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Science with High Spatial Resolution Far-Infrared Data

The goal of this workshop was to discuss new science and techniques relevant to high spatial resolution processing of far-infrared data, with particular focus on high resolution processing of IRAS data. Users of the maximum correlation method, maximum entropy, and other resolution enhancement algorithms applicable to far-infrared data gathered at the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC) for two days in June 1993 to compare techniques and discuss new results. During a special session on the third day, interested astronomers were introduced to IRAS HIRES processing, which is IPAC's implementation of the maximum correlation method to the IRAS data. Topics discussed during the workshop included: (1) image reconstruction; (2) random noise; (3) imagery; (4) interacting galaxies; (5) spiral galaxies; (6) galactic dust and elliptical galaxies; (7) star formation in Seyfert galaxies; (8) wavelet analysis; and (9) supernova remnants.

Terebey, Susan↗

Curating AI-Ready Datasets for Equity and Environmental Justice: A Data-Centric AI Case Study

An equitable and environmentally just community is essentialin order to avoid disproportionate burden borne by vulnerablecommunities. This need becomes pressing in the aftermathof an extreme event such as disaster or hazard when it is diffi-cult for the governing bodies to implement resource allocationas per the need. Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms canhelp surface Equity and Environmental Justice (EEJ) issueswhen trained on EEJ datasets. However, curating AI-readyEEJ training datasets is challenging due to differences in fac-tors such as heterogeneity, resolution, modality, and level ofexpertise in labeling. Additionally, EEJ issues involve sensi-tive information where uncertainties and errors could degradethe performance of AI algorithms. For eg. Error in seasonalcrop yield information can highly affect the prediction of an-nual crop yield. To address these challenges, Data-centricAI (DCAI) methods are employed, which enhance AI algo-rithm performance even with limited training samples. DCAIprioritizes data quality, thereby reducing the adverse effectsof uncertainties and errors during the model training process.This research proposes a novel dataset and benchmark for an-alyzing the effect of the Maui Wildfire of 2023 for Equityand Environmental Justice (EEJ) issues. The proposed datasetaligns with the concepts of DCAI such as annotation quality,data preprocessing, privacy, feature engineering, governanceand provenance. We firmly believe that the proposed datasetwould lay a foundation to implement robust and reliable mod-ern AI algorithms for addressing EEJ issues.

Paridhi Parajuli↗

Assessing the Calibration Differences in the Reflective Solar Bands of Terra MODIS and Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus

Long-term data records obtained from Earth observing sensors depend not only onthe calibration accuracy of individual sensors but also on the consistency across instruments andplatforms. Hence, sensor calibration intercomparison plays a vital role for a better understandingof various science products. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)and enhanced thematic mapper plus (ETM+) on the Terra and Landsat 7 platforms have operatedsuccessfully since their launch, collecting measurements in the reflective solar and infrared partsof the spectrum. Terra MODIS has employed a reflectance-based calibration since beginning itsmission. In the case of ETM+, a radiance-based calibration was employed until recent years,when a reflectance-based calibration was introduced. Being in the AM constellation with lessthan 30 min difference in overpass times, near-simultaneous Earth scene measurements can beeffectively used to assess the calibration differences between the spectrally matching bands ofthese two instruments. The pseudoinvariant calibration sites (PICS) in the North African desertare widely used for on-orbit calibration and validation of satellite sensors. Four PICS from thisregion have been employed to assess the multitemporal reflectance differences. Correction forbidirectional reflectance, spectral response function mismatch, and impacts of atmosphericwater-vapor have been incorporated to provide an assessment of the long-term stability ofeach spectral band and reflectance differences amongst them. Results indicate that the spectralbands of both instruments show a long-term stability to within 2% from 2000 to 2017. Thetop-of-atmosphere reflectances between the two instruments postcorrection agree to within 4%.Also included in this paper is a detailed discussion of various parameters contributing to theuncertainties of this cross-calibration. The techniques presented in this paper can be furtherextended to perform similar intercomparison between Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager, AquaMODIS, and Suomi-NPP VIIRS.

Angal, Amit↗

NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Enhanced Melamine (ML) Foam Acoustic Test (NEMFAT)

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) funded a proposal to achieve initial basic acoustic characterization of ML (melamine) foam, which could serve as a starting point for a future, more comprehensive acoustic test program for ML foam. A project plan was developed and implemented to obtain acoustic test data for both normal and enhanced ML foam. This project became known as the NESC Enhanced Melamine Foam Acoustic Test (NEMFAT). This document contains the outcome of the NEMFAT project.

