EUVE Observations of Nonmagnetic Cataclysmic Variables
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
The authors summarize EUVE's contribution to the study of the boundary layer emission of high accretion-rate nonmagnetic cataclysmic variables, especially the dwarf novae SS Cyg, U Gem, VW Hyi, and OY Car in outburst. They discuss the optical and EUV light curves of dwarf nova outbursts, the quasi-coherent oscillations of the EUV flux of SS Cyg, the EUV spectra of dwarf novae, and the future of EUV observations of cataclysmic variables.
2001-09-05
Evolution of the white dwarf mass and spin in cataclysmic variables
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
We consider the spin-up of the white dwarf in non-magnetic cataclysmic variables (CVs) during secular evolution. If this is unresisted, CVs are quenched as boundary-layer emitters once the binary period has decreased by #approx# 1 hr. Angular momentum loss in nova explosions may, however, prevent the star reaching breakup. If the explosions remove (1 + #epsilon#) x the mass accreted between outbursts, values 0.5 < #approx# #epsilon# < #approx# 1 allow CVs to be modest boundary-layer emitters for most of their lifetimes. Spectral effects will limit their detection as soft X-ray sources. (author).
Cataclysmic Variables and a Candidate Helium White Dwarf in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397
We have used HST/FOS to study faint UV stars in the core of the nearby globular cluster NGC 6397. We confirm the presence of a 4th cataclysmic variable (CV) in NGC 6397 (CV 4), and we use the photometry of Cool et al. (1998) to present evidence that CVs 1--4 all have faint disks and probably low accretion rates. By combining these results with new UV spectra of CV 1 and the published spectra of Grindlay et al. (1995) we present new evidence that CVs 1--3 may be DQ Her systems, and we show that CV 4 may either be a dwarf nova or another magnetic system. Another possibility is that the CVs could be old novae in hibernation between nova eruptions. We also present the first spectrum of a member of a new class of UV bright stars in NGC 6397. These faint, hot stars do not vary, unlike the CVs, and are thus denoted as ``non-flickerers'' (NFs). Like the CVs, their spatial concentration is strongly concentrated ...
1999-01-01
The 2001 Superoutburst of WZ Sagittae
We report the results of a worldwide campaign to observe WZ Sagittae during its 2001 superoutburst. After a 23-year slumber at V=15.5, the star rose within 2 days to a peak brightness of 8.2, and showed a main eruption lasting 25 days. The return to quiescence was punctuated by 12 small eruptions, of ~1 mag amplitude and 2 day recurrence time; these "echo outbursts" are of uncertain origin, but somewhat resemble the normal outbursts of dwarf novae. After 52 days, the star began a slow decline to quiescence. Periodic waves in the light curve closely followed the pattern seen in the 1978 superoutburst: a strong orbital signal dominated the first 12 days, followed by a powerful /common superhump/ at 0.05721(5) d, 0.92(8)% longer than P_orb. The latter endured for at least 90 days, although probably mutating into a "late" superhump with a slightly longer mean period [0.05736(5) d]. The superhump appeared to follow familiar rules for such phenomena ...
2002-01-01
On the disrupted magnetic braking model for the period gap of cataclysmic variables
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The disrupted magnetic braking theory for the period gap of cataclysmic variable systems is used to study the binary evolution of low-mass main-sequence-like stars with white dwarf companions. The model is able to reproduce the observed location and width of the gap provided that the average mass transfer rates above the upper edge of the gap are greater than about 1.9 x 10 to the -9th solar masses/yr. For the case of angular momentum loss by magnetic braking, the slope of the mass transfer rate with respect to orbital period is shown to range from 3.4 to 3.7. For the evolutionary sequences considered, the He-3 abundance at the surface of the secondary exceeds 0.0015 after the complete mixing phase, resulting in modifications in the nuclear burning development of nova explosions. 31 refs.
Evolution of ultraviolet dwarfs
UV dwarf star evolution, using central and gap star models emphasizing photoneutrino emission
1969-01-01
Nova Scotia Research Foundation Corporation 1989/90 annual report. [Canada - Nova Scotia
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
The Nova Scotia Research Foundation Corporation was established in 1946 by the Province of Nova Scotia to use science and technology to assist in the economic development of Nova Scotia. Within the Applied Science Division of the Corporation, research and development programs in the area of coal and mineral technology have been undertaken. A brief description of two projects -- coal liquefaction and coal-water fuels, are reported.
1990-09-01
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
A large majority of stars and their lines are white dwarfs, the ultimate stellar stage whose structure and properties still fascinate astrophysicists.
1985-04-01
A systematic search for novae in M31 on a large set of digitized archival Schmidt plates
This paper reports on the detection of optical novae in our neighbour galaxy M31 based on digitized historical Tautenburg Schmidt plates. The accurate positions of the detected novae lead to a much larger database for searches for recurrent novae in M31. We conducted a systematic search for novae on 306 digitized Tautenburg Schmidt plates covering a time span of 36 years from 1960 to 1996. From the database of both ~ 300 000 light curves and about one million detections on only one plate per colour band, nova candidates were efficiently selected by automated algorithms and subsequently individually inspected by eye. We report the detection of 84 nova candidates. In detail we found 55 nova candidates from the automated analysis of the light curves. Among these, 22 were previously unknown, 12 were known but have not been identified on ...
2007-01-01
White dwarf evolution - Cradle-to-grave constraints via pulsation
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
White dwarf evolution, particularly in the early phases, is not very strongly constrained by observation. Fortunately, white dwarfs undergo nonradial pulsation in three distinct regions of the H-R diagram. These pulsations provide accurate masses, surface compositional structure and rotation velocities, and help constrain other important physical properties. We demonstrate the application of the tools of stellar seismology to white dwarf evolution using the hot white dwarf star PG 1159-035 and the cool DAV (or ZZ Ceti) stars as examples. From pulsation studies, significant challenges to the theory of white dwarf evolution emerge. 44 refs.
1990-05-28
Development Application - Terra Nova Development - Supplement B to the Application
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Supplement B to the Terra Nova Development Application provides a description of the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel system selected for the development, a summary of the reasons for selecting the system, and the impact of this selection on the Development Plan, the Benefits Plan, the Environmental Impact Statement and the Socio-Economic Impact Statement. There is also a description of the contractor alliance approach to be used in the Terra Nova Development. Refs., tabs., figs.
1997-02-01
Canada-Nova Scotia acid rain reduction agreement: Annual report 1989-1990
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
This report reviews Nova Scotia's initiatives in support of the Canada-Nova Scotia Acid Rain Reduction Agreement. In addition to discussing sodium dioxide emmisions and potential impacts, the report comments on new developments and initiatives to address other emerging air quality issues.
1990-01-01
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
A rocket borne experiment to measure the temperature structure of the inner solar corona via the doppler broadening of the resonance hydrogen Lyman-..cap alpha.. (lambda1216A) radiation scattered by ambient neutral hydrogen atoms was attempted during the 16 Feb 1980 solar eclipse. Two Nike-Black Brant V sounding rockets carrying instrumented payloads were launched into the path of the advancing eclipse umbra from the San Marco satellite launch platform 3 miles off the east coast of Kenya.
1981-01-01
Cloud Computing at JPL | JPL Mission Planning and Execution
He said, I had heard of Cloud Computing when I was in grad school, but they had presentations on it at EclipseCon. I was sold that it was something that ...
The Terra Nova oil field development
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Before expanding on the development of the Terra Nova oilfield, the author discussed the overall business strategy of Petro-Canada and identified where the Terra Nova and offshore Newfoundland oil have their place within this strategy. The principal basins and oilfields offshore Newfoundland were reviewed, then the emphasis shifted to rest on the Terra Nova development project. A whole range of topics were brought up, including the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility, the modules layout, the FPSO located at Bull Arm, and the floating production systems. The physical environment of the Grand Banks was highlighted, and the next few sections were devoted to the Terra Nova FPSO, FPSO and drill centres, the Turret General Arrangement, and Spider buoy including the disconnect/reconnect. The last four sections dealt with the animation of riser movement, the wellhead protection ...
2001-07-01
NOVA Corporation of Alberta annual report, 1992
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Nova Corporation and its related businesses are involved in natural gas production, gas pipelines, consulting services, and upgrading of natural gas into chemicals and plastics. Nova owns Alberta Gas Transmission Division, the primary gas transportation system in Alberta, with 11,400 miles of pipeline and total deliveries in 1992 of 3.4 trillion ft"3. Nova also owns 50% of Foothills Pipe Lines Ltd., one of Canada's largest carriers of exported gas, and 50% of TQM Pipeline Partnership, which transports natural gas in Quebec. Nova conducts its chemicals business through Novacor Chemicals Ltd., which has plants in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and the USA. Novacor's major petrochemicals are methanol, ethylene, propylene, and styrene and its major plastics are polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene. Nova's gas-producing branch Novalta Resources produced 26 billion ft"3 of natural gas ...
Quantitative spectroscopy of close binary stars
The method of spectral disentangling has now created the opportunity for studying the chemical composition in previously inaccessible components of binary and multiple stars. This in turn makes it possible to trace their chemical evolution, a vital aspect in understanding the evolution of stellar systems. We review different ways to reconstruct individual spectra from eclipsing and non-eclipsing systems, and then concentrate on some recent applications to detached binaries with high-mass and intermediate-mass stars, and Algol-type mass-transfer systems.
2011-01-01
Examples of degenerated matter in astrophysics: white dwarf and neutron stars
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Main features of star evolution are recalled. Then the general structure of white dwarf stars is examined. From the equation of state of an electron gas completely degenerated are deduced: mechanical equilibrium, Viriel theorem, mass-radius relationship and Chandrasekhar limit. These results are applied to neutron stars.
1982-06-01
UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)
The function of the hyolingual complex in three odontocete species was investigated to compare adaptations of divergent feeding strategies, suction and ram feeding. Pygmy and dwarf sperm whales, members...Full Text Available
2007-07-01
The highly irradiated transiting exoplanet, HAT-P-7b, currently provides one of the best opportunities for studying planetary emission in the optical and infrared wavelengths. We observe six near-consecutive secondary eclipses of HAT-P-7b at optical wavelengths with the EPOXI spacecraft. We place an upper limit on the relative eclipse depth of 0.055% (95% confidence). We also analyze Spitzer observations of the same target in the infrared, obtaining secondary eclipse depths of 0.098+/-0.017%, 0.159+/-0.022%, 0.245+/-0.031% and 0.225+/-0.052% in the 3.6, 4.5, 5.8 and 8.0 micron IRAC bands respectively. We combine these measurements with the recently published Kepler secondary eclipse measurement, and generate atmospheric models for the day-side of the planet that are consistent with both the optical and infrared measurements. The data are best fit by models with a temperature inversion, as expected from ...
