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200 pages :

200 pages :

It's National Astronomy Day! Here are 5... ok 6 apps to help you get into the spirit.

It's National Astronomy Day! Here are 5... ok 6 apps to help you get into the spirit.

580 s. :

482 pages 23 cm

Seven gallium doped germanium (Ge:Ga) photoconductive infrared detectors were fabricated and mounted in integrating cavities. In addition, a cold preamplifier package consisting of J230 junction field effect transistors (JFETs) was produced. Tests of the system under low photon background conditions indicated that sensitivity was limited by the Johnson noise of the load resistor. The detectors were mounted in the Ames cooled grating spectrometer, and flown on the Kuiper Airborne Observatory. Good quality astronomical data were obtained during the flight of 7 July 1983.

Both of the High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO)-2/Einstein Observatory imaging devices were used to observe the Great Nebula in Andromeda, M31. This is a smaller field and more detailed view of the central region of the Great Nebula in Andromeda, M31, taken with the High Resolution Imager. The HEAO-2, the first imaging and largest x-ray telescope built to date, was capable of producing actual photographs of x-ray objects. Shortly after launch, the HEAO-2 was nicknamed the Einstein Observatory by its scientific experimenters in honor of the centernial of the birth of Albert Einstein, whose concepts of relativity and gravitation have influenced much of modern astrophysics, particularly x-ray astronomy. The HEAO-2, designed and developed by TRW, Inc. under the project management of the Marshall Space Flight Center, was launched aboard an Atlas/Centaur launch vehicle on November 13, 1978.

Both of the High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO)-2/Einstein Observatory imaging devices were used to observe the Great Nebula in Andromeda, M31. This is a smaller field and more detailed view of the central region of the Great Nebula in Andromeda, M31, taken with the High Resolution Imager. The HEAO-2, the first imaging and largest x-ray telescope built to date, was capable of producing actual photographs of x-ray objects. Shortly after launch, the HEAO-2 was nicknamed the Einstein Observatory by its scientific experimenters in honor of the centernial of the birth of Albert Einstein, whose concepts of relativity and gravitation have influenced much of modern astrophysics, particularly x-ray astronomy. The HEAO-2, designed and developed by TRW, Inc. under the project management of the Marshall Space Flight Center, was launched aboard an Atlas/Centaur launch vehicle on November 13, 1978.

Both of the High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO)-2/Einstein Observatory imaging devices were used to observe the Great Nebula in Andromeda, M31. This is a smaller field and more detailed view of the central region of the Great Nebula in Andromeda, M31, taken with the High Resolution Imager. The HEAO-2, the first imaging and largest x-ray telescope built to date, was capable of producing actual photographs of x-ray objects. Shortly after launch, the HEAO-2 was nicknamed the Einstein Observatory by its scientific experimenters in honor of the centernial of the birth of Albert Einstein, whose concepts of relativity and gravitation have influenced much of modern astrophysics, particularly x-ray astronomy. The HEAO-2, designed and developed by TRW, Inc. under the project management of the Marshall Space Flight Center, was launched aboard an Atlas/Centaur launch vehicle on November 13, 1978.

Both of the High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO)-2/Einstein Observatory imaging devices were used to observe the Great Nebula in Andromeda, M31. This is a smaller field and more detailed view of the central region of the Great Nebula in Andromeda, M31, taken with the High Resolution Imager. The HEAO-2, the first imaging and largest x-ray telescope built to date, was capable of producing actual photographs of x-ray objects. Shortly after launch, the HEAO-2 was nicknamed the Einstein Observatory by its scientific experimenters in honor of the centernial of the birth of Albert Einstein, whose concepts of relativity and gravitation have influenced much of modern astrophysics, particularly x-ray astronomy. The HEAO-2, designed and developed by TRW, Inc. under the project management of the Marshall Space Flight Center, was launched aboard an Atlas/Centaur launch vehicle on November 13, 1978.

