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At least 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Optical alignment of Centaur's inertial guidance system

During Centaur launch operations the launch azimuth of the inertial platform's U-accelerometer input axis must be accurately established and maintained. This is accomplished by using an optically closed loop system with a long-range autotheodolite whose line of sight was established by a first-order survey. A collimated light beam from the autotheodolite intercepts a reflecting Porro prism mounted on the platform azimuth gimbal. Thus, any deviation of the Porro prism from its predetermined heading is optically detected by the autotheodolite. The error signal produced is used to torque the azimuth gimbal back to its required launch azimuth. The heading of the U-accelerometer input axis is therefore maintained automatically. Previously, the autotheodolite system could not distinguish between vehicle sway and rotational motion of the inertial platform unless at least three prisms were used. One prism was mounted on the inertial platform to maintain azimuth alignment, and two prisms were mounted externally on the vehicle to track sway. For example, the automatic azimuth-laying theodolite (AALT-SV-M2) on the Saturn vehilce used three prisms. The results of testing and modifying the AALT-SV-M2 autotheodolite to simultaneously monitor and maintain alignment of the inertial platform and track the sway of the vehicle from a single Porro prism.

Gordan, Andrew L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Space vehicle approach velocity judgments under simulated visual space conditions

Thirty-five volunteers responded when they first perceived an increase in apparent size of a collimated, 2-D image of an Orbiter vehicle. The test variables of interest included the presence of a fixed angular reticle within the field of view (FOV); three initial Orbiter distances; three constant Orbiter approach velocities corresponding to 1.6, 0.8, and 0.4 percent of the initial distance per second; and two background starfield velocities. It was found that: (1) at each initial range, increasing approach velocity led to a larger distance between the eye and Orbiter image at threshold; (2) including the fixed reticle in the FOV produced a smaller distance between the eye and Orbiter image at threshold; and (3) increasing background star velocity during this judgment led to a smaller distance between the eye and Orbiter image at threshold. The last two findings suggest that other detail within the FOV may compete for available attention which otherwise would be available for judging image expansion; thus, the target has to approach the observer nearer than otherwise if these details were present. These findings are discussed in relation to previous research and possible underlying mechanisms.

Haines, Richard F.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Anisotropic emission from comets: Fans versus jets. 2: Periodic Comet Tempel 2

The position of the rotation axis of P/Tempel 2 is constrained by projected orientations of the comet's sunward fan-like coma extension during 9 apparitions. The approach employed is based on the emission-cone concept formulated for a continuous (or quasi-continuous) collimated flow of dust ejected from discrete active regions on a rotating nucleus. The results show that the observations can be satisfied by assuming an invariable position of the pole, although this is not necessarily the only solution. The derived obliquity of 54 deg and the latitude of +60 deg for the southernmost boundary of the active source imply that the region experiences a polar day for 5 months about perihelion and a polar night for over 3 yr approximately centered on the aphelion point. Combining these results with scattered photometric and spectrophotometric information on the comet at large heliocentric distance, the outbursts observed near 3 AU are attributed to intermittent activity from the region shortly prior and following the polar night.

Sekanina, Z.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Isotope separation using tuned laser and electron beam

The apparatus comprises means for producing an atomic beam containing the isotope of interest and other isotopes. Means are provided for producing a magnetic field traversing the path of the atomic beam of an intensity sufficient to broaden the energy domain of the various individual magnetic sublevels of the isotope of interest and having the atomic beam passing therethrough. A laser beam is produced of a frequency and polarization selected to maximize the activation of only individual magnetic sublevels of the isotope of interest with the portion of its broadened energy domain most removed from other isotopes with the stream. The laser beam is directed so as to strike the atomic beam within the magnetic field and traverse the path of the atomic beam whereby only the isotope of interest is activated by the laser beam. The apparatus further includes means for producing a collimated and high intensity beam of electrons of narrow energy distribution within the magnetic field which is aimed so as to strike the atomic beam while the atomic beam is simultaneously struck by the laser beam and at an energy level selected to ionize the activated isotope of interest but not ground state species included therewith. Deflection means are disposed in the usual manner to collect the ions.

