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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 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2013

Constraints on Decreases in Eta Carinae's Mass-loss from 3D Hydrodynamic Simulations of Its Binary Colliding Winds

Recent work suggests that the mass-loss rate of the primary star Eta-A in the massive colliding wind binary Eta Carinae dropped by a factor of 2-3 between 1999 and 2010. We present result from large- (+/- 1545 au) and small- (+/- 155 au) domain, 3D smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations of Eta Car's colliding winds for three Eta-A mass-loss rates ( (dot-M(sub Eta-A) = 2.4, 4.8 and 8.5 × 10(exp −4) M(solar)/ yr), investigating the effects on the dynamics of the binary wind-wind collision (WWC). These simulations include orbital motion, optically thin radiative cooling and radiative forces. We find that dot-M Eta-A greatly affects the time-dependent hydrodynamics at all spatial scales investigated. The simulations also show that the post-shock wind of the companion star Eta-B switches from the adiabatic to the radiative-cooling regime during periastron passage (Phi approx.= 0.985-1.02). This switchover starts later and ends earlier the lower the value of dot-M Eta-A and is caused by the encroachment of the wind of Eta-A into the acceleration zone of Eta-B's wind, plus radiative inhibition of Eta-B's wind by Eta-A. The SPH simulations together with 1D radiative transfer models of Eta-A's spectra reveal that a factor of 2 or more drop in dot-M EtaA should lead to substantial changes in numerous multiwavelength observables. Recent observations are not fully consistent with the model predictions, indicating that any drop in dot- M Eta-A was likely by a factor of approx. < 2 and occurred after 2004. We speculate that most of the recent observed changes in Eta Car are due to a small increase in the WWC opening angle that produces significant effects because our line of sight to the system lies close to the dense walls of the WWC zone. A modest decrease in dot-M Eta-A may be responsible, but changes in the wind/stellar parameter of Eta-B, while less likely, cannot yet be fully ruled out. We suggest observations during Eta-Car's next periastron in 2014 to further test for decreases in dot-M Eta-A. If dot-M Eta-A is declining and continues to do so, the 2014 X-ray minimum should be even shorter than that of 2009.

Eta Carinae↗
NASA NTRS2016

A Very Bright, Very Hot, and Very Long Flaring Event from the M Dwarf Binary System DG CVn

On 2014 April 23, the Swift satellite responded to a hard X-ray transient detected by its Burst Alert Telescope, which turned out to be a stellar flare from a nearby, young M dwarf binary DG CVn. We utilize observations at X-ray, UV, optical, and radio wavelengths to infer the properties of two large flares. The X-ray spectrum of the primary outburst can be described over the 0.3100 kiloelectron volts bandpass by either a single very high-temperature plasma or a nonthermal thick-target bremsstrahlung model, and we rule out the nonthermal model based on energetic grounds. The temperatures were the highest seen spectroscopically in a stellar flare, at T(sub x) of 290 megakelvin. The first event was followed by a comparably energetic event almost a day later. We constrain the photospheric area involved in each of the two flares to be greater than 10(exp 20) sq cm, and find evidence from flux ratios in the second event of contributions to the white light flare emission in addition to the usual hot, T approximately 10(exp 4) K blackbody emission seen in the impulsive phase of flares. The radiated energy in X-rays and white light reveal these events to be the two most energetic X-ray flares observed from an M dwarf, with X-ray radiated energies in the 0.3-10 kiloelectron volts bandpass of 4 x 10(exp 35) and 9 x 10(exp 35) erg, and optical flare energies at E(sub V) of 2.8 x 10(exp 34) and 5.2 x 10(exp 34) erg, respectively. The results presented here should be integrated into updated modeling of the astrophysical impact of large stellar flares on close-in exoplanetary atmospheres.

stars: coronae – stars: flare – stars: individ↗
NASA NTRS1991

The extraordinary 1989 December 14/15 optical flare events on V711 Tauri

Photometry in B and V taken with the Vanderbilt Tennessee State 16 inch (41 cm) robotic telescope confirms the intense broad-band optical continuum flare activity reported by Chinese observers on the active chromosphere binary V711 Tau on December 14/15, 1989. Twelve hours after the flare reported from China, there occurred a separate and more intense flare with B and V amplitudes of 0.69 and 0.42 mag, respectively. These amplitudes correspond to peak flare luminosities of approximately 2 x 10 to the 33rd ergs/s in B and 1 x 10 to the 33rd ergs/s in V. The observed color of its excess light implies that the flaring region covered approximately 8 percent of the surface of the K1 subgiant star on which it erupted. Although the shape of the light curve was unchanged after the flare, the mean brightness of the star was enhanced by 3 percent in B, and it required nearly three months to decay to its preflare mean brightness. This is the first confirmed and, by far, the brightest example of broad-band optical flaring activity on an evolved, magnetically active star more luminous than the sun.

