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At least 163 records · Page 9

Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy (SSE) Data Release 5.1

The Surface meteorology and Solar Energy (SSE) data set contains over 200 parameters formulated for assessing and designing renewable energy systems.The SSE data set is formulated from NASA satellite- and reanalysis-derived insolation and meteorological data for the 10-year period July 1983 through June 1993. Results are provided for 1 degree latitude by 1 degree longitude grid cells over the globe. Average daily and monthly measurements for 1195 World Radiation Data Centre ground sites are also available. [Location=GLOBAL] [Temporal_Coverage: Start_Date=1983-07-01; Stop_Date=1993-06-30] [Spatial_Coverage: Southernmost_Latitude=-90; Northernmost_Latitude=90; Westernmost_Longitude=-180; Easternmost_Longitude=180] [Data_Resolution: Latitude_Resolution=1 degree; Longitude_Resolution=1 degree].

Arctic heating↗

Longitudinal Differences of Ionospheric Vertical Density Distribution and Equatorial Electrodynamics

Accurate estimation of global vertical distribution of ionospheric and plasmaspheric density as a function of local time, season, and magnetic activity is required to improve the operation of space-based navigation and communication systems. The vertical density distribution, especially at low and equatorial latitudes, is governed by the equatorial electrodynamics that produces a vertical driving force. The vertical structure of the equatorial density distribution can be observed by using tomographic reconstruction techniques on ground-based global positioning system (GPS) total electron content (TEC). Similarly, the vertical drift, which is one of the driving mechanisms that govern equatorial electrodynamics and strongly affect the structure and dynamics of the ionosphere in the low/midlatitude region, can be estimated using ground magnetometer observations. We present tomographically reconstructed density distribution and the corresponding vertical drifts at two different longitudes: the East African and west South American sectors. Chains of GPS stations in the east African and west South American longitudinal sectors, covering the equatorial anomaly region of meridian approx. 37 deg and 290 deg E, respectively, are used to reconstruct the vertical density distribution. Similarly, magnetometer sites of African Meridian B-field Education and Research (AMBER) and INTERMAGNET for the east African sector and South American Meridional B-field Array (SAMBA) and Low Latitude Ionospheric Sensor Network (LISN) are used to estimate the vertical drift velocity at two distinct longitudes. The comparison between the reconstructed and Jicamarca Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) measured density profiles shows excellent agreement, demonstrating the usefulness of tomographic reconstruction technique in providing the vertical density distribution at different longitudes. Similarly, the comparison between magnetometer estimated vertical drift and other independent drift observation, such as from VEFI onboard Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) satellite and JULIA radar, is equally promising. The observations at different longitudes suggest that the vertical drift velocities and the vertical density distribution have significant longitudinal differences; especially the equatorial anomaly peaks expand to higher latitudes more in American sector than the African sector, indicating that the vertical drift in the American sector is stronger than the African sector.

total electron content↗

F Ring Core Stability: Corotation Resonance Plus Antiresonance

The decades-or-longer stability of the narrow F Ring core in a sea of orbital chaos appears to be due to an unusual combination of traditional corotation resonance and a novel kind of "antiresonance". At a series of specific locations in the F Ring region, apse precession between synodic encounters with Prometheus allows semimajor axis perturbations to promptly cancel before significant orbital period changes can occur. This cancellation fails for particles that encounter Prometheus when it is near its apoapse, especially during periods of antialignment of its apse with that of the F Ring. At these times, the strength of the semimajor axis perturbation is large (tens of km) and highly nonsinusoidal in encounter longitude, making it impossible to cancel promptly on a subsequent encounter and leading to chaotic orbital diffusion. Only particles that consistently encounter Prometheus away from its apoapse can use antiresonance to maintain stable orbits, implying that the true mean motion nF of the stable core must be defined by a corotational resonance of the form nF = nP(-kappa)P/m, where (nP, kappaP) are Prometheus' mean motion and epicycle frequency. To test this hypothesis we used the fact that Cassini RSS occultations only sporadically detect a "massive" F Ring core, composed of several-cm-and-larger particles. We regressed the inertial longitudes of 24 Cassini RSS (and VGR) detections and 43 nondetections to a common epoch, using a comb of candidate nP, and then folded them modulo the anticipated m-number of the corotational resonance (Prometheus m = 110 outer CER), to see if clustering appears. We find the "true F Ring core" is actually arranged in a series of short longitudinal arcs separated by nearly empty longitudes, orbiting at a well determined semimajor axis of 140222.4 km (from 2005-2012 at least). Small particles seen by imaging and stellar occultations spread quickly in azimuth and obscure this clumpy structure. Small chaotic variations in the mean motion and/or apse longitude of Prometheus quickly become manifest in the F Ring core, and we suggest that the core must adapt to these changes for the F Ring to maintain stability over timescales of decades and longer

