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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 NTRS1977

Infrared continuum observations of five-minute oscillations

Infrared continuum observations of the sun at wavelengths between 10 and 30 microns show a nonisothermal response of the upper photosphere to compression waves associated with the five-minute oscillations. Observations were made with four broad-band filters with effective transmission wavelengths between 10 and 26 microns and with a 10 arcsec aperture. Further observations at submillimeter wavelengths with a 2-arcmin aperture did not resolve oscillatory fluctuations of five-minute period. Comparisons with velocity-field data of Howard (1976) suggest that the relaxation time of the photosphere exceeds (300/2 pi) seconds at the height of formation of the 26-micron continuum. The photosphere reponds to 3-mHz oscillatory motion with considerably less compression than expected for simple acoustic modes in an adiabatically responsive atmosphere, confirming the evanescent character of the five-minute oscillations.

Lindsey, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A comparison of synthetic and measured solar continuum intensities and limb darkening coefficients

The paper compares recent center-limb studies of optical and IR continuum intensities (over the wavelength range 0.3-2.4 microns, with the data tabulated in the form of second- and fifth-order polynomial fits to empirical limb darkening curves) by Pierce and Slaughter (1977) and by Pierce et al. (1977) with predictions based on several current photospheric thermal structure models, using calibrated specific intensity measurements by Labs and Neckel (1968, 1970) to set an absolute temperature scale. The thermal structure in best quantitative agreement with the measurements of Pierce and Slaughter and Pierce et al. is the semiempirical model of Vernazza, Avrett and Loeser (1976). The temperatures in this model must be scaled upward, however, by a factor of 1.015 plus or minus 0.0005 to be consistent with the Labs and Neckel absolute calibration of continuum high points in the 0.40-0.65 micron region.

Ayres, T. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Three flares with blue continuum, one with a D3 preflare shell

Three flares with short-lived flashes observed with a 65 A wide filter centered on 3835 A are discussed. Observations at other wavelengths indicated it is a 'blue continuum'; the flashes occur in pairs at the ends of flux loops and result from the precipitation of energetic particles. A shell of D3 absorption was observed in one of the flares, considered to be a compressed sheet of dense, hot material that limits the flare until it breaks out as a surge. It is concluded that the blue continuum may be the same as that seen in flare stars.

Zirin, H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

High-frequency continuum observations of young stars

31-GHz and/or 90-GHz radio continuum observations have been made towards 48 young stars. Only three signals are definitely detected and are shown to represent late O or early B stars. None of the 'continuum T Tauri stars' were detected, suggesting that these are unlikely to be hot stars. Some early B stars should have been detectable if they have normal Stromgren zones. Their undetectability may well signify that circumstellar dust modifies the ionization of surrounding gas.

Cohen, M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Determination of the hypersonic-continuum/rarefied-flow drag coefficient of the Viking lander capsule 1 aeroshell from flight data

Results of an investigation to determine the full scale drag coefficient in the high speed, low density regime of the Viking lander capsule 1 entry vehicle are presented. The principal flight data used in the study were from onboard pressure, mass spectrometer, and accelerometer instrumentation. The hypersonic continuum flow drag coefficient was unambiguously obtained from pressure and accelerometer data; the free molecule flow drag coefficient was indirectly estimated from accelerometer and mass spectrometer data; the slip flow drag coefficient variation was obtained from an appropriate scaling of existing experimental sphere data. Comparison of the flight derived drag hypersonic continuum flow regime except for Reynolds numbers from 1000 to 100,000, for which an unaccountable difference between flight and ground test data of about 8% existed. The flight derived drag coefficients in the free molecule flow regime were considerably larger than those previously calculated with classical theory. The general character of the previously determined temperature profile was not changed appreciably by the results of this investigation; however, a slightly more symmetrical temperature variation at the highest altitudes was obtained.

Blanchard, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The H I Lyman continuum in solar prominences and its interpretation in the presence of inhomogeneities

Observations of the H I Lyman continuum are presented for nine hedgerow prominences observed at the limb with the Harvard EUV spectrometer on Skylab. Methods of analysis for both the continuum emission and absorption are developed for two contrasting models for the prominence fine structure, namely multiple resolved slabs, and multiple unresolved cylindrical threads. The absorption data set a lower limit on the total optical thickness at 912 A and on the number of structures in the line of sight. The emission data yield a mean electron temperature of 7524 + or - 739 K and a mean brightness temperature of 6316 + or - 75 K. Taken together the emission and absorption data set firm constraints on the ionization, density, and fractional volume.

