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At least 145 records · Page 8

A survey for rapid variability among early main-sequence A stars

A survey of nonpeculiar early (A0-A5) main-sequence A stars for rapid, low-amplitude variability is presented. The survey is also an independent test of the main-sequence mass-loss theory proposed by Willson et al. (1986). All observations were gathered with the University of Wisconsin Two-Star Photometer. Several period-searching methods are used to analyze time series of differential-photometric data. This instrument coupled with a computerized high-speed data collection system was used with small telescopes at Pine Bluff Observatory and Table Mountain Observatory. Several period-search methods are used to analyze time series of differential-photometric data. This instrument and data-reduction technique allow millimagnitude light variations to be detected. The survey also discovered several low-amplitude Delta Sct stars, all of which are in or blueward of the recognized instability strip.

Schutt, Randy L.↗

New Raman Water Vapor and Temperature Lidar at JPL Table Mountain Facility: Optimization, Validations and Sonde Intercomparison

Jet Propulsion Laboratory currently operates lidar systems at Table Mountain Facility (TMF), California (34.4 deg N, 117.7 deg W at 2300m) and Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO), Hawaii (19.5 deg N, 155.6 deg W at 3400m) under the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC, formerly NDSC). To complement existing NDACC lidars at TMF, which acts as a primary site for inter-comparisons, a new water vapor and temperature lidar has begun routine operation with typically 3-4 nightly profiles per week. As water vapor is a key greenhouse gas, and is highly variable on annual and seasonal cycles, accurate long term measurements are necessary for predictions of climate change and to increase our understanding of the atmospheric processes it contributes to. The new TMF lidar has demonstrated high spatial and temporal resolution, with a high degree of optimization being achieved over the past year, although the authors believe further improvement may yet be possible. The lidar has been designed for accuracies of 5% up to 12km in the free troposphere with the capability to measure to the tropopause and lower stratosphere with accuracies of 1 ppm. It is anticipated that the data sets produced will be used for Aura validation and for incorporation into NDACC archives. Validation results for the optimized system are presented with intercomparisons using Vaisala RS92-K radiosondes.

water vapor↗

The Earth Model Column Collaboratory (EMC2) v1.1: An Open-Source Ground-Based Lidar and Radar Instrument Simulator and Subcolumn Generator for Large-Scale Models

Climate models are essential for our comprehensive understanding of Earth's atmosphere and can provide critical insights on future changes decades ahead. Because of these critical roles, today's climate models are continuously being developed and evaluated using constraining observations and measurements obtained by satellites, airborne, and ground-based instruments. Instrument simulators can provide a bridge between the measured or retrieved quantities and their sampling in models and field observations while considering instrument sensitivity limitations. Here we present the Earth Model Column Collaboratory (EMC2), an open-source ground-based lidar and radar instrument simulator and subcolumn generator, specifically designed for large-scale models, in particular climate models, but also applicable to high-resolution model output. EMC2 provides a flexible framework enabling direct comparison of model output with ground-based observations, including generation of subcolumns that may statistically represent finer model spatial resolutions. In addition, EMC2 emulates ground-based (and air- or space-borne) measurements while remaining faithful to large-scale models' physical assumptions implemented in their cloud or radiation schemes. The simulator uses either single particle or bulk particle size distribution lookup tables, depending on the selected scheme approach, to perform the forward calculations. To facilitate model evaluation, EMC2 also includes three hydrometeor classification methods, namely, radar- and sounding-based cloud and precipitation detection and classification, lidar-based phase classification, and a Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project Observational Simulator Package (COSP) lidar simulator emulator. The software is written in Python, is easy to use, and can be straightforwardly customized for different models, radars, and lidars. Following the description of the logic, functionality, features, and software structure of EMC2, we present a case study of highly supercooled mixed-phase cloud based on measurements from the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) West Antarctic Radiation Experiment (AWARE). We compare observations with the application of EMC2 to outputs from four configurations of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) climate model (ModelE3) in single-column model (SCM) mode and from a large-eddy simulation (LES) model. We show that two of the four ModelE3 configurations can form and maintain highly supercooled precipitating cloud for several hours, consistent with observations and LES. While our focus is on one of these ModelE3 configurations, which performed slightly better in this case study, both of these configurations and the LES results post-processed with EMC2 generally provide reasonable agreement with observed lidar and radar variables. As briefly demonstrated here, EMC2 can provide a lightweight and flexible framework for comparing the results of both large-scale and high-resolution models directly with observations, with relatively little overhead and multiple options for achieving consistency with model microphysical or radiation scheme physics.