Cassini RSS occultations↗

Apollo 17 Index: 70 mm, 35 mm, and 16 mm Photographs

This index lists and provides supplemental data for all Apollo 17 70 mm, 35 mm, and 16 mm photographs. The 70 mm and 35 mm photographs are indexed in three ways: (1) all photographs are listed in numerical sequence according to NASA photograph number, (2) photographs exposed in lunar orbit are listed according to longitude in 10deg increments, and (3) all photographs exposed on the lunar surface are listed in chronological order. In indexing the 70 mm and 35 mm orbital photographs, individual frames were matched to imagery on the 1:2,750,000 scale Lunar Planning Charts (LOC). Each frame was outlined on the LOC base map, and the principal point determined. The latitude and longitude of each principal point, to the nearest 0.1 degree, is recorded in this index, If the principal point of a photograph is in space or its location obscured by shadow, an approximate longitude was recorded so that the photograph would not be excluded from the computer-generated listing by longitude. Each frame is described in terms of a named lunar surface feature within the boundaries of the frame or, if no named features are within the frame boundaries, a major nearby feature.

Wells, Ronald A.↗

Spatial distribution of emerging flux regions.

The absence of preferential longitudes for emerging flux regions (EFRs) on the sun indicates that sunspot preferential longitudes, if they exist, are due to favorable longitudes for EFRs to become spot groups rather than to the distribution of points of emergence of EFRs. A short-lived 'preferential latitude' (classical activity complex) is found. The latitudinal distribution of all EFRs exhibits a Maunders diagram behavior as expected on the basis of data for the fraction of EFRs which become spot groups. Possibly significant nonrandom behavior of the EFR time distribution is also found.

Glackin, D. L.↗

Initial development of the June 1971 South Equatorial Belt disturbance on Jupiter.

Photographs taken with the Catalina 61-inch reflector from June 21 through July 10, 1971 have enabled the author to study and measure the early developments of a major South Equatorial Belt (SEB) disturbance. High-resolution photographs of the disturbance were obtained on seven nights during the 19-day interval. Our first photograph at 04:38 UT on June 21 recorded the initial outbreak at 79.5 deg longitude (System II), and -14 deg zenographic latitude. From this point, dark spots moved along the SEBs towards increasing longitude, and white spots a short distance along the SEBn towards decreasing longitude.

Minton, R. B.↗

Detection and analysis of Jupiter's decametric micropulses

The occurrence of Jupiter's decametric radio emission can be correlated with the central meridian longitude of Jupiter as if the active regions were radio transmitters placed at fixed longitudes on its surface. These active regions are commonly called sources and are labelled Source A, Jovian longitude = 200 deg, Source B = 100 deg and Source C =300 deg. These sources are not always active. However, they can be turned-on if Jupiter's innermost Galilean moon, Io, is in the right phase. In fact, if Io is found 90 deg from superior geocentric conjunction (maximum eastern elongation) and if source B is simultaneously on the central meridian, source B radiation is almost guaranteed, whereas source C radiation is highly likely when Io is found 240 deg from superior geocentric conjunction. Source A radiation is largely independent of Io's position. Interestingly, the Io-related radio storms contain unusually rapid events that can only be properly studied using wide-band techniques.

