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At least 199 records · Page 11

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NASA NTRS1984

Comparison of mesospheric VHF radar echoes and rocket probe electron concentration measurements

Refractive index irregularities in the equatorial mesosphere have been investigated using both the Jicamarca VHF radar and a rocket-borne Langmuir probe launched from Punta Lobos, Peru. On February 27, 1983, a single layer of turbulence was observed in the upper mesosphere by both experiments. There is very good agreement between the observed radar echo power and the radar scattering cross section calculated from the rocket data when these are interpreted in the context of isotropic turbulence. The inner and outer scales of turbulence have been calculated from both the radar and the rocket data, and good agreement is found. The radar data show indications of large-scale vortices in the layer of irregularities. Rocket data show that the inner scale of turbulence in the upper mesosphere is a few tens of meters and that the Jicamarca radar Bragg wavelength (3 m) is well within the viscous subrange of turbulence in this altitude range. The spectral index in the inertial subrange is close to -5/3, changing to about - 7 at higher wave numbers. Energy dissipation rate in the layer was calculated to be 0.05 W/kg, in good agreement with previous estimates.

Royrvik, O.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The scattered light echo of a supernova

A theoretical model of the scattering of SN radiation by a dusty circumstellar envelope is constructed and applied to observational data on SN 1979c and SN 1980k. The scattered-light curves are predicted by Monte Carlo simulation, and it is shown that the blue continuum of SN 1980k could be a scattered-light echo. The need for detailed late SN observations (especially UV observations of the type planned for the Space Telescope) is indicated.

Chevalier, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

ELF electric turbulence near an electron beam-emitting rocket in the auroral ionosphere - Echo 6

Orthogonal double-probes on the Echo 6 free-lying plasma diagnostic payload were used to study ELF turbulent electric fields during 36-keV beam injections. The observed characteristics of the ELF fields can best be explained by the current systems set up around the entire system rather than by a direct beam-plasma interaction. Frequency-power spectra were calculated for two different polarizations as a function of the probe-gun payload distance, and measurements were obtained of the lower hybrid waves near 8.5 kHz and whistler mode waves near 125 kHz. The dispersion of a current instability was calculated in order to investigate the generation mechanism of the observed ELF electric turbulence.

Abe, Y.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A real light echo - Nova Persei 1901

Observations of Nova Persei 1901, a light echo from SN 1987A, are reviewed. The large broken outer ring and bright inner ring of the nova are examined. The outer ring has been shown to increase its radius at a speed of about 11 arcmin/year. Since the distance to Nova Persei 1901 is about 400-600 pc, the apparent projected velocity of expansion is about 4-5 c, making the nova the first observed superluminal cosmic source.

Felten, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Echo asymmetry and its impact on NEXRAD storm identification

The effects of echo shape and radar viewing angle on the detections of cells are investigated. A chart representing the probability of detection of a storm is derived. Case studies from Florida and Alabama are analyzed in order to assess the performance of NEXRAD. It is noted that the current thresholds for storm identification for NEXRAD are inadequate for identifying small lightning-producing storms. Time-history and radar-reflectivity charts for the storms are provided.

Buechler, Dennis E.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Using SN 1987A light echoes to determine mass loss from the progenitor

The hypothesis that the blue progenitor of SN 1987A passed through a blue supergiant phase ending with the expulsion of the outer envelope is tested. The many light echoes seen near SN 1987A were used to search for a mass flow from the progenitor and for abrupt density changes at the limits of this smooth mass flow. The progenitor needed roughly a million yr to create these structures, assuming a constant mass loss at 15 km/s. The dust in the region is small-grained and isotropically scattering. Interaction between the progenitor blue supergiant and red supergiant winds is probably contained within a roughly spherical structure 1.5 pc in diameter.

Crotts, Arlin P. S.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Acoustic echo cancellation for full-duplex voice transmission on fading channels

This paper discusses the implementation of an adaptive acoustic echo canceler for a hands-free cellular phone operating on a fading channel. The adaptive lattice structure, which is particularly known for faster convergence relative to the conventional tapped-delay-line (TDL) structure, is used in the initialization stage. After convergence, the lattice coefficients are converted into the coefficients for the TDL structure which can accommodate a larger number of taps in real-time operation due to its computational simplicity. The conversion method of the TDL coefficients from the lattice coefficients is derived and the DSP56001 assembly code for the lattice and TDL structure is included, as well as simulation results and the schematic diagram for the hardware implementation.

