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At least 451 records · Page 25

Mapping a recent forest fire with ERTS-1 MSS data

Accurate fire boundary delineation provides essential information to forest managers in allocating suppression costs and planning regeneration efforts. The objective of this study was to test the capability of computer-aided analysis of ERTS-1 MSS data to accurately define the boundary of a recent forest fire and to discriminate spectral classes within the perimeter. Two frames of ERTS-1 MSS data were selected for analysis of the Moccasin Mesa Fire in Mesa Verde National Park. Data sets were collected one-half growing season and one full growing season after the fire. Results indicate that computer-aided analysis of ERTS-1 MSS data has the capability for accurately delineating fire boundaries and determining acreage of the burned area. Distinct spectral classes may also be defined within the fire perimeter.

Hitchcock, H. C.↗

Computer analysis and mapping of gypsy moth levels in Pennsylvania using LANDSAT-1 digital data

The effectiveness of using LANDSAT-1 multispectral digital data and imagery, supplemented by ground truth and aerial photography, was investigated as a new method of surveying gypsy moth (Porthetria dispar (L.)) (Lepidoptera; Lymantriidae) defoliation, which has greatly increased in Pennsylvania in recent years. Since the acreage and severity of gypsy moth defoliation reaches a peak from mid-June through the first few days of July, the July 8, 1973, LANDSAT-1 scene was chosen for analysis. Results indicate that LANDSAT-1 data can be used to discriminate between defoliated and healthy vegetation in Pennsylvania and that digital processing methods can be used to map the extent and degree of defoliation.

Williams, D. L.↗

The use of LANDSAT-1 imagery in mapping and managing soil and range resources in the Sand Hills region of Nebraska

The author has identified the following significant results. Evaluation of ERTS-1 imagery for the Sand Hills region of Nebraska has shown that the data can be used to effectively measure several parameters of inventory needs. (1) Vegetative biomass can be estimated with a high degree of confidence using computer compatable tape data. (2) Soils can be mapped to the subgroup level with high altitude aircraft color infrared photography and to the association level with multitemporal ERTS-1 imagery. (3) Water quality in Sand Hills lakes can be estimated utilizing computer compatable tape data. (4) Center pivot irrigation can be inventoried from satellite data and can be monitored regarding site selection and relative success of establishment from high altitude aircraft color infrared photography. (5) ERTS-1 data is of exceptional value in wide-area inventory of natural resource data in the Sand Hills region of Nebraska.

Seevers, P. M.↗

New results from long-term observations of Cyg X-1

Observations of Cyg X-1 between October 1974 and July 1975 reveal a persistent 5.6 day modulation of the 3-6 keV X-ray intensity, having a minimum in phase with superior conjunction of the HDE 226868 binary system. The modulation is found to be most pronounced just prior to the April-May 1975 increase of Cyg X-1, after which both the modulation and intensity are at their lowest values for the entire duration of the observations. These data imply that the X-ray emission from Cyg X-1 arises from the compact member of HDE 226868, and that the increase of April-May 1975 may have represented the depletion of accreting material which had not yet been mixed into a cylindrically symmetric accretion disk about the compact member.

Holt, S. S.↗

Absorption dips at low X-ray energies in Cygnus X-1

Absorbing material in Cygnus X-1 jitters near the line joining the two stars, out of the orbital plane is described. Three looks with the Copernicus satellite at Cygnus X-1 have produced four examples of absorption dips (decreases in the 2 to 7 keV flux from Cygnus X-1 with an increase of spectral hardness consistent with photoelectric absorption).

Murdin, P. G.↗

New results from long-term observations of Cygnus X-1

Observations of Cyg X-1 between October 1974 and July 1975 reveal a persistent 5.6-day modulation of the 3-6 keV X-ray intensity, having a minimum in phase with superior conjunction of the HDE 226868 binary system. The modulation is found to be most pronounced just prior to the April-May 1975 increase of Cyg X-1, after which both the modulation and intensity are at their lowest values for the entire duration of the observations. These data imply that the X-ray emission from Cyg X-1 arises from the compact member of HDE 226868, and that the increase of April-May 1975 may have represented the depletion of accreting material which had not yet been mixed into a cylindrically symmetric accretion disk about the compact member.

