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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 181 records · Page 10
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NASA NTRS1986

Atmospheric Tides Middle Atmosphere Program (ATMAP): Report of the workshop, Kyoto, Japan, December 5-6, 1984

Experimentalists, data analysts, and theoreticians were brought together to study and interpret the results of four solstice campaigns conducted prior to the symposium. Emphasis was placed on campaigns III and V. Topics discussed included: review of the data and evaluation of the consistency with available theoretical models; interpretation of the data; recommendations on how the Atmospheric Tides Middle Atmosphere Program (ATMAP) results should reach the open literature such that the advancement of middle atmosphere science and the proprietary rights of the individual experimenters are best served; and recommendations concerning future campaigns and the future emphasis of ATMAP.

Forbes, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Theoretical study of the electron temperature in the high-latitude ionosphere for solar maximum and winter conditions

The T(e) variation in the high-latitude ionosphere at altitudes between 120 and 800 km has been modeled for solar maximum, winter solstice, and strong magnetic activity conditions. The calculated electron temperatures are consistent with the plasma densities and ion temperatures computed from a time-dependent ionospheric model. Heating rates for both solar EUV and auroral precipitation were included. In general, the predicted UT variation of the electron temperature that results from the displacement between the magnetic and geographic poles is only a few hundred degrees. However, in sunlit trough regions, T(e) hot spots develop, and these hot spots show a marked UT variation, by as much as 2500 K. The dominant parameter controlling the T(e) variation above 200 km is the magnetospheric heat flux into the ionosphere, which is essentially unknown. For realistic values of the magnetospheric heat flux, the maximum electron temperature ranges from 5000 to 10,000 K at 800 km. A magnetospheric heat flux is particularly effective in enhancing trough electron temperatures. In general, the electron heat flux at high altitudes is uniquely related to the electron temperature and gradient, except on auroral field lines where thermoelectric heat flow is important.

Schunk, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

In situ measurement of atomic hydrogen in the upper mesosphere

In situ measurements of H abundance between 73 and 93 km are reported for conditions of winter solstice, magnetic quiet, and a solar depression angle of 12 deg. The data were obtained by a rocket-borne instrument using the resonance fluorescence technique. A discharge source emitting photons at 1216 A was an integral part of the instrument. The instrument was radially deployed 80 cm by a boom from the front of the payload in order to avoid the shock created by the gas flow over the front of the payload. An attitude control system oriented the payload so that the gas flow was nearly perpendicular to the plane containing the incident and scattered photons, thus minimizing any correction for Doppler shift. The resonance radiation detector viewed a black backstop in order to minimize background radiation from the hydrogen geocorona; however, the background was not entirely eliminated. The signal-to-noise ratio was improved by summing the data in 1.8-s bins. The observed hydrogen concentration maximized at 85 km at 1.5 + or - 1.1 x 10 to the 8th atoms/cu cm.

Sharp, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A computation of the stratospheric diabatic circulation using an accurate radiative transfer model

The global diabatic circulation is computed for the months of January, April, July and October over the altitude region 100 to 0.1 mb using an accurate troposphere-stratosphere radiative transfer model, SBUV and SME ozone data, and NMC temperatures. There is high correlation between the level of wave activity and the local departure of the atmosphere from radiative equilibrium. An excess in the globally averaged net stratospheric heating from 40 to 50 km is computed for all months, and a deficit from 50 to 60 km is computed during solstice. A 20 percent uniform reduction in ozone from 40 to 50 km, or a temperature perturbation with an increase of 5 K at 1 mb, will bring the atmosphere into global radiative equilibrium without significant impact on the diabatic circulation. In the transitional months of April and October, the net heating in the fall hemispheres are very similar, while substantial differences exist between the spring hemispheres.

