17,446 research outputs found
Design outline for a new multiman ATC simulation facility at NASA-Ames Research Center
A new and unique facility for studying human factors aspects in aeronautics is being planned for use in the Man-Vehicle Systems Research Division at the NASA-Ames Research Center. This facility will replace the existing three cockpit-single ground controller station and be expandable to include approximately seven cockpits and two ground controller stations. Unlike the previous system, each cockpit will be mini-computer centered and linked to a main CPU to effect a distributed computation facility. Each simulator will compute its own flight dynamic and flight path predictor. Mechanical flight instruments in each cockpit will be locally supported and CRT cockpit displays of (e.g.) traffic and or RNAV information will be centrally computed and distributed as a means of extending the existing computational and graphical resources. An outline of the total design is presented which addresses the technical design options and research possibilities of this unique man-machine facility and which may also serve as a model for other real time distributed simulation facilities
Low-pressure, chemical vapor deposition polysilicon
The low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of polycrystalline silicon was investigted. The physical system was described, as was the controlling process parameters and requirements for producing films for use as an integral portion of the solar cell contact system
Tracing Quasar Narrow-Line Regions Across Redshift: A Library of High S/N Optical Spectra
In a single optical spectrum, the quasar narrow-line region (NLR) reveals low
density, photoionized gas in the host galaxy interstellar medium, while the
immediate vicinity of the central engine generates the accretion disk continuum
and broad emission lines. To isolate these two components, we construct a
library of high S/N optical composite spectra created from the Sloan Digital
Sky Survey (SDSS-DR7). We divide the sample into bins of continuum luminosity
and Hbeta FWHM that are used to construct median composites at different
redshift steps up to 0.75. We measure the luminosities of the narrow-emission
lines [NeV]3427, [NeIII]3870, [OIII]5007, and [OII]3728 with ionization
potentials (IPs) of 97, 40, 35, and 13.6 eV respectively. The high IP lines'
luminosities show no evidence of increase with redshift consistent with no
evolution in the AGN SED or the host galaxy ISM illuminated by the continuum.
In contrast, we find that the [OII] line becomes stronger at higher redshifts,
and we interpret this as a consequence of enhanced star formation contributing
to the [OII] emission in host galaxies at higher redshifts. The SFRs estimated
from the [OII] luminosities show a flatter increase with z than non-AGN
galaxies given our assumed AGN contribution to the [OII] luminosity. Finally,
we confirm an inverse correlation between the strength of the FeII4570 complex
and both the [OIII] EW (though not the luminosity) and the width of the Hbeta
line as known from the eigenvector 1 correlations.Comment: 17 pages, colour figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
Probing Broad Absorption Line Quasar Outflows: X-ray Insights
Energetic outflows appear to occur in conjunction with active mass accretion
onto supermassive black holes. These outflows are most readily observed in the
approximately 10% of quasars with broad absorption lines, where the observer's
line of sight passes through the wind. Until fairly recently, the paucity of
X-ray data from these objects was notable, but now sensitive hard-band missions
such as Chandra and XMM-Newton are routinely detecting broad absorption line
quasars. The X-ray regime offers qualitatively new information for the
understanding of these objects, and these new results must be taken into
account in theoretical modeling of quasar winds.Comment: Submitted to Advances in Space Research for New X-ray Results from
Clusters of Galaxies and Black Holes (Oct 2002; Houston, TX), eds. C. Done,
E.M. Puchnarewicz, M.J. Ward. Requires cospar.sty (6 pgs, 5 figs
A triangular thin shell finite element: Linear analysis
The formulation of the linear stiffness matrix for a doubly-curved triangular thin shell element, using a modified potential energy principle, is described. The strain energy component of the potential energy is expressed in terms of displacements and displacement gradients by use of consistent Koiter strain-displacement equations. The element inplane and normal displacement fields are approximated by complete cubic polynomials. The interelement displacement admissibility conditions are met in the global representation by imposition of constraint conditions on the interelement boundaries; the constraints represent the modification of the potential energy. Errors due to the nonzero strains under rigid body motion are shown to be of small importance for practical grid refinements through performance of extensive comparison analyses
Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies : Keystones of Galaxy Evolution
Dwarf spheroidal galaxies are the most insignificant extragalactic stellar
systems in terms of their visibility, but potentially very significant in terms
of their role in the formation and evolution of much more luminous galaxies. We
discuss the present observational data and their implications for theories of
the formation and evolution of both dwarf and giant galaxies. The putative dark
matter content of these low-surface-brightness systems is of particular
interest, as is their chemical evolution. Surveys for new dwarf spheroidals
hidden behind the stars of our Galaxy and those which are not bound to giant
galaxies may give new clues as to the origins of this unique class of galaxy.Comment: 41 pages, plain tex (no figures included -- available by snail mail).
review to appear in PAS
A three-dimensional hydrodynamical line profile analysis of iron lines and barium isotopes in HD140283
Heavy-elements, i.e. those beyond the iron peak, mostly form via two neutron
capture processes: the s- and r-process. Metal-poor stars should contain fewer
isotopes that form via the s-process, according to currently accepted theory.
It has been shown in several investigations that theory and observation do not
agree well, raising questions on the validity of either the methodology or the
theory. We analyse the metal-poor star HD140283, for which we have a high
quality spectrum. We test whether a 3D LTE stellar atmosphere and spectrum
synthesis code permits a more reliable analysis of the iron abundance and
barium isotope ratio than a 1D LTE analysis. Using 3D model atmospheres, we
examine 91 iron lines of varying strength and formation depth. This provides us
with the star's rotational speed. With this, we model the barium isotope ratio
by exploiting the hyperfine structure of the singly ionised 4554 resonance
line, and study the impact of the uncertainties in the stellar parameters.
HD140283's vsini = 1.65 +/- 0.05 km/s. Barium isotopes under the 3D paradigm
show a dominant r-process signature as 77 +/- 6 +/- 17% of barium isotopes form
via the r-process, where errors represent the assigned random and systematic
errors, respectively. We find that 3D LTE fits reproduce iron line profiles
better than those in 1D, but do not provide a unique abundance (within the
uncertainties). However, we demonstrate that the isotopic ratio is robust
against this shortcoming. Our barium isotope result agrees well with currently
accepted theory regarding the formation of the heavy-elements during the early
Galaxy. The improved fit to the asymmetric iron line profiles suggests that the
current state of 3D LTE modelling provides excellent simulations of fluid
flows. However, the abundances they provide are not yet self-consistent. This
may improve with NLTE considerations and higher resolution models.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for publication in A&
- …