Engineering topics

Holt, Stephen S.

Publications and source records attributed to Holt, Stephen S..

15 records

NASA NTRS2002

Bulk X-ray Doppler Velocities in the Supernova Remnant Cassiopeia A

We map the average line-of-sight velocities of the X-ray-emitting mass in the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A using measurements of the centroid of the Si-Healpha blend with the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer on the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. This 4 inch scale map confirms the broad trends noted in previous studies, namely, that the line-of-sight velocity scale is roughly 2000-3000 kilometers per second with relatively more blueshifted material in the southeastern region of the remnant than in the northwest; new details are that the northwestern region consists of two arcs, with the southernmost one representing the most redshifted X-ray-emitting material in Cas A. These results are consistent with contemporaneous results from XMM-Newton. The X-ray patterns resemble the complex velocity patterns measured at optical wavelengths for much denser ejecta, and they support the growing body of evidence that the explosion and subsequent evolution of Cas A were highly asymmetrical.

Hwang, Una↗

NASA NTRS2002

Thermal and Nonthermal X-ray Emission from the Forward Shock in Tycho's Supernova Remnant

We present Chandra CCD images of Tycho's supernova remnant that delineate its outer shock, seen as a thin, smooth rim along the straight northeastern edge and most of the circular western half. The images also show that the Si and S ejecta are highly clumpy, and have reached the forward shock at numerous locations. Most of the X-ray spectra that we examine along the rim show line emission from Si and S, which in some cases must come from ejecta; the continuum is well represented by either thermal or nonthermal models. In the case that the continuum is assumed to be thermal, the temperatures at the rim are all similar at about 2 keV, and the ionization ages are very low because of the overall weakness of the line emission. Assuming shock velocities inferred from radio and X-ray expansion measurements, these temperatures are substantially below those expected for equilibration of the electron and ion temperatures; electron to mean temperature ratios of approximately less than 0.1 - 0.2 indicate at most modest collisionless heating of the electrons at the shock. The nonthermal contribution to these spectra may be important, however, and may account for as many as half of the counts in the 4-6 keV energy range, based on an extrapolation of the hard X-ray spectrum above 10 keV.

Hwang, Una↗

NASA NTRS2000

Spectroscopy and X-Ray Astronomy

The new x-ray astronomical observatories have sufficient spectroscopic capability to allow the determination of plasma conditions in the form of velocities, temperatures, densities, and turbulence parameters at levels that were previously unattainable. The utilization of these diagnostics are possible only if the atomic and plasma physics are well-enough understood to match the observational sensitivity.

Holt, Stephen S.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Mapping the X-Ray-Emitting Ejecta in Cassiopeia A with Chandra

We present X-ray emission-line equivalent width images of the bright Galactic supernova remnant Cassiopeia A for the elements Si, S, Ar, Ca, and Fe using a 50,000 s observation with the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer on the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. The images essentially map the bulk of detectable ejecta of these elements over a wide range of surface brightnesses and show morphologies distinctly different from that of the broadband X-ray emission and the 4-6 keV continuum emission. The Si, S, Ar, and Ca maps, while different in turn from those of Fe, are similar to the distribution of fast optical ejecta knots in that they clearly delineate the X-ray counterpart of the northeast optical jet. Low surface brightness regions just outside the bright shell in the north and west are also shown to have strong line emission. The strong Fe emission is exterior to that of other elements in the east, as previously noted, but is generally coincident elsewhere. The projected interior has relatively little emission traced by high line equivalent widths.

Hwang, Una↗

NASA NTRS1999

The Astro-E High Resolution X-Ray Spectrometer

The Astro-E High Resolution X-ray Spectrometer (XRS) was developed jointly by the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center and the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science in Japan. The instrument is based on a new approach to spectroscopy, the X-ray microcalorimeter. This device senses the energies of individual X-ray photons as heat with extreme precision. A 32 channel array of microcalorimeters is being employed, each with an energy resolution of about 12 eV at 6 keV (the Fe-K region). This will provide spectral resolving power 10 times higher than any other non-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The instrument incorporates a three stage cooling system capable of operating the array at 60 mK for about two years in orbit. The array sits at the focus of a grazing incidence conical mirror. The quantum efficiency of the microcalorimeters and the reflectivity of the X-ray mirror system combine to give high throughput over the 0.3-12 keV energy band. This new capability will enable the study of a wide range of high-energy astrophysical sources with unprecedented spectral sensitivity. This paper presents the basic design requirements and implementation of the XRS, and also describes the instrument parameters and performance.

Kelley, Richard L.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Gamma-ray astronomy--A status report

Gamma-rays provide us with powerful insight into the highest energy processes occurring in the cosmos. This review highlights some of the progress in our understanding of gamma-ray astronomy that has been enabled by new data from GRANAT and the Compton Gamma-Ray Observaatory, and suggests requirements for future progress. In particular, the unique role of the International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL) mission and concurrent multiwavelength observations is highlighted.

Holt, Stephen S.↗

NASA NTRS1994

The X-ray astronomy satellite ASCA

Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA) is a high-throughput X-ray astronomy observatory which is capable of simultaneous imaging and spectroscopic observations over a wide energy range 0.5-10 keV. The scientific capabilities of ASCA and some aspects related to its operation and observations are briefly described.

