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At least 217 records · Page 12

Isotope Geochemistry of Possible Terrestrial Analogue for Martian Meteorite ALH84001

We have studied the microdomain oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions by SIMS of complex carbonate rosettes from spinel therzolite xenoliths, hosted by nepheline basanite, from the island of Spitsbergen (Norway). The Quaternary volcanic rocks containing the xenoliths erupted into a high Arctic environment and through relatively thick continental crust containing carbonate rocks. We have attempted to constrain the sources of the carbonates in these rocks by combined O-18/O-16 and C-13/C-12 ratio measurements in 25 micron diameter spots of the carbonate and compare them to previous work based primarily on trace-element distributions. The origin of these carbonates can be interpreted in terms of either contamination by carbonate country rock during ascent of the xenoliths in the host basalt, or more probably by hydrothermal processes after emplacement. The isotopic composition of these carbonates from a combined delta.18O(sub SMOW) and delta.13C(sub PDB) standpoint precludes a primary origin of these minerals from the mantle. Here a description is given of the analysis procedure, standardization of the carbonates, major element compositions of the carbonates measured by electron microprobe, and their correlated C and O isotope compositions as measured by ion microprobe. Since these carbonate rosettes may represent a terrestrial analogue to the carbonate "globules" found in the martian meteorite ALH84001 interpretations for the origin of the features found in the Spitsbergen may be of interest in constraining the origin of these carbonate minerals on Mars.

Mojzsis, Stephen J.↗

The DROPPS/MIDAS Campaign Neutral Atmosphere Measurements and the Occurrence of PMSE and NLC

Measurements of the neutral atmosphere and their relationship to electrodynamic conditions in the mesosphere have been of interest for many years. Inflatable falling sphere measurements along with electrodynamic measurements were obtained in conjunction with the occurrence of PMSE and NLC during the DROPPS/MIDAS Campaign conducted in July 1999 from Andenes Rocket Range, Norway. The inflatable failing sphere measurements in conjunction with a PMSE event on 5-6 July and with a NLC event on 14 July are used to infer thermal advection and its influence on the clouds' maintenance. Hodograph analysis, an early tropospheric tool used by analyst and forecasters, will be used to determine the magnitude and direction of thermal advection from measured wind data. Analysis of the wind structure through the use of hodographs and some assumptions can determine thermal advection, wind shear, and possible vertical motion. Changes in the temperature structure between allied observations were subtle which may be explained by advection. Because of meteorological instabilities in the mesosphere it is possible that hodograph analysis may not fully work. It is our intention to show that such analysis has value and has a place in the mesosphere.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗

Data Comparison: Satellite and Falling Sphere Temperatures

Small meteorological rocketsondes providing temperature data have beam used for comparison with, and validation of measurements from satellite-borne instruments. A significant number of rocket-borne falling spheres were launched in conjunction with the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) for validation of the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE), High Resolution Doppler Interferometer (HRDI), and the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instruments. Upper stratosphere and mesosphere temperatures measured with these instruments on UARS are compared with inflatable spheres launched from Wallops Island (1992-1999), Brazil (1994), Hawaii (1992), Norway (1992), and Sweden (1993 and 1996). Time and space differences varied between the satellite measurement and the rocketsonde launch, for example HALOE overpasses occurred within 5 days and in some cases there were spatial differences of up to 30 degrees longitude. Validation measurements of the HRDI instrument occurred at Wallops Island when it passed within 20 minutes and 330 kilometers of the launch site. Because of discontinuity in the falling sphere drag coefficients when fall speed neared MACH 1 falling sphere temperatures near 70 kilometers attitude are biased toward lower temperatures. Availability of improved software and a new atmospheric model have helped to reduce this bias. The validated remote instrument measurements permit a new perspective of atmospheric structure to be formed, not always possible with the limited number of falling sphere measurements. Features of the remote measurement temperature profiles and their possible use to extend the climatological data base at the rocketsonde sites will be discussed.

