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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 451 records · Page 25
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NASA NTRS1988

High spatial resolution infrared imaging of L1551-IRS 5 - Direct observations of its circumstellar envelope

Images of L1551-IRS 5 were obtained at 1.65, 2.2, and 3.8 microns using the University of Rochester's Infrared Array Camera. It is found that IRS 5 is spatially resolved, and that it is elongated: the observed FWHM size of IRS 5 is 4.1 x 2.8 arcsec-squared at 2.2 microns. These observations are interpreted in terms of a flattened circumstellar envelope that is viewed from about 18 deg above its equatorial plane, a configuration that has been treated theoretically by Lefevre et al. In this model the central star is not seen directly, but only light scattered toward the observer from the visible polar region, where the envelope is thinnest, is observed. It is deduced that the envelope has a diameter of 1000 AU, a molecular hydrogen density of greater than or approximately equal to 4 x 10 to the 6th/cu cm, and a mass of greater than or approximately equal to 0.02 M solar mass, which results in an extinction of Av greater than about 33 mag to the central source.

Moneti, Andrea↗
NASA NTRS1988

Classical bump Cepheids - Reconciliation of theory with observations

New models of classical bump Cepheids lying along the Cepheid ridge line in the H-R diagram are computed to obtain a more accurate set of predicted surface velocity curves. Acceptable Cepheid models are found to be 0.5 mag brighter at a fixed stellar mass than standard evolutionary models. All the previously obtained manifestations of the Cepheid mass discrepancy, except for the anomalous double-mode Cepheid masses, are resolved, at least in a statistical sense, by accepting the implied luminosity increase. The need for the luminosity increase is independently inferred from standard evolutionary models of intermediate-mass and high-mass giant and supergiant stars from their location in the observational H-R diagram.

Carson, T. Richard↗
NASA NTRS1988

The Mark III stellar interferometer

The Mark III interferometer is an operational long baseline stellar interferometer on Mt. Wilson with four-possible baseline configurations from 9m NE-SW to 20m N-S. The interferometer was designed to be a highly automated astronomical instrument to measure stellar positions and diameters to a magnitude limit of seven. Initial fringe observations were made in September 1986 with a 12-m N-S baseline. In the following months, semi-automated astrometric and stellar diameter measurements were also made. This paper describes the hardware and software components of the instrument and its operational characteristics. The interferometer has several novel features. One is the use of optimal estimation and control algorithms (e.g. Kalman filters) in the control loops. Another is the ability to operate both as a closed-loop phased interferometer and eventually as an open-loop or absolute coherent interferometer. High thermal stability and mechanical accuracy should permit the instrument to point blind at an astronomical object and maintain optical path equality to within the limits set by the atmosphere. In this absolute interferometric mode of operation, it should be possible to observe faint astronomical objects that are too dim for phase tracking. In theory, measurements of amplitude, group delay, and closure phase will be possible to 14 mag.

Shao, M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Identifications and limited spectroscopy for Luyten common proper motion stars with probable white dwarf components. I - Pair brighter than 17th magnitude

Identifications are provided for 103 bright Luyten common proper motion (CPM) stellar systems with m(pg) less than 17.0 mag containing likely white dwarf (WD) components. New spectral types are presented for 55 components, and spectral types for 51 more are available in the literature. With the CPM systems previously published by Giclas et al. (1978), the Luyten stars provide a uniform sample of nearly 200 pairs or multiples brighter than 17h magnitude. Selection effects biasing the combined samples are discussed; in particular, evidence is presented that fewer than 1 percent of wide WD binaries have been detected.

Oswalt, Terry D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A new sample of quasars to B = 22.0

A new sample of quasars with complete spectroscopic information down to about 22 mag is presented. The candidate selection and preliminary spectroscopic results are reported. Results are reported from the application of color-color diagrams, grism plates, and variability analysis in the quasar selection. The results on quasar counts, redshift distribution, and luminosity function at high redshift are discussed.

Marano, B.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The distribution of IRAS galaxies towards the Bootes void

A redshift survey was completed for 342 galaxies detected by the IRAS in the direction of the Bootes void discovered by Kirshner et al. The number density of IRAS galaxies is well determined from the shallower full-sky redshift survey of Strauss et al. Four IRAS galaxies are found within the void as defined by Kirshner et al., of which three are part of a complete sample, implying a density depression of a factor of 4. The underdense region continues to a distance of at least 4000 km/s from the nominal center of the void. Three of the IRAS galaxies studied in this paper were previously unknown. These galaxies have emission-line spectra characteristic of H II regions, and red continuum magnitudes ranging from 16 to 17.5 mag, and thus are bright enough to have been detected in a wide-angle redshift survey as deep as that of Kirshner et al. The luminosity function derived from this sample is in good agreement with that of Lawrence et al.

