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122 records · Page 7

Interior structure of Uranus

Key measurements are discussed which are diagnostic of Uranus' interior structure and evolutionary history, and reviews their present status. Typical interior models have chondritic cores, but have the bulk of their mass in an envelope consisting of ice component, principally H2O. The total amount of free H2 in the planet cannot exceed approximately 1 to 2 earth masses. Measurements of the gravitational moments of Uranus are beginning to be accurate enough to constrain models, but are limited in utility by uncertainty in the rotation period. Discussed is evidence that the outermost planetary layers have a gravitationally significant quantity of denser material (ice component?) in addition to H2 and He. The He/H ratio and the deuterium abundance in the atmosphere may be diagnostic of the planet's previous evolutionary history. It is argued that the planet's interior is likely to now be at a temperature approximately 10(3) deg K. Uranus' interior with Neptune's in a number of ways, considering heat flow, degree of internal differentiation, and possible magnetic field.

Hubbard, W. B.↗

Stellar occultations by turbulent planetary atmospheres. I - A heuristic scattering model. II - The Beta Scorpii events

Effects of atmospheric turbulence on stellar-occultation inversion procedures are investigated using a heuristic scattering model that is believed to reproduce the essential features of turbulence. A quantitative estimate is made of the size of the error in deducing the mean refractivity profile of a planetary atmosphere, taking into account constant as well as exponential scattering. It is shown that ordinary turbulence has no important effect on the average intensity profile in a stellar occultation but could have an important instantaneous effect. A critical examination of possible manifestations of turbulent scattering during occultations of Beta Sco by Jupiter indicates that all observed phenomena during these events can be understood in terms of scintillations produced by turbulence.

Hubbard, W. B.↗

Observations of electron gyroharmonic waves and the structure of the Io torus

Narrow-banded emissions were observed by the Planetary Radio Astronomy experiment on the Voyager 1 spacecraft as it traversed the Io plasma torus. These waves occur between harmonics of the electron gyrofrequency and are the Jovian analogue of electrostatic emissions observed and theoretically studied for the terrestrial magnetosphere. The observed frequencies always include the component near the upper hybrid resonant frequency, (fuhr) but the distribution of the other observed emissions varies in a systematic way with position in the torus. A refined model of the electron density variation, based on identification of the fuhr line, is included. Spectra of the observed waves are analyzed in terms of the linear instability of an electron distribution function consisting of isotropic cold electrons and hot losscone electrons. The positioning of the observed auxiliary harmonics with respect to fuhr is shown to be an indicator of the cold to hot temperature ratio. It is concluded that this ratio increases systematically by an overall factor of perhaps 4 or 5 between the inner and outer portions of the torus.

Birmingham, T. J.↗

Mechanism of instabilities in turbulent combustion leading to flashback

High-speed schlieren cinematography, combined with synchronized pressure transducer records, was used to investigate the mechanism of combustion instabilities leading to flashback. The combustion chamber had an oblong rectangular cross-section to model the essential features of planar flow, and was provided with a rearward facing step acting as a flameholder. As the rich limit was approached, three instability modes were observed: (1) humming - a significant increase in the amplitude of the vortex pattern; (2) buzzing - a large-scale oscillation of the flame; and (3) chucking - a cyclic reformation of the flame, which results in flashback. The mechanism of these phenomena is ascribed to the action of vortices in the recirculation zone and their interactions with the trailing vortex pattern of the turbulent mixing layer behind the step.

Keller, J. O.↗

Pioneer 10 and 11 radio occultations by Jupiter

Results on the temperature structure of the Jovian atmosphere are reviewed which were obtained by applying an integral inversion technique combined with a model for the planet's shape based on gravity data to Pioneer 10 and 11 radio-occultation data. The technique applied to obtain temperature profiles from the Pioneer data consisted of defining a center of refraction based on a computation of the radius of curvature in the plane of refraction and the normal direction to the equipotential surface at the closest approach point of a ray. Observations performed during the Pioneer 10 entry and exit and the Pioneer 11 exit are analyzed, sources of uncertainty are identified, and representative pressure-temperature profiles are presented which clearly show a temperature inversion between 10 and 100 mb. Effects of zonal winds on the reliability of radio-occultation temperature profiles are briefly discussed.

