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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Carbon recombination line observations of the sharpless 140 region

Carbon recombination-line emission has been detected at two frequencies from a dark cloud contiguous with the small H II region Sharpless 140. The observations show the dark cloud to be of unusually low temperature and to have a markedly inhomogeneous density distribution, with localized region of high density surrounding one or more embedded stars. The carbon is probably ionized by photons from both the exciting star of S140 and the embedded stars. The dark cloud and S140 apparently represent two stages of star formation which have occurred over a period of at least 500,000 years in adjacent regions of the same dark cloud.

Knapp, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Modeling of G333.6-0.2 as a spherical H II region

The radio and IR observations of the H II region G333.6-0.2 are matched with a detailed spherical model with a density distribution which has a uniform-density core of radius 0.05 pc, a power-law intermediate zone, and a uniform-density halo. A stellar radiation field is required that is somewhat different from those predicted by available model atmospheres. Of the stellar models of Kurucz, the Teff = 34,000 K and log g = 3.5 model best fits the observed ratio of helium to hydrogen recombination lines. A good fit to all the observations in obtained with an S(2+) ionizing flux which is a factor of 20 times less than predicted by the Kurucz atmosphere. Current model atmospheres may not be appropriate because a single stable star with Teff = 34,000 K fails by at least an order of magnitude to produce the ionizing luminosity. The small radius of the constant-density core implies a short dynamical lifetime of approximately 5000 years for this spherical model; this may indicate that a nonspherical blister geometry is more appropriate for this H II region.

Rubin, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Densities of 5-15 micron interplanetary dust particles

We have measured the densities of about 100 5-15 micron stratospheric IDPs. Great care was taken to minimize selection bias in the sample population. Masses were determined using an absolute x-ray analysis technique with a transmission electron microscope, and volumes were found using scanning electron microscope imagery. Unmelted chondritic particles have densities between 0.5 and 6.0 g/cc. Roughly half of the particles have densities below 2 g/cc, indicating appreciable porosity, but porosities greater than about 70 percent are rare. IDPs with densities above 3.5 g/cc usually contain large sulfide grains. We find no evidence of bimodality in the unmelted particle density distribution. Chondritic spherules (melted particles) have densities near 3.5 g/cc, consistent with previous results for deep sea spherules.

Love, S. G.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Densities of stratospheric micrometeorites

We have measured the densities of roughly 150 5- to 15-microns interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) harvested in the stratosphere. Care was taken to minimize selection bias in the sample population. Masses were determined using an absolute X-ray analysis technique with a transmission electron microscope, and volumes were found using scanning electron microscope imagery. Unmelted chondritic particles have densities ranging between 0.3 and 6.2 g/cu cm, averaging 2.0 g/cu cm. The low medium densities indicates appreciable porosity, suggesting primitive, uncompacted parent bodies for these particles. Porosities greater than 70% are rare. IDPs with densities above 3.5 g/cu cm usually contain large sulfide grains. We find no evidence of bimodality in the unmelted particle density distribution. Chondritic spherules (melted particles) have densities near 3.4 g/cu cm, consistent with previous results for stony spheurles culled from deep-sea sediments.

Love, Stanley G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Global circulation and distribution of hydrogen in thermosphere of Venus

The global density distribution of atomic H in the upper atmosphere of Venus is determined in terms of a global circulation model. It is shown that H produced on the dayside is efficiently advected to the nightside by the major gas CO2 where it is then convected to lower altitudes and recombines. A maximum night/day H density ratio of about 5 is derived, in which case exospheric return flow from night to day strongly limits the nightside density enhancement. A previously postulated constraint connecting the eddy diffusion coefficient with the escape flux of H in one dimensional models is no longer required when global circulation of H is considered.

