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At least 955 records · Page 53

Some examples of the utility of HCMM data in geologic remote sensing

Examples of HCMM (Heat Capacity Mapping Mission) data in geologic remote sensing are presented, and the data set is composed of HCMM and aircraft digital scanner data and ground truth data from four western U.S. test sites. Data are used in the thermal model to test thermal data effectiveness, and changes in temperature with depth and time for dry soils are described by the model. It is found that the HCMM thermal inertia image is useful in the separability of bedrock and alluvium in Death Valley, and aa and pahoehoe flows in the Pisgah basalt flow. In a color composite of HCMM day temperature, night temperature, and day visible images of the Pisgah Crater test site, it is possible to distinguish alluvium, playa, aa and pahoehoe basalt flow, rhyolite intrusives, and other elements. Ground checking of units at a few points will extend capabilities to large areas and assist in creating telegeologic maps.

Kahle, A. B.↗

Extension of a uniform canopy reflectance model to include row effects

The reflectance model for a uniform crop canopy is extended to include the effects of crops planted in rows. The effect of row structure is assumed to be caused by the variation in density of vegetation across rows rather than to a profile in canopy height. The calculation of crop reflectance using vegetation density modulation across rows follows a parallel procedure to that for a uniform canopy. Predictions using the row model for wheat show that the effect of changes in sun to row azimuth are greatest in Landsat Band 5 (red band) and can result in underestimation of crop biomass.

Suits, G. H.↗

Energy balance and stability

The energy balance of the outer atmospheres of solarlike stars is discussed. The energy balance of open coronal regions is considered, discussing the construction and characteristics of models of such regions in some detail. In particular, the temperature as a function of height is considered, as are the damping length dependence of the global energy balance in the region between the base of the transition region and the critical point, and the effects of changing the amount of coronal heating, the stellar mass, and the stellar radius. Models of coronal loops are more briefly discussed. The chromosphere is then included in the discussion of the energy balance, and the connection between global energy balance and global thermal stability is addressed. The observed positive correlations between the chromospheric and coronal energy losses and the pressure of the transition region is qualitatively explained.

Hammer, R.↗

Vibrations of cantilevered doubly-curved shallow shells

Vibrational characteristics are determined for a previously unsolved class of problems, that of doubly-curved shallow shells having rectangular planforms, clamped along one edge and free on the other three. The solution procedure uses the Ritz method with algebraic polynomial trial functions. Convergence studies are made, and accurate frequencies and contour plots of mode shapes are presented for various curvature ratios, including spherical, circular cylindrical and hyperbolic paraboloidal shells. Particular emphasis is given to the effect of adding spanwise curvature to shells having chordwise curvature; numerous published references already exist for the case of zero spanwise curvature. The effects of changing aspect ratio, thickness ratio and Poisson's ratio are also studied.

Leissa, A. W.↗

Ozone transport by diabatic and planetary wave circulations on a beta plane

A beta plane model is used to study the transport of ozone and a tracer distributed like ozone. In the first experiment, ozone is transported with a time dependent diabatic circulation in a beta channel. Increase in the ozone column density occurs principally through downward advection from the high altitude source region into the lower stratosphere. Compared with observations, the maximum in the total ozone field occurs too late and is too large. Transient planetary waves produce large temporary increases in total ozone near the pole during sudden warming events, but permanent increases are much smaller. Warmings which penetrate below the chemical transition region (major warmings) are most effective in changing the zonal mean ozone distribution. Combining the sudden warming and diabatic circulations simulates many of the observed features of the seasonal changes in total ozone at high latitudes. The diabatic circulation provides the major enhancement of the ozone column density while the transient planetary waves move ozone to high latitudes. This result suggests sudden warmings can play an important role in our understanding of the fluctuations in total ozone, and the final warming may be the key event which determines the date and magnitude of the spring maximum.

Rood, R. B.↗

Biomedical Research Division significant accomplishments for FY 1983

Various research and technology activities of Ames Research Center's Biomedical Research Division are described. Contributions to the Space Administration's goals in the life sciences include research in operational medicine, cardiovascular deconditioning, motion sickness, bone alterations, muscle atrophy, fluid and electrolyte changes, radiation effects and protection, human behavior and performance, general biomedical research, and gravitational biology.

