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At least 991 records · Page 55
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NASA NTRS1983

SAM 2 measurements of the polar stratospheric aerosol. Volume 4: April 1980 to October 1980

The Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement (SAM) 2 sensor is aboard the Nimbus 7 spacecraft providing extinction measurements of the Antarctic and Arctic stratospheric aerosols with a vertical resolution of 1 km. Representative examples and weekly averages of these aerosol data and corresponding temperature profiles are presented. Contours of aerosols extinction as a function of altitude and longitude or time are plotted and weekly aerosol optical depths are calculated. Stratospheric optical depths are 0.002 to 0.003 for the Antarctic and 0.002 to 0.003 at the beginning to 0.005 to 0.006 at the end of the time period for the Arctic. Polar stratospheric clouds at altitudes between the tropopause and 20 km were observed during the Antarctic winter. A ready-to-use format containing a representative sample of the fourth 6 months of data to be used in atmospheric and climatic studies is reported.

Mccormick, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Abundances in five nearby galactic H II regions from infrared forbidden lines

Airborne measurements of the Ar II (6.99 micron) and S II (18.7) micron lines for five compact H II regions in the solar neighborhood are presented, as well as 2-4 micron and 8-13 micron spectroscopy where available. From these data and radio data, lower limits to the elemental abundances of Ar, Ne, and S are deduced. Some of these H II regions suffer substantial nebular extinction, and some are extended. After correcting for beam size effects an extinction, it is found that four of the objects are consistent with standard abundances, within the uncertainties of correcting for unobserved ionization states. A Perseus arm object, S156, is apparently overabundant in sulfur.

Herter, T.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The three micron 'ice' band in grain mantles

Attention is given to the influence of different mantle constituents on extinction and polarization due to H2O absorption in grain mantles, particularly the 3250/cm band. With respect to BN, the simultaneous reproduction of the extinction and polarization band shapes occurs by normal size particles containing mixtures of H2O with other molecules. As regards the 3-micron absorption in OH 231.8 plus 4.2, the data can be best fitted with pure amorphous H2O grains which have been heated to (or created at) about 80 K. The variation in grain mantle composition between young stellar objects and late-type stars loosing mass is attributed to a fundamental difference in grain formation and evolution.

Hagen, W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The dust around the carbon star IRC +10216

Mass loss from late-type stars is important both in the evolution of these objects and for replenishment of the interstellar medium with processed material. Because the outflows are cool and dense, grains form. The present investigation is concerned with the nature of the extinction of the grains in the carbon star IRC+10216. The basic method employed involves the study of the extinction as a function of wavelength around IRC+10216. By a comparison with different models, it is then possible to infer which grain model is more likely to be correct. It is concluded that the dust around IRC+10216 is composed of relatively small grains. The grains are either amorphous carbon or graphite similar to that described by Mezger et al. (1982), but not like the graphite described by Mitchell and Robinson (1980). In particular, the grains around IRC + 10216 are relatively efficient emitters in the infrared. If this result is true of carbon stars in general, it means that the carbon grains present in the interstellar medium are much cooler than often believed.

Jura, M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Vertical distribution of scattering hazes in Titan's upper atmosphere

Radial intensity scans of a Voyager 2 high phase angle image of Titan have been inverted to yield vertical extinction profiles at 1 deg intervals around the limb. A detached haze layer with peak particle number densities of about 0.2 cu/cm exists at all latitudes south of about 45 N, and at an altitude of 300-350 km. The optical depth 0.01 level lies at a radius of 2932 + or - 5 km at the equator and at a radius of 2915 + or - 10 km over the poles (altitudes of 357 + or - 5 and 340 + or - 10 km, respectively). In addition to the haze layer at 300-350 km, there is a small enhancement in the extinction at about 450 km which exists at all latitudes between 75 deg S and about 60 deg N.

Rages, K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Ultraviolet observations of the transient X-ray sources A0535 + 26 and A0620-00

Observations of A0535+26 (HDE 245770) by the ANS in September 1975 and March 1976 when it was at the X-ray low state are discussed. Also observed were 58 early-type stars lying within 10 deg of HDE 245770; these stars are used to derive a localized extinction curve. On the basis of the depth of the 2200 A interstellar absorption feature observed in the ANS flux distribution of HDE 245770 and the shape of the localized extinction curve, an E(B-V) = 0.72 is derived for HDE 245770. Observations were made of this system during its X-ray flare-up (October 1980) and quiescent (November 1981) states by the IUE. It is noted that the fine error sensor on board the IUE detected an increase in the optical brightness of HDE 245770 during the X-ray outburst. This greatly corroborates the identification of HDE 245770 as the optical counterpart of A0535+26. No significant change in the absorption-line profiles during the X-ray high and low periods is found, indicating that there was no significant increase in the stellar wind density when the X-ray flare-up occurred. The UV continuum level increased by less than 6 percent when it was near peak X-ray luminosity. The UV spectrum of HDE 245770 suggests that it is a B0 V or a B0 III star with its dereddened continuum slope slightly in favor of being a giant.

