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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Near-infrared spectroscopy of probable impact melt from three large lunar highland craters

Near IR terrestrial telescope data are used to compare the composition of small areas in three large lunar highland craters, whose walls and central peaks yield spectra indicative of crystalline components encompassing olivine, two types of pyroxene, and occasionally Fe-bearing feldspar. Spectra from other crater wall and floor areas suspected of being impact melt deposits yield similar yet anomalous features which are interpreted as indications of pyroxene, Fe-bearing glass, and Fe-bearing feldspar.

Smrekar, S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Near-infrared spectroscopy of planetary nebulae: How strong is the H2 emission?

In an effort to understand the systematics of the H2 emission from planetary nebulae, a program of near-infared spectroscopy using the University of Texas infrared reticon spectrometer was started. This instrument has a 1x32 element InSb photodiode array as a detector. All of the observations reported were made on the McDonald Observatory 2.7 m telescope, with spectra resolving power lambda/delta lambda = 600. The spectral coverage allows the measurement strengths of Brackett gamma He I 2.113 microns, HE II 2.189 microns and the v = 1=0 S(1) line of H2 at 2.122 microns. One of the most important advantages of this instrument is that we are able to resolve H2 from the adjacent He I line. Most previous observations of planetaries have been made at spectral resolving powers of about 100, which blend these lines. The contribution of the He I line has generally been dismissed as being unimportant, but we show that this may not be valid. Our higher resolving power also improves the line-to-continuum contrast; in some cases, the continuum is the limiting factor in detecting faint lines.

Dinerstein, H. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Visual and infrared observations of the distant Comets P/Stephan-Oterma /1980g/, Panther /1980u/, and Bowell /1980b/

The paper reports combined visual imagery and spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy, and broadband infrared photometry of comets P/Stephan-Oterma (1980g), Bowell (1980b), and Panther (1980u) at intermediate heliocentric distances. The visual data indicate the existence of solid grains in extended halos around the nuclei of the three comets. Broadband near-infrared and thermal infrared measurements of Comet Panther suggest the presence of 2-4-micron-radius particles in the coma which most likely contain molecules incorporating the N-H bond, but which are more complex and less volatile than NH3. Such molecules can be produced in the grains by cosmic-ray reprocessing. Near infrared spectral features identical to those seen in comet Panther similary suggest the presence of a molecule incorporating the N-H bond in comet Bowell.

Jewitt, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A compositional study of the aristarchus region of the moon using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Newly obtained near-infrared reflectance spectra for features on or near the Aristarchus Plateau demonstrate the diversity of compositions in the region. Highland units are of three probable compositions: a feldspar and clinopyroxene assemblage; a probable clinopyroxene, olivine, and possibly feldspar assemblage; and an assemblage composed of olivine or olivine and feldspar. The feldspar-clinopyroxene assemblage is tentatively correlated with the major Th anomaly centered on Aristarchus crater. The regional pyroclastic deposits on the plateau are composed of greater than 90 percent Fe(2+)-bearing glass. The Aristarchus cratering event fully penetrated any mare or pyroclastics in the target. Evidence for mare-related material is found in the ejecta on the mare side of the mare-plateau contact.

Lucey, P. G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

3 micron spectroscopy of comet Halley (1982i)

Near-infrared spectroscopy and photometry was obtained of comet Halley in December 1985 when its heliocentric distance was 1.19 AU. No water ice absorption or molecular band emission were observed. The interstellar 3.3-micron emission band was also not observed. The 3-micron spectrum of comet Halley consisted of scattered sunlight at wavelengths less than 3.1 microns and of thermal emission by dust at longer wavelengths.

Tokunaga, A. T.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Frontiers for geological remote sensing from space; Geosat Workshop, 4th, Flagstaff, AZ, June 12-17, 1983, Report

Consideration is given to: the applications of near-infrared spectroscopy to geological reconnaissance and exploration from space; imaging systems for identifying the spectral properties of geological materials in the visible and near-infrared; and Thematic Mapper (TM) data analysis. Consideration is also given to descriptions of individual geological remote sensing systems, including: GEO-SPAS; SPOT; the Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS); and the Shuttle Imaging Radars A and B (SIR-A and SIR-B). Additional topics include: the importance of geobotany in geological remote sensing; achromatic holographic stereograms from Landsat MSS data; and the availability and applications of NOAA's non-Landsat satellite data archive.

