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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Fundamental physics studies in time domain and multi-messenger astronomy

The era of ime domain and multi-messenger astronomy is not only leading to the development of a much broader set of detectors and instruments for astrophysical observations, but is also providing the means for astronomy to tie directly to cutting-edge studies in physics. In this manner, fundamental physics (theory and experiment) coupled with a strong theoretical understanding of astrophysical phenomena (guided by high-performance computing simulations) can tie directly to the amazing new observations in astronomy. This paper discusses how physics, astrophysical models, and observations can not only help astronomy probe fundamental physics but guide the needs for next-generation astrophysical missions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2015

Wide-Field InfraRed Survey Telescope (WFIRST) Mission and Synergies with LISA and LIGO-Virgo

The Wide-Field InfraRed Survey Telescope (WFIRST) is a NASA space mission in study for launch in 2024. It has a 2.4 m telescope, wide-field IR instrument operating in the 0.7 - 2.0 micron range and an exoplanet imaging coronagraph instrument operating in the 400 - 1000 nm range. The observatory will perform galaxy surveys over thousands of square degrees to J=27 AB for dark energy weak lensing and baryon acoustic oscillation measurements and will monitor a few square degrees for dark energy SN Ia studies. It will perform microlensing observations of the galactic bulge for an exoplanet census and direct imaging observations of nearby exoplanets with a pathfinder coronagraph. The mission will have a robust and wellfunded guest observer program for 25% of the observing time. WFIRST will be a powerful tool for time domain astronomy and for coordinated observations with gravitational wave experiments. Gravitational wave events produced by mergers of nearby binary neutron stars (LIGO-Virgo) or extragalactic supermassive black hole binaries (LISA) will produce electromagnetic radiation that WFIRST can observe.

Wide-Field InfraRed Survey Telescope (WFIRST) Miss↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Search for Photons with Energies Above 2 × 10 17 eV Using Hybrid Data from the Low-Energy Extensions of the Pierre Auger Observatory

Ultra-high-energy photons with energies exceeding 10 17 eV offer a wealth of connections to different aspects of cosmic-ray astrophysics as well as to gamma-ray and neutrino astronomy. The recent observations of photons with energies in the 10 15 eV range further motivate searches for even higher-energy photons. In this paper, we present a search for photons with energies exceeding 2 × 10 17 eV using about 5.5 yr of hybrid data from the low-energy extensions of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The upper limits on the integral photon flux derived here are the most stringent ones to date in the energy region between 10 17 and 10 18 eV.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1973

The Gum Nebula and Related Problems

Proceedings of a symposium concerning the Gum Nebula (GN) and related topics are reported. Papers presented include: Colin Gum and the discovery of the GN; identification of the GN as the fossil Stromgren sphere of Vela X Supernova; size and shape of GN; formation of giant H-2 regions following supernova explosions; radio astronomy Explorer 1 observations of GN; cosmic ray effects in the GN; low intensity H beta emission from the interstellar medium; and how to recognize and analyze GN. Astronomical charts and diagrams are included.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1973

Modular space station facilities.

The modular space station will operate as a general purpose laboratory (GPL). In addition, the space station will be able to support many attached or free-flying research and application modules that would be dedicated to specific projects like astronomy or earth observations. The GPL primary functions have been organized into functional laboratories including an electrical/electronics laboratory, a mechanical sciences laboratory, an experiment and test isolation laboratory, a hard data process facility, a data evaluation facility, an optical sciences laboratory, a biomedical and biosciences laboratory, and an experiment/secondary command and control center.

Parker, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

An assessment of the Instrument Pointing Subsystems (IPS) requirements for spacelab missions

Instrument Pointing Subsystem requirements for Spacelab missions in solar physics, stellar astronomy, and earth observation are analyzed and design guidelines for fine pointing instrument platforms are presented. The requirements for the platforms are time-phased based on NASA projections of flight mission models and payload scheduling. The experiments used for these projections are to be viewed as representative payloads. Other experiments or experiment groupings within any one discipline may be accommodated by an Instrument Pointing Subsystem that meets these requirements.

