Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Brandt, J. C..
The astrometric technique used to derive solar wind speeds from ionic comet-tail orientations has been used to test the suggestion that the radial solar wind speed is higher near the solar poles than near the equator. We find no evidence for the suggested latitude variation.
An earlier reported shadow of the head of Comet Kohoutek (1973f) was not found in later photographs of the comet. However, linear dark areas were seen and are described as the space between the plasma and the dust tails. The discrepancy in earlier observations is attributed to low resolution in them. Observation of a shadow is also discounted in terms of cometary physics, due to low dust content and the weakness and curvature of the dust tail.
Two tail structures 0.1 AU from the head of Comet Kohoutek were photographed during January 1974. One was a wavy structure resembling a helix while the other was an irregular swan-like cloud. Both features were propagating down the tail at approximately 250 km/sec, and the observed speed is probably the phase speed. We discuss the physical origin of these structures and interpret the helix as a kink instability resulting from currents flowing along the tail axis.
Five-color observations of the linear polarization and single-color observations of the circular polarization are presented for the night sky. The pattern of orientations of the plane of vibration and the presence of the circular polarization in regions away from the galactic plane both imply that partially aligned nonspherical dust grains contribute substantially to the zodiacal light.
A preliminary summary is presented for the types of data obtained on possible interactions between Comet Kohoutek and the solar wind. The data include Pioneer 8 solar wind density measurements along a line of sight through or near the comet's position; Pioneer 6 plasma measurements near the projected position of the ion tail 100 million km from the nucleus; Lyman-alpha observations of the cometary hydrogen cloud from Skylab and Mariner 10; and ground-based radio, spectroscopic, and photographic observations. Preliminary analysis of some data is provided.
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Velocity distribution functions of solar-wind protons obtained by the Vela 3 satellites have been analyzed to obtain a microscopic determination of the momentum flux along magnetic field lines with respect to a reference frame moving at the bulk speed. The determination from macroscopic parameters allows the calculation of an effective mean free path for protons at 1 AU which averages 0.06 AU and is relatively independent of solar-wind velocity w. For quiet times when w is from 300 to 400 km/sec, the experimental mean free path is 2 to 3 times smaller than the value from plasma theory. For w greater than 400 km/sec, the experimental value is 10 to 100 times smaller than the theoretical value.
Scientific goals and the instrumentation package for the OSO-K/solar flare mission are reported. The problem of determining origin and energetics of solar flares is considered.
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Results of photoelectric observations in B and V made at over 1200 locations in Messier 81, covering an area of approximately 169 square minutes of arc and including the galaxy's nucleus. Isophote maps in V and B based on these observations have been drawn. Two independent fits on the resulting V and B luminosity distributions yield average integrated magnitudes of V equals 6.94 and B equals 7.89. B - V and (integrated B) - (integrated V) are given as functions of distance from the center of the galaxy along the semimajor axis. A mass model is derived using a rotation curve based on the velocities measured by Muench (1959). The total mass of M81 is found to be 1.62 x 10 to the 11th solar masses. The final apparent mass-to-luminosity ratios in V and B are 11.2 and 15.1, respectively.
A Monte Carlo technique involving Stokes vectors is used to obtain the state of polarization and intensity of solar Lyman-alpha photons as they diffuse through a plane-parallel homogeneous model of earth's hydrogen envelope. Fine structure of Lyman-alpha and Doppler redistribution of frequencies are taken into account. Comparison of the results with Heath's observed upper limit for polarization of 1.5 per cent implies an optical thickness tau greater than 7 and intensities of 8-10 kilorayleighs for a solar Lyman-alpha flux of 5.8 ergs per sq cm per sec.
The difference in objectives, physical assumptions, and results among the most recent detailed models aimed at understanding energy transport in the solar wind are analyzed. Models have been judged primarily by comparing their predictions against spacecraft observations near 1 AU. However, the observed values of flow speed, density, and temperature fluctuate over a wide range so that the criteria for agreement between theory and observation are necessarily somewhat subjective.
A lecture on comet tails and the accompanying solar wind is presented. The possible use of a comet probe to determine the direction of the tail flow, solar wind fluctuations, and structure of the solar wind is explored.
Four very large, shell-shaped features are known from the surveys of radio emission from the Galaxy. It is suggested that the giant loops represent a class of nebulae, induced by supernova radiation as opposed to supernova ejecta. The model considered provides a qualitative explanation for the spectral and polarization properties of the radio emission from giant loops. The radio emitting electrons are part of the general cosmic ray gas and need not arise specifically in the supernova that produced the fossil Stroemgren sphere.
The distance from the sun to the center of the star, Gamma Velorium, is determined in an effort to draw a physical model and identify the ionized energy source of the Gum nebula. The distance is calculated from the local hydrogen density of radio astronomy studies and the hydrogen measure.
Besides the study of astronomy itself, other topics included cover the geological and biological developments on earth and basic physics of matter, heat, and light. Optical and radio telescopes are discussed, as well as photographic and photoelectric means of detection. The immediate solar system is described by topics on the properties and atmospheres of the inner and outer planets, the sun's energy, sunspots, and the solar spectrum. Stars both on and off the main sequence are discussed in terms of distances, intrinsic properties, lifetimes and evolution. The Milky Way is compared to other galaxies in size, star population and structure, and the different galaxy shapes are pictured. Topics of most recent interest are covered by results of the lunar explorations, new concepts of Mars, and problems of space travel. Problems of modern astronomy include pulsars, neutron stars, and quasars.
Gum Nebula conceived as hydrogen gas mass ionized by UV radiation from supernova explosion related to Vela X remnant, discussing fossil Stroemgren sphere model
Papers were presented in conference sessions on the Gum nebula, the Vela X remnant, the hot stars gamma Velorum and zeta Puppis, the B associations in the Vela-Puppis complex, and pulsars. Ground-based optical and radio astronomy; rocket and satellite observations in the radio, visible, ultraviolet, and X-ray regions; and theoretical problems in the physical state of the interstellar medium, stellar evolution, and runaway star dynamics were considered.