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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 NTRS1979

Discovery of X-ray emission from two southern supernova remnants

Two soft X-ray sources positionally coincident with the supernova remnants PKS 1209-52 and RCW 103 have been discovered by using the A-2 experiment on HEAO 1. Their measured fluxes are, respectively, about 1.4 x 10 to the -10th erg/cm-sec (0.2-1.0 keV) and about 1.8 x 10 to the -10th erg/cm-sec (0.6-2.0 keV). Spectral data are used to derive physical parameters for each remnant. For PKS 1209-52 the parameters are suggestive of the remnant's being in an advanced evolutionary phase, with shock-heated interstellar material producing the soft X-ray emission. RCW 103, in contrast, is known from radio and optical data to be in an earlier evolutionary phase, and the soft X-ray flux is most likely due to emission originating in a reflected shock wave or in plasma evaporated from shock-heated interstellar clouds.

Tuohy, I. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Morphometry of streamlined forms in terrestrial and Martian channels

Streamlined erosional forms in the Channeled Scabland are compared with streamline features recognized in the region of the Kasei Vallis on Mars shown in Viking imagery. The morphometric analysis considers three physical parameters, length, measured parallel to the suggested flow direction; width, taken as the maximum width of the streamlined form perpendicular to the flow direction; and area, measured with a grid placed over the surface. These parameters are used to calculate a dimensionless parameter k, defined as the square of the length multiplied by pi over four times the area. For the 137 Scabland forms studied k values range from 1.0 to 8.3 with an average of 3.2. The k values for 47 Martian streamlined forms range from 1.5 to 12.0 with an average of 3.8. The rough similarity of these results suggests that the terrestrial and Martian features were formed by similar processes. The forms appear to have developed an ideal shape, sufficiently elongated to reduce pressure drag in the fluid creating them, but not so long as to create excessive skin resistance.

Baker, V. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The energetics of resistive magnetic tearing

A new treatment of the energetics of resistive magnetic tearing is presented. This instability is the only known field-reconnection mechanism which develops in time, and is thus a primary candidate for a number of astrophysical 'flare' processes occurring in stressed magnetic fields. The tearing process is elucidated by a subdivision into magnetic regions of different characteristics: first, as dominated by resistive or highly conductive dynamics, and then by function as a source or sink of the energy flux. Matching conditions between these zones provide a determination of the growth rate and its physical-parameter dependence. The observable plasma energy outputs, due mainly to two distinct magnetically driven acceleration mechanisms, are estimated and their directive spatial properties shown. Finally, the generality of resistive tearing is demonstrated by an application of the previous considerations to realistic sheared-field configurations, including the case of a solar coronal loop, for which flare-instability thresholds and energy-deposition sites are described.

Van Hoven, G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Development and evaluation of a general aviation real world noise simulator

An acoustic playback system is described which realistically simulates the sounds experienced by the pilot of a general aviation aircraft during engine idle, take-off, climb, cruise, descent, and landing. The physical parameters of the signal as they appear in the simulator environment are compared to analogous parameters derived from signals recorded during actual flight operations. The acoustic parameters of the simulated and real signals during cruise conditions are within plus or minus two dB in third octave bands from 0.04 to 4 kHz. The overall A-weighted levels of the signals are within one dB of signals generated in the actual aircraft during equivalent maneuvers. Psychoacoustic evaluations of the simulator signal are compared with similar measurements based on transcriptions of actual aircraft signals. The subjective judgments made by human observers support the conclusion that the simulated sound closely approximates transcribed sounds of real aircraft.

Galanter, E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Aero-optics overview

Various aero-optical phenomena are discussed with reference to their effect on airborne high energy lasers. Major emphasis is placed on: compressibility effects induced in the surrounding flow field; viscous effects which manifests themselves as aircraft boundary layers or shear layers; inviscid flow fields surrounding the aircraft due to airflow around protuberance such as laser turret assemblies; and shocks, established whenever local flow exceeds Mach one. The significant physical parameters affecting the interaction of a laser beam with a turbulent boundary layer are also described.

