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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 469 records · Page 26

Density sensitivity of the solar EUV emission from boron-like ions

The paper investigated the level populations and the line emission arising from ions of the boron isoelectronic sequence from C II to Ca XVI. It is found that, under conditions present in the solar corona, some of these ions have pairs of emission lines having intensity ratios which are density-sensitive. The boron-like lines observed in the solar spectrum between 300 and 1350 A are analyzed, and densities for quiet and active regions, coronal holes, sunspots, and flares are derived. Some aspects of the differences in the behavior of the emission from the lithium and boron sequences are also discussed.

Vernazza, J. E.↗

Jupiter's atmospheric composition and cloud structure deduced from absorption bands in reflected sunlight

The spectrum of sunlight reflected by Jupiter is analyzed by comparing observations of Woodman (1979) with multiple-scattering computations. The analysis yields information on the vertical cloud structure at several latitudes and on the abundance of CH4 and NH3 in the atmosphere of Jupiter. The abundances of CH4 and NH3 suggest that all ices and rocks are overabundant on Jupiter by a factor of 2 or more, providing an important constraint on models for the formation of Jupiter from the primitive solar nebula. The pressure level of the clouds, the gaseous NH3 abundance, the mean temperature profile, and the Clausius-Clapeyron relation suggest that these clouds are predominantly ammonia crystals with the cloud bottom at 600-700 mb. A diffuse distribution of aerosols exists between 150 and 500 mb, and the spectral variation of albedo reflects a changing bulk absorption coefficient of the material composing the aerosols and is diagnostic of the aerosol composition.

Sato, M.↗

High-resolution X-ray spectra of solar flares. IV - General spectral properties of M type flares

The spectral characteristics in selected narrow regions of the X-ray spectrum of class M solar flares are analyzed. High-resolution spectra in the ranges 1.82-1.97, 2.98-3.07, 3.14-3.24 and 8.26-8.53 A, which contain lines important for the determination of electron temperature and departure from ionization equilibrium, were recorded by spaceborne Bragg crystal spectrometers. Temperatures of up to 20,000,000 K are obtained from line ratios during flare rise phases in M as well as X flares, while in the decay phase the calcium temperature can be as low as 8,000,000 K, which is significantly lower than in X flares. Large nonthermal motions (on the order of 130 km/sec at most) are also observed in M as well as X flares, which are largest during the soft X-ray rise phase. Finally, it is shown that the method proposed by Gabriel and Phillips (1979) for detecting departures of electrons from Maxwellian velocity distributions is not sufficiently sensitive to give reliable results for the present data.

Feldman, U.↗

Suprathermal electron energy distribution within the dayside Venus ionosphere

The suprathermal electron energy distribution for the dayside ionosphere has been derived from data returned by the Pioneer-Venus orbiter retarding potential analyzer. The shape and magnitude of the spectrum are consistent with the assumption that solar EUV radiation is the only significant source. The magnitude of the spectrum and its variation with altitude suggest that significant vertical transport occurs, with the electrons being lost through the ionopause. In turn, significant vertical transport suggests that the effective vertical electron heat conductivity may be comparable to the field-free value. The heat input to the thermal electron gas from the measured suprathermal electron flux is too small by a factor of at least five to maintain the observed electron temperature profile if the electron thermal conductivity is assumed to be close to the field-free value. It is thus inferred that most of the heat is supplied by the solar wind.

Knudsen, W. C.↗

Relationships of a growing magnetic flux region to flares

The evolution of flare sites at the boundaries of major new and growing magnetic flux regions within complexes of active regions has been analyzed using H-alpha images. A spectrum of possible relationships of growing flux regions to flares is described. An 'intimate' interaction between old and new flux and flare sites occurs at the boundaries of their regions. Forced or 'intimidated' interaction involves new flux pushing older, lower flux density fields toward a neighboring old polarity inversion line, followed by the occurrence of a flare. In 'influential' interaction, magnetic lines of force over an old polarity inversion line reconnect to new emerging flux, and a flare occurs when the magnetic field overlying the filament becomes too weak to prevent its eruption. 'Inconsequential' interaction occurs when a new flux region is too small or has the wrong orientation for creating flare conditions. 'Incidental' interaction involves a flare occurring without any significant relationship to new flux regions.

Martin, S. F.↗

CCD observations of comet Tuttle 1980 XIII - The H2O(+) ionosphere

A CCD spectrum of comet Tuttle 1980h has been analyzed with emphasis on the emission of H2O(+) ions. The fine angular resolution (1.5 arcsec) and the capability of absolute brightness calibration of the CCD instrument made it possible to determine the spatial concentration of the H2O(+) ions of this faint comet and the total number of these ions confined within a spherical region. Solar photoionization of the H2O atmosphere can account for the production of the H2O(+) ions observed in the confined region. The dimension of the H2O(+) ionosphere at the time of observation was found to be comparatively small, implying the possible existence of an ionopause sharply delineating the extension of the cometary ionosphere.

