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At least 1,405 records · Page 78
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Visual Orbits of Spectroscopic Binaries with the CHARA Array. III. HD 8374 and HD 24546

We present the visual orbits of two long-period spectroscopic binary stars, HD 8374 and HD 24546, using interferometric observations acquired with the CHARA Array and the Palomar Testbed Interferometer. We also obtained new radial velocities from echelle spectra using the APO 3.5 m and Fairborn 2.0 m telescopes. By combining the visual and spectroscopic observations, we solve for the full, three-dimensional orbits and determine the stellar masses and distances to within 3% uncertainty. We then estimate the effective temperature and radius of each component star through Doppler tomography and spectral energy distribution analyses, in order to compare the observed stellar parameters to the predictions of stellar evolution models. For HD 8374, we find masses of M {sub 1} = 1.636 ± 0.050M {sub ⊙} and M {sub 2} = 1.587 ± 0.049M {sub ⊙}, radii of R {sub 1} = 1.84 ± 0.05R {sub ⊙} and R {sub 2} = 1.66 ± 0.12R {sub ⊙}, temperatures of T{sub eff1}=7280±110 K and T{sub eff2}=7280±120 K, and an estimated age of 1.0 Gyr. For HD 24546, we find masses of M {sub 1} = 1.434 ± 0.014M {sub ⊙} and M {sub 2} = 1.409 ± 0.014M {sub ⊙}, radii of R {sub 1} = 1.67 ± 0.06R {sub ⊙} and R {sub 2} = 1.60 ± 0.10R {sub ⊙}, temperatures of T{sub eff1}=6790±120 K and T{sub eff2}=6770±90 K, and an estimated age of 1.4 Gyr. HD 24546 is therefore too old to be a member of the Hyades cluster, despite its physical proximity to the group.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Evaluating SWAT + model uncertainties for human and natural outcomes: Application in a Great Lakes agricultural watershed

Nutrient exports from agricultural lands in the Great Lakes Region pose significant threats to water quality and ecological health through eutrophication, hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms. Climate change and agricultural adaptation practices complicate future nutrient loading due to intensified hydrologic cycles and land use decisions. Our research focuses on evaluating the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) plus model parametric uncertainties for human and natural outcomes across different scales. These factors are integral to ensuring a balance between productive agricultural practices and maintaining the health of watershed hydrology. However, uncertainties in modeling such complex interactions pose significant challenges, limiting our ability to precisely determine critical factors that influence crop yield and soil moisture. Our analysis employs Sobol global sensitivity analysis to evaluate first-order, second order, and total-order indices for SWAT crop growth parameter, ensuring comprehensive assessment of individual and interactive effects on model outputs. The objective is to identify the parameters that significantly affect model outputs for crop yield and soil moisture and improve our understanding of their interactions at the basin and hydrological response unit (HRU) scale. Our case study, the Portage River Watershed, which drains into Lake Erie, is chosen to better capture finer scale interactions crucial for predicting nutrient loading under future climate scenarios. This foundational work is aimed at setting the stage for the future development of an agent-based model (ABM). The ABM model would incorporate SWAT outputs to dynamically simulate decision-making processes.

Bunyon, Enock↗
NASA NTRS1973

Optical tracking telescope compensation

In order to minimize the effects of parameter variations in the dynamics of an optical tracking telescope, a model referenced parameter adaptive control system is described that - in conjunction with more traditional forms of compensation - achieves a reduction of rms pointing error by more than a factor of six. The adaptive compensation system utilizes open loop compensation, closed loop compensation, and model reference compensation to provide the precise input to force telescope axis velocity to follow the ideal velocity.

Gilbart, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Lunar shape via the Apollo laser altimeter.

The laser altimeter data obtained from the Apollo 15 and Apollo 16 missions provide two elevation cross sections of the moon separated by 35 degrees of latitude. The data consist of measurements of the distance from the orbiting Command and Service Module (CSM) to the lunar surface at intervals of about 20 seconds. In order to extract the lunar shape parameters from the data, the position of the CSM must be known. This was accomplished by reducing the data from earth-based radio tracking of the CSM. The most striking result obtained in the studies is the consistency of the center of gravity offset in both the X and Y directions.

