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At least 721 records · Page 40
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

A new 1.3 Aeon-Young achondrite

The Ar-40/Ar-39 age of Governador Valadares, a Nakhlite achondrite, has been determined to be 1.32 plus or minus 0.04 billion yrs. The K-Ar age and cosmic-ray exposure age of Governador Valadares are essentially identical to analogous ages for the two other known Nakhlite achondrites and to Rb-Sr ages determined for Nakhla. These data suggest that all three known meteorites of this class were derived from the same parent body by a common event, and confirm that Governador Valadares is a member of this class. The most probable heat source for producing such meteorites may be collisional melting of a portion of the parent body. Nakhlites may represent a rare phenomenon and may not be at all representative of the surface of their parent body.

Bogard, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Energy and economic trade offs for advanced technology subsonic aircraft

Changes in future aircraft technology which conserve energy are studied, along with the effect of these changes on economic performance. Among the new technologies considered are laminar-flow control, composite materials with and without laminar-flow control, and advanced airfoils. Aircraft design features studied include high-aspect-ratio wings, thickness ratio, and range. Engine technology is held constant at the JT9D level. It is concluded that wing aspect ratios of future aircraft are likely to significantly increase as a result of new technology and the push of higher fuel prices. Whereas current airplanes have been designed for AR = 7, supercritical technology and much higher fuel prices will drive aspect ratio to the AR = 9-10 range. Composite materials may raise aspect ratio to about 11-12 and practical laminar flow-control systems may further increase aspect ratio to 14 or more. Advanced technology provides significant reductions in aircraft take-off gross weight, energy consumption, and direct operating cost.

Maddalon, D. V.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A global thermospheric model based on mass spectrometer and incoherent scatter data MSIS. II - Composition

Measurements of O, He, and Ar from neutral gas mass spectrometers on four satellites (Ogo 6, San Marco 3, Aeros A, and AEC-C) and inferred oxygen and hydrogen densities from an ion mass spectrometer on AE-C have been combined with a neutral temperature and nitrogen density model to produce a global model of thermospheric composition in terms of inferred variations at 120 km. The data set covers the time period from mid-1969 to mid-1975. The MSIS (mass spectrometer and incoherent scatter data) model is compared with the Ogo 6 model (Hedin et al., 1974). Ar variations at 120 km tend to be in phase with temperature variations and inverse to the He, O, and H variations.

Hedin, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Diurnal variations in the thermosphere. II - Temperature, composition, and winds

The fundamental diurnal component of temperature, composition and wind fields is discussed for the thermosphere, the results delineated in terms of energy sources in the lower atmosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere, illustrating their relative significance. The diurnal component in the composition of H, He, O, O2 and Ar has been analyzed in terms of effects from thermal expansion in diffusive equilibrium and transport processes associated with chemistry, wind circulation, exospheric flow and escape. Next to thermal expansion, wind-induced diffusion is the single most important process; it dominates the diurnal variations of He and prevails in the variations of O, O2 and Ar below 200 km.

Mayr, H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Observations of neutral composition and related ionospheric variations during a magnetic storm in February 1974

The neutral-atmosphere composition experiment on Atmosphere Explorer C measured N2, O, Ar, and He densities during a magnetic storm at altitudes down to about 160 km. At latitudes above 45 deg N, N2 and Ar densities generally increase during the storm, while He and O densities decrease. Below 45 deg N all densities tend to increase during the storm. The density increases at perigee indicate that density- or temperature-profile changes are taking place below 160 km. The return to prestorm conditions is very slow, demonstrating the integrating effect of the atmospheric response. A recent theoretical model incorporating thermospheric circulation and diffusion effects reproduces the longitudinally averaged data, including latitude trends and the asymmetry about the storm maximum. Comparison with the mass-spectrometer and incoherent-scatter empirical model shows qualitative agreement with latitude trends but not with storm asymmetry, while the earlier J71 model based on total mass density is not in agreement with observed latitudinal trends. A close correlation is found between in situ O/N2 measurements and in situ and ground-based ionosonde measurements of electron density.

Hedin, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Optical and electrical properties of ion beam textured Kapton and Teflon

An electron bombardment argon ion source was used to ion etch polyimide (Kapton) and fluorinated ethylene, FEP (Teflon). Samples of polyimide and FEP were exposed to (0.5-1.0) keV Ar ions at ion current densities of (1.0-1/8) mA/sq cm for various exposure times. Changes in the optical and electrical properties of the samples were used to characterize the exposure. Spectral reflectance and transmittance measurements were made between 0.33 and 2.16 micron m using an integrating sphere after each exposure. From these measurements, values of solar absorptance were obtained. Total emittance measurements were also recorded for some samples. Surface resistivity was used to determine changes in the electrical conductivity of the etched samples. A scanning electron microscope recorded surface structure after exposure. Spectral optical data, resistivity measurements, calculated absorptance and emittance measurements are presented along with photomicrographs of the surface structure for the various exposures to Ar ions.

