Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “data inference”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 721 records · Page 40
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Radioactivity in the galactic plane

The paper reports the detection of a large concentration of interstellar radioactivity during balloon-altitude measurements of gamma-ray energy spectra in the band between 0.02 and 12.27 MeV from galactic and extragalactic sources. Enhanced counting rates were observed in three directions towards the plane of the Galaxy; a power-law energy spectrum is computed for one of these directions (designated B 10). A large statistical deviation from the power law in a 1.0-FWHM interval centered near 1.16 MeV is discussed, and the existence of a nuclear gamma-ray line at 1.15 MeV in B 10 is postulated. It is suggested that Ca-44, which emits gamma radiation at 1.156 MeV following the decay of radioactive Sc-44, is a likely candidate for this line, noting that Sc-44 arises from Ti-44 according to explosive models of supernova nucleosynthesis. The 1.16-MeV line flux inferred from the present data is shown to equal the predicted flux for a supernova at a distance of approximately 3 kpc and an age not exceeding about 100 years.

Walraven, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Lunar gravity determinations and their implications

Mass distributions inferred from lunar gravity data are studied, with emphasis on mascons as mass excesses in topographic lows in all the near-side ringed basins, with best representation as near-surface disks with excess loads of 800 kg per sq cm. The gravity data are derived from earth-based radiometric data on speed variations of orbiting Apollo spacecraft observed from the earth. Mass deficits are found in the case of large 100 km craters (Langrenus, Theophilus, Copernicus), and are consistent with crater volume. Earlier states of the moon are hypothesized on the basis of the small gravitational anomaly associated with the Apennine mountains, and on the basis of lunar isostasy, plasticity, and maria flooding and filling.

Sjogren, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Airframe noise component interaction studies

Acoustic wind tunnel tests were conducted to examine the noise-generating processes of an airframe during approach flight. The airframe model was a two-dimensional wing section, to which highlift leading and trailing edge devices and landing gear could be added. Far field conventional microphones were utilized to determine component spectrum levels. An acoustic mirror directional microphone was utilized to examine noise source distributions on airframe components extended separately and in combination. Measured quantities are compared with predictions inferred from aircraft flyover data. Aeroacoustic mechanisms for each airframe component are identified. Component interaction effects on total radiated noise generally were small (within about 2 dB). However, some interactions significantly redistributed the local noise source strengths by changing local flow velocities and turbulence levels. Possibilities for noise reduction exist if trailing edge flaps could be modified to decrease their noise radiation caused by incident turbulent flow.

Fink, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Energy loss by resonance line photons in an absorbing medium

The mean path length of photons undergoing repeated scatterings in media of large optical thickness is calculated from accurate numerical solutions of the transfer equation including the effect of frequency redistribution characteristic of combined Doppler and natural broadening. Energy loss by continuous absorption processes, such as ionization or dust absorption, is discussed, and asymptotic scaling laws for the energy loss, the mean path length, and the mean number of scatterings are inferred from the numerical data.

Hummer, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Light scattering calculations for the nephelometer experiment on the 1981/1982 Jupiter Orbiter-Probe mission

A variety of studies were carried out to help establish the accuracy of quantities describing physical characteristics of cloud particles (such as size, shape, and composition) that are to be inferred from light scattering data obtained with the nephelameter experiment on the Galileo spacecraft. The objectives were to provide data for validating and testing procedures for analyzing the Galileo nephelameter data with light scattering observations in a variety of on-going laboratory and field measurement programs for which simultaneous observations of the physical characteristics of the scattering particles were available.

Grams, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Geodynamics of the Baikal-Stanovoy seismic belt

The convection generated tensional stress field in the earth, as inferred from satellite gravity data, reveals an anomalous lens of upwelling mantle rocks under the Baikal rift zone. The point of no strain at 56 deg N 116 deg E forms a seismic gap along the Baikal-Stanovoy seismic belt. East of this point, the stress field changes from extension to compression. Therefore, the position of no strain at the eastern termination of the rift accounts for the dying-out of the rift zone and for the appearance of a compressive structure in the Stanovoy Range.

