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NASA NTRS1987

H I detection survey of a complete magnitude-limited sample of dwarf irregular galaxies in the Virgo Cluster area

New single-beam Arecibo H I observations of 298 late-type galaxies in the Virgo Cluster drawn mostly from the new catalog of Binggeli, Sandage, and Tammann (1985) are presented. Two hundred seventeen of these constitute a magnitude-limited 'complete sample' of such galaxies, types Sdm through Im and BCD. Sixty-one percent of this 'complete sample' was detected, greatly enhancing the store of redshifts and H I masses for such galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. For detected galaxies, heliocentric velocities, 50 percent profile widths, and single-beam fluxes are presented. For those that escaped detection, upper limits are computed to the flux appropriate to the redshift range (-600 to +3000 km/s).

Hoffman, G. Lyle↗

NASA NTRS1986

The ill-posed nature of the satellite temperature retrieval problem and the limits of retrievability

The inverse problem of satellite temperature profile retrieval is well known to be ill-posed. This means that not only is a vertical temperature profile solution not unique, but that two solutions can be very different from each other. A set of atmosphere-like, and true atmospheric examples of significantly dissimilar inverse solutions, were sought and found, using an 11-channel simulated HIRS sounding radiometer. Using the Riemann-Lebesgue Lemma for guidance, it is shown that simultaneous, numerical solutions of an atmospheric character may differ by as much as 10 K between 10-1000 mb. However, an empirical search for dissimilar solutions in the natural atmosphere reveals an extremely low probability of finding two significantly different RAOBs which produce radiance measurements whose differences cannot be resolved by the satellite radiometer. The empirical results are used to derive a first estimate of the limits of retrievability, analogous to the limits of predictability derivable from the ill-posed nature of the numerical weather prediction problem.

Thompson, Owen E.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Limits on modes of lithospheric heat transport on Venus from impact crater density

Based on the observed density of impact craters on the Venus surface obtained from Venera 15-16 radar images, a formalism to estimate the upper bounds on the contributions made to lithospheric heat transport by volcanism and lithospheric recycling is presented. The Venera 15-16 data, if representative of the entire planet, limit the average rate of volcanic resurfacing on Venus to less than 2 cu km/yr (corresponding to less than 1 percent of the global heat loss), and limit the rate of lithospheric recycling to less than 1.5 sq km/yr (and probably to less than 0.5 sq km/yr), corresponding to 25 percent (and to 9 percent) of the global heat loss. The present results indicate that heat loss at lithospheric levels in Venus is dominated by conduction.

Grimm, Robert E.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Observations of and a new model for fetch-limited wave growth

The Surface Contour Radar (SCR) is a 36-GHz computer-controlled airborne radar which generates a false-color coded elevation map of the sea surface below the aircraft in real time. In the present paper, SCR observations are discussed which demonstrate the existence of a full developed sea state. These observations are used to judge the validity of growth rates for fetch-limited wave spectrum development and lead to new refinements in the modeling of wave generation by wind. It is noted that the observations have resolved an apparent paradox in the JONSWAP and Donelan et al. (1985) fetch-limited algorithms.

Walsh, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Space infrared telescope facility wide field and diffraction limited array camera (IRAC)

The wide-field and diffraction limited array camera (IRAC) is capable of two-dimensional photometry in either a wide-field or diffraction-limited mode over the wavelength range from 2 to 30 microns with a possible extension to 120 microns. A low-doped indium antimonide detector was developed for 1.8 to 5.0 microns, detectors were tested and optimized for the entire 1.8 to 30 micron range, beamsplitters were developed and tested for the 1.8 to 30 micron range, and tradeoff studies of the camera's optical system performed. Data are presented on the performance of InSb, Si:In, Si:Ga, and Si:Sb array detectors bumpbonded to a multiplexed CMOS readout chip of the source-follower type at SIRTF operating backgrounds (equal to or less than 1 x 10 to the 8th ph/sq cm/sec) and temperature (4 to 12 K). Some results at higher temperatures are also presented for comparison to SIRTF temperature results. Data are also presented on the performance of IRAC beamsplitters at room temperature at both 0 and 45 deg angle of incidence and on the performance of the all-reflecting optical system baselined for the camera.