McNelis, Anne M.↗

Development of the ISS EMU SPEEDR

The Self Powered EVA EMU Data Recorder (SPEEDR) is an FPGA (Field-programmable gate array) based device designed to collect high-rate EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) PLSS (Primary Life Support Subsystem) data for download at a later time. The existing EMU PLSS data down-link capability during EVA is one data packet every 2 minutes and is subject to bad packets or loss of signal. High-rate PLSS data is generated by the ECWS (Enhanced Caution and Warning System) but is not normally captured or distributed. Access to high-rate data will increase the capability of EMU anomaly resolution team to pinpoint issues remotely, saving crew time by reducing required call-down Q&A and on-orbit diagnostic activities. With no Shuttle flights post FY11, and potentially limited down-mass capability, the ISS crew and ground support personnel will have to be capable of on-orbit operations to maintain, diagnose, repair, and return to service EMU hardware, possibly through 2028. Collecting high-rate EMU PLSS data during both IVA (Intravehicular Activity) and EVA (Extravehicular Activity) operations will provide trending analysis for life extension and/or predictive performance. The SPEEDR concept has generated interest as a tool/technology that could be used for other ISS subsystems or future exploration-class space suits where hardware reliability/availability is critical and low/variable bandwidth may require "store then forward" methodology. Preliminary work in FY11 produced a functional prototype consisting of an FPGA evaluation board, custom memory/interface circuit board, and custom software. The SPEEDR concept includes a stand-alone battery that is recharged by a computer USB (Universal Serial Bus) port while data is being downloaded.

Bernard. Craig↗

Okefenokee Water Resources: Using Earth Observations to Assess Hydrologic Changes and Wildfire Risk in the Okefenokee Swamp

The Okefenokee Swamp is a vital ecosystem known for its protection of biodiversity, peatland carbon sinks, and recreational and economic opportunities for local residents. The swamp has experienced several wildfires since the 1990s, and new development along the borders of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR) threatens to alter hydrologic activity and increase fire frequency. NASA DEVELOP partnered with staff at the ONWR to determine the feasibility of using satellite imagery to assess wildfire risk and map changes in vegetation cover. Using data from NASA satellites Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) data from the USDA’s Crop Condition and Soil Moisture Analytics Tool (Crop-CASMA), European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel-1 C-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (C-SAR), and Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI), the DEVELOP team assessed the relationship between hydrologic change, vegetation cover, and wildfire risk in the swamp. Results showed that the southern portion of ONWR has been burned the most since 1990 and has greater water stability than other areas of the refuge. The team also found that the largest pockets of mature forests remain in the northernmost regions. Soil moisture anomaly readings may serve as an indicator of fire conditions. The team used these results to create a vegetation map, a swamp water visibility time series map, a historical wildfire correlation analysis, and a methodology tutorial. These products will assist the ONWR in making informed management decisions about the future of the Okefenokee Swamp.

Brianne Kendall↗

Cockpit resource management skills enhance combat mission performance in a B-52 simulator

A cockpit resource management (CRM) program for mission-ready B-52 aircrew is developed. The relationship between CRM performance and combat mission performance is studied. The performances of six crew members flying a simulated high workload mission in a B-52 weapon system trainer are evaluated. The data reveal that CRM performance enhances tactical maneuvers and bombing accuracy.

Povenmire, H. Kingsley↗

The pulsating cusp

Recent observations at the magnetopause and of the high-latitude ionosphere suggest that the cusp may be pulzed in nature. Ground-based observations in the dayside auroral oval reveal transient optical features accompanied by bursts of enhanced plasma flow. Also, recent interpretation has shown cusp satellite data to be consistent with a burst of enhanced reconnection. These observations are used to produce a scenario in which both the satellite and ground-based observations can be fitted. The scenario developed is based on the flux transfer event (FTE) models of Southwood et al. (1988) and Scholer (1988) and shows that the signatures, at both low and high altitudes, can be interpreted in terms of FTEs.

Smith, M. F.↗

Plasma turbulence enhanced current collection: Results from the plasma motor generator electrodynamic tether flight

The plasma motor generator (PMG) experiment, launched June 26, 1993, was a tethered system of two identical plasma contactors connected via a 500-m conducting tether. The experiment was designed to demonstrate the ability of plasma contactors to provide a low-impedance connection between a spacecraft and the ionosphere for both the electron emission and collection. The flight data indicate that plasma contactors enhance electron collection and emission by both neutralizing the electron space charge and scattering electrons across the geomagnetic field lines. Up to a 0.3 A steady current flowed along the tether in a curcuit completed through the ionosphere. An analytical model for plasma contactor interaction with a background plasma which incorporates electron scattering by plasma waves is compared with the flight data. Good agreement between the model and the data is achieved for an effective scattering frequency equal to one twentieth of the local plasma contactor plasma frequency.

