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NASA NTRS1983

One-dimensional periodic flows with a shock transition - Application to the density wave theory of spiral structure

The problem of one-dimensional gas flow through a sinusoidal gravitational potential with a series of equally spaced shock fronts is considered. For time-independent and spatially periodic flows, an integral equation relates the flow velocity to the gravitational potential and source functions of energy and momentum densities. It is suggested that this problem simulates some of the dynamical effects of the azimuthal flow on a parcel of gas at a fixed radius in a galactic disk that supports a spiral density wave structure. It omits the radial motions. In this context, a typical azimuthal velocity across a spiral arm is specified and the resultant source functions are obtained. The implications of this calculation suggest heating of the gaseous disk by O and B stars behind the shock front, and subsequent interarm cooling is a plausible mechanism for maintaining the periodic cycling of the gaseous component of the galactic disk.

Bogdan, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Gravity deflections of lightweighted mirrors

Two 20-in-diameter lightweight fused-silica mirrors, one having a single arch configuration and the other a double arch configuration, were tested interferometrically at their centers of curvature in both a face-up and face-down support mode. By subtracting the wavefront errors in these two support modes, the gravity deflections were determined in spite of some residual figure error. It is found that the single arch mirror, supported horizontally on three points, has about half the total deflection of the double arch design. The single arch mirror is twice as stiff azimuthally as the double arch, but radially the double arch has four times the stiffness of the single arch. If a more uniform azimuthal support were provided for the double arch, its deflections would be expected to improve significantly.

Anderson, D.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Perturbed particle disks

The velocity ellipsoid in a particle disk near an isolated satellite resonance is determined by solving the Boltzmann moment equations, and solutions are obtained that are stationary functions of the azimuthal angle in a coordinate frame which rotates with the pattern speed of the perturbation potential. The magnitude of the deformation rate tensor in a perturbed particle disk is bounded from above by an expression which includes the orbital angular velocity, the optical depth, and a dimensionless constant of order unity. It is also found that, in sufficiently perturbed regions, there are ranges of azimuthal angle over which the radial component of the angular momentum flux is negative. It is also possible for the angular momentum luminosity to be negative. These results are pertinent to the understanding of sharp edges and density wave decay in planetary rings.

Borderies, N.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Comprehensive Understanding for Vegetated Scene Radiance Relationships

Directional reflectance distributions spanning the entire existent hemisphere were measured in two field studies; one using a Mark III 3-band radiometer and one using the rapid scanning bidirectional field instrument called PARABOLA. Surfaces measured included corn, soybeans, bare soils, grass lawn, orchard grass, alfalfa, cotton row crops, plowed field, annual grassland, stipa grass, hard wheat, salt plain shrubland, and irrigated wheat. Analysis of field data showed unique reflectance distributions ranging from bare soil to complete vegetation canopies. Physical mechanisms causing these trends were proposed. A 3-D model was developed and is unique in that it predicts: (1) the directional spectral reflectance factors as a function of the sensor's azimuth and zenith angles and the sensor's position above the canopy; (2) the spectral absorption as a function of location within the scene; and (3) the directional spectral radiance as a function of the sensor's location within the scene. Initial verification of the model as applied to a soybean row crop showed that the simulated directional data corresponded relatively well in gross trends to the measured data. The model was expanded to include the anisotropic scattering properties of leaves as a function of the leaf orientation distribution in both the zenith and azimuth angle modes.

Kimes, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Implementation of the Sun Position Calculation in the PDC-1 Control Microprocessor

The several computational approaches to providing the local azimuth and elevation angles of the Sun as a function of local time and then the utilization of the most appropriate method in the PDC-1 microprocessor are presented. The full algorithm, the FORTRAN form, is felt to be very useful in any kind or size of computer. It was used in the PDC-1 unit to generate efficient code for the microprocessor with its floating point arithmetic chip. The balance of the presentation consists of a brief discussion of the tracking requirements for PPDC-1, the planetary motion equations from the first to the final version, and the local azimuth-elevation geometry.

Stallkamp, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1984

LANDSAT-4 Thematic Mapper Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) evaluation

Results of MTF analysis of imagery of the San Mateo Bridge are consistent on two TM image dates for bands 4,5, and 7. There are indications that bands 1, 2, and 3 suffer from low image contrast, and consequently low signal to noise in the derived MTFs. The two image analysis produced reasonable results along +45 deg and -45 deg azimuths in the 2-D MTF, but poor results along the 0 deg and 90 deg azimuths. The effective instantaneous field of view is given for each band, and the image contrast for water and the bridge are compared. Graphs show overall TM system MTFs.

