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At least 415 records · Page 23

Plan for the uniform mapping of earth resources and environmental complexes from Skylab imagery

The author has identified the following significant results. Below approximately 25% cover visual photointerpretation of vegetation analogs of Skylab 2 Sl9OA color infrared imagery is poor. Correct identifications of vegetation analogs in this category range from 28 to 57%. Good photointerpretation results (64 to 96%) were obtained on vegetation analogs with higher cover values. The four semidesert vegetation analogs (greasewood, saltbush, big sagebrush, and pinyon-juniper) are consistently distinguishable as a group. Photointerpretation accuracy equals 90.1%. When these same types are broken into two sub-groups (salt desert vegetation and shrub steppe/sparse pinyon-juniper vegetation) interpretation success drops to 76% and 85%, respectively. Band ratioing and transmittance differences between two forested analogs as imaged on Skylab 2 S19OA film shows significant differences. In the infrared wavelength both analogs have very similar transmittance characteristics while the visible wavelength shows separation between the two. Relative transmittance values for stands of ponderosa pine forestland and pinyon-juniper woodland are 719.3 + or - 65.9 and 223.6 + or - 48.1, respectively on negative transparencies. In image interpretation along the low-elevation fringe of forested regions these are the two forest analogs most frequently requiring separation.

Poulton, C. E.↗

Experiment to evaluate feasibility of utilizing Skylab-EREP remote sensing data for tectonic analysis of the Bighorn Mountains region, Wyoming-Montana

The author has identified the following significant results. S-190A color transparencies from SL-2 of the Big Horn basin region provide the best format to date for geologic study of that region; red beds are quite mappable and resistant key beds sharply outlined. An S-190B color frame from SL-3 of the Pryor-Bighorn mountains provides no indication that the Nye-Bowler lineament extends east of East Pryor Mountain. This has important implications regarding the role of this and other lineaments (which also appear to be of restricted length) in the tectonics of the region. Extensions of these lineaments for great distances does not seem warranted on the basis of surface evidence.

Hoppin, R. A.↗

Experiment to evaluate feasibility of utilizing Skylab-EREP remote sensing data for tectonic analysis of the Bighorn Mountains region, Wyoming-Montana

The author has identified the following significant results. Analysis of SL-3, S-190A, and S-190B color frames indicates two sets of linears obliquely cutting across the east-west trending Owl Creek-Bridger uplifts. A northwest set of faults and folds has been mapped previously but the imagery indicates some changes and addition of detail can be made. A less pronounced east-northeast set of linear alignments (drainage segments, lithologic contacts, possible faults) extends into the southeast part of the Big Horn Basin.

Hoppin, R. A.↗

The origin of the diffuse background gamma-radiation

Recent observations have now provided evidence for diffuse background gamma radiation extending to energies beyond 100 MeV. There is some evidence of isotropy and implied cosmological origin. Significant features in the spectrum of this background radiation have been observed which provide evidence for its origin in nuclear processes in the early stages of the big-band cosmology and tie in these processes with galaxy fromation theory. A crucial test of the theory may lie in future observations of the background radiation in the 100 MeV to 100 GeV energy range which may be made with large orbiting spark-chamber satellite detectors. A discussion of the theoretical interpretations of present data, their connection with baryon symmetric cosmology and galaxy formation theory, and the need for future observations are given.

Stecker, F. W.↗

The flares of August 1972

Observations of the August, 1972 flares at Big Bear and Tel Aviv, involving monochromatic movies, magnetograms, and spectra, are analyzed. The region (McMath 11976) showed inverted polarity from its inception on July 11; the great activity was due to extremely high shear and gradients in the magnetic field, as well as a constant invasion of one polarity into the opposite; observations in lambda 3835 show remarkable fast flashes in the impulsive flare of 18:38 UT on Aug. 2 with lifetimes of 5 sec, which may be due to dumping of particles in the lower chromosphere. Flare loops show evolutionary increases of their tilts to the neutral line in the flares of Aug. 4 and 7. Spectroscopic observations show red asymmetry and red shift of the H alpha emission in the flash phase of the Aug. 7 flare, as well as substantial velocity shear in the photosphere during the flare, somewhat like earthquake movement along a fault. Finally the total H alpha emission of the Aug. 7 flare could be measured accurately as about 2.5 x 10 to the 30th power erg, considerably less than coarser previous estimates for great flares.

