SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “CCD observation”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1993

Vertical structure models of the 1990 equatorial disturbance on Saturn

In September 1990, an atmospheric disturbance in the form of an abnormally high albedo area developed in the equatorial region of Saturn. Events of this nature are exceedingly rare for this planet as they have been detected in the equatorial region on only two other occasions in over a century. In ongoing monitoring of the atmospheres of the outer planets, CCD imaging observations of Saturn by New Mexico State University's Tortugas Mountain Station were made before, during, and after the disturbance's formation through both broad-band filters and narrow-band visible/near-IR filters centered in methane absorption bands. Also, multispectral Hubble Space Telescope observations were made within weeks of the event and later in 1991. These observations were calibrated and scans of reflectivity at constant latitude are being modeled with a vertically inhomogeneous, multiple scattering model previously used to model Jupiter's South Equatorial Belt brightening event in 1989. In addition, the reflectivity of the disturbance as a function of the scattering angles is being obtained so as to model this feature's vertical structure in particular. A preliminary report of the modeling results will be presented.

Kuehn, D. M.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Steps toward determination of the size and structure of the broad-line region in active galatic nuclei. 8: An intensive HST, IUE, and ground-based study of NGC 5548

We present the data and initial results from a combined Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/IUE/ground-based spectroscopic monitoring campaign on the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 that was undertaken in order to address questions that require both higher temporal resolution and higher signal-to-noise ratios than were obtained in our previous multiwavelength monitoring of this galaxy in 1988-1989. IUE spectra were obtained once every 2 days for a period of 74 days beginning on 1993 March 14. During the last 39 days of this campaign, spectroscopic observations were also made with the HST Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) on a daily basis. Ground-based observations, consisting of 165 optical spectra and 77 photometric observations (both CCD imaging and aperture photometry), are reported for the period 1992 October-1993 September, although many of the data are concentrated around the time of the satellite-based program. These data constitute a fifth year of intensive optical monitoring of this galaxy. In this contribution we describe the acquisition and reduction of all of the satellite and ground-based data obtained in this program. We describe in detail various photometric problems with the FOS and explain how we identified and corrected for various anomalies.

Korista, K. T.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Major Optical Outburst of Two Blazars: 3C66A and OJ287

Differential CCD photometric observations of 3C66A and OJ287 were carried out on 16 and 35 nights between December 1995 and March 1996, at the Vainu Bappu Observatory, India, as part of the blazar monitoring program. During this period we detected major optical outbursts (brightness of 3C66A and OJ287 increased by 0.8 and 1 mag, respectively) of these two blazars on timescales of two months. Integrating the outburst profiles we find that both the blazars released around 10(exp 53) erg. Such large amount of energy may come from the release of binding energy of a compact star when tidally disrupted by a super-massive black hole at the center of these blazars. Also we extend this model to explain the observed multifrequency (radio through gamma-ray) outburst of these two blazars and show that this model will be able to explain the outburst phenomena of other blazars. These new results will be presented with a detailed discussion of the suggested model.

Ghosh, K. K.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Rotational Properties of the Binary and Non-Binary Populations in the Trans-Neptunian Belt

