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At least 1,567 records · Page 87

Exploring a Physically Based Tool for Lightning Cessation: A Preliminary Study

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UA Huntsville) and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center are collaborating with the 45th Weather Squadron (45WS) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) to enable improved nowcasting of lightning cessation. The project centers on use of dual-polarimetric radar capabilities, and in particular, the new C-band dual-polarimetric weather radar acquired by the 45WS. Special emphasis is placed on the development of a physically based operational algorithm to predict lightning cessation. While previous studies have developed statistically based lightning cessation algorithms, we believe that dual-polarimetric radar variables offer the possibility to improve existing algorithms through the inclusion of physically meaningful trends reflecting interactions between in-cloud electric fields and microphysics. Specifically, decades of polarimetric radar research using propagation differential phase has demonstrated the presence of distinct phase and ice crystal alignment signatures in the presence of strong electric fields associated with lightning. One question yet to be addressed is: To what extent can these ice-crystal alignment signatures be used to nowcast the cessation of lightning activity in a given storm? Accordingly, data from the UA Huntsville Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational Research (ARMOR) along with the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array are used in this study to investigate the radar signatures present before and after lightning cessation. A summary of preliminary results will be presented.

Schultz, Elise V.↗

Exploring a Physically Based Tool for Lightning Cessation: Preliminary Results

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) and NASA s Marshall Space Flight Center are collaborating with the 45th Weather Squadron (45WS) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) to enable improved nowcasting of lightning cessation. The project centers on use of dual-polarimetric radar capabilities, and in particular, the new C-band dual-polarimetric weather radar acquired by the 45WS. Special emphasis is placed on the development of a physically based operational algorithm to predict lightning cessation. While previous studies have developed statistically based lightning cessation algorithms, we believe that dual-polarimetric radar variables offer the possibility to improve existing algorithms through the inclusion of physically meaningful trends reflecting interactions between in-cloud electric fields and microphysics. Specifically, decades of polarimetric radar research using propagation differential phase has demonstrated the presence of distinct phase and ice crystal alignment signatures in the presence of strong electric fields associated with lightning. One question yet to be addressed is: To what extent can these ice-crystal alignment signatures be used to nowcast the cessation of lightning activity in a given storm? Accordingly, data from the UAHuntsville Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational Research (ARMOR) along with the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array are used in this study to investigate the radar signatures present before and after lightning cessation. A summary of preliminary results will be presented.

Schultz, Elsie V.↗

Applied Meteorology Unit (AMU) Quarterly Report. First Quarter FY-05

This report summarizes the Applied Meteorology Unit (AMU) activities for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2005 (October - December 2005). Tasks reviewed include: (1) Objective Lightning Probability Forecast: Phase I, (2) Severe Weather Forecast Decision Aid, (3) Hail Index, (4) Stable Low Cloud Evaluation, (5) Shuttle Ascent Camera Cloud Obstruction Forecast, (6) Range Standardization and Automation (RSA) and Legacy Wind Sensor Evaluation, (7) Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) Optimization and Training Extension, and (8) User Control Interface for ARPS Data Analysis System (ADAS) Data Ingest

Bauman, William↗

Exploring the Use of Radar for a Physically Based Lightning Cessation Nowcasting Tool

