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NASA NTRS1979

Numerical results for the thermal scattering functions

A recent formulation in radiative transfer defined the thermal scattering functions that characterize radiative transfer from a general plane-parallel finite medium driven solely by an internal distribution of thermal sources. Exiting diffuse intensities are expressed as space convolutions of the thermal scattering functions with any thermal source distribution. A parametric study is presented to obtain the basic structure of these scattering functions. The independent variables of these azimuthally independent functions are the direction cosine and source location, while the parameters are the single-scattering albedo, total optical depth, and the asymmetry factor in the Henyey-Greenstein phase function. The basic functional trends are discussed by using various parametric plots, and selected results are given to allow numerical checks. The computational method is invariant imbedding.

Cogley, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

High resolution atmospheric transmission calculations down to 28.7 km in the 200-243-nm spectral range

Decrease in stratospheric ozone absorption and increase in oxygen absorption with decreasing wavelength combine to produce a window of maximum atmospheric transmission near 210 nm. Since solar radiation in this spectral region dissociates molecular oxygen, the deep atmospheric penetration at this wavelength is of particular aeronomical interest. High resolution calculations of the transmittance down to 28.65 km were made for the 200-243-nm spectral range in this window region, in support of a stratospheric balloon flight from Fort Churchill in July 1974. The calculations were made by dividing the atmosphere into layers which were chosen so that each could be assumed homogeneous; optical depths were calculated separately for each of these layers and then summed to obtain the over-all transmittance of the atmosphere. Absorption by molecular oxygen (line and continuum) and by ozone was included, as well as extinction through Rayleigh scattering by air molecules. The calculated transmittances were combined with high altitude (above 100-km) rocket measurements of the sun-center spectrum and center-to-limb variations to give residual high resolution solar spectral flux for several altitudes and solar zenith angles.

Cann, M. W. P.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Modification of solar lines propagating through the interplanetary medium

The optical depths of the solar H Lyman-alpha and the He 584-A lines in interplanetary space are calculated. From these the solar line profiles at Saturn and Uranus are determined. It is found that the solar H Lyman-alpha line can be diminished strongly within a spectral region of less than 0.2 A from the line center. On the other hand, there is no significant absorption of the He 584-A line except in the downwind region, where absorption occurs within a spectral region of about 0.04 A. The effects of solar line modification on planetary and interplanetary glow observations are discussed.

Wu, F. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Spatially resolved methane band photometry of Jupiter. I - Absolute reflectivity and center-to-limb variations in the 6190-, 7250-, and 8900-A bands. II - Analysis of the south equatorial belt and south tropical zone reflectivity

Spatially resolved measurements of the absolute reflectivity and center to limb variations of Jupiter in the 6190, 7250 and 8900 A methane bands and nearby continuum regions are presented and analyzed for the south equatorial belts (SEBs) and south tropical zone (STrZ). It is found that the polar hoods, equatorial zone, Red Spot and north tropical zone have highest methane reflectivities, with the temperate zones and polar regions having low reflectivity and the STrZ and SEBs having intermediate values. The data on the SEB and STrZ are analyzed in terms of diffuse reflecting-scattering and two-cloud models of the vertical distribution of aerosols in the Jovian atmosphere. To fit observations, the STrZ cloud top must have between 0.55 and 0.43 bar total pressure and optical depth between 1.5 and 2.5. The reflecting-scattering models are not suitable for the SEBs. The SEB upper cloud is deeper, cloud thickness is less and the lower cloud is deeper than in the STrZ. A forward scattering haze layer accounts for limb darkening in the continuum.

West, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Infrared and optical measurements of the ionized gas in K3-50

Results are reported for optical, near-IR, and mid-IR spectrophotometry of the compact H II region K3-50A. The emission-line observations imply an electron density of about 100,000 per cu cm; the consistency of density measurements in the optical, IR, and radio sources suggests that the optical counterpart of K3-50A is a reflection nebula. Previous measurements of the anomalous extinction law in K3-50A are confirmed, this law is extended out to B-alpha at 4 microns, and a 9-micron optical depth of about 2.5 is obtained. Elemental abundances are derived from measurements of emission lines of several dominant ions of the same element and found to be in close agreement (50%) with mean cosmic abundances. Individual ionic ratios are compared with model H II region calculations to determine the nature of the ionizing radiation. It is concluded that if nongray UV dust absorption does not modify the spectrum appreciably, the radiation temperature can be associated with a stellar surface temperature of about 37,000 K, corresponding to an O6 supergiant.

Lester, D. F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Star formation at a front - Far-infrared observations of AFGL 333

Far-infrared maps of AFGL 333 at 50 and 100 microns with 40 arsec resolution are presented. The observed luminosity of about 14,000 suns, together with previous radio continuum observations, indicates that the source is powered by a B0.5 zero-age main-sequence star. The relatively low molecular density of about 1000 per cu cm inferred from the observed dust optical depth probably implies that AFGL 333 is not as young as the other H II/infrared objects, W3(A) and W3(OH), in the W3/W4 system.

