Engineering topics

Schloerb, F. Peter

Publications and source records attributed to Schloerb, F. Peter.

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS2004

On The Effect of Electron Collisions in the Excitation of Cometary HCN

The electron-HCN collision rate for the excitation of rotational transitions of the HCN molecule is evaluated in comets C/1995 01 (Hale-Bopp) and C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake). Based on theoretical models of the cometary atmosphere, we show that collisions with electrons can provide a significant excitation mechanism for rotational transitions in the HCN molecule. Computed values of the cross section sigma(sub e-HCN) can be as high as 1.3 x cm2, more than 2 orders of magnitude greater than the commonly assumed HCN-H2O cross section. For the ground rotational transitions of HCN, the electron-HCN collision rate is found to exceed the HCN-H2O collision rate at distances greater than 3000 km from the cometary nucleus of Hale-Bopp and 1000 km from that of Hyakutake. Collisional excitation processes dominate over radiative excitation processes up to a distance of 160,000 km from the cometary nucleus of Hale-Bopp and 50,000 km from that of Hyakutake. Excitation models that neglect electron collisions can underestimate the HCN gas production rates by as much as a factor of 2.

Lovell, Amy J.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Boundary Conditions for the Paleoenvironment: Chemical and Physical Processes in the Pre-Solar Nebula

The basic theme of this program is the study of molecular complexity and evolution in interstellar clouds and in primitive solar system objects. Research has included the detection and study of a number of new interstellar molecules and investigation of reaction pathways for astrochemistry from a comparison of theory and observed molecular abundances. The latter includes studies of cold, dark clouds in which ion-molecule chemistry should predominate, searches for the effects of interchange of material between the gas and solid phases in interstellar clouds, unbiased spectral surveys of particular sources, and systematic investigation of the interlinked chemistry and physics of dense interstellar clouds. In addition, the study of comets has allowed a comparison between the chemistry of such minimally thermally processed objects and that of interstellar clouds, shedding light on the evolution of the biogenic elements during the process of solar system formation.

Irvine, William M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Boundary conditions for the paleoenvironment: Chemical and physical processes in the pre-solar nebula

In observations with the NRAO 12m telescope at Kitt Peak, Arizona, Irvine, a new interstellar radical, CH2N, has been detected. This identification is important for the study of hydrogenation processes in the interstellar medium. In particular, although the abundance of hydrogen is some four orders of magnitude higher than that of other reactive elements in this environment, many organic molecules in quiescent clouds are very unsaturated. This is a consequence of activation barriers which cannot be overcome at the temperatures of cold clouds, even when such reactions are energetically allowed. The hydrogenation series based on the cyanide radical (HnCN) has had four members previously detected in the interstellar medium: CN (n equals O), HCN (n equals l), CH2CN (n equals 3), and CH3NH2 (n equals 5). The recent determination of the rotational spectrum of the CH2N radical through microwave spectroscopy in Japan has made possible a search for this species. In addition to its potential importance for interstellar chemistry, the CH2N radical has been proposed as a reaction intermediate for HCN production in the atmosphere of Jupiter, and as a possible species in the expanding envelopes of oxygen--rich evolved stars. We detected CH2N in the cold cloud TMC--1 where the abundance seems to be some three orders of magnitude lower than that of HCN. A tentative detection was made in the Galactic Center molecular cloud Sgr B2. To our knowledge, there are no predicted abundances of CH2N from models of interstellar chemistry.

Irvine, William M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Resolving topographic detail on Venus by modeling complex Magellan altimetry echoes

