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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 NTRS1986

RR Lyrae stars - A theoretical study of Bailey type c variables

New theoretical models of stars pulsating in the first overtone have been constructed to simulate RR Lyr variables of Bailey type c. Despite the use of different opacities, these new models agree very well with earlier models built by Christy and Stellingwerf. Quantitative comparisons using empirical light curves and velocity curves of metal-poor type c variables confirm the validity of the models. Masses of 0.55-0.65 solar mass and luminosities of 40-50 solar luminosities derived here for the type c variables, are consistent with previous results obtained for type ab variables. A Christy echo of the kind normally associated with fundamental-mode pulsators was detected in the interior velocity structure of one first-overtone model that happens to have a large velocity amplitude.

Hubickyj, Olenka↗
DOE OSTI2014

Modeling the X-rays from the central compact object PSR J1852+0040 in Kesteven 79: Evidence for a strongly magnetized neutron star

I present modeling of the X-ray pulsations from the central compact object (CCO) PSR J1852+0040 in the Galactic supernova remnant Kesteven 79. In the context of thermal surface radiation from a rotating neutron star (NS), a conventional polar cap model can reproduce the broad, large-amplitude X-ray pulse only with a 'pencil plus fan' beam emission pattern, which is characteristic of ≳ 10{sup 12} G NS atmospheres, much greater than the ∼10{sup 10} G external dipole field inferred from the pulsar spin-down rate. This discrepancy can be explained by an axially displaced dipole. For other beaming patterns, it is necessary to invoke high-aspect-ratio emitting regions that are greatly longitudinally elongated, possibly due to an extremely offset dipole. For all assumed emission models, the existence of strong internal magnetic fields (≳ 10{sup 14} G) that preferentially channel internal heat to only a portion of the exterior is required to account for the implied high-temperature contrast across the stellar surface. This lends further observational evidence in support of the 'hidden' strong magnetic field scenario, in which CCOs possess submerged magnetic fields that are substantially stronger than the external dipole field, presumably due to burial by fallback of supernova ejecta. I also conduct phase-resolved X-ray spectroscopy and find no evidence for prominent spin-phase-dependent absorption features that could be produced by cyclotron absorption/scattering.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

A POSSIBLE PHYSICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN HELIUM-RICH STELLAR POPULATIONS OF MASSIVE GLOBULAR CLUSTERS AND THE UV UPTURN OF GALACTIC SPHEROIDS

We discuss a possible physical connection between helium-rich (Y {>=} 0.35) stellar populations of massive globular clusters (GCs) and the ultraviolet (UV) upturn of galactic spheroids by using analytical and numerical models. In our model, all stars are initially formed as bound or unbound star clusters (SCs) formed from giant molecular clouds (GMCs) and the SCs can finally become GCs, open clusters, and field stars depending on the physical properties of their host GMCs. An essential ingredient of the model is that helium-rich stars are formed almost purely from gas ejected from massive asymptotic giant branch stars. The helium-rich star formation is assumed to occur within massive SCs if the masses of the progenitor GMCs are larger than a threshold mass (M{sub thres}). These massive SCs can finally become either massive GCs or helium-rich field stars depending on whether they are disintegrated or not. Using this model, we show that if the initial mass functions (IMFs) in galactic spheroids are mildly top-heavy, then the mass fractions of helium-rich main-sequence stars (F{sub He}) can be as large as {approx}0.1 for M{sub thres} = 10{sup 7} M{sub Sun }. F{sub He} is found to depend on IMFs and M{sub thres} such that it can be larger for shallower IMFs and smaller M{sub thres}. The inner regions of galactic spheroids show larger F{sub He} in almost all models. Based on these results, we suggest that if the UV upturn of elliptical galaxies is due to the larger fractions of helium-rich stars, then its origin can be closely associated with top-heavy IMFs in the galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

TESTING PHOTOMETRIC DIAGNOSTICS FOR THE DYNAMICAL STATE AND POSSIBLE INTERMEDIATE-MASS BLACK HOLE PRESENCE IN GLOBULAR CLUSTERS

