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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

A Desktop Universe For The Introductory Astronomy Laboratory, Laurence A. Marschall, Glenn A. Snyder, Paul Richard Cooper Dec 2000

A Desktop Universe For The Introductory Astronomy Laboratory, Laurence A. Marschall, Glenn A. Snyder, Paul Richard Cooper

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

What is a well-intentioned astronomy instructor to do? There is no argument that experience with the real world is desirable in any astronomy course, especially the introductory classes that fulfill the science distribution requirements at many colleges and universities. Though it is a simple matter to take students out of doors, show them the motions of the Sun, Moon, and stars, and have them squint for a few seconds at Saturn's rings through a telescope, these activities represent only a small portion of the subject matter of modern astronomy. It is simply not possible, given the constraints of time, weather, …


Continuum Pumping Of [Fe Ii] In The Orion Nebula, E. M. Verner, D. A. Verner, J. A. Baldwin, Gary J. Ferland, P. G. Martin Nov 2000

Continuum Pumping Of [Fe Ii] In The Orion Nebula, E. M. Verner, D. A. Verner, J. A. Baldwin, Gary J. Ferland, P. G. Martin

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

This paper presents detailed comparisons between numerical simulations of Fe II emission spectra and recent high-resolution and signal-to-noise spectra of the Orion Nebula. We have identified 40 [Fe II] lines in the spectrum, allowing extensive comparisons between theory and observations. The identifications are based on predictions of a realistic model of the Fe II atom, which includes the lowest 371 levels (all levels up to 11.6 eV). We investigate the dependence of the spectrum on electron density and on pumping by the stellar continuum. Orion is important because it provides a relatively simple environment in which to test complex simulations. …


Observational Constraints On The Internal Velocity Field Of Quasar Emission-Line Clouds, Mark Bottorff, Gary J. Ferland, Jack Baldwin, Kirk Korista Oct 2000

Observational Constraints On The Internal Velocity Field Of Quasar Emission-Line Clouds, Mark Bottorff, Gary J. Ferland, Jack Baldwin, Kirk Korista

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

This paper addresses the question, what does the spectrum of a typical quasar reveal about the velocity structure within its broad emission line region clouds? Turbulent (i.e., nonthermal) broadening of spectral lines can be due to macroturbulence or microturbulence. Microturbulence affects line formation and the emitted spectrum and may be required to account for the observed smoothness of the line profiles. The velocity field is crucial since it addresses the fundamental nature of the individual clouds and the global structure of the active galactic nuclei (AGNs) environment. For example, stellar winds or magnetically confined blobs might be highly microturbulent, requiring …


The Narrow-Line Region In The Seyfert 2 Galaxy Ngc 3393, Andrew J. Cooke, J. A. Baldwin, Gary J. Ferland, Hagai Netzer, Andrew S. Wilson Aug 2000

The Narrow-Line Region In The Seyfert 2 Galaxy Ngc 3393, Andrew J. Cooke, J. A. Baldwin, Gary J. Ferland, Hagai Netzer, Andrew S. Wilson

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The narrow-line region (NLR) of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 3393 is dominated by a symmetric structure which appears as S-shaped arms in Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images. These arms, which occupy the central few arcseconds of the nucleus, border a linear, triple-lobed radio source. We use HST imaging and spectra, ground-based optical images, long-slit spectra, Fabry-Perot imaging spectroscopy, and VLA radio data to perform a detailed investigation of the kinematics and ionization of the line-emitting gas in NGC 3393 and of its relationship with the relativistic gas responsible for the radio emission. The excitation map [O III] …


Trajectory Mapping: A Tool For Validation Of Trace Gas Observations, Gary A. Morris, James F. Gleason, Jerald Ziemke, Mark R. Schoeberl Jul 2000

Trajectory Mapping: A Tool For Validation Of Trace Gas Observations, Gary A. Morris, James F. Gleason, Jerald Ziemke, Mark R. Schoeberl

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We investigate the effectiveness of trajectory mapping(TM) as a data validation tool. TM combines a dynamical model of the atmosphere with trace gas observations to provide more statistically robust estimates of instrument performance over much broader geographic areas than traditional techniques are able to provide. We present four detailed case studies selected so that the traditional techniques are expected to work well. In each case the TM results are equivalent to or improve upon the measurement comparisons performed with traditional approaches. The TM results are statistically more robust than those achieved using traditional approaches since the TM comparisons occur over …


