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At least 343 records · Page 19

A far-ultraviolet photometer for planetary surface analysis

The measurement of local variations in the far-ultraviolet albedo is explored as a means of detecting changes in the refractive index of rocks and dust on the surface of atmosphereless planets and satellites. Far-ultraviolet spectrophotometric measurements of the lunar surface, which were obtained on the Apollo 17 orbital mission, are presented to demonstrate that significant albedo variations occur in the spectral range 120 to 170 nm. These data also confirm the hypothesis that the albedo variations represent refractive-index differences in the surface materials. A three-band photometer is described which, when put in orbit around a solar system object, is capable of providing refractive-index maps with a sensitivity of one part in the second decimal place and with kilometer resolution. Comparative surface-composition and surface-history analyses based on such maps are discussed.

Henry, R. C.↗

The Viking mission search for life on Mars

The scientific payload on the Viking Mars landers is described. Shortly after landing, two facsimile cameras capable of stereoscopic imaging will scan the landing site area in black and white, color, and infrared to reveal gross evidence of past or present living systems. A wide range mass spectrometer will record a complete mass spectrum for soil samples from mass 12 to mass 200 every 10.3 sec. Three experiments based on different assumptions on the nature of life on Mars, if it exists, will be carried out by the bio-lab. A pyrolytic release experiment is designed to measure photosynthetic or dark fixation of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide into organic compounds. A labelled release experiment will test for metabolic activity during incubation of a surface sample moistened with a solution of radioactively labelled simple organic compounds. A gas exchange experiment will detect changes in the gaseous medium surrounding a soil sample as the result of metabolic activity. The hardware, function, and terrestrial test results of the bio-lab experiments are discussed.

Klein, H. P.↗

First concept for a tropical area monitoring project

The first concept of a tropical area monitoring project is presented. The project would develop an operational system capable of monitoring land areas by machine processing of satellite data. LANDSAT images would be processed within a controlled isolable unit to detect changes in forest cover, rangeland, soil integrity, and other factors important to conservation of tropical ecology. An introductory developmental effort is described to demonstrate the use of LANDSAT data in this application. The independent unit, which functions as a user organization within the development project, assures that the technology will be transferable to a user organization through well defined, easily monitored interfaces with the rest of the world.

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Fragmentation cross-section of relativistic oxygen ions and determination of overlap parameter

Results are presented for measurements of total fragmentation cross sections of relativistic O-16 ions in CsI crystals, which were performed using a monochromatic bevatron ion beam at energies of 0.5 and 2.1 GeV/nucleon. The total fragmentation cross section at each energy is determined on the basis of detected changes in the charge of the incident ions, and the values obtained at both energies are found to be the same to within the experimental errors. Values of the O-16 nucleon radius and overlap parameter are derived simultaneously from the measured cross sections.

Verma, S. D.↗

Photoelectrolysis of water at high current density - Use of ultraviolet laser excitation

The behavior of TiO2 and SrTiO3 photoanodes in cells for the photoelectrolysis of H2O has been investigated for high-intensity 351-,364-nm excitation from an Ar ion laser. Intensities up to 380 W/sq cm have been used. For TiO2 a small amount of surface decomposition is found after irradiation at high intensity, whereas SrTiO3 undergoes no detectable changes. Current-voltage properties for both electrodes are essentially independent of light intensity up to the level of 380 W/sq cm, and there is little if any change in quantum efficiency for electron flow. Photocurrent densities have been shown to exceed 5 A/sq cm for O2 evolution. Data show that the energy storage rate associated with the SrTiO3 photoelectrolysis can exceed 30 W/sq cm; this represents the highest demonstrated rate of sustained optical-to-chemical energy conversion.

Bocarsly, A. B.↗

An algorithm for constrained maximization of the trace of a matrix

The 'trace' of a rectangular matrix is defined as the trace of a square matrix obtained by appending null rows (or columns) at the bottom (or right) end. The problem of maximizing the trace of a matrix, by permutations and mergers of rows and columns with constraints on the resulting size of the matrix, is of interest in comparison of maps and image-change detection. This correspondence presents an algorithm based on dynamic programming for efficient maximization of trace.

Ramapriyan, H. K.↗

Flight tests of a simple airborne device for predicting clear air turbulence encounters

An airborne clear-air turbulence detector is being flight-tested on board NASA's C-141 and Learjet aircraft. The device is an infrared (IR) sensor in the water vapor band and is designed to detect changes in vapor concentrations associated with turbulence in shear conditions. Warnings of about 5 min have been demonstrated at flight altitudes from 9.1 to 13.7 km (30,000 to 45,000 ft). Encounter predictions were obtained 80% of the time, and false alarms were given about 6% of the time. Several simple algorithms were studied for use as signal output analyzers and for alert triggering.

Kurkowski, R. L.↗

Optical effects module

The possible degradation of optical samples exposed to the effluent gases and particulate matter emanating from the payload of the space transportation system during orbital operations may be determined by measuring two optical parameters for five samples exposed to this environment, namely transmittance and diffuse reflectance. Any changes detected in these parameters as a function of time during the mission are then attributable to surface contamination or to increased material absorption. These basic functions are attained in the optical effects module by virtue of the following subsystems which are described: module enclosure; light source with collimator and modulator; sample wheel with holders and rotary drive; photomultipliers for radiation detection; processing and sequencing electronic circuitry; and power conditioning interfaces. The functions of these subsystems are reviewed and specified.

