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At least 1,459 records · Page 81

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NASA NTRS1977

OGO 5 observations of Pc 5 waves - Particle flux modulations

An investigation is conducted concerning the modulations of particle fluxes associated with Pc 5 waves in the region beyond the plasmapause. A study of thermal flux modulations indicates that some of the density enhancements observed are not spatial structures but are spurious features caused by temporal flux variations associated with hydromagnetic waves. A resonance model of the energetic particle flux modulations is discussed. Energetic particle modulations are also considered. The reported observations reveal that modulations are dominant at energies of about 100 keV for electrons and at 100 keV to 1 MeV for protons. This may indicate that the bounce resonance interaction is not important for Pc 5 waves.

Kokubun, S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Sound production due to large-scale coherent structures

The acoustic pressure fluctuations due to large-scale finite amplitude disturbances in a free turbulent shear flow are calculated. The flow is decomposed into three component scales; the mean motion, the large-scale wave-like disturbance, and the small-scale random turbulence. The effect of the large-scale structure on the flow is isolated by applying both a spatial and phase average on the governing differential equations and by initially taking the small-scale turbulence to be in energetic equilibrium with the mean flow. The subsequent temporal evolution of the flow is computed from global energetic rate equations for the different component scales. Lighthill's theory is then applied to the region with the flowfield as the source and an observer located outside the flowfield in a region of uniform velocity. Since the time history of all flow variables is known, a minimum of simplifying assumptions for the Lighthill stress tensor is required, including no far-field approximations. A phase average is used to isolate the pressure fluctuations due to the large-scale structure, and also to isolate the dynamic process responsible. Variation of mean square pressure with distance from the source is computed to determine the acoustic far-field location and decay rate, and, in addition, spectra at various acoustic field locations are computed and analyzed. Also included are the effects of varying the growth and decay of the large-scale disturbance on the sound produced.

Gatski, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Thermodynamics. II - The extended thermodynamic system

The algebraic theory of thermodynamics developed in a previous paper is extended to include the algebraic structure that arises from the introduction of a physical body into the theory. The extension is based on very general definitions of both the thermodynamic states of a body and subsystems of that body. The algebraic analysis, which includes bodies in nonuniform states, shows that the set of all thermodynamic states of a body has the same algebraic structure as the set of thermodynamic states and that composite systems are induced by the algebraic structure of thermodynamic states. The analysis also justifies a variational treatment of thermodynamic bodies in uniform as well as nonuniform states. The variational calculation includes all conventional methods of calculation as special cases and helps to illuminate the origin and interpretation of the electrochemical potential.

Zeleznik, F. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

A three-dimensional simulation of transition and early turbulence in a time-developing mixing layer

The physics of the transition and early turbulence regimes in the time developing mixing layer was investigated. The sensitivity of the mixing layer to the disturbance field of the initial condition is considered. The growth of the momentum thickness, the mean velocity profile, the turbulence kinetic energy, the Reynolds stresses, the anisotropy tensor, and particle track pictures of computations are all examined in an effort to better understand the physics of these regimes. The amplitude, spectrum shape, and random phases of the initial disturbance field were varied. A scheme of generating discrete orthogonal function expansions on some nonuniform grids was developed. All cases address the early or near field of the mixing layer. The most significant result shows that the secondary instability of the mixing layer is produced by spanwise variations in the straining field of the primary vortex structures.

Cain, A. B.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Anomalous phase separation behavior of gel-derived soda-silica glasses

The effects of retained bound hydroxyl groups on amorphous immiscibility behavior and on the kinetics of phase separation were studied in glasses containing from 10 to 19 percent sodium oxide preparaed by the gel process. Differences in behavior as functions of preliminary thermal treatment of the gel precursor and of melting conditions were studied, employing IR spectroscopy, SAXS and WAXD to monitor the variation in glass microstructure. Both the initial gel treatment and the OH concentration in the prepared glasses were found to affect the immiscibility temperatures, and the magnitude of the maximum temperature increase was also a function of the sodium oxide concentration. It is suggested that the variation in thermodynamic behavior may be caused by the structural arrangement attained by the OH groups during the gel condensation process, which in turn affects the extent of hydrogen bonding to nonbridging oxygen ions.

