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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

Radio emission in the directions of cD and related galaxies in poor clusters. III - VLA observations at 20 cm

VLA radio maps and optical identifications of a sample of sources in the directions of 21 Yerkes poor cluster fields are presented. The majority of the cluster radio sources are associated with the dominant D or cD galaxies (approximately 70 percent). Our analysis of dominant galaxies in rich and poor clusters indicates that these giant galaxies are much more often radio emitters (approximately 25 percent of cD's are radio active in the poor clusters), have steeper radio spectra, and have simpler radio morphologies (i.e., double or other linear structure) than other less bright ellipticals. A strong continuum of radio properties in cD galaxies is seen from rich to poor clusters. It is speculated that the location of these dominant galaxies at the cluster centers (i.e., at the bottom of a deep, isolated gravitational potential well) is the crucial factor in explaining their multifrequency activity. Galaxy cannibalism and gas infall models as fueling mechanisms for the observed radio and X-ray emission are discussed

Burns, J. O.↗

Mechanized X-ray inspection system for large tanks

Mechanized X ray equipment provides nondestructive inspection of structural weldments at various positions on very large tanks. It mechanizes the placement of the film, automates the identification process, adheres to safety requirements, and eliminates all the usual time-consuming manual operations in industrial radiography.

Occhipinti, G. C.↗

On the optical identification of Centaurus X-3.

It is suggested that the previously photographed emission-line star WRA 795 is the optical counterpart of Cen X-3, the X-ray pulsar which is a member of an occulting binary system. The star falls in the X-ray error box, which measures only 0.01 square degrees, and shows strong emission variability on a timescale of days, similar to HDE 226868, the suggested Cyg X-1 counterpart.

Margon, B.↗

X-ray astronomy from sounding rockets at MIT

The research in the program for designing and fabricating payloads for sounding rockets for use in X-ray astronomy is reported. Published papers concerning six Aerobee flights are presented. The results include: (1) the establishment of the radio galaxy M87 as an X-ray source; (2) the studies of the pulsar NPO532, including its X-ray pulse shape, the determination of the synchronism of the optical and X-ray pulses and the codiscovery of its existence as an X-ray pulsar; (3) the determination of many X-ray source positions, and (4) the precise position of Cyg X-1 which led directly to the identification of a ninth magnitude BO supergiant.

Source record↗

Ultraminiature X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for in-situ geochemical analysis on Mars.

A spectrometer based upon the X-ray fluorescence method of elemental analysis has been developed in an ultraminiature, rugged form suitable for a spacecraft mission to Mars. The instrument employs two radioisotope sources (Fe-55 and Cd-109) which irradiate adjacent areas on a regolith sample. Fluorescent X rays emitted by the sample are detected by four thin-window proportional counters. Using pulse-height discrimination, the energy spectra are determined. Virtually all elements above sodium in the periodic table are detected if present at sufficient levels. Minimum detection limits range from 30 ppm to 2% depending upon the element and the matrix. For most elements, they are below 0.5%. Accuracies also depend upon the matrix, but are generally better than plus or minus 0.5% for all elements of atomic number greater than 14. Elements below sodium are also detected, but as a single group. Ambiguities of identification of the elements producing the observed spectra are minimal.

Clark, B. C.↗

Centaurus X-3 - New low- and medium-energy X-ray observations

Low- and medium-energy X-ray observations of Cen X-3 during two pointed sounding-rocket experiments are discussed. The lack of low-energy emission from Cen X-3 is consistent with the identification of Krzeminski's star as the optical counterpart of Cen X-3 and normal reddening, in contrast to an earlier measurement by Bleeker et al (1973).

Long, K.↗

The Identification of Scientific Programs to Utilize the Space Environment

A program to identify and develop ideas for scientific experimentation on the long duration exposure facility (LDEF) was completed. Four research proposals were developed: (1) Ultra pure germanium gamma ray radiation detectors in the space environment, intended to develop and demonstrate an X-ray and gamma-ray spectroscopy system incorporating a temperature cyclable high-purity germanium detector and diode heat pipe cryogenic system for cooling, (2) growth, morphogenesis and metabolism of plant embryos in the zero-gravity environment, to investigate if the space environment induces mutations in the embryogenic cells so that mutants of commercial significance with desirable attributes may be obtained, (3) effect of zero gravity on the growth and pathogenicity of selected zoopathic fungi. It is possible that new kinds of treatment for candidiasis, and tichophytosis could eventuate from the results of the proposed studies, and (4) importance of gravity to survival strategies of small animals. Gravitational effects may be direct or mediate the selection of genetic variants that are preadapted to weightlessness.