Holt, S. S.↗

A study of a multiple Cray-1 for fluid mechanics simulation

A study of the performance of the CRAY-1 and its architectural extensions was performed on 2-D and 3-D codes for the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations describing aerodynamic fluid flow. A standard 2-D code was benchmarked on the CRAY-1 and a preliminary version of a simulator of the CRAY-1 was programmed.

Calahan, D. A.↗

Monitoring coastal water properties and current circulation with ERTS-1

Imagery and digital tapes from nine successful ERTS-1 passes over Delaware Bay during different portions of the tidal cycle were analyzed with special emphasis on turbidity, current circulation, waste disposal plumes, and convergent boundaries between different water masses. ERTS-1 image radiance correlated well with Secchi depth and suspended sediment concentration. Circulation patterns observed by ERTS-1 during different parts of the tidal cycle, agreed well with predicted and measured currents throughout Delaware Bay.

Klemas, V.↗

Upper limits on the cyclotron lines from Her X-1 as observed with OSO-8

Observations of Her X-1 were obtained during its ON-state in September, 1977, with the high-energy X-ray detector on board OSO-8. Upper limits on the line fluxes at 60 and 135 keV based on these observations are above, and hence consistent with, the positive results reported by Trumper, et al from a balloon flight during the same time interval. A detailed analysis of the time-variable et al background spectrum suggests that the line emission, especially in the time-averaged spectrum of Her X-1 previously reported by other workers at 25, 60, and 135 keV, is due to instrumental effects. The spectrum obtained with OSO-8 in September, 1977, is considerably steeper than that observed in pre-1976 balloon flights. These results are consistent with the results obtained by Trumper showing a decrease in the effective temperature of Her X-1 between May, 1976, and September, 1977.

Dennis, B. R.↗

Pulse profile and refined orbital elements for SMC X-1

Results of a reanalysis of SAS-3 data for SMC X-1, including greatly improved orbital elements, are presented. These elements, when combined with newly available data for the optical companion, Sk 160, yield improved estimates for the masses of SMC X-1 and Sk 160. A significant rate of change of intrinsic pulse period is detected during the course of the four-day observation which is consistent with the average value that was previously deduced from observations separated by 5 years. The X-ray pulse profile, averaged over one orbital cycle and with approximately 15-ms time resolution, is also presented. The pulse profile is found to be constant to within statistics, as a function of orbital phase. The implications of the small observed eccentricities of SMC X-1 and other binary X-ray pulsar systems are discussed.

Primini, F.↗

Simultaneous X-ray and optical observations of the flaring X-ray source, Aquila A-1

During the summer of 1978 the recurrent transient X-ray source, Aquila X-1, underwent its first major outburst in two years. The results of extensive observations at X-ray and optical wavelengths throughout this event, which lasted for approximately two months are presented. The peak X-ray luminosity was approximately 1.3 times that of the Crab and exhibited spectral dependent flickering on timescales approximately 5 minutes. The observations are interpreted in terms of a standard accretion disk model withparticular emphasis on the similarities to Sco X-1 and other dward X-ray systems, although the transient nature of the system remains unexplained. It was found that Aquila X-1 can be described adequately by the semi-detached Roche lobe model and yields a mass ratio of less than or approximate to 3.5.

Bowyer, C. S.↗

LMC X-1, X-2, and X-3 - Precise positions from the HEAO 1 modulation collimator

Precise (to about 20 arcsec) positions are reported for the Large Magellanic Cloud X-ray sources LMC X-1, X-2, and X-3, determined with the HEAO 1 scanning modulation collimator. The error regions for LMC X-1 and X-3 contain, respectively, the B5 supergiant R148 and a possibly variable B III-IV star. Spectra taken of the latter confirm the spectral type and show that it is a member of the LMC. A search for a previously reported extended component of LMC X-1 yields upper limits which exclude it.

