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At least 19 records

Can the Exosat observations of DA white dwarfs be explained by layered atmospheric structures?

It is demonstrated that the Exosat broadband filter observations of DA white dwarfs, which have recently been interpreted with homogeneously mixed H/He atmospheres (Jordan et al, 1987; Paerels and Heise, 1989), can be explained with stratified theoretical models. In these models a very thin H layer is floating on top of the underlying He. The transition zone is determined by diffusive equilibrium. The resulting total hydrogen-layer masses are in the range (3-500) x 10 to the -16th solar mass. Several arguments are discussed that could lead to a decision about the correct interpretation, but a final answer is not possible.

Koester, D.↗

Extreme ultraviolet observations of HZ 43 and the local H/He ratio with the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope

We present a spectrum of the hot DA white dwarf HZ 43 in the EUV, near the 504-A ionization edge of neutral helium, obtained with the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT) during the 1990 December Astro-1 mission. The interstellar column densities derived from this spectrum rule out the anomalous interstellar absorption model proposed by Heise et al.(1991), which required a greater column density of neutral helium than neutral hydrogen toward HZ 43 in order to explain the low EUV flux from HZ 43 reported by EXOSAT. Instead, we find the interstellar neutral H/He ratio toward HZ 43 to be consistent with the canonical cosmic abundance ratio of 10 or with the 11.6 +/- 1.0 ratio measured by HUT along the line of sight toward another DA white dwarf, G191-B2B. The HUT observations suggest that either there is a substantial calibration error in the EXOSAT spectroscopy of HZ 43, or otherwise undetected metals in the nominally pure hydrogen HZ 43 atmosphere suppress its flux between 150 and 300 A, or both.

Kimble, Randy A.↗

Astro2020 APC White Paper Project: The Simons Observatory

The Simons Observatory (SO) is a ground-based cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiment sited on Cerro Toco in the Atacama Desert in Chile that promises to provide breakthrough discoveries in fundamental physics, cosmology, and astrophysics. Supported by the Simons Foundation, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and with contributions from collaborating institutions, SO will see first light in 2021 and start a five year survey in 2022. SO has 287 collaborators from 12 countries and 53 institutions, including 85 students and 90 postdocs. The SO experiment in its currently funded form (‘SO-Nominal’) consists of three 0.4 m Small Aperture Telescopes (SATs) and one 6 m Large Aperture Telescope (LAT). Optimized for minimizing systematic errors in polarization measurements at large angular scales, the SATs will perform a deep, degree-scale survey of 10% of the sky to search for the signature of primordial gravitational waves. The LAT will survey 40% of the sky with arc-minute resolution. These observations will measure (or limit) the sum of neutrino masses, search for light relics, measure the early behavior of Dark Energy, and refine our understanding of the intergalactic medium, clusters and the role of feedback in galaxy formation. With up to ten times the sensitivity and five times the angular resolution of the Planck satellite, and roughly an order of magnitude increase in mapping speed over currently operating (“Stage 3”) experiments, SO will measure the CMB temperature and polarization fluctuations to exquisite precision in six frequency bands from 27 to 280 GHz. SO will rapidly advance CMB science while informing the design of future observatories such as CMB-S4. Construction of SO-Nominal is fully funded, and operations and data analysis are funded for part of the planned five-year observations. We will seek federal funding to complete the observations and analysis of SO-Nominal, at the $25M level. The SO has a low risk and cost efficient upgrade path – the 6 m LAT can accommodate almost twice the baseline number of detectors and the SATs can be duplicated at low cost. We will seek funding at the $75M level for an expansion of the SO (‘SO-Enhanced’) that fills the remaining focal plane in the LAT, adds three SATs, and extends operations by five years, substantially improving our science return. By this time SO may be operating as part of the larger CMB-S4 project. This white paper summarizes and extends material presented in, which describes the science goals of SO-Nominal, and which describe the instrument design.

Abitbol, Maximilian H.↗

The application of space program fire retardant technology to housing

A review of the NASA fire research and developed fire retardant materials is presented with the objective to analyze and evaluate the concepts and materials to determine the practical applicability to the housing industry. The report presents the NASA materials, their performance in a fire environment and areas where further evaluation is required. The review establishes where advancements in the state of the art have been achieved and points out reasons why these advancements can not be directly applied to the housing industry in the near future.

Riccitiello, S. R.↗

X-ray observations of Cyg X-1 with ANS

The equipment, method and results of the measurements performed with soft and hard X-ray detectors of the Space Research Laboratory in Utrecht and the Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass., are described. Cyg X-1 underwent an upward transition in its intensity, that seems to be the inverse of the downward transition seen by Uhuru in April 1971. The bulk of the increase, as observed by the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite instruments, from May 1 to May 8, 1975, occurs at low energy: between 1 and 2 keV, the intensity increased by a factor of 10 over the November 1974 intensity, while above 8 keV there is no significant change. The data suggest that Cyg X-1 has reverted to its high state.