2009-01-01
Implications of the dwarfs spheroidal galaxy mass-metallicity relation
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The properties of the mass-metallicity relation among dwarf spheroidal galaxies are discussed in terms of a model which assumes that the internal chemical evolution of the dwarf spheroidals was promoted by supernova activity. The model can be used to explain the observed dwarf spheroidal mass-metallicity relation assuming the present mass of these systems M sub s is proportional to their initial masses M as M sub s varies according to a power-law index of exp 7/4. It is inferred from the power-law dependence of M on the proto-cloud radius that the most massive dwarf spheroids were formed from the densest clouds. The observed slope of the mass-metallicity relation for dwarf spheroidal galaxies is found to be significantly different from theoretical estimates of this slope for elliptical galaxies. It is suggested that the difference may imply that spheroidal ...
DEFF Research Database (Denmark)
Oscillating stars in binary systems are among the most interesting stellar laboratories, as these can provide information on the stellar parameters and stellar internal structures. Here we present a red giant with solar-like oscillations in an eclipsing binary observed with the NASA Kepler satellite. We compute stellar parameters of the red giant from spectra and the asteroseismic mass and radius from the oscillations. Although only one eclipse has been observed so far, we can already determine that the secondary is a main-sequence F star in an eccentric orbit with a semi-major axis larger than 0.5 AU and orbital period longer than 75 days.
2010-01-01
Discovery of an accretion shock cone in 22 Vulpeculae
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
A previous report that 22 Vul is a zeta Aur--type eclipsing binary is supported by our discovery of evidence for an accretion shock cone in 22 Vul similar to those found in zeta Aurigae and 32 Cygni.
1985-12-01
Alfven Eigenmode Stability with Beams in ITER-like Plasma
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Toroidicity Alfven Eigenmodes (TAE) in ITER can be driven unstable by two groups of energetic particles, the 3.5 MeV {alpha}-particle fusion products and the tangentially injected 1MeV beam ions. Stability conditions are established using the perturbative NOVA/NOVA-K codes. A quasi-linear diffusion model is then used to assess the induced redistribution of energetic particles.
2004-07-16
Cores of early-type galaxies - the nature of dwarf spheroidal galaxies
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The characteristics and evolution of dwarf spheroidal galaxies (DSGs) are modeled on the basis of high-resolution CCD photometry obtained with the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope and reported by Kormendy (1986). The data and the results of core-parameter correlation studies are presented in extensive graphs and discussed. It is inferred that at least some DSGs are formed by the stripping of gas from dwarf spiral and irregular galaxies, although internal gas processes may also be important. The hypothesis that DSGs represent the faint end of the elliptical-galaxy sequence appears to be ruled out. 50 references.
Introduction & Overview to Symposium 240: Binary Stars as ...
... CVn) consisting of a dM3 star and a cool white dwarf that must have evolved through the common-envelope stage of binary star evolution (Else van ...
2011-05-14
Cloud Formation and Dynamics in Cool Dwarf and Hot Exoplanetary Atmospheres
The lowest-mass stars, brown dwarfs and extrasolar planets present challenges and opportunities for understanding dynamics and cloud formation processes in low-temperature atmospheres. For brown dwarfs, the formation, variation and rapid depletion of photospheric clouds in L- and T-type dwarfs, and spectroscopic evidence for non-equilibrium chemistry associated with vertical mixing, all point to a fundamental role for dynamics in vertical abundance distributions and cloud/grain formation cycles. For exoplanets, azimuthal heat variations and the detection of stratospheric and exospheric layers indicate multi-layered, asymmetric atmospheres that may also be time-variable (particularly for systems with highly elliptical orbits). Dust and clouds may also play an important role in the thermal energy balance of exoplanets through albedo effects. For all of these cases, 3D atmosphere models are becoming an increasingly essential ...
2009-01-01
Calibrating Cosmological Chronometers: White Dwarf Masses ...
... The second scenario is limited by the age of our Galaxy such that the lowest-mass WD that could be formed via single star evolution is ~0.47 M ...
2011-05-14
A Nearby Old Halo White Dwarf Candidate from the Sloan ...
... than the age of the universe unless it is an unresolved double degenerate or a product of common-envelope binary star evolution (Fontaine et al. ...
2008-07-01
Spectroscopic ages and metallicities of galaxies
Dwarf galaxies are generally faint. To derive their age and metallicity distributions, it is critical to optimize the use of any collected photon. Koleva et al., using full spectrum fitting, have found strong population gradients in some dwarf elliptical galaxies. Here, we show that the population profiles derived with this method are consistent and more precise than those obtained with spectrophotometric indices. This allows studying fainter objects in less telescope time.
2011-01-01
Can physical stellar collisions explain the blue stragglers in the dwarf spheroidal galaxies
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
The hypothesis that the blue stragglers in the dwarf spheroidal galaxie have a collisional origin is considered. If all of the dark matter in these galaxies is in the form of low-mass stars and the binary frequency is [approx equal] 50%, then it is quite possible that [approx equal] 10% to 20% of their blue stragglers have been produced by physical stellar collisions.
1993-01-01
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey DR7 Spectroscopic M Dwarf Catalog I: Data
We present a spectroscopic catalog of 70,841 visually inspected M dwarfs from the seventh data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). For each spectrum, we provide measurements of the spectral type, a number of molecular bandheads, and the H-alpha, H-beta, H-gamma, H-delta and Ca II K emission lines. In addition, we calculate the metallicity-sensitive parameter zeta and identify a relationship between zeta and the g-r and r-z colors of M dwarfs. We assess the precision of our spectral types (which were assigned by individual examination), review the bulk attributes of the sample, and examine the magnetic activity properties of M dwarfs, in particular those traced by the higher order Balmer transitions. Our catalog is cross-matched to Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) infrared data, and contains photometric distances for each star. Lastly, we identify eight new late-type M dwarfs that are ...
2011-01-01
Local Group Dwarf Galaxies: Nature And Nurture
We investigate the formation and evolution of dwarf galaxies in a high resolution, hydrodynamical cosmological simulation of a Milky Way sized halo and its environment. Our simulation includes gas cooling, star formation, supernova feedback, metal enrichment and UV heating. In total, 90 satellites and more than 400 isolated dwarf galaxies are formed in the simulation, allowing a systematic study of the internal and environmental processes that determine their evolution. We find that 95% of satellite galaxies are gas-free at z=0, and identify three mechanisms for gas loss: supernova feedback, tidal stripping, and photo-evaporation due to re-ionization. Gas-rich satellite galaxies are only found with total masses above ~ 5x10^9 solar masses. In contrast, for isolated dwarf galaxies, a total mass of ~ 10^9 solar masses constitutes a sharp transition; less massive galaxies are predominantly gas-free at z=0, more massive, ...
2011-01-01
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited-Chemical Company Annual Review of Operations, 1980-81.
Record production of heavy water was achieved: the plants at Glace Bay and Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, produced a total of 560 megagrams. A shipment of 500 Mg was delivered on time to the Wolsung CANDU reactor in Korea. Energy conservation and waste hea...
1981-01-01
Anger Expression and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: Evidence From the Nova Scotia Health Survey
UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)
BackgroundWhile some studies have found that anger increases the risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD), others found anger protective. Prior studies did not...Full Text Available
2010-02-01
Suzaku and Optical Spectroscopic Observations of SS 433 in the 2006 April Multiwavelength Campaign
We report results of the 2006 April multi-wavelengths campaign of SS 433, focusing on X-ray data observed with Suzaku at two orbital phases (in- and out-of- eclipse) and simultaneous optical spectroscopic observations. By analyzing the Fe25 K_alpha lines originating from the jets, we detect rapid variability of the Doppler shifts, dz/dt ~ 0.019/0.33 day^-1, which is larger than those expected from the precession and/or nodding motion. This phenomenon probably corresponding to "jitter" motions observed for the first time in X-rays, for which significant variability both in the jet angle and intrinsic speed is required. From the time lag of optical Doppler curves from those of X-rays, we estimate the distance of the optical jets from the base to be ~(3-4) \\times 10^14 cm. Based on the radiatively cooling jet model, we determine the innermost temperature of the jets to be T_0 = 13 +/- 2 keV and 16 +/- 3 keV (the average of the blue and red jets) for the ...
2010-01-01
We search for an infrared signature of the transiting extrasolar planet HD 209458b during secondary eclipse. Our method, which we call `occultation spectroscopy,' searches for the disappearance and reappearance of weak spectral features due to the exoplanet as it passes behind the star and later reappears. We argue that at the longest infrared wavelengths, this technique becomes preferable to conventional `transit spectroscopy'. We observed the system in the wing of the strong nu-3 band of methane near 3.6 microns during two secondary eclipses, using the VLT/ISAAC spectrometer at a spectral resolution of 3300. Our analysis, which utilizes a model template spectrum, achieves sufficient precision to expect detection of the spectral structure predicted by an irradiated, low-opacity (cloudless), low-albedo, thermochemical equilibrium model for the exoplanet atmosphere. However, our observations show no evidence for the presence of this spectrum ...
2003-01-01
Interinstitutional Variations in Planning for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer
British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)
Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess interinstitutional variations in planning for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer before the start of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) 0403 trial.Methods and Materials: Eleven institutions created virtual plans for four cases of solitary lung cancer. The created plans should satisfy the target definitions and the dose constraints for the JCOG 0403 protocol.Results: FOCUS/XiO (CMS) was used in six institutions, Eclipse (Varian) in 3, Cadplan (Varian) in one, and Pinnacle3 (Philips/ADAC) in one. Dose calculation algorithms of Clarkson with effective path length correction and superposition were used in FOCUS/XiO; pencil beam convolution with Batho power law correction was used in Eclipse and Cadplan; and collapsed co...
2007-01-01
Solar Eclipse Images - SDAC Home Page - NASA
Oct 24, 1995 ... The photos were made with a Nikon FE and a Sigma 400mm APO f/5.6 lens ... Note: The JPEG images to which the above links point contain subtle ... India on 1995 October 24 with a digital camera and Fe X 6374 ? filter, ...
Observational study of the eclipsing binary RZ Ophiuchi
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Orbital elements are derived from new spectroscopic and photometric observations. The masses and radii are inconsistent with evolutionary tracks for single stars, but neither star fills its Roche lobe. Analysis of the circumstellar Balmer emission lines indicates that the primary is surrounded by an extensive, highly flattened disk of nonuniform density. The velocity gradient in the disk is steeper than that expected from Keplerian motion.
NASA RP 1369: Table 8. Circumstances at Maximum Eclipse on 1997 ...
Mar 9, 1997... 76 109 9 Komsomol'sk-n? 00:10:49.5 255 283 24 - - 02:35:34.8 60 65 35 Kosh Agach - 00:43:46.3 43 83 1 00:45:30.6 283 323 2 01:44:36.0 73 ...
