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At least 685 records · Page 38

Aircraft overflight measurements of midwest severe storms - Implications on geosynchronous satellite interpretations

The instrumented NASA ER-2 aircraft overflew severe convection with IR V features for the first time in the midwest United States during May 1984. Measurements taken by the ER-2 were: visible and IR imagery, high-frequency passive microwave (92, 183 GHz) imagery, nadir lidar backscattered return, and flight altitude information. The May 7 and May 13, 1984 cases are analyzed in detail and the various data sources are combined and compared with GOES imagery. The high resolution aircraft IR imagery shows that thermal couplets are considerably more pronounced than in GOES imagery. In one of the cases (May 7, 1984) the minimum cloud-top IR temperature was located upshear of the overshooting cloud top in the lidar height field. The IR temperatures in the downshear anvils were as much as 5 C warmer than the ambient air temperatures, implying that the upwelling IR radiance comes from about 0.5-1.0 km below the cloud top. The in situ ER-2 measurements of temperature and air velocity 3-4 km above the overshooting tops showed very intense temperature and vertical velocity, perturbations. These perturbations are suggestive of lee waves generated by the overshooting tops or a cold dome above the squall line possibly due to tropopause lifting by the storms.

Heymsfield, Gerald M.↗

Slosh wave excitation and stability of spacecraft fluid systems

The instability of liquid and gas interface can be induced by the pressure of longitudinal and lateral accelerations, vehicle vibration, and rotational fields of spacecraft in a microgravity environment. Characteristics of slosh waves excited by the restoring force field of gravity jitters have been investigated. Results show that lower frequency gravity jitters excite slosh waves with higher ratio of maximum amplitude to wave length than that of the slosh waves generated by the higher frequency gravity jitters.

Hung, R. J.↗

The coherent Cerenkov radiated power from a group of field-aligned test particles in a magnetoplasma

An expression is derived that describes the coherent Cerenkov radiated power from a group of test particles in a plasma medium moving parallel to a magnetic field. In this analysis, each particle has an arbitrary position and velocity along a field line and, as a consequence, both the spatial and temporal coherence of the radiation are considered. As an example, it is demonstrated that a monoenergetic electron beam consisting of small pulses can generate wave powers well above incoherent levels if the pulse spacing is comparable to an integer number of emission wavelengths. It is also shown that, if the beam particles have a velocity spread, Delta-V, the wave powers will decrease in time due to the reduced temporal coherence of the particle radiators, where this coherence scales as 1/Delta-V. This latter effect applies to any charged particle beam propagating in a magnetoplasma, because even an initially monoenergetic beam becomes thermalized by electrostatic wave-particle interactions reducing the radiated power.

Farrell, W. M.↗

Simulation of glancing shock wave and boundary layer interaction

Shock waves generated by sharp fins, glancing across a laminar boundary layer growing over a flat plate, are simulated numerically. Several basic issues concerning the resultant three-dimensional flow separation are studied. Using the same number of grid points, different grid spacings are employed to investigate the effects of grid resolution on the origin of the line of separation. Various shock strengths (generated by different fin angles) are used to study the so-called separated and unseparated boundary layer and to establish the existence or absence of the secondary separation. The usual interpretations of the flow field from previous studies and new interpretations arising from the present simulation are discussed.

Hung, Ching-Mao↗

Experiments on swept-wing boundary layers

Three-dimensional boundary-layer experiments are currently being conducted on a 45-deg swept wing in the Arizona State University Unsteady Wind Tunnel. Crossflow-dominated transition is produced via a model with contoured end liners to simulate infinite swept-wing flow. Fixed-wavelength stationary and traveling crossflow vortices are observed. The stationary vortex wavelengths vary with Reynolds number as predicted by linear-stability theory, but with observed wavelengths which are about 25 percent smaller than theoretically predicted. The frequencies of the most amplified moving waves are in agreement with linear stability theory; however, traveling waves at higher frequencies than predicted are also observed. These higher-frequency waves may be harmonics of the primary crossflow waves generated by a parametric resonance phenomena. Boundary-layer profiles measured at several spanwise locations show streamwise disturbance profiles characteristic of the crossflow instability.

