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At least 1,243 records · Page 69

Mass flux measurements and correlations in the back flow region of a nozzle plume.

A series of tests were conducted to measure the mass flux in the far field of a nozzle plume in a high vacuum with emphasis on the back flow region. The measurements presented in this report provide fairly accurate data for off-axis angles as large as 140 deg (i.e., the back flow region). The tests utilized five different nozzles. Parameters such as expansion ratio, throat diameter, nozzle lip shape, and plenum (chamber) pressure were varied. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases were passed through, and mass flux measurements were taken using quartz crystal microbalances in as many as nine different locations relative to the test nozzle. The tests resulted in a large matrix of data that were correlated and compared to existing prediction theories. Several conclusions with respect to the effect of nozzle and gas parameters on the amount of back flow mass flux are offered, and it was demonstrated that gaseous mass fluxes, which are not predictable by present theories, are encountered in the region behind the nozzle exit plane.

Chirivella, J. E.↗

Nature and origin of layered deposits of the Martian polar regions.

Layered deposits in the polar regions of Mars may be formed from fine dust ultimately derived from the canyons and other eroded terrains of the equatorial regions. An analysis of dust deposition in the area of annual frost cover predicts the formation of vast featureless domed plateaus underlaid by layered deposits of dust. Television observations suggest that these plateaus once existed, but they have now been dissected and stripped from most of the area of annual frost cover. A possible explanation is that a major secular change has occurred in the erosional environment of the Martian polar regions. Estimates of depositional rates of dust under current atmospheric conditions place the time span represented by the accumulation of layered deposits at about 500 m.y. Because of erosion, the present surface appears very young and lacks any impact craters. The present rate of water ice accumulation in the area of perennial frost is comparable to that of dust, and thus it is suggested that large quantities of water ice may be trapped with dust beneath the perennial frost caps.

Cutts, J. A.↗

Experiment to evaluate feasibility of utilizing Skylab-EREP remote sensing data for tectonic analysis of the Bighorn Mountains region, Wyoming-Montana

The author has identified the following significant results. S-190A color transparencies from SL-2 of the Big Horn basin region provide the best format to date for geologic study of that region; red beds are quite mappable and resistant key beds sharply outlined. An S-190B color frame from SL-3 of the Pryor-Bighorn mountains provides no indication that the Nye-Bowler lineament extends east of East Pryor Mountain. This has important implications regarding the role of this and other lineaments (which also appear to be of restricted length) in the tectonics of the region. Extensions of these lineaments for great distances does not seem warranted on the basis of surface evidence.

Hoppin, R. A.↗

SAS-2 observations of the high energy gamma radiation from the Vela region

Data from a scan of the galactic plane by the SAS-B high energy gamma ray experiment in the region 250 deg smaller than 12 smaller than 290 deg show a statistically significant excess over the general radiation from the galactic plane for gamma radiation of energy larger than 100 MeV. If the enhanced gamma radiation results from interactions of cosmic rays with galactic matter, as the energy spectrum suggests, it seems reasonable to associate the enhancement with large scale galactic features, such as spiral arm segments in that direction, or with the region surrounding the Vela supernova remnant with which PSR 0833-45 is associated. If the excess is attributed to cosmic rays released from the supernova interacting with the interstellar matter in that region, than on the order of 3 x 10 to the 50th power ergs would have been released by that supernova in the form of cosmic rays.

Thompson, D. J.↗

Electron collection theory for a D-region subsonic blunt electrostatic probe

Blunt probe theory for subsonic flow in a weakly ionized and collisional gas is reviewed, and an electron collection theory for the relatively unexplored case, Deybye length approximately 1, which occurs in the lower ionosphere (D-region), is developed. It is found that the dimensionless Debye length is no longer an electric field screening parameter, and the space charge field effect can be negelected. For ion collection, Hoult-Sonin theory is recognized as a correct description of the thin, ion density-perturbed layer adjacent the blunt probe surface. The large volume with electron density perturbed by a positively biased probe renders the usual thin boundary layer analysis inapplicable. Theories relating free stream conditions to the electron collection rate for both stationary and moving blunt probes are obtained. A model based on experimental nonlinear electron drift velocity data is proposed. For a subsonically moving probe, it is found that the perturbed region can be divided into four regions with distinct collection mechanisms.