Both of the High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO)-2/Einstein Observatory imaging devices were used to observe the Great Nebula in Andromeda, M31. This is a smaller field and more detailed view of the central region of the Great Nebula in Andromeda, M31, taken with the High Resolution Imager. The HEAO-2, the first imaging and largest x-ray telescope built to date, was capable of producing actual photographs of x-ray objects. Shortly after launch, the HEAO-2 was nicknamed the Einstein Observatory by its scientific experimenters in honor of the centernial of the birth of Albert Einstein, whose concepts of relativity and gravitation have influenced much of modern astrophysics, particularly x-ray astronomy. The HEAO-2, designed and developed by TRW, Inc. under the project management of the Marshall Space Flight Center, was launched aboard an Atlas/Centaur launch vehicle on November 13, 1978.

262 pages : 28 cm

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy ED10-0182-03 A NASA F/A-18 mission support aircraft flies close beside NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP during a high-altitude test flight in preparation for Early Science missions. The second series of flight envelope-expansion flight tests checked out operation of the SOFIA's telescope cavity doors and mission systems at increasingly higher altitudes and air speeds. When flight tests are completed, the SOFIA will be a fully capable observatory cleared for astronomical science missions at up to 45,000 feet altitude. July 13, 2010 (NASA photo / Jim Ross)

Lunar-based astronomy offers major prospects for solar system research in the coming century. In addition to active advocacy of both ground-based and Lunar-based astronomy, a workshop on the value of asteroids as a resource for man is being organized. The following subject areas are also covered: (1) astrophysics from the Moon (composition and structure of planetary atmospheres); (2) a decade of cost-reduction in Very Large Telescopes (the SST as prototype of special-purpose telescopes); and (3) a plan for development of lunar astronomy.

Montgomery College is a public, multicampus community college in Montgomery County, Maryland. Montgomery College serves nearly 60,000 students a year, through both credit and noncredit programs, in more than 100 areas of study.

Work has continued throughout the reporting period on reduction of data from the Fall 1976 flight of the MSFC-UAH Cosmic Ray Experiment. During this period a major effort was undertaken to improve and rebuild the experiment. This was accomplished and a successful flight was completed in September 1978 from Pierre, South Dakota with the new instrument.

Mercuric iodide detectors, experimental development for astronomical use, X ray observations of the 1980 Cygnus X-1 High State, astronomical had X ray detectors in current use, detector development, balloon flight of large area (1500 sq cm) Phoswich detectors, had X ray telescope design, shielded mercuric iodide background measurement, Monte Carlo analysis, measurements with a shielded mercuric iodide detector are discussed.

Digitized spark chamber detector development for satellite and balloon-borne gamma ray astronomy

The self-proclaimed natural scientist Sam Han Lee (aka Tathagata) meeting a professor of astronomy and lunar science, the late Prof. Arlin Crotts 

The self-proclaimed natural scientist Sam Han Lee (aka Tathagata) meeting a professor of astronomy and lunar science, the late Prof. Arlin Crotts 

The objective is the continuation of a long-term research program designed to study the composition, structure and processes operating on the surfaces of solar system objects using the Mauna Kea Observatory with techniques and modern instrumentation. Reflectance spectroscopy and multispectral imaging in the spectral region, 0.3 to 5.0 micrometer are the major techniques used, although thermal (10 micrometer and 20 micrometer) radiometry are used in some aspects of the research. Some specific projects include: (1) systematic spectral imaging observations of the Moon; (2) systematic spectral imaging and spectral monitoring of the Martian surface; (3) thermal radiometry of asteroids as part of the IRAS follow-up and other target specific programs; (4) searches for asteroid satellites and dust belts using a stellar coronagraph; and (5) studies of circumstellar disks using a stellar coronagraph. Progress for each of the programs included is discussed. minerals; (2) completed observations of lunar multi-ringed basins and crater deposits in search of high-Ca spectral anomalies; (3) completed data reduction of an additional 5 asteroids observed by the coronagraphic technique in the search for asteroids satellites and debris clouds; and (4) completed the reduction and calibration of 350 asteroids observed at 10 micron and 20 micron using the NASA IRTF.

