The SOFIA flight crew descends the stairs after ferrying the 747SP airborne observatory from Waco, TX, to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in California

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-05-31

The SOFIA flight crew, consisting of Co-pilot Gordon Fullerton; DFRC, Pilot Bill Brocket; DFRC, Test Conductor Marty Trout; DFRC, Test Engineer Don Stonebrook; L-3, and Flight Engineer Larry Larose; JSC, descend the stairs after ferrying the 747SP airborne observatory from Waco, Texas, to its new home at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in California. NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, arrived at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. on May 31, 2007. The heavily modified Boeing 747SP was ferried to Dryden from Waco, Texas, where L-3 Communications Integrated Systems installed a German-built 2.5-meter infrared telescope and made other major modifications over the past several years. SOFIA is scheduled to undergo installation and integration of mission systems and a multi-phase flight test program at Dryden over the next three years that is expected to lead to a full operational capability to conduct astronomy missions in about 2010. During its expected 20-year lifetime, SOFIA will be capable of "Great Observatory" class astronomical science, providing astronomers with access to the visible, infrared and sub-millimeter spectrum with optimized performance in the mid-infrared to sub-millimeter range.

Taking Outreach to New Heights with SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dodds, J.; Wold-Brennon, R.

2014-12-01

NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) mission conducts an Education and Public Outreach program that leverage the unique attributes of the world's largest airborne observatory. After reaching a series of milestones, SOFIA achieved Full Operational Capability (FOC) in May, 2014, equivalent to a launch in the space telescope world. Still in early stages, the Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) effort aspires to improve teaching, inspire students, and inform U.S. communities by incorporating educators into the crew, where they fly to the stratosphere and engage with scientists and mission specialists. The program's 55 Ambassadors, selected through a highly competitive national call for applications, flew aboard the aircraft during 3 science phases of observatory operations. These dedicated educators not only incorporate content knowledge and specific components of their experience into their curricula and education programming, they also appear and present at events in their communities. Their efforts to date have impacted thousands. During the presentation, SOFIA Ambassadors will overview this national program, share experiences during flight weeks, and present the spectrum of successful outreach efforts implemented.Outcomes: Participants will obtain updates on the SOFIA AAA program, receive information on the future of this national program, and benefit from examples of using authentic science experiences to improve professional practices.

Comparison of Sofia Legionella FIA and BinaxNOW® Legionella urinary antigen card in two national reference centers.

PubMed

Beraud, L; Gervasoni, K; Freydiere, A M; Descours, G; Ranc, A G; Vandenesch, F; Lina, G; Gaia, V; Jarraud, S

2015-09-01

The Sofia Legionella Fluorescence Immunoassay (FIA; Quidel) is a recently introduced rapid immunochromatographic diagnostic test for Legionnaires' disease using immunofluorescence technology designed to enhance its sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate its performance for the detection of urinary antigens for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in two National Reference Centers for Legionella. The sensitivity and specificity of the Sofia Legionella FIA test were determined in concentrated and nonconcentrated urine samples, before and after boiling, in comparison with the BinaxNOW® Legionella Urinary Antigen Card (UAC; Alere). Compared with BinaxNOW® Legionella UAC, the sensitivity of the Sofia Legionella test was slightly higher in nonconcentrated urine samples and was identical in concentrated urine samples. The specificity of the Sofia Legionella FIA test was highly reduced by the concentration of urine samples. In nonconcentrated samples, a lack of specificity was observed in 2.3 % of samples, all of them resolved by heat treatment. The Sofia Legionella FIA is a sensitive test for detecting Legionella urinary antigens with no previous urine concentration. However, all positive samples have to be re-tested after boiling to reach a high specificity. The reading is automatized on the Sofia analyzer, which can be connected to laboratory information systems, facilitating accurate and rapid reporting of results.

Development of the SOFIA Image Processing Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adams, Alexander N.

2011-01-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a Boeing 747SP carrying a 2.5 meter infrared telescope capable of operating between at altitudes of between twelve and fourteen kilometers, which is above more than 99 percent of the water vapor in the atmosphere. The ability to make observations above most water vapor coupled with the ability to make observations from anywhere, anytime, make SOFIA one of the world s premiere infrared observatories. SOFIA uses three visible light CCD imagers to assist in pointing the telescope. The data from these imagers is stored in archive files as is housekeeping data, which contains information such as boresight and area of interest locations. A tool that could both extract and process data from the archive files was developed.

Exploring the Interstellar Medium with SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, Edwin F.

2004-01-01

SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, is being developed to operate at wavelengths from 0.3 microns to 1.6 mm over a 20 year lifetime. Its 2.5 m effective diameter telescope will be diffraction limited (approximately 8.5 arc seconds FWHM at 100 microns) at wavelengths beyond about 5 microns. Its B747SP aircraft platform will allow coverage of the entire sky and enable observation of ephemeral events. Nine first-generation focal plane instruments are being built, and more will be added later. These attributes assure SOFIA a vital role in future studies of the interstellar medium (ISM), in addition to topics such as the solar system. SOFIA observers will explore the gamut of ISM topics: star formation; the Galactic Center; debris disks; recycling of materials through the stellar life cycle; the origin and evolution of biogenic materials; shock, photodissociation, and photoexcitation physics; gas and grain chemistry. Imaging, spectroscopy, and eventually polarimetry covering much of the infrared spectrum will all be part of SOFIA's arsenal in the attack on these and other important problems. The talk will describe the observatory, its status, its science instruments and anticipated program. SOFIA is a joint program of NASA in the U.S. and DLR in Germany. Broad participation by the international science community in SOFIA observations will be encouraged via annual proposal opportunities and user-friendly tools. Roughly 80% of the observing time will be granted by the U.S. and 20% by Germany. For further information, see http://sofia.arc.nasa.gov.

SOFIA: Flying the Telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Asher, Troy; Cumming, Steve

2012-01-01

The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is an international cooperative development and operations program between the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the German Space Agency, DLR (Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt). SOFIA is a 2.5 meter, optical/infrared/sub-millimeter telescope mounted in a Boeing model 747SP-21 aircraft and will be used for many basic astronomical observations performed at stratospheric altitudes. It will accommodate installation of different focal plane instruments with in-flight accessibility provided by investigators selected from the international science community. The Facility operational lifetime is planned to be greater than 20 years. This presentation will present the results of developmental testing of SOFIA, including analysis, envelope expansion and the first operational mission. It will describe a brief history of open cavities in flight, how NASA designed and tested SOFIAs cavity, as well as flight test results. It will focus on how the test team achieved key milestones by systematically and efficiently reducing the number of test points to only those absolutely necessary to achieve mission requirements, thereby meeting all requirements and saving the potential loss of program funding. Finally, it will showcase examples of the observatory in action and the first operational mission of the observatory, illustrating the usefulness of the system to the international scientific community. Lessons learned on how to whittle a mountain of test points into a manageable sum will be presented at the conclusion.

Simultaneous multicolour optical and near-IR transit photometry of GJ 1214b with SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angerhausen, D.; Dreyer, C.; Placek, B.; Csizmadia, Sz.; Eigmüller, Ph.; Godolt, M.; Kitzmann, D.; Mallonn, M.; Becklin, E. E.; Collins, P.; Dunham, E. W.; Grenfell, J. L.; Hamilton, R. T.; Kabath, P.; Logsdon, S. E.; Mandell, A.; Mandushev, G.; McElwain, M.; McLean, I. S.; Pfueller, E.; Rauer, H.; Savage, M.; Shenoy, S.; Vacca, W. D.; Van Cleve, J. E.; Wiedemann, M.; Wolf, J.

2017-12-01

Context. The benchmark exoplanet GJ 1214b is one of the best studied transiting planets in the transition zone between rocky Earth-sized planets and gas or ice giants. This class of super-Earth or mini-Neptune planets is unknown in our solar system, yet is one of the most frequently detected classes of exoplanets. Understanding the transition from rocky to gaseous planets is a crucial step in the exploration of extrasolar planetary systems, in particular with regard to the potential habitability of this class of planets. Aims: GJ 1214b has already been studied in detail from various platforms at many different wavelengths. Our airborne observations with the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) add information in the Paschen-α cont. 1.9 μm infrared wavelength band, which is not accessible by any other current ground- or space-based instrument due to telluric absorption or limited spectral coverage. Methods: We used FLIPO, the combination of the High-speed Imaging Photometer for Occultations (HIPO) and the First Light Infrared TEst CAMera (FLITECAM) and the Focal Plane Imager (FPI+) on SOFIA to comprehensively analyse the transmission signal of the possible water-world GJ 1214b through photometric observations during transit in three optical and one infrared channels. Results: We present four simultaneous light curves and corresponding transit depths in three optical and one infrared channel, which we compare to previous observations and current synthetic atmospheric models of GJ 1214b. The final precision in transit depth is between 1.5 and 2.5 times the theoretical photon noise limit, not sensitive enough to constrain the theoretical models any better than previous observations. This is the first exoplanet observation with SOFIA that uses its full set of instruments available to exoplanet spectrophotometry. Therefore we use these results to evaluate SOFIA's potential in this field and suggest future improvements. Tables of the lightcurve data are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/608/A120

South Florida Information Access (SOFIA) metadata for the U.S. Geological Survey Greater Everglades place-based studies

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stapleton, Jo Anne; Sonenshein, Roy

2004-01-01

Beginning in 1995 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) funded scientific research to support the restoration of the Greater Everglades area and to supply decision makers and resource mangers with sound data on which to base their actions. However, none of the research and resulting data is useful if it can?t be discovered, can?t be assessed for utility in an application, can?t be accessed, or is in an undetermined format. The decision was made early in the USGS Place-Based Studies (PBS) program to create a ?one-stop? entry for information and data about USGS research results. To facilitate the discovery process some mechanism was needed to allow standardized queries about data. The FGDC metadata standard has been used to document the South Florida PBS data from the beginning.

Flying the Infrared Skies: An Authentic SOFIA Educator Experience

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manning, J. G.

2015-11-01

The NASA/DLR Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) flagship education effort is its Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) program. The program flies teams of teachers on SOFIA research flights as part of an educator professional development effort enabling these teachers to experience first-hand the workings of the airborne observatory, to interact with scientists and technologists, to observe research in progress and how scientists use technology—all in support of national STEM goals. The presenter will share his own experience as an EPO escort on a recent SOFIA flight including two educator teams, providing a first-hand account of how an “authentic” science experience can exploit unique NASA assets to improve science teaching, inspire students, inform local communities, and contribute to the elevation of public science literacy.

A new window on the cosmos: The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrz, R. D.; Becklin, E. E.; de Pater, I.; Lester, D. F.; Roellig, T. L.; Woodward, C. E.

2009-08-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a joint US/German Project to develop and operate a gyrostabilized 2.5-m telescope in a Boeing 747-SP. This observatory will allow astronomical observations from 0.3 μm to sub-millimeter wavelengths at stratospheric altitudes as high as 45,000 ft where the atmosphere is not only cloud-free, but largely transparent at infrared wavelengths. The dynamics and chemistry of interstellar matter, and the details of embedded star formation will be key science goals. In addition, SOFIA's unique portability will enable large-telescope observations at sites required to observe transient phenomena and location specific events. SOFIA will offer the convenient accessibility of a ground-based telescope for servicing, maintenance, and regular technology upgrades, yet will also have many of the performance advantages of a space-based telescope. Initially, SOFIA will fly with nine first-generation focal plane instruments that include broad-band imagers, moderate resolution spectrographs that will resolve broad features from dust and large molecules, and high resolution spectrometers capable of studying the chemistry and detailed kinematics of molecular and atomic gas. First science flights will begin in 2010, leading to a full operations schedule of about 120 8-10 h flights per year by 2014. The next call for instrument development that can respond to scientifically exciting new technologies will be issued in 2010. We describe the SOFIA facility and outline the opportunities for observations by the general scientific community with cutting edge focal plane technology. We summarize the operational characteristics of the first-generation instruments and give specific examples of the types of fundamental scientific studies these instruments are expected to make.

Making Astronomy and Space Science Accessible to the Blind and Visually Impaired

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beck-Winchatz, B.; Hoette, V.; Grice, N.

2003-12-01

One of the biggest obstacles blind and visually impaired people face in science is the ubiquity of important graphical information, which is generally not made available in alternate formats accessible to them. Funded by NASA's Initiative to Develop Education through Astronomy and Space Science (IDEAS), we have recently formed a team of scientists and educators from universities, the SOFIA NASA mission, a science museum, an observatory, and schools for the blind. Our goal is to develop and test Braille/tactile space science activities that actively engage students from elementary grades through introductory college-level in space science. We will discuss effective strategies and low-cost technologies that can be used to make graphical information accessible. We will also demonstrate examples, such a thermal expansion graphics created from telescope images of the Moon and other celestial objects, a tactile planisphere, three-dimensional models of near-Earth asteroids and tactile diagrams of their orbits, and an infrared detector activity.

NASA SOFIA International Year of Light (IYL) Event: Infrared Light: Hanging out in the Stratosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, Coral; Backman, Dana E.; Harman, Pamela; Veronico, Nicholas

2015-01-01

As an International Year of Light committee endorsed event, Infrared Light: Hanging out in the Stratosphere will engage learners around the world, linking participants with scientists at work on board NASA SOFIA, the world's largest flying observatory. This major event will showcase science-in-action, interviews, live data, and observations performed both aboard the aircraft and at partner centers on land.SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy) is an 80% - 20% partnership of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) consisting of an extensively modified Boeing 747SP aircraft carrying a reflecting telescope with an effective diameter of 2.5 meters. SOFIA is a program in NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Astrophysics Division. Science investigators leverage SOFIA's unique capabilities to study the universe at infrared wavelengths by making observations that are impossible for even the largest and highest ground-based telescopes. SOFIA received Full Operating Capacity status in May, 2014, and astrophysicists will continue to utilize the observatory and upgraded instruments to study astronomical objects and phenomena, including star birth and death; planetary system formation; identification of complex molecules in space; planets, comets, and asteroids in our solar system; and nebulae and dust in galaxies.This landmark event will reflect and build on the ProjectLink. In October 1995, SOFIA's predecessor, the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO), performed the first satellite links from an airplane to the ground. The KAO downlinked to the Exploratorium museum (SF, CA), where over 200 students watched the webcast, conversed, and participated in simultaneous observations at the world-renowned science museum. SOFIA will now take this concept into the 21st century, utilizing internet technologies to engage and inspire 100,000+ learners of all ages through simultaneous presentations and appearances by over 70 SOFIA Educators at schools and informal learning institutions across the U.S. and around the world, and build bridges for future authentic opportunities with high impact in STEM education.

Observatory Improvements for SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peralta, Robert A.; Jensen, Stephen C.

2012-01-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a joint project between NASA and Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), the German Space Agency. SOFIA is based in a Boeing 747 SP and flown in the stratosphere to observe infrared wavelengths unobservable from the ground. In 2007 Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) inherited and began work on improving the plane and its telescope. The improvements continue today with upgrading the plane and improving the telescope. The Observatory Verification and Validation (V&V) process is to ensure that the observatory is where the program says it is. The Telescope Status Display (TSD) will provide any information from the on board network to monitors that will display the requested information. In order to assess risks to the program, one must work through the various threats associate with that risk. Once all the risks are closed the program can work towards improving the observatory.

NASA Astrophysics E/PO Impact: NASA SOFIA AAA Program Evaluation Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harman, Pamela; Backman, Dana E.; Clark, Coral; Inverness Research Sofia Aaa Evaluation Team, Wested Sofia Aaa Evaluation Team

2015-01-01

SOFIA is an airborne observatory, studying the universe at infrared wavelengths, capable of making observations that are impossible for even the largest and highest ground-based telescopes. SOFIA also inspires the development of new scientific instrumentation and fosters the education of young scientists and engineers.SOFIA is an 80% - 20% partnership of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), consisting of an extensively modified Boeing 747SP aircraft carrying a reflecting telescope with an effective diameter of 2.5 meters (100 inches). The SOFIA aircraft is based at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, Building 703, in Palmdale, California. The Science Program and Outreach Offices are located at NASA Ames Research center. SOFIA is a program in NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Astrophysics Division.Data will be collected to study many different kinds of astronomical objects and phenomena, including star cycles, solar system formation, identification of complex molecules in space, our solar system, galactic dust, nebulae and ecosystems.Airborne Astronomy Ambassador (AAA) Program:The SOFIA Education and Communications program exploits the unique attributes of airborne astronomy to contribute to national goals for the reform of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, and to elevate public scientific and technical literacy.The AAA effort is a professional development program aspiring to improve teaching, inspire students, and inform the community. To date, 55 educators from 21 states; Cycles 0, 1 and 2; have completed their astronomy professional development and their SOFIA science flight experience. Evaluation has confirmed the program's positive impact on the teacher participants, on their students, and in their communities. The inspirational experience has positively impacted their practice and career trajectory. AAAs have incorporated content knowledge and specific components of their experience into their curricula, and have given hundreds of presentations and implemented teacher professional development workshops. Their efforts have impacted thousands of students and teachers.

NASA Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Airborne Astronomy Ambassador Program Evaluation Results To Date

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harman, Pamela K.; Backman, Dana E.; Clark, Coral

2015-08-01

SOFIA is an airborne observatory, capable of making observations that are impossible for even the largest and highest ground-based telescopes, and inspires instrumention development.SOFIA is an 80% - 20% partnership of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), consisting of a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft carrying a diameter of 2.5 meters (100 inches) reflecting telescope. The SOFIA aircraft is based at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, Building 703, in Palmdale, California. The Science Program Office and Outreach Office is located at NASA Ames Research center. SOFIA is one of the programs in NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Astrophysics Division.SOFIA will be used to study many different kinds of astronomical objects and phenomena, including star birth and death, formation of new solar systems, identification of complex molecules in space, planets, comets and asteroids in our solar system, nebulae and dust in galaxies, and ecosystems of galaxies.Airborne Astronomy Ambassador Program:The SOFIA Education and Communications program exploits the unique attributes of airborne astronomy to contribute to national goals for the reform of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, and to the elevation of public scientific and technical literacy.SOFIA’s Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) effort is a professional development program aspiring to improve teaching, inspire students, and inform the community. To date, 55 educators from 21 states; in three cohorts, Cycles 0, 1 and 2; have completed their astronomy professional development and their SOFIA science flight experience. Cycle 3 cohort of 28 educators will be completing their flight experience this fall. Evaluation has confirmed the program’s positive impact on the teacher participants, on their students, and in their communities. Teachers have incorporated content knowledge and specific components of their experience into their curricula, and have given hundreds of presentations and implemented teacher professional development workshops. Their efforts have impacted thousands of students and teachers.

M-Learning Pilot at Sofia University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gourova, Elissaveta; Dulev, Pavlin; Petrova-Antonova, Dessislava; Bontchev, Boyan

2014-01-01

Many universities have designed specialized Learning Management Systems in order to facilitate the management of education, the access to knowledge and educational resources, and the communications with all stakeholders involved. With the wide spread of mobile technologies nowadays, new challenges emerge for adapting the available systems to the…

An Unsupervised Method for Uncovering Morphological Chains (Open Access, Publisher’s Version)

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-08

Consortium. Marco Baroni, Johannes Matiasek, and Harald Trost. 2002. Unsupervised discovery of morphologically re- lated words based on orthographic and...Better word representations with re- cursive neural networks for morphology. In CoNLL, Sofia, Bulgaria. Mohamed Maamouri, Ann Bies, Hubert Jin, and Tim

The quest for infall in star-forming regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wyrowski, Friedrich

2018-06-01

Observation of infall is key to our understanding of the accretion process in star formation. High-resolution spectroscopy allows us to resolve molecular lines originating from the dense molecular envelopes of the forming (proto-) stars to deduce the kinematics of the gas. In this contribution, I'll describe how SOFIA can significantly contribute to the quest for and characterisation of infall by providing unique access to molecular lines at THz frequencies that allow red-shifted absorption studies as direct probe of infall and that provide access to fine structure and high excitation lines that probe outflowing gas as indirect evidence for accretion. In particular, I will report on a recent study using the GREAT high-spectral resolution instrument on-board of SOFIA to observe ammonia at 1.8 THz. Eight out of eleven observed massive clumps have been found with red-shifted absorption that is indicative of infall motions. This fraction of 72% is substantially higher than that found in past searches for the blue-skewed profile signature. The observations show that infall on clump scales is ubiquitous through a wide range of evolutionary stages.

SOFIA: Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kunz, Nans; Bowers, Al

2007-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the great astronomical observatories both space and land based that are now operational. It shows the history of the development of SOFIA, from its conception in 1986 through the contract awards in 1996 and through the planned first flight in 2007. The major components of the observatory are shown and there is a comparison of the SOFIA with the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO), which is the direct predecessor to SOFIA. The development of the aft ramp of the KAO was developed as a result of the wind tunnel tests performed for SOFIA development. Further slides show the airborne observatory layout and the telescope's optical layout. Included are also vies of the 2.5 Meter effective aperture, and the major telescope's components. The presentations reviews the technical challenges encountered during the development of SOFIA. There are also slides that review the wind tunnel tests, and CFD modeling performed during the development of SOFIA. Closing views show many views of the airplane, and views of SOFIA.

Use of Lactobacillus johnsonii in broilers challenged with Salmonella sofia.

PubMed

Olnood, Chen G; Beski, Sleman S M; Choct, Mingan; Iji, Paul A

2015-09-01

The effects of Lactobacillus johnsonii (L. johnsonii) on gut microflora, bird performance and intestinal development were assessed using 288 one-day-old Cobb broilers challenged with Salmonella sofia ( S . sofia ). The experiment was a 3 × 2 factorial design which consisted of three treatments, a negative control (NC) with no additives, a positive control (PC) containing antimicrobials (zinc-bacitracin, 50 mg/kg) and a probiotic group (Pro), and with the two factors being unchallenged or challenged with S . sofia . A probiotic preparation of L . johnsonii (10 9 cfu/chick) was administered to chicks individually by oral gavage on days 1, 3, 7 and 12. Chicks were individually challenged with S. sofia (10 7 cfu/chick) by oral gavage on d 2, 8 and 13. Results showed that the challenge itself markedly reduced ( P < 0.05) bird performance and feed intake. And, transient clinical symptoms of the infection with S . sofia were observed from the second time they were challenged with S . sofia in the negative challenge groups. The novel probiotic candidate L . johnsonii reduced the number of S . sofia and Clostridium perfringens in the gut environment, and improved the birds' colonization resistance to S . sofia .

SOFIA, an airborne observatory for infrared astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krabbe, Alfred; Mehlert, Dörte; Röser, Hans-Peter; Scorza, Cecilia

2013-11-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a joint US/German project operating a 2.7 m infrared airborne telescope onboard a modified Boeing 747-SP in the stratosphere at altitudes up to 13.7 km. SOFIA covers a spectral range from 0.3 µm to 1.6 mm, with an average atmospheric transmission greater than 80%. After successfully completing its commissioning, SOFIA commenced regular astronomical observation in spring 2013, and will ramp up to more than one hundred 8 to 10 h flights per year by 2015. The observatory is expected to operate until the mid 2030s. SOFIA's initial complement of seven focal plane instruments includes broadband imagers, moderate-resolution spectrographs and high-resolution spectrometers. SOFIA also includes an elaborate program for Education and Public Outreach. We describe the SOFIA facility together with its first light instrumentation and include some of its first scientific results. In addition, the education and public outreach program is presented.

SOFIA's Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors: An External Evaluation of Cycle 1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Phillips, Michelle

2015-01-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) represents a partnership between NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The observatory itself is a Boeing 747 SP that has been modified to serve as the world's largest airborne research observatory. The SOFIA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) program is a component of SOFIA's…

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (sofia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrz, R. D.; Becklin, E. E.

2009-06-01

SOFIA is a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP that will begin will begin science flights in mid-2009. Flying in the stratosphere at altitudes as high as 45,000 feet, SOFIA will be used to conduct spectroscopic and imaging observations throughout the infrared and sub-mm region with an average transmission of greater than 80 percent. The SOFIA first-generation instrument complement includes broadband imagers, moderate resolution spectrographs capable of resolving broad features due to dust and large molecules, and high resolution spectrometers suitable for kinematic studies of molecular and atomic gas lines at km/s resolution. The characteristics and status of the observatory and its instrumentation will be briefly reviewed. SOFIA`s operations schedule and opportunities for observers and instrument developers will be described.

The Next Generation Airborne Observatory - SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erickson, E. F.; Davidson, J. A.

1993-05-01

NASA and the astronomical community have planned SOFIA - the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy - to extend and expand the capabilities of airborne astronomy. Just as the KAO telescope has three times the aperture of its Learjet predecessor, SOFIA's aperture will be three times that of the KAO. Thus SOFIA will surpass the angular resolution of the KAO by a factor of three and its per-pixel sensitivity by at least a factor of nine at wavelengths beyond 10 \\mm.. Following the tradition of the KAO and Learjet programs, the user community will provide most of the SOFIA focal plane instruments. Scientists will fly their new instruments as soon as they become operational, assuring immediate application of state-of-the-art technology throughout the anticipated 20 year observatory lifetime. Annual peer review of submitted proposals guarantees a vigorous observing program. Armed by 15-20 different instrument teams, reinforced by an additional ~ 50 guest investigator groups, and flying 160 8-hour sorties per year, SOFIA will attack a very broad range of astronomical problems. To name just a few, SOFIA will: probe km-scale structure of planetary atmospheres and ring systems; measure the luminosity function of young stellar objects down to values ~ less. 0.1 L\\sun.; identify accreting protostars; and trace structure and location of dominant energetic activity in IR-luminous galaxies with ~ 1 kpc resolution at 100 Mpc. The Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey (Bahcall) committee ranked SOFIA as the highest priority moderate cost new mission for NASA in the 1990s. SOFIA has been thoroughly studied and is ready to start development. If funding is available in FY95, SOFIA could be flying by the end of the decade.

Star Formation Studies with SOFIA and its Synergy with TMT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Buizer, James

2014-07-01

The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a modified Boeing 747 aircraft equipped with a 2.5m telescope that performs observations at high altitude from the optical to the sub-mm. The observatory just reached full operational capability in April of this year. Given that it is slated for a 20-year mission lifetime, SOFIA will overlap TMT by more than a decade. I will discuss the contrasting and complementary features of SOFIA and TMT in the context of star formation, discuss some of the early results from SOFIA in this field, and finish with a discussion of how TMT data can enhance and extended our understanding of star formation processes.[This talk could also be generalized to discuss more about synergies between SOFIA and TMT in a broader context (not just star formation), should the organizers prefer that.

SOFIA: A Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, E. F.; Davidson, J. A.; Thorley, G.; Caroff, L. J.

1991-01-01

SOFIA is described as it was originally (May 1988) for the Space and Earth Sciences Advisory Committee (SESAC). The format and questions were provided by SESAC as a standard for judging the merit of potential U.S. space science projects. This version deletes Section IIF, which addressed development costs of the SOFIA facility. SOFIA's unique astronomical potential is described and it is shown how it complements and supports existing and planned facilities.

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (sofia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrz, R. D.; Becklin, E. E.

2011-06-01

The joint U.S. and German Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5- meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP that began science flights in 2010. Flying in the stratosphere at altitudes as high as 45,000 feet, SOFIA can conduct photometric, spectroscopic, and imaging observations at wavelengths from 0.3 microns to 1.6 millimeters with an average transmission of greater than 80 percent. SOFIA is staged out of the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center aircraft operations facility at Palmdale, CA and the SOFIA Science Mission Operations Center (SSMOC) is located at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA. SOFIA's first-generation instrument complement includes high speed photometers, broadband imagers, moderate resolution spectrographs capable of resolving broad features due to dust and large molecules, and high resolution spectrometers suitable for kinematic studies of molecular and atomic gas lines at km/s resolution. About 100 eight to ten hour flights per year are expected by 2014, and the observatory will operate until the mid 2030's. We will review the status of the SOFIA facility, its initial complement of science instruments, and the opportunities for advanced instrumentation.

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (sofia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrz, R. D.; Becklin, E. E.

2012-06-01

The joint U.S. and German Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5- meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP. SOFIA can conduct photometric, spectroscopic, and imaging observations at wavelengths from 0.3 microns to 1.6 millimeters. At SOFIA's maximum service ceiling of 45,000 feet, the average transmission at these wavelengths is greater than 80 percent. SOFIA flys out of the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center aircraft operations facility at Palmdale, CA and the SOFIA Science Mission Operations (SMO) Center is located at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA. SOFIA's first-generation instrument complement includes broadband imagers and spectrographs that can resolve spectral features due to dust and large molecules, and high resolution spectrometers facilitating kinematic studies of molecular and atomic gas lines at km/s resolution. More than 30 science flights of 10 hours length (take-off to landing) were conducted in the past year. About 100 eight to ten hour flights per year are planned by 2014, and the observatory will operate until the mid-2030's.

SOFIA Science Imagery

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-09-14

SCI2012_0003: SOFIA mid-infrared image of the planetary nebula Minkowski 2-9 (M2-9), also known as the Butterfly Nebula, compared with a visual-wavelength Hubble Space Telescope image at the same scale and orientation. The nebula is composed of two lobes of gas & dust expelled from a dying star with about the mass of our Sun that is seen at the center of the lobes. The HST image shows mostly ionized gas in the lobes whereas the SOFIA image shows mostly solid grains condensing in the gas. The SOFIA data were obtained during SOFIA's Early Science program in 2011 by a Guest Investigator team led by Michael Werner of Caltech/JPL using the FORCAST camera (P.I.Terry Herter, Cornell University). Credit: SOFIA image, RGB = 37, 24, 20 microns; NASA/DLR/USRA/DSI/FORCAST team/M. Werner et al./A. Helton, J. Rho; HST image: NASA/ESA/NSF/AURA/Hubble Heritage Team/STScI/B. Balick, V. Icke, G. Mellema

High and Dry: Trading Water Vapor, Fuel and Observing Time for SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frank, Jeremy; Kurklu, Elif

2005-01-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is NASA's next generation airborne astronomical observatory. The facility consists of a 747-SP modified to accommodate a 2.5 meter telescope. SOFIA is expected to fly an average of 140 science flights per year over it's 20 year lifetime, and will commence operations in early 2005. The SOFIA telescope is mounted aft of the wings on the port side of the aircraft and is articulated through a range of 20 deg to 60 deg of elevation. A significant problem in future SOFIA operations is that of scheduling Facility Instrument (E) flights in support of the SOFIA General Investigator (GI) program. GIs are expected to propose small numbers of observations, and many observations must be grouped together to make up single flights. Approximately 70 GI flight per year are expected, with 5-15 observations per flight.

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrz, R. D.; Becklin, E. E.

2008-07-01

The joint U.S. and German Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Project will operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747SP. Flying in the stratosphere at altitudes as high as 45,000 feet, SOFIA enables observations in the infrared and submillimeter region with an average transmission of 80%. SOFIA has a wide instrument complement including broadband imaging cameras, moderate resolution spectrographs capable of resolving broad features due to dust and large molecules, and high resolution spectrometers suitable for kinematic studies of molecular and atomic gas lines at km/s resolution. The first generation and future instruments will enable SOFIA to make unique contributions to a broad array of science topics. SOFIA began its post-modification test flight series on April 26, 2007 in Waco, Texas and will conclude in winter of 2008-09. SOFIA will be staged out of Dryden's aircraft operations facility at Palmdale, Site 9, CA for science operations. The SOFIA Science Center will be at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, CA. First science flights will begin in 2009, the next instrument call and first General Observer science call will be in 2010, and a full operations schedule of ~120 flights per year will be reached by 2014. The observatory is expected to operate for more than 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics, science instrument complement, future instrument opportunities, and examples of first light and early mission science are discussed.

Sofia Science Working Group

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zmuidzinas, J.

1997-01-01

The purpose of this grant was to enable the Principal Investigator (P.I.) to travel to and participate in the meetings and activities of the NASA SOFIA Science Working Group (SSWG), and to spend time working on some of the associated technical issues relating to the SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) project. The SOFIA Science Working Group was established to help develop the plans and specifications for the next-generation airborne observatory ("SOFIA"), which is now under development. The P.I. was asked to serve on the SSWG due to his experience in airborne astronomy: he has developed several astronomical instruments for the Kuiper Airborne Observatory NASA's previous airborne astronomy platform (which was decommissioned in 1995 in preparation for SOFIA). SOFIA, which will be a 747 SP aircraft carrying a 2.7 meter diameter telescope, is a joint project sponsored by NASA and DLR (the German space agency), and is now under development by a consortium including Universities Space Research Association (USRA), Raytheon, Sterling Software, and United Airlines. Further details on the SOFIA project can be found on the internet at http: //sofia. arc. nasa. gov. Rather than develop the SOFIA observatory in-house, NASA decided to privatize the project by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP). The respondents to this RFP were consortia of private organizations which together had the required facilities and expertise to be able to carry out the project; the winner was the group led by USRA. One of the main roles of the SSWG was to help develop the technical specifications for the SOFIA observatory. In particular, the SSWG provided advice to NASA on the specifications that were written into the RFP, particularly those which had an important impact on the scientific productivity of the observatory. These specifications were discussed at the meetings of the SSWG, which were held primarily at NASA/Ames (in California) and at NASA Headquarters (in Washington DC). Apart from these meetings, members of the SSWG were expected to perform more detailed analyses of the impact of certain parameters and specifications on the performance of astronomical instruments. The SSWG ended its activities with the selection of the USRA team in January 1997.

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) - Current Status, Recent Results, Future Plans, and Synergies with the AKARI Archive

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roellig, Thomas L.

2017-01-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy comprises a 2.7m diameter telescope mounted in a heavily modified B747SP aircraft. The SOFIA program is a joint US NASA and German DLR program, with the development and operations costs split roughly 80%:20%, respectively. Although the observatory is funded by these two nations, its observing time is open to proposals from astronomers of any nationality. The observatory has been flying and taking scientific data since 2010 and currently observes astronomical targets from the stratosphere for approximately 800 research flight hours per year. Seven science instruments (with an eighth coming online in 2020) cover the visible to sub-millimeter wavelengths with a variety of spectral resolutions ranging up to 1e8. The AKARI Archive with its 1.7 to 180 micron wavelength coverage is a natural complementary source for follow-up observations with SOFIA. This presentation will cover the current SOFIA technical capabilities and will present a few recent science highlights that demonstrate the SOFIA/AKARI complementarity. The presentation will also cover the SOFIA proposal process and will summarize other partnership opportunities for additional observing time on SOFIA.

Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Phase A: System concept description

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

Infrared astronomers have made significant discoveries using the NASA/Ames Research Center C-141 Kuiper airborne Observatory (KAO) with its 0.91-meter telescope. The need for a 3-meter class airborne observatory has been established to improve astronomy data gathering capability. The new system envisioned by NASA and the international community of astronomers will be known as the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The platform of choice for SOFIA is a modified Boeing 747SP. SOFIA is viewed as a logical progression from the KAO. Potentially, a 3-meter telescope operating at the altitude achievable by the 747SP aircraft can be 11 times more sensitive than the KAO, can have 3.3 times better angular resolution, and will allow observations of compact sources in a volume of space up to 36 times that of the KAO. The KAO has enabled detection of about 15 percent of the far infrared IRAS survey point-sources; SOFIA should be able to detect them all. This document presents the results of in-house ARC and contracted concept definition studies for SOFIA. Using the ARC-based Kuiper Airborne Observatory as a basis for both SOFIA design and operations concepts, the SOFIA system concept has been developed with a view toward demonstrating mission and technical feasibility, and preparing preliminary cost estimates. The reference concept developed is not intended to represent final design, and should be treated accordingly. The most important products of this study, other than demonstration of system feasibility, are the understanding of system trade-offs and the development of confidence in the technology base that exists to move forward with a program leading to implementation of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).

SpS1-SOFIA studies of stellar evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrz, R. D.; Becklin, E. E.; Roellig, T. L.

2010-11-01

The U.S./German Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA, Figure 1) is a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP flying in the stratosphere at altitudes as high as 45,000 feet where the atmospheric transmission averages ≥ 80% throughout the 0.3 - 1600 μm spectral region. SOFIA's first-generation instruments include broadband imagers, moderate resolution spectrographs capable of resolving broad features due to dust and large molecules, and high resolution spectrometers suitable for kinematic studies of molecular and atomic gas lines at km s-1 resolution. These and future instruments will enable SOFIA to make unique contributions to studies of the physics and chemistry of stellar evolution for many decades. Science flights will begin in 2010. A full operations schedule of at least 100 flights per year will begin in 2014 and will continue for 20 years. The SOFIA Guest Investigator (GI) program, open to investigators worldwide, will constitute the major portion of the SOFIA observing program.

Evaluation of a new rapid diagnostic test for the detection of influenza and RSV.

PubMed

Gómez, Sara; Prieto, Columbiana; Vera, Carmen; R Otero, Joaquín; Folgueira, Lola

2016-05-01

Influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause an acute respiratory disease that occurs seasonally in epidemic waves. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the Sofia(®) Influenza A+B and the Sofia(®) RSV fluorescence immunoassays (FIAs), two novel rapid detection tests (RDTs) for influenza A and B and RSV. Two hundred and nine breath samples were selected from patients with respiratory symptoms determined to be positive/negative for influenza A, influenza B or RSV using one of the reference diagnostic techniques, cell culture and/or RT-PCR (Simplexa™Flu A/B & RSV). The Sofia Influenza A+B FIA was tested on 123 samples (63 from children and 60 from adults) and the Sofia RSV FIA was tested on 86 pediatric samples. Sensitivity and specificity values of both assays were calculated assuming the reference techniques as the gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity values for the Sofia Influenza A+B FIA were 73.1% and 97.8%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity values for the Sofia RSV FIA were 87.5% and 86.7%, respectively. The sensitivity results obtained for the two assays were considerably higher than those reported for other RDTs. In conclusion, the Sofia Influenza A+B and the Sofia RSV FIAs are appropriate tools for the rapid diagnosis of these viruses. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. All rights reserved.

SOFIA Program SE and I Lessons Learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ray, Ronald J.; Fobel, Laura J.; Brignola, Michael P.

2011-01-01

Once a "Troubled Project" threatened with cancellation, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Program has overcome many difficult challenges and recently achieved its first light images. To achieve success, SOFIA had to overcome significant deficiencies in fundamental Systems Engineering identified during a major Program restructuring. This presentation will summarize the lessons learn in Systems Engineering on the SOFIA Program. After the Program was reformulated, an initial assessment of Systems Engineering established the scope of the problem and helped to set a list of priorities that needed to be work. A revised Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) was written to address the new Program structure and requirements established in the approved NPR7123.1A. An important result of the "Technical Planning" effort was the decision by the Program and Technical Leadership team to re-phasing the lifecycle into increments. The reformed SOFIA Program Office had to quickly develop and establish several new System Engineering core processes including; Requirements Management, Risk Management, Configuration Management and Data Management. Implementing these processes had to consider the physical and cultural diversity of the SOFIA Program team which includes two Projects spanning two NASA Centers, a major German partnership, and sub-contractors located across the United States and Europe. The SOFIA Program experience represents a creative approach to doing "System Engineering in the middle" while a Program is well established. Many challenges were identified and overcome. The SOFIA example demonstrates it is never too late to benefit from fixing deficiencies in the System Engineering processes.

Stratospheric observatory for infrared astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.; Moon, L. J.

The joint U.S. and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now well into development. First science flights will begin in 2004 with 20% of the observing time assigned to German investigators. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics and science instrument complement are discussed. SOFIA will have instrumentation that will allow astronomical surveys that were not possible on the KAO. A future SOFIA survey project related to astrochemistry is discussed.

SOFIA: The Next Generation Airborne Observatory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunham, Edward; Witteborn, Fred C. (Technical Monitor)

1995-01-01

SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy, will carry a 2.5 meter telescope into the stratosphere on 160 7.5 hour flights per year. At stratospheric altitudes SOFIA will operate above 99% of the water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere, allowing observation of wide regions of the infrared spectrum that are totally obscured from even the best ground-based sites. Its mobility and long range will allow worldwide observation of ephemeral events such as occultations and eclipses. SOFIA will be developed jointly by NASA and DARA, the German space agency. It has been included in the President's budget request to Congress for a development start in FY96 (this October!) and enjoys strong support in Germany. This talk will cover SOFIA's scientific goals, technical characteristics, science operating plan, and political status.

SOFIA lightweight primary mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Espiard, Jean; Tarreau, Michel; Bernier, Joel; Billet, Jacques; Paseri, Jacques

1998-08-01

Thanks to its experience in lightweighting ceramic glass mirrors by machining, R.E.O.S.C. won the contract for designing and manufacturing the primary mirror and its lateral fixations of the 2.7 m. SOFIA telescope which will be installed aboard a 747 SP Boeing aircraft to constitute the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.; Tielens, A. G. G. M.; Gehrz, R. D.; Callis, H. H. S.

2007-09-01

The joint U.S. and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now in its final stages of development. Flying in the stratosphere, SOFIA allows observations throughout the infrared and submillimeter region with an average transmission of >= 80%. The SOFIA instrument complement includes broadband imagers, moderate resolution spectrographs capable of resolving broad features due to dust and large molecules, and high resolution spectrometers suitable for kinematic studies of molecular and atomic gas lines at km/s resolution. These instruments will enable SOFIA to make unique contributions to a broad array of science topics. First science flights will begin in 2009, and the observatory is expected to operate for more than 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics, science instrument complement, and examples of first light science are discussed.

SOFIA (+FORCAST) Infrared Spectrophotometry of Comet C/2012 K1 (PanStarrs)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woodward, Charles E.; Kelley, Michael S.P.; Wooden, Diane H.; Harker, David E.; De Buizer, James M.; Gicquel, Adeline

2014-11-01

Observing and modeling the properties of small, primitive bodies in the solar system whose origins lie beyond the frost line (> 5 AU) provides critical insight into the formation of the first Solar System solids and establishes observation constraints for planetary system formation invoking migration - the ‘Grand Tack’ epoch followed by the ‘Nice Model’ events - that yielded terrestrial planets in the habitable zone. The characteristics of comet dust can provide evidence to validate the new, emerging picture of small body populations - including comet families - resulting from planetary migration in the early Solar System. Here we present preliminary results of infrared 8 to 27 micron spectrophotometric observations of comet C/2012 K1 (PanStarrs), a dynamically new (1/a0 < 50e-6) Oort Cloud comet, conducted with the NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) facility during a series of three flights over the period from 2014 June 06-11 UT. During this interval comet C/2012 K1 (PanStarrs) was at a heliocentric distance of ~1.64 AU and a geocentric distance of ~1.74 AU (pre-perihelion). As a "new" comet (first inner solar system passage), the coma grain population may be extremely pristine, unencumbered by a rime and insufficiently irradiated by the Sun to carbonize its surface organics. We will discuss the derived coma grain properties inferred from modeling of the spectral energy distribution derived from the SOFIA (+FORCAST) data and highlight our preliminary conclusions. Continued observations of comets, especially dynamically young Oort Cloud targets, in the 5-37 micron infrared spectral range accessible with SOFIA (+FORCAST) will provide key observational clues to ascertaining the origins of silicates within our protoplanetary disk, and will serve to place our early disk evolution within the context of other circumstellar disks observed today that may contain the seeds of rocky, terrestrial planets.

A Three Dimensional Picture of Galactic Center Mass Flows From Kiloparsec to Subparsec Scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mills, Elisabeth A.

2018-06-01

The centers of galaxies host extreme and energetic phenomena, from the amassing of incredibly dense reservoirs of gas to nuclear starbursts producing tens to hundreds of solar masses per year to accreting supermassive black holes launching jets. All of these are found on compact scales from hundreds of parsecs to less than a microparsec. The nearest laboratory for examining these processes is the center of our own Milky Way Galaxy. Although the black hole is not currently active and the star formation rate is relatively low, it is still our best opportunity for detailed insight into the processes that regulate the growth of the central supermassive black hole. By providing access to mid and far infrared wavelengths, SOFIA plays a unique role in connecting large and small scales in the Galactic center and studying the cycling of gas through this region. In this talk I will highlight several key open questions and outline the role that SOFIA continues to play in answering them.

SOFIA: A Promising Resource for Future Nova Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Helton, L. A.; Sofia Science Team

2014-12-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5-m telescope carried on board a Boeing 747-SP aircraft. Optimized for observations from infrared through sub-mm wavelengths, SOFIA observes from an altitude of 37,000 - 45,000 feet, above 99% of the atmospheric water vapor. The Observatory's complement of instruments possesses a broad range of capabilities, many of which are especially well suited for observations of classical novae, recurrent novae, and other cataclysmic variables. Here we present a selection of the instruments available on board SOFIA that may prove to be very useful for future novae studies.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, Eric E.; Horn, Jochen M. M.

The joint US and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5 - meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now well into development. Work on the aircraft and the telescope has started. First science flights will begin in 2003 with 20% of the observing time assigned to German investigators. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics and science instrument complement are discussed. SOFIA will have instrumentation that will allow astronomical surveys that were not possible on the KAO. A future SOFIA project related to astrochemistry is discussed.

Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.; Davidson, J. A.; Horn, J. M. M.

1999-08-01

The joint US and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5 - meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now in its second year of development. Work on the aircraft and the primary mirror has started. First science flights will begin in 2002 with 20% of the observing time assigned to German investigators. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics and science instrument complement are discussed. SOFIA will have facility instrumentation that will allow astronomical surveys that were not possible on the KAO. Two future SOFIA projects related to cosmology and astrochemistry are discussed.

The 2012 MW5.6 earthquake in the vicinity of the city of Sofia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simeonova, Stela; Solakov, Dimcho; Aleksandrova, Irena; Dimitrova, Liliya; Popova, Iliana; Raykova, Plamena

2013-04-01

The territory of Bulgaria represents a typical example of high seismic risk area in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The neotectonic movements on the Balkan Peninsula were controlled by extensional collapse of the Late Alpin orogen, and were influenced by extension behind the Aegean arc and by the complicated vertical and horizontal movements in the Pannonian region. The city of Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. It is situated in the centre of the Sofia seismic zone that is the most populated (more than 1.2 mil. inhabitants), industrial and cultural region of Bulgaria that faces considerable earthquake risk. Seismicity in the zone is related mainly to the marginal neotectonic faults of Sofia graben. The available historical documents prove the occurrence of destructive earthquakes during the 15th-18th centuries in the Sofia zone. In 19th century the city of Sofia has experienced two strong earthquakes: the 1818 earthquake with epicentral intensity I0=8-9 MSK and the 1858 earthquake with I0=IX-X MSK64. The 1858 earthquake caused heavy destruction in the town of Sofia and the appearance of thermal springs in the western part of the town. After a quiescence of about 50 years a strong event with M=6.5 occurred in 1905 near the western marginal part of the Sofia zone. During the 20th century the strongest event occurred in the vicinity of the city of Sofia is the 1917 earthquake with MS=5.3 (I0=7-8 MSK64). The earthquake caused a lot of damages in the town and changed the capacity of the thermal mineral springs in Sofia and the surrounding villages. The earthquake was felt in an area of 50000 km2 and followed by aftershocks, which lasted more than one year. Almost a century later (95 years) an earthquake of moment magnitude 5.6 hit Sofia seismic zone, on May 22nd, 2012, at 25 km south west of the city of Sofia. This shallow earthquake was largely felt in the region and up to Greece, FYROM, Serbia and Romania. No severe injuries have been reported so far, though a state of emergency was declared in Pernik (the closest city to the epicenter) and superficial damages were observed. The present study was aimed at both presenting the results of seismological study carried out (such as analysis of wave forms, fault plane solutions, spatial distribution of intensity field, temporal aftershocks distribution) and at weighting in the balance to stress outstanding problems. The earthquake hit Bulgaria on May 22, 2012 gave lots of precious lessons to learn, especially in anticipating other disaster that may occur un-predictably in the future.

SOFIA: a flexible source finder for 3D spectral line data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serra, Paolo; Westmeier, Tobias; Giese, Nadine; Jurek, Russell; Flöer, Lars; Popping, Attila; Winkel, Benjamin; van der Hulst, Thijs; Meyer, Martin; Koribalski, Bärbel S.; Staveley-Smith, Lister; Courtois, Hélène

2015-04-01

We introduce SOFIA, a flexible software application for the detection and parametrization of sources in 3D spectral line data sets. SOFIA combines for the first time in a single piece of software a set of new source-finding and parametrization algorithms developed on the way to future H I surveys with ASKAP (WALLABY, DINGO) and APERTIF. It is designed to enable the general use of these new algorithms by the community on a broad range of data sets. The key advantages of SOFIA are the ability to: search for line emission on multiple scales to detect 3D sources in a complete and reliable way, taking into account noise level variations and the presence of artefacts in a data cube; estimate the reliability of individual detections; look for signal in arbitrarily large data cubes using a catalogue of 3D coordinates as a prior; provide a wide range of source parameters and output products which facilitate further analysis by the user. We highlight the modularity of SOFIA, which makes it a flexible package allowing users to select and apply only the algorithms useful for their data and science questions. This modularity makes it also possible to easily expand SOFIA in order to include additional methods as they become available. The full SOFIA distribution, including a dedicated graphical user interface, is publicly available for download.

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrz, Robert

The joint U.S. and German Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is in its final stages of development. Flying in the stratosphere at altitudes as high as 45,000 feet, SOFIA enables observations throughout the infrared and submillimeter region with an average transmission of greater than 80 percent. SOFIA has a wide instrument complement including broadband imagers, moderate resolution spectrographs capable of resolving broad features due to dust and large molecules, and high resolution spectrometers suitable for kinematic studies of molecular and atomic gas lines at km/s resolution. The first generation and future instruments will enable SOFIA to make unique contributions to a broad array of science topics. SOFIA began its post-modification test flight series on April 26, 2007 in Waco, Texas. The test flight series continues at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, California. SOFIA will be staged out of Dryden's new aircraft operations facility at Palmdale, CA starting in December, 2007. First science flights will begin in 2009, the next instrument call and the first General Observer science call will be in 2010, and a full operations schedule of about 120 flights per year will be reached by 2014. The observatory is expected to operate for more than 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics, science instrument complement, future instrument opportunities and examples of first light science will be discussed.

The 2012 Mw5.6 earthquake in Sofia seismogenic zone - is it a slow earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raykova, Plamena; Solakov, Dimcho; Slavcheva, Krasimira; Simeonova, Stela; Aleksandrova, Irena

2017-04-01

Recently our understanding of tectonic faulting has been shaken by the discoveries of seismic tremor, low frequency earthquakes, slow slip events, and other models of fault slip. These phenomenas represent models of failure that were thought to be non-existent and theoretically impossible only a few years ago. Slow earthquakes are seismic phenomena in which the rupture of geological faults in the earth's crust occurs gradually without creating strong tremors. Despite the growing number of observations of slow earthquakes their origin remains unresolved. Studies show that the duration of slow earthquakes ranges from a few seconds to a few hundred seconds. The regular earthquakes with which most people are familiar release a burst of built-up stress in seconds, slow earthquakes release energy in ways that do little damage. This study focus on the characteristics of the Mw5.6 earthquake occurred in Sofia seismic zone on May 22nd, 2012. The Sofia area is the most populated, industrial and cultural region of Bulgaria that faces considerable earthquake risk. The Sofia seismic zone is located in South-western Bulgaria - the area with pronounce tectonic activity and proved crustal movement. In 19th century the city of Sofia (situated in the centre of the Sofia seismic zone) has experienced two strong earthquakes with epicentral intensity of 10 MSK. During the 20th century the strongest event occurred in the vicinity of the city of Sofia is the 1917 earthquake with MS=5.3 (I0=7-8 MSK64).The 2012 quake occurs in an area characterized by a long quiescence (of 95 years) for moderate events. Moreover, a reduced number of small earthquakes have also been registered in the recent past. The Mw5.6 earthquake is largely felt on the territory of Bulgaria and neighbouring countries. No casualties and severe injuries have been reported. Mostly moderate damages were observed in the cities of Pernik and Sofia and their surroundings. These observations could be assumed indicative for a very low rupture velocity. The low rupture velocity can mean slow-faulting, which brings to slow release of accumulated seismic energy. The slow release energy does principally little to moderate damages. Additionally wave form of the earthquake shows low frequency content of P-waves (the maximum P-wave is at 1.19 Hz) and the specific P- wave displacement spectral is characterise with not expressed spectrum plateau and corner frequency. These and other signs suggest us to the conclusion, that the 2012 Mw5.6 earthquake can be considered as types of slow earthquake, like a low frequency quake. The study is based on data from Bulgarian seismological network (NOTSSI), the local network (LSN) deployed around Kozloduy NPP and System of Accelerographs for Seismic Monitoring of Equipment and Structures (SASMES) installed in the Kozloduy NPP. NOTSSI jointly with LSN and SASMES provide reliable information for multiple studies on seismicity in regional scale.

Usefulness of Sofia Pneumococcal FIA® test in comparison with BinaxNOW® Pneumococcal test in urine samples for the diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia.

PubMed

Burgos, Joaquin; Garcia-Pérez, Jorge N; di Lauro, Sabina González; Falcó, Vicenç; Pumarola, Tomás; Almirante, Benito; Teresa Martín Gomez, M

2018-04-13

The Sofia Pneumococcal FIA® test is a recently introduced immunofluorescent assay automatically read aimed to detect Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen in urine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of SofiaFIA® urinary antigen test (UAT) in comparison with classical immunochromatographic BinaxNOW® test for the diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia (PP). Observational study was conducted in the Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron from December 2015 to August 2016. Consecutive adult patients diagnosed of pneumonia and admitted to the emergency department in whom UAT was requested were prospectively enrolled. Paired pneumococcal UAT was performed (BinaxNOW® and SofiaFIA®) in urine samples. To assess the performance of both tests, patients were categorized into proven PP (isolation of S. pneumoniae in sterile fluid) or probable PP (isolation of S. pneumoniae in respiratory secretion). Sensitivity, specificity, and concordance were calculated. A total of 219 patients with pneumonia were enrolled, of whom 14% had a proven or probable PP, 22% a non-pneumococcal etiology, and 64% an unidentified pathogen. Concordance between tests was good (κ = 0.81). Sensitivity of SofiaFIA® and BinaxNOW® UAT was 78.6 and 50% for proven PP (p = 0.124), and 74.2 and 58% for proven/probable PP (p = 0.063). Specificity for both tests was 83.3 and 85.5% for proven and proven/probable PP. In patients without an identified pathogen, SofiaFIA® test was positive in 33 (23.6%) cases and BinaxNOW® in 25 (17.8%), so Sofia Pneumococcal FIA® detected 32.6% more cases than BinaxNOW® (p = 0.001). Sofia Pneumococcal FIA® test showed an improved sensitivity over visual reading of BinaxNOW® test without a noticeable loss of specificity.

Automated Long - Term Scheduling for the SOFIA Airborne Observatory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Civeit, Thomas

2013-01-01

The NASA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a joint US/German project to develop and operate a gyro-stabilized 2.5-meter telescope in a Boeing 747SP. SOFIA's first science observations were made in December 2010. During 2011, SOFIA accomplished 30 flights in the "Early Science" program as well as a deployment to Germany. The new observing period, known as Cycle 1, is scheduled to begin in 2012. It includes 46 science flights grouped in four multi-week observing campaigns spread through a 13-month span. Automation of the flight scheduling process offers a major challenge to the SOFIA mission operations. First because it is needed to mitigate its relatively high cost per unit observing time compared to space-borne missions. Second because automated scheduling techniques available for ground-based and space-based telescopes are inappropriate for an airborne observatory. Although serious attempts have been made in the past to solve part of the problem, until recently mission operations staff was still manually scheduling flights. We present in this paper a new automated solution for generating SOFIA long-term schedules that will be used in operations from the Cycle 1 observing period. We describe the constraints that should be satisfied to solve the SOFIA scheduling problem in the context of real operations. We establish key formulas required to efficiently calculate the aircraft course over ground when evaluating flight schedules. We describe the foundations of the SOFIA long-term scheduler, the constraint representation, and the random search based algorithm that generates observation and instrument schedules. Finally, we report on how the new long-term scheduler has been used in operations to date.

Study of persistent fog in Bulgaria with Sofia Stability Index, GNSS tropospheric products and WRF simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stoycheva, Anastasiya; Manafov, Ilian; Vassileva, Keranka; Guerova, Guergana

2017-08-01

The topography of the high valley, in which the Bulgarian capital Sofia is located, predispose the seasonal character of fog formation in anticyclonic conditions. The fog in Sofia is mainly in the cold season, with the highest frequency of registrations in December and January. During the anticyclonic conditions the clear sky and calm or nearly calm conditions favour the formation of inversions and hence the fog formation. The maximum of fog registrations is at 6 UTC and minimum at 15 UTC but during prolonged fog a low visibility is registered also between 12 and 15 UTC. A prolonged fog is registered in Sofia between 3 and 10 January 2014 and is studied by using surface synoptic observations and vertically Integrated Water Vapour (IWV) derived from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The fog is separated in two parts: 1) part I - radiation fog (3-5 January) and 2) part II - advection fog (7-10 January). The Sofia Stability Index (SSI) is computed using surface temperature observation at 600 and 2300 m asl. The SSI is found to give additional information about the development and the dissipation of inversion layer especially for the part II fog. IWV is derived from two GNSS stations at 600 and 1120 m asl. and clearly detects the change in the air mass between the part I and II (5-6 January) fog. Furthermore, dependence between diurnal IWV cycle and fog formation/dissipation is found with IWV variation being lowest during the days with fog. A comparison of SSI and index computed using the WRF Numerical Weather Prediction model temperatures (SSI-W) shows good correlation but an negative off-set. Assimilation of surface and upper-air observations in the WRF model resulted in partial improvement of the index (10%), which is a result of moderate improvement of the vertical temperature profile.