Neilson, G. F.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Reduced to Pole Long-wavelength Magnetic Anomalies of Africa and Europe

To facilitate analysis of the tectonic framework for Africa, Europe and adjacent marine areas, MAGSAT scalar anomaly data are differentially reduced to the pole and compared to regional geologic information and geophysical data including surface free-air gravity anomaly data upward continued to satellite elevation (350 km) on a spherical Earth. Comparative analysis shows magnetic anomalies correspond with both ancient as well as more recent Cenozoic structural features. Anomalies associated with ancient structures are primarily caused by intra-crustal lithologic variations such as the crustal disturbance associated with the Bangui anomaly in west-central Africa. Anomalies correlative with Cenozoic tectonic elements appear to be related to Curie isotherm perturbations. A possible example of the latter is the well-defined trend of magnetic minima that characterize the Alpine orogenic belt from the Atlas mountains to Eurasia. In contrast, a well-defined magnetic satellite minimum extends across the stable craton from Finland to the Ural mountains. Prominent magnetic maxima characterize the Arabian plate, Iceland, the Kursk region of the central Russian uplift, and generally the Precambrian shields of Africa.

Hinze, W. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Jet noise suppression by porous plug nozzles

Jet noise suppression data presented earlier by Maestrello for porous plug nozzles were supplemented by the testing of a family of nozzles having an equivalent throat diameter of 11.77 cm. Two circular reference nozzles and eight plug nozzles having radius ratios of either 0.53 or 0.80 were tested at total pressure ratios of 1.60 to 4.00. Data were taken both with and without a forward motion or coannular flow jet, and some tests were made with a heated jet. Jet thrust was measured. The data were analyzed to show the effects of suppressor geometry on nozzle propulsive efficiency and jet noise. Aerodynamic testing of the nozzles was carried out in order to study the physical features that lead to the noise suppression. The aerodynamic flow phenomena were examined by the use of high speed shadowgraph cinematography, still shadowgraphs, extensive static pressure probe measurements, and two component laser Doppler velocimeter studies. The different measurement techniques correlated well with each other and demonstrated that the porous plug changes the shock cell structure of a standard nozzle into a series of smaller, periodic cell structures without strong shock waves. These structures become smaller in dimension and have reduced pressure variations as either the plug diameter or the porosity is increased, changes that also reduce the jet noise and decrease thrust efficiency.

Bauer, A. B.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Reduced to pole long-wavelength magnetic anomalies of Africa and Europe

To facilitate analysis of the tectonic framework for Africa, Europe and adjacent marine areas, MAGSAT scalar anomaly data are differentially reduced to the pole and compared to regional geologic information and geophysical data including surface free-air gravity anomaly data upward continued to satellite elevation (350 km) on a spherical Earth. Comparative analysis shows magnetic anomalies correspond with both ancient as well as more recent Cenozoic structural features. Anomalies associated with ancient structures are primarily caused by intra-crustal lithologic variations such as the crustal disturbance associated with the Bangui anomaly in west-central Africa. Anomalies correlative with Cenozoic tectonic elements appear to be related to Curie isotherm perturbations. A possible example of the latter is the well-defined trend of magnetic minima that characterize the Alphine orogenic belt from the Atlas mountains to Eurasia. In contrast, a well-defined magnetic satellite minimum extends across the stable craton from Finland to the Ural mountains. Prominent magnetic maxima characterize the Arabian plate, Iceland, the Kursk region of the central Russian uplift, and generally the Precambrian shields of Africa.

Olivier, R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Sunspots

It is pointed out that the sun provides a close-up view of many astrophysically important phenomena, nearly all connected with the causes and effects of solar magnetic fields. The present article provides a review of the role of sunspots in a number of new areas of research. Connections with other solar phenomena are examined, taking into account flares, the solar magnetic cycle, global flows, luminosity variation, and global oscillations. A selective review of the structure and dynamic phenomena observed within sunspots is also presented. It is found that sunspots are usually contorted during the growth phase of an active region as magnetic field rapidly emerges and sunspots form, coalesce, and move past or even through each other. Attention is given to structure and flows, oscillations and waves, and plans for future studies.

Moore, R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

H-alpha manifestation of an energetic limb flare, June 21, 1980

H-alpha observations of a limb flare, which were associated with exceptional gamma-ray and hard X-ray emission, are presented and discussed. The good spatial and temporal resolution of the H-alpha data allow investigation of the detailed structure of the elevated flare loops and the intensity variations of the loops, footpoints and surrounding chromosphere during each phase of the flare event. A delay time of about 12 s was found between at least one of the hard X-ray (28-485 keV) peaks and corresponding H-alpha intensity maximum at a loop footpoint. A comparison is made between this event and another well-observed limb flare with many similar characteristics, to seek evidence for the large difference in their levels of energy release.

Mccabe, M. K.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Satellite remote sensing of primary production

Leaf structure and function are shown to result in distinctive variations in the absorption and reflection of solar radiation from plant canopies. The leaf properties that determine the radiation-interception characteristics of plant canopies are directly linked to photosynthesis, stomatal resistance and evapotranspiration and can be inferred from measurements of reflected solar energy. The effects of off-nadir viewing and atmospheric constituents, coupled with the need to measure changing surface conditions, emphasize the need for multitemporal measurements of reflected radiation if primary production is to be estimated.

