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At least 775 records · Page 43

Ionization Nebulae Surrounding CAL 83 and Other Supersoft X-ray Sources

We present the results of an optical search for ionized gaseous nebulae surrounding luminous, "supersoft" X-ray sources in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. This relatively new and mysterious X-ray class has characteristic luminosities approximately 10(exp 37) - 10(exp 38) ergs/s with effective temperatures in the range of 2 - 6 x 10(exp 5) K. The presence of a large flux of UV and soft X-ray photons from these objects has led to predictions of bright optical emission lines from the local interstellar medium. One such object, CAL 83 in the LMC, was known to have an associated nebula, and we quantify here the asymmetry and luminosity of this remarkable nebula. Deep images were made using narrowband filters to isolate the emission lines of H.alpha and [O III] (lamda5007). In these emission lines, the nebula is detected out to distances as far as 25 pc from the central object, and the integrated luminosity in each line is of order approximately 100 solar luminosity. Model calculations of such nebulae for chemical abundances characteristic of the LMC indicate that approximately 1% of the X-ray luminosity of the central source is reprocessed into the nebular H.alpha and [O III] lamda5007 emission lines, from which we conclude that the time-averaged X-ray luminosity of the central source, CAL 83, is greater than 3 x 10(exp 37) ergs/s. The bright inner nebula contains approximately 150 solar mass within 7.5 pc of CAL 83, which clearly indicates that the nebular material has its origin in the interstellar medium. In sharp contrast, there were null detections for nebulae associated with nine other luminous, supersoft X-ray sources in the LMC and SMC, with upper limits for the [O III] luminosity that are a factor of approximately 10 below that for CAL 83. For eight of these latter sources, we conclude that either their time-averaged luminosity is substantially below that of CAL 83, or that the local interstellar medium is much less dense. The latter effect may be enhanced by expansion of the ionized nebula during the last several million years.

Remillard, R. A.↗

Ionization nebulae surrounding CAL 83 and other supersoft X-ray sources

We present the results of an optical search for ionized gaseous nebulae surrounding luminous, 'supersoft' X-ray sources in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. This relatively new and mysterious X-ray class has characteristic luminosities approximately 10(exp 37)-10(exp 38) ergs/s with effective temperatures in the range of 2-6 x 10(exp 5) K. The presence of a large flux of UV and soft X-ray photons from these objects has led to predictions of bright optical emission lines from the local interstellar medium. One such object, CAL 83 in the LMC, was known to have an associated nebula, and we quantify here the asymmetry and luminosity of this remarkable nebula. Deep images were made using narowband filters to isolate the emission lines of H alpha and (O III) (lambda 5007). In these emission lines, the nebula is detected out to distances as far as 25 pc from the central object, and the integrated luminositu in each line is of order approximately 100 solar luminosity. Model calculations of such nebulae for chemical abundances characteristic of the LMC indicate that approximately 1% of the X-ray luminosity of the central source is reprocessed into the nebular H-alpha and (O III) lambda 5007 emission lines, from which we conclude that the time-averaged X-ray luminosity of the central source, CAL 83, is greater than 3 x 10(exp 37) ergs/s. The bright inner nebula contains approximately 150 solar mass within 7.5 pc of CAL 83, which clearly indicates that the nebular material has its origin in the interstelar medium. In sharp contrast, there were null detections for nebulae associated with nine other luminous, supersoft X-ray sources in the LMC and SMC, with upper limits for the (O III) luminosity that are a factor of approximately 10 below that for CAL 83. For eight of these latter sources, we conclude that either their time-averaged luminosity is substantially below that of CAL 83, or that the local interstellar medium is much less dense. The latter effect may be enhanced by expansion of the ionized nebula during the last several million years.

