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At least 1,369 records · Page 76
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NASA NTRS1974

D/H and O-18/O-16 ratios of H2O in the 'rusty' breccia 66095 and the origin of 'lunar water'

A number of the rocks brought back from the Apollo 16 mission had a faint 'rusty' coating. It has been suggested that this coating might be hydrated iron oxide. A study was conducted of a sample of the lunar rock 66095, on which the 'rusty' coating was particularly prominent. An analysis showed that the sample contained between 20 and 40 micromoles of water per gram of rock. Taking into account aspects of isotopic composition and other factors, it is concluded that the water found in the analysis is probably not of lunar origin.

Epstein, S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

On the origin of mascons and moonquakes

Hypotheses are proposed for the origin of mascons and moonquakes. It is noted that a horizontal transfer of magma is required to explain the mascons and that a basin which can fill with lava to a depth of about 20 km is necessary before mascon formation is possible. It is shown that hydrostatic equilibrium theories can account for the excess filling of lava in circular maria and that mascons will result when this process occurs in the presence of a thick rigid lithosphere. It is postulated that a cylindrical fault system extends through the lithosphere and surrounds the circular maria. In this case, the release of potential energy through the fault system would be adequate to explain moonquakes, their properties, and the clustering of the locations of lunar transient events around the circular maria.

Runcorn, S. K.↗
NASA NTRS1975

On the origin of ultraviolet constrasts on Venus

Models for the origin of the contrasts in the ultraviolet images of Venus are examined in an attempt to determine the physical differences between light and dark regions fundamental to a clear understanding of the apparent cloud motions. To evaluate the meaning of the wavelength dependence of the contrasts, an improved determination of the spherical albedo curve for Venus in the 0.225-1.06 micron range is made by fitting appropriate theoretical models to the observations of monochromatic magnitudes as a function of phase angle. It is shown that, because of differences between the spectral dependences of spherical albedo and contrasts, at least one major absorber other than the one causing the contrasts is almost certainly required. Several classes of models are compatible with present observational evidence. The contrasts and the absorption associated with them may in fact be occurring below, within or above the main visible cloud layer, and thus an unambiguous interpretation of the apparent cloud motions is not possible.

Travis, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Asymmetric adsorption by quartz - A model for the prebiotic origin of optical activity

One mechanism previously proposed for the abiotic accumulation of molecules of one chirality in nature is asymmetric adsorption on the chiral surfaces of optically active quartz crystals. Earlier literature in this field is reviewed, with the conclusion that previous investigations of this phenomenon, using optical rotation criteria, have afforded ambiguous results. We now have studied the adsorption of radioactive D- and L-alanine on powdered d- and l-quartz, using change in radioactivity level as a criterion for both gross and differential adsorption, d-Quartz preferentially adsorbed D-alanine from anhydrous dimethyl-formamide solution, and l-quartz L-alanine. The differential adsorption varied between 1.0 and 1.8%. The implications of these observations are discussed from the viewpoint of early chemical evolution and the origin of optically active organic compounds in nature.

Bonner, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Analysis of satellite data on energetic particles of ionospheric origin

The morphology was studied of precipitating O(+) and H(+) ions in the energy range 0.7 equal to or less than E equal to or less than 12 keV during the storm-time period from December 16-18, 1971, which encompassed two principal magnetic storms. The results are described with emphasis on the temporal variations of parameters characterizing the intensity, average energy, and spatial location of the zones of precipitation of the two ionic species. One of the principal results was the finding that the intensity of the precipitating O(+) ions was well correlated with the geomagnetic indices which measure the strength of magnetospheric substorm activity and the strength of the storm-time ring current. Since the O(+) ions are almost certainly of ionospheric origin the correlations indicate that a previously unknown strong coupling mechanism existed between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere during the storm period.

Sharp, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Theories of the origin and nature of the universe

The origin of life on earth is seen arising as a natural consequence of a long series of physical and chemical processes taking place in association with evolution of the universe. The present theory is that any premordial earth atmosphere, resulting from accumulation from the primitive solar nebula, was probably swept away by the very intensive T Tauri stage of the solar wind. Subsequently, the present atmosphere and oceans of the earth were outgassed from the interior. Biochemical components of the gases were mainly water vapor and carbon dioxide.

