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At least 109 records · Page 6

Review of MLI Behavior at Low Temperatures and Application to L'Ralph Thermal Modeling

In this presentation, the theory and application of multi-layer insulation (MLI) behavior, with a specific focus on lower temperature applications (<180K), is discussed. Many parameters can affect the performance of MLI (i.e. construction method, size, materials, grounding, penetrations, etc.) and these factors can make the prediction of MLI performance a challenge. Often, MLI performance is measured in terms of estar, and analysts commonly apply bias between a high and a low estar value. However, this approach can be dangerous when a mission goes through a wide range of temperatures during its lifetime (such as our mission, L'Ralph) due to temperature dependence of estar, with estar values increasing exponential as temperatures get colder. Many research papers and correlations have been published about MLI behavior, showing how estar values can rapidly rise at low temperatures. These correlations also show how the different parameters of MLI can affect and amplify this growth. Various correlations are presented as well as how L'Ralph is approaching the MLI problem. L'Ralph thermal model is built with Thermal Desktop (TD), and a discussion of how to apply the temperature dependent MLI behavior within TD is included. The presentation also includes reviews of different methods of mitigating heat leaks through MLI, touching briefly on topics such as integrated-MLI (IMLI), Dacron vs silk netting, and using multi-layered meshes to improve estar performance.

MLI↗

Convective solar nebula

Analyzing turbulent flows with rotation, Dubrulle and Valdettaro have concluded that some new effects come into play and may modify the standard picture we have concerning turbulence. In that respect the value of the Rossby number is of crucial importance since it will determine the transition between regimes where rotation is or is not important. With rotation there will be a tendency to constrain the motion to the plane perpendicular to the rotation axis and as a consequence the horizontal scale will increase as compared to the longitudinal one, which means that the turnover time in this direction will increase. The net effect is that the energy cascade down process is hindered by rotation. As a matter of fact, when rotation is present one observes two cascades: an enstrophy (vorticity) cascade from large scales to small scales; and an inverse energy cascade from small scales to large scales. Since the first process is not efficient on transporting energy to the dissipation range, what we see is energy storage in the large structures at the expense of the small structures. This kind of behavior has been confirmed experimentally. For a very large gamma we obtain, in the inertial range, a spectrum of k(exp -3) instead of the usual Kilmogorov's k(exp -5/3) spectrum. In reality, when rotation is dominant, energy gets stored in inertial waves that propagate it essentially in the longitudinal direction. In that case, we can no longer assign just one viscosity to the fluid and, what is most important, the concept of viscosity loses its meaning since we no longer have local transport of energy. Such results, however, were derived considering a hot disk, in which opacity is mainly given by electron scattering. In the present work we have applied the formulation developed in the previous work for the description of the viscous-stage solar nebula.

Meirellesfilho, C.↗

Intercooler cooling-air weight flow and pressure drop for minimum drag loss

An analysis has been made of the drag losses in airplane flight of cross-flow plate and tubular intercoolers to determine the cooling-air weight flow and pressure drop that give a minimum drag loss for any given cooling effectiveness and, thus, a maximum power-plant net gain due to charge-air cooling. The drag losses considered in this analysis are those due to (1) the extra drag imposed on the airplane by the weight of the intercooler, its duct, and its supports and (2) the drag sustained by the cooling air in flowing through the intercooler and its duct. The investigation covers a range of conditions of altitude, airspeed, lift-drag ratio, supercharger-pressure ratio, and supercharger adiabatic efficiency. The optimum values of cooling air pressure drop and weight flow ratio are tabulated. Curves are presented to illustrate the results of the analysis.

