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At least 775 records · Page 43
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Isotropic intensity waves and features of their occurrence

Waves of daily average cosmic ray intensity, dependent on interplanetary magnetic fields (IMF) polarity, have been observed in 1982 (Jacklyn and Pomerantz, 1983) and again in 1983 and 1984. These waves at first appeared to be due to the North-South anisotropy. Further investigation revealed that the waves comprise two components, a large isotropic and a smaller anisotropic component. The anisotropic part is attributed to the North-South anisotropy and is in phase with the larger isotropic component in the Southern Hemisphere. Unlike the North-South anisotropy which is a permanent feature of cosmic ray modulation, the isotropic phenomenon appears to be episodic in character. When present, it is clearly dependent on IMF polarity but does not correlate well with IMF field strength. It is conjectured that the phenomenon might indicate some difference between the intensity regimes above and below the neutral sheet.

Duldig, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A comparison of the usefulness of canonical analysis, principal components analysis, and band selection for extraction of features from TMS data for landcover analysis

Three feature extraction methods, canonical analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and band selection, have been applied to Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) data in order to evaluate the relative performance of the methods. The results obtained show that CA is capable of providing a transformation of TMS data which leads to better classification results than provided by all seven bands, by PCA, or by band selection. A second conclusion drawn from the study is that TMS bands 2, 3, 4, and 7 (thermal) are most important for landcover classification.

Boyd, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Feature selection and the information content of Thematic Mapper simulator data for forest structural assessment

An assessment is made of the information content of Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) data for the case of a forested region, in order to determine the sensitivity of such data to forest crown closure and tree size class. Principal components analysis and Monte Carlo simulation indicated that channels 4, 7, 5 and 3 were optimal for four-channel forest structure analysis. As the number of channels supplied to the Monte Carlo feature selection routine increased, classification accuracy increased. The greatest sensitivity to the forest structural parameters, which included succession within clearcuts as well as crown closure and size class, was obtained from the 7-channel TMS data.

Spanner, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Unusual auroral features observed on January 10-11, 1983 and their possible relationships to the interplanetary magnetic field

Intense perturbations observed in the auroral oval by the DMSP satellite on Jan. 10, 1983 are analyzed for possible influences by the IMF. The oval shrank in the early afternoon and was accompanied by intense activity in the morning sector. The latter feature was rare and occurred during relative quiescence in the evening sector, which exhibited a smaller width than the morning sector. Simultaneously, the ISEE-3 and IMP-8 spacecraft recorded large negative By values and positive Bz values in the magnetotail, assumed to be caused by activity of the IMF. The asymmetry in the oval is attributed to the negative By component, which has previously been proven to shift the open region to the evening sector. The asymmetry appeared, however, only when the Bz component attained large positive values.

I-Akasofu, S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Spectral feature of 31 December 1981 gamma-ray burst not confirmed

Measurements of a gamma ray burst at 01:37 UT on December 31, 1981 using the SMM gamma ray spectrometer (GRS) are compared with those made by the Konus instruments on Veneras 11-14. Burst time profiles, photon spectra, and detector energy loss spectra for three time intervals are compared for the GRS and the Konus instruments. It is concluded that the SMM spectra exhibit no evidence for the presence of emission features reported by the Konus group.

Nolan, P. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Dynamical phenomena in sunspots. I - Observing procedures and oscillatory phenomena. II - A moving magnetic feature

High resolution spectra consisting of at least 1 hr periods were obtained of the sunpost atmosphere. The Ca II H and K lines were scanned to characterize umbral oscillations and flashes. The former displayed peaks lasting 150-197 sec, while penumbral oscillations peaked in the 197-300 sec range. Quiet sun oscillations exhibited no peaks under 300 sec. The Ca II K line umbral flashes were ubiquitous for all observational periods and were associated with light bridges in the umbra. Magnetic field, vertical velocity, and chromospheric intensity measurements taken during the 1 hr scans covered moving magnetic features (MMF), which traversed the moats around sunspots. MMF areas increased while the magnetic field intensity decreased with MMF movement away from a sunspot. Bright Ca II K line wings were apparent in the MMFs, but cores of the lines were not observed, suggesting that flux loops generating the line are low in the photosphere.

Thomas, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Feature selection and information content of thematic mapper simulator data for a forested environment

Feature selection and the information content of Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) data are investigated for a forested region in northern Idaho. The optimal TMS channels for forest structural characteristics are determined, and the capability of TMS data to describe the structural variability within a forest stand is evaluated. The comparative performance of TMS and MSS data to discriminate forest structural factors using per-pixel maximum likelihood classification is examined, and four optimal TMS channels are classified in order to ascertain if the full complement of TM channels provide higher accuracies than the four optimal ones.

Spanner, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Slow-mode shocks - A semipermanent feature of the distant geomagnetic tail

A survey is made of the relative frequency of encounters with slow-mode shocks observed by ISEE 3 in the distant geomagnetic tail. The association of these shocks with the phase of substorm activity as evidenced by enhanced currents in the auroral ionosphere and enhanced energetic-particle populations at geostationary orbit is also documented. During the 25 days between January 18 and February 11, 1983, 26 unambiguous examples of slow shocks were observed. Although a very strong association with the level of geomagnetic activity is found, shocks were observed during all phases of substorm activity including one during quiet conditions. Slow-mode shocks must therefore be a semipermanent feature of the bounding surfaces which separate lobe and plasma sheet particle populations in the distant geomagnetic tail.

