Engineering topics

Schmalberger, D. C.

Publications and source records attributed to Schmalberger, D. C..

3 records

NASA NTRS1973

Noctilucent cloud sampling by a multi-experiment payload.

Two multi-experiment payloads were launched into noctilucent cloud displays above Kiruna, Sweden, on the nights of July 31 and Aug. 1, 1971. The payloads were part of the continuing Pandora II cosmic dust collection series and included: (1) Pandora 2 dust collection with in-flight shadowing photoelectric polarimeters to measure scattered light at 4100 and 5400 A, a plasma detector and an ion probe, and piezoelectric microphones. These payloads attempted to investigate noctilucent clouds by four simultaneous and independent techniques. The photometric data indicate that the first payload passed through a cloud, while the second payload did not. These results are confirmed by the particle collection experiment which indicates a higher collection on the first payload. Analysis of the chemical composition of the collected particles indicates an unusual amount of high atomic number elements.

Hallgren, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Do some of the sub-micrometer cosmic dust particles come from the sun.

Studies of cosmic dust particles collected at altitudes of 80 to 120 km over White Sands, New Mexico, and at times of noctilucent clouds over Kiruna, Sweden, indicate that an anomalously high atomic weight contribution is present within those particles collected at Kiruna. The elements observed are inconsistent with an origin due to atomic bomb fallout, meteoroidal crumbling, lunar ejecta, or comets. Many of these heavy elements may be stable in particulate form at the relatively high temperatures found in the coolest regions of the solar atmosphere. Some implications of the sun as the source of a significant component of cosmic dust are discussed.

Hemenway, C. L.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Stardust.

Rocket experiments were conducted to collect particles from noctilucent clouds at Kiruna, Sweden. The Pandora II inflight shadowing technique considered by Hallgren and Hemenway (1971) was used in the experiments. This technique makes it possible to study the collected particles as a function of time and altitude intervals. The particles observed consisted of an irregular electron-opaque core surrounded by a rounded, low density material. X-ray and electron opacity data suggest that the abundances of the heavy elements, such as Hf and Ta, in the particles are comparable to those of the light elements, such as Al and Si.

Hemenway, C. L.↗