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At least 991 records · Page 55
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Stationary planetary waves, blocking, and interannual variability

The persistence of planetary wave anomalies and their effect on climate are studied. Consideration is given to the existence of suitable resonances, the effect of stationary waves on mean flow, the relation between tropical heating and forcing high-latitude stationary waves, and the effect of El Nino on midlatitude stationary waves. The ability of a linearized GCM to represent stationary wave patterns is evaluated by comparing the data with GCM data patterns. The role of free Rossby waves in large, transient planetary-wave anomalies is discussed.

Lindzen, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Mass distribution and evolutionary scheme for central stars of planetary nebulae

IUE data and a distance measuring method that considered central stars in optically thick nebulae were used to examine mass distributions of planetary nebulae. Other data such as spectral type, spatial and kinematic characteristics, etc., were studied to derive relationships between population type and mass distribution. A central star mass range of at least 0.55 solar mass was obtained. Stars with masses of at least 0.64 solar mass, concentrated in the galactic disk, originated from 1.5 solar mass stars. Low mass nuclei originated in old disk or halo populations and evolved from 1.0 solar mass objects. A mass-loss parameter value of 1/3 was calculated for red giants, implying that white dwarfs evolve from stars of under 5 solar masses. Mass distributions around planetary nuclei were concluded to follow patterns associated with the individual mass.

Heap, Sara R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Siderophile elements in planetary mantles and the origin of the moon

The collisional ejection and the coaccretion hypotheses of lunar origin are examined in the context of theories of planetary accretion and of siderophile element abundances in planetary mantles. The information concerning the possible dynamical environments within which the terrestrial planets may have grown and the known abundances of siderophile and chalcophile elements in the mantles of the earth, the moon, and the hypothetical shergottite parent body is used to evaluate the existing hypotheses of lunar origin. The analysis indicates that none of the existing theories concerning lunar origin is fully consistent with observed siderophile element abundances in the lunar and terrestrial mantles.

Drake, Michael J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A study of global ozone transport and the role of planetary waves using satellite data

Global ozone fluxes and flux divergences within the region between 30 and 0.4 mbar are computed for the period from December 1, 1978, to November 30, 1979, using Nimbus 7 solar backscattered ultraviolet ozone profiles and meteorological data derived from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites. The annual cycle of ozone transports in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres is presented and discussed. It is found that planetary scale waves are responsible for initiating the high-latitude ozone buildup in winter. The time of occurrence and the position of the annual maximum ozone are found to be closely related to the planetary wave activity in both hemispheres.

Wu, Mao-Fou↗
NASA NTRS1987

The peculiar planetary nebula 75+35 deg 1

The high galactic latitude planetary nebula 75+35 deg 1 was observed in the low-dispersion mode of the IUE satellite. The UV spectrum is characterized by a strong continuum that matches the energy distribution of a blackbody curve of 90,000 K + or - 5000 K. The color temperature of 94,000 K + or - 4000 K is derived from the UV color indices. The spectral type mimics that of an O7.5 V star; a very strong N V 1240-A feature with a P Cygni profile is present, in addition to a very weak C IV P Cygni line. A very slight depression in the 2200-A region suggests very little interstellar absorption with an upper limit of E(B-V) = 0.025 mag, as would be expected for a high galactic latitude object. The ultraviolet observations, in context with the optical data, indicate that this object is not a typical planetary.

Feibelman, Walter A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The rotation rate of Uranus, its internal structure, and the process of planetary accretion

It is investigated whether Uranus models with higher values of the total planetary ice to rock ratio (I/R) can be made consistent with the rotation period of 17.24 hr. measured by Voyager 2, and with the 16-pole moment of the gravitational field (J4) derived from the observations of French et al. (1986). An atmospheric enhancement of H2O, NH3, and CH4 of not more than about 30 times the solar value, and an I/R value of greater than 16, are implied by these models. A planetary accretion scenario whereby such I/R values are possible for a large range of planetesimal radii and initial velocities is discussed.

Podolak, M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

An astrometric facility for planetary detection on the Space Station

The preliminary system definition study for an Astrometric Telescope Facility (ATF) designed for the Space Station IOC is discussed, and a strawman system is designed which is found to meet the requirements for extrasolar planetary systems search and study. The strawman facility design, with a prime-focus 1.25-m aperture telescope and an f ratio of 13, was selected to minimize random and systematic errors. A basic operations approach is identified, including the approach to launch, initial on-orbit assembly and checkout, normal operations, and the response to anomolous conditions or failures. The preliminary system is designed to be fail-safe and single-fault tolerant. Mission analysis indicates that the basic viewing required for planetary detection can be accomplished in about 2/3 of the total viewing time.