Surface photometry is a necessary tool to establish the dynamical state of star clusters. We produce realistic HST-like images from N-body models of star clusters with and without central intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) in order to measure their surface brightness profiles. The models contain {approx}600,000 individual stars, black holes of various masses between 0% and 2% of the total mass, and are evolved for Hubble time. We measure surface brightness and star count profiles for every constructed image in order to test the effect of IMBHs on the central logarithmic slope, the core radius, and the half-light radius. We use these quantities to test diagnostic tools for the presence of central black holes using photometry. We find that the only models that show central shallow cusps with logarithmic slopes between -0.1 and -0.4 are those containing central black holes. Thus, the central logarithmic slope seems to be a good way to choose clusters suspected of containing IMBHs. Clusters with steep central cusps can definitely be ruled out to host an IMBH. The measured r{sub c} /r{sub h} ratio has similar values for clusters that have not undergone core-collapse and those containing a central black hole. We note that observed Galactic globular clusters have a larger span of values for central slope and r{sub c} /r{sub h} than our modeled clusters, and suggest possible reasons that could account for this and contribute to improved future models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1992

Oxygen-enhanced models for globular cluster stars. III - Horizontal-branch sequences

A large grid of horizontal-branch (HB) evolutionary sequences which have been calculated with core expansion and semiconvection and with enhanced oxygen composition are presented and described. Tracks for 10 different metallicities are computed; they range from (Fe/H) = -0.47 to -2.26 and comprise a total of 115 sequences. The evolution is traced from the zero-age horizontal-branch (ZAHB) to the lower AGB at a point where log L/solar luminosity = 2.25. All of the sequences are illustrated on both the theoretical H-R diagram and on the B, V color-magnitude diagram. A complete set of tables for the ZAHB models and a representative sample of tabulations of the track parameters are provided. The phenomena which control HB evolution morphology, and existing certainties in theoretical HB models are discussed.

Dorman, Ben↗
NASA NTRS1989

Modelling the dust grains around the peculiar Be star HD 45677

Numerical radiative transfer models are used to study circumstellar dust grains around the peculiar Be star HD 45677. The modeling technique is to fit the observed far-ultraviolet through far-infrared energy distribution with the energy distributions predicted for a spherical dust shell around a luminous hot star. Such a simultaneous multi-wavelength study makes it possible to strengthen constraints on dust-grain properties. It is found that the observations can be fitted with the emergent spectrum of a spherical shell consisting of a graphite-silicate mixture. The grain-size distribution is similar to that for diffuse cloud dust, but the circumstellar dust contains large grains with a maximum size of about 1 micron. This result is consistent with a scenario in which HD 45677 is a young stellar object (100 Myr or less), with the dust shell being a fossil of the molecular cloud left over from star formation.

Sorrell, Wilfred H.↗
DOE OSTI2014

ON THE CAUSE OF SOLAR-LIKE EQUATORWARD MIGRATION IN GLOBAL CONVECTIVE DYNAMO SIMULATIONS

We present results from four convectively driven stellar dynamo simulations in spherical wedge geometry. All of these simulations produce cyclic and migrating mean magnetic fields. Through detailed comparisons, we show that the migration direction can be explained by an αΩ dynamo wave following the Parker-Yoshimura rule. We conclude that the equatorward migration in this and previous work is due to a positive (negative) α effect in the northern (southern) hemisphere and a negative radial gradient of Ω outside the inner tangent cylinder of these models. This idea is supported by a strong correlation between negative radial shear and toroidal field strength in the region of equatorward propagation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

THE VARIABLE NEAR-INFRARED COUNTERPART OF THE MICROQUASAR GRS 1758–258

We present a new study of the microquasar system GRS 1758–258 in the near-infrared domain based on archival observations with the Hubble Space Telescope and the NICMOS camera. In addition to confirming the near-infrared counterpart pointed out by Muñoz-Arjonilla et al., we show that this object displays significant photometric variability. From its average magnitudes, we also find that GRS 1758–258 fits well within the correlation between the optical/near-infrared and X-ray luminosity known to exist for low-mass, black-hole candidate X-ray binaries in a hard state. Moreover, the spectral energy distribution built using all radio, near-infrared, and X-ray data available closest in time to the NICMOS observations can be reasonably interpreted in terms of a self-absorbed radio jet and an irradiated accretion disk model around a stellar-mass black hole. All these facts match the expected behavior of a compact binary system and strengthen our confidence in the counterpart identification.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Linear-algebraic bath transformation for simulating complex open quantum systems

