Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “astronomical objects”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 records

International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) ultraviolet spectral atlas of selected astronomical objects

The IUE Ultraviolet Spectral Atlas of Selected Astronomical Objects (or 'the Atlas'), is based on the data that were available in the IUE archive in 1986, and is intended to be a quick reference for the ultraviolet spectra of many categories of astronomical objects. It shows reflected sunlight from the Moon, planets, and asteroids, and also shows emission from comets. Comprehensive compilations of UV spectra for main sequence, subgiant, giant, bright giant, and supergiant stars are published elsewhere. This Atlas contains the spectra for objects occupying other areas of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram: pre-main sequence stars, chemically peculiar stars, pulsating variables, subluminous stars, and Wolf-Rayet stars. This Atlas also presents phenomena such as the chromospheric and transition region emissions from late-type stars; composite spectra of stars, gas streams, accretion disks and gas envelopes of binary systems; the behavior of gas ejecta shortly after the outburst of novac and supernovac; and the H II regions, planetary nebulae, and supernova remnants. Population 2 stars, globular clusters, and luminous stars in the Magellanic Clouds, M31, and M33, are also included in this publication. Finally, the Atlas gives the ultraviolet spectra of galaxies of different Hubble types and of active galaxies.

Wu, Chi-Chao↗

Reconstructing color images of astronomical objects using black and white spectroscopic emulsions

A color photograph of the peculiar elliptical galaxy NGC 5128 (Centaurus A) has been reconstructed from three Kodak 103a emulsion type photographs by projecting positives of the three B&W plates through appropriate filters onto a conventional color film. The resulting photograph shows color balance and latitude characteristics superior to color photographs of similar astronomical objects made with commercially available conventional color film. Similar results have been obtained for color reconstructed photographs of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. These and other results suggest that these projection-reconstruction techniques can be used to obtain high-quality color photographs of astronomical objects which overcome many of the problems associated with the use of conventional color film for the long exposures required in astronomy.

Dufour, R. I.↗

Collision phenomena involving highly-charged ions in astronomical objects

A description of the role of highly charged ions in various astronomical objects; includes the use of critical quantities such as cross sections for excitation, charge-exchange, X-ray emission, radiative recombination (RR) and dielectronic recombination (DR); and lifetimes, branching ratios, and A-values.

highly charged ions x-ray spectra excitation lifet↗

Development of a tool-set for simultaneous, multi-site observations of astronomical objects

A network of ground and space based telescopes can provide continuous observation of astronomical objects. In a 'Target of Opportunity' scenario triggered by the system, any telescope on the network may request supporting observations. We propose to develop a set of data collection and display tools to support these observations. We plan to demonstrate the usefulness of this toolset for simultaneous multi-site observations of astronomical targets. Possible candidates for the proposed demonstration include the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer, International Ultraviolet Explorer, ALEXIS, and sounding rocket experiments. Ground based observations, operated by the University of California, Berkeley; the Jet Propulsion Laboratory; and Fairborn Observatory, Mesa, Arizona will be used to demonstrate the proposed concept. Although the demonstration will involve astronomical investigations, these tools will be applicable to a large number of scientific disciplines. the software tools and systems developed as a result of our work will be made available to the scientific community.

Chakrabarti, Supriya↗

Development of a tool-set for simultaneous, multi-site observations of astronomical objects

A network of ground and space based telescopes can provide continuous observation of astronomical objects. In a 'Target of Opportunity' scenario triggered by the system, any telescope on the network may request supporting observations. We propose to develop a set of data collection and display tools to support these observations. We plan to demonstrate the usefulness of this tool set for simultaneous multi-site observations of astronomical targets. Possible candidates for the proposed demonstration include the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer, International Ultraviolet Explorer, ALEXIS, and sounding rocket experiments. Ground based observations operated by the University of California, Berkeley; the Jet Propulsion Laboratory; and Fairborn Observatory, Mesa, Arizona will be used to demonstrate the proposed concept. Although the demonstration will involve astronomical investigations, these tools will be applicable to a large number of scientific disciplines. The software tools and systems developed as a result of our work will be made available to the scientific community.

Chakrabarti, Supriya↗

Rocket instrument for far-UV spectrophotometry of faint astronomical objects

A sensitive sounding rocket instrument for moderate (about 10-A) resolution far-UV (1160-1750-A) spectrophotometry of faint astronomical objects has been developed. The instrument employes a photon-counting microchannel plate imaging detector and a concave grating spectrograph behind a 40-cm Dall-Kirkham telescope. A unique remote-control pointing system, incorporating an SIT vidicon aspect camera, two star trackers, and a tone-encoded command telemetry link, permits the telescope to be oriented to within 5 arc sec of any target for which suitable guide stars can be found. The design, construction, calibration, and flight performance of the instrument are discussed.