Orrall, F. Q.↗
NASA NTRS1980

1.0 mm continuum observations of cool southern clouds

It is noted that high surface brightness 1.0 mm continuum emission has been mapped in nine southern hemisphere H II/molecular cloud complexes: NGC 6334, RCW 38, RCW 57, RCW 122, RCW 117, G333.6-0.2, G351.6-1.3, W 33, and W 33A. All of the sources are in the inner part of the galaxy near the galactic plane. New 1.0 mm continuum mapping results with a resolution of 65 arcsec are presented.

Gezari, D. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Theoretical quasar emission-line ratios. V - Balmer continuum emission

Isothermal, isobaric models of quasar emission line regions are presented which include an improved treatment of radiative transfer in the bound-free continua, based on a generalization of frequency-integrated line transfer techniques and on the use of a probabilistic radiative transfer equation which explicitly distinguishes between the flux divergence coefficient and the photon escape probability. It is found that Balmer continuum emission can be obtained without compromising observed line ratios. It is also established that optically thin or thick Balmer continuum emission models with blended Fe II line are consistent with 4000-2000 A 'blue bump' observations, and that the improved radiative transfer treatment makes order-of-magnitude corrections to level populations and local cooling rates calculated with past techniques.

Puetter, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Generation of nonthermal continuum radiation in the magnetosphere

Generation of electromagnetic continuum radiation from electrostatic fluctuations near the upper hybrid resonance frequency has been calculated by using cold plasma theory in an inhomogeneous plasma near the plasmapause. It is shown that both the polarization and the amplitude of electromagnetic radiation are in good quantitative agreement with spacecraft observations for nonthermal continuum radiation.

Okuda, H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Mass loss from evolved stars. II - Radio continuum emission and evolution to planetary nebulae

The radio continuum properties of cool evolved stars are investigated from the viewpoint of mass loss mechanisms and evolution through the planetary nebula stage. The VLA was used to search 32 high mass loss rate objects for 6-cm continuum emission, leading to the detection of NGC 7027, CRL 618, R Aqr, IRC + 10216, and Omicron Ceti. The evolution of such objects to the planetary nebula stage was studied by calculating the propagation of an ionization front into the remnant neutral envelope that is produced by continuous mass loss in the red giant stage. It is found that none of the stars has a hot, compact companion, except for the known cases of R Aqr and Mira, and that envelope fractional ionization is in most cases as small as less than about 0.001.

Spergel, D. N.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Observations of the brightness profile of the sun in the 30-200 micron continuum

The brightness profile of the quiet sun in broad continuum passbands centered at 30, 50, 100, and 200 microns was observed with a resolution of 2 arcmin. Weak radial darkening was seen at all four wavelengths near disk center. This reverses to brightening toward the limb in the 100 and 200 micron continuum. Radial darkening at 100 and 200 microns is not expected from smooth model chromospheres consistent with absolute brightness measurements. These results do not support a homogeneous model of the low chromosphere, where the temperature reversal occurs.

Lindsey, C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Creep crack growth predictions in INCO 718 using a continuum damage model

Creep crack growth tests have been carried out in compact type specimens of INCO 718 at 1200 F (649 C). Theoretical creep crack growth predictions have been carried out by incorporating a unified viscoplastic constitutive model and a continuum damage model into the ARAQUS nonlinear finite element program. Material constants for both the viscoplastic model and the creep continuum damage model were determined from tests carried out on uniaxial bar specimens of INCO 718 at 1200 F (649 C). A comparison of the theoretical creep crack growth rates obtained from the finite element predictions with the experimentally observed creep crack growth rates indicates that the viscoplastic/continuum damage model can be used to successfully predict creep crack growth in compact type specimens using material constants obtained from uniaxial bar specimens of INCO 718 at 1200 F (649 C).

Walker, K. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The nonstellar continuum of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7213

The optical continuum of the nearby Seyfert galaxy NGC 7213 is decomposed into stellar and nonstellar components, and the spectrum at X-ray energies is derived from observations made with the Monitor Proportional Counter and the Imaging Proportional Counter aboard the Einstein Observatory. These results are used to obtain conclusions about the galaxy's column density and spectral index, covering fraction and visual extinction, and thermal emission. Ultraviolet, infrared, and radio observations published elsewhere are then combined with the new data to produce the overall continuum.

Halpern, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A VLA radio continuum survey of active late-type giants in binary systems - Preliminary results

Preliminary results of a 6 cm continuum survey using the NRAO VLA of binary systems with 10-100 day orbital period containing an 'active' giant component are reported. The results show that strong radio continuum emission at centimeter wavelengths is a common but not universal property of this class of stars. Possible correlations between radio luminosity and other properties, such as X-ray luminosity, rotational period, and type of companion are discussed. Several binary systems which have been detected for the first time as radio sources are reported, and sensitive upper limits are presented for five other systems, including Capella.

