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NASA NTRS1993

Remote sensing of multilevel clouds during FIRE IFO 2

An unresolved difficulty in the remote sensing of clouds concerns the inability of the cloud retrieval algorithms to adequately recognize and analyze scenes containing overlapping cloud layers. Most cloud retrieval schemes, such as that used by the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) assume that each picture element (pixel) contains a single cloud layer. The current study begins to address the complexities of multilayered cloud property retrieval through the application of a modified multispectral, multiresolution (MSMR) method, first detailed in Baum et al. (1992), which merges 1.1 -km (at nadir) spectral data from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) with 17.4-km (at nadir) High Resolution Infrared Radiometer Sounder (HIRS/2, henceforth HIRS). Both instruments are flown aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) polar-orbiting platforms. An ideal case study for this investigation is provided by the NOAA-11 overpass at 20:48 UTC on November 28, 1991. At this time, a large-scale cirrostratus veil overlaid a low-level stratus deck over much of the IFO region. There were both surface lidar and radar observations of the clouds as well as University of North Dakota (UND) Citation aircraft measurements. The presence of overlapping cloud layers within a HIRS FOV is determined from colocated AVHRR spectral data through the use of a fuzzy logic expert system. Conventional algorithms such as spatial coherence and CO2 slicing are used to retrieve cloud pressure and height for each identified cloud layer. The results from the satellite cloud retrieval analysis are compared to results from both surface- and aircraft-based measurements.

Baum, Bryan A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Atmospheric parameterization schemes for satellite cloud property retrieval during FIRE IFO 2

Satellite cloud retrieval algorithms generally require atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles to determine such cloud properties as pressure and height. For instance, the CO2 slicing technique called the ratio method requires the calculation of theoretical upwelling radiances both at the surface and a prescribed number (40) of atmospheric levels. This technique has been applied to data from, for example, the High Resolution Infrared Radiometer Sounder (HIRS/2, henceforth HIRS) flown aboard the NOAA series of polar orbiting satellites and the High Resolution Interferometer Sounder (HIS). In this particular study, four NOAA-11 HIRS channels in the 15-micron region are used. The ratio method may be applied to various channel combinations to estimate cloud top heights using channels in the 15-mu m region. Presently, the multispectral, multiresolution (MSMR) scheme uses 4 HIRS channel combination estimates for mid- to high-level cloud pressure retrieval and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data for low-level (is greater than 700 mb) cloud level retrieval. In order to determine theoretical upwelling radiances, atmospheric temperature and water vapor profiles must be provided as well as profiles of other radiatively important gas absorber constituents such as CO2, O3, and CH4. The assumed temperature and humidity profiles have a large effect on transmittance and radiance profiles, which in turn are used with HIRS data to calculate cloud pressure, and thus cloud height and temperature. For large spatial scale satellite data analysis, atmospheric parameterization schemes for cloud retrieval algorithms are usually based on a gridded product such as that provided by the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) or the National Meteorological Center (NMC). These global, gridded products prescribe temperature and humidity profiles for a limited number of pressure levels (up to 14) in a vertical atmospheric column. The FIRE IFO 2 experiment provides an opportunity to investigate current atmospheric profile parameterization schemes, compare satellite cloud height results using both gridded products (ECMWF) and high vertical resolution sonde data from the National Weather Service (NWS) and Cross Chain Loran Atmospheric Sounding System (CLASS), and suggest modifications in atmospheric parameterization schemes based on these results.

Titlow, James↗
NASA NTRS1992

Managing an archive of weather satellite images

The author's experiences of building and maintaining an archive of hourly weather satellite pictures at NOAO are described. This archive has proven very popular with visiting and staff astronomers - especially on windy days and cloudy nights. Given access to a source of such pictures, a suite of simple shell and IRAF CL scripts can provide a great deal of robust functionality with little effort. These pictures and associated data products such as surface analysis (radar) maps and National Weather Service forecasts are updated hourly at anonymous ftp sites on the Internet, although your local Atsmospheric Sciences Department may prove to be a more reliable source. The raw image formats are unfamiliar to most astronomers, but reading them into IRAF is straightforward. Techniques for performing this format conversion at the host computer level are described which may prove useful for other chores. Pointers are given to sources of data and of software, including a package of example tools. These tools include shell and Perl scripts for downloading pictures, maps, and forecasts, as well as IRAF scripts and host level programs for translating the images into IRAF and GIF formats and for slicing & dicing the resulting images. Hints for displaying the images and for making hardcopies are given.

