Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Alpha clustering”

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 145 records · Page 8

Evolution of the Blue and Far-Infrared Galaxy Luminosity Functions

The space density of blue-selected galaxies at moderate redshifts is determined here directly by deriving the luminosity function. Evidence is found for density evolution for moderate luminosity galaxies at a rate of (1+z) exp delta, with a best fit of delta + 4 +/- 2, between the current epoch and Z greater than about 0.1. At M(b) less than -22 evidence is found for about 0.5-1.5 mag of luminosity evolution in addition to the density evolution, corresponding to an evolutionary rate of about (1+z) exp gamma, with gamma = 0.5-2.5, but a redshift of about 0.4. Assuming a steeper faint end slope of alpha = -1.3 similar to that observed in the Virgo cluster, could explain the data with a luminosity evolution rate of gamma = 1-2, without need for any density evolution. Acceptable fits are found by comparing composite density and luminosity evolution models to faint IRAS 60 micron source counts, implying that the blue and far-IR evolutionary rates may be similar.

Lonsdale, Carol J.↗

Machine learning pipeline to predict defect behavior in metallic alloy systems

The interaction between defect and solute atoms is critical to the thermodynamic and kinetic behavior of metallic alloys under exposure to high-energy radiation, causing irradiation damage in materials. Radiation can generate non-equilibrium concentrations of point defects such as vacancies and interstitials. The excess point defects not only accelerate diffusional processes such as precipitation that cause radiation embrittlement, but also change the pathway of phase transformations, including nucleation processes. Understanding these defect behaviors is complicated by the challenge and complexity of addressing each possible local and discrete distribution of environments and chemical interactions around targeted defects-solute or solute-solute complexes. To resolve the challenge, machine learning regression techniques have emerged as powerful tools that can train and construct an energy model to accurately describe the chemical interactions of solutes and defects. In Fiscal Year 2022, the work focused on the workflow development and demonstration using machine learning regression, density functional theory, cluster expansion, and Monte Carlo simulation to predict the effects of ternary solute elements (e.g., aluminum and molybdenum) and point defects on the Cr-rich $\alpha^{\prime}$ precipitation in multicomponent FeCr model alloys. The computational outcomes include the prediction of the ternary phase diagram, vacancy formation energy for different compositions, and the effect of vacancies on the nucleation of Cr-rich clusters. The simulations predict a pronounced change of Cr solubility in bcc Fe by the addition of Al and the rejection of Al atoms from $\alpha^{\prime}$ precipitates. Additionally, the simulations show the formation of Cr-vacancy clusters as the initial nuclei for stable nucleation and growth of $\alpha^{\prime}$ particles. The results demonstrate important outcomes and applications of using machine learning pipeline to study model or commercial alloys with multicomponent solute species and point defects.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Concurrent Supermassive Black Hole and Galazy Growth: Linking Environment and Nuclear Activity in Zeta Equals 2.23 H Alpha Emitters

