Results for “photometric techniques” — Page 6

NASA NTRS2002

Multiwavelength Luminosity Functions of Galaxies

I have developed a technique for measuring multi-variate luminosity functions of galaxies. Multivariate or multi-wavelength luminosity functions will reveal the interplay between star formation, chemical evolution, and absorption and re-emission of dust within evolving galaxy populations. By using principle component analysis to reduce the dimensionality of the problem, I optimally extract the relevant photometric information from large galaxy catalogs. As a demonstration of the technique, I derive the multiwavelength luminosity function for the galaxies in the released SDSS catalog, and show that the results are consistent with those obtained by traditional methods. This technique will be applicable to catalogs of galaxies from datasets obtained by the SIRTF and GALEX missions.

Gardner, Jonathan↗

NASA NTRS1981

Moon - Near-infrared spectral reflectance, a first good look

Spectral reflectance contains direct information on the mineralogy of the surface soils and rocks. A problem concerning the employment of remote spectral-reflectance sensing techniques for mineralogical studies is related to the lack of photometrically precise spectra of planetary surfaces in the region from 1.0 to 2.5 micrometers, where additional important mineral absorptions occur. Recently, a new instrument was developed, and an observational program is underway to provide the required near-infrared spectra. The first, comprehensive near-infrared spectroscopic results for the moon are presented. It is shown that it is equally possible to derive quantitative mineralogical information about the lunar surface by using remotely sensed reflectance spectra as it is by using laboratory reflectance measurements of lunar samples.

Mccord, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Digital rectification of ERTS multispectral imagery

Rectified ERTS multispectral imagery have been produced utilizing all digital techniques, as the first step toward producing precision corrected imagery. Errors arising from attitude and ephemeris sources have been corrected, and the resultant image is represented in a meter/meter mapping utilizing an intensity resampling technique. Early results from available data indicate negligible degradation of the photometric and resolution properties of the source data as a consequence of the geometric correction process. Work utilizing ground control points to produce precision rectified imagery, and including photometric corrections resulting from available sensor calibration data, is currently in progress.

Rifman, S. S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The missing bulge globular clusters in M31 - New optical candidates

A new method to attack the question of the 'missing' globular clusters in the bulge of M31 is used. Image-processing techniques were used on 13 videocamera fields to obtain an accurate photometric census of stellar objects in M31's bulge down to a limiting B magnitude of 21. This luminosity distribution is compared with the Bahcall-Soneira model of galactic foreground stars. A statistically significant excess of bright images in the luminosity range of globular clusters at M31's distance is found. If the optical candidates considered prove to be globular clusters, they would double the number of known globular clusters in the surveyed region. The colors of a subsample of the candidates are the same as those of the known globular clusters. It is concluded that the previously observed flattening away from a de Vaucouleurs law in the radial distribution of M31 may be an observational selection effect. As an offshoot of this analysis, no evidence is found for very luminous stars in the inner bulge of M31. The lack of such stars indicates that there has not been active star formation (with a normal IMF) in the recent past. Coupled with the existence of many planetary nebulae in the bulge, this may strengthen the case for a galactic wind in M31's bulge.

Wirth, A.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Multi-wavelength Luminosity Functions of Galaxies

Multivariate or multi-wavelength luminosity functions will reveal the interplay between star formation, chemical evolution, and absorption and re-emission of dust within evolving galaxy populations. By using principal component analysis to reduce the dimensionality of the problem, we optimally extract the relevant photometric information from large galaxy catalogs. As a demonstration of the technique, we derive the multi-wavelength luminosity function for the galaxies in the released SDSS catalog, and compare the results with those obtained by traditional methods. This technique will be applicable to catalogs of galaxies from datasets obtained by 2MASS, and the SIRTF and GALEX missions.

Gardner, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Multi-Wavelength Luminosity Functions of Galaxies

Multivariate or multi-wavelength luminosity functions will reveal the interplay between star formation, chemical evolution, and ab- sorption and re-emission of dust within evolving galaxy populations. By using principal component analysis to reduce the dimensionality of the problem, I optimally extract the relevant photometric information from large galaxy catalogs. As a demonstration of the technique, I derive the multi-wavelength luminosity function for the galaxies in the released SDSS catalog, and compare the results with those obtained by traditional methods. This technique will be applicable to catalogs of galaxies from datasets obtained by 2MASS, and the SIRTF and GALEX missions.

