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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 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Evidence for evolution of the luminosity function of clusters of galaxies

From an all sky, X-ray flux limited sample of clusters of galaxies evidence for a significant deficit in the number of high luminosity clusters is found in the redshift range z approximately 0.1 to 0.2 compared with numbers of nearby clusters. This indicates that the X-ray luminous clusters are undergoing strong evolution. The strength of the effect is consistent with hierarchical merging models. The implications of such strong evolution for clusters are discussed.

Edge, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

UV-optical from space

The following subject areas are covered: (1) the science program (star formation and origins of planetary systems; structure and evolution of the interstellar medium; stellar population; the galactic and extragalactic distance scale; nature of galaxy nuclei, AGNs, and QSOs; formation and evolution of galaxies at high redshifts; and cosmology); (2) implementation of the science program; (3) the observatory-class missions (HST; LST - the 6m successor to HST; and next-generation 16m telescope); (4) moderate and small missions (Delta-class Explorers; imaging astrometric interferometer; small Explorers; optics development and demonstrations; and supporting ground-based capabilities); (5) prerequisites - the current science program (Lyman-FUSE; HTS optimization; the near-term science program; data analysis, modeling, and theory funding; and archives); (6) technologies for the next century; and (7) lunar-based telescopes and instruments.

Illingworth, Garth↗
NASA NTRS1971

Supernova explosions.

The recent history of theoretical investigations of the supernova mechanism is considered, giving attention also to a number of nuclear physical problems which have yet to be solved in connection with the thermonuclear detonation. A variety of different processes of nucleo-synthesis are expected to occur in association with the supernova explosions. Aspects of the chemical evolution of the galaxy are discussed including the cosmic ray production of lithium, beryllium, and boron in the interstellar medium. Various hypotheses to account for the very large amount of light that comes from a supernova explosion are also examined.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Isotopes of titanium in cool stars

A program of stellar Ti isotopic-abundance determinations is described and related to changes that may have occurred in the Ti isotopic abundance ratios during the chemical evolution of the Galaxy, and to whether the abundance ratios are perturbed in the S and MS stars having atmospheres with enhanced abundances of s-process nuclei resulting from convective mixing after internal exposure to neutrons. High-resolution (0.07 A) Reticon spectra of portions of the TiO gamma (0,0), gamma (0,1), and delta (0,0) bands were the source material, and particular emphasis was placed on the definition of the continuum level. The isotopic abundance ratios are terrestrial in all of the sample, and errors in the (Ti-i)/(Ti-48) ratio are typically plus or minus 25% for the dwarfs and plus or minus 50% for the giants. The observations show that the magic nucleus Ti-50 is not enhanced in S and MS stars.

Clegg, R. E. S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

CNO isotope production in nova outbursts

A current model of novae is presented which explains their outbursts assuming that the progenitor of a common nova is a carbon-oxygen dwarf. This white dwarf accretes H-rich material from its companion which produces strong shock waves at its surface; as the amount of accreted material increases later, its bottom ignites. The nova outburst is then triggered by CNO-Ne reactions which favor the formation of rare isotopes with proton-rich radioactive parents such as C-13, N-15, O-17, and Ne-21. The production of such nuclear species is examined in different nova models, and conclusions are drawn concerning the importance of novae in models of chemical evolution of the galaxy.

Audouze, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Al-26 in the interstellar medium

The amount of dispersed interstellar Al-26 detected by the HEAO 3 gamma-ray spectrometer cannot have been synthesized by supernova explosions if current calculations of the production ratio p(26)/p(27) approximately equal to 0.001 are correct. Simple models of chemical evolution of the Galaxy are presented to explain this point. The observed Al-26 is more likely due to about 100 million dispersed novae, or to a single old (10,000-1,000,000 yr) supernova remnant that today surrounds the solar system. If the Al-26 is dispersed, the high interstellar ratio today Al-26/Al-27 about equal to 0.00002 calls into question the requirement that a supernova trigger for formation of the solar system was the cause of a concentration 3-times larger. Also discussed is p-process production in novae with application to the question of live Sm-146 in the solar system.

Clayton, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The energy dependence of the neon-22 excess in the cosmic radiation

It has been recognized now for some time that the heavy neon isotope, neon-22, is overabundant by a factor of 3 to 4 with respect to neon-22 in the cosmic ray source compared to the ratio of these isotopes in the Solar System. In view of the otherwise remarkable similarity of the chemical composition of the cosmic ray source and the composition of the Solar Energetic Particles, the anomaly regarding the neon isotopes is so much more striking. The observed excess of neon-22 is too large to be explained as a result of the chemical evolution of the Galaxy since the formation of the Solar System. Further information on the origin of the neon-22 excess may come from a comparison of the energy spectra of the two neon isotopes. If the cosmic radiation in the solar neighborhood is a mixture of material from several sources, one of which has an excess of neon-22, then the source energy spectra of neon-20 and neon-22 may differ significantly.

