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At least 775 records · Page 43

Simultaneous IUE, EXOSAT and optical observations of the unusual AM Her type variable H058+608

Simultaneous observations of the AM Her type variable H0538+608 made with IUE, EXOSAT, and a 1.3 m ground based telescope, and subsequent optical spectrophotometry at high and low resolution are discussed. The X-ray and optical data show clear evidence of a 3.30 + or - 0.03 hr period. Three SWP spectra were taken outside of eclipse and during overlapping phase intervals. The UV spectra contain strong emission lines characteristic of this class of objects and a flat continuum which appears to be deficient, given the brightness of source at optical and X-ray wavelengths. There is evidence for intensity variations in emission lines, particularly C IV. The X-ray light curves for H0538+608 reveal behavior which may be related to irregularities in its accretion flow.

Shrader, C. R.↗

Characteristics of interplanetary type II radio emission and the relationship to shock and plasma properties

A large sample of type II events is the basis of the present study of the properties of interplanetary type II bursts' radio-emission properties. Type II spectra seem to be composed of fundamental and harmonic components of plasma emission, where the intensity of the fundamental component increases relative to the harmonic as the burst evolves with heliocentric distance; burst average flux density increases as a power of the associated shock's average velocity. Solar wind density structures may have a significant influence on type II bandwidths.

Lengyel-Frey, D.↗

Measurement of stratospheric HOCl - Concentration profiles, including diurnal variation

Determinations have been made of concentration profiles of HOCl in the earth's stratosphere, including the diurnal variation. Measurements of the rotational Q2 branch at 99.5/cm and of five RR(J3) transitions between 143 and 159/cm were made using far-infrared thermal emission spectroscopy. The spectra were obtained during a balloon flight of the FIRS 2 far-infrared Fourier-transform spectrometer and telescope from Palestine, Texas on May 12-13, 1988. From these measurements, altitude profiles of HOCl from 23 to 42 km are obtained. Daytime and nighttime average profiles of HOCl, as well as measurements on a 30-min time scale through the sunset transition at a single (35 km) altitude are presented. The measured profiles are lower than the current predictions from several modeling groups by a factor of approximately 0.6.

Chance, K. V.↗

Dynamic spectra of radio bursts from flare stars

The Arecibo 305 m telescope has been used to observe radio bursts from flare stars at 430 and 1415 MHz. Dynamic spectra of the emission with bandwidths of 10 MHz in the former case and 40 MHz in the latter are recorded. For AD Leo, the microwave burst emission was 100 percent right circularly polarized, achieved brightness temperatures near 10 to the 16th K, was generally broadband in character, but was superposed with finite structures in both frequency and time. Quasi-periodic pulsations were clearly present as well as a sudden reduction feature. For YZ CMi, the emission was 100 percent left circularly polarized and was relatively broadband with fine structures. Instabilities driven by anisotropies in the electron distribution, particularly the loss-cone distribution, are considered to account for the coherent radiation.

Bastian, T. S.↗

The Einstein objective grating spectrometer survey of galactic binary X-ray sources

The results of observations of 22 bright Galactic X-ray point sources are presented, and the most reliable measurements to date of X-ray column densities to these sources are derived. The results are consistent with the idea that some of the objects have a component of column density intrinsic to the source in addition to an interstellar component. The K-edge absorption due to oxygen is clearly detected in 10 of the sources and the Fe L and Ne K edges are detected in a few. The spectra probably reflect emission originating in a collisionally excited region combined with emission from a photoionized region excited directly by the central source.

Vrtilek, S. D.↗

TT Crateris - A long-period, double-lined dwarf nova

Time-resolved CCD photometry and spectroscopy of the dwarf nova TT Crt during quiescence are presented. The spectra reveal Balmer emission as well as absorption features of a K5-M0 secondary. The B, V, R light curves are dominated by a periodic variation of full amplitude 0.35 mag in V, which are interpreted as the ellipsoidal variation of the secondary star. The remarkably large amplitude indicates a high inclination (50-65 deg) and a massive white dwarf M greater than 0.8 solar mass. The ratio of the radial velocity semiamplitudes of the primary to the secondary is 0.5-1.4. The best period that can be determined from the observations is 438.17 minutes, with a possible alias at 445 minutes.

Szkody, Paula↗

Compositional and textural information from the dual inversion of visible, near and thermal infrared remotely sensed data

A technique is presented that allows extraction of compositional and textural information from visible, near and thermal infrared remotely sensed data. Using a library of both emissivity and reflectance spectra, endmember abundances and endmember thermal inertias are extracted from AVIRIS (Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer) and TIMS (Thermal Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) data over Lunar Crater Volcanic Field, Nevada, using a dual inversion. The inversion technique is motivated by upcoming Mars Observer data and the need for separation of composition and texture parameters from sub pixel mixtures of bedrock and dust. The model employed offers the opportunity to extract compositional and textural information for a variety of endmembers within a given pixel. Geologic inferences concerning grain size, abundance, and source of endmembers can be made directly from the inverted data. These parameters are of direct relevance to Mars exploration, both for Mars Observer and for follow-on missions.