The Primordial Helium Abundance: Toward Understanding And Removing The Cosmic Scatter In The Dy/Dz Relation, D. R. Ballantyne, Gary J. Ferland, P. G. Martin Jun 2000

The Primordial Helium Abundance: Toward Understanding And Removing The Cosmic Scatter In The Dy/Dz Relation, D. R. Ballantyne, Gary J. Ferland, P. G. Martin

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present results from photoionization models of low-metallicity H II regions. These nebulae form the basis for measuring the primordial helium abundance. Our models show that the helium ionization correction factor (ICF) can be nonnegligible for nebulae excited by stars with effective temperatures larger than 40,000 K. Furthermore, we find that when the effective temperature rises to above 45,000 K, the ICF can be significantly negative. This result is independent of the choice of stellar atmosphere. However, if an H II region has an [O III] λ5007/[O I] λ6300 ratio greater than 300, then our models show that, regardless of …


Infrared Classification Of Galactic Objects, Željko Ivezić, Moshe Elitzur May 2000

Infrared Classification Of Galactic Objects, Željko Ivezić, Moshe Elitzur

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Unbiased analysis shows that IRAS data reliably differentiate between the early and late stages of stellar evolution because objects at these stages clearly segregate in infrared color-color diagrams. Structure in these diagrams is primarily controlled by the density distribution of circumstellar dust. The density profile around older objects is the steepest, declining as r-2, while young objects have profiles that vary as r-3/2 and flatter. The different density profiles reflect the different dynamics that govern the different environments. Our analysis also shows that high-mass star formation is strongly concentrated within ~5 kpc around the Galactic center, in …


Properties Of Dust Grains In Planetary Nebulae. I. The Ionized Region Of Ngc 6445, Peter A. M. Van Hoof, Griet C. Van De Steene, Douwe A. Beintema, P. G. Martin, Stuart R. Pottasch, Gary J. Ferland Mar 2000

Properties Of Dust Grains In Planetary Nebulae. I. The Ionized Region Of Ngc 6445, Peter A. M. Van Hoof, Griet C. Van De Steene, Douwe A. Beintema, P. G. Martin, Stuart R. Pottasch, Gary J. Ferland

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

One of the factors influencing the spectral evolution of a planetary nebula is the fate of the dust grains that are emitting the infrared continuum. Several processes have been proposed that either destroy the grains or remove them from the ionized region. To test whether these processes are effective, we study new infrared spectra of the evolved nebula NGC 6445. These data show that the thermal emission from the grains is very cool and has a low flux compared to Hβ. A model of the ionized region is constructed, using the photoionization code CLOUDY 90.05. Based on this model, we …


New Search For Parity Violation In Nonresonant Neutron Scattering On Thorium, J D. Bowman, Bret E. Crawford, P P J. Delheij, C M. Frankle, M Iinuma, J N. Knudsen, L Y. Lowie, A Masaike, Y Matsuda, S I. Penttila, H Postma, N R. Roberson, S J. Seestrom, E I. Sharapov, Sharon L. Stephenson, Y-F Yen, V W. Yuan Mar 2000

New Search For Parity Violation In Nonresonant Neutron Scattering On Thorium, J D. Bowman, Bret E. Crawford, P P J. Delheij, C M. Frankle, M Iinuma, J N. Knudsen, L Y. Lowie, A Masaike, Y Matsuda, S I. Penttila, H Postma, N R. Roberson, S J. Seestrom, E I. Sharapov, Sharon L. Stephenson, Y-F Yen, V W. Yuan

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The parity-violating longitudinal asymmetry of the neutron scattering cross section has been measured for thorium in the off-resonance energy intervals from 30 to 300 eV. The observed result of (0.5±1.6)×10-6 is compared with theoretical predictions.


