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At least 1,477 records · Page 82
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NASA NTRS1972

Development of techniques for advanced optical contamination measurement with internal reflection spectroscopy, phase 1, volume 1

The feasibility of monitoring volatile contaminants in a large space simulation chamber using techniques of internal reflection spectroscopy was demonstrated analytically and experimentally. The infrared spectral region was selected as the operational spectral range in order to provide unique identification of the contaminants along with sufficient sensitivity to detect trace contaminant concentrations. It was determined theoretically that a monolayer of the contaminants could be detected and identified using optimized experimental procedures. This ability was verified experimentally. Procedures were developed to correct the attenuated total reflectance spectra for thick sample distortion. However, by using two different element designs the need for such correction can be avoided.

Hayes, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Energy transfer in volume-reflecting heat shields

An approximate analysis of radiative transfer in highly scattering materials was developed based on the Kubelka-Munk differential equations--a set of two differential equations representing the spatial rate of change of radiative half-fluxes within the scattering media. These approximate solutions of the Kubelka-Munk equations together with analytic solutions for the steady state temperature distribution for two types of boundary conditions are given. These solutions show the influence of back surface reflectance, scattering power, incident radiative flux parameter and boundary conductive flux parameter on overall reflectance and temperature distributions. This radiation field analysis, adapted to spherical geometry, was applied to the evaluation of the thermal performance of teflon and fritted quartz as heat protection materials for entry into the atmosphere of Jupiter.

Weston, K. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The hemispheric reflectance of a plane water surface for atmospheric radiation

The hemispheric reflectance of a plane water surface is computed for clear sky and low overcast sky emission spectra. The gross features of clear sky emission are described by a model that has a deficiency of emission in the 8- to 13-micron band. The deficiency is most pronounced in the zenith but disappears as the zenith angle approaches the horizon. The radiation from a low overcast sky is assumed to be blackbody. The computation is made using Fresnel formulas for a conducting medium. The hemispheric reflectance for clear sky radiation is found to be approximately 0.018 higher than the overcast (blackbody) value, which ranged from 0.113 to 0.107 for atmospheric temperatures ranging from 273 to 313 K, respectively.

Boudreau, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Verification of a simple relationship for shock-wave reflection in a relaxing gas

Shock-wave reflection study in a relaxing gas using pressure measurement techniques and aimed at verifying the relationship recently described by Hanson (1971) for such a shock wave reflection. The obtained results show good agreement with theory, the maximum discrepancy being about equal to the experimental uncertainty.

Hanson, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Rational functional representation of flap noise spectra including correction for reflection effects

A rational function is presented for the acoustic spectra generated by deflection of engine exhaust jets for under-the-wing and over-the-wing versions of externally blown flaps. The functional representation is intended to provide a means for compact storage of data and for data analysis. The expressions are based on Fourier transform functions for the Strouhal normalized pressure spectral density, and on a correction for reflection effects based on Thomas' (1969) N-independent-source model extended by use of a reflected ray transfer function. Curve fit comparisons are presented for blown-flap data taken from turbofan engine tests and from large-scale cold-flow model tests. Application of the rational function to scrubbing noise theory is also indicated.

Miles, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Light reflectance of leaf constituents

It is shown how various leaf constituents differ in reflecting light over the 370- to 1100-nm wavelength interval. The premise tested is that refractive index discontinuities in leaves, other than air-cell interfaces, contribute to the reflectance of near-infrared light.-

Gausman, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Effects of changing canopy directional reflectance on feature selection

The use of a Monte Carlo model for generating sample directional reflectance data for two simplified target canopies at two different solar positions is reported. Successive iterations through the model permit the calculation of a mean vector and covariance matrix for canopy reflectance for varied sensor view angles. These data may then be used to calculate the divergence between the target distributions for various wavelength combinations and for these view angles. Results of a feature selection analysis indicate that different sets of wavelengths are optimum for target discrimination depending on sensor view angle and that the targets may be more easily discriminated for some scan angles than others. The time-varying behavior of these results is also pointed out.

Smith, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Spectral reflectance systematics for mixtures of powdered hypersthene, labradorite, and ilmenite

Spectral reflectance measurements in the range from 0.4- to 2.5 microns were made for synthetic powder mixtures of a single suite of plagioclase, pyroxene, and ilmenite, which are the principal mineral phase types making up virtually all lunar surface materials studied to date. Binary and ternary data plots of the parameters albedo, band depth, and red to blue ratios versus mixture composition show how variation in the concentration of each mineral phase in a mixture affects changes in the overall reflectance spectrum of the mixture. Principal mixing effects noted are (1) the disproportionate darkening effect of opaque ilmenites and (2) the persistence, the wavelength stability, and the depth versus concentration proportionality of the 1-micron band of pyroxene. These results indicate that by comparing the albedo and band depth of an unknown spectrum with calibration data obtained with laboratory standards, it is possible to determine the ratio of crystalline phases in the material producing spectra such as may be obtained telescopically from small areas on lunar and planetary surfaces.

