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At least 1,225 records · Page 68
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NASA NTRS1991

Solar array orientations for a space station in low earth orbit

A large portion of the drag of a space station in LEO is generated by its solar array; for a baseline 25-kW solar array in 334-km orbit, 1800 kg of reboost propellant/year is needed to counteract solar array drag. A study is conducted of the drag reduction potential of three possible solar array orientations: sun-pointing, sun-pointing during illumination/edge-on during eclipse, and edge-on during entire orbit. An 18.5-percent drag-makeup propellant reduction is found to be obtainable with the sun-pointing/edge-on eclipse orientation technique.

Landis, Geoffrey A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A connection between long-term luminosity variations and orbital period changes in chromospherically active binaries

The eclipsing binary CG Cyg provides observational confirmation of three predictions made by Applegate's (1991) improvement on the theory that magnetic cycles cause the quasi-periodic orbital period changes in binaries containing a convective star. The mean brightness outside eclipse and the period vary with the same cycle length of about 50 yr. The light curve and O - C curve are in phase, with maximum light and period increase occurring in early 1980. The chromospherically active star becomes bluer in phase with the brightening. Because a period increase occurs at maximum brightness, the sense of the star's differential rotation is specified: outside rotating faster.

Hall, Douglas S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Thermal models for icy satellites

The solid state greenhouse models were constrained for water ice surfaces using thermal eclipse data. As a result, it was determined that at depths of 3 cm or more Europa can have about a 30 K temperature enhancement over the diurnal mean surface temperature of about 97 K at the equator. It was also determined that the unusual shape of Europa's thermal flux curves during eclipses can be explained by the solid state greenhouse effect. The solid state greenhouse models were applied to the problem of the origin and energy sources of Triton's geyser-like plumes. Two classes of models are examined which may explain the driving energy for Triton's plumes. Triton's internal heatflow is recognized as a major contributor to its global energy balance. Internal heat flow from radioactive decay in Triton's interior along with absorbed thermal energy from Neptune total 5 to 20 pct. of the insolation absorbed by Triton, thus comprising a significant fraction of Triton's surface energy balance.

Brown, Robert H.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Twelve years of IUE spectra of the interacting binary VV Cephei

All well-exposed high-resolution IUE spectra obtained of the eclipsing binary system VV Cephei (M2Iabep + B) are examined. High-temperature absorption features attributable to the hot companion were detected, indicating that the companion (or the inner regions of its accretion disk) are not as hot as a B1-B2 star. Doubling of Fe II (UV 1) lines, with an additional narrow component redshifted by about 60 km/sec, occurs only when the B star is behind the plane of the sky containing the M supergiant, suggesting the existence of mass transfer from the red to the blue star. Absorption features from neutral elements weaken dramatically during egress, while those from ionized elements remain at nearly constant strength. During egress from primary eclipse, the Mg II resonance doublet shows asymmetric double-peaked emission indicative of formation in an expanding chromosphere. It is concluded that the outer atmosphere of the M supergiant is highly clumped.

Bauer, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

X-ray scattering and fluorescence in the wind of a massive X-ray binary

Spectral data from the binary X-ray pulsar 4 U 0900 - 40 obtained with the Ginga satellite and covering a range of orbital phases are presented and interpreted using simulated spectra created with a Monte Carlo scattering code. It is found that scattering and fluorescence in a simple spherically symmetric distribution of matter surrounding the companion star can reproduce the eclipse spectrum, as well as the 'soft X-ray-excess' observed during egress and other orbital phases. Reasonably secure values are found for a number of the parameters that characterize the density profile of the stellar wind and atmosphere of the companion star. The Fe abundance is within a factor of about 1.3 of that in the solar neighborhood. It is shown that ionization zones are not critical to understanding the orbital-phase-resolved spectra in this source. It is also found that the contribution by scattering from interstellar dust grains to the observed spectra during eclipse is negligible, while that from diffuse emission from the 'Galactic ridge' is significant.

