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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 505 records · Page 28
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NASA NTRS1989

Discovery of low mass objects in Taurus

In infrared (2.2 micron, K-band) search of small regions (25 in square) near 26 members of the Taurus star-forming association has revealed 20 dim (K = 13-16 mag) stellar objects near 13 of them. Of these 20 objects, 9 are exceptionally red. It is argued that these 9 are probably also Taurus members. From the luminosities (0.4 to 4 times 10 the -3 power luminosity) and ages (estimated at 10(exp 6) years), masses can be determined by reference to theoretical low-mass cooling curves. The masses are in the range 0.005 to 0.015 solar mass, i.e., low-mass brown dwarfs. Proper motion studies of 7 of the objects visible on the POSS plates conducted by Burton Jones establish that 4 are highly probable Taurus members while 1 is a possible member.

Forrest, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A fast 3-D object recognition algorithm for the vision system of a special-purpose dexterous manipulator

A fast 3-D object recognition algorithm that can be used as a quick-look subsystem to the vision system for the Special-Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) is described. Global features that can be easily computed from range data are used to characterize the images of a viewer-centered model of an object. This algorithm will speed up the processing by eliminating the low level processing whenever possible. It may identify the object, reject a set of bad data in the early stage, or create a better environment for a more powerful algorithm to carry the work further.

Hung, Stephen H. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Two X-ray-selected BL Lacertae objects observed with the HEAO 1 scanning modulation collimator

Two 16th magnitude BL Lac objects, H1101 - 232 and H1426 + 428, have been discovered. Each is a persistent and relatively bright X-ray source. A 2.7 percent linear polarization is measured in the optical emission or H101 - 232. The X-ray identification of H1426 + 428 is confirmed in an Exosat observation. The X-ray spectrum is well-modeled by a power law with an energy index of 1.19. Both BL Lac objects exhibit high f(x)/f(opt) ratios and they show a distinct resemblance to other X-ray selected BL Lac objects. The host galaxies are about 18th mag with angular diameters of about 20 arcsec and each may be the dominant member of a cluster of galaxies. Additional wide-slit spectroscopy reveals faint absorption features with redshifts of 0.129 for H1426 + 428 and 0.186 for H1101 - 232. The implied X-ray and optical luminosities exceed 10 to the 45th ergs/s for both BL Lac nuclei, assuming isotropic emission.

Remillard, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Fanaroff-Riley I galaxies as the parent population of BL Lacertae objects. I - X-ray constraints

The hypothesis that BL Lacertae objects are a special subset of Fanaroff-Riley type I radio galaxies, namely, those dominated by beamed emission from a relativistic jet aligned with the line of sight, is examined by looking at the relative number densities. The calculation depends primarily on observed quantities, including the X-ray luminosity function of Fanaroff-Riley type I galaxies. The model predicts the X-ray luminosity function of BL Lacertae objects, the shape of the X-ray counts below currently observed fluxes, and the velocity of the X-ray emitting jet. With Fanaroff-Riley type I galaxies as the parent population the flat luminosity function, the observed X-ray number counts, and the partial redshift distribution of BL Lacertae objects can be explained.

Padovani, P.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Robot Grasps Rotating Object

Experimental robotic system semiautomatically grasps rotating object, stops rotation, and pulls object to rest in fixture. Based on combination of advanced techniques for sensing and control, constructed to test concepts for robotic recapture of spinning artificial satellites. Potential terrestrial applications for technology developed with help of system includes tracking and grasping of industrial parts on conveyor belts, tracking of vehicles and animals, and soft grasping of moving objects in general.

Wilcox, Brian H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The embedded objects in epsilon Cha I cloud

A study was made of the embedded objects in the epsilon Cha I cloud. General shapes of the spectra were constructed for the members in the cloud. The near infrared data were compiled from the literature and combined with the IRAS Point Source Catalog information. Pointed observations by the IRAS were used in the regions of high source density where the Point Source Catalog is confused. Member objects near the late B star HD 97300 were measured recently in the 3 to 10 micron bands using the ESO 2.2 m telescope in order to study the effects of disks seen in other young stellar objects. A picture is presented of the complete initial luminosity function in the epsilon Cha I cloud. The observations were compared with the theoretical views on low mass star formation.

