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NASA NTRS1993

Magnetic fields in star-forming regions - Observations

We review the observational aspects of magnetic fields in dense, star-forming regions. First we discuss ways to observe the field. These include direct methods, which consist of the measurement of both linear and circular polarization of spectral line and continuum radiation; and indirect methods, consisting of the angular distribution of H2O masers on the sky and the measurement of ambipolar diffusion. Next we discuss selected observational results, focusing on detailed discussions of a small number of points rather than a generalized discussion that covers the waterfront. We discuss the Orion/BN-KL region in detail, both on the small and large scales. Next we discuss the derivation of the complete magnetic vector, including both the systematic and fluctuating component, from a large sample of Zeeman and linear polarization measurements for the L204 dark cloud. We examine the virial theorem as it applies to dark clouds in general and one dark cloud, Barnard 1, in particular. We critically discuss the numerous claims for alignment of cloud structural features with the plane-of-the-sky component of the magnetic field, and find that many of these have not been definitively established.

Heiles, Carl↗
NASA NTRS1993

Evaluation of a distributed catchment scale water balance model

The validity of some of the simplifying assumptions in a conceptual water balance model is investigated by comparing simulation results from the conceptual model with simulation results from a three-dimensional physically based numerical model and with field observations. We examine, in particular, assumptions and simplifications related to water table dynamics, vertical soil moisture and pressure head distributions, and subsurface flow contributions to stream discharge. The conceptual model relies on a topographic index to predict saturation excess runoff and on Philip's infiltration equation to predict infiltration excess runoff. The numerical model solves the three-dimensional Richards equation describing flow in variably saturated porous media, and handles seepage face boundaries, infiltration excess and saturation excess runoff production, and soil driven and atmosphere driven surface fluxes. The study catchments (a 7.2 sq km catchment and a 0.64 sq km subcatchment) are located in the North Appalachian ridge and valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Hydrologic data collected during the MACHYDRO 90 field experiment are used to calibrate the models and to evaluate simulation results. It is found that water table dynamics as predicted by the conceptual model are close to the observations in a shallow water well and therefore, that a linear relationship between a topographic index and the local water table depth is found to be a reasonable assumption for catchment scale modeling. However, the hydraulic equilibrium assumption is not valid for the upper 100 cm layer of the unsaturated zone and a conceptual model that incorporates a root zone is suggested. Furthermore, theoretical subsurface flow characteristics from the conceptual model are found to be different from field observations, numerical simulation results, and theoretical baseflow recession characteristics based on Boussinesq's groundwater equation.

Troch, Peter A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Evaluating GCM land surface hydrology parameterizations by computing river discharges using a runoff routing model: Application to the Mississippi basin

To relate general circulation model (GCM) hydrologic output to readily available river hydrographic data, a runoff routing scheme that routes gridded runoffs through regional- or continental-scale river drainage basins is developed. By following the basin overland flow paths, the routing model generates river discharge hydrographs that can be compared to observed river discharges, thus allowing an analysis of the GCM representation of monthly, seasonal, and annual water balances over large regions. The runoff routing model consists of two linear reservoirs, a surface reservoir and a groundwater reservoir, which store and transport water. The water transport mechanisms operating within these two reservoirs are differentiated by their time scales; the groundwater reservoir transports water much more slowly than the surface reservior. The groundwater reservior feeds the corresponding surface store, and the surface stores are connected via the river network. The routing model is implemented over the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) Continental-Scale International Project Mississippi River basin on a rectangular grid of 2 deg X 2.5 deg. Two land surface hydrology parameterizations provide the gridded runoff data required to run the runoff routing scheme: the variable infiltration capacity model, and the soil moisture component of the simple biosphere model. These parameterizations are driven with 4 deg X 5 deg gridded climatological potential evapotranspiration and 1979 First Global Atmospheric Research Program (GARP) Global Experiment precipitation. These investigations have quantified the importance of physically realistic soil moisture holding capacities, evaporation parameters, and runoff mechanisms in land surface hydrology formulations.

