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Gillett, F. C.

Publications and source records attributed to Gillett, F. C..

At least 55 records · Page 3

Circumstellar grains and the intrinsic polarization of starlight

Twenty-five long-period variable stars exhibiting intrinsic variable polarization have been monitored over the range 3.5-11 microns for several cycles. No conclusive evidence for gross changes in amount of circumstellar grains has been found. Thus circumstellar infrared emission is attributed to the total abundance of grains surrounding the star, which does not change by a large amount with time, while intrinsic polarization is attributed to more localized scattering and absorption effects. Spectrophotometry with resolution of about 0.015 over the 8-14 microns wavelength range of several stars with different chemical compositions indicates excess emission characteristic of 3 types of grains: (1) 'blackbody' grains, (2) silicate grains, and (3) silicon carbide grains.

Forrest, W. J.↗

Observations of the infrared radiation from the nuclei of NGC 1068 and NGC 4151

Data resulting from monitoring the flux of radiation at 11 microns from NGC 1068 and NGC 4151 are presented. There is some evidence for changes of flux of 50% on a time scale of approximately 100 days from NGC 4151. This evidence is suggestive but not compelling. Limits are set on the possible change of the 11-micron flux from NGC 1068. The energy distribution of radiation from NGC 1068 between 8 and 13 microns has been shown to have no spectral features within the accuracy and resolution of our measurement. This is in contrast to energy distributions observed from galactic sources in which the source of energy is generally interpreted as thermal reradiation from grains.

Stein, W. A.↗

The 8-13 micron observations of Titan

Narrow band observations of Titan at selected wavelengths in the 8-13 micron range show evidence for a strong temperature inversion and the existence of at least one more spectroscopically active component in the atmosphere in addition to H2 and CH4.

Gillett, F. C.↗

The 7.5- to 13.5-micron spectrum of Saturn

A medium-resolution spectrum of Saturn in the 7.5-13.5 micron range is presented. The observed low brightness temperature between 9 and 11 microns of about 100-105 K rules out gaseous NH3 as the dominant absorber in this spectral range. Absorption features due to PH3 may be present around 10 microns and cloud particles could be an important source of opacity in this wavelength range. There are strong indications of a temperature inversion in the upper atmosphere, including high brightness temperature in the 7.7-micron CH4 band, and possible emission from C2H6 around 12 microns.

Gillett, F. C.↗

8-13 micron observations of Titan.

Narrow-band observations of Titan at selected wavelengths in the 8- to 13-micron range show evidence for a strong temperature inversion and the existence of at least one more spectroscopically active component in the atmosphere in addition to H2 and CH4.

Gillett, F. C.↗

The infrared sources in M8.

The spectral energy distribution and size of the source of infrared radiation from Herschel 36 in M8 have been investigated. Radiation from the diffuse source in the vicinity of the hourglass has been measured. It is shown that a significant fraction of the 10-microns flux comes from an unresolved source centered on Herschel 36. Other stars in M8 have also been investigated as potential sources of infrared radiation.

Woolf, N. J.↗

Observations of 7.9-micron limb brightening on Jupiter.

Gillett et al. (1969) observed that the brightness temperature in the strong 7.7-micron CH4 band was higher than at the neighboring wavelengths (where the absorption was expected to be less) in the Jovian spectrum from 2.8 to 13 microns. This observation was interpreted as being caused by a temperature inversion in the upper atmosphere of Jupiter. This interpretation is checked by measuring the variation of the brightness temperature from the center to the limb of the disk, and is confirmed by the observation of limb brightening, rather than the usual limb darkening, at a certain wavelength within the 7.7-micron CH4 band.

Gillett, F. C.↗

Infrared studies of galactic nebulae. IV - Continuum and line radiation from planetary nebulae.

Observations are reported of the detection of IR radiation from several planetary nebulae not previously known to be radiating at these wavelengths. Broad spectral bandwidth observations indicate that ir radiation in excess of that expected from atomic processes is a common phenomenon among these objects. Investigations with narrow spectral bandwidth show that in a few cases the energy in the 10.52-micron line is a significant fraction of the total energy observed in the broad-band measurements and in other cases a relatively small fraction of the total radiation. Other observations on two sources with narrow spectral bandwidth adjacent to the 10.52-micron line indicate that at these wavelengths a true continuum of radiation exists as well as lines. The results are discussed in relation to visual and radio-wavelength data.

Gillett, F. C.↗

Variability of radiation from circumstellar grains surrounding R Coronae Borealis.

Radiation at IR wavelengths from circumstellar grains surrounding R CrB has been observed for approximately three years. Variations of flux with time have been larger at a wavelength of 3.5 microns than at 11 microns. Observations at IR and visual wavelengths of R CrB are presented in a graph. Another graph shows the change in the shape of the excess radiaton between two observations spaced by a period of about one year.

Forrest, W. J.↗