Engineering topics

Hall, D. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Hall, D. S..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS2002

A Study of Transport Airplane Crash-Resistant Fuel Systems

This report presents the results of a study, funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), of transport airplane crash-resistant fuel system (CRFS). The report covers the historical studies related to aircraft crash fires and fuel containment concepts undertaken by the FAA, NASA, and the U.S. Army, which ultimately led to the current state of the art in CRFS technology. It describes the basic research, testing, field investigations and production efforts which have led to the highly successful military CRFS, which has saved many lives and reduced costs of accidents. Current CRFS technology used in transport category airplanes is defined and compared to the available state-of-the-art technology. The report provides information to the FAA and other government organizations which can help them plan their efforts to improve the state of crash fire protection in the transport airplane fleet. The report provides guidance to designers looking for information about CRFS design problems, analysis tools to use for product improvement, and a summary of current and proposed regulations for transport category airplane fuel systems.

Jones, Lisa↗

NASA NTRS1994

Time-series photometric spot modeling. 2: Fifteen years of photometry of the bright RS CVn binary HR 7275

We present a time-dependent spot modeling analysis of 15 consecutive years of V-band photometry of the long-period (P(sub orb) = 28.6 days) RS CVn binary HR 7275. This baseline in time is one of the longest, uninterrupted intervals a spotted star has been observed. The spot modeling analysis yields a total of 20 different spots throughout the time span of our observations. The distribution of the observed spot migration rates is consistent with solar-type differential rotation and suggests a lower limit of the differential-rotation coefficient of 0.022 +/-0.004. The observed, maximum lifetime of a single spot (or spot group) is 4.5 years, the minimum lifetime is approximately one year, but an average spot lives for 2.2 years. If we assume that the mechanical shear by differential rotation sets the upper limit to the spot lifetime, the observed maximum lifetime in turn sets an upper limit to the differential-rotation coefficient, namely 0.04 +/- 0.01. This would be differential rotation just 5 to 8 times less than the solar value and one of the strongest among active binaries. We found no conclusive evidence for the existence of a periodic phenomenon that could be attributed to a stellar magnetic cycle.

Strassmeier, K. G.↗

NASA NTRS1993

A catalog of chromospherically active binary stars (second edition)

The catalog contains 206 spectroscopic binary systems with at least one late-type component that shows Ca II H and K emission in its spectrum. These systems include the classical RS CVn binaries and BY Dra binaries. The catalog summarizes information on the photometric, spectroscopic, orbital, and physical properties of the systems as well as space motions and positions. Up to 42 'parameters' for each stellar system are listed followed by the appropriate reference to direct interested colleagues to the original papers. A comprehensive selection of further information for each star is given in the individual notes. In addition, the catalog contains a candidate list of 138 stars that have similar characteristics but are not definitely known binaries or have not had Ca II H and K emission observed.

Strassmeier, K. G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Photospheric imaging of the RS CVn system HR 1099

Spectropolarimetric, spectroscopic, and photometric observations of the RS CVn binary system HR 1099 = V711 Tau (K1IV+G5V) were made from Oct. 1988 to Jan. 1991. From Doppler imaging of the unpolarized spectra and the corresponding data, two maximum entropy images of the temperature distribution of the active K1 subgiant at epochs 1988.9 and 1990.9 were derived. Zeeman-Doppler imaging of the circularly polarized spectra has led to the first magnetic maps of a star other than the sun. The fragmentary observations made at epoch 1989.6 suggest that the star's magnetic field lines were emerging radially and/or poloidally from an equatorial warm region at that time, quite likely one of these reconstructed in the 1988.9 temperature image.

Donati, J.-F.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Long-term behaviour of starspots. III - Active longitudes on the long-period RS CVn star HK Lacertae

Thirteen years of photometry were used to study active longitudes on the surface of HK Lacertae. The decaying and forming phenomena of active areas in the years of 1980-1981, 1983-1984, and 1988-1989 are shown. New activity centers suddenly occur near the same orbital phase (0.6) and have lifetimes of several (greater than 6) years. The average rotational period of HK Lac is 24.2852 d; compared to the orbital period of 24.4284 d, this implies a 32 degree/year drift of the active areas on the stellar surface. Two possible interpretations for the period difference are discussed: pseudosynchronism and rigidity of magnetic patterns. The active longitudes on HK Lac are compared with similar phenomena found on the sun.

