Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “population”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Potential Signature of Population III Pair-instability Supernova Ejecta in the BLR Gas of the Most Distant Quasar at z = 7.54*

The search for Population III stars has fascinated and eluded astrophysicists for decades. One promising place for capturing evidence of their presence must be high-redshift objects; signatures should be recorded in their characteristic chemical abundances. We deduce the Fe and Mg abundances of the broadline region (BLR) from the intensities of ultraviolet Mg ii and Fe ii emission lines in the near-infrared spectrum of UKIDSS Large Area Survey (ULAS) J1342+0928 at z = 7.54, by advancing our novel flux-to-abundance conversion method developed for quasars up to z ~ 3. We find that the BLR of this quasar is extremely enriched, by a factor of 20 relative to the solar Fe abundance, together with a very low Mg/Fe abundance ratio: [Fe/H] = +1.36 ± 0.19 and [Mg/Fe] =-1.11 ± 0.12, only 700 million years after the Big Bang. We conclude that such an unusual abundance feature cannot be explained by the standard view of chemical evolution that considers only the contributions from canonical supernovae. While there remains uncertainty in the high-mass end of the Population III initial mass function, here we propose that the larger amount of iron in ULAS J1342+0928 was supplied by a pair-instability supernova (PISN) caused by the explosion of a massive Population III star in the high-mass end of the possible range of 150–300 M ⊙ . Chemical evolution models based on initial PISN enrichment well explain the trend in [Mg/Fe]-z all the way from z < 3 to z = 7.54. We predict that stars with very low [Mg/Fe] at all metallicities are hidden in the galaxy, and they will be efficiently discovered by ongoing new-generation photometric surveys.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Constraints on Populations of Neutrino Sources from Searches in the Directions of IceCube Neutrino Alerts

Beginning in 2016, the IceCube Neutrino Observatory has sent out alerts in real time containing the information of high-energy ($E$ ≳ 100 TeV) neutrino candidate events with moderate to high (≳30%) probability of astrophysical origin. In this work, we use a recent catalog of such alert events, which, in addition to events announced in real time, includes events that were identified retroactively and covers the time period of 2011–2020. We also search for additional, lower-energy neutrinos from the arrival directions of these IceCube alerts. We show how performing such an analysis can constrain the contribution of rare populations of cosmic neutrino sources to the diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux. After searching for neutrino emission coincident with these alert events on various timescales, we find no significant evidence of either minute-scale or day-scale transient neutrino emission or of steady neutrino emission in the direction of these alert events. This study also shows how numerous a population of neutrino sources has to be to account for the complete astrophysical neutrino flux. Assuming that sources have the same luminosity, an $E$ -2.5 neutrino spectrum, and number densities that follow star formation rates, the population of sources has to be more numerous than 7 × 10 -9 Mpc -3 . This number changes to 3 × 10 -7 Mpc -3 if number densities instead have no cosmic evolution.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Find the Gap: Black Hole Population Analysis with an Astrophysically Motivated Mass Function

We introduce a novel black hole mass function that realistically models the physics of pair-instability supernovae with a minimal number of parameters. Applying this to all events in the LIGO-Virgo Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog 2 (GWTC-2), we detect a peak at M BHMG = 46$^{+17}_{-6}$ M ⊙ . Repeating the analysis without the black holes from the event GW190521, we find this feature at M BHMG =54± 6 M ⊙ . These results establish the edge of the anticipated "black hole mass gap" at a value compatible with the expectation from standard stellar structure theory. The mass gap manifests itself as a discontinuity in the mass function and is populated by a distinct, less-abundant population of higher-mass black holes. We find that the primary black hole population scales with power-law index -1.95 ± 0.51 (-1.97 ± 0.44) with (without) GW190521, consistent with models of star formation. Using Bayesian techniques, we establish that our mass function fits a new catalog of black hole masses approximately as well as pre-existing phenomenological mass functions. We also remark on the implications of these results for constraining or discovering new phenomena in nuclear and particle physics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

The Effects of Dark Matter and Baryonic Physics on the Milky Way Subhalo Population in the Presence of the Large Magellanic Cloud

