Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “VISUAL OBSERVATION”

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 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1972

Topography and pigeon orientation

Two types of homing experiments with pigeons to determine the influence of topographical features on the orientation behavior of the birds are discussed. The releases and following were conducted by ground experiments in which the birds are tracked by visual observation at points of topographical interest and the helicopter method by which the birds are tracked throughout the entire flight. The ground experiments showed a strong influence of topographical features on initial orientation. The helicopter experiments showed that the ground experiments do not provide adequate information on the manner in which homing occurs.

Wagner, G.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Low-temperature oxygen-plasma effects on surveyor plasmo-clay coating

The objective was to determine whether the reflectance of the degraded plasmo-clay thermal control coating could be restored by exposing it to an oxygen plasma. An experiment was conducted to determine whether bulk radiation damage would be removed by a reabsorption of oxygen ions into the pigment crystal lattice. Results show that the oxygen plasma treatment can eliminate some of the lunar environment-induced degradation on the plasmo-clay coating. Visual observations of the lunar soil on the surface after plasma treatment indicated that it was still highly absorbent to light. Therefore, part of the residual discoloration could be due to lunar soil.

Gillette, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Ultraviolet photometry of the moon with the celescope experiment on the OAO-2

Thirteen television frames of the moon taken in the wavelength regions of 1350-2150 A by filter U sub 3 and 1050-2150 A by filter U sub 4 in the celescope experiment are discussed. The data include phase angles from -81 deg to -26 deg. The brightness dependence on phase angle differs slightly from that of visual observations. The brightness dependence on selenographical longitude is compared with the theoretical photometric function derived by Hapke.

Ahmad, I. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Photographic Observations of Comet Bennett, 1970II

Direct photography of Comet Bennett with a range of focal lengths shows structure in the coma and strong Type 1 and Type 2 tails. The Type 1 tail shows motion in 15 minutes. The inner coma contains spiral-shaped jets of a type observed visually on occasion in the past but not photographed before. The spiral shape is apparently due to the rotation of the nucleus. On the assumption that the outward velocity of the jets is 0.6 km/sec, as estimated by Delsemme, a rotation period of 1.4 to 1.5 days is derived for the nucleus. The rotation is direct (in the sense of the comet's orbital motion).

Larson, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Experimental performance of an internal resistance heater for Langley 6-inch expansion tube driver

An experimental investigation of the heating characteristics of an internal resistance heating element was conducted in the driver of the Langley 6-inch expansion tube to obtain actual operating conditions, to compare these results to theory, and to determine whether any modification need be made to the heater element. The heater was operated in pressurized helium from 138. MN/sq m to 62.1 MN/sq m. This investigation revealed large temperature variations within the heater element caused primarily by area reductions at insulator locations. These large temperature variations were reduced by welding small tabs over all grooves. Previous predictions of heater element and driver gas temperature were unacceptable so new equations were derived. These equations predict element and gas temperature within 10 percent of the test data when either the constant power cycle or the interrupted power cycle is used. Visual observation of the heater element, when exposed to the atmosphere with power on, resulted in a decision to limit the heater element to 815 K. Experimental shock Mach numbers are in good agreement with theory.

Creel, T. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Photographic observations of the occultation of Beta Scorpii by Jupiter

The occultation of the multiple star Beta Scorpii by Jupiter was observed visually and photographically from the Bosscha Observatory in Lembang (Java), Indonesia, on May 13, 1971. The photographs recorded the dimming of the stars as the light was differentially refracted by the Jovian atmosphere, and gave support to a scale height greater than 8 km. Measurement of the position of the brightest component at Beta Scorpii during ingress shown refraction of approximately 1.4 sec before becoming unobservable.

Larson, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Helicopter Visual Aid System

The results of an evaluation of police helicopter effectiveness revealed a need for improved visual capability. A JPL program developed a method that would enhance visual observation capability for both day and night usage and demonstrated the feasibility of the adopted approach. This approach made use of remote pointable optics, a display screen, a slaved covert searchlight, and a coupled camera. The approach was proved feasible through field testing and by judgement against evaluation criteria.

Baisley, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Multi-discipline resource inventory of soils, vegetation and geology

The author has identified the following significant results. Computer classification of natural vegetation, in the vicinity of Big Summit Prairie, Crook County, Oregon was carried out using MSS digital data. Impure training sets, representing eleven vegetation types plus water, were selected from within the area to be classified. Close correlations were visually observed between vegetation types mapped from the large scale photographs and the computer classification of the ERTS data (Frame 1021-18151, 13 August 1972).

Simonson, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Interstellar polarization in the ultraviolet

Ultraviolet interstellar polarization measurements in the direction of Zed Ophiuchi by rocket-borne scanning spectrophotometer are reported. The spectrophotometer was calibrated by a beam of polarized light. Plotted percent polarization against inverse wavelength in microns shows that polarization is running around 1.5 percent for this star, which is consistent with the visual observation.

Stecher, T. P.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Ultraviolet photometry of the moon with the celescope experiment on the OAO-II.

Thirteen television frames of the moon taken in the wavelength regions of 1350 to 2150 A by filter U3 and 1050 to 2150 A by filter U4 of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Celescope experiment are discussed. The data include phase angles from -81 to -26 deg. The brightness dependence on phase angle differs slightly from that of visual observations. The brightness dependence on selenographical longitude is compared with the theoretical photometric function derived by Hapke.

Ahmad, I. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Photographic observations of Comet Bennett, 1970II.

