5,032 research outputs found
The distance and radius of the neutron star PSR B0656+14
We present the result of astrometric observations of the radio pulsar PSR
B0656+14, made using the Very Long Baseline Array. The parallax of the pulsar
is pi = 3.47 +- 0.36 mas, yielding a distance of 288 +33 -27 pc. This
independent distance estimate has been used to constrain existing models of
thermal x-ray emission from the neutron star's photosphere. Simple blackbody
fits to the x-ray data formally yield a neutron star radius R_inf ~ 7-8.5 km.
With more realistic fits to a magnetized hydrogen atmosphere, any radius
between ~13 and ~20 km is allowed.Comment: 7 pages including 1 figure. Submitted to ApJL. AASte
A novel laser ranging system for measurement of ground-to-satellite distances
A technique was developed for improving the precision of laser ranging measurements of ground-to-satellite distances. The method employs a mode-locked laser transmitter and utilizes an image converter tube equipped with deflection plates in measuring the time of flight of the laser pulse to a distant retroreflector and back. Samples of the outgoing and returning light pulses are focussed on the photocathode of the image converter tube, whose deflection plates are driven by a high-voltage 120 MHz sine wave derived from a very stable oscillator. From the relative positions of the images produced at the output phosphor by the two light pulses, it is possible to make a precise determination of the fractional amount by which the time of flight exceeds some large integral multiple of the period of the deflection sinusoid
Research and education in management of large- scale technical programs Semiannual progress report
Research and education in management of large scale technical programs - education and integration of interdisciplinary tea
Technology and management of large-scale programs Semiannual progress report
Technology and management of large scale program
The cleavage surface of the BaFe_(2-x)Co_(x)As_(2) and Fe_(y)Se_(1-x)Te_(x) superconductors: from diversity to simplicity
We elucidate the termination surface of cleaved single crystals of the
BaFe_(2-x)Co_(x)As_(2) and Fe_(y)Se_(1-x)Te_(x) families of the high
temperature iron based superconductors. By combining scanning tunneling
microscopic data with low energy electron diffraction we prove that the
termination layer of the Ba122 systems is a remnant of the Ba layer, which
exhibits a complex diversity of ordered and disordered structures. The observed
surface topographies and their accompanying superstructure reflections in
electron diffraction depend on the cleavage temperature. In stark contrast,
Fe_(y)Se_(1-x)Te_(x) possesses only a single termination structure - that of
the tetragonally ordered Se_(1-x)Te_(x) layer.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Data systems concepts for space systems, phase 1
Deviations from the traditional spacecraft data systems were studied. A data system architecture was developed from the top down
Antimatter research in Space
Two of the most compelling issues facing astrophysics and cosmology today are
to understand the nature of the dark matter that pervades the universe and to
understand the apparent absence of cosmological antimatter. For both issues,
sensitive measurements of cosmic-ray antiprotons and positrons, in a wide
energy range, are crucial. Many different mechanisms can contribute to
antiprotons and positrons production, ranging from conventional reactions up to
exotic processes like neutralino annihilation. The open problems are so
fundamental (i.e.: is the universe symmetric in matter and antimatter ?) that
experiments in this field will probably be of the greatest interest in the next
years. Here we will summarize the present situation, showing the different
hypothesis and models and the experimental measurements needed to lead to a
more established scenario.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, Invited talk at the 18th European Cosmic Ray
Symposium, Moscow, July 2002, submitted to Journal of Physics
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