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At least 397 records · Page 22

Limits of Gaussian fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background at 19.2 GHz

The Northern Hemisphere data from the 19.2 GHz full sky survey are analyzed to place limits on the magnitude of Gaussian fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background implied by a variety of correlation functions. Included among the models tested are the monochromatic and Gaussian-shaped families, and those with power-law spectra for n values between -2 and 1. An upper bound is placed on the quadrupole anisotropy of Delta T/T less than 3.2 x 10 exp -5 rms, and an upper bound on scale-invariant (n = 1) fluctuations of a2 less than 4.5 x 10 exp -5 (95 percent confidence level). There is significant contamination of these data from Galactic emission, and improvement of the modeling of the Galaxy could yield a significant reduction of these upper bounds.

Boughn, S. P.↗

Thermal design, testing, and analysis of the Cosmic Background Explorer's external calibrator

The thermal design of a calibrator used to correlate the collected data with an absolute reference onboard of the Cosmic Background Explorer is considered. Since flight conditions could not be simulated in ground testing, the design was qualified by analysis and testing. The requirements imposed on the calibrator are outlined, along with spacecraft hardware modifications aimed at reducing the thermal load on the calibrator. A geometric mathematical model created in order to obtain view factors from the cryogenic instruments to the spacecraft and dewar is discussed. It is shown that the calibrator met or exceeded all of its performance requirements, and that the modifications to such energy sources as the thermal shield and differential microwave radiometers proved effective in reducing the radiative energy the calibrator received from the spacecraft to acceptable levels.

Mosier, Carol L.↗

Time correlations between low and high energy gamma rays from discrete sources

Activities covered the following areas: (1) continuing analysis of the Cygnus Experiment data on the shadowing of cosmic rays by the moon and sun, which led to a direct confirmation of the angular resolution of the CYGNUS EAS array; and (2) development of analysis methods for the daily search overlapping with EGRET targets. To date, no steady emission of ultrahigh energy (UHE) gamma rays from any source has been detected by the Cygnus Experiment, but some evidence for sporadic emission had been found. Upper limits on steady fluxes from 49 sources in the northern hemisphere have been published. In addition, a daily search of 51 possible sources over the interval April 1986 to June 1992 found no evidence for emission. From these source lists, four candidates were selected for comparison with EGRET data.

Ellsworth, R. W.↗

The composition of cosmic rays at high energies

Measurements of the composition of the cosmic rays at high energies, and of the energy spectra of the individual components provide the basis for the understanding of the sources, of the acceleration mechanism, and of the galactic containment of these particles. A brief review of the presently available information and a recent measurement performed on the Space Shuttle to substantially extend the range of energies in which the elemental composition is known are described. Results, and recent data on the electron component of cosmic rays are discussed and summarized. The body of data now available contains several features that are difficult to explain within current models of galactic shock acceleration and 'leakly box' containment. The need for further measurements is emphasized and possible opportunities for future work are briefly discussed.

Muller, Dietrich↗

Measurement of the primary cosmic electron spectrum from 10 to about 250-GeV

The intensity and energy spectrum of primary cosmic electrons from 10 to approximately 250 GeV was studied using balloon-borne detectors. Both of the detectors were large area ionization calorimeters with frequent sampling of showering particles and were capable of energy resolution of approximately 7%. A time-of-flight system and detectors to sample the lateral properties of showers were used to examine and improve background rejection. The results of the balloon flights from Alamogordo, N.M. in 1970 and Cape Girardeau, Missouri in 1972 indicated that the primary cosmic ray electron differential energy spectrum exhibits no change of slope in the energy range measured and is well represented by a power law. These results indicate that the cosmic electron spectrum is steeper than the cosmic ray proton spectrum. It is shown that these data are consistent with the leakage lifetime model for the propagation of cosmic electrons in the Galaxy, although other more complex models cannot be excluded on the basis of these data.

Silverberg, R. F.↗

Measurement of the primary cosmic electron spectrum from 10 to about 250 GeV

The intensity and energy spectrum of primary cosmic electrons from 10 to about 250 GeV have been studied by using balloon-borne detectors. The detectors were large-area ionization calorimeters which sampled showering particles frequently and demonstrated an energy resolution of about 7% in calibration tests. On one of the flights a time-of-flight system and detectors to sample the lateral properties of showers were used to examine and to test background rejection. The results of the balloon flights from Alamogordo, N. Mex., in 1970 and Cape Girardeau, Mo., in 1972 indicated that the primary cosmic ray electron differential energy spectrum exhibits no change of slope in the energy range measured and is well represented by a power law. The results indicate that the cosmic electron spectrum is steeper than the cosmic ray proton spectrum. It is shown that these data are consistent with the leakage lifetime model for the propagation of cosmic electrons in the galaxy, although other more complex models cannot be excluded on the basis of these data.

Silverberg, R. F.↗

Supernova remnants and the interstellar medium - Constraints from cosmic-ray acceleration

The reacceleration rate of cosmic rays by supernova (SN) remnants is calculated and expressed in terms of the parameters determining the cosmic ray model and the SN expansion. It is shown that the constraint on reacceleration derived from the B/C data leads to constraint on the expansion of SN remnants in the ISM and on the effective density of ISM. The effect of cloud evaporation is estimated and the expansion rate of supernova remnants, cosmic ray reacceleration, and the state of the ISM are solved for simultaneously. In the resulting self-consistent solution, SN remnants produce a reacceleration rate and an effective acceleration shock strength which is consistent with the values indicated by the cosmic ray data.