Lewis, W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

On Martell and Kaitchuck's model for the intermediate polar FO Aquarii

Attention is given to the proposals of Martell and Kaitchuck (1991) that FO Aqr is a low-inclination system, rather than an eclipsing system, as recently claimed, and that the dominant periodicity (21 min) is the beat period rather than the white dwarf spin period, as is commonly supposed. It is shown that both proposals make it harder to understand the observations of this star, while there is no substantive evidence in their favor. It is concluded that FO Aqr is most likely a high-inclination system in which the secondary eclipses part of the accretion flow.

Mukai, Koji↗
NASA NTRS1992

UV spectroscopy of Z Chamaeleontis. I - Time dependent dips in superoutburst

Extensive IUE observations of the dwarf nova Z Cha during the 1987 April superoutburst and IUE-Exosat observations during the 1985 July superoutburst are presented. The UV light curve shows two dips when folded on the orbital period. One dip, at orbital phase 0.8 becomes shallower as the superoutburst progresses and can be associated with decreasing mass transfer rate from the secondary star. The other dip, at orbital phase 0.15, appears after the development of the superhump and some days after the occurrence of the largest dip at phase 0.8. The continuum flux distribution during superoutbursts is fainter and redder than in low-inclination dwarf novae during superoutbursts. This is interpreted in terms of the extended vertical disk structure which occults the hot inner parts of the disk with the development of a 'cool' bulge on the edge of the disk at orbital phase 0.75. Details of the behaviour of the UV emission lines during eclipse and away from eclipse are discussed.

Harlaftis, E. T.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Studying cataclysmic variables with the Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope with its UV and imaging capabilities will allow new methods of investigating cataclysmic variables to be used. It provides the first opportunity to obtain high-time-resolution UV observations of cataclysmic variables, both spectroscopically and photometrically. Phase-resolved observations of eclipses can now be obtained which will allow the UV surface-brightness distributions in accretion disks to be studied. Eclipses of white dwarfs that were not visible in optical light will be detected in some systems. Other variations such as dips (in dwarf novae, intermediate polars, and polars), flickering, and oscillations can also be resolved for the first time in the UV. High-spatial-resolution, long-slit spectroscopy, and imaging with the FOC and WF/PC can be used to study the physical condition and morphology of ejected material around novae, recurrent novae, and precataclysmic variables. The UV and H-alpha imaging capabilities will also enable searches for cataclysmic variables in globular clusters to be carried out further into their cores than has been possible before.

Wood, Janet H.↗
NASA NTRS1993

An X-ray excited wind in Centaurus X-3

We propose a new interpretation of the behavior of the notable X-ray binary source Centaurus X-3. Based on both theoretical and observational arguments (using EXOSAT data), we suggest that an X-ray excited wind emanating from the O star is present in this system. Further, we suggest that this wind is responsible for the mass transfer in the system rather than Roche-lobe overflow or a normal radiatively driven stellar wind. We show that the ionization conditions in Cen X-3 are too extreme to permit a normal radiatively driven wind to emanate from portions of the stellar surface facing toward the neutron star. In addition, the flux of X-rays from the neutron star is strong enough to drive a thermal wind from the O star with sufficient mass-flux to power the X-ray source. We find that this model can reasonably account for the long duration of the eclipse transitions and other observed features of Cen X-3. If confirmed, this will be the first example of an X-ray excited wind in a massive binary. We also discuss the relationship between the excited wind in Cen X-3 to the situation in eclipsing millisecond pulsars, where an excited wind is also believed to be present.

Day, C. S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Discovery of the Orbit of the X-ray pulsar OAO 1657-415

Timing observations of the 38 s accreting X-ray pulsar OAO 1657-415 made with the BATSE large-area detectors on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory have revealed a binary orbit with an X-ray eclipse by the stellar companion. From the pulsar mass function fx(M) = 11.7 +/- 0.2 solar masses and the measured eclipse half-angle theta(e) = 29.7 +/- 1.3 deg, we infer that the stellar companion is a supergiant of spectral class B0-B6. If the companion can be identified and its orbital velocity measured, the neutron star mass can be constrained. Both intrinsic spin-up and spin-down of the pulsar were measured during our observation.

