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At least 1,225 records · Page 68

Can the Distance–Redshift Relation be Determined from Correlations between Luminosities?

We explore whether an independent determination of the distance–redshift relation, and hence cosmological model parameters, can be obtained from the apparent correlations between two different wave-band luminosities or fluxes, as has been claimed in recent works using the X-ray and ultraviolet luminosities and fluxes of quasars. We show that such an independent determination is possible only if the correlation between luminosities is obtained independently of the cosmological model and measured fluxes and redshifts, for example, based on sound theoretical models or unrelated observations. In particular, we show that if the correlation is determined empirically for two luminosities obtained from fluxes and redshifts, then the method suffers from circularity. In the case where the observed correlation between fluxes in very narrow redshift bins is used as a proxy for the luminosity correlation, we show that one is dealing with a pure tautology with no information on distances and cosmological model. We argue that the problem arises because of the incomplete treatment of the correlation, and we use numerical methods with a joint X-ray and ultraviolet quasar data set to demonstrate this shortcoming.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Eclipse design limits for circular orbits.

By means of simple geometric construction compact expressions for the maximum and minimum eclipse durations of a circular orbit, whose semimajor axis and inclination are specified, can be obtained. The method outlined in this note provides the designer with the necessary envelope of eclipse durations that a spacecraft will experience throughout its lifetime, and, therefore, provides a quick method of estimating necessary thermal constraints. Moreover, the closed form method presented eliminates the need for extensive machine time expenditure previously required for this type of analysis. Some numerical data to aid in the design of the spacecraft is provided.

Escobal, P. R.↗

Investigation of passive shock wave-boundary layer control for transonic airfoil drag reduction

The passive drag control concept, consisting of a porous surface with a cavity beneath it, was investigated with a 12-percent-thick circular arc and a 14-percent-thick supercritical airfoil mounted on the test section bottom wall. The porous surface was positioned in the shock wave/boundary layer interaction region. The flow circulating through the porous surface, from the downstream to the upstream of the terminating shock wave location, produced a lambda shock wave system and a pressure decrease in the downstream region minimizing the flow separation. The wake impact pressure data show an appreciably drag reduction with the porous surface at transonic speeds. To determine the optimum size of porosity and cavity, tunnel tests were conducted with different airfoil porosities, cavities and flow Mach numbers. A higher drag reduction was obtained by the 2.5 percent porosity and the 1/4-inch deep cavity.

Nagamatsu, H. T.↗

Circular-to-rectangular transition ducts for high-aspect ratio nonaxisymmetric nozzles

The next generation fighter aircraft will be equipped with nonaxisymmetric multifunction jet engine exhaust systems. The circular-to-rectangular transition duct employed in these systems has been made longer with the objective to maintain uniform flow. The weight of the exhaust system increases with increasing nozzle aspect ratio. The new design is to provide enhanced maneuvering and STOL performance. It is attempted to reduce the increase in weight as much as possible by new design strategies. The present paper has the objective to show through experimental data that the current design guidelines for transition ducts can be expanded so that shorter transitions are possible thereby reducing the nonaxisymmetric exhaust system weight penalty.

Burley, J. R., II↗

Computation and analysis of a cylinder wake flow

The Karman vortex wake of a circular cylinder at low Reynolds number was computed by a time-accurate, two-dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes equation solver which uses the MacCormack predictor-corrector finite-difference scheme and a nonreflecting boundary condition on the outer flow boundary. The results from a large number of time steps were analyzed using Fast Fourier Transform techniques to identify the important frequency components for comparison with published experimental data. A strong low-frequency component was found below the vortex shedding frequency and not harmonically related to it. The experimentally discovered low-frequency fluctuations in the cylinder wake are considered possibly to be precursors to transition from laminar to turbulent flow conditions. The present finding of similar frequencies in a computed wake tends to confirm their existence as a real wake phenomenon. This computational work provides a complementary means to experimental investigations of wake phenomena.

Townsend, J. C.↗

Navier-Stokes computations of vortex asymmetries controlled by small surface imperfections

Navier-Stokes analyses are employed to explore the driving mechanisms controlling asymmetric vortical flows with Re(D) = 0.8 million (Reynolds number based on maximum diameter) over a 3.5 caliber tangent-ogive cylinder at large angles of attack (alpha = 20, 30, and 40 degrees). All flowfield results are steady-state solutions to the three-dimensional, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in the thin-layer approximation. The numerical results are temporally and spatially fully converged, and are in good agreement with experimental data. The major findings are: (1) for alpha not less than 30 degrees, the vortex flows are genuinely asymmetric yet recurrent; (2) asymmetric vortex patterns are highly sensitive toward such parameters as machine accuracy, grid topology, etc., unless triggered by a slight deformation (similar to an out-of-round nose tip) in the neighborhood of the apex; and (3) for alpha = 20 degrees, the flow is symmetric for both circular and elliptic cross-sectional shapes of the nose tip.

