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At least 685 records · Page 38

Applications of VAS and TOVS to tropical cyclones

The results of the attempts to use VAS (visible IR spin scan radiometer atmospheric sounder) data for predicting tropical cyclones are reported. VAS, mounted on a GEO platform, has 14 detectors for upwelling radiance. The McIDAS software was, by the 1983 hurricane season, upgraded to providing imagery and mass, motion and moisture patterns using the satellite data, which also permitted determinations of accurate temperature and moisture profiles. Comparisons made between VAS and radiosonde data revealed fairly close agreement of satellite and in-situ conditions during the 1983 season. When combined with data from the Tiros operational vertical sounder (TOVS) to define wind streamlines and predict the path of a hurricane from data fed into numerical models, sufficiently good agreement was obtained to initiate plans to forecast a hurricane trajectory during the 1984 season.

Velden, C. S.↗

A comparison of in situ and airborne radar observations of ocean wave directionality

The directional spectrum of a fully arisen, about 3 m sea as measured by an experimental airborne radar, the NASA K(u)-band radar ocean wave spectrometer (ROWS), is compared to reference pitch-roll buoy data and to the classical SWOP (stereo wave observations project) spectrum for fully developed conditions. The ROWS spectrum, inferred indirectly from backscattered power measurements at 5-km altitude, is shown to be in excellent agreement with the buoy spectrum. Specifically, excellent agreement is found between the two nondirectional height spectra, and mean wave directions and directional spreads as functions of frequency. A comparison of the ROWS and SWOP spectra shows the two spectra to be very similar, in detailed shape as well as in terms of the gross spreading characteristics. Both spectra are seen to exhibit bimodal structures which accord with the Phillips' (1958) resonance mechanism. This observation is thus seen to support Phillips' contention that the SWOP modes were indeed resonance modes, not statistical artifacts.

Jackson, F. C.↗

Comparison of polar cap potential drops estimated from solar wind and ground magnetometer data - CDAW 6

It is pointed out that the maximum electrostatic potential difference across the polar cap, Phi, is a fundamental measure of the coupling between the solar wind and the earth's magnetosphere/ionosphere sytem. During the Coordinated Data Analysis Workshop (CDAW) 6 intervals, no suitably instrumented spacecraft was in an appropriate orbit to determine the polar-cap potential drop directly. However, two recently developed independent techniques make it possible to estimate the polar-cap potential drop for times when direct spacecraft data are not available. The present investigation is concerned with a comparison of cross-polar-cap potential drop estimates calculated for the two CDAW 6 intervals on the basis of these two techniques. In the case of one interval, the agreement between the potential drops and Joule heating rates is relatively good. In the second interval, however, the agreement is not very good. Explanations for this discrepancy are discussed.

Reiff, P. H.↗

New identifications of Fe XVII spectral lines in solar flares

The identifications of Fe XVII transitions between the 2s(2)2p(5)3s, 3p, and 3d configurations published by Jupen (1984) are reviewed. The review is based on examining spectroheliograms of solar flares obtained by a Naval Research Laboratory instrument on Skylab (S082-A). Agreement is obtained with the majority of identifications given by Jupen, but different wavelengths are found for a few of the lines. The relative intensities of the lines are qualitatively in agreement with calculations. A broad line at 1153.20 A is identified with the 2p(5)3s(3)P(0)-2p(5)3s(3)P1 forbidden transition of Fe XVII. This line was found in flare spectra obtained by the NRL slit spectrograph on Skylab (S082-B).

Feldman, U.↗

Comparison between the recent U.S. composite magnetic anomaly map and Magsat anomaly data

The present investigation is concerned with a comparison of Magsat data with a Composite Magnetic Anomaly Map (CMAM) of the conterminous U.S. reported by Zietz (1982). The investigation was initiated to test the validity of the satellite measurements, and to provide insights into error or problems in either data set. It is found that upward continuation of the digital CMAM data is not in qualitative agreement with the Magsat map. However, if a least squares fit polynomial surface is taken out prior to upward continuation, there is improved quantitative agreement between a residual CMAM and Magsat. Causes for the remaining differences between the residual, upward continued CMAM and the Magsat map are also considered.

Schnetzler, C. C.↗

Gas exchange-wind speed relation measured with sulfur hexafluoride on a lake

Gas-exchange processes control the uptake and release of various gases in natural systems such as oceans, rivers, and lakes. Not much is known about the effect of wind speed on gas exchange in such systems. In the experiment described here, sulfur hexafluoride was dissolved in lake water, and the rate of escape of the gas with wind speed (at wind speeds up to 6 meters per second) was determined over a 1-month period. A sharp change in the wind speed dependence of the gas-exchange coefficient was found at wind speeds of about 2.4 meters per second, in agreement with the results of wind-tunnel studies. However the gas-exchange coefficients at wind speeds above 3 meters per second were smaller than those observed in wind tunnels and are in agreement with earlier lake and ocean results.

