Radiation measurements of the earth's horizon from the X-15
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Jalink, A., Jr.↗
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Impulsive solar X-ray bursts. 3: Polarization and directivity of bremsstrahlung radiation from a beam of electrons directed toward the photosphere
The spectrum, directivity and state of polarization is presented of the bremsstrahlung radiation expected from a beam of high energy electrons spiraling along radial magnetic field lines toward the photosphere. The results are used for calculation of the characteristics of the reflected plus direct flux.
Langer, S. H.↗
X-ray diffraction imaging (topography) of electroopticcrystals by synchrotron radiation
Information of special interest to crystal growers and device physicists now available from monochromatic synchrotron diffraction imaging (topography) is reviewed. Illustrations are taken from a variety of electro-optic crystals. Aspects of the detailed understanding of crystal growth processes obtainable from carefully selected samples are described. Finally, new experimental opportunities now available for exploitation are indicated.
Steiner, Bruce↗
X-ray spectra of Orion OB supergiants
The spectra are at a higher energy resolution than earlier X-ray observations of OB supergiants, and this allows stronger constraints to be placed on the location of the emission source in the outer atmosphere. The spectra of all three stars are found to be consistent with thermal sources which are only slightly attenuated by stellar wind opacity and have temperatures of approximately 10 to the (6.5 + or - 0.2) power K. A number of explanations of the soft X-ray flux distributions of early-type stars are tested. A model with the X rays coming only from a corona in a slab at the base of the wind does not seem a possibility unless the ionization or density structure of the overlying material is significantly different from that usually assumed for a cool wind. A model where the X rays are produced by radiatively driven shocks, some of which must be strong, can explain the X-ray luminosity and satisfy upper limits on the absorption by oxygen derived from the data. A high-energy (greater than 1 keV) contribution from a base coronal zone is considered possible. The spectrum of Zeta Ori shows emission near 2 keV, wich can be interpreted as line emission of Si XIII and S XV from a very hot source component with T = 1.5 x 10 to the 7th K.
Cassinelli, J. P.↗
Soft X-Ray Emissions from Planets and Moons
A wide variety of solar system planetary bodies are now known to radiate in the soft x-ray energy (<5 keV) regime. These include planets (Earth, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn): bodies having thick atmosphere and with/without intrinsic magnetic field; planetary satellites (Moon, Io, Europa, Ganymede): bodies with no/thin atmosphere; and comets and Io plasma torus: bodies having extended tenuous atmosphere. Several different mechanisms have been proposed to explain the generation of soft x-rays from these objects. whereas in the hard x-ray energy range (>10 keV) x-rays mainly result from electron bremsstrahlung process. In this paper we present a brief review of the x-ray observations on each of the planetary bodies and discuss their characteristics and proposed source mechanisms.
Bhardwaj, A.↗
The spectral flux distribution of the candidate BL Lacertae object 1218 + 304 /identically equal to 2A 1219 + 305/
A break in the optical-infrared spectrum of the X-ray-discovered candidate BL Lac object 1218 + 304 has been observed at a wavelength of about 1 micron. Two possible causes of the break are considered. One is that it is a high-frequency break in a synchrotron spectrum, resulting from radiation losses. The other is that the observed spectrum is a composite of a power-law spectrum and a galaxian spectrum. The radio through X-ray spectral flux distributions of the two X-ray-discovered BL Lac objects, 1218 + 304 and 2155 - 304, are quite similar. If the radio, infrared, and optical radiation have a common origin in an inhomogeneous synchrotron source, then the observed slope of the X-ray spectrum makes it unlikely that the X-radiation is produced by Compton scattering. The observed soft X-radiation from BL Lac objects is better explained as the high-frequency tail of a synchrotron spectrum. The low radio:optical spectral-flux ratios of 1284 + 304 and 2155 - 304 suggest that this ratio may be inversely related to the break frequency for BL Lac objects. In that case, there may be BL Lac objects which have spectral breaks in the ultraviolet, flat optical spectra, and very weak radio emission. Such objects would most easily be discovered through their X-ray emission.
Ledden, J. E.↗
Magnetized Disk Winds in NGC 3783
We analyze a 900 kilosecond stacked Chandra/HETG (High-Energy Transmission Grating) spectrum of NGC 3783 in the context of magnetically driven accretion-disk wind models in an effort to provide tight constraints on the global conditions of the underlying absorbers. Motivated by the earlier measurements of its absorption measure distribution (AMD) indicating X-ray-absorbing ionic columns that decrease slowly with decreasing ionization parameter, we employ 2-dimension (2-D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) disk wind models to describe the global outflow. We compute its photoionization structure along with the wind kinematic properties, allowing us to further calculate in a self-consistent fashion the shapes of the major X-ray absorption lines. With the wind radial density profile determined by the AMD, the profiles of the ensemble of the observed absorption features are determined by the two global parameters of the MHD wind; i.e., disk inclination theta (sub obs) and wind density normalization n (sub o). Considering the most significant absorption features in the approximately 1.8-20 angstrom range, we show that the MHD wind is best described by n(r) approximately equal to 6.9 times 10 (sup 11) (r/r (sub o)) (sup - 1.15) cubic centimeters and theta (sub obs). We argue that winds launched by X-ray heating or radiation pressure, or even MHD winds but with steeper radial density profiles, are strongly disfavored by data. Considering the properties of Fe K-band absorption features (i.e., Fe XXV and Fe XXVI), while typically prominent in the active galactic nucleus X-ray spectra, they appear to be weak in NGC 3783. For the specific parameters of our model obtained by fitting the AMD and the rest of the absorption features, these features are found to be weak, in agreement with observations.
