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At least 1,531 records · Page 85

HEAO 1 hard X-ray observations of three Abell clusters of galaxies

The results of an analysis of the HEAO 1 hard X-ray measurements of the Coma, A1367, and A2319 galactic clusters are presented. All three clusters have been observed to have diffuse, extended radio emission in their central regions. The results are analyzed together with radio measurements to determine the energetic electron density and the strength of the mean intracluster magnetic field in these clusters. The results show that there is no clear evidence for nonthermal flux in the spectra of the three clusters at the sensitivity limit of the low energy detectors used.

Rephaeli, Y.↗

Radio observations of a hard X-ray selected sample of active galaxies

Radio observations of a hard X-ray selected sample of active galaxies obtained with the VLA and Parkes radio telescopes are discussed, and the ratio of the radio to X-ray flux density is used to determine the degree of radio-loudness of the galaxies. A continuous distribution of the degree of radio loudness is found amongst the sample galaxies, and no evidence for distinct radio-quiet and radio-loud populations is noted. The X-ray and radio luminosity is shown to be nonlinearly correlated, with the radio-loud objects all having high X-ray luminosity.

Unger, S. W.↗

Hard-sphere fluid in infinite dimensions

The exact Mayer series is derived for the pressure, density, and equation of state of a hard-sphere fluid in the limit of infinite space dimensions D. The Mayer series can be analytically continued into the full (cut) activity plane, and there is no sign of a phase transition. The quantum-mechanical system is also treated. For D = infinity, the fluid behaves like an ideal Bose gas and undergoes a Bose-Einstein condensation.

Wyler, D.↗

SMM hard X-ray observations of the soft gamma-ray repeater 1806-20

Six bursts from the soft gamma-ray repeater (SGR) 1806-20 have been recorded with the SMM Hard X-ray Burst Spectrometer during a highly active phase in 1983. Rise and decay times of less than 5 ns have been detected. Time profiles of these events indicate low-level emission prior to and after the main peaks. The results suggest that SGRs are distinguished from classical gamma-ray bursts by repetition, softer nonvarying spectra, short durations, simple temporal profiles, and a tendency for source locations to correlate with Population I objects. SGR characteristics differ from those of type I X-ray bursts, but they appear to have similarities with the type II bursts from the Rapid Burster.

Kouveliotou, C.↗

Evidence for two hard X-ray components in double power-law fits to the 1980 June 7 flare

The June 7, 1980 flare at 0312 UT was analyzed with double power-law fits on the basis of SMM hard X-ray burst spectrometer data. The flare is found to consist of seven peaks of characteristic time scale of about 8 sec followed by seven valleys which may contain significant peak components because of overlap. It is suggested that the possibility of thermal spectra for the peaks is unlikely. An investigation of the double power-law parameters through the third and fourth peaks revealed a hysteresis effect in the fourth peak. The present results have been interpreted in terms of a trap plus precipitation model.

Smith, Dean F.↗

Diffuse hard X-ray and gamma-ray emission from M87

Radio measurements are used to infer the relativistic electron distributions in the central and halo regions of M87. From these distributions and the inferred relativistic proton components, the hard X-ray and gamma-ray spectrum of M87, is predicted, taking into account all relevant radiative processes. The feasibility of measuring the high-energy spectrum of M87 with the High Energy Gamma-Ray Telescope (Egret) on board the Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) is discussed. Comparison of our calculation with present gamma-ray flux upper limits leads to a lower limit of 1.5 micro-G on the mean value of the halo magnetic field.

Dermer, Charles D.↗

A new quasi-thermal trap model for solar flare hard X-ray bursts - An electrostatic trap model

A new quasi-thermal trap model of solar flare hard X-ray bursts is presented. The new model utilizes the trapping ability of a magnetic mirror and a magnetic field-aligned electrostatic potential produced by differences in anisotropies of the electron and ion distribution function. It is demonstrated that this potential can, together with the magnetic mirror itself, effectively confine electrons in a trap, thereby enhancing their bremsstrahlung yield per electron. This analysis makes even more untenable models involving precipitation of the bremsstrahlung-producing electrons onto a cold target.

