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At least 1,315 records · Page 73

Infrared observations and thermal models of the Beta Pictoris disk

Measurements of the flux from the central portion of the Beta Pic disk performed via photometry at 3.5-20 microns in 4- and 8-arcsec apertures are presented. The 10.1- and 20-micron measurements show an excess which is extended, with significant flux located in the annulus between 4- and 8-arcsec diameter centered on the star. Disk models are calculated to reproduce the ground-based IR data, IRAS fluxes, IRAS 60-micron scan profile widths, and optical scattered light distribution. The color temperature and angular scale of the disk are found to be inconsistent with emission from large ('blackbody') particles: most of the thermal emission originates from particles which are inefficient radiators, with sizes near 1 micron. A simple disk with a single power-law spatial distribution is inconsistent with the combined optical and IR data. The inner disk component represents a gross deficit of material relative to an inward extrapolation of the outer component.

Backman, D. E.↗

Validation of Earth Radiation Budget Experiment scanning radiometer data inversion procedures

Validation techniques were implemented in the inversion of scanner radiometer data to assess the accuracy of the top of atmosphere radiant fluxes. An evaluation of SW radiant flux standard deviations for the same scene type shows that they contribute about 6.0 W/sq m for viewing zenith angles less than 55 deg and can reach values of up to 17.6 W/sq m for larger zenith angles in the backward scanning position. Three-channel intercomparison results, presented as color graphic displays and histograms, effectively validate the radiance measurements and the spectral factors. Along-track data were used to validate limb-darkening models and showed good agreement with current ERBE models. These validation techniques were found to be very effective in assessing the quality of the radiant fluxes generated by the ERBE inversion algorithm.

Manalo, Natividad D.↗

Zodiacal emission. III - Dust near the asteroid belt

Properties of the zodiacal dust bands are derived from fits to Infrared Astronomical Satellite profiles of the ecliptic. Three observations lead to the conclusion that the dust-band material is spread over a range of heliocentric distances between the asteroid belt and the sun: parallax, color temperature, and wavelength dependence of the band latitudes. The orientations of the midplanes of the bands are found to be typical of asteroids. A model of 'migrating bands', wherein dust is produced near the asteroid belt and spirals into the sun under the influence of Poynting-Robertson drag, is used to explain the range of heliocentric distances of dust-band material.

Reach, William T.↗

How old is the z = 3.4 radio galaxy B2 0902+34?

The redshift 3.395 radio galaxy B2 0902+34 has been observed at K and in a 0.09 micron wide 2.21 micron filter which includes the redshifted forbidden O III 4959 and 5007 A emission lines. A value of m(K) = 19.9 +/- 0.3 is found in a 4 arcsec aperture, a magnitude fainter than Lilly's (1988) value, while the narrow-band image reveals that most of this flux is actually due to line emission. After correcting for forbidden O III 4959 and 5007A, a color is found which is consistent with the flat F(v) spectrum considered characteristic of a protogalaxy. Ages for the galaxy derived from stellar population models based on the limit R - K less than 3.8 are much younger than those for the I - K = 4.5 value reported by Lilly.

Eisenhardt, Peter↗

Factors Influencing Scanning for Alerts

Aircraft pilots (like operators in many domains) are required to monitor locations for rare events, while concurrently performing their everyday tasks. In many cases, the visual parameters of the alert are such that it is not visible unless directly fixated. For this reason, critical alerts should be designed to be visible in peripheral vision and/or augmented by an audio alarm. We use the term "conspicuity" to distinguish the attention-getting power of a visual stimulus from simple visibility in a single-task context. We have measured conspicuity in an experimental paradigm designed to test the N-SEEV model of attention and noticing (Steelman-Allen et al., HFES 2009). The subject performed a demanding central task while monitoring four peripheral locations for color change events. Visibility of the alerting stimuli was measured separately in a control experiment in which the subject maintained steady fixation without the central task. Thresholds in the dual-task experiments were lower than would be expected based on the results of the control experiment, due to the fact that the subjects actively sampled the alert locations with fixations while performing the central task. Locations of high-frequency alerts are generally sampled more often than locations of low-frequency alerts, and alert location sampling in general increases with practice, presumably because the demands of the central task are reduced.