Gilbert, K. G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Microwave remote sensing of snowpacks

The interaction mechanisms responsible for the microwave backscattering and emission behavior of snow were investigated, and models were developed relating the backscattering coefficient (sigma) and apparent temperature (T) to the physical parameters of the snowpack. The microwave responses to snow wetness, snow water equivalent, snow surface roughness, and to diurnal variations were investigated. Snow wetness was shown to have an increasing effect with increasing frequency and angle of incidence for both active and passive cases. Increasing snow wetness was observed to decrease the magnitude sigma and increase T. Snow water equivalent was also observed to exhibit a significant influence sigma and T. Snow surface configuration (roughness) was observed to be significant only for wet snow surface conditions. Diurnal variations were as large as 15 dB for sigma at 35 GHz and 120 K for T at 37 GHz. Simple models for sigma and T of a snowpack scene were developed in terms of the most significant ground-truth parameters. The coefficients for these models were then evaluated; the fits to the sigma and T measurements were generally good. Finally, areas of needed additional observations were outlined and experiments were specified to further the understanding of the microwave-snowpack interaction mechanisms.

Stiles, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

X-ray astronomical spectroscopy

The current status of the X-ray spectroscopy of celestial X-ray sources, ranging from nearby stars to distant quasars, is reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of such spectroscopy as a useful and unique tool in the elucidation of the physical parameters of the sources. The spectroscopic analysis of degenerate and nondegenerate stellar systems, galactic clusters and active galactic nuclei, and supernova remnants is discussed.

Holt, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Numerical simulation of advection fog formation on multi-disperse aerosols due to combustion-related pollutants

The effects of multi-disperse distribution of the aerosol population are presented. Single component and multi-component aerosol species on the condensation/nucleation processes which affect the reduction in visibility are described. The aerosol population with a high particle concentration provided more favorable conditions for the formation of a denser fog than the aerosol population with a greater particle size distribution when the value of the mass concentration of the aerosols was kept constant. The results were used as numerical predictions of fog formation. Two dimensional observations in horizontal and vertical coordinates, together with time-dependent measurements were needed as initial values for the following physical parameters: (1)wind profiles; (2) temperature profiles; (3) humidity profiles; (4) mass concentration of aerosol particles; (5) particle size distribution of aerosols; and (6) chemical composition of aerosols. Formation and dissipation of advection fog, thus, can be forecasted numerically by introducing initial values obtained from the observations.

Hung, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

HEAO 1 observation of a type I burst from MXB 1728-34

Results are presented for an analysis of data on a type I X-ray burst from MXB 1728-34 observed by three large-area instruments on HEAO 1. The measurements cover the energy range from 2 to 150 keV and provide the capability of resolving significant intensity variations on a time scale of milliseconds and spectral changes on a scale of tenths of seconds. The initial rise of the burst is discussed, millisecond intensity variations are examined, and the spectral evolution of the burst is described. Physical parameters are estimated for various source models, and the total X-ray flux at energies of 85 to 180 keV during the burst is shown to have been no more than about 6% of the total observed X-ray flux at energies below 25 keV.

Hoffman, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Chemical abundances in Hg-Mn stars

An abundance analysis has been conducted of 21 elements in 21 Hg-Mn, two Si-Cr, and six normal stars using model atmospheres and high-dispersion spectroscopy in the visible and UV. Manganese line strengths imply abundances that correlate well with stellar effective temperature. Within the studied sample of Hg-Mn stars there appears to be no correlation of abundances of any element with projected rotational velocity. Abundances in several Hg-Mn stars show patterns that are probably consistent with diffusion but difficult to reconcile with equilibrium nucleosynthesis. In general, no combination of gross stellar physical parameters is sufficient to characterize the patterns of line strengths observed in Hg-Mb Hg-Mn stars.

Heacox, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The apsidal motion test in 4U 0900-40

Recent SAS 3 observations of 4U 0900-40 have confirmed the apparent eccentricity of the orbit. Arguments are presented to show that the measured eccentricity is not a spurious effect resulting from systematic reflection of the X-ray beam within the binary system. The longitude of periastron is not observed to have advanced in the 3.5 years since its original determination. The limit on apsidal motion is omega not greater than 3.8 deg/yr which, in turn, restricts the apsidal motion constant to log k not greater than -2.5. These limits are used to constrain the physical parameters of the companion star HD 77581.

