Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “PHOTOELECTRIC PHOTOMETRY”

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.

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

At least 109 records · Page 6

Neptune's cloud structure in 1989 - Photometric variations and correlation with ground-based images

Ground-based photoelectric photometry in b, y, and the 6190 and 7250 A methane-bands, as well as spectrum scans of the methane 6190 A band and CCD images at 6190 and 8900 A, were obtained for Neptune during Voyager 2's approach of that planet on August 24, 1989. Photometric variations are presently correlated with the disk transit of bright planetary features, and the changes in feature distribution and brightness noted in the results are evaluated for implications bearing on long-term variability. It is suggested that the long-term secular variation is related to a slow change in a size of location of both the bright companion and the Great Dark Spot.

Lockwood, G. W.↗

A photometric survey of outer belt asteroids

Since 1989, we have been conducting a research program devoted to the study of the Trojans and outer belt asteroids (Hilda and Cybele groups), in order to characterize their rotational properties and shapes. As an outcome of several observational campaigns, we determined rotational periods and lightcurve amplitudes for 23 distant asteroids, using both CCD and photoelectric photometry. In this paper, we compare the rotational properties of main belt asteroids and Trojans, based on the preliminary results of this survey.

Dimartino, M.↗

Starspot evolution, differential rotation, and magnetic cycles in the chromospherically active binaries lambda andromedae, sigma Geminorum, II Pegasi, and V711 Tauri

We have analyzed 15-19 yr of photoelectric photometry, obtained manually and with automated telescopes, of the chromospherically active binaries lambda And, sigma Gem, II Peg, and V711 Tau. These observations let us identify individual dark starspots on the stellar surfaces from periodic dimming of the starlight, follow the evolution of these spots, and search for long-term cyclic changes in the properties of these starspots that might reveal magnetic cycles analogous to the Sun's 11 yr sunspot cycle. We developed a computer code to fit a simple two-spot model to our observed light curves that allows us to extract the most easily determinable and most reliable spot parameters from the light curves, i.e., spot longitudes and radii. We then used these measured properties to identify individual spots and to chart their life histories by constructing migration and amplitude curves. We identified and followed 11 spots in lambda And, 16 in sigma Gem, 12 in II Peg, and 15 in V711 Tau. Lifetimes of individual spots ranged from a few months to longer than 6 yr. Differential rotation coefficients, estimated from the observed range of spot rotation periods for each star and defined by equation (2), were 0.04 for lambda And, 0.038 for sigma Gem, 0.005 for II Peg, and 0.006 for V711 Tau, versus 0.19 for the Sun. We searched for cyclic changes in mean brightness, B-V color index, and spot rotation period as evidence for long-term cycles. Of these, long-term variability in mean brightness appears to offer the best evidence for such cycles in these four stars. Cycles of 11.1 yr for lambda And, 8.5 yr for sigma Gem, 11 yr for II Peg, and 16 yr V711 Tau are implied by these mean brightness changes. Cyclic changes in spot rotation period were found in lambda And and possibly II Peg. Errors in B-V were too large for any long-term changes to be detectable.

Henry, Gregory W.↗

Starspots found on the ellipsoidal variable V350 lacertae = HR 8575

It has been a puzzle why this chromospherically active, strong-dynamo K2 IV-III star is not known to have the large starspots characteristic of other such stars. Published individual radial velocities, which had never been analyzed, are used to derive an orbital solution. Combined with the one older existing orbital solution, this yields an improved orbital ephemeris: time of conjunction (K star behind) = JD 2445255.47 +/- 0.11 days and period = 17.75346 +/- 0.00016 days. All available photoelectric photometry, from 1970.9 to 1992.5, is collected A cos 2 theta fit of the ellipticity effect yields JD 2445255.60 +/- 0.06 days for a time of conjunction, 17.7523 +/- 0.0005 days for the period, and 0.084 mins for the peak-to-peak amplitude in V. With the ellipticity effect removed, the light curve does show measurable starspot variability in 15 of 16 data groups, the starspot wave amplitudes ranging between 0.03 mins and 0.08 mins. Ten starspots are identified and their rotation periods determined, the mean being 17.70 +/- 0.03 days (confirming synchronous rotation) and the range being Delta P/P = 0.017 +/- 0.006 (indicating differential rotation). There is a slow variation in mean brightness, almost 0.1 min in range and at least 2 decades in length.

Crews, Lionel J.↗

Spectral Photometric Properties of the Moon

We modeled the solar phase curves of the moon at a series of wavelengths using the full disk telescopic observations [1]. We endeavored to keep the database self-contained, that is, to use the values derived for the solar magnitude and phase curves of the disk-integrated [1]. These observations were made in a suite of 10 narrowband filters between 0.315 microns and 1.06 microns, and in the broad band Johnson UBV filters, as part of a larger program to obtain photoelectric photometry of the larger planets. Two aspects of the lunar observations are unique. First, the observations cover phase angles from 6deg through 120deg. More importantly, the observers used a special 20-mm diameter f/15 fused quartz lens constructed solely for this purpose. The lens reduced the whole lunar image in the focal plane to a size comparable to the planets observed as part of the same program. This image was fed directly into the photometer. Thus, these observations constitute the only existing set of phase curves of the entire lunar disk over a range of wavelengths. Table 1 lists the values of the Hapke model parameters which fit the data. Figure 1 is an example of the model fits to the data.

Dominque, D.↗

Application of the SIT vidicon to astronomical measurements.

Review of the results of a detailed investigation of the properties and merits of silicon target (SIT) vidicon photometry, compared to previous photoelectric and photographic photometry, in astronomy applications. Following a description of the SIT-vidicon based photometry system and of its operating procedures, the data reduction methods are examined, and some of the results obtained are discussed.

Westphal, J. A.↗

Photoelectric area scanner.

Photoelectric area scanner enables observer to scan linearly chosen area of sky, using narrow slit

PHOTOELECTRIC PHOTOMETRY↗