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At least 1,297 records · Page 72

An infrared study of the NGC 1977 H II region/molecular cloud interface

The results of an infrared study of the H II region NGC 1977 and the adjacent dense molecular cloud are reported. Extensive far-infrared maps with 45 arcsec resolution allow the spatial structure of the dust temperature and optical depth variations across the ionization front to be delineated. Analysis of the dust energetics indicates that the only significant energy source is the B1 V star HD 37018 which ionizes the H II region. This result, together with a favorable geometry, provides a good opportunity to determine the ratio of ultraviolet absorption efficiency to far-infrared emission efficiency, 790 + 460 or - 180. Analysis of the gas energetics indicates that collisions with warm dust grains can explain the observed gas temperatures.

Makinen, P.↗

High angular resolution infrared mapping of the compact H II regions W51 and DR 21/W75

Far-infrared maps of W51/G49.5-0.4, W51/G49.4-0.3, and the DR 21 W75 S regions are presented. The simultaneous 50 and 100 micron maps enable a determination of the dust temperature and density structure in these areas. In G49.5-0.4 a luminosity and dust column-density peak at the position of the W51-Main maser is found, suggesting that this is the dominant luminosity source in W51. In G49.4-0.3 three components associated with the three known 2.7 GHz sources are resolved. A comparison of the total far-infrared luminosity with the radio continuum brightness in both G49.5-0.4 and G49.4-0.3 shows that the ratio of Lyman continuum to total luminosity of the exciting stars in not consistent with excitation by a single ZAMS star if most of the Lyman continuum photons are being absorbed bay gas rather than dust. In DR 21 micron far-infrared data and some new 2-20 micron results reveal a region of hot dust associated with the 2 micron H2 emission to the east and west of DR 21. Finally, a new 1.5-100 micron 'protostellar' source 2 deg north of W75 S at the position of a 1 mm continuum peak is reported.

Harvey, P. M.↗

Space infrared telescope facility (SIRTF) focal plane

The Infrared Array Camera (IRAC), Multiband Imaging Photometer (MIP), and the Infrared Spectrometer (IRS) of the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) are described. The configuration and capabilities of the SIRTF are discussed. The small silicon array module, the germanium array module, and bolometer module of MIP, which is designed to provide sensitivity limited only by natural background and telescope emissions over the 3-200 micron spectral range, and allow diffraction limited imaging, super resolution techniques, mapping, and surveying, are examined. The objectives and design of the IRAC, which is constructed for two-dimensional photometry and imaging over a wavelength region from 2-30 microns and to perform extragalactic, galactic and solar system astronomy, are studied. The use of the IRS to study the dynamical and physical phenomena of the universe in the 2.5-200 micron range is analyzed.

Ramos, R.↗

Sagittarius A(asterisk) and the positions of infrared sources in the galactic center

Observations of the central region of the Galaxy have been made with the University of Rochester 32 x 32 element InSb array camera in the 1-5 micron wavelength range. The 2.2-micron images have been used to determine positions of infrared features in comparison with that of the galactic center compact radio source Sgr A(asterisk). No infrared source lies precisely at the Sgr A(asterisk) position in the images. However, the infrared source closest to the Sgr A(asterisk) position is a previously little studied source directly south of IRS 7 that was called IRS 16NW and not the often referred to IRS 16C. IRS 16NW is coincident with one of the very red objects seen in various 1-micron images of this region.

Forrest, W. J.↗

Near-infrared mapping of ARP 299 (IC 694-NGC 3690) - Colliding galaxies unveiled

Near-infrared maps and multicolor photometry of the interacting galaxies IC 694 and NGC 3690 which form Arp 299 (= Markarian 171) are presented. These data reveal for the first time the distribution of nuclei and old red stars in a cataclysmically interacting system. The nuclei are considerably offset from the visual centroids of the galaxies but not from the mass centroids. The near-infrared colors of the most active regions are strongly affected by extinction, emission form hot dust, and bremsstrahlung. Near-infrared emission is also identified with secondary regions of star formation, probably resulting from the galaxies' interaction.

Telesco, C. M.↗

Multiband far-infrared observations of the NGC 6334 complex

Multiband far-infrared (20-155 microns) observations of the large H II region/molecular cloud complex NGC 6334 are presented. The observations were performed simultaneously in four bands with effective wavelengths 21, 42, 71, and 134 microns. Eight far-infrared sources were detected which cover the range from sources with little of no continuum radio emission to well-developed H II regions. Maps of dust temperature and far-infrared optical depth of the complex are presented which reveal large-scale variations in the color temperature and optical depth. Star formation in the complex is discussed and it is concluded that a Rayleigh-Taylor instability generated by the gravitational attraction of the galactic plane can explain the regular separation of the far-IR sources.

