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At least 289 records · Page 16

The Mars opposition effect at 20 deg N. latitude and 20 deg W. longitude

Low phase angle observations in the Chryse-Acidalia region have been obtained by the Viking Orbiter 1 spacecraft under clearer atmospheric conditions than reported earlier. A variety of surface features were recorded, e.g., crater streaks, dark and bright patches. Several findings for this scene include: an abrupt brightness increase (10%) was found at phase angles less than 3 deg, an effect dependent on surface albedo and possibly particle distribution; a slight weakening of reflectance surge with decreasing wavelengths; a larger opposition effect for features of high albedo was recorded; and a greater reddening with increased phase angle took place for low albedo regions. Both reflectance and contrast values are provided at three wavelengths as a function of phase angle from 0.15 to 20 deg.

Thorpe, T. E.↗

A proposed physical model for the impregnated tungsten cathode based on Auger surface studies of the Ba-O-W system

Auger spectra and work function measurements are used to study the surface reactions between tungsten surface and adsorbed layers of barium, and barium and oxygen. The barium on an impregnated tungsten cathod seems to be an intermediate state, probably a coadsorbed barium-oxygen layer on tungsten. A slightly revised version of the previously suggested (1976) impregnated tungsten cathode model is proposed. This revised model assumes that the cathode surface during life has an adsorbed surface layer of a monolayer or less of both barium and oxygen on the surface. At end of life, steep drop in electron emission and resultant cathode failure occur. Recent NASA life test results on TWT type tubes are reported and explained by the proposed model.

Forman, R.↗

A 4-W 56-dB gain microstrip amplifier at 15 GHz utilizing GaAs FET's and IMPATT diodes

Performance results and design considerations are presented for an all solid-state Ku-band power amplifier which is feasible for use in PM communication systems for airborne or spacecraft transmitter applications. A six-stage GaAs FET preamplifier and a driver and balanced power amplifier utilizing GaAs IMPATT diodes operating in the injection locked oscillator mode are discussed. For high power and efficiency Schottky-Read IMPATT's with low-high-low doping profiles are employed. For improved reliability the IMPATT's incorporate a TiW barrier metallization to retard degradation of the IMPATT's. Results of accelerated life testing of the IMPATT devices are also presented.

Sokolov, V.↗

W-shaped occultation signatures - Inference of entwined particle orbits in charged planetary ringlets

A model for the ringlets of Saturn is proposed where concentration of material near the inner and outer radial edges of the ringlets is a natural consequence of particles in entwined elliptical orbits, with the same particles alternately defining both edges. The existence of a collisionless state where particles fly along entwined paths in a compressed helical formation on and within a toroidal surface whose meridional cross section is a very thin ellipse is explained. The cancellation of strong oblateness perturbations by an extremely weak force normal to the orbit planes and directed primarily outward from the major axis of the meridional cross section of the torus is shown, and the possibility that electric repulsion of like-charged particles could provide the expansion force preventing cross-sectional collapse is examined. The model features a large stability domain within which orbital inclinations and arguments of periapse oscillate but do not progress. Features of the model that can be tested experimentally are mentioned.

Eshleman, V. R.↗

A multi-element study of ISUA iron-formation, W-Greenland

Meta-sediments from Isua, West Greenland were analyzed by instrumental thermal neutron activation analysis (ITNAA). These sediments are chemical precipitates having some layers of remarkably high Cr content. The latter were compared to Cr poor layers. It turned out that the Cr enriched layers had higher Ir and Ni contents than the samples from the Cr poor layers. Compared to phanerozoic samples the highest Ir contents are not extraordinarily higher than in a modern sediment, and the Cr poor layers, representing more or less phanerozoic shale. From the cratering record of the Moon one can assume a similar cratering of the Earth at about the time when the Isua rocks were formed.

Rast, U.↗

Data Descriptions and Vertical Structure Plots for Mean, Diurnal, and Semidurnal Components of Eastward and Northward (ordered by Latitude). Mean Winds and Tides over Poker Flat, Alaska (65 Deg N, 147 Deg W), During November 1981

The mean zonal and meridional winds and the amplitude and phase structures for the tidal harmonics for the month of November, 1981 are given. The mean winds are weak westerlies and weak southerlies. The westerlies are approximately 10 ms (-1) lower than those during November 1980 and 1982. The diurnal amplitudes are small in both the zonal and meridional wind components. The diurnal phase structures are characteristic of a propagating wave having a ertical wavelength of approximately 50 km. The semidiurnal tidal harmonic amplitudes are slightly larger than the diurnal amplitudes. However, the phase structures are different for the zonal and meridional components. The meridional phase structure appears evanescent. The zonal phase structure has a phase reversal at 88 km with downward phase progression below that level and upward phase progression above that level. The vertical wavelength is roximately 12 km. This short vertical wavelength occurs during other months of the year but longer wavelengths are more common.

