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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 1,693 records · Page 94
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NASA NTRS1979

Infrared observations of the Jovian system from Voyager 2

As on Voyager 1, the infrared spectroscopy and radiometry instrument on Voyager 2 returned a large number of spectral and radiometric data on Jupiter and its satellites for varying conditions of latitude, longitude, local time, and phase and emission angles. The Voyager 2 average spectrum is slightly noisier than that from Voyager 1. The paper presents selected examples of results from the Voyager 2 infrared investigation, with particular reference to latitudinal variation of the abundance ratio of ethane to acetylene, atmospheric thermal structure, Jupiter's ring, and satellites.

Hanel, R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The opacity of some local Martian dust storms observed by the Viking IRTM

In this paper some Viking infrared thermal mapping (IRTM) measurements of local Martian dust storms observed in the southern tropical region of the planet between solar longitudes of 225 and 262 deg are analyzed. The derived opacities of these storms show that in the most opaque regions of the cloud, the optical thickness may be approximately 6. Away from the individual clouds, the opacity is approximately 2, which is still about four times the background level of dustiness in the Martian atmosphere. Considerable structure in the derived opacity is found which will create corresponding variations in the atmospheric heating, which in turn may have an important feedback upon the local winds.

Hunt, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Polarization and position measurements of Type III bursts

The positional and polarization characteristics of Type III bursts in the range 24-220 MHz as measured by the Culgoora radioheliograph, spectrograph and spectropolarimeter are reported. The study includes 997 bursts which are of two classes: fundamental-harmonic (F-H) pairs and 'structureless' bursts with no visible F-H structure, and concentrates on the polarization of the bursts and the variation of polarization from centre to limb. The observed centre-to-limb decrease in polarization approximately follows a cosine law. This decrease is not as predicted by simple theory but is consistent with other observations which imply that open field lines from an active region diverge strongly. The observed o-mode polarization of harmonic radiation implies that the wave vectors of Langmuir waves are always parallel, within about 20 deg, to the magnetic field, while the constancy of H polarization with frequency implies that the ratio of gyromagnetic to plasma frequency, the Alfven speed and the plasma beta are constant with height on the open field lines above an active region. Finally, it is inferred that some factor, in addition to the magnetic field strength, controls the polarization of F radiation.

Suzuki, S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Full scale wind tunnel investigation of a bearingless main helicopter rotor

A stability test program was conducted to determine the effects of airspeed, collective pitch, rotor speed and shaft angle on stability and loads at speeds beyond that attained in the BMR/BO-105 flight test program. Loads and performance data were gathered at forward speeds up to 165 knots. The effect of cyclic pitch perturbations on rotor response was investigated at simulated level flight conditions. Two configuration variations were tested for their effect on stability. One variable was the control system stiffness. An axially softer pitch link was installed in place of the standard BO-105 pitch link. The second variation was the addition of elastomeric damper strips to increase the structural damping. The BMR was stable at all conditions tested. At fixed collective pitch, shaft angle and rotor speed, damping generally increased between hover and 60 knots, remained relatively constant from 60 to 90 knots, then decreased above 90 knots. Analytical predictions are in good agreement with test data up to 90 knots, but the trend of decreasing damping above 90 knots is contrary to the theory.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1980

Saturn - UBV photoelectric pinhole scans of the disk. II

During the 1980 Saturn apparition, UBV pinhole scans of the disk were obtained with a photoelectric area-scanning photometer. An analysis of these data reveals that the atmosphere of Saturn can be represented by a finite clear H2 layer overlying a semiinfinite absorbent aerosol haze. The extent of the clear H2 region appears to be latitude-dependent; the H2 column density varies systematically from about 15 km-am over the equatorial and polar regions to about 31 km-am at temperate latitudes. A previous conclusion that the aerosol haze is strongly absorbent in the UV is confirmed; its effective U-band single-scattering albedo is about 0.4. Latitudinal disk structure at visual wavelengths appears to be the result of local variations in the volume density of absorbent particles in the aerosol layer.

Price, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Premixed turbulent flame blowoff velocity correlation based on coherent structures in turbulent flows

A correlation for the blowoff velocity of premixed turbulent flames stabilized by bluff bodies is devloped using a simple model for coherent structures in turbulent flows. The correlation shows the correct trends for variations in equivalence ratio, free stream pressure and temperature, flameholder characteristic size, and turbulent Reynolds number, and good agreement with published experimental data is obtained.