Zirin, H.↗

Possible detection of interstellar deuterium

The abundance of deuterium relative to hydrogen is an important parameter in constructing models of the early expansion of the universe in Big-Bang cosmologies. Calculations by Wagoner et al. (1967) and by Wagoner (1973) show that the deuterium abundance would be very sensitive to the density of baryons in the fireball and hence to the present mean mass density of the universe. Reeves et al. (1973) use data on the abundance of deuterium in the solar system to deduce a ratio of n sub D/n sub H = 1.8 plus or minus 0.8 x 10 to the minus 5 power, and note that other authors have pointed out that processing of matter in stars slowly reduces the deuterium abundance in the galaxy.

Cesarsky, D. A.↗

Spectrograph, filtergraph and magnetograph observations of the two-ribbon flare of 29 July, 1973

High-resolution observations of a class-3N two-ribbon flare were conducted at 1324 UT on July 29, 1973, at Big Bear Solar Observatory. The flare occurred in a diffuse bipolar magnetic region completely devoid of sunspots and was associated with a type IV radio burst and a soft X-ray event. Extensive H alpha filtergraph, spectrograph and magnetograph records taken during the main phase of the flare suggest the presence of downfalling and streaming materials for several hours on both ribbons during the growth phase of H alpha emission. Hyder's infall-impact model (1967) is found to be inconsistent with the authors' filtergraph and spectrograph observations.

Michalitsanos, A. G.↗

Jupiter after Pioneer - A progress report

In December 1973, Pioneer 10 became the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of Jupiter. The spacecraft passed through the Jovian magnetosphere in two weeks and sent back more than 300 pictures of the big planet. Measurements were conducted of EM fields, energetic particles, and micrometeoroids. Radio occultations observed are discussed along with observations in the infrared and ultraviolet range, magnetic measurements, questions of trajectory analysis, and data obtained with the aid of a plasma analyzer. Pioneer 10 has confirmed as inescapable the fact that Jupiter radiates more energy than it receives from the sun.

Mcdonough, T. R.↗

SAS-2 observations of celestial diffuse gamma radiation above 30 MeV

The small astronomy satellite, SAS-2, used a 32-deck magnetic core digitized spark chamber to study gamma rays with energies above 30 MeV. Data for four regions of the sky away from the galactic plane were analyzed. These regions show a finite, diffuse flux of gamma rays with a steep energy spectrum, and the flux is uniform over all the regions. Represented by a power law, the differential energy spectrum shows an index of 2.5 + or - 0.4. The steep SAS-2 spectrum and the lower energy data are reasonably consistent with a neutral pion gamma-ray spectrum which was red-shifted (such as that proposed by some cosmological theories). It is concluded that the diffuse celestial gamma ray spectrum observed presents the possibility of cosmological studies and possible evidence for a residual cosmic ray density, and supports the galactic superclusters of matter and antimatter remaining from baryon-symmetric big bang.

Thompson, D. J.↗

The origin of the diffuse background gamma radiation

Recent observations provided evidence for diffuse background gamma radiation extending to energies beyond 100 MeV, and evidence of isotropy and implied cosmological origin. Significant features in the spectrum of this background radiation were observed which provide evidence for its origin in nuclear processes in the early stages of big-bang cosmology, and connect these processes with the galaxy formation theory. A test of the theory is in future observations of the background radiation in the 100 MeK to 100 GeV energy range which are made with large orbiting spark-chamber satellite detectors. The theoretical interpretations of present data, their connection with baryon-symmetric cosmology and galaxy formation theory, and the need for future observations are discussed.

Stecker, F. W.↗

The comparative evaluation of ERTS-1 imagery for resource inventory in land use planning

The author has identified the following significant results. Multidiscipline team interpretation and mapping of resources for Crook County is complete on 1:250,000 scale enlargements of ERTS imagery and 1:120,000 hi-flight photography. Maps of geology, soils, vegetation-land use and land resources units were interpreted to show limitations, suitabilities, and geologic hazards for land use planning. Mapping of lineaments and structures from ERTS imagery has shown a number of features not previously mapped in Oregon. A multistage timber inventory of Ochoco National Forest was made, using ERTS images as the first stage. Inventory of forest clear-cutting practices was successfully demonstrated with color composites. Soil tonal differences in fallow fields correspond with major soil boundaries in loess-mantled terrain. A digital classification system used for discriminating natural vegetation and geologic material classes was successful in separating most major classes around Newberry Caldera, Mt. Washington, and Big Summit Prairie.

