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At least 721 records · Page 40

Negative-ion formation in the explosives RDX, PETN, and TNT by using the reversal electron attachment detection technique

First results of a beam-beam, single-collision study of negative-ion mass spectra produced by attachment of zero-energy electrons to the molecules of the explosives RDX, PETN, and TNT are presented. The technique used is reversal electron attachment detection (READ) wherein the zero-energy electrons are produced by focusing an intense electron beam into a shaped electrostatic field which reverses the trajectory of electrons. The target beam is introduced at the reversal point, and attachment occurs because the electrons have essentially zero longitudinal and radial velocity. The READ technique is used to obtain the 'signature' of molecular ion formation and/or fragmentation for each explosive. Present data are compared with results from atmospheric-pressure ionization and negative-ion chemical ionization methods.

Boumsellek, S.↗

N2H(+) in the Orion ambient ridge - Cloud clumping versus rotation

The IRAM 30-m telescope is used to obtain spectra of the J = 1 yields 0 transition of N2H(+) over a 2 x 2 arcsec area toward the Orion-KL/IRc2 star-forming region with 26-arcsec angular resolution. The N2H(+) emission, which exclusively traces the ridge gas, exhibits multiple radial velocities which appear to arise from the presence of at least four clouds of quiescent material. It is argued that the velocity structure of N2H(+) does not uniformly change across OMC-1 and, consequently, is inconsistent with the presence of large-scale differential rotation of the extended ridge along the SW-NE axis about IRc2. The coincidence of the two larger clouds with star-forming activity in Orion-KL suggests that either the quiescent gas is being pushed apart or that the star formation may have been triggered by a cloud-cloud interaction.

Womack, Maria↗

Microarcsecond proper motions of extragalactic water vapor masers in M33

A second-epoch spectral line VLBI synthesis map of the H2O maser associated with the H II region IC 133 in the galaxy M33 is presented. Thirty-two spatially distinct maser features were identified, and a second center of maser activity within the IC 133 complex, IC 133 West, which is displaced about 0.3 arcsec from IC 133 Main, was discovered. A comparison of the two available maps of IC 133 is used to estimate the right ascension components of proper motion over a period of 479 d for five maser features to accuracies of between 7 and 16 micro-as. The dispersions in transverse and radial velocities for the maser features are consistent with the accepted distance to M33 of 720 kpc, where the data admit a fractional uncertainty in distance of 50 percent.

Greenhill, L. J.↗

A spectroscopic search for colliding stellar winds in O-type close binary systems. III - 29 UW Canis Majoris

The orbital-phase variations in the optical emission lines and UV P Cygni lines of the massive O-type binary 29 UW Canis Majoris are investigated in a search for evidence of colliding winds. High SNR spectra of the H-alpha and He I 6678-A emission lines are presented, and radial velocity curves for several features associated with the photosphere of the more luminous primary star are given. The H-alpha features consists of a P Cygni component that shares the motion of the primary, and which probably originates at the base of its wind, and a broad, stationary emission component. It is proposed that the broad emission forms in a plane midway between the stars where the winds collide. A simple geometric model is used to show that this placement of the broad component can explain the lack of orbital velocity shifts, the near-constancy of the emission strength throughout the orbit, the large velocities associated with the H-alpha wings, and the constancy of the velocity range observed.

Wiggs, Michael S.↗

A new method for the identification of non-Gaussian line profiles in elliptical galaxies

A new parameterization for the line profiles of elliptical galaxies, the Gauss-Hermite series, is proposed. This approach expands the line profile as a sum of orthogonal functions which minimizes the correlations between the errors in the parameters of the fit. This method also make use of the fact that Gaussians provide good low-order fits to observed line profiles. The method yields measurements of the line strength, mean radial velocity, and the velocity dispersion as well as two extra parameters, h3 and h4, that measure asymmetric and symmetric deviations of the line profiles from a Gaussian, respectively. The new method was used to derive profiles for three elliptical galaxies which all have asymmetric line profiles on the major axis with symmetric deviations from a Gaussian. Results confirm that elliptical galaxies have complex structures due to their complex formation history.

Van Der Marel, Roeland P.↗

PG 0308 + 096 and PG 1026 + 002 - Two new short period binary stars resulting from common-envelope evolution

Ultraviolet spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy, and spectrophotometry have been used to study the excess UV stars PG 0308 + 096 and PG 1026 + 002. Both objects are short-period binary systems, each containing a DA white dwarf star and a dM star. Orbital periods of approximately 0.284 day for PG 0308 + 096, and aproximately 0.597 day for PG 1026, have been found by spectroscopic analysis of the H-alpha emission line. Ly-alpha and Balmer line profile fitting were used to estimate the mass of white dwarf stars; mass estimates for the dM stars are based on their spectral types. The orbital inclinations are derived from these masses, the periods, and amplitudes of the H-alpha radial velocity curves. The equivalent width of the H-alpha emission line, in each binary system, varies with the orbital phase in such a manner as to imply that it arises, in large part at least, from the hemisphere of the M star that faces the white dwarf star.