Avery, S. K.↗

Saskatoon M. F. Radar System: (52 Deg N, 107 Deg W), Canada

The system runs continuously, producing 1-h profiles approx. 75 to 110 km, 1978 to 1983: in particular for the 30-d (Nov. 9 to Dec. 7), 10-d (Nov. 16 to 26), 4-d core periods (Nov. 19 to 23). The means (EW, NS) and fourier components (24-, 12-h) fitted for the 4-d are shown. s.d. are shown, as derived from four 24-h fits in the interval. Comparisons with the 10-, 30-d intervals confirm confidence in these data and the lack of major variability in November. The 1-h profiles are means of 12 profiles so intrinsic errors are minimal. The 4-, 10-d fourier fits are compared and also the 30-d means from 48-h fits; in these amplitudes are N2+E2 as N/E approx. 1. Means differ slightly due to planetary wave activity; 24-h tides are variable in Novembers; and the 12-h variation is small less than 80 km. The final figure is a high resolution spectra for the November month: the 12-, 24-h dominate; the 8-h appears less than 100 km; and up to 90 km there is a 4-d oscillation.

Manson, A. H.↗

May 1982, Saskatoon M. F. Radar System: (52 Deg N, 107 Deg W), Canada

The system runs continuously, producing 1-h profiles approx. 75 to 110 km, 1978 to 1983: in particular for the 30-d (April 20 to May 19) centered on the inner core (May 3 to 6), 10-d (May 2 to 11). Incredibly, the only days missed for April/May were May 4/5, so 4-d fits for the core could not made! However the winds and tides were stable during May, so that the 10-d fits can be taken for comparison with other locations. The means (EW/NS) and Fourier components (24-, 12-h) for the 10-d (May 2 to 11) are shown; also those for the 30 days. Standard deviations are shown to be quite small. There is also little difference between 10- and 30-d profiles. The zonal flow is quite weak, showing that the summer westward flow has not fully developed. The 24-h tide has large lambda: approx. 100 km (EW and infinity (NS). Below 90 km the tide is circular, but above almost linear with EW amplitudes larger than NS. The 12-h tide is circular and lambda is small below 95 km; and more linear and variable above. The 30-d May spectral figure shows that 12-, 24-h tides are comparable; otherwise there is a 3.85-d oscillation to approx. 90 km; there were no other significant peaks.

Manson, A. H.↗

Meteor Wind Results at Durham (43 Deg N, 71 Deg W) During the ATMAP November 1981 and May 1982 Campaigns

Winds modeled from data measured with the University of New Hampshire Meteor Wind Radar System at Durham, New Hampshire, over the two 4-day periods November 20 to 23, 1981 and May 8 to 11, 1982 are presented. The raw meteor wind data was fit in a least square sense to a three dimensional model containing mean, 12-, 24-, and 48-h periods. The means winds for both periods are very close to the three year average values at Durham during May and November, respectively. The semidiurnal component for the November period had a normal amplitude and phase, and an estimated veritcal wavelength of 60 km. The May period results were essentially typical except that the Northward amplitude was 3 to 4 times smaller than normal. The diurnal amplitudes measured for both periods are typical for Durham and the diurnal phase is normally not very consistent. The 48-hour component amplitude is typical for these months. The intrinsic errors fo the radar are approximately + or - 2 km in position and + or - 4 m/s in radial velocity including quantization errors. These errors are random with zero mean and should not bias the wind results.