Magellan's altimeter is providing some of the finest resolution topography of Venus achieved to date. Nevertheless, efforts continue to improve the topographic resolution whenever possible. One effort to this end is stereoscopic imaging, which provides topography at scales similar to that of the synthetic aperture radar (SAR). However, this technique requires two SAR images of the same site to be obtained and limits the utility of this method. In this paper, we present another method to resolve topographic features at scales smaller than that of an altimeter footprint, which is more globally applicable than the stereoscopic approach. Each pulse which is transmitted by Magellan's altimeter scatters from the planet and echoes to the receiver, delayed based on the distance between the spacecraft and each surface element. As resolved in time, each element of an altimetry echo represents the sum of all points on the surface which are equidistant from the spacecraft. Thus, individual returns, as a function of time, create an echo profile which may be used to derive properties of the surface, such as the scattering law or, in this case, the topography within the footprint. The Magellan project has derived some of this information by fitting model templates to radar echo profiles. The templates are calculated based on Hagfor's Law, which assumes a smooth, gently undulating surface. In most regions these templates provide a reasonable fit to the observed echo profile; however, in some cases the surface departs from these simple assumptions and more complex profiles are observed. Specifically, we note that sub-footprint topographic relief apparently has a strong effect on the shape of the echo profile. To demonstrate the effects of sub-resolution relief on echo profiles, we have calculated the echo shapes from a wide range of simple topographic models. At this point, our topographic models have emphasized surfaces where only two dominant elevations are contained within a footprint, such as graben, ridges, crater rims, and central features in impact craters.

Lovell, Amy J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Derivation of surface properties from Magellan altimetry data

The fit of the Hagfors model to the Magellan altimetry data provides a means to characterize the surface properties of Venus. However, the derived surface properties are only meaningful if the model provides a good representation of the data. The Hagfors model provides a good representation of the data. The Hagfors model is generally a realistic fit to surface scattering properties of a nadir-directed antenna such as the Magellan altimeter; however, some regions of the surface of Venus are poorly described by the existing model, according to the goodness of fit parameter provided on the ARCDR CD-ROMs. Poorly characterized regions need to be identified and fit to new models in order to derive more accurate surface properties for use in inferring the geological processes that affect the surface in those regions. We have compared the goodness of fit of the Hagfors model to the distribution of features across the planet, and preliminary results show a correlation between steep topographic slopes and poor fits to the standard model, as has been noticed by others. In this paper, we investigate possible relations between many classes of features and the ability of the Hagfors model to fit the observed echo profiles. In the regions that are not well characterized by existing models, we calculate new models that compensate for topographic relief in order to derive improved estimates of surface properties. Areas investigated to date span from longitude 315 through 45, at all latitudes covered by Magellan. A survey of those areas yields preliminary results that suggest that topographically high regions are well suited to the current implementation of the Hagfors model. Striking examples of such large-scale good fits are Alpha Regio, the northern edges of Lada Terra, and the southern edge of Ishtar Terra. Other features that are typically well fit are the rims of coronae such as Heng-O and the peaks of volcanos such as Gula Mons. Surprisingly, topographically low regions, such as the ubiquitous plains areas, are modeled poorly in comparison. However, this generalization has has exceptions: Lakshmi Planum is an elevated region that is not well fit compared to the rest of neighboring Ishtar, while the southern parts of topographically low Guinevere Planitia are characterized quite well by the Hagfors model. Features that are candidates for improved models are impact craters, coronae, ridges of significant scale, complex ridged terrains, moderate-sized mountains, and sharp terrain boundaries. These features are chosen because the goodness of fit is likely to be most affected either by departures from normal incidence angles or by sharp changes in terrain type within a single footprint. Most large features that are elevated with respect to their surroundings will suffer from steep slope effects, and smaller coronae and impact craters will probably suffer due to rapid changes in their appearance within a single footprint (10-20 km).

Lovell, Amy J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Submillimeter molecular line observations of cometary Levy (1990c)

Observations of HCN and H2CO in Comet Levy (1990c) obtained at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory during August 1990 are presented. The HCN J=3-2 rotational line was measured at high spectral resolution (0.1 km/s) and mapped at 13 points over a region of approximately 1.5 arcmin. Analysis of the line profile and the map suggest only slight deviations from the distribution expected for isotropic outgassing of HCN from the nucleus at a velocity of 0.7 plus or minus 0.1 km/s. Observations of the HCN J=4-3 and H2CO5(sub 15)4(sub 14) transitions were obtained simultaneously on two days following the HCN J=3-2 measurements. These transitions are the first submillimeter spectral lines to be detected in a comet. Five point maps of the emission show good consistency between the J=3-2 and J=4-3 HCN observations for an HCN production rate of 2 x 10(exp 26) and a rotational temperature of approximately 30 K. The map of H2CO emission indicates that it is more extended than the prediction of models in which H2CO originates entirely from the nucleus. H2CO may also originate from an extended source in the coma.