SOFIA - Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Helton, A. L.; SOFIA Science Team

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.7-m telescope mounted on board a Boeing 747-SP aircraft. Optimized for observations from infrared through sub-mm wavelengths, SOFIA observes from an altitude of 37,000 - 45,000 feet, above 99% of the atmospheric water vapor. The Observatory’s complement of instruments exhibits a broad range of capabilities that are well suited for the observation of dusty astronomical sources. During its first year of preliminary operations, SOFIA made a number of exciting observations, including the discovery of a new high-mass protostar in the Orion Nebula (IRc4), the first detection of OD outside our Solar System, the detection of interstellar mercapto radicals (SH), and some of the highest resolution mid-IR observations of the transient Galactic circumnuclear ring to date. Here we present a selection of the available instruments available on board SOFIA and discuss their potential for future studies of dust in the Universe.

Spectroscopic observations with the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.; Tielens, A. G. G. M.; Callis, H. H. S.

The joint US and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now in its final stages of development. Flying in the stratosphere, SOFIA allows observations through the infrared and submillimeter region, with an average transmission of greater than 80%. SOFIA is characterized by a wide instrument complement ranging from broadband imagers, through moderate resolution spectrographs capable of resolving broad features due to dust and large molecules, to high-resolution spectrometers suitable for kinematic studies of molecular and atomic gas lines at km/s resolution. This broad range in instruments will enable SOFIA to make unique contributions to a broad array of science topics. First science flights will begin in 2009 and the observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics, science instrument complement, and examples of first light spectroscopic science are discussed.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (sofia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.; Tielens, A. G. G. M.; Callis, H. H. S.

The joint U.S. and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now in its final stages of development. Flying in the stratosphere, SOFIA allows observations through the infrared and submillimeter region, with an average transmission of ≳ 80%. SOFIA is characterized by a wide instrument complement ranging from broadband imagers, through moderate resolution spectrographs capable of resolving broad features due to dust and large molecules, to high resolution spectrometers suitable for kinematic studies of molecular and atomic gas lines at km/s resolution. This broad range in instruments will enable SOFIA to make unique contributions to a broad array of science topics. First science flights will begin in 2009 and the observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics, science instrument complement, and examples of first light science are discussed.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.; Gehrz, R. D.

2009-08-01

The joint U.S. and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is in its final stages of development. Flying in the stratosphere, SOFIA allows observations throughout the infrared and submillimeter region, with an average transmission of greater than 80%. SOFIA's first generation instrument complement includes high-speed photometers, broadband imagers, moderate resolution spectrographs capable of resolving broad features due to dust and large molecules, and high resolution spectrometers suitable for kinematic studies of molecular and atomic gas lines at km/s resolution. These instruments will enable SOFIA to make unique contributions to a broad array of science topics. First science flights will begin in 2010, and the observatory is expected to operate for more than 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics, science instrument complement, future instrument opportunities and examples of first light science will be discussed.

Occultation Spectrophotometry of Extrasolar Planets with SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angerhausen, Daniel; Huber, Klaus F.; Mandell, Avi M.; McElwain, Michael W.; Czesla, Stefan; Madhusudhan, Nikku; Morse, Jon A.

2014-04-01

The NASA/DLR Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a 2.5-meter infrared telescope on board a Boeing 747-SP, will conduct 0.3 - 1,600 μm photometric, spectroscopic, and imaging observations from altitudes as high as 45,000 ft., where the average atmospheric transmission is greater than 80 percent. SOFIA's first light cameras and spectrometers, as well as future generations of instruments, will make important contributions to the characterization of the physical properties of exoplanets. Our analysis shows that optical and near-infrared photometric and spectrophotometric follow-up observations during planetary transits and eclipses will be feasible with SOFIA's instrumentation, in particular the HIPO-FLITECAM optical/NIR instruments. The airborne-based platform has unique advantages in comparison to ground- and space-based observatories in this field of research which we will outline here. Furthermore we will present two exemplary science cases, that will be conducted in SOFIA's cycle 1.

Occultation Spectrophotometry of Extrasolar Planets with SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Angerhausen, Daniel; Huber, Klaus F.; Mandell, Avi M.; McElwain, Michael W.; Czesla, Stefan; Madhusudhan, Nikku

2012-01-01

The NASA/DLR Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a 2.5- meter infrared telescope on board a Boeing 747-SP, will conduct 0.3 - 1,600 micrometer photometric, spectroscopic, and imaging observations from altitudes as high as 45,000 ft., where the average atmospheric transmission is greater than 80 percent. SOFIA's first light cameras and spectrometers, as well as future generations of instruments, will make important contributions to the characterization of the physical properties of exoplanets. Our analysis shows that optical and near-infrared photometric and spectrophotometric follow-up observations during planetary transits and eclipses will be feasible with SOFIA's instrumentation, in particular the HIPOFLITECAM optical/NIR instruments. The airborne-based platform has unique advantages in comparison to ground- and space-based observatories in this field of research which we will outline here. Furthermore we will present two exemplary science cases, that will be conducted in SOFIA's cycle 1.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (sofia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.

1997-08-01

The joint US and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5 meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP began earlier this year. Universities Space Research Association (USRA), teamed with Raytheon E systems and United Airlines, was selected by NASA to develop and operate SOFIA. The 2.5 meter telescope will be designed and built by a consortium of German companies lead by MAN-GHH. Work on the aircraft and the primary mirror has started. First science flights will begin in 2001, and the observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The specifications, instruments and science potential of SOFIA are discussed.

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrz, Robert; Becklin, Eric; Young, Erick; Krabbe, Alfred; Marcum, Pamela; Roellig, Thomas

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a joint U.S./German Project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP that flies in the stratosphere at altitudes as high as 45,000 and is capable of observations from 0.3 microns to 1.6 mm with an average transmission greater than 80 percent. SOFIA will be staged out of the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center aircraft operations facility at Palmdale, CA and the SOFIA Science Mission Operations Center (SSMOC) will be located at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA. First science flights will begin in 2010, and the number of flights will ramp up annually with a flight rate of over 100 8 to 10 hour flights per year expected by 2014. The observatory is expected to operate until the mid 2030's. SOFIA will initially fly with eight focal plane instruments that include broadband imagers, moderate resolution spectrographs that will resolve broad features due to dust and large molecules, and high resolution spectrometers capable of studying the kinematics of molecular and atomic gas lines at km/s resolution. We describe the SOFIA facility and outline the opportunities for observations by the general scientific community and future instrumentation developments. The operational characteristics of the SOFIA first-generation instruments are summarized and we give several specific examples of the types of scientific studies to which these instruments are expected to make fundamental scientific contributions.

Exoplanet Observations in SOFIA's Cycle 1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angerhausen, Daniel

2013-06-01

The NASA/DLR Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a 2.5-meter infrared telescope on board a Boeing 747-SP, will conduct 0.3 - 1,600 micron photometric, spectroscopic, and imaging observations from altitudes as high as 45,000 ft. The airborne-based platform has unique advantages in comparison to ground- and space-based observatories in the field of characterization of the physical properties of exoplanets: parallel optical and near-infrared photometric and spectrophotometric follow-up observations during planetary transits and eclipses will be feasible with SOFIA's instrumentation, in particular the HIPO-FLITECAM optical/NIR instruments and possible future dedicated instrumentation. Here we present spectrophotometric exoplanet observations that were or will be conducted in SOFIA's cycle 1.

Submillimeter Spectroscopy with SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erickson, E.; Gisten, R.; Moseley, H.; Poglitsch, A.; Zmuidzinas, J.

2005-01-01

Four submillimeter spectrometers are being developed for use on SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. They will be nearly diffraction limited by SOFIA'S 2.5 m telescope, giving for example images of 8.5 arc seconds FWHM at 100 microns. The instruments are FlFI LS, an integral-field imaging grating spectrometer (MPE) covering 40-210 microns with 150 km/s resolution; SAFIRE an imaging Fabry-Perot spectrometer covering 100-'650 microns with resolution 200 km/s, and two heterodyne receivers with resolving powers up to 0.03 km/s: GREAT covering bands from 158-187 um, 110-125, and 62-65 microns, and CASIMIR, operating from 150-264 and 508-588 microns. These instruments will enable a variety of studies including topics relating to the origins of stars, planets, and biogenic materials in the interstallar medium of our own and other galaxies. Opportunities for observing with these and the other SOFIA instruments will be available to general investigators. SOFIA is a joint project of NASA in the U.S. and DLR in Germany.

EARLY SCIENCE WITH SOFIA, THE STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Young, E. T.; Becklin, E. E.; De Buizer, J. M.

The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is an airborne observatory consisting of a specially modified Boeing 747SP with a 2.7 m telescope, flying at altitudes as high as 13.7 km (45,000 ft). Designed to observe at wavelengths from 0.3 {mu}m to 1.6 mm, SOFIA operates above 99.8% of the water vapor that obscures much of the infrared and submillimeter. SOFIA has seven science instruments under development, including an occultation photometer, near-, mid-, and far-infrared cameras, infrared spectrometers, and heterodyne receivers. SOFIA, a joint project between NASA and the German Aerospace Center Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft und-Raumfahrt, began initial sciencemore » flights in 2010 December, and has conducted 30 science flights in the subsequent year. During this early science period three instruments have flown: the mid-infrared camera FORCAST, the heterodyne spectrometer GREAT, and the occultation photometer HIPO. This Letter provides an overview of the observatory and its early performance.« less

SOFIA: Science Vision and Current Status

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horner, Scott D.

2010-01-01

This slide presentation details the science and status of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). SOFIA is a 2.5 m Telescope designed to fit into a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft. It will have imaging and spectroscopy from .03 micron to 1.6 mm, emphasizing the obscured infrared spectrum (i.e., 30-300 micron). It will fly between 39,000 to 45,000 feet, above over 99.8 % of the water vapor which obscures the infrared from other ground based telescopes. Since it is on a ground based airplane, the instrumentation can be interchangeable between flights, it can fly anywhere and anytime. Diagrams show an overview of the observatory, the optical layout, and a comparison of SOFIA with the other major IR Imaging spectroscopic Space Observatories. Pictures include a shot of the installation of the primary mirror, and the Telescope instrument interface. Charts show the first generation instruments, and their ranges of spectral observation. Also the presentation reviews the science questions that SOFIA's instruments will assist in reviewing.

Sofia Ionescu, the first woman neurosurgeon in the world.

PubMed

Ciurea, Alexandru-Vlad; Moisa, Horatiu Alexandru; Mohan, Dumitru

2013-11-01

The authors present the activity of Mrs. Sofia Ionescu, the one female surgeon who was nominated as the first woman neurosurgeon in the world. Sofia Ionescu worked in the field of neurosurgery for 47 years, performing all the known neurosurgical procedures of the time. She made herself known through her incredible surgical skill and her enormous work power. Due to her incredible modesty and workload, she never participated at international congresses or manifestations. The nomination as first woman neurosurgery took place in Marrakech, Morocco, during the 2005 WFNS Congress. Although some claim that Diana Beck was the first woman neurosurgeon in the world, our theory suggests otherwise. The first documented surgical intervention performed by Diana Beck dates to 1952. Sofia Ionescu operated for the first time on a human brain as early as 1944. Furthermore, Diana Beck's actions surfaced in the year 1947, long after the war had ended and Sofia Ionescu had become a neurosurgeon. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Erik Lindbergh, grandson of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, yanks the bunting to reveal the Clipper Lindbergh name on NASA's SOFIA 747SP on June 27, 2007

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-06-27

Erik Lindbergh, grandson of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, yanks the bunting to reveal the Clipper Lindbergh name on NASA's SOFIA Boeing 747SP on June 27, 2007. More than 250 VIPs, news media and guests joined NASA, DLR, USRA and other SOFIA staff for the debut of the airborne observatory at NASA Dryden.

SOFIA Science Imagery

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-09-14

SCI2016_0001: SOFIA/GREAT [O I] spectrum at 4.7 THz (63 μm) superimposed on a picture of Mars. Absorption line depth is approximately 10% of the continuum. The abundance of atomic oxygen computed from the data is less than expected from the Forget et al. 1999 global circulation & photochemical model. Credit: SOFIA/GREAT spectrum: NASA/DLR/USRA/DSI/MPIfR/GREAT Consortium/MPIfS/Rezac et al. 2015; Mars image: NASA

JPRS Report, East Europe.

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-08-30

88-20-97 12 Trade Union of Automotive Transportation Workers Iliya Aleksiev 106 G. Dimitrov St., Sofia 1233 31-00-32 13 Independent Trade Union...1040 (temporary) 866-516 17 Union of Railwaymen in Bul- garia Kiril Tsvetkov 3 Ivan Vazov St., F. BDZh, Sofia 843-41-44 18 Federation of...Communications Workers Georgi Bochev 1 Gavril Genov St., Sofia 1000 87-83-03 20 League of Transportation Trade Unions Atanas Stanev 106 G. Dimitrov

Layout of personnel accommodations for the SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daughters, David M.; Bruich, J. G.; Arceneaux, Gregory P.; Zirretta, Jason; Caton, William B.

2000-06-01

The NASA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Observatory is based upon a refurbished and heavily modified Boeing 747 SP aircraft. The Observatory, which provides accommodations for the Deutsches Zentrum Fur Luftund Raumfahrt 2.5 m telescope, science investigator teams, scientific instruments, mission crew and support systems. The US contractor team has removed most of the aircraft original furnishings and designed a new Layout of Personnel Accommodations (LOPA) tailored to SOFIA's needs.

Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.; Moon, L. J.

2003-06-01

The joint U.S. and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now well into development. First science flights will begin in 2004. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics and science instrument complement are discussed. SOFIA will have a number of experiments related to Brown Dwarf research; some of these are discussed.

SOFIA Science Instruments: Commissioning, Upgrades and Future Opportunities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Erin C.

2014-01-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is the world's largest airborne observatory, featuring a 2.5 meter telescope housed in the aft section of a Boeing 747sp aircraft. SOFIA's current instrument suite includes: FORCAST (Faint Object InfraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope), a 5-40 µm dual band imager/grism spectrometer developed at Cornell University; HIPO (High-speed Imaging Photometer for Occultations), a 0.3-1.1 micron imager built by Lowell Observatory; FLITECAM (First Light Infrared Test Experiment CAMera), a 1-5 micron wide-field imager/grism spectrometer developed at UCLA; FIFI-LS (Far-Infrared Field-Imaging Line Spectrometer), a 42-210 micron IFU grating spectrograph completed by University Stuttgart; and EXES (Echelon-Cross- Echelle Spectrograph), a 5-28 micron high-resolution spectrometer being completed by UC Davis and NASA Ames. A second generation instrument, HAWC+ (Highresolution Airborne Wideband Camera), is a 50-240 micron imager being upgraded at JPL to add polarimetry and new detectors developed at GSFC. SOFIA will continually update its instrument suite with new instrumentation, technology demonstration experiments and upgrades to the existing instrument suite. This paper details instrument capabilities and status as well as plans for future instrumentation, including the call for proposals for 3rd generation SOFIA science instruments.

Teacher Professional Development with SOFIA from Inception to Flight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hemenway, Mary Kay; Lacy, J.; Sneden, C.; EXES Teacher Associates, SOFIA

2012-01-01

Since January 1998 Texas science and math teachers have met several times per year in a program centered on SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. Initial meetings focused on astronomical instrumentation as the ground-based TEXES (Texas Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph) and its SOFIA successor, EXES, were developed and built. Sixty-nine different teachers have been involved in the seventy-nine Saturday meetings between January 1998 and October 2011. A typical meeting included an update on SOFIA, an expert talk on a science or technology topic, and a Standards-linked activity that they can carry back to use in their classrooms. Many of the participants have presented activities or reports to their colleagues. A variety of guest-presenters - faculty, staff, and graduate students as well as visitors (both in person and through videoconference) - enriched the program with their expertise. Some Saturday meetings included field trips to Waco to visit the SOFIA aircraft modification; other trips sent subsets of teachers to McDonald Observatory for TEXES' early observations, to Hawaii for observing runs on the IRTF or Gemini, and to various locations for American Astronomical Society meetings. The participants report their increased knowledge of astronomical concepts and of the culture of professional astronomy. By spreading the SOFIA EXES teacher program over such a long period, the staff has formed strong professional bonds with the participants while the participants have shared their experiences with each other. Support from USRA grant 8500-98-008; the National Science Foundation AST- 0607312, AST- 0607708, and AST-0908978; and SOFIA Education/Public Outreach through the SETI Institute 08-SC-1022 is gratefully acknowledged.

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy - A New Tool for Planetary Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruzek, M. J.; Becklin, E.; Burgdorf, M. J.; Reach, W.

2010-12-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a joint US/German effort to fly a 2.5 meter telescope on a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft at stratospheric altitudes where the atmosphere is largely transparent at infrared wavelengths. Key goals of the observatory include understanding the formation of stars and planets; the origin and evolution of the interstellar medium; the star formation history of galaxies; and planetary science. SOFIA offers the convenient accessibility of a ground-based observatory coupled with performance advantages of a space-based telescope. SOFIA’s scientific instruments can be exchanged regularly for repairs, to accommodate changing scientific requirements, and to incorporate new technologies. SOFIA’s portability will enable specialized observations of transient and location-specific events such as stellar occultations of Trans-Neptunian Objects. Unlike many spaceborne observatories, SOFIA can observe bright planets and moons directly, and can observe objects closer to the sun than Earth, e.g. comets in their most active phase, and the planet Venus. SOFIA’s first generation instruments cover the spectral range of .3 to 240 microns and have been designed with planetary science in mind. The High-speed Imaging Photometer for Occultations (HIPO) is designed to measure occultations of stars by Kuiper Belt Objects, with SOFIA flying into the predicted shadows and timing the occultation ingress and egress to determine the size of the occulting body. HIPO will also enable transit observations of extrasolar planets. The Faint Object Infrared Camera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST) and the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera (HAWC) will enable mid-infrared and far-infrared (respectively) imaging with a wide range of filters for comets and giant planets, and colorimetric observations of small, unresolved bodies to measure the spectral energy distribution of their thermal emission. The German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies (GREAT) will measure far-infrared and microwave spectral lines at km/s resolution to search for molecular species and achieve a significant improvement over current knowledge of abundance and distribution of water in planetary bodies. The Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph (EXES) and the Field Imaging Far Infrared Line Spectrometer (FIFI LS) will provide high-resolution spectral data between 5 and 210 microns to support mineralogical analysis of solar system and extrasolar debris disk dust and observe spectral features in planetary atmospheres. The First Light Infrared Test Experiment Camera (FLITECAM) will offer imaging and moderate resolution spectroscopy at wavelengths between 1 and 5 microns for observations of comets and asteroids, and can be used simultaneously with HIPO to characterize the atmosphere of transiting exoplanets. SOFIA’s first light flight occurred in May, 2010 and the first short science observing program is scheduled to begin in November, 2010. The Program will issue a call for new instrumentation proposals in the summer of 2011, as well as regular calls for observing proposals beginning in late summer 2011. SOFIA is expected to make ~120 science mission flights each year when fully operational in 2014.

A NASA Technician directs loading of the crated SOFIA primary mirror assembly into a C-17 for shipment to NASA Ames Research Center for finish coating

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-01

Technicians at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., loaded the German-built primary mirror assembly of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, onto an Air Force C-17 for shipment to NASA's Ames Research Center on May 1, 2008. In preparation for the final finish coating of the mirror, the more than two-ton mirror assembly had been removed from its cavity in the rear fuselage of the highly modified SOFIA Boeing 747SP two weeks earlier. After arrival at NASA Ames at Moffett Field near Mountain View, Calif., the mirror would receive its aluminized finish coating before being re-installed in the SOFIA aircraft.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, Eric E.; Casey, Sean C.; Davidson, Jacqueline A.; Savage, Maureen L.

1998-08-01

The joint US and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5 meter IR airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now in its second year. The Universities Space Research Association , teamed with Raytheon E-Systems and United Airlines, is developing and will operate SOFIA. The 2.5 meter telescope will be designed and built by a consortium of German companies led by MAN. Work on the aircraft and the preliminary mirror has started. First science flights will begin in 2001 with 20 percent of the observing time assigned to German investigators. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics, US science instrument complement, and operations concept for the SOFIA observatory, with an emphasis on the science community's participation are discussed.

Performance of the Quidel Sofia Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test During the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 Influenza Seasons

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-23

seasons. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 10(3), 220–223 Introduction Influenza infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality...worldwide in pediatric and adult patients.1–3 Early identification of influenza virus as the cause of a respiratory illness is essential for managing...Other Respiratory Viruses Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License

SOFIA Science Working Group

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zmuldzinas, J.

1997-01-01

The SOFIA Science Working Group was established to help develop the plans and specifications for the next-generation airborne observatory ("SOFIA"), which is now under development. The P.I. has developed several astronomical instruments for the Kuiper Airborne Observatory, NASA's previous airborne astronomy platform (which was decommisioned in 1995 in preparation for SOFIA). SOFIA, which will be a 747 SP aircraft carrying a 2.7 meter diameter telescope, is a joint project sponsored by NASA and DLR (the German space agency), and is now under development by a consortium including Universities Space Research Association (USRA), Raytheon, Sterling Software, and United Airlines. Rather than develop the SOFIA observatory in-house, NASA decided to privatize the project by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP). The respondents to this RFP were consortia of private organizations which together had the required facilities and expertise to be able to carry out the project; the winner was the group led by USRA. One of the main roles of the SSWG was to help develop the technical specifications for the SOFIA observatory. In particular, the SSWG provided advice to NASA on the specifications that were written into the RFP, particularly those which had an important impact on the scientific productivity of the observatory. These specifications were discussed at the meetings of the SSWG, which were held primarily at NASA/Ames (in California) and at NASA Headquarters (in Washington DC). Apart from these meetings, members of the SSWG were expected to perform more detailed analyses of the impact of certain parameters and specifications on the performance of astronomical instruments. The SSWG ended its activities with the selection of the USRA team in January 1997.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey. I. (De Buizer+, 2017)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Buizer, J. M.; Liu, M.; Tan, J. C.; Zhang, Y.; Beltran, M. T.; Shuping, R.; Staff, J. E.; Tanaka, K. E. I.; Whitney, B.

2018-02-01

The following eight sources, AFGL 4029, AFGL 437, IRAS 07299-1651, G35.20-0.74, G45.45+0.05, IRAS 20126+4104, Cepheus A, and NGC 7538 IRS9, were observed by SOFIA with the FORCAST instrument (see Table 1). Data were taken on multiple flights spanning the Early Science period, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2 SOFIA observing cycles (spanning 2011 May to 2014 June). (4 data files).

Observations of Exoplanets with the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrz, R.; Becklin, E.

2010-10-01

The joint U.S. and German Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP that will begin science flights in 2010. Flying in the stratosphere at altitudes as high as 45,000 feet, SOFIA will be used to conduct photometric, spectroscopic, and imaging observations at wavelengths from 0.3 microns to 1.9 millimeters with an average transmission of greater than 80 percent. SOFIA's first-generation instrument complement includes high speed photometers, broadband imagers, moderate resolution spectrographs capable of resolving broad features due to dust and large molecules, and high resolution spectrometers suitable for kinematic studies of molecular and atomic gas lines at km/s resolution. These and future instruments will give SOFIA the potential to make unique contributions to the characterization of the atmospheres of exoplanets that transit their parent stars. First-light images obtained on May 26, 2010 with the FORCAST imager will be shown. We will discuss several types of experiments that are being contemplated with respect to observations of exoplanets .

Ground crewmen prepare to load the crated SOFIA primary mirror assembly into an Air Force C-17 for shipment to NASA Ames Research Center for finish coating

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-01

Technicians at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., loaded the German-built primary mirror assembly of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, onto an Air Force C-17 for shipment to NASA's Ames Research Center on May 1, 2008. In preparation for the final finish coating of the mirror, the more than two-ton mirror assembly had been removed from its cavity in the rear fuselage of the highly modified SOFIA Boeing 747SP two weeks earlier. After arrival at NASA Ames at Moffett Field near Mountain View, Calif., the mirror would receive its aluminized finish coating before being re-installed in the SOFIA aircraft.

Ground crewmen shove the more than two-ton SOFIA primary mirror assembly in its transport crate into a C-17's cavernous cargo bay for shipment to NASA Ames

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-01

Technicians at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., loaded the German-built primary mirror assembly of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, onto an Air Force C-17 for shipment to NASA's Ames Research Center on May 1, 2008. In preparation for the final finish coating of the mirror, the more than two-ton mirror assembly had been removed from its cavity in the rear fuselage of the highly modified SOFIA Boeing 747SP two weeks earlier. After arrival at NASA Ames at Moffett Field near Mountain View, Calif., the mirror would receive its aluminized finish coating before being re-installed in the SOFIA aircraft.

Expected SOFIA sensitivity, characteristics, US science instrument complement and operations concept.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.; Davidson, J. A.

The joint US and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5 meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP began earlier this year. Universities Space Research Association (USRA), teamed with Raytheon E-Systems and United Airlines, was selected by NASA to develop and operate SOFIA. The 2.5 meter telescope will be designed and built by a consortium of German companies lead by MAN-GHH. Work on the aircraft and the primary mirror has started. First science flights will begin in 2001 with 20% of the observing time assigned to German investigators. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics, US science instrument complement, and operations concept for the SOFIA observatory, with an emphasis on the science community's participation, are discussed.

SOFIA: Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.

The SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2 5-meter infrared telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is in its final stages of development First science flights will begin in 2008 with the observatory designed to operate for over 20 years Status of the development and technical issues will be discussed along with the expected sensitivity and first light science instruments Also discussed will be examples of the science to be carried out and opportunities for the science community to use SOFIA

Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.; Moon, L. J.

2004-12-01

The joint U.S. and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now well into development. First science flights will begin in 2004 with 20% of the observing time assigned to German investigators. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics and science instrument complement are discussed. SOFIA will have a number of experiments related to Dust Debris Disks; some of these are discussed.

American Rhinologic Society

MedlinePlus

... 2017 6th Bulgarian-Italian Rhinology Friendship Meeting Sofia Hotel Balkan, Sofia, Bulgaria, December 1-3, 2017 9. ... place in a new venue, the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. An expanded footprint stretching from ...

SOFIA - Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kunz, Nans; Bowers, Al

2007-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The contents include: 1) Heritage & History; 2) Level 1 Requirements; 3) Top Level Overview of the Observatory; 4) Development Challenges; and 5) Highlight Photos.

NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP shows off its new blue-and-white livery at L-3 Communications' Integrated Systems in Waco, Texas

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-09-25

NASA's freshly painted Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) 747SP is shown at L-3 Communications Integrated Systems' facility in Waco, Texas, where major modifications and installation was performed. The observatory, which features a German-built 100-inch (2.5 meter) diameter infrared telescope weighing 20 tons, is approaching the flight test phase as part of a joint program by NASA and DLR Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Aerospace Center). SOFIA's science and mission operations are being planned jointly by Universities Space Research Association (USRA) and the Deutsches SOFIA Institut (DSI). Once operational, SOFIA will be the world's primary infrared observatory during a mission lasting up to 20 years, as well as an outstanding laboratory for developing and testing instrumentation and detector technology.

NASA's newly painted Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 747SP is pushed back from L-3 Communications' Integrated Systems hangar in Waco, Texas

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-09-25

NASA's freshly painted Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) 747SP aircraft sits outside a hangar at L-3 Communications Integrated Systems' facility in Waco, Texas. The observatory, which features a German-built 100-inch (2.5 meter) diameter infrared telescope weighing 20 tons, is approaching the flight test phase as part of a joint program by NASA and DLR Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Aerospace Center). SOFIA's science and mission operations are being planned jointly by Universities Space Research Association (USRA) and the Deutsches SOFIA Institut (DSI). Once operational, SOFIA will be the world's primary infrared observatory during a mission lasting up to 20 years, as well as an outstanding laboratory for developing and testing instrumentation and detector technology.

Undergraduate Research Program Between SCU and SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulas, Kristin Rose; Andersson, B.-G.

2018-06-01

We present results on an undergraduate research program run in collaboration between Santa Clara University (SCU), a predominately undergraduate liberal arts college and the SOFIA Science Center/USRA. We have started a synergistic program between SCU and SOFIA (located at NASA Ames) where the students are able to be fully immersed in astronomical research; from helping to write telescope observing proposal; to observing at a world-class telescope; to reducing and analyzing the data that they acquired and ultimately to presenting/publishing their findings. A recently awarded NSF collaborative grant will allow us to execute and expand this program over the next several years. In this poster we present some of our students research and their success after the program. In addition, we discuss how a small university can actively collaborate with a large government-funded program like SOFIA, funded by NASA.

AIRES: an Airborne Infra-Red Echelle Spectrometer for SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erickson, E. F.; Haas, M. R.; Colgan, S. W. J.; Roellig, T.; Simpson, J. P.; Telesco, C. M.; Pina, R. K.; Young, E. T.; Wolf, J.

1997-12-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, is a 2.7 meter telescope which is scheduled to begin observations in a Boeing 747 in October 2001. Among other SOFIA science instruments recently selected for development is the facility spectrometer AIRES. AIRES is designed for studies of a broad range of phenomena occuring in the interstellar medium (ISM) which are uniquely enabled by SOFIA. Examples include accretion and outflow in protostars and young stellar objects, the morphology, dynamics, and excitation of neutral and ionized gas at the Galactic center, and the recycling of material to the ISM from evolved stars. Astronomers using AIRES will be able to select any wavelength from 17 to 210 mu m., with corresponding spectral resolving powers ranging from 60,000 to 4000 in less than a minute. This entire wavelength range is important because it contains spectral features, often widely separated in wavelength, which characterize fundamental ISM processes. AIRES will utilize two-dimensional detector arrays and a large echelle grating to achieve spectral imaging with excellent sensitivity and unparalleled angular resolution at these wavelengths. As a facility science instrument, AIRES will provide guest investigators frequent opportunities for far infrared spectroscopic observations when SOFIA begins operations.

In-Flight Performance of the Water Vapor Monitor Onboard the Sofia Observatory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roellig, Thomas L.; Yuen, Lunming; Sisson, David; Hang, Richard

2012-01-01

NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) airborne observatory flies in a modified B747-SP aircraft in the lower stratosphere above more than 99.9% of the Earth's water vapor. As low as this residual water vapor is, it will still affect SOFIA's infrared and sub-millimeter astronomical observations. As a result, a heterodyne instrument has been developed to observe the strength and shape of the 1830Hz rotational line of water, allowing measurements of the integrated water vapor overburden in flight. In order to be useful in correcting the astronomical signals, the required measured precipitable water vapor accuracy must be 2 microns or better, 3 sigma, and measured at least once a minute. The Water Vapor Monitor has flown 22 times during the SOFIA Early Science shared-risk period. The instrument water vapor overburden data obtained were then compared with concurrent data from GOES-V satellites to perform a preliminary calibration of the measurements. This presentation will cover the.results of these flights. The final flight calibration necessary to reach the required accuracy will await subsequent flights following the SOFIA observatory upgrade that is taking place during the spring and summer of 2012.

The SOFIA Mission Control System Software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heiligman, G. M.; Brock, D. R.; Culp, S. D.; Decker, P. H.; Estrada, J. C.; Graybeal, J. B.; Nichols, D. M.; Paluzzi, P. R.; Sharer, P. J.; Pampell, R. J.; Papke, B. L.; Salovich, R. D.; Schlappe, S. B.; Spriestersbach, K. K.; Webb, G. L.

1999-05-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) will be delivered with a computerized mission control system (MCS). The MCS communicates with the aircraft's flight management system and coordinates the operations of the telescope assembly, mission-specific subsystems, and the science instruments. The software for the MCS must be reliable and flexible. It must be easily usable by many teams of observers with widely differing needs, and it must support non-intrusive access for education and public outreach. The technology must be appropriate for SOFIA's 20-year lifetime. The MCS software development process is an object-oriented, use case driven approach. The process is iterative: delivery will be phased over four "builds"; each build will be the result of many iterations; and each iteration will include analysis, design, implementation, and test activities. The team is geographically distributed, coordinating its work via Web pages, teleconferences, T.120 remote collaboration, and CVS (for Internet-enabled configuration management). The MCS software architectural design is derived in part from other observatories' experience. Some important features of the MCS are: * distributed computing over several UNIX and VxWorks computers * fast throughput of time-critical data * use of third-party components, such as the Adaptive Communications Environment (ACE) and the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) * extensive configurability via stored, editable configuration files * use of several computer languages so developers have "the right tool for the job". C++, Java, scripting languages, Interactive Data Language (from Research Systems, Int'l.), XML, and HTML will all be used in the final deliverables. This paper reports on work in progress, with the final product scheduled for delivery in 2001. This work was performed for Universities Space Research Association for NASA under contract NAS2-97001.

ARC-2010-ACD10-0242-022

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-12-17

German Deligation visits Ames SOFIA Science Office for briefing. Left to right Jochen Homann, German State Secretary Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, and Manuel Wiedemann, post-doctorate student from the Deutsches SOFIA Institute, University of Stuttgart.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Acoustical Resonance Technical Assessment Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gilbert, Michael G.; Kehoe, Michael W.; Gupta, Kajal K.; Kegerise, Michael A.; Ginsberg, Jerry H.; Kolar, Ramesh

2009-01-01

A request was submitted on September 2, 2004 concerning the uncertainties regarding the acoustic environment within the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) cavity, and the potential for structural damage from acoustical resonance or tones, especially if they occur at or near a structural mode. The requestor asked for an independent expert opinion on the approach taken by the SOFIA project to determine if the project's analysis, structural design and proposed approach to flight test were sound and conservative. The findings from this assessment are recorded in this document.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamidouche, M.; Young, E.; Marcum, P.; Krabbe, A.

2010-12-01

We present one of the new generations of observatories, the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). This is an airborne observatory consisting of a 2.7-m telescope mounted on a modified Boeing B747-SP airplane. Flying at an up to 45,000 ft (14 km) altitude, SOFIA will observe above more than 99 percent of the Earth's atmospheric water vapor allowing observations in the normally obscured far-infrared. We outline the observatory capabilities and goals. The first-generation science instruments flying on board SOFIA and their main astronomical goals are also presented.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.

1999-03-01

The joint US and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5 meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now in full development. Work on the aircraft and the primary mirror has started. First science flights will begin in 2001 with 20 per cent of the observing time assigned to German investigators. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics and science instrument complement are discussed. SOFIA will have facility instrumentation that will allow much more use by scientists than was possible on the KAO.

SOFIA®RSV: prospective laboratory evaluation and implementation of a rapid diagnostic test in a pediatric emergency ward.

PubMed

Tran, Léa C; Tournus, Céline; Dina, Julia; Morello, Rémy; Brouard, Jacques; Vabret, Astrid

2017-06-26

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for severe respiratory infections and higher costs in medical care. The two aims of this work were to assess the performances of SOFIA ® RSV tests in "real-life-laboratory" conditions (study 1) and implemented at point-of-care testing in a pediatric emergency department (ED, study 2), during two consecutive winter seasons. In study 1, fresh nasopharyngeal swabs from patients of all ages were sampled in 1.5 ml of Universal virological Transport Medium (UTM) and prospectively tested using SOFIA ® RSV tests. In study 2, conducted in a pediatric ED, nasopharyngeal swabs were placed in 3 ml of UTM. All SOFIA ® RSV tests were confirmed by molecular testing, considered as reference method. The epidemiological and clinical features of tested patients, as well as the care of these patients after obtaining quick results were evaluated. The sensitivities of SOFIA ® RSV in infants (aged under 24 months) performed in the laboratory and in the pediatric ED were respectively 95% (95% CI: 86.8-98.1) and 74.8% (95% CI: 68.0-80.9) compared to PCR. In study 1, the sensitivity among children (from 2 to 15 years old) and adults (above 15 years old) dropped to 45% (95% CI: 23.1-68.5) and 59% (95% CI: 32.9-81.6), respectively. In study 2, there were some differences in bed-management of SOFIA ® RSV positive compared to SOFIA ® RSV negative infants. SOFIA ® RSV tests performed in the laboratory and in the pediatric ED show high and satisfactory sensitivities among young children under 24 months, which supports its robustness and reliability. However, the impact of these tests on patient care at point-of-care cannot be clearly assessed when considering the limits of the study 2 design.

Vibration isolation system for the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaiser, T.; Kunz, N.

1988-01-01

The Vibration Isolation System for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is studied. Included are discussions of the various concepts, design goals, concerns, and the proposed configuration for the Vibration Isolation System.

NASA SOFIA Captures Images of the Planetary Nebula M2-9

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-03-29

Researchers using NASA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy SOFIA have captured infrared images of the last exhalations of a dying sun-like star. This image is of the planetary Nebula M2-9.

Calculation of Precipitable Water for Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy Aircraft (SOFIA): Airplane in the Night Sky

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wen, Pey Chun; Busby, Christopher M.

2011-01-01

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, is the new generation airborne observatory station based at NASA s Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility, Palmdale, CA, to study the universe. Since the observatory detects infrared energy, water vapor is a concern in the atmosphere due to its known capacity to absorb infrared energy emitted by astronomical objects. Although SOFIA is hoping to fly above 99% of water vapor in the atmosphere it is still possible to affect astronomical observation. Water vapor is one of the toughest parameter to measure in the atmosphere, several atmosphere modeling are used to calculate water vapor loading. The water vapor loading, or Precipitable water, is being calculated by Matlab along the planned flight path. Over time, these results will help SOFIA to plan flights to regions of lower water vapor loading and hopefully improve the imagery collection of these astronomical features.

Star & Planet Formation Studies and Opportunities with SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Kimberly Ennico

2018-01-01

Star formation, the most fundamental process in the universe, is linked to planet formation and thus to the origin and evolution of life. We have a general outline of how planets and stars form, yet unraveling the details of the physics and chemistry continues to challenge us. The infrared and submillimeter part of the spectrum hold the most promise for studying the beginnings of star formation. The observational landscape recently shaped by Spitzer, Herschel and ALMA, continues to challenge our current theories. SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, equipped with state-of-the-art infrared instrumentation to a vantage point at 45,000 feet (13.7 kilometers) flight altitude that is above 99.9 percent of the Earth's water vapor, enables observations in the infrared through terahertz frequencies not possible from the ground. SOFIA is a community observatory, about to start its sixth annual observing cycle. My talk will focus on recent results in advancing star and planet formation processes using SOFIA's imaging and polarimetric capabilities, and the upcoming science enabled by the 3rd generation instrument High-Resolution Mid-Infrared Spectrometer (HIRMES) to be commissioned in 2019. I will show how mid-infrared imaging is used to test massive star formation theories, how far-infrared polarimetry on sub-parsec scales is directly testing the role of magnetic fields in molecular clouds, and how velocity-resolved high-resolution spectroscopy will push forward our understanding of proto-planetary disk science. I will also summarize upcoming opportunities with the SOFIA observatory. For the latest news about your flying observatory, see https://sofia.usra.edu/.

SOFIA 2 model telescope wind tunnel test report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keas, Paul

1995-01-01

This document outlines the tests performed to make aerodynamic force and torque measurements on the SOFIA wind tunnel model telescope. These tests were performed during the SOFIA 2 wind tunnel test in the 14 ft wind tunnel during the months of June through August 1994. The test was designed to measure the dynamic cross elevation moment acting on the SOFIA model telescope due to aerodynamic loading. The measurements were taken with the telescope mounted in an open cavity in the tail section of the SOFIA model 747. The purpose of the test was to obtain an estimate of the full scale aerodynamic disturbance spectrum, by scaling up the wind tunnel results (taking into account differences in sail area, air density, cavity dimension, etc.). An estimate of the full scale cross elevation moment spectrum was needed to help determine the impact this disturbance would have on the telescope positioning system requirements. A model of the telescope structure, made of a light weight composite material, was mounted in the open cavity of the SOFIA wind tunnel model. This model was mounted via a force balance to the cavity bulkhead. Despite efforts to use a 'stiff' balance, and a lightweight model, the balance/telescope system had a very low resonant frequency (37 Hz) compared to the desired measurement bandwidth (1000 Hz). Due to this mechanical resonance of the balance/telescope system, the balance alone could not provide an accurate measure of applied aerodynamic force at the high frequencies desired. A method of measurement was developed that incorporated accelerometers in addition to the balance signal, to calculate the aerodynamic force.

Designing the Internet of Things for Learning Environmentally Responsible Behaviour

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hu, Jun; van der Vlist, Bram; Niezen, Gerrit; Willemsen, Willem; Willems, Don; Feijs, Loe

2013-01-01

We present two designs in the area of the Internet of Things, utilizing the ontology-driven Smart Objects For Intelligent Applications (SOFIA) Interoperability Platform (IOP). The IOP connects domestic objects in the physical world to the information world, allowing for coaching the behaviour of, or raising awareness in, domestic energy…

SOFIA Update and Science Vision

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Kimberly

2017-01-01

I will present an overview of the SOFIA program, its science vision and upcoming plans for the observatory. The talk will feature several scientific highlights since full operations, along with summaries of planned science observations for this coming year, platform enhancements and new instrumentation.

Overview of SOFIA's General Capabilities and Project Status

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tielens, A.

2005-12-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5-meter telescope installed in a Boeing 747-SP to be flown at altitudes higher than ˜12 km. This allows observations in the stratosphere above virtually all of the atmosphere's water vapor. SOFIA's first generation scientific instruments span wavelengths from 0.3 to 700 microns. Upcoming engineering test flights will be followed by scientific test flights commissioning the observatory and instruments. In regular operations there are planned more than 120 research flights per year with as much as 8 to 10 hours of observing time per flight.

A Technical Overview and Description of SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kunz, Nans

2003-01-01

This paper provides a technical overview of SOFIA, a unique airborne observatory, from an engineering perspective. It will do this by describing several of the systems of this observatory that are common with mountain top ground based observatories but mostly emphasize those more unique features and systems that are required to facilitate world class astronomy from a highly modified Boeing 747-SP flying at Mach 0.84 in the Stratosphere. This paper provides a technical overview of SOFIA by reviewing each of the performance specifications (the level one requirements for development) and describing some of the technical advancements for the telescope as well as the platform required to achieve these performance specifications. The technical advancements involved include mirror technologies, control system features, the telescope suspension system, and the aircraft open port cavity with associated cavity door that opens in flight and tracks the telescope elevation angle. For background this paper will provide a brief programmatic overview of the SOFIA project including the joint project arrangement between the US and Germany (NASA and DLR). Additionally, this paper will describe the up to date status of the development of SOFIA as the Observatory nears the date of the first test flight in the summer of 2004.

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (sofia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrz, R. D.; Becklin, E. E.

2010-06-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a joint U.S./German Project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP that flies in the stratosphere at altitudes as high as 45,000 feet and is capable of observations from 0.3 microns to 1.6 mm with an average transmission of greater than 80 percent. SOFIA will be staged out of the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center aircraft operations facility at Palmdale, CA and the SOFIA Science Mission Operations Center (SSMOC) will be located at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA. Open door test flights began in December of 2009. First science flights will begin in 2010, and the number of flights will ramp up annually with a flight rate of over 100 eight to ten hour flights per year expected by 2014. The observatory is expected to operate until the mid 2030's. We review the status of the SOFIA facility and its initial complement of eight focal plane instruments that include broadband imagers, moderate resolution spectrographs that will resolve broad features due to dust and large molecules, and high resolution spectrometers capable of studying the kinematics of molecular and atomic gas lines at km/s resolution.

A High-Altitude Site Survey for SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haas, Michael R.; Pfister, Leonhard

1998-03-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a modified Boeing 747-SP equipped with a 2.5 m telescope dedicated to astronomical research. Currently under joint development by the US (NASA) and Germany (DLR), it is scheduled to begin operations in late 2001. The ability of SOFIA to carry out its mission will depend strongly on the meteorological conditions at and above flight altitudes in the vicinity of its home base. The most important meteorological factors are the frequency of high-altitude clouds and the magnitude of the water vapor overburdens. This paper performs a high-altitude site survey by gathering together the best available meteorological data, defining metrics, and evaluating them for a variety of sites. These metrics are found to corroborate past airborne experience and to be consistent with well-known global circulation patterns, convection, and upper tropospheric dynamics. They indicate that there are significant variations in the weather at SOFIA flight altitudes. Particularly in summer, some continental US sites are shown to be worse than Hawaii, where high-altitude cirrus clouds and the associated moisture have historically caused significant losses in the amount and quality of the astronomical data collected by NASA's Kuiper Airborne Observatory. SOFIA's planned home base, Moffett Field, CA, is found to have excellent high-altitude weather and to be one of the best continental US sites.

Damping SOFIA: passive and active damping for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maly, Joseph R.; Keas, Paul J.; Glaese, Roger M.

2001-07-01

The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA is being developed by NASA and the German space agency, Deutschen Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), with an international contractor team. The 2.5-meter reflecting telescope of SOFIA will be the world's largest airborne telescope. Flying in an open cavity on a modified 747 aircraft, SOFIA will perform infrared astronomy while cruising at 41,000 feet and while being buffeted by a 550- mile-per-hour slipstream. A primary system requirement of SOFIA is tracking stability of 0.2 arc-seconds, and a 3-axis pointing control model has been used to evaluate the feasibility of achieving this kind of stability. The pointing control model shows that increased levels of damping in certain elastic modes of the telescope assembly will help achieve the tracking stability goal and also expand the bandwidth of the attitude controller. This paper describes the preliminary work that has been done to approximate the reduction in image motion yielded by various structure configurations that use reaction masses to attenuate the flexible motions of the telescope structure. Three approaches are considered: passive tuned-mass dampers, active-mass dampers, and attitude control with reaction-mass actuators. Expected performance improvements for each approach, and practical advantages and disadvantages associated with each are presented.

SOFIA: Flying the Telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Asher, Troy A.; Cumming, Stephen B.

2012-01-01

The primary focus of this paper is how the flight test team for the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) re-cast an extensive developmental test program to meet key milestones while simultaneously ensuring safe certification of the airframe and delivery of an operationally relevant platform, ultimately saving the overall program from financial demise. Following a brief introduction to the observatory and what it is designed to do, SOFIAs planned developmental test program is summarized, including analysis and design philosophy, envelope expansion, model validation and airframe certification. How NASA used lessons learned from other aircraft that employed open cavities in flight is explained as well as how and why the chosen design was selected. The approach to aerodynamic analysis, including bare airframe testing, wind tunnel testing, computational fluid dynamics and finite element modeling proved absolutely critical. Despite a solid analytical foundation, many unknowns remained. History provides several examples of disastrous effects on both systems and flight safety if cavity design is not approached properly. For these reasons, an extensive test plan was developed to ensure a safe and thorough build-up for envelope expansion, airframe certification and early science missions. Unfortunately, as is often the case, because of chronic delays in overall program execution, severe schedule and funding pressures were present. If critical milestones were not met, domestic as well as international funding was in serious jeopardy, and the demise of the entire program loomed large. Concentrating on rigorous model validation, the test team challenged certification requirements, increased test efficiency and streamlined engineering analysis. This resulted in the safe reduction of test point count by 72%, meeting all program milestones and a platform that soundly satisfied all operational science requirements. Results from early science missions are shown and a proof of concept mission for which SOFIA was opportunely positioned is showcased. Success on this time-critical mission to observe a rare astronomical event proved the usefulness of an airborne observatory and the value in waiting for the capability provided by SOFIA. Finally, lessons learned in the test program are presented with emphasis on how lessons from previous aircraft and successful test programs were applied to SOFIA. Effective application of these lessons was crucial to the success of the SOFIA flight test program. SOFIA is an international cooperative program between NASA and the German Space Agency, DLR. It is a 2.5 meter (100-inch) telescope mounted in a Boeing 747SP aircraft used for astronomical observations at altitudes above 35,000 feet. SOFIA will accommodate a host of scientific instruments from the international science community and has a planned operational lifespan of more than 20 years.

ARC-2010-ACD10-0242-018

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-12-17

German Deligation visits Ames SOFIA Science Office for briefing and enjoy a Ames tour. .Jochen Homann, Sectretary of State, Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, speaks with Robert R. 'Bob' Meyer, NASA SOFIA Program Manager (based at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility, DAOF, Palmdale, California).

Verification of CH4 on Mars and investigation of its temporal and spatial variations by SOFIA/EXES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoki, Shohei

2015-10-01

Discovery of CH4 in the Martian atmosphere has led to much discussion since it could be a signature of on-going and/or past biological/geological activities on Mars. However, the presence of CH4 and its temporal and spatial variations are still under discussion because previous observations had large uncertainties. We propose sensitive measurements of the Martian CH4 by SOFIA/EXES in order to verify the presence and investigate its temporal and spatial variation. Our primal goal is to demonstrate the firm detection of CH4 on Mars. SOFIA/EXES allows us to perform sensitive observations of the Martian CH4 from the Earth using the 7.5 um band. The high altitude of SOFIA telescope (~12 km) enables us to significantly reduce the effects of terrestrial atmosphere, and high spectral resolution of EXES (R~90,000) enables us to detect the tiny lines of the Martian CH4. We request to perform weekly observations of CH4 by SOFIA/EXES during larger Doppler-shift period (between Feb./2016-March/2016). The large Doppler shift (-14.3 - -17.3 km/s) allows us to separate the Martian and terrestrial CH4 lines. In addition, owing to the relatively large diameter of the SOFIA telescope (~ 2.5 m), geographical distribution of CH4 (3 x 3 areas over the Martian disk) can be investigated. Last but not least, we plan to perform joint observations with (1) the spacecraft-borne MEX/PFS, (2) the ground-based T60/MILAHI, (3) ground-based IRTF/CSHELL, and (4) in-situ Curiosity/TLS. Combination of the current best instruments for the joint observations provide definitive confirmation of the presence (or absence) of CH4, and clues to search for the source.

Capabilities, performance, and status of the SOFIA science instrument suite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miles, John W.; Helton, L. Andrew; Sankrit, Ravi; Andersson, B. G.; Becklin, E. E.; De Buizer, James M.; Dowell, C. D.; Dunham, Edward W.; Güsten, Rolf; Harper, Doyal A.; Herter, Terry L.; Keller, Luke D.; Klein, Randolf; Krabbe, Alfred; Marcum, Pamela M.; McLean, Ian S.; Reach, William T.; Richter, Matthew J.; Roellig, Thomas L.; Sandell, Göran; Savage, Maureen L.; Smith, Erin C.; Temi, Pasquale; Vacca, William D.; Vaillancourt, John E.; Van Cleve, Jeffery E.; Young, Erick T.; Zell, Peter T.

2013-09-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is an airborne observatory, carrying a 2.5 m telescope onboard a heavily modified Boeing 747SP aircraft. SOFIA is optimized for operation at infrared wavelengths, much of which is obscured for ground-based observatories by atmospheric water vapor. The SOFIA science instrument complement consists of seven instruments: FORCAST (Faint Object InfraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope), GREAT (German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies), HIPO (High-speed Imaging Photometer for Occultations), FLITECAM (First Light Infrared Test Experiment CAMera), FIFI-LS (Far-Infrared Field-Imaging Line Spectrometer), EXES (Echelon-Cross-Echelle Spectrograph), and HAWC (High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera). FORCAST is a 5-40 μm imager with grism spectroscopy, developed at Cornell University. GREAT is a heterodyne spectrometer providing high-resolution spectroscopy in several bands from 60-240 μm, developed at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy. HIPO is a 0.3-1.1 μm imager, developed at Lowell Observatory. FLITECAM is a 1-5 μm wide-field imager with grism spectroscopy, developed at UCLA. FIFI-LS is a 42-210 μm integral field imaging grating spectrometer, developed at the University of Stuttgart. EXES is a 5-28 μm high-resolution spectrograph, developed at UC Davis and NASA ARC. HAWC is a 50-240 μm imager, developed at the University of Chicago, and undergoing an upgrade at JPL to add polarimetry capability and substantially larger GSFC detectors. We describe the capabilities, performance, and status of each instrument, highlighting science results obtained using FORCAST, GREAT, and HIPO during SOFIA Early Science observations conducted in 2011.

A Decade Of Teacher Professional Development With SOFIA's EXES And TEXES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hemenway, Mary Kay; Lacy, J. H.; Sneden, C.; Teacher Associates, EXES

2007-12-01

Since January 1998 central Texas grade 6-12 science and math teachers have met several times per year to learn first-hand about how a scientific instrument, the Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph (EXES), is being developed and built for SOFIA. In addition to learning about the technology of astronomical instrumentation, they have learned about the development of SOFIA, the scheduling and preparation for observing runs, and a wide range of astronomical topics. A typical Saturday meeting includes an update on SOFIA, EXES, and its ground-based prototype, TEXES (Texas Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph); one or more presentations on a science or technology topic; and a Standards-linked activity that they can carry back to use in their classrooms. A variety of guest-presenters - faculty, staff, and graduate students as well as visitors (e. g., Jackie Davidson and Alan Tokunaga) - enrich the program with their expertise. Field trips are important supplements to the program; the entire group visited Waco three times to observe the SOFIA aircraft modification while selected members have accompanied scientists to McDonald Observatory, IRTF, and Gemini for observing runs. In addition, the immediacy offered by live videoconferences with TEXES observers at IRTF and Gemini brought the participants a unique appreciation of nighttime observing at a professional observatory. The participants report their increased knowledge of astronomical concepts and of the culture of professional astronomy. By spreading the SOFIA EXES teacher program over its first decade of development, the staff has formed strong professional bonds with the participants while the participants have shared their experiences with each other. Support from USRA grant 8500-98-008 and the National Science Foundation AST-0607312 and AST- 0607708 is gratefully acknowledged.

NASA's Orgins Space Telescope Mission and Its Synergies with SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roellig, Thomas L.

2017-01-01

The Origins Space Telescope (OST) is the mission concept for the Far Infrared Surveyor, a study in development by NASA in preparation for the 2020 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey. The science program that has been selected to drive the OST performance requirements is broad, covering four main themes: Charting the Rise of Metals, Dust, and the First Galaxies; Unveiling the Growth of Black Holes and Galaxies Over Cosmic Time; Tracing the Signatures of Life and the Ingredients of Habitable Worlds; and Characterizing Small Bodies in the Solar System. The OST telescope itself will have a primary mirror diameter of 8-15 m (depending on the launch vehicle that is selected), will be diffraction-limited at 40m, and will be actively cooled to approximately 5K. Five science instruments have been base-lined for the observatory: a heterodyne instrument covering 150-500 m with a spectral resolving power of R1e7; a low-spectral resolution (R500) spectrometer covering 35-500 m; a high-spectral resolution (R1e5) spectrometer covering 50-500 m; a far-infrared imager (R15) covering 35-500m; and a mid-infrared imagerspectrometer (R15-500) covering 6-40m. In addition to having a vastly higher sensitivity than the corresponding SOFIA instrumentation that will allow more detailed follow-up of SOFIAs discoveries, the OST mission will be configured to provide efficient large-area mapping, which will further complement SOFIAs science capabilities by providing new targets for study by SOFIA. Furthermore, new SOFIA instruments can provide an excellent testbed for the advanced far-infrared detector technologies what will be required to achieve the anticipated OST performance.

Characterization of Extrasolar Planets Using SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deming, Drake

2010-01-01

Topics include: the landscape of extrasolar planets, why focus on transiting planets, some history and Spitzer results, problems in atmospheric structure or hot Jupiters and hot super Earths, what observations are needed to make progress, and what SOFIA can currently do and comments on optimized instruments.

Active Galactic Nucleus

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-09-14

SCI2017_0007: Artist illustration of the thick ring of dust that can obscure the energetic processes that occur near the supermassive black hole of an active galactic nuclei. The SOFIA studies suggest that the dust distribution is about 30 percent smaller than previously thought. Credit: NASA/SOFIA/Lynette Cook

SOFIA pointing history

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kärcher, Hans J.; Kunz, Nans; Temi, Pasquale; Krabbe, Alfred; Wagner, Jörg; Süß, Martin

2014-07-01

The original pointing accuracy requirement of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy SOFIA was defined at the beginning of the program in the late 1980s as very challenging 0.2 arcsec rms. The early science flights of the observatory started in December 2010 and the observatory has reached in the mean time nearly 0.7 arcsec rms, which is sufficient for most of the SOFIA science instruments. NASA and DLR, the owners of SOFIA, are planning now a future 4 year program to bring the pointing down to the ultimate 0.2 arcsec rms. This may be the right time to recall the history of the pointing requirement and its verification and the possibility of its achievement via early computer models and wind tunnel tests, later computer aided end-to-end simulations up to the first commissioning flights some years ago. The paper recollects the tools used in the different project phases for the verification of the pointing performance, explains the achievements and may give hints for the planning of the upcoming final pointing improvement phase.

Early Science Results from SOFIA, the Worlds Largest Airborne Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Buizer, J.

2012-09-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, is the largest flying observatory ever built, consisting of a 2.7-meter diameter telescope embedded in a modified Boeing 747-SP aircraft. SOFIA is a joint project between NASA and the German Aerospace Center Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft und-Raumfahrt. By flying at altitudes up to 45000 feet, the observatory gets above 99.9% of the infrared-absorbing water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere. This opens up an almost uninterrupted wavelength range from 0.3-1600 microns that is in large part obscured from ground based observatories. Since its 'Initial Science Flight' in December 2010, SOFIA has flown several dozen science flights, and has observed a wide array of objects from Solar System bodies, to stellar nurseries, to distant galaxies. This talk will review some of the exciting new science results from these first flights which were made by three instruments: the mid-infrared camera FORCAST, the far-infrared heterodyne spectrometer GREAT, and the optical occultation photometer HIPO.

Development of silicon carbide mirrors: the example of the Sofia secondary mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fruit, Michel; Antoine, Pascal

2017-11-01

The 352 mm tip-tilt SOFIA Secondary Mirror has been developed by the ASTRIUM / BOOSTEC joint venture SiCSPACE, taking full benefit of the intrinsic properties of the BOOSTEC S-SiC sintered material, associated to qualified processes specifically developed for space borne mirrors by ASTRIUM SAS. Achieved performances include a low mass of 1.7 kg, a very high stiffness with a first resonant frequency higher than 2000 Hz and an optical surface accuracy corresponding to a maximum WFE of 50 nm rms. This mirror is part of the joint NASA-DLR project for a 2.5 m airborne Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).