Loughran, L.↗

The Orion star-forming region - Far-infrared and radio molecular observations

New J = 1-0 CO and far-infrared maps of the Orion star-forming region are presented and discussed. The total infrared luminosity of the Orion star-forming ridge is 250,000 solar luminosities. The material that is emitting strongly at 60 microns is traced and found to be highly centrally concentrated. However, the majority of the extended emission from this region comes from dust that is ultimately heated by the visible Trapezium cluster stars. The luminosity of IRc 2, the most luminous member of the infrared cluster, is estimated to be 40,000-50,000 solar luminosities. A schematic drawing of the Ori MC 1 region is presented.

Thronson, H. A., Jr.↗

Infrared horizon sensor modeling for attitude determination and control - Analysis and mission experience

This paper summarizes the work of the Flight Dynamics Division of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Goddard Space Flight Center in analyzing and evaluating the performance of a variety of infrared horizon sensors on 12 spaceflight missions from 1973 to 1984. Earth infrared radiance modeling, using the LOWTRAN 5 Program, and the Horizon Radiance Modeling Utility are also described. Mission data are presented for Magsat and the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite, with analysis to assess the sensor modeling as well as cloud and sun interference effects. Recommendations are made regarding future directions for the infrared horizon technology.

Singhal, S. P.↗

Infrared cirrus and high-latitude molecular clouds

It is established that a close correlation exists between far-infrared cirrus emission observed with IRAS and the CO emission from high-latitude molecular clouds (HCLs). In all cases, the HLCs correspond to the central portions of 100-micron infrared cirrus features. This association firmly establishes at least some of the cirrus as features of the local interstellar medium with typical distances of 100 pc. The infrared energy distribution of the cirrus displays an excess of 12-micron and 25-micron emission over that expected from dust at equilibrium temperature, consistent with emission from very small (less than 10 A) transiently heated grains.

Weiland, J. L.↗

Infrared spectra of WC10 planetary nebulae nuclei

The 5.2 to 8.0 micron spectra are presented for two planetary nebulae nuclei Hen1044 (He2-113) and CPD-56 8032. The unidentified infrared (UIR) emission bands at 6.2 microns, 6.9 microns, 7.7 microns are present in the spectra of Hen1044 and in CPD-56 8032, and the 8.6 micron band is present in the long wavelength shoulder of the 7.7 micron band in the spectrum of CPD-56 8032. The 8 to 13 micron spectra of these two stars by Aitken et. al. clearly show the presence of the 8.6 micron band in He2-113 while weakly resolving this feature in the spectra of CPD-56 8032. In their spectra the 11.3 micron band is also clearly detected in both objects. The 6.2 micron and 7.7 micron bands are characteristic of the infrared active C-C stretching modes in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); the 3.3 micron, 8.6 micron, and 11.3 micron bands are respectively assigned to the in-plane stretching mode, the in-plane bending mode, and the out-of-plane bending mode of the aromatic CH bond. The weak 6.9 micron emission feature is attributed to the UIR spectrum by Bregman et. al. The IRAS LRS spectra of He2-113 (IRAS 14562-5406) and CPD-56 8032 (IRAS 17047-5650) are presented. Cohen et. al. identify the broad plateau from 11.3 to 13.0 microns in the spectrum of He2-113 with increased hydrogenation of PAHs. This broad plateau is not seen in the LRS spectrum of CPD-56 8032. Also, He2-113 has greater infrared excess emission in the 17-22 micron region than does CPD-56 8032.

Wooden, D. H.↗

The 3.1 micrometer ice band in infrared reflection nebulae

Recent observations show that infrared reflection nebulae are common phenomena in star forming regions. Extensive observations were made of two nearby infrared reflection nebulae, Orin Molecular Cloud 2 IRS1 (OMC-2/IRS1) and Cepheus A IRS6a (Cep-A/IRS6a). Mie scattering models of ice coated grains were used to study the constraints on the properties and locations of grains that could produce a feature similar to that observed in OMC-2 and Cep-A. It was concluded that scattering by ice particles alone could not be responsible for the 3.1 micron feature observed in infrared reflection nebulae.

Pendleton, Y.↗

The physical basis for spectral variations in thermal infrared emittance of silicates and application to remote sensing

The use of infrared spectroscopy for the remote characterization of planetary surfaces has received attention due to efforts in the investigation of these bodies from space. In the 8 to 14 micron region, a depression in the emittance spectra of rocks (sometimes called reststrahlen) is related to the fundamental stretching vibrations of Si-O bonds and shifts in the locations of this feature are ascribed to variations in rock composition. Thus, it should be possible to investigate, quantify, and model the relationships of reststrahlen spectral band location through silicate mineralogical composition to rock classification. This concept will be tested first through the use of laboratory-acquired data on the infrared spectra and mineralogy of selected mineral and rock samples. As a suitable classification model is developed, it will be tested through overflights of appropriate rock outcrops using the Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS).

