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At least 253 records · Page 14

Plasma kinetic processes in a strong d.c. magnetic field

The electrostatic guiding center approximation is used to describe the kinetic processes of a strongly magnetized tenuous plasma in two dimensions, in both the fluid and charged rod descriptions. The basic kinetic description of the plasma is in terms of the statistically-distributed Fourier coefficients associated with the velocity and enstrophy (charge density) fields. It is shown that the system exhibits a tendency to long range order characterized by macroscopic vorticity concentrations comparable in size to that of the system. These types of structure have historically been called convection cells and can be quite efficient at transporting particles transverse to a magnetic field.

Montgomery, D.↗

A search for hard X-rays from five strong extragalactic radio sources

Data from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) hard X-ray instrument on OSO-7 have been used to search the regions containing 3C 390.3, M87, 3C 273, 3C 111, and 3C 129. We have a weak detection of 3C 390.3 and a possible detection of 3C 111. Sensitive upper limits on hard X-rays have been obtained for the other objects. The available observational data indicate a correlation between hard X-ray emission, self-absorbed gigahertz radio emission, and strong optical emission lines in extragalactic sources. Self-Compton X-ray models have been calculated for the sources observed in this paper, and the angular sizes, lifetimes, and B fields in these sources have been estimated. These model calculations agree with existing VLBI and time variability data.

Mushotzky, R. F.↗

Variational calculation of ground-state energy of iron atoms and condensed matter in strong magnetic fields

Variational calculations of the binding energies of iron atoms and condensed matter in strong magnetic fields (greater than 10 to the 12th gauss). These calculations include the electron exchange energy. The cohesive energy of the condensed matter, which is the difference between these two binding energies, is of interest in pulsar theories and in the description of the surfaces of neutron stars. It is found that the cohesive energy ranges from 2.6 keV to 8.0 keV.

Flowers, E. G.↗

Strong convective and shock wave behavior in solar flares

A model has been developed to study the gasdynamics of a flare region heated by a stream of energetic electrons. It is shown that the energy deposition can introduce strong chromospheric dynamical effects. As a result of fluid motion into rarefied regions, there is considerable redistribution of mass causing a profound influence on the emitted line radiation.

Bloomberg, H. W.↗

Numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for super-sonic flows with strong shocks

The numerical solution of the full Navier-Stokes Equations for viscous flows with high Mach numbers and a strong detached bow shock was obtained. Two dimensional flows around a circular cylinder, and a circular cylinder with an aft-body in the form of a fairing, were considered. The solution of the compressible N.S. equations was accomplished by the method of finite differences. An implicit scheme of solution, the S.O.R., was used with the optimum acceleration parameters determined by trial and error. The tensor notation was used in writing the N-S Equations transformed into general curvilinear coordinates. The equations for the generation of the coordinate system were solved, followed by the solution of the N.S. equations, at the end of a set of given number of time steps. "Wiggles", constituted the one major problem that needed to be overcome. These oscillations give rise to quantities such as negative temperatures, which ultimately caused the computational program to break down. Certain dissipative finite-difference schemes damped these oscillations.

Devarayalu, K.↗

Extragalactic sources with strong millimeter-wave emission

Observations at 90 GHz of a sample of 38 sources chosen to have flat or rising spectra between 0.318 and 5 GHz are reported. Roughly 25% of the sources were found to have flat or rising spectra between 5 and 90 GHz. The optical magnitude of each of the sources from the E print of the Palomar Sky Survey has also been estimated. Evidence is found for a correlation between the 90-GHz flux density and the optical magnitude, suggesting a relationship between the emission processes at these frequencies. Little evidence is found for a correlation between the low- and high-frequency spectral indices of the sources. This suggests that the sources tend to be opaque at centimeter wavelengths and optically thin at millimeter wavelengths. The properties of two of the more interesting sources are also discussed. Evidence is presented that strong millimeter activity may be generally associated with the BL Lac phenomenon.

Owen, F. N.↗

Rocket observation of high frequency waves over a strong aurora

High frequency waves in two frequency bands above the electron gyro frequency (1.6 MHz and 2.3 MHz) were observed by radio receivers carried on a sounding rocket as it passed over a strong aurora. Only the line at 2.3 MHz has a large magnetic component. Both 0.4s and 4s periods are present in much of the emissions. Good correlation is seen for a short time between the 2.3 MHz waves and 1.9 keV electrons detected on board the rocket.