Rosenfield, Joan E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The global residual mean circulation in the middle atmosphere for the northern winter period

The residual mean circulation (rmc) has been calculated from the transformed thermodynamic equation using LIMS (Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere) data for the 100-0.1 mb region. For discussion, it has been divided into two components: the diabatic circulation, associated with the diabatic heating, and the transient circulation, more directly connected to eddy activity. The slowly varying diabatic circulation reveals an equator-to-pole circulation at lower levels in the stratosphere, usually overlain by a summer-to-winter pole circulation. However, there are strong seasonal variations, so that the pole-to-pole circulation fills the entire region at the December solstice, while the equator-to-pole circulation extends to above 0.1 mb at the equinoxes. The transient circulation is characterized by rapid variations and small vertical and horizontal scales. Though generally smaller than the diabatic circulation, it can dominate in the lower stratosphere during disturbed conditions. This circulation is consistent with the transformed momentum equation in the lower stratosphere (where drag is expected to be small) during undisturbed periods. It suggests a large drag due to small-scale waves (such as gravity waves) in the mesosphere, although the magnitudes are uncertain. The downward propagation of the semiannual oscillation causes the rmc in the tropics to vary, and it is capable of creating the equatorial water vapor maximum above 10 mb.

Gille, John C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Dynamical modeling of a planetary wave mechanism for a Martian polar warming

The mechanisms involved in the global dust storm and polar warming seen in the Martian atmosphere by the Viking IRTM during the winter solstice of 1977 are investigated theoretically by means of numerical simulations. A two-component dynamical model (based on the combined action of a zonally symmetric 'Hadley' circulation at low and middle latitudes and a planetary-wave circulation at middle and high latitudes) is constructed by analogy to the model of Holton and Mass (1976) for terrestrial sudden stratospheric warmings. The Viking data and simulation results are presented in extensive graphs and characterized in detail. It is demonstrated that a planetary-wave mechanism, based primarily on wavenumber 1 and including a high degree of topographical or thermal wave forcing, can reproduce the observed polar warming. The roles of radiative damping, dissipation, and the transport of dust and water are explored.

Barnes, Jeffrey R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A computer model of global thermospheric winds and temperatures

Output data from the NCAR Thermospheric GCM and a vector-spherical-harmonic (VSH) representation of the wind field are used in constructing a computer model of time-dependent global horizontal vector neutral wind and temperature fields at altitude 130-300 km. The formulation of the VSH model is explained in detail, and some typical results obtained with a preliminary version (applicable to December solstice at solar maximum) are presented graphically. Good agreement with DE-2 satellite measurements is demonstrated.

Killeen, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Comparison of OGO 6 measured thermospheric temperatures with the MSIS-86 empirical model

The thermospheric temperatures measured by the Fabry-Perod interferometer on the OGO 6 satellite are found to be reasonably represented by the mass spectrometer/incoherent scatter 1986 (MSIS-86) empirical model except for two anomalies, one in the South Atlantic and the other near noon local time. These anomalies are likely due to measurement problems. The OGO 6 temperature data were not used in the generation the MSIS models, so this is an independent comparison of measured and model temperatures. The measurements were made primarily during daytime at mid to low latitudes and throughout the day at high latitudes. On average, the measured temperatures are 16 K below the MSIS-86 model temperatures. Latitude gradients during solstices as well as for the yearly average are well represented by the model, as are high-latitude longitudinal and magnetic activity variations.

Hedin, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Transport of Mars atmospheric water into high northern latitudes during a polar warming

Several numerical experiments were conducted with a simplified tracer transport model in order to attempt to examine the poleward transport of Mars atmospheric water during a polar warming like that which occurred during the winter solstice dust storm of 1977. The flow for the transport experiments was taken from numerical simulations with a nonlinear beta-plane dynamical model. Previous studies with this model have demonstrated that a polar warming having essential characteristics like those observed during the 1977 dust storm can be produced by a planetary wave mechanism analogous to that responsible for terrestrial sudden stratospheric warmings. Several numerical experiments intended to simulate water transport in the absence of any condensation were carried out. These experiments indicate that the flow during a polar warming can transport very substantial amounts of water to high northern latitudes, given that the water does not condense and fall out before reaching the polar region.