Remillard, R. A.↗

Mars Radiator Characterization Experimental Program

Radiators are an enabling technology for the human exploration and development of the moon and Mars. As standard components of the heat rejection subsystem of space vehicles, radiators are used to reject waste heat to space and/or a planetary environment. They are typically large components of the thermal control system for a space vehicle or human habitation facility, and in some cases safety factors are used to oversize them when the operating environment cannot be fully characterized. Over-sizing can impose significant weight and size penalties that might be prohibitive for future missions. Radiator performance depends on the size of the radiator surface, its emittance and absorptance, the radiator temperature, the effective sky temperature surrounding the radiator, solar radiation and atmospheric irradiation levels, convection to or from the atmosphere (on Mars), and other conditions that could affect the nature of the radiator surface, such as dust accumulation. Most particularly, dust is expected to be a major contributor to the local environmental conditions on either the lunar or Martian surface. This conclusion regarding Mars is supported by measurements of dust accumulation on the Mars Sojourner Rover solar array during the Pathfinder mission. This Final Report describes a study of the effect of Martian dust accumulation on radiator performance. It is comprised of quantitative measurements of effective emittance for a range of dust accumulation levels on surfaces of known emittance under clean conditions. The test radiator coatings were Z-93P, NS-43G, and Silver Teflon (10 mil) film. The Martian dust simulant was Carbondale Red Clay. Results were obtained under vacuum conditions sufficient to reduce convection effects virtually to zero. The experiments required the development of a calorimetric apparatus that allows simultaneous measurements of the effective emittance for all the coatings at each set of experimental conditions. A method of adding dust to multiple radiator coupons was developed and shown to be capable of depositing dust on the surfaces with acceptable uniformity. In these experiments, the dust layer accumulates under earth gravity and in the presence of an earth atmosphere. An invention disclosure for the dust deposition apparatus is being filed through NASA and University of Houston.

Witte, Larry C.↗

Effects of Cryogenic Temperatures on LEDs and Optical Fiber

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) may provide a simple, low powered light source for future space missions. However, the effects of cryogenic temperatures on LEDs and optical fibers are largely unknown. Tests were performed on a selection of commercially-available LEDs, with wavelengths varying from 468 nm to 950 nm, as well as "white" LEDs. Dry ice and liquid nitrogen (LN2) were used to bring the LEDs to the desired temperatures. The optical fibers were tested using a specially-machined brass cylinder that would allow the fibers to be cooled slowly and evenly in an LN2 dewer. An optical fiber coupled to a spectrometer was used to acquired spectra of a calibration light source (wavelength range 253-922 nm) at various temperatures. Examination of the LED spectra has shown several different effects, depending on the LED in question. Those with wavelengths above 590 nm tend to show a "blue shift" in their peak wavelength and an increase in intensity. Other LEDs developed secondary or tertiary peaks, or showed no peak shift at all, although all LEDs did show an increase in observed intensity. The optical fiber showed a slight non-uniform decrease in transmission as the temperature cooled to -195 C.

Pantel, Erica R.↗

Effects of atmosphere, temperature and emittance on reflected and emitted energy

Atmospheric effects were taken into account in a study of the variation of energy reflected and energy emitted from a natural target under several conditions of temperature and emittance. For the study, atmospheric transmittance was represented through use of an empirical midlatitude summer model. Results showed that the ratio of energy emitted to energy reflected from a target is much less than unity at 3.5 microns, equal to unity at 4 microns, and much greater than unity at 4.6 microns (for high temperatures and emittances). These theoretical findings agreed closely with spectroradiometric data on soils.

Kumar, R.↗

The effect of microstructure, temperature, and hold-time on low-cycle fatigue of As HIP P/M Rene 95

The effects of microstructure, temperature, plastic strain range, and hold time on the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) life were studied for Rene 95, an important Ni base superalloy used in jet engine disks. It was shown that the life could be varied by approximately an order of magnitude at elevated temperatures by simple heat treatments. The life was largest for the microstructure that promoted the most homogeneous deformation mode. The results are explained using the concept of a synergistic interaction between the deformation mode and boundary oxidation.

Bashir, S.↗

Pitfalls in thermal emission studies

Attention is called to several pitfalls that often beset investigators who make thermal emittance studies. The pitfalls mentioned include the following: (1) conflicting meanings of several frequently used terms as found in the literature, each meaning having authoritative sponsorship; (2) incomplete and hence potentially misleading descriptions of specimens on which reported data arc based; (3) reference to emissivity or remittance as a property of a surface rather than a volume property (influenced by the surface); (4) occasional omission of diffuse reflection from analyses of the optical properties of inhomogeneous bodies; (5) failure to observe the restrictions upon conditions that are required for validity of basic equations; (6)uncertainties as to the effective temperature, peculiar to specimens having low absorption indices; and (7) lack of suitable physical standards. Several suggestions are made for avoid­ing or minimizing the consequences of the pitfalls discussed.

THERMAL RADIATION↗