Mid infrared observations of Van Maanen 2: no substellar companion.
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
The results of a comprehensive infrared imaging search for the putative 0.06 M{sub {circle_dot}} astrometric companion to the 4.4 pc white dwarf van Mannen 2 are reported. Adaptive optics images acquired at 3.8 {micro}m reveal a diffraction limited core of 0.09 inch and no direct evidence of a secondary. Models predict that at 5 Gyr, a 50 M{sub J} brown dwarf would be only 1 magnitude fainter than van Maanen 2 at this wavelength and the astrometric analysis suggested a separation of 0.2 inch. In the case of a chance alignment along the line of sight, a 0.4 mag excess should be measured. An independent photometric observation at the same wavelength reveals no excess. In addition, there exist published ISO observations of van Maanen 2 at 6.8 {micro}m and 15.0 {micro}m which are consistent with photospheric flux of a 6750 K white dwarf. If recent brown dwarf models are correct, there is no substellar ...
2004-11-03
Terra Nova tow-out poised as next East Coast event
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
This spring, Newfoundland will send off a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel to the offshore Terra Nova field. The Terra Nova will proceed southeast through Bull Arm, then northeast out of Trinity Bay, then heads southeast to the Jeanne d'Arc Basin on the Grand Banks. The Terra Nova is expected to produce 115,000 barrels of oil per day for six years, when it reaches full capacity. The consortium, headed by Petro-Canada as senior ownership partner and operator, built an environment protection program into every aspect of the project. Some of the features of the environment protection program include glory holes excavated on the ocean floor for the protection of production equipment from icebergs, to a flare stack on the platform, which has four legs to provide stability in rough seas. The FPSO was designed to withstand sea ice, icebergs, and severe winter storms. Flow lines are also protected, ...
2001-01-15
Single and binary star evolution
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
After presenting a general account of the observed global properties of single stars of low, intermediate, and high mass, together with their theoretical Hertzsprung-Russell diagram evolution, attention is given to the observed properties of various evolved close binaries and to an assessment of the value of comparisons between observation and crude theory in characterizing the physics of mass transfer within interacting binary systems. Detailed consideration is then undertaken of such topics as stellar evolution in globular clusters, interior star changes due to nucleosynthesis and mixing, asymptotic giant branch stars of intermediate mass, the response of white dwarfs in binary systems to mass accretion, and scenarios for binary star evolution tending toward close white dwarf pairs.
Mapping the Extended HI Distribution of Three Dwarf Galaxies
We present large field HI-line emission maps obtained with the single-dish Green Bank Telescope centered on the dwarf irregular galaxies Sextans A, NGC 2366, and WLM. We do not detect the extended skirts of emission associated with the galaxies that were reported from Effelsberg observations (Huchtmeier et al. 1981). The ratio of HI at 10^19 atoms cm^-2 to optical extents of these galaxies are instead 2--3, which is normal for this type of galaxy. There is no evidence for a truncation in the HI distribution >/=10^19 atoms cm^-2.
2011-01-01
EVOLUTION OF WHITE DWARF STARS WITH HIGH-METALLICITY PROGENITORS: THE ROLE OF "2"2Ne DIFFUSION
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Motivated by the strong discrepancy between the main-sequence turnoff age and the white dwarf cooling age in the metal-rich open cluster NGC 6791, we compute a grid of white dwarf evolutionary sequences that incorporates for the first time the energy released by the processes of "2"2Ne sedimentation and of carbon/oxygen phase separation upon crystallization. The grid covers the mass range from 0.52 to 1.0 M _s_u_n, and is appropriate for the study of white dwarfs in metal-rich clusters. The evolutionary calculations are based on a detailed and self-consistent treatment of the energy released from these two processes, as well as on the employment of realistic carbon/oxygen profiles, of relevance for an accurate evaluation of the energy released by carbon/oxygen phase separation. We find that "2"2Ne sedimentation strongly delays the cooling rate of white dwarfs stemming from progenitors with high ...
2010-08-10
First hint for CP violation in neutrino oscillations from upcoming superbeam and reactor experiments
We compare the physics potential of the upcoming neutrino oscillation experiments Daya Bay, Double Chooz, NOvA, RENO, and T2K based on their anticipated nominal luminosities and schedules. After discussing the sensitivity to theta_{13} and the leading atmospheric parameters, we demonstrate that leptonic CP violation will hardly be measurable without upgrades of the T2K and NOvA proton drivers, even if theta_{13} is large. In the presence of the proton drivers, the fast track to hints for CP violation requires communication between the T2K and NOvA collaborations in terms of a mutual synchronization of their neutrino-antineutrino run plans. Even in that case, upgrades will only discover CP violation in a relatively small part of the parameter space at the 3 sigma confidence level, while 90% confidence level hints will most likely be obtained. Therefore, we conclude that a new facility will be required if the goal is to ...
2009-01-01
All aboard: Terra Nova 'not for the faint hearted'
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
The state of exploration in the Terra Nova field offshore Newfoundland, and the progress in constructing the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) at Bull Arm, the assembly site west of St. John's for the Terra Nova vessel, are described. Comparisons are made between the excitement created by the first production well at Leduc in Western Canada in 1947, and the offshore developments currently underway and accelerating offshore Newfoundland. It is estimated that exploration and development offshore had barely touched the surface, with only 160 wells of all types drilled to date, of which 48 exploration wells have uncovered 1.7 billion barrels of oil. The area is practically unexplored; the source rock is there, and the current estimate is that there are a number of basins in the offshore area that are several times the size of the Jeanne d'Arc Basin, where the Hibernia field is currently producing about 135,000 ...
2001-08-06
British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)
Remotely sensed ocean color data and numerical modeling have been used to study the phenology of both spring and fall phytoplankton blooms (FPBs) in the Nova Scotian Shelf (NSS)-Gulf of Maine (GoM) region. The ocean color data reveal a general pattern of westward progression of the spring phytoplankton bloom (SPB), and an eastward progression of the FPB in the NSS-GoM region. The spatial pattern of mean chlorophyll concentration in spring is similar to that in fall, with a lower concentration in the NSS and higher in the GoM. Interannually, there is a weak but significant tendency for years with earlier (delayed) SPBs to be followed by delayed (earlier) FPBs, but the mean chlorophyll concentrations during SPBs are not correlated with those during FPBs. The interannual variability of SPB ti...
2010-01-01
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
The fault-bounded Stellarton Basin of northern Nova Scotia, Canada, contains the Province's largest oil shale resources (estimated at 825 {times} 10{sup 6} tons with 168 {times} 10{sup 6} bbls of shale oil in situ). The oil shales were first discovered in the 1850s and, except for limited scale mining during 1852-1859 and 1929-1930, they have remained undeveloped. In order to assess the potential economic use of the oil shales, a comprehensive study incorporating geological field mapping, core-logging, organic and inorganic geochemistry, organic petrology and combustion performance testing was undertaken. Results are presented.
1989-01-01
High variability in Vela X-1: giant flares and off states
We investigate the spectral and temporal behavior of the high mass X-ray binary Vela X-1 during a phase of high activity, with special focus on the observed giant flares and off states. INTEGRAL observed Vela X-1 in a long almost uninterrupted observation for two weeks in 2003 Nov/Dec. The data were analyzed with OSA 7.0 and FTOOLS 6.2. We derive the pulse period, light curves, spectra, hardness ratios, and hardness intensity diagrams, and study the eclipse. In addition to an already high activity level, Vela X-1 exhibited several intense flares, the brightest ones reaching a maximum intensity of more than 5 Crab in the 20-40 keV band and several off states where the source was no longer detected by INTEGRAL. We determine the pulse period to be 283.5320+/-0.0002 s, which is stable throughout the entire observation. Analyzing the eclipses provided an improvement in the ephemeris. Spectral analysis of the flares indicates that there appear to be ...
2008-01-01
An Upper Limit on the Albedo of HD 209458b: Direct Imaging Photometry with the MOST Satellite
We present space-based photometry of the transiting exoplanetary system HD 209458 obtained with the MOST (Microvariablity and Oscillations of STars) satellite, spanning 14 days and covering 4 transits and 4 secondary eclipses. The HD 209458 photometry was obtained in MOST's lower-precision Direct Imaging mode, which is used for targets in the brightness range $6.5 < V < 13$. We describe the photometric reduction techniques for this mode of observing, in particular the corrections for stray Earthshine. We do not detect the secondary eclipse in the MOST data, to a limit in depth of 0.053 mmag (1 \\sigma). We set a 1 \\sigma upper limit on the planet-star flux ratio of 4.88 x 10^-5 corresponding to a geometric albedo upper limit in the MOST bandpass (400 to 700 nm) of 0.25. The corresponding numbers at the 3 \\sigma level are 1.34 x 10^-4 and 0.68 respectively. HD 209458b is half as bright as Jupiter in the MOST bandpass. This low geometric ...
2006-01-01
Terra Nova FPSO on the Grand Banks of Canada
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
An increased use of floating production facilities for offshore oil production in the past fifteen years was due in part to advances in technology, the opening of new frontiers and the increased emphasis on value driven development. Throughout the world, a total of 121 floating production systems were in operation in February 2001, and orders had been placed for an additional 27. Located near the nose of the Grand Banks, approximately 350 kilometres east-southeast of St. John's, Newfoundland is the Terra Nova development. Twelve years elapsed between the discovery of the field in 1984 and the granting of the approval for development in 1996. The decision was made to use a floating production system as the Terra Nova was not considered robust enough to support a gravity base, ice resistant structure development concept, especially considering that it came on the heels of the Hibernia development. The first Floating Production, Storage ...
2001-07-01
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
This article describes the techniques for monitoring electric power transformers applied by the Light to select and recover critical unities. The plan involved 20 and 40 MV A equipment and, as a reflex of the technique application, presented a substantial failure reduction.
2003-04-01
A decade of petroleum developments
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Canada's offshore Atlantic petroleum industry is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2001. This article chronicles the development of the industry discussing the many challenges and setbacks and the eventual triumphs that accompanied the industry's development over the years. Highlights discussed include shipping first oil from the Cohasset Field in July 1992; the financial crisis caused by the withdrawal of Gulf Oil from the Hibernia consortium in the same year; new funding and the beginning of the gravity-based structure construction at Bulls Arm in 1993; striking oil in the Hibernia Field in 1994; the start of exploration and development of the Terra Nova field by Petro-Canada in the same year, based on the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) system, which heralded a new era of offshore development in eastern Canada. Approval by the Nova Scotia government of the third and final phase of the Sable Offshore ...
