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At least 1,657 records · Page 92

Evaluation of astrophysical hypotheses.

The aim of this article is to set out a bookkeeping procedure for formalizing the process of assessing a hypothesis by comparison of conclusions drawn theoretically from this hypothesis with facts obtained by reduction of observational data. The formalism used is that of probability theory. A key role is played by Bayes's rule representing the inductive process of adjusting a degree of belief in response to new information. Formulae are derived which show (1) how the probability of each hypothesis should be adjusted in response to information concerning one item, and (2) how such estimates concerning more than one item may be combined. The procedure is illustrated by a work sheet showing how a few facts and conclusions concerning pulsars were combined to appraise the neutron-star and white-dwarf hypotheses.

Sturrock, P. A.↗

Neutron-star formation in the carbon-detonation supernova.

Neutrino losses, such as those driven by the convective Urca process, may affect the evolution of stars in the mass range from 4 to 8 solar masses so as to lead to collapse of their degenerate carbon/oxygen cores. A corresponding hydrodynamic model is computed which leads to the formation of a 1.3 to 1.4 solar mass neutron star with the expulsion of a small fraction of the mass, about 0.l solar mass at about 20,000 km/sec into the overlying hydrogen envelope. This sets the stage for the Ostriker-Gunn mechanism in which Type II supernovae and pulsars are formed.

Wheeler, J. C.↗

Long wavelength VLBI.

The application of very-long baseline interferometry (VLBI) techniques at meter and decameter wavelengths has proven to be a unique tool for studying a number of different phenomena. Because of the high angular resolution which we achieve with VLBI, candidate objects for study include the compact nuclei and 'jets' associated with quasars and radio galaxies, pulsars, small knots in galactic supernova remnants, and nonthermal planetary sources. Our investigations have been aimed at determining the emission spectra of these objects, measuring their apparent angular size, and mapping their structure. We expect that these properties will be interrelated, particularly at or below the frequencies at which their spectra peak.

Clark, T. A.↗

Low-noise microwave receiving systems in a worldwide network of large antennas.

The Deep-Space Network (DSN) consists of a worldwide network of 26- and 64-m antennas spaced approximately 120 deg around the world. The DSN is a precision communications system designed to communicate with and control unmanned spacecraft traveling at interplanetary ranges. Recent developments in the performance and evaluation of the antennas and maser receivers are discussed, and developments which have contributed to radio-science projects, such as planetary radar astronomy, very-long-baseline interferometry, pulsar, and other astronomical observations are described. It is also shown how these radio-science measurements have been used to evaluate the performance of the antenna-receiver systems.

Reid, M. S.↗

Recent observations of cosmic gamma-rays from 10 MeV to 1 GeV

Recent observations of cosmic gamma rays made subsequent to the discovery of energetic protons from the galactic plane are discussed. The main areas covered include: (1) gamma ray emission from the plane galaxy, with emphasis on observations made in the vicinity of the galactic center, (2) gamma ray emission from the Crab nebula and its pulsar, and (3) diffuse gamma radiation.

Share, G. H.↗

Origin of cosmic rays

A model is presented in which cosmic electrons are produced by pulsars, and cosmic protons and alpha particles are accelerated by shock waves in supernova envelopes. It is argued that neither mechanism by itself can produce both the observed protons and electrons at energies above a few hundred MeV. But supernova accelerated electrons could constitute the majority of cosmic electrons with energy below about 10 MeV.

Cohen, J. M.↗

Gravitation

This textbook on gravitation physics (Einstein's general relativity or geometrodynamics) is designed for a rigorous full-year course at the graduate level. The material is presented in two parallel tracks in an attempt to divide key physical ideas from more complex enrichment material to be selected at the discretion of the reader or teacher. The full book is intended to provide competence relative to the laws of physics in flat space-time, Einstein's geometric framework for physics, applications with pulsars and neutron stars, cosmology, the Schwarzschild geometry and gravitational collapse, gravitational waves, experimental tests of Einstein's theory, and mathematical concepts of differential geometry.

Misner, C. W.↗

Crystallization of dense neutron matter

The equation of state for cold neutron matter at high density is studied in the t-matrix formulation, and it is shown that energetically it is convenient to have neutrons in a crystalline configuration rather than in a liquid state for values of the density exceeding 1600 Tg/cu cm. The study of the mechanical properties indicates that the system is stable against shearing stresses. A solid core in the deep interior of heavy neutron stars appears to offer the most plausible explanation of speed-ups observed in the Vela pulsar.