Backup or supporting data for the design analyses and trade studies which defined the astronomy sortie missions are presented. The subjects discussed are: (1) configuration of space shuttle orbiter, (2) electronic subsystems, (3) electric power requirements, and (4) payload requirements. Mathematical models are developed to illustrate the orbital rendezvous capabilities.

This report reviews the astronomy research carried out at The Aerospace Corporation during 1974. The report describes the activities of the San Fernando Observatory, the research in millimeter wave radio astronomy as well as the space astronomy research.

This report reviews the astronomy research carried out at The Aerospace Corporation during 1974. The report describes the activities of the San Fernando Observatory, the research in millimeter wave radio astronomy as well as the space astronomy research.

Like the Crab Nebula, the Vela Supernova Remnant has a radio pulsar at its center. In this image taken by the High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO)-2/Einstein Observatory, the pulsar appears as a point source surrounded by weak and diffused emissions of x-rays. HEAO-2's computer processing system was able to record and display the total number of x-ray photons (a tiny bundle of radiant energy used as the fundamental unit of electromagnetic radiation) on a scale along the margin of the picture. The HEAO-2, the first imaging and largest x-ray telescope built to date, was capable of producing actual photographs of x-ray objects. Shortly after launch, the HEAO-2 was nicknamed the Einstein Observatory by its scientific experimenters in honor of the centernial of the birth of Albert Einstein, whose concepts of relativity and gravitation have influenced much of modern astrophysics, particularly x-ray astronomy. The HEAO-2, designed and developed by TRW, Inc. under the project management of the Marshall Space Flight Center, was launched aboard an Atlas/Centaur launch vehicle on November 13, 1978.

Astronomy Software for Windows These applications work with Windows XP-Win7

Astronomy Software for Windows These applications work with Windows XP-Win7

This is the second Semiannual Report submitted under Grant NAGW-509 for the development of a Balloon-Borne Three-Meter Telescope for Far-Infrared and Submillimeter Astronomy. It covers the period 1 March 1984 through 31 August 1984. This grant covers work at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), University of Arizona (UA) and the University of Chicago (UC). SAO is responsible for program management, the gondola structure including the attitude control and aspect systems, mechanical systems, and telemetry and command systems; the UA is responsible for optics design and fabrication; the UC is responsible for determining provisions for focal-plane instrumentation. SAO and the UA share responsibility for the ground support data and control computer.

This is the second Semiannual Report submitted under Grant NAGW-509 for the development of a Balloon-Borne Three-Meter Telescope for Far-Infrared and Submillimeter Astronomy. It covers the period 1 March 1984 through 31 August 1984. This grant covers work at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), University of Arizona (UA) and the University of Chicago (UC). SAO is responsible for program management, the gondola structure including the attitude control and aspect systems, mechanical systems, and telemetry and command systems; the UA is responsible for optics design and fabrication; the UC is responsible for determining provisions for focal-plane instrumentation. SAO and the UA share responsibility for the ground support data and control computer.

High altitude balloon magnetic-core digitized spark chamber detector system for determining point sources of cosmic gamma radiation

