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At least 217 records · Page 12

Implications of cross section errors for cosmic ray propagation

Errors in nuclear interaction cross sections are the single most important limitation on the analysis of cosmic ray composition data. At the 18th International Cosmic Ray Conference, the potential importance of correlations in cross section errors in determining cosmic ray source abundances was demonstrated. In this paper the magnitude of cross section error correlation is estimated. Analysis suggests that cross section errors are essentially uncorrelated for nuclei with Z 29 and that the actual errors may be less than the nominal 35%.

Letaw, J. R.↗

The AMPTE Charge Composition Explorer science data system

The instrument complement on all three Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorer (AMPTE) spacecraft is devoted to the conduction of the unified measurements which are required to achieve the scientific aims. A single science data base for each spacecaft has, therefore, been established with the objective to facilitate unified analysis. The data are kept in Science Data Centers in the U.S., West Germany, and the United Kingdom. The Science Data Center dedicated to the Charge Composition Explorer (CCE) is located at the Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University where it was developed. The present paper is concerned with aspects of the computing center's design, development and operations.

Holland, B. B.↗

Study of storm time fluxes of heavy ions

Ion composition data sets from Lockheed instruments on a variety of spacecraft were used in combination with each other and with data from other instruments to address a variety of problems regarding plasma sources, energization and transport within the magnetosphere. The availability of data from several differing orbits has given a highly flexible approach to attacking the continually evolving questions of magnetospheric physics. This approach is very successful and should be continued in the future.

Sharp, R. D.↗

Chemical components of the Apollo 15 regolith

The lunar regolith is a complex mixture of many components. Compositional data is used to identify and estimate the relative importance of the various chemical components of the regolith. The results and conclusions of four methods that were applied to Apollo 15 regolith data were reviewed to determine the important chemical components: graphical techniques, analysis of individual soil particles, factor analysis, and multicomponent mixing models. This synthesis relies heavily on data and conclusions from the literature as well as new analyses on 28 regolith breccia samples, 28 soil samples, and 50 individual 1 to 2 mm particles from soil 15272.

Korotev, R. L.↗

Chemical compositional study of 35 iron meteorites and its application in taxonomy

Structural and compositional data are reported as a guide to the classification of 35 iron meteorites. The Xinjiang iron meteorite, previously classified as III AB, is reclassified as III E on the basis of its lower Ga/Ni and Ge/Ni ratios, its wider, swollen kamacite bands, and the ubiquitous presence of haxonite, (Fe,Ni)22C. The Dongling (III CD) appears not to be a new meteorite, but to be paired with the Nantan. Four Antarctic iron meteorites, IAB Allan Hills A77250, A77263, A77289, and A77290, are classified as a paired meteorite because of their similarities in structure and in concentrations of various elements. It is shown that Cu shares certain properties with Ga and Ge, which makes them excellent taxonomic parameters.

Wang, D.↗

Measurement and analysis of distribution coefficients in Fe-Ni alloys containing S and/or P. II - K(Ir), K(Ge), and K(Cu)

Crystals of Fe-Ni-S-P alloys containing Ir, Ge, and Cu in small amounts were grown by plane front solidification. The electron microprobe was used to measure the compositions of these alloys. The Ir, Ge, and Cu distribution coefficients were determined by an analytical procedure from the composition data. The distribution coefficients of Ir, Ge, and Cu vary from 1.20 to 11.0, 0.75 to 2.1, and 0.06 to 0.84, respectively. K(Ir) and K(Ge) increase and K(Cu) decreases with the S content of the liquid. K(Cu) increases and K(Ir) and K(Ge) decrease with the P content of the liquid. Mathematical expressions have been formulated to relate the Ir, Ge, and Cu distribution coefficients to the S and P contents of the liquid. These distribution coefficients are important to the study of the solidification behavior of iron meteorites.