Feldman, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Design and operational features of the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope flight and ground software

The NASA Office of Space Sciences and Applications is sponsoring a series of Space Shuttle missions named Astro-n which are dedicated to a variety of astronomical projects. These missions will be the first in which the Space Shuttle crew will be interactively operating an astronomical observatory which is fixed in the payload bay. The operation of an instrument in such an environment requires a considerable amount of software both on board and on the ground. The Spacelab Experiment Computer provides generalized interactive telemetry display and command processing services through the Experiment Computer Operating System. The experimenter must then design a software package for his Dedicated Experiment Processor which can provide complete control of his instrument as well as communicate with the Experiment Computer. This paper describes the design considerations and operational features of the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope Dedicated Experiment Processor and Instrument Ground Support Equipment software.

Parise, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Transmission electron microscopy characterization of microstructural features in aluminum-lithium-copper alloys

A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination of aluminum-lithium-copper alloys was conducted. The principal purpose is to characterize the nature, size, and distribution of stringer particles which result from the powder metallurgy (P/M) processing of these alloys. Microstructural features associated with the stringer particles are reported that help explain the stress corrosion susceptibility of the powder metallurgy-processed Al-Li-Cu alloys. In addition, matrix precipitaton events are documented for a variety of heat treatments and process variations. Hot rolling is observed to significantly alter the nature of matrix precipitation, and the observations are correlated with concomitant mechanical property variations.

Avalos-Borja, M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Dynamical features and electric field strengths of double layers driven by currents

In recent years, a number of papers have been concerned with 'ion-acoustic' double layers. In the present investigation, results from numerical simulations are presented to show that the shapes and forms of current-driven double layers evolve dynamically with the fluctuations in the current through the plasma. It is shown that double layers with a potential dip can form even without the excitation of ion-acoustic modes. Double layers in two-and one-half-dimensional simulations are discussed, taking into account the simulation technique, the spatial and temporal features of plasma, and the dynamical behavior of the parallel potential distribution. Attention is also given to double layers in one-dimensional simulations, and electrical field strengths predicted by two-and one-half-dimensional simulations.

Singh, N.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Detection and analysis of photospheric CNO features in the ultraviolet spectrum of the hot DO white dwarf PG 1034 + 001

An analysis of PG 1034 + 001 extended to include the high-dispersion IUE spectra and the high-resolution optical multiple-mirror telescope echelle spectra is discussed. The observations reveal the presence of absorption lines (C IV at 1548 and 1551 A, N V at 1238 and 1242 A, and O V at 1371 A) from highly ionized species with large redshifts (+ 40-50) km/s) relative to the interstellar lines. The results of a preliminary abundance analysis of the photospheric lines, together with the results of a search of sharp shortward-shifted features are presented. An interpretation of the observed abundances is made in terms of selective radiative forces acting in a high-temperature photosphere. Some speculations on the evolutionary status of DO stars like PG 1034 + 001 are given.

Sion, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Measurements and interpretation of a Jovian, near-equatorial feature

Evidence is presented to suggest that the large, rapidly moving features in Jupiter's equatorial currents are manifestations of Rossby solitary waves. Their morphological and dynamical similarity to the great red spot and the white ovals is revealed and discussed in the context of the available theory.

Maxworthy, T.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A model for explaining some features of shuttle glow

A solid state model is proposed which hopefully removes some of the objections to excited atoms being sources for light emanating from surfaces. Glow features are discussed in terms of excited oxygen atoms impinged on the surface, although other species could be treated similarly. Band formation, excited lifetime shortening and glow color are discussed in terms of this model. The model's inability to explain glow emanating above surfaces indicates a necessity for other mechanisms to satisfy this requirements. Several ways of testing the model are described.

Peters, P. N.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Tethered constellations, their utilization as microgravity platforms and relevant features

The gravitational, thermal, and dynamic docking effects on tethered platforms were studied. The near-earth environment has gravitational effects such a g-jitters and intermittencies, g-noise, and frequency and amplitude features which may influence life science, materials processing, and fluid processes research and commercial activities. Artificial gravity is produced by minute accelerations imparted by tethers. The magnitudes of gravitational forces produced by tethers 100 and 100,000 m long at various altitudes from 463 to 35,786 km are calculated. Thermal analyses were performed for stainless steel and Kevlar tethers, showing the steel tether could vary 300 m in length and the polyamide 25 m during one orbit. Finally, consideration given to docking with a tethered platform revealed that the center of mass could change, which would produce, however, negligible changes in orbit and therefore gravity.

Napolitano, L. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Lithospheric strength of Ganymede: Clues to early thermal profiles from extensional tectonic features

While it is generally agreed that the strength of a planet's lithosphere is controlled by a combination of brittle sliding and ductile flow laws, predicting the geometry and initial characteristics of faults due to failure from stresses imposed on the lithospheric strength envelope has not been thoroughly explored. Researchers used lithospheric strength envelopes to analyze the extensional features found on Ganymede. This application provides a quantitative means of estimating early thermal profiles on Ganymede, thereby constraining its early thermal evolution.

Golombek, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Dynamic features of combustion

The dynamic features of combustion are discussed for four important cases: ignition, inflammation, explosion, and detonation. Ignition, the initiation of a self-sustained exothermic process, is considered in the simplest case of a closed thermodynamic system and its stochastic distribution. Inflammation, the initiation and propagation of self-sustained flames, is presented for turbulent flow. Explosion, the dynamic effects caused by the deposition of exothermic energy in a compressible medium, is illustrated by self-similar blast waves with energy deposition at the front and the adiabatic non-self-similar wave. Detonation, the most comprehensive illustration of all the dynamic effects of combustion, is discussed with a phenomenological account of the development and structure of the wave.

Oppenheim, A. K.↗