Liston, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Decadal-Scale Responses in Middle and Upper Stratospheric Ozone From SAGE II Version 7 Data

Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE II) version 7 (v7) ozone profiles are analyzed for their decadal-scale responses in the middle and upper stratosphere for 1991 and 1992-2005 and compared with those from its previous version 6.2 (v6.2). Multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis is applied to time series of its ozone number density vs. altitude data for a range of latitudes and altitudes. The MLR models that are fit to the time series data include a periodic 11 yr term, and it is in-phase with that of the 11 yr, solar UV (Ultraviolet)-flux throughout most of the latitude/ altitude domain of the middle and upper stratosphere. Several regions that have a response that is not quite in-phase are interpreted as being affected by decadal-scale, dynamical forcings. The maximum minus minimum, solar cycle (SClike) responses for the ozone at the low latitudes are similar from the two SAGE II data versions and vary from about 5 to 2.5% from 35 to 50 km, although they are resolved better with v7. SAGE II v7 ozone is also analyzed for 1984-1998, in order to mitigate effects of end-point anomalies that bias its ozone in 1991 and the analyzed results for 1991-2005 or following the Pinatubo eruption. Its SC-like ozone response in the upper stratosphere is of the order of 4%for 1984-1998 vs. 2.5 to 3%for 1991-2005. The SAGE II v7 results are also recompared with the responses in ozone from the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) that are in terms of mixing ratio vs. pressure for 1991-2005 and then for late 1992- 2005 to avoid any effects following Pinatubo. Shapes of their respective response profiles agree very well for 1992-2005. The associated linear trends of the ozone are not as negative in 1992-2005 as in 1984-1998, in accord with a leveling off of the effects of reactive chlorine on ozone. It is concluded that the SAGE II v7 ozone yields SC-like ozone responses and trends that are of better quality than those from v6.2.

Remsberg, E. E.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Hot gas in superclusters and microwave background distortions

Variations in the electron pressure can produce significant distortions of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) spectrum through the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect. In this paper, we compute the amplitude of these distortions in various cosmological scenarios using the results of hydrodynamical simulations combined with analytic theory. For reionized cold dark matter (CDM) with h = 0.5 probed with the OVRO experiment (Theta approximately = 0.1 deg), we find that the amplitude of these fluctuations is (Delta T/T)(sub rms) = 1 x 10(exp -5) (Omega(sub i)/0.06) if the experiment looks at a random part of the sky and 6 x 10(exp -6)(Omega(sub i)/(0.06) if bright areas are avoided. Here Omega is the density of ionized baryons in units of the critical density, rho(sub c) = 2.78 x 10(exp 11)h(exp 2)/cu Mpc. Primary fluctuations would generate (Delta T/T)(sub rms) approximately = 2 x 10(exp -6) for this model. These distortions could be a dominant source of CMBR anisotropics on small and intermediate angular scales. It is important to note that these signals are generated relatively recently, when nonlinear effects are improtant, and do not require early reionization. We also examine the contribution to anisotropies from the Doppler effect, in both the linear and nonlinear regimes. In this case, the bulk of the signal is generated before a redshift of 10, provided that the intercluster medium is ionized back to the surface of last scattering. On the smallest scales thermal effects are bigger, while, on larger scales the Doppler-induced fluctuations are greater with the exact boundary determined by the scenario. However, over a wide range of scales, the two signals are equal to within a factor of a few.

Persi, Fred M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Linear static structural and vibration analysis on high-performance computers

Parallel computers offer the oppurtunity to significantly reduce the computation time necessary to analyze large-scale aerospace structures. This paper presents algorithms developed for and implemented on massively-parallel computers hereafter referred to as Scalable High-Performance Computers (SHPC), for the most computationally intensive tasks involved in structural analysis, namely, generation and assembly of system matrices, solution of systems of equations and calculation of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Results on SHPC are presented for large-scale structural problems (i.e. models for High-Speed Civil Transport). The goal of this research is to develop a new, efficient technique which extends structural analysis to SHPC and makes large-scale structural analyses tractable.