Heise, J.↗

ANS results on X-ray binaries

A short description is given of the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite ANS and the X-ray instruments of the Space Research Laboratory in Utrecht. ANS observed in February 1975 a soft _ KeV) X-ray flux in Her-x-I during the 'off'-state with an intensity of a factor I0 lower than observed previously in the 'on'-state. The measured uncorrected intensity is (1.1 ± 0.2)10^(-11) ergs/sq.cm sec in 0.2 - 0.28 keV at earth. The ANS observations on Cyg-X-I are summarized. Duping the May 75 flaring state a very high intensity at 0.5 keV is measured consistent with a power-law Ph0ton-spectrum with index 3.5 and an interstellar absorption of 7.10^(21) atoms/sq.cm, but not consistent with spectra that show an additional cut-off below 1KeV and an absorption of 7 10^(21) atoms/sq.cm. Intensity changes on a time scale of minutes, as observed in Cyg-X-1 lowstate, are not observed during the flaring state.

J. Heise↗

Evidence for X-ray emission from flare stars observed by ANS

Observations that detected the first X-ray emission from flare stars are described. An X-ray flare was detected from YZ CMi at 0.28 keV and approximately 1-7 keV, although no optical or radio coverage was available. During a very large optical flare from UV Ceti, X-ray emission at (only) 0.28 keV was detected. Upper limits for X-ray emission from several small optical flares of UV Ceti are presented. Implications for X-ray flare models, the diffuse X-ray background, and low-energy cosmic-ray flux are mentioned.

Heise, J.↗

Observations of X-rays from flare stars with ANS

Observations during which X-ray emission from flare stars was detected for the first time, are described. An X-ray flare was detected from YZ CMi at 0.28 keV and 1-7 keV, although no optical or radio coverage was available. During a very large optical flare from UV Ceti, X-ray emission at 0.28 keV only was detected. Upper limits for X-ray emission from several small optical flares of UV Ceti are obtained. Implications for X-ray flare models, the diffuse X-ray background, and low-energy cosmic-ray flux are examined.

Grindlay, J.↗

Discovery of intense X-ray bursts from the globular cluster NGC 6624

A new type of time variation of cosmic X-ray sources has been found from the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite (ANS) observations of the source 3U 1820-30, associated with the globular cluster NGC 6624. Two bursts in the 1-30 keV X-ray intensity of this source are reported. Each displayed a rapid rise in flux (no more than 1 s) by a factor of 20-30 followed by an approximately 8-s exponential decay. These bursts appear to be qualitatively different from short time variations previously reported for X-ray sources. Analysis for further source variability, energy spectra, and position is presented. The characteristics of these events may imply the existence of a collapsed core in the globular cluster.

Grindlay, J.↗

ANS observations of Cygnus X-1

Cygnus X-1 was observed from 3 November until 9 November 1974, using the hard X-ray (1-28 keV) and soft X-ray (1-8 keV) experiment on board the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite. On three occasions, on 4 and 5 November, the X-ray spectrum was observed to be harder, while the flux intensity in the 1-7 keV ranges decreased by about 50% from its quiescent value. These events occurred near and following the time of superior conjunction of the likely optical counterpart HDE 226 868. These events appear to be the same as previously reported absorption dips and reveal this phenomenon to be more complex than had been believed. A systematic study of the X-ray spectral variations in these energy bands, on a time scale of 64 seconds over the period of the spectroscopic binary, is presented.

Parsignault, D. R.↗

New X-ray and radio observations of the galaxy cluster A2319

A significantly improved position for the X-ray source 3U 1921 + 43 has been obtained by ANS and Uhuru. The combined ANS-Uhuru error box is only about 7 by 7 arcmin and is centered on the cD galaxy in the Abell 2319 cluster of galaxies. Radio observations of this cluster indicate that the emission at 610 MHz includes several discrete sources and a weak extended component. This strengthens the general association between extended radio halos and X-ray emission from clusters of galaxies. The radio halo fills the X-ray error box and is consistent with the limits reported for the angular size of the X-ray source

Grindlay, J. E.↗

X-ray spectrum of Capella and its relation to coronal structure and ultraviolet emission

The binary system Capella has been observed on 1979 March 15 and on 1980 March 15-17, with the objective grating spectrometer on board the Einstein Observatory. The spectrum measured with the 1000 1/mm grating covers the range 5-30 A with a resolution less than 1 A. The spectra show evidence for a bimodal temperature distribution of emission measure in an optically thin plasma with one component about 5,000,000 K and the other one about 10,000,000 K. Spectral features can be identified with line emissions from O VIII, Fe XVII, Fe XVIII, Fe XXIV, and Ne X ions. Good spectral fits have been obtained assuming standard cosmic abundances. The data are interpreted in terms of emission from hot static coronal loops rather similar to the magnetic arch structures found on the sun. It is shown that the conditions for such a model can exist on Capella. Typical values of loop base pressure and half-length are derived for both temperature components and discussed in relation to UV observations.

