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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 1,459 records · Page 81
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NASA NTRS1976

Hydraulic concentration of magnetic fields in the solar photosphere. III - Fields of one or two kilogauss

Detailed analysis of weak and strong lines suggests that the magnetic fields in isolated intense flux tubes in supergranule boundaries in the solar photosphere may be as large as 2000 gauss. This paper is a concise systematic review of hydrodynamic effects that might compress a magnetic field to great intensity. The properties of force-free fields are reviewed to show that they do not contribute to concentration of magnetic fields, in spite of the popular notion to the contrary. Of the seven effects considered, it is concluded that only cooling of the gas within the field can produce the high field densities inferred from observation. It is shown that inhibition of convection appears not to possess the necessary qualitative cooling features and that overstability, generating transverse hydromagnetic waves - essentially Alfven waves - is the only way to account for the cooling and field intensification.

Parker, E. N.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A comparison of limited-area energetic processes between observations and primitive equation model predictions

Energetic analyses of the NMC initial conditions and NMC six-layer primitive equation operational prediction model 12-hr forecast for a developing cyclone are presented. Consideration is given to the total kinetic energy, the energetics of the divergent and nondivergent flows and the baroclinic (vertical shear flow) and barotropic (vertical mean flow) components of the kinetic energy. It is found that the model initial conditions lose 10-15% of the kinetic energy at various levels compared to a limited-area multivariate statistical analysis of the observational data, leading to a decrease in the horizontal kinetic energy flux, a misrepresentation of the synoptic scale wave system in the 12-hr forecast. Similar results are obtained for the nondivergent flow, while the divergent flow energetics are not reproduced accurately by the model. The horizontal flux terms of the vertical mean and vertical shear energetics are also not found to be reproduced in the upper levels, although horizontal flux contributions to the baroclinic component are improved at middle and lower levels. Finally, vertical shear kinetic energy generation is found to be well represented in the model prediction, however kinetic energy conversion between vertical shear and mean flow is not reproduced in the lower layer.

Alpert, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The magnetic field of Saturn - Further studies of the Pioneer 11 observations

Analysis of magnetic field observations by the Goddard Space Flight Center high-field flux gate magnetometer on the Pioneer 11 spacecraft during Saturn encounter yields estimates of the planetary field. The field is mainly dipolar but rather weaker than expected, with a moment equal to 0.20 G cubic Saturn radii or 4.3 x 10 to the 28th G cu cm, opposite in polarity to earth's. Surprisingly, the field appears to be axially symmetric but with a small (0.04 Saturn radii) offset to the north so that N (S) polar field intensities are 0.6 (0.4) G, respectively. The deduced polar offset appears not to be an artifact of the limited spatial extent of the observations or the presence of fields of external origin. The average stand-off distance of the magnetopause is expected to be 20 Saturn radii, i.e., at the orbit of Titan, so that this largest of solar system satellites is immersed not only in the Saturnian magnetosphere but also at times in its magnetosheath and sometimes even in the interplanetary medium.

Acuna, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

On the warming of the polar troposphere during the stratospheric warming of January 1977

In January 1977, a warming of the polar troposphere occurred following a major stratospheric warming. The temperature increase in the polar troposphere is found to be larger below 400 mb than in the upper troposphere. Analysis of the heat budget of the polar troposphere shows that the eddy heat flux convergence is the major factor responsible for the tropospheric warming.

Hansen, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Cosmic ray charge and energy spectrum measurements using a new large area Cerenkov x dE/dx telescope

In September, 1981, a new 0.5 square meter ster cosmic ray telescope was flown to study the charge composition and energy spectrum of cosmic ray nuclei between 0.3 and 4 GeV/nuc. A high resolution Cerenkov counter, and three dE/dx measuring scintillation counters, including two position scintillators were contained in the telescope used for the charge and energy spectrum measurements. The analysis procedures did not require any large charge or energy dependent corrections, and absolute fluxes could be obtained to an accuracy approximately 5%. The spectral measurements made in 1981, at a time of extreme solar modulation, could be compared with measurements with a similar telescope made by our group in 1977, at a time of minimum modulation and can be used to derive absolute intensity values for the HEAO measurements made in 1979 to 80. Using both data sets precise energy spectra and abundance ratios can be derived over the entire energy range from 0.3 to greater than 15 GeV/nuc.

Webber, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Magnetohydrodynamic thermal instabilities in cool inhomogeneous atmospheres

The stability of magnetic loops to current-driven filamentation instabilities is investigated. The unperturbed atmosphere is assumed to be composed of an (upper) isothermal optically thin low-density portion and a (lower) higher-density portion which is in radiative equilibrium; in both cases, the atmosphere is in hydrostatic equilibrium, so that gravitational stratification is taken into account. In order to provide specific equilibrium conditions for evaluation of the dispersion relation, conditions appropriate for the surface of a solar-type star are adopted; i.e., a fairly low temperature (T = 5000 K) appropriate for a 'precoronal' state associated, for example, with magnetic flux emerging from photospheric levels under the action of magnetic buoyancy. A linear stability analysis is performed, and numerical results show that physically plausible current densities, which would be generated by typical loop-footpoint motions, are effective in driving MHD instabilities in such a plasma. The instability growth rates are strongly dependent on the assumed current density distribution and on the density scale height.

