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At least 1,099 records · Page 61

Planetary radio astronomy receiver

The planetary radio astronomy (PRA) experiment on the Voyager spacecraft will measure the amplitude, spectrum, time variations, and polarization of radio emissions over a frequency range of 1.2 kHz to 40.5 MHz with the aid of the PRA receiver (PRAR) and two 10-m orthogonal monopoles. Sensitivity and dynamic range will allow observation of a wide range of Jovian emissions from near earth to encounter. This paper describes the system elements, including the preamp/attenuator/calibrator, the LF polarization discriminator, the four LF-IF amplifier stages, the HF polarization discriminator, the translation LO, the log-IF and detector, the frequency synthesizer, the data processor, control system, power supply, and antennas.

Lang, G. J.↗

Jupiter's internal magnetic field geometry relevant to particle trapping

Some field-geometric features of relevance to particle trapping in the inner magnetosphere and polar-cap regions of Jupiter are described using an internal-field model that includes terms up to the order of n equals 3 (octupole). Adiabatic particle parameters for detectors on Pioneers 10 and 11 during their flights through Jupiter's inner magnetosphere are determined along with the configuration of the intersections of particle drift shells with the planetary ionosphere. Possible correlations between drift-shell contours and the planet-locked characteristics of Jovian decametric radio emission are investigated, and longitudinal asymmetries of the ionospheric plasma source function are analyzed. It is shown that if the ionosphere is the main source of magnetospheric plasma, the latitude dependence of the plasma source function should have a considerable effect on the longitudinal asymmetry of the corotating plasma.

Roederer, J. G.↗

Photometry of slow X-ray pulsars. III - The GX 17 + 2 candidate

The optical pulsations from the faint star assumed to be the optical counterpart of the intense X-ray source GX 17 + 2 are analyzed. The X-ray source is of interest because of its associated radio emission, and the 1913 sec periodic modulation of the X-ray flux, which makes the source the slowest X-ray pulsar yet observed. The photoelectric photometry of the star provides no evidence for variability. The analysis indicates that any binary period in GX 17 + 2 is most likely longer than two days.

Margon, B.↗

On the polarization and origin of auroral kilometric radiation

The initial results are presented from observations of auroral kilometric radiation at radial distances of about 2.0 R(E) over the auroral zone. These measurements provide important new evidence on the mode of propagation and origin of the auroral kilometric radiation. The observations were made with the aid of the Hawkeye 1 spacecraft which is in a highly eccentric polar orbit. The three types of high-frequency radio emissions commonly observed by Hawkeye 1 during the low-altitude passes over the southern hemisphere include continuum radiation, auroral kilometric radiation, and auroral hiss. In most cases it is found that the auroral kilometric radiation has a sharply defined low-altitude cutoff at the altitude where the local electron gyrofrequency is equal to the wave frequency. A few exceptional cases occur in which a low-frequency cutoff cannot be clearly identified.

Gurnett, D. A.↗

Protogalaxy interactions in newly formed clusters - Galaxy luminosities, colors, and intergalactic gas

The role of protogalaxy interactions in galactic evolution is studied during the formation of galaxy clusters. In the early stages of the collapse, coalescent encounters of protogalaxies lead to the development of a galactic luminosity function. Once galaxies acquire appreciable random motions, mutual collisions between galaxies in rich clusters will trigger the collapse of interstellar clouds to form stars. This provides both a source for enriched intracluster gas and an interpretation of the correlation between luminosity and color for cluster elliptical galaxies. Other observational consequences that are considered include optical, X-ray, and diffuse nonthermal radio emission from newly formed clusters of galaxies.

Silk, J.↗

X-ray and radio observations of GX 17+2 and GX 13+1

X-ray data on the sources 3U 1813-14 (GX 17+2) and 3U 1811-17 (GX 13+1), obtained by Copernicus between 1975 and 1977, are examined. These reveal correlated intensity and spectral-slope variations in GX 17+2 similar to those seen in Sco X-1 and four other galactic sources, 3U 0614+09, 3U 1702-36, 3U 1728-16, and 3U 1758-25. The data on GX 17+2 have been unsuccessfully searched for further evidence of a shallow 31.9-minute modulation. In the case of GX 13+1 no significant variability was seen in either intensity or spectrum. A simultaneous search made from the NRAO simultaneously with some of the X-ray observations revealed no significant radio emission from either source.

