Engineering topics

Fisher, Richard R.

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

At least 73 records · Page 4

NASA NTRS2001

The Lyman-Alpha Forest in the Lensed Quasar Q0957+561 and the Characteristic Dimension of the Absorbing Clouds

Far-ultraviolet spectra of the gravitational lens components Q0957+561 A and 9 were obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) at five equally spaced epochs, one every two weeks. We confirm the flux variability of the quasar's Lyman-alpha and 0 VI emission lines reported by Dolan et al. (1995) in IUE spectra. The fluxes in these lines vary on a time scale of weeks in the observer's rest frame, independently of each other and of the surrounding continuum. The individual spectra of each image were co-added to investigate the properties of the Lyman-alpha forest along the two lines of sight to the quasar. Absorption lines having equivalent width W > 0.3 A in the observer's frame not previously identified by Michalitsianos et al. (1997) as interstellar lines, metal lines, or higher order Lyman lines were taken to be Ly-alpha forest lines. The existence of each line in this consistently selected set was then verified by its presence in two archival FOS spectra with -1.5 times higher signal to noise than our co-added spectra. Ly-alpha forest lines with W > 0.3 A appear at 41 distinct wavelengths in the spectra of the two images. one absorption line in the spectrum of image A has no counterpart in the spectrum of image B and one line in image B has no counterpart in image A. Based on the separation of the lines of sight over the redshift range searched for Ly-forest lines, the density of the absorbing clouds in the direction of Q0957+561 must change significantly over a distance R = 160 (+120, -70)/ h(sub 50) kpc in the simplified model where the absorbers are treated as spherical clouds and the characteristic dimension, R, is the radius. (We adopt H(sub 0) = 50 h(sub 50) km/s/ kpc, q(sub 0) = 1/2, and lambda = 0 throughout the paper.) The 95% confidence interval on R extends from (50 - 950)/h(sub 50) kpc We show in the Appendix that the fraction of Ly-alpha forest lines that appear in only one spectrum can be expressed as a rapidly converging power series in 1/r, where r the ratio of the radius of the cloud to the separation of the two lines of sight at the redshift of the cloud. This power series can be rewritten to give r in terms of the fraction of Ly-forest wavelengths that appear in the spectrum of only one image. A simple linear approximation to the solution that everywhere agrees with the power series solution to better than 0.8% for r > 2 is derived in the Appendix.

Dolan, Joseph↗

NASA NTRS2001

STIS Observations of the Disk and Outflow of the Herbig Ae Star HD163296

Coronagraphic imaging with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope reveals a approx. 450 AU radius circumstellar disk around the Herbig Ae star HDI63296. The disk includes an annulus of reduced scattering at 325 AU and exhibits a flat trend of surface brightness in to 180-222 AU, consistent with a cleared central zone. The disk is accompanied by a chain of nebulosities ("knots") oriented roughly perpendicular to the disk. Followup spectroscopy in the visible and the far ultraviolet confirms the Herbig-Haro nature of the observed knots. The FUV data in particular reveal the presence of a collimated, bipolar outflow, with a blue-shifted Lyman alpha jet that can be traced to within 0.06 arcseconds (7.3 AU) of HD163296 and a red-shifted Lyman alpha component that may be due to infall or to a poorly collimated wind. If the estimated age of this system is correct, these data indicate that protostellar outflows may last up to 10 times longer than previously believed.

