Investigation of cosmic radiation beyond the atmosphere <issledovaniye kosmicheskogo izlucheniya za predelami atmosfery<
Satellite measurements of charged particles for cosmic radiation study in ionosphere
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Satellite measurements of charged particles for cosmic radiation study in ionosphere
Light scattering by small particles in zodiacal cloud in study of its composition
The influence of the sector structure on the fundamental quantities (densities, temperatures, pressure, composition, electric and magnetic fields, etc.) in the magnetosphere, ionosphere and atmosphere is discussed, and daily synoptic observations of these quantities are recommended for future sun-weather investigations. Extended Shuttle missions are proposed to carry out these observations. Continuous observations of the interplanetary quantities such as the solar wind velocity, density, temperature and composition, the vector interplanetary magnetic field, and energetic particle fluxes through a wide range of energies are also recommended for understanding the extraterrestrial causes of terrestrial effects. The Heliocentric Spacecraft of the International Sun-Earth Explorer Project which remains 0.01 astronomical units from the earth is found to be the best means of carrying out these interplanetary observations.
Free fall in an external static gravitational field of a composite test body consisting of electromagnetically interacting charged particles is analyzed using the TH-epsilon-mu formalism developed by Lightman and Lee (1973). The Lightman and Lee calculation that was carried out to 'post-Coulombian' order is extended to 'post-post-Coulombian' order, and violations of the weak equivalence principle are found which result from the magnetostatic self-energy of the test body. The current generation of Eotvos experiments is shown to test the cited formalism at first order in the external gravitational potential to an accuracy of 4 by 10 to the -10th power for electrostatic energies and 6 by 10 to the -6th power for magnetostatic energies. It is concluded that although the formalism can be tested to an accuracy of 0.04 for electrostatic energies at second order in the gravitational potential, a significant second-order test for magnetostatic energies would require Eotvos experiments accurate to better than one part in 10 to the 15th power.
The Bencubbin meteorite is a shock-welded breccia consisting of a diverse collection of metal and silicate clasts. Several types of evidence suggest that the metal clasts in Bencubbin retain chemical abundances that were established during condensation. The Cr, Ni, P and trace element abundances are consistent with condensation calculations and are much closer to the predicted compositions of metal condensates than the CM metal particles. In addition, petrographic and chemical evidence strongly suggest that the breccia components were incorporated as solid clasts within the breccia prior to a shock heating event of very short duration, which did not produce significant metamorphic effects.
The effects of multi-disperse distribution of the aerosol population are presented. Single component and multi-component aerosol species on the condensation/nucleation processes which affect the reduction in visibility are described. The aerosol population with a high particle concentration provided more favorable conditions for the formation of a denser fog than the aerosol population with a greater particle size distribution when the value of the mass concentration of the aerosols was kept constant. The results were used as numerical predictions of fog formation. Two dimensional observations in horizontal and vertical coordinates, together with time-dependent measurements were needed as initial values for the following physical parameters: (1)wind profiles; (2) temperature profiles; (3) humidity profiles; (4) mass concentration of aerosol particles; (5) particle size distribution of aerosols; and (6) chemical composition of aerosols. Formation and dissipation of advection fog, thus, can be forecasted numerically by introducing initial values obtained from the observations.
An analytical electron microscope study of dispersed interplanetary dust aggregates collected in the earth's stratosphere shows that, in spite of their similarities, the aggregates exhibit significant differences in composition, internal morphology, and mineralogy. Of 11 chondritic particles examined, two consist mostly of a noncrystalline chondritic material with an atomic S/Fe ratio equal to or greater than 2 in places, one consists of submicron metal and reduced silicate 'microchondrules' and sulfide grains embedded in a carbonaceous matrix, and another consists of submicron magnetic-decorated unequilibrated silicate and sulfide grains with thick low-Z coatings. Although the particles are unmetamorphosed by criteria commonly applied for chondritic meteorites, the presence of reduced chemistries and the ubiquity of mafic, instead of hydrated, silicates confirm that they are not simply C1 or C2 chondrite matrix material. The observations indicate that portions of some particles have not been significantly altered by thermal or radiation processes since their assembly, and that the particles probably contain fine debris from diverse processes in the early solar system.
