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At least 217 records · Page 12

Polar cap auroral electron fluxes observed with Isis 1

Three types of auroral particle precipitation have been observed over the polar caps, well inside the auroral oval, by means of the soft particle spectrometer on the Isis 1 satellite. The first type is a uniform, very soft (about 100 eV) electron 'polar rain' over the entire polar cap; this may well be present with very weak intensity at all times, but it is markedly enhanced during worldwide geomagnetic storms. A second type of precipitation is a structured flux of electrons with energies near 1 keV, suggestive of localized 'polar showers'; it seems likely that these are the cause of the sun-aligned auroral arcs that have been observed during moderately quiet conditions. During periods of intense magnetic disturbance this precipitation can become very intense and exhibit a characteristic pattern that we have come to call a 'polar squall'.

Winningham, J. D.↗

Hot vacuum creep forming of scale shuttle external tank dome caps

The feasibility of forming shuttle external tank dome caps by hot vacuum creep was investigated for a sub-scale configuration. Aluminum 2219-T37 at an elevated temperature equivalent to the artificial aging time and temperature was used to produce the T87 condition while achieving MIL-HBK -5 properties of 2219-T87 aluminum alloy material. A feasibility analysis was conducted in two phases: the design and build of a sub-scale hot vacuum creep forming (HVCF) die and the forming evaluation of various cap configurations. The contour was constant in all evaluations. This configuration was found to be too severe for the limited forming force available by HVCF.

Thomas, A. O.↗

On the interpretation of low-energy particle access to the polar caps

Neither particle access to the polar caps by motion along magnetospheric field lines connected to the interplanetary field (in the 'open' model) nor particle access to the polar caps by combined diffusive and convective motion across magnetospheric field lines (in the 'closed' model) adequately explains the available data. The fact that data exist that are difficult to interpret with one model does not automatically confirm the other model.

Michel, F. C.↗

Electromagnetic induction in spherical cap current layers under lunar and terrestrial conditions

Attention is given to electromagnetic induction in infinitesimally thin spherical cap current layers of arbitrary size and arbitrary axisymmetric integrated conductivity, taking into account a location at nonzero but otherwise arbitrary depth beneath the surface of observation. The description of a theoretical model is presented and the induced fields computed from the theoretical formulas for several different spherical cap models are discussed.

Schubert, G.↗

A model for polar cap electric fields

A model is proposed relating polar cap ionospheric electric fields to the parameters of the solar wind near the orbit of the earth. The model ignores the notion of field line merging. An essential feature is the role played by velocity shear instabilities in regions of the outer magnetosphere, in which mapping of the magnetosheath electric field would produce sunward convection. The anomalous resistivity which arises from velocity shear turbulence, suffices to essentially disconnect the magnetosphere from the magnetosheath, at any place where that resistivity is large enough. The magnetosheath-magnetosphere system, as a consequence, acts as a kind of diode or rectifier for the magnetosheath electric fields. Predictions of the model are compared with several observations related to polar cap convection.

Dangelo, N.↗

Post-ejection impacts of the space shuttle solid rocket booster nose cap

The dynamics of impacts between the nose cap ejected from the space shuttle solid rocket booster and the drogue parachute pack are analyzed. The analysis is restricted to planar impact, and assumes the law of restitution and the possible occurrence of three types of impact, depending on the friction behavior of the colliding surfaces: forward slip; backward slip; no slip (normal rebound). The positions of both bodies and their velocities at the time of impact are required. Seven successive impacts, representing all three types, detected and simulated for the case of nose cap ejection at 20 fps normal to the direction of airflow, with selected coefficients of friction (0.25) and restitution (0.85).

Banerjee, A. K.↗

Low-energy electron intensities at large distances over the earth's polar cap

The eccentric-orbiting satellite Imp 5 penetrated the distant polar magnetosphere at positions corresponding to those for magnetic field lines which intersect the earth's northern polar cap. Measurements of electron intensities with E not less than 250 eV in these regions of extremely low plasma densities were gained with an electrostatic analyzer. The observational period was January-October 1970. Electron intensities within the energy range 250 eV-50 keV were less by orders of magnitude than those typically encountered within the plasma sheet and over the auroral oval. However, dramatic temporal variations of average electron intensities in the polar cap region were found for orbit-to-orbit comparisons. The observed intensity variations showed a remarkable correlation with the polarity of the magnetic sector structure in the interplanetary medium: high intensities for 'away from the sun' sectors and low intensities for 'toward' sectors.

Yeager, D. Y.↗

The tasselled cap - A graphic description of the spectral-temporal development of agricultural crops as seen by Landsat

The time trajectories of agricultural data points as seen in Landsat signal space form a pattern suggestive of a tasselled woolly cap. Most of the important crop phenomena can be described using this three dimensional construct: the distribution of signals from bare soil, the processes of green development, yellow development, and shadowing and harvesting. A linear preprocessing transformation which isolates green development, yellow development and soil brightness is used to reduce the dimension of the signal space. Specific measurable pattern elements of the tasselled cap are used to estimate and correct atmospheric haze and moisture effects.

