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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.

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At least 433 records · Page 24
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Two encounters with the flank low-latitude boundary layer - Further evidence for closed field topology and investigation of the internal structure

The structure of the flank low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) is examined through differential energy spectra and particle angular anisotropies for traversals of the dawn flank (December 19, 1977) and dusk flank (July 7, 1978) during periods of predominantly northward magnetosheath field orientation. Spectra are presented that were obtained from combined ISEE 1 low-energy-proton and electron-differential-energy-analyzer and medium-energy-particle-instrument data extending over the 200-eV/q to 2-MeV energy range for the plasma sheet, stagnation region, outer LLBL, and magnetosheath regions. The stagnation region and the outer LLBL are each a mixture of plasma-sheet and magnetosheath populations, but the stagnation region contains a relatively higher fraction of plasma sheet particles, consistent with its placement earthward of the outer LLBL. Evidence for energization of thermal electrons appears during the dusk flank crossing. Bidirectional field-aligned ion distributions are observed with typically 5-to-1 enhancement of the flux along the magnetic field during certain portions of the dusk flank crossing.

Traver, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Diffuse Gamma-Ray Emission from the Starburst Galaxy NGC 253

The starburst galaxy NGC 253 was observed with the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) aboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) satellite. We obtain a 2 sigma upper limit to the gamma-ray emission above 100 MeV of 8 x 10(exp -8) photons/sq cm/s. Because of their large gas column densities and supernova rates, nearby starburst galaxies were predicted to have gamma-ray fluxes detectable by EGRET. Our nondetection of gamma-rays from NGC 253 motivates us to reexamine in detail the premise of supernova acceleration of cosmic rays and the effect of enhanced cloud densities, photon densities, and magnetic fields on the high-energy spectra of galaxies. By modeling the expected gamma-ray and synchrotron spectra from NGC 253, we find that up to 20% of the energy from supernovae is transferred to cosmic rays in the starburst, which is consistent with supernova acceleration models. Our calculations match the EGRET and radio data well with a supernova rate of 0.08/yr, a magnetic field B greater than or approximately equal to 5 x 10(exp -5) G, a density n approximately 300/cu cm, a photon density U(sub ph) approximately 200 eV/cu cm, and an escape timescale tau(sub o) less than or approximately equal to 10 Myr.

Bertsch, David L.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Penning Ionization Electron Spectroscopy in Glow Discharge: A New Dimension for Gas Chromatography Detectors

Admixtures to helium of 100 ppm and 5 ppm of nitrogen, and 100 ppm and 10 ppm of carbon monoxide were identified and measured in the helium discharge afterglow using an electrical probe placed into the plasma. For nitrogen and carbon monoxide gases, the measured electron energy spectra display distinct characteristic peaks (fingerprints). Location of the peaks on the energy scale is determined by the ionization energies of the analyte molecules. Nitrogen and carbon monoxide fingerprints were also observed in a binary mixture of these gases in helium, and the relative concentration analytes has been predicted. The technically simple and durable method is considered a good candidate for a number of analytical applications, and in particular, in GC and for analytical flight instrumentation.

Sheverev, V. A.↗
NASA NTRS2003

The ATIC Science Flight in 2002-03: Description and Preliminary Results

The Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC) balloon experiment completed a 19.7 day science flight, 29 Dec. 02 to 18 Jan. 03, from McMurdo, Antarctica, yielding 65 Gbytes of science data. The instrument was fully recovered just over the trans-Antarctic mountain range. ATIC is designed to make new measurements of the composition and energy spectra of cosmic rays in the region up to 100 TeV total energy. The flight and the instrument performance are described and compared to the ATIC-1 flight from 2000-01. Although the data from this new flight will not be fully processed and analyzed, some preliminary results are discussed.

Wefel, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS2007

All-Particle Spectrum Measured by the ATIC Experiment

The Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC), a balloon-borne experiment, is designed to investigate the composition and energy spectra of cosmic rays of charge Z = 1 to 26 over the energy range - 10(exp 11) - 10(exp 14) ev. The instrument consists of a silicon matrix charge detector, plastic-scintillator strip hodoscopes interleaved with graphite interaction targets, and an 18 radiation length deep, fully active bismuth germanate (BGO) calorimeter. ATIC has had two successful long duration balloon (LDB) flights launched from McMurdo Station, Antarc't'ica in 2000 and 2002. In this paper, we present the all-particle spectrum extracted from data collected during the ATIC flights, and compare it with results from other experiments at both lower and higher energies.

