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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Monopole, astrophysics and cosmic ray observatory at Gran Sasso

A new large area detector, MACRO was approved for installation at the Gran Sasso Laboratory in Italy. The detector will be dedicated to the study of naturally penetrating radiation deep underground. It is designed with the general philosophy of covering the largest possible area with a detector having both sufficient built-in redundancy and use of complementary techniques to study very rare phenomena. The detector capabilities will include monopole investigations significantly below the Parker bound; astrophysics studies of very high energy gamma ray and neutrino point sources; cosmic ray measurements of single and multimuons; and the general observation of rare new forms of matter in the cosmic rays.

Demarzo, C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Monopole search below the Parker limit with the MACRO detector at Gran Sasso

The MACRO detector approved for the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory in Italy will be the first capable of performing a definitive search for super-massive grand unified theory (GUT) monopoles at a level significantly below the Parker flux limit of 10 to the minus 15th power square centimeters Sr(-1) 5(-1). GUT monopoles will move at very low velocities (V approx. 0.001 c) relative to the Earth and a multifaceted detection technique is required to assume their unambiguous identification. Calculations of scintillator response to slow monopoles and measurements of scintillation efficiency for low energy protons have shown that bare monopoles and electrically charged monopoles moving at velocities as low as 5 x .0001 c will produce detectable scintillation signals. The time-of-flight between two thick (25 cm) liquid scintillation layers separated by 4.3m will be used in conjunction with waveform digitization of signals of extended duration in each thick scintillator to provide a redundant signature for slow penetrating particles. Limited streamer tubes filled with He and n-pentane will detect bare monopoles with velocities as low as 1 x 0.0001 c by exploiting monopole induced level mixing and the Penning effect.

Tarle, G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Upper limit on magnetic monopole flux from Baksan experiment

No indication of slowly moving penetrating particles in cosmic radiation underground was found during two years observation. Particle velocity and pulse shape are main criteria for search. Probability of the imitation of slow particles (Beta 0.1) by atmospheric muons is negligible. Our upper limit on superheavy magnetic monopole flux is now 1.86 x 10 to the minus 15th power cm(-2) sr(-1) s(-1) (90% c.l.) for velocity range 2 x 0.0001 beta 0.1.

Alexeyev, E. N.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Search for proton decay in the Frejus experiment

The status of the Frejus experiment and the preliminary results obtained in the search for nucleon decay are discussed. A modular, fine grain tracking calorimeter was installed in the Frejus laboratory in the period extending from October 1983 to May 1985. The 3300 cubic meter underground laboratory, located in the center of the Frejus tunnel in the Alps, is covered in the vertical direction by 1600 m of rocks (4400 m w.e.). The average number of atmospheric muons in the lab is 4.2 square meters per day. The 912 ton detector is made of 114 modules, each one including eight flash chamber and one Geiger vertical planes of (6 x 6) square meters dimensions. The flash chamber (and Geiger) planes are alternatively crossed to provide a 90 deg. stereo reconstruction. No candidate for the nucleon decay into charged lepton is found in the first sample of events.

Berger, C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Results on nucleon life-time from the Kolar gold field experiment

The KGF nucleon decay experiment has been in operation since October 1980 with a 140 ton calorimetric detector at a depth of 2.3 Km underground. The detector comprises 34 layers of proportional counters arranged in an orthogonal geometry with 12 mm thick iron plates in between successive layers. The proportional counters are made up of square (10 x 10 square centimeters) iron plates of wall thickness 2.3 mm. Each of the 1600 counters is instrumented to provide data on ionization, DE/dx and arrival time. The visible energy of a particle is determined to an accuracy of approximately 20% from the ionization and range of its track. The end point ionization of a stopping track provides the direction of motion as well as the nature of the particle (mu/pi,k,p). Decay of mu is recorded with an overall efficiency of only 20% in view of the thickness of 13 g/square centimeters between successive layers.

Krishnaswamy, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Nineteenth International Cosmic Ray Conference. Conference Papers: Invited Rapporteur, Highlight, Miscellaneous, Volume 9

Invited talks, rapporteur talks, and highlight talks are included. Topics of the invited and highlight talks include astrophysical jets, gamma-ray line astronomy, cosmic rays and gamma rays in astrophysics, the early universe, elementary particle physics, solar flares and acceleration of energetic particles, cosmogenic nuclei, extragalactic astronomy, composition of solar flare particles, very high energy gamma ray sources, gamma-ray bursts, shock acceleration in the solar wind, cosmic rays in deep underground detectors, spectrum of cosmic rays at 10 to the 19th power eV, and nucleus-nucleus interactions.

Jones, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Muons and neutrinos

The first generation of large and precise detectors, some initially dedicated to search for nucleon decay has accumulated significant statistics on neutrinos and high-energy muons. A second generation of even better and bigger detectors are already in operation or in advanced construction stage. The present set of experimental data on muon groups and neutrinos is qualitatively better than several years ago and the expectations for the following years are high. Composition studies with underground muon groups, neutrino detection, and expected extraterrestrial neutrino fluxes are discussed.

Stanev, T.↗
NASA NTRS1986

He-Ne and CW CO2 laser long-path systems for gas detection

This paper describes the design and testing of a laboratory prototype dual He-Ne laser system for the detection of methane leaks from underground pipelines and solid-waste landfill sites using differential absorption of radiation backscattered from topographic targets. A laboratory-prototype dual CW carbon dioxide laser system also using topographic backscatter is discussed, and measurement results for methanol are given. With both systems, it was observed that the time-varying differential absorption signal was useful in indicating the presence of a gas coming from a nearby source. Limitations to measurement sensitivity, especially the role of speckle and atmospheric turbulence, are described. The speckle results for hard targets are contrasted with those from atmospheric aerosols. The appendix gives appropriate laser lines and values of absorption coefficients for the hydrazine fuel gases.

