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At least 829 records · Page 46

Development of data processing interpretation and analysis system for the remote sensing of trace atmospheric gas species

Problems associated with the development of the measurement of air pollution from satellites (MAPS) experiment program are addressed. The primary thrust of this research was the utilization of the MAPS experiment data in three application areas: low altitude aircraft flights (one to six km); mid altitude aircraft flights (eight to 12 km); and orbiting space platforms. Extensive research work in four major areas of data management was the framework for implementation of the MAPS experiment technique. These areas are: (1) data acquisition; (2) data processing, analysis and interpretation algorithms; (3) data display techniques; and (4) information production.

Casas, J. C.↗

New theoretical and experimental methods for pressure broadened linewidths and their interpretation

A review of recent progress in the theory of collisional line broadening, particularly the impact of recent advances in collision dynamics calculations is presented. Some new approaches to the interpretation of experimentally measured linewidths and their impact on planetary atmosphere research are discussed. Experimental techniques which may have some advantage in providing pressure broadening data at very low temperatures are also mentioned.

Gelfand, J. J.↗

Ion microprobe analysis and petrogenetic interpretations of Li, Mg, Ti, K, Sr, Ba in lunar plagioclase

The ion microprobe employed in the considered investigation utilizes a focused primary ion beam to sputter a tiny volume of a sample. A small fraction of the sputtered atoms is ionized and extracted from the sample region for subsequent analysis with a mass spectrometer. A systematic study was conducted to determine which elements can be detected and analyzed in lunar Ca-rich plagioclase. Attention is given to the method of quantitative determination, the selected samples, and aspects of data presentation. A number of general conclusions are discussed. All minor elements in plagioclases from anorthosites from several lunar sites show a restricted range consistent with a common origin. The simplest interpretation is that the anorthosites developed from a moon-wide event, or at least from closely-related events. A moon-wide magma ocean would satisfy this condition.

Steele, I. M.↗

Radiative transfer in the surfaces of atmosphereless bodies. III - Interpretation of lunar photometry

Narrowband and UBV photoelectric phase curves of the entire lunar disk and surface photometry of some craters have been interpreted using a newly developed generalized radiative transfer theory for planetary regoliths. The data are well fitted by the theory, yielding information on both macroscopic and microscopic lunar properties. Derived values for the integrated disk geometric albedo are considerably higher than quoted previously, because of the present inclusion of an accurately determined opposition effect. The mean surface roughness, defined as the ratio of the height to the radius of a typical irregularity, is found to be 0.9 + or - 0.1, or somewhat less than the mean value of 1.2 obtained for the asteroids. From the phase curves, wavelength-dependent values of the single scattering albedo and the Henyey-Greenstein asymmetry factor for the average surface particle are derived.

Lumme, K.↗

Interpretation methodology and analysis of in-flight lightning data

A methodology is presented whereby electromagnetic measurements of inflight lightning stroke data can be understood and extended to other aircraft. Recent measurements made on the NASA F106B aircraft indicate that sophisticated numerical techniques and new developments in corona modeling are required to fully understand the data. Thus the problem is nontrivial and successful interpretation can lead to a significant understanding of the lightning/aircraft interaction event. This is of particular importance because of the problem of lightning induced transient upset of new technology low level microcircuitry which is being used in increasing quantities in modern and future avionics. Inflight lightning data is analyzed and lightning environments incident upon the F106B are determined.

Rudolph, T.↗

Geologic interpretation of HCMM and aircraft thermal data

Progress on the Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) follow-on study is reported. Numerous image products for geologic interpretation of both HCMM and aircraft thermal data were produced. These include, among others, various combinations of the thermal data with LANDSAT and SEASAT data. The combined data sets were displayed using simple color composites, principal component color composites and black and white images, and hue, saturation intensity color composites. Algorithms for incorporating both atmospheric and elevation data simultaneously into the digital processing for creation of quantitatively correct thermal inertia images, are in the final development stage. A field trip to Death Valley was undertaken to field check the aircraft and HCMM data.