Prusti, Timo↗
NASA NTRS1991

Applications of fuzzy theories to multi-objective system optimization

Most of the computer aided design techniques developed so far deal with the optimization of a single objective function over the feasible design space. However, there often exist several engineering design problems which require a simultaneous consideration of several objective functions. This work presents several techniques of multiobjective optimization. In addition, a new formulation, based on fuzzy theories, is also introduced for the solution of multiobjective system optimization problems. The fuzzy formulation is useful in dealing with systems which are described imprecisely using fuzzy terms such as, 'sufficiently large', 'very strong', or 'satisfactory'. The proposed theory translates the imprecise linguistic statements and multiple objectives into equivalent crisp mathematical statements using fuzzy logic. The effectiveness of all the methodologies and theories presented is illustrated by formulating and solving two different engineering design problems. The first one involves the flight trajectory optimization and the main rotor design of helicopters. The second one is concerned with the integrated kinematic-dynamic synthesis of planar mechanisms. The use and effectiveness of nonlinear membership functions in fuzzy formulation is also demonstrated. The numerical results indicate that the fuzzy formulation could yield results which are qualitatively different from those provided by the crisp formulation. It is felt that the fuzzy formulation will handle real life design problems on a more rational basis.

Rao, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Implementation of an algorithm for cylindrical object identification using range data

One of the problems in 3-D object identification and localization is addressed. In robotic and navigation applications the vision system must be able to distinguish cylindrical or spherical objects as well as those of other geometric shapes. An algorithm was developed to identify cylindrical objects in an image when range data is used. The algorithm incorporates the Hough transform for line detection using edge points which emerge from a Sobel mask. Slices of the data are examined to locate arcs of circles using the normal equations of an over-determined linear system. Current efforts are devoted to testing the computer implementation of the algorithm. Refinements are expected to continue in order to accommodate cylinders in various positions. A technique is sought which is robust in the presence of noise and partial occlusions.

Bozeman, Sylvia T.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Quasars and galaxy formation. I - The z greater than 4 objects

The physical properties of the known quasars with z greater than 4 are examined with particular reference to theories of cosmic structure formation. A 'standard' massive accreting black hole model for quasars is used to calculate the masses, radiative efficiencies, and accretion rates of the observed objects. The masses, densities, cosmological overdensities, and sizes of the accretion fuel reservoirs associated with the quasar black holes are considered, and several indirect arguments are used to connect these quantities to the masses and overdensities of the quasar host objects. Finally, constraints on the epoch of formation of the host objects are discussed. The general conclusion is that the observed quasars with z greater than 4 suggest that the cosmic structure formation was already well advanced at z = 5, when the universe was a small fraction of its present age.

Turner, Edwin L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A ubiquitous absorption feature in the X-ray spectra of BL Lacertae objects

The paper presents the broadband (0.5-20-keV) X-ray spectra of five X-ray bright BL Lac objects observed with the Einstein Observatory Solid State Spectrometer (SSS) and Monitor Proportional Counter (MPC) detectors. The combination of moderate energy resolution and broad spectral coverage makes it possible to confirm the presence of an absorption feature at an energy of 650 eV in the BL Lac object PKS 2155-304, originally reported by Canizares and Kruper (1984) based on higher resolution Einstein Objective Grating Spectrometer (OGS) data.

Madejski, Greg M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The ultraviolet continuum and the fluorescent H2 lines in low-excitation Herbig-Haro objects

Long-exposure IUE observations are used here to determine the spatial distribution of the fluorescent H2 line emission in the low-excitation objects HH 43 and HH 47. In HH 43, the spatial distribution of the fluorescent H2 line emission has a width equal to or smaller than the width of the point-spread function of IUE, while both the short-wavelength UV continuum and the optical forbidden S II lines show distributions which are wider by more than a factor of two. In HH 47, the results are qualitatively analogous, but the differences between the fluorescent HH 23 emission distribution on the one hand, and the UV continuum and optical forbidden S II distribution on the other, are smaller. These distributions indicate that the appropriate conditions for the formation of fluorscent H2 lines are fulfilled only in rather narrow regions for these low-excitation objects. A continuous energy distribution in HH 43 and HH 47 is found which differs only slightly from that in the high-excitation objects HH 1 and HH 2.

Boehm, K. H.↗
NASA NTRS1991

UBVRI photometry of stars in the fields of X-ray selected BL Lacertae objects

UBVRI photometry is presented of stars in the fields of 38 X-ray selected BL Lacertae objects, two X-ray selected AGNs, and one X-ray binary system (possibly a cataclysmic variable). These stars are suitable for use as photometric comparison stars for optical monitoring programs involving these X-ray selected objects. A total of 166 observations of 87 stars were made on seven photometric nights. At least two stars were observed in every field. UBVRI measurements of three stars were made in the fields of MS 0950.9 + 4929, MS 1552.1 + 2020, and H 2154 - 304. Four stars were measured in the field of H 1426 + 428. Finding charts for all of these objects are included.