Brackett, Robert A.↗

Classical H II regions in the Magellanic Clouds. 1: Physical properties

In the first in a series of papers I present a detailed examination of the basic physical properties of a sample of classical H II regions in the Magellanic Clouds. Narrow band H alpha imaging is used to show that such objects are representative of the most common H II regions in the Clouds and that they display a wide range of morphological characteristics. Spectroscopic data show that, as a result of the low metal content, classical H II regions in the Clouds are systematically hotter than their Galactic counterparts. The data also suggest the existence of a correlation between the excitation of an H II region and its emission measure. The spectra of one object, DEM 243, indicates the presence of a low velocity shock passing through this H II region. I also discuss the characteristics of the extinction towards these objects and speculate that it arises from dust local to the H II regions themselves.

Wilcots, Eric M.↗

The temporal evolution of the 1-5 micron spectrum of V1974 CYGNI (Nova Cygni 1992)

We present 1-5 micrometer moderate- and high-resolution infrared spectra of the ONeMg nova V1974 (Nova Cygni 1992) obtained at multiple epochs during an approximately 500 day period after outburst. During the first 80 days, the spectra exhibited continuum emission from thermal bremsstrahlung (free-free radiation) with prominent recombination line emission from hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, and oxygen. The measurement Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) of these recombination lines suggests that the initial velocity of the ejecta was approximately equals 2400-3400 km/s. We estimate from the hydrogen recombination line ratios that the density of the ionized shell at this epoch was approximately equals 10(exp 9), with an effective electron temperature of approximately equals 5 x 10(exp 3) K. As the temporal evolution of the ejecta progressed, the hydrogen and helium lines diminished in intensity, and coronal lines of aluminum, calcium, magnesium, neon, and sulfur appeared by approximately day 80. The coronal line emission phase persisted for over 400 days. During this epoch, no significant dust formation occurred. We find that the ejecta of V1974 Cyg were overabundant in aluminum with respect to silicon by a factor of approximately equals 5 and in magnesium with respect to silicon by a factor of greater than or equal to 3 relative to the solar photosphere. Comparison of our observed overabundances with recent model predictions of elemental synthesis in ONeMg outbursts suggests that the accreted envelope on V1974 Cyg was close to solar composition and that the precursor ONeMg white dwarf had a mass of approximately equals 1 solar mass.

Woodward, Charles E.↗

Heating, ionization and upward discharges in the mesosphere due to intense quasi-electrostatic thundercloud fields

Quasi-electrostatic (QE) fields that temporarily exist at high altitudes following the sudden removal (e.g., by a lightning discharge) of thundercloud charge at low altitudes are found to significantly heat mesospheric electrons and produce ionization and light. The intensity, spatial extent, duration and spectra of optical emissions produced are consistent with the observed features of the Red Sprite type of upward discharges.

Pasko, Victor P.↗

Qualitative Flow Visualization of a 110-N Hydrogen/Oxygen Laboratory Model Thruster

The flow field inside a 110 N gaseous hydrogen/oxygen thruster was investigated using an optically accessible, two-dimensional laboratory test model installed in a high altitude chamber. The injector for this study produced an oxidizer-rich core flow, which was designed to fully mix and react inside a fuel-film sleeve insert before emerging into the main chamber section, where a substantial fuel film cooling layer was added to protect the chamber wall. Techniques used to investigate the flow consisted of spontaneous Raman spectra measurements, visible emission imaging, ultraviolet hydroxyl spectroscopy, and high speed schlieren imaging. Experimental results indicate that the oxygen rich core flow continued to react while emerging from the fuel-film sleeve, suggesting incomplete mixing of the hydrogen in the oxygen rich core flow. Experiments also showed that the fuel film cooling protective layer retained its integrity throughout the straight section of the combustion chamber. In the converging portion of the chamber, however, a turbulent reaction zone near the wall destroyed the integrity of the film layer, a result which implies that a lower contraction angle may improve the fuel film cooling in the converging section and extend the hardware lifetime.

deGroot, Wim A.↗

The Ejecta of Eta Carinae as Studied by STIS

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph has been used to study the emission and absorption spectra of ejecta surrounding Eta Carinae. Discussion will be presented on the overall structure of the Homunculus, the Weigelt blobs and the Strontium filament. Three visits have been accomplished with the Position Angle precisely the same and covering the Central Source and Weigelt Blobs B and D. Deep spectra have been done at several positions to obtain the overall velocity structure of the Homunculus and the disk region. Mapping has been done with the STIS medium dispersion gratings set near H beta and H alpha. We have obtained full coverage of the strontium filament from 1640 Angstroms to 10300 Angstroms. The structure and physical properties will be described.

