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At least 1,567 records · Page 87

Cage Regional Energy Budgets from the GLAS 4TH Order Model

The status and future plans of a study to (1) assess the accuracy of regional energy balance calculations obtained from the 4th-order model, (2) determine the impact of satellite data on the calculations, and (3) determine their utility for ocean energy transport studies are discussed. An equation is presented which models the vertically-integrated, time and areally-averaged total energy content of a region of the atmosphere extending from the surface to the top of the atmosphere. All of the terms of the equation were evaluated using early versions of the GLAS FGGE IIIb analysis, and analysis with satellite data deleted. Results show that the budget is dominated by the surface fluxes, net radiation, and horizontal atmospoheric divergence.

Herman, G. F.↗

Experimental evaluation of heat transfer on a 1030:1 area ratio rocket nozzle

A 1030:1 carbon steel, heat-sink nozzle was tested. The test conditions included a nominal chamber pressure of 2413 kN/sq m and a mixture ratio range of 2.78 to 5.49. The propellants were gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen. Outer wall temperature measurements were used to calculate the inner wall temperature and the heat flux and heat rate to the nozzle at specified axial locations. The experimental heat fluxes were compared to those predicted by the Two-Dimensional Kinetics (TDK) computer model analysis program. When laminar boundary layer flow was assumed in the analysis, the predicted values were within 15% of the experimental values for the area ratios of 20 to 975. However, when turbulent boundary layer conditions were assumed, the predicted values were approximately 120% higher than the experimental values. A study was performed to determine if the conditions within the nozzle could sustain a laminar boundary layer. Using the flow properties predicted by TDK, the momentum-thickness Reynolds number was calculated, and the point of transition to turbulent flow was predicted. The predicted transition point was within 0.5 inches of the nozzle throat. Calculations of the acceleration parameter were then made to determine if the flow conditions could produce relaminarization of the boundary layer. It was determined that if the boundary layer flow was inclined to transition to turbulent, the acceleration conditions within the nozzle would tend to suppress turbulence and keep the flow laminar-like.

Kacynski, Kenneth J.↗

Experimental evaluation of heat transfer on a 1030:1 area ratio rocket nozzle

A 1030:1 carbon steel, heat-sink nozzle was tested. The test conditions included a nominal chamber pressure of 2413 kN/sq m and a mixture ratio range of 2.78 to 5.49. The propellants were gaseous oxygen and gaseous hydrogen. Outer wall temperature measurements were used to calculate the inner wall temperature and the heat flux and heat rate to the nozzle at specified axial locations. The experimental heat fluxes were compared to those predicted by the Two-Dimensional Kinetics (TDK) computer model analysis program. When laminar boundary layer flow was assumed in the analysis, the predicted values were within 15 percent of the experimental values for the area ratios of 20 to 975. However, when turbulent boundary layer conditions were assumed, the predicted values were approximately 120 percent higher than the experimental values. A study was performed to determine if the conditions within the nozzle could sustain a laminar boundary layer. Using the flow properties predicted by TDK, the momentum-thickness Reynolds number was calculated, and the point of transition to turbulent flow was predicted. The predicted transition point was within 0.5 inches of the nozzle throat. Calculations of the acceleration parameter were then made to determine if the flow conditions could produce relaminarization of the boundary layer. It was determined that if the boundary layer flow was inclined to transition to turbulent, the acceleration conditions within the nozzle would tend to suppress turbulence and keep the flow laminar-like.

Kacynski, Kenneth J.↗

A thermodynamic model of the Hg(0.8)Cd(0.2)Te-iodine transport system. I - Te-saturated source material. II - Source material composition within the homogeneity range

A thermochemical analysis of the Hg(0.8)Cd(0.2)Te-iodine vapor transport system is presented, and theoretical calculations of diffusion-controlled mass transport rates are made. The predicted mass fluxes are compared with experimental data obtained from transport experiments under vertical, stabilizing conditions reported earlier and with results of additional transport experiments conducted during the present study. Experimental mass transport rate studies of the transport system for fixed amount of excess Hg as a function of transport agent pressure are presented. The mass fluxes are determined for the vertical, stabilizing orientation of the density gradient relative to the gravitational vector. In order to compare experimental mass transport rates with computed values, the thermochemical analysis is extended to take the formation of Hg vacancies in the above compound into account along with their effect on the partial pressure of the system.