Kulacki, F. A.↗

Gamma-ray lines from neutron stars as probes of fundamental physics

The detection of gamma-ray lines produced at the surface of neutron stars will serve to test both the strong and gravitational interactions under conditions unavailable in terrestrial laboratories. Observation of a single redshifted gamma-ray line, combined with an estimate of the mass of the star will serve as a strong constraint on allowable equations of state of matter at supernuclear densities. Detection of two redshifted lines arising from different physical processes at the neutron star surface can provide a test of the strong principle of equivalence. Expected fluxes of nuclear gamma-ray lines from accreting neutron stars were calculated, including threshold, radiative transfer and redshift effects. The most promising probes of neutron star structure are the deuterium formation line and the positron annihilation line. Detection of sharp redshifted gamma-ray lines from X-ray sources such as Cyg X-1 would argue strongly in favor of a neutron star rather than black hole identification for the object.

Brecher, K.↗

X-ray observations of BL Lac objects

The BL Lac objects MK501 and MK421 were observed with OSO-8 and HEAO-1 X-ray detectors in the 2-60 keV band. Their spectra are similar with best fitting power laws having energy index -.4 alpha 4. A soft X-ray excess is indicated in their spectra. There was no detectable X-ray absorption with implied column densities N sub H 1.5 x 10 to the 22d power at sq cm. MK421 was a factor 6 weaker in November 1977 than in May 1977. An identification of PKS0548-322 with a new source H0548,-32 is suggested.

Mushotzky, R. F.↗

X-ray observations of BL Lacertae objects

Results are reported for OSO 8 and HEAO 1 X-ray observations of the BL Lac objects Mrk 421, Mrk 501, and PKS 0548-322 over the energy range from 2 to 60 keV. It is found that the X-ray spectra of Mrk 421 and 501 are similar, exhibit statistically significant soft X-ray excesses, lack low-energy absorption, and are best fitted by power laws over the 2-30-keV range with respective photon indices of approximately 0.91 and 1.2 and respective hydrogen column densities of less than 8 x 10 to the 21st per sq cm and no more than 1.8 x 10 to the 22nd per sq cm. It is noted that the spectral index for both sources is identical, within errors, to the HF radio spectral index and that Mrk 421 experienced a factor of 6 decrease in the 2-10-keV band over a six-month period. A tentative identification of PKS 0548-322 with the source H0548-32 is suggested.

Mushotzky, R. F.↗

X-ray observations of BL Lac objects

The BL Lac objects MK501 and MK421 have been observed by the HEAO-1 experiment A-2 in the 2-60-keV band. Their spectra are similar with best-fitting power laws having an energy index between -0.2 and 0.2. There was no detectable X-ray absorption with implied column densities of less than 1.5 x 10 to the 22nd H atoms/sq cm. MK421 was a factor 6 weaker in November 1977 then in May 1977. A new identification of PKS0548-322 with a source near 4U 0543-31 is suggested.

Mushotzky, R. F.↗

Soft X-ray emission from 2A 0311-227, an AM Herculis-type system

The low-energy detectors on board the HEAO 1 satellite have observed a variable soft X-ray source consistent with the location of 2A 0311-227. The maximum observed intensity is about 2 x 10 to the -11th erg/sq cm-sec. (0.18-0.43 keV) and the temperature must be less than 10 million K. The source is interpreted as a member of the AM Herculis class on the basis of the optical identification with a magnetic binary system.

Charles, P. A.↗

Optical identification of 4U1907 + 09 using the HEAO-1 scanning modulation collimator position

The paper reports an optical identification of 4U1907 + 09 with a m(v) = 16.4 stellar object in the location determined by the scanning modulation collimator experiment on the first High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO-1). The identification is based on the presence of very strong and broad H-alpha emission. The optical data constrain the distance to be 2-13 kpc, and this gives a range of uncertainty to the typical 2-10 keV luminosity of (1 x 10 to the 35th to 3 x 10 to the 36th) erg/s. The X-ray spectrum and variability is reported, and consideration is given to the hypothesis that the object is an OB supergiant, although its faintness in the blue makes precise spectral classification impossible. It is suggested that this system is an example of a luminous, massive primary emitting a stellar wind which is accreted on the compact object.

Schwartz, D. A.↗