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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.

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At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

On the nature of the sources of hard pulse X-ray radiation

Besides the identified sources of cosmic pulse X-ray radiation with globular clusters NGC 6624, NGC 1851 and MXB 1730-335 several new identifications were made. The source in Norma was probably identified with globular cluster NGC 5927, the source in Aquila with globular cluster NGC 6838 (M71), and the source in Puppis with globular cluster NGC 2298. Gamma pulses discovered by the Vela satellites and X-ray pulses thoroughly measured by the SAS-3, Ariel-5, and ANS satellites are thought to be the same phenomenon. The sources of such a radiation must be some kind of peculiarity at the central part of globular clusters; it is most probably a massive black hole. The sources of hard pulse radiation which cannot be identified with globular clusters are considered to be a new kind of galactic object, invisible globular clusters, which are naked nuclei of globular clusters.

Shklovskiy, I. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Iodine imaging using spectral analysis

Existing radiographic imaging systems provide images which represent an integration or averaging over the energy spectrum. In order to provide noninvasive angiography it is necessary to image the relatively small amounts of iodine which are available following an intravenous administration. This is accomplished by making use of the special spectral characteristics of iodine. Two methods will be presented. One involves a special grating for encoding the iodine information in the form of a fine line pattern. This is subsequently decoded to provide images of iodinated structures which are otherwise almost invisible. The second method utilizes a scanned X-ray beam which is rapidly switched in the high energy region. In this region, iodine experiences significant variations in the attenuation coefficient while bone and soft tissue do not. An efficient and accurate X-ray detector can be used with scanned X-ray beams. This provides a high degree of sensitivity enabling the visualization of small vessels containing relatively dilute iodine.

Macovski, A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Signature evaluation of natural targets using high spectral resolution techniques

The concept of 'spectral signature' identification has been applied to LANDSAT and other broad-band multi-spectral scanner data to classify various materials on the earth's surface. A large amount of the spectral information available is invisible, however, to the broad-band sensors. Although the natural targets of interest in remote sensing do not exhibit fine line features such as those associated with gaseous media, there is significant information to be extracted from smoothly varying spectral reflection functions of most natural targets. Subtle variations observed recently in the high resolution 'spectral signatures' of vegetation targets, in particular, promise to open new avenues of application using higher spectral and radiometric resolution techniques. This research was accomplished using a 500-band spectroradiometer system specially adapted to rapid airborne operations

Collins, W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The unique cosmic event of 1979 March 5

The transient gamma-ray burst observed on March 5, 1979 by the nine spacecraft forming the interplanetary gamma-ray burst network is discussed. Measurements reveal the event to be unlike any previously observed gamma-ray burst or X-ray burster, with a maximum intensity greater than several thousandths erg/sq cm per sec, a rise time of less than 200 microsec, a narrow and featureless initial spike and a regular 8-sec oscillation with a compound pulse shape. The source of the transient has been localized to a region including the supernova remnant N 49 in the Large Magellanic Cloud, at a distance of 55 pc, and a ratio of X-ray point-source steady state to transient emission of less than 10 to the -9th was obtained. The identification of the burst source with the supernova remnant at that distance would require an enormous source output if it was radiated isotropically, and substantially less if beaming is present. Alternatively, the event could be explained by a nearby, invisible neutron star.

Cline, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Interactive display of molecular models using a microcomputer system

A simple, microcomputer-based, interactive graphics display system has been developed for the presentation of perspective views of wire frame molecular models. The display system is based on a TERAK 8510a graphics computer system with a display unit consisting of microprocessor, television display and keyboard subsystems. The operating system includes a screen editor, file manager, PASCAL and BASIC compilers and command options for linking and executing programs. The graphics program, written in USCD PASCAL, involves the centering of the coordinate system, the transformation of centered model coordinates into homogeneous coordinates, the construction of a viewing transformation matrix to operate on the coordinates, clipping invisible points, perspective transformation and scaling to screen coordinates; commands available include ZOOM, ROTATE, RESET, and CHANGEVIEW. Data file structure was chosen to minimize the amount of disk storage space. Despite the inherent slowness of the system, its low cost and flexibility suggests general applicability.