Chandra, D.↗

Voyager 2 plasma ion observations in the magnetosphere of Uranus

Positive ion measurements in the magnetosphere of Uranus have been made by the Voyager 2 plasma science experiment. The paper presents an overview of the entire data set and a detailed analysis of the observations from the inner magnetosphere which complements and extends results reported elsewhere. Densities and temperatures are obtained from an analysis which incorporates details of the instrumental response. These results are then used to calculate flux tube particle and energy content to support the hypothesis that the plasma transport is controlled by a solar wind-driven magnetospheric convection system. Variations in the flux tube content suggest both a local source of plasma, produced from the neutral hydrogen corona of Uranus, and a nonlocal source, convected inwared and heated by adiabatic compression. In each case a proton composition is inferred. Sharp boundaries in the high-energy (approximately 1 keV) plasma population are interpreted in terms of the spatial extent of the magnetospheric convection, with significant shielding of the convection electric field. The convection theory is also used in a simulation of the low-energy (approximately 10 eV) ion component using the neutral hydrogen source, resulting in distribution functions which qualitatively agree with the observations.

Selesnick, Richard S.↗

Theory of anisotropic refractive scintillation - Application to stellar occultations by Neptune

A theory of refractive scintillation due to a thin phase-changing screen with an anisotropic power-law spectrum of phase fluctuations is presented. Scintillation theory for an isotropic medium is discussed, and anisotropy of the mean density and anisotropy in the scattering are discussed. The theory of refractive scintillation in an anisotropic medium is developed, deriving a general expression for the cross-correlation of flux variations at two points on the 'observer screen'. From this, estimates of the coherence lengths and amplitudes of flux variations are obtained for important parameter regimes. The application of the theory to the analysis of two occultations by Neptune is addressed. The projected dimensions of the occulting stars, a normalization constant to describe the phase fluctuations, and an anisotropy parameter are determined, and the theory is shown to agree well with observation. The significance of the theory for understanding of the physics of Neptune's atmosphere is discussed.

Narayan, Ramesh↗

Measurements of H2O in the terrestrial mesosphere and implications for extra-terrestrial sources

Recent measurements of mesospheric water vapor and their implications for the existence of extraterrestrial sources of water are discussed. This study was prompted by the work of L. Frank and others who, based on their interpretation of transient dark spots visible in ultraviolet images of the Earth's dayglow emission, have proposed that a large flux of small comets enters the Earth's upper atmosphere each day. To date, however, analysis does not conclusively refute or support the idea of an external source.

Olivero, John J.↗

Crystallization of a barium-aluminosilicate glass

The crystallization of a celsian glass composition was investigated as a possible high-temperature ceramic matrix material. Heat treatments invariably resulted in crystallization of the hexaclesian phase unless a flux, such as lithia, was added or a nucleating agent used (e.g., celsian seeds). TEM analysis revealed complex microstructures. Glasses with Mo additions contained hexacelsian, mullite, and an Mo-rich glass. Li2O additions stabilized celsian but mullite and Mo-rich glass were still present.

Drummond, C. H., III↗

Diurnal variability of the hydrologic cycle in a general circulation model

In the present Colorado State University GCM simulation-based analysis of the diurnal and semidiurnal variability of precipitation, precipitable water, evaporation, cloudiness, horizontal moisture flux convergence, and cloud radiative forcing, a realistic afternoon precipitation maximum is obtained over land in warm rainy regions, as well as an early morning maximum over the oceans. The model has been further used to investigate the bases for the oceanic diurnal-precipitation cycle; the results thus obtained indicate that such an oceanic cycle occurs even in the absence of neighboring continents, and tends to have a morning maximum, although the observed phenomenon is generally stronger than the results indicate.

