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At least 1,063 records · Page 59
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

The seasonal CO2 cycle on Mars - An application of an energy balance climate model

Energy balance climate models of the Budyko-Sellers variety are applied to the carbon-dioxide cycle on Mars. Recent data available from the Viking mission, in particular the seasonal pressure variations measured by Viking landers, are used to constrain the models. No set of parameters was found for which a one-dimensional model parameterized in terms of ground temperature gave an adequate fit to the observed pressure variations. A modified, two-dimensional model including the effects of dust storms and the polar hood reasonably reproduces the pressure curve, however. The implications of these results for Martian climate changes are discussed.

James, P. B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A simple method to compute the change in earth-atmosphere radiative balance due to a stratospheric aerosol layer

A computer code was developed in terms of a three-layer model for the earth-atmosphere system, using a two-stream approximation for the troposphere and stratosphere. The analysis was limited to variable atmosphere loading by solar radiation over an unperturbed section of the atmosphere. The scattering atmosphere above a Lambertian ground layer was considered in order to derive the planar albedo and the spherical albedo. Attention was given to the influence of the aerosol optical thickness in the stratosphere, the single scattering albedo and asymmetry factor, and the sublayer albedo. Calculations were performed of the zonal albedo and the planetary radiation balance, taking into account a stratospheric aerosol layer containing H2SO4 droplets and volcanic ash. The resulting ground temperature disturbance was computed using a Budyko (1969) climate model. Local decreases in the albedo in the summer were observed in high latitudes, implying a heating effect of the aerosol. An accompanying energy loss of 23-27 W/sq m was projected, which translates to surface temperature decreases of either 1.1 and 0.45 C, respectively, for background and volcanic aerosols.

Lenoble, J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Climate studies with a multi-layer energy balance model. I - Model description and sensitivity to the solar constant. II - The role of feedback mechanisms in the CO2 problem

A nine-layer zonally averaged, steady-state model, based upon thermal energy balance, is developed for use in climate sensitivity studies and includes an accurate treatment of radiative transfer, parameterized meridional and vertical energy transport, and thermodynamic interaction between the surface and the atmosphere. A high degree of nonlinearity is exhibited by the model in a study of sensitivity to changes in the solar constant. The change in the hemispheric mean surface temperature is +3.1 C in response to a 2% increase in the solar constant and -4.3 C in response to a 2% decrease in the solar constant. The sensitivity varies with latitude, and the response of atmospheric temperature varies with height. In addition, the model is used to study the sensitivity of climate to a doubling of the atmospheric CO2 content. It is found that the tropospheric temperature lapse rate decreases at low latitudes but increases at high latitudes in response to a doubled CO2 content. Averaged over the Northern Hemisphere, the change is +2.3 C in the surface temperature and +0.47 C in the earth's brightness temperature. The effects of some feedback mechanisms on the climate sensitivity to a doubled CO2 content show that the sensitivity of surface temperature approximately doubles at all latitudes due to the change in water vapor content.

Peng, L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The analysis and kinetic energy balance of an upper-level wind maximum during intense convection

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the formation and maintenance of the upper-level wind maximum which formed between 1800 and 2100 GMT, April 10, 1979, during the AVE-SESAME I period, when intense storms and tornadoes were experienced (the Red River Valley tornado outbreak). Radiosonde stations participating in AVE-SESAME I are plotted (centered on Oklahoma). National Meteorological Center radar summaries near the times of maximum convective activity are mapped, and height and isotach plots are given, where the formation of an upper-level wind maximum over Oklahoma is the most significant feature at 300 mb. The energy balance of the storm region is seen to change dramatically as the wind maximum forms. During much of its lifetime, the upper-level wind maximum is maintained by ageostrophic flow that produces cross-contour generation of kinetic energy and by the upward transport of midtropospheric energy. Two possible mechanisms for the ageostrophic flow are considered.

Fuelberg, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The thermal structure and energy balance of the Uranian upper atmosphere

Uranus upper atmosphere occultation observations are reported for August 15-16, 1980, and April 26, 1981. Mean atmospheric light curves of 154 + or - 15 K and 132 + or - 15 K, respectively, are derived from the light curves. A comparison of all available Uranus occultation data since March 1977 suggests a significant mean atmospheric temperature change, with a typical 15 K/year variation. It is suggested that molecular and eddy diffusion, together with atmospheric dynamics, are potentially as important as radiation in the upper atmosphere heat balance of Uranus. The close agreement of occultation immersion and emersion temperatures further suggests that effective meridional transport occurs on Uranus.

French, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Simple energy balance model resolving the seasons and the continents - Application to the astronomical theory of the ice ages

An analysis is undertaken of the properties of a one-level seasonal energy balance climate model having explicit, two-dimensional land-sea geography, where land and sea surfaces are strictly distinguished by the local thermal inertia employed and transport is governed by a smooth, latitude-dependent diffusion mechanism. Solutions of the seasonal cycle for the cases of both ice feedback exclusion and inclusion yield good agreements with real data, using minimal turning of the adjustable parameters. Discontinuous icecap growth is noted for both a solar constant that is lower by a few percent and a change of orbital elements to favor cool Northern Hemisphere summers. This discontinuous sensitivity is discussed in the context of the Milankovitch theory of the ice ages, and the associated branch structure is shown to be analogous to the 'small ice cap' instability of simpler models.

North, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Mass and energy balance in the 1973 August 9 flare

The mass and energy balance of the thermal plasma during the decay phase of the solar flare of August 9, 1973, are studied. The analysis is based on observationally determined values for the differential emission measure, density, turbulent and bulk velocities, and physical dimensions. The total particle content and total thermal energy content of the flare plasmas with temperatures above 100,000 K and their variation with time are calculated. The particle loss and the energy losses through radiation, conduction, and convection are evaluated. The decrease in total particle content can be accounted for by the convective losses through the loop footprints at 100,000 K. Radiation is the dominant energy loss mechanism although convective losses at 100,000 K can be important. Conductive losses at 100,000 K into cooler chromospheric material appear to be negligible. The decrease in the total energy content during the decay phase is equal to the sum of the energy losses over the period of observation. No requirement is found for continued heating during the decay phase.

Dere, K. P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Performance measurements of a pilot superconducting solenoid model core for a wind tunnel magnetic suspension and balance system

The results of experimental demonstrations of a superconducting solenoid model core in the Southampton University Magnetic Suspension and Balance System are detailed. Technology and techniques relevant to large-scale wind tunnel MSBSs comprise the long term goals. The magnetic moment of solenoids, difficulties peculiar to superconducting solenoid cores, lift force and pitching moment, dynamic lift calibration, and helium boil-off measurements are discussed.

Goodyer, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Preliminary results of the first static calibration of the RSRA helicopter active-isolator rotor balance system

The helicopter version of the Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) is designed to make simultaneous measurements of all rotor forces and moments in flight analogous to a wind tunnel balance. Loads are measured by a combination of load cells, strain gages, and hydropneumatic active isolators which use pressure gages to measure loads. Complete evaluation of system performance required calibration of the rotor force and moment measuring system when installed in the aircraft. Measurement system responses to rotor loads obtained during the first static calibration of the RSRA helicopter are plotted and discussed. Plots of the raw transducer data are included.

Acree, C. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1983

ISEE observations of magnetopause reconnection: The energy balance

The total energy balance for two events with the objective of obtaining check on the interpretation in terms of reconnection is examined. To within experimental uncertainties, the plasma and magnetic field data are consistent with reconnection. An enthalpy increase comparable to the kinetic energy increase occurs in the magnetopause. Thus substantial dissipation is present in the rotational discontinuity. An ion heat flow associated with a beam of reflected magnetosheath particles carried away some 20% of the total converted electromagnetic energy.

Paschmann, G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Climate sensitivity with a seasonal cycle energy balance model

The sensitivity of climate which may have a local maximum as the ice cap passes through a midlatitude region where the atmosphere's transport efficiency varies strongly with latitude is examined. This behavior, found in a two level primitive equations climate model forced with annual mean insolation, was reproduced in an energy balance model (EBM) by making the diffusion coefficient a function of latitude. The two level seasonally varying EBM was applied and the global mean surface temperature vs. solar constant for this model are shown and two regions of enhanced sensitivity appear. The snowcover distributions around the year for three cases are shown.

