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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 253 records · Page 14
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NASA NTRS1977

Annual variation in temperature and composition of the thermosphere and upper mesosphere

A three-dimensional circulation model, including UV (O2 dissociation) and EUV sources, is used to study the wind field and the effects of temperature and composition on annual thermospheric variations. The results are compared to those of OGO-6 and AE-C. Within an 800-1200 K temperature range, summer to winter temperature variation is studied as a function of solar activity. It is found that the model correctly predicts H, He, O, N2, O2, and Ar measurements. It is suggested that a small winter maximum in mesospheric temperature is caused by large-scale circulation induced by EUV heating. This effect, however, is masked by the energy released in O2 dissociation. The annual temperature amplitude and the winter oxygen bulge are noted to increase with increasing solar activity, whereas the winter helium bulge is noted to decrease with enhanced exospheric return flow. It is felt that the dependence of the F2 region winter anomaly on solar activity may be significantly affected by the solar activity effect in atomic oxygen.

Mayr, H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Vertical temperature and density patterns in the Arctic mesosphere analyzed as gravity waves

Three series of rocket soundings including pitot soundings, grenade soundings, and paired pitot-grenade soundings, were conducted from high latitude sites during winter. Temperature and wind profiles and one density profile were observed independently to obtain the thermodynamic structure, the wind structure, and thus their interdependence in the mesosphere. Temperature profiles from all soundings in each series were averaged, and a smooth curve (or series of smooth curves) drawn through the points. A hydrostatic atmosphere based on the average, measured temperature profile was computed, and deviations from the mean atmosphere were analyzed in terms of gravity wave theory. The vertical wavelengths of the deviations were 10-20 km, and the wave amplitudes slowly increased with height. The experimental data were matched by calculated gravity waves having a period ranging between 15 and 80 minutes and horizontal wavelengths of 60 to 280 km. The interpretation is generally consistent with the results of others who have studied gravity-acoustic waves in the atmosphere. The wind measurements are consistent with the thermodynamic measurements. The results also suggest that gravity waves traveled from east to west with a horizontal phase velocity of approximately 60 m/sec.

Eberstein, I. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Solar mesosphere explorer: Experiment description

The Solar Mesosphere Explorer (SME) satellite experiments will provide a comprehensive study of atmospheric ozone and the processes which form and destroy it. Five instruments to be carried on the spacecraft will measure the ozone density and altitude distribution, monitor the incoming solar radiation, and measure other atmospheric constituents which affect ozone. The investigative approach concept, methods and procedures, preflight studies, and orbits and mission lifetime are presented. Descriptions of the instruments are also presented.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1978

Rapid space/time variations in mesospheric ozone

A 5 meter telescope was used to observe variations in the narrow emission line which is present in the nightime emission spectrum of ozone. The line was measured for several nights on two different transitions of the ozone molecule at 110.8 GHz and 142.2 GHz. Individual spectra with a time resolution of 5 minutes were taken. The narrow emission line showed considerable variation in intensity indicating that the ozone layer from which its arises has a rather detailed structure. Analysis of the line profile shows that the emission is coming from an ozone layer in the 55-75 km region of the mesosphere. This layer has a column density of 2 x 10 to the 16th power molecules/sq cm in a vertical path through the region.

Buhl, D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Solar Mesosphere Explorer mission

The Solar Mesosphere Explorer (SME) satellite experiments will provide a comprehensive study of atmospheric ozone and the processes which form and destroy it. Five instruments to be carried on the spacecraft will measure the ozone density and altitude distribution, monitor the incoming solar radiation, and measure other atmospheric constituents which affect ozone. The first objective of the SME satellite experiments is to determine what changes occur in the ozone distribution as a result of changes in the incoming solar radiation. A second objective is to measure all changes in the ozone density distribution in the altitude range of 30 to 80 km and to determine the causes of these changes.