Wandel, A.↗

Ionization states of low-energy cosmic rays - Results from Spacelab 3 cosmic-ray experiment

The Indian cosmic ray experiment Anuradha, conducted onboard Spacelab 3 during April 29-May 6, 1985 was designed to obtain information on the ionization states of low-energy cosmic rays, using the geomagnetic field as a rigidity filter to place an upper limit on the ionization state of individual cosmic ray particles. This paper presents data confirming the presence of three distinct groups of energetic particles in the near-earth space: (1) low-energy (15-25 MeV/nucleon) anomalous cosmic rays that are either singly ionized or consistent with their being in singly ionized state, (2) fully ionized galactic cosmic ray ions, and (3) partially ionized iron and sub-iron group ions (which account for about 20 percent of all the iron and sub-iron group ions detected at the Spacelab 3 orbit within the magnetosphere in the energy interval 25-125 MeV/nucleon). It is argued that these partially ionized heavy ions are indeed a part of the low-energy galactic cosmic rays present in the interplanetary space.

Dutta, A.↗

Cosmic radiation exposure in subsonic air transport

Data derived from 1973 statistics on 2.99 million intercity flights carrying 468 million seats were included in the calculations, yielding a total of 581 billion seat-kilometer. The average flight was 1,084 km in length, was flown at an altitude of 9.47 km, and lasted 1.41 h. The average dose rate was 0.20 mrem/h, resulting in an average passenger dose of 2.82 mrem/year and an average crewmember dose of 160 mrem/year. The average radiation dose to the total U.S. population was 0.47 mrem/person/year. These results are in good agreement with data from several experiments performed by us and others in aircraft at various altitudes and latitudes. The significance of these doses to the population is discussed.

Wallace, R. W.↗

Cosmic ray anisotropies observed late in the decay phase of solar flare events

Data was obtained from instrumentation on Explorers 34 and 41 on cosmic-ray anisotropy and magnetic field vectors during five solar flare events. The analysis was conducted in the energy range from 0.7 to 7.6 MeV, of the late decay phase, to evaluate the dependence of net cosmic-ray anisotropy vector amplitude and direction on the magnetic field azimuth. Results showed that in the late decay phase the direction of the net cosmic-ray anisotropy vector was invariant in relation to the direction of the magnetic field, particle energy, and species. Within the statistical error of the available data the invariant direction was perpendicular to the mean magnetic field direction.

Allum, F. R.↗

Observations related to the acceleration, injection, and interplanetary propagation of energetic protons during the solar cosmic ray event on February 16, 1984

This paper presents an analysis of data collected by the worldwide network of neutron monitors and from IMP-8 cosmic-ray telescopes, as well as by particle detectors on the GOES 5 and 6 and ICE satellites, on the solar cosmic ray event that took place on February 16, 1984. Using these data, the intensity-time (IT) profiles, the anisotropy-time profiles, the energy spectra, and the pitch angle distributions of the solar protons near earth were deduced. It was found that the solar protons propagated essentially scatter-free from the sun to the earth. The solar protons had easy access to the IMF lines to earth; the time from the onset to maximum intensity and the shape of the IT profiles at earth as a function of energy could be explained by the diffusion of the flare protons near the acceleration region. The energy spectrum of the solar flare protons injected into the undisturbed IMF at the sun was changing with time in both amplitude and shape. The observations suggest a shock acceleration process.

Debrunner, H.↗

An Improved Analytic Model for Microdosimeter Response

An analytic model used to predict energy deposition fluctuations in a microvolume by ions through direct events is improved to include indirect delta ray events. The new model can now account for the increase in flux at low lineal energy when the ions are of very high energy. Good agreement is obtained between the calculated results and available data for laboratory ion beams. Comparison of GCR (galactic cosmic ray) flux between Shuttle TEPC (tissue equivalent proportional counter) flight data and current calculations draws a different assessment of developmental work required for the GCR transport code (HZETRN) than previously concluded.

Shinn, Judy L.↗

Schedule-Report-Generator Computer Program

Schedule Report Generator provides simple method for generating periodic schedule reports. Enables engineering manager to monitor tasks assigned to staff members on weekly basis. Sorts three types of reports by use of one or more data fields as sorting keys. Schedule Organizer (SO) (COSMIC program MSC-21525), Schedule Tracker (ST) (COSMIC program MSC-21526), and Schedule Report Generator (SRG) computer programs manipulating data-base files in ways advantageous in scheduling. Written in PL/1 and DEC Command Language (DCL).

Collazo, Fernando F.↗

Remote Sensing Spinoff

Delta Data Systems Inc., founded by ex-NASA engineers, used ELAS, a COSMIC-provided computer program for processing remotely sensed data as a starting point for its development of ATLAS. ATLAS is used to process satellite and aircraft data, to digitize soil topographic maps, and to generate land use maps. Among its applications are medical digital processing, food processing, and specialized services for the remote sensing community.

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