Kimble, Randy↗

NASA NTRS2001

EUNIS: An Extreme-Ultraviolet Normal-Incidence Spectrometer

GSFC is in the process of assembling an Extreme-Ultraviolet Normal-Incidence Spectrometer called EUNIS, to be flown as a sounding rocket payload. This instrument builds on the many technical innovations pioneered by our highly successful SERTS experiment over its past ten flights. The new design will have somewhat improved spatial and spectral resolutions, as well as 100 times greater sensitivity, permitting EUV spectroscopy with a temporal resolution near 1-second for the first time ever. To achieve such high time cadence, a novel Active-Pixel-Sensor detector is being developed as a key component of our design. The high sensitivity of EUNIS will allow entirely new studies of transient coronal phenomena, such as the rapid loop dynamics seen by TRACE, and searches for non-thermal motions indicative of magnetic reconnection or wave heating. The increased sensitivity will also permit useful EUV spectra at heights of 2-3-R$ \odot$ above the limb, where the transition between the static corona and the solar wind might occur. In addition, the new design features two independent optical systems, more than doubling the spectral bandwidth covered on each flight. Its 300-370\AA\ bandpass includes He-II 304\AA\ and strong lines from Fe-XI-XVI, extending the current SERTS range of 300-355\AA\ to further improve our ongoing series of calibration under-flights for SOHO/CDS and EIT. The second bandpass of 170-230\AA\ has a sequence of very strong Fe-IX-XIV lines, and will allow under-flight support for two more channels on SOHO/EIT, two channels on TRACE, one on Solar-B/EIS, and all four channels on the STEREO/EUVI instrument. First flight of the new EUNIS payload is scheduled for 2002 October.

Thomas, Roger J.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Resonances in Positronium Hydride

Recently, Ho and his colleagues have calculated the positions and widths of a series of resonances in the Ps+H scattering system, using the complex -rotation method and have compared them with estimates that I made many years ago using a quite different technique. I assumed that the resonance mechanism was the existence in the rearrangement channel [e+ + H-] of an infinite series of perturbed Coulomb bound states. Although these must be broadened and shifted by coupling with the open scattering channel, I expected them to lie very close to the actual resonance positions. To verify this, I did a model calculation for S-waves, including the coupling, and found that the first two resonances were not shifted very far from their unperturbed position. The new, detailed calculation agrees with this result, but when the P-wave was examined it was found, surprisingly, that the lowest resonance indeed moved up in energy by a large amount. With the help of Joseph DiRienzi of the College of Notre Dame of Maryland I am now extending the old calculation to P- and D-waves, in an attempt to understand this unexpected energy shift. Results will be presented at the Workshop.

Drachman, Richard J.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Variable Stars in the Unusual, Metal-Rich Globular Cluster NGC-6441

We have undertaken a search for variable stars in the metal-rich globular cluster NGC 6441 using time-series BV photometry. The total number of variables found near NGC 6441 has been increased to approx. 104, with 48 new variables being found in this survey. A significant number of the variables are RR Lyrae stars (approx. 46), most of which are probable cluster members. As was noted by Layden et al. (1999), the periods of the fundamental mode RR Lyrae are unusually long compared to field stars of similar metallicity. The existence of these long period RRab stars is consistent with Sweigart & Catelan's (1998) prediction that the horizontal branch of NGC 6441 is unusually bright. This result implies that the metallicity-luminosity relationship for RR Lyrae stars is not universal. We discuss the difficulty in determining the Oosterhoff classification of NGC 6441 due to the unusual nature of its RR Lyrae. A number of ab-type RR Lyrae are found to be both brighter and redder than the other probable RRab found along the horizontal branch, which may be a result of blending with stars of redder color. A smaller than usual gap is found between the shortest period fundamental mode and the longest period first-overtone mode RR Lyrae. We determine the reddening of the cluster to be E(B - V) = 0.51 +/- 0.02 mag, with substantial differential reddening across the face of the cluster. The mean V magnitude of the RR Lyrae is found to be 17.51 +/- 0.02 resulting in a distance of 10.4 to 11.9 kpc, for a range of assumed values of < M(sub V)> for RR Lyrae stars. The possibility that stars in NGC 6441 may span a range in [Fe/H] is also discussed.

