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At least 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Alternative methods to smooth the Earth's gravity field

Convolutions on the sphere with corresponding convolution theorems are developed for one and two dimensional functions. Some of these results are used in a study of isotropic smoothing operators or filters. Well known filters in Fourier spectral analysis, such as the rectangular, Gaussian, and Hanning filters, are adapted for data on a sphere. The low-pass filter most often used on gravity data is the rectangular (or Pellinen) filter. However, its spectrum has relatively large sidelobes; and therefore, this filter passes a considerable part of the upper end of the gravity spectrum. The spherical adaptations of the Gaussian and Hanning filters are more efficient in suppressing the high-frequency components of the gravity field since their frequency response functions are strongly field since their frequency response functions are strongly tapered at the high frequencies with no, or small, sidelobes. Formulas are given for practical implementation of these new filters.

Jekeli, C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Gravity fields of the terrestrial planets - Long-wavelength anomalies and tectonics

The paper discusses the gravity and topography data available for four terrestrial planets (earth, moon, Mars, and Venus), with particular emphasis on drawing inferences regarding the relationship of long-wavelength anomalies to tectonics. The discussion covers statistical analyses of global planetary gravity fields, relationship of gravity anomalies to elastic and viscoelastic models, relationship of gravity anomalies to convection models, finite strength, and isostasy (or the state of isostatic compensation). The cases of the earth and the moon are discussed in some detail. A summary of comparative planetology is presented.

Phillips, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Local Lunar Gravity Field Analysis over the South Pole-aitken Basin from SELENE Farside Tracking Data

We present a method with which we determined the local lunar gravity field model over the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin on the farside of the Moon by estimating adjustments to a global lunar gravity field model using SELENE tracking data. Our adjustments are expressed in localized functions concentrated over the SPA region in a spherical cap with a radius of 45deg centered at (191.1 deg E, 53.2 deg S), and the resolution is equivalent to a 150th degree and order spherical harmonics expansion. The new solution over SPA was used in several applications of geophysical analysis. It shows an increased correlation with high-resolution lunar topography in the frequency band l = 40-70, and admittance values are slightly different and more leveled when compared to other, global gravity field models using the same data. The adjustments expressed in free-air anomalies and differences in Bouguer anomalies between the local solution and the a priori global solution correlate with topographic surface features. The Moho structure beneath the SPA basin is slightly modified in our solution, most notably at the southern rim of the Apollo basin and around the Zeeman crater

Lunar Gravity↗
NASA NTRS1996

A Model of the Chicxulub Impact Basin Based on Evaluation of Geophysical Data, Well Logs, and Drill Core Samples

Abundant evidence now shows that the buried Chicxulub structure in northern Yucatan, Mexico, is indeed the intensely sought-after source of the ejecta found world-wide at the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K/T) boundary. In addition to large-scale concentric patterns in gravity and magnetic data over the structure, recent analyses of drill-core samples reveal a lithological assemblage similar to that observed at other terrestrial craters. This assemblage comprises suevite breccias, ejecta deposit breccias (Bunte Breccia equivalents), fine-grained impact melt rocks, and melt-matrix breccias. All these impact-produced lithologies contain diagnostic evidence of shock metamorphism, including planar deformation features in quartz, feldspar, and zircons; diaplectic glasses of quartz and feldspar; and fused mineral melts and whole-rock melts. In addition, elevated concentrations of Ir, Re, and Os, in meteoritic relative proportions, have been detected in some melt-rock samples from the center of the structure. Isotopic analyses, magnetization of melt-rock samples, and local stratigraphic constraints identify this crater as the source of K/T boundary deposits.

Sharpton, Virgil L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Modelling the gravity and magnetic field anomalies of the Chicxulub crater

The approximately 180-km-diameter Chicxulub crater lies buried by approximately 1 km of sediment on the northwestern corner of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Geophysical, stratigraphic and petrologic evidence support an impact origin for the structure and biostratigraphy suggests that a K/T age is possible for the impact. The crater's location is in agreement with constraints derived from proximal K/T impact-wave and ejecta deposits and its melt-rock is similar in composition to the K/T tektites. Radiometric dating of the melt rock reveals an age identical to that of the K/T tektites. The impact which produced the Chicxulub crater probably produced the K/T extinctions and understanding the now-buried crater will provide constraints on the impact's lethal effects. The outstanding preservation of the crater, the availability of detailed gravity and magnetic data sets, and the two-component target of carbonate/evaporites overlying silicate basement allow application of geophysical modeling techniques to explore the crater under most favorable circumstances. We have found that the main features of the gravity and magnetic field anomalies may be produced by the crater lithologies.

