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At least 613 records · Page 34

Large-Scale Coronal Heating from "Cool" Activity in the Solar Magnetic Network

In Fe XII images from SOHO/EIT, the quiet solar corona shows structure on scales ranging from sub-supergranular (i.e., bright points and coronal network) to multi-supergranular (large-scale corona). In Falconer et al 1998 (Ap.J., 501, 386) we suppressed the large-scale background and found that the network-scale features are predominantly rooted in the magnetic network lanes at the boundaries of the supergranules. Taken together, the coronal network emission and bright point emission are only about 5% of the entire quiet solar coronal Fe XII emission. Here we investigate the relationship between the large-scale corona and the network as seen in three different EIT filters (He II, Fe IX-X, and Fe XII). Using the median-brightness contour, we divide the large-scale Fe XII corona into dim and bright halves, and find that the bright-half/dim half brightness ratio is about 1.5. We also find that the bright half relative to the dim half has 10 times greater total bright point Fe XII emission, 3 times greater Fe XII network emission, 2 times greater Fe IX-X network emission, 1.3 times greater He II network emission, and has 1.5 times more magnetic flux. Also, the cooler network (He II) radiates an order of magnitude more energy than the hotter coronal network (Fe IX-X, and Fe XII). From these results we infer that: 1) The heating of the network and the heating of the large-scale corona each increase roughly linearly with the underlying magnetic flux. 2) The production of network coronal bright points and heating of the coronal network each increase nonlinearly with the magnetic flux. 3) The heating of the large-scale corona is driven by widespread cooler network activity rather than by the exceptional network activity that produces the network coronal bright points and the coronal network. 4) The large-scale corona is heated by a nonthermal process since the driver of its heating is cooler than it is. This work was funded by the Solar Physics Branch of NASA's office of Space Science through the SR&T Program and the SEC Guest Investigator Program.

Falconer, D. A.↗

Analysis of noise measured from a propeller in a wake

In this experimental study, the acoustic characteristics of a propeller operating in a wake were studied. The propeller performance and noise were measured from two 0.25 scale propellers operating in an open jet anechoic flow environment with and without a wake. One propeller had NACA 16 series sections; the other, ARA-D. Wake thicknesses of 1 and 3 propeller chords were generated by an airfoil which spanned the full diameter of the propeller. The airfoil wake profiles were measured. Noise measurements were made in and out of the flow. The propellers were operated at 40, 83, and 100 inf of thrust. The acoustic data are analyzed, and the effects on the overall sound pressure level (OASPL) and scaled A weighted sound level L sub A with propeller thrust, wake thickness, and observer location are presented. The analysis showed that, generally, the wake increased the overall noise (OASPL) produced by the propeller; increased the harmonic content of the noise, thus the scaled L sub a; and produced an azimuthal dependence. With few exceptions, both propellers generally produced the same trends in delta OASPL and delta L sub a with thrust and wake thickness.

Block, P. J. W.↗

Mars Ascent Vehicle Hybrid PropulsionEffort

A technology development program was undertaken to determine if the benefits of hybrid rocket propulsion could be realized for a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) application. Specifically, the goal of this program was to increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of a hybrid propulsion system such that it could be considered for a potential Mars Sample Return Campaign. Over the course of approximately five years, a new, wax-based fuel was developed, characterized and tested with Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (from MON-3 to MON-25). Various ignition mechanisms were tested and solid hypergolic additives were evaluated for their potential to ignite the hybrid motor. Several hot-fire test campaigns were completed at both sub- and full-scale. The technology development program was born out of a JPL study documented by Shotwell and Karp that identified the Single Stage to Orbit (SSTO) hybrid propulsion system for a potential Mars Ascent Vehicle to be the lowest Gross Lift Off Mass option from the ten configurations evaluated. Benefits of the hybrid option included its predicted favorable low temperature storage and operation behavior, high performance and ability to restart (enabling the SSTO). The main disadvantage of the hybrid option was its low TRL,as it essentially started as a blank sheet design with a new fuel development. Near the end of the technology development program, a Preliminary Architecture Assessment (PAA) was completed to evaluate a single-stage hybrid propulsion system and a two-stage solid propulsion system for a potential MAV. The solid propulsion system was selected for further study in 2019, primarily because of its flight heritage. While the hybrid technology development program made many strides, there was still a list of challenges to overcome. This paper will discuss the substantial progress and remaining challenges from the technology development effort from 2015 through 2019. This includes fuel development and reformulation, sub- and full-scale testing at Space Propulsion Group, full scale testing at Parabilis, full scale testing at Whittinghill Aerospace, hypergolic additive testing at Purdue and Penn State and the evaluation of adding hypergolic additives to a full-scale grain. It also includes a discussion of the design that resulted from the Preliminary Architecture Assessment.

