Concerning the origin of the magnetic fields on stars and in interstellar space
Origin of magnetic fields on stars and in interstellar space
Biermann, L.↗
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Development of a Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility /SIRTF/ fine guidance sensor
Fine guidance technology development for the Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) centers upon the use of a single multiple-star-tracking sensor to provide the position information necessary to produce three-axis attitude control signals for precision payload pointing. The effort described in this paper is concerned with the development of a fine guidance sensor that employs a high-density charge-coupled imaging device for producing position information signals by using star fields. Multiple star position information produces three-axis position error signals that are used to update inertial reference gyros. The sensor employs advanced position interpolation algorithms to enhance field-of-view resolution and to correct for optical aberrations inherent in spatially chopped star images resulting from the telescope's movable secondary mirror. Operation of the sensor is under the control of a high-performance microcomputer that provides both autonomy and flexibility in a guidance application.
Salomon, P. M.↗
Fokker-Planck treatment of the evolution of the globular cluster in energy and angular momentum space
Fokker-Planck velocity coefficients derived for homogeneous and inhomogeneous field star distributions
FOKKER-PLANCK EQUATION↗
Recursive estimator for OSO-8 attitude
Modifications and enhancements that have been made to the Recursive Estimation Attitude Program (REAP) are discussed. Continuous attitudes for OSO-8 to + or - 0.05 degree accuracy are determined from Sun and star slit sensors mounted on the spinning portion of the spacecraft. The bulk of the attitude production is performed by a Weighted Least Squares (WLS) batch processor, but REAP is used for problem passes such as those involving gas jet maneuvers, sparse star fields, or star sensor saturation by high energy particles in the South Atlantic Anomaly.
Headrick, R. D.↗
Scalar gravitational fields in pulsating stars.
Scalar gravitational fields in pulsating stars, calculating scalar wave radiation rate and star relaxation time
WAVE RADIATION↗
Magnetic buoyancy and the escape of magnetic fields from stars
A loss of magnetic flux through the free surface of a star into the surrounding space has important implications for the generation of the field within the star. The present investigation is concerned with the physics of the escape of net azimuthal flux from a star. The obtained results are used as a basis for the interpretation of some recent observations of the detailed behavior of magnetic fields emerging through the surface of the sun. The buoyancy of an isolated horizontal magnetic flux tube beneath the surface of a star causes the tube to rise at a rate comparable to the Alfven speed. The necessary conditions for escape of the flux are considered along with aspects of magnetic buoyancy, and the conditions on the sun. It appears that the observed retraction of bipolar magnetic fields at the end of their life at the surface is the one phenomenon which requires dynamical intervention. Attention is given to known dynamical effects which suppress the buoyant rise of an azimuthal magnetic field.
Parker, E. N.↗
Effect of tidal fields on star clusters
We follow the dynamical evolution of a star cluster in a galactic tidal field using a restricted N-body code. We find large asymmetric distortions in the outer profile of the cluster in the first 10 or so crossing times as material is lost. Prograde stars escape preferentially and establish a potentially observable retrograde rotation in the halo. We present the rate of particle loss and compare with the prescription proposed by Lee and Ostriker (1987).
Chernoff, David↗
Experiment S029: Earth-Moon libration regions photography
Eleven photographs were taken of the L sub 4 earth-moon libration region during the Gemini 12 mission. The objective was to investigate the possible existence of clouds or particles of dust orbiting the earth in the L sub 4 region by the use of photographic techniques. No identifiable data were found in the first sequence of five photographs. Star field images could be recognized in two photographs of the second sequence of pictures. A light flare, of unknown source but possibly caused by light refraction from the window of the spacecraft, was recorded in both pictures. A reconstructed star field region (as photographed) is shown Isodensitraces of the two recognizable star fields were made; however, no conclusive results were obtained.
