The Astrophysics Science Division Annual Report 2009

The Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is one of the largest and most diverse astrophysical organizations in the world, with activities spanning a broad range of topics in theory, observation, and mission and technology development. Scientific research is carried out over the entire electromagnetic spectrum - from gamma rays to radio wavelengths - as well as particle physics and gravitational radiation. Members of ASD also provide the scientific operations for three orbiting astrophysics missions - WMAP, RXTE, and Swift, as well as the Science Support Center for the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. A number of key technologies for future missions are also under development in the Division, including X-ray mirrors, space-based interferometry, high contrast imaging techniques to search for exoplanets, and new detectors operating at gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, infrared, and radio wavelengths. The overriding goals of ASD are to carry out cutting-edge scientific research, provide Project Scientist support for spaceflight missions, implement the goals of the NASA Strategic Plan, serve and support the astronomical community, and enable future missions by conceiving new concepts and inventing new technologies

Goddard's Astrophysics Science Divsion Annual Report 2014

The Astrophysics Science Division (ASD, Code 660) is one of the world's largest and most diverse astronomical organizations. Space flight missions are conceived, built and launched to observe the entire range of the electromagnetic spectrum, from gamma rays to centimeter waves. In addition, experiments are flown to gather data on high-energy cosmic rays, and plans are being made to detect gravitational radiation from space-borne missions. To enable these missions, we have vigorous programs of instrument and detector development. Division scientists also carry out preparatory theoretical work and subsequent data analysis and modeling. In addition to space flight missions, we have a vibrant suborbital program with numerous sounding rocket and balloon payloads in development or operation. The ASD is organized into five labs: the Astroparticle Physics Lab, the X-ray Astrophysics Lab, the Gravitational Astrophysics Lab, the Observational Cosmology Lab, and the Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Lab. The High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC) is an Office at the Division level. Approximately 400 scientists and engineers work in ASD. Of these, 80 are civil servant scientists, while the rest are resident university-based scientists, contractors, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and administrative staff. We currently operate the Swift Explorer mission and the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. In addition, we provide data archiving and operational support for the XMM mission (jointly with ESA) and the Suzaku mission (with JAXA). We are also a partner with Caltech on the NuSTAR mission. The Hubble Space Telescope Project is headquartered at Goddard, and ASD provides Project Scientists to oversee operations at the Space Telescope Science Institute. Projects in development include the Neutron Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) mission, an X-ray timing experiment for the International Space Station; the Transiting Exoplanet Sky Survey (TESS) Explorer mission, in collaboration with MIT (Ricker, PI); the Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) for the Astro-H mission in collaboration with JAXA, and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), the highest ranked mission in the 2010 decadal survey, is in a pre-phase A study, and we are supplying study scientists for that mission

The Astrophysics Science Division Annual Report 2008

The Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is one of the largest and most diverse astrophysical organizations in the world, with activities spanning a broad range of topics in theory, observation, and mission and technology development. Scientific research is carried out over the entire electromagnetic spectrum from gamma rays to radio wavelengths as well as particle physics and gravitational radiation. Members of ASD also provide the scientific operations for three orbiting astrophysics missions WMAP, RXTE, and Swift, as well as the Science Support Center for the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. A number of key technologies for future missions are also under development in the Division, including X-ray mirrors, and new detectors operating at gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, infrared, and radio wavelengths. This report includes the Division's activities during 2008

Goddard's Astrophysics Science Division Annual Report 2011

The Astrophysics Science Division(ASD) at Goddard Space Flight Center(GSFC)is one of the largest and most diverse astrophysical organizations in the world, with activities spanning a broad range of topics in theory, observation, and mission and technology development. Scientific research is carried out over the entire electromagnetic spectrum from gamma rays to radiowavelengths as well as particle physics and gravitational radiation. Members of ASD also provide the scientific operations for three orbiting astrophysics missions WMAP, RXTE, and Swift, as well as the Science Support Center for the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. A number of key technologies for future missions are also under development in the Division, including X-ray mirrors, space-based interferometry, high contract imaging techniques to serch for exoplanets, and new detectors operating at gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, infrared, and radio wavelengths. The overriding goals of ASD are to carry out cutting-edge scientific research, and provide Project Scientist support for spaceflight missions, implement the goals of the NASA Strategic Plan, serve and suppport the astronomical community, and enable future missions by conceiving new conepts and inventing new technologies

The Ultraviolet and Infrared Star Formation Rates of Compact Group Galaxies: An Expanded Sample