Seaman, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Inhomogeneous distribution of materials in lodranites-acapulcoites and IAB irons and their common formation processes

The two-dimensional chemical mapping analysis (CMA) techniques of EPMA and XRF were applied to a new polished thin section (PTS) of EET84302,28, Acapulco and a 5x3 cm slice of Caddo County to find heterogeneous regional distribution of low temperature fractions in the lodranite-acapulcoite groups and silicate inclusions in the IAB irons. A region richer in metal-plagioclase was found in EET84302,28 and Caddo County. The mineralogy of EET84302,28 is not much different from coarse-grained, metal-rich acapulcoite-like mineral assemblage in EET84302,19, which has chromite-orthopyroxene segregation. Nearly uniform Mg/Fe ratios of silicates modified by reduction at regional oxygen fugacity and large difference in modal abundances of minerals in this meteorite group can be explained by regional concentration of materials when the source materials were partly melted.

Takeda, Hiroshi↗
NASA NTRS1994

Controlling forebody asymmetries in flight: Experience with boundary layer transition strips

The NASA Dryden Flight Research Center has an ongoing program to investigate aircraft flight characteristics at high angles of attack. As part of this investigation, longitudinal boundary layer transition strips were installed on the F-18 HARV forebody, a preproduction F/A-18 radome with a nose-slice tendency, and the X-31 aircraft forebody and noseboom to reduce asymmetric yawing moments at high angles of attack. The transition strips were effective on the F-18 HARV at angles of attack above 60 deg. On the preproduction F/A-18 radome at an angle of attack near 50 deg the strips were not effective. When the transition strips were installed on the X-31 noseboom, a favorable effect was observed on the yawing moment dynamics but the magnitude of the yawing moment was not decreased.

David F Fisher↗
NASA NTRS1994

The Role of Crack Formation in Chevron-Notched Four-Point Bend Specimens

The failure sequence following crack formation in a chevron-notched four-point bend 1 specimen is examined in a parametric study using the Bluhm slice synthesis model. Premature failure resulting from crack formation forces which exceed those required to propagate a crack beyond alpha (min) is examined together with the critical crack length and critical crack front length. An energy based approach is used to establish factors which forecast the tendency of such premature failure due to crack formation for any selected chevron-notched geometry. A comparative study reveals that, for constant values of alpha (1) and alpha (0), the dimensionless beam compliance and stress intensity factor are essentially independent of specimen width and thickness. The chevron tip position, alpha (0) has its primary effect on the force required to initiate a sharp crack. Small values for alpha (0) maximize the stable region length, however, the premature failure tendency is also high for smaller alpha (0) values. Improvements in premature failure resistance can be realized for larger values of alpha (0) with only a minor reduction in the stable region length. The stable region length is also maximized for larger chevron based positions, alpha (1) but the chance for premature failure is also raised. Smaller base positions improve the premature failure resistance with only minor decreases in the stable region length. Chevron geometries having a good balance of premature failure resistance, stable region length, and crack front length are 0.20 less than or equal to alpha (0) is less than or equal to 0.30 and 0.70 is less than or equal to alpha (1) is less than or equal to 0.80.

Calomino, Anthony M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

SAVS: A Space Analysis and Visualization System

We propose to develop, test, demonstrate, and deliver to NASA a powerful and versatile data acquisition, manipulation, analysis and visualization system which will enhance scientific capabilities in the display and interpretation of diverse and distributed data within an integrated user-friendly environment. Our approach exploits existing technologies and combines three major elements into an easy-to-use interactive package: (1) innovative visualization software; (2) advanced database techniques; and (3) a rich set of mathematical and image processing tools. Visualization capabilities will include one-, two-, and three-dimensinal displays, along with animation, compression, warping and slicing functions. Analysis tools will include generic mathematical and statistical techniques along with the ability to use large scale models for interactive interpretation of large volume data sets. Our system will be implemented on Sun and EC UNIX workstations and on the Stardent Graphics Supercomputer. Our final deliverable will include complete documentation and a NASA/NSF-CDAW/SUNDIAL campaign demonstration.