Radhakrishnan, K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Global variation of the para hydrogen fraction in Jupiter's atmosphere and implications for dynamics on the outer planets

A detailed analysis of the Voyager infrared spectrometer measurements on Jupiter's atmosphere is presented, and possible implications of para hydrogen disequilibrium for the energetics and dynamics of that atmosphere are examined. The method of data analysis is described, and results for the large scale latitude variation of the para hydrogen fraction are presented. The Jovian results show pronounced latitude variation, and are compared with other parameters including wind fields, thermal structure, and various indicators of atmospheric clouds. The problem of equilibration rate is reexamined, and it is concluded that on Jupiter the equilibration time is longer than the radiative time constant at the level of emission to space, but that this inequality reverses at greater depths. A model for the interaction of fluid motions with the ortho-para conversion process is presented, and a consistent mixing length theory for the reacting ortho-para mixture is developed. Several implications of the Jovian data for atmospheric energetics and stability on the outer planets are presented.

Conrath, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Flow and heat transfer measurements along a cooled supersonic diffuser

An experimental investigtion was conducted to ascertain the mean flowfield, including shock wave structure, separated flow regions, turbulent boundary-layer growth, static pressure variations, wall heat transfer, and shear stresses in a second-throat, axisymmetric, supersonic diffuser with wall cooling. The diffuser inlet Mach number of the heated air flow was 3.76, the stagnation pressure was 6.8 atm, the ratio of wall to total gas temperature was 0.44, and the diffuser discharged to the atmosphere. The complex flowfield involved deceleration and acceleration regions, supersonic and embedded subsonic regions, and strong viscous regions with relatively large radial and axial variations. The heat transfer and wall static pressure distributions were remarkably similar, and heat transfer rates were high locally at oblique shock/turbulent boundary-layer interactions, in the pseudoshock region, and in the separation region in the diffuser outlet section.

Back, L. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Science applications

Possible scientific applications in the field of the neutral ionized atmosphere and of the solid Earth in terms of the TSS are summarized. Studies of the vertical, zonal, and meridional neutral winds and temperature, whose extensive variations suggest the importance of energy transfer mechanism in modifying the structural properties of the region are reviewed. Layers below the F region of high plasma density that propagate to lower altitudes with drift velocities will be studied for their electron and ion composition and motion. These are to be measured by the TSS in conjunction with ground based radar observations. Basic fluid dynamics problems will be studied onboard tethered satellites. Studies will be conducted on the structure of the equatorial electrojet, in particular its longitudinal and meridional extent. Magnetic measurements will also be used to probe the tether current distribution in the plasma sheath.

Mariani, F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Structural optimization with constraints on transients response

An exceptionally elegant method for structural optimization with constraints on the static response presented by Shield and Prager is discussed. Their derivation of the optimality condition was facilitated by a reformulation of the structural elasticity equations in terms of what was then a new variational principle, the principle of stationary mutual potential energy. Their optimality condition relates the design variable to an appropriately defined mutual strain energy. An alternative but related approach, based upon the principle of stationary mutual complementary energy, presented by N. C. Haung, is also discussed. The simplicity of these principles lies in the facts that the energy functionals are stationary at the solution to the field equations and that their stationary value is proportional to the quantity to be optimized.

Reiss, R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Structure and evolution of Saturn's rings

It is noted that many Voyager observations on the structure and evolution of Saturn's rings remain largely unexplained. The variation of ring thickness and particle size with composition may be partly explained by the input of density waves in the 'heating' of such rings as the outer A ring; in addition, the particles appear to resemble Weidenschilling et al.'s (1984) 'ephemeral bodies' rather than chunks of ice. It is suggested that many current difficulties may be resolved by positing that at least ring A is young, having been created by the destruction of one of the ring moons.

Esposito, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Flow rate and trajectory of water spray produced by an aircraft tire

One of the risks associated with wet runway aircraft operation is the ingestion of water spray produced by an aircraft's tires into its engines. This problem can be especially dangerous at or near rotation speed on the takeoff roll. An experimental investigation was conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center Hydrodynamics Research Facility to measure the flow rate and trajectory of water spray produced by an aircraft nose tire operating on a flooded runway. The effects of various parameters on the spray patterns including distance aft of nosewheel, speed, load, and water depth were evaluated. Variations in the spray pattern caused by the airflow about primary structure such as the fuselage and wing are discussed. A discussion of events in and near the tire footprint concerning spray generation is included.

