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At least 253 records · Page 14

The Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and its telescopes.

The campus and observatory facilities of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona are described, with particular reference to the Space Sciences Building and its Optical Shop. The Catalina Observatory (located on a peak of the Catalina Mountains, 36 miles from the University) and its facilities intended for planetary photography, near-infrared spectroscopy and interferometry, far-infrared broadband photometry and image scanning, and studies of asteroids, comets, and other stellar studies are discussed. The layout, facilities, and telescopes of the Mount Lemmon Observatory intended for infrared astronomical research are also covered.

Kuiper, G. P.↗

Instrumentation for solar and cosmic X-ray spectroscopy

Five flight instruments for high resolution X-ray spectroscopy are described. They include one- and two-dimensionally collimated solar rocket X-ray spectrometers, a 1-23 A X-ray polychromator for the Solar Maximum Mission, a collimated crystal spectrometer for cosmic X-ray studies, and a grating spectrometer/spectrograph with paraboloidal telescope for 10 to 50 A solar X-ray research. The discussion includes factors motivating design and use, examples of results for those already flown, and potential for future studies.

Acton, L. W.↗

High-resolution ultraviolet solar observations from sounding rockets and Spacelab

High spatial (about 1 arcsec) and temporal (20 sec) resolution UV solar spectroscopy has been carried out by the Naval Research Laboratory from sounding rockets since 1975. The High Resolution Telescope and Spectrograph payload, consisting of a 300 mm diameter x 4500 mm focal length Cassegrain telescope and the tandem Woodsworth spectrograph, was used to make the observations. Using this instrument, a multitude of highly energetic phenomena can be observed in the chromosphere, transition zone, and corona. High-resolution photographs of the UV continuum at 1600 A, used to study the fine structure and evolution of the temperature minimum layer, show that because of its strong spatial and temporal intensity fluctuations, the 1600 A continuum emission comes from not only the temperature minimum, but a variety of temperature regimes. Similar spatial and temporal behavior is seen in lower chromospheric lines of Si I. Typical line profiles of the C IV 1550 A line illustrate the fine structure and dynamics of the transition zone; the mass and energy flux balance in this zone is also determined.

Brueckner, G. E.↗

The development of studies of Venus

An historical account is given of the major figures, observational techniques and theories involved in Venus studies prior to space probe-based researches. Those who followed Galileo Galilei (1610) with the simple telescopes of the 17th and early 18th centuries confirmed the phases of the illuminated face of Venus. Lomonosov (1761) noted a gray halo surrounding the planet as it was partially silhouetted against the sun, and correctly inferred that Venus has an atmosphere. The brightness and nearly featureless appearance of the planet, together with the halo effect, led to the early conclusion that the atmosphere is cloudy. While visual and photographic spectroscopy had been applied to Venus many times, the first indication of spectral features different from the solar spectrum was found in 1932 with the high dispersion spectrograph on the Mt. Wilson 2.5-m telescope.

Cruikshank, D. P.↗

Ultra-High-Spectral-Resolution X-Ray/EUV Monochromator

Ultra-high-spectral-resolution X-Ray/EUV monochromator depends on Bragg reflection from multilayer coats and diffraction by mutlilayer-coated grating to select narrow wavelength band from input beam. Its monochromatic output beam of accurately known wavelength very useful in testing and calibration of x-ray telescopes, x-ray microscopes, photographic films, and photodetectors; in research in biological and biomedical disciplines, x-ray crystallography, properties and processing of materials, and x-ray lasers; and in x-ray lithography.

Hoover, Richard B.↗

1981 Aeronautics and Space Highlights

This video presentation covers Shuttle flights 1 and 2, Spacelab, mobile workstation, Voyager 2 Saturn, Infrared Astronomy Satellite, Hubble Space Telescope, Kuiper Airborne Observatory, High Altitude Earth Survey, Landsat, aerodynamic research, electric cars, wind energy, XV-15, Quiet Shorthaul Research Aircraft, X-14 BVTOL, 40 x 80 Wind Tunnel, and turboprop research.

Source record↗

Hubble Systems Optimize Hospital Schedules

Don Rosenthal, a former Ames Research Center computer scientist who helped design the Hubble Space Telescope's scheduling software, co-founded Allocade Inc. of Menlo Park, California, in 2004. Allocade's OnCue software helps hospitals reclaim unused capacity and optimize constantly changing schedules for imaging procedures. After starting to use the software, one medical center soon reported noticeable improvements in efficiency, including a 12 percent increase in procedure volume, 35 percent reduction in staff overtime, and significant reductions in backlog and technician phone time. Allocade now offers versions for outpatient and inpatient magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, Positron Emission Tomography (PET), radiography, radiography-fluoroscopy, and mammography.

