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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.

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At least 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Impacts of active satellite sensors' low-level cloud detection limitations on cloud radiative forcing in the Arctic

Previous studies revealed that satellites sensors with the best detection capability identify 25 %–40 % and 0 %–25 % fewer clouds below 0.5 and between 0.5–1.0 km, respectively, over the Arctic. Quantifying the impacts of cloud detection limitations on the radiation flux are critical especially over the Arctic Ocean considering the dramatic changes in Arctic sea ice. In this study, the proxies of the space-based radar, CloudSat, and lidar, CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations), cloud masks are derived based on simulated radar reflectivity with QuickBeam and cloud optical thickness using retrieved cloud properties from surface-based radar and lidar during the Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean (SHEBA) experiment. Limitations in low-level cloud detection by the space-based active sensors, and the impact of these limitations on the radiation fluxes at the surface and the top of the atmosphere (TOA), are estimated with radiative transfer model Streamer. The results show that the combined CloudSat and CALIPSO product generally detects all clouds above 1 km, while detecting 25 % (9 %) fewer in absolute values below 600 m (600 m to 1 km) than surface observations. These detection limitations lead to uncertainties in the monthly mean cloud radiative forcing (CRF), with maximum absolute monthly mean values of 2.5 and 3.4 Wm –2 at the surface and TOA, respectively. Cloud information from only CALIPSO or CloudSat lead to larger cloud detection differences compared to the surface observations and larger CRF uncertainties with absolute monthly means larger than 10.0 Wm –2 at the surface and TOA. The uncertainties for individual cases are larger – up to 30 Wm –2 . These uncertainties need to be considered when radiation flux products from CloudSat and CALIPSO are used in climate and weather studies.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1986

Analysis of Doppler lidar wind measurements

Doppler lidar and multiple Doppler radar data were obtained in a convectively mixed planetary boundary layer. The lidar measurements were possible due to scattering from existing aerosols; radar reflecting chaff was released in the atmosphere to make it visible to the multiple Doppler radar network. The data were analyzed to obtain detailed horizontal wind structures. The divergence of the horizontal wind was calculated and the anelastic continuity equation integrated to obtain vertical air motions. Differences between the areally averaged quantities and the grid point values provided a measure of the fluctuations in the wind components or the turbulent wind fluctuations. Vertical profiles of the mean winds and quantities related to the turbulent kinetic energy components and the turbulent momentum transfers were also calculated.

Srivastava, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Precipitation estimation using passive microwave radiometry at 92 and 183 GHz - Aircraft results

The applications of satellite and aircraft sensors to precipitation estimation are discussed. The advanced microwave moisture sensor and imagery and the PPI photographs and digital radar data are described. The aircraft microwave sensor and radar imagery representing the relationships between patterns and gradients of brightness temperature, T(B), and echo intensities for three cases (evolution of an oceanic squall line, convection over land, and intense thunderstorms over land) are examined and compared. The observed T(B)s are also compared with the theoretical calculations of Wu and Weinman (1984) and Szejwach et al. (1986). The observations of convective precipitation from an aircraft microwave radiometer operating at 92 and 183 GHz reveal that the areas of T(B) much colder than atmospheric temperature are positively correlated with regions of higher radar reflectivity, and the patterns and gradients of T(B) are similar in appearance to the radar echoes.

Hakkarinen, Ida M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

C-band attenuation by tropical rainfall in Darwin, Australia, using climatologically tuned Z(e)-R relations

The probability matching method (PMM) is used as a basis for estimating attenuation in tropical rains near Darwin, Australia. PMM provides a climatological relationship between measured radar reflectivity and rain rate, which includes the effects of rain and cloud attenuation. When the radar sample is representative, PMM estimates the rainfall without bias. When the data are stratified for greater than average rates, the method no longer compensates for the higher attenuation and the radar rainfall estimates are biased low. The uncompensated attenuation is used to estimate the climatological attenuation coefficient. The two-way attenuation coefficient was found to be 0.0085 dB/km ( mm/h) exp -1.08 for the tropical rains and associated clouds in Darwin for the first two months of the year for horizontally polarized radiation at 5.63 GHz. This unusually large value is discussed. The risks of making real-time corrections for attenuation are also treated.