Strauss, Michael A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Abundance effects on the Cepheid distance scale

A new investigation of the dependence of the period-luminosity (PL) and period-luminosity-color (PLC) relations on the helium and metal abundances in classical Cepheids is presented. Composition dependences are assigned to all quantitites under study, so that the results represent a true theoretical prediction. It is found that the PLC relation in B,V magnitudes is at least five times more sensitive to chemical composition than is the PL relation. If the PL relation is adopted and the helium abundance is held fixed, a Cepheid with Z = 0.005 should be fainter than one with Z = 0.02 by about 0.04 mag. Since the slope of the predicted PL relation is independent of chemical composition, the PL relation can be considered to be effectively universal. Additional supporting observational evidence is described, and theoretical results are also presented for the bolometric PL relation, whose slope and dependence on metal abundance should be roughly applicable to infrared observations of Cepheids.

Stothers, Richard B.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Powerful warm infrared sources in early-type galaxies

IRAS far-infrared sources have been identified with 129 S0, Sa, Sb, and Sc galaxies in a statistically complete sample of 738 galaxies brighter than 14.5 mag and smaller than 4.0 arcmin. In most cases, the far-IR colors and the ratios of far-IR flux to radio flux density are those of normal galactic disks and/or starbursts. The most powerful far-IR sources in S0 and Sa galaxies are just as powerful as the strongest far-IR sources in Sb and Sc galaxies. Bright-IR sources in S0 and Sa galaxies are warm; those in Sc galaxies are cool. Sb galaxies have both warm and cool IR sources. Bright warm IR sources occur much more frequently in barred galaxies than in galaxies without bars for types S0, Sa, and Sb. Bright, cool IR sources are found with increasing frequency along the Hubble sequence, regardless of the presence or absence of a bar. At least some 'S0' galaxies with warm, bright IR sources have peculiar morphologies and ambiguous classifications.

Dressel, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Circular polarimetry of EXO 033319-2554.2 - A new eclipsing AM Herculis star

This Letter presents circular polarimetry that unequivocally identifies EXO 033319-2554.2 as only the third eclipsing AM Her star and brings the total number of AM Her stars now identified to 14. The orbital period is 126.4 minutes, as previously reported, and defines a new short-period edge to the period gap seen in all classes of cataclysmic variable stars. EXO 033319-2554.2 shows 2.5 mag deep eclipses of the predominantly accreting magnetic pole on the white dwarf. Before the eclipse, the pole rotates into the line of sight and shows white-light circular polarization, due to cyclotron radiation, that reaches values as high as 10 percent. There is some evidence that the second pole is emitting cyclotron radiation too. How high time resolution photometry, linear polarimetry, and spectroscopy will be of great value in understanding this system.

Berriman, Graham↗
NASA NTRS1988

Intrinsic integrated UBVRI colors of Galactic globular clusters

Published observational data on 50 Galactic globular clusters, including spectral classifications, homogenized colors, and color excesses, are compiled in extensive tables, graphs, and diagrams and analyzed to determine the intrinsic-color/integrated-spectral-type relationship in the UBVRI system. These relationships are found to exhibit significant slopes, although the RI colors do not contribute substantially to the intrinsic-color determination. The values of a(B-V) for the northern and southern Galactic hemispheres are found to be 0.068 + or - 0.006 and 0.039 + or - 0.003 mag, respectively.

Reed, B. Cameron↗
NASA NTRS1988

Large-amplitude photometric variations of Nereid

Photometric UVBRI and astrometric data on Nereid were collected in June, 1987 using the 0.9-m telescope and CCD camera at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. Four astrometric positions and UVBRI reflectances spanning eight days were obtained. From these data, an unusual reflectance spectrum for Nereid was determined. Variability of Nereid was observed in all bandpasses, with an amplitude greater than 1.5 mag and a probable period of between 8 and 24 hr.

Schaefer, Martha W.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The high-latitude F supergiant IRAS 18095 + 2704 - A proto-planetary nebula

The paper reports the discovery of a new high-latitude F supergiant, IRAS 18095 + 2704, which shows a large excess in the far-infrared. Ground-based observations have identified it as a V = 10.4 mag F3 Ib star which displays light and velocity variability. Comparison with the post-asymptotic giant branch (AGB) evolution model of Volk and Kwok suggests that it is an excellent candidate for a protoplanetary nebula. Model fitting of the spectrum of 18095 + 2704 from 0.35 to 100 microns suggests that it evolved from the AGB approximately 265 yr ago and had a mass-loss rate of 0.00003 solar mass/yr at the end of the AGB.