SOFIA Water Vapor Monitor Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooper, R.; Roellig, T. L.; Yuen, L.; Shiroyama, B.; Meyer, A.; Devincenzi, D. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The SOFIA Water Vapor Monitor (WVM) is a heterodyne radiometer designed to determine the integrated amount of water vapor along the telescope line of sight and directly to the zenith. The basic technique that was chosen for the WVM uses radiometric measurements of the center and wings of the 183.3 GHz rotational line of water to measure the water vapor. The WVM reports its measured water vapor levels to the aircraft Mission Controls and Communication System (MCCS) while the SOFIA observatory is in normal operation at flight altitude. The water vapor measurements are also available to other scientific instruments aboard the observatory. The electrical, mechanical and software design of the WVM are discussed.

SOFIA: On the Pathway toward Habitable Worlds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrz, R. D.; Angerhausen, D.; Becklin, E. E.; Greenhouse, M. A.; Horner, S.; Krabbe, A.; Swain, M. R.; Young, E. T.

2010-10-01

The U.S./German Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP, will conduct 0.3 - 1,600 μm photometric, spectroscopic, and imaging observations from altitudes as high as 45,000 ft., where the average atmospheric transmission is greater than 80 percent. SOFIA’s first light cameras and spectrometers, as well as future generations of instruments, will enable SOFIA to make unique contributions to the characterization of the physical properties of proto-planetary disks around young stellar objects and of the atmospheres of exoplanets that transit their parent stars. We describe several types of experiments that are being contemplated.

ARC-2010-ACD10-0242-021

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-12-17

German Deligation visits Ames SOFIA Science Office for briefing. Left to right Jochen Homann, German State Secretary Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, Dr. Benno Bunse, President & CEO, German American Chamber of Commerce, New York, Manuel Wiedemann, post-doctorate student from the Deutsches SOFIA Institute, University of Stuttgart.

Destination Innovation: Episode 2 SOFIA: Window to the Hidden Universe

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-03-21

Destination Innovation is a new series that explores the research, science and other projects underway at NASA's Ames Research Center. Episode 2 focuses on SOFIA, a highly modified Boeing 747SP aircraft with a 17-ton telescope assembly allowing scientists to peer deeper into the universe than ever before.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, Eric E.

1998-08-01

The joint US and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5 meter IR airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now in its second year. The Universities Space Research Association, teamed with Raytheon E-Systems and United Airlines, is developing and will operate SOFIA. The 2.5 meter telescope will be designed and built by a consortium of German companies led by MAN. Work on the aircraft and the primary mirror has started. First science flights will begin in 2001 with 20 percent of the observing time assigned to German investigators. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics and science instrument complement are discussed.

Maximum Expected Wall Heat Flux and Maximum Pressure After Sudden Loss of Vacuum Insulation on the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Liquid Helium (LHe) Dewars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ungar, Eugene K.

2014-01-01

The aircraft-based Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a platform for multiple infrared observation experiments. The experiments carry sensors cooled to liquid helium (LHe) temperatures. A question arose regarding the heat input and peak pressure that would result from a sudden loss of the dewar vacuum insulation. Owing to concerns about the adequacy of dewar pressure relief in the event of a sudden loss of the dewar vacuum insulation, the SOFIA Program engaged the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC). This report summarizes and assesses the experiments that have been performed to measure the heat flux into LHe dewars following a sudden vacuum insulation failure, describes the physical limits of heat input to the dewar, and provides an NESC recommendation for the wall heat flux that should be used to assess the sudden loss of vacuum insulation case. This report also assesses the methodology used by the SOFIA Program to predict the maximum pressure that would occur following a loss of vacuum event.

A gravitationally lensed starburst galaxy at z=1.03 detected by SOFIA/HAWC+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, Arianna; Ma, Jingzhe; Cooray, Asantha; Nayyeri, Hooshang; Timmons, Nicholas

2018-01-01

We present a high S/N~20 detection at 89 micron (in 15 mins) of the Herschel-selected gravitationally lensed starburst galaxy HATLASJ1429-0028 with the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera-plus (HAWC+) onboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The spectacular lensing system consists of an edge-on foreground disk galaxy at z=0.22 and a nearly complete Einstein ring of an intrinsic ultra-luminous infrared galaxy at z=1.03. Is this high luminosity powered by pure star formation (SF) or an active galactic nucleus (AGN)? Previous nebular line diagnostics indicate that it is star-formation dominated. SOFIA/HAWC+ allows the broad-band spectral energy distribution of the galaxy to be studied between 20 - 100 micron, which is an important wavelength range for further constraining the fractional AGN contribution to the total IR luminosity. Multi-wavelength SED modeling constrains the AGN fraction to be < 1%. The detection of a source at z of 1 shows the potential of utilizing SOFIA/HAWC+ for distant galaxy studies and the potential to decompose SF/AGN that cannot be obtained with other current facilities.

A well-started beginning elementary teacher's beliefs and practices in relation to reform recommendations about inquiry-based science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avraamidou, Lucy

2017-06-01

Given reform recommendations emphasizing scientific inquiry and empirical evidence pointing to the difficulties beginning teachers face in enacting inquiry-based science, this study explores a well-started beginning elementary teacher's (Sofia) beliefs about inquiry-based science and related instructional practices. In order to explore Sofia's beliefs and instructional practices, several kinds of data were collected in a period of 9 months: a self-portrait and an accompanying narrative, a personal philosophy assignment, three interviews, three journal entries, ten lesson plans, and ten videotaped classroom observations. The analysis of these data showed that Sofia's beliefs and instructional practices were reform-minded. She articulated contemporary beliefs about scientific inquiry and how children learn science and was able to translate these beliefs into practice. Central to Sofia's beliefs about science teaching were scientific inquiry and engaging students in investigations with authentic data, with a prevalent emphasis on the role of evidence in the construction of scientific claims. These findings are important to research aiming at supporting teachers, especially beginning ones, to embrace reform recommendations.

Numerical simulation of the SOFIA flowfield

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klotz, Stephen P.

1994-01-01

This report provides a concise summary of the contribution of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to the SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) project at NASA Ames and presents results obtained from closed- and open-cavity SOFIA simulations. The aircraft platform is a Boeing 747SP and these are the first SOFIA simulations run with the aircraft empennage included in the geometry database. In the open-cavity run the telescope is mounted behind the wings. Results suggest that the cavity markedly influences the mean pressure distribution on empennage surfaces and that 110-140 decibel (db) sound pressure levels are typical in the cavity and on the horizontal and vertical stabilizers. A strong source of sound was found to exist on the rim of the open telescope cavity. The presence of this source suggests that additional design work needs to be performed in order to minimize the sound emanating from that location. A fluid dynamic analysis of the engine plumes is also contained in this report. The analysis was part of an effort to quantify the degradation of telescope performance resulting from the proximity of the port engine exhaust plumes to the open telescope bay.

Living in Sofia is associated with a risk for antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori: a Bulgarian study.

PubMed

Boyanova, Lyudmila; Ilieva, Juliana; Gergova, Galina; Evstatiev, Ivailo; Nikolov, Rossen; Mitov, Ivan

2013-11-01

The aim of the retrospective study was to evaluate geographic regions and residence places as possible risk factors for primary Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance in Bulgaria. Data from Sofia region, exhibiting the highest living density, were compared to those from other residence places. In total, 588 H. pylori strains from untreated adults who filled a questionnaire were evaluated. Strain susceptibility was assessed by a breakpoint susceptibility test. Resistance rates to metronidazole and clarithromycin have been found to increase, and that to tetracycline has been found to decrease over years. Clarithromycin resistance was 1.7-fold higher in Sofia inhabitants (23.5 %) than elsewhere (13.8 %) and 4.7-fold higher than that in villages (5.0 %). Moreover, the clarithromycin resistance rate was 2.6-fold lower in northern region (8.2 %) than in southern region (21.7 %). On multivariate analysis, sex and residence place were independent predictors for metronidazole resistance. Men were at lower risk for metronidazole resistance compared with women [odds ratio (OR) 0.703; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.499-0.990]. Importantly, Sofia inhabitants were at higher risk for the resistance compared with those living elsewhere (OR 1.453; 95 % CI 1.009-2.093). In conclusion, living in Sofia was associated with a risk for antibiotic resistance in H. pylori-positive adults. Living density could be associated with H. pylori resistance rates.

Pointing and control system performance and improvement strategies for the SOFIA Airborne Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graf, Friederike; Reinacher, Andreas; Jakob, Holger; Lampater, Ulrich; Pfueller, Enrico; Wiedemann, Manuel; Wolf, Jürgen; Fasoulas, Stefanos

2016-07-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has already successfully conducted over 300 flights. In its early science phase, SOFIA's pointing requirements and especially the image jitter requirements of less than 1 arcsec rms have driven the design of the control system. Since the first observation flights, the image jitter has been gradually reduced by various control mechanisms. During smooth flight conditions, the current pointing and control system allows us to achieve the standards set for early science on SOFIA. However, the increasing demands on the image size require an image jitter of less than 0.4 arcsec rms during light turbulence to reach SOFIA's scientific goals. The major portion of the remaining image motion is caused by deformation and excitation of the telescope structure in a wide range of frequencies due to aircraft motion and aerodynamic and aeroacoustic effects. Therefore the so-called Flexible Body Compensation system (FBC) is used, a set of fixed-gain filters to counteract the structural bending and deformation. Thorough testing of the current system under various flight conditions has revealed a variety of opportunities for further improvements. The currently applied filters have solely been developed based on a FEM analysis. By implementing the inflight measurements in a simulation and optimization, an improved fixed-gain compensation method was identified. This paper will discuss promising results from various jitter measurements recorded with sampling frequencies of up to 400 Hz using the fast imaging tracking camera.

Searching for Cool Dust. II. Infrared Imaging of The OH/IR Supergiants, NML Cyg, VX Sgr, S Per, and the Normal Red Supergiants RS Per and T Per

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordon, Michael S.; Humphreys, Roberta M.; Jones, Terry J.; Shenoy, Dinesh; Gehrz, Robert D.; Helton, L. Andrew; Marengo, Massimo; Hinz, Philip M.; Hoffmann, William F.

2018-05-01

New MMT/MIRAC (9–11 μm), SOFIA/FORCAST (11–37 μm), and Herschel/PACS (70 and 160 μm) infrared (IR) imaging and photometry is presented for three famous OH/IR red supergiants (NML Cyg, VX Sgr, and S Per) and two normal red supergiants (RS Per and T Per). We model the observed spectral energy distributions (SEDs) using radiative-transfer code DUSTY. Azimuthal average profiles from the SOFIA/FORCAST imaging, in addition to dust mass distribution profiles from DUSTY, constrain the mass-loss histories of these supergiants. For all of our observed supergiants, the DUSTY models suggest that constant mass-loss rates do not produce enough dust to explain the observed infrared emission in the stars’ SEDs. Combining our results with Shenoy et al. (Paper I), we find mixed results with some red supergiants showing evidence for variable and high mass-loss events while others have constant mass loss over the past few thousand years. Based on observations obtained with: (1) the NASA/DLR Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). SOFIA is jointly operated by the Universities Space Research Association, Inc. (USRA), under NASA contract NAS2-97001, and the Deutsches SOFIA Institut (DSI) under DLR contract 50 OK 0901 to the University of Stuttgart; and (2) the MMT Observatory on Mt. Hopkins, AZ, a joint facility of the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Arizona.

SOSPEX, an interactive tool to explore SOFIA spectral cubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fadda, Dario; Chambers, Edward T.

2018-01-01

We present SOSPEX (SOFIA SPectral EXplorer), an interactive tool to visualize and analyze spectral cubes obtained with the FIFI-LS and GREAT instruments onboard the SOFIA Infrared Observatory. This software package is written in Python 3 and it is available either through Github or Anaconda.Through this GUI it is possible to explore directly the spectral cubes produced by the SOFIA pipeline and archived in the SOFIA Science Archive. Spectral cubes are visualized showing their spatial and spectral dimensions in two different windows. By selecting a part of the spectrum, the flux from the corresponding slice of the cube is visualized in the spatial window. On the other hand, it is possible to define apertures on the spatial window to show the corresponding spectral energy distribution in the spectral window.Flux isocontours can be overlapped to external images in the spatial window while line names, atmospheric transmission, or external spectra can be overplotted on the spectral window. Atmospheric models with specific parameters can be retrieved, compared to the spectra and applied to the uncorrected FIFI-LS cubes in the cases where the standard values give unsatisfactory results. Subcubes can be selected and saved as FITS files by cropping or cutting the original cubes. Lines and continuum can be fitted in the spectral window saving the results in Jyson files which can be reloaded later. Finally, in the case of spatially extended observations, it is possible to compute spectral momenta as a function of the position to obtain velocity dispersion maps or velocity diagrams.

Detection of OD towards the low-mass protostar IRAS 16293-2422

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parise, B.; Du, F.; Liu, F.-C.; Belloche, A.; Wiesemeyer, H.; Güsten, R.; Menten, K. M.; Hübers, H.-W.; Klein, B.

2012-06-01

Context. Although water is an essential and widespread molecule in star-forming regions, its chemical formation pathways are still not very well constrained. Observing the level of deuterium fractionation of OH, a radical involved in the water chemical network, is a promising way to infer its chemical origin. Aims: We aim at understanding the formation mechanisms of water by investigating the origin of its deuterium fractionation. This can be achieved by observing the abundance of OD towards the low-mass protostar IRAS 16293-2422, where the HDO distribution is already known. Methods: Using the GREAT receiver on board SOFIA, we observed the ground-state OD transition at 1391.5 GHz towards the low-mass protostar IRAS 16293-2422. We also present the detection of the HDO 111-000 line using the APEX telescope. We compare the OD/HDO abundance ratio inferred from these observations with the predictions of chemical models. Results: The OD line is detected in absorption towards the source continuum. This is the first detection of OD outside the solar system. The SOFIA observation, coupled to the observation of the HDO 111-000 line, provides an estimate of the abundance ratio OD/HDO ~ 17-90 in the gas where the absorption takes place. This value is fairly high compared with model predictions. This may be reconciled if reprocessing in the gas by means of the dissociative recombination of H2DO+ further fractionates OH with respect to water. Conclusions: The present observation demonstrates the capability of the SOFIA/GREAT instrument to detect the ground transition of OD towards star-forming regions in a frequency range that was not accessible before. Dissociative recombination of H2DO+ may play an important role in setting a high OD abundance. Measuring the branching ratios of this reaction in the laboratory will be of great value for chemical models. Figure 5 is available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

Intensity earthquake scenario (scenario event - a damaging earthquake with higher probability of occurrence) for the city of Sofia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aleksandrova, Irena; Simeonova, Stela; Solakov, Dimcho; Popova, Maria

2014-05-01

Among the many kinds of natural and man-made disasters, earthquakes dominate with regard to their social and economical impact on the urban environment. Global seismic risk to earthquakes are increasing steadily as urbanization and development occupy more areas that a prone to effects of strong earthquakes. Additionally, the uncontrolled growth of mega cities in highly seismic areas around the world is often associated with the construction of seismically unsafe buildings and infrastructures, and undertaken with an insufficient knowledge of the regional seismicity peculiarities and seismic hazard. The assessment of seismic hazard and generation of earthquake scenarios is the first link in the prevention chain and the first step in the evaluation of the seismic risk. The earthquake scenarios are intended as a basic input for developing detailed earthquake damage scenarios for the cities and can be used in earthquake-safe town and infrastructure planning. The city of Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. It is situated in the centre of the Sofia area that is the most populated (the population is of more than 1.2 mil. inhabitants), industrial and cultural region of Bulgaria that faces considerable earthquake risk. The available historical documents prove the occurrence of destructive earthquakes during the 15th-18th centuries in the Sofia zone. In 19th century the city of Sofia has experienced two strong earthquakes: the 1818 earthquake with epicentral intensity I0=8-9 MSK and the 1858 earthquake with I0=9-10 MSK. During the 20th century the strongest event occurred in the vicinity of the city of Sofia is the 1917 earthquake with MS=5.3 (I0=7-8 MSK). Almost a century later (95 years) an earthquake of moment magnitude 5.6 (I0=7-8 MSK) hit the city of Sofia, on May 22nd, 2012. In the present study as a deterministic scenario event is considered a damaging earthquake with higher probability of occurrence that could affect the city with intensity less than or equal to VIII. The usable and realistic ground motion maps for urban areas are generated: - either from the assumption of a "reference earthquake" - or directly, showing values of macroseimic intensity generated by a damaging, real earthquake. In the study, applying deterministic approach, earthquake scenario in macroseismic intensity ("model" earthquake scenario) for the city of Sofia is generated. The deterministic "model" intensity scenario based on assumption of a "reference earthquake" is compared with a scenario based on observed macroseimic effects caused by the damaging 2012 earthquake (MW5.6). The difference between observed (Io) and predicted (Ip) intensities values is analyzed.

NASA African American History Month Profile - Kimberly Ennix-Sandhu (AFRC)

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-20

Kimberly Ennix-Sandhu is the SOFIA Operations Center System Safety Lead at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. SOFIA is the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. Kimberly has worked for NASA for 27 years. She started out in jet and rocket propulsion research engineering and moved to Safety and Mission Assurance as a system safety engineer.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.

The joint U.S. and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now in the final stages of development. First science flights will begin in 2006. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The first light science instruments and some science projects will be discussed.

A Well-Started Beginning Elementary Teacher's Beliefs and Practices in Relation to Reform Recommendations about Inquiry-Based Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Avraamidou, Lucy

2017-01-01

Given reform recommendations emphasizing scientific inquiry and empirical evidence pointing to the difficulties beginning teachers face in enacting inquiry-based science, this study explores a well-started beginning elementary teacher's (Sofia) beliefs about inquiry-based science and related instructional practices. In order to explore Sofia's…

SOFIA/FORCAST Resolves 30 - 40 μm Extended Emission in Nearby AGN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuller, Lindsay; Lopez-Rodriguez, Enrique; Packham, Christopher C.; Ichikawa, Kohei; Togi, Aditya

2018-06-01

We present arcsecond-scale observations in the 30 - 40 μm range of seven nearby Seyfert galaxies observed from the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) using the 31.5 and 37.1 μm filters of the Faint Object infraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST). We find extended diffuse emission in the 37.1 μm images in our sample, and isolate this from unresolved torus emission. Using Spitzer/IRS spectra, we determine the dominant mid-infrared (MIR) emission source and attribute it to dust in the narrow line region (NLR) or star formation. We compare the optical NLR and radio jet axes to the extended 37.1 μm emission and find coincident axes for three sources.

Hydrodynamic Characteristics and Salinity Patterns in Estero Bay, Lee County, Florida

USGS Publications Warehouse

Byrne, Michael J.; Gabaldon, Jessica N.

2008-01-01

Estero Bay is an estuary (about 12 miles long and 3 miles wide) on the southwestern Florida coast, with several inlets connecting the bay to the Gulf of Mexico and numerous freshwater tributaries. Continuous stage and salinity data were recorded at eight gaging stations in Estero Bay estuary from October 2001 to September 2005. Continuous water velocity data were recorded at six of these stations for the purpose of measuring discharge. In addition, turbidity data were recorded at four stations, suspended sediment concentration were measured at three stations, and wind measurements were taken at one station. Salinity surveys, within and around Estero Bay, were conducted 15 times from July 2002 to January 2004. The average daily discharge ranged from 35,000 to -34,000 ft3/s (cubic feet per second) at Big Carlos Pass, 10,800 to -11,200 ft3/s at Matanzas Pass, 2,200 to -2,900 ft3/s at Big Hickory Pass, 680 to -700 ft3/s at Mullock Creek, 330 to -370 ft3/s at Estero River, and 190 to -180 ft3/s at Imperial River. Flood tide is expressed as negative discharge and ebb flow as positive discharge. Reduced salinity at Matanzas Pass was negatively correlated (R2 = 0.48) to freshwater discharge from the Caloosahatchee River at Franklin Locks (S-79). Matanzas Pass is hydrologically linked to Hell Peckney Bay; therefore, water-quality problems associated with the Caloosahatchee River also affect Hell Peckney Bay. Rocky Bay was significantly less saline than Coconut Point and Matanzas Pass was significantly less saline than Ostego Bay, based on data from the salinity surveys. The quality-checked and edited continuous data and the salinity maps have been compiled and are stored on the U.S. Geological Survey South Florida Information Access (SOFIA) website (http://sofia.usgs.gov).

Evaluation of the aero-optical properties of the SOFIA cavity by means of computional fluid dynamics and a super fast diagnostic camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Engfer, Christian; Pfüller, Enrico; Wiedemann, Manuel; Wolf, Jürgen; Lutz, Thorsten; Krämer, Ewald; Röser, Hans-Peter

2012-09-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5 m reflecting telescope housed in an open cavity on board of a Boeing 747SP. During observations, the cavity is exposed to transonic flow conditions. The oncoming boundary layer evolves into a free shear layer being responsible for optical aberrations and for aerodynamic and aeroacoustic disturbances within the cavity. While the aero-acoustical excitation of an airborne telescope can be minimized by using passive flow control devices, the aero-optical properties of the flow are difficult to improve. Hence it is important to know how much the image seen through the SOFIA telescope is perturbed by so called seeing effects. Prior to the SOFIA science fights Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using URANS and DES methods were carried out to determine the flow field within and above the cavity and hence in the optical path in order to provide an assessment of the aero-optical properties under baseline conditions. In addition and for validation purposes, out of focus images have been taken during flight with a Super Fast Diagnostic Camera (SFDC). Depending on the binning factor and the sub-array size, the SFDC is able to take and to read out images at very high frame rates. The paper explains the numerical approach based on CFD to evaluate the aero-optical properties of SOFIA. The CFD data is then compared to the high speed images taken by the SFDC during flight.

SOFIA science instruments: commissioning, upgrades and future opportunities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Erin C.; Miles, John W.; Helton, L. Andrew; Sankrit, Ravi; Andersson, B. G.; Becklin, Eric E.; De Buizer, James M.; Dowell, C. D.; Dunham, Edward W.; Güsten, Rolf; Harper, Doyal A.; Herter, Terry L.; Keller, Luke D.; Klein, Randolf; Krabbe, Alfred; Logsdon, Sarah; Marcum, Pamela M.; McLean, Ian S.; Reach, William T.; Richter, Matthew J.; Roellig, Thomas L.; Sandell, Göran; Savage, Maureen L.; Temi, Pasquale; Vacca, William D.; Vaillancourt, John E.; Van Cleve, Jeffrey E.; Young, Erick T.

2014-07-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is the world's largest airborne observatory, featuring a 2.5 meter effective aperture telescope housed in the aft section of a Boeing 747SP aircraft. SOFIA's current instrument suite includes: FORCAST (Faint Object InfraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope), a 5-40 μm dual band imager/grism spectrometer developed at Cornell University; HIPO (High-speed Imaging Photometer for Occultations), a 0.3-1.1μm imager built by Lowell Observatory; GREAT (German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies), a multichannel heterodyne spectrometer from 60-240 μm, developed by a consortium led by the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy; FLITECAM (First Light Infrared Test Experiment CAMera), a 1-5 μm wide-field imager/grism spectrometer developed at UCLA; FIFI-LS (Far-Infrared Field-Imaging Line Spectrometer), a 42-200 μm IFU grating spectrograph completed by University Stuttgart; and EXES (Echelon-Cross-Echelle Spectrograph), a 5-28 μm highresolution spectrometer designed at the University of Texas and being completed by UC Davis and NASA Ames Research Center. HAWC+ (High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera) is a 50-240 μm imager that was originally developed at the University of Chicago as a first-generation instrument (HAWC), and is being upgraded at JPL to add polarimetry and new detectors developed at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). SOFIA will continually update its instrument suite with new instrumentation, technology demonstration experiments and upgrades to the existing instrument suite. This paper details the current instrument capabilities and status, as well as the plans for future instrumentation.

SOFIA Aircraft Visits NASA Ames, Reporter Package for TWAN/Web

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-10-19

Taking a break from its science mission flights, the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy or SOFIA came to NASA Ames Research Center to offer tours to employees and VIP's alike. For two days, the aircraft was opened up so that dignitaries, members of the media, NASA employees and the general public could take self-guided tours of the aircraft.

SOFIA production

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-10-05

On Oct. 5, 2017, researchers aboard the flying observatoy SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, studied the atmosphere of Neptune's moon Triton as it cast a faint shadow on eEarth's surface during a two-minute, eclipse like event called an occultation. The team successfully maneuvered the specially equipped Boeing 747SP aircraft, and made observations of the distant star's light as it passed through Triton's atmosphere.

Slow Fires Still Burn: Results of a Preservation Assessment of Libraries in L'viv, Ukraine and Sofia, Bulgaria.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baird, Brian J.; Schaffner, Bradley L.

2003-01-01

Discussion of the threat of disintegration of library collections in East Central Europe focuses on a study of collection condition surveys and preservation operations of three major academic libraries in L'viv, Ukraine and Sofia, Bulgaria. Considers inferior materials used to produce most Slavic publications and inadequate facilities to house the…

Becoming reality: the SOFIA telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krabbe, Alfred

2003-02-01

After 4.5 years of development, the telescope of the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA is becoming reality. The telescope module was delivered at the end of August 2002 from Germany to Waco/Texas, where the integration into the aircraft will begin in fall 2002. Here I present a progress report and describe the recent achievements as well as the status of the telescope.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.

The joint US and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5 m infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now in the final stages of development. First science flights will begin in 2007. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics, science instrument complement, and examples of first light science are discussed.

Progress on SOFIA primary mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geyl, Roland; Tarreau, Michel

2000-06-01

REOSC, SAGEM Group, has a significant contribution to the SOFIA project with the design and fabrication of the 2.7-m primary mirror and its fixtures as well as the M3 mirror tower assembly. This paper will primarily report the progress made on the primary mirror design and the first important manufacturing step: its lightweighting by machining pockets from the rear side of the blank.

Numerical simulation of the SOFIA flow field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klotz, Stephen P.

1995-01-01

This report provides a concise summary of the contribution of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to the SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) project at NASA Ames and presents results obtained from closed- and open-cavity SOFIA simulations. The aircraft platform is a Boeing 747SP and these are the first SOFIA simulations run with the aircraft empennage included in the geometry database. In the open-cavity runs the telescope is mounted behind the wings. Results suggest that the cavity markedly influences the mean pressure distribution on empennage surfaces and that 110-140 decibel (db) sound pressure levels are typical in the cavity and on the horizontal and vertical stabilizers. A strong source of sound was found to exist on the rim of the open telescope cavity. The presence of this source suggests that additional design work needs to be performed in order to minimize the sound emanating from that location. A fluid dynamic analysis of the engine plumes is also contained in this report. The analysis was part of an effort to quantify the degradation of telescope performance resulting from the proximity of the port engine exhaust plumes to the open telescope bay.

Occultation Evidence for Haze in Pluto's Atmosphere in 2015 at the New Horizons Encounter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bosh, A. S.; Person, M. J.; Zuluaga, C.; Sickafoose, A. A.; Levine, S. E.; Pasachoff, J. M.; Babcock, B. A.; Dunham, E. W.; McLean, I.; Wolf, J.; Abe, F.; Becklin, E.; Bida, T. A.; Bright, L. P.; Brothers, T.; Christie, G.; Collins, P. L.; Durst, R. F.; Gilmore, A. C.; Hamilton, R.; Harris, H. C.; Johnson, C.; Kilmartin, P. M.; Kosiarek, M. R.; Leppik, K.; Logsdon, S.; Lucas, R.; Mathers, S.; Morley, C. J. K.; Natusch, T.; Nelson, P.; Ngan, H.; Pfüller, E.; Röser, H. P.; Sallum, S.; Savage, M.; Seeger, C. H.; Siu, H.; Stockdale, C.; Suzuki, D.; Thanathibodee, T.; Tilleman, T.; Tristram, P. J.; Van Cleve, J.; Varughese, C.; Weisenbach, L. W.; Widen, E.; Wiedemann, M.

2015-12-01

On UT 29 June 2015, the occultation by Pluto of a bright star (r'=11.9) was observed from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) as well as several ground-based stations in New Zealand and Australia. Pre-event astrometry allowed for an in-flight update to the SOFIA team with the result that SOFIA was deep within the central flash zone. Combined analysis of the data sets leads to the result that Pluto's middle atmosphere is essentially unchanged from 2011 and 2013 (Person et al. 2013; Bosh et al. 2015); there has been no significant expansion or contraction of the atmosphere. Additionally, we find that a haze component in the atmosphere is required to reproduce the light curves obtained. This haze scenario has implications for understanding the photochemistry of Pluto's atmosphere. This work was supported by NASA grants NNX15AJ82G (Lowell Observatory), NNX10AB27G (MIT), and NNX12AJ29G (Williams), and by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. Co-authors were visiting observers on SOFIA, at the Keck Observatory, the Magellan Observatory, the SARA-CT Observatory, the Mt. John University Observatory, and the Auckland Observatory.

SOFIA's primary mirror assembly is cradled on its dolly as technicians prepare to move it into a "clean room" at NASA Dryden's Aircraft Operations Facility

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-04-18

Technicians at the NASA Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., removed the German-built primary mirror assembly from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, April 18, 2008 in preparation for the final finish coating of the mirror. A precision crane lifted the more than two-ton mirror assembly from its cavity in the rear fuselage of the highly modified Boeing 747SP. The assembly was then secured in its transport dolly and moved to a clean room where it was prepared for shipment to NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field near Mountain View, Calif. where it would receive its aluminized finish coating before being re-installed in the SOFIA aircraft.

The SOFIA primary mirror assembly is cautiously lifted from its cavity in the modified 747 by a crane in preparation for finish coating operations at NASA Ames

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-04-18

Technicians at the NASA Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., removed the German-built primary mirror assembly from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, April 18, 2008 in preparation for the final finish coating of the mirror. A precision crane lifted the more than two-ton mirror assembly from its cavity in the rear fuselage of the highly modified Boeing 747SP. The assembly was then secured in its transport dolly and moved to a clean room where it was prepared for shipment to NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field near Mountain View, Calif. where it would receive its aluminized finish coating before being re-installed in the SOFIA aircraft.

Technicians carefully guide SOFIA's primary mirror assembly on its transport cradle into a clean room where it is being prepared for shipment to NASA Ames

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-04-18

Technicians at the NASA Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., removed the German-built primary mirror assembly from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, April 18, 2008 in preparation for the final finish coating of the mirror. A precision crane lifted the more than two-ton mirror assembly from its cavity in the rear fuselage of the highly modified Boeing 747SP. The assembly was then secured in its transport dolly and moved to a clean room where it was prepared for shipment to NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field near Mountain View, Calif. where it would receive its aluminized finish coating before being re-installed in the SOFIA aircraft.

Technicians position the transport cradle as a crane lowers SOFIA's primary mirror assembly into place prior to finish coating of the mirror at NASA Ames

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-04-18

Technicians at the NASA Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., removed the German-built primary mirror assembly from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, April 18, 2008 in preparation for the final finish coating of the mirror. A precision crane lifted the more than two-ton mirror assembly from its cavity in the rear fuselage of the highly modified Boeing 747SP. The assembly was then secured in its transport dolly and moved to a clean room where it was prepared for shipment to NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field near Mountain View, Calif. where it would receive its aluminized finish coating before being re-installed in the SOFIA aircraft.

Technicians with ropes carefully guide the primary mirror assembly as a crane slowly moves it toward its transport cradle after removal from the SOFIA aircraft

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-04-18

Technicians at the NASA Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., removed the German-built primary mirror assembly from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, April 18, 2008 in preparation for the final finish coating of the mirror. A precision crane lifted the more than two-ton mirror assembly from its cavity in the rear fuselage of the highly modified Boeing 747SP. The assembly was then secured in its transport dolly and moved to a clean room where it was prepared for shipment to NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field near Mountain View, Calif. where it would receive its aluminized finish coating before being re-installed in the SOFIA aircraft.

Building Bigger, Better Instruments with Dry Cryostats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benford, Dominic J.; Voellmer, George

2010-01-01

The cylindrical instrument volume allowable n SOFIA is large, comprising perhaps 400 liters at 4K. However, the cryogen accommodation to enable this environment consumes roughly 20% of the volume, and worsens rues, airworthiness/safety, and handling/operation, Present-day pulse tube coolers have negligible cold volumes, provide adequate cooling powers, and reach colder temperatures than stored cryogen. In addition, they permit safer, more reliable, lower maintenance instrument operation. While the advantages of dry cryostats are well-known and commonly used in labs and ground-based astronomical facilities, SOFIA would require some charges in accommodations to permit a pulse tube cooler to operate on board, Whil e these changes are not negligible, we present our investigation into the feasibility and desirability of making SOFIA a dry cryostat-capable observatory

AIRES: An Airborne Infra-Red Echelle Spectrometer for SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dotson, Jessie J.; Erickson, Edwin F.; Haas, Michael R.; Colgan, Sean W. J.; Simpson, Janet P.; Telesco, Charles M.; Pina, Robert K.; Wolf, Juergen; Young, Erick T.

1999-01-01

SOFIA will enable astronomical observations with unprecedented angular resolution at infrared wavelengths obscured from the ground. To help open this new chapter in the exploration of the infrared universe, we are building AIRES, an Airborne Infra-Red Echelle Spectrometer. AIRES will be operated as a first generation, general purpose facility instrument by USRA, NASA's prime contractor for SOFIA. AIRES is a long slit spectrograph operating from 17 - 210 microns. In high resolution mode the spectral resolving power is approx. 10(exp 6) microns/A or approx. 10(exp 4) at 100 microns. Unfortunately, since the conference, a low resolution mode with resolving power about 100 times lower has been deleted due to budgetary constraints. AIRES includes a slit viewing camera which operates in broad bands at 18 and 25 microns.

Analysis and prospects for curricular reform of medical schools in Southeast Europe.

PubMed

Likic, Robert; Dusek, Tina; Horvat, Drago

2005-08-01

To analyse the curricula of 16 medical schools in 6 countries in Southeast Europe in order to establish a prevailing standard curriculum against which a prospective curriculum reform could formulate its objectives. Curricular information was gathered from a questionnaire sent via e-mail to the respective medical schools. The data collected ranged from the numbers of enrolled students to a breakdown of courses with distribution of instruction hours for certain teaching formats. For easier comparison the courses were clustered into 5 groups: pre-clinical, clinical, public health, liberal arts and electives. Belgrade has the highest number of undergraduate students, while Mostar has the lowest. Novi Sad, Foca/Srbinje, Zagreb, Split, Sofia, Ljubljana and Mostar have more than 5000 instruction hours, but Sarajevo lags behind with 4005 hours. Anatomy dominates the course load in Year 1, ranging from a share of 18.4% in Sofia to 11.3% in Novi Sad. Physiology dominates Year 2, ranging from 16.8% in Rijeka to 8.9% in Split, whereas in Year 3 the dominating course is pathology, reaching a peak of 13.7% in Sarajevo. Sofia has the highest number of class hours of clinical courses. The predominant public health courses are social medicine, family medicine and medical ecology. Medical English is taught at all medical schools (as electives in Ljubljana and Rijeka). There is considerable potential for curriculum improvement in the region. Teacher training, student participation, the definition of core competencies and the introduction of new methodologies should all be implemented in the process.

Simplified Methodology to Estimate the Maximum Liquid Helium (LHe) Cryostat Pressure from a Vacuum Jacket Failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ungar, Eugene K.; Richards, W. Lance

2015-01-01

The aircraft-based Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a platform for multiple infrared astronomical observation experiments. These experiments carry sensors cooled to liquid helium temperatures. The liquid helium supply is contained in large (i.e., 10 liters or more) vacuum-insulated dewars. Should the dewar vacuum insulation fail, the inrushing air will condense and freeze on the dewar wall, resulting in a large heat flux on the dewar's contents. The heat flux results in a rise in pressure and the actuation of the dewar pressure relief system. A previous NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) assessment provided recommendations for the wall heat flux that would be expected from a loss of vacuum and detailed an appropriate method to use in calculating the maximum pressure that would occur in a loss of vacuum event. This method involved building a detailed supercritical helium compressible flow thermal/fluid model of the vent stack and exercising the model over the appropriate range of parameters. The experimenters designing science instruments for SOFIA are not experts in compressible supercritical flows and do not generally have access to the thermal/fluid modeling packages that are required to build detailed models of the vent stacks. Therefore, the SOFIA Program engaged the NESC to develop a simplified methodology to estimate the maximum pressure in a liquid helium dewar after the loss of vacuum insulation. The method would allow the university-based science instrument development teams to conservatively determine the cryostat's vent neck sizing during preliminary design of new SOFIA Science Instruments. This report details the development of the simplified method, the method itself, and the limits of its applicability. The simplified methodology provides an estimate of the dewar pressure after a loss of vacuum insulation that can be used for the initial design of the liquid helium dewar vent stacks. However, since it is not an exact tool, final verification of the dewar pressure vessel design requires a complete, detailed real fluid compressible flow model of the vent stack. The wall heat flux resulting from a loss of vacuum insulation increases the dewar pressure, which actuates the pressure relief mechanism and results in high-speed flow through the dewar vent stack. At high pressures, the flow can be choked at the vent stack inlet, at the exit, or at an intermediate transition or restriction. During previous SOFIA analyses, it was observed that there was generally a readily identifiable section of the vent stack that would limit the flow – e.g., a small diameter entrance or an orifice. It was also found that when the supercritical helium was approximated as an ideal gas at the dewar condition, the calculated mass flow rate based on choking at the limiting entrance or transition was less than the mass flow rate calculated using the detailed real fluid model2. Using this lower mass flow rate would yield a conservative prediction of the dewar’s wall heat flux capability. The simplified method of the current work was developed by building on this observation.

Wide-Field Plate Database

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsvetkov, M. K.; Stavrev, K. Y.; Tsvetkova, K. P.; Semkov, E. H.; Mutatov, A. S.

The Wide-Field Plate Database (WFPDB) and the possibilities for its application as a research tool in observational astronomy are presented. Currently the WFPDB comprises the descriptive data for 400 000 archival wide field photographic plates obtained with 77 instruments, from a total of 1 850 000 photographs stored in 269 astronomical archives all over the world since the end of last century. The WFPDB is already accessible for the astronomical community, now only in batch mode through user requests sent by e-mail. We are working on on-line interactive access to the data via INTERNET from Sofia and parallel from the Centre de Donnees Astronomiques de Strasbourg. (Initial information can be found on World Wide Web homepage URL http://www.wfpa.acad.bg.) The WFPDB may be useful in studies of a variety of astronomical objects and phenomena, andespecially for long-term investigations of variable objects and for multi-wavelength research. We have analysed the data in the WFPDB in order to derive the overall characteristics of the totality of wide-field observations, such as the sky coverage, the distributions by observation time and date, by spectral band, and by object type. We have also examined the totality of wide-field observations from point of view of their quality, availability and digitisation. The usefulness of the WFPDB is demonstrated by the results of identification and investigation of the photometrical behaviour of optical analogues of gamma-ray bursts.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becklin, E. E.

The joint U.S. and German SOFIA project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now in the final stages of development. First science flights will begin in 2008. The observatory is expected to operate for over 20 years. The sensitivity, characteristics, science instrument complement, and examples of 1-st light spectroscopic astrochemistry science are discussed.

Investigation of particle sizes in Pluto's atmosphere from the 29 June 2015 occultation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sickafoose, Amanda A.; Bosh, A. S.; Person, M. J.; Zuluaga, C. A.; Levine, S. E.; Pasachoff, J. M.; Babcock, B. A.; Dunham, E. W.; McLean, I.; Wolf, J.; Abe, F.; Bida, T. A.; Bright, L. P.; Brothers, T.; Christie, G.; Collins, P. L.; Durst, R. F.; Gilmore, A. C.; Hamilton, R.; Harris, H. C.; Johnson, C.; Kilmartin, P. M.; Kosiarek, M. R.; Leppik, K.; Logsdon, S.; Lucas, R.; Mathers, S.; Morley, C. J. K.; Natusch, T.; Nelson, P.; Ngan, H.; Pfüller, E.; de, H.-P.; Sallum, S.; Savage, M.; Seeger, C. H.; Siu, H.; Stockdale, C.; Suzuki, D.; Thanathibodee, T.; Tilleman, T.; Tristam, P. J.; Van Cleve, J.; Varughese, C.; Weisenbach, L. W.; Widen, E.; Wiedemann, M.

2015-11-01

The 29 June 2015 observations of a stellar occultation by Pluto, from SOFIA and ground-based sites in New Zealand, indicate that haze was present in the lower atmosphere (Bosh et al., this conference). Previously, slope changes in the occultation light curve profile of Pluto’s lower atmosphere have been attributed to haze, a steep thermal gradient, and/or a combination of the two. The most useful diagnostic for differentiating between these effects has been observing occultations over a range of wavelengths: haze scattering and absorption are functions of particle size and are wavelength dependent, whereas effects due to a temperature gradient should be largely independent of observational wavelength. The SOFIA and Mt. John data from this event exhibit obvious central flashes, from multiple telescopes observing over a range of wavelengths at each site (Person et al. and Pasachoff et al., this conference). SOFIA data include Red and Blue observations from the High-speed Imaging Photometer for Occultations (HIPO, at ~ 500 and 850 nm), First Light Infrared Test Camera (FLITECAM, at ~1800 nm), and the Focal Plan Imager (FPI+, at ~ 600 nm). Mt. John data include open filter, g', r', i', and near infrared. Here, we analyze the flux at the bottom of the light curves versus observed wavelength. We find that there is a distinct trend in flux versus wavelength, and we discuss applicable Mie scattering models for different particle size distributions and compositions (as were used to characterize haze in Pluto's lower atmosphere in Gulbis et al. 2015).SOFIA is jointly operated by the Universities Space Research Association, Inc. (USRA), under NASA contract NAS2-97001, and the Deutsches SOFIA Institut (DSI) under DLR contract 50 OK 0901 to the University of Stuttgart. Support for this work was provided by the National Research Foundation of South Africa, NASA SSO grants NNX15AJ82G (Lowell Observatory), PA NNX10AB27G (MIT), and PA NNX12AJ29G (Williams College), and the NASA SOFIA Cycle 3 grant NAS2-97001 issued by USRA.

The integrated motion measurement simulation for SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaswekar, Prashant; Greiner, Benjamin; Wagner, Jörg

2014-07-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy SOFIA consists of a B747-SP aircraft, which carries aloft a 2.7-meter reflecting telescope. The image stability goal for SOFIA is 0:2 arc-seconds rms. The performance of the telescope structure is affected by elastic vibrations induced by aeroacoustic and suspension disturbances. Active compensation of such disturbances requires a fast way of estimating the structural motion. Integrated navigation systems are examples of such estimation systems. However they employ a rigid body assumption. A possible extension of these systems to an elastic structure is shown by different authors for one dimensional beam structures taking into account the eigenmodes of the structural system. The rigid body motion as well as the flexible modes of the telescope assembly, however, are coupled among the three axes. Extending a special mathematical approach to three dimensional structures, the aspect of a modal observer based on integrated motion measurement is simulated for SOFIA. It is in general a fusion of different measurement methods by using their benefits and blinding out their disadvantages. There are no mass and stillness properties needed directly in this approach. However, the knowledge of modal properties of the structure is necessary for the implementation of this method. A finite-element model is chosen as a basis to extract the modal properties of the structure.

Modeling of shallow and inefficient convection in the outer layers of the Sun using realistic physics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Yong-Cheol; Fox, Peter A.; Sofia, Sabatino; Demarque, Pierre

1995-01-01

In an attempt to understand the properties of convective energy transport in the solar convective zone, a numerical model has been constructed for turbulent flows in a compressible, radiation-coupled, nonmagnetic, gravitationally stratified medium using a realistic equation of state and realistic opacities. The time-dependent, three-dimensional hydrodynamic equations are solved with minimal simplifications. The statistical information obtained from the present simulation provides an improved undserstanding of solar photospheric convection. The characteristics of solar convection in shallow regions is parameterized and compared with the results of Chan & Sofia's (1989) simulations of deep and efficient convection. We assess the importance of the zones of partial ionization in the simulation and confirm that the radiative energy transfer is negliglble throughout the region except in the uppermost scale heights of the convection zone, a region of very high superadiabaticity. When the effects of partial ionization are included, the dynamics of flows are altered significantly. However, we confirm the Chan & Sofia result that kinetic energy flux is nonnegligible and can have a negative value in the convection zone.

SOFIA'S Challenge: Scheduling Airborne Astronomy Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frank, Jeremy

2005-01-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is NASA's next generation airborne astronomical observatory, and will commence operations in 2005. The facility consists of a 747-SP modified to accommodate a 2.5 meter telescope. SOFIA is expected to fly an average of 140 science flights per year over its 20 year lifetime. Depending on the nature of the instrument used during flight, 5-15 observations per flight are expected. The SOFIA telescope is mounted aft of the wings on the port side of the aircraft and is articulated through a range of 20deg to 60deg of elevation. The telescope has minimal lateral flexibility; thus, the aircraft must turn constantly to maintain the telescope's focus on an object during observations. A significant problem in future SOFIA operations is that of scheduling flights in support of observations. Investigators are expected to propose small numbers of observations, and many observations must be grouped together to make up single flights. Flight planning for the previous generation airborne observatory, the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO), was done by hand; planners had to choose takeoff time, observations to perform, and decide on setup-actions (called "dead-legs") to position the aircraft prior to observing. This task frequently required between 6-8 hours to plan one flight The scope of the flight planning problem for supporting GI observations with the anticipated flight rate for SOFIA makes the manual approach for flight planning daunting. In response, we have designed an Automated Flight Planner (AFP) that accepts as input a set of requested observations, designated flight days, weather predictions and fuel limitations, and searches automatically for high-quality flight plans that satisfy all relevant aircraft and astronomer specified constraints. The AFP can generate one candidate flight plan in 5-10 minutes, of computation time, a feat beyond the capabilities of human flight planners. The rate at which the AFP can generate flights enables humans to assess and analyze complex tradeoffs between fuel consumption, estimated science quality and the percentage of scheduled observations. Due to the changing nature of SOFIA scheduling problems, this functionality will play a crucial role in optimizing science and minimizing costs during operations. In the full paper, we will summarize the technical challenges that have been met in order to build this system. These include: design of the search algorithm, design of appropriate heuristics and approximations, and reduction in the size of the search space. We will also describe technical challenges that are currently being addressed, including the extension of the existing approach to handle new solution criteria. Finally, we will describe a variety of cultural challenges that the astronomical community must address in order to successfully use SOFIA, and describe how the AFT can be used to address some of these challenges. Specifically, many of the intended science users are accustomed to using ground-based or space-based observatories; we will identify some differences that arise due to the nature of airborne observatories, and how the AFT can be extended to provide useful services to ease these cultural differences.

Sub-millimeter Spectroscopy of Astrophysically Important Molecules and Ions: Metal Hydrides, Halides, and Cyanides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ziurys, L. M.; Flory, M. A.; Halfen, D. T.

2006-01-01

With the advent of SOFIA, Herschel, and SAFIR, new wavelength regions will become routinely accessible for astronomical spectroscopy, particularly at submm frequencies (0.5-1.1 THz). Molecular emission dominates the spectra of dense interstellar gas at these wavelengths. Because heterodyne detectors are major instruments of these missions, accurate knowledge of transition frequencies is crucial for their success. The Ziurys spectroscopy laboratory has been focusing on the measurement of the pure rotational transitions of astrophysically important molecules in the sub-mm regime. Of particular interest have been metal hydride species and their ions, as well as metal halides and cyanides. A new avenue of study has included metal bearing molecular ions.

SOFIA Education/Public Outreach with the Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph (EXES)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hemenway, M. K.; Lacy, J. H.; Jaffe, D. T.; Richter, M. J.; Green, K.; Harkrider, J. L.; Lutsinger, C. L.; Noid, E.; Penn, R.; Shepherd, L.; Suder, R.; Tykoski, M. J.; Willis, M. J.

1998-12-01

The integration of science and technology is maximized in the development of a new scientific instrument for SOFIA like EXES. Many teachers with good science backgrounds have never had an experience in which they can learn first-hand about instrument development. The goal of this program is to prepare a cadre of teachers who will promote astronomy within their communities and who will be prepared eventually for a flight experience on SOFIA. This program provides grade 7-12 Central Texas (i.e., work within 100 miles of UT-Austin) teachers an opportunity to learn not only the principles of astronomy, but also the technology behind instrument development. By spreading the experience out over several years, the group may observe the development and construction of EXES through many phases. In addition to traditional laboratory exercises [e.g. the celestial sphere, optics, optical telescopes, spectroscopy, use of CCD cameras, and error analysis], there will be practice in using equipment such as an interferometer for optical alignment, drill press, mill, and lathe. Simultaneous with the teachers' growing understanding of astronomy and technology through their hands-on activities, their knowledge of scientific research - particularly in the area of infrared astronomy - will be enhanced through regular interactive talks by the co-investigators. With careful planning, several important secondary goals are achieved with this program: 1. The activities are aligned with the National Science Education Standards 2. Many of the traditional astronomy activities have been modified for use by secondary school students 3. Information on careers is developed through activities which emphasize the team-work necessary to build and operate EXES 4. Professional links are forged between the EXES team and the teachers

Observations on SOFIA Observation Scheduling: Search and Inference in the Face of Discrete and Continuous Constraints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frank, Jeremy; Gross, Michael; Kuerklu, Elif

2003-01-01

We did cool stuff to reduce the number of IVPs and BVPs needed to schedule SOFIA by restricting the problem. The restriction costs us little in terms of the value of the flight plans we can build. The restriction allowed us to reformulate part of the search problem as a zero-finding problem. The result is a simplified planning model and significant savings in computation time.

Multiple co morbid conditions in patient with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-10-26

conditions in patient \\\\·ith Mast Cell Activation Syndron1e Sb. GRANT NUMBER Sc. PROGRAM.ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) Sd. PROJECT NUMBER Maj Sofia...13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT Multiple co-n1orhid conditions in patient \\Vith Mast Cell Activation Syndrotne Sofia M. Szari.MD. and James...Defense. !NTR()D{JCT!ON: Mast cell activation disorders {MCAD) have been associated \\Vilh Connective Tissue Disorders (CTD) and orthostatic

SOFIA general investigator science program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Erick T.; Andersson, B.-G.; Becklin, Eric E.; Reach, William T.; Sankrit, Ravi; Zinnecker, Hans; Krabbe, Alfred

2014-07-01

SOFIA is a joint project between NASA and DLR, the German Aerospace Center, to provide the worldwide astronomical community with an observatory that offers unique capabilities from visible to far-infrared wavelengths. SOFIA consists of a 2.7-m telescope mounted in a highly modified Boeing 747-SP aircraft, a suite of instruments, and the scientific and operational infrastructure to support the observing program. This paper describes the current status of the observatory and details the General Investigator program. The observatory has recently completed major development activities, and it has transitioned into full operational status. Under the General Investigator program, astronomers submit proposals that are peer reviewed for observation on the facility. We describe the results from the first two cycles of the General Investigator program. We also describe some of the new observational capabilities that will be available for Cycle 3, which will begin in 2015.

On sky testing of the SOFIA telescope in preparation for the first science observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harms, Franziska; Wolf, Jürgen; Waddell, Patrick; Dunham, Edward; Reinacher, Andreas; Lampater, Ulrich; Jakob, Holger; Bjarke, Lisa; Adams, Sybil; Grashuis, Randy; Meyer, Allan; Bower, Kenneth; Schweikhard, Keith; Keilig, Thomas

2009-08-01

SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, is an airborne observatory that will study the universe in the infrared spectrum. A Boeing 747-SP aircraft will carry a 2.5 m telescope designed to make sensitive infrared measurements of a wide range of astronomical objects. In 2008, SOFIA's primary mirror was demounted and coated for the first time. After reintegration into the telescope assembly in the aircraft, the alignment of the telescope optics was repeated and successive functional and performance testing of the fully integrated telescope assembly was completed on the ground. The High-speed Imaging Photometer for Occultations (HIPO) was used as a test instrument for aligning the optics and calibrating and tuning the telescope's pointing and control system in preparation for the first science observations in flight. In this paper, we describe the mirror coating process, the subsequent telescope testing campaigns and present the results.

SOFIA primary mirror fabrication and testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geyl, Roland; Tarreau, Michel; Plainchamp, Patrick

2001-12-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a joint American-German project dedicated to performing IR astronomy on board a Boeing Aircraft, in near space condition. First flight of the Observatory is planned for 2003. The REOSC Products Unit of SAGEM SA (France) has been contracted by Kayser Threde (Germany) for the design and fabrication of the 2.7-meter diameter, F/1.19 parabolic lightweight SOFIA primary mirror as well as the M3 dichroic and folding mirror assembly. This paper will report the design, fabrication and test of the lightweight primary mirror. The mirror structure has been obtained by machining it out from a solid Zerodur blank. It is the world's largest of this type today. Axial and lateral mirror support system has been conceptually designed and engineered by SAGEM-REOSC engineers in relation with Kayser Threde team. The optical surface is an F/1.19 parabola polished to a high level of quality.

FLITECAM: delivery and performance on SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Logsdon, Sarah E.; McLean, Ian S.; Becklin, E. E.; Hamilton, Ryan T.; Vacca, William D.; Waddell, Patrick

2016-08-01

We present a performance report for FLITECAM, a 1-5 μm imager and spectrograph, upon its acceptance and delivery to SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy). FLITECAM has two observing configurations: solo configuration and "FLIPO" configuration, which is the co-mounting of FLITECAM with the optical instrument HIPO (PI E. Dunham, Lowell Observatory). FLITECAM was commissioned in the FLIPO configuration in 2014 and flew in the solo configuration for the first time in Fall 2015, shortly after its official delivery to SOFIA. Here we quantify FLITECAM's imaging and spectral performance in both configurations and discuss the science capabilities of each configuration, with examples from in-flight commissioning and early science data. The solo configuration (which comprises fewer warm optics) has better sensitivity at longer wavelengths. We also discuss the causes of excess background detected in the in-flight FLITECAM images at low elevations and describe the current plan to mitigate the largest contributor to this excess background.

Erik Lindbergh unveils a plaque commemorating his grandfather to dedicate the 747 Clipper Lindbergh, a NASA airborne infrared observatory known as SOFIA

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-05-21

Erik Lindbergh, grandson of aviator Charles Lindbergh, unveiled a plaque commemorating his grandfather on the 80th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight. The event was a dedication of the 747 Clipper Lindbergh, a NASA airborne infrared observatory that is beginning test flights in preparation for conducting world-class airborne astronomy. The project is known as the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA.

Sofia Observatory Performance and Characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Temi, Pasquale; Miller, Walter; Dunham, Edward; McLean, Ian; Wolf, Jurgen; Becklin, Eric; Bida, Tom; Brewster, Rick; Casey, Sean; Collins, Peter;

Stringent upper limit of CH4 on Mars based on SOFIA/EXES observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoki, S.; Richter, M. J.; DeWitt, C.; Boogert, A.; Encrenaz, T.; Sagawa, H.; Nakagawa, H.; Vandaele, A. C.; Giuranna, M.; Greathouse, T. K.; Fouchet, T.; Geminale, A.; Sindoni, G.; McKelvey, M.; Case, M.; Kasaba, Y.

2018-03-01

Discovery of CH4 in the Martian atmosphere has led to much discussion since it could be a signature of biological and/or geological activities on Mars. However, the presence of CH4 and its temporal and spatial variations are still under discussion because of the large uncertainties embedded in the previous observations. We performed sensitive measurements of Martian CH4 by using the Echelon-Cross-Echelle Spectrograph (EXES) onboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) on 16 March 2016, which corresponds to summer (Ls = 123.2∘) in the northern hemisphere on Mars. The high altitude of SOFIA ( 13.7 km) enables us to significantly reduce the effects of terrestrial atmosphere. Thanks to this, SOFIA/EXES improves our chances of detecting Martian CH4 lines because it reduces the impact of telluric CH4 on Martian CH4, and allows us to use CH4 lines in the 7.5 μm band which has less contamination. However, our results show no unambiguous detection of Martian CH4. The Martian disk was spatially resolved into 3 × 3 areas, and the upper limits on the CH4 volume mixing ratio range from 1 to 9 ppb across the Martian atmosphere, which is significantly less than detections in several other studies. These results emphasize that release of CH4 on Mars is sporadic and/or localized if the process is present.

SOFIA pointing and chopping: performance and prospect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reinacher, Andreas; Lammen, Yannick; Graf, Friederike; Jakob, Holger

2016-09-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5m infrared telescope built into a Boeing 747 SP. In 2014 SOFIA reached its Full Operational Capability milestone and nowadays takes off about three times a week to observe the infrared sky from altitudes above most of the atmosphere's water vapor content. Despite reaching this major milestone the work to improve the observatory's performance is continuing in many areas. This paper focuses on the telescope's current pointing and chopping performance and gives an overview over the ongoing and foreseen work to further improve in those two areas. Pointing performance as measured with the fast focal plane camera in flight is presented and based on that data it is elaborated how and in which frequency bands a further reduction of image jitter might be achieved. One contributor to the remaining jitter as well as the major actuator to reduce jitter with frequencies greater than 5 Hz is SOFIA's Secondary Mirror Assembly (SMA) or Chopper. As-is SMA jitter and chopping performance data as measured in flight is presented as well as recent improvements to the position sensor cabling and calibration and their effect on the SMA's pointing accuracy. Furthermore a brief description of a laboratory mockup of the SMA is given and the intended use of this mockup to test major hardware changes for further performance improvement is explained.

Early Science Planning of Protoplanetary Disks and Protostars in the Orion Nebula Cluster Using SOFIA/FORCAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoadley, Keri; Adams, J. D.; Herter, T. L.; Gull, G.; Henderson, C.; Schoenwald, J.; Keller, L.; Megeath, T. S.