Mirtich, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Atomic electron correlation in nuclear electron capture

The effect of electron-electron Coulomb correlation on orbital electron capture by the nucleus was treated by the multiconfigurational Hartree-Fock approach. The theoretical Be-7 L/K capture ratio was found to be 0.086, and the Ar-37 M/L ratio, 0.102. Both ratios were smaller than the independent particle predictions. Measurements exist for the Ar M/L ratio, and agreement between theory and experiment was excellent.

Chen, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The composition of the atmosphere at the surface of Mars

The current status is summarized of investigations of the composition of the Martian atmosphere, in which use was made of the mass spectrometers that function as the analytical component of the molecular analysis experiments on the two Viking landers. The following points seem well established: N2, Ar-40, Ne, Kr, Xe, and the primordial isotope of Ar are present. The present atmosphere of Mars represents only a small fraction of the total amount of volatiles outgassed by the planet, so that high surface pressure and abundant water may have been present. The noble gases in the Martian atmosphere exhibit a relative abundance pattern similar to that in the earth's atmosphere and (except for Xe) to that in the primordial component of meteorites. The existence of a 'planetary component' is thus proven, supporting the arguments of those who favor a fractionation of noble gases prior to the formation of the planets. In spite of these similarities, the isotopic ratios of nitrogen, argon, and xenon indicate that the histories of the Martian and the earth's atmospheres have been very different.

Owen, T.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The Viking gas exchange experiment results from Chryse and Utopia surface samples

Immediate gas changes occurred when untreated Martian surface samples were humidified and/or wet by an aqueous nutrient medium in the Viking lander gas exchange experiment. The evolutions of N2, CO2, and Ar are mainly associated with soil surface desorption caused by water vapor, while O2 evolution is primarily associated with decomposition of superoxides inferred to be present on Mars. On recharges with fresh nutrient and test gas, only CO2 was given off, and its rate of evolution decreased with each recharge. This CO2 evolution is thought to come from the oxidation of organics present in the nutrient by gamma Fe2O3 in the surface samples. Atmospheric analyses were also performed at both sites. The mean atmospheric composition from four analyses is N2, 2.3%; O2, not greater than 0.15%; Ar, 1.5% and CO2, 96.2%.

Oyama, V. I.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Infinite order sudden approximation for rotational energy transfer in gaseous mixtures

Rotational energy transfer in gaseous mixtures is analyzed within the framework of the infinite order sudden (IOS) approximation, and a new derivation of the IOS from the coupled states Lippman-Schwinger equation is presented. This approach shows the relation between the IOS and coupled state T matrices. The general IOS effective cross section can be factored into a finite sum of 'spectroscopic coefficients' and 'dynamical coefficients'. The evaluation of these coefficients is considered. Pressure broadening for the systems HD-He, HCl-He, CO-He, HCl-Ar, and CO2-Ar is calculated, and results based on the IOS approximation are compared with coupled state results. The IOS approximation is found to be very accurate whenever the rotor spacings are small compared to the kinetic energy, provided closed channels do not play too great a role.

Goldflam, R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Limitation of 3547 to 1182 A conversion efficiency in Xe

It is found that the 3547 to 1182 A conversion efficiency in Xe-Ar mixtures is limited to about 0.9% by Kerr-induced dispersion. The primary effect is felt to be produced by a mixed-frequency Kerr nonlinearity which changes the index of refraction at 1182 A in the presence of large power densities at 3547 A, affecting phase matching. It is suggested that a Xe-Mg-Ar mixture compensates for the Kerr-induced dispersion and permits increased efficiencies.

Zych, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Some studies on a solid-state sulfur probe for coal gasification systems

As a part of a program for the development of a sulfur probe for monitoring the sulfur potential in coal gasification reactors, an investigation was conducted regarding the efficiency of the solid electrolyte cell Ar+H2+H2S/CaS+CaF2+(Pt)//CaF2//Pt)+CaF2+CaS/H2S+H2+Ar. A demonstration is provided of the theory, design, and operation of a solid-state sulfur probe based on CaF2 electrolyte. It was found that the cell responds to changes in sulfur potential in a manner predicted by the Nernst equation. The response time of the cell at 1225 K, after a small change in temperature or gas composition, was 2.5 Hr, while at a lower temperature of 990 K the response time was approximately 9 hr. The cell emf was insensitive to a moderate increase in the flow rate of the test gas and/or the reference gas. The exact factors affecting the slow response time of galvanic cells based on a CaF2 electrolyte have not yet been determined. The rate-limiting steps may be either the kinetics of electrode reactions or the rate of transport through the electrolyte.