hybrid rocket↗

Mars Ascent Vehicle Hybrid Propulsion Effort

A technology development program was undertaken to determine if the benefits of hybrid rocket propulsion could be realized for a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) application. Specifically, the goal of this program was to increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of a hybrid propulsion system such that it could be considered for a potential Mars Sample Return Campaign. Over the course of approximately five years, a new, wax-based fuel was developed, characterized and tested with Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (from MON-3 to MON-25). Various ignition mechanisms were tested and solid hypergolic additives were evaluated for their potential to ignite the hybrid motor. Several hot-fire test campaigns were completed at both sub- and full-scale. The technology development program was born out of a JPL study documented by Shotwell and Karp that identified the Single Stage to Orbit (SSTO) hybrid propulsion system for a potential Mars Ascent Vehicle to be the lowest Gross Lift Off Mass option from the ten configurations evaluated. Benefits of the hybrid option included its predicted favorable low temperature storage and operation behavior, high performance and ability to restart (enabling the SSTO). The main disadvantage of the hybrid option was its low TRL, as it essentially started as a blank sheet design with a new fuel development. Near the end of the technology development program, a Preliminary Architecture Assessment (PAA) was completed to evaluate a single-stage hybrid propulsion system and a two-stage solid propulsion system for a potential MAV. The solid propulsion system was selected for further study in 2019, primarily because of its flight heritage. While the hybrid technology development program made many strides, there was still a list of challenges to overcome. This paper will discuss the substantial progress and remaining challenges from the technology development effort from 2015 through 2019. This includes fuel development and reformulation, sub- and full-scale testing at Space Propulsion Group, full scale testing at Parabilis, full scale testing at Whittinghill Aerospace, hypergolic additive testing at Purdue and Penn State and the evaluation of adding hypergolic additives to a fullscale grain. It also includes a discussion of the design that resulted from the Preliminary Architecture Assessment.

hybrid rocket↗

Thermal Conductivity of Liquid He-4 near the Superfluid Transition in Restricted Geometries

We present measurements of the thermal conductivity near the superfluid transition of He-4 in confined geometries. The confinements we have studied include: cylindrical geometries with radii L=.5 and 1.0 microns, and parallel plates with 5 micron spacing. For L=1.0 microns, measurements at six pressures were conducted, whereas only SVP measurements have been done for other geometries. For the 1-D confinement in cylinders, the data are consistent with a universal scaling for all pressures at and above T(sub lambda). There are indications of breakdown of scaling and universality below T(sub lambda). For the 2-D confinement between parallel plates, the preliminary results indicate that the thermal conductivity is finite at the bulk superfluid transition temperature. Further analyses are needed to compare the 2-D results with those in bulk and 1-D confinement.

Liu, Yuanming↗

Comparison of theories for gravity wave induced fluctuations in airglow emissions

A comparison is undertaken of theories for the gravity wave induced fluctuations in the intensity of airglow emissions and the associated temperature of the source region. The comparison is made in terms of Krassovsky's ratio eta(sub E) for a vertically extended emission region (eta(sub E) is the ratio of the vertically integrated normalized intensity perturbation to the vertically integrated intensity-weighted temperature perturbation). It is shown that the formulas for eta(sub E) in the works by Tarasick and Hines (1990) and Schubert et al. (1991) are in agreement for the case of an inviscid atmosphere. The calculation of eta(sub E) using the theory of Tarasick and Hines (1990) requires determination of their function chi; we show that chi is simply related to the 'single-level' Krassovsky's ratio eta of Schubert et al. (1991). The general relationship between chi and eta is applied to a simple chemical-dynamical model of the O2 atmospheric airglow and the altitude dependence of these quantities is evaluated for nonsteady state chemistry. Though the Tarasick and Hines (1990) formula for eta(sub E) does not explicitly depend on the scale heights of the minor constituents involved in airglow chemistry, eta(sub E) implicitly depends upon these scale heights through its dependences on chemical production and loss contained in chi. We demonstrate this dependence of eta(sub E) for the OH nightglow on atomic oxygen scale height by direct numerical evaluation of eta(sub E) in this case the dependence originates in the chemical production of perturbed ozone.