Henry, Gregory W.↗
DOE OSTI2012

REVEALING COMPANIONS TO NEARBY STARS WITH ASTROMETRIC ACCELERATION

A subset of 51 Hipparcos astrometric binaries among FG dwarfs within 67 pc has been surveyed with the Near-Infrared Coronagraphic Imager adaptive optics system at Gemini-S, directly resolving for the first time 17 subarcsecond companions and 7 wider ones. Using these data together with published speckle interferometry of 57 stars, we compare the statistics of resolved astrometric companions with those of a simulated binary population. The fraction of resolved companions is slightly lower than expected from binary statistics. About 10% of astrometric companions could be 'dark' (white dwarfs and close pairs of late M-dwarfs). To our surprise, several binaries are found with companions too wide to explain the acceleration. Re-analysis of selected intermediate astrometric data shows that some acceleration solutions in the original Hipparcos catalog are spurious.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Optical properties of alloys based on II-S and II-Te chalcogenides

Spectroscopic studies of binary and multicomponent semiconductors of the CdS-CdTe, CdS-ZnTe, and ZnS-CdTe systems are performed. They result in confirmation of the formation of substitutional alloys in these systems (in addition to the results of X-ray diffractometry studies), and the chemical composition of the surface as well as the most important characteristic of semiconductors, theelectron work function, the frequencies of strongest luminescence (impurity and band-to band), the emission maxima, and the possibilities of predicting luminescence properties are determined. Recommendations concerning the use of fabricated materials of definite composition as phosphors are given.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

AN IMPROVED DYNAMICAL MODEL FOR THE MICROQUASAR XTE J1550-564

We present an improved dynamical model of the X-ray binary and microquasar XTE J1550-564 based on new moderate-resolution optical spectroscopy and near-infrared photometry obtained with the 6.5 m Magellan Telescopes at Las Campanas Observatory. Twelve spectra of the source were obtained using the Magellan Echellette Spectrograph between 2008 May 6 and August 4. In addition, several hundred images of the field were obtained between 2006 May and 2009 July in the J and K{sub S} filters using the PANIC camera. The agreement between the 2006/2007 and 2008 J and K{sub S} light curves is not perfect, and the differences can plausibly be attributed to a hot spot on the accretion disk during the 2006/2007 observations. By combining our new radial velocity measurements with previous measurements obtained in 2001 May at the 8.2 m Very Large Telescope and with light curves, we find an orbital period of P = 1.5420333 {+-} 0.0000024 days and a radial velocity semiamplitude of K{sub 2} = 363.14 {+-} 5.97 km s{sup -1}, which together imply an optical mass function of f(M) = 7.65 {+-} 0.38 M{sub sun}. We find that the projected rotational velocity of the secondary star is 55 {+-} 5 km s{sup -1}, which implies a very extreme mass ratio of Q {identical_to} M/M{sub 2} {approx} 30. Using a model of a Roche lobe-filling star and an azimuthally symmetric accretion disk, we fit simultaneously optical light curves from 2001, near-infrared light curves from 2008, and all of the radial velocity measurements to derive system parameters. We find an inclination of 74.{sup 0}7 {+-} 3.{sup 0}8 and component masses of M{sub 2} = 0.30 {+-} 0.07 M{sub sun} and M = 9.10 {+-} 0.61 M{sub sun} for the secondary star and black hole, respectively. We note that these results depend on the assumption that in 2008, the disk did not have a hot spot, and that the fraction of light contributed by the accretion disk did not change between the spectroscopic and photometric observations. By considering two measured values of the disk fraction and by modeling various combinations of NIR and optical light curves, we show that our adopted black hole mass is probably not seriously in error, where the black hole mass ranges between M = 8.91 {+-} 1.10 M{sub sun} and M = 13.94 {+-} 1.64 M{sub sun}. The radius of the secondary star for the adopted model is 1.75 {+-} 0.12 R{sub sun}. Using this radius, the average K{sub S} magnitude, and an extinction of A{sub K} = 0.507 {+-} 0.050 mag, we find a distance of 4.38{sup +0.58}{sub -0.41} kpc, which is in good agreement with a recent distance estimate based on H I absorption lines.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1990