Martello, N. V.↗

Documentation for the machine-readable version of the Survey of the Astrographic Catalogue From 1 to 31 Degrees of Northern Declination (Fresneau 1983)

A description of the machine readable catalog, including detailed format and tape file characteristics, is given. The machine file is a computation of mean values for position and magnitude at a mean epoch of observation for each unique star in the Oxford, Paris, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Northern Hemisphere Algiers zone. The format was changed to effect more efficient data searching by position and additional duplicate entries were removed. The final catalog contains data for 997311 stars.

Warren, W. H., Jr.↗

Assessment of Alternative Aircraft Fuels

The purpose of this symposium is to provide representatives from industry, government, and academia concerned with the availability and quality of future aviation turbine fuels with recent technical results and a status review of DOD and NASA sponsored fuels research projects. The symposium has included presentations on the potential crude sources, refining methods, and characteristics of future fuels; the effects of changing fuel characteristics on the performance and durability of jet aircraft components and systems; and the prospects for evolving suitable technology to produce and use future fuels.

Source record↗

Assessment of the contribution of differential polarization to improved rainfall measurements

A measurement technique employing the differential reflectivity factor Z(DR) and the horizontal polarization reflectivity factor Z(H) is the basis of the present study of the effects of variations in the shape or breadth of the drop size distribution (DSD) on rainfall parameters. Theoretical expressions are derived for rainfall rate, liquid water content W, and median volume diameter D(O) in terms of Z(DR), Z(H), and size distribution-dependent factors. The latter calculations assume backscattering cross sections for oblate, nonoscillating raindrops falling in still air with equilibrium shapes. These expressions are used to quantitatively assess the effects of changes in DSD breadth on values of R, W, and D(O) deduced from Z(DR) and Z(H).

Ulbrich, C. W.↗

The effect of realistic conductivities on the high-latitude neutral thermospheric circulation

The dynamics of the high latitude thermosphere are dominated by the ion circulation pattern driven by magnetospheric convection. The reaction of the neutral thermosphere is influenced by both the magnitude of the ion convection velocity and by the conductivity of the thermosphere. Using a three-dimensional, time-dependent, thermospheric, neutral model together with different ionospheric models, the effect of changes in conductivity can be assessed. The ion density is described by two models: the first is the empirical model of Chiu (1975) appropriate for very quiet geomagnetic conditions, and the second is a modified version of the theoretical model of Quegan et al. (1982). The differences in the neutral circulation resulting from the use of these two ionospheric models emphasizes the need for realistic high latitude conductivities when attempting to model average or disturbed geomagnetic conditions, and a requirement that models should couple realistically the ionosphere and the neutral thermosphere. An attempt is made to qualitatively interpret some of the features of the neutral circulation produced at high latitudes by magnetospheric processes.

Fuller-Rowell, T. J.↗

Stability of absorption phenomena in laser-thermal propulsion

The mean flow and stability characteristics of laser absorption phenomena in a choked converging-diverging nozzle are considered. Calculations are presented for a given nozzle geometry and a series of laser intensities. Gas absorptivities corresponding to a hydrogen-cesium mixture are used with different initial temperatures being selected to investigate the effects of changes in the shape of the k-T curve. Both stability and mean flow calculations are limited to the one-dimensional case. The mean flow results show a decrease in mass flow as laser power is increased, along with increasingly steep temperature profiles. Calculations span regions of partial and complete absorption. One region is found where multiple solutions exist. Local stability results indicate the u-c characteristic is the only unstable mode in the unheated case. Laser heat addition makes this mode more unstable and also destabilizes the u-characteristic. Numerical calculations of disturbance propagation show that the instability of the u-c disturbances is counteracted by their reflection to u + c disturbances at the upstream end. The growth of the u-disturbances is localized in regions where the temperature profile is steep and they are damped in other regions. The increasing destabilization that is observed with increased laser power is probably the reason for difficulty in obtaining converged mean flow solutions at high laser intensities.

Merkle, C. L.↗

The effect of closed boundary conditions on a stationary dynamo

One of two boundary conditions generally assumed in solutions of the dynamo equation is related to the disappearance of the azimuthal field at the boundary. Parker (1984) points out that for the realization of this condition the field must escape freely through the surface. Escape requires that the field be detached from the gas in which it is embedded. In the case of the sun, this can be accomplished only through reconnection in the tenuous gas above the visible surface. Parker concludes that the observed magnetic activity on the solar surface permits at most three percent of the emerging flux to escape. He arrives at the conclusion that, instead of B(phi) = 0, the partial derivative of B(phi) to r is equal to zero. The present investigation is concerned with the effect of changing the boundary condition according to Parker's conclusion. Implications for the solar convection zone are discussed.