2001-03-01
Orbits of Four Very Massive Binaries in the R136 Cluster
We present radial velocity and photometry for four early-type, massive double-lined spectroscopic binaries in the R136 cluster. Three of these systems are eclipsing, allowing orbital inclinations to be determined. One of these systems, R136-38 (O3 V + O6 V), has one of the highest masses ever measured, 57 Mo, for the primary. Comparison of our masses with those derived from standard evolutionary tracks shows excellent agreement. We also identify five other light variables in the R136 cluster which are worthy of follow-up study.
2001-01-01
Neutrinos produced by nuclei injected by young pulsars inside compact massive binaries
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
We consider propagation of relativistic heavy nuclei injected by a young pulsar into the radiation field of a massive companion. If the binary system (BS) is compact enough, then the nuclei suffer multiple photodisintegrations in collisions with thermal photons coming from the massive star (MS). Due to the propagation effects of charged particles in the magnetic field of the MS some hadrons can impinge onto the MS surface at large angles. We calculate the fluxes of produced neutrinos as a function of the viewing angle measured from the plane of the BS. It is found that significant fluxes of neutrinos should be also expected in the case of non-eclipsing BSs.
2005-06-15
Terra Nova: taming the North Atlantic
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
The Terra Nova offshore oil project is described, with emphasis on the construction of the Terra Nova Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, the first such vessel constructed for the harsh environment of the North Atlantic off Newfoundland, the site of an oil field that is expected to produce 125,000 to 150,000 barrels of oil per day starting in 2001. The vessel has a double-hull, made of 3,000 tons of reinforced steel to protect it from ice in the form of massive icebergs or crusty 'packs'. The vessel has the world's largest quick release turret, meaning that the vessel can be quickly disconnected from its turret and mooring in the event of an encroaching iceberg, and then reconnected in an environmentally sound way. Apart from its extremely rugged construction, protecting the FPSO vessel against icebergs is accomplished by way of 'hosing down' (by melting by powerful streams of ...
2000-08-01
Ab initio Stellar Astrophysics: Reliable Modeling of Cool White Dwarf Atmospheres
Over the last decade {\\it ab initio} modeling of material properties has become widespread in diverse fields of research. It has proved to be a powerful tool for predicting various properties of matter under extreme conditions. We apply modern computational chemistry and materials science methods, including density functional theory (DFT), to solve lingering problems in the modeling of the dense atmospheres of cool white dwarfs ($T_{\\rm eff}\\rm <7000 \\, K$). Our work on the revision and improvements of the absorption mechanisms in the hydrogen and helium dominated atmospheres resulted in a new set of atmosphere models. By inclusion of the Ly-$\\rm \\alpha$ red wing opacity we successfully fitted the entire spectral energy distributions of known cool DA stars. In the subsequent work we fitted the majority of the coolest stars with hydrogen-rich models. This finding challenges our understanding of the spectral evolution of cool white ...
2010-01-01
New Ideas in the Theory of Extrasolar Giant Planets and Brown Dwarfs
We summarize and extend recent work on the theory of extrasolar giant planets (EGPs) and brown dwarfs, paying particular attention to Gliese 229 B, the albedos of EGPs, the compositions of substellar atmospheres, the connections with the giant planets in the solar system, cloud physics, and non-gray spectral synthesis. The role of condensates in altering the optical spectrum of Gliese 229 B is explored, as are the systematics of the reflection spectra from extrasolar giant planets near their primaries. In addition, we discuss the role of convection and disequilibrium chemistry in explaining the anomalous detection of CO in Gliese 229 B. Throughout, we highlight the distinctive chemistry that defines this new class of objects and set goals for future study.
1998-01-01
Lithium abundances of southern F, G, and K dwarfs
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Observations are reported of the lithium feature (6708 A) in some bright southern stars, most of which are F, G, or K dwarfs. Three of these stars have been suggested as belonging to the Ursa Major Group. Two of these three have the large Li abundance and strong Ca II H and K emission expected of such young stars. The third potential Ursa Major Group member has little Li, but is also not a true kinematic member. No stars were found with abnormal (Li-6)/(Li-7) ratios, in accord with other recent analyses. Thus it appears that all stars have (Li-6)/(Li-7) near the solar/terrestrial value of 0.08. 31 references.
1985-01-01
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
We use deep HST/ACS observations to calculate the star formation history (SFH) of the Cetus dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy. Our photometry reaches below the oldest main-sequence turnoffs, which allows us to estimate the age and duration of the main episode of star formation in Cetus. This is well approximated by a single episode that peaked roughly 12 #+-# 0.5 Gyr ago and lasted no longer than about 1.9 #+-# 0.5 Gyr (FWHM). Our solution also suggests that essentially no stars formed in Cetus during the past 8 Gyr. This makes Cetus' SFH comparable to that of the oldest Milky Way dSphs. Given the current isolation of Cetus in the outer fringes of the Local Group, the dominant old population implies that Cetus is a clear outlier in the morphology-Galactocentric distance relation that holds for the majority of the Milky Way dwarf satellites. Our results also show that Cetus continued forming stars until z#approx =# 1, long after the universe was ...
2010-09-10
UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)
In vitro rooting response and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels were examined in two genetically related dwarfing apple (Malus pumila Mill) rootstocks. M.26 and M.9...Full Text Available
1989-02-01
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
It is shown that observations of the lithium isotope ratio in high surface temperature Population II stars may be critical to cosmological nucleosynthesis models. In particular, decaying particle scenarios as derived in some supersymmetric models may stand or fall with such observations. 18 references.
1988-06-01
Getting to Know our Nearest Couples: CTIOPI Astrometry of Nearby Low-Mass Binaries
In 1999, RECONS (Research Consortium on Nearby Stars) began gathering astrometric data using the CTIO 0.9m under the auspices of the NOAO Surveys Program. In 2003, SMARTS began operating the 0.9m and the program continued, with an enhanced ability to acquire long-term astrometric series on the nearest stars. With over a decade of milli-arcsecond astrometry for hundreds of red dwarfs within 25 pc, we now have a rich dataset in which to search for previously unknown stellar, substellar, and planetary companions. We can also use our data to better constrain the orbits of known binaries to reduce their mass errors to less than a few percent, and consequently test astrophysical models as never before. Here we present our orbit fitting analysis of M dwarfs that show clear evidence of gravitational perturbations due to unseen companions, after solving for their proper motion and parallax signals. We show discoveries such as LHS 3738AB, found for the ...
2011-05-01
Families of ellipsoidal stellar systems adn the formation of dwarf elliptical galaxies
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Core radii and central surface brightnesses of bulges and elliptical galaxies are measured using CCD photometry obtained with the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (scale = 0''.22 pixel"-"1; seeing = 0''.45--1''.0 FWHM). The correlations between core parameters are derived and compared for ellipticals, bulges, dwarf spheroidal galaxies, dwarf irregular galaxies, and globular clusters. The results are as follows. 1. Ihe data confirm the existence of well-defined correlations between the core parameters of elliptical galaxies. More luminous ellipticals have larger core radii r/sub c/ and lower central surface brightnesses #mu#/sub 0v/. Galaxies with larger core radii have larger central velocity dispersions. The small, bright core of M32 is normal for a galaxy of M/sub B/ = -15.2. Radio ellipticals and brightest cluster galaxies satisfy the correlations. 2. The bulges of disk galaxies are basically similar to elliptical galaxies. Their cores have ...
Measurement of the 183 keV Resonance in 17O(p,alpha)14N using a Novel Technique
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
We have developed a novel technique for measurements of low energy (p,alpha) reactions using heavy ion beams and a differentially-pumped windowless gas target. We applied this new approach to study the 183 keV resonance in the 17O(p,alpha)14}N reaction. We report a resonance energy (center-of-mass) of 183.5{+0.1}{-0.4} keV, a resonance strength of 1.70 +/- 0.15 meV, and set an upper limit (95\\% confidence) on the total width of the state of < 0.1 keV. This resonance is important for the 17O(p,alpha)14}N reaction rate, and we find that 18F production is significantly decreased in low mass ONeMg novae but less affected in more energetic novae. We also report the first determination of the stopping power for oxygen ions in hydrogen gas near the peak of the Bragg curve (E=193 keV/u) to be (63+/-1)e-15 eV-cm2.
2007-06-01
Compilation and evaluation of alpha-induced nuclear reaction cross sections for astrophysics
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Nucleosynthesis and energy production in stellar environments depend critically on nuclear reaction cross sections. Reactions induced by alpha particles are important in the helium burning stage of stars, novae, and supernovae events. They involve light to medium weight nuclei up to about Z=32, and center-of-mass energies up to about 20 MeV. We are working on a project to compile and evaluate cross section data for alpha-induced reactions. These data will eventually be used to derive #alpha#-nucleus potential parameters. (author)
2002-08-01
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Petro-Canada's Terra Nova offshore oil platform was designed with the expectation that its Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel would be taken off location for maintenance and modifications work within the first 10 years of operation. Petro-Canada's 2006 extended Turnaround project was initiated to prepare for the maintenance and transport of the FPSO. The project aimed to execute an extended turnaround in approximately 90 days. The cost of the project was estimated at $190.5 million. Shutdown occurred early on May 7, 2006 due to the failure of a generator gearbox. Staff were increased from 80 to 120 to complete critical preparation work. On June 17, the FPSO was disconnected and departed for Conception Bay. A turret cover plate was installed, and the FPSO began its voyage to a Rotterdam shipyard in the Netherlands. In order to complete the journey, a comprehensive marine transit manual and emergency response plan was needed. ...
2006-07-01
Oil shale resources of Nova Scotia
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Oil shale occurrences have been historically reported in the Cape Breton Island, northern mainland and southern mainland areas of Nova Scotia. Twelve of these occurrences were investigated for this study. Rocks from three of the areas gave oil yields of less than 25 litres per tonne (below oil shale grade) while the remainder gave oil yields greater than 25 litres per tonne (above oil shale grade). The rock types of oil shale grade include silicate-rich shale, carbonaceous shale locally transitional to coal, limy shale and petroliferous limestone associated with coal, silicate-rich shale and cannel shale associated with coal and silicate-rich shale, cannel shale and boghead shale associated with coal. The Stellarton Basin represents the province's largest oil shale resource with an estimated 825 x 10{sup 6} tonnes of oil shale and 168 x 10{sup 6} barrels of shale oil in situ. The Antigonish Basin represents the second largest oil shale resource in the ...
1990-01-01
FPSOs assuming key role in harsh environments
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
There are at present 116 floating production systems and 60 storage vessels dotting the oceans involved in hydrocarbon exploration and production activities. Although concentrated mostly in the North Sea, they can be found also off the coast of Australia, eastern Canada, Brazil, some African nations and the Gulf of Mexico. They range from converted tankers to purpose built rigs. The most adaptable of the various systems is the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, first developed as a cost-effective means of developing fields in Brazil's very deep offshore areas. Still being tested and modified for work in widely different environments, FPSOs appear to have met all requirements in producing expenditure efficiencies, maximizing profits, and protecting workers. One of the most efficient and most technically advanced is a 292-metre long FPSO built for the Terra Nova Alliance by Daewoo Shipyards in South Korea. It arrived at ...