MS 1603.6 + 2600, an unusual X-ray selected binary system at high Galactic latitude

The discovery of an eclipsing binary system at Galactic latitude 47 deg, found as a serendipitous X-ray source in the Einstein Extended Medium Sensitivity Survey, is described. The object has X-ray flux 1.1 x 10 to the -12th ergs/sq cm s (0.3-3.5 keV) and mean magnitude R = 19.4. An orbital period of 111 minutes is found. The problem discussed is whether the system has a white dwarf or neutron star primary, in the end preferring the neutron star primary model. If the system has either optical or X-ray luminosities typical of low mass X-ray binaries (LMXB), it must be at a very large distance (30-80 kpc). Blueshifted He I absorption is seen, indicating cool outflowing material, similar to that seen in the LMXB AC 211 in the globular cluster M15.

Morris, Simon L.↗
DOE OSTI2012

DRAFTS: A DEEP, RAPID ARCHIVAL FLARE TRANSIENT SEARCH IN THE GALACTIC BULGE

We utilize the Sagittarius Window Eclipsing Extrasolar Planet Search Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys data set for a Deep Rapid Archival Flare Transient Search to constrain the flare rate toward the older stellar population in the Galactic bulge. During seven days of monitoring 229,293 stars brighter than V = 29.5, we find evidence for flaring activity in 105 stars between V = 20 and V = 28. We divided the sample into non-variable stars and variable stars whose light curves contain large-scale variability. The flare rate on variable stars is {approx}700 times that of non-variable stars, with a significant correlation between the amount of underlying stellar variability and peak flare amplitude. The flare energy loss rates are generally higher than those of nearby well-studied single dMe flare stars. The distribution of proper motions is consistent with the flaring stars being at the distance and age of the Galactic bulge. If they are single dwarfs, then they span a range of Almost-Equal-To 1.0-0.25 M{sub Sun }. A majority of the flaring stars exhibit periodic photometric modulations with P < 3 days. If these are tidally locked magnetically active binary systems, then their fraction in the bulge is enhanced by a factor of {approx}20 compared to the local value. These stars may be useful for placing constraints on the angular momentum evolution of cool close binary stars. Our results expand the type of stars studied for flares in the optical band, and suggest that future sensitive optical time-domain studies will have to contend with a larger sample of flaring stars than the M dwarf flare stars usually considered.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1983

Ultrapure glass optical waveguide: Development in microgravity by the sol gel process

The sol-gel process for the preparation of homogeneous gels in three binary oxide systems was investigated. The glass forming ability of certain compositions in the selected oxide systems (SiO-GeO2, GeO2-PbO, and SiO2-TiO2) were studied based on their potential importance in the design of optical waveguide at longer wavelengths.

Mukherjee, S. P.↗
DOE OSTI2015

In-situ investigation of stress-induced martensitic transformation in Ti–Nb binary alloys with low Young's modulus [In-situ high-energy X-ray diffraction investigation on stress-induced martensitic transformation in Ti-Nb binary alloys]

Microstructure evolution, mechanical behaviors of cold rolled Ti-Nb alloys with different Nb contents subjected to different heat treatments were investigated. Here, optical microstructure and phase compositions of Ti-Nb alloys were characterized using optical microscopy and X-ray diffractometre, while mechanical behaviors of Ti-Nb alloys were examined by using tension tests. Stress-induced martensitic transformation in a Ti-30. at%Nb binary alloy was in-situ explored by synchrotron-based high-energy X-ray diffraction (HE-XRD). The results obtained suggested that mechanical behavior of Ti-Nb alloys, especially Young's modulus was directly dependent on chemical compositions and heat treatment process. According to the results of HE-XRD, α"-V1 martensite generated prior to the formation of α"-V2 during loading and a partial reversible transformation from α"-V1 to β phase was detected while α"-V2 tranformed to β completely during unloading.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1983

The optical counterparts of compact galactic X-ray sources

Ninety-six optical identifications of X-ray sources presumed to be compact objects are presented and discussed. X-ray and optical classifications of the sources are considered, and the several types of systems are discussed. These include neutron star binaries with massive and low-mass stellar components, neutron stars in supernova remnants, cataclysmic variables, and 'isolated' hot white dwarfs. The information that can be derived from optical observations of neutron-star systems with low-mass optical companions is emphasized.