Pritzl, Barton J.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Atomic Data and Spectral Line Intensities for Ni XXI

Electron impact collision strengths, energy levels, oscillator strengths and spontaneous radiative decay rates are calculated for Ni XXI. The configurations used are 2s(sup 2)2p(sup 4), 2s2p(sup 5), 2p(sup 6), 2s(sup 2)2p(sup 3)3s, and 2s(sup 2)3p(sup 3)3d giving rise to 58 fine-structure levels in intermediate coupling. Collision strengths are calculated at five incident energies, 85, 170, 255, 340, and 425 Ry. Excitation rate coefficients are calculated by assuming a Maxwellian electron velocity distribution at an electron temperature of log T(sub e)(K)=6.9, corresponding to maximum abundance of Ni XXI. Using the excitation rate coefficients and the radiative transition rates, statistical equilibrium equations for level populations are solved at electron densities 10(exp 8)-10(exp 14) per cubic centimeter. Relative spectral line intensities are calculated. Proton excitation rates between the lowest three levels have been included in the statistical equilibrium equations. The predicted intensity ratios are compared with available observations.

Bhatia, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Resonance Scattering of Fe XVII X-ray and EUV Lines

Over the years a number of calculations have been carried out to derive intensities of various X-ray and EUV lines in Fe XVII to compare with observed spectra. The predicted intensities have not agreed with solar observations, particularly for the line at 1.5.02 Angstroms; resonance scattering has been suggested as the source for much of the disagreement. The atomic data calculated earlier used seven configurations having n=3 orbitals and the scattering calculations were carried out only for incident energies above the threshold of the highest fine-structure level. These calculations have now been extended to thirteen configurations having n=4 orbitals and the scattering calculations are carried out below as well as above the threshold of the highest fine structure level. These improved calculations of Fe XVII change the intensity ratios compared to those obtained earlier, bringing the optically thin F(15.02)/F(16.78) ratio and several other ratios closer to the observed values. However, some disagreement with the solar observations still persists, even thought the agreement of the presently calculated optically thin F(15.02)/F(15.26) ratio with the experimental results of Brown et al. (1998) and Laming et al. (2000) has improved. Some of the remaining discrepancy is still thought to be the effect of opacity, which is consistent with expected physical conditions for solar sources. EUV intensity ratios are also calculated and compared with observations. Level populations and intensity ratios are calculated, as a function of column density of Fe XVII, in the slab and cylindrical geometries. As found previously, the predicted intensities for the resonance lines at 15.02 and 15.26 Angstroms exhibit initial increases in flux relative to the forbidden line at 17.10 Angstroms and the resonance line at 16.78 Angstroms as optical thickness increases. The same behavior is predicted for the lines at 12.262 and 12.122 Angstroms. Predicted intensities for some of the allowed EUV lines are also affected by opacity.

Bhatia, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS2001

FUSE Observations of Warm Gas in the Cooling Flow Clusters A1795 and A2597

We present far-ultraviolet spectroscopy of the cores of the massive cooling flow clusters Abell 1795 and 2597 obtained with FUSE. As the intracluster gas cools through 3 x 10(exp 5)K, it should emit strongly in the O VI lambda(lambda)1032,1038 resonance lines. We report the detection of O VI (lambda)1032 emission in A2597, with a line flux of 1.35 +/- 0.35 x 10(exp -15) erg/sq cm s, as well as detection of emission from C III (lambda)977. A marginal detection of C III (lambda)977 emission is also reported for A1795. These observations provide evidence for a direct link between the hot (10(exp 7) K) cooling flow gas and the cool (10(exp 4) K) gas in the optical emission line filaments. Assuming simple cooling flow models, the O VI line flux in A2597 corresponds to a mass deposition rate of approx. 40 solar mass /yr within the central 36 kpc. Emission from O VI (lambda)1032 was not detected in A1795, with an upper limit of 1.5 x 10(exp -15) erg/sq cm s, corresponding to a limit on the mass cooling flow rate of M(28 kpc) less than 28M solar mass/ yr. We have considered several explanations for the lack of detection of O VI emission in A1795 and the weaker than expected flux in A2597, including extinction by dust in the outer cluster, and quenching of thermal conduction by magnetic fields. We conclude that a turbulent mixing model, with some dust extinction, could explain our O VI results while also accounting for the puzzling lack of emission by Fe(sub XVII) in cluster cooling flows.

