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The variations in data received from rocket-borne and balloon-borne instruments are discussed. Indirect techniques to measure and monitor the solar constant are presented. Emphasis is placed on the correlation of data from the Solar Maximum Mission and the Nimbus 7 satellites.
Solar irradiance measurements made from a balloon on January 27, 1978 and February 10, 1980 show a change of 0.4% over similar measurements made in 1968. This change is greater than the uncertainty of the measurement and is felt to be the result of a change in the solar constant.
Materials illustrating a presentation on 400 Hz constant speed generation systems are presented. The system features are outlined, components and functioning described, and display graphics illustrated.
A constant magnification optical tracking system for continuously tracking of a moving object is described. In the tracking system, a traveling objective lens maintains a fixed relationship with an object to be optically tracked. The objective lens was chosen to provide a collimated light beam oriented in the direction of travel of the moving object. A reflective surface is attached to the traveling objective lens for reflecting an image of the moving object. The object to be tracked is a free-falling object which is located at the focal point of the objective lens for at least a portion of its free-fall path. A motor and control means is provided for mantaining the traveling objective lens in a fixed relationship relative to the free-falling object, thereby keeping the free-falling object at the focal point and centered on the axis of the traveling objective lens throughout its entire free-fall path.
The absolute rate constant was measured by the technique of flash photolysis-laser induced fluorescence (FP-LIF). NH2 radicals were produced by the flash photolysis of ammonia and the fluorescent NH2 photons were measured by multiscaling techniques. At each temperature, the results were independent of variations in total pressure, and flash intensity. The results are compared with previous determinations using the techniques of mass spectrometry, absorption spectroscopy, laser absorption spectroscopy, and laser induced fluorescence. The implications of the results are discussed with regard to combustion, post combustion, and atmospheric chemistry. The results are also discussed theoretically.
The absolute rate constant of the reaction OH + HO2 yields H2O + O2 was determined by using the discharge-flow resonance fluorescence technique at 299 K and 1-torr total pressure. Pseudo-first-order conditions were used with HO2 concentrations in large excess over OH. Secondary reactions of atomic oxygen and atomic hydrogen were shown not to interfere under the conditions used. The result is (6.4 plus or minus 1.5) x 10 to the -11th cu cm/molecule s where the error limits are twice the standard deviation. The overall experimental error is estimated to be plus or minus 30%.
The molecular constants and their adiabatic corrections have been determined for the (A 1 Sigma +) - (X 1 Sigma +) system of the isotopic lithium hydrides: (Li-6)H, (Li-7)H, (Li-6)D, and (Li-7)D. Using a fully quantum mechanical variational method, the potential energy curves (IPA potentials) are determined. Extending the variational method, we have obtained for the first time adiabatic corrections of potential energy curves from isotopic spectroscopic data. A significant difference between the potential energy curves of the lithium hydrides and the lithium deuterides has been observed. When Li-6 was replaced by Li-7, a significant difference was only observed for the (A 1 Sigma +) state, but not for the (X 1 Sigma +) state.
The performance of a constant-temperature normal hot-wire in a supersonic flow is critically examined. It is shown that this instrument is inherently unsuitable for measuring turbulent temperature correlations because of the highly nonlinear response to temperature fluctuations, particularly at low overheat ratios. The instrument is therefore limited to measurements of mean and fluctuating mass-flow rates. Suitable calibration procedures, as well as the limits on spatial and temporal resolution are discussed, and corrections for mean stagnation temperature changes are suggested.
The performance of a constant-temperature inclined hot-wire in a supersonic flow is critically examined. It is shown that calibration techniques applicable to subsonic flow, such as the cosine cooling law cannot be used when the flow is supersonic. Calibration and measurement procedures appropriate to supersonic flow are suggested, together with the possible limits on their validity. Experimental results for different wires indicate that the sensitivities do not seem to depend on flow direction according to any simple correlation. When the sensitivity exhibits a strong dependence on flow direction, the wire should be discarded to avoid errors due to nonlinear effects.
