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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Contributions of high-altitude winds and atmospheric moment of inertia to the atmospheric angular momentum-earth rotation relationship

For many years it has been recognized that recurrent modulations occur in the time series of the earth's rotation rate or, alternatively, the change in the length of the day (Delta-LOD). Studies relating Delta-LOD to global patterns of zonal winds have confirmed that the variability of atmospheric angular momentum (M) is of sufficient magnitude to account for a large portion of the gross periodicities observed in the earth rotation. The present investigation is concerned with the importance of the contributions of the moment of inertia and high-altitude winds to the angular momentum budget. On the basis of an analysis of the various factors, it is found that within the available data, contributions of high-altitude winds and atmospheric moment of inertia reach levels detectable in the atmospheric angular momentum budget. Nevertheless, for the period December 1978 to December 1979 these contributions are not sufficient to resolve the apparent short-term discrepancies which are evident between Delta-LOD and M.

Taylor, H. A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Atmospheric Tides Middle Atmosphere Program (ATMAP): Report of the November/december 1981, and May 1982, Observational Campaigns

Atmospheric tides, oscillations in meteorological fields occurring at subharmonics of a solar or lunar day, comprise a major component of middle atmosphere global dynamics. The nature of atmospheric tides requires investigations and coordination on a global, and hence international, scale. The purpose of ATMAP is to create an interaction among observationalists, data analysts, theoreticians and modellers working towards common goals. The focus for this interaction is a series of global observational campaigns involving ground based remote sensing methods. The calendar of activities for ATMAP is presented. The results of solstice campaigns I and II are assembled, a preliminary interpretation of the results is presented.

Jeffrey M Forbes↗
NASA NTRS1986

Atmospheric tidal forcing of the zonal-mean circulation - The Martian dusty atmosphere

Classical atmospheric tidal theory has been used to compute the bilinear tidal zonal-mean forcing per unit mass of the zonal-mean meridional and zonal winds, together with the tidal zonal-mean heating per unit mass for the dusty Martian atmosphere. The convergences of the tidal Eliassen-Palm (EP) flux have been computed for both clear and dusty atmospheric conditions, including the special case of a 'dusty corridor' in the summer southern subtropics that is meant to simulate the early stages of a planetary-scale Martian dust storm. The calculation of the tidal EP zonal forcing differs from Hamilton in that more realistic thermotidal forcings and basic state temperatures are used. The zonal-mean convergences of the tidal fluxes of heat and momentum are large during a Martian great dust storm and should alter significantly the zonal-mean circulation and its residual component driven by the zonal-mean heating. In particular, the tidal forcing of the meridional wind, which is an order of magnitude greater than its zonal counterpart, is likely to give rise to a complex pattern of significantly ageostrophic zonal-mean flow in the Martian tropics.

Zurek, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Atmospheric Tides Middle Atmosphere Program (ATMAP): Report of the workshop, Kyoto, Japan, December 5-6, 1984

Experimentalists, data analysts, and theoreticians were brought together to study and interpret the results of four solstice campaigns conducted prior to the symposium. Emphasis was placed on campaigns III and V. Topics discussed included: review of the data and evaluation of the consistency with available theoretical models; interpretation of the data; recommendations on how the Atmospheric Tides Middle Atmosphere Program (ATMAP) results should reach the open literature such that the advancement of middle atmosphere science and the proprietary rights of the individual experimenters are best served; and recommendations concerning future campaigns and the future emphasis of ATMAP.

Forbes, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Deceleration of infalling plasma in the atmospheres of accreting neutron stars. I - Isothermal atmospheres

The stopping of infalling protons in a strong magnetic field is studied in detail using linear response theory and a Monte Carlo code. The calculations include both Coulomb collisions with atmospheric electrons and collective forces due to the resonant excitation of the atmospheric electron plasma modes by the impinging protons. Graphs are presented showing how both energy and momentum are deposited in the atmosphere by the flow. A striking dependence of the deceleration on the temperature is found which distinguishes the magnetic from the nonmagnetic process.

