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At least 109 records · Page 6

ATS-6 engineering performance report. Volume 5: Propagation experiments

Propagation experiments at 1550 MHz to 1650 MHz are reviewed, including the Integrated L-Band Experiments system and results, and the Mobile L-Band Terminals for Satellite Communication system. Experiments at 4 GHz to 6 GHz are reported, including the Radio Frequency Interferometer Measurements system and results, and Earth station antenna evaluations. Experiments above 10 GHz are discussed, including Comsat and ATS-6 millimeter wave propagation/experiments, and communication ATS-6 version at 20 and 30 GHz.

Wales, R. O.↗

Astrophysics from the moon; Proceedings of the Workshop, Annapolis, MD, Feb. 5-7, 1990

The present conference on astrophysics from the moon encompasses the study of the Galaxy, external planetary systems, solar physics, stars and stellar evolution, the frontiers of Galactic, extragalactic, and cosmological astronomy, an introduction to lunar-based astronomy, concepts for lunar observatories including high-energy observatories, solar observatories, and observatories for particle astrophysics and gravitational studies. Specific issues addressed include the dynamics of Jovian atmospheres, planetary magnetospheres, flare physics, exobiology and SETI from the lunar farside, and the study of interactive stars, star formation, H II regions in absorption at low frequencies, and normal galaxies. Also addressed are the potential lunar investigation of quasars, the formation epoch, and the large-scale structure of the universe, and observational issues related to X-ray large arrays, optical interferometers, VLF radio astronomy, a UV-solar reflecting coronagraph, and a heavy-nucleus detector.

Mumma, Michael J.↗

Structure in the radio counterpart to SGR 1806-20

On Dec 27, 2004, the magnetar SGR 1806-20 underwent an enormous outburst which has resulted in the formation of an expanding, moving, radio source. We report observations of this radio source with the Multi-Element Radio-Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). The observations confirm the elongation and expansion already reported based on observations at lower angular resolutions, but suggest that at early epochs the structure is not consistent with the very simplest models such as Gaussian flux distributions. In particular there appears to be significant non-Gaussian structure on small angular scales, which may correspond to localised sites of particle acceleration during the early phases of expansion and interaction with the ambient medium.

Fender, R. P.↗

Ultra-Low-Noise W-Band MMIC Detector Modules

A monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) receiver can be used as a building block for next-generation radio astronomy instruments that are scalable to hundreds or thousands of pixels. W-band (75-110 GHz) low-noise receivers are needed for radio astronomy interferometers and spectrometers, and can be used in missile radar and security imagers. These receivers need to be designed to be mass-producible to increase the sensitivity of the instrument. This innovation is a prototyped single-sideband MMIC receiver that has all the receiver front-end functionality in one small and planar module. The planar module is easy to assemble in volume and does not require tuning of individual receivers. This makes this design low-cost in large volumes.

Gaier, Todd C.↗

Concepts for large interferometers in space

Very high angular resolution can be achieved in optical and radio astronomy through interferometers in space. Evolutionary approaches and required technological advances are presented. In the optical region a phase-coherent array, (COSMIC) starting as a four-element linear array is discussed. Combining several modules results in greatly improved resolution with a goal of combining images to obtain a single field of view with 0.004 arcsecond resolution. The angular resolution, detail and temporal coverage of radio maps obtained by ground-based Very Long Interferometry (VLBI) can be greatly improved by placing one of the stations in earth orbit. An evolutionary program leading to a large aperture VLBI observatory in space is discussed.

