SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Magnetospheric diurnal electron concentration variation from Faraday polarization rotation and differential Doppler frequency measurements of lunar radar echoes
The accuracy of the diurnal and semidiurnal harmonics of density variation determined from satellite drag data is discussed and compared with data from the Jacchia empirical atmospheric model. The phase discrepancies between densities and temperatures, which are more pronounced in summer, and the extrema of the density data are described. The ratio of the semidiurnal to diurnal component of kinetic temperature, determined from Salah and Evans incoherent scatter radar observations, also indicates a seasonal variation. The radar data are compared with the Jacchia model, and a third harmonic is discussed.
Longitudinal asymmetry of trapped energetic electron intensities attributed to lowering of mirror points in South African anomaly
Studies in animals and humans suggest that the diurnal pattern in plasma melatonin levels is due to the hormone's rates of synthesis, circulatory infusion and clearance, circadian control of synthesis onset and offset, environmental lighting conditions, and error in the melatonin immunoassay. A two-dimensional linear differential equation model of the hormone is formulated and is used to analyze plasma melatonin levels in 18 normal healthy male subjects during a constant routine. Recently developed Bayesian statistical procedures are used to incorporate correctly the magnitude of the immunoassay error into the analysis. The estimated parameters [median (range)] were clearance half-life of 23.67 (14.79-59.93) min, synthesis onset time of 2206 (1940-0029), synthesis offset time of 0621 (0246-0817), and maximum N-acetyltransferase activity of 7.17(2.34-17.93) pmol x l(-1) x min(-1). All were in good agreement with values from previous reports. The difference between synthesis offset time and the phase of the core temperature minimum was 1 h 15 min (-4 h 38 min-2 h 43 min). The correlation between synthesis onset and the dim light melatonin onset was 0.93. Our model provides a more physiologically plausible estimate of the melatonin synthesis onset time than that given by the dim light melatonin onset and the first reliable means of estimating the phase of synthesis offset. Our analysis shows that the circadian and pharmacokinetics parameters of melatonin can be reliably estimated from a single model.
A self consistent two-component diffusion model is presented to describe the diurnal component of the thermosphere dynamics. In the regions where oxygen and helium are the minor constituents the diffusion process is shown to increase significantly the amplitudes of these constituents and to advance the times of their diurnal maxima by several hours with respect to the gas temperature and to the major species. Both effects are in basic agreement with satellite observations. The diffusion process is however relatively insignificant for temperature, total mass density and wind fields.
A self-consistent, two-dimensional, two-component diffusion model is presented to describe the diurnal component of thermosphere dynamics. In the regions where oxygen and helium are the minor constituents, diffusion is shown to increase the amplitudes of these constituents and to advance the times of their diurnal maxima by several hours with respect to the gas temperature and the major species. Both effects are in basic agreement with satellite observations. The diffusion process is relatively insignificant for temperature, total mass density, and wind fields. The magnitude of the temperature-density phase delay is discussed with respect to its dependence on the electron density distribution.
This paper presents a study of the equatorial diurnal tide at 27-55 km based on temperature data from the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS).
In this paper we present results from the application of a satellite infrared (IR) technique for estimating rainfall over northern South America. Our main objectives are to examine the diurnal variability of rainfall and to investigate the relative contributions from the convective and stratiform components. Additional information is contained in the original.
Observations of the Martian planetary boundary layer lead to interpretations that are baffling and contradictory. In this paper, we specifically address the question of whether or not water vapor finds a substantial diurnal reservoir in the Martian regolith. To address this issue, we have measured H2O adsorption kinetics on SWy-1, a Na-rich montmorillonite from Wyoming. The highest-temperature (273 K) data equilibrates rapidly. Data gathered at realistic H2O partial pressures and temperatures appropriate to early morning show two phenomena that preclude a significant role for smectites in diurnally exchanging a large column abundance. First, the equilibration timescale is longer than a sol. Second, the equilibrium abundances are a small fraction of that predicted by earlier adsorption isotherms. The explanation for this phenomenon is that smectite clay actually increases its surface area as a function of adsorptive coverage. At Mars-like conditions, we show that the interlayer sites of smectites are likely to be unavailable.
In this paper we will present results from the application of a satellite infrared (IR) technique for estimating rainfall over northern South America. Our main objectives are to examine the diurnal variability of rainfall and to investigate the relative contributions from the convective and stratiform components. Estimates for Jan-Apr. 1999 will be presented for a large (30 by 50 degree) area that includes the Amazon Basin and the LBA (Large Scale Biosphere Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia) study area. An analysis of the LBA raingage has begun, and results from the analysis of the gage-derived diurnal cycle will be compared to the satellite estimates. Also, we hope to perform a comparison of results with LBA case studies of mesoscale convective systems using TOGA (Tropical Oceans and Global Atmosphere) and S-bands radars. Future calibration of the IR technique using rain estimates from TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) is anticipated.