Ip, W.-H.↗

Theory and simulations of broadband electrostatic noise in the geomagnetic tail

The excitation mechanism for broadband electrostatic noise (BEN) and the effects of BEN particles in the geomagnetic tail are examined using the linear analysis theory and particle simulations. The linear theory for electrostatic instabilities is discussed. The plasma sheet particle population is simulated using counter-streaming cold ion beams, and warm ions and electrons. The ion-ion instability, ion-acoustic mode, and the electrostatic ion cyclotron harmonic waves are studied. The velocity distributions, electric field intensity, and electron plasma waves for the plasma sheet boundary layer are evaluated. The frequency wave spectrum and particle distributions are computed and analyzed. The conditions for the two simulations, which differ only in beam ion drift speed, are described; it is observed that in the first simulation the dominate modes propagate parallel to the magnetic field and in the second simulation the propagation modes are oblique. The simulation data reveal that when beam temperature is smaller than plasma sheet temperature ion-acoustic and ion-ion instabilities grow to large amplitudes heating both electrons and ions. The data are compared to ISEE-1 observations and good correlation is obtained.

Ashour-Abdalla, M.↗

Ultra-high-energy photons from active galactic nuclei - Theory

First-order Fermi acceleration in collisionless shocks is supposed to operate in the central regions of AGN, initiating processes which ultimately result in ultrahigh energy (UHE) photons. This paper analyzes the formation of the UHE photon spectrum inside the central source. The escape probability of the UHE photons, the energy spectra of created electron-positron pairs, and their synchrotron radiation in the external region are calculated.

Sikora, Marek↗

Tertiary structure and thermal history of the Harquahala and Buckskin Mountains, west central Arizona - Implications for denudation by a major detachment fault system

A regional geometrical model for the Whipple-Buckskin-Bullard detachment system (referred to as the Whipple detachment system) is developed. Mineral separates from samples collected in the Harquahala and Buckskin mountains, which lie in the footwall of the Whipple detachment system, are analyzed by the Ar-40/Ar-39 age spectrum technique to determine the cooling history of the mountain range and the age of the metamorphism. Based on the cooling history of the mountains and the bedrock geology of the Harquahala Mountains, the initial geometry of the Whipple detachment system is reconstructed. Next, estimates of slip on the detachment fault and extension within the upper plate terrane are used to determine the regional pattern of extension. The data on the cooling history, structural geometry, and extension pattern are combined into a geometrical model which reconciles the geological data, according to which the breakaway zones represented by the Harquahala Mountains were unroofed by movement on the gently to moderately dipping segment of a great normal fault system as it cut through the upper crust.

Richard, Stephen M.↗

Liquid-Arc/Spark-Excitation Atomic-Emission Spectroscopy

Constituents of solutions identified in situ. Liquid-arc/spark-excitation atomic-emission spectroscopy (LAES) is experimental variant of atomic-emission spectroscopy in which electric arc or spark established in liquid and spectrum of light from arc or spark analyzed to identify chemical elements in liquid. Observations encourage development of LAES equipment for online monitoring of process streams in such industries as metal plating, electronics, and steel, and for online monitoring of streams affecting environment.

Schlagen, Kenneth J.↗

Efficient Two-Dimensional-FFT Program

Program computes 64 X 64-point fast Fourier transform in less than 17 microseconds. Optimized 64 X 64 Point Two-Dimensional Fast Fourier Transform combines performance of real- and complex-valued one-dimensional fast Fourier transforms (FFT's) to execute two-dimensional FFT and coefficients of power spectrum. Coefficients used in many applications, including analyzing spectra, convolution, digital filtering, processing images, and compressing data. Source code written in C, 8086 Assembly, and Texas Instruments TMS320C30 Assembly languages.

Miko, J.↗

Spectral-Content Readout Of Birefringent Sensor

Stresses and strains measured optically at temperatures up to 2,000 degrees F. Spectrum of light processed through polarizer, sensor, analyzer, and associated optical components measured and processed to extract amount of retardation and, equivalently, stress-induced birefringence in sensor. Method offers same advantages as electrical strain sensors, including acquisition of data from multiple locations and under dynamic conditions. Additional advantage: immunity of fiber-optic transmission to interference by electromagnetic interference at radio and lower frequencies.