Szuszczewicz, Edward P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Off axis loading of silicon carbide fibers in a titanium aluminide matrix

Silicon carbide SCS-6 fibers in a Ti24A1 + 11Nb matrix were subjected to off axis loading in a 'thin-slice' pushout test, resulting in various combinations of shear, radial compression, and tension along the fibers as a function of orientation angle. The load necessary for debonding decreased as the orientation angle increased, whereas the average frictional sliding stress after 60 s of sliding remained relatively constant for orientation angles less than 30 deg. Analyses of the specimen bending stresses and of the contact stresses by finite element modeling and thin plate theory are presented.

Kennefick, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

On the temperature and velocity through the photosphere of a sunspot penumbra

We investigate the structure in depth of a sunspot penumbra by means of the inversion code of the radiative transfer equation proposed by Ruiz Cobo & del Toro Iniesta (1992), applied to a set of filtergrams of a sunspot, scanning the Fe I line at 5576.1 A, with a sampling interval of 30 mA, from -120 to 120 mA from line center (data previously analyzed by Title et al. 1993). The temperature structure of this penumbra is obtained for each of the 801 pixels selected (0.32 sec x 0.32 sec). On the average, the temperatures seem to decrease as we move inward, but the differences are of the order of the rms values (approximately equal 100-200 K) at a given distance to sunspot center. The outer parts of the penumbra have also a bigger curvature in the T versus log tau(sub 5) relation than the inner parts. We realize, however, that these differences might be influenced by possible stray light effects. Compared to the quiet Sun, penumbral temperatures are cooler at deep layers and hotter at high layers. A mean penumbral model atmosphere is presented. The asymmetries observed in the intensity profile (the line is magnetically insensitive) are deduced to be produced by strong gradients of the line-of-sight velocity that sharply vary spatially along slices of almost constant distance to sunspot center. These variations suggest that such gradients are not only needed to explain the broadband circular polarization observed in sunspots (see Sanchez Almeida & Lites 1992) but are a main characteristic of the fine-scale penumbra. The results are compatible with an Evershed flow present everywhere, but its gradient with depth turns out to vary so that the flow seems to be mainly concentrated in some penumbral fibrils when studied through Dopplergrams. Finally, as by-products of this study, we put constraints to the practical usefulness of the Eddington-Barbier relation, and we explain the values of the Fourier Dopplergrams to be carrying information of layers around the centroid of the generalized response function of Dopplergrams to velocity fluctuations.

Del Toro Iniesta, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Four years of global cirrus cloud statistics using HIRS

Trends in global upper-tropospheric transmissive cirrus cloud cover are beginning to emerge from a four-year cloud climatology using NOAA polar-orbiting High-Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) multispectral data. Cloud occurrence, height, and effective emissivity are determined with the CO2 slicing technique on the four years of data (June 1989-May 1993). There is a global preponderance of transmissive high clouds, 42% on the average; about three-fourths of these are above 500 hPa and presumed to be cirrus. In the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a high frequency of cirrus (greater than 50%) is found at all times; a modest seasonal movement tracks the sun. Large seasonal changes in cloud cover occur over the oceans in the storm belts at midlatitudes; the concentrations of these clouds migrate north and south with the seasons following the progressions of the subtropical highs (anticyclones). More cirrus is found in the summer than in the winter in each hemisphere. A significant change in cirrus cloud cover occurs in 1991, the third year of the study. Cirrus observations increase from 35% to 43% of the data, a change of eight percentage points. Other cloud forms, opaque to terrestrial radiation, decerase by nearly the same amount. Most of the increase is thinner cirrus with infrared optical depths below 0.7. The increase in cirrus happens at the same time as the 1991-92 El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. The cirrus changes occur at the start of the ENSO and persist into 1993 in contrast to other climatic indicators that return to near pre-ENSO and volcanic levels in 1993.

