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At least 577 records · Page 32

Extended analysis of Skylab experiment M558 data

A careful review of the data from Skylab M558 was made in an effort to explain the apparent anomaly of the existence of radial concentration gradients whereas none should bave been observed. The very close modelling of the experimental axial concentration profiles by the unsteady-state one-dimensional solution of Fick's Law of self-diffusion in liquid zinc, and the condition of initial uniform concentration in the radioactive pellet portion of the experimental specimens would have precluded the appearance of such radial concentration gradients. Statistical analyses were used to test the significance of the observed deviation from radial-concentration homogeneity. A student t-distribution test of significance showed that, at 90% or even at 80% level of significance, there were no significant deviations from uniformity in radial concentrations. It was also concluded that the two likely causes of any deviation that existed were the zinc to zinc-65 bonding procedure and surface phenomena such as surface tension and capillary action.

Ukanwa, A. O.↗

Seyfert galaxy narrow-line regions. II - Kinematic models

A class of kinematic models for the narrow-line regions of active galactic nuclei is presented. The models incorporate continuity-constrained radial flow of emitting material in a bounded, spherical geometry. They are designed to represent the narrow-line regions in as simple a manner as is consistent with current knowledge. The systematic comparison of line profiles arising from the models to the spectra in the forbidden O III lambda 5007 emission line which have been described in Paper I of this series is used as a probe of the line-emitting region kinematics: the model parameter areas of interest are identified and tested for consistency with the data. The results indicate heterogeneous kinematic conditions; the most common pattern is outflow of emitting material in a radially decelerating velocity field in the presence of distributed obscuration. However, some observed line profiles can be fitted by several model profiles from very different kinematic conditions, indicating that the information in a spatially unresolved line profile is insufficient to constrain uniquely the geometry and kinematics of the line-emitting region. Although the specific conclusions are model dependent, a predominantly radial pattern of velocities and a distribution of obscuring material are probably essential features of any successful kinematic model of the narrow-line regions.

Vrtilek, J. M.↗

Measurements of fuselage skin strains and displacements near a longitudinal lap joint in a pressurized aircraft

Strains and displacements in a small area near a longitudinal lap joint in the fuselage skin of a B737 aircraft were measured during a pressurization cycle to a differential pressure of 6.2 psi while the aircraft was on the ground. It was found that hoop strains were higher than longitudinal strains at each location; membrane strains in the unreinforced skin were higher than in the joint; membrane strains in the hoop direction, as well as radial displacements, tended to be highest at the mid-bay location between skin reinforcements; significant bending in the hoop direction occurred in the joint and in the skin near the joint, and the bending was unsymmetrically distributed about the stringer at the middle of the joint; and radial displacements were unsymmetrically distributed across the lap joint. The interpretation of the strain gage data for locations on the bonded and riveted lap joint assumed that the joint did not contain disbonded areas.

Phillips, Edward P.↗

Design of a Subscale Propellant Slag Evaluation Motor Using Two-Phase Fluid Dynamic Analysis

Small pressure perturbations in the Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) are caused by the periodic expulsion of molten aluminum oxide slag from a pool that collects in the aft end of the motor around the submerged nozzle nose during the last half of motor operation. It is suspected that some motors produce more slag than others due to differences in aluminum oxide agglomerate particle sizes that may relate to subtle differences in propellant ingredient characteristics such as particle size distributions or processing variations. A subscale motor experiment was designed to determine the effect of propellant ingredient characteristics on the propensity for slag production. An existing 5 inch ballistic test motor was selected as the basic test vehicle. The standard converging/diverging nozzle was replaced with a submerged nose nozzle design to provide a positive trap for the slag that would increase the measured slag weights. Two-phase fluid dynamic analyses were performed to develop a nozzle nose design that maintained similitude in major flow field features with the full scale RSRM. The 5 inch motor was spun about its longitudinal axis to further enhance slag collection and retention. Two-phase flow analysis was used to select an appropriate spin rate along with other considerations, such as avoiding bum rate increases due to radial acceleration effects. Aluminum oxide particle distributions used in the flow analyses were measured in a quench bomb for RSRM type propellants with minor variations in ingredient characteristics. Detailed predictions for slag accumulation weights during motor bum compared favorably with slag weight data taken from defined zones in the subscale motor and nozzle. The use of two-phase flow analysis proved successful in gauging the viability of the experimental program during the planning phase and in guiding the design of the critical submerged nose nozzle.

Whitesides, R. Harold↗

Hollow Cathode With Multiple Radial Orifices

Improved hollow cathode serving as source of electrons has multiple radial orifices instead of single axial orifice. Distributes ion current more smoothly, over larger area. Prototype of high-current cathodes for ion engines in spacecraft. On Earth, cathodes used in large-diameter ion sources for industrial processing of materials. Radial orientation of orifices in new design causes current to be dispersed radially in vicinity of cathode. Advantageous where desireable to produce plasma more nearly uniform over wider region around cathode.