Wai-Kwong Lai, T.↗

Temperature dependence of emission measure in solar X-ray plasmas. 1: Non-flaring active regions

X-ray and ultraviolet line emission from hot, optically thin material forming coronal active regions on the sun may be described in terms of an emission measure distribution function, Phi (T). A relationship is developed between line flux and Phi (T), a theory which assumes that the electron density is a single-valued function of temperature. The sources of error involved in deriving Phi (T) from a set of line fluxes are examined in some detail. These include errors in atomic data (collisional excitation rates, assessment of other mechanisms for populating excited states of transitions, element abundances, ion concentrations, oscillator strengths) and errors in observed line fluxes arising from poorly - known instrumental responses. Two previous analyses are discussed in which Phi (T) for a non-flaring active region is derived. A least squares method of Batstone uses X-ray data of low statistical significance, a fact which appears to influence the results considerably. Two methods for finding Phi (T) ab initio are developed. The coefficients are evaluated by least squares. These two methods should have application not only to active-region plasmas, but also to hot, flare-produced plasmas.

Phillips, K. J. H.↗

Videomagnetograph studies of solar magnetic fields. II - Field changes in an active region

Using the Caltech videomagnetograph, we obtained a 6.5-hr movie of the magnetic fields in a young active region. The major contribution to the short term magnetic evolution of the region was provided by many discrete magnetic points which move in apparently random directions with typical velocities of 0.4 - 1.0 km/sec. The majority of these features appear to be footpoints of new EFR's, which emerge at an observed rate of one to two per hour. The pattern of the motions suggests that the magnetic evolution of a growing region cannot be principally due to photospheric convective cells.

Schoolman, S. A.↗

Nimbus 4 IRIS spectra in the 750-1250 wavelengths/cm atmospheric window region

Present operational schemes for infrared remote sounding measurements of surface temperature use the 899 wavelengths/cm atmospheric window region. Spectra from the Nimbus 4 IRIS in the 750 to 1250 wavelengths/cm region are analyzed. Comparison of the actual surface temperature and the observed brightness temperature at 10 wavelengths/cm resolution shows that the clearest windows were at 936 and 960 wavelengths/cm. Although there is a small amount of CO2 absorption in these regions, this is compensated for by a decrease in water vapor continuum absorption. Atmospheric absorption was 0.5 K less than experienced by the 899 wavelengths/cm window.

Kunde, V. G.↗

Coronal density structures in regions of type III activity

The density of the corona over the active regions generating the type III exciters are examined, taking into account radio data together with daily white light coronal observations obtained with a K-coronameter. The intensity profiles and the synoptic maps derived from the K-corona data make it possible to distinguish between dense structures and low intensity regions. A deconvolution technique developed by Leblanc et al. (1970) is applied to calculate the electron density of these structures. For the low intensity regions van de Hulst's (1950) method has been used to compute the electron density of models.

Leblanc, Y.↗

Plasma tail interpretations of pronounced detached plasma regions measured by Ogo 5

Measurements of the light ion thermal plasma distribution in the magnetosphere frequently show apparent isolated patches of enhanced plasma density in the trough region beyond the main plasmasphere. These patches of light ions viewed along a satellite orbit appear detached from the main plasmasphere. By using a simple time-dependent convection model to determine the length of time a magnetic flux tube has been closed and in daylight (a rough indicator of the expected equatorial plasma density variation), the most prominent 'detached' regions measured by the mass spectrometer on Ogo 5 in the noon-dusk quadrant are seen on a global scale to be readily interpreted as filamentary extensions of the plasmasphere, called plasma tails. Hence on a global scale the pronounced detached regions may be attached to the main plasmasphere.

Chen, A. J.↗

The influence of surface waves on water circulation in a mid-Atlantic continental shelf region

The importance of wave-induced currents in different weather conditions and water depths (18.3 m and 36.6 m) is assessed in a mid-Atlantic continental-shelf region. A review of general circulation conditions is conducted. Factors which perturb the general circulation are examined using analytic techniques and limited experimental data. Actual wind and wave statistics for the region are examined. Relative magnitudes of the various currents are compared on a frequency of annual occurrence basis. Results indicated that wave-induced currents are often the same order of magnitude as other currents in the region and become more important at higher wind and wave conditions. Wind-wave and ocean-swell characteristics are among those parameters which must be monitored for the analytical computation of continental-shelf circulation.

Whitlock, C. H.↗

Thunderstorms observed by radio astronomy Explorer 1 over regions of low man made noise

Radio Astronomy Explorer (RAE) I observations of thunderstorms over regions of low man-made noise levels are analyzed to assess the satellite's capability for noise source differentiation. The investigation of storms over Australia indicates that RAE can resolve noise generation due to thunderstorms from the general noise background over areas of low man-made noise activity. Noise temperatures observed by RAE over stormy regions are on the average 10DB higher than noise temperatures over the same regions in the absence of thunderstorms. In order to determine the extent of noise contamination due to distant transmitters comprehensive three dimensional computer ray tracings were generated. The results indicate that generally, distant transmitters contribute negligibly to the total noise power, being 30DB or more below contributions arriving from an area immediately below the satellite.