Smith, Paul S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Visible and infrared investigations of planet-crossing asteroids and outer solar system objects

The project is supporting lightcurve photometry, colorimetry, thermal radiometry, and astrometry of selected asteroids. Targets include the planet-crossing population, particularly Earth approachers, which are believed to be the immediate source of terrestrial meteorites, future spacecraft targets, and those objects in the outer belt, primarily the Hilda and Trojan populations, that are dynamically isolated from the main asteroid belt. Goals include the determination of population statistics for the planet-crossing objects, the characterization of spacecraft targets to assist in encounter planning and subsequent interpretation of the data, a comparison of the collisional evolution of dynamically isolated Hilda and Trojan populations with the main belt, and the determination of the mechanism driving the activity of the distant object 2060 Chiron.

Tholen, David J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Synchronization of autonomous objects in discrete event simulation

Autonomous objects in event-driven discrete event simulation offer the potential to combine the freedom of unrestricted movement and positional accuracy through Euclidean space of time-driven models with the computational efficiency of event-driven simulation. The principal challenge to autonomous object implementation is object synchronization. The concept of a spatial blackboard is offered as a potential methodology for synchronization. The issues facing implementation of a spatial blackboard are outlined and discussed.

Rogers, Ralph V.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Modification of a Successive Corrections Objective Analysis for Improved Derivative Calculations

The use of objectively analyzed fields of meteorological data for complex diagnostic studies and for the initialization of numerical prediction models places the requirements upon the objective method that derivatives of the gridded fields be accurate and free from interpolation error. A modification of an objective analysis developed by Barnes provides improvements in analyses of both the field and its derivatives. Theoretical comparisons, comparisons between analyses of analytical monochromatic waves, and comparisons between analyses of actual weather data are used to show the potential of the new method. The new method restores more of the amplitudes of desired wavelengths while simultaneously filtering more of the amplitudes of undesired wavelengths. These results also hold for the first and second derivatives calculated from the gridded fields. Greatest improvements were for the Laplacian of the height field; the new method reduced the variance of undesirable very short wavelengths by 72 pct. Other improvements were found in the divergence of the gridded wind field and near the boundaries of the field data.

Achtemeier, Gary L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Modeling 3-D objects with planar surfaces for prediction of electromagnetic scattering

Electromagnetic scattering analysis of objects at resonance is difficult because low frequency techniques are slow and computer intensive, and high frequency techniques may not be reliable. A new technique for predicting the electromagnetic backscatter from electrically conducting objects at resonance is studied. This technique is based on modeling three dimensional objects as a combination of flat plates where some of the plates are blocking the scattering from others. A cube is analyzed as a simple example. The preliminary results compare well with the Geometrical Theory of Diffraction and with measured data.

Koch, M. B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Bounds on intergalactic compact objects from observations of compact radio sources

The constraints that can be imposed on the cosmic density of uniformly distributed intergalactic compact objects in the mass range of 10 million to 1 billion solar masses, using VLBI observations of compact radio sources. A compact object at a sufficiently small angular separation from a compact radio source produces a deamplified and inverted secondary image. No such cases are known. Using published maps of compact radio sources and assuming an Einstein-de Sitter cosmology, a density parameter for mass in this range greater than 0.4 is excluded at the 99.7 percent confidence level. Observations using the VLBA should allow one to exclude or discover a density parameter greater than about 0.001 for compact objects in the mass range of 0.1-100 solar masses.

Kassiola, Aggeliki↗
NASA NTRS1991

Infrared recombination lines of hydrogen from young objects in the southern Galactic plane

Near infrared recombination lines of hydrogen are observed in twelve young objects in the southern Galactic plane. The sample includes Herbig-Haro objects and IRAS dark-cloud point sources from the 1987 catalog of Persson and Campbell. In four of the IRAS sources two or three infrared lines are measured, and their intensity ratios are consistent with models of optically thick ionized winds. The intrinsic line shapes, retrieved from maximum-entropy deconvolutions, indicate gas velocities of 100 km/s or more as expected from ionized winds. These sources are apparently embedded pre-main-sequence objects with outflows. They include some of the brightest known YSOs.

Beck, Sara C.↗