Atlas, David↗
NASA NTRS1991

Dual-parameter radar rainfall measurement from space - A test result from an aircraft experiment

An aircraft experiment has been conducted with a dual-frequency (X/Ka-bands) radar to test various rainfall retrieval methods from space. The authors test a method to derive raindrop size distribution (DSD) parameters from the combination of a radar reflectivity profile and a path-integrated attenuation derived from surface return, which may be available from most spaceborne radars. The estimated DSD parameters are reasonable in that the values generally fall within the range of commonly measured ones and that shifts in DSD parameters appear to be correlated with changes in storm type. The validity of the estimation result is also demonstrated by a consistency check using the Ka-band reflectivity profile which is independent of the DSD estimation process. Although errors may occur in the cases of nonuniform beam filling, these test results indicate the feasibility of the dual-parameter radar measurement from space in achieving a better accuracy in quantitative rainfall remote measurements.

Kozu, Toshiaki↗
DOE OSTI2026

BNF C-band Scanning ARM Precipitation Radar 2nd Generation (CSAPR-2) Extracted Radar Columns and In-Situ Sensors (RadCLss)

Corrected Moments in Antenna Coordinates (CMAC) calculates quantitative precipitation estimates (QPE) from empirical relationships based on equivalent radar reflectivity factor, specific differ- ential phase, and specific attenuation. To evaluate these empirical relationships, the Extracted Radar Columns and In-Situ Sensors (RADclss) product was developed. Utilizing Py-ART, RAD- clss extracts CMAC radar columns above various ARM and partner locations. These columns are then spatiotemporally synced with in-situ observations at the surface utilizing the Atmospheric data Community Toolkit (ACT; Theisen et al. 2025), allowing direct comparison of radar parameters with rain gauges and laser disdrometers for further investigation.

bankhead↗
NASA NTRS1984

Analysis of radar images by means of digital terrain models

It is pointed out that the importance of digital terrain models in the processing, analysis, and interpretation of remote sensing data is increasing. In investigations related to the study of radar images, digital terrain models can have a particular significance, because radar reflection is a function of the terrain characteristics. A procedure for the analysis and interpretation of radar images is discussed. The procedure is based on a utilization of computer simulation which makes it possible to produce simulated radar images on the basis of a digital terrain model. The simulated radar images are used for the geometric and radiometric rectification of real radar images. A description of the employed procedures is provided, and the obtained results are discussed, taking into account a test area in Northern California.

Domik, G.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Rain Fallspeeds and Rates Derived from Airborne Nadir-Pointing Doppler Radar Measurements

The use of vertical-incidence Doppler velocity in addition to radar reflectivity may yield information on drop size distribution and therefore result in better rainrate estimates. Doppler velocity can provide useful information on the raindrop size distribution. Doppler velocities from a zenith-pointing radar represent the sum of the mean reflectivity-weighted hydrometeor fallspeed and the vertical air motion. Dual-parameter rain estimation methods using the Doppler velocity, require that the latter can be removed, or is negligible. Atlas et al. (1972) derived relations between Doppler velocity, reflectivity, and rain rate assuming an exponential size distribution for rain. Ulbrich (1994) expanded on this work by deriving the relation between the Doppler velocity and the reflectivity assuming a Gamma size distribution. This distribution provides a more realistic representation of the small rain drops. To get accurate information on raindrop size distributions with the above method, the air motions must be removed from the observed Doppler velocities

Heymsfield, Gerald M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Surface Units on Venus Derived from Pioneer-venus Altimetry, Roughness, and Reflectivity Measurements

The nature of the Venusian surface was revealed by Pioneer-Venus (PV) observations to be diverse at scales from tens to hundreds of kilometers. Spatial correlations of elevation, surface roughness, and radar reflectivity were investigated as a means of assessing the degree of homogeneity of surface radar properties within topographic provinces and develop a map of possible geologic boundaries. Correlations were performed in a supervised fashion whereby unit boundaries were selected on the basis of statistical and empirical studies of the individual data sets. Interpretations of these units in terms of geologic characteristics are based on the determination of physical units which are model dependent.