Ahn, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS2015

GCR Simulator Development Status at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory

There are large uncertainties connected to the biological response for exposure to galactic cosmic rays (GCR) on long duration deep space missions. In order to reduce the uncertainties and gain understanding about the basic mechanisms through which space radiation initiates cancer and other endpoints, radiobiology experiments are performed with mono-energetic ions beams. Some of the accelerator facilities supporting such experiments have matured to a point where simulating the broad range of particles and energies characteristic of the GCR environment in a single experiment is feasible from a technology, usage, and cost perspective. In this work, several aspects of simulating the GCR environment at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) are discussed. First, comparisons are made between direct simulation of the external, free space GCR field, and simulation of the induced tissue field behind shielding. It is found that upper energy constraints at NSRL limit the ability to simulate the external, free space field directly (i.e. shielding placed in the beam line in front of a biological target and exposed to a free space spectrum). Second, a reference environment for the GCR simulator and suitable for deep space missions is identified and described in terms of fluence and integrated dosimetric quantities. Analysis results are given to justify the use of a single reference field over a range of shielding conditions and solar activities. Third, an approach for simulating the reference field at NSRL is presented. The approach directly considers the hydrogen and helium energy spectra, and the heavier ions are collectively represented by considering the linear energy transfer (LET) spectrum. While many more aspects of the experimental setup need to be considered before final implementation of the GCR simulator, this preliminary study provides useful information that should aid the final design. Possible drawbacks of the proposed methodology are discussed and weighed against alternative simulation strategies.

Slaba, T. C.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Energy dependence of the Si/Fe ratio in the galactic cosmic rays

New measurements are reported of the Si/Fe ratio and the differential energy spectra of galactic cosmic-ray Si and Fe, taking into account the energy range from 35 MeV to 4 GeV per nucleon. The measured data were obtained with the aid of satellite and balloon-borne instrumentation. It is found that for the region below 1 GeV per nucleon the local interstellar spectra computed are consistent with previous galactic cosmic-ray propagation models obtained by Shapiro and Silberberg (1970) and Mason (1972).

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The direct deconvolution of X-ray spectra

The method of deconvolution of proportional counter X-ray spectra as outlined by Blissett and Cruise is reviewed with particular emphasis on low-energy spectra. This method involves the expansion of the incident spectrum in terms of a set of orthonormal singular functions which propagate independently through the detector matrix. When applied to low-energy detectors which typically exhibit absorption features in their efficiency curves, the initial Blissett and Cruise prescription is shown to be unstable. Alternative methods for handling the efficiency are described and evaluated. In the deconvolution of steep spectra, additional distortions are shown to arise as a result of sidelobe oscillations in the effective response functions. A selective weighting procedure is thus introduced to suppress spurious features of this type. Finally, the role of filtering in the deconvolution procedure is discussed and several suitable forms for the filter are suggested.

Kahn, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Coordinated measurements of slot region electron precipitation by plasmaspheric wave bands

Simultaneous measurements have been made of slot region precipitating electron spectra, wave frequency distributions and plasma density profiles using the P78-1 low altitude satellite and ISEE 1 spacecraft. Broad bands are often observed in the electron energy spectra with a well-defined low energy cutoff which decreases in energy with increasing L value. This is consistent with calculations for first-order cyclotron resonance with waves at the high frequency cutoff of the band. On the basis of electron spectra and plasma densities observed from upper hybrid resonance frequencies, hiss cutoff frequencies are calculated for an assumed first-order cyclotron resonance interaction and compared with wave spectral density profiles. Plasma wave and electron measurements are generally consistent, supporting the precipitation mechanism hypothesis.

Imhof, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Simulated Phase-dependent Spectra of Terrestrial Aquaplanets in M Dwarf Systems

Orbital phase-dependent variations in thermal emission and reflected stellar energy spectra can provide meaningful constraints on the climate states of terrestrial extrasolar planets orbiting M dwarf stars. Spatial distributions of water vapor, clouds, and surface ice are controlled by climate. In turn, water, in each of its thermodynamic phases, imposes significant modulations to thermal and reflected planetary spectra. Here we explore these characteristic spectral signals, based on 3D climate simulations of Earth-sized aquaplanets orbiting M dwarf stars near the habitable zone. By using 3D models, we can self-consistently predict surface temperatures and the location ofwater vapor, clouds, and surface ice in the climate system. Habitable zone planets in M dwarf systems are expected to be in synchronous rotation with their host star and thus present distinct differences in emitted and reflected energy fluxes depending on the observed hemisphere. Here we illustrate that icy, temperate, and incipient runaway greenhouse climate states exhibit phase-dependent spectral signals that enable their characterization.