Morgan, S. H.↗

DSN Co-Observing Operations to Support Space VLBI Missions

Reliable radio astronomy support of Space Very-Long-Baseline- Interferometry missions by ground radio telescopes is mandatory in order to achieve high scientific return from missions, The 70m DSN antennas along with other ground radio telescopes will perform as the ground segment of the Earth-space interferometer. Improvements of radio astronomy VLBI operations at the DSN to achieve higher reliability, efficiency, flexibility, and lower operations costs is a major goal in preparing for radio astronomy support of SVLBI. To help realize this goal, a remote control and monitoring mode for radio astronomy operations at the DSN is being developed.

radio↗

DSN co-observing operations to support space VLBI missions

Reliable radio astronomy support of space very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) missions by ground radio telescopes is mandatory in order to achieve a high scientific return from the missions. The 70 m DSN antennas along with other ground radio telescopes will perform as the ground segment of the earth-space interferometer. Improvements of radio astronomy VLBI operations at the DSN to achieve higher reliability, efficiency, flexibility, and lower operations costs is a major goal in preparing for radio astronomy support of SVLBI. To help realize this goal, a remote control and monitoring mode for radio astronomy operations at the DSN has been developed.

Altunin, Valery I.↗

Long base line interferometry of the sun at centimeter wavelengths

The three-element interferometer of the National Radio Astronomy observatory and the two-element interferometer of the Hat Creek Observatory have been used to observe the fine structure of the sun at 11.1-, 3.7-, and 1.3-cm wavelengths. Solar active regions have been synthesized at 11.1- and 3.7-cm wavelengths with angular resolutions of 9 and 3 arc sec, respectively. Structural components on the scale of a few seconds of arc have also been detected in the quiet-sun and flare regions.

Kundu, M. R.↗

Polarized-interferometer feasibility study

The feasibility of using a polarized-interferometer system as a rendezvous and docking sensor for two cooperating spacecraft was studied. The polarized interferometer is a radio frequency system for long range, real time determination of relative position and attitude. Range is determined by round trip signal timing. Direction is determined by radio interferometry. Relative roll is determined from signal polarization. Each spacecraft is equipped with a transponder and an antenna array. The antenna arrays consist of four crossed dipoles that can transmit or receive either circularly or linearly polarized signals. The active spacecraft is equipped with a sophisticated transponder and makes all measurements. The transponder on the passive spacecraft is a relatively simple repeater. An initialization algorithm is developed to estimate position and attitude without any a priori information. A tracking algorithm based upon minimum variance linear estimators is also developed. Techniques to simplify the transponder on the passive spacecraft are investigated and a suitable configuration is determined. A multiple carrier CW signal format is selected. The dependence of range accuracy and ambiguity resolution error probability are derived and used to design a candidate system. The validity of the design and the feasibility of the polarized interferometer concept are verified by simulation.

Raab, F. H.↗

Maps of millimeter wave emission from three galactic star-forming regions

In order to investigate the gas dynamics around young stellar objects, three sources were mapped which exhibit supersonic velocities in the 115 GHZ, J = 1-0 transition of CO. The maps, made with the Owens Valley Radio Observatory Millimeter Interferometer, are the highest spatial resolution images currently available of millimeter-wave continuum and line emission from the sources S106, S87, and LkHalpha101. Observations were made in the CS (J = 2-1) and C-13O (J = 1-0) transitions. In all the sources, the observations indicate that the ionized stellar wind is sweeping up ambient molecular gas. The molecular gas is found adjacent to the outer edges of the ionized winds, which originate in embedded infrared sources. From the observations presented, it may be inferred that the outflowing ionized winds are channeled by the surrounding dense, neutral gas.

Barsony, Mary↗

Circumstellar molecular gas of the HH 34 and HH 111 exciting stars

The HH 34 and HH 111 exciting stars, two pre-main-sequence objects which are the sources of highly collimated optical jets, have been observed in the J = 1-0 transition of (C-13)O and in the 2.7 mm continuum using the Owens Valley Radio Observatory Millimeter Interferometer. The high-resolution aperture synthesis maps reveal dense molecular gas concentrations at the positions of both stars. The morphology and kinematics of the bright emission-line cores suggest that the molecular gas is distributed in circumstellar disks, each about 2000 AU in diameter, elongated perpendicular to each system's outflow axis. A fainter component of (C-13)O emission extends along each source's outflow axis. Independent mass determinations based on the dust continuum and molecular line fluxes indicate for HH 34, a disk mass of 0.2 solar mass; and for HH 111, a disk mass of 0.3 solar mass. The inferred circumstellar disks of these two jet sources are significantly more massive than those found associated with T Tauri stars and are therefore among the most massive disks known in association with low-mass pre-main-sequence stars.