Baddourah, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Linear Static Structural and Vibration Analysis on High-Performance Computers

Parallel computers offer the opportunity to significantly reduce the computation time necessary to analyze large-scale aerospace structures. This paper presents algorithms developed for and implemented on a massively-parallel computers hereafter referred to as Scalable High Performance Computers (SHPC) for the most computationally intensive tasks involved in structural analysis, namely, generation and assembly of system matrices, solution of systems of equations and calculation of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Results on SHPC are presented for large-scale structural problems (i.e. Models of high speed civil transport). The goal of this research is to develop new efficient technique which extend structural analysis to SHPC and make large-scale structural analyses tractable.

Baddourah, Majdi↗
NASA NTRS2010

Observed Seasonal to Decadal-Scale Responses in Mesospheric Water Vapor

The 14-yr (1991-2005) time series of mesospheric water vapor from the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) are analyzed using multiple linear regression (MLR) techniques for their6 seasonal and longer-period terms from 45S to 45N. The distribution of annual average water vapor shows a decrease from a maximum of 6.5 ppmv at 0.2 hPa to about 3.2 ppmv at 0.01 hPa, in accord with the effects of the photolysis of water vapor due to the Lyman-flux. The distribution of the semi-annual cycle amplitudes is nearly hemispherically symmetric at the low latitudes, while that of the annual cycles show larger amplitudes in the northern hemisphere. The diagnosed 11-yr, or solar cycle, max minus min, water vapor values are of the order of several percent at 0.2 hPa to about 23% at 0.01 hPa. The solar cycle terms have larger values in the northern than in the southern hemisphere, particularly in the middle mesosphere, and the associated linear trend terms are anomalously large in the same region. Those anomalies are due, at least in part, to the fact that the amplitudes of the seasonal cycles were varying at northern mid latitudes during 1991-2005, while the corresponding seasonal terms of the MLR model do not allow for that possibility. Although the 11-yr variation in water vapor is essentially hemispherically-symmetric and anti-phased with the solar cycle flux near 0.01 hPa, the concurrent temperature variations produce slightly colder conditions at the northern high latitudes at solar minimum. It is concluded that this temperature difference is most likely the reason for the greater occurrence of polar mesospheric clouds at the northern versus the southern high latitudes at solar minimum during the HALOE time period.

Remsberg, Ellis↗
NASA NTRS2012

New Insight into Short-Wavelength Solar Wind Fluctuations from Vlasov Theory

The nature of solar wind (SW) turbulence below the proton gyroscale is a topic that is being investigated extensively nowadays, both theoretically and observationally. Although recent observations gave evidence of the dominance of kinetic Alfven waves (KAWs) at sub-ion scales with omega < omega(sub ci), other studies suggest that the KAW mode cannot carry the turbulence cascade down to electron scales and that the whistler mode (i.e., omega > omega (sub ci)) is more relevant. Here, we study key properties of the short-wavelength plasma modes under limited, but realistic, SW conditions, Typically Beta(sub i) approx. > Beta (sub e) ∼ 1 and for high oblique angles of propagation 80 deg <= Theta (sub kB) < 90 deg as observed from the Cluster spacecraft data. The linear properties of the plasma modes under these conditions are poorly known, which contrasts with the well-documented cold plasma limit and/or moderate oblique angles of propagation (Theta (sub kB) < 80 deg). Based on linear solutions of the Vlasov kinetic theory, we discuss the relevance of each plasma mode (fast, Bernstein, KAW, whistler) in carrying the energy cascade down to electron scales. We show, in particular, that the shear Alfven mode (known in the magnetohydrodynamic limit) extends at scales kappa rho (sub i) approx. > 1 to frequencies either larger or smaller than omega (sub ci), depending on the anisotropy kappa (parallel )/ kappa(perpendicular). This extension into small scales is more readily called whistler (omega > omega (sub ci)) or KAW (omega < omega (sub ci)) although the mode is essentially the same. This contrasts with the well-accepted idea that the whistler branch always develops as a continuation at high frequencies of the fast magnetosonic mode. We show, furthermore, that the whistler branch is more damped than the KAW one, which makes the latter the more relevant candidate to carry the energy cascade down to electron scales. We discuss how these new findings may facilitate resolution of the controversy concerning the nature of the small-scale turbulence, and we discuss the implications for present and future spacecraft wave measurements in the SW.