Caruso, J. A.↗

The feasibility of a unified role for NASA regional dissemination centers and technology application teams

Insights and recommendations arising from a study of the feasibility of combining the NASA Regional Dissemination Center (RDC) and Technology Application Team (Tateam) roles to form Regional Application Centers (RADC's) are presented. The apparent convergence of the functions of RDC's and Tateams is demonstrated and strongly supportive of the primary recommendation that an applications function be added to those already being performed by the RDC's. The basis of a national network for technology transfer and public and private sector problem solving is shown to exist, the skeleton of which is an interactive network of Regional Application Centers and NASA Field Centers. The feasibility of developing and extending this network is considered and the detailed ramifications of so doing are discussed and the imperatives emphasized. It is hypothesized that such a national network could become relatively independent of NASA funding within five years.

Source record↗

An investigation of the solar zenith angle variation of D-region ionization

Model calculations are carried out with a view to interpreting the solar zenith angle variation of D-region ionization. A model is developed for the neutral chemistry including the transport terms relating to molecular and eddy diffusion. The diurnal behavior is described of the minor neutral constituents formed in an oxygen-hydrogen-nitrogen atmosphere, in the height interval between 30 and 120 km. Computations carried out for two cases of the eddy diffusion coefficients models indicate that the constituents which are important for the D-region positive-ion chemistry do not show a significant variation with zenith angle for values up to 75 deg over the D-region heights. In the ion chemistry model, ion-pair production rates are calculated for solar X-rays between 1 A and 100 A, EUV radiations from 100 A up to the Lyman-alpha line, precipitating electrons, and galactic cosmic rays. The solar zenith angle variation of the positive-ion composition, negative-ion composition, and the electron densities are described up to 75 deg zenith angle, in the height interval between 60 and 100 km.

Ratnasiri, P. A. J.↗

NO/+/ and O/+/ in the high latitude F-region

From an analysis of ionic reactions, it is deduced that NO(+) should be an important constituent of the high-latitude F-region. Owing to the rapid increase of the reaction O(+) + N2 yields NO(+) + N with ion velocity and temperature, high latitude electric fields and consequent E x B drifts act to deplete O(+) in favor of NO(+). As a consequence of this and the reduced rate of NO(+) dissociative recombination arising from high electron temperatures, it seems that NO(+) can, at times, replace O(+) as the major F2-region ion in the vicinity of the auroral ovals. The same processes should also be effective in creating nighttime electron density troughs composed primarily of NO(+) in regions equatorward of the auroral ovals where large electric fields are often present.

Banks, P. M.↗

Investigation of the aerodynamic noise generating region of a jet engine by means of the simple source fluid dilatation model

An experiment was conducted on a full-scale jet engine to investigate the aerodynamic noise generating regions in the free jet. Cross-correlation measurements were made between the static pressure fluctuations and the farfield radiated sound. These measurements were made for two different static pressure probe positions and a large number of farfield positions (at various angles). In addition, each test geometry was run for four different jet exit velocities. The measured, normalized cross-correlation functions varied between 0.004 and 0.155. A new Q-function, based on the above normalized cross correlation is defined and plotted. This function represents the source strength per unit volume within the jet region. This Q-function shows dependence on the probe position, the angular position of the farfield microphone, and the jet exit Mach number. Third-octave analyses of both the probe signal and the farfield radiated sound were made. The results show that cross-correlation techniques are a valuable tool in the investigation of the aerodynamic noise generating regions of an actual jet engine.

Hurdle, P. M.↗

Aperture synthesis observations of galactic H II-regions

Aperture synthesis observations at 2.695 GHz and 8.085 GHz of the H II regions NRAO 591, NGC 6857, NGC 7538, M8, W3 and W49A made with the NRAO interferometer are presented. A set of Gaussian functions is derived to describe the radiation distribution of each H II region at each frequency. Fine structure is found in all regions. With the exception of the extended source in W49A, all previously known sources with high excitation parameters are resolved into smaller sources. The electron densities of individual sources range from 100 per cu cm up to 100,000 per cu cm. In NGC 6857, NGC 7538 and W49A, continuum sources smaller than 4 arc sec and with electron densities exceeding 10,000 per cu cm are found close to the known class II OH emission sources. In M8, we find a ring which seems to be split at the position of the O-star Herschel 36.

Wink, J. E.↗

Ionospheric D and E regions

Some areas of D and E region research are examined, with particular reference to the photochemistry and transport of minor neutral constitutents in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. The review shows that the D and E regions become more complex physical and chemical systems as research progresses, so that some previous views on these regions have to be revised. In particular, the lower ionosphere appears to be hydrodynamically coupled to the lower atmosphere and electrodynamically coupled to the magnetosphere.

Sechrist, C. F., Jr.↗