Barnes, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Asymmetries in tidal structure between Adelaide and Kyoto

Continuous radar measurements of the wind oscillations caused by the solar diurnal and semidiurnal tides in the 80 to 110 km region of the atmosphere at the geographically conjugate stations of Adelaide (35 S, 138 E) and Kyoto (35 N, 136 E) are compared for the period 1983 to 1985. At the solstices it is found for both the 24- and 12-hr tides that the NS and EW oscillations tend to be in-phase and out-of-phase, respectively, behavior which indicates strong tidal asymmetries. The asymmetries in the 12-hr tide are consistent with a strong contribution from the (2,3) mode while the asymmetries in the 24-hr tide are ascribed to the effects of mean winds and dissipation acting to distort the (1,1) mode as it propagates up through the middle atmosphere.

Vincent, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Nonlinear Hadley circulation driven by asymmetric differential heating

The dynamical state of the stratosphere influenced by radiative heating, with no internal sources or sinks of angular momentum, is examined. It is shown that there exists a nonlinear Hadley regime driven by antisymmetric (or more generally, asymmetric) thermal equilibria typical of the middle atmosphere at the solstices. This regime consists of a single mean meridional cell, equatorial easterlies, and strong winter westerlies. Outside of the circulation region the flow is in thermal equilibrium. The effect of one-sided friction, acting as a drag on midlatitude westerlies only, is to expand the Hadley cell into the winter hemisphere and increase the magnitude of cross-equatorial flow. This result is possible even in the steady state when the advection of angular momentum in the tropics is made small by reducing the gradient of angular momentum in this region instead of the advecting velocity.

Dunkerton, Timothy J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Another look at equatorial metallic ions in the F region

An extensive survey is made of the equatorial occurrences of the Fe+ ion as detected by the ion mass spectrometer on the Atmospheric Explorer E. The longest time period (4 years) data base available for the study of the equatorial metallic ion distributions is considered, as well as Fe+ concentrations exceeding 10, 30, and 100 per cubic cm. The number of occurrences in the F region are most frequent at the dayside dip equator. Diurnally, the events are not appreciable in the F region until a few hours after dawn, reaching a maximum near noon followed by a secondary maximum in the afternoon. Near and after dusk the Fe+ ions extended on the average to higher altitudes than during the day and became less and less frequent from midnight to dawn. Seasonally, the distributions between 200 and 300 km are skewed away from the dip equator during the day with the maximum frequency of occurrence north (south) of the dip equator during a period centered on the December (June) solstice.

Grebowsky, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Theoretical study of the seasonal behavior of the global ionosphere at solar maximum

The seasonal behavior of the global ionosphere was studied using a time-dependent three-dimensional physical model (developed by Shunk and his coworkers) of the ionosphere at altitudes between 120 and 800 km. This model accounts for field-aligned diffusion, cross-field electrodynamic drifts both the equatorial region and at high latitudes, interhemispheric flow, thermospheric winds, polar wind escape, energy-dependent chemical reactions, neutral composition changes, ion production due to solar EUV radiation and auroral precipitation, thermal conduction, diffusion-thermal heat flow, and local heating and cooling processes. The model studies were carried out for both June and December solstice conditions at solar maximum and for low geomagnetic activity. The ionospheric features predicted by the model agreed qualitatively with the available measurements.

Sojka, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A three-dimensional time-dependent model of the polar wind

A time-dependent three-dimensional multiion model of the polar wind was developed, which covers the altitude range of from 120 to 9000 km and takes into account supersonic ion outflow, shock formation, and ion energization during plasma expansion events. The model was used to study the temporal response of global polar wind to changing magnetospheric conditions, for the winter solstice and for solar-minimum conditions in the northern polar region. Graphs illustrating temporal changes with changes in T(e), T(i), and T(n) along the dawn, the trough, and the dusk convection trajectories and in the O(+), O, and H densities along the same convection trajectories are presented together with conntours of the H(+) and the O(+) densities along the three convection trajectories.

