Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “ARCH”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11

Orientation and origin of ridges in the Lunae Palus - Coprates region of Mars

By analogy with lunar mare ridges and from morphologic evidence, such as the smooth slopes of arches, the wrinkle ridges of the Tharsis region of Mars are interpreted to primarily result from compressional folding of the volcanic plains. Comparison of ridge orientations in the Lunae Palus and Coprates quadrangles to a Tharsis center indicates that more than 60% of the total length of ridges is orthogonal to a normal from this center. Graben trends in surrounding terrain indicate that nonorthogonal ridges are not significantly affected by regional scale structures. Comparison of orthogonal and nonorthogonal ridge frequencies suggests that loading due to the Tharsis plateau produced compressional features as far as 4000 km from the center of the load, and that additional compressional stress sources are needed to account for ridge systems at greater distances from the Tharsis plateau.

Maxwell, T. A.↗

A quasi-Newton versus a homotopy method for nonlinear structural analysis

The globally convergent quasi-Newton minimization algorithm and the homotopy algorithms are discussed in detail and their effectiveness in solving certain classes of highly nonlinear problems of structural analysis is demonstrated. The application of the double dogleg strategy controls the directions and step-lengths of the quasi-Newtonian algorithm and overcomes the problem of nonpositive definite Hessians being produced during the iteration process. The algorithms are applied to a centrally loaded clamped beam, the snap-through of a shallow arch, and a shallow reticulated dome.

Kamat, M. P.↗

Purely coronal flare-like variations

Quasiperiodic X-ray, UV, microwave, and metric-wave variations after a solar flare on November 6, 1980 are reported and analyzed, based on observational data from SMM (HXRBS, UVSP, HXIS), GOES-2, the 100-m radiotelescope at Bonn, and the Nancay radioheliograph. The maxima of the 13 brightenings observed are listed and characterized; a comparison is made with a 'normal' flare at 17:26 UT on the same day. The HXIS and UVSP data are discussed in terms of the physical properties, X-ray flux, O V flux, and H-alpha flux. The variations are found to be mainly thermal and purely coronal, with no chromospheric (H-alpha) participation (in contrast to the 17:26 flare). Since strong X-ray emissions were observed which should have involved the chromosphere through magnetic-field-line heat conduction, it is proposed that the variations wre produced ina coronal plasmoid magnetically separate from the chromosphere. A mechanism for the evolution of such a plasmoid from the upper loops of a giant X-ray arch is discussed. An iterative HXIS-image-deconvolution process is presented in an appendix.

Svestka, Z.↗

Predicting the Reliability of Solar-Cell Interconnections

The reduction of life expectancy by thermal cycling calculated during design. Connections between solar cells critical parts of solarcell arrays generating electric power. Reliability affects life expectancy of modules, panels, and arrays. Used to predict stress-cycle lifetimes of such structures as arches, walkways, cylindrical ribbing of aircraft fuselages and submarine hulls, and pipeline expansion loops. Testing costs reduced by about 90 percent.

Mon, G. R.↗

US Aeromagnetic and Satellite Magnetic Anomaly Comparisons

Scalar aeromagnetic data obtained by the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office (NOO) Vector Magnetic Survey of the conterminous U.S. were screened for periods of intense diurnal magnetic activity and reduced to anomaly form, filtered, and continued upward. A number of correlations between the NOO, POGO and preliminary MAGSAT data are evident at satellite elevations, including a prominent transcontinental magnetic high which extends from the Anadarko Basin to the Cincinnati Arch. The transcontinental magnetic high is breached by negative anomalies located over the Rio Grande Rift and Mississippi River Aulacogen. Differentially reduced-to-pole NOO and POGO magnetic anomaly data show that the transcontinental magnetic high corresponds to a well-defined regional trend of negative free-air gravity and enhanced crustal thickness anomalies.

Vonfrese, R. R. B.↗

A facility for investigating interactions of energetic atomic oxygen with solids

A facility for the investigation of the interactions of energetic atomic oxygen with solids is described. The facility is comprised of a four-chambered, differentially pumped molecular beam apparatus which can be equipped with one of a variety of sources of atomic oxygen. The primary source is a dc arch-heated supersonic nozzle source which produces a flux of atomic oxygen in excess of 10 to the 15th power/cu cm/sec at the target, at a velocity of 3.5 km/sec. Results of applications of this facility to the study of the reactions of atomic oxygen with carbon and polyimide films are briefly reviewed and compared to data obtained on various flights of the space shuttle.

