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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Infrared, optical, and X-ray properties of the nuclei of nearby galaxies

The paper considers nuclear activity of galaxies and models for violent activity and surveys observations that the nucleus of almost every galaxy is able to release energy in many exotic forms. Observations of galaxies characterized by obscured nuclei, powerful infrared sources, or ejection of large gas masses from nuclei are described. It is suggested that, although the nucleus is active for a large fraction of the life of the galaxy, it may, for long periods operate at a low level of activity.

Burbidge, G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Vertical profiles of condensation nuclei

Condensation nuclei measurements using a low supersaturation (about 10%) thermal gradient diffusion cloud chamber (TGDCC) and a high supersaturation (about 200%) expansion type instrument were compared on a series of three balloon flights over Laramie, Wyoming. In general, the two instruments produced similar vertical profiles but some discrepancies remain unexplained. Agreement between the two would indicate that the low supersaturations used in the TGDCC were still large enough to cause the instrument to count essentially all of the particles present. The TGDCC condensation nuclei (CN) counter was flown at several sites in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The results indicate the existence of a relative maximum in the CN mixing ratio associated with the upper equatorial troposphere and what appears to be a worldwide constant mixing ratio of CN above 20-25 km.

Rosen, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The charge and energy spectra of heavy cosmic-ray nuclei

A charged-particle detector array flown on a high-altitude balloon has detected and measured some 30,000 cosmic-ray nuclei with Z of at least 12. The charge spectrum at the top of the atmosphere for nuclei with energies greater than 650 MeV/n and the energy spectrum for energies between 650 and 1800 MeV/n are reported and compared with previously published results. The charge spectrum at the 'source' of cosmic rays is deduced from these data and compared with a recent compilation of 'galactic' abundances.

Scarlett, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Vaporization of comet nuclei - Light curves and life times

The effects of vaporization from the nucleus of a comet are examined and it is shown that a latitude dependence of vaporization can explain the asymmetries in cometary light curves. An attempt is made to explain the observed variation in molecular production rates with heliocentric distance when employing CO2 and clathrate hydrate ice as cometary nuclei substances. The energy balance equation and the vapor pressure equations of water and CO2 are used in calculating the vaporization from a surface. Calculations were carried out from both dry-ice and water-ice nuclei, using a variety of different effective visual albedos, but primarily for a thermal infrared of 0 (emission). Attention is given to cometary lifetimes and light curves and it was determined that the asymmetry in light curves occurs (occasionally) as a 'seasonal' effect due to a variation in the angle between the comet's rotation axis and the sun-comet line.

Cowan, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ice nuclei measurements from solid rocket motor effluents

The ice crystal forming nuclei (IN) measured in solid rocket motor (SRM) exhaust products is discussed in relation to space shuttle exhaust. Preliminary results from laboratory investigations and flight preparations for March 1978 Titan launch are discussed. The work necessary to provide adequate measurements of IN and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) in the stabilized ground clouds from SRM's is studied.

Hindman, E. E., II↗
NASA NTRS1979

On the Physical Environment in the Galactic Nuclei

Galactic nuclei and quasars emit radiation over the entire electromagnetic spectrum. This suggests that concurrent observations over a wide frequency range may provide useful information in determining appropriate models for the physical environment in which the radiation is produced. In conjunction with observations by the high energy spectrometer on OSO-8, four sources have been studied in this manner; the nucleus of the elliptical galaxy, Centaurus A (NGG 5128); the quasar, 30273; the Seyfert galaxy, NGC 4151 and the nucleus of the Milky Way (GCX). Concurrent observations are used to construct the composite spectra (from radio to X-ray) for Cen A and NGC 4151 while the composite spectra of 30273 and GCX are derived from the OSO-8 data and from other observers. A skymap technique used to analyze observations of the galactic center region yielded data consistent with a significant, hard X-ray source at the radio and infrared position of the nucleus of the Milky Way. A theoretical analysis of the temporal variability of the Cen A data is undertaken and its implications discussed. Similarities between the composite spectra of the observed sources suggest that radio-bright and radio-quiet quasars may represent the emission from galactic nuclei with elliptical and Seyfert-like morphologies, respectively.

