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At least 415 records · Page 23

Consideration of probability of bacterial growth for Jovian planets and their satellites

Environmental parameters affecting growth of bacteria are compared with current atmospheric models for Jupiter and Saturn, and with the available physical data for their satellites. Different zones of relative probability of growth are identified for Jupiter and Saturn. Of the more than two dozen satellites, only the largest (Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, and Titan) are found to be interesting biologically. Titan's atmosphere may produce a substantial greenhouse effect providing increased surface temperatures. Models predicting a dense atmosphere are compatible with microbial growth for a range of pressures at Titan's surface. For Titan's surface the probability of growth would be enhanced if: (1) the surface is entirely or partially liquid; (2) volcanism is present; or (3) access to internal heat sources is significant.

Taylor, D. M.↗

Shock-generated X-ray emission in radiatively driven winds - A model for Tau Scorpii

A one-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamics code is used to numerically investigate the structure and evolution of shocks in the winds of hot stars. Results are presented for the specific case of Tau Sco, a well-studied main-sequence B star for which there are X-ray data from the Einstien satellite's Solid State Spectrometer. A phenomenological radiative acceleration term and a mass-loss rate consistent with UV observations, are used to determine the time dependence of the temperatures within and X-ray emission from an isolated shock region. The driving acceleration leads to the formation of a two-component shock zone with 'forward' and 'reverse' shocks, each with their own characteristic temperature. A denser cold region forms between the two shocks, which could potentially account for the presence of narrow absorption features that are observed in the UV P Cygni profiles of many hot stars. The X-ray emission spectra from the shocks in the calculations are in good general agreement with two-temperature model fits to Einstein X-ray observations.

Macfarlane, Joseph J.↗

A monitoring campaign for Luhman 16AB. I. Detection of resolved near-infrared spectroscopic variability

We report resolved near-infrared spectroscopic monitoring of the nearby L dwarf/T dwarf binary WISE J104915.57–531906.1AB (Luhman 16AB), as part of a broader campaign to characterize the spectral energy distribution and temporal variability of this system. A continuous 45 minute sequence of low-resolution IRTF/SpeX data spanning 0.8-2.4 μm were obtained, concurrent with combined-light optical photometry with ESO/TRAPPIST. Our spectral observations confirm the flux reversal of this binary, and we detect a wavelength-dependent decline in the relative spectral fluxes of the two components coincident with a decline in the combined-light optical brightness of the system over the course of the observation. These data are successfully modeled as a combination of achromatic (brightness) and chromatic (color) variability in the T0.5 Luhman 16B, consistent with variations in overall cloud opacity; and no significant variability was found in L7.5 Luhman 16A, consistent with recent resolved photometric monitoring. We estimate a peak-to-peak amplitude of 13.5% at 1.25 μm over the full light curve. Using a simple two-spot brightness temperature model for Luhman 16B, we infer an average cold covering fraction of ≈30%-55%, varying by 15%-30% over a rotation period assuming a ≈200-400 K difference between hot and cold regions. We interpret these variations as changes in the covering fraction of a high cloud deck and corresponding 'holes' which expose deeper, hotter cloud layers, although other physical interpretations are possible. A Rhines scale interpretation for the size of the variable features explains an apparent correlation between period and amplitude for Luhman 16B and the variable T dwarfs SIMP 0136+0933 and 2MASS J2139+0220, and predicts relatively fast winds (1-3 km s{sup –1}) for Luhman 16B consistent with light curve evolution on an advective time scale (1-3 rotation periods). The strong variability observed in this flux reversal brown dwarf pair supports the model of a patchy disruption of the mineral cloud layer as a universal feature of the L dwarf/T dwarf transition.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A computational model for nanosecond pulse laser-plasma interactions

A multi-physics numerical model for laser-induced optical breakdown and laser-plasma interaction in a non-equilibrium gas is presented, accounting for: production of priming electrons via multi-photon ionization, energy absorption, cascade ionization, induced hydrodynamic response, and shock formation and propagation. The gas is governed by the Navier-Stokes equations, with non-equilibrium effects taken into account by means of a two-temperature model. The space-time dependence of the laser beam is modeled with a flux-tube formulation for the Radiative Transfer Equation. The flow governing equations are discretized in space using a second-order finite volume method. The semi-discrete equations are marched in time using an implicit-explicit (IMEX) dual time-stepping strategy, where diffusion and chemistry are solved implicitly, whereas convection is explicit. Application to a 20 ns long 50 mJ pulse laser-induced breakdown in quiescent O 2 shows the advantages of this temporal discretization during and just after the laser pulse, while a less-expensive symmetric Strang splitting (with implicit chemistry) is sufficient for the post-breakdown gas dynamics after ≃ 0.1 μs. The integrated model is shown to reproduce key features of corresponding experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A 30-day forecast experiment with the GISS model and updated sea surface temperatures