Gull, Theodore R.↗

Meteors do not break exogenous organic molecules into high yields of diatomics

Meteoroids that dominate the Earth's extraterrestrial mass influx (50-300 microm size range) may have contributed a unique blend of exogenous organic molecules at the time of the origin of life. Such meteoroids are so large that most of their mass is ablated in the Earth's atmosphere. In the process, organic molecules are decomposed and chemically altered to molecules differently from those delivered to the Earth's surface by smaller (<50 microm) micrometeorites and larger (>10 cm) meteorites. The question addressed here is whether the organic matter in these meteoroids is fully decomposed into atoms or diatomic compounds during ablation. If not, then the ablation products made available for prebiotic organic chemistry, and perhaps early biology, might have retained some memory of their astrophysical nature. To test this hypothesis we searched for CN emission in meteor spectra in an airborne experiment during the 2001 Leonid meteor storm. We found that the meteor's light-emitting air plasma, which included products of meteor ablation, contained less than 1 CN molecule for every 30 meteoric iron atoms. This contrasts sharply with the nitrogen/iron ratio of 1:1.2 in the solid matter of comet 1P/Halley. Unless the nitrogen content or the abundance of complex organic matter in the Leonid parent body, comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, differs from that in comet 1P/Halley, it appears that very little of that organic nitrogen decomposes into CN molecules during meteor ablation in the rarefied flow conditions that characterize the atmospheric entry of meteoroids approximately 50 microm-10 cm in size. We propose that the organics of such meteoroids survive instead as larger compounds.

Meteoroids↗

Martian Radiative Transfer Modeling Using the Optimal Spectral Sampling Method

The large volume of existing and planned infrared observations of Mars have prompted the development of a new martian radiative transfer model that could be used in the retrievals of atmospheric and surface properties. The model is based on the Optimal Spectral Sampling (OSS) method [1]. The method is a fast and accurate monochromatic technique applicable to a wide range of remote sensing platforms (from microwave to UV) and was originally developed for the real-time processing of infrared and microwave data acquired by instruments aboard the satellites forming part of the next-generation global weather satellite system NPOESS (National Polarorbiting Operational Satellite System) [2]. As part of our on-going research related to the radiative properties of the martian polar caps, we have begun the development of a martian OSS model with the goal of using it to perform self-consistent atmospheric corrections necessary to retrieve caps emissivity from the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) spectra. While the caps will provide the initial focus area for applying the new model, it is hoped that the model will be of interest to the wider Mars remote sensing community.

Eluszkiewicz, J.↗

An evolving trio of hybrid stars: C111

Hybrid stars are a class of cool, luminous single stars originally identified based on the appearance of their ultraviolet IUE spectra. C IV emission is present (signifying temperatures of at least lo5 K), and asymmetric emission cores of Mg I1 are found, accompanied by absorption features at low and high velocities, indicating a massive stellar wind and circumstellar material. Many members of this class have been identified and X-rays have been detected from most hybrids. They represent the critical evolutionary state between coronal-like objects and the Alpha Ori-like objects and assume a pivotal role in the definition of coronal evolution, atmospheric heating processes, and mechanisms to drive winds of cool stars.

Sonneborn, George↗

Young Stars and Non-Stella Emission in the Aligned Radio Galaxy 3C 256

We present ground-based images of the z=1.824 radio galaxy 3C 256 in the standard BVRIJHK filters and an interference filter centered at 8800 A, a Hubble Space Telescope image in a filter dominated by Ly alpha emission (F336W), and spectra covering rest-frame wavelengths from Ly alpha to [O III} lambda 5007.

Radio Galaxies↗

Sub-millimeter Spectroscopy of Astrophysically Important Molecules and Ions: Metal Hydrides, Halides, and Cyanides

With the advent of SOFIA, Herschel, and SAFIR, new wavelength regions will become routinely accessible for astronomical spectroscopy, particularly at submm frequencies (0.5-1.1 THz). Molecular emission dominates the spectra of dense interstellar gas at these wavelengths. Because heterodyne detectors are major instruments of these missions, accurate knowledge of transition frequencies is crucial for their success. The Ziurys spectroscopy laboratory has been focusing on the measurement of the pure rotational transitions of astrophysically important molecules in the sub-mm regime. Of particular interest have been metal hydride species and their ions, as well as metal halides and cyanides. A new avenue of study has included metal bearing molecular ions.

Ziurys, L. M.↗

Method bacterial endospore quantification using lanthanide dipicolinate luminescence

A lanthanide is combined with a medium to be tested for endospores. The dipicolinic acid released from the endospores binds the lanthanides, which have distinctive emission (i.e., luminescence) spectra, and are detected using photoluminescence. The concentration of spores is determined by preparing a calibration curve generated from photoluminescence spectra of lanthanide complex mixed with spores of a known concentration. A lanthanide complex is used as the analysis reagent, and is comprised of lanthanide ions bound to multidentate ligands that increase the dipicolinic acid binding constant through a cooperative binding effect with respect to lanthanide chloride. The resulting combined effect of increasing the binding constant and eliminating coordinated water and multiple equilibria increase the sensitivity of the endospore assay by an estimated three to four orders of magnitude over prior art of endospore detection based on lanthanide luminescence.

Ponce, Adrian↗