Beall, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The charge distribution of heavy cosmic ray nuclei

In the analysis of data from a balloon flight of a detector of cosmic ray nuclei designed to study the isotopic composition, the charge composition has been measured with high resolution. Some 24,000 nuclei with Z not less than 10 have been measured with a charge resolution of 0.2 charge units. The limitations on the significance of these results are those due to the corrections for the effects of matter in the detectors and the residual atmospheric matter. These corrections are discussed and corrected results are compared with other high resolution charge spectra reported recently.

Freier, P. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Nucleosynthesis of neutron-rich heavy nuclei during explosive helium burning in a 15 solar-mass supernova

The production of heavy nuclei during explosive helium burning has been calculated using the Weaver and Woosley self-consistent model of a complete 15 solar-mass star and the n-process code of Blake and Schramm. It was found that the resulting neutron-rich heavy nuclei are not produced in the relative abundances of solar-system r-process material (such as a Pt peak) nor are any actinides produced. Basically insufficient neutrons are available.

Blake, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Meteoroid impact into short-period comet nuclei

The effects of extended meteoroid bombardment on short-period comet nuclei are examined and their possible implications for asteroid and meteorite studies are discussed. It is suggested that after devolatilization of the nucleus, the accumulated material might combine with primary cometary solids to produce environments conducive to the formation of polymict brecciated meteorites and to influence reflectance spectra of the asteroids. Such meteoroids removed from active nuclei during degassing could be placed in trajectories that might evolve into earth-crossing orbits.

Cintala, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Nucleosynthesis of neutron-rich heavy nuclei during explosive helium burning in massive stars

The production of heavy nuclei during explosive helium burning has been calculated using a hydrodynamical model of a 15-solar mass (Type II) supernova and an n-process nuclear reaction network. It is found that the resulting neutron-rich heavy nuclei are not produced in the relative abundances of solar-system r-process material, especially in the vicinity of Pt, nor are any actinides produced. These deficiencies reflect an inadequate supply of neutrons. However, some neutron-rich isotopes, normally associated with the r-process, are produced which may be significant for the production of isotopic anomalies in meteorites.

Blake, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The isotopic composition of Fe and fragmentation nuclei with Z equals 17-25

Using the combined data from 1976 and 1977 balloon flights the isotopic composition of cosmic ray Fe and fragmentation nuclei with Z equals 17-25 have been determined. The telescope used in these studies contains two Cerenkov counters and four total energy counters with an overall mass resolution sigma equals 0.35-0.40 amu. For Fe, approximately 320 nuclei with C/C(max) less than 0.5 are mass analyzed with the result extrapolated to the cosmic ray source, Fe-56 equals 0.952, Fe-54 equals 0.048 plus or minus 0.030 and Fe-58 less than 0.030 of all Fe. Two other isotopes are found to have a significant source abundance, A-36 with an abundance of 0.048 plus or minus 0.013 x Fe and Ca-40 equals 0.088 plus or minus 0.016 x Fe at the source. The source abundance of all other isotopes is less than 0.015 x Fe at the 1 sigma level. Of these fragmentation isotopes there is evidence that most of the Cl-36 has decayed as well as possibly some Mn-54.

Webber, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A study of temporal and radial dependencies of the anomalous helium and oxygen nuclei

The intensity of the low energy anomalous helium and oxygen components has been continuously monitored by telescopes on the Pioneer 10 and IMP 7 and 8 spacecraft since 1972. After a period of relatively small temporal changes at earth between 1972 and 1978, during which it was possible to study the radial gradients of these components out to about 15 AU, large temporal changes were observed in 1978-1980 associated with the onset of the new solar modulation cycle. During this time period the anomalous He and O intensities at Pioneer 10 have decreased by a factor of greater than 10; however, both anomalous components were still present in the summer of 1980 at about 20 AU. At the earth similar large intensity changes have occurred. At Pioneer 10 the relative modulation of He nuclei is about 1.4x that of O nuclei at the same energy/nuc during this time period.