Hartig, G. F.↗

AstroNet: A Tool Set for Simultaneous, Multi-Site Observations of Astronomical Objects

Earth-based, fully automatic "robotic" telescopes have been in routine operation for a number of years. As their number grows and their distribution becomes global, increasing attention is being given to forming networks of various sorts that will allow them, as a group, to make observations 24 hours a day in both hemispheres. We have suggested that telescopes based in space be part of this network. We further suggested that any telescope on this network be capable of asking, almost in real time, that other robotic telescopes perform support observations for them. When a target of opportunity required support observations, the system would determine which telescope(s) in the network would be most appropriate to make the observations and formulate a request to do so. Because the network would be comprised of telescopes located in widely distributed regions, this system would guarantee continuity of observations This report summarizes our efforts under this contract. We proposed to develop a set of data collection and display tools to aid simultaneous observation of astronomical targets from a number of observing sites. We planned to demonstrate the usefulness of this toolset for simultaneous multi-site observation of astronomical targets. Possible candidates or the proposed demonstration included the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE), International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE), and ALEXIS, sounding rocket experiments. Ground-based observatories operated by the University of California, Berkeley, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Fairborn Observatory in Mesa, Arizona were to be used to demonstrate the proposed concept. Although the demonstration was to have involved astronomical investigations, the tools were to have been applicable to a large number of scientific disciplines. The software tools and systems developed as a result of the work were to have been made available to the scientific community.

Chakrabarti, Supriya↗

On identifying new kinds of astronomical objects.

The evidence for a new compact X-ray object claimed by the Berkeley group of Margon et al (1971) is called into question by Princeton critics on grounds of inadequate statistical analysis. The presented rebuttal of the Berkeley group upholds the correctness of their analytical procedure, but concedes the need for further observations.

Bahcall, J. N.↗

A laboratory study of the diffuse reflectance spectra of frosts occurring on astronomical objects

Mechanical, optical, and operating properties of an experiment chamber are examined and possible sample contamination difficulty is explained. The mechanical and operational characteristics of this apparatus are well suited for the study of the reflectance spectra of frosts. The infrared energy available at the detector is low and steps to increase the energy and the responsivity of the detector were taken. The problem of a standard diffuse reflector which is useful in the far ultraviolet region is considered and it is suggested that bright gold be used as the standard.

Glaser, F. M.↗

Further laboratory study of the diffuse reflectance spectra of frosts occurring on astronomical objects

Oligoclase and bloedite, two mined samples, have been investigated, and the diffuse reflectance spectra are presented. These data are for powdered material, 50 microns to 5 microns size mixture, cooled to 160 K. The reflectivity of the oligoclase sample was also measured at room temperature, about 290 K, and the results at these two temperatures do indicate some tentative differences. A frost of ordinary water was prepared and its spectral reflectance is presented. This result compares reasonably well with measurements made by other investigators.

Glaser, F. M.↗

Airborne observations of astronomical objects

The UV spectra of the sun, as well as the differences and ratios of planetary and solar spectra, are presented. The results indicate that SO, SO2 and ClO2 may be present in Venus' atmosphere, and Formaldehyde CH2O and ClO2 on Jupiter. The solar UV measurements were analyzed to deduce ozone concentration in the earth's atmosphere.

Sivjee, G. G.↗

On apparent associations among astronomical objects

An apparent association among bright stars and bright galaxies has been found that has a maximum a posteriori probability for chance occurrence of about 0.008. The ability to find such an association is evidence that apparent associations among objects of different redshifts should be viewed with great caution.

Joss, P. C.↗

Laboratory studies of the diffuse reflectance spectra of frosts and minerals occurring on astronomical objects

A vacuum monochromator was integrated into the system and optics chosen to increase data collection in the infrared spectral region. Using a InSb detector, good reflectance data was obtained to 5.5 micron from a variety of samples including magnesium oxide, barium sulfate, water frost and Bloedite. Magnesium oxide was found to be a poorer reflector than the barium sulfate throughout the visible and near infrared region. The barium sulfate material was shown to be a Lambert reflector in the visible region and over an angular range of 60 deg. Several samples of water frost were prepared and in reflectance measured from 0.3 micron to 5.5 microm. The fine grained frosts were better reflectors than the coarse grained frosts, usually by 20 percent or more, over the entire spectral range. The minerals Bloedite and sulfur were also investigated further.

Glaser, F. M.↗