2001-01-22
A new method of determining the inclination angle in interacting binaries
We describe a method of determining the system parameters in non-eclipsing interacting binaries. We find that the extent to which an observer sees the shape of the Roche-lobe of the secondary star governs the amount of distortion of the absorption line profiles. The width and degree of asymmetry of the phase-resolved absorption line profiles show a characteristic shape, which depends primarily on the binary inclination and gravity darkening exponent. We show that, in principle, by obtaining high spectral and time resolution spectra of quiescent cataclysmic variables or low mass X-ray binaries in which the mass-losing star is visible, fitting the shape of absorption line profiles will allow one to determine not only the mass function of the binary, but also the binary inclination and hence the mass of the binary components.
1998-01-01
Interinstitutional Variations in Planning for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess interinstitutional variations in planning for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer before the start of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) 0403 trial. Methods and Materials: Eleven institutions created virtual plans for four cases of solitary lung cancer. The created plans should satisfy the target definitions and the dose constraints for the JCOG 0403 protocol. Results: FOCUS/XiO (CMS) was used in six institutions, Eclipse (Varian) in 3, Cadplan (Varian) in one, and Pinnacle3 (Philips/ADAC) in one. Dose calculation algorithms of Clarkson with effective path length correction and superposition were used in FOCUS/XiO; pencil beam convolution with Batho power law correction was used in Eclipse and Cadplan; and collapsed cone convolution superposition was used in Pinnacle3. For the target volumes, the overall coefficient of variation was 16.6%, and the interinstitutional ...
2007-06-01
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Background and purpose: A series of phase I/II clinical trials are being initiated in several UK centres to explore the use of dose-escalated schedules for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Among them the IDEAL-CRT trial (ISRCTN12155469) will investigate the introduction of individualised 'isotoxic' treatment schedules based on the relative mean lung normalised total dose (rNTDmean), an estimator related to lung toxicity. Since treatment planning will be performed using different treatment planning systems (TPSs), for the quality assurance of the trial we have carried out work to quantify the influence of dose calculation algorithms based on the determination of rNTDmean and on the choice of individualised prescription doses. Material and methods: Twenty-five patient plans with stage I, II and III NSCLC were calculated, with the same prescription dose, using the Adaptive Convolve (AC) and Collapsed Cone (CC) algorithms of the Pinnacle TPS, the pencil beam convolution ...
2010-12-01
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
In July 2005 a new algorithm was released by Varian Medical Systems for the Eclipse planning system and installed in our institute. It is the anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) for photon dose calculations, a convolution/superposition model for the first time implemented in a Varian planning system. It was therefore necessary to perform validation studies at different levels with a wide investigation approach. To validate the basic performances of the AAA, a detailed analysis of data computed by the AAA configuration algorithm was carried out and data were compared against measurements. To better appraise the performance of AAA and the capability of its configuration to tailor machine-specific characteristics, data obtained from the pencil beam convolution (PBC) algorithm implemented in Eclipse were also added in the comparison. Since the purpose of the paper is to address the basic performances of the AAA and of its configuration ...
2006-03-21
Stripping a debris disk by close stellar encounters in an open stellar cluster
A debris disk is a constituent of any planetary system surrounding a main sequence star. We study whether close stellar encounters can disrupt and strip a debris disk of its planetesimals in the expanding open cluster of its birth. Such stripping would affect the dust production and hence detectability of the disk. We tabulated the fractions of planetesimals stripped off during stellar flybys of miss distances between 100 and 1000 AU and for several mass ratios of the central to passing stars. We then estimated the numbers of close stellar encounters over the lifetime of several expanding open clusters characterized by their initial star densities. We found that a standard disk, with inner and outer radii of 40 and 100 AU, suffers no loss of planetesimals around a star born in a common embedded cluster with star density 20 000 pc^-3. In this environment, a disk loses >97% of its planetesimals around an M-dwarf, >63% around a solar-type star, and >42% ...
2011-01-01
We have obtained UBVRI images with the Kitt Peak and Cerro Tololo 4-m telescopes and Mosaic cameras of seven dwarfs in (or near) the Local Group, all of which have known evidence of recent star formation: IC10, NGC 6822, WLM, Sextans B, Sextans A, Pegasus,and Phoenix. We construct color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) of these systems, as well as neighboring regions that can be used to evaluate the degree of foreground contamination by stars in the Milky Way. Inter-comparison of these CMDs with those of M31, M33, the LMC, and the SMC permits us to determine improved reddening values for a typical OB star found within these galaxies. All of the CMDs reveal a strong or modest number of blue supergiants. All but Pegasus and Phoenix also show the clear presence of red supergiants in the CMD, although IC10 appears to be deficient in these objects given its large WR population. The bright stars of intermediate color in the CMD are badly contaminated by foreground stars ...
2007-01-01
A Population of Intergalactic Supernovae in Galaxy Clusters
We have discovered seven type Ia cluster supernovae (SNe) in the course of the Wise Observatory Optical Transients Search in the fields of galaxy clusters with redshifts between z=0.06 and z=0.2. Two of these events, SN 1998fc in Abell 403 (z=0.10) and SN 2001al in Abell 2122/4 (z = 0.066), have no obvious hosts. Both events appear projected on the halos of the central cD galaxies, but have velocity offsets of 750-2000 km/s relative to those galaxies, suggesting they are not bound to them. We use deep Keck imaging of the locations of the two SNe to put upper limits on the luminosities of possible dwarf hosts, M_R > -14 mag for SN 1998fc and M_R > -11.8 mag for SN 2001al. The fractions of the cluster luminosities in dwarf galaxies fainter than our limits are less than 3 x 10^-3 and 3 x 10^-4, respectively. Thus, 2/7 of the SNe would be associated with less than 3 x 10^-3 of the luminosity attributed to galaxies. We argue, instead, that the ...
2002-01-01
Revisiting light neutralino scenarios in the MSSM
We revisit the case of a light neutralino LSP in the framework of the MSSM. We consider a model with eleven free parameters. We show that all scenarios where the annihilation of light neutralinos rely mainly on the exchange of a light pseudoscalar are excluded by direct detection searches and by Fermi measurements of the gamma-flux from dwarf spheroidal galaxies. On the other hand, we find scenarios with light sleptons that satisfy all collider and astroparticle physics constraints. In this case, the lower limit on the LSP mass is 12.6 GeV. We discuss how the parameter space of the model will be further probed by new physics searches at the LHC.
2011-01-01
Detection of a Large Scale Structure of Intracluster Globular Clusters in the Virgo Cluster
Globular clusters are found usually in galaxies and they are an excellent tracer of dark matter. Long ago it was suggested that there may exist intracluster globular clusters (IGCs) bound to a galaxy cluster rather than to any single galaxy. Here we present a map showing the large scale distribution of globular clusters over the entire Virgo cluster. It shows that IGCs are found out to 5 million light years from the Virgo center, and that they are concentrated in several substructures much larger than galaxies. These objects might have been mostly stripped off from low-mass dwarf galaxies.
2010-01-01
An Apparent Hard X-ray Decline of CH Cygni
CH Cygni is a symbiotic star consisting of an M giant and an accreting white dwarf, which is known to be a highly variable X-ray source with a complex, two-component, spectra. Here we report on two Suzaku observations of CH Cyg, taken in 2006 January and May, during which the system was seen to be in a soft X-ray bright, hard X-ray faint state. Based on the extraordinary strength of the 6.4 keV fluorescent Fe K-alpha line, we show that the hard X-rays observed with Suzaku are dominated by scattering.
2006-01-01
Rb-Sr ages and palaeomagnetic data for some Angolan alkaline intrusives
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
New Rb-Sr age measurements are reported for a number of intrusives from Angola. Data for the Njoio and Tchivira nepheline syenite bodies yield mineral isochrons indicating ages of 104,3+-0,8 Ma and 130,8+-1,4 Ma respectively. Palaeomagnetic studies on the same occurrences gave marginal and scattered results respectively. Micas from the Camafuca crater-facies kimberlite yielded and apparent age of 1 822+-151 Ma, a result that is far in excess of the Tertiary (or younger) age inferred for this pipe. Similarly conflicting data were obtained for the Nova Lisboa kimberlite. It is likely that older crustal micas incorporated in the kimberlite breccias are responsible for the anomalous ages reported on the kimberlites. Satisfactory palaeomagnetic data are reported for the Zenza and Bailundu occurrences, not dated by the Rb-Sr method. A convenient K-Ar age of 80+-0,8 Ma was obtainable for Zenza.
Ceramic linings beat coal plant's abrasion/corrosion problems
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
A combination of erosion and corrosion at the Victoria Junction coal preparation plant in Sydney, Nova Scotia was causing serious problems. Schedule 80 mild steel pipes were starting to fail as well as some quarter-inch steel plates in the lauders and chutes. Some corrosion tests were carried out and the high chloride level in the process water was felt to be the single most important contribution to the corrosion problem. Cast basalt was selected as a solution to the pipe wear problem. Three different types of abrasion/corrosion-resistant tiling - basalt tiles, kalceram tiles and ceramic tiles were well suited to the chloride conditions at this plant.
1985-07-01
The Orbit of the Eclipsing X-ray Pulsar EXO 1722-363
With recent and archival Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) X-ray measurements of the heavily obscured X-ray pulsar EXO 1722-363 (IGR J17252-3616), we carried out a pulse timing analysis to determine the orbital solution for the first time. The binary system is characterized by a_x sin(i) = 101 +/- 3 lt-s and P_orb = 9.7403 +/- 0.0004 days (90% confidence), with the precision of the orbital period being obtained by connecting datasets separated by more than 7 years (272 orbital cycles). The orbit is consistent with circular, and e 61 degrees at the 99% confidence level, the radius of the primary is between 21 R_sun and 37 R_sun, and its mass is less than about 22 M_sun. The acceptable range of radius and mass shows that the primary is probably a supergiant of spectral type B0I-B5I. Photometric measurements of its likely counterpart are consistent with the spectral type and luminosity if the distance to the system is between 5.3 kpc and 8.7 kpc. Spectral analysis of the pulsar as a ...
2006-01-01
Design of the heat receiver for the U.S./Russia solar dynamic power joint flight demonstration
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
A joint US/Russia program is being conducted to develop, fabricate, launch, and operate a solar dynamic demonstration system on Space Station Mir. The goal of the program is to demonstrate and confirm that solar dynamic power systems are viable for future space applications such as the International Space Station Alpha. The major components of the system include a heat receiver, a closed Brayton cycle power conversion unit, a power conditioning and control unit, a concentrator, a radiator, a thermal control system, and a Space Shuttle carrier. This paper discusses the design of the heat receiver component. The receiver comprises a cylindrical cavity, the walls of which are lined with a series of tubes running the length of the cavity. The engine working fluid, a mixture of xenon and helium, is heated by the concentrated sunlight incident on these tubes. The receiver incorporates integral thermal storage, using a eutectic mixture of lithium fluoride and calcium difluoride as the thermal ...
