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At least 55 records · Page 3

Validation of Satellite Snow Cover Maps in North America and Norway

Satellite-derived snow maps from NASA's Earth Observing System Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have been produced since February of 2000. The global maps are available daily at 500-m resolution, and at a climate-modeling grid (CMG) resolution of 1/20 deg (approximately 5.6 km). We compared the 8-day composite CMG MODIS-derived global maps from November 1,2001, through March 21,2002, and daily CMG maps from February 26 - March 5,2002, with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Interactive Multisensor Snow and Ice Mapping System (IMS) 25-km resolution maps for North America. For the Norwegian study area, national snow maps, based on synoptic measurements as well as visual interpretation of AVHRR images, published by the Det Norske Meteorologiske Institutt (Norwegian Meteorological Institute) (MI) maps, as well as Landsat ETM+ images were compared with the MODIS maps. The MODIS-derived maps agreed over most areas with the IMS or MI maps, however, there are important areas of disagreement between the maps, especially when the 8-day composite maps were used. It is concluded that MODIS daily CMG maps should be studied for validation purposes rather than the 8-day composite maps, despite the limitations imposed by cloud obscuration when using the daily maps.

Hall, Dorothy K.↗

NORSEX 1979 microwave remote sensing data report

Airborne microwave remote sensing measurements obtained by NASA Langley Research Center in support of the 1979 Norwegian Remote Sensing Experiment (NORSEX) are summarized. The objectives of NORSEX were to investigate the capabilities of an active/passive microwave system to measure ice concentration and type in the vicinity of the marginal ice zone near Svalbard, Norway and to apply microwave techniques to the investigation of a thermal oceanic front near Bear Island, Norway. The instruments used during NORSEX include the stepped frequency microwave radiometer, airborne microwave scatterometer, precision radiation thermometer and metric aerial photography. The data are inventoried, summarized, and presented in a user-friendly format. Data summaries are presented as time-history plots which indicate when and where data were obtained as well as the sensor configuration. All data are available on nine-track computer tapes in card-image format upon request to the NASA Langley Technical Library.

Hennigar, H. F.↗

Electrodynamics, wind and temperature

This RTOP provides for correlative meteorological wind and temperature measurements with atmospheric electrodynamic measurements. Meteorological rocketsondes were launched as part of a number of electrodynamic investigations in Alaska, Norway, Peru, Sweden, and at the Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia. Measurements obtained as part of the MAC/Epsilon campaign during October 1987 from Andoya, Norway, were in conjunction with electric field, ion mobility, conductivity, and energy deposition studies. The measurements obtained between 30 and 90 km are to evaluate and correlate changes in the atmospheric electrical structure caused by the neutral wind and temperature, or changes in the neutral atmosphere resulting from electrical anomalies.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗

Long range geoid control through the European GPS traverse: Final results

The European north-south Global Positioning System (GPS)-traverse proposed by IAG SSG 3.88, should control and improve the European geoid. This traverse follows first order leveling lines, included in the United European Leveling Network. From May to August 1986 and in July 1987, the central and northern part of this traverse (approx. 3000 km) was observed using up to four TI 4100 receivers, covering Austria, Federal Republic of Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Both traverse parts contain 71 stations with distances of about 50 km. In addition, 8 stations have been occupied for overlapping connections, and traverse links were established for connecting the fundamental stations Wettzell (VLBI and SLR) and Onsala (VLBI). Final results show a GPS observation precision of a few cm for loops of some 100 km circumference. After transformation of the GPS results to geoid heights using the leveled heights, comparisons with different existing gravimetric geoid determinations including geopotential models were performed. In addition, new geopotential models complete to degree and order 360 tailored to gravity data in Europe, and gravimetric geoid solutions using 6 x 10' mean gravity anomalies were investigated. The comparison with GPS and leveling yields rms discrepancies of + or - 0.1...0.2 m over 1000 km traverse sections for the best solutions, but a strong slope is existing in Sweden and southern Norway in almost all solutions, which is probably caused by systematic errors in the available gravity data for Scandinavia. This is confirmed by a new geoid computation at the Danish Geodetic Institute where the slope has disappeared. If this new solution is taken for the northern traverse section and the best solution for the central part, the rms discrepancy reduces to approximately + or - 0.2 m over 3000 km. Thus, a + or - 10 (exp 7) relative height accuracy seems to be achievable over long distances with the GPS/leveling and the gravimetric geoid calculation techniques, applied in this experiment.