Earth Model Column Collaboratory↗

How Special Are Dark Gamma-Ray Burst: A Diagnostic Tool

We present here a comprehensive study of the optical/near-infrared (IR) upper limits for gamma-ray bursts that have an X-ray afterglow. We have extrapolated the X-ray afterglows to optical wavelengths based on the physics of the fireball blast wave model and compared these results with optical upper limits for a large sample of bursts. We find a small set of only three bursts out of a sample of 20 for which the upper limits are not compatible with their X-ray afterglow properties within the context of any blast wave model. This sparse sample does not allow us to conclusively determine the cause of this optical/near-IR deficit. Extinction in the host galaxy is a likely cause, but high redshifts and different afterglow mechanisms might also explain the deficit in some cases. We note that the three bursts appear to have higher than average gamma-my peak fluxes. In a magnitude versus time diagram the bursts are separated from the majority of bursts with a detected optical/near-IR afterglow. However, two gamma- ray bursts with an optical afterglow (one of which is highly reddened) also fall in this region with dark bursts, making it likely that dark bursts are at the faint end of the set of optically detected bursts, and therefore the dark bursts likely form a continuum with the bursts with a detected optical afterglow. Our work provides a useful diagnostic tool for follow-up observations for potentially dark bursts; applied to the events detected with the Swift satellite, it will significantly increase our sample of truly dark bursts and shed light upon their nature. Subject headings: dust, extinction - gamma rays: bursts Online material: machine-readable tables

Rod, Evert↗

An intercomparison of airborne PAN measurements

Results are reported on the performance of the NASA and NCAR PAN measurement instruments during the NASA Global Tropospheric Experiment Chemical Instrumentation Test and Evaluation 2 (CITE 2) mission in August-September 1986. Both PAN instruments employ the electron-capture gas chromatography approach for detection and are calibrated using a liquid PAN standard in a diffusion tube. Details of the instrument design, experimental protocols, and CITE 2 test flights are discussed, and the results are presented in extensive tables and graphs. It is found that the NASA and NCAR instruments agreed to within about 17 parts per trillion by volume (pptv) when the PAN mixing ratio was below 100 pptv and to within about 25 percent when the mixing ratio was 100-300 pptv.

Gregory, Gerald L.↗

An optical catalog of quasi-stellar objects

A catalog containing the basic optical information on all QSOs which have been certainly identified, meaning that redshifts have been measured (complete to August 1976), is given. Included are the coordinate designations, other names, equatorial coordinates, visual magnitudes, (U-B) and (B-V) colors, emission-line redshifts, emission lines detected in the optical spectrum, absorption-line redshifts, and references for finding charts, absorption- and emission-line redshifts, and photometry and polarimetry for 633 QSOs and four BL Lacertae objects. Cross-reference tables are provided for finding coordinate designations of objects known by noncoordinate names.

Burbidge, G. R.↗

The potential of expert systems for remote sensing

The use of expert systems for the interpretation of remote-sensing data is discussed. Expert-system architectures are described; the systems in use, under development, or proposed in various scientific and industrial fields are listed in a table; and three image-interpretation systems are briefly characterized. It is found that expert systems have the potential to perform repetitive interpretation of image data compiled from various remote-sensing satellites, especially to detect changes over time as in the case of deforestation. A system comprising an image interpreter, change interpreter, a cause interpreter, and a global data base is outlined and illustrated with a diagram.

