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NASA NTRS1979

A catalog of jovian decameter-wave radio observations from 1957 - 1978

Data from over 200,000 hours of observation of Jupiter radio emission in the decameter-wavelength band, were collected from 13 observing sites and are available on magnetic tape. Observations were made at 14 fixed frequencies from 5 to 30 MHz. The characteristics of the tape recording technique and the data format are described. The combination of overlapping data from observing sites scattered world-wide lessens the effect of the earth's daily interruption of the ground-received signal. A power spectral analysis of the data shows no evidence of periodicities within the data other than the well-known influences of Jupiter, Io, and the earth. The dependence of the occurrence probability of emission on System 3 longitude and the phase of Io varies smoothly with frequency down to 15 MHz and then appears quite different at 10 MHz. The morphology of the radio sources is both complex and stable for periods of at least months and probably much longer.

Thieman, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Abundances of molecules in planetary atmospheres from middle infrared spectroscopic observations

The application of middle-infrared spectroscopy to the study of molecular abundances in planetary atmospheres is discussed with particular reference to the Jovian atmosphere. Data on the observed composition of the Jovian atmosphere are examined with speculation as to the sources of the minor components. Solar and Jovian elemental abundances are contrasted, and a dynamical meteorological model of Jupiter's atmosphere is summarized. An observed high-altitude spectrum of Jupiter is compared with synthetic H2O spectra calculated for two abundances (solar and observed). The observed composition of Saturn's atmosphere is reported, and middle-IR studies of terrestrial planets are surveyed.

Larson, H. P.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The observational status of the Beta Cephei stars

The Beta Cephei stars are a group of variables of spectral type B, whose light and radial velocity periods lie between about three and seven hours. An up-to-date summary of the observational data for individual stars considered to be members of the Beta Cephei group is provided. The general properties of Beta Cephei stars as determined from a comparison between theory and observation are considered, taking into account location in the HR diagram and evolutionary state, physical properties, statistics and galactic distribution, and period-luminosity relation and pulsation mode. Recent trends concerning the observation of Beta Cephei stars are examined, giving attention to a search for new variables, ultraviolet observations from spacecraft, and high-resolution studies of profile variations.

Lesh, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The height variation of supergranular velocity fields determined from simultaneous OSO 8 satellite and ground-based observations

Results are reported for simultaneous satellite and ground-based observations of supergranular velocities in the sun, which were made using a UV spectrometer aboard OSO 8 and a diode-array instrument operating at the exit slit of an echelle spectrograph attached to a vacuum tower telescope. Observations of the steady Doppler velocities seen toward the limb in the middle chromosphere and the photosphere are compared; the observed spectral lines of Si II at 1817 A and Fe I at 5576 A are found to differ in height of formation by about 1400 km. The results show that supergranular motions are able to penetrate at least 11 density scale heights into the middle chromosphere, that the patterns of motion correlate well with the cellular structure seen in the photosphere, and that the motion increases from about 800 m/s in the photosphere to at least 3000 m/s in the middle chromosphere. These observations imply that supergranular velocities should be evident in the transition region and that strong horizontal shear layers in supergranulation should produce turbulence and internal gravity waves.

November, L. J.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Observations of solar oscillations with periods of 160 minutes

Severny et al. (1976) have reported oscillations of the sun with a period near 160 min. A description is presented of observations made at the Stanford Solar Observatory during the time from 1975 to the present which seem to support the reports by Severny et al. At Stanford the relative velocity between a central circular area of radius 0.5 solar radius on the solar disk and most of the remaining area of the solar disk is measured. A superposed epoch analysis of the observations using a period of 160 min is discussed. An apparent agreement in phase between the obtained observational data and those reported by Severny et al. tends to support the interpretation that solar oscillations are being observed.

Scherrer, P. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Radio and white-light observations of the 1973 August 21 coronal transient

A coronal transient, which occurred on August 21, 1973, has been observed simultaneously in white light and at decameter radio wavelengths. The radio observations were obtained with a two-dimensional swept-frequency array (called the Teepee Tee). The white-light observations consist of a series of photographs taken by the High Altitude Observatory's coronagraph aboard Skylab. The radio emission associated with the transient was continuum in nature and lasted for almost 5 hours. The source of emission was observed to be cospatial with the lower part of one of the secondary white-light loops. A lower limit of 0.6 solar radius for the depth (extension along the line of sight) of this part of the transient was derived from considerations of radio-wave propagation in the corona. The radio source showed no dispersion of height with frequency, and, therefore, the emission is attributed to gyrosynchrotron radiation. Based on this assumption, the magnetic-field strength in the lower part of the loop is estimated to be in the 2.0-4.5-gauss range at a height of 2.1 solar radii from the center of the sun.

