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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,711 records · Page 95
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2011

BLACK HOLE-NEUTRON STAR MERGERS AND SHORT GAMMA-RAY BURSTS: A RELATIVISTIC TOY MODEL TO ESTIMATE THE MASS OF THE TORUS

The merger of a binary system composed of a black hole (BH) and a neutron star (NS) may leave behind a torus of hot, dense matter orbiting around the BH. While numerical-relativity simulations are necessary to simulate this process accurately, they are also computationally expensive and unable at present to cover the large space of possible parameters, which include the relative mass ratio, the stellar compactness, and the BH spin. To mitigate this and provide a first reasonable coverage of the space of parameters, we have developed a method for estimating the mass of the remnant torus from BH-NS mergers. The toy model makes use of an improved relativistic affine model to describe the tidal deformations of an extended tri-axial ellipsoid orbiting around a Kerr BH and measures the mass of the remnant torus by considering which of the fluid particles composing the star are on bound orbits at the time of the tidal disruption. We tune the toy model by using the results of fully general-relativistic simulations obtaining relative precisions of a few percent and use it to investigate the space of parameters extensively. In this way, we find that the torus mass is largest for systems with highly spinning BHs, small stellar compactnesses, and large mass ratios. As an example, tori as massive as M{sub b,tor} {approx_equal} 1.33 M{sub sun} can be produced for a very extended star with compactness C {approx_equal} 0.1 inspiralling around a BH with dimensionless spin parameter a = 0.85 and mass ratio q {approx_equal} 0.3. However, for a more astrophysically reasonable mass ratio q {approx_equal} 0.14 and a canonical value of the stellar compactness C {approx_equal} 0.145, the toy model sets a considerably smaller upper limit of M{sub b,tor} {approx}< 0.34 M{sub sun}.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1994

The oscillations of superfluid neutron stars

The effects of superfluid hydrodynamics on the oscillations of neutron stars are investigated. The equations describing the small-amplitude pulsations of a neutron star's neutron-proton superfluid mixture are reduced to a system of three second-order equations for three scalar potentials. A variational principle is developed from which the frequencies of the modes of these superfluid oscillations may be estimated. These pulsations are studied by finding analytical solutions to the equations for simple uniform models of nonrotating neutron stars and numerical solutions for realistic models (including rotation). These solutions reveal that the lowest frequency modes are almost indistinguishable from those based on ordinary-fluid hydrodynamics. The analytical solutions also reveal the existence of a new set of modes having no ordinary-fluid counterpart.

Lindblom, Lee↗
DOE OSTI2014

Characterizing the AB Doradus moving group via high-resolution spectroscopy and kinematic traceback

We present a detailed analysis of 10 proposed F and G members of the nearby, young moving group AB Doradus (ABD). Our sample was obtained using the 2.7 m telescope at the McDonald Observatory with the coude echelle spectrograph, achieving R ∼ 60,000 and signal-to-noise ratio ∼200. We derive spectroscopic T {sub eff}, log(g), [Fe/H], and microturbulance (v{sub t} ) using a bootstrap method of the TGVIT software resulting in typical errors of 33K in T {sub eff}, 0.08 dex in log(g), 0.03 dex in [Fe/H], and 0.13 km s{sup –1} in v{sub t} . Characterization of the ABD sample is performed in three ways: (1) chemical homogeneity, (2) kinematic traceback, and (3) isochrone fitting. We find the average metal abundance is [M/H] = –0.03 ± 0.06 with a traceback age of 125 Myr. Our stars were fit to three different evolutionary models and we found that the best match to our ABD sample is the YREC [M/H] = –0.1 model. In our sample of 10 stars, we identify 1 star that is a probable non-member, 3 enigmatic stars, and 6 stars with confirmed membership. We also present a list of chemically coherent stars from this study and the Barenfeld et al. study.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

A LARGE GROUP OF ASYMPTOTIC GIANT BRANCH STARS IN THE DISK OF M31: A MISSING PIECE OF THE PUZZLE?

We examine the properties of a stellar grouping that is {approx}3.5 kpc to the northeast of the center of M31. This structure has (1) a surface brightness that is lower than the surrounding disk, (2) a more-or-less round appearance, (3) a size of {approx}300 arcsec ({approx}1 kpc), and (4) an integrated brightness K = 6.5. It is populated by stars with ages {>=}100 Myr and J - K colors that tend to be bluer than those of stars in the surrounding disk. Comparisons with model luminosity functions suggest that the star formation rate in this object has changed twice in the past few hundred Myr. Fitting a Sersic function to the light profile reveals a power-law index and effective surface brightness that are similar to those of dwarf galaxies with the same integrated brightness. Two possible origins for this object are considered: (1) it is a heretofore undiscovered satellite of M31 that is seen against/in/through the M31 disk or (2) it is a fossil star-forming region in the M31 disk.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1988

R Coronae Borealis dust ejections - A preferred plane?

