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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 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1999

AKN 564: An Unusual Component in the X-ray Spectra of NLSy1 Galaxies

We present an ASCA observation of the narrow-line Seyfert l (NLSyl) Arakelian 564. The X-ray light curve shows rapid variability, but no evidence for energy-dependence to these variations, within the 0.6 - 10 keV bandpass. A strong (EW approximately 70 eV) spectral feature is observed close to 1 keV. A similar feature has been observed in TON S180, another member of the NLSyl class of objects, but has not been observed in broad-line Seyfert galaxies. The feature energy suggests a large contribution from Fe L-shell lines but its intensity is difficult to explain in terms of emission and/or absorption from photoionized gas. The models which predict most emission at 1 keV are characterized by extreme values of column density, Fe abundance and ionization parameter. Models based on gas in thermal equilibrium with kT approximately l keV provide an alternative parameterization of the soft spectrum. The latter may be interpreted as the hot intercloud medium, undergoing rapid cooling and producing strong Fe L-shell recombination lines. In all cases the physical conditions are rather different from those observed in broad-line Seyferts. The hard X-ray spectrum shows a broad and asymmetric Fe K(alpha) line of large equivalent width (approximately 550 eV) suggestive of significant emission from the inner accretion disk. The profile can be explained by a neutral disk viewed at approximately 60 deg to the line-of-sight, contrary to the hypothesis that NLSyls are viewed pole-on. The large EW of this line, the strong 1 keV emission and the strong optical Fe emission lines all suggest an extreme Fe abundance in this and perhaps other NLSyls.

Turner, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS2000

The Early X-ray Emission From V382 Velorum (=Nove Vel 1999): An Internal Shock Model

We present the results of ASCA and RXTE observations of the early X-ray emission from the classical nova V382 Velorum. Its ASCA spectrum was hard (kT approximately 10 KeV) with a strong (10(exp 13)/sq cm) intrinsic absorption. In the subsequent RXTE data, the spectra became softer both due to a declining temperature and a diminishing column. We argue that this places the X-ray emission interior to the outermost ejecta produced by V382 Vel in 1999, and therefore must have been the result of a shock internal to the nova ejecta. The weakness of the Fe K.alpha lines probably indicates that the X-ray emitting plasmas are not in ionization equilibrium.

Mukai, Koji↗
NASA NTRS2002

Science Objectives of EOS-Aura's Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI)

OMI is a UV/VIS nadir solar backscatter spectrograph, which provides near global coverage in one day with a spatial resolution of 13 x 24 sq km. OMI is a new instrument, with a heritage from the European satellite instruments GOME, GOMOS and SCIAMACHY. OMI's unique capabilities for measuring important trace gases with a small footprint and daily global coverage, in conjunction with the other Aura instruments, will make a major contribution to our understanding of stratospheric and tropospheric chemistry and climate change. OMI will measure solar irradiance and Earth radiances in the wavelength range of 270 to 500 nm with spectral resolution of about 0.5 nm and a spectral sampling of about 2-3 per FWHM. From these observations, total columns of O3, NO2, BrO and SO2 will be derived from the back-scattered solar radiance using differential absorption spectroscopy (DOAS). The TOMS total ozone record will also be continued by employing the well established TOMS algorithm. Because of the high accuracy and spatial resolution of the measurements, a good estimate of tropospheric amounts of ozone and NO2 are expected. Ozone profiles will be derived using the optimal estimation method. The spectral aerosol optical depth will be determined from measurements between 340 and 500 nm. This will provide information on aerosol concentration, aerosol size distribution and aerosol type. This wavelength range makes it possible to retrieve aerosol information over both land and sea. OMI observations will also allow retrievals of cloud coverage and cloud heights. From these products, the UV-B flux at the surface can then be derived with high spatial resolution.