The GISS model was used to compute two parallel global 30-day forecasts for the month January 1974. In one forecast, climatological January sea surface temperatures were used, while in the other observed sea temperatures were inserted and updated daily. A comparison of the two forecasts indicated no clear-cut beneficial effect of daily updating of sea surface temperatures. Despite the rapid decay of daily predictability, the model produced a 30-day mean forecast for January 1974 that was generally superior to persistence and climatology when evaluated over either the globe or the Northern Hemisphere, but not over smaller regions.

Spar, J.↗

ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROSCOPY OF TYPE IIB SUPERNOVAE: DIVERSITY AND THE IMPACT OF CIRCUMSTELLAR MATERIAL

We present new Hubble Space Telescope (HST) multi-epoch ultraviolet (UV) spectra of the bright Type IIb SN 2013df, and undertake a comprehensive analysis of the set of four SNe IIb for which HST UV spectra are available (SN 1993J, SN 2001ig, SN 2011dh, and SN 2013df). We find strong diversity in both continuum levels and line features among these objects. We use radiative-transfer models that fit the optical part of the spectrum well, and find that in three of these four events we see a UV continuum flux excess, apparently unaffected by line absorption. We hypothesize that this emission originates above the photosphere, and is related to interaction with circumstellar material (CSM) located in close proximity to the SN progenitor. In contrast, the spectra of SN 2001ig are well fit by single-temperature models, display weak continuum and strong reverse-fluorescence features, and are similar to spectra of radioactive {sup 56}Ni-dominated SNe Ia. A comparison of the early shock-cooling components in the observed light curves with the UV continuum levels which we assume trace the strength of CSM interaction suggests that events with slower cooling have stronger CSM emission. The radio emission from events having a prominent UV excess is perhaps consistent with slower blast-wave velocities, as expected if the explosion shock was slowed down by the CSM that is also responsible for the strong UV, but this connection is currently speculative as it is based on only a few events.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Thermal response of double-layered metal films after ultrashort pulsed laser irradiation: The role of nonthermal electron dynamics

The thermal response of a Cu-Ti double-layered film is investigated after laser irradiation with ultrashort pulses (pulse duration τ{sub p} = 50 fs, 800 nm laser wavelength) in submelting conditions by including the influence of nonthermal electrons. A revised two-temperature model is employed to account for the contribution of nonthermal electron distribution while the variation of the optical properties of the material during the laser beam irradiation is also incorporated into the model. Theoretical results can provide significant insight into the physical mechanism that characterize electron dynamics and can facilitate production of controllable ultra-high strength Cu-Ti alloys with promising applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Thermal history and evolution of the moon.

In this work, theoretical lunar temperature models are computed taking into account different initial conditions to represent possible accretion models and various abundances of heat sources to correspond to different compositions. Differentiation and convection are simulated in the numerical computational scheme. Models of the thermal evolution of the moon that fit the chronology of igneous activity on the lunar surface, the stress history of the lunar lithosphere implied by the presence of mascons, and the surface concentrations of radioactive elements, involve extensive differentiation early in lunar history. This differentiation may be the result of rapid accretion and large-scale melting or of primary chemical layering during accretion. Differences in present-day temperatures for these two possibilities are significant only in the inner 1000 km of the moon and are not resolvable with presently available data.

Toksoz, M. N.↗

Empirical estimation of densities in NaCl-KCl-UCl 3 and NaCl-KCl-YCl 3 molten salts using Redlich-Kister expansion

Densities of molten KCl-NaCl-UCl 3 and KCl-NaCl-YCl 3 ternary systems have been estimated using a multidimensional Redlich-Kister model. Temperature and composition dependent Redlich-Kister functions have been used to generate binary interaction parameters in the outlined ternary salt systems. These binary interactions have been used in the extrapolation to ternary system densities. The results of the density extrapolations by Muggianu interpolation scheme provide agreement within 2–3% for the NaCl-KCl-YCl 3 liquids and 11% in NaCl-KCl-UCl 3 liquids compared to the available experimental data. Modeling NaCl-KCl-UCl 3 molten phase density with a ternary interaction parameter improved the agreement within 4%. Thermophysical modeling used in this study has shown promising results for use in other material properties, such as viscosity, thermal conductivity, and heat capacity of the molten salts. Lastly, the outlined modeling method applied in these specific molten salt ternaries can be used for quaternary or higher multicomponent molten salt systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

How Can Future Climate Change Affect the Corn Production System in Nebraska, USA?

The increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns have affected both crop yields and water requirements challenging agricultural systems in sustaining high crop yields and ensuring water and food security. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of climate change on the corn production under irrigated and rainfed cropping systems in Nebraska considering four climate zones until 2100 as a case study for the US Corn Belt. Additionally, suggests ways to reduce the impact of climate change on corn yield and water resources. Five global circulation model datasets from the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) interconnected to Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), were selected. Three future periods: near (2020–2039), mid (2040–2069), and far future (2070–2100) under SSP226, SSP370, and SSP585 scenarios were used to predict the climate changes, crop cycle length, crop yield, and crop water requirement. Additionally, we input annual CO2 concentration scenarios for each SSP scenario to model changes from 2015 to 2100 using the CERES-Maize model. Temperatures are forecasted to rise, precipitation to decline, and crop cycle length to decrease, particularly for SSP370 (up to 49% yield decrease) and SSP585 (up to 67% yield decrease) by 2070–2100. Yields are expected to decline across all scenarios and periods for irrigated and rainfed fields due to the reduction in crop cycle length. Crop water demand is projected to increase, with rainfed systems facing heightened impact due to reduced precipitation. Addressing climate change in Nebraska requires actions like developing new corn varieties to longer the crop season, transitioning to efficient irrigation systems, improving irrigation management for water and food security, and reducing the risk of conflicts over its use. These results open possibilities for discussion about the actions that can be taken to cope with climate change and guarantee water and food security in the US Corn Belt.

CMIP6↗

Variability of carbon monoxide in the Mars atmosphere

Recent measurements and reanalyses of past measurements are used to derive estimates of the variability of CO concentrations in the Martian atmosphere. The J = 1 - 2 rotational transition of CO in the microwave spectrum of Mars was observed in January, 1982, and abundances were calculated through surface and atmospheric temperature modeling. A column density of 4.6 + or - 2.0 x 10 to the 20th/sq cm is obtained, which is contrasted with values of 3.0 + or - 1.0 x 10 to the 20th/sq cm in 1980 and 1.7 x + or - 0.9 x 10 to the 20th/sq cm in 1975 obtained by reanalysis of the J = 0 - 1 transition observed by Good and Schloerb (1981) and Kakar et al. (1977), respectively. It is noted that due to the uncertainties in global atmospheric average temperatures, results are consistent with a CO variability of from 0 to 100 percent over a time scale of several years. It is suggested that simultaneous measurements of the J = 0 - 1 and J = 1 - 2 transitions may provide stronger constraints on the CO abundance and atmospheric temperature of Mars.

Clancy, R. T.↗

Applications of a Venus thermospheric circulation model

A variety of Pioneer Venus observations suggest a global scale, day-to-night Venus thermospheric circulation. Model studies of the dynamics and energetics of the Venus thermosphere are presented in order to address new driving, mixing and cooling mechanisms for an improved model simulation. The adopted approach was to reexamine the circulation by first using a previous two dimensional code to quantify those physical processes which can be inferred from the Pioneer Venus observations. Specifically, the model was used to perform sensitivity studies to determine the degree to which eddy cooling, eddy or wave drag, eddy diffusion and 15 micrometer radiational cooling are necessary to bring the model temperature and composition fields into agreement with observations. Three EUV heating cases were isolated for study. Global temperature and composition fields in good agreement with Pioneer data were obtained. Large scale horizontal winds 220 m/s were found to be consistent with the observed cold nightside temperatures and dayside bulges of O, CO and CO2. Observed dayside temperatures were obtained by using a 7 to 19% EUV heating efficiency profile. The enhanced 15 micrometer cooling needed for thermal balance is obtained using the best rate coefficient available for atomic O collisional excitation of CO2(0,1,0). Eddy conduction was not found to be a viable cooling mechanism due to the weakened global circulation. The strong 15 micrometer damping and low EUV efficiency imply a very weak dependence of the general circulation to solar cycle variability. The NCAR terrestrial thermospheric general circulation model was adapted for Venus inputs using the above two dimensional model parameters, to give a three dimensional benchmark for future Venus modelling work.