Brophy, John R.↗

Constraints on the depth and geometry of the magma chamber of the Olympus Mons Volcano, Mars

The summit caldera of the Olympus Mons volcano exhibits one of the clearest examples of tectonic processes associated with shield volcanism on Mars. The radial distance from the center of the transition from concentric ridges to concentric graben within the oldest crater provides a constraint on the geometry and depth of the subsurface magmatic reservoir at the time of subsidence. Here, researchers use this constraint to investigate the size, shape, and depth of the reservoir. Their approach consists of calculating radial surface stresses corresponding to the range of subsurface pressure distributions representing an evacuating magma chamber. They then compare stress patterns to the observed radial positions of concentric ridges and graben. The problem is solved by employing the finite element approach using the program TECTON.

Zuber, Maria T.↗

ROSAT PSPC observations of the early-type galaxies NGC 507 and NGC 499: Central cooling and mass determination

We present the results of a deep observation of NGC 507 and NGC 499 with the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC). The X-ray emission of NGC 507 is extended at least out to 1000 sec (458 kpc at a distance of 94.5 Mpc). The radial profile of X-ray surface brightness goes as Sigma(sub x) is approximately r(exp -1.8) outside the core region. The radial profile is a function of energy such that the softer X-rays have a smaller core radius and a flatter slope. Spectral analysis reveals that the emission temperature, with an average of 1 keV, peaks at an intermediate radius of 2-3 min and falls toward the center (possibly decreases outward as well). The absorption column density is consistent with the Galactic line-of-sight value. The X-ray emission of NGC 499 is extended to 300 sec and suggests a similarly cooler core. The cooler cores of NGC 507 and NGC 499 are strong evidence of the presence of cooling flows in these galaxies. Assuming hydrostatic equilibrium outside the cooling radius, the estimated mass-to-light ratio of NGC 507 is 97 +/- 16 within 458 kpc, indicative of the presence of a heavy halo. Similarly, the mass-to-light ratio of NGC 499 is 89 +/- 14 within 137 kpc. Near the edge of the X-ray-emitting region of NGC 507 we detect 19 soft, unresolved sources. These sources do not have optical counterparts and are significantly in excess of the expected number of background serendipitous sources. We speculate that they may represent cooling clumps in the halo of NGC 507. If there are many undetected cooling clumps distributed at large radii, then the radial profile of the X-ray surface brightness does not directly reflect the potential, adding uncertainty to the measurement of the binding mass; the gas mass could also be overestimated.

Kim, Dong-Woo↗

The effect of the charge exchange source on the velocity and 'temperature' distributions and their anisotropies in the earth's exosphere

The velocity distribution of atomic hydrogen in the earth's exosphere is calculated as a function of altitude and direction taking into account both the classic exobase source and the higher-altitude plasmaspheric charge exchange source. Calculations are performed on the basis of a Monte Carlo technique in which random ballistic trajectories of individual atoms are traced through a three-dimensional grid of audit zones, at which relative concentrations and momentum or energy fluxes are obtained. In the case of the classical exobase source alone, the slope of the velocity distribution is constant only for the upward radial velocity component and increases dramatically with altitude for the incoming radial and transverse velocity components, resulting in a temperature decrease. The charge exchange source, which produces the satellite hydrogen component and the hot ballistic and escape components of the exosphere, is found to enhance the wings of the velocity distributions, however this effect is not sufficient to overcome the temperature decreases at altitudes above one earth radius. The resulting global model of the hydrogen exosphere may be used as a realistic basis for radiative transfer calculations.

Hodges, R. R., Jr.↗

Detection of the secondary star in HT Cassiopeiae

Low-resolution spectra of the eclipsing dwarf nova HT Cas, taken over the range 5000-9800 A show TiO bands and Na I absorption lines from the secondary star. From the TiO band ratio at mid-eclipse it is estimated that the secondary star contributes about 37 percent of the light at 7500 A during the eclipse, and that it has a Boeshaar spectral type M5.4 + or - 0.3. The mass, radius, and luminosity of the secondary star are all consistent with main-sequence values. The TiO band strength diminishes greatly near phase 0.5, but an eclipse by the disk is not sufficient to explain this. The radial velocity is measured from the Na line near 8200 A for most of the spectra and (after a correction for the asymmetric distribution of absorption over the secondary star) its radial velocity semiamplitude K2 = 430 + or - 25 km/sec.

Marsh, T. R.↗

Radial velocities of stars in the globular cluster M4 and the cluster distance

The internal stellar velocity distribution of the globular cluster M4 is evaluated from nearly 200 new radial velocity measurements good to 1 km/s and a rederivation of existing proper motions. The mean radial velocity of the cluster is 70.9 +/- 0.6 km/s. The velocity dispersion is 3.5 +/- 0.3 km/s at the core, dropping marginally towards the outskirts. Such a low internal dispersion is somewhat at odds with the cluster's orbit, for which the perigalacticon is sufficiently close to the galactic center that the probability of cluster disruption is high; a tidal radius two-thirds the currently accepted value would eliminate the discrepancy. The cluster mass-to-light ratio is also small, M/L(sub V) = 1.0 +/- 0.4 in solar units. M4 thus joins M22 as a cluster of moderate and concentration with a mass-to-light ratio among the lowest known. The astrometric distance to the cluster is also smaller than expected, 1.72 +/- 0.14 kpc. This is only consistent with conventional estimates of the luminosity of horizontal branch stars provided an extinction law R = A(sub V)/E(B-V) approximately 4 is adopted, as has been suggested recently by several authors.