Levelt, P. F.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Atmospheric CO2 retrieved from ground-based solar spectra

The column-averaged volume mixing ration of CO2 over Kitt Peak, Arizona, has been retrieved from high-resolution solar absorption spectra obtained with the fourier transform spectrometer on the McMath telescope.

infrared remote sensing↗
NASA NTRS2010

Suzaku Observes Weak Flares from IGRJ17391-3021 Representing a Common Low-Activity State in this SFXT

We present an analysis of a 37-ks observation of the supergiant fast X-ray transient (SFXT) IGRJ17391 -3021 (=XTEJ1739-302) gathered with Suzaku. The source evolved from quiescence to a low-activity level culminating in three weak flares lasting approx.3 ks each in which the peak luminosity is only a factor of 5 times that of the pre-flare luminosity. The minimum observed luminosity was 1.3 x 10(exp 33) erg/s (d/2.7 kpc)(exp 2) in the 0.5-10 keV range. The weak flares are accompanied by significant changes in the spectral parameters including a column density (N(sub H) = (4.1(+0.4/-0.5)) x 10(exp 22)/sq cm) that is approx.2-9 times the absorption measured during quiescence. Accretion of obscuring clumps of stellar wind material can explain both the small flares and the increase in NH. Placing this observation in the context of the recent Swift monitoring campaign, we find that weak-flaring episodes, or at least epochs of enhanced activity just above the quiescent level but well below the moderately bright or high-luminosity outbursts, represent more than 60+/-5% of all observations in the 0.5-10keV energy range making this the most common state in the emission behavior of IGRJ17391 -3021.

Bodaghee, A.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Vertical Distribution of Aersols and Water Vapor Using CRISM Limb Observations

Near-infrared spectra taken in a limb-viewing geometry by the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) on-board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) provide a useful tool for probing atmospheric structure. Specifically, the observed radiance as a function of wavelength and height above the limb allows the vertical distribution of both dust and ice aerosols to be retrieved. These data serve as an important supplement to the aerosol profiling provided by the MRO/MCS instrument allowing independent validation and giving additional information on particle physical and scattering properties through multi-wavelength studies. A total of at least ten CRISM limb observations have been taken so far covering a full Martian year. Each set of limb observations nominally contains about four dozen scans across the limb giving pole-to-pole coverage for two orbits at roughly 100 and 290 W longitude over the Tharsis and Syrtis/Hellas regions, respectively. At each longitude, limb scans are spaced roughly 10 degrees apart in latitude, with a vertical spatial resolution on the limb of roughly 800 m. Radiative transfer modeling is used to model the observations. We compute synthetic CRISM limb spectra using a discrete-ordinates radiative transfer code that accounts for multiple scattering from aerosols and accounts for spherical geometry of the limb observations by integrating the source functions along curved paths in that coordinate system. Retrieved are 14-point vertical profiles for dust and water ice aerosols with resolution of 0.4 scale heights between one and six scale heights above the surface. After the aerosol retrieval is completed, the abundances of C02 (or surface pressure) and H20 gas are retrieved by matching the depth of absorption bands at 2000 nm for carbon dioxide and at 2600 run for water vapor. In addition to the column abundance of water vapor, limited information on its vertical structure can also be retrieved depending on the signal available from aerosol scattering.

Smith, Michael D.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Evidence that most type-1 AGNs are reddened by dust in the host ISM

