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At least 739 records · Page 41
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NASA NTRS1979

The period derivative of Cygnus X-3

X-rays from Cygnus X-3 have been observed during early 1978 with the detectors of the SAS 3 satellite. These observations, in conjunction with earlier Uhuru and ANS data, indicate that the 4.8 hr period of Cygnus X-3 is increasing at a rate of (5.1 + or - 1.3) times to the -6th per year. The sign and magnitude for this change are incompatible with a rotation model for the period and are in reasonable agreement with model predictions for orbital changes associated with mass loss and transfer in a binary system.

Lamb, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Gas and dust in some recent periodic comets

Results are presented for narrow-band photometry of four recent periodic comets. The observed fluxes are used to estimate carbon radical production rates, gas-to-dust ratios, and the colors of the dust grains. It is found that in most respects the periodic comets exhibit the same range of properties typical of parabolic comets. Comet P/Chernykh is one of the dustiest comets on record, and its dust is physically different from that of the other comets considered. A correlation between the gas-to-dust ratio and the color of the grains is tentatively proposed. The need for homogeneous data on a large number of comets is emphasized.

Ahearn, M. F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Nongravitational perturbations of long-period comets

The model of Marsden et al. (1973) is used to investigate the effect of nongravitational forces resulting from water ice sublimation on the orbits of long-period comets. The orbits of hypothetical comets with perihelion distances of 0.005 to 4 AU are integrated numerically along initially parabolic trajectories through one perihelion passage for nongravitational forces of 10 millionths to 200 millionths the solar attraction at 1 AU and lag angles of 0, 5, and 10 deg. The results indicate that the nongravitational perturbations are possibly of equal or greater importance than planetary perturbations for comets with small perihelia and that nongravitational forces could have brought sun-grazing comets to their current orbits in two or three returns. It is concluded that nongravitational forces are likely to be found only for those long-period comets that have large nongravitational accelerations to begin with and are bright enough to be discovered early and tracked over a very long arc of their orbits.

Weissman, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Physical and dynamical evolution of long-period comets

The source of long-period comets was investigated using a Monte Carlo simulation of comet evolution under the influence of a combination of physical and dynamical processes. The perturbation of cometary orbits by major planets and by non-gravitational forces was modeled, as was physical loss of comets due to random disruption (splitting) and planetary collision; a model was also derived for loss of all volatiles. The importance of each of these processes was examined. The primary end states found for long-period comets were: ejection on hyperbolic orbit, 65.2%; random disruption, 27.6%; and formation of silicate crusts, 7.1%. The basic correctness of the Ort hypothesis was confirmed.

Weissman, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Stellar luminosity stability - Luminosity variations and light curve period changes in BY Draconis stars

The implications for convection in late type stars arising from the observations of BY Draconis type variability are examined. The possibility that the total luminosity of such a star is not constant is emphasized, and further observational tests to better define the variability are suggested. An alternative to standard spot models is explored in which the 'missing' flux from 'dark' spots is temporally redistributed; this model makes definite predictions about the correlation of mean light and color, and about the quiescent (i.e., unspotted) magnitudes of BY Draconis stars. The time scales of the long-period variability of these stars appear to require secular changes in convective energy transport. Consideration is given to the evidence for period changes in the optical light curves, and it is concluded that the reality of such changes is far less certain than previously claimed.

Hartmann, L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Decametric radio measurement of Jupiter's rotation period

Results of determinations of Jupiter's average decametric-wave rotation period are reported. The residual longitude drift of 18, 20 and 22.2 GHz emission observed at stations in Florida and Chile was calculated from measurements of the longitudes of source A peak centers for apparitions separated by 12 years; the drift was assumed to be the longitude shift which maximizes the cross correlation of histograms of occurence probability as a function of System III (1957.0) central meridian longitude. The weighted mean rotation period observed is 9 h 55 min 29.689 sec (standard deviation 0.005 sec), which is 0.022 sec less than the System III (1965) value. It is suggested that, if measurements are continued through the next maximum of Jovicentric earth declination, a secular drift in Jupiter's magnetic field may be observable.

