3,286 research outputs found
When can gravitational-wave observations distinguish between black holes and neutron stars?
Gravitational-wave observations of compact binaries have the potential to
uncover the distribution of masses and angular momenta of black holes and
neutron stars in the universe. The binary components' physical parameters can
be inferred from their effect on the phasing of the gravitational-wave signal,
but a partial degeneracy between the components' mass ratio and their angular
momenta limits our ability to measure the individual component masses. At the
typical signal amplitudes expected by the Advanced Laser Interferometer
Gravitational-wave Observatory (signal-to-noise ratios between 10 and 20), we
show that it will in many cases be difficult to distinguish whether the
components are neutron stars or black holes. We identify when the masses of the
binary components could be unambiguously measured outside the range of current
observations: a system with a chirp mass M
would unambiguously contain the smallest-mass neutron star observed, and a
system with \mathcal{M} \ge 2.786 \Msun must contain a black hole. However,
additional information would be needed to distinguish between a binary
containing two 1.35 M neutron stars and an exotic
neutron-star--black-hole binary. We also identify those configurations that
could be unambiguously identified as black-hole binaries, and show how the
observation of an electromagnetic counterpart to a neutron-star--black-hole
binary could be used to constrain the black-hole spin.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. Final version to be published in Ap.J.Let
On choosing the start time of binary black hole ringdown
The final stage of a binary black hole merger is ringdown, in which the
system is described by a Kerr black hole with quasinormal mode perturbations.
It is far from straightforward to identify the time at which the ringdown
begins. Yet determining this time is important for precision tests of the
general theory of relativity that compare an observed signal with quasinormal
mode descriptions of the ringdown, such as tests of the no-hair theorem. We
present an algorithmic method to analyze the choice of ringdown start time in
the observed waveform. This method is based on determining how close the strong
field is to a Kerr black hole (Kerrness). Using numerical relativity
simulations, we characterize the Kerrness of the strong-field region close to
the black hole using a set of local, gauge-invariant geometric and algebraic
conditions that measure local isometry to Kerr. We produce a map that
associates each time in the gravitational waveform with a value of each of
these Kerrness measures; this map is produced by following outgoing null
characteristics from the strong and near-field regions to the wave zone. We
perform this analysis on a numerical relativity simulation with parameters
consistent with GW150914- the first gravitational wave detection. We find that
the choice of ringdown start time of after merger used in the
GW150914 study to test general relativity corresponds to a high dimensionless
perturbation amplitude of in the strong-field
region. This suggests that in higher signal-to-noise detections, one would need
to start analyzing the signal at a later time for studies that depend on the
validity of black hole perturbation theory.Comment: 23+4 pages, 22 figure
Puzzling It Out: The Current State of Scientific Knowledge on Pre-Kindergarten Effects - A Consensus Statement
Scientific research has established that if all children are to achieve their developmental potential, it is important to lay the foundation during the earliest years for lifelong health, learning, and positive behavior. A central question is how well our public pre-kindergarten (pre-K) programs are doing to build this foundation.Forty-two states and the District of Columbia, through 57 pre-K programs, have introduced substantial innovations in their early education systems by developing the infrastructure, program sites, and workforce required to accommodate pre-K education. These programs now serve nearly 30 percent of the nation's 4-year-olds and 5 percent of 3-year-olds
A High Power Hydrogen Target for Parity Violation Experiments
Parity-violating electron scattering measurements on hydrogen and deuterium,
such as those underway at the Bates and CEBAF laboratories, require
luminosities exceeding cms, resulting in large beam
power deposition into cryogenic liquid. Such targets must be able to absorb 500
watts or more with minimal change in target density. A 40~cm long liquid
hydrogen target, designed to absorb 500~watts of beam power without boiling,
has been developed for the SAMPLE experiment at Bates. In recent tests with
40~A of incident beam, no evidence was seen for density fluctuations in
the target, at a sensitivity level of better than 1\%. A summary of the target
design and operational experience will be presented.Comment: 13 pages, 9 postscript figure
Proteomic analysis of six- and twelve-month hippocampus and cerebellum in a murine Down syndrome model
This study was designed to investigate the brain proteome of the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome. We profiled the cerebellum and hippocampus proteomes of 6- and 12-month-old trisomic and disomic mice by difference gel electrophoresis. We quantified levels of 2082 protein spots and identified 272 (170 unique UniProt accessions) by mass spectrometry. Four identified proteins are encoded by genes trisomic in the Ts65Dn mouse. Three of these (CRYZL11, EZR, and SOD1) were elevated with p-value \u3c0.05, and 2 proteins encoded by disomic genes (MAPRE3 and PHB) were reduced. Intergel comparisons based on age (6 vs. 12 months) and brain region (cerebellum vs. hippocampus) revealed numerous differences. Specifically, 132 identified proteins were different between age groups, and 141 identified proteins were different between the 2 brain regions. Our results suggest that compensatory mechanisms exist, which ameliorate the effect of trisomy in the Ts65Dn mice. Differences observed during aging may play a role in the accelerated deterioration of learning and memory seen in Ts65Dn mice
An integrated Structure-from-Motion and time-lapse technique for quantifying ice-margin dynamics
Fine resolution topographic data derived from methods such as Structure from Motion (SfM) and Multi-View Stereo (MVS) have the potential to provide detailed observations of geomorphological change, but have thus far been limited by the logistical constraints of conducting repeat surveys in the field. Here, we present the results from an automated time-lapse camera array, deployed around an ice-marginal lake on the western margin of the Greenland ice sheet. Fifteen cameras acquired imagery three-times per day over a 426 day period, yielding a dataset of ~19 000 images. From these data we derived 18 point clouds of the ice-margin across a range of seasons and successfully identified calving events (ranging from 234 to 1475 m2 in area and 815–8725 m3 in volume) induced by ice cliff undercutting at the waterline and the collapse of spalling flakes. Low ambient light levels, locally reflective surfaces and the large survey range hindered analysis of smaller scale ice-margin dynamics. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that an integrated SfM-MVS and time-lapse approach can be employed to generate long-term 3-D topographic datasets and thus quantify ice-margin dynamics at a fine spatio-temporal scale. This approach provides a template for future studies of geomorphological change
Common Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) Software Development for Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) Test Facilities - A General Overview
The advent of the commercial space launch industry and NASA's more recent resumption of operation of Stennis Space Center's large test facilities after thirty years of contractor control resulted in a need for a non-proprietary data acquisition system (DAS) software to support government and commercial testing. The software is designed for modularity and adaptability to minimize the software development effort for current and future data systems. An additional benefit of the software's architecture is its ability to easily migrate to other testing facilities thus providing future commonality across Stennis. Adapting the software to other Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) Centers such as MSFC, White Sands, and Plumbrook Station would provide additional commonality and help reduce testing costs for NASA. Ultimately, the software provides the government with unlimited rights and guarantees privacy of data to commercial entities. The project engaged all RPT Centers and NASA's Independent Verification & Validation facility to enhance product quality. The design consists of a translation layer which provides the transparency of the software application layers to underlying hardware regardless of test facility location and a flexible and easily accessible database. This presentation addresses system technical design, issues encountered, and the status of Stennis' development and deployment
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