Suarez, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Rotary balance data for a typical single-engine general aviation design for an angle-of-attack range of 20 to 90 deg. 3: Influence of control deflection on predicted model D spin modes

The influence of control deflections on the rotational flow aerodynamics and on predicted spin modes is discussed for a 1/6-scale general aviation airplane model. The model was tested for various control settings at both zero and ten degree sideslip angles. Data were measured, using a rotary balance, over an angle-of-attack range of 30 deg to 90 deg, and for clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations covering an omegab/2V range of 0 to 0.5.

Ralston, J. N.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Magnetic suspension and balance system study

A compact design for a superconducting magnetic suspension and balance system is developed for a 8 ft. x 8 ft. transonic wind tunnel. The main features of the design are: a compact superconducting solenoid in the suspended airplane model; permanent magnet wings; one common liquid helium dewar for all superconducting coils; efficient new race track coils for roll torques; use of established 11 kA cryostable AC conductor; acceptable AC losses during 10 Hz control even with all steel structure; and a 560 liter/hour helium liquefier. Considerable design simplicity, reduced magnet weights, and reduced heat leak results from using one common dewar which eliminates most heavy steel structure between coils and the suspended model. Operational availability is thought to approach 100% for such magnet systems. The weight and cost of the magnet system is approximately one-third that of previous less compact designs.

Boom, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Progress towards large wind tunnel magnetic suspension and balance systems

Recent developments and current research efforts leading towards realization of a large scale production wind tunnel Magnetic Suspension and Balance facility are reviewed. Progress has been made in the areas of model roll control, high angle-of-attack testing, digital system control, high magnetic moment superconducting solenoid model cores, and system failure tolerance. Formal design studies of large scale facilities have commenced and are continuing.

Britcher, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Multivariable frequency domain controller for magnetic suspension and balance systems

The magnetic suspension and balance system for an airplane model in a large wind tunnel is considered. In this system, superconducting coils generate magnetic forces and torques on the magnetized soft iron core of the airplane model. The control system is a position servo where the airplane model, with six degrees of feedom, follows the reference static or dynamic input commands. The controller design, based on the characteristic loci method, minimizes the effects of aerodynamic and inertial cross-couplings, and provides the specified dynamic response.

Baheti, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

An energy balance climate model with cloud feedbacks

The present two-level global climate model, which is based on the atmosphere-surface energy balance, includes physically based parameterizations for the exchange of heat and moisture across latitude belts and between the surface and the atmosphere, precipitation and cloud formation, and solar and IR radiation. The model field predictions obtained encompass surface and atmospheric temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, and cloudiness. In the model integrations presented, it is noted that cloudiness is generally constant with changing temperature at low latitudes. High altitude cloudiness increases with temperature, although the cloud feedback effect on the radiation field remains small because of compensating effects on thermal and solar radiation. The net global feedback by the cloud field is negative, but small.

Roads, J. O.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Climate studies with a multilayer energy balance model. III - Climatic impact of stratospheric volcanic aerosols

A multilayer energy balance model is applied in an examination of the sensitivity of climate to stratospheric aerosols induced by volcanic eruptions. Zonally and annually averaged quantities are considered, with ocean and land temperatures computed separately and the atmosphere below the 200 mb level divided into eight layers of 24 sublayers each. The aerosol is assumed to form in the 150-200 mb range. Aerosol parameters for radiative transfer calculations are reflection in the solar spectral region and absorption in the solar and IR regions. A 75 percent aqueous solution of sulfuric acid is assumed for the aerosols. The sensitivity of the hemispherically averaged surface temperature is enhanced 37 percent, with a 20 percent uncertainty, when the thermal IR radiation is excluded. The solar radiation enhances the surface temperatures to a higher degree than the thermal radiation. The maximum response to the evenly distributed aerosols is in the 60-70 deg N latitudes and propagates, weakening, to lower latitudes.

Chou, M.-D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Comments on the Method of harmonic balance

The advantages and limitations of the harmonic-balance or describing-function approximation scheme for solving nonlinear ordinary differential equations of oscillatory motion are discussed. Advantages include appicability to equations of any order and with large degrees of nonlinearity, ease of determining limit-cycle behavior and its stability, and overall speed and efficiency; the limitation rules are essentially those described by Mickens (1983). It is pointed out that perturbation procedures provide better results when the degree of nonlinearity is small.

Mickens, R. E.↗