Thronson, H. A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Development of solar cycle 21 observed in EUV spectrum and atmospheric absorption

The results of AE-C and AE-E satellite observations of solar EUV irradiance and atmospheric absorption at wavelengths from 140 to 1850 A, which reflect unexpectedly large differences between the past solar cycle (20) and the present one (21), are discussed. While observations of the oxygen-dissociating solar UV flux above 1230 A show at most a 10% change between the two periods, the EUV minimum at other wavelengths was found to occur 14 months before the sunspot minimum, with a magnitude considerably greater in cycle 21 than in developing cycle 20. During the period of cycle transition, observed irradiance values did not correlate with conventional activity indices. Measurements of UV attenuation reveal no increase of optical depths around 300 km, indicating no corresponding rises in atmospheric density or temperature. The results are considered to present a major challenge to aeronomical models.

Hinteregger, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The emission-line spectrum of 3C 48

The spectrum and absolute energy distribution of the quasar 3C 48 are analyzed, yielding the following results. The forbidden lines are blueshifted with respect to the permitted lines by 600 km/s. The Balmer lines can be decomposed into a narrow and a broad component, with the narrow component having the redshift of the forbidden lines. The Mg II profile fits well the broad components of H-beta and H-gamma along with the Fe II profiles, and the forbidden O II profile fits well the profiles of forbidden O III and higher-ionization forbidden lines. The spatial coverage in the broad-line region is large, ranging from 0.1 to 0.4, and the optical depth at the Lyman limit is much greater than unity; the electron density is greater than 10 million per cu cm. The forbidden-line region has a lower density (less than 1 million per cu cm) and is subdivided into a low-excitation (forbidden O II) and high-excitation (forbidden O III) zone. The helium abundance appears to be normal.

Thuan, T. X.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Frontal systems during passage of the Martian north polar hood over the Viking Lander 2 site prior to the first 1977 dust storm

Analysis of a 12-sol period of wind speed, wind direction, temperature, pressure, and optical depth at the Viking Lander 2 site presents the first in situ evidence of high- and low-pressure systems, complete with fronts, on the surface of Mars. The discovery of these systems in the Lander data occurred while analyzing a period during which the north polar hood was advected over the site at midday, dramatically decreasing the surface illumination and surface-to-atmospheric heat flux. This obscuration immediately preceded a global dust storm in the southern hemisphere and low latitudes of the northern hemisphere. The direct effects of the dust storm, reached 48 N, the Lander 2 latitude, later more gradually than they reached the 22 deg N latitude of Lander 1. The system responsible for the polar hood passages is a major disturbance, and it appears that radiational damping is inadequate to stop strong frontal formation. The front analyzed is characteristic of a repetitive series of systems that pass roughly every 3.3 sols. These systems are similar to those predicted by theoretical analyses and by general circulation modeling of the Martian atmosphere and those observed in laboratory experiments.

Tillman, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Nature of the ultraviolet absorber in the Venus clouds - Inferences based on Pioneer Venus data

Several photometric measurements of Venus made from the Pioneer Venus orbiter and probes indicate that solar near-ultraviolet radiation is being absorbed throughout much of the main cloud region, but little above the clouds or within the first one or two optical depths. Radiative transfer calculations were carried out to simulate both Pioneer Venus and ground-based data for a number of proposed cloud compositions. This comparison rules out models invoking nitrogen dioxide, meteoritic material, and volatile metals as the source of the ultraviolet absorption. Models involving either small (approximately 1 micrometer) or large (approximately 10 micrometers) sulfur particles have same serious difficulties, while ones invoking sulfur dioxide gas appear to be promising.

Pollack, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Radiative amplification of sound waves in the winds of O and B stars

The velocity perturbation associated with an outwardly propagating sound wave in a radiation-driven stellar wind gives rise to a periodic Doppler shifting of absorption lines formed in the flow. A linearized theory applicable to optically thin waves is used to show that the resulting fluctuation in the absorption-line force can cause the wave amplitude to grow. Detailed calculations of the acceleration due to a large number of lines indicate that significant amplification can occur throughout the high-velocity portion of winds in which the dominant force-producing lines have appreciable optical depths. In the particular case of the wind of Zeta Pup (O4f), it is found that the e-folding distance for wave growth is considerably shorter than the scale lengths over which the physical properties of the flow vary. A qualitative estimate of the rate at which mechanical energy due to nonlinear waves can be dissipated suggests that this mechanism may be important in heating the supersonic portion of winds of early-type stars.

Macgregor, K. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Cosmic far-ultraviolet background radiation - Probe of a dense hot intergalactic medium

Line and continuum radiation fluxes have been computed for a wide range of enriched intergalactic medium (IGM) models. Observations of the diffuse extragalactic light at optical and far-ultraviolet wavelengths are found to provide a potentially important probe of a dense hot intergalactic medium. If the diffuse X-ray background is produced by this gas, the models constrain the cosmological density parameter (Omega) to be less than 0.4. The associated Compton distortions of the cosmic blackbody background radiation and the optical depths to distant quasars at X-ray wavelengths are also evaluated.