Egan, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Observations of B-type supergiants

Methods are presented for determining the effective temperatures, radii and bolometric corrections for B-type supergiants. Absorption lines from hydrogen and from other elements, the H alpha, Balmer progression, and evidence for outflow from the invisible spectrum of these supergiants are considered. Luminosity effects, outflow velocities, and variability in the UV spectrum at high resolution are examined as well as the infrared and radio spectra. Spectroscopic characteristics of the peculiar supergiant P Cyg and superluminous supergiants; X-ray binaries; the properties of the photosphere and mantle; and mass loss are elaborated. A general model for the mantle of B stars is included and the properties of B type stars in the main sequence are compared with those of the B-type supergiants.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1981

Intergalactic shells at large redshift

The intergalactic shells produced by galactic explosions at large redshift, whose interiors cool by inverse Compton scattering off the cosmic background radiation, have a characteristic angular size of about 1 arcmin at peak brightness. At z values lower than 2, the shells typically have a radius of 0.5 Mpc, a velocity of about 50 km/sec, a metal abundance of about 0.0001 of cosmic values, and strong radiation in H I(Lyman-alpha), He II 304 A, and the IR fine-structure lines of C II and Si II. The predicted extragalactic background emission from many shells, strongly peaked toward the UV, sets an upper limit to the number of exploding sources at z values of about 10. Shell absorption lines of H I, C II, Si II, and Fe II, which may be seen at more recent epochs in quasar spectra, may probe otherwise invisible explosions in the early universe.

Shull, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The effects of sunspots on solar irradiance

It is pointed out that the darkness of a sunspot on the visible hemisphere of the sun will reduce the solar irradiance on the earth. Approaches are discussed for obtaining a crude estimate of the irradiance deficit produced by sunspots and of the total luminosity reduction for the whole global population of sunspots. Attention is given to a photometric sunspot index, a global measure of spot flux deficit, and models for the compensating flux excess. A model is shown for extrapolating visible-hemisphere spot areas to the invisible hemisphere. As an illustration, this extrapolation is used to calculate a very simple model for the reradiation necessary to balance the flux deficit.

Hudson, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Hot relativistic winds and the Crab Nebula

Efforts to formulate a self-consistent model of pulsar magnetospheres which links the particle source near the pulsar to the outflowing relativistic wind and couples the wind to the surrounding nebula are reviewed. The use of a relativistic MHD wind is recommended to account for global photon emission and the invisibility of the method of plasma transport. Consideration of a magnetic monopole relativistic wind due to an axially symmetric aligned rotator is combined with calculations of the initial velocity of the wind to show that the flow velocity in such a model will never exceed Mach 1. Extending the solution to the case of a hot relativistic wind at supersonic speeds is noted to yield results consistent with observations of the Crab Nebula

Fujimura, F. S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A system for measuring thermal activation energy levels in silicon by thermally stimulated capacitance

One method being used to determine energy level(s) and electrical activity of impurities in silicon is described. The method is called capacitance transient spectroscopy (CTS). It can be classified into three basic categories: the thermally stimulated capacitance method, the voltage-stimulated capacitance method, and the light-stimulated capacitance method; the first two categories are discussed. From the total change in capacitance and the time constant of the capacitance response, emission rates, energy levels, and trap concentrations can be determined. A major advantage of using CTS is its ability to detect the presence of electrically active impurities that are invisible to other techniques, such as Zeeman effect atomic absorption, and the ability to detect more than one electrically active impurity in a sample. Examples of detection of majority and minority carrier traps from gold donor and acceptor centers in silicon using the capacitance transient spectrometer are given to illustrate the method and its sensitivity.

Cockrum, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Wind shear and vortex wake research in UK, 1982

A wind shear and vortex wake and their impact on aircraft were investigated. The systems and advice to help pilots, and rational scientific methods to assist in advising certification authorities and those interested in improving flight safety were developed. Wind Shear and Vortex Wakes are related, they are both invisible enemies of aircraft in the form of large disturbances in the atmosphere, both cause major accidents. Problems of building wakes at airports are is considered. Research on wind shear was initiated by the American FAA following the Boston, New York and Denver accidents to civil airliners. This resulted in: useful advice to pilots about wind shear; better attempts by the meteorologists at forecasting wind shear conditions; and useful ideas for wind shear measurement and warning systems. Three major research tasks are outstanding: (1) Worldwide measurements to give reliable estimates of probability and details of the forms of large wind shears; (2) Developments of real time wind shear measuring systems for ground or airborne use; and (3) Establishing relationships between measured wind shear and the potential hazard to an aircraft, or class of aircraft.

Alan A. Woodfield↗
NASA NTRS1982

A review of the 1979 March 5 transient

Existing observational data and analyses are reviewed for the gamma-ray transient event of Mar. 5, 1979. Differences between the event and classical gamma-ray bursts are summarized, and unusual features of the March 5 event are described. They include the oscillations, time history, intensity, spectrum, and recurrent events. The possible association of the event with a neutron star in the N49 supernova remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud is examined in detail. The alternative possibility of an invisible source within the Galaxy is also considered.