2011-01-01

The Faint Object Camera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST) is a mid-infrared facility instrument for the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). In late May of this year, FORCAST achieved first light on SOFIA during a Telescope Assembly characterization flight, successfully taking photometry of Jupiter, its moons, and M82 from an altitude of 35,000 ft. Analysis of images of Jupiter and one of its moons, Ganymede, show the in-flight sensitivity to be comparable to that expected from preflight (lab) measurements and models. In preparation for SOFIA Short Science, we constructed Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs) for known proplyds and protostars (Smith et al. 2005) in the core of the Orion molecular cloud using 2MASS (Skrutskie et al. 2006), IRAC on Spitzer, TReCS on Gemini South (Smith et al. 2005), and 880mm SCUBA data (Mann and Williams 2009). FORCAST will provide important wavelength coverage (20 - 40 microns) which when used in conjunction with previous data will constrain the physical properties of the proplyds and protostars. We fit the observed SEDs with those from radiative transfer models for circumstellar disks and protostars from Robitaille et al (2006, 2007). With these models, we can extrapolate into the 20 - 40 micron region of FORCAST and determine the range of models that FORCAST is capable of detecting. Using the FORCAST sensitivity model and the SEDs of known proplyds, we expect to detect 67% of the proplyds found by other investigations. However, detectability will be greatly influenced by the presence of structures in the diffuse dust emission associated with the HII region complex. Comparing FORCAST observations with the radiative transfer models will help to understand the physical properties of proplyds and protostars, and perhaps illuminate the impact of their environments, such as photoevaporation of disks and effects from crowding.

A data-driven approach to identify controls on global fire activity from satellite and climate observations (SOFIA V1)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forkel, Matthias; Dorigo, Wouter; Lasslop, Gitta; Teubner, Irene; Chuvieco, Emilio; Thonicke, Kirsten

2017-12-01

Vegetation fires affect human infrastructures, ecosystems, global vegetation distribution, and atmospheric composition. However, the climatic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors that control global fire activity in vegetation are only poorly understood, and in various complexities and formulations are represented in global process-oriented vegetation-fire models. Data-driven model approaches such as machine learning algorithms have successfully been used to identify and better understand controlling factors for fire activity. However, such machine learning models cannot be easily adapted or even implemented within process-oriented global vegetation-fire models. To overcome this gap between machine learning-based approaches and process-oriented global fire models, we introduce a new flexible data-driven fire modelling approach here (Satellite Observations to predict FIre Activity, SOFIA approach version 1). SOFIA models can use several predictor variables and functional relationships to estimate burned area that can be easily adapted with more complex process-oriented vegetation-fire models. We created an ensemble of SOFIA models to test the importance of several predictor variables. SOFIA models result in the highest performance in predicting burned area if they account for a direct restriction of fire activity under wet conditions and if they include a land cover-dependent restriction or allowance of fire activity by vegetation density and biomass. The use of vegetation optical depth data from microwave satellite observations, a proxy for vegetation biomass and water content, reaches higher model performance than commonly used vegetation variables from optical sensors. We further analyse spatial patterns of the sensitivity between anthropogenic, climate, and vegetation predictor variables and burned area. We finally discuss how multiple observational datasets on climate, hydrological, vegetation, and socioeconomic variables together with data-driven modelling and model-data integration approaches can guide the future development of global process-oriented vegetation-fire models.

Evaluation of Aircraft Platforms for SOFIA by Computational Fluid Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klotz, S. P.; Srinivasan, G. R.; VanDalsem, William (Technical Monitor)

1995-01-01

The selection of an airborne platform for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is based not only on economic cost, but technical criteria, as well. Technical issues include aircraft fatigue, resonant characteristics of the cavity-port shear layer, aircraft stability, the drag penalty of the open telescope bay, and telescope performance. Recently, two versions of the Boeing 747 aircraft, viz., the -SP and -200 configurations, were evaluated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for their suitability as SOFIA platforms. In each configuration the telescope was mounted behind the wings in an open bay with nearly circular aperture. The geometry of the cavity, cavity aperture, and telescope was identical in both platforms. The aperture was located on the port side of the aircraft and the elevation angle of the telescope, measured with respect to the vertical axis, was 500. The unsteady, viscous, three-dimensional, aerodynamic and acoustic flow fields in the vicinity of SOFIA were simulated by an implicit, finite-difference Navier-Stokes flow solver (OVERFLOW) on a Chimera, overset grid system. The computational domain was discretized by structured grids. Computations were performed at wind-tunnel and flight Reynolds numbers corresponding to one free-stream flow condition (M = 0.85, angle of attack alpha = 2.50, and sideslip angle beta = 0 degrees). The computational domains consisted of twenty-nine(29) overset grids in the wind-tunnel simulations and forty-five(45) grids in the simulations run at cruise flight conditions. The maximum number of grid points in the simulations was approximately 4 x 10(exp 6). Issues considered in the evaluation study included analysis of the unsteady flow field in the cavity, the influence of the cavity on the flow across empennage surfaces, the drag penalty caused by the open telescope bay, and the noise radiating from cavity surfaces and the cavity-port shear layer. Wind-tunnel data were also available to compare to the CFD results; the data permitted an assessment of CFD as a design tool for the SOFIA program.

Extremely compact secondary mirror unit for the SOFIA Telescope capable of 6-degree-of-freedom alignment plus chopping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zago, Lorenzo; Genequand, Pierre M.; Moerschell, Joseph

1998-08-01

SOFIA is a 2.5-m telescope to be carried on a special Boeing 747 for airborne observations at about 15'000 m. The paper describes the main features of the secondary mirror unit. The SOFIA secondary mirror needs active control for alignment along five degrees of freedom as well as for very fast chopping with a frequency up to 20 Hz. Moreover the general optical concept and the housing of the telescope inside a Boeing 747 have required the design of a very compact mechanism: indeed while the secondary mirror has a diameter of 350 mm the entire height of the secondary mirror unit (including the mirror) cannot be greater than 300 mm, which makes the SOFIA design much more compact than any other similar project. The objective is achieved by a very tight integration between a novel hexapod mechanism, in charge of tilt offsets and alignment along 3 axes, and a fast chopping mechanism based on advanced flexure structure technology. In the hexapod mechanism (which is in fact capable of 6-dof), the six linear actuators are arranged in an original geometry in order to leave as much space as possible to the overlying chopping system. Also, the actuators' `hinges' are here materialized by flexure elements. Three motorized levers are linked by flexure elements to the mirror isostatic interface as well as to a reaction ring for compensating angular momentum, which is mechanically driven together with the mirror. This a major difference from other designs (e.g. Keck or VLT) where the compensation mass is driven and controlled separately. The SOFIA solution obtains thus various advantages in term of used volume and has a simpler control system. Various details of the chopping mechanism are provided in the paper. Simulation preliminary results are also given.

Where is Tropopause?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mahoney, Michael J.

2004-01-01

Much of the earth science that is being proposed for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Upper-Deck Research Facility (SURF) deals with issues related to the tropopause, which will be near SOFIA'S flight level at mid-latitudes. Interpreting in situ or remote aerosol, hydrometeor, and trace gas measurements will require accurate knowledge of the tropopause location. Examples of such measurements are presented, and a brief discussion is given on the Microwave Temperature Profiler (MTP), which the earth science community has used in the past to determine the tropopause height.

The Role of Spectroscopy in Research on the Neutral Atmospheres of the Outer Solar System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orton, Glenn S.

2013-06-01

Remote-sensing observations of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, as well as Titan - Saturn's largest satellite, and the spectroscopic information required to interpret these observations play a pivotal role in the exploration of the atmospheres of the outer solar system. We rely on well-mixed constituents to derive temperatures unambiguously, with only the collision-induced absorption and quadrupole transitions of H_2 and CH_4 in Jupiter and Saturn fulfilling that role. Condensate and chemically disequilibrated molecules (e.g. NH_3 and PH_3) act as indirect tracers that inform us of the strength of vertical winds. Higher-order hydrocarbons are present in all these atmospheres and their abundances and distribution acts as a tracer for stratospheric circulation and chemistry. The platforms on which planetary spectroscopy is done include a variety of ground-based facilities that observe the planets from the visible through radio regions. Airborne facilities, such as NASA's SOFIA, together with Earth-proximal facilities in space, allow both increased sensitivity and wider spectral access. Spectrometers on interplanetary missions have allowed us to examine the spatial and temporal variability of atmospheric properties that are not possible from the Earth. Several needs and challenges remain, and a constant dialog between those in the planetary exploration community and laboratory spectroscopists and theorists has been and will continue to be an important component of progress in atmospheric research. -

Parallel Adaptive High-Order CFD Simulations Characterizing Cavity Acoustics for the Complete SOFIA Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barad, Michael F.; Brehm, Christoph; Kiris, Cetin C.; Biswas, Rupak

2014-01-01

This paper presents one-of-a-kind MPI-parallel computational fluid dynamics simulations for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). SOFIA is an airborne, 2.5-meter infrared telescope mounted in an open cavity in the aft of a Boeing 747SP. These simulations focus on how the unsteady flow field inside and over the cavity interferes with the optical path and mounting of the telescope. A temporally fourth-order Runge-Kutta, and spatially fifth-order WENO-5Z scheme was used to perform implicit large eddy simulations. An immersed boundary method provides automated gridding for complex geometries and natural coupling to a block-structured Cartesian adaptive mesh refinement framework. Strong scaling studies using NASA's Pleiades supercomputer with up to 32,000 cores and 4 billion cells shows excellent scaling. Dynamic load balancing based on execution time on individual AMR blocks addresses irregularities caused by the highly complex geometry. Limits to scaling beyond 32K cores are identified, and targeted code optimizations are discussed.

Facility Instrumentation for SOFIA: Technical Specifications and Scientific Goals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stacey, G. J.

2000-05-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is NASA's next generation airborne observatory consisting of a 2.5 m telescope in a modified Boeing 747 SP. First light is expected in late 2002. Three "Facility Class" instruments were among the first generation of instruments selected to fly on SOFIA. These instruments, currently under development are (1) a 5 to 38 um imaging photometer based on twin As:Si and Sb:Sb BIB arrays (FORCAST), (2) a 40 to 300 um photometer based on three arrays of bolometers, and (3) a 17 to 210 um eschelle grating spectrometer based on an Sb:Sb BIB array and a Ge:Sb and stressed Ge:Ga array of photoconductors. I will discuss both the technical aspects of these facility instruments, and some of the exciting new science that is possible with these ground breaking instruments on an airborne 2.5 meter telescope. Science topics include circumstellar debris disks, star formation, the Galactic Center, and distant galaxies.

Development of the FPI+ as facility science instrument for SOFIA cycle four observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pfüller, Enrico; Wiedemann, Manuel; Wolf, Jürgen; Krabbe, Alfred

2016-08-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a heavily modified Boeing 747SP aircraft, accommodating a 2.5m infrared telescope. This airborne observation platform takes astronomers to flight altitudes of up to 13.7 km (45,000ft) and therefore allows an unobstructed view of the infrared universe at wavelengths between 0.3 m and 1600 m. SOFIA is currently completing its fourth cycle of observations and utilizes eight different imaging and spectroscopic science instruments. New instruments for SOFIAs cycle 4 observations are the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera-plus (HAWC+) and the Focal Plane Imager (FPI+). The latter is an integral part of the telescope assembly and is used on every SOFIA flight to ensure precise tracking on the desired targets. The FPI+ is used as a visual-light photometer in its role as facility science instrument. Since the upgrade of the FPI camera and electronics in 2013, it uses a thermo-electrically cooled science grade EM-CCD sensor inside a commercial-off-the-shelf Andor camera. The back-illuminated sensor has a peak quantum efficiency of 95% and the dark current is as low as 0.01 e-/pix/sec. With this new hardware the telescope has successfully tracked on 16th magnitude stars and thus the sky coverage, e.g. the area of sky that has suitable tracking stars, has increased to 99%. Before its use as an integrated tracking imager, the same type of camera has been used as a standalone diagnostic tool to analyze the telescope pointing stability at frequencies up to 200 Hz (imaging with 400 fps). These measurements help to improve the telescope pointing control algorithms and therefore reduce the image jitter in the focal plane. Science instruments benefit from this improvement with smaller image sizes for longer exposure times. The FPI has also been used to support astronomical observations like stellar occultations by the dwarf planet Pluto and a number of exoplanet transits. Especially the observation of the occultation events benefits from the high camera sensitivity, fast readout capability and the low read noise and it was possible to achieve high time resolution on the photometric light curves. This paper will give an overview of the development from the standalone diagnostic camera to the upgraded guiding/tracking camera, fully integrated into the telescope, while still offering the diagnostic capabilities and finally to the use as a facility science instrument on SOFIA.

Manufacturing and integration of the SOFIA suspension assembly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sust, Eberhard; Weis, Ulrich; Bremers, Eckhard; Schubbach, Walter

2003-02-01

The Suspension Assembly is the most complex mechanical subsystem of the SOFIA telescope, responsible for suspending and positioning the telescope in the aircraft on the sky. It is a highly integrated system comprising of a vibration isolating system, a spherical hydraulic bearing, a spherical torque motor, a coarse drive and airworthiness relevant components like brakes, hard-stops etc. The components were manufactured under airworthiness standards by dedicated suppliers and integrated and commissioned in 2001/2002 at MAN Technologie in Augsburg. The paper describes the experience gotten during the manufacturing and integration process.

Airworthiness verification of an airborne telescope in practice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dreger, Hartmut; Bremers, Eckhard; Kuehn, Juergen; Eisentraeger, Peter

2003-02-01

The SOFIA Telescope is part of the outer hull of the pressurized passenger cabin of the SOFIA aircraft, in which the aircraft crew, the astronomers and their guests are located during flight. Therefore the telescope - including the science instrument - is an airworthiness relevant component of the observatory and has to fulfill airworthiness standards ac-cording the Federal Aviation Authority. The airworthiness issues were main drivers in the process of design, manufacturing, quality control, testing and documentation. The paper describes the experience gotten during this troublesome, exciting and costly job.

NIMBUS: A Near-Infrared Multi-Band Ultraprecise Spectroimager for SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McElwain, Michael W.; Mandell, Avi; Woodgate, Bruce E.; Spiegel, David S.; Madhusudhan, Nikku; Amatucci, Edward; Blake, Cullen; Budinoff, Jason; Burgasser, Adam; Burrows, Adam;

An aircraft gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer System for Organic Fast Identification Analysis (SOFIA): design, performance and a case study of Asian monsoon pollution outflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourtsoukidis, Efstratios; Helleis, Frank; Tomsche, Laura; Fischer, Horst; Hofmann, Rolf; Lelieveld, Jos; Williams, Jonathan

2017-12-01

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are important for global air quality and oxidation processes in the troposphere. In addition to ground-based measurements, the chemical evolution of such species during transport can be studied by performing in situ airborne measurements. Generally, aircraft instrumentation needs to be sensitive, robust and sample at higher frequency than ground-based systems while their construction must comply with rigorous mechanical and electrical safety standards. Here, we present a new System for Organic Fast Identification Analysis (SOFIA), which is a custom-built fast gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) system with a time resolution of 2-3 min and the ability to quantify atmospheric mixing ratios of halocarbons (e.g. chloromethanes), hydrocarbons (e.g isoprene), oxygenated VOCs (acetone, propanal, butanone) and aromatics (e.g. benzene, toluene) from sub-ppt to ppb levels. The relatively high time resolution is the result of a novel cryogenic pre-concentration unit which rapidly cools (˜ 6 °C s-1) the sample enrichment traps to -140 °C, and a new chromatographic oven designed for rapid cooling rates (˜ 30 °C s-1) and subsequent thermal stabilization. SOFIA was installed in the High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft (HALO) for the Oxidation Mechanism Observations (OMO) campaign in August 2015, aimed at investigating the Asian monsoon pollution outflow in the tropical upper troposphere. In addition to a comprehensive instrument characterization we present an example monsoon plume crossing flight as a case study to demonstrate the instrument capability. Hydrocarbon, halocarbon and oxygenated VOC data from SOFIA are compared with mixing ratios of carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH4), used to define the pollution plume. By using excess (ExMR) and normalized excess mixing ratios (NEMRs) the pollution could be attributed to two air masses of distinctly different origin, identified by back-trajectory analysis. This work endorses the use of SOFIA for aircraft operation and demonstrates the value of relatively high-frequency, multicomponent measurements in atmospheric chemistry research.

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolf, J.

2004-05-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, will carry a 3-meter-class telescope onboard a Boeing 747SP aircraft to altitudes of 41,000 to 45,000 ft, above most of the atmosphere's IR-absorbing water vapor. The telescope was developed and built in Germany and has been delivered to the U.S. in September 2002. The integration into the B747SP has been com- pleted and functional tests are under way in Waco, Texas. In early 2005 flight-testing of the observatory will initially be dedi-cated to the re-certification of the modified aircraft, then performance tests of the telescope and the electronics and data systems will commence. Later in 2005 after transferring to its home base, NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, SOFIA will start astrophysical observations. A suite of specialized infrared cameras and spectrometers covering wave-lengths between 1 and 600 ?m is being developed by U.S. and German science institutions. In addition to the infrared instruments, a high-speed visible range CCD camera will use the airborne observatory to chase the shadows of celestial bodies during occultations. Once SOFIA will be in routine operations with a planned observing schedule of up to 960 hours at altitude per year, it might also be available as a platform to serendipitous observations not using the main telescope, such as recordings of meteor streams or the search for extra-solar planets transiting their central stars. These are areas of research in which amateur astronomers with relatively small telescopes and state-of-the-art imaging equipment can contribute.

SOFIA secondary mirror Hindle test analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Paul K.

2003-02-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a NASA facility, nearing completion, consisting of an infrared telescope of 2.5 meter system aperture flying in a modified Boeing 747. Its Cassegrain secondary mirror has recently completed polishing. The SOFIA Project Office at Ames Research Center considered it important to perform an independent analysis of secondary mirror figure. The polishing was controlled by the standard test for a convex hyperboloid, the Hindle test, in a modified form with a meniscus lens partially reflecting on the concave face, rather than a fully reflecting mirror with a central hole. The spacing between this meniscus lens and the secondary mirror was controlled by three peripherally located spacing spheres. This necessitated special analysis to determine what the resulting curvature and conic constant of the mirror would be, if manufacturing imprecisions of the test set-up components were to be taken into account. This set-up was specially programmed, and the resulting hyperboloid calculated for the nominal case, and all extreme cases from the reported error limits on the manufacturing of the components. The results were then verified using the standard program CODE-V of Optical Research Associates. The conclusion is that the secondary mirror has a vertex radius of curvature of 954.05 mm +/- .1 mm (design value: 954.13), and a conic constant of -1.2965 +/- .001 (dimensionless, design value: -1.298). Such small divergences from design are to be expected, and these are within the refocusing ability of SOFIA, and would result in an acceptably small amount of spherical aberration in the image.

Lidar measurements of wildfire smoke aerosols in the atmosphere above Sofia, Bulgaria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peshev, Zahary Y.; Deleva, Atanaska D.; Dreischuh, Tanja N.; Stoyanov, Dimitar V.

2016-01-01

Presented are results of lidar measurements and characterization of wildfire caused smoke aerosols observed in the atmosphere above the city of Sofia, Bulgaria, related to two local wildfires raging in forest areas near the city. A lidar systems based on a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser operated at 532 nm and 1064 nm is used in the smoke aerosol observations. It belongs to the Sofia LIDAR Station (at Laser Radars Laboratory, Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences), being a part of the European Aerosol Lidar Network. Optical, dynamical, microphysical, and geometrical properties and parameters of the observed smoke aerosol particles and layers are displayed and analyzed, such as: range/height-resolved profiles of the aerosol backscatter coefficient; integral aerosol backscattering; sets of colormaps displaying time series of the height distribution of the aerosol density; topologic, geometric, and volumetric properties of the smoke aerosol layers; time-averaged height profiles of backscatter-related Ångström exponent (BAE). Obtained results of retrieving and profiling smoke aerosols are commented in their relations to available meteorological and air-mass-transport forecasting and modelling data.

Aircraft system aft telescope cavity configuration study for Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), phase 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

The SOFIA Aircraft System (AS) Phase 1 Study was a broad-based study which addressed itself to satisfying technical and programmatic requirements by drawing from existing technology and applying cost-efficient commercial approaches to the aircraft modification. In this SOFIA AS Phase 2 Study, five critical areas of the aircraft were selected for more detailed investigation: forward pressure bulkhead, aft bulkhead, 'free' shell to bulkhead interface, shell cut-out to bulkhead interface, and flooring. The in-depth investigation of these areas upon a finite element model (FEM), with a fine grid model in areas of particular interest, is discussed. The FEM code used is called 'STRAP' and was developed by the engineering firm, Rasmussen and Associates. STRAP is NASTRAN compatible to within 1%. The loads applied to the model were approximated from known 747 envelope conditions. The areas of investigation, and a section through the fuselage is shown. The thrust of this investigation was to develop the design concepts conceived under phase 1 to the point where detailed design could be undertaken with a high level of confidence.

Parallel Adjective High-Order CFD Simulations Characterizing SOFIA Cavity Acoustics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barad, Michael F.; Brehm, Christoph; Kiris, Cetin C.; Biswas, Rupak

2016-01-01

This paper presents large-scale MPI-parallel computational uid dynamics simulations for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). SOFIA is an airborne, 2.5-meter infrared telescope mounted in an open cavity in the aft fuselage of a Boeing 747SP. These simulations focus on how the unsteady ow eld inside and over the cavity interferes with the optical path and mounting structure of the telescope. A temporally fourth-order accurate Runge-Kutta, and spatially fth-order accurate WENO- 5Z scheme was used to perform implicit large eddy simulations. An immersed boundary method provides automated gridding for complex geometries and natural coupling to a block-structured Cartesian adaptive mesh re nement framework. Strong scaling studies using NASA's Pleiades supercomputer with up to 32k CPU cores and 4 billion compu- tational cells shows excellent scaling. Dynamic load balancing based on execution time on individual AMR blocks addresses irregular numerical cost associated with blocks con- taining boundaries. Limits to scaling beyond 32k cores are identi ed, and targeted code optimizations are discussed.

Parallel Adaptive High-Order CFD Simulations Characterizing SOFIA Cavitiy Acoustics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barad, Michael F.; Brehm, Christoph; Kiris, Cetin C.; Biswas, Rupak

2015-01-01

This paper presents large-scale MPI-parallel computational uid dynamics simulations for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). SOFIA is an airborne, 2.5-meter infrared telescope mounted in an open cavity in the aft fuselage of a Boeing 747SP. These simulations focus on how the unsteady ow eld inside and over the cavity interferes with the optical path and mounting structure of the telescope. A tempo- rally fourth-order accurate Runge-Kutta, and a spatially fth-order accurate WENO-5Z scheme were used to perform implicit large eddy simulations. An immersed boundary method provides automated gridding for complex geometries and natural coupling to a block-structured Cartesian adaptive mesh re nement framework. Strong scaling studies using NASA's Pleiades supercomputer with up to 32k CPU cores and 4 billion compu- tational cells shows excellent scaling. Dynamic load balancing based on execution time on individual AMR blocks addresses irregular numerical cost associated with blocks con- taining boundaries. Limits to scaling beyond 32k cores are identi ed, and targeted code optimizations are discussed.

The molecular inventory around protostars: water, organic molecules, and the missing oxygen problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neufeld, David A.

2018-06-01

Massive star formation is accompanied by significant chemical evolution in the surrounding interstellar gas. Here, grains are heated up and icy mantles evaporate, releasing a rich inventory of water and organic molecules into the gas-phase within “hot core” regions surrounding massive protostars. Because molecules on the grain surface present broad infrared features without rotational structure, only the most abundant molecules can be identified unambiguously in the solid phase; once released into the gas-phase, however, where they are free to rotate, the constituents of grain mantles can be identified easily by means of rotational spectroscopy at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths or through rovibrational spectroscopy in the mid-infrared. While observations of pure-rotational emission lines provide a broad view of hot core chemistry, absorption line spectroscopy of rovibrational transitions can probe the very hottest material closest to the protostar. With access to the mid-infrared spectral region from above 99% of Earth’s water vapor, SOFIA provides a unique platform for high-resolution rovibrational spectroscopy of water and organic molecules, many of which have vibrational transitions in the 5 – 8 micron spectral region that is unobservable from the ground. High spectral resolution is essential for disentangling the rotational structure and providing reliable measurements of the molecular column densities and temperatures. Future SOFIA observations will help elucidate the inventory of water and organic molecules around young protostars, and can address a puzzle related to the “oxygen budget” in the interstellar medium: surprisingly, the main interstellar reservoirs of the third-most abundant element in the Universe have yet to be identified.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brauer, Carolyn S.; Pearson, John C.; Drouin, Brian J.

The spectrum of ethyl cyanide, or propionitrile (CH{sub 3}CH{sub 2}CN), has been repeatedly observed in the interstellar medium with large column densities and surprisingly high temperatures in hot core sources. The construction of new, more sensitive, observatories accessing higher frequencies such as Herschel, ALMA, and SOFIA have made it important to extend the laboratory data for ethyl cyanide to coincide with the capabilities of the new instruments. We report extensions of the laboratory measurements of the rotational spectrum of ethyl cyanide in its ground vibrational state to 1.6 THz. A global analysis of the ground state, which includes all ofmore » the previous data and 3356 newly assigned transitions, has been fitted to within experimental error to J = 132, K = 36, using both Watson A-reduced and Watson S-reduced Hamiltonians.« less

Evolution of the SOFIA tracking control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiebig, Norbert; Jakob, Holger; Pfüller, Enrico; Röser, Hans-Peter; Wiedemann, Manuel; Wolf, Jürgen

2014-07-01

The airborne observatory SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) is undergoing a modernization of its tracking system. This included new, highly sensitive tracking cameras, control computers, filter wheels and other equipment, as well as a major redesign of the control software. The experiences along the migration path from an aged 19" VMbus based control system to the application of modern industrial PCs, from VxWorks real-time operating system to embedded Linux and a state of the art software architecture are presented. Further, the concept is presented to operate the new camera also as a scientific instrument, in parallel to tracking.

SOFIA FORCAST Far-IR Photometry of Comet ISON and Constraints on the Coma Grain Size Distribution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wooden, D. H.; DeBuizer, J. M.; Kelley, M. S.; Woodward, C. E.; Harker, D. E.; Reach, W. T.; Sitko, M. L.; Russell, R. W.; Gehrz, R. D.; dePater, Imke;

Optical design for SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Paul K.; Maa, Scott S.; Rajan, N.

1989-01-01

A preliminary first-order optical design for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is presented. This is a Cassegrain design with a 3 meter diameter, approximately f/1 primary mirror. Phenomena limiting the image quality of the telescope are divided into 'seeing', optics, and guidance. An error budget is presented for these categories and specific effects contributing to each. The seeing effects from the shear layer between the telescope cavity and the external air are expected to be dominant. Results are presented on the necessary thermal, optical, structural and guidance requirements to maintain contributions of these phenomena below that of the shear-layer seeing.

Epsilon Eridani Inner Asteroid Belt

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-09-14

SCI2017_0004: Artist's illustration of the Epsilon Eridani system showing Epsilon Eridani b, right foreground, a Jupiter-mass planet orbiting its parent star at the outside edge of an asteroid belt. In the background can be seen another narrow asteroid or comet belt plus an outermost belt similar in size to our solar system's Kuiper Belt. The similarity of the structure of the Epsilon Eridani system to our solar system is remarkable, although Epsilon Eridani is much younger than our sun. SOFIA observations confirmed the existence of the asteroid belt adjacent to the orbit of the Jovian planet. Credit: NASA/SOFIA/Lynette Cook

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (sofia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joseph, R. D.

2009-08-01

The SOFIA is a 2.5-meter telescope built into a Boeing 747 airplane. It will fly at altitudes between 12-14 km above 99.8% of the atmospheric water vapor, making possible observations throughout the far-infrared and submillimeter spectral region. Nine focal plane instruments providing imaging and low-to-high resolution spectroscopy will be available. It will be operated as a guest observer facility. The first call for ``Early Basic Science'' will be issued in December 2009, the call for Demonstration Science will be issued early in 2010, and the call for Cycle 0 Guest Investigator programs is planned for January 2011.

Handling Qualities Flight Testing of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glaser, Scott T.; Strovers, Brian K.

2011-01-01

Airborne infrared astronomy has a long successful history, albeit relatively unknown outside of the astronomy community. A major problem with ground based infrared astronomy is the absorption and scatter of infrared energy by water in the atmosphere. Observing the universe from above 40,000 ft puts the observation platform above 99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere, thereby addressing this problem at a fraction of the cost of space based systems. The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) aircraft is the most ambitious foray into the field of airborne infrared astronomy in history. Using a 747SP (The Boeing Company, Chicago, Illinois) aircraft modified with a 2.5m telescope located in the aft section of the fuselage, the SOFIA endeavors to provide views of the universe never before possible and at a fraction of the cost of space based systems. The modification to the airplane includes moveable doors and aperture that expose the telescope assembly. The telescope assembly is aimed and stabilized using a multitude of on board systems. This modification has the potential to cause aerodynamic anomalies that could induce undesired forces either at the cavity itself or indirectly due to interference with the empennage, both of which could cause handling qualities issues. As a result, an extensive analysis and flight test program was conducted from December 2009 through March 2011. Several methods, including a Lower Order Equivalent Systems analysis and pilot assessment, were used to ascertain the effects of the modification. The SOFIA modification was found to cause no adverse handling qualities effects and the aircraft was cleared for operational use. This paper discusses the history and modification to the aircraft, development of test procedures and analysis, results of testing and analysis, lessons learned for future projects and justification for operational certification.

Effect of dietary inclusion of spray-dried porcine plasma on performance, some physiological and immunological response of broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella sofia.

PubMed

Beski, S S M; Swick, R A; Iji, P A

2016-10-01

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) in broiler chickens under Salmonella sofia disease challenge. The experiment comprised five starter diets: positive control (no supplement), diet supplemented with in-feed antibiotics (IFA; salinomycin 0.05% + zinc bacitracin 0.033%) and diets supplemented with SDPP at 10 or 20 g/kg diet. All four of these groups were challenged with S. sofia, while a fifth group was unchallenged and used as the negative control. The experimental diets were fed to 14 days; then, the birds were switched to commercial-type grower and finisher diets. Oral inoculation of the challenged groups with S. sofia occurred on day 8, 10 and 12. Body weight was significantly higher in the birds fed diets containing IFA and SDPP than in the challenged control group, but it was only significant in starter and grower phases. In general, there was an improvement in the weights of the immune-related organs, but it was only significant for the weight of the bursa of SDPP-fed birds at 13 days. At day 13, blood potassium content was lower and the concentrations of IgG and IgM tended to be lower in the birds fed on low-SDPP starter diets than those of the other groups. There were significant differences in the concentration of lactic acid in the ileum and acetic acid, formic acid, butyric acid and propionic acid in the caeca. Inclusion of SDPP to the starter diets of broiler chicks had positive effects on broiler performance, immunity and gut health during exposure to highly pathogenic conditions. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Stochasticity of bacterial attachment and its predictability by the extended derjaguin-landau-verwey-overbeek theory.

PubMed

Chia, Teck Wah R; Nguyen, Vu Tuan; McMeekin, Thomas; Fegan, Narelle; Dykes, Gary A

2011-06-01

Bacterial attachment onto materials has been suggested to be stochastic by some authors but nonstochastic and based on surface properties by others. We investigated this by attaching pairwise combinations of two Salmonella enterica serovar Sofia (S. Sofia) strains (with different physicochemical and attachment properties) with one strain each of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium, S. enterica serovar Infantis, or S. enterica serovar Virchow (all with similar physicochemical and attachment abilities) in ratios of 0.428, 1, and 2.333 onto glass, stainless steel, Teflon, and polysulfone. Attached bacterial cells were recovered and counted. If the ratio of attached cells of each Salmonella serovar pair recovered was the same as the initial inoculum ratio, the attachment process was deemed stochastic. Experimental outcomes from the study were compared to those predicted by the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) theory. Significant differences (P < 0.05) between the initial and the attached ratios for serovar pairs containing S. Sofia S1296a for all different ratios were apparent for all materials. For S. Sofia S1635-containing pairs, 7 out of 12 combinations of serovar pairs and materials had attachment ratios not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the initial ratio of 0.428. Five out of 12 and 10 out of 12 samples had attachment ratios not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the initial ratios of 1 and 2.333, respectively. These results demonstrate that bacterial attachment to different materials is likely to be nonstochastic only when the key physicochemical properties of the bacteria were significantly different (P < 0.05) from each other. XDLVO theory could successfully predict the attachment of some individual isolates to particular materials but could not be used to predict the likelihood of stochasticity in pairwise attachment experiments.

Environmental testing for new SOFIA flight hardware

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lachenmann, Michael; Wolf, Jürgen; Strecker, Rainer; Weckenmann, Benedikt; Trimpe, Fritz; Hall, Helen J.

2014-07-01

New flight hardware for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has to be tested to prove its safety and functionality and to measure its performance under flight conditions. Although it is not expected to experience critical issues inside the pressurized cabin with close-to-normal conditions, all equipment has to be tested for safety margins in case of a decompression event and/or for unusual high temperatures, e.g. inside an electronic unit caused by a malfunction as well as unusual high ambient temperatures inside the cabin, when the aircraft is parked in a desert. For equipment mounted on the cavity side of the telescope, stratospheric conditions apply, i.e., temperatures from -40 °C to -60°C and an air pressure of about 0.1 bar. Besides safety aspects as not to endanger personnel or equipment, new hardware inside the cavity has to function and to perform to specifications under such conditions. To perform these tests, an environmental test laboratory was set up at the SOFIA Science Center at the NASA Ames Research Center, including a thermal vacuum chamber, temperature measurement equipment, and a control and data logging workstation. This paper gives an overview of the test and measurement equipment, shows results from the commissioning and characterization of the thermal vacuum chamber, and presents examples of the component tests that were performed so far. To test the focus position stability of optics when cooling them to stratospheric temperatures, an auto-collimation device has been developed. We will present its design and results from measurements on commercial off-the-shelf optics as candidates for the new Wide Field Imager for SOFIA as an example.

The Invisible Universe Online for Teachers - A SOFIA and SIRTF EPO Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gauthier, A.; Bennett, M.; Buxner, S.; Devore, E.; Keller, J.; Slater, T.; Thaller, M.; Conceptual Astronomy; Physics Education Research CAPER Team

2003-12-01

The SOFIA and SIRTF EPO Programs have partnered with the Conceptual Astronomy and Physics Education Research (CAPER) Team in designing, evaluating, and facilitating an online program for K-12 teachers to experience multiwavelength astronomy. An aggressive approach to online course design and delivery has resulted in a highly successful learning experience for teacher-participants. Important aspects of the Invisible Universe Online will eventually be used as a part of SOFIA's Airborne Ambassadors Program for pre-flight training of educators. The Invisible Universe Online is delivered via WebCT through the Montana State University National Teacher Enhancement Network (http://btc.montana.edu/). Currently in its fourth semester, the course has served 115 K-12 teachers. This distance learning online class presents our search for astronomical origins and provides an enhanced understanding of how astronomers use all energies of light to unfold the secrets of the universe. We cover the long chain of events from the birth of the universe through the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets by focusing on the scientific questions, technological challenges, and space missions pursuing this search for origins. Through textbook and internet readings, inquiry exploration with interactive java applets, and asynchronous discussions, we help our students achieve the following course goals: develop scientific background knowledge of astronomical objects and phenomena at multiple wavelengths; understand contemporary scientific research questions related to how galaxies formed in the early universe and how stars and planetary systems form and evolve; describe strategies and technologies for using non-visible wavelengths of EM radiation to study various phenomena; and integrate related issues of astronomical science and technology into K-12 classrooms. This course is being developed, evaluated, and offered through the support of SOFIA and SIRTF EPO Programs, two NASA infrared missions associated with the Origins program.

Evaluation of antimicrobial resistance among Salmonella and Shigella isolates in the University Hospital "St. George," Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

PubMed

Petrov, Michael M; Petrova, Atanaska; Stanimirova, Irina; Mircheva-Topalova, Marina; Koycheva, Lalka; Velcheva, Rayna; Stoycheva-Vartigova, Mariana; Raycheva, Ralitsa; Asseva, Galina; Petrov, Petar; Kardjeva, Velichka; Murdjeva, Marianna

2017-03-01

The aim of this work is to study the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance to the most commonly used antibiotics for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella and Shigella at the largest Bulgarian hospital-University Hospital "St. George," Plovdiv-for the period 2009-2013. Two hundred ninety strains were in vitro tested for resistance to 15 antimicrobial agents. The presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) was demonstrated by a variety of specialized tests. For comparison, a collection of 28 strains submitted by the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) "Enteric Infections" at the National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (NCIPD), Sofia, was also tested for the production of ESBLs. In isolates, phenotypically demonstrated as ESBL producers, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of the genes bla-CTX-M, bla-SHV, and bla-TEM was performed. Among the 290 tested isolates, only two- Salmonella serotype Livingstone and Shigella flexneri-were phenotypically proven to be ESBL producers. Only 4 strains from the collection of 28, submitted from the NRL "Intestinal Infections" in NCIPD, Sofia, were phenotypically confirmed as ESBL producers. The presence of the bla-CTX-M gene was detected in all of the tested strains (4 from NRL, NCIPD, Sofia, and 2 from the University Hospital St. George, Plovdiv), the bla-SHV gene only in strain S. Livingstone from Plovdiv, and the bla-TEM gene in two from Sofia and one (again S. Livingstone) from Plovdiv. In conclusion, Salmonella and Shigella isolates from patients hospitalized at the University Hospital St. George, Plovdiv, with acute gastroenteritis demonstrate good susceptibility to the most commonly used antibiotic agents, including azithromycin.

SOFIA Science Imagery

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-09-14

SCI2016_0006: Map of Cepheus E emphasizing the jets of material flowing to the upper left and lower right from the protostar. The protostar itself is the central yellow-red 'blob" in the colored background map of hydrogen emission made at a wavelength of 4.5 microns by the Spitzer infrared space telescope. The contour curves show the strength of emission from cool carbon monoxide gas measured by the Plateau de Bure radio telescope located in the French Alps. Lefloch et al. used GREAT on SOFIA to measure the amount and velocity of hot carbon monoxide gas at multiple positions along both "wings" of the outflow jet. Credit: Lefloch et al. 2015 Figure 1

HAWC+/SOFIA Instrumental Polarization Calibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michail, Joseph M.; Chuss, David; Dowell, Charles D.; Santos, Fabio; Siah, Javad; Vaillancourt, John; HAWC+ Instrument Team

2018-01-01

HAWC+ is a new far-infrared polarimeter for the NASA/DLR SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) telescope. HAWC+ has the capability to measure the polarization of astronomical sources with unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution in four bands from 50-250 microns. Using data obtained during commissioning flights, we implemented a calibration strategy that separates the astronomical polarization signal from the induced instrumental polarization. The result of this analysis is a map of the instrumental polarization as a function of position in the instrument's focal plane in each band. The results show consistency between bands, as well as with other methods used to determine preliminary instrumental polarization values.

Flowfield and acoustic characteristics of telescope cavity in SOFIA platform

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Srinivasan, G. R.

1995-01-01

Unsteady three-dimensional flowfields are calculated for the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) at both free-flight cruise and wind tunnel conditions with a view to help in the design process of an acoustically quiet telescope cavity and to understand the flow physics of a three dimensional cavity. The calculation method is based on the numerical solution of thin layer Navier-Stokes equations on a Chimera overset grid system. The Boeing 747-200 aircraft is examined as one option for the SOFIA platform. The flowfield domain is composed of 45 grids consisting of over 4.1 million points. Numerical simulations are performed for both wind tunnel and free-flight cruise conditions at one freestream condition of M(infinity) = 0.85, alpha = 2.5 deg. Comparison of results from wind tunnel simulation show good agreement with experimental data for time-averaged surface pressures, drag for the empennage, and sound pressure levels and power spectra at various locations within the cavity and on the telescope. The presence of the open cavity induces an incremental drag increase, an increased acoustic radiation, and an increase in unsteady pressure loads on the telescope. Its impact on the effectiveness of aircraft control surfaces appears minimal.

Development of the SOFIA silicon carbide secondary mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fruit, Michel; Antoine, Pascal; Varin, Jean-Luc; Bittner, Hermann; Erdmann, Matthias

2003-02-01

The SOFIA telescope is ajoint NASA-DLR project for a 2.5 m airborne Stratospheric Observatory for IR Astronomy to be flown in a specially adapted Boeing 747 SP plane, Kayser-Threde being resopinsible for the development of the Telescope Optics. The φ 352 mm Secondary Mirror is mounted ona chopping mechanism to allow avoidance of background noise during IR observations. Stiffness associated to lightness is a major demand for such a mirror to achieve high frequency chopping. This leads to select SIlicon Carbide for the mirror blank. Its development has been run by the ASTRIUM/BOOSTEC joint venture SiCSPACE, taking full benefit of the instrinsic properties of the BOOSTEC SiC-100 sintered material, associated to qualified processes specifically developed for space borne mirrors by ASTRIUM. Achieved performances include a low mass of 1.97 kg, a very high stiffness with a first resonant frequency of 1865 Hz and a measured optical surface accuracy of 39 nm rms, using Ion Beam Figuring. It is proposed here to present the major design features of the SOFIA Secondary Mirror, highlighting the main advantages of using Silicon Carbide, the main steps of its development and the achieved optomechanical performances of the developed mirror.

SOFIA's secondary mirror assembly: in-flight performance and control approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reinacher, Andreas; Lammen, Yannick; Roeser, Hans-Peter

2016-08-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a 2.5m infrared telescope built into a Boeing 747 SP. In 2014 SOFIA reached its Full Operational Capability milestone and nowadays takes off about three times a week to observe the infrared sky from altitudes above most of the atmosphere's water vapor content. An actively controlled 352mm SiC secondary mirror is used for infrared chopping with peak-to-peak amplitudes of up to 10 arcmin and chop frequencies of up to 20Hz and also as actuator for fast pointing corrections. The Swiss-made Secondary Mirror Mechanism (SMM) is a complex, highly integrated and compact flexure based mechanism that has been performing with remarkable reliability during recent years. Above mentioned capabilities are provided by the Tilt Chopper Mechanism (TCM) which is one of the two stages of the SMM. In addition the SMM is also used to establish a collimated telescope and to adjust the telescope focus depending on the structure's temperature which ranges from about 40°C at takeoff in Palmdale, CA to about -40°C in the stratosphere. This is achieved with the Focus Center Mechanism (FCM) which is the base stage of the SMM on which the TCM is situated. Initially the TCM was affected by strong vibrations at about 300 Hz which led to unacceptable image smearing. After some adjustments to the PID-type controller it was finally decided to develop a completely new control algorithm in state space. This pole placement controller matches the closed loop system poles to those of a Bessel filter with a corner frequency of 120 Hz for optimal square wave behavior. To reduce noise present on the position and current sensors and to estimate the velocity a static gain Kalman Filter was designed and implemented. A system inherent delay is incorporated in the Kalman filter design and measures were applied to counteract the actuators' hysteresis. For better performance over the full operational temperature range and to represent an amplitude dependent non-linearity the underlying model of the Kalman filter adapts in real-time to those two parameters. This highly specialized controller was developed over the course of years and only the final design is introduced here. The main intention of this contribution is to present the currently achieved performance of the SOFIA chopper over the full amplitude, frequency, and temperature range. Therefore a range of data gathered during in-flight tests aboard SOFIA is displayed and explained. The SMM's three main performance parameters are the transition time between two chop positions, the stability of the Secondary Mirror when exposed to the low pressures, low temperatures, aerodynamic, and aeroacoustic excitations present when the SOFIA observatory operates in the stratosphere at speeds of up to 850 km/h, and finally the closed-loop bandwidth available for fast pointing corrections.

Observing Cool Dust Around Active Galactic Nuclei Using the Sofia Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuller, Lindsay

2017-02-01

Dust surrounding the supermassive black holes (SMBH) in active galactic nuclei (AGN) intercepts high-energy radiation caused by material rapidly encircling the black hole. The dust re-radiates at low-energy mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths, which are highly attenuated by water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere. For ground-based telescopes, the atmosphere is completely opaque from 30 microns to the submillimeter regime, making ground-based observations at wavelengths longer than 30 microns impossible. Space-based telescopes can be costly, and are oftentimes very small (< 1 m). As an alternative, NASA built the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) aircraft, a 2.5-m telescope carried on board a Boeing 747 airframe. In this dissertation, new photometric observations of 15 AGN are analyzed. They were obtained during Observing Cycles 2 and 4 on the SOFIA telescope using the 31.5 and 37.1 micron filters on the Faint Object infraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST). NGC 1068 was observed in the 19.7, 31.5, and 37.1 micron filters using FORCAST, as well as the 53 micron filter on the HAWC+ instrument. Observed differences in AGN properties are largely explained by a unified model in which dust fills a toroidal region surrounding the SMBH, blocking direct view of the center in some lines of sight. Observations show that this dust lies in the central 1 - 10 pc from the black hole. Subarcsecond-resolution photometric and spectroscopic data between 1 - 20 microns have been used to compute the nuclear spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the torus for most objects in this sample. Although these previous studies have effectively described torus model parameters, the lack of high spatial resolution observations at longer wavelengths leaves the SED largely unconstrained. Without 31.5 micron data, the model tends to overestimate the SED output and wavelength of peak emission, which is tentatively found between 30 - 40 microns. Including the 31.5 micron nuclear flux in the SED 1) reduces the number of clumpy torus models compatible with the data, and 2) modifies the model output for the outer radial extent of the torus. These observations of the central 0.1 - 1 kpc ( 3 - 4 arseconds) of the AGN sample are the highest resolution images available in the 30 - 40 micron wavelength range. However, for AGN at distances on the order of tens of Mpc, SOFIA cannot resolve the parsec-scale torus structure, and contamination from diffuse IR emission and star formation (SF) can contaminate nuclear observations. This dissertation focuses on isolating torus emission from diffuse extended emission in order to 1) add 30 - 40 micron photometric data to the IR SED of the torus and its model parameters, and 2) identify the origin of diffuse extended emission. Extended emission within the FWHM of SOFIA that is not associated with SF ostensibly originates in the narrow line region.

NASA Ames Research Center Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boyd, Jack

2006-01-01

A general overview of the NASA Ames Research Center is presented. The topics include: 1) First Century of Flight, 1903-2003; 2) NACA Research Centers; 3) 65 Years of Innovation; 4) Ames Projects; 5) NASA Ames Research Center Today-founded; 6) Astrobiology; 7) SOFIA; 8) To Explore the Universe and Search for Life: Kepler: The Search for Habitable Planets; 9) Crew Exploration Vehicle/Crew Launch Vehicle; 10) Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS); 11) Thermal Protection Materials and Arc-Jet Facility; 12) Information Science & Technology; 13) Project Columbia Integration and Installation; 14) Air Traffic Management/Air Traffic Control; and 15) New Models-UARC.

SOFIA - Science Potential for Extrasolar Planet Reseaarch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandell, G.; Becklin, E. E.; Dunham, E. W.

The joint U.S. and German Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared airborne telescope in a Boeing 747-SP is now well into development. The telescope was delivered to the U.S. in September 2002 and will be integrated into the aircraft in early 2003. First science flights will begin in late 2004. Once fully operational the observatory will do 960 observing hours/year, with an expected lifetime of over 20 years. We give an overview of the characteristics of the observatory and its first suite of nine instruments, three of which are facility instruments, five are principal investigator instruments and one is a specialty instrument.

Recent developments for Astronomy at SAGEM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geyl, Roland

2003-02-01

SAGEM, through its REOSC product line, is offering a high skill of optics design fabrication and assembly to the astronomical community. Beside large projects like ESO VLT, SOFIA or the Spain GTC, SAGEM is continuously active with smaller projects. In this paper, we will present our recent work in the field of thin films with mirror broadband and durable coating and large area filters for multimegapixel camera. Latest results of Sofia primary mirror integration will be presented. Work on large prime focus correctors like the one of CFHT MegaPrime and the SALT Spherical Aberration Corrector. For space astronomy it is our new activity of mold smoothing for large telecom antenna or submillimeter reflectors that will be presented.

SOFIA Closed- and Open-Door Aerodynamic Analyses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cumming, Stephen; Frederick, Mike; Smith, Mark

2012-01-01

Work to evaluate the aerodynamic characteristics and the cavity acoustic environment of the SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) airplane has been completed. The airplane has been evaluated in its closed-door configuration, as well as several open-door configurations. Work performed included: acoustic analysis tool development, cavity acoustic evaluation, stability and control parameter estimation, air data calibration, and external flow evaluation. Qualitative airflow data were obtained during the closed- and open-door flights using tufts on the aft portion of the fuselage. Video was taken from a chase plane. This video was analyzed for various flight conditions, and general flow descriptions of the aft fuselage of the 747SP were developed for the different closed and open door configurations.

SOFIA + FORCAST Observations of 10 Aqueously Altered Asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McAdam, Margaret; Sunshine, Jessica M.; Kelley, Michael S.; Bus, Schelte J.

2016-10-01

Aqueous alteration, or the reaction of water and minerals to produce hydrated minerals, has affected certain groups of carbonaceous meteorites (e.g., the CM and CI meteorites) and asteroids. In the visible/near-infrared (VNIR), CM/CI meteorites and some dark C-complex asteroids are known to have 0.7-µm absorptions that indicate the presence of hydrated minerals [1, 2, 3]. However, this feature does not provide any information about the amount of hydrated minerals in asteroids or meteorites [1]. In contrast, at mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths, strong spectral features change continuously with amount of hydrated minerals in a suite of well-characterized CM/CI meteorites [1].Using these results, we analyze the spectra of 10 C-complex asteroids observed by SOFIA + FORCAST. These targets are large objects (>95 km diameter) situated in the mid to outer Main Asteroid Belt (2.4 - 3.4 AU). We present spectra of the following asteroids, spectral types in parentheses: 36 Atalante (C), 38 Leda (Cgh), 62 Erato (Ch), 121 Hermione (Ch), 165 Loreley (Cb), 194 Prokne (C), 203 Pompeja (C), 266 Aline (Ch), 52 Europa (Ch), and 19 Fortuna (Ch). Spectra were obtained in two wavelength regions: 8.5-13.6-μm and 17.6-27.7-μm. In these spectral regions, mineralogical features that are known to change continuously with amount of hydrated minerals appear. Most of these targets are known to have hydrated minerals on their surfaces by the presence of the 0.7-μm feature [e.g. 3, 4] or from observations in the 3-μm region [5]. We interpret the spectral features observed using SOFIA and estimate the abundances of hydrated minerals for each asteroid. Additionally, we compare these observations to Spitzer observations of similar objects. A subset of these asteroids have also been measured in VNIR, which allows us to directly compare the signatures of hydration in both the VNIR and the MIR.[1] McAdam et al., (2015), Icarus, 245, 320-332. [2] Cloutis, et al., (2011), Icarus, 216, 309-346. [3] Vilas and Gaffey (1989), Science, 246, 790-792. [4] Bus and Binzel (2002), Icarus, 158, 146-177. Takir and Emery (2012), Icarus, 219, 641-654.

First-year dental students' motivation and attitudes for choosing the dental profession.

PubMed

Avramova, Nadya; Yaneva, Krassimira; Bonev, Boyko

2014-01-01

To determine first-year dental students' current motivation and attitudes for choosing the dental profession at the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University - Sofia, Bulgaria. An anonymous questionnaire, consisting of 12 questions about students' socio-demographic profile and their motivation for choosing dentistry, was administered to 119 first-year dental students at the Faculty of Dental Medicine of the Medical University of Sofia. The study was conducted at the beginning of the 2012-2013 academic year. The data was processed and analyzed with the following software: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2; Microsoft SQL Server 2008; Internet Information Server 7.5.; Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010. The majority of the students (73%) were self-motivated for choosing dentistry as a career; 61% of them did not have relatives in the medical profession; 43% chose dental medicine because it is a prestigious, humane and noble profession; 50% - for financial security; 59% - because of the independence that it provides. There were no significant differences in the motivation between males and females. Independence, financial security and 'prestige' were the predominant motivating factors in this group of first-year dental students. Determining the reasons for choosing dentistry has important implications for the selection and training of students as well as for their future job satisfaction. Copyright © 2014 by Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Thermostructural Analysis of the SOFIA Fine Field and Wide Field Imagers Subjected to Convective Thermal Shock

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kostyk, Christopher B.

2012-01-01

The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a highly modified Boeing 747-SP with a 17- ton infrared telescope installed in the aft portion of the aircraft. Unlike ground- and space-based platforms, SOFIA can deploy to make observations anytime, anywhere, in the world. The originally designed aircraft configuration included a ground pre-cool system, however, due to various factors in the history of the project, that system was not installed. This lack of ground pre-cooling was the source of the concern about whether or not the imagers would be exposed to a potentially unsafe thermostructural environment. This concern was in addition to the already-existing concern of some project members that the air temperature rate of change during flight (both at the same altitude as well as ascent or descent) could cause the imagers to be exposed to an unsafe thermostructural environment. Four optical components were identified as the components of concern: two of higher concern (one in each imager), and two of lower concern (one in each imager). The analysis effort began by analyzing one component, after which the analyses for the other components was deemed unnecessary. The purpose of this report is to document these findings as well as lessons learned from the effort.

The SOFIA aircraft and its modification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunz, Nans

2003-02-01

The primary focus of this paper is to describe the development of a highly modified aircraft that carries a twenty ton telescope to the stratosphere and then loiters at this desired altitude to act as the observatory platform and dome. When the aircraft has reached its nominal cruise condition of Mach 0.84 in the stratosphere, a large cavity door opens (the dome opens), exposing a large portion of the interior of the fuselage that contains the telescope optics directly to the Universe. The topics covered in this paper include: the relevant criteria and the evaluation process that resulted in the selection of a Boeing 747-SP, the evolution of the design concept, the description of the structural modification including the analysis methods and tools, the aerodynamic issues associated with an open port cavity and how they were addressed, and the aeroloads/ disturbances imparted to the telescope and how they were measured in the wind tunnel and extrapolated to full size. This paper is complementary to a previous paper presented at the 2000 Airborne Telescope Systems conference which describes the challenges associated with the development of the SOFIA Telescope. For completeness, this paper also provides a brief overview of the SOFIA project including the joint project arrangement between NASA and DLR, a top level overview of the requirements, and finally the current project status.

LIDAR detection of forest fire smoke above Sofia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grigorov, Ivan; Deleva, Atanaska; Stoyanov, Dimitar; Kolev, Nikolay; Kolarov, Georgi

2015-01-01

The distribution of aerosol load in the atmosphere due to two forest fires near Sofia (the capital city of Bulgaria) was studied using two aerosol lidars which operated at 510.6 nm and 1064 nm. Experimental data is presented as 2D-heatmaps of the evolution of attenuated backscatter coefficient profiles and mean profile of the aerosol backscatter coefficient, calculated for each lidar observation. Backscatter related Angstrom exponent was used as a criterion in particle size estimation of detected smoke layers. Calculated minimal values at altitudes where the aerosol layer was observed corresponded to predominant fraction of coarse aerosol. Dust-transport forecast maps and calculations of backward trajectories were employed to make conclusions about aerosol's origin. They confirmed the local transport of smoke aerosol over the city and lidar station. DREAM forecast maps predicted neither cloud cover, nor Saharan load in the air above Sofia on the days of measurements. The results of lidar observations are discussed in conjunction with meteorological situation, aiming to better explain the reason for the observed aerosol stratification. The data of regular radio sounding of the atmosphere showed a characteristic behavior with small differences of the values between the air temperature and dew-point temperature profiles at aerosol smoke layer altitude. So the resulting stratification revealed the existence of atmospheric layers with aerosol trapping properties.

Peering to the Heart of Massive Star Birth - II. A Survey of 8 Protostars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Jonathan

2012-10-01

We propose to follow-up our SOFIA FORCAST Basic Science observation of G35.20-0.74 with similar observations of seven other massive protostars, with a total time request of about 5 hours. Our goal is to use mid-infrared (MIR) and far-infrared (FIR) imaging, especially at wavelengths of 31 and 37 microns that are unique to SOFIA, to constrain detailed radiative transfer models of massive star formation. In particular, we show that if massive stars are forming from high mass surface density cores, then the observed MIR and FIR morphologies are strongly influenced by the presence of protostellar outflow cavities. For typical surface densities of ~1 g cm^2, the observed radiation at wavelengths less than about 30 microns escapes preferentially along the near-facing outflow cavity. At longer wavelengths we begin to see emission from the far-facing cavity, and thus the proposed SOFIA FORCAST observations are particularly powerful for constraining the properties of the star-forming core such as the mass surface density in the immediate vicinity of the protostar. Our full analysis will involve comparing these SOFIA FORCAST data with images at other wavelengths, including Spitzer IRAC (3 to 8 microns), ground-based (10 & 20 microns) and Herschel (70 microns), to derive flux profiles and spectral energy distributions as a function of projected distance along the outflow axis. These observations have the potential to: (1) test basic scenarios of massive star formation; (2) begin to provide detailed measurements such as the mass surface density structure of massive star-forming cores and the line-of-sight orientation, opening angle, degree of symmetry and dust content of their outflow cavities. With a sample of eight protostars in total we will begin to be able to search for trends in these properties with core mass surface density and protostellar luminosity.

Airborne Submillimeter Spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zmuidzinas, J.