Sherman, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Two-stream theory of reflectance of snow

Spectral reflectance of snow under diffuse illumination is studied using the two-stream approximation of the radiative transfer equation. The scattering and absorption parameters of the radiative transfer equation - the single scattering albedo, the optical depth, and the integrated phase function are obtained from the grain size and density of snow. Analytical expressions for the intensity within the snowpack, the reflectance, and the asymptotic flux extinction coefficient, are given. Good agreement is shown between the theory and available experimental data on visible and near-infrared reflectance, and the asymptotic flux extinction coefficient. The theory may also be used to explain the observed effect of aging on the snow reflectance.

Choudhury, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Theory of the intercluster medium

A set of computer models for the evolution of intercluster matter (ICM) in expanding cosmologies which includes processes of electron impact ionization/excitation, radiative and dielectronic recombination, thermal bremsstrahlung, Compton scattering, and photoionization is presented. The thermal, ionization, and excitation histories of major constituents were found as functions of time, and predictions of emission spectra, the possible distortions of the cosmic 3 K microwave background, and optical depths of absorption troughs in QSO continua at various redshifts were obtained. It is concluded that the present Friedmann cosmology can be dominated by hot intercluster matter which would contain H and He in their cosmic ratio and traces of heavier elements. For a narrow range of parameters it is possible to generate cosmologies with a closure density of ICM which do not exceed the diffuse X-ray measurements. In open cosmologies distortion of the 3 K microwave background occurs, while closed cases show negligible change from the unperturbed spectrum.

Sherman, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Asymmetries of the emission lines of QSOs, Seyfert galaxies, and novae

Calculations of the anisotropy of line emission from photoionized clouds, and the resulting asymmetry in the line profiles are discussed. The permitted emission-line profiles of Seyfert galaxies and QSO's often contain more light in the red than in the violet wing, and this asymmetry can arise from self-absorption of the line radiation in an expanding system of optically thick clouds. It is shown that the Balmer line optical depths are large enough to give strongly asymmetric line profiles for pure expansion, but the observed lack of strong asymmetry in the Balmer lines of most Seyfert galaxies suggests that the broad-line widths may result from random motions, or that clouds radiate isotropically. It is concluded that the frequently observed absorption of the violet wing of Lyman-alpha must occur in a surrounding region undergoing systematic outflow, or that the weakness of the Balmer line asymmetries is explained by the Balmer line emission resulting from collisional excitation from n=2.

Ferland, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

International planetary patrol observations of Saturn's rings. II - Four color phase curves and their analysis

New phase curves for Saturn's rings at an intermediate tilt angle B of about 17 deg are presented. Quantitative results for each of the A and B rings are reported in terms of the opposition effect, phase coefficient, and best logarithmic fit to the phase curve. There was no significant difference between the shape of the phase curves for the two rings in each of the four colors, and a four-parameter multiple scattering model of the rings was consistent with the observations. In this model, the difference in the phase curves for different colors can be explained by a variation in the single scattering albedo with wavelength. The observations allow the particles to have the same composition in the A and B rings, so that their different photometric behavior is explained by differences in optical depth and volume density in the two rings.

Esposito, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Properties and effects of dust particles suspended in the Martian atmosphere

Direct measurements of the optical depth above the two Viking landers are presented for a period covering the summer, fall, and winter seasons in the Northern Hemisphere, a time period during which two global dust storms occurred. The data are used to define the properties of suspended dust particles in the Martian atmosphere and to assess their role in a number of meteorological and geological processes. Major conclusions are that (1) both the radiative effects of dust particles and the thermodynamical effects of large-scale atmospheric motions have a significant impact on the vertical temperature structure; (2) Pertinent feedback effects play an important part in the generation of some local dust storms, in the expansion of local dust storms to global proportions, and in the subsequent decay of global dust storms; (3) An important mechanism for the removal of dust particles from the atmosphere is the CO2 condensation-sedimentation process; and (4) that the polar laminae are constructed from atmospheric dust and water ice is hypothesized.

Pollack, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Radiative transfer in spherical shell atmospheres. III - Application to Venus

A method for partitioning the radiance emerging from a planetary atmosphere in proportion to the average number of scatterings in each atmospheric layer is applied to Venus in order to account for the various atmospheric levels which contribute to the radiance. A backward Monte Carlo technique is used to calculate core and continuum radiances for the P(16) line of the 8689-A CO2 band for various phase angles and colatitudes in a realistic model of the Venus atmosphere. Effective temperatures for the radiance are defined in two ways, both of which are shown to vary little with phase angles up to 120 deg, and fall rapidly beyond this point, in accordance with spectroscopic results. Temperature increases on the order of 7 K and 10 K are found going from the core of the line to the continuum for colatitudes of 90 and 20 deg, respectively, and the effective temperature is calculated to decrease from equator to pole. An effective optical depth is also defined, which, together with the concepts of effective temperature and effective height, is considered to bring a more fundamental understanding of the concept of level of line formation.

Kattawar, G. W.↗