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At least 19 records

Molecular hydrogen emission from W51

The detection of emission from the v = 1 approaches 0 S(1) quadrupole transition of H2 toward the cluster of intense infrared and H2O maser sources in W51 (north) is reported. The apparent luminosity of this line in W51 (north) is only about 4% of the luminosity of the same line toward the Kleinmann-Low infrared cluster in Orion; however, additional line-of-sight extinction and spatial extent of the source may account for the lower apparent power in W51. Similarity in the infrared and H2O properties of these clusters is addressed. The implications of the H2 emission for mass loss in the W51 region is discussed and some proposed models of radiation-driven mass outflow from pre-main sequence stars are briefly considered.

Beckwith, S.↗

Changing environments of pre-main-sequence stars and their effect on the 3 microns ice feature

Three micron spectra of three premain-sequence stellar objects are presented. The heavily embedded infrared source HH100-IR, and two optically visible stars that apparently power the Herbig-Haro objects HH52, 53, 54, and HH57, are likely to represent different stages during early stellar evolution. The medium-resolution spectra of HH100-IR confirm the existence of a very strong ice band absorption (optical depth 0.8-1.2 at 3.07 microns) discovered by Whittet & Blades MNRAS, 191, 309 (1980) with lower resolution. Each of the visible stars shows a weaker (optical depth 0.2-0.4) water-ice feature but with a relatively prominent absorption dip at 2.97 microns which it is believed is due to ammonia ice. A detailed inspection of the line profiles suggests that the environment around the optically visible stars is significantly warmer (about 100 K) than that around HH100-IR (about 10-20 K) and that processing of remnant circumstellar dust is already underway.

Graham, J. A.↗

Apparent luminosity of solar power satellites

The objective of this investigation was a quantitative characterization of solar power satellite luminosity as seen from the earth. The reflective characteristics of the reference photovoltaic satellite configurations are defined. Diffuse reflection from a single satellite will, at maximum, fall between magnitudes -4 and -5. A 60-satellite fleet will have a maximum total luminosity equivalent to a single object of magnitude -9. Specular reflections from the array and antenna will be of magnitude -12 to -15, but visible only occasionally for about 2 minutes at a given location. Methods of preventing specular reflections from striking the earth are presented. Thermal cycle power conversion systems are discussed qualitatively as a means of reducing diffuse luminosity.

Livingston, L. E.↗

Interplanetary Magnetic Field Power Spectrum Variations: A VHO Enabled Study

The newly reprocessed high time resolution (11/22 vectors/sec) Wind mission interplanetary magnetic field data and the solar wind key parameter search capability of the Virtual Heliospheric Observatory (VHO) affords an opportunity to study magnetic field power spectral density variations as a function of solar wind conditions. In the reprocessed Wind Magnetic Field Investigation (MFI) data, the spin tone and its harmonics are greatly reduced that allows the meaningful fitting of power spectra to the approx.2 Hz limit above which digitization noise becomes apparent. The power spectral density is computed and the spectral index is fitted for the MHD and ion inertial regime separately along with the break point between the two for various solar wind conditions . The time periods of fixed solar wind conditions are obtained from VHO searches that greatly simplify the process. The functional dependence of the ion inertial spectral index and break point on solar wind plasma and magnetic field conditions will be discussed

Szabo, A.↗

Interplanetary Magnetic Field Power Spectrum Variations: A VHO Enabled Study

The newly reprocessed high time resolution (11/22 vectors/sec) Wind mission interplanetary magnetic field data and the solar wind key parameter search capability of the Virtual Heliospheric Observatory (VHO) affords an opportunity to study magnetic field power spectral density variations as a function of solar wind conditions. In the reprocessed Wind Magnetic Field Investigation (MFI) data, the spin tone and its harmonics are greatly reduced that allows the meaningful fitting of power spectra to the ~2 Hz limit above which digitization noise becomes apparent. The power spectral density is computed and the spectral index is fitted for the MHD and ion inertial regime separately along with the break point between the two for various solar wind conditions. The time periods of fixed solar wind conditions are obtained from VHO searches that greatly simplify the process. The functional dependence of the ion inertial spectral index and break point on solar wind plasma and magnetic field conditions will be discussed

Szabo, A.↗

Continuous flow electrophoresis: The effect of sample concentration on throughput and resolution in an upward flowing system