Schmidlin, Francis J.↗

International Exploration of the Moon: A View from the IAF

On October 3, 1995 there were nine papers delivered on the topic of Lunar Exploration at the IAF Congress in Oslo, Norway. Some papers covered the national plans for lunar exploration. These included both robotic and human exploration missions. Additional papers discussed elements of the placement of permanent bases on the lunar surface. A review of the key points and plans presented at this international meeting will be presented.

OHandley, Douglas A.↗

Mesospheric Temperature Structure during the GUARA Campaign and Comparison with the DROPPS and MaCWAVE Campaigns

A significant number of passive inflatable falling spheres launched from Alcantara, Brazil (2S) during the MALTED campaign in August 1994 showed unusual temperature layering at 70 and 85 km, Reprocessing of the original radar position data reveal more consistent temperature inversions over time than was observed during the DROPPS campaign conducted from northern Scandinavia during July 1999. Comparison between falling sphere measurements and the HALOE instrument on UARS provides a now perspective about the atmospheric structure at two widely separated locations. The availability of NASA and Brazilian C-band radars established high confidence in the data quality during MALTED. A new campaign, MaCWAVE scheduled this summer from Andoys, Rocket Range, Norway (67N) will provide characteristics of gravity wave activity that will be compared with the MALTED temperature and wind profiles.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗

The Effect of Friction on Penetration in Friction Stir Welding

"Friction stir butt welding," as it was originally termed by Wayne Thomas and Christopher Dawes, in the early 1990s, but now commonly called "friction stir welding," has made great progress as a new welding technique. Commercially, friction stir welding (FSW) is finding many applications. Marine Aluminum of Norway is using the process for welding 20-meter aluminum sheets for ferry construction. Japan is using the technique in development work on bullet trains. Sapa of Sweden utilizes FSW in the landing of refrigeration units for cargo ships. In the United States, Boeing is using the technique in the production of Delta rockets. Eclipse Aviation Corporation plans to use FSW to produce a business jet available in August, 2003. Marshall Space Flight Center has been investigating the use of FSW for assembly of the Shuttle's external fuel tank since the late 1990s and hopes to have the process in use by the summer of 2002. In FSW, a cylindrical pin tool of hardened steel, is rotated and plunged into the abutting edges of the parts to be joined. The tool is plunged into the weldment to within about .050 in of the bottom to assure full penetration. As the tool moves along the joint, the tool shoulder helps produce frictional heating, causing the material to plasticize. The metal of the two abutting plates flows from the front of the tool to the back where it cools and coalesces to form a weld in the solid phase.

Steve Rapp↗

Outer Solar System Nomenclature

This grant has supported work by T. Owen and B. A. Smith on planetary and satellite nomenclature, carried out under the general auspices of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The IAU maintains a Working Group on Planetary and Satellite Nomenclature (WGPSN) whose current chair is Prof.Kaare Aksnes of the Rosseland Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics in Oslo, Norway. Both Owen and Smith are members of the WGPSN; Owen as chair of the Outer Solar System Task Group, and Smith as chair of the Mars Task Group. The major activity during the last grant period (2002) was the approval of several new names for features on Mars by Smith's group and features on Jovian satellites plus new names for satellites of Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus by Owen's group. Much of this work was accomplished by e-mail exchanges, but the new nomenclature was formally discussed and approved at a meeting of the WGPSN held in conjunction with the Division for Planetary Sciences meeting in Birmingham, Alabama in October 2002.

