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At least 271 records · Page 15

The Zwicky Transient Facility Bright Transient Survey. III. BTSbot: Automated Identification and Follow-up of Bright Transients with Deep Learning

Abstract The Bright Transient Survey (BTS) aims to obtain a classification spectrum for all bright ( m peak ≤ 18.5 mag) extragalactic transients found in the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) public survey. BTS critically relies on visual inspection (“scanning”) to select targets for spectroscopic follow-up, which, while effective, has required a significant time investment over the past ∼5 yr of ZTF operations. We present BTSbot , a multimodal convolutional neural network, which provides a bright transient score to individual ZTF detections using their image data and 25 extracted features. BTSbot is able to eliminate the need for daily human scanning by automatically identifying and requesting spectroscopic follow-up observations of new bright transient candidates. BTSbot recovers all bright transients in our test split and performs on par with scanners in terms of identification speed (on average, ∼1 hr quicker than scanners). We also find that BTSbot is not significantly impacted by any data shift by comparing performance across a concealed test split and a sample of very recent BTS candidates. BTSbot has been integrated into Fritz and Kowalski , ZTF’s first-party marshal and alert broker, and now sends automatic spectroscopic follow-up requests for the new transients it identifies. Between 2023 December and 2024 May, BTSbot selected 609 sources in real time, 96% of which were real extragalactic transients. With BTSbot and other automation tools, the BTS workflow has produced the first fully automatic end-to-end discovery and classification of a transient, representing a significant reduction in the human time needed to scan.

Rehemtulla, Nabeel (ORCID:0000000256832389)↗

Measurements of Scatter Peaks in 137 Cs and 60 Co Sources

Results from tests of radiation detection instruments with radionuclide identification capabilities will depend on the sources used for the tests. Radionuclide identification detectors are designed to measure photons and provide an identification of the source being measured. High-resolution spectra need to be acquired to determine all the observable peaks in the source spectra before testing these types of instruments. These peaks may be due to impurities and/or scatter peaks in the sources. This paper discusses the issues encountered with the response of a radioisotope identification device due to scatter peaks in one type of source used for testing. In addition, it provides spectra for different source types and source constructions to compare the differences in scatter, allowing for a better source type selection for instrument testing.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Apollo 15 X-ray fluorescence experiment

The X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, carried in the SIM bay of the command service module was employed principally for compositional mapping of the lunar surface while in lunar orbit, and secondarily, for X-ray astronomical observations during the trans-earth coast. The lunar surface measurements involved observations of the intensity and characteristics energy distribution of the secondary or fluorescent X-rays produced by the interaction of solar X-rays with the lunar surface. The astronomical observations consisted of relatively long periods of measurements of X-rays from pre-selected galactic sources such as Cyg-X-1 and Sco X-1 as well as from the galactic poles.

Adler, I.↗

Electromagnetic compatibility fundamentals applied to spacecraft radio communication systems

A design guide for minimizing electromagnetic interference in aerospace communication equipment for ground stations is presented. Specifically treated are the mechanisms of generating unwanted radio emissions that may affect station operations as well as other communications services, the mechanisms by which sensitive receivers become susceptible to interference, means for reducing interference, standard methods of measurement, and the problems of site selection. The sources of interference are viewed primarily as originating from communications transmitters aboard spacecraft and aircraft, ground transmitters within and outside the ground stations, and other electrical sources on the ground that are not intended to radiate.

Haber, F.↗

Holography utilizing surface plasmon resonances

A holographic recording medium with a substrate which has a diffraction grating composed of a number of spaced line ridges on the surface is discussed. The first layer consists of a metal with a plasma wavelength shorter than that of the selected light source. A second layer, or coating, on top of the first layer consists of a thin film of photosensitive emulsion. A diagram of the device is provided. The principles of operation are explained.

Cowan, J. J.↗

Performance of DSS 13 26-m antenna at X-band

The X-band low-noise antenna (XLA) measurement feedcone was operated on the DSS 13 26-m antenna at Goldstone, California, during June 1975 to evaluate, primarily, the overall system efficiency. Radio sources were selected, commonly accepted values of flux density established, and measurements completed, and some conclusions were drawn. The antenna system presently suffers from poor pointing stability. On the other hand, the previously welded and rebolted main reflector has remained quite stable over a period of approximately 5 years.

Freiley, A. J.↗

LACIE performance predictor FOC users manual

The LACIE Performance Predictor (LPP) is a computer simulation of the LACIE process for predicting worldwide wheat production. The simulation provides for the introduction of various errors into the system and provides estimates based on these errors, thus allowing the user to determine the impact of selected error sources. The FOC LPP simulates the acquisition of the sample segment data by the LANDSAT Satellite (DAPTS), the classification of the agricultural area within the sample segment (CAMS), the estimation of the wheat yield (YES), and the production estimation and aggregation (CAS). These elements include data acquisition characteristics, environmental conditions, classification algorithms, the LACIE aggregation and data adjustment procedures. The operational structure for simulating these elements consists of the following key programs: (1) LACIE Utility Maintenance Process, (2) System Error Executive, (3) Ephemeris Generator, (4) Access Generator, (5) Acquisition Selector, (6) LACIE Error Model (LEM), and (7) Post Processor.

Source record↗

Quarterly literature review of the remote sensing of natural resources

The Technology Application Center reviewed abstracted literature sources, and selected document data and data gathering techniques which were performed or obtained remotely from space, aircraft or groundbased stations. All of the documentation was related to remote sensing sensors or the remote sensing of the natural resources. Sensors were primarily those operating within the 10 to the minus 8 power to 1 meter wavelength band. Included are NASA Tech Briefs, ARAC Industrial Applications Reports, U.S. Navy Technical Reports, U.S. Patent reports, and other technical articles and reports.

