Term Index (K)

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Term Index (K)

K:
- Boltzmann constant (k,k_B): relates particle energy and temperature
- K band: atmospheric window centered around 2.2 microns, or 136 THz
- K-type star (K): spectral class of star a bit cooler than the Sun
- kelvin (K): temperature scale starting at absolute zero
- King Catalog: list of 21 open clusters
- Love number: measures of rigidity of a body
- permeability (κ,k): ability of a material to allow fluids to pass through it
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
K band: atmospheric window centered around 2.2 microns, or 136 THz
- infrared (IR): electromagnetic radiation, wavelength 0.74-300 micrometers
K Belt:
- Kuiper Belt (K Belt,KB): further part of solar system beyond Neptune
K Belt object:
- Kuiper Belt (K Belt,KB): further part of solar system beyond Neptune
K correction: correction to magnitude for redshift
K dwarf:
- K-type star (K): spectral class of star a bit cooler than the Sun
- M dwarf: small, cool main-sequence star in stellar class M
- red dwarf: small, cool main-sequence star
K line:
- calcium (Ca): element, Ca, atomic number 20
K-band Multi-object Spectrograph:
- KMOS: 2-micron spectrograph on ESO VLT
K-capture:
- electron capture: combination of an electron with a proton
K-class:
- K-type star (K): spectral class of star a bit cooler than the Sun
K-class star:
- K-type star (K): spectral class of star a bit cooler than the Sun
K-Cor:
- Coronal Solar Magnetism Observatory (COSMO): proposed solar observatory
- High Altitude Observatory (HAO): NCAR unit observing and monitoring the Sun
K-line: iron X-ray line
K-type star (K): spectral class of star a bit cooler than the Sun
K/Th ratio:
- potassium/thorium ratio (K/Th ratio): indication of thermal history
K2: second Kepler mission that worked around failed equipment
- Kepler Telescope: space telescope that watched stars for exoplanets
k_B:
- Boltzmann constant (k,k_B): relates particle energy and temperature
k_DM:
- dispersion measure (DM): to what degree an EMR signal's lower frequencies are delayed
KAGRA: gravitational wave detector in Japan preparing for operation
Kaguya:
- SELENE: 2007-2008 Japanese lunar probe
Kaiser distortion:
- redshift space: concept of space using redshift as the radial dimension
KAIT:
- Lick Observatory: California observatory of long standing
- Lick Observatory Supernova Search (LOSS): search for supernovae for cosmological study
Kaj Strand Telescope:
- USNO: observatory obtaining astronomical data for Naval use
Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector:
- KAGRA: gravitational wave detector in Japan preparing for operation
Kamioka Observatory: Japanese underground particle detector
Kamiokande-II:
- Kamioka Observatory: Japanese underground particle detector
KamiokeNDE:
- Kamioka Observatory: Japanese underground particle detector
KAO:
- Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO): infrared observatory-plane in the 1980s
kappa mechanism (κ-mechanism): stellar instability caused by opacity increasing with temperature
Kapteyn universe: early 20th century model of the universe centered on the Milky Way
Kapteyn's Star: nearby M dwarf
Karhula:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array:
- Very Large Array (VLA): radio telescope in New Mexico
Karoo Array Telescope:
- MeerKAT: new radio telescope in South Africa
Kast Spectrograph:
- Shane Telescope: 3.05 m reflector telescope at Lick Observatory
KAT:
- MeerKAT: new radio telescope in South Africa
KAT-7:
- MeerKAT: new radio telescope in South Africa
Katalog von 1053 staerker bewegten Fixsternen:
- Max Wolf's catalog of stars with proper motion: early 20th century catalog of 1500 stars
KATE:
- SMART-1: Swedish lunary orbiter operational 2004-2008
Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope:
- Lick Observatory: California observatory of long standing
- Lick Observatory Supernova Search (LOSS): search for supernovae for cosmological study
Kavli Foundation:
- Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics:
- Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research:
- Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics:
- Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
Kavli Institute for Cosmology:
- Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology:
- Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe:
- Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
Kavli IPMU:
- Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
Kazochok:
- ExoMars: program to search for signs of life on Mars
KB:
- Kuiper Belt (K Belt,KB): further part of solar system beyond Neptune
KB object:
- Kuiper Belt (K Belt,KB): further part of solar system beyond Neptune
KBO:
- Haumea: dwarf planet discovered in 2004
- Kuiper Belt (K Belt,KB): further part of solar system beyond Neptune
- Pluto: dwarf planet formerly listed as one of the nine planets