Oegerle, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Complex Correlation Kohn-T Method of Calculating Total and Elastic Cross Sections: Electron-Hydrogen Elastic Scattering - Part 1

We report on the first part of a study of electron-hydrogen scattering, using a method which allows for the ab initio calculation of total and elastic cross sections at higher energies. In its general form the method uses complex 'radial' correlation functions, in a (Kohn) T-matrix formalism. The titled method, abbreviated Complex Correlation Kohn T (CCKT) method, is reviewed, in the context of electron-hydrogen scattering, including the derivation of the equation for the (complex) scattering function, and the extraction of the scattering information from the latter. The calculation reported here is restricted to S-waves in the elastic region, where the correlation functions can be taken, without loss of generality, to be real. Phase shifts are calculated using Hylleraas-type correlation functions with up to 95 terms. Results are rigorous lower bounds; they are in general agreement with those of Schwartz, but they are more accurate and outside his error bounds at a couple of energies,

Bhatia, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Atomic Data and Spectral Line Intensities for Ne III

Electron impact collision strengths, energy levels, oscillator strengths and spontaneous radiative decay rates are calculated for Ne III. The configurations used are 2s(sup 2) 2p(sup 4),2s2p(sup 5),2s(sup 2) 2p(sup 3)3s, and 2s(sup 2)3p(sup 3)3d giving rise to 57 fine-structure levels in intermediate coupling. Collision strengths are calculated at five incident energies, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 Ry. Excitation rate coefficients are calculated by assuming a Maxwellian electron velocity distribution at an electron temperature of logT,(K)=5.0, corresponding to maximum abundance of Ne III. Using the excitation rate coefficients and the radiative transition rates, statistical equilibrium equations for level populations are solved at electron densities covering the range of 10(exp 8)-10(exp 14) per cubic centimeter. Relative spectral line intensities are calculated. Proton excitation rates between the lowest three levels have been included in the statistical equilibrium equations. The predicted Ne III line intensities are compared with SERTS rocket measurements of a solar active region and of a laboratory EUV light source.

Bhatia, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Perspectives: Black Holes

When asked to discuss Cyg XR-1, E. E. Salpeter once concluded, 'A black hole in Cyg X(R)-1 is the most conservative hypothesis.' Recent observations now make it likely that a black hole in Cyg XR-1 is the only hypothesis tenable. Chandrasekhar first showed that compact stars - those with the inward force of gravity on their outer layers balanced by the pressure generated by the Pauli exclusion principle acting on its electrons (in white dwarfs) or nucleons (in neutron stars) - have a maximum mass. Equilibrium is achieved at a minimum of the total energy of the star, which is the sum of the positive Fermi energy and the negative gravitational energy. The maximum mass attainable in equilibrium is found by setting E = 0: M(max) = 1.5 M(Sun). If the mass of the star is larger than this, then E can be decreased without bound by decreasing the star's radius and increasing its (negative) gravitational energy. No equilibrium value of the radius exist, and general relativity predicts that gravitational collapse to a point occurs. This point singularity is a black hole.