1995-12-31
Terra Nova Environmental effects monitoring program
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Elements of the environmental effects monitoring program in the Terra Nova oil field, about 350 km east-southeast of St. John's, Newfoundland, are described. This oilfield is being developed using a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility. A total of 24 wells are expected to be drilled through seven subsea templates located in four glory holes to protect them from icebergs. Subsea installations will be linked to the FPSO by trenched flowlines connected to flexible risers. The FPSO will offload to shuttle tankers. First oil is expected in 2001. The environmental effects monitoring program will be conducted annually for the first two years beginning in 2000. Subsequent scheduling will be determined after a review of monitoring data collected during the first three years. Input to the design of the monitoring program was provided by all stakeholders, i. e. owners, local public, government agencies and regional and international experts. A ...
2000-07-01
Submission to the Georges Bank Review Panel
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
The Georges Bank, off southwestern Nova Scotia, is one of the most biologically productive continental shelf ecosystems in the world. It supports a wide diversity of species, including many seabirds. In 1988, federal and provincial legislation placed a moratorium on petroleum exploration and drilling on the Georges Bank, directing the ministers of Natural Resources Canada, and of the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources to make a decision regarding the moratorium by January 1, 2000. This report by the Ecology Action Centre (EAC) asks the Georges Bank Review Panel to recommend extending the moratorium on Georges Bank and adjacent areas until 2012, in part to match the American moratorium. Other reasons why the panel made this recommendation were explored. The principal reason is the EAC concern that when the moratorium is lifted, several oil and gas developments will proceed in this ecologically significant offshore area that could result ...
1999-01-01
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
This paper reported on the number of seabirds impacted by the Terra Nova floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, which released 160,000 litres of crude oil after it struck the Grand Banks, an area located approximately 340 km east of St. John's, Newfoundland. An area of approximately 340 km{sup 2} was impacted by the spill, which occurred at a time when large numbers of dovekies and murres inhabit the region. After the spill, both vessel-based and helicopter-based surveys were conducted in order to estimate seabird densities in the immediate region. Densities were then compared to other data from similar time periods. The number of birds at risk was estimated base on seabird densities noted from on-vessel surveys. A mean density of 3.46 murres per km{sup 2} and 1.07 dovekies per km{sup 2} were recorded. Mean density increased when birds in flight were also considered. Density estimates were similar to data previously reported. The ...
2006-09-15
The dark matter halos of Draco and Ursa Minor
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Published density profiles and central velocity dispersions place important constraints on the stellar velocity ellipsoid and on the distribution of dark matter (DM) in the dwarf spheroidal galaxies Draco and Ursa Minor. Central velocity dispersions of 9 km/s are adopted for Draco and 11 km/s for Ursa Minor. Then, for an isotropic stellar velocity distribution, the central DM densities are 0.8 and 1.0 solar mass/cu pc, respectively, if visible and dark matter have the same core radius. If DM has a much larger core radius than visible matter but nevertheless dominates the potential, these densities are reduced by a factor of 2. Central DM densities can be lower than this only if the stellar velocity distribution is anisotropic. Simple two-component King models are used to investigate this and to look for the smallest DM densities that are consistent with the observations. 36 refs.
Lung size and thoracic morphology in shallow- and deep-diving cetaceans
British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)
Shallow-diving, coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and deep-diving, pelagic pygmy and dwarf sperm whales (Kogia breviceps and K. sima) will experience vastly different ambient pressures at depth, which will influence the volume of air within their lungs and potentially the degree of thoracic collapse they experience. This study tested the hypotheses that lung size will be reduced and/or thoracic mobility will be enhanced in deeper divers. Lung mass (T. truncatus, n = 106; kogiids, n = 18) and lung volume (T. truncatus, n = 5; kogiids, n = 4), relative to total body mass, were compared. One T. truncatus and one K. sima were cross-sectioned to calculate lung, thoracic vasculature, and other organ volumes. Excised thoraxes (T. truncatus, n = 3; kogiids, n = 4) were mechanically ...
2010-01-01
Extragalactic Planetary Nebulae: Observational Challenges & Future Prospects
The study of extragalactic planetary nebulae (EPN) is a rapidly expanding field. The advent of powerful new instrumentation such as the PN spectrograph has led to an avalanche of new EPN discoveries both within and between galaxies. We now have thousands of EPN detections in a heterogeneous selection of nearby galaxies and their local environments, dwarfing the combined galactic detection efforts of the last century. Key scientific motivations driving this rapid growth in EPN research and discovery have been the use of the PNLF as a standard candle, as dynamical tracers of their host galaxies and dark matter and as probes of Galactic evolution. This is coupled with the basic utility of PN as laboratories of nebula physics and the consequent comparison with theory where population differences, abundance variations and star formation history within and between stellar systems informs both stellar and galactic evolution. Here we pose some of the burning questions, ...
2004-01-01
Are Stars with Planets Polluted?
We compare the metallicities of stars with radial velocity planets to the metallicity of a sample of field dwarfs. We confirm recent work indicating that the stars-with-planet sample as a whole is iron rich. However, the lowest mass stars tend to be iron poor, with several having [Fe/H]0.48) that contributes to but does not explain the mass-metallicity trend in the stars-with-planets sample. We use Monte Carlo models to show that adding an average of 6.5 Earth masses of iron to each star can explain both the mass-metallicity and the age-metallicity relations of the stars-with-planets sample. However, for at least one star, HD 38529, there is good evidence that the bulk metallicity is high. We conclude that the observed metallicities and metallicity trends are the result of the interaction of three effects; accretion of about 6 Earth masses of iron rich material, selection effects, and in some cases, high intrinsic metallicity.
2002-01-01
Responses of northern forest plants to atmospheric changes
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
This research programme has been under way since 1990 to study the long-term synergistic effects of air pollutants and changing climatic conditions on the northern forest ecosystem and to increase the knowledge of climatic change and its consequences for the fragile northern nature. Ecological, physiological, morphological and biochemical methods have been used to study the responses of forest trees, dwarf shrubs, lichens and soil biology to environmental changes. The research programme is divided into four subprojects concentrating on different ecosystem levels. The subprojects are: (1) life, growth and survival strategies of northern dwarf shrubs under the pressure of a changing environment, (2) forest trees under the impact of air pollutants, increasing CO{sub 2} and UV-B, (3) susceptibility of lichens to air pollution and climatic change and (4) impact of elevated atmospheric CO{sub 2} and O{sub 3} on soil biology with special reference to ...
1996-12-31
Ship of challenges: Braced for perfect storms, icebergs and oilfield hazards
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
More details about the construction of the Terra Nova floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel are provided. The vessel was built in the Daewoo shipyard in South Korea, and is now undergoing final fitting at Bull Arm, near St. John's, Newfoundland. When complete, the vessel will operate 350 km offshore, southeast of St. John's. It is 291 metres long and 45.5 metres wide and has a capacity of 960,000 barrels of oil. Although the FPSO will hold less than half of the last giant supertanker which sailed for Irving Oil, it has a crew of 81, four times the size of the supertanker, reflecting the technical uniqueness of the vessel and the intense pre-occupation with safety associated with the combination of winds, ice, waves, and shallow water around the Grand Banks. Also described is the alliance system of partnership between the oil companies and the main contractors. The deal stipulates that if the project ran over its budget, the oil ...
2001-08-06
Design and integration of a solar AMTEC power system with an advanced global positioning satellite
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
A 1,200-W solar AMTEC (alkali metal thermal-to-electric conversion) power system concept was developed and integrated with an advanced global positioning system (GPS) satellite. The critical integration issues for the SAMTEC with the GPS subsystems included (1) packaging within the Delta 2 launch vehicle envelope, (2) deployment and start-up operations for the SAMTEC, (3) SAMTEC operation during all mission phases, (4) satellite field of view restrictions with satellite operations, and (5) effect of the SAMTEC requirements on other satellite subsystems. The SAMTEC power system was compared with a conventional planar solar array/battery power system to assess the differences in system weight, size, and operations. Features of the design include the use of an advanced multitube, vapor anode AMTEC cell design with 24% conversion efficiency, and a direct solar insolation receiver design with integral LiF salt canisters for energy storage to generate power during the maximum solar ...
1996-12-31
The physical properties of extra-solar planets
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Tremendous progress in the science of extrasolar planets has been achieved since the discovery of a Jupiter orbiting the nearby Sun-like star 51 Pegasi in 1995. Theoretical models have now reached enough maturity to predict the characteristic properties of these new worlds, mass, radius, atmospheric signatures, and can be confronted with available observations. We review our current knowledge of the physical properties of exoplanets, internal structure and composition, atmospheric signatures, including expected biosignatures for exo-Earth planets, evolution, and the impact of tidal interaction and stellar irradiation on these properties for the short-period planets. We discuss the most recent theoretical achievements in the field and the still pending questions. We critically analyze the different solutions suggested to explain abnormally large radii of a significant fraction of transiting exoplanets. Special attention is devoted to the recently discovered transiting objects in the ...
2010-01-01
The Outermost Ejecta of Type Ia Supernovae
The properties of the highest velocity ejecta of normal Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are studied via models of very early optical spectra of 6 SNe. At epochs earlier than 1 week before maximum, SNe with a rapidly evolving Si II 6355 line velocity (HVG) have a larger photospheric velocity than SNe with a slowly evolving Si II 6355 line velocity (LVG). Since the two groups have comparable luminosities, the temperature at the photosphere is higher in LVG SNe. This explains the different overall spectral appearance of HVG and LVG SNe. However, the variation of the Ca II and Si II absorptions at the highest velocities (v >~ 20,000 km/s) suggests that additional factors, such as asphericity or different abundances in the progenitor white dwarf, affect the outermost layers. The C II 6578 line is marginally detected in 3 LVG SNe, suggesting that LVG undergo less intense burning. The carbon mass fraction is small, only less than 0.01 near the photosphere, so that he mass ...
2007-01-01
We propose a new method to measure the metallicity of Type Ia supernova progenitors using Mn and Cr lines in the X-ray spectra of young supernova remnants. We show that the Mn to Cr mass ratio in Type Ia supernova ejecta is tightly correlated with the initial metallicity of the progenitor, as determined by the neutron excess of the white dwarf material before thermonuclear runaway. We use this correlation, together with the flux of the Cr and Mn Kalpha X-ray lines in the Tycho supernova remnant recently detected by Suzaku (Tamagawa et al. 2008) to derive a metallicity of log(Z) = -1.32 (+0.67,-0.33) for the progenitor of this supernova, which corresponds to log(Z/Zsun)= 0.60 (+0.31,-0.60) according to the latest determination of the solar metallicity by Asplund et al. (2005). The uncertainty in the measurement is large, but metallicities much smaller than the solar value can be confidently discarded. We discuss the implications of this result for future research on ...