- plutoid: Pluto-like dwarf planet
- Sedna: distant solar system planetoid discovered in 2003
KDG:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
KE:
- kinetic energy (KE): an object's energy due to its motion
Keck:
- Keck Observatory: observatory in Hawaii with two 10-meter reflectors
Keck 1:
- Gliese 436 b (GJ 436 b): hot Neptune found in 2004
- HD 209458 b: hot Jupiter discovered in 1999
- HD 80606 b: hot Jupiter discovered in 2001
Keck Array:
- BICEP2: survey to measure the polarization of the CMB
Keck Interferometer:
- Keck Observatory: observatory in Hawaii with two 10-meter reflectors
Keck Observatory: observatory in Hawaii with two 10-meter reflectors
- California-Kepler Survey (CKS): followup to Kepler to determine stellar radii
- Keck Planet Finder (KPF): spectrograph in development for Keck
- Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer (KPIC): extreme AO upgrade under development for Keck
- Mauna Kea: Hawaiian mountain, the site of observatories
- Mauna Kea Observatories (MKO): observatories on Mauna Kea in Hawaii
Keck Planet Finder (KPF): spectrograph in development for Keck
Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer (KPIC): extreme AO upgrade under development for Keck
- Keck Observatory: observatory in Hawaii with two 10-meter reflectors
KELT: pair of telescopes searching for transients
KELT-North:
- KELT: pair of telescopes searching for transients
KELT-South:
- KELT: pair of telescopes searching for transients
Kelu:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
kelvin (K): temperature scale starting at absolute zero
Kelvin scale:
- Boltzmann constant (k,k_B): relates particle energy and temperature
- kelvin (K): temperature scale starting at absolute zero
Kelvin time:
- timescale (t,τ): general length of time something takes
Kelvin waves: pressure and gravity waves formed by Coriolis force and a barrier
Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI): waves forming from velocity shear
Kelvin-Helmholtz mechanism: release of energy from gravitational collapse
Kelvin-Helmholtz time:
- Kelvin-Helmholtz timescale (KH timescale,KH time,τ_KH): time that would radiate away a body's heat energy given its luminosity
Kelvin-Helmholtz timescale (KH timescale,KH time,τ_KH): time that would radiate away a body's heat energy given its luminosity
- timescale (t,τ): general length of time something takes
Kennicutt-Schmidt law: relation between gas density and star formation rate
Kennicutt-Schmidt relation:
- Kennicutt-Schmidt law: relation between gas density and star formation rate
Kepler:
- Kepler Telescope: space telescope that watched stars for exoplanets
Kepler dichotomy:
- Kepler Telescope: space telescope that watched stars for exoplanets
Kepler Input Catalog:
- Kepler Telescope: space telescope that watched stars for exoplanets
Kepler object of interest:
- Kepler Telescope: space telescope that watched stars for exoplanets
Kepler orbit:
- Keplerian orbit: orbit following a perfect ellipse or other conic section
Kepler Orrery I:
- orrery: mechanical device to simulate the solar system
Kepler radius: radius at which a particular velocity would orbit
Kepler radius distribution:
- Kepler radius: radius at which a particular velocity would orbit
Kepler Telescope: space telescope that watched stars for exoplanets
- combined differential photometric precision (CDPP): calculated relation of photometric variation to SNR
- ExoFOP: site to facilitate exoplanet follow-up observation
- Kepler-1625b: giant exoplanet in a star's habitable zone
- Kepler-16b: exoplanet orbiting a binary star
- Kepler-186f: Earth-like exoplanet in a star's habitable zone
- Kepler-452b: Earth-like exoplanet discovered in 2015
- OGLE-2005-BLG-3290Lb: exoplanet orbiting a binary star
Kepler's laws: laws of the kinematics of orbits
- celestial mechanics: study of forces and motion of celestial objects
Kepler's laws of planetary motion:
- Kepler's laws: laws of the kinematics of orbits
Kepler's supernova:
- Cassiopeia A: supernova remnant visible for 300 years
Kepler-16:
- Kepler-16b: exoplanet orbiting a binary star
Kepler-1625:
- Kepler-1625b: giant exoplanet in a star's habitable zone
Kepler-1625b: giant exoplanet in a star's habitable zone
Kepler-16b: exoplanet orbiting a binary star
Kepler-186:
- Kepler-186f: Earth-like exoplanet in a star's habitable zone
Kepler-186f: Earth-like exoplanet in a star's habitable zone
Kepler-452:
- Kepler-452b: Earth-like exoplanet discovered in 2015
Kepler-452b: Earth-like exoplanet discovered in 2015
Keplerian disk: disk whose motion follows Kepler's laws
Keplerian orbit: orbit following a perfect ellipse or other conic section
Keplerian radius:
- Kepler radius: radius at which a particular velocity would orbit
Keplerian speed:
- Keplerian orbit: orbit following a perfect ellipse or other conic section
Kerberos:
- Haumea: dwarf planet discovered in 2004