Direct photography of Comet Bennett with a range of focal lengths shows structure in the coma and strong Type I and Type II tails. The Type I tail shows motion in 15 minutes. The inner coma contains spiral-shaped jets of a type observed visually on occasion in the past but not photographed before. The spiral shape is apparently due to the rotation of the nucleus. On the assumption that the outward velocity of the jets is 0.6 km/sec, as estimated by Delsemme, a rotation period of 1.4-1.5 days is derived for the nucleus. The rotation is direct (i.e., in the sense of the comet's orbital motion).

Larson, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A study of morphology, provenance, and movement of desert sand seas in Africa, Asia, and Australia

The author has identified the following significant results. Recent acquisition of generally high quality color prints for most of the test sites has enabled this project to make significant advances in preparing mosaics of sand desert areas under study. Computer enhancement of imagery, where details of complex dune forms need to be determined, has been achieved with arrival of computer-compatible ERTS-1 tapes. Further, a comparator, recently received, gives precise visual measurements of width, length, and spacing of sand bodies and so improves comparison of patterns in various test sites. Considerable additional meteorological data recently received on sand-moving winds in China, Pakistan, Libya, and other study areas enabled much progress to be made in developing overlays for the dune mosaics. These data show direction, speed, and frequency of winds. Other new data for use in preparing overlays used with ERTS-1 image mosaics include ground truth on moisture control, geologic settings, and plant distribution. With the addition of visual observation data and prints from hand-held photography now being obtained by the Skylab 4 mission, much progress in interpreting the patterns of sand seas for 17 desert sites is anticipated.

Mckee, E. D.↗
NASA NTRS1973

High resolution planetary observation

High-resolution ground-based planetary observations, visual and photographic, have, for several decades, seemed to have reached a rather firm limit. The causes for this restriction are briefly reviewed. At the time when space probes make major advances possible, at incomparably higher levels of expenditure, the need arises to re-examine the limiting factors of earth-based planetary resolution. In addition to familiar refinements (of which seven are listed) carried somewhat further, a specific approach, yet insufficiently developed, is the study of the atmospheric boundary layer over the observatory site and the use of an appropriately elevated station.

Kuiper, G. P.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A study of morphology, provenance, and movement of desert sand seas in Africa, Asia, and Australia

The author has identified the following significant results. Recent acquisition of generally high quality color prints for most of the test sites has enabled the project to make significant advances in preparing mosaics of sand desert areas under study. Computer enhancement of imagery of selected sites, where details of complex dune forms need to be determined, has been achieved with arrival of computer-compatible ERTS-1 tapes. Further, a comparator, recently received, gives precise visual measurements of width, length, and spacing of sand bodies and so improves comparison of patterns in various test sites. Considerable additional meteorological data recently received on sand-moving winds in China, Pakistan, Libya and other areas enabled much progress to be made in developing overlays for the dune mosaics. These data show direction, speed, and frequency of winds. Other new data for use in preparing overlays used with ERTS-1 image mosaics include ground truth on moisture control, geologic settings, and plant distribution. With the addition of visual observation data and prints from hand-held photography now being obtained by the Skylab mission, much progress in interpreting the patterns of sand seas for 17 desert sites is anticipated.

Mckee, E. D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Bonded composite to metal scarf joint performance in an aircraft landing gear drag strut

The structural performance of a boron-epoxy reinforced titanium drag strut, which contains a bonded scarf joint and was designed to the criteria of the Boeing 747 transport, was evaluated. An experimental and analytical investigation was conducted. The strut was exposed to two lifetimes of spectrum loading and was statically loaded to the tensile and compressive design ultimate loads. Throughout the test program no evidence of any damage in the drag strut was detected by strain gage measurements, ultrasonic inspection, or visual observation. An analytical study of the bonded joint was made using the NASA structural analysis computer program NASTRAN. A comparison of the strains predicted by the NASTRAN computer program with the experimentally determined values shows excellent agreement. The NASTRAN computer program is a viable tool for studying, in detail, the stresses and strains induced in a bonded joint.

Howell, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Preliminary flight prototype waste collection subsystem

The zero gravity test program demonstrated the feasibility and practicability of collecting urine from both male and female crew members in a zero gravity environment in an earthlike manner not requiring any manual handling of urine containers. In addition, the testing demonstrated that a seat which is comfortable in both regimes of operation could be designed for use on the ground and in zero-gravity. Further, the tests showed that the vortex liquid/air separator is an effective liquid/air separation method in zero gravity. Visual observations indicate essentially zero liquid carry over. The system also demonstrated its ability to handle post elimination wipes without difficulty. The designs utilized in the WCS were verified as acceptable for usage in the space shuttle or other space vehicles.

Swider, J. E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Characterization of Metals Melting Discs: Skylab Experiment M551

Information developed to characterize flight and ground based samples from the metals melting experiment is detailed in this report. Included are the characteristics determined by nondestructive examination, visual observation, metallographic examination and posttest measurements. Comparisons of the flight and ground based discs showed that an electron beam heat source can be used successfully in zero gravity for cutting, welding, or melting. Few differences were observed that could be attributed to the absence of gravity in these operations.

Monroe, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Sea level side loads in high-area-ratio rocket engines

An empirical separation and side load model to obtain applied aerodynamic loads has been developed based on data obtained from full-scale J-2S (265K-pound-thrust engine with an area ratio of 40:1) engine and model testing. Experimental data include visual observations of the separation patterns that show the dynamic nature of the separation phenomenon. Comparisons between measured and applied side loads are made. Correlations relating the separation location to the applied side loads and the methods used to determine the separation location are given.

Nave, L. H.↗