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At least 415 records · Page 23

Hard cosmic X-ray sources.

A review of the observational status of X-ray sources detected in the 20 to 500 keV range is presented. Of the approximately 115 sources listed in the March 1972 edition of the UHURU 2-6 keV sky survey catalog, about 15 sources have been studied in hard X rays. Most of the data have been obtained from balloons, although the OSO-3, and more recently the OSO-7, have contributed. With the exception of CEN A, the SMC, and possibly M-87, all the sources detected at higher energies are galactic and heavily concentrated in the galactic plane. The Crab Nebula has been measured to about 500 keV in continuous emission and a component at the 33-msec pulsar period comprising about 20% of the total emission has been detected to 10 MeV. Objects such as SCO-1 and CYG-2 are characterized by an exponential spectrum, which varies over a 10-min time scale about a factor of two, and a flatter spectrum extending to above 40 keV which exhibits independent variability.

Peterson, L. E.↗

Galactic X-ray polarimetry and high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy.

Stellar X-ray spectroscopy and polarimetry are discussed in terms of the source parameters that can be determined through such studies and in terms of the constraints that these studies will place on theoretical models. The spectroscopic and polarimetric results that have been obtained to date are reviewed. These include the recent discovery of X-ray polarization in the Crab Nebula and the recent evidence for X-ray coronal line emission in the Cygnus Loop. Finally, the properties and predicted performance of a number of satellite-borne spectrometers and polarimeters are presented.

Novick, R.↗

Model studies of crosswind landing-gear configurations for STOL aircraft

A dynamic model was used to directly compare four different crosswind landing gear mechanisms. The model was landed as a free body onto a laterally sloping runway used to simulate a crosswind side force. A radio control system was used for steering to oppose the side force as the model rolled to a stop. The configuration in which the landing gears are alined by the pilot and locked in the direction of motion prior to touchdown gave the smoothest runout behavior with the vehicle maintaining its crab angle throughout the landing roll. Nose wheel steering was confirmed to be better than steering with nose and main gears differentially or together. Testing is continuing to obtain quantitative data to establish an experimental data base for validation of an analytical program that will be capable of predicting full scale results.

Stubbs, S. M.↗

Recent observations of cosmic gamma-rays from 10 MeV to 1 GeV

Recent observations of cosmic gamma rays made subsequent to the discovery of energetic protons from the galactic plane are discussed. The main areas covered include: (1) gamma ray emission from the plane galaxy, with emphasis on observations made in the vicinity of the galactic center, (2) gamma ray emission from the Crab nebula and its pulsar, and (3) diffuse gamma radiation.

Share, G. H.↗

Investigation of gamma rays from the galactic center

Data from Argentine balloon flights made to investigate gamma ray emission from the galactic center are summarized. Data are also summarized from a Palestine, Texas balloon flight to measure gamma rays from NP 0532 and Crab Nebulae.

Helmken, H. F.↗

Study of optical properties of X-ray sources

X-ray sources are reported for HZ Herculis, supergiant primary X-ray binary systems, and Cyg X-3. Also reported is an analysis of earlier optical and X-ray observations, along with optical coverage of the 1974 lunar occulation of the Crab Nebula.

Vandenbout, P. A.↗

Rotating neutron star models and pulsars

Recently developed equations of state are used to construct fully relativistic models of rotating neutron stars. All of these stable neutron star models are bound. Consideration of binding energies suggests that very-low-mass neutron stars will not be formed in supernova explosions. Some criteria for equations of state are derived from a comparison with observations. Limits for the physical parameters of the Crab pulsar are obtained. In addition, we find that cosmic-ray protons cannot be produced by pulsars.

Boerner, G.↗

Magnetosphere structure and radiation mechanisms of pulsars

A presentation is made of the two main models of the radiation mechanism of pulsars: the light cylinder model and the polar cap model. They have to account for gamma radiation, radio and X-ray emission, and in the case of the Crab pulsar, optical radiation. It is hypothesized that pair creation is essential for radio emission. None of the models yields a theoretical pulse-width-period distribution or braking index that correlates well with observations. A revision of the polar cap model suggests that a glitch may be present in the magnetosphere, necessitating the presence of a large centrifugal force strong enough to tear open the magnetic field lines into a Y-type configuration. This model yields a braking index in line with observations.

Roberts, D. H.↗

Cooling of dense stars

Some recent work on thermal properties of dense stars is described. It is now generally believed that pulsars are rotating, magnetic neutron stars (Gold, 1968). Moreover, theoretical considerations and some observational evidence (such as the speed-ups of the Crab and Vela pulsars) suggest the presence of superfluids in neutron stars. In the earlier cooling calculations the effect of magnetic fields and superfluidity was not taken into account. In the recent work, emphasis was placed on the effect of these new factors, which were expected to reduce cooling rates significantly. The new outcome may prove valuable for the understanding of pulsar and X-ray star problems.

Tsuruta, S.↗

Galactic X-ray sources

Data on galactic X-ray sources from rocket and balloon experiments and the UHURU satellite are reported. The outline emphasizes general discrete source models and begins with some a priori considerations about X-ray emission mechanisms and their applicability, after which contemporary data are interpreted according to these models. Topics covered include the production of X-rays by various mechanisms, source regimes, observational parameters, stellar distributions, individual stars, flare stars, supernovae and pulsars, the Crab nebula, old and young remnants, binary systems, and others.