Redner, Alex S.↗

Observations of R Coronae Borealis stars in decline - Empirical arguments for dust formation near the stellar surface

We present new IUE observations which monitor the spectroscopic evolution of RY Sgr through a deep decline. These data, along with other IUE, visible, and infrared observations of declines in RY Sgr, R CrB, and V854 Cen, are considered in an attempt to understand the dust formation process and the source of the narrow- and broad-line emission seen during declines. Spectroscopic, photometric, and polarimetric data covering 10 declines of these stars have been analyzed. The evolution of the UV emission spectrum is similar to that found in the visible. Previous models of dust formation assume that dust forms around 20 stellar radii, where gas ejected from the star is cool enough to condense. However, the spectral evolution, and the dispersal times of dust implied by the light curve are consistent with dust forming within a few stellar radii and moving outward due to radiation pressure. The expanding dust cloud eclipses the photosphere and parts of the emission line region, causing the observed spectral evolution.

Clayton, Geoffrey C.↗

Identification of CH(+) emission in the Red Rectangle

Waelkens et al. (1992) have recently reported high-resolution spectroscopic observations of the exciting star (HD 44179) of the Red Rectangle nebula. During this study a new set of sharp, optical emission features in the spectrum of the Red Rectangle was discovered. Here, these new features, which occur in the blue region of the spectrum between 4215 and 4245 A are analyzed and assigned to emission from low-lying rotational transitions in the (0,0) band of the A1Pi-Sigma(+) electronic system of the methylidyne ion, CH(+).

Balm, S. P.↗

Digging for Fossils in the Hertzsprung Gap

Objective was to conduct deep (approx. 250 ks) pointings on two EUV sources, the early-F giant beta Cas and the mid-G giant mu Velorum; to obtain spectra in the range 70-300 A and to record Deep Survey light curves over the extensive duration of each observation. We have analyzed the DS lightcurve and the SW spectrum, breaking the latter lip into time slices corresponding to key phases of the observation: pre-flare, flare rise, and two segments of the flare decay.

Ayres, Thomas R.↗

Experience of Application of Silicon Matrix as a Charge Detector in the ATIC Experiment

The Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC) was built for series of long-duration balloon flights in Antarctica. Its main goal is to measure energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei from protons up to iron nuclei in the wide range of their energy from 30 GeV up to 100 TeV. The ATIC balloon experiment had its first, test flight that lasted for 16 days from 28 Dec 2000 to 13 Jan 2001 around the South Pole. The ATIC spectrometer consists of a fully active BGO calorimeter, scintillator hodoscopes and a silicon matrix. The silicon matrix consisted of 4480 pixels was used as a charge detector in the experiment. About 25 million cosmic ray events were detected during the flight. In the paper, the charge spectrum obtained with the silicon matrix is analyzed.

Zatsepin, V. I.↗

The Silicon Matrix as a Charge Detector in the ATIC Experiment

The Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC) was built for series of long- duration balloon flights in Antarctica. Its main goal is to measure energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei from protons up to iron nuclei over a wide energy range from 30 GeV up to 100 TeV. The ATIC balloon experiment had its first, test flight that lasted for 16 days from 28 Dec 2000 to 13 Jan 2OO1 around the continent. The ATIC spectrometer consists of a fully active BGO calorimeter, scintillator hodoscopes and a silicon matrix. The silicon matrix, consisting of 4480 pixels, was used as a charge detector in the experiment. About 25 million cosmic ray events were detected during the flight. In the paper, the charge spectrum obtained with the silicon matrix is analyzed.

Zatsepin, V. I.↗

Time-Average Molecular Rayleigh Scattering Technique for Measurement of Velocity, Denisty, Temperature, and Turbulence Intensity in High Speed Nozzle Flows

A molecular Rayleigh scattering based flow diagnostic is developed to measure time average velocity, density, temperature, and turbulence intensity in a 25.4-mm diameter nozzle free jet facility. The spectrum of the Rayleigh scattered light is analyzed using a Fabry-Perot interferometer operated in the static imaging mode. The resulting fringe pattern containing spectral information of the scattered light is recorded using a low noise CCD camera. Nonlinear least squares analysis of the fringe pattern using a kinetic theory model of the Rayleigh scattered light provides estimates of density, velocity, temperature, and turbulence intensity of the gas flow. Resulting flow parameter estimates are presented for an axial scan of subsonic flow at Mach 0.95 for comparison with previously acquired pitot tube data, and axial scans of supersonic flow in an underexpanded screeching jet. The issues related to obtaining accurate turbulence intensity measurements using this technique are discussed.

Mielke, Amy F.↗