Hartwich, PETER-M.↗

An Occultation by Saturn's Rings on 1991 October 2-3 October 2-3 Observed with the Hubble Space Telescope

An occultation of the star GSC 6323-01396 (V = 11.9) by Saturn's rings was observed with the High-Speed Photometer on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) on 1991 October 2-3. This occultation occurred when Saturn was near a stationary point, so the apparent motion of Saturn relative to the star was dominated by the HST orbital motion (8 km/s). Data were recorded simultaneously at effective wavelengths of 3200 and 7500 A, with an integration time of 0.15 s. Fifteen segments of occultation data, totaling 6.8 h, were recorded in 13 successive orbits during the 20.0 h interval from UTC 1991 October 2, 19:35 until UTC 1991 October 3, 15:35. Occultations by 43 different features throughout the classical rings were unambiguously identified in the light curve, with a second occultation by 24 of them occurring due to spacecraft orbital parallax during this extremely slow event. Occultation times for features currently presumed circular were measured and employed in a geometrical model for the rings. This model, relating the observed occultation times to feature radii and longitudes, is presented here and is used in a least-squares fit for the pole direction and radius scale of Saturn's ring system.

Elliot, J. L.↗

Meteor 3/total ozone mapping spectrometer observations of the 1993 ozone hole

The development of the springtime (September-November) Antarctic ozone hole was observed by the Meteor 3/total ozone mapping spectromter (TOMS) to result in the lowest ozone value, 85 DU (Dobson units) on October 8, 1993, ever measured by TOMS. During late September and early October the region of extremely low ozone values was centered on the geographical pole between 85 deg S and 90 deg S. The geographical extent of the ozone hole region, the area within the 220-DU contour, reached a maximum during the first week in October at a near-circular area covering 24 x 10(exp 6) sq km reaching to the southern tip of South America. This approximately matched the 1992 area record. After the maximum area was reached in early October, the 1993 ozone hole region was significantly larger than during 1992 throughout the remainder of the month of October. The very low ozone values over the Antarctic continent have been confirmed by independent ground-based data. Unlike 1992, the formation of the 1993 Antarctic ozone hole does not coincide with unusually low ozone values observed over most of the globe for the past 2 years. The most recent ozone data from Meteor 3/TOMS show that there has been a recovery at all latitudes from the extraordinarily low values observed during 1992 and part of 1993 after the June 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. Meteor 3/TOMS is described and compared with Nimbus 7/TOMS during the 1991 to May 1993 overlap period. Observations of the 1992 ozone hole are presented from both instruments and are shown to agree within 5 DU.

Herman, J. R.↗

A Method to Retrieve Rainfall Rate Over Land from TRMM Microwave Imager Observations

Over tropical land regions, rain rate maxima in mesoscale convective systems revealed by the Precipitation Radar (PR) flown on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite are found to correspond to thunderstorms, i.e., Cbs. These Cbs are reflected as minima in the 85 GHz brightness temperature, T85, observed by the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) radiometer. Because the magnitude of TMI observations do not discriminate satisfactorily convective and stratiform rain, we developed here a different TMI discrimination method. In this method, two types of Cbs, strong and weak, are inferred from the Laplacian of T85 at minima. Then, to retrieve rain rate, where T85 is less than 270 K, a weak (background) rain rate is deduced using T85 observations. Furthermore, over a circular area of 10 km radius centered at the location of each T85 minimum, an additional Cb component of rain rate is added to the background rain rate. This Cb component of rain rate is estimated with the help of (T19-T37) and T85 observations. Initially, our algorithm is calibrated with the PR rain rate measurements from 20 MCS rain events. After calibration, this method is applied to TMI data taken from several tropical land regions. With the help of the PR observations, we show that the spatial distribution and intensity of rain rate over land estimated from our algorithm are better than those given by the current TMI-Version-5 Algorithm. For this reason, our algorithm may be used to improve the current state of rain retrievals on land.

Prabhakara, C.↗

Investigation of a Moire Based Crack Detection Technique for Propulsion Health Monitoring

The development of techniques for the health monitoring of the rotating components in gas turbine engines is of major interest to NASA s Aviation Safety Program. As part of this on-going effort several experiments utilizing a novel optical Moir based concept along with external blade tip clearance and shaft displacement instrumentation were conducted on a simulated turbine engine disk as a means of demonstrating a potential optical crack detection technique. A Moir pattern results from the overlap of two repetitive patterns with slightly different periods. With this technique, it is possible to detect very small differences in spacing and hence radial growth in a rotating disk due to a flaw such as a crack. The experiment involved etching a circular reference pattern on a subscale engine disk that had a 50.8 mm (2 in.) long notch machined into it to simulate a crack. The disk was operated at speeds up to 12 000 rpm and the Moir pattern due to the shift with respect to the reference pattern was monitored as a means of detecting the radial growth of the disk due to the defect. In addition, blade displacement data were acquired using external blade tip clearance and shaft displacement sensors as a means of confirming the data obtained from the optical technique. The results of the crack detection experiments and its associated analysis are presented in this paper.

