The evolution of binary stars into contact states

Good-quality empirical results on 62 short-period binary stars recently summarised by Hilditch & Bell (1987) and Hilditch, King & McFarlane (1988) are discussed in terms of evolutionary paths from detached to semi-detached and contact states. These data suggest two evolutionary paths to the contact binaries — from detached systems directly into contact to form initially shallow-contact systems, and via case A mass transfer to semi-detached states, thence to contact systems. These empirical results support previous arguments based on evolutionary models and less detailed observational data. Concern is expressed about the paucity of high-quality spectroscopic data, particularly for low-mass systems displaying EB-type light curves and the resultant limitations on analyses of those light curves. Such systems provide tests of evolution into contact for the first time, or of broken-contact phases for WUMa-type binaries. The crucial importance of long-term monitoring (decades) of times of minima as indicators of mass transfer rates amongst these interacting binaries is also noted.     

Deep space environments for human exploration.

Mission scenarios outside the Earth's protective magnetic shield are being studied. Included are high usage assets in the near-Earth environment for casual trips, for research, and for commercial/operational platforms, in which career exposures will be multi-mission determined over the astronaut's lifetime. The operational platforms will serve as launching points for deep space exploration missions, characterized by a single long-duration mission during the astronaut's career. The exploration beyond these operational platforms will include missions to planets, asteroids, and planetary satellites. The interplanetary environment is evaluated using convective diffusion theory. Local environments for each celestial body are modeled by using results from the most recent targeted spacecraft, and integrated into the design environments. Design scenarios are then evaluated for these missions. The underlying assumptions in arriving at the model environments and their impact on mission exposures within various shield materials will be discussed.     

Magnetic levitation-based Martian and Lunar gravity simulator.

Missions to Mars will subject living specimens to a range of low gravity environments. Deleterious biological effects of prolonged exposure to Martian gravity (0.38 g), Lunar gravity (0.17 g), and microgravity are expected, but the mechanisms involved and potential for remedies are unknown. We are proposing the development of a facility that provides a simulated Martian and Lunar gravity environment for experiments on biological systems in a well controlled laboratory setting. The magnetic adjustable gravity simulator will employ intense, inhomogeneous magnetic fields to exert magnetic body forces on a specimen that oppose the body force of gravity. By adjusting the magnetic field, it is possible to continuously adjust the total body force acting on a specimen. The simulator system considered consists of a superconducting solenoid with a room temperature bore sufficiently large to accommodate small whole organisms, cell cultures, and gravity sensitive bio-molecular solutions. It will have good optical access so that the organisms can be viewed in situ. This facility will be valuable for experimental observations and public demonstrations of systems in simulated reduced gravity.     

An experiment to study solar flare effects on radio-communication signals

The occurrence of radio signal fading events caused by ionospheric absorption plays an important role in the performance of radio-communication systems. It is necessary to know the magnitude and time-scale of such events in order to specify technical parameters of the communication system to be used. Generally, fading events are associated with solar flares, which are characterized by sudden increase in the solar X-ray flux that causes an increase in the ionization in the lower ionosphere. The abrupt increase of ionization causes the absorption of radio waves propagating in the Earth–ionosphere wave-guide and is reported as radio signal fading events. A simple experiment to monitor the behavior of lower ionosphere has been carried out at the Southern Space Observatory-SSO/INPE (29.43°S, 53.8°W), located in southern Brazil. The experiment is basically a computer controlled radio receiver that records the received signal strength of Amplitude Modulated (AM) radio signals in the HF (High Frequencies) range. We analyzed data of the 6 MHz beacon signal that has been transmitted by a broadcasting radio station located about 400 km from the observation site. In this work we present initial results of daily variation of the received signal strength and fading events associated with solar flares observed in the 6 MHz signal monitored by the experiment during 2001. X-ray solar flux data from the GOES-8 satellite were used to identify X-ray solar bursts associated with solar flares. Based on the one-year data collected by the experiment, a statistical summary of fading occurrences and their correlation with solar flares, as well as the distributions of time-scales and magnitudes of such events are presented.     

Evaluation of an anaerobic digestion system for processing CELSS crop residues for resource recovery.

Three bioreactors, connected in series, were used to process CELSS potato residues for recovery of resources. The first stage was an anaerobic digestor (8 L working volume; cow rumen contents inoculum; fed-batch; 8 day retention time; feed rate 25 gdw day-1) that converted 33% of feed (dry weight loss) to CO2 and "volatile fatty acids" (vfa, 83:8:8 mmolar ratio acetic:propionic:butyric). High nitrate-N in the potato residue feed was absent in the anaerobic effluent, with a high portion converted to NH4(+)-N and the remainder unaccounted and probably lost to denitrification and NH4+ volatilization. Liquid anaerobic effluent was fed to an aerobic, yeast biomass production vessel (2 L volume; Candida ingens inoculum; batch [pellicle] growth; 2 day retention time) where the VFAs and some NH4(+)-N were converted into yeast biomass. Yeast yields accounted for up to 8% of potato residue fed into the anaerobic bioreactor. The third bioreactor (0.5 L liquid working volume; commercial nitrifier inoculum; packed-bed biofilm; continuous yeast effluent feed; recirculating; constant volume; 23 day hydraulic retention time) was used to convert successfully the remaining NH4(+)-N into nitrate-N (preferred form of N for CELSS crop production) and to remove the remaining degradable soluble organic carbon. Effluents from the last two stages were used for partial replenishment of minerals for hydroponic potato production.     

Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer experiment on Galileo

The Galileo Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS) is a combination of imaging and spectroscopic methods. Simultaneous use of these two methods yields a powerful combination, far greater than when used individually. For geological studies of surfaces, it can be used to map morphological features, while simultaneously determining their composition and mineralogy, providing data to investigate the evolution of surface geology. For atmospheres, many of the most interesting phenomena are transitory, with unpredictable locations. With concurrent mapping and spectroscopy, such features can be found and spectroscopically analyzed. In addition, the spatial/compositional aspects of known features can be fully investigated. The NIMS experiment will investigate Jupiter and the Galilean satellites during the two year orbital operation period, commencing December 1995. Prior to that, Galileo will have flown past Venus, the Earth/Moon system (twice), and two asteroids; obtaining scientific measurements for all of these objects.The NIMS instrument covers the spectral range 0.7 to 5.2 , which includes the reflected-sunlight and thermal-radiation regimes for many solar system objects. This spectral region contains diagnostic spectral signatures, arising from molecular vibrational transitions (and some electronic transitions) of both solid and gaseous species. Imaging is performed by a combination of one-dimensional instrument spatial scanning, coupled with orthogonal spacecraft scan-platform motion, yielding two-dimensional images for each of the NIMS wavelengths.The instrument consists of a telescope, with one dimension of spatial scanning, and a diffraction grating spectrometer. Both are passively cooled to low temperatures in order to reduce background photon shot noise. The detectors consist of an array of indium antimonide and silicon photovoltaic diodes, contained within a focal-plane-assembly, and cooled to cryogenic temperatures using a radiative cooler. Spectral and spatial scanning is accomplished by electro-mechanical devices, with motions executed using commandable instrument modes.Particular attention was given to the thermal and contamination aspects of the Galileo spacecraft, both of which could profoundly affect NIMS performance. Various protective measures have been implemented, including shades to protect against thruster firings as well as thermal radiation from the spacecraft.The Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS) Engineering and Science Teams consist of I. Aptaker (Instrument Manager), G. Bailey (Detectors), K. Baines (Science Coordinator), R. Burns (Digital Electronics), R. Carlson (Principal Investigator), E. Carpenter (Structures), K. Curry (Radiative Cooler), G. Danielson (Co-Investigator), T. Encrenaz (Co-Investigator), H. Enmark (Instrument Engineer), F. Fanale (Co-Investigator), M. Gram (Mechanisms), M. Hernandez (NIMS Orbiter Engineering Team), R. Hickok (Support Equipment Software), G. Jenkins (Support Equipment), T. Johnson (Co-Investigator), S. Jones (Optical-Mechanical Assembly), H. Kieffer (Co-Investigator), C. LaBaw (Spacecraft Calibration Targets), R. Lockhart (Instrument Manager), S. Macenka (Optics), J. Mahoney (Instrument Engineer), J. Marino (Instrument Engineer), H. Masursky (Co-Investigator), D. Matson (Co-Investigator), T. McCord (Co-Investigator), K. Mehaffey (Analog Electronics), A. Ocampo (Science Coordinator), G. Root (Instrument System Analysis), R. Salazar (Radiative Cooler and Thermal Design), D. Sevilla (Cover Mechanisms), W. Sleigh (Instrument Engineer), W. Smythe (Co-Investigator and Science Coordinator), L. Soderblom (Co-Investigator), L. Steimle (Optics), R. Steinkraus (Digital Electronics), F. Taylor (Co-Investigator), P. Weissman (Co-Investigator and Science Coordinator), and D. Wilson (Manufacturing Engineer).     

Status of TiOx Antireflective Coating in the United States

The performance of glassed and unglassed Ti0x-coated silicon cells is compared to Si0-coated cells for coating thicknesses from 100 to 200 nm. The experiment was made on cells having initially the same quantum efficiency allowing complete separation of coating induced effects. U.S. cells only showed an adusted improvement of 2.6% for Ti0x-coatings over Si0-coatings as compared to an expected range of 4.8 to 5.5% as based on European investigations. Spectral reflectance analysis showed some destinct differences between the various cell types. This may be related to cell crystal orientation. All cells showed much higher reflectance at the minimum than predicted by theoretical analyses.     

Book reviews

Space Science Reviews -     

Optimal Detection of a Signala with Time-Varying Carrier Phase

The problem considered in this paper is the detection of a signal known except for time-varying carrier phase in white Gaussian noise. The method of attacking this problem is to model the time-varying carrier phase as a Markov process. Fourier transform techniques are then applies to yield a simple time-wise adaptive form for the phasetracking detector. Optimal accounting for the time variations in phase is accomplished via a simple algorithm which serves to update the detector memory. Furthermore, it is shown that this memory updating operation is a discrete linear filter whose impulse response is a simple function of the previous memory state and the Markov transitional statistics on the phase. A priori knowledge regarding the phase is summarized in the initial impulse response of the updating filter.