Hrivnak, Bruce J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The Progenitor of SN 1987A

Spatially resolved IUE spectra (1150 to 2000 A) taken at the position of SN 1987A in March 1987 show that the 12th mag B3 I star Sk -69 deg 202 disappeared. Only the fainter companion stars (Star 2 and Star 3) are present near the site of the supernova. It is concluded that Sk -69 deg 202 exploded to produce SN 1987A. The known characteristics of Sk -69 deg 202 are consistent with the interpretation that the progenitor was a relatively compact star, having a high-velocity low-density stellar wind prior to the outburst. Recent IUE spectra of SN 1987A (May 1988) show no evidence that Sk -69 deg 202 still exists inside the expanding ejecta.

Sonneborn, G.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The complete visual light curve of SN 1987A: Thirteen months of FES observations

Visual brightness measurements of SN 1987A are being obtained with the IUE acquisition camera and star tracker Fine Error Sensor, (FES) as part of each ultraviolet observation. Due to IUE's around-the-clock operation and lack of clouds, the FES record of SN 1987A provides the most complete set of visual photometry of the supernova made by any single instrument. The data illustrate the photometric limitations of the FES (+ or - 0.03 mag). Use of differential photometric methods are recommended for IUE observers desiring accurate photometry from FES measurements made during their observing shifts.

Sonneborn, G.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A fibre optic, four channel comparative photometer

Development of a four channel comparative photometer is described. Tests have shown that it is stable from night to night and is capable of working in very poor sky conditions. Even when the sky conditions are so poor that stars are barely visible, light curves can still be obtained with an r.m.s. value of 0.0016 mag., provided that integration times that are long compared with the transparancy changes are possible.

Walker, E. N.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Monitoring solar-type stars for luminosity variations

Since 1984, researchers have made more than 1500 differential photometric b (471 nm) and y (551 nm) measurements of three dozen solar-like lower main sequence stars whose chromospheric activity was previosly studied by O. C. Wilson. Here, researchers describe their methodology and the statistical tests used to distinguish intrinsic stellar variability from observational and instrument errors. The incidence of detected variability among the program and comparison stars is summarized. Among the 100 plus pairs of stars measured differentially, only a dozen were found that were unusually constant, with peak-to-peak amplitudes of seasonal mean brightness smaller than 0.3 percent (0.003 mag) over a two-to-three-year interval.

Lockwood, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Correlations between optical/near-infrared and UV extinction parameters and the prediction of UV extinction from ground-based photometry

An analysis of the variability of absolute UV extinction, A lambda derived through the ratio total-to-selective extinction, R Av/E(B-V), for 31 lines of sight for which UV extinction parameters were derived, is presented. For these data, which sample a wide range of environments and which are characterized by R = 2.5 to 6.0, differences in the shapes of UV extinction curves are largely due to variations in optical/near-UV extinction through changes in R. From this, it is found that UV extinction curves can be reproduced with reasonable accuracy by simply knowing R. Detection of an A2175/E(B-V) = 10 + or - 1 mag implies that the total extinction at 2175 A can be estimated from E(B-V) alone.

Cardelli, Jason A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Reduction and analysis of photometric data on Comet Halley

The discovery that periodic variations in the brightness of Comet Halley were characterized by two unrelated frequencies implies that the nucleus is in a complex state of rotation. It either nutates as a result of the random addition of small torque perturbations accumulated over many perihelion passages, or the jet activity torques are so strong that it precesses wildly at each perihelion passage. To diagnose the state of nuclear rotation, researchers began a program to acquire photometric time series of the comet as it recedes from the sun. The intention is to observe the decay of the comet's atmosphere and then, when it is unemcumbered by the light of the coma, follow the light variation of the nucleus itself. The latter will be compared with preperihelion time series and the orientation of the nucleus at the time of Vega and Giotto flybys and an accurate rotational ephemeris constructed. Halley was observed on 38 nights during 1987 and approximately 21 nights in 1988. The comet moved from 5 AU to 8.5 AU during this time. The brightness of the coma was found to rapidly decrease in 1988 as the coma and cometary activity collapses. The magnitude in April 1988 was 19 mag (visual) and it is predicted that the nucleus itself will be the major contributor to the brightness in the 1988 and 1989 season.

Belton, Michael J. S.↗