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At least 1,171 records · Page 65

Multidate Landsat lake quality monitoring program

A unified package of files and programs has been developed to automate the multidate Landsat-derived analyses of water quality for about 3000 inland lakes throughout Wisconsin. A master lakes file which stores geographic information on the lakes, a file giving the latitudes and longitudes of control points for scene navigation, and a program to estimate control point locations and produce microfiche character maps for scene navigation are among the files and programs of the system. The use of ground coordinate systems to isolate irregular shaped areas which can be accessed at will appears to provide an economical means of restricting the size of the data set.

Fisher, L. T.↗

Albedo distribution on Io's surface

A visual albedo distribution model for all hemispheres of Io's surface has been synthesized from available earth-based and spacecraft image and photometric data. The resulting model indicates some interesting patterns and symmetries on Io's surface: the dark polar caps are shifted off Io's rotational axis and are elliptical rather than circular in shape, with extensions toward the sub-Jupiter and anti-Jupiter points on Io; equatorial bright areas are located approximately on a great circle about Io, the plane of which is tilted approximately 15 deg toward Io longitude 60 deg. These and other indicated features may be clues to understanding the endogenic and exogenic processes that have resulted in Io's present observed surface characteristics.

Nash, D. B.↗

The galactic gamma-ray flux in the 0.06-5 MeV range

The observed variation of the 72-200-keV count rate in the Apollo gamma-ray spectrometer on Apollo 16 are interpreted as being due to cosmic gamma rays associated with the Crab Nebula, Cyg X-1, and the galactic-center source. A low-resolution map is presented which shows a great enhancement in the galactic-center region; a spectrum for this region is obtained. The shape of the spectrum suggests that the emission originates from an ensemble of discrete sources. It is concluded that the gamma-ray line at 4.4 MeV is not emitted as a constant fraction of the continuum in the whole region of the galactic plane between longitudes of -50 and +22 deg.

Gilman, D.↗

New determinations of far-side lunar radii from Apollo photography

Determinations of far side lunar radii based on the reduction of photogrammetric measurements derived from Apollo 16 photographs obtained during the trans-earth phase of the spacecraft trajectory are presented. Reduction is accomplished by determining the Apollo 16 metric camera orientation relative to control points on the lunar surface whose coordinates are known exactly, than charting the surface on the basis of data coverage. The positions of 66 surface features in the area between longitudes 90 and 130 deg E and 10 and 60 deg N relative to the center of mass of the moon, with a relative accuracy of 500 km, are presented. A topographical map which can resolve basin-sized features has been derived from radius determinations. It is found that the craters Fabry, Riemann and Szilard comprise a topographically depressed region about 500 km in diameter with a floor 2.4 to 3.4 km below the 1730.0 km reference sphere and 4.8 to 5.8 km below the northern rim of the unfilled basin.

Mohan, S. N.↗

Ultralow frequency oscillations of the high-latitude ionospheric electric field

Balloon observations of the horizontal electric field, from six Canadian sites during August 2, 3, 8 and 9 of 1969, have been analyzed for coherent oscillations: right, left, and linearly polarized in the 1-16 mHz range. On any particular day there are 'calm' periods where a number of frequencies in the 1-16 mHz range exist. The length of these periods may vary from a few hours to several hours. The 'disturbed' periods can occur at any time of the day. The length of disturbed periods, number of significant frequencies in the band, and their probability of occurrence show a tendency to increase with latitude up to the auroral zone, beyond which no significant increase has been seen. The regions of the disturbed electric field sometimes cover a wide range of latitudes (greater than 10 deg) and longitudes in the auroral zone. Some of these regions are well defined and fixed in space and may remain unchanged for several hours to sometimes more than a day. For the frequency band studied, polarization of one kind (right or left) may dominate over the other for several hours after which the roles may interchange. These reversals do not show any clear-cut latitudinal dependence. Instead, there is more similarity in their behavior.

Gottlieb, B.↗

Theories of resonant satellite pairs in Saturn's system

Analytical theories have been devised for the three resonant pairs in Saturn's satellite system: Enceladus-Dione, Titan-Hyperion, and Mimas-Tethys. An algebraic manipulation language was adopted to calculate the theories; use of the canonically invariant Hori-Lie (1966) theory in noncanonical variables made it possible to perform direct computations of perturbations in such quantities as longitude, latitude and radius vector. Important terms at the 1-100 km level have been found second-order terms of the resonant satellite are calculated.

