Engineering topics

Fisher, J. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Fisher, J. R..

5 records

NASA NTRS1991

Radio astronomy

The following subject areas are covered: (1) scientific opportunities (millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelength astronomy; meter to hectometer astronomy; the Sun, stars, pulsars, interstellar masers, and extrasolar planets; the planets, asteroids, and comets; radio galaxies, quasars, and cosmology; and challenges for radio astronomy in the 1990's); (2) recommendations for new facilities (the millimeter arrays, medium scale instruments, and small-scale projects); (3) continuing activities and maintenance, upgrading of telescopes and instrumentation; (4) long range programs and technology development; and (5) social, political, and organizational considerations.

Kellermann, Kenneth I.↗

NASA NTRS1977

A color prediction model for imagery analysis

A simple model has been devised to selectively construct several points within a scene using multispectral imagery. The model correlates black-and-white density values to color components of diazo film so as to maximize the color contrast of two or three points per composite. The CIE (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage) color coordinate system is used as a quantitative reference to locate these points in color space. Superimposed on this quantitative reference is a perceptional framework which functionally contrasts color values in a psychophysical sense. This methodology permits a more quantitative approach to the manual interpretation of multispectral imagery while resulting in improved accuracy and lower costs.

Skaley, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1974

A New Wideband, Fully Steerable, Decametric Array at Clark Lake

A fully steerable, decametric array for radio astronomy is under construction at the Clark Lake Radio Observatory near Borrego Springs, California. This array will be a T of 720 conical spiral antennas (teepee-shaped antennas, hence the array is called the TPT), 3.0 km by 1.8 km capable of operating between 15 and 125 MHz. Both its operating frequency and beam position will be adjustable in less than one millisecond, and the TPT will provide a 49-element picture around the central beam position for extended source observations. Considerable experience was gained in the operation of completed portions of the array, and successful operation of the final array is assured. The results are described of the tests which were conducted with the conical spirals, and the planned electronics and data processing systems are described.

Erickson, W. C.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Pulsar flux-density spectra

Time-averaged flux-density spectra of ten pulsars have been obtained on the basis of simultaneous observations at six frequencies between 250 and 8085 MHz. The effects of interstellar scintillation on the accuracy of the measurements are discussed. All of the pulsars exhibited a power-law spectrum at high frequencies with spectral indices between negative 1.6 and negative 3.0. Several of the pulsars show a more positive spectral index at the low-frequency end of the data.

Backer, D. C.↗

NASA NTRS1974

A new wideband, fully steerable, decametric array at Clark Lake

A new, fully steerable, decametric array for radio astronomy is under construction at the Clark Lake Radio Observatory near Borrego Springs, California. This array will be a T of 720 conical spiral antennas (teepee-shaped antennas, hence the array is called the TPT), 3.0 by 1.8 km capable of operating between 15 and 125 MHz. Both its operating frequency and beam position will be adjustable in less than one msec, and the TPT will provide a 49-element picture around the central beam position for extended-source observations. Considerable experience has been gained in the operation of completed portions of the array, and successful operation of the final array is assured. This paper describes the results of the tests which have been conducted with the conical spirals and outlines the planned electronics.

Erickson, W. C.↗