Fazio, Giovanni G.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Revised upper limit on the internal magnetic moment of Venus

Over four Venus years of low altitude nightside PVO magnetometer observations are used to establish a new upper limit for the magnetic moment of Venus. Improvements over previous studies include data coverage and new instrument calibration information. The upper limit on an internal dipole moment is determined to be 8.4 x 10 to the 10th T cu m.

Phillips, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Thermal limit cycles in supermassive accretion disks

Interpretations of the quasi-periodic outbursts of dwarf novae in terms of a thermal-viscous limit cycle mechanism operating in the accretion disk are discussed. Numerical solutions to vertical equilibrium equations are used to show that the limit cycle mechanism should occur in supermassive disks. The mechanism acts as a gate that modulates the rate of accretion reaching small radii, where most of the luminosity is produced. Formulas are derived for the period and outburst luminosity in terms of the black hole mass and the radius at which the unstable zone occurs.

Shields, G. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Criteria for the limit cycle mechanism

The limit cycle accretion disk mechanism originally proposed to account for periodic eruptions seen in dwarf novae (interacting binaries with orbital periods of a few hours) has been shown to have a wide potential for application. General criteria for the presence of the limit cycle in disks with either dominant self-gravity or central object gravity, and with flux transport either by radiation or convection are discussed. The analytic criteria derived agree qualitatively with numerical studies.

Cannizzo, J. K.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Gamma-ray limits on Na-22 production in novae

Data accumulated from 1980 to 1987 by the gamma-ray spectrometer aboard the SMM are analyzed to search for annual increases at 1.275 MeV as evidence of Na-22 decay in the Galactic center region and in the ejecta of recent individual novae. No evidence of any 1.275 MeV emission of celestial origin is found. A limit of 3 x 10 to the -6th solar mass is placed on the accumulated Na-22 from many novae occurring near the Galactic center, and a limit of 7 x 10 to the -7th solar mass is placed on the mass of Na-22 ejected by the closest of the recent neon-rich novae.

Leising, Mark D.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Limiting depth of magnetization in cratonic lithosphere

Values of magnetic susceptibility and natural remanent magnetization (NRM) of clino-pyroxene-garnet-plagioclase granulite facies lower crustal xenoliths from a kimberlite in west Africa are correlated to bulk geochemistry and specific gravity. Thermomagnetic and alternating-field demagnetization analyses identify magnetite (Mt) and native iron as the dominant magnetic phases (totaling not more than 0.1 vol pct of the rocks) along with subsidiary sulfides. Oxidation states of the granulites are not greater than MW, observed Mt occurs as rims on coarse (about 1 micron) Fe particles, and inferred single domain-pseudosingle domain Mt may be a result of oxidation of fine-grained Fe. The deepest limit of lithospheric ferromagnetism is 95 km, but a limit of 70 km is most reasonable for the West African Craton and for modeling Magsat anomalies over exposed Precambrian shields.

Toft, Paul B.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Noise-margin limitations on gallium-arsenide VLSI

Two factors which limit the complexity of GaAs MESFET VLSI circuits are considered. Power dissipation sets an upper complexity limit for a given logic circuit implementation and thermal design. Uniformity of device characteristics and the circuit configuration determines the electrical functional yield. Projection of VLSI complexity based on these factors indicates that logic chips of 15,000 gates are feasible with the most promising static circuits if a maximum power dissipation of 5 W per chip is assumed. While lower power per gate and therefore more gates per chip can be obtained by using a popular E/D FET circuit, yields are shown to be small when practical device parameter tolerances are applied. Further improvements in materials, devices, and circuits wil be needed to extend circuit complexity to the range currently dominated by silicon.