Bradt, H. V. D.↗
NASA NTRS2014

V444 Cygni X-Ray and Polarimetric Variability: Radiative and Coriolis Forces Shape the Wind Collision Region

We present results from a study of the eclipsing, colliding-wind binary V444 Cyg that uses a combination of X-ray and optical spectropolarimetric methods to describe the 3D nature of the shock and wind structure within the system. We have created the most complete X-ray light curve of V444 Cyg to date using 40 kiloseconds of new data from Swift, and 200 kiloseconds of new and archived XMM-Newton observations. In addition, we have characterized the intrinsic, polarimetric phase-dependent behavior of the strongest optical emission lines using data obtained with the University of Wisconsin's Half-Wave Spectropolarimeter. We have detected evidence of the Coriolis distortion of the wind-wind collision in the X-ray regime, which manifests itself through asymmetric behavior around the eclipses in the system's X-ray light curves. The large opening angle of the X-ray emitting region, as well as its location (i.e. the WN wind does not collide with the O star, but rather its wind) are evidence of radiative braking/inhibition occurring within the system. Additionally, the polarimetric results show evidence of the cavity the wind-wind collision region carves out of the Wolf-Rayet star's wind.

binaries: eclipsing aEuro" stars:Wolf-Rayet aEuro"↗
DOE OSTI2019

From binary to quaternary: high-tolerance of multi-acceptors enables development of efficient polymer solar cells [From binary to quaternary: high-tolerance of multi-acceptors enables efficient polymer solar cells]

For optimum coverage of the optical spectrum and further enhancement of the carrier transport, ternary and even more multi-composition strategies have been universally explored. As PC 71 BM and PC 61 BM are both compatible with PTB7-Th and IEICO-4F takes advantage of optical absorption in the near-infrared region, we combined PTB7-Th:IEICO-4F:PC 71 BM:PC 61 BM quaternary compositions to fabricate high-efficiency polymer solar cells (PSCs) with good tolerance ratios of the fullerene acceptors. After blending the fullerene alloys PC 71 BM and PC 61 BM into the host PTB7-Th:IEICO-4F system, the optical response in the whole wavelength regime has been strengthened with significantly enhanced electron mobility. Concomitantly, the short-circuit current density ( J sc ) surged from 22.07 to 24.37 mA cm –2 and the fill factor (FF) ascended from 58.24% to 69.30%, which finally resulted in a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.52%, which is much higher than that of the binary control device (9.67%). This significant improvement is attributed to the fine-tuning of the morphology of the photo-active layer and feasible carrier transport. Interestingly, this finding implicates the synergistic effect of PC 71 BM and PC 61 BM to successfully enhancing the carrier transport. In addition, it demonstrates a broad tolerance of the acceptor proportions, resulting in higher PCE values for the quaternary devices as compared to the ternary devices. Lastly, generality for other systems evidences and provides guidelines for quaternary strategy utilization. Furthermore, the simplicity of quaternary strategies could be greatly beneficial to not yet elaborate commercial processes.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

CHANDRA AND SWIFT X-RAY OBSERVATIONS OF THE X-RAY PULSAR SMC X-2 DURING THE OUTBURST OF 2015

We report the Chandra /HRC-S and Swift /XRT observations for the 2015 outburst of the high-mass X-ray binary pulsar in the Small Magellanic Cloud, SMC X-2. While previous studies suggested that either an O star or a Be star in the field is the high-mass companion of SMC X-2, our Chandra /HRC-S image unambiguously confirms the O-type star as the true optical counterpart. Using the Swift /XRT observations, we extracted accurate orbital parameters of the pulsar binary through a time of arrivals analysis. In addition, there were two X-ray dips near the inferior conjunction, which are possibly caused by eclipses or an ionized high-density shadow wind near the companion’s surface. Finally, we propose that an outflow driven by the radiation pressure from day ∼10 played an important role in the X-ray/optical evolution of the outburst.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

