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Rieke, G. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Rieke, G. H..

At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

10 micron polarimetry of Ceres

Linear polarimetry of Ceres at 10 micron is presented. These data represent the first published polarization measurements of an asteroid in the thermal infrared. It is found that Ceres is polarized at the 0.2-0.6 percent level. This data set is compared with theoretical models of the linear polarization of emitted radiation from a spherical plane. These models are used to derive the pole position and thermal inertia of Ceres. Ceres is best fit with a thermal inertia of 0.0010 + or 0.0003 cal (sq cm K) per square root of second and a pole orientation of beta(p) = 36 deg + or - 5 deg + or -5, lambda(p) = 270 deg + or - 3. It is concluded that 10 micron polarimetry is a potentially powerful technique for remotely sensing the pole orientation and thermal inertia of asteroids.

Johnson, P. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Ice in Comet Bowell

Results of observations of the reflected light in the 1-5 micron region of the spectrum from the Comet Bowell are presented as part of the attempt to directly detect the presence of frozen volatiles in the nucleus of a comet. A deep absorption at 3.25 microns is detected in Comet Bowell which is due to the presence of H2O ice. While other volatile ices have absorption features near 3 microns, it is shown that only H2O ice is a plausible identification at the heliocentric distance of Comet Bowell during the observations (3.4 AU) since only H2O grains are stable enough to have produced the observed absorption. The implications of these findings for models of cometary nuclei are examined.

Campins, H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Sensitive observations with the Spacelab 2 infrared telescope

The small helium-cooled infrared telescope (Spacelab IRT) is a multiband instrument capable of highly sensitive observations from space. The experiment consists of a cryogenically cooled, very well baffled telescope with a ten channel focal plane array. During the Spacelab 2 flight of the Space Shuttle, this instrument will make observations between 5 and 120 micron wavelength that will be background limited by the expected zodiacal emission. Design considerations necessitated by this level of performance are discussed in this paper. In particular, the operation of a very sensitive focal plane array in the space environment is described. The Spacelab IRT will be used to map the extended, low-surface brightness celestial emission. During the seven day length of the mission better than 70 percent sky coverage is expected. The instrument will also be used to measure the infrared contamination environment of the Space Shuttle. This information will be important in the development of the next generation of infrared astronomical instruments. The performance of the Spacelab IRT, in particular its sensitivity to the contamination environment is detailed.

Young, E. T.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A search for frosts in Comet Bowell /1980b/

Infrared observations of Comet Bowell represent the first search for frost signatures in a comet beyond 2 AU from the sun. Broad- and narrowband photometry has been obtained as well as CVF spectrophotometry of this comet and there is no evidence for absorption features in the spectral area between 1.25 and 2.3 microns. Models of the coma have been generated which constrain the volatile content of the grains an; are in agreement with the observed albedo. The darkness of the coma particles at large heliocentric distances indicates a low albedo nucleus as well. Brightness variations during the observing period seem to indicate an active nucleus at 4.5 AU from the sun.

Campins, H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The noise of BL Lacertae

Results are presented from an intensive optical and IR monitoring program of the flux and polarization characteristics of BL Lac. It is found that the polarization variations increase in amplitude with increasing time interval, and that the path traced out by the polarization vector in the Q-U plane is a random walk. In view of earlier measurements of BL Lac, the polarization fluctuations can be represented at low frequencies by the flat power spectrum of white noise, up to a frequency of 0.05 cycles/day. Above this frequency, the spectrum steepens to that of a random walk. A model for BL Lac suggested by the polarimetric noise can be constructed from independent sources of light with randomly oriented, strong polarization. Small random differences in spectral index from source to source could also explain the variable wavelength dependence of polarization.

Moore, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Infrared photometry of periodic comets Encke, Chernykh, Kearns-Kwee, Stephan-Oterma, and Tuttle

Nearly simultaneous photometry of the reflected and thermal infrared spectra of periodic comets Encke, Chernykh, Kearns-Kwee, Stephan-Oterma, and Tuttle are presented. The 10-micron silicate emission feature has been detected for the first time in periodic comets and was observed in three of these objects. The albedo of the dust particles in the comae of these comets is calculated and compared to that of Comet Kohoutek. The peculiar behavior of the dust in Comet Encke is discussed.

Campins, H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

New observational constraints on the M87 jet

New observations at 1.6-3.45 microns confirm the presence of a dramatic (change in spectral index of approximately 1) break between radio-IR wavelengths and 6,000 A in the spectrum of the M87 jet. These data, in combination with data taken in other spectral regions, show that the individual knots in the M87 jet have nearly the same spectral indices and nearly the same large (change in spectral index of approximately 1) spectral break. This large spectral break and the constancy of spectral properties between the knots pose serious constraints for models of the M87 jet.

Stocke, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Unidentified features in the spectrum of Triton

Photometry at 3.5 microns was taken with the Infrared Telescope Facility of the Multiple Mirror Telescope to obtain an improved IR spectrum of Triton. The observations show features that are not in detailed agreeement with previous identifications of methane or methane frost, although the general spectral behavior leading to such identifications has been confirmed. It is believed that a combination of surface and atmospheric absorptions may resolve some discrepancies; for instance, many hydrated minerals and frosts which are dark between 3.0 and 4.0 microns may combine with a carbon monoxide atmosphere to yield the data in question.