Dagenhart, J. R.↗

Comparison of observed and calculated implanted ion distributions outside Comet Halley's bow shock

This paper compares calculated and measured energy spectra of implanted H(+) and O(+) ions on the assumption that the pickup geometry is quasi-parallel and about 1 percent of the waves generated by the cometary pickup process propagate backward (toward the comet). The model provides a good description of the implanted O(+) and H(+) energy distribution near the pickup energies. The thickness of the implanted ion velocity distribution shells was nearly constant between 2.5 and 1.2 million km (just outside the shock) along the inbound Giotto trajectory. The explanation is that the velocity diffusion coefficient and characteristic diffusion time vary approximately as 1/r and r, respectively, and therefore their product (which determines the velocity shell thickness) remains nearly constant.

Gombosi, T. I.↗

Transient particle acceleration in strongly magnetized neutron stars

Although several reasonable physical processes have been proposed to account for the initial energy release in transient events on strongly magnetized neutron stars, and although the manifestation of this activity as a burst of X- or gamma-radiation evidently results from the Compton upscattering of soft photons by relativistic electrons, a self-consistent picture for the particle acceleration itself is lacking. Here, a detailed model is developed in which sheared Alfven waves generated by the energized stellar crust (e.g., due to a starquake) accelerate the changes to large Lorentz factors. For canonical stellar parameters and a burst energy of about 10 to the 37th ergs, the maximum attainable Lorentz factor is gamma(max) 50m, where m (of about 2-3/cm) characterizes the shear of the magnetic perturbation. This value of gamma(max) is consistent with the particle energy required to produce the most energetic gamma-rays (of about 10-100 MeV) observed in gamma-ray bursts.

Melia, Fulvio↗

Gravity jitter effected slosh waves and the stability of a rotating bubble under microgravity

The instability of liquid and gas interface can be induced by the pressure of longitudinal and lateral accelerations, vehicle vibration, and rotational fields of spacecraft in a microgravity environment. Characteristics of slosh waves excited by the restoring force field of gravity jitters have been investigated. Results show that lower frequency gravity jitters excite slosh wave with higher ratio of maximum amplitude to wave length than that of the slosh waves generated by the higher frequency gravity jitters.

Hung, R. J.↗

Pressure and temperature fluctuations in an axisymmetric flowfield due to shock-boundary layer interactions at high Reynolds numbers at Mach 6

Pressure and temperature fluctuations have been meausred in the vicinity of shock wave-boundary layer interactions due to conical compression ramps on an axisymmetric body. The basic model is a cylindrical body with a 10-deg conical nose. Four conical ramps of vertex angles, 20, 25, 30, and 35 deg serve as shock wave generators. Surface temperature and pressure surveys have been made in the vicinity of the conical ramp vertex, the separation point, and the reattachment point. The temperature response within the flowfield appears to be steady-state for all compression ramp angles and all Reynolds numbers. The pressure response shows some oscillations in the vicinity of the separation point. The characteristic frequency of these fluctuations appears to be in the range from 200 to 1200 Hz with most of the power near 400 Hz. These data indicate the flowfield to be steady-state for all locations with the exception of localized pressure fluctuations in the vicinity of the separation point.

Flanagan, M. J., Jr.↗

Observational and theoretical investigations in solar seismology

This is the final report on a project to develop a theoretical basis for interpreting solar oscillation data in terms of the interior dynamics and structure of the Sun. The topics covered include the following: (1) studies of the helioseismic signatures of differential rotation and convection in the solar interior; (2) wave generation by turbulent convection; and (3) the study of antipodal sunspot imaging of an active region tomography.