Lebo, G. R.↗

Relation of coronal magnetic structure to the interplanetary proton events of August 2-9, 1972

In order to interpret the time history of protons of energy greater than about 13.5 MeV observed on Pioneers 9 and 10 and IMP 5 from the flares of Aug. 2, 4 and 7, the coronal connection longitudes of the interplanetary field lines were estimated using the solar wind velocities measured on the spacecraft. There is reasonable agreement between the observed magnetic field polarity at Pioneer 9 and the equatorial chromospheric polarity at the inferred connection longitudes. The protons appear to be released preferentially in a large magnetic neutral-line complex that surrounds the flare region (McMath 11976) from Carrington longitudes 0 to 60. Although impulsive proton events were observed from all three flares by Pioneer 9, only the second two were seen at earth, and Pioneer 10 never showed comparable impulsive response. These apparent discrepancies are resolved by comparison with magnetic neutral line structure.

Roelof, E. C.↗

Comments on the course of solar activity during the declining phase of solar cycle 20 /1970-74/

Observational data on sunspots, the 2800-MHz flux, and calcium plages are interpreted which were obtained during the declining phase of solar cycle 20. It is shown that three pulses of activity occurred during this period and resulted in two conspicuous 'stillstands' in the smooth means of the sunspot, 2800-MHz, and plage data. The longitudes of centers of sunspot and flare activity are found to have clustered in identifiable zones or hemispheres for relatively long periods of time. The sun is seen to have had a relatively inactive hemisphere centered about zero deg longitude, and certain well defined coronal holes were apparently located near the middle of this hemisphere. The first sunspot groups of cycle 21 are observed to have formed in the longitude zones associated with relatively high levels of activity during cycle 20.

Dodson, H. W.↗

Pioneer 10 - Observations of energetic electrons in the Jovian magnetosphere

Data obtained by Pioneer 10 on the properties of energetic electrons in the Jovian magnetosphere are analyzed. The basic detectors (seven miniature Geiger-Mueller tubes) are described together with the signal processor and sampling techniques. The model of Jupiter used in the data analysis is a centered dipole with a tilt of 9.5 deg toward 230 deg System III longitude. The energetic-electron observations within the inner magnetosphere are found to indicate that radial as well as pitch-angle diffusion of energetic electrons must take place very rapidly. Outbound observations within the magnetodisk (the region beyond 20 Jupiter radii) are found to indicate a spiraling of the apparent location of the longitude of the dipole tilt, while inbound data indicate a constant value for the apparent longitude of the dipole tilt out to 70 Jupiter radii.

Randall, B. A.↗

The motions of Phobos and Deimos from Mariner 9 TV data

Orbit elements for the two Martian satellites Phobos and Deimos have been determined from 80 television photographs of the satellites taken by the imaging system of the Mariner 9 spacecraft. Phobos was found to be within 60 km of its positions predicted by recently published ephemeris theories which include a secular acceleration term in the longitude. This tends to corroborate the existence of a secular acceleration in the longitude of Phobos. Deimos was found to be within 100 km of its position predicted from earth-based observations. Comparison of the satellite's orbits determined from Mariner 9 data are made to these same ephemeric theories which are based on recent processing of earth-based observations. In addition, the magnitude of periodic perturbations to the satellite orbits due to Mars' gravity field and solar gravity are discussed and a 110 km long period perturbation in the longitude of Deimos is identified.

Born, G. H.↗

A global reference atmospheric model for surface to orbital altitudes

An empirical atmospheric model has been developed which generates values for pressure, density, temperature and winds from surface levels to orbital altitudes. The output parameters consist of components for: (1) latitude, longitude, and altitude dependent monthly means; (2) quasi-biennial oscillations; and (3) random perturbations to partially simulate the variability due to synoptic, diurnal, planetary wave and gravity wave variations. The monthly mean models consist of: NASA's four dimensional worldwide model for height, latitude, and longitude dependent monthly means from the surface to 25 km; and a newly developed latitude-longitude dependent model which is an extension of the Groves latitude dependent model for the region between 25 and 90 km. The Jacchia 1970 model is used above 90 km and is faired with the modified Groves values between 90 and 115 km. Quasi-biennial and random variation perturbations are computed from parameters determined from various empirical studies, and are added to the monthly mean values.

Justus, C. G.↗

Research study on neutral thermodynamic atmospheric model

The Global Reference Atmospheric Model is used along with the revised perturbation statistics to evaluate and computer graph various atmospheric statistics along a space shuttle reference mission and abort trajectory. The trajectory plots are height vs. ground range, with height from ground level to 155 km and ground range along the reentry trajectory. Cross sectional plots, height vs. latitude or longitude, are also generated for 80 deg longitude, with heights from 30 km to 90 km and latitude from -90 deg to +90 deg, and for 45 deg latitude, with heights from 30 km to 90 km and longitudes from 180 deg E to 180 deg W. The variables plotted are monthly average pressure, density, temperature, wind components, and wind speed and standard deviations and 99th inter-percentile range for each of these variables.