2008-01-01
Self-Interacting Dark Matter Halos and the Gravothermal Catastrophe
We study the evolution of an isolated, spherical halo of self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) in the gravothermal fluid formalism. We show that the thermal relaxation time, $t_r$, of a SIDM halo with a central density and velocity dispersion of a typical dwarf galaxy is significantly shorter than its age. We find a self-similar solution for the evolution of a SIDM halo in the limit where the mean free path between collisions, $\\lambda$, is everywhere longer than the gravitational scale height, $H$. Typical halos formed in this long mean free path regime relax to a quasistationary gravothermal density profile characterized by a nearly homogeneous core and a power-law halo where $\\rho \\propto r^{-2.19}$. We solve the more general time-dependent problem and show that the contracting core evolves to sufficiently high density that $\\lambda$ inevitably becomes smaller than $H$ in the innermost region. The core undergoes secular collapse to a singular state (the ...
2002-01-01
Responses to ammonium and nitrate additions by boreal plants and their natural enemies
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Separate effects of ammonium (NH{sub 4} {sup +}) and nitrate (NO{sub 3} {sup -}) on boreal forest understorey vegetation were investigated in an experiment where 12.5 and 50.0 kg nitrogen (N) ha{sup -1} year{sup -1} was added to 2 m{sup 2} sized plots during 4 years. The dwarf-shrubs dominating the plant community, Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea, took up little of the added N independent of the chemical form, and their growth did not respond to the N treatments. The grass Deschampsia flexuosa increased from the N additions and most so in response to NO{sub 3} {sup -}. Bryophytes took up predominately NH{sub 4} {sup +} and there was a negative correlation between moss N concentration and abundance. Plant pathogenic fungi increased from the N additions, but showed no differences in response to the two N forms. Because the relative contribution of NH{sub 4} {sup +} and NO{sub 3} {sup -} to the total N deposition on a regional scale can vary substantially, the ...
2006-05-15
Microlens Parallax Measurements with a Warm Spitzer
Because Spitzer is an Earth-trailing orbit, losing about 0.1 AU/yr, it is excellently located to perform microlens parallax observations toward the Magellanic Clouds (LMC/SMC) and the Galactic bulge. These yield the so-called ``projected velocity'' of the lens, which can distinguish statistically among different populations. A few such measurements toward the LMC/SMC would reveal the nature of the lenses being detected in this direction (dark halo objects, or ordinary LMC/SMC stars). Cool Spitzer has already made one such measurement of a (rare) bright red-clump source, but warm (presumably less oversubscribed) Spitzer could devote the extra time required to obtain microlens parallaxes for the more common, but fainter, turnoff sources. Warm Spitzer could observe bulge microlenses for 38 days per year, which would permit up to 24 microlens parallaxes per year. This would yield interesting information on the disk mass function, particularly old brown dwarfs, which at ...
2007-01-01
Ly-alpha emitters: blue dwarfs or supermassive ULIRGs? Evidence for a transition with redshift
The traditional view that Ly-alpha emission and dust should be mutually exclusive has been questioned more and more often, notably the observations of Ly-alpha emission from ULIRGs seems to counter this view. In this paper we seek to address the reverse question: How large a fraction of Ly-alpha selected galaxies are ULIRGs? Using two samples of 24/25 Ly-alpha emitting galaxies at z = 0.3/2.3 we perform this test, also including results at z = 3.1, and find that whereas the ULIRG fraction at z = 3.1 is very small, it systematically increases towards lower redshifts. There is a hint that this evolution may be quite sudden and that it happens around a redshift of z ~ 2.5. Measuring the infrared luminosities of the Ly-alpha emitters, we find that they are in the normal to ULIRG range in the lower redshift sample, whereas the higher redshift galaxies all have luminosities in the ULIRG category. The Ly-alpha escape fractions for these infrared bright galaxies are in the range 1-100 % in the ...
2009-01-01
Line intensity enhancements in stellar coronal X-ray spectra due to opacity effects
Context. The I(15.01 A)/I(16.78 A) emission line intensity ratio in Fe XVII has been reported to deviate from its theoretical value in solar and stellar X-ray spectra. This is attributed to opacity in the 15.01 A line, leading to a reduction in its intensity, and was interpreted in terms of a geometry in which the emitters and absorbers are spatially distinct. Aims. We study the I(15.01 A)/I(16.78 A) intensity ratio for the active cool dwarf EV Lac, in both flare and quiescent spectra. Methods. The observations were obtained with the Reflection Grating Spectrometer on the XMM-Newton satellite. The emission measure distribution versus temperature reconstruction technique is used for our analysis. Results. We find that the 15.01 A line exhibits a significant enhancement in intensity over the optically thin value. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such an enhancement has been detected on such a sound statistical basis. We interpret this enhancement in ...
2008-01-01
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Nineteen-day-old dwarf sunflower plants (Helianthus annuus, variety NK894) received a variable dose (0-40 Gy) from a cobalt-60 gamma source. A very sensitive stem monitoring device, developed at Battelle's Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Washington was used to measure real-time changes in stem diameter. Exposure of plants caused a significant reduction in stem growth and root biomass. Doses as low as 5 Gy resulted in a significant increase in leaf density, suggesting that nonreversible morphological growth changes could be induced by very low doses of radiation. Carbohydrate analysis of 40-Gy irradiated plants demonstrated significantly more starch content in leaves and significantly less starch content in stems 18 days after exposure than did control plants. In contrast, the carbohydrate content in roots of 40-Gy irradiated plants were not significantly different from unirradiated plants 18 days after exposure. These results indicate that ...
1988-05-25
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
The paper reports on the results of hydrodynamical simulations of the late phase of the common envelope stage of a binary consisting of a 2-solar mass red giant and a 1-solar mass main-sequence companion. The numerical results demonstrate that sufficient energy is released from the orbit to eject the mass within the common envelope without requiring the main-sequence companion to spiral into the white dwarf core of the red giant star. At the end of the simulation the orbital decay time scale increases rapidly to more than 160 yr. The long decay time scale reflects the removal of mass from the common envelope and its subsequent spin-up to near corotation. The ratio of the orbital decay time scale to the mass-loss time scale from the common envelope increases to more than 700, and the mass contained within the common envelope decreases to about 0.01 solar mass or less. It is argued that further orbital decay will be small and that the final binary period will be 1.2 ...
Detection of H2 Emission from Mira B in UV Spectra from the Hubble Space Telescope
We present ultraviolet spectra of Mira's companion star from the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) instrument on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The companion is generally assumed to be a white dwarf surrounded by an accretion disk fed by Mira's wind, which dominates the UV emission from the system. The STIS UV spectrum is dominated by numerous, narrow H2 lines fluoresced by H I Ly-alpha, which were not detected in any of the numerous observations of Mira B by the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE). The high temperature lines detected by IUE (e.g., C IV 1550) still exist in the STIS spectrum but with dramatically lower fluxes. The continuum fluxes in the STIS spectra are also much lower, being more than an order of magnitude lower than ever observed by IUE, and also an order of magnitude lower than fluxes observed in more recent HST Faint Object Camera objective prism spectra from 1995. Thus, the accretion rate onto Mira B was apparently ...
2001-01-01
Can satellites deliver substructures and black holes to inner halo by dynamical friction?
Dynamical friction, or the rate for a satellite to decay its orbit in a host galaxy halo, is often severely overestimated when applying the ChandraSekhar's formula without correcting for the tidal loss of the satellite and the adiabactic growth of the host galaxy potential over the Hubble time. As a satellite decays to the inner and denser region of the host galaxy, the high ambient density boosts the exchange of energy and angular momentum between the satellite and the host, but on the other hand shrinks the Roche lobe of the satellite by tides. Eventually the processes of orbital decay and tidal stripping hang up altogether once the satellite is light enough. These competing processes can be modeled analytically for a satellite if we parametrize the massloss history by an empirical formula. We also take into account the adiabatic contraction of orbits due to growth of the potential well of the host galaxy. Observed dwarf galaxies often show a finite density core, ...
2003-01-01
THE CHEMICAL EVOLUTION OF THE URSA MINOR DWARF SPHEROIDAL GALAXY
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
We present an abundance analysis based on high-resolution spectra of 10 stars selected to span the full range in metallicity in the Ursa Minor (UMi) dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy. We find that [Fe/H] for the sample stars ranges from -1.35 to -3.10 dex. Combining our sample with previously published work for a total of 16 luminous UMi giants, we establish the trends of abundance ratios [X/Fe] as functions of [Fe/H] for 15 elements. In key cases, particularly for the #alpha#-elements, these trends resemble those for stars in the outer part of the Galactic halo, especially at the lowest metallicities probed. The neutron-capture elements show an r-process distribution over the full range of Fe metallicity reached in this dSph galaxy. This suggests that the duration of star formation in the UMi dSph was shorter than in other dSph galaxies. The derived ages for a larger sample of UMi stars with more uncertain metallicities also suggest a population dominated by ...
2010-08-10
X-ray ablation measurements and modeling for ICF applications
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
X-ray ablation of material from the first wall and other components of an ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) chamber is a major threat to the laser final optics. Material condensing on these optics after a shot may cause damage with subsequent laser shots. To ensure the successful operation of the ICF facility, removal rates must be predicted accurately. The goal for this dissertation is to develop an experimentally validated x-ray response model, with particular application to the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Accurate knowledge of the x-ray and debris emissions from ICF targets is a critical first step in the process of predicting the performance of the target chamber system. A number of 1-D numerical simulations of NIF targets have been run to characterize target output in terms of energy, angular distribution, spectrum, and pulse shape. Scaling of output characteristics with variations of both target yield and hohlraum wall thickness are also described. Experiments have been ...
1996-09-01
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Calls for containers to transport compressed natural gas, and a ship or barge to house some 200 employees in the Terra Nova offshore oilfield while the oil field's floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) system is undergoing a major overhaul, are attracting attention on Canada's east coast offshore oilpatch. The FPSO is located offshore, 350 km east of St. John's, Newfoundland. Petro-Canada, operators of the FPSO anticipate that by having all required personnel nearby, the total shutdown time for the overhaul could be minimized. The CNG container was designed by Trans Ocean Gas Inc. in response to an invitation by Husky Oil and Petro-Canada, the White Rose field partners. Trans Ocean Gas strongly believes that CNG will become the technology of choice for getting natural gas ashore and to markets from stranded hydrocarbon pools in Atlantic Canada and the rest of the world where pipeline systems would be too expensive to build ...