Kauth, R. J.↗

Mars - Northern summer ice cap - Water vapor observations from Viking 2

Observations of the latitude dependence of water vapor made from the Viking 2 orbiter show peak abundances in the latitude band 70 to 80 deg N in the northern midsummer season (planetocentric longitude about 108 deg). Total column abundances in the polar regions require near-surface atmospheric temperatures in excess of 200 K and are incompatible with the survival of a frozen carbon dioxide cap at Martian pressures. The remnant (or residual) north polar cap and the outlying patches of ice at lower latitudes are thus predominantly water ice, whose thickness can be estimated to be between 1 meter and 1 kilometer.

Farmer, C. B.↗

On the relationship of the polar cap current system to the north-south component of the interplanetary magnetic field

The daily magnetic variation at the Resolute Bay polar cap station is examined for its dependence on the N-S component Bz of the IMF. The magnetic variations are found to be approximately in the same direction in the nightside polar cap for both northward and southward IMF, the amplitudes of the perturbations being larger for southward IMF. In the dayside, significant differences between the northward and southward IMF cases are observed. It is suggested that the overall pattern consists of two standard two-cell current patterns placed in juxtaposition such that the interface between them is the site of the antisunward current (sunward convection). Within the centers of each of these two patterns the currents are sunward (convection is antisunward).

Horwitz, J. L.↗

Seasonal recession of Mars' south polar cap as seen by Viking

The spring-summer retreat of the south polar cap of Mars is portrayed in photomosaics obtained by Viking Orbiter 2 during 1977. Comparisons of these data to Mariner 9 photos and to the record of telescopic observations attest that the polar retreat viewed by Viking was significantly slower than those previously reported. A global dust storm which occurred at an unusually early season may have effected this retarded recession by introducing dust into the atmosphere of Mars which modified the polar energy balance through scattering of incident radiation. The composition of the south residual cap cannot be unambiguously determined at this time; however, some data suggest that CO2 or clathrate survived the entire summer viewed by Viking.

James, P. B.↗

Frost streaks in the south polar cap of Mars

Viking Orbiter images of the annual south polar cap on Mars exhibit elongated bright features that are associated with craters and resemble wind streaks observed elsewhere on Mars. The study focuses on the well-documented frost streaks. The discussion covers the morphology of frost streaks, occurrence, seasonal behavior, thickness of frost in streak deposits, wind patterns inferred from frost streaks and other eolian features in the south polar region, formation of frost streaks, and other locales of preferential frost accumulation. The form and seasonal behavior of the bright elongated albedo markings which extend from the rims of many craters in the south polar cap suggest that they are accumulations of CO2 frost in the lee of craters. The frost streaks appear in the fall, increasing in length but not changing in direction during fall and winter. The frost streaks indicate a prograde circulation pattern of near-surface winds around the pole. Other details are also presented.

Thomas, P.↗

Cap protects aircraft nose cone

Inexpensive, easily fabricated cap protects aircraft nose cone from erosion. Made of molded polycarbonate, cap has been flight tested at both subsonic and supesonic speeds. Its strength and erosion characteristics are superior to those of fiberglass cones.

Bryan, C. F., Jr.↗

Polar cap electron acceleration regions

The characteristics of polar cap electron acceleration regions and the relationship of their occurrence to the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) have been investigated by using data from Atmosphere Explorer D and Imp J. It was found that electron energy spectra and angular distributions within the acceleration regions are generally consistent with models of acceleration of auroral primaries and reflection of atmospheric secondaries by field-aligned electrostatic potential differences. However, localized strongly field-aligned fluxes are also observed at energies below the spectral peak. It is suggested that these transient beams of field-aligned low-energy electrons result from the acceleration of thermal electrons from within the acceleration regions and that this thermal electron population may be partially replenished by small pitch angle atmospheric secondaries. The occurrence of the polar cap acceleration regions in the northern hemisphere is strongly correlated with IMF vectors which project into the (-X, +Z) sector of the solar magnetospheric X-Z plane; that is, with northward 'away' IMF polarities.

Burch, J. L.↗

Recession of Martian north polar cap - 1977-1978 Viking observations

The regression curve for the 1977-1978 sublimation of the north polar cap of Mars is extracted from Viking orbiter imaging data. The recession observed during the spring season is quite consistent with previous observations and is in excellent agreement with telescopic data obtained concurrently. A receding late winter boundary is identified, but owing to hood obscuration this boundary cannot be definitely attributed to a surface cap.

James, P. B.↗

Addition polyimide end cap study

The characterization of addition polyimides with various end caps for adhesive applications at 120-250 C environments is discussed. Oligometric polyimides were prepared from 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride and 3,3'-methylenedianiline which were end-capped with functionally reactive moities which cause crosslinking when the oligomers are heated to 200-400 C. The syntheses of the oligomers are outlined. The thermolysis of the oligomers was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and the resulting polymers were characterized by differential thermal analysis and adhesive performance. The adhesive data include lap shear strengths on titanium 6-4 adherends both before and after aging for 1000 hours at 121 C and/or 232 C.

St.clair, T. L.↗

Space Shuttle Orbiter nose cap and wing leading edge certification test program

A reinforced carbon-carbon thermal protection system is used on the space shuttle orbiter vehicle's nose cap and wing leading edge regions where temperatures reach 1538 C (2800 F). To verify the analyses used to certify reinforced carbon-carbon for the first flight and operational missions, a multi-environment incremental test program was developed and implemented through the combined efforts of Rockwell International and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Three separate facilities at the Johnson Space Center were used to subject full-scale nose cap and wing leading edge test articles to simulated critical launch, on-orbit, and atmospheric entry environments.

Suppanz, M. J.↗