Henderson, F. B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

The Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and its telescopes.

The campus and observatory facilities of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona are described, with particular reference to the Space Sciences Building and its Optical Shop. The Catalina Observatory (located on a peak of the Catalina Mountains, 36 miles from the University) and its facilities intended for planetary photography, near-infrared spectroscopy and interferometry, far-infrared broadband photometry and image scanning, and studies of asteroids, comets, and other stellar studies are discussed. The layout, facilities, and telescopes of the Mount Lemmon Observatory intended for infrared astronomical research are also covered.

Kuiper, G. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

H2 spectroscopy as an agent for extinction determinations The near-infrared curve for the Orion molecular cloud

A near-infrared (1.8 to 3.5) microns extinction curve for the Orion molecular cloud is presented. The curve is derived from high-resolution spectra of the Orion H2 source recorded from the Kuiper Airborne Observatory. The data reveal that the Orion extinction law is indistinguishable from a 1/lambda form in the near-infrared, except for strongly enhanced extinction near a wavelength of about 3 microns. The implications of these results, in the context of current interstellar grain models, are discussed.

Davis, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Mars surface composition from reflectance spectroscopy - A summary

Visible and near-infrared reflectance spectra and multispectral maps of the Martian surface are discussed, and implications of the data for the composition of the Martian surface are considered. Spacecraft and earth-based telescopic observations have confirmed the generally bimodal albedo distribution of the planet, dividing the surface into bright and dark regions. Mars spectra are characterized by the presence of strong Fe(+3) absorption, which is attributed to various ferric oxide minerals. Interpretations of the spectra from the dark regions indicate a basaltic or ultramafic source rock. Evidence for water ice or a highly desiccated metal hydrate has been obtained, along with evidence for CO2-ice only in the south polar cap. Mariner 9 observations of Martian dust suggest the presence of rather acidic rock or mineral particles, or a montmorillonite-type clay. Prospects for the future study of Martian surface composition include continuing earth-based spectrophotometric studies, and high-spectral-resolution mapping of a significant portion of the surface by the Galileo spacecraft and the next Mars mission.

Singer, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Spectroscopy of Triton and Pluto: Current status and prospects

Near-infrared spectrophotometry of Triton and Pluto at low spectral resolution and signal precision reveals methane absorption on both bodies. The absorption on Triton is probably gaseous CH4, while that on Pluto is a combination of gas and ice of CH4. Using present detectors and telescopes, spectra of Triton and Pluto can be obtained which are 5-10 times better than those published, but such data will not be sufficient to distinguish between gaseous and solid methane on these bodies.

Cruikshank, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

E2003 + 225 - A 3h 42m AM Herculis type binary system

The bright soft X-ray source E2003 + 225, originally discovered by the HEAO 1 low-energy detectors, has been found to be a new AM Herculis type binary. The optical counterpart shows a rich emission spectrum of He II, He I, and H as well as circular and linear polarization. Larger polarization in the near-infrared than in the ultraviolet argues for its origin as high harmonic cyclotron emission. Optical photometry, polarimetry, spectroscopy, and the X-ray light curves are all consistent with an orbital period of 222.51 m, the longest period known for AM Herculis systems, and only the second on the long side of the 2-3 hour cataclysmic variable period gap.

Takalo, L. O.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Emission in the hydrogen-Brackett lines of Epsilon Aurigae during eclipse

Results of high-resolution infrared spectroscopy of Epsilon Aur performed from 1982 and 1985 in order to investigate the effects of eclipse on spectral lines at near-infrared wavelengths are reported. The profiles of the Brackett-alpha and Brackett-gamma lines of hydrogen are reported. The B-alpha emission has an integrated flux of 9 x 10 to the -15th W/sq m, a FWHM of 60 km/s, and a radial velocity that follows the predicted velocity curve of the primary star more closely than that of the secondary. The mean B-alpha/B-gamma flux ratio was approximately unity on the three dates both lines were observed, indicating optically thick emission. It is concluded that the emission originates in a flow rather than from material in Keplerian revolution; the Brackett line emission probably has the same source as the previously observed H-alpha emission.