Aleman, C. Ortiz↗
NASA NTRS1989

An improved model for the Earth's gravity field

An improved model for the Earth's gravity field, TEG-1, was determined using data sets from fourteen satellites, spanning the inclination ranges from 15 to 115 deg, and global surface gravity anomaly data. The satellite measurements include laser ranging data, Doppler range-rate data, and satellite-to-ocean radar altimeter data measurements, which include the direct height measurement and the differenced measurements at ground track crossings (crossover measurements). Also determined was another gravity field model, TEG-1S, which included all the data sets in TEG-1 with the exception of direct altimeter data. The effort has included an intense scrutiny of the gravity field solution methodology. The estimated parameters included geopotential coefficients complete to degree and order 50 with selected higher order coefficients, ocean and solid Earth tide parameters, Doppler tracking station coordinates and the quasi-stationary sea surface topography. Extensive error analysis and calibration of the formal covariance matrix indicate that the gravity field model is a significant improvement over previous models and can be used for general applications in geodesy.

Tapley, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Experimental Heat Transfer Results and Flow Visualization of Vertical Upflow Boiling in Earth Gravity with Subcooled Inlet Conditions – In Preparation for Experiments Onboard the International Space Station

Since 2012, researchers at the Purdue University Boiling and Two-Phase Flow Laboratory (PU-BTPFL) and NASA Glenn Research Center have been collaborating on a long-term effort to study flow boiling and condensation in microgravity. The ultimate goal has been to develop the Flow Boiling and Condensation Experiment (FBCE) for the International Space Station (ISS). Based on the findings from prior flow boiling experiments both at different orientations in Earth gravity and onboard parabolic flights simulating short durations of microgravity, a final refined experiment design, construction, and operating procedure have been arrived at for long-duration microgravity flow boiling experiments onboard the ISS. This study investigates flow boiling of n-Perfluorohexane with subcooled inlet in a rectangular channel of dimensions 114.6 mm heated length, 2.5 mm width, and 5 mm height. These pre-launch experiments (Mission Sequence Testing) were conducted in vertical upflow orientation in Earth gravity using the same experimental rig that was launched to the ISS in August 2021. The various operating parameters varied are heating configuration (single- and double-sided), mass velocity (180 – 3200 kg/m2s), inlet subcooling (+0 – 32°C, encompassing both highly subcooled and near-saturated inlet conditions), and inlet pressure (119 – 191 kPa). High-speed video flow visualization images are presented to explain the two-phase interfacial physics within the channel’s heated section. Heat transfer results in terms of flow boiling curves, streamwise profiles of wall temperature and heat transfer coefficient, and averaged heat transfer coefficients are analyzed and parametric effects elucidated. Severe temporal thermodynamic equilibrium is observed for near-saturated inlet at very low velocities. Nucleate boiling degradation starts at larger heat fluxes for single-sided heating than double sided at low mass velocities with highly subcooled inlet, and conversely at high mass velocities with near-saturated inlet. Nucleate boiling degradation can be delayed to higher heat fluxes by highly subcooling the inlet and increasing mass velocity. The entire local heat transfer coefficient profiles are degraded at higher heat fluxes for near-saturated inlet, but only the downstream part for highly subcooled inlet. This study also confirmed reliability of the upcoming ISS experimental data for subcooled inlet conditions and the collected Earth-gravity data will be used for comparison against the ISS data.

flow boiling↗
NASA NTRS2003

Gravity Models from CHAMP and other Satellite Data

CHAMP spacecraft is the first of a series of new spacecraft missions that are revolutionizing our ability to model the Earth's geopotential. We report on the analysis of over 100 days of CHAMP data in 2001 and 2002, merged with tracking data of other satellites such as Jason, Topex, GFO, Starlette, Stella, Spot-2, as well as satellite altimetry. We find that the CHAMP-only component of these solutions is a significant improvement over pre-CHAMP satellite only models with respect to the high degree information expressed by the geopotential model coefficients. For example, the variance of the differences with altimeter-derived anomalies through degree 70 is 2.80 mGal(sup 2) for the CHAMP-only solution based on 87 days of data vs. 10.19 mGal(sup 2) for EGM96S. Nonetheless, in order to model properly the various resonances to which different satellites are sensitive, we must include other satellite data. We evaluate the performance of these new CHAMP derived solutions with EGM96 and the EIGEN series of solutions. We review carefully the performance of these models for altimetric satellites.