Arnold, G. S.↗

Possible observation of a disconnected magnetic structure in a coronal transient

Solar Maximum Mission coronagraph/polarimeter observations of the coronal transient of March 15-16, 1980, which show a bright front convex toward the sun propagating out through the corona at 175 km/sec, are reported. A fan-shaped bright region connecting this front to the inner corona collapses into a narrow, bright ray over the next few hours. These observations are interpreted as resulting from the disconnection of magnetic loops from the underlying prominencelike loop structures seen rising earlier in the event. Other similar inverted arches exist in the C/P data, but are usually seen with poorer temporal resolution.

Illing, R. M. E.↗

A nonlinear structural concept for drag-reducing compliant walls

Two mechanisms of drag reduction for flow over flat plates were investigated. The first mechanism employs Bushnell's hypothesis that compliant walls produce drag reduction by interfering with the formation of the turbulent spots in a turbulent boundary layer. It is shown that the amplitudes and frequencies of compliant wall motions for drag reduction might be achieved by using slightly curved walls and the resulting large amplitude motions of snap buckling. A simple structural model of an arch is used in the analysis, and an asymptotic method is developed. The required wall motions can be obtained by using materials like mylar. In addition, the delay of transition from laminar to turbulent flow by driven walls was studied for Poiseuille channel flow. The walls are driven by a periodic traveling wave. A significant increase in the transitional Reynolds number is obtained by appropriately prescribing the wavelength and phase velocity of the wall motion. Previously developed asymptotic methods are used in the analysis. Previously announced in STAR as N83-11061

Reiss, E. L.↗

Evidence for magnetic field rearrangement in a solar flare

An example of the change in transverse magnetic field in the course of a solar flare is presented. A filament consisting of sheared field lines along an inversion line of longitudinal field is replaced by a set of much shorter field transition arches across the inversion line. The eruption itself results from the invasion of the area by fields associated with a moving sunspot.

Zirin, H.↗

Structure and polarization of active region microwave emission

Active region radio emission observations made at 6.16 cm wavelength during May 20-27, 1980, are the bases of maps of total intensity and circular polarization presented for the three regions whose Hale numbers are 16850, 16863, and 16864. A detailed comparison is made between these maps and on- and off-band H-alpha pictures and magnetograms. The neutral lines with which the strongest sources were associated have their two opposite polarities close to each other, implying a high magnetic field gradient, and are also associated with arch filament systems. A detailed analysis is undertaken of observations of the circular polarization sense inversion in region 16863. The large scale structure of the magnetic field can be approximated by a dipole with its axis inclined by 11 deg with respect to the photosphere, and with a dipole moment of about 2 x 10 to the 31 power cgs units.

Kundu, M. R.↗

The rise and fall of sunspot group 18962 - A case of magnetic submergence

Normal sunspot groups emerge from below the surface as a big arch; the footpoints form a dipole that moves apart and the fields eventually diffuse and disappear. BBSO 18962 was a small dipole with elements which, after spreading apart in the first day of existence, drew back together and disappeared below the surface. It is proposed that the flux loop was pulled back down by magnetic tension and submerged. The circumstances suggest that this behavior may not be uncommon. It implies that some dipoles do not decouple from subsurface fields.

Zirin, H.↗

Emerging flux in active regions

The rates at which flux emerges in active and quiet solar regions within the sunspot belts are compared. The emerging flux regions (EFRs) were identified by the appearance of arch filament structures in H-alpha. All EFRs in high resolution films of active regions made at Big Bear in 1978 were counted. The comparable rate of flux emergence in quiet regions was obtained from SGD data and independently from EFRs detected outside the active region perimeter on the same films. The rate of flux emergence is 10 times higher in active regions than in quiet regions. A sample of all active regions in 31 days of 1983 gave a ratio of 7.5. Possible mechanisms which might funnel new magnetic flux to regions of strong magnetic field are discussed.

