1,069 research outputs found
The Exozodiacal Dust Problem for Direct Observations of ExoEarths
Debris dust in the habitable zones of stars - otherwise known as exozodiacal
dust - comes from extrasolar asteroids and comets and is thus an expected part
of a planetary system. Background flux from the Solar System's zodiacal dust
and the exozodiacal dust in the target system is likely to be the largest
source of astrophysical noise in direct observations of terrestrial planets in
the habitable zones of nearby stars. Furthermore, dust structures like clumps,
thought to be produced by dynamical interactions with exoplanets, are a
possible source of confusion. In this paper, we qualitatively assess the
primary impact of exozodical dust on high-contrast direct imaging at optical
wavelengths, such as would be performed with a coronagraph. Then we present the
sensitivity of previous, current, and near-term facilities to thermal emission
from debris dust at all distances from nearby solar-type stars, as well as our
current knowledge of dust levels from recent surveys. Finally, we address the
other method of detecting debris dust, through high-contrast imaging in
scattered light. This method is currently far less sensitive than thermal
emission observations, but provides high spatial resolution for studying dust
structures. This paper represents the first report of NASA's Exoplanet
Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG).Comment: 21 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in PASP
2012-06-0
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GLAST Large Area Telescope Multiwavelength Opportunities
High-energy gamma-ray sources are inherently nonthermal, multiwavelength objects. With the launch of the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) scheduled for later this year, the GLAST Large Area Telescope (LAT) Collaboration invites cooperative efforts from observers at all wavelengths. Among the many topics where multiwavelength studies will maximize the scientific understanding, two stand out for particular emphasis: (1) Active Galactic Nuclei. The study of AGN gamma-ray jets through time variability and spectral modeling can help link the accretion processes close to the black hole with the large-scale interaction of the AGN with its environment; (2) Unidentified Gamma-ray Sources. New gamma-ray sources need first to be identified with known objects seen at other wavelengths using position, spectrum, or time variability, and then multiwavelength studies can be used to explore the astrophysical implications of high-energy radiation from these sources. Observers interested in any type of coordinated observations should contact the LAT Multiwavelength Coordinating Group
Two-step analytical procedure for the characterization and quantification of metal soaps and resinates in paint samples
Metal soaps and resinates are known to be spontaneously formed in artistic paintings, as a product of the reaction between aliphatic and terpenoid acids released by hydrolysis and oxidation of the organic media and certain cations contained in some inorganic pigments. In this paper we present an optimization and the validation of a GC/MS method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of mixtures of terpenoid acids and aliphatic mono and dicarboxylic acids and metal carboxylates of terpenoid and aliphatic mono and dicarboxylic acids in the same paint microsample. This is based on a two-step analytical approach entailing the subsequent use of two silylating agents, N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide for the analysis of free acids and metal carboxylates, and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane for the analysis of free acids. The application of this approach is possible because of the good stability at room temperature of the TMS derivatives of aliphatic and terpenoid species, characterized by high boiling points and relatively low vapour pressures. The method was then applied to the characterization of samples collected from two reference paint layers aged for 20 years, a paint sample taken from a pulpit, and sample of the varnish coating of a wooden writing desk, both from the second half of the seventeenth century
Long-Term Trends in Phytoplankton Chlorophyll a and Size Structure in the Benguela Upwelling System