Given recent developments in our understanding of the Large Magellanic Cloud's (LMC) impact on the Milky Way's (MW) dark matter subhalo population, we compare the signatures of dark matter and baryonic physics on subhalos in MW systems with realistic LMC analogs. In particular, we study the effects of self-interacting dark matter~(SIDM), warm dark matter (WDM), and the Galactic disk on the peak maximum circular velocity ($V_{\mathrm{peak}}$) function, radial distribution, and spatial distribution of MW and LMC-associated subhalos using cosmological dark matter-only zoom-in simulations of MW+LMC systems. For a fixed abundance of subhalos expected to host dwarf galaxies ($V_{\mathrm{peak}}\gtrsim 20\ \mathrm{km\ s}^{-1}$), SIDM and WDM can produce a similar mass-dependent suppression of the subhalo $V_{\mathrm{peak}}$ function, while disk disruption is mass independent. Subhalos in the inner regions of the MW are preferentially disrupted by both self-interactions and the disk, while suppression in WDM is radially independent. The relative abundance of LMC-associated subhalos is not strongly affected by disk disruption or WDM, but is significantly suppressed in SIDM due to self-interactions with the LMC at early times and with the MW during LMC infall at late times, erasing spatial anisotropy in the MW subhalo population. Furthermore, these results provide avenues to distinguish dark matter and baryonic physics by combining properties of the MW and LMC subhalo populations probed by upcoming observations of satellite galaxies and stellar streams.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1972

A new upper limit to the local population II density.

An upper limit to the local population II density is derived, in terms of the mass-luminosity ratio, on the basis of U, B, and V photometric observations of several thousand stars with V magnitudes between 12 and 18 in a region near the North Galactic Pole. The photographic and photoelectric photometry and the reduction procedures are discussed. Models of the density distribution and luminosity function of the population II stars are used to predict their distribution in color and apparent magnitude. The derived local density of population II is found to be significantly lower than previous estimates. Possible causes for this discrepancy are considered.

Weistrop, D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Results on the two population feature selection problem using probability of correct classification as a criterion

Variational equations are presented for maximizing the probability of correct classification as a function of a 1xn feature selection matrix B for the two-population problem. For the special case of equal covariance matrices the optimal B is unique up to scalar multiples and rank one sufficient. For equal population means, the best 1xn B is an eigenvector corresponding either to the largest or smallest eigenvalue of sigma sub 2 to the minus 1 power sigma sub 1 where sigma sub 1 and sigma sub 2 are the nxn covariance matrices of the two populations. The transformed probability of correct classification depends only on the eigenvalue. Finally, a procedure is proposed for constructing an optimal or nearly optimal kxn matrix of rank k without solving the k-dimensional variational equation.

Peters, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Microcrater populations on Apollo 17 rocks

Approximately 6000 microcraters were investigated using binocular microscope techniques on Apollo 17 rocks 70215, 72215, 72235, 72395, 72435, 73216, 73218, 73275, 74275, 76135, 76136, and 79155. The crater populations observed have identical characteristics to those obtained from previous missions. Special emphasis was placed on assessing the influence of target properties on the observable crater populations. Although these properties cannot be quantitatively evaluated at present, the empirical results indicate that crater populations on glass, breccia, and crystalline rock surfaces may differ fundamentally. As a consequence, lunar surface exposure ages of individual rocks based on micrometeoroid craters may be subject to criticism.

Schneider, E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Crater populations in the early history of Mercury

Crater populations on two major geologic units of Mercury have been classified into three morphologic types which characterize their state of degradation. The results indicate that one or more processes either prior to or contemporary with the formation of the 1300-km-diameter Caloris Planitia reduced the population of fresh craters smaller than 70 to 80 km in diameter and totally erased the population of fresh craters smaller than 20 to 30 km.

Guest, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

New galactic population class

It has been found that galactic gamma rays come from regions in which molecular hydrogen is dense and in which 'population I' objects are predominantly found. An interpretation of the existence of such regions leads to a proposal for a change in the Baade classification scheme. 'Population I' is to include all the objects associated with the H2 clouds. A new class, 'population 0' is to refer to the regions, relatively richer in atomic hydrogen, which lie further from the galactic center.

Stecker, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Meteorological limits on the growth and development of screwworm populations

A program to evaluate the use of remotely sensed data as an additional tool in existing and projected efforts to eradicate the screwworm began in 1973. Estimating weather conditions by use of remotely sensed data was part of the study. Next, the effect of weather on screwworm populations was modeled. A significant portion of the variation in screwworm population growth and development has been traced to weather-related parameters. This report deals with the salient points of the weather and the screwworm population interaction.

Phinney, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Observations of two distinct populations of bow shock ions in the upstream solar wind

Observations upstream of the earth's bow shock with the LASL/MPI fast plasma experiments on ISEE 1 and 2 reveal the presence of two distinct and mutually exclusive populations of low energy (no more than 40 keV) ions apparently accelerated at the bow shock. The first of these, the 'reflected' population, is characterized by (1) sharply peaked spectra seldom extending much above about 10 keV/ion and (2) relatively collimated flow coming from the direction of the shock. On the other hand, the 'diffuse' ions are distinguished by relatively flat energy spectra above about 10 keV and broad angular distributions. They are by far the most commonly observed upstream ion event. A close causal association is suggested between the diffuse ion population in the upstream solar wind and energetic plasma ions observed within the magnetosheath.

