Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “LaTe”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,171 records · Page 65

Mass discrimination during weightlessness

An experiment concerned with the ability of astronauts to discriminate between the mass of objects when both the objects and the astronauts are in weightless states is described. The main object of the experiment is to compare the threshold for weight-discrimination on Earth with that for mass-discrimination in orbit. Tests will be conducted premission and postmission and early and late during the mission while the crew is experiencing weightlessness. A comparison of early and late tests inflight and postflight will reveal the rate of adaptation to zero-gravity and 1-g. The mass discrimination box holds 24 balls which the astronaut will compare to one another in a random routine.

Ross, H.↗

Upper stage alternatives for the shuttle era

The status and general characteristics of Space Shuttle upper stages now in use or in development, as well as new vehicle possibilities are examined. Upper stage requirements for both civil and Department of Defense missions, categorized generally into near-term (early and mid-1980's), mid-term (late 1980's to mid-1990's), and far-term (late 1990's and beyond) are discussed. Finally, the technical, schedule and cost impact of alternative ways in which these requirements could be met are examined, and a number of conclusions and recommendations are reached.

Source record↗

Suggested UV spectral classification criteria for A stars

Criteria for determining effective temperature and electron density independently of abundances, for A, late B, and F stars are given. Comparison of IUE data with standard classification techniques, shows that for late B and A stars, temperature classification by UV spectra is more sensitive than classification using visual spectra. The long wavelength wing of the Lyman is recommended for these stars. For A and F stars, the ratio of the Mg (2580 A) and Mg+ (2800A) resonance lines gives a good temperature/electron density (ne) criterion which is nearly independent of metal abundance (Z). The SiI discontinuities give an excellent temperature classification for A and F stars, but it is dependent on Z and ne. If the absolute intensities of either of the Mg lines are added to the criteria, three classification criteria for a three dimensional classification, according to temperature, ne and Z, are obtained.

Boehm-Vitense, E.↗

Analysis of non-interacting binaries with luminous cool primaries

High dispersion long wave redundant (LWR) spectra are analyzed for the differential velocity between hot and cool components of heretofore single lined spectroscopic binaries with late type giant or supergiant primaries. Cross correlation of a composite spectrum against early and late type standard stars yields relative velocities with an accuracy of 0.2 to 0.3 kms. When the orbit of the primay is known, the differential measurement from IUE gives the mass ratio of the system. Low dispersion short wave prime (SWP) and LWR flux spectra are used together with ground-based photometry to disentangle the composite energy distributions of the binaries. Temperatures of both components, their relative luminosities, and the reddening of the system are obtained. Assuming the hot secondaries to be main sequence stars, their probable luminosities and masses may be obtained from their temperatures. Then absolute magnitudes and masses may be obtained for the evolved primaries with more confidence than with existing techniques.

Parsons, S. B.↗

Models for Jupiter's decametric arcs

Arc-shaped structures that dominate Jupiter's decametric emission are discussed in terms of a magnetic fine structure. The sequence of arcs manifest the occurence of widespread fine structures similar to the white ovals on Jupiter's visible surface. An arc concave toward increasing time occurs at the east limb passage, and an arc convex occurs at the west limb passage, which is consistent with the early source producing vertex early arcs, and the late source producing vertex late arcs. Due to the geometry of the Io plasma torus (IPT) which is arranged so that Io skims the northern surface of the IPT, for any connection between Io and Jupiter's surface that involves Alfven waves, the propagation time, the refraction and the directional defocusing of these waves must be strongly influenced by the amount of Alfven wave path length between the instantaneous position of Io and the surface of the IPT.

Warwick, J. W.↗

Crater populations on Ganymede and Callisto

Voyager 1 observations reveal heavily cratered surfaces on Ganymede and Callisto which suggest that a period of heavy bombardment occurred in the outer solar system. The overall crater density on Ganymede indicates that the oldest regions began recording the observed crater population at a later time than Callisto. A diameter-dependent loss of craters from 10-40 km occurs on Ganymede and may be due to ice formation or the formation of arcuate troughs. Evidence is given which suggests that the population of bodies responsible for the period of late heavy bombardment in the inner solar system is very different from that responsible for the late heavy bombardment in the outer solar system. In addition, it is postulated that Ganymede and Callisto may principally record a population of bodies that never penetrated the inner solar system in numbers great enough to leave a recognizable signature.

Strom, R. G.↗

OH emission in the direction of TV Gem and BI Cyg

The NRAO-Green Bank 43-m telescope and 18-cm receiver have detected OH maser main-line emission at 1665 MHz, in the direction of the two late-type supergiants TV Gem and BI Cyg. The detection of the two new OH maser sources is noteworthy in view of the small number of late-type supergiants known to be molecular radio sources, or associated in close proximity with OH emission clouds. The IR, UV and radio properties of the two stars are discussed.