Schloerb, F. Peter↗

NASA NTRS1991

Radiative transfer in planetary atmospheres

A wide range of topics are covered including the following: (1) the observational study of cometary comae via millimeter and radio spectroscopy; (2) observational and theoretical studies of planetary atmospheres at millimeter wavelengths; and (3) application of theoretical models of the reflection of light from solid surfaces to the study of planetary regoliths and planetary rings.

Schloerb, F. Peter↗

NASA NTRS1991

Radiative transfer in planetary atmospheres: Submillimeter-wave spectroscopy of comets

During 1990, a significant step was made in asertaining the molecular composition of comets by our Planetary Astronomy group at the University of Massachusetts. We obtained several exciting new detections of submillimeter wave spectral lines from molecules in the coma of Comet Levy (1990c) using the 10m telescope of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory, located on Mauna Kea. The molecules HCN, formaldahyde, and methanol were all detected in abundances that make them important minor constituents of the nucleus. Moreover, the emission was so strong that, for the first time, it was possible to map the distribution of these species in the coma and study their behavior as they flow outwards from the nucleus.

Schloerb, F. Peter↗

NASA NTRS1991

Venus imaged with the Hat Creek interferometer in the J = 1-0 CO line

Venus 2.7-mm continuum emission and CO J = 1-0 transition observations conducted in January 1987, when Venus was at western elongation, indicate a 10 percent brightness temperature increase from the day to the nightside. It is suggested that this brightness temperature variation, which is greater than anticipated on the basis of physical variations in temperature, may be associated with potentially cloud-related atmospheric opacity variations. Model fits to the CO spectra suggest that, while the CO at altitudes greater than 90 km decreases from night to day, low altitude CO may exhibit a general enhancement.

De Pater, Imke↗

NASA NTRS1990

High spectral resolution observations and kinematic modeling of the 1667 MHz hyperfine transition of OH in Comets Halley (1982i), Giacobini-Zinner (1984e), Hartley-Good (1985l), Thiele (1985m), and Wilson (1986l)

High-sensitivity, high spectral resolution 18 cm observations of Comets Giacobini-Zinner, Halley, Hartley-Good, Thiele, and Wilson are used here to probe the kinematics of the coma gas of these comets. The day/night outgassing ratio for all these comets is 1.39 (0.13 or - 0.12), independent of gas productivity and heliocentric distance. It is found that the gas productivity of a comet plays a critical role in determining the coma kinematics for bright comets near the sun.

Tacconi-Garman, L. E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Molecular clouds associated with luminous far-infrared sources in the outer Galaxy

The stellar content and physical properties of the molecular clouds associated with 21 bright far-IR sources in the outer Galaxy have been determined through C-12O, C-13O, 6-cm radio continuum, and IRAS observations. The molecular cloud masses range from 200 to about 10,000 solar masses. The far-IR luminosity-to-mass ratio for these clouds has a mean value of 6.8 solar luminosity/solar masses and shows no correlation with the cloud mass, a result similar to that found for more massive clouds in the inner Galaxy. The radio continuum survey of the 21 bright far-IR sources indicates that most of these regions probably have a single, massive star providing most of the ionization. The cloud masses derived from virial and LTE analyses are in agreement, supporting the assumptions commonly made in their calculations, and a tight, near-linear correlation is found between the C-12O luminosity and the cloud mass. The H2 column density and integrated C-12O intensity are also correlated on a point-by-point basis, although the scatter is larger than the C-12O luminosity-cloud mass relation.