Schrumpf, B. J.↗

Studies of K line filtergrams

The paper describes the material obtained on a Lyot filter for K at the Big Bear Solar Observatory. This material is compared with simultaneous H-alpha observations. K-line filtergrams are used to interpret K-line double reversal. The structure of the general chromosphere is discussed. It is found that the absorption of the cool clouds of the chromosphere, covering about one third of the area inside the cells, oscillating rapidly, and having a vertical extent around 3000 km, is not clearly seen in K3. In active regions K is close to H-alpha. Here all plagettes and plages are bounded by systems of strongly inclined bright and dark fibrils. Umbral flashes are found to be less visible in H-alpha, except that the running penumbral waves are bright in K and dark in H-alpha.

Zirin, H.↗

Umbral oscillations and penumbral waves in H alpha

Examples are presented of umbral oscillations observed on Big Bear H-alpha filtergram movies, and the relation between umbral oscillations and running penumbral waves occurring in the same sunspot is investigated. Umbral oscillations near the center of the umbra are probably physically independent of the penumbral waves because the period of these umbral oscillations (150 sec) is shorter than the penumbral wave period (270 sec), but not a harmonic. Dark puffs emerge from the edge of the umbra and move outward across the penumbra, and have the same period as the running penumbral waves. These dark puffs are interpreted to be the extension of chromospheric umbral oscillations at the edge of the umbra. It is suggested that the dark puffs and the running penumbral waves have a common source: photospheric oscillations just inside the umbra.

Moore, R. L.↗

High spatial resolution multi-color observations of Neptune during occultation by the moon

Preparations for the observation of Mars occultation using the 36 inch telescope on a C-141 airborne observatory were described, including technical improvements made to existing equipment. The abstracts of the following four publications supported by the grant were presented: (1) atmosphere composition from refractivity measurements made during occultations, (2) how big is lapetus?, (3) the diameter of Titan, (4) design and operating characteristics of voltage to frequency converters suited for occultation work. The planned observation of the April 8, 1976 occultation of the epsilon Gem star from the C-141 airborne observatory was described.

Veverka, J.↗

The lifetime and evolution of fibrils

A detailed study was made of the lifetimes and evolution of fibrils in McMath 12417, using high resolution filtergrams in H alpha and CaII K made at Big Bear Solar Observatory. It was found that the lifetime of a fibril increases monotonically with its length. This relationship, together with the form of the variation of fibril lengths as a function of time, suggests that fibrils result from material being impulsively injected into magnetic field lines at approximately 30 km/sec, and returning under gravity. The lifetimes and apparent lengths of fibrils are then a function of the inclination of the field lines only. A study of wavelength scans through the H alpha line confirms that the apparent expansion and contraction of fibrils represents true mass motion.

Marsh, K. A.↗

Magnetic monopoles and cosmology

The number density of magnetic monopoles is calculated in the framework of big-bang cosmology on the basis of a solution to the Boltzmann transport equation in evolutionary cosmological models. The product of the mass and the transition probability of the annihilation process for magnetic monopoles is obtained relative to those for protons and is shown to be greater than about 10 to the 20th power. Based on this result, two likely conclusions are made: (1) monopoles exist, but possess a pole-antipole bound state with binding energy of the order of the monopole rest mass; or (2) magnetic monopoles do not exist.

Adams, P. J.↗

Extragalactic astronomy: The universe beyond our galaxy

This single-topic brochure is for high school physical science teachers to use in introducing students to extragalactic astronomy. The material is presented in three parts: the fundamental content of extragalactic astronomy; modern discoveries delineated in greater detail; and a summary of the earlier discussions within the structure of the Big-Bang Theory of evolution. Each of the three sections is followed by student exercises (activities, laboratory projects, and questions-and-answers). The unit close with a glossary which explains unfamilar terms used in the text and a collection of teacher aids (literature references and audiovisual materials for utilization in further study).

Jacobs, K. C.↗

Satellite cloud climatology of summertime cumulus research areas

Defense Meteorological Satellite Program data available for the summer of 1974 was used to construct a cloud climatology of areas where weather modification experiments are currently being conducted or planned; the three High Plains Experiment sites at Colby, Kansas, Big Springs, Texas, and Miles City, Montana; South Park, Colorado, where the South Park Area Cumulus Experiment is being conducted; and the National Hail Research Experiment area in northeastern Colorado. Digital data tapes were produced from the transparencies, obtained from the sun-synchronous polar-orbiting satellite passing over the study areas at about 1200 local time, and a computer analysis was carried out, producing areas and numbers of clouds for each area and day as well as providing data for cumulative averages over selected time periods for each study area.

Stodt, R. W.↗