Chakrabarty, Deepto↗
NASA NTRS1993

Hidden slow pulsars in binaries

The recent discovery of the binary containing the slow pulsar PSR 1718-19 orbiting around a low-mass companion star adds new light on the characteristics of binary pulsars. The properties of the radio eclipses of PSR 1718-19 are the most striking observational characteristics of this system. The surface of the companion star produces a mass outflow which leaves only a small 'window' in orbital phase for the detection of PSR 1718-19 around 400 MHz. At this observing frequency, PSR 1718-19 is clearly observable only for about 1 hr out of the total 6.2 hr orbital period. The aim of this Letter is twofold: (1) to model the hydrodynamical behavior of the eclipsing material from the companion star of PSR 1718-19 and (2) to argue that a population of binary slow pulsars might have escaped detection in pulsar surveys carried out at 400 MHz. The possible existence of a population of partially or totally hidden slow pulsars in binaries will have a strong impact on current theories of binary evolution of neutron stars.

Tavani, Marco↗
NASA NTRS1993

The x ray halo of Cen X-3

The objective of this research was to study the halo surrounding the ROSAT image of Cen X-3. The halo was formed by the scattering of x rays by interstellar dust grains. An X Ray Halo was observed and that comprised 11.5 percent of the total x rays detected in the central unscattered image. A void at the center of the halo, that was expected to form during eclipse, was not observed. It is likely the void is filled by x rays scattered from cirum-source matter, local to Cen X-3, during eclipse of the x ray source.

Catura, Richard C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Ultraviolet observations of astronomical sources

The final report on 'Ultraviolet Observations of Astronomical Sources,' which ran for a total of three years, roughly between 1 July 1988 and 14 Feb. 1993 is presented. During the first year, I worked at Indiana University; since October, 1989, I have been at Tennessee State University. This grant has supported my studies of archival International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) observations of zeta Aur binaries, cool stars that are paired with hot stars in binary systems. Such systems are important as a source of detailed knowledge about the structures of chromospheres and winds in cool giant and supergiant stars, since the hot star serves as a probe of many lines of sight through the cool supergiant star's outer atmosphere. By determining the physical conditions along many such lines of sight, a detailed two-dimensional map of the chromosphere and wind may be constructed. The grant grew out of my analysis of archival IUE observations of 31 Cyg in which I analyzed five epochs of an atmospheric eclipse that occurred in 1982. I fit the attenuation spectra of atmospheric eclipse throughout the ultraviolet (lambda(lambda)1175-1950 and lambda(lambda)2500-3100) with theoretically calculated spectra, thereby determining the physical properties of gas (mass column density of absorbers, temperature, and velocity spread) along each observed line of sight. A similar analysis for other such zeta Aur binaries was accomplished and theoretical models for the chromospheres of these stars based on my observations were constructed.

Eaton, Joel A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Advanced nickel-hydrogen spacecraft battery development

Eagle-Picher currently has several advanced nickel-hydrogen (NiH2) cell component and battery designs under development including common pressure vessel (CPV), single pressure vessel (SPV), and dependent pressure vessel (DPV) designs. A CPV NiH2 battery, utilizing low-cost 64 mm (2.5 in.) cell diameter technology, has been designed and built for multiple smallsat programs, including the TUBSAT B spacecraft which is currently scheduled (24 Nov. 93) for launch aboard a Russian Proton rocket. An advanced 90 mm (3.5 in.) NiH2 cell design is currently being manufactured for the Space Station Freedom program. Prototype 254 mm (10 in.) diameter SPV batteries are currently under construction and initial boilerplate testing has shown excellent results. NiH2 cycle life testing is being continued at Eagle-Picher and IPV cells have currently completed more than 89,000 accelerated LEO cycles at 15% DOD, 49,000 real-time LEO cycles at 30 percent DOD, 37,800 cycles under a real-time LEO profile, 30 eclipse seasons in accelerated GEO, and 6 eclipse seasons in real-time GEO testing at 75 percent DOD maximum. Nickel-metal hydride battery development is continuing for both aerospace and electric vehicle applications. Eagle-Picher has also developed an extensive range of battery evaluation, test, and analysis (BETA) measurement and control equipment and software, based on Hewlett-Packard computerized data acquisition/control hardware.

