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At least 1,747 records · Page 97

Characterization of fines from the Apollo 16 site

We describe the characteristics of Apollo 16 fines samples 61281,8; 65701,13; 66031,6; 67701,26; and 67712,16 observed microscopically during the course of size and magnetic separations. Sample 67712,16 is unique in that almost all grains are rounded and no glass welded aggregates are present. All samples except 67712,16 contained about 0.5 wt.% of metal fragments 45 microns or more in diameter including occasional spheres and large single crystals. Some of this metal showed rust spots. Moessbauer spectra showed all the samples to be high in olivine compared to samples from other Apollo sites and to vary significantly in modal composition from each other. The fine grained Fe metal content and the excess absorption area near zero velocity in the Moessbauer spectra both vary with particle size and regolith maturity in the way one would predict from our model of Fe metal reduction and agglomeration during glass aggregate formation.

Housley, R. M.↗

A refractory glass chondrule in the Vigarano chondrite

Vigarano, a type 3 carbonaceous chondrite, contains a chondrule composed of highly refractory Ca- and Al-rich glass with minor spinel. The chondrule formed from material similar to the Ca-, Al-, Ti-rich aggregates that are common in Vigarano and other type 3 chondrites and formation of these refractory aggregates must predate formation of some Vigarano chondrules. Experiments with synthetic analogs and a comparison with studies in the system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 indicate a temperature for formation of the chondrule at or above 1700 C followed by very rapid cooling.

Reid, A. M.↗

Major and trace elements in the Allende meteorite

The Allende samples analyzed include seven Ca, Al-rich aggregates, ten melilite chondrules, an olivine chondrule, and two olivine-rich aggregates. The Allende meteorite has been described as a type III carbonaceous chondrite. Major element abundances were determined with the electron microprobe technique reported by Reed and Ware (1972). An MS7 spark source mass spectrometer was used for the determination of trace element abundances.

Martin, P. M.↗

Oxygen isotopic constraints on the composition of the moon

The mean oxygen isotopic composition of 5 Apollo 17 soils, one Apollo 17 breccia and one Apollo 12 soil is delta O-18 = 5.63 + or - .05 and delta O-17 = 3.8 + or - .2%. These values are within several tenths of a part permil of the composition of a large fraction of the lunar interior. High-temperature condensate aggregates from Allende and other C2 and C3 chondrites are vastly enriched in O-16 compared to this composition. The moon cannot be a mixture of ordinary chondrites and Allende inclusions, nor can it be derived from such a mixture by chemical fractionation processes. The moon's isotopic composition is consistent with a mixture of high- and low-temperature condensates but the refractory fraction would have to be free of the O-16-rich component so prevalent in the meteoritic aggregates, a fact which makes such models less attractive than they once seemed.

Grossman, L.↗

Enhancement and evaluation of Skylab photography for potential land use inventories, part 1

The author has identified the following significant results. Three sites were evaluated for land use inventory: Finger Lakes - Tompkins County, Lower Hudson Valley - Newburgh, and Suffolk County - Long Island. Special photo enhancement processes were developed to standardize the density range and contrast among S190A negatives. Enhanced black and white enlargements were converted to color by contact printing onto diazo film. A color prediction model related the density values on each spectral band for each category of land use to the spectral properties of the various diazo dyes. The S190A multispectral system proved to be almost as effective as the S190B high resolution camera for inventorying land use. Aggregate error for Level 1 averaged about 12% while Level 2 aggregate error averaged about 25%. The S190A system proved to be much superior to LANDSAT in inventorying land use, primarily because of increased resolution.

Hardy, E. E.↗

LACIE performance predictor final operational capability program description, volume 3

The requirements and processing logic for the LACIE Error Model program (LEM) are described. This program is an integral part of the Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment (LACIE) system. LEM is that portion of the LPP (LACIE Performance Predictor) which simulates the sample segment classification, strata yield estimation, and production aggregation. LEM controls repetitive Monte Carlo trials based on input error distributions to obtain statistical estimates of the wheat area, yield, and production at different levels of aggregation. LEM interfaces with the rest of the LPP through a set of data files.