Noyes, Robert W.↗

Swept shock/boundary layer interaction experiments in support of CFD code validation

Research on the topic of shock wave/turbulent boundary-layer interaction was carried out during the past three years at the Penn State Gas Dynamics Laboratory. This report describes the experimental research program which provides basic knowledge and establishes new data on heat transfer in swept shock wave/boundary-layer interactions. An equilibrium turbulent boundary-layer on a flat plate is subjected to impingement by swept planar shock waves generated by a sharp fin. Five different interactions with fin angle ranging from 10 deg to 20 deg at freestream Mach numbers of 3.0 and 4.0 produce a variety of interaction strengths from weak to very strong. A foil heater generates a uniform heat flux over the flat plate surface, and miniature thin-film-resistance sensors mounted on it are used to measure the local surface temperature. The heat convection equation is then solved for the heat transfer distribution within an interaction, yielding a total uncertainty of about +/- 10 percent. These experimental data are compared with the results of numerical Navier-Stokes solutions which employ a k-epsilon turbulence model. Finally, a simplified form of the peak heat transfer correlation for fin interactions is suggested.

Settles, G. S.↗

Static shape and instability of an acoustically levitated liquid drop

Dynamical aspects of a drop drastically flattened by acoustic radiation stress are considered. Its static equilibrium has been studied, starting with a dislike shape and modeling the sound field and the associated radiation stress according to this geometry. It is suggested that, at low viscosity, the ripples are capillary waves generated by the parametric instability excited by the membrane vibration, which is driven by the sound pressure. Atomization occurs whenever the membrane becomes so thin that the vibration is sufficiently intense. Buckling occurs when an existent equilibrium is unstable to a radial oscillation of the membrane because of the Bernoulli effect. The radiation stress at the rim of the flattened drop is also destabilizing and leads to horizontal expansion and subsequent breakup.

Lee, C. P.↗

Magnetoacoustic heating of the solar chromosphere

Long-period acoustic waves generated in the solar convection zone can propagate radially outward through the overlying atmosphere and get resonantly absorbed in the magnetic arches of the low-lying chromospheric canopy. The resulting Poynting and acoustic flux that enters the magnetic canopy in the network regions is demonstrated to be adequate to account for the observed chromospheric emission.

Davila, Joseph M.↗

The behavior of a liquid drop levitated and drastically flattened by an intense sound field

The deformation and break-up are studied of a liquid drop in levitation through the radiation pressure. Using high-speed photography ripples are observed on the central membrane of the drop, atomization of the membrane by emission of satellite drops from its unstable ripples, and shattering of the drop after upward buckling like an umbrella, or after horizontal expansion like a sheet. These effects are captured on video. The ripples are theorized to be capillary waves generated by the Faraday instability excited by the sound vibration. Atomization occurs whenever the membrane becomes so thin that the vibration is sufficiently intense. The vibration leads to a destabilizing Bernoulli correction in the static pressure. Buckling occurs when an existent equilibrium is unstable to a radial (i.e., tangential) motion of the membrane because of the Bernoulli effect. Besides, the radiation stress at the rim of the drop is a suction stress which can make equilibrium impossible, leading to the horizontal expansion and the subsequent break-up.

Lee, C. P.↗

Evidence for particle acceleration in AE Aqr from radio and X-ray observations

The novalike cataclysmic variable AE Aquarii shows evidence for radio synchrotron emission from expanding magnetized clouds. The radio and UV flare timescales are similar indicating that the central engine is located close to the white dwarf. A collisionless shock may develop above the polar cap, which may explain the observed temperature. Protons and ions accelerated up to energies of more than 1 TeV can diffuse away from the central engine, enter magnetized clouds, and generate waves which in turn heat and accelerate electrons. An embarrassing situation exists where reprocessed optical and X-ray pulsations (33 s) are observed, but the expected direct X-ray pulse from the white dwarf is absent. The standard theory for CVs cannot explain this, and one possible explanation is that a beam of relativistic protons and ions from the polar cap may give the observed reprocessed optical to X-rays in a thick target fixed in the system.