Gosling, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Satellite-aided evaluation of population exposure to air pollution

The evaluation of population exposure to air pollution through the computer processing of Landsat digital land use data, along with total suspended particulate estimates and population data by census tracts, is demonstrated. Digital image processing was employed to analyze simultaneously data from Landsat MSS bands 4 through 7 in order to extract land use and land cover information. The three data sets were spatially registered in a digital format, compatible with integrated computer processing, and cross-tabulated. A map illustrating relative air quality by 2-sq km cells for the residential population in the Portland, Oregon area is obtained.

Todd, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Crater populations on Ganymede and Callisto

Voyager 1 observations reveal heavily cratered surfaces on Ganymede and Callisto which suggest that a period of heavy bombardment occurred in the outer solar system. The overall crater density on Ganymede indicates that the oldest regions began recording the observed crater population at a later time than Callisto. A diameter-dependent loss of craters from 10-40 km occurs on Ganymede and may be due to ice formation or the formation of arcuate troughs. Evidence is given which suggests that the population of bodies responsible for the period of late heavy bombardment in the inner solar system is very different from that responsible for the late heavy bombardment in the outer solar system. In addition, it is postulated that Ganymede and Callisto may principally record a population of bodies that never penetrated the inner solar system in numbers great enough to leave a recognizable signature.

Strom, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Stellar populations in local group dwarf elliptical galaxies. II - NGC 205

NGC 205, a dwarf elliptical companion of M31, was studied using deep CCD photometry on the VRI system. Consideration is given to a comparison between the giant branch and the Galactic globular clusters, the degree of chemical enrichment in the outer parts of NGC 204, and the setting of constraints on the stellar population of NGC 205. Should the distance of the galaxy be that of M31, this field's stellar population is extremely old. If star formation in NGC 205 is a recurring phenomenon, it is confined to the interior of the galaxy. Should the stellar population of NGC 205 be as old as Galactic globular clusters, its distance modulus is 24.3 + or - 0.2. The giant branch location corresponds to a mean metallicity greater than or equal to -0.9 + or - 0.2, and a metallicity dispersion is determined to be sigma greater than or equal to 0.5 dex. Also noted is that the color distribution at a given luminosity appears to be positively skewed.

Mould, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Intense low-energy ion populations at low equatorial altitudes

The ISEE 1 satellite trajectory often passed through the magnetospheric region during the time from November 1977 to April 1978. On every occasion, the medium energy particles instrument (MEPI) of the satellite recorded an intense ion population in a region corresponding to low equatorial altitudes. An intensity peak was observed in the lowest MEPI energy channel. A comparison of high bit rate MEPI data with simultaneous data from the LEPEDEA plasma instrument on Nov. 29, 1977 1930-2000 UT shows additional peaks in the ion population existing in the L of 2 to at least 4. In the present report, data characterizing these ion populations are presented, and implications are discussed in terms of source and loss mechanisms.

Williams, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The hidden ion population - Revisited

In an investigation conducted by Olsen (1982) on the basis of particle data taken with an electrostatic analyzer, it was found that a cold plasma population with a density between 10 and 100 per cu cm appeared suddenly when the satellite was eclipsed, but was hidden in sunlight. The present paper has the objective to show further measurements of ordinarily 'hidden' ion populations, in order to resolve some of the questions raised in connection with the Scatha satellite data reported by Olsen. It is found that the retarding ion mass spectrometer (RIMS) detector is capable of measuring the core of the plasma distribution in sunlight and eclipse, though the task is more easily done in eclipse. There are, however, limitations concerning the ability of the detector to measure all the plasma, all the time. It is, therefore, pointed out that continuous effective measurements of the 'hidden' ion population of the magnetosphere still awaits satellites with effective means of potential control.

Olsen, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Supernova nucleosynthesis in low-metallicity populations

The mass loss rate in low-metallicity stars is discussed, and the consequences of that rate for the fate of such stars are considered. It is shown that, if radiation pressure on dust is important in driving the mass loss from red giants, and if these stars do not dredge up large amounts of processed material during their evolution, then the total amount of mass lost by Population II stars with low metallicity is small. Consequently, the rate of supernovae in populations of low metallicity is much higher than in populations of solar abundances. This conclusion leads to the prediction that the supernova rate should be high in galaxies that have some intermediate mass stars and have metallicity less than about 0.1 of the solar value.

Jura, M.↗