Tucker, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Observations of the brightness temperature distribution of the quiet solar corona at decametric wavelengths

The brightness temperature distribution of the quiet solar corona at a wavelength of 8.9 meters is measured by two types of radio telescope: (1) a 'T' type array with a resolution of 26'X38', and (2) a fan beam interferometer with an E-W resolution of 3'. It is found that the persistent bright regions do not have any angular structure on scales of 6' or less. The daily variations of the brightness temperature of different regions are studied and the possible interpretation discussed.

Sastry, Ch. V.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Automated model formulation for time-varying flexible structures

Presented here is an identification technique that uses the sensor information to choose a new model out of a finite set of discrete model space, in order to follow the observed changes to the given time varying flexible structure. Boundary condition sets or other information on model variations are used to organize the set of possible models laterally into a search tree with levels of abstraction used to order the models vertically within branches. An object-oriented programming approach is used to represent the model set in the search tree. A modified A (asterisk) best first search algorithm finds the model where the model response best matches the current observations. Several extensions to this methodology are discussed. Methods of possible integration of rules with the current search algorithm are considered to give weight to interpreted trends that may be found in a series of observations. This capability might lead, for instance, to identifying a model that incorporates a progressive damage rather than with incorrect paramenters such as added mass. Another new direction is to consider the use of noisy time domain sensor feedback rather than frequency domain information in the search algorithm to improve the real-time capability of the developed procedure.

Glass, B. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Vertical motions in the Uranian atmosphere - An analysis of radio observations

The present, 6-cm radio map of Uranus indicates latitudinal features which may be due to vertical motions of the atmosphere. It appears in light of Voyager IR measurements as well as previously obtained radio data that these large-scale vertical motions, which have not undergone significant changes over the course of 8 years, extend from the 0.1- to the 45-bar levels; this span corresponds to a height of the order of 250 km. The latitudinal structures are believed to be primarily caused by horizontal variations of absorber abundances.

Hofstadter, Mark D.↗

NASA NTRS1989

An analysis of the moon's surface using reflected illumination from the earth during a waning crescent lunar phase

There have been many articles written concerning the lunar after-glow, the spectacular reflection from the moon's surface, and the possible observation of luminescence on the dark side of the moon. The researcher, using a 600 mm cassegrain telescope lense and Kodak 400 ASA T-Max film, photographed the crescent moon whose dark side was clearly visible by the reflected light from earth. The film was digitized to a Perkin-Elmer 1010M microdensitometer for enhancement and enlargement. The resulting pictures indicate a completely different land pattern formation than observed during a full moon. An attempt is made to analyze the observed structures and to compare them to the pictures observed during the normal full moon. There are boundaries on the digitized dark section of the moon that can be identified with structures seen during the normal full moon. But, these variations do change considerably under enhancement.

Hammond, Ernest C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Equivalence of Green's function and the Fourier series representation of composites with periodic microstructure

A computer program which is being developed to analyze the heterogeneous stress and strain history variation at the 'damage critical' locations of a composite structure operating at elevated temperatures is described. The theoretical foundations behind this program are described. The relationship between Fourier series and Green's function approaches is elucidated.

Walker, Kevin P.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Robust stabilization of the Space Station

A robust H-infinity control design methodology and its application to a Space Station Freedom (SSF) attitude and momentum control problem are presented. This approach incorporates nonlinear multi-parameter variations in the state-space formulation of H-infinity control theory. An application of this robust H-infinity control synthesis technique to the SSF control problem yields remarkable results in stability robustness with respect to moments of inertia variation of about 73 percent in one of the structured uncertainty directions. The performance and stability of this robust H-infinity controller for the SSF are compared to those of other controllers designed using a standard linear-quadratic-regulator synthesis technique.

Wie, Bong↗

NASA NTRS1992

Reduced basis technique for evaluating the sensitivity coefficients of the nonlinear tire response

An efficient reduced-basis technique is proposed for calculating the sensitivity of nonlinear tire response to variations in the design variables. The tire is modeled using a 2-D, moderate rotation, laminated anisotropic shell theory, including the effects of variation in material and geometric parameters. The vector of structural response and its first-order and second-order sensitivity coefficients are each expressed as a linear combination of a small number of basis vectors. The effectiveness of the basis vectors used in approximating the sensitivity coefficients is demonstrated by a numerical example involving the Space Shuttle nose-gear tire, which is subjected to uniform inflation pressure.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