Holt, S. S.↗

The UCSD/MIT hard X-ray and low energy gamma ray experiment for HEAO-A

An HEAO-A spacecraft is described which is scheduled for launch in April 1977 to survey the sky in the 0.15 keV to 10 MeV range of X-rays with improved sensitivity and angular resolution. The spectral and time variations of discrete sources, and the spectrum and isotropy of the diffuse component will be measured. A hard X-ray and low energy gamma ray experiment is described which will use as an array of seven (NaI)(Tl)/CsI(Na) phoswich detectors and eight large CsI(Na) shields. Detector events are pulse-height analyzed with a selectable time resolution of 0.1, 0.005, or 0.00002 sec. The instrument background is expected to be comprised of approximately equal parts of diffuse gamma rays entering the aperture, radioactive decay of spallation products, and gamma ray leakage through the shields. Detailed background predictions are presented, and sensitivity estimates indicate that the Crab nebula should be detected up to approximately 5 MeV. Approximate 1% isotropy limits for the diffuse component of cosmic gamma rays should be achieved, and its spectrum measured with improved precision.

Matteson, J. L.↗

Observations of discrete gamma ray sources with SAS-2

Compact gamma ray sources centered on the Crab nebula and the Vela X supernova remnant are considered. An excess in the galactic radiation was observed in both regions. Data indicate that a large fraction of this flux is pulsed. The excess from the Vela region could reflect either a large-scale galactic feature, such as a superposition of spiral arm segments, or it could be associated with the Vela supernova remnant. Low-energy gamma ray bursts were observed in the SAS-2 anticoincidence shielding.

Thompson, D. J.↗

X-ray astronomy

Various experiments in X-ray astronomy are described. The occurrence of lunar occultations of the Crab Nebula were utilized to determine the spatial distribution of X-ray emitting regions in the nebula. Study of the Cygnus Loop included a search for a central X-ray point source for the area and measurement of the energy spectrum of the flux from the supernova remnant. The X-ray morphology of the Perseus cluster of galaxies was studied. X-ray spectra of different points in the cluster were also obtained. In addition, the construction of a high resolution gas fluorescence proportional counter for application to X-ray astronomy is discussed.

Novick, R.↗

Gamma ray astronomy

A survey of the instruments developed for gamma ray astronomy is given together with a brief summary of the current status of the observational results. These include the studies of galactic gamma ray emission, the diffuse, presumably extragalactic, gamma radiation, and localized gamma ray sources. The study of the spatial distribution of galactic gamma radiation is beginning to provide a new means for the study of galactic structure and dynamics. The diffuse emission may provide evidence of gamma ray emission in the cosmological past, although improved observations must be obtained before the picture can be clarified. The study of localized sources has shown NP0532, the Crab radio pulsar, to be a gamma ray pulsar also and strong emission from Vela may be due to supernova produced cosmic rays interacting with the remnant gas.

Kniffen, D.↗

High-energy gamma-ray results from the second small astronomy satellite

Data are reported which were obtained with a high-energy (exceeding 35 Mev) gamma-ray telescope flown on the second Small Astronomy Satellite (SAS-2). The high-energy galactic gamma radiation is observed to dominate over the general diffuse radiation along the entire galactic plane, and its longitudinal and latitudinal distributions appear to be generally correlated with galactic structural features, particularly with arm segments. Principally on the basis of its angular distribution and magnitude, it is suggested that this radiation results primarily from cosmic-ray interactions with interstellar matter. A uniform celestial gamma radiation appears to have been detected; the form of its differential spectrum over the energy range from about 35 to 170 MeV is obtained, and a cosmological origin is suggested for this radiation. In addition to the general galactic emission, high-energy gamma radiation was detected from the Crab Nebula, Vela X, a general region toward the galactic center, and a region located a few degrees north of the galactic plane. Upper limits to the high-energy gamma ray fluxes are set for a number of localized sources.

Fichtel, C. E.↗

Observations of variable X-ray sources in globular clusters

The discovery is reported of a variable X-ray source at midgalactic latitude in the globular cluster NGC 1851, and observations are reported which confirm the existence of variable X-ray sources in NGC 7078 and NGC 6441. The new source, designated MX 0513-40, was found to vary in intensity by a factor of at least 5 over a sixteen-day period and to have a hard spectrum as compared to that of the Crab Nebula in the energy range from 1 to 10 keV. The source in NGC 7078 (3U 2131+11) was found to vary by more than a factor of 2 over a 500-day period. Strong evidence of variability is presented for the source in NGC 6441 (3U 1746-37). It is concluded that both MX 0513-40 and 3U 2131+11 are probably stellar objects and are no more than about 160 kpc distant.

Clark, G. W.↗

Trace elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis for pollution monitoring

Methods and technology were developed to analyze 1000 samples/yr of coal and other pollution-related samples. The complete trace element analysis of 20-24 samples/wk averaged 3-3.5 man-hours/sample. The computerized data reduction scheme could identify and report data on as many as 56 elements. In addition to coal, samples of fly ash, bottom ash, crude oil, fuel oil, residual oil, gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, filtered air particulates, ore, stack scrubber water, clam tissue, crab shells, river sediment and water, and corn were analyzed. Precision of the method was plus or minus 25% based on all elements reported in coal and other sample matrices. Overall accuracy was estimated at 50%.

Sheibley, D. W.↗