Sellamuthu, R.↗

Concentrations and behavior of oxygen and oxide ion in melts of composition CaO.MgO.xSiO2

The behavior of oxygen and oxide ion in silicate melts was investigated through their electrochemical reactions at a platinum electrode. Values are given for the diffusion coefficient for molecular oxygen in diopside melt and the activation energy of diffusion. It is shown that molecular oxygen dissociates prior to undergoing reduction and that oxide ion reacts quickly with silicate polymers when it is produced. The concentration of oxide ion is kept low by a buffering effect of the silicate, the exact level being dependent on the silicate composition. Data on the kinetics of reaction of the dissociation of molecular oxygen and on the buffering reactions are provided. It is demonstrated that the data on oxygen in these silicate melts are consistent with those for solid buffers.

Semkow, K. W.↗

Test method development for structural characterization of fiber composites at high temperatures

Test methods used for structural characterization of polymer matrix composites can be applied to glass and ceramic matrix composites only at low temperatures. New test methods are required for tensile, compressive, and shear properties of fiber composites at high temperatures. A tensile test which should be useful to at least 1000 C has been developed and used to characterize the properties of a Nicalon/glass composite up to the matrix limiting temperature of 600 C. Longitudinal and transverse unidirectional composite data are presented and discussed.

Mandell, J. F.↗

Material interactions with the Low Earth Orbital (LEO) environment: Accurate reaction rate measurements

To resolve uncertainties in estimated LEO atomic oxygen fluence and provide reaction product composition data for comparison to data obtained in ground-based simulation laboratories, a flight experiment has been proposed for the space shuttle which utilizes an ion-neutral mass spectrometer to obtain in-situ ambient density measurements and identify reaction products from modeled polymers exposed to the atomic oxygen environment. An overview of this experiment is presented and the methodology of calibrating the flight mass spectrometer in a neutral beam facility prior to its use on the space shuttle is established. The experiment, designated EOIM-3 (Evaluation of Oxygen Interactions with Materials, third series), will provide a reliable materials interaction data base for future spacecraft design and will furnish insight into the basic chemical mechanisms leading to atomic oxygen interactions with surfaces.

Visentine, James T.↗

Semi-interpenetrating networks of LARC-TPI

In a previous research project at NASA-Langley, a novel semi-2-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-2-IPN) was prepared from the linear, thermoplastic polyimidesulfone, and the more brittle, crosslinked, acetylene-terminated imidesulfone. Synergistic qualities such as improved thermooxidative stability and better processability were achieved from this combination. The novelty of the system lay in the fact that the structures of the linear and crosslinking components were nearly identical. This similarity in structure eliminates any phase separation problems common to many-IPNs. In a similar way, a semi-2-IPN was prepared from linear, thermoplastic LARC-TPI and acetylene-terminated LARC-TPI (ATLARC-TPI). The preparation and characterization of this system will be discussed as well as adhesive and composite data.

Egli, Annemarie H.↗

MSIS-86 thermospheric model

The MSIS-86 empirical model of thermospheric temperature, density and composition uses new temperature and composition data from the Dynamics Explorer satellite to improve the representation of polar region morphology over that in the MSIS-83 model. Terms were added or changed to better represent seasonal variations in the polar regions under both quiet and magnetically disturbed conditions. Local time variations in the magnetic activity effect were added. In addition a new species, atomic nitrogen, was added to the previous list of N2, O2, He, O, H, and Ar covered by the model.

Hedin, Alan E.↗

The silicate component of Martian dust

Absorption features in telescopic reflectance spectra of Mars obtained during 1978, and absorption features in Mariner 7 and Mariner 9 spectra, are analyzed which are assigned to structural hydroxyl within a strongly hydrogen-bonded acidic material suggested to be a silicate. Deduced fundamentals indicate that the Si-O(b)-Si bond angle may be approximately linear, and that the estimated Si-O(b) bridge length may be about 1.61 A. Viking compositional data indicate that Mg(2+), rather than Ca(2+) may be the dominant cation in the Martian material. The results suggest that the silicate component of the dust may be an incipient hydrolysis product of olivine-rich ultramafic or mafic material, involving a process that resulted in minimum loss of mobile cations and that maintained the high O/Si ratio of the starting material.