Kellogg, P. J.↗

Strong far-infrared emission from a compact source in sharpless 140

High-spatial-resolution observations of S140 are presented at wavelengths from 35 to 175 microns. A single strong far-infrared source has been found coincident with a compact near-infrared and H2O maser source and the center of a molecular cloud. The far-infrared spectrum suggests either significant absorption in the 20-micron region or a two-temperature dust structure. The infrared luminosity of approximately 20,000 suns is comparable to that of a late O or early B star, although no radio continuum flux has been seen from this object. The source is quite likely a dust-embedded protostar.

Harvey, P. M.↗

The velocity distribution of interstellar gas observed in strong UV absorption lines

Observations of three strong interstellar UV absorption lines of N I (1199 A), N II (1083 A), and Si III (1206 A) in 47 stars of widely varying distance and a variety of spectral types are analyzed to obtain a velocity distribution function for the interstellar gas. A technique based on the maximum and minimum velocities observed along a line of sight is adopted because of heavy line blending, and results are discussed for both power-law and exponential distribution functions. The expected distribution of radiative-phase supernova remnants (SNRs) in the interstellar medium is calculated as a function of SNR birthrate and of the interstellar density in which they evolve. The results are combined with observed distance estimates, and it is shown that an interstellar density in excess of 0.1 per cu cm would be required to keep the SNRs sufficiently confined so that their cross sections are consistent with the observed number of components. The alternative possibility is considered that SNRs do not enter the radiative phase before escaping from the Galaxy or colliding with neighboring remnants.

Cowie, L. L.↗

Flying qualities of an aircraft with strong lateral-directional coupling

Flying qualities of aircraft with strong lateral-directional coupling may be unsatisfactory without command and stability augmentation. Although sensitivity to stability derivative variation may be decreased by such a flight control system (FCS), deficiencies associated with control derivative uncertainty may persist or worsen. This is especially true in systems with necessarily high gains, e.g., the Space Shuttle Entry FCS. Effects of stability/control derivative variations on the flying qualities of the Space Shuttle (with and without FCS) have been investigated, and the unaugmented Space Shuttle has been simulated in flight using Princeton's Variable-Response Research Aircraft (VRA).

Stengel, R. F.↗

Coordinated photometric and spectroscopic observations of strong extragalactic 90 GHz sources

Nearly simultaneous radio and infrared-optical observations were obtained for several extragalactic radio sources which are strong at 90 GHz. The spectral-flux distributions are generally peaked or flat over the radio portion of the spectrum with a steeper, power-law behavior at infrared-optical frequencies. For all sources, the radio and infrared-optical portions of the spectral-flux distributions can be smoothly joined by physically sensible interpolations over the spectral gap, although spectral breaks are required. For many of the sources, this is consistent with a common (synchrotron) origin of the radio, millimeter, and infrared-optical radiation. However, proof, in terms of correlated temporal variations and polarization properties, is still generally lacking.

Odell, S. L.↗

An experiment to verify that the weak interactions satisfy the strong equivalence principle

The construction of a clock based on the beta decay process is proposed to test for any violations by the weak interaction of the strong equivalence principle bu determining whether the weak interaction coupling constant beta is spatially constant or whether it is a function of gravitational potential (U). The clock can be constructed by simply counting the beta disintegrations of some suitable source. The total number of counts are to be taken a measure of elapsed time. The accuracy of the clock is limited by the statistical fluctuations in the number of counts, N, which is equal to the square root of N. Increasing N gives a corresponding increase in accuracy. A source based on the electron capture process can be used so as to avoid low energy electron discrimination problems. Solid state and gaseous detectors are being considered. While the accuracy of this type of beta decay clock is much less than clocks based on the electromagnetic interaction, there is a corresponding lack of knowledge of the behavior of beta as a function of gravitational potential. No predictions from nonmetric theories as to variations in beta are available as yet, but they may occur at the U/sg C level.