Wu, C.-C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Lean limit phenomena

The concept of flammability limits in the presence of flame interaction, and the existence of negative flame speeds are discussed. Downstream interaction between two counterflow premixed flames of different stoichiometries are experimentally studied. Various flame configurations are observed and quantified; these include the binary system of two lean or rich flames, the triplet system of a lean and a rich flame separated by a diffusion flame, and single diffusion flames with some degree of premixedness. Extinction limits are determined for methane/air and butane/air mixtures over the entire range of mixture concentrations. The results show that the extent of flame interaction depends on the separation distance between the flames which are functions of the mixtures' concentrations, the stretch rate, and the effective Lewis numbers (Le). In particular, in a positively-stretched flow field Le 1 ( 1) mixtures tend to interact strongly (weakly), while the converse holds for flames in a negatively-stretched flow. Also established was the existence of negative flames whose propagation velocity is in the same general direction as that of the bulk convective flow, being supported by diffusion alone. Their existence demonstrates the tendency of flames to resist extinction, and further emphasizes the possibility of very lean or rich mixtures to undergo combustion.

Law, C. K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Multiple origins of life

There is some indication that life may have originated readily under primitive earth conditions. If there were multiple origins of life, the result could have been a polyphyletic biota today. Using simple stochastic models for diversification and extinction, we conclude: (1) the probability of survival of life is low unless there are multiple origins, and (2) given survival of life and given as many as 10 independent origins of life, the odds are that all but one would have gone extinct, yielding the monophyletic biota we have now. The fact of the survival of our particular form of life does not imply that it was unique or superior.

Raup, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A first-order estimate of shock heating and vaporization in oceanic impacts

The vaporization of water in oceanic impacts of asteroids or comets of multikilometer dimensions is estimated by a semianalytical modeling of impact heating and shock isobar geometry that is based on computer code calculations. The mass of water vaporized in an infinitely deep ocean by the impact of a 10 km diameter asteroid at 25 km/sec (these values have been proposed for the Cretaceous/Tertiary extinction bolide) is approximately equal to the total mass of water vapor present in the earth's atmosphere, and 3-4 orders of magnitude larger than the mass of water vapor in the stratosphere. For projectiles of this size, however, the finite depth of the ocean becomes significant and may considerably reduce the amount of water vapor initially generated by the impact. Climatological models and extinction scenarios invoking the effects of impact-generated water vapor may critically depend on the a priori ambiguous details of the hypothesized impact.

Croft, S. K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Radiative transfer theory for active remote sensing of a layer of nonspherical particles

The radiative transfer theory is applied to calculate the scattering by a layer of randomly positioned and oriented nonspherical particles. The scattering amplitude functions of each individual particle are calculated with Waterman's T matrix method, which utilizes vector spherical wave functions for expansion of incident, scattered, and surface fields. The orientation of the particles is described by a probability density function of the Eulerian angles of rotation. A rotation matrix is used to relate the T matrix of the principal frame to that of the natural frame of the particle. The extinction matrix and phase matrix of the radiative transfer equations are expressed in terms of the T matrix elements. The extinction matrix for nonspherical particles is generally nondiagonal. There are only two attenuation rates in a specified direction of propagation. The radiative transfer equations are solved by an iterative method to first order in albedo. Numerical results are illustrated as functions of incidence angle and frequency with applications to active remote sensing.

Tsang, L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The S201 far-ultraviolet imaging survey. II - A field in Cygnus

Far-ultraviolet imagery of a region in Cygnus, a 20 deg diameter field centered near (1950) R. A. 21 h 31.2 m decl. +37 deg 25 arcmin, was obtained by the S201 far-ultraviolet camera during the Apollo 16 mission. In a 10 minute exposure covering the 1250-1600 A wavelength range (effective wavelength 1400 A), 730 star images can be detected, corresponding to a limiting ultraviolet magnitude of about m (1400) = 10. Assuming nominal interstellar extinction values in this region near the galactic plane, this result corresponds to the detection of A0 V stars to a distance of 300 pc and of B0 V stars to 1500 pc. Uncertainties in spectral classification and interstellar extinction for individual objects are probably more significant than calibration or measurement errors. Most of the objects detected are identified with stars in the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Star Catalog (1966), or the Catalog of Stellar Identifications (1979) or both, but 87 objects remain unidentified (or are identified with late-type stars).

