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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.

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At least 145 records · Page 8
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NASA NTRS1976

Cosmic X-ray observations with OSO-8

The GSFC Cosmic X-ray Spectroscopy experiment aboard OSO-8 has operated successfully since launch providing spectral and temporal data on X-ray sources in tha energy range 2-60 keV. Analysis of quick look data shows a variety of spectral features, some stable, others variable, which will increase understanding of the nature of individual sources. In particular, observed emission and absorption features that can be attributed to iron will result in abundance measures of this important element in sources such as some X-ray binaries, the supernova remnant Cas A, and the nucleus of the galaxy Cen A.

Serlemitsos, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The X-ray polarization experiment on the OSO-8

The OSO-8 satellite, launched on June 21, 1975 contains two X-ray polarimeters. These polarimeters use mosaic crystals of graphite to yield polarization-sensitive Bragg reflection of stellar X-rays. The crystals reflect a narrow energy bandwidth centered at 2.6 and 5.2 keV. The polarimeter background signal is minimized by mounting the crystals on parabolic surfaces which focus the diffracted X-rays onto small-area, beryllium-window proportional counters. This technique permits the observation of low-intensity X-ray sources and reduces the possibility of systematic background effects which could lead to a false signature of polarization. A description of the instrument is given, and the sensitivity to polarization, particularly in regard to binary sources, is discussed. Preliminary results for Cen X-3 and GX5-1 are presented.

Weisskopf, M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

OSO-8 observations of Hercules X-1

The X-ray binary Her X-1 was observed by the GSFC cosmic X-ray detectors aboard OSO-8 between August 26 and September 3, 1975. The results reported are based on quick look tapes which contain less than 10% of the total time spent on source. Spectra were observed during different phases of the binary period including the anomalous low state (dip) in X-ray intensity. The normal high spectra is well represented by a power law with a short cutoff above approximately 25 keV. A significant and varying enhancement in the intensity around 6.7 keV was observed, suggesting the presence of an iron line. Absorption was seen in the spectrum immediately following eclipse. The dip spectrum is found to be considerably flattened. Also spectra are presented for different phases of the pulse period.

Pravdo, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

OSO-8 GSFC results on Cen X-3

Spectra of Cen X-3 during eclipse, in transition out of eclipse, and during several later phases of the binary orbit were obtained from quick look data of the July 16-25, 1975 observation by the Goddard X-ray spectroscopy experiment on OSO-8. In the high state there was no absorption turn over. Pulsations were present at least to 23 keV. The spectrum at the pulse minimum was flatter above 7 keV than that of the pulse peak. In transition out of eclipse Cen X-3 emerged above a small low energy flux seen during eclipse. The observations appear to indicate absorption by cold and ionized matter and the presence of iron in the companion's atmosphere. Decreased intensities were observed at late phases of some binary orbits in some cases corresponding to dips. Absorption appears although the low energy component remains. Variable features may be interpretable as absorption and emission by iron and possibly other trace elements.

Swank, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Solar activity observed in X-rays and the EUV from OSO 7

Spectroheliograms obtained with the EUV spectroheliograph aboard OSO 7 between 1.7 and 400 A with a spatial resolution of at least 20 x 20 arc seconds are described, and results of an initial analysis of the Goddard X-ray polarimeter measurements are given and discussed in the light of current flare theories. The EUV observations are consistent with a picture in which coronal enhancement overlying an active region is made up of a nested set of arches or loops, with foot-points in regions of opposite magnetic polarity. The outermost arches are coolest, while those nearer the center are hotter. Along a given field line there is a temperature gradient such that the highest temperature occurs at the highest point of the magnetic arch. Polarimeter data provide evidence for polarization of about 20% in a number of X-ray bursts.

Thomas, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The relationship between hard and soft X-ray bursts observed by OSO 7

The paper reviews the observations of solar X-rays in the range 1-100 keV made by the solar X-ray instrument on board the OSO-7 satellite and explores the relationship between the hard and soft X-ray components in order to glean some information on the physics of solar flares. Some of the results are as follows: The growth of the soft X-ray emission in a burst must be due to the addition of new hot material to the flare plasma. The anticorrelation between cooling time and maximum plasma temperature gives new evidence to support conduction as the principal cooling mechanism of the hot flare plasma. Observations of hard X-ray emission from bursts which occurred behind the limb indicate that hard X-ray emission comes at least in part from considerable heights in the corona.

