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At least 937 records · Page 52
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2012

Remote Sensing of Snow Cover: Snow Extent - Section

Snow was easily identified in the first image obtained from the Television Infrared Operational Satellite-1 (TIROS-1) weather satellite in 1960 because the high albedo of snow presents a good contrast with most other natural surfaces. Subsequently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began to map snow using satellite-borne instruments in 1966. Snow plays an important role in the Earth s energy balance, causing more solar radiation to be reflected back into space as compared to most snow-free surfaces. Seasonal snow cover also provides a critical water resource through meltwater emanating from rivers that originate from high-mountain areas such as the Tibetan Plateau. Meltwater from mountain snow packs flows to some of the world s most densely-populated areas such as Southeast Asia, benefiting over 1 billion people (Immerzeel et al., 2010). In this section, we provide a brief overview of the remote sensing of snow cover using visible and near-infrared (VNIR) and passive-microwave (PM) data. Snow can be mapped using the microwave part of the electromagnetic spectrum, even in darkness and through cloud cover, but at a coarser spatial resolution than when using VNIR data. Fusing VNIR and PM algorithms to produce a blended product offers synergistic benefits. Snow-water equivalent (SWE), snow extent, and melt onset are important parameters for climate models and for the initialization of atmospheric forecasts at daily and seasonal time scales. Snowmelt data are also needed as input to hydrological models to improve flood control and irrigation management.

Hall, Dorothy K.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Computer-implemented land use classification with pattern recognition software and ERTS digital data

Significant progress has been made in the classification of surface conditions (land uses) with computer-implemented techniques based on the use of ERTS digital data and pattern recognition software. The supervised technique presently used at the NASA Earth Resources Laboratory is based on maximum likelihood ratioing with a digital table look-up approach to classification. After classification, colors are assigned to the various surface conditions (land uses) classified, and the color-coded classification is film recorded on either positive or negative 9 1/2 in. film at the scale desired. Prints of the film strips are then mosaicked and photographed to produce a land use map in the format desired. Computer extraction of statistical information is performed to show the extent of each surface condition (land use) within any given land unit that can be identified in the image. Evaluations of the product indicate that classification accuracy is well within the limits for use by land resource managers and administrators. Classifications performed with digital data acquired during different seasons indicate that the combination of two or more classifications offer even better accuracy.

Joyce, A. T.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Utilizing Earth Observations to Understand Landscape Patterns and Assist in Wildlife Management in Iona National Park, Angola

Following the end of the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002), human habitation in Iona National Park has grown exponentially, as has the livestock population. An ongoing drought beginning in 2017 has brought people, livestock, and wildlife into increasing competition for resources within the park. This study used Earth observation data, primarily Landsat and Sentinel imagery, to examine landscape trends to improve wildlife preservation approaches in Iona National Park, Angola. In collaboration with the NGO African Parks, we developed a robust land use and land cover (LULC) classification model using remote sensing data to augment sparse ground-based data in this arid land region. We used Google Earth Engine and a random forest classifier to map vegetation types, water bodies, and potential wildlife habitats. This analysis resulted in a high spatial resolution LULC time-series between 1984-2023, highlighting critical periods of socioecological change over the past 40 years. These results increased the partner’s ability to make scientifically grounded decisions about resource allocation and conservation priorities. This analysis supports the feasibility of applying remote sensing techniques coupled with machine learning models in dry regions, where standard survey methods are frequently limited by accessibility and resource availability. However, we identified limitations in ground-truth data and the difficulty of recognizing certain vegetation types in arid areas. Despite these limitations, the study demonstrated Earth observations' ability to transform wildlife management techniques in distant and data-scarce locations, providing a reproducible foundation for similar ecosystems around the world.

