11,951 research outputs found
RELBET 4.0 user's guide
This manual describes the operation and use of RELBET 4.0 implemented on the Hewlett Packard model 9000. The RELBET System is an integrated collection of computer programs which support the analysis and post-flight reconstruction of vehicle to vehicle relative trajectories of two on-orbit free-flying vehicles: the Space Shuttle Orbiter and some other free-flyer. The manual serves both as a reference and as a training guide. Appendices provide experienced users with details and full explanations of program usage. The body of the manual introduces new users to the system by leading them through a step by step example of a typical production. This should equip the new user both to execute a typical production process and to understand the most significant variables in that process
The Early Angular Momentum History of Low Mass Stars: Evidence for a Regulation Mechanism
We examine the early angular momentum history of stars in young clusters via
197 photometric periods in fields flanking the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC), 81
photometric periods in NGC 2264, and 202 measurements of v sin i in the ONC
itself. We show that PMS stars spanning an age range from 0.1 to 3 Myr do not
appear to conserve stellar angular momentum as they evolve down their
convective tracks, but instead preserve the same range of periods even though
they have contracted by about a factor of three. This result seems to require a
mechanism that regulates the angular velocities of young stars. We discuss
several candidate mechanisms. The most plausible appears to be disk-locking,
though most of our stars do not have (I-K) excesses suggestive of disks.
However, a decisive test of this hypothesis requires a more sensitive
diagnostic than the (I-K) excesses used here.Comment: 32 pages, 11 figures, accepted to A
Radio Spectra of Giant Radio Galaxies from RATAN-600 Data
Measurements of the flux densities of the extended components of seven giant
radio galaxies obtained using the RATAN-600 radio telescope at wavelengths of
6.25 and 13 cm ar e presented. The spectra of components of these radio
galaxies are constructed using these new RA TAN-600 data together with data
from the WENSS, NVSS, and GB6 surveys. The spectral indices in the stu died
frequency range are calculated, and the need for detailed estimates of the
integrated contributi on of such objects to the background emission is
demonstrated.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, 5 table
Self-Generated Magnetic Fields in Galactic Cooling Flows
Interstellar magnetic fields in elliptical galaxies are assumed to have their
origin in stellar fields that accompany normal mass loss from an evolving
population of old stars. The seed fields are amplified by interstellar
turbulence driven by stellar mass loss and supernova events. These disordered
fields are further amplified by time-dependent compression in the inward moving
galactic cooling flow and are expected to dominate near the galactic core.
Under favorable circumstances, fields similar in strength to those observed G can be generated solely from these natural
galactic processes. In general the interstellar field throughout elliptical
galaxies is determined by the outermost regions in the interstellar gas where
the turbulent dynamo process can occur. Because of the long hydrodynamic flow
times in galactic cooling flows, currently observed magnetic fields may result
from periods of intense turbulent field amplification that occurred in the
outer galaxy in the distant past. Particularly strong fields in ellipticals may
result from ancient galactic mergers or shear turbulence introduced at the
boundary between the interstellar gas and ambient cluster gas.Comment: 21 pages in AASTEX LaTeX with 2 figures; accepted by Astrophysical
Journa
SN Refsdal: Classification as a Luminous and Blue SN 1987A-like Type II Supernova
We have acquired Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Very Large Telescope
near-infrared spectra and images of supernova (SN) Refsdal after its discovery
as an Einstein cross in Fall 2014. The HST light curve of SN Refsdal matches
the distinctive, slowly rising light curves of SN 1987A-like supernovae (SNe),
and we find strong evidence for a broad H-alpha P-Cygni profile in the HST
grism spectrum at the redshift (z = 1.49) of the spiral host galaxy. SNe IIn,
powered by circumstellar interaction, could provide a good match to the light
curve of SN Refsdal, but the spectrum of a SN IIn would not show broad and
strong H-alpha absorption. From the grism spectrum, we measure an H-alpha
expansion velocity consistent with those of SN 1987A-like SNe at a similar
phase. The luminosity, evolution, and Gaussian profile of the H-alpha emission
of the WFC3 and X-shooter spectra, separated by ~2.5 months in the rest frame,
provide additional evidence that supports the SN 1987A-like classification. In
comparison with other examples of SN 1987A-like SNe, SN Refsdal has a blue B-V
color and a high luminosity for the assumed range of potential magnifications.