Carpenter, John M.↗

NASA NTRS1990

The CO-12 and CO-13 J=2-1 and J=1-0 observations of hot and cold galaxies

Researchers observed the nuclear regions of the galaxies NGC 2146 and IC 342 in CO-12 and CO-13 J=1-0 and J=2-1 lines using the Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory (FCRAO) 14m telescope. NGC 2146 is a peculiar Sab spiral galaxy. Its complex optical morphology and strong nuclear radio continuum emission suggest that it is experiencing a phase of violent activity and could have a polar ring which may have resulted from an interaction. IC 342 is a nearby luminous Scd spiral galaxy. Strong CO, infrared and radio continuum emission from the nuclear region of IC 342 indicate enhanced star-forming activity, and interferometric CO-12 J=1-0 observations reveal a bar-like structure centered on the nucleus, along the dark lane in the NS direction. These two galaxies are selected based on their different dust temperatures and star formation efficiencies (SFE) as derived from the Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) S sub 60 mu/S sub 100 mu flux density ratio and L sub IR/M(H2), respectively, with a relatively high SFE and dust temperature of 45 K in NGC 2146 and a relatively low SFE and dust temperature of 35 K in IC 342. The data from the different CO-12 and CO-13 lines are used to study the physical conditions in the molecular clouds in the galaxies. Researchers also consider the radiative transfer to determine whether a warm and optically thin gas component exists in these galaxies, as has been suggested in the case of M82 (Knapp et al. 1980), and whether the warm gas is related to the dust properties. Since optically thin CO-12 gas is rarely detected in our own Galaxy (except in outflow sources), to confirm its existence in external galaxies is very important in understanding the molecular content of external galaxies and its relationship to star formation activity. The present CO-12 J=2-1 and CO-13 J=2-1 and J=1-0 data for NGC 2146 are the first detections of this galaxy to our knowledge. The CO-12 J=1-0 distribution in NGC 2146 has been measured as part of the FCRAO Extragalactic Survey. For the well-studied IC 342, the data are compared with 30m observations and other available data. Researchers present the observed results.

Xie, Shuding↗

NASA NTRS1990

Simultaneous imaging of optical CN lines and radio HCN lines in comet Austin

The parent molecule of cometary CN has been the subject of speculation for a long time. When HCN was detected at 3.4 mm in Comet Kohoutek, the problem seemed to be resolved, but much more detailed work on Comet Halley raised the quantitative question of whether HCN could be the only parent. Therefore, comparative CN/HCN studies are vital for understanding the origin of cometary CN. The striking observation of CN jets in Comet Halley raised another very interesting question about the origin of CN. Traditional theory permits only dust features to remain well defined far from the nucleus. The CN jets were interpreted as arising from submicron sized dust particles, perhaps CHON particles. An estimated 10 to 50 percent of the CN in the comet was in the jets in the Halley observations. Several hypotheses can be made: (1) some of the CN originates from the dust and has nothing to do with HCN; or, (2) at least some of the HCN is also produced from the dust in the coma rather than directly from the nucleus. (In the second hypothesis, whether CHN is or is not the parent of the CN associated with the dust would need to be established.) The extended scalelengths found for CO by Eberhardt et. al. (1987) and for H2CO by Snyder et. al. (1989) also support ideas like hypothesis (2). A third hypothesis should be mentioned; contrary to the usual theory, the gas flow does not become isotropic (Combi 1987). For all of the reasons mentioned, it is essential to make a detailed comparison of the spatial distributions of CN and HCN. Furthermore, because of the variability of cometary emissions, it is necessary to make measurements simultaneously.

Palmer, Patrick↗

NASA NTRS1989

A CO and far-infrared study of the S254-S258 region

The molecular cloud associated with compact radio and bright optical H II regions is studied from observations of (C-12)O, (C-13)O, HCN J = 1-0 emission. The far-infrared and millimeter molecular line emission from the S254-S258 molecular cloud is analyzed, using co-added survey data from IRAS, to investigate the coupling between the dust and gas components and the internal energetics associated with molecular clouds. The dust component is analyzed by fitting model intensities, derived from a dust mass column density temperature relation, to the observed far-infrared emission. Such modeling is shown to provide a more complete description of the cold dust component which comprises most of the dust mass than can be determined from the standard single temperature analysis. Local heating of the dust component by newborn massive stars associated with the H II regions of the cloud is inferred from the spatial distribution of temperatures of grains which make the largest contributions to the observed 60 and 100 micron emission.