NASA s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) are collaborating with the 45th Weather Squadron (45WS) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) to enable improved nowcasting of lightning cessation. This project centers on use of dual-polarimetric radar capabilities, and in particular, the new C-band dual-polarimetric weather radar acquired by the 45WS. Special emphasis is placed on the development of a physically based operational algorithm to predict lightning cessation. While previous studies have developed statistically based lightning cessation algorithms, we believe that dual-polarimetric radar variables offer the possibility to improve existing algorithms through the inclusion of physically meaningful trends reflecting interactions between in-cloud electric fields and hydrometeors. Specifically, decades of polarimetric radar research using propagation differential phase has demonstrated the presence of distinct phase and ice crystal alignment signatures in the presence of strong electric fields associated with lightning. One question yet to be addressed is: To what extent can these ice-crystal alignment signatures be used to nowcast the cessation of lightning activity in a given storm? Accordingly, data from the UAHuntsville Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational Research (ARMOR) along with the NASA-MSFC North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array are used in this study to investigate the radar signatures present before and after lightning cessation. Thus far, our case study results suggest that the negative differential phase shift signature weakens and disappears after the analyzed storms ceased lightning production (i.e., after the last lightning flash occurred). This is a key observation because it suggests that while strong electric fields may still have been present, the lightning cessation signature encompassed the period of the polarimetric negative phase shift signature. To the extent this behavior is repeatable in other cases, even if only in a substantial fraction of those cases, the case analyses suggests that differential propagation phase may prove to be a useful parameter for future lightning cessation algorithms. Indeed, analysis of 15+ cases has shown additional indications of the weakening and disappearance of this ice alignment signature with lightning cessation. A summary of results will be presented.

Schultz, Elise V.↗

Direct Measurement of Dust Attenuation in z approx. 1.5 Star-Forming Galaxies from 3D-HST: Implications for Dust Geometry and Star Formation Rates

The nature of dust in distant galaxies is not well understood, and until recently few direct dust measurements have been possible. We investigate dust in distant star-forming galaxies using near-infrared grism spectra of the 3D-HST survey combined with archival multi-wavelength photometry. These data allow us to make a direct comparison between dust towards star-forming regions (measured using Balmer decrements) and the integrated dust properties (derived by comparing spectral energy distributions [SEDs] with stellar population and dust models) for a statistically significant sample of distant galaxies. We select a sample of 163 galaxies between 1.36< or = z< or = 1.5 with H(alpha) SNR > or = 5 and measure Balmer decrements from stacked spectra. First, we stack spectra in bins of integrated stellar dust attenuation, and find that there is extra dust extinction towards star-forming regions (AV,HII is 1.81 times the integrated AV, star), though slightly lower than found for low-redshift starburst galaxies. Next, we stack spectra in bins of specific star formation rate (log sSFR), star formation rate (log SFR), and stellar mass (logM∗). We find that on average AV,HII increases with SFR and mass, but decreases with increasing sSFR. The amount of extra extinction also decreases with increasing sSFR and decreasing stellar mass. Our results are consistent with the two-phase dust model - in which galaxies contain both a diffuse and a stellar birth cloud dust component - as the extra extinction will increase once older stars outside the star-forming regions become more dominant. Finally, using our Balmer decrements we derive dust-corrected H(alpha) SFRs, and find evidence that SED fitting produces incorrect SFRs if very rapidly declining SFHs are included in the explored parameter space. Subject headings: dust, extinction- galaxies: evolution- galaxies: high-redshift

Direct↗

PACE OCI Lunar Calibration: Initial Results

Launched in February 2024, the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) onboard NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission has started performing its monthly lunar calibrations at ±7degreeslunar phase angle in March 2024. In this paper, we will describe the OCI lunar calibration methodology and show the results of lunar calibration events during the initial months of PACE/OCI operation. A key difference of OCI lunar calibration from heritage sensors is that the lunar disk integrated irradiance is computed from lunar pixel radiance and sampling distance instead of the instrument’s IFOV. PACE provided a near constant sweep rate during lunar calibration allowing accurate determination of OCI pixel sampling extent. OCI performs lunar calibration in baseline science mode with 282 hyperspectral bands from 315 –895 nm and 7 shortwave infrared bands(940 -2260 nm). For each OCI band, we compute the integrated lunar disk irradiance, and compare the result with a lunar irradiance model (ROLO)prediction. The early results presented here clearly show that OCI’s lunar image acquisition is working as intended and will provide accurate data for OCI’s on-orbit radiometric characterization. The hyperspectral lunar irradiances provided by OCI are expected to become a valuable data set for the evaluation of lunar irradiance models.