Spicer, D. S.↗

Making Nozzles From Hard Materials

Proposed method of electrical-discharge machining (EDM) cuts hard materials like silicon carbide into smoothly contoured parts. Concept developed for fabrication of interior and exterior surfaces and internal cooling channels of convergent/divergent nozzles. EDM wire at skew angle theta creates hyperboloidal cavity in tube. Wire offset from axis of tube and from axis of rotation by distance equal to throat radius. Maintaining same skew angle as that used to cut hyperboloidal inner surface but using larger offset, cooling channel cut in material near inner hyperboloidal surface.

Wells, Dennis L.↗

Imaging solar flares in hard X-rays and gamma raysfrom balloon-borne platforms

Hard X-rays and gamma rays carry the most direct evidence available for the roles of accelerated particles in solar flares. An approach that employs a spatial Fourier-transform technique for imaging the sources of these emissions is described and plans for developing a balloon-borne gamma ray imaging device (GRID) based on this instrumental approach is presented. This instrument, GRID on a balloon, would enable observations with a 1.6 arcsecond angular resolution, 10 millisecond time resolution, and whole-Sun field of view on long-duration balloon flights during MAX 1991.

Crannell, Carol JO↗

A high-resolution gamma-ray and hard X-ray spectrometer for solar flare observations in Max 1991

A long duration balloon flight instrument for Max 1991 designed to study the acceleration of greater than 10 MeV ions and greater than 15 keV electrons in solar flares through high resolution spectroscopy of the gamma ray lines and hard X-ray and gamma ray continuum is described. The instrument, HIREGS, consists of an array of high-purity, n-type coaxial germanium detectors (HPGe) cooled to less than 90 K and surrounded by a bismuth germanate (BGO) anticoincidence shield. It will cover the energy range 15 keV to 20 MeV with keV spectral resolution, sufficient for accurate measurement of all parameters of the expected gamma ray lines with the exception of the neutron capture deuterium line. Electrical segmentation of the HPGe detector into a thin front segment and a thick rear segment, together with pulse-shape discrimination, provides optimal dynamic range and signal-to-background characteristics for flare measurements. Neutrons and gamma rays up to approximately 0.1 to 1 GeV can be detected and identified with the combination of the HPGe detectors and rear BGO shield. The HIREGS is planned for long duration balloon flights (LDBF) for solar flare studies during Max 1991. The two exploratory LDBFs carried out at mid-latitudes in 1987 to 1988 are described, and the LDBFs in Antarctica, which could in principle provide 24 hour/day solar coverage and very long flight durations (20 to 30 days) because of minimal ballast requirements are discussed.

Lin, R. P.↗

HEAO 1 hard X-ray observation of clusters of galaxies and intracluster magnetic fields

The results of HEAO 1 hard X-ray measurements of three clusters of galaxies, Abell 401, Abell 2255, and Abell 2256 are reported. Nonthermal components were not detected above the level of 10 to the -5th photons/sq cm/s/keV. Comparison of the flux upper limits with theoretical predictions yields lower limits of about 10 to the -7th gauss on the mean value of the intracluster magnetic fields in the central regions of these clusters.

Rephaeli, Yoel↗

Upper limits from hard X-ray observations of five BL Lacertae objects

Results are presented from hard X-ray observations of the five brightest X-ray BL Lacertae objects: PKS 0548-322, Mrk 421 (=1101+384), 2A 1219+305, Mrk 501 (=1652+398), and PKS 2155-304. The observations covered the energy range 15-165 keV from August 1977 to December 1978. The results are compared with previous studies.

Bezler, M.↗

Gamma-ray, neutron, and hard X-ray studies and requirements for a high-energy solar physics facility

The requirements for future high-resolution spatial, spectral, and temporal observation of hard X-rays, gamma rays and neutrons from solar flares are discussed in the context of current high-energy flare observations. There is much promise from these observations for achieving a deep understanding of processes of energy release, particle acceleration and particle transport in a complicated environment such as the turbulent and highly magnetized atmosphere of the active sun.