Wolf, E. T.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The isotopic composition of hydrogen and helium in low energy cosmic rays

The Caltech Electron/Isotope Spectrometer on IMP-7 has been used to identify the isotopes H-2 and He-3 in low energy cosmic rays during solar quiet periods from October 1972 to October 1974. These observations cover the energy intervals 5 to 29 MeV/nuc for H-2 and 7 to 50 MeV/nuc for He-3. The energy spectra of H-1, H-2, and He-3 all fall rapidly with decreasing energy, giving H-2/H-1 and He-3/H-1 ratios essentially independent of energy as expected from adiabatic acceleration. The measured He-4 spectrum, however, was essentially flat over this energy interval, and therefore the H-2/He-4 ratio observed at 1 AU is not simply related to the interstellar abundances of these nuclei. However, comparisons of the H-2/H-1 and He-3/H-1 ratios with calculated spectra are possible.

Mewaldt, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Nonlinear production of suprathermal tails in auroral electrons

New rocket data on auroral electron energy spectra are presented. Two regions of the aurora are sharply defined: the peak energy region, called the beam, and a strongly altitude-dependent tail of slowed-down secondary and backscattered electrons. It is shown that the oscillating two-stream instability described by Papadopoulos and Coffey (1974) accounts for the observed features of the tail.

Matthews, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The University of Chicago cosmic ray electrons and nuclei experiment on the H spacecraft

The University of Chicago instrument on the Heliocentric spacecraft (MEH experiment) will measure the energy spectrum of cosmic electrons in the range 5-400 MeV. In addition, the energy spectra and relative abundances of nuclei from protons to the iron group, with energies ranging from 30 MeV/n to 15 GeV/n, will be determined. Primary scientific objectives involve the study of the long and short term variability of these components as a probe of the structure of the heliosphere. Particles are identified by multiparameter analysis using the pulse height analyzed signals from eight active detectors - silicon solid state, plastic and crystal scintillators are solid and gas Cerenkov counters. Data return is optimized by a three level priority logic scheme.

Meyer, P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The development of a high energy cosmic ray detector for Spacelab-2

A large cosmic ray detector aimed at measurements of the energy spectra and of the elemental abundances of cosmic ray nuclei at very high energies, up to several TeV/nucleon was constructed. The instrument is an electronic counter telescope with a geometric factor of 5 sq ster. It accomplishes measurements of the particle energies through the use of gas Cerenkov counters and of transition radiation detectors. The solutions of a number of technological problems that are encountered when developing such instrumentation for Shuttle missions are discussed.

Lheureux, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

IRAS observations of active galactic nuclei

IRAS data has been analyzed for 35 radio galaxies and 42 radio-loud quasars, using the coadded survey database. The detection rate is 50 percent with more than 40 percent detected in more than one band. Quasars generally have smooth energy spectra over four or five decades in frequency, consistent with incoherent synchrotron emission from 1 cm to 1 micron. Radio galaxies by contrast have discontinuous spectra, with a large range in the spectral index at IRAS wavelengths. The energy budget shows that the majority of the power per unit bandwidth emerges in the infrared (1-100 microns). The fraction of bolometric luminosity emitted in the infrared is 20-30 percent for the quasars and 40-60 percent for the radio galaxies.

Impey, Chris↗
NASA NTRS1999

A Novel Technique for Performing Space Based Radiation Dosimetry Using DNA: Results from GRaDEx-I and the Design of GRaDEx-II

