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At least 559 records · Page 31

Photometric studies of Saturn's ring and eclipses of the Galilean satellites

Reliable data defining the photometric function of the Saturn ring system at visual wavelengths are interpreted in terms of a simple scattering model. To facilitate the analysis, new photographic photometry of the ring has been carried out and homogeneous measurements of the mean surface brightness are presented. The ring model adopted is a plane parallel slab of isotropically scattering particles; the single scattering albedo and the perpendicular optical thickness are both arbitrary. Results indicate that primary scattering is inadequate to describe the photometric properties of the ring: multiple scattering predominates for all angles of tilt with respect to the Sun and earth. In addition, the scattering phase function of the individual particles is significantly anisotropic: they scatter preferentially towards the sun. Photoelectric photometry of Ganymede during its eclipse by Jupiter indicate that neither a simple reflecting-layer model nor a semi-infinite homogeneous scattering model provides an adequate physical description of the Jupiter atmosphere.

Brunk, W. E.↗

L-alpha measurements during the solar eclipse of 12 November 1966.

Rocket measurements of the solar L-alpha (1216 A) flux during various phases of the total eclipse on Nov. 12, 1966 confirm that the radiation emanates from the chromosphere. A significant difference between two portions of the photosphere limb is attributed to enhanced emission in the region of a Ca K plage. The average size of the L-alpha disk is found to be approximately 4000 km above the photosphere, and a brightening is observed at the limb.

Weeks, L. H.↗

Synthesis of data obtained at Jicamarca, Peru, during the September 11, 1969, eclipse.

Results of continuous measurements of electron temperatures, electron concentrations, and vertical plasma drift made at Jicamarca during the Sept. 11, 1969, solar eclipse and of control measurements made on Sept. 13, 1969. Synthesis of the observed electron concentrations was made, using a model that solved the time-dependent electron-ion continuity equations. Ions O(-), NO(+), O2(+), and N2(+) were treated. Physical and chemical processes pertinent to the F region were considered in a realistic way. At noon, 300 km above Jicamarca, the values q = 290 per cu cm per sec for the O(+) production rate, beta = 1.94 x 0.0001 per sec for the loss coefficient, and H = 59 km for the atomic oxygen scale height were obtained. All large-scale features observed in the F2 region were synthesized by the model. This synthesis was not sensitive to a simultaneous 30% reduction of q and beta.

Sterling, D. L.↗

Rocket observations of solar X-rays during the eclipse of 7 March 1970.

Measurement of the absorption profiles and residual fluxes of three bands of solar X-rays before and during the eclipse of Mar. 7, 1970. In the bands 2 to 8 A, 8 to 20 A, and 44 to 60 A the residual flux in totality is found to be respectively 5, 7, and 16% of the flux from the uneclipsed sun. It is shown that the radiation maintaining the E-layer varies in proportion to the 44- to 60-A flux. In the D-layer, ionization by the residual flux of 2 to 8 A is less important in totality than is ionization of nitric oxide by Lyman-alpha.

Accardo, C. A.↗

Meteorological rocket data processor and results from the solar eclipse of 7 March 1970.

A comprehensive digital computer program is described which automatically processes precision digitized data from conventional rocketsondes and radars to produce accurately corrected temperatures and winds together with estimated uncertainties at each point. Underlying models for the systematic errors in the Arcasonde 1A temperature sensor and the radar-tracked parachute wind sensor, and for the uncertainty in corrected results are presented. Techniques used to automatically edit, synchronize and filter data are also given. Performance is illustrated by graphical output from the eight meteorological soundings in the rocket series conducted at Wallops Island, Va., during the Mar. 7, 1970 solar eclipse. An operational version (METROK) of the program is in use at NASA Wallops Station.

Staffanson, F. L.↗

Soft X-rays from Cygnus X-2 and from Cygnus X-1 /in eclipse/.

Observations of Cygnus X-1 (probably in eclipse) and Cygnus X-2 on Oct. 23, 1971, show quite low absorption in their spectrum, and yet they are thought to be in a double or multiple star system from the optical data. The lack of intrinsic absorption in their spectra may be taken to mean that they lie sufficiently far from their primaries for a reduction to virtually zero of their interaction with the atmosphere of the primaries.

Stevens, J. C.↗

The physical properties of the Jovian atmosphere inferred from eclipses of the Galilean satellites. II - 1971 apparition.

Further simultaneous two-color photoelectric photometry of Ganymede was carried out at blue (4500 A) and yellow (5790 A) wavelengths during its eclipse by Jupiter on Mar. 10, 1971. In both colors, the shape of the ingress light curve was again reliably determined for extinctions up to 9 mag. Neither curve showed any evidence of a refraction tail. The observations have been interpreted in terms of the local optical transmission properties of the Jovian atmosphere. At gas number densities of about 5 x 10 to the 18th power per cu cm the maximum photon scattering mean free path at visual wavelengths was 47 km atm. Evidence indicates that neither a simple reflecting-layer model or a semiinfinite homogeneous scattering model provides an adequate physical description of the atmosphere.

