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At least 1,153 records · Page 64

On the generation of a bubbly universe - A quantitative assessment of the CfA slice

A first attempt is made to calculate the properties of the matter distribution in a universe filled with overlapping bubbles produced by multiple explosions. Each spherical shell follows the cosmological Sedov-Taylor solution until it encounters another shell. Thereafter, mergers are allowed to occur in pairs on the basis of N-body results. At the final epoch, the matrix of overlapping shells is populated with 'galaxies' and the properties of slices through the numerically constructed cube compare well with CfA survey results for specified initial conditions. A statistic is found which measures the distance distribution from uniformly distributed points to the nearest galaxies on the projected plane which appears to provide a good measure of the bubbly character of the galaxy distribution. In a quantitative analysis of the CfA 'slice of the universe', a very good match is found between simulation and the real data for final average bubble radii of (13.5 + or - 1.5)/h Mpc with formal filling factor 1.0-1.5 or actual filling factor of 65-80 percent.

Ostriker, J. P.↗

Does solar radio emission trigger SKR?

Using Voyager I data, a preliminary search has been made for evidence of both triggering and enhancement of Saturn Kilometric Radiation (SKR) by solar type III bursts. The interval from September 1, 1980 to September 30,1980 was examined at a frequency near the spectral peak of the SKR (385 kHz). The investigation compared emission levels before and after the arrival of Type III bursts at Saturn by subjecting the data to both superposed epoch analysis and intensity distribution analysis. Strong SKR associated with the arrival of a high-density solar wind stream at Saturn was removed to avoid possible masking of a weak triggering effect. No evidence of triggering or of enhancement of SKR due to the arrival of Type III bursts at Saturn could be found.

Desch, Michael D.↗

Solar wind control of Jupiter's hectometric radio emission

Radio, plasma, and magnetic field data obtained by Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were used to examine the manner in which the Jovian hectometric radio emission (HOM) is controlled by the solar wind. Using the method of superposed epochs, it was found that the higher energy HOM is correlated with the IMF as well as with the solar wind density and pressure. However, unlike the Io-independent decametric radio emission (Non-Io DAM), the HOM displayed no correlation with the solar wind velocity, although this radio component appear to be also influenced by the IMF. The results suggest separate HOM amd Non-Io DAM sources.

Barrow, C. H.↗

Intermittent behavior of galactic dynamo activities

Recent observations by Beck and Golla of far-infrared and radio continuum emission from nearby spiral galaxies suggest that the galactic magnetic field strength is connected to the current star formation rate. The role of star formation on the generation of large-scale galactic magnetic field is studied in this paper. Using a simple galactic model, it is shown how the galactic dynamo depends strongly on the turbulent velocity of the interstellar medium. When the star formation efficiency is high, the ISM is churned which in turn amplifies the galactic magnetic field. Between active star formation epochs, the magnetic field is in dormant state and decays at a negligible rate. If density waves trigger star formation, then they also turn on the otherwise dormant dynamo.

Ko, C. M.↗

A parametric study of space radiation exposures to critical body organs for low earth orbit missions

It is shown that it is possible to calculate the extent of the exposure to space radiation of a specific body organ. Using a computerized anatomical man model and models of radiation environments and spacecraft shielding, a parametric study was carried out for several Space-Shuttle scenarios. The dose equivalent data for several blood-forming organ locations are presented (for a solar-minimum epoch) as a function of altitude and the shielding material, and the results are compared with the NASA crew exposure limits for these body organs.

Atwell, W.↗

Phoebe: A preliminary control network and rotational elements

A preliminary control network for the Saturnian satellite Phoebe was determined based upon 6 distinct albedo features mapped on 16 Voyager 2 images. Using an existing map and an analytical triangulation program which minimized the measurement error, the north pole of Phoebe was calculated to be alpha sub 0 = 355.0 deg + or - 9.6 deg, delta sub 0 = 68.7 deg + or - 7.9 deg, where alpha sub 0, delta sub 0 are standard equatorial coordinates with equinox J2000 at epoch J2000. The prime meridian of Phoebe was computed to be W = 304.7 deg + 930.833872d, where d is the interval in days from JD 2451545.0 TDB.

