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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 343 records · Page 19
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

White light and radio studies of the coronal transient of 14-15 September 1973. I - Material motions and magnetic field

Observations of a coronal transient event were obtained in white light by the Skylab coronagraph and at metric wavelengths by the radioheliograph and spectrograph at Culgoora, Australia, and the spectrograph-interferometer at Boulder, Colo. The continuum radio burst was found to originate above the outward-moving white-light loop, a region of compressed material headed by a bow wave. The computed density in the region of radio emission, based on either gyrosynchrotron or harmonic plasma radiation mechanisms, was approximately 10 times the ambient coronal density; this is compatible with the density deduced from the white-light observations. The magnetic-energy density derived from the radio observations was greater than 10 times the thermal energy density, marginally larger than the kinetic energy density in the fastest-moving portion of the transient, and considerably larger in most other regions. The ambient medium, the white-light front, the compression region, the loop, and the slower massive flow of material behind are each examined. It is found that the plasma was magnetically controlled throughout and that magnetic forces provided the principal mechanism for acceleration of the transient material from the sun.

Dulk, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory laser tracking systems

The four SAO laser satellite-ranging systems, located in Brazil, Peru, Australia, and Arizona, have been in operation for more than five years and have provided ranging data at accuracy levels of a meter or better. The paper examines system hardware (laser transmitter, the electronics, mount, photoreceiver, minicomputer, and station timing) and software (prediction program, calibration programs, and data handling and quick-look programs) and also considers calibration, station operation, and system performance.

Pearlman, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Metal spherules in Wabar, Monturaqui, and Henbury impactites

The Fe, Ni, and Co contents of 450 spherules with diameters of 3 to 100 microns in impact glasses from three terrestrial meteorite craters are determined by electron microprobe analysis. The objects investigated include 250 spherules from Wabar (Saudi Arabia) impactite and 100 each from Monturaqui (Chile) and Henbury (Australia) impactites. The specimens and spherules are described, noting that the Wabar and Henbury craters were produced in sandstone while the Monturaqui crater was formed in siliceous igneous rocks and has an enigmatic sulfide abundance. It is found that the spherules are enriched in Ni and Co relative to the original meteorite Fe content and are enriched in Ni relative to Co for Ni contents greater than 50%. The results indicate that, on the average, Henbury spherules are more Ni-enriched than Monturaqui spherules, and Wabar spherules exhibit the least Ni-enrichment. It is suggested that the spherules could have formed without experiencing free flight and that instantaneous dissemination of meteoritic material at the meteorite-target contact was the major fractionation process.

Gibbons, R. V.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Detection of rings around Uranus

A description is presented of partial occultations of SAO 158687 by a series of rings around the planet Uranus. A 61-cm telescope at Perth Observatory in Western Australia was used in the investigations. Measurements were made using a conventional single-channel photometer equipped with an RCA C31034B photomultiplier. Uranus was centered in a 28-arc sec diameter aperture during the observations. An occultation of SAO 158687 by Uranus itself did not occur at Perth. However, five brief partial occultations of SAO 158687 were detected with the chart recorder. The midtimes, durations, and depths of these events are listed in a table.

Millis, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Radio and EUV observations of a coronal hole

Current ideas and modeling assumptions concerning the structure of the transition region and corona are summarized. Observations of a specific coronal hole are reported which were made with the EUV spectroheliometer aboard Skylab and with high-resolution radio telescopes in Australia and West Germany. Theoretical EUV line intensities and radio brightness temperatures are calculated, and an attempt is made to analyze the observations on the basis of standard one-dimensional plane-parallel hydrostatic-equilibrium models for the transition region and corona. It is found that any given standard model predicts either higher radio brightnesses or lower EUV line intensities than are observed. Several potential problem areas are examined in order to resolve this conflict. It is concluded that a model involving departures from hydrostatic equilibrium, varying conductive flux, mass outflow, as well as effects of thermal diffusion and nonequilibrium ionization should be investigated in more detail.

Dulk, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The 26-meter S-X Conversion Project

The 26-meter S-X conversion project provides for the conversion of an existing 26-meter S-band subnet to a 34-meter S- and X-band subnet. The subnet chosen for conversion consists of the following stations: DSS 12 near Barstow, DSS 44 in Australia, and DSS 62 in Spain. The main subsystems effected by this project are the antenna mechanical, antenna microwave, and receiver-exciter. In addition to these, there are many project-related electronic equipments that have been added to the existing station equipment. The major subsystems are essentially through the design stage with the antenna mechanical subsystem completed through detail design with procurement in process.