Bougher, S. W.↗

Nonuniqueness of two-temperature Guldberg-Waage and Saha equations: Influence on thermophysical properties of SF{sub 6} plasmas

This paper focuses to study how the choice of Guldberg-Waage and Saha equations affects the thermodynamic properties and transport coefficients of SF{sub 6} plasmas under both thermal equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions. The species composition is numerically determined using two typical forms of two-temperature Saha equations and Guldberg-Waage equations that have appeared in the literature. The great influence of the choice of the excitation temperature on the plasma composition and hence the thermodynamic properties and transport coefficients is discussed as well. Transport coefficients are calculated with most recent collision interaction potentials by adopting Devoto's electron and heavy particle decoupling approach but expanded to the third-order approximation (second-order for viscosity) within the framework of Chapman-Enskog method. Furthermore, an analysis of the effect of different definitions of Debye length on the properties values was performed as well. The results are computed for various values of pressures from 0.10 atm to 10 atm and non-equilibrium parameter, i.e., ratio of the electron temperature to the heavy particle temperature from 1 to 5 with electron temperature range from 300 to 40 000 K. Both forms of Guldberg-Waage and Saha equations used here can give completely the same value when the two-temperature model reaches the special case of local thermodynamic equilibrium. It has been observed that all above mentioned factors can significantly modify the plasma species composition and consequently affect the thermodynamic and transport properties.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Measuring and modeling near-surface reflected and emitted radiation fluxes at the FIFE site

Information is presented pertaining to the measurement and estimation of reflected and emitted components of the radiation balance. Information is included about reflectance and transmittance of solar radiation from and through the leaves of some grass and forb prairie species, bidirectional reflectance from a prairie canopy is discussed and measured and estimated fluxes are described of incoming and outgoing longwave and shortwave radiation. Results of the study showed only very small differences in reflectances and transmittances for the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of grass species in the visible and infrared wavebands, but some differences in the infrared wavebands were noted for the forbs. Reflectance from the prairie canopy changed as a function of solar and view zenith angles in the solar principal plane with definite asymmetry about nadir. The surface temperature of prairie canopies was found to vary by as much as 5 C depending on view zenith and azimuth position and on the solar azimuth. Aerodynamic temperature calculated from measured sensible heat fluxes ranged from 0 to 3 C higher than nadir-viewed temperatures. Models were developed to estimate incoming and reflected shortwave radiation from data collected with a Barnes Modular Multiband Radiometer. Several algorithms for estimating incoming longwave radiation were evaluated and compared to actual measures of that parameter. Net radiation was calculated using the estimated components of the shortwave radiation streams, determined from the algorithms developed, and from the longwave radiation streams provided by the Brunt, modified Deacon, and the Stefan-Boltzmann models. Estimates of net radiation were compared to measured values and found to be within the measurement error of the net radiometers used in the study.

Blad, Blaine L.↗

X-ray emission line spectroscopy of cataclysmic variables. II. Temperatures and densities from line ratios in the Chandra HETG band

We summarize the results of a line-by-line fitting analysis of the available spectra obtained using the Chandra High-Energy Transmission Grating. We confirm the existence of broad ionization and electron temperature ranges and high number densities in cataclysmic variables (CVs) of all subtypes. Temperatures range from ∼0.4 keV to ∼5-10 keV or more with a broad range detected in any given CV. In other words, single-temperature models do not describe the line emission. Number densities also cover a broad range, from 10{sup 12} to >10{sup 16} cm{sup –3}. We demonstrate that much of the plasma is in a nonequilibrium state; the Fe emission, however, may arise from plasma in the ionization equilibrium.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Chemistry Informed Machine Learning-Based Heat Capacity Prediction of Solid Mixed Oxides

Knowing heat capacity is crucial for modeling temperature changes with the absorption and release of heat and for calculating the thermal energy storage capacity of oxide mixtures with energy applications. The current prediction methods (ab initio simulations, computational thermodynamics, and the Neumann–Kopp rule) are computationally expensive, not fully generalizable, or inaccurate. Machine learning has the potential of being fast, accurate, and generalizable, but it has been scarcely used to predict mixture properties, particularly for mixed oxides. Here, we demonstrate a method for the generalizable prediction of heat capacity of solid oxide pseudobinary mixtures using heat capacity data obtained from computational thermodynamics and descriptors from ab initio databases. Further, models trained through this workflow achieved an error (mean absolute error of 0.43 J mol –1 K –1 ) lower than the uncertainty in differential scanning calorimetry measurements, and the workflow can be extended to predict other properties derived from the Gibbs free energy and for higher-order oxide mixtures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Numerical Modeling of a Vortex Stabilized Arcjet