Hartle, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Streaming Instability with Multiple Dust Species – II. Turbulence and Dust–Gas Dynamics at Non-Linear Saturation

The streaming instability is a fundamental process that can drive dust–gas dynamics and ultimately planetesimal formation inprotoplanetary discs. As a linear instability, it has been shown that its growth with a distribution of dust sizes can be classifiedinto two distinct regimes, fast- and slow-growth, depending on the dust-size distribution and the total dust-to-gas density ratio. Using numerical simulations of an unstratified disc, we bring three cases in different regimes into non-linear saturation. Wefind that the saturation states of the two fast-growth cases are similar to its single-species counterparts. The one with maximumdimensionless stopping timeτs,max=0.1 and=2 drives turbulent vertical dust–gas vortices, while the other withτs,max=2and=0.2 leads to radial traffic jams and filamentary structures of dust particles. The dust density distribution for the former isflat in low densities, while the one for the latter has a low-end cut-off. By contrast, the one slow-growth case results in a virtuallyquiescent state. Moreover, we find that in the fast-growth regime, significant dust segregation by size occurs, with large particlesmoving towards dense regions while small particles remain in the diffuse regions, and the mean radial drift of each dust speciesis appreciably altered from the (initial) drag-force equilibrium. The former effect may skew the spectral index derived frommultiwavelength observations and change the initial size distribution of a pebble cloud for planetesimal formation. The latteralong with turbulent diffusion may influence the radial transport and mixing of solid materials in young protoplanetary discs.

Chao-chin Yang↗
NASA NTRS1967

Plasma state in a coaxial accelerator.

Electron temperature and density distributions for helium plasma produced in coaxial accelerator measured spectroscopically, checking thermal equilibrium assumption

PLASMA DENSITY↗
NASA NTRS1978

Digital image centering. II

Digital image centering algorithms were compared in a test involving microdensitometer raster scans of a refractor parallax series consisting of 22 stars on 26 plates. The highest accuracy in determining stellar image positions was provided by an algorithm which involved fitting of a symmetric Gaussian curve and a flat background to the image marginal density distributions. Algorithms involving transmission marginals instead of density marginals were found to be less accurate. The repeatability and computational efficiency of the digital image centering technique were also studied.

Auer, L. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The near Earth current sheet: ISEE-1 and -2 case studies

Two crossings of the near Earth current sheet are examined using magnetic field and plasma data from ISEE-1 and 2. The current sheet thickness is measured to be 0.9 Re using a 2 satellite technique which greatly reduces the ambiguity of such measurements. Approximate pressure balance is found to exist between the diamagnetically dominated current sheet and surrounding, already high beta, plasma sheet. The accurate calculation of the sheet normal velocity with the two satellite technique allows the calculation of the current density distribution in the sheet. The crosstail current density is found to peak about an ion-gyroradius on both sides of the center of the sheet. A simple model consistent with these results is discussed.

Mccomas, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Results from the Magellan mission to Venus

Magellan's radar-mapping mission to Venus has thus far accomplished the mapping of nearly 95 percent of the planet's surface; the 100-m resolution of these data facilitate studies of Venus' geological evolution. Widespread evidence of horizontal compression and extension at many scales is noted. Crustal deformation appears to be distributed across most of the surface. The density distribution of the interior of Venus will be explored in an upcomimg gravity experiment, in which accurate tracking of spacecraft orbital accelerations is used to identify gravity anomalies.