Schunk, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Diurnal and seasonal variation of the nighttime OH (8-3) emission at low latitudes

Nighttime morphological maps of the hydroxyl emission (8-3 band) measured by the Visible Airglow Experiment on board the Atmosphere Explorer E satellite are presented for solstice and equinox conditions. The volume emission rate profile of the emission was determined by inverting satellite perigee observations. This profile was later used to convert limb measurements into zenith intensities of the emission. A theoretical model has been used to correct twilight observations for the presence of the thermospheric O(+)(2P) emission at 7320-7330 A. The derived morphology agrees well with ground based measurements and theoretical simulations.

Abreu, Vincent J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Thermal analysis of a strongback structure for a high-frequency microwave antenna concept in geosynchronous orbit

The effects of the geosynchronous thermal environment on the performance of a tetrahedral truss strongback structure for a high-frequency microwave antenna concept for earth science monitoring have been studied. Two orbit conditions (an equinox orbit with a 72-minute eclipse and a solstice orbit with no eclipse) and a range of thermal control approaches were investigated under steady state and transient conditions. The thermal control approaches included aluminum surface coatings with high and low solar-absorptivity-to-infrared-emissivity ratios, multi-layer insulation, a sun shield, and various truss element materials. The effects of both earth shadowing and shadowing by the antenna reflector on temperatures were also examined. Temperatures and corresponding structural distortion results are presented.

Farmer, Jeffery T.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Numerical simulations of the seasonal/latitudinal variations of atomic oxygen and nitric oxide in the lower thermosphere and mesosphere

A 2-Dimensional zonally-averaged thermospheric model and the global University College London (UCL) thermospheric model have been used to investigate the seasonal, solar activity and geomagnetic variation of atomic oxygen and nitric oxide. The 2-dimensional model includes detailed oxygen and nitrogen chemistry, with appropriate completion of the energy equation, by adding the thermal infrared cooling by O and NO. This solution includes solar and auroral production of odd nitrogen compounds and metastable species. This model has been used for three investigations; firstly, to study the interactions between atmospheric dynamics and minor species transport and density; secondly, to examine the seasonal variations of atomic oxygen and nitric oxide within the upper mesosphere and thermosphere and their response to solar and geomagnetic activity variations; thirdly, to study the factor of 7 to 8 peak nitric oxide density increase as solar F sub 10.7 cm flux increases from 70 to 240 reported from the Solar Mesospheric Explorer. Auroral production of NO is shown to be the dominant source at high latitudes, generating peak NO densities a factor of 10 greater than typical number densities at low latitudes. At low latitudes, the predicted variation of the peak NO density, near 110 km, with the solar F sub 10.7 cm flux is rather smaller than is observed. This is most likely due to an overestimate of the soft X-ray flux at low solar activity, for times of extremely low support number, as occurred in June 1986. As observed on pressure levels, the variation of O density is small. The global circulation during solstice and periods of elevated geomagnetic activity causes depletion of O in regions of upwelling, and enhancements in regions of downwelling.

Rees, D.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Energy sources for Triton's geyser-like plumes

Four geyser-like plumes were discovered near Triton's south pole in areas now in permanent sunlight. Because Triton's southern hemisphere is nearing a maximum summer solstice, insolation as a driver or a trigger for Triton's geyser-like plumes is an attractive hypothesis. Trapping of solar radiation in a translucent, low-conductivity surface layer (in a solid-state greenhouse), which is subsequently released in the form of latent heat of sublimation, could provide the required energy. Both the classical solid-state greenhouse consisting of exponentially absorbed insolation in a gray, translucent layer of solid nitrogen, and the 'super' greenhouse consisting of a relatively transparent solid-nitrogen layer over an opaque, absorbing layer are plausible candidates. Geothermal heat may also play a part if assisted by the added energy input of seasonal cycles of insolation.

Brown, R. H.↗