Compact groups of galaxies provide insight into the role of low-mass, dense environments in galaxy evolution because the low velocity dispersions and close proximity of galaxy members result in frequent interactions that take place over extended timescales. We expand the census of star formation in compact group galaxies by \citet{tzanavaris10} and collaborators with Swift UVOT, Spitzer IRAC and MIPS 24 \micron\ photometry of a sample of 183 galaxies in 46 compact groups. After correcting luminosities for the contribution from old stellar populations, we estimate the dust-unobscured star formation rate (SFR$_{\mathrm{UV}}$) using the UVOT uvw2photometry. Similarly, we use the MIPS 24 \micron\ photometry to estimate the component of the SFR that is obscured by dust (SFR$_{\mathrm{IR}}$). We find that galaxies which are MIR-active (MIR-"red"), also have bluer UV colours, higher specific star formation rates, and tend to lie in H~{\sc i}-rich groups, while galaxies that are MIR-inactive (MIR-"blue") have redder UV colours, lower specific star formation rates, and tend to lie in H~{\sc i}-poor groups. We find the SFRs to be continuously distributed with a peak at about 1 M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$, indicating this might be the most common value in compact groups. In contrast, the specific star formation rate distribution is bimodal, and there is a clear distinction between star-forming and quiescent galaxies. Overall, our results suggest that the specific star formation rate is the best tracer of gas depletion and galaxy evolution in compact groups.Comment: 19 pages, 17 figure

3.14 Rio 2016 and the Birth of Brazilian Transparency

Brazil’s modern democracy is but three decades old. With the Brazilian people now taking to the streets in protest at public corruption, the government is enacting new laws and learning to effectively enforce them. The nation is thus feeling the growing pains of an emergent commitment to transparency. In this, the window between Brazil’s hosting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, it is timely to ask what the spotlight of these two events has revealed about the nation’s anti-corruption measures. How is the government responding to exposed corruption risk? Will the Olympics ultimately make good on their promise to be an agent of positive change? This brief article discusses issues related to Brazil’s federal anti-corruption laws generally, its changing procurement laws and the Olympic contracts and governance organisations

Measuring Brachial Artery Occlusion Pressure Using a Hand-held Doppler and Pulse Oximeter

The measurement of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) is recommended for the safe and effective use of blood flow restriction (BFR) during training. PURPOSE: This study compared measurements of brachial artery AOP using Doppler ultrasound (US), a hand-held Doppler (HHDOP) and a pulse oximeter (PO). METHODS: The AOP of the brachial artery was measured simultaneously using US, HHDOP, and a PO in the dominant arm of males (n=36) and females (n=49). The blood flow restriction cuff was inflated using a continuous cuff inflation protocol. RESULTS: A mixed model ANOVA revealed small but significant (p \u3c 0.05) overall main effects (combined males and females) between AOP measured using US (119.8 ± 13.2 mmHg), HHDOP (119.1 ± 13.1 mmHg) and PO (118.0 ±13.2 mmHg), and between males (125.3 ± 13.1 mmHg) and females (114.3 ± 11.1 mmHg). The differences in AOP between males and females was consistent across all three methods of measuring AOP (US, HHDP, PO) and may be attributed to sex differences in limb circumference and systolic blood pressure. The small overall difference between US and HHDOP (0.74 ± 2.7 mmHg) was not significant but the difference between US and PO (1.81 ± 3.3 mmHg) measures of AOP was significant (

Measurements of Arterial Occlusion Pressure Using Hand-held Devices

Use of blood flow restriction (BFR) during training has become increasingly popular due to the benefits over a wide range of applications. An essential component to the safe and effective use of BFR is the measurement of arterial occlusion pressure (AOP). PURPOSE: This study compared measures of AOP of the brachial artery using three devices and two cuff inflation methods. METHODS: Brachial artery AOP was measured in 20 males and 21 females simultaneously using Doppler ultrasound (US), a handheld Doppler (HHDOP) and a pulse oximeter (PO) once when inflating the cuff with a clinical grade Hokanson (HOK) rapid cuff inflation system and twice manually (MAN) with a sphygmomanometer. RESULTS: A mixed model ANOVA revealed small but significant (p \u3c 0.05) overall main effects between AOP measured using the HOK (120.4 ± 1.98) and MAN (122.2 ± 2.0) cuff inflation methods, between US (122.0 ± 1.97), HHDOP (121.6 ± 2.0) and PO (120.5 ± 2.0) measurements of AOP, and between males (127.6 ± 2.83) and females (115.2 ± 2.7). Further analyses indicated that the small overall difference between US and PO (1.56 ± 0.52) measures of AOP was significant (pp\u3e0.05). Trial-to-trial variance in measures of AOP using US, HHDOP and PO were negligible. Bland-Altman plots revealed reasonable limits of agreement for both HHDOP (±4.46 mmHg) and PO (±5.47 mmHg) measures of AOP. CONCLUSIONS: The small differences in US, HHDOP and PO measures of AOP measurements using HOK and MAN cuff inflation methods are of little practical significance. Manual inflation of the pressure cuff provides comparable AOP values compared to when using a clinical grade cuff inflation system. Practitioners can be confident in measures of AOP using a quality hand-held doppler or pulse oximeter prior to blood flow restriction training

Expressions 1987

https://openspace.dmacc.edu/expressions/1030/thumbnail.jp

2018 Alumni Achievement Awards Presentation

2018 Alumni Achievement Awards presentation