We present results from an approximately equal 100 ks Chandra observation of the 2QZ Cluster 1004+00 structure at z = 2.23 (hereafter 2QZ Clus). 2QZ Clus was originally identified as an overdensity of four optically-selected QSOs at z = 2.23 within a 15 × 15 arcmin square region. Narrow-band imaging in the near-IR (within the K band) revealed that the structure contains an additional overdensity of 22 z = 2.23 H alpha-emitting galaxies (HAEs), resulting in 23 unique z = 2.23 HAEs/QSOs (22 within the Chandra field of view). Our Chandra observations reveal that three HAEs in addition to the four QSOs harbor powerfully accreting supermassive black holes (SMBHs), with 2-10 keV luminosities of approximately equal (8-60) × 10(exp 43) erg s(exp−1) and X-ray spectral slopes consistent with unobscured active galactic nucleus (AGN). Using a large comparison sample of 210 z = 2.23 HAEs in the Chandra-COSMOS field (C-COSMOS), we find suggestive evidence that the AGN fraction increases with local HAE galaxy density. The 2QZ Clus HAEs reside in a moderately overdense environment (a factor of approximately equal 2 times over the field), and after excluding optically-selected QSOs, we find that the AGN fraction is a factor of approximately equal 3.5(+3.8/ −2.2) times higher than C-COSMOS HAEs in similar environments. Using stacking analyses of the Chandra data and Herschel SPIRE observations at 250micrometers, we respectively estimate mean SMBH accretion rates ( M(BH)) and star formation rates (SFRs) for the 2QZ Clus and C-COSMOS samples. We find that the mean 2QZ Clus HAE stacked X-ray luminosity is QSO-like (L(2−10 keV) approximately equal [6-10] × 10(exp 43) erg s(exp −1)), and the implied M(BH)/SFR approximately equal (1.6-3.2) × 10(exp −3) is broadly consistent with the local M(BH)/Stellar Mass relation and z approximately equal 2 X-ray selected AGN. In contrast, the C-COSMOS HAEs are on average an order of magnitude less X-ray luminous and have M(BH)/SFR approximately equal (0.2-0.4) × 10(exp −3), somewhat lower than the local MBH/M relation, but comparable to that found for z approximately equal 1-2 star-forming galaxies with similar mean X-ray luminosities. We estimate that a periodic QSO phase with duty cycle approximately 2%-8% would be sufficient to bring star-forming galaxies onto the local M(BH)/Stellar Mass relation. This duty cycle is broadly consistent with the observed C-COSMOS HAE AGN fraction (Approximately equal 0.4%-2.3%) for powerful AGN with LX approximately greater than 10(exp 44) erg s(exp −1). Future observations of 2QZ Clus will be needed to identify key factors responsible for driving the mutual growth of the SMBHs and galaxies.

Lehmer, B. D.↗

High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of M87 with the Einstein observatory - The detection of an O VIII emission line

The paper deals with high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy performed to study the extended source surrounding the giant elliptical galaxy, M87, in the Virgo cluster. From observations carried out with a focal plane crystal spectrometer, L-alpha emission was detected from hydrogenic oxygen (O VIII). Upper limits could be set on lines from intermediate ionization states of iron. The presence of a quantity of cooler matter surrounding M87 was revealed, which has important implications for cluster models and favors a radiatively controlled accretion mechanism.

Canizares, C. R.↗

Combined $\mathrm{APOGEE}$-$\mathrm{GALAH}$ stellar catalogues using the Cannon

APOGEE and GALAH are two high resolution multi-object spectroscopic surveys that provide fundamental stellar parameters and multiple elemental abundance estimates for about half a million stars in the Milky Way. Both surveys observe in different wavelength regimes and use different data reduction pipelines leading to significant offsets and trends in stellar parameters and abundances for the common stars observed in both surveys. Such systematic differences/offsets in stellar parameters and abundances make it difficult to effectively utilize them to investigate Galactic abundance trends in spite of the unique advantage provided by their complementary sky coverage and different Milky Way components they observe. Hence, we use the Cannon data-driven method selecting a training set of 4418 common stars observed by both surveys. This enables the construction of two catalogues, one with the APOGEE-scaled and the other with the GALAH-scaled stellar parameters. Using repeat observations in APOGEE and GALAH, we find high precision in metallicity (~0.02–0.4 dex) and alpha abundances (~0.02–0.03 dex) for spectra with good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR >; 80 for APOGEE and SNR > 40 for GALAH). We use open and globular clusters to validate our parameter estimates and find small scatter in metallicity (0.06 dex) and alpha abundances (0.03 dex) in APOGEE-scaled case. The final catalogues have been cross-matched with the Gaia EDR3 catalogue to enable their use to carry out detailed chemo-dynamic studies of the Milky Way from perspectives of APOGEE and GALAH.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Power-Law Template for IR Point Source Clustering

