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At least 307 records · Page 17

Solar cosmic ray effects in the lower ionosphere

The polar cap absorption (PCA) events are the most remarkable geophysical phenomena in the high latitude ionosphere. Their effects are extended on the whole polar region in both hemispheres. The PCA events are caused by the intense fluxes of the solar cosmic rays (SCR) which are generated by the solar proton flares. Entering into the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere the SCR fluxes create excessive anomal ionization at the ionospheric heights of 50 to 100 km which exceeds usual undisturbed level of ionization in several orders of magnitude. The PCA events can be considered as catastrophic in relation to the polar ionosphere because all radio systems using ionospheric radio channels ceased to operate during these events. On the other hand the abnormally high level of ionization in the ionospheric D region during the PCA events create excellent opportunities to conduct fruitful aeronomical research for the lower ionosphere. Obvious scientific and practical importance of the PCA events leads to publishing of special PCA catalogues. The ionospheric effects caused by the SCR fluxes were profoundly described in the classical paper (Bailey, 1964). Nevertheless several aspects of this problem were not studied properly. An attempt is made to clarify these questions.

Shirochkov, A. V.↗

Northern dwarf and low surface brightness galaxies. I - The Arecibo neutral hydrogen survey

Neutral hydrogen observations of a large sample of dwarf and other low surface brightness galaxies are presented. Nearly all galaxies classified in the Uppsala General Catalogue as dwarf, irregular, Sd-m, or later and in the declination range of the Arecibo telescope have now been observed; here observations for 762 galaxies are reported. About 40 percent of these galaxies have no previously published detections. In total, counting previous detections, over 90 percent of these late-type systems are detected at Arecibo. The galaxies are examined for potential confusion with nearby galaxies, and substantially better SNR are derived for many previously detected galaxies.

Schneider, Stephen E.↗

Far infrared structure of spiral galaxies from the IRAS CPC images

Significant extended far infrared (50 micron and 100 micron) structure was found for five face-on spiral galaxies (NGC2403, M51, M83, NGC6946, and IC342) from fourteen galaxies searched in the Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) chopped photometric channel (CPC) catalogue. Images were initially processed to remove instrumental and background artifacts, the isophotal centroids of each image determined, and multiple images of each galaxy (for each wavelength) superimposed and averaged to improve signal-to-noise. Calibration of these images was performed using IRAS survey array data. Infrared isophotes were then superimposed on optical (blue) images so that direct structural comparisons could be made.

Wainscoat, Richard J.↗

Morphological type correlation between nearest neighbor pairs of galaxies

Although the morphological type of galaxies is one of the most fundamental properties of galaxies, its origin and evolutionary processes, if any, are not yet fully understood. It has been established that the galaxy morphology strongly depends on the environment in which the galaxy resides (e.g., Dressler 1980). Galaxy pairs correspond to the smallest scales of galaxy clustering and may provide important clues to how the environment influences the formation and evolution of galaxies. Several investigators pointed out that there is a tendency for pair galaxies to have similar morphological types (Karachentsev and Karachentseva 1974, Page 1975, Noerdlinger 1979). Here, researchers analyze morphological type correlation for 18,364 nearest neighbor pairs of galaxies identified in the magnetic tape version of the Center for Astrophysics Redshift Catalogue.

Yamagata, Tomohiko↗

Tidal distortions in pairs of early-type galaxies

The authors are conducting an imaging survey of pairs of elliptical galaxies which has already produced interesting results. Some pairs present a common pattern of distortion interpreted in terms of tidal effects (Davoust and Prugniel, 1988; Prugniel et al., 1989). Other examples drawn from the literature (Borne and Hoessel, 1988; Colina and Perez-Fournon, 1990) share the same morphology. New cases and lists of the characteristics of 24 such systems. The authors' pairs are drawn from a sample of binary and multiple galaxies which has in turn been extracted from the CGCG, UGC (Nilson, 1973) and VV (Vorontsov-Velyaminov, 1959) catalogues. This sample includes that of Karachentsev (1972). It contains 1800 pairs, among which 700 are S - S or mixed morphology pairs. The authors are working on the remainder to produce a sample of close physical pairs of elliptical galaxies (they also include bulge dominated SO's since the morphological discrimination from ellipticals is often ambiguous, in particular for interacting galaxies). One of the interests of this work is to provide a sample selected on purely optical criteria, at variance with other works (e.g., Valentijn and Casertano, 1988). This will allow statistical studies of non-optical properties of these pairs (in particular radio emission). The authors have so far obtained charge-coupled device (CCD) images of 125 pairs with a 2m telescope and velocities' differences of 78 pairs were obtained using the 1.93 meter telescope of Observatoire de Haute Provence and from the literature. One is an optical pair (VV 190). Eighteen of our pairs present the morphological effect described in Davoust and Prugniel (1988): the external parts of each member are stretched in opposite senses in a direction rougly perpendicular to the pair axis. The proportion of 15 plus or minus 4 percent distorted pairs confirms previous estimates. Except for a few cases involving flattened galaxies with nearly aligned major axes which deserve careful detailed analysis (Prugniel, 1989), the apparent distortions do correspond to physical distortions. We have searched the literature for isophote maps showing this effect. In the survey of radio galaxies by Colina and Perez-Fournon (1990), 7 out of 20 pairs show this characteristic distortion.