Park, Sangil↗

NASA NTRS1993

First radar echoes from cumulus clouds

In attempting to use centimeter-wavelength radars to investigate the early stage of precipitation formation in clouds, 'mantle echoes' are rediscovered and shown to come mostly from scattering by small-scale variations in refractive index, a Bragg kind of scattering mechanism. This limits the usefulness of single-wavelength radar for studies of hydrometeor growth, according to data on summer cumulus clouds in North Dakota, Hawaii, and Florida, to values of reflectivity factor above about 10 dBZe with 10-cm radar, 0 dBZe with 5-cm radar, and -10 dBZe with 3-cm radar. These are limits at or above which the backscattered radar signal from the kinds of clouds observed can be assumed to be almost entirely from hydrometeors or (rarely) other particulate material such as insects. Dual-wavelength radar data can provide the desired information about hydrometeors at very low reflectivity levels if assumptions can be made about the inhomogeneities responsible for the Bragg scattering. The Bragg scattering signal itself probably will be a useful way to probe inhomogeneities one-half the radar wavelength in scale for studying cloud entrainment and mixing processes. However, this use is possible only before scattering from hydrometeors dominates the radar return.

Knight, Charles A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

The first satellite laser echoes recorded on the streak camera

The application of the streak camera with the circular sweep for the satellite laser ranging is described. The Modular Streak Camera system employing the circular sweep option was integrated into the conventional Satellite Laser System. The experimental satellite tracking and ranging has been performed. The first satellite laser echo streak camera records are presented.

Hamal, Karel↗

NASA NTRS1993

On the analysis of clear air radar echoes severely contaminated by clutter

Many radar systems work in environments where clutter return overwhelm the atmospheric echoes. Sometimes by as much as 50 dB. At the Arecibo Observatory (AO), for example, clutter levels are conspicuously high. This situation greatly reduces its usefulness for lower atmospheric studies. It is not possible in general, to observe height profiles of the vertical component of the wind velocity. This parameter is important to understand planetary scale circulation, mountain and lee waves, turbulence, troprospheric and stratorspheric interactions and vertical transport of horizontal momentum. The topics discussed include the following: clutter propagation characteristics, knowledge-based spectral analysis system, and signal analysis system.

Ierkic, H. Mario↗

NASA NTRS1993

Unusual radar echoes from the Greenland ice sheet

In June 1991, the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory airborne synthetic-aperture radar (AIRSAR) instrument collected the first calibrated data set of multifrequency, polarimetric, radar observations of the Greenland ice sheet. At the time of the AIRSAR overflight, ground teams recorded the snow and firn (old snow) stratigraphy, grain size, density, and temperature at ice camps in three of the four snow zones identified by glaciologists to characterize four different degrees of summer melting of the Greenland ice sheet. The four snow zones are: (1) the dry-snow zone, at high elevation, where melting rarely occurs; (2) the percolation zone, where summer melting generates water that percolates down through the cold, porous, dry snow and then refreezes in place to form massive layers and pipes of solid ice; (3) the soaked-snow zone where melting saturates the snow with liquid water and forms standing lakes; and (4) the ablation zone, at the lowest elevations, where melting is vigorous enough to remove the seasonal snow cover and ablate the glacier ice. There is interest in mapping the spatial extent and temporal variability of these different snow zones repeatedly by using remote sensing techniques. The objectives of the 1991 experiment were to study changes in radar scattering properties across the different melting zones of the Greenland ice sheet, and relate the radar properties of the ice sheet to the snow and firn physical properties via relevant scattering mechanisms. Here, we present an analysis of the unusual radar echoes measured from the percolation zone.

Rignot, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Null Result in gamma-ray burst lensed echo search

We have searched for gravitational-lens-induced echoes between gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) in Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) data. The search was conducted in two phases. In the first phase we compared all GRBs in a brightness-complete sample of the first 260 GRBs with recorded angular positions having at least a 5% chance of being coincident from their combined positional error. In the second phase, we compared all GRB light curves of the first 611 GRBs with recorded angular positions having at least a 55% chance of being coincident from their combined positional error. No unambiguous gravitational lens candidate pairs were found in either phase, although a 'library of close calls' was accumulated for future reference. This result neither excludes nor significantly constrains a cosmological origin for GRBs.

Nemiroff, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1993

'Glitches' in soft X-ray transients: Echoes of the main burst?