Astronomy, like all sciences, is being revolutionized by the progress in computation and information technology. Central to this is the exponential growth of data volumes, rates, and complexity, now moving from Terascale to Petascale, with the attendant challenges of an effective knowledge extraction and discovery. These demands become much sharper as one moves from a static exploration of fixed data sets, to a dynamical, real-time exploration of massive data streams.We will illustrate some of these challenges and the scientific potential of the synergy of astronomy and computation on an example of a digital, synoptic sky survey now under way at Palomar Observatory. Systematic exploration of the time domain in astronomy spans a broad range of interesting phenomena: from potentially hazardous asteroids to cosmic explosions, and from stellar evolution to extreme relativistic physics. Computational challenges include real-time mining of massive data streams, automated event discovery, classification, dissemination, and follow-up, etc. This is a precursor and a testbed for the future facilities like the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, which will expand further both the discovery potential and the magnitude of the technical challenges in his arena. ©2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Gamma-ray Bursts (GRBs) are relativistic cosmological beacons of transient high energy radiation whose afterglows span the electromagnetic spectrum. Theoretical expectations of correlated neutrino and/or gravitational wave (GW) emission position GRBs at an astrophysical nexus for a metamorphosis in our understanding of the Cosmos. This new dawn in the era of experimental (particle) astrophysics and cosmology is afforded by current and planned facilities enabling the novel astronomies of high energy neutrinos and gravitational waves, in concert with unprecedented electromagnetic coverage. In this white paper, we motivate GRBs as a compelling scientific theme and highlight key technical advances that may facilitate fundamental breakthroughs in the context of Swift, Fermi, IceCube and LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory), whose capabilities would be augmented with JANUS (Joint Astrophysics Nascent Universe Satellite), EXIST (Energetic X-ray Imaging Survey Telescope) and LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna). Scientific synergy will be achieved by leveraging the combined sensitivity of contemporaneous ground-based and satellite observatories, thus optimizing their collective discovery potential for: (i) revealing the origin(s) and acceleration mechanism(s) of cosmic rays, (ii) exposing GRB progenitor(s) and (iii) exploring the high-z Cosmos. Hence, the advent of GRB multi-messenger astronomy may cement an explicit connection to fundamental physics, via nascent cosmic windows, throughout the next decade and beyond.

Despite their paucity, massive hot stars are real cosmic engines of fundamental importance in shaping our Universe, from its very early stages up to its current appearance. Understanding the physics of massive stars is then a key issue for many relevant astrophysical phenomena. Probing the massive stellar population of nearby galaxies by means of quantitative spectroscopy allows us to unveil a wealth of information that will aid our current understanding of stellar and galaxy evolution. In addition, blue luminous stars can be used as standard candles for extragalactic distances up to 10 Mpc. In this contribution, we present a brief overview of recent steps we have undertaken in this exciting research field.

SOFIA presents a number of interesting challenges for the development of a data reduction environment which, at its initial phase, will have to incorporate pipelines from seven different instruments. Therefore, the SOFIA data reduction software must run code which has been developed in a variety of dissimilar environments which will only increase in future generations of instrumentation. We investigated three distinctly different situations for performing pipelined data reduction in SOFIA: automated data reduction after data archival at the end of a mission, re-pipelining of science data with updated calibrations or optimum parameters, and the interactive user-driven local execution and analysis of data reduction by an investigator. These different modes would traditionally result in very different software implementations of algorithms used by each instrument team, in effect tripling the amount of data reduction software that would need to be maintained by SOFIA. We present here a unique approach for enfolding all the instrument-specific data reduction software in the observatory framework and verifies the needs for all three reduction scenarios as well as the standard visualization tools. The SOFIA data reduction structure would host the different algorithms and techniques that the instrument teams develop in their own environment. Ideally, duplication of software is minimized across the system because instrument teams can draw on software solutions and techniques previously delivered to SOFIA by other instruments. With this approach, we minimize the effort for analyzing and developing new software reduction pipelines for future generation instruments. We also explore the potential benefits of this approach in the portability of the software to an ever-broadening science audience, as well as its ability to ease the use of distributed processing for data reduction pipelines.

SOFIA presents a number of interesting challenges for the development of a data reduction environment which, at its initial phase, will have to incorporate pipelines from seven different instruments. Therefore, the SOFIA data reduction software must run code which has been developed in a variety of dissimilar environments which will only increase in future generations of instrumentation. We investigated three distinctly different situations for performing pipelined data reduction in SOFIA: automated data reduction after data archival at the end of a mission, re-pipelining of science data with updated calibrations or optimum parameters, and the interactive user-driven local execution and analysis of data reduction by an investigator. These different modes would traditionally result in very different software implementations of algorithms used by each instrument team, in effect tripling the amount of data reduction software that would need to be maintained by SOFIA. We present here a unique approach for enfolding all the instrument-specific data reduction software in the observatory framework and verifies the needs for all three reduction scenarios as well as the standard visualization tools. The SOFIA data reduction structure would host the different algorithms and techniques that the instrument teams develop in their own environment. Ideally, duplication of software is minimized across the system because instrument teams can draw on software solutions and techniques previously delivered to SOFIA by other instruments. With this approach, we minimize the effort for analyzing and developing new software reduction pipelines for future generation instruments. We also explore the potential benefits of this approach in the portability of the software to an ever-broadening science audience, as well as its ability to ease the use of distributed processing for data reduction pipelines.

