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At least 775 records · Page 43

PMP-1: A coordinated study of the behavior of the middle atmosphere in winter

The following observations of the middle atmosphere were available regularly: radiosonde data distributed through arrangements made by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO); radiosonde data; and the infrared radiances of the SSU (stratospheric sounding unit onboard the operational NOAA satellites). Other data of more experimental nature which are or will become available are, data from the Nimbus-7 satellite, especially from the Stratosphere and Mesospheric Sounder (SAMS) and the Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere (LIMS), but only for the winter of 1978 to 1979. These data are collected and integrated into the large-scale meteorological field analysis. Parameters necessary for the understanding of the large-scale dynamics of the middle atmosphere are derived.

Labitzke, K.↗

Development of algorithms for using satellite meteorological data sets to study global transport of stratospheric aerosols and ozone

The utilization of stratospheric aerosol and ozone measurements obtained from the NASA developed SAM II and SAGE satellite instruments were investigated for their global scale transports. The stratospheric aerosols showed that during the stratospheric warming of the winter 1978 to 1979, the distribution of the zonal mean aerosol extinction ratio in the northern high latitude exhibited distinct changes. Dynamic processes might have played an important role in maintenance role in maintenance of this zonal mean distribution. As to the stratospheric ozone, large poleward ozone transports are shown to occur in the altitude region from 24 km to 38 km near 55N during this warming. This altitude region is shown to be a transition region of the phase relationship between ozone and temperature waves from an in-phase one above 38 km. It is shown that the ozone solar heating in the upper stratosphere might lead to enhancement of the damping rate of the planetary waves due to infrared radiation alone in agreement with theoretical analyses and an earlier observational study.

Want, P. H.↗

Behavior of zonal mean aerosol extinction ratio and its relationship with zonal mean temperature during the winter 1978-1979 stratospheric warming

The behavior of the zonal mean aerosol extinction ratio in the lower stratosphere near 75 deg N and its relationship with the zonal mean temperature during the January-February 1979 stratospheric sudden warming have been investigated based on the satellite sensor SAM II (Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement) and auxiliary meteorological measurements. The results indicate that distinct changes in the zonal mean aerosol extinction ratio occurred during this stratospheric sudden warming. It is also found that horizontal eddy transport due to planetary waves may have played a significant role in determining the distribution of the zonal mean aerosol extinction ratio.

Wang, P.-H.↗

Surface sulfur measurements on stratospheric particles

The surface chemistries of three particulate samples collected from the lower stratosphere have been determined using a Scanning Auger Microprobe (SAM). These samples are typical of the most abundant natural and anthropogenic particles observed within the stratosphere in the greater-than-2-micron diameter size fraction. Succsessive sputtering and analysis below the first few adsorbed monolayers of all particles shows the presence of a thin (less than 150A) sulfur layer. These sulfur regions probably formed by surface reaction of sulfur-rich aerosols with each particle within the stratosphere. Settling rate calculations show that a typical sphere (10-micron diameter) may reside within the aerosol layer for 20 days and thus provide a qualitative guide to surface sulfur reaction rates.

Mackinnon, I. D. R.↗

A surface-analytical examination of stringer particles in aluminum-lithium-copper alloys

A surface analytical examination of powder metallurgy processed Al-Li-Cu alloys was conducted. The oxide stringer particles often found in these alloys are characterized. Particle characterization is important to more fully understand their impact on the stress corrosion and fracture properties of the alloy. The techniques used where SIMS (Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy) and SAM (Scanning Auger Microscopy). The results indicate that the oxide stringer particles contain both Al and LI with relatively high Li content and the Li compounds may be associated with the stringer particles, thereby locally depleting the adjacent matrix of Li solute.

Larson, L. A.↗

Satellite stratospheric aerosol measurement validation

The validity of the stratospheric aerosol measurements made by the satellite sensors SAM II and SAGE was tested by comparing their results with each other and with results obtained by other techniques (lider, dustsonde, filter, and impactor). The latter type of comparison required the development of special techniques that convert the quantity measured by the correlative sensor (e.g., particle backscatter, number, or mass) to that measured by the satellite sensor (extinction) and quantitatively estimate the uncertainty in the conversion process. The results of both types of comparisons show agreement within the measurement and conversion uncertainties. Moreover, the satellite uncertainty is small compared to aerosol natural variability (caused by seasonal changes, volcanoes, sudden warmings, and vortex structure). It was concluded that the satellite measurements are valid.