1998-01-01

This is the final technical report for NASA-Ames grant NAG2-1068 to Caltech, entitled "Airborne Submillimeter Spectroscopy", which extended over the period May 1, 1996 through January 31, 1998. The grant was funded by the NASA airborne astronomy program, during a period of time after the Kuiper Airborne Observatory was no longer operational. Instead. this funding program was intended to help develop instrument concepts and technology for the upcoming SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) project. SOFIA, which is funded by NASA and is now being carried out by a consortium lead by USRA (Universities Space Research Association), will be a 747 aircraft carrying a 2.5 meter diameter telescope. The purpose of our grant was to fund the ongoing development of sensitive heterodyne receivers for the submillimeter band (500-1200 GHz), using sensitive superconducting (SIS) detectors. In 1997 July we submitted a proposal to USRA to construct a heterodyne instrument for SOFIA. Our proposal was successful [1], and we are now continuing our airborne astronomy effort with funding from USRA. A secondary purpose of the NAG2-1068 grant was to continue the anaIN'sis of astronomical data collected with an earlier instrument which was flown on the NASA Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO). The KAO instrument and the astronomical studies which were carried out with it were supported primarily under another grant, NAG2-744, which extended over October 1, 1991 through Januarv 31, 1997. For a complete description of the astronomical data and its anailysis, we refer the reader to the final technical report for NAG2-744, which was submitted to NASA on December 1. 1997. Here we report on the SIS detector development effort for SOFIA carried out under NAG2-1068. The main result of this effort has been the demonstration of SIS mixers using a new superconducting material niobium titanium nitride (NbTiN), which promises to deliver dramatic improvements in sensitivity in the 700-1200 GHz frequency range.

A detailed study of the Pernik (Bulgaria) seismic sequence of 2012

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raykova, Plamena; Solakov, Dimcho; Simeonova, Stela; Dimitrova, Liliya

2014-05-01

A detailed study of the Pernik (Bulgaria) seismic sequence of 2012 D.Solakov, S.Simeonova ,I. Georgiev, P.Raykova, L.Dimitrova and V.Protopopova National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography-BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria The spatial and temporal clustering of aftershocks is the dominant non-random element of seismicity, so that when aftershocks are removed, the remaining activity can be modelled (as first approximation) as a Poisson process. The properties of aftershock sequences (distinct cluster, for example; even aftershocks can have aftershocks) allow time-dependent prediction of aftershock probabilities. Consideration of recent earthquake sequences suggests that aftershocks to large earthquakes although they are still, by definition, smaller events, can be very damaging and should be addressed in emergence planning scenarios. Because of the factors such as location and radiation pattern and the cumulative nature of building damage, aftershocks can cause more damage than the main shock. An earthquake of moment magnitude 5.6 hit Sofia seismic zone, on May 22nd, 2012. The earthquake occurred in the vicinity of Pernik city, at about 25 km south west of the city of Sofia (the capital of Bulgaria). The event was followed by intensive activity. The active area is situated in the central part of western Bulgaria. That is the most populated (more than 1.2 mil. inhabitants), industrial and cultural region of Bulgaria. Seismicity in the zone is related to the marginal neotectonic faults of Sofia graben. The boundaries of the graben are represented by SE-NW fault system with expressive neotectonic activity. This zone is characterized by shallow earthquakes. The strongest known event in the region is the 1858 quake with intensity I0=9-10 MSK. The 1858 earthquake caused heavy destruction in the city of Sofia and the appearance of thermal spring. It is worth mentioning that the seismic sequence of May 2912 occurred in an area characterized by a long quiescence (of 95 years) for moderate events. Moreover, a reduced number of small earthquakes has also been registered in the recent past. The manifold purpose of this study is first to study spatial and temporal distribution of aftershocks than to analyze wave forms and to determine individual focal mechanisms of the largest shocks. Additionally, a joint hypocenter determination and composite focal mechanism of a large number of small aftershocks were carried out. Finally, the current state of stress in the considered region, obtained on the base of aftershock focal mechanisms, was compared with horizontal crustal movement inferred from GPS measurement.

Decarbonizing urban transport in European cities: four cases show possibly high co-benefits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Creutzig, Felix; Mühlhoff, Rainer; Römer, Julia

2012-12-01

Cities worldwide are increasingly becoming agents of climate change mitigation, while simultaneously aiming for other goals, such as improved accessibility and clean air. Based on stakeholder interviews and data analysis, we assess the current state of urban mobility in the four European cities of Barcelona, Malmö, Sofia and Freiburg. We then provide scenarios of increasingly ambitious policy packages, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from urban transport by up to 80% from 2010 to 2040. We find significant concurrent co-benefits in cleaner air, reduced noise ambience, fewer traffic-related injuries and deaths, more physical activity, less congestion and monetary fuel savings. Our scenarios suggest that non-motorized transport, especially bicycles, can occupy high modal shares, particularly in cities with less than 0.5 million inhabitants. We think that this kind of multi-criteria assessment of social costs and benefits is a useful complement to cost-benefit analysis of climate change mitigation measures.

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astornomy and Planetary Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reach, William T.; SOFIA Sciece Mission Operations

2016-10-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy enables observations at far-infrared wavelengths, including the range 30-300 microns that is nearly completely obscured from the ground. By flying in the stratosphere above 95% of atmospheric water vapor, access is opened to photometric, spectroscopic, and polarimetric observations of Solar System targets spanning small bodies through major planets. Extrasolar planetary systems can be observed through their debris disks or transits, and forming planetary systems through protoplanetary disks, protostellar envelopes, and molecular cloud cores. SOFIA operates out of Southern California most of the year. For the summer of 2016, we deployed to New Zealand with 3 scientific instruments. The HAWC+ far-infrared photopolarimeter was recently flown and is in commissioning, and two projects are in Phase A study to downselect to one new facility instrument. The Cycle 5 observing proposal results are anticipated to be be released by the time of this DPS meeting, and successful planetary proposals will be advertised.

Far-Infrared Heterodyne Spectrometer for Sofia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Betz, A. L.

1998-01-01

The project goal was to evaluate the scientific capabilities and technical requirements for a far-infrared heterodyne spectrometer suitable for the SOFIA Airborne Observatory, which is now being developed by NASA under contract to the Universities Space Research Association (USRA). The conclusions detailed below include our specific recommendations for astronomical observations, as well as our intended technical approach for reaching these scientific goals. These conclusions were presented to USRA in the form of a proposal to build this instrument. USRA subsequently awarded the University of Colorado a 3-year grant to develop the proposed Hot-Electron micro-Bolometer (HEB) mixer concept for high frequencies above 3 THz, as well as other semiconductor mixer technologies suitable for high sensitivity receivers in the 2-6 THz frequency band.

Computation of the Fluid and Optical Fields About the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and the Coupling of Fluids, Dynamics, and Control Laws on Parallel Computers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Atwood, Christopher A.

1993-01-01

The June 1992 to May 1993 grant NCC-2-677 provided for the continued demonstration of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as applied to the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). While earlier grant years allowed validation of CFD through comparison against experiments, this year a new design proposal was evaluated. The new configuration would place the cavity aft of the wing, as opposed to the earlier baseline which was located immediately aft of the cockpit. This aft cavity placement allows for simplified structural and aircraft modification requirements, thus lowering the program cost of this national astronomy resource. Three appendices concerning this subject are presented.

PREFACE: Fifteenth International Summer School on Vacuum, Electron and Ion Technologies (VEIT 2007)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerassimov, Nikolay; Möller, Wolfhard; Ghelev, Chavdar

2008-03-01

The International Summer School on Vacuum, Electron and Ion Technologies (VEIT) has been organized biannually since 1977. It is a forum for the interchange and dissemination of knowledge and ideas on the latest developments in electron-, ion-, and plasma-assisted technologies. The organizers of the event (since 2001) have been the Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria, the Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research, Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany, and the Evrika Foundation, Sofia, Bulgaria. The fifteenth meeting of VEIT was held in the Black Sea resort of Sozopol, Bulgaria from 17-21 September 2007 and was attended by around 120 participants from 17 countries: Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Pakistan, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK and USA. Following the tradition of publishing the VEIT Proceedings, a selection of papers presented at the event is published in this volume of Journal of Physics: Conference Series, all peer reviewed to meet the originality and quality criteria of the journal. The school consisted of 11 oral and 3 poster sessions. There were 17 invited talks of general interest and 12 progress reports were presented orally. In total 86 contributed papers were presented during the three poster sessions. There were several scientific highlights covering the fundamentals of gas discharges and interaction of fast particles with solids, a wide range of conventional and novel applications such as for hard coatings and optical/protective layers, nanosized structures produced by evaporation, sputtering or external irradiation. Recent achievements in the modification of materials using charged particles or laser beams, thin layers deposition, properties, and characterization and novel materials, techniques, devices were highlighted. Despite the busy scientific program, the atmosphere was relaxed and informal. The early afternoons of most conference days were free to stimulate both scientific and social interaction between participants, which often took place on the beach. The social program included a welcome reception, a conference banquet, and an outing to historical landmarks in the vicinity of Sozopol. VEIT 2007 owes its success to many people. The International Advisory Committee shaped the scientific program and ensured high-quality plenary presentations by careful selection of invited speakers. The Local Committee bore the brunt of the organization both at the conference site and in dealing with correspondence, abstracts, and manuscripts for these proceedings. We are grateful to our sponsors Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria, Hauser Techno Coating Ltd, Venlo, The Netherlands, and Evrika Foundation, Sofia, Bulgaria for their generosity that enabled us to support the attendance of students and provided support to deal with mailing, printing, renting the conference site, etc. We would like to also thank all authors for their valuable contributions to this proceeding and to the school, as well as all reviewers for their important work. The next conference in the series will be held in September 2009. Nikolay Guerassimov, Wolfhard Möller, Chavdar Ghelev Guest Editors

Automated and Scalable Data Reduction in the textsc{Sofia} Data Processing System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krzaczek, R.; Shuping, R.; Charcos-Llorens, M.; Alles, R.; Vacca, W.

2015-09-01

In order to provide suitable data products to general investigators and other end users in a timely manner, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy SOFIA) has developed a framework supporting the automated execution of data processing pipelines for the various instruments, called the Data Processing System (DPS), see Shuping et al. (2014) for overview). The primary requirement is to process all data collected from a flight within eight hours, allowing data quality assessments and inspections to be made the following day. The raw data collected during a flight requires processing by a number of different software packages and tools unique to each combination of instrument and mode of operation, much of it developed in-house, in order to create data products for use by investigators and other end-users. The requirement to deliver these data products in a consistent, predictable, and performant manner presents a significant challenge for the observatory. Herein we present aspects of the DPS that help to achieve these goals. We discuss how it supports data reduction software written in a variety of languages and environments, its support for new versions and live upgrades to that software and other necessary resources (e.g., calibrations), its accommodation of sudden processing loads through the addition (and eventual removal) of computing resources, and close with an observation of the performance achieved in the first two observing cycles of SOFIA.

Searching for Cool Dust in the Mid-to-far Infrared: The Mass-loss Histories of the Hypergiants μ Cep, VY CMa, IRC+10420, and ρ Cas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shenoy, Dinesh; Humphreys, Roberta M.; Jones, Terry J.; Marengo, Massimo; Gehrz, Robert D.; Helton, L. Andrew; Hoffmann, William F.; Skemer, Andrew J.; Hinz, Philip M.

2016-03-01

We present mid- and far-IR imaging of four famous hypergiant stars: the red supergiants μ Cep and VY CMa, and the warm hypergiants IRC +10420 and ρ Cas. Our 11-37 μm SOFIA/FORCAST imaging probes cool dust not detected in visual and near-IR imaging studies. Adaptive optics 8-12 μm imaging of μ Cep and IRC +10420 with MMT/MIRAC reveals extended envelopes that are the likely sources of these stars’ strong silicate emission features. We find μ Cep’s mass-loss rate to have declined by about a factor of five over a 13,000 year history, ranging from 5 × 10-6 down to ˜1× 10-6 M⊙ yr-1. The morphology of VY CMa indicates a cooler dust component coincident with the highly asymmetric reflection nebulae seen in the visual and near-IR. The lack of cold dust at greater distances around VY CMa indicates that its mass-loss history is limited to the last ˜1200 years, with an average rate of 6 × 10-4 M⊙ yr-1. We find two distinct periods in the mass-loss history of IRC +10420 with a high rate of 2 × 10-3 M⊙ yr-1 until approximately 2000 years ago, followed by an order of magnitude decrease in the recent past. We interpret this change as evidence of its evolution beyond the RSG stage. Our new infrared photometry of ρ Cas is consistent with emission from the expanding dust shell ejected in its 1946 eruption, with no evidence of newer dust formation from its more recent events. Based on observations obtained with: (1) the NASA/DLR Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). SOFIA is jointly operated by the Universities Space Research Association, Inc. (USRA), under NASA contract NAS2-97001, and the Deutsches SOFIA Institut (DSI) under DLR contract 50 OK 0901 to the University of Stuttgart; and (2) the MMT Observatory on Mt. Hopkins, AZ, a joint facility of the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Arizona.

Stellar Occultation Studies of the Solar System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elliot, James L.

1998-01-01

Earth-based observations of stellar occultations provide extremely high spatial resolution for bodies in the outer solar system, about 10,000 times better than that of traditional imaging observations. Stellar occultation data can be used to establish the structure of atmospheres and rings of solar system bodies at high spatial resolution. Airborne occultation observations are particularly effective, since the controlled mobility of the observing platform allows the observer to fly within the optimum part of the occultation shadow for most events that are visible from Earth. Airborne observations are carried out above any clouds and are nearly free of scintillation noise from the Earth's atmosphere. KAO occultation observations resulted in the first detection of gravity waves in the Martian atmosphere, discovery of the Uranian rings, the first detection of Pluto's atmosphere, the first Earth-based investigations of Triton's atmosphere, and the discovery of narrow jets from Chiron's nucleus. The first SOFIA occultation opportunity will be an investigation of Pluto's atmospheric structure in November, 2002, and will resolve a problem that has lingered since the KAO discovery observation fourteen years earlier. We plan to continue our successful airborne occultation program with the greatly enhanced capability provided by SOFIA. We propose here to replace our KAO occultation photometer with one having twice the throughput, half the noise, a somewhat wider wavelength range, four times the field of view, and ten times the frame rate to optimize its performance and to capitalize on the larger collecting area offered by SOFIA. It will also allow for simultaneous visible and IR occultation observations, greatly enriching the results that we can obtain from occultations. We call this new imaging occultation photometer HOPI (High-speed Occultation Photometer and Imager). HOPI will provide a signal-to-noise ratio two to four times that of our present photometer for a given event, will permit useful observations of the more numerous events involving fainter stars, and will allow higher time resolution observations to be made. HOPI's characteristics also make it an ideal instrument for initial and ongoing evaluations of the SOFIA telescope's performance.

A new test environment for the SOFIA secondary mirror assembly to reduce the required time for in-flight testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lammen, Yannick; Reinacher, Andreas; Brewster, Rick; Greiner, Benjamin; Graf, Friederike; Krabbe, Alfred

2016-07-01

The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) reached its full operational capability in 2014 and takes off from the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center to explore the universe about three times a week. Maximizing the program's scientific output naturally leaves very little flight time for implementation and test of improved soft- and hardware. Consequently, it is very important to have a comparable test environment and infrastructure to perform troubleshooting, verifications and improvements on ground without interfering with science missions. SOFIA's Secondary Mirror Mechanism is one of the most complex systems of the observatory. In 2012 a first simple laboratory mockup of the mechanism was built to perform basic controller tests in the lower frequency band of up to 50Hz. This was a first step to relocate required engineering tests from the active observatory into the laboratory. However, to test and include accurate filters and damping methods as well as to evaluate hardware modifications a more precise mockup is required that represents the system characteristics over a much larger frequency range. Therefore the mockup has been improved in several steps to a full test environment representing the system dynamics with high accuracy. This new ground equipment allows moving almost the entire secondary mirror test activities away from the observatory. As fast actuator in the optical path, the SMM also plays a major role in SOFIA's pointing stabilization concept. To increase the steering bandwidth, hardware changes are required that ultimately need to be evaluated using the telescope optics. One interesting concept presented in this contribution is the in- stallation of piezo stack actuators between the mirror and the chopping mechanism. First successful baseline tests are presented. An outlook is given about upcoming performance tests of the actively controlled piezo stage with local metrology and optical feedback. To minimize the impact on science time, the laboratory test setup will be expanded with an optical measurement system so that it can be used for the vast majority of testing.

LPHYS'14: 23rd International Laser Physics Workshop (Sofia, Bulgaria, 14-18 July 2014)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yevseyev, Alexander V.

2014-04-01

The 23rd annual International Laser Physics Workshop (LPHYS14) will be held from 14 July to 18 July 2014 in the city of Sofia, Bulgaria, at the Ramada Sofia Hotel hosted this year by the Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. LPHYS14 continues a series of workshops that took place in Dubna,1992; Dubna/Volga river tour, 1993; New York, 1994; Moscow/Volga river tour (jointly with NATO SILAP Workshop), 1995; Moscow, 1996; Prague, 1997; Berlin, 1998; Budapest, 1999; Bordeaux, 2000; Moscow, 2001; Bratislava, 2002; Hamburg, 2003; Trieste, 2004; Kyoto, 2005; Lausanne, 2006; Len, 2007; Trondheim, 2008; Barcelona, 2009; Foz do Iguau, 2010; Sarajevo, 2011; Calgary, 2012 and Prague, 2013. The total number of participants this year is expected to be about 400. In the past, annual participation was typically from over 30 countries. 2014 Chairpersons Sanka Gateva (Bulgaria), Pavel Pashinin (Russia) LPHYS14 will offer eight scientific section seminars and one general symposium: Seminar 1 Modern Trends in Laser Physics Seminar 2 Strong Field and Attosecond Physics Seminar 3 Biophotonics Seminar 4 Physics of Lasers Seminar 5 Nonlinear Optics and Spectroscopy Seminar 6 Physics of Cold Trapped Atoms Seminar 7 Quantum Information Science Seminar 8 Fiber Optics Symposium Extreme Light Technologies, Science and Applications Abstract of your presentation A one-page abstract should contain: title; list of all co-authors (the name of the speaker underlined); affiliations; correspondence addresses including phone numbers, fax numbers, e-mail addresses; and the text of the abstract. Abstracts should be sent to the following co-chairs of the scientific seminars and the symposium: Kirill A Prokhorov (Seminar 1) E-mail: cyrpro@gpi.ru Mikhail V Fedorov (Seminar 2) E-mail: fedorov@ran.gpi.ru Sergey A Gonchukov (Seminar 3) E-mail: gonchukov@mephi.ru Ivan A Shcherbakov (Seminar 4) E-mail: gbufetova@lsk.gpi.ru Vladimir A Makarov (Seminar 5) E-mail: makarov@msu.ilc.edu.ru Vyacheslav I Yukalov (Seminar 6) E-mail: yukalov@theor.jinr.ru Sergei P Kulik (Seminar 7) E-mail: sergei.kulik@gmail.com Sergey A Babin (Seminar 8) E-mail: babin@iae.nsk.su Nikolay B Narozhny (Symposium) E-mail: narozhny@theor.mephi.ru Deadlines Sending an entry visa support form, if needed: 15 April 2014 Receiving an abstract of your presentation: 15 April 2014 Sending a registration form: 15 April 2014 Workshop early payment fee: 15 April 2014 Workshop full payment fee: 1 July 2014 Workshop full payment fee at the conference site: on arrival Accommodation reservation (recommended): 15 May 2014 Sending a manuscript to be published in the Workshop Proceedings: 15 December 2014 Additional information for LPHYS14 can be found at www.lasphys.com

SOFIA Observations of the Type IIn Supernova 2010jl

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, Brian J.; Fox, Ori D.

2015-08-01

We present results from SOFIA mid-infrared (IR) observations of the recent Type IIn supernova (SN IIn) 2010jl. SNe IIn, named for their relatively narrow emission lines, are a somewhat rare subclass of SNe, composing less than 10% of all core-collapse events. However, they account for more than half of all known SNe with late-time (> 100 days) infrared excess, implying the presence of warm dust. Their narrow lines are formed in the interaction of the ejecta with a dense, slowly moving, pre-existing circumstellar medium (CSM), implying extraordinarily mass loss rates (as high as a tenth of a solar mass per year). Fox et al. (2011) showed, via a warm-mission Spitzer survey of SNe IIn, that the observed IR emission is consistent with pre-existing CSM dust, heated by the optical emission generated by the interaction of the forward shock with the dense CSM, and not from ejecta dust like most core-collapse SNe. Characterizing this dust reveals unique information about the pre-SN environment and the mass-loss history of the progenitor. A key question involves the type of dust grain, silicates or carbonaceous, formed in the pre-SN wind.Most proposed progenitors for SNe IIn (red supergiants, luminous blue variables, yellow hypergiants, and B[e] supergiants) show silicate dust in their pre-SN outflows. Carbonaceous dust grains are only observed in the outflows from Wolf-Rayet stars, which have a much lower mass rate and are generally believed to explode as Type Ib/c SNe, and not Type IIn. With only Spitzer data, it is impossible to distinguish between silicate and carbonaceous dust grains. However, the strong 9.7 micron silicate feature would show up in mid-IR observations. SN 2010jl was observed by SOFIA for a total of 6400 s at 11.1 microns, and we report no detection of the SN, consistent with the presence of carbonaceous dust. Our upper limit is roughly an order of magnitude lower than would be expected for silicate dust grains. Either the progenitor system for this SN IIn was not one of the proposed types listed above or the system evolved into the WR phase just prior to exploding, either of which has interesting implications for SNe IIn.

Subionospheric VLF/LF radio waves propagation characteristics before, during and after the Sofia, Bulgaria Mw=5.6 earthquake occurred on 22 May 2012

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moldovan, Iren Adelina; Emilian Toader, Victorin; Nenovski, Petko; Biagi, Pier Francesco; Maggipinto, Tommaso; Septimiu Moldovan, Adrian; Ionescu, Constantin

2013-04-01

In 2009, INFREP, a network of VLF (20-60 kHz) and LF (150-300 kHz) radio receivers, was put into operation in Europe having as principal goal, the study of disturbances produced by the earthquakes on the propagation properties of these signals. On May 22nd, 2012 an earthquake with Mw=567 occurred in Bulgaria, near Sofia, inside the "sensitive" area of the INFREP VLF/LF electromagnetic network. The data collected on different frequencies, during April-May 2012 were studied using different methods of analysis: daily correlation methods, spectral approaches and terminator time techniques, in order to find out possible connections between the seismic activity and the subionospheric propagation properties of radio waves. The studies were performed with the help of a specially designed LabVIEW application, which accesses the VLF/LF receiver through internet. This program opens the receiver's web-page and automatically retrieves the list of data files to synchronize the user-side data with the receiver's data. Missing zipped files are also automatically downloaded. The application performs primary, statistical correlation and spectral analysis, appends daily files into monthly and annual files and performs 3D colour-coded maps with graphic representations of VLF and LF signals' intensities versus the minute-of-the-day and the day-of-the-month, facilitating a near real-time observation of VLF and LF electromagnetic waves' propagation. Another feature of the software is the correlation of the daily recorded files for the studied frequencies by overlaying the 24 hours radio activity and taking into account the sunrise and sunset. Data are individually processed (spectral power, correlations, differentiation, filtered using bandpass, lowpass, highpass). JTFA spectrograms (Cone-Shaped Distribution CSD, Gabor, Wavelet, short-time Fourier transform STFT, Wigner-Ville Distribution WVD, Choi-Williams Distribution CWD) are used, too.

J-Black: a stray light coating for optical and infrared systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waddell, Patrick; Black, David S.

2016-07-01

A new stray light coating, called J-Black, has been developed for NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The coating is a layered composition of Nextel-Suede 3101 primers and top coats and silicon carbide grit. J-Black has been applied to large areas of the SOFIA airborne telescope and is currently operating within the open cavity environment of the Boeing 747. Over a series of discrete filter bands, from 0.4 to 21 microns, J-Black optical and infrared reflectivity performance is compared with other available coatings. Measured total reflectance values are less than 2% at the longest wavelengths, including at high incidence angles. Detailed surface structure characteristics are also compared via electron and ion microscopy. Environmental tests applicable for aerospace applications are presented, as well as the detailed steps required to apply the coating.

Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Sofia: Growth in and Persistence on Eggs under Production and Retail Conditions

PubMed Central

McAuley, Catherine M.; Duffy, Lesley L.; Subasinghe, Nela; Hogg, Geoff; Coventry, John; Fegan, Narelle

2015-01-01

Salmonellosis in Australia has been linked to eggs and egg products with specific serotypes associated with outbreaks. We compared attachment to and survival on egg shells and growth in eggs of two Salmonella serotypes, an egg outbreak associated Salmonella Typhimurium and a non-egg-associated Salmonella enterica ssp. II 1,4,12,27:b:[e,n,x] (S. Sofia). Experiments were conducted at combinations of 4, 15, 22, 37 and 42°C. No significant differences occurred between the serotypes in maximum growth rates, which were significantly greater (P < 0.001) in egg yolk (0.427 log10 CFU/mL/h) compared to whole egg (0.312 log10 CFU/mL/h) and egg white (0.029 log10 CFU/mL/h). Attachment to egg shells varied by time (1 or 20 min) and temperature (4, 22 and 42°C), with S. Typhimurium isolates attaching at higher levels (P < 0.05) than S. Sofia after 1 min at 4°C and S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028 attaching at higher (P < 0.05) levels at 22°C. Survival on egg shells was not significantly different across isolates. Salmonella serotypes behaved similarly regarding growth in egg contents, attachment to egg shells and survival on eggs, indicating that other factors more likely contributed to reasons for S. Typhimurium being implicated in multiple egg-associated outbreaks. PMID:26539536

Investigating the dusty torus of Seyfert galaxies using SOFIA/FORCAST photometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuller, Lindsay; Lopez-Rodriguez, Enrique; Packham, Christopher C.; Ramos-Almeida, Cristina; Alonso-Herrero, Almudena; Levenson, Nancy; Radomski, James; Ichikawa, Kohei; Garcia-Bernete, Ismael; Gonzalez-Martin, Omaira; Diaz Santos, Tanio; Martinez-Paredes, Mariela

2017-06-01

We present 31.5 μm imaging photometry of 11 nearby Seyfert galaxies observed from the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) using the Faint Object infraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST). We tentatively detect extended 31 μm emission for the first time in our sample. In combination with this new data set, subarcsecond resolution 1-18 μm imaging and 7.5-13 μm spectroscopic observations were used to compute the nuclear spectral energy distribution (SED) of each galaxy. We found that the turnover of the torus emission does not occur at wavelengths ≤31.5 μm, which we interpret as a lower-limit for the wavelength of peak emission. We used Clumpy torus models to fit the nuclear infrared (IR) SED and infer trends in the physical parameters of the AGN torus for the galaxies in the sample. Including the 31.5 μm nuclear flux in the SED 1) reduces the number of clumpy torus models compatible with the data, and 2) modifies the model output for the outer radial extent of the torus for 10 of the 11 objects. Specifically, six (60%) objects show a decrease in radial extent while four (40%) show an increase. We find torus outer radii ranging from <1pc to 8.4 pc. We also present new 37.1 μm imaging data for 4 of the 11 Seyfert galaxies, as well as 3 additional Seyferts.

Debris search around (486958) 2014 MU69: Results from SOFIA and ground-based occultation campaigns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Eliot F.; Buie, Marc W.; Porter, Simon Bernard; Zangari, Amanda Marie; Stern, S. Alan; Ennico, Kimberly; Reach, William T.; Pfueller, Enrico; Wiedemann, Manuel; Fraser, Wesley Cristopher; Camargo, Julio; Young, Leslie; Wasserman, Lawrence H.; New Horizons MU69 Occultation Team

2017-10-01

The New Horizons spacecraft is scheduled to fly by the cold classical KBO 2014 MU69 on 1-Jan-2019. The spacecraft speed relative to the MU69 will be in excess of 14 km/s. At these encounter velocities, impact with debris could be fatal to the spacecraft. We report on searches for debris in the neighborhood of MU69 conducted from SOFIA and ground-based sites. SOFIA observed the star field around MU69 on 10-Jul-2017 (UT) with their Focal Plane Imager (FPI+), operating at 20 Hz from 7:25 to 8:10 UT, spanning the time of the predicted occultation. Several large fixed telescopes observed the 3-Jun-2017, 10-Jul-2017 and/or the 17-Jul-2017 occultation events, including the 4-meter SOAR telescope, the 8-meter Gemini South telescope, and many 16-inch portable telescopes that were arranged in picket fences in South Africa and Argentina. We report on the light curves from these observing platforms and constraints on the optical depth due to debris or rings within the approximate Hill sphere (about 60,000 km across) of MU69. This work was supported by the New Horizons mission and NASA, with astrometric support from the Gaia mission and logistical support from Argentina and the US embassies in Buenos Aires and CapeTown. At SOAR, data acquisition has been done with a Raptor camera (visitor instrument) funded by the Observatorio Nacional/MCTIC.

SOFIA Observations of SN 2010jl: Another Non-Detection of the 9.7 Micrometer Silicate Dust Feature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Brian J.; Fox, Ori D.

2015-01-01

We present photometric observations from the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) at 11.1 micrometers of the Type IIn supernova (SN IIn) 2010jl. The SN is undetected by SOFIA, but the upper limits obtained, combined with new and archival detections from Spitzer at 3.6 and 4.5 micrometers, allow us to characterize the composition of the dust present. Dust in other SN IIn has been shown in previous works to reside in a circumstellar shell of material ejected by the progenitor system in the few millennia prior to explosion. Our model fits show that the dust in the system shows no evidence for the strong, ubiquitous 9.7 micrometer feature from silicate dust, suggesting the presence of carbonaceous grains. The observations are best fit with 0.01-0.05 solar mass of carbonaceous dust radiating at a temperature of approximately 550-620 degrees Kelvin. The dust composition may reveal clues concerning the nature of the progenitor system, which remains ambiguous for this subclass. Most of the single star progenitor systems proposed for SNe IIn, such as luminous blue variables, red supergiants, yellow hypergiants, and B[e] stars, all clearly show silicate dust in their pre-SN outflows. However, this post-SN result is consistent with the small sample of SNe IIn with mid-infrared observations, none of which show signs of emission from silicate dust in their infrared spectra.

SOFIA tracking image simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, Charles R.; Gross, Michael A. K.

2016-09-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) tracking camera simulator is a component of the Telescope Assembly Simulator (TASim). TASim is a software simulation of the telescope optics, mounting, and control software. Currently in its fifth major version, TASim is relied upon for telescope operator training, mission planning and rehearsal, and mission control and science instrument software development and testing. TASim has recently been extended for hardware-in-the-loop operation in support of telescope and camera hardware development and control and tracking software improvements. All three SOFIA optical tracking cameras are simulated, including the Focal Plane Imager (FPI), which has recently been upgraded to the status of a science instrument that can be used on its own or in parallel with one of the seven infrared science instruments. The simulation includes tracking camera image simulation of starfields based on the UCAC4 catalog at real-time rates of 4-20 frames per second. For its role in training and planning, it is important for the tracker image simulation to provide images with a realistic appearance and response to changes in operating parameters. For its role in tracker software improvements, it is vital to have realistic signal and noise levels and precise star positions. The design of the software simulation for precise subpixel starfield rendering (including radial distortion), realistic point-spread function as a function of focus, tilt, and collimation, and streaking due to telescope motion will be described. The calibration of the simulation for light sensitivity, dark and bias signal, and noise will also be presented

Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? Moving Toward Assessment

PubMed Central

Gruskin, Sofia; Raad, Zyde

2010-01-01

Background to the debate The human rights responsibilities of drug companies have been considered for years by nongovernmental organizations, but were most sharply defined in a report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, submitted to the United Nations General Assembly in August 2008. The “Human Rights Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Companies in relation to Access to Medicines” include responsibilities for transparency, management, monitoring and accountability, pricing, and ethical marketing, and against lobbying for more protection in intellectual property laws, applying for patents for trivial modifications of existing medicines, inappropriate drug promotion, and excessive pricing. Two years after the release of the Guidelines, the PLoS Medicine Debate asks whether drug companies are living up to their human rights responsibilities. Sofia Gruskin and Zyde Raad from the Harvard School of Public Health say more assessment is needed of such responsibilities; Geralyn Ritter, Vice President of Global Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility at Merck & Co. argues that multiple stakeholders could do more to help States deliver the right to health; and Paul Hunt and Rajat Khosla introduce Mr. Hunt's work as the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to the highest attainable standard of health, regarding the human rights responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies and access to medicines. PMID:20927356

Are drug companies living up to their human rights responsibilities? The Merck perspective.

PubMed

Ritter, Geralyn S

2010-09-28

The human rights responsibilities of drug companies have been considered for years by nongovernmental organizations, but were most sharply defined in a report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, submitted to the United Nations General Assembly in August 2008. The "Human Rights Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Companies in relation to Access to Medicines" include responsibilities for transparency, management, monitoring and accountability, pricing, and ethical marketing, and against lobbying for more protection in intellectual property laws, applying for patents for trivial modifications of existing medicines, inappropriate drug promotion, and excessive pricing. Two years after the release of the Guidelines, the PLoS Medicine Debate asks whether drug companies are living up to their human rights responsibilities. Sofia Gruskin and Zyde Raad from the Harvard School of Public Health say more assessment is needed of such responsibilities; Geralyn Ritter, Vice President of Global Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility at Merck & Co. argues that multiple stakeholders could do more to help States deliver the right to health; and Paul Hunt and Rajat Khosla introduce Mr. Hunt's work as the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to the highest attainable standard of health, regarding the human rights responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies and access to medicines.

Ecuadorian Cancer Patients' Preference for Information and Communication Technologies: Cross-Sectional Study.

PubMed

Cherrez Ojeda, Ivan; Vanegas, Emanuel; Torres, Michell; Calderón, Juan Carlos; Calero, Erick; Cherrez, Annia; Felix, Miguel; Mata, Valeria; Cherrez, Sofia; Simancas, Daniel

2018-02-20

The instantaneous spread of information, low costs, and broad availability of information and communication technologies (ICTs) make them an attractive platform for managing care, patient communication, and medical interventions in cancer treatment. There is little information available in Latin America about the level of usage of ICTs for and by cancer patients. Our study attempts to fill this gap. The aim of this study was to assess the level of ICT use and patterns of preferences among cancer patients. We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey study in 500 Ecuadorian cancer patients. This questionnaire consisted of 22 items about demographic and clinical data, together with the preferences of people who use ICTs. Chi-square, crude, and adjusted logistic regressions were performed. Of the total, 43.2% (216/500) of participants reported that they had access to the Internet, and 25.4% (127/500) reported that they neither owned a cell phone nor did they have access to the Internet. The Internet constituted the highest usage rate as a source of information about malignant diseases (74.3%, 162/218) regardless of age (P<.001). With regard to the preferences on how patients would like to use ICTs to receive information about diseases, WhatsApp (66.5%, 145/218) and short message service (SMS) text messaging (61.0%, 133/218) were widely reported as interesting communication channels. Similarly, WhatsApp (72.0%, 157/218) followed by SMS (63.8%, 139/218) were reported as the preferred ICTs through which patients would like to ask physicians about diseases. Adjusted regression analysis showed that patients aged between 40 and 64 years were more likely to be interested in receiving information through SMS (odds ratio, OR 5.09, 95% CI 1.92-13.32), as well as for asking questions to physicians through this same media (OR 9.78, CI 3.45-27.67) than the oldest group. WhatsApp, SMS, and email are effective and widely used ICTs that can promote communication between cancer patients and physicians. According to age range, new ICTs such as Facebook are still emerging. Future studies should investigate how to develop and promote ICT-based resources more effectively to engage the outcomes of cancer patients. The widespread use of ICTs narrows the gap between cancer patients with restricted socioeconomic conditions and those with wealth and easily available technological means, thereby opening up new possibilities in low-income countries. ©Ivan Cherrez Ojeda, Emanuel Vanegas, Michell Torres, Juan Carlos Calderón, Erick Calero, Annia Cherrez, Miguel Felix, Valeria Mata, Sofia Cherrez, Daniel Simancas. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 20.02.2018.

ED15-0187-236

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-06-27

This high-dynamic range (HDR) photo of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) was captured just before sunset at the Christchurch International Airport in Christchurch, New Zealand while aircraft crews were preparing for a nighttime observation flight.

ARC-20180410-AAV3109-SOFIA-Penrose-NASAWeb

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-10

Lecture by Sir Roger Penrose on the New Cosmological View of Dark Matter, which Strangely and Slowly Decays. Sir Penrose shares his latest research and provides insight into the thinking of a modern day theoretical physicist.

The Role of APEX as a Pathfinder for AtLAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wyrowski, Friedrich

2018-01-01

Now more than 12 years in operation, the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) 12 m submillimeter telescope has significantly contributed to a wide variety of submillimeter astronomy science areas, ranging from the discoveries of new molecules to large and deep imaging of the submillimeter sky. While ALMA operation is in full swing, APEX is strengthening its role not only as pathfinder for studying large source samples and spatial scales to prepare detailed high angular resolution ALMA follow ups, but also as fast response instruments to complement new results from ALMA. Furthermore, APEX ensures southern hemisphere access for submillimeter projects complementing archival Herschel research as well as new SOFIA science. With new broadband and multipixel receivers as well as large cameras for wide-field continuum imaging, APEX will pave the way towards the science envisioned with ATLAST. In this contribution, the current status and ongoing upgrades of APEX will be discussed, with an emphasis on the importance of continuous cutting edge science and state-of-the-art instrumentation that will bridge the gap towards ATLAST.

Comet C2012 S1 (ISON): Observations of the Dust Grains From SOFIA and of the Atomic Gas From NSO Dunn and Mcmath-Pierce Solar Telescopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wooden, Diane H.; Woodward, Charles E.; Harker, David E.; Kelley, Michael S. P.; Sitko, Michael; Reach, William T.; De Pater, Imke; Gehrz, Robert D.; Kolokolova, Ludmilla; Cochran, Anita L.;

A 2 THz Heterodyne Array Receiver for SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, Christopher K.

1998-01-01

We proposed to perform a comprehensive design study of a 16-element heterodyne array receiver for SOFIA. The array was designed to utilize hot-electron bolometers in an efficient, low-cost waveguide mount to achieve low noise performance between approx. 1500 and 2400 GHz. Due to the prevailing physical conditions in the interstellar medium, this frequency range is one of the richest in the FIR portion of the spectrum. An array designed for this wavelength range will make excellent use of the telescope and the available atmospheric transmission, and will provide a new perspective on stellar, chemical, and galaxy evolution in the present as well as past epochs. A few of the most important molecular and atomic species which the instrument will sample are CII, OI, CO, OH, NII, and CH. The system used the most sensitive detectors available in an efficient optical system. The local oscillator was a compact CO2 pumped far-infrared laser currently under development for SOFIA. The backend spectrometer was an array acousto-optic spectrometer (aAOS). The spectrometer utilizes proven hardware and technologies to provide broadband performance (greater than or equal to 1 GHz per AOS channel) and high spectral resolution (1 MHz) with the maximum sensitivity and minimum complexity and cost. The proposed instrument would be the fastest and most sensitive heterodyne receiver ever to operate in the 1.5 - 2.4 THz band. One of the key technologies developed for the proposed instrument is the laser micromachining of waveguide structures. These structures provide both the optical link between the instrument and the telescope (via an array of efficient feedhorns) and the impedance transformation between the detectors and free space. With the assistance of funds provided from this grant, we were able to fabricate and test the world's first laser micromachined feedhorns. Figure 1 is a photograph of the 2 THz double feedhorn structure designed and constructed under the auspices of this grant. The quality of the waveguide structure is far better than that obtainable using any other fabrication technique. Figure 2 is the beam pattern obtained from it. The beam parameters are an excellent match to what is expected from theory. The success of this experiment demonstrates the viability of using laser micromachined components in the development of high performance, large format array receivers. Figure 3 is an illustration of the focal plane array concept we developed lot- SOFIA base upon this work. Un- fortunately, our instrument proposal was not selected as a first generation SOFIA instrument. However, we have continued our development efforts and will propose to build a 2nd generation instrument based on the same design concepts. Our work under NAG 2-1057 was very rewarding and we appreciate the opportunity provided by NASA to pursue it. The research led directly to publishing 2 papers (listed below) and the award of an NSF grant to our group to construct a laser micromachining system on the University of Arizona campus.

What makes a mathematician?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harris, Margaret

2017-12-01

Sofia Vasilyevna Kovalevskaia is surely the only person in history who became a mathematician because of a botched redecoration project. She is one of 25 mathematicians profiled in Ian Stewart's book Significant Figures: the Lives and Work of Great Mathematicians.

The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Helou, George; Kessler, Martin F.

1995-01-01

ISO, scheduled to launch in 1995, will carry into orbit the most sophisticated infrared observatory of the decade. Overviews of the mission, instrument payload and scientific program are given, along with a comparison of the strengths of ISO and SOFIA.

Juggling Act: Re-Planning and Building on Observatory...Simultaneously!

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zavala, Eddie; Daws, Patricia

2011-01-01

SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) is a major SMD program that has been required to meet several requirements and implement major planning and business initiatives overthe past 1 1/2 years, in the midst of system development and flight test phases. The program was required to implementing JCL and EVM simultaneously, as well as undergo a major replan and Standing Review Board - and all without impacting technical schedule progress. The team developed innovative processes that met all the requirements, and improved Program Management process toolsets. The SOFIA team, being subject to all the typical budget constraints, found ways to leverage existing roles in new ways to meet the requirements without creating unmanageable overhead. The team developed strategies and value added processes - such as improved risk identification, structured reserves management, cost/risk integration - so that the effort expended resulted in a positive return to the program.

Far-Infrared Heterodyne Spectrometer for SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Betz, A. L.; Boreiko, R. T.

1998-01-01

This report summarizes work done under NASA Grant NAG2-1062 awarded to the University of Colorado. The project goal was to evaluate the scientific capabilities and technical requirements for a far-infrared heterodyne spectrometer suitable for the SOFIA Airborne Observatory, which is now being developed by NASA under contract to the Universities Space Research Association (USRA). The conclusions detailed below include our specific recommendations for astronomical observations, as well as our intended technical approach for reaching these scientific goals. These conclusions were presented to USRA in the form of a proposal to build this instrument. USRA subsequently awarded the University of Colorado a 3-year grant (USRA 8500-98-010) to develop the proposed Hot-Electron micro-Bolometer (HEB) mixer concept for high frequencies above 3 THz, as well as other semiconductor mixer technologies suitable for high sensitivity receivers in the 2-6 THz frequency band.

Characterization of the mechanical properties of the SOFIA secondary mirror mechanism in a multi-stage approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greiner, Benjamin; Lammen, Yannick; Reinacher, Andreas; Krabbe, Alfred; Wagner, Jörg

2016-07-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) uses its compact and highly integrated Secondary Mirror Mechanism (SMM) to switch between target positions on the sky in a square wave pattern. This chopping motion excites eigenmodes of the mechanism structure, which limit controller and observatory performance. We present the setup and results of experimental modal tests performed on different building stages of a test-bench model as well as on the original flight hardware. Test results were correlated to simulations employing a finite element model in order to identify excited mode shapes and contributing flexible components of the Secondary Mirror Mechanism. It was possible to isolate the motion of the compensation ring and its elastic mounts as the vibration mode inducing the main disturbance at about 300 Hz, which is currently the main mode shape limiting the performance of the chopping controller.

Characterizing the Disk of a Recent Massive Collisional Event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Inseok

2015-10-01

Debris disks play a key role in the formation and evolution of planetary systems. On rare occasions, circumstellar material appears as strictly warm infrared excess in regions of expected terrestrial planet formation and so present an interesting opportunity for the study of terrestrial planetary regions. There are only a few known cases of extreme, warm, dusty disks which lack any colder outer component including BD+20 307, HD 172555, EF Cha, and HD 23514. We have recently found a new system TYC 8830-410-1 belonging to this rare group. Warm dust grains are extremely short-lived, and the extraordinary amount of warm dust near these stars can only be plausibly explainable by a recent (or on-going) massive transient event such as the Late Heavy Bombardment (LHB) or plantary collisions. LHB-like events are seen generally in a system with a dominant cold disk, however, warm dust only systems show no hint of a massive cold disk. Planetary collisions leave a telltale sign of strange mid-IR spectral feature such as silica and we want to fully characterize the spectral shape of the newly found system with SOFIA/FORCAST. With SOFIA/FORCAST, we propose to obtain two narrow band photometric measurements between 6 and 9 microns. These FORCAST photometric measurements will constrain the amount and temperature of the warm disk in the system. There are less than a handful systems with a strong hint of recent planetary collisions. With the firmly constrained warm disk around TYC 8830-410-1, we will publish the discovery in a leading astronomical journal accompanied with a potential press release through SOFIA.

Winter ocean-ice interactions under thin sea ice observed by IAOOS platforms during NICE2015:salty surface mixed layer and active basal melt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Provost, C.; Koenig, Z.; Villacieros-Robineau, N.; Sennechael, N.; Meyer, A.; Lellouche, J. M.; Garric, G.

2016-12-01

IAOOS platforms, measuring physical parameters at the atmosphere-snow-ice-ocean interface deployed as part of the N-ICE2015 campaign, provide new insights on winter conditions North of Svalbard. The three regions crossed during the drifts, the Nansen Basin, the Sofia Deep and the Svalbard northern continental slope featured distinct hydrographic properties and ice-ocean exchanges. In the Nansen Basin the quiescent warm layer was capped by a stepped halocline (60 and 110 m) and a deep thermocline (110 m). Ice was forming and the winter mixed layer salinity was larger by 0.1 g/kg than previously observed. Over the Svalbard continental slope, the Atlantic Water (AW) was very shallow (20 m from the surface) and extended offshore from the 500 m isobath by a distance of about 70 km, sank along the slope (40 m from the surface) and probably shedded eddies into the Sofia Deep. In the Sofia Deep, relatively warm waters of Atlantic origin extended from 90 m downward. Resulting from different pathways, these waters had a wide range of hydrographic characteristics. Sea-ice melt was widespread over the Svalbard continental slope and ocean-to-ice heat fluxes reached values of 400 Wm-2 (mean of 150 Wm-2 over the continentalslope). Sea-ice melt events were associated with near 12-hour fluctuations in the mixed-layer temperature and salinity corresponding to the periodicity of tides and near-inertial waves potentially generated by winter storms, large barotropic tides over steep topography and/or geostrophic adjustments.

75 FR 65383 - Notice Pursuant to the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993-Telemanagement Forum

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-22

..., CA; Compunet Services, Inc., Stockbridge, GA; Cordys, Putten, THE NETHERLANDS; Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile... Inc. to Cloud.com , Cupertino, CA; Globul to Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile EAD(GloBul), Sofia, BULGARIA; CTBC...

2007 Research and Engineering Annual Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoliker, Patrick; Bowers, Albion; Cruciani, Everlyn

2008-01-01

Selected research and technology activities at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center are summarized. These following activities exemplify the Center's varied and productive research efforts: Developing a Requirements Development Guide for an Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System; Digital Terrain Data Compression and Rendering for Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance Systems; Nonlinear Flutter/Limit Cycle Oscillations Prediction Tool; Nonlinear System Identification Using Orthonormal Bases: Application to Aeroelastic/Aeroservoelastic Systems; Critical Aerodynamic Flow Feature Indicators: Towards Application with the Aerostructures Test Wing; Multidisciplinary Design, Analysis, and Optimization Tool Development Using a Genetic Algorithm; Structural Model Tuning Capability in an Object-Oriented Multidisciplinary Design, Analysis, and Optimization Tool; Extension of Ko Straight-Beam Displacement Theory to the Deformed Shape Predictions of Curved Structures; F-15B with Phoenix Missile and Pylon Assembly--Drag Force Estimation; Mass Property Testing of Phoenix Missile Hypersonic Testbed Hardware; ARMD Hypersonics Project Materials and Structures: Testing of Scramjet Thermal Protection System Concepts; High-Temperature Modal Survey of the Ruddervator Subcomponent Test Article; ARMD Hypersonics Project Materials and Structures: C/SiC Ruddervator Subcomponent Test and Analysis Task; Ground Vibration Testing and Model Correlation of the Phoenix Missile Hypersonic Testbed; Phoenix Missile Hypersonic Testbed: Performance Design and Analysis; Crew Exploration Vehicle Launch Abort System-Pad Abort-1 (PA-1) Flight Test; Testing the Orion (Crew Exploration Vehicle) Launch Abort System-Ascent Abort-1 (AA-1) Flight Test; SOFIA Flight-Test Flutter Prediction Methodology; SOFIA Closed-Door Aerodynamic Analyses; SOFIA Handling Qualities Evaluation for Closed-Door Operations; C-17 Support of IRAC Engine Model Development; Current Capabilities and Future Upgrade Plans of the C-17 Data Rack; Intelligent Data Mining Capabilities as Applied to Integrated Vehicle Health Management; STARS Flight Demonstration No. 2 IP Data Formatter; Space-Based Telemetry and Range Safety (STARS) Flight Demonstration No. 2 Range User Flight Test Results; Aerodynamic Effects of the Quiet Spike(tm) on an F-15B Aircraft; F-15 Intelligent Flight Controls-Increased Destabilization Failure; F-15 Integrated Resilient Aircraft Control (IRAC) Improved Adaptive Controller; Aeroelastic Analysis of the Ikhana/Fire Pod System; Ikhana: Western States Fire Missions Utilizing the Ames Research Center Fire Sensor; Ikhana: Fiber-Optic Wing Shape Sensors; Ikhana: ARTS III; SOFIA Closed-Door Flutter Envelope Flight Testing; F-15B Quiet Spike(TM) Aeroservoelastic Flight Test Data Analysis; and UAVSAR Platform Precision Autopilot Flight Results.

A 2 THz Heterodyne Array Receiver for SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, Christopher K.

1996-01-01

We proposed to perform a comprehensive design study of a 16-element heterodyne array receiver for SOFIA. The array was designed to utilize hot-electron bolometers in an efficient, low-cost waveguide mount to achieve low noise performance between approx. 1500 and 2400 GHz. Due to the prevailing physical conditions in the interstellar medium, this frequency range is one of the richest in the FIR portion of the spectrum. An array designed for this wavelength range will make excellent use of the telescope and the available atmospheric transmission, and will provide a new perspective on stellar, chemical, and galaxy evolution in the present as well as past epochs. A few of the most important molecular and atomic species which the instrument will sample are CII, OI, CO, OH, NII, and CH. The system used the most sensitive detectors available in an efficient optical system. The local oscillator was a compact CO2 pumped far-infrared laser currently under development for SOFIA. The backend spectrometer was an array acousto-optic spectrometer (aAOS). The spectrometer utilizes proven hardware and technologies to provide broadband performance (greater than or equal to 1 GHz per AOS channel) and high spectral resolution (1 MHz) with the maximum sensitivity and minimum complexity and cost. The proposed instrument would be the fastest and most sensitive heterodyne receiver ever to operate in the 1.5 - 2.4 THz band. One of the key technologies developed for the proposed instrument is the laser micromachining of waveguide structures. These structures provide both the optical link between the instrument and the telescope (via an array of efficient feedhorns) and the impedance transformation between the detectors and free space. With the assistance of funds provided from this grant, we were able to fabricate and test the world's first laser micromachined feedhorns. The quality of the waveguide structure is far better than that obtainable using any other fabrication technique. The beam parameters are an excellent match to what is expected from theory. The success of this experiment demonstrates the viability of using laser micromachined components in the development of high performance, large format array receivers. Unfortunately, our instrument proposal was not selected as a first generation SOFIA instrument. However, we have continued our development efforts and will propose to build a 2nd generation instrument based on the same design concepts.

NASA Dryden Status

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacobson, Steve R.

2009-01-01

This slide presentation reviews several projects that NASA Dryden personnel are involved with: Integrated Resilient Aircraft Controls Project (IRAC), NASA G-III Research Aircraft, X-48B Blended Wing Body aircraft, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), and the Orion CEV Launch Abort Systems Tests.

JPRS Report, East Europe

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-05-06

1991 POLITICAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Foreign Ministry Criticizes Loncar Meeting [Sofia Radio... INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Norwegian Firm Expands Activity to East Europe [Oslo AFTENPOSTEN 22 Mar] ..................... 33 CZECHOSLOVAKIA Deputy Minister on...1991 POLITICAL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ALBANIA Foreign Ministry Criticizes Loncar Meeting Former Political Prisoner’s Experiences Described A

Christos Patriotis, PhD | Division of Cancer Prevention

Cancer.gov

Dr. Christos Patriotis obtained his MSc in Biochemistry from the University of Sofia, Bulgaria in 1985 and his PhD in Molecular Biology from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in 1990. Postdoctoral training focused on signal transduction and tumor cell biology. |

Adult Education and Development.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hinzen, Heribert, Ed.

2002-01-01

This document contains 19 papers on adult education and development worldwide. The following papers are included: "Editorial" (Heribert Hinzen); "Lifelong Learning in Europe: Moving towards EFA (Dakar Framework for Action on Education for All) Goals and the CONFINTEA V Agenda" (Sofia Conference on Adult Education);…

Quasi-Optical SIS Mixer Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zmuidzinas, J.

1997-01-01

This grant supported our ongoing development of sensitive quasi-optical SIS mixers for the submillimeter band. The technology developed under this grant is now being applied to NASA missions, including the NASA/USRA SOFIA airborne observatory and and the ESA/NASA FIRST/Herschel space astronomy mission.

Analysis of open-pit mines using high-resolution topography from UAV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jianping; Li, Ke; Sofia, Giulia; Tarolli, Paolo

2015-04-01

Among the anthropogenic topographic signatures on the Earth, open-pit mines deserve a great importance, since they significantly affect the Earth's surface and its related processes (e.g. erosion, pollution). Their geomorphological analysis, therefore, represents a real challenge for the Earth science community. The purpose of this research is to characterize the open-pit mining features using a recently published landscape metric, the Slope Local Length of Auto-Correlation (SLLAC) (Sofia et al., 2014), and high-resolution DEMs (Digital Elevation Models) derived from drone surveyed topography. The research focuses on two main case studies of iron mines located in the Beijing district (P.R. China). The main topographic information (Digital Surface Models, DSMs) was derived using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and the Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetric technique. The results underline the effectiveness of the adopted methodologies and survey techniques in the characterization of the main geomorphic features of the mines. Thanks to the SLLAC, the terraced area given by multi-benched sideways-moving method for the iron extraction is automatically depicted, and using some SLLAC derived parameters, the related terraces extent is automatically estimated. The analysis of the correlation length orientation, furthermore, allows to identify the terraces orientation respect to the North, and to understand as well the shape of the open-pit area. This provides a basis for a large scale and low cost topographic survey for a sustainable environmental planning and, for example, for the mitigation of environmental anthropogenic impact due to mining. References Sofia G., Marinello F, Tarolli P. 2014. A new landscape metric for the identification of terraced sites: the Slope Local Length of Auto-Correlation (SLLAC). ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, doi:10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2014.06.018

Winter ocean-ice interactions under thin sea ice observed by IAOOS platforms during N-ICE2015: Salty surface mixed layer and active basal melt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koenig, Zoé; Provost, Christine; Villacieros-Robineau, Nicolas; Sennéchael, Nathalie; Meyer, Amelie

2016-10-01

IAOOS (Ice Atmosphere Arctic Ocean Observing System) platforms, measuring physical parameters at the atmosphere-snow-ice-ocean interface deployed as part of the N-ICE2015 campaign, provide new insights on winter conditions North of Svalbard. The three regions crossed during the drifts, the Nansen Basin, the Sofia Deep, and the Svalbard northern continental slope featured distinct hydrographic properties and ice-ocean exchanges. In the Nansen Basin, the quiescent warm layer was capped by a stepped halocline (60 and 110 m) and a deep thermocline (110 m). Ice was forming and the winter mixed layer salinity was larger by ˜0.1 g/kg than previously observed. Over the Svalbard continental slope, the Atlantic Water (AW) was very shallow (20 m from the surface) and extended offshore from the 500 m isobath by a distance of about 70 km, sank along the slope (40 m from the surface) and probably shed eddies into the Sofia Deep. In the Sofia Deep, relatively warm waters of Atlantic origin extended from 90 m downward. Resulting from different pathways, these waters had a wide range of hydrographic characteristics. Sea-ice melt was widespread over the Svalbard continental slope and ocean-to-ice heat fluxes reached values of 400 W m-2 (mean of ˜150 W m-2 over the continental slope). Sea-ice melt events were associated with near 12 h fluctuations in the mixed-layer temperature and salinity corresponding to the periodicity of tides and near-inertial waves potentially generated by winter storms, large barotropic tides over steep topography, and/or geostrophic adjustments.

SOFIA EXES Observations of Herschel’s Garnet Star and the two α Red Supergiants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harper, Graham M.; DeWitt, Curtis N.; Richter, Matthew; Guinan, Edward F.; Montiel, Edward; Bennett, Philip D.; EXES Instrument Team

2018-06-01

We report EXES Cycle 4 and 5 observations of M supergiants, made at high spectral resolution (R > 50,000), and obtained from NASA-DLR SOFIA.Emission profiles from Herschel’s Garnet Star (μ Cephei: M2 Ia) show distinct structure and asymmetry in the [S I] 25.25 micron and [Fe II] 25.99 micron lines. These profiles are unlike the remarkably symmetric [Fe II] profile observed from Betelgeuse (α Orionis: M2 Iab) at R=65,000. These diagnostics both arise from upper energy levels with Eup ≈ 550 K and they probe the inner circumstellar envelope. The flux ratios of [S I]/[Fe II] are very different for μ Cep, α Ori, and Antares (α Scorpii: M1.5 Iab), suggesting that the intrinsic far ultraviolet photoionization field of μ Cep is weaker than that of α Ori, and that α Sco’s hot companion may contribute to ionizing neutral sulfur. We find that the mid-IR emission from μ Cep is centered close to the optical radial velocity of V(LSR)=33.0 km s-1 [V(Helio)=19.3 km s-1] reported in the General Catalogue of Stellar Radial Velocities (Wilson 1953), and which is substantially different to that inferred from low-J CO radio emission, i.e. V(LSR)=25 km s-1. It appears that Herschel's Garnet Star has undergone discrete events of asymmetric mass loss.Acknowledgements: This work has made extensive use of the SAO/NASA ADS and VizieR search tools, and the ASTRAL and SIMBAD databases. Financial support has been provided by NASA SOFIA Cycle 4 and 5 grants SOF 04-0136 and 05-0073 issued by USRA.