Wylie, Donald P.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The redshift-space neighborhoods of 36 loose groups of galaxies. 1: The data

We have selected 36 loose groups of galaxies (RGH89) with at least five members, and with mean redshift average value of CZ is greater than 3200 km/s. These groups all lie within the first two slices of the CfA redshift survey 8(sup h) less than or equal to alpha less than or equal to 17(sup h) and 26.5 deg less than or equal to delta less than or equal to 38.5 deg). For each of these groups, we define the redshift-space neighborhood as a region centered on the group coordinates and delimited by a circle of projected radius R(sub cir) = 1.5/h Mpc on the sky, and by a velocity interval delta (sub cz) = 3000 km/s. Here we give the redshifts of 334 galaxies in these redshift-space neighborhoods. For completeness, we also give the redshifts of the 232 original members. These data include 199 new redshifts. We demonstrate that these samples of fainter galaxies significantly increase the number of members.

Ramella, Massimo↗
NASA NTRS1995

The redshift-space neighborhoods of 36 loose groups. 2: Analysis

We explore the kinematics of 36 rich RGH89 groups identified from the first two complete slices of the CfA redshift survey. These groups have more than five members identified by a friends-of-friends algorithm at a number density contrast delta rho/rho greater than or equal to 80. To examine the stability of the determination of the velocity dispersion for these systems, we compare results for the original 232 members with results for a larger redshift sample, including 334 fainter members in the redshift neighborhoods. On average, we double the number of group members in each system. The observed distribution of velocity dispersions is stable. In fact, the velocity dispersion based on the original members identified in the CfA redshift survey is a reliable predictor of the value for the enlarged sample in an individual group. The velocity dispersion is thus a stable physical parameter for discrimination among systems galaxies. A larger sample of groups, particularly one selected from a distance limited catalog, should provide an interesting constraint on models for the formation of large-scale structure. We take H(sub 0) = km/s/Mpc.

Ramella, Massimo↗
NASA NTRS1996

Determination of Local Densities in Accreted Ice Samples Using X-Rays and Digital Imaging

At the NASA Lewis Research Center's Icing Research Tunnel ice shapes, similar to those which develop in-flight icing conditions, were formed on an airfoil. Under cold room conditions these experimental samples were carefully removed from the airfoil, sliced into thin sections, and x-rayed. The resulting microradiographs were developed and the film digitized using a high resolution scanner to extract fine detail in the radiographs. A procedure was devised to calibrate the scanner and to maintain repeatability during the experiment. The techniques of image acquisition and analysis provide accurate local density measurements and reveal the internal characteristics of the accreted ice with greater detail. This paper will discuss the methodology by which these samples were prepared with emphasis on the digital imaging techniques.

Broughton, Howard↗
NASA NTRS1995

A Unified Air-Sea Visualization System: Survey on Gridding Structures

The goal is to develop a Unified Air-Sea Visualization System (UASVS) to enable the rapid fusion of observational, archival, and model data for verification and analysis. To design and develop UASVS, modelers were polled to determine the gridding structures and visualization systems used, and their needs with respect to visual analysis. A basic UASVS requirement is to allow a modeler to explore multiple data sets within a single environment, or to interpolate multiple datasets onto one unified grid. From this survey, the UASVS should be able to visualize 3D scalar/vector fields; render isosurfaces; visualize arbitrary slices of the 3D data; visualize data defined on spectral element grids with the minimum number of interpolation stages; render contours; produce 3D vector plots and streamlines; provide unified visualization of satellite images, observations and model output overlays; display the visualization on a projection of the users choice; implement functions so the user can derive diagnostic values; animate the data to see the time-evolution; animate ocean and atmosphere at different rates; store the record of cursor movement, smooth the path, and animate a window around the moving path; repeatedly start and stop the visual time-stepping; generate VHS tape animations; work on a variety of workstations; and allow visualization across clusters of workstations and scalable high performance computer systems.