Parity Violation In Neutron Resonances In 115in, Sharon L. Stephenson, J D. Bowman, J Corvi, Bret E. Crawford, P P J. Delheij, C M. Frankle, M Iinuma, J N. Knudsen, L Y. Lowie, A Masaike, Y Matsuda, G E. Mitchell, S I. Penttila, H Postma, N R. Roberson, S J. Seestrom, E I. Sharapov, H M. Shimizu, Y-F Yen, V W. Yuan, L Zanini Mar 2000

Parity Violation In Neutron Resonances In 115in, Sharon L. Stephenson, J D. Bowman, J Corvi, Bret E. Crawford, P P J. Delheij, C M. Frankle, M Iinuma, J N. Knudsen, L Y. Lowie, A Masaike, Y Matsuda, G E. Mitchell, S I. Penttila, H Postma, N R. Roberson, S J. Seestrom, E I. Sharapov, H M. Shimizu, Y-F Yen, V W. Yuan, L Zanini

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Parity nonconservation (PNC) was studied in p-wave resonances in indium by measuring the helicity dependence of the neutron total cross section in the neutron energy range 6.0–316 eV with the time-of-flight method at LANSCE. A total of 36 p-wave neutron resonances were studied in 115In, and statistically significant asymmetries were observed for nine cases. An analysis treating the PNC matrix elements as random variables yields a weak matrix element of M=(0.67-0.12+0.16) meV and a weak spreading width of Γw=(1.30-0.43+0.76)×10-7 eV.


Parity Violation In 232th Neutron Resonances Above 250 Ev, E I. Sharapov, J D. Bowman, Bret E. Crawford, P P J. Delheij, C M. Frankle, M Iinuma, J N. Knudsen, L Y. Lowie, J E. Lynch, A Masaike, Y Matsuda, G E. Mitchell, S I. Penttila, H Postma, N R. Roberson, S J. Seestrom, Sharon L. Stephenson, Y-F Yen, V W. Yuan Jan 2000

Parity Violation In 232th Neutron Resonances Above 250 Ev, E I. Sharapov, J D. Bowman, Bret E. Crawford, P P J. Delheij, C M. Frankle, M Iinuma, J N. Knudsen, L Y. Lowie, J E. Lynch, A Masaike, Y Matsuda, G E. Mitchell, S I. Penttila, H Postma, N R. Roberson, S J. Seestrom, Sharon L. Stephenson, Y-F Yen, V W. Yuan

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The analysis of parity nonconservation (PNC) measurements performed on 232Th by the TRIPLE Collaboration has been extended to include the neutron energy range of 250 to 1900 eV. Below 250 eV all ten statistically significant parity violations have the same sign. However, at higher energies PNC effects of both signs were observed in the transmission of longitudinally polarized neutrons through a thick thorium target. Although the limited experimental energy resolution precluded analysis in terms of the longitudinal asymmetry, parity violations were observed and the cross section differences for positive and negative neutron helicities were obtained. For comparison, a similar …


Magnetic Confinement, Magnetohydrodynamic Waves And Smooth Line Profiles In Active Galactic Nuclei, M. C. Bottorff, Gary J. Ferland Jan 2000

Magnetic Confinement, Magnetohydrodynamic Waves And Smooth Line Profiles In Active Galactic Nuclei, M. C. Bottorff, Gary J. Ferland

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

In this paper, we show that if the broad-line region clouds are in approximate energy equipartition between the magnetic field and gravity, as hypothesized by Rees, there will be a significant effect on the shape and smoothness of broad emission-line profiles in active galactic nuclei. Linewidths of contributing clouds or flow elements are much wider than their thermal widths, because of the presence of non-dissipative magnetohydrodynamic waves and their collective contribution produce emission-line profiles broader and smoother than would be expected if a magnetic field were not present. As an illustration, a simple model of isotropically emitting clouds, normally distributed …


The Universe On A Desktop: Observational Astronomy Simulations In The Instructional Laboratory, Laurence A. Marschall Jan 2000

The Universe On A Desktop: Observational Astronomy Simulations In The Instructional Laboratory, Laurence A. Marschall

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Though the value of hands-on learning has long been recognised by educators, it is difficult to design laboratories in astronomy classes that present realistic astrophysical techniques to undergraduate students. Unlike most other sciences, astronomy is largely observational, not experimental, and making useful observations involves expensive equipment over time scales inconvenient for pedagogy. In recent years, however, astronomy has gone almost completely digital, and the advent of large on-line databases and fast personal computers has made it possible to realistically simulate the experience of research astrophysics in the laboratory. Since 1992, Project CLEA (Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy) has been developing …