This is the final version. Available from American Geophysical Union (AGU) via the DOI in this record.The Benguela Upwelling System (BUS) is among the most productive ecosystems globally, supporting numerous fisheries and ecosystem services in Southern Africa. Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor and Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer-Aqua chlorophyll a (Chla) concentrations between September 1997 and February 2018 were used to investigate long-term trends in phytoplankton biomass and size structure (microphytoplankton [>20 μm], nanophytoplankton [2–20 μm], and picophytoplankton [<2 μm]) in the Northern Benguela, Southern Benguela (SB), and Agulhas Bank (AB) shelf and open ocean regions of the BUS. Trends in upwelling and correlations with Chla and size structure were examined. Increasing Chla and microphytoplankton trends occurred in the Northern Benguela shelf and open ocean, while decreases were evident on the SB shelf in all seasons. In the SB open ocean, small increases occurred during austral winter, with a decrease in spring. On the AB shelf, increases in Chla and microphytoplankton occurred in summer with decreases during the other seasons. Patterns differed in the AB open ocean, with increases in winter and spring and decreases in summer and autumn. Although R 2 values indicated that linear trends accounted for a reasonable portion of the variance, and most trends were statistically significant, they showed only small changes on the shelf domains and little to no change in the open ocean. Strong correlations between upwelling, Chla, and the size classes were observed, but distinct seasonal differences occurred in each region. This is the first 20-year analysis of phytoplankton biomass and community structure in the BUS and provides a baseline against which future changes can be monitored.NERC National Centre for Earth ObservationSouth African National Research Foundation (NRF)South African Department of Environmental Affair
Kepler constraints on planets near hot Jupiters
We present the results of a search for planetary companions orbiting near hot Jupiter planet candidates (Jupiter-size candidates with orbital periods near 3 d) identified in the Kepler data through its sixth quarter of science operations. Special emphasis is given to companions between the 2∶1 interior and exterior mean-motion resonances. A photometric transit search excludes companions with sizes ranging from roughly two-thirds to five times the size of the Earth, depending upon the noise properties of the target
star. A search for dynamically induced deviations from a constant period (transit timing variations) also shows no significant signals. In contrast, comparison studies of warm Jupiters (with slightly larger orbits) and hot Neptune-size candidates do exhibit signatures of additional companions with these same tests. These differences
between hot Jupiters and other planetary systems denote a distinctly different formation or dynamical history
Models for the Comet Dynamical Environment
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76292/1/AIAA-28299-134.pd
IMECE2002-39444 ION ENGINE AND HALL THRUSTER DEVELOPMENT AT THE NASA GLENN RESEARCH CENTER
ABSTRACT NASA's Glenn Research Center has been selected to lead development of NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) system. The central feature of the NEXT system is an electric propulsion thruster (EPT) that inherits the knowledge gained through the NSTAR thruster that successfully propelled Deep Space 1 to asteroid Braille and comet Borrelly, while significantly increasing the thruster power level and making improvements in performance parameters associated with NSTAR. The EPT concept under development has a 40 cm beam diameter, twice the effective area of the Deep-Space 1 thruster, while maintaining a relatively-small volume. It incorporates mechanical features and operating conditions to maximize the design heritage established by the flight NSTAR 30 cm engine, while incorporating new technology where warranted to extend the power and throughput capability. The NASA Hall thruster program currently supports a number of tasks related to high power thruster development for a number of customers including the Energetics Program (formerly called the Space-based Program), the Space Solar Power Program, and the In-space Propulsion Program. In program year 2002, two tasks were central to the NASA Hall thruster program: 1.) the development of a laboratory Hall thruster capable of providing high thrust at high power; 2.) investigations into operation of Hall thrusters at high specific impulse. In addition to these two primary thruster development activities, there are a number of other on-going activities supported by the NASA Hall thruster program. These additional activities are related to issues such as thruster lifetime and spacecraft integration. INTRODUCTION The success of the NASA Solar Electric Propulsion Technology Applications Readiness (NSTAR) program io
The High Voltage Feedthroughs for the ATLAS Liquid Argon Calorimeters
The purpose, design specifications, construction techniques, and testing
methods are described for the high voltage feedthrough ports and filters of the
ATLAS Liquid Argon calorimeters. These feedthroughs carry about 5000 high
voltage wires from a room-temperature environment (300 K) through the cryostat
walls to the calorimeters cells (89 K) while maintaining the electrical and
cryogenic integrity of the system. The feedthrough wiring and filters operate
at a maximum high voltage of 2.5 kV without danger of degradation by corona
discharges or radiation at the Large Hadron Collider
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