Bodo, G.↗
NASA NTRS1988

EUVE/XTE orbit decay study

The Explorer Platform (EP) program currently comprises two missions, the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) and the X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE), each of which consists of a scientific payload mounted to the EP. The EP has no orbit maintenance capability. The EP with the EUVE payload will be launched first. At the end of the EUVE mission, the spacecraft will be serviced by the Space Transportation System (STS), and the EUVE instrument will be exchanged for the XTE. The XTE mission will continue until reentry or reservicing by the STS. Because the missions will be using the EP sequentially, the orbit requirements are unusually constrained by orbit decay rates. The initial altitude must be selected so that, by the end of the EUVE mission (2.5 years), the spacecraft will have decayed to an altitude within the STS capabilities. In addition, the payload exchange must occur at an altitude that ensures meeting the minimum XTE mission lifetime (3 years) because no STS reboost will be available. Studies were performed using the Goddard Mission Analysis System to estimate the effects of mass, cross-sectional area, and solar flux on the fulfillment of mission requirements. In addition to results from these studies, conclusions are presented as to the accuracy of the Marshall Space Flight Center solar flux predictions.

Richon, K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Global tropospheric chemistry: Chemical fluexes in the global atmosphere

In October 1987, NSF, NASA, and NOAA jointly sponsored a workshop at Columbia University to assess the experimental tools and analysis procedures in use and under development to measure and understand gas and particle fluxes across this critical air-surface boundary. Results are presented for that workshop. It is published to summarize the present understanding of the various measurement techniques that are available, identify promising new technological developments for improved measurements, and stimulate thinking about this important measurement challenge.

Lenschow, Donald H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Periodic solar EUV flux monitored near Venus

A detector sharing the orbital rate of Venus has a unique perspective on solar periodicities. Fourier analysis of the 8.6 year record of solar EUV output gathered by the Langmuir probe on Pioneer Venus Orbiter shows the influences of global oscillation modes located in the convective envelope and in the radiative interior. Seven of the eight lowest angular harmonic r-mode familes are detected by their rotation rates which differ almost unmeasurably from ideal theoretical values. This determines a mean sidereal rotation rate for the envelope of 457.9 + or - 2.0 nHz which corresponds to a period of 25.3 days. Many frequencies are aliased at + or - 106 nHz by modulation from the lowest angular harmonic r-mode in the envelope.

Wolff, Charles L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

An overview of UK C130 observations from the FIRE marine stratocumulus IFO

An overview of the characteristics of the ten flights made by the C130 during the Intensive Field Observations (IFO) are presented. An indication of data quality is given. Comparisons of the carbon dioxide radiation thermometer and the Rosemount suggest there may be potentially serious wetting problems with the latter, especially close to cloud base. The main features of the cloud layers sampled by the C130 are summarized, including microphysical parameters. Many of the results shown are derived from a first order analysis of turbulence quantities. The gross vertical variation of heat, vapor, and liquid water fluxes from case to case, together with the observed vertical velocity variance, a good indicator of convective activity, are discussed. Preliminary results suggest that the different cases can be usefully categorized using these data. The relationship between these and the measured boundary conditions is mentioned. Similarities and differences between the various cases are highlighted, and interpreted in terms of the researchers' current understanding of stratocumulus. Attention is given to particular features of the various flights which may deserve more intensive study.

Nicholls, S.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Multidimensional Unstructured-Grid Liquid Rocket Engine Nozzle Performance and Heat Transfer Analysis

The objective of this study is to conduct a unified computational analysis for computing design parameters such as axial thrust, convective and radiative wall heat fluxes for regeneratively cooled liquid rocket engine nozzles, so as to develop a computational strategy for computing those parameters through parametric investigations. The computational methodology is based on a multidimensional, finite-volume, turbulent, chemically reacting, radiating, unstructured-grid, and pressure-based formulation, with grid refinement capabilities. Systematic parametric studies on effects of wall boundary conditions, combustion chemistry, radiation coupling, computational cell shape, and grid refinement were performed and assessed. Under the computational framework of this study, it is found that the computed axial thrust performance, flow features, and wall heat fluxes compared well with those of available data and calculations, using a strategy of structured-grid dominated mesh, finite-rate chemistry, and cooled wall boundary condition.