We present results for the short-term variability of binary trans-Neptunian objects (BTNOs). We performed CCD photometric observations using the 3.58 m Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), the 1.5 m Sierra Nevada Observatory (OSN) telescope, and the 1.23 m Centro Astronómico Hispano Alemán (CAHA) telescope at Calar Alto Observatory. We present results based on five years of observations and report the short-term variability of six BTNOs. Our sample contains three classical objects: (174567) 2003 MW12, or Varda, (120347) 2004 SB60, or Salacia, and 2002 VT130; one detached disk object: (229762) 2007 UK126; and two resonant objects: (341520) 2007 TY430 and (38628) 2000 EB173, or Huya. For each target, possible rotational periods and/or photometric amplitudes are reported. We also derived some physical properties from their light curves, such as density, primary and secondary sizes, and albedo. We compiled and analyzed a vast light curve database for TNOs including centaurs to determine the light-curve amplitude and spin frequency distributions for the binary and non-binary populations. The mean rotational periods, from the Maxwellian fits to the frequency distributions, are 8.63 plus or minus 0.52 hours for the entire sample, 8.37 plus or minus 0.58 hours for the sample without the binary population, and 10.11 plus or minus 1.19 hours for the binary population alone. Because the centaurs are collisionally more evolved, their rotational periods might not be so primordial. We computed a mean rotational period, from the Maxwellian fit, of 8.86 plus or minus 0.58 hours for the sample without the centaur population, and of 8.64 plus or minus 0.67 hours considering a sample without the binary and the centaur populations. According to this analysis, regular TNOs spin faster than binaries, which is compatible with the tidal interaction of the binaries. Finally, we examined possible formation models for several systems studied in this work and by our team in previous papers.

photometric↗

NASA NTRS2009

Photometric Studies of GEO Orbital Debris

The photometric signature of a debris object can be useful in determining what the physical characteristics of a piece of debris are. We report on optical observations in multiple filters of debris at geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). Our sample is taken from GEO objects discovered in a survey with the University of Michigan's 0.6-m aperture Schmidt telescope MODEST (for Michigan Orbital DEbris Survey Telescope), and then followed up in real-time with the Cerro Tololo Inter- American Observatory (CTIO) 0.9-m for orbits and photometry. Our goal is to determine 6 parameter orbits and measure colors for all objects fainter than R=15th magnitude that are discovered in the MODEST survey. At this magnitude the distribution of observed angular rates changes significantly from that of brighter objects. There are two objectives: 1. Estimate the orbital distribution of objects selected on the basis of two observational criteria: brightness (magnitude) and angular rates. 2. Obtain magnitudes and colors in standard astronomical filters (BVRI) for comparison with reflectance spectra of likely spacecraft materials. What is the faint debris likely to be? More than 90 calibrated sequences of R-B-V-I-R magnitudes for a sample of 50 objects have been obtained with the CTIO 0.9-m. For objects that do not show large brightness variations, the colors are largely redder than solar in both B-R and R-I. The width of the color distribution may be intrinsic to the nature of the surfaces, but also could be that we are seeing irregularly shaped objects and measuring the colors at different times with just one telescope. For a smaller sample of objects we have observed with synchronized CCD cameras on the two telescopes. The CTIO 0.9-m observes in B, and MODEST in R. The CCD cameras are electronically linked together so that the start time and duration of observations are the same to better than 50 milliseconds. Thus the B-R color is a true measure of the surface of the debris piece facing the telescopes for that observation. Any change in color reflects a real change in the debris surface. We will compare our observations with models and laboratory measurements of selected surfaces.

Seitzer, Patrick↗

NASA NTRS2009

Photometric Studies of GEO Debris

The photometric signature of a debris object can be useful in determining what the physical characteristics of a piece of debris are. We report on optical observations in multiple filters of debris at geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). Our sample is taken from GEO objects discovered in a survey with the University of Michigan's 0.6-m aperture Schmidt telescope MODEST (for Michigan Orbital DEbris Survey Telescope), and then followed up in real-time with the SMARTS (Small and Medium Aperture Research Telescope System) 0.9-m at CTIO for orbits and photometry. Our goal is to determine 6 parameter orbits and measure colors for all objects fainter than R = 15 th magnitude that are discovered in the MODEST survey. At this magnitude the distribution of observed angular rates changes significantly from that of brighter objects. There are two objectives: 1. Estimate the orbital distribution of objects selected on the basis of two observational criteria: brightness (magnitude) and angular rates. 2. Obtain magnitudes and colors in standard astronomical filters (BVRI) for comparison with reflectance spectra of likely spacecraft materials. What is the faint debris likely to be? In this paper we report on the photometric results. For a sample of 50 objects, more than 90 calibrated sequences of R-B-V-I-R magnitudes have been obtained with the CTIO 0.9-m. For objects that do not show large brightness variations, the colors are largely redder than solar in both B-R and R-I. The width of the color distribution may be intrinsic to the nature of the surfaces, but also could be that we are seeing irregularly shaped objects and measuring the colors at different times with just one telescope. For a smaller sample of objects we have observed with synchronized CCD cameras on the two telescopes. The CTIO 0.9-m observes in B, and MODEST in R. The CCD cameras are electronically linked together so that the start time and duration of observations are the same to better than 50 milliseconds. Thus the B-R color is a true measure of the surface of the debris piece facing the telescopes for that observation. Any change in color reflects a real change in the debris surface.

