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At least 271 records · Page 15

Adjusting the tasseled cap brightness and greenness factors for atmospheric path radiance and absorption on a pixel by pixel basis

A radiative transfer model was used to convert ground measured reflectances into the radiance at the top of the atmosphere, for several levels of atmospheric path radiance. The radiance in MSS7 (0.8 to 1.1 m) was multiplied by the transmission fraction for atmospheres having different levels of precipitable water. The radiance values were converted to simulated LANDSAT digital counts for four path radiance levels and four levels of precipitable water. These values were used to calculate the Kauth-Thomas brightness, greenness, yellowness, and nonsuch factors. Brightness was affected by surface conditions and path radiance. Greenness was affected by surface conditions, path radiance, and precipitable water. Yellowness was affected by path radiance and nonsuch by precipitable water, and both factors changed only slightly with surface conditions. Yellowness and nonsuch were used to adjust brightness and greenness to produce factors that were affected only by surface conditions such as soils and vegetation, and not by path radiance and precipitable water.

Jackson, R. D.↗

Atmospheric effects on METSAT data

When using the J. V. Dave dataset, two channels of simulated METSAT advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) data compare favorably with actual data. Simulated NOAA6 and NOAA7 AVHRR data are presented as radiance profiles of reflected solar energy through atmosphere with three different aerosol levels. Effects of the atmosphere on the data are presented as functions of satellite view angle or pixel position on scanline. Vegetative index simultations are also profiled.

Johnson, W. R.↗

Energy deposition rates by charged particles measured during the energy budget campaign

Measurements of the precipitation of electrons and positive ions (in the keV to MeV range) detected aboard eight rockets launched from Northern Scandinavia are reported together with corresponding satellite data. The downgoing integral fluxes indicate the temporal fluctuations during each flight. Height profiles of the energy deposition into the atmosphere at different levels of geomagnetic disturbance are given.

Urban, A.↗

Topography, surface properties, and tectonic evolution

Differences in atmospheric composition, atmospheric and lithospheric temperature, and perhaps mantle composition, suggest that the rock cycle on Venus is not similar to the earth's. While radar data are not consistent with a thick, widespread and porous regolith like that of the moon, wind-transported regolith could be cemented into sedimentary rock that would be indistinguishable from other rocks in radar returns. The elevation spectrum of Venus is strongly unimodal, in contrast to the earth. Most topographic features of Venus remain enigmatic. Two types of tectonic model are proposed: a lithosphere too thick or buoyant to participate in convective flow, and a lithosphere which, in participating in convective flow, implies the existence of plate tectonics. Features consistent with earth-like plate tectonics have not been recognized.

Mcgill, G. E.↗

Ocean modelling on the CYBER 205 at GFDL

At the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, research is carried out for the purpose of understanding various aspects of climate, such as its variability, predictability, stability and sensitivity. The atmosphere and oceans are modelled mathematically and their phenomenology studied by computer simulation methods. The present state-of-the-art in the computer simulation of large scale oceans on the CYBER 205 is discussed. While atmospheric modelling differs in some aspects, the basic approach used is similar. The equations of the ocean model are presented along with a short description of the numerical techniques used to find their solution. Computational considerations and a typical solution are presented in section 4.

Cox, M.↗

Velocities of windblown particles in saltation: Venus, Earth, and Mars

Particle velocities were determined in environmental wind tunnels capable of simulating aeolian processes on Earth, Mars, and Venus. Comparisons of results for Earth, Mars, and Venus reveal some remarkable differences. Most particles achieve speeds nearly equal to freestream wind speed on Venus, but seldom achieve half the wind speed on Mars; Earth cases are of intermediate values. This is attributed to the differences in atmospheric density and to the threshold wind speeds among the three planetary environments. Particles are more easily moved in the dense venusian atmosphere than on Mars; consequently, threshold speeds are very low, and for the range of wind speeds in which most movement is presumed to occur (just above threshold speeds), the grains need not be moving very fast to achieve 100% of the wind speed. Conversely, particles on Mars must accelerate very rapidly to achieve the speed of the high winds required for threshold, and despite the fact that saltation path lengths are long on Mars, most grains fall to the surface before achieving even 50 to 60% of freestream wind speed.