Herrstroem, N. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Galactic chemical evolution and nucleocosmochronology - Standard model with terminated infall

Some exactly soluble families of models for the chemical evolution of the Galaxy are presented. The parameters considered include gas mass, the age-metallicity relation, the star mass vs. metallicity, the age distribution, and the mean age of dwarfs. A short BASIC program for calculating these parameters is given. The calculation of metallicity gradients, nuclear cosmochronology, and extinct radioactivities is addressed. An especially simple, mathematically linear model is recommended as a standard model of galaxies with truncated infall due to its internal consistency and compact display of the physical effects of the parameters.

Clayton, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Galactic chemical evolution and nucleocosmochronology - Analytic quadratic models

Quadratic models of the chemical evolution of the Galaxy for a star formation rate proportional to the square of the gas mass are studied. The search for analytic solutions to the gas mass and star mass for time-dependent rates of gaseous infall onto the disk is examined. The quadratic models are compared to models having linear star formation rates. The mass, metallicity, number of stars, and U-235/U-238 isotopic ratio for the models which are subjected to the same infall rate, the same initial disk mass, and the same final gas fraction are compared. The results of the comparison indicate that: (1) the average dwarf age is greater in the quadratic model, (2) the metallicity grows initially faster in the quadratic model, (3) the quadratic model has a smaller percentage of low-Z dwarfs, and (4) the U-235/U-238 isotopic ratio indicates a younger quadratic model.

Clayton, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Images in the rocket ultraviolet - The initial helium abundance and distance modulus of the globular cluster M5 from photometry of horizontal-branch stars

A natural laboratory for the study of postmain-sequence evolution of low-mass (less than one solar mass) metal-poor stars is provided by globular clusters. These clusters are, therefore, a critical aid for developing an understanding of advanced stages of stellar evolution and of the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. Bohlin et al. (1983) have described a study of the postasymptotic branch star near the center of M5. The present investigation is concerned with the fainter horizontal-branch stars. The observations were made with the aid of a rocket-borne 38 cm f/9.0 Ritchey-Chretien telescope. Attention is given to payload and flight data, preflight bandpass calibration, the reduction of flight data, star selection, position measurement, photometry, the minimum observed horizontal-branch mass and inferences on mass loss, and individual UV-bright stars.

Bohlin, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Blue compact dwarfs - Extreme dwarf irregular galaxies

Observational data on the most extreme members of the irregular dwarf (dI) galaxy class, the blue compact dwarfs (BCDs), are characterized, reviewing the results of recent investigations. The properties of the young stellar population, the ionized gas, the older star population, and the gas and dust of BCDs are contrasted with those of other dIs; BCD morphology is illustrated with sample images; and the value of BCDs (as nearby 'young' chemically unevolved galaxies) for studies of galaxy formation, galactic evolution, and starburst triggering mechanisms is indicated.

Thuan, Trinh X.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Turbulent diffusivity

A method for determining the turbulent diffusivity tensor is proposed which has application to problems such as the mixing in the interior of the sun for the solar neutrino problem, the chemical evolution of the galaxy, and grain sedimentation on the primitive solar nebula. A model for determining the turbulent energy spectral function, the eddy decorrelation rate, and the growth rate of the underlying instability is discussed. Good agreement is obtained between the present values for the coefficient of turbulent diffusivity and those obtained from both numerical simulation studies and laboratory data on shear turbulence.

Canuto, V. M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Solar-system abundances and processes of nucleosynthesis

The origin of the elements is studied. The average elemental composition of the solar system is examined and used to infer the primordial solar system abundances of the individual nuclides. Patterns in these nuclide abundances are used as clues to their origin. The possible cosmic significance of the patterns are considered. The astrophysical settings for nucleosynthesis and the chemical evolution of the Galaxy and information based on observed isotopic anomalies in meteorites are taken into account.

Woolum, Dorothy S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

How to get unlimited observing time on a 4 metre telescope

As the astronomical community moves ever more towards fewer and larger telescopes it is not just desirable but essential to make the maximum possible use of these new facilities. The Hitchhiker parallel CCD camera has been specially designed to increase the scientific output of a large telescope by imaging the off-axis field of view. The large data set collected by this instrument consists of deep CCD multicolor data of the distant Universe and is extremely well suited to the study of faint galaxies and their evolution, as well as other areas. The instrument's design and some of its projects are briefly discussed below and demonstrates the scientific value such instruments could have if incorporated on all new telescopes.

