42,185 research outputs found
A-3 scientific results - extragalactic
The results of the HEAO A-3 experiment are summarized. Specific contributions of the experiment to extragalactic astronomy are emphasized. The discovery of relatively condensed X-ray emission in the cores of those clusters of galaxies which are dominated by a giant elliptical or cD galaxy, the discovery of extended X-ray emitting plasma in groups of galaxies, and the demonstration that BL Lac objects are a class of X-ray sources are among the topics discussed
Transformations from an oblate spheroid to a plane and vice versa: The equations used in the cartographic projection program MAP2
The relationships between the coordinates of a point on the surface on an oblate spheroid and the coordinates of the projection of that point in several common map projections are discussed. Because several of the projections are conformal, the theory of conformally mapping an oblate spheroid to the plane is summarized. For each projection considered, the equations which map the spheroid to the plane and their inverses are given
Development of high resolution imaging detectors for x ray astronomy
This final report summarizes our past activities and discusses the work performed over the period of 1 April 1990 through 1 April 1991 on x-ray optics, soft x-ray (0.1 - 10 KeV) imaging detectors, and hard x-ray (10 - 300 KeV) imaging detectors. If microchannel plates (MCPs) can be used to focus x-rays with a high efficiency and good angular resolution, they will revolutionize the field of x-ray optics. An x-ray image of a point source through an array of square MCP pores compared favorably with our ray tracing model for the MCP. Initial analysis of this image demonstrates the feasibility of MCPs for soft x-rays. Our work continues with optimizing the performance of our soft x-ray MCP imaging detectors. This work involves readout technology that should provide improved MCP readout devices (thin film crossed grid, curved, and resistive sheets), defect removal in MCPs, and photocathode optimization. In the area of hard x-ray detector development we have developed two different techniques for producing a CsI photocathode thickness of 10 to 100 microns, such that it is thick enough to absorb the high energy x-rays and still allow the photoelectrons to escape to the top MCP of a modified soft x-ray imaging detector. The methods involve vacuum depositing a thick film of CsI on a strong back, and producing a converter device that takes the place of the photocathode
Quasi-isometric classification of non-geometric 3-manifold groups
We describe the quasi-isometric classification of fundamental groups of
irreducible non-geometric 3-manifolds which do not have "too many" arithmetic
hyperbolic geometric components, thus completing the quasi-isometric
classification of 3--manifold groups in all but a few exceptional cases.Comment: Minor revision (added footnote in the Introduction
Novel applications of the NASA/GSFC Viterbi decoder hardware simulator
The NASA/GSFC developed an all digital, real time, programmable Viterbi decoder simulator operating at rates up to 6 Msps. With this simulator, the bit error rate (BER) performance of convolutionally encoded/Viterbi decoded Shuttle-TDRSS return link channels under pulsed radio frequency interference (RFI) conditions has been predicted. The principles of the simulator are described with special emphasis on the channel simulator and the essential interaction between CLASS software and the simulator. The sensitivity of coded BER as function of several illustrative RFI parameters is discussed for two typical Shuttle-TDRSS return link configurations
The structure of Herbig-Haro object 43 and Orion dark cloud extinction
New ultraviolet and optical observations of Herbig-Haro Object No. 43 are reported. Continuum and emission line fluxes in the range 1250 A equal to or less than lambda equal to less than 7350A have been measured. The continuum fluxes are best matched by an enhanced H two photon component added to H free bound emission, assuming theta Ori extinction curve with E(B-V) = 0.2, R = 5. The strucutre and dynamics of three components within the object are discussed. The object has a radiative output of equal to or greater than 0.23 infrared luminosity in ultraviolet and optical radiation combined. The energy requirements are discussed in terms of the production of shock waves by a collimated, supersonic mass outflow from a nearby infrared source
Anthropic prediction in a large toy landscape
The successful anthropic prediction of the cosmological constant depends
crucially on the assumption of a flat prior distribution. However, previous
calculations in simplified landscape models showed that the prior distribution
is staggered, suggesting a conflict with anthropic predictions. Here we
analytically calculate the full distribution, including the prior and anthropic
selection effects, in a toy landscape model with a realistic number of vacua,
. We show that it is possible for the fractal prior
distribution we find to behave as an effectively flat distribution in a wide
class of landscapes, depending on the regime of parameter space. Whether or not
this possibility is realized depends on presently unknown details of the
landscape.Comment: 13 page
Exploratory studies of contact angle hysteresis, wetting of solidified rare gases and surface properties of mercury Final report
Contact angle hysteresis, wetting of solidified rare gases, and surface properties of mercur
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