Colvin, Tim R.↗

The grand unified photon spectrum: A coherent view of the diffuse extragalactic background radiation

The spectrum of diffuse extragalactic background radiation (DEBRA) at wavelengths from 10(exp 5) to 10(exp -24) cm is presented in a coherent fashion. Each wavelength region, from the radio to ultra-high energy photons and cosmic rays, is treated both separately and as part of the grand unified photon spectrum (GUPS). A discussion of, and references to, the relevant literature for each wavelength region is included. This review should provide a useful tool for those interested in diffuse backgrounds, the epoch of galaxy formation, astrophysical/cosmological constraints to particle properties, exotic early Universe processes, and many other astrophysical and cosmological enterprises. As a worked example, researchers derive the cosmological constraints to an unstable-neutrino spies (with arbitrary branching ratio to a radiative decay mode) that follow from the GUPS.

Ressell, M. Ted↗

Studies of the evolution of the x ray emission of clusters of galaxies

The x ray luminosity function of clusters of galaxies was determined at different cosmic epoches using data from the Einstein Observatory Extended Medium Survey. The sample consisted of 67 x ray selected clusters that were grouped into three redshift shells. Evolution was detected in the x ray properties of clusters. The present volume density of high luminosity clusters was found to be greater than it was in the past. This result is the first convincing evidence for evolution in the x ray properties of clusters. Investigations into the constraints provided by these data on various Cold Dark Matter models are underway.

Henry, J. Patrick↗

AFGL ten micron mosaic array spectrometer: Recent results

Recent measurements were made with a novel mosaic array prism spectrometer on long period variable stars of carbon and oxygen-rich atmospheres. These stars have generally large IR excesses and show strong SiC and silicate emission features, respectively. A comparison is provided by published spectra obtained with the IRAS Low Resolution Spectrometer. Emission feature equivalent widths are independent of the absolute photometric level of the spectra and provide information on the relative variation of the feature and continuum fluxes between the epochs of the space and groundbased observations.

Levan, Paul D.↗

Relationship between solar activities and thunderstorm activities in the Beijing area and the northeast region of China

An analysis of the relationship between the IMF section boundary crossing, solar flares, the sunspot 11 year cycle variation and the thunderstorm index is given, using the superposition epoch method, for data from more than 13,000 thunderstorms from 10 meteorological stations in the Beijing area and the Northeast region during 1957 to 1978. The results show that for some years a correlation exists between the thunderstorm index and the positive IMF section boundary crossing. The thunderstorm index increases obviously within three days near the crossing and on the seventh day after the crossing. The influence of the crossing on thunderstorms is stronger in the first half year than the latter half year. For different classes of solar flares, the influences are not equally obvious. The solar flares which appeared on the west side, especially in the western region (from 0 to 30 deg) have the most obvious influence. There is no discernible correlation between the thunderstorm index and the sunspot eleven-year cycle.

Zhuang, Hong C.↗

Optical alignment and testing of the Diffuse IR Background Experiment IR cryogenic telescope

Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) optical alignment and testing methods are discussed. Using strobe videography, vibration and performance testing of a 32 hz tuning-fork chopper was carried out. The Cosmic Background explorer satellite provides improved microwave and IR all-sky maps of the cosmic background radiation from a polar orbit. A liquid helium cryostat houses the DIRBE and the Far IR Absolute Spectrophotometer (FIRAS) instruments at a temperature of 2 K. Differential MicRowave Radiometers (DMRs) provide large scale maps of anisotropy of the 3 K background at wavelengths of 3.3, 5.7, and 9.6 mm. The DIRBE telescope is an IR photometric instrument with 10 wavelength bands between 1 and 300 microns, designed to measure radiation from the epoch of galaxy formation. Stringent stray light requirements mean that the DIRBE flight instrument has to be built and tested in a class 100 environment.

Wood, H. John↗

Observations and evolution of hot coronae around early type galaxies

This review describes obervations of hot coronae around early-type galaxies. The observations show that early-type galaxies have 0.5-4.5 keV luminosities up to nearly 10 to the 43rd ergs/sec dominated by thermal emission from 10 to the 10th solar masses of hot (about 10 to the 7th K) gas. Calculations which model the evolution of the coronae are presented. These models can explain the present epoch observations as well as predict the coronal properties at large redshift.

Forman, W.↗

Ly-alpha emission from disk absorption systems at high redshift - Star formation in young galaxy disks

Narrow-band imaging observations are reported which were made in an attempt to detect Ly-alpha emission from high-redshift candidate galaxy disk systems discovered as high column density absorbers of background QSOs. For four systems with z = 2.3-2.8, no emission is detected to a limit of about 10 to the -16th ergs/sq cm/s, corresponding to luminosity limits of about 10 exp 42-43 ergs/s for the material producing the absorption. The inferred Ly-alpha luminosities lie one to two orders of magnitude below estimates of the Ly-alpha luminosities for active star-forming epochs of many prescriptions for galaxy formation and also considerably below measured Ly-alpha luminosities for other candidate young galaxies detected in radio surveys. A limiting star-formation rate in these systems of about 2-7 solar masses/yr is set; the limit may be about 10 times larger with small but observationally allowable amounts of dust.