The effect of sample concentration on throughput and resolution in a modified continuous particle electrophoresis (CPE) system with flow in an upward direction is investigated. Maximum resolution is achieved at concentrations ranging from 2 x 10 to the 8th power cells/ml to 8 x 10 to the 8th power cells/ml. The widest peak separation is at 2 x 10 to the 8th power cells/ml; however, the sharpest peaks and least overlap between cell populations is at 8 x 10 to the 8th power cells/ml. Apparently as a result of improved electrophoresis cell performance due to coasting the chamber with bovine serum albumin, changing the electrode membranes and rinse, and lowering buffer temperatures, sedimentation effects attending to higher concentrations are diminished. Throughput as measured by recovery of fixed cells is diminished at the concentrations judged most likely to yield satisfactory resolution. The tradeoff appears to be improved recovery/throughput at the expense of resolution.

Jandebeur, T. S.↗

A mathematical model for the doubly-fed wound rotor generator, part 2

A mathematical analysis of a doubly-fed wound rotor generator is presented. The constraints of constant stator voltage and frequency to the circuit equations were applied and expressions for the currents and voltages in the machine obtained. The derived variables are redefined as direct and quadrature components. In addition, the apparent (complex) power for both the rotor and the stator are derived in terms of these redefined components.

Brady, F. J.↗

A mathematical model for the doubly-fed wound rotor generator. II

A mathematical analysis of a doubly-fed wound rotor generator is presented. The constraints of constant stator voltage and frequency to the circuit equations were applied and expressions for the currents and voltages in the machine obtained. The derived variables are redefined as direct and quadrature components. In addition, the apparent (complex) power for both the rotor and the stator are derived in terms of these redefined components.

Brady, F. J.↗

Quantitative Measurement of Oxygen in Microgravity Combustion

A low-gravity environment, in space or in ground-based facilities such as drop towers, provides a unique setting for studying combustion mechanisms. Understanding the physical phenomena controlling the ignition and spread of flames in microgravity has importance for space safety as well as for better characterization of dynamical and chemical combustion processes which are normally masked by buoyancy and other gravity-related effects. Due to restrictions associated with performing measurements in reduced gravity, diagnostic methods which have been applied to microgravity combustion studies have generally been limited to capture of flame emissions on film or video, laser Schlieren imaging and (intrusive) temperature measurements using thermocouples. Given the development of detailed theoretical models, more sophisticated diagnostic methods are needed to provide the kind of quantitative data necessary to characterize the properties of microgravity combustion processes as well as provide accurate feedback to improve the predictive capabilities of the models. When the demands of space flight are considered, the need for improved diagnostic systems which are rugged, compact, reliable, and operate at low power becomes apparent. The objective of this research is twofold. First, we want to develop a better understanding of the relative roles of diffusion and reaction of oxygen in microgravity combustion. As the primary oxidizer species, oxygen plays a major role in controlling the observed properties of flames, including flame front speed (in solid or liquid flames), extinguishment characteristics, flame size and flame temperature. The second objective is to develop better diagnostics based on diode laser absorption which can be of real value in both microgravity combustion research and as a sensor on-board Spacelab as either an air quality monitor or as part of a fire detection system. In our prior microgravity work, an eight line-of-sight fiber optic system measured water vapor mole fractions in the NASA Lewis 2.2-sec Drop Tower. In that system, the laser and all electronics resided at the top of the drop tower and was connected via a fiber optic cable to the rig, on which a 'pitch and catch' set of fiber collimating lenses were used to transmit the laser beam across a jet diffusion flame. This system required eight independent detection/demodulation units and had poor spatial resolution. This research builds on this earlier work, resulting in an improved capability for quantitative, nonintrusive measurement of major combustion species. A vertical cavity surface-emitting diode laser (VCSEL) and a continuous spatial scanning method permit the measurement of temporal and spatial profiles of the concentrations and temperatures of molecular oxygen. High detection sensitivity is achieved with wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS). One-g experiments are performed using a slot diffusion flame. Microgravity measurements on a solid fuel (cellulose sheet) system are planned for the NASA Lewis 2.2-second Drop Tower Facility.