Liu, H.-S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The large scale dust distribution in the inner galaxy

Initial results are presented from a new large-scale survey of the first quadrant of the galactic plane at wavelengths of 160, 260, and 300 microns. The submillimeter wavelength emission, interpreted as thermal radiation by dust grains, reveals an optically thin disk of angular width about 0.09 deg (FWHM) with a mean dust temperature of 23 K and significant variation of the dust mass column density. Comparison of the dust column density with the gas column density inferred from CO survey data shows a striking spatial correlation. The mean luminosity per hydrogen atom is found to be 2.5 x 10 to the -30th W/H, implying a radiant energy density in the vicinity of the dust an order of magnitude larger than in the solar neighborhood. The data favor dust in molecular clouds as the dominant submillimeter radiation source.

Hauser, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Antarctic sea ice microwave signatures and their correlation with in situ ice observations

The general characteristics and microwave radiative properties of sea ice in the Weddell Sea region during the onset of spring are studied by using the Nimbus 7 Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) and other satellite sensors, in conjunction with in situ observations from the Mikhail Somov. The position of the ice edge, the gradient of ice concentration, and the width of the Marginal Ice Zone are inferred from the microwave data, and are found to be consistent with ship observations, especially at 18 GHz. The sensitivities of the various SMMR frequencies to surface and other effects are investigated by using multispectral cluster analysis. The results show considerable variability in emissivity, especially at 37 GHz, likely associated with varying degrees of surface wetness. Ice concentrations are derived by using two methods: one that assumes fixed emissivities for consolidated ice and an iterative procedure that accounts for the variable emissivities observed. Using the procedure that allows the emissivities to be variable gives ice concentrations that are more consistent with qualitative field observations.

Comiso, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Aircraft noise annoyance at three joint air carrier and general aviation airports

The results of social surveys conducted near three airports that support both general aviation and scheduled air carrier operations are presented and discussed. Inferences supported by these data include: (1) the nature of noise exposure and community reaction at smaller airports may differ from that at larger airports; (2) survey techniques are capable of identifying changes in annoyance associated with numerically small changes in noise exposure; (3) changes in the prevalence of annoyance are causally produced by changes in noise exposure; and (4) changes in annoyance associated with changes in exposure vary with time.

Fidell, S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

IUE observations of amorphous hot galaxies

Blue amorphous galaxies are star-forming, irregularlike systems which lack the spatially distinct OB stellar groups that are characteristic of most late-type galaxies. In order to better understand the nature of star-formation processes in these unusual galaxies, short-wavelength IUE spectra of the amorphous galaxies NGC 1705 and NGC 1800 have been obtained. It is found that NGC 1705 contains a normal mix of OB stars, which is consistent with the nearly constant recent star-formation rate inferred from new optical data. NGC 1800 is likely to have similar properties, and blue galaxies with amorphous structures thus do not show evidence for anomalies in stellar populations. The UV spectra of these galaxies and a variety of other hot extragalactic stellar systems in fact have similar characteristics, which suggests OB stellar populations are often homogeneous in their properties.

Lamb, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Solar pressure and molecular decay in cometary atmospheres

The effects of solar pressure and molecular decay on number density in cometary atmospheres are rigorously separated and scale lengths for each are determined from an analysis of observed brightness profiles in the solar and antisolar directions. It is found that the pressure scale length of CN is approximately 160,000 km and that of C2 is approximately 110,000 km. The scale length for molecular decay, heretofore incorrectly inferred from the observational data, is approximately 3 times as long as the pressure scale lengths. It is difficult to determine adequately from observations that extend no more than about 100,000 km from the comet nucleus. The scale length for molecular decay by photodissociation or whatever cause is found to be about 350,000 km for C2 and 500,000 km for CN.

Beard, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Does the geoid drift west?

In 1970 Hide and Malin noted a correlation of about 0.8 between the geoid and the geomagnetic potential at the Earth's surface when the latter is rotated eastward in longitude by about 160 degrees and the spherical harmonic expansions of both functions are truncated at degree 4. From a century of magnetic observatory data, Hide and Malin inferred an average magnetic westward drift rate of about 0.27 degrees/year. They attributed the magnetic-gravitational correlation to a core event at about 1350 A.D. which impressed the mantle's gravity pattern at long wavelengths onto the core motion and the resulting magnetic field. The impressed pattern was then carried westward 160 degrees by the nsuing magnetic westward drift. An alternative possibility is some sort of steady physical coupling between the magnetic and gravitational fields (perhaps migration of Hide's bumps on the core-mantle interface). This model predicts that the geoid will drift west at the magnetic rate. On a rigid earth, the resulting changes in sea level would be easily observed, but they could be masked by adjustment of the mantle if it has a shell with viscosity considerably less than 10 to the 21 poise. However, steady westward drift of the geoid also predicts secular changes in g, the local acceleration of gravity, at land stations. These changes are now ruled out by recent independent high-accuracy absolute measurements of g made by several workers at various locations in the Northern Hemisphere.