Several soft X-ray transients exhibit one or more intensity jumps ('glitches') that interrupt the decay of the initial 'main' burst. We interpret these glitches as due to enhanced mass flow from the companion star which is responding, essentially linearly, to heating by X-rays from the primary. The process goes on continuously, triggered by ('echoing') the initial burst. A time delay T of a few months occurs in the similarly linear flow of matter from the companion surface to the X-ray-emitting inner disk. The time scale in the inner disk is a few days. If this model is correct there is evidence that the main burst, that has been observed to decay over a time approximately less than T, is caused by a burst of mass flow from the companion.

Augusteijn, T.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Small-scale structure of O2(+) and proton hydrates in a Noctilucent Cloud and polar mesospheric summer echo of August 9/10 1991 above Kiruna

A novel mass spectrometer designed to measure simultaneously positive ion composition in the mesosphere, was successfully launched during the NLC-91 project. Instruments supporting the mass spectrometer were a probed to measure both electrons and positive ions as well as a wave propagation experiment. The location of the Noctilucent Clouds (NLC) was determined by a particle impact sensor to detect secondary electrons and ions from the impact of NLC particle. The density of proton hydrates and of the related total ions is depleted in the NLC region at 83 km. An improved detection limit of 5 x 10(exp 4)/cu m for positive ions and improved height resolution revealed for the first time large gradients in the O2(+), H(+)(H2O)2 and H(+)(H2O)6 densities within a small height range of the order of 50 m. Such gradients at the altitude of NLC and Polar Mesospheric Summer Echoes (PMSE) are associated with strong variability of mesospheric water vapor, temperature and neutral air density.

Balsiger, F.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Demonstration of solar echoes using the Air Force OTH-B radar

From the late 50s to early 70s, attempts were made by at least two different groups to obtain information on physical conditions in the corona by means of active radar soundings. While echoes from the Sun were unquestionably detected. difficulties in their interpretation led to inconclusive results. A major hindrance to these efforts was the limited understanding of the day-to-day structure of the corona then available (e.g., pioneering work in solar wind studies were just underway. and coronal holes had not yet been discovered). With the end of the Cold War, the very large over-the-horizon (OTH) radars operated by the Air Force have been opened up to basic science research through the end of the fiscal year. In light of advances made in coronal physics and in signal processing technology since these early experiments were undertaken. access to the state-of-the art OTH-B radar offers a rare opportunity to gauge anew the scientific potential for radar sounding of the Sun. In principle, it should be possible to obtain useful data on plasma densities and motions over a range of heights in the corona near 0.5R(solar mass) above the solar surface We report here the preliminary findings from a sequence of observations taken over the course of a solar rotation.

Pizzo, V. J.↗

NASA NTRS1961

Participation of Bell Telephone Laboratories in Project Echo and Experimental Results

On August 12, 1960, Echo I, a 100-foot-diameter spherical balloon, was placed in orbit around the earth by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The objective was to demonstrate the feasibility of long-distance communication by microwave reflection from a satellite. A two-way coast-to-coast voice circuit was to be established between the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) facility in California and a station provided by Bell Telephone Laboratories (STL) in New Jersey. Similar tests were also planned with the Naval Research Laboratory and other stations. This paper describes the general organization and operation of the Holmdel, New Jersey, station, and discusses the results of the experiments performed between the balloon launching and March 1, 1961. Successful voice communication was achieved through a variety of modulation methods including frequency modulation with feedback, amplitude modulation, single-sideband modulation, and narrow-band phase modulation. Careful measurements were also made of the loss in the transmission path.

Jakes, William C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1961

Project Echo: System Calculations

The primary experimental objective of Project Echo was the transmission of radio communications between points on the earth by reflection from the balloon satellite. This paper describes system calculations made in preparation for the experiment and their adaptation to the problem of interpreting the results. The calculations include path loss computations, expected audio signal-to-noise ratios, and received signal strength based on orbital parameters.

Ruthroff, Clyde L.↗

NASA NTRS1961

Project Echo: Satellite-Tracking Radar

The radar employed at the Bell Telephone Laboratories' Holmdel, New Jersey site for tracking the Echo I satellite was originally designed for the sole purpose of antenna pointing. Recently, however, it has also been employed to measure earth-balloon-earth path loss at regular intervals of time in order to ascertain the balloon's condition. The performance of the system and some of the data obtained are discussed.

DeLange, O. E.↗