A. G. W. Cameron↗
NASA NTRS1975

The origin of the nonthermal radiation of quasi-stellar objects and galactic nuclei

The supermassive-star model for the origin of the nonthermal luminosity of quasars and nuclei of Seyfert galaxies is analyzed. In the general model, a moving magnetic field is the accelerating mechanism for ultrarelativistic particles and gravitational collapse is the energy source. Several specific models are considered for the magnetic field, including a frozen-in field that is twisted about the axis of a rotating supermassive star, a tightly wound magnetic spiral, and the rotating field of a giant pulsar. In the general model, an accelerating efficiency close to unity is assumed. However, it is found that observational and theoretical evidence indicate an accelerating efficiency of less than 0.01 for the specific magnetic-field models. Mass-loss rates of quasars and Seyfert nuclei are calculated on the basis of the lower efficiency value and found to be reasonable.

Opher, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions in the Allende meteorite - Evidence for a liquid origin

We have made a detailed examination of the mineralogy, textures, and assemblages of six calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAI) in the Allende meteorite. They can be classified into four types - hibonite-bearing, fassaite- and olivine-bearing, feldspathoid-bearing and fassaite-bearing CAI that are hibonite and olivine free. Examples of each type appear to have crystallized from a liquid rather than by agglomeration of solid nebular condensates. Some lines of evidence for a liquid origin are the presence of spherical and ovoid shapes and rims containing minerals that are more refractory than minerals inside the inclusion. Thermodynamic calculations and comparisons with liquidus phase diagrams indicate that the CAI could have been produced by direct condensation to metastable subcooled liquids that subsequently crystallized or by remelting of an equilibrium high-temperature condensate by impact. The diopside rims in some hibonite-bearing CAI and the paucity of metal in fassaite-olivine-bearing CAI are more consistent with direct condensation of a liquid.

Blander, M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Integrated investigation of the mixed origin of lunar sample 72161,11

The comminution-agglutination model and the solar-wind implantation-retention model are used to postulate the origins of the particulate components of lunar sample (72161,11), a submillimeter fraction of a surface sample for the dark mantle regolith at LRV-3. Grain-size analysis was performed by wet sieving with liquid argon, and analyses for CO2, CO, CH4, and H2 were carried out by stepwise pyrolysis in a helium atmosphere. The results indicate that the present sample is from a mature regolith, but the agglutinate content is only 30% in the particle-size range between 90 and 177 microns, indicating an apparent departure from steady state. Analyses of the carbon, methane, and hydrogen concentrations in size fractions larger than 149 microns show that the volume-correlated component of these species increases with increased grain size. It is suggested that the observed increase can be explained in terms of mixing of a dominant local population of coarser agglutinates having high carbon and hydrogen concentrations with an imported population of finer agglutinates relatively poor in carbon and hydrogen.

Basu, A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The origin of lunar craters

A review is presented of four hypotheses concerning the origin of lunar craters, taking into account the bubble hypothesis, the tide hypothesis, the volcanic hypothesis, and the impact hypothesis. A description is given of a series of experiments on impact craters and studies of a meteorite crater in Arizona are considered. It is concluded that the typical lunar craters can best be interpreted as impact craters.

Wegener, A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Observations of quiet-time interplanetary electron enhancements of Jovian origin

Electron data from Explorer 47 show a number of quiet-time enhancements in the intensity of interplanetary electrons over the energy range 0.22-2.5 MeV, lasting from 3 to 20 days both in the interplanetary medium and inside the magnetotail. The observed enhancements differ from those associated with solar electron events or magnetospheric bursts in their energy-time profiles and energy spectra, and in the presence of possible intensity fluctuations suggesting a periodicity. The energy spectra are not unlike those obtained in the vicinity of Jupiter by Pioneer 10. These observations, together with the fact that enhancements occurred during times when the earth could be magnetically connected to the magnetosphere of Jupiter, lead to the suggestion that the observed electrons may be of Jovian origin.

Krimigis, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Implications of time variations for the origin of low energy cosmic ray nitrogen and oxygen nuclei

Time variations have been observed in the quiet time intensities of 5-27 MeV/nuc nitrogen and oxygen and 13-25 MeV/nuc helium nuclei measured by spectrometers aboard IMPs 7 and 8. There is no significant correlation of the O variations with variations in the low intensity fluxes of 1-2 MeV solar protons, but the O intensity is well correlated with the modulation of galactic cosmic rays. These observations indicate that the enhanced low energy N and O fluxes are not of solar origin, and suggest that the acceleration mechanism required by the model of Fisk et al. (1974) must be located far enough from the sun that the singly charged ions, once accelerated, undergo considerable modulation in penetrating to 1 AU. Comparison of the time variations of He and O fluxes may yield information on the charge state of these nuclei, since these variations are strongly correlated and exhibit similar hysteresis effects when compared with the neutron monitor.