If SN Refsdal can be modeled as a scaled version of SN 1987A, we estimate it
would have an ejecta mass of 20+-5 solar masses. The evolution of the light
curve at late times will provide additional evidence about the potential
existence of any substantial circumstellar material (CSM). Using MOSFIRE and
X-shooter spectra, we estimate a subsolar host-galaxy metallicity (8.3+-0.1 dex
and <8.4 dex, respectively) near the explosion site.Comment: Submitted to ApJ; 26 page
HST/NICMOS Imaging of Disks and Envelopes Around Very Young Stars
We present HST/NICMOS observations with 0.1" (15 AU) resolution of six young
stellar objects in the Taurus star-formation region. The targets of our survey
are three Class I IRAS sources (IRAS 04016+2610, IRAS 04248+2612, and IRAS
04302+2247) and three low-luminosity stars (DG Tau B, Haro 6-5B, and CoKu
Tau/1) associated with Herbig Haro jets. The broad-band images show that the
near-infrared radiation from these sources is dominated by light scattered from
dusty circumstellar material distributed in a region 10 - 15 times the size of
our solar system. Although the detailed morphologies of the individual objects
are unique, the observed young stellar objects share common features. All of
the circumstellar reflection nebulae are crossed by dark lanes from 500 - 900
AU in extent and from less than 50 to 350 AU in apparent thickness. The
absorption lanes extend perpendicular to known optical and millimeter outflows
in these sources. We interpret the dark lanes as optically thick circumstellar
disks seen in silhouette against bright reflection nebulosity. The bipolar
reflection nebulae extending perpendicular to the dust lanes appear to be
produced by scattering from the upper and lower surfaces of the disks and from
dusty material within or on the walls of the outflow cavities. Out of five
objects in which the central source is directly detected, two are found to be
subarcsecond binaries. This mini-survey is the highest resolution near-infrared
study to date of circumstellar environments around solar-type stars with age <=
1 Myr.Comment: 34 pages, 4 figures; also available at
http://spider.ipac.caltech.edu/staff/brandner/topics/disks/disks.html ;
accepted for publication in AJ (March 1999 issue
Development of Readout Interconnections for the Si-W Calorimeter of SiD
The SiD collaboration is developing a Si-W sampling electromagnetic
calorimeter, with anticipated application for the International Linear
Collider. Assembling the modules for such a detector will involve special
bonding technologies for the interconnections, especially for attaching a
silicon detector wafer to a flex cable readout bus. We review the interconnect
technologies involved, including oxidation removal processes, pad surface
preparation, solder ball selection and placement, and bond quality assurance.
Our results show that solder ball bonding is a promising technique for the Si-W
ECAL, and unresolved issues are being addressed.Comment: 8 pages + title, 6 figure
Mid-infrared imaging of the young binary star Hen 3-600: Evidence for a dust disk around the primary
We present high-resolution mid-infrared observations of the nearby late-type
young binary system Hen 3-600. The binary, at a distance of 50 pc, could
be a member of the TW Hydrae Association, the nearest known group of young
stars, with an age of a few million years. Our images make it possible for the
first time to determine which star in the pair, separated by 1.4'', harbors the
mid-infrared excess detected by IRAS. In the near-infrared, where the radiation
is primarily photospheric, Hen 3-600A (M3) and Hen 3-600B (M3.5) have a flux
ratio of 1.6. At 4.8m, 10.8m, and 18.2m, the primary becomes
increasingly dominant over the secondary, suggesting that most of the
circumstellar dust in the system resides around Hen 3-600A. Comparison of the
spectral energy distribution (SED) of Hen 3-600A to the median SED of classical
T Tauri stars suggests that its disk may be truncated by the secondary and
provides tentative evidence for a central disk hole. The distribution of dust
in the Hen 3-600 system may provide important clues to the formation and
evolution of protoplanetary disks in close binaries.Comment: 9 pages, 2 PostScript figures, accepted for publication in The
Astrophysical Journal Letter
Modes of Multiple Star Formation
This paper argues that star forming environments should be classified into
finer divisions than the traditional isolated and clustered modes. Using the
observed set of galactic open clusters and theoretical considerations regarding
cluster formation, we estimate the fraction of star formation that takes place
within clusters. We find that less than 10% of the stellar population
originates from star forming regions destined to become open clusters,
confirming earlier estimates. The smallest clusters included in the
observational surveys (having at least N=100 members) roughly coincide with the
smallest stellar systems that are expected to evolve as clusters in a dynamical
sense. We show that stellar systems with too few members N < N_\star have
dynamical relaxation times that are shorter than their formation times (1-2
Myr), where the critical number of stars N_\star \approx 100. Our results
suggest that star formation can be characterized by (at least) three principal
modes: I. isolated singles and binaries, II. groups (N<N_\star), and III.
clusters (N>N_\star). Many -- if not most -- stars form through the
intermediate mode in stellar groups with 10<N<100. Such groups evolve and
disperse much more rapidly than open clusters; groups also have a low
probability of containing massive stars and are unaffected by supernovae and
intense ultraviolet radiation fields. Because of their short lifetimes and
small stellar membership, groups have relatively little effect on the star
formation process (on average) compared to larger open clusters.Comment: accepted to The Astrophysical Journa
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