Russell, P. B.↗

High-resolution Surface Analysis by Microarea Auger Spectroscopy: Computerization and Characterization

A custom scanning Auger electron microscope (SAM) capable of introducing a 3-5 keV electron beam of several nA into a 30 nm diameter sample area was fitted with a sample introduction system and was fully computerized to be used for materials science research. The method of multispectral Auger imaging was devised and implemented. The instrument was applied to various problems in materials science, including the study of the fiber/matrix interface in a SiC reinforced titanium alloy, the study of SiC whiskers in Al alloy 2124 (in cooperation with NASA-Langley), the study of NiCrAl superalloys (in collaboration with NASA-Lewis), the study of zircalloy specimens (in collaboration with Stanford University), and the microstructure of sintered SiC specimens (in collaboration with NASA-Lewis). The report contains a number of manuscripts submitted for publication on these subjects.

Browning, R.↗

The solar and dynamically induced oscillations in the stratosphere

The temporal and spatial features of stratospheric fluctuations are analyzed using 2.5 years of ozone and temperature data from the Nimbus 7 solar backscattered ultraviolet and the SAMS experiments. It is observed that the oscillations are dynamically induced perturbations in the winter hemisphere and the 27-day modulation of the solar UV radiation. The fluctuations in the ozone and temperature are compared with solar activity. The effects of solar and temperature perturbations on stratospheric ozone are examined; it is shown that the dynamically induced oscillations are global and independent of solar activity. The seasonal, latitudinal, and altitudinal variations of the regression factors and their influence on the ozone are studied. Multiple regression and cross-spectral analyses of ozone, temperature, and solar flux data reveal that the ozone mixing ratio is more sensitive to changes in temperature than changes in solar activity.

Chandra, S.↗

Airborne lidar observations of Arctic polar stratospheric clouds

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSC's) have been detected repeatedly during Arctic and Antarctic winters since 1978/1979 by the SAM II (Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement II) instrument aboard the NIMBUS-7 satellite. PSC's are believed to form when supercooled sulfuric acid droplets freeze, and subsequently grow by deposition of ambient water vapor as the local stratospheric temperature falls below the frost point. In order to study the characteristics of PSC's at higher spatial and temporal resolution than that possible from the satellite observations, aircraft missions were conducted within the Arctic polar night vortex in Jan. 1984 and Jan. 1986 using the NASA Langley Research Center airborne dual polarization ruby lidar system. A synopsis of the 1984 and 1986 PSC observations is presented illustrating short range spatial changes in cloud structure, the variation of backscatter ratio with temperature, and the depolarization characterics of cloud layers. Implications are noted with regard to PSC particle characteristics and the physical process by which the clouds are thougth to form.

Poole, L. R.↗

Lidar measurements of thermal structure

Rayleigh backscatter observations at 532 nm and 355 nm of relative atmospheric density above Aberystwyth on a total of 93 nights between Dec. 1982 and Feb. 1985 were used to derive the height variation of temperature in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere. Preliminary results for height up to about 25 km were also obtained from observations of Raman backscattering from nitrogen molecules. Comparisons were carried out for stratospheric heights with satellite borne measurements; good agreement was found between equivalent black body temperatures derived from the lidar observations and those obtained from nadir measurements in three channels of the stratosphere sounder units on NOAA satellites; the lidar based atmospheric temperatures have shown general agreement with but a greater degree of structure than the limb sounding measurements obtained using the SAMS experiment on the NOAA-7 satellite. In summer, stratospheric and mesospheric temperatures showed a smooth height variation similar to that of the CIRA model atmosphere. In contrast, the winter data showed a great variability with height, and marked temperature changes both from night to night and within a given night.

Jenkins, D. B.↗

Application of scanning acoustic microscopy to advanced structural ceramics

A review is presentod of research investigations of several acoustic microscopy techniques for application to structural ceramics for advanced heat engines. Results obtained with scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM), scanning laser acoustic microscopy (SLAM), scanning electron acoustic microscopy (SEAM), and photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) are compared. The techniques were evaluated on research samples of green and sintered monolithic silicon nitrides and silicon carbides in the form of modulus-of-rupture bars containing deliberately introduced flaws. Strengths and limitations of the techniques are described with emphasis on statistics of detectability of flaws that constitute potential fracture origins.

Vary, Alex↗

Dynamic characteristics of observed sudden warmings

The planetary wave dynamics of stratospheric sudden warmings in the Northern Hemisphere for a large number of observed events that occurred during winters from 1970 to 1975 and 1978 to 1981 are investigated. The analysis describes wave propagation and zonal flow interaction from the troposphere upwards to near 50 km, and in some years to near 80 km. Three primary topics are covered here: (1) the interaction of zonally propagating and quasi-stationary planetary waves during warming events; (2) planetary wave influence on zonal flow near the stratopause; and (3) planetary wave propagation to near 80 km as seen from Stratospheric and Mesospheric Sounder (SAMS) data.