May, J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Steady state solutions to dynamically loaded periodic structures

The general problem of solving for the steady state (time domain) dynamic response (i.e., NASTRAN rigid format-8) of a general elastic periodic structure subject to a phase difference loading of the type encountered in traveling wave propagation problems was studied. Two types of structural configurations were considered; in the first type, the structure has a repeating pattern over a span that is long enough to be considered, for all practical purposes, as infinite; in the second type, the structure has structural rotational symmetry in the circumferential direction. The theory and a corresponding set of DMAP instructions which permits the NASTRAN user to automatically alter the rigid format-8 sequence to solve the intended class of problems are presented. Final results are recovered as with any ordinary rigid format-8 solution, except that the results are only printed for the typical periodic segment of the structure. A simple demonstration problem having a known exact solution is used to illustrate the implementation of the procedure.

Kalinowski, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The periods and amplitudes of TU Cas

Light curve observations of the double-mode Cepheid TU Cas obtained by 10 different sets of observers on several photometric systems over a time span of 67 years were carefully studied to determine the fundamental and first overtone periods and their amplitudes on the V magnitude scale. The presence of a second overtone radial pulsation is discussed, and it is concluded that a previous detection of this mode was spurious due to the lack of a proper zero point correction for two groups of observations. The amplitudes of the two modes are shown to possibly vary during the entire observing period with the fundamental mode amplitude of 0.69 + or - 0.03 and the overtone amplitude decreasing about 0.2 or 0.3 magnitude. If this Cepheid displays the two pulsation modes because it is mode switching, this switching time scale might be less than a hundred years.

Hodson, S. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Time domain period determination techniques

Two simple period determination schemes are discussed. They are well suited to problems involving non-sinusoidal periodic phenomena sampled at a few irregularly spaced points. Statistical properties are discussed. The techniques are applied to the double mode Cepheids BK Cen and TU Cas as test cases.

Stellingwerf, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Velocity structure in long period variable star atmospheres

A regression analysis of the dependence of absorption line velocities on wavelength, line strength, excitation potential, and ionization potential is presented. The method determines the region of formation of the absorption lines for a given data and wavelength region. It is concluded that the scatter which is frequently found in velocity measurements of absorption lines in long period variables is probably the result of a shock of moderate amplitude located in or near the reversing layer and that the frequently observed correlation of velocity with excitation and ionization are a result of the velocity gradients produced by this shock in the atmosphere. A simple interpretation of the signs of the coefficients of the regression analysis is presented in terms of preshock, post shock, or across the shock, together with criteria for evaluating the validity of the fit. The amplitude of the reversing layer shock is estimated from an analysis of a series of plates for four long period variable stars along with the most probable stellar velocity for these stars.

Pilachowski, C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Interference filter photometry of periodic comet Ashbrook-Jackson

P/Ashbrook-Jackson has a period of 7.43 years and comes to perihelion at 2.284 AU. It is a low inclination object (12.5 deg) of moderate eccentricity (0.400). In 1963, it made the best possible apparition, coming to perihelion and opposition virtually simultaneously, but no one made physical observations of faint periodic comets in 1963. In 1978 Ashbrook-Jackson came to opposition on Sept. 28, just 40 days after perihelion. It will be just over 100 years before an equally favorable apparition recurs. P/Ashbrook-Jackson was recovered by Pereyra at Cordoba Observatory on April 28, 1977, more than a year and a quarter before perilhelion and already showing a diffuse coma with central condensation. Its helio-centric distance was then 3.7 AU. An extensive program was planned, but equipment problems and weather ultimately limited it to the two nights of data reported here.

Newburn, R. L., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Dynamics of rotationally periodic large space structure

The analysis of large area rotationally periodic space structures presented in the paper combines the finite element method, transfer matrix procedures, approximation methods, and periodic structure analysis to obtain computational efficiency. The computations used in the analysis indicate that additive damping mechanisms can be evaluated from the frequency response of the structure. The transient response can also be obtained from the frequency response to complete the dynamic analysis.