Trajmar, Sandor↗
NASA NTRS1988

Crystal structure and density of helium to 232 kbar

The properties of helium and hydrogen at high pressure are topics of great interest to the understanding of planetary interiors. These materials constitute 95 percent of the entire solar system. A technique was presented for the measurement of X-ray diffraction from single-crystals of low-Z condenses gases in a diamond-anvil cell at high pressure. The first such single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements on solid hydrogen to 26.5 GPa were presented. The application of this technique to the problem of the crystal structure, equation of state, and phase diagram of solid helium is reported. Crucial for X-ray diffraction studies of these materials is the use of a synchrotron radiation source which provides high brillance, narrow collimation of the incident and diffracted X-ray beams to reduce the background noise, and energy-dispersive diffraction techniques with polychromatic (white) radiation, which provides high detection efficiency.

Mao, H. K.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Electromagnetic jets from compact objects

The possibility that at least some astrophysical jets are initially electromagnetic in origin is examined. Subsequent pick-up of ionization would convert such electromagnetic jets into hydrodynamic jets. In such a model, relativistic outflow is formed into highly collimated beams simply through the interaction with the surrounding medium. Forming jets under such general circumstances is encouraging in view of the range of scales that appear to be involved. The overall properties of such jets are largely determined by a single dimensionless parameter: the characteristic electrostatic potential drop rewritten as a particle Lorentz factor. Consequently, the determination of any one observable, such as the total power output, also determines the particle energy scale, the electromagnetic field strengths, etc.

Michel, F. Curtis↗
NASA NTRS1987

Single-state selection system for hydrogen masers

The design and operation of a single-state selection system based on the adiabatic fast-passage technique for atomic state inversion is described. The system uses a variable-pitch dc solenoid and orthogonal four-wire RF coil to create the state-changing magnetic fields, and a half-wavelength state selection magnet to remove the inverted state atoms from the hydrogen beam. The system's performance was determined by measuring maser power as a function of line Q. The system removes more than 85 percent of undesired atoms from the beam. The potential effects of improvements in the maser on its frequency stability have been calculated. The use of single-state selection combined with increased RF coupling to the cavity and increased storage bulb collimation offers the possibility of frequency stability in the 10 to the -17th regime over intervals on the order of 60,000 s.

Mattison, Edward M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Spectrogoniometer for measuring planetary surface materials at small phase angles

This paper describes an instrument, termed spectrogoniometer, which was designed to measure the bidirectional reflectance properties of planetary surface analogs at very small phase angles. By using a pellicle beam splitter, a highly collimated laser light source, and a carefully aligned apparatus it was possible to measure the reflectance properties of geologic samples under any viewing geometry: the angles of incidence and emission ranging from 0 to 90 deg, and the azimuthal angle ranging from 0 to 360 deg. The results on the effect of porosity are demonstrated by comparing measurements on a compact sample (with a void space of 25 percent) and a fluffy sample (with a void space of 90 percent). The fluffy sample exhibited a 30-percent increase in intensity between 10 and 0 deg, whereas the compact sample exhibited only a 20-percent increase.

Buratti, Bonnie J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Outgassing asymmetry of periodic comet Encke. I - Apparitions 1924-1984

A concept of a collimated flow of ejecta from a discrete source (vent) on the surface of a rotating cometary nucleus is applied to P/Encke, based on positional observations of its sunward fanlike coma at 13 apparitions between 1924 and 1984. The major results include a finding that the observations are consistent with an invariable position of the rotation pole during the 60 yr (yielding an obliquity of 70 deg), although this is not to be interpreted as an indication that the nucleus is not precessing. Two vents are identified on the nucleus surface: one on the northern hemisphere at a latitude of +55 deg, of an estimated sublimitation area of 0.4 sq km, which is active along the inbound leg of the comet's orbit until a few days preperihelion and again beginning several weeks postperihelion; the other on the southern hemisphere at -75 deg, of an estimated area of 0.6 sq km, whose activity prevails in the intervening time. There appears to be a significant difference between the two regions in terms of dust content in their emissions.

