Solar X-ray bursts observed on IMP-F.
Solar X ray bursts observed by proportional counter on IMP-F satellite to correlate optical H alpha flares and radio bursts
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Solar X ray bursts observed by proportional counter on IMP-F satellite to correlate optical H alpha flares and radio bursts
X ray pulsations in Crab Nebula at frequency closely matching radio and optical pulsations, noting energy distribution
X ray background angular structure comparison with optical galaxies spatial distribution, ruling out universe models with sources following cosmological mass distribution
The X-ray and gamma-ray induced decomposition of ammonium perchlorate was studied by optical, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy. This material is a commonly used oxidizer in solid propellents which could be employed in deep-space probes, and where they will be subjected to a variety of radiations for as long as ten years. In some respects the radiation-induced damage closely resembles the effects produced by thermal decomposition, but in other respects the results differ markedly. Similar radiation and thermal effects include the following: (1) irregular or ill-defined circular etch pits are formed in both cases; (2) approximately the same size pits are produced; (3) the pit density is similar; (4) the c face is considerably more reactive than the m face; and (5) most importantly, many of the etch pits are aligned in crystallographic directions which are the same for thermal or radiolytic decomposition. Thus, dislocations play an important role in the radiolytic decomposition process.
Phase 2 (development) which was concluded for the ultrasonic Doppler device and the light-pipe-reflectance device is reported. An ultrasonic Doppler breadboard system was assembled which accurately measured runout in the J-2 LOX pump impeller during operation. The transducer was mounted on the outside of the pump volute using a C-clamp. Vibration was measured by conducting the ultrasonic wave through the volute housing and through the fluid in the volute to the impeller surface. The impeller vibration was also measured accurately using the light-pipe probe mounted in an elastomeric-gland fitting in the pump case. A special epoxy resin developed for cryogenic applications was forced into the end of the fiber-optic probe to retain the fibers. Subsequently, the probe suffered no damage after simultaneous exposure to 2150 psi and 77 F. Preliminary flash X-radiographs were taken of the turbine wheel and the shaft-bearing-seal assembly, using a 2-megavolt X-ray unit. Reasonable resolution and contrast was obtained. A fast-neutron detector was fabricated and sensitivity was measured. The results demonstrated that the technique is feasible for integrated-time measurements requiring, perhaps, 240 revolutions to obtain sufficient exposure at 35,000 rpm. The experimental verification plans are included.
The X-ray source Sco X-1 is known to have a slight linear polarization in visible light. An investigation was conducted to determine whether the origin of the polarization is intrinsic to the source or interstellar. No evidence could be found for unusual polarization properties in Sco X-1 that would point to an intrinsically polarized source, although this cannot be excluded. It is pointed out that the case for interstellar polarization would become very strong if stars in the immediate vicinity are found to be polarized with the same position angle.
It is suggested that the previously photographed emission-line star WRA 795 is the optical counterpart of Cen X-3, the X-ray pulsar which is a member of an occulting binary system. The star falls in the X-ray error box, which measures only 0.01 square degrees, and shows strong emission variability on a timescale of days, similar to HDE 226868, the suggested Cyg X-1 counterpart.
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.
Details are presented on the mission planning progress in each of the working paper reports. The general topics covered are the following: space technology; materials processing and space manufacturing; communications and navigation; earth and ocean physics; oceanography; earth resources and surface environmental quality; meteorology and atmospheric environmental quality; life sciences; atmospheric and space physics; solar physics; high energy cosmic rays; X-ray and gamma ray astronomy; ultraviolet-optical astronomy; planetary astronomy; and infrared astronomy.
Data from nine high-dispersion spectra of HDE 226868, the optical candidate for Cyg X-1, are presented. The line profiles at He II (4686 A) show marked changes from night to night. Our data are not compatible with models where the emission line arises from the unseen secondary component of the system, as has been suggested by other observers. We propose that the emission originates in a gas stream falling toward the secondary; this provides observational evidence that the X-ray source is powered by accretion. We also see changes in spectral type and luminosity class with phase, further complicating attempts to make mass estimates for the system.