Emmanuel Aklie↗
NASA NTRS1992

Geophysical Methods: an Overview

Geophysics is expected to have a major role in lunar resource assessment when manned systems return to the Moon. Geophysical measurements made from a lunar rover will contribute to a number of key studies: estimating regolith thickness, detection of possible large-diameter lava tubes within maria basalts, detection of possible subsurface ice in polar regions, detection of conductive minerals that formed directly from a melt (orthomagmatic sulfides of Cu, Ni, Co), and mapping lunar geology beneath the regolith. The techniques that can be used are dictated both by objectives and by our abilities to adapt current technology to lunar conditions. Instrument size, weight, power requirements, and freedom from orientation errors are factors we have considered. Among the geophysical methods we believe to be appropriate for a lunar resource assessment are magnetics, including gradiometry, time-domain magnetic induction, ground-penetrating radar, seismic reflection, and gravimetry.

Becker, A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The first Earth Resources Technology Satellite - Nearly two years of operation

A brief status report is given of the ERTS-1 satellite system as of June, 1974, and some applications of the ERTS-1 images are discussed. The multispectral images make it possible to identify or measure the quality and composition of water, the potential water content of snow, the moisture and possible composition of soils, the types and state of vegetation cover, and factors relating to stresses on the environment. The orthographic view of the earth provided by the satellite makes it possible to rapidly produce thematic maps, on a scale of 1:250,000, of most areas of the world. The regular, repetitive coverage provided by ERTS-1 every 18 days is important in areas such as water-supply and flood-damage studies. The use of ERTS-1 imagery for land-use planning, wetlands surveying, assessing marine resources, and observing processes such as desertification in the African Sahel is discussed.

Nordberg, W.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Western Sonoran Desert Water Resources: Evaluating Rock Pool Hydroperiod Fluctuation using Climate Variables to Inform Habitat Monitoring and Protection in the Western Sonoran Desert

Ephemeral freshwater rock pools, known as tinajas, have great biologic and cultural importance as sources of surface water in the western Sonoran Desert (WSD). Tinaja flooding and drying cycles, known as hydroperiods, vary based on meteorologic and climatologic conditions; however, a lack of extensive research relating climatic impacts to tinajas puts these critical ecosystems further at risk. The National Park Service (NPS) and the University of Arizona monitor the physical and ecological condition of tinajas in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (OPCNM), AZ, using resource-intensive strategies: in situ trail cameras and direct measurements. To aid monitoring efforts, the NASA DEVELOP team aimed to incorporate remote sensing into NPS strategies by analyzing spatiotemporal climate data and tinaja hydroperiods in OPCNM between 1979–2022. Using Aqua and Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers (MODIS), University of Idaho Gridded Surface Meteorological Dataset (gridMET), and OpenET data, the team generated climatology maps and time series for OPCNM. The team compared these data to daily in situ hydroperiod observations from the University of Arizona between 2019–2022. Climate maps and time series showed increases in temperature and solar radiation (p<0.05), while analyses of in situ data showed correlations of hydroperiods with precipitation and evapotranspiration. End products identified high-risk tinajas and demonstrated that Earth observations can successfully be correlated with in situ hydroperiod observations. These results will support NPS efforts to prioritize water resource management and inform protocols driving the conservation of tinajas in OPCNM.