Mewaldt, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Solar modulation and a galactic origin for the anomalous component observed in low-energy cosmic rays

The current theory of solar modulation can be used to argue that the cosmic-ray component at low energies, which is observed to have an anomalous composition, is not of galactic origin, i.e., it is not a component of the galactic cosmic-ray flux. The current theory predicts, from quite general considerations, that an unreasonably large intensity of cosmic rays, by many orders of magnitude, would be required in the interstellar medium to account for the observed fluxes. Conceivably, the current modulation theory could be modified so that only reasonable interstellar fluxes are predicted. One such modification involves an unusual scheme for particle diffusion in the interplanetary medium. Particles are assumed to diffuse not as a result of their own motion among small-scale irregularities in the magnetic field, but rather in a process in which they are trapped between time-varying constrictions in the large-scale field.

Fisk, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

On the origin of molecular 'handedness' in living systems

Elementary particle effects (beta-decay) provide only a weakly handed radiation in the biologically effective energy ranges. Global magnetic effects coupled to sunlight are randomized by paleomagnetic reversals. A persistent terrestrial handed bias at possible local biopoetic sites offers a more promising explanation for the origin of the 'handedness' of the molecules found among living systems on earth. Magnetite in lava flows maintains a handed bias for surface catalysis through many magnetic reversals. Indirect evidence for the hypothesis that magnetite contaminated with sulfur is a possible biopoetic site (Granick, 1957) has been provided by the molecular structure of ferredoxin - a single strand of the 14 primordial amino acids wrapped around an FeS core. Lava flows have been suggested as biopoetic sites by Fox (1964), since their temperature and chemical composition might allow for the rapid synthesis of prebiotic compounds at the surface of the primitive earth. The additional fact that magetite in lava flows also provides a persistent handed site for surface catalysis offers a further argument for the experimental investigation of this specific biopoetic environment.

Noyes, H. P.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Venus' night side ionosphere - Its origin and maintenance

A substantial nightside ionosphere has been observed on Venus by both Mariner 5 and Mariner 10. Major dayside ionic species such as O2(+) and other molecular ions have chemical lifetimes much shorter than the 244.3-day rotation period of the planet. Rapid transport of ions from the dayside to the nightside to the extent required seems most unlikely. Consequently, possibilities are investigated for local production of ions on the nightside itself. Constraints imposed by chemical lifetimes require atomic ions with low ionization potentials. It is suggested that metallic ions of meteoric origin are the positive charge carriers, and the plausibility of this mechanism is demonstrated. Other possibilities are examined and shown to be less likely. Meteor ablation on Venus, the aeronomy of metallic species, and the role of negative ions near the electron peaks of the atmosphere are discussed.

Butler, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Analysis of satellite data on energetic particles of ionospheric origin

The principal result of this program has been the completion of a detailed statistical study of the properties of precipitating O(+) and H(+) ions during two principal magnetic storms. The results of the analysis of selected data of ion mass spectrometer experiment on satellites are given with emphasis on the morphology of the O(+) ions of ionospheric origin with energies in the 0.7 les than or equal to E less than or equal to 12 keV range that were discovered with this experiment.

Sharp, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The morphology and origin of Hadley Rille, the moon

Hadley Rille is directly related to the emplacement of mare basalts in Palus Putredinis. Existing hypotheses of sinuous rille origin are in discord with the cooling behavior of deep lava flows and the strength of materials. It is proposed that Hadley Rille is a channel which returned lava to the southern vent from which it initially extruded and that the channel persisted through many episodes of volcanism. This view is supported by available topographic information obtained by the lunar orbiter photography and the Apollo 15 mission.

Brewer, T.↗
NASA NTRS1977

On the origin of the Bangui magnetic anomaly, central African empire

A large magnetic anomaly was recognized in satellite magnetometer data over the Central African Empire in central Africa. They named this anomaly the Bangui magnetic anomaly due to its location near the capital city of Bangui, C.A.E. Because large crustal magnetic anomalies are uncommon, the origin of this anomaly has provoked some interest. The area of the anomaly was visited to make ground magnetic measurements, geologic observations, and in-situ magnetic susceptibility measurements. Some rock samples were also collected and chemically analyzed. The results of these investigations are presented.

Marsh, B. D.↗