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At least 109 records · Page 6

Pre-coding method and apparatus for multiple source or time-shifted single source data and corresponding inverse post-decoding method and apparatus

A pre-coding method and device for improving data compression performance by removing correlation between a first original data set and a second original data set, each having M members, respectively. The pre-coding method produces a compression-efficiency-enhancing double-difference data set. The method and device produce a double-difference data set, i.e., an adjacent-delta calculation performed on a cross-delta data set or a cross-delta calculation performed on two adjacent-delta data sets, from either one of (1) two adjacent spectral bands coming from two discrete sources, respectively, or (2) two time-shifted data sets coming from a single source. The resulting double-difference data set is then coded using either a distortionless data encoding scheme (entropy encoding) or a lossy data compression scheme. Also, a post-decoding method and device for recovering a second original data set having been represented by such a double-difference data set.

Yeh, Pen-Shu↗

Pre-coding method and apparatus for multiple source or time-shifted single source data and corresponding inverse post-decoding method and apparatus

A pre-coding method and device for improving data compression performance by removing correlation between a first original data set and a second original data set, each having M members, respectively. The pre-coding method produces a compression-efficiency-enhancing double-difference data set. The method and device produce a double-difference data set, i.e., an adjacent-delta calculation performed on a cross-delta data set or a cross-delta calculation performed on two adjacent-delta data sets, from either one of (1) two adjacent spectral bands coming from two discrete sources, respectively, or (2) two time-shifted data sets coming from a single source. The resulting double-difference data set is then coded using either a distortionless data encoding scheme (entropy encoding) or a lossy data compression scheme. Also, a post-decoding method and device for recovering a second original data set having been represented by such a double-difference data set.

Yeh, Pen-Shu↗

A deep image of the diffuse soft X-ray background at the Galactic plane

A deep Einstein IPC image of the Galactic plane provides important information about the Galactic diffuse X-ray background. Free from contamination by sources with fluxes greater than about 4 x 10 exp -14 ergs/sq cm s and by X-rays from beyond the Galactic plane, the intensity and spectrum of the background at the Galactic plane are measured for the first time in the 0.16-3.5 keV band. The spectrum can be characterized by a thermal hot gas model with a temperature of about 4,000,000 K, and the M-band Galactic flux is about 3 x 10 exp -8 ergs/sq cm s sr. This background is enhanced in the M band at the Galactic plane, but it is keV regime. If discrete sources are to be responsible for the background, their surface density must be much greater than one source per resolution element of the IPC (i.e., about 0.4 sources/sq arcmin) because of the lack of a correlation among observed X-ray on scales comparable to the instrument resolution. This density constraint, together with a model study of the Galactic emission, leads to the conclusion that no known stellar population could be responsible for the bulk of the emission.

Wang, Qingde↗

ASCA Observations of "Type 2" LINERs Evidence for a Stellar Source of Ionization

We present ASCA observations of LINERs without broad H.alpha emission in their optical spectra. The sample of "type 2" LINERs consists of NGC 404, 4111, 4192, 4457, and 4569. We have detected X-ray emission from all the objects except for NGC 404; among the detected objects are two so-called transition objects (NGC 4192 and NGC 4569), which have been postulated to be composite nuclei having both an H II region and a LINER component. The images of NGC 4111 and NGC 4569 in the soft (0.5-2 keV) and hard (2-7 keV) X-ray bands are extended on scales of several kpc. The X-ray spectra of NGC 4111, NGC 4457 and NGC 4569 are well fitted by a two-component model that consists of soft thermal emission with kT approximately 0.65 keV and a hard component represented by a power law (photon index approximately 2) or by thermal bremsstrahlung emission (kT approximately several keV). The extended hard X-rays probably come from discrete sources, while the soft emission most likely originates from hot gas produced by active star formation in the host galaxy. We have found no clear evidence for the presence of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in the sample. Using black hole masses estimated from host galaxy bulge luminosities, we obtain an upper limit on the implied Eddington ratios less than 5 x 10(exp -5). If an AGN component is the primary ionization source of the optical emission lines, then it must be heavily obscured with a column density significantly larger than 10(exp 23)/sq cm, since the observed X-ray luminosity is insufficient to drive the luminosities of the optical emission lines. Alternatively, the optical emission could be ionized by a population of exceptionally hot stars. This interpretation is consistent with the small [O I] lambda6300/H.alpha ratios observed in these sources, the ultraviolet spectral characteristics in the cases where such information exists, and the X-ray results reported here. We also analyze the X-ray properties of NGC 4117, a low-luminosity Seyfert 2 galaxy serendipitously observed in the field of NGC 4111.

Terashima, Yuichi↗

A new class of galactic discrete gamma ray sources: Chaotic winds of massive stars

We propose a new class of galactic discrete gamma-ray sources, the chaotic, high mass-loss-rate winds from luminous early-type stars. Early-type stellar winds are highly unstable due to intrinsic line-driven instabilities, and so are permeated by numerous strong shocks. These shocks can accelerate a small fraction of thermal electrons and ions to relativistic energies via the first-order Fermi mechanism. A power-law-like photon spectrum extending from keV to above 10 MeV energies is produced by inverse Compton scattering of the extremely abundant stellar UV photons by the relativistic electrons. In addition, a typical pi(sup 0)-decay gamma-ray spectrum is generated by proton-ion interactions in the densest part of the winds.