Sekanina, Z.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Rapid temporal evolution of radiation from nonthermal electrons in solar flares

Solutions of the time dependent Fokker-Planck equation was found for accelerated electrons undergoing Coulomb collisions in a magnetized, fully ionized plasma. An exact solution was found for arbitrary pitch angle and energy distribution in a uniform background plasma. Then, for an inhomogeneous plasma, a solution was found for particles with small pitch angles. These solutions were used to calculate the temporal evolution of bremsstrahlung X-rays from short bursts of nonthermal electron beams, and these spectra were compared with observed high time resolution spectra of short timescale solar hard X-ray bursts. It is shown that the observed softening in time of the spectra rules out a homogeneous background and therefore the possibility of electrons being confined to the corona either because of converging magnetic field or high densities. The inhomogeneous solution was also applied to a model with constant coronal density and exponentially rising chromospheric density. The spectra are shown to be consistent with that produced by a collimated beam of electrons accelerated in the corona with certain given conditions. These conditions could be violated if large pitch angle electrons are present.

Lu, Edward T.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Mass loss from rapidly rotating magnetic protostars

It is proposed that bipolar outflows from young stellar objects originate from a protostar rotating at breakup at its equator because it is being spun up by an adjoining accretion disk. Mass outflow at an appreciable fraction of the infall rate from a surrounding molecular cloud core onto the star and disk can be driven centrifugally if the protostar has a sufficiently strong magnetic field. The expansion of the flow toward the rotational poles may provide a collimation mechanism for focusing an ordinary stellar wind into optical jets.

Shu, Frank H.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Grating rhomb diode laser power combiner

A compact device for spectrally combining many laser-diode beams into a single multi-wavelength beam has been developed for use in NASA's intersatellite communications programs. The prototype device combines seven 30 milliwatt beams into a single beam with 70 percent efficiency producing an output of approximately 150 milliwatts. All beams are coaxial and can be collimated with a single transmitter optical system. The combining technique is relatively insensitive to drifts in the laser-diode wavelength and provides both increased power output and laser-diode source redundancy. Combination of more than 100 laser-diodes producing an output greater than 5 watts appears feasible with this technique.

Minott, Peter O.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Space vehicle approach velocity judgments under simulated visual space conditions

Thirty-five volunteers responded when they first perceived an increase in apparent size of a collimated, 2-D image of an Orbiter vehicle. The test variables of interest included the presence of a fixed angular reticle within the field of view (FOV); three initial Orbiter distances; three constant Orbiter approach velocities corresponding to 1.6, 0.8, and 0.4 percent of the initial distance per second; and two background starfield velocities. It was found that: (1) at each initial range, increasing approach velocity led to a larger distance between the eye and Orbiter image at threshold; (2) including the fixed reticle in the FOV produced a smaller distance between the eye and Orbiter image at threshold; and (3) increasing background star velocity during this judgment led to a smaller distance between the eye and Orbiter image at threshold. The last two findings suggest that other detail within the FOV may compete for available attention which otherwise would be available for judging image expansion; thus, the target has to approach the observer nearer than otherwise if these details were present. These findings are discussed in relation to previous research and possible underlying mechanisms.

Haines, Richard F.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Optical polarization measurements in the vicinity of nearby star-forming complexes. I - The Lynds 1641 molecular cloud

Optical polarization results for 219 stars located in the vicinity of the Lynds 1641 giant molecular cloud are presented. The data indicate that L 1641 is representative of a class of star-forming complexes in which the magnetic field has played an incidental role during the global cloud-collapse phases. It is suggested that the magnetic field may control the direction of collimated mass outflows associated with young stellar objects.