Reuter, J George↗

Carbon-Water-Energy Relations for Selected River Basins

A biophysical process-based model was run using satellite, assimilated and ancillary data for four years (1987-1990) to calculate components of total evaporation (transpiration, interception, soil and snow evaporation), net radiation, absorbed photosynthetically active radiation and net primary productivity over the global land surface. Satellite observations provided fractional vegetation cover, solar and photosynthetically active radiation incident of the surface, surface albedo, fractional cloud cover, air temperature and vapor pressure. The friction velocity and surface air pressure are obtained from a four dimensional data assimilation results, while precipitation is either only surface observations or a blended product of surface and satellite observations. All surface and satellite data are monthly mean values; precipitation has been disaggregated into daily values. All biophysical parameters of the model are prescribed according to published records. From these global land surface calculations results for river basins are derived using digital templates of basin boundaries. Comparisons with field observations (micrometeorologic, catchment water balance, biomass production) and atmospheric water budget analysis for monthly evaporation from six river basins have been done to assess errors in the calculations. Comparisons are also made with previous estimates of zonal variations of evaporation and net primary productivity. Efficiencies of transpiration, total evaporation and radiation use, and evaporative fraction for selected river basins will be presented.

Choudhury, B. J.↗

The Interaction Between Dynamics and Chemistry of Ozone in the Set-up Phase of the Northern Hemisphere Polar Vortex

The morphology and evolution of the stratospheric ozone (O3) distribution at high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) are examined for the late summer and fall seasons of 1999. This time period sets the O3 initial condition for the SOLVE/THESEO field mission performed during winter 1999-2000. In situ and satellite data are used along with a three-dimensional model of chemistry and transport (CTM) to determine the key processes that control the distribution of O3 in the lower-to-middle stratosphere. O3 in the vortex at the beginning of the winter season is found to be nearly constant from 500 to above 800 K with a value at 3 ppmv +/- approx. 10%. Values outside the vortex are up to a factor of 2 higher and increase significantly with potential temperature. The seasonal time series of data from POAM shows that relatively low O3 mixing ratios, which characterize the vortex in late fall, are already present at high latitudes at the end of summer before the vortex circulation sets up. Analysis of the CTM output shows that the minimum O3 and increase in variance in late summer are the result of: 1) stirring of polar concentric O3 gradients by nascent wave-driven transport, and 2) an acceleration of net photochemical loss with decreasing solar illumination. The segregation of low O3 mixing ratios into the vortex as the circulation strengthens through the fall suggests a possible feedback role between O3 chemistry and the vortex formation dynamics. Trajectory calculations from O3 sample points early in the fall, however, show only a weak correlation between initial O3 mixing ratio and potential vorticity later in the season consistent with order-of-magnitude calculations for the relative importance of O3 in the fall radiative balance at high latitudes. The possible connection between O3 chemistry and the dynamics of vortex formation does suggest that these feedbacks and sensitivities need to be better understood in order to make confident predictions of the recovery of NH O3.

Kawa, S. R.↗

Measurements of nitric oxide in the boundary layer and free troposphere over the Pacific Ocean

Measurements of NO and O3 are presented from 13 aircraft flights made over the Pacific Ocean in the autumn of 1983 during one phase of the NASA Global Tropospheric Experiment. All of the flights were made between 15 deg and 42 deg N and from the coast of California to west of the Hawaiian Islands. Within the upper marine boundary layer the median daytime mixing ratio of NO was near 1 part per trillion by volume (pptv). Values of NO less than 10 pptv were often observed up to altitudes near 6 km. Thus for the location and season of the measurements, a net photochemical destruction of O3 would be anticipated for the boundary layer region and to altitudes of 2-3 km. At higher altitudes of 7-11 km in the free troposphere, larger mixing ratios and greater variability were usually observed for NO. Both features are consistent with observed examples of injection of NO and O3 from the lower stratosphere and with the injection of NO from towering, electrically active, cumulonimbus clouds.

Ridley, B. A.↗

Comet P/Encke's nongravitational force

A nearly direct measurement of the nongravitational force on a cometary nucleus is presented. IUE spectra of comet P/Encke show significant Greenstein effects even when centered on the nucleus. These imply net heliocentric components of outflow of 1.6 and 0.3 km/s for the OH radicals before and after perihelion near r = 0.8 AU. This implies a large asymmetry in the radial nongravitational acceleration (A1) about perihelion, which must be taken into account in order to derive the mass of the nucleus. The asymmetry is consistent with Sekanina's (1988) latest model for the Encke nucleus, but the measurements suggest an outflow velocity near 2 km/s, significantly greater than generally accepted values. A tentative value for the mass of the Encke nucleus is proposed, although improved modeling of the nongravitational acceleration is required to obtain a definitive value.

