SEARCH · Search NASA
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.
Lower atmospheric multiple wavelength laser radar data compared to clear atmosphere model and radiosonde measurements, discussing mixing layer location
The results are discussed in terms of the meteorological data acquisition procedures necessary to monitor changes in atmospheric parameters to support aircraft flyover noise measurements and aircraft noise certification programs. The data consisted primarily of sequential radiosonde ascents to approximately 5000 ft spaced some half-hour to an hour apart. The weather covered by the data sample was predominantly that of clear skies and calm-to-light surface winds associated with well established high-pressure systems. Under these restrictive weather conditions, the study shows that the largest variabilities in temperature and humidity occur during the early morning hours resulting from the effects of direct solar heating of the surface. These rapid changes apparently do not penetrate above approximately 1000 ft. In the late morning hours, the atmosphere appears to become stabilized so that net changes in temperatures and relative humidities at all levels are insignificant even in time periods exceeding three hours. By noon, however, turbulent fluctuations in surface wind and the wind speed itself increase to levels which would make the microphone recording of acoustic signals in the field difficult.
A mathematical model is developed for the apparent temperature of the sea at all microwave frequencies. The model is a numerical model in which both the clear water structure and white water are accounted for as a function of wind speed. The model produces results similar to Stogryn's model at 19.35 GHz for wind speeds less than 8 m/sec; it can use radiosonde data to calculate atmospheric effects and can incorporate an empirically determined antenna gain pattern. The corresponding computer program is of modular design and the logic of the main program is capable of treating a horizontally inhomogeneous surface or atmosphere. It is shown that a variation of microwave brightness temperature with zenith angle is necessary to produce the wind sensitivity of the horizontally polarized brightness temperature; the variation of sky temperature with frequency is sufficient to produce a frequency dependent wind sensitivity.
The Nimbus 4 temperature-humidity infrared radiometer (THIR) monitors radiation in the 6.5 to 7.2 micron water vapor absorption with a 23 kilometer spatial resolution at the sub-satellite point. Radiation monitored in this spectral region results primarily from emission in the 250 to 500 millibar region of the upper troposphere. The THIR 6.7 micron observations are readily available in photofacsimile imagery form which shows very distinctive patterns associated with spatial variations in atmospheric water vapor. These radiometric observations were combined in several instances with moisture values measured in the upper troposphere by the standard radiosonde network. In each instance, the result is a much more consistent analysis showing increased spatial detail that agrees with the radiometric observations and does not compromise the conventional data. The improved moisture analyses show relatively dry and moist tongues that are very difficult or impossible to infer from the conventional data alone. The patterns in the moisture fields can be tracked over 12 and 24 hour periods. In addition, by keeping in mind the advective properties of the moisture field, success was achieved in improving streamline analyses at the 400 mb level over data sparse regions on a global scale.
This paper discusses the application of lidar (laser radar) to the measurement of air pollution. Lidar techniques and instrumentation utilizing elastic, Raman, and fluorescence scattering are discussed. Data showing measurements of the mixing of particulate pollutants in the atmosphere are presented. These data include: simultaneous two-wavelength results, isopleths showing the temporal dynamics of particulate mixing, measurements of the top of the earth's mixing layer, and measurements in a valley with restricted circulation and mixing. All measurements are compared with simultaneous radiosonde and/or aircraft-mounted temperature probe support. In addition, a second generation lidar system presently under development is described.
The Jimsonde, a high-resolution lightweight temperature sensor developed for use with the FPS-16 Radar/Jimsphere wind system, and its related systems are discussed; and an error analysis that shows the sonde to have an rms error of 0.41 C at sea level and 0.56 C at 18 km is presented. Five flight tests, a sequence of four tests and one individual test, of the Jimsonde were made. For comparative purposes, radiosonde temperature data are presented along with the Jimsonde data.
A number of special radiosondes were examined to study the statistical variabilities of atmospheric parameters on a time and space scale commensurate with aircraft flyover noise measurements. Particular emphasis is placed on those aspects of the data which relate to the temporal variabilities of the temperature and humidity profiles. It is found that during the late morning hours, continuous surface measurements and measurements of airport tower levels are sufficient to monitor the layer of the atmosphere in which the largest variabilities occur.
Extreme atmospheres, pertaining to summer (hot) and winter (cold) conditions for Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, are presented from 0- to 90-km altitudes. Computed values of pressure, e, kinetic temperature, virtual temperature, density, and relative differences (percentages from Vandenberg Reference Atmosphere, 1971 (VRA 71)) of the atmospheric parameters versus altitude are tabulated in increments of 250 m. Hydrostatic and gas law equations were used in conjunction with radiosonde and rocketsonde thermodynamic data in determining the vertical structure of the two atmospheric models. The summer-type density profile deviated from -9.0 percent (of the VRA-71) at the ground to 28.4 percent at 74.5-km altitude. The winter density profile went from 5.2 percent at the surface to -31.4 percent at 72 km.
The theory and design of an economical solar flux radiometer readily adaptable to the conventional radiosonde system are presented in response to the need cited by the Atmospheric Radiation Working Group (1971) for the development of an inexpensive light-weight short-wave radiometer sonde. Prototype instrument tests and current modifications are discussed. It is shown that the basic instrument can be easily modified to measure separately the upward and downward directed flux components, in addition to the net flux.