Cline, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Venus -Mesospheric hazes of ice, dust, and acid aerosols

Four distinct types of particles are suggested to be present in the upper atmosphere of Venus. The lowest and densest haze may consist of a submicron sulfuric acid aerosol which extends above the cloud tops, up to about 80 km, representing an extension of the upper cloud deck. Temperature structure measurements in the 70-120 km altitude range indicate the occasional appearance of two independent water ice layers, of which the lower may form between 80 and 100 km and is probably the detached haze layer noted in high contrast limb photography. A nucleation of this ice layer on sulfuric acid aerosols is hypothesized. Temperatures of the Venus mesopause, near 120 km altitude, are frequently cold enough to allow ice nucleation on meteoric dust or ambient ions, yielding a haze (analogous to noctilucent clouds on earth) which is expected to be tenuous to the point of optical invisibility.

Turco, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Energetics and optimum motion of oscillating lifting surfaces

Low-frequency, unsteady, lifting-line theory is used to characterize the energetics and optimum motion of an unswept rigid wing oscillating harmonically in an inviscid, incompressible flow. The energetics calculations account for the leading edge suction force, the power absorbed in the wing oscillations, and the energy loss rate produced by vortex shedding. Optimization is achieved by minimizing the average energy loss rate in relation to a given thrust, and a unique solution is found in the three dimensional case for low, reduced frequencies. The two-dimensional solution is nonunique, a condition which is examined in terms of the normal modes of the energy loss rate matrix. An invisible mode with a hydrodynamic efficiency of 100 pct is obtained in the two-dimensional case, causing the nonuniqueness of the solution by yielding no fixed positive thrust through perfect unsteady feathering.

Ahmadi, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Collisions and merging of disk galaxies

The stable disks required as initial states for an experiment are produced by embedding the disk (which is visible) in a halo (invisible). The disk is a luminous tracer that represents only 1 percent of the total mass of the system. The stability of the initial state of the model is confirmed experimentally. Collisions with various combinations of initial orbital energy and angular momentum and of disk orientations are investigated. Two initially parabolic cases with different impact parameters are followed in time until the interactions lead to a merger. The interpenetration of the two galaxies gives rise to a contraction and subsequent disruption of the entire system. A variety of responses is found for the visible disks, ranging from stretched-out nearly linear features to rapidly propagating ringlike patterns. It is noted that these forms depend critically on initial disk orientations but do not depend strongly on the sense of disk rotation. The ringlike patterns are found even for collisions with significant impact parameters.

Smith, B. F.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Real-time 3-D X-ray and gamma-ray viewer

A multi-pinhole aperture lead screen forms an equal plurality of invisible mini-images having dissimilar perspectives of an X-ray and gamma-ray emitting object (ABC) onto a near-earth phosphor layer. This layer provides visible light mini-images directly into a visible light image intensifier. A viewing screen having an equal number of dissimilar perspective apertures distributed across its face in a geometric pattern identical to the lead screen, provides a viewer with a real, pseudoscopic image (A'B'C') of the object with full horizontal and vertical parallax. Alternatively, a third screen identical to viewing screen and spaced apart from a second visible light image intensifier, may be positioned between the first image intensifier and the viewing screen, thereby providing the viewer with a virtual, orthoscopic image (A"B"C") of the object (ABC) with full horizontal and vertical parallax.

Yin, L. I.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Milgrom's revision of cosmic dynamics: Amending Newton's laws or Keplers?

Milgrom's recent revision of Newtonian dynamics was introduced to eliminate the inference that large quantities of invisible mass exist in galaxies. Simple examples show that a Milgrom acceleration, in the form presented so far, imply other far-reaching changes in dynamics. The momentum of an isolated system is not conserved, and the usual theorem for center-of-mass motion of any system does not hold. Naive applications require extreme caution. The model fails to provide a complete description of particle dynamics and should be thought of as a revision of Kepler's laws rather than Newton's. The Milgrom acceleration also implies fundamental changes in cosmology. A quasi-Newtonian calculation adapted from Newtonian cosmology suggests that a Milgrom universe will recollapse even if the classical closure parameter theta is less than 1. The solution, however, fails to satisfy the cosmological principle. Reasons for the breakdown of this calculation are examined. A theory of gravitation needed before the behavior of a Milgrom universe can be predicted.

Felten, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Dense cores in dark clouds - Young embedded stars at 2 micrometers

Twenty-five visually opaque regions which contain strong sources of NH3 (1,1) line emission (dense cores) have been surveyed for evidence of associated stars at two microns. Five such stars have been found, of which three - in B5, L1489, and L1582 - are optically invisible and probably embedded in their associated cores. The stars in B5 and L1489 have 2-100 micron spectra and luminosity similar to those of HL Tau, a very young T Tauri star. These stars probably formed in the cores where they are now seen. These results tend to confirm earlier suggestions that low-mass stars form in dense cores.

Benson, P. J.↗