Rappaport, S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Soft X-ray observations of the supernova remnants HB 3 and 3C 58

The HEAO 1 A-2 low energy detectors have discovered soft X-ray emission from a source positionally coincident with the supernova remnant HB 3. The flux in the energy range 0.3-2.2 keV is about 6 x 10 to the -11th ergs per sq cm s. The spectral data are fitted to a hydrogen thermal bremsstrahlung model, and the physical parameters of the supernova remnant are estimated. The age derived is about 21,000 years, and the initial blast energy is about 3.1 x 10 to the 50th ergs. Upper limits to the soft X-ray flux and the luminosity of the supernova remnant 3 C 58 are also derived.

Galas, C. M. F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Remote sensing of coastal fronts and their effects on oil dispersion

The use of remote sensing techniques to determine the properties of coastal and estuarine fronts, which represent regions of discontinuities and high gradients in ocean physical parameters such as velocity and density, and to assess the influence of such fronts on oil pollutants is discussed. Results of an aircraft and boat verification study of an oil drift and spread model in Delaware Bay are indicated which illustrate the tendency of oil slicks to be attracted to frontal regions, where a denser fluid underlies a lighter fluid giving rise to an inclined interface with convergence zones. Landsat imagery of the bay acquired in order to incorporate frontal information into the interactive computer model is then presented which allows the locations of coastal fronts to be charted throughout a tidal cycle. It is noted that satellite observations of flood-associated fronts on the New Jersey side of the bay and ebb-associated fronts on the Delaware side agree with boat measurements and model predictions, and that the remote tracking of fronts by aircraft and satellites will aid in oil slick clean-up operations.

Klemas, V.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ultraviolet observations of close binary stars

Far ultraviolet observation of three interacting binary stars (HR 2142, HR 7084, and lambda Tauri) made with the Copernicus satellite during 1978-79 are presented. All stars exhibit evidence of a gas stream and extensive mass outflow from the system. Physical parameters, derived for the gas stream in HR 2142, are essentially within the range predicted from theoretical calculations.

Polidan, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Super-alfvenic propagation of cosmic rays: The role of streaming modes

Numerous cosmic ray propagation and acceleration problems require knowledge of the propagation speed of relativistic particles through an ambient plasma. Previous calculations indicated that self-generated turbulence scatters relativistic particles and reduces their bulk streaming velocity to the Alfven speed. This result was incorporated into all currently prominent theories of cosmic ray acceleration and propagation. It is demonstrated that super-Alfvenic propagation is indeed possible for a wide range of physical parameters. This fact dramatically affects the predictions of these models.

Morrison, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Studies of high latitude current systems using Magsat vector data

Disturbance fields caused by global external current systems are analyzed in order to gain an improved understanding of the phydical processes which control high latitude current systems and to increase the confidence level in the identification of internal field levels. The basic approach is to: (1) categorize the vector data by those physical parameters important for investigation of external current systems; (2) map the disturbances for appropriate conditions; (3) model the currents which might cause the mapped disturbances; and (4) correlate results with data from other sources. It is concluded that the Magsat data set appears to have remarkably high precision and quality and should permit major advances to be made in modeling current distribution at high latitudes in the ionosphere and magnetosphere.

Burrows, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Characteristics of flight simulator visual systems

The physical parameters of the flight simulator visual system that characterize the system and determine its fidelity are identified and defined. The characteristics of visual simulation systems are discussed in terms of the basic categories of spatial, energy, and temporal properties corresponding to the three fundamental quantities of length, mass, and time. Each of these parameters are further addressed in relation to its effect, its appropriate units or descriptors, methods of measurement, and its use or importance to image quality.

Statler, I. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Earth Survey Applications Division

Accomplishments of research and data analysis conducted to study physical parameters and processes inside the Earth and on the Earth's surface, to define techniques and systems for remotely sensing the processes and measuring the parameters of scientific and applications interest, and the transfer of promising operational applications techniques to the user community of Earth resources monitors, managers, and decision makers are described. Research areas covered include: geobotany, magnetic field modeling, crustal studies, crustal dynamics, sea surface topography, land resources, remote sensing of vegetation and soils, and hydrological sciences. Major accomplishments include: production of global maps of magnetic anomalies using Magsat data; computation of the global mean sea surface using GEOS-3 and Seasat altimetry data; delineation of the effects of topography on the interpretation of remotely-sensed data; application of snowmelt runoff models to water resources management; and mapping of snow depth over wheat growing areas using Nimbus microwave data.

Carpenter, L.↗