Tanaka, Yasuo↗

NASA NTRS1994

ASCA observations of Cassiopeia A

The ASCA Observatory provides the first capability to map a diffuse X-ray source in individually resolved emission lines. We have applied this capability to the Cas A supernova remnant, measuring the mean energies and equivalent widths of 14 line features in three distinct spatial regions. The northwest (NW) and southeast (SE) regions provide the large fraction of the X-ray emission at energies below 4 keV, and define the axis of a Doppler map of the remnant constructed by measuring the peak energy of the prominent Si-K feature. Using restoration techniques to obtain image quality equivalent to 30 sec full width at half maximum (FWHM), we present restored images in the two brightest line features, and in two continuum bands. An emission region in the west is increasingly prominent at higher energies, and its markedly lower metallicity and correlation with radio emission suggest that its X-ray emission has a larger component from fore-shocked material than do the NW and SE regions where the emission is presumed to be dominated by reverse-shocked material.

Holt, Stephen S.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Testing the AGN paradigm; Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Topical Astrophysics Conference, Univ. of Maryland, College Park, Oct. 14-16, 1991

The present volume on testing the AGN paradigm discusses black holes, accretion disks, high-energy continuum jets, AGN geometry, and the broad-line region. Attention is given to the search for black holes in galaxy nuclei, the structure of M32 at red wavelengths, testing the AGN paradigm for the Milky Way, and relativistic fluid flows in the magnetized Schwarzschild spacetime. Topics addressed include orbital models for the periodic X-ray flares of NGC 6814, observational evidence for thin AGN disks, X-ray Fe line studies, and the role of the UV bump in line emission. Also discussed are signatures of black hole accretion disks, rapid variability in AGN and accretion disk hot spots, relativistic jets in AGN, and the radiation field in astrophysical jets.

Holt, Stephen S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

High energy from space

The following subject areas are covered: (1) important scientific problems for high energy astrophysics (stellar activity, the interstellar medium in galaxies, supernovae and endpoints of stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis, relativistic plasmas and matter under extreme conditions, nature of gamma-bursts, identification of black holes, active nuclei, accretion physics, large-scale structures, intracluster medium, nature of dark matter, and the X- and gamma-ray background); (2) the existing experimental programs (Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF), Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO), X-Ray Timing Explorer (XTE), High Energy Transient Experiment (HETE), U.S. participation in foreign missions, and attached Shuttle and Space Station Freedom payloads); (3) major missions for the 1990's; (4) a new program of moderate missions; (5) new opportunities for small missions; (6) technology development issues; and (7) policy issues.

Margon, Bruce↗

NASA NTRS1991

After the first three minutes; Proceedings of the 1st Astrophysics Workshop, Univ. of Maryland, College Park, Oct. 15-17, 1990

Various papers on cosmology are presented. The general topics addressed include: spectrum and isotropy of the cosmic microwave background; the IR background: early star and galaxy formation; large scale structure from galaxy distributions; large scale structure and the intergalactic medium; velocity-dependent and velocity-independent evidence for dark matter; dark matter candidates and alternatives.

Holt, Stephen S.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Thermal detectors for X-ray astronomy

The characteristics of an 'ideal' spectrometer for X-ray astronomy are discussed. Special attention is given to the development of new thermal detectors (calorimeters) for the AXAF, which are based on the conversion of the energy of a single X-ray photon entirely into heat. The results obtained so far yielded the FWHM value of 17 eV at 100 mK, but the values for each of the contributing noise components measured separately were less than 10 eV, suggesting that the limiting value for AXAF will be better than 10 eV. A summary of the expected parameters for an AXAF calorimeter is presented.

Holt, Stephen S.↗

NASA NTRS1987

X-ray astronomical spectroscopy

The contributions of the Goddard group to the history of X-ray astronomy are numerous and varied. One role that the group has continued to play involves the pursuit of techniques for the measurement and interpretation of the X-ray spectra of cosmic sources. The latest development is the selection of the X-ray microcalorimeter for the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) study payload. This technology is likely to revolutionize the study of cosmic X-ray spectra.

Holt, Stephen S.↗

NASA NTRS1987

X-ray spectroscopy of AGN with the AXAF 'Microcalorimeter'

A novel technique for X-ray spectroscopy has been configured as part of the definition payload of the AXAF Observatory. It is basically a calorimeter which, operating at 0.1 K, senses the total conversion of single photoelectrically absorbed X-rays via the differential temperature rise of the absorber. The technique promises to achieve less than 10 eV FWHM with near-unit efficiency simultaneously over the entire AXAF bandpass. This combination of high resolution and high efficiency allows for the possibility of investigating thermal, fluorescent and absorption X-ray line features in many types of X-ray source, including a large sample of active galactic nuclei.

Holt, Stephen S.↗

NASA NTRS1987

All-sky monitors for X-ray astronomy

The rationale for a semipermanent all-sky X-ray monitor and a variety of options for its implementation are discussed. It is concluded that the Space Station offers an excellent opportunity for hosting such a monitor, and that a set of pinhole cameras can be configured to provide an effective and economical monitor system. A baseline of six independent pinhole modules, each of which requires approximately 1 cu ft, 30 pounds, 2 W and 100 bits per second, can provide full sky coverage with scientifically interesting sensitivities. No other resources or special accommodation (such as detailed alignment registration, time-tagging, or on-orbit servicing) would be required. The baseline system can locate bright sources to a few arcmin and can simultaneously measure each of the several hundred sources in the sky brighter than a few thousandths the intensity of the Crab nebula every day for decades.

Holt, Stephen S.↗