Gardner, Jonathan P.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Sources of error in planetary photoclinometry

A quantitative analysis of error sources in 1D planetary photoclinometry is presented. The technique is affected by error sources arising from the spacecraft image, the planetary body, and the scan line orientation. Slope errors are calculated for each of these sources, using examples of Voyager imaging of Ganymede and Viking orbiting imaging of Mars. Slope errors are investigated for a variety of viewing and lighting geometries, slope angles, and slope orientations. The results are broken down into nonsystematic and systematic errors. Derivations that allow the calculation of photoclinometric slope errors for any photometric function are presented, and the implications of these results for 2D photoclinometric techniques are discussed.

Jankowski, David G.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Highlights of NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office In Situ and Laboratory Measurements

NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) maintains various returned spacecraft materials, capabilities, and facilities used for in situ and laboratory measurements that directly support orbital debris environmental models. In situ measurements include the analysis of exposed and returned hardware surfaces. These surfaces serve as passive sensors for the small-sized micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) flux below the sensitivity of ground-based radar and optical sensors. Various instruments and techniques are used to determine the size and depth of selected impact features, and – if feasible – the composition of the projectile material. Analysis of the impactor residues enables the differentiation of MM and OD for debris below 1 mm to support modeling the OD environment. In addition, projectiles identified as OD can be further differentiated in low-, medium-, and high- density impactors based on chemical analyses. In addition to in situ measurements, the ODPO has also worked in collaboration with the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (formerly the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center), the Aerospace Corporation, and the University of Florida on a laboratory-based hypervelocity impact test, DebriSat, conducted at the Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex in 2014. The resulting data from this impact test series are being analyzed to assess the fragments’ sizes/masses, materials/densities, shapes, and other parameters of interest. The DebriSat project provides the data needed to update NASA’s breakup models and size estimation models using the simulated orbital breakup of a modern, low Earth orbit spacecraft. Ultimately, over 200,000 fragments from this impact test will be stored at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) and further analyzed by the ODPO. This project will also use machine learning techniques to infer physical parameters of fragments embedded in the soft-catch foam used in the impact experiment. Applied to X-ray imagery of the foam panels, these techniques promise to minimize human-in-the-loop processes for fragment extraction and physical characterization. A brief overview of this project and data collected will be presented. Lastly, the ODPO provides various capabilities hosted at NASA JSC for optical inspections and measurements using a variety of techniques and scientific instrumentation to support both in situ and laboratory measurements. The ODPO’s Optical Measurement Center (OMC) is an advanced facility for photometric and spectroscopic laboratory measurements of targets, including fragments from the DebriSat project. The OMC simulates telescopic observations by using space-like illumination conditions and source-target-sensor orientation techniques. Additionally, the OMC is uniquely equipped to acquire pseudo-bidirectional reflectance distribution data for broadband photometric measurements, thus removing aspect angle dependencies that can affect target size estimates using the optical size estimation model. Narrow-band surface material characterization using spectroscopic instrumentation gives insight into how the albedo parameter – also important in the optical size estimation model – may vary depending on the state of the material. The OMC also performs simulations of photometric measurements using optical ray-tracing software to model the OMC optical throughput. In addition to the OMC, the ODPO houses a start-of-the-art Fragment Analysis Facility that uses multiple microscopic inspection instruments to support in situ measurements and material characterization. An overview of both facilities will be highlighted in this paper.

Orbital Debris↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Highlights of NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office In Situ and Laboratory Measurements

NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) maintains various returned spacecraft materials, capabilities, and facilities used for in situ and laboratory measurements that directly support orbital debris environmental models. In situ measurements include the analysis of exposed and returned hardware surfaces. These surfaces serve as passive sensors for the small-sized micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) flux below the sensitivity of ground-based radar and optical sensors. Various instruments and techniques are used to determine the size and depth of selected impact features, and – if feasible – the composition of the projectile material. Analysis of the impactor residues enables the differentiation of MM and OD for debris below 1 mm to support modeling the OD environment. In addition, projectiles identified as OD can be further differentiated in low-, medium-, and high- density impactors based on chemical analyses. In addition to in situ measurements, the ODPO has also worked in collaboration with the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (formerly the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center), the Aerospace Corporation, and the University of Florida on a laboratory-based hypervelocity impact test, DebriSat, conducted at the Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex in 2014. The resulting data from this impact test series are being analyzed to assess the fragments’ sizes/masses, materials/densities, shapes, and other parameters of interest. The DebriSat project provides the data needed to update NASA’s breakup models and size estimation models using the simulated orbital breakup of a modern, low Earth orbit spacecraft. Ultimately, over 200,000 fragments from this impact test will be stored at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) and further analyzed by the ODPO. This project will also use machine learning techniques to infer physical parameters of fragments embedded in the soft-catch foam used in the impact experiment. Applied to X-ray imagery of the foam panels, these techniques promise to minimize human-in-the-loop processes for fragment extraction and physical characterization. A brief overview of this project and data collected will be presented. Lastly, the ODPO provides various capabilities hosted at NASA JSC for optical inspections and measurements using a variety of techniques and scientific instrumentation to support both in situ and laboratory measurements. The ODPO’s Optical Measurement Center (OMC) is an advanced facility for photometric and spectroscopic laboratory measurements of targets, including fragments from the DebriSat project. The OMC simulates telescopic observations by using space-like illumination conditions and source-target-sensor orientation techniques. Additionally, the OMC is uniquely equipped to acquire pseudo-bidirectional reflectance distribution data for broadband photometric measurements, thus removing aspect angle dependencies that can affect target size estimates using the optical size estimation model. Narrow-band surface material characterization using spectroscopic instrumentation gives insight into how the albedo parameter – also important in the optical size estimation model – may vary depending on the state of the material. The OMC also performs simulations of photometric measurements using optical ray-tracing software to model the OMC optical throughput. In addition to the OMC, the ODPO houses a start-of-the-art Fragment Analysis Facility that uses multiple microscopic inspection instruments to support in situ measurements and material characterization. An overview of both facilities will be highlighted in this paper.

Orbital Debris↗

NASA NTRS1993

Measurements of dimethyl sulfide and SO2 during GTE/CITE 3

As part of NASA's Tropospheric Experiment Chemical Instrumentation Test and Evaluation (GTE/CITE 3) Sulfur Gas Intercomparison, we conducted measurements of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and SO2 using two techniques well suited for sampling from an aircraft due to their simplicity of design. DMS was collected by preconcentration on gold wire preceded by a KOH-impregnated filter oxidant scrubber, and analyzed by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection. SO2 was collected on K2CO3/glycerol-impregnated filters and analyzed by ion chromatography. In blind tests, both techniques produced excellent agreement with National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards. For field measurements, the DMS technique produced excellent correlation with the mean of the six different techniques intercompared. For SO2, the five techniques intercompared were rather poorly correlated, but correlations between the three techniques which passed NIST standards tests were somewhat better. Our SO2 filter measurements exhibited rather large uncertainties due to higher than normal variabiltiy of the filter blanks, which we believe was caused by extended storage in the field. In measurements conducted off the coast of Natal, Brazil, a diurnal afternoon minimum in DMS concentrations accompanied by a corresponding maximum in SO2 concentrations was observed. However, due to rather large uncertainties in the SO2 measurements, any conclusions about the SO2 trend must by considered tentative.

Ferek, Ronald J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Determining Thermal Diffusivities of Radiating Specimens

Two heat-pulse techniques eliminate uncertainties due to radiation losses. Flashlamp supplies pulse of heat to one side of specimen. Temperatures of illumninated surface and of opposite surface monitored photometrically. In second method, pulse of electrons supplies heat to one side of specimen. Temperature of opposite side monitored by photon detector. Techniques needed because radiation heat losses in this temperature range introduce uncertainties into conventional heat-flux measurements.