Torge, W.↗

Lidar measurements of polar stratospheric clouds during the 1989 airborne Arctic stratospheric expedition

The Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (AASE) was conducted during January to February 1989 from the Sola Air Station, Norway. As part of this expedition, the NASA Langley Research Center's multiwavelength airborne lidar system was flown on the NASA Ames Research Center's DC-8 aircraft to measure ozone (O3) and aerosol profiles in the region of the polar vortex. The lidar system simultaneously transmitted laser beams at 1064, 603, 311, and 301.5 nm to measure atmospheric scattering, polarization and O3 profiles. Long range flights were made between Stavanger, Norway, and the North Pole, and between 40 deg W and 20 deg E meridians. Eleven flights were made, each flight lasting an average of 10 hours covering about 8000 km. Atmospheric scattering ratios, aerosol polarizations, and aerosol scattering ratio wavelength dependences were derived from the lidar measurements to altitudes above 27 km. The details of the aerosol scattering properties of lidar observations in the IR, VIS, and UV regions are presented along with correlations with the national meteorological Center's temperature profiles.

Ismail, Syed↗

The cyclotron energization through auroral wave experiments (CENTAUR 2B)

The CENTAUR 2B mission, a dual payload program, is in many aspects the same as the previous missions from Cape Perry and Norway in 1985. It was planned that these payloads would be launched from Andoya, Norway, Nov. 1989 from the Universal II launcher. The payloads are identical, but would have been launched at different azimuths as far north and as far west as possible. Particle experiments include the angular resolving energy analyzer (AREA), the fast ion mass spectrometer (FIMS), the spectrographic particle images (SPI), and finally, the differential ion flux probe (DIFP). SwRI was responsible for the scientific payload, which includes the power supplies, the power supply interfacing, the manipulating of the data from the instruments to format it for the telemetry system, all mechanical structure and restraint mechanisms, and the payload subskin. The status of the various components of this program is given.

Winningham, J. D.↗

Ground-level detection of LF and MF high latitude terrestrial emissions

Two brief experimental campaigns have been conducted in Norway and in Alaska, using four commercial comunications receivers, to confirm the suspected existence of auroral phenomena-associated radio noise in the 100 kHz range. While the Alaskan experiment yielded signals attributable to auroral processes on nearly one-half of the nights monitored, the Norway data identified only one such event. A proposed geophysical observatory in Antarctica is noted to furnish an ideal platform for experiments of this type.

Benson, Robert F.↗

The Sulfur Dioxide Plume from the February 26, 2000 Eruption of Mt. Hekla, Iceland

The February 2000 fissure eruption of Mt. Hekla, Iceland was captured in sulfur dioxide data from the Earth Probe TOMS. A special algorithm is used to discriminate sulfur dioxide from ozone. The eruption began at 18:19 GMT on February 26, 2000 and was first viewed by TOMS at 09:55 GMT on February 27. The volcanic cloud at that time appeared as a very long and narrow arc extending west from the volcano in southern Iceland, then north across Greenland, and finally east towards Norway. The cloud altitude was reported from aircraft sightings and data to be above 10 km. The circulation of a ridge located north of Iceland produced the large arc shaped cloud. As the eruption is non-explosive the high altitude cloud contains little ash. Almost all the ash from the eruption fell out locally across Iceland. By February 29, the sulfur dioxide cloud had drifted eastward in a band along the Barents Sea coast of Norway and Russia. The analysis includes an assessment of the initial sulfur dioxide content and its rate of conversion to sulfate.