Huguenin, R. L.↗

Physical and chemical modification of the surface of Venus by windblown particles

The results of simulations of the Venusian surface environment involving windblown grains are presented which show that significant chemical and physical changes may occur even in the slow-moving winds recorded on Venus. The edges of grains beome worn and shed comminuted debris, which collects on weathered surfaces and grains alike. The resulting transfer of material from loose grains to bedrock surfaces (and vice versa) could yield misleading results on rock composition; moreover, the generation of comminuted debris would enhance chemical reactions that could affect the composition of the atmosphere. The results are thus relevant in assessing rates of surface degradation, the evolution of small-scale surface features as seen in images returned from the Soviet Venera missions, and in the interpretation of compositional data for surface materials.

Greeley, Ronald↗

Pluton emplacement and magmatic arc construction: A model from the Patagonian batholith

A model of batholithic construction in Andean arcs and its applicability to possibly similar environments in the past is described. Age and compositional data from the Patagonian batholith of southern Chile show a long history of magmatism in any given area (total age range is 15 to 157 Ma), but different regions appear to have different magmatic starting ages. Furthermore, mafic rocks seem to be the oldest components of any given region. An assembly line model involving semicontinuous magmatism and uplift was outlined, which has implications for other terranes: uplift rates will be proportional to observed ranges in age, and total uplift will be proportional to the age of the oldest pluton in any given area. It is suggested that misleading results would be obtained if only small areas of similar terranes in the Archean were available for study.

Bruce, Robert↗

An imaging spectrometer for the investigation of Mars

Unmanned misions to Mars will employ imaging spectrometry to yield compositional data about the target body, through visual and IR measurements of the intensity and distribution of characteristic spectral signature features in the radiation that is emitted and reflected by surface materials. Attention is presently given to a modular imaging spectrometer design with applicability to a diverse range of planetary missions. This visual and IR mapping spectrometer has been tentatively selected for NASA's recently approved Mars Observer mission. Detailed optical characteristics and capabilities of the instrument are presented.

Duval, James E.↗

Pitch angle distributions of low-energy ions in the near-earth magnetosphere

Energetic ion composition data acquired by satellite have been used to study the characteristics of ion pitch angle distributions in the near-earth magnetosphere. Both H(+) and O(+) ions below 1 keV were most frequently observed to have bidirectional field-aligned or conical pitch angle distributions inside L of about 6, with the exception of highly trapped H(+) very near the magnetic equator. The occurrence probability distributions of counterstreaming ions (CSI) and bidirectional conics in magnetic local time and L shell space suggest that the observed CSI were formed near the postmidnight sector and subsequently drifted eastward, and that ions close to the field-aligned direction were probably lost due to charge exchange with atmospheric hydrogen in the course of their eastward drift. In the prenoon sector, conical distributions dominated. Bidirectional ions were vary rarely observed in the afternoon sector, presumably because their drift paths crossed the magnetopause into the dayside magnetosheath.

Sagawa, E.↗

Low-energy ions at low equatorial altitudes

Ion mass composition data, obtained with the ISEE-1 mass spectrometer, and other data are used to study the intense low-energy populations observed in the low-altitude equatorial magnetosphere by Williams and Frank (1984). The observed ions are identified primarily as H(+), O(+), and He(+). Observed peak energies are shown to increase with decreasing altitude and to vary by at least 30 percent over time. It is suggested that a mechanism of resonant wave-particle interaction is responsible for the energization of the observed ions, and that such a mechanism may act in a two-phase mode, resulting in the energization of minor ions up to the local Alfven energy of the ambient plasma.

Williams, D. J.↗

Origins of Marslike spectral and magnetic properties of a Hawaiian palagonitic soil

Results are presented on spectral, Moessbauer, static magnetic, petrographic, and compositional data for a Hawaiian palagonitic soil from Mauna Kea (HWMK1). It was found that reflectivity spectra of size separates smaller than 20 microns resemble spectra for Martian bright regions, while spectra of larger size separates show characteristics in common with spectra for Martian dark regions. Data on the HWMK1 soil are consistent with the partitioning of iron among the following minerals: olivine, titanomagnetite, hematite, and a superparamagnetic colored ferric oxide. These mineralogies are heterogeneously distributed within the soil with respect to both particle type and soil-particle diameter. The strongly magnetic titanomagnetite is associated with black particles and is responsible for the magnetic nature of the soil, while the colored weakly magnetic superparamagnetic ferric oxide and minor hematite are associated with orange particles.

Morris, Richard V.↗