Wanninkhof, R.↗

Prediction of structures and magnetic orientations in solid alpha and beta-O2

A quasi-harmonic-lattice-dynamics method coupled with a pattern-recognition optimization scheme is used to determine the minimum energy structures and magnetic orientations of solid oxygen. It is shown that the magnetic interaction is responsible for the stability of alpha-O2 with respect to beta-O2 at zero temperature and pressure. The calculated alpha-O2 lattice parameters, magnetic orientations, and sublimation energy are in good agreement with experiment. Phonon dispersion curves are calculated at vector k not equal to zero and the acoustic sound velocities are determined. The rms translational and orientational fluctuations from equilibrium are also calculated. The beta-O2 phase is described by constraining the magnetic moments so that the magnetic Hamiltonian preserves the hexagonal symmetry of the crystal. The calculated lattice parameters are in good agreement with the experiments, and a three-sublattice, quasi-helical magnetic orientation is predicted from structural and energetic considerations.

Etters, R. D.↗

Submillimeter wave absorption of n-type InSb at low temperatures

The absorption coefficient of two high-purity n-InSb samples is measured in the 10-40 per cm range using Fourier transform spectroscopy. The absorption coefficient spectrum is presented for both samples at 4.2 K. It is also shown for the lower resistance sample cooled to 2.2 K and heated by dc bias to elevated electron gas temperatures of 7.5 and 17.9 K. ac Drude theory gives rather poor agreement with experiment at 2.2 and 4.2 K but does much better when the sample electron gas is heated. In contrast, a simple quantum mechanical theory of absorption based on inverse Bremsstrahlung yields promising agreement at the lower temperatures although its applicability is questionable. The non-Drudian absorption is shown to have a favorable effect on the performance of InSb hot-electron bolometers.

Brown, E. R.↗

Absolute calibration of photometry at 1 through 5 microns

The solar-analog method is used to determine the absolute calibration of photometry in the J, H, K, L, and M bands to an accuracy of 3 percent, (5 percent at M). This calibration agrees well with the direct calibration obtained by Blackwell et al. (1983); this agreement gives confidence that the calibration is known to an accuracy of 2 percent to 3 percent. The agreement also implies that the behavior of solar type stars is well understood in the infrared and that such stars make reliable standards for calibration of nonstandard photometric bands and for planetary reflectance studies. Both methods indicate that Vega is slightly brighter than indicated by atmospheric models.

Campins, H.↗

Pattern selection in a boundary-layer model of dendritic growth in the presence of impurities

Presently analyzed, in the context of a boundary-layer model, is the problem of pattern selection in dendritic growth in a situation where impurities are present in the undercooled liquid. It is found that the tip-velocity selection criterion that has been proposed recently for the geometrical model and the boundary-layer model of a pure substance can be extended, in a nontrivial way, to this more complex situation where two coupled diffusion fields (temperature and solute) determine the interface dynamics. This model predicts a sharp enhancement of tip velocity in good qualitative agreement with experiment. This agreement is consistent with the conjecture that a solvability condition can be used to determine the operating point of the dendrite in the full nonlocal problem.

Karma, A.↗

Commercial use of space - The space business era

Progress and avenues being explored by NASA to hasten the commercialization of space are described. A task force has recommended that the effort begin at once, that bureaucratic barriers to commercial space activities be removed, and that a partnership between government and industry be seriously explored. The government role is to establish links with private industry, invest in high-leverage technologies and space facilities which will be attractive to commercial ventures, and contribute to commercial enterprises where risks are high and significant economic benefits can be foreseen. The government/industry relationship can be legally evinced by MOUs, joint endeavor agreements, technical exchange agreements and industrial guest investigator arrangements. The Space Station is the first step in that it allows Americans to live and work in space. It is expected that international participation in Space Station development and utilization will accelerate the space business era.

Griffin, G. D.↗

Optical interferometry in fluid dynamics research

Optical interferometry techniques have been applied to the investigation of transonic airfoil flow fields in large-scale wind tunnels. Holographic interferometry techniques were used in the study of two-dimensional symmetric NACA 64A010 and Douglas Aircraft Company DSMA671 supercritical airfoil performance in the NASA Ames 2 ft x 2 ft transonic wind tunnel. Quantitative data obtained from the interferograms were compared to the surface pressure data. The excellent agreement obtained verified the accuracy of the flow visualization and demonstrated the potential for acquiring quantitative scalar results. Measurements of the inviscid flow speed and the boundary layer and wake velocity profiles were extracted from the interferograms and compared to laser Doppler velocimeter measurements. These results were also in good agreement. A method for acquiring real-time interferometric data in large-scale facilities was developed. This method, based on the point diffraction interferometer, was successfully tested in the Ames 2 ft x 2 ft transonic wind tunnel. The holographic and real-time interferometry methods were applied to the investigations of circulation control airfoils utilizing the Coanda effect. These results revealed the details of the jet interaction with the trailing edge boundary layer and the other parameters affecting the lift augmentation.