Hargraves, W. R.↗

Recent high energy gamma-ray results from SAS-2

Recent developments in gamma-ray astronomy due to the results from SAS-2 have focused on two areas. First, the emission from the plane of the Galaxy is the dominant feature in the gamma-ray sky. The galactic latitude and longitude distributions are consistent with the concept that the high-energy radiation originates from cosmic rays interacting with interstellar matter, and the measurements support a galactic origin for cosmic rays. Second, searches of the SAS-2 data for emission from localized sources have shown three strong discrete gamma-ray sources: the Crab nebula and PSR 0531 + 21, the Vela supernova remnant and PSR 0833-45, and a source near galactic coordinates 193 deg longitude, +3 deg latitude, which does not appear to be associated with other known celestial objects. Evidence has also been found for pulsed gamma-ray emission from two other radio pulsars, PSR 1818-04 and PSR 1747-46. A localized source near longitudes 76-80 deg may be associated with the X-ray source Cyg X-3.

Thompson, D. J.↗

Geographical variations of NO and O3 in the lower stratosphere

Nitric oxide and ozone concentrations in the lower stratosphere have been measured from a high-altitude research aircraft using in situ measuring techniques. Results of several geographical surveys are presented along with predictions of two two-dimensional stratospheric models. Meridional and zonal data were obtained in June 1974 and in June, July, and August 1975. At longitudes 122-158 deg W the meridional data taken between 5 and 80 deg N latitude show an increasing NO concentration with latitude, by a factor of 4 at 21-km altitude and a less marked increase at 18 km. The minimum NO concentration at 21 km is observed at 5 deg N latitude and is about 6 x 10 to the 8th power/cu cm. Zonal data at latitudes 22-38 deg N taken from 55 to 176 deg N longitude show little variation of the NO and O3 concentrations with longitude.

Loewenstein, M.↗

Prediction of solar energetic particle event histories using real-time particle and solar wind measurements

The comparatively well-ordered magnetic structure in the solar corona during the decline of Solar Cycle 20 revealed a characteristic dependence of solar energetic particle injection upon heliographic longitude. When analyzed using solar wind mapping of the large scale interplanetary magnetic field line connection from the corona to the Earth, particle fluxes display an approximately exponential dependence on heliographic longitude. Since variations in the solar wind velocity (and hence the coronal connection longitude) can severely distort the simple coronal injection profile, the use of real-time solar wind velocity measurements can be of great aid in predicting the decay of solar particle events. Although such exponential injection profiles are commonplace during 1973-1975, they have also been identified earlier in Solar Cycle 20, and hence this structure may be present during the rise and maximum of the cycle, but somewhat obscured by greater temporal variations in particle injection.

Roelof, E. C.↗

Improved coordinates of features in the vicinity of the Viking lander site on Mars

The measurement of longitude of the Viking 1 landing site and the accuracy of the coordinates of features in the area around the landing site are discussed. The longitude must be measured photogrammatically from the small crater, Airy 0, which defines the 0 deg meridian on Mars. The computer program, GIANT, which was used to perform the analytical triangulations, and the photogrammetric computation of the longitude of the Viking 1 lander site are described. Improved coordinates of features in the vicinity of the Viking 1 lander site are presented.

Davies, M. E.↗

The longitudinal variation of the thermal inertia and of the 2.8 centimeter brightness temperature of Mars

The spatial variations on Mars of the surface thermal inertia and radiometric albedo are used to predict the variation with sub-earth longitude of the 2.8 cm whole-disk brightness temperature. The maximum variation predicted, about 8 K, agrees well with observations. The sub-earth longitudes at which the temperature maxima and minima are predicted to occur nearly agree with the observations. There are, however, differences in the overall form of the variation with longitude. These discrepancies can be reduced by an ad hoc assumption of spatial variations in either the fraction of the surface covered by rock or the amount of atmospheric dust.

Jakosky, B. M.↗