Eby, P. B.↗

Strong thin membrane structure

A continuous process is described for producing strong lightweight structures for use as solar sails for spacecraft propulsion by radiation pressure. A thin reflective coating, such as aluminum, is applied to a rotating cylinder. A nylon mesh, applied over the aluminum coating, is then coated with a polymerizing material such as a para-xylylene monomer gas to polymerize as a film bound to the mesh and the aluminum. An emissivity increasing material such as chromium or silicon monoxide is applied to the polymer film to disperse such material colloidally into the growing polymer film, or to the final polymer film. The resulting membrane structure is then removed from the cylinder. Alternately, the membrane structure can be formed by etching a substrate in the form of an organic film such as a polymide, or a metal foil, to remove material from the substrate and reduce its thickness. A thin reflective coating (aluminum) is applied on one side of the substrate, and an emissivity increasing coating is applied on the reverse side of the substrate.

Frazer, R. E.↗

Kinetic energy budget during strong jet stream activity over the eastern United States

Kinetic energy budgets are computed during a cold air outbreak in association with strong jet stream activity over the eastern United States. The period is characterized by large generation of kinetic energy due to cross-contour flow. Horizontal export and dissipation of energy to subgrid scales of motion constitute the important energy sinks. Rawinsonde data at 3 and 6 h intervals during a 36 h period are used in the analysis and reveal that energy fluctuations on a time scale of less than 12 h are generally small even though the overall energy balance does change considerably during the period in conjunction with an upper level trough which moves through the region. An error analysis of the energy budget terms suggests that this major change in the budget is not due to random errors in the input data but is caused by the changing synoptic situation. The study illustrates the need to consider the time and space scales of associated weather phenomena in interpreting energy budgets obtained through use of higher frequency data.

Fuelberg, H. E.↗

Strongly turbulent stabilization of electron beam-plasma interactions

The stabilization of electron beam interactions due to strongly turbulent nonlinearities is studied analytically and numerically for a wide range of plasma parameters. A fluid mode coupling code is described in which the effects of electron and ion Landau damping and linear growth due to the energetic electron beam are included in a phenomenological manner. Stabilization of the instability is found to occur when the amplitudes of the unstable modes exceed the threshold of the oscillating two-stream instability. The coordinate space structure of the turbulent spectrum which results clearly shows that soliton-like structures are formed by this process. Phenomenological models of both the initial stabilization and the asymptotic states are developed. Scaling laws between the beam-plasma growth rate and the fluctuations in the fields and plasma density are found in both cases, and shown to be in good agreement with the results of the simulation.

Freund, H. P.↗

Unsteady transonic small disturbance theory with strong shock waves

A theory to correct the transonic small disturbance (TSD) equation to treat strong shock waves in unsteady flow is developed. The technique involves the addition of higher order terms, which are formally of negligible magnitude, to the low frequency TSD equation. These terms are then chosen such that any shock waves in the flow have strengths approximately equal to the appropriate Rankine-Hugoniot shock strength. Two correcting approaches are investigated. The first is to derive a correction for the mean steady flow and then simply use this corrected form for oscillatory flows. The second is to derive a correction for both steady and oscillatory parts of the flow. This second development is the most satisfactory and comparisons of the present results with Euler equation results are generally favorable, particularly regarding shock location, although there are some discrepancies in the pressure distribution in the leading edge region.

Kerlick, G. D.↗

Anisotropic magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in a strong external magnetic field

A strong external dc magnetic field introduces a basic anisotropy into incompressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. The modifications that this is likely to produce in the properties of the turbulence are explored for the high Reynolds number case. The conclusion is reached that the turbulent spectrum splits into two parts: an essentially two dimensional spectrum with both the velocity field and magnetic fluctuations perpendicular to the dc magnetic field, and a generally weaker and more nearly isotropic spectrum of Alfven waves. A minimal characterization of the spectral density tensors is given. Similarities to measurements from the Culham-Harwell Zeta pinch device and the UCLA Macrotor Tokamak are remarked upon, as are certain implications for the Belcher and Davis measurements of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in the solar wind.

Montgomery, D.↗

Strong Langmuir turbulence in one and two dimensions

A comparison of one- and two-dimensional simulations of the strong turbulence evolution of Lagmuir waves such as would be generated by the kinetic beam-plasma instability is reported. It is shown that the initial formation of the localized fields is one dimensional.

Rowland, H. L.↗