Walterscheid, R. L.↗

A Summary of Test and Analysis Results from a Second Lift+Cruise Full-Scale Drop Test

The realization of advanced air mobility markets is enabling new forms of transportation to take shape in the United States and around the world. Though currently in development, as these markets mature, new types of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles have been undergoing development for use. There are many factors which must be addressed prior to these types of vehicles becoming viable alternative forms of transportation in these markets. These factors include incorporation into the existing airspaces, the logistics of operating in urban environments, along with numerous factors associated with safety and reliability. To address some of the safety aspects associated with the development of these new types of vehicles, NASA has been conducting research into the performance of an example electric VTOL (eVTOL) aircraft as a part of the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) project. Over the course of this research, many aspects including the development of energy absorbing components, the evaluation of seating systems, the development of advanced finite element material model systems and the acquisition of full-scale vehicle impact data were investigated. The report will discuss aspects related to the acquisition of full-scale vehicle data which occurred in the form of a full-scale impact test conducted in the Summer of 2025. This test was on a NASA designed Lift+Cruise composite cabin test article and represented a partial capstone in the entirety of previous eVTOL research conducted for the project. In this test, a variety of experiments were included in order to investigate the effect of a full-scale environment on the experiment results. In parallel, the development of a computational impact model to simulate the full-scale test will be discussed in this report. A model of the Lift+Cruise test article was developed utilizing data collected from previous sub- and full-scale test data and then simulated in the current test environment. The model development, its use in pre-test predictions, and its use in post-test correlation will all be presented. This report will present the test data acquired from the Lift+Cruise test and document several of the results obtained. One intended result is to determine the effect of a complex full-scale crash impact on the identification of occupant injury risk within seat and vehicle designs. A second intended result is to determine whether high-fidelity models can be used with some confidence in the prediction of test events and can allow for additional test cases to be simulated without the need of having to conduct additional tests. The overall goal of the test is to provide the community with data that can be used for design, development or certification efforts, along with providing data on what an example eVTOL crash incident could entail.

energy storage systems↗

A re-evaluation of the Haser model scale lengths for comets

The scale lengths are examined for the Haser (1957) model using new, photoelectric, high signal-to-noise ratio data on a variety of comets. The comets have helicocentric distances from 0.75 to 1.81 AU. It is shown that the scale lengths for C2 and C3 compiled by A'Hearn and Newburn and Spinrad (1984) do not adequately represent the data for most of the comets considered. New scale lengths are derived for these two molecules. CN scale lengths are discussed. It is shown that an R-sub-h squared variation for the scale lengths works for most molecules but that the C2 parent scale length must vary by R-sub-h to the 2.5 power.

Cochran, A. L.↗

Scaling behaviour of relaxation dependencies in metaloxide superconductors

Superconducting glass state has been investigated in different types of metaloxide ceramics, Y-Ba-Cu-O, Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O, Ba-Pb-Bi-O, using the highly sensitive SQUID magnetometer. The analysis of long-time relaxation processes of thermoremanent magnetization m(sup trm) (+) = M(sub o) - Slnt displayed scaling dependence of the decay rate S = -dM/dlnt on quantity of trapped magnetic flux M(sub o): 1gs = 31g M(sub o) - observed universal dependence S is approximately M(sup 3) (sub o) seems to one of the features of superconducting glass state in metaloxide ceramics.

Sidorenko, A. S.↗

Multilevel methods for transport equations in diffusive regimes

We consider the numerical solution of the single-group, steady state, isotropic transport equation. An analysis by means of the moment equations shows that a discrete ordinate S(sub N) discretization in direction (angle) with a least squares finite element discretization in space does not behave properly in the diffusion limit. A scaling of the S(sub N) equations is introduced so that the least squares discretization has the correct diffusion limit. For the resulting discrete system a full multigrid algorithm was developed.

Manteuffel, Thomas A.↗

Validation of a Pseudo-Sound Theory for the Pressure-Dilatation in DNS of Compressible Turbulence

The results of an asymptotic theory for statistical closures for compressible turbulence are explored and validated with the direct numerical simulation of the isotropic decay and the homogeneous shear. An excellent collapse of the data is seen. The slow portion is found to scale, as predicted by the theory, with the quantity M(sub t)(sup 2) and epsilon(sub s). The rapid portion has an unambiguous scaling with alpha(sup 2)M(sub t)(sup s)epsilon(sub s)[P(sub k)/epsilon - l](Sk/epsilon)(sup 2). Implicit in the scaling is a dependence, as has been noted by others, on the gradient Mach number. A new feature of the effects of compressibility, that of the Kolmogorov scaling coefficient, alpha, is discussed. It is suggested that alpha may contain flow specific physics associated with large scales that might provide further insight into the structural effects of compressibility.