The Nimbus 4 temperature-humidity infrared radiometer (THIR) monitors radiation in the 6.5 to 7.2-micron water vapor absorption region with a 23-km spatial resolution at the subsatellite point. Radiation monitored in this spectral region results primarily from emission in the 250 to 500-mb region of the upper troposphere. The THIR 6.7-micron observations are readily available in photofacsimile imagery form which shows very distinctive patterns associated with spatial variations in atmospheric water vapor. These radiometric observations have been combined in several instances with moisture values measured in the upper troposphere by the standard radiosonde network. In each instance, the result is a much more consistent analysis showing increased spatial detail that agrees with the radiometric observations and does not compromise the conventional data. The improved moisture analyses show relatively dry and moist tongues that are very difficult or impossible to infer from the conventional data alone.
A formula for correcting laser measurements of satellite range for the effect of atmospheric refraction is given. The corrections apply above 10 deg elevation to satellites whose heights exceed 70 km. The meteorological measurements required are the temperature, pressure, and relative humidity of the air at the laser site at the time of satellite pass. The accuracy of the formula was tested by comparison with corrections obtained by ray-tracing radiosonde profiles. The standard deviation of the difference between the refractive retardation given by the formula and that calculated by ray-tracing was less than about 0.04% of the retardation or about 0.5 cm at 10 deg elevation, decreasing to 0.04 cm near zenith.
A numerical model is developed which calculates the atmospheric corrections to infrared radiometric measurements due to absorption and emission by water vapor, carbon dioxide, and ozone. The corrections due to aerosols are not accounted for. The transmissions functions for water vapor, carbon dioxide, and water are given. The model requires as input the vertical distribution of temperature and water vapor as determined by a standard radiosonde. The vertical distribution of carbon dioxide is assumed to be constant. The vertical distribution of ozone is an average of observed values. The model also requires as input the spectral response function of the radiometer and the nadir angle at which the measurements were made. A listing of the FORTRAN program is given with details for its use and examples of input and output listings. Calculations for four model atmospheres are presented.
The results of a study that used radiosonde soundings to select the extreme atmospheric conditions in the continental United States are presented.
The Nimbus 5 meteorological satellite carried aloft a full complement of radiation sensors, the data from which were analyzed and intercompared during orbits 569-570 on 22 January 1973. The electrically scanning microwave radiometer (ESMR) which sensed passive microwave radiation in the 19.35 GHz region, delineated rain areas over the ocean off the U.S. east coast, in good agreement with WSR-57 and FPS-77 radar imagery and permitted the estimation of rainfall rates in this region. Residual ground water in the lower Mississippi Valley, which resulted from abnormal rainfall in previous months, was indicated under clear sky conditions by soil brightness temperature values in the Nimbus 5 ESMR and U.S. Air Force Data Acquisition and Processing Program (DAPP) IR data. The temperature-humidity infrared radiometer showed the height and spatial configuration of frontal clouds along the east coast and outlined the confluence of a polar jet stream with a broad sub-tropical jet stream along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Temperature profiles from three vertical temperature sounders, the infrared temperature profile radiometer (ITPR), the Nimbus E microwave spectrometer (NEMS) and the selective chopper radiometer (SCR) were found to be in good agreement with related radiosonde ascents along orbit 569 from the sub-tropics to the Arctic Circle.
Daytime atmospheric water-vapor measures were continued for Mt. Lemmon, the Catalina Observatory, and Tucson. As before (Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Communications, No. 158), the three sets are closely related in terms of their altitude differences, with the average empirically-determined scale-height value, 2.3 km. During the winter and spring of 1971 observations were made for more than 90% of the days. The measures are tabulated and reduced to Mt. Lemmon. The calibration was continued to higher values by means of atmospheric radiosonde data.
Nimbus 4 data (11.5-micron) channel and ATS 3 digitized data were analyzed for three days during April and May 1970. Cloud-top temperature, as measured by the 11.5-micron channel of the satellite radiometer, shows a close negative correlation with cloud brightness measured by the ATS 3 satellite. This is especially true in well-developed cumulonimbus clouds. An estimate of cloud heights corresponding to cloud-top temperature was obtained by using radiosonde data and radar images, and the relationships between the cloud thickness and brightness counts were derived for the cumulonimbus clouds.
The dependence is shown of the complete and simplified Y criteria on the instability energy E. Regression equations are presented of the relation of the criterial values of Y of severe hail and severe weather clouds with the variable E. The adjustment of Y according to the value of E calculated from the radiosonde data is recommended as one of the possible methods.
The Nimbus 5 meteorological satellite has a full complement of radiation sensors. Data from these sensors were analyzed and intercompared for orbits 569 and 570. The electrically-scanning microwave radiometer (19.35-GHz region) delineated rain areas over the ocean off the U.S. east coast, in good agreement with radar imagery, and permitted the estimation of rainfall rates in this region. Residual ground water, from abnormal rainfall in the lower Mississippi Valley, was indicated under clear sky conditions by soil brightness temperature values in the Nimbus 5 electrically scanning microwave radiometer and U.S. Air Force Data Acquisition and Processing Program infrared data. The temperature-humidity infrared radiometer (6.7 micron and 11 micron) showed the height and spatial configuration of frontal clouds along the east coast and outlined the confluence of a polar jet stream with a broad subtropical jet stream along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Temperature profiles from three vertical temperature sounders are found to be in good agreement with related radiosonde ascents along orbit 569 from the subtropics to the Arctic Circle.