Wood, C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Limb brightening on Uranus - The visible spectrum. II

A detailed analysis is presented of photoelectric area-scanning photometry of the Uranus disk obtained during the 1976 apparition. Coarse quantitative information on the true radial intensity distribution over the Uranus disk is derived in four selected wavebands. Lack of circular symmetry in the intensity distributions indicates the presence of disk structure, especially polar brightening, in each waveband. For the 6190-A CH4 band, the distribution corresponds to a uniform disk upon which a hint of polar brightening is superimposed. For the 6400-A region, moderate limb darkening is found. It is pointed out that the coarse analytical technique used in the analysis to explore the information content of the photometric scans of Uranus has several basic limitations. Direct deconvolution of the Uranus scans is required to thoroughly investigate the two-dimensional photometric structure of its disk.

Price, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Standard Giant Branches in the Washington Photometric System

We have obtained CCD photometry in the Washington system C, T(sub 1) filters for some 850,000 objects associated with 10 Galactic globular clusters and 2 old open clusters. These clusters have well-known metal abundances, spanning a metallicity range of 2.5 dex from [Fe/H] approx -2.25 to +0.25 at a spacing of approx. 0.2 dex. Two independent observations were obtained for each cluster and internal checks, as well as external comparisons with existing photoelectric photometry, indicate that the final colors and magnitudes have overall uncertainties of 0.03 mag. Analogous to the method employed by Da Costa and Armandroff for V, I photometry , we then proceed to construct standard ((M(sub T),(C - T(sub 1))(sub 0)) giant branches for these clusters adopting the Lee et distance scale, using some 350 stars per globular cluster to define the giant branch. We then determine the metallicity sensitivity of the ((C - T(sub 1))(sub 0) color at a given M((sub T)(sub 1)) value. The Washington system technique is found to have three times the metallicity sensitivity of the V, I technique. At M((sub T)(sub 1)) = -2 (about a magnitude below the tip of the giant branch, roughly equivalent to M(sub I) = -3), the giant branches of 47 Tuc and M15 are separated by 1.16 magnitudes in (V - l)(sub 0) and only 0.38 magnitudes in (V - I)(sub 0). Thus, for a given photometric accuracy, metallicities can be determined three times more precisely with the Washington technique. We find a linear relationship between (C - T(sub l)(sub 0) (at M(sub T)(sub 1) = -2) and metallicity exists over the full metallicity range, with an rms of only 0.04 dex. We also derive metallicity calibrations for M(sub T)(sub 1) = -2.5 and -1.5, as well as for two other metallicity scales. The Washington technique retains almost the same metallicity sensitivity at faint magnitudes , and indeed the standard giant branches are still well separated even below the horizontal branch. The photometry is used to set upper limits in the range 0.03 - 0.09 dex for any intrinsic metallicity dispersion in the calibrating clusters. The calibrations are applicable to objects with ages approx. greater than 5 Gyr - any age effects are small or negligible for such objects. This new technique is found to have many advantages over the old two-color diagram technique for deriving metallicities from Washington photometry. In addition to only requiring 2 filters instead of 3 or 4, the new technique is generally much less sensitive to reddening and photometric errors, and the metallicity sensitivity is many times higher. The new technique is especially advantageous for metal-poor objects. The five metal-poor clusters determined by Geisler et al., using the old technique, to be much more metal-poor than previous indications, yield metallicities using the new technique which are in excellent agreement with the Zinn scale.

Geisler, Doug↗

NASA NTRS2020

Multiple Transits during a Single Conjunction: Identifying Transiting Circumbinary Planetary Candidates from TESS

We present results of a study on identifying circumbinary planet candidates that produce multiple transits during one conjunction with eclipsing binary systems. The occurrence of these transits enables us to estimate the candidates’ orbital periods, which is crucial as the periods of the currently known transiting circumbinary planets are significantly longer than the typical observational baseline of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Combined with the derived radii, it also provides valuable information needed for follow-up observations and subsequent confirmation of a large number of circumbinary planet candidates from TESS. Motivated by the discovery of the 1108 day circumbinary planet Kepler-1647, we show the application of this technique to four of Kepler’s circumbinary planets that produce such transits. Our results indicate that in systems where the circumbinary planet is on a low-eccentricity orbit, the estimated planetary orbital period is within <10%–20% of the true value. This estimate is derived from photometric observations spanning less than 5% of the planet’s period, demonstrating the strong capability of the technique. Capitalizing on the current and future eclipsing binaries monitored by NASA’s TESS mission, we estimate that hundreds of circumbinary planet candidates producing multiple transits during one conjunction will be detected in the TESS data. Such a large sample will enable statistical understanding of the population of planets orbiting binary stars and shed new light on their formation and evolution.