Arcjet thrusters are being actively considered for use in Earth orbit maneuvering applications. Experimental studies are currently the chief means of determining an optimal thruster configuration. Earlier numerical studies have failed to include all of the effects found in typical arcjets including complex geometries, viscosity, and swirling flow. Arcjet geometries are large area ratio converging nozzles with centerbodies in the subsonic portion of the nozzle. The nozzle walls serve as the anode while the centerbody functions as the cathode. Viscous effects are important because the Reynolds number, based on the throat radius, is typically less than 1,000. Experimental studies have shown that a swirl or circumferential velocity component stabilizes a constricted arc. This dissertation describes the equations governing flow through a constricted arcjet thruster. An assumption that the flowfield is in local thermodynamic equilibrium leads to a single fluid plasma temperature model. An order of magnitude analysis reveals the governing fluid mechanics equations are uncoupled from the electromagnetic field equations. A numerical method is developed to solve the governing fluid mechanics equations, the Thin Layer Navier-Stokes equations. A coordinate transformation is employed in deriving the governing equations to simplify the application of boundary conditions in complex geometries. An axisymmetric formulation is employed to include the swirl velocity component as well as the axial and radial velocity components. The numerical method is an implicit finite-volume technique and allows for large time steps to reach a converged steady-state solution. The inviscid fluxes are flux-split, and Gauss-Seidel line relaxation is used to accelerate convergence. Converging-diverging nozzles with exit-to-throat area ratios up to 100:1 and annular nozzles were examined. Quantities examined included Mach number and static wall pressure distributions, and oblique shock structures. As the level of swirl and viscosity in the flowfield increased the mass flow rate and thrust decreased. The technique was used to predict the flow through a typical arcjet thruster geometry. Results indicate swirl and viscosity play an important role in the complex geometry of an arcjet.

Pawlas, Gary E.↗

MARS 2020 Backshell Radiative Heating Measurement and Shock Tube Verification

In February 2021, the Perseverance rover was brought to the surface of Mars by the Mars 2020 mission. A feature of the Mars 2020 capsule was instrumentation to measure its entry, descent and landing (EDL) with the so-called Mars EDL Instrumentation 2 (MEDLI2) [1]. The MEDLI2 introduced, among other things, backshell instrumentation, including a broadband radiometer. The radiometer was mounted on the leeside of the vehicle next to thermocouple plugs and a heat flux gauge. The data returned by the leeside MEDLI2 heat flux gauge is largely analogous to that measured by the COMARS gauge flown on the ExoMars Schiaparelli [2] entry in that it is measuring heat flux in an area that is entirely dominated by radiative heating. The COMARS measurement provided excellent validation of backshell radiative heating models for Mars entry, albeit at a limited number of points [3]. The MEDLI2 heat flux gauge measurement effectively confirmed the quality of the prediction, extended over the full trajectory, as will be presented in this paper. The MEDLI2 radiometer,however, was blocked by ablation products and suffered a loss of half of its signal. The second backshell heat flux gauge installed on the windside of the vehicle was also well predicted, although the heating had both radiative and convective contributions. It was desired to reproduce the conditions of the Mars 2020 entry via ground testing in the Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) at NASA Ames. Tests to verify stagnation line heating were previously reported in EAST, confirming the presence of shock layer radiation as the major discrepancy in heatshield temperature modelling [4]. Therefore, tests for stagnation line heating were not repeated. Instead, the shock tube informed bias method [5, 6] was used to identify test conditions that may produce similarity to streamlines that pass around the backside of the vehicle and are responsible for the radiation observed at the two heat flux gauge locations. This method was used to identify a range of velocities and densities in the shock tube that are relevant for confirming the radiative environment encountered. This paper reports the results obtained in the 10 cm diameter EAST shock tube, corresponding to later trajectory points at ambient pressures of 1.1-2.0 Torr and velocities from 1.2-3.5 km/s. The test series employed two primary diagnostics: emission spectroscopy and tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS). The emission spectroscopy performed broadband measurements of the radiative emission of the 4.3 and 2.7 m bands of CO2 at flight similar conditions, obtaining both spectral and spatial data corresponding to the relaxation behind the shock front. The TDLAS measured the absorption of several lines of CO and CO2 and obtains species number densities and temperatures as a function of time behind the shock front. This paper will review highlights of this test series and analyses of the emission and absorption data. While the datasets generally show good agreement with predictions, a few discrepancies and items for additional investigation are identified and will be discussed

Brett A Cruden↗