Mooneyhan, D. W.↗

Rocketdyne Safety Algorithm: Space Shuttle Main Engine Fault Detection

The Rocketdyne Safety Algorithm (RSA) has been developed to the point of use on the TTBE at MSFC on Task 4 of LeRC contract NAS3-25884. This document contains a description of the work performed, the results of the nominal test of the major anomaly test cases and a table of the resulting cutoff times, a plot of the RSA value vs. time for each anomaly case, a logic flow description of the algorithm, the algorithm code, and a development plan for future efforts.

Norman, Arnold M., Jr.↗

A Natural Way to Stay Sweet

A revolutionary, low-calorie sugar is now available to the food and beverage market, offering an all-natural alternative to table sugar and artificial sweeteners. Tagatose, a sugar that appears in nature in small quantities, began its unusual journey to the commercial market nearly 30 years ago, when Dr. Gilbert V. Levin invented a life detection experiment to place aboard NASA s Mars Viking 1 and Viking 2 landers. The experiment involved using radiation-laced nutrients to determine the presence of microbial life in Martian soil samples.

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Ground radar detection of meteoroids in space

A special test to lower the detection threshold for satellite fragments potentially dangerous to spacecraft was carried out by NORAD for NASA, using modified radar software. The Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System, a large, planar face, phased radar, operates at a nominal 430 MHz and produces 120 pulses per second, 45 of which were dedicated to search. In a time period of 8.4 hours of observations over three days, over 6000 objects were detected and tracked of which 37 were determined to have velocities greater than escape velocity. Six of these were larger objects with radar cross sections greater than 0.1 sq m and were probably orbiting satellites. A table gives the flux of both observed groups.

Kessler, D. J.↗

Illustration of the use of modal assurance criterion to detect structural changes in an Orbiter test specimen

The analysis of empirical modal models of structural components using techniques based on the modal assurance criterion (MAC) defined by Ewins (1984) is discussed and demonstrated for the case of the Space Shuttle Orbiter aft bulkhead. Modal models of the bulkhead are constructed before and after environmental acoustic tests equivalent to 30 or 100 missions and compared (by computing their MACs) to detect significant structural changes; subdivision of the modal vector followed by computation of the MAC for each part is used to localize the changes. Numerical data demonstrating the usefulness of the MAC approach are presented in tables and diagrams.

West, Walter M.↗

Radio continuum observations of early- and late-type spiral galaxies

Two complete subsamples of early and late type spiral galaxies were mapped with the VLA in order to explore their radio and optical properties. The choice of the samples is explained, and the observational procedure and data reduction are described. The detection rate was 97 percent, with a detection limit of the order of 1-2 mJy. Total intensity data at 20 cm are presented for the whole sample, and 6 cm data for 11 galaxies. The results are presented in the form of tables and radio contour maps, and are discussed in comparison with previous work.

Gioia, Isabella M.↗

2005 AG20/20 Annual Review

Topics covered include: Implementation and Validation of Sensor-Based Site-Specific Crop Management; Enhanced Management of Agricultural Perennial Systems (EMAPS) Using GIS and Remote Sensing; Validation and Application of Geospatial Information for Early Identification of Stress in Wheat; Adapting and Validating Precision Technologies for Cotton Production in the Mid-Southern United States - 2004 Progress Report; Development of a System to Automatically Geo-Rectify Images; Economics of Precision Agriculture Technologies in Cotton Production-AG 2020 Prescription Farming Automation Algorithms; Field Testing a Sensor-Based Applicator for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Application; Early Detection of Citrus Diseases Using Machine Vision and DGPS; Remote Sensing of Citrus Tree Stress Levels and Factors; Spectral-based Nitrogen Sensing for Citrus; Characterization of Tree Canopies; In-field Sensing of Shallow Water Tables and Hydromorphic Soils with an Electromagnetic Induction Profiler; Maintaining the Competitiveness of Tree Fruit Production Through Precision Agriculture; Modeling and Visualizing Terrain and Remote Sensing Data for Research and Education in Precision Agriculture; Thematic Soil Mapping and Crop-Based Strategies for Site-Specific Management; and Crop-Based Strategies for Site-Specific Management.