Source record↗

Precise Alignment and Permanent Mounting of Thin and Lightweight X-ray Segments

To provide observations to support current research efforts in high energy astrophysics. future X-ray telescope designs must provide matching or better angular resolution while significantly increasing the total collecting area. In such a design the permanent mounting of thin and lightweight segments is critical to the overall performance of the complete X-ray optic assembly. The thin and lightweight segments used in the assemhly of the modules are desigued to maintain and/or exceed the resolution of existing X-ray telescopes while providing a substantial increase in collecting area. Such thin and delicate X-ray segments are easily distorted and yet must be aligned to the arcsecond level and retain accurate alignment for many years. The Next Generation X-ray Optic (NGXO) group at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has designed, assembled. and implemented new hardware and procedures mth the short term goal of aligning three pairs of X-ray segments in a technology demonstration module while maintaining 10 arcsec alignment through environmental testing as part of the eventual design and construction of a full sized module capable of housing hundreds of X-ray segments. The recent attempts at multiple segment pair alignment and permanent mounting is described along with an overview of the procedure used. A look into what the next year mll bring for the alignment and permanent segment mounting effort illustrates some of the challenges left to overcome before an attempt to populate a full sized module can begin.

Biskach, Michael P.↗

LEMUR: Large European Module for Solar Ultraviolet Research

The solar outer atmosphere is an extremely dynamic environment characterized by the continuous interplay between the plasma and the magnetic field that generates and permeates it. Such interactions play a fundamental role in hugely diverse astrophysical systems, but occur at scales that cannot be studied outside the solar system. Understanding this complex system requires concerted, simultaneous solar observations from the visible to the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and soft X-rays, at high spatial resolution (between 0.1′′ and 0.3′′), at high temporal resolution (on the order of 10 s, i.e., the time scale of chromospheric dynamics), with a wide temperature coverage (0.01 MK to 20 MK, from the chromosphere to the flaring corona), and the capability of measuring magnetic fields through spectropolarimetry at visible and near-infrared wavelengths. Simultaneous spectroscopic measurements sampling the entire temperature range are particularly important. These requirements are fulfilled by the Japanese Solar-C mission (Plan B), composed of a spacecraft in a geosynchronous orbit with a payload providing a significant improvement of imaging and spectropolarimetric capabilities in the UV, visible, and near-infrared with respect to what is available today and foreseen in the near future. The Large European Module for solar Ultraviolet Research (LEMUR), described in this paper, is a large VUV telescope feeding a scientific payload of high-resolution imaging spectrographs and cameras. LEMUR consists of two major components: a VUV solar telescope with a 30 cm diameter mirror and a focal length of 3.6 m, and a focal-plane package composed of VUV spectrometers covering six carefully chosen wavelength ranges between 170 Angstrom and 1270 Angstrom. The LEMUR slit covers 280′′ on the Sun with 0.14′′ per pixel sampling. In addition, LEMUR is capable of measuring mass flows velocities (line shifts) down to 2 km s − 1 or better. LEMUR has been proposed to ESA as the European contribution to the Solar C mission.

Magnetic↗

Planetary Radar Astronomy

Planetary radar astronomy is the study of Solar System entities by transmitting a radio signal toward the target and then receiving and analyzing the echo. This field of research has primarily involved observations with Earth-based radar telescopes, but also includes certain experiments with a spaceborne transmitter and/or receiver.

radar↗

An Overview of Ground-Based Radar and Optical Measurements Utilized By the Nasa Orbital Debris Program Office

For over 30 years, the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) has led the characterization of orbital debris (OD) too small to be tracked by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network (SSN), yet which may pose the greatest threat to human spaceflight and robotic missions. Measurements from specialized sensors, including ground-based radars and telescopes capable of detecting smaller objects, provide the foundation for developing statistical models to describe the current state and future evolution of the OD environment from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). Since 1990, the ODPO has partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT/LL) to collect data using the Haystack Ultrawideband Satellite Imaging Radar (HUSIR) – formerly Haystack – to characterize OD in LEO with a sensitivity of approximately 5 mm at 1000 km altitude. In addition, since 1993, the Goldstone Orbital Debris Radar, operated by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has provided data on OD as small as approximately 2-3 mm for altitudes below 1000 km, some of the most sensitive ground-based measurements achievable at these altitudes. Recently, collaborations with the 18 th Space Control Squadron of the U.S. Space Force have also provided the ODPO with special datasets from the Space Fence to extend coverage below the historical SSN limit of 10 cm and to characterize individual breakup events in LEO. For GEO altitudes, the Eugene Stansbery Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (ES-MCAT), a joint NASA-Air Force Research Laboratory project that reached full operational capability in 2021, collects data on debris smaller than 1 m and provides coverage of debris in historically under-sampled high-altitude orbital regimes. This paper summarizes the radar and optical sensors utilized by the ODPO, their unique capabilities, and recent datasets and applications for statistical sampling of the dynamic OD environment.