In this paper we will present results from the application of a satellite infrared (IR) technique for estimating rainfall over northern South America. Our main objectives are to examine the diurnal variability of rainfall and to investigate the relative contributions from the convective and stratiform components. Estimates for Jan-Apr. 1999 will be presented for a large(30 by 50 degree) area that includes the Amazon Basin and the Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere (LBA) study area. An analysis of the LBA raingage has begun, and results from the analysis of the gage-derived diurnal cycle will be compared to the satellite estimates. See the attached figure for preliminary results. Also, we hope to perform a comparison of results with LBA case studies of mesoscale convective systems using TOGA and S-bands radars. Future calibration of the IR technique using rain estimates from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) is anticipated.
Measurements of chlorine monoxide in the stratosphere over Thule, Greenland (73.6 N, 68.4 W) were made quasi-continuously during the period February 8 to March 24, 1992, using a high-sensitivity ground based mm-wave spectrometer. These observations give diurnal, short term, and long term changes in the mixing ratio and vertical distribution of ClO. At an equivalent time after the Antarctic winter solstice, very large concentrations (up to approximately 1.5 ppbv) occur in lower stratospheric ClO, resulting in massive ozone destruction. We saw no evidence for large (approximately 1 top 1.5 ppbv) amounts of ClO in the 16-25 km range over Thule in February or March, in agreement with UARS (satellite) observations by the MLS mm-wave spectrometer for this period, and in marked contrast to UARS/MLS and ER-2 aircraft measurements over northern Europe and eastern Canada, respectively, during January, 1992. We have evidence for smaller enhancements (approximately 0.2 to 0.5 ppbv) in the 18-30 km range during late February-early March, which could result from transport of residual low NO2 air following earlier polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) processing (the last of which occurred at least one month earlier, however) or the result of chemical processing by Pinatubo aerosols. Direct influence of Pinatubo aerosols on Arctic ozone during the spring of 1992 has been difficult to assess, and this enhancement of low-altitude ClO might be a significant indicator of aerosol effects.
Remote sensing of surface properties and estimation of clear-sky and surface albedo generally assumes that the albedo depends only on the solar zenith angle. The effects of dew, frost, and precipitation as well as evaporation and wind can lead to some systematic diurnal variability resulting in an asymmetric diurnal cycle of albedo. This paper examines the symmetry of both surface-observed albedos and top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) albedos derived from satellite data. Broadband and visible surface albedos were measured at the Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program Southern Great Plains Central Facility, at some fields near the ARM site, and over a coniferous forest in eastern Virginia. Surface and wind conditions are available for most cases. GOES-8 satellite radiance data are converted to broadband albedo using bidirectional reflectance functions and an empirical narrowband-to-broadband relationship. The initial results indicate that surface moisture has a significant effect and can change the albedo in the afternoon by 20% relative to its morning counterpart. Such effects may need to be incorporated in mesoscale and even large-scale models of atmospheric processes.
High zenith-angle North/South telescopes viewing equatorially and at midlatitudes through 40 MWE of atmosphere have been operating at Mawson since early 1968. It is evident that a sidereal semi-diurnal component of galactic origin has been observed, over and above a possible spurious component proposed by Nagashima, arising from a bi-directional component of the solar anisotropy. Although a very pronounced reduction in the semi-diurnal galactic response followed the reversal of polarity of the solar main field during 1969 to 1971, so far the observations indicate that there has been no recurrence of a larger galactic response following the reversal of polarity around 1981. The possible role of the latitudional extent lambda omicron of the wavy neutral sheet is discussed.
