The Freja ultraviolet imager

Auroral images acquired by satellite instrumentation have proven to be a crucial component of the scientific equiry into the physical processes of the Earth's magnetosphere. TheFreja mission provided an opportunity to extend these measurements into the temporal and spatial regime commonly associated with ground-based optical imagers. Employing the basic procedure used successfully in theViking program allowed image repetition rates of 6 s to be achieved with simultaneous exposure of all pixels within the field-of-view. Typical exposure times of 0.3 s required development of an improved image intensifier system and operational requirements resulted in image formats covering approximately one-third of a spin. Simultaneously exposing two broad-band UV cameras, the instrument generates in its normal operational mode 264.6 kbytes per image pair. Results from initial operations confirm the design approach and suggest such imagers can be routinely included on challenging low cost missions such asFreja.     

Steady-state analysis of the constant-frequency clamped seriesresonant converter

A constant-frequency diode-clamped series resonant converter (CFCSRC) is proposed as a solution to problems associated with frequency-controlled resonant converters. This converter has two resonant frequencies, and control is achieved by varying the relative time spent at each switching frequency. Two zero-current-switching (ZCS) modes are examined and plotted in the output plane. An equation is given for the boundary between the two ZCS modes, as well as an expression for the boundary between ZCS and non-ZCS operation; both are plotted in the output plane. The output equation for the main mode is shown to be hyperbolic. Converter peak voltages limited to the input voltages, and peak currents are less than those of the frequency-controlled clamped series resonant converter over a large operating range. Data from a prototype converter are compared with theoretical data and are shown to be in good agreement with the theoretical model     

Adaptive model architecture and extended Kalman-Bucy filters

In radar systems, extended Kalman-Bucy filters (EKBFs) are used to estimate state vectors of objects in track. Filter models accounting for fundamental aerodynamic forces on reentry vehicles are well known. A general model structure accommodating the dynamics of reentry vehicles in both exoatmospheric and endoatmospheric flight is presented. The associated EKBFs for these various models are described and the resulting associated parameter estimation and identification problems are discussed. The effects of position, velocity, drag, and aerodynamic lift are described within a nested set of EKBF models     

Comment on “Inversion of all principal submatrices of amatrix”

The paper by Koc and Chen (1994) includes new formulas for computational complexity, but the method itself is already known and has dubious numerical stability. A poorly conditioned example is shown     

The long term variability of 4U 1258-61 (GX304-1)

We present optical spectroscopy and photometry of 4U 1258-61 obtained over the course of six years. Evidence for the evolution of a circumstellar envelope throughout the course of the observations is presented.     

The Broad Band X-Ray Telescope

The Broad-Band X-Ray Telescope (BBXRT) has been designed to perform high sensitivity, moderate resolution spectrophototnetry of X-ray sources in the 0.3–12 keV band from the Shuttle. It consists of a coaligned pair of high throughput, conical X-ray imaging mirrors, with a cryogenically-cooled, multiple element, Si(Li) spectrometer at the focus of each. On axis, BBXRT will have an effective area of 580 cm² at 2 keV and 250 cm² at 7 keV, and a spectral resolution of 110 eV at 2 keV and 150 eV at 7 keV. A 10⁴ s observation with BBXRT will allow a determination of the continuum spectral shape for sources near the Einstein deep survey limit.     

Soft X-ray emission from radio Loops I and III compared

We examine X-ray maps of the whole sky covering energies from 0.1 to 6 keV. We model Loop I X-ray emission as being caused by an old supernova that exploded into an already warm interstellar medium. After comparison with Loop III we deduce that there may be a general temperature gradient in the gas as we move away from the plane in the northern galactic hemisphere.     

Temporal intensity fluctuations of Her X-1 around 100 sec time scales

Her X-1 has been observed with EXOSAT for one 35^d cycle between March 1 and April 5, 1984 at about 4 day intervals. During three observations, absorption dips were encountered showing fluctuations with time scales in the several hundred seconds range. The data are interpreted with a model where random superposition of absorbing blobs or inhomogeneous structures within the accretion disk, in the line of sight, cause these intensity variations. The calculations give a measure of the extent of the disk both in vertical and radial directions.