Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “BiN”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Star counts and galactic structure

Star counts are discussed as an aid in studies of galactic structure. Iterative computations using a method-of-color-bins to match numerical models with observational data are described. The star counts provide bounds for the luminosity function and the color-magnitude diagram and allow spheroid normalization in a copycat Galaxy model which posits a galaxy with a Population I disk and a Population II spheroid. Good agreement has been obtained between star counts predicted by the model and observed distributions, including color and magnitude ranges and direction. Modifications being considered for the model include consideration of the halo, a galactic bulge and a thick disk. Several galactic structural features which have yet to be modeled and which may be tractable to the copycat model corrected with star counts are identified.

Bahcall, John N.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Further development of an improved altimeter wind speed algorithm

A previous altimeter wind speed retrieval algorithm was developed on the basis of wind speeds in the limited range from about 4 to 14 m/s. In this paper, a new approach which gives a wind speed model function applicable over the range 0 to 21 m/s is used. The method is based on comparing 50 km along-track averages of the altimeter normalized radar cross section measurements with neighboring off-nadir scatterometer wind speed measurements. The scatterometer winds are constructed from 100 km binned measurements of radar cross section and are located approximately 200 km from the satellite subtrack. The new model function agrees very well with earlier versions up to wind speeds of 14 m/s, but differs significantly at higher wind speeds. The relevance of these results to the Geosat altimeter launched in March 1985 is discussed.

Chelton, Dudley B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Sondrestrom radar observations of the effect of the IMF B(y) component on polar cap convection

Sondrestrom incoherent-scatter radar measurements of plasma drift in the auroral oval and the polar cap are used to examine the effect of the IMF B(y) component in the dusk, midnight, and dawn sectors. The individual radar observations are briefly reviewed, and the average convection patterns obtained by binning the drift data for the two orientations of the IMF B(y) component are shown. These patterns are compared to the various models of convection that have been proposed. None of the models seem to reproduce the observed convections well, although some features of the models are seen in the radar data.

De La Beaujardiere, O.↗
NASA NTRS1987

In situ measurement of atomic hydrogen in the upper mesosphere

In situ measurements of H abundance between 73 and 93 km are reported for conditions of winter solstice, magnetic quiet, and a solar depression angle of 12 deg. The data were obtained by a rocket-borne instrument using the resonance fluorescence technique. A discharge source emitting photons at 1216 A was an integral part of the instrument. The instrument was radially deployed 80 cm by a boom from the front of the payload in order to avoid the shock created by the gas flow over the front of the payload. An attitude control system oriented the payload so that the gas flow was nearly perpendicular to the plane containing the incident and scattered photons, thus minimizing any correction for Doppler shift. The resonance radiation detector viewed a black backstop in order to minimize background radiation from the hydrogen geocorona; however, the background was not entirely eliminated. The signal-to-noise ratio was improved by summing the data in 1.8-s bins. The observed hydrogen concentration maximized at 85 km at 1.5 + or - 1.1 x 10 to the 8th atoms/cu cm.

Sharp, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Rapid variability of P Cygni lines in massive X-ray binaries

In early-type X-ray binaries, the recombination time scales for ions such as C IV, Si IV, and N V in the stellar winds of their massive OB companion stars can be very short compared to typical X-ray pulsation or fluctuation time scales. Thus, the authors predict that the 'bleached zones', in which these ions are removed from the stellar wind by X-ray photoionization, will track the X-ray beam as it rotates and that the P Cygni line profiles due to these ions will pulsate. With the IUE satellite the authors obtained low-resolution UV spectra of the binary X-ray system HD 77581/4U 0900-40 resolved into six phase bins of the 283 s pulse period; the observed upper limit to the pulse amplitude of the equivalent width of C IV 1550 A was less than the predicted value. However, the pulsations should be easy to observe with the Hubble Space Telescope.

Kallman, Timothy R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A test-bed for space interferometry: Space Platform Interferometer (SPI)

The Space Platform Interferometer (SPI), a 20-m two-mirror Michelson interferometer, which can reach magnitude 14 at UV and visible wavelengths, is described. The SPI is attached to a platform serviced from the space station. In addition to its ability to produce unique science in the UV, SPI is intended to demonstrate the feasibility of larger projects in the field. Dynamical behavior of the structure in the gravity gradient environment and fringe stabilization at low photon rate are studied by picking up an adjacent bin (in the near IR) on the same object and using it to track the white light fringe in a separate differential interferometer. The same subsystem also corrects for tilt. Active control of critical parameters ensures optical rigidity. Performances are evaluated in low orbit.

Faucherre, M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Observations of HCN in Comet Halley

Observations of the HCN J = 1-0 rotational transition at 3.4 mm wavelength in comet P/Halley are discussed. The data were obtained during a total of 56 individual observing sessions between Nov. 18, 1985 and May 11, 1986, and represent the first time that a cometary parent molecule has been so extensively monitored. The HCN production rate is well correlated with the total visual magnitude of the comet, indicating that HCN follows the overall gas production. There is also evidence of time variability and variations in the HCN hyperfine ratios from their LTE values. Spectra obtained by binning the HCN data with heliocentric distance show that the HCN line width, and thus the parent outflow velocity, increases with decreasing heliocentric distance.