Detection of Interstellar Ortho-D2H+ with SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harju, Jorma; Sipilä, Olli; Brünken, Sandra; Schlemmer, Stephan; Caselli, Paola; Juvela, Mika; Menten, Karl M.; Stutzki, Jürgen; Asvany, Oskar; Kamiński, Tomasz; Okada, Yoko; Higgins, Ronan

2017-05-01

We report on the detection of the ground-state rotational line of ortho-D2H+ at 1.477 THz (203 μm) using the German REceiver for Astronomy at Terahertz frequencies (GREAT) on board the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The line is seen in absorption against far-infrared continuum from the protostellar binary IRAS 16293-2422 in Ophiuchus. The para-D2H+ line at 691.7 GHz was not detected with the APEX telescope toward this position. These D2H+ observations complement our previous detections of para-H2D+ and ortho-H2D+ using SOFIA and APEX. By modeling chemistry and radiative transfer in the dense core surrounding the protostars, we find that the ortho-D2H+ and para-H2D+ absorption features mainly originate in the cool (T < 18 K) outer envelope of the core. In contrast, the ortho-H2D+ emission from the core is significantly absorbed by the ambient molecular cloud. Analyses of the combined D2H+ and H2D+ data result in an age estimate of ˜5 × 105 yr for the core, with an uncertainty of ˜2 × 105 yr. The core material has probably been pre-processed for another 5 × 105 years in conditions corresponding to those in the ambient molecular cloud. The inferred timescale is more than 10 times the age of the embedded protobinary. The D2H+ and H2D+ ions have large and nearly equal total (ortho+para) fractional abundances of ˜10-9 in the outer envelope. This confirms the central role of {{{H}}}3+ in the deuterium chemistry in cool, dense gas, and adds support to the prediction of chemistry models that also {{{D}}}3+ should be abundant in these conditions.

High-precision Pb isotopic measurements of teeth and environmental samples from Sofia (Bulgaria): insights for regional lead sources and possible pathways to the human body

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamenov, George D.

2008-08-01

High-precision Pb isotopic measurements on teeth and possible sources in a given area can provide important insights for the lead (Pb) sources and pathways in the human body. Pb isotopic analyses on soils from the area of Sofia, Bulgaria show that Pb is contributed by three end-members represented by two natural sources and leaded gasoline. Sequential leaching experiments reveal that the alumosilicate fraction of the soils is mainly controlled by natural Pb derived from two mountain massifs bordering the city. Around 1/3 to a half of the Pb in the soil leachates, however, can be explained by contamination from leaded gasoline. Contemporary teeth from Sofia residents show very similar Pb isotopic compositions to the soil leachates, also indicating that around 1/3 to a half of the Pb can be explained by derivation from leaded gasoline. The remarkable isotopic similarities between the teeth and the most labile fractions of the local soils suggest that the lead can be derived from the latter. Pb incorporation in the human body via soil-plant-human or soil-plant-animal-human chains is unlikely due to the fact that no significant farming occurs in the city area. The isotopic compositions of the local soil labile fractions can be used as approximation of the bioaccessible lead for humans. Considering all possible scenarios it appears that soil and/or soil-born dust inhalation and/or ingestion is the most probable pathway for incorporation of local soil lead in the local population. The high-precision Pb isotope data presented in this work indicate that apparently the local soil is what plays major role in the human Pb exposure.

NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) Professional Development and NASA Connections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Backman, D. E.; Clark, C.; Harman, P. K.

2017-12-01

NASA's Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) program is a three-part professional development (PD) experience for high school physics, astronomy, and earth science teachers. AAA PD consists of: (1) blended learning via webinars, asynchronous content learning, and in-person workshops, (2) a STEM immersion experience at NASA Armstrong's B703 science research aircraft facility in Palmdale, California, and (3) ongoing opportunities for connection with NASA astrophysics and planetary science Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). AAA implementation in 2016-18 involves partnerships between the SETI Institute and seven school districts in northern and southern California. AAAs in the current cohort were selected by the school districts based on criteria developed by AAA program staff working with WestEd evaluation consultants. The selected teachers were then randomly assigned by WestEd to a Group A or B to support controlled testing of student learning. Group A completed their PD during January - August 2017, then participated in NASA SOFIA science flights during fall 2017. Group B will act as a control during the 2017-18 school year, then will complete their professional development and SOFIA flights during 2018. A two-week AAA electromagnetic spectrum and multi-wavelength astronomy curriculum aligned with the Science Framework for California Public Schools and Next Generation Science Standards was developed by program staff for classroom delivery. The curriculum (as well as the AAA's pre-flight PD) capitalizes on NASA content by using "science snapshot" case studies regarding astronomy research conducted by SOFIA. AAAs also interact with NASA SMEs during flight weeks and will translate that interaction into classroom content. The AAA program will make controlled measurements of student gains in standards-based learning plus changes in student attitudes towards STEM, and observe & record the AAAs' implementation of curricular changes. Funded by NASA: NNX16AC51

Suggestopaedia-Canada. 1977-2.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Racle, Gabriel

This issue presents the original English version and a French translation of a text written at the Sofia Institute of Suggestology around April 1971. The document defines suggestology and suggestopedia, and traces the development of the suggestopedic method, from the first collective experiments aimed at attaining suggestive hypermnesia carried…

The SOFIA/SAFIRE Far-Infrared Spectrometer: Highlighting Submillimeter Astrophysics and Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Benford, Dominic J.

2009-01-01

The Submillimeter and Far-InfraRed Experiment (SAFIRE) on the SOFIA airborne observatory is an imaging spectrometer for wavelengths between 28 microns and 440 microns. Our design is a dual-band long-slit grating spectrometer, which provides broadband (approx. 4000 km/s) observations in two lines simultaneously over a field of view roughly 10" wide by 320" long. The low backgrounds in spectroscopy require very sensitive detectors with noise equivalent powers of order 10(exp -18) W/square root of Hz. We are developing a kilopixel, filled detector array for SAFIRE in a 32 x 40 format. The detector consists of a transition edge sensor (TES) bolometer array, a per-pixel broadband absorbing backshort array, and a NIST SQUID multiplexer readout array. This general type of array has been used successfully in the GISMO instrument, so we extrapolate to the sensitivity needed for airborne spectroscopy. Much of the cryogenic, electronics, and software infrastructure for SAFIRE have been developed. I provide here an overview of the progress on SAFIRE.

Multi-wavelength Polarimetry of the GF9-2 YSO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clemens, Dan P.; El-Batal, Adham M.; Montgomery, Jordan; Kressy, Sophia; Schroeder, Genevieve; Pillai, Thushara

2018-06-01

Our new SOFIA/HAWC+ 214 μm polarimetry of the cloud core containing the young stellar object GF9-2 (IRAS 20503+6006, aka L1082C) has been combined with deep near-infrared H- and K-band polarimetry of the cloud's core, obtained with the Mimir instrument. Additionally, Planck 870 μm and published optical polarimetry are included to provide context at larger size scales. We follow the direction and structure of the plane-of-sky magnetic field from the smallest physical scales (~10 arcsec or 4,000 AU) traced by SOFIA/HAWC+ to the Mimir field of view (10 arcmin, or 1.3 pc) and compare the B-field orientation with that of a faint reflection nebula seen in WISE and Spitzer images. The importance, or lack thereof, for the B-field in this naescent star-forming region is assessed through estimates of the Mass-to-Flux (M/Φ) ratio.This work has been supported by NSF AST14-12269, NASA NNX15AE51G, and USRA/SOF 04-0014 grants

Analysis of satellite and airborne wind measurements during the SEMAPHORE experiment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tournadre, J.; Hauser, D.

1994-12-31

During the SEMAPHORE experiment Intensive Observation Period (IOP), held in October and November 1993 in the Azores-Madeira region, two airplanes, instrumented for atmospheric research, and two oceanographic research vessels have conducted in situ measurements in a 500km x 500km domain. Within the framework of SEMAPHORE, the SOFIA program is dedicated to the study of the air-sea fluxes and interactions from local scale up to mesoscale. The analysis of the structure of the wind and wave fields and their relations to the surface fluxes (especially near oceanic fronts) and the validation of the satellite data are two of the main goalsmore » of the SOFIA program. During the IOP, the experiment domain was regularly overflown by the ERS-1 and Topex-Poseidon (TP) satellites. This study presents a preliminary analysis of the ERS-1 and TP altimeter wind and wave measurement and ERS-1 scatterometer wind fields. The data from the airborne RESSAC (a radar ocean wave spectrometer) are also presented.« less

The Orion Nebula in the Far-Infrared: High-J CO and fine-structure lines mapped by FIFI-LS/SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, Randolf; Looney, Leslie W.; Cox, Erin; Fischer, Christian; Iserlohe, Christof; Krabbe, Alfred

2017-03-01

The Orion Nebula is the closest massive star forming region allowing us to study the physical conditions in such a region with high spatial resolution. We used the far infrared integral-field spectrometer, FIFI-LS, on-board the airborne observatory SOFIA to study the atomic and molecular gas in the Orion Nebula at medium spectral resolution. The large maps obtained with FIFI-LS cover the nebula from the BN/KL-object to the bar in several fine structure lines. They allow us to study the conditions of the photon-dominated region and the interface to the molecular cloud with unprecedented detail. Another investigation targeted the molecular gas in the BN/KL region of the Orion Nebula, which is stirred up by a violent explosion about 500 years ago. The explosion drives a wide angled molecular outflow. We present maps of several high-J CO observations, allowing us to analyze the heated molecular gas.

Utilization of CAD/CAE for concurrent design of structural aircraft components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kahn, William C.

1993-01-01

The feasibility of installing the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy telescope (named SOFIA) into an aircraft for NASA astronomy studies is investigated using CAD/CAE equipment to either design or supply data for every facet of design engineering. The aircraft selected for the platform was a Boeing 747, chosen on the basis of its ability to meet the flight profiles required for the given mission and payload. CAD models of the fuselage of two of the aircraft models studied (747-200 and 747 SP) were developed, and models for the component parts of the telescope and subsystems were developed by the various concurrent engineering groups of the SOFIA program, to determine the requirements for the cavity opening and for design configuration. It is noted that, by developing a plan to use CAD/CAE for concurrent engineering at the beginning of the study, it was possible to produce results in about two-thirds of the time required using traditional methods.

Land-margin ecosystem hydrologic data for the coastal Everglades, Florida, water years 1996-2012

USGS Publications Warehouse

Anderson, Gordon H.; Smith, Thomas J.; Balentine, Karen M.

2014-01-01

Mangrove forests and salt marshes dominate the landscape of the coastal Everglades (Odum and McIvor, 1990). However, the ecological effects from potential sea-level rise and increased water flows from planned freshwater Everglades restoration on these coastal systems are poorly understood. The National Park Service (NPS) proposed the South Florida Global Climate Change Project (SOFL-GCC) in 1990 to evaluate climate change and the effect from rising sea levels on the coastal Everglades, particularly at the marsh/mangrove interface or ecotone (Soukup and others, 1990). A primary objective of SOFL-GCC project was to monitor and synthesize the hydrodynamics of the coastal Everglades from the upstream freshwater marsh to the downstream estuary mangrove. Two related hypotheses were set forward (Nuttle and Cosby, 1993): 1. There exists hydrologic conditions (tide, local rainfall, and upstream water deliveries), which characterize the location of the marsh/mangrove ecotone along the marine and terrestrial hydrologic gradient; and 2. The marsh/mangrove ecotone is sensitive to fluctuations in sea level and freshwater inflow from inland areas. Hydrologic monitoring of the SOFL-GCC network began in 1995 after startup delays from Hurricane Andrew (August 1992) and organizational transfers from the NPS to the National Biological Survey (October 1993) and the merger with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Biological Research Division in 1996 (Smith, 2004). As the SOFL-GCC project progressed, concern by environmental scientists and land managers over how the diversion of water from Everglades National Park would affect the restoration of the greater Everglades ecosystem. Everglades restoration scenarios were based on hydrodynamic models, none of which included the coastal zone (Fennema and others, 1994). Modeling efforts were expanded to include the Everglades coastal zone (Schaffranek and others, 2001) with SOFL-GCC hydrologic data assisting the ecological modeling needs. In 2002, as a response for a more interdisciplinary science approach to understanding the coastal Everglades ecological system, the SOFL-GCC hydrology project was integrated into the “Dynamics of Land-Margin Ecosystems: Historical Change, Hydrology, Vegetation, Sediment, and Climate” study (Smith and others, 2002). Data from the ongoing study has been useful in providing an empirical hydrologic baseline for the greater Everglades ecosystem restoration science and management needs. The hydrology network consisted of 13 hydrologic gaging stations installed in the southwestern coastal region of Everglades National Park along three transects: Shark River (Shark or SH) transect, Lostmans River (Lostmans or LO) transect, and Chatham River (Chatham or CH) transect (fig. 1). There were five paired surface-water/groundwater gaging stations on the Shark transect (SH1, SH2, SH3, SH4, and SH5) and one stage gaging station (BSC) in the Big Sable Creek; four paired surface-water/groundwater gaging stations on the Lostmans transect (LO1, LO2, LO3, and LO4); and three paired surface-water/groundwater gaging stations on the Chatham transect (CH1, CH2, and CH3). Both surface-water and groundwater levels, salinities, and temperatures were monitored at the paired gaging stations. Rainfall was recorded at marsh and open canopy gaging stations. This report details the study introduction, method, and description of data collected, which are accessible through the final instantaneous hydrologic dataset stored in the USGS South Florida Information Access (SOFIA) South Florida Hydrology Database website, http://sofia.usgs.gov/exchange/sfl_hydro_data/location.html#brdlandmargin.

Enhancements to a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) Multiplexer Readout and Control System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forgione, J.; Benford, D. J.; Buchanan, E. D.; Moseley, S. H.; Rebar, J.; Shafer, R. A.

2004-01-01

Far-infrared detector arrays such as the 16x32 superconducting bolometer array for the SAFIRE instrument (flying on the SOFIA airborne observatory) require systems of readout and control electronics to provide translation between a user-driven, digital PC and the cold, analog world of the cryogenic detector. In 2001, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed their Mark III electronics for purposes of control and readout of their 1x32 SQUID Multiplexer chips. We at NASA s Goddard Space Flight Center acquired a Mark 111 system and subsequently designed upgrades to suit our and our collaborators purposes. We developed an arbitrary, programmable multiplexing system that allows the user to cycle through rows in a SQUID array in an infinite number of combinations. We provided hooks in the Mark III system to allow readout of signals from outside the Mark 111 system, such as telescope status information. Finally, we augmented the heart of the system with a new feedback algorithm implementation, flexible diagnostic tools, and informative telemetry.

Enhancements to a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) multiplexer readout and control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forgione, Joshua B.; Benford, Dominic J.; Buchanan, Ernest D.; Moseley, S. H., Jr.; Rebar, Joyce; Shafer, Richard A.

2004-10-01

Far-infrared detector arrays such as the 16x32 superconducting bolometer array for the SAFIRE instrument (flying on the SOFIA airborne observatory) require systems of readout and control electronics to provide translation between a user-driven, digital PC and the cold, analog world of the cryogenic detector. In 2001, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed their Mark III electronics for purposes of control and readout of their 1x32 SQUID Multiplexer chips. We at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center acquired a Mark III system and subsequently designed upgrades to suit our and our collaborators' purposes. We developed an arbitrary, programmable multiplexing system that allows the user to cycle through rows in a SQUID array in an infinite number of combinations. We provided 'hooks' in the Mark III system to allow readout of signals from outside the Mark III system, such as telescope status information. Finally, we augmented the heart of the system with a new feedback algorithm implementation, flexible diagnostic tools, and informative telemetry.

Non-PRASA Drinking Water Research on UV Disinfection in Puerto Rico

EPA Science Inventory

The U.S. EPA and InterAmerican University of San German worked with water treatment operators from Patillas, Puerto Rico on the installation, training and testing of pretreatment/UV disinfection systems in the communities of La Sofia and Apeadero. This presentation provides path...

Forest resources of Louisiana, 1991

Treesearch

James F. Rosson

1995-01-01

The findings of the sixth Louisiana forest survey are summarized in this report. The survey is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station, headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Forest Inventory and Analysis (SO-FIA) work unit located in Starkville, Mississippi, is responsible for conducting the surveys...

SOFIA: an R package for enhancing genetic visualization with Circos

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Visualization of data from any stage of genetic and genomic research is one of the most useful approaches for detecting potential errors, ensuring accuracy and reproducibility, and presentation of the resulting data. Currently software such as Circos, ClicO FS, and RCircos, among others, provide too...

NASA's future plans for space astronomy and astrophysics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaplan, Mike

1992-01-01

A summary is presented of plans for the future NASA astrophysics missions called SIRTF (Space Infrared Telescope Facility), SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy), SMIM (Submillimeter Intermdiate Mission), and AIM (Astrometric Interferometry Mission), the Greater Observatories, and MFPE (Mission From Planet Earth). Technology needs for these missions are briefly described.

Assessing timber availability in upland Hardwood Forests

Treesearch

Dennis M. May; Chris B. LeDoux

1992-01-01

Reported forest inventory statistics gathered by the USDA Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis (SOFIA) have been criticized because not all of the inventory volume reported is truly available for harvest. In response to this criticism, a procedure has been developed for assessing timber availability from reported inventory...

Interannual changes in snow cover and its impact on ground surface temperatures in Livingston Island (Antarctica)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nieuwendam, Alexandre; Ramos, Miguel; Vieira, Gonçalo

2015-04-01

In permafrost areas the seasonal snow cover is an important factor on the ground thermal regime. Snow depth and timing are important in ground insulation from the atmosphere, creating different snow patterns and resulting in spatially variable ground temperatures. The aim of this work is to characterize the interactions between ground thermal regimes and snow cover and the influence on permafrost spatial distribution. The study area is the ice-free terrains of northwestern Hurd Peninsula in the vicinity of the Spanish Antarctic Station "Juan Carlos I" and Bulgarian Antarctic Station "St. Kliment Ohridski". Air and ground temperatures and snow thickness data where analysed from 4 sites along an altitudinal transect in Hurd Peninsula from 2007 to 2012: Nuevo Incinerador (25 m asl), Collado Ramos (110 m), Ohridski (140 m) and Reina Sofia Peak (275 m). The data covers 6 cold seasons showing different conditions: i) very cold with thin snow cover; ii) cold with a gradual increase of snow cover; iii) warm with thick snow cover. The data shows three types of periods regarding the ground surface thermal regime and the thickness of snow cover: a) thin snow cover and short-term fluctuation of ground temperatures; b) thick snow cover and stable ground temperatures; c) very thick snow cover and ground temperatures nearly constant at 0°C. a) Thin snow cover periods: Collado Ramos and Ohridski sites show frequent temperature variations, alternating between short-term fluctuations and stable ground temperatures. Nuevo Incinerador displays during most of the winter stable ground temperatures; b) Cold winters with a gradual increase of the snow cover: Nuevo Incinerador, Collado Ramos and Ohridski sites show similar behavior, with a long period of stable ground temperatures; c) Thick snow cover periods: Collado Ramos and Ohridski show long periods of stable ground, while Nuevo Incinerador shows temperatures close to 0°C since the beginning of the winter, due to early snow cover, which prevents cooling. Reina Sofia shows a very different behavior from the other sites, with a frequent stabilization of ground temperatures during all the winters, and last until late-fall. This situation could be related to the structure, and physical and thermal properties of snow cover. The analysis of the Freezing Degree Days (FDDs) and freezing n-factor reveals significant interannual variations. Ohridski shows the highest FDDs values followed by Reina Sofia. Nuevo Incinerador showed the lowest FDDs values. The freezing n-factor shows highest values at Ohridski, followed by Collado Ramos and Reina Sofia with very similar values. Nuevo Incinerador shows the lowest n-factor values. Snow cover doesn't insulate the ground from freezing, but depending on its thickness, density and the amount of heat in the ground, it decreases ground temperatures amplitudes and increases delays relative to air temperature changes. Even where snow cover remains several centimeters thick for several months, slow decrease of bottom temperature is possible, reaching a minimum value at the end of the winter. The results demonstrate that Reina Sofia and Ohridski sites, because of the seasonal behavior, FDDs and freezing n-factor, demonstrate higher winter ground cooling. This research was funded by PERMANTAR-3 (PTDC/AAG-GLO/3908/2012) project (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia of Portugal)

Tomographic Sounding of Protoplanetary and Transitional Disks: Using Inner Disk Variability at Near to Mid-IR Wavelengths to Probe Conditions in the Outer Disk

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grady, C. A.; Sitko, M.L.

2013-01-01

Spitzer synoptic monitoring of young stellar associations has demonstrated that variability among young stars and their disks is ubiquitous. The Spitzer studies have been limited by target visibility windows and cover only a short temporal baseline in years. A complementary approach is to focus on stars chosen for high-value observations (e.g. high-contrast imaging, interferometry, or access to wavelengths which are difficult to achieve from the ground) where the synoptic data can augment the imagery or interferometry as well as probing disk structure. In this talk, we discuss how synoptic data for two protoplanetary disks, MWC 480 and HD 163296, constrain the dust disk scale height, account for variable disk illumination, and can be used to locate emission features, such as the IR bands commonly associated with PAHs in the disk, as part of our SOFIA cycle 1 study. Similar variability is now known for several pre-transitional disks, where synoptic data can be used to identify inner disks which are not coplanar with the outer disk, and which may be relicts of giant planet-giant planet scattering events. Despite the logistical difficulties in arranging supporting, coordinated observations in tandem with high-value observations, such data have allowed us to place imagery in context, constrained structures in inner disks not accessible to direct imagery, and may be a tool for identifying systems where planet scattering events have occurred.

"Teach Your Children Well": Arguing in Favor of Pedagogically Justifiable Hospitality Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Potgieter, Ferdinand J.

2016-01-01

This paper is a sequel to the paper which I delivered at last year's BCES conference in Sofia. Making use of hermeneutic phenomenology and constructive interpretivism as methodological apparatus, I challenge the pedagogic justifiability of the fashionable notion of religious tolerance. I suggest that we need, instead, to reflect "de…

The Lozanov Language Class.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bancroft, W. Jane

In Sofia, Bulgaria, at the Institute of Suggestology headed by Dr. Georgi Lozanov, yoga relaxation has been combined with the Mauger oral method to produce a unique system of foreign language teaching: Suggestopedia. In a pleasant classroom, 12 students sit in specail chairs in front of a teacher individually trained in the foreign language and in…

Structures of School Systems Worldwide: A Comparative Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Popov, Nikolay

2012-01-01

In the past 20 years I have been examining the structures of school systems worldwide. This ongoing research has been enriched by the findings obtained from the lecture course on Comparative Education I have been delivering to students in the Bachelor and Master's Education Programs at Sofia University, Bulgaria. This paper presents some results…

Rigid Body Motion in Stereo 3D Simulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zabunov, Svetoslav

2010-01-01

This paper addresses the difficulties experienced by first-grade students studying rigid body motion at Sofia University. Most quantities describing the rigid body are in relations that the students find hard to visualize and understand. They also lose the notion of cause-result relations between vector quantities, such as the relation between…

The Surprising Complexity of Diffuse and Translucent Clouds Toward SGR B2: Diatomics and COMs from 4 GHz to 1.2 THz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGuire, Brett A.; Corby, Joanna F.; Martin-Drumel, Marie-Aline; Schilke, P.; McCarthy, Michael C.; Remijan, Anthony

2017-06-01

Many diffuse and translucent clouds lie along the line of sight between Earth and the Galactic Center that can be probed through molecular absorption at characteristic velocities. We highlight results of a study of diffuse and translucent clouds along the line of sight to Sgr B2, including SOFIA observations of SH near 1.4 THz and GBT PRIMOS observations from 4 to 50 GHz. We find significant variation in the chemical conditions within these clouds, and the abundances do not appear to correlate with the total optical depth. Additionally, from the GBT observations, we report the first detections of multiple complex organic molecules (COMs) in diffuse and translucent clouds, including CH_3CN, HC_3N, CH_3CHO, and NH_2CHO. We compare the GBT results to complementary observations of SH, H_2S, and others at mm, sub-mm, and THz frequencies from the NRAO 12m, Herschel HIFI, and SOFIA facilities, and comment on the insights into interstellar sulfur chemistry which is currently not well constrained.

The total ozone at mid latitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendeva, Bogdana

The total ozone at mid latitudes B.D.Mendeva 1, D.G. Krastev 1, Ts.N.Gogosheva 2 1 Solar Terrestrial Influences Laboratory, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Stara Zagora De-partment, Bulgaria, bmendeva@abv.bg 2 Institute of Astronomy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria, This paper presents the total ozone content (TOC) behaviour over Bulgaria from satellite ex-periments (TOMS on the Earth Probe satellite and SCIAMACHY on board ENVISAT (ESA)). The long-term variations of the total ozone monthly means values in the period 1997-2009 are examined. The calculated linear ozone trend for this time interval is shown. An analysis of the total ozone over the Balkan region is also presented. For this purpose data from the SCIA-MACHY are used. The investigation is made for Athens (37o 59'N, 23o46'E), Thessaloniki (40o31'N, 22o58'E), Sofia (42o39'N, 23o23'E) and Bucharest (44o28'N, 26o17'E) in the period 2003-2009. A comparison between the courses of the monthly mean ozone values over these places is shown.

SOFIA/FORCAST Observations of the Arched Filamentary Region in the Galactic Center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hankins, Matthew; Lau, Ryan M.; Morris, Mark; Herter, Terry L.

2016-06-01

Abstract: We present 19.7, 25.2, 31.5, and 37.1 μm maps of the Thermal Arched Filament region in the Galactic Center taken with the Faint Object Infrared Camera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST) with an angular resolution of 3.2-3.8". We calculate the integrated infrared luminosity of the Arched Filaments and show that they are consistent with being heated by the nearby Arches cluster. Additionally, using our observations, we infer dust temperatures (75 - 90 K) across the Arched Filaments which are remarkably consistent over large spatial scales (˜ 25 pc). We discuss the possible geometric effects needed to recreate this temperature structure. Additionally, we compare the observed morphology of the Arches in the FORCAST maps with the Paschen-α emission in the region to study what fraction of the infrared emission may be coming from dust in the HII region versus the PDR beneath it. Finally, we use Spitzer/IRAC 8 μm data to look for spatial variations in PAH abundance in the rich UV environment of the young (~2-4 Myr) and massive Arches cluster.

Flexible body control of the airborne telescope SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaercher, Hans J.

2002-07-01

Airborne telescopes have, compared with earthbound or space telescopes, by far the most worse environment during operations. They must not only deal with aircraft vibrations, but also with large temperature differences and aero-acoustic loads including standing waves. System simulations are particularly useful for verifying the design performance in this environment. They should include the behavior of the overall opto-mechanical system, the environmental loads and the pointing control system itself. SOFIA - the "Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy" - is a 2,7 m infrared telescope in an open cavity of a Boeing 747 aircraft. At present the telescope is under construction in the MAN premises in Augsburg. Simulations during the design phase of the telescope showed, that there are resonance effects in the telescope excited by the cavity acoustics. The excitations disturb the pointing behavior above the allowances. This paper describes, how the overall system was simulated, how the resonance modes will be compensated by "flexible body control", and how the pointing control system will be finally optimized during test flights in an pointing improvement phase.

The Role of Magnetic Fields in Star Formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pipher, Judith

2018-06-01

The SOFIA instrument complement makes available the capability to characterize the physical properties (turbulence, dynamics, magnetic field structure and strength, gas density) of the molecular cloud filaments in which stars form.HAWC+, the newest SOFIA instrument, provides a unique opportunity to probe the complex roles that magnetic fields play in the star formation process on spatial scales intermediate to those explored by Planck (5’ scale), to those of ALMA at the smallest spatial scales (<0.6”scale and 2” fields of view). HAWC+ measures the thermal emission from dust grains in molecular cloud star forming regions at wavelengths 53 to 216 mm, as well as the far infrared polarization on diffraction-limited spatial scales of 5” – 20” over fields of view ~2’ – 8’. Complementary near- to mid-IR polarimetry on 8-10m telescopes is available, as is submm polarimetry from both ground-based and balloon-borne telescopes. Currently there is no other far-IR polarimetry facility, and the HAWC+ wavelength ranges allow discrimination among different polarization mechanisms. HAWC+’ angular resolution is particularly well suited to study the magnetic field of entire cloud cores, thus connecting the Planck large scale molecular cloud structure with ALMA’s detailed small-scale structure of the core.SOFIA also offers the advantages of molecular line emission follow-up on regions for which HAWC+ determines magnetic field strength and direction. GREAT and/or FIFI-LS molecular line observations of the region of interest will complement the magnetic field observations: cloud and filament dynamics, the magnitude of the turbulence, and of course the core gas density can be determined through observations of appropriate molecular lines.These observations, as well as synergistic observations with other telescopes, will provide powerful tools to further our understanding of the fundamental physics of both low mass and high mass star formation, including the role that magnetic fields play in each.

A high-sensitivity EM-CCD camera for the open port telescope cavity of SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiedemann, Manuel; Wolf, Jürgen; McGrotty, Paul; Edwards, Chris; Krabbe, Alfred

2016-08-01

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has three target acquisition and tracking cameras. All three imagers originally used the same cameras, which did not meet the sensitivity requirements, due to low quantum efficiency and high dark current. The Focal Plane Imager (FPI) suffered the most from high dark current, since it operated in the aircraft cabin at room temperatures without active cooling. In early 2013 the FPI was upgraded with an iXon3 888 from Andor Techonolgy. Compared to the original cameras, the iXon3 has a factor five higher QE, thanks to its back-illuminated sensor, and orders of magnitude lower dark current, due to a thermo-electric cooler and "inverted mode operation." This leads to an increase in sensitivity of about five stellar magnitudes. The Wide Field Imager (WFI) and Fine Field Imager (FFI) shall now be upgraded with equally sensitive cameras. However, they are exposed to stratospheric conditions in flight (typical conditions: T≍-40° C, p≍ 0:1 atm) and there are no off-the-shelf CCD cameras with the performance of an iXon3, suited for these conditions. Therefore, Andor Technology and the Deutsches SOFIA Institut (DSI) are jointly developing and qualifying a camera for these conditions, based on the iXon3 888. These changes include replacement of electrical components with MIL-SPEC or industrial grade components and various system optimizations, a new data interface that allows the image data transmission over 30m of cable from the camera to the controller, a new power converter in the camera to generate all necessary operating voltages of the camera locally and a new housing that fulfills airworthiness requirements. A prototype of this camera has been built and tested in an environmental test chamber at temperatures down to T=-62° C and pressure equivalent to 50 000 ft altitude. In this paper, we will report about the development of the camera and present results from the environmental testing.

High Resolution SOFIA/EXES Spectroscopy of CH4 and SO2 toward Massive Young Stellar Objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boogert, Abraham C. A.; Richter, Matt; DeWitt, Curtis; Indriolo, Nick; Neufeld, David A.; Karska, Agata; Bergin, Edwin A.; Smith, Rachel L.; Montiel, Edward

2017-01-01

The ro-vibrational transitions of molecules in the near to mid-infrared are excellent tracers of the composition, dynamics, and excitation of the inner regions of Young Stellar Objects (YSOs). They sample a wide range of excitations in a short wavelength range, they can be seen in absorption against strong hot dust continuum sources, and they trace molecules without permanent dipole moment not observable at radio wavelengths. In particular, at high infrared spectral resolution, spatial scales smaller than those imaged by millimeter wave interferometers can be studied dynamically.We present high resolution (R=λ/Δλ˜50,000-100,000 6-12 km/s) infrared (7-8 μm) spectra of massive YSOs observed with the Echelon-Cross-Echelle Spectrograph (EXES) on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Absorption lines of gas phase methane (CH4) are detected in our Cycle 2 observations. CH4 is thought to be a starting point of the formation of carbon chain molecules. Abundances are derived in the different dynamical regions along the sight-line towards the central star by comparing the line profiles to those of CO and other species observed at ground based facilities such as EXES' sister instrument TEXES at IRTF and Gemini. A search is also conducted for sulfur-dioxide, using data from our ongoing Cycle 4 program. SO2 was previously detected towards these massive YSOs with the space-based ISO/SWS instrument (Keane et al. 2001, A&A 376, L5) at much lower spectral resolution (R˜2,000). At high spectral resolution we should be able to pin-point the dynamical location of this SO2 gas. Up to 98% of the sulfur in dense clouds and protostellar envelopes is presently missing, and we are searching for that with the EXES/SOFIA observations.

Bulgarian Rila mountain forest ecosystems study site: site description and SO42-, NO3- deposition

Treesearch

Karl Zeller; Christo Bojinov; Evgeny Donev; Nedialko Nikolov

1998-01-01

Bulgaria's forest ecosystems (31 percent of the country's area) are considered vulnerable to dry and wet pollution deposition. Coniferous forests that cover one-third of the total forest land are particularly sensitive to pollution loads. The USDA Forest Service, Sofia University, and the Bulgarian Forest Research Institute (FRI) established a cooperative...

Phoretic mites associated with spruce bark beetle Ips typographus L. (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) from Bulgaria

Treesearch

Danail Takov; Daniela Pilarska; John Moser

2010-01-01

A total of 818 specimens of Ips typographus L. were investigated for the presence of phoretic mites. They were collected from 4 localities in Vitosha Mountain, near Sofia. Five phoretic mites were found: Dendrolaelaps quadrisetus, Trichouropoda polytricha, Histiostoma piceae, Uroobovella ipidis and Proctolaelaps jiseri. 11.1 % from all investigated specimens of Ips...

Project-Based Learning in Engineering Design in Bulgaria: Expectations, Experiments and Results

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Raycheva, Regina Pavlova; Angelova, Desislava Ivanova; Vodenova, Pavlina Minkova

2017-01-01

Using a students' workshop as a laboratory, this article summarises the observation of three years' implementation of a new study module for a Bachelor Program in Engineering Design (Interior and Furniture Design) at the University of Forestry, Sofia, Bulgaria. The article offers an analysis of group dynamics and the difficulties and issues…

Quality, Social Justice and Accountability in Education Worldwide. BCES Conference Books, Volume 13, Number 2

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chigisheva, Oksana, Ed.; Popov, Nikolay, Ed.

2015-01-01

This proceedings is divided into two parts. Volume 13, Number 1 contains papers presented at the thirteenth annual international conference of the Bulgarian Comparative Education Society (BCES) held in Sofia, Bulgaria June 10-13, 2015. Volume 13, Number 2 contains papers presented at the third International Partner Conference, organised by the…

The use of remote sensing for updating extensive forest inventories

Treesearch

John F. Kelly

1990-01-01

The Forest Inventory and Analysis unit of the USDA Forest Service Southern Forest Experiment Station (SO-FIA) has the research task of devising an inventory updating system that can be used to provide reliable estimates of forest area, volume, growth, and removals at the State level. These updated inventories must be accomplished within current budgetary restraints....

Flexible Simulation E-Learning Environment for Studying Digital Circuits and Possibilities for It Deployment as Semantic Web Service

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Radoyska, P.; Ivanova, T.; Spasova, N.

2011-01-01

In this article we present a partially realized project for building a distributed learning environment for studying digital circuits Test and Diagnostics at TU-Sofia. We describe the main requirements for this environment, substantiate the developer platform choice, and present our simulation and circuit parameter calculation tools.…

Translations on Eastern Europe. Political, Sociological, and Military Affairs, Number 1471

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-11-09

the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, at dinner party given by him in Sofia on 17 October 1977 in honor of Piotr Jaroszewicz, chairman of the Council of...forces and weakening their pressure. We refer to a statement by Zbigniew Brzezinski , U.S. President Carter’s present adviser on questions of

SH Observations In and Toward Sgr B2(N): Linking the Missing Sulfur

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCarthy, Michael

Where is the missing sulfur in the molecular reservoir of the interstellar medium (ISM)? In the warm gas phase ISM, the abundance of sulfur is nearly equivalent to its solar value, but in the cold, diffuse clouds which span the space between stars, sulfur is depleted by several orders of magnitude. Our inability to account for this depletion represents a significant gap in our understanding of the fundamental chemical and physical processes occurring in the primordial reservoirs of gas and dust in the ISM. Central to this chemistry is SH, a radical for which few observations presently exist, and for which SOFIA is uniquely capable of accessing in its ground rotational state. We propose observations of SH in the cold, shocked molecular shell surrounding Sgr B2(N), and, simultaneously, in diffuse and translucent clouds along the line of sight to Sgr B2(N). We will constrain the abundance of SH, and compare it to previous measurements of SO, CS, C_2S, HCS(+) , H_2CS, and H_2S in these sources which span the evolutionary timescale from diffuse clouds to dense, cold shocked regions.

A Central Flash at an Occultation of a Bright Star by Pluto Soon Before New Horizons' Flyby

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pasachoff, Jay M.; Babcock, Bryce A.; Durst, Rebecca F.; Seeger, Christina H.; Levine, Stephen E.; Bosh, Amanda S.; Sickafoose, Amanda A.; Person, Michael J.; Abe, Fumio; Suzuki, Daisuke; Nagakane, Masayuki; Tristam, Paul J.

2015-11-01

From the Mt. John Observatory, New Zealand, we were so close to the center of the occultation path on 29 June 2015 UTC that we observed a modest central flash from the focusing of starlight from a 12th-magnitude star. The star was one of the brightest ever in our years of continual monitoring that started in 2002. At the time of Pluto's perihelion in 1989, it was feared from models that Pluto's atmosphere might collapse by now, a motivation for the timely launch of New Horizons; some models now allow Pluto to retain its atmosphere throughout its orbit.We used our frame-transfer CCD at 10 Hz with GPS timing on the 1-m McLellan telescope of Canterbury U. We also observed with a Lowell Obs. infrared camera on the "AAVSO" 0.6-m Optical Craftsman telescope; and obtained 3-color photometry at a slower cadence on a second 0.6-m telescope. We coordinated with the overflight of SOFIA and its 2.5-m telescope, which benefited from last-minute astrometry, and the Auckland Observatory's and other ground-based telescopes.Our light curves show a modest central flash; our tentative geometrical solution shows that we were only about 50 km from the occultation path's centerline. The flash is from rays lower than otherwise accessible in Pluto's atmosphere. Our light curves, at such high cadence that we see spikes caused by atmospheric effects that we had not seen so well since our 2002 Mauna Kea occultation observations, show that Pluto's atmosphere had not changed drastically since our previous year's observations. Our data provide a long-term context for New Horizon's highly-detailed observations of Pluto's atmosphere in addition to providing a chord for the geometrical solution that includes SOFIA's observations.Our observations were supported by NASA Planetary Astronomy grants NNX12AJ29G to Williams College, NNX15AJ82G to Lowell Observatory, and NNX10AB27G to MIT, and by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. We are grateful to Alan Gilmore, Pam Kilmartin, Robert Lucas, and Carolle Varughese for assistance at Mt. John. We thank the AAVSO for use of the AAVSOnet 0.6-m telescope and Arne Henden for assistance.

Traditions and Reforms in Bulgarian Physics Milko Borissov (1921-1998)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamisheva, Ganka

2010-01-01

University physics in Bulgaria is examined comparatively. Physical chairs, courses, lecturers and students, finished Sofia University successfully, are analyzed quantitatively. Traditions in Experimental physics are traced into scientific results of Professors P. Bachmetjew, A. Christow, and G. Nadjakov during the first half of XX century. Professor Milko Borissov's reformations of University physics in the second half of XX century are analysed.

Translations on Eastern Europe, Scientific Affairs, Number 535

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-02-08

1976) 1 Bulgarian Scientific Instruments Used in Space Research ( Kiril Serefimov; VECHERNI NOVENI, 8 Jan 77) 7 New Nuclear...Dimitur Gavrilov; KOOPERATIVNO SELO, 13 Jan 77) 12 Development in Wheat Varieties Reviewed (Pavel Popov, Dimitur Dimitrov ; RABOTNICHESKO DELO...BULGARIA BULGARIAN SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS USED IN SPACE RESEARCH Sofia VECHERNI NOVINI in Bulgarian 8 Jan 77 P ^ [Article by Professor Doctor Kiril

Constraining the Post-Thermal Pulse Mass-Loss History of R Scl with SOFIA/FORCAST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hankins, Matthew; Herter, Terry; maercker, matthias; Lau, Ryan M.; Sloan, Greg

2018-06-01

R Sculptoris (R Scl) is a nearby (~370 pc) carbon star with a massive circumstellar shell (Mshell∼7×10‑3 M⊙) which is thought to have been produced by a thermal pulse event ∼2200 years ago. We observed R Scl with the Faint Object InfraRed CAMera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST) at 19.7, 25.2, 31.5, 34.8, and 37.1 μm to study its circumstellar dust emission. Maps of the infrared emission were used to examine the morphology and temperature structure of the spatially extended dust emission. We used the radiative transfer code DUSTY to fit the radial density profile of the circumstellar material, and find that a geometrically thin dust shell cannot reproduce the observed emission. Instead, a second dust component is needed to model the emission. This component, which lies interior to the dust shell, traces the post-thermal pulse mass loss of R Scl and is indicative of a slow decline in the star’s mass loss over thousands of years. This result is at odds with 'classical' thermal pulse models but is consistent with earlier observations of molecular gas in R Scl’s circumstellar environment.

Turbulent heat fluxes by profile and inertial dissipation methods: analysis of the atmospheric surface layer from shipboard measurements during the SOFIA/ASTEX and SEMAPHORE experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dupuis, Hélène; Weill, Alain; Katsaros, Kristina; Taylor, Peter K.

1995-10-01

Heat flux estimates obtained using the inertial dissipation method, and the profile method applied to radiosonde soundings, are assessed with emphasis on the parameterization of the roughness lengths for temperature and specific humidity. Results from the inertial dissipation method show a decrease of the temperature and humidity roughness lengths for increasing neutral wind speed, in agreement with previous studies. The sensible heat flux estimates were obtained using the temperature estimated from the speed of sound determined by a sonic anemometer. This method seems very attractive for estimating heat fluxes over the ocean. However allowance must be made in the inertial dissipation method for non-neutral stratification. The SOFIA/ASTEX and SEMAPHORE results show that, in unstable stratification, a term due to the transport terms in the turbulent kinetic energy budget, has to be included in order to determine the friction velocity with better accuracy. Using the profile method with radiosonde data, the roughness length values showed large scatter. A reliable estimate of the temperature roughness length could not be obtained. The humidity roughness length values were compatible with those found using the inertial dissipation method.

A SOFIA FORCAST Grism Study of the Mineralogy of Dust in the Winds of Proto-planetary Nebulae: RV Tauri Stars and SRd Variables

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arneson, R. A.; Gehrz, R. D.; Woodward, C. E.

We present a SOFIA FORCAST grism spectroscopic survey to examine the mineralogy of the circumstellar dust in a sample of post-asymptotic giant branch (post-AGB) yellow supergiants that are believed to be the precursors of planetary nebulae. Our mineralogical model of each star indicates the presence of both carbon-rich and oxygen-rich dust species—contrary to simple dredge-up models—with a majority of the dust in the form of amorphous carbon and graphite. The oxygen-rich dust is primarily in the form of amorphous silicates. The spectra do not exhibit any prominent crystalline silicate emission features. For most of the systems, our analysis suggests thatmore » the grains are relatively large and have undergone significant processing, supporting the hypothesis that the dust is confined to a Keplerian disk and that we are viewing the heavily processed, central regions of the disk from a nearly face-on orientation. These results help to determine the physical properties of the post-AGB circumstellar environment and to constrain models of post-AGB mass loss and planetary nebula formation.« less

Diffraction Effects in the SOFIA Telescope and Cavity Door

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erickson, E. F.; Haas, M. R.; Davis, P. K.

2005-12-01

Calculations of diffraction phenomena for SOFIA (the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) are described. The analyses establish the diffraction-limited point-spread function for the planned central obscuration of the telescope, confirm the specification for the oversized primary mirror diameter, evaluate spider diffraction effects, and determine the variation in focal-plane flux with position of the telescope relative to the cavity door. The latter is a concern because motion between the door aperture and the telescope can vary the flux from a point source and the sky background by diffraction (even when the door aperture does not physically obstruct the geometrical beam). We find all these effects to be acceptable in terms of observatory performance, with the possible exception of fractional background variations 3E-3 at wavelengths 1mm. Fractional background variations larger than 1E-6 can exceed photon shot noise in one second for broad-band, background-limited infrared detectors systems. However, we expect that synchronous signal demodulation using the telescope's chopping secondary mirror will obviate this effect, assuming modulation of the diffracted sky radiation by the relative motion of the door and telescope occurs at frequencies well below the chopoper frequency. This work is supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

First Science Observations with SOFIA/FORCAST: 6-37 μm Imaging of Orion BN/KL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Buizer, James M.; Morris, Mark R.; Becklin, E. E.; Zinnecker, Hans; Herter, Terry L.; Adams, Joseph D.; Shuping, Ralph Y.; Vacca, William D.

2012-04-01

The Becklin-Neugebauer/Kleinmann-Low (BN/KL) region of the Orion Nebula is the nearest region of high-mass star formation in our galaxy. As such, it has been the subject of intense investigation at a variety of wavelengths, which have revealed it to be brightest in the infrared to submillimeter wavelength regime. Using the newly commissioned SOFIA airborne telescope and its 5-40 μm camera FORCAST, images of the entire BN/KL complex have been acquired. The 31.5 and 37.1 μm images represent the highest resolution observations (lsim4'') ever obtained of this region at these wavelengths. These observations reveal that the BN object is not the dominant brightness source in the complex at wavelengths >= 31.5 μm and that this distinction goes instead to the source IRc4. It was determined from these images and derived dust color temperature maps that IRc4 is also likely to be self-luminous. A new source of emission has also been identified at wavelengths >= 31.5 μm that coincides with the northeastern outflow lobe from the protostellar disk associated with radio source I.

Education Provision to Every One: Comparing Perspectives from around the World. BCES Conference Books, Volume 14, Number 1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Popov, Nikolay, Ed.; Wolhuter, Charl, Ed.; Kalin, Jana, Ed.; Hilton, Gillian, Ed.; Ogunleye, James, Ed.; Niemczyk, Ewelina, Ed.

2016-01-01

Papers from the proceedings of the 14th Annual Conference of the Bulgarian Comparative Education Society was submitted in two volumes. Volume 1 contains papers submitted at the conference held in Sofia, Bulgaria, June 14-17, 2016. Volume 2 contains papers submitted at the 4th International Partner Conference of the International Research Centre…

A Survey of Swedish Teachers' Concerns for Preschool Children at Risk of Maltreatment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Svensson, Birgitta; Andershed, Henrik; Janson, Staffan

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate a problem that is related to pre-school teachers' prolonged and temporary concerns for children's home situations and the extent to which these children were in need of special support in pre-school and/or were reported to the CPA. Data were obtained from a Swedish prospective study (the SOFIA-study)…

JPRS Report: East Europe.

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-07-23

Agrarian National Union, the Fatherland Front, the Dimitrov Communist Youth Union, the Conference of Indepen- dent Syndicalists in Bulgaria, the ABP...BCP Committee); Kiril Simeonov, director (former high official within the Kolarov Rayon BCP Committee and former paid party secretary at the ZMM in...in charge of the firm’s fire- fighters; Stayko Stoyanov, former Sofia City BCP Com- mittee secretary; Mariyka Lazarova, wife of Kiril Lazarov

SOFIA Science Imagery

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-09-14

SCI2017_0003: The column of material at and just below the surface of dwarf planet Ceres (box) – the top layer contains anhydrous (dry) pyroxene dust accumulated from space mixed in with native hydrous (wet) dust, carbonates, and water ice. (Bottom) Cross section of Ceres showing the surface layers that are the subject of this study plus a watery mantle and a rocky-metallic core. Credit: Pierre Vernazza, LAM–CNRS/AMU

Education Provision to Every One: Comparing Perspectives from around the World. BCES Conference Books, Volume 14, Number 2

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chigisheva, Oksana, Ed.; Popov, Nikolay, Ed.

2016-01-01

Papers from the proceedings of the 14th Annual Conference of the Bulgarian Comparative Education Society were submitted in two volumes. Volume 1 contains papers submitted at the conference held in Sofia, Bulgaria, June 14-17, 2016. Volume 2 contains papers submitted at the 4th International Partner Conference of the International Research Centre…

NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Backman, D. E.; Harman, P. K.; Clark, C.

2016-12-01

NASA's Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) is a three-part professional development (PD) program for high school physics and astronomy teachers. The AAA experience consists of: (1) blended-learning professional development composed of webinars, asynchronous content learning, and a series of hands-on workshops (2) a STEM immersion experience at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center's B703 science research aircraft facility in Palmdale, California, and (3) ongoing participation in the AAA community of practice (CoP) connecting participants with astrophysics and planetary science Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The SETI Institute (SI) is partnering with school districts in Santa Clara and Los Angeles Counties during the AAA program's "incubation" period, calendar years 2016 through 2018. AAAs will be selected by the school districts based on criteria developed during spring 2016 focus group meetings led by the program's external evaluator, WestEd.. Teachers with 3+ years teaching experience who are assigned to teach at least 2 sections in any combination of the high school courses Physics (non-AP), Physics of the Universe (California integrated model), Astronomy, or Earth & Space Sciences are eligible. Partner districts will select at least 48 eligible applicants with SI oversight. WestEd will randomly assign selected AAAs to group A or group B. Group A will complete PD in January - June of 2017 and then participate in SOFIA science flights during fall 2017 (SOFIA Cycle 5). Group B will act as a control during the 2017-18 school year. Group B will then complete PD in January - June of 2018 and participate in SOFIA science flights in fall 2018 (Cycle 6). Under the current plan, opportunities for additional districts to seek AAA partnerships with SI will be offered in 2018 or 2019. A nominal two-week AAA curriculum component will be developed by SI for classroom delivery that will be aligned with selected California Draft Science Framework Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and Science and Engineering Practices. (The California Draft Framework in turn is aligned with NGSS). The AAA program will demonstrate student gains in standards-based student learning, measure changes in student attitudes towards STEM, and observe & record Ambassadors' implementation of curricular changes.

ARC-2010-ACD10-0066-001

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-04-09

Netherlands Memorandum of Record (MOR) agreement signing and visit to the NASA Ames Research Center, Mofffett Field, California. At the table are left to right, Dr. Scott Sanford, NASA Ames, Dr Alexander Tielens, former NASA Civil Servant and former SOFIA Project Scientist, Dr Andrew Mattioda, NASA Ames, Dr. Louis B.J.Vertegaal, Director of Physical Sciences, Chemistry, and Advanced Chemical Technologies for Sustainability, of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)

JPRS Report, East Europe.

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-06-26

22161 East Europe JPRS-EER-91-092 CONTENTS 26 June 1991 BULGARIA Decision of Social Democratic Leadership Published [SVOBODEN NAROD 18 Jun] 1...POLITIKA 10 Jun] 26 Economic Situation in Bosnia Discussed [BORBA 12 Jun] 27 JPRS-EER-91-092 26 June 1991 BULGARIA Decision of Social Democratic ... Leadership Published AU2406192291 Sofia SVOBODENNAROD in Bulgarian 18 Jun 91 p 1 ["Text" of a decision issued at the regular session of the

Translations on Eastern Europe, Political, Sociological, and Military Affairs, Number 1413.

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-07-06

Chankova Kalincheva Kiril Georgiev Kotsaliev Konstantin Antonov Kutev Kostadin Dimitrov Ivanov Kaiina Stefanova Koleva Krasimir Nyagolov Nedelchev...10 May 77) 21 Members of Dimitrov Youth Union Leading Bodies (NARODNA MLADEZH, 12 May 77) 79 Concluding Speech of Youth Union Leader... Dimitrov Communist Youth Union opened its proceedings on 9 May at 8:30 am at the Universiada Hall, in Sofia. The congress was opened by Boycho

Translations on Environmental Quality, Number 143

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-08-08

Struma River for the water supply of Sofia, Stanke Dimitrov , and Blagoevgrad. These commissions were to issue their opinions on the water balance and on...Nedyalkov, chairman of the commission of the Forest Institute of the BAN [Bulgarian Academy of Sciences], Professor Kiril Mishev from the Earth Sciences...300 million cubic meters of water are wasted, approximately the volume of the G. Dimitrov Dam. Such an amount of water could irrigate about 700

Translations on Eastern Europe, Scientific Affairs, Number 603

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-10-11

AFFAIRS No. 603 CONTENTS PAGE BULGARIA Achievements in Developing High- Yield Plant Varieties Outlined • (Khristo Daskalov; SPISANIE NA...ACHIEVEMENTS III DEVELOPING HIGH- YIELD PLANT VARIETIES OUTLINED Sofia SPISANIE NA BULGARSKATA AKADEMIYA NA NAUKITE in Bulgarian No 3, 1978 PP 5-10...nations of the world, our varieties Yubileyna and Sadovo-1 were in first place in terms of the yield , and this was a great accom- plishment for our

New measurements of D/H on Mars using EXES aboard SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Encrenaz, T.; DeWitt, C.; Richter, M. J.; Greathouse, T. K.; Fouchet, T.; Montmessin, F.; Lefèvre, F.; Bézard, B.; Atreya, S. K.; Aoki, S.; Sagawa, H.

2018-05-01

The global D/H ratio on Mars is an important measurement for understanding the past history of water on Mars; locally, through condensation and sublimation processes, it is a possible tracer of the sources and sinks of water vapor on Mars. Measuring D/H as a function of longitude, latitude and season is necessary for determining the present averaged value of D/H on Mars. Following an earlier measurement in April 2014, we used the Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph (EXES) instrument on board the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) facility to map D/H on Mars on two occasions, on March 24, 2016 (Ls = 127°), and January 24, 2017 (Ls = 304°), by measuring simultaneously the abundances of H2O and HDO in the 1383-1391 cm-1 range (7.2 μm). The D/H disk-integrated values are 4.0 (+0.8, -0.6) × Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water (VSMOW) and 4.5 (+0.7, -0.6) × VSMOW, respectively, in agreement with our earlier result. The main result of this study is that there is no evidence of strong local variations in the D/H ratio nor for seasonal variations in the global D/H ratio between northern summer and southern summer.

Picosecond resolution on relativistic heavy ions' time-of-flight measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebran, A.; Taieb, J.; Belier, G.; Chatillon, A.; Laurent, B.; Martin, J.-F.; Pellereau, E.

2013-11-01

We developed a time-of-flight measurement system for relativistic heavy ions with a requested resolution of 40 ps Full Width Half Maximum. Such a resolution is mandatory to assign the correct mass number to every fission fragment, identified using the Bρ-ToF-ΔE method with the recoil spectrometer designed for the SOFIA experiment-which hold very recently at GSI. To achieve such a performance, fast plastic scintillators read-out by dedicated photomultiplier tubes were chosen among other possible options. We have led several test-measurements from 2009 to 2011, in order to investigate: the effect of the addition of a quenching molecule in the scintillator's matrix, the influence of the detector's size and the impact of the photomultiplier tube. The contribution of the dedicated electronics is also characterized. Time-of-flight measurements were performed realized with electron pulses and relativistic heavy ions, respectively provided by the LASER driven electron-accelerator (ELSA) at CEA-DAM Ile-de-France and by the SIS18/FRS facility at GSI. The reported results exhibit a time resolution better than 20 ps Full Width Half Maximum reached with the last prototype at GSI with an Uranium beam. These results confirm that the SOFIA experiment should enable the measurement of the relativistic fission fragments' time-of-flight with the requested resolution.

Primary mirror and mount technology for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melugin, Ramsey K.; Chang, L. S.; Mansfield, J. A.; Howard, Steven D.

1989-01-01

Candidate technologies for a lightweight primary mirror for the SOFIA telescope are evaluated for both mirror blank fabrication and polishing. Two leading candidates for the type mirror blank are considered: the frit-bonded, structured form, and the thin meniscus form. The feasible mirror is required to be very lightweight with an areal density of approximately 100 kg/sq m, have an f/ratio near 1.0, and have surface quality that permits imaging in the visible as well as the infrared. Also considered are the results of a study conducted to assess the feasibility of designing a suitable mounting system for the primary mirror. The requirements for the mount design are given both in terms of the environmental conditions and the expected optical performance. PATRAN and NASTRAN programs are used to model mirror and mounting. The sandwich-type mirror made of ultra low expansion silica with square cells in the core, is modeled using equivalent solid elements for the core. The design study produces primary mirror surface deflections in 1g as a function of mirror elevation angles. The surface is analyzed using an optical analysis program, FRINGE, to give a prediction of the mirror optical performance. Results from this analysis are included.

Navier-Stokes Flowfield Simulation of Boeing 747-200 as Platform for SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Srinivasan, G.R.

1994-01-01

Steady and unsteady viscous, three-dimensional flowfields are calculated using a thin layer approximation of Navier-Stokes equations in conjunction with Chimera overset grids. The finite-difference numerical scheme uses structured grids and a pentadiagonal flow solver called "OVERFLOW". The configuration of Boeing 747-200 has been chosen as one of configurations to be used as a platform for the SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy). Initially, the steady flowfield of the full aircraft is calculated for the clean configuration (without a cavity to house telescope). This solution is then used to start the unsteady flowfield of a configuration containing cavity housing the observation telescope and its peripheral units. Analysis of unsteady flowfield in the cavity and its influence on the tail empennage, as well as the noise due to turbulence and optical quality of the flow are the main focus of this study. For the configuration considered here, the telescope housing cavity is located slightly downstream of the portwing. The entire flow-field is carefully constructed using 45 overset grids and consists of nearly 4 million grid points. All the computations axe done at one freestream flow condition of M(sub infinity) = 0.85, alpha = 2.5deg, and a Reynolds of Re = 1.85x10deg

The Genesis Project: Science Cases for a Large Submm Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Nicola

2018-01-01

The formation of stars is intimately linked to the structure and evolution of molecular clouds in the interstellar medium. In the context of the ANR/DFG project GENESIS (GENeration and Evolution of Structures in the Ism, http://www.astro.uni-koeln.de/node/965), we explore this link with a new approach by combining far-infrared maps and surveys of dust (Herschel) and cooling lines (CII, CI, CO, OI with SOFIA), with molecular line maps. Dedicated analysis tools are used to characterise molecular cloud structure, and we explore the coupling of turbulence with heating- and cooling processes. The project gathers a large observational data set, from molecular line maps at (sub)-mm wavelengths from ground-based telescopes (e.g. IRAM) up to high-frequency airborne spectroscopic and continuum observations (SOFIA). Nevertheless, we identified the need for a large single-dish submm telescope, operating in the southern hemisphere at high frequencies. Only such an instrument is able to observe important ISM cooling lines, like the CI lines at 490 and 810 GHz or high-J CO lines, shock tracers, or probes of turbulence dissipation with high angular resolution in Galactic and extragalactic sources. We will discuss possible science cases and demonstrate how those are addressed within GENESIS, and the science done with the new 6m Cologne-Cornell CCAT-prime submm telescope.