Gergely, T. E.↗

NASA NTRS1979

X-ray observations of AM Herculis from OSO 8

X-ray observations of the white dwarf binary system AM Herculis in the range 2 to 250 keV, taken by OSO 8, are presented and compared with balloon and Ariel 5 measurements. The composite spectrum of the 2 to 40 and 20 to 250 keV fluxes determined by the proportional counter and the high energy scintillation spectrometer, respectively, on board the satellite is shown averaged over the entire binary cycle. Variations in spectral shape and intensity between the OSO 8 results and balloon measurements taken 10 to 20 days apart are observed. Results indicate the presence of a spectral break at about 15 keV on some occasions, similar to that seen in Her X-1, however presumably caused by a different mechanism than in the neutron star. It is also considered unlikely that the gamma-ray tail observed by Ariel 5 existed during OSO 8 observations.

Coe, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Viking Orbiter imaging observations of dust in the Martian atmosphere

More than 20 local Martian dust clouds and two global dust storms were observed with the Viking Orbiter camera. Sixteen of the local clouds were imaged in two colors or were observed with other instruments confirming their identification as dust clouds. These Viking results are compared with earth-based observations of Martian dust storms and with Mariner 9 data. Most of the dust activity seen by Viking occurred during southern hemisphere spring and early summer, when Mars was near perihelion and insolation was near maximum. About half the local clouds occurred near the edge of the southern polar cap, where winds are presumably enhanced by a strong regional temperature gradient. The other half occurred mainly in the southern hemisphere near regions where circulation models incorporating topography predict positive vertical velocities. Although dust clouds observed from earth show a similar partial correlation with models, some ambiguity exists concerning interpretation of regions near Hellespontus that have spawned the most spectacular Martian dust storms on record.

Briggs, G. A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Interferometric observations of Saturn and its rings at a wavelength of 3.71 per cm

Interferometric observations of Saturn and its rings obtained at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory at a wavelength of 3.71 cm (8085 MHz) are presented. Models of the microwave brightness structure of the Saturn system are fit to the observations in order to estimate the brightness temperatures of the planet and its rings. The models allowed making estimates of the brightness temperatures and optical depths of the A, B, and C rings. The ring brightness temperatures and optical depths are compared with a physical ring model of isotropic scatterers in a layer which is many particles thick. The observations are consistent with particles that conservatively scatter the thermal emission from Saturn to the earth and emit no thermal radiation of their own. However, the particle single-scattering albedo that would be most consistent with the observations is slightly less than unity but probably greater than 0.95. There is evidence indicating that the ring particles must be at least a few centimeters in size.

Schloerb, F. P.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A method of mapping compact structure in radio sources using VLBI observations

A two-part technique is described for determining the angular structure of the compact components of radio sources from VLBI observations. With this technique, the source structure is first approximated, using both amplitudes and closure phases, by a model consisting of circularly symmetric Gaussian components located on a grid of positions on the sky. The second part begins by employing this model to predict the visibility phase corresponding to each observed visibility amplitude; these estimated visibility phases are then adjusted to agree with the observed closure phases. The resulting estimates of the visibility phases and the observed visibility amplitudes are then combined in a direct Fourier transform to produce a 'dirty' source map that is deconvolved via the CLEAN procedure on the basis of the point-source response. Some examples based on data generated from test models are provided.

Cotton, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The Lyman-alpha observations of comet Kohoutek from Mariner 10

The paper presents the Lyman-alpha data from postperihelion observations of comet Kohoutek made with Mariner 10 UV spectrometer during the 1974 January 11-24 period when the comet distance from the sun varied from 0.521 AU to 0.860 AU. These data are analyzed to determine the hydrogen production rates. It is noted that observations against the low interplanetary background allowed a measurement of the hydrogen corona over 30 million km (or 15 minutes) as seen from the Mariner 10 spacecraft. The bulk of the observations can be fitted with a non-steady-state model assuming two velocity components (20 km/sec and 8 km/sec) of equal proportions. A 70% increase in the hydrogen production rate is found within 2 days from January 17 to 19 while the comet receded from the sun. Finally, it is noted that the postperihelion production rates from the Mariner 10 observations are comparable to the preperihelion production rates reported previously.

Kumar, S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The mean Jovian temperature structure derived from spectral observations from 105 to 630 cm kaysers

Far infrared observations of the thermal emission of Jupiter are used to determine the temperature at 1 bar. High-altitude observations of the whole-disk brightness temperature of Jupiter in the range of 100 to 347 kaysers were inverted to obtain a P-T profile between 1.5 and 0.06 atm, assuming as opacity sources the H2 collisionally induced continuum and the rotation inversion bands of ammonia. The P-T profile derived from the spectrum reproduces the main features of the observed spectrum, with a slightly improved fit if the effects of ammonia haze opacity or NH3 supersaturation in the saturated region are taken into account. The Jovian temperature is found to be 160 + or - 7 K at 1 bar, and 105 + or - 3 K at the inversion level at 0.15 bar. The 1-bar temperature is shown to be consistent with Jovian interior models which match the observed gravitational moment.