Ramaty, R.↗

Gamma-ray and hard X-ray imaging of solar flares

The scientific and technical aspects of high-resolution gamma-ray and X-ray imaging of solar flares are discussed. The scientific necessity for imaging observations of solar flares and the implications of future observations for the study of solar flare electrons and ions are considered. Performance parameters for a future hard X-ray and gamma-ray imager are summarized. Techniques for high-energy photon imaging including direct collimation imaging, coded apertures, and modulation collimators are surveyed. The technique of Fourier-transform imaging is examined. The options for detectors and grid fabrication are reviewed. Several planned future high-energy imagers are described.

Prince, T. A.↗

The hard X-ray to low-energy gamma-ray spectrum of the Crab Nebula

Data from the UCSD/MIT Hard X-ray and Low-Energy Gamma-Ray Experiment on the first High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO 1) were used to determine the spectrum of the Crab Nebula in the 10 keV-5 MeV energy range. The spectral change in the 100 keV-1 MeV region is characterized. When the combined spectrum is fitted to a broken power-law model, the data require a description with the following distinct spectral indices: a power-law slope of 2.08 in the 1-100 keV region and a slope of about 2.5 above 150 keV.

Jung, G. V.↗

Reflectance characteristics of reference materials used in lidar hard target calibration

Lidar hard target calibration is discussed, emphasizing the transfer target methodology. Characteristics of example calibratrion target surfaces are described in light of four reflectance mechanisms, specular, diffuse, retroreflection, and off-specular reflectance. The ideal transfer target is one which can be described as entirely diffusely reflecting, i.e., Lambertian. Correction for retroreflection is required when using the flowers of a sulfur transfer target at CO2 laser wavelengths. Corrections for specular and retroreflection for the integrating sphere are negligible; however, the off-specular reflectance of rough metal surfaces used in the integrating spheres is only qualitatively compared with the diffuse reflectance of flowers of sulfur.

Haner, David A.↗

Hard Contact With A Force-Reflecting Teleoperator

Force feedback adjusted to provide stability without sluggish and fatiguing operation. Paper reports on experiments with single-axis force-reflecting teleoperator that made contact with hard, immovable object. Experiments show that dynamics of human operator affect stability of response of control system.

Hannaford, Blake↗

Solar flare gamma-ray and hard x ray imaging with the GRID-on-a-balloon

A primary scientific objective for solar flare research during the rapidly approaching maximum in solar activity is the imaging of gamma-ray and hard x ray sources of solar flare emissions. These goals will be pursued by the Gamma Ray Imaging Device (GRID) instrument, one of three instruments recently selected for NASA's Max '91 Solar Balloon Program. The GRID instrument is based on the technique of Fourier transform imaging and utilizes scanning modulation grid collimator optics to provide full-Sun imaging with 1.9-arcsecond resolution over the energy range from 20 to 700 keV at time resolutions from 0.1 to 2 s. The GRID telescope will employ 32 subcollimators, each composed of a matched pair of high-Z collimator grids separated by 5.2 meters and a phoswich scintillation spectrometer detector having no spatial resolution. The subcollimators and integrally-mounted fine aspect system are contained within a telescope canister which will be pointed to 0.1 degree accuracy and cyclically scanned to produce source modulation. The 32 subcollimators provide a uniform distribution of grid slit orientations and a logarithmic distribution of slit spacings corresponding to angular dimensions of 1.9 arcseconds to several arcminutes. The instrument is several orders of magnitude more sensitive than the HXIS instrument on the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) and nearly 10 times more sensitive than any similar instrument scheduled to fly during the next solar maximum. The payload, designed for long-duration high-altitude balloon capability, is scheduled for its first science flight (8 to 14 days duration) from the Antarctic in January of 1992.

Orwig, Larry E.↗