Miller, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Middle Atmosphere Electrodynamics (MAE). Middle atmospheric electrodynamics during MAP

The recent revival and strong motivation for research in middle atmospheric electrodynamics can be attributed, in large part, to the discovery of large (V/m) electric fields within the lower mesosphere during the decade prior to MAP. Subsequent rocket soundings appeared to verify the preliminary findings. During the MAP era, more sophisticated techniques have been employed to obtain measurements which respond positively to criticisms of earlier results, and which provide more insight regarding the character of the fields. The occurrence of mesospheric V/m electric fields now seems to require the presence of aerosols, of local winds and related dynamics, and of an atmospheric electrical conductivity less than 10(-10)S/m. Furthermore, new theoretical ideas describing the origin of the V/m fields are consistent with the measurements. The current status of results regarding V/m fields in the middle atmosphere is reviewed in light of the more widely accepted electric field structure for this region from rocket, balloon and modeling results.

Goldberg, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Zonally symmetric response to atmospheric tidal forcing in the dusty Martian atmosphere

The paper presents a steady state, zonally symmetric response of an atmospheric circulation to the combined effects of the very large zonal-mean diabatic heating and thermotidal forcing thought to exist in the dusty Martian atmosphere during one of its episodic global dust storms. The zonal-mean components of the tidal flux-convergences of momentum and heat are computed using an existing classical atmospheric tidal model constrained by the surface pressure observations at the two Viking Lander sites on Mars. A nearly inviscid two-dimensional model is used to compute the zonally symmetric response to the computed tidal flux-convergences and to the zonal-mean heating of the airborne dust. The results are compared with data from the Viking missions.

Zurek, Richard W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Solar activity influences on atmospheric electricity and on some structures in the middle atmosphere

Only processes in the troposphere and the lower stratosphere are reviewed. General aspects of global atmospheric electricity are summarized in Chapter 3 of NCR (1986); Volland (1984) has outlined the overall problems of atmospheric electrodynamics; and Roble and Hays (1982) published a summary of solar effects on the global circuit. The solar variability and its atmospheric effects (overview by Donelly et al, 1987) and the solar-planetary relationships (survey by James et al. 1983) are so extremely complex that only particular results and selected papers of direct relevance or historical importance are compiled herein.

Reiter, Reinhold↗
NASA NTRS1990

Measurements of CH4, N2O, CO, H2O, and O3 in the middle atmosphere by the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy Experiment on Spacelab 3

The volume mixing ratios of five minor gases (CH4, N2O, CO, H2O, and O3) have been retrieved through the middle atmosphere from the analysis of 0.01/cm resolution infrared solar occultation spectra recorded near 28 deg N and 48 deg S latitudes with the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy instrument, flow on board Spacelab 3 (April 30 through May 6, 1985). The results are in general agreement with reported measurements from ground-, balloon-, and satellite-based instruments for the same seasons. In detail, the vertical profiles of these gases show the effects of the upper and middle atmospheric transport patterns dominant during the season of these observations. The profiles inferred at different longitudes around 28 deg N suggest a near-uniform zonal distribution of these gases, for conditions corresponding to late spring. The sunrise occultation measurements point to a larger longitudinal variability in the vertical distribution of these gases at 48 deg S.

Gunson, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The ATMOS (Atmospheric Trace MOlecule Spectroscopy) experiment - A tool for global monitoring of the middle atmosphere

A review is presented of the objectives, instrumentation, performance and results of the ATMOS program developed by NASA-JPL as part of the Spacelab 3 shuttle payload. ATMOS was developed to obtain high-resolution spectroscopic information of the middle atmosphere, from which the vertical distribution of the most possible trace and minor molecules could be retrieved. A complete occultation included not only data recorded when the optical path traversed the earth's atmosphere, but also many spectra with tangent heights big enough for no more telluric absorptions to be detected. The averaging of such 'high sun' observations has provided high quality solar spectra totally free of atmospheric absorption features.