Schowengerdt, R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Inversion of vegetation canopy reflectance models for estimating agronomic variables. II - Use of angle transforms and error analysis as illustrated by Suits' model

The technique for inverting a vegetation canopy reflectance model described earlier (Goel and Strebel, 1983) is investigated further. The novel concept of an 'angle transform' is introduced. This concept allows the formation of functions of reflectances at different view zenith and azimuth angles, which are either sensitive or insensitive to a certain agronomic parameter. A proper combination of these functions can allow determination of all the important agronomic and spectral parameters from measured canopy reflectance data. The technique is demonstrated using Suits' (1972) model for homogeneous canopies. It is shown that leaf area index, leaf reflectance and transmittance, and average leaf angle all can be determined from the canopy reflectance at a set of selected view zenith and azimuth angles. A sensitivity analysis of the calculated values to the errors in the data is also carried out. Guidelines are formulated for the number and types of observations required to obtain the values of a particular canopy variable to within a given degree of accuracy for a given level of error in the measurement of canopy reflectance.

Goel, N. S.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Magnetic buoyancy and the escape of magnetic fields from stars

A loss of magnetic flux through the free surface of a star into the surrounding space has important implications for the generation of the field within the star. The present investigation is concerned with the physics of the escape of net azimuthal flux from a star. The obtained results are used as a basis for the interpretation of some recent observations of the detailed behavior of magnetic fields emerging through the surface of the sun. The buoyancy of an isolated horizontal magnetic flux tube beneath the surface of a star causes the tube to rise at a rate comparable to the Alfven speed. The necessary conditions for escape of the flux are considered along with aspects of magnetic buoyancy, and the conditions on the sun. It appears that the observed retraction of bipolar magnetic fields at the end of their life at the surface is the one phenomenon which requires dynamical intervention. Attention is given to known dynamical effects which suppress the buoyant rise of an azimuthal magnetic field.

Parker, E. N.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Modeling Jupiter's magnetospheric currents using Pioneer data - Evidence for a low-latitude cusp

The Jovian magnetospheric field measured by Pioneer 10 and 11 can be well modeled by a combination of current systems composing an azimuthally symmetric current disk, a dusk-dawn current sheet in both the dayside and the nightside magnetosphere, and an image dipole to represent the effects of currents on the magnetopause. The inclusion of a dusk-dawn current sheet in the dayside magnetosphere allows observations obtained both inbound and outbound to be simultaneously fit by an azimuthally symmetric current disk (i.e., without the need for local time dependent current densities). Similar disk current intensities are found to describe both Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 encounters. During the Pioneer 10 inbound passage the magnetopause was rapidly pushed inside the spacecraft position by a solar wind compression event. The changes that occurred in the magnetospheric field at this time can be described by relatively simple changes in the model parameters. The most striking feature of the models is that they suggest that the Jovian cusp is at much lower latitudes than is the case with the earth's magnetosphere.

Thomas, B. T.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Multispacecraft observations of the harmonic structure of Pc 3-4 magnetic pulsations

Harmonically related Pc 3-4 pulsations (7-100 mHz) are observed simultaneously by the three geosynchronous satellites ATS 6, SMS 1, and SMS 2, which are separated 20 deg from one another. At a given instant the frequency of the same harmonic is different from one spacecraft to another and each spacecraft observes a decrease in the fundamental frequency as it moves from morning (15 mHz) to afternoon (10 mHz). This frequency behavior is explained in terms of standing Alfven waves, for which the frequency is determined by the local magnetic field and plasma density. Occurrence of harmonic Pc 3-4 waves only during daytime hours (0400-2000 LT) and their frequency characteristics suggest a broadband energy source located on the dayside. Possible azimuthal wave number m and azimuthal phase velocity V(phi) of the second through fourth harmonics are determined from an unusual interval during which identical harmonic frequencies were observed at SMS 1 and ATS 6. Under the assumption of tailward propagation of constant-phase fronts at the same velocity for all these harmonics, V(phi) of about 1700 km/s is obtained.

Takahashi, K.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Compensating for Range Migration in Synthetic-Aperture Radar

Correlation algorithm sharpens radar imagery. Azimuthal correlation of point-target response performed in frequency domain by fast Fourier transforms relatively efficient in arithmetic operations. Frequencydomain azimuthal response has simple form that enables correction for range migration made simultaneously and over wide area, thereby providing many picture elements.

Jin, M. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Direction Judgement Errors in Perspective Displays

Spatial information transfer characteristics of perspective situation displays were investigated by having eight subjects judge the directions of displayed targets relative to a fixed position in the center of computer generated perspective scenes. Their errors in judging azimuth angles varied sinusoidally with the azimuth of the targets. Errors alternated between clockwise and counterclock wise from one direction quadrant to the next. As the perspective geometry was varied between telephoto lens and wide angle lens views, the direction of error gradually reversed in all quadrants. The results can be explained by systematic differences between the three-dimensional stimulus angles and the perspective projections of those angles onto the display screen.

