Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “INTERPRETATION”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 973 records · Page 54

Evolution of ion emission yield of alloys with the nature of the solute. 2: Interpretation

Solid solutions of transition elements in copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, and aluminum matrices were analyzed by observing secondary ion emissions under bombardment with 6.2-keV argon ions. Enchancement of the production of solute-element ions was observed. An ion emission model is proposed according to which the ion yield is governed by the probability of an atom leaving the metal in a preionized state. The energy distribution of the valence electrons of the solute atoms is the bases of the probability calculation.

Blaise, G.↗

Celestial diffuse gamma-ray emission observed by SAS-2 and its interpretation

A clearly established diffuse celestial gamma-ray component was seen by SAS-2 above 35 MeV, after examining several regions of the sky at different latitudes, including the north celestial pole. For energies above 100 MeV the gamma ray results are consistent with an equation of the form I(b)=C1+C2/sin b with the second term being dominant, suggesting that the radiation above 100 MeV comes largely from the local regions of the galactic disk. Between 35 and 100 MeV, a similar equation is also a reasonable representation of the data, but here the two terms are comparable, with the first, or isotropic term, actually being the larger one. In addition to indicating that the diffuse radiation is partially galactic, these results imply a steepness for the energy spectrum of the diffuse isotropic component which places significant constraints on possible theoretical models of this radiation.

Fichtel, C. E.↗

Soviet-French working group interpretation of the scientific information during the search for celestial sources of gamma pulses, abstract of reports, 24-30 March 1977

The progress made and techniques used by the Soviet-French group in the study of gamma and X ray pulses are described in abstracts of 16 reports. Experiments included calibration and operation of various recording instruments designed for measurements involving these pulses, specifically the location of sources of such pulses in outer space. Space vehicles are utilized in conjunction with ground equipment to accomplish these tests.

Estulin, I. V.↗

Cygnus A at 99 GHz: Observations of the three principal components and interpretation of the central source

The three principal emission components of Cygnus A were observed at 99 GHz, the highest frequency at which radio measurements of this source have been accomplished. The observations show no definite indication of a high-frequency cutoff in the spectrum of the compact central component, which perhaps may be attributed to an optically thin synchrotron source that peaks at a frequency of several hundred GHz.

Hobbs, R. W.↗

An investigation of techniques for the measurement and interpretation of cosmic ray isotopic abundances

An instrument, the Caltech High Energy Isotope Spectrometer Telescope was developed to measure isotopic abundances of cosmic ray nuclei by employing an energy loss - residual energy technique. A detailed analysis was made of the mass resolution capabilities of this instrument. A formalism, based on the leaky box model of cosmic ray propagation, was developed for obtaining isotopic abundance ratios at the cosmic ray sources from abundances measured in local interstellar space for elements having three or more stable isotopes, one of which is believed to be absent at the cosmic ray sources. It was shown that the dominant sources of uncertainty in the derived source ratios are uncorrelated errors in the fragmentation cross sections and statistical uncertainties in measuring local interstellar abundances. These results were applied to estimate the extent to which uncertainties must be reduced in order to distinguish between cosmic ray production in a solar-like environment and in various environments with greater neutron enrichments.

Wiedenbeck, M. E.↗

Orbit IMU alinement interpretation of onboard display data

The space shuttle inertial measurement unit (IMU) alinement algorith was examined to determine the most important alinement starpair selection criterion. Three crew displayed parameters were considered: (1) the results of the separation angle difference (SAD) check for each starpair; (2) the separation angle of each starpair; and (3) the age of each star measurement. It was determined that the SAD for each pair cannot be used to predict the IMu alinement accuracy. If the age of each star measurement is less than approximately 30 minutes, time is a relatively unimportant factor and the most important alinement pair selection criterion is the starpair separation angle. Therefore, when there are three available alinement starpairs and all measurements were taken within the last 30 minutes, the pair with the separation angle closest to 90 degrees should be selected for IMU alinement.

Corson, R.↗

Observation and Interpretation of Lunar Occultations

The importance of timings and high resolution astrometry in occultation observations is discussed as well as the occultation process itself. The design and operation of the telescope, photodetector, and data acquisition systems are described. Methods are presented for data analysis and model fitting. Observations of beta Capricorni and Uranus occultations are examined. General conclusions concerning occultation observations are explored and future activities at Prairie Observatory are discussed.

Radick, R. R.↗

Procedures for the interpretation and use of elevation scanning laser/multi-sensor data for short range hazard detection and avoidance for an autonomous planetary rover

An autonomous roving science vehicle that relies on terrain data acquired by a hierarchy of sensors for navigation was one method of carrying out such a mission. The hierarchy of sensors included a short range sensor with sufficient resolution to detect every possible obstacle and with the ability to make fast and reliable terrain characterizations. A multilaser, multidetector triangulation system was proposed as a short range sensor. The general system was studied to determine its perception capabilities and limitations. A specific rover and low resolution sensor system was then considered. After studying the data obtained, a hazard detection algorithm was developed that accounts for all possible terrains given the sensor resolution. Computer simulation of the rover on various terrains was used to test the entire hazard detection system.

Troiani, N.↗

Geologic interpretation of LANDSAT satellite images for the Qattara Depression area, Egypt

The author has identified the following significant results. For the first time the regional geological units are given. Faults, fractures, and folds are included, as well as drainage lines which help to visualize the environmental impact of the Qattara project for electric power generation and to assess the regional questions involved in its implementation.

