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At least 631 records · Page 35

XANES Analysis of Organic Residues Produced from the UV Irradiation of Astrophysical Ice Analogs

Organic residues formed in the laboratory from the ultraviolet (UV) photo-irradiation or ion bombardment of astrophysical ice analogs have been extensively studied for the last 15 years with a broad suite of techniques, including infrared (IR) and UV spectroscopies, as well as mass spectrometry. Analyses of these materials show that they consist of complex mixtures of organic compounds stable at room temperature, mostly soluble, that have not been fully characterized. However, the hydrolysis products of these residues have been partly identified using chromatography techniques, which indicate that they contain molecular precursors of prebiotic interest such as amino acids, nitrile-bearing compounds, and amphiphilic compounds. In this study, we present the first X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy measurements of three organic residues made from the UV irradiation of ices having different starting compositions. XANES spectra confirm the presence of different chemical functions in these residues, and indicate that they are rich in nitrogenand oxygen-bearing species. These data can be compared with XANES measurements of extraterrestrial materials. Finally, this study also shows how soft X rays can alter the chemical composition of samples.

XANES(X-RAY ABSORPTION NEAR-EDGE STRUCTURE)↗

Refractory thermoelectric materials

The Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity of boron-carbon (B-C) and boron-carbon-silicon (B-C-Si)) P-type alloys are reported for temperatures up to 500 C. Using available literature values for the thermal conductivity of B-C alloys, thermoelectric figure-of-merit values of 1.37 x 10 to the -5th and 1.20 x 10 to the -4th/deg C are calculated for 100 and 500 C, respectively. Sulfur-deficient rare earth sesquisulfide N-type alloys exhibit Seebeck coefficients which are relatively insensitive to alloy composition over the composition range investigated but are very sensitive to fabrication parameters.

Elsner, N. B.↗

S-band occultation

S band occultation data analysis for Mars atmosphere composition

Fjeldbo, G.↗

Aerodynamic loads measurements on externally blown flap STOL models

Small-scale-model data have shown large static loads on the flap system behind the engines. The large-scale-model tests confirmed the magnitude of these loads and indicated that the relative loading of each flap element depends on the engine-wing-flap geometry. Flap response measurements indicated that the unsteady pressure loading excited the natural vibration modes of the flap system on this model. Since this was a boilerplate model, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that the possibility of large vibration loads must be considered for a flight-weight structure. The similarity of the unsteady pressure and flap response spectra for the wind-off and wind-on cases indicated that it may be possible to realistically test flight-weight flap structures on a static test stand rather than endure the extra costs and scheduling problems associated with large-scale wind-tunnel tests. There is a potential flap-temperature problem which if not resolved might preclude the use of materials such as aluminum and the composites in the flap structure.

Greene, G. C.↗

Fracture and fatigue of discontinuously reinforced copper/tungsten composites

The strength, toughness and resistance to cyclic crack propagation of composites consisting of copper reinforced with short tungsten wires of various lengths have been studied and the results compared with the behavior of continuously reinforced composites manufactured by the same method, i.e., by vacuum hot-pressing. It has been found that whereas the resistance to fatigue crack growth of continuously reinforced composites is very similar to that of continuous Al/stainless steel composites reported elsewhere, the addition of short fibers completely changes the mode of fracture, and no direct comparisons are possible. In effect, short fibers inhibit single crack growth by causing plastic flow to be distributed rather than localized, and although these composites are much less strong than continuous fiber composites, they nevertheless have much greater fatigue resistance.

Harris, B.↗

Lyman-alpha observations of Comet West /1975n/

The rate of hydrogen production of Comet West is studied through rocket observation of solar Lyman-alpha radiation resonantly scattered by the escaping hydrogen atoms. Two sets of Lyman-alpha exposure sequences are used to obtain computer-smoothed brightness contour (isophote) maps covering a density range of 100:1. A simple radial outflow model is applied to the contour maps to determine the rate of hydrogen production (3.2 by 10 to the 30th power atoms/sec.) Discrepancies between the observed shape of the outer isophotes and predicted models may be explained by optical depth effects, or by the presence of small pieces of the comet's nucleus distributed along the orbit. Hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen production for Comet West and Comet Kohoutek are compared; differences may be accounted for by variations in the composition or evolution of the two comets.