Randall, David A.↗

Numerical analysis of the hot-gas-side and coolant-side heat transfer in liquid rocket engine combustors

The objectives of this paper are to develop computational methods to predict the hot-gas-side and coolant-side heat transfer, and to use these methods in parametric studies to recommend optimized design of the coolant channels for regeneratively cooled liquid rocket engine combustors. An integrated numerical model which incorporates computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for the hot-gas thermal environment, and thermal analysis for the coolant channels, was developed. The mode was validated by comparing predicted heat fluxes with those of hot-firing test and industrial design methods. Parametric studies were performed to find a strategy for optimized combustion chamber coolant channel design.

Wang, T. S.↗

Three-dimensional boundary element thermal shape sensitivity analysis

A computationally efficient and accurate shape design sensitivity analysis approach for the thermal response of 3D solid objects is presented which utilizes a direct, singular, boundary element analysis formulation. The theoretical formulation for the primary response (the surface temperature and normal heat flux) sensitivities and the secondary response (tangential components of the heat flux, vector, interior point temperature and heat flux vector components) sensitivities are presented. A number of computational issues related to the overall efficiency of implementation of these formulations are discussed. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of this approach.

Prasad, K. G.↗

Contamination control and plume assessment of low-energy thrusters

Potential contamination of a spacecraft cryogenic surface by a xenon (Xe) ion generator was evaluated. The analysis involves the description of the plume exhausted from the generator with its relative component fluxes on the spacecraft surfaces, and verification of the conditions for condensation, adsorption, and sputtering at those locations. The data describing the plume fluxes and their effects on surfaces were obtained from two sources: the tests carried out with the Xe generator in a small vacuum chamber to indicate deposits and sputter on monitor slides; and the extensive tests with a mercury (Hg) ion thruster in a large vacuum chamber. The Hg thruster tests provided data on the neutrals, on low-energy ion fluxes, on high-energy ion fluxes, and on sputtered materials at several locations within the plume.

Scialdone, John J.↗

The striking near-infrared morphology of the inner region in M100

New optical and near-infrared (NIR) K-band images of the inner 3 kpc region of the nearby Virgo spiral M100 (NGC 4321) display remarkable morphological changes with wavelength. While in the optical the light is dominated by circumnuclear zone of enhanced star formation, the morphological features in the 2.2 micrometer image correspond to a newly discovered kiloparsec-size stellar bar and a pair of leading arms situated inside an ovally shaped region. Analysis of the K image confirms its symmetry: only a very small percentage of the flux, some 5%, is emitted in antisymmetric structures. This indicates that the overall morphology observed in the NIR is dominated by a global density wave. Making a first-order correction for the presence of localized dust extinction in the K light using the I-K image, we find that the observed leading arm morphology is not caused or enhanced but in fact slightly hidden by dust. Possible mechanisms responsible for the optical and NIR morphology are discussed, and tests are proposed to discriminate between them. Our dynamical conclusions are supported with an evolutionary stellar population model reproducing the observed optical and NIR colors in a number of star-forming zones. We argue that the observed morphology is compatible with the presence of a pair of inner Lindblad resonances in the region and show this explicitly in an accompanying paper by detailed numerical modeling. The phenomena observed in NGC 4321 may provide insight into physical process leading to central activity in galaxies.

Knapen, J. H.↗

A Spacebased Ocean Surface Exchange Data Analysis System

Emerging technologies have provided unprecedented opportunities to transform information into knowledge and disseminate them in a much faster, cheaper, and userfriendly mode. We have set up a system to produce and disseminate high level (gridded) ocean surface wind data from the NASA Scatterometer and European Remote Sensing missions. The data system is being expanded to produce real-time gridded ocean surface winds from an improved sensor SeaWinds on the Quikscat Mission. The wind field will be combined with hydrologic parameters from the Tropical Rain Measuring Mission to monitor evolving weather systems and natural hazard in real time. It will form the basis for spacebased Ocean Surface Exchange Data Analysis System (SOSEDAS) which will include the production of ocean surface momentum, heat, and water fluxes needed for interdisciplinary studies of ocean-atmosphere interaction. Various commercial or non-commercial software tools have been compared and selected in terms of their ability in database management, remote data accessing, graphical interface, data quality, storage needs and transfer speed, etc. Issues regarding system security and user authentication, distributed data archiving and accessing, strategy to compress large-volume geophysical and satellite data/image. and increasing transferring speed are being addressed. A simple and easy way to access information and derive knowledge from spacebased data of multiple missions is being provided. The evolving 'knowledge system' will provide relevant infrastructure to address Earth System Science, make inroads in educating an informed populace, and illuminate decision and policy making.