Datlowe, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Energy balance in a magnetically confined coronal structure observed by OSO-7

A model of a coronal region of enhanced Fe XV and Fe XVI emission is developed and its energy balance is examined using extreme ultraviolet observations from OSO-7 together with calculations of possible force-free coronal magnetic field configurations. The coronal emissions overlying the photospheric boundary between regions of opposite magnetic polarity are found to be associated with generally nonpotential (current-carrying) magnetic fields in the forms of arches with footpoints in regions of opposite polarity. The orientation of these arches relative to the neutral line changes with degree of ionization of the emitting ion (which we infer from our limb observations to be a function of height) and may be evidence of differing electric currents along various field lines. The appearance of a coronal arch, seen side-on, can conveniently be represented by a parabola and a detailed analysis shows this to be a realistic approximation that should be generally useful in analyzing two-dimensional pictures of coronal structures.

Neupert, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

OSO-7 observations of the X-ray nova 3U 1543-47

The intensity and spectrum of the transient X-ray source 3U 1543-47 were measured by X-ray detectors on the OSO-7 satellite on 13 occasions between November 1971 and December 1972. The results, together with observations of the same object by the Vela and Uhuru satellites, can be described in terms of four qualitatively distinct phases in the X-ray light curve: (1) outburst; (2) relatively steady intensity and spectrum; (3) rapid decrease in intensity and decrease in apparent temperature; and (4) irregular intensity fluctuations with complex spectra. The term 'X-ray nova' is proposed to characterize this and similar transient sources, and a new model for such X-ray novae is proposed.

Li, F. K.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Interpretation of the radioactive background observed in the OSO-7 gamma-ray monitor

Application of a spallation activation calculation to the OSO-7 gamma-ray monitor background shows that major line features and about 30% of the continuum can be understood as activation of the central detector crystal by trapped protons. Weaker line features arise from activation of materials unshielded by the anticoincidence cup, while the remaining continuum and annihilation line would seem to come largely from electron-photon cascades originating in the spacecraft.

Dyer, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Columbia University OSO-8 instrument for stellar and solar X-ray spectroscopy and polarimetry

A spectrometer and a polarimeter consisting of large-area panels of mosaic crystals have been constructed and prepared for use in the OSO-8 satellite. The instrumentation is planned for study of stellar and solar X-ray spectra between 1.8-8 keV and stellar X-ray polarization at 2.6 keV. Aspects of the design which enable the instrument to make measurements of the diverse range of stellar and solar phenomena are described. Some of the unique features, such as high sensitivity, high temporal resolution, and spectral range, are discussed. The applicability of the spectrometer and polarimeter to various current problems in X-ray astronomy is considered.

Wolff, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

OSO-1 final program report

The performance of the OSO-I control subsystem is described. On orbit telemetry data was compared with the system specifications and the results were tabulated. Wherever possible, the GMT time of the occurrence of the data used to describe the performance is given for cross reference purposes. Extensive comments are also included to assist in the interpretation of the data.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1977

The high energy X-ray spectrum of the Crab Nebula observed from OSO 8

The X-ray spectrum of the Crab Nebula was measured with the scintillation spectrometer on board the OSO-8 satellite. The total emission of the X-ray source shows no long term variability. The spectrum itself can be described by a single power law out to energies of at least 500 keV.

Dolan, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Observations of celestial X-ray sources above 20 keV with the high-energy scintillation spectrometer on board OSO 8

High-energy X-ray spectra of the Crab Nebula, Cyg- XR-1, and Cen A were determined from observations with the scintillation spectrometer on board the OSO-8 satellite, launched in June, 1975. Each of these sources was observed over two periods of 8 days or more, enabling a search for day-to-day and year to year variations in the spectral and temporal characteristics of the X-ray emission. No variation in the light curve of the Crab pulsar was found from observations which span a 15-day period in March 1976, with demonstrable phase stability. Transitions associated with the binary phase of Cyg XR-1 and a large change in the emission from Con A are reported.