Backus, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Dynamics of Bridgman-Stockbarger growth of non-dilute binary alloys

The coupling between heat and mass transfer in the Bridgman-Stockbarger growth of nondilute crystals induces growth rate transients that are longer than those caused by heat transfer alone. The dynamics of the diffusion-controlled growth for thermophysical properties representative of Pb(1-x)Sn(x)Te and Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te are computed from a one-dimensional solidification model which includes melt-crystal phase behavior. Results show that the growth rate response to a step change in pull rate for both systems differs from the exponential decay observed for dilute alloys and that growth rates cannot be inferred from axial segregation data in nondilute systems due to the dependence of the segregation coefficient on composition.

Bourret, E. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Zonal winds and the angular momentum balance of Venus' atmosphere within and above the clouds

Temperatures and pressures inferred from radio occultation data acquired by the Pioneer Venus orbiter between September 1982 and November 1983 are used to derive cyclostrophic zonal winds in the middle atmosphere of Venus (1350 to 2.1 mb, 10 deg to 70 deg latitude). The main feature of the wind field is a jet positioned just above the cloud tops at 70 km and approximately 48 deg latitude. The maximum speed of the jet is about 130 m/s. A comparison with results of similar analyses on Pioneer Venus radio occultation data obtained between December 1978 and October 1981 suggests an equatorward shift of the jet and a decrease in jet speed during this five-year time interval. It is proposed that the poleward transport of westward zonal momentum by the upper branch of the cloud level Hadley cell supplies the excess momentum of the jet and maintains it against dissipation. The location of the jet thereby provides a minimum estimate of the latitudinal extent of the Hadley cell. Cyclostrophic zonal wind velocities decrease with height above about 70-75 km. It is suggested that this deceleration of the superrotation in equatorial latitudes is due to the dissipation of vertically propagating thermal tides forced primarily at altitudes around 65 km.

Walterscheid, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Episodic volcanism of tidally heated satellites with application to Io

Io is presently considered in light of a simple model for the coupled thermal and orbital evolution of a tidally heated satellite in an orbital resonance, demonstrating quantitatively how a feedback mechanism between the orbital and thermal energy of such a satellite may yield periodic surface heatflow and orbital eccentricity variations. The model predicts that the mean motion of Io may currently be increasing, as suggested by recent estimates of Io's mean motion on the basis of eclipse data. It is further inferred that the tidal stresses in the ice shell of Europa, whose eccentricity mimics that of Io, may recently have been sufficiently great to generate the fracturing observed.

Ojakangas, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Simultaneous SMM flat crystal spectrometer and Very Large Array observations of solar active regions

High-resolution images of the quiescent emission from two solar active regions at 20 cm (VLA) and soft X-ray (SMM FCS) wavelengths are compared. There are regions where the X-ray coronal loops have been completely imaged at 20 cm wavelength. In other regions, the X-ray radiation was detected without detectable 20 cm radiation, and vice versa. The X-ray data were used to infer average electron temperatures of about 3-million K and average electron densities of about 2.5 x 10 to the 9th/cu cm for the X-ray emitting plasma in the two active regions. The thermal bremsstrahlung of the X-ray emitting plasma is optically thin at 20 cm wavelength. The 20 cm brightness temperatures were always less than T(e), which is consistent with optically thin bremsstrahlung. The low T(B) can be explained if a higher, cooler plasma covers the hotter X-ray emitting plasma. Thermal gyroresonance radiation must account for the intense 20 cm radiation near and above sunspots where no X-ray radiation is detected.

Lang, Kenneth R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Where do the Apollo objects come from?

The orbital evolutions of 1-45 km-diameter Apollo and Amor bodies generated by asteroid belt collisions interior to 2.6 AU are presently traced by Monte Carlo calculations. About 3 percent of the asteroidal fragments of this type and size that are ejected with velocities of 100 m/sec are perturbed into earth-crossing orbits by the 3:1 Jovian commensurability resonance at 2.5 AU, as well as a secular resonance in the innermost asteroid belt. While the initial earth-crossing orbits of these bodies are concentrated near 1 AU, their steady-state orbital distribution is widely dispersed. Additional objects that may be characterized as inactive comets are inferred from strongly suggestive data.

Wetherill, G. W.↗