Webber, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Stratospheric condensation nuclei variations may relate to solar activity

Observations of increases of stratospheric condensation nuclei suggest a photo-initiated sulphuric acid vapour formation process in spring in polar regions. It is proposed that the sulphuric acid rapidly forms condensation nuclei through attachment to negatively charged multi-ion complexes and that the process may be modulated through variations in solar activity.

Hofmann, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The infrared properties of active extragalactic nuclei

The observed infrared properties of the general classes of active extragalactic nuclei are reviewed with the purpose of relating the observations to the mechanisms responsible for the emission processes. Those observations which define the energy distributions and emission line ratios of broad groups of objects are summarized, including infrared, optical, and radio energy distributions, H-K colors, and line ratios for Seyfert galaxies, quasars, and BL Lac objects. The nature of the mechanisms responsible for the observed infrared continuum emission is discussed, the main candidates being thermal emission by dust in the nuclei and incoherent synchrotron emission. It is concluded that the former mechanism is the most likely one.

Soifer, B. T.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Space Shuttle ice nuclei

Estimates are made showing that, as a consequence of rocket activity in the earth's upper atmosphere in the Shuttle era, average ice nuclei concentrations in the upper atmosphere could increase by a factor of two, and that an aluminum dust layer weighing up to 1000 tons might eventually form in the lower atmosphere. The concentrations of Space Shuttle ice nuclei (SSIN) in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere were estimated by taking into account the composition of the particles, the extent of surface poisoning, and the size of the particles. Calculated stratospheric size distributions at 20 km with Space Shuttle particulate injection, calculated SSIN concentrations at 10 and 20 km altitude corresponding to different water vapor/ice supersaturations, and predicted SSIN concentrations in the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere are shown.

Turco, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Studies of the ionization states of solar and galactic cosmic ray heavy nuclei

Enhancement of abundances of heavy nuclei (e.g., Mg, Si, and Fe) at low energies relative to solar photospheric abundances and anomalously high abundances of iron relative to oxygen nuclei at low energies were recently discovered in solar energetic particles studied at low energy. These phenomena are not understood at present. The proposed experiment is designed to study the recently discovered anomalous component of low energy galactic cosmic ray ions of C, N, O, Ne, and Ca to Fe of energy 5- to 10-million electron volts per atomic mass unit in regard to their ionization states, composition, and intensity, and to study the ionization states of heavy elements from oxygen to iron in energetic solar particles emitted during flare events. The same detector system will serve for both studies, with the second objective being given priority if there are any solar particle events during the mission.

Biswas, S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Cosmic-ray abundances of Sn, Te, Xe, and Ba nuclei measured on HEAO 3

The results of an analysis of HEAO 3 Heavy Nuclei Experimental data covering 440 days of observations of Sn-Ba nuclei in cosmic rays are reported. The particles were detected by a Cernkov counter, and a Z-squared ceiling was calculated to normalize the histograms produced. The observed large abundance of Sn and Ba relative to other elements in the region of interest indicated a predominance of the s-process in the source of the particles. When account was taken of first ionization potential effects, the data indicated that the material could be solar system in origin. A source dominated by the r-process nucleosynthesis was ruled out at the 0.93 confidence level.

Binns, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Stopping of 200-GeV gold nuclei in nuclear emulsions

The residual ranges of Au-197(79) nuclei stopping in nuclear emulsions has been measured for nuclei with an incident energy of 991 MeV/amu. The mean ranges observed are appreciably less than those predicted from measurements made on energetic particles of lower charge. However, by the consideration of higher-order correction terms to the rate of energy loss, good agreement can be obtained between the predicted and observed ranges.

Waddington, C.J.↗