Schloerb, F. Peter↗
NASA NTRS1988

Ionosphere-thermosphere momentum coupling at solar maximum and solar minimum from DE-2 and AE-C data

DE-2 and AE-C measurements of plasma and neutral densities were used to derive time constants for momentum transfer (MT) to neutrals from ions in the high-latitude thermosphere. The MT time constants for solar cycle maximum (DE-2) and for solar cycle minimum (AE-C) were averaged and binned according to geomagnetic latitude and LT to provide a quantitative measure for the tightness of ion-neutral momentum coupling (MC) in the 250-350-km altitude range. Comparisons with results obtained using the Chiu and MSIS-83 empirical models have provided an indication of the accuracy with which thermospheric general circulation models quantitatively reproduce the MC between ions and neutrals in the high-latitude F-region.

Ponthieu, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Properties of deep convective clouds in the ISCCP Pilot Data Set

Statistics on tropical deep convective clouds in the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project Pilot Data Set are compiled by binning daytime data over areas of 2 X 2.5, 4 X 5, and 8 X 10 degrees. To isolate the convective clouds, only pixels with minimum visible optical thickness of 32 and maximum cloud top pressure of 550 mb are considered. Maps of convective cloud cover and frequency of convective events and frequency histograms of deep convective cloud pixels and cloud top pressures are presented.

Del Genio, Anthony D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Temperature determinations of hot DA white dwarfs using IUE continuum fluxes

Effective temperatures of 15 DA white dwarfs hotter than 20,000 K were derived from low-dispersion far ultraviolet spectra obtained with IUE. The analysis was carried out by comparing the observed far ultraviolet fluxes with model fluxes scaled to the V-band flux. Accurate calibration of the IUE spectra is critical for this analysis. Observations at all epochs were corrected to the 1980 IUE calibration using the time-dependent corrections of Bohlin (1988). Taking advantage of the smooth and well-defined continuum fluxes provided by DA white dwarfs, seven white dwarfs for which accurate, independent temperature determinations were made from line profile analyses were used to improve the accuracy of the IUE flux calibration. The correction to the original calibration is as great as 20 percent in individual 5 A wavelength bins, while the average over the IUE wavelength range is 5 percent. The final calibration correction and the temperatures for the hot white dwarfs are presented.

Finley, David↗
NASA NTRS1988

Formation of polar stratospheric clouds simulated in a two dimensional model of the atmosphere

A microphysics code has been implemented in a two dimensional model of the atmosphere to study formation of polar stratospheric clouds containing HCl or HNO3. The model range is from pole to pole in latitude and from the ground to about 20 km in altitude. Resolution in latitude is 10 deg and about 0.8 km in altitude. This is an Eulerian model with prescribed eddy diffusion coefficients and the circulation obtained from observations. The chemistry of the model follows the family approach for NO(x), Cl(x) and HO(x) while the ozone is fixed and changed seasonally. The aerosol code is based on an assigned population of condensation, coagulation and sedimentation. Aerosol growth is simulated in nine different size bins ranging between 0.01u and 2.56u. The model has been built to study aerosol layers formation in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and has been validated for sulfate aerosol resulting from a rather complex sulfur chemistry.

Visconti, Guido↗
NASA NTRS1988

Prospects for solar flare X-ray polarimetry

A review of the literature indicates that no experimental evidence has yet been found for solar flare X-ray polarimetry. A satellite instrument is described that has sufficient sensitivity at high energies to detect the predicted solar flare polarization. It is shown that the instrument sensitivity for a moderate event approaches polarization levels of 1 percent in each of seven energy bins spanning the 10-100 keV range for integration times as short as 10 s.

Chanan, Gary↗
NASA NTRS1989

Low-latitude zonal and vertical ion drifts seen by DE 2

Horizontal and vertical ion drift data from the DE 2 spacecraft have been used to determine average zonal and vertical plasma flow (electric field) characteristics in the +/- 26-deg dip latitude region during a time of high solar activity. The 'average data' local time profile for an apex height bin centered at 400 km indicates westward plasma flow from 0600 to 1900 solar local time ((SLT) with a maximum westward velocity of 80 m/s in the early afternoon. There is a sharp change to eastward flow at approximately 1900 hours with an early evening peak of 170 m/s. A secondary nighttime maximum exists at 0430 SLT preceeding the reversal to westward flow. This profile is in good agreement with Jicamarca, Peru, radar measurements made under similar solar maximum conditions. Haramonic analysis indicates a net superrotation which is strongest at lower apex altitudes. The diurnal term is dominant, but higher order terms through the quatradiurnal are significant.