Silver, Joel A.↗

A ~60 day Super-orbital Period Originating from the Ultraluminous X-ray Pulsar in M82

Ultraluminous X-ray (ULX) pulsars are a new class of object powered by apparent super-critical accretion onto magnetized neutron stars. Three sources in this class have been identified so far; M82X-2, NGC 5907 ULX-1, and NGC 7793 P13 have been found to have two properties in common; ∼1 s spin periods, and for NGC 5907 ULX-1 and NGC 7793 P13 periodic X-ray flux modulations on timescales of ∼60–80 days. M82 X-2 resides in a crowded field that includes the ULX M82 X-1 separated from X-2 by 5″, as well as other bright point sources. A 60 day modulation has been observed from the region, but the origin has been difficult to identify; both M82 X-1 and X-2 have been suggested as the source. In this paper we present the analysis of a systematic monitoring campaign by Chandra, the only X-ray telescope capable of resolving the crowded field. From a simple Lomb–Scargle periodogram analysis and a more sophisticated Gaussian Process analysis we find that only X-2 exhibits a periodic signal around 60 days, supporting previous claims that it is the origin. We also construct a phase-averaged flux profile of the modulations from higher-cadence Swift/XRT data and find that the flux variations in the Chandra data are fully consistent with the flux profile. Since the orbit of the neutron star and its companion is known to be 2.5 days, the ∼60 day period must be super-orbital in origin. The flux of the modulations varies by a factor of ∼100 from the minimum to the maximum, with no evidence for spectral variations, making the origin difficult to explain.

Individual galaxies↗

A New Paradigm for Supergranulation Derived from Large-Distance Time-Distance Helioseismology: Pancakes

With large separations (10-24 deg heliocentric), it has proven possible to cleanly separate the horizontal and vertical components of supergranular flow with time-distance helioseismology. These measurements require very broad filters in the k-$\omega$ power spectrum as apparently supergranulation scatters waves over a large area of the power spectrum. By picking locations of supergranulation as peaks in the horizontal divergence signal derived from f-mode waves, it is possible to simultaneously obtain average properties of supergranules and a high signal/noise ratio by averaging over many cells. By comparing ray-theory forward modeling with HMI measurements, an average supergranule model with a peak upflow of 240 m/s at cell center at a depth of 2.3 Mm and a peak horizontal outflow of 700 m/s at a depth of 1.6 Mm. This upflow is a factor of 20 larger than the measured photospheric upflow. These results may not be consistent with earlier measurements using much shorter separations (<5 deg heliocentric). With a 30 Mm horizontal extent and a few Mm in depth, the cells might be characterized as thick pancakes.

Duvall, Thomas L.↗

Spatial validation reveals poor predictive performance of large-scale ecological mapping models

Mapping aboveground forest biomass is central for assessing the global carbon balance. However, current large-scale maps show strong disparities, despite good validation statistics of their underlying models. Here, we attribute this contradiction to a flaw in the validation methods, which ignore spatial autocorrelation (SAC) in data, leading to overoptimistic assessment of model predictive power. To illustrate this issue, we reproduce the approach of large-scale mapping studies using a massive forest inventory dataset of 11.8 million trees in central Africa to train and validate a random forest model based on multispectral and environmental variables. A standard nonspatial validation method suggests that the model predicts more than half of the forest biomass variation, while spatial validation methods accounting for SAC reveal quasi-null predictive power. This study underscores how a common practice in big data mapping studies shows an apparent high predictive power, even when predictors have poor relationships with the ecological variable of interest, thus possibly leading to erroneous maps and interpretations.

biomass↗

The rings of Saturn - Two-frequency radar observations

Results are reported for a two-frequency dual-polarization radar-echo study of Saturn's rings which involved monostatic operation at a wavelength of 3.5 cm and bistatic operation at 12.6 cm. The radar observations show that the rings effectively depolarize linearly and circularly polarized incident waves at the two wavelengths; that the ring particles are unusually efficient radar reflectors, yielding approximately the same high total cross section at both wavelengths; and that there is an apparent excess of power at the 'central' Doppler shifts when compared with homogeneous scattering models based on the optically observed ring distributions. Several possible explanations for these three radar properties are considered. It is found that a model which hypothesizes a thick cloud of irregular water-ice chunks a few centimeters or larger in radius and a model which postulates a monolayer of multimeter-sized water-frost-coated metallic chunks both seem capable of explaining the first two radar properties. But no consistent explanation is found for the excess low-frequency spectral power.

Goldstein, R. M.↗