waves↗
NASA NTRS1979

Astrometric observations of the satellites of the outer planets. I - The Galilean satellites in 1977

Astrometric observations of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter performed around the opposition of 1977 with a 67-cm photovisual refractor are reported. The measurements are reduced to absolute and intersatellite positions by two different methods: a linear least-squares plate-constant solution to the AGK3 reference-star frame and the trail-scale method of Pascu (1977). Results of a plate-constant reduction are also presented for two observations of JV (Amalthea). Comparison of the data with Liske's (1978) theoretical predictions for the intersatellite positions indicates no systematic bias in the data; a probable scatter of about 15 arcsec in both right ascension and declination is estimated.

Ianna, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Eddy heat fluxes and stability of planetary waves. I, II

The stability of baroclinic Rossby waves in a zonal shear flow was analyzed by a linear, quasigeostrophic, two-level, adiabatic, and frictionless midlatitude beta-plane model. The ratio of the basic wave scale and the radius of deformation together with two nondimensional parameters which describe the amplitudes of the barotropic and baroclinic components of the basic wave constitute the three parameters of the stability problem. The parameter space is partitioned according to the dominant energy source for instability; the Lorenz and Kim conditions are characterized by significant horizontal and vertical shears of the basic wave, while the Phillips regime has a strong zonal flow. The stability analysis is then applied to the atmosphere, with the primary motivation being to examine the midlatitude planetary scale (zonal wavenumbers 1, 2, 3) transient waves that transport heat. It is found that the most unstable mode consists of a spectrum of waves, with a maximum amplitude at wavenumber 3; the response is thus maximum at a zonal scale intermediate between the basic wave scale and the radius of deformation.

Lin, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The milli-arcsecond images of Q0957 + 561

VLBI observations at 13 cm have detected similar compact radio sources in the A and B images of the quasar QO957 + 561, and the images are noted to contain core components with flux densities of 22 + or - 1 and 18 + or - 1 mJy, respectively. Data from the short Effelsberg-Madrid baseline suggest that additional correlated flux density, distributed over an angular scale of about 20 milliarcsec accompanies both cores. The observed brightness distributions of these cores are related by a linear magnification matrix, consistent with observation of surface brightness, as would be expected for images produced by a transparent gravitational lens. A search was conducted for evidence of additional compact radio structure within a region encompassing the positions of the galaxy G1 and the B image.

Gorenstein, M. V.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Period doubling in the outer heliosphere

From approximately July 28 to November 26, 1984, IMP 8 at 1 AU observed quasi-periodic interaction regions in the solar wind characterized by a peak every 13.4 days in the magnetic field strength, plasma density, and temperature, corresponding to an inertial period of 12.5 days. When the same solar wind reached Voyager 2 (which moved from 15.2 to 16.1 AU during the corresponding time interval, September 27, 1984, to January 27, 1985), the enhancements in the magnetic field strength and the plasma density and temperature recurred with a period of approximately 25 days. Thus the period of the large-scale fluctuations in B, N, and T doubled between 1 AU and 15.2 AU. The magnetic field strength increased linearly with the density and the temperature in the Voyager 2 data. The tails of the distributions of B, N, and T in the Voyager 2 data were approximately exponential.