Alyssa Manis↗

An Overview of Ground-Based Radar and Optical Measurements Utilized By the Nasa Orbital Debris Program Office

For over 30 years, the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) has led the characterization of orbital debris (OD) too small to be tracked by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network (SSN), yet which may pose the greatest threat to human spaceflight and robotic missions. Measurements from specialized sensors, including ground-based radars and telescopes capable of detecting smaller objects, provide the foundation for developing statistical models to describe the current state and future evolution of the OD environment from low Earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). Since 1990, the ODPO has partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT/LL) to collect data using the Haystack Ultrawideband Satellite Imaging Radar (HUSIR) – formerly Haystack – to characterize OD in LEO with a sensitivity of approximately 5 mm at 1000 km altitude. In addition, since 1993, the Goldstone Orbital Debris Radar, operated by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has provided data on OD as small as approximately 2-3 mm for altitudes below 1000 km, some of the most sensitive ground-based measurements achievable at these altitudes. Recently, collaborations with the 18 th Space Control Squadron of the U.S. Space Force have also provided the ODPO with special datasets from the Space Fence to extend coverage below the historical SSN limit of 10 cm and to characterize individual breakup events in LEO. For GEO altitudes, the Eugene Stansbery Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (ES-MCAT), a joint NASA-Air Force Research Laboratory project that reached full operational capability in 2021, collects data on debris smaller than 1 m and provides coverage of debris in historically under-sampled high-altitude orbital regimes. This paper summarizes the radar and optical sensors utilized by the ODPO, their unique capabilities, and recent datasets and applications for statistical sampling of the dynamic OD environment.

Alyssa Manis↗

Tests of Multibeam Scintillation Mitigation on Laser Uplinks

A report presents additional details about parts of the program of research and development that is the topic of the immediately preceding article. The report emphasizes those aspects of the program that pertain to the use of multiple uplink laser beams in a ground-to-spacecraft optical communication system to reduce (relative to the case of a single uplink laser beam) the depth and frequency of occurrence of fades in the uplink signal received at the spacecraft. The underlying multibeam scintillation-mitigation concept was described in "Multiple-Beam Transmission for Optical Communication" (NPO-20384), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 22, No. 11 (November 1998), page 56. The report discusses the need for mitigating uplink scintillation; briefly describes the Optical Communications Telescope Laboratory and its role as the ground station in the research; summarizes prior experiments in uplink scintillation and multibeam mitigation of scintillation in ground-to-spacecraft laser communications; and describes key experiments planned to be performed in the next five years. The report then elaborates somewhat on the initial experiments, which are to be dedicated to understanding and perfecting the multibeam scintillation-mitigation strategy.

Wilson, Keith↗

RXTE Observations of Several Strong Flares from the TeV Blazar 1ES 1959+650

Responding to the RXTE Cycle 7 NASA Research Announcement, we proposed to use the RXTE X-ray telescopes to intensively observe the TeV Gamma-ray Blazars Markarian 421, Markarian 501, 1ES 1959+650 and 1ES 1426+428, when their X-ray or TeV Gamma-ray fluxes would surpass preset trigger thresholds. In May and June, 2002, the Blazar 1ES 1959+650 (z=0.048) showed a series of spectacular X-ray and gamma-ray flares. Following the detection of a strong Gamma-ray flare on May 16 and 17 with the VERITAS 10 m Cherenkov Telescope, we invoked intensive RXTE observations, as well as complementary radio, optical and GeV/TeV Gamma-ray observations. From May 18 to August 14, more than 150 ksec RXTE observations were taken, yielding a unique data set with simultaneous RXTE and GeV/TeV Gamma-ray coverage.We used the financial support from the ADP program of NASA s Office for Space Science to perform a comprehensive analysis of the RXTE data. We studied in detail the temporal and spectral characteristics of the source. We collected multiwavelength data from a large number of collaborators, and performed a detailed cross-correlation analysis. Eventually, we interpreted the results in the framework of a Synchrotron-Self Compton model. The most important discovery of our research has been the detection of an orphan gamma-ray flare , not associated with an X-ray flare. The discovery showed conclusively that most models invoked to describe the non-thermal emission from blazars are overly simplistic.

Krawczynski, Henric↗

Recalibration of Mount Wilson Doppler measurements (Research note)

The dispersion calibration of spectroscopic velocity measurements made with the 150-ft tower telescope at Mt. Wilson Observatory is revised upward by 0.55 percent on the basis of observations of the six lines of comparable shape and equivalent width nearest the 5250.2-A line of Fe-I used in the solar Doppler rate measurements. The dispersion results are presented in a graph, and the superiority of the Kitt Peak wavelength tables (Pierce and Breckenridge, 1973) over those of Moore et al. (1966) is demonstrated. As a result of the recalibration, all recent spectroscopic velocities from this telescope must be revised downward by 0.55 percent.

Snodgrass, H. B.↗

An application of the Observer/Kalman Filter Identification (OKID) technique to Hubble flight data

The objective of the current research is to identify vibration parameters, including frequencies, damping ratio and uncertainty characteristics, of the Hubble Space Telescope from flight data using an advanced system identification technique. The Observer/Kalman Filter Identification (OKID) technique is used to identify the vibration parameters. The OKID was recently developed by the researchers in the Spacecraft Dynamics Branch at NASA Langley Research Center.

Juang, Jer-Nan↗

Optics at Marshall Space Flight Center

Marshall Space Flight Center optical research programs technology base for launch vehicle development support, discussing Apollo Telescope Mount

Johnson, W. G.↗