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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 55 records · Page 3

Evidence for the binary nature of Centaurus X-3 from Uhuru X-ray observations.

Analysis of data spanning a year of observations of the pulsating X-ray source Cen X-3 from Uhuru has revealed the existence of periodic variations in intensity of the source and correlated sinusoidal variations in the period of the 4.8-sec pulsations. We interpret this effect as due to an occulting binary system. The changes in intensity are then due to occultation of the X-ray source by a large massive companion, and the sinusoidal variations in the period of the 4.8-sec pulsations are due to Doppler effect. Physical parameters for the system are derived, and evidence for the existence and nature of an extended atmosphere surrounding the massive occulting object is discussed.

Schreier, E.↗

Auroral mechanisms and morphology

The present review is concerned with observations, analysis of observations and theoretical work as related to the understanding of the aurora. The ground-based observations reviewed include (1) auroral imagery, both by television and all-sky camera; (2) gross magnetic variations indicative of ionospheric currents; (3) VLF hiss observations; and (4) effects of high-energy electron impact measured through cosmic radio noise absorption and by observations of bremsstrahlung X-ray from balloons. Spectroscopic observations, observation of micropulsation activity and auroral radar observations are not included, since they seem to provide less direct diagnostic information on the basic auroral mechanism. Incoherent scatter radar observations are utilized to the extent they provide information on ionospheric currents and electric fields. Satellite observations are included to the extent they provide information on the aurora or useful clues to auroral mechanisms. Barium injection experiments in the auroral zone are also considered.

Swift, D. W.↗

Technologies for global change earth observations

Advances in the areas of space-based observations, data/information analysis, and spacecraft/operations for the studying of global changes are discussed. Research involving systems analysis, observation technologies, information technologies, and spacecraft technologies is examined. Consideration is given to cryogenic coolers, IR arrays, laser and submillimeter sensing, large array CCD, information visualization, design knowledge capture, optical communications, multiinstrument pointing, propulsion, space environmental effects, and platform thermal systems.

Johnston, Gordon I.↗

Imaging observations of Jupiter's sodium magneto-nebula during the Ulysses encounter

Jupiter's great sodium nebula represents the largest visible structure traversed by the Ulysses spacecraft during its encounter with the planet in February 1992. Ground-based imaging conducted on Mount Haleakala, Hawaii, revealed a nebula that extended to at least +/- 300 Jovian radii; it was somewhat smaller in scale and less bright than previously observed. Analysis of observations and results of modeling studies suggest reduced volcanic activity on the moon Io, higher ion temperatures in the plasma torus, lower total plasma content in the torus, and fast neutral atomic clouds along the Ulysses inbound trajectory through the magnetosphere. Far fewer neutrals were encountered by the spacecraft along its postencounter, out-of-ecliptic trajectory.

Mendillo, Michael↗

The thermal structure of Jupiter. II - Observations and analysis of 8-14 micron radiation

Observations of Jovian limb structure at 8.11 and 8.45 microns are reported. These are used along with other limb structure and spectral data in the 8-14 micron region to derive a model of the thermal and cloud structure within the 1.0-0.01 bar pressure regime. The temperature is about 165 K at 1.00 bar, 108 K at 0.10 bar, and 143 K at 0.03 bar. In zones, an optically opaque cloud of NH3 exists near the 143 K (0.60 bar) level. A partly transparent haze of solid NH3 particles overlies the cloud. Belts are free of the cloud and have a much lower abundance of NH3 haze than the zones. The data are consistent with an NH3 gas abundance defined by saturation equilibrium, with a mixing ratio of 0.00015 deep in the atmosphere, and with a CH4 mixing ratio of 0.002, about three times the currently accepted value.

Orton, G. S.↗

Observations and analysis activities of the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite telescope

The funds from this grant were used to support observations and analysis with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite telescope. The main area of scientific research concerned the variability analyses of ultraviolet spectra of Active Galactic Nuclei, primarily quasars, Seyfert galaxies, and BL Lacertae objects. The Colorado group included, at various times, the P.I. (J.M. Shull), Research Associate Dr. Rick Edelson, and graduate students Jon Saken, Elise Sachs, and Steve Penton. A portion of the work was also performed by CU undergraduate student Cheong-ming Fu. A major product of the effort was a database of all IUE spectra of active galactic nuclei. This database is being analyzed to obtain spectral indices, line fluxes, and continuum fluxes for over 500 AGN. As a by-product of this project, we implemented a new, improved technique of spectral extraction of IUE spectra, which has been used in several AGN-WATCH campaigns (on the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 and on the BL Lac object PKS 2155-304).