Owen, Tobias C.↗

Technical Evaluation Report, Part A - Vortex Flow and High Angle of Attack

A symposium entitled Vortex Flow and High Angle of Attack was held in Loen, Norway, from May 7 through May 11, 2001. The Applied Vehicle Technology (AVT) panel, under the auspices of the Research and Technology Organization (RTO), sponsored this symposium. Forty-eight papers, organized into nine sessions, addressed computational and experimental studies of vortex flows pertinent to both aircraft and maritime applications. The studies also ranged from fundamental fluids investigations to flight test results, and significant results were contributed from a broad range of countries. The principal emphasis of this symposium was on "the understanding and prediction of separation-induced vortex flows and their effects on military vehicle performance, stability, control, and structural design loads." It was further observed by the program committee that "separation- induced vortex flows are an important part of the design and off-design performance of conventional fighter aircraft and new conventional or unconventional manned or unmanned advanced vehicle designs (UAVs, manned aircraft, missiles, space planes, ground-based vehicles, and ships)." The nine sessions addressed the following topics: vortical flows on wings and bodies, experimental techniques for vortical flows, numerical simulations of vortical flows, vortex stability and breakdown, vortex flows in maritime applications, vortex interactions and control, vortex dynamics, flight testing, and vehicle design. The purpose of this paper is to provide brief reviews of these papers along with some synthesizing perspectives toward future vortex flow research opportunities. The paper includes the symposium program. (15 refs.)

VORTEX BREAKDOWN↗

Project S'COOL

The Students Clouds Observations On-Line or S'COOL project was piloted in 1997. It was created with the idea of using students to serve as one component of the validation for the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) instrument which was launched with the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) in November, 1997. As part of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise CERES is interested in the role clouds play in regulating our climate. Over thirty schools became involved in the initial thrust of the project. The CERES instrument detects the location of clouds and identifies their physical properties. S'COOL students coordinate their ground truth observations with the exact overpass of the satellite at their location. Their findings regarding cloud type, height, fraction and opacity as well as surface conditions are then reported to the NASA Langley Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC). The data is then accessible to both the CERES team for validation and to schools for educational application via the Internet. By March of 1998 ninety-three schools, in nine countries had enrolled in the S'COOL project. Joining the United States participants were from schools in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The project is gradually becoming the global project envisioned by the project s creators. As students obtain the requested data useful for the scientists, it was hoped that students with guidance from their instructors would have opportunity and motivation to learn more about clouds and atmospheric science as well.

Green, Carolyn J.↗

Physiology of a microgravity environment selected contribution: effects of spaceflight during pregnancy on labor and birth at 1 G

The events of parturition (labor, delivery, maternal care, placentophagia, and onset of nursing) were analyzed in female Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) flown on either 11- or 9-day-long spaceflights beginning at the approximate midpoint of their pregnancies. Each space shuttle flight landed on the 20th day of the rats' pregnancies, just 48-72 h before parturition. After spaceflight, dams were continuously monitored and recorded by time-lapse videography throughout the completion of parturition and onset of nursing (days 22 and 23). Analyses of parturition revealed that, compared with ground controls, flight dams displayed twice the number of lordosis contractions, the predominant labor contraction type in rats. The number of vertical contractions (those that immediately precede expulsion of a pup from the womb), the duration of labor, fetal wastage, number of neonates born, neonatal birth weights, placentophagia, and maternal care during parturition, including the onset of nursing, were comparable in flight and ground control dams. Our findings indicate that, with the exception of labor contractions, mammalian pregnancy and parturition remain qualitatively and quantitatively intact after spaceflight during pregnancy.

Non-NASA Center↗

Myogenic regulatory factors during regeneration of skeletal muscle in young, adult, and old rats

Myogenic factor mRNA expression was examined during muscle regeneration after bupivacaine injection in Fischer 344/Brown Norway F1 rats aged 3, 18, and 31 mo of age (young, adult, and old, respectively). Mass of the tibialis anterior muscle in the young rats had recovered to control values by 21 days postbupivacaine injection but in adult and old rats remained 40% less than that of contralateral controls at 21 and 28 days of recovery. During muscle regeneration, myogenin mRNA was significantly increased in muscles of young, adult, and old rats 5 days after bupivacaine injection. Subsequently, myogenin mRNA levels in young rat muscle decreased to postinjection control values by day 21 but did not return to control values in 28-day regenerating muscles of adult and old rats. The expression of MyoD mRNA was also increased in muscles at day 5 of regeneration in young, adult, and old rats, decreased to control levels by day 14 in young and adult rats, and remained elevated in the old rats for 28 days. In summary, either a diminished ability to downregulate myogenin and MyoD mRNAs in regenerating muscle occurs in old rat muscles, or the continuing myogenic effort includes elevated expression of these mRNAs.

