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Pinsky, L. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Pinsky, L. S..

26 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

A method for unique identification of relativistic /greater than 0.5/ magnetic monopoles with a fast film Cerenkov detector

A magnetic monopole traversing a dielectric medium at a velocity greater than the phase velocity of light in that medium, will give rise to Cerenkov radiation with the electric field tangent to the cone generated by the photon wave propagation vector, and the magnetic field normal to that surface. This is the opposite polarization to that encountered with an electric charge. It is proposed that either by inserting a linearly polarizing layer between the radiator and the photographic emulsion, or by selecting a linearly polarizing material as the radiator, one could directly observe the field polarization by examining the photographic image and thus uniquely identify a magnetic monopole. The ability of the detector is further enhanced by the index of refraction dependence of the Cerenkov output from a magnetic monopole.

Pinsky, L. S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Light flashes observed by astronauts on Apollo 11 through Apollo 17

The crew members on the last seven Apollo flights observed light flashes that are tentatively attributed to cosmic ray nuclei (atomic number equal to or greater than 6) penetrating the head and eyes of the observers. Analyses of the event rates for all missions has revealed an anomalously low rate for transearth coast observations with respect to translunar coast observations.

Pinsky, L. S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Visual light flash phenomenon

Light flash phenomenon observed by crewmen on Apollo 14, 15, 16, and 17 are analyzed. The passage of cosmic rays through the crewman's head and eyes was recorded by the Apollo light flash moving emulsion detector. Events of all the light flash observations are tabulated. It is suggested that the most probable explanation of the phenomenon is that it is caused by cosmic rays penetrating the eyes and retinas of the observers.

Pinsky, L. S.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A Study of Heavy Trans-Iron Primary Cosmic Rays (Z More than or Equal to 55) with a Fast Film Cerenkov Detector

The detection and measurement of the cosmic ray charge spectrum for nuclei heavier than iron (Fe, Z = 26) are discussed. These trans-iron nuclei are of great interest for several reasons. They promise to be one of the more sensitive clocks for use in determining the age of cosmic rays. The discovery of radioactive nuclides and their decay products in the primary flux, will allow an estimation of the elapsed time since these cosmic rays were synthesized. In addition, the relatively short interaction length of the very heavy trans-iron particles makes their relative abundance a source of information regarding the amount of interstellar matter that they had to traverse to reach the earth. A study of the trans-iron cosmic rays may provide clues as to the very processes of nucleosyntheses by which the bulk of the trans-iron nuclei in the universe are produced. This in turn may shed light on the mechanics of the supernova, which is postulated to be the major source of all cosmic rays. Finally, trans-iron cosmic ray experiments may demonstrate the existence of the recently postulated super-heavy nuclei.

Pinsky, L. S.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Observations of cosmic ray induced phosphenes

Phosphene observations by astronauts on flights near and far from earth atmosphere are discussed. It was concluded that phosphenes could be observed by the naked eye. Further investigation is proposed to determine realistic human tolerance levels for extended missions and to evaluate the need to provide special spacecraft shielding.

Chapman, P. K.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Charge and energy spectra of cosmic rays with Z equal to or greater than 30.

A 2 g/sq cm stack (22 sq m in area) containing 41 plastic sheets, one G-5 emulsion, and one high-speed Cerenkov film detector was launched by balloon from Minneapolis on Sept. 4, 1970. The stack received an effective exposure of 48 hr at 2.8 mbar and a cutoff rigidity of about 1.8 GV. The abundance ratios relative to Fe are reported for various charges and charge groups from Z = 29 to 105 on the basis of 70 presently measured events as well as previously obtained results. Between Fe and the Pt peak, the cosmic ray abundances appear to be similar to solar system abundances; the heavier nuclei are strongly overabundant and appear to have originated about 10 m.y. ago in a rapid neutron capture process.

Kobetich, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Light flash phenomenon seen by astronauts

The results from experiments conducted to characterize and elucidate light flashes seen by astronauts on Apollo 11, 12, 13, and 14 during transluna or transearth orbit are presented. The data show cosmic nuclei interacting with the visual apparatus causes the light flash phenomenon. The data also suggest that slow protons and helium ions with a stopping power greater than 10 KeV/micron will cause light flashes and streaks in the partially dark adapted eye. The effects of galactic cosmic nuclei interacting with man during long term missions are discussed.

Budinger, T. F.↗