Source record↗

LACIE performance predictor FOC users manual

The LACIE Performance Predictor (LPP) is a computer simulation of the LACIE process for predicting worldwide wheat production. The simulation provides for the introduction of various errors into the system and provides estimates based on these errors, thus allowing the user to determine the impact of selected error sources. The FOC LPP simulates the acquisition of the sample segment data by the LANDSAT Satellite (DAPTS), the classification of the agricultural area within the sample segment (CAMS), the estimation of the wheat yield (YES), and the production estimation and aggregation (CAS). These elements include data acquisition characteristics, environmental conditions, classification algorithms, the LACIE aggregation and data adjustment procedures. The operational structure for simulating these elements consists of the following key programs: (1) LACIE Utility Maintenance Process, (2) System Error Executive, (3) Ephemeris Generator, (4) Access Generator, (5) Acquisition Selector, (6) LACIE Error Model (LEM), and (7) Post Processor.

Source record↗

An Atlas of extraterrestrial particles collected with NASA U-2 aircraft, 1974 - 1976

Extraterrestrial particles collected during U-2 flights in the stratosphere were divided into four groups: chondritic, iron-sulfur--nickel, mafic silicates, and others. The chondritic aggregates are typically composed of Fe, Mg, Si, C, S, Ca, and Ni. Detectable levels of He-4 implanted from the solar wind occur in some. Olivine, spinel, and possibly pyrrhotite and a hydrated layered-lattice silicate were identified. The chondritic ablation particles contain no sulfur and appear to have been melted. Magnetite, olivine, and pyroxene were identified. The iron-sulfur-nickel type particles resemble meteoritic iron sulfide with a small amount of nickel, and contain magnetite and troilite. The mafic silicate type particles are iron magnesium silicate grains with clumps of chondritic aggregate particles adhering to their surfaces. Olivine and possibly pyrrhotite and pyroxene were identified. Most of the iron-nickel type particles are spherules and include taenite and wustite. The other type particles include nickel-iron mounds on spheroidal glassy-like grains having chondritic-like elemental abundances.

Brownlee, D. E.↗

A digital computer simulation and study of a direct-energy-transfer power-conditioning system

An investigation of the behavior of the power-conditioning system as a whole is a necessity to ensure the integrity of the aggregate system in the case of space applications. An approach for conducting such an investigation is considered. A description is given of the application of a general digital analog simulator program to the study of an aggregate power-conditioning system which is being developed for use on the International Ultraviolet Explorer spacecraft. The function of the direct energy transfer system studied involves a coupling of a solar array through a main distribution bus to the spacecraft electrical loads.

Burns, W. W., III↗

Equilibrium swelling of elastomers in solvents

Two proposed empirical equations, developed from Eilers-VanDijk equation to characterize relative modulus of filled elastomers as function of filler content, describe: (1) equilibrium swelling for cases where fillers are composed of permanent aggregates of primary particles; and (2) equilibrium swelling when filler material is composed of non-aggregated particles.

Fedors, R. F.↗

Traveling wave tube circuit

A traveling wave tube (TWT) has a slow wave structure (SWS) which is severed into two or more sections. A signal path, connects the end of an SWS section to the beginning of the following SWS section. The signal path comprises an impedance matching coupler (IMC), followed by an isolator, a variable phase shifter, and a second IMC. The aggregate band pass characteristic of the components in the signal path is chosen to reject, or strongly attenuate, all frequencies outside the desired operating frequency range of the TWT and yet pass, with minimal attenuation in the forward direction, all frequencies within the desired operating frequency range. The isolator is chosen to reject, or strongly attenuate, waves, of all frequencies, which propagate in the backward direction. The aggregate phase shift characteristic of the components in the signal path is chosen to apply signal power to the beginning of the following SWS section with the phase angle yielding maximum efficiency.

Connolly, D. J.↗

Heat and moisture flow in concrete as a function of temperature

Due to temperature, reactors in operation cause heat and moisture flows in the thick walled prestressed pressure vessels. These flows were studied in three beams of concrete made with crushed limestone aggregate, and in three beams made of crushed gravel/sand aggregate. The flow phenomena were related to the structural development of the concrete by determining the amount of non-evaporatable water, the total porosity, and the pore size distribution. Local temperature and moisture conditions also influenced the technical properties. Compressive strength, changes in length due to shrinkage and contraction, thermal expansion, and thermal conductivity were determined.

Hundt, J.↗

The value of improved telecommunications service to hospitals: A preliminary assessment

In view of the rapid rate of development of domestic telecommunication services and the emphasis on private networks, it was sought to determine if hospitals had major requirements which could be aggregated and served by such networks. The value of the information transfer services judged to be most promising over the next twenty years was evaluated, based on expenditures and activity levels in five hospitals and one management services firm and the judgement of their senior staff. An implicit assumption is that services will become affordable once the hospital industry aggregates its requirements. A methodology to evaluate the value of telecommunication services in a hospital was developed and tested.