Saffer, Rex A.↗

Retrieval of wind temperature and pressure from single Doppler radar and a numerical model

A 4D data assimilation algorithm to obtain 3D wind and thermodynamic fields from radial velocities and a numerical model is derived. It is a blend of the continuous updating technique of Charney et al. (1969) and a diagnostic pressure and temperature retrieval technique suggested by Gal-Chen (1978). This model is tested only against model-generated data which are viewed as 'data observed from a real atmosphere'. A thermal bubble developing in a dry, neutral environment is simulated. The thermal recovery technique is found to be a necessary procedure to obtain successful data assimilation results. The present assimilation method is found to be capable of reducing the 'observational error' and making the assimilation run converge toward the control run. Without data insertion, errors in the nonobserved wind component are large.

Liou, Yu-Chieng↗

Kinematic and precipitation structure of a small, long-lived mesoscale convective system

A comprehensive analysis using conventional single Doppler radar analyses, analysis of multiparameter (CP-2) data, network sounding and surface data, and GOES satellite data is presented to characterize the internal kinematic and precipitation structure of a small, long-lived mesoscale convective system. The data pertain to the Cooperative Huntsville Meteorological experiment conducted over northern Alabama and central Tennessee during June and July of 1986. The mesoscale convective system pulsations visible in the IR patterns were associated with the development of closely interacting aggregates of convective elements. The aggregates were about 20 km in diameter, attained echo tops of about 13 km, and were dominated by a single relatively intense convective element. The measured difference in radial velocity across the upper portion of these elements was about 20 m/s over a distance of about 10 km.

Knupp, Kevin R.↗

High-resolution radio observations of the supernova remnant 3C 391 - Possible breakout morphology

We present radio observations of the bright compact SNR 3C 391 (G31.9+0.0) made with the VLA2 at 6 arcsec resolution. The remnant's morphology suggests expansion into a medium with a very strong density gradient. We interpret radio and X-ray morphologies as evidence for a breakout of the expanding material into a region of abruptly lower density. The CO survey of Sanders et al. (1986), though not fully sampled, shows the presence of molecular gas at the position of the remnant, with a radial velocity of 90-110 km/s similar to the highest velocity absorption features seen in H I toward 3C 391. This gas may thus be near the remnant, though direct evidence of interaction is lacking. More detailed CO observations, and searches for evidence of shocked molecular gas such as 2.12 micron emission from H2, might confirm or refute the tantalizing possibility that 3C 391 is interacting with an observable molecular cloud.

Reynolds, Stephen P.↗

A three-dimensional solution for the orbit of Capella

We have combined new radial velocities of both components of Capella, obtained at McDonald and Kitt Peak, with those recently published by Batten et al. (1991), and with interferometric observations, to derive a new 3D orbit of the Capella system. Our results agree well with those of Bagnuolo and Hartkopf (1989), and yield masses accurate to +/- 3 percent. The cooler component, which is the fainter star visually but the more luminous one bolometrically, is the more massive. The mass ratio differs from unity by more than four times its uncertainty, and this lends strong support to the hypothesis that the cool component has begun to consume its core helium. If so, it may be possible to reconcile, qualitatively at least, the orbit's circularity and the stars' rotational velocities with theories of synchronization and circularization, such as that of the Tassouls (1992).

Barlow, D. J.↗

On the origin of planetary spins

We examine the rate of accretion of mass and spin angular momentum by a spherical solid body ('planet') immersed in a differentially rotating disk of particles ('planetesimals'). If the planet travels on a circular orbit, the accretion process is described by two dimensionless parameters r and s, which measure the ratio of the planet's radius to its Hill radius and the ratio of the rms radial velocity of the planetesimals to the shear across the Hill radius, respectively. Using a combination of analytic arguments and numerical simulations, we derive the mass and angular momentum accretion rates and their scaling with r and s. By introducing an additional parameter, the effective mass of the planetesimals relative to the planet, we can derive the obliquities and spins arising from the stochastic nature of the accretion process. Our results are consistent with those of previous calculations by Lissauer and Kary (1991) wherever there is overlap in parameter space. In particular, we conclude that ordered accretion from a uniform or slowly varying disk of small bodies cannot result in rotation as rapid as that of earth or Mars for any value of the disk velocity dispersion s. The spin rates of these planets are most naturally explained as arising from one or a few 'giant' impacts by planetesimals.

Dones, Luke↗

Ultraviolet and optical studies of binaries with luminous cool primaries and hot companions. IV - Further IUE detections

We have obtained IUE spectra for 31 middle and late-type giant and supergiant stars whose TD-1 fluxes or ground-based spectra indicate the presence of a hot component, or whose radial velocities indicate an unseen component. Stellar components earlier than type F1 were detected in 22 cases. While 20 of the hot secondaries are seen weakly in optical spectra, two are UV discoveries: HD 58134 and HD 183864. The hot companions are classified accurately by temperature class from their far-UV spectra. The interstellar extinction of each system and the relative luminosities of the components are derived from the UV and optical fluxes, using a new grid of UV intrinsic colors for hot dwarfs. We find that many giant stars apparently have companions which are too hot and hence too luminous for consistency with the primary's spectral classification.