Backman, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A Fourier transform spectrometer for visible and near ultra-violet measurements of atmospheric absorption

The development of a prototype, ground-based, Sun-pointed Michelson interferometric spectrometer is described. Its intended use is to measure the atmospheric amount of various gases which absorb in the near-infrared, visible, and near-ultraviolet portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Preliminary spectra which contain the alpha, 0.8 micrometer, and rho sigma tau water vapor absorption bands in the near-infrared are presented to indicate the present capability of the system. Ultimately, the spectrometer can be used to explore the feasible applications of Fourier transform spectroscopy in the ultraviolet where grating spectrometers were used exclusively.

Parsons, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Characterization of lunar mare basalt types. I - A remote sensing study using reflection spectroscopy of surface soils

Telescopic reflection spectra of mature mare surfaces are used to identify and characterize major basalt types on the frontside of the moon. The spectra are classified according to (1) continuum slope and (2) near-infrared features. This study indicates that there are major lunar basalt types that are unlikely to have been sampled during the landing missions. Regions of basalt exist in the western maria with a TiO2 content comparable to that of Apollo 11 but with infrared characteristics that indicate a distinctly different composition. Samples from two landing sites, Apollo 12 and Luna 16, may contain fragments of a nearby basalt unit compositionally different from the dominant basalt type of the landing area.

Pieters, C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Ultraviolet spectroscopy of F and G supergiants with IUE. II - The hot companions of HR 2786 and HR 2859

Hot companion stars in two binary systems are analyzed by means of IUE low-dispersion spectra. HR 2859B is found to be a B2 IV or V star, and analysis of ultraviolet to near-infrared photometry indicates the primary to be an early G star only one magnitude brighter in V with a magnitude of -4.0. A third star probably associated with this system was classified B9p Hg a probable visual absolute magnitude of about -1.6 is obtained for it. HR 2786 is now confirmed to have a hot secondary, for which a spectral class of B9-9.5 is obtained. With an assumed luminosity for this component, the G2 Ib primary then has a magnitude of -3.8.

Parsons, S. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Spectroscopy of Moses Rock dike using remote sensing

Zeiss IR-photographs, NS0001 (TM simulator) and airborne imaging spectrometer (AIS) data were obtained for the Moses Rock kimberlite dike in southern Utah to identify and characterize the distinctive mafic mineralogy of the dike as well as the surrounding sedimentary rocks. The Zeiss and NS001 images provide information on the regional setting and allow units of the dike to be distinguished from the sediments. The AIS data are narrow images obtained in 128 near-infrared channels and provide characterizing information on the surface composition through. Three distinct spectroscopic units were found which have been tentatively identified as serpentized olivine-bearing soils found in the dike and two types of gypsum bearing soils found in the surrounding sedimentary soils.

Mustard, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Infrared spectral studies of asteroids

The first comprehensive spectrophotometric survey in the near-infrared (0.8 to 2.5 microns) was carried out with the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility and special filters optimized for spectroscopy of solid surfaces. About 105 asteroids have been observed (in 52 photometric passbands) to date. These spectra provide a much improved database for determining the mineralogy of the various asteroid spectral classes previously defined on the basis of visible (0.3 to 1.0 micron) data. Preliminary results from analysis of these spectra include: (1)Class "A" asteroids are dominated by olivine and correspond to the rare brachinite meteorites; (2)Class "S" asteroids have highly variable olivine/pyroxene ratios inconsistent with chondritic compositions; (3)Classes "P" and "D" are apparently "ultracarbonacous" material which extends the known range of chondrites to lower condensation temperatures; (4)The distribution of spectral types shows that the asteroids were heated by a mechanism whose intensity declined rapidly with solar distance; and (5)Spectra of the proposed flyby targets for CRAF were used to evaluate the results obtainable from this mission.

Bell, J. F.↗