Greeley, R.↗

Contact angle and surface tension measurements of a five-ring polyphenyl ether

Contact angle measurements were performed for a five-ring polyphenyl ether isomeric mixture on M-50 steel in a dry nitrogen atmosphere. Two different techniques were used: (1) a tilting plate apparatus, and (2) a sessile drop apparatus. Measurements were made for the temperature range 25 to 190 C. Surface tension was measured by a differential maximum bubble pressure technique over the range 23 to 220C in room air. The critical surface energy of spreading (gamma (sub c)) was determined for the polyphenyl ether by plotting the cosine of the contact angle (theta) versus the surface tension (gamma (sub LV)). The straight line intercept at cosine theta = 1 is defined as gamma (sub c). Gamma (sub c) was found to be 30.1 dyn/cm for the tilting plate technique and 31.3 dyn/cm for the sessile drop technique. These results indicate that the polyphenyl ether is inherently autophobic (i.e., it will not spread on its own surface film until its surface tension is less than gamma (sub c). This phenomenon is discussed in light of the wettability and wear problems encountered with this fluid.

Jones, W. R., Jr.↗

Energy deposition rates by charged particles

A summary of measurements of the precipitation of electrons and positive ions (in the keV-MeV range) detected aboard eight rockets launched within the Energy Budget Campaign from Northern Scandinavia is given, together with corresponding satellite data. In some cases strong temporal variations of the downgoing integral fluxes were observed. The fluxes provide the background for the calculated ion production rates and altitude profiles of the energy deposition into the atmosphere at different levels of geomagnetic disturbance and cosmic noise absorption. The derived ion production rates by eneretic particles are compared to other night-time ionisation sources.

Torkar, K. M.↗

An upper limit to X-ray emission from Saturn

X-rays are produced in auroral discharges, and their measurement can serve to characterize the interaction processes responsible for the aurora itself. The existence of auroral activity on Saturn was suggested by the observation of a magnetosphere by Pioneer 11 and confirmed by UV measurements during the Voyager encounters. The detection of X-rays from Jupiter with the Einstein Observatory (HEAO 2) satellite provided the impetus for a subsequent observation of Saturn. No emission was detected. This article presents the upper limit established by the observation and derives an expected emission level assuming X-ray production to be the result of bremsstrahlung from keV electrons precipitating into Saturn's atmosphere. The difference is a factor of 100.

Gilman, D. A.↗

Contact angle and surface tension measurements of a five-ring polyphenyl ether

Contact angle measurements were performed for a five-ring polyphenyl ether isomeric mixture on M-50 steel in a dry nitrogen atmosphere. Two different techniques were used: (1) a tilting plate apparatus, and (2) a sessile drop apparatus. Measurements were made for the temperature range 25 to 190 C. Surface tension was measured by a differential maximum bubble pressure technique over the range 23 to 220 C in room air. The critical surface energy of spreading (gamma /sub c/) was determined for the polyphenyl ether by plotting the cosine of the contact angle (theta) versus the surface tension (gamma /sub LV/). The straight line intercept at cosine theta = 1 is defined as gamma (sub c). Gamma (sub c) was found to be 30.1 dyn/cm for the tilting plate technique and 31.3 dyn/cm for the sessile drop technique. These results indicate that the polyphenyl ether is inherently autophobic (i.e., it will not spread on its own surface film until its surface tension is less than gamma /sub c/). This phenomenon is discussed in light of the wettability and wear problems encountered with this fluid.

Jones, W. R., Jr.↗

Venus - Summary and review of science research activities 1983-87

The geology, geomorphology, and atmosphere of Venus are characterized on the basis of observations obtained with the Soviet Venera 15 and 16 spacecraft (including two international Vega balloon experiments), the Pioneer Venus Orbiter, and the Arecibo radio telescope during the period 1983-1986. Features discussed include impact craters, evidence of tectonic and volcanic activity, the high average age of the Venusian surface (apparently over 1 Gyr, indicating resurfacing rates much lower than on earth), and atmospheric temperature differences across the equator.

Saunders, R. S.↗

Laboratory shock emplacement of noble gases, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide into basalt, and implications for trapped gases in shergottite EETA 79001

Basalts from the Servilleta flows, Taos, NM, described by Lofgren (1983) were analyzed by mass spectrometry for shock-implanted noble gases, N2, and CO2 (which were isotopically labeled) after an exposure to 20-60 GPa shock in the presence of 0.0045-3.0 atm of ambient gas. The results were compared with data available on the constituents of the EETA 79001 meteorite. As expected, the samples shocked in this study attained emplacement efficiencies significantly lower than those apparent for lithology C of EETA 79001. Possible explanations for this difference include atmospheric overpressure at the time of EETA 79001 exposure to shock, the trapping of gas already in vugs by the intruding melt material, or the collapse of gas-filled vugs to form gas-laden glass inclusions.