We perform a combined fit to angular power spectra of unresolved infrared (IR) point sources from the Planck satellite (at 217,353,545 and 857 GHz, over angular scales 100 < I < 2200), the Balloonborne Large-Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (BLAST; 250, 350 and 500 microns; 1000 < I < 9000), and from correlating BLAST and Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT; 148 and 218 GHz) maps. We find that the clustered power over the range of angular scales and frequencies considered is well fit by a simple power law of the form C_l\propto I(sup -n) with n = 1.25 +/- 0.06. While the IR sources are understood to lie at a range of redshifts, with a variety of dust properties, we find that the frequency dependence of the clustering power can be described by the square of a modified blackbody, nu(sup beta) B(nu,T_eff), with a single emissivity index beta = 2.20 +/- 0.07 and effective temperature T_eff= 9.7 K. Our predictions for the clustering amplitude are consistent with existing ACT and South Pole Telescope results at around 150 and 220 GHz, as is our prediction for the effective dust spectral index, which we find to be alpha_150-220 = 3.68 +/- 0.07 between 150 and 220 GHz. Our constraints on the clustering shape and frequency dependence can be used to model the IR clustering as a contaminant in Cosmic Microwave Background anisotropy measurements. The combined Planck and BLAST data also rule out a linear bias clustering model.

Addison, Graeme E.↗

Supersaturated Electrolyte Solutions: Theory and Experiment

Highly supersaturated electrolyte solutions can be prepared and studied employing an electrodynamic levitator trap (ELT) technique. The ELT technique involves containerless suspension of a microdroplet thus eliminating dust, dirt, and container walls which normally cause heterogeneous nucleation. This allows very high supersaturations to be achieved. A theoretical study of the experimental results obtained for the water activity in microdroplets of various electrolyte solutions is based on the development of the Cahn-Hilliard formalism for electrolyte solutions. In the approach suggested the metastable state for electrolyte solutions is described in terms of the conserved order parameter omega(r,t) associated with fluctuations of the mean solute concentration n(sub 0). Parameters of the corresponding Ginzburg-Landau free energy functional which defines the dynamics of metastable state relaxation are determined and expressed through the experimentally measured quantities. A correspondence of 96-99 % between theory and experiment for all solutions studied was achieved and allowed the determination of an analytical expression for the spinodal concentration n(sub spin), and its calculation for various electrolyte solutions at 298 K. The assumption that subcritical solute clusters consist of the electrically neutral Bjerrum pairs has allowed both analytical and numerical investigation of the number-size N(sub c) of nucleation monomers (aggregates of the Bjerrum pairs) which are elementary units of the solute critical clusters. This has also allowed estimations for the surface tension Alpha, and equilibrium bulk energy Beta per solute molecule in the nucleation monomers. The dependence of these properties on the temperature T and on the solute concentration n(sub 0) through the entire metastable zone (from saturation concentration n(sub sat) to spinodal n(sub spin) is examined. It has been demonstrated that there are the following asymptotics: N(sub c), = I at spinodal concentration and N(sub c) = infinity at saturation.

Izmailov, Alexander F.↗

Spectroscopy and photometry for low-mass stars in Praesepe

We have obtained spectral types, H alpha equivalent widths, and optical photometry for a small sample of late K and M dwarf candidate members of the Praesepe open cluster. At least for the small sample of stars we have observed, all of the Paesepe members later than M2 have H alpha in emission. The chromospheric activity of the Praesepe satrs is essentially the same as that for Hyades members of the same mass, as expected since the two clusters are thought to be the same age.

Williams, Scott D.↗

Brightest cluster galaxies as standard candles

We investigate the use of brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) as standard candles for measuring galaxy peculiar velocities on large scales. We have obtained precise large-format CCD surface photometry and redshifts for an all-sky, volume-limited (z less than or = 0.05) sample of 199 BCG. We reinvestigate the Hoessel (1980) relationship between the metric luminosity, L(sub m), within the central 10 kpc/h of the BCGs and the logarithmic slope of the surface brightness profile, alpha. The L(sub m)-alpha relationship reduces the cosmic scatter in L(sub m) from 0.327 mag to 0.244 mag, yielding a typical distance accuracy of 17% per BCG. Residuals about the L(sub m)-alpha relationship are independent of BCG luminosity, BCG B - R(sub c) color, BCG location within the host cluster, and richness of the host cluster. The metric luminosity is independent of cluster richness even before correcting for its dependence on alpha, which provides further evidence for the unique nature of the BCG luminosity function. Indeed, the BCG luminosity function, both before and after application of the alpha-correction, is consistent with a single Gaussian distribution. Half the BCGs in the sample show some evidence of small color gradients as a function of radius within their central 50 kpc/h regions but with almost equal numbers becoming redder as becoming bluer. However, with the central 10 kpc/h the colors are remarkably constant -- the mean B - R(sub c) color is 1.51 with a dispersion of only 0.06 mag. The narrow photometric and color distributions of the BCGs, the lack of 'second-parameter' effects, as well as the unique rich cluster environment of BCGs, argue that BCGs are the most homogeneous distance indicators presently available for large-scale structure research.

