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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,441 records · Page 80
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Rotational relaxation contributions to infrared pressure broadening in ozone

The time-resolved IR double-resonance spectroscopy apparatus and procedures described by Millot et al. (1988) are used to measure the relaxation times of rotational levels in the v3 =1 state of O3. Findings reported include (1) total rotational cross sections about 20-70 percent larger than the Lennard-Jones collision cross section, consistent with an interaction dominated by dipole-dipole forces; (2) equal relaxation cross sections in the upper and lower vibrational states; (3) an estimated pressure-broadening cross section of 185 sq A, with less than 10 percent due to dephasing; (4) no strong Ka dependence of rotational relaxation rates at Ka = 4-8 in J of about 16; (5) a rate for J = 8 and Ka = 7 about 40 percent larger than the other values measured, in agreement with the pressure-broadening model of Gamache and Rothman (1985); and (6) a V-V energy-transfer rate between v3 = 1 and v1 = 1 of (2.5 + or - 0.5) x 10 to the 6th/torr sec.

Flannery, C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Microgravity enhances the relative contribution of visually-induced motion sensation

Visually-induced self-motion sensation and postural reflexes were first explored in microgravity on the Spacelab 1 mission where four subjects demonstrated that visual orientation effects were stronger in microgravity than preflight. Extended testing of two more subjects during the Spacelab D-1 orbital flight confirmed this finding. The development of visual substitution for inappropriate graviceptor information occurs over the first day or two in microgravity. Additional instrumentation to measure postural reactions failed to produce a more reliable indicator of visual effects than subjective orientation. Localized tactile cues applied to the feet changed the qualitative nature of vection and reduced its subjective strength.

Young, L. R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

An assessment of the meteoritic contribution to the Martian soil

The flux of meteoritic material at Mars was assessed and the perturbations to the indigenous soil produced by the addition of meteoritic material to the Martian soil was determined. Using the measured mass influx at earth and the estimates of the Mars/earth flux ratio, the planet-wide mateoritic mass influx on Mars was found to be between 2700 and 59,000 t/yr. Assuming a uniform distribution into a soil with a mean planetary production rate of 1 m/b.y., it is estimated that this mass influx would produce a meteoritic concentration in the Mars soil ranging from 2 to 29 percent by mass. Experimental measurements which a Mars lander spacecraft could make to determine the fraction of meteoritic material in the soils are suggested.

Flynn, George J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The Interstellar Medium in External Galaxies: Summaries of contributed papers

The Second Wyoming Conference entitled, The Interstellar Medium in External Galaxies, was held on July 3 to 7, 1989, to discuss the current understanding of the interstellar medium in external galaxies and to analyze the basic physical processes underlying interstellar phenomena. The papers covered a broad range of research on the gas and dust in external galaxies and focused on such topics as the distribution and morphology of the atomic, molecular, and dust components; the dynamics of the gas and the role of the magnetic field in the dynamics; elemental abundances and gas depletions in the atomic and ionized components; cooling flows; star formation; the correlation of the nonthermal radio continuum with the cool component of the interstellar medium; the origin and effect of hot galactic halos; the absorption line systems seen in distant quasars; and the effect of galactic collisions.

Hollenbach, David J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Interstellar Dust: Contributed Papers

A coherent picture of the dust composition and its physical characteristics in the various phases of the interstellar medium was the central theme. Topics addressed included: dust in diffuse interstellar medium; overidentified infrared emission features; dust in dense clouds; dust in galaxies; optical properties of dust grains; interstellar dust models; interstellar dust and the solar system; dust formation and destruction; UV, visible, and IR observations of interstellar extinction; and quantum-statistical calculations of IR emission from highly vibrationally excited polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules.

Tielens, Alexander G. G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

X-15 Contributions to the X-30

Some of the less publicized flight test results from the X-15 program that might relate to sustained high-speed flight in the atmosphere are presented. The topics covered include: (1) energy management and range considerations; (2) the advantages of pilot-in-the-loop and redundant-emergency systems; (3) a summary of some of the aerodynamic heating problems that were encountered; and (4) some comments on the advantages of an early flight test program and gradual expansion of the flight envelope.