Mulligan, Jeffrey B.↗

Comparison of Structural and Functional Ocular Outcomes Between 14- and 70 Day Bed Rest

Purpose: To compare structural and functional ocular outcomes in healthy human subjects undergoing 14- and/or 70-day head-down-tilt bed rest (HDTBR). We hypothesized the amount of HDTBR-induced ocular changes be affected by the HDTBR duration. Methods: The studies were conducted at the NASA Flight Analogs Research Unit, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX. Participants were selected using NASA standard screening procedures. Standardized NASA screening procedures and bed rest conditions (e.g., strict sleep-wake cycle, standardized diet, continuous video monitoring) were implemented in both studies. Participants maintained a 6deg HDTBR position for 14 and/or 70 consecutive days and did not engage in exercise. Weekly ophthalmological examinations were conducted in the sitting (pre/post-bed rest only) and HDT positions. Ocular outcomes of interest included: near best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); spherical equivalent, as determined by cycloplegic autorefraction; Goldmann applanation tonometry and iCare (Icare Finland Oy, Espoo, Finland) intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement; color vision; red dot test; modified Amsler grid test; confrontational visual field; stereoscopic color fundus photography; Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany) retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), peripapillary and macular retinal thicknesses. Mixed-effects linear models were used to compare pre- and post-HDTBR observations between 14- and 70-day HDTBR for our continuously scaled outcomes.

Cromwell, R. L.↗

A Census of Young Stellar Objects in Two Line-of-Sight Star-Forming Regions Toward IRAS 22147+5948 in the Outer Galaxy

Context. Star formation in the outer Galaxy, namely, outside of the Solar circle, has not been extensively studied in part due to the low CO brightness of the molecular clouds linked with the negative metallicity gradient. Recent infrared surveys provide an overview of dust emission in large sections of the Galaxy, but they suffer from cloud confusion and poor spatial resolution at far-infrared wavelengths. Aims. We aim to develop a methodology to identify and classify young stellar objects (YSOs) in star-forming regions in the outer Galaxy and use it to resolve a long-standing disparity in terms of the distance and evolutionary status of IRAS 22147+5948. Methods. We used a support vector machine learning algorithm to complement standard color–color and color–magnitude diagrams in our search for YSOs in the IRAS 22147 region, based on publicly available data from the Spitzer Mapping of the Outer Galaxy survey. The agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm was used to identify clusters. Then the physical properties of individual YSOs were calculated. The distances were determined using CO 1–0 from the Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory survey. Results. We identified 13 Class I and 13 Class II YSO candidates using the color–color diagrams, along with an additional 2 and 21 sources, respectively, using the applied machine learning techniques. The spectral energy distributions of 23 sources were modeled with a star and a passive disk, corresponding to Class II objects. The models of three sources include envelopes that are typical for Class I objects. The objects were grouped into two clusters located at a distance of 2:2 kpc and 5 clusters at 5:6 kpc. The spatial extent of CO, radio continuum, and dust emission confirms the origin of YSOs in two distinct star-forming regions along a similar line of sight. Conclusions. The outer Galaxy may serve as a unique laboratory for exploring star formation across environments, on the condition that complementary methods and ancillary data are used to properly account for cloud confusion and distance uncertainties.

Agata Karska↗

DEEP IMAGING OF M51: A NEW VIEW OF THE WHIRLPOOL’S EXTENDED TIDAL DEBRIS

We present deep, wide-field imaging of the M51 system using CWRU’s Burrell Schmidt Telescope at KPNO to study the faint tidal features that constrain its interaction history. Our images trace M51's tidal morphology down to a limiting surface brightness of μ{sub B,lim} ∼ 30 mag arcsec{sup −2} and provide accurate colors (σ{sub B−V}<0.1) down to μ{sub B} ∼ 28. We identify two new tidal streams in the system (the south and northeast plumes) with surface brightnesses of μ{sub B} = 29 and luminosities of ∼10{sup 6}L{sub ⊙,B}. While the northeast plume may be a faint outer extension of the tidal “crown” north of NGC 5195 (M51b), the south plume has no analog in any existing M51 simulation and may represent a distinct tidal stream or disrupted dwarf galaxy. We also trace the extremely diffuse northwest plume out to a total extent of 20′ (43 kpc) from NGC 5194 (M51a) and show it to be physically distinct from the overlapping bright tidal streams from M51b. The northwest plume’s morphology and red color (B−V=0.8) instead argue that it originated from tidal stripping of M51a’s extreme outer disk. Finally, we confirm the strong segregation of gas and stars in the southeast tail and do not detect any diffuse stellar component in the H i portion of the tail. Extant simulations of M51 have difficulty matching both the wealth of tidal structure in the system and the lack of stars in the H i tail, motivating new modeling campaigns to study the dynamical evolution of this classic interacting system.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A Domain Decomposition Model Reduction Method for Linear Convection-Diffusion Equations with Random Coefficients