Fukumura, Keigo↗
Processings of the Workshop on Electron Contamination in X-Ray Astronomy Experiments
The proceedings of a conference to investigate the effects of extraterrestrial radiation and particle contamination of X-ray astronomical data are presented. The subjects discussed include the following: (1) electrons at low altitudes which affect soft X-ray astronomy, (2) the geographical distribution of 100 keV electrons above the earth's atmosphere, (3) midlatitude electron precipitation, (4) particle background observed by X-ray detectors on board Copernicus satellite, and (5) a survey of trapped low energy electrons near the inner boundary of the inner radiation zone as determined by OSO-7.
Holt, S. S.↗
Angular sizes of the x-ray sources in scorpio and sagittarius.
Angular diameters of X-ray source regions in Scorpio and Sagittarius constellations by rocket measurement with collimator
COSMIC RADIATION↗
The Comptonization of iron X-ray features in compact X-ray sources
The formation of X-ray spectral features due to iron in a relatively cool cloud of gas with a Thomson depth greater than 1 surrounding a compact source of continuum X-rays is described. Coupled equations are solved for the ionization structure of the cloud and for the radiative transfer of the X-rays. Photoionization suppresses the strength of emission lines and absorption edges. Comptonization of the radiation broadens emission lines, fills in absorption edges, and produces a high-energy cutoff. In order to describe multiple scattering, a Fokker-Planck equation is derived which includes an important modification of the Kompaneets equation. Narrow resonance lines are treated with an escape probability formalism.
Ross, R. R.↗
Predicting the Structure of the Solar Corona for the Total Solar Eclipse of March 29,2006
We describe the use of a three-dimensional MHD model to predict the s tructure of the corona prior to the total solar eclipse of March 29, 2006. The calculation uses the observed photospheric radial magnetic f ield as a boundary condition. We use a new version of our model that has an improved description of energy transport in the corona. The mo del allows us to predict the emission of X-ray and EUV radiation in t he corona. We compare the predicted polarization brightness in the co rona with four observations of the eclipse from Greece, Egypt, and Li bya, and we demonstrate that the model accurately predicts the largescale structure of the corona. We also compare X-ray emission from the model with GOES/SXI images.
Mikic, Z.↗
X ray opacity in cluster cooling flows
We have calculated the emergent x-ray properties for a set of spherically symmetric, steady-state cluster cooling flow models including the effects of radiative transfer. Opacity due to resonant x-ray lines, photoelectric absorption, and electron scattering have been included in these calculations, and homogeneous and inhomogeneous gas distributions were considered. The effects of photoionization opacity are small for both types of models. In contrast, resonant line optical depths can be quite high in both homogeneous and inhomogeneous models. The presence of turbulence in the gas can significantly lower the line opacity. We find that integrated x-ray spectra for the flow cooling now are only slightly affected by radiative transfer effects. However x-ray line surface brightness profiles can be dramatically affected by radiative transfer. Line profiles are also strongly affected by transfer effects. The combined effects of opacity and inflow cause many of the lines in optically thick models to be asymmetrical.
Wise, Michael W.↗
Stardust Interstellar Preliminary Examination IV: Scanning Transmission X-Ray Microscopy Analyses of Impact Features in the Stardust Interstellar Dust Collector
We report the quantitative characterization by synchrotron soft X-ray spectroscopy of 31 potential impact features in the aerogel capture medium of the Stardust Interstellar Dust Collector. Samples were analyzed in aerogel by acquiring high spatial resolution maps and high energy-resolution spectra of major rock-forming elements Mg, Al, Si, Fe, and others. We developed diagnostic screening tests to reject spacecraft secondary ejecta and terrestrial contaminants from further consideration as interstellar dust candidates. The results support an extraterrestrial origin for three interstellar candidates: I1043,1,30 (Orion) is a 3 pg particle with Mg-spinel, forsterite, and an iron-bearing phase. I1047,1,34 (Hylabrook) is a 4 pg particle comprising an olivine core surrounded by low-density, amorphous Mg-silicate and amorphous Fe, Cr, and Mn phases. I1003,1,40 (Sorok) has the track morphology of a high-speed impact, but contains no detectable residue that is convincingly distinguishable from the background aerogel. Twenty-two samples with an anthropogenic origin were rejected, including four secondary ejecta from impacts on the Stardust spacecraft aft solar panels, nine ejecta from secondary impacts on the Stardust Sample Return Capsule, and nine contaminants lacking evidence of an impact. Other samples in the collection included I1029,1,6, which contained surviving solar system impactor material. Four samples remained ambiguous: I1006,2,18, I1044,2,32, and I1092,2,38 were too dense for analysis, and we did not detect an intact projectile in I1044,3,33. We detected no radiation effects from the synchrotron soft X-ray analyses; however, we recorded the effects of synchrotron hard X-ray radiation on I1043,1,30 and I1047,1,34.