Woike, Mark R.↗

A study of microwave leakage through perforated flat plates.

A simple formula useful for predicting leakage through a circular hole array in a metallic flat plate is presented. A correction is given for plate thickness. The formula is applicable to arrays having either a 60-deg (staggered) or 90-deg (square) hole pattern, but is restricted to the case of (1) an obliquely incident plane wave with the E field polarized normal to the plane of incidence, and (2) large transmission loss. When theoretical values were compared to experimental data obtained on test samples having transmission losses greater than 20 dB, the agreement between theory and experiment was typically better than 1 dB at S band and 2 dB at X band.

Otoshi, T. Y.↗

Quantitative mass distribution models for Mare Orientale

Six theoretical models for the mass distribution of Mare Orientale were tested using five gravity profiles extracted from radio-tracking data of orbiting spacecraft. The models with surface mass and moho relief produced the best results. Although there is a mascon-type anomaly in the central maria region, Mare Orientale is a large negative gravity anomaly. This is produced primarily by the empty ring basin. Had the basin filled with maria material it seems likely that it would have produced a mascon such as those presently existing in flooded frontside circular basins.

Sjogren, W. L.↗

Radar properties of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto

The radar properties of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto are summarized and present understanding of these properties is documented. The radar techniques are described, observational results reviewed, and salient aspects of the radar data set discussed. Theoretical interpretation of the satellites' anomalous radar properties is addressed, including aspects such as external scattering and double reflection from hemispherical craters, the random-facet model, total internal reflection, multiple total internal reflection, the high radar geometric albedos, the tenous upper layer, the two-component regolith, and compositional effects. It is concluded that multiple total internal reflection from randomly oriented subsurface facets can explain the anomalous circular polarization inversion in the radar echoes from the three satellites. Several refinements of the Goldstein-Green (1980) scattering model are suggested.

Ostro, S. J.↗

Venus tectonics - Initial analysis from Magellan

The styles of lithospheric deformation, the inferred mechanical properties of the lithosphere, and their implications for the tectonic history of Venus are discussed on the basis of radar imaging and altimetry data from Magellan. Observations of the planet plains reveal a superposition of different episodes of deformation and volcanism, strain both distributed and concentrated into zones of extension and shortening, and features reflecting a crustal response to mantle dynamic processes. Lithospheric shortening and crustal thickening are represented by ridge belts and mountain belts. The latter show the evidence for extension and collapse both during and following crustal compression. Venus displays quasi-circular coronae and broad rises with linear rift zones, associated with significant volcanism. Large-offset strike-slip faults have not been observed, although horizontal shear is accommodated across broad zones of crustal shortening. On Venus strain is distributed across zones that are one to a few hundred kilometers wide, and separated by stronger and less deformed blocks hundreds of kilometers in width, as in actively deforming continental regions on earth.

Solomon, Sean C.↗

Geolocation Assessment Algorithm for CALIPSO Using Coastline Detection

Cloud-Aerosol Lidar Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) is a joint satellite mission between NASA and the French space agency CNES. The investigation will gather long-term, global cloud and aerosol optical and physical properties to improve climate models. The CALIPSO spacecraft is scheduled to launch in 2004 into a 98.2 inclination, 705 km circular orbit approximately 3 minutes behind the Aqua spacecraft. The payload consists of a two-wavelength polarization-sensitive lidar, and two passive imagers operating in the visible (0.645 mm) and infrared (8.7 - 12.0 mm) spectral regions. The imagers are nadir viewing and co-aligned with the lidar. Earth viewing measurements are geolocated to the Earth fixed coordinate system using satellite ephemeris, Earth rotation and geoid, and instrument pointing data. The coastline detection algorithm will assess the accuracy of the CALIPSO geolocation process by analyzing Wide Field Camera (WFC) visible ocean land boundaries. Processing space-time coincident MODIS and WFC scenes with the coastline algorithm will help verify the co-registration requirement with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) data. This paper quantifies the accuracy of the coastline geolocation assessment algorithm.