Anne Britton↗
DOE OSTI2022

Unveiling the Universe with emerging cosmological probes

The detection of the accelerated expansion of the Universe has been one of the major breakthroughs in modern cosmology. Several cosmological probes (Cosmic Microwave Background, Supernovae Type Ia, Baryon Acoustic Oscillations) have been studied in depth to better understand the nature of the mechanism driving this acceleration, and they are being currently pushed to their limits, obtaining remarkable constraints that allowed us to shape the standard cosmological model. In parallel to that, however, the percent precision achieved has recently revealed apparent tensions between measurements obtained from different methods. These are either indicating some unaccounted systematic effects, or are pointing toward new physics. Following the development of CMB, SNe, and BAO cosmology, it is critical to extend our selection of cosmological probes. Novel probes can be exploited to validate results, control or mitigate systematic effects, and, most importantly, to increase the accuracy and robustness of our results. This review is meant to provide a state-of-art benchmark of the latest advances in emerging “beyond-standard” cosmological probes. We present how several different methods can become a key resource for observational cosmology. In particular, we review cosmic chronometers, quasars, gamma-ray bursts, standard sirens, lensing time-delay with galaxies and clusters, cosmic voids, neutral hydrogen intensity mapping, surface brightness fluctuations, stellar ages of the oldest objects, secular redshift drift, and clustering of standard candles. The review describes the method, systematics, and results of each probe in a homogeneous way, giving the reader a clear picture of the available innovative methods that have been introduced in recent years and how to apply them. The review also discusses the potential synergies and complementarities between the various probes, exploring how they will contribute to the future of modern cosmology.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Deep Learning-Driven Sampling Technique to Explore the Phase Space of an RNA Stem-Loop

The folding and unfolding of RNA stem-loops are critical biological processes; however, their computational studies are often hampered by the ruggedness of their folding landscape, necessitating long simulation times at the atomistic scale. Here, we adapted DeepDriveMD (DDMD), an advanced deep learning-driven sampling technique originally developed for protein folding, to address the challenges of RNA stem-loop folding. Although tempering- and order parameter-based techniques are commonly used for similar rare-event problems, the computational costs or the need for a priori knowledge about the system often present a challenge in their effective use. DDMD overcomes these challenges by adaptively learning from an ensemble of running MD simulations using generic contact maps as the raw input. DeepDriveMD enables on-the-fly learning of a low-dimensional latent representation and guides the simulation toward the undersampled regions while optimizing the resources to explore the relevant parts of the phase space. We showed that DDMD estimates the free energy landscape of the RNA stem-loop reasonably well at room temperature. Our simulation framework runs at a constant temperature without external biasing potential, hence preserving the information on transition rates, with a computational cost much lower than that of the simulations performed with external biasing potentials. Here, we also introduced a reweighting strategy for obtaining unbiased free energy surfaces and presented a qualitative analysis of the latent space. This analysis showed that the latent space captures the relevant slow degrees of freedom for the RNA folding problem of interest. Finally, throughout the manuscript, we outlined how different parameters are selected and optimized to adapt DDMD for this system. We believe this compendium of decision-making processes will help new users adapt this technique for the rare-event sampling problems of their interest.

Gupta, Ayush↗
DOE OSTI2024

Exponential Improvements in the Simulation of Lattice Gauge Theories Using Near-Optimal Techniques

We report a first-of-its-kind analysis on post-Trotter simulation of U(1), SU(2), and SU(3) lattice gauge theories including fermions in arbitrary spatial dimension. We provide explicit circuit constructions as well as T-gate counts and logical qubit counts for Hamiltonian simulation. We find a reduction of up to 25 orders of magnitude in space-time volume over Trotter methods for simulations of non-Abelian lattice gauge theories relevant to the standard model. This improvement results from our algorithm having polynomial scaling with the number of colors in the gauge theory, achieved by utilizing oracle constructions relying on the sparsity of physical operators, in contrast to the exponential scaling seen in state-of-the-art Trotter methods, which employ explicit mappings onto Pauli operators. Our work demonstrates that the use of advanced algorithmic techniques leads to dramatic reductions in the cost of simulating fundamental interactions, bringing it in step with resources required for first-principles quantum simulation of chemistry.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Semicoherent symmetric quantum processes: Theory and applications