Mcdaniel, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Accretion by rotating magnetic neutron stars. III - Accretion torques and period changes in pulsating X-ray sources

The solutions of the two-dimensional hydromagnetic equations are used to calculate the torque on a magnetic neutron star accreting from a Keplerian disk. It is found that the magnetic coupling between the star and the plasma in the outer transition zone is appreciable; that as a result, the spin-up torque on fast rotators is substantially less than that on slow rotators, and that for sufficiently high stellar angular velocities or sufficiently low mass accretion rates, the rotation of the star can be braked while accretion continues. These results are applied to pulsating X-ray sources, revealing that at high luminosities a star of given spin period rotating in the same direction as the disk can experience either spin-up or spin-down, depending on its luminosity. Also considered are the general problem of interpreting period changes in pulsating X-ray sources, and the dipole magnetic moments of nine pulsating X-ray sources are estimated by fitting the theoretical spin-up equation to estimates of the average luminosity and spin-up rate of each source.

Ghosh, P.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The hard X-ray periodicity of GX 1 + 4

Pulses that recur with a 4.27 + or - 0.01 minute period were detected on April 2, 1974 in the 20-64 keV X-radiation from the galactic center region. Apparently emanating from GX 1 + 4, a major contributor to the high-energy radiation from that region, the pulses were 1.25 + or - 0.42 minutes in duration. If it is in fact the same source that has been observed on all occasions, the period is twice that previously believed.

Koo, J.-W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Hydromagnetics and period changes in RR Lyrae stars

Balazs-Detre and Detre have drawn an interesting parallel between the observed time scales of variability in the sun and in RR Lyrae stars. Additional information is presented here to support their conjecture that an analog of the solar magnetic cycle is operating in RR Lyrae stars. Rough considerations of the expected changes of photospheric radius and of magnetic energy content during a magnetic cycle suggest that the pulsation periods of these stars should also change in time. Within the large observational and theoretical uncertainties, the predicted period changes are compatible with those observed.

Stothers, R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Doubly-periodic orbits in the Sun-Earth-Moon system

A series of periodic orbits in the Earth-Moon circular restricted problem of three bodies was found which is ideally suited for exploring the Earth's geomagnetic tail. The mean apsidal motion of the basic highly elliptical Earth orbit was maintained at about one degree per day by a sequence of lunar swingbys, keeping the apogees in the anti-Sun direction. The orbits were periodic in reference frames rotating at both lunar and solar rates. Apogee distances were alternately raised and lowered by the lunar swingby maneuvers. Several categories of these Sun-synchronous double lunar swingby orbits were identified. The strength and flexibility of this trajectory concept was demonstrated with real world simulations.

Farohar, R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Analysis of GOES imagery and digitized data for the SEV-UPS period, August 1979

In support of the Southeastern Virginia Urban Plume Study (SEV-UPS), GOES satellite imagery was analyzed for the month of August 1979. The analyzed GOES images provide an additional source of meteorological input useful in the evaluation of air quality data collected during the month long period of the SEV-UPS experiment. In addition to the imagery analysis, GOES digitized data were analyzed for the period of August 6 to 11, during which a regional haze pattern was detectable in the imagery. The results of the study indicate that the observed haze patterns correspond closely with areas shown in surface based measurements to have reduced visibilities and elevated pollution levels. Moreover, the results of the analysis of digitized data indicate that digital reflectance counts can be directly related to haze intensity both over land and ocean. The model results agree closely with the observed GOES digital reflectance counts, providing further indication that satellite remote sensing can be a useful tool for monitoring regional elevated pollution episodes.

Bowley, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Periodic annealing of radiation damage in GaAs solar cells

Continuous annealing of GaAs solar cells is compared with periodic annealing to determine their relative effectiveness in minimizing proton radiation damage. It is concluded that continuous annealing of the cells in space at 150 C can effectively reduce the proton radiation damage to the GaAs solar cells. Periodic annealing is most effective if it can be initiated at relatively low fluences (approximating continuous annealing), especially if low temperatures of less than 200 C are to be used. If annealing is started only after the fluence of the damaging protons has accumulated to a high value 10 to the 11th power sq/pcm), effective annealing is still possible at relatively high temperatures. Finally, since electron radiation damage anneals even more easily than proton radiation damage, substantial improvements in GaAs solar cell life can be achieved by incorporating the proper annealing capabilities in solar panels for practical space missions where both electron and proton radiation damage have to be minimized.

Loo, R. Y.↗