Wiens, R. C.↗

Spectrophotometry of Wolf-Rayet stars - Intrinsic colors and absolute magnitudes

Absolute spectrophotometry of about 10-A resolution in the range 3400-7300 A have been obtained for southern Wolf-Rayet stars, and line-free magnitudes and colors have been constructed. The emission-line contamination in the narrow-band ubvr systems of Westerlund (1966) and Smith (1968) is shown to be small for most WN stars, but to be quite significant for WC stars. It is suggested that the more severe differences in intrinsic color from star to star of the same spectral subtype noted at shorter wavelengths are due to differences in atmospheric extent. True continuum absolute visual magnitudes and intrinsic colors are obtained for the LMC WR stars. The most visually luminous WN6-WN7 stars are found to be located in the core of the 30 Doradus region.

Torres-Dodgen, Ana V.↗

The Soviet contributions towards MAP/WINE

In the winter of 1983 to 1984, the research institutes of the Soviet Union took an active part in the accomplishment of the project Winter in Northern Europe (MAP/WINE) of the Middle Atmosphere Program. Different methods were used to measure temperature, direction and velocity of wind, turbulence, electron concentration in the lower ionosphere, and radio wave absorption. The study of the stratopheric warmings and the related changes in the mesosphere and lower ionosphere was considered of special importance. The analysis of the obtained data has shown, in particular, that during the stratospheric warmings the western wind in winter time becomes weaker and even reverses. At the same time period the electron concentration and the radio wave absorption in the lower ionosphere are often reduced. It is also observed that the high absorption zones move from west to east. These results confirm the concept about the role of the cyclonic circumpolar vortex in the transport of the auroral air to temperate latitudes and about the appearance of conditions for the winter anomalous radio wave absorption.

Rapoport, Z. TA.↗

The chemical composition of the Lambda Bootis stars

Measurements of the equivalent widths of 24 ultraviolet lines from IUE spectra of 10 Lambda Bootis or suspected Lambda Bootis stars and 19 normal standard stars of spectral types B8-A7 have been compared with line strengths determined using model atmospheres. Abundance differences are estimated via a differential analysis technique. It is found that the ratio of C, N, and O to the heavier elements Mg to Ni is significantly larger than that for solar composition stars.

Baschek, B.↗

Deuterium content of the Venus atmosphere

The abundance of deuterium in the atmosphere of Venus is an important clue to the role of water in the planet's history, because ordinary and deuterated water escape the atmosphere at different rates. The high-resolution mode of the IUE was used to measure hydrogen Lyman-alpha emission from Venus, but only an upper limit on deuterium Lyman-alpha emission was found, from which was inferred a D/H ratio of less than 0.002-0.005. This is smaller by a factor of 3-8 than the D/H ratio derived from measurements by the Pioneer Venus Large Probe, and may indicate either a stratification of D/H ratio with altitude or a smaller overall ratio than previously thought.

Bertaux, Jean-Loup↗

Measuring tropospheric HNO3 - Problems and prospects for Nylon filter and mist chamber techniques

A series of laboratory and field measurements was performed to evaluate the mist chamber technique for determining tropospheric HNO3 concentrations. Both the mist chamber and standard Nylon filter techniques exhibit high collection efficiency and excellent agreement measuring HNO3 vapors from a permeation source. When simultaneously sampling ambient air in eastern Virginia, the Nylon filter measured an average of 70 percent higher HNO3 concentration than the mist chamber technique. The results indicate that O3 causes a low-level positive artifact interference in HNO3 measurements performed with the filter technique. This O3-induced error is small, however, compared to the large difference between atmospheric HNO3 concentrations determined with the two techniques. It is hypothesized that unidentified (organic?) nitrogen species in the atmosphere react for form NO3(-) on the filter and this phenomenon may interfere with Nylon filter measurements of HNO3 vapor. These potential interferences did not appear to affect measurements of HNO3 with the mist chamber method.

Talbot, R. W.↗

Mean state densities, temperatures and winds during the MAC/SINE and MAC/EPSILON campaigns

Two field campaigns were conducted, primarily in northern Norway, in the summer and late autumn of 1987; these yielded a total of 41 in situ temperature profiles and 67 in situ wind profiles. Simultaneously, ground-based measurements were conducted of OH temperatures and sodium lidar temperatures for 85 and 104 hours, respectively. The summer campaign's mean temperature profile exhibited major deviations from the CIRA (1986) reference atmosphere; the differences between this model and the observations are less pronounced in the autumn. Both the summer and autumn mean wind profiles were in general agreement with the CIRA model.

Luebken, F.-J.↗