- Pluto: dwarf planet formerly listed as one of the nine planets
Kerr BH:
- Kerr black hole: spinning black hole with no charge
Kerr black hole: spinning black hole with no charge
- black hole model: description of a BH using math or computation
- gravitational singularity: point where density and gravity reach infinity
Kerr metric:
- Kerr black hole: spinning black hole with no charge
Kerr object:
- black hole model: description of a BH using math or computation
- Kerr black hole: spinning black hole with no charge
Kerr spacetime:
- Kerr black hole: spinning black hole with no charge
- Kerr-NUT spacetime: Kerr spacetime defined in terms of Taub-NUT spacetime
Kerr-Newman black hole:
- black hole model: description of a BH using math or computation
- Kerr black hole: spinning black hole with no charge
Kerr-Newman metric:
- metric: mathematical generalization of the concept of distance
Kerr-Newman object:
- black hole model: description of a BH using math or computation
Kerr-NUT spacetime: Kerr spacetime defined in terms of Taub-NUT spacetime
Kerr-Taub-NUT spacetime:
- Kerr-NUT spacetime: Kerr spacetime defined in terms of Taub-NUT spacetime
Kesteven:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
KFL:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
KFPA:
- Green Bank Telescope (GBT,GB): West Virginia large radio telescope
KH:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
KH instability:
- Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI): waves forming from velocity shear
KH mechanism:
- Kelvin-Helmholtz mechanism: release of energy from gravitational collapse
KH time:
- Kelvin-Helmholtz timescale (KH timescale,KH time,τ_KH): time that would radiate away a body's heat energy given its luminosity
KH timescale:
- Kelvin-Helmholtz timescale (KH timescale,KH time,τ_KH): time that would radiate away a body's heat energy given its luminosity
- timescale (t,τ): general length of time something takes
Kharchenko:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
KHI:
- Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI): waves forming from velocity shear
KI:
- Keck Observatory: observatory in Hawaii with two 10-meter reflectors
- optical interferometer: interferometer of visible light
KIAA:
- Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
Kibel number:
- Rossby number (Ro): ratio of inertial to Coriolis force
KIC:
- Kepler Telescope: space telescope that watched stars for exoplanets
KIC 8462852: star with unusual variations
KICC:
- Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
kick:
- core collapse supernova (CCSN): supernova resulting from the collapse of the core of a star
kicked out:
- gravitationally bound: description of objects kept together by gravity
KID: type of sensitive electronic device to detect light
KID Interferometer Spectrometer Surveyor:
- CONCERTO: spectrometer aimed at mapping the [CII] line
KiDS:
- VLT Survey Telescope (VST): survey telescope located at the VLT site
Kilo-degree Survey:
- VLT Survey Telescope (VST): survey telescope located at the VLT site
Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope:
- KELT: pair of telescopes searching for transients
kilometer size barrier: a barrier to accretion on the order of a kilometer diameter
- barrier: challenging issue regarding planet formation
kilonova (KN): explosive event larger than a nova and smaller than a supernova
- standard siren: transient whose gravitational waves indicate a specific distance
kilonova light curve:
- supernova light curve (SN light curve): changing intensity of light following a supernova
kinematic distance: distance to objects within Milky Way based on radial velocity
kinematic distance ambiguity:
- kinematic distance: distance to objects within Milky Way based on radial velocity
kinematic group:
- stellar cluster (SC): group of stars apparently formed by a single cloud
kinematic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect:
- Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect (SZ effect,SZ,SZE): type of distortion of the CMB
kinematics:
- celestial mechanics: study of forces and motion of celestial objects
- ephemeris: information on the position of a celestial body in the sky over time
- epicycle: small circular motion around a large circular motion
- epicyclic frequency: frequency of oscillation in an accretion disk
- gravitational potential (Φ): conceptual field indicating the strength of gravity at each point
- Kepler's laws: laws of the kinematics of orbits
- Laplace-Lagrange secular theory: theory of evolution of planetary orbits
- libration: oscillating motion of orbiting bodies relative to each other
- mean anomaly: angle describing an object's position within an elliptical orbit
- nutation: precession of a body's axis of rotation
- Oort constants: two constants characterizing local Milky-Way motion
- orbital element: parameters describing an orbit