Jacob, K. T.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Atomic electron correlation in nuclear electron capture

The effect of electron-electron Coulomb correlation on orbital-electron capture by the nucleus has been treated by the multiconfigurational Hartree-Fock approach. The theoretical Be-7 L/K capture ratio is found to be 0.086, and the Ar-37 M/L ratio, 0.102. Both ratios are smaller than the independent-particle predictions. Measurements exist for the Ar M/L ratio, and agreement between theory and experiment is excellent.

Chen, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Lunar initial Nd-143/Nd-144 - Differential evolution of the lunar crust and mantle

The Sm-Nd evolution of Apollo 15 green glass is discussed. The ICE age (intercept with chondritic evolution) of 3.8 + or - 0.4 eons overlaps the range of reported (Ar-39)-(Ar-40) ages and implies a distinct source region for green glass, characterized by very low and unfractionated REE abundances. Evidence is presented that LINd (lunar initial Nd) is compatible with a 'chondritic'-type Nd isotopic evolution as observed in the Juvinas meteorite. This normalization is used to study the Sm-Nd system of various lunar rock types. The results obtained from a limited number of rocks clearly indicate differential Sm-Nd evolution for the lunar crust and mantle. High-Ti basalts returned by the Apollo 11 and 17 missions were derived from distinct source regions. The Nd-143 evolution in KREEP requires a source region which is clearly distinct from any mantle reservoir.

Lugmair, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd chronology and genealogy of mare basalts from the Sea of Tranquility

Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd ages of two Apollo 11 mare basalts, high-K basalt 10072 and low-K basalt 10062, are reported. Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, and Ar-40-Ar-39 ages are in good agreement and indicate an extensive time interval for filling of the Sea of Tranquility, presumably by thin lava flows, in agreement with similar observations for the Ocean of Storms. Initial Sr and Nd isotopic compositions on Apollo 11 basalts reveal at least two parent sources producing basalts. The Sm-Nd isotopic data demonstrate that low-K and high-Ti basalts from Apollo 11 and 17 derived from distinct reservoirs, while low-Ti Apollo 15 mare basalt sources have Sm/Nd similar to the sources of Apollo 11 basalts. Groupings of mare basalt based on Ti content and on isotopic data do not coincide.

Papanastassiou, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Laser probe /Ar-39/-/Ar-40/ dating of materials from consortium breccia 73215

The unique capacity of the laser-probe (Ar-39)-(Ar-40) method to determine ages of constituents in a rock sample which are only of the order of 100 microns apart has been applied to measure ages of the different constituents of consortium breccia 73215. Evidence is given that the age of the melt-derived ground mass, 4.01 + or - 0.05 billion years, has no chronological significance. Instead, the best estimate for the age of the breccia-forming event, about 3.90 billion years, comes from the study of two clasts only a few hundred micrometers in size. The interpretation of this age as the age of the breccia-forming event is also supported by the studies of other consortium members and suggests a reinterpretation of the ages of most of the other Apollo 17 highland breccias.

Mueller, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

/Ar-40/-/Ar-39/ dating of Apollo 16 and 17 rocks

The reported study is a continuation of an investigation begun by Alexander and Kahl (1974), with primary emphasis on (Ar-40)-(Ar-39) dating of lunar breccias. A primary objective of the study was related to the resolution of small plateau-age differences between Apollo 16 and 17 samples which have been irradiated in the same irradiation. This objective was not realized because (1) neither of the considered Apollo 16 samples has a well-defined plateau, and (2) the release patterns of the two Apollo 17 samples with plateaux (73235 and 77017) are sufficiently complex to suggest caution in interpretation of fine-scale differences among apparent ages. The plateau age of 73235 agrees well with plateau ages measured for a nearby boulder at the South Massif. The plateau age of 77017, on the other hand, agrees well with plateau ages measured in an nearby boulder at the base of the North Massif. These rock and boulder ages are tightly clustered about 3.99 b.y., and this clustering suggests that the North and South Massifs were made in the same basin-forming event, presumably Serenitatis.

Phinney, D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Volatiles on the surface of Apollo 15 green glass and trace-element distributions among Apollo 15 soils

Zn, Ge, Cd, In, and Au have been detected in surficial deposits on Apollo 15 green-glass spherules, and it is suggested that these deposits are condensates from the magmatic gas phase which was responsible for the pneumatic expulsion of the green glass from the lunar interior. Thermodynamic data indicate that chlorides and fluorides were the dominant forms of the volatile metals. The Ar-40x content of a nongreen-glass soil fraction is greater than that found in green-glass. Mare and low-K Fra Mauro basalts seem to be the most prominent components of Apollo 15 soil. The correlation of Zn with Ar-40x and with Pb-204 is studied, and the distribution of quartz-normative and olivine-normative basalts is considered.

Chou, C.-L.↗