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At least 991 records · Page 55

Core formation, evolution, and convection - A geophysical model

A model for the formation and evolution of the earth's core, which provides an adequate energy source for maintaining the geodynamo, is proposed. A modified inhomogeneous accretion model is proposed which leads to initial iron and refractory enrichment at the center of the planet. The probable heat source for melting of the core is the decay of Al-26. The refractory material is emplaced irregularly in the lowermost mantle with uranium and thorium serving as a long-lived heat source. Fluid motions in the core are driven by the differential heating from above and the resulting cyclonic motions may be the source of the geodynamo.

Ruff, L.↗

Spatial power spectra of the crustal geomagnetic field and core geomagnetic field

Equations providing numerical values of the geomagnetic field spherical harmonic spatial power spectrum as defined by Lowes (1966, 1974) are obtained and this power spectrum is related to various other power spectra. Equations relating the spherical harmonic spatial power spectrum to average great circle power spectra for components of the vector magnetic field in the radial direction, along the great circle track and perpendicular to the first two directions are derived under the assumption that the sources of the field are internal. A statistical model for the crustal and core geomagnetic fields is proposed and used to derive equations for the expected main and crustal spherical harmonic power spectra. The model equations are then compared with observations to determine a scale factor which is then used to obtain an estimate for the core radius and a great circle power spectrum for the field component perpendicular to the great circle and radial directions which are in good agreement with observations. The predicted spherical harmonic power spectrum for the crustal field is found to be consistent with POGO satellite and aircraft data. Other possible models for the crustal and core geomagnetic fields are also briefly considered.

Mcleod, M. G.↗

Observation of the core of the Perseus cluster with the Einstein solid state spectrometer: Cooling gas and elemental abundances

Solid State Spectrometer observations of the core of the Perseus cluster have resulted in the detection of X-ray emission lines due to Si, S, and Fe. Analysis of the spectrum indicates that the X-ray emission has at least two characteristic temperatures. This is interpreted in the framework of radiative accretion in the core of the cluster. The derived parameters are a cooling time tc less than 2 x 109 yrs for the low temperature gas, a mass accretion rate of approximately 300 Mo/yr and a characteristic size of 10 to 20 Kpc for the cool gas. The Fe abundance in the core, approximately 0.4, is similar to the Fe abundance averaged over the whole cluster indicating that Fe emission is not strongly concentrated about NGC 1275. The Si and S abundances are consistent with solar values.

Mushotzky, R. F.↗

Comparison of predicted engine core noise with current and proposed aircraft noise certification requirements

Predicted engine core noise levels are compared with measured total aircraft noise levels and with current and proposed federal noise certification requirements. Comparisons are made at the FAR-36 measuring stations and include consideration of both full- and cutback-power operation at takeoff. In general, core noise provides a barrier to achieving proposed EPA stage 5 noise levels for all types of aircraft. More specifically, core noise levels will limit further reductions in aircraft noise levels for current widebody commercial aircraft.

Vonglahn, U. H.↗

Exploratory models of the earth's thermal regime during segregation of the core

Some simple exploratory theoretical models of the thermal effects of core segregation have been investigated, assuming an initially homogeneous earth and including convective heat transport through a 'parameterized convection' approximation. The results indicate that either (1) mantle temperatures 30% or more above present values may have resulted from the gravitational energy released during core segregation, (2) the earth retained very little of its accretional energy, (3) core segregation lasted for one billion years or more, or (4) the earth accreted heterogeneously. Option 3 seems to be precluded by terrestrial lead isotope data, and the alternatives each raise substantial questions concerning the mechanics, chemistry, and petrology of the earth's early history. There is no recognized evidence for the early hot phase of option 1, and option 4 implies, among other things, an analogous early hot phase. Although it has not been favored, option 2 may be viable.

Davies, G. F.↗

Observation of the core of the Perseus cluster with the Einstein solid state spectrometer - Cooling gas and elemental abundances

Solid State Spectrometer observations of the core of the Perseus cluster have resulted in the detection of X-ray emission lines due to Si, S, and Fe. Analysis of the spectrum indicates that the X-ray emission has at least two characteristic temperatures. This is interpreted in the framework of radiative accretion in the core of the cluster. The derived parameters are a cooling time less than or approximately equal to 2 x 10 to the ninth years for the low-temperature gas, a mass accretion rate of approximately 300 solar masses per year, and a characteristic size of 10-20 kpc for the cool gas. The Fe abundance in the core (approximately 0.4) is similar to the Fe abundance averaged over the whole cluster, indicating that Fe emission is not strongly concentrated about NGC 1275. The Si and S abundances are consistent with solar values.