Goorvitch, D.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Space telescope observations of normal galaxies

Observations of the stellar content of galaxies are discussed. Specific emphasis is placed on the following two types of observation: (1) those objects near enough to observe individual stars; and (2) those so distant that only their integrated light can be observed.

Oemler, A., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Eigenvector analysis of some observed and model-generated Climatological fields

An empirical orthogonal function analysis of monthly mean synoptic fields computed with a general circulation model and the corresponding observed climatological patterns is presented. A computer program was used to compute the principal components of the data matrices representing global maps of various observed and model-generated climatological fields. The variables analyzed were: 500mb geopotential height, 850 mb temperature, and sea level pressure. It is concluded that eigenvector analysis of observed and model-generated synoptic climatological fields is a useful diagnostic aid in the evaluation of global model simulation. The maps of any climatological variables are readily decomposed into a few orthogonal components which account for a large fraction of the total spatial variance, and the observed and model-generated patterns may then be compared in terms of these principal components of the original data matrices.

Dennis, M.↗

NASA NTRS1980

IUE observations of a luminous M supergiant that exhibits intense continuum in the far ultraviolet

Observations of the late type M supergiant TV Gem (M1Iab) reveal strong UV continuum between 1200 A and 3200 A. The continuum is essentially featureless with the exception of a number of broad absorption features in the short wavelength spectra range. An absorption feature centered around 1400 A could be due to Si IV absorption found typically in spectra of middle B type stars. UV emission from this star is unexpected because earlier ground-based observations give no indication of a possible association with an early companion or circumstellar ionized nebulosity. A B9 or A1 III - IV type star approximately 2to 3 magnitudes fainter than the M star could explain the level of UV continuum observed, but a fully self consistent explanation that includes the B-V color index of TV Gem is not as yet possible. The continuum flux dependence with wavelength in the UV spectral range could be attributed to a high energy source such as an accretion disc. It is suggested TV Gem is a good candidate for HEAO-2 (Einstein) satellite observations because a high energy object in close proximity to the M star would likely be a source of soft X-ray emission.

Michalitsianos, A. G.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Satellite observations of the spatial extent and structure of Pc 3, 4, 5 pulsations near the magnetospheric equator

Simultaneous observations of Pc 3, 4, 5 pulsations by five satellites in the pre-noon local time sector at and near synchronous orbit are examined. The periods of these simultaneous pulsations are not the same at the different observation points. This difference is attributed to site dependent resonant conditions. The spatial properties of the temporal phenomenon are demonstrated with observations by ISEE-1 and -2 as they pass through oscillations in a spatially limited region. Fundamental and second harmonic standing Alfven waves are observed simultaneously on the same field line. The periods are consistent with model predictions when the measured plasma composition, which by mass consists mainly of singly ionized oxygen, is taken into account.

Singer, H. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Ultraviolet photometer observations of the Saturnian system

Several interesting cloud and atmospheric features of the Saturn system have been observed by the long-wavelength channel of the two-channel ultraviolet photometer aboard the Pioneer Saturn spacecraft. Reported are observations of the most obvious features, including a Titan-associated cloud, a ring cloud, and the variation of atmospheric emission across Saturn's disk. The long-wavelength data for Titan suggest that a cloud of atomic hydrogen extends at least 5 Saturn radii along its orbit and about 1.5 Saturn radii vertically. A ring cloud, thought to be atomic hydrogen, has also been observed by the long-wavelength channel of the photometer; it shows significant enhancement in the vicinity of the B ring. Finally, spatially resolved observations of Saturn's disk show significant latitudinal variation. Possible explanations of the variation include aurora or limb brightening.

Judge, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Observations of interstellar H2O emission at 183 gigahertz

Observations of the 183-GHz rotational transition of water vapor in interstellar molecular clouds are reported. The observations were made with a portable double-sideband superheterodyne radiometer used with the 91-cm Cassegrain telescope on board the Kuiper Airborne Observatory. An emission feature was detected in the direction of the Kleinmann-Low nebula in Orion with a peak antenna temperature of 15 K, a local standard of rest velocity of 8 km/sec, and a width of 15 km/sec. A plateau component of the emission profile is attributed to the 1-arcmin region characteristic of plateau emission from other observed molecules, with emission enhanced over that expected for thermal excitation, while the spike component observed is consistent with an optically thick source of the size of the molecular ridge in Orion at a temperature of 50 K and a column density greater than or equal to 3 x 10 to the 17th/sq cm, implying that H2O is one of the more abundant species in the Orion Molecular Cloud. Emission at 183 GHz was not detected in Sgr A, Sgr B2, W3, W43, W49, W51, DR 21, NGC 1333, NGC 7027, GL 2591 or the Rho Oph cloud; it may have been detected in M 17.

Waters, J. W.↗