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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.

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At least 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Mapping forest vegetation with ERTS-1 MSS data and automatic data processing techniques

This study was undertaken with the intent of elucidating the forest mapping capabilities of ERTS-1 MSS data when analyzed with the aid of LARS' automatic data processing techniques. The site for this investigation was the Great Dismal Swamp, a 210,000 acre wilderness area located on the Middle Atlantic coastal plain. Due to inadequate ground truth information on the distribution of vegetation within the swamp, an unsupervised classification scheme was utilized. Initially pictureprints, resembling low resolution photographs, were generated in each of the four ERTS-1 channels. Data found within rectangular training fields was then clustered into 13 spectral groups and defined statistically. Using a maximum likelihood classification scheme, the unknown data points were subsequently classified into one of the designated training classes. Training field data was classified with a high degree of accuracy (greater than 95 percent), and progress is being made towards identifying the mapped spectral classes.

Messmore, J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

An ad hoc map evaluation procedure

An ad hoc map evaluation procedure is proposed which is most suitable for evaluating low-resolution classification maps against high resolution ground truth maps, such as maps against interpreted aircraft photographs. Commonly practiced sampling and evaluation procedures are impracticable in this context because of difficulties in registration and in comparing the samples. This ad hoc procedure is designed to overcome these two major problems, and its practicability is discussed. Two widely accepted parameters are estimated by the new procedure; namely, the probability of correct classification and the proportion biases. Statistical qualifications are also provided.

Kan, E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The thermal radiation of Saturn and its rings

Infrared observations of Saturn from 5 to 40 microns are described. There is intense limb brightening at 12.35 microns over the southern polar cap. The C ring is anomalously bright at 10 and 20 microns and has bluer (hotter) colors than the A and B rings. The ring spectra have been extrapolated beyond 40 microns and subtracted from low-resolution far-infrared measurements to show that the far-infrared spectrum of the disk of Saturn is qualitatively similar to that of Jupiter and that Saturn radiates 2.5 plus or minus 0.6 times the energy it absorbs from the sun.

Rieke, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Mapping forest vegetation with ERTS-1 MSS data and automatic data processing techniques

This study was undertaken with the intent of elucidating the forest mapping capabilities of ERTS-1 MSS data when analyzed with the aid of LARS' automatic data processing techniques. The site for this investigation was the Great Dismal Swamp, a 210,000 acre wilderness area located on the Middle Atlantic coastal plain. Due to inadequate ground truth information on the distribution of vegetation within the swamp, an unsupervised classification scheme was utilized. Initially pictureprints, resembling low resolution photographs, were generated in each of the four ERTS-1 channels. Data found within rectangular training fields was then clustered into 13 spectral groups and defined statistically. Using a maximum likelihood classification scheme, the unknown data points were subsequently classified into one of the designated training classes. Training field data was classified with a high degree of accuracy (greater than 95%), and progress is being made towards identifying the mapped spectral classes.

Messmore, J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Apollo 17 far-ultraviolet spectra in the Large Magellanic Cloud

During the Apollo 17 mission, low-resolution far-ultraviolet spectra were obtained for two parts of the Large Magellanic Cloud. The spectra are reasonably well fit by a model of a 30,000-K star reddened by a (B-V) color excess of 0.3 magnitude, but other combinations of temperature and reddening provide equally good fits.

Henry, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The ultraviolet spectra of Alpha Aquilae and Alpha Canis Minoris

Scans of Alpha Aql (A7 IV, V) and Alpha CMi (F5 IV-V) obtained with the Copernicus satellite spectrometer over the wavelength range from 2100 to 3200 A are presented along with a spectrum of the integrated solar disk over the same range procured during a calibrated rocket flight. About 1500 fairly strong absorption lines in the Alpha CMi spectrum between 2400 and 2961 A are identified by comparison with a solar atlas and by using a theoretical spectrum synthesized from a blanketed LTE model with an effective temperature of 6500 K and a surface gravity of 10,000 cm/sec per sec. The Mg II resonance doublet at 2795.528 and 2802.704 A is found to be present in all three stars together with a discontinuity at 2635 A due to Fe II, Fe I, Cr I, and Mn II. It is concluded that the Mg II resonance lines and the 2635-A continuum break would be the best spectral features for estimating the redshift of a galaxy observed at low resolution provided the redshift is not less than about 0.75.