Spectropolarimetric observations of R Coronae Borealis obtained during the brightness minimum of 1986 are presented. When combined with previous polarization observations of brightness minima, the distribution of observations in the Q-U plane suggests that ejections of dust clouds occur in a preferred plane about the star, in contrast to the standard model for the R CrB-type stars, which holds that clouds are ejected from all parts of the stellar surface. The possibility of an ejection mechanism connected with nonradial pulsations is discussed as the most likely explanation of the preferred plane.

Stanford, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Radiative transfer in the dynamic atmospheres of Mira-type variables

This NASA grant covers our ADP research program, which involved detailed radiative transfer calculations of hydrodynamic models of pulsating asymptotic giant branch stars. Synthetic spectra resulting from these calculations are compared with International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) observations of these stars to test the validity of the models.

Linsky, Jeffrey L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Acoustic heating of the chromosphere and cool corona in the F star alpha Canis Minoris (Procyon)

We report on a hydrodynamical model of acoustic wave energy deposition in the atmosphere of the F star Procyon. The model treats radiative losses in the photosphere by solving the continuum radiative transfer (RT) problem; it treats radiative losses in the chromosphere by solving the RT equation in two representative strong lines (Mg II k and Lyman alpha); and it includes optically thin emission from the corona. We find a temperature minimum of 4440 K and a transition region at a height of 3500-4000 km above the photosphere. Our acoustic model accounts for the reported fluxes of Mg II and Lyman alpha emission lines, as well as for the X-ray flux from the cool (T less than 1 MK) coronal component reported by Lemen et al. (1989). The differential emission measure distribution in our model agrees quite well with empirical results of Jordan et al. (1986).

Mullan, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

X-ray emission from PSR 0355+54

We have obtained a 20 ks observation of PSR 0355+54 using the ROSAT position sensitive proportional counter (PSPC). The pulsar is detected with a count rate of 4.2(+/- 1.3) x 10(exp -3)/s above the background. While the approximately 70 source counts are insufficient for spectral fitting, we have derived source parameters for specific cases of power law as well as blackbody spectra. For a Crab-like spectrum (photon index alpha = 2) we find L(sub x)(0.1-2.4 keV) = 1.0 x 10(exp 32) ergs/s, somewhat higher than upper limits reported from Einstein observations but consistent with typical L(sub x) versus E-dot values for other pulsars. For blackbody emission, we derive a temperature upper limit of approximately 9.5 x 10(exp 5) K for emission from the entire neutron star surface, which is consistent with standard models for cooling of the neutron star interior given a characteristic age 10(exp 5.75) yr. No evidence is present for modulation at the 156 ms pulsar period, setting a weak upper limit of approximately 75% for the pulsed fraction of the X-ray signal.

Slane, Patrick↗
DOE OSTI2012

PRESUPERNOVA EVOLUTION AND EXPLOSIVE NUCLEOSYNTHESIS OF ZERO METAL MASSIVE STARS

We present a new set of zero metallicity models in the range 13-80 M{sub Sun} together to the associated explosive nucleosynthesis. These models are fully homogeneous with the solar metallicity set we published in Limongi and Chieffi and will be freely available at the Online Repository for the FRANEC Evolutionary Output Web site. A comparison between these yields and an average star that represents the average behavior of most of the very metal-poor stars in the range -5.0 < [Fe/H] < -2.5 confirms previous findings that only a fraction of the elemental [X/Fe] may be fitted by the ejecta of standard core collapse supernovae.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Testing the isotropy of the Universe with type Ia supernovae

We analyze the magnitude-redshift data of type Ia supernovae included in the Union and Union2 compilations in the framework of an anisotropic Bianchi type I cosmological model and in the presence of a dark-energy fluid with anisotropic equation of state. We find that the amount of deviation from isotropy of the equation of state of dark energy, the skewness {delta}, and the present level of anisotropy of the large-scale geometry of the Universe, the actual shear {Sigma}{sub 0}, are constrained in the ranges -0.16 < or approx. {delta} < or approx. 0.12 and -0.012 < or approx. {Sigma}{sub 0} < or approx. 0.012 (1{sigma} C.L.) by Union2 data. Supernova data are then compatible with a standard isotropic universe ({delta}={Sigma}{sub 0}=0), but a large level of anisotropy, both in the geometry of the Universe and in the equation of state of dark energy, is allowed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2013