Potter, J. G.↗

The chaotic solar nebula - Evidence for episodic condensation in several distinct zones

Abundances of rare earth elements in Allende inclusions are considered along with the rim sequence on coarse-grained chondrules. It is found that in at least several zones the nebula went through episodes of condensation and gas/grain separation. Four separate zones are required to make the two types of fine-grained aggregates and the two types of coarse-grained chondrules. Other types of inclusions in Allende, such as the olivine aggregates, may well require additional condensation zones. All of these conclusions are based on data from one meteorite. Although the details of the gas/grain separation mechanism in these zones is not well understood, it is clear that a single monotonic-cooling condensation sequence followed by isolation of grains from gas cannot account for the observations.

Boynton, W. V.↗

Chemical and structural studies of 'Brownlee' particles

Several techniques were applied to the study of small particles (around 10 microns) collected in the upper atmosphere by U-2 aircraft. The major element chemistry of roughly 1/3 of the particles is similar to that of chondritic meteorites, although considerable variation of element ratios is observed from particle to particle, and even within a given particle. All particles of 'chondritic' composition are polycrystalline aggregates. About half have fully re-entrant structures; the remaining ones have more compact structures ranging from platey to spherical morphologies. Micro-crystallites with various internal structures are observed in the size range from less than 100 A to several microns. Although tracks are clearly observed in transmission electron microscope examination of terrestrial analog crystals, no tracks of solar flare origin have yet been identified in the U-2 particles. Induced fission track analysis of one aggregate shows that the U concentration is less than 15 ppbm, lending support to the extraterrestrial origin hypothesis.

Flynn, G. J.↗

Occurrence and mineral chemistry of high pressure phases, Portrillo basalt, southcentral New Mexico

Inclusions of clinopyroxenite, kaersutiteclinopyroxenite, kaersutite-rich inclusions, wehrlite and olivine-clinopyroxenite together with megacrysts of feldspar, kaersutite and spinel are found loose on the flanks of cinder cones, as inclusions within lava flows and within the cores of volcanic bombs in the Quaternary alkali-olivine basalt of the West Potrillo Mountains, southcentral New Mexico. Based on petrological and geochemical evidence the megacysts are interpreted to be phenocrysts which formed at great depth rather that xenocrysts of larger crystal aggregates. These large crystals are believed to have formed as stable phases at high temperature and pressure and have partially reacted with the basalt to produce subhedral to anhedral crystal boundaries. It can be demonstrated that the mafic and ultramafic crystal aggregates were derived from an alkali-basalt source rock generated in the mantle. The inclusions are believed to represent a cumulus body or bodies injected within the lower crust or upper mantle.

Hoffer, J. M.↗

Forest Classification and Inventory System using Landsat, digital terrain, and ground sample data

Accurate timber inventory data for cost-effective forest management is the primary goal of a Forest Classification and Inventory System (FOCIS) designed to provide estimates of timber volume by species aggregated by compartments, townships, or other spatial management units. FOCIS uses Landsat spectral data, including a synthesized texture channel, and Forest Service ground sample data to produce timber volume-homogeneous classes through a two-step unsupervised clustering process. Registered digital terrain data, including derived slope angle and slope aspect channels, are used to predict species proportions through a trend surface model, again using ground sample data for model calibration. In the final stage of FOCIS, volume estimates and predicted species proportions are merged and aggregated to yield timber volumes by species within management areas.

Strahler, A. H.↗

A new method of efficient heat transfer and storage at very high temperatures

A unique, high temperature (1000-2000 K) continuously operating capacitive heat exchanger system is described. The system transfers heat from a combustion or solar furnace to a working gas by means of a circulating high temperature molten refractory. A uniform aggregate of beads of a glass-like refractory is injected into the furnace volume. The aggregate is melted and piped to a heat exchanger where it is sprayed through a counter-flowing, high pressure working gas. The refractory droplets transfer their heat to the gas, undergoing a phase change into the solid bead state. The resulting high temperature gas is used to drive a suitable high efficiency heat engine. The solidified refractory beads are delivered back to the furnace and melted to continue the cycle. This approach avoids the important temperature limitations of conventional tube-type heat exchangers, giving rise to the potential of converting heat energy into useful work at considerably higher efficiencies than currently attainable and of storing energy at high thermodynamic potential.

Shaw, D.↗