Jefferys, W. H.↗

Voyager 1 planetary radio astronomy observations near Jupiter

Results from the first low-frequency radio receiver to be transported into the Jupiter magnetosphere are reported. Dramatic new information was obtained, both because Voyager was near or in Jupiter's radio emission sources and because it was outside the relatively dense solar wind plasma of the inner solar system. Extensive radio spectral arcs, from above 30 to about 1 MHz, occurred in patterns correlated with planetary longitude. A newly discovered kilometric wavelength radio source may relate to the plasma torus near Io's orbit. In situ wave resonances near closest approach define an electron density profile along the Voyager trajectory and form the basis for a map of the torus. Detailed studies are in progress and are outlined briefly.

Warwick, J. W.↗

Low-energy charged particle environment at Jupiter - A first look

Preliminary results of measurements obtained by the low energy charged particle instrument on board the Voyager 1 spacecraft during its traversal of the Jovian magnetosphere are reported. The instrument consists of the low energy particle telescope and the low energy magnetospheric particle analyzer, designed to perform measurements in the inner and outer magnetosphere respectively. Ions and electrons comprising the Jovian magnetosphere were first detected at a distance of about 600 Jupiter radii from the planet, with the first bow shock crossing at 85.6 Jupiter radii. Upon crossing the magnetopause at about 67 Jupiter radii, the flows of electrons and ions were observed to change direction from away from the planet to the corotational direction. The hot plasma near the magnetosphere boundary is comprised predominantly of protons, sulfur and oxygen. Selective particle absorption near the Io flux tube indicates some form of particle deflection by Io. Fluxes in the outbound region were found to be enhanced from 90 to 160 deg longitude, and 5- and 10-hour low energy particle flux periodicities were observed.

Krimigis, S. M.↗

Spatially dominated solar particle events 1972-1976

Low-energy solar-particle data from the APL/JHU experiments on IMP 7 and 8 during 50 solar rotations between September 1972 and May 1976 are examined, and it is found that spatial gradients which are nearly independent of particle rigidity and species dominate the time histories. There are 57 rounded events with gradients on each side, 17 spatially dominated decays of flare-associated temporal events, and 9 broad minima. These events fill about 70% of the total time period, and about 70% are associated with solar-wind streams. The e-folding lengths of the gradients average about 20 deg heliographic longitude, and the rounded events have soft spectra and are helium-rich. These events are consistent with coronal propagation from a central source by a mechanism independent of particle species and energy.

Gold, R. E.↗

Galactic plane gamma-radiation

Analysis of the SAS 2 data together with the COS B results shows that the distribution of galactic gamma-radiation has several similarities to that of other large-scale tracers of galactic structure. The radiation is primarily confined to a thin disc which exhibits offsets from b = 0 degrees similar to warping at radio frequencies. The principal distinction of the gamma-radiation is a stronger contrast in intensity between the region from 310 to 45 degrees in longitude and the regions away from the center that can be attributed to a variation in cosmic-ray density as a function of position in Galaxy. The diffuse galactic gamma-ray energy spectrum shows no significant variation in direction, and the spectrum seen along the plane is the same as that for the galactic component of the gamma-radiation at high altitudes. The uniformity of the galactic gamma-ray spectrum, the smooth decrease in intensity as a function of altitude, and the absence of any galactic gamma-ray sources at high altitudes indicate a diffuse origin for bulk of the galactic gamma-radiation rather than a collection of localized sources.

Hartman, R. C.↗

Observational evidence for a hot gaseous Galactic corona

Galactic absorption features observed in high-dispersion far-UV spectra of two Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) stars obtained with the IUE satellite are discussed. The stars observed were HD 38268 (OB + WN5) and HD 38282 (WN6), which lie at a distance of about 55 kpc and in the galactic direction corresponding to a latitude of about -32 deg and a longitude of about 280 deg. The line of sight to these stars passes through the disk and halo of the Milky Way and the halo and disk of the LMC. Evidence is presented for the existence of a hot (somewhat below 1 million K), low-density (about 0.001 H atom per cu cm) Galactic corona.

Savage, B. D.↗

Experimental evidence of interhemispheric transport from airborne carbon monoxide measurements

During the period 28-30 October 1977, a Pan American 747-SP aircraft flew around the world with an automated instrument package that included measurements of atmospheric CO made every 4 sec. The flight path extended from San Francisco, over the North Pole to London, south to Capetown, over the South Pole to Auckland, and back to San Francisco. The data collected show large changes with longitude, which are interpreted as direct evidence of interhemispheric mixing. Possible sources for CO are discussed.