Wang, Ten-See↗
NASA NTRS2007

Inflatable Aerocapture Decelerators for Mars Orbiters

A multi-disciplinary research program was recently completed, sponsored by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, on the subject of aerocapture of spacecraft weighing up to 5 metric tons at Mars. Heavier spacecraft will require deployable drag area beyond the dimensional limits of current and planned launch fairings. This research focuses on the approach of lightweight inflatable decelerators constructed with thin films, using fiber reinforcement and having a temperature limitation of 500 C. Trajectory analysis defines trajectories for a range of low ballistic coefficients for which convective heat flux is compatible with the material set. Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) tools are expanded to include the rarified flow regime. Several non-symmetrical configurations are evaluated for their capability to develop lift as part of the necessary trajectory control strategy. Manufacturing technology is developed for 3-D stretch forming of polyimide films and for tailored fiber reinforcement of thin films. Finally, the mass of the decelerator is estimated and compared to the mass of a traditional rigid aeroshell.

Brown, Glen J.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Simulations of Sample-Up-The-Ramp for Space-Based Observations of Faint Sources

We have conducted simulations of a memory-efficient up-the-ramp sampling algorithm for infrared detector arrays. Our simulations use realistic sky models of galaxy brightness, shapes, and distributions, and include the contributions of zodiacal light and cosmic rays. A simulated readout is based on the HAWAII-2RG arrays, and includes read noise, dark current, pedestal, and other effects. The up-the-ramp algorithm rejects cosmic rays and produces a best estimate of the source flux under the assumption of very low signal-to-noise. We present an analysis of the fidelity of image brightness recovery with this algorithm.

Benford, Dominic J.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Solar Flares

Solar flares accelerate both ions and electrons to high energies, and their X-ray and gamma-ray signatures not only probe the relationship between their respective acceleration, but also allow for the measurement of accelerated and ambient abundances. RHESSI observations have shown a striking close linear correlation of gamma-ray line fluence from accelerated ions > approx.20 MeV and bremsstrahlung emission from relativistic accelerated electrons >300 keV, when integrated over complete flares, suggesting a common acceleration mechanism. SMM/GRS observations, however, show a weaker correlation, and this discrepancy might be associated with previously observed electron-rich episodes within flares and/or temporal variability of gamma-ray line fluxes over the course of flares. We use the latest RHESSI gamma-ray analysis techniques to study the temporal behavior of the RHESSI flares, and determine what changes can be attributed to an evolving acceleration mechanism or to evolving abundances.

Shih, Albert↗
NASA NTRS2011

Temporal Variability of Ion Acceleration and Abundances in Solar Flares

Solar flares accelerate both ions and electrons to high energies, and their X-ray and gamma-ray signatures not only probe the relationship between their respective acceleration, but also allow for the measurement of accelerated and ambient abundances. RHESSI observations have shown a striking close linear correlation of gamma-ray line fluence from accelerated ions greater than approximately 20 MeV and bremsstrahlung emission from relativistic accelerated electrons greater than 300 keV, when integrated over complete flares, suggesting a common acceleration mechanism. SMM/GRS observations, however, show a weaker correlation, and this discrepancy might be associated with previously observed electron-rich episodes within flares and/or temporal variability of gamma-ray line fluxes over the course of flares. We use the latest RHESSI gamma-ray analysis techniques to study the temporal behavior of the RHESSI flares, and determine what changes can be attributed to an evolving acceleration mechanism or to evolving abundances. We also discuss possible explanations for changing abundances.

Shih, Albert↗
NASA NTRS2011

Scientific Visualization to Study Flux Transfer Events at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center

In this paper we present results of modeling of reconnection at the dayside magnetopause with subsequent development of flux transfer event signatures. The tools used include new methods that have been added to the suite of visualization methods that are used at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC). Flux transfer events result from localized reconnection that connect magnetosheath magnetic field and plasma with magnetospheric fields and plasma and results in flux rope structures that span the dayside magnetopause. The onset of flux rope formation and the three-dimensional structure of flux ropes are studied as they have been modeled by high-resolution magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the dayside magnetosphere of the Earth. We show that flux transfer events are complex three-dimensional structures that require modern visualization and analysis techniques. Two suites of visualization methods are presented and we demonstrate the usefulness of those methods through the CCMC web site to the general science user.

Rastatter, Lutz↗
NASA NTRS2012

Temporal Variability of Ion Acceleration and Abundances in Solar Flares

solar flares accelerate both ions and electrons to high energies, and their x-ray and gamma-ray signatures not only probe the relationship between their respective acceleration, but also allow for the measurement of accelerated and ambient abundances. RHESSI observations have shown a striking close linear correlation of gamma-ray line fluence from accelerated ions > approx 20 MeV and bremsstrahlung emission from relativistic accelerated electrons >300 kev, when integrated over complete flares, suggesting a common acceleration mechanism. SMM/GRS observations, however, show a weaker correlation, and this discrepancy might be associated with previously observed electron-rich episodes within flares and/or temporal variability of gamma-ray line fluxes over the course of flares. We use the latest RHESSI gamma-ray analysis techniques to study the temporal behavior of the RHESSI flares, and determine what changes can be attributed to an evolving acceleration mechanism or to evolving abundances. We also discuss possible explanations for changing abundances.

Shih, Albert Y.↗