Daugherty, Robert H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Characterization of thunderstorm induced Maxwell current densities in the middle atmosphere

Middle atmospheric transient Maxwell current densities generated by lightning induced charge perturbations are investigated via a simulation of Maxwell's equations. A time domain finite element analysis is employed for the simulations. The atmosphere is modeled as a region contained within a right circular cylinder with a height of 110 km and radius of 80 km. A composite conductivity profile based on measured data is used when charge perturbations are centered about the vertical axis at altitudes of 6 and 10 km. The simulations indicate that the temporal structure of the Maxwell current density is relatively insensitive to altitude variation within the region considered. It is also shown that the electric field and Maxwell current density are not generally aligned.

Baginski, Michael Edward↗
NASA NTRS1990

Imaging spectrophotometry of the nuclear outflow of NGC 1068

This observational program (in conjunction with R. B. Tully (IfA, Honolulu), and J. Bland (Rice U., Houston)) aims to constrain the kinematic organization and dominant excitation mechanisms of ionized gas in active galaxies. More generally, researchers are interested in the dynamics of radiative, supersonic flows in the Interstellar Medium (ISM). Imaging Fabry-Perot interferometers and low-noise Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs) are used for complete spatial coverage of the complex gas distribution in circumnuclear narrow-line regions (NLRs). Extranuclear emission line widths in NLRs can exceed 3000 km s(-1), so to avoid inter-order confusion researchers use an etalon of 4000 km s(-1) free spectral range to map (N II) lambda lambda 6548, 6583 and H alpha. To maximize spatial resolution, researchers select nearby active systems independent of luminosity but known to possess interesting morphologies and/or high-velocity extranuclear ionized gas. Monochromatic images Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) approx. 65 km s(-1) have thus far been obtained in 1 second or better seeing at the U. Hawaii 2.2m, CFH 3.6m, and CTIO 4.0m telescopes. These are stacked into grids of line profiles, of spectrophotometric quality, at sub-arcsecond increments across a 3 second field. To handle the approx. 20,000 to 300,000 useful spectra that arise from a typical night's work, researchers have developed a complete analysis and reduction package for VAX and Sun image workstations. Reduction involves parametrization of approx. 10 to the 8th raw data points to a few maps (e.g., velocities of each kinematic subsystem, continuum-free line fluxes) containing approx. 10 to the 5th pixels. Researchers identify kinematic and structural symmetries by examining these maps and the point to point variations of the synthesized line profiles. The combination of monochromatic images and full spatial sampling of line profiles has allowed them to isolate such symmetries and has led to reliable kinematic deprojections.

Cecil, Gerald↗
NASA NTRS1991

The flow of plasma in the solar terrestrial environment

The overall goal of our NASA Theory Program is to study the coupling, time delays, and feedback mechanisms between the various regions of the solar-terrestrial system in a self-consistent, quantitative, manner. To accomplish this goal, it will eventually be necessary to have time-dependent macroscopic models of the different regions of the solar-terrestrial system and we are continually working toward this goal. However, our immediate emphasis is on the near-earth plasma environment, including the ionosphere, the plasmasphere, and the polar wind. In this area, we have developed unique global models that allow us to study the coupling between the different regions. These results are highlighted. Another important aspect of our NASA Theory Program concerns the effect that localized structure has on the macroscopic flow in the ionosphere, plasmasphere, thermosphere and polar wind. The localized structure can be created by structured magnetospheric inputs (i.e., structured plasma convection, particle precipitation or Birkeland current patterns) or time variations in these inputs due to storms and substorms. Also, some of the plasma flows that we predict with our macroscopic models may be unstable. Another one of our goals is to examine the stability of our predicted flows. Because time-dependent three-dimensional numerical models of the solar-terrestrial environment generally require extensive computer resources, they are usually based on relatively simple mathematical formulations (i.e., simple MHD or hydrodynamic formulations). Therefore, another long-range goal of our NASA Theory Program is to study the conditions under which various mathematical formulations can be applied to specific solar-terrestrial regions. This may involve a detailed comparison of kinetic, semikinetic, and hydrodynamic predictions for a given polar wind scenario or it may involve the comparison of a small-scale particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation of a plasma expansion event with a similar macroscopic expansion event. The different mathematical formulations have different strengths and weaknesses and a careful comparison of model predictions for similar geophysical situations will provide insight into when the various models can be used with confidence.