Prugniel, Philippe↗

Radio loud far-infrared galaxies

The first results are presented of a multiwavelength study of Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) galaxies with excess radio emission. The sample was selected by cross correlating the IRAS Faint Source Survey, and the Point Source Catalogue with the Texas radio survey. Recent optical (imaging and spectroscopic) and radio (VLA) observations are discussed. These observations will be used to investigate possible connections between radio galaxy activity, star formation and galaxy interactions.

Dey, Arjun↗

Correlations between environmental parameters and nuclear activity

The occurrence and quantitative properties of Seyfert 1 and Seyfert 2 galaxies as a function of the galaxy environment were studied in a systematic way. For this investigation the authors selected from the Catalogue of Quasars and Active Nuclei (Veron & Veron, 1989) all Seyfert galaxies with the following properties: (1) m sub V less than or equal to 15; (2) listed classification as Sey 1, Sey 2, or Sey 3; (3) v sub rad less than or equal to 20,000 km s(sup -1). This results in a sample size of 242 Seyfert galaxies. For all these objects their galaxy environment was inspected on plates. The vicinity of each sample Seyfert galaxy was searched for companion galaxies out to at least 0.5 Mpc. Lacking redshift information, the authors adopted as a companion galaxy any galaxy in this area having a size between 20 and 200 percent of the Seyfert galaxy size. As an important environmental parameter for Seyfert activity, the authors consider the galaxy density within an environment of 500 kpc radius. They distinguish four density classes: D1: no companion (isolated Seyfert); D2: 1 companion; D3: 2 to 5 companions (group); and D4: less than or equal to 6 companions (dense group). The distribution of the various Seyfert classes among these density classes is listed in tabular form, both in absolute numbers and in percentages (given in brackets). From these statistics the environments of Sey 1, Sey 2, and Sey 3 galaxies do not differ in general with the exception that among the isolated galaxies the Seyfert 1 galaxies dominate conspicuously. No significant dependence of morphological type (de Vaucouleurs T-type) on density class is observed both for Sey 1 and Sey 2 galaxies. On the basis of an extensive search of the Seyfert literature the authors also investigated the dependence of the intrinsic parameters of the sample Seyfert galaxies on density class.

Kollatschny, W.↗

WetNet operations

WetNet is an interdisciplinary Earth science data analysis and research project with an emphasis on the study of the global hydrological cycle. The project goals are to facilitate scientific discussion, collaboration, and interaction among a selected group of investigators by providing data access and data analysis software on a personal computer. The WetNet system fulfills some of the functionality of a prototype Product Generation System (PGS), Data Archive and Distribution System (DADS), and Information Management System for the Distributed Active Archive Center. The PGS functionality is satisfied in WetNet by processing the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) data into a standard format (McIDAS) data sets and generating geophysical parameter Level II browse data sets. The DADS functionality is fulfilled when the data sets are archived on magneto optical cartridges and distributed to the WetNet investigators. The WetNet data sets on the magneto optical cartridges contain the complete WetNet processing, catalogue, and menu software in addition to SSM/I orbit data for the respective two week time period.