Morris, E. C.↗
Metal abundances of RR Lyrae stars in galactic globular clusters
Results are reported for image-tube scanner measurements of Preston's (1959) metal-abundance indicator and metallic-line absorption in the G-band region (4285 to 4317 A) of 47 RR Lyrae stars in 12 galactic globular clusters and 67 RR Lyrae field stars. The relationship (Fe/H) is defined and determined from curve-of-growth analyses of 13 RR Lyrae field stars, while a comparison of metal-abundance vs metallic-line absorption relationships derived for the field and cluster stars indicates that both groups can be calibrated in the same way. Based on this calibration, (Fe/H) values are deduced for the globular-cluster stars and the clusters themselves. It is found that the alpha-rich phenomenon is present in these stars and is confined to calcium and titanium.
Butler, D.↗
Long-term evolution of crustal neutron star magnetic fields
We have derived an analytic solution to the asymptotic behavior of dipolar magnetic fields that are generated in the crusts of neutron stars. We show that if the conductivity is due to impurity scattering, as expected for late stages of evolution, the surface field strength at the magnetic pole declines with the power law B(sub p) approximately = (t/t(sub 0))(exp -2/3). The results are shown to be qualitatively consistent with detailed numerical calculations. These latter results are consistent with some recent analyses of pulsar statistics and the magnetic fields of several binary pulsars with white dwarf companions whose ages have been determined. The dependence of the surface magnetic field on spin period of the pulsar is derived.
Urpin, V. A.↗
The Optical Field Angle Distortion Calibration of HST Fine Guidance Sensors 1R and 3
To date five OFAD (Optical Field Angle Distortion) calibrations have been performed with a star field in M35, four on FGS3 and one on FGS1, all analyzed by the Astrometry Science Team. We have recently completed an improved FGS1R OFAD calibration. The ongoing Long Term Stability Tests have also been analyzed and incorporated into these calibrations, which are time-dependent due to on-orbit changes in the FGS. Descriptions of these tests and the results of our OFAD modeling are given. Because all OFAD calibrations use the same star field, we calibrate FGS 1 and FGS 3 simultaneously. This increases the precision of our input catalog,resulting in an improvement in both the FGS 1 and FGS 3 calibrations. A redetermination of the proper motions,using 12 years of HST data has significantly improved our calibration. Residuals to our OFAD modeling indicate that FGS 1 will provide astrometry superior to FGS 3 by approx. 20%. Past and future FGS astrometric science supported by these calibrations is briefly reviewed.
McArthur, B.↗
Activity and magnetic fields on stars from radio observations
Radio observations explain certain kinds of stellar activity and reliable estimates of magnetic field strengths are derived for the radio emitting regions. Radio observation of flare stars shows rapidly varying bursts of radiation with frequencies of up to 5 GHz. The inferred brightness temperatures of these bursts (10 to the 10th power to 10 to the 14th power) imply that the radiation is coherent. Two mechanisms are proposed to generate such radiation: (1) plasma radiation, and (2) electron cyclotron masers. The high brightness temperatures of the bursts up to 10 to the 20th power K) makes the latter the most plausible. For bursts in the 5 GHz range, the magnetic field strength would be approximately 900 Gauss.
Dulk, G. A.↗
Electric fields in rotating, magnetic, relativistic stars
Electric fields in rotating magnetic relativistic neutron stars, analyzing static fields in corotating frame and pulsar emission
Demianski, M.↗
A CCD-based search for very low mass members of the Pleiades cluster
We have obtained deep charge coupled device (CCD)V and I images of a number of fields near the center of the Pleiades open cluster. We have also obtained imaging data for Praesepe, a very similar cluster in terms of distance and richness but nearly 10 times older than the Pleiades. Because brown dwarfs are predicted to become much fainter and cooler between Pleiades and Praesepe ages, this provides a powerful differential technique for placing constraints on the brown dwarf population in open clusters. Combined with our previously reported observations, we now have data for about 0.4 sq deg in the Pleiades, corresponding roughly to 5% of the area of that cluster. We have searched the new CCD frames for additional Pleiades brown dwarf candidates. Two possible candidates are present, the faintest of which has V approximately equal to 22.5, (V-I)(sub K) approximately equal to 4.6. Because we do not have proper motion data and the colors of these objects are not redder than the reddest known field stars, it is possible that some or all of our candidates are somewhat higher mass field stars rather than Pleiades-age brown dwarfs. Even if all six of the proposed brown dwarf candidates in our 0.4 sq deg field are Pleiades members, the relatively small number found suggests that low mass stars or brown dwarfs do not contribute significantly to the total mass of the cluster.