Mushotzky, R. F.↗

VLBI observations of the jet near the core of M87

VLBI observations of M87 with four antennas at 13 cm wavelength indicate that the large-scale jet extends inward to the core. The presence of the jet within several light-years of the currently inactive core indicates that either the source has been active in the recent past or that the core supplies energy to the jet even in the quiescent phase.

Cotton, W. D.↗

A vortex-filament and core model for wings with edge vortex separation

A method for predicting aerodynamic characteristics of slender wings with edge vortex separation was developed. Semiempirical but simple methods were used to determine the initial positions of the free sheet and vortex core. Comparison with available data indicates that: the present method is generally accurate in predicting the lift and induced drag coefficients but the predicted pitching moment is too positive; the spanwise lifting pressure distributions estimated by the one vortex core solution of the present method are significantly better than the results of Mehrotra's method relative to the pressure peak values for the flat delta; the two vortex core system applied to the double delta and strake wing produce overall aerodynamic characteristics which have good agreement with data except for the pitching moment; and the computer time for the present method is about two thirds of that of Mehrotra's method.

Pao, J. L.↗

Investigation of geomagnetic field forecasting and fluid dynamics of the core

The magnetic determination of the depth of the core-mantle boundary using MAGSAT data is discussed. Refinements to the approach of using the pole-strength of Earth to evaluate the radius of the Earth's core-mantle boundary are reported. The downward extrapolation through the electrically conducting mantle was reviewed. Estimates of an upper bound for the time required for Earth's liquid core to overturn completely are presented. High order analytic approximations to the unsigned magnetic flux crossing the Earth's surface are also presented.

Benton, E. R.↗

Lunar core 15010/11 - Grain size, petrology, and implications for regolith dynamics

Petrographic observations of six samples from various depths show that core 15010/11 is relatively homogeneous and consists mostly of basalt fragments and minerals derived from basalts. However, it also contains an appreciable highland component nearly equally distributed among the fine-grained fraction, dark matrix breccia and identifiable highland grains, and agglutinates. Grain size data and agglutinates show that this core is not mature and does not contain a well developed reworking profile. The unusual properties of the core are thought to be a direct result of its close proximity to the rim of Hadley Rille. This location favors relatively rapid regolith erosion into the rille, produces a thin regolith, and provides an abundant supply of bedrock-derived ejecta.

Mckay, D. S.↗

Multispectral imaging of the lunar regolith core samples - Preliminary results for 74002

Multispectral images of a lunar core segment are a new form of continuous data along the length of the core. A new laboratory arrangement was developed to obtain these images. Data processing and initial data analysis for core section 74002 were performed. The images are sensitive to variations in mineralogy and/or maturity of the soil and are easily used (1) in stratigraphic studies of the lunar regolith, (2) for sample selection of representative material, and (3) as ground truth for remote sensing studies.

Pieters, C. M.↗

The core and the magnetic field of Uranus

The existence of a magnetic field on Uranus is suggested by the tentative observation of 0.5 MHz pulses from the planet which are analogous to the Jovian decametric radiation. Analysis of a recent three-layer model leads to the conclusion that the electrical conductivity, physical state, and thermal gradients are such that a thermally driven hydromagnetic dynamo is probably operating in the core. An investigation is conducted to see whether the considered structure is suitable for the generation of a field. It is found that the existence of a magnetic field on Uranus can be understood as being a natural result of gravitational differentiation in a liquid, metallic core. The presence of a heat source in the core implies that the central temperature is approximately 8400 K rather than 7000 K in the original model

Torbett, M.↗

A diurnal resonance in the ocean tide and in the earth's load response due to the resonant free 'core nutation'

The effects of the oceans, which are subject to a resonance due to a free rotational eigenmode of an elliptical, rotating earth with a fluid outer core having an eigenfrequency of (1 + 1/460) cycle/day, on the body tide and nutational response of the earth to the diurnal luni-tidal force are computed. The response of an elastic, rotating, elliptical, oceanless earth with a fluid outer core to a given load distribution on its surface is first considered, and the tidal sea level height for equilibrium and nonequilibrium oceans is examined. Computations of the effects of equilibrium and nonequilibrium oceans on the nutational and deformational responses of the earth are then presented which show small but significant perturbations to the retrograde 18.6-year and prograde six-month nutations, and more important effects on the earth body tide, which is also resonant at the free core notation eigenfrequency.