Newell, R. E.↗

A new color correlation method applied to XRF Al/Si ratios and other lunar remote sensing data

Orbital X-ray fluorescence Al/Si intensity ratios, corrected for variations in solar activity, are correlated with normal albedo, elevation measurements from laser altimetry data, and gamma ray data in the 2.75-8.60 MeV range. Each of these data sets is placed into a digital array consisting of 1/4 deg latitude by 1/4 deg longitude pixels. Information relative to the correlation of Al/Si ratios with each of the other data sets is presented in the following forms: (1) histograms are given for each data set to show the frequency distribution within the areas of common coverage; (2) density plots are produced from the plot of a two-dimensional array consisting of the Al/Si ratio vs the other parameter value for each pixel; and (3) color correlation maps are produced by placing the two-dimensional array into a 3 x 3 matrix consisting of nine equal subarrays containing an equal number of data points.

Clark, P. E.↗

Average photospheric poloidal and toroidal magnetic field components near solar minimum

Average (over longitude and time) photospheric magnetic field components are derived from 3-min Stanford magnetograms made near the solar minimum of cycle 21. The average magnetograph signal is found to behave as the projection of a vector for measurements made across the disk. The poloidal field exhibits the familiar dipolar structure near the poles, with a measured signal in the line Fe I 5250 A of about 1 G. At low latitudes the poloidal field has the polarity of the poles, but is of reduced magnitude (about 0.1 G). A net photospheric toroidal field with a broad latitudinal extent is found. The polarity of the toroidal field is opposite in the northern and southern hemispheres and has the same sense as subsurface flux tubes giving rise to active regions of solar cycle 21. These observations are used to discuss large-scale electric currents crossing the photosphere and angular momentum loss to the solar wind.

Duvall, T. L., Jr.↗

X-ray burst sources

Current knowledge of sources of X-ray bursts, defined as having rise times of less than a few seconds, durations of a few seconds to a few minutes and a generally regular recurrence pattern, is reviewed. An examination of the galactic distribution of X-ray burst sources, which has been confirmed by SAS-3 rotating modulation collimator observations, reveals that the burst sources are spread along the galactic equator and clustered near low galactic longitudes, unlike the distribution of globular clusters. At least four X-ray burst sources have been associated with steady X-ray sources based on positional coincidence, and it has been found that the X-ray bursts are less intense but harder than steady X-ray emission from these sources. Individual burst sources, including MXB1659-29, which has not been identified with a steady X-ray source, the source in NGC6624 which has been identified with 3U1820-30, MXB1837+05, associated with Ser X-1, three burst sources near the galactic center and the rapid burster MXB1730-335 are briefly discussed.

Lewin, W. H. G.↗

Detailed geometrical modeling of Jupiter's 10-related decametric radiation

The paper compares observational results of Jupiter's decametric radiation with the beaming directions predicted by emission of a wide-angle conical sheet of radiation. Using the conical beaming model, beaming directions were calculated assuming a source region above the planetary surface along the Io-affected magnetic flux tube at a point where the electron gyrofrequency is equal to the radiated frequency. The analysis is based on the octupolar magnetic field models from the Pioneer 11 measurements, and an apparent displacement of the flux tube 20 deg ahead of the Io orbital position produces agreement between the calculated and observed positions of the sources. The longitudinal extents of the three main sources are approximated by limiting radiation to points where the angle between the magnetic field vector at the point of emission and the Zenographic equatorial plane is at a minimum. For lower frequencies the Io-dependent radiation is emitted at all longitudes, and the beaming model concurs with this conclusion when all cutoffs are eliminated.

Thieman, J. R.↗

The seasonal variation of atmospheric pressure on Mars as affected by the south polar cap

The daily mean pressures at two locations on Mars, observed over 57% of a Martian year, reveal a semiannual oscillation with a peak-to-peak difference that is 26% of the mean pressure. This intrinsically Martian phenomenon is caused by exchange of CO2 between the atmosphere and the winter polar caps. Evidence is presented that the difference in pressure at the two landers varies with season and that the seasonal variation is not completely removed by hydrostatic correction for the difference in elevation. The mass CO2 sublimed from the south polar cap is estimated to be greater than or equal to 7.9 x 10 to the 12th metric tons, corresponding to a mean thickness of solid CO2 over the maximum extent of that cap of greater than or equal to 23 cm. Estimates are formed of the meridonal wind speed conveying gas out of the dissipating cap and the associated zonal geostrophic wind, both averaged over longitude. The results are approximately 2.3 m/sec and 14 m/sec, respectively.

Hess, S. L.↗

Ultraviolet night airglow of Venus

The night airglow spectrum of Venus in the ultraviolet is dominated by the V-prime = 0 progressions of the gamma and delta bands of nitric oxide. The bands are produced by two-body radiative recombination of nitrogen and oxygen atoms. Since the source of these atoms is in the dayside thermosphere, the night airglow is a tracer of the day-to-night thermospheric circulation. The airglow is brightest at equatorial latitudes and at longitudes on the morning side of the antisolar meridian.

Stewart, A. I.↗