The typical optical–UV continuum slopes observed in many type-1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are redder than expected from thin accretion disk (AD) models. A possible resolution to this conundrum is that many AGNs are reddened by dust along the line of sight. To explore this possibility, we stack 5000 SDSS AGNs with luminosity L≈10{sup 45} erg s{sup −1} and redshift z∼0.4 in bins of optical continuum slope α{sub opt} and width of the broad Hβ emission line. We measure the equivalent width (EW) of the NaID absorption feature in each stacked spectrum. We find a linear relation between α{sub opt} and EW(NaID), such that EW(NaID) increases as α{sub opt} becomes redder. In the bin with the smallest Hβ width, objects with the bluest slopes, which are similar to AD predictions, are found to have EW(NaID)=0, supporting the line of sight dust hypothesis. This conclusion is also supported by the dependence of the Hα/Hβ line ratio on α{sub opt}. The implied relationship between continuum slope and dust reddening is given by E{sub B−V}≈0.2⋅(−0.1−α{sub opt}), and the implied reddening of a typical type-1 AGN with α{sub opt}=−0.5 is E{sub B−V}≈0.08 mag. Photoionization calculations show that the line of sight dusty gas responsible for reddening is too ionized to produce the observed sodium features. Therefore, we argue that the sodium absorption arises in regions of the host ISM that are shielded from the AGN radiation along lines of sight to the stars, and the correlation with α{sub opt} arises since ISM columns along shielded and non-shielded sightlines are correlated. This scenario is supported by the similarity of the relation between E{sub B−V} and the Na i column implied by our results with the relation in the Milky Way found by previous studies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1990

Intercomparison of measurements of stratospheric hydrogen fluoride

Observations of the vertical profile of hydrogen fluoride (HF) vapor in the stratosphere and of the vertical column amounts of HF above certain altitudes were made using a variety of spectroscopic instruments in the 1982 and 1983 Balloon Intercomparison Campaigns. Both emission instruments working in the far-infrared spectral region and absorption instruments using solar occultation in the 2.5-micron region were employed. No systematic differences were seen in results from the two spectral regions. A mean profile from 20 - 45 km is presented, with uncertainties ranging from 20 to 50 percent. Total columns measured from ground and from 12 km are consistent with the profile if the mixing ratio for HF is small in the troposphere and low stratosphere.

Mankin, William G.↗
NASA NTRS2013

An Outburst Scenario for the X-ray Spectral Variability in 3C 111

We present a combined Suzaku and Swift BAT broad-band E=0.6-200 keV spectral analysis of three 3C 111 observations obtained in 2010. The data are well described with an absorbed power-law continuum and a weak (R approximately equal to 0.2) cold reflection component from distant material. We constrain the continuum cutoff at E(sub C) approximately equal to 150- 200 keV, which is in accordance with X-ray Comptonization corona models and supports claims that the jet emission is only dominant at much higher energies. Fe XXVI Ly alpha emission and absorption lines are also present in the first and second observations, respectively. The modelling and interpretation of the emission line is complex and we explore three possibilities. If originating from ionized disc reflection, this should be emitted at r(sub in) greater than or equal to 50 r(sub g) or, in the lamp-post configuration, the illuminating source should be at a height of h greater than or equal to 30 r(sub g) over the black hole. Alternatively, the line could be modeled with a hot collisionally ionized plasma with temperature kT = 22.0(sup +6.1)(sub −3.2) keV or a photo-ionized plasma with logXi=4.52(sup +0.10)(sub −0.16) erg per second cm, and column density N(sub H) greater than 3×10(sup 23) per square centimeter. However, the first and second scenarios are less favored on statistical and physical grounds, respectively. The blue-shifted absorption line in the second observation can be modelled as an ultra-fast outflow (UFO) with ionization parameter logXi=4.47(sup +0.76) (sub −0.04) erg per second cm, column density NH=(5.3(sup +1.8)(sub −1.3))×10(sup 22) per square centimeter and outflow velocity v(sub out) = 0.104+/-0.006c. Interestingly, the parameters of the photoionized emission model remarkably match those of the absorbing UFO, supporting the possibility that the same material could be responsible for both emission and absorption. We suggest an outburst scenario in which an accretion disc wind, initially lying out of the line of sight and observed in emission, then crosses our view to the source and it is observed in absorption as a mildly-relativistic UFO.

