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At least 91 records · Page 5

A Simulation Atlas of Tidal Features in Galaxies

Detailed simulations of tidally induced structure in disk galaxies have either concentrated on specific systems or consisted of a few encounters with relatively small numbers of particles and no self-gravity. Observers need a 'dictionary' of simulations that covers many encounter parameters with fine morphological resolution and includes effects of self-gravitation. Observers can then search the dictionary for the parameters that best match a particular observed morphology. Alternatively, the dictionary can be used with observational samples for statistical studies of system parameters. To fill this need, we present a survey of model tidal encounters using a self-gravitating, 180,000 particle, two-component ('stars' and 'gas') disk. A wide variety of fascinating morphologies results. There are 86 different encounters that vary orbit tilt, perigalacticon distance, galaxy to companion mass ratio, and the amount of halo dark matter relative to the disk. For morphological comparisons, over 1700 images of the entire survey are available in video form. While there is a rich variety of tidal structure covering much of this parameter space, some general patterns may be remarked. There is a strong orbital inclination dependence of the symmetry of tidal patterns, most symmetric for planar orbits and nearly one-sided for polar encounters. Retrograde encounters produce only broad fanlike global patterns, but rich small-scale internal structure. In both kinds of encounter, our numerical resolution allows us to track internal spiral structure driven by the outer material arms, especially in the lighter halo simulations. We note also that polar encounters generate series of expanding, essentially non-rotating loops resembling shell structures in some respects.

Howard, Sethanne↗

Methane, Carbon Monoxide, and Ammonia in Brown Dwarfs and Self-Luminous Giant Planets

We address disequilibrum abundances of some simple molecules in the atmospheres of solar composition brown dwarfs and self-luminous extrasolar giant planets using a kinetics-based 1D atmospheric chemistry model. Our approach is to use the full kinetics model to survey the parameter space with effective temperatures between 500 K and 1100 K. In all of these worlds equilibrium chemistry favors CH4 over CO in the parts of the atmosphere that can be seen from Earth, but in most disequilibrium favors CO. The small surface gravity of a planet strongly discriminates against CH4 when compared to an otherwise comparable brown dwarf. If vertical mixing is like Jupiter's, the transition from methane to CO occurs at 500 K in a planet. Sluggish vertical mixing can raise this to 600 K; clouds or more vigorous vertical mixing could lower this to 400 K. The comparable thresholds in brown dwarfs are 1100±100 K. Ammonia is also sensitive to gravity, but unlike CH4/CO, the NH3/N2 ratio is insensitive to mixing, which makes NH3 a potential proxy for gravity. HCN may become interesting in high gravity brown dwarfs with very strong vertical mixing. Detailed analysis of the CO-CH4 reaction network reveals that the bottleneck to CO hydrogenation goes through methanol, in partial agreement with previous work. Simple, easy to use quenching relations are derived by fitting to the complete chemistry of the full ensemble of models. These relations are valid for determining CO, CH4, NH3, HCN, and CO2 abundances in the range of self-luminous worlds we have studied but may not apply if atmospheres are strongly heated at high altitudes by processes not considered here (e.g., wave breaking).

Planets and satellites↗

Study of data collection platform concepts: Data collection system user requirements

The overall purpose of the survey was to provide real world data on user requirements. The intent was to assess data collection system user requirements by questioning actual potential users rather than speculating on requirements. The end results of the survey are baseline requirements models for both a data collection platform and a data collection system. These models were derived from the survey results. The real value of these models lies in the fact that they are based on actual user requirements as delineated in the survey questionnaires. Some users desire data collection platforms of small size and light weight. These sizes and weights are beyond the present state of the art. Also, the survey provided a wealth of information on the nature and constituency of the data collection user community as well as information on user applications for data collection systems. Finally, the data sheds light on the generalized platform concept. That is, the diversity of user requirements shown in the data indicates the difficulty that can be anticipated in attempting to implement such a concept.

Source record↗

Recent results from the GISS model of the global atmosphere

Large numerical atmospheric circulation models are in increasingly widespread use both for operational weather forecasting and for meteorological research. The results presented here are from a model developed at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) and described in detail by Somerville et al. (1974). This model is representative of a class of models, recently surveyed by the Global Atmospheric Research Program (1974), designed to simulate the time-dependent, three-dimensional, large-scale dynamics of the earth's atmosphere.