- precession: periodic change in a body's rotation or orbit
- rotation period: time it takes an astronomical body to revolve
- secular: occurring slowly over a long period of time
- stellar kinematics: science of the movement of stars
- synchronous orbit: orbit with angular velocity matching the rotation of the orbited body
- velocity-metallicity relation: higher stellar velocity correlates with lower metallicity
kinetic energy (KE): an object's energy due to its motion
kinetic equilibrium:
- local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE): state where temperature variation is too small to matter
kinetic inductance detector:
- KID: type of sensitive electronic device to detect light
kinetic Reynolds number:
- Reynolds number (Re): measure reflecting a fluid system's propensity to turbulence
kinetic temperature:
- temperature: measure of hotness/coldness of matter
kinetic theory of gases:
- cross section: "area" representation of probability of an interaction of particles
- heating: increasing the velocity of particles
kinetic-limited weathering:
- weathering: changes in surface due to contact with atmosphere
kinetics:
- normal mode: sinusoidal oscillation, such as in seismology
King:
- King Catalog: list of 21 open clusters
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
King Catalog: list of 21 open clusters
KIPAC:
- Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
KIPC:
- Kavli Institute: any of a number of science institutes supported by Kavli Foundation
Kirchhoff diffraction formula:
- diffraction: effect of an obstacle on a wave
Kirchhoff's law of thermal radiation: for an object in thermodynamic equilibrium, emissivity equals absorptance
- gray body: ideal object that reflects the same fraction of light at any wavelength
Kirchhoff's Laws:
- Kirchhoff's laws: laws regarding the source of spectral lines
- thermal emission: EMR due to a body's heat
Kirchhoff's three laws of spectroscopy:
- Kirchhoff's laws: laws regarding the source of spectral lines
Kirkwood gap: gaps in asteroid orbital radii corresponding to Jupiter resonances
Kiso Observatory:
- Kiso Survey of Ultraviolet Excess Galaxies (KUG): 1980 Japanese survey
Kiso Survey of Ultraviolet Excess Galaxies (KUG): 1980 Japanese survey
KISS:
- CONCERTO: spectrometer aimed at mapping the [CII] line
Kitt Peak 4m:
- Mayall 4m Telescope: 4 meter reflector telescope at Kitt Peak
- National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO): US optical astronomy organization
Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO): NRAO observatory in Arizona with Mayall telescope
- BigBOSS: BOSS survey follow-on
- Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO): NOAO observatory in Chile with Blanco telescope
- Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI): new instrument for measuring red-shift of distant objects
- Deep Lens Survey (DLS): investigating mass distribution of the universe
- Livermore Optical Transient Imaging System (LOTIS): automated telescope aiming to catch GRB optical counterparts
- Mayall 4m Telescope: 4 meter reflector telescope at Kitt Peak
- National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO): US optical astronomy organization
- National Solar Observatory (NSO): US government sponsored solar observatory
- NOAO Deep Wide-field Survey (NDWFS): survey investigating large scale structure of the universe
- SKHB: survey of globular clusters in M31
- SPACEWATCH: survey to study minor planets
- Víctor M. Blanco Telescope: 4 m reflector telescope in Chile
- WIYN 3.5m Telescope: Kitt Peak telescope run by university collaboration with NOAO
KjPn:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
KKH:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
KKR:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
Klein-Nishina formula: formula for the effects of electrons scattering photons
Klemola:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
kly:
- light-year (ly): distance that light travels in a year
KMOS: 2-micron spectrograph on ESO VLT
- European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope (ESO VLT,VLT): four 8.2-meter optical telescopes in Chile that can act together
KMOS3D: survey of galaxies before to after peak star formation
KN:
- kilonova (KN): explosive event larger than a nova and smaller than a supernova
KNT:
- double star designation: systems and format of double star designators
KOALA:
- Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT): 3.9 m reflector telescope in Australia
KOI:
- ExoFOP: site to facilitate exoplanet follow-up observation
- Kepler Telescope: space telescope that watched stars for exoplanets
KOI-571.05:
- Kepler-186f: Earth-like exoplanet in a star's habitable zone
Kolmogorov energy spectrum:
- Kolmogorov spectrum: energy spectrum of the eddies of different sizes in a turbulent fluid
Kolmogorov spectrum: energy spectrum of the eddies of different sizes in a turbulent fluid