Currey, J. Chris↗

Test Cases for a Clipped Delta Wing with Pitching and Trailing-Edge Control Surface Oscillations

Steady and unsteady measured pressures for a Clipped Delta Wing (CDW) undergoing pitching oscillations and trailing-edge control surface oscillations have been presented . From the several hundred compiled data points, 22 static cases, 12 pitching-oscillation cases, and 12 control-surface-oscillation cases have been proposed for Computational Test Cases to illustrate the trends with Mach number, reduced frequency, and angle of attack. The planform for this wing was derived by simplifying the planform of a proposed design for a supersonic transport which is described as the Boeing 2707-300. The strake was deleted, the resulting planform was approximated by a trapezoid with an unswept trailing edge, and the twist and camber were removed. In order to facilitate pressure instrumentation, the thickness was increased to 6 percent from the typical 2.5 to 3 percent for the supersonic transport. The airfoil is thus a symmetrical circular arc section with t/c = 0.06. A wing of similar planform but with a thinner airfoil of t/c = 0.03 was used in the flutter investigations, and the buffet and stall flutter investigation . Flutter results are also reported both for the 3 per cent thick simplified wing and for a more complex SST model. One of the consequences of the increased thickness of the clipped delta wing is that transonic effects are enhanced for Mach numbers near one. They are significantly stronger than would be the case for the thinner wing. Also, with the combination of high leading edge sweep of 50.5, and the sharp leading edge, a leading edge vortex forms on the wing at relatively low angles of attack, on the order of three degrees. The Appendix discusses some of the vortex flow effects. In addition, a shock develops over the aft portion of the wing at transonic speeds such that at some angles of attack, there is both a leading edge vortex and a shock wave on the wing. Such cases are a computational challenge. Some previous applications of this data set have been for the evaluation of an aerodynamic panel method and for evaluation of a Navier-Stokes capability. Linear theory and panel method results are also presented, which demonstrated the need for inclusion of transonic effects. Flutter calculations for the related wing with t/c=O.O3 are given. In this report several Test Cases are selected to illustrate trends for a variety of different conditions with emphasis on transonic flow effects. An overview of the model and tests are given, and the standard formulary for these data is listed. For each type of data, a sample table and a sample plot of the measured pressures are presented. A complete tabulation and plotting of the Test Cases is given. Only the static pressures and the 1st harmonic real and imaginary parts of the pressures are available. All of the data for the test are included in a microfiche document in the original report and are available in electronic file form. The Test Cases are also available as separate electronic files.

Bennett, Robert M.↗

Technologies and policies to decarbonize global industry: Review and assessment of mitigation drivers through 2070

Fully decarbonizing global industry is essential to achieving climate stabilization, and reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050–2070 is necessary to limit global warming to 2 °C. This paper assembles and evaluates technical and policy interventions, both on the supply side and on the demand side. It identifies measures that, employed together, can achieve net zero industrial emissions in the required timeframe. Key supply-side technologies include energy efficiency (especially at the system level), carbon capture, electrification, and zero-carbon hydrogen as a heat source and chemical feedstock. There are also promising technologies specific to each of the three top-emitting industries: cement, iron & steel, and chemicals & plastics. These include cement admixtures and alternative chemistries, several technological routes for zero-carbon steelmaking, and novel chemical catalysts and separation technologies. Crucial demand-side approaches include material-efficient design, reductions in material waste, substituting low-carbon for high-carbon materials, and circular economy interventions (such as improving product longevity, reusability, ease of refurbishment, and recyclability). Strategic, well-designed policy can accelerate innovation and provide incentives for technology deployment. High-value policies include carbon pricing with border adjustments or other price signals; robust government support for research, development, and deployment; and energy efficiency or emissions standards. These core policies should be supported by labeling and government procurement of low-carbon products, data collection and disclosure requirements, and recycling incentives. In implementing these policies, care must be taken to ensure a just transition for displaced workers and affected communities. Similarly, decarbonization must complement the human and economic development of low- and middle-income countries.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Raw electron microscopy images for "The Importance of Nano-edges in Atomic Stencilling and Chiroptically Active Assembly of Patchy Gold Tetrahedra"

This dataset contains the raw transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images used in the main figures of the paper “The Importance of Nano-edges in Atomic Stencilling and Chiroptically Active Assembly of Patchy Gold Tetrahedra (2026).” All the images were acquired at the Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, by Qian Chen group. 1. We provide five subfolders, each named according to the corresponding figure numbers in the paper. 2. All files in the subfolders for Figures 1–3 and 5 are named as "Panel [letter]_*", where [letter] (e.g., a, b, c) represents the raw images used for the corresponding panels. 3. All files in the subfolder for Figure 4 correspond to panel f and show the configurations of patchy tetrahedra synthesized at varying concentrations of iodide and 2-naphthalenethiol. They are named "Experiment_[number]", where [number] represents the corresponding data points in the phase diagram. 4. In TEM images, the bright and dark regions indicate the polymer patches and nanoparticle cores, respectively. 5. In SEM images, the bright and dark regions indicate the nanoparticle cores and polymer patches, respectively. 6. Abbreviations in file names: HAADF-STEM (high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy), PINEM (photon-induced near-field electron microscopy), and RCP/LCP (left-/right-handed circularly polarized).

chirality↗