Outburst↗
NASA NTRS1991

New results concerning the Galactic fountain

The time-dependent nonequilibrium thermal and ionization history is traced of hot optically-thin radiatively-cooling gas in a 1D planar steady-state flow model of the Galactic fountain. The calculation of such a flow which neglects photoionization is found to be unable to simultaneously reproduce the observed C IV, Si IV, and N V column densities through Galactic halo gas. It is shown that, when photoionization is taken into account, a fountain flow can match the observations of both UV absorption and emission lines for a range of ionizing fluxes which depends on the characteristic size of the cooling regions within the flow. What levels of the external photoionizing flux, such as that contributed by Galactic starlight, supernova remnants, and the metagalactic radiation background, can produce agreement with observational results are determined. The ionizing radiation emitted by the cooling gas itself is found to be sufficient to cause the flow to match the observed column densities and line emission.

Shapiro, Paul R.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of the Intergalactic and Interstellar Absorption Toward 3C 273

We present Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer observations of the molecular, neutral atomic, weakly ionized, and highly ionized components of the interstellar and intergalactic material toward the quasar 3C273. We identify Ly-beta absorption in eight of the known intergalactic Ly-alpha absorbers along the sight line with the rest-frame equivalent widths W(sub r)(Ly-alpha) > 50 micro-angstroms. Refined estimates of the H(I) column densities and Doppler parameters (b) of the clouds are presented. We find a range of b = 16-46 km/s. We detect multiple H(I) lines (Ly-beta - Ly-theta) in the 1590 km/s Virgo absorber and estimate logN(H(I)) = 15.85 +/- 0.10, ten times more H(I) than all of the other absorbers along the sight line combined. The Doppler width of this absorber, b = 16 km/s, implies T < 15,000 K. We detect O(VI) absorption at 1015 km/s at the 2-3(sigma) level that may be associated with hot, X-ray emitting gas in the Virgo Cluster. We detect weak C(III) and O(VI) absorption in the IGM at z=0.12007; this absorber is predominantly ionized and has N(H+)/N(H(I)) > 4000/Z, where Z is the metallicity. Strong Galactic interstellar O(VI) is present between -100 and +100 km/s with an additional high-velocity wing containing about 13% of the total O(VI) between +100 and +240 km/s. The Galactic O(VI), N(V), and C(IV) lines have similar shapes, with roughly constant ratios across the -100 to +100 km/s velocity range. The high velocity O(VI) wing is not detected in other species. Much of the interstellar high ion absorption probably occurs within a highly fragmented medium within the Loop IV remnant or in the outer cavity walls of the remnant. Multiple hot gas production mechanisms are required. The broad O(VI) absorption wing likely traces the expulsion of hot gas out of the Galactic disk into the halo. A flux limit of 5.4 x 10(epx -16) erg/sq cm/s on the amount of diffuse O(VI) emission present = 3.5' off the 3C273 sight line combined with the observed O(VI) column density toward 3C273, logN O(VI) = 14.73 +/- 0.04, implies n(sub e) < 0.02/cubic cm and P/k < 11,500/cubic cm for an assumed temperature of 3 x 10(exp 5) K. The elemental abundances in the neutral and weakly-ionized interstellar clouds are similar to those found for other halo clouds. The warm neutral and warm ionized clouds along the sight line have similar dust-phase abundances, implying that the properties of the dust grains in the two types of clouds are similar. Interstellar H2 absorption is present at positive velocities at a level of logN(H2) = 15.71, but is very weak at the velocities of the main column density concentration along the sight line observed in H(I) 21 cm emission.

Sembach, Kenneth R.↗
DOE OSTI2013

WATER ABSORPTION FROM GAS VERY NEAR THE MASSIVE PROTOSTAR AFGL 2136 IRS 1

We present ground-based observations of the ν{sub 1} and ν{sub 3} fundamental bands of H{sub 2}O toward the massive protostar AFGL 2136 IRS 1, identifying absorption features due to 47 different ro-vibrational transitions between 2.468 μm and 2.561 μm. Analysis of these features indicates the absorption arises in warm (T = 506 ± 25 K), very dense (n(H{sub 2}) > 5 × 10{sup 9} cm{sup –3}) gas, suggesting an origin close to the central protostar. The total column density of warm water is estimated to be N(H{sub 2}O) = (1.02 ± 0.02) × 10{sup 19} cm{sup –2}, giving a relative abundance of N(H{sub 2}O)/N(H{sub 2}) ≈ 10{sup –4}. Our study represents the first extensive use of water vapor absorption lines in the near infrared, and demonstrates the utility of such observations in deriving physical parameters.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Delving into X-ray obscuration of type 2 AGN, near and far