Plaut, Jeffrey J.↗
NASA NTRS1999

The Plasmasphere as "Seen" by the IMAGE Mission

The Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) is the first mission designed exclusively to remotely measure the magnetosphere. As such, it will reveal the ring current, plasmasphere, polar cusp, and magnetopause as whole extended, interacting systems. For the first time, our impressions of the global magnetosphere, synthesized through many years of whistler and in situ measurement, will be replaced by images. The overall morphology of each system of plasma and the correspondence of changes between them in response to the sun and solar wind will become available. The Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUV) and the Radio Plasma Imager (RPI) are the two IMAGE instruments which will remotely measure and image the plasmasphere. What we expect to "see" from these instruments and how it may be interpreted is the subject of this presentation. The EUV instrument includes three optical cameras, with an almost 90 degree field of view, transverse to the spin axis. EUV is designed to see He+ ions in resonantly scatter solar light at 30.4rim. The IMAGE spacecraft will spin with a period of about 2 minutes, with its spin axis parallel to the orbit normal. The IMAGE orbit will be highly inclined, with a high latitude apogee at a geocentric distance of 8RE and perigee of about 1.2RE. The normal observing integration time of 10 minutes will easily see to the outer edge of the plasmasphere. The RPI instrument makes use of three orthoganal dipole antennas: two in the spin plane with a tip-to-tip length of 500m and one along the spin axis with a length of 20 meters. Using coded pulse transmissions, the RPI instrument will broadcast from 3kHz to 3MHz. With one minute resolution, plasma densities from about 0.1 cm(exp -3) to 100,000 cm(exp -3), along with line-of-sight bulk velocities and locations, will be obtained from all returned radio wave signals. When transmitting from the high latitude magnetospheric cavity, RPI will measure density profiles for the major plasma structures in the magnetosphere, including the magnetopause, polar cusp, and plasmasphere. RPI should also see isolated density irregularities and possibly the plasma sheet. Observations The EUV instrument will return line-of-sight integrated images through the optically thin helium medium of the plasmasphere and magnetosphere. A variety of techniques have been suggested for the translation of the images into physically useful data, such as plasmapause location and three dimensional density distribution. The RPI instrument will return quantitative density values and line-of-sight velocity as a function of position along reflecting wave propagation paths. How they may be used individually and together to study plasmaspheric dynamics and global structure will be discussed. Attention will also be given to the data products and how access to IMAGE data will be provided by the IMAGE team and the NSSDC.

Gallagher, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Modeling Meteoroid Densities for Spacecraft Risk Assessment

Densities are a key driver of risk posed to spacecraft by the meteoroid environment. MEM 3 has incorporated a density distribution that utilizes measurements of 92 events. Densities are extremely difficult to measure. Greater need than ever for high resolution meteor imagery to break degeneracies.

Ehlert, Steven↗
NASA NTRS1992

Determination of meteor flux distribution over the celestial sphere

A new method of determination of meteor flux density distribution over the celestial sphere is discussed. The flux density was derived from observations by radar together with measurements of angles of arrival of radio waves reflected from meteor trails. The role of small meteor showers over the sporadic background is shown.

Andreev, V. V.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A quantitative approach to the topology of large-scale structure

A quantitative measure of the topology of large-scale structure: the genus of density contours in a smoothed density distribution, is described and applied. For random phase (Gaussian) density fields, the mean genus per unit volume exhibits a universal dependence on threshold density, with a normalizing factor that can be calculated from the power spectrum. If large-scale structure formed from the gravitational instability of small-amplitude density fluctuations, the topology observed today on suitable scales should follow the topology in the initial conditions. The technique is illustrated by applying it to simulations of galaxy clustering in a flat universe dominated by cold dark matter. The technique is also applied to a volume-limited sample of the CfA redshift survey and to a model in which galaxies reside on the surfaces of polyhedral 'bubbles'. The topology of the evolved mass distribution and 'biased' galaxy distribution in the cold dark matter models closely matches the topology of the density fluctuations in the initial conditions. The topology of the observational sample is consistent with the random phase, cold dark matter model.

Gott, J. Richard, III↗
NASA NTRS1987

Formation of giant molecular clouds in global spiral structures: The role of orbital dynamics and cloud-cloud collisions

The different roles played by orbital dynamics and dissipative cloud-cloud collisions in the formation of giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in a global spiral structure are investigated. The interstellar medium (ISM) is simulated by a system of particles, representing clouds, which orbit in a spiral-perturbed, galactic gravitational field. The overall magnitude and width of the global cloud density distribution in spiral arms is very similar in the collisional and collisionless simulations. The results suggest that the assumed number density and size distribution of clouds and the details of individual cloud-cloud collisions have relatively little effect on these features. Dissipative cloud-cloud collisions play an important steadying role for the cloud system's global spiral structure. Dissipative cloud-cloud collisions also damp the relative velocity dispersion of clouds in massive associations and thereby aid in the effective assembling of GMC-like complexes.

Roberts, W. W., Jr.↗