White, N. E.↗

On the observation of a flare-generated shock wave at 9.7 AU by Pioneer 10

An apparent solar-flare-generated shock wave detected by Pioneer-10 at 9.7 AU on April 9, 1976 is discussed. The shock wave may be correlated with a radio emission burst from Jupiter not associated with Io (March 30). The fact that solar flares observed on March 20 were at the central meridian with respect to Jupiter and Pioneer-10 and the fact that solar activity was very low before March 20 contribute to the argument that a shock wave had propagated to the region of the spacecraft.

Dryer, M.↗

4U0241+61 - A luminous low-redshift QSO

The faint (1.8 micro Jy, 2-11 keV) X-ray QSO 4U0241+61 is considered in terms of its celestial position (galactic latitude = +2.4 plus or minus 30 sec), luminosity (M sub v = -25.8 plus or minus 1.8), redshift (z = 0.0438), and radio emission (0.2-0.5 Jy). Counting rates in two energy channels are presented, and found comparable to the Type 1 Seyfert 3C120. Spectrophotometric calibration to an approximately 8 A resolution was also achieved. Attention is given to the close relation between X-ray emitting QSOs and Seyferts.

Apparao, K. M. V.↗

Diffuse gamma radiation

Results are reported for an investigation of the intensity, energy spectrum, and spatial distribution of the diffuse gamma radiation detected by SAS 2 away from the galactic plane in the energy range above 35 MeV. The gamma-ray data are compared with relevant data obtained at other wavelengths, including 21-cm emission, radio continuum radiation, and the limited UV and radio information on local molecular hydrogen. It is found that there are two quite distinct components to the diffuse radiation, one of which shows a good correlation with the galactic matter distribution and continuum radiation, while the other has a much steeper energy spectrum and appears to be isotropic at least on a coarse scale. The galactic component is interpreted in terms of its implications for both local and more distant regions of the Galaxy. The apparently isotropic radiation is discussed partly with regard to the constraints placed on possible models by the steep energy spectrum, the observed intensity, and an upper limit on the anisotropy.

Fichtel, C. E.↗

An experiment to measure interplanetary and solar electrons

The paper describes an ISEE experiment designed to study interplanetary and solar electrons in the energy range between solar wind and galactic cosmic rays. The instrumentation is designed to identify and measure electron fluxes with high energy resolution and high sensitivity from approximately 2 keV to 1 MeV. Angular distributions of these electrons will also be obtained; in addition, energetic ions above 50 keV will be measured. Measurements of particle acceleration in solar flares, solar radio emission, interplanetary particles and shock wave acceleration, and low energy electron propagation are discussed. The instrumentation is described with emphasis on the semiconductor telescopes, the electrostatic analyzer, and the electronics.

Anderson, K. A.↗

Energetic solar flare particles and interplanetary shock waves

Estimates from hard X-ray measurements show that for many flares the bulk of the flare energy is released in the form of approximately 10-100-keV energy electrons. The interaction of these electrons with the solar atmosphere can produce the optical, UV, EUV, and radio emissions observed during the flare impulsive phase. In addition, explosive heating and evaporation of the chromosphere by these electrons can produce the roughly 10 million K soft X-ray plasma. For the large solar flares which produce interplanetary shock waves, the accelerated approximately 10-100-keV electron population may produce the heating and mass motion required for mass ejection and the formation of the shock wave. The shock wave can in turn accelerate ions and electrons to higher energy as it travels through the corona and interplanetary medium.

Lin, R. P.↗

Energetic particles in solar flares. Chapter 4 in the proceedings of the 2nd Skylab Workshop on Solar Flares

The recent direct observational evidence for the acceleration of particles in solar flares, i.e. radio emission, bremsstrahlung X-ray emission, gamma-ray line and continuum emission, as well as direct observations of energetic electrons and ions, are discussed and intercorrelated. At least two distinct phases of acceleration of solar particles exist that can be distinguished in terms of temporal behavior, type and energy of particles accelerated and the acceleration mechanism. Bulk energization seems the likely acceleration mechanism for the first phase while Fermi mechanism is a viable candidate for the second one.