Somerville, R. C. J.↗

A survey of Applied Psychological Services' models of the human operator

A historical perspective is presented in terms of the major features and status of two families of computer simulation models in which the human operator plays the primary role. Both task oriented and message oriented models are included. Two other recent efforts are summarized which deal with visual information processing. They involve not whole model development but a family of subroutines customized to add the human aspects to existing models. A global diagram of the generalized model development/validation process is presented and related to 15 criteria for model evaluation.

Siegel, A. I.↗

Organic chemistry in space

Organic cosmochemistry, organic materials in space exploration, and biochemistry of man in space are briefly surveyed. A model of Jupiter's atmosphere is considered, and the search for organic molecules in the solar system and in interstellar space is discussed. Materials and analytical techniques relevant to space exploration are indicated, and the blood and urine analyses performed on Skylab are described.

Johnson, R. D.↗

Experimental determination of the laminar separation bubble characteristics on an airfoil at low Reynolds numbers

An experimental investigation was conducted in order to document the structure and behavior of laminar separation bubbles at low Reynolds numbers. Data of this type is necessary if the currently insufficient analytical and numerical models are to be improved. The laminar separation bubble which forms on a NACA 66(3)-018 airfoil model was surveyed at chord Reynolds numbers ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 at angles of attack from 8 to 12 degrees. The effects of the various testing conditions on the separation bubble were isolated, and the data was analyzed in relation to existing separation bubble correlations in order to test their low Reynolds number applicability. This analysis indicated that the chord Reynolds number and the disturbance environment strongly influence the experimental pressure distributions. These effects must be included in any analytic prediction technique applied to the low Reynolds number flight regime.

Omeara, M. M.↗

Monopoles, cosmology, and astrophysics - Update 1985

The characteristics of the superheavy magnetic monopoles (MMs) predicted by GUTs are reviewed, and recent developments in astrophysical MM search techniques are surveyed. Theoretical models of the birth, current distribution, and motion of MMs are examined; the observational implications of MM mass, magnetic charge, and ability to catalyze nucleon decay are considered; estimates of the average and local flux limits for MMs of 10 to the 25th eV are given (less than about 3 x 10 to the -15th and less than about 3 x 10 to the -11th/sq cm sr sec, respectively); and the possibility of detecting MMs in the sun (if they can escape annihilation there) is discussed.

Turner, Michael S.↗

Unfurlable satellite antennas - A review

A review of unfurlable satellite antennas is presented. Typical application requirements for future space missions are first outlined. Then, U.S. and European mesh and inflatable antenna concepts are described. Precision deployables using rigid panels or petals are not included in the survey. RF modeling and performance analysis of gored or faceted mesh reflector antennas are then reviewed. Finally, both on-ground and in-orbit RF test techniques for large unfurlable antennas are discussed.

Roederer, Antoine G.↗

Hypersonic aerodynamic/aerothermodynamic testing capabilities at Langley Research Center

Capabilities of the Langley Hypersonic Facilities Complex that consists of nine blowdown-to-vacuum wind tunnels are reviewed. These tunnels complement one another to provide ranges of Mach number from 6 to 20, unit Reynolds number from 0.03 to 40 million per ft, and normal shock density ratio from 2 to 12. Topics under consideration include the basic components of each facility, status, and upgrades recently performed; instrumentation and testing techniques routinely used to measure forces and moments, surface pressures, surface temperature-time histories, flow properties within the shock layer about the model via survey probes, and flow visualization; and data acquisition systems and upgrades performed via a NASA revitalization program.

Miller, C. G., III↗

Accurate modeling of F-region electron densities

In the past year, we have made considerable progress in a number of areas including algorithm development, completion of two major case studies, and the development of a new EUV flux model. As a result, there has been a major improvement in our ability to model global emissions in support of NASA's imaging plans. Activity highlights include the following: developed a new algorithm to allow physical models to reproduce observed NmF2; investigated the relationship between NmF2 and F10.7 at Millstone Hill during 1990; developed a new solar EUV flux model; statistical survey of anomalously high nighttime electron T(sub e) at Millstone Hill; conducted a case study of the March 1990 magnetic storm; and conducted a comparison between theory and data of magnetically quiet behavior of the winter ionosphere at Millstone Hill.