Zander, R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Atmosphere-surface interactions and atmospheric evolution on Mars

A knowledge of the original volatile endowment of Mars is essential for any discussion of atmospheric loss on this planet. Cosmochemical models which postulate that planetary bulk compositions and volatile contents were controlled by the radial temperature profile in the solar nebula, and estimated bulk compositions based on the assumption that Mars is the parent body for the SNC meteorites predicts that Mars is volatile-rich. However, contrary views can also be found. For illustrative purposes, it is assumed that Mars was volatile-rich initially like the Earth. Taking terrestrial volatiles as the sum of the atmospheric, crustal, and oceanic volatiles and assuming that Mars accreted with the same volatile content on a g/g basis, the volatile endowments for an Earth-like Mars correspond to approximately 14 bars CO2, 800 mbars N2, and 1.2 km H2O. Subsequent topics discussed are: composition of outgassing volatiles; rates of present day atmospheric-surface reactions; constraints on CO2 loss via carbonate formation; constraints on H2O loss; and loss of other volatiles.

Fegley, Bruce, Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The slant path atmospheric refraction calibrator - An instrument to measure the microwave propagation delays induced by atmospheric water vapor

The water vapor-induced propagation delay experienced by a radio signal traversing the atmosphere is characterized by the Slant Path Atmospheric Refraction Calibrator (SPARC), which measures the difference in the travel times between an optical and a microwave signal propagating along the same atmospheric path with an accuracy of 15 picosec or better. Attention is given to the theoretical and experimental issues involved in measuring the delay induced by water vapor; SPARC measurements conducted along a 13.35-km ground-based path are presented, illustrating the instrument's stability, precision, and accuracy.

Walter, Steven J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Computer simulations of comet- and asteroidlike bodies passing through the Venusian atmosphere: Preliminary results on atmospheric and ground shock effects

We have completed computer simulations that model shock effects in the venusian atmosphere caused during the passage of two cometlike bodies 100 m and 1000 m in diameter and an asteroidlike body 10 km in diameter. Our objective is to examine hypervelocity-generated shock effects in the venusian atmosphere for bodies of different types and sizes in order to understand the following: (1) their deceleration and depth of penetration through the atmosphere; and (2) the onset of possible ground-surface shock effects such as splotches, craters, and ejecta formations. The three bodies were chosen to include both a range of general conditions applicable to Venus as well as three specific cases of current interest. These calculations use a new multiphase computer code (DICE-MAZ) designed by California Research & Technology for shock-dynamics simulations in complex environments. The code was tested and calibrated in large-scale explosion, cratering, and ejecta research. It treats a wide range of different multiphase conditions, including material types (vapor, melt, solid), particle-size distributions, and shock-induced dynamic changes in velocities, pressures, temperatures (internal energies), densities, and other related parameters, all of which were recorded in our calculations.

Roddy, D.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Shortwave cloud-radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere at the surface and of the atmospheric column as determined from ISCCP C1 data

The paper employs the C1 data of the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project, along with the Satellite Algorithm for Shortwave Radiation Budget, to estimate the shortwave cloud effects in terms of the cloud-radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) and at the surface, and that of the atmospheric column on a global scale for the July months of 1983-1985. The cloud forcing for July 1985 is underestimated, by about 8/sq Wm, compared with that obtained from the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment. The cloud forcing at the surface is almost identical to that at the TOA, indicating that the effect of clouds on the shortwave energy budget of the surface-atmosphere system is such that most of the cooling is at the surface.