Mcgreevy, M. W.↗

NASA NTRS1985

An Evaluation of the 64-meter Antenna Radial Bearing for Use on the 70-meter Antenna

The derivation of the proper truck preload is discussed and is shown to be dependent upon the azimuth drive preload direction, the wind direction and magnitude, and the out of roundness of the track. The resulting wheel and track contact stresses were evaluated and found to be satisfactory for either the 64-m or 70-m antenna. The wheel bearing loads were found to be quite satisfactory for the larger 70-m antenna. Methods for evaluating the effects of track out of roundness and for aligning the wheel and truck assemblies are presented. It is believed that these methods are practical and that the increased loadings on the parts should not affect the expected long life of the azimuth bearing.

Mcginness, H. D.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Application of two-dimensional unsteady aerodynamic to a free-tip rotor response analysis

The free-tip rotor utilizes a rotor blade tip which is structurally decoupled from the blade inboard section. The tip is free to pitch about its own pitch axis to respond to the local flow angularity changes. The tip also experiences the heaving motion due to the flapping of the rotor blade. For an airfoil in any pitching and heaving motion which can be expanded into a Fourier series, the lift and moment calculated by Theodoren's theory is simply the linear combination of the lift and moment calculated for each harmonic. These lift and moment are then used to determine the response of the free-tip rotor. A parametric study is performed to determine the effect of mechanical damping, mechanical spring, sweep, friction, and a constant control moment on the free-tip rotor response characteristics and the resulting azimuthal lift distributions. The results showed that the free-tip has the capability to suppress the oscillatory lift distribution around the azimuth and to eliminate a significant negative life peak on the advancing tip. This result agrees with the result of the previous analysis based on the steady aerodynamics.

Yates, L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Anisotropy of the permittivity field inferred from aspect-sensitive radar echoes

An attempt is made to draw some quantitative conclusions regarding the anisotropy of the clear-air back-scattering mechanism based on the measured variation of echo power with zenith angle. The measurements were made by the SOUSY group of the Max Planck Institute for Aeronomy at Lindau, FRG. They installed their 47-MHz transmitter and antenna feed in the 300-meter diameter reflector at Arecibo. The resulting 1.7-degree beam was stepped successively through seven 1.7-degree intervals from 1.7 to 11.7 degrees in zenith angle, obtaining about four minutes of data at each setting. This procedure was carried out in an eastward pointing azimuth and in a northward pointing azimuth, the entire set of measurements consuming an hour and twenty minutes. Range resolution was 150 meters.

Waterman, A. T.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The large-scale modulation of cosmic rays in mid-1982: Its dependence on heliospheric longitude and radius

Near solar maximum, a series of large radial solar wind shocks in June and July 1982 provided a unique opportunity to study the solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays with an array of spacecraft widely separated both in heliocentric radius and longitude. By eliminating hysteresis effects it is possible to begin to separate radial and azimuthal effects in the outer heliosphere. On the large scale, changes in modulation (both the increasing and recovery phases) propagate outward at close to the solar wind velocity, except for the near-term effects of solar wind shocks, which may propagate at a significantly higher velocity. In the outer heliosphere, azimuthal effects are small in comparison with radial effects for large-scale modulation at solar maximum.

Pyle, K. R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Potentials for change detection using Seasat synthetic aperture radar data

The use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images for detecting change on the earth's surface is highly dependent on target orientation, azimuth angle, and sensor depression angle. SAR data can be used for change detection when consistency is maintained in radar wavelength, polarization, azimuth directions, and off-nadir depression angle. The interaction of these parameters and the imaged surface for change detection are shown in examples drawn from (1) Los Angeles, CA, (2) southern Florida, (3) Imperial Valley, CA, (4) a desert region west of Tucson, AZ, and (5) western Kansas. SAR imagery is used to emphasize the geometric form, and roughness, of the earth's surface. As changes in the roughness of the surface occur over time, temporal SAR images will indicate those differences. Several guidelines for change detection studies using imaging radar are derived from the examples.

Bryan, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Standing hydromagnetic oscillations in the magnetosphere

The mechanisms for generating Alfven waves in the magnetosphere are determined, on the basis of a comprehensive survey of satellite magnetometer data. The mechanisms are classified in terms of the physical properties of standing Alfven waves such as the direction of the major axis of polarization, harmonic mode, and the azimuthal wave number. In an analysis of the statistical organization of the pulsations, it is shown that the most common transverse waves seem to be azimuthally polarized waves involving the fundamental and several harmonics, with radially polarized waves excited at the second harmonic. The former are probably driven externally, while the latter are likely to be excited internally through particle-wave interactions.

Takahashi, K.↗