SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL AEROSPACE REPORTS
A Biweekly Publication of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
VOLUME 44, ISSUE 1 - January 13, 2006
89 ASTRONOMY
Includes observations of celestial bodies; astronomical instruments and techniques; radio, gamma-ray, x-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared astronomy; and astrometry.
20060000057 National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Tucson, AZ, USA, National Solar Observatory, Tucson, AZ, USA
NOAO/NSO Newsletter: Issue 83 September 2005
52 pp.; In English; Original contains black and white illustrations; Copyright; Avail.: Other Sources
Presented is the National Optical Astronomy Observatory/National Solar Observatory Newsletter, issue no. 83 of September 2005. Contents includes activities, programs and articles on the following: Science Highlights; Director's Office; NOAO Gemini Science Center; Observational Programs; Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory; Kitt Peak National Observatory; National Solar Observatory and; Public Affairs & Educational Outreach. On the cover is the image mosaic of the Orion Nebula in mid-infrared light (11,7 microns), including the well-known Trapezium region. CASI
Observatories; Solar Observatories
20060000058 National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Tucson, AZ, USA, National Solar Observatory, Tucson, AZ, USA
| |
| Tools for Aviation/Aerospace |
| IHS sells products and services designed to meet the needs of today's engineers. To learn more, and for a free quote, please complete the form below. |
|
NOAO/NSO Newsletter: Issue 84
Isbell, Douglas, Editor; December 2005; 49 pp.; In English; Original contains black and white illustrations; Copyright; Avail.: Other Sources
Presented is the National Optical Astronomy Observatory/ National Solar Observatory Newsletter, issue no. 84 of December 2005.
Contents includes programs, activities and articles on the following:
Science Highlights from the Director's Office;
NOAO Gemini Science Center;
Observational Programs;
Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory;
Kitt Peak National Observatory;
National Solar Observatory/GONG;
Public Affairs and Educational Outreach.
On the cover is the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) which is featured in the article: A survey of local group galaxies currently forming stars, on page 6. CASI
Observatories; Solar Observatories
20060000060 Gemini Observatory, Hilo, HI, USA
Gemini Focus: Newsletter of the Gemini Observatory
December 2005; 67 pp.; In English; See also 20060000061 - 20060000076; Original contains color illustrations; Copyright; Avail.: Other Sources
Contents include the following: Gemini: The First Five Years. Why the Aspen Program Now? Gemini North Observes Deep Impact. Star Formation in Rich Galaxy Clusters. GNIRS Unveils the Black Hole in Centaurus A. New Kuiper Belt Worlds. GDDS and the Mass-Metallicity Relationship in Galaxies. The Gemini Deep Planet Survey (GDPS). Gemini Publications: Growth and Impact. NIFS Sees First Light. Recent Science Highlights. Observing Efficiency at Gemini Observatory. Gemini Qyeue Operations & Completion Rates. ALTAIR Upgrades Report. Staff Profiles: Jason Kalawe and Bernadette Rogers. CASI
Black Holes (Astronomy); Computer Aided Design; Galactic Clusters; Kuiper Belt; Gemini Project
20060000064 Gemini Observatory, Hilo, HI, USA
Star Formation in Rich Galaxy Clusters
Jorgensen, Inger; Gemini Focus: Newsletter of the Gemini Observatory; December 2005; In English; See also 20060000060; Copyright; Avail.: Other Sources
In the simplest model for the evolution of elliptical and lenticular (E/SO) galaxies. called pure passive evolution, it is assumed that intermediate redshift (z=0.2-1.0) galaxies with no ongoing star formation will have no further star formation, and will passively age into E/SO galaxies similar to those seen at z=0. According to this model, the only difference between the stellar populations in the intermediate redshift E/SO galaxies is an age difference equal to the look-back time to the intermediate redshift galaxies. Derived from text
Star Formation; Red Shift; Galactic Clusters; Age Factor; Galaxies; Lenticular Bodies
20060000066 Johns Hopkins Univ., MD, USA
| |
| Aerospace Engineering Design |
| ESDU packages provide validated design data, methods and software, offering a valuable toolset to aerospace engineers. To learn more, and for a free quote, please complete the form below. |
|
Gemini Deep Deep Survey and the Mass-Metallicity Relationship in Galaxies
Savaglio, Sandra; Gemini Focus: Newsletter of the Gemini Observatory; December 2005, pp. 32-34; In English; See also 20060000060; Copyright; Avail.: Other Sources
In the 1970's, the biggest observatory of the time was the 30-year-old Palomar facility. CCD detectors were not yet being used on astronomical instruments to collect data from the sky, astronomers were still struggling with low-sensitivity photographic plates, and the most powehl computers were as big as a room and didn t have the capabilities equivalent to any of today s laptops. However, even at that time, astronomers knew that bigger galaxies in the universe were also chemically more evolved than smaller galaxies.
The origin of what is now called the mass- metallicity relation in galaxies is still controversial. After more than three decades of research and observations, theories dealing with this phenomenon still lack the information coming from an important fundamental parameter: cosmic time. We don't know whether the mass-metallicity relation was in place in the past history of the universe or how different it was in the past from what is observed today. More precisely, we didn t even have a clue about these issues until now.
A recent study based on data taken at the Gemini North telescope shows for the first time that the mass-metallicity relation in galaxies already existed at redshift z = 0.7 (seven billion years ago), at a time when the universe was about half of its present age. Not only was the relation clearly reflected in the galaxies as they existed at that time, but it was also different from the one we see in the nearby (and more recent) universe. The data used for this study were taken as part of the Gemini Deep Deep Survey (GDDS).