Seitzer, Patrick↗

NASA NTRS2010

Optical Photometric Observations of GEO Debris

We report on a continuing program of optical photometric measurements of faint orbital debris at geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). These observations can be compared with laboratory studies of actual spacecraft materials in an effort to determine what the faint debris at GEO may be. We have optical observations from Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) in Chile of two samples of debris: 1. GEO objects discovered in a survey with the University of Michigan's 0.6-m aperture Curtis-Schmidt telescope MODEST (for Michigan Orbital DEbris Survey Telescope), and then followed up in real-time with the CTIO/SMARTS 0.9-m for orbits and photometry. Our goal is to determine 6 parameter orbits and measure colors for all objects fainter than R = 15 t11 magnitude that are discovered in the MODEST survey. 2. A smaller sample of high area to mass ratio (AMR) objects discovered independently, and acquired using predictions from orbits derived from independent tracking data collected days prior to the observations. Our optical observations in standard astronomical BVRI filters are done with either telescope, and with the telescope tracking the debris object at the object's angular rate. Observations in different filters are obtained sequentially. We have obtained 71 calibrated sequences of R-B-V-I-R magnitudes. A total of 66 of these sequences have 3 or more good measurements in all filters (not contaminated by star streaks or in Earth's shadow). Most of these sequences show brightness variations, but a small subset has observed brightness variations consistent with that expected from observational errors alone. The majority of these stable objects are redder than a solar color in both B-R and R-I. There is no dependence on color with brightness. For a smaller sample of objects we have observed with synchronized CCD cameras on the two telescopes. The CTIO 0.9-m observes in B, and MODEST in R. The CCD cameras are electronically linked together so that the start time and duration of observations are the same to better than 50 milliseconds. Thus, the B-R color is a true measure of the surface of the debris piece facing the telescopes for that observation. Any change in color reflects a real change in the debris surface. We will compare our observations with models and laboratory measurements of selected surfaces.

Seitzer, Patrick↗

NASA NTRS2009

Photometric Studies of Orbital Debris at GEO

Orbital debris represents a significant and increasing risk to operational spacecraft. Here we report on photometric observations made in standard BVRI filters at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) in an effort to determine the physical characteristics of optically faint debris at geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). Our sample is taken from GEO objects discovered in a survey with the University of Michigan s 0.6-m Curtis-Schmidt telescope (known as MODEST, for Michigan Orbital DEbris Survey Telescope), and then followed up in real-time with the CTIO/SMARTS 0.9-m for orbits and photometry. For a sample of 50 objects, calibrated sequences in RB- V-I-R filters have been obtained with the CTIO/SMARTS 0.9-m. For objects that do not show large brightness variations, the colors are largely redder than solar in both B-R and R-I. The width of the color distribution may be intrinsic to the nature of the surfaces, but also could imply that we are seeing irregularly shaped objects and measuring the colors at different times with just one telescope. For irregularly shaped objects tumbling at unknown orientations and rates, such sequential filter measurements using one telescope are subject to large errors for interpretation. If all observations in all filters in a particular sequence are of the same surface at the same solar and viewing angles, then the colors are meaningful. Where this is not the case, interpretation of the observed colors is impossible. For a smaller sample of objects we have observed with synchronized CCD cameras on the two telescopes. The CTIO/SMARTS 0.9-m observes in B, and the Schmidt in R. The CCD cameras are electronically linked together so that the start time and duration of observations are both the same to better than 50 milliseconds. Now the observed B-R color is a true measure of the scattered illuminated area of the debris piece for that observation.

