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At least 505 records · Page 28

Osculating orbital elements of the asteroids

In the present paper, osculating orbital elements are listed for 2118 numbered asteroids, of which 17 are considered lost. The columns give asteroid number; name; semimajor axis, in AU; eccentricity; longitude of the ascending mode; argument of perihelion; mean anomaly; and Julian date of epoch minus 2,400,000.

Bender, D. F.↗

Interplanetary sector boundaries 1971-1973

The large-scale morphology and internal structure of sector boundaries (SB) are investigated, using observations at 1 AU of interplanetary SB crossings. It was found that the durations of the SBs were either relatively short (less than about 10 min) or relatively long (longer than about 3 hours). Using the minimum variance technique, it was found that the SB surfaces were inclined appreciably with respect to the ecliptic at this epoch of the solar cycle (1971-1973). Magnetic holes were found in thick SBs at a rate about three times that elsewhere. In addition, an analysis of tangential discontinuities showed that their orientations were generally not related to the orientations of the SB surface, but their characteristics were very similar to those for discontinuities outside the SBs.

Klein, L.↗

Periodicity of the gamma-ray transient event of 5 March 1979

An unusual gamma-ray burst event was observed on 5 March 1979 by nine different spacecraft. The position of the event has been accurately determined as r.a. = 5 h 25.95 min, dec = -66 deg 07.1 arcmin (epoch 1950.0), coincident with the location of the supernova remnant N49 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The burst was of very high intensity, and if isotropic and located at the distance (approximately 55 kpc) of N49 had a peak luminosity of greater than 10 to the 44th erg/sec. Even more interesting is the obvious 8-s periodicity of the event, following the initial very intense outburst. The time history and power spectrum of this event as determined from Pioneer Venus Orbiter data is here reported.

Terrell, J.↗

Gas-rich dwarfs and accretion phenomena in early-type galaxies

An analysis is presented of the combined effects of cloud accretion and galactic winds and coronae. An accretion model is developed wherein gas-rich dwarf galaxies are accreted into galactic halos, which provides an adequate source of H I to account for observations of neutral gas in early-type galaxies. Accretion is found to fuel the wind, thereby regulating the accretion flow and yielding a time-dependent model for star formation, enrichment, and nuclear activity. The permissible parameter range for intergalactic gas clouds and galaxy groups is discussed, along with the frequency of gas-rich dwarfs and their large ratios of gas mass to luminosity. Also considered is the occurrence of gas stripping and the consequent formation of dwarf spheroidal systems that remain in the halo, and gas clouds that dissipate and suffer further infall. A cosmological implication of the model is that, because the characteristic time scale of a gas-rich dwarf galaxy to be accreted and lose its gas is comparable to a Hubble time, there may have been a far more extensive primordial distribution of such systems at earlier epochs.

Silk, J.↗

The contribution of young galaxies to the X-ray background

The contribution of young galaxies to the diffuse X-ray background is estimated and two mechanisms by which young galaxies may emit hard X-rays are considered. The first mechanism is direct thermal bremsstrahlung emission from a hot galactic wind powered by supernovae. Estimating mass-loss rates from galaxies by arguments based on metallicity and on the X-ray spectroscopic observations of rich clusters, it is shown that galactic winds may contribute substantially to the background. The second mechanism relies on the decreased metallicity of young galaxies to increase the number of supergiant stars and hence the numbers of hard X-ray binaries. This effect quantitatively explains the relatively large X-ray luminosity of the Magellanic clouds and also indicates that binaries in young galaxies may contribute a significant fraction of the diffuse X-ray background. Both mechanisms require that the epoch of galaxy formation be recent (redshift less than 2-3) in order to account for the observed spectral temperature (45 keV) of the hard X-ray background.

Bookbinder, J.↗

Simultaneous ultraviolet, optical, and X-ray observations of the X-ray source Vela X-1 /HD 77581/

UV spectra (obtained by the IUE) of HD 77581, associated with the binary X-ray source Vela X-1, show a spectrum typical of an early B-type supergiant. However, the P Cygni profiles of strong resonance lines show substantial variations with orbital phase. These variations can be ascribed to the changing ionization state in the stellar wind caused by the X-ray emitting companion. X-ray and spectroscopic and photometric optical observations, simultaneous with the IUE observations, indicate behavior consistent with previous epochs.