Price, M. J.↗

UV photometry of eclipsing variables

UV photometric observations of the eclipsing variable CW Cephei by orbiting OAO-2 instrument package reveal the binary to be a system in an active stage of evolution, with evidence for stellar mass loss or mass exchange.

Sobieski, S.↗

Ten-micron eclipse observations of Io, Europa, and Ganymede.

Eclipse observations of Jupiter's satellites Io, Europa, and Ganymede have been obtained in an 8 to 14-micron band pass during 1971. The simplest thermal model able to explain the data for each satellite is a two-layer surface structure with an upper layer, only a few millimeters thick, having low thermal conductivity consistent with fine rock powder or frost, and a subsurface having high thermal conductivity consistent with solid rock or dense ice. The upper layer on Io appears to be different from that on Europa and Ganymede, but the two-layer model fits all three satellites.

Hansen, O. L.↗

Correlations among the parameters of the spherical model for eclipsing binaries.

Correlation coefficients have been computed to investigate the parameters used to describe the spherical model of an eclipsing binary system. Regions in parameter hyperspace have been identified where strong correlations exist and, by implication, the solution determinacy is low. The results are presented in tabular form for a large number of system configurations.

Sobieski, S.↗

Jovian satellite - Satellite eclipses and occultations.

Toward the end of 1973 and in the first part of 1974, when the planes of the orbits of the four large Galilean satellites cross the sun and the earth, satellite-satellite eclipses and occultations will occur. Calculations indicate that during this period 350 such events will occur, most of them potentially observable. From observation of a few of these events the ephemerides of the satellites can be improved, radii and limb darkening curves determined, and crude information about the degree and extent of albedo fluctuations deduced. If a concerted effort were made and a large fraction of these events carefully observed, it would be possible to invert the light curves to obtain albedo maps of most of the surface area at a typical resolution of about 100 km for JI and JII and somewhat poorer for JIII and JIV.

Brinkmann, R. T.↗

Advanced definition study for the determination of atmospheric ozone using the satellite eclipse technique

A study was made to evaluate the potential for remote ground-based measurement of upper atmospheric ozone by determining the absorption ratio of selected narrow bands of sunlight as reflected by satellites while passing into eclipse, using the NASA Mobile Satellite Photometric Observatory (MOSPO). Equipment modifications to provide optimum performance were analyzed and recommendations were made for improvements to the system to accomplish this. These included new sensor tubes, pulse counting detection circuitry, filters, beam splitters and associated optical revision, along with an automatic tracking capability plus corresponding operational techniques which should extend the overall measurement capability to include use of satellites down to 5th magnitude.

Emmons, R.↗

Cometary investigation during the total solar eclipse of 7 March 1970

Photographic observations made during the solar eclipses of 1963, 1966, 1968, and 1970 indicate the presence of previously unidentified celestial objects in the near-angular vicinity of the sun. Observational data and equipment are described. Possible origins of the objects are enumerated, as well as suggested future experiments to confirm the results.

Courten, H. C.↗

Outside-eclipse spectral changes in beta Lyrae

Five pairs of spectra of the eclipsing binary star beta Lyrae, obtained in May 1971 with the Cassegrain spectrograph of a 36-inch telescope at a dispersion of 39 A per mm, are presented. Variations of the He-I 4471-A line and a possibly related spectral feature are discussed.

Wolf, G. W.↗

LX Persei, an eclipsing binary with H and K emission

The masses and MK classes were calculated for the eclipsing spectroscopic binary LX Persei. Its spectrum shows strong H and K emission and doubled lines in the photographic region. The Ca II emission velocity shifts vary in phase with the secondary's absorption lines and are presumably associated with this component. The stars are tentatively classed as G0 V and K0 IV, and the cooler component is the more massive by a ratio of 0.96. The system has a period of 8.0 days.

Weiler, E. J.↗

Orbital elements and absolute dimensions of the eclipsing system LY Aurigae

Orbital solutions were obtained for the early-type eclipsing binary LY Aurigae from the light curves obtained with the OAO-2 by Heap and from the V light curve obtained from ground-based observations by Mayer and Horak. The solutions take into account the existence of a nearby companion not accounted for by previous investigators. The spectroscopic observations by Mayer and Batten were used to compute absolute dimensions for the binary orbit and for each component. This binary system presents an unique opportunity to determine accurately the absolute dimensions of an O9.5 III star.

Mccluskey, G. E., Jr.↗

Post-eclipse brightening and non-brightening of Io

It may be possible to understand the apparent intermittent nature of the post-eclipse brightenings and nonbrightenings of Io in terms of a nonuniform distribution of blue reflectors grouped in the hemisphere centered at 0 deg longitude. The dimensions required for such blue mirrors are consistent with very large craters. The high blue albedo of water frost and other ices makes these materials likely candidates for the reflectors.

Frey, H.↗

Mid-eclipse brightening of the Galilean satellites

Brinkmann (1973) has suggested that the Galilean satellites might briefly manifest a brightening at mid-eclipse due to a concentration of light refracted into the geometric umbra of Jupiter by the atmosphere around the terminator. Results obtained using two different models of the Jovian atmosphere indicate that such a brightening is unlikely even for Callisto due to the probable aerosol concentration in the Jovian atmosphere at the relevant altitudes.

Smith, D. W.↗