Stapelfeldt, Karl R.↗

The proposed NASA lunar-based astronomical observatories

Plans for constructing permanent lunar bases and observatories under the Space Exploration Initiative are examined. The advantages of the lunar environment for astronomical observations are briefly reviewed, and the proposed lunar facilities are discussed. In particular, attention is given to a lunar optical interferometer, a submillimeter interferometer, a VLF radio array on the lunar far side, a large optical telescope, and a large installation for detecting gravitational waves. Each of the proposed instruments and their capabilities and configurations are discussed, as are possible experiments that may reduce the uncertainty and risk involved in setting up these facilities.

Swanson, Paul N.↗

RXTE Observations of Cygnus X-3

In the period between May 1997 and August 1997 a series of pointed RXTE observations were made of Cyg X-3. During this period Cyg X-3 made a transition from a quiescent radio state to a flare state (including a major flare) and then returned to a quiescent radio state. Analyses of the observations are made in the context of concurrent observations in the hard X-ray (CGRO/BATSE), soft X-ray (RXTE/ASM) and the radio (Green Bank Interferometer, Ryle Telescope, and RATAN-600). Preliminary analyses of the observations are presented.

McCollough, M. L.↗

A Massive Bipolar Outflow and a Dusty Torus with Large Grains in the Preplanetary Nebula IRAS 22036+5306

We report high angular resolution (approx.1") CO J=3-2 interferometric mapping using the Submillimeter Array (SMA) of IRAS 22036+5306 (I22036), a bipolar preplanetary nebula (PPN) with knotty jets discovered in our HST snapshot survey of young PPNs. In addition, we have obtained supporting lower resolution (approx.10") CO and 13CO J=1-0 observations with the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) interferometer, as well as optical long-slit echelle spectra at the Palomar Observatory. The CO J=3-2 observations show the presence of a very fast (approx.220 km/s), highly collimated, massive (0.03 Solar Mass) bipolar outflow with a very large scalar momentum (about 10(exp 39) g cm/s), and the characteristic spatiokinematic structure of bow shocks at the tips of this outflow. The H(alpha) line shows an absorption feature blueshifted from the systemic velocity by approx.100 km/s, which most likely arises in neutral interface material between the fast outflow and the dense walls of the bipolar lobes at low latitudes. The fast outflow in I22036, as in most PPNs, cannot be driven by radiation pressure. We find an unresolved source of submillimeter (and millimeter-wave) continuum emission in I22036, implying a very substantial mass (0.02-0.04 Solar Mass) of large (radius > or approx.1 mm), cold (< or approx.50 K) dust grains associated with I22036's toroidal waist. We also find that the C-13/C-12 ratio in I22036 is very high (0.16), close to the maximum value achieved in equilibrium CNO nucleosynthesis (0.33). The combination of the high circumstellar mass (i.e., in the extended dust shell and the torus) and the high C-13/C-12 ratio in I22036 provides strong support for this object having evolved from a massive (> or approx.4 Solar Mass) progenitor in which hot-bottom-burning has occurred.

stars↗

The small radio source at the galactic center

Very-long-baseline interferometer observations show that the compact radio source at the Galactic Center has dimensions of approximately 200 AU and that about 25% of the emission comes from a region only 10 AU across. There is no evidence for any expansion or contraction of this compact source, with a velocity of at least a few tens of kilometers per second.

Kellermann, K. I.↗