In studying open quantum systems, the environment is often approximated as a collection of non-interacting harmonic oscillators, a configuration also known as the star-bath model. It is also well known that the star-bath can be transformed into a nearest-neighbor interacting chain of oscillators. The chain-bath model has been widely used in renormalization group approaches. The transformation can be obtained by recursion relations or orthogonal polynomials. Based on a simple linear algebraic approach, we propose a bath partition strategy to reduce the system-bath coupling strength. As a result, the non-interacting star-bath is transformed into a set of weakly coupled multiple parallel chains. Furthermore, the transformed bath model allows complex problems to be practically implemented on quantum simulators, and it can also be employed in various numerical simulations of open quantum dynamics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Analysis and Burnup Modeling of the GEM*STAR Accelerator-Driven System

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the neutronics and fuel burnup of the GEM*STAR accelerator-driven reactor design. The GEM*STAR design uses a molten salt fuel, with graphite moderation in a subcritical configuration with supplemental neutrons provided by an acceleratordriven proton spallation source. This allows for very safe operation since no criticality accidents are possible. A continuous extraction of spent fuel and addition of fresh fuel allows for the reactor to run at an equilibrium state of power and isotopic concentrations. Further, the liquid fuel and subcritical nature allow for higher burnup and more flexible fueling options. In previous analysis of the reactor, several simplifying assumptions were made about the neutronics modeling. In this study, these assumptions are eliminated, and a more detailed study is performed using MCNP6, Monteburns, and CINDER90 for neutronics and burnup calculation. Although there are some differences between the old and new analyses, equilibrium isotopic concentrations are within 10%, while electric multiplication factors are within 20%. Burnup analysis shows that the approach to equilibrium takes approximately two years for natural uranium fuel. By decreasing the fuel feed rate, the burnup can be increased at the cost of slightly lower electric multiplication. The performance of several feed materials are examined including natural uranium, LWR spent fuel and plutonium.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

INFRARED STUDY OF FULLERENE PLANETARY NEBULAE

We present a study of 16 planetary nebulae (PNe) where fullerenes have been detected in their Spitzer Space Telescope spectra. This large sample of objects offers a unique opportunity to test conditions of fullerene formation and survival under different metallicity environments because we are analyzing five sources in our own Galaxy, four in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), and seven in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). Among the 16 PNe studied, we present the first detection of C{sub 60} (and possibly also C{sub 70}) fullerenes in the PN M 1-60 as well as of the unusual {approx}6.6, 9.8, and 20 {mu}m features (attributed to possible planar C{sub 24}) in the PN K 3-54. Although selection effects in the original samples of PNe observed with Spitzer may play a potentially significant role in the statistics, we find that the detection rate of fullerenes in C-rich PNe increases with decreasing metallicity ({approx}5% in the Galaxy, {approx}20% in the LMC, and {approx}44% in the SMC) and we interpret this as a possible consequence of the limited dust processing occurring in Magellanic Cloud (MC) PNe. CLOUDY photoionization modeling matches the observed IR fluxes with central stars that display a rather narrow range in effective temperature ({approx}30,000-45,000 K), suggesting a common evolutionary status of the objects and similar fullerene formation conditions. Furthermore, the data suggest that fullerene PNe likely evolve from low-mass progenitors and are usually of low excitation. We do not find a metallicity dependence on the estimated fullerene abundances. The observed C{sub 60} intensity ratios in the Galactic sources confirm our previous finding in the MCs that the fullerene emission is not excited by the UV radiation from the central star. CLOUDY models also show that line- and wind-blanketed model atmospheres can explain many of the observed [Ne III]/[Ne II] ratios using photoionization, suggesting that possibly the UV radiation from the central star, and not shocks, is triggering the decomposition of the circumstellar dust grains. With the data at hand, we suggest that the most likely explanation for the formation of fullerenes and graphene precursors in PNe is that these molecular species are built from the photochemical processing of a carbonaceous compound with a mixture of aromatic and aliphatic structures similar to that of hydrogenated amorphous carbon dust.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

THE ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION OF THE HOT JUPITER WASP-43b: COMPARING THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELS TO SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DATA