Dolan, Joseph F.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Flash Mixing on the White-Dwarf Cooling Curve: Understanding Hot Horizontal Branch Anomalies in NGC 2808

We present an ultraviolet color-magnitude diagram (CMD) spanning the hot horizontal branch (HB), blue straggler, and white dwarf populations of the globular cluster NGC 2808. These data, obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS), demonstrate that NGC 2808 harbors a significant population of hot subluminous HB stars, an anomaly only previously reported for the globular cluster omega Cen. Our theoretical modeling indicates that the location of these subluminous stars in the CMD, as well as the high temperature gap along the HB of NGC 2808, can be explained if these stars underwent a late helium-core flash while descending the white dwarf cooling curve. We show that the convective zone produced by such a late helium flash will penetrate into the hydrogen envelope, thereby mixing hydrogen into the hot helium-burning interior, where it is rapidly consumed. This phenomenon is analogous to the "born again" scenario for producing hydrogen-deficient stars following a late helium-shell flash. The flash mixing of the envelope greatly enhances the envelope helium and carbon abundances that, in turn, leads to a discontinuous increase in the HB effective temperatures. We argue that the hot HB gap is associated with this theoretically predicted dichotomy in the HB properties. Moreover, the changes in the emergent spectral energy distribution caused by these abundance changes are primarily responsible for explaining the hot subluminous HB stars. Although further evidence is needed to confirm that a late helium-core flash can account for the subluminous HB stars and the hot HB gap, we demonstrate that an understanding of these stars requires the use of appropriate theoretical models for their evolution, atmospheres, and spectra.

Brown, Thomas M.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Ultraviolet Broad Absorption Features and the Spectral Energy Distribution of the QSO PG 1351+641

We present a moderate-resolution (approximately 20 km/s) spectrum of the broad-absorption line QSO PG 1351+64 between 915-1180 angstroms, obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE). Additional low-resolution spectra at longer wavelengths were also obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and ground-based telescopes. Broad absorption is present on the blue wings of C III lambda977, Ly-beta, O VI lambda-lambda-1032,1038, Ly-alpha, N V lambda-lambda-1238,1242, Si IV lambda-lambda-1393,1402, and C IV lambda-lambda-1548,1450. The absorption profile can be fitted with five components at velocities of approximately -780, -1049, -1629, -1833, and -3054 km/s with respect to the emission-line redshift of z = 0.088. All the absorption components cover a large fraction of the continuum source as well as the broad-line region. The O VI emission feature is very weak, and the O VI/Ly-alpha flux ratio is 0.08, one of the lowest among low-redshift active galaxies and QSOs. The ultraviolet continuum shows a significant change in slope near 1050 angstroms in the restframe. The steeper continuum shortward of the Lyman limit extrapolates well to the observed weak X-ray flux level. The absorbers' properties are similar to those of high-redshift broad absorption-line QSOs. The derived total column density of the UV absorbers is on the order of 10(exp 21)/s, unlikely to produce significant opacity above 1 keV in the X-ray. Unless there is a separate, high-ionization X-ray absorber, the QSO's weak X-ray flux may be intrinsic. The ionization level of the absorbing components is comparable to that anticipated in the broad-line region, therefore the absorbers may be related to broad-line clouds along the line of sight.

Zheng, W.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Resonances in Positronium Hydride

We re-examine the problem of calculating the positions and widths of the lowest-lying resonances in the Ps + H scattering system which consists of two electrons, one positron and one proton. The first of these resonances, for L=0, was found by the methods of complex rotation and stabilization, and later described as a Feshbach resonance lying close to a bound state in the closed-channel e (+) + H (-) system. Recently, results for the L=1 and 2 scattering states were published, and it was found, surprisingly, that there is a larae shift in the positions of these resonances. In this work we repeat the analysis for L=1 and find an unexpected explanation for the shift.

DiRienzi, Joseph↗

NASA NTRS2001

Transmission Properties of Zitex in the Infrared to Submillimeter

The results of measurements of the refractive index and power absorption coefficient of Zitex at 290 K, 77 K, and 4 K in the spectral region from 1 to 1000 microns are presented. Zitex is a porous Teflon sheet with a filling factor of approximately 50%, and is manufactured in several varieties as a filter paper. Zitex is found to be an effective infrared radiation block, with thin (200 micrometer) sheets transmitting less than 1% in the 1-50 micrometer range while absorbing <10% at wavelengths longer than 200 micrometers. Some variation in the cutoff wavelength is seen, tending to be a shorter wavelength cutoff for a smaller pore size. Additionally, the thermal conductivity of Zitex at cryogenic temperatures has been measured, and is found to be roughly one-half that of bulk Teflon.