A co-spray process was used which simultaneously but separately introduces abrasive grits and metal matrix powder into the plasma stream and entraps the abrasive grits within a molten matrix to form an abrasive coating as the matrix material solidifies on test specimen surfaces. Spray trials were conducted to optimize spray parameter settings for the various matrix/grit combinations before actual spraying of the test specimens. Rub, erosion, and bond adhesion tests were conducted on the coated specimens in the as-sprayed condition as well as on coated specimens that were aged for 100 hours at a temperature of 866K (1100 F). Microscopic examinations were performed to determine the coating abrasive-particle content, the size and shape of the adhesive particles in the coating, and the extent of compositional or morphological changes resulting from the aging process. A nickel chromium/aluminum composite with No. 150 size (0.002 to 0.005 inch) silicon carbide grits was selected as the best matrix/abrasive combination of the candidates surveyed for coating compressor blade tips.
Cerenkov detectors are used to measure the velocity of particles in configurations designed to study the isotopic composition of galactic cosmic rays. The geometrical properties of the detector are outlined. Monte-Carlo simulations of photon propagation in a diffusive detector were undertaken. The scattering properties of diffusively reflecting white paint and of surface treatments for the radiator material were measured. It is found that the absorption of light in the radiator is an important light loss mechanism. The simulations are used to find optimal mapping techniques and data reduction strategies. The application of these techniques are discussed with respect to the large area isotopic composition experiment (ALICE) Cerenkov detector.
Through the interaction of galactic cosmic particle radiation (GCR) a wide variety of cosmogenic nuclides is produced in meteorites. They provide historical information about the cosmic radiation and the bombarded meteorites. An important way to understand the production mechanisms of cosmogenic nuclides in meteorites is to gather information about the depth and size dependence of the build-up of Galactic Rays Cosmic-secondary particles within meteorites of different sizes and chemical compositions. Simulation experiments with meteorite models offer an alternative to direct observation providing a data basis to describe the development and action of the secondary cascade induced by the GCR in meteorites.
In the present consideration of the structural and particle properties of Saturn's rings, emphasis is given to spacecraft observations and an attempt is made to relate observed properties to favored causative processes. While the ring particles are primarily icy, there is evidence for compositional variation on both local and regional scales. Ring structure is generally dominated by collisional and gravitational dynamics. On the basis of such features as orbital resonances with various satellites, which drive spiral density and bending waves, the ring mass density and local vertical thickness can be determined.
A theoretical study of the infrared emission from circumstellar shells around late-type giants is made, with the aim of deriving the infrared characteristics of the silicate grains condensing in these shells. A large grid of models has been compared with observations of optically visible Miras, IRC sources and OH/IR stars. From fitting the observed relation between the color temperature and the strength of the 10-micron feature, it is concluded that the ratio of the 3.5 to 10-micron absorption efficiencies of the dust is about 0.25, a factor of 2 less than a previous determination. Detailed modeling of the 2 to 13-micron spectrum of OH 26.5 + 0.6, IRC + 10011 and R Cas yielded a similar ratio. These detailed models also show that the shape of the 10-micron feature, particularly around 8 and 13 microns, varies from source to source. The derived 10-micron feature is narrower for larger dust column densities. These observed differences in the intrinsic shape of the 10-micron feature are not due to differences in size of the condensing particles. Probably they are related to structural or compositional differences in the condensing silicates.
Some important information relevant to the understanding of the gas/dust dynamics near the surface of a comet nucleus concerns knowledge of the grain composition and scattering properties as well as the particle size distribution of dust in the coma. Ground based measurements of light scattered from the dust comae can provide some information about the physical grain properties, in particular about the mean optically dominant grain size. Optical spectra of continua of nine comets presented by Jewitt and Meech, 1986, show that all of the scattered light is reddened with respect to the Sun. There is significant scatter in the amount of reddening seen for different comets. In the near IF regions, the reddening decreases until near 2 to 3 micrometers where the reflectivity is nearly neutral. It is of particular interest to see if there are any observable changes in the grain size distribution during outburst. Although no coma colar changes were observed during the Nov. 1985 outbursts, a color gradient within the coma has been observed in Halley. Radial color gradients in J, H, and K images of Halley as reported by Campins have not been observed by the author.