Because of the large amounts of cosmic radiation in the space environment relative to that on earth, the effects of radiation on the physiology of astronauts is of major concern. Doses of radiation which can cause acute or chronic biological effects are to be avoided, therefore determination of the amount of radiation exposure encountered during space flight and assessment of its impact on biological systems is critical. Quantifying the radiation dosage and damage to biological systems, especially to humans during repetitive high altitude flight and during long duration space flight is important for several reasons. Radiation can cause altered biosynthesis and long term genotoxicity resulting in cancer and birth defects, etc. Radiation damage to biological systems depends in a complex way on incident radiation species and their energy spectra. Typically non-biological, i.e. film or electronic monitoring systems with narrow energy band sensitivity are used to perform dosimetry and then results are extrapolated to biological models. For this reason it may be desirable to perform radiation dosimetry by using biological molecules e.g. DNA or RNA strands as passive sensors. A lightweight genotoxicology experiment was constructed to determine the degree to which in-vitro naked DNA extracted from tissues of a variety of vertebrate organisms is damaged by exposure to radiation in a space environment. The DNA is assayed by means of agarose gel electrophoresis to determine damage such as strand breakage caused by high momentum particles and photons, and base oxidation caused by free radicals. The length distribution of DNA fragments is directly correlated with the radiation dose. It is hoped that a low mass, low cost, passive biological system to determine dose-response relationship (increase in strand breaks with increase in exposure) can be developed to perform radiation dosimetry in support of long duration space flight, and to predict negative effects on biological systems (e.g. astronauts and greenhouses) in space. The payload was flown in a 2.5 cubic foot Get Away Special (GAS) container through NASA's GAS program. It was subjected to the environment of the space shuttle cargo bay for the duration of the STS-91 mission (9 days). Results of the genotoxicology and radiation dosimetry experiment (GRaDEx-I) as well as the design of an improved follow on payload are presented.

Ritter, Joe↗
NASA NTRS1999

A Novel Technique for Performing Space Based Radiation Dosimetry Using DNA-Results from GRaDEx-I and the Design of GRaDEx-II

Because of the large amounts of cosmic radiation in the space environment relative to that on earth, the effects of radiation on the physiology of astronauts is of major concern. Doses of radiation which can cause acute or chronic biological effects are to be avoided, therefore determination of the amount of radiation exposure encountered during space flight and assessment of its impact on biological systems is critical. Quantifying the radiation dosage and damage to biological systems, especially to humans during repetitive high altitude flight and during long duration space flight is important for several reasons. Radiation can cause altered biosynthesis and long term genotoxicity resulting in cancer and birth defects etc. Radiation damage to biological systems depends in a complex way on incident radiation species and their energy spectra. Typically non-biological, i.e. film or electronic monitoring systems with narrow energy band sensitivity are used to perform dosimetry and then results are extrapolated to biological models. For this reason it may be desirable to perform radiation dosimetry by using biological molecules e.g. DNA or RNA strands as passive sensors. A lightweight genotoxicology experiment was constructed to determine the degree to which in vitro naked DNA extracted from tissues of a variety of vertebrate organisms is damaged by exposure to radiation in a space environment. The DNA is assayed by means of agarose gel electrophoresis to determine damage such as strand breakage caused by high momentum particles and photons, and base oxidation caused by free radicals. The length distribution of DNA fragments is directly correlated with the radiation dose. It is hoped that a low mass, low cost, passive biological system to determine dose response relationship (increase in strand breaks with increase in exposure) can be developed to perform radiation dosimetry in support of long duration space flight, and to predict negative effects on biological systems (e.g. astronauts and greenhouses) in space. The payload was flown in a 2.5 cubic foot Get Away Special (GAS) container through NASA's GAS program. It was subjected to the environment of the space shuttle cargo bay for the duration of the STS-91 mission (9 days). Results of the genotoxicology and radiation dosimetry experiment (GRaDEx-1) as well as the design of an improved follow on payload are presented.

Ritter, Joe↗
NASA NTRS1978

Preferential enhancements of the solar flare-accelerated nuclei carbon to zinc from about 20-300 MeV/nucleon

IMP 8 satellite measurements with a charged-particle telescope are examined which show that three large solar flares in late 1977 displayed preferential enhancements of abundances from C through Fe at energies of about 20 to 400 MeV/nucleon. It is found that the differential energy spectra of C, O, Mg, Si, and Fe, as well as protons and helium, are best fitted by power laws in energy per nucleon or rigidity with an index of 2.3 + or - 0.2, that the spectra of most of the even-Z nuclei have essentially the same slope, and that all the enhancements were independent of energy in the range from 20 to 300 MeV/nucleon. A plot of enhancement factor vs. Z is presented which clearly demonstrates the preferential enhancement of abundances with increasing Z in one of the solar flares, where the nuclei reached such high energies that they must have escaped the corona fully stripped of electrons. Implications for theories of solar-flare acceleration of the nuclei are considered.

Dietrich, W. F.↗