Postman, Marc↗

Radial velocities of very low mass stars and candidate brown dwarf members of the Hyades and Pleiades, 2

We have determined H alpha equivalent widths and radial velocities with 1 sigma accuracies of approximately 5 km/s for approximately 20 candidate very low mass members of the Pleiades cluster and for a few proposed very low mass members of the Hyades. Most of the Pleiades targets were selected from the recent Hambly, Hawkins, and Jameson proper motion survey, where they were identified as probable Pleiades brown dwarfs with an age spread from 3 to 70 Myr. Our spectroscopic data and a reinterpretation of the photometric data confirm that these objects are indeed likely Pleiades members; however, we believe that they more likely have masses slightly above the hydrogen burning mass limit and that there is no firm evidence for an age spread amongst these stars. All of the very low mass Pleiades and Hyades members show H alpha in emission. However, the ratio of H alpha flux to biometric flux in the Pleiades shows a maximum near M(sub Bol) approximately equal to 9.5 (M approximately equal to 0.3 solar mass) and a sharp decrease to lower masses. This break occurs at the approximate mass where low mass stars are expected to become fully convective, and it is tempting to assume that the decrease in H alpha flux is caused by some change in the behavior of stellar dynamos at this mass. We do not see a similar break in activity at this mass in the Hyades. We discuss possible evolutionary explanations for this difference in the H alpha activity between the two clusters.

Stauffer, John R.↗

Ionized gas and planetary nebulae in the bulge of the blue S0 galaxy NGC 5102

We present the results of an investigation into the morphology and dynamics of ionized gas in the bulge of the gas-rich S0 galaxy NGC 5102. We show that the bulge of NGC 5102 contains a ring of ionized gas, approximately 1.3 kpc in diameter, which is centered well away from the nucleus. Through spectroscopy and (O III) lambda-5007 imaging, we show that the gas is excited by a low-velocity shock, which varies from approximately 50 to approximately 70 km/s along the ring. Fabry-Perot images in H-alpha confirm that the gas is moving slowly, and suggest that the structure is a supershell, approximately 10(exp 7) yr old. This age is significantly younger than the galaxy's nuclear starburst, which is approximately 2 x 10(exp 8) yr old. We also use our (O III) lambda-5007 images to identify planetary nebulae (PNs) in the bulge and inner disk of NGC 5102. Using the planetary nebula luminosity function, we derive a distance modulus to the galaxy of (m - M)(sub 0) = 27.47(sup +0.18)(sub -0.27), or 3.1(sup +0.3)(sub -0.4) Mpc, confirming its membership in the NGC 5128 group. Our derived value of 47.2(sup +12.2)(sub -9.2) x 10(exp -9) for the bolometric luminosity-specific PN density, alpha(sub 2.5), is higher than that observed for the bulge of M31 or the giant ellipticals of the Virgo Cluster, but not significantly different from that found for the small, normal ellipticals NGC 3377 or M32. The high value for alpha(sub 2.5) suggests that virtually all of NGC 5102's stars will someday evolve through the planetary nebula stage.