Mewe, R.↗

Simultaneous Exosat and VLA observations of the contact binaries VW Cephei and XY Leonis - Quiescent emission and a flare on VW Cephei

Two W UMa-type contact binaries, XY Leo and VW Cep, were observed simultaneously with Exosat, the VLA, and, in the case of XY Leo, optically. The temporal coverage of each star was sufficient to monitor them throughout two orbital revolutions (P about 0.27 days); however, no orbital modulation of either the X-ray or 6 cm data was seen for either star, indicating large emitting regions. A large flare from VW Cep was detected, the best such simultaneous flare data ever obtained from a star other than the sun. Its behavior before, during, and after the flare was remarkably similar to that found in solar flares, although at 6 cm this flare on VW Cep was about 10,000 times more luminous than typical strong solar flares. For both stars, it is demonstrated that the 6 cm emission cannot be the result of bremsstrahlung radiation of the X-ray emitting plasma; in fact, it is shown, in the case of the VW Cep flare, that the 6 cm emission is consistent with gyrosynchrotron radiation from a source region of order of the system separation.

Vilhu, Osmi↗

Simultaneous Exosat and VLA observations of the W UMa binaries, VW Cep and XY Leo - A flare on VW Cep

Two UMa-type contact binaries, XY Leo and VW Cep, have been observed simultaneously with Exosat, the VLA, and, in the case of XY Leo, optically. The temporal coverage of each star was sufficient to monitor them throughout two orbital revolutions (P about 0.25 days), however, no orbital modulation of either the X-ray or 6-cm data was seen for either star. A large flare from VW Cep was detected, the first such simultaneous flare ever seen on a star other than the sun. Its behavior before, during, and after the flare is remarkably similar to that found in solar flares. For both stars, it is demonstrated that the 6-cm emission cannot be the result of bremsstrahlung radiation of the X-ray emitting plasma.

Vilhu, Osmi↗

Micro Channel/Multibus-II Interface Circuit

Micro Channel/Multibus-II interface circuit provides electrical interconnections enabling communications between Micro Channels of IBM Personal System/2 computers and IEEE 1296 standard Multibus-II parallel system bus (iPSB). Made mostly of commercially available parts, interface enables independent Micro Channels to communicate over iPSB without modification.

D'Ambrose, John J.↗

Simultaneous soft and hard X-ray spectroscopy of AM Herculis with EXOSAT: Discovery of photospheric absorption features

We present 0.1-10 keV spectroscopic observations of AM Herculis obtained with the Transmission Grating Spectrometers and Medium Energy experiments on EXOSAT, taken when the object was in its 'reversed X-ray mode.' The observation covers over six binary orbits without interruption, enabling us to analyze the phase and intensity dependence of both the hard and the soft spectrum simultaneously. We resolve the optically thick soft X-ray spectrum, and find definite evidence for time- and phase-dependent photospheric absorption structure arising in the white dwarf atmosphere. We present a simple empirical analysis of the combined soft and hard X-ray spectra, to examine whether the effect of a better determination of the column density of neutral absorbing material, afforded by our data, would solve the problem of the large relative soft X-ray overluminosity previously observed in AM Her. We find that a single absorbing column fits the entire spectrum, and that the column densities implied are indeed substantially lower than previously estimated. However, during half the binary orbit we still determine a strong lower limit to the soft-to-hard luminosity ratio of L(sub soft)/L(sub hard) is greater than or approximately equal to 10, in conflict with the simple radiative shock models for the accretion region. We argue that this indicates the need to reexamine the luminosity problem using explicit models for the emission spectrum based on a full solution of the atmospheric radiative transfer problem.

Paerels, Frits↗

RX J0045.4+4154: A recurrent supersoft x-ray transient in M31

Using data extracted from the ROSAT archive we have discovered a recurrent supersoft X-ray transient RX J0045.4+4154 in M31. The first outburst began on 1992 February 2 and continued for at least 4 days, until the end of the observation sequence. A second outburst that lasted more than 6 days was seen to begin on 1993 January 7. The X-ray spectrum on both occasions yields a characteristic blackbody temperature of approximately 90 eV. For a range of plausible continuum models, the hydrogen column density is (0.8-1.5) x 10(exp 21)/sq cm and is consistent with the source being located in M31. This implies an unabsorbed 0.1-2.0 keV peak luminosity of approximately 10(exp 38) ergs/sec. This is the first recurrent X-ray transient to be found in M31 and is particularly notable because it is much softer than the bright X-ray transients seen in our Galaxy. The spectrum is characteristic of the supersoft class of X-ray sources, which are thought to be accreting white dwarfs that have a hydrogen-burning surface layer. A fit to a white dwarf model atmosphere gives a temperature of 10(exp 6)K, the hottest found so far. This high temperature is consistent with a white dwarf mass of 1.3-1.4 solar mass, approaching the Chandrasekhar limit, and burning close to the nuclear stability limit.

White, N. E.↗