Using self-consistent, physically motivated models, we investigate the X-ray obscuration in 19 Type 2 [O III] 5007 Å selected active galactic nuclei (AGNs), 9 of which are local Seyfert 2 galaxies and 10 of which are Type 2 quasar candidates. We derive reliable line-of-sight and global column densities for these objects, which is the first time this has been reported for an AGN sample; four AGNs have significantly different global and line-of-sight column densities. Five sources are heavily obscured to Compton-thick. We comment on interesting sources revealed by our spectral modeling, including a candidate 'naked' Sy2. After correcting for absorption, we find that the ratio of the rest-frame, 2-10 keV luminosity (L{sub 2-10} {sub keV,} {sub in}) to L{sub [O} {sub III]} is 1.54 ± 0.49 dex which is essentially identical to the mean Type 1 AGN value. The Fe Kα luminosity is significantly correlated with L{sub [O} {sub III]} but with substantial scatter. Finally, we do not find a trend between L {sub 2-10keV,} {sub in} and global or line-of-sight column density, between column density and redshift, between column density and scattering fraction, or between scattering fraction and redshift.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1993

The abundance of CH(+) in translucent molecular clouds - Further tests of shock models

Observations of interstellar absorption lines of CH(+) in the (0, 0) and (1, 0) bands of the A 1Pi - X 1Sigma(+) system are presented for 17 stars with reddenings up to E(B-V) about 1.5 mag. Complementary data on interstellar CH in the (0, 0) bands of the A 2Delta - X 2Pi and B 2Sigma(-) - X 2Pi systems and C2 in the A 1Pi(u) - X 1Sigma(g)(+) red system have been obtained as well. The derived CH(+) column densities continue to increase with total column density, and values up to 10 exp 14/sq cm are reported for highly-reddened lines of sight. In most cases, the CH(+) and CH absorptions are dominated by a single strong component, with weaker features displaced by a few km/s. No significant velocity difference is found between CH(+) and neutral species such as CH and CN for this sample of randomly oriented lines of sight. In contrast with CN, the CH(+) abundance does not increase with the density in the cloud as derived from the observed C2 excitation. For the two clouds with the largest density, HD 62542 and HD 94413, no CH(+) absorption is found with CH(+)/CH less than 0.03 and 0.14, respectively. The CH(+) findings do not support a single-shock origin for the formation of the ion.

Gredel, R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Goddard high-resolution spectrograph observations of narrow discrete stellar wind absorption features in the ultraviolet spectrum of the O7.5 III star Xi Persei

We report the observation of transient narrow absorption components (NACs) in the stellar wind of the O giant Xi Per. Two sets of GHRS observations of the Si IV ultraviolet resonance doublet have been obtained. These features are extremely weak, with column densities of approximately 10 exp 12/sq cm and optical depths of order 0.1. The features are narrow, less than 30 km/s, and seem to occur in groups. If the NACs are due to the 1393 A component, they represent previously undetected low-velocity discrete absorption components at V(rad) below -600 km/s. If they are high-velocity features on the 1402 A doublet component, they may represent the decay phase of the discrete absorption components at the terminal velocity. In either case, they are a new aspect of the NAC phenomenon that could not have been detected with previous ultraviolet spectrographs.