Lobb, V. B.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Helios mission support

Activities of the Network Operations organization in support of the Helios Project from 15 August 1977 through 15 October 1977 are reported. Included in this article is information on the Mark 3 Data Subsystem update at the conjoint Deep Space Station 42/43 complex (Canberra, Australia), an update on Radio Science Activities, and other mission-oriented activities.

Goodwin, P. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Helios mission support

Activities of the Deep Space Network Operations organization in support of the Helios Project from 15 October 1977 through 15 December 1977 are described. Topics covered include: (1) Mark 3 data subsystem testing at the conjoint Deep Space Stations (DSS) 42/43 (Canberra, Australia); (2) MDS implementation at DSS 61/63 (Madrid, Spain); (3) Radio Science update, and (4) other mission-related activities.

Goodwin, P. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

On the unification of geodetic leveling datums using satellite altimetry

Techniques are described for determining the height of Mean Sea Level (MSL) at coastal sites from satellite altimetry. Such information is of value in the adjustment of continental leveling networks. Numerical results are obtained from the 1977 GEOS-3 altimetry data bank at Goddard Space Flight Center using the Bermuda calibration of the altimeter. Estimates are made of the heights of MSL at the leveling datums for Australia and a hypothetical Galveston datum for central North America. The results obtained are in reasonable agreement with oceanographic estimates obtained by extrapolation. It is concluded that all gravity data in the Australian bank AUSGAD 76 and in the Rapp data file for central North America refer to the GEOS-3 altimeter geoid for 1976.0 with uncertainties which do not exceed + or - 0.1 mGal.

Mather, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Detection of 511 keV positron annihilation radiation from the galactic center direction

A balloon-borne gamma ray telescope with an approximately 130 cu cm high purity germanium detector was flown over Australia to detect sharp spectral features from the galactic center direction. A 511 keV positron annihilation line was observed at a flux level of (1.21 plus or minus 0.22) x (10/cu cm) photons/sec/sp cm. Suggestive evidence for the detection of the three-photon positronium continuum is presented. The possible origin of the positrons is discussed.

Leventhal, M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Global measurements of gaseous and aerosol trace species in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere from daily flights of 747 airliners

A description is given of the NASA Global Atmospheric Sampling Program (GASP), taking into account the onboard system which collects atmospheric data automatically, the extensive atmospheric measurement capability, and the data handling and distribution procedure. GASP was implemented to assess the environmental impact of aircraft exhaust emissions in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Global air quality data are to be obtained for a period of five to ten years. Measurements of pollutants not related to aircraft exhaust emissions, such as chlorofluoromethanes, are now included. GASP systems are operating on a United Airlines 747, two Pan Am 747s, and a Qantas Airways of Australia 747. Real-time, in-situ measurements are conducted of ozone, water vapor, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen. Chlorofluoromethanes are measured by laboratory analysis. Typical GASP data show significant changes in ozone, carbon monoxide, and water vapor related to crossings of the tropopause.

Perkins, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The HF:HCl ratio in the 14-38 km region of the stratosphere

A balloon-borne high resolution Michelson interferometer recorded near infrared absorption spectra of the 1-0 fundamental vibration bands of HF and HCl in the stratosphere over Australia in March 1977. The ratio of the number density of HF to that of HCl as a function of stratospheric height was deduced from the measurements. Within estimated experimental error, the ratio is constant, its mean value being 0.1.

Farmer, C. B.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The meaning of desert color in earth orbital photographs

The color of desert surfaces as seen in earth orbital photographs is indicative of soil composition. Apollo-Soyuz photographs of the Sturt and Simpson Deserts of Australia confirm that sand grains become redder as the distance from the source increases. Reddening is caused by a thin iron-oxide coating on individual sand grains and can be used, in some cases, to map relative-age zones. Photographs of the Western (Libyan) Desert of Egypt indicate three distinct and nearly parallel color zones that have been correlated in the field with: (1) arable soil composed of quartz, clay, and calcium carbonate particles; (2) relatively active sand with or without sparse vegetation; and (3) relatively inactive sand mixed with dark (desert-varnished) pebbles. The youngest sands are in the form of longitudinal dunes, which are migrating to the south-southeast along the prevailing wind direction. Some of the young dune fields are encroaching on the western boundary of the fertile Nile Valley.