Smith, Harding E.↗

The ultraviolet variability of HD 45166 (qWR + B8 V) - Evidence for stellar wind radiative instabilities

High-resolution IUE spectroscopy of the low-mass qWR star HD 45166, obtained at several epochs during 1980-1988, reveals a complex pattern of variability in its stellar wind emission lines, P Cygni profiles, and highly ionized photospheric absorption spectrum. The most intensive observations, obtained during a 36 hr continuous run in February 1988, show the presence of discrete absorption components (DACs) in the C IV 1550 resonance doublet. These DACs can blend to give the appearance of a well-developed P Cygni absorption profile seen at some other times, roughly doubling the column density of the ground state C(3+) ions in the wind. In the 1988 spectra, two principal features are seen, at about -950 km/s and -750 km/s, with column densities of about 14.0 and 14.7 dex/sq cm, respectively. Both features migrate in velocity with accelerations of about 140 cm/sq sec, implying a recurrence time scale of about 1.6 days and a lifetime of about 3 days for the DACs. A striking characteristic of the acceleration is its slowness. The pattern of DAC variability in HD 45166 is similar to that found for O-type stars and provides further evidence that the DACs are not mass-conserving features but rather that a given feature is formed by different material at different times. It is concluded that the C IV DAC variability observed in HD 45166 results from structural changes in the wind arising from radiative instabilities.

Willis, Allan J.↗

The effect of hot gas in early-type galaxies on the cosmic microwave background

The effects on the cosmic microwave background which are due to Compton scattering by the hot gas contained in early-type galaxies (the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect) are computed. Using the known properties of the gas deduced from X-ray observations, it is found that the fractional attenuation DeltaT/T at the center of a gas-rich galaxy is likely to be less than 10 to the -5th, which is just below current limits of detectability. A distribution function is derived for the attenuation which is due to a population of early-type galaxies out to some redshift and the expected rms fluctuations in the background on subarcmin scales are computed. These fluctuations are comparable to those intrinsic to the microwave background in the 'cold dark matter' scenario on these angular scales, but they fall orders of magnitude below the detection limits and below the level of fluctuations expected from nonlinear density perturbations at the epoch of galaxy formation.

Trester, Jeffrey J.↗

Spin-up of young pulsars due to rapid cooling by neutrino emission

A young pulsar cools rapidly by neutrino emission. The resulting thermal contraction leads to spin-up in the earliest epochs when the effect dominates over spin-down by magnetic dipole radiation. This initial spin-up may last several years. The characteristic time dependence of the neutrino luminosity can also dominate in the second derivative of the rotation rate for as long as thousands of years with favorable initial conditions.

Alpar, M. Ali↗

Year-to-year instability of the Mars south polar cap

Models of the Mars polar cap energy balance suggest that the south cap has two possible configurations at the current epoch. It can be covered all year by CO2 frost, as was observed by the Viking spacecraft, or the CO2 frost can disappear at midsummer to expose an underlying surface. The difference between the two states depends on the role of energy conducted into the subsurface. If the cap was exposed the previous year, conducted energy will cause less CO2 frost to condense in winter, and the frost will disappear completely in summer. If the cap was covered the previous year, there will be no conducted energy, and it will stay covered again. Subtle effects in the atmosphere can perturb the cap energy balance sufficiently to cause the cap to jump between states. This behavior might provide an explanation for the large southern summer water vapor abundances observed in 1969. It also explains the observed differences between the north and the south residual caps as resulting in part from a difference in the role in the annual energy balance of energy conducted into the subsurface.

Jakosky, Bruce M.↗

First GPS baseline results from the North Andes

The CASA Uno GPS experiment (January-February 1988) has provided the first epoch baseline measurements for the study of plate motions and crustal deformation in and around the North Andes. Two dimensional horizontal baseline repeatabilities are as good as 5 parts in 10 to the 8th for short baselines (100-1000 km), and better than 3 parts in 10 to the 8th for long baselines (greater than 1000 km). Vertical repeatabilities are typically 4-6 cm, with a weak dependence on baseline length. The expected rate of plate convergence across the Colombia Trench is 6-8cm/yr, which should be detectable by the repeat experiment planned for 1991. Expected deformation rates within the North Andes are of the order of 1 cm/yr, which may be detectable with the 1991 experiment.

Kellogg, James N.↗