Heyer, Mark H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Comparison of the far-infrared and carbon monoxide emission in Heiles' Cloud 2 and B18

A comparison is made of the far-IR emission detected by IRAS at 60 and 100 microns and the emission from C(-13)O in B18 and Heiles' Cloud 2. The results show that both these clouds have extended emission at the studied wavelengths and that this emission is correlated with the integrated intensity of (C-13)O emission. The dust temperature and optical depth, the gas column density, the mass of gas and dust, and the far-IR luminosity are derived and presented. The analysis shows that the dust optical depth is much better correlated with the gas column density than with the far-IR intensity. The dust temperature is found to be anticorrelated with the gas column density, suggesting that these clouds are externally heated by the interstellar radiation field. The far-IR luminosity-to-mass ratios for the clouds are substantially less than the average for the inner Galaxy.

Snell, Ronald L.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Collisional quenching of cometary emission in the 18 centimeter OH transitions

A model of collisional quenching of the OH 2Pi(3/2) J = 3/2 Lambda doublet in cometary comae is presented. It is found that collisions with ions and electrons in the outer coma have a strong quenching effect on the Swings-effect inversion of the Lambda doublet that is responsible for the OH radio emission at 18 cm wavelength. For the conditions of Halley's comet, collisional quenching should lead radio observers to systematically underestimate the OH parent production rate by a factor of approximately 3 relative to its actual value, and in general, radio-derived production rates should always be less than or equal to UV-derived production rates, which are relatively unaffected by this process. The observation that UV production rates exceed those derived by radio techniques is well known; the direct measurement of this ratio, using a consistent coma model, should provide information about the ion and electron content of the cometary coma.

Schloerb, F. Peter↗

NASA NTRS1987

1300 micron continuum and C(O-18) line mapping of the giant molecular cloud cores in Orion, W49, and W51

Observations of the 1300-micron continuum emission and the C(O-18) spectral-line emission from three well-studied giant molecular cloud cores: Orion, W49, and W51 are presented. The observations were obtained at the Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory, and they provide a means to examine the consistency of these two methods to trace the column density structure of molecular clouds. A good general correlation is found between the 1300-micron continuum, which traces the column density of dust, and the C(O-18) J = 2-1 line emission, which traces the column density of molecular gas, when the effects of source temperature are taken into consideration. Moreover, nominal values for the gas and dust abundances and the dust properties reproduce the observed continuum-to-line ratios. Thus, no strong C(O-18) abundance gradients within sources has been found, and it appears that either the C(O-18) emission lines or the submillimeter dust emission may used to derive the mass column density within molecular clouds accurately.

Schloerb, F. Peter↗

NASA NTRS1987

Boundary conditions for the paleoenvironment: Chemical and physical processes in the pre-solar nebula

Detailed study of the first interstellar hydrocarbon ring, cyclopropenylidene (C3H2), is continuing. The singly deuterated isotope of this molecule, C3HD, was observed in several cold interstellar clouds. The results of a large survey for C3H2 in galactic sources of various types will soon be completed. It appears that cyclopropenylidene is present in virtually all interstellar clouds of at least moderate density. In order to make the first determinations of the CO2/CO abundance ratio in interstellar sources, observations of protonated CO2 were pursued. The spectrum from 18.5 to 22 GHz for several interstellar clouds is being systematically measured. Particular attention is being given to the cold, dark clouds TMC-1 and L124N, which may be formation sites for solar mass stars. The phenomena of maser emission from molecules of methanol is being studied in certain interstellar clouds. A comparison of 1 millimeter continuum emission from dust with the column density of carbon monoxide as determined from the rare C(18)O isotope for 4 molecular clouds in the Galaxy is nearing completion. Papers published during the period of this report are listed.

Irvine, William M.↗