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At least 649 records · Page 36
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NASA NTRS1981

X-ray spectra of the Crab pulsar and Nebula

The X-ray spectra of the Crab pulsar and Crab Nebula are analyzed. Observations were made with OSO 8 on March 17-18, 1978, with all spacecraft telemetry assigned to one detector during seven dwell mode experiments. A resolution of 1.25 ms was obtained for pulse-height-analyzed counts in 64 channels. Progressive hardening and subsequent softening of the spectrum across the pulse was found. The fraction of the pulsed flux, exhibiting a spectral variability of about 0.14 was concentrated solely in the region between the two peaks. A model is suggested in which the pulsed X-ray emission from the Crab pulsar consists of two components: one is physically related to the double-peaked gamma-ray pulse and possibly to radio and optical pulses, but has no spectral dependence on the pulse phase, while the other exhibits spectral variability with the pulse phase but is confined to the interpeak emission seen with X-ray energies.

Pravdo, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Survey of in-situ and remote sensing methods for soil moisture determination

General methods for determining the moisture content in the surface layers of the soil based on in situ or point measurements, soil water models and remote sensing observations are surveyed. In situ methods described include gravimetric techniques, nuclear techniques based on neutron scattering or gamma-ray attenuation, electromagnetic techniques, tensiometric techniques and hygrometric techniques. Soil water models based on column mass balance treat soil moisture contents as a result of meteorological inputs (precipitation, runoff, subsurface flow) and demands (evaporation, transpiration, percolation). The remote sensing approaches are based on measurements of the diurnal range of surface temperature and the crop canopy temperature in the thermal infrared, measurements of the radar backscattering coefficient in the microwave region, and measurements of microwave emission or brightness temperature. Advantages and disadvantages of the various methods are pointed out, and it is concluded that a successful monitoring system must incorporate all of the approaches considered.

Schmugge, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The hard X-ray spectrum of X Persei

Results of observations of 3U 0352 + 30, the source associated with the X Persei system, in the energy range 12-180 keV are reported. The measurements were made on 1978 August 22 with the UCSD/MIT High-Energy X-ray and Low-Energy Gamma-ray Experiment on HEAO 1. Data taken simultaneously in the energy range 2-50 keV indicate that, in addition to a 7 keV thermal bremsstrahlung component, there is a second component of higher energy. It is found that this higher energy component fits a power law of photon index 1.3 (+0.4, -0.5) and is pulsed at the 13.95 minute period of the lower energy component.

Worrall, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Concurrent radio, infrared, optical and X-ray observations of the nucleus of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151

The nucleus of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 was observed during May and June 1977 at X-ray energies from 20 to 200 keV using the high-energy X-ray spectrometer on OSO 8 at radio frequencies of 2695 and 8085. Data were also taken in the visual, and at infrared wavelengths of 1 to 2 microns, and from 2 to 6 keV using the OSO 8 proportional counter. Optical data showed variability by a factor of 2 within the observing period, which is comparable to the variability in the 2 to 6 keV X-ray flux. No variability, however, was measured at infrared or radio frequencies. The composite spectrum from radio to gamma-ray is plotted, and it is found that the optical and X-ray fluxes varied during the observing period, although it is not known if they varied concurrently.

Beall, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Variable positron annihilation radiation from the galactic center region

HEAO 3 Cosmic Gamma-Ray Spectrometer evidence is presented for the existence of a time-varying, unshifted, narrow 511 keV line emission from the vicinity of the galactic center. Although uncertainties exist regarding the spatial extent of the features as well as its centroid, all data are consistent with emission from a single point source located at the galactic center. This interpretation would require a source luminosity of 2 x 10 to the 37th ergs/sec, and a positron annihilation rate of about 10 to the 43rd/sec. It is concluded that a variable source of positrons which could generate such an annihilation figure might be a massive black hole at the galactic center, as has been suggested by IR observations.