SDSS DR7 WHITE DWARF CATALOG

We present a new catalog of spectroscopically confirmed white dwarf stars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 7 spectroscopic catalog. We find 20,407 white dwarf spectra, representing 19,712 stars, and provide atmospheric model fits to 14,120 DA and 1011 DB white dwarf spectra from 12,843 and 923 stars, respectively. These numbers represent more than a factor of two increase in the total number of white dwarf stars from the previous SDSS white dwarf catalogs based on DR4 data. Our distribution of subtypes varies from previous catalogs due to our more conservative, manual classifications of each star in our catalog, supplementing our automatic fits. In particular, we find a large number of magnetic white dwarf stars whose small Zeeman splittings mimic increased Stark broadening that would otherwise result in an overestimated log g if fit as a non-magnetic white dwarf. We calculate mean DA and DB masses for our clean, non-magnetic sample and find the DB mean mass is statistically larger than that for the DAs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1986

High energy neutrino absorption and its effects on stars in close X-ray binaries

The physics and astrophysics of high energy neutrino production and interactions in close X-ray binary systems are studied. These studies were stimulated by recent observations of ultrahigh energy gamma-rays and possibly other ultrahigh energy particles coming from the directions of Cygnus X-3 and other binary systems and possessing the periodicity characteristics of these systems. Systems in which a compact object, such as a neutron star, is a strong source of high energy particles which, in turn, produce photons, neutronos and other secondary particles by interactions in the atmosphere of the companion star were considered. The highest energy neutrinos are absorbed deep in the companion and the associated energy deposition may be large enough to effect its structure or lead to its ultimate disruption. This neutrino heating was evaluated, starting with a detailed numerical calculation of the hadronic cascade induced in the atmosphere of the companion star. For some theoretical models, the resulting energy deposition from neutrino absorption may be so great as to disrupt the companion star over an astronomically small timescale of the order of 10,000 years. Even if the energy deposition is smaller, it may still be high enough to alter the system substantially, perhaps leading to quenching of high energy signals from the source. Given the cosmic ray luminosities required to produce the observed gamma rays from cygnus X-3 and LMX X-4, such a situation may occur in these sources.

Gaisser, T. K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Effects of high-energy neutrino production and interactions on stars in close X-ray binaries

Limits are discussed that may be placed on binary systems in which a compact partner is a strong source of high-energy particles that produce photons, neutrinos, and other secondary particles in the companion star. The highest energy neutrinos are absorbed deep in the companion and the associated energy deposition may be large enough to affect its structure or lead to its ultimate disruption. This neutrino heating is evaluated, starting with a detailed numerical calculation of the hadronic cascade induced in the atmosphere of the companion star. For some theoretical models, the resulting energy deposition from neutrino absorption may be so great as to disrupt the companion star over a time scale of 10,000-100,000 yr. Even if the energy deposition is smaller, it may still be high enough to alter the system substantially.

Gaisser, T. K.↗
DOE OSTI2014

SIMULTANEOUS MODELING OF THE STELLAR AND DUST EMISSION IN DISTANT GALAXIES: IMPLICATIONS FOR STAR FORMATION RATE MEASUREMENTS

We have used near-ultraviolet (NUV) to mid-infrared (MIR) composite spectral energy distributions (SEDs) to simultaneously model the attenuated stellar and dust emission of 0.5 ≲ z ≲ 2.0 galaxies. These composite SEDs were previously constructed from the photometric catalogs of the NEWFIRM Medium-Band Survey by stacking the observed photometry of galaxies that have similar rest-frame NUV-to-NIR SEDs. In this work, we include a stacked MIPS 24 μm measurement for each SED type to extend the SEDs to rest-frame MIR wavelengths. Consistent with previous studies, the observed MIR emission for most SED types is higher than expected from only the attenuated stellar emission. We fit the NUV-to-MIR composite SEDs with the Flexible Stellar Population Synthesis (FSPS) models, which include both stellar and dust emission. We compare the best-fit star formation rates (SFRs) to the SFRs based on simple UV+IR estimators. Interestingly, the UV and IR luminosities overestimate SFRs—compared to the model SFRs—by more than ∼1 dex for quiescent galaxies, while for the highest star-forming galaxies in our sample the two SFRs are broadly consistent. The difference in specific SFRs also shows a gradually increasing trend with declining specific SFR, implying that quiescent galaxies have even lower specific SFRs than previously found. Contributions from evolved stellar populations to both the UV and the MIR SEDs most likely explain the discrepancy. Based on this work, we conclude that SFRs should be determined from modeling the attenuated stellar and dust emission simultaneously, instead of employing simple UV+IR-based SFR estimators.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