We developed a domain decomposition model reduction method for linear steady- state convection-diffusion equations with random coefficients. Of particular interest to this effort are the diffusion equation with random diffusivity and the convection-dominated transport equation with random velocity. We investigated two types of random fields, i.e., colored noises and discrete white noises, both of which can lead to high-dimensional parametric dependence in practice. The motivation is to exploit domain decomposition to reduce the parametric dimension of local problems in subdomains, such that an entire parametric map can be approximated with a small number of expensive partial differential equation (PDE) simulations. The new method combines domain decomposition with model reduction and sparse polynomial approximation, so as to simultaneously handle the high dimensionality and irregular behavior of the PDEs under consideration. Here, the advantages of our method lie in three aspects: (i) online-offline decomposition, i.e., the online cost is independent of the size of the triangle mesh; (ii) sparse approximation of operators involving nonaffine high-dimensional random fields; (iii) an effective strategy to capture irregular behaviors, e.g., sharp transitions of the PDE solutions. Two numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the advantageous performance of our method.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Venus clouds - A dirty hydrochloric acid model.

The spectral and polarization data for Venus are consistent with micrometer-sized aerosol cloud particles of hydrochloric acid with soluble and insoluble iron compounds, whose source could be volcanic or crustal dust. The yellow color of the clouds could be due to absorption bands in the near UV involving ferric iron and chlorine complexes. It is pointed out that the UV features could arise from variations in the concentrations of iron and hydrochloric acid in the cloud particles.

Hapke, B.↗

Investigation of remote sensing techniques as inputs to operational resource management models

The author has identified the following significant results. Successful operational applications of LANDSAT data were found for level 1 land use mapping, drainage network delineation, and aspen mapping. Visual LANDSAT interpretation using 1:125,000 color composite imagery was the least expensive method of obtaining timely level 1 land use data. With an average agricultural/rangeland interpretation accuracy in excess of 80%, such a data source was considered the most cost effective of those sources available to state agencies. Costs do not compare favorably with those incurred using the present method of extracting land use data from historical tabular summaries. The cost increase in advancing from the present procedure to a satellite-based data source was justified in terms of expanded data content.

Schmer, F. A.↗

The discovery of timescale-dependent color variability of quasars

Quasars are variable on timescales from days to years in UV/optical and generally appear bluer while they brighten. The physics behind the variations in fluxes and colors remains unclear. Using Sloan Digital Sky Survey g- and r-band photometric monitoring data for quasars in Stripe 82, we find that although the flux variation amplitude increases with timescale, the color variability exhibits the opposite behavior. The color variability of quasars is prominent at timescales as short as ∼10 days, but gradually reduces toward timescales up to years. In other words, the variable emission at shorter timescales is bluer than that at longer timescales. This timescale dependence is clearly and consistently detected at all redshifts from z = 0 to 3.5; thus, it cannot be due to contamination to broadband photometry from emission lines that do not respond to fast continuum variations. The discovery directly rules out the possibility that simply attributes the color variability to contamination from a non-variable redder component such as the host galaxy. It cannot be interpreted as changes in global accretion rate either. The thermal accretion disk fluctuation model is favored in the sense that fluctuations in the inner, hotter region of the disk are responsible for short-term variations, while longer-term and stronger variations are expected from the larger and cooler disk region. An interesting implication is that one can use quasar variations at different timescales to probe disk emission at different radii.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Optical Fiber Illumination System for visual flight simulation

An electronically controlled lighting system simulating runway, aircraft carrier, and landing aid lights for flight simulations is described. The various colored lights that would be visible to a pilot by day, at dusk, or at night are duplicated at the distances the lights would normally become visible. Plastic optical fiber illuminators using tungsten halogen lights are distributed behind the model. The tips of the fibers of illuminators simulating runway lights are bevelled in order that they may be seen from long distances and at low angles. Fibers representing taxiway lights are pointed and polished for omni-directional visibility. The electronic intensity controls, which can be operated either manually or remotely, regulate the intensity of the lights to simulate changes in distance. A dichronic mirror, infrared filter system is used to maintain color integrity.

Hollow, R. H.↗

Evidence for a dusty dark dwarf galaxy in the quadruple lens MG 0414+0534

We report the 4σ detection of a faint object with a flux of ∼0.3 mJy, in the vicinity of the quadruply lensed QSO MG 0414+0534 using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter array (ALMA) Band 7. The object is most probably a dusty dark dwarf galaxy, which has not been detected in either the optical, near-infrared, or radio (centimeter) bands. An anomaly in the flux ratio of the lensed images observed in Band 7 and the mid-infrared band and the reddening of the QSO light color can be simultaneously explained if we consider the object as a lensing substructure with an ellipticity of ∼0.7 at a redshift of 0.5≲z≲1. Using the best-fit lens models with three lenses, we find that the dark matter plus baryon mass associated with the object is ∼10{sup 9} M{sub ⊙}, the dust mass is ∼10{sup 7} M{sub ⊙}, and the linear size is ≳5 kpc. Thus, our findings suggest that the object is a dusty dark dwarf galaxy. A substantial portion of faint submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) in the universe may be attributed to such dark objects.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Composite Spectral Energy Distributions and Infrared–Optical Colors of Type 1 and Type 2 Quasars