The hot Jupiter WASP-43b (2 M{sub J}, 1 R{sub J}, T {sub orb} = 19.5 hr) has now joined the ranks of transiting hot Jupiters HD 189733b and HD 209458b as an exoplanet with a large array of observational constraints. Because WASP-43b receives a similar stellar flux as HD 209458b but has a rotation rate four times faster and a higher gravity, studying WASP-43b probes the effect of rotation rate and gravity on the circulation when stellar irradiation is held approximately constant. Here we present three-dimensional (3D) atmospheric circulation models of WASP-43b, exploring the effects of composition, metallicity, and frictional drag. We find that the circulation regime of WASP-43b is not unlike other hot Jupiters, with equatorial superrotation that yields an eastward-shifted hotspot and large day-night temperature variations (∼600 K at photospheric pressures). We then compare our model results to Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/WFC3 spectrophotometric phase curve measurements of WASP-43b from 1.12 to 1.65 μm. Our results show the 5× solar model light curve provides a good match to the data, with a peak flux phase offset and planet/star flux ratio that is similar to observations; however, the model nightside appears to be brighter. Nevertheless, our 5× solar model provides an excellent match to the WFC3 dayside emission spectrum. This is a major success, as the result is a natural outcome of the 3D dynamics with no model tuning. These results demonstrate that 3D circulation models can help interpret exoplanet atmospheric observations, even at high resolution, and highlight the potential for future observations with HST, James Webb Space Telescope, and other next-generation telescopes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

ULTRAMASSIVE BLACK HOLE COALESCENCE

Although supermassive black holes (SMBHs) correlate well with their host galaxies, there is an emerging view that outliers exist. Henize 2-10, NGC 4889, and NGC 1277 are examples of SMBHs at least an order of magnitude more massive than their host galaxy suggests. The dynamical effects of such ultramassive central black holes is unclear. Here, we perform direct N-body simulations of mergers of galactic nuclei where one black hole is ultramassive to study the evolution of the remnant and the black hole dynamics in this extreme regime. We find that the merger remnant is axisymmetric near the center, while near the large SMBH influence radius, the galaxy is triaxial. The SMBH separation shrinks rapidly due to dynamical friction, and quickly forms a binary black hole; if we scale our model to the most massive estimate for the NGC 1277 black hole, for example, the timescale for the SMBH separation to shrink from nearly a kiloparsec to less than a parsec is roughly 10 Myr. By the time the SMBHs form a hard binary, gravitational wave emission dominates, and the black holes coalesce in a mere few Myr. Curiously, these extremely massive binaries appear to nearly bypass the three-body scattering evolutionary phase. Our study suggests that in this extreme case, SMBH coalescence is governed by dynamical friction followed nearly directly by gravitational wave emission, resulting in a rapid and efficient SMBH coalescence timescale. We discuss the implications for gravitational wave event rates and hypervelocity star production.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

ORIGIN OF THE DENSE CORE MASS FUNCTION IN CONTRACTING FILAMENTS

Mass functions of starless dense cores (CMFs) may arise from contraction and dispersal of core-forming filaments. In an illustrative model, a filament contracts radially by self-gravity, increasing the mass of its cores. During this contraction, FUV photoevaporation and ablation by shocks and winds disperse filament gas and limit core growth. The stopping times of core growth are described by a waiting-time distribution. The initial filament column density profile and the resulting CMF each match recent Herschel observations in detail. Then low-mass cores have short growth ages and arise from the innermost filament gas, while massive cores have long growth ages and draw from more extended filament gas. The model fits the initial density profile and CMF best for mean core density 2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 4} cm{sup -3} and filament dispersal timescale 0.5 Myr. Then the typical core mass, radius, mean column density, and contraction speed are respectively 0.8 solar masses, 0.06 pc, 6 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 21} cm{sup -2}, and 0.07 km s{sup -1}, also in accord with observed values.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Modeling Savings for ENERGY STAR Smart Home Energy Management Systems