Riegler, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Radiation damage of the HEAO C-1 germanium detectors

The effects of radiation damage from proton bombardment of the four HEAO C-1 high purity germanium detectors have been measured and compared to predictions. Because of the presence of numerous gamma-ray lines in the detector background spectra and because of the relatively long exposure time of the HEAO 3 satellite to cosmic-ray and trapped protons, it has been possible to measure both the energy and time dependence of radiation damage. After 100 d in orbit, each of the four detectors has been exposed to approximately 3 x 10 to the 7th protons/sq cm, and the average energy resolution at 1460 keV had degraded from 3.2 keV fwhm to 8.6 keV fwhm. The lines were all broadened to the low energy side although the line profile was different for each of the four detectors. The damage-related contribution to the degradation in energy resolution was found to be linear in energy and proton influence.

Mahoney, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Confinement of cosmic rays in molecular clouds

The consequences of cosmic ray production by a supernova in a molecular cloud are discussed. Self-trapping problems for a higher flux of cosmic rays in a molecular cloud are focused on. The column density of molecular clouds is probably too high to explain the majority of galactic cosmic ray sources, even allowing for fortuitous asymmetry in the placement of the supernova in the cloud, however, measurements of antiproton flux suggest that some cosmic ray sources do have a high column density. The large predicted gamma-ray luminosity of such a cloud invites comparison with COS-B sources.

Zweibel, E. G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Absence of J/pi/, T = 0/+/, 1 level excitations in residual nuclei from /pi /+ or -/,2N/ reactions

Gamma-ray spectra taken in prompt coincidence with incident 180-MeV pi/+/, 220-MeV pi/-/ and 0-MeV pi/-/ on the self-conjugate targets C-12 and S-32 reveal that the cross sections/yields are equal to or near zero for production of the J/pi/,T = 0/+/, 1 levels of the odd Z, odd N nuclei resulting from np removal. It is thought that the 0-MeV pi/-/ results can be explained by selection rules governing one-step quasi-free interactions but that the delta(1232) region results cannot. This indicates that there may be additional restrictions upon the pion absorption mechanism.

Stronach, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Nuclear gamma rays from 720-MeV alpha-induced reactions on Al-27 and Si-28

Prompt gamma rays from the interaction of 720-MeV alpha particles with Al-27 and Si-28 were detected and analyzed to identify residual nuclei and to determine cross sections for production of specific levels. No gamma-ray transitions were detected from nuclei heavier than the target. From Doppler broadening, the momentum of the residual nuclei was estimated. The results are compared with previous results for 140- and 1600-MeV alphas on Al-27 and approximately 200-MeV positive or negative pions on Al-27 and Si-28 and fitted to a spallation-yield formula.

Lieb, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Annihilation radiation from a hot e/+/-e/-/ plasma

The radiation from electron-positron annihilations in a plasma of temperature above 10 to the 8th K is investigated as a possible source of the emission line at energies between 400 and 460 keV frequently seen in gamma-ray bursts. The annihilation rate and luminosity of an optically thin electron-positron plasma and the energy distribution of the resulting annihilation radiation are calculated by the use of a Monte Carlo technique as functions of temperature. Results indicate the annihilation spectrum to be peaked at an energy of 0.511 MeV plus a temperature-dependent blueshift, and the annihilation line to be significantly temperature-broadened. The widths of the observed burst emission lines set an upper limit of 3 x 10 to the 8th K on the temperature of any pair annihilation region in burst sources, which is considerably lower than the typical kinetic temperatures of the radiating particles. It is thus inferred that either the annihilation region is nonthermal, or spatially distinct from the burst site.

Ramaty, R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

HEAO 3 measurements of the atmospheric positron annihilation line

The atmospheric positron annihilation line at 511 keV was the first gamma-ray line observed which originates from processes of astrophysical importance. Measurements of the properties of a positron annihilation line make it possible to determine many of the physical conditions present at the source of emission. An investigation was conducted of the 511-keV line measured with the HEAO C-1 experiment. The HEAO C-1 experiment consisted of a cluster of four, large, high-purity germanium detectors surrounded by an active anticoincidence CsI shield. A strong atmospheric line was measured at 511.07 + or - 0.10 keV. The net atmospheric emission has been accurately determined as a function of geomagnetic latitude and varies from 0.01 photons/sq cm-sec-sr near the magnetic equator to 0.035 photons/sq cm-sec-sr at a latitude of 55 deg.

