369 research outputs found
Effect of Transition Aerodynamics on Aeroassist Flight Experiment Trajectories
Various transition methods are used here to study the viscous effects encountered in low density, hypersonic flight, through the transition from free molecular to continuum flow. Methods utilizing Viking data, Shuttle Orbiter data, a Potter number parameter, and a Shock Reynolds number were implemented in the Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories (POST). Simulations of the Aeroassist Flight Experiment (AFE) using open loop guidance were used to assess the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle. A bank angle was found for each transition method that would result in a 200 nautical-mile apogee. Once this was done, the open loop guidance was replaced by the proposed guidance algorithm for the AFE. Simulations were again conducted using that guidance and the different transitions for comparison. For the gains used, the guidance system showed some sensitivity in apogee altitude to the transition method assumed, but the guidance was able to successfully complete the mission
High mass star formation in the infrared dark cloud G11.11-0.12
We report detection of moderate to high-mass star formation in an infrared
dark cloud (G11.11-0.12) where we discovered class II methanol and water maser
emissions at 6.7 GHz and 22.2 GHz, respectively. We also observed the object in
ammonia inversion transitions. Strong emission from the (3,3) line indicates a
hot (~60 K) compact component associated with the maser emission. The line
width of the hot component (4 km/s), as well as the methanol maser detection,
are indicative of high mass star formation. To further constrain the physical
parameters of the source, we derived the spectral energy distribution (SED) of
the dust continuum by analysing data from the 2MASS survey, HIRAS, MSX, the
Spitzer Space Telescope, and interferometric 3mm observations. The SED was
modelled in a radiative transfer program: a) the stellar luminosity equals 1200
L_sun corresponding to a ZAMS star of 8 M_sun; b) the bulk of the envelope has
a temperature of 19 K; c) the mass of the remnant protostellar cloud in an area
8x10^17 cm or 15 arcsec across amounts to 500M_sun, if assuming standard dust
of the diffuse medium, and to about 60 M_sun, should the grains be fluffy and
have ice mantles; d) the corresponding visual extinction towards the star is a
few hundred magnitudes. The near IR data can be explained by scattering from
tenuous material above a hypothetical disk. The class II methanol maser lines
are spread out in velocity over 11 km/s. To explain the kinematics of the
masing spots, we propose that they are located in a Kepler disk at a distance
of about 250 AU. The dust temperatures there are around 150 K, high enough to
evaporate methanol--containing ice mantles.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, Accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysics Journa
Kentucky Annual Economic Report 2019
This report is one of the important ways that the Center for Business and Economic Research fulfills its mission as specified in the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS 164.738) to examine various aspects of the Kentucky economy. The analysis and data presented here cover a variety of topics that range from an economic forecast for Kentucky in 2019 to a broad presentation of factors affecting the economy
Physical characterisation of southern massive star-forming regions using Parkes NH observations
We have undertaken a Parkes ammonia spectral line study, in the lowest two
inversion transitions, of southern massive star formation regions, including
young massive candidate protostars, with the aim of characterising the earliest
stages of massive star formation. 138 sources from the submillimetre continuum
emission studies of Hill et al., were found to have robust (1,1) detections,
including two sources with two velocity components, and 102 in the (2,2)
transition.
We determine the ammonia line properties of the sources: linewidth, flux
density, kinetic temperature, NH column density and opacity, and revisit
our SED modelling procedure to derive the mass for 52 of the sources. By
combining the continuum emission information with ammonia observations we
substantially constrain the physical properties of the high-mass clumps. There
is clear complementarity between ammonia and continuum observations for
derivations of physical parameters.
