Special-geometry proportional counters and techniques for detection of low-levels of X-rays and beta-particles

The use and sensitivity of the multiwire proportional counter to detect Kr-85 in ambient air are examined. Data also cover monitoring beta and X-ray emitting radio nuclides at low activity levels. Results show the counter to have excellent properties for monitoring Kr-85 down to 0.0004 pCi cu/cm

Angular sensitivities of scintillator slab configurations for location of gamma ray bursts

Thin flat scintillator slabs are a useful means of measuring the angular location of gamma ray fluxes of astronomical interest. A statistical estimate of position error was made of two scintillator systems suitable for gamma ray burst location from a balloon or satellite platform. A single rotating scintillator with associated flux monitor is compared with a pair of stationary orthogonal scintillators. Position error for a strong burst is of the order of a few arcmin if systematic errors are ignored

Partial analysis of experiment LDEF A-0114

Due to delays in manifesting the return of the Long Duration Exposure Facility from space, attention was concentrated on extracting the maximum information from the EIOM-2 (oxygen interaction with materials experiment) flown on STS-8 in September 1983. An analysis was made of the optical surfaces exposed during that flight and an assessment made of the effect of the 5 eV atomic oxygen upon their physical and chemical properties. The surfaces studied were of two types: high-purity thin films sputtered or evaporated onto 2.54-cm diam lambda/20 fused silica optical flats, and highly polished bulk samples. Rapid etching of carbon and carbonaceous surfaces was observed with polycarbonate CR-39 showing the largest etch of any substrate flown and measured. Of the metals tested, only osmium and silver showed large effects, the former being heavily etched and the later forming a very thick layer of oxide. The first measurable effects on iridium, aluminum, nickel, tungsten and niobium thin films are reported

Interaction of Hyperthermal Atoms on Surfaces in Orbit: the University of Alabama Experiment

The University of Alabama experiment which flew on the STS-8 mission had several objectives which were mostly of a speculative nature since so little was known of the processes of interest. The experiment provided original data on: (1) oxidation of metal surfaces; (2) reaction rates of atomic oxygen with carbon and other surfaces and the dependence of these rates on temperature; and (3) the angular distribution of 5 eV atoms scattered off a solid surface. A review of the results is provided

Surface interaction mechanisms of 5eV atomic oxygen: Data analysis from the UAH experiment on STS-8

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) experiment which flew on the STS-8 mission had several objectives which were mostly of a speculative nature since so little was known of the processes of interest. The experiment provided original, if limited, data on: (1) oxidation of metal surfaces, (2) reaction rates of atomic oxygen with carbon and other surfaces and the dependence of these rates on temperature, and (3) the angular distribution of 5eV atoms scattered off a solid surface. Provided is a review of the results, with reference given to fuller published accounts where these are available

Spectra, composition, and interactions of nuclei above 10 TeV using magnet-interferometric chambers

Although the SCIN-MAGIC experiment has, like all ASTROMAG and most other Attached Payload experiments, been 'deselected' from Space Station, it is expected that ultimately such emulsion chambers will be flown on the Station. Some brief studies are described which were made in support of the design efforts for such a program being conducted at NASA Marshall

Control of Variable Watermilfoil in Bashan Lake, CT with 2,4-D: Monitoring of Lake and Well Water.

Variable watermilfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum Michx.) has recently become a problem in Bashan Lake, East Haddam, CT, USA. By 1998, approximately 4 ha of the 110 ha lake was covered with variable watermilfoil. In 1999, the milfoil was spot treated with Aquacide®, an 18% active ingredient of the sodium salt of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid], applied at a rate of 114 kg/ha. Aquacide® was used because labeling regarding domestic water intakes and irrigation limitations prevented the use of Navigate® or AquaKleen®, a 19% active ingredient of the butoxyethyl ester of 2,4-D. Variable watermilfoil was partially controlled in shallow protected coves but little control occurred in deeper more exposed locations. 2,4-D levels in the treatment sites were lower than desired and offsite dilution was rapid. In 2000, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued a special local need (SLN) registration to allow the use of Navigate ® or AquaKleen® in lakes with potable and irrigation water intakes. Navigate® was applied at a rate of 227 kg/ha to the same areas as treated in 1999. An additional 2 ha of variable watermilfoil was treated with Navigate® in 2001, and 0.4 ha was treated in mid-September. Dilution of the 2,4-D ester formulation to untreated areas was slower than with the salt formulation. Concentrations of 2,4-D exceeded 1000 μg/ L in several lake water samples in 2000 but not 2001. Nearly all of the treated variable watermilfoil was controlled in both years. The mid-September treatment appeared as effective as the spring and early summer treatments. Testing of homeowner wells in all 3 years found no detectable levels of 2,4-D.(PDF contains 8 pages.

The production of glow precursors by oxidative erosion of spacecraft surfaces

Erosion rates of organic materials are measured during a recent flight of the shuttle (STS-8). Several forms of carbon and a variety of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers are exposed to the ram beam of atomic oxygen. Arrhenius energies of about 1000 to 2000 cal/mole were measured from the rate dependencies on temperature. If some simple assumptions are made about the chemical nature of the desorbed species, the data can be used to estimate production rates at surfaces in orbit under different conditions of temperature, oxygen atom flux, and material surface conditions