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At least 775 records · Page 43

Ultraviolet spectroscopy of cometary comae

During the past decade, vacuum ultraviolet spectra of over 30 comets have been obtained with the IUE satellite observatory. With few exceptions, the spectra of these comets appear to be similar, with OH and H produced by the photodissociation of water being the dominant species and emissions of C, O, S, CS and CO2(+) usually present. Although signs of variabiity of many kinds in comet spectra appear, the evidence from the UV observations suggests that all comets have the same basic chemical composition and that observed differences are due to evolution and ageing processes. During the 1985-86 apparition of Comet Halley, spectra were also obtained by other spacecraft and by sounding rocket instruments, including a long-slit imaging spectrograph.

Feldman, Paul D.↗

NGC 4550 - A laboratory for testing galaxy formation

The kinematic and photometric structure of the two components of the E7/S0 galaxy NGC 4550 are evaluated quantitatively to determine the system's morphology. Attention is given to whether the data indicate a rotating bulge with a counterrotating disk or a pair of counterstreaming disks, and formation scenarios are discussed in the light of the findings. The data examined include long-slit spectroscopy with evidence of bimodality in the line-of-sight velocity distribution. Two photometrically inseparable counterstreaming disk components are identified and their velocities given. The structure and the formation scenarios given point to the feasibility of absorption of external material by galaxy disks without extreme heating. The possibility of detecting stellar counterrotation in S0 disks is discussed based on the study of NGC 4550.

Rix, Hans-Walter↗

Optical spectrophotometry of Wolf-Rayet galaxies

We have obtained long-slit optical spectra of 10 Wolf-Rayet galaxies and four other starburst galaxies. Using the nebular emission lines we have determined the electron temperatures, electron densities, extinctions, oxygen abundances, mass of ionized hydrogen, and numbers of ionizing photons due to hot stars in these galaxies. The various forbidden line ratios clearly indicate a stellar origin for the emission-line spectrum. From the flux of the broad He II 4686 A emission feature we have estimated the number of Wolf-Rayet stars present. We have accounted for the contribution of these stars to the total ionizing flux and have calculated the ratio of the number of these stars to the number of O stars. Wolf-Rayet galaxies are among the youngest examples of the starburst phenomenon, which we observed at a propitious moment.

Vacca, William D.↗

A search for primeval galaxies

We are conducting a search for emission-line objects at large redshifts, ostensibly young and forming galaxies. Our method is to search for strong line emission, in particular Ly-alpha, using two techniques: a direct, narrow-band imaging search using a Fabry-Perot interferometer; and a serendipitous long-slit spectroscopic search. Assuming that none of the faint candidates found so far are actually primeval galaxies, we can set the strongest limits to date on the surface density of Ly-alpha-luminous primeval galaxies on the sky. Some of the faint emission line galaxies detected in our survey at z roughly 0.5 - 1 may be representative of the faint blue galaxy population detected in deep continuum imaging surveys.

Thompson, D. J.↗

The spectrum of the Jovian dayglow observed at 3 A resolution with the Hopkins ultraviolet telescope

Ultraviolet spectra of the Jovian equatorial dayglow in the spectral range 830-1850 A were obtained at about 3 A resolution. The observed spectrum is dominated by electron impact excitation of the H2 Lyman and Werner band systems. Solar Lyman-beta induced fluorescence in the (6, nu-double prime) Lyman band progression is clearly identified in five distinct P(1) lines, and the contribution of solar fluorescence to the total 2.3 kR slit-averaged H2 emission rate is estimated to be 17-22 percent. The electron excitation spectrum is characterized by a relative weakness of the Werner band system and the absence of cascade contributions to the Lyman system and is very similar to that of the south polar aurora. The integrated H2 emission rate in the 900-1100 A band is a factor of two lower than that measured by the Voyager UVS. Based on model calculations, photoelectron excitation does not appear able to account for the amount of observed electron-excited H2 emission.

Feldman, P. D.↗

Spatial and spectral characteristics of the near-infrared aurorae of Jupiter

Data are presented which show the power of a long-slit IR spectrograph to yield spectral and spatial coverage of the Jovian auroral zones in an efficient manner. Strong 3 micron H3(+) lines are observed on the eastern bright spot and moderately strong 3 micron H3(+) lines in the central meridian and western region of the northern aurora. Higher temperatures are found in the central meridian and western region of the northern aurora compared with a temperature of 1000 K +/- K on the eastern bright spot, suggesting an enhanced abundance of H3(+) on the bright spot compared to other auroral regions. The H2 quadrupole lines of Q1(1), Q1(3), S1(1), and several H3(+) lines between 2 and 2.5 microns are identified in the northern auroral region. The eastern bright spot as seen in the 2 micron H2 and H3(+) emission lines is at nearly the same position as the eastern bright spot due to the 3 micron H3(+) fundamental band lines.