Aerosols play an important role in atmospheric dynamics, climate variations, and Earth's energy cycle by altering the radiation balance in the atmosphere through interaction with clouds, providing fertilizer for forests and canopy, and as a supply of iron to the ocean over long time periods. Studies suggest that much of the feedback between dust aerosols and dynamics is associated with diurnal and synoptic scale variability. However, the lack of sub-daily resolution of aerosols from satellite observations makes it difficult to study the diurnal characteristics, especially over tropical and subtropical regions. Investigation of this topic utilizes over 37 years of simulated global aerosol products from NASA atmospheric reanalysis, in the second Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA-2) data set, available from NASA Goddard Earth Science Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC). MERRA-2 covers the period 1980-present, and is continuing as an ongoing climate analysis. Aerosol assimilation is included throughout the period, using data from MODIS, MISR, AERONET, and AVHRR (in the pre-EOS period). The aerosols are assimilated using the MERRA-2 aerosol model, which interacts directly with radiation parameterization, and is radiatively coupled with atmospheric model dynamics in the Goddard Earth Observing System Model, Version 5 (GEOS-5). Hourly, monthly, and monthly diurnal data are available at spatial resolution of 0.5o x 0.625o (latitude x longitude). By using MERRA-2 hourly and monthly diurnal products, different aerosol diurnal variabilities are observed over North America, Africa, Asia, and Australia, that may be due to different meteorological conditions and aerosol sources. The presentation will also provide an overview of MERRA-2 data services at GES DISC, such as how to find and download data, and how to quickly visualize and analyze data online with Giovanni.
The first microwave measurements of an electronically excited molecular species in the Earth's atmosphere are presented. Local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) rotational line emission from mesospheric O2(1-del(sub g)) was observed at a frequency of 255.01794 GHz (lambda is approx. 1.2 mm), employing the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) millimeter facility at Kitt Peak, Arizona (32 N, 111 W). The pressure broadened line shapes of the O2(1-del(sub g)) spectra, which were obtained in January and April 1992 and in January and November 1993, are inverted to retrieve O2(1-del(sub g)) mixing profiles over the 50-70 km altitude region. The observed daytime abundances exceed ozone abundances in the lower mesosphere, which are separately retrieved with coincident O3 spectral line (249.7886 GHz) observations. The January and November 1993 observations are binned into 20-60 min time intervals to study O2(1-del(sub g)) diurnal behavior. Derived abundances of O2(1-del(sub g)) between 50 and 70 km for the four observation dates are 9%, 31%, 3%, and 26%, respectively, each +/- 10% higher than predicted, based on the simple photochemistry of lower mesospheric O2(1-del(sub g)). Modeled variation of [O2(1-del(sub g))] with time of day agrees with observed variation in that the observed difference between model and data abundances is constant throughout the daylight hours of each observation date. Model underprediction Of [02(lAg)] is consistent with similar model underprediction of mesospheric [O3]. A perturbation to the photochemical model that forces decreased ozone chemical loss brings brings both model [O3] and [O2(1-del(sub g))] into agreement with the observations. O2(1-del(sub g)) abundances derived from these 1.2 mm observations agree with [O2(1-del(sub g))] values derived from comparable SME observations of the 1.27 micrometers emission, with assumption of a 3880 sec O2(1-del(sub g)) radiative lifetime. The 6800 sec O2(1-del(sub g)) radiative lifetime proposed by Mlynczak and Nesbitt is ruled out by the similar comparison.
Total vertical column amounts of NO have been derived from infrared solar absorption spectra recorded near sunrise and sunset with the 0.01 per cm resolution Fourier transform interferometer at the national Solar Observatory on Kitt peak (elevation 2095 m, latitude 31.9 degrees N) on February 23, 1981. The results show an increase in NO concentration in the morning, late afternoon values about 40 percent higher than in the morning, and a decrease in NO concentration prior to sunset. The measured diurnal changes in the total vertical column amount are compared with values obtained from time-dependent photochemical calculations.
Over 10 years of continuous data from the Special Sensor microwave Imager (SSM/I) aboard a series of Defense Department satellites has made it possible to construct regional rainfall climatologies at high spatial resolution. Using the Goddard Profiling Algorithm (GPROF), monthly estimates of precipitation were made over the region of northern Brazil, including the Amazon Basin, for 1987 to 1998. GPROF is a physical approach to passive microwave precipitation retrieval, which uses the Goddard Cumulus Ensemble (cloud) model to establish prior probability densities of precipitation structures. Precipitation fields from GPROF were stratified into morning and evening satellite overpasses, and accumulated at monthly intervals at 0.5 degree spatial resolution. Important diurnal effects were noted in the analysis, the most pronounced being a land/sea breeze circulation along the northern coast of Brazil and a mountain/valley circulation along the Andes. There were also indications of morning rainfall maxima along the major rivers, and evening maxima between the rivers. The addition of simultaneous geosynchronous infrared (IR) data leads to the current technique, which takes advantage of the 30 minute sampling and 4 km spatial resolution of the infrared channel and the better physics of the microwave retrieval. The resultant IR method is subsequently used to derive the diurnal variability of rainfall over the Amazon basin, and further, to investigate the relative contribution from its convective and stratiform components.