Stuart, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A cluster ion chemistry for the mesospheric sodium layer

A cluster ion chemistry for sodium is developed which relates the Na(+) profile to the Na profile using reactions involving Na(+).N2, Na(+).CO2, and Na(+).H2O. Removal of sodium from the mesosphere is accomplished by the formation of higher order clusters of the form Na(+).(H2O)n which presumably precipitate to the lower atmosphere. This sink is most effective in the 80-85 km altitude range. The chemical equilibrium model is applied to experimental observations of the Na and Na(+) layers.

Richter, E. S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Joule heating in the high-latitude mesosphere

The contribution made by Joule dissipation to heating of the daytime high-latitude upper mesosphere is discussed. During solar proton precipitation events in regions of large electric fields, Joule dissipation can be substantially larger than the local solar heating rate. Altitude profiles of Joule dissipation are presented for the polar cleft region for the August 4, 1972, solar proton event.

Banks, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Sounding the stratosphere and mesosphere by infrared limb scanning from space

Inversion of the measurements obtained by the infrared limb scanner on the Nimbus 6 satellite has demonstrated that the stratospheric and mesospheric temperatures and ozone concentrations may be obtained remotely from space with accuracy and precision comparable to in situ methods. Such global data have many applications in middle atmospheric research and operational temperature sounding.

Gille, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Vertical and off-diagonal eddy diffusivities in the Northern Hemispheric stratosphere and lower mesosphere

Meteorological rocket soundings, launched between 1968-74 at six locations representative of low, middle and high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, are employed to determine the vertical, meridional, and off-diagonal components of the eddy diffusivity in the Northern Hemispheric stratosphere and lower mesosphere. It is shown that the distribution of the vertical and meridional components of the eddy diffusivity are similar in the Northern Hemisphere, although the magnitude of the former is ten million times smaller than that of the latter; the magnitude of the off-diagonal eddy diffusivity is about one thousand times smaller than that of the meridional eddy diffusivity. In the troposphere, a maximum eddy diffusivity occurs in the mid-latitude at about 7 km above the mean sea level for both the summer and winter seasons.

Kao, S. K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

An observed annual cycle in tropical upper stratospheric and mesospheric ozone

Analysis of more than one year of backscattered ultraviolet radiances obtained from an equatorial orbit by the Atmosphere Explorer-E satellite reveals an annual cycle in tropical, high altitude ozone which shows no latitude dependence between 20 degrees south and 20 degrees north. The amplitude of the variation increases with altitude. In the 35 to 45 km altitude region statistics of the data suggest no variation whatsoever, while in the lower mesosphere the radiances indicate an ozone increase of 25 to 30 percent between January and July with a decrease thereafter provided the solar irradiance remained constant except for the variation with earth-sun distance.

Frederick, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A two-dimensional model of odd nitrogen in the thermosphere and mesosphere

Satellite measurements of the global nitric oxide distribution demonstrating the need for a two dimensional model of odd nitrogen photochemistry and transport in the thermosphere and mesosphere are reviewed. The main characteristics of a new code solving the transport equation for N(4S), N(2D), and N0 are given. This model extends from pole to pole between 75 and 275 km and reacts to the magnetic activity, the ultraviolet solar flux, and the neutral wind field. The effects of ionization and subsequent odd nitrogen production by high latitude particle precipitation are also included. Preliminary results are illustrated for a magnetically quiet solar minimum period with no neutral wind.

Gerard, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Solar Mesosphere Explorer

Five experiments and the instruments packages designed for use in studying reactions between sunlight, ozone, and other chemicals in the atmosphere as well as for determining how ozone concentrations are transported in the mesosphere are described. The spin-stabilized satellite carrying the experiments consists of an observatory module and a spacecraft bus. Powered by a solar array which charges the nickel-cadmium batteries, the satellite is to be inserted into a sun synchronous orbit by a two stage Delta 2310 launch vehicle. The mission objectives, spacecraft configurations, and various subsystems are described as well as the ground support and prelaunch operations.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1980

Mesospheric and lower thermospheric dynamics

Studies of the dynamics of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere are reviewed. Attention is given to prevailing winds, mean vertical motions, tidal winds, and stratospheric warmings. Semiempirical models, compatibility of measurement techniques, and availability of data are also discussed.