Discovering pragmatic and efficient approaches to construct ε-approximations of quantum operators such as real (imaginary) time-evolution propagators in terms of the basic quantum operations (gates) is challenging. Prior ε-approximations are invaluable, in that they enable the compilation of classical and quantum algorithm modeling of, e.g., dynamical and thermodynamic quantum properties. In parallel, symmetries are powerful tools concisely describing the fundamental laws of nature; the symmetric underpinnings of physical laws have consistently provided profound insights and substantially increased predictive power. In this work, we consider the interplay between the ε-approximate processes and the exact symmetries in a semicoherent context—where measurements occur at each logical clock cycle. Here we draw inspiration from Pascual Jordan's groundbreaking formulation of nonassociative, but commutative, symmetric algebraic form. Our symmetrized formalism is then applied in various domains such as quantum random walks, real-time evolutions, variational algorithm ansatzes, and efficient entanglement verification. Our work paves the way for a deeper understanding and greater appreciation of how symmetries can be used to control quantum dynamics in settings where coherence is a limited resource.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

VizBrick

Brick (https://brickschema.org/) is a unified metadata schema to address the problem of building data standardization. Creating Brick models for building datasets means that the contents of the datasets are semantically described using the standard terms defined in the Brick ontology, and it will enable the benefits of data standardization, without having to recollect or reorganize the data. The challenge is that building brick models for building datasets leads to repeated manual trial and error processes, which can be time-consuming. VizBrick is a tool with a graphic/Web-based user interface that can assist users to create Brick models visually and interactively without having to understand the Resource Description Framework (RDF) syntax. VizBrick contains a web server that renders VizBrick web interface pages for browsers. The web server utilizes software components that (1) provide Brick ontology entity mapping to data column suggestions to users so that they can efficiently create their model; (2) provide keyword/Metadata-based search capability for easy find of relevant brick concepts and relations to their data columns

Lee, Sangkeun [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Systems Approach to Increasing Carbon Flux to Seed Oil for Biofuels and Bioproducts Production in Camelina sativa (Final Report)

To combat climate change and alleviate the dependency of the United States on fossil fuels, the transition to biofuel crops has long been proposed as a crucial part of the long-term solution. Camelina sativa has emerged as one of the leading commercially viable options for biofuel and bioproduct production for the U.S. Camelina has the advantages of low agronomic inputs and natural resistance to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses relative to other oilseed crops, and Camelina oil-based blends have been tested and approved as liquid transportation fuels. A major limitation in the widespread adoption of Camelina as a viable industrial oilseed crop is its modest oil yields. This project directly investigated possible paths towards increasing oil, by employing tissue-specific and whole plant systems approaches to identify major regulatory bottlenecks. We developed a new high-throughput method for the identification of multi-gene transformants in polyploid species like Camelina sativa and used this to determine that, contrary to what mathematical models suggested, introduction of the microbial Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway into Camelina sativa did not result in significant seed oil increases. We developed flux maps providing accurate and statistically robust models of central carbon metabolism in Camelina, including of cultured Camelina embryos. This knowledge was used in the capacitation of a number of junior researchers in gaining knowledge on approaches used for quantitative flux map analyses. We identified several novel Camelina transcription factor genes regulating fatty acid biosynthesis that showed variable effects on seed oil accumulation in transgenic plants. Among a number of community resources, we also developed a knowledge base web resource (CamRegBase) to integrate Camelina gene regulatory information. Together, research outcomes from this project have contributed to a much better understanding of the regulation and bottlenecks to engineer seed oil production in Camelina.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS1973

A semi-automated system for plotting and computer cataloging of remote sensing imagery

Description of a computer-assisted system for plotting and descriptor-cataloging of aerial imagery - an ingredient of the aerial image data handling system of the NASA Earth Resources Aircraft Project (ERAP). The system under consideration uses two graphic tablets linked interactively with a digital computer as input devices for deriving frame coordinates by correlating image points to map points. The various software programs and operating modes facilitate a semiautomatic plotting of an image by selecting two or more points within the image for matching with map details. The computer performs the scaling and orientation transformations for the calculation of the center and corner coordinates of the frame. Twenty five other descriptors for each frame are fed into a computerized data base requiring a minimum operator's time for verification and correction.