2004-10-01
Coal liquefaction in Canada: the CANMET program
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
In Canada, the federal government, through CANMET, is actively supporting coal liquefaction research and development in a number of areas. A review of the basic principles and some of the processes in the production of liquid fuels from coal is presented with reference to the characteristics of the Canadian coal resource base. An overview of the CANMET coal liquefaction contract program is presented and specific results from the batch autoclave studies carried out with Saskatchewan lignite and Nova Scotia high-volatile bituminous coals are discussed. The development of a laboratory-scale continuous-flow coal liquefaction unit at the Energy Research Laboratories of CANMET to investigate the co-processing of coal and bitumen/heavy oil is also described. In principle, there are only two routes to the production of liquid fuels from coal - a degradation route and a synthesis route. The degradation route partially breaks the complex coal structure into simpler ...
1981-02-01
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
The samples comprise the foliage of four pteridosperm-medullosalean plant fossil species of differing preservation states and one of a cordaitean species from two Canadian Maritime sub-basins of Carboniferous age (300 Ma; Sydney and Stellarton coalfields, Nova Scotia, respectively). Included in the sample set were some coal samples from Sydney Coalfield, along with published data for coal macerals for comparison. By applying Schulze's maceration process to the fossil foliage to obtain the cuticles, five sample forms evolved, viz. compressions, cuticles and fossilized cuticles, and acidic and alkaline solutions from Schulze's process, to which was added the Sydney coal samples as the sixth form. Area integration of the absorbance spectra from solid and liquid state Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, produced functional chemical parameters which were organized into a data matrix of eight variables and 62 samples (8 x 62 matrix). ...
2010-12-15
Alpha particle destabilization of the toroidicity-induced Alfven eigenmodes
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
The high frequency, low mode number toroidicity-induced Alfven eigenmodes (TAE) are shown to be driven unstable by the circulating and/or trapped {alpha}-particles through the wave-particle resonances. Satisfying the resonance condition requires that the {alpha}-particle birth speed v{sub {alpha}} {ge} v{sub A}/2{vert bar}m-nq{vert bar}, where v{sub A} is the Alfven speed, m is the poloidal model number, and n is the toroidal mode number. To destabilize the TAE modes, the inverse Landau damping associated with the {alpha}-particle pressure gradient free energy must overcome the velocity space Landau damping due to both the {alpha}-particles and the core electrons and ions. The growth rate was studied analytically with a perturbative formula derived from the quadratic dispersion relation, and numerically with the aid of the NOVA-K code. Stability criteria in terms of the {alpha}-particle beta {beta}{sub {alpha}}, {alpha}-particle pressure gradient parameter ...
1990-10-01
Primary study on lesion mimic mutants of rice (oryza sativa L.)
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Nineteen lesion mimic mutants (xsl1-19) of japonica rice Xiushui11 were obtained by ?-rays irradiation treatment. All mutants belonged to whole life lesion mimic. Lesion mimic of mutants didn't largen after tillering stage, leaves didn't wither, and no effect on the plants exsert spikes and seed. When the highest temperature in day exceeded 32 degree C in seedling stage, lesion mimic of all mutant expect xsl19 disappeared. Under 32 degree C, lesion mimic would appear gradually, and symptoms weren't inhibited by high temperature after 5 leaf stage. The plant heights of all lesion mimic mutants were 47.56-63.54 cm in the tillering stage, and that of CK was 83.75 cm; but the dwarf phenomenon of mutants only appeared before tillering stage, and didn't affect plant heights finally; the heading dates of mutants were the same to the CK, the ear length of all mutants were 9.43-15.19 cm, and that of CK was 16.41 cm; the total grain quantity per spike of all mutants were ...
2007-08-01
ON THE POSSIBILITY OF ENRICHMENT AND DIFFERENTIATION IN GAS GIANTS DURING BIRTH BY DISK INSTABILITY
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
We investigate the coupling between rock-size solids and gas during the formation of gas giant planets by disk fragmentation in the outer regions of massive disks. In this study, we use three-dimensional radiative hydrodynamic simulations and model solids as a spatial distribution of particles. We assume that half of the total solid fraction is in small grains and half in large solids. The former are perfectly entrained with the gas and set the opacity in the disk, while the latter are allowed to respond to gas drag forces, with the back reaction on the gas taken into account. To explore the maximum effects of gas-solid interactions, we first consider 10 cm size particles. We then compare these results to a simulation with 1 km size particles, which explores the low-drag regime. We show that (1) disk instability planets have the potential to form large cores due to aerodynamic capturing of rock-size solids in spiral arms before fragmentation; (2) temporary clumps can concentrate tens ...
2010-11-20
Comparing compressed sequences for faster nucleotide BLAST searches.
Molecular biologists, geneticists, and other life scientists use the BLAST homology search package as their first step for discovery of information about unknown or poorly annotated genomic sequences. There are two main variants of BLAST: BLASTP for searching protein collections and BLASTN for nucleotide collections. Surprisingly, BLASTN has had very little attention; for example, the algorithms it uses do not follow those described in the 1997 BLAST paper and no exact description has been published. It is important that BLASTN is state-of-the-art: Nucleotide collections such as GenBank dwarf the protein collections in size, they double in size almost yearly, and they take many minutes to search on modern general purpose workstations. This paper proposes significant improvements to the BLASTN algorithms. Each of our schemes is based on compressed bytepacked formats that allow queries and collection sequences to be compared four bases at a time, permitting very fast ...
White Rose oilfield development application. CD-ROM ed.
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
Located approximately 350 km east of Newfoundland, on the eastern edge of the Jeanne d'Arc Basin, and approximately 50 km from both the Terra Nova and Hibernia oilfields, the White Rose oilfield is considered the main oil producing basin off the eastern coast of North America. Husky Oil is very active in the region and holds almost 32 per cent net working interest in the Significant Discovery License areas in the Jeanne d'Arc basin. The development of an economically significant oil discovery in the White Rose Significant Discovery Area is being proposed jointly by Husky Oil and Petro-Canada. It is estimated that the project would enable the recovery of an estimated 36 million cubic meters (230 million barrels) of recoverable oil in this area that covers approximately 40 square kilometers. The operators propose to use a ship-shaped floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facility which could store up to 135,000 cubic meters (850,000 ...
2001-01-01
THE DOUBLE-DEGENERATE NUCLEUS OF THE PLANETARY NEBULA TS 01: A CLOSE BINARY EVOLUTION SHOWCASE
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
We present a detailed investigation of SBS 1150+599A, a close binary star hosted by the planetary nebula PN G135.9+55.9 (TS 01). The nebula, located in the Galactic halo, is the most oxygen-poor known to date and is the only one known to harbor a double degenerate core. We present XMM-Newton observations of this object, which allowed the detection of the previously invisible component of the binary core, whose existence was inferred so far only from radial velocity (RV) and photometric variations. The parameters of the binary system were deduced from a wealth of information via three independent routes using the spectral energy distribution (from the infrared to X-rays), the light and RV curves, and a detailed model atmosphere fitting of the stellar absorption features of the optical/UV component. We find that the cool component must have a mass of 0.54 #+-# 0.2 M_s_u_n, an average effective temperature, T_e_f_f, of 58,000 #+-# 3000 K, a mean radius of 0.43 #+-# 0.3 R_s_u_n, a gravity, ...
2010-05-01
Present conditions in Greenland and the Kangerlussuaq area
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Greenland is the world's largest island, with an area of 2.2 million square kilometres, 80 % of which is covered by the ice sheet. The climate is Arctic, but as Greenland stretches 2600 km from north to south, there is a huge variability in climate, with temperature decreasing from south to north. Due to the influence of oceanic currents, the west coast is slightly warmer than the east coast. Precipitation also decreases strongly from the south to the north, and also with distance from the coast. Kangerlussuaq is located in the dry, continental area of central west Greenland. The bedrock of Greenland is dominated by Precambrian gneisses, with sedimentary rocks occurring in some areas of East and North Greenland, and smaller areas of basalts. All of Greenland has been glaciated several times and has thus been eroded and shaped by the ice, as it still is at the ice margin. Soils are generally thin, and especially in the gneiss regions rather poor in plant nutrients. Permafrost occurs ...
Fermilab Steering Group Report
Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)
The Fermilab Steering Group has developed a plan to keep U.S. accelerator-based particle physics on the pathway to discovery, both at the Terascale with the LHC and the ILC and in the domain of neutrinos and precision physics with a high-intensity accelerator. The plan puts discovering Terascale physics with the LHC and the ILC as Fermilab's highest priority. While supporting ILC development, the plan creates opportunities for exciting science at the intensity frontier. If the ILC remains near the Global Design Effort's technically driven timeline, Fermilab would continue neutrino science with the NOVA experiment, using the NuMI (Neutrinos at the Main Injector) proton plan, scheduled to begin operating in 2011. If ILC construction must wait somewhat longer, Fermilab's plan proposes SNuMI, an upgrade of NuMI to create a more powerful neutrino beam. If the ILC start is postponed significantly, a central feature of the proposed Fermilab plan ...
2007-01-01
Evolution of improved varieties of sesame through induced mutations
International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
Sesame varieties/genotypes showed a good response to radiation with gamma rays and treatments with EMS. In M_1 both gamma rays and EMS influenced germination, seedling height, survival of plants and pollen fertility/sterility, producing deleterious effects on these characters. Compared to black seeded genotypes, white seeded ones are more susceptible to radiation. Both gamma rays and EMS produced various types of morphological variations in M_2 generation. These were dwarf plant mutants, mottled and fleshy leaved mutants (sterile), fasciated stem, flower colour, altered phyllotaxy, early, uniculm, capsule size variations, multiple capsule/leaf axil, seed coat colour variations, indehiscent and semi-indehiscent type mutants. Moreover, studies on quantitative characters including seed yield revealed the induction of mutants in both positive and negative directions for such traits which made a good scope of selection of desirable mutants in M_2 generation. Mutants ...
2001-01-01
European Space Agency announces contest to "Name the Cluster Quartet"
1. Contest rules The European Space Agency (ESA) is launching a public competition to find the most suitable names for its four Cluster II space weather satellites. The quartet, which are currently known as flight models 5, 6, 7 and 8, are scheduled for launch from Baikonur Space Centre in Kazakhstan in June and July 2000. Professor Roger Bonnet, ESA Director of Science Programme, announced the competition for the first time to the European Delegations on the occasion of the Science Programme Committee (SPC) meeting held in Paris on 21-22 February 2000. The competition is open to people of all the ESA member states (*). Each entry should include a set of FOUR names (places, people, or things from history, mythology, or fiction, but NOT living persons). Contestants should also describe in a few sentences why their chosen names would be appropriate for the four Cluster II satellites. The winners will be those which are considered most suitable and relevant for the Cluster II mission. ...
2000-02-01
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