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At least 1,351 records · Page 75

Icy Galilean satellite reflectance spectra - Less ice on Ganymede and Callisto?

An evaluation of reflectance spectra of the icy Galilean satellites, taking account of the depth of the 3-micron fundamental water ice absorption feature and the shorter wavelength bands, suggests lower ice abundances for Ganymede and Callistro than previously supposed, provided that the ice is segregated from the nonicy material. Data are consistent with a 50 percent areal coverage of ice on Ganymede and 10 percent on Callistro, the rest of the surface being covered by carbonaceous chondrite-like material with strong 3-micron absorption due to bound water. The analysis indicates a homogeneous icy surface for Europa, and the possible presence on all three objects of small quantities of surface sulfuric acid.

Spencer, John R.↗

System architecture of a gallium arsenide one-gigahertz digital IC tester

The design for a 1-GHz digital integrated circuit tester for the evaluation of custom GaAs chips and subsystems is discussed. Technology-related problems affecting the design of a GaAs computer are discussed, with emphasis on the problems introduced by long printed-circuit-board interconnect. High-speed interface modules provide a link between the low-speed microprocessor and the chip under test. Memory-multiplexer and memory-shift register architectures for the storage of test vectors are described in addition to an architecture for local data storage consisting of a long chain of GaAs shift registers. The tester is constructed around a VME system card cage and backplane, and very little high-speed interconnect exists between boards. The tester has a three part self-test consisting of a CPU board confidence test, a main memory confidence test, and a high-speed interface module functional test.

Fouts, Douglas J.↗

Modeling the Milky Way in the infrared

The spatial distribution of stars in the Milky Way is modeled using an exponential disk with the addition of a de Vaucouleurs (1958, 1977, and 1979) R exp 1/4 spheroid. The present model is compared to 2-2.5-micron star counts and surface-brightness data and to IRAS 12-micron source counts. The data are consistent with a flattened bulge; it is maintained that a fraction of the bulge population has a considerable infrared excess.

Garwood, Robert↗

The plasma wave environment of an auroral arc. III - VLF hiss

Auroral hiss in the vicinity of a quiet arc is studied by comparing the data obtained from a sounding rocket with predictions of the convective beam amplification (CBA) model of auroral hiss generation. It is concluded that the VLF auroral hiss observed by the payload appears to have been natural in origin. The CBA model produces predicted hiss spectra that are in good agreement with the data. The hiss intensity above the ionosphere was greater equatorward of the arc than within the arc; this pattern appears to be the result of emission geometry and refraction. Hiss intensity was not found to be better correlated with 0.1-0.7 keV fluxes than with more energetic electrons. No evidence is found for a three-wave parametric decay process. The data are consistent with a weak hiss source located at an altitude of 110-120 km.

Bering, E. A.↗

Stochastic estimation of conditional eddies in turbulent channel flow

Several long-standing issues regarding linear estimation and coherent structures are addressed, and some questions that were addressed partially, but never with the benefit of full, three-dimensional information are answered. The objectives were to: determine how well linear estimates approximate the field obtained by true conditional averaging, using events such as those in quadrant analysis; determine the extent to which the three-dimensional linearly estimated fields correspond to coherent structures, and the degree and manner in which they differ; evaluate the type and nature of the structural information gained by employing several different types of events; and learn more about the 3-D structure of important coherent motions that occur in wall turbulence. The results indicate that linear stochastic estimation can be used effectively in the study of numerical data bases consisting of three-dimensional vector fields, both velocity and vorticity. Two-point stochastic estimation yields more structural information and more detail than single-point estimation. The structures observed occurred repeatedly within the flow, but much can not be said about their dominance or the probability of their occurrence without further systematic studies of their frequency.

Adrian, R. J.↗

Crustal deformation in Great California Earthquake cycles

A model in which coupling is described approximately through a generalized Elsasser model is proposed for computation of the periodic crustal deformation associated with repeated strike-slip earthquakes. The model is found to provide a more realistic physical description of tectonic loading than do simpler kinematic models. Parameters are chosen to model the 1857 and 1906 San Andreas ruptures, and predictions are found to be consistent with data on variations of contemporary surface strain and displacement rates as a function of distance from the 1857 and 1906 rupture traces. Results indicate that the asthenosphere appropriate to describe crustal deformation on the earthquake cycle time scale lies in the lower crust and perhaps the crust-mantle transition zone.