Krueger, Arlin J.↗

Evaluation of the Simulation of Arctic and Antarctic Sea Ice Coverages by Eleven Major Global Climate Models

Comparison of polar sea ice results from 11 major global climate models and satellite-derived observations for 1979-2004 reveals that each of the models is simulating seasonal cycles that are phased at least approximately correctly in both hemispheres. Each is also simulating various key aspects of the observed ice cover distributions, such as winter ice not only throughout the central Arctic basin but also throughout Hudson Bay, despite its relatively low latitudes. However, some of the models simulate too much ice, others too little ice (in some cases varying depending on hemisphere and/or season), and some match the observations better in one season versus another. Several models do noticeably better in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere, and one does noticeably better in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere all simulate monthly average ice extents to within +/-5.1 x 10(exp 6)sq km of the observed ice extent throughout the year; and in the Southern Hemisphere all except one simulate the monthly averages to within +/-6.3 x 10(exp 6) sq km of the observed values. All the models properly simulate a lack of winter ice to the west of Norway; however, most do not obtain as much absence of ice immediately north of Norway as the observations show, suggesting an under simulation of the North Atlantic Current. The spread in monthly averaged ice extents amongst the 11 model simulations is greater in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere and greatest in the Southern Hemisphere winter and spring.

Parksinson, Claire↗

Pathways of organic carbon oxidation in three continental margin sediments

We have combined several different methodologies to quantify rates of organic carbon mineralization by the various electron acceptors in sediments from the coast of Denmark and Norway. Rates of NH4+ and Sigma CO2 liberation sediment incubations were used with O2 penetration depths to conclude that O2 respiration accounted for only between 3.6-17.4% of the total organic carbon oxidation. Dentrification was limited to a narrow zone just below the depth of O2 penetration, and was not a major carbon oxidation pathway. The processes of Fe reduction, Mn reduction and sulfate reduction dominated organic carbon mineralization, but their relative significance varied depending on the sediment. Where high concentrations of Mn-oxide were found (3-4 wt% Mn), only Mn reduction occurred. With lower Mn oxide concentrations more typical of coastal sediments, Fe reduction and sulfate reduction were most important and of a similar magnitude. Overall, most of the measured O2 flux into the sediment was used to oxidized reduced inorganic species and not organic carbon. We suspect that the importance of O2 respiration in many coastal sediments has been overestimated, whereas metal oxide reduction (both Fe and Mn reduction) has probably been well underestimated.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

Low energy electron precipitation and the ionospheric F-region in and north of the auroral zone.

Use of low-elevation sounding rocket (Polar 1) in the exploration of the F region morphology in and north of the auroral zone over northern Norway. The rocket which moved over a horizontal distance of some 400 km inside the F region, monitored low-energy electron precipitation and various upper-atmosphere excitation and ionization processes. The latitudinal variations of the less than 1 keV energy electron fluxes showed excellent agreement with corresponding variations in the F-region electron density and the O I (6300 A) emission below the rocket, indicating that the low-energy electrons are the main sources for these phenomena at these high latitudes. An N2(+) (4278 A) arc was located near the decrease in the 40-keV electron fluxes. This arc was produced by a nearly monoenergetic influx of some 3-keV electrons. The expected luminosity profile derived from this energy spectrum differs significantly from the observed one, and possible explanations for the discrepancy are discussed.