Wahr, J. M.↗

Effect of the fluid core on changes in the length of day due to long period tides

The long period luni-solar tidal potential is known to cause periodic changes in the earth's rotation rate. It is found that the effect of a dissipationless fluid outer core is to reduce the amplitudes of these tidal perturbations by about 11 percent. When the fluid core effect is added to Agnew and Farrell's (1978) estimate of the effect of an equilibrium ocean, the result is in accord with observation. The effects of dissipative processes within the fluid core are also examined. Out-of-phase perturbations are found which could be as large as about 10 ms at 18.6 yr. It is concluded, however, that the poorly understood decade fluctuations in the earth's rotation rate will prohibit observation of this effect.

Wahr, J. M.↗

Correlation of core noise obtained by three signal coherence techniques

The prediction of frequency content and noise levels of turbofan engine core noise is reexamined as a result of recent test data and a new diagnostic technique. The diagnostic technique, utilizing a three-signal coherence method, is used to obtain core noise spectra for several engines. Similarities and differences of the spectra are discussed. Finally, the three-signal coherence data are correlated, leading to an improved core noise prediction procedure.

Vonglahn, U.↗

Modal petrology of six soils from Apollo 16 double drive tube core 64002

Petrographic data form six size fractions for six samples of Apollo 16 drive tube section 64002 show source rocks similar to those of core 60009. Analysis of modal data from the 64002 core show that the upper three and lowest core soils are mature and have similar maturation histories, while the two middle soils are submature and have histories that are similar to each other but unlike those from the aforementioned soils. In all of these soils, mixing has dominated over reworking, and appears to involve two mature soils distinguished by differing source rocks and an immature, plagioclase-rich soil which is correlated with larger clasts of chalky, friable breccia. These breccias and the plagioclase-rich soil are tentatively associated with the Descartes Formation.

Houck, K. J.↗

The Apollo 14 regolith - Chemistry of cores 14210/14211 and 14220 and soils 14141, 14148, and 14149

Neutron activation analysis was performed on bulk and size fractions from drive tube specimens from 39 cm and 16.5 cm depths, and soil samples taken at the Apollo 14 landing site. Chemical data were obtained for 31 major, minor, and trace elements in the KREEPy soils. The cores were homogeneous in chemical composition, containing 20% LKFM, 15% mare basalt, 6% ANT, and 59% high-K KREEP, according to the classifications of Laul and Papike (1980). The meteoritic fraction was 3-7% for both cores, while the chemical compositions of both cores and soils were similar. Differences were detected in the fractions finer than 10 microns, which were more feldspathic than the coarser samples. The similarities between the grains 1000-90 micron in diam and less than 10 micron in diam, in terms of chemical contents, indicates that the observed agglutinates were derived from fusion of the finest grained fraction. The dominant soil-forming processes were comminution and vertical mixing of the regolith.

Laul, J. C.↗

A statistical VLBI study of milli-arcsecond cores in extragalactic radio sources

VLBI observations at 2.3 GHz with a baseline of approximately 8 x 10 to the 7th wavelengths were performed on a complete sample of 103 sources from the Parkes + or - 4 deg catalog. Compact milli-arcsec cores were found in 35 percent of all sources: in 80 percent of quasars, in 10 percent of galaxies, and in 20 percent of empty field sources. It is shown that for quasars the percentage of the source flux density coming from milli-arcsec cores increased with increasing radio spectral index, radio variability, and optical redness. It is noted that quasars with extended radio structure (not less than approximately 10 arcsec) seem more likely to have a detectable milli-arcsec core than do extended radio galaxies. The absence of a strong correlation between quasar milli-arcsec structure and redshift is found to be evidence for a lack of strong physical evolution in quasars.

Preston, R. A.↗