The celestial position of the binary X-ray source Her X-1 has been measured with a precision of 30 sec and, within the uncertainties, agrees with the position of the optical variable HZ Herculis. An average light curve for the 1.24-sec periodicity has been obtained with about 10-msec resolution. The average pulse is a double-peaked structure which shows significant intensity changes in time scales down to 30 msec.
Photographic spectral data are presented for Sanduleak 160, an SMC B-type supergiant with which the strong binary X-ray source SMC X-1 is identified. These data show several important features: (1) Emission is conspicuously present at 4686 A at phases 0.1-0.3 and 0.7-0.85 (where phase 0.0 denotes X-ray eclipse) and undetectable near phase 0.5; (2) the emission has a large amplitude in velocity approximately out of phase with the expected motion of the primary star; (3) the absorption spectrum does not show any detectable change in spectral type throughout the orbit. The basic parameters of the system are studied on the basis of the new data, and a mass of near 2 solar masses is computed for the X-ray object. The data also furnish a number of constraints for models of the system.
Low- and medium-energy X-ray observations of Cen X-3 during two pointed sounding-rocket experiments are discussed. The lack of low-energy emission from Cen X-3 is consistent with the identification of Krzeminski's star as the optical counterpart of Cen X-3 and normal reddening, in contrast to an earlier measurement by Bleeker et al (1973).
A large surge was observed on September 17, 1971 part of which, after travelling 200,000 km across the surface, returned to the surface to form a filament. The filament lasted about 30 minutes, then rose up and returned to the source of the surge. This was interpreted as the filling of a semi-stable magnetic trap. Analysis of the microwave radio burst showed it to have been produced by a source optically thick at 8,800 MHz, with area 4 (arc min)squared and T approximately 275,000 deg, N squared sub eV approximately 7 x 10 to the 48th power. The soft x-ray burst showed a component at 12 x 1,00.000 deg with N squared sub eV approximately 3 x 10 to the 48th power.
A ray trace analysis of the vignetting characteristics of the S-056 X ray telescope is presented. The relative energy is calculated in the spot formed in the focal plane of the S-056 X ray telescope by an off axis point source at infinity for off axis angles of 0, 1, 2, ..., 35 arc minutes. At each off axis angle, the relative energies are evaluated using theoretical X ray reflectivity curves for wavelengths of 8.34 A, 17.57 A, and 27.39 A, and also using an experimental X ray reflectivity curve for 8.34 A. The effects of vignetting due purely to the geometry of the S-056 optical system are evaluated separately, as well as jointly with the effects of mirror reflectivity.
X-ray emission from Her X-1 has been observed during the 23-day low state of the 35-day cycle. During this time, all the activity normally present during the high state was seen, including regular eclipses, absorption 'dips,' and 1.24-s pulsations. The present observations are compared with the models of Her X-1 derived by Roberts (1974), Gerend and Boynton (1976), Katz (1973), and Petterson (1975). It is suggested that a hot optically thin corona along both faces of the accretion disk can produce the unpulsed component of emission observed during both the high- and low-intensity states.
Results of a reanalysis of SAS-3 data for SMC X-1, including greatly improved orbital elements, are presented. These elements, when combined with newly available data for the optical companion, Sk 160, yield improved estimates for the masses of SMC X-1 and Sk 160. A significant rate of change of intrinsic pulse period is detected during the course of the four-day observation which is consistent with the average value that was previously deduced from observations separated by 5 years. The X-ray pulse profile, averaged over one orbital cycle and with approximately 15-ms time resolution, is also presented. The pulse profile is found to be constant to within statistics, as a function of orbital phase. The implications of the small observed eccentricities of SMC X-1 and other binary X-ray pulsar systems are discussed.
The X-ray telescope of the second High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO-B) is described. The design consists of four concentric paraboloid/hyperboloid pairs. Focal length is 3.44 meters, paraboloid diameters vary from 580-336 mm, grazing angles vary from 70 to 40 arcmin for paraxial rays, segment lengths are 511 mm. The reflecting surfaces are nickel-coated fused quartz and the resolution is limited by assembly errors (for small field angles) and design aberrations (for large field angles). The local slope, roundness, and surface roughness are identified as the primary optical tolerances connected with the individual elements.