Peterfreund, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Multisensor analysis of hydrologic features with emphasis on the Seasat SAR

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery of the Wind River Range area in Wyoming is compared with visible and near-infrared imagery of the same area. Data from the Seasat L-Band SAR and an aircraft X-Band SAR are compared with Landsat Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) visible data and near-infrared aerial photography and topographic maps of the same area. It is noted that visible and near-infrared data provide more information than the SAR data when conditions are the most favorable. The SAR penetrates clouds and snow, however, and data can be acquired day or night. Drainage density detail is good on SAR imagery because individual streams show up well owing to riparian vegetation; this causes higher radar reflections which result from the 'rough' surface which vegetation creates. In the winter image, the X-Band radar data show high returns because of cracks on the lake ice surfaces. High returns can also be seen in the L-Band SAR imagery of the lakes due to ripples on the surface induced by wind. It is concluded that the use of multispectral data would optimize analysis of hydrologic features.

Foster, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Radar studies of the sea surface - An introduction

A variety of different radars have been used to observe the sea surface. The instruments include scatterometers to measure wind velocity, altimeters to measure wind speed and wave height, synthetic aperture radars (SAR) to map the radar reflectivity of the surface in order to see ocean surface waves and other phenomena, and two-frequency radars to measure ocean wavelength. The present investigation is concerned with the accuracy of the measurements of particular oceanic variables, improved means of calculating these variables, and a comparison of the relative similarities and differences among the various radars. Wind speed can be measured to useful accuracy from space using scatterometers such as that on Seasat. Significant wave heights can be measured to useful accuracy from space using altimeters, the present accuracy being + or - 10% for altimeters such as that on Seasat.

Stewart, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Nested rain cell contour statistics derived from radar measurements in the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States

During a period spanning more than 5 years, a series of low elevation rain radar measurements encompassing 17 rain days were systematically executed in the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. Drop size distribution measurements with a nearby disdrometer were also acquired during the same rain days. The drop size data were utilized to convert the radar reflectivity factors to estimated rain rates for the respective rain days of operation. Applying developed algorithms to the radar and disdrometer data, 'core' values of rain intensities and nested families of rain rate isopleths enveloping them were identified and their equi-circle diameters were statistically analyzed.

Goldhirsh, Julius↗
NASA NTRS1997

Mars Delay-Doppler Radar Observations With GSSR: Global Analysis for Landing Site Selection and Characterization

Earth-based radar data remain an important part of the information set used to select and certify spacecraft landing sites on Mars. Constraints on robotic landings on Mars include: terrain elevation, radar reflectivity. regional and local slopes, rock distribution and coverage, and surface roughness, all of which are addressed by radar data. Indeed, the usefulness of radar data for Mars exploration has been demonstrated in the past. Radar data were critical in assessing the Viking Lander I site, and more recently, the Mars Pathfinder landing site.

Haldemann, A. F. C.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Global Database of GSSR Mars Delay-Doppler Radar Obsevations: Analysis for Landing Site Characterization and Rover Trafficability

Earth-based radar data remain an important part of the information set used to select and certify spacecraft landing sites on Mars. Constraints on robotic landings on Mars include: terrain elevation, radar reflectivity, regional and local slopes, rock distribution and coverage, and surface roughness, all of which are addressed by radar data. Indeed, the usefulness of radar data for Mars exploration has been demonstrated in the past. Radar data were critical in assessing the Viking Lander, and more recently, the Mars Pathfinder landing.

Haldemann, A. F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Global Database of GSSR Mars Delay-Doppler Radar Observations: Analysis for Landing Site Characterization and Rover Trafficability

Earth-based radar data remain an important part of the information set used to select and certify spacecraft landing sites on Mars. Constraints on robotic landings on Mars include: terrain elevation, radar reflectivity, regional and local slopes, rock distribution and coverage, and surface roughness, all of which are addressed by radar data. Indeed, the usefulness of radar data for Mars exploration has been demonstrated in the past. Radar data were critical in assessing the Viking Lander 1 site, and more recently, the Mars Pathfinder landing site.