A'Hearn, Michael F.↗

Improving NASA GEOS Atmospheric CO2 Simulations by Calibrating CASA Surface Fluxes with an Empirical Sink

With the adoption of the Paris climate accord, efforts to monitor and understand both anthropogenic and natural carbon sources and sinks are increasing across the world. Given their low latency and global coverage, satellite observations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) are poised to make important contributions to this field. The combination of satellite data and high resolution global models can be used to monitor changes in carbon fluxes and to evaluate the consistency of nationally reported emissions estimates in support of multiple stakeholder communities. However, a consistent challenge to such work has been the high latency of surface carbon flux estimates, which are often not available for a year or more. This presentation describes the construction of surface carbon flux estimates meant to improve the near real time simulation of atmospheric CO2 with NASA's Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) general circulation model. The surface flux estimates begin with a collection of bottom-up fluxes which incorporate satellite measurements in their construction, e.g. vegetation indices in the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) and nighttime lights in the Open-source Data Inventory for Anthropogenic CO2 (ODIAC). From there, we take the additional step of using an empirical sink to calibrate terrestrial net biospheric exchange (NBE) to estimated values from atmospheric inversion systems. This approach removes a known, systematic bias in predicted atmospheric mixing ratios. Using these fluxes in a free running simulation, the model is able to reproduce in situ measurements with the same skill as when it uses gridded fluxes from a flux inversion system. Using these fluxes as a prior in an assimilation system, e.g. one incorporating retrievals of column CO2 from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2), allows the analysis to capture variability in CO2 on scales that would be missed otherwise. This approach supports NASA's capability to forecast atmospheric CO2 up to two weeks in advance by leveraging a GEOS system used to produce quasi-operational weather analyses and forecasts, providing a valuable new tool to the carbon monitoring research and applications communities.

Weir, B.↗

MHD study of temporal and spatial evolution of simulated interplanetary shocks in the ecliptic plane within 1 AU

The present parametric study of interplanetary shock propagation to 1 AU uses a two- and-one-half-dimensional MHD time-dependent model whose input conditions encompass initial shock velocity, driving-pulse duration, and pulse width at the near-sun position of 18 solar radii. It is found that, for input pulses with modest angular width and temporal duration, the propagation of the resulting interplanetary fast-forward shock waves primarily depends on the net input energy. While the properties of the reverse shocks are also a function of input energy, they depend on the specific values of the input pulse shock velocity, width, and duration.

Smith, Zdenka↗

The New Sun-Sky-Lunar Cimel CE318-T Multiband Photometer - A Comprehensive Performance Evaluation

This paper presents the new photometer CE318-T, able to perform daytime and night-time photometric measurements using the sun and the moon as light source. Therefore,this new device permits a complete cycle of diurnal aerosol and water vapour measurements valuable to enhance atmospheric monitoring to be extracted. In this study wehave found significantly higher precision of triplets when comparing the CE318-T master instrument and the Cimel AErosol RObotic NET work (AERONET) master (CE318-AERONET) triplets as a result of the new CE318-T tracking system. Regarding the instrument calibration, two new methodologies to transfer the calibration from a reference instrument using only daytime measurements (Sun Ratio and Sun-Moon gain factor techniques) are presented and discussed. These methods allow the reduction of the previous complexities inherent to nocturnal calibration. A quantitative estimation of CE318-T AOD uncertainty by means of error propagation theory during daytime revealed AOD uncertainties (u(sup D)(sub AOD)) for Langley-calibrated instruments similar to the expected values for other reference instruments (0.002-0.009). We have also found u(sup D)(sub AOD) values similar to the values reported in sun photometry for field instruments (approximately 0.015). In the case of the night-time period, the CE318-T-estimated standard combined uncertainty (u(sup N)(sub AOD)) is dependent not only on the calibration technique but also on illumination conditions and the instrumental noise. These values range from 0.011-0.018 for Lunar Langley-calibrated instruments to 0.012-0.021 for instruments calibrated using the Sun Ratio technique. In the case of moon-calibrated instruments using the Sun-Moon gain factor method and sun calibrated using the Langley technique, we found u(sup N)(sub AOD) ranging from 0.016 to 0.017 (up to 0.019 in 440 nm channel), not dependent on any lunar irradiance model. A subsequent performance evaluation including CE318-T and collocated measurements from independent reference instruments has served to assess the CE318-T performance as well as to confirm its estimated uncertainty. Daytime AOD evaluation, performed at Izana station from March to June 2014, encompassed measurements from a reference CE318-T, a CE318-AERONET master instrument, a Precision Filter Radiometer (PFR) and a Precision Spectroradiometer (PSR) prototype, reporting low AOD discrepancies between the four instruments (up to 0.006). The nocturnal AOD evaluation was performed using CE318-T- and starphotometer-collocated measurements and also by means of a day/night coherence transition test using the CE318-T master instrument and the CE318 daytime data from the CE318-AERONET master instrument. Results showed low discrepancies with the star photometer at 870 and 500 nm channels(less tna or equal to 0.013) and differences with AERONET daytime data (1 h after and before sunset and sunrise) in agreement with the estimated u(sup N)(sub AOD) values at all illumination conditions in the case of channels within the visible spectral range, and only for high moon's illumination conditions in the case of near infrared channels. Perceptible water vapour (PWV) validation showed a good agreement between CE318-T and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) PWV values for all illumination conditions, within the expected precision for sun photometry. Finally, two case studies have been included to highlight the ability of the new CE318-T to capture the diurnal cycle of aerosols and water vapour as well as short-term atmospheric variations, critical for climate studies.