Parsons, Sidney B.↗

Spots on RS CVn from spectroscopy and photometry

We have used contemporaneous spectra and V light curves to form spot models for RS CVn in 1991 and 1992. More than two spots are needed to fit all the properties of the observations. In fact, moderately small spots (22 x 28 deg in latitude and longitude) having only a slight effect on the rotational light curve were eclipsed in both years, and we find that a collection of 6-8 such moderate spots is required to fit the line profiles in each year. These groups of spots also account naturally for a difference in level of light between the two years. There is no evidence for polar spots larger than 18 degrees in radius. We have also derived new orbits from radial velocities of the stars, which give the mass ratio Mc/Mh = 1.04 +/-0.02.

Eaton, Joel A.↗

Ice Protection of Turbojet Engines by Inertia Separation of Water II : Single-offset-duct System

Investigation of a single-offset-duct system designed to prevent entrance of water into a turbojet engine was conducted on a half-scale nacelle model. An investigation was made to determine ram-pressure recovery and radial velocity profiles at the compressor section and icing characteristics of such a duct system. At a design inlet velocity of 0.77, the maximum ram-pressure recovery attained with effective water-separating inlet was 77 percent, which is considerably less than attainable with a direct-ram inlet. Continuous heating of the accessory-housing surface would be required for inlets that have a small ice storage space.

NOSE SHAPE - DUCTED BODIES↗

Ice Protection of Turbojet Engines by Inertia Separation of Water III : Annular Submerged Inlets

Aerodynamic and icing studies were conducted on a one-half-scale model of an annular submerged inlet for use with axial-flow turbojet engines. Pressure recoveries, screen radial-velocity profiles, circumferential mass-flow variations, and icing characteristics were determined at the compressor inlet. In order to be effective in maintaining water-free induction air, the inlet gap must be extremely small and ram-pressure recoveries consequently are low, the highest achieved being 65 percent at inlet-velocity ratio of 0.86. All inlets exhibited considerable screen icing. Severe mass-flow shifts occurred at angles of attack.

ICE PREVENTION AND REMOVAL - PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

The evidence for clumpy accretion in the Herbig Ae star HR 5999

Analysis of IUE high- and low-dispersion spectra of the young Herbig Ae star HR 5999 (HD 144668) covering 1978-1992 revealed dramatic changes in the Mg II h and k (2795.5, 2802.7 A) emission profiles, changes in the column density and distribution in radial velocity of accreting gas, and flux in the Ly(alpha), O I, and C IV emission lines, which are correlated with the UV excess luminosity. Variability in the spectral type inferred from the UV spectral energy distribution, ranging from A5 IV-III in high state to A7 III in the low state, was also observed. The trend of earlier inferred spectral type with decreasing wavelength and with increasing UV continuum flux has previously been noted as a signature of accretion disks in lower mass pre-main sequence stars (PMS) and in systems undergoing FU Orionis-type outbursts. Our data represent the first detection of similar phenomena in an intermediate mass (M greater than or equal to 2 solar mass) PMS star. Recent IUE spectra show gas accreting toward the star with velocities as high as plus 300 km/s, much as is seen toward beta Pic, and suggest that we also view this system through the debris disk. The absence of UV lines with the rotational broadening expected given the optical data (A7 IV, V sini=180 plus or minus 20 km/s for this system) also suggests that most of the UV light originates in the disk, even in the low continuum state. The dramatic variability in the column density of accreting gas, is consistent with clumpy accretion, such as has been observed toward beta Pic, is a hallmark of accretion onto young stars, and is not restricted to the clearing phase, since detectable amounts of accretion are present for stars with 0.5 Myr less than t(sub age) less than 2.8 Myr. The implications for models of beta Pic and similar systems are briefly discussed.

Perez, M. R.↗

Gaseous hydrogen/oxygen injector performance characterization

Results are presented of spontaneous Raman scattering measurements in the combustion chamber of a 110 N thrust class gaseous hydrogen/oxygen rocket. Temperature, oxygen number density, and water number density profiles at the injector exit plane are presented. These measurements are used as input profiles to a full Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. Predictions of this code while using the measured profiles are compared with predictions while using assumed uniform injector profiles. Axial and radial velocity profiles derived from both sets of predictions are compared with Rayleigh scattering measurements in the exit plane of a 33:1 area ratio nozzle. Temperature and number density Raman scattering measurements at the exit plane of a test rocket with a 1:1.36 area ratio nozzle are also compared with results from both sets of predictions.

Degroot, W. A.↗

Dynamics of the globular cluster NGC 362

A combination of V-band CCD images and echelle spectra of member red giants is presently used to examine the internal dynamics of the globular cluster NGC 362. A total of 285 stellar spectra were obtained of 215 stars for radial velocity determinations, and the true cluster binary fraction was determined from simulations to be 0.15 for circular orbits and 0.27 for orbits with an f(e) = e (eccentricity) distribution function. An overabundance of binaries is surmised for NGC 362 on this basis.

Fischer, Philippe↗