Fears, C. B.↗

Interplanetary scintillation at large elongation angles - Response to solar wind density structure

Synoptic interplanetary scintillation (IPS) index measurements at 34.3 MHz were obtained during May-December 1974 by means of the University of Iowa Cocoa Cross radiotelescope on a 'grid' of 150 selected radio sources covering solar elongation angles up to 180 deg. Over 80 of these sources displayed definite IPS, and the solar elongation dependence of the 34.3-MHz IPS index is consistent with the elongation of angle dependence measured at higher frequencies. Large enhancements of the IPS index are found to coincide with solar wind (proton) density increases greater than 10/cu cm. Correlation analysis confirms the IPS response to solar wind density and indicates that the events are due primarily to the corotating solar wind turbulent plasma structures which dominated the interplanetary medium during 1974.

Erskine, F. T.↗

Fire tests for airplane interior materials

Large scale, simulated fire tests of aircraft interior materials were carried out in salvaged airliner fuselage. Two "design" fire sources were selected: Jet A fuel ignited in fuselage midsection and trash bag fire. Comparison with six established laboratory fire tests show that some laboratory tests can rank materials according to heat and smoke production, but existing tests do not characterize toxic gas emissions accurately. Report includes test parameters and test details.

Tustin, E. A.↗

Unidentified point sources in the IRAS minisurvey

Nine bright, point-like 60 micron sources have been selected from the sample of 8709 sources in the IRAS minisurvey. These sources have no counterparts in a variety of catalogs of nonstellar objects. Four objects have no visible counterparts, while five have faint stellar objects visible in the error ellipse. These sources do not resemble objects previously known to be bright infrared sources.

Houck, J. R.↗

DIRBE External Calibrator (DEC)

Under NASA Contract No. NAS5-28185, the Center for Space Engineering at Utah State University has produced a calibration instrument for the Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE). DIRBE is one of the instruments aboard the Cosmic Background Experiment Observatory (COBE). The calibration instrument is referred to as the DEC (Dirbe External Calibrator). DEC produces a steerable, infrared beam of controlled spectral content and intensity and with selectable point source or diffuse source characteristics, that can be directed into the DIRBE to map fields and determine response characteristics. This report discusses the design of the DEC instrument, its operation and characteristics, and provides an analysis of the systems capabilities and performance.

Wyatt, Clair L.↗

The prevalence of supernova remnants among unidentified Galactic radio sources

Nine Galactic radio sources were mapped to identify new Crab-like and composite supernova remnants. The sources were selected on the basis of existing stringent upper limits on their hydrogen recombination line fluxes. One new Cracb-like remnant, one new composite remnant, at least one, and probably two, new shell-like remnants, and a compact H II region were found, along with the expected collection of extragalactic objects. The results suggest that there are several hundred SNRs in the Galaxy which are detectable with current instruments, but which have yet to be identified.

Helfand, David J.↗

Controlled Ecological Life Support System

The NASA CELLS program is based upon the integration of biological and physiochemical processes in order to produce a system that will produce food, a breathable atmosphere, and potable water from metabolic and other wastes. The CELSS concept is described and a schematic system diagram is provided. Central to the CELSS concept is the Plant Growth Chamber, where green plant photosynthesis produces food, and aids in the production of oxygen and water. Progress to date at the Breadboard Facility at the Kennedy Space Center is summarized. The Breadboard Facility will implement the basic techniques and processes required for a CELSS based on photosynthetic plant growth in a ground-based system of practical size and results will be extrapolated to predict the performance of a full-sized system. Current available technology and near-future forecasts for plant growth techniques (focusing on maximum productivity), food sources (to select optimal CELSS plants), and waste management and contaminant control are discussed.

Averner, Maurice M.↗

Structure and functions of simple membrane-water interfaces

The structure and functions of the earliest ancestors of contemporary cells are focal points in studies of the origin of life. Probably the first cell-like structures were vesicles - closed, spheroidal structures with aqueous medium trapped inside. The membranous walls of vesicles were most likely bilayers composed of simple amphiphilic material available on early earth. The membrane studied was composed of glycerol 1-monooleate (GMO). Glycerol forms the polar head group and the oily tail contains 18 carbon atoms. All head groups have been found to be located in two narrow regions at the interfaces with water. The membrane interior, formed by the hydrophobic tails, is quite fluid with chain disorder increasing towards the center of the bilayer. These results are in agreement with x-ray and neutron scattering data from related bilayers. The width of the membrane is not constant, but fluctuates in time and space. Occasional thinning defects in the membrane, observed during the course of the simulations, may have a significant influence on rates of passive transport of small molecules across membranes. It has been found that water penetrates the head group region but not the oily interior of the membrane. Water molecules near the interface are oriented by dipoles of the head groups. The resulting electrostatic potential across the interface, determined in our simulations, has been found to be markedly larger than across the water-oil interface. This quantity has been implicated as the source of selectivity, with respect to the sign of the charge, as an ion approaches the interface and during transport of hydrophobic ions across membranes.

Pohorille, A.↗

Temporal and Spectral Studies of Seyfert Nuclei

The results of the proposal to (1) carry out data analysis of some carefully selected Seyfert sources, and (2) construct physical models for radiation from these objects and carry out comparison with the observed data are reported.

Tsuruta, Sachiko↗