Centrality dependence of forward-backward multiplicity correlation in Au+Au collisions at sq root(s{sub NN})=200 GeV

We have studied the centrality dependence of charged-particle forward-backward multiplicity correlation strength in Au+Au collisions at sq root(s{sub NN})=200 GeV with a parton and hadron cascade model, PACIAE, based on PYTHIA. The calculated results are compared with the STAR data. The experimentally observed correlation strength characteristics, (1) the approximately flat pseudorapidity dependence in central collisions and (2) the monotonous decrease with decreasing centrality, are reproduced well. However, the theoretical results are larger than the STAR data for the peripheral collisions. We compare the different models and STAR data. A prediction for the forward-backward multiplicity correlation in Pb+Pb collisions at sq root(s{sub NN})=5500 GeV is also given.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1974

Space shuttle orbiter vehicle star tracker test program plan

The development model test program was written to provide guidance for essential star tracker test support to the Space Shuttle Orbiter Program. The program organization included test equipment preparation, prototype baseline/acceptance tests, prototype total performance tests, and prototype special tests. Test configurations, preparation phase, documentation, scheduling, and manpower requirements are discussed. The test program permits an early evaluation of the tracker's performance prior to completion and testing of the final flight models.

Smith, R. A.↗
DOE OSTI2014

HZ Her: Stellar radius from X-ray eclipse observations, evolutionary state, and a new distance

Observations of HZ Her/Her X-1 by the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) covering high state eclipses of the neutron star are analyzed here. Models of the eclipse are used to measure the radius and atmospheric scale height of HZ Her, the stellar companion to the neutron star. The radius is 2.58-3.01 × 10{sup 11} cm, depending on system inclination and mass ratio (q), with an accuracy of ∼1 part in 1000 for given inclination and q. We fit Kurucz model stellar atmosphere models to archival optical observations. The resulting effective temperature (T {sub eff}) of the unheated face of HZ Her is determined to be in the 2σ range of 7720 K-7865 K, and metallicity (log (Z/Z {sub ☉})) in the range of –0.27 to +.03. The model atmosphere surface flux and new radius yield a new distance to HZ Her/Her X-1, depending on system inclination and q: a best-fit value of 6.1 kpc with upper and lower limits of 5.7 kpc and 7.0 kpc. We calculate stellar evolution models for the range of allowed masses (from orbital parameters) and allowed metallicities (from optical spectrum fits). The stellar models agree with T {sub eff} and the radius of HZ Her for two narrow ranges of mass: 2.15-2.20 M {sub ☉} and 2.35-2.45 M {sub ☉}. This lower mass range implies a low neutron star mass (1.3 M {sub ☉}), whereas the higher mass range implies a high neutron star mass (1.5-1.7 M {sub ☉}).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

K{sub s} -BAND LUMINOSITY EVOLUTION OF THE ASYMPTOTIC GIANT BRANCH POPULATION BASED ON STAR CLUSTERS IN THE LARGE MAGELLANIC CLOUD

We present a study of K{sub s} -band luminosity evolution of the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) population in simple stellar systems using star clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). We determine physical parameters of LMC star clusters including center coordinates, radii, and foreground reddenings. Ages of 83 star clusters are derived from isochrone fitting with the Padova models, and those of 19 star clusters are taken from the literature. The AGB stars in 102 star clusters with log(age) = 7.3-9.5 are selected using near-infrared color-magnitude diagrams based on Two Micron All Sky Survey photometry. Then we obtain the K{sub s} -band luminosity fraction of AGB stars in these star clusters as a function of ages. The K{sub s} -band luminosity fraction of AGB stars increases, on average, as age increases from log(age) ∼ 8.0, reaching a maximum at log(age) ∼ 8.5, and it decreases thereafter. There is a large scatter in the AGB luminosity fraction for given ages, which is mainly due to stochastic effects. We discuss this result in comparison with five simple stellar population models. The maximum K{sub s} -band AGB luminosity fraction for bright clusters is reproduced by the models that expect the value of 0.7-0.8 at log(age) = 8.5-8.7. We discuss the implication of our results with regard to the study of size and mass evolution of galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