Ramaty, R.↗

Radio observations of asteroids: Results and prospects

Radio observations of the asteroids can provide information on the thermal and dielectric properties of the surface materials and because the radio emission arises somewhat below the surface, the data give some indication of layering. Observational difficulty has limited the investigations to only 6 asteroids: 1 Ceres and 324 Bamberga appear to have a layer of dust covering a more compacted material; the data on 4 Vesta cannot be matched by any current models for the surface; and the results for 18 Melpomene, 31 Euphrosyne and 433 Eros are too incomplete for firm conclusions. Future possibilities include more accurate radiometry of a few selected asteroids of different taxonomic classes and actual resolution of some of the larger objects by aperture synthesis techniques.

Dickel, J. R.↗

Radio observations of asteroids: Results and prospects

Radio observations of the asteroids can provide information on the thermal and dielectric properties of the surface materials and because the radio emission arises somewhat below the surface, the data give some indication of layering. Observational difficulty limited the investigations to only 6 asteroids:1 Ceres and 324 Bamberga appear to have a layer of dust covering a more compacted material; the data on 4 Vesta cannot be matched by any current models for the surface; and the results for 18 Melpomene, 31 Euphrosyne and 433 Eros are too incomplete for firm conclusions. Future possibilities include more accurate radiometry of a few selected asteroids of different tuxonomic classes and actual resolution of some of the larger objects by aperture synthesis techniques.

Dickel, J. R.↗

Decameter: Wave radio observations of Jupiter during the 1970 apparition

Observations of Jupiter's sporadic decameter wavelength radio emissions were obtained between November 1978 and March 1979. A multistation, global network of monitoring instruments were utilized in order to obtain nearly continuous, synoptic observations of the planet. Observations were obtained daily at frequencies of 16.7 and 22.2 MHz using five element Yagi antennas at each end of a two element interferometer.

Vaughan, S. S.↗

Strange doings on Io

Some unusual properties of Io are discussed, and possible explanations for these are considered. The properties discussed include Io's ability to modify radio waves emitted by Jupiter in the decametric band, the satellite's ionosphere and sodium cloud, its extraordinary brightness, and the presence of ionized sulfur just inside the satellite's orbit. Io's ability to modulate Jovian decametric radio emission is explained on the basis of the hypothesis that the satellite conducts electricity and interacts with Jupiter's magnetic field. Characteristics of the sodium cloud are reviewed, and the probable mechanism responsible for this cloud is outlined. It is concluded that the only plausible explanation for the brightness of Io is the presence of cat's-eye-type reflectors, possibly composed of crystalline deposits, on the satellite's surface.

Goody, R.↗

Jupiter's radiation belts and atmosphere

Maps and stripscans of the radio emission from Jupiter were made during the Pioneer 10 flyby in December 1973 at wavelengths of 6 cm, 21 cm, and 50 cm using the Westerbork telescope in the Netherlands. With this instrument the disk of the planet was resolved at 6 and 21 cm. The pictures are averaged over 15 deg of Jovian longitude. At 21 cm the stripscans clearly show the existence of a 'hot region' in the radiation belts at a System III longitude (1965.0) of 255 + or - 10 deg. Its flux is about 9% of the total nonthermal flux, and it has a volume emissivity enhanced by a factor of about 1.6 with respect to the general radiation belts. The temperature of the thermal disk at 21 cm appears to be 290 + or - 20 K. This is likely due to a high ammonia mixing ratio in the atmosphere, a factor of 4-5 larger than the expected solar value of 0.00015.

De Pater, I.↗

Polar heating and the shape of Venus

Observations of an increase of the brightness temperature of Venus towards the poles are reported. Measurements of the deviations from circular symmetry of radio emission at 6 cm were made with a two-element interferometer near a time of inferior conjunction with Venus. The projected baseline lengths of the planet at the first null of the visibility function imply that the planet is either larger (by about 7 km) or brighter (by about 5 K) at the poles than at the equator. Possible causes of polar heating include a strong downwelling of the Venusian atmosphere at the poles and a slight topographical flattening relative to the gravitational equipotentials. Calculations of brightness temperature variations for a planet with a topographical oblateness of about 0.6 km are shown to agree with the observations, however the possibility of this oblateness being due to a fossil rotational bulge is argued against.

Pechmann, J. B.↗