Source record↗

Methodology of remote sensing data interpretation and geological applications

Elements of photointerpretation discussed include the analysis of photographic texture and structure as well as film tonality. The method used is based on conventional techniques developed for interpreting aerial black and white photographs. By defining the properties which characterize the form and individuality of dual images, homologous zones can be identified. Guy's logic method (1966) was adapted and used on functions of resolution, scale, and spectral characteristics of remotely sensed products. Applications of LANDSAT imagery are discussed for regional geological mapping, mineral exploration, hydrogeology, and geotechnical engineering in Brazil.

Parada, N. D. J.↗

Image Analysis for Facility Siting: a Comparison of Lowand High-altitude Image Interpretability for Land Use/land Cover Mapping

For two test sites in Pennsylvania the interpretability of commercially acquired low-altitude and existing high-altitude aerial photography are documented in terms of time, costs, and accuracy for Anderson Level II land use/land cover mapping. Information extracted from the imagery is to be used in the evaluation process for siting energy facilities. Land use/land cover maps were drawn at 1:24,000 scale using commercially flown color infrared photography obtained from the United States Geological Surveys' EROS Data Center. Detailed accuracy assessment of the maps generated by manual image analysis was accomplished employing a stratified unaligned adequate class representation. Both 'area-weighted' and 'by-class' accuracies were documented and field-verified. A discrepancy map was also drawn to illustrate differences in classifications between the two map scales. Results show that the 1:24,000 scale map set was more accurate (99% to 94% area-weighted) than the 1:62,500 scale set, especially when sampled by class (96% to 66%). The 1:24,000 scale maps were also more time-consuming and costly to produce, due mainly to higher image acquisition costs.

Borella, H. M.↗

Resolution versus speckle relative to geologic interpretability of spaceborne radar images - A survey of user preference

A survey conducted to evaluate user preference for resolution versus speckle relative to the geologic interpretability of spaceborne radar images is discussed. Thirteen different resolution/looks combinations are simulated from Seasat synthetic-aperture radar data of each of three test sites. The SAR images were distributed with questionnaires for analysis to 85 earth scientists. The relative discriminability of geologic targets at each test site for each simulation of resolution and speckle on the images is determined on the basis of a survey of the evaluations. A large majority of the analysts respond that for most targets a two-look image at the highest simulated resolution is best. For a constant data rate, a higher resolution is more important for target discrimination than a higher number of looks. It is noted that sand dunes require more looks than other geologic targets. At all resolutions, multiple-look images are preferred over the corresponding single-look image. In general, the number of multiple looks that is optimal for discriminating geologic targets is inversely related to the simulated resolution.

Ford, J. P.↗

Interpretation of integrated-disk photometry of Callisto and Ganymede

The Lumme-Bowell (1981) theory has been used to interpret the integrated phase curves of Callisto and Ganymede, and it is noted that while the theory explains the brightness angles of these satellites up to about 80 deg solar phase angle, the observed brightness drops off at larger angles more rapidly than predicted. It is suggested that this discrepancy is due to the fact that single regolith particles must have phase functions which are much more elongated in the forward or backward scattering directions than is allowed for by the Lumme-Bowell theory. The hemispheric asymmetry in Callisto's surface texture can be explained by invoking the formation of an ice film on the trailing side, consistent with Voyager detailed photometry and thermometry of Callisto.

Pang, K.↗

Interpretation of synthetic aperture radar measurements of ocean currents

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) experiments have been performed over the last few years to measure ocean currents inferred from shifts in the Doppler spectral peak. Interpretations of aircraft SAR measurements, when compared with limited surface values, tend to underestimate the currents by about 25%. A theory is developed that modifies the classical Doppler expression showing that the radar measurements are dependent on the radar processor (system) bandwidth and the received signal bandwidth. Measured bandwidths give a correction that increases the inferred current values by about 25%, bringing the measurements into good agreement. This new correction lends credence to the theory and increases the potential for application of SAR systems to future ocean current measurements. SAR measurements should include the determination of processor and signal bandwidths such that this correction can be applied.

