Engineering topics

Simmons, Karen E.

Publications and source records attributed to Simmons, Karen E..

5 records

NASA NTRS1993

Solar wind latitude variations and multiple scattering from Galileo interplanetary Lyman-alpha observations

The Galileo Ultraviolet Spectrometer Experiment (UVS) obtained a map of the celestial sphere from interplanetary Lyman-alpha (IPLA) on 13, 14 December 1990 during the Earth1 encounter. The Galileo spacecraft was near the downwind interstellar axis during the encounter and the map view directions filled the downwind hemisphere. The ratio between the observation and a single scattering model is attributed to a direct measurement of the multiple scattering correction required to model IPLA in the inner solar system. Analysis of this data set, referred to as an antisun map, shows that the solar wind charge exchange rate with interplanetary gas is 25 percent less over the solar poles than in the ecliptic at solar maximum. A model of the interstellar wind based on the antisun map observation exhibits a number density of atomic hydrogen far from the solar system, inside the heliosphere, of 0.16 +/- 0.05/cu cm.

Ajello, Joseph M.↗

NASA NTRS1992

High-phase-angle observations of Neptune at 2650 and 7500 A - Haze structure and particle properties

An analysis is conducted of spatially resolved Voyager 2 Photopolarimeter Subsystem (PPS) observations at 2650 and 7500 A. The continuum absorber that is tropospherically abundant, if confined to the region below the methane haze layer, indicates an optical depth for that layer no greater than 0.8; models in which this optical depth is as large as 3.0 yield too much limb darkening, in the case where the continuum absorber is mixed with both the methane haze and deeper clouds. Tropospheric aerosols are noted to have phase functions with shallow backward lobes.

Pryor, Wayne R.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Photometry from Voyager 2 - Initial results from the Neptunian atmosphere, satellites, and rings

Voyager 2 has performed photopolarimetric measurements for the planet, several of its satellites, and its ring system. The Great Dark Spot is noted to appear as a low-albedo region, while the bright companion appear to lie at a higher altitude than the Great Dark Spot. Triton's linear phase coefficients are consistent with a solid-surface object having high reflectivity; its rotational phase curve indicates two major compositional units at its surface. The deficiency of material in Neptune's ring system by comparison with that of Uranus may indicate the absence of a recent moon-shattering event.

Lane, Arthur L.↗

NASA NTRS1989

PVDaCS - A prototype knowledge-based expert system for certification of spacecraft data

On-line data management techniques to certify spacecraft information are mandated by increasing telemetry rates. Knowledge-based expert systems offer the ability to certify data electronically without the need for time-consuming human interaction. Issues of automatic certification are explored by designing a knowledge-based expert system to certify data from a scientific instrument, the Orbiter Ultraviolet Spectrometer, on an operating NASA planetary spacecraft, Pioneer Venus. The resulting rule-based system, called PVDaCS (Pioneer Venus Data Certification System), is a functional prototype demonstrating the concepts of a larger system design. A key element of the system design is the representation of an expert's knowledge through the usage of well ordered sequences. PVDaCS produces a certification value derived from expert knowledge and an analysis of the instrument's operation. Results of system performance are presented.

Wharton, Cathleen↗

NASA NTRS1987

Features in Saturn's rings

A systematic, uniform search of Voyage 2 photopolarimeter system (PSS) data set for all significant features of Saturn's rings is described. On August 25, 1981, the PSS observed the occultation of the star Delta Scorpii by the rings of Saturn, and the timing of the data taking was rapid enough that the spatial resolution in the radial direction in the ring plane was better than 100 m. Tabular information and figures for 216 significant features that were found are presented.

Esposito, Larry W.↗