Driver, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Constraints on chemical evolution models from QSOALS abundances

Models of the formation and early chemical evolution of our Galaxy are guided and constrained by our knowledge of abundances in globular cluster stars and halo field stars. The abundance patterns identified in halo and disk stars should be discernible in absorption lines of gas clouds in forming galaxies which are accidentally lying in front of background QSO's. Conversely, the ensemble of QSO absorption line systems (QSOALS) at each redshift may suggest a detailed model for the formation of our Galaxy that is testable using abundance patterns in halo stars.

Lauroesch, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Structure of merger remnants. II - Progenitors with rotating bulges

Mergers of identical galaxies consisting of self-gravitating disks, bulges, and halos are examined in the context of the suggestion that such events may form elliptical galaxies. Unlike earlier studies, the simulations reported here include effects arising from intrinsic spin of bulges. It is found that the disks and bulges are able to redistribute their angular momentum so that the luminous remnants rotate slowly near their centers. In addition, if the bulges are sufficiently concentrated, the core radii of the remnants are significantly reduced relative to those of end-states formed in mergers between pure stellar disks to the extent that the remnants share structural properties with observed elliptical galaxies. Nevertheless, it does appear that stellar-dynamical mergers between spiral progenitors will represent a viable mechanism for the production of massive elliptical galaxies only if sufficient mass resides already in dense, spheroidal components. These results suggest that any ellipticals formed in this manner having featureless light profiles were victims of a 'disk-bulge conspiracy' analogous to the disk-halo conspiracy thought to give rise to smooth rotation curves in spiral galaxies. Possible observational signatures of mergers are discussed, along with implications of the findings for our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution.

Hernquist, Lars↗
NASA NTRS1998

[Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) Anisotropies]

One of the main areas of research is the theory of cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies and analysis of CMB data. Using the four year COBE data we were able to improve existing constraints on global shear and vorticity. We found that, in the flat case (which allows for greatest anisotropy), (omega/H)0 less than 10(exp -7), where omega is the vorticity and H is the Hubble constant. This is two orders of magnitude lower than the tightest, previous constraint. We have defined a new set of statistics which quantify the amount of non-Gaussianity in small field cosmic microwave background maps. By looking at the distribution of power around rings in Fourier space, and at the correlations between adjacent rings, one can identify non-Gaussian features which are masked by large scale Gaussian fluctuations. This may be particularly useful for identifying unresolved localized sources and line-like discontinuities. Levin and collaborators devised a method to determine the global geometry of the universe through observations of patterns in the hot and cold spots of the CMB. We have derived properties of the peaks (maxima) of the CMB anisotropies expected in flat and open CDM models. We represent results for angular resolutions ranging from 5 arcmin to 20 arcmin (antenna FWHM), scales that are relevant for the MAP and COBRA/SAMBA space missions and the ground-based interferometer. Results related to galaxy formation and evolution are also discussed.

Silk, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1997

The High Throughput X-ray Spectroscopy (HTXS) Mission

The HTXS mission concept combines large effective area (approximately 15,000 sq cm at 1 keV), high spectral resolution (E/Delta(E) approximately 300-3000), and broad energy bandpass (0.25-40 keV and possibly up to 100 keV) by using replicated optics together with a complement of spectroscopic instrumentation including reflection gratings readout by charge-coupled device detectors (CCDs), quantum micro-calorimeters, and cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) or comparable high energy detectors. An essential feature of this concept involves minimization of cost (approximately $350M for development and approximately $500-600M including launches) and risk by building six identical modest satellites to achieve the large area. Current mission and technology studies are targeted towards a new start in the 2002 timeframe, with first launch around 2005-2006. The HTXS mission represents a major advance, providing as much as a factor of 100 increase in sensitivity over currently planned high resolution X ray spectroscopy missions. HTXS will mark the start of a new era when high quality X ray spectra will be obtained for all classes of X ray sources, over a wide range of luminosity and distance. With its increased capabilities, HTXS will address many fundamental astrophysics questions such as the origin and distribution of the elements from carbon to zinc, the formation and evolution of clusters of galaxies, the validity of general relativity in the strong gravity limit, the evolution of supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei, the details of supernova explosions and their aftermath, and the mechanisms involved in the heating of stellar coronae and driving of stellar winds.

White, N. E.↗