Dust↗
X-ray Observations of Cosmic Ray Acceleration
Since the discovery of cosmic rays, detection of their sources has remained elusive. A major breakthrough has come through the identification of synchrotron X-rays from the shocks of supernova remnants through imaging and spectroscopic observations by the most recent generation of X-ray observatories. This radiation is most likely produced by electrons accelerated to relativistic energy, and thus has offered the first, albeit indirect, observational evidence that diffusive shock acceleration in supernova remnants produces cosmic rays to TeV energies, possibly as high as the "knee" in the cosmic ray spectrum. X-ray observations have provided information about the maximum energy to which these shOCks accelerate electrons, as well as indirect evidence of proton acceleration. Shock morphologies measured in X-rays have indicated that a substantial fraction of the shock energy can be diverted into particle acceleration. This presentation will summarize what we have learned about cosmic ray acceleration from X-ray observations of supernova remnants over the past two decades.
Petre, Robert↗
Industrial Inspection System
Lixi, Inc. has built a thriving business on NASA-developed x-ray technology. The Low Intensity X-ray Imaging scope (LIXI) was designed to use less than one percent of radiation required by conventional x-ray devices. It is portable and can be used for a variety of industrial inspection systems as well as medical devices. A food processing plant uses the new LIXI Conveyor system to identify small bone fragments in chicken. The chicken packages on a conveyor belt enter an x-ray chamber and the image is displayed on a monitor. Defects measuring less than a millimeter can be detected. An important advantage of the system is its ability to inspect 100 percent of the product right on the production line.
Source record↗
The Design, Implementation, and Performance of the Astro-H SXS Aperture Assembly and Blocking Filters
The calorimeter array of the JAXA Astro-H (renamed Hitomi) Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) was designed to provide unprecedented spectral resolution of spatially extended cosmic x-ray sources and of all cosmic x-ray sources in the Fe-K band around 6 keV, enabling essential plasma diagnostics. The properties that make the SXS array a powerful x-ray spectrometer also make it sensitive to photons from the entire electromagnetic band, and particles as well. If characterized as a bolometer, it would have a noise equivalent power (NEP) of less than 4x10(exp -18) W/(Hz)0.5(exp 0.5). Thus it was imperative to shield the detector from thermal radiation from the instrument and optical and UV photons from the sky. Additionally, it was necessary to shield the coldest stages of the instrument from the thermal radiation emanating from the warmer stages. Both of these needs are addressed by a series of five thin-film radiation-blocking filters, anchored to the nested temperature stages, that block long-wavelength radiation while minimizing x-ray attenuation. The aperture assembly is a system of barriers, baffles, filter carriers, and filter mounts that supports the filters and inhibits their potential contamination. The three outer filters also have been equipped with thermometers and heaters for decontamination. We present the requirements, design, implementation, and performance of the SXS aperture assembly and blocking filters.
radiation - blocking filters↗
Summary of the Workshop on Ultraviolet Cosmic Background Radiation
The relationship of the ultraviolet background radiation to the X-ray background is shown. The ultraviolet background, which is four orders of magnitude brighter than the x-ray background, is much less well determined. The relationship of the ultraviolet background to the EUV background and an excellent summary of the discordant ultraviolet observations at high galactic latitudes are given. A picture of the universe from the point of view of those who study ultraviolet background radiation, with emphasis on the various sources of noise that can affect the measurements is presented. The altitudes of various observing platforms are also indicated.
Henry, R. C.↗
Simultaneous Exosat and VLA observations of the contact binaries VW Cephei and XY Leonis - Quiescent emission and a flare on VW Cephei
Two W UMa-type contact binaries, XY Leo and VW Cep, were observed simultaneously with Exosat, the VLA, and, in the case of XY Leo, optically. The temporal coverage of each star was sufficient to monitor them throughout two orbital revolutions (P about 0.27 days); however, no orbital modulation of either the X-ray or 6 cm data was seen for either star, indicating large emitting regions. A large flare from VW Cep was detected, the best such simultaneous flare data ever obtained from a star other than the sun. Its behavior before, during, and after the flare was remarkably similar to that found in solar flares, although at 6 cm this flare on VW Cep was about 10,000 times more luminous than typical strong solar flares. For both stars, it is demonstrated that the 6 cm emission cannot be the result of bremsstrahlung radiation of the X-ray emitting plasma; in fact, it is shown, in the case of the VW Cep flare, that the 6 cm emission is consistent with gyrosynchrotron radiation from a source region of order of the system separation.
Vilhu, Osmi↗