The MM-only class, identified in the continuum studies of Hill et al.,
display smaller sizes, mass and velocity dispersion and/or turbulence than
star-forming clumps, suggesting a quiescent prestellar stage and/or the
formation of less massive stars.Comment: 20 pages, 9 Figures, 1 appendix (to appear in full online only, a
sample appendix in the paper); 7 tables. Accepted by MNRA
Methanol masers probing the ordered magnetic field of W75N
The role of magnetic fields during the protostellar phase of high-mass
star-formation is a debated topic. In particular, it is still unclear how
magnetic fields influence the formation and dynamic of disks and outflows. Most
current information on magnetic fields close to high-mass protostars comes from
H2O and OH maser observations. Recently, the first 6.7 GHz methanol maser
polarization observations were made, and they reveal strong and ordered
magnetic fields. The morphology of the magnetic field during high-mass
star-formation needs to be investigated on small scales, which can only be done
using very long baseline interferometry observations. The massive star-forming
regionW75N contains three radio sources and associated masers, while a
large-scale molecular bipolar outflow is also present. Polarization
observations of the 6.7 GHz methanol masers at high angular resolution probe
the strength and structure of the magnetic field and determine its relation to
the outflow. Eight of the European VLBI network antennas were used to measure
the linear polarization and Zeeman-splitting of the 6.7 GHz methanol masers in
the star-forming region W75N. We detected 10 methanol maser features, 4 of
which were undetected in previous work. All arise near the source VLA1 of W75N.
The linear polarization of the masers reveals a tightly ordered magnetic field
over more than 2000 AU around VLA1 that is exactly aligned with the large-scale
molecular outflow. This is consistent with the twisted magnetic field model
proposed for explaining dust polarization observations. The Zeeman-splitting
measured on 3 of the maser features indicates a dynamically important magnetic
field in the maser region of the order of 50mG. We suggest VLA1 is the powering
sources of the bipolar outflow.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysic
The properties and polarization of the H2O and CH3OH maser environment of NGC7538-IRS1
NGC7538 is a complex massive star-forming region. The region is composed of
several radio continuum sources, one of which is IRS1, a high-mass protostar,
from which a 0.3 pc molecular bipolar outflow was detected. Several maser
species have been detected around IRS1. The CH3OH masers have been suggested to
trace a Keplerian-disk, while the H2O masers are almost aligned to the outflow.
More recent results suggested that the region hosts a torus and potentially a
disk, but with a different inclination than the Keplerian-disk that is supposed
to be traced by the CH3OH masers. Tracing the magnetic field close to
protostars is fundamental for determining the orientation of the disk/torus.
Recent studies showed that during the protostellar phase of high-mass star
formation the magnetic field is oriented along the outflows and around or on
the surfaces of the disk/torus. The observations of polarized maser emissions
at milliarcsecond resolution can make a crucial contribution to understanding
the orientation of the magnetic field and, consequently, the orientation of the
disk/torus in NGC7538-IRS1. The NRAO Very Long Baseline Array was used to
measure the linear polarization and the Zeeman-splitting of the 22GHz H2O
masers toward NGC7538-IRS1. The European VLBI Network and the MERLIN telescopes
were used to measure the linear polarization and the Zeeman-splitting of the
6.7GHz CH3OH masers toward the same region. We detected 17 H2O masers and 49
CH3OH masers at high angular resolution. We detected linear polarization
emission toward two H2O masers and toward twenty CH3OH masers. The CH3OH
masers, most of which only show a core structure, seem to trace rotating and
potentially infalling gas in the inner part of a torus. Significant
Zeeman-splitting was measured in three CH3OH masers. [...] We also propose a
new description of the structure of the NGC7538-IRS1 maser region.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, 4 Tables, accepted by Astronomy & Astrophysic
Dynamics of the 6.7 and 12.2 GHz methanol masers around Cepheus A HW2
The 6.7 GHz methanol maser is exclusively associated with high-mass star
formation. However, it remains unclear what structures harbour the methanol
masers. Cepheus A is one of the closest regions of massive star formation,
making it an excellent candidate for detailed studies. We determine the
dynamics of maser spots in the high-mass star-forming region Cepheus A in order
to infer where and when the maser emission occurs. Very long baseline
interferometry (VLBI) observations of the 6.7 and 12.2 GHz methanol masers
allows for mapping their spatial and velocity distribution. Phase-referencing
is used to determine the astrometric positions of the maser emission, and
multi-epoch observations can reveal 3D motions. The 6.7 GHz methanol masers are
found in a filamentary structure over ~1350 AU, straddling the waist of the
radio jet HW2. The positions agree well with previous observations of both the
6.7 and 12.2 GHz methanol masers. The velocity field of the maser spots does
not show any sign of rotation, but is instead consistent with an infall
signature. The 12.2 GHz methanol masers are closely associated with the 6.7 GHz
methanol masers, and the parallax that we derive confirms previous
measurements. We show that the methanol maser emission very likely arises in a
shock interface in the equatorial region of Cepheus A HW2 and presents a model
in which the maser emission occurs between the infalling gas and the accretion
disk/process.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures; accepted for publication in Astronomy and
Astrophysic
Millimetre Science with the Upgraded Australia Telescope
A new astronomical window into the southern skies has been opened with the
high-frequency upgrade to the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), which
allows radio-interferometric mapping of sources at wavelengths as short as 3mm.