Sjogren, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Survey of adaptive control using Liapunov design

A survey of the literature in which Liapunov's second method is used in determining the control law is presented, with emphasis placed on the model-tracking adaptive control problem. Forty references are listed. Following a brief tutorial exposition of the adaptive control problem, the techniques for treating reduction of order, disturbance and time-varying parameters, multivariable systems, identification, and adaptive observers are discussed. The method is critically evaluated, particularly with respect to possibilities for application.

Lindorff, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Ultrasonic dispersion (delta V/V) determined from mechanical resonance frequency shifts

With standing wave ultrasonic techniques, small changes in phase velocity which result from changes in some external parameter (e.g., temperature or magnetic field) have traditionally been determined by observing shifts in the mechanical resonance frequency of a composite resonator. Some previous investigators have assumed that the fractional change in velocity is equal to the fractional change in frequency. Substantially improved formulas for determining the dispersion are presented and one of these is shown to be much more accurate than all previous approximations. The results of simulated and actual experiments over wide ranges of dispersion, transducer loading parameter, and frequency are analyzed in order to compare the errors inherent in the various approximations.

Moerner, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Ultrasonic dispersion determined from mechanical resonance frequency shifts

With standing wave ultrasonic techniques, small changes in phase velocity which result from changes in some external parameter (e.g., temperature or magnetic field) have traditionally been determined by observing shifts in the mechanical resonance frequency of a composite resonator. Some previous investigators have assumed that the fractional change in velocity is equal to the fractional change in frequency. We discuss quantitatively the errors involved in such an approach, showing that it leads to substantial inaccuracies when the loading effect of the transducer(s) cannot be neglected. Substantially improved formulas for determining the dispersion are presented and one of these is shown to be much more accurate than all previous approximations. The results of simulated and actual experiments over wide ranges of dispersion, transducer loading parameter, and frequency are analyzed in order to compare the errors inherent in the various approximations.

Moerner, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Pulsation of double-mode Cepheids and comments on the problem of Cepheid masses

The double mode Cepheids are stars, found near the low luminosity end of the Population I Cepheid strip, which display a mixture of modes where the longer of the two periods is between two and four days. It is usually assumed that the mixture is composed of fundamental and first harmonic modes. In order to obtain the various physical parameters for the double mode Cepheids, the pulsation constant, Q, is determined in the period-mean-density relation for realistic stellar models, by making use of a linearized nonadiabatic analysis. By studying a large number of models that obey a variety of mass luminosity relations, simple fitting formulas for the pulsation constants are obtained.

King, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Bonded orthotropic strips with cracks

The elastostatic problem for a nonhomogeneous plane which consists of two sets of periodically arranged dissimilar orthotropic strips is considered. First, the problem of cracks fully imbedded into the homogeneous strips is considered. Then, the singular behavior of the stresses for two special crack geometries is studied in some detail. The first is the case of a broken laminate in which the crack tips touch the interfaces. The second is the case of cracks crossing the interfaces. A number of numerical examples are worked out in order to separate the primary material parameters influencing the stress intensity factors and the powers of stress singularity, and to determine the trends regarding the influence of the secondary parameters. Finally, some numerical results are given for the stress intensity factors in certain basic crack geometries and for typical material combinations.

Delale, F.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Stress intensity factors for bonded orthotropic strips with cracks

The elastostatic problem for a nonhomogeneous plane which consists of two sets of periodically arranged dissimilar orthotropic strips is considered. It is assumed that the plane contains a series of collinear cracks perpendicular to the interfaces and is loaded in tension away from and perpendicular to the cracks. Cracks fully imbedded into the homogenous strips were analyzed as well as the singular behavior of the stresses for two special crack geometries. The analysis of cracks crossing interfaces indicates that, for certain orthotropic material combinations, the stress state at the point of intersection of a crack and an interface may be bounded. A number of numerical examples are worked out in order to separate the primary material parameters influencing the stress intensity factors and the powers of stress singularity, and to determine the trends regarding the influence of the secondary parameters.

Delale, F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Critical analysis of nitramine decomposition data: Activation energies and frequency factors for HMX and RDX decomposition

A summary of a literature review on thermal decomposition of HMX and RDX is presented. The decomposition apparently fits first order kinetics. Recommended values for Arrhenius parameters for HMX and RDX decomposition in the gaseous and liquid phases and for decomposition of RDX in solution in TNT are given. The apparent importance of autocatalysis is pointed out, as are some possible complications that may be encountered in interpreting extending or extrapolating kinetic data for these compounds from measurements carried out below their melting points to the higher temperatures and pressure characteristic of combustion.