Choudhuri, A. R.↗

Spiral structure and star formation. II - Stellar lifetimes and cloud kinematics

The reliability studies using continuum gas dynamical calculations becomes questionable in connection with the apparent clumpiness of the Galaxy's interstellar medium (ISM). Roberts and Hausman (1984) have, therefore, presented a detailed model of a disk galaxy in which the ISM consists entirely of 'cloud particles', which orbit ballistically in the galaxy's gravitational field, collide inelastically with one another, and give birth to and subsequently interact with young star associations. The effects of changing the clouds's collisional mean free path have been examined, and the variations in the young star system's spiral morphology have been explored. The present investigation is concerned with a further study of this clumpy, cloudy ISM model, taking into account longer mean free path models likely to be appropriate for systems of molecular clouds. Attention is also given to the kinematics of clouds as they orbit under the influence of galactic gravity, collisions, and supernova remnants.

Hausman, M. A.↗

A strawman targeting technique for spinner spacecraft in the presence of pointing uncertainty

A graphical method that allows the selection of the attitude orientation of a spinner spacecraft prior to the application of a single fixed magnitude velocity change to effect a desired orbit transfer is presented. The selection of the final pointing vector along or opposite to which the desired Delta-V is applied, takes into account pointing errors due to initial attitude determination uncertainty and execution errors introduced during the rhumb line precession of the spin axis. The characterization of the target space in terms of any achieved orbit parameters of interest as well as the final pointing uncertainty is sufficient to determine the right final attitude that insures satisfaction of mission requirements.

Kechichian, J. A.↗

Analysis for leakage and rotordynamic coefficients of surface-roughened tapered annular gas seals

The present analysis calculates the leakage and rotor-dynamic coefficients for tapered annular gas seals whose rotor and stator have been subjected to different surface roughness treatments. The analysis is demonstrated for the effects of changes in the Space Shuttle Main Engine High Pressure Oxygen Turbopump's turbine interstage seal length, taper, clearance, and fluid prerotation. It is noted that changes in these parameters generally resulted in major changes in leakage and rotordynamic coefficients.

Nelson, C. C.↗

Improved Thick Dichroic Reflector for Microwave Feeds

Geometry of reflector plate adjusted to compensate for undesired effects. Design change reduces depolarization and noise in thick microwave dichroic reflecting plate tilted 30 degrees from orientation broadside to incident beam.

Potter, P. D.↗

Development of a heterogeneous laminating resin system

The factors which effect the impact resistance of laminating resin systems and yet retain equivalent performance with the conventional 450 K curing epoxy matrix systems in other areas were studied. Formulation work was conducted on two systems, an all-epoxy and an epoxy/bismaleimide, to gain fundamental information on the effect formulation changes have upon neat resin and composite properties. The all-epoxy work involved formulations with various amounts and combinations of eight different epoxy resins, four different hardeners, fifteen different toughening agents, a filler, and a catalyst. The epoxy/bismaleimide effort improved formulations with various amounts and combinations of nine different resins, four different hardeners, eight different toughening agents, four different catalysts, and a filler. When a formulation appeared to offer the proper combination of properties required for a laminating resin Celion 3K-70P fabric was prepregged. Initial screening tests on composites primarily involved Gardner type impact and measurement of short beam shear strengths under dry and hot/wet conditions.

Biermann, T. F.↗

Stress waves in an isotropic elastic plate excited by a circular transducer

Steady state harmonic stress waves in an isotropic elastic plate excited on one face by a circular transducer are analyzed theoretically. The transmitting transducer transforms an electrical voltage into a uniform normal stress at the top of the plate. To solve the boundary value problem, the radiation into a half-space is considered. The receiving transducer produces an electrical voltage proportional to the average spatially integrated normal stress over its face due to an incident wave. A numerical procedure is given to evaluate the frequency response at a receiving point due to a multiply reflected wave in the near field. Its stability and convergence are discussed. Parameterization plots which determine the particular wave whose frequency response has maximum magnitude compared with other multiple reflected waves are given for a range of values of dimensionless parameters. The effects of changes in the values of the parameters are discussed.

Karagulle, H.↗