Stauffer, John R.↗
NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center Recent Studies and Technology Developments in the Area of SSA/Orbital Debris
NASA/MSFC has been investigating the various aspects of the growing orbital debris problem since early 2009. Data shows that debris ranging in size from 5 mm to 10 cm presents the greatest threat to operational spacecraft today. Therefore, MSFC has focused its efforts on small orbital debris. Using off-the-shelf analysis packages, like the ESA MASTER software, analysts at MSFC have begun to characterize the small debris environment in LEO to support several spacecraft concept studies and hardware test programs addressing the characterization, mitigation, and ultimate removal, if necessary, of small debris. The Small Orbital Debris Active Removal (SODAR) architectural study investigated the overall effectiveness of removing small orbital debris from LEO using a low power, space-based laser. The Small Orbital Debris Detection, Acquisition, and Tracking (SODDAT) conceptual technology demonstration spacecraft was developed to address the challenges of in-situ small orbital debris environment classification including debris observability and instrument requirements for small debris observation. Work is underway at MSFC in the areas of hardware and testing. By combining off the shelf digital video technology, telescope lenses, and advanced video image FPGA processing, MSFC is building a breadboard of a space based, passive orbital tracking camera that can detect and track faint objects (including small debris, satellites, rocket bodies, and NEOs) at ranges of tens to hundreds of kilometers and speeds in excess of 15 km/sec,. MSFC is also sponsoring the development of a one-of-a-kind Dynamic Star Field Simulator with a high resolution large monochrome display and a custom collimator capable of projecting realistic star images with simple orbital debris spots (down to star magnitude 11-12) into a passive orbital detection and tracking system with simulated real-time angular motions of the vehicle mounted sensor. The dynamic star field simulator can be expanded for multiple sensors (including advanced star trackers), real-time vehicle pointing inputs, and more complex orbital debris images. This system is also adaptable to other sensor optics, missions, and installed sensor testing.
Wiegmann, Bruce M.↗
The dwarf spheroidal galaxy in Draco. I - New BV photometry. II - Galactic foreground reddening
BV photoelectric photometry for 39 stars and BV photographic photometry for 514 stars in the field of the Draco dwarf spheroidal galaxy are presented. The color-magnitude diagram for 512 of these field stars is found to display a well-defined red horizontal branch as well as a red giant branch whose observed width is comparable to the accidental photometric error. The results also indicate that a more diffuse sequence of stars lies about 0.1 mag to the blue of the giant branch and that an upper horizontal branch of more massive core helium-burning stars may also be present. The foreground reddening toward Draco is then determined by narrow-band uvby-beta photometry of galactic B-A-F stars.
Stetson, P. B.↗
A star camera aspect system suitable for use in balloon experiments
A balloon-borne experiment containing a star camera aspect system was designed, built, and flown. This system was designed to provide offset corrections to the magnetometer and inclinometer readings used to control an azimuth and elevation pointed experiment. The camera is controlled by a microprocessor, including commendable exposure and noise rejection threshold, as well as formatting the data for telemetry to the ground. As a background program, the microprocessor runs the aspect program to analyze a fraction of the pictures taken so that aspect information and offset corrections are available to the experiment in near real time. The analysis consists of pattern recognition of the star field with a star catalog in ROM memory and a least squares calculation. The performance of this system in ground based tests is described. It is part of the NASA/GSFC High Energy Gamma-Ray Balloon Instrument (2).
Hunter, S. D.↗
Constraints on chemical evolution models from QSOALS abundances
Models of the formation and early chemical evolution of our Galaxy are guided and constrained by our knowledge of abundances in globular cluster stars and halo field stars. The abundance patterns identified in halo and disk stars should be discernible in absorption lines of gas clouds in forming galaxies which are accidentally lying in front of background QSO's. Conversely, the ensemble of QSO absorption line systems (QSOALS) at each redshift may suggest a detailed model for the formation of our Galaxy that is testable using abundance patterns in halo stars.
Lauroesch, J. T.↗