ICESat‐2 Atmospheric Channel Description, Data Processing and First Results
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Stephen P. Palm↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “atmospheric processing”
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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Investigation of energy and deposition processes in the upper atmosphere and the interaction between the mesosphere and the thermosphere Annual progress report, 1 Mar. 1968 - 1 Jun. 1969
Transmittance of optical materials used in ultraviolet and subjected to proton irradiation
Mc Elaney, J. H.↗
Configuration description and load analysis for the Atmospheric and Oceanographic Information Processing System (AOIPS)
A computer system for processing image data is described. It essentially consists of two minicomputer systems. System components are listed and discussed, and flow charts are shown.
Dalton, J. T.↗
Transport processes in the upper atmosphere
Studies of transport mechanisms in the upper atmosphere (diffusion, turbulence, large-scale circulation) are reviewed. A normally turbulent state of the lower thermosphere is inferred from direct observations of tracers and from thermal and composition structure. Viscous dissipation in the thermosphere and energy dissipation in turbulence working against buoyancy are discussed in relation to a critical Richardson number for initiation of turbulence (0.25, as in the stratosphere). But the usefulness of the Richardson criterion is limited when static stability is low, as is the case when strong shear-generated turbulence prevails.
Johnson, F. S.↗
A three-dimensional model of dynamical processes in the Venus atmosphere
Three-dimensional calculations of the circulation of the Venus atmosphere have resulted in mean zonal winds in the same direction and of the same magnitude as those observed; i.e., retrograde with speeds of the order of 100 m/s. The solutions exhibit other observed properties of the circulation: small horizontal temperature contrasts with the larger variations being between equator and pole, meridional velocities at mid and low latitudes less than 10 m/s, and the existence of planetary waves which at certain times show vertical flow-field contours in a horizontal Y configuration. The mechanism maintaining the large zonal winds is a nonlinear instability involving both the mean meridional circulation and planetary-scale eddies. The meridional circulation is the principal means by which zonal momentum is transported vertically. Planetary-scale eddies are the principal means by which potential energy is released, and they are also significant in transporting angular momentum horizontally. Planetary rotation plays an important role in initially generating the mean zonal winds starting from rest. Initial conditions affect the characteristics of the solutions, including the magnitude of the mean zonal velocity and whether or not planetary waves are generated.
Young, R. E.↗
Solar-wind tritium limit and nuclear processes in the solar atmosphere
Tritium in Surveyor 3 material is measured, and the resulting H-3/H-1 ratio for the solar wind is applied in a solar flare-solar wind relation to investigate the mixing requirements for the solar atmosphere. The flare-wind relation is derived. None of the tritium can be attributed to solar-wind implantation. The upper limit for the H-3/He ratio in the solar wind is 4 times 10 to the minus tenth power and corresponds to a H-3/H-1 limit of 2 times 10 to the minus eleventh power. This limit imposes a requirement on the mixing rate in the solar atmosphere if the H-3 production rate in solar-surface nuclear reactions is greater than 160/sq cm per sec.
Fireman, E. L.↗
An error analysis of tropical cyclone divergence and vorticity fields derived from satellite cloud winds on the Atmospheric and Oceanographic Information Processing System (AOIPS)
An advanced Man-Interactive image and data processing system (AOIPS) was developed to extract basic meteorological parameters from satellite data and to perform further analyses. The errors in the satellite derived cloud wind fields for tropical cyclones are investigated. The propagation of these errors through the AOIPS system and their effects on the analysis of horizontal divergence and relative vorticity are evaluated.
Hasler, A. F.↗
Comments on 'A three-dimensional model of dynamical processes in the Venus atmosphere'
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Rossow, W. B.↗
Processing and display of atmospheric phenomenaa data
A series of technical efforts dealing with various atmospheric phenomena is described. Refinements to the Potential in an Electrostatic Cloud (PEC) model are discussed. The development of an Apple III graphics program, the NSSL Lightning Data Program and a description of data reduction procedures are examined. Several utility programs are also discussed.
Tatom, F. B.↗
Transport Processes in the Upper Atmosphere
A proposed study to measure aerodynamic and heat transfer coefficients within the thermo-fluid-dynamic range experienced by a tethered satellite and to compare the coefficients with previous correlations is discussed. Tests are proposed on a satellite of existing design, on a satellite design consisting of models carried aboard, and on a newly designed satellite devoted to energy, mass, and momentum transfer studies on particular geometries.
Carlomagno, G. M.↗
Ionic processes in the upper atmosphere
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Huntress, W. T.↗
Chemical processes in Triton's atmosphere and surface
The Neptune moon Triton may have an appreciable atmosphere; the preliminary calculations of Delitsky (1983) have suggested that there should be a significant resultant chemistry in a possible N2 ocean with dissolved CH4, given charged-particle radiolysis of gaseous mixtures and gamma radiolysis of N2-CH4 solutions. The latter will yield substantial quantities of organic products which will be partially soluble in any N2-CH4 liquid present. Attention is presently given to the energy sources available for Triton, in order to estimate rates of synthesis and ascertain the possible history of such simple and complex organic products on Triton's surface.
Delitsky, M. L.↗
Small scale MHD wave processes in the solar atmosphere and solar wind
Solar wind observations suggesting wave-particle interactions via ion-cyclotron resonances are reviewed. The required power at high frequencies is presumably supplied via a turbulent cascade. Tu's (1987) model, which considers a turbulent cascade explicitly, is outlined. In the solar atmosphere, resonance absorption is considered. The meanings of the cusp and Alfven resonances are discussed, and it is shown how energy gets pumped into small scales. It is shown that resonance absorption can heat the corona and spicules in a manner consistent with observations, if turbulence provides an eddy viscosity.