Canuto, V.↗

International Cosmic Ray Conference, 13th, University of Denver, Denver, Colo., August 17-30, 1973, Proceedings. Volumes 1 & 2

Topics discussed include diffuse gamma rays, gamma ray sources (in particular, the Crab Nebula and Crab Pulsar), X-ray sources, isotopic and nuclear composition, spectra of nuclei, searches for antinuclei, studies of VH and VVH nuclei, measurements of electrons and positrons, the spectra of high-energy electrons, cosmic gamma rays, cosmic ray sources, interplanetary radial gradients, the theory and observation of electron modulation, short-period cosmic ray intensity variations, atmospheric and coupling effects on neutron monitors and muon telescopes, secondary particles and photons in the atmosphere, harmonics of diurnal variations, geomagnetic effects and cutoffs, planetary and interplanetary effects, solar particle access observations, long-term cosmic ray intensity modulation by solar activity and interplanetary effects, Forbush decreases, modulation and anisotropy of low-energy particles, the theory and models of solar particle propagation, solar flare particle composition, and relativistic solar particles. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Source record↗

International Cosmic Ray Conference, 13th, University of Denver, Denver, Colo., August 17-30, 1973, Proceedings. Volume 5

An X-ray observation of the Norma-Lupus region, charge and isotope measurements of heavy cosmic ray nuclei and their role in the determination of cosmic ray age, and the possibility of a contribution to primary cosmic ray spectra from pulsars are among the topics covered in papers concerned with some of the results of recent cosmic ray research. Other topics covered include multiple scattering of charged particles in magnetic fields, absorption of primary cosmic rays in the atmosphere, and phase lag effects on cosmic ray modulation during a recent solar cycle. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Source record↗

Analytic variational calculation of the ground-state binding energy of hydrogen in intermediate and intense magnetic fields

The present work investigates analytically the effect of an intermediate or intense magnetic field, such as probably exist in white dwarfs and near pulsars, on the binding energy of the hydrogen ground state. A wave-function 'prescription' is given for an analytic variational calculation of the binding energy. The calculation still gives a smooth transition between intermediate and intense fields. An explicit calculation of the ground-state binding energy as B goes to infinity is provided for the Yafet et al. (1956) trial function.

Wilson, L. W.↗

Quantum crystals in neutron stars

Using the many-body techniques appropriate for quantum crystals it is shown that the deep interior of a neutron star is most likely an orderly arrangement of neutrons, protons and hyperons forming a solid. It is shown that a liquid or gas arrangement would produce higher energy. If so, a neutron star can be viewed as two solids (crust and core) permeated by a layer of ordinary or (perhaps) superfluid liquid. Astronomical evidence is in favor of such a structure: the sudden jumps in the periods of the Crab and Vela pulsars that differ by a factor of about 100 can be easily explained by the star-quake model. If the Crab is less massive than Vela (i.e., if it is not dense enough to have a solid core), the star-quakes take place in the crust whereas for Vela they occur in the core.

Canuto, V.↗

Carbon detonation supernovae

Arguments aimed at linking main sequence stars in the mass range 4-8 solar masses with type II supernovae and pulsars are presented. In this regard, the problematic evolution of the growing carbon cores before ignition is found to be best rationalized in terms of convective Urca losses. Some calculations on the parameters of carbon detonation models are listed, and the use of a standard numerical hydrodynamic code to deal with these models is discussed.

Buchler, J.-R.↗

Wave propagation in a random medium - A complete set of the moment equations with different wavenumbers

The propagation of waves in a random medium is studied in the 'quasi-optics' and the 'Markov random process' approximations. Under these assumptions, a Fokker-Planck equation satisfied by the characteristic functional of the random wave field is derived. A complete set of moment equations with different transverse coordinates and different wave numbers is then obtained from the Fokker-Planck equation of the characteristic functional. The application of those results to the pulse smearing of the pulsar signal and the frequency correlation function of the wave intensity in interstellar scintillation is briefly discussed.

Lee, L. C.↗

Radio astronomy

The origins, generation, detection, and interpretation of radio signals are discussed for signals with an assumed random polarization. After defining the basic parameters, the discussion moves to such topics as synchrotron radiation, plasma effects, changes in the electron energy spectrum in the radiating regions, energy loss to ionization, bremsstrahlung, radio astronomical observations of high-energy particles, emission by energetic particles, observation of supernova remnants and pulsars, galactic background continuum radiation, and others.

Alexander, J.↗

Galactic X-ray sources

Data on galactic X-ray sources from rocket and balloon experiments and the UHURU satellite are reported. The outline emphasizes general discrete source models and begins with some a priori considerations about X-ray emission mechanisms and their applicability, after which contemporary data are interpreted according to these models. Topics covered include the production of X-rays by various mechanisms, source regimes, observational parameters, stellar distributions, individual stars, flare stars, supernovae and pulsars, the Crab nebula, old and young remnants, binary systems, and others.

Holt, S. S.↗

Interpretation of the pulsed gamma ray emission from Vela

A model is proposed for the Vela pulsar in which the radio emission originates near the surface of the neutron star while the pulsed gamma ray emission is produced by synchrotron radiation near the speed of light cylinder. This model can explain the energy flux, double pulse structure, and phase shift with respect to the radio of the gamma ray emission and offers approximate quantitative predictions for other X-ray and gamma-ray fluxes.

Thompson, D. J.↗