Li, Victor C.↗

The directivity of high-energy emission from solar flares - Solar Maximum Mission observations

The data base consisting of flares detected by the gamma-ray spectrometer (GRS) on board the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite is used to study the directivity of high-energy radiation. A number of observations are presented that, strongly indicate that the high-energy emission from flares is anisotropic. They are the following: (1) the fraction of events detected at energies above 300 keV near the limb is higher than is expected for isotropically emitting flares; (2) there is a statistically significant center-to-limb variation in the 300 keV to 1 MeV spectra of flares detected by the SMM GRS; (3) the 25-200 keV hard X-ray spectra measured during the impulsive phase by the SMM GRS show a center-to-limb variation; and (4) nearly all of the events detected at above 10 MeV are located near the limb.

Vestrand, W. Thomas↗

VLBI observations of 23 hot spots in the starburst galaxy M82

The simultaneous 2.3 and 8.4 GHz VLBI observations of 23 hot spots in the nuclear region of M82 presented indicate the presence of six hot spots at 2.3 GHz, but only one at 8.4 GHz. Attention is given to a mapping of the brightest hot spot, 41.9+58, at 2.3 GHz, which exhibits a complex brightness distribution whose angular width in the NE-SW direction is 45 mas at the 10-percent contour. These data are consistent with the hot spots in M82 being powerful SNRs, with ages between about 10 and 300 yr.

Bartel, Norbert↗

A study of cell electrophoresis as a means of purifying growth hormone secreting cells

Growth hormone secreting cells of the rat anterior pituitary are heavily laden with granules of growth hormone and can be partialy purified on the basis of their resulting high density. Two methods of preparative cell electrophoresis were investigated as methods of enhancing the purification of growth hormone producing cells: density gradient electrophoresis and continuous flow electrophoresis. Both methods provided a two- to four-fold enrichment in growth hormone production per cell relative to that achieved by previous methods. Measurements of electrophoretic mobilities by two analytical methods, microscopic electrophoresis and laser-tracking electrophoresis, revealed very little distinction between unpurified anterior pituitary cell suspensions and somatotroph-enriched cell suspensions. Predictions calculated on the basis of analytical electrophoretic data are consistent with the hypothesis that sedimentation plays a significant role in both types of preparative electrophoresis and the electrophoretic mobility of the growth hormone secreting subpopulation of cells remains unknown.

Plank, Lindsay D.↗

Detection of the 2(20) to 2(21) transition of HDO in Orion A - Evidence for dense clumped gas in the hot core

Results of the first detection of the 10.3 GHz 2(20) to 2(21) transition of HDO in Orion A are presented. Two components of OMC-1 have been identified, a hot core and a spike component associated with the compact molecular ridge cloud. The hot core is modeled as having an effective radiation temperature of 350 K and an HDO column density of 8 x 10 to the 16th/sq cm. The spike component is best fitted by a column density in HDO of about 6 x 10 to the 15th/sq cm. The present data are consistent with clumping and with cloud collision models of maser excitation.

Petuchowski, S. J.↗

Superconductivity in the high-Tc Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O system - Phase identification

Four phases are observed in superconducting Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O samples. The superconducting phase, with onset temperature near 120 K, is a 15.4-A-layered compound with composition near Bi2Ca1Sr2Cu2O9 and an A-centered orthorhombic unit subcell 5.41 x 5.44 x 30.78 A. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy data are consistent with a structure of alternating perovskite and Bi2O2 layers. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images reveal a b-axis superstructure of 27.2 A, numerous (001) stacking faults, and other defects.

Hazen, R. M.↗

Jovian decametric arcs and Alfven currents

The Voyager Planetary Radio Astronomy (PRAD) experiment revealed prominent 'arcs' when the radio intensity at 1-40 MHz was displayed in time-frequency coordinates. These data are consistent with multiple currents flowing along longitudinally separated Jovian magnetic flux tubes, each current radiating conically at angles up to about 90 deg. The spacings between adjacent PRA arcs, and also between adjacent S burst arc segments observed at the Nancay Observatory, were analyzed and found to be so brief, less than 1-3 min, that either these currents and any associated Alfven waves survive for at least a few circulations of Jupiter by Io (a hypothesis independently supported by the observations of arcs at all Io phase angles), or each such Alfven current can radiate at several different cone-angles simultaneously (a hypothesis independently supported by the observation of such behavior in the S burst arcs).