Vrba, Frederick J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Compact radio cores in three Seyfert galaxies - High resolution studies of Mkn 3, Mkn 231, and Mkn 463

The small-scale morphologies of Mkn 231 and Mkn 463 have been investigated using the European VLBI Network (EVN) at 1.6 GHz and the VLA at 15 and 22 GHz. Mkn 3 has been studied using the EVN at 1.4 and 1.6 GHz. All of the galaxies have a substantial fraction of their core radio flux in linear or elongated structures, typically tens of parsecs in extent. Agreement between the parsec- and kiloparsec-scale position angles of continuum radio emission suggests collimated outflow from the galaxy centers that continues over several orders of magnitude in scale. Supernova rates of order one hundred per year on scales of tens of parsecs are required to explain the nuclear radio emission as the result of bursts of star formation. The luminosities, small extents, and linear morphologies of the radio sources all support the idea that the nuclear radio sources are energized by active galactic nuclei and therefore support the more general picture of Seyfert galaxy nuclei being low-luminosity quasars. All of the galaxies appear to have undergone violent interactions in the recent past.

Neff, S. G.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A method for monitoring the variability in nuclear absorption characteristics of aviation fuels

A technique for monitoring variability in the nuclear absorption characteristics of aviation fuels has been developed. It is based on a highly collimated low energy gamma radiation source and a sodium iodide counter. The source and the counter assembly are separated by a geometrically well-defined test fuel cell. A computer program for determining the mass attenuation coefficient of the test fuel sample, based on the data acquired for a preset counting period, has been developed and tested on several types of aviation fuel.

Sprinkle, Danny R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Long-life 3-axis satellite attitude sensing, phase 1

The purpose was to investigate the feasibility of new, moderate-cost, high reliability navigation sensors for high-altitude satellites, using stellar sources to obviate the use of gyroscopic devices. The primary investigation focused on the need for developing a star tracker model to replace an old star tracker which is still needed for current probe and satellite programs. One innovative element of the proposed star tracker was the design, development, and testing of technology components related to a phase scrambler plate. The purpose of the phase scrambler plate is to convert the impulse response of the optical system from a point image to a uniformly bright, square, angularly large, in-focus image of the star source. A collimated star source was built and tested. A breadboard star tracker with an 8 x 8 degree field of view was designed and built. It was tested in normal quad-cell mode (without the phase scrambler plate) and with the phase scrambler plate. Although the phase scrambler plate was crudely made, the performance of the star tracker breadboard was greatly improved using the phase scrambler plate, instead of system defocus. If further developed, the phase scrambler plate may be added as a low-cost retroconversion to any objective lens to greatly improve quad-cell or CCD array tracking; applications include star trackers, laser metrology, laser machining optics, and surveying instrumentation.

Arild, Tor↗
NASA NTRS1988

Spectroscopic planetary detection

One of the most promising methods for the detection of extra-solar planets is the spectroscopic method, where a small Doppler shift (approximately 10 meters/sec) in the spectrum of the parent star reveals the presence of planetary companions. However, solar-type stars may show spurious Doppler shifts due to surface activity. If these effects are periodic, as is the solar activity cycle, then they may masquerade as planetary companions. The goal of this investigation is to determine whether the solar cycle affects the Doppler stability of integrated sunlight. Observations of integrated sunlight are made in the near infrared (approximately 2 micrometer), using the Kitt Peak McMath Fourier transform spectrometer, with an N2O gas absorption cell for calibration. Researchers currently achieve an accuracy of approximately 5 meters/sec. Solar rotation velocities vary by plus or minus 2000 meters/sec across the solar disk, and imperfect optical integration of these velocities is the principal source of error. We have been monitoring the apparent velocity of integrated sunlight since 1983. They initially saw a decrease of approximately 30 meters/sec in the integrated light velocity from 1983 through 1985, but in 1987 to 1988 the integrated light velocity returned to its 1983 level. It is too early to say whether these changes are solar-cycle related. Although the FTS, unlike a slit spectrograph, has a large field of view, researchers are always looking for ways to improve the optical integration of the solar disk. They recently made an improvement in the method used to optically collimate the FTS, and this has reduced the error level, eliminating some systematic effects seen earlier.

Deming, Drake↗