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Effect of space flight on sodium, copper, manganese and magnesium content in the skeletal bones

Sodium content decreased in the human skeletal bones and rose in the rat bones following space flight. In man copper content rose in the femoral bone and decreased in the vertebral body and the sternum, but was unchanged in the rest of the bones. Magnesium content was decreased in the femoral bone and the sternum, and in the vertebrae, but remained unchanged in the rest of the bones. Possible mechanisms of the changes detected are discussed.

Prokhonchukov, A. A.↗

One Way of Testing a Distributed Processor

Launch processing for Space Shuttle is checked out, controlled, and monitored with new system. Entire system can be exercised by two computer programs--one in master console and other in each of operations consoles. Control program in each operations console detects change in status and begins task initiation. All of front-end processors are exercised from consoles through common data buffer, and all data are logged to processed-data recorder for posttest analysis.

Edstrom, R.↗

Landsat features for agricultural applications

This paper presents relationships among Landsat MSS bands and selected transformations of them, with emphasis on the Tasseled-Cap Transformation and its Brightness, Greenness variables. It also discusses relationships between reflectance measurements made in the Landsat spectral bands and actual Landsat data. Agronomically oriented analyses of reflectance measurements of wheat throughout a growing season are presented, with a comparison of various green measures, correlation with crop development stage, and examination of the effects of moisture stress. The final example addresses the use of transformed variables in a newly developed approach to forestry change detection.

Malila, W. A.↗

Data base manipulation for assessment of multiresource suitability and land change

Progress is reported in three tasks which support the overall objectives of renewable resources inventory task of the AgRISTARS program. In the first task, the geometric correction algorithms of the Master Data Processor were investigated to determine the utility of data corrected by this processor for U.S. Forest Service uses. The second task involved investigation of logic to form blobs as a precursor step to automatic change detection involving two dates of LANDSAT data. Some routine procedures for selecting BLOB (spatial averaging) parameters were developed. In the third task, a major effort was made to develop land suitability modeling approches for timber, grazing, and wildlife habitat in support of resource planning efforts on the San Juan National Forest.

Colwell, J.↗

Stochastic models of cover class dynamics

Investigations related to satellite remote sensing of vegetation have been concerned with questions of signature identification and extension, cover inventory accuracy, and change detection and monitoring. Attention is given to models of ecological succession, present directions in successional modeling and analysis, nondynamic spatial models, issues in the analysis of spatial data, and aspects of spatial modeling. Issues in time-series analysis are considered along with dynamic spatial models, and problems of model specification and identification.

Barringer, T. H.↗

Evaluation of temporal registration of Landsat scenes

The registration of Landsat images is important for multitemporal classification and for detecting change. Landsat data are now rectified to a ground coordinate system during preprocessing, hence scenes obtained over the same area are registered. The machine responsible for preprocessing the Landsat multispectral scanner data is the master data processor (MDP). This paper describes the rectification approach taken by the MDP, reviews the accuracy standards of the resultant product, and provides an assessment of the accuracy of the scene to scene registration of two Landsat images.

Nelson, R.↗

Simulator spectral characterization using balloon calibrated solar cells with narrow band pass filters

The development and implementation of an instrument for spectral measurement of solar simulators for testing solar cell characteristics is reported. The device was constructed for detecting changes in solar simulator behavior and for comparing simulator spectral irradiance to solar AM0 output. It consists of a standard solar cell equipped with a band pass filter narrow enough so that, when flown on a balloon to sufficient altitude along with sufficient numbers of cells, each equipped with filters of different bandpass ratings, the entire spectral response of the standard cell can be determined. Measured short circuit currents from the balloon flights thus produce cell devices which, when exposed to solar simulator light, have a current which does or does not respond as observed under actual AM0 conditions. Improvements of the filtered cells in terms of finer bandpass filter tuning and measurement of temperature coefficients are indicated.

Goodelle, G. S.↗

Photointerpretation of LANDSAT images

Learning objectives include: (1) developing a facility for applying conventional techniques of photointerpretation to small scale (satellite) imager; (2) promoting the ability to locate, identify, and interpret small natural and man made surface features in a LANDSAT image; (3) using supporting imagery, such as aerial and space photography, to conduct specific applications analyses; (4) learning to apply change detection techniques to recognize and explain transient and temporal events in individual or seasonal imagery; (5) producing photointerpretation maps that define major surface units, themes, or classes; (6) classifying or analyzing a scene for specific discipline applications in geology, agriculture, forestry, hyrology, coastal wetlands, and environmental pollution; and (7) evaluating both advantages and shortcomings in relying on the photointerpretive approach (rather than computer based analytical approach) for extracting information from LANDSAT data.

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Monitoring wetlands change using LANDSAT data

A wetlands monitoring study was initiated as part of Delaware's LANDSAT applications demonstration project. Classifications of digital data are conducted in an effort to determine the location and acreage of wetlands loss or gain, species conversion, and application for the inventory and typing of freshwater wetlands. A multi-seasonal approach is employed to compare data from two different years. Unsupervised classifications were conducted for two of the four dates examined. Initial results indicate the multi-seasonal approach allows much better separation of wetland types for both tidal and non-tidal wetlands than either season alone. Change detection is possible but generally misses the small acreages now impacted by man.

Hardin, D. L.↗

Accuracy of remotely sensed data: Sampling and analysis procedures

A review and update of the discrete multivariate analysis techniques used for accuracy assessment is given. A listing of the computer program written to implement these techniques is given. New work on evaluating accuracy assessment using Monte Carlo simulation with different sampling schemes is given. The results of matrices from the mapping effort of the San Juan National Forest is given. A method for estimating the sample size requirements for implementing the accuracy assessment procedures is given. A proposed method for determining the reliability of change detection between two maps of the same area produced at different times is given.

Congalton, R. G.↗