The Orion Nebula in the Far-Infrared: high-J CO and fine-structure lines mapped by FIFI-LS/SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, Randolf; Looney, Leslie; Cox, Erin; Fischer, Christian; Iserlohe, Christof; Krabbe, Alfred

2015-08-01

The Orion Nebula is the closest massive star forming region allowing us to study the physical conditions in such a region with high spatial resolution. We used the far infrared integral-field spectrometer, FIFI-LS, on-board the airborne observatory SOFIA to study the atomic and molecular gas in the Orion Nebula at medium spectral resolution.The large maps obtained with FIFI-LS cover the nebula from the BN/KL-object to the bar in several fine structure lines. These spectral maps are the largest and highest spatially resolved to date. They allow us to study the conditions of the photon-dominated region and the interface to the molecular cloud with unprecedented detail.Another investigation targeted the molecular gas in the BN/KL region of the Orion Nebula, which is stirred up by a violent explosion about 500 years ago. The explosion drives a wide angled molecular outflow. We present maps of several high-J CO observations (J in the range of 10 to 30), allowing us to analyse of the heated molecular gas.The observations were taken during the commissioning of FIFI-LS last year and as recent as this March. The results are still preliminary as the data reduction and calibration is still under development.

Observational Research on Star and Planetary System Formation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simpson, Janet P.

1998-01-01

Institute scientists collaborate with a number of NASA Ames scientists on observational studies of star and planetary system formation to their mutual benefit. As part of this collaboration, SETI scientists have, from 1988 to the present: (1) contributed to the technical studies at NASA Ames of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), an infrared 2.5 meter telescope in a Boeing 747, which will replace the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO), a 0.9 meter telescope in a Lockheed C-141. SOFIA will be an important facility for the future exploration of the formation of stars and planetary systems, and the origins of life, and as such will be an important future facility to SETI scientists; (2) worked with the Laboratory Astrophysics Group at Ames, carrying out laboratory studies of the spectroscopic properties of ices and pre-biotic organics, which could be formed in the interstellar or interplanetary media; (3) helped develop a photometric approach for determining the Frequency of Earth-Sized Inner Planets (FRESIP) around solar-like stars, a project (now called Kepler) which complements the current efforts of the SETI Institute to find evidence for extraterrestrial intelligence; and (4) carried out independent observational research, in particular research on the formation of stars and planetary systems using both ground-based telescopes as well as the KAO.

Modeling SOFIA/FORCAST spectra of the classical nova V5568 Sgr with 3D pyCloudy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calvén, Emilia; Helton, L. Andrew; Sankrit, Ravi

2017-06-01

We present our first results modelling Nova V5668 Sgr using the pseudo-3D photoionization code pyCloudy (Morisset 2013). V5668 Sgr is a classical nova of the FeII class (Williams et al. 2015; Seach 2015) showing signs of a bipolar flow (Banerjee et al. 2015). We construct a grid of models, which use hour-glass morphologies and a range of C, N, O and Ne abundances, to fit a suite of spectroscopic data in the near and mid-IR obtained between 82 to 556 days after outburst. The spectra were obtained using the FORCAST mid-IR instrument onboard the NASA Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and the 1.2m near-IR telescope of the Mount Abu Infrared Observatory. Additional photometric data from FORCAST, The STONY BROOK/SMARTS Atlas of (mostly) Southern Novae (Walter et al., 2012) and the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) were used to supplement the spectral data to obtain the SED of the nova at different times during its evolution. The work presented here is the initial step towards developing a large database of 1D and 3D models that may be used to derive the elemental abundances and dust properties of classical novae.

Observational Research on Star and Planetary System Formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simpson, Janet P.

1998-07-01

Institute scientists collaborate with a number of NASA Ames scientists on observational studies of star and planetary system formation to their mutual benefit. As part of this collaboration, SETI scientists have, from 1988 to the present: (1) contributed to the technical studies at NASA Ames of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), an infrared 2.5 meter telescope in a Boeing 747, which will replace the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO), a 0.9 meter telescope in a Lockheed C-141. SOFIA will be an important facility for the future exploration of the formation of stars and planetary systems, and the origins of life, and as such will be an important future facility to SETI scientists; (2) worked with the Laboratory Astrophysics Group at Ames, carrying out laboratory studies of the spectroscopic properties of ices and pre-biotic organics, which could be formed in the interstellar or interplanetary media; (3) helped develop a photometric approach for determining the Frequency of Earth-Sized Inner Planets (FRESIP) around solar-like stars, a project (now called Kepler) which complements the current efforts of the SETI Institute to find evidence for extraterrestrial intelligence; and (4) carried out independent observational research, in particular research on the formation of stars and planetary systems using both ground-based telescopes as well as the KAO.

THz Spectroscopy and Spectroscopic Database for Astrophysics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pearson, John C.; Drouin, Brian J.

2006-01-01

Molecule specific astronomical observations rely on precisely determined laboratory molecular data for interpretation. The Herschel Heterodyne Instrument for Far Infrared, a suite of SOFIA instruments, and ALMA are each well placed to expose the limitations of available molecular physics data and spectral line catalogs. Herschel and SOFIA will observe in high spectral resolution over the entire far infrared range. Accurate data to previously unimagined frequencies including infrared ro-vibrational and ro-torsional bands will be required for interpretation of the observations. Planned ALMA observations with a very small beam will reveal weaker emission features requiring accurate knowledge of higher quantum numbers and additional vibrational states. Historically, laboratory spectroscopy has been at the front of submillimeter technology development, but now astronomical receivers have an enormous capability advantage. Additionally, rotational spectroscopy is a relatively mature field attracting little interest from students and funding agencies. Molecular database maintenance is tedious and difficult to justify as research. This severely limits funding opportunities even though data bases require the same level of expertise as research. We report the application of some relatively new receiver technology into a simple solid state THz spectrometer that has the performance required to collect the laboratory data required by astronomical observations. Further detail on the lack of preparation for upcoming missions by the JPL spectral line catalog is given.

[The hygienic assessment of the organization of the vocational study practice of students training for the job of power-generating unit operator].

PubMed

Shpangenberg, S

1992-01-01

The study is carried out with schoolchildren from the educative and industrial complex of energetics (two classes with total 60 students) at the age of 17-18, from the Technical College of Energetics "V. Pick"--Sofia. They are trained for the profession "operator on power aggregates". The investigation is performed during the educative and industrial practice of the students in the Heat Power Station "Tr. Kostov" and the Heat Power Station "Sofia", as well as in the training shop of the technical college. Studies are made on: the functional adaptation of the organism through the reactivity of the CNS, some analysers, the cardiovascular system and the sympathetic-adrenal system, haemopoiesis; the factors of the educative and industrial environment; working/professional maturity of the students; health status of the adolescents. The results of the examination show low effectiveness of the education and industrial training in the Heat power station or low daily and annual exposure, leading to monotony, hypodynamia especially when working in second shift. It is recommended the education and industrial practice in the secondary special schools and technical colleges to be carried out in training shops, educative and industrial workshops and at standardization of the environmental factors and organization of rational regime of work and rest.

FORCAST Observations of Galactic Evolved Stars: Measurements of Carbonaceous Dust, Crystalline Silicates, and Fullerenes from SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraemer, Kathleen; Sloan, G. C.; Keller, L. D.; Groenewegen, M. A. T.

2018-01-01

We present preliminary results from two projects to observe the mid-infrared spectra of evolved stars in the Milky Way using the FORCAST instrument on SOFIA. In the first project, we observed a set of 31 carbon stars over the course of three cycles (government shutdowns contributed to the delays in the program execution), covering a wavelength range of 5-13.7 μm, which includes prominent dust and gas diagnostics. The sources were selected to sample portions of period and flux phase space which were not covered in existing samples from older telescopes such as the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) or Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS). In the second project, we searched for fullerene emission (C60) at 18.9 μm in Galactic sources with crystalline silicate emission. Although most evolved stars are either carbon-rich or oxygen- (silicate-) rich, fullerenes, a carbon-rich molecule, have been observed in several oxygen-rich evolved stars whose silicate emission features are crystalline rather than the more usual amorphous types. None of our targets show clear signatures of fullerene emission.Support for this work was provided by NASA through awards SOF 03-0079, SOF 03-0104, and SOF 04-0129 issued by USRA.

THz Spectroscopy and Spectroscopic Database for Astrophysics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pearson, John C.; Drouin, Brian J.

2006-01-01

Molecule specific astronomical observations rely on precisely determined laboratory molecular data for interpretation. The Herschel Heterodyne Instrument for Far Infrared, a suite of SOFIA instruments, and ALMA are each well placed to expose the limitations of available molecular physics data and spectral line catalogs. Herschel and SOFIA will observe in high spectral resolution over the entire far infrared range. Accurate data to previously unimagined frequencies including infrared ro-vibrational and ro-torsional bands will be required for interpretation of the observations. Planned ALMA observations with a very small beam will reveal weaker emission features requiring accurate knowledge of higher quantum numbers and additional vibrational states. Historically, laboratory spectroscopy has been at the front of submillimeter technology development, but now astronomical receivers have an enormous capability advantage. Additionally, rotational spectroscopy is a relatively mature field attracting little interest from students and funding agencies. Molecular data base maintenance is tedious and difficult to justify as research. This severely limits funding opportunities even though data bases require the same level of expertise as research. We report the application of some relatively new receiver technology into a simple solid state THz spectrometer that has the performance required to collect the laboratory data required by astronomical observations. Further detail on the lack of preparation for upcoming missions by the JPL spectral line catalog is given.

Characterizing the Multi-Phase Origin of the [CII] Emission in M101 and NGC 6946

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarantino, Elizabeth; Bolatto, Alberto; Herrera-Camus, Rodrigo

2018-01-01

The bright far-infrared line [CII] is a dominant cooling channel of the neutral interstellar medium (ISM) and is a tracer of star formation. However, [CII] can be excited in different environments of the ISM, such as in dense photodissociation regions (PDRs), the cold/warm neutral medium (CNM/WNM), and the warm ionized medium (WIM). Separating the [CII] emission into its multiple components is vital for understanding star formation and for using [CII] as a star formation tracer. We present spectrally resolved SOFIA/GREAT data of the 158 μm [CII] emission, as well as ancillary HI and CO 2-1 data, to disentangle the multiple phases of the ISM. We use 18 pointings that sample the range of different environments present in these galaxies, including star formation activity, metallicity, radiation field strength, and gas content. We find that on average the [CII] is more associated with the dense CO gas coming from PDRs than the neutral medium, consistent with other results in the literature. Additionally, the [CII] observations allow us to access the “CO-faint” molecular gas in regions that have too low of a metallicty to produce CO. This adds to the small number of studies that have explored this “CO-faint” regime.

Harnessing the Efficiency of 0(1D) Insertion Reactions for Prebiotic Astrochemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Widicus Weaver, Susanna

We propose a THz spectroscopic study of the small prebiotic molecules aminomethanol, methanediol, and methoxymethanol. These target molecules are predicted as the dominant products of photo-driven grain surface chemistry in interstellar environments, and are precursors to important prebiotic molecules like sugars and amino acids. These molecules are also expected to be major contributors to the spectral line density in the submillimeter spectral surveys from the Herschel and SOFIA observatories. We will use our custom mixing source to produce these molecules through O(1D) insertion reactions with the precursor molecules methyl amine, methanol, and dimethyl ether, respectively. We will then record their rotational spectra across the THz frequency range using our existing submillimeter spectrometer. This research will increase the science return from NASA missions because the target molecules serve as tracers of the simplest organic chemistry that can occur in starforming regions. This chemistry begins with methanol, which is the predominant organic molecule observed in interstellar ices. Methanol photodissociation leads to small organic radicals such as CH3O, CH2OH, and CH3. These radicals can undergo combination reactions on interstellar ices to form many of the complex organic molecules that are routinely observed in star-forming regions. Our target molecules aminomethanol, methanediol, and methoxymethanol are some of the simplest molecules that can form from this type of chemistry, and serve as tracers of ice mantle liberation in star-forming regions. These molecules also participate in gas-phase reactions that lead to amino acids and sugars, and as such are fundamentally important prebiotic molecules in interstellar environments. These types of small organic molecules also have high spectral line density, and are major contributors to line confusion in observational spectral surveys such as those conducted by Herschel and SOFIA. Therefore, the proposed research will aid in full data interpretation from Herschel and SOFIA observations. Currently there is no spectral information available for these molecules to guide observational studies, despite their importance in astrochemistry. This is because these molecules are difficult to study in laboratory settings due to their instability and reactivity. We are using highly exothermic O(1D) insertion reactions to produce these molecules in a supersonic expansion, and investigating the products using THz spectroscopy. This work builds on the work involved in our previous APRA award (Grant NNX11AI07G) "New THz Tools to Support Herschel Observations: Integrative Studies in Laboratory Spectroscopy, Observational Astronomy, and Chemical Modeling". In this previous award, we laid the groundwork for these experiments by constructing and benchmarking the spectrometer, designing and testing the molecular source used for the O(1D) reactions, and studying the proposed formation reactions for the laboratory work through computational studies. We have confirmed production of methanol from O(1D) insertion into methane, and then applied this chemistry to produce vinyl alcohol from ethylene. We have now also obtained preliminary spectra of aminomethanol. Here we propose to extend this work by finishing the aminomethanol characterization as well as examining methanediol and methoxymethanol during the next proposal period.

Humans reclaimed lands in NorthEastern Italy and artificial drainage networks: effects of 30 years of Agricultural Surface Water Management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sofia, Giulia; Pizzulli, Federica; Tarolli, Paolo

2017-04-01

Agriculture and land-use management has changed drastically in Italy since the end of the Second World War, driven by local but also European agricultural policies. As a result of these changes in farming practices and land use, many drainage networks have changed producing a greater exposure to flooding with a broad range of impacts on society, also because of climate inputs coupling with the human drivers. This study focuses on two main points: which kind of land use and farming changes have been observed in the most recent years ( 30 years)? How do these changes interact with climate and soil conditions? An open challenge to understand how these changes influence the watershed response, is, in fact, to understand if rainfall characteristics and climate have a synergistic effect, if their interaction matters, or to understand what element has the greatest influence on the watershed response connected to agricultural changes. The work is based on a simple model of water infiltration due to soil properties, and a connected evaluation of the distributed surface water storage offered by artificial drainage networks in a study area in Veneto (north-eastern Italy). The analysis shows that economic changes control the development of agro-industrial landscapes, with effects on the hydrological response. However, these changes deeply interact with antecedent soil conditions and climate characteristics. Intense and irregular rainfall events and events with a high recurrence should be expected to be the most critical. The presented outcomes highlight the importance of understanding how agricultural practices can be the driver of or can be used to avoid, or at least mitigate, flooding. The proposed methods can be valuable tools in evaluating the costs and benefits of the management of water in agriculture to inform better policy decision-making. References Sofia G, Tarolli P. 2017. Hydrological Response to 30 years of Agricultural Surface Water Management. Land 6 (1): 3 DOI: 10.3390/land6010003 Sofia G, Roder G, Dalla Fontana G, Tarolli P. 2017. Flood dynamics in urbanised landscapes: 100 years of climate and humans' interaction. Scientific Reports 7, 40527 DOI: 10.1038/srep40527

JPRS Report, East Europe.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-10-25

institutes of the AS of the USSR, VASKHNIL, the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, the MA of the USSR, the Ministry of Meat and Dairy Production...industry for the production of nonperishable goods from curdled milk at the dairy combine Serdika in Sofia and for new varieties of processed cheese...at the dairy combine in Shumen. Substitutes have been arranged for whole fat milk at companies in Khaskovo and Elin Pelin, the Soviet P strain has

The World Factbook 2000

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-01-01

Loreto, election results: percent of vote by party - C90/NM coins, all framed by a green wreath Madre de Dios , Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San 52.1...was brought under control. In Tumbes, Piura), Inca (from Cusco, Madre de Dios , FUJIMORI]; Civic Works Movement or OBRAS 1998, El Nino’s impact on...pollution from Literacy: industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, definition: age 15 and over can read and write SOFIA N Bse c heavy metals

Age Effect on Autonomic Cardiovascular Control in Pilots

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-08-01

Nantcheva**, M. Vukov *** *National Center of Hygiene, Medical Ecology and Nutrition 15 Dimitar Nestorov Blvd. 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria "**Military Medical...values and critique. Inter. Physiol. Behav. Sci. 1997, 3, of health risk compared with referents. 202-219. 14. Fluckiger L., Boivin J ., Quilliot D...during flight. Aviat. Space Chapman and Hall. 1991, 590 pp. Environ Med. 1998,4, 360-367. 4. Berntson G., Cacioppo J ., Quigley K. Autonomic 18. Hellman J

USSR and Eastern Scientific Abstracts, Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences, Number 62

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-01-18

this concentrate has valuable biological and nutritional properties. Maximum transition from the digestive tract into the blood stream has been... digestion . The extent of these changes 1/2 32 USSR LYCHAGIN, V. V., ADAMOVICH, G. G., MIKHAYLOVA, T. N., KUZLOVA, YU. G., KINZHIBALOVA, ZH. V...ANTIBIOTICS IN THE FEED OF BROILERS Sofia DOKLADY BOLGARSKOY AKADEMII NAUR" in English Vol 29 No 8 1976 pp 1177- 1178 [Abstract] Objections have

East Europe Report, Economic and Industrial Affairs, Number 2425.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-07-21

the proper tightening of turn buckles, and proper quality repairs and maintenance of car traction systems in car depots and railroad plants . The...Improve the quality of planned engine repairs in depots and repair plants . In 1982 a damaged railroad car has had to be uncoupled in...tons) were applied. The tests were conducted on the press of the G. Dimitrov ZhPZ [Railroad Plant ] in Sofia. Table 1 shows the dependence between

Translations on Eastern Europe, Political, Sociological, and Military Affairs. Number 1465

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-10-26

Soviet Army Division (NARODNA ARMIYA, 12 Oct 77) 8 Zhivkov Greets Argentine CP Chief on Receiving Dimitrov Award (Sofia Domestic Service, 13 Oct 77...Bulgarian people, Georgi Dimitrov . Under the care of the BCP and the CPSU, of Comrades Todor Zhivkov and Leonid Brezhnev, this friendship is now...for the Bulgarian military delegation at which Soviet Marshal Dmitriy Ustinov, Army Gen Dobri Dzhurov, Col Gen Kiril Kosev and Col I. Lobachov

JPRS Report, East Europe.

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-29

Extraparliamentary Parties Party of Free Democrats 91BA0168A Sofia DUMA in Bulgarian 20 Nov 90 p 4 [Interview with Kiril Dukov, chairman of the Party of Free...Its chairman is Mr. Kiril Dukov, Minproekt engineer, who is married and has one child. [Simeonova] Your party is based on the model of the German...commission will pass through his subcommission. I personally am counting on him. Ventsislav Dimitrov is chairman of the Finance and Banking Subcommission

Translations on Eastern Europe, Political, Sociological and Military Affairs, Number 1600

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-10-23

Opens 2 BULGARIA General Kosev Calls for Better Ideological Work ( Kiril Kosev; NARODNA ARMIYA, 3 Oct 78) 3 Defense Minister Dzhurov Speaks at...Sofia NARODNA ARMIYA in Bulgarian 3 Oct 78 p 2 AÜ [Apparent text of report read by Col Gen Kiril Kosev, head of the Army Main Political...the soldiers, students, young sergeants and officers. In the letter to the Dimitrov Communist Youth Union Central Committee, Comrade Todor Zhivkov

Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON): Observations of the Dust Grains from SOFIA and of the Atomic Gas from NSO Dunn and McMath-Pierce Solar Telescopes (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wooden, D. H.; Woodward, C. E.; Harker, D. E.; Kelley, M. S.; Sitko, M.; Reach, W. T.; De Pater, I.; Gehrz, R. D.; Kolokolova, L.; Cochran, A. L.; McKay, A. J.; Reardon, K.; Cauzzi, G.; Tozzi, G.; Christian, D. J.; Jess, D. B.; Mathioudakis, M.; Lisse, C. M.; Morgenthaler, J. P.; Knight, M. M.

2013-12-01

Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) is unique in that it is a dynamically new comet derived from the Oort cloud reservoir of comets with a sun-grazing orbit. Infrared (IR) and visible wavelength observing campaigns were planned on NASA's Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and on National Solar Observatory Dunn (DST) and McMath-Pierce Solar Telescopes, respectively. We highlight our early results. SOFIA (+FORCAST [1]) mid- to far-IR images and spectroscopy (~5-35 μm) of the dust in the coma of ISON are to be obtained by the ISON-SOFIA Team during a flight window 2013 Oct 21-23 UT (r_h≈1.18 AU). Dust characteristics, identified through the 10 μm silicate emission feature and its strength [2], as well as spectral features from cometary crystalline silicates (Forsterite) at 11.05-11.2 μm, and near 16, 19, 23.5, 27.5, and 33 μm are compared with other Oort cloud comets that span the range of small and/or highly porous grains (e.g., C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) [3,4,5] and C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) [6]) to large and/or compact grains (e.g., C/2007 N4 (Lulin) [7] and C/2006 P1 (McNaught) [8]). Measurement of the crystalline peaks in contrast to the broad 10 and 20 μm amorphous silicate features yields the cometary silicate crystalline mass fraction [9], which is a benchmark for radial transport in our protoplanetary disk [10]. The central wavelength positions, relative intensities, and feature asymmetries for the crystalline peaks may constrain the shapes of the crystals [11]. Only SOFIA can look for cometary organics in the 5-8 μm region. Spatially resolved measurements of atoms and simple molecules from when comet ISON is near the Sun (r_h< 0.4 AU, near Nov-20--Dec-03 UT) were proposed for by the ISON-DST Team. Comet ISON is the first comet since comet Ikeya-Seki (1965f) [12,13] suitable for studying the alkalai metals Na and K and the atoms specifically attributed to dust grains including Mg, Si, Fe, as well as Ca. DST's Horizontal Grating Spectrometer (HGS) measures 4 settings: Na I, K, C2 to sample cometary organics (along with Mg I), and [O I] as a proxy for activity from water [14] (along with Si I and Fe I). State-of-the-art instruments that will also be employed include IBIS [15], which is a Fabry-Perot spectral imaging system that concurrently measures lines of Na, K, Ca II, or Fe, and ROSA (CSUN/QUB) [16], which is a rapid imager that simultaneously monitors Ca II or CN. From McMath-Pierce, the Solar-Stellar Spectrograph also will target ISON (320-900 nm, R~21,000, r_h<0.3 AU). Assuming survival, the intent is to target ISON over r_h<0.4 AU, characteristic of prior Na detections [12,13,17,18,19]. References: [1] Adams, J.D., et al. 2012, SPIE, 8446, 16; [2] Kelley, M.S., Wooden, D.H. 2009, PSS, 57, 1133; [3] Harker et al. 2002, ApJ, 580, 579; [4] Hayward et al. 2000, ApJ, 538, 428; [5] Hadamcik, E., Levasseur-Regourd, A.C. 2003, JQSRT, 79-80, 661; [6] Wooden, D.H. 2004, ApJL, 612, L77; [7] Woodward et al. 2011, AJ, 141, 181; [8] Kelley et al. 2010, LPSC, 41, #2375; [9] Kelley, M.S. et al. 2011, AAS, 211, 560; [10] Wooden, D.H. 2008, SSRv, 138, 75; [11] Lindsay et al. 2013, ApJ, 766, 54; [12] Preston, G. W. 1967, ApJ, 147, 718; [13] Slaughter, C.D. 1969, AJ, 74, 929; [14] McKay et al. 2012, Icarus, 222, 684; [15] Cavallini, F., 2006, Solar Phys., 236, 415; [16] Jess et al., 2010, Solar Phys, 261, 363; [17] Watanabe, J-I. et al. 2003, ApJ, 585, L159; [18] Leblanc, F. et al. 2008, A&A, 482, 293; [19] Fulle, M. et al. 2013, ApJL, 771, L21

[CII] emission from NGC 4258 with SOFIA/FIFI-LS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fadda, Dario; Appleton, Philip N.; Diaz Santos, Tanio; Togi, Aditya; Ogle, Patrick

2018-06-01

We present the [CII]157.7μm map of the NGC 4258 (M106) galaxy obtained with the FIFI-LS spectrometer onboard SOFIA.M106 contains an active nucleus classified as type 1.9 Seyfert with a warped inner rotating disk of water-vapor masers which allowed for the first high accuracy measurements of the mass of a supermassive black hole in any galaxy. A relativistic jet is thought to be responsible for anomalous radio-continuum spiral arms, which appear several kpc from the center, and extend outwards through the outer disk. These arms do not correlate with the galaxy's underlying stellar spiral structure, and their presence suggest that in the past, the jet has strongly interacted with the galaxy's outer disk , exciting synchrotron radiation. Since that time, a new burst of activity seems to have occurred, creating a compact jet at the core of the galaxy, and two radio hotspots further out associated with optical "bow-shocks". The position angle of this new "active" jet is different from that needed to excited the outer radio arms, presumably because the jet has precessed, perhaps as a result of precession of the axis of the inner warped accretion disk.Our observations reveal three main sources of [CII] emission: two associated with large regions of gas at the ends of the active jet, and a third minor axis filament associated with linear clumps of star formation and dust seen in HST images offset from the nucleus. We combine the SOFIA observations with previous Spitzer mid-IR, Chandra X-ray and VLA radio observations to explore the nature of the detected [CII] emission. In regions along the northern active jet, we see a significant deficiency in the [CII]/FIR ratio, and higher ratios near the ends of the jet. This implies that the jet has changed the conditions of the gas along its length. In several places near the jet, the [CII] emission shows very broad lines, suggestive of enhanced turbulence. Additionally, the minor-axis filament we discovered may represent gas in-falling towards the nucleus perpendicular to the jet. The results provide clues about how radio jets in active galaxies can influence the star formation properties of their host galaxies.

A 2 THz Heterodyne Array Receiver for SOFIA: Summary of Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, Christopher K.

1998-01-01

We proposed to perform a comprehensive design study of a 16-element heterodyne array receiver for SOFIA. The array was designed to utilize hot-electron bolometers in an efficient, low-cost waveguide mount to achieve low noise performance between approximately 1500 and 2400 GHz. Due to the prevailing physical conditions in the interstellar medium, this frequency range is one of the richest in the Far-Infra Red (FIR) portion of the spectrum. An array designed for this wavelength range will make excellent use of the telescope and the available atmospheric transmission, and will provide a new perspective on stellar, chemical, and galactic evolution in the present as well as past epochs. A few of the most important molecular and atomic species which the instrument will sample are CII, OI, CO, OH, NII, and CH. The system used the most sensitive detectors available in an efficient optical system. The local oscillator was a compact CO2 pumped far-infrared laser currently under development for SOFIA. The backend spectrometer was an array acousto-optic spectrometer (aAOS). The spectrometer utilizes proven hardware and technologies to provide broadband performance (> 1 GHz per AOS channel) and high spectral resolution (1 MHz) with the maximum sensitivity and minimum complexity and cost. The proposed instrument would be the fastest and most sensitive heterodyne receiver ever to operate in the 1.5 - 2.4 THz band. One of the key technologies developed for the proposed instrument is the laser micromachining of waveguide structures. These structures provide both the optical link between the instrument and the telescope (via an array of efficient feedhorns) and the impedance transformation between the detectors and free space. With the assistance of funds provided from this grant, we were able to fabricate and test the world's first laser micromachined feedhorns. The quality of the waveguide structure is far better than that obtainable using any other fabrication technique. The beam parameters are an excellent match to what is expected from theory. The success of this experiment demonstrates the viability of using laser micromachined components in the development of high performance, large format array receivers. We have continued our development efforts and will propose to build a 2nd generation instrument based on the same design concepts.

SOFIA/EXES High Spectral Resolution Observations of the Orion Hot Core

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rangwala, Naseem; Colgan, Sean; Le Gal, Romane; Acharya, Kinsuk; Huang, Xinchuan; Herbst, Eric; Lee, Timothy J.; Richter, Matthew J.; Boogert, Adwin

2018-01-01

The Orion hot core has one of the richest molecular chemistries observed in the ISM. In the MIR, the Orion hot core composition is best probed by the closest, compact, bright background continuum source in this region, IRc2. We present high-spectral resolution observations from 12.96 - 13.33 μm towards Orion IRc2 using the mid-infrared spectrograph, EXES, on SOFIA, to probe the physical and chemical conditions of the Orion hot core. All ten of the rovibrational C2H2 transitions expected in our spectral coverage, are detected with high S/N, yielding continuous coverage of the R-branch lines from J=9-8 to J=18-17, including both ortho and para species. Eight of these rovibrational transitions are newly reported detections. These data show distinct ortho and para ladders towards the Orion hot core for the first time, with an ortho to para ratio (OPR) of only 0.6 - much lower than the high temperature equilibrium value of 3. A non-equilibrium OPR is a further indication of the Orion hot core being heated externally by shocks likely resulting from a well-known explosive event which occurred 500 yrs ago. The OPR conversion timescales are much longer than the 500 yr shock timescale and thus a low OPR might be a remnant from an earlier colder pre-stellar phase before the density enhancement (now the hot core) was impacted by shocks.We will also present preliminary results from an on-going SOFIA Cycle-5 impact program to use EXES to conduct an unbiased, high-S/N, continuous, molecular line survey of the Orion hot core from 12.5 - 28.3 microns. This survey is expected to be 50 times better than ISO in detecting isolated, narrow lines to (a) resolve the ro-vibrational structure of the gas phase molecules and their kinematics, (b) detect new gas phase molecules missed by ISO, and (c) provide useful constraints on the hot core chemistry and the source of Orion hot core excitation. This survey will greatly enhance the inventory of resolved line features in the MIR for hot cores, making it an invaluable reference to be used by the JWST and ALMA scientific communities.

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Prevent Type 1 Diabetes in Murine Models

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-11-01

participating in anti-CD28- mediated tolerance in allo-kidney transplantation ( 15), and ame- lioration of symptoms in the inflammatory bowel disease ...Zhou,* George X. Wang,* Celia M. Divino/ Sofia Casares,§ Shu-Hsia Chen,*’, Wen-Chin Yang/’* and Ping-Ying Pan* Effective immunotherapy for type 1...cell-based tolerogenic therapy in the control of TID and other autoimmune diseases . The Journal of Immunology, 2010, 185: 5828-5834. T ype I

Performance of Backshort-Under-Grid Kilopixel TES Arrays for HAWC+

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Staguhn, J. G.; Benford, D. J.; Dowell, C. D.; Fixsen, D. J.; Hilton, G. C.; Irwin, K. D.; Jhabvala, C. A.; Maher, S. F.; Miller, T. M.; Moseley, S. H.;

Sources and geographic origin of particulate matter in urban areas of the Danube macro-region: The cases of Zagreb (Croatia), Budapest (Hungary) and Sofia (Bulgaria).

PubMed

Perrone, M G; Vratolis, S; Georgieva, E; Török, S; Šega, K; Veleva, B; Osán, J; Bešlić, I; Kertész, Z; Pernigotti, D; Eleftheriadis, K; Belis, C A

2018-04-01

The contribution of main PM pollution sources and their geographic origin in three urban sites of the Danube macro-region (Zagreb, Budapest and Sofia) were determined by combining receptor and Lagrangian models. The source contribution estimates were obtained with the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) receptor model and the results were further examined using local wind data and backward trajectories obtained with FLEXPART. Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) analysis was applied to identify the geographical source areas for the PM sources subject to long-range transport. Gas-to-particle transformation processes and primary emissions from biomass burning are the most important contributors to PM in the studied sites followed by re-suspension of soil (crustal material) and traffic. These four sources can be considered typical of the Danube macro-region because they were identified in all the studied locations. Long-range transport was observed of: a) sulphate-enriched aged aerosols, deriving from SO 2 emissions in combustion processes in the Balkans and Eastern Europe and b) dust from the Saharan and Karakum deserts. The study highlights that PM pollution in the studied urban areas of the Danube macro-region is the result of both local sources and long-range transport from both EU and no-EU areas. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Airborne Measurements of Venus Cloud-top H2O and HDO from NASA’s SOFIA in the Mid-Infrared

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsang, Constantine; Encrenaz, Therese; DeWitt, Curtis N.; Richter, Matthew; Irwin, Patrick

2017-10-01

The determination of the D/H ratio in Venus’s atmosphere using water (H2O) and light water (HDO) has been used as evidence for the loss of a global sized ocean in the distant past on paleo-Venus. Measurements of atmospheric water vapour at and above the cloud level is also important as water is a key ingredient in the production of the hydrated H2SO4 clouds that prevail globally on Venus. While variations in latitude and local solar time of H2O at the cloud tops has been most recently measured by ESA’s Venus Express spacecraft, the data is sporadic due to the limb sounding geometry needed to make these measurements.Here we present H2O and HDO measurements from January 2017 from NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) using the EXES mid-infrared spectrometer flying at 40,000 ft where the relatively low telluric absorption makes detection of Venusian H2O possible. Two observation sequences were obtained that yielded spatially resolved maps of H2O and HDO at R~89,000 centered at 7.21 µm (1380 cm-1). We will also discuss the preliminary retrieved values of D/H ratios at the 65 km altitude probed at this wavelength.

EDITORIAL: 23rd International Laser Physics Workshop (LPHYS'14)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2015-03-01

Dear Readers, The 23rd annual International Laser Physics Workshop, LPHYS'14, took place in the City of Sofia, Bulgaria. 361 participants from 35 countries attended the conference. It was hosted by the Institute of Electronics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. This year's Workshop was dedicated to paying tribute to two major events: • 50th anniversary of 1964 Nobel Prize in physics, • 145th anniversary of the establishment of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. LPHYS'14 has been taken under the High Patronage of Rosen Plevneliev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria. The LPHYS'14 Steering Committee and the Advisory & Program Committee would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Professor Sanka Gateva (Co-Chair) and Professor Ekaterina Borisova (Head of the Local Organizing Committee) and to their team for the outstanding job performed in organizing, arranging, managing and putting in order the conference. Their combined efforts lead to a successful result. In this volume of Journal of Physics: Conference Series you will find selected proceedings of the Workshop in Sofia. Please make a note that the 24th annual International Laser Physics Workshop (LPHYS'15) will take place from August 21 to August 25, 2015 in the city of Shanghai, China hosted by Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. With kind regards, Steering and Advisory & Program committees LPHYS'14

A Study of Planetary Nebulae using the Faint Object Infrared Camera for the SOFIA Telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Jessica

2012-01-01

A planetary nebula is formed following an intermediate-mass (1-8 solar M) star's evolution off of the main sequence; it undergoes a phase of mass loss whereby the stellar envelope is ejected and the core is converted into a white dwarf. Planetary nebulae often display complex morphologies such as waists or torii, rings, collimated jet-like outflows, and bipolar symmetry, but exactly how these features form is unclear. To study how the distribution of dust in the interstellar medium affects their morphology, we utilize the Faint Object InfraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST) to obtain well-resolved images of four planetary nebulae--NGC 7027, NGC 6543, M2-9, and the Frosty Leo Nebula--at wavelengths where they radiate most of their energy. We retrieve mid infrared images at wavelengths ranging from 6.3 to 37.1 micron for each of our targets. IDL (Interactive Data Language) is used to perform basic analysis. We select M2-9 to investigate further; analyzing cross sections of the southern lobe reveals a slight limb brightening effect. Modeling the dust distribution within the lobes reveals that the thickness of the lobe walls is higher than anticipated, or rather than surrounding a vacuum surrounds a low density region of tenuous dust. Further analysis of this and other planetary nebulae is needed before drawing more specific conclusions.

A full 1---40 micron spectral energy distribution for the Becklin-Neugebauer object: Placing constraints on disk size for a runaway massive young stellar object

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shuping, Ralph; Keller, Luke D.; Adams, Joseph D.; Petkova, Maya; Wood, Kenneth; Herter, Terry; Sloan, Greg; Jaffe, Daniel Thomas; Greene, Thomas P.; Ennico, Kimberly

2017-01-01

The Becklin-Neugebauer (BN) Object—one of the brightest infrared obejcts in the sky—is a highly luminous young stellar object (YSO) deeply embedded in Orion Molecular Cloud 1 (OMC-1), which sits behind the Orion Nebula (M42). The BN object is likely a 8—15 M⊙ star and has no obvious optical counterpart due to high visual extinction on the line of sight. Furthermore, recent radio studies show that BN is moving towards the northwest at approximately 26 km/s with respect to the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC), which may indicate that BN was dynamically ejected from either the Trapezium or from within OMC-1 itself. Near-IR polarimetry suggests that BN is surrounded by a large (R=800 AU) disk, which is surprising since a close encounter leading to an ejection would likely disrupt and/or truncate a disk of this size. In this poster presentation, we present new SOFIA-FORCAST grism spectroscopy of BN from 10—40 μm. In conjunction with previous SOFIA-FORCAST photometry and data form the literature, we present the full 1—40 μm SED of BN which we compare to theoretical models using the HOCHUNK-3D radiative equilibrium code. We report constraints on disk parameters and discuss implications for dynamical ejection scenarios.

THE MID-INFRARED EVOLUTION OF THE FU ORIONIS DISK

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Green, Joel D.; Jones, Olivia C.; Poteet, Charles A.

2016-11-20

We present new SOFIA-FORCAST observations obtained in 2016 February of the archetypal outbursting low-mass young stellar object FU Orionis, and we compare the continuum, solid-state, and gas properties with mid-infrared data obtained at the same wavelengths in 2004 with Spitzer -IRS. In this study, we conduct the first mid-infrared spectroscopic comparison of an FUor over a long time period. Over a 12-year period, UBVR monitoring indicates that FU Orionis has continued its steady decrease in overall brightness by ∼14%. We find that this decrease in luminosity occurs only at wavelengths ≲20 μ m. In particular, the continuum shortward of the silicate emission complex atmore » 10 μ m exhibits a ∼12% (∼3 σ ) drop in flux density but no apparent change in slope; both the Spitzer and SOFIA spectra are consistent with a 7200 K blackbody. Additionally, the detection of water absorption is consistent with the Spitzer spectrum. The silicate emission feature at 10 μ m continues to be consistent with unprocessed grains, unchanged over 12 years. We conclude that either the accretion rate in FU Orionis has decreased by ∼12–14% over this time baseline or the inner disk has cooled, but the accretion disk remains in a superheated state outside the innermost region.« less

Experience of international collaboration in preparation of masters in “Mechatronics” with call for funds from Tempus and Erasmus programs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhmud, V. A.; Frantsuzova, G. A.; Dimitrov, L. V.; Nosek, J.

2018-05-01

This paper reveals the main problems of creating and implementing double diploma programs between universities of Russia and Europe. Novosibirsk State Technical University implements such programs with Technical Universities of Sofia (Bulgaria) and Liberec (Czech Republic). The paper presents the latest results of this activity and discusses the possibilities of its development in the field of joint postgraduate training, as well as joint scientific research with the involvement of students and postgraduate.

NASA’s Kuiper Airborne Observatory 1974-1995 - Twenty One Years of Discovery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erickson, Edwin F.

2017-01-01

The Gerard P. Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) forged a unique record in the annals of astronomy. Teams of scientists developed and flew with their specialized, state-of-the-art instruments to make observations not possible from the ground, at wavelengths from 0.3 µm to 1.6 mm. The talk will describe the KAO and its legacy of scientific findings, infrared instrumentation technology, experience for young astronomers and their impact on the field of infrared astronomy - and the rationale for SOFIA.

Sub-millimeter Spectroscopy of Astrophysically Interesting Metal-Containing Molecules

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ziurys, L. M.; Brewster, M. A.; Sheridan, P. M.; Savage, C.; Halfen, D. T.; Apponi, A. J.

2002-01-01

With the advent of SOFIA and Herschel, new spectral windows will be opened for spectroscopy in the sub-millimeter region. To conduct science in this band, laboratory measurements must be carried out to provide accurate transition frequencies for molecular identification and physical interpretation. We are presently conducting such measurements using gas-phase submm direct absorption techniques. Of particular interest are simple molecules containing iron-peak elements, including carbides, and metal hydride ions (MH+), both which possess favorable transitions at submm wavelengths.

Flight opportunities for science teacher enrichment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Devore, Edna; Gillespie, Carlton, Jr.; Hull, Garth; Koch, David

1995-01-01

NASA Astrophysics Division supports a pre-college teacher program to provide Flight Opportunities for Science Teacher EnRichment (FOSTER). To date, forty-five teachers are participating, and the program will expand nation-wide to serve fifty teachers per year on board the Kuiper Airborne Observatory. In the future, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) will bring more than one-hundred teachers per year on board for astronomical research mission. FOSTER is supported by a grant to the SETI Institute from the NASA Astrophysics Division, NAGW-3291.

East European Ergonomics.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-03-01

2b.ODECIASICATIoN DOWNGRADING SCHEDULE IT L 4. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER(Sj S. MONITORING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER(S) 1A 1ACL F I /-𔄁 6a. NAME OF... PERFORMING ORGANIZATION 6b. OFFICE SYMBOL 7a. NAME OF MONITORING ORGANIZATION TH6 REPORT ’ST6RE- (I *ffcbl 1i6-. el 5 0 FF1 C fi. ADDRESS (G. Sts". -9...Industrial Design in Sofia, Bulgaria to study the effects of Aw hypokinesis (reduced motion) on performance . One goal is to determine the optimal motion

Relations between the Soviet Union and its Eastern European Allies: A Survey

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-11-01

and its "Muscovite" wing by the internationally famous George Dimitrov , who was the unquestioned leader of the Party. Each in his own way seems...By the end of 19A9 both Kostov and Dimitrov were dead. Kostov was executed in Sofia after one of the most notorious show trials, and... Dimitrov died of alleged natural causes but in mysterious circumstances in Moscow. This was a psychological blow the BCP took many years to recover

User-Centered Indexing for Adaptive Information Access

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, James R.; Mathe, Nathalie

1996-01-01

We are focusing on information access tasks characterized by large volume of hypermedia connected technical documents, a need for rapid and effective access to familiar information, and long-term interaction with evolving information. The problem for technical users is to build and maintain a personalized task-oriented model of the information to quickly access relevant information. We propose a solution which provides user-centered adaptive information retrieval and navigation. This solution supports users in customizing information access over time. It is complementary to information discovery methods which provide access to new information, since it lets users customize future access to previously found information. It relies on a technique, called Adaptive Relevance Network, which creates and maintains a complex indexing structure to represent personal user's information access maps organized by concepts. This technique is integrated within the Adaptive HyperMan system, which helps NASA Space Shuttle flight controllers organize and access large amount of information. It allows users to select and mark any part of a document as interesting, and to index that part with user-defined concepts. Users can then do subsequent retrieval of marked portions of documents. This functionality allows users to define and access personal collections of information, which are dynamically computed. The system also supports collaborative review by letting users share group access maps. The adaptive relevance network provides long-term adaptation based both on usage and on explicit user input. The indexing structure is dynamic and evolves over time. Leading and generalization support flexible retrieval of information under similar concepts. The network is geared towards more recent information access, and automatically manages its size in order to maintain rapid access when scaling up to large hypermedia space. We present results of simulated learning experiments.

Exploring Molecular Complexity of the Diffuse and Translucent Gas and PhotoDissociation Regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCarthy, Michael

This proposal requests funds to continue a laboratory program in close coordination with radio astronomical observations dedicated to the study of highly reactive polyatomic molecular ions in low density regions and photo-dissociation regions (PDRs). In doing so, the proposed studies will advance our understanding of the chemistry beyond light ions that have been observed so successfully in these regions with Herschel and recently extended with SOFIA, and thereby critically address a significant but unresolved question in molecular astronomy: Are larger molecules formed in a bottom-up or top-down chemistry? The rotational spectra of most new molecular ions will be detected in the laboratory in a resonant microwave cavity, followed either by microwave/millimeterwave double resonance or millimeter/THz absorption to better characterize their spectrum in bands covered by the heterodyne receivers HIFI on Herschel and GREAT on SOFIA. In collaboration with radioastronomer colleagues, we will search for the new ions in the published survey of the PDR region of the Orion Bar and archival data of other PDRs observed with the IRAM 30 m telescope; retrieve and analyze archival data from Herschel; and undertake searches for some of the new ions in PDRs and low density regions with SOFIA. This work will also have a strong bearing on proposed Early Release Science (ERS) observations of dense PDRs with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The laboratory effort will build on previous work on molecular ions , specifically detection of the rotational spectra of a number of positive ions of astronomical interest such as H2NCO+, CCCH+, the cis- and trans isomers of HOSO+, HNCOH+, and H2CC(H)CNH+. We will focus our efforts on positive ions derived from closed-shell neutral molecules, radicals, and carbenes whose rotational spectra have been observed in our laboratory, and nearly all of which have also been identified in galactic molecular clouds. Examples of the ions we seek include polyatomic ions such as CN+, HCCCN+, HNCO+, c-C3H2+, etc. Collaborations with leading theoretical groups to accurately predict spectroscopic constants of the new ions will enhance the proposed laboratory investigations. Instrumental refinement will also be undertaken with particular emphasis on construction of a new cryogenically cooled ( 6 K) buffer gas cell. This ultra-sensitive instrument will possess a system temperature that is nearly 50 times lower than our most sensitive cavity spectrometer, and one close to the fundamental limit set by modern technology, thereby greatly enhancing our ability to detect elusive molecular ions that are produced in very low steady state concentrations. The essential capabilities of this instrument have already been demonstrated in collaborative investigations. Our laboratory program is well aligned with NASA's overall mission, because we seek to understand the role of the chemical bond on a cosmic scale and to provide a firm chemical foundation by which more complicated questions of biological origins can be addressed. The work here also provides much basic information to aid subsequent astronomical searches, particularly in the infrared. Finally, our research program is an excellent vehicle for integrating research and education. It provides exposure to quite diverse areas of science in a setting which encourages student initiative and independent investigation.

The Balloon Experimental Twin Telescope for Infrared Interferometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Silverburg, Robert

2009-01-01

Astronomical studies at infrared wavelengths have dramatically improved our understanding of the universe, and observations with Spitzer, the upcoming Herschel mission, and SOFIA will continue to provide exciting new discoveries. The comparatively low spatial resolution of these missions, however, is insufficient to resolve the physical scales on which mid- to far-infrared emission arises, resulting in source and structure ambiguities that limit our ability to answer key science questions. Interferometry enables high angular resolution at these wavelengths. We have proposed a new high altitude balloon experiment, the Balloon Experimental Twin Telescope for Infrared Interferometry (BETTII). High altitude operation makes far-infrared (30- 300micron) observations possible, and BETTII's 8-meter baseline provides unprecedented angular resolution (approx. 0.5 arcsec) in this band. BETTII will use a double-Fourier instrument to simultaneously obtain both spatial and spectral information. The spatially resolved spectroscopy provided by BETTII will address key questions about the nature of disks in young cluster stars and active galactic nuclei and the envelopes of evolved stars. BETTII will also lay the groundwork for future space interferometers.

Accessible information for people with complex communication needs.

PubMed

Owens, Janet S

2006-09-01

Information can be empowering if it is accessible. While a number of known information access barriers have been reported for the broader group of people with disabilities, specific information issues for people with complex communication needs have not been previously reported. In this consumer-focused study, the accessibility of information design and dissemination practices were discussed by 17 people with complex communication needs; by eight parents, advocates, therapists, and agency representatives in focus groups; and by seven individuals in individual interviews. Participants explored issues and made recommendations for content, including language, visual and audio supports; print accessibility; physical access; and human support for information access. Consumer-generated accessibility guidelines were an outcome of this study.

Enhancing access to health information in Africa: a librarian's perspective.

PubMed

Gathoni, Nasra

2012-01-01

In recent years, tremendous progress has been made toward providing health information in Africa, in part because of technological advancements. Nevertheless, ensuring that information is accessible, comprehensible, and usable remains problematic, and there remain needs in many settings to address issues such as computer skills, literacy, and the infrastructure to access information. To determine how librarians might play a more strategic role in meeting information needs of health professionals in Africa, the author reviewed key components of information systems pertinent to knowledge management for the health sector, including access to global online resources, capacity to use computer technology for information retrieval, information literacy, and the potential for professional networks to play a role in improving access to and use of information. The author concluded that, in regions that lack adequate information systems, librarians could apply their knowledge and skills to facilitate access and use by information seekers. Ensuring access to and use of health information can also be achieved by engaging organizations and associations working to enhance access to health information, such as the Association for Health Information and Libraries in Africa. These groups can provide assistance through training, dissemination, information repackaging, and other approaches known to improve information literacy.

25 CFR 115.402 - Will a minor have access to information about his or her account?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... access to information about his or her account? A minor will not have access to information about his or... minor will have access to information about his or her IIM account. ... 25 Indians 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Will a minor have access to information about his or her...

The Inner 25 au Debris Distribution in the ϵ Eri System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Su, Kate Y. L.; Rieke, George H.; Ballering, Nicholas P.

Debris disk morphology is wavelength dependent due to the wide range of particle sizes and size-dependent dynamics influenced by various forces. Resolved images of nearby debris disks reveal complex disk structures that are difficult to distinguish from their spectral energy distributions. Therefore, multi-wavelength resolved images of nearby debris systems provide an essential foundation to understand the intricate interplay between collisional, gravitational, and radiative forces that govern debris disk structures. We present the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) 35 μ m resolved disk image of ϵ Eri, the closest debris disk around a star similar to the early Sun. Combiningmore » with the Spitzer resolved image at 24 μ m and 15–38 μ m excess spectrum, we examine two proposed origins of the inner debris in ϵ Eri: (1) in situ planetesimal belt(s) and (2) dragged-in grains from the cold outer belt. We find that the presence of in situ dust-producing planetesmial belt(s) is the most likely source of the excess emission in the inner 25 au region. Although a small amount of dragged-in grains from the cold belt could contribute to the excess emission in the inner region, the resolution of the SOFIA data is high enough to rule out the possibility that the entire inner warm excess results from dragged-in grains, but not enough to distinguish one broad inner disk from two narrow belts.« less

THIS: A Next Generation Tuneable Heterodyne Infrared Spectrometer for SOFIA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sonnabend, Guido; Wirtz, Daniel; Schieder, Rudolf

2004-01-01

A new infrared heterodyne instrument has been developed which allows the use of both tuneable diode lasers (TDL) and quantum cascade lasers (QCL) as local oscillators (LO). The current frequency tuning range of our system extends from 900 to 1100/cm depending on the availability of lasers but is planned to be extended to 600/cm soon. The IF-bandwidth is 1.4 GHz using an acousto-optical spectrometer (AOS). The frequency resolution and stability of the system is approximately 10(exp 7). Currently, mercury-cadmium-telluride (MCT) detectors are used as mixers while new devices like quantum-well-infrared-photodetectors (QWIP) and hot-electron-bolometers (HEB) are investigated. The IF-bandwidth can be extended to about 3 GHz by using a new broadband acousto-optical spectrometer presently under development. The instrument is fully transportable and can be attached to any infrared or optical telescope. The semiconductor laser is stabilized to a Fabry-Perot ring-resonator, which is also used as an efficient diplexer to superimpose the local-oscillator and the signal radiation. As a first step measurements of trace gases in Earth's atmosphere and non-LTE emission from Venus' atmosphere were carried out as well as observations of molecular features in sunspots. Further astronomical observations from ground-based telescopes and the airborne observatory SOFIA are planned for the future. Of particular interest are molecules without a permanent dipole moment like H2, CH4, C2H2 etc.

Segmented air bearing in micronozzle technology for the project SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muth, Michael; Schulz, Bernd

1997-10-01

Since 1986 there is a cooperation between NASA and DARA, Germany's space agency, to develop a flying telescope three times the size and ten times the light gathering ability of its predecessor -- the Kuiper Airborne Observatory. This project is called SOFIA -- Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. The 2.5 meter telescope for the visible through the infrared and the sub-millimeter wavelengths to the microwaves will be mounted in a modified Boeing 747-SP with a cavity at the port side behind the wings. It can be opened at stratospheric altitudes of around 41,000 feet, above 99.9 percent of the interfering water vapor. When not in use, the telescope will be sheltered from environment by a door in the fuselage. Vibrations of the aircraft would spoil the telescope's images. Therefore the telescope has to be isolated from the aircraft's structure. One promising solution for the rotational uncoupling is a segmented spherical air bearing with a bearing sphere diameter of 1.2 meter, which carries the telescope on a thin air cushion. In this paper a new technology of air bearings with micro nozzles manufactured with the aid of a laser is presented. The innovation is rooted in the unique combination of excellent static and dynamic characteristics. These types of air bearings were developed at the Lehrstuhl fur Feingeratebau und Mikrotechnik at the Technical University of Munich, and they are produced in series by the AeroLas GmbH, Munich.

Pluto occultation on 2015 June 29 UTC with central flash and atmospheric spikes just before the New Horizons flyby

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pasachoff, Jay M.; Babcock, Bryce A.; Durst, Rebecca F.; Seeger, Christina H.; Levine, Stephen E.; Bosh, Amanda S.; Person, Michael J.; Sickafoose, Amanda A.; Zuluaga, Carlos A.; Kosiarek, Molly R.; Abe, Fumio; Nagakane, Masayuki; Suzuki, Daisuke; Tristram, Paul J.; Arredondo, Anicia

2017-11-01

We observed the occultation by Pluto of a 12th magnitude star, one of the two brightest occultation stars ever in our dozen years of continual monitoring of Pluto's atmosphere through such studies, on 2015 June 29 UTC. At the Univ. of Canterbury Mt. John Observatory (New Zealand), under clear skies throughout, we used a POETS frame-transfer CCD at 10 Hz with GPS timing on the 1-m McLellan telescope as well as an infrared camera on an 0.6-m telescope and three-color photometry at a slower cadence on a second 0.6-m telescope. At the Auckland Observatory, we used a POETS and a PICO on 0.5-m and 0.4-m telescopes, with 0.4 s and 2 s cadences, respectively, obtaining ingress observations before clouds moved in. The Mt. John light curves show a central flash, indicating that we were close to the center of the occultation path. Analysis of our light curves show that Pluto's atmosphere remains robust. The presence of spikes at both sites in the egress and ingress shows atmospheric layering. We coordinated our observations with aircraft observations (Bosh et al., 2017) with the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Our chords helped constrain the path across Pluto that SOFIA saw. Our ground-based and airborne stellar-occultation effort came only just over two weeks of Earth days and two Pluto days before the flyby of NASA's New Horizons spacecraft.

Method and device for maximizing memory system bandwidth by accessing data in a dynamically determined order

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwab, Andrew J. (Inventor); Aylor, James (Inventor); Hitchcock, Charles Young (Inventor); Wulf, William A. (Inventor); McKee, Sally A. (Inventor); Moyer, Stephen A. (Inventor); Klenke, Robert (Inventor)

2000-01-01

A data processing system is disclosed which comprises a data processor and memory control device for controlling the access of information from the memory. The memory control device includes temporary storage and decision ability for determining what order to execute the memory accesses. The compiler detects the requirements of the data processor and selects the data to stream to the memory control device which determines a memory access order. The order in which to access said information is selected based on the location of information stored in the memory. The information is repeatedly accessed from memory and stored in the temporary storage until all streamed information is accessed. The information is stored until required by the data processor. The selection of the order in which to access information maximizes bandwidth and decreases the retrieval time.

SOFIA: first science highlights and future science potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zinnecker, H.

2013-06-01

SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, is a joint project between NASA and the German Aerospace Agency (DLR) to develop and operate a 2.5 m airborne telescope in a highly modified Boeing 747SP aircraft that can fly as high as 45 000 feet (13.7 km). This is above 99.8 % of the precipitable water vapor which blocks much of the mid- and far-infrared radiation from reaching ground-based telescopes. In this review, we briefly discuss the characteristics of the Observatory and present a number of early science highlights obtained with the FORCAST camera in 5-40 micron spectral region and with the GREAT heterodyne spectrometer in the 130-240 micron spectral region. The FORCAST images in Orion show the discovery of a new high-mass protostar (IRc4), while GREAT observations at 1 km s-1 velocity resolution detected velocity-resolved, redshifted ammonia spectra at 1.81 THz in absorption against several strong far-infrared dust continuum sources, clear evidence of substantial protostellar infall onto massive (non-ionizing) protostars. These powerful new data allow us to determine how massive stars form in our Galaxy. Another highlight is the stunning image taken by FORCAST that reveals the transient circumnuclear 1.5 pc radius (dust) ring around our Galactic center, heated by hundreds of massive stars in the young nuclear star cluster. The GREAT heterodyne spectrometer also observed the circumnuclear ring in highly excited CO rotational lines, indicative of emission from warm dense molecular gas with broad velocity structure, perhaps due to local shock heating. GREAT also made superb mapping observations of the [C II] fine structure cooling line at 158 microns, for example in M17-SW molecular cloud-star cluster interface, observations which disprove the simple canonical photodissociation models. The much better baseline stability of the GREAT receivers (compared to Herschel HIFI) allows efficient on-the-fly mapping of extended [C II] emission in our galaxy and also in other nearby spiral galaxies. Of particular note is the GREAT discovery of two new molecules outside the solar system: OD (the deuterated OH hydroxyl radical) as well as mercapto radical SH, both in absorption near 1.4 THz, a frequency gap where Herschel was blind. A special highlight was the 2011 June 23 UT stellar occultation by Pluto using the HIPO high speed photometer and the FDC fast diagnostic camera. This difficult but successful observation, which was both space-critical (within 100 km) and time-critical (within 1 min), proved that SOFIA can be in the right place at the right time, when important transient events occur.