Dartt, D. G.↗

Tracer transport by the diabatic circulation deduced from satellite observations

Nimbus-7 sensor data were used to track the diabatic circulation in the stratosphere to study the advective transport of CH4 and N2O as tracer species. Advective transport by the mean circulation was found to be a function of the temperature field and associated deviations from radiative equilibrium. A photochemical model was applied to account for the disappearance of the tracer species from the stratosphere. Comparisons between the SAMS data and modeling on the basis of the chemical loss rates of the tracers and the LIMS circulation data showed that the model predictions underestimated the resident abundances, although the global distributions and circulations exhibited a good match.

Solomon, S.↗

Satellite and aircraft measurements of stratospheric aerosol particles

Data on the characteristics of the stratospheric aerosol as measured with sensors on the SAM II and SAGE I satellites and with ground-based and airborne lidar are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the impact of the El Chichon eruptions. The volcanic cloud was tracked to an altitude of 30 km, and was observed to travel around the earth in 3 weeks. The maximum stratospheric loading is estimated at 12 Mtons, which increased the stratospheric optical depth to 0.15-2.0 at the peak period. The particulate loading was predicted to lower the Northern Hemisphere average temperatures by 0.4-0.5 C in 1984-85.

Mccormick, M. P.↗

The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II (SAGE II) design and in-orbit performance

The design and in-orbit performance data are presented for the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II (SAGE II) instrument which was launched by Shuttle on the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite. SAGE II is a sun photometer that measures the extinction of solar radiation caused by the earth's atmosphere in seven spectral channels ranging in center wavelength from 0.385 to 1.02 micrometers. These measurements, which occur twice each orbit during satellite sunrise and sunset, are inverted to yield vertical distributions of stratospheric aerosols, ozone, water vapor, and nitrogen dioxide. The SAGE II instrument consists of a Cassegrain telescope with a two axis gimbal mounting, a grating spectrometer, and a 12 bit data system. The instrument tracks the solar centroid in the azimuth plane and vertically scans the instrument's instantaneous field of view across the sun for tangent altitudes ranging from the earth's horizon to 150 km. SAGE II is a third generation instrument following the highly successful Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement II (SAM II) and SAGE I programs.

Mauldin, L. E., III↗

Diagnostic analysis of two-dimensional monthly average ozone balance with Chapman chemistry

Chapman chemistry has been used in a two-dimensional model to simulate ozone balance phenomenology. The similarity between regions of ozone production and loss calculated using Chapman chemistry and those computed using LIMS and SAMS data with a photochemical equilibrium model indicate that such simplified chemistry is useful in studying gross features in stratospheric ozone balance. Net ozone production or loss rates are brought about by departures from the photochemical equilibrium (PCE) condition. If transport drives ozone above its PCE condition, then photochemical loss dominates production. If transport drives ozone below its PCE condition, then photochemical production dominates loss. Gross features of ozone loss/production (L/P) inferred for the real atmosphere from data are also simulated using only eddy diffusion. This indicates that one must be careful in assigning a transport scheme for a two-dimensional model that mimics only behavior of the observed ozone L/P.

Stolarski, Richard S.↗

Space Assembly, Maintenance, and Servicing Study (SAMSS)

The goal is to define and establish Space Assembly, Maintenance, and Servicing (SAMS) capabilities to meet requirements for improved space systems. Consolidated requirements, hardware/tool concepts, systems analysis, related studies interaction, and schedule/milestones are outlined. This presentation is represented by charts and figures only.

Wong, Joseph↗

Nondestructive evaluation of sintered ceramics

Radiography and several acoustic and thermoacoustic microscopy techniques are investigated for application to structural ceramics for advanced heat engines. A comparison is made of the results obtained from the use of scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM), scanning laser acoustic microscopy (SLAM), and thermoacoustic microscopy (TAM). These techniques are evaluated on research samples of green and sintered monolithic silicon nitrides and silicon carbides in the form of modulus-of-rupture (MOR) bars containing deliberately introduced flaws. Strengths and limitations of the techniques are described, with the emphasis being on statistics of detectability of flaws that constitute potential fracture origins. Further, it is shown that radiographic evaluation and guidance helped develop uniform high-density Si3N4 MOR bars with improved four-point flexural strength (875, 544, and 462 MPa at room temperature, 1200 C, 1370 C, respectively) and reduced scatter in bend strength.

Baaklini, George Y.↗