17,916 research outputs found
Granulation across the HR diagram
We have obtained ultra-high quality spectra (R=180,000; S/N>300) with
unprecedented wavelength coverage (4400 to 7400 A) for a number of stars
covering most of the HR diagram in order to test the predictions of models of
stellar surface convection. Line bisectors and core wavelength shifts are both
measured and modeled, allowing us to validate and/or reveal the limitations of
state-of-the-art hydrodynamic model atmospheres of different stellar
parameters. We show the status of our project and preliminary results.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; proceedings article for Joint Discussion 10 at
the IAU General Assembly, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 200
O/Fe in metal-poor main sequence and subgiant stars
A study of the O/Fe ratio in metal-poor main sequence and subgiant stars is
presented using the [OI] 6300A line, the OI 7774A triplet, and a selection of
weak FeII lines observed on high-resolution spectra acquired with the VLT UVES
spectrograph. The [OI] line is detected in the spectra of 18 stars with -0.5 <
[Fe/H] < -2.4, and the triplet is observed for 15 stars with [Fe/H] ranging
from -1.0 to -2.7. The abundance analysis was made first using standard model
atmospheres taking into account non-LTE effects on the triplet: the [OI] line
and the triplet give consistent results with [O/Fe] increasing quasi-linearly
with decreasing [Fe/H] reaching [O/Fe] ~ +0.7 at [Fe/H] = -2.5. When
hydrodynamical model atmospheres representing stellar granulation in dwarf and
subgiant stars replace standard models, the [O/Fe] from the [OI] and FeII lines
is decreased by an amount which increases with decreasing [Fe/H]. The [O/Fe] vs
[Fe/H] relation remains quasi-linear extending to [O/Fe] ~ +0.5 at [Fe/H] =
-2.5, but with a tendency of a plateau with [O/Fe] ~ +0.3 for -2.0 < [Fe/H] <
-1.0, and a hint of cosmic scatter in [O/Fe] at [Fe/H] ~ -1.0. Use of the
hydrodynamical models disturbs the broad agreement between the oxygen
abundances from the [OI], OI, and OH lines, but 3D non-LTE effects may serve to
erase these differences.Comment: ps file, 18 pages (including 10 figures) - Accepted for publication
in A&
Demonstration of a sterilizable solid rocket motor system
A solid propellant rocket motor containing 60.9 Kg (134-lb) of propellant was successfully static fired after being subjected to eight heat sterilization cycles (three 54-hour cycles plus five 40-hour cycles) at 125 C (257 F). The test motor, a modified SVM-3 chamber, incorporated a flexible grain retention system of EPR rubber to relieve thermal shrinkage stresses. The propellant used in the motor was ANB-3438, and 84 wt% solids system (18 wt% aluminum) containing 66 wt% stabilized ammonium perchlorate oxidizer and a saturated hydroxylterminated polybutadiene binder. Bonding of the propellant to the EPR insulation (GenGard V-4030) was provided by the use of SD-886, an epoxy urethane restriction
A SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR EVALUATING ON-FARM SITE-SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT TRIALS: A CASE STUDY WITH VARIABLE RATE MANURE AND CROP QUALITY RESPONSE TO INPUTS
Site-specific application of manure has the potential to improve crop production and environmental quality. If manure is applied where it is needed, in the quantity required by the crop, over application, with attendant runoff and leaching problems can be reduced. To implement this approach growers need site-specific crop response information. Increasing availability of site-specific yield information offers a way to estimate such crop responses. The objective of this study is to develop a methodology for estimating site-specific response of corn and soybeans to manure given soil test information, and to use that methodology to analyze an on-farm manure management trial conducted near Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Both quantity and quality of the crop is considered.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,
Nucleosynthesis and mixing on the Asymptotic Giant Branch. III. Predicted and observed s-process abundances
We present the results of s-process nucleosynthesis calculations for AGB
stars of different metallicities and initial masses. The computations were
based on previously published stellar evolutionary models that account for the
III dredge up phenomenon occurring late on the AGB. Neutron production is
driven by the 13C(alpha,n)16O reaction during the interpulse periods in a tiny
layer in radiative equilibrium at the top of the He- and C-rich shell. The
s-enriched material is subsequently mixed with the envelope by the III dredge
up, and the envelope composition is computed after each thermal pulse. We
follow the changes in the photospheric abundance of the Ba-peak elements (heavy
s, or `hs') and that of the Zr-peak ones (light s, or `ls'), whose logarithmic
ratio [hs/ls] has often been adopted as an indicator of the s-process
efficiency. The theoretical predictions are compared with published abundances
of s elements for Galactic AGB giants of classes MS, S, SC, post-AGB
supergiants, and for various classes of binary stars. The observations in
general confirm the complex dependence of n captures on metallicity. They
suggest that a moderate spread exists in the abundance of 13C that is burnt in
different stars. Although additional observations are needed, a good
understanding has been achieved of s-process operation in AGB. The detailed
abundance distribution including the light elements (CNO) of a few s-enriched
stars at different metallicity are examined.Comment: Accepted for ApJ, 59 pages, 19 figures, 5 table
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