Seitzer, Patrick↗

NASA NTRS1987

Differential CCD photometry of faint asteroids in crowded star fields and nonphotometric sky conditions

It is demonstrated that the use of an imaging CCD detector array allows photometric observations of comparatively faint asteroids moving rapidly through a complex background of star images. The shortage of observing time is alleviated by taking advantage of the presence of comparison stars that are observed simultaneously on the CCD imaging area and at small angular separations from the asteroid. These reference stars allow the effects of thin cirrus clouds or haze to be compensated to a degree adequate for the acquisition of scientifically original data.

Wisniewski, W. Z.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Time Series Photometry with a CCD Camera

Time series observations of a field in the cluster NGC 4755 with a CCD camera are used to show that differential photometry between stars on the CCD frame is limited in accuracy mostly by photon statistics, over a 5 magnitude range. Scintillation noise appears to be almost entirely suppressed. The maximum accuracy possible is limited by the storage capacity of the CCD to about 0.001 mag.

Walker, A. R.↗

NASA NTRS2011

French Meteor Network for High Precision Orbits of Meteoroids

There is a lack of precise meteoroids orbit from video observations as most of the meteor stations use off-the-shelf CCD cameras. Few meteoroids orbit with precise semi-major axis are available using film photographic method. Precise orbits are necessary to compute the dust flux in the Earth s vicinity, and to estimate the ejection time of the meteoroids accurately by comparing them with the theoretical evolution model. We investigate the use of large CCD sensors to observe multi-station meteors and to compute precise orbit of these meteoroids. An ideal spatial and temporal resolution to get an accuracy to those similar of photographic plates are discussed. Various problems faced due to the use of large CCD, such as increasing the spatial and the temporal resolution at the same time and computational problems in finding the meteor position are illustrated.

Atreya, P.↗

NASA NTRS1986

New molecular ions in spectra of comet P/Halley

Spectroscopic observations (4000 to 7000 A) were obtained of comet P/Halley near the time of the spacecraft encounters in March 1986. Molecular ion emission features were observed in the long-slit CCD spectra. Additional spectroscopic observations obtained in April 1986 confirm the presence of many new ion features in the plasma tail. It is proposed that CO2(+) be identified with the new features in the 4000 to 4350 A region. The other unidentified ion features may be attributable to a single ion species.

Wyckoff, S.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Full-disk solar Dopplergrams observed with a one-megapixel CCD camera and a sodium magneto-optical filter

The paper presents here the first two full-disk solar Dopplergrams obtained with the new 1024 x 1024-pixel CCD camera which has recently been installed at the 60-Foot Tower Telescope of the Mt. Wilson Observatory. These Dopplergrams have a spatial resolution of 2.2 arcseconds and were obtained in a total of one minute of time. The Dopplergrams were obtained with a magnetooptical filter which was designed to obtain images in the two Na D lines. The filter and the camera were operated together as part of the development of a solar oscillations imager experiment which is currently being designed at JPL for the Joint NASA/ESA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory mission. Two different images obtained by subtracting two pairs of the Dopplergrams from the initial time series are also included.