Laszlo, Istvan↗
NASA NTRS1991

BOREAS (Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study): Global change and biosphere-atmosphere interactions in the boreal forest

The Boreal Ecosystems Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) is a cooperative field and analysis project involving elements of land surface climatology, tropospheric chemistry, and terrestrial ecology. The goal of the study is to understand the interactions between the boreal forest biome and the atmosphere in order to clarify their roles in global change. The study will be centered on two 20 by 20 km sites within the North American boreal forest region, located near the northern and southern limits of the biome. Studies based at these sites will be used to explore the roles of various environmental factors in controlling the extent and character of the biome. The sites will be the subject of surface, airborne, and satellite based observations which aim to improve understanding of the biological and physical processes and states which govern the exchanges of energy, water, carbon, and trace gases between boreal forest ecosystems and the atmosphere. Particular reference will be made to those processes and states that may be sensitive to global change. The study also aims to develop the use of remote sensing techniques to transfer understanding of the above process from local scales out to regional scales. The BOREAS project is being planned for 1992-1996, with a major field effort in 1994.

Sellers, Piers J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The Atmospheric Lifetime Experiment and the Global Atmospheric Gas Experiment (ALE/GAGE)

The ALE/GAGE project was designed to determine the global atmospheric lifetimes of the chlorofluorocarbons CCl3F and CCl2F2 (F-11 and F-12), which had been identified as the main gases that cause stratospheric ozone depletion. The experimental procedures also provided the concentrations of CH3CCl3, CCl4 and N2O. The extended role of the project was to evaluate the mass balances of these gases as well. Methylchloroform (CH3CCl3) serves as a tracer of average atmospheric OH concentrations and hence the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas and can also deplete the ozone layer. Measurements of these gases were taken with optimized instruments in the field at a frequency of about 1 sample/hr. Toward the end of the present project methane measurements were added to the program. The final report deals with the research of the Oregon Graduate Institute (OGI) as part of the ALE/GAGE program between 4/1/1988 and 1/31/1991. The report defines the scope of the OGI project, the approach, and the results.

Rasmussen, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Model Stellar Atmospheres and Real Stellar Atmospheres and Status of the ATLAS12 Opacity Sampling Program and of New Programs for Rosseland and for Distribution Function Opacity

I discuss errors in theory and in interpreting observations that are produced by the failure to consider resolution in space, time, and energy. I discuss convection in stellar model atmospheres and in stars. Large errors in abundances are possible such as the factor of ten error in the Li abundance for extreme Population II stars. Finally I discuss the variation of microturbulent velocity with depth, effective temperature, gravity, and abundance. These variations must be dealt with in computing models and grids and in any type of photometric calibration. I have also developed a new opacity-sampling version of my model atmosphere program called ATLAS12. It recognizes more than 1000 atomic and molecular species, each in up to 10 isotopic forms. It can treat all ions of the elements up through Zn and the first 5 ions of heavier elements up through Es. The elemental and isotopic abundances are treated as variables with depth. The fluxes predicted by ATLAS12 are not accurate in intermediate or narrow bandpass intervals because the sample size is too small. A special stripped version of the spectrum synthesis program SYNTHE is used to generate the surface flux for the converged model using the line data on CD-ROMs 1 and 15. ATLAS12 can be used to produce improved models for Am and Ap stars. It should be very useful for investigating diffusion effects in atmospheres. It can be used to model exciting stars for H II regions with abundances consistent with those of the H II region. These programs and line files will be distributed on CD-ROMs.

Kurucz, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Application of the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System to the Martian Atmosphere

The core dynamics of the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS), a widely used and powerful mesoscale Earth model, is adapted to the Martian Atmosphere and applied in the study of aeolian surface features. In particular, research efforts focused on the substitution of Martian planetary and atmospheric properties such as rotation rate, and thermodynamic constants in place of hard-wired Earth properties. Application of the model was restricted to three-dimensional flow impinging upon impact craters, and the search for plausible wind patterns that could produce the so-called light and dark streaks downwind of topographic barriers.

Rafkin, Scot C. R.↗