calibration↗

Lightning and Radar Measures of Mixed Phase Updraft Variability in Tracked Storms During the TRACER Field Campaign in Houston, Texas

Properties of 7488 thunderstorms are summarized for June-September 2022 during the TRACER field campaign Houston, Texas using polarimetric weather radar and VHF 3D lightning mapping array data. Automated tracking of storms linked each instrument’s measurements to a data-defined, time-evolving storm footprint. Within each storm, the depth and magnitude of episodic columns of radar differential reflectivity and specific differential phase quantified the prevalence of updrafts that activated mixed-phase precipitation pathways. Lightning measurements further distinguished the degree of rimed precipitation formation: the fraction of tracks with lightning varied from day to day, and cells with lightning had stronger polarimetric columns. Track-level correlation of lightning flash rate with radar polarimetric measures had substantial spread, showing that lightning provides an additional signal of mixed-phase precipitation processes that can complement future studies of thermodynamic and aerosol controls on cloud microphysics in the Houston region.

TRACER field campaign↗

Semi-volatile and highly oxygenated gaseous and particulate organic compounds observed above a boreal forest canopy

Abstract. We present hourly online observations of molecular compositions (CxHyOzN0−1) and abundances of oxygenated organic species in gas and submicron particle phases from April to June of 2014 as part of the Biogenic Aerosols-Effects on Cloud and Climate (BAECC) campaign. Measurements were made using the Filter Inlet for Gases and AEROsols coupled to a high-resolution time-of-flight iodide-adduct ionization mass spectrometer (FIGAERO-CIMS) located atop a 35 m tall tower, about 10 m above a boreal forest canopy at the SMEAR II research station in Hyytiälä, Finland. Semi-volatile and highly oxygenated multifunctional (HOM) organic species possessing from 1 up to 20 carbon atoms, and with as few as 2 and as many as 16 oxygen atoms, were routinely observed. Utilizing non-negative matrix factorization, we determined that > 90 and > 99 % of the organic mass in the gas and particle phases, respectively, exhibited one of three distinct diel trends: one in which abundances were enhanced at daytime, another in the early morning hours, and thirdly during nighttime. Particulate organic nitrates contributed ∼ 35 % to the total organic aerosol mass loading at night during BAECC, much higher than observed by the same instrument package at a mixed-deciduous forest site in the southeastern US that experienced higher nighttime concentrations of nitrogen oxides. Unique HOM monomers (defined here as those with 10 carbon and 7 or more oxygen atoms) and dimers (at least 16 carbon atoms), with and without a nitrogen atom, were found in most of the three subgroups of both phases. We show the potential to connect these groupings of compounds based on their distinct behavior in time to the expected chemical conditions (biogenic VOC precursor, oxidant type, etc.) responsible for their production. A suite of nitrated dimer-like compounds was detected in both the gas and particle phases, suggesting a potential role for the formation of low-volatility organics from NO3-radical-driven, as well as daytime NO-influenced, monoterpene chemistry.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Methanediol from cloud-processed formaldehyde is only a minor source of atmospheric formic acid