Kim, Sang J.↗

Reflective correctors for the Hubble Space Telescope axial instruments

Reflective correctors to compensate the spherical aberration in the Hubble Space Telescope are placed in front of three of the axial scientific instruments (a camera and two spectrographs) during the first scheduled refurbishment mission. The five correctors required are deployed from a new module that replaces the fourth axial instrument. Each corrector consists of a field mirror and an aspherical, aberration-correcting reimaging mirror. In the camera the angular resolution capability is restored, be it in reduced fields, and in the spectrographs the potential for observations in crowded areas is regained along with effective light collection at the slits.

Bottema, Murk↗

Observed redshifts in O V and downflows in the solar transition region

Spectrograms from HRTS are used to find an average net redshift of the O V lines at 1218 and 1371 A at all locations extending from disk center to solar limb. The observed shift in O V is compared with measurements of the O IV line at 1401 A and the Si IV line at 1402 A. Large variations in the shift are found along the instrument slit. Blueshifts are also observed with the sites of the largest upflow located in the sunspot umbrae and in a quiet region close to an active region. The present result could put new constraints on numerical models of flows in the solar transition region and will also be of importance for modeling stellar atmospheres. The spatial variation of line-of-sight velocities in the O V line at 1371A and the SI IV line at 1402 A is illustrated.

Brekke, P.↗

Two-dimensional hybrid continuum/particle approach for rarefied flows

A hybrid numerical technique previously developed for one-dimensional rarefied gas flows is generalized to two dimensions. The method is based on the fact that the flowfield that develops near a body in a rarefied gas typically contains local regions of continuum, transitional and free-molecular flow. By utilizing the solution technique most appropriate for each region and coupling the techniques in an interface region where both are applicable, more computationally efficient solutions can be obtained, or equivalently, more complex flowfields can be analyzed. The present method combines finite difference solution of the Navier-Stokes equations in the continuum regions, with Direct Simulation Monte Carlo in the more rarefied regions. The two schemes are coupled interactively via a general conservative flux boundary condition. The method is tested by application to the model problem of pressure-driven rarefied flow through a slit. Results show the hybrid scheme offers a speedup of a factor of nearly two for the nominal conditions considered, due to the decrease in the size of the Direct Simulation domain.

Wadsworth, Dean C.↗

A numerical model for predicting crack path and modes of damage in unidirectional metal matrix composites

A finite element-based numerical technique has been developed to simulate damage growth in unidirectional composites. This technique incorporates elastic-plastic analysis, micromechanics analysis, failure criteria, and a node splitting and node force relaxation algorithm to create crack surfaces. Any combination of fiber and matrix properties can be used. One of the salient features of this technique is that damage growth can be simulated without pre-specifying a crack path. In addition, multiple damage mechanisms in the forms of matrix cracking, fiber breakage, fiber-matrix debonding and plastic deformation are capable of occurring simultaneously. The prevailing failure mechanism and the damage (crack) growth direction are dictated by the instantaneous near-tip stress and strain fields. Once the failure mechanism and crack direction are determined, the crack is advanced via the node splitting and node force relaxation algorithm. Simulations of the damage growth process in center-slit boron/aluminum and silicon carbide/titanium unidirectional specimens were performed. The simulation results agreed quite well with the experimental observations.

Bakuckas, J. G.↗

Multilayer and grazing incidence X-ray/EUV optics; Proceedings of the Meeting, San Diego, CA, July 22-24, 1991

The present conference discusses the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) calibration by means of synchrotron radiation and its X-ray reflectivity, X-ray scattering measurements from thin-foil X-ray mirrors, lobster-eye X-ray optics using microchannel plates, space-based interferometry at EUV and soft X-ray wavelengths, a water-window imaging X-ray telescope, a graded d-spacing multilayer telescope for high energy X-ray astronomy, photographic films for the multispectral solar telescope array, a soft X-ray ion chamber, and the development of hard X-ray optics. Also discussed are X-ray spectroscopy with multilayered optics, a slit aperture for monitoring X-ray experiments, an objective double-crystal spectrometer, a Ly-alpha coronagraph/polarimeter, tungsten/boron nitride multilayers for XUV optical applications, the evaluation of reflectors for soft X-ray optics, the manufacture of elastically bent crystals and multilayer mirrors, and selective photodevices for the VUV.

Hoover, Richard B.↗

Discovery of new objects in the Orion nebula on HST images - Shocks, compact sources, and protoplanetary disks

We have reduced and analyzed a set of narrow-band HST images of a portion of M42 south of the Trapezium. Many new emission-line sources were found, some quite long but so narrow that they are not seen on ground-based images. These include thin shells which are high-ionization shocks. The structure around Orion HH 3 is resolved into multiple components. Slit spectroscopy data establish the high expansion velocities of all these regions. The other objects seen are compact sources. Although some had been detected in VLA surveys and several had been seen from the ground optically, the new images show previously undetected structure and clearly establish that most are protoplanetary disks, which are neutral disks surrounding low-mass pre-main-sequence stars and are ionized from the outside by Theta sup 1 C and Theta sup 2 A Ori.