Rufenach, C. L.↗

Transient brightenings of interconnecting loops. III Interpretation

Two alternative interpretations of the sudden X-ray brightenings observed in loops that interconnect active regions are presented. A fast tearing mode may be excited in those newly formed interconnecting loops within which sufficient magnetic free energy is stored to drive the mode. Alternatively, anomalous Joule heating driven by an inductive electric field parallel to the magnetic field, varying on a time scale of order of a minute, may cause the brightenings. It is suggested that it is plausible that the fast tearing mode may be the cause of brightenings in the young newly formed interconnecting loops, whereas the anomalous Joule heating might occur in old loop connections when an exteral disturbance propagates through them.

Spicer, D. S.↗

Measurement of macroscopic plasma parameters with a radio experiment: Interpretation of the quasi-thermal noise spectrum observed in the solar wind

The ISEE-3 SBH radio receiver has provided the first systematic observations of the quasi-thermal (plasma waves) noise in the solar wind plasma. The theoretical interpretation of that noise involves the particle distribution function so that electric noise measurements with long antennas provide a fast and independent method of measuring plasma parameters: densities and temperatures of a two component (core and halo) electron distribution function have been obtained in that way. The polarization of that noise is frequency dependent and sensitive to the drift velocity of the electron population. Below the plasma frequency, there is evidence of a weak noise spectrum with spectral index -1 which is not yet accounted for by the theory. The theoretical treatment of the noise associated with the low energy (thermal) proton population shows that the moving electrical antenna radiates in the surrounding plasma by Carenkov emission which becomes predominant at the low frequencies, below about 0.1 F sub P.

Couturier, P.↗

Flow visualization and interpretation of visualization data for deflected thrust V/STOL nozzles

Flow visualization studies were made for four deflected thrust nozzle models at subsonic speeds. Based on topological rules and the assumption that observed streaks constitute continuous vector fields, available visualization pictures are interpreted and flow patterns on interior surfaces of the nozzles are synthesized. In particular, three dimensional flow structure and separations are discussed. From the synthesized patterns, the overall features of the flow field in a given nozzle can be approximately perceived.

Kao, H. C.↗

Interpretation of planetary stress systems: Determination of tectonic over-printing in Northwest Wyoming

Structural and tectonic interpretations of planetary surfaces rely strongly on visual determination of regional structural grain. This grain can be very complex and confusing, and sorting out of discrete trends in time and space is of utmost importance. This study is a test of these techniques applied to a well known area having several discrete structural grains. In the Bighorn Basin region of Wyoming, a largely overlooked N10E structural grain has been verified with detailed structural analysis and indicates a significant change in stress orientation at the end of the Laramide orogeny.

Wise, D. U.↗

Geometric interpretations of the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT)

One, two, and three dimensional Discrete Fourier Transforms (DFT) and geometric interpretations of their periodicities are presented. These operators are examined for their relationship with the two sided, continuous Fourier transform. Discrete or continuous transforms of real functions have certain symmetry properties. The symmetries are examined for the one, two, and three dimensional cases. Extension to higher dimension is straight forward.

Campbell, C. W.↗

Interpretation of MST radar returns from clear air

The nature of the scattering and reflection mechanisms that give rise to the MST radar echoes from the clear air is essential in the correct interpretation of the data about winds, waves, turbulence and stability in the atmosphere. There are two main aspects: the nature of the targets the radar sees and their generation mechanisms; and the signatures of the radar signals returned from the different targets. Volume scatterings from isotropic or anisotropic turbulence, and partial reflections from horizontally stratified, sharp refractive index gradients are believed the main contributors to radar echoes. Combined effects from all the mechanisms probably produce the observed data. The signature of the echo signals for these different scatterers under realistic experimental conditions should be studied. It is hoped from these studies, the nature of the targets can be better understood, and related to atmospheric dynamic processes.

Liu, C. H.↗