Dupree, A. K.↗

Near infrared photographic sky survey - A field index

The book presents an index of previously cataloged objects located in the fields of the northern sky included in the Steward Observatory Near Infrared Photographic Sky Survey, which was intended to be used for identification purposes in an effort to locate extremely red objects. The objects included in the index were taken from 16 catalogs of bright nebulae, dark nebulae, infrared objects, reflection nebulae, supernova remnants and other objects, and appear with their corresponding field numbers, computed field center coordinates, object name and 1950 epoch equatorial coordinates, as well as supplementary descriptive information as available. An appendix is also provided in which the center coordinates of each field are listed.

Rossano, G. S.↗

Simultaneous far-infrared, near-infrared, and radio observations of OH/IR stars

Simultaneous far-infrared, near-infrared, and radio observations have been made of five infrared stars which show OH maser emission at 1612 MHz. These stars have very thick circumstellar dust shells and are not seen optically. The data permit a direct comparison of the far-infrared and maser emission from these sources, which strongly supports the hypothesis that the maser emission is pumped by 35 micron photons. A comparison with data obtained at earlier epochs suggests that the maser emission is saturated. The infrared and radio data are used together with estimates of the source distances to determine the luminosities and mass loss rates for these objects. The luminosities lie in the range 2000-30,000 solar luminosities and are consistent with either Mira variable or M supergiant classifications for the underlying stars. The estimated mass loss rates lie between 0.000005-0.00007 solar mass/year.

Werner, M. W.↗

Primordial nucleosynthesis and Dirac's large numbers hypothesis

Consideration is given to the analysis of Falik (1979) which attempted to show that the cosmological model proposed by Canuto and Hsieh (1978) in which the gravitational constant varies with time contradicts observations of primordial helium. It is shown that the analysis was based on the assumptions that (1) the energy density of radiation in local thermodynamic equilibrium is approximately equal to the fourth power of the equilibrium temperature, where the product of the equilibrium temperature with the scale factor of the Robertson-Walker metric is constant, and (2) the gravitational constant is approximately equal to the inverse of the time even at early cosmological epochs. These assumptions are demonstrated to be invalid in the scale covariant theory of gravitation used to develop the model, thus negating the conclusion that the Canuto and Hsieh model excludes the primordial synthesis of helium.

Canuto, V.↗

Observations of the nucleus of M100

The galaxy M100 = NGC 4321 is a spiral galaxy in which a bright Type II Supernova was discovered on April 19, 1979. Its spectral evolution was followed with IUE for more than two months (refs. 1,2). At all epochs, the spectrum was dominated by continuous radiation on which emission and absorption features were superimposed. The equivalent width of most of the absorption features appeared not to vary with time suggesting that they originated in the interstellar media of M100 and our own galaxy.

Panagia, N.↗

The operational performance of hydrogen masers in the deep space network: The performance of laboratory reference frequency standards in an operational environment

Hydrogen masers used as aids in meeting the routine frequency and time operational requirements within the 64 m antenna Deep Space Network. Both the operational syntonation (frequency synchronization) and the the clock (epoch) synchronization requirements were established through the use of specifically calibrated H-P E215061A flying clock. The sync/synt to UTC was maintained using LORAN and TV in simultaneous reception mode. The sync/synt within the 64 m net was maintained through the use of very long base interferometry. Results indicate that the hydrogen masers perform well within the required specifications.

Ward, S. C.↗

Launch summary for 1980

Sounding rockets, artificial Earth satellites, and space probes launched betweeen January 1 and December 31, 1980 are listed. Data tabulated for the rocket launchings show launching site, instruments carried, date of launch, agency rocket identification, sponsoring country, experiment discipline, peak altitude, and the experimenter or institution responsible. Tables for satellites and space probes show COSPAR designation, spacecraft name, country, launch date, epoch date, orbit type, apoapsis, periapsis and inclination period. The functions and responsibilities of the World Data Center and the areas of scientific interest at the seven subcenters are defined. An alphabetical listing of experimenters using the sounding rockets is also provided.