Ristorcelli, J. R.↗

Large-Scale Coronal Heating from the Solar Magnetic Network

In Fe 12 images from SOHO/EIT, the quiet solar corona shows structure on scales ranging from sub-supergranular (i.e., bright points and coronal network) to multi- supergranular. In Falconer et al 1998 (Ap.J., 501, 386) we suppressed the large-scale background and found that the network-scale features are predominantly rooted in the magnetic network lanes at the boundaries of the supergranules. The emission of the coronal network and bright points contribute only about 5% of the entire quiet solar coronal Fe MI emission. Here we investigate the large-scale corona, the supergranular and larger-scale structure that we had previously treated as a background, and that emits 95% of the total Fe XII emission. We compare the dim and bright halves of the large- scale corona and find that the bright half is 1.5 times brighter than the dim half, has an order of magnitude greater area of bright point coverage, has three times brighter coronal network, and has about 1.5 times more magnetic flux than the dim half These results suggest that the brightness of the large-scale corona is more closely related to the large- scale total magnetic flux than to bright point activity. We conclude that in the quiet sun: (1) Magnetic flux is modulated (concentrated/diluted) on size scales larger than supergranules. (2) The large-scale enhanced magnetic flux gives an enhanced, more active, magnetic network and an increased incidence of network bright point formation. (3) The heating of the large-scale corona is dominated by more widespread, but weaker, network activity than that which heats the bright points. This work was funded by the Solar Physics Branch of NASA's office of Space Science through the SR&T Program and the SEC Guest Investigator Program.

Falconer, David A.↗

Braided Carbon Fiber Rope Flow Characteristics

I am submitting the following technical subject for consideration as a thesis topic for the master degree: The reusable solid rocket motor (RSRM) nozzle internal joints are being evaluated for the incorporation of a carbon fiber rope (CFR) as a thermal barrier. The CFR is approximately 0.260 in. diameter and is composed of approximately 12,000 carbon fibers, woven in ten sheaths or layers. The CFR is manufactured by a sub-tier vendor and subsequently several of its manufacturing details are proprietary to that vendor. The CFR design intent is to prevent hot motor combustion products and slag from intruding into the joint scaling area while still approaching a vented joint design to avoid the detriments of gas jet impingement. As a member of the Heat Transfer section at Thiokol Propulsion, two main goals exist as part of this NASA funded design effort: (1) development of flow model through the CFR and (2) development of a heat transfer model through the CFR. While both models are needed and most probably interrelated, the gas flow model is being targeted as the subject matter. Essentially, the topic would be "Modeling of Gas Flow through a Braided Carbon Fiber Rope". An AIAA journal or conference paper is being considered through Thiokol/NASA as well. A sub-scale CFR flow test fixture was designed to simulate the relative levels of CFR compression. The test fixture provides the means to measure gas mass flow rate upstream of the CFR and the pressure and temperature both upstream and downstream of the CFR. The test fixture was designed to eliminate the possibility of dynamic gapping at the CFR location and provide minimal flow resistance to ambient for gases exiting the rope. The data collected in the experiment will be evaluated to define a permeability/flow resistance model. Two possibilities exist for the flow characteristics through the CFR from choked flow to strictly friction driven. A test matrix for evaluating the CFR has been compiled, which addresses both of these characteristics. The range of pressures to be tested covers a relatively low delta pressure where non-choked flow is impossible, while the high pressure shown is dictated by the RSRM joint operating pressure where choking is possible. The test matrix, was also designed for a range of rope compressions or test fixture gaps ranging from 0.025" to 0.070". These gaps are controlled by the range of RSRM full-scale hardware joint gaps that will be expected by virtue of the joint design.

Heman, J. R. C.↗

Surface temperature distribution along a thin liquid layer due to thermocapillary convection

The surface temperature distributions due to thermocapillary convections in a thin liquid layer with heat fluxes imposed on the free surface were investigated. The nondimensional analysis predicts that, when convection is important, the characteristics length scale in the flow direction L, and the characteristic temperature difference delta T sub o can be represented by L and delta T sub o approx. (A2Ma)/1/4 delta T sub R, respectively, where L sub R and delta sub R are the reference scales used in the conduction dominant situations with A denoting the aspect ratio and Ma the Marangoni number. Having L and delta sub o defined, the global surface temperature gradient delta sub o/L, the global thermocapillary driving force, and other interesting features can be determined. Numerical calculations involving a Gaussian heat flux distribution are presented to justify these two relations.