Rieke, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The albedo and diameter of 1862 Apollo

Infrared thermal emission measurements are reported of 1862 Apollo, which is the type example of an earth-crossing asteroid. A geometric albedo of 0.21 plus or minus 0.02 is derived which is within the albedo range of the S class of asteroids. The effective diameter was observed to vary with rotation from 1.2 plus or minus 0.1 to 1.5 plus or minus 0.1 km.

Lebofsky, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Infrared reflection nebulae in S 106 and NGC 7538 E

Two micron linear polarimetry of the S 106 and NGC 7538 E regions reveal the presence of infrared reflection nebulae, which may confuse the count of luminosity sources in a region of star formation. S 106 and NGC 7538/IRS 9 are considered the only luminosity sources in their respective regions, and the polarization of S 106/Source 3 is probably due to absorption by aligned grains. Moreover, the reflection nebula model for NGC 7538 E is best supported if the polarization of NGC 7538/IRS 9 itself is due to the absorption by aligned grains.

Tokunaga, A. T.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Infrared reflectance spectra of Hyperion, Titania, and Triton

Medium-resolution infrared (1-2.5 microns; Delta-lambda/lambda = 0.05) photometry of Triton, Titania, and Hyperion and medium-resolution (1.5-2.4 microns; Delta-lambda/lambda not greater than 0.01) spectroscopy of Triton are presented. Hyperion and Titania have spectra roughly similar to the laboratory spectrum of water frost, while the spectrum of Triton is inconsistent with the spectra of frosts likely to be major surface constituents.

Lebofsky, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

High sensitivity operation of discrete solid state detectors of 4 K

Techniques are described to allow operation of discrete solid state detectors at 4 K with optimized junction field effect transistor (JFET) amplifiers. Three detector types cover the 0.6-4 micron spectral range with a noise equivalent power (NEP) of approximately 10 to the -16th per sq rt Hz for two of the types and potential improvement to this performance for the third. Lower NEPs can be anticipated at longer IR wavelengths.

Rieke, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

High sensitivity operation of discrete solid state detectors at 4 K

Techniques are described to allow operation of discrete, solid state detectors at 4 K with optimized JFET amplifiers. Three detector types cover the 0.6 to 4 mm spectral range with NEP approximately equal to 10 to the 16th power Hz (-1/2) for two of the types and potential improvement to this performance for the third. Lower NEP's are anticipated at longer infrared wavelengths.

Rieke, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Test results of Spacelab 2 infrared telescope focal plane

The small helium cooled infrared telescope for Spacelab 2 is designed for sensitive mapping of extended, low-surface-brightness celestial sources as well as highly sensitive investigations of the shuttle contamination environment (FPA) for this mission is described as well as the design for a thermally isolated, self-heated J-FET transimpedance amplifier. This amplifier is Johnson noise limited for feedback resistances from less than 10 to the 8th power Omega to greater than 2 x 10 to the 10th power Omega at T = 4.2K. Work on the focal plane array is complete. Performance testing for qualification of the flight hardware is discussed, and results are presented. All infrared data channels are measured to be background limited by the expected level of zodiacal emission.

Young, E. T.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Mapping the infrared background radiation from the Shuttle

The Spacelab-2 Small Helium-Cooled Infrared Telescope will be used to map extended astronomical sources of low surface brightness emission, to measure the Shuttle induced environment and to develop techniques for managing large volumes of superfluid helium in space. The instrument is an f/4 15.2-cm Herschelian telescope with ten photoconductor detectors in the focal plane. This paper describes the hardware and software aspects of the instrument with emphasis on mission operations. In particular, a description is given of the observing plan formulated to meet the scientific and engineering objectives, the scan drive system, the precautions in design and operation necessary to prevent the sun, moon, and earth from adversely affecting the observations, the implications of thruster firings, and the on-board experiment computer application software to control the scanning of the telescope and support on-board displays.

Koch, D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Optical and infrared variability of B2 1308+326

Optical and infrared polarimetric and photometric observations of the BL Lacertae object B2 1308+326 during its high-luminosity outburst in the spring of 1978 are reported. The energy distribution, polarization at 0.6 and 2.2 microns, flux and polarization variability and position angle and strength of polarization variations of B2 1308+326, which has a luminosity greater than 10 to the 48th ergs/sec, are observed to be similar to those of BL Lac objects of much lower luminosity, suggesting the same emission process. Models of BL Lac object emission accounting for the high luminosity of B2 1308+326 are examined, and the isotropic synchrotron model is found to be more applicable to the optical and infrared emission of BL Lac objects than a model invoking relativistically enhanced emission.

Moore, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Thermal properties of 433 Eros

Radiometric and reflected light observations of 433 Eros at high time resolution, high accuracy, and broad spectral coverage are reported. A thermal inertia model is used to estimate the thermal inertia, albedo, and size of Eros. An albedo of 0.125 plus or minus 0.025 with axes of 39.3 plus or minus 2.0 x 16.1 plus or minus 0.8 km is found. The estimate of the albedo is about 30% lower than previous estimates.

Lebofsky, L. A.↗