Relative rate constants for the reactions O + HO2 - OH + O2 (1) and O + OH - H + O2 (2) were obtained by using the discharge-flow resonance fluorescence technique at 2 torr total pressure and 299 K. HO2 radicals were generated by reacting atomic hydrogen with an excess of O2. Quasi-steady-state concentrations of OH and HO2 were established in the presence of excess atomic oxygen. Observed concentration ratios, namely the ratio of the OH concentration to the HO2 concentration, resulted in a value of 1.7 + or 0.2 for k1/k2. The error limits are twice the standard deviation obtained from the data analysis. Overall experimental error is estimated to be + or - 25 percent. This result confirms earlier direct measurements of k1 and k2 which required knowledge of absolute radical or atomic oxygen concentrations.
"Radiometer for Accurate (+ or - 1%) Measurement of Solar Irradiances Equal to 10,000 Solar Constants," gives additional information on radiometer described elsewhere. Self-calibrating, water-cooled, thermopile radiometer measures irradiance produced in solar image formed by parabolic reflector or by multiple-mirror solar installation.
A constant-output atomizer includes a body which has a generally frustoconical expansion nozzle for producing an air jet when a supply of pressurized air is connected to the nozzle upstream of the throat of the nozzle. A liquid feed line supplies liquid to be atomized by the air jet, and the body includes a groove which opens into the diffuser section of the nozzle downstream of the throat for conducting liquid from the feed line to the nozzle. The groove which extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle, and radially with respect to it, has a depth approximately equal to half the axial length of the nozzle. Liquid, conducted by capillary action in the groove to the nozzle, is atomized into a fine mist by the air jet in the nozzle; and the groove eliminates fluctuations in spray order.
Methods for evaluating the Euler-Mascheroni constants which appear in the Laurent expansion of the Reimann zeta function about Z = 1 are presented. The first 32 of these numbers are listed.
The values of the first 32 constants are derived and listed in tables.
Activity related modulation of the solar constant can have practical consequences for climate only if storage is involved, as opposed to a detailed balance between sunspot blocking and facular reemission. Four empirical tests are considered that might distinguish between these opposing interpretations: monochromatic measurements of positive and negative flux; comparison of modelled and measured irradiance variations; the interpretation of secular trends in irradiance data; and the direct test of an anticipated signal in climate records of surface air temperature. The yet unanswered question of the role of faculae as possible reemitters of blocked radiation precludes a definitive answer, although other tests suggest their role to be minor, and that storage and an 11 year modulation is implicated. A crucial test is the behavior of the secular trend in irradiance in the declining years of the present activity cycle.
Using simple arguments, it is considered how the fundamental constants determine the scales of various macroscopic phenomena, including the properties of solid matter; the distinction between rocks, asteroids, planets, and stars; the conditions on habitable planets; the length of the day and year; and the size and athletic ability of human beings. Most of the results, where testable, are accurate to within a couple of orders of magnitude.
A simple and versatile instrument for the measurement of optical constants in the near millimeter spectral region is described. Studies of quasi-optical components used in this instrument for effective beam transmission and control are reported. These studies include transmission characteristics of dielectric waveguides and performance of a variable coupler based on frustrated total internal reflection. Operation of this instrument as a two-beam interferometer for determining the index of refraction or as a device to measure transmission for determining the absorption coefficient are described. Values measured with this instrument at 245 GHz, using an optically pumped molecular laser as the source, are reported for several low-loss materials. Appropriate corrections and error estimates are discussed. The potential for improvement and increased accuracies are discussed.
The Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitor (ACRIM) of the Solar Maximum Mission satellite measures the radiant power emitted by the sun in the direction of the earth and has worked flawlessly since 1980. The main motivation for ACRIM's use to measure the solar constant is the determination of the extent to which this quantity's variations affect earth weather and climate. Data from the solar minimum of 1986-1987 is eagerly anticipated, with a view to the possible presence of a solar cycle variation in addition to that caused directly by sunspots.