The objective of this study was to develop a repeatable and defensible methodology to analyze the energy savings for Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) that meets the minimum requirements for certification under ENERGY STAR ® Smart Home Energy Management System (SHEMS) Version 1. Mandatory connected loads include a smart thermostat, two smart lights, and one smart power strip or smart outlet. Control strategies must include feedback to occupants through an in-home display, user programming, occupancy sensor-based controls, and responsiveness to utility signals such as demand response programs. Several occupant behavior patterns were selected to quantify the range of energy savings potential for a HEMS with this basic functionality. A literature review was conducted to establish realistic room-by-room occupancy levels and usage patterns for connected devices. A series of event-driven hourly profiles were created, followed by adjustments based on application of HEMS control strategies to thermostats, interior lighting, and plug load schedules. EnergyPlus modeling was performed using these hourly schedules in three locations (Boston, Houston, and Phoenix) to examine climate dependence of energy savings. Total site energy savings ranged from 4.3 to 27.1 MBtu/year (7%-35%), and utility bill savings ranged from $\$$123 to $\$$670/year (6%-29%). The highest predicted savings was realized by occupants that were not energy conscious prior to HEMS installation, but highly engaged with the HEMS controls once the system was installed. The smart thermostat accounted for most of the savings, followed by the smart power strip. Smart lighting did not save a significant amount of energy in our analysis, based on an assumption that efficient LEDs with no standby power would normally be installed anyway.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2013

CONSTRAINTS ON POROSITY AND MASS LOSS IN O-STAR WINDS FROM THE MODELING OF X-RAY EMISSION LINE PROFILE SHAPES

We fit X-ray emission line profiles in high resolution XMM-Newton and Chandra grating spectra of the early O supergiant {zeta} Pup with models that include the effects of porosity in the stellar wind. We explore the effects of porosity due to both spherical and flattened clumps. We find that porosity models with flattened clumps oriented parallel to the photosphere provide poor fits to observed line shapes. However, porosity models with isotropic clumps can provide acceptable fits to observed line shapes, but only if the porosity effect is moderate. We quantify the degeneracy between porosity effects from isotropic clumps and the mass-loss rate inferred from the X-ray line shapes, and we show that only modest increases in the mass-loss rate ({approx}< 40%) are allowed if moderate porosity effects (h{sub {infinity}} {approx}< R{sub *}) are assumed to be important. Large porosity lengths, and thus strong porosity effects, are ruled out regardless of assumptions about clump shape. Thus, X-ray mass-loss rate estimates are relatively insensitive to both optically thin and optically thick clumping. This supports the use of X-ray spectroscopy as a mass-loss rate calibration for bright, nearby O stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2013

Constraints on Porosity and Mass Loss in O-star Winds from the Modeling of X-ray Emission Line Profile Shapes

We fit X-ray emission line profiles in high resolution XMM-Newton and Chandra grating spectra of the early O supergiant Zeta Pup with models that include the effects of porosity in the stellar wind. We explore the effects of porosity due to both spherical and flattened clumps. We find that porosity models with flattened clumps oriented parallel to the photosphere provide poor fits to observed line shapes. However, porosity models with isotropic clumps can provide acceptable fits to observed line shapes, but only if the porosity effect is moderate. We quantify the degeneracy between porosity effects from isotropic clumps and the mass-loss rate inferred from the X-ray line shapes, and we show that only modest increases in the mass-loss rate (40%) are allowed if moderate porosity effects (h(sub infinity) less than approximately R(sub ∗)) are assumed to be important. Large porosity lengths, and thus strong porosity effects, are ruled out regardless of assumptions about clump shape. Thus, X-ray mass-loss rate estimates are relatively insensitive to both optically thin and optically thick clumping. This supports the use of X-ray spectroscopy as a mass-loss rate calibration for bright, nearby O stars

porosity↗
NASA NTRS1991

Can a disk model explain Beta Lyrae?

The Beta Lyrae eclipsing binary system is interpreted in terms of a model where the primary, i.e., spectroscopically observable, B star transfers matter to a 'canonical' accretion disk surrounding a 'gainer' which may be a rather ordinary B0.5 V star. Disk models are calculated using the TLUSDISK program. Most of the optical radiation from the secondary object is found to come from the disk rim, provided that the rate of mass transfer is not much lower than about 0.0001 solar mass per year. The rather high disk rim then introduces severe constraints on the orbital inclination; these constraints are discussed in detail. It is concluded that the disk plays an essentially passive role, and the observable radiation from its face is insignificant. A model in which most ultraviolet radiation would be coming from the face of the disk is found unacceptable both because of these constraints and because it would require an unrealistically small radius for the accreting star. It is proposed that the bulk of the ultraviolet radiation comes from a small unocculted segment of the gainer.

Hubeny, Ivan↗