O'Dell, C. R.↗

Observations of the plasma flow in Comet P/Swift-Tuttle

We present direct ground based observations of the plasma flow sunward and tailward of the nucleus of Comet P/Swift-Tuttle. The observations are long-slit high resolution spectra of the H2O(+) emission centered at 6199 A with a velocity resolution of about 7 km/s FWHM and a spatial resolution of about 10 exp 4 km at the comet. Emission is visible from just inside the predicted position of the cometopause on the sunward side of the nucleus out to 5 x 10 exp 5 km on the tailward side. The deceleration of the solar plasma on the sunward side is clearly observed as is the acceleration of cometary ions into the tail. These observations show the effectiveness of ground based methods for the systematic study of cometary plasmas and point to the need for a better theoretical understanding of their acceleration mechanisms.

Brown, Michael E.↗

Spatially resolved optical and near-infrared spectroscopy of I Zw 18

Long-slit optical and near-IR spectroscopy are presented for the bright NW and faint SE components of the oxygen-poor H II galaxy I Zw 18, yielding physical conditions and O, N, S, and He abundances for these components. All of the elemental abundances for the two components of I Zw 18 are equal (within errors), thereby placing constraints on evolutionary theories for this system.

Skillman, Evan D.↗

A liquid/gas phase separator for He-I and He-II

A liquid/gas phase separator has been developed which separates both liquid He-I and He-II from their vapor. The phase separator was designed for the Superfluid Helium On Orbit Transfer (SHOOT) Flight Demonstration both to cool the liquid He after launch (at temperatures between 2.8 and 4.3 K) to the operating temperature of 1.4 K and as a low rate vent on orbit to maintain operating temperature. The phase separator is made of high-purity copper disks held apart by 6 micron Kevlar fibers. It works on the principle of conducting heat from within the dewar to vaporize liquid as it is throttled in the slits to efficiently cool the remaining liquid. Laboratory tests have demonstrated perfect phase separation for both He at its saturated vapor pressure from 1.2 to 4.3 K and for He-II at 2.13 K at pressures from 4.6 to 112 kPa. The performance of this phase separator during lab testing as well as expected performance in space is discussed.

Shirron, P. J.↗

Spectral measurements of shock layer radiation in an arc-jet wind tunnel

Measurements were made of the radiating gas cap of a blunt body in an NASA Ames 20 MW arcjet wind tunnel. The test gas was air. Spectra of the flux incident on a small aperture centered at the stagnation region were obtained. A helium-cooled MgF window transmitted flux into an evacuated collimating system that focused the aperture onto the entrance slit of a spectrometer. Data were obtained with films and by photomultipliers. The range covered was 120 nm to 1000 nm and the resolution was 0.05 nm to 0.5 nm. This paper presents preliminary results from the experiment. Representative spectral records from 200 nm to 1000 nm are shown. The spectra show the atomic lines from oxygen and nitrogen in the IR, as well as the molecular systems of NO, N2, N2(+), and CN. Copper, as a contaminant, and carbon are tentatively identified.

Palumbo, Giuseppe↗

Photoelastic Analysis of Three-dimensional Stress Systems Using Scattered Light

A method has been developed for making photoelastic analyses of three-dimensional stress systems by utilizing the polarization phenomena associated with the scattering of light. By this method, the maximum shear and the directions of the three principal stresses at any point within a model can be determined, and the two principal stresses at a free-bounding surface can be separately evaluated. Polarized light is projected into the model through a slit so that it illuminates a plane section. The light is continuously analyzed along its path by scattering and the state of stress in the illuminated section is obtained. By means of a series of such sections, the entire stress field may be explored. The method was used to analyze the stress system of a simple beam in bending. The results were found to be in good agreement with those expected from elementary theory.

Weller, R↗

Infrared radiation from explosions in a spark-ignition engine

This report presents the results of an investigation to determine the variations in intensity and spectral distribution of the radiant energy emitted by the flames during normal and knocking explosions in an engine. Radiation extending into the infrared was transmitted by a window of fluorite, placed either near the spark plug or over the detonation zone at opposite ends of the combustion chamber. Concave, surface-silvered mirrors focused the beam, first at the slit of a stroboscope which opened for about 2 degrees of crank angle at any desired point in the engine cycle, and then upon the target of a sensitive thermocouple for measuring radiation intensity. Spectral distribution of the radiant energy was determined by placing over the window, one at a time, a series of five filters selected with a view to identifying, as far as possible without the use of a spectrograph, the characteristic emissions of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and incandescent carbon.

Marvin, Charles F , Jr↗