Nishioka, Kenji↗
NASA NTRS1987

Laboratory evaluation and application of microwave absorption properties under simulated conditions for planetary atmospheres

Radio absorptivity data for planetary atmospheres obtained from spacecraft radio occultation experiments and Earth-based radio astronomical observations can be used to infer abundances of microwave absorbing atmospheric constituents in those atmospheres, as long as reliable information regarding the microwave absorping properties of potential constituents is available. The use of theoretically derived microwave absorption properties for such atmospheric constituents, or laboratory measurements of such properties under environmental conditions which are significantly different than those of the planetary atmosphere being studied, often leads to significant misinterpretation of available opacity data. Laboratory measurement of the microwave properties of atmospheric gases under simulated conditions for the outer planets were conducted. Results of these measurements are discussed.

Steffes, Paul G.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Efficiency testing of a helicopter transmission planetary reduction stage

A parametric study of the efficiency of a 310-kW (420-hp) helicopter transmission planetary test section (four planets) was performed. The purpose was to determine the planetary contribution to the overall transmission power loss. Test parameters varied were oil flow rate, oil inlet temperature, lubricant type, shaft speed, and applied torque. The measured efficiency over all the test variables ranged from 99.44 to 99.75 percent. These experimental results were compared with other experimental and computational results.

Handschuh, Robert F.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Impact-induced devolatilization and hydrogen isotopic fractionation of serpentine: Implications for planetary accretion

Impact-induced devolatilization of porous serpentine was investigated using two independent experimental methods, the gas recovery and the solid recovery method, each yielding nearly identical results. For shock pressures near incipient devolatilization, the hydrogen isotopic composition of the evolved H2O is very close to that of the starting material. For shock pressures at which up to 12 percent impact-induced devolatilization occurs, the bulk evolved gas is significantly lower in deuterium than the starting material. There is also significant reduction of H2O to H2 in gases recovered at these higher shock pressures, probably caused by reaction of evolved H2O with the metal gas recovery fixture. Gaseous H2O-H2 isotopic fractionation suggests high temperature isotopic equilibrium between the gaseous species, indicating initiation of devolatilization at sites of greater than average energy deposition. Bulk gas-residual solid isotopic fractionations indicate nonequilibrium, kinetic control of gas-solid isotopic ratios. Impact-induced hydrogen isotopic fractionation of hydrous silicates during accretion can strongly affect the long-term planetary isotopic ratios of planetary bodies, leaving the interiors enriched in deuterium. Depending on the model used for extrapolation of the isotopic fractionation to devolatilization fractions greater than those investigated experimentally can result from this process.

Tyburczy, James A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Physical parameters for 12 planetary nebulae and their central stars in the Magellanic Clouds

Nebular and central star parameters and elemental abundances of C, N, O, Ne, S, and Ar are presented for the planetary nebulae N2, N5, N43, N54, and N67 in the SMC and P2, P7, P9, P25, P33, and P40 in the LMC. The nebular chemical compositions are affected by nuclear processes in the precursor stars, which may not have been sufficiently massive to synthesize Ne, S, or Ar, which appear to be deficient with respect to their solar abundances by factors of roughly four and five for the LMC and SMC, respectively. Even after excluding nebulae formed by stars in which O apparently was destroyed by nuclear processes, O depletion in the LMC and SMC nebulae is significantly greater than in galactic planetaries. The estimated masses of the 12 remnant central stars range from 0.58 to 0.71 solar mass.

Aller, Lawrence H.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Dynamical modeling of a planetary wave mechanism for a Martian polar warming

The mechanisms involved in the global dust storm and polar warming seen in the Martian atmosphere by the Viking IRTM during the winter solstice of 1977 are investigated theoretically by means of numerical simulations. A two-component dynamical model (based on the combined action of a zonally symmetric 'Hadley' circulation at low and middle latitudes and a planetary-wave circulation at middle and high latitudes) is constructed by analogy to the model of Holton and Mass (1976) for terrestrial sudden stratospheric warmings. The Viking data and simulation results are presented in extensive graphs and characterized in detail. It is demonstrated that a planetary-wave mechanism, based primarily on wavenumber 1 and including a high degree of topographical or thermal wave forcing, can reproduce the observed polar warming. The roles of radiative damping, dissipation, and the transport of dust and water are explored.