SOFIA presents a number of interesting challenges for the development of a data reduction environment which, at its initial phase, will have to incorporate pipelines from seven different instruments. Therefore, the SOFIA data reduction software must run code which has been developed in a variety of dissimilar environments which will only increase in future generations of instrumentation. We investigated three distinctly different situations for performing pipelined data reduction in SOFIA: automated data reduction after data archival at the end of a mission, re-pipelining of science data with updated calibrations or optimum parameters, and the interactive user-driven local execution and analysis of data reduction by an investigator. These different modes would traditionally result in very different software implementations of algorithms used by each instrument team, in effect tripling the amount of data reduction software that would need to be maintained by SOFIA. We present here a unique approach for enfolding all the instrument-specific data reduction software in the observatory framework and verifies the needs for all three reduction scenarios as well as the standard visualization tools. The SOFIA data reduction structure would host the different algorithms and techniques that the instrument teams develop in their own environment. Ideally, duplication of software is minimized across the system because instrument teams can draw on software solutions and techniques previously delivered to SOFIA by other instruments. With this approach, we minimize the effort for analyzing and developing new software reduction pipelines for future generation instruments. We also explore the potential benefits of this approach in the portability of the software to an ever-broadening science audience, as well as its ability to ease the use of distributed processing for data reduction pipelines.

The new 1-m f/4 fast-slew Zadko Telescope was installed in June 2008 about 70 km north of Perth, Western Australia. It is the only metre-class optical facility at this southern latitude between the east coast of Australia and South Africa, and can rapidly image optical transients at a longitude not monitored by other similar facilities. We report on first imaging tests of a pilot program of minor planet searches, and Target of Opportunity observations triggered by the Swift satellite. In 12 months, 6 gamma-ray burst afterglows were detected, with estimated magnitudes; two of them, GRB 090205 (z = 4.65) and GRB 090516 (z = 4.11), are among the most distant optical transients imaged by an Australian telescope. Many asteroids were observed in a systematic 3-month search. In September 2009, an automatic telescope control system was installed, which will be used to link the facility to a global robotic telescope network; future targets will include fast optical transients triggered by highenergy satellites, radio transient detections, and LIGO gravitational wave candidate events. We also outline the importance of the facility as a potential tool for education, training, and public outreach.

Looking at higher redshifts is equivalent to looking back in time: they improve the studies of cosmology, expanding our knowledge of the universe. It allows us to study various physical phenomena like the power spectrum of galaxies which describes the distribution of galaxies on a range of scales, galaxy clustering, and large scales, the detection of the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation feature. As a result, a significant amount of work has been done to increase the efficiency and accuracy of the process via new algorithms and optimization of existing ones. Astronomical datasets are undergoing a rapid growth in size and complexity as past, ongoing and future surveys produce massive multi-temporal and multi-wavelength datasets, with huge information to be extracted and analyzed. The alternative to a full spectroscopic survey is to obtain multi-color images of the sky and perform photometric redshift estimates for the galaxies we have available. When dealing with this problem, there are two main approaches: model-driven data analysis (template fitting methods) and data-driven analysis, which can use machine learning methods. To solve this problem, we use data-driven analysis, more specifically GPz (which uses Gaussian processes) and ANNz2 (which mainly uses neural networks), both python software. Prerequisites: machine learning and basic math knowledge Please see our speaker release agreement for details: https://ep2020.europython.eu/events/speaker-release-agreement/

