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Davis, J. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Davis, J. A..

The Distribution of Interplanetary Dust between 0.96 and 1.04 au as Inferred from Impacts on the STEREO Spacecraft Observed by the Heliospheric Imagers

The distribution of dust in the ecliptic plane between 0.96 and 1.04 au has been inferred from impacts on the two Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft through observation of secondary particle trails and unexpected off-points in the heliospheric imager (HI) cameras. This study made use of analysis carried out by members of a distributed webbased citizen science project Solar Stormwatch. A comparison between observations of the brightest particle trails and a survey of fainter trails shows consistent distributions. While there is no obvious correlation between this distribution and the occurrence of individual meteor streams at Earth, there are some broad longitudinal features in these distributions that are also observed in sources of the sporadic meteor population. The different position of the HI instrument on the two STEREO spacecraft leads to each sampling different populations of dust particles. The asymmetry in the number of trails seen by each spacecraft and the fact that there are many more unexpected off-points in the HI-B than in HI-A indicates that the majority of impacts are coming from the apex direction. For impacts causing off-points in the HI-B camera, these dust particles are estimated to have masses in excess of 10 (exp−17) kg with radii exceeding 0.1 μm. For off-points observed in the HI-A images, which can only have been caused by particles travelling from the anti-apex direction, the distribution is consistent with that of secondary 'storm' trails observed by HI-B, providing evidence that these trails also result from impacts with primary particles from an anti-apex source. Investigating the mass distribution for the off-points of both HI-A and HI-B, it is apparent that the differential mass index of particles from the apex direction (causing off-points in HI-B) is consistently above 2. This indicates that the majority of the mass is within the smaller particles of this population. In contrast, the differential mass index of particles from the anti-apex direction (causing off-points in HI-A) is consistently below 2, indicating that the majority of the mass is to be found in larger particles of this distribution.

Davis, C. J.

Some Operational Aspects of the International Two-Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer (TWSTFT) Experiment Using INTELSAT Satellites at 307 Degrees East

Eight laboratories are participating in an international two-way satellite time and frequency transfer (TWSTFT) experiment. Regular time and frequency transfers have been performed over a period of almost two years, including both European and transatlantic time transfers. The performance of the regular TWSTFT sessions over an extended period has demonstrated conclusively the usefulness of the TWSTFT method for routine international time and frequency comparisons. Regular measurements are performed three times per week resulting in a regular but unevenly spaced data set. A method is presented that allows an estimate of the values of delta (sub y)(gamma) to be formed from these data. In order to maximize efficient use of paid satellite time an investigation to determine the optimal length of a single TWSTFT session is presented. The optimal experiment length is determined by evaluating how long white phase modulation (PM) instabilities are the dominant noise source during the typical 300-second sampling times currently used. A detailed investigation of the frequency transfers realized via the transatlantic TWSTFT links UTC(USNO)-UTC(NPL), UTC(USNO)-UTC(PTB), and UTC(PTB)-UTC(NPL) is presented. The investigation focuses on the frequency instabilities realized, a three cornered hat resolution of the delta (sub y) (gamma) values, and a comparison of the transatlantic and inter-European determination of UTC(PTB)-UTC(NPL). Future directions of this TWSTFT experiment are outlined.

DeYoung, J. A.

The 1994 international transatlantic two-way satellite time and frequency transfer experiment: Preliminary results

The international transatlantic time and frequency transfer experiment was designed by participating laboratories and has been implemented during 1994 to test the international communications path involving a large number of transmitting stations. This paper will present empirically determined clock and time scale differences, time and frequency domain instabilities, and a representative power spectral density analysis. The experiments by the method of co-location which will allow absolute calibration of the participating laboratories have been performed. Absolute time differences and accuracy levels of this experiment will be assessed in the near future.

Deyoung, James A.

Real-time optical associative retrieval technique

A real-time optical associative retrieval technique is presented. The associative retrieval model enables a large amount of data to be stored and recalled by partial information optically in real time. The real-time capability is achieved by using an electronically addressed spatial light modulator based on the pocket-size liquid crystal display television. The potential application of the technique to the perceptive vision requirements in telerobotics for achieving NASA's goals of automation in space is described.

Liu, H.-K.

Optical-data-processing properties of a liquid-crystal television spatial light modulator

The potential of an extremely inexpensive liquid-crystal television (LCTV) as a two-dimensional spatial light modulator has been investigated. The LCTV modulates the transmission of coherent or incoherent light and can either be electronically addressed through a microcomputer or optically addressed with a TV camera. The transmission characteristics of the device have been measured, its diffraction pattern is examined, and its use as an input device for an optical correlator is tested. It is discovered that, with proper modifications, it has potential for optical-data-processing applications.

Liu, H.-K.

Unsteady pressures on a NACA 64A010 airfoil - Experimental and theoretical results

Transonic testing of an NACA 64A010 airfoil at the Ohio State University Aero-Astro Research Laboratory is described, and results of fixed angle of attack and pitch oscillation experiments are discussed. The operating range was Mach 0.20 to 1.07 with available total pressures of 140,000 N/m2 to 620,000 N/m2. The airfoil model was mounted on roller bearings installed in the solid sidewalls of the tunnel test section. The equipment included transducers to measure unsteady pressures, and static pressure taps obtaining steady-state data. The data gathered at Mach 0.8 gave an indication of the influence of the natural shock instability and shock-induced flow separation on the unsteady pressures, with the location of the peak disturbance level shifting forward in the comparison of 0 to 2 deg pitch angle data. The oscillating airfoil data is examined in terms of harmonic content and the in-phase and out-of-phase components. It is concluded that the experimental data has good qualitative comparison with methods accounting for shock interaction.

Davis, J. A.

Acoustic phenomena of open cavity airborne Cassegrainian telescopes

A series of large scale wind tunnel experiments were conducted on a gimbal mounted Cassegrainian telescope enclosed in a shroud with various aerodynamic fairings. The optical aperture was open to the airstream, resulting in acoustic inputs to the telescope. Resonance was shown to be dependent on free stream Mach number, internal cavity and external fairing geometry, and the angle of the plane of the opening relative to the free stream direction. Configurations were found which caused low noise and low unsteady internal loads at the expense of decreased view angle. Air injection over the cavity aided in reducing acoustic resonance.

Van Kuren, J. T.