Hoey, Robert G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The meteoritic contribution to the regoliths of Mars, Deimos, and Phobos

The mass influx of meteoritic material at Earth exhibits two distinct peaks: one centered at 10-5 grams, corresponding to the continuous, planet-wide flux of micrometeorites, and a second corresponding to the rare impacts of objects larger than 1014 grams. Using the measured flux of meteoritic material at Earth and estimates of the Mars/Earth flux ration, it was calculated that the micrometeorites add between 2,700 and 59,000 tons of meteoritic material to the surface of Mars annually. This corresponds to the accretion of between 1.8 and 40 cm of meteoritic material per billion years. On the Moon this meteoritic component constitutes 1 to 2 percent of the mare soils. Depending on the indigenous regolith production rate on Mars, the meteoritic material on Mars may be present in sufficient concentration to serve as a resource for the volatile and siderophile elements common in chondritic meteorites but rare in basaltic crustal material. Since a significant fraction of the micrometeorites less than 1200 mm in diameter survive atmospheric entry on Mars without melting, they carry into the regolith the solar wind ions, including H, He, and noble gases, implanted during their space exposure.

Flynn, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Remote sensing contribution to land surface hydrology

Progress that has been made over the past decade in developing technology for hydrological observations from operational aircraft is described. Particular attention is given to research on soil moisture, snow cover, and vegetation. Future missions such as the ESA ERS-1 and Canada's Radarsat mission are considered.

Salomonson, V. V.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Spaceborne technology contributions to hydrological studies in the context of global change

Spaceborne observations have become increasingly accepted for studies of the hydrological cycle and as a source of information that can be used for management and assessment of water resources over large areas. As data records are extended over long periods of time, using sensors that improve their reliability and quality, the utility of spaceborne observations will become increasingly evident. The Earth Observing System (EOS) concept being studied by NASA holds potential for providing improved means and procedures for hydrological studies, particularly on a global basis, using spaceborne sensors and a comprehensive information system. Continuing emphasis needs to be placed on research exploring the interpretation of remotely sensed observations through the assimilation and use of these data in models of hydrological processes.

Salomonson, Vincent V.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Cleft contribution to ring current formation

The storm time transport of ionospheric plasma from the 'cleft fountain' to the plasma sheet and ring current is investigated by means of three-dimensional trajectory codes. Using observations to define the source location and flow rate, test particles are traced during a 'taillike' to 'dipolelike' reconfiguration of the geomagnetic field. Emphasis is placed on the behavior of heavy ions of low charge state, O(+). As a result of their long periods of gyration, these ions are highly sensitive to rapid field variations and possibly display transient nonadiabatic motions. It is demonstrated that O(+) which have originated in the high-latitude ionosphere but which find themselves in the vicinity of the equator at substorm onset can experience considerable energization (from several keV up to several hundred keV) and pitch angle increase leading to trapping, as an effect of the induced electric field.

Delcourt, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Contributions to the implementation of the Arakawa-Schubert cumulus parameterization in the GLA GCM

The AS scheme in the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres General Circulation Model is used to address two fundamental problems of simulated cumulus convection and rainfall. The first problem is that of too much rainfall in the tropics at initial time and the second is the problem of too vigorous a hydrologic cycle in the tropics even after the initial adjustment period. A number of experiments were performed, including an investigation of the influence of the prescribed limiting values of critical cloud work formation (CCWF). It is concluded that the CCWF plays a useful role in the apportionment of the rainfall into convective and large-scale components. Related experiments reveal the nature of the interaction between atmospheric circulation and the cumulus processes.

Sud, Y. C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Titan's atmosphere from Voyager infrared observations. III - Vertical contributions of hydrocarbons and nitriles near Titan's north pole

Voyager 1 IR spectra have been used to infer the Titan north polar region minor stratospheric constituents' temperature structure and vertical distribution. The mixing ratios of the species C4H2, C2H6, C3H4, HCN, HC3N, and C2N2 increase with altitude, implying upper stratosphere (and higher) formation regions. When compared with abundances obtained near the equator, it is found that the HC3N and C2N2 nitriles, together with such hydrocarbons as C2H4, C3H4, and C4H2, are substantially enhanced over the north polar region. A factor-of-2 (minimum) depletion of CO2 relative to the equator is noted; it is judged that current photochemical models are inadequate bases for interpretation of these observations.