Grant, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Merits of a lunar polar base location

There are no seasons on the moon, and its surface may include regions where the sun never fully sets. Permanent shadow regions may be very cold, and with continuous sunlight nearby, appear ideal sites for thermodynamic power systems. If located near a pole, a lunar base could have solar electric power and piped-in solar illumination continuously available. Habitat and agricultural conditions in underground facilities are easily kept constant. Such polar sites would furnish excellent opportunities for astronomical observation, since fully half of the sky is visible from each pole and cryogenic instruments are easily operated there.

Burke, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Lava tubes - Potential shelters for habitats

Natural caverns occur on the moon in the form of 'lava tubes', which are the drained conduits of underground lava rivers. The inside dimensions of these tubes measure tens to hundreds of meters, and their roofs are expected to be thicker than 10 meters. Consequently, lava tube interiors offer an environment that is naturally protected from the hazards of radiation and meteorite impact. Further, constant, relatively benign temperatures of -20 C prevail. These are extremely favorable environmental conditions for human activities and industrial operations. Significant operational, technological, and economical benefits might result if a lunar base were constructed inside a lava tube.

Horz, F.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Environmental projects. Volume 5, part 1: Study of subsurface contamination. Part 2: Guide to implement environmental compliance programs

In support of the national goal for the preservation of the environment and the protection of human health and safety, NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex have adopted the position that their operating installations shall maintain a high level of compliance in regard to regulations concerning environmental hazards. An investigation carried out by Engineering Science, Inc. focused on possible underground contamination that may have resulted from leaks and/or spills from storage facilities at the Goldstone Communications Complex. It also involved the cleanup of a non-hazardous waste dumpsite at the Mojave Base Site at the Goldstone complex. The report also includes details of the management duties and responsibilities needed to maintain compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

Bengelsdorf, I.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A survey of the cosmic ray diurnal variation during 1973-1979. I - Persistence of solar diurnal variation. II - Application of diffusion-convection model to diurnal anisotropy data

An analysis of data obtained with the vertical underground muon telescope at Embudo, NM shows that the solar diurnal variation in cosmic ray intensity is a persistent phenomenon over the 1973-1979 period. Assuming that the daily fluctuations in the amplitude and phase of the diurnal variation are random perturbations about the mean vector, the relative magnitude of the random component is determined. In the second part, the Diffusion-Convection model of cosmic ray transport is applied to high rigidity particles detected at the earth in order to deduce the behavior of the heliospheric transport parameters between 1973 and 1979. It is suggested that the diurnal variation observed at Embudo during 1979 may require a contribution from the charged particle drifts.

Riker, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Is there a twenty year wave in the diurnal anisotropy of cosmic rays?

Data obtained with the Deep River neutron monitor and the underground vertical muon telescope at Embudo for the period 1965-1979 are analyzed. The data show that for 1957-1970 the diurnal anisotropy is unidirectional. During 1971-1979, the diurnal anisotropy consists of two components. One is in the east-west direction and the other is the radial component, with direction along 12:00 LT. The latter attains a maximum amplitude in 1976. No evidence is found for the existence of the twenty year wave in the diurnal anisotropy of cosmic rays.

Ahluwalia, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Conditions of the Martian atmosphere and surface in the remote past and their relevance to the question of life on Mars

Although the Viking Landers failed to find any evidence of life on the surface of Mars, much remains unknown. Study of returned samples can answer some of these questions. The search for organic compounds, the building blocks of life forms based on carbon chemistry, should continue. The question of life on Mars is still an open one, and deserves to be addressed by the study of returned samples. Whether life developed and evolved on Mars or not depends critically on the history of the Martian atmosphere and hydrosphere. The exobiology of Mars is thus inextrically intertwined with the nature of its paleoatmosphere and the ancient state of the planet's regolith, which may still be preserved in the polar caps and underground. Core samples from such sites could answer some of the questions.

Pang, Kevin D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Design of a surface-based factory for the production of life support and technology support products. Phase 2: Integrated water system for a space colony

Phase 2 of a conceptual design of an integrated water treatment system to support a space colony is presented. This includes a breathable air manufacturing system, a means of drilling for underground water, and storage of water for future use. The system is to supply quality water for biological consumption, farming, residential and industrial use and the water source is assumed to be artesian or subsurface and on Mars. Design criteria and major assumptions are itemized. A general block diagram of the expected treatment system is provided. The design capacity of the system is discussed, including a summary of potential users and the level of treatment required; and, finally, various treatment technologies are described.

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NASA NTRS1987

Environmental projects. Volume 3: Environmental compliance audit

The Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex is part of NASA's Deep Space Network, one of the world's largest and most sensitive scientific telecommunications and radio navigation networks. Activities at Goldstone are carried out in support of six large parabolic dish antennas. In support of the national goal of the preservation of the environment and the protection of human health and safety, NASA, JPL and Goldstone have adopted a position that their operating installations shall maintain a high level of compliance with Federal, state, and local laws governing the management of hazardous substances, abestos, and underground storage tanks. A JPL version of a document prepared as an environmental audit of Goldstone operations is presented. Both general and specific items of noncompliance at Goldstone are identified and recommendations are provided for corrective actions.

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NASA NTRS1990

Greenhouse design for a Martian colony: Structural, solar collection and light distribution systems

The inflatable structure serves as an ideal greenhouse while being feasible to transport and easy to assemble on Mars. Locating the structure underground protects it from the extreme environmental variations on the surface. The proposed lighting system provides all the necessary light for photosynthesis with little external power demand. These considerations make the proposed greenhouse design a viable means of providing an ongoing food supply for a Martian colony.

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