Coley, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Three ages of Venus

A central question for any planet is the age of its surface. Based on comparative planetological arguments, Venus should be as young and active as the Earth (Wood and Francis). The detection of probable impact craters in the Venera radar images provides a tool for estimating the age of the surface of Venus. Assuming somewhat different crater production rates, Bazilevskiy et al. derived an age of 1 + or - 0.5 billion years, and Schaber et al. and Wood and Francis estimated an age of 200 to 400 million years. The known impact craters are not randomly distributed, however, thus some area must be older and others younger than this average age. Ages were derived for major geologic units on Venus using the Soviet catalog of impact craters (Bazilevskiy et al.), and the most accessible geologic unit map (Bazilevskiy). The crater counts are presented for (diameters greater than 20 km), areas, and crater densities for the 7 terrain units and coronae. The procedure for examining the distribution of craters is superior to the purely statistical approaches of Bazilevskiy et al. and Plaut and Arvidson because the bins are larger (average size 16 x 10(6) sq km) and geologically significant. Crater densities define three distinct groups: relatively heavily cratered (Lakshmi, mountain belts), moderately cratered (smooth and rolling plains, ridge belts, and tesserae), and essentially uncratered (coronae and domed uplands). Following Schaber et al., Grieve's terrestrial cratering rate of 5.4 + or - 2.7 craters greater than 20 km/10(9) yrs/10(6) sq km was used to calculate ages for the geologic units on Venus. To improve statistics, the data was aggregated into the three crater density groups, deriving the ages. For convenience, the three similar age groups are given informal time stratigraphic unit names, from youngest to oldest: Ulfrunian, Sednaian, Lakshmian.

Wood, Charles A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Age structure of refractory interstellar dust and isotopic consequences

A sputtering and recycling Monte Carlo model, developed by Liffman and Clayton (1988) is used to calculate the distribution of existence times of the matter in interstellar dust composed of refractory metals. The mean age of each dust particle is defined not as the time it has existed but rather as the mass-weighted existence times of its parts at t = 6 Gyr of the modeled solar system formation. It is shown that Galactic evolution generates a mean correlation, applying to large numbers of particles binned according to size rather than according to individual particles, whose mean ages fluctuate statistically. The cosmochemical consequence is that if interstellar particles can be dynamically sorted into separate size populations during the aggregation history of solar system bodies, the collections of larger grains will constitute matter that is chemically older than collections of smaller grains. The macroscopic age difference generates isotopic anomalies by virtue of the time dependence of the secondary/primary nucleosynthesis yields. Results are compared with three different prescriptions for the sputtering of interstellar dust.

Clayton, Donald D.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Solar-cycle changes in the thermal structure of the Venus dayside ionosphere

Vertical profiles of electron density in the dayside ionosphere of Venus, measured by the Pioneer Venus radio occultation experiment, averaged in bins of solar zenith angle, have been used to examine the behavior of the ionospheric thermal structure with the solar cycle. It was found that the plasma scale height decreased by a factor ranging from 1.5 at 190 km to about 3.0 at 300 km altitude as the solar input went from maximum to minimum. If the assumption of diffusive equilibrium holds above h = 180 km for both the times of solar maximum and solar minimum, similar decreases in the plasma temperature and, consequently, the electron and ion temperatures, are inferred. If, however, diffusive equilibrium conditions do not apply at the time of solar activity minimum, perhaps due to the effects of enhanced solar wind interaction, no information on the plasma temperatures is contained in the data on the topside electron density structure.

Kliore, Arvydas J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Far ultraviolet observations of hot DA white dwarfs

Far ultraviolet (FUV) fluxes have been used for determining the effective temperatures of a number of DA white dwarfs hotter than 20,000 K. The analysis consisted of comparing the observed FUV fluxes with model fluxes scaled to the V-band flux. After suitable corrections were performed for the time-dependent sensitivity degradation of the IUE, it was found that the available flux calibrations for the IUE were insufficiently accurate for precise temperature determinations. Accordingly, seven white dwarfs for which accurate, independent temperature determinations were made from line profile analyses were used to improve the accuracy of the IUE flux calibration. The correction to the original calibration was as great as 20 percent in individual 5-A wavelength bins, while the average over the IUE wavelength range was 5 percent. Both the IUE flux correction and the temperatures obtained for the hot white dwarfs are presented.

Finley, David↗
NASA NTRS1990

How well can gravity be recovered using Topex and GPS data?

When Topex is launched in mid-1992 it will carry a high quality GPS receiver which will operate in concert with a worldwide network of precision GPS ground receivers. The data from these receivers can be used to recover new information about the earth's gravity field at longer wavelengths. Software and algorithms have been developed which will allow this gravity field information to be recovered with much greater efficiency than with traditional techniques. The basis for these algorithms is the gravity bin formulation and related filtering techniques that exploit the repeat orbit of Topex and the sparse matrix structure of the problem. This new software has been used to evaluate the expected improvement in the gravity field using multiple ten-day arcs of GPS data from Topex.

Bertiger, Willy↗