Konkoly Observatory:
- HATNet: distributed array of telescopes to search for transients
KONUS-B:
- GRANAT: observatory-satellite for detecting gamma rays and X-rays
Koposov:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
Korean Solar Radio Burst Locator:
- Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO): group of radio telescopes in California near the VLBA
Kormendy Relation: relation between elliptical galaxy luminosity surface brightness
Koronis:
- asteroid family: set of asteroids based on similar orbits
Korsch telescope: type of reflector telescope
Kowal's Object:
- Sagittarius Dwarf Irregular Galaxy (SagDIG): most distant galaxy in the Local Group
Kozai cycle:
- Kozai mechanism: an effect on an orbit by another, more distant orbiting body
Kozai mechanism: an effect on an orbit by another, more distant orbiting body
Kozai oscillation:
- Kozai mechanism: an effect on an orbit by another, more distant orbiting body
Kozai-Lidov oscillation:
- Kozai mechanism: an effect on an orbit by another, more distant orbiting body
kpc:
- parsec (pc): about 3.26 light-years
KPD:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
KPF:
- Keck Planet Finder (KPF): spectrograph in development for Keck
KPIC:
- extreme adaptive optics (ExAO): high-performance version of AO system
- Keck Observatory: observatory in Hawaii with two 10-meter reflectors
- Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer (KPIC): extreme AO upgrade under development for Keck
KPNO:
- BigBOSS: BOSS survey follow-on
- Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO): NOAO observatory in Chile with Blanco telescope
- Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI): new instrument for measuring red-shift of distant objects
- Deep Lens Survey (DLS): investigating mass distribution of the universe
- Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO): NRAO observatory in Arizona with Mayall telescope
- Mayall 4m Telescope: 4 meter reflector telescope at Kitt Peak
- National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO): US optical astronomy organization
- National Solar Observatory (NSO): US government sponsored solar observatory
- NOAO Deep Wide-field Survey (NDWFS): survey investigating large scale structure of the universe
- SKHB: survey of globular clusters in M31
- Víctor M. Blanco Telescope: 4 m reflector telescope in Chile
- WIYN 3.5m Telescope: Kitt Peak telescope run by university collaboration with NOAO
KPNO 2.1 m Telescope.:
- Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO): NRAO observatory in Arizona with Mayall telescope
KPNO 4m:
- Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO): NRAO observatory in Arizona with Mayall telescope
- Mayall 4m Telescope: 4 meter reflector telescope at Kitt Peak
- National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO): US optical astronomy organization
KR:
- double star designation: systems and format of double star designators
Kramers opacity law: opacity's relation to density and temperature
Kramers' law:
- Kramers opacity law: opacity's relation to density and temperature
Kron:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
Kronberger:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
Kruger:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
Krylov subspace:
- Krylov subspace method: efficient method of numerically solving sets of linear equations
Krylov subspace method: efficient method of numerically solving sets of linear equations
KSRBL:
- Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO): group of radio telescopes in California near the VLBA
kSZ:
- Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect (SZ effect,SZ,SZE): type of distortion of the CMB
kSZE:
- Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect (SZ effect,SZ,SZE): type of distortion of the CMB
KU:
- double star designation: systems and format of double star designators
KU-BAND:
- Parkes Observatory: Australian large single-dish radio telescope
Kueyen Telescope:
- European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope (ESO VLT,VLT): four 8.2-meter optical telescopes in Chile that can act together
KUG:
- Kiso Survey of Ultraviolet Excess Galaxies (KUG): 1980 Japanese survey
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
KUI:
- double star designation: systems and format of double star designators
Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO): infrared observatory-plane in the 1980s
Kuiper Belt (K Belt,KB): further part of solar system beyond Neptune
Kuiper Belt object:
- Kuiper Belt (K Belt,KB): further part of solar system beyond Neptune
- plutoid: Pluto-like dwarf planet
kurtosis: measure of the probability of a distribution's tails
KUV:
- rare designator prefixes: designator prefixes generally used for only a few objects
KWCI:
- Keck Observatory: observatory in Hawaii with two 10-meter reflectors

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