Katz, I.↗

LANDSAT-4 Radiometric and Geometric Correction and Image Enhancement Results

Techniques were developed or improved to calibrate, enhance, and geometrically correct LANDSAT-4 satellite data. Statistical techniques to correct data radiometry were evaluated and were found to minimize striping and banding. Conventional techniques cause striping even with perfect calibration parameters. Intensity enhancement techniques were improved to display image data with large variation in intensity or brightness. Data were geometrically corrected to conform to a 1:100,000 map reference and image products produced with the map overlay. It is shown that these products can serve as accurate map products. A personal computer was experimentally used for digital image processing.

Bernstein, R.↗

Gravity waves and GOES IR data study of an isolated tornadic storm on 29 May 1977

Enhanced convection-initiated gravity waves associated with an isolated tornado in the absence of a squall line are investigated. Ray-tracing computations based on data observed on May 29, 1977 indicated that the wave sources were located in north-central Oklahoma. Comparison with a radar echo map during the time period when the waves were excited showed that the waves were generated by an isolated cloud with enhanced convection. GOES infrared digital data during the time period from wave excitation to tornado touchdown were analyzed. Results showed that the cloud where the gravity waves were excited was characterized by both a very low temperature at the cloud top and a very high expansion rate of the cold cloud-top area. The lead time between the excitation of the gravity waves and the tornado touchdown is discussed in conjunction with the growth rate of the clouds associated with the tornado.

Hung, R. J.↗

Spatial and temporal variations of EUV coronal bright points

This paper reports results of an analysis of Skylab observations of coronal bright points made in EUV spectral lines formed in the chromosphere, chromospheric-coronal transition region and corona. The most important result is that the observed bright points exhibited large variations in EUV emission over time scales as short as 5.5 min, the temporal resolution of the data. In most cases strong enhancements in the coronal line were accompanied by strong enhancements in the chromospheric and transition region lines. The intensity variations appear to take place within substructures of the bright points, which most likely consist of miniature loops evolving on time scales of a few minutes. Coronal cooling times derived from the data are consistent with an intermittent, impulsive coronal heating mechanism for bright points.

Habbal, S. R.↗

Satellite detection of oil on the marine surface

The ability of two widely dissimilar spaceborne imaging sensors to detect surface oil accumulations in the marine environment has been evaluated using broadly different techniques. Digital Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS) data consisting of two visible and two near infrared channels has been processed to enhance contrast between areas of known oil coverage and background clean surface water. These enhanced images have then been compared to surface verification data gathered by aerial reconnaissance during the October 15, 1975, Landsat overpass. A similar evaluation of oil slick imaging potential has been made for digitally enhanced Seasat-A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from July 18, 1979. Due to the premature failure of this satellite, however, no concurrent surface verification data were collected. As a substitute, oil slick configuration information has been generated for the comparison using meteorological and oceanographic data. The test site utilized in both studies was the extensive area of natural seepage located off Coal Oil Point, adjacent to the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Wilson, M. J.↗

The NASA TEMPO Mission: Hourly Daytime Air Pollution Observations for Enhanced Health and Air Quality Applications

The Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) mission was launched into Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) to 91°W longitude on April 7, 2023, and had a successful 3-day First Light period starting July 31 with TEMPO making its first hourly daytime scans across the TEMPO Field of Regard (FoR) covering greater North America on August 2. TEMPO will provide hourly daytime observations of aerosols and trace gases, including criteria pollutants of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3), at high spatial resolution (e.g., 2.0 x 4.75 km2) across the FoR. The hyperspectral ultraviolet-to-visible measurements from the TEMPO imaging grating spectrometer will enable an O3 profile product capable of monitoring the daytime diurnal evolution of O3 pollution in the planetary boundary layer and assessing related health impacts. The non-standard or special scan operations of TEMPO at sub-hourly frequency (e.g., 2-10 minutes) over selected slices of the FoR will further enhance air quality monitoring capabilities during disasters (e.g., wildfires, volcanic eruptions, dust storms, industrial accidents) and other episodic events for better understanding emission sources and the evolution of harmful air pollutants. A large diversity of stakeholders and end-users have been engaged in the TEMPO Early Adopters Program, supported by the NASA Applied Sciences Program, which aims to enhance health and air quality applications and maximize the societal benefit of TEMPO data. Key outcomes from the Early Adopters Program include enhanced knowledge and preparation for using TEMPO data, tailoring the data dissemination and visualization tools for TEMPO based on user needs, and broadening the health and air quality applications facet of the mission. This presentation will provide the latest TEMPO mission and Early Adopters Program updates, insight into the health and air quality applications enabled through TEMPO data, and showcase the First Light NO2 imagery and provisional data from the mission.