Roper, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Density response of the mesospheric sodium layer to gravity wave perturbations

Lidar observations of the mesospheric sodium layer often reveal wavelike features moving through the layer. It is often assumed that these features are a layer density response to gravity waves. Chiu and Ching (1978) described the approximate form of the linear response of atmospheric layers to gravity waves. In this paper, their results are used to predict the response of the sodium layer to gravity waves. These simulations are compared with experimental observations and a good correlation is found between the two. Because of the thickness of the sodium layer and the density gradients found in it, a linear model of the layer response is not always adequate to describe gravity wave-sodium layer interactions. Inclusion of nonlinearities in the layer response is briefly discussed. Experimental data is seen to contain features consistent with the predicted nonlinearities.

Shelton, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Production of odd nitrogen in the stratosphere and mesosphere - An intercomparison of source strengths

Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), nuclear explosions, lightning, solar proton events (SPEs), relativistic electron precipitation, and meteors are related to the oxidation of nitrous oxide by comparing several sources of odd nitrogen (ON) in the stratosphere and mesosphere. Published O3 and N2O data show that ON produced by the reaction of O(1D) with N2O peaks between 25 and 35 km; the GCRs add approximately the same amount of ON as N2O oxidation at the solar minimum for geographic latitudes over 50 deg. Nuclear explosions in 1961-1962 added 1.1 and 2.2 x 10 to the 34th NO molecules each, and SPEs produced greater amounts of ON above 50 deg than N2O oxidation during 1958 through 1960, and in 1972.

Jackman, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Photochemical processes induced by a major warming of the upper atmosphere - Variations in mesospheric trace constituents

The temperature rise and enhanced winds during an upper atmospheric warming cause substantial changes in the high level ozone profile of the sunlit winter hemisphere. Calculations based on a photochemical model, using temperatures measured at Fort Churchill during a major warming, predict a factor of 2 variation in the ozone number density near 60 km over a time period of approximately 3 weeks. This temporal variability at a fixed location results from the planetary wave structure of the temperature field and reflects a similar longitudinal behavior at a given time. The ozone number density at fixed altitude is a maximum when the temperature is greatest at and below this level. This is due primarily to thermal expansion of the atmosphere which results in a large increase in pressure at constant altitude. However, chemical activity during a warming decreases the mesospheric ozone mixing ratio at fixed pressure. The ozone mixing ratio at constant pressure during the peak of the event studied is near 75% of its unperturbed value. The predicted variability of ozone in longitude and time demonstrates the need for hemispheric scale information on trace gas abundances, temperature, and winds in order to delineate adequately the response of upper atmospheric composition to a major perturbation.

Frederick, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Radiative-photochemical response of the mesosphere to dynamical forcing

Combination of the chemical continuity equation for odd oxygen with the second law of thermodynamics yields analytic solutions which describe the coupled behavior of temperature and ozone perturbations in response to an externally specified forcing. The results appear in a form which allows easy physical interpretation of the coupling between radiative and photochemical processes. When the forcing is chosen to mimic a planetary scale wave, the theory shows that photochemical acceleration of radiative damping reduces the amplitude of the temperature perturbation by an amount which increases with the wave period. Although ozone fluctuations are anti-correlated with those in temperature, minima in ozone do not coincide exactly in longitude with temperature maxima. The percentage variation in ozone increases upward and is always larger than that in temperature at the same pressure. This demonstrates that variations in ozone on constant pressure surfaces may serve as a sensitive indicator of wave activity in the mesosphere.

Frederick, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Mesospheric cloud formations

Formation of mesospheric clouds as a result of deposition of large amounts of H2O by the heavy lift launch vehicle (HLLV) of the solar power satellite system is discussed. The conditions which must be met in order to form and maintain clouds near the mesopause are described. The frequency and magnitude of H2O injections from the HLLV rocket exhaust are considered.

Forbes, J. M.↗