Goodman, H. Michael↗

Advanced software development workstation project ACCESS user's guide

ACCESS is a knowledge based software information system designed to assist the user in modifying retrieved software to satisfy user specifications. A user's guide is presented for the knowledge engineer who wishes to create for ACCESS a knowledge base consisting of representations of objects in some software system. This knowledge is accessible to an end user who wishes to use the catalogued software objects to create a new application program or an input stream for an existing system. The application specific portion of an ACCESS knowledge base consists of a taxonomy of object classes, as well as instances of these classes. All objects in the knowledge base are stored in an associative memory. ACCESS provides a standard interface for the end user to browse and modify objects. In addition, the interface can be customized by the addition of application specific data entry forms and by specification of display order for the taxonomy and object attributes. These customization options are described.

Source record↗

Northern dwarf and low surface brightness galaxies. IV - The large-scale space distribution

Results are reported from a statistical analysis of published observational data on a sample of 860 northern dwarf and low-surface-brightness (D/LSB) galaxies with delta = 0 deg or greater and b between -40 and 40 deg, selected from the Uppsala General Catalogue of Galaxies (Nilson et al., 1973). The results are presented in extensive redshift/space maps, histograms, graphs and tables and characterized in detail. It is shown that the distribution of D/LSB galaxies closely resembles that of bright galaxies, apparently ruling out biased-star-formation models predicting a uniform distribution of D/LSBs. Although bright galaxies outside clusters are somewhat more clustered than the H I-rich D/LSBs, the latters' pairwise peculiar velocity (460 + or - 50 km/sec) is similar to that of the former.

Thuan, Trinh X.↗

High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (HIRIS) - A major advance in imaging spectrometry

HIRIS, a facility instrument on the Earth Observing System Platform, will enable scientists to both identify and interpret changes, in the global environment, at a level of detail unavailable with previous instrumentation. This instrument will make localized measurements of biological, ecological, climatological, hydrological, and geological properties, and, with its finer wavelength sampling and full spectral coverage over the wavelength region of interest, will allow these properties to be identified and studied quantitatively from space. The data obtained will be downlinked from space, processed, catalogued, stored in active archives for easy access, and distributed to users.

Rockey, Donald E.↗

Multi-terabyte image storage and distribution for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope

The modular architecture, functionality, and key components of the Hubble Space Telescope Data Archive Distribution Service (DADS) are presented. DADS functions comprise archive management, catalog management, and user interface. The distributed modular architecture utilized is made up of four subsystems, including the archive, host, catalog, and the Science Operations ground System/DADS Interface Processor. All data generated by the HST are archived in DADS on 12-in. optical disks. DADS is a permanent archive with a data capacity of 30 terabytes that can be expanded to 68 terabytes. Supplementary information and stellar observations will be instantly accessible through DADS, which can collect and archive more than 3 gigabytes per day of image and support data over the lifetime of the HST. Electronic and physical media will be accessible through 140 network connections, with a catalogue to assist in data set selection.

Weller, H. W., Jr.↗

Cross-correlation of the X-ray background with nearby galaxies

The detection of a signal in the cross-correlation of the diffuse 2-10 keV HEAO 1 A-2 X-ray surface brightness with the galaxy surface density derived from diameter-limited samples from the Uppsala General Catalogue is reported. An ad hoc relationship between the X-ray flux and the galaxy counts is used to estimate the local X-ray volume emissivity at 2.8 + or - 1.0 x 10 to the 38th ergs/s/cu Mpc. This result implies that unevolved populations of X-ray sources correlated with present-epoch galaxies can contribute only 13 + or - 5 percent of the cosmic X-ray background.

Jahoda, Keith↗

Ultrasoft x ray bursts: A clue to the origin of gamma ray bursts?

A search was conducted for short timescale (less than or approx. 10 s) faint X ray bursts in the complete 201,000,000 photon Einstein Observatory imaging proportional counter (IPC) data base. Some 73,000,000 events were extracted which were distributed among 11,230 observing intervals with an average observing time of approx. 1400 seconds. To exclude all sources, only those spatial pixels were searched with a count rate less than 6 x 10(exp -4) counts/sec sq arcmin. The mean count rate was much less. All files with less than 400 secs of observing time were excluded. The data was then binned into overlapping cells 4'.3 by 4'.3 by 10 secs in volume, and all the space-time cells were searched to locate cells with more than 5 counts in a 10 sec interval; i.e., a minimum flux enhancement of 50 over the mean rate for that point in space. Some 52 such events were found. An annulus was inspected around the event to see if it coincided with a general rise in the counter's event rate. Ten events did coincide with counter phenomena; these were associated with sunrise, sunset, or the approach of the South Atlantic Anomaly and were excluded. The remaining 42 events were then examined in an attempt to associate them with instrumental or environmental artifacts. The event occurrence times are uniformly distributed over the course of the mission and show no correlation with local solar time; their positions are randomly distributed in geographic, Galactic, and celestial coordinates. Their summed radial distribution is consistent with the point response function of the IPC for a soft source, indicating that the events are focused by the Observatory's mirror system. The integrated spectrum is, indeed, quite soft and is very similar to that of the cataclysmic variable star U Gem in outburst. Most of the events have risetimes of less than or approx. 1 sec and decay times ranging from 1 to 20 sec. Their positions are not associated with any class of catalogued objects. Several possible origins are discussed for the events; if they are associated with gamma ray bursters, they provide interesting constraints on the space density and repetition rate of the underlying source population.