Source record↗

A Practical Guide to Interpretation of Large Collections of Incident Narratives Using the QUORUM Method

Analysis of incident reports plays an important role in aviation safety. Typically, a narrative description, written by a participant, is a central part of an incident report. Because there are so many reports, and the narratives contain so much detail, it can be difficult to efficiently and effectively recognize patterns among them. Recognizing and addressing recurring problems, however, is vital to continuing safety in commercial aviation operations. A practical way to interpret large collections of incident narratives is to apply the QUORUM method of text analysis, modeling, and relevance ranking. In this paper, QUORUM text analysis and modeling are surveyed, and QUORUM relevance ranking is described in detail with many examples. The examples are based on several large collections of reports from the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) database, and a collection of news stories describing the disaster of TWA Flight 800, the Boeing 747 which exploded in mid- air and crashed near Long Island, New York, on July 17, 1996. Reader familiarity with this disaster should make the relevance-ranking examples more understandable. The ASRS examples illustrate the practical application of QUORUM relevance ranking.

McGreevy, Michael W.↗

A Low-Speed Investigation of a Fuselage-Side Air Inlet for use at Transonic Flight Speeds

A low-speed investigation in the Langley propeller-research tunnel of annular air inlets designed to avoid compression shocks and attendant boundary-layer separation on the fuselage ahead of the inlets at transonic flight speeds by maintaining substream flow velocities on the fuselage nose was reported in NACA RM No. L6J04. In the present investigation, one of the original annular inlets was converted by the installation of a canopy and a nose-wheel fairing into a twin side inlet in order to study problems involved in applying such an inlet to a fighter-type airplane. Extensive measurements of pressures on the surface of the model and surveys of the internal flow were conducted at angles of attack of 0 degrees, 3 degrees, and 6 degrees over a wide range of inlet-velocity ratio.

Nichols, Mark R.↗

X-ray Weak Broad-line Qquasars: Absorption or Intrinsic X-ray Weakness

XMM observations of X-ray weak quasars have been performed during 2003 and 2004. The data for all the observations have become available in 2004 (there has been a delay of several months on the initial schedule, due to high background flares which contaminated the observations: as a consequence, most of them had to be rescheduled). We have reduced and analyzed all the data, and obtained interesting scientific results. Out of the eight sources, 4 are confirmed to be extremely X-ray weak, in agreement with the results of previous Chandra observations. 3 sources are confined to be highly variable both in flux (by factor 20-50) and in spectral properties (dramatic changes in spectral index). For both these groups of objects we are completing a publication: 1) For the X-ray weak sources, a paper is submitted with a complete analysis of the X-ray spectra both from Chandra and XMM-Newton, and a comparison with optical and near-IR photometry obtained from all-sky surveys. Possible models for the unusual spectral energy distribution of these sources are also presented. 2) For the variable sources, a paper is being finalized where the X-ray spectra obtained with XMM-Newton are compared with previous X-ray observations and with observations at other wavelengths. It is shown that these sources are high luminosity and extreme cases of the highly variable class of narrow-line Seyfert Is. In order to further understand the nature of these X-ray weak quasars, we submitted proposals for spectroscopy at optical and infrared telescopes. We obtained time at the TNG 4 meter telescope for near-IR observations and at the Hobby-Eberly Telescope for optical high-resolution spectroscopy. These observations have been performed in early 2004. They will complement the XMM data and will lead to understanding of whether the X-ray weakness of these sources is an intrinsic property or is due to absorption by circum-nuclear material. The infrared spectra of the variable sources have been already analyzed and are discussed in the paper by Memola et al. which will be soon submitted.

Mushotzky, Richard↗

Accessing and Visualizing scientific spatiotemporal data

This paper discusses work done by JPL 's Parallel Applications Technologies Group in helping scientists access and visualize very large data sets through the use of multiple computing resources, such as parallel supercomputers, clusters, and grids These tools do one or more of the following tasks visualize local data sets for local users, visualize local data sets for remote users, and access and visualize remote data sets The tools are used for various types of data, including remotely sensed image data, digital elevation models, astronomical surveys, etc The paper attempts to pull some common elements out of these tools that may be useful for others who have to work with similarly large data sets.

data sets↗