Bachalo, W. D.↗

Energy-modelled climb and climb-dash - The Kaiser technique

F. Kaiser's germinal 1944 report on his 'resultant-height' concept, now known as energy modelling, is reviewed. The data base for the Me. 262 jet fighter is recreated via spline-lattice representation of specific excess power. Minimum-time and 'distance'-climb trajectories are generated in an attempt to check Kaiser's results. Agreement is good for the minimum-time calculations but only qualitative agreement is obtained for the mysterious 'distance climbs' whose documentation is fragmentary. The character of optimal climb-dash trajectories in energy approximation is examined and illustrated.

Merritt, S. R.↗

The absolute flux of six hot stars in the ultraviolet (912-1600 A)

Six hot stars were observed on 1984 March 2 from a Black Brant V sounding rocket (NASA 21.085UG). The absolute fluxes from Gamma 2 Vel, Zeta Pup, Alpha CMa ,Gamma Ori, Beta Tau, and Epsilon Per were measured in the spectral region between 912 and 1600 A at 10 A resolution. Comparisons with revised Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 Ultraviolet Spectrometer data and previous sounding rocket data are evaluated. In general, the two sounding rocket experiments are in good agreement, and the revised Voyager data and the sounding rocket data are in agreement except at wavelengths below 1000 A.

Woods, T. N.↗

A test of the Suits vegetative-canopy reflectance model with LARS soybean-canopy reflectance data

The Suits vegetative-canopy reflectance model is tested with an extensive set of field reflectance measurements made by the Laboratory for Application of Remote Sensing (LARS) for soybean canopies. The model is tested for the full hemisphere of observer directions as well as the nadir direction. The results show moderate agreement for the visible channels of the Landsat MSS and poor agreement in the near-infrared channel of Landsat MSS. An analysis of errors is given.

Chance, J. E.↗

A diabatic circulation two-dimensional model with photochemistry - Simulations of ozone and long-lived tracers with surface sources

Numerous studies have been concerned with the possibility of a reduction of the stratospheric ozone layer. Such a reduction could lead to an enhanced penetration of ultraviolet (UV) radiation to the ground, and, as a result, to damage in the case of several biological processes. It is pointed out that the distributions of many trace gases, such as ozone, are governed in part by transport processes. The present investigation presents a two-dimensional photochemistry-transport model using the residual circulation. The global distribution of both ozone and components with ground sources computed in this model is in good agreement with the observations even though slow diffusion is adopted. The agreement is particularly good in the Northern Hemisphere. The results provide additional support for the idea that tracer transport in the stratosphere is mainly of advective nature.

Stordal, F.↗

Mars atmospheric circulation - Aspects from Viking Landers

Winds measured by the two Viking Landers have been filtered and then compared with predictions from the general circulation model and to Orbiter observations of clouds and surface phenomena that indicate wind direction. This was done to determine the degree to which filtered winds may represent aspects of the general circulation. Excellent agreement was found between wind direction data from Lander 1 and the model predictions and Orbiter observations. For Lander 2, agreement was generally good, but there were periods of disagreement which indicate that the filtering did not remove other extraneous effects. It is concluded that Lander 1 gives a good representation of the general circulation at 22.5 deg N latitude but that Lander 2 is suspect. Most wind data from Lander 1 have yet to be analyzed. It appears that when analyzed these Lander 1 data (covering 3.5 Mars years) can provide information about interannual variations in the general circulation at the Lander latitude.

Ryan, J. A.↗

Computations of internal turbulent flow with large separated flow regions

An implicit two-equation turbulence solver in generalized coordinates has been developed and is used in conjunction with the three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes solver, INS3D, to calculate the internal flow in one channel and in an additional channel with a sudden 2:3 expansion. A new and consistent boundary procedure for a low Reynolds number form of the kappa-epsilon turbulence model is chosen to integrate the equations up to the wall. The high Reynolds number form of the equations are integrated using wall functions. The latter approach yields a faster convergence to the steady state solution than the former. For the case of channel flow, both the wall function and wall boundary condition approaches yield results in good agreement with the experimental data. the back-step (sudden expansion) flow is calculated using wall function approach. The predictions are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data.

Kaul, U. K.↗