The project benefitted from a number of factors that, when combined, allowed this dimcult discovery to be made. First, faint targets were efficiently observed thanks to the fantastic capabilities of the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS), working in nod-and-shume mode. Second, the GDDS galaxies were combined with a sample of brighter galaxies observed as part of the Canada-France Redshift Survey (CFRS), doubling the size of the initial sample. Third, optical and near-infrared photometry of the galaxy integrated light (from the Las Campanas Redshift Survey and the CFRS) allowed stellar mass measurements for the sample, through extensive modeling of the stellar population. As a result, the 56 galaxies in the sample cover a very large range in stellar mass and metallicity (a factor of 400 for mass and almost 10 for metallicity). Derived from text
Galaxies; Metallicity; Gemini Project; Deep Space; Observatories; Stellar Mass; Astronomy
20060000067 Yale Univ., New Haven, CT, USA
GNIRS Unveils the Black Hole in Centaurus A
Silge, Julia D.; Gemini Focus: Newsletter of the Gemini Observatory; December 2005, pp. 24-26; In English; See also 20060000060; Copyright; Avail.: Other Sources
The near by Centaurus A, also known as NGC 5128, is a remarkable object. New data from the Gemini Near-Infrared Spectrograph (GNIRS) has revealed surprising information about what lies at the center of this galaxy. Its optical appearance is striking, with a rich complex disk of dust and gas that cuts across the round body of this elliptical galaxy (Figure I). It was also one of the first astronomical radio sources ever detected. More than just historically interesting however, Centaurus A is an important object for our understanding of central black holes in galaxies, galaxy mergers, active galactic nucleus activity, and the relationships among these components during galaxy formation and evolution. As galaxies form and grow, their different components interact to assemble galaxies as we see them around us today. These interactions are understood at a wide range of levels, from quite well to not at all. One link that appears clear is the relationship between black hole mass and galaxy kinematic properties (how the stars in the galaxy are moving as a whole). This relationship has been seen in ever-growing samples of nearby well- studied galaxies and has been found reliable and to have small scatter. In order to understand the underlying reasons for this relationship, we need to study galaxies that have more diverse characteristics. Current samples of galaxies are not very heterogeneous; these well- studied galaxies have been so thoroughly examined because they lend themselves well to normal optical techniques. These techniques are not successful when applied to a more difficult type of galaxy, such as Centaurus A, which is heavily obscured by dust. Derived from text
Black Holes (Astronomy); Galactic Evolution; Active Galactic Nuclei; Elliptical Galaxies
20060000073 Gemini Observatory, Hilo, HI, USA
From Astronomy to Zeus
Collins Peterson, Carolyn; Gemini Focus: Newsletter of the Gemini Observatory; December 2005, pp. 64-65; In English; See also 20060000060; Copyright; Avail.: Other Sources
Gemini Observatory s science program relies on a huge pipeline of data that G begins at the telescope and makes its way out to the world through a complex set of nested computers and networks. The observatory counts on programmers and information technology experts to deliver data to the right places at the right times. This includes everything from keeping the networks running to maintaining an active World Wide Web presence for the observatory. Jason Kalawe is the man behind the Gemini web portal, and beyond that, the go-to person for server administration and much more. He is part of the observatory s Information Systems Group and his official title is Web Master. However, as he likes to point out, his job goes far beyond keeping Gemini s Web page up and running. Derived from text
Information Systems; Data Acquisition; Gemini Project; Telescopes
20060000076 Gemini Observatory, Hilo, HI, USA
Gemini South Astronomer Brings Young Stars Into Focus
Roy, Jean-Rene; Gemini Focus: Newsletter of the Gemini Observatory; December 2005, pp. 65-67; In English; See also 20060000060; Copyright; Avail.: Other Sources
Every night Gemini Observatory delivers a constant stream of science data to astronomers, technicians, and information specialists. On-site astronomers and science fellows are tasked with supporting science observations, telescope commissioning, and participating in the full range of science activities at Gemini. This also includes following their own research programs in specialties that include everything from solar system objects to cosmological questions. Bernadette Rodgers is one of Gemini South's very capable Science Fellows stationed at Cerro Pachon in Chile. She has spent the past two years as the instrument scientist for the Gemini Near-Infrared Spectrograph (GNIRS), following its development from acceptance through commissioning and now regular queue operations. She also handles the astronomer support schedule for Gemini South. I really enjoy the challenges, getting things like the instruments, software, and user information working for the first time, she said. On Cerro Pachon Bernadette pursues her research interests in Herbig Ae/Be stars. These are stars that bridge the gap between low-mass stars like the Sun (or smaller) and the high-mass varieties like Eta Carinae and others that will one day end their lives as supernovae. Currently she is using near-infrared spectroscopy as well as near-infrared imaging with adaptive optics to gain more insight into these stellar newborns in the late stages of formation in clouds of gas and dust. These are less well-studied than solar-type and low-mass young stars, she said, but they do have some extremely interesting and curious things that are truly unique to these stars. Derived from text
Astronomy; Gemini Project; Spectrographs; Near Infrared Radiation; Adaptive Optics
Source: NASA.
|
IHS sells products and services designed to meet the needs of today's aviation & aerospace engineers, including:
- Quick access to FAA, JAA, ICAO and UK-CAA information and regulations.
- Validated engineering methods, data, principles, worked examples, programs and related equations on over 1340 specific aerospace, process, structural and mechanical engineering topics.
- The IHS Fasteners eCatalog, providing decision support for the identification, specification and sourcing of aerospace & defense standard fasteners/hardware such as bolts, screws, nuts, washers, rivets, studs, etc.
- Standards documents and collections from the top aerospace & aviation standards development organizations, including SAE International, AIAA, AIA, FAA and NASA.
|