Mahoney, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The radiolysis and radioracemization of amino acids on silica surfaces

Results are presented of experiments on the radioracemization of amino acids in the presence of silica surfaces such as may have been found on the prebiotic earth. L-leucine and a DL-leucine mixture deposited on samples of 1-quartz and an amorphous silica preparation (Syloid 63) was subjected to Co-60 gamma-ray irradiation, then analyzed by gas chromatography to determine the radiolysis and racemization rates. The quartz surface is found to have a marginal efficacy in enhancing radiolysis when compared with a crystalline L-leucine control, although enhancing radioracemization symmetrically by a factor of two. Both the radiolysis and radioracemization of L-leucine and DL-leucine on a Syloid-63 silica surface are observed to increase with increasing radiation dose, and to be substantially greater than in the crystalline controls. Additional experiments with the nonprotein amino acid isovaline deposited on Syloid 63 confirm the greater radiolysis susceptibility of amino acids deposited on silica with respect to the crystalline state, although racemization is not observed. The observations suggest that the presence of a silica surface would have a deleterious effect on any mechanism for the origin of molecular chirality relying on stereoselective beta-radiolysis.

Bonner, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Enhanced orbital geochemical images by the Laplacian subtraction method

Orbital geochemical studies of the moon based on X-ray fluorescence and gamma-ray spectroscopy have been successful. There are, however, difficulties if geologic units or other features to be investigated are too small. Investigations have been conducted with the objective to improve with the aid of image enhancement methods both spatial resolution and contrast for the geochemical experiments. A description is provided of the Laplacian subtraction method of enhancement. It was found that the application of a least-squares version of this method to the Mg/Al ratios obtained by orbital X-ray fluorescence improved geochemical images considerably. The spatial resolution increased by about a factor of 2 and the contrast also increased. The Laplacian of an image can also be used to detect very small 'hot' or 'cold' spots in an image.

Schonfeld, E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Confinement and acceleration of cosmic rays in galactic superbubbles

The role of the newly discovered galactic superbubbles on the confinement and acceleration of cosmic rays is examined. It is shown that these structures naturally account for the lifetime and the local origin of the cosmic rays, as well as for the location of galactic gamma-ray sources not associated with pulsars.

Kafatos, M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Origins of the low energy relativistic interplanetary electrons

Electron measurements in the energy range 2-25 MeV on the Pioneer 10 spacecraft are studied from 1 to 21.5 AU. It is found that in this radial range, interplanetary low energy electron fluxes are of Jovian origin, based on the decreasing electron intensity from about 6 to 21.5 AU, a negative gradient from about 11 to 21.5 AU, and the constant spectral index observed from 1 to 21.5 AU. The upper limit of the galactic flux is estimated at 12 MeV and standard assumptions are applied to solar modulation. It is found that at 1 AU, the expected flux of galactic origin is a factor 300 or more below the observed quiet time flux, and the extrapolated interstellar flux level is consistent with estimates based on galactic diffuse radio and gamma-ray emissions.

Eraker, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Thermonuclear processes on accreting neutron stars

Theoretical models for X-ray burst sources that invoke thermonuclear flashes on the surface layers of an accreting neutron star are discussed. The historical development of X-ray burst observation is summarized, and a physical picture of a neutron star undergoing accretion is drawn. Detailed numerical computations of the evolution of the surface layers of such a star are reviewed. The need for general relativistic corrections to the model is pointed out. Finally, comparisons are made with observations of X-ray bursts, the rapid burster, fast X-ray transients, X-ray pulsars, and gamma-ray burst sources.

Joss, P. C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Supernova 1987A

Supernova 1987A (February 23, 1987) in the Large Magellanic Cloud is the brightest supernova to be observed since SN 1604 AD (Kepler). Detection of a burst of neutrinos indicates that a neutron star was formed. Radioactive decay of about 0.07 solar mass of Co-56 is responsible for the observed optical light as well as hard X-rays and gamma-ray lines. Ultraviolet, optical, and infrared 'light echoes' and soft X-rays provide information on the distribution of circumstellar matter and the evolution of the progenitor star.

Mccray, Richard↗
NASA NTRS1971

Neutron Activation Analysis of Water - A Review

Recent developments in this field are emphasized. After a brief review of basic principles, topics discussed include sources of neutrons, pre-irradiation physical and chemical treatment of samples, neutron capture and gamma-ray analysis, and selected applications. Applications of neutron activation analysis of water have increased rapidly within the last few years and may be expected to increase in the future.

Buchanan, John D.↗