Nein, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Planets of the solar system

Venera and Mariner spacecraft and ground based radio astronomy and spectroscopic observations of the atmosphere and surface of venus are examined. The composition and structural parameters of the atmosphere are discussed as the basis for development of models and theories of the vertical structure of the atmosphere, the greenhouse effect, atmospheric circulation and cloud cover. Recommendations for further meteorological studies are given. Ground based and Pioneer satellite observation data on Jupiter are explored as well as calculations and models of the cloud structure, atmospheric circulation and thermal emission field of Jupiter.

Kondratyev, K. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1979

NASA technology for large space antennas

Technology developed by NASA in conjunction with industry for potential large, deployable space antennas with applications in communication, radio astronomy and earth observation is reviewed. Concepts for deployable antennas that have been developed to the point of detail design are summarized, including the advanced sunflower precision antenna, the radial rib antenna, the maypole (hoop/column) antenna and the parabolic erectable truss antenna. The assessment of state-of-the-art deployable antenna technology is discussed, and the approach taken by the NASA Large Space Systems Technology (LSST) Program to the development of technology for large space antenna systems is outlined. Finally, the further development of the wrap-rib antenna and the maypole (hoop/column) concept, which meet mission model requirements, to satisfy LSST size and frequency requirements is discussed.

Russell, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A technology development program for large space antennas

Recent studies sponsored by NASA and United States industry indicate a need for technology to handle large space-based antenna systems. These systems will require apertures of up to 100 m and more in order to be capable of radio frequency operation up to Ku-band for communications, earth observations, and radio astronomy applications. They must also be cost-effective and compatible with the Space Transportation System. Selection criteria for the antennas which include such considerations as surface precision in the intended service environment and mechanical packaging efficiency, are enumerated. Space testing of the antennas will be carried out as part of NASA's Large Space Systems Technology (LSST) Program, which will be continued through fiscal year 1984. Deployable antennas have been selected for development by the LSST Program. The maturity of this class of antennas is such that a significant number of near-term space based applications will be satisfied (mobile communications, submillimeter radio astronomy, orbiting deep space relay station ODSRS, orbiting VLBI, earth-looking radiometry). Two antenna concepts selected for development are the offset wrap-rib configuration and the maypole (hoop/column) configuration with details for these concepts presented.

Russell, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Techniques for prediction of large nonanalytic reflector antenna performance

Projected spacecraft missions for communications, radio astronomy and earth observations indicate a need for very large (on the order of 100 meters) space deployable or erectable antennas. This paper discusses a numerical method of analyzing reflector characteristics which is applicable to large reflector antennas whose surfaces are subject to mechanical and thermal distortions as well as fabrication and deployment errors. A technique of describing nonanalytic surface configurations by a finite number of known (measured) points was successfully applied in a computer model to predict the RF radiation pattern of a reflector using aperture plane integration techniques. The accuracy of the results is shown to be both a function of the number of measured points used and of their distribution.

Moskowitz, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Radio Science

Radio science experiments use electromagnetic waves to probe or study the solar system. Three major research areas were identified within this discipline: radio astronomy, radar astronomy, and celestial mechanics. Radio astronomy (or radiometry) is the detection and measurement of naturally produced radio frequency emissions. Sources include surfaces, atmospheres, rings, and plasmas. Radar astronomy is the observation of man-made signals after their interaction with a target. Both imaging and non-imaging results. Celestial mechanics includes all studies related to the motions of (and gravity fields of) bodies within the solar system. These should not be considered rigid separations, but aid in the discussion of the data sets.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1984

An all-reflective wide-angle flat-field telescope for space

An all-reflective wide-angle flat-field telescope (WAFFT) designed and built at Goddard Space Flight Center demonstrates the markedly improved wide-angle imaging capability which can be achieved with a design based on a recently announced class of unobscured 3-mirror optical systems. Astronomy and earth observation missions in space dictate the necessity or preference for wide-angle all-reflective systems which can provide UV through IR wavelength coverage and tolerate the space environment. An initial prototype unit has been designed to meet imaging requirements suitable for monitoring the ultraviolet sky from space. The unobscured f/4, 36 mm efl system achieves a full 20 x 30 deg field of view with resolution over a flat focal surface that is well matched for use with advanced ultraviolet image array detectors. Aspects of the design and fabrication approach, which have especially important bearing on the system solution, are reviewed; and test results are compared with the analytic performance predictions. Other possible applications of the WAFFT class of imaging system are briefly discussed. The exceptional wide-angle, high quality resolution, and very wide spectral coverage of the WAFFT-type optical system could make it a very important tool for future space research.