Schroeder, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Effects of the gaseous and liquid water content of the atmosphere on range delay and Doppler frequency

When high precision is required for range measurement on Earth space paths, it is necessary to correct as accurately as possible for excess range delays due to the dry air, water vapor, and liquid water content of the atmosphere. Calculations based on representative values of atmospheric parameters are useful for illustrating the order of magnitude of the expected delays. Range delay, time delay, and phase delay are simply and directly related. Doppler frequency variations or noise are proportional to the time rate of change of excess range delay. Tropospheric effects were examined as part of an overall consideration of the capability of precision two way ranging and Doppler systems.

Flock, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Analysis and design of an adaptive multi-loop controlled two winding buck/boost regulator

Small signal low frequency linear average model is derived for a multi-loop controlled two-winding buck/boost converter employing average techniques and the describing function method. The model reveals that a well-designed multi-loop control can provide a second-order zero adaptive to output filter parameter changes due to component tolerances, temperature changes, aging, and the effect of duty cycle modulation. It also can provide stabilization effect by shifting the positive zero to the left-half S-plane. Design guidelines are formulated to optimize regulator-loop dependent characteristics.

Mahmoud, M. F.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Autoignition characteristics of aircraft-type fuels

An investigation was conducted of the ignition delay characteristics of five liquid hydrocarbon fuels in air. The test apparatus developed permitted independent variation and control of temperature, pressure, air flow rate, and fuel/air ratio in order that the effects of each parameter could be investigated independently. All of the fuels tested behaved in a predictable manner, that is, ignition delay time decreased as temperature, pressure, and fuel/air ratio increased. The results for the different fuels tested (Jet-A, MP-4, No. 2 diesel, ERBS, and cetane) were directly comparable, since it can be shown that the fuel spray characteristics from the multiple conical tube injector are relatively insensitive to small changes in fuel properties (viscosity, surface tension, and density).

Spadaccini, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Thermal perturbation of the Sun

Thermal perturbations of the solar convection zone can be modeled (to the first order) by perturbing the mixing length parameter alpha (equal to the ratio of the mixing length to the pressure scale height) used in the standard mixing length theory of convection. Results of such an analysis are presented and discussed in relation to recent work by others.

Twigg, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The production of drops by the bursting of a bubble at an air liquid interface

The fundamental mechanism arising during the bursting of a bubble at an air-liquid interface is described. A single bubble was followed from an arbitrary depth in the liquid, up to the creation and motion of the film and jet drops. Several phenomena were involved and their relative order of magnitude was compared in order to point out the dimensionless parameters which govern each step of the motion. High-speed cinematography is employed. The characteristic bubble radius which separates the creation of jet drops from cap bursting without jet drops is expressed mathematically. The corresponding numerical value for water is 3 mm and agrees with experimental observations.

Darrozes, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The extension of OB star winds to lower luminosities

Mass loss rates for a number of early-to-mid-B main-sequence stars are compared with extrapolations of recently derived empirical correlations between M and stellar parameters for luminous OB stars. The order of magnitude of the rates for the B stars is consistent with a simple dependence on luminosity over the range from Of to mid-B, and is not consistent with previously derived correlations involving a dependence on mass or radius, which implies that luminosity is the dominant factor in driving the mass loss throughout the range of spectral types from mid-B main-sequence to Of. The winds in Be stars may represent a straightforward extension of the OB wind phenomenon to lower luminosities, and there appears to be no significant difference between B and Be stars in terms of their wind characteristics.

Snow, T. P., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The photospheric velocity field of Procyon

Balloon-borne Ultraviolet Stellar Spectrometer observations of the profiles of two well observed spectral lines in the ultraviolet spectrum of Alpha CMI (Procyon; F5IV-V) are analyzed with a Fourier transform method in order to determine values of various parameters of the velocity field of the upper photosphere. A microturbulent line-of-sight velocity component of 0.9 + or - 0.4 km/s, a macroturbulent velocity component of 5.3 + or - 0.2 km/s, and a rotational velocity component of 10.0 + or - 1.2 km/s were determined. In these calculations a single-moded sinusoidal isotropic macroturbulent velocity function was assumed. The result appears to be sensitive to the assumed shape of the macroturbulence function.

De Jager, C.↗