Vostreys, R. W.↗

Initial geomagnetic field model from Magsat vector data

Magsat data from the magnetically quiet days of November 5-6, 1979, were used to derive a thirteenth degree and order spherical harmonic geomagnetic field model, MGST(6/80). The model utilized both scalar and high-accuracy vector data and fit that data with root-mean-square deviations of 8.2, 6.9, 7.6 and 7.4 nT for the scalar magnitude, B(r), B(theta), and B(phi), respectively. The model includes the three first-order coefficients of the external field. Comparison with averaged Dst indicates that zero Dst corresponds with 25 nT of horizontal field from external sources. When compared with earlier models, the earth's dipole moment continues to decrease at a rate of about 26 nT/yr. Evaluation of earlier models with Magsat data shows that the scalar field at the Magsat epoch is best predicted by the POGO(2/72) model but that the WC80, AWC/75 and IGS/75 are better for predicting vector fields.

Langel, R. A.↗

The hard X-ray pulse profile of GX 1+4

Results are reported from 1976 and 1977 observations of the galactic center X-ray source GX 1+4. On these two occasions, epoch folding at twice the previously reported period of about two minutes has resulted in an asymmetry between the shapes of the two resultant peaks in the light curve, indicating that the true period may be about four minutes. Mean intensity is shown to vary from pulse to pulse.

Strickman, M. S.↗

X-ray measurements during the Araks experiments

Measurements of the X-ray bremsstrahlung precipitation were made during the Araks experiments. The following conclusions were deduced from the data: with several exceptions the ambient X-ray flux observed was the normal quiet background expected for the location and existing conditions. The X-ray flux at energies below 20 keV was in excess of that predicted by theory. No obvious effects of the Araks experiments were seen in the data. However, a superposed epoch analysis of the X-ray data revealed a very small amount of precipitation associated with the electron gun.

Roeder, J. L.↗

Gravitational radiation dominated cosmologies

Robertson-Walker cosmologies with matter, radiation, and nonzero cosmological constant are examined to determine how much high-frequency gravitational radiation may be present at the current epoch without violating observations. Evolutionary limits due to a maximum redshift requirement, minimum age requirement, and magnitude-redshift relation are used to rule out most M2 models and to restrict singular models to those satisfying an acceleration parameter limit of -4.4-5.6, a matter density limit of less than 4.7, and a radiation density limit of less than 3.4. These limits are compared to direct limits from various experimental searches for a cosmic gravitational radiation background; it is found that several experiments are very close to a significant sensitivity.

Zimmerman, R. L.↗

The 1979 X-ray outburst of Centaurus X-4

X-ray observations of the first major outburst of the classical transient X-ray source Centaurus X-4 since its discovery in 1969 are presented. The observations were obtained in May, 1979, with the all-sky monitor on board Ariel 5. The flare light curve is shown to exhibit many of the characteristics of other transients, including a double-peaked maximum, as well as significant, apparently random, variations and a lower peak flux and shorter duration than the 1969 event. Application of a standard epoch-folding technique to data corrected for linear decay trends indicates a possible source modulation at 0.3415 days (8.2 hours). Comparison of the results with previous other data on Cen X-4 and the characteristics of the soft X-ray transients allows a total X-ray output of approximately 3 x 10 to the 43rd ergs to be estimated, and reveals the duration and decay time of the 1979 Cen X-4 outburst to be the shortest yet observed from soft X-ray transients. The observations are explained in terms of episodic mass exchange from a late-type dwarf onto a neutron star companion in a relatively close binary system.

Kaluzienski, L. J.↗

A seasonal change in the effect of field-aligned currents at synchronous orbit

The expected signature of substorm field-aligned currents is described for synchronous satellites near 10 deg magnetic latitude. The main effect is a positive D perturbation premidnight and a negative D perturbation postmidnight. This behavior is illustrated for two substorms near the fall equinox. A second pair of substorms taken from winter solstice do not show the expected behavior. The absence of this effect in winter observations is verified statistically by superposed epoch analysis. A simple explanation of this behavior based on the geometry of the plane of magnetic symmetry is presented. During disturbed times at winter solstice a synchronous satellite nominally at 10 deg magnetic latitude is effectively at the magnetic equator. This distortion of the magnetic equator must be considered in future models of the disturbed magnetospheric magnetic field.

Mcpherron, R. L.↗