Barreto, Africa↗

Calculated photoelectron pitch angle and energy spectra

Calculations of the steady-state photoelectron energy and angular distribution in the altitude region between 120 and 1000 km are presented. The distribution is found to be isotropic at all altitudes below 250 km, while above this altitude anisotropies in both pitch angle and energy are found. The isotropy found in the angular distribution below 250 km implies that photoelectron transport below 250 km is insignificant, while the angular anisotropy found above this altitude implies a net photoelectron current in the upward direction. The energy anisotropy above 500 km arises from the selective backscattering of the low energy photoelectron population of the upward flux component by Coulomb collisions with the ambient ions. The total photoelectron flux attains its maximum value between about 40 and 70 km above the altitude at which the photoelectron production rate is maximum. The displacement of the maximum of the equilibrium flux is attributed to an increasing (with altitude) photoelectron lifetime. Photoelectrons at altitudes above that where the flux is maximum are on the average more energetic than those below that altitude.

Mantas, G. P.↗

Real-time optical correlator using computer-generated holographic filter on a liquid crystal light valve

Limitations associated with the binary phase-only filter often used in optical correlators are presently circumvented in the writing of complex-valued data on a gray-scale spatial light modulator through the use of a computer-generated hologram (CGH) algorithm. The CGH encodes complex-valued data into nonnegative real CGH data in such a way that it may be encoded in any of the available gray-scale spatial light modulators. A CdS liquid-crystal light valve is used for the complex-valued CGH encoding; computer simulations and experimental results are compared, and the use of such a CGH filter as the synapse hologram in a holographic optical neural net is discussed.