Lemoime, Frank G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Planetary Interior Modeling and Tectonic Implications

A technique is described for estimating spectral admittance functions using Pioneer Venus gravity and topography data. These admittance functions provide a convenient means to carry out systematic geophysical studies over much of the surface of Venus with a variety of interior density models. The admittance functions are calculated in the observation space of line-of-sight (LOS) gravity. Both closed and open system petrological models are considered for the Tharsis region of Mars. An analytic theory for isostatic compensation on one-plate planet is applied, including membrane stresses in the lithosphere, self gravitation, and rotational ellipticity. Crucial to this stress modeling and also to the petrological modeling is the observation that the earliest fracturing seen in the Tharsis region is associated with isostatic stresses. The radial fractures that extend far from Tharsis are associated with an additional and/or a completely different mechanism.

Phillips, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Two-Pendulum Model of Propellant Slosh in Europa Clipper PMD Tank

The objective of this fluids analysis is to model propellant slosh for the Europa Clipper mission using a two-pendulum model, such that controls engineers can predict slosh behavior during the mission. Propellant slosh causes shifts in center of mass and exerts forces and torques on the spacecraft which, if not adequately controlled, can lead to mission failure. The two-pendulum model provides a computationally simple model that can be used to predict slosh for the Europa Clipper tank geometry. The Europa Clipper tank is cylindrical with a domed top and bottom and includes a propellant management device (PMD). Due to the lack of experimental data in low gravity environments, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation results were used as 'real' slosh behavior for two propellants at three fill fractions. Key pendulum parameters were derived that allow the pendulum model's center of mass, forces, and moments to closely match the CFD data. The parameter trends were examined as a function of tank fill fraction and compared with solutions to analytic equations that describe the frequency of slosh in tanks with simple geometries. The trends were monotonic as expected, and parameters resembled analytical predictions; any differences could be explained by the specific differences in the geometry of the tank. This paper summarizes the new method developed at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for deriving pendulum parameters for two-pendulum equivalent sloshing models. It presents the results of this method and discusses the validity of the results. This analysis is at a completed stage and will be applied in the immediate future to the evolving tank geometry as Europa Clipper moves past its preliminary design review (PDR) phase.

Propellant Slosh↗
NASA NTRS1989

Downward continuation of the free-air gravity anomalies to the ellipsoid using the gradient solution and terrain correction: An attempt of global numerical computations

The formulas for the determination of the coefficients of the spherical harmonic expansion of the disturbing potential of the earth are defined for data given on a sphere. In order to determine the spherical harmonic coefficients, the gravity anomalies have to be analytically downward continued from the earth's surface to a sphere-at least to the ellipsoid. The goal is to continue the gravity anomalies from the earth's surface downward to the ellipsoid using recent elevation models. The basic method for the downward continuation is the gradient solution (the g sub 1 term). The terrain correction was also computed because of the role it can play as a correction term when calculating harmonic coefficients from surface gravity data. The fast Fourier transformation was applied to the computations.

Wang, Y. M.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Equatorial Dynamics Observed by Rocket, Radar, and Satellite During the CADRE/MALTED Campaign: Programmatics and small-scale fluctuations - 1

In August 1994, the Mesospheric and Lower Thermospheric Equatorial Dynamics (MALTED) Program was conducted from the Alcantara rocket site in northeastern Brazil as part of the International Guard Rocket Campaign to study equatorial dynamics, irregularities, and instabilities in the ionosphere. This site was selected because of its proximity to the geographic (2.3 deg S) and magnetic (approx. 0.5 deg S) equators. MALTED was concerned with planetary wave modulation of the diurnal tidal amplitude, which exhibits considerable amplitude variability at equatorial and subtropical latitudes. Our goals were to study this global modulation of the tidal motions where tidal influences on the thermal structure are maximum, to study the interaction of these tidal structures with gravity waves and turbulence at mesopause altitudes, and to gain a better understanding of dynamic influences and variability on the equatorial middle atmosphere. Four (two daytime and two nighttime) identical Nike-Orion payloads designed to investigate small-scale turbulence and irregularities were coordinated with 20 meteorological falling-sphere rockets designed to measure temperature and wind fields during a 10-day period. These in situ measurements were coordinated with observations of global-scale mesospheric motions that were provided by various ground based radars and the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) through the Coupling and Dynamics of Regions Equatorial (CADRE) campaign. The ground-based observatories included the Jicamarca radar observatory near Lima, Peru, and medium frequency (MF) radars in Hawaii, Christmas Island, and Adelaide. Since all four Nike-Orion flights penetrated and overflew the electrojet with apogees near 125 km, these flights provided additional information about the electrodynamics and irregularities in the equatorial ionospheric E region and may provide information on wave coupling between the mesosphere and the electrojet. Simultaneous with these flights, the CUPRI 50-MHz radar (Cornell University) provided local sounding of the electrojet region. A description of the campaign logistics and the measurements performed with the Nike-Orion instrumentation and their implications for turbulence due to gravity waves and tidal instability in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) are presented here. From a study of electron density fluctuations measured by rocket probes, we have found evidence for equatorial mesospheric neutral-atmospheric turbulence between 85 and 90 km. Furthermore, falling-sphere data imply that gravity wave breaking was a source for this turbulence. Mean motions and the various planetary, tidal, and gravity wave structures and their coherence and variability are the subjects of a companion paper.