Coates, Dwaine K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Radio light curves of V471 Tauri

We have acquired light curves at a wavelength of 6 cm of the eclipsing binary V471 Tauri around the orbit, in order to determine the geometrical location of the radio emission in the binary. Each light curve shows a broad minimum near the time of optical eclipse, suggesting that the radio luminosity originates between the two stars. Other observations at X-ray, UV, and visual wavelengths are also supportive of the idea of a gas cloud more or less permanently located between the stars. This could be explained if the radio emission arises from the interaction of the magnetic fields of the secondary and the white dwarf near the line of centers.

Patterson, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1994

Determination of the atmospheric structure of the BO star companion of SMC X-1 by analysis of Ginga observations

The x-ray phenomena of the binary system SMC X-1/Sk 160, observed with the Ginga and ROSAT x-ray observatories, are compared with computed phenomena derived from a three dimensional hydrodynamical model of the stellar wind perturbed by x-ray heating and ionization which is described in the accompanying paper. In the model the BOI primary star has a line-driven stellar wind in the region of the x-ray shadow and a thermal wind in the region heated by x-rays. We find general agreement between the observed and predicted x-ray spectra throughout the binary orbit cycle, including the extended, variable, and asymmetric eclipse transitions and the period of deep eclipse.

Clark, George W.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The quiescent and flaring EUV spectrum of Algol and its relationship to other active coronae. EUV spectroscopy of bright hyades coronae: 71 Tauri and Theta 1 Tauri

This program involves analysis and interpretation of EUVE spectrometer observations of the active stars Algol (beta Per) and 71 Tauri. The EUVE satellite spectrometers observed the prototype eclipsing binary Algol over nearly 1.5 orbital periods. Effective exposure times were 100 ksec and 89 ksec in the short wave (70-180 A) and medium wave (140-370 A) channels. High temperature (up to 20 MK) Fe XVI-XXIV emission lines are clearly detected in the overall spectrum. In addition, a quiescent continuum is present which increases towards shorter wavelengths. Using synthesized spectra of optically thin line and continuum emission folded through the instrumental response, we have examined constraints on the (Fe/H) coronal abundance in Algol. We find that the coronal Fe is underabundant by factors that approximately equal 2-4 relative to solar photospheric values, unless an unreasonably large quantity of coronal plasma at T greater than 30 MK is present in the quiescent spectrum. The latter possibility is, however, inconsistent with available X-ray data. Lightcurves of the high temperature EUV lines compared to line emission at He II 304 A show considerable differences, with much deeper minima present in the He II line during both primary and secondary eclipses. Toward the end of the observation a moderate flare lasting approximately 6 hours was detected in the high temperature Fe emission lines. The 71 Tau observation, for about the same exposure time, revealed only a handful of weak emission lines; however, the strongest lines were also those of Fe XXIII/XX, suggesting a hot coronal plasma. No obvious flaring or other variation was present in the 71 Tau Deep Survey lightcurve.

Stern, Robert A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Is the changing orbital period of EXO 0748-676 evidence for a triple system?

We present eclipse timing measurements of the low-mass X-ray binary (LMxB) EXO 0748-676 made with ASCA. These measurements, when combined with previous results, are consistent with the hypothesis that eclipse times are modulated by a third body. The parameters of the orbit of the postulated third body are now apparently well constrained and will allow further observations to effectively test the hypothesis that EXO 0748-676 is a triple system. The derived orbital parameters are such that, unless the inclination angle is very low, a third body in the system must have a mass less than the lower limit for a main-sequence star.

Corbet, R. H. D.↗