Olah, K.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Photoelectric photometry of the RS CVn binary EI Eridani = HD 26337

Differential UBV(RI)sub KC and UBVRI photometry of the RS CVn binary EI Eridani obtained during December 1987 and January 1988 at fourteen different observatories is presented. A combined visual bandpass light curve, corrected for systematic errors of different observatories, utilizes the photometric period of 1,945 days to produce useful results. The analysis shows the visual light curve to have twin maxima, separated by about 0.4 phase, and a full amplitude of approximately 0.06 mag for the period of observation, a smaller amplitude than reported in the past. The decrease in amplitude may be due to a decrease or homogenization of spot coverage. To fit the asymmetrical light curve, a starspot model would have to employ at least two spotted regions separated in longitude.

Hooten, J. T.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A catalog of chromospherically active binary stars

A catalog of 168 chromospherically active binary stars is presented, including the class of RS CVn, BY Dra binaries, and other binaries which show strong Ca II H and K emission in their spectra. The catalog contains information on the photometric, spectroscopic, orbital, and physical properties of the systems as well as the space motions and positions. Summarized in a candidate list are in additional 37 stars having similar characteristics but which are not definitely known binaries or have not had H and K emission observed. The catalog contains stars in both the northern and the southern sky.

Strassmeier, K. G.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Chromospherically active stars. I - HD 136905

The variable star HD 136905, recently designated GX Librae, is a chromospherically active K1 III single-lined spectroscopic binary with a period of 11.1345 days. It has moderate strength Ca II H and K and ultraviolet emission features, while H-alpha is strongly in absorption. The inclination of the system is 58 + or - 17 deg and the unseen secondary is most likely a G or K dwarf. The v sin i of the primary, 32 + or - 2 km/s, results in a minimum radius of 7.0 + or - 0.4 solar radii. Since the star fills a substantial fracture of its Roche lab, the double-peaked limit curve seen by photometric observers is predominantly ellipsoidal in nature. Both the photometry and the spectroscopy yield values for the period and the time of conjunction that are identical within their uncertainties.

Fekel, F. C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Photometric support for future astonomical research

The I.A.P.P.P. is described and how that organization can provide photometric support for future astronomical research projects such as the 1982-1984 eclipse of epsilon Aurigae discussed at this workshop. I.A.P.P.P., International Amateur-Professional Photoelectric Photometry, is an organization founded in Fairborn, Ohio by the authors in 1980. Its purpose is to encourage contact between amateur and professional astronomers interested in photoelectric photometry, for their mutual benefit and for the benefit of astronomical research. Aspects dealt with include instrumentation, electronics, computer hardware and software, observing techniques, data reduction, and observing programs. Starting with the June 1980 issue, I.A.P.P.P. has published the quarterly I.A.P.P.P. Communications. The Communications contain articles dealing with all the above aspects of photoelectric photometry, although it does not publish observational results as such. Photoelectric photometry obtained by amateurs is published in the same journals which publish photometry obtained by professionals.

Hall, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Fine structure and dynamics of the Harang discontinuity - An event study

Two rockets were launched simultaneously from the Andoya Rocket Range in northern Norway into and through a Harang discontinuity region during a small isolated substorm. Each was equipped with an array of instruments for monitoring ionospheric electric fields and auroral particles. Different sized rockets allowed both to traverse a range of 300 km while introducing altitude separations of up to 440 km, and separations between the feet of the magnetic field lines intersecting the payloads of up to 100 km. The data sets, coupled with multi-station ground-based observations, provide information on the structure and dynamics of the Harang discontinuity region. Two boundaries were encountered. The first electric field reversal was observed simultaneously by both payloads in a region of weak precipitation, while the second reversal was associated with an intense auroral band. Since an unambiguous interpretation of these data is not possible, two alternative scenarios are presented. In one the discontinuity becomes realigned during the flight following a decay in the activity. The second involves a triple cell convection system, possibly the result of an eddy in the flow.

Egeland, A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

SS Bootis - A totally eclipsing binary of the RS CVn type

Photoelectric photometry gathered for SS Bootis over the 1976-1981 period shows a distortion wave amplitude variation from 0.05 to 0.20 mag, with no apparent pattern. From the rectified light curve, a new time of midprimary eclipse was found to be 2444332.0335 + or - 0.0005 days. Solutions of the primary eclipse data, rectified for star spots as well as for ellipticity and reflection, are presented.