Looking at higher redshifts is equivalent to looking back in time: they improve the studies of cosmology, expanding our knowledge of the universe. It allows us to study various physical phenomena like the power spectrum of galaxies which describes the distribution of galaxies on a range of scales, galaxy clustering, and large scales, the detection of the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation feature. As a result, a significant amount of work has been done to increase the efficiency and accuracy of the process via new algorithms and optimization of existing ones. Astronomical datasets are undergoing a rapid growth in size and complexity as past, ongoing and future surveys produce massive multi-temporal and multi-wavelength datasets, with huge information to be extracted and analyzed. The alternative to a full spectroscopic survey is to obtain multi-color images of the sky and perform photometric redshift estimates for the galaxies we have available. When dealing with this problem, there are two main approaches: model-driven data analysis (template fitting methods) and data-driven analysis, which can use machine learning methods. To solve this problem, we use data-driven analysis, more specifically GPz (which uses Gaussian processes) and ANNz2 (which mainly uses neural networks), both python software. Prerequisites: machine learning and basic math knowledge Please see our speaker release agreement for details: https://ep2020.europython.eu/events/speaker-release-agreement/

Star Gazer Astronomy (Disk 1)

A number of consequences of the presence of sources of ultra high energy (UHE) gamma rays, exemplified by Cygnus X-3, are examined. It is shown that there should be a flux of hard X-rays at all Galactic latitudes; a significant flux of extragalactic hard X-rays may also result. Relevance to theories of cosmic ray particle origin and propagation is discussed.

The opportunities along with the advantages and disadvantages of the Moon for astronomical observatories are carefully and methodically considered. Taking a relatively unbiased approach, it was concluded that lunar observatories will clearly be a major factor in the future of astronomy in the next century. He concludes that ground based work will continue because of its accessibility and that Earth orbital work will remain useful, primarily for convenience of access in constructing and operating very large space systems. Deep space studies will feature not only probes but extensive systems for extremely long baseline studies at wavelengths from gamma rays through visible and IR out to radio is also a conclusion drawn, along with the consideration that lunar astronomy will have found important permanent applications along lines such as are discussed at the present symposium and others quite unsuspected today.

This research grant supported an active sounding rocket program at Penn State University over a period of over 10 years. During this period, the grant supported at least 8 graduate students in Astronomy & Astrophysics for at least a portion of their research. During the same period, our group was involved in seven sounding rocket flights, launched from White Sands, New Mexico, and from Woomera, Australia. Most of these rocket flights, and most of the work supported by this grant, involved the use of X-ray CCD cameras. The first X-ray CCD camera ever flown in space was our sounding rocket observation of SN1987A (flight 36.030 in 1987). Subsequent flights utilized improved CCD detectors, culminating in the'state-of-the-art EEV detector developed for our CUBIC mission, which was flown on 36.093 last May. Data from the last three flights, which observed the diffuse X-ray background with CCDS, include detection of the OVII He(alpha) line in the high latitude diffuse background and detection of the Mg XI He(alpha) line in the North Polar Spur. These results have been reported at meetings of the American Astronomical Society and the SPIE. The analysis of flights 36.092 and 36.106 is part of Jeff Mendenhall's PhD thesis and will be published in the Astrophysical Journal next year. The 36.093 data are currently being analyzed by PhD student Laura Cawley. From 1990 to 1996 this grant supported our development and launch of the CUBIC instrument on the SAC-B satellite, which was designed to measure the spectrum of the soft X-ray diffuse background with moderate energy resolution and high S/N ratio. Unfortunately, this mission terminated shortly after launch due to a failure of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. This work resulted in publication of 4 papers in the SPIE Proceedings and four others in refereed journals, in addition to several other conference proceedings and contributed papers. In addition to the CCD flights described above, this grant has supported preliminary development of a new sounding rocket payload utilizing a replicated Ni mirror that is being developed at PSU in collaboration with MSFC. Initial testing of the coating technology has produced promising results.