Hollweg, Joseph V.↗
Photochemical reactions of cyanoacetylene and dicyanoacetylene: Possible processes in Titan's atmosphere
Titan has an atmosphere which is subject to dramatic chemical evolution due mainly to the dramatic effect of the UV flux from the Sun. The energetic solar photons and other particles are converting the methane-nitrogen atmosphere into the unsaturated carbon compounds observed by the Voyager probes. These same solar photons are also converting some of these unsaturated reaction products into the aerosols observed in the atmosphere which obscure the view of the surface of Titan. In particular, the photochemical reactions of cyanoacetylene, dicyanoacetylene, acetylene and ethylene may result in the formation of the higher hydrocarbons and polymers which result in the aerosols observed in Titan's atmosphere. Polymers are the principal reaction products formed by irradiation of cyanoacetylene and dicyanoacetylene. Irradiation of cyanoacetylene with 185 nm of light also yields 1,3,5-tricyanobenzene while irradiation at 254 nm yields 1,2,4-tricyanobenzene and tetracyano cyclooctatetraenes. Photolyses of mixtures of cyanoacetylene and acetylene yields mono- and di- cyanobenzenes. The 1-Cyanocyclobutene is formed from the photochemical addition of cyanoacetylene with ethylene. The photolysis of dicyanoacetylene with acetylene yields 2,3-dicyano-1,3-butadiene and 1,2-dicyanobenzene. Tetracyano cyclooctatetraene products were also observed in the photolysis of mixtures of dicyanoacetylene and acetylene with 254 nm light. The 1,2-Dicyano cyclobutene is obtained from the photolysis dicyanoacetylene and ethylene. Reaction mechanisms will be proposed to explain the observed photoproducts.
Ferris, J. P.↗
Volatile processes in Triton's atmosphere and surface
A basic model for latitudinal transport of nitrogen is reviewed focusing on its limitations and some complications associated with surface and atmospheric physics. Data obtained by 1989 Voyager encounter with the Neptune system revealed the complexity in the pure nitrogen transport which is caused by the nonuniform albedo of the frosts. It is concluded that Triton is similar to Mars in terms of the complexity of volatile transport and to understand Triton's surface-atmosphere system, Mars may be a very good analog.
Lunine, J. I.↗
Evidence for processed material in the atmospheres of Large Magellanic Cloud B supergiants
We present a high-dispersion study of the optical spectra of 11 LMC B-type supergiants. These stars had been shown previously to have a wide range in nitrogen absorption line strengths, despite having very similar temperatures and luminosities. The current study shows that the relatively rare nitrogen-weak stars also have weaker photospheric helium lines and stronger photospheric oxygen lines than the more spectroscopically typical supergiants. This pattern suggests that the vast majority of LMC B-type supergiants have had their surfaces contaminated by material from their original hydrogen-burning cores - with a resultant enhancement of surface nitrogen and helium and a depletion in oxygen - while the spectroscopically nitrogen-weak stars are more likely to have retained their main-sequence surface abundances.
Fitzpatrick, Edward L.↗
Dynamic processes in Be star atmospheres. 3: Rapid multiwavelength variability in gamma Cassiopeiae
A review of the characteristics of X-ray emission from gamma Cas suggests various weaknesses with conventional scenarios that invoke Be wind interactions with a putative binary companion. To explore whether this emission might arise instead from sporadic high-energy events on the Be star itself, we have examined the temporal behavior of Voyager 1 FUV spectra and He I lambda 6678 line profiles. The FUV continuum light curves show a continuous rapid variability with a range of greater than or = 0.2 mag over a timescale of approximately 1 hr. All indications are that this variability is real. The difference spectrum of the inferred fluctuating component is identical to the photospheric spectrum, ruling out an origin much hotter than the star's effective temperature. A histogram of flux differences formed from consecutive observations shows a flat-topped distribution out to 0.2 mag. This result bears a striking resemblance to histograms constructed from EXOSAT and Ginga data, suggesting that the X-ray and FUV variabilities could have a common origin. Evidence is also presented of rapid variability in optical spectral lines associated with the stars photosphere. Time series of difference profiles of the lambda 6678 line confirm the existence of migrating subfeatures reported by earlier studies. The comoving average of these profiles shows that these features have a shape resembling a symmetrical 'wave-packet'. Wave packets appear to be preceeded and rejuvenated by a sharp central absorption feature. We also report a transient emission feature in lambda 6678 that is similar to brief emissions once reported by Slettebak & Snow in UV resonance line profiles of Si IV and Mg II. We argue that the FUV and optical variability may find an explanation in terms of magnetic flares. Solar white-light flares offer a possible paradigm. However, problems remain with such explanations, in particular their high mean energy, frequency, and temperature.
Smith, Myron A.↗
Dynamic Processes in Be Star Atmospheres.: Simultaneous X-Ray, Ultraviolet, and Optical Variations in lambda Eridani - 6
This report describes a joint X ray/ultraviolet/ground based study of the abnormal Be star lambda Eri which has previously shown evidence of X ray flaring from Rosat observations in 1991. The 1991 flare event caught the astronomical hot star community by surprise because x ray flares have not been observed from other single B-type stars, before or since. Both optical (H-alpha) and UV/Voyager observations provide evidence for transient heating events near the surface of lambda Eri.
Smith, Myron A.↗