Carruthers, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Star formation in the nucleus of NGC 253

The B-alpha and B-gamma lines of atomic hydrogen have been observed at eight positions near the nucleus of NGC 253 with 6 arcsec spatial resolution. Most if not all of the bolometric luminosity of the central 200 pc of this galaxy is probably produced by O and B stars which have recently formed. The spatial distribution of the line fluxes is similar to that of the 10 microns flux, supporting the hypothesis that the 10 microns radiation is powered by the newly formed stars. The extinction to the ionized gas varies over small distances in this region, explaining the discrepancies between extinction and Lyman continuum luminosity derived separately from visual and infrared line observations.

Beck, S. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

High spatial resolution observations of NGC 7027 with a 10 micron array camera

First observations of a planetary nebula with an infrared charge injection device (CID) array camera are reported. The 10 micron images of NGC 7027 have spatial resolution comparable to that of the highest resolution (less than 2 arcsec) radio aperture-synthesis maps of this source. A much closer correspondence between the mid-infrared and radio appearance of NGC 7027 was found than was known previously, confirming that warm dust is coextensive and well mixed with the gas in the ionized zone. Using maps at three wavelengths, the spatial dependence of the shape of the 8-13 micron spectrum within the nebula is examined. The dip at 9.60 microns is shallowest in regions of enhanced optical extinction (as determined from new images near 4000 and 9000 A obtained with an optical charge coupled device). The 9.60 micron emission is strongest in these same positions. It is shown that the results may be explained not by silicate absorption, but by a combination of emission from two distinct grain populations, one of which is also partly responsible for the variation in extinction across the nebula.

Arens, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The dust around R Coronae Borealis type stars

Measurements taken by the International Ultraviolet Explorer spacecraft of the stars RY Sgr and R CrB have been analyzed using Mie theory. The extinction data, which show a 2400-2500 A peak, are consistent with a distribution of 5-60 nm glassy or amorphous carbon particles obscuring the stellar flux. The data are also fairly consistent with a cloud ejection model. Since the extinction data lack the commonly observed peak at 2170 A, it is proposed that this difference is due to the conditions present when the dust condenses. Interstellar carbon grains appear to originate in normal carbon stars which are carbon and hydrogen rich. In contrast, the grains around R CrB type stars seem to condense from a carbon-rich and hydrogen-poor vapor.

Hecht, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

SAGE and SAM II measurements of global stratospheric aerosol optical depth and mass loading

Several volcanic eruptions between November 1979 and April 1981 have injected material into the stratosphere. The SAGE and SAM II satellite systems have measured, with global coverage, the 1-micron extinction produced by this material, and examples of the data product are shown in the form of global maps of stratospheric optical depth and altitude-latitude plots of zonal mean extinction. These data, and that for the volcanically quiet period in early 1979, have been used to determine the changes in the total stratospheric mass loading. Estimates have also been made of the contribution to the total aerosol mass from each eruption. It has been found that between 1979 and mid-1981, the total stratospheric aerosol mass increased from a background level of approximately 570,000 metric tons to a peak of approximately 1,300,000 metric tons.

Kent, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Satellite and correlative measurements of the stratospheric aerosol. III - Comparison of measurements by SAM II, SAGE, dustsondes, filters, impactors and lidar

The SAM II and SAGE satellite sensors, dustsondes, impactors, a filter collector and an airborne lidar were used in a large satellite validation experiment on July 16-19, 1979, at Poker Flat, Alaska. Independent measurements of extinction profiles by SAM II and SAGE are noted to agree with each other and with those derived from the other instruments (within combined uncertainties). The wire impactor-derived results, while also consistent with the others, are coarse due to the relatively large uncertainties in impactor-derived mass, extinction, and number of particles/unit volume whose radius is greater than x microns.

Russell, P. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Remarks on a vibronic origin for the diffuse band spectrum

It has been demonstrated that the diffuse band spectrum could not originate as a series of vibronic transitions from atomic impurities in interstellar MgO grains as has recently been proposed since laboratory spectra of such materials show no evidence for such complex structure. Furthermore, recent observational evidence indicates that the extinction feature at 160 nm in the standard interstellar extinction curve upon which the identification of interstellar MgO was founded is actually the result of a calibration error in the original observational data.

Nuth, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Occultations of stars and radio sources by comets: Predictions and observing prospects

The results that might stem from observations of occultations of stars and radio sources by cometary comae and ion tails are outlined. Taking account of the current orbital accuracy of P/Halley, specific predictions of stellar appulses with that comet, including preliminary topocentric circumstances, are presented. A crude model of the absorption of starlight by grains in a dusty comet supports the notion that stellar extinction may be observable in practice. Some thoughts on observing techniques are set down, discussing the merits of a two-dimensional detector (a CCD camera) and a conventional aperture photometer. The need for accurate photometric observations with time resolution approx. 1 sec is stressed because the interval of greatest extinction will usually be brief. Finally, the efficacy of undertaking accurate relative astrometry of comets during predicted approaches to stars is explored.

Bowell, E.↗