Tang, Wenqing↗

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

The objectives of this study are to conduct a unified computational analysis for computing the design parameters such as axial thrust, convective and radiative wall heat fluxes for liquid rocket engine nozzles, so as to develop a computational strategy for computing those design 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 wail boundary conditions, combustion chemistry, radiation coupling, computational cell shape, and grid refinement were performed and assessed. Comparisons of the computed axial thrust performance, flow features, and wail heat fluxes with those of available test data and design calculations are presented.

Wang, Ten-See↗

X-Ray and TeV Gamma-Ray Observations of the Strong TeV Gamma-Ray Blazars Mrk 501 and 1ES 1959+650

In June 2003, the blazar 1ES 1959+650 showed a very high level of X-ray activity. The 2-12 keV flux measured with the RXTE All Sky Monitor exceeded 10 mCrab for a prolonged time. We therefore invoked RXTE multiwavelength observations of the source. It was observed with RXTE between May 2,2003 and June 7,2003 with a total integration time of 33 ksec. We complemented the RXTE observations with TeV gamma- ray observations with the Whipple 10 m Cherenkov telescope (Mt. Hopkins, &.). In addition, we invoked radio observations with the UMRAO radio telescope (Aller et al.) and with the Bordeaux optical observatory (P. Charlot et al.). The RXTE observations revealed several X-ray flares with large amplitude variations of the 3 keV - 15 keV spectral index. While the X-ray flares were of intermediate amplitude - some of them comparable to the high X-ray fluxes measured in 2002 - the source remained unexpectedly quiet at TeV gamma-rays. The analysis of the Whipple 10 m TeV gamma-ray data did not result in a firm detection.

Krawczynski, Henric↗

Satellite remote sensing of landscape freeze/thaw state dynamics for complex Topography and Fire Disturbance Areas Using multi-sensor radar and SRTM digital elevation models

We characterize differences in radar-derived freeze/thaw state, examining transitions over complex terrain and landscape disturbance regimes. In areas of complex terrain, we explore freezekhaw dynamics related to elevation, slope aspect and varying landcover. In the burned regions, we explore the timing of seasonal freeze/thaw transition as related to the recovering landscape, relative to that of a nearby control site. We apply in situ biophysical measurements, including flux tower measurements to validate and interpret the remotely sensed parameters. A multi-scale analysis is performed relating high-resolution SAR backscatter and moderate resolution scatterometer measurements to assess trade-offs in spatial and temporal resolution in the remotely sensed fields.

synthetic aperture radars (SARs)↗

Connections Between Jet Formation and Multiwavelength Spectral Evolution in Black Hole Transients

Multiwavelength observations are the key to understand conditions of jet formation in Galactic black hole transient (GBHT) systems. By studying radio and optical-infrared evolution of such systems during outburst decays, the compact jet formation can be traced. Comparing this with X-ray spectral and timing evolution we can obtain physical and geometrical conditions for jet formation, and study the contribution of jets to X-ray emission. In this work, first X-ray evolution - jet relation for XTE J1752-223 will be discussed. This source had very good coverage in X-rays, optical, infrared and radio. A long exposure with INTEGRAL also allowed us to study gamma-ray behavior after the jet turns on. We will also show results from the analysis of data from GX 339-4 in the hard state with SUZAKU at low flux levels. The fits to iron line fluorescence emission show that the inner disk radius increases by a factor of greater than 27 with respect to radii in bright states. This result, along with other disk radius measurements in the hard state will be discussed within the context of conditions for launching and sustaining jets.

Kakemci, Emrah↗