In anticipation of the upgrade's completion, a two-day workshop was held at the
University of Melbourne in November 2001. The workshop covered a diverse range
of fields, tied together by a common theme of identifying key areas where ATCA
observations can have an impact. More than half of the talks were concerned
with molecular clouds and star formation, with the remainder covering topics
such as molecular gas in the Galactic Centre, Seyfert nuclei, and high-redshift
objects. Some early results from the 3mm and 12mm prototype systems were also
presented. In consultation with the speakers, we are presenting in this article
a summary of the talks. The original slides are available at
http://www.atnf.csiro.au/whats_on/workshops/mm_science2001/ .Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, summary of a workshop held in Melbourne in 2001
Nov., to appear in PASA, minor correction
How do methanol masers manage to appear in the youngest star vicinities and isolated molecular clumps?
General characteristics of methanol (CH3OH) maser emission are summarized. It
is shown that methanol maser sources are concentrated in the spiral arms. Most
of the methanol maser sources from the Perseus arm are associated with embedded
stellar clusters and a considerable portion is situated close to compact HII
regions. Almost 1/3 of the Perseus Arm sources lie at the edges of optically
identified HII regions which means that massive star formation in the Perseus
Arm is to a great extent triggered by local phenomena. A multiline analysis of
the methanol masers allows us to determine the physical parameters in the
regions of maser formation. Maser modelling shows that class II methanol masers
can be pumped by the radiation of the warm dust as well as by free-free
emission of a hypercompact region hcHII with a turnover frequency exceeding 100
GHz. Methanol masers of both classes can reside in the vicinity of hcHIIs.
Modelling shows that periodic changes of maser fluxes can be reproduced by
variations of the dust temperature by a few percent which may be caused by
variations in the brightness of the central young stellar object reflecting the
character of the accretion process. Sensitive observations have shown that the
masers with low flux densities can still have considerable amplification
factors. The analysis of class I maser surveys allows us to identify four
distinct regimes that differ by the series of their brightest lines.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, invited presentation at IAU242 "Astrophysical
Masers and their environments
Semi-supervised prediction of protein interaction sentences exploiting semantically encoded metrics
Protein-protein interaction (PPI) identification is an integral component of many biomedical research and database curation tools. Automation of this task through classification is one of the key goals of text mining (TM). However, labelled PPI corpora required to train classifiers are generally small. In order to overcome this sparsity in the training data, we propose a novel method of integrating corpora that do not contain relevance judgements. Our approach uses a semantic language model to gather word similarity from a large unlabelled corpus. This additional information is integrated into the sentence classification process using kernel transformations and has a re-weighting effect on the training features that leads to an 8% improvement in F-score over the baseline results. Furthermore, we discover that some words which are generally considered indicative of interactions are actually neutralised by this process
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