Long, Stephen I.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Grammians and model reduction in limited time and frequency intervals

In this paper the controllability and observability grammians in limited time and frequency intervals are studied, and used for model reduction. In balanced and modal coordinates a near-optimal reduction procedure is developed, yielding the reduction error (norm of the difference between the output of the original system and the reduced model) almost minimal. Several examples are given to illustrate the concept for model reduction of continuous- and discrete-time systems, stable and unstable systems, in limited tim or/and frequency interval. Finally, the model reduction of a flexible truss structure is presented.

Gawronski, Wodek↗

NASA NTRS1988

Performance limits for optimal microburst encounter

An effort has been made to ascertain the envelope-edges for uneventful aircraft penetrations of microburst windshears on the basis of optimal aircraft control strategies. Over 1100 such trajectories have been computed for contemporary airliners and general aviation aircraft, in the case of idealized microbursts, using a successive quadratic program trajectory optimization algorithm able to directly handle inequality constraints. Variations of optimal performance with microburst type, intensity, length scale, and location, define performance limits; these limits fall into short, intermediate, and long microburst length scale regimes. The ability to safely transit a microburst also varies strongly with microburst location.

Psiaki, Mark L.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Performance of lightweight manipulators under joint variable feedback control - Analytical study of limitations

The performance limitations of joint-variable-feedback-controlled manipulators due to manipulator flexibility are studied in fine and gross motions. A finite-dimensional time-domain manipulator model is used in the study. Fine-motion analysis results agree very well with the previously reported results of infinite-dimensional frequency-domain models. The limitations of a class of adaptive controllers in high-speed gross motion control are studied. Manipulation speeds are quantified as low, medium, or high with reference to the arm flexibility and dynamic nonlinearities.

Cetinkunt, Sabri↗

NASA NTRS1989

A new method for analysis of limit cycle behavior of the NASA/JPL 70-meter antenna axis servos

A piecewise linear method of analyzing the effects of discontinuous nonlinearities on control system performance is described. The limit cycle oscillatory behavior of the system resulting from the nonlinearities is described in terms of a sequence of linear system transient responses. The equations are derived which relate the initial and the terminal conditions of successive transients and the boundary conditions imposed by the non-linearities. The method leads to a convenient computation algorithm for prediction of limit cycle characteristics resulting from discontinuous nonlinearities such as friction, deadzones, and hysteresis.

Hill, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

On the outburst recurrence time for the accretion disk limit cycle mechanism in dwarf novae

An attempt is made here to elucidate the dwarf nova outburst time scale in terms of basic physics, and to place limits on the model by using the observed recurrence times. A simple analytical model is developed to describe the limit cycle process, and an expression is obtained for the interval between eruptions. It is shown that the smallness of the amount of mass accreted onto the central white dwarf during eruption can be explained in terms of the propagation of heating and cooling fronts. The dependency of the fraction of the disk mass accreted on the model parameters is derived, and the result is used to construct a semianalytic expression for the recurrence time.

Cannizzo, John K.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Upper limits to the high-energy gamma-ray and hard X-ray flux from SN 1987A on day 55

A balloon-borne experiment was carried out on April 19, 1987 from Alice Springs, Australia to detect high-energy gamma-rays and hard X-rays from the supernova SN 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud. An optical spark chamber for measuring the high-energy gamma-rays and a multiwire proportional counter for measuring the hard X-rays shared a common balloon platform. No positive emission was observed by either detector. The gamma-ray upper limit obtained indicates that either the expanding supernova shell was opaque to gamma-rays at the time of the flight, or that the supernova cosmic ray luminosity was less than about 10 to the 40th erg/s. The X-ray upper limit obtained confirms the opacity of the shell to Comptonized hard X-rays.

Sood, R. K.↗

NASA NTRS1989

A basic limitation of the split window method for SST retrievals when applied to a wide range of water vapor conditions

The split window method for retrieving sea surface temperatures (SST) from satellite-based observations is evaluated from radiative transfer calculations, and shown to have an inherent limitation that arises from a linear assumption in the correction scheme. This general limitation leads to significant errors (of several degrees in some cases) in the retrieved SST; the theoretical basis for the error is examined.

Hagan, Denise E.↗