Ross, Kenton W.↗

The Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document for Tidal Corrections

This Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document deals with the tidal corrections that need to be applied to range measurements made by the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS). These corrections result from the action of ocean tides and Earth tides which lead to deviations from an equilibrium surface. Since the effect of tides is dependent of the time of measurement, it is necessary to remove the instantaneous tide components when processing altimeter data, so that all measurements are made to the equilibrium surface. The three main tide components to consider are the ocean tide, the solid-earth tide and the ocean loading tide. There are also long period ocean tides and the pole tide. The approximate magnitudes of these components are illustrated in Table 1, together with estimates of their uncertainties (i.e. the residual error after correction). All of these components are important for GLAS measurements over the ice sheets since centimeter-level accuracy for surface elevation change detection is required. The effect of each tidal component is to be removed by approximating their magnitude using tidal prediction models. Conversely, assimilation of GLAS measurements into tidal models will help to improve them, especially at high latitudes.

Fricker, Helen A.↗

Advanced composites: Fabrication processes for selected resin matrix materials

This design note is based on present state of the art for epoxy and polyimide matrix composite fabrication technology. Boron/epoxy and polyimide and graphite/epoxy and polyimide structural parts can be successfully fabricated. Fabrication cycles for polyimide matrix composites have been shortened to near epoxy cycle times. Nondestructive testing has proven useful in detecting defects and anomalies in composite structure elements. Fabrication methods and tooling materials are discussed along with the advantages and disadvantages of different tooling materials. Types of honeycomb core, material costs and fabrication methods are shown in table form for comparison. Fabrication limits based on tooling size, pressure capabilities and various machining operations are also discussed.

Welhart, E. K.↗

Exploratory flutter test in a cryogenic wind tunnel

The feasibility of flutter testing in cryogenic wind tunnels is investigated experimentally in tests on a rigid solid-metal rectangular-planform aspect-ratio-1.5 NACA 64A010 wing model with an integral flexible beam support, cantilever mounted to the wall of the 0.3-m transonic cryogenic tunnel at NASA Langley, at Mach numbers M = 0.5 and 0.8 and Reynolds numbers Re = (4.09-18.16) x 10 to the 6th. Best results are obtained when the onset of flutter (predicted by the peak-hold subcritical-response technique of Sandford et al., 1975) is approached by adjusting stagnation pressure while keeping M and the stagnation temperature constant. The data are presented in graphs and tables and discussed. It is found that Re effects on flutter cannot be separated from mass-ratio and temperature effects for a single test model and must be interpreted from analytical trends, and that the effects detected by this procedure are so small (4.0-6.5 percent) as to fall within the scatter band of the subcritical-response predictions.

Cole, S. R.↗

Tomographic Measurement Of Laser-Bored Holes

Nondestructive technique detects internal variations in arrays of small holes. Inspection method checks laser-bored holes for accuracy. Combines computed tomography and digital laminography. Both types of views made at many parallel planes within plate. System prints out tables of measured and standard deviation of diameter at all planes for each hole.

Willenberg, James D.↗

Safety Standard for Hydrogen and Hydrogen Systems: Guidelines for Hydrogen System Design, Materials Selection, Operations, Storage and Transportation

The NASA Safety Standard, which establishes a uniform process for hydrogen system design, materials selection, operation, storage, and transportation, is presented. The guidelines include suggestions for safely storing, handling, and using hydrogen in gaseous (GH2), liquid (LH2), or slush (SLH2) form whether used as a propellant or non-propellant. The handbook contains 9 chapters detailing properties and hazards, facility design, design of components, materials compatibility, detection, and transportation. Chapter 10 serves as a reference and the appendices contained therein include: assessment examples; scaling laws, explosions, blast effects, and fragmentation; codes, standards, and NASA directives; and relief devices along with a list of tables and figures, abbreviations, a glossary and an index for ease of use. The intent of the handbook is to provide enough information that it can be used alone, but at the same time, reference data sources that can provide much more detail if required.

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