Vaucher, C. A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

The photometric period of 39 AY Ceti

A photometric period of 77.65 days is derived for 39 AY Ceti through a comparison of photoelectric photometry obtained in 1971 and 1972 with that obtained in the periods 1980-1981 and 1981-1982. JD 2444636.0 is an epoch of minimum light, and the full amplitude is found to have been as large as 0.18 mag in V. It is noted that the mean light level has dropped by almost 0.2 mag over the last decade. The present binary star is also noteworthy in light of the recently discovered white dwarf secondary component, and because radial velocity measurements indicate an eccentricity as large as 0.1 and an orbital period which, at 57.1 days, differs considerably from the photometric period presented.

Hopkins, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Five years of photometry of Sigma Geminorum

Thirteen observatories have collaborated in obtaining five years of photoelectric photometry for the bright, K1 III RS CVn binary Sigma Geminorum. Except for one year, the light curve has exhibited two minima which are separated by approximately half a cycle. At the 1977.2 epoch of discovery one minimum was shallower, but as of 1982.2 they have become comparable in depth. During the 1979-80 season, the light curve changed shape rapidly, with the shallower minimum becoming as deep as the other within a period of no more than 80 days. The overall brightness range during the five years in V has been 4.13-4.29 mag, and it is found that the times of both minima can be fit with a photometric period of 19.423 days.

Fried, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Five years of photometry of Lambda Andromedae

Photoelectric photometry of the bright variable RS CVn-type binary Lambda And obtained in 1977-78 and 1980-81 is presented and used, together with earlier photometry, to derive the photometric period and discuss the changing shape of the light curve. The best ephemeris for times of minimum light is 2443829.2 + 53.95 d E. Because times of minimum and maximum extending back to those of Calder in 1933-37 can be phased together properly, the principal dark region must have maintained its identity for almost 50 yr. Over the last five years the brightness range has been between 3.70 and 4.05 m. During 1980-81 shallow secondary minima developed at phases where maxima occurred in previous years. Lambda And remains the only well-established case of nonsynchronous rotation among the known RS CVn variables.

Boyd, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1983

MM Herculis - An eclipsing binary of the RS CVn

V, B and U differential photoelectric photometry has been obtained for the RS Canum Venaticorum-class eclipsing binary star MM Her, with the light outside the eclipse being Fourier-analyzed to study wave migration and amplitude. These, together with the mean light level of the system, have been monitored from 1976 through 1980. Observations within the eclipse have revealed eclipses to be partial, rather than total as previously thought. The geometric elements of the presently rectified light curve are forced on the pre-1980 light curves and found to be compatible. With these elements, and previously obtained double line radial velocity curves, new absolute dimensions of 1.18 solar masses and 1.58 solar radii are calculated for the hotter star and 1.27 solar masses and 2.83 solar radii for the cooler star. The plotting of color indices on the color-color curve indicates G2V and K2IV spectral types.

Sowell, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Three years of photometry of IM Pegasi = HR 8703

Differential photometry of this K1 IV-III p RS CVn-type binary in 1978-79, 1979-80, and 1980-81 at eight different observatories shows that the variability, discovered originally by Herbst, is periodic. The mean of three different determinations of the photometric period was 24(d).39 + or 0(d).03, about 1 percent shorter than the orbital period of 24(d).649 determined spectroscopically by Harper. The total range observed during these three years was for V from 5(m).60 to 5(m).85. The light curve was nearly sinusoidal but always noticieably asymmetric, with the sense reversing sometime between 1979-80 and 1980-81.

Eaton, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Four years of photometry of DK Draconis = HR 4665

Differential BV photometry of the K0 III + K0 III long-period RS CVn-type binary DK Dra = HR 4665 in 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980 at eight different observatories is presented. A least squares fit to times of maximum and minimum light yields the ephemeris JD = 2,443,219.5 + 63.75 d E for times of minimum. This photometric period is 1% shorter than the spectroscopically determined orbital period 64.44 d. The light curve was symmetrical and roughly sinusoidal in 1979 and 1980 but was asymmetrical in 1977 and 1978, with a faster rise to maximum. During these four years DK Dra varied between V = 6.07 and 6.35 m.

Eaton, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1982

HD 185151 - A new active-chromosphere binary

Spectroscopic and photometric observations of the K2III star HD 185151 are reported which establish it as a chromospherically active binary with an orbital period of 40.1 days. Reticon observation of the hydrogen alpha region shows a partially filled profile, owing presumably to chromospheric emission, as well as a blue emission wing extending out about 100 km/s. The light curve is effectively a double sine curve, and can be modeled by two starspots separated by almost exactly 180 deg in longitude.

Bopp, B. W.↗