Drake, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Continuum radiation from active galactic nuclei: A statistical study

The physics of the continuum spectrum of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) was examined using a large data set and rigorous statistical methods. A data base was constructed for 469 objects which include radio selected quasars, optically selected quasars, X-ray selected AGNs, BL Lac objects, and optically unidentified compact radio sources. Each object has measurements of its radio, optical, X-ray core continuum luminosity, though many of them are upper limits. Since many radio sources have extended components, the core component were carefully selected out from the total radio luminosity. With survival analysis statistical methods, which can treat upper limits correctly, these data can yield better statistical results than those previously obtained. A variety of statistical tests are performed, such as the comparison of the luminosity functions in different subsamples, and linear regressions of luminosities in different bands. Interpretation of the results leads to the following tentative conclusions: the main emission mechanism of optically selected quasars and X-ray selected AGNs is thermal, while that of BL Lac objects is synchrotron; radio selected quasars may have two different emission mechanisms in the X-ray band; BL Lac objects appear to be special cases of the radio selected quasars; some compact radio sources show the possibility of synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) in the optical band; and the spectral index between the optical and the X-ray bands depends on the optical luminosity.

Isobe, T.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A compact density condensation around L1551-IRS 5: 2.7mm continuum observations with 4" resolution

The dark cloud L1551 contains the best known examples of bipolar molecular outflow. Such outflows are assumed to be driven by winds from young stars embedded in a cloud but the mechanism for collimation of the outflows is still in doubt, though it has been much debated. Among the possibilities put forth to date are intrinsically anisotropic stellar winds, isotropic stellar winds collimated by interstellar toroidal shaped clouds on the order of 10(17) cm in size, or circumstellar disks of order 10(15) cm in size. Because the outflow in L1551 as revealed by the Very Large Array (VLA) cm continuum observations is collimated even at the arc second level it seems as though the stellar wind powering the outflow must either be initially anisotropic or be collimated by something very close to the star, such as a circumstellar disk. We have observed L1551 in the continuum at 2.7 mm with the OVRO millimeter-wave interferometer in the winter of 1983-4 and again, more extensively, in 1985-6. The resulting map shows for the first time direct evidence for a density condensation capable of collimating an initially isotropic flow from IRS 5. This map made from data taken in 1985-6 with projected baselines up to 100 m in length (37k lambda). It has been cleaned and reconstructed with a 4'' gaussian beam. It shows a nearly unresolved source with a suggestion of extension at the 3'' level (assuming a gaussian source shape). The integrated flux density in this map is 170 mJy. A composite spectrum of L1551 is presented which shows that the flux at 2.7 mm is due to the thermal radiation from dust that is also seen at shorter wavelengths. Very little of it can be due to the continuation of the nearly flat cm wavelength spectrum which is assumed to be from thermal bremsstrahlung radiation. The map and spectrum provide strong constraints on the size, temperature, and optical depth of the density condensation surrounding IRS 5.

Keene, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Plasma waves and continuum radiation in planetary magnetospheres

Voyager data on whistler mode waves and electron cyclotron harmonic emissions are analyzed to understand the interaction of the waves with the dynamics of the electrons. The occurrence and characteristics of Jovian whistler mode chorus and the interactions with the plasma in and near the Io torus are emphasized. Bernstein waves, especially those near the upper hybrid or plasma frequency are discussed to provide insight into an important plasma diagnostic tool and to compare the relevant portions of the electron distribution function at Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn. The nonthermal continuum radiation common to the magnetospheres of Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn is considered. Because of the very low frequency of these radio waves and their close association with upper hybrid resonance emissions, continuum radiation is often associated more closely with the plasma wave spectrum of a planetary magnetosphere than with the planet's radio spectrum.

Kurth, W. S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Nuclear star formation on 100 parsec scales: 10" resolution radio continuum, HI and CO observations

A program of radio line and continuum studies of star formation in nearby spiral galaxies is reported. The objective is a search for hot gas and peculiar dynamics in spiral nuclei with 10" to 30" angular resolution. Vigorous star formation is found to be a common phenomenon in the inner kpc of spirals. Arcsecond resolution observations of radio continuum emission at 6 and 2 cm were used to separate the thermal and nonthermal radio components. It was found that thermal and nonthermal emission are well mixed even on sizescales of 10 pc. To understand the reason for the increased level of star formation activity in spiral nuclei, HI and CO emission in these galaxies is studied. The CO transition was detected in M51, M82, NGC 253, NGC 6946 and IC 342 with T sub a approx. 0.5 to 2.0 K, at 20" angular resolution. The dynamics and spatial distribution of nuclear gas are being studied using VLA HI maps with 30" synthesized beams. Evidence for noncircular motions in HI was found in the nucleus of IC 342.

Turner, Jean L.↗