Coustenis, A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The AMPTE program's contribution to studies of the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere interaction

The Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) program provided important information on the behavior of clouds of plasma artificially injected into the solar wind and the earth's magnetosphere. Now that the releases are over, data from the satellites are being analyzed to investigate the processes by which the ambient solar wind mass, momentum, and energy are transferred to the magnetosphere. Work in progress at APL indicates that the solar wind is much more inhomogeneous than previously believed, that the solar wind constantly buffets the magnetosphere, and that ground observers may remotely sense these interactions as geomagnetic pulsations.

Sibeck, David G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Arctic contribution to upper-ocean variability in the North Atlantic

The potential climatic leverage of salinity and temperature anomalies in the high-latitude North Atlantic is large. Substantial variations of sea ice have accompanied North Atlantic salinity and temperature anomalies. Atmospheric pressure data are used here to show that the local forcing of high-latitude North Atlantic Ocean fluctuations is augmented by antecedent atmospheric circulation anomalies over the central Arctic. These circulation anomalies are consistent with enhanced wind-forcing of thicker older ice into the Transpolar Drift Stream and an enhanced export of sea ice (fresh water) from the Arctic into the Greenland Sea prior to major episodes of ice severity in the Greenland and Iceland seas.

Walsh, John E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Multispectral remote sensing contribution to land surface evaporation

The global water cycle is perhaps the most important of all the biogeochemical cycles and evaporation, which is a significant component of the water cycle, is also linked with the energy and carbon cycles. Long-term evaporation over large areas has generally been computed as the difference of precipitation and river runoff. Analysis of short-term evaporation rate and its spatial pattern, however, is extremely complex, and multispectral remotely sensed data could aid in such analysis. Multispectral data considered here are visible and near-infrared reflectances, infrared surface temperature and the 37 GHz brightness temperatures. These observations are found to be not totally independent of each other. A few of their relationships are established and discussed considering physically-based models.

Choudhury, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The contribution of the preparation of the Hipparcos mission to solving the evolutionary problems of LPV's

The pulsation modes, the long-term behavior, and the evolutionary status of some long-period variable stars are discussed with reference to the results of investigations carried out as part of the preparation for the Hipparcos mission. In particular, attention is given to three different methods used to predict the brightness variations of large-amplitude (greater than 2 mag) LPVs. The discussion also covers statistical results relating to the evolutionary problems of LPVs and preliminary data on the pulsation mode.

Barthes, D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon optical properties and contribution to the acceleration of stellar outflows

The optical constants of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules (benzene, pyrene, pentacene, and coronene) are determined from their measured laboratory absorption spectra. The Planck mean of the radiation pressure cross section is computed for each molecule and for amorphous carbon (AC) grains, and semiempirically estimated for large PAH molecules up to 400 carbon atoms. Assuming that PAHs are present in carbon-rich stellar outflows, the radiation pressure forces acting on them are calculated and compared with the radiation forces on AC particles. The results show that PAHs possess very different optical properties from AC grains. Small PAHs may experience an 'inverse greenhouse' effect in the inner part of the envelope, as they decouple from the gas close to the photosphere. The radiation pressure force on PAHs is always much less than the force at work on AC grains, and PAH molecules do not affect significantly the dynamics of the outflow.

Cherchneff, Isabelle↗
NASA NTRS1991

Contributions to the implementation of the Arakawa-Schubert cumulus parameterization in the GLA GCM

The roles of the Critical Cloud Work Function (CCWF) data set and the upper and lower bounds on entrainment by cumulus plumes in the Arakawa-Schubert cumulus parameterization (ASCP) in the GLA GCM (Geller et al., 1988) were investigated in two sets of experiments. It was found that the horizontal and vertical distribution of cumulus heating can be altered in ASCP by adjusting these parameters. These changes can have a strong influence on the vertical structure of condensation heating, water vapor distribution, temperature, and rainfall. The CCWF is an important limiting parameter that controls the onset of different cloud types; increasing the threshold values of CCWF for all clouds tends to concentrate the rainfall into a narrower ITCZ and affects the rainfall during the initial adjustment period.

Sud, Y. C.↗