Atmospheric formic acid is severely underpredicted by models. A recent study proposed that this discrepancy can be resolved by abundant formic acid production from the reaction ( 1 ) between hydroxyl radical and methanediol derived from in-cloud formaldehyde processing and provided a chamber-experiment-derived rate constant, k 1 = 7.5 × 10 −12 cm 3 s −1 . High-level accuracy coupled cluster calculations in combination with E,J -resolved two-dimensional master equation analyses yield k 1 = (2.4 ± 0.5) × 10 −12 cm 3 s −1 for relevant atmospheric conditions ( T = 260–310 K and P = 0–1 atm). We attribute this significant discrepancy to HCOOH formation from other molecules in the chamber experiments. More importantly, we show that reversible aqueous processes result indirectly in the equilibration on a 10 min. time scale of the gas-phase reaction HCHO + H 2 O ⇌ HOCH 2 OH (2) with a HOCH 2 OH to HCHO ratio of only ca . 2%. Although HOCH 2 OH outgassing upon cloud evaporation typically increases this ratio by a factor of 1.5–5, as determined by numerical simulations, its in-cloud reprocessing is shown using a global model to strongly limit the gas-phase sink and the resulting production of formic acid. Based on the combined findings in this work, we derive a range of 1.2–8.5 Tg/y for the global HCOOH production from cloud-derived HOCH 2 OH reacting with OH. The best estimate, 3.3 Tg/y, is about 30 times less than recently reported. The theoretical equilibrium constant K eq (2) determined in this work also allows us to estimate the Henry’s law constant of methanediol (8.1 × 10 5 M atm −1 at 280 K).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Extraordinary luminous soft X-ray transient MAXI J0158–744 as an ignition of a nova on a very massive O-Ne white dwarf

We present the observation of an extraordinary luminous soft X-ray transient, MAXI J0158–744, by the Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) on 2011 November 11. This transient is characterized by a soft X-ray spectrum, a short duration (1.3 × 10{sup 3} s < ΔT{sub d} < 1.10 × 10{sup 4} s), a rapid rise (<5.5 × 10{sup 3} s), and a huge peak luminosity of 2 × 10{sup 40} erg s{sup –1} in 0.7-7.0 keV band. With Swift observations and optical spectroscopy from the Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System, we confirmed that the transient is a nova explosion, on a white dwarf in a binary with a Be star, located near the Small Magellanic Cloud. An early turn-on of the super-soft X-ray source (SSS) phase (<0.44 days), the short SSS phase duration of about one month, and a 0.92 keV neon emission line found in the third MAXI scan, 1296 s after the first detection, suggest that the explosion involves a small amount of ejecta and is produced on an unusually massive O-Ne white dwarf close to, or possibly over, the Chandrasekhar limit. We propose that the huge luminosity detected with MAXI was due to the fireball phase, a direct manifestation of the ignition of the thermonuclear runaway process in a nova explosion.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Chemistry of chlorine in dense interstellar clouds

Laboratory experiments and theoretical modeling show that the chemistry of chlorine is fairly simple in dense interstellar clouds, with Cl and HCl as the only species whose fractional abundances are significant. The estimated fraction of gas-phase chlorine present as HCl lies between 25-65 percent, in good agreement with the recent observations of the ground state HCl transition by Blake, Keene, and Philips (1985). These results, combined with the observational limits on HCl, indicate that chlorine is not severely depleted in dense interstellar clouds.

Blake, G. A.↗

Comparisons of Cloud In-Situ Microphysical Properties of Deep Convective Clouds to Appendix D/P using Data from the HAIC-HIWC and HIWC-RADAR I Flight Campaigns

In-situ cloud data from three international flight campaigns are compared to the Federal Aviation Administration Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 33 Appendix D mixed-phase/glaciated environmental envelope, and the corresponding identical European Aviation Safety Agency CS-25 Appendix P envelope. The appendices consist of a temperature-altitude envelope, a 99th percentile total water content envelope at the 17.4 Nm distance scale, a distance factor for estimation at other distance scales, ice crystal median mass diameter, and recommended liquid water content levels in mixed-phase icing conditions. The data were collected during 54 flights out of one subtropical and two tropical locations, with 472 runs from about 17,000’ to 39,000’ in approximately 115 clouds. The campaigns provide about 29,600 Nm of in situ data in deep convection over four targeted temperature intervals: -10, -30, -40, and -50, all ± 5 C. The dataset is a modern and unique documentation of the ice crystal icing environment, and results described in this article will contribute to regulatory and industry assessment of Appendices D and P.