We present observed mid-infrared and optical colors and composite spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of type 1 (broad-line) and 2 (narrow-line) quasars selected from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectroscopy. A significant fraction of powerful quasars are obscured by dust and are difficult to detect in optical photometric or spectroscopic surveys. However, these may be more easily identified on the basis of mid-infrared (MIR) colors and SEDs. Using samples of SDSS type 1 and 2 matched in redshift and [O iii] luminosity, we produce composite rest-frame 0.2–15 μm SEDs based on SDSS, UKIDSS, and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer photometry and perform model fits using simple galaxy and quasar SED templates. The SEDs of type 1 and 2 quasars are remarkably similar, with the differences explained primarily by the extinction of the quasar component in the type 2 systems. For both types of quasar, the flux of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) relative to the host galaxy increases with AGN luminosity (L{sub [OIII]}) and redder observed MIR color, but we find only weak dependencies of the composite SEDs on mechanical jet power as determined through radio luminosity. We conclude that luminous quasars can be effectively selected using simple MIR color criteria similar to those identified previously (W1--W2>0.7; Vega), although these criteria miss many heavily obscured objects. Obscured quasars can be further identified based on optical–IR colors (for example, (u--W3 [AB])>1.4(W1--W2 [Vega])+3.2). These results illustrate the power of large statistical studies of obscured quasars selected on the basis of MIR and optical photometry.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A mid-infrared search for substellar companions of nearby planet-host stars

Determining the presence of widely separated substellar-mass companion is crucial to understand the dynamics of inner planets in extrasolar planetary systems (e.g., to explain their high mean eccentricity as inner planets are perturbed by the Kozai mechanism). We report the results of our Spitzer/Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) imaging search for widely separated (10''-25'') substellar-mass companions for 14 planet-host stars within 15 pc of the Sun. Using deep 3.6 and 4.5 μm observations in subarray mode, we found one object in the field of 47 UMa with [3.6]–[4.5] color similar to a T5 dwarf, which is, however, unlikely to share common proper motion with 47 UMa. We also found three objects with brown-dwarf-like [3.6]–[4.5] color limits in the fields of GJ 86, HD 160691, and GJ 581, as well as another in the field of HD 69830 for which we have excluded common proper motion. We provide model-based upper mass limits for unseen objects around all stars in our sample, with typical sensitivity to 10 M {sub J} objects from a projected separation of 50-300 AU from the parent star. We also discuss our data analysis methods for point-spread-function subtraction, image co-alignment, and artifact subtraction of IRAC subarray images.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Remote sensing analysis of water quality and the entrapment zone in the San Francisco Bay and delta

The author has identified the following significant results. Data from an ocean color scanner flown on a U-2 aircraft at 65,000 ft and from LANDSAT MSS were enhanced to identify biologically active areas of San Francisco Bay, and to determine the salinity, turbidity, chlorophylls, and suspended solids. The best fit regression models for mapping water quality parameters were based on bands 3, 5, 7, and 10. Comparision of the results indicate that chlorophyll concentrations can best be estimated by the OCS or MSS data. Salinity can best be estimated by OCS data; turbidity can best be estimated by LANDSAT data. Neither OCS nor MSS data provide reliable basis for estimating suspended solids. Aerial photography of the highest quality taken with either conventional color or infrared-sensitive color films was unable to locate the biologically active areas.

Colwell, R. N.↗

Multi-messenger heavy-ion collision physics

We report that this work studies the production of direct photons in relativistic nuclear collisions, along with the production of hadrons. Radiation from the very first instants to the final moments of the evolution is included. The hybrid model used here describes all stages of relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Chronologically, those are an initial state reflecting the collision of nuclei described within the Color Glass Condensate effective theory; a pre-equilibrium phase based on non-equilibrium linear response; relativistic viscous hydrodynamics, and a hadronic afterburner. The effect of the preequilibrium phase on both photonic and hadronic observables is highlighted for the first time. The potential of photon observables - spectrum, differential elliptic and triangular flow - to reveal the chemical equilibration time is studied. Finally, we consider "small collision systems", including proton+nucleus collisions and collisions of light nuclei, as probed by hadronic and electromagnetic observables. We demonstrate how photon production can signal the formation of quark-gluon plasma in such small systems.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