Kliore, A. J.↗

Interior structure of Saturn

The principal observational data that constrain interior models of Saturn are summarized, and why they are relevant is explained. The behavior of hydrogen, Saturn's major constituent, at pressures on the order of 0.1 to 10 Mbar and temperatures on the order of 10,000 K, is discussed. Possible behavior and distributions of minor constituents are also considered, along with processes for their transport. Saturn's external gravitational and magnetic fields are interpreted in terms of interior structure, and the relationship between atmospheric zonal flows and the deep interior is discussed. The constraint imposed by tidal evolution considerations is evaluated. Calculations for the thermal evolution of Saturn are presented, both with and without consideration of possible gravitational unmixing. Possible scenarios for Saturn's mode of origin and their implications for presently observed atmospheric abundances are discussed.

Hubbard, W. B.↗

A chemical model for lunar non-mare rocks

Nearly all rocks returned from the moon are readily divided into three broad categories on the basis of their chemical compositions: (1) mare basalts, (2) non-mare rocks of basaltic composition (KREEP, VHA), and (3) anorthositic rocks. Only mare basalts may unambiguously be considered to have original igneous textures and are widely understood to have an igneous origin. Nearly all other lunar rocks have lost their original textures during metamorphic and impact processes. For these rocks one must work primarily with chemical data in order to recognize and define rock groups and their possible modes of origin. Non-mare rocks of basaltic composition have chemical compositions consistent with an origin by partial melting of the lunar interior. The simplest origin for rocks of anorthositic chemical composition is the crystallization and removal of ferromagnesian minerals. It is proposed that the rock groups of anorthositic and non-mare basaltic chemical composition could have been generated from a single series of original, but not necessarily primitive, lunar materials.

Hubbard, N. J.↗

A chemical model for lunar non-mare rocks

Nearly all rocks returned from the moon are readily divided into three broad categories on the basis of their chemical compositions: (1) mare basalts, (2) non-mare rocks of basaltic composition (KREEP, VHA), and (3) anorthositic rocks. Only mare basalts may unambiguously be considered to have original igneous textures and are widely understood to have an igneous origin. Nearly all other lunar rocks have lost their original textures during metamorphic and impact processes. It is shown that for these rocks one must work primarily with chemical data in order to recognize and define rock groups and their possible modes of origin. Non-mare rocks of basaltic composition have chemical compositions consistent with an origin by partial melting of the lunar interior. The simplest origin for rocks of anorthositic chemical composition is the crystallization and removal of ferromagnesian minerals. It is proposed that the rock groups of anorthositic and non-mare basaltic chemical composition could have been generated from a single series of original but not necessarily primitive lunar materials.

Hubbard, N. J.↗

Theoretical quasar emission-line ratios. VIII - Implications of free-free emission for QSO clouds

A range of simple theoretical models is presented which explores the effects of high densities in the broad-line clouds on near-IR free-free emission. These calculations demonstrate in a qualitiative way that large near-IR fluxes can result from high densities without compromising the observed hydrogen line spectrum. It is suggested that high density in the emission-line region provides a plausible explanation of several features seen in the spectra of QSOs and active galaxies, including (1) the 3-micron bump and/or the near-IR spectral break seen in many QSOs, (2) the low observed Pa-alpha broad-line fluxes seen in some objects, and (3) the highly depressed Br-gamma broad-line fluxes seen in active galaxies. It is also found that free-free emission in such clouds can be an important coolant.

Puetter, R. C.↗

The occultation of 28 Sgr by Titan

We present a comprehensive analysis of data obtained during the 1989 July 3 occultation of 28 Sgr by Titan. The data set includes 23 lightcurves from 15 separate stations, spanning wavelengths from 0.36 to 0.89 micron. A detailed model of the structure of Titan's atmosphere in the altitude range 250 to 450 km is developed, giving the distribution of temperature, pressure, haze optical depth, and zonal wind velocity as a function of altitude and latitude. Haze layers detected in Titan's stratosphere are about one scale height higher than inferred from Voyager data, and show a wavelength dependence indicative of particle sizes on the order of 0.1 micron. A marked north-south dichotomy in haze density is observed with a transition to lower density south of about -20 deg latitude. Zonal wind speeds are inferred from global distortions from spherical symmetry and are of the order of 100 m/s with significant increase toward higher latitudes. Titan's high atmosphere shows substantial axial symmetry; the position angle of the symmetry axis is equal to the position angle of Saturn's spin axis to within about 1 deg.