Proceedings of the VI Serbian-Bulgarian Astronomical Conference, May 7 - 11 2008, Belgrade, Serbia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dimitrijević, M. S.; Tsvetkov, M.; Popović, L. C.; Golev, V.

2009-07-01

The Sixth Serbian-Bulgarian Astronomical Conference was organized by Belgrade Astronomical Observatory, and held in Belgrade, in the building of Mathematical Faculty in Jagiceva Street, from 75th to 11th May 2008. Co-organizers were Mathematical Faculty, Astronomical Society "Rudjer Boskovic", Institute of Astronomy of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), Space Research Institute of BAS and Department of Astronomy of the University of Sofia. Co-chairmen of the Scientific Organizing Committee were Milan Dimitrijevic and Milcho Tsvetkov and Co-vice chairmen Luka C. Popovic and Valeri Golev. Chair of the Local Organizing Committee was Andjelka Kovacevic. The conference [was] attended by 58 participants. From Serbia were 36, from Belgrade Astronomical Observatory, Mathematical Faculty, Faculty of Sciences from Nis, Institute of Physics from Zemum, High School for pedagogues of occupational studies from Aleksinac, Faculty of Sciences from Kragujevac, Mathematical Institute of Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Astronomical Society "Rudjer Boskovic" and Astronomical Society "Magellanic Cloud." From Bulgaria were present 17 colleagues: Svetlana Boeva, Ana Borisova, Momchil Dechev, Peter Duchlev, Lostadinka Koleva, Georgi Petrov, Vasil Popov, Konstatin Stavrev, Katya Ysvetkova and Milcho Tsvetkov from Institute of Astronomy of BAS, Rumen Bogdanovski and Krasmimira Ianova from Space Research Institute of BAS, Georgi R. Ivanov, Georgi Petrov and Grigor Nikolov from Department of Astronomy, Sofia University "St Kliment Ohridski,", Yavor Chapanov from Central Laboratory for Geodesy of BAS and Petya Pavlova from Technical University of Sofia, Branch Plovdiv. Besides participants from Serbia and Bulgaria the Conference [was] attended [by] Vlado Milicevic from Canada, Jan Vondrak from Czech Republic, Aytap Sezer from Turkey and Tetyana Sergeeva and Alexandr Sergeev from Ukraine. On the Conference were presented 13 invited lectures, 22 short talks and 35 posters, in total 70 contributions. In these proceedings are 47 papers, 10 invited lectures, 12 contributed papers and 25 poster papers. Within the frame of cultural program in the library of Astronomical Observatory was organized a multimedia evening "Astronomy, Poetry and Art." Moderator was Andjelka Kovacevic. Poetry with cosmical inspiration was presented by Milan S. Dimitrijevic, Milcho Tsvetkov, Natasha Stanic, Tetyana Sergeeva, Jan Vondrak and Katya Tsvetkova with musical accompaniment by Zoran Simic and Edi Bon. Also a video presentation of paintings of Zoran Simic, inspired by the Universe accompanied by him by guitar was performed. An excursion to the excavations of the Roman colony Viminacium was organized for the participants. The Sixth Serbian-Bulgarian Astronomical Conference was fruitful and important for the further development of collaboration, common activities and planning of the joint scientific investigations and projects.

Teaching methods in the healthcare management major.

PubMed

Petrova, Gergana G; Popov, Teodor N

2009-01-01

Organisation and management are factors of paramount importance in higher education for achieving higher quality of training, better professional adaptation, and more effective career pursuance of the students. The present study analyses the use of various teaching methods for the students in the major of Healthcare Management as they are employed in two medical universities. We conducted a detailed questionnaire survey which included the students in the Healthcare Management major in the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at Sofia Medical University (SMU) and the Medical Faculty of Plovdiv Medical University (PMU). The students were surveyed for two consecutive academic years (2004/2005 and 2005/2006). The logical units of study were 198 students completing their baccalaureate programs in Healthcare Management: 145 (73.23+/-3.15%) in the FPH, SMU and 53 (26.77+/-3.15%) in the PMU (the greater number of students from the SMU was due to the greater number of students admitted into the Sofia Medical University). The technical units of study were the Faculty of Public Health in the Medical University in Sofia and the Medical faculty in the Medical University in Plovdiv. The survey was carried out using our own questionnaire form comprising 51 questions (open and closed), some of them allowing more than one answer. The collected sociological data were analysed using SPSS v. 13.0, and the diagrams were made using Microsoft Excel' 97. We used the alternative, non-parametric and graphic analyses to illustrate the processes and events at a level of significance P < 0.05. The most frequently used teaching method in both Medical Universities is the lecture (30.43+/-3.63% for PMU and 26.32+/-1.91% for SMU). This format of teaching is also considered to be the easiest with regard to learning the study material by 22.75+/-3.25% of the PMU graduates and 27.56+/-2.38% of the SMU graduates. The PMU students regard seminars, individual work and discussions as the format that afford the easiest way to acquire knowledge (22.16+/-3.21%, 21.56+/-3.18%, (18.56+/-3.01%, respectively). The most frequently used teaching method is the lecture; for the SMU student, it is used in 91.67+/-5.64% of all cases, while for PMU it is 8.33+/-5.64%. Students prefer the classical teaching methods. They are the most familiar and the most frequently used formats by lecturers, although they do not require a higher level of activity on the part of the students, who in T. Popov's view "...demonstrate passive attitude towards the educational process".

Health information exchange and healthcare utilization.

PubMed

Vest, Joshua R

2009-06-01

Health information exchange (HIE) makes previously inaccessible data available to clinicians, resulting in more complete information. This study tested the hypotheses that HIE information access reduced emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions among medically indigent adults. HIE access was quantified by how frequently system users' accessed patients' data. Encounter counts were modeled using zero inflated binomial regression. HIE was not accessed for 43% of individuals. Patient factors associated with accessed data included: prior utilization, chronic conditions, and age. Higher levels of information access were significantly associated with increased counts of all encounter types. Results indicate system users were more likely to access HIE for patients for whom the information might be considered most beneficial. Ultimately, these results imply that HIE information access did not transform care in the ways many would expect. Expectations in utilization reductions, however logical, may have to be reevaluated or postponed.

A Framework for Context Sensitive Risk-Based Access Control in Medical Information Systems

PubMed Central

Choi, Donghee; Kim, Dohoon; Park, Seog

2015-01-01

Since the access control environment has changed and the threat of insider information leakage has come to the fore, studies on risk-based access control models that decide access permissions dynamically have been conducted vigorously. Medical information systems should protect sensitive data such as medical information from insider threat and enable dynamic access control depending on the context such as life-threatening emergencies. In this paper, we suggest an approach and framework for context sensitive risk-based access control suitable for medical information systems. This approach categorizes context information, estimating and applying risk through context- and treatment-based permission profiling and specifications by expanding the eXtensible Access Control Markup Language (XACML) to apply risk. The proposed framework supports quick responses to medical situations and prevents unnecessary insider data access through dynamic access authorization decisions in accordance with the severity of the context and treatment. PMID:26075013

76 FR 77738 - Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines; Electronic and Information Technology...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-14

... Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines and its Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards... electronic and information technology covered by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998. 76.... 2011-07] RIN 3014-AA37 Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines; Electronic and Information...

Managing Information Resources for Accessibility.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

General Services Administration, Washington, DC. Clearinghouse on Computer Accommodation.

This handbook presents guidance for federal managers and other personnel who are unfamiliar with the policy and practice of information accessibility to accommodate users with disabilities and to provide for their effective access to information resources. It addresses federal requirements for accessibility, adopting accessibility as a sound…

Accurate isotopic fission yields of electromagnetically induced fission of 238U measured in inverse kinematics at relativistic energies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pellereau, E.; Taïeb, J.; Chatillon, A.; Alvarez-Pol, H.; Audouin, L.; Ayyad, Y.; Bélier, G.; Benlliure, J.; Boutoux, G.; Caamaño, M.; Casarejos, E.; Cortina-Gil, D.; Ebran, A.; Farget, F.; Fernández-Domínguez, B.; Gorbinet, T.; Grente, L.; Heinz, A.; Johansson, H.; Jurado, B.; Kelić-Heil, A.; Kurz, N.; Laurent, B.; Martin, J.-F.; Nociforo, C.; Paradela, C.; Pietri, S.; Rodríguez-Sánchez, J. L.; Schmidt, K.-H.; Simon, H.; Tassan-Got, L.; Vargas, J.; Voss, B.; Weick, H.

2017-05-01

SOFIA (Studies On Fission with Aladin) is a novel experimental program, dedicated to accurate measurements of fission-fragment isotopic yields. The setup allows us to fully identify, in nuclear charge and mass, both fission fragments in coincidence for the whole fission-fragment range. It was installed at the GSI facility (Darmstadt), to benefit from the relativistic heavy-ion beams available there, and thus to use inverse kinematics. This paper reports on fission yields obtained in electromagnetically induced fission of 238U.

East Europe Report, Economic and Industrial Affairs

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-05-24

Prf°nditl0ns for a» appreciable increase in^he p"ductlv" y railroads rZJf II approximately *°^*S the carrying capacity of o"ur * railroads...UT party ls 8lvinE my word we will not default ofoul obligation!" ^^ t0 COme’ * g±Ve y °U Statement by Ivan Nikolov Sofia RABOTNICHESKO DELO...documents, and stressed the areat «?„«, ^ « y f,mctlIm of standardization losicai hacfcup, as Bell »^^^1^^^ ^ 10 "As is known," the speaker said

Erik Lindbergh christens NASA's 747 Clipper Lindbergh with a special commemorative concoction representing local, NASA, and industry partners

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-05-21

Erik Lindbergh christens NASA's 747 Clipper Lindbergh, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, with a special commemorative concoction representing local, NASA, and industry partners. The liquid consisted of a small amount of California wine representing NASA Dryden where the aircraft will be stationed, a small amount of Dr. Pepper (a Waco, TX invention), a quantity of French bottled water (to symbolize Charles Lindbergh's flight to Paris on this date), and a dash of German beer to represent the SOFIA German industry partners.

The Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) Program and NASA Astrophysics Connections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Backman, Dana Edward; Clark, Coral; Harman, Pamela

2018-01-01

The NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) program is a three-part professional development (PD) experience for high school physics, astronomy, and earth science teachers. AAA PD consists of: (1) blended learning via webinars, asynchronous content delivery, and in-person workshops, (2) a STEM immersion experience at NASA Armstrong’s B703 science research aircraft facility in Palmdale, California, including interactions with NASA astrophysics & planetary science Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) during science flights on SOFIA, and (3) continuing post-flight opportunities for teacher & student connections with SMEs.

Infrared astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gillett, Frederick; Houck, James; Bally, John; Becklin, Eric; Brown, Robert Hamilton; Draine, Bruce; Frogel, Jay; Gatley, Ian; Gehrz, Robert; Hildebrand, Roger

1991-01-01

The decade of 1990's presents an opportunity to address fundamental astrophysical issues through observations at IR wavelengths made possible by technological and scientific advances during the last decade. The major elements of recommended program are: the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF), the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and the IR Optimized 8-m Telescope (IRO), a detector and instrumentation program, the SubMilliMeter Mission (SMMM), the 2 Microns All Sky Survey (2MASS), a sound infrastructure, and technology development programs. Also presented are: perspective, science opportunities, technical overview, project recommendations, future directions, and infrastructure.

SIPP ACCESS: Information Tools Improve Access to National Longitudinal Panel Surveys.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robbin, Alice; David, Martin

1988-01-01

A computer-based, integrated information system incorporating data and information about the data, SIPP ACCESS systematically links technologies of laser disk, mainframe computer, microcomputer, and electronic networks, and applies relational technology to provide access to information about complex statistical data collections. Examples are given…

36 CFR 1256.70 - What controls access to national security-classified information?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... national security-classified information? 1256.70 Section 1256.70 Parks, Forests, and Public Property... HISTORICAL MATERIALS Access to Materials Containing National Security-Classified Information § 1256.70 What controls access to national security-classified information? (a) The declassification of and public access...

45 CFR 164.524 - Access of individuals to protected health information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Health Information § 164.524 Access of individuals to protected health information. (a) Standard: Access to protected health information—(1) Right of access. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a)(2... protected health information about the individual in a designated record set, for as long as the protected...

45 CFR 164.524 - Access of individuals to protected health information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Health Information § 164.524 Access of individuals to protected health information. (a) Standard: Access to protected health information—(1) Right of access. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a)(2... protected health information about the individual in a designated record set, for as long as the protected...

78 FR 31769 - Accessible Emergency Information; Apparatus Requirements for Emergency Information and Video...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-24

... Accessible Emergency Information; Apparatus Requirements for Emergency Information and Video Description...] Accessible Emergency Information; Apparatus Requirements for Emergency Information and Video Description... manufacturers of devices that display video programming to ensure that certain apparatus are able to make...

10 CFR 727.5 - What acknowledgment and consent is required for access to information on DOE computers?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... information on DOE computers? 727.5 Section 727.5 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CONSENT FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY COMPUTERS § 727.5 What acknowledgment and consent is required for access to information on DOE computers? An individual may not be granted access to information on a DOE...

10 CFR 727.5 - What acknowledgment and consent is required for access to information on DOE computers?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... information on DOE computers? 727.5 Section 727.5 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CONSENT FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY COMPUTERS § 727.5 What acknowledgment and consent is required for access to information on DOE computers? An individual may not be granted access to information on a DOE...

10 CFR 727.5 - What acknowledgment and consent is required for access to information on DOE computers?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... information on DOE computers? 727.5 Section 727.5 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CONSENT FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY COMPUTERS § 727.5 What acknowledgment and consent is required for access to information on DOE computers? An individual may not be granted access to information on a DOE...

10 CFR 727.5 - What acknowledgment and consent is required for access to information on DOE computers?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... information on DOE computers? 727.5 Section 727.5 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CONSENT FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY COMPUTERS § 727.5 What acknowledgment and consent is required for access to information on DOE computers? An individual may not be granted access to information on a DOE...

10 CFR 727.5 - What acknowledgment and consent is required for access to information on DOE computers?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... information on DOE computers? 727.5 Section 727.5 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CONSENT FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY COMPUTERS § 727.5 What acknowledgment and consent is required for access to information on DOE computers? An individual may not be granted access to information on a DOE...

Rising Expectations: Access to Biomedical Information

PubMed Central

Lindberg, D. A. B.; Humphreys, B. L.

2008-01-01

Summary Objective To provide an overview of the expansion in public access to electronic biomedical information over the past two decades, with an emphasis on developments to which the U.S. National Library of Medicine contributed. Methods Review of the increasingly broad spectrum of web-accessible genomic data, biomedical literature, consumer health information, clinical trials data, and images. Results The amount of publicly available electronic biomedical information has increased dramatically over the past twenty years. Rising expectations regarding access to biomedical information were stimulated by the spread of the Internet, the World Wide Web, advanced searching and linking techniques. These informatics advances simplified and improved access to electronic information and reduced costs, which enabled inter-organizational collaborations to build and maintain large international information resources and also aided outreach and education efforts The demonstrated benefits of free access to electronic biomedical information encouraged the development of public policies that further increase the amount of information available. Conclusions Continuing rapid growth of publicly accessible electronic biomedical information presents tremendous opportunities and challenges, including the need to ensure uninterrupted access during disasters or emergencies and to manage digital resources so they remain available for future generations. PMID:18587496

Medical education and information literacy in the era of open access.

PubMed

Brower, Stewart M

2010-01-01

The Open Access movement in scholarly communications poses new issues and concerns for medical education in general and information literacy education specifically. For medical educators, Open Access can affect the availability of new information, instructional materials, and scholarship in medical education. For students, Open Access materials continue to be available to them post-graduation, regardless of affiliation. Libraries and information literacy librarians are challenged in their responses to the Open Access publishing movement in how best to support Open Access endeavors within their own institutions, and how best to educate their user base about Open Access in general.

42 CFR 480.111 - QIO access to records and information of institutions and practitioners.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., AND DISCLOSURE OF QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATION REVIEW INFORMATION Utilization and Quality Control Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) Qio Access to Information § 480.111 QIO access to records and... 42 Public Health 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false QIO access to records and information of...

42 CFR 480.112 - QIO access to records and information of intermediaries and carriers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., AND DISCLOSURE OF QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATION REVIEW INFORMATION Utilization and Quality Control Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) Qio Access to Information § 480.112 QIO access to records and... 42 Public Health 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false QIO access to records and information of...

42 CFR 480.112 - QIO access to records and information of intermediaries and carriers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

..., AND DISCLOSURE OF QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATION REVIEW INFORMATION Utilization and Quality Control Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) Qio Access to Information § 480.112 QIO access to records and... 42 Public Health 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false QIO access to records and information of...

Exploring the Further Integration of Machine Translation in English-Chinese Cross Language Information Access

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wu, Dan; He, Daqing

2012-01-01

Purpose: This paper seeks to examine the further integration of machine translation technologies with cross language information access in providing web users the capabilities of accessing information beyond language barriers. Machine translation and cross language information access are related technologies, and yet they have their own unique…

Adult Age Differences in Accessing and Retrieving Information from Long-Term Memory.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Petros, Thomas V.; And Others

1983-01-01

Investigated adult age differences in accessing and retrieving information from long-term memory. Results showed that older adults (N=26) were slower than younger adults (N=35) at feature extraction, lexical access, and accessing category information. The age deficit was proportionally greater when retrieval of category information was required.…

Assessing internet access and use in a medically underserved population: implications for providing enhanced health information services.

PubMed

Zach, Lisl; Dalrymple, Prudence W; Rogers, Michelle L; Williver-Farr, Heather

2012-03-01

The relationship between health information seeking, patient engagement and health literacy is not well understood. This is especially true in medically underserved populations, which are often viewed as having limited access to health information. To improve communication between an urban health centre and the community it serves, a team of library and information science researchers undertook an assessment of patients' level and methods of access to and use of the Internet. Data were collected in 53 face-to-face anonymous interviews with patients at the centre. Interviews were tape-recorded for referential accuracy, and data were analysed to identify patterns of access and use. Seventy-two percentage of study participants reported having access to the Internet through either computers or cell phones. Barriers to Internet access were predominantly lack of equipment or training rather than lack of interest. Only 21% of those with Internet access reported using the Internet to look for health information. The findings suggest that lack of access to the Internet in itself is not the primary barrier to seeking health information in this population and that the digital divide exists not at the level of information access but rather at the level of information use. © 2011 The authors. Health Information and Libraries Journal © 2011 Health Libraries Group.

Household energy management strategies in Bulgaria's transitioning energy sector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carper, Mark Daniel Lynn

Recent transition literature of post-socialist states has addressed the shortcomings of a rapid blanket implementation of neo-liberal policies and practices placed upon a landscape barren of the needed institutions and experiences. Included in these observations are the policy-making oversight of spatial socioeconomic variations and their individual and diverse methods of coping with their individual challenges. Of such literature addressing the case of Bulgaria, a good portion deals with the spatial consequences of restructuring as well as with embedded disputes over access to and control of resources. With few exceptions, studies of Bulgaria's changing energy sector have largely been at the state level and have not been placed within the context of spatial disparities of socioeconomic response. By exploring the variations of household energy management strategies across space, my dissertation places this resource within such a theoretical context and offers analysis based on respective levels of economic and human development, inherited material infrastructures, the organization and activities of institutions, and fuel and technological availability. A closed survey was distributed to explore six investigational themes across four geographic realms. The investigational themes include materials of housing construction, methods of household heating, use of electrical appliances, energy conservation strategies, awareness and use of energy conservation technologies, and attitudes toward the transitioning energy sector. The geographic realms include countrywide results, the urban-rural divide, regional variations, and urban divisions of the capital city, Sofia. Results conclude that, indeed, energy management strategies at the household level have been shaped by multiple variables, many of which differ across space. These variables include price sensitivity, degree of dependence on remnant technologies, fuel and substitute availability, and level of human and socioeconomic development. Thus far, the state has taken a very limited role in improving residential energy efficiency despite the increased energy expenditure burdens that most households face. Yet lacking are affordable technologies, educational campaigns, and individual financing mechanisms or incentives. As shown, where there is an informed, active, and financially capable population, improved household efficiency is more likely to be the winning strategy for both the goals of the individual as well as of the state.

The Black Sea Monitoring and Forecasting Center (BS-MFC) in the framework of the Copernicus Marine Service

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palazov, Atanas; Coppini, Giovanni; Ciliberti, Stefania Angela; Gregoire, Marilaure; Staneva, Joanna; Peneva, Elisaveta; Özsoy, Emin; Vandenbulcke, Luc; Storto, Andrea; Lemieux-Dudon, Benedicte; Lovato, Tomas; Masina, Simona; Pinardi, Nadia; Palermo, Francesco; Creti, Sergio; Macchia, Francesca; Lecci, Rita; Behrens, Arno; Marinova, Veselka; Slabakova, Violeta

2017-04-01

The BS-MFC entered the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS, http://marine.copernicus.eu/) in October 2016, providing regular and systematic information about the ocean state in the Black Sea in operational mode. An expert team constitutes the BS-MFC Consortium: the Institute of Oceanology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IO-BAS, Bulgaria) coordinates the service and the management in collaboration with Fondazione Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici (CMCC, Italy), Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht - Institute of Coastal Research (HZG, Germany), the University of Liege (ULG, Belgium), the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski (USOF, Bulgaria) and the Eurasia Earth Sciences Institute - Istanbul Technical University (ITU, Turkey). The system provides a complete data catalogue for the Black Sea ocean variables such as temperature, salinity, sea level, currents, biogeochemistry and waves through a technologically advanced and resilient service, which is fully interconnected with the other Centers in the Copernicus network. The high level BS-MFC architecture is based on 3 Production Units, for Physics, Biogeochemistry and Waves products respectively, a Dissemination/Archiving Unit for the delivery of the products and their archiving/accessibility, a Local Service Desk connected to the CMEMS Service Desk devoted to support all the operational activities, and backup units for all the main service components. Products consist of analysis/hindcast, 10-days forecast and reanalysis, describing the physical (currents, temperature, salinity, sea level, mixed layer depth and bottom temperature), the biogeochemical state and waves. To implement and improve the service, the BS-MFC has detailed an evolution plan, actually under implementation, devoted to establish, assess and improve the systems and their operational functionalities, providing some improvements from the scientific point of view concerning the modeling components (e.g., the fully aligned Physics, Biogeochemistry and Waves systems, the open boundary conditions at the Bosporus, the state-of-the-art core models and increased spatial resolution among the major actions) and high quality products, towards an optimal interface between the Mediterranean and the Black Seas. The contribution will present the main operational and research & development activities at the basis of the systems, given an overview on the future plans for improving the service for the delivery of new products.

40 CFR 1400.8 - Access to off-site consequence analysis information by Federal government officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... analysis information by Federal government officials. 1400.8 Section 1400.8 Protection of Environment... INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Access to Off-Site Consequence Analysis Information by Government Officials. § 1400.8 Access to off-site consequence analysis information by Federal...

40 CFR 1400.8 - Access to off-site consequence analysis information by Federal government officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... analysis information by Federal government officials. 1400.8 Section 1400.8 Protection of Environment... INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Access to Off-Site Consequence Analysis Information by Government Officials. § 1400.8 Access to off-site consequence analysis information by Federal...

40 CFR 1400.8 - Access to off-site consequence analysis information by Federal government officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... analysis information by Federal government officials. 1400.8 Section 1400.8 Protection of Environment... INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Access to Off-Site Consequence Analysis Information by Government Officials. § 1400.8 Access to off-site consequence analysis information by Federal...

40 CFR 1400.8 - Access to off-site consequence analysis information by Federal government officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... analysis information by Federal government officials. 1400.8 Section 1400.8 Protection of Environment... INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Access to Off-Site Consequence Analysis Information by Government Officials. § 1400.8 Access to off-site consequence analysis information by Federal...

Comparing Information Access Approaches.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chalmers, Matthew

1999-01-01

Presents a broad view of information access, drawing from philosophy and semiology in constructing a framework for comparative discussion that is used to examine the information representations that underlie four approaches to information access--information retrieval, workflow, collaborative filtering, and the path model. Contains 32 references.…

Comet C/2013 US10 (CATALINA) - Dust in the Infrared with SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woodward, Charles E.; Kelley, Michael S. P.; Harker, David E.; Russell, Ray W.; Kim, Daryl L.; Sitko, Michael L.; Wooden, Diane H.

2018-01-01

One of the major goals of modern astronomy is the "search for origins'' from the big bang to the development of intelligence. A key process in developing our understanding of these origins is how planetary systems are created from dusty disks around stars and evolve into planets with water and other molecules. Traces of primordial materials, and their least-processed products, are found in the outermost regions of the solar system -- the realm of comets -- in the form of ices of volatile materials (H2O, NH3, CO, CH4, and other more rare species), and more refractory dust grains. There is considerable evidence that in the cold regions where cometary material formed, existing comet bodies were mixed with refractory material processed at much higher temperatures. Remote sensing observation of comets provides a means to study the properties of this dust material to characterize the nature of refactory comet grains. These include observations of both the re-radiated thermal (spectrophotometric) and scattered light (spectrophotometric and polarimetric). The former technique provides our most direct link to the composition (mineral content) of the grains.Here we report our post-perihelion (TP = 2015 Nov 15.721 UT) infrared 2 to 31 micron spectrophotometric observations and dust thermal model analyses of comet C/2013 US10 (Catalina), a dynamically new Oort Cloud comet -- 1/aorg [reciprocal original semimajor axis ] = 0.00005339 -- conducted at two contemporaneous observational epochs near close Earth approach (Δ ≈ 0.93 AU) with NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) complemented by observations from the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF).

Effects of Information Access Cost and Accountability on Medical Residents' Information Retrieval Strategy and Performance During Prehandover Preparation: Evidence From Interview and Simulation Study.

PubMed

Yang, X Jessie; Wickens, Christopher D; Park, Taezoon; Fong, Liesel; Siah, Kewin T H

2015-12-01

We aimed to examine the effects of information access cost and accountability on medical residents' information retrieval strategy and performance during prehandover preparation. Prior studies observing doctors' prehandover practices witnessed the use of memory-intensive strategies when retrieving patient information. These strategies impose potential threats to patient safety as human memory is prone to errors. Of interest in this work are the underlying determinants of information retrieval strategy and the potential impacts on medical residents' information preparation performance. A two-step research approach was adopted, consisting of semistructured interviews with 21 medical residents and a simulation-based experiment with 32 medical residents. The semistructured interviews revealed that a substantial portion of medical residents (38%) relied largely on memory for preparing handover information. The simulation-based experiment showed that higher information access cost reduced information access attempts and access duration on patient documents and harmed information preparation performance. Higher accountability led to marginally longer access to patient documents. It is important to understand the underlying determinants of medical residents' information retrieval strategy and performance during prehandover preparation. We noted the criticality of easy access to patient documents in prehandover preparation. In addition, accountability marginally influenced medical residents' information retrieval strategy. Findings from this research suggested that the cost of accessing information sources should be minimized in developing handover preparation tools. © 2015, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

ACCESS, SOURCES AND VALUE OF NEW MEDICAL INFORMATION - VIEWS OF FINAL YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

PubMed Central

Gituma, Adrian; Masika, Moses; Muchangi, Eric; Nyagah, Lily; Otieno, Vincent; Irimu, Grace; Wasunna, Aggrey; Ndiritu, Moses; English, Mike

2009-01-01

Background Globally many doctors, particularly in low-income countries, have no formal training in using new information to improve their practice. As a first step clinicians must have access to information and so we explored reported access in graduating medical students in Nairobi. Objectives To evaluate final year medical students’ access to new medical information. Methods A cross-sectional survey of fifth (final) year medical students at the University of Nairobi using anonymous, self-administered questionnaires. Findings Questionnaires were distributed to 291 (85%) of a possible 343 students and returned by 152 (44%). Within the previous 12 months half reported accessing some form of new medical information most commonly from books and the internet. However, only a small number reported regular access and specific, new journal articles were rarely accessed. Absence of internet facilities, slow internet speeds and cost were common barriers to access while current training seems rarely to encourage students to seek new information. Conclusion Almost half the students had not accessed any new medical information in their final year in medical school suggesting they are ill prepared for a career that may increasingly demand life-long, self-learning. PMID:19152558

39 CFR 255.4 - Accessibility to electronic and information technology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY § 255.4 Accessibility to electronic and information technology. (a) In... burden, that the electronic and information technology the agency procures allows— (1) Individuals with... 39 Postal Service 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Accessibility to electronic and information...

39 CFR 255.4 - Accessibility to electronic and information technology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY § 255.4 Accessibility to electronic and information technology. (a) In... burden, that the electronic and information technology the agency procures allows— (1) Individuals with... 39 Postal Service 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Accessibility to electronic and information...

39 CFR 255.4 - Accessibility to electronic and information technology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY § 255.4 Accessibility to electronic and information technology. (a) In... burden, that the electronic and information technology the agency procures allows— (1) Individuals with... 39 Postal Service 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Accessibility to electronic and information...

39 CFR 255.4 - Accessibility to electronic and information technology.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY § 255.4 Accessibility to electronic and information technology. (a) In... burden, that the electronic and information technology the agency procures allows— (1) Individuals with... 39 Postal Service 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Accessibility to electronic and information...

48 CFR 1509.505-4 - Obtaining access to proprietary information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... PROTECTION AGENCY ACQUISITION PLANNING CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS Organizational Conflicts of Interests 1509.505-4 Obtaining access to proprietary information. Contractors gaining access to confidential business... business information. ...

31 CFR 2.2 - Access to classified information by historical researchers, former Treasury Presidential and Vice...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Treasury NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION § 2.2 Access to classified information by historical researchers... security; and (2) Receipt of the individual's written agreement to safeguard classified information... granting of a security clearance for access to classified information. (d) Treasury personnel will...

10 CFR 95.35 - Access to matter classified as National Security Information and Restricted Data.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... SECURITY CLEARANCE AND SAFEGUARDING OF NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION AND RESTRICTED DATA Control of Information § 95.35 Access to matter classified as National Security Information and Restricted Data. (a... have access to matter revealing Secret or Confidential National Security Information or Restricted Data...

40 CFR 1400.3 - Public access to paper copies of off-site consequence analysis information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...-site consequence analysis information. 1400.3 Section 1400.3 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Public Access § 1400.3 Public access to paper copies of off-site consequence analysis information. (a) General. The Administrator and the...

40 CFR 1400.3 - Public access to paper copies of off-site consequence analysis information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...-site consequence analysis information. 1400.3 Section 1400.3 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Public Access § 1400.3 Public access to paper copies of off-site consequence analysis information. (a) General. The Administrator and the...

40 CFR 1400.3 - Public access to paper copies of off-site consequence analysis information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...-site consequence analysis information. 1400.3 Section 1400.3 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Public Access § 1400.3 Public access to paper copies of off-site consequence analysis information. (a) General. The Administrator and the...

40 CFR 1400.3 - Public access to paper copies of off-site consequence analysis information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...-site consequence analysis information. 1400.3 Section 1400.3 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Public Access § 1400.3 Public access to paper copies of off-site consequence analysis information. (a) General. The Administrator and the...

Accessing Your Health Information: How can I access my health information and medical records?

MedlinePlus

... Privacy & Security How can I access my health information/medical record? Know your rights. It is your ... to see and get copies of your health information, or share it with a third party, such ...

Internet and computer access and use for health information in an underserved community.

PubMed

Kind, Terry; Huang, Zhihuan J; Farr, Deeonna; Pomerantz, Karyn L

2005-01-01

The "digital divide" is the gap between those with access to information tools such as the Internet and those without access. The gap has been described by income, education, age, and race. Little information exists on computer and Internet access and use for health information by parents, particularly among populations of low income and low education level. To describe computer and Internet access and use, including health information retrieval, among low-income, urban, African American caregivers (parents). Cross-sectional survey administered in pediatric waiting rooms of urban community-based health centers in a low-income area. Caregivers of pediatric outpatients. Access to computers, Internet access, and use of Internet for health information. In 2003, among 260 African Americans who completed surveys, 58% had a computer and 41% had home Internet access. Fifty-two percent had used the Internet for finding health information. Ninety-three percent agreed or strongly agreed that there is useful health information on the Internet. Ninety-two percent agreed or strongly agreed that they would want to talk with a medical professional about health information on the Internet. Sixty-five percent of respondents had no additional schooling after high school. Annual household income was

7 CFR 1789.160 - Access to information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2014-01-01 2013-01-01 true Access to information. 1789.160 Section 1789.160... Consultant Services Funded by Borrowers-General § 1789.160 Access to information. The Borrower shall not have rights in nor right of access to the work product of the Consultant. All analyses, studies, opinions...

Heterodyne Detection in MM & Sub-mm Waves Developed at Paris Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beaudin, G.; Encrenaz, P.

Millimeter and submillimeter-wave observations provide important informations for the studies of atmospheric chemistry and of astrochemistry (molecular clouds, stars formation, galactic study, comets and cosmology). But, these observations depend strongly on instrumentation techniques and on the site quality. New techniques or higher detector performances result in unprecedented observations and sometimes, the observational needs drive developments of new detector technologies, for example, superconducting junctions (SIS mixers) because of its high sensitivity in heterodyne detection in the millimeter and submillimeter wave range (100 GHz - 700 GHz), HEB (Hot Electron Bolometer) mixers which are being developed by several groups for application in THz observations. For the submillimetre wavelengths heterodyne receivers, the local oscillator (LO) is still a critical element. So far, solid state sources are often not powerful enough for most of the applications at millimetre or sub-millimetre wavelengths: large efforts using new planar components and integrated circuits on membrane substrate or new techniques (photomixing, QCL) are now in progress in few groups. The new large projects as SOFIA, Herschel, ALMA and the post-Herschel missions for astronomy, the other projects for aeronomy, meteorology (Megha-tropiques-Saphir) and for planetary science (ROSETTA, Mars exploration, ...), will benefit from the new developments to hunt more molecules.

18 CFR 388.113 - Accessing critical energy infrastructure information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... energy infrastructure information. 388.113 Section 388.113 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROCEDURAL RULES INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 388.113 Accessing critical energy infrastructure information. (a) Scope. This section governs access to...

18 CFR 388.113 - Accessing critical energy infrastructure information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... energy infrastructure information. 388.113 Section 388.113 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROCEDURAL RULES INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 388.113 Accessing critical energy infrastructure information. (a) Scope. This section governs access to...

18 CFR 388.113 - Accessing critical energy infrastructure information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... energy infrastructure information. 388.113 Section 388.113 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROCEDURAL RULES INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 388.113 Accessing critical energy infrastructure information. (a) Scope. This section governs access to...

18 CFR 388.113 - Accessing critical energy infrastructure information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... energy infrastructure information. 388.113 Section 388.113 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROCEDURAL RULES INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 388.113 Accessing critical energy infrastructure information. (a) Scope. This section governs access to...

18 CFR 388.113 - Accessing critical energy infrastructure information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... energy infrastructure information. 388.113 Section 388.113 Conservation of Power and Water Resources FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROCEDURAL RULES INFORMATION AND REQUESTS § 388.113 Accessing critical energy infrastructure information. (a) Scope. This section governs access to...

Evaluation of Web Accessibility of Consumer Health Information Websites

PubMed Central

Zeng, Xiaoming; Parmanto, Bambang

2003-01-01

The objectives of the study are to construct a comprehensive framework for web accessibility evaluation, to evaluate the current status of web accessibility of consumer health information websites and to investigate the relationship between web accessibility and property of the websites. We selected 108 consumer health information websites from the directory service of a Web search engine. We used Web accessibility specifications to construct a framework for the measurement of Web Accessibility Barriers (WAB) of website. We found that none of the websites is completely accessible to people with disabilities, but governmental and educational health information websites exhibit better performance on web accessibility than other categories of websites. We also found that the correlation between the WAB score and the popularity of a website is statistically significant. PMID:14728272

Evaluation of web accessibility of consumer health information websites.

PubMed

Zeng, Xiaoming; Parmanto, Bambang

2003-01-01

The objectives of the study are to construct a comprehensive framework for web accessibility evaluation, to evaluate the current status of web accessibility of consumer health information websites and to investigate the relationship between web accessibility and property of the websites. We selected 108 consumer health information websites from the directory service of a Web search engine. We used Web accessibility specifications to construct a framework for the measurement of Web Accessibility Barriers (WAB) of website. We found that none of the websites is completely accessible to people with disabilities, but governmental and educational health information websites exhibit better performance on web accessibility than other categories of websites. We also found that the correlation between the WAB score and the popularity of a website is statistically significant.

22 CFR 9.12 - Access to classified information by historical researchers and certain former government personnel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... GENERAL SECURITY INFORMATION REGULATIONS § 9.12 Access to classified information by historical researchers... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Access to classified information by historical... information by historical researchers and certain former government personnel, see Sec. 171.24 of this Title. ...

22 CFR 9.12 - Access to classified information by historical researchers and certain former government personnel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... GENERAL SECURITY INFORMATION REGULATIONS § 9.12 Access to classified information by historical researchers... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Access to classified information by historical... information by historical researchers and certain former government personnel, see Sec. 171.24 of this Title. ...

40 CFR 1400.9 - Access to off-site consequence analysis information by State and local government officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... analysis information by State and local government officials. 1400.9 Section 1400.9 Protection of... CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Access to Off-Site Consequence Analysis Information by Government Officials. § 1400.9 Access to off-site consequence analysis...

40 CFR 1400.9 - Access to off-site consequence analysis information by State and local government officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... analysis information by State and local government officials. 1400.9 Section 1400.9 Protection of... CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Access to Off-Site Consequence Analysis Information by Government Officials. § 1400.9 Access to off-site consequence analysis...

40 CFR 1400.9 - Access to off-site consequence analysis information by State and local government officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... analysis information by State and local government officials. 1400.9 Section 1400.9 Protection of... CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Access to Off-Site Consequence Analysis Information by Government Officials. § 1400.9 Access to off-site consequence analysis...

40 CFR 1400.9 - Access to off-site consequence analysis information by State and local government officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... analysis information by State and local government officials. 1400.9 Section 1400.9 Protection of... CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Access to Off-Site Consequence Analysis Information by Government Officials. § 1400.9 Access to off-site consequence analysis...

40 CFR 1400.9 - Access to off-site consequence analysis information by State and local government officials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... analysis information by State and local government officials. 1400.9 Section 1400.9 Protection of... CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION OF OFF-SITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS INFORMATION Access to Off-Site Consequence Analysis Information by Government Officials. § 1400.9 Access to off-site consequence analysis...

The right to information and their exceptions in medical practices in the Iranian legal system.

PubMed

Sheykh-Talimi, Maysam; Shariati-Nasab, Sadegh; Zare, Mohammad Kazem; Omani-Samani, Reza

2016-01-01

The right to information Act was implemented in the Iranian legal system through accession of the Merida Convention ensuring the right to information as a fundamental right for the public. One significant aspects of this subject is the ratification of the "Disclosure and Access to Information Act" by which it is recognized as a right of all Persian individuals and citizens to access state-held information in Iran administration. The Iranian legislature, with regard to the role of access to information and its significance, clarified the scope, permitted subjects of access, and exceptions of the right to state-held information. In this essay, we will discuss the legal aspects and scope of ensuring access to medical information in the Iranian statutes and their exceptions. It is argued that the Iranian legislation ensures the principle of maximum disclosure, while sensitive subjects', specially classified and private information, are exempted. Therefore, the related rules in Iran's statutes not only do not threaten patient's information, but also protect them by criminalizing the breaching of the mentioned right.

An Observational Study of Consumers’ Accessing of Nutrition Information in Chain Restaurants

PubMed Central

Agnew, Henry; Brownell, Kelly D.

2009-01-01

In this observational study, we determined how frequently consumers accessed on-premises nutrition information provided at chain restaurants. The number of patrons entering and accessing nutrition information was recorded at 8 locations that were part of 4 major restaurant chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Starbucks, and Au Bon Pain). Only 6 (0.1%) of 4311 patrons accessed on-premises nutrition information before purchasing food. This very small percentage suggests that such information should be more prominently displayed, such as on restaurant menu boards, to help customers make informed decisions. PMID:19299679

An observational study of consumers' accessing of nutrition information in chain restaurants.

PubMed

Roberto, Christina A; Agnew, Henry; Brownell, Kelly D

2009-05-01

In this observational study, we determined how frequently consumers accessed on-premises nutrition information provided at chain restaurants. The number of patrons entering and accessing nutrition information was recorded at 8 locations that were part of 4 major restaurant chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Starbucks, and Au Bon Pain). Only 6 (0.1%) of 4311 patrons accessed on-premises nutrition information before purchasing food. This very small percentage suggests that such information should be more prominently displayed, such as on restaurant menu boards, to help customers make informed decisions.

Far-infrared BRDFs and reflectance spectra of candidate SOFIA telescope, cavity, and focal-plane instrument surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, Allan W.; Smith, Sheldon M.; Koerber, Christopher T.

2000-06-01

The far-infrared reflectance and scattering properties of telescope surfaces, surrounding cavity walls, and surfaces within focal-plane instruments can be significant contributors to background noise. Radiation from sources well off-axis, such as the earth, moon or aircraft engines may be multiply scattered by the cavity walls and/or surface facets of a complex telescope structure. The Non-Specular Reflectometer at NASA Ames Research Center was reactivated and upgraded, and used to measure reflectance and Bi- directional Reflectance Distribution Functions for samples of planned telescope system structural materials and associated surface treatments.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: GJ 1214b optical and near-IR transit phot. (Angerhausen+, 2017)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angerhausen, D.; Dreyer, C.; Placek, B.; Csizmadia, Sz.; Eigmueller, P.; Godolt, M.; Kitzmann, D.; Mallonn, M.; Becklin, E.; Collins, P.; Dunham, E. W.; Grenfell, J. L.; Hamilton, R. T.; Kabath, P.; Logsdon, S. E.; Mandell, A.; Mandushev, G.; McElwain, M.; McLean, I. S.; Pfueller, E.; Rauer, H.; Savage, M.; Shenoy, S.; Vacca, W. D.; van Cleve, J. E.; Wiedemann, M.; Wolf, J.

2017-11-01

The joint US-German Cycle 2 Guest Investigator (GI) programme - US-proposal: Angerhausen (2013); Germanproposal: Dreyer (2013) - was performed on SOFIAs flight number 149 on UT February 27, 2014. Observations were simultaneously conducted in two optical HIPO channels: open blue at 0.3-0.6um and Sloan z' at 0.9-m; and one infrared FLITECAM fiter: Paschen-α cont. at 1.9um. Complementary data were also obtained with the optical focal plane guiding camera FPI+ in the Sloan i' band (0.8um). (5 data files).

Timeline: Targeted Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus.

PubMed

Teitzel, Gail

2016-09-22

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection can cause liver cirrhosis and cancer, and early treatment options were non-specific and could be toxic. Work aimed at elucidating the viral life cycle has led to better treatment options through the development of direct-acting antivirals, as exemplified by the work of Ralf Bartenschlager, Charles Rice, and Michael Sofia who have received the Lasker∼DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for their work on this effort. Key events in understanding HCV replication and development of direct-acting antivirals are shown in this Timeline. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Type specimens of Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) collected from North Korea and adjacent regions deposited at Insect Collections of Chungnam National University (CNU) in Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

PubMed

Jung, Sunghoon; Kim, Junggon; Oh, Sumin; Heiss, Ernst

2015-07-06

A list of type specimens of Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) collected from North Korea (mostly by the late Dr. Michail Josifov, Sofia, Bulgaria) acquired earlier by E. Heiss, now donated to and deposited in the insect collections of Chungnam National University (CNU), Deajeon, Korea, is presented. A total of 31 holotypes and 694 paratypes of 41 species and 1 subspecies in 6 families and 9 subfamilies are presented: Miridae (Deraeocorinae, Mirinae, Orthotylinae, Phylinae), Tingidae (Tinginae), Piesmatidae (Piesmatinae), Berytidae (Metacanthinae), Cymidae (Cyminae), Pentatomidae (Asopinae).

Mapping PAH sizes in NGC 7023 with SOFIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Croiset, B. A.; Candian, A.; Berné, O.; Tielens, A. G. G. M.

2016-05-01

Context. NGC 7023 is a well-studied reflection nebula, which shows strong emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules in the form of aromatic infrared bands (AIBs). The spectral variations of the AIBs in this region are connected to the chemical evolution of the PAH molecules which, in turn, depends on the local physical conditions. Aims: Our goal is to map PAH sizes in NGC 7023 with respect to the location of the star. We focus on the north west (NW) photo-dissociation region (PDR) and the south PDR of NGC 7023 to understand the photochemical evolution of PAHs, using size as a proxy. Methods: We use the unique capabilities of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to observe a 3.2' × 3.4' region of NGC 7023 at wavelengths that we observe with high spatial resolution (2.7'') at 3.3 and 11.2 μm. We compare the SOFIA images with existing images of the PAH emission at 8.0 μm (Spitzer), emission from evaporating very small grains (eVSG) extracted from Spitzer-IRS spectral cubes, the extended red emission (Hubble Space Telescope and Canadian French Hawaiian Telescope), and H2 (2.12 μm). We create maps of the 11.2/3.3 μm ratio to probe the morphology of the PAH size distribution and the 8.0/11.2 μm ratio to probe the PAH ionization. We make use of an emission model and of vibrational spectra from the NASA Ames PAH database to translate the 11.2/3.3 μm ratio to PAH sizes. Results: The 11.2/3.3 μm ratio map shows the smallest PAH concentrate on the PDR surface (H2 and extended red emission) in the NW and south PDR. We estimated that PAHs in the NW PDR bear, on average, a number of carbon atoms (Nc) of ~70 in the PDR cavity and ~50 at the PDR surface. In the entire nebula, the results reveal a factor of 2 variation in the size of the PAH. We relate these size variations to several models for the evolution of the PAH families when they traverse from the molecular cloud to the PDR. Conclusions: The high-resolution PAH size map enables us to follow the photochemical evolution of PAHs in NGC 7023. Small PAHs result from the photo-evaporation of VSGs as they reach the PDR surface. Inside the PDR cavity, the PAH abundance drops as the smallest PAH are broken down. The average PAH size increases in the cavity where only the largest species survive or are converted into C60 by photochemical processing.

10 CFR 2.905 - Access to restricted data and national security information for parties; security clearances.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Access to restricted data and national security... to Adjudicatory Proceedings Involving Restricted Data and/or National Security Information § 2.905 Access to restricted data and national security information for parties; security clearances. (a) Access...

10 CFR 2.905 - Access to restricted data and national security information for parties; security clearances.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Access to restricted data and national security... to Adjudicatory Proceedings Involving Restricted Data and/or National Security Information § 2.905 Access to restricted data and national security information for parties; security clearances. (a) Access...

77 FR 65377 - Access by EPA Contractors To Confidential Business Information Related to the Greenhouse Gas...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-26

... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0621; FRL-9746-5] Access by EPA Contractors To... contractors named in this notice to access information submitted to EPA under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program that may be designated or claimed as confidential business information. Contractor access to this...

Preferred information sources for clinical decision making: critical care nurses' perceptions of information accessibility and usefulness.

PubMed

Marshall, Andrea P; West, Sandra H; Aitken, Leanne M

2011-12-01

Variability in clinical practice may result from the use of diverse information sources to guide clinical decisions. In routine clinical practice, nurses privilege information from colleagues over more formal information sources. It is not clear whether similar information-seeking behaviour is exhibited when critical care nurses make decisions about a specific clinical practice, where extensive practice variability exists alongside a developing research base. This study explored the preferred sources of information intensive care nurses used and their perceptions of the accessibility and usefulness of this information for making decisions in clinically uncertain situations specific to enteral feeding practice. An instrumental case study design, incorporating concurrent verbal protocols, Q methodology and focus groups, was used to determine intensive care nurses' perspectives of information use in the resolution of clinical uncertainty. A preference for information from colleagues to support clinical decisions was observed. People as information sources were considered most useful and most accessible in the clinical setting. Text and electronic information sources were seen as less accessible, mainly because of the time required to access the information within the documents. When faced with clinical uncertainty, obtaining information from colleagues allows information to be quickly accessed and applied within the context of a specific clinical presentation. Seeking information from others also provides opportunities for shared decision-making and potential validation of clinical judgment, although differing views may exacerbate clinical uncertainty. The social exchange of clinical information may meet the needs of nurses working in a complex, time-pressured environment but the extent of the evidence base for information passed through verbal communication is unclear. The perceived usefulness and accessibility of information is premised on the ease of use and access and thus the variability in information may be contributing to clinical uncertainty. Copyright ©2011 Sigma Theta Tau International.

Connecting AAC devices to the world of information technology.

PubMed

Caves, Kevin; Shane, Howard C; DeRuyter, Frank

2002-01-01

Modern day information technology (IT) is converging around wireless networks. It is now possible to check E-mail and view information from the World Wide Web from commercially available mobile phones. For individuals with disabilities, the ability to access multiple and different types of information not only promises convenience, but also can help to promote independence and facilitate access to public and private information systems. There are many barriers to access for people with disabilities, including technological hurdles, security, privacy, and access to these emerging wireless technologies. However, legislation, advocacy, standards, and research and development can ensure that users of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology have access to these technologies. This article provides a historical context for the field of AAC and IT development, a review of the current state of these technologies, a glimpse of the potential of wireless information access for the lives of AAC users, and a description of some of the barriers and enablers to making access available to users of AAC and assistive technologies.

78 FR 10613 - Proposed Agency Information Collection

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-14

.... The information collection requests a three-year approval of its Customer Electricity Data Access and... information about customer access to electricity usage data. The information will be shared on the DOE-supported OpenEI Web site where consumers can learn about the access offered by their electricity provider...

1 CFR 456.4 - Public access to information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 1 General Provisions 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Public access to information. 456.4 Section 456.4 General Provisions MISCELLANEOUS AGENCIES NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION (FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REGULATIONS) § 456.4 Public access to information. (a) General policy. It is the Commission's...

Freedom of Information in a Parliamentary Government: Canada's New Access to Information Legislation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Einsiedel, Edna F.

Despite a tradition of government secrecy, Canada recently adopted freedom of information legislation. Reflecting greater public and media interest in the issue of public access to information and government secrecy, Bill C-34, the Access to Information Act, received royal assent in 1982, as did a privacy act, enacted to protect the complementary…

Accelerating global access to plant diversity information.

PubMed

Lughadha, Eimear Nic; Miller, Chuck

2009-11-01

Botanic gardens play key roles in the development and dissemination of plant information resources. Drivers for change have included progress in information technology, growing public expectations of electronic access and international conservation policy. Great advances have been made in the quantity, quality and accessibility of plant information in digital form and the extent to which information from multiple providers can be accessed through a single portal. However, significant challenges remain to be addressed in making botanic gardens resources maximally accessible and impactful, not least the overwhelming volume of material which still awaits digitisation. The year 2010 represents an opportunity for botanic gardens to showcase their collaborative achievements in delivery of electronic plant information and reinforce their relevance to pressing environmental issues.

Availability of and Ease of Access to Calorie Information on Restaurant Websites

PubMed Central

Bennett, Gary G.; Steinberg, Dori M.; Lanpher, Michele G.; Askew, Sandy; Lane, Ilana B.; Levine, Erica L.; Goodman, Melody S.; Foley, Perry B.

2013-01-01

Objective Offering calories on restaurant websites might be particularly important for consumer meal planning, but the availability of and ease of accessing this information are unknown. Methods We assessed websites for the top 100 U.S. chain restaurants to determine the availability of and ease of access to calorie information as well as website design characteristics. We also examined potential predictors of calorie availability and ease of access. Results Eighty-two percent of restaurants provided calorie information on their websites; 25% presented calories on a mobile-formatted website. On average, calories could be accessed in 2.35±0.99 clicks. About half of sites (51.2%) linked to calorie information via the homepage. Fewer than half had a separate section identifying healthful options (46.3%), or utilized interactive meal planning tools (35.4%). Quick service/fast casual, larger restaurants, and those with less expensive entrées and lower revenue were more likely to make calorie information available. There were no predictors of ease of access. Conclusion Calorie information is both available and largely accessible on the websites of America’s leading restaurants. It is unclear whether consumer behavior is affected by the variability in the presentation of calorie information. PMID:23977193

Availability of and ease of access to calorie information on restaurant websites.

PubMed

Bennett, Gary G; Steinberg, Dori M; Lanpher, Michele G; Askew, Sandy; Lane, Ilana B; Levine, Erica L; Goodman, Melody S; Foley, Perry B

2013-01-01

Offering calories on restaurant websites might be particularly important for consumer meal planning, but the availability of and ease of accessing this information are unknown. We assessed websites for the top 100 U.S. chain restaurants to determine the availability of and ease of access to calorie information as well as website design characteristics. We also examined potential predictors of calorie availability and ease of access. Eighty-two percent of restaurants provided calorie information on their websites; 25% presented calories on a mobile-formatted website. On average, calories could be accessed in 2.35±0.99 clicks. About half of sites (51.2%) linked to calorie information via the homepage. Fewer than half had a separate section identifying healthful options (46.3%), or utilized interactive meal planning tools (35.4%). Quick service/fast casual, larger restaurants, and those with less expensive entrées and lower revenue were more likely to make calorie information available. There were no predictors of ease of access. Calorie information is both available and largely accessible on the websites of America's leading restaurants. It is unclear whether consumer behavior is affected by the variability in the presentation of calorie information.

75 FR 19464 - Interagency Guidance on Response Programs for Unauthorized Access to Customer Information and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-14

... for Unauthorized Access to Customer Information and Customer Notice AGENCY: Office of Thrift...: Interagency Guidance on Response Programs for Unauthorized Access to Customer Information and Customer Notice... physical safeguards to: (1) Ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information; (2...

75 FR 6790 - Interagency Guidance on Response Programs for Unauthorized Access to Customer Information and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-10

... for Unauthorized Access to Customer Information and Customer Notice AGENCY: Office of Thrift... for Unauthorized Access to Customer Information and Customer Notice. OMB Number: 1550-0110. Form...) Ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information; (2) protect against any...

77 FR 70792 - Privacy Act of 1974; Department of Homeland Security/ALL-004 General Information Technology...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-27

... 1974; Department of Homeland Security/ALL-004 General Information Technology Access Account Records..., Department of Homeland Security/ALL-004 General Information Technology Access Account Records System of... access account records. This system consists of information collected in order to provide authorized...

Establishing Community Learning and Information Centers (CLICs) in Underserved Malian Communities. Final Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Academy for Educational Development, 2005

2005-01-01

The purpose of the Community Learning and Information Center (CLIC) project was "to accelerate economic, social and political growth by providing residents in twelve underserved Malian communities with access to easily accessible development information and affordable access to information and communication technology (ICT), high-value…

49 CFR 1007.3 - Requests by an individual for information or access.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Requests by an individual for information or access. 1007.3 Section 1007.3 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued... CONTAINING INFORMATION ABOUT INDIVIDUALS § 1007.3 Requests by an individual for information or access. (a...

24 CFR 401.503 - Access to information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

...) Owner-prepared 1-year project rent analysis; and (3) As directed by HUD. (b) Information on expenses and... 24 Housing and Urban Development 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Access to information. 401.503... (MARK-TO-MARKET) Restructuring Plan § 401.503 Access to information. (a) PAE responsibilities. The PAE...

77 FR 75404 - Accessible Emergency Information, and Apparatus Requirements for Emergency Information and Video...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-20

... FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 79 [MB Docket No. 12-107; DA 12-1985] Accessible Emergency Information, and Apparatus Requirements for Emergency Information and Video Description: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 AGENCY: Federal...

78 FR 60919 - In the Matter of Certain Licensees Authorized To Possess and Transfer Items Containing...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-02

.... Access to Safeguards Information is limited to those persons who have established a need-to-know the... to Safeguards Information'' (EA-13-041). A need-to-know means a determination by a person having... access. 2. No person may have access to Safeguards Information or unescorted access to radioactive...

76 FR 52659 - Access by EPA Contractors to Confidential Business Information (CBI) Related to the Greenhouse...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-23

... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0621; FRL-9455-5] Access by EPA Contractors to... contractors named in this notice to access information that will be submitted to EPA under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program that may be designated or claimed as confidential business information. Contractor access...

Information needs and seeking behaviour among health professionals working at public hospital and health centres in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

PubMed

Andualem, Mulusew; Kebede, Gashaw; Kumie, Abera

2013-12-27

Universal access to information for health professionals is a need to achieve "health for all strategy." A large proportion of the population including health professionals have limited access to health information in resource limited countries. The aim of this study is to assess information needs among Ethiopian health professionals. A cross sectional quantitative study design complemented with qualitative method was conducted among 350 health care workers in February 26-June 5/2012. Pretested self-administered questionnaire and observation checklist were used to collect data on different variables. Data entry and data analysis were done using Epi-Info version 3.5.1 and by SPSS version19, respectively. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses were applied to describe study objectives and identify the determinants of information seeking behaviours respectively. Odds ratio with 95% CI was used to assess the association between a factor and an outcome variable. The majority of the respondents acknowledged the need of health information to their routine activities. About 54.0% of respondents lacked access to health information. Only 42.8% of respondents have access to internet sources. Important barriers to access information were geographical, organizational, personal, economic, educational status and time. About 58.0% of the respondents accessed information by referring their hard copies and asking senior staff. Age, sex, income, computer literacy and access, patient size, work experience and working site were significantly associated with information needs and seeking behaviour. The health information seeking behaviour of health professional was significant. The health facilities had neither information center such as library, nor Internet facilities. Conducting training on managing health information, accessing computer and improving infrastructures are important interventions to facilitate evidence based decisions.