Schunk, Robert W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The flow of plasma in the solar terrestrial environment

The overall goal of our NASA Theory Program was to study the coupling, time delays, and feedback mechanisms between the various regions of the solar-terrestrial system in a self-consistent, quantitative manner. To accomplish this goal, it will eventually be necessary to have time-dependent macroscopic models of the different regions of the solar-terrestrial system and we are continually working toward this goal. However, with the funding from this NASA program, we concentrated on the near-earth plasma environment, including the ionosphere, the plasmasphere, and the polar wind. In this area, we developed unique global models that allowed us to study the coupling between the different regions. These results are highlighted in the next section. Another important aspect of our NASA Theory Program concerned the effect that localized 'structure' had on the macroscopic flow in the ionosphere, plasmasphere, thermosphere, and polar wind. The localized structure can be created by structured magnetospheric inputs (i.e., structured plasma convection, particle precipitation or Birkland current patterns) or time variations in these input due to storms and substorms. Also, some of the plasma flows that we predicted with our macroscopic models could be unstable, and another one of our goals was to examine the stability of our predicted flows. Because time-dependent, three-dimensional numerical models of the solar-terrestrial environment generally require extensive computer resources, they are usually based on relatively simple mathematical formulations (i.e., simple MHD or hydrodynamic formulations). Therefore, another goal of our NASA Theory Program was to study the conditions under which various mathematical formulations can be applied to specific solar-terrestrial regions. This could involve a detailed comparison of kinetic, semi-kinetic, and hydrodynamic predictions for a given polar wind scenario or it could involve the comparison of a small-scale particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation of a plasma expansion event with a similar macroscopic expansion event. The different mathematical formulations have different strengths and weaknesses and a careful comparison of model predictions for similar geophysical situations provides insight into when the various models can be used with confidence.

Schunk, Robert W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Data reduction using cubic rational B-splines

A geometric method is proposed for fitting rational cubic B-spline curves to data that represent smooth curves including intersection or silhouette lines. The algorithm is based on the convex hull and the variation diminishing properties of Bezier/B-spline curves. The algorithm has the following structure: it tries to fit one Bezier segment to the entire data set and if it is impossible it subdivides the data set and reconsiders the subset. After accepting the subset the algorithm tries to find the longest run of points within a tolerance and then approximates this set with a Bezier cubic segment. The algorithm uses this procedure repeatedly to the rest of the data points until all points are fitted. It is concluded that the algorithm delivers fitting curves which approximate the data with high accuracy even in cases with large tolerances.

Chou, Jin J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The flow of plasma in the solar terrestrial environment

The overall goal of our NASA Theory Program is to study the coupling, time delays, and feedback mechanisms between the various regions of the solar-terrestrial system in a self-consistent, quantitative manner. To accomplish this goal, it will eventually be necessary to have time-dependent macroscopic models of the different regions of the solar-terrestrial system and we are continually working toward this goal. However, our immediate emphasis is on the near-earth plasma environment, including the ionosphere, the plasmasphere, and the polar wind. In this area, we have developed unique global models that allow us to study the coupling between the different regions. Another important aspect of our NASA Theory Program concerns the effect that localized structure has on the macroscopic flow in the ionosphere, plasmasphere, thermosphere, and polar wind. The localized structure can be created by structured magnetospheric inputs (i.e., structured plasma convection, particle precipitation or Birkeland current patterns) or time variations in these inputs due to storms and substorms. Also, some of the plasma flows that we predict with our macroscopic models may be unstable, and another one of our goals is to examine the stability of our predicted flows. Because time-dependent, three-dimensional numerical models of the solar-terrestrial environment generally require extensive computer resources, they are usually based on relatively simple mathematical formulations (i.e., simple MHD or hydrodynamic formulation). Therefore, another long-range goal of our NASA Theory Program is to study the conditions under which various mathematical formulations can be applied to specific solar-terrestrial regions. This may involve a detailed comparison of kinetic, semikinetic, and hydrodynamic predictions for a given polar wind scenario or it may involve the comparison of a small-scale particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation of a plasma expansion event with a similar macroscopic expansion event. The different mathematical formulations have different strengths and weaknesses and a careful comparison of model predictions for similar geophysical situations will provide insight into when the various models can be used with confidence.

Schunk, R. W.↗