Morton, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A new computer approach to map mixed forest features and postprocess multispectral data

A computer technique for mapping mixed softwood and hardwood stands in multispectral satellite imagery of forest regions is described. The purpose of the technique is to obtain smoother resource maps useful in timber harvesting operations. The computer program relies on an algorithm which assesses the size and similarity of adjacent sections on satellite imagery (Landsat-1 data is used) and constructs, through an iteration of the basic algorithm, a more general map of timber mixtures, eliminating the mottled appearance of the raw imagery. Despite difficulties in the experimental analysis of a Texas forest, apparently due to relatively low resolution of the Landsat data, the computer classification approach outlined is suggested as a generally applicable method of creating serviceable maps from multispectral imagery.

Kan, E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Mars: Water Vapor Observations from the Viking Orbiters

The global distribution of the water vapor has been mapped at low resolution throughout the period from the northern summer solstice to the following equinox. During this seasonal period the water vapor underwent a gradual redistribution, the latitude of maximum column abundance moving from the northern polar area to the equatorial latitudes. The total global vapor content remained approximately constant at the equivalent of about 1.3 cu km of ice. The various data obtained indicate that the residual polar caps are composed of water ice.

Farmer, C. B.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The abundances of ammonia in the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, and Titan

An investigation of low-resolution ratio spectra of Jupiter, Saturn, and Titan in the region 5400-6500 A has permitted new evaluations of ammonia absorption bands. The distribution of ammonia over the disk of Jupiter is very inhomogeneous. The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is distinctly different from the solar value, but this is probably a result of uneven mixing of methane and ammonia, as suggested previously by Kuiper (1952), rather than a compositional anomaly. The abundancy of ammonia on Saturn also shows spatial variations, but appears constant in time over a 3-yr period. Two weak, unidentified absorptions were discovered in the red region of Titan's spectrum, in the absence of any detectable ammonia.

Woodman, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The compact radio sources in 4C 39.25 and 3C 345

Long-baseline interferometry of the quasars 4C 39.25 and 3C 345 at 10.65 and 14.77 GHz shows that the centimeter radio source in each object is double, with component separations of 0.0020 arcsec (4C 39.25) and 0.0013 arcsec (3C 345 at 1974.5). For each source, the separation is the same at both frequencies, as well as similar to the structure observed at 7.85 GHz (and 5.0 GHz for 4C 39.25). The spectra of the individual components are derived and shown to vary with time approximately as expected for expanding self-absorbed synchrotron sources. The magnetic fields in the components are estimated to be as high as 0.1 gauss, but the structure of the sources appears to be unrelated to the magnetic-field orientation derived from low-resolution polarization measurements. The component separation in 4C 39.25 has not changed for several years, whereas 3C 345 shows rapid expansion.

Shaffer, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Relative ages of flow units in Mare Imbrium and Sinus Iridum

A method for determining relative ages from low-resolution Lunar Orbiter photographs of lunar plains has been developed and applied to Mare Imbrium and Sinus Iridum. The method is an extension of previous ones and uses the shapes of craters and a small-impact erosion model to estimate the net accumulated impact flux. The net impact flux that has accumulated on a surface of uniform age is a measure of relative age of that surface and can be estimated by the largest diameters of craters that have been degraded by the net impact flux. Frequency distributions or relative ages indicate that there are four major units present in Mare Imbrium and Sinus Iridum. The older mare units are generally found along the edge of the basin and the younger units in the center. A similar distribution of ages of units in Mare Serenitatis shows the two basins have had similar filling histories. Filling histories for other circular basins may be similar to these two.

Boyce, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The IUE spacecraft and instrumentation

The paper describes the general design, instrumentation, and ground control system of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite, which will serve as an astronomical observatory providing both high and low resolution UV spectra of sources other than the sun. Basic data are given on the telescope, the UV-visible converter, the spectrograph optics, the camera response, and the communications systems.