Mcmillan, Russet↗

Power-Law Template for Infrared Point-Source Clustering

We perform a combined fit to angular power spectra of unresolved infrared (IR) point sources from the Planck satellite (at 217, 353, 545, and 857 GHz, over angular scales 100 approx < l approx < 2200), the Balloon-borne Large-Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (BLAST; 250, 350, and 500 micron; 1000 approx < l approx < 9000), and from correlating BLAST and Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT; 148 and 218 GHz) maps. We find that the clustered power over the range of angular scales and frequencies considered is well fitted by a simple power law of the form C(sup clust)(sub l) varies as l (sub −n) with n = 1.25 +/- 0.06. While the IR sources are understood to lie at a range of redshifts, with a variety of dust properties, we find that the frequency dependence of the clustering power can be described by the square of a modified blackbody, ν(sup Beta)B(ν, T(sub eff) ), with a single emissivity index Beta = 2.20 +/- 0.07 and effective temperature T(sub eff) = 9.7 K. Our predictions for the clustering amplitude are consistent with existing ACT and South Pole Telescope results at around 150 and 220 GHz, as is our prediction for the effective dust spectral index, which we find to be alpha(sub 150-220) = 3.68 +/- 0.07 between 150 and 220 GHz. Our constraints on the clustering shape and frequency dependence can be used to model the IR clustering as a contaminant in cosmic microwave background anisotropy measurements. The combined Planck and BLAST data also rule out a linear bias clustering model.

cosmic background radiation↗

Functional analysis of the methylerythritol phosphate pathway terminal enzymes IspG and IspH from Zymomonas mobilis

ABSTRACT Isoprenoids are a diverse family of compounds that are synthesized from two isomeric compounds, isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate. In most bacteria, isoprenoids are produced from the essential methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. The terminal enzymes of the MEP pathway IspG and IspH are [4Fe-4S] cluster proteins, and in Zymomonas mobilis, the substrates of IspG and IspH accumulate in cells in response to O 2 , suggesting possible lability of their [4Fe-4S] clusters. Here, we show using complementation assays in Escherichia coli that even under anaerobic conditions, Z. mobilis IspG and IspH are not as functional as their E. coli counterparts, requiring higher levels of expression to rescue viability. A deficit of the sulfur utilization factor (SUF) Fe-S cluster biogenesis pathway did not explain the reduced function of Z. mobilis IspG and IspH since no improvement in viability was observed in E. coli expressing the Z. mobilis SUF pathway or having increased expression of the E. coli SUF pathway. Complementation of single and double mutants with various combinations of Z. mobilis and E. coli IspG and IspH indicated that optimal growth required the pairing of IspG and IspH from the same species. Furthermore, Z. mobilis IspH conferred an O 2 -sensitive growth defect to E. coli that could be partially rescued by co-expression of Z. mobilis IspG. In vitro analysis showed O 2 sensitivity of the [4Fe-4S] cluster of both Z. mobilis IspG and IspH. Altogether, our data indicate an important role of the cognate protein IspG in Z. mobilis IspH function under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. IMPORTANCE Isoprenoids are one of the largest classes of natural products, exhibiting diversity in structure and function. They also include compounds that are essential for cellular life across the biological world. In bacteria, isoprenoids are derived from two precursors, isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate, synthesized primarily by the methylerythritol phosphate pathway. The aerotolerant Z. mobilis has the potential for methylerythritol phosphate pathway engineering by diverting some of the glucose that is typically efficiently converted into ethanol to produce isoprenoid precursors to make bioproducts and biofuels. Our data revealed the surprising finding that Z. mobilis IspG and IspH need to be co-optimized to improve flux via the methyl erythritol phosphate pathway in part to evade the oxygen sensitivity of IspH.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Photometric light curves for ten rapidly rotating stars in Alpha Persei, the Pleiades, and the field

We present the results from a photometric monitoring program of ten rapidly rotating stars observed during 1991 using the FLWO 48-in. telescope. Brightness variations for an additional six cluster stars observed with the Lick 40-in. telescope are also given. The periods and light curves for seven Alpha Persei members, two Pleiades members, and one naked T Tauri field star are reported.