Lai, C. L.↗

Surface temperature distribution along a thin liquid layer due to thermocapillary convection

The surface temperature distributions due to thermocapillary convections in a thin liquid layer with heat fluxes imposed on the free surface were investigated. The nondimensional analysis predicts that, when convection is important, the characteristics length scale in the flow direction L, and the characteristic temperature difference delta T sub o can be represented by L and delta T sub o approx. (A2Ma)/1/4 delta T sub R, respectively, where L sub R and delta sub R are the reference scales used in the conduction dominant situations with A denoting the aspect ratio and Ma the Marangoni number. Having L and delta sub o defined, the global surface temperature gradient delta sub o/L, the global thermocapillary driving force, and other interesting features can be determined. Numerical calculations involving a Gaussian heat flux distribution are presented to justify these two relations.

Lai, C.-L.↗

Tully-Fisher Distances and Dynamical Mass Constraints for 24 Host Galaxies of Reverberation-Mapped AGNs

We present Tully–Fisher distances for 24 active galactic nucleus (AGN) host galaxies with black hole mass (M(sub BH)) measurements from reverberation mapping, as well as the first calibration of the V-band Tully–Fisher relation. Combining our measurements of H I 21 cm emission with Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based optical and near-infrared images allows multiple distance measurements for 19 galaxies and single measurements for the remaining 5. Separation of the nucleus from its host galaxy via surface brightness decomposition yields galaxy-only luminosities, thus allowing measurements of the distance moduli free of contamination from the AGNs. For 14 AGN hosts, these are the first reported distances independent of redshift, and hence independent of peculiar velocities. For the remaining galaxies, we show good agreement between our distances and those previously reported from surface brightness fluctuations and Cepheids. We also determine the total galaxy mass enclosed within the estimated H I radius, which when compared to the baryonic content allows for constraints on the dark matter masses. We find a typical mass fraction of M(sub DM)/M(sub DYN) = 62%, and find significant correlations between M(sub BH)–M(sub DYN) and M(sub BH)–M(sub DM). Finally, we scale our galaxy radii based on estimated relationships between visible and halo radii and assume a flat rotation curve out to the halo radius to approximate M(sub HALO). Over the range of M(sub BH) and M(sub HALO) in this sample, we find good agreement with observationally constrained relationships between M(sub BH) and M(sub HALO) and with hydrodynamical simulations.

AGN host galaxies↗

Radiation Test Challenges for Scaled Commerical Memories

As sub-100nm CMOS technologies gather interest, the radiation effects performance of these technologies provide a significant challenge. In this talk, we shall discuss the radiation testing challenges as related to commercial memory devices. The focus will be on complex test and failure modes emerging in state-of-the-art Flash non-volatile memories (NVMs) and synchronous dynamic random access memories (SDRAMs), which are volatile. Due to their very high bit density, these device types are highly desirable for use in the natural space environment. In this presentation, we shall discuss these devices with emphasis on considerations for test and qualification methods required.

LaBel, Kenneth A.↗

Gravitational collapse of small-scale structure as the origin of the Lyman-alpha forest

If gravitational clustering is a hierarchical process, the present large-scale structure of the galaxy distribution implies that structures on smaller scales must have formed at high redshift. We simulate the formation of small-scale structure (average cell mass: (delta) bar m(sub b) = 10(sup 4.2) solar mass) and the evolution of photoionized gas, in the specific case of the CDM + Lambda model. The photoionized gas has a natural minimal scale of collapse, the Jeans scale (m(sub b,J) is approximately equal to 10(exp 9) solar mass). We find that low column density (N(sub HI) is less than or equal to 10(exp 14)/sq cm) lines originate in regions resembling Zel'dovich pancakes, where gas with overdensities in the range 3-30 is enclosed by two shocks but is typically reexpanding at approximately the Hubble velocity. However, higher column density lines stem from more overdense regions where the shocked gas is cooling. We show that this model can probably account for the observed number of lines, their distribution in column density and b-parameters, as well as the cloud physical sizes as observed in gravitationally lensed quasars. We find a redshift evolution that is too steep; however, this may be due to insufficient dynamical range in the simulation or because the specific model is incorrect. The model predicts that high signal-to-noise observations should find systematic deviations from Voigt profiles, mainly in the form of broad wings in the line profiles, and that a fluctuating Gunn-Peterson effect will be detected, which can be modeled as a superposition of weak lines with a wide range of b-parameters.

Cen, Renyue↗