Elshazly, E. M.↗

Helios-1 Faraday rotation experiment - Results and interpretations of the solar occultations in 1975

The first of two solar occultations of the satellite Helios-1 in 1975 occurred in April when the satellite's ray path approached the west limb of the sun to a minimum distance of 1.63 solar radii. The second occultation took place in late August/early September when Helios-1 was totally eclipsed by the photosphere. Measurements of the polarization angle of the linearly polarized telemetry signal were performed with automatic tracking polarimeters at the 64 m Goldstone Tracking Station in California and also at the 100 m radio telescope in Effelsberg, West Germany. The coronal Faraday rotation as a function of the solar offset for both occultations is shown in graphs. The theoretical significance of the observations is investigated.

Volland, H.↗

Interpretation of Beta Lyrae. III - A study of the disk around the secondary component

Light curves of Beta Lyrae available in the far-ultraviolet, visual, and infrared regions of the spectrum at numerous phases in eclipse are analyzed in order to investigate the physical and radiative nature of the disk surrounding the secondary component. The results of this analysis together with those of other investigators lead to the proposal that the outer regions of the disk are dominated by free electrons. This electron-scattering envelope is most likely the source of infrared radiation as well as the cause of the observed polarization. However, the radiation in the region from the optical to the far-ultraviolet comes mainly from submerged layers where local thermodynamic equilibrium prevails. These layers represent the photosphere of either the disk or the secondary component itself.

Brown, D. A.↗

Interpretations of optical observations of Mercury and the moon

Optical, thermal and radar remote-sensing measurements indicate that Mercury is covered with a relatively thick layer of soil similar in texture and thickness to lunar regolith. Photometric limb profiles measured by Mariner 10 imply that the small-scale slopes on Mercury are about half those on the moon, probably because of differing gravity. The differential photometric functions of Mercury and the moon have a latitudinal dependence which can be completely accounted for by shadowing in craters. The lack of polar darkening on Mercury in spite of the presence of a magnetic field implies that the dominant soil-darkening process on Mercury, and by extension, on the moon is not dependent on the solar wind, but probably is deposition of material evaporated by meteorite impacts. Recent measurements of Mercury's spectral reflectivity in the IR and vacuum UV are both consistent with the surface rocks of Mercury being lower in FeO than those of the moon. Based on laboratory experiments the average FeO content on the surface of Mercury is estimated to be between 3 and 6%.

Hapke, B.↗

Interpretation of observed cosmic microwave background radiation

The Alfven and Mendis (1977) conclusion that dust grains in galaxies render the universe opaque to cosmic microwave background at a red shift ratio equal to 40 is challenged by a calculation of the opacity of galactic dust grains to the microwave background radiation from the time of decoupling at emission red shift ratio equal to 1500 to the present in the standard big bang model. In the present calculation, evolutionary effects on grain opacity and abundance are estimated. At wavelengths used in studying the microwave background, the optical depth of the grains is found to be 0.18 when the deceleration parameter equals 0.03, and 0.05 when the deceleration parameter equals 0.5. The results indicate that microwave background can provide information on an early dense phase of the universe.

Pollaine, S.↗

Chemical interpretation of Viking Lander 1 life detection experiment

An earth-based evaluation of the Viking Lander 1 life-detection experiments was conducted using a radiofrequency glow discharge in a simulated Martian atmosphere. The Gas Exchange Experiment conducted in the humid mode released substantial amounts of CO2, O2, N2, Ar, and CO into the atmosphere, indicating that these substances were adsorbed onto the Martian soil. An adsorption potential plot is given, graphing quantity of gas against time (d). For a model surface area of 17 squares meters per gram of measured substance, oxygen adsorption was found to be relatively high, a result which tends to confirm the hypothesis that Martian oxygen exists largely in chemisorbed states or in active oxygen compounds, e.g., peroxide, superoxide, hydroperoxide

Ballou, E. V.↗

Some problems with the interpretation of recent microwave background observations in the direction of galaxy clusters, or, beware of negative antenna temperatures

Recently reported observations of the 3-K microwave background in the direction of rich clusters of galaxies should be viewed as placing stringent limits on the mass of cooler ionized gas within the clusters, rather than as a verification of thermal bremsstrahlung models for cluster X-ray sources. At the high radio frequencies employed in the observations, there is a positive contribution to the observed source-brightness distributions from free-free emission by any cooler gas. This can overwhelm the anticipated inverse Compton diminution of the background radiation, even when the total mass in cooler gas is significantly less than the mass of hot plasma required to explain the X-ray source. Future experiments of this type should be conducted only when atmospheric stability is sufficient to permit lengthy drift scans across the clusters. Extreme care must be taken to remove the contributions from any discrete sources.

Tarter, j. C.↗

Cygnus A at 99 GHz - Observations of the three principal components and interpretation of the central source

The three principal emission components of Cygnus A have been observed at 99 GHz, the highest frequency at which radio measurements of this source have been accomplished. The observations show no definite indication of a high-frequency cutoff in the spectrum of the compact central component, which perhaps may be attributed to an optically thin synchrotron source that peaks at a frequency of several hundred GHz.

Hobbs, R. W.↗