Anand, Harsh↗
NASA NTRS1995

Using the application visualization system to view HALOE three-dimensional satellite data

The Application Visualization System (AVS) is used to view a three-dimensional data field containing the volume mixing ratios of a chemical species in the middle atmosphere obtained by the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) aboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). Since launch in September 1991, HALOE has been collecting data on approximately 30 sunrise/sunset events in two narrow latitude bands each day. The vertical volume mixing ratio profiles are retrieved for eight species for each event. The accumulated data for approximately 30 days cover most of the globe (limited by sunlit latitudes), and this monthly data block can be described as the volume mixing ratio of a specific species in the atmosphere as a function of latitude, longitude, and height. The data were remapped using linear interpolation for pressure levels and Gaussian weighted binning from sampling locations to a three-dimensional grid. An AVS network is constructed that allows for viewing the three-dimensional field with rendered slices at constant latitudes, longitudes or pressure levels. Discussions are given on the advantages and some disadvantages learned about from experiences applying AVS to visualize HALOE three dimensional data.

Luo, Mingzhao↗
NASA NTRS1995

The use of LinkWinds for the validation and analysis of 14 years of Microwave Sounder Unit daily global temperature anomaly data

Temperature data derived from the Microwave Sounder Unit (MSU) provides an opportunity for investigating atmospheric temperatures on a global scale since 1979. Fourteen years of global data sets of daily temperature anomalies within the lower stratosphere and lower troposphere are being generated at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. LinkWinds, a visualization/analysis package under development at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has been extremely useful for validating and analyzing these data sets. LinkWinds provides the ability to interactively scroll and animate through the 10,220 images of temporal data, to selectively slice and view the data along latitude, longitude, or temporal axes, to interactively analyze spatial and temporal variability within the data, and to perform correlative analysis between various elements of the data. These capabilities have been invaluable in allowing the recognition of processing artifacts, as well as the effects that physical phenomena, such as the El Ninos effects and the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, have had on atmospheric temperatures.

Botts, Michael E.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Geophysical data analysis and visualization using the Grid Analysis and Display System

Several problems posed by the rapidly growing volume of geophysical data are described, and a selected set of existing solutions to these problems is outlined. A recently developed desktop software tool called the Grid Analysis and Display System (GrADS) is presented. The GrADS' user interface is a natural extension of the standard procedures scientists apply to their geophysical data analysis problems. The basic GrADS operations have defaults that naturally map to data analysis actions, and there is a programmable interface for customizing data access and manipulation. The fundamental concept of the GrADS' dimension environment, which defines both the space in which the geophysical data reside and the 'slice' of data which is being analyzed at a given time, is expressed The GrADS' data storage and access model is described. An argument is made in favor of describable data formats rather than standard data formats. The manner in which GrADS users may perform operations on their data and display the results is also described. It is argued that two-dimensional graphics provides a powerful quantitative data analysis tool whose value is underestimated in the current development environment which emphasizes three dimensional structure modeling.

Doty, Brian E.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Visualizing Time-Varying Phenomena In Numerical Simulations Of Unsteady Flows

Streamlines, contour lines, vector plots, and volume slices (cutting planes) are commonly used for flow visualization. These techniques are sometimes referred to as instantaneous flow visualization techniques because calculations are based on an instant of the flowfield in time. Although instantaneous flow visualization techniques are effective for depicting phenomena in steady flows,they sometimes do not adequately depict time-varying phenomena in unsteady flows. Streaklines and timelines are effective visualization techniques for depicting vortex shedding, vortex breakdown, and shock waves in unsteady flows. These techniques are examples of time-dependent flow visualization techniques, which are based on many instants of the flowfields in time. This paper describes the algorithms for computing streaklines and timelines. Using numerically simulated unsteady flows, streaklines and timelines are compared with streamlines, contour lines, and vector plots. It is shown that streaklines and timelines reveal vortex shedding and vortex breakdown more clearly than instantaneous flow visualization techniques.

Lane, David A.↗