Shore, Steven N.↗
NASA NTRS1995

A high spectral resolution VLA search for H I absorption towards A496, A1795, and A2584

In this paper, we present the results of a Very Large Array (VLA) search for H I absorption with high spectral resolution (1.6 km/s) towards A496, A1795, A2584, and A2597. These observations are well matched to the properties of cold, optically thick H I clouds, where the line width is given by the width of an individual cloud rather than the dispersion in an ensemble of clouds. We do not detect any H I absorption with narrow linewidths in these clusters. Our limits mainly apply to clouds which are larger than a few tenths parsec-i.e., if the clouds are much smaller than the background radio source and have a low covering factor in velocity space, they could still escape detection. The estimated limits on column density (for clouds in this regime of parameter space) are 2-3 orders of magnitude less than the 10(exp 21)/sq cm required to explain the x-ray absorption seen in some cooling flow clusters. The combination of our high spectral resolution H I absorption searches with the existing lower spectral resolution H I absorption searches and the searches for H I emission makes it unlikely that atomic hydrogen is the dominant component of the cold x-ray absorbing gas in the inter-cloud medium (ICM).

O'Dea, Christopher P.↗
DOE OSTI2012

METALLICITIES, DUST, AND MOLECULAR CONTENT OF A QSO-DAMPED Ly{alpha} SYSTEM REACHING log N(H I) = 22: AN ANALOG TO GRB-DLAs

We present the elemental abundance and H{sub 2} content measurements of a damped Ly{alpha} (DLA) system with an extremely large H I column density, log N(H I) (cm{sup -2}) = 22.0 {+-} 0.10, at z{sub abs} = 3.287 toward the QSO SDSS J081634+144612. We measure column densities of H{sub 2}, C I, C I*, Zn II, Fe II, Cr II, Ni II, and Si II from a high signal-to-noise and high spectral resolution VLT-UVES spectrum. The overall metallicity of the system is [Zn/H] = -1.10 {+-} 0.10 relative to solar. Two molecular hydrogen absorption components are seen at z = 3.28667 and 3.28742 (a velocity separation of Almost-Equal-To 52 km s{sup -1}) in rotational levels up to J = 3. We derive a total H{sub 2} column density of log N(H{sub 2}) (cm{sup -2}) = 18.66 and a mean molecular fraction of f = 2N(H{sub 2})/[2N(H{sub 2}) + N(H I)] = 10{sup -3.04{+-}0.37}, typical of known H{sub 2}-bearing DLA systems. From the observed abundance ratios we conclude that dust is present in the interstellar medium of this galaxy, with an enhanced abundance in the H{sub 2}-bearing clouds. However, the total amount of dust along the line of sight is not large and does not produce any significant reddening of the background QSO. The physical conditions in the H{sub 2}-bearing clouds are constrained directly from the column densities of H{sub 2} in different rotational levels, C I and C I*. The kinetic temperature is found to be T Almost-Equal-To 75 K and the particle density lies in the range n{sub H} = 50-80 cm{sup -3}. The neutral hydrogen column density of this DLA is similar to the mean H I column density of DLAs observed at the redshift of {gamma}-ray bursts (GRBs). We explore the relationship between GRB-DLAs and the high column density end of QSO-DLAs finding that the properties (metallicity and depletion) of DLAs with log N(H I) > 21.5 in the two populations do not appear to be significantly different.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2002

Fabry-Perot Interferometer for Column CO2

Global atmospheric CO2 measurements are essential to resolving significant discrepancies in our understanding of the global carbon budget and, hence, humankind's role in global climate change. The science measurement requirements for CO2 are extremely demanding (precision approx. 0.3%). No atmospheric chemical species has ever been measured from space with this precision. We are developing a novel application of a Fabry-Perot interferometer to detect spectral absorption of reflected sunlight by CO2 and O2 in the atmosphere. Preliminary design studies indicate that the method will be able to achieve the sensitivity and signal-to-noise detection required to measure column CO2 at the target specification. The objective of this program is to construct a prototype instrument for deployment on an aircraft to test the instrument performance and our ability to retrieve the data in the real atmosphere. To date we have assembled a laboratory bench system to begin testing the optical and electronic components. We are also measuring signal and noise levels in actual sunlight to evaluate component performance.

Heaps, William S.↗