Helfand, D. J.↗

LDEF experiment M0003 meteoroid and debris survey

A survey of the meteoroid and space debris impacts on LDEF experiment M0003 was performed. The purpose was to document impact phenomenology and to obtain impact crater data for comparison to current debris and micrometeoroid models. The survey consists of photomicrographs of significant impacts in a variety of material types, accurate measurements of impact crater coordinates and dimensions for selected experiment surfaces and data basing of the crater data for reduction, manipulation, and comparison models. Large area surfaces which were studied include the experiment power and data system sunshields, environment exposure control canister sunshields, and the M0003 signal conditioning unit covers. Crater diameters down to 25 microns were measured and catalogued. Both leading and trailing edge surfaces were studied and compared. The results shows the different response of materials to hypervelocity impacts. Comparison of the data to curves derived from the Kessler debris model and the Cour-Palais micrometeoroid model indicates a marked tendency for overprediction of small impacts and underprediction of large impacts with there being better agreement for the medium sized impacts. Representative impact data is presented.

Meshishnek, M. J.↗

The Earth Observing System Data and Information System

The system is described in terms of the broad context of scientific cooperation and research which are facilitated by the architecture designed and the nature of the generated data. The Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is composed of earth-science and applications data systems which archive global-change data and distribute the information to system users. Several archive centers catalogue selected Pathfinder data sets and generate new data products (such as maps of sea ice, cloud studies, etc.) with consistent calibration of all data. The schedule of three versions of EOSDIS is discussed with reference to the system architecture, programmatic plans, and data policy. The critical issue for EOSDIS is international cooperation to sponsor an infrastructure of global change data of this magnitude for public benefit and scientific research.

Maiden, Martha E.↗

The composite nature of the peculiar star HR 6560 (HD 159870)

Ground-based high-dispersion photographic spectra and ultraviolet spectra obtained with the IUE satellite are described and employed to determine the nature of the peculiar star HR 6560 (HD 159870). Previously this object had been described as both a composite system and as a strong Fm star. The UBVRI, Stromgren, and ultraviolet colors of HR 6560 are compared with objects classified composite from the Bright Star Catalogue and normal dwarfs and giants. The colors of HR 6560 are not unusual for a composite and are consistent with a late-A dwarf, combined with a late-G or early-K giant. The ultraviolet satellite clearly shows the presence of an A component, but its precise spectral type is difficult to assign. The IUE and TD-1 data suggest that the ultraviolet is dominated by light from an A5 V secondary and the visual from a GO III primary. This does not agree well with the most plausible model that fits the visual photometry. The peculiar nature of HR 6560's spectrum is most likely due to its composite nature.

Wegner, Gary↗

Newly identified main-sequence A stars with circumstellar dust

The IRAS Faint Source Survey data base and the ADDSCAN/SCANPI software are used to search for systems with circumstellar dust in two samples: all of the 62 A stars in Woolley's catalog, which lie near the main sequence and are typically within 25 pc of the sun, and all A stars in the Bright Star Catalogue with mV in the range 4-5 and v sin i not less than 100 km/s. In the first sample, 11 nearby A stars having (12)-(25) and (25)-(60) colors consistent with circumstellar dust are found. The analysis of the second sample demonstrates that the use of the FSS data base increases the likelihood of identifying A stars with circumstellar dust fainter than mV = 4. Three more new dusty systems are found in this sample. Beta Pictoris (A5 IV-V) is the only star within 25 pc of the sun that displays IR colors indicative of both warm and cool dust. It is inferred from the absence of cool dust in the vast majority of the systems that the dust disks of these stars are much less extended than that seen around Beta Pictoris.

Cheng, K.-P.↗