Evans, D. S.↗

Major crustal fractures in the Baltic Shield

The author has identified the following significant results. Black and white prints and transparencies of images 1039-09315, 1039-09322, and 1040-09371 with all bands of MSS have been used for the analyses. Bands 4 and 5 reveal the major urban areas, agricultural and timbering areas, highways as well as airfields, and an open pit mine. Even the border between Norway and Finland is clearly visible. Lakes, rivers, and wet swamps were best discerned on IR bands 6 and 7. Block fields formed by frost action are best seen on bands 4 and 5. The ancient shoreline on image 1039-09322 is seen as a narrow block field on bands 4 and 5. The effects of the Quaternary ice sheet on the morphography can be seen quite well in the images. The peat bogs are best seen in band 5, but can also be traced in bands 6 and 7. Eskers, glaciofluvial deposits, and deltas are distinguishable in bands 4 and 5, but can be traced in places also in the IR bands. Fluvial deposits are seen in the image 1039-09322 in the valleys of the Tornio and Kemi Rivers. They are easily discerned in bands 4 and 5, evidently because of the cultivated fields and pasture lands. Bands 4, 5, and 6 of image 1039-09315 reveal parts of eskers and glaciofluvial deltas which are affected by eolian activity. It seems evident that ERTS-1 imagery will be a great help in mapping Quaternary features.

Tuominen, H. V.↗

Evaluation of glacier mass balance by observing variations in transient snowline positions

The author has identified the following significant results. The transient snowline on five outlet glaciers from the Jostedalsbreen ice-cap in Southwestern Norway could be determined from ERTS-1 image 1336-10260, when bands MSS 5, 6, and 7 were combined in an additive color viewer. The snowline was situated at a very low altitude at the time of imagery (24 June 1973) indicating that glacier melt was behind normal schedule, a fact that has a hydrologic bearing: one could expect less melt water in the streams. The idea to use ERTS-1 imagery in snowline determinations proved realistic and relatively easy to apply in practice. The method will be useful to estimate the glaciers' mass balance for large areas, provided some ground truth observations are made. Images from the end of the melt season are of course vital in this work.

Oestrem, G.↗

Observation of relativistic electron precipitation at L = 6

A report is presented of detailed observations of electrons ranging in energy from 50 to 1000 keV in a relativistic electron precipitation event. The results shown were obtained with the aid of a sounding rocket that was launched at the Andoya rocket range in northern Norway in May 31, 1972. A graph is provided with the differential energy spectrum at a pitch angle of 30 deg for maximum and minimum values.-

Matthews, D. L.↗

Evaluation of glacier mass balance by observing variations in transient snowline positions

The author has identified the following significant results. The transient snowline on five outlet glaciers from the Jostedalsbreen ice cap in southwestern Norway could be determined from ERTS image no. 1336-102060, when bands MSS 5, 6, and 7 were combined in an additive color viewer. The snowline was situated at a very low altitude at the time of imagery (24 June 1973) indicating that glacier melt was behind normal schedule, a fact that has a hydrologic bearing: less melt water in the streams could be expected. The use of ERTS imagery in snowline determinations proved realistic and relatively easy to apply in practice.

Oestrem, G.↗

International Symposium on Applications of Marine Geodesy, Columbus, Ohio, June 3-5, 1974, Proceedings

Requirements for marine geodesy are examined, taking into account accuracy requirements for certain marine operations, boundary and positioning problems in offshore Norway, navigation requirements for nodule exploration and mining, and the determination of marine boundaries at sea. Subjects related to marine geodesy and positioning/navigation are discussed along with topics concerned with marine geodesy and ocean physics. Satellite altimetry and modern geoids method are considered and attention is given to marine gravity anomalies and geodesy. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Source record↗

Auroral vector electric field and particle comparisons. 1: Pre-midnight convection topology

Polar 3 was launched in northern Norway on January 27, 1974. Traversing nearly 3 deg latitude, the rocket crossed over a stable IBC II auroral arc in the positive bay region and continued north to a convection boundary which was identified as the Harang discontinuity. Measurement of the complete electric field vector, of energetic electrons and of the auroral N+2 and OI emissions were used to study the convection topology in the pre-magnetic-midnight region. A strong anticorrelation was observed between the electric field and the precipitating energetic electrons. The inverted V nature of the electron precipitations at the convection boundary, compared with the lack of such structure over the arc which was within the positive bay region, leads to the conclusion that auroral arcs are likely to be associated with inverted V type precipitation only at or poleward of convection boundaries and their eddy structures.

Maynard, N. C.↗