Walter, Louis S.↗

Investigation of PTFE transfer films by infrared emission spectroscopy and phase-locked ellipsometry

When a PTFE sheet was rubbed unidirectionally over a smooth surface of stainless steel an essentially monomolecular transfer film was formed. By ellipsometric and emission infrared spectroscopic techniques it was shown that the film was 10 to 15 A thick and birefringent. From the intensity differences of infrared bands obtained with a polarizer passing radiation polarized in mutually perpendicular planes, it was possible to deduce transfer film orientation with the direction of rubbing. After standing in air for several weeks the transfer films apparently increased in thickness by as much as threefold. At the same time both the index of refraction and the absorption index decreased. Examination of the surfaces by optical and electron microscopies showed that the films had become porous and flaky. These observations were consistent with previous tribological measurements. The coefficients of friction decreased with the formation of the transfer film but increased again as the film developed breaks. The applicability of the ellipsometric and polarized infrared emission techniques to the identification of monomolecular tribological transfer films of polymers such as PTFE has been demonstrated.

Lauer, James L.↗

A simple two-component model for the far-infrared emission from galaxies

A simple model was constructed to calculate the far-infrared emission of galaxies made up of a disk component containing cool dust heated by the general interstellar radiation field and of a molecular cloud component containing warm dust heated by recently formed massive stars. This model is fitted to the optical and far-infrared data of 120 Shapley-Ames galaxies and of 20 optically studied mini-survey galaxies, resulting in the determination of blue face-on extinctions and of the total luminosities of recently born massive stars and disk stars. The ratio of these two luminosities is a more reliable star formation activity index than the previously used ratio L sub IR/L sub B. The results show that infrared selected galaxies are on the average almost three times more dusty than optically selected ones. Only about 10% of the mini-survey galaxies exhibits strongly enhanced star formation.

Dejong, T.↗

A near-infrared study of the luminous merging galaxies NGC 2623 and ARP 148

As part of an investigation of the physical mechanisms which produce large infrared luminosities in interacting systems, multicolor near-infrared maps were obtained of the long tailed galaxy NGC 2623 and the ring galaxy Arp 148. The near-infrared broadband spectrum was decomposed to obtain the contribution of four processes: emission from evolved stars, nebular continuum emission, thermal reradiation, and extinction. This multicolor analysis, along with 2 micrometer maps and 10 micrometer measurements, is used to determine the structure of these interacting galaxies and to delineate regions of star formation.

Joy, Marshall↗

VLA observations of a sample of galaxies with high far-infrared luminosities

Preliminary results are presented from a radio survey of galaxies detected by the IRAS minisurvey. It was found that the main difference between galaxies selected in the far infrared and those selected in the optical is that the former have higher radio luminosities and that the radio emission is more centrally concentrated. There is some evidence that the strong central radio sources in the galaxies selected in the infrared are due to star formation, the star formation rate divided by the volume in which the star formation is occuring is 100 to 1000 times greater in the galaxies selected in the infrared than in the disks of normal galaxies.

Eagles, S. A.↗

Nuclear infrared emission and the colors of IRAS galaxies

J, H, K, L', and N observations of galaxies detected at 12 microns by IRAS are combined with IRAS flux densities to investigate the relationship between the infrared sizes and colors of galaxian infrared sources. It is found that typical IRAS galaxies have 10 micron radii of 0.5 to 2.0 kpc, while active galaxies and galaxies with higher 25 to 60 micron color temperatures are smaller. One unusal object, 23060+0505, is at high redshift and has an infrared luminosity of 1.5 x 10 to the 12th power L sub 0. Its 1 to 100 micron energy distribution resembles that of a Seyfert 1 galaxy, but it shows very little sign of broad line emission in the visible. Its properties suggest that it may be a prototype for a class of highly obscured active galaxy.

Hill, Gary J.↗

Spectroscopy of comets; an infrared perspective

Incontrovertible evidence for neutral H2O as an abundant volatile species in any comet contained in near-infrared airborne spectra of Comet Halley is discussed. The airborne spectra are compared with previous infrared studies of comets and with other investigations of comet Halley. The airborne measurements establish criteria for evaluating the spectroscopic sensitivities of future studies of comets with remote infrared methods.

Larson, H. P.↗