivity. We present broadband (150 GHz - 2 THz) transmittance spectroscopy of Styroace-II and several Zotefoam filters, fitting their spectra with a radiative transfer model incorporating dielectric absorption and Rayleigh, Mie, and higher-order scattering. For a typical 5~cm thick filter stack at 280~GHz, Styroace-II exhibits ${\sim}10\%$ scattering with absorption estimated as ${\lesssim}5\%$ by effective-medium theory, while Zotefoam HD30 offers superior performance at ${\sim}3\%$ scattering and absorption likewise bounded to ${{\lesssim}0.3\%}$. Each model component is constrained at the ${\sim}0.1\%$ transmittance level for millimeter wavelengths. We observe batch-to-batch scattering variability of up to 2 percentage points in foams with multiple tested batches. Less commonly used Zotefoam formulations (LD15 and LD24) can further reduce in-band scattering to ${<}1\%$ while maintaining negligible in-band absorption and likely comparable IR blocking due to shared polyethylene absorption features and similar cell sizes. Based on this work, a filter constructed from the best measured LD24 batch has replaced the Styroace-II filter in a Simons Observatory 220/280 GHz Small Aperture Telescope.

Thomas, Alex [Chicago U., Astron. Astrophys. Ctr.;↗

Searching for heavy charged relics in the Earth

We propose a method for detecting an ambient density of heavy, electrically-charged particles. Such particles would impact the Earth, lose energy in terrestrial matter, and become trapped. We study the accumulation of these rare particles in multiple target materials that provide large exposure, such as water and geological rocks. We discuss strategies for concentrating the particles by centrifugation or gravitational settling, along with particle identification using mass spectrometry. This method enables the discovery of charged relics with masses $1-10^{12}\,{\rm TeV}$ comprising a tiny fraction of the local dark matter density, reaching down to $f_X\sim 10^{-20}$ at the lowest masses. A pathfinder experiment using only a liter of water and one centrifuge (or $\sim \text{m}^3$ and no centrifuge) operating for a month can already reach $f_X\sim 10^{-10}$ and probe new parameter space.

Ebadi, Reza [Johns Hopkins U.; Delaware U.] (ORCID↗

In situ molecular imaging of ion clusters reveals the acid gas capture capacity and mechanism of water-lean ionic liquids

Water-lean solvents are a promising technology for capturing acid gases like carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). In situ liquid time-of-flight secondary ionization mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS) is used to study a representative solvent N-(2-ethoxyethyl)-3-morpholinopropan-1-amine (2-EEMPA) with different CO 2 loadings to reveal the complex solvent structure upon CO 2 capture. Characteristic peaks of 2-EEMPA, such as m/z – 215 C 11 H 23 N 2 O 2 – (deprotonated 2-EEMPA) and m/z + 217 C 11 H 25 N 2 O 2 + (protonated 2-EEMPA), are detected due to acid gas uptake. Also, solvent molecules and carboxylate ion pairs, such as m/z – 259 C 12 H 23 N 2 O 4 – [(deprotonated 2-EEMPA∙∙∙CO 2 )] and m/z + 261 C 12 H 25 N 2 O 4 + (protonated 2-EEMPA∙∙∙CO 2 ), are observed. Interestingly, more than one CO 2 molecule can be captured per each solvent molecule as evidenced in SIMS mass spectra, for example, m/z – 321 C 13 H 25 N 2 O 7 – [(deprotonated 2-EEMPA)∙∙∙2CO 2 ∙∙∙H 2 O], m/z + 305 C 13 H 25 N 2 O 4 + [(protonated 2-EEMPA)∙∙∙2CO 2 ], m/z – 389 C 17 H 29 N 2 O 8 – [(deprotonated 2-EEMPA)∙∙∙3CO 2 ∙∙∙3CH 2 ], and m/z + 373 C 16 H 25 N 2 O 8 + [(protonated 2-EEMPA)∙∙∙3CO 2 ∙∙∙2C]. However, the monomer of 2-EEMPA and CO 2 seems to be most prevalent. Furthermore, solvent clusters are detected in loaded solvents, for instance m/z + 433 C 22 H 49 N 4 O 4 + [(2-EEMPA)2∙∙∙H] and m/z + 646 [(2-EEMPA) 3 -2H], while capturing CO 2 at different amounts. Relative abundance of cluster ions provides a semi-qualitative venue to assess the free energies of gas capture energetics, indicating the relative stability trend within the same solvent system, previously impossible. These observed ion clusters are verified with molecular modeling, where dimer, trimer, and cluster ions are validated for their presence either due to weak molecular interactions or hydrogen bonds. In situ molecular imaging of ionic liquids and molecular modeling reveals that the acid gas capture mechanism by ionic liquids includes both physical adsorption and chemical bonding with multiple reaction pathways, engaging cluster formation and alteration of solvent structures.

Acid gas capture↗

Wave-powered water pump for upwelling in aquaculture: Numerical model and ocean test

Wave-powered upwelling can increase the productivity and survivability of several aquaculture species. This enhancement is due to transporting cold, nutrient-rich ocean water, typically found lower in the water column, to the surface. Macroalgaes, like kelp, exhibit increased growth from these altered conditions. The University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) wave-powered water pump (wave pump) is a point absorber wave energy converter (WEC) that uses ocean waves to create relative motion between a spar buoy and a concentric float which drives an internal pump. A numerical model of the wave pump was developed using WEC-Sim to predict device performance in the ocean. Wave pump performance was evaluated during a five day ocean test near Appledore Island in Maine in March 2023, where volumetric flow rate, relative distance between spar and float, and wave conditions were measured. These data were then used for numerical model validation. The ocean deployment recorded the device’s performance in a variety of sea states, with average significant wave heights up to 0.7 m. The ocean test data were compared to the WEC-Sim numerical model of the device with favorable results. Average values of device stroke period, stroke height, and flow rate agreed between the ocean test and model data to within approximately 16 to 22%. Furthermore, the validated numerical model provides a valuable tool for improving the design and developing a commercial-scale, wave-powered water pump for use in aquaculture.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

TEAMER: Triton Systems Oscillating Water Column Modeling Data and Report

This dataset provides the output of six Wave Energy Converter Simulator (WEC-Sim) simulations and accompanying documentation for the modeling of Triton Systems' oscillating water column (OWC) system at tank scale (validated using available data for tuning the model, Tests 1-2) and deployment scale (for which no validation data is available, Tests 4-6). Included are the output data in a MATLAB file structure, a comprehensive report on the modeling and design of the Triton OWC system, and a link to the WEC-Sim GitHub page. This work was supported by funding from TEAMER RFTS 5 (Request for Technical Support).

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Wide angle astrometric demonstration on the micro-arcsecond metrology testbed for the space interferometry mission

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) requires fringe measurements to the level of picometers in order to produce astrometric data at the micro-arc-second level. To be more specific, it is necessary to measure both the position of the starlight central fringe and the change in the internal optical path of the interferometer to a few hundreds of picometers. The internal path is measured with a small heterodyne metrology beam, whereas the starlight fringe position is estimated with a CCD sampling a large concentric annular beam. One major challenge for SIM is to align the metrology beam with the starlight beam to keep the consistency between these two sensors at the system level while articulating the instrument optics over the field of view.

metrology↗