De Jager, O. C.↗

Heat transfer measurements and CFD comparison of swept shock wave/boundary-layer interactions

An experimental research program providing basic knowledge and establishing new data on the heat transfer in swept shock wave/boundary-layer interactions is described. An equilibrium turbulent boundary-layer on a flat plate is subjected to impingement by swept planar shock waves generated by a sharp fin. Five different interactions with fin angles ranging from 10 to 20 deg at freestream Mach numbers of 3.0 and 4.0 produce a variety of interaction strengths from weak to very strong. A foil heater generates a uniform heat flux over the flat plate surface and miniature thin-film-resistance sensors mounted on it are used to measure the local surface temperature. The heat convection equation is then solved for the heat transfer distribution within an interaction, yielding a total uncertainty of about +/- 10 percent. These experimental data are compared with the results of numerical Navier-Stokes solutions which employ a kappa-epsilon turbulence model. Finally, a simplified form of the peak heat transfer correlation for fin interactions is suggested.

Lee, Y.↗

Time dependent heat transfer rates in high Reynolds number hypersonic flowfields

Time dependent heat transfer rates have been calculated from time dependent temperature measurements in the vicinity of shock-wave boundary-layer interactions due to conical compression ramps on an axisymmetric body. The basic model is a cylindrical body with a 10 degree conical nose. Four conical ramps, 20, 25, 30, and 35 degrees serve as shock wave generators. Flowfield surveys have been made in the vicinity of the conical ramp vertex, the separation point, and the reattachment point. A significant effort was made to characterize the natural frequencies and relative powers of the resulting fluctuations in heat transfer rates. This research effort, sponsored jointly by NASA and the Air Force, was conducted in the Air Force Flight Dynamics Directorate High Reynolds Facility. The nominal freestream Mach number was 6, and the freestream Reynolds numbers ranged from 2.2 million/ft to 30.0 million/ft. Experimental results quantify temperature response and the resulting heat transfer rates as a function of ramp angle and Reynolds number. The temperature response within the flowfield appears to be steady-state for all compression ramp angles and all Reynolds numbers, and hence, the heat transfer rates appear to be steady-state.

Flanagan, Michael J.↗

An experimental study of the sources of fluctuating pressure loads beneath swept shock/boundary-layer interactions

An experimental research program providing basic knowledge and establishing a database on the fluctuating pressure loads produced on aerodynamic surfaces beneath three dimensional shock wave/boundary layer interactions is described. Such loads constitute a fundamental problem of critical concern to future supersonic and hypersonic flight vehicles. A turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate is subjected to interactions with swept planar shock waves generated by sharp fins at angle of attack. Fin angles from 10 to 20 deg at freestream Mach numbers of 3 and 4 produce a variety of interaction strengths from weak to very strong. Miniature Kulite pressure transducers flush-mounted in the flat plate are used to measure interaction-induced wall pressure fluctuations. The distributions of properties of the pressure fluctuations, such as their ring levels, amplitude distributions, and power spectra, are also determined. Measurements were made for the first time in the aft regions of these interactions, revealing fluctuating pressure levels as high as 160 dB. These fluctuations are dominated by low frequency (0-5 kHz) signals. The maximum ring levels in the interactions show an increasing trend with increasing interaction strength. On the other hand, the maximum ring levels in the forward portion of the interactions decrease linearly with increasing interaction sweep back. These ring pressure distributions and spectra are correlated with the features of the interaction flowfield. The unsteadiness of the off-surface flowfield is studied using a new, non-intrusive technique based on the shadow graph method. The results indicate that the entire lambda-shock structure generated by the interaction undergoes relatively low-frequency oscillations. Some regions where particularly strong fluctuations are generated were identified. Fluctuating pressure measurements are also made along the line of symmetry of an axisymmetric jet impinging upon a flat plate at an angle. This flow was chosen as a simple analog to the impinging jet region found in the rear portion of the shock wave/boundary layer interactions under study. It is found that a sharp peak in ring pressure level exists at or near the mean stagnation point. It is suggested that the phenomena responsible for this peak may be active in the swept interactions as well, and may cause the extremely high fluctuating pressures observed in the impinging jet region in the present experimental program.

Settles, G. S.↗