Opal, C. B.↗

A search for experiments to exploit the space shuttle environment, volume 1

A search for worthwhile experiments in pure and applied physics and chemistry which might take advantage of conditions achievable aboard the space shuttle is documented. Of particular interest were the very large pumping speeds at high or ultra high vacuum, the highly nonequilibrium composition of the ambient atmosphere, and the relative absence of gravitational effects. Ideas and suggestions were solicated in the course of visits to 31 research establishments in Western Europe, India, and Japan; conversations with over 90 scientists; and presentations at 3 international meetings. Intriguing possibilities emerged in the following arenas: (1) spectroscopy of the transition state in chemical reactions; (2) flame structure and analysis; (3) solid propellant combustion; (4) analysis of atmospheric composition; (5) turbulence effects on aerosol coagulation.

Fenn, J. B.↗

Visible spectral reflectance measurements /0.33-1.1 microns/ of the Galilean satellites at many orbital phase angles

One hundred eighty-seven reflectance spectra (0.33-1.10 microns) of the Galilean satellites have been obtained. Solar phase angle color correction coefficients were derived and the spectra corrected to a solar phase of 6 deg. Solar phase angle coefficients beyond 0.55 micron are presented for the first time. The spectra as a function of orbital phase angle are presented in the form of images to display hemispheric spectral variations. Io and Europa are redder on their trailing hemispheres while Callisto is redder on its leading hemisphere. Ganymede shows small longitudinal color variations despite the complex albedo structure visible in Voyager images. Comparisons of these data with previous measurements reveal that most differences can be attributed to the solar calibration. Reflectance measurements of Io at 0.73 micron observed 8.5 years apart show a 6% global reflectance decrease. However, it is difficult to unambiguously attribute this particular decrease in reflectance to a change in Io's surface composition.

Mcfadden, L. A.↗

Development of a data management front end for use with a LANDSAT based information system

A user friendly front end was constructed to facilitate access to the LANDSAT mosaic data base supplied by JPL and to process both LANDSAT and ancillary data. Archieval and retrieval techniques were developed to efficiently handle this data base and make it compatible with requirements of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry. Procedures are ready for: (1) forming the forest/nonforest mask in ORSER compressed map format using GSFC-supplied classification procedures; (2) registering data from a new scene (defoliated) to the mask (which may involve mosaicking if the area encompasses two LANDSAT scenes; (3) producing a masked new data set using the MASK program; (4) analyzing this data set to produce a map showing degrees of defoliation, output on the Versatec plotter; and (5) producing color composite maps by a diazo-type process.

Turner, B. J.↗

Two- and three-layer models of Uranus

Simple two-layer models of Uranus with rocky core and polytropic envelope satisfying exactly the observed mass, radius and the gravitational moments are presented. The models show that the value of the fourth order zonal harmonic is less than about -38 x 10 to the -6th, while J(6) is roughly 10 to the -6th. More elaborate three-layer models fail to satisfy the observational constraints of the ice/rock ratio and/or of the rotation period. It is concluded that three-layer models with uniform chemical composition in each layer may be too restrictive. More realistic models should account for variable chemical composition within each layer.

Horedt, G. P.↗

Venus - The nature of the surface from Venera panoramas

The present investigation has the objective to analyze the information collected by the Soviet Venera 9, 10, 13, and 14 lander spacecraft imaging systems. The analysis is to make a systematic comparison with other planetary surfaces possible, and an improved understanding of the surface of the planet Venus is to be provided. Attention is given to the imaging systems and transformation methods, observations, the observed characteristics of Venera lander sites, and an interpretation of the geological processes responsible for the features observed in the Venera panoramas. It is concluded that the present Venus environment is considerably different in terms of temperature, pressure, and atmosphere composition from the present terrestrial subaerial environment.

Garvin, J. B.↗