SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Electron-neutrino weak interaction and beat decay coupling constants found nearly equal, describing astrophysical tests based on white dwarf stars luminosity intervals
Continuity equation plasma oscillation, discussing ion current waveform flowing from discharge and implications for periodic astrophysical phenomena
Photon-neutrino coupling theory of weak interactions, noting exclusion by astrophysical data for white dwarfs
Astrophysical objects magnetic field generation, examining behavior at large dynamo numbers
Intense magnetic fields in astrophysics, emphasizing flux conservation law and quantum effects
Astrophysical and aeronomic UV molecular photoabsorption cross sections, discussing experimental techniques and associated systematic and random errors
The research activities related to high energy astrophysics and interplanetary plasma are reported. The experimental work in the following areas are described: (1) balloon-and rocket-borne cosmic X-ray, (2) X-ray spectroscopy, and (3) OSO-3 gamma ray experiment. Plasma studies in the interplanetary region, magnetosphere, and geomagnetic tail are included.
The effect of electromagnetic fluctuations, or plasma turbulence, on the motion of the individual particles in a plasma is investigated. Two alternative methods are used to find a general equation governing the time-evolution of a distribution of charged particles subject to both an external force field and the random fields of the fluctuations. It is found that, for the high-temperature, low-density plasmas frequently encountered in the study of astrophysics, the presence of even a small amount of turbulence can have a very important effect on the behavior of the plasma. Two problems in which turbulence plays an important role are treated.
Studies of particle excitation processes in the solar corona are reviewed, covering electron affinities, negative ion experiments using two-photon laser and drift tube techniques, geometrical hindrance in molecular ion formation, negative ion-molecule reactions, and negative ions in the ionosphere and astrophysics. Aspects of forbidden atomic transitions are also discussed, including the calculation of transition probabilities, the Fe II problem, and magnetic quadrupole radiation in a relativistic approximation.
The results are presented of a survey of the Astrophysical Journal for the period January 1962 through March 1972 (volumes 135-172). Some 395 references are contained within this document related to cosmic X-ray astronomy.
The origin of the diffuse X-ray and gamma ray background and some of the astrophysical implications of such radiation background are outlined. The range of energies that is of interest here extends from approximately 100 eV to approximately 10 to the 8th power eV.
Conference papers on gamma ray astrophysics are summarized. Data cover the energy region from about 0.3 MeV to a few hundred GeV and theoretical models of production mechanisms that give rise to both galactic and extragalactic gamma rays.
The orgin of diffuse X-ray and gamma ray background and some of the astrophysical implications of such a radiation background are discussed. Data show that gamma and X-rays come from thermal bremsstrahlung, neutral pion decay, and compton scattering of thermal protons. The range of energies studied extend from approximately 10 0 eV to approximately 10 to the 8th power eV.
The findings of the High Energy Astrophysics working group of the space shuttle payload planning activity are presented. The objectives to be accomplished during space shuttle missions are defined as: (1) X-ray astronomy, (2) hard X-ray and gamma ray astronomy, and (3) cosmic ray astronomy. The instruments and test equipment required to accomplish the mission are identified. Recommendations for managing the installation of the equipment and conducting the missions are included.
The rotational spectra of a number of small molecular ions should be detectable in the microwave or millimeter wave regions in laboratory experiments using currently available techniques. The dipole moments and absorption coefficients of polar diatomics CO(+) and NO(+) as well as asymmetric isotopically enriched species, like O-18O-16(+), NE-20NE-22(+), and OC-18 O-16(+) are calculated to be sufficiently large to allow observation of their spectra. In addition to the detailed molecular structure information which such spectral data would provide, precise knowledge of the transition frequencies would render likely the detection of certain of these ions in the interstellar sources or in planetary atmospheres. All of these ions also possess vibrational spectra which should be detectable in the infrared region in laboratory or astrophysical sources.
A Monte-Carlo model (RENO) for spallation reactions is described which can treat both the spallations induced by a free nucleon and those induced by a complex nucleus. It differs from other such models in that it employs a discrete-nucleon representation of the nucleus and allows clusters of nucleons to form and to participate in the reaction. The RENO model is particularly suited for spallations involving the relatively light nuclei of astrophysical and cosmic-ray interest.
The RENO model for the Monte-Carlo treatment of astrophysical spallation reactions has been used to generate preliminary cross-sections for the purpose of illustrating the discrete-nucleon approach to spallation modeling and to exhibit differences between two versions of RENO. Comparisons with experimental, theoretical, and semiempirical data demonstrate the practicability of the discrete-nucleon approach.-
The interaction of graphite grains with a hot gas is investigated. Detailed computations, based on experimental data and simple theoretical models are presented of the energy transfer by gas particle collisions and of the sputtering rates and grain lifetimes, as functions of gas temperature and grain radius. The electric charge on the grains is calculated, and the effect of electric forces on mechanical stability is discussed. The rate at which the gas cools by this mechanism is evaluated. The results of the work on gas-grain cooling and sputtering rates are applied to various astrophysical environments where dust and hot gas may coexist. The effect is studied of swept-up interstellar grains on the evolution of young supernova remnants, and the infrared luminosity is computed as a function of the age of the remnant. An interpretation is proposed of far-infrared sources embedded in compact H II regions or dense clouds, in terms of the supernova phenomenon, with specific application to eta Carinae. The question of the existence of dust in intergalactic matter in galaxy clusters is also reexamined.