Liggett, M.↗

Retractable Sun Shade

Window-shade type spring roller contains blanket, taken up by rotating cylindrical frame and held by frame over area to be shaded. Blanket made of tough, opaque polyimide material. Readily unfurled by mechanism to protect space it encloses from Sun. Blanket forms arched canopy over space and allows full access to it from below. When shading not needed, retracted mechanism stores blanket compactly. Developed for protecting sensitive Space Shuttle payloads from direct sunlight while cargo-bay doors open. Adapted to shading of greenhouses, swimming pools, and boats.

Frank, A.↗

Observational and numerical studies of the low-level jet stream in the atmosphere

Two cases of low-level jet (LLJ) support the hypothesis that the LLJ is an integral part of synoptic-scale cyclogenesis. The appearance of an arch with a row of cumulonimbus is discovered at the front of the LLJ. The inertia oscillations in the LLJ are pointed out as part of the quasi-diurnal variation. A plan for further research by numerical modelling is proposed, which will bring more clarification of the mechanics of the LLJ.

Djuric, D.↗

Hard ACTS to follow

The Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS), the third phase of NASA's 30/20 GHz satellite communications program, is praised for its frugal usage of both the geosynchronous orbital arch and the frequency spectrum resources necessary for communications satellites. Its objective is to verify Ka-band satellite communications concepts and to develop a flight and ground system for validation of the multibeam communications proof-of-concept technologies. The ACTS ground segment (comprised of four types of terminals) is designed to compliment the spacecraft for the SS launch in 1989. Precise coordination between the ground and spacecraft segments is performed by the baseband processor (BBP), which is an in-orbit switchboard, and the tracking error word, which enables the ground terminals to remain synchronized with onboard timing. Fixed spot beams and scan beams, comprising the two types of spot beams used, both operate at the same frequency and hence, conserve frequency resources. In addition, the time division multiple access serves to enhance system efficiency. It is concluded that Ka-band satellites are a practical approach to the better usage of those resources potentially threatened by communications satellites. Comprehensive graphs and block diagrams of the system are included.

Moy, L.↗

A study of hard X-ray associated meter-decameter bursts observed on December 19, 1979

The results of a study of the relationship of a complex meter-decameter wavelength radio burst observed with the Clark Lake E-W and N-S interferometers, with a hard X-ray burst observed with the X-ray spectrometer aboard ISEE-3 are presented. The radio burst consisted of several type III's, reverse drift type III's, a U burst, and type II and type IV bursts. The X-ray emission was also complex. The radio as well as hard X-ray emissions were observed before the flash phase of the flare; they were not always associated and it is conjectured that this may constitute evidence for acceleration of electrons high in the corona. On the other hand, all components of the reverse drift burst were associated with hard X-ray subpeaks, indicating multiple injection of electron beams along field lines with different density gradients. While the type II burst appeared to be related to the hard X-ray burst, a detailed correspondence between individual features of the radio and hard X-ray burst emissions could not be found. The type IV burst started after all hard X-ray emissions ceased. Its source appeared to be a magnetic arch, presumably containing energetic electrons reponsible for the gyrosynchrotron radiation of type IV.

Kundu, M. R.↗

The upper atmosphere of Venus: A tentative explanation of its rotation

The upper atmosphere of Venus seems to revolve every 4 days, while the planet rotates in 243 days. Mariner 10 UV data on the changing positions of dark spots in the upper Venusian clouds have supported estimations of speeds ranging from 120-240 m/s. High rates of acceleration and deceleration occur on the night side, the former between -110 to -90 deg and the latter continuing to -50 deg. Arch and Y formations have been seen repeatedly between -110 to -70 deg. The highest are seen at about -90 deg and the lowest at about -30 deg. The temperature of the cloud layer at 60 km altitude is about 20 C, the pressure is nearly one earth atmosphere, and complex molecules, including O, C, H, N and S and combinations of these are present in abundance.

Boyer, C.↗

Stress on the surface of Venus: Analysis of data provided by Venera-15 and Venera-16

There are no large-scale sedimentation and erosion processes on Venus, therefore the observed deformation must be formed on the surface or close to it, and in the ellipsoids of stresses one of the main axes must be perpendicular to the surface. According to the deformation visible on photography from Venera-15, 16, the orientations of the ellipsoids of stresses are established in the different sections of the Montes Maxwell and the northern parquet. A geological model is established, according to which the Montes Maxwell is an arched vault and the region to the south a conjugate bend, separated by a shift zone.

Ronka, L. B.↗