Non-NASA Center↗

IVS Tropospheric Parameters: Comparison with DORIS and GPS for CONT02

In April 2002 the IVS (International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry) set up the Pilot Project - Tropospheric Parameters, and the Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics (IGG), Vienna, was put in charge of coordinating the project. Seven IVS Analysis Centers have joined the project and regularly submitted their estimates of tropospheric parameters (wet and total zenith delays, horizontal gradients) for all IVS-R1 mid IVS-R4 sessions since January 1st, 2002. The individual submissions are combined by a two-step procedure to obtain stable, robust and highly accurate tropospheric parameter time series with one hour resolution (internal accuracy: 2-4 ram). Starting with July 2003, the combined tropospheric estimates became operational IVS products. In the second half of October 2002 the VLBI campaign CONT02 was observed with 8 stations participating around the globe. At four of them (Gilmore Creek, U.S.A.; Hartebeesthoek, South Africa; Kokee Park, U.S.A.; Ny-Alesund, Norway) also total zenith delays from DORIS (Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite) are available and these estimates are compared with those from the IGS (International GPS Service) and the IVS. The distance from the DORIS beacons to the co-located GPS and VLBI stations is around 2 km or less for the four sites mentioned above.

Schuh, Harald↗

Arctic Strato-Mesospheric Temperature and Wind Variations

Upper stratosphere and mesosphere rocket measurements are actively used to investigate interaction between the neutral, electrical, and chemical atmospheres and between lower and upper layers of these regions. Satellite temperature measurements from HALOE and from inflatable falling spheres complement each other and allow illustrations of the annual cycle to 85 km altitude. Falling sphere wind and temperature measurements reveal variability that differs as a function of altitude, location, and time. We discuss the state of the Arctic atmosphere during the summer 2002 (Andoya, Norway) and winter 2003 (ESRANGE, Sweden) campaigns of MaCWAVE. Balloon-borne profiles to 30 km altitude and sphere profiles between 50 and 90 km show unique small-scale structure. Nonetheless, there are practical implications that additional measurements are very much needed to complete the full vertical profile picture. Our discussion concentrates on the distribution of temperature and wind and their variability. However, reliable measurements from other high latitude NASA programs over a number of years are available to help properly calculate mean values and the distribution of the individual measurements. Since the available rocket data in the Arctic's upper atmosphere are sparse the results we present are basically a snapshot of atmospheric structure.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗

Phased Array Transmit Antenna for a Satellite

Active phased array antennas with electronically scanned beams offer advantages over high gain parabolic dish antennas currently used on spacecraft. Benefits include the elimination of deployable structures, no moving parts, and no torque disturbances that moving antennas impart to the spacecraft. The latter results in the conservation of spacecraft power, and the ability to take precision optical data while transmitting data. Such an antenna has been built under a contract from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for the New Millennium Program EO- 1 satellite where it will act as the primary highspeed scientific data communication link. The antenna operates at X-band, has an integral controller and power conditioner, communicates with the spacecraft over a 1773 optical data bus, and is space qualified for low earth orbit (705 Km altitude). The nominal mission length is one year, and the operational requirement is for one 10 minute transmission a day over Spitsbergen, Norway. Details of the antenna and its performance will be described in the following paper.

Huggins, R. W.↗

Olivine and Carbonate Globules in ALH84001: A Terrestrial Analog, and Implications for Water on Mars

Carbonate globules in ALH84001 are associated with small olivine grains an unexpected finding because the olivines equilibrated at high T while the carbonate is chemically zoned and unequilibrated. A possible explanation comes from a terrestrial analog on Spitsbergen (Norway), where some carbonate globules grew in cavities left by aqueous dissolution of olivine. For ALH84001, the same process may have acted, with larger olivines dissolved out and smaller ones shielded inside orthopyroxene. Carbonate would have been deposited in holes where the olivine had been. Later shocks crushed remaining void space, and mobilized feldspathic glass around the carbonates.