A model based on a mixture of coated silicates and amorphous carbon grains produces a good spectral match to the available Halley data and is consistent with the compositional and morphological information derived from interplanetary dust particle studies and Halley flyby data. The dark appearance of comets may be due to carbonaceous coatings on the dominant (by mass) silicates. The lack of a 10 micrometer feature may be due to the presence of large silicate grains. The optical properties of pure materials apparently are not representative of cometary materials. The determination of the optical properties of additional silicates and carbonaceous materials would clearly be of use.
Properties of a hydrated interplanetary dust particle (IDP), Ames-Dec86-11, were investigated using TEM and analytical electron microscopy. The particle was found to have mineralogy and chondritic composition indicating an absence of direct kinship with known carbonaceous chondrites. The available data on the Ames-Dec86-11 suggest that at least one aqueous alteration event took place in this hydrated IDP, during which fine-grained material, possibly glass, was transformed to smectite. This event appears to be unique to hydrated IDPs.
The NASA Global Tropospheric Experiment (GTE) executed airborne science missions aboard the NASA Wallops Electra (NA429) in the North American high latitude (greater than 45 deg North) atmosphere during Jul. to Aug. 1988 and Jul. to Aug. 1990. These missions were part of GTE's Atmospheric Boundary Layer Experiment (ABLE). The 1988 mission , ABLE-3A, examined the ecosystems of Alaska as a source and/or sink for important tropospheric gases and particles, and gained new information on the chemical composition of the Arctic atmosphere during the summertime. During 1990 the second high latitude mission, ABLE-3B, focused on the Hudson Bay Lowland and Labrador regions of Canada. Both of these missions provided benchmark data sets on atmosphere biosphere exchange and atmospheric chemistry over largely uninhabited regions of North America. In support of the GTE/ABLE-3A and -3B field missions, the University of New Hampshire flew instrumentation aboard the Wallops Electra research aircraft to provide measurements of the trace gases nitric (HNO3), formic (HCOOH), and acetic (CH3COOH) acid. In addition, measurements were conducted to determine the major water soluble ionic composition of the atmospheric aerosol. For ABLE-3B, groundbased measurements of the acidic trace gases were also performed from the NASA micrometerological tower situated at Schefferville, Laborador. These measurements were aimed at assessing dry deposition of acidic gases to the taiga ecosystem in the Laborador region of Canada.
Electrodes for direct oxidation of methanol in fuel cells fabricated in process involving room-temperature electro-chemical deposition of platinum-alloy catalysts on commercially available high-surface-area carbon support structures containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Process takes 30 to 50 minutes and results in electrodes catalytically active as prepared; no need for additional activation step. Composition of catalytic platinum alloy and sizes of particles in catalytic layers on electrodes varied by changing operating conditions during electrodeposition; process affords additional flexibility in design of electrocatalysts.
The stratospheric interplanetary dust particles L2005T12 and L2011O3 are linked to CM chondrite matrix. Particle L2005T12 is dominated by tabular grains of partially dehydrated greenalite-rich serpentine. Its amorphous matrix contains abundant smectite nanocrystals and annular Fe,Ni,S units. A uniquely stratified (partial) maghemite rim occurs only on S-rich parts of the matrix. Formation of this rim and Mg depletions in the matrix occurred during atmospheric entry heating of this particle. Particle L2011O3 has large iron sulfide and magnesiowustite grains in an amorphous low-Al, ferromagnesiosilica matrix. Hydrous crystallisation of this matrix produced ultrafine-grained smectites and disseminated iron sulfides. Atmospheric entry heating of both particles is indicated by the partial iron oxide rim, vesicular sulfides, and the scatter of matrix compositions due to loss of Mg. While many uncertainties remain, the high incidence of chondritic rough particles, which include an unknown amount of CM-like particles, in the lower stratosphere during 1984, 1989, and 1991 suggests annual variations in their abundances. The timing of lower stratospheric dust samplings is critical to collect these particles.