Gnauck, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Geological applications of LANDSAT-1 imagery to the Great Salt Lake area

The ERTS program has been designed as a research and development tool to demonstrate that remote sensing from orbital altitudes is a feasible and practical approach to efficient management of earth resources. From this synoptic view and repetitive coverage provided by ERTS imagery of the Great Salt Lake area, large geological and structural features, trends, and patterns have been identified and mapped. A comparative analysis of lineaments observed in September and December data was conducted, existing mineral locations were plotted, and areas considered prospective for mineralization based on apparent structure-mineralization relationships were defined. The additional information obtained using ERTS data provides an added source of information to aid in the development of more effective mineral exploration programs.

Anderson, A. T.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Applied Remote Sensing Program (ARSP) to state and local government

Environmental surveys of arid land areas (Arizona) in the United States are presented. Maps of soils, vegetation, drainage patterns, and land use are shown. The distribution of uranium deposits, oil and gas pools, is also shown. Legislation pertaining to the preservation of natural resources is discussed.

Johnson, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Results of phase one of land use information Delphi study

The Land Use Management Information System (LUMIS) is being developed for the city portion of the Santa Monica mountains. LUMIS incorporates data developed from maps and aerial photos as well as traditional land based data associated with routine city and county record keeping activities and traditional census data. To achieve the merging of natural resource data with governmental data LUMIS is being designed in accordance with restrictions associated with two other land use information systems currently being constructed by Los Angeles city staff. The two city systems are LUPAMS (Land Use Planning and Management System) which is based on data recorded by the County Assessor's office for each individual parcel of land in the city, and Geo-BEDS, a geographically based environmental data system.

Paul, C. K.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Global Precipitation Measurement Program and the Development of Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) program is a mission to measure precipitation from space, and is a similar but much expanded mission of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission. Its scope is not limited to scientific research, but includes practical and operational applications such as weather forecasting and water resource management. To meet the requirements of operational use, the GPM uses multiple low-orbiting satellites to increase the sampling frequency and to create three-hourly global rain maps that will be delivered to the world in quasi-real time. A dual-frequency radar (DPR) will be installed on the primary satellite that plays an important role in the whole mission. The DPR will realize measurement of precipitation with high sensitivity, high precision and high resolutions. This paper describes an outline of the GPM program, its issues and the roles and development of the DPR.

Iguchi, Toshio↗
NASA NTRS2012

Groundbreaking Mars Sample Return for Science and Human Exploration

Partnerships between science and human exploration have recent heritage for the Moon (Lunar Precursor Robotics Program, LPRP) and nearearth objects (Exploration Precursor Robotics Program, xPRP). Both programs spent appreciable time and effort determining measurements needed or desired before human missions to these destinations. These measurements may be crucial to human health or spacecraft design, or may be desired to better optimize systems designs such as spacesuits or operations. Both LPRP and xPRP recommended measurements from orbit, by landed missions and by sample return. LPRP conducted the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) missions, providing high-resolution visible imagery, surface and subsurface temperatures, global topography, mapping of possible water ice deposits, and the biological effects of radiation [1]. LPRP also initiated a landed mission to provide dust and regolith properties, local lighting conditions, assessment of resources, and demonstration of precision landing [2]. This mission was canceled in 2006 due to funding shortfalls. For the Moon, adequate samples of rocks and regolith were returned by the Apollo and Luna programs to conduct needed investigations. Many near-earth asteroids (NEAs) have been observed from the Earth and several have been more extensively characterized by close-flying missions and landings (NEAR, Hayabusa, Rosetta). The current Joint Robotic Precursor Activity program is considering activities such as partnering with the New Frontiers mission OSIRIS-Rex to visit a NEA and return a sample to the Earth. However, a strong consensus of the NEO User Team within xPRP was that a dedicated mission to the asteroid targeted by humans is required [3], ideally including regolith sample return for more extensive characterization and testing on the Earth.

Cohen, Barbara↗