Boggess, A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Analyses of earth radiation budget data from unrestricted broadband radiometers on the ESSA 7 satellite

Six months of data from the wide-field-of-view low resolution infrared radiometers on the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA) 7 satellite were analyzed. Earth emitted and earth reflected irradiances were computed at satellite altitude using data from a new in-flight calibration technique. Flux densitites and albedos were computed for the top of the earth's atmosphere. Monthly averages of these quantities over 100 latitude zones, each hemisphere, and the globe are presented for each month analyzed, and global distributions are presented for typical months. Emitted flux densities are generally lower and albedos higher than those of previous studies. This may be due, in part, to the fact that the ESSA 7 satellite was in a 3 p.m. Sun-synchronous orbit and some of the comparison data were obtained from satellites in 12 noon sun-synchronous orbits. The ESSA 7 detectors seem to smooth out spatial flux density variations more than scanning radiometers or wide-field-of-view fixed-plate detectors. Significant longitudinal and latitudinal variations of emitted flux density and albedo were identified in the tropics in a zone extending about + or - 25 deg in latitude.

Weaver, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The definition of hydrologic model parameters using remote sensing techniques

The reported investigation is concerned with the use of Landsat remote sensing to define input parameters for an array of hydrologic models which are used to synthesize streamflow and water quality parameters in the planning or management process. The ground truth sampling and problems involved in translating the remotely sensed information into hydrologic model parameters are discussed. Questions related to the modification of existing models for compatibility with remote sensing capabilities are also examined. It is shown that the input parameters of many models are presently overdefined in terms of the sensitivity and accuracy of the model. When this overdefinition is recognized many of the models currently considered to be incompatible with remote sensing capabilities can be modified to make possible use with sensors having rather low resolutions.

Ragan, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A liquid-helium-cooled grating spectrometer for far infrared astronomical observations

A liquid-helium-cooled grating spectrometer has been developed for low-resolution far-infrared spectrometric measurements of astronomical sources conducted by the 30-cm NASA Lear Jet telescope. Simple MOSFET coupled transimpedance preamplifiers were adopted for the spectrometer design. The infrared spectrometer has resolving powers from 10 to 150 over the wavelength range from 45 to 115 microns.

Houck, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The galactic gamma-ray flux in the 0.06-5 MeV range

The observed variation of the 72-200-keV count rate in the Apollo gamma-ray spectrometer on Apollo 16 are interpreted as being due to cosmic gamma rays associated with the Crab Nebula, Cyg X-1, and the galactic-center source. A low-resolution map is presented which shows a great enhancement in the galactic-center region; a spectrum for this region is obtained. The shape of the spectrum suggests that the emission originates from an ensemble of discrete sources. It is concluded that the gamma-ray line at 4.4 MeV is not emitted as a constant fraction of the continuum in the whole region of the galactic plane between longitudes of -50 and +22 deg.

Gilman, D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

IUE and visual spectrophotometry of 3C 120 and Markarian 79

Low-resolution ultraviolet spectra have been obtained with IUE and combined with similar visual observations. The continua of both objects show an excess of flux in the neighborhood of 3000 A. In both objects there appears to be a depression near 2200 A, which is probably the ultraviolet interstellar absorption feature centered at 2175 A. The strength of this feature suggests E(B-V) values of 0.22 and 0.38 for Mrk 79 and 3C 120, respectively. The ratio of intensities of L-alpha to H-beta is abnormally small compared with the radiative recombination ratio; the discrepancy is removed in 3C 120 and much reduced in Mrk 79 if the reddening values just mentioned are adopted. The C IV to L-alpha line intensity ratio is abnormally high in these objects compared with that for quasars. Although both objects have strong Fe II lines in the visual, there is no Fe II absorption or emission in the ultraviolet.

Oke, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Triton - A satellite with an atmosphere

A low-resolution infrared spectrum of Triton in the region 1.4-2.6 microns shows a broad absorption at 2.3 microns which is attributed to gaseous methane. The computed surface partial pressure of CH4, based on a random band model extrapolation of new laboratory spectra, is (1 + or - 0.5) times 10 to the -4th bars, a value consistent with the calculated vapor pressure of methane gas above methane ice at the expected temperature of Triton. There is, however, no compelling evidence for the presence of solid CH4 on the satellite's surface.

Cruikshank, D. P.↗