Treiman, A. H.↗

Development as adaptation: a paradigm for gravitational and space biology

Adaptation is a central precept of biology; it provides a framework for identifying functional significance. We equate mammalian development with adaptation, by viewing the developmental sequence as a series of adaptations to a stereotyped sequence of habitats. In this way development is adaptation. The Norway rat is used as a mammalian model, and the sequence of habitats that is used to define its adaptive-developmental sequence is (a) the uterus, (b) the mother's body, (c) the huddle, and (d) the coterie of pups as they gain independence. Then, within this framework and in relation to each of the habitats, we consider problems of organismal responses to altered gravitational forces (micro-g to hyper-g), especially those encountered during space flight and centrifugation. This approach enables a clearer identification of simple "effects" and active "responses" with respect to gravity. It focuses our attention on functional systems and brings to the fore the manner in which experience shapes somatic adaptation. We argue that this basic developmental approach is not only central to basic issues in gravitational biology, but that it provides a natural tool for understanding the underlying processes that are vital to astronaut health and well-being during long duration flights that will involve adaptation to space flight conditions and eventual re-adaptation to Earth's gravity.

Non-NASA Center↗

Studying the MLT by a Combined Analysis of SABER/TIMED and Lidar Measurements

The SABER instrument on board the TIMED Satellite is a limb scanning infrared radiometer designed to measure temperature and minor constituent vertical profiles and energetics parameters in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). The measurements have been performed continuously since January 25, 2002 to provide excellent coverage for both hemispheres. The Leibniz-Institute of Atmospheric Physics (LAP) at Kuehlungsborn, Germany (54N, 12E) operates two lidar instruments, using three different temperature measurement methods, optimized for three altitude ranges. The total altitude range of the lidar installation lies from 1 to 105 km. Another instrument used for intercomparison is the ALOMAR RMR lidar, located at Andoya, Norway (69N, 16E). We have searched the SABER and lidar datasets for coincidental common volume measurements within plus or minus 1 degree in latitude, plus or minus 2 degrees in longitude and approx. 1 hour in time for the sake of (a) comparison of measured temperatures; (b) validation of the models used in SABER data analysis; and (c) extracting new information about MLT parameters. In this work we applied the non-LTE ALI-ARMS code designed to calculate the nonequilibrium radiance in different viewing geometries to the analysis of measurements which satisfied these search criteria. The results of this analysis (a) support the application of higher value of CO2-O quenching rate (6e-12 cubic centimeters per second) by the non-LTE temperature retrievals from the SABER 15 micrometer limb radiance data, and (b) demonstrate the importance of accounting for the vibrational-vibrational energy exchange among the CO2 isotopes for accurate temperature retrievals. Using temperature profiles obtained in lidar measurements as inputs for the retrieval algorithm we also retrieved the nighttime CO2 densities from the SABER 15 micrometer limb radiances and compared them with the model and climatology CO2 data used in the SABER nighttime temperature retrievals.

Feofilov, A. G.↗

The Polar Summer MLT Plasma Environment as seen by the DROPPS Sounding Rockets

During early July, 1999, the DROPPS (Distribution and Role of Particles in the Polar Summer Mesosphere) campaign launched two rocket payloads whose purpose was to study the polar summer MLT (mesosphere and lower thermosphere), particularly PMSEs (polar mesospheric summer echoes) and PMCs (polar mesospheric clouds). The rockets were launched from the And(\o)ya Rocket Range in Norway the nights of the 5th and 14th of July. Both payloads included a front-mounted PID (Particle Impact Detector) consisting of charge and mass telescopes to measure aerosol and dust mass distributions. Ice particles of nanometer size are believed to be responsible for PMSEs through the process of electron scavenging. Evidence for this process is suggested, for example, by the presence of an electron "biteout" simultaneously measured by several instruments at an altitude of $\sim$82-87 km during the first DROPPS launch. This presentation will characterize similarities and differences between both flights as seen by the charge and mass telescopes, starting at launch until the loss of data on the downleg of each flight. Various stages of the flights will be considered in detail, such as the PMSE layer and the apogee at 117 km, as well as the calibration of the data before launch.

Assis, Michael P.↗