Ice Crystal Icing↗

Multiphase outflows in post-starburst E+A galaxies - II. A direct connection between the neutral and ionized outflow phases

ABSTRACT Post-starburst E+A galaxies are systems that hosted a powerful starburst that was quenched abruptly. Simulations suggest that these systems provide the missing link between major merger ULIRGs and red and dead ellipticals, where AGN feedback is responsible for the expulsion or destruction of the molecular gas. However, many details remain unresolved and little is known about AGN-driven winds in this short-lived phase. We present spatially resolved IFU spectroscopy with MUSE/VLT of SDSS J124754.95-033738.6, a post-starburst E+A galaxy with a recent starburst that started 70 Myr ago and ended 30 Myr ago, with a peak SFR of $\sim 150\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }\,yr^{ -1}}$. We detect disturbed gas throughout the entire field of view, suggesting triggering by a minor merger. We detect fast-moving multiphased gas clouds, embedded in a double-cone face-on outflow, which are traced by ionized emission lines and neutral NaID emission and absorption lines. We find remarkable similarities between the kinematics, spatial extents, and line luminosities of the ionized and neutral gas phases, and propose a model in which they are part of the same outflowing clouds, which are exposed to both stellar and AGN radiation. Our photoionization model provides consistent ionized line ratios, NaID absorption optical depths and EWs, and dust reddening. Using the model, we estimate, for the first time, the neutral-to-ionized gas mass ratio (about 20), the sodium neutral fraction, and the size of the outflowing clouds. This is one of the best ever observed direct connections between the neutral and ionized outflow phases in AGN.

Baron, Dalya↗

hsrl (01)

High-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) systems collect data about clouds and aerosols. These systems provide vertical profiles of optical depth, backscatter cross-section, depolarization, and backscatter phase function. All HSRL measurements are absolutely calibrated by reference to molecular scattering, which is measured at each point in the lidar profile. Like the Raman lidar, but unlike simple backscatter lidars such as the micropulse lidar, the HSRL can measure backscatter cross-sections and optical depths without prior assumptions about the scattering properties of the atmosphere. The depolarization observations also allow robust discrimination between ice and water clouds. In addition, rigorous error estimates can be computed for all measurements. A very narrow, angular field of view reduces multiple scattering contributions. The small field of view, coupled with a narrow optical bandwidth, nearly eliminates noise due to scattered sunlight. ARM operates two HSRL systems, one at the Barrow, North Slope of Alaska (NSA) site and the other in the second ARM Mobile Facility (AMF2), which is deployed at various locations on field campaigns.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Interpretation of satellite-measured bidirectional reflectance from Cirrus cloudy atmospheres

The interpretation of the observed bidirectional reflectance from cirrus cloudy atmospheres is presented. A theoretical model was developed for the computation of the transfer of solar radiation in an anisotropic medium with particular applications to oriented ice crystals in cirrus clouds. In this model, the adding principle for radiative transfer was used with modifications to account for the anisotropy of scattering particles and the associated scattering phase matrix. The single-scattering properties, including the phase function, single-scattering albedo, and extinction cross sections, were used for randomly and horizontally oriented hexagonal ice crystals in radiative transfer computations. The radiative transfer model developed for the cirrus clouds was modified to account for the scattering contributions from the atmosphere and the surface. In order to test the relevance and significance of the ice crystal model for the interpretation of observed bidirectional reflectance from satellites, visible radiances collected on the half hour by the GOES series were selected. The data are calibrated and corrected with the proper filter functions, then navigated to match selected landmark data. A number of clear and cloudy cases during the cirrus IFO of the Fire experiment were chosen for theoretical analyses. The cloud particle shape and size distributions that were taken during satellite overpasses are used in radiative transfer calculations. The sensitivities of the shape, orientation, and size distribution of ice crystals on the reflected intensities at the top of the atmosphere are investigated. Finally, the relative importance of these cloud microphysical properties in the interpretation of satellite bidirectional reflectance are assessed and presented.