Benford, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Estimation of Mass-Loss Rate for M Giants from UV Emission Line Profiles

The photon-scattering winds of M giants produce absorption features in the strong chromospheric emission lines. These provide us with an opportunity to assess important parameters of the wind, including flow and turbulent velocities, the optical depth of the wind above the region of photon creation, and the star's mass-loss rate. We have used the Lamers et al. (1987) Sobolev with Exact Integration (SET) radiative transfer code, along with simple models of the outer atmospheric structure and wind, to determine the wind characteristics of two M-giant stars, gamma Cru (M3.4) and mu Gem (M3IIIab). The SET code has the advantage of being computationally fast and allows a great number of possible wind models to be examined. The analysis procedure involves specifying wind parameters and then using the program to calculate line profiles for the Mg II (UV1) lines and a range of unblended Fe II lines. These lines have a wide range of wind opacities and therefore probe different heights in the atmosphere. The assumed wind properties are iterated until the predicted profiles match the observations over as many lines as possible. We present estimates of the wind parameters for these stars and offer a comparison to wind properties previously-derived for low-gravity K stars using the same technique.

Carpenter, Kenneth G.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Toward a Virtual Solar Observatory: Starting Before the Petabytes Fall

Although a few, large, space- and groundbased solar physics databases exist at selected locations, there is as yet only limited standardization or interoperability. I describe the outline of a plan to facilitate access to a distributed network of online solar data archives, both large and small. The underlying principle is that the user need not know where- the data are, only how to specify which data are desired. At the least, such an approach could considerably simplify the scientific user's access to the enormous amount of solar physics data to be obtained in the next decade. At best, it might mean the withering away of traditional data centers, and all the bureaucracy they entail. This work is supported by the Sun-Earth Connections Division of NASA Office of Space Science, thanks to an anomalous act of largess on the part of the 2001 SEC Senior Review.

Gurman, Joseph↗

NASA NTRS2001

Optical Design of the MOSES Sounding Rocket Experiment

The Multi-Order Solar EUV Spectrograph (MOSES) is a sounding rocket payload now being developed by Montana State University in collaboration with the Goddard Space Flight Center, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center, and Mullard Space Science Laboratory. The instrument utilizes a unique optical design to provide solar EUV measurements with true 2-pixel resolutions of 1.0 arcsec and 60 mA over a full two-dimensional field of view of 1056 x 528 arcsec, all at a time cadence of 10 s. This unprecedented capability is achieved by means of an objective spherical grating 100 mm in diameter, ruled at 833 gr/mm. The concave grating focuses spectrally dispersed solar radiation onto three separate detectors, simultaneously recording the zero-order as well as the plus and minus first-spectral-order images. Data analysis procedures, similar to those used in X-ray tomography reconstructions, can then disentangle the mixed spatial and spectral information recorded by the multiple detectors. A flat folding mirror permits an imaging focal length of 4.74 m to be packaged within the payload's physical length of 2.82 m. Both the objective grating and folding flat have specialized, closely matched, multilayer coatings that strongly enhance their EUV reflectance while also suppressing off-band radiation that would otherwise complicate data inversion. Although the spectral bandpass is rather narrow, several candidate wavelength intervals are available to carry out truly unique scientific studies of the outer solar atmosphere. Initial flights of MOSES, scheduled to begin in 2004, will observe a 10 Angstrom band that covers very strong emission lines characteristic of both the sun's corona (Si XI 303 Angstroms) and transition-region (He II 304 Angstroms). The MOSES program is supported by a grant from NASA's Office of Space Science.

Thomas, Roger J.↗