Hubbard, W. B.↗

Statistical mechanics of light elements at high pressure. VII - A perturbative free energy for arbitrary mixtures of H and He

A model free energy is presented which accurately represents results from 45 high-precision Monte Carlo calculations of the thermodynamics of hydrogen-helium mixtures at pressures of astrophysical and planetophysical interest. The free energy is calculated using free-electron perturbation theory (dielectric function theory), and is an extension of the expression given in an earlier paper in this series. However, it fits the Monte Carlo results more accurately, and is valid for the full range of compositions from pure hydrogen to pure helium. Using the new free energy, the phase diagram of mixtures of liquid metallic hydrogen and helium is calculated and compared with earlier results. Sample results for mixing volumes are also presented, and the new free energy expression is used to compute a theoretical Jovian adiabat and compare the adiabat with results from three-dimensional Thomas-Fermi-Dirac theory. The present theory gives slightly higher densities at pressures of about 10 megabars.

Hubbard, W. B.↗

Preliminary Measurements of the Noise Characteristics of Some Jet-Augmented-Flap Configurations

Experimental noise studies were conducted on model configurations of some proposed jet-augmented flaps to determine their far-field noise characteristics. The tests were conducted using cold-air jets of circular and rectangular exits having equal areas, at pressure ratios corresponding to exit velocities slightly below choking. Results indicated that the addition of a flap to a nozzle may change both its noise radiation pattern and frequency spectrum. Large reductions in the noise radiated in the downward direction are realized when the flow from a long narrow rectangular nozzle as permitted to attach to and flow along a large flap surface. Deflecting or turning the jet flow by means of impingement on the under surfaces increases the noise radiated in all directions and especially in the downward direction for the jet-flap configurations tested. Turning of the flow from nozzles by means of a flap turns the noise pattern approximately an equal amount. The principle of using a jet-flap shield with flow attachment may have some application as a noise suppressor.

Maglieri, Domenic J.↗

Temperature of the atmosphere of Jupiter from Pioneer 10/11 radio occultations

Radio-occultation data from the Pioneer 10 and 11 flybys are analyzed using an integral inversion technique combined with a model for Jupiter's shape based on gravity data in order to account for the oblateness of the planet's atmosphere. The inversion technique defines the center of refraction in terms of the radius of curvature and the normal to the equipotential surface at the closest approach point of the ray. An Abelian inversion of the data obtained during the Pioneer 10 entry, the Pioneer 10 exit, and the Pioneer 11 exit is performed by fixing the center of refraction at some average value for each occultation event. The results for all three measurements are found to be consistent and to show a temperature inversion between the 10-mb and the 100-mb levels, with temperatures of 130 to 170 K at 10 mb and 80 to 100 K at 100 mb. Major sources of error are discussed, and it is concluded that the range of reasonable temperature uncertainties at these levels does not exceed 40 K. It is noted that the temperature inversion was also inferred from Pioneer 10 IR radiometric data.

Kliore, A. J.↗

A Predictive Model for Lake Chad Total Surface Water Area Using Remotely Sensed and Modeled Hydrological and Meteorological Parameters and Multivariate Regression Analysis

Lake Chad is an endorheic lake in the Sahel region of Africa at the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. The lake, which is well known for its dramatic decrease in surface area during the 1970s and 1980s, experiences an annual flood resulting in a maximum total surface water area generally during February or March, though sometimes earlier or later. People along the shores of Lake Chad make their living fishing, farming, and raising livestock and have a vested interest in knowing when and how extensive the annual flooding will be, particularly those practicing recession farming in which the fertile ground of previously flooded area is used for planting crops. In this study, the authors investigate the relationship between lake and basin parameters, including rainfall, basin evapotranspiration, lake evapotranspiration, lake elevation, total surface water area, and the previous year’s total surface water area, and develop equations for each dry season month (except November) linking total surface water area to the other parameters. The resulting equations allow the user to estimate the December average monthly total surface water area of the lake in late November, and to make the estimates for January to May in early December. Based on the results of a Leave One Out Cross Validation analysis, the equations for lake area are estimated to have an average absolute error ranging from 5.3 percent (for February estimates) to 7.6 percent (for May estimates).

Lake Chad↗