Staelin, David H.↗

Optical and ultraviolet activity in RT Lacertae during 1985 and 1986

Continued monitoring of optical spectra of RT Lac, a peculiar RS CVn system, showed a large range of activity in the H-alpha line. At times, there was no excess emission or absorption, and at others, much. During active times, the excess emission varied greatly with phase and seemed to come from an extended region. Two UV observations, taken contemporaneously with optical spectra, also showed strong variations in the emission-line strengths. The data are consistent with intermittent mass transfer and imply that RT Lac is similar to other objects which have transient disks.

Huenemoerder, David P.↗

Distribution of Si II in the Galactic center

A map of the Galactic center region in the forbidden Si II 34.8-micron line is presented. The line emission arises from within the photodissociation region (PDR) associated with the neutral gas ring surrounding an ionized gas core confined within 2 pc of the Galactic center. Si II is a useful probe of the inner regions of the ring since it is always optically thin. The Si II data, when analyzed in conjunction with O I, C II, and molecular measurements, outlines the transition region between the PDR and the surrounding molecular cloud. The Si II emission is found to extend beyond that of the O II into the neutral gas ring. Although the interpretation is not unique, the data are consistent with a constant gas-phase abundance of silicon within the inner part of the PDR while the gaseous silicon is depleted by molecule formation in the transition region.

Graf, P.↗

Hybrid Analog/Digital Receiver

Advanced hybrid analog/digital receiver processes intermediate-frequency (IF) signals carrying digital data in form of phase modulation. Uses IF sampling and digital phase-locked loops to track carrier and subcarrier signals and to synchronize data symbols. Consists of three modules: IF assembly, signal-processing assembly, and test-signal assembly. Intended for use in Deep Space Network, but presumably basic design modified for such terrestrial uses as communications or laboratory instrumentation where signals weak and/or noise strong.

Brown, D. H.↗

Extinction and backscatter measurements of Antarctic PSC's, 1987: Implications for particle and vapor removal

The temperature dependence is examined of optical properties measured in the Antarctic during 1987 at the 70 mb level (near 18 km), a level chosen to correlate the results with in situ measurements made from the NASA-Ames ER-2 aircraft during the 1987 Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment (AAOE). The data set consists of extinction measurements by Sam 2 inside the Antarctic polar vortex from May to October 1987; and backscatter measurements by the UV-DIAL (Ultraviolet Differential Absorption Lidar) system aboard the Ames DC-8 aircraft during selected AAOE flights. Observed trends are compared with results from a revised version of Pole and McCormick's model to classify the PSC observations by Type (1 or 2) and infer the temporal behavior of the ambient aerosol and ambient vapor mixing ratios. The sample figures show monthly ensembles of the 70-mb Sam 2 extinction ratio (the ratio of aerosol or PSC extinction to molecule extinction) as a function of NMC temperature at the beginning (June) and (October) of the 1987 Antarctic winter. Both ensembles show two rather distinct clusters of points: one oriented in the near vertical direction which depicts the change with temperature of the ambient aerosol extinction ratio; and a second cluster oriented in the near horizontal direction whose position on the vertical scale marks a change in particle phase (i.e., PSC formation) and whose length (the extinction enhancement related to that of the ambient aerosol) is an indicator of PSC type.

Poole, L. R.↗

Studies of the dependence of the microwave radar cross section on ocean surface variables during the FASINEX experiment

The ability of theoretical radar cross section (RCS) models to predict the absolute magnitude of the ocean radar cross section under a wide variety of sea and atmospheric conditions was studied using experimental data from the FASINEX Experiment. This consists of RCS data from a Ku-band scatterometer mounted on an aircraft (10 separate flights were conducted), a wide variety of atmospheric measurements (including stress) and sea conditions. Theoretical models are tested. Where discrepancies are observed, revisions are hypothesized and evaluated.

Weissman, D. A.↗

Plant microfossil record of the terminal Cretaceous event in the western United States and Canada

Plant microfossils, principally pollen grains and spores produced by land plants, provide an excellent record of the terminal Cretaceous event in nonmarine environments. The record indicates regional devastation of the latest Cretaceous vegetation with the extinction of many groups, followed by a recolonization of the earliest Tertiary land surface, and development of a permanently changed land flora. The regional variations in depositional environments, plant communities, and paleoclimates provide insight into the nature and effects of the event, which were short-lived but profound. The plant microfossil data support the hypothesis that an abruptly initiated, major ecological crisis occurred at the end of the Cretaceous. Disruption of the Late Cretaceous flora ultimately contributred to the rise of modern vegetation. The plant microfossils together with geochemical and mineralogical data are consistent with an extraterrestrial impact having been the cause of the terminal Cretaceous event.

Nichols, D. J.↗