Johnston, M. D.↗

Detection of soft X-ray emission from SMC X-1

The observation of 0.25-keV X-rays from SMC X-1 by a soft X-ray experiment aboard OSO 8 is reported. The variable soft X-ray source observed is identified with the hard X-ray source SMC X-1 on the basis of a rather abrupt ending to the emission (fall time about 2.5 hr) at the time SMC X-1 was expected to enter eclipse. A source luminosity of about 5 x 10 to the 38th erg/s in the 0.18-0.28-keV range is derived by assuming a distance of 68 kpc and correcting for attenuation by 3.4 x 10 to the 20th H atoms per sq cm of intervening galactic gas; this luminosity is shown to be about a factor of 40 greater than the observed coincident luminosity in the 0.8-3-keV band. The soft X-ray intensity upon emergence from eclipse is found to be reduced by a factor of at least 20 from the peak intensity prior to eclipse. It is suggested that this asymmetry may reflect a geometry in which the soft X-ray source trails the compact star as in an accretion-stream model.

Bunner, A. N.↗

The first search for X-ray polarization in the Centaurus X-3 and Hercules X-1 pulsars

The first search for X-ray polarization in the Cen X-3 and Her X-1 pulsars was performed by the OSO 8 polarimeters in 1975 July and 1975 August, respectively. Three-sigma upper limits to the polarization in Cen X-3 of 13.5% and 19% at 2.6 keV and 5.2 keV, respectively, were obtained when the data were averaged over the pulse and binary periods. The upper limit for Her X-1 at 2.6 keV is 60%. A search for pulse-phase dependent X-ray polarization from both objects was also performed. At the 91% confidence level, emission from Cen X-3 exhibits evidence for X-ray polarization at 2.6 keV that varies with pulse phase. Upper limits to polarization are presented for the leading and trailing edges and peak of the Her X-1 pulse at 2.6 keV.

Silver, E. H.↗

The HEAO-1 neutron star timing experiment

The HEAO-1 neutron star timing experiment is presented. The scientific motivation for the experiment, the reasons for the choice of Her X-1 and Vela X-1 as promising sources to study, the methodology, and the current status of the experiment are summarized.

Lamb, F. K.↗

STS-1 operational flight profile. Volume 5: Descent, cycle 3. Appendix C: Monte Carlo dispersion analysis

The results of three nonlinear the Monte Carlo dispersion analyses for the Space Transportation System 1 Flight (STS-1) Orbiter Descent Operational Flight Profile, Cycle 3 are presented. Fifty randomly selected simulation for the end of mission (EOM) descent, the abort once around (AOA) descent targeted line are steep target line, and the AOA descent targeted to the shallow target line are analyzed. These analyses compare the flight environment with system and operational constraints on the flight environment and in some cases use simplified system models as an aid in assessing the STS-1 descent flight profile. In addition, descent flight envelops are provided as a data base for use by system specialists to determine the flight readiness for STS-1. The results of these dispersion analyses supersede results of the dispersion analysis previously documented.

Source record↗

Wallops waveform analysis of SEASAT-1 radar altimeter data

Fitting a six parameter model waveform to over ocean experimental data from the waveform samplers in the SEASAT-1 radar altimeter is described. The fitted parameters include a waveform risetime, skewness, and track point; from these can be obtained estimates of the ocean surface significant waveheight, the surface skewness, and a correction to the altimeter's on board altitude measurement, respectively. Among the difficulties encountered are waveform sampler gains differing from calibration mode data, and incorporating the actual SEASAT-1 sampled point target response in the fitted wave form. There are problems in using the spacecraft derived attitude angle estimates, and a different attitude estimator is developed. Points raised in this report have consequences for the SEASAT-1 radar altimeter's ocean surface measurements are for the design and calibration of radar altimeters in future oceanographic satellites.

Hayne, G. S.↗

STS-1 Nominal Cycle 3 March/April Launch, Ascent Base Convective Heating Environments

Ascent base convective heating environments were determined for the nominal ascent trajectory for the STS-1 Cycle 3 March/April launch period. Both first and second stage environments are defined for all base heating DFI locations and design body points of interest. An identical format to the STS-1 dispersed trajectory environment was followed throughout. As expected, STS-1 nominal environments are generally less severe than those determined for the high loft and low loft dispersed trajectory conditions. The reduction in cold wall heating with the nominal trajectory varies for each base location analyzed, but, in general, was approximately twenty percent.

Bender, R. L., Jr.↗