Chao, Tien-Hsin↗

Stardust-NExT, Deep Impact, and the Accelerating Spin of 9P/Tempel One

The evolution of the spin rate of comet 9P/Tempel 1 through two perihelion passages (CYs 2000 and 2005) is determined from 1922 Earth-based observations taken over a period of 13y as part of a World-Wide observing campaign and 2888 observations taken over a period of 50d from the Deep Impact spacecraft. We determine the following sidereal spin rates (periods): 209.023 +/- 0.025 degrees /day (41.335 +/- 0.005 h) prior to the 2000 perihelion passage, 210.448 +/- 0.016 degrees/day (41.055 +/- 0.003 h) for the interval between the 2000 and 2005 perihelion passages, 211.856 +/- 0.030 degrees/day (40.783 +/- 0.006 h) from Deep Impact photometry just prior to the 2005 perihelion passage, and 211.625 +/- 0.012 degrees /day (40.827 +/- 0.002 h) in the interval 2006-2010 following the 2005 perihelion passage. The period decreased by 16.8 +/- 0.3 min during the 2000 passage and by 13.7 +/- 0.2 min during the 2005 passage suggesting a secular decrease in the net torque. The change in spin rate is asymmetric with respect to perihelion with the maximum net torque being applied on approach to perihelion. The Deep Impact data alone show that the spin rate was increasing at a rate of 0.024 +/- 0.003 degree/d/d at JD2453530.60510 (i.e., 25.134 d before impact) and provides independent confirmation of the change seen in the Earth-based observations. The rotational phase of the nucleus at times before and after each perihelion and at the Deep Impact encounter is estimated based on the Thomas et al. pole and longitude system. The possibility of a 180 degree error in the rotational phase is assessed and found to be significant. Analytical and physical modeling of the behavior of the spin rate through of each perihelion is presented and used as a basis to predict the rotational state of the nucleus at the time of the nominal (i.e., prior to February 2010) Stardust-NExT encounter on 2011 February 14 20:42. We find that a net torque in the range of 0.3 - 2.5 x 10(exp 7) kg.square m2/square s acts on the nucleus during perihelion passage. The spin rate initially slows down on approach to perihelion and then passes through a minimum. It then accelerates rapidly as it passes through perihelion eventually reaching a maximum post-perihelion. It then decreases to a stable value as the nucleus moves away from the sun. We find that the pole direction is unlikely to precess by more than approximately 1 degree/perihelion passage. The trend of the period with time and the fact that the modeled peak torque that occurs before perihelion is in agreement with published accounts of trends in water production rate and suggests that widespread H2O out-gassing from the surface is largely responsible for the observed spin-up.

Belton, Michael J. S.↗

Stardust-NExT, Deep Impact, and the Accelerating Spin of 9P/Tempel 1

The evolution of the spin rate of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 through two perihelion passages (in 2000 and 2005) is determined from 1922 Earth-based observations taken over a period of 13 year as part of a World-Wide observing campaign and from 2888 observations taken over a period of 50 days from the Deep Impact spacecraft. We determine the following sidereal spin rates (periods): 209.023 +/- 0.025deg/dy (41.335 0.005 h) prior to the 2000 perihelion passage, 210.448 +/- 0.016deg/dy (41.055 +/- 0.003 h) for the interval between the 2000 and 2005 perihelion passages, 211.856 +/- 0.030deg/dy (40.783 +/- 0.006 h) from Deep Impact photometry just prior to the 2005 perihelion passage, and 211.625 +/- 0.012deg/dy (40.827 +/- 0.002 h) in the interval 2006-2010 following the 2005 perihelion passage. The period decreased by 16.8 +/- 0.3 min during the 2000 passage and by 13.7 +/- 0.2 min during the 2005 passage suggesting a secular decrease in the net torque. The change in spin rate is asymmetric with respect to perihelion with the maximum net torque being applied on approach to perihelion. The Deep Impact data alone show that the spin rate was increasing at a rate of 0.024 +/- 0.003deg/dy/dy at JD2453530.60510 (i.e., 25.134 dy before impact), which provides independent confirmation of the change seen in the Earth-based observations. The rotational phase of the nucleus at times before and after each perihelion and at the Deep Impact encounter is estimated based on the Thomas et al. (Thomas et al. [2007]. Icarus 187, 4-15) pole and longitude system. The possibility of a 180deg error in the rotational phase is assessed and found to be significant. Analytical and physical modeling of the behavior of the spin rate through of each perihelion is presented and used as a basis to predict the rotational state of the nucleus at the time of the nominal (i.e., prior to February 2010) Stardust-NExT encounter on 2011 February 14 at 20:42. We find that a net torque in the range of 0.3-2.5 x 10(exp 7) kg/sq m/sq s acts on the nucleus during perihelion passage. The spin rate initially slows down on approach to perihelion and then passes through a minimum. It then accelerates rapidly as it passes through perihelion eventually reaching a maximum post-perihelion. It then decreases to a stable value as the nucleus moves away from the Sun. We find that the pole direction is unlikely to precess by more than approx. 1deg per perihelion passage. The trend of the period with time and the fact that the modeled peak torque occurs before perihelion are in agreement with published accounts of trends in water production rate and suggests that widespread H2O out-gassing from the surface is largely responsible for the observed spin-up.