Clark, R. R.↗

Mesospheric Winds and Tides at Arecibo/puerto Rico (18 Deg N, 67 Deg W) November 20-23, 1981

The SOUSY-VHF-Radar was operated in the period November 20 to 23, 1981 during a continuous run at the Arecibo Observatory. The data used for this analysis were recorded from 06 AST on November 20 until 06 AST on November 23. Meridional winds were measured at odd hours and zonal winds at even hours. The occurrence of mesospheric VHF radar echoes was limited as usual to the daylight hours between 06 and 18 AST. The height limits, were variable from day to day, they were roughly 62 to 90 km. The intermittency of echoes in time and height, as well as radio interference, made it fairly difficult to deduce tidal information for this time period. About 10 to 45 single velocity estimates could be used to calculate an hourly mean. The variance of the displayed resulting in data, obtained by weighted averaging over the 3 day period, is about similar to the mean. The winds were extremely low during the observation period. Velocities of the prevailing wind, observed during an earlier campaign were 5 to 10 times larger than in the period of November 20 to 23, 1981. The amplitudes of the diurnal tide are comparable.

Rottger, J.↗

Middle atmosphere (60-110 km) tidal oscillations at Saskatoon, Canada (52 deg N, 107 deg W) during 1983/84

Since mid-1978, the medium frequency (2.2 MHz; M.F.) radar at Saskatoon has run continuously, measuring winds by the spaced antenna method in the upper middle atmosphere. As there is so much dynamics activity during the years of MAP it seems very important to establish the features of the tidal field at Saskatoon during 1983 to 1984, and compare these with the climatology from the four years 1978 to 1979 and 1981 to 1982. Wind profiles with 60 to 110 km (80 to 110 km at night) with 3 km resolution are obtained every 5 minutes by means of a full-correlation analysis. Hourly means are formed and harmonic analysis applied to sets of data to obtain the mean winds and tidal oscillation amplitudes and phases. The zonal wind field at Saskatoon is structurally similar to CIRA-72; however, the wind eastward cell is weaker and much more structured, and the summer eastward cell above 85 km is also weaker. For the semidiurnal tide, a strong seasonal change exists, with larger amplitudes and shorter wavelengths, in winter-like months and the reverse in summer-like months. A summary of the tidal parameters at 90 km is given, where mean values from 1978 to 1982 are also shown. This seasonal variation of tides is a midlatitude climatology, as comparisons with Monpazier, France and Christchurch, New Zealand show very similar behavior, as does Durham; and requires antisymmetric tidal modes such as 2,3 and 2,5. Considering the diurnal tide, for most months centered on summer there are long wavelength modes, or superposition of several models. However, some winter months show a short wavelength mode. A summary of the 90 km characteristics is presented.

Manson, A. H.↗

Gravity waves observed with GRAVNET: Saskatoon (52 deg N, 107 deg W) 1983/84

The GRAVNET system is based on a medium frequency (MF) radar (2.22 MGz) with one site consisting of a transmitting and spaced receiving antenna; and two remote receiving sites (approximately 40 km distance, forming an approximately equalateral triangle), also spaced receiving antennas. The winds of the upper middle atmosphere (60 to 110 km) are measured at each of the three sites in real time, using the Spaced Antenna method. Up to 12 profiles per hour were obtained. Spectral analysis was performed separately on northward and eastward velocity components for each site at the same height. Cross spectra are then found between sites. Data selection criteria included the Normalized Phase Discrepancy (NDP).

Meek, C. E.↗

Implications of the light curve of the A-type W UMa binary V566 Ophiuchi

Broadband (2585-3200-A) IUE photometric observations of V566 Oph obtained in three 8-h shifts on July 17-19, 1984 are reported and solved simultaneously with the ground-based optical observations of Bookmyer (1976). The observed light curves are fit to theoretical Roche-model light curves using the computer program described by Eaton (1986). The data and solutions are presented in tables and graphs, and the modifications required to match the solutions to data for 1965 (Bookmyer, 1969) and 1957 (Binnendjik, 1959) are considered. The lower-than-expected darkening observed is attributed to a reduced common-radiative-envelope temperature gradient, probably a result of circulation related to energy transfer between the components of V566 Oph.

Eaton, Joel A.↗

Resistance heating of Fe and W in diamond-anvil cells

A new method for internally heating a diamond-anvil cell is described. Fine wires of iron or tungsten are resistively heated in a gasketed cell, thus providing a uniformly distributed pressure that can be measured in situ by employing the ruby scale. Temperatures of several thousand degrees have been measured by fitting a black body radiation function to the spectrum of the hot wire taken with an optical multichannel analyzer. Temperatures as high as the melting temperature of tungsten have been achieved. The alpha-gamma and alpha-epsilon phase transitions of iron have been studied, and the results show excellent agreement with previous data obtained with piston-cylinder or externally-heated diamond cells.

Boehler, R.↗