Veselin Kostov↗

NASA NTRS1989

Advances in photographic X-ray imaging for solar astronomy

The technique of obtaining quantitative data from high resolution soft X-ray photographic images produced by grazing incidence optics was successfully developed to a high degree during the Solar Research Sounding Rocket Program and the S-054 X-Ray Spectrographic Telescope Experiment Program on Skylab. Continued use of soft X-ray photographic imaging in sounding rocket flights of the High Resolution Solar Soft X-Ray Imaging Payload has provided opportunities to further develop these techniques. The developments discussed include: (1) The calibration and use of an inexpensive, commercially available microprocessor controlled drum type film processor for photometric film development; (2) The use of Kodak Technical Pan 2415 film and Kodak SO-253 High Speed Holographic film for improved resolution; and (3) The application of a technique described by Cook, Ewing, and Sutton for determining the film characteristics curves from density histograms of the flight film. Although the superior sensitivity, noise level, and linearity of microchannel plate and CCD detectors attracts the development efforts of many groups working in soft X-ray imaging, the high spatial resolution and dynamic range as well as the reliability and ease of application of photographic media assures the continued use of these techniques in solar X-ray astronomy observations.

Moses, J. Daniel↗

NASA NTRS1989

Advances in photographic X-ray imaging for solar astronomy

The technique of obtaining quantitative data from high resolution soft X-ray photographic images produced by grazing incidence optics was successfully developed to a high degree during the AS&E Solar Research Sounding Rocket Program and the S-054 X-Ray Spectrographic Telescope Experiment Program on Skylab. Continued use of soft X-Ray photographic imaging in sounding rocket flights of the AS&E High Resolution Solar Soft X-Ray Imaging Payload has provided opportunities to further develop these techniques. The developments discussed include: (1) the calibration and use of an inexpensive, commercially available microprocessor controlled drum type film processor for photometric film development, (2) the use of Kodak Technical Pan 2415 film and Kodak SO-253 High Speed Holographic film for improved resolution, and (3) the application of a technique described by Cook, Ewing, and Sutton (1988) for determining the film characteristics curves from density histograms of the flight film. Although the superior sensitivity, noise level, and linearity of microchannel plate and CCD detectors attracts the development efforts of many groups working in soft X-ray imaging, the high spatial resolution and dynamic range as well as the reliability and ease of application of photographic media assures the continued use of these techniques in solar X-ray astronomy observations.

Moses, D.↗

NASA NTRS2021

Online Photometric Calibration of Automatic Gain Thermal Infrared Cameras

Thermal infrared cameras are increasingly being used in various applications such as robot vision, industrial inspection and medical imaging, thanks to their improved resolution and portability. However, the performance of traditional computer vision techniques developed for electro-optical imagery does not directly translate to the thermal domain due to two major reasons: these algorithms require photometric assumptions to hold, and methods for photometric calibration of RGB cameras cannot be applied to thermal-infrared cameras due to difference in data acquisition and sensor phenomenology. In this paper, we take a step in this direction, and introduce a novel algorithm for online photometric calibration of thermalinfrared cameras. Our proposed method does not require any specific driver/hardware support and hence can be applied to any commercial off-the-shelf thermal IR camera. We present this in the context of visual odometry and SLAM algorithms, and demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed system through extensive experiments for both standard benchmark datasets, and real-world field tests with a thermal-infrared camera in natural outdoor environments.

Daftry, Shreyansh↗

NASA NTRS1992

Topography from shading and stereo

Methods exploiting photometric information in images that have been developed in machine vision can be applied to planetary imagery. Present techniques, however, focus on one visual cue, such as shading or binocular stereo, and produce results that are either not very accurate in an absolute sense or provide information only at few points on the surface. We plan to integrate shape from shading, binocular stereo and photometric stereo to yield a robust system for recovering detailed surface shape and surface reflectance information. Such a system will be useful in producing quantitative information from the vast volume of imagery being received, as well as in helping visualize the underlying surface. The work will be carried out on a popular computing platform so that it will be easily accessible to other workers.

Horn, Berthold P.↗