Haldemann, A. F. C.↗
NASA NTRS2003

A Physical Model to Determine Snowfall over Land by Microwave Radiometry

Because microwave brightness temperatures emitted by snow covered surfaces are highly variable, snowfall above such surfaces is difficult to observe using window channels that occur at low frequencies (v less than 100 GHz). Furthermore, at frequencies v less than or equal to 37 GHz, sensitivity to liquid hydrometeors is dominant. These problems are mitigated at high frequencies (v greater than 100 GHz) where water vapor screens the surface emission and sensitivity to frozen hydrometeors is significant. However the scattering effect of snowfall in the atmosphere at those higher frequencies is also impacted by water vapor in the upper atmosphere. This work describes the methodology and results of physically-based retrievals of snow falling over land surfaces. The theory of scattering by randomly oriented dry snow particles at high microwave frequencies appears to be better described by regarding snow as a concatenation of equivalent ice spheres rather than as a sphere with the effective dielectric constant of an air-ice mixture. An equivalent sphere snow scattering model was validated against high frequency attenuation measurements. Satellite-based high frequency observations from an Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU-B) instrument during the March 5-6, 2001 New England blizzard were used to retrieve snowfall over land. Vertical distributions of snow, temperature and relative humidity profiles were derived from the Pennsylvania State University-National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU-NCAR) fifth-generation Mesoscale Model (MM5). Those data were applied and modified in a radiative transfer model that derived brightness temperatures consistent with the AMSU-B observations. The retrieved snowfall distribution was validated with radar reflectivity measurements obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) ground-based radar network.

Skofronick-Jackson, G.↗
NASA NTRS2014

A Preliminary Analysis of Precipitation Properties and Processes during NASA GPM IFloodS

The Iowa Flood Studies (IFloodS) is a NASA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) ground measurement campaign, which took place in eastern Iowa from May 1 to June 15, 2013. The goals of the field campaign were to collect detailed measurements of surface precipitation using ground instruments and advanced weather radars while simultaneously collecting data from satellites passing overhead. Data collected by the radars and other ground instruments, such as disdrometers and rain gauges, will be used to characterize precipitation properties throughout the vertical column, including the precipitation type (e.g., rain, graupel, hail, aggregates, ice crystals), precipitation amounts (e.g., rain rate), and the size and shape of raindrops. The impact of physical processes, such as aggregation, melting, breakup and coalescence on the measured liquid and ice precipitation properties will be investigated. These ground observations will ultimately be used to improve rainfall estimates from satellites and in particular the algorithms that interpret raw data for the upcoming GPM mission's Core Observatory satellite, which launches in 2014. The various precipitation data collected will eventually be used as input to flood forecasting models in an effort to improve capabilities and test the utility and limitations of satellite precipitation data for flood forecasting. In this preliminary study, the focus will be on analysis of NASA NPOL (S‐band, polarimetric) radar (e.g., radar reflectivity, differential reflectivity, differential phase, correlation coefficient) and NASA 2D Video Disdrometers (2DVDs) measurements. Quality control and processing of the radar and disdrometer data sets will be outlined. In analyzing preliminary cases, particular emphasis will be placed on 1) documenting the evolution of the rain drop size distribution (DSD) as a function of column melting processes and 2) assessing the impact of range on ground‐based polarimetric radar estimates of DSD properties.

Carey, Lawrence↗
NASA NTRS2020

Resolution of Lava Tubes with Ground Penetrating Radar: The TubeX project

Remote sensing surveys of the Moon and Mars show evidence of lava tubes, which are potential safe havens for human crews and their equipment. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) can be used to map tubes because the void/rock interface at tube ceilings and floors strongly reflects radar pulses. We have tested the capacity of GPR to sense lava tube geometry at Lava Beds National Monument (LBNM) in California, USA. GPR and detailed LiDAR data are presented for two tubes: Skull Cave, with a few meters of overburden, diameter ~10-20 m, and a rubbly floor; and Valentine Cave, with similarly thin overburden, diameter ~1-3 meters, and a flatter smoother floor. On both caves GPR clearly resolves the ceiling and permits good estimates of the cave width as validated with LiDAR data. Where GPR fails, the primary cause is inferred to be strong out-of-plane effects due to complex 3D geometries. Recovery of the floor position requires migrating the GPR data with a 2D velocity model, as signal velocity is faster in void space. We find that floor position is recoverable in caves whose voids are taller than the radar wavelength (~3 m in this study). Forward modeling assuming planetary parameters suggests GPR should be similarly successful on the Moon or Mars.

S. Esmaeili↗