Nash, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Seasonal canopy reflectance patterns of wheat, sorghum, and soybean

An investigation was conducted of canopy-reflectance patterns as a basis for the determination of surface conditions. Two fields each of wheat, sorghum, and soybeans were selected in a bottom land area. One field contained a dark-colored, silty clay loam and the other a light-colored, silt loam. The study suggests that the reflectance ratio of the 545- to 655-nm-wavelengths may be used as an indicator of crop growth.

Kanemasu, E. T.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The effects of the physical and chemical properties of soils on the spectral reflectance of soils

The effects of organic matter, free iron oxides, texture, moisture content, and cation exchange capacity on the spectral reflectance of soils were investigated along with techniques for differentiating soil orders by computer analysis of multispectral data. By collecting soil samples of benchmark soils from the different climatic regions within the United States and using the extended wavelength field spectroradiometer to obtain reflectance values and curves for each sample, average curves were constructed for each soil order. Results indicate that multispectral analysis may be a valuable tool for delineating and quantifying differences between soils.

Montgomery, O. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Asteroids - Surface composition from reflection spectroscopy

Minerals partly composing the surfaces of 14 asteroids are determined by using asteroid reflectance spectra and optical properties of meteorites and other materials. Individual electronic absorption features are identified in the asteroids' spectra. The energies, relative strengths, and shapes of these features are interpreted by using laboratory and theoretical studies. Analysis of the initial 14 asteroid reflectance spectra indicates the presence of the following types of surface materials: six carbonaceous chondrite-like; two stony-iron-like (metal/silicate ratio approximately equal to 1); one iron meteorite-like; one basaltic achondrite-like; and four silicate-metal assemblages (metal/silicate ratio approximately equal to 0.25). These results support the conclusion that the asteroid belt is a source of at least some meteoritic material, and they show a relation between certain asteroids and certain classes of meteorites.

Mccord, T. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Aircraft observations of Venus' near-infrared reflection spectrum - Implications for cloud composition

A comparison of aircraft-based measurement data on Venus' near-infrared (1.2- to 4.1-micron) reflection spectrum with computer generated spectra of a number of cloud candidates shows a 75-% or more concentrated water solution of sulfuric acid to give the only acceptable match to the profile of Venus' strong 3-micron absorption feature. However, the measurement data obtained also show a modest decline in reflectivity from 2.3-micron to 1.2-micron wavelength, which is inconsistent with the flat spectrum of sulfuric acid in this spectral region. It is hypothesized that this decline is due to impurities in the sulfuric acid droplets.

Pollack, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Search for continuous fluorescence in reflection nebulae

Photometric and spectrophotometric observations have been made of the reflection nebulae NGC 1435, NGC 2068, NGC 7023, and IC 1287 in an attempt to detect continuous fluorescence by dust grains. Several effects of importance for observations of such faint objects are discussed, including instrumental light scattering, a photographic effect, and a time-delay effect which can occur if the illuminating star is a spectrum variable. It is found that continuous fluorescence by interstellar grains is not likely to exist and that it cannot account for more than 10% of the total surface brightness of these reflection nebulae. No evidence of diffuse interstellar features is found in the spectra of these nebulae.

Rush, W. F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Absorption line studies of reflection from horizontally inhomogeneous layers

The article details an inhomogeneous reflecting layer (IRFL) model designed to survey absorption line behavior from a Squires-like cloud cover (which is characterized by convection cell structure). Computational problems and procedures are discussed in detail. The results show trends usually opposite to those predicted by a simple reflecting layer model. Per cent equivalent width variations for the tower model are usually somewhat greater for weak than for relatively strong absorption lines, with differences of a factor of about two or three. IRFL equivalent width variations do not differ drastically as a function of geometry when the total volume of absorbing gas is held constant. The IRFL results are in many instances consistent with observed equivalent width variations of Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus.

Appleby, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

CO, CS, and HCN in a clustering of reflection nebulae in Monoceros

Observations are reported of the 2.6-mm line of CO from an extended region in Monoceros containing a complex of dust clouds as well as a group of reflection nebulae (Mon R2) and where a source of relatively strong millimeter emission from CS and HCN has been found. Lower limits are obtained for the CO and H2 column densities in this region, and five CO emission peaks are identified, each of which is approximately coincident with at least one reflection nebula. Around the position of the strongest peak, extended emission is observed from CS and HCN, suggesting the existence of a rotating core with an H2 density which corresponds to a mass of 5500 solar masses. The CO profiles in the direction of the strongest peak appear to show self-absorption, which may indicate a collapsing cloud.

Kutner, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Analysis and correction of ground reflection effects in measured narrowband sound spectra using cepstral techniques

Ground reflections generate undesirable effects on acoustic measurements such as those conducted outdoors for jet noise research, aircraft certification, and motor vehicle regulation. Cepstral techniques developed in speech processing are adapted to identify echo delay time and to correct for ground reflection effects. A sample result is presented using an actual narrowband sound pressure level spectrum. The technique can readily be adapted to existing fast Fourier transform type spectrum measurement instrumentation to provide field measurements/of echo time delays.

Miles, J. H.↗