Takano, Y.↗

RADIATION MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC SIMULATIONS OF PROTOSTELLAR COLLAPSE: NONIDEAL MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC EFFECTS AND EARLY FORMATION OF CIRCUMSTELLAR DISKS

The transport of angular momentum by magnetic fields is a crucial physical process in the formation and evolution of stars and disks. Because the ionization degree in star-forming clouds is extremely low, nonideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects such as ambipolar diffusion and ohmic dissipation work strongly during protostellar collapse. These effects have significant impacts in the early phase of star formation as they redistribute magnetic flux and suppress angular momentum transport by magnetic fields. We perform three-dimensional nested-grid radiation magnetohydrodynamic simulations including ohmic dissipation and ambipolar diffusion. Without these effects, magnetic fields transport angular momentum so efficiently that no rotationally supported disk is formed even after the second collapse. Ohmic dissipation works only in a relatively high density region within the first core and suppresses angular momentum transport, enabling formation of a very small rotationally supported disk after the second collapse. With both ohmic dissipation and ambipolar diffusion, these effects work effectively in almost the entire region within the first core and significant magnetic flux loss occurs. As a result, a rotationally supported disk is formed even before a protostellar core forms. The size of the disk is still small, about 5 AU at the end of the first core phase, but this disk will grow later as gas accretion continues. Thus, the nonideal MHD effects can resolve the so-called magnetic braking catastrophe while keeping the disk size small in the early phase, which is implied from recent interferometric observations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Predicting the influence of particle size on the glass transition temperature and viscosity of secondary organic material

Abstract Atmospheric aerosols can assume liquid, amorphous semi-solid or glassy, and crystalline phase states. Particle phase state plays a critical role in understanding and predicting aerosol impacts on human health, visibility, cloud formation, and climate. Melting point depression increases with decreasing particle diameter and is predicted by the Gibbs–Thompson relationship. This work reviews existing data on the melting point depression to constrain a simple parameterization of the process. The parameter $$\xi $$ ξ describes the degree to which particle size lowers the melting point and is found to vary between 300 and 1800 K nm for a wide range of particle compositions. The parameterization is used together with existing frameworks for modeling the temperature and RH dependence of viscosity to predict the influence of particle size on the glass transition temperature and viscosity of secondary organic aerosol formed from the oxidation of $$\alpha $$ α -pinene. Literature data are broadly consistent with the predictions. The model predicts a sharp decrease in viscosity for particles less than 100 nm in diameter. It is computationally efficient and suitable for inclusion in models to evaluate the potential influence of the phase change on atmospheric processes. New experimental data of the size-dependence of particle viscosity for atmospheric aerosol mimics are needed to thoroughly validate the predictions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Accretion flow properties of MAXI J1543-564 during 2011 outburst from the TCAF solution

We derive accretion flow properties of the transient black hole candidate (BHC) MAXI J1543–564 using the RXTE data. We use the two-component advective flow (TCAF) solution to fit the data of the initial rising phase of outburst (from 2011 May 10 to 15). The 2.5–25 keV spectra are fitted using the TCAF solution fits file as a local additive table model in XSPEC. We extract physical flow parameters such as the two-component (Keplerian disk and sub-Keplerian halo) accretion rates and size and the property of the Compton cloud (post-shock region close to a black hole). Similar to other classical transient BHCs, monotonic evolution of low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) is observed during the rising phase of the outburst, which is fitted with the propagating oscillatory shock (POS) model, which describes how the Compton cloud properties change from day to day. From the nature of variations of TCAF model fitted physical flow parameters and QPOs, we only found hard-intermediate and soft-intermediate spectral states during this phase of the outburst under study. We also calculated the frequency of the dominating QPOs from the TCAF model fitted shock parameters and found that they roughly match with the observed and POS model fitted values. From our spectro-temporal study of the source with TCAF and POS models, the most probable mass of the BHC is found to be 12.6–14.0 M {sub ⊙}, or 13{sub −0.4}{sup +1.0} M{sub ⊙}.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