HEARTBEAT STARS: SPECTROSCOPIC ORBITAL SOLUTIONS FOR SIX ECCENTRIC BINARY SYSTEMS

We present multi-epoch spectroscopy of “heartbeat stars,” eccentric binaries with dynamic tidal distortions and tidally induced pulsations originally discovered with the Kepler satellite. Optical spectra of six known heartbeat stars using the Wyoming Infrared Observatory 2.3 m telescope allow measurement of stellar effective temperatures and radial velocities from which we determine orbital parameters including the periods, eccentricities, approximate mass ratios, and component masses. These spectroscopic solutions confirm that the stars are members of eccentric binary systems with eccentricities e > 0.34 and periods P = 7–20 days, strengthening conclusions from prior works that utilized purely photometric methods. Heartbeat stars in this sample have A- or F-type primary components. Constraints on orbital inclinations indicate that four of the six systems have minimum mass ratios q = 0.3–0.5, implying that most secondaries are probable M dwarfs or earlier. One system is an eclipsing, double-lined spectroscopic binary with roughly equal-mass mid-A components (q = 0.95), while another shows double-lined behavior only near periastron, indicating that the F0V primary has a G1V secondary (q = 0.65). This work constitutes the first measurements of the masses of secondaries in a statistical sample of heartbeat stars. The good agreement between our spectroscopic orbital elements and those derived using a photometric model support the idea that photometric data are sufficient to derive reliable orbital parameters for heartbeat stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1997

Broadband High-Energy Observations of the Superluminal Jet Source GRO J1655-40 During an Outburst

The X-ray/radio transient superluminal jet source GRO J1655-40 was recently suggested to contain a black hole from optical observations. Because it is a relatively close-by system (d approximately 3.2 kpc), it can likely provide us with rich information about the physics operating in both Galactic and extragalactic jet sources. We present the first simultaneous broadband high-energy observations of GRO J1655-40 during the 1995 July-August outburst by three instruments: ASCA, WATCH/Granat, and BATSE/CGRO, in the energy band from 1 keV to 2 MeV. Our observations strengthen the interpretation that GRO J1655-40 contains a black hole. We detected a two-component energy spectrum, commonly seen from other Galactic black hole binaries, but never detected from a neutron star system. Combining our results with the mass limits derived from optical radial velocity and orbital period measurements, we further constrain the mass of the central object to be between 3.3 and 5.8 solar mass, above the well-established mass upper limit of 3.2 solar mass for a neutron star (the optical mass function for GRO J1655-40 is 3.16 + 0.2 solar mass). This system is therefore the first Galactic superluminal jet source for which there is strong evidence that the system contains a stellar mass black hole. The inclination angle of the binary system is constrained to be between 76 deg and 87 deg, consistent with estimates obtained from optical light curves and radio jet kinematics.

Zhang, S. N.↗
DOE OSTI2012

X-RAY BINARIES IN THE ULTRAHIGH ENCOUNTER RATE GLOBULAR CLUSTER NGC 6388

We report the results of a joint Chandra Hubble Space Telescope study of the X-ray binary (XRB) population in the massive, high-density globular cluster NGC 6388. NGC 6388 has one of the highest predicted XRB production rates of any Galactic cluster. We detected a large population of 61 Chandra sources within the half-mass radius with L{sub X} > 5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 30} erg s{sup -1}. From the X-ray colors, luminosities, (lack of) variability, and spectral fitting, we identify five as likely quiescent low-mass X-ray binaries. Due to the extremely crowded nature of the core of NGC 6388, finding optical identifications to Chandra sources is challenging. We have identified four blue, optically variable counterparts to spectrally hard X-ray sources, evidence that these are bright cataclysmic variables (CVs). One showed variability of 2 mag in V, indicative of a dwarf nova eruption. One other likely CV is identified by its X-ray spectrum (partial covering with high N{sub H}) and strong variability, making five likely CVs identified in this cluster. The relatively bright optical magnitudes of these sources put them in the same class as CV1 in M15 and the brightest CVs in 47 Tuc.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Radio timing and optical photometry of the black widow system PSR J1518+0204C in the globular cluster M5

We report on the determination of astrometric, spin, and orbital parameters for PSR J1518+0204C, a 'black widow' binary millisecond pulsar in the globular cluster (GC) M5. The accurate position and orbital parameters obtained from radio timing allowed us to search for the optical companion. By using WFC3/Hubble Space Telescope images, we identified a very faint variable star (m{sub F390W} ≳ 24.8, m{sub F606W} ≳ 24.3, m{sub F814W} ≳ 23.1) located at only 0.''25 from the pulsar's timing position. Due to its strong variability, this star is visible only in a subsample of images. However, the light curve obtained folding the available data with the orbital parameters of the pulsar shows a maximum at the pulsar inferior conjunction and a possible minimum at the pulsar superior conjunction. Furthermore, the shape of the optical modulation indicates a heating process possibly due to the pulsar wind. This is the first identification of an optical companion to a black widow pulsar in the dense stellar environment of a GC.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