Prosser, Charles F.↗

Spectroscopic detection of the secondaries of the Hyades interferometric spectroscopic binary theta(sup 2) Tauri and of the interferometric spectroscopic binary alpha Andromedae

We report new high-resolution, wide-wavelength-coverage CCD observations of the visual and near-infrared spectra of the interferometric spectroscopic binaries theta(sup 2) Tau (primary spectral type A 7 III) and alpha And (primary spectral type B8 IVpMnHg), which allow the first direct spectroscopic detection of their secondaries. We have measured primary and secondary radial velocities and used them to redetermine the spectroscopic orbits of the primaries, make an improved determination of K(sub 2) for theta(sup 2) Tau, and measure K(sub 2) for alpha And for the first time. The spectroscopic orbits combined with the interferometrically measured visual orbits of theta(sup 2) Tau and alpha And provide masses and distances, M(sub 1) = 2.1 +/- 0.3 solar mass, M(sub 2) = 1.6 +/- 0.2 solar mass, and d = 44.1 +/- 2.2 pc for theta(sup 2) Tau and M(sub 1) = 5.5 +/- 0.5 solar mass, M(sub 2) = 2.3 +/- 0.2 solar mass, and d = 34.0 +/- 1.3 pc for alpha And. The distance to theta(sup 2) Tau and a foreground correction of 0.07 +/- 0.05 mag set the distance to the center of the Hyades cluster at 45.5 +/- 2.5 pc, or m - M = 3.29 +/- 0.12. Indirect estimates of the mass of theta(sup 2) Tau's primary, made via the mass-luminosity relation and via the Hyades cluster turnoff mass, are consistent with these dynamical masses for its primary and secondary. But in the case of alpha And, the mass-luminosity relation suggests that our dynamical masses for its primary and secondary may be too large. For alpha And somewhat smaller dynamical masses (4.0 and 1.9 solar mass) and the correspondingly smaller distance (31 pc), required by the corresponding larger orbital parallax, provide results consistent with the mass-luminosity relation for normal stars.

Tomkin, Jocelyn↗

Lyman-alpha imagery of comet Kohoutek, and far-UV magnitudes of stars

The Apollo-16 S201 electronographic camera backup model was modified for use on the Skylab AMS-SAL, which reduced its 20 deg FOV to about 7 deg unvignetted. Over 500 frames were exposed by automatic sequencer through LiF and CaF2. The Lyman-alpha halo of comet Kohoutek has been analyzed for nine occasions, and its long, pointed tail was imaged in 1250-1600 A only near perihelion. Far-UV magnitudes and colors are being derived for about 200 stars, nebulae, and galaxies. Redshifted Lyman-alpha emission from intergalactic atomic hydrogen was not detected in 7 clusters of galaxies. About 25% of the exposed frames were degraded by water damage, electrical discharges, decline in photocathode sensitivity, and loss of AMS mirror reflectance.

Page, T.↗

Metal-to-metal charge transfer transitions - Interpretation of visible-region spectra of the moon and lunar materials

Prominent bands in the spectral profiles of Fe-Ti phases in lunar samples have been attributed to charge-transfer transitions between Fe and Ti cations, and a model is presented for calculating charge transfer energies from energy levels computed by the SCF-X(alpha) scattered wave molecular orbital method for isolated MO6 octahedral coordination clusters containing Fe(2+), Fe(3+), Ti(3+), and Ti(4+) cations. The calculated charge transfer energy for the Fe(2+) to Ti(4+) transition correlates well with a measured spectral feature around 0.6 micron in ilmenite, and, since ilmenite is a major constituent of mare basalts and dark-mantling material, the observed darkness and blueness of the regolith in lunar black spots is attributed primarily to this transition. The Ti(3+) to Ti(4+) transition is thought to contribute to some phases.

Loeffler, B. M.↗

Reassignment of the Iron (3) Absorption Bands in the Spectra of Mars

Absorption features in the near-infrared and visible region reflectance spectra of Mars have been assigned to specific Fe (3+) crystal-field and o(2-) yields Fe(3+) charge transfer transitions. Recently, near-ultraviolet absorption spectra of iron oxides were obtained and the energies of o(2-) yields Fe(3+) charge-transfer (LMCT) transitions were determined from accurate SCF-X # alpha-SW molecular orbital calculations on (FeO6)(9-) and (FeO4)(5-) clusters. Both the theoretical and experimental results, together with existing data in the literature, show that some of the previous Fe(3+) band assignments in the spectra of Mars need to be revised. The theory of Fe(3+) spectra in minerals is discussed and applied to the spectrum of Mars.

Sherman, D. M.↗