Brown, L. W.↗

Effective temperatures of A and F stars

Effective temperatures of late A and early F stars are determined from the observed fluxes in the visual at 1900 A and 1420 A. The observed ratios are compared with those calculated by Kurucz (1979). A correction of the theoretical fluxes at 1900 A brings the effective temperatures obtained from different ratios into reasonable agreement. The effective temperatures determined in this way for late A stars agree well with those obtained from the optical region. For F stars, however, the effective temperatures obtained from the UV are found to be higher than those obtained from the optical region if radiative equilibrium models are used for the comparison. It is thought that this discrepancy may derive from the effects of temperature, pressure, and absorption coefficient inhomogeneities caused by convection.

Boehm-Vitense, E.↗

Apparent superluminal motion in the quasar NRAO 140

Very long baseline interferometer (VLBI) measurements of the compact radio structure in the quasar NRAO 140 (z = 1.258) have been obtained at three epochs at a wavelength of 2.8 cm. These observations indicate that the two most compact radio components are separating at an angular rate of 0.10-0.14 milli-arcsec per year. For cosmological distances H sub 0 = 50 and q sub 0 = 0, this corresponds to a velocity of separation (in the quasar's rest frame) of 10 + or - 2 times the speed of light, c; for H sub 0 = 100 and q sub 0 = 1, the value is (3.1 + or - 0.6) c. Other interpretations of the temporal changes in correlated flux density and closure phase are discussed and are considered unlikely. The derived velocities are consistent with an earlier prediction that the separation velocity should be greater than about 4 c. Extrapolation back to the epoch of zero separation indicates that the expansion originated between late 1963 and late 1968 (under the assumption of constant velocity). This range includes the beginning of an isolated outburst in flux density at 2.8 cm. These results cannot be used to make any statements concerning the validity of cosmological interpretations of QSO redshifts.

Marscher, A. P.↗

Evidence for chromospheres and coronae in stars - Recent observations, some unanswered theoretical questions, and a speculative scenario

The paper discusses recent UV and X-ray evidence for the existence of solar-type chromospheres, transition regions and coronae in stars other than the sun. The stellar spectral types associated with emission lines indicative of chromospheres and transition regions and X-ray fluxes indicative of coronae are examined, and the possibility of chromospheres and transition regions existing in stars hotter or cooler than the late-type stars is considered. The stellar parameters determining the properties of stellar chromospheres, transition regions and coronae are discussed, including varying magnetic fields, stellar rotation and convection zone parameters. A speculative scenario for the source of chromospheres, transition regions and coronae in O, B and A stars, late-type dwarfs, and G-M giants and supergiants is then presented which is based on the predominant role of magnetic fields in the nonradiative heating of outer atmospheres.

Linsky, J. L.↗

Results from the central Hyades survey

Results of a soft X-ray survey of the central 5 deg of the Hyades star cluster made with the Einstein Observatory Imaging Proportional Counter are presented. Virtually all of the late F and early G stars in the cluster were detected at an X-ray luminosity of greater than 10 to the 28.5 erg/sec, although only about 50% of the stars in the cluster as a whole were detected. Plots of X-ray luminosity against B-V index indicate that the typical solar-type star in the Hyades is emitting soft X-rays at a level approximately 30 times that of the active sun. Histograms of the X-ray to bolometric luminosity ratio reveal a gradual distinction between late A-early F stars, which are expected to possess little or no convective envelope, and solar-type (F8-G5) stars, with convective outer atmospheres. Results confirm the dependence of stellar coronal activity on rotation, and establish the prevalence of stellar coronae throughout the main sequence and the giant regions of the H-R diagram.

Stern, R. A.↗

Evolution of close binary stars - Observational aspects

Detached close binary systems define the main sequence band satisfactorily, but very little is known about the masses of giants and supergiants. High-dispersion IUE observations promise an improvement, since blue companions are now frequently found to late-type supergiants. The interesting cases of Mu Sagittarii and in particular of Epsilon Aurigae are discussed in more detail. The barium star abundance anomaly appears now to be due to mass transfer in interacting systems. The symbiotic stars are another type of binary systems containing late-type giants; several possible models for the hotter star and for the type of interaction are discussed. The W Serpentis stars appear to be Algols in the rapid phase of mass transfer, but a possible link relating them to the symbiotics is also indicated. Evidence of hot circumstellar plasmas has now been found in several ordinary Algols; there may exist a smooth transition between very quiescent Algols and the W Serpentis stars. Bet2 Lyrae is discussed in the light of new spectrophotometric results.