Hallam, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Using the IRAS data to search in the asteroid belt for any potential evidence of galactic colonization

The end product of the biological evolution seems to be the appearance of technological civilizations, which are characterized by superior technology that supercedes biological capabilities. The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) has gained scientific recognition in recent years. The concept of galactic colonization is debated extensively, with opinions ranging from the impossible to the inevitable, but without a clear resolution. Answers can be obtained only with experimental tests and not with endless debates. A search for large space colonies in the asteroid belt, an ideal source of raw materials for a spaceborne civilization, is a test of the galactic colonization theory. The catalogue of solar system objects obtained form the Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) observations at 12, 25, 60, and 100 microns, is an ideal source for such a search. The catalog is expected to be ready at the end of 1985 and will contain more than 10,000 objects.

Papagiannis, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1987

On the redistribution of OB star luminosity and the warming of nearby molecular clouds

Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) observations of the neighborhoods of six outer-Galaxy HII regions were combined with CO observations to show that most of the far infrared (FIR) luminosity from within approximately 25 to 75 pc of the ionizing stars is contributed by dust in molecular clouds, not by dust in the low-density ionized gas. Dust associated with the clouds is warmed by absorption of UV and visible light from the cluster of stars responsible for the ionization. Most of the OB cluster starlight is not absorbed locally. A fraction of the order of 10% of the OB cluster luminosity is absorbed by nearby molecular clouds and reradiated as FIR light. The luminosity per unit mass for the heated clouds is approximately 3 to 13 solar luminosity/solar mass, approximately one order of magnitude greater than the corresponding ratio for clouds found near clusters without O stars, and two orders of magnitude greater than the ratio for dark clouds heated primarily by the interstellar radiation field. If the observations of clouds near outer-Galaxy HII regions are used to characterize the molecular clouds heated by HII regions in the inner-Galaxy, then at most 30% of the Galaxy's molecular cloud mass is actively engaged in the formation of massive stars at the present time.

Leisawitz, D.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Emission from small dust particles in diffuse and molecular cloud medium

Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) observations of the whole galaxy has shown that long wavelength emission (100 and 60 micron bands) can be explained by thermal emission from big grains (approx 0.1 micron) radiating at their equilibrium temperature when heated by the InterStellar Radiation Field (ISRF). This conclusion has been confirmed by continuum sub-millimeter observations of the galactic plane made by the EMILIE experiment at 870 microns (Pajot et al. 1986). Nevertheless, shorter wavelength observations like 12 and 25 micron IRAS bands, show an emission from the galactic plane in excess with the long wavelength measurements which can only be explained by a much hotter particles population. Because dust at equilibrium cannot easily reach high temperatures required to explain this excess, this component is thought to be composed of very small dust grains or big molecules encompassing thermal fluctuations. Researchers present here a numerical model that computes emission, from Near Infrared Radiation (NIR) to Sub-mm wavelengths, from a non-homogeneous spherical cloud heated by the ISRF. This model fully takes into account the heating of dust by multi-photon processes and back-heating of dust in the Visual/Infrared Radiation (VIS-IR) so that it is likely to describe correctly emission from molecular clouds up to large A sub v and emission from dust experiencing temperature fluctuations. The dust is a three component mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, very small grains, and classical big grains with independent size distributions (cut-off and power law index) and abundances.

Bernard, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Astronomy and Space Science from the Moon: Proceedings of Symposium E4 of the COSPAR 29th Plenary Meeting held in Washington, DC, 28 Aug.-5 Sep., 1992

The goal of the conference was to assess the moon as a base for conducting astronomy, solar system observations, and space sciences. The lunar vacuum allows a complete opening of the electromagnetic window and distortion-free measurements at the highest angular resolution, precision, and temporal stability. The moon is perfect for continuous monitoring of the Sun, Solar System targets, and for deep observations of galactic and extragalactic objects. It is an in-situ laboratory for selenophysics, chemistry, and exobiology. The moon contains useful resources and is accessible from Earth for installation, operations maintenance, robotics, and human activities.

Foing, B. H.↗