Peterson, R. C.↗

Gas turbine combustor insensitive to compressor outlet distortion

Short-length annular combustor for turbojet engines eliminates change of exit temperature profile. Individual scoops of full annular height control air distribution so that shifts in the radial velocity profile of air entering the combustor will not affect combustion process or alter exit temperature profile.

Humenik, F.↗

Atmospheric heating of meteors.

A theoretical model of the radiating metallic gas produced about an iron meteor entering the earth's atmosphere is discussed. Numerical results are presented for a 0.1 cm diameter iron meteor traveling at 15 km/sec at an altitude of 100 km above the earth. It is shown that collisions between the expanding iron gas and the air molecules produce a radiating gas shell a few meters thick which is located many meters ahead of the meteor core. Temperature, pressure, and density distributions are presented as functions of radial distance and angle for several initial meteor conditions.

Harwell, K. E.↗

Radio observations of IC 434

Continuum radio emission and hydrogen recombination-line emission were measured at 2.37 GHz with the 64-m antenna at Goldstone, California. The radio emission has the same general distribution as the optical nebula. The radial velocity of the nebula agrees with that of the adjacent dust cloud L 1630. The electron temperature is estimated to be approximately 7000 K. The excitation of the nebula is compared with current estimates of the ionizing flux from the exciting star, sigma Orionis.

Kuiper, T. B. H.↗

Design and evaluation of a rotating variable conductance heat pipe system

Analysis of the Dynamics Explorer high orbiter spacecraft showed that the proposed louver system, along with existing radiator heat rejection areas on the S/C surface were insufficient to safely control the S/C's thermal excursions caused by highly varying internal power levels and solar input angles. A variable conductance heat pipe system in conjunction with a conventional radial heat pipe system was designed, built, tested, and shown to resolve this problem. The conventional pipes, radial, spinning at 10 rpm were required to carry 35 watts each after experiencing despin from 80 rpm. The VCHPs attached to the radial pipes at the S/C perimeter distributed the excess energy via a finned radiator attached around the S/C's center.

Marshburn, J. P.↗

The nearby Abell clusters. I - Abell 168

As part of a large program to study the spatial and luminosity distributions of galaxies in the nearby Abell clusters, the results of a photometric study of Abell 168 are presented and compared to the previous results of Dressler (1978). The previous result is confirmed that the faint end of the luminosity function for the galaxies in the central 0.2 sq deg of this cluster is quite flat (alpha = -1.0 in the Schechter formalism). The slope of the faint end appears to be fairly normal if galaxies from a larger region (1 sq deg) are included, but this may be due to a larger than expected contribution of background galaxies. Consequently, the faint end of the luminosity function of galaxies in a 0.2 sq deg region (and possibly also in a 1 sq deg region) centered on A168 is flatter than the 'universal' luminosity function (a Schechter function with alpha = -1.25). Nevertheless, the luminosity functions for both these regions are well fit by Schechter functions. A study of the spatial distribution of galaxies indicates that the radial dependence of the projected surface density is consistent with a power law of slope - 1.01 + or - 0.09.

Oegerle, W. R.↗

Systematic properties of CO emission from galaxies. I - Luminosity function

A sensitive survey of normal galaxies covering a wide range of luminosities and morphological types is combined with galaxy observations in the literature to provide a sample for statistical study. The global CO emission of these galaxies is extrapolated by modeling the galaxies with an exponential radial profile. The maximum-likelihood distribution functions of CO luminosity and CO/H I flux ratio are similar in behavior. Both have long tails of bright galaxies. However, the typical galaxy has a CO luminosity of about 10 to the 6th Jy km/s Mpc-squared or less and a CO/H I ratio of the order of 10 or less. Averages of the distributions of CO luminosity and CO/H I flux ratio are higher for galaxies of Hubble type Sb-Sbc than for groups of earlier or later types. Quantitative estimates of the possible error sources in the conversion of CO luminosity to molecular mass indicates that the peaking of CO emission at intermediate types is a fairly confident result.

Verter, Frances↗

Theoretical model of discrete tone generation by impinging jets

A new feedback mechanism is proposed for discrete tone generation by impinging jets. It is suggested that the feedback is achieved by upstream-propagating waves associated with the lowest-order intrinsic neutral wave modes of the jet flow. These wave modes have well-defined radial and azimuthal pressure and velocity distributions, which are determined by the mean flow of the jets in the case of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability waves. The model proposed here allows the prediction of the average Strouhal number of impingement tones as a function of the jet Mach number.

Tam, Christopher K. W.↗