El-Baz, F.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Global and regional N2O measurements

Real-time N2O measurements have been made in situ at the South Pole, Antarctica, north and south of the equator from on board the Alpha Helix and over the Pacific Ocean on several aircraft flights from the U.S. to New Zealand, Australia and 90 deg S. In addition, an automated EC-GC has been operated for the past year intermittently monitoring N2O in surface air at a rural site in the wheatlands of eastern Washington state. The data obtained are consistent and in agreement with the data obtained from the analyses of a large number of samples collected both from ground stations and a variety of aircraft flights made in the southern and northern hemisphere. The observed global data show no interhemispheric differences. The present concentration of N2O in the troposphere is measured to be 330 + or - 3 ppbv. Its vertical distribution in the troposphere is very uniform. A small decrease (2-3 percent) across the tropopause is characteristically observed in the high-altitude flights.

Rasmussen, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The discovery of the rings of Uranus - An astronomy adventure personally experienced

The paper describes how observation of Uranus at far-red wavelengths during the planet's occultation of a star 3.5 magnitudes fainter led to the discovery of five rings surrounding the planet. Decreases in brightness occurring before the scheduled occultation were detected at the Perth Observatory near Bickley, Western Australia, and these decreases remained inexplicable until a study of the records showed a symmetric pattern before and after occultation by the planet. The Perth records support the planetary ring interpretation even though the planet's shadow could not be observed at Perth.

Millis, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Estimation of mean sea surfaces in the north Atlantic, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean using GEOS-3 altimeter data

The mean surfaces of several regions of the world's oceans were estimated using GEOS-3 altimeter data. The northwest Atlantic, the northeast Pacific off the coast of California, the Indian Ocean, the southwest Pacific, and the Phillipine Sea are included. These surfaces have been oriented with respect to a common earth center-of-mass system by constraining the separate solutions to conform to precisely determined laser reference control orbits. The same reference orbits were used for all regions assuring continuity of the separate solutions. Radial accuracies of the control orbits were in the order of one meter. The altimeter measured sea surface height crossover differences were minimized by the adjustment of tilt and bias parameters for each pass with the exception of laser reference control passes. The tilt and bias adjustments removed long wavelength errors which were primarily due to orbit error. Ocean tides were evaluated. The resolution of the estimated sea surfaces varied from 0.25 degrees off the east coast of the United States to about 2 degrees in part of the Indian Ocean near Australia. The rms crossover discrepancy after adjustment varied from 30 cm to 70 cm depending upon geographic location. Comparisons of the altimeter derived mean sea surface in the North Atlantic with the 5 feet x 5 feet GEM-8 detailed gravimetric geoid indicated a relative consistency of better than a meter.

Marsh, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Lunar laser ranging data identification and management

Activity under the subject grant during the first half of fiscal year 1979 at the University of Texas at Austin is reported. Raw lunar laser ranging data submitted by McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis, Texas and by the Australian Division of National Mapping at Orroral Valley, Australia were processed. This processing includes the filtering of signal events from noise photons, normal point formation, data archive management, and data distribution. System-wide program maintenance and up-grade carried out wherever and whenever necessary. Lunar laser ranging data is being transmitted from Austin to Paris for the extraction of earth rotation information during the EROLD campaign.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1979

Vacuum ultraviolet spectrophotometry and effective temperatures of hot stars

Absolutely calibrated ultraviolet stellar spectra from 3100 A to the hydrogen absorption edge at 912 A were obtained on 1977 February 17 by rocket observations above Woomera, Australia. Spectra taken at 15 A resolution have been compared with the observed fluxes from OAO 2 and with recent model-atmosphere fluxes of Kurucz for five hot stars: Gamma (2) Vel, Zeta Pup, Alpha Eri, Beta Cen, and Alpha Vir. The present data give fluxes which are generally lower than those obtained from OAO 2, with the largest deviations of about 20% between 1400 and 1700 A. Agreement with the models is good, although the model fluxes are substantially larger than the observed values below 1200 A. This discrepancy is greater for the higher-temperature stars. Effective temperatures are also determined and are in good agreement with previous results.

Brune, W. H.↗