Crannell, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Limb-brightening observations from the OSO-7 satellite. II - Comparison of Abel-inverted intensities of Fe XIV and Fe XIII EUV emission lines with predictions

Intensities of Fe XIV and Fe XIII EUV emission lines obtained at coronal locations beyond the limb by the Goddard spectroheliograph on the OSO 7 satellite have been corrected for the wavelength dependence of the instrument's sensitivity and have been Abel-inverted to provide a valid comparison with theoretical predictions for each ion. Details of the Abel-inversion procedure are given, including explicit formulas for application of Bracewell's (1956) method. The intensity ratios of pairs of lines originating from a common level are compared with expected theoretical transition probability ratios over a range of heliocentric distance; deviations in some cases yield information about adjacent unclassified lines. Comparison of the observations with predictions for Fe XIV and Fe XIII shows generally good agreement, with a few interesting discrepancies that may imply a corresponding need for more accurate collisional excitation cross sections. The same comparison yields the variation of electron density with heliocentric radius for each ion separately; the two density functions are found to agree within a factor of three.

Kastner, S. O.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The graphite crystal X-ray spectrometer on OSO-8

The large-area graphite crystal X-ray spectrometer aboard the OSO-8 satellite is described. The instrument can be used to measure continuum profiles over the energy band from 2 to 8 keV with a resolution of several tens of electron volts and to detect narrow line emission from strong X-ray sources with a limiting sensitivity (3 sigmas) of the order of 10-eV, equivalent width for a three-day observing period.

Kestenbaum, H. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Oso 7 measurements of atomic oxygen and molecular nitrogen densities in the earth's upper atmosphere

Densities of molecular nitrogen and monatomic oxygen are presented as a function of altitude for selected intervals of March-May 1972 Oso 7 satellite data. Results on atmospheric attenuation of solar extreme UV radiation at 200-400 A, at heights from 250 to 500 km, are of particular interest. Satellite sunrise measurements above 330 km are not consistent with the Jacchia (1971) atmospheric model, and may constitute evidence for dynamic phenomena occurring in the heated upper levels. Density and temperature variations are considered mainly responsible for the sunrise anomaly observed. Checks were made for possible errors in the satellite pointing system and other instrumental effects.

Modali, S. B.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Coronal temperatures and temperature gradients from OSO-7 spectroheliograms

Temperatures and temperature gradients for the outer corona are obtained from brightness gradients of EUV lines that were measured with the spectroheliograph on OSO-7. Brightness gradients show considerable deviations from isothermal model calculations that include collisional excitation and photoexcitation. A negative temperature gradient that gives both positive and negative ion-abundance gradients appears to be able to account for the discrepancy. For the 284-A of Fe XV, perhaps the strongest line from the outer corona, measurements during 1972 appear to be consistent with a temperature near 2.3 million K near the equator at about 1.3 solar radii from the solar center and with temperature-gradient values near -0.7 that extend from as low as 1.2 to about 1.8 solar radii. Temperatures from strong lines of Fe XIV and Fe XVI indicate that variations of about 200,000 K exist along lines of sight where emission is appreciable. There appears to be some agreement between these results and temperature measurements from ion abundances in the solar wind and the Doppler width of the 5303-A line.

Nakada, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1977

OSO-7 hard X-ray observations of 3U 0352+30 = X Persei

Results are reported for OSO 7 observations of 3U 0352+30 (X Per) over the energy range from 7 to 110 keV. It is found that this source has either a hard power-law spectrum or a thermal bremsstrahlung spectrum over the observed energy range, indicating that X Per may be the prototype of a new class of weak galactic hard X-ray sources. The data are shown to be consistent with spectra calculated for accretion onto a degenerate dwarf of at least 1 solar mass. Geometrical and dynamical constraints are considered for a model in which an accreting degenerate dwarf is in a close orbit about the primary of X Per, and it is concluded that such a model is not ruled out at present. It is suggested that X-ray sources associated with Be stars may make a significant contribution to the diffuse hard X-ray background in the galactic plane.

Mushotzky, R. F.↗