Barnes, Jeffrey R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Mechanisms and observations for isotope fractionation of molecular species in planetary atmospheres

Chemcial and physical processes which may give rise to isotope fractionation of molecular species in the atmospheres of both earth and other planets are reviewed, along with observations of isotopically substituted molecules in planetary atmospheres. Mechanisms for production of isotope fractionation considered include atmospheric escape and the effect of isotope substitution on equilibrium constants (including those of phase changes), photolysis rates, and chemical reaction rates. The isotopes considered for compounds in the terrestrial atmosphere include D, T, C-13, C-14, N-15, O-18, and S-34. Compounds for which data about isotopic composition in the terrestrial atmosphere are summarized include CO, CO2, O3, N2O, NH3, SO2, H2S, H2O, H, H2, and CH4. Planetary atmospheres discussed include those of Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Titan; isotopes reviewed are D, C-13, N-15, and O-18. Suggestions for additional research in the area of isotopically substituted molecules in atmospheres are offered.

Kaye, Jack A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Mission operations systems for planetary exploration

The purpose of the paper is twofold: (1) to present an overview of the processes comprising planetary mission operations as conducted at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and (2) to present a project-specific and historical context within which this evolving process functions. In order to accomplish these objectives, the generic uplink and downlink functions are described along with their specialization to current flight projects. Also, new multimission capabilities are outlined, including prototyping of advanced-capability software for subsequent incorporation into more automated future operations. Finally, a specific historical ground is provided by listing some major operations software plus a genealogy of planetary missions beginning with Mariner 2 in 1962.

Mclaughlin, William I.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Planetary atmospheres and aurorae

Observations of planetary atmospheres and auroras obtained by the IUE satellite observatory during the first 10 years of its operation are reviewed. Topics examined include the value of UV studies of atmospheric phenomena, the kinds of observations available prior to the launch of IUE in 1978, the composition and structure of the upper atmospheres below the homopause, the effects of the magnetosphere on the atmosphere above the homopause, excitation processes, and fundamental questions and scientific goals. Data on Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus, and the Io plasma torus are presented in tables and graphs and briefly characterized. It is pointed out that the IUE has greatly advanced knowledge of the plantary atmospheres, despite the fact that its design was not optimized for planetary observations.

Moos, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Planetary satellites

Spectrophotometric observations of the atmosphereless planetary satellites obtained with the IUE since its launch in 1978 are reviewed. The value of IUE data in complementing the images obtained by planetary probes is indicated; the techniques used to interpret IUE images of the satellites and extract textural information are discussed; and data on the Gallilean satellites of Jupiter and the satellites of Saturn are presented in extensive tables and graphs and characterized in detail. Consideration is given to the broadband geometric albedos, the orbital phase curves, hemispherical spectral asymmetries, spectral orbital phase variations, and the prospects for further observations with the Space Telescope and other earth-orbiting platforms.

Nelson, Robert M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Spectroscopic observations of the high-ionization planetary nebula NGC 2242 and the H II region K4-45

New optical spectra of two suspected planetary nebulae, K4-45 and NGC 2242, are presented. It is shown that K4-45 (PK 96 + 1) is a reddened H II region with approximately solar abundances, excited by an early B type star. NGC 2242 (PK 170 + 15) is a planetary nebula of exceptionally high ionization, exhibiting He II, and forbidden Ne V, Ar V, Ne III, and O III emission lines. The lack of He I emission and the presence of strong forbidden Ne V and He II emission indicate an optically thin nebula that is ionized by a central star with an effective temperature greater than 100,000 K.

Garnett, Donald R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The ionization structure of planetary nebulae. VIII - NGC 6826

Spectrophotometric observations of emission-line intensities over the spectral range 1400 to 1700 A were made in seven positions in the planetary nebulae NGC 6826. The O(++) electron temperature varies little from 8900 K throughout the nebula; the Balmer continuum electron temperature averages 1500 K higher. The wavelength 4267 C II line intensities imply C(++) abundances that are systematically higher than those determined from the wavelength 1906, 1909 C III lines, but because of uncertainties in the intensities of the ultraviolet lines relative to the optical ones, this discrepancy is less conclusively demonstrated in NGC 6826 than in other planetaries in this series. Standard equations used to correct for the existence of elements in other than the optically observable ionization stages give results that are consistent and also in approximate agreement with abundances calculated using ultraviolet lines in the few cases where the relevant ultraviolet lines are measurable. The results of the logarithmic abundances differ somewhat from the recent study by Aller and Czyzak, in part because their measured electron temperatures are somewhat higher. The Ar, Ne, and, to some extent, O and S abundances appear to be somewhat low, suggesting that the progenitor to NGC 6826 like that to NGC 7662, may have formed out of somewhat metal-poor material.

Barker, Timothy↗