Rhodes, Edward J., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The Wasilewski sample of emission-line galaxies - Follow-up CCD imaging and spectroscopic and IRAS observations

The results of an extensive imaging and spectroscopic follow-up of the objective prism-selected emission line galaxy (ELG) sample of Wasilewski (1982) are presented. Fluxes at 12, 25, 60, and 100 microns were also obtained from the coadded IRAS survey data. ELGs found by objective prism surveys are found to be generally small and underluminous galaxies which usually have higher than average optical surface brightness. The Seyfert detection rate in objective prism surveys is roughly 10 percent and the ratio of the space densities of Seyfert 2 to Seyfert 1 galaxies is significantly larger than unity. Most of the galaxies selected by objective prism surveys are star-forming, late-type spirals which often show disturbed morphology. About 25 percent of the galaxies detected by the surveys are faint, high-excitation metal-poor compact H II regions.

Bothun, Gregory D.↗

NASA NTRS1989

2060 Chiron - CCD and electronographic photometry

R-band observations conducted for 2060 Chiron using CCD photometry in November-December 1986 and March 1988 are discussed. While the 1986 observations exhibit neither periodic nor nonperiodic brightness changes ascribable to comet-like activity, the 1988 observations show an 0.6 + or - 0.1 mag brightening that confirms the Tholen et al. (1988) findings and is consistent with the 1978 electronographic photometry presented. The lightcurve amplitudes appear, however, to have remained unchanged from 1978 to 1988, and the image profiles from 1978 are indistinguishable from the stars in 1986 and 1988. It is suggested that Chiron has either been varying nonasteroidally of late, on a 1-2 month timescale, or its intrinsic brightness has been bistable over the past decade.

Bus, Schelte J.↗

NASA NTRS1997

A Deep Optical Survey of the Ecliptic

This was an observing-intensive investigation into the newly discovered regions of the solar system beyond Neptune. The research was focussed on the use of unique imaging facilities on telescopes atop Mauna Kea, Hawaii, although other observatories (in Arizona and Chile) were also occasionally used. We secured about 20 nights of telescope time per year for our 'Medium Depth Wide Area' survey (JLC96). In this, we covered 5 sq. deg. of sky to apparent red magnitude 24.2. We used a high quantum efficiency Tektronix 2048x2048 CCD for all observations in this program. We secured observing time at the UH 2.2 meter for testing the suitability of a much larger array CCD camera for survey work (an 8192x8192 pixel device). We obtained observing runs at the twin Schmidt telescopes of Kitt Peak National Observatory and Cerro-Tololo InterAmerican Observatory in order to assess the number of bright Kuiper Belt objects, Centaurs and gas giant Trojans.

Jewitt, David↗

NASA NTRS1982

Discovery of three far-red objects in CCD images of the galactic center

Observations of the galactic center with a CCD camera in the far-red (9030-9270 A) have revealed three previously unknown objects which are designated FRS 1, FRS 2, and FRS 3. The three objects have magnitudes of 18.7, 19.5, and 19.7, respectively, and lie within 10 arcsec of the direction of Sgr A West, corresponding to a distance of about 1/2 pc at 10 kpc. FRS 1 lies within the extended 2.2-micron infrared source IRS 16, which may coincide with the dynamical center of the Galaxy. Two interpretations of these far-red objects which have been considered are that (1) they are compact clusters of giant stars, earlier than M0 or (2) they are extremely compact H II regions observed in the forbidden emission of doubly ionized sulfur. Observational tests of these two hypotheses are suggested.

Ricker, G. R.↗

NASA NTRS1999

On the Temporal Evolution of Red Sprites, Runaway Theory Versus Data

The results of numerical simulations of red sprite discharges, namely the temporal evolutions of optical emissions, are presented and compared with observations. The simulations are done using the recently recalculated runaway avalanche rates. The temporal evolution of these simulations is in good agreement with ground-based photometer and CCD TV camera observations of red sprites. Our model naturally explains the "hairline" of red sprites as a boundary between the region where the intensity of optical emissions associated with runaway breakdown has a maximum and the region where the intensity of optical emissions caused by conventional breakdown and ambient electron heating has a maximum. We also present for the first time simulations of red sprites with a daytime conductivity profile.

Yukhimuk, V.↗