Shull, J. Michael↗

Airborne infrared interferometric observations and analysis of stratospheric trace constituents

Infrared interferometric observations of key trace constituents of the stratosphere have been obtained. The NASA Lear Airborne Observatory with the Grumman airborne interferometer system was flown in the lower stratosphere at an altitude of 13.7 km to obtain transmission spectra in the 2800-6000 per cm region at a resolution of 2.5 per cm using the moon as a source. An atmospheric modeling program and the AFGL line parameter atlas are used to identify H2O, CH4, O3 and other trace constituents and to derive stratospheric column densities (molecules/sq cm).

Smith, L. L.↗

Analysis of observational spectra

The first step in the analysis of gamma ray energy loss spectra is their conversion to differential energy and differential angular photon spectra. This conversion can be carried out if the detector response and the background are both known. Once these parameters are known, there are many techniques that can be used to convert pulse height spectra to photon spectra. These techniques are discussed and background problems are considered. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of energy loss spectra in the lower gamma ray energy domain. Problems of transportations from pulse height to photon space are most complex in this domain and the methods shown illustrate many of the problems which arise in the general analysis of energy loss spectra.

Source record↗

Structure and dynamics of the Uranian magnetotail - Results from hot plasma and magnetic field observations

Analysis of Voyager 2 low-energy charged particle and magnetic field data in the Uranian magnetotail show that this system has many features similar to those seen at earth. Isotropization of core magnetosphere 28-43 keV ions has been observed at the trapping boundary upon entry into the magnetotail near L = 17, an effect seen in ion populations at earth and attributed to neutral sheet scattering. An extensive and persistent plasma sheet boundary layer is found to contain field-aligned ion streams with a variety of angular and energetically dispersive effects. Streaming distributions in the magnetotail horn region map to the auroral emission region observed by the Voyager ultraviolet spectrometer. A quiet-time near-tail region is distinguished from a distant disturbed region, where evidence of a substorm is observed. There is evidence suggesting that the distant plasma sheet is not corotating with the planet.

Kane, M.↗

Chandra Interactive Analysis of Observations

The Chandra X-R-ay Observatory has been launched on July 23 1999. The first public release of the Chandra data analysis system, CIAO (Chandra Interactive Analysis of Observations) will be available in the near future. The XMM Science Survey Consortium is considering the possibility of using the whole or parts of CIAO to analyse observations from the XMM satellite and during the meeting we will give presentations and demonstrations of parts of CIAO, including the new GUIs developed for "FirstLook" analysis, data filtering and browsing; SHERPA, the multi-dimensional, multi-missions modelling and fitting application; CHIPS, the Chandra Imaging and Plotting System; generic data manipulation tools and other applications.

Fruscione, Antonella↗

Chandra Interactive Analysis of Observations (CIAO)

The Chandra X-Ray Observatory has been launched on July 23 1999. The first public release of the Chandra data analysis system, CIAO (Chandra Interactive Analysis of Observations) will be available in the near future. The XMM Science Survey Consortium is considering the possibility of using the whole or parts of CIAO to analyze observations from the XMM satellite and during the meeting we will give presentations and demonstrations of parts of CIAO, including the new GUIs developed for "First Look" analysis, data filtering and browsing; SHERPA, the multi-dimensional, multi-missions modeling and fitting application; CHIPS, the Chandra Imaging and Plotting System; generic data manipulation tools and other applications.

Fruscione, Antonella↗

Chandra Interactive Analysis of Observations (CIAO)

The Chandra (formerly AXAF) telescope, launched on July 23, 1999, provides X-rays data with unprecedented spatial and spectral resolution. As part of the Chandra scientific support, the Chandra X-ray Observatory Center provides a new data analysis system, CIAO ("Chandra Interactive Analysis of Observations"). We will present the main components of the system: "First Look" analysis; SHERPA: a multi-dimensional, multi-mission modeling and fitting application; Chandra Imaging and Plotting System; Detect package-source detection algorithms; and DM package generic data manipulation tools, We will set up a demonstration of the portable version of the system and show examples of Chandra Data Analysis.

Dobrzycki, Adam↗

Physical properties of aerosols in Titan's atmosphere as deduced from visible observations

Analysis of the absolute value of Titan's albedo and its variation with increasing phase angle has yielded constraints on the optical properties and average particle size of the aerosols responsible for the scattering of visible light. The real index of refraction of the scattering material lies within the range 1.5 approximately less than nr approximately less than 2.0 and the average particle size is somewhere between 0.2 micrometer and 0.4 micrometer. The amount of limb darkening produced by these models leads to an occultation radius of approximately 2700 km.

Rages, K.↗

Martian meteorology and dust storms from Viking observations

Analysis of Viking lander data on atmospheric pressure and temperature variations showed that planning for a manned base will require careful consideration of the effects of local and global dust storms. It is demonstrated that there may be preferred seasons for landing when dust storms are not at maximum strength, as well as preferred latitudes where dust storms are uncharacteristically weak. Viking I data on the diurnal variation in pressure and temperature prior to and during dust storm events are reproduced in graphic form.

Tillman, J. E.↗