Plavec, M. J.↗

The intercrater plains of Mercury and the Moon: Their nature, origin and role in terrestrial planet evolution. Chronology of surface history of Mercury

Phases in the history of the planet Mercury include: (1) condensation and accretion; (2) heating; (3) planetary expansion during heavy bombardment; (4) tidal spin-down and lineament formation; (5) P5 plains emplacement; (6) P4 plains emplacement; (7) peak planetary volume in P3 period; (8) scarp formation; (9) Caloris Basin formation, late class 3; (10) scarp formation and P2 plains formation; (11) smooth plains formation in and around large basins; (12) late or local tectonic stress; and (13) quiescent class 1 period. Although the cooling and contraction of the lithosphere are complete, the core remains molten as an active dynamo, producing the magnetic fields detected by Mariner 10. Plains produced since core formation (P3 to P-1) should record its magnetic activity. Cratering during the Class 2 and Class 1 periods is probably not enough to distribute ballistic materials and homogenize any color differences.

Leake, M. A.↗

Detection of aspen/conifer forest mixes from multitemporal LANDSAT digital data

Aspen, conifer and mixed aspen/conifer forests were mapped for a 15-quadrangle study area in the Utah-Idaho Bear River Range using LANDSAT multispectral scanner (MSS) data. The digital MSS data were utilized to devise quantitative indices which correlate with apparently stable and seral aspen forests. The extent to which a two-date LANDSAT MSS analysis may permit the delineation of different categories of aspen/conifer forest mix was explored. Multitemporal analyses of MSS data led to the identification of early, early to mid, mid to late, and late seral stages of aspen/conifer forest mixing.

Merola, J. A.↗

A study of X-ray emission from Ap and Am stars

Twenty stars classified as either Ap or Am have been imaged by the Imaging Proportional Counter on the Einstein Observatory in a search for evidence of coronal emission. It is found that an Am star will not be a source (at the 10 to the 28th ergs/sec level) unless it is in a spectroscopic binary with a period below about 10 days. The X-rays in the close binaries can be explained by the RS CVn effect in the late-type secondary, and the evidence is against strong emission from Am stars. Among the nine Ap stars observed, four were detected. While it is possible that the X-rays are being generated by undetected late-type dwarf companions, the large fraction of detections makes the Ap stars themselves the likely source of emission.

Cash, W.↗

Flare asymmetry as seen in offband H-alpha filtergrams

Narrow-band H-alpha filtergrams at + or - 1 A and + or - 2 A from the line center were used to study the asymmetry of flares. Of the 60 flares studied, 92% show red asymmetry while 5% show blue asymmetry. Typically, the filtergrams show a striking dominance of the red wing over the blue wing from onset until late in the decay phase. The difference in intensity of the flare emissions is further augmented by the extensiveness of the emission area in the brighter wing. New kernel-like emissions were often found many minutes after the flare maximum. Spatially, they are displaced from the previous kernels. The late emissions show the same asymmetry as that of the earlier part of the flare.

Tang, F.↗

The variability of stratospheric nitrogen compounds observed by LIMS in the winter of 1978-1979

The LIMS experiment was launched on the Nimbus 7 satellite for the purpose of sounding the vertical structure of temperature and key upper atmosphere trace gases on a global scale. The technique of thermal infrared limb sounding was used to obtain measurements of O3, H2O, NO2, and HNO3. LIMS collected data almost continuously from late October to late May over the latitude range from 64 deg S to 84 deg N. Two of the gases, NO2 and HNO3, are important elements in the NO(x) chain of chemical reactions leading to ozone destruction. Results for these gases are described in terms of zonal mean profiles and latitudinal distributions. The period selected for study is January-May 1979, when a major stratospheric warming occurred.

Russell, J. M., III↗

Energetic ion acceleration and transport in the upstream region of Jupiter - Voyager 1 and 2

Long-lived upstream energetic ion events at Jupiter appear to be very similar in nearly all respects to upstream ion events at earth. A notable difference between the two planetary systems is the enhanced heavy ion compositional signature reported for the Jovian events. This compositional feature has suggested that ions escaping from the Jovian magnetosphere play an important role in forming upstream ion populations at Jupiter. In contrast, models of energetic upstream ions at earth emphasize in situ acceleration of reflected solar wind ions within the upstream region itself. Using Voyager 1 and 2 energetic ion measurements near the magnetopause, in the magnetosheath, and immediately upstream of the bow shock, the compositional patterns are examined together with typical energy spectra in each of these regions. Characteristic spectral changes are found late in ion events observed upstream of the bow shock at the same time that heavy ion fluxes are enhanced and energetic electrons are present. A model involving upstream Fermi acceleration early in events and emphasizing energetic particle escape in the prenoon part of the Jovian magnetospehre late in events is presented to explain many of the features in the upstream region of Jupiter.

Baker, D. N.↗