Remote Sensing↗

Tectonic evaluation of the Nubian shield of Northeastern Sudan using thematic mapper imagery

Bechtel is nearing completion of a one-year program that uses digitally enhanced LANDSAT Thematic Mapper (TM) data to compile the first comprehensive regional tectonic map of the Proterozoic Nubian Shield exposed in the northern Red Sea Hills of northeastern Sudan. The status of significant objectives of this study are given. Pertinent published and unpublished geologic literature and maps of the northern Red Sea Hills to establish the geologic framework of the region were reviewed. Thematic mapper imagery for optimal base-map enhancements was processed. Photo mosaics of enhanced images to serve as base maps for compilation of geologic information were completed. Interpretation of TM imagery to define and delineate structural and lithogologic provinces was completed. Geologic information (petrologic, and radiometric data) was compiled from the literature review onto base-map overlays. Evaluation of the tectonic evolution of the Nubian Shield based on the image interpretation and the compiled tectonic maps is continuing.

Source record↗

NASA/BLM Applications Pilot Test (APT), phase 2. Volume 3: Technology transfer

Techniques used and materials presented at a planning session and two workshops held to provide hands-on training in the integration of quantitatively based remote sensing data are described as well as methods used to enhance understanding of approaches to inventories that integrate multiple data sources given various resource information objectives. Significant results from each of the technology transfer sessions are examined.

Source record↗

NASA SPoRT GOES-R Proving Ground Activities

The NASA Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) program is a partner with the GOES-R Proving Ground (PG) helping prepare forecasters understand the unique products to come from the GOES-R instrument suite. SPoRT is working collaboratively with other members of the GOES-R PG team and Algorithm Working Group (AWG) scientists to develop and disseminate a suite of proxy products that address specific forecast problems for the WFOs, Regional and National Support Centers, and other NOAA users. These products draw on SPoRT s expertise with the transition and evaluation of products into operations from the MODIS instrument and the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array (NALMA). The MODIS instrument serves as an excellent proxy for the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) that will be aboard GOES-R. SPoRT has transitioned and evaluated several multi-channel MODIS products. The true and false color products are being used in natural hazard detection by several SPoRT partners to provide better observation of land features, such as fires, smoke plumes, and snow cover. Additionally, many of SPoRT s partners are coastal offices and already benefit from the MODIS sea surface temperature composite. This, along with other surface feature observations will be developed into ABI proxy products for diagnostic use in the forecast process as well as assimilation into forecast models. In addition to the MODIS instrument, the NALMA has proven very valuable to WFOs with access to these total lightning data. These data provide situational awareness and enhanced warning decision making to improve lead times for severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings. One effort by SPoRT scientists includes a lightning threat product to create short-term model forecasts of lightning activity. Additionally, SPoRT is working with the AWG to create GLM proxy data from several of the ground based total lightning networks, such as the NALMA. The evaluation will focus on the vastly improved spatial coverage of the GLM, but with the trade-off of lower resolution compared to the NALMA. In addition to the above tasks, SPoRT will make these data available in the NWS next generation display software, AWIPS II. This has already been successfully completed for the two basic GLM proxies. SPoRT will use these products to train forecasters on the capabilities of GOES-R and foster feedback to develop additional products, visualizations, and requirements beneficial to end users needs. These developments and feedback will be made available to the GOES-R Proving Ground for the upcoming 2010 Spring Program in Norman, Oklahoma.

Stano, Geoffrey T.↗

Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Data and Services for Research and Applications

Precipitation is a critical component of the Earth's hydrological cycle. Launched on 27 November 1997, TRMM is a joint U.S.-Japan satellite mission to provide the first detailed and comprehensive data set of the four-dimensional distribution of rainfall and latent heating over vastly under-sampled tropical and subtropical oceans and continents (40 S - 40 N). Over the past 14 years, TRMM has been a major data source for meteorological, hydrological and other research and application activities around the world. The purpose of this short article is to inform that the NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) provides TRMM archive and near-real-time precipitation data sets and services for research and applications. TRMM data consist of orbital data from TRMM instruments at the sensor s resolution, gridded data at a range of spatial and temporal resolutions, subsets, ground-based instrument data, and ancillary data. Data analysis, display, and delivery are facilitated by the following services: (1) Mirador (data search and access); (2) TOVAS (TRMM Online Visualization and Analysis System); (3) OPeNDAP (Open-source Project for a Network Data Access Protocol); (4) GrADS Data Server (GDS); and (5) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Web Map Service (WMS) for the GIS community. Precipitation data application services are available to support a wide variety of applications around the world. Future plans include enhanced and new services to address data related issues from the user community. Meanwhile, the GES DISC is preparing for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission which is scheduled for launch in 2014.

Liu, Zhong↗