Belton, Michael J. S.↗

Multichannel spectrophotometry of stellar flares

Stellar flares have been observed using the 32 channel spectrophotometer on the 5 m telescope. Net flare fluxes in the region 3200-7000 A are presented. A simple model of blackbody radiation and hydrogen recombination emission appears to fit the continuum points well. Owing to vignetting problems, only the region between 4200 and 7000 A was used for a detailed fit to the Planck function to obtain apparent temperatures and effective areas. The rise of each flare was associated with an increase of the area, while the initial steep decline of the light was associated with a similar decrease of the blackbody temperature. The maximum temperatures, coincident with maximum light, were 7500-9500 K, similar to values for solar flares. The hydrogen line emission rose simultaneously with the continuum but declined more slowly. The ratio of H sub gamma to H sub alpha was about 1.5 at the peak, declining to about 1.0 after the peak.

Mochnacki, S. W.↗

The role of flux ejection in stellar dynamos

Magnetic buoyancy causes the magnetic field in the convective zone of a star to escape through the surface in times short compared to the period of the magnetic cycle. The sun serves as a prototype, where fields of 100-1000 gauss or stronger are present in the convective zone, as part of the 22 year magnetic cycle. The theoretical alpha-omega dynamo effect cannot cope with the rapid escape (in a year or so) because increasing the rate of generation of field serves also to shortern the period, to a value comparable to the escape time. It is suggested that the flux ejection dynamo effect may be operating in the deep convective zone, where the cyclonic rotation of the convective cells may be as large as 180 deg. If so, then the flux ejection effectively opposes the buoyant rise. It is shown that the net effect of flux ejection in the lower convective zone, and unopposed buoyancy in the upper convective zone, permits the alpha-omega-dynamo effect to carry on the cyclic regeneration of the magnetic field much as in the absence of either buoyancy or flux ejection, except that the magnetic field is strongly concentrated against the bottom of the convective zone. It is suggested that the lower and upper regions of the dynamo may be related to the normal and ephermeral active regions, as has already been suggested by others on the basis of the observed distinctions in distribution.

Parker, E. N.↗

A technique for global monitoring of net solar irradiance at the ocean surface. I - Model

An accurate long-term (84-month) climatology of net surface solar irradiance over the global oceans from Nimbus-7 earth radiation budget (ERB) wide-field-of-view planetary-albedo data is generated via an algorithm based on radiative transfer theory. Net surface solar irradiance is computed as the difference between the top-of-atmosphere incident solar irradiance (known) and the sum of the solar irradiance reflected back to space by the earth-atmosphere system (observed) and the solar irradiance absorbed by atmospheric constituents (modeled). It is shown that the effects of clouds and clear-atmosphere constituents can be decoupled on a monthly time scale, which makes it possible to directly apply the algorithm with monthly averages of ERB planetary-albedo data. Compared theoretically with the algorithm of Gautier et al. (1980), the present algorithm yields higher solar irradiance values in clear and thin cloud conditions and lower values in thick cloud conditions.

Frouin, Robert↗

Changes of LISM Characteristics in the Heliospheric Interface

The LISM properties can be deduced from observations of interstellar neutral gases in the inner solar system. Parameters accessible by this method are the interstellar wind vector and the densities and temperatures of hydrogen and helium, implying also the deduction of the relative abundance ratios and the degree of ionization in the LISM. Direct inference from observations, for example resonance luminescence measurements of Ly-alpha and He-58.4 nm radiation, yields values appropriate only for the inner solar system, i.e. for the regions within the heliopause dominated by the solar wind plasma. Particularly the subsonic LISM plasma interface ahead of the heliopause causes profound changes in the properties of the neutral LISM gas traversing this region. Mainly p-H charge exchange processes ive rise to the destruction of primary hydrogen and the production of secondary hydrogen atoms, the net effect being a depletion of the neutral hydrogen component of the LISM by about 50%. Details on the depletion mechanisms, the hydrogen and oxygen extinctions, and the consequences for the Ly-alpha resonance luminescence intensity interpretations are presented.

Ripken, H. W.↗