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1991

High angle of attack control law development for a free-flight wind tunnel model using direct eigenstructure assignment

Flight-control laws are developed for a wind-tunnel aircraft model flying at a high angle of attack by using a synthesis technique called direct eigenstructure assignment. The method employs flight guidelines and control-power constraints to develop the control laws, and gain schedules and nonlinear feedback compensation provide a framework for considering the nonlinear nature of the attack angle. Linear and nonlinear evaluations show that the control laws are effective, a conclusion that is further confirmed by a scale model used for free-flight testing.

Wendel, Thomas R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Non-linear coherent mode interactions and the control of shear layers

A nonlinear integral formulation, based on local linear stability considerations, is used to study the collective interactions between discrete wave-modes associated with large-scale structures and the mean flow in a developing shear layer. Aspects of shear layer control are examined in light of the sensitivity of these interactions to the initial frequency parameter, modal energy contents and modal phases. Manipulation of the large-scale structure is argued to be an effective means of controlling the flow, including the small-scale turbulence dominated region far downstream. Cases of fundamental, 1st and 2nd subharmonic forcing are discussed in conjunction with relevant experiments.

Nikitopoulos, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Oxygen isotopes implanted in the LDEF spacecraft

Depth profiles of O-16 and O-18/O-16 were measured on stainless steel nuts and copper sheet (from a grounding strap) recovered from the leading edge of LDEF (Tray E10). The measurements were obtained by dynamic SIMS (secondary ion mass spectrometry) using a VG Isolab 54 ion microprobe. Plots of O-18/O-16 against time, show large depletions of up to a factor of 2 compared to the O-18/O-16 value at sea level. The O-16 current decreases by 2 orders of magnitude in the interior of the metal, and the corresponding profile of anomalous O-16 is strongly peaked in the outer few tens of nanometers of the surface. This depth scale is a tentative one based on estimated sputtering rates. Plots of O-18/O-16 against 1/O-16 should be linear if two isotopically distinct components, one of variable concentration (orbital component) and one of fixed concentration (normal oxygen), are mixed. Data to be presented at the meeting show departures from linearity which result from variability in the concentration of normal oxygen, but may also arise from the implantation of oxygen with a range of fractionation due to the decaying orbit of the LDEF, sputtering of the surface by atomic oxygen, and the different momenta of the two isotopes due to their equal velocities. The potential for using this method as a means of identifying exposure to low-Earth orbit, de-convoluting the effects of space exposure from terrestrial contamination, and using the implanted anomolous oxygen as a means of studying the atomic oxygen density and upper atmosphere temperature height profile will be discussed at the meeting.

Saxton, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1999

SiC and Si3N4 Recession Due to SiO2 Scale Volatility Under Combustor Conditions

SiC and Si3N4 materials were tested under various turbine engine combustion environments, chosen to represent either conventional fuel-lean or fuel-rich mixtures proposed for high speed aircraft. Representative CVD, sintered, and composite materials were evaluated in both furnace and high pressure burner rig exposure. While protective SiO2 scales form in all cases, evidence is presented to support paralinear growth kinetics, i.e. parabolic growth moderated simultaneously by linear volatilization. The volatility rate is dependent on temperature, moisture content, system pressure, and gas velocity. The burner tests were used to map SiO2 volatility (and SiC recession) over a range of temperature, pressure, and velocity. The functional dependency of material recession (volatility) that emerged followed the form: exp(-QIRT) * P(exp x) * v(exp y). These empirical relations were compared to rates predicted from the thermodynamics of volatile SiO and SiO(sub x)H(sub Y) reaction products and a kinetic model of diffusion through a moving, boundary layer. For typical combustion conditions, recession of 0.2 to 2 micron/h is predicted at 1200- 1400C, far in excess of acceptable long term limits.

Smialek, James L.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Afterbody External Aerodynamic and Performance Prediction at High Reynolds Numbers

This CFD experiment concludes that the potential difference between the flow between a flight Reynolds number test and a sub-scale wind tunnel test are substantial for this particular nozzle boattail geometry. The early study was performed using a linear k-epsilon turbulence model. The present study was performed using the Girimaji formulation of a algebraic Reynolds stress turbulent simulation.

Carlson, John R.↗