Chen, Wan↗

X-ray emission from the galactic disk

A search was made of a diffuse component of X-rays 1.5 keV associated with an interarm region of the galaxy at galactic longitudes in the vicinity of 60 deg. A statistically significant excess associated with a narrow disk component was detected. The angular extent of this component has a most probable value of 2 deg and may be as large as 7 deg at 90% confidence. The best fit spectrum yields an intensity of 2.9 photons 1/(cm2-sec-ster) over the 2 to 10 keV range. The 3 sigma upper limit to any emission (e.g. iron line) in a 1.5 keV band centered at 7 keV from galactic latitudes h or = 3.5 deg is .3 photons 1/(cm2-sec-ster). Several possible emission models are discussed, with the most likely candidate being a population of unresolvable low luminosity discrete sources.

Bleach, R. D.↗

Observations of the diffuse galactic light.

Systematic observations during five nights were made with a field of 137 arc seconds at a fixed declination of 20 deg 42 min through one arm of the Milky Way over a range of right ascension from 257 to 336 deg. Corrections for zodiacal light, airglow, and integrated starlight leave a residual which is interpreted as the diffuse galactic light. The residual, plotted against galactic latitude, suggests that the diffuse light in the sample studied emanates from several discrete sources.

Roach, F. E.↗

The cosmic gamma-ray spectrum between 0.3 and 27 MeV measured on the Apollo 15

The spectrum of the total (diffuse and discrete sources) cosmic gamma-ray background over the 0.3 to 27 MeV range was measured with a 7.0 cm diameter x 7.0 cm long uncollimated NaI(Tl) scintillation counter located on a boom 7.6 m from the Apollo 15 service module. Data on cosmic gamma-rays were taken during transearth coast at various boom extensions, detector gains, and with the plastic anticoincidence scintillator enabled and disabled.

Trombka, J. I.↗

The X-ray Emissivity of the Universe: 2-200 Kev

Observational results on the diffuse X-ray background between 2 and 200 keV are reported. Data are presented as a function of the volume emissivity function B (E) (ergs/sec cu Mpc keV emitted at energy E). The prescription for this is first to establish the spectral intensity I (E) (ergs/sec sq cm ster keV) measured at the earth, second to subtract the contribution due to known, discrete sources, and third to unfold the integral equation which relates the measured intensity to the emissivity.

Schwartz, D.↗

Map of the Galactic Nucleus at 10 Microns

The galactic nucleus was mapped at 10 microns with a resolution of a few arc seconds. Four discrete sources were resolved superimposed on an extended background.

Rieke, G. H.↗

A high-resolution map of the galactic-center region

A 2-cm wavelength map of the region in the vicinity of the galactic center is presented that represents an improvement in resolution by a factor of 2.7 over Hollinger's (1965) map and an improvement in sensitivity and coverage over the Downes, Maxwell, and Meeks (1965) map. The improved map reveals the great complexity of this region and the existence of a large number of densely clustered discrete sources and many new hitherto unresolved features.

Kapitzky, J. E.↗

The cosmic X-ray background

After a phenomenological description of the diffuse X-ray sky the various mechanisms of X-ray generation are discussed. These include radiation by high-energy particles in their interactions with magnetic fields, ambient electromagnetic waves, and interstellar grains and radiation from subrelativistic suprathermal charged particles in collisions with ambient gas. The generation of X-rays by plasmas through thermal electron-ion interactions is noted. The incidence of X-ray emission inside the Galaxy is first examined; then the extragalactic isotropic background is analyzed in the framework of modern cosmology. Interpretations of the X-ray background based on discrete sources as well as metagalactic cosmic rays are reviewed.

Boldt, E.↗

The UCSD/MIT hard X-ray and low energy gamma ray experiment for HEAO-A

An HEAO-A spacecraft is described which is scheduled for launch in April 1977 to survey the sky in the 0.15 keV to 10 MeV range of X-rays with improved sensitivity and angular resolution. The spectral and time variations of discrete sources, and the spectrum and isotropy of the diffuse component will be measured. A hard X-ray and low energy gamma ray experiment is described which will use as an array of seven (NaI)(Tl)/CsI(Na) phoswich detectors and eight large CsI(Na) shields. Detector events are pulse-height analyzed with a selectable time resolution of 0.1, 0.005, or 0.00002 sec. The instrument background is expected to be comprised of approximately equal parts of diffuse gamma rays entering the aperture, radioactive decay of spallation products, and gamma ray leakage through the shields. Detailed background predictions are presented, and sensitivity estimates indicate that the Crab nebula should be detected up to approximately 5 MeV. Approximate 1% isotropy limits for the diffuse component of cosmic gamma rays should be achieved, and its spectrum measured with improved precision.

Matteson, J. L.↗

The structure and content of the galaxy and galactic gamma rays. A review

The International Gamma Ray Symposium entitled 'The Structure and Content of the Galaxy and Galactic Gamma Rays', held at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in June, 1976, is briefly reviewed. Highlights from presentations on galactic structure, discrete sources, and low energy gamma rays are described. New data and their interpretations are also summarized.

Crannell, C. J.↗

The calculation of force-free fields from discrete flux distributions

This paper presents particularly simple mathematical formulas for the calculation of force-free fields of constant alpha from the distribution of discrete sources on a flat surface. The advantage of these formulas lies in their physical simplicity and the fact that they can be easily used in practice to calculate the fields. The disadvantage is that they are limited to fields of 'sufficiently small alpha'. These formulas may be useful in the study of chromospheric magnetic fields by the comparison of high-resolution H-alpha photographs and photospheric magnetograms.

Sheeley, N. R., Jr.↗