Goldberg, Richard A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Model-data comparisons of moments of nonbreaking shoaling surface gravity waves

The predictions of linear and nonlinear (Boussinesq) shoaling wave models for nonbreaking unidirectional surface gravity waves are compared to field observations, with particular emphasis on quantities that may be important for cross-shore sediment transport. The extensive data sets were obtained on two natural beaches, span water depths between 1 and 10 m, and include incident wave power spectra with narrow, broad, and bimodal shapes. Significant wave heights varied between approximately 30 and 100 cm, and peak periods between approximately 8 and 18 s. The evolution of total variances of sea surface elevation, cross-shore velocity, and horizontal acceleration is modeled at least qualitatively well by both linear and nonlinear theories. Only the nonlinear theory predicts the increasingly asymmetric sea surface elevations and horizontal velocities (pitched-forward wave shapes) and the weaker variation of skewness (difference between crest and trough profiles) which are observed to occur during shoaling. The nonlinear theory also models qualitatively well the large skewed accelerations which occur during the passage of asymmetric waves.

Elgar, Steve↗
NASA NTRS2002

Models to study gravitational biology of Mammalian reproduction

Mammalian reproduction evolved within Earth's 1-g gravitational field. As we move closer to the reality of space habitation, there is growing scientific interest in how different gravitational states influence reproduction in mammals. Habitation of space and extended spaceflight missions require prolonged exposure to decreased gravity (hypogravity, i.e., weightlessness). Lift-off and re-entry of the spacecraft are associated with exposure to increased gravity (hypergravity). Existing data suggest that spaceflight is associated with a constellation of changes in reproductive physiology and function. However, limited spaceflight opportunities and confounding effects of various nongravitational factors associated with spaceflight (i.e., radiation, stress) have led to the development of ground-based models for studying the effects of altered gravity on biological systems. Human bed rest and rodent hindlimb unloading paradigms are used to study exposure to hypogravity. Centrifugation is used to study hypergravity. Here, we review the results of spaceflight and ground-based models of altered gravity on reproductive physiology. Studies utilizing ground-based models that simulate hyper- and hypogravity have produced reproductive results similar to those obtained from spaceflight and are contributing new information on biological responses across the gravity continuum, thereby confirming the appropriateness of these models for studying reproductive responses to altered gravity and the underlying mechanisms of these responses. Together, these unique tools are yielding new insights into the gravitational biology of reproduction in mammals.

Review, Tutorial↗
NASA NTRS2005

The Use of Mascons to Resolve Time-Variable Gravity from GRACE

We have analyzed GRACE Level 1B data to resolve time-variable gravity using a local mascon approach. The spherical harmonic solutions released to date resolve the signal from surface hydrology over land areas at spatial scales of 750 to 1000 km over one month intervals [Wahr et al., 2004; Tapley et al., 2004]. In our local approach, we solve explicitly for the mass of water in surface blocks using only the KBRR data collected as GRACE overflies the region of interest. The local representation of gravity minimizes leakage of errors from other areas due to aliasing or mismodelling. In this paper, we report on the analysis of GRACE data from January 2003 through August 2004 over three regions: the Amazon, the Indian subcontinent, and the continental United States. We solve for mass change at 10-day intervals using 4 deg x 4 deg blocks. We give an overview of our latest results, and we present the results of error analyses, and comparisons to both hydrology models and in-situ data.

Lemoine, Frank G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Detailed 1 x 1 deg gravimetric Indian Ocean geoid and comparison with GEOS-3 radar altimeter geoid profiles

A new set of 1 x 1 deg mean free-air anomalies in the Indian Ocean is determined on the basis of previously published free-air anomaly maps (Talwani and Kahle, 1975) and the most recent Lamont surface ship gravity measurements. The data are then used to compute a (total) 1 x 1 deg gravimetric Indian Ocean geoid. The computation is carried out by combining the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) GEM-6 geoid and a difference geoid that corresponds to the differences between the set of 1 x 1 deg surface gravity values and the GEM-6 gravity anomalies. The difference geoid is highest over the Madagascar Ridge (+20 m) and lowest over the Timor Trough (-30 m). The total geoid is compared with GEOS-3 radar altimeter-derived geoid profiles, and geophysical implications are discussed.

Kahle, H.-G.↗