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At least 343 records · Page 19

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NASA NTRS1977

The Apollo 16 deep drill core

Numerous investigations have been undertaken on samples from the Apollo 16 deep drill core. These studies are diverse in character and range from grain size analyses, through chemical and mineralogical studies to investigations of nuclear particle tracks, rare gases, and isotopic abundances. In order to comprehend the significance of the studies of the mineral chemistry of the clasts below 1 mm in size in several samples with respect to other studies, it became obvious that a review of all previous works was desireable. After reviewing the available literature it can be concluded that only four major stratigraphic divisions exist in the core section. Whether these represent four single events or multi-stage events within one unit is uncertain; however, it appears that accumulation of the material in the core has taken place during a period of 1 billion years, and that the material is predominantly of locally derived Highlands origin.

Meyer, H. O. A.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Accurate solar 'constant' determinations by cavity pyrheliometers

Total solar irradiance was observed outside the earth's atmosphere by three types of absolute cavity pyrheliometer in a June 1976 sounding-rocket experiment. The 1367-W/sq m average solar 'constant' result is uncertain by less than + or - 0.5%, the most accurate determination to date. Nearly simultaneous observations by the Nimbus 6 earth-radiation-budget total-irradiance detector of 1389-W/sq m exceeded the rocket result by 1.6%. These recent results are discussed in the context of a summary of solar-constant determinations made above the troposphere by cavity pyrheliometers.

Willson, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The occultation of BD -15 deg 3969 by the rings of Uranus

Photoelectric observations of the December 23, 1977, occultation of BD -15 deg 3969 by the rings of Uranus are analyzed. The observations were made with a 1.5-m IR flux collector and clearly show the occultations of the star by the epsilon, delta, gamma, and alpha rings prior to the star's disappearance behind the planet. Detection of the beta-ring occultation is uncertain, but several features were observed which may be due to occultations of the star by objects other than the five major rings. It is noted that no other occultations with both a duration and depth comparable to the epsilon-ring event were observed between the orbit of Miranda and the limb of Uranus. The results suggest that the epsilon ring does not consist of two fragments but rather is a complete ring which may be either circular and inclined slightly with respect to the four inner rings or coplanar and elliptical.

Millis, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

s-process studies - Xenon and krypton isotopic abundances

We propose an analysis of the s-process contributions to the isotopes of xenon and krypton. The object is to aid studies of the possibility that meteorites may contain gas that was carried in presolar grains that were grown in stellar ejecta and that were not degassed prior to incorporation into parent bodies. That model suggests routine interstellar fractionation of s-isotopes from r-isotopes owing to differential incorporation into dust. We show that a deficiency of s-process nuclei cannot yield details of Xe-X, but the gross similarities are strong enough to lead one to think that such a deficiency may play a role in a more complicated explanation. We predict the existence of an s-rich complement somewhere if fractional separation of this type has played a role in Xe-X. We show that the analogous decomposition of krypton is more uncertain, and we call for measurements of neutron-capture cross sections to alleviate these uncertainties.

Clayton, D. D.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Observation of the 63 micron (0 1) emission line in the Orion and Omega Nebulae

The 63 micron fine structure transition P4 : 3Pl yields 3P2 for neutral atomic oxygen was obtained during a series of flights at an altitude of approximately 13.7 km. In the Orion Nebula (M42), the observed line strength was 8 x 10 to the minus 15 power watt cm/2 which is estimated to be approximately 0.3 o/o of the energy radiated at all wavelengths. For the Omega Nebulae (M17), the line strength was 2.4 x 10 to the minus 15 power watt cm/2, and the fraction of the total radiated power was slightly higher. These figures refer to a 4' x 6' field of view centered on the peak for infrared emission from each source. The uncertainty in the line strength is approximately 50% and is caused by variable water vapor absorption along the flight path of the airplane. The line position estimate is 63.2 micron (+0.1, -0.2) micron. The prime uncertainty is due to the uncertain position of the (0 I) emitting regions in the field of view.

Melnick, G.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A study of crystal growth by solution technique

The advantages and mechanisms of crystal growth from solution are discussed as well as the effects of impurity adsorption on the kinetics of crystal growth. Uncertainities regarding crystal growth in a low gravity environment are examined. Single crystals of triglycine sulfate were grown using a low temperature solution technique. Small components were assembled and fabricated for future space flights. A space processing experiment proposal accepted by NASA for the Spacelab-3 mission is included.

Lal, R. B.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Interplanetary particles and fields, November 22 - December 6, 1977: Helios, Voyager, and IMP observations between 0.6 AU and 1.6 AU

The principal interplanetary events observed are described and analyzed. Three flow systems were observed: (1) a corotating stream and a stream interface associated with a coronal hole; (2) a shock wave and an energetic particle event associated with a 2-B flare; and (3) an isolated shock wave of uncertain origin. Data from 28 experiments and 6 spacecraft provide measurements of solar wind plasma, magnetic fields, plasma waves, radio waves, energetic electrons, and low energy protons.

Burlaga, L. F.↗

NASA NTRS1977

An information matrix approach for aircraft parameter-insensitive control

The Fisher Information Matrix provides the nucleus of a design procedure for obtaining parameter-insensitive feedback gains in Linear-Quadratic-Gaussian problems. The procedure minimizes a sum of performance and closed-loop sensitivity costs, the latter being related to the information content of the system response. Analytical expressions for the appended cost functional and its gradient with respect to the feedback gains are derived. These derivatives serve as the basis of a computationally efficient iterative algorithm that finds the optimal gains. Application of the technique is made to determine low sensitivity feedback gains for a C-5A wing loading alleviation system that has 15 states and three uncertain parameters.

Kleinman, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Fluorescent accessory phases in the carbonaceous matrix of ureilites

The carbonaceous matrix of ureilite meteorites (C-bearing olivine-pigeonite achondrites) contain abundant minute phases that emit a multicolored fluorescence under electron bombardment. These include NaCl and KCl, found in all seven ureilites studied, high-Si glass with pyroxene and chlorapatite quench crystals in North Haig, an unidentified high-Ca-Al-Cl phase in Novo Urei, and possibly free SiO2 in Novo Urei and Dingo Pup Donga. The origin of these phases is uncertain but some, especially chlorides and glass, may represent residual postcumulus materials precipitated from a late-stage interstitial liquid during the igneous phase of ureilite history.

Berkley, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Scale effects on supercritical airfoils

A survey of research relative to scale effects on supercritical airfoils has been conducted. The results of this survey indicated that Reynolds number scale effects have a significant impact on airfoil design and performance. Further, this impact is greater for supercritical airfoils than for conventional airfoils. It was found that low Reynolds number drag data could be extrapolated to high Reynolds number conditions provided the flow was attached and the pressure distribution shape did not change appreciably. Airfoil lift and pitching-moment data obtained at low Reynolds numbers cannot be extrapolated to full-scale values. Viscous theoretical transonic analysis methods currently under development will significantly improve the ability of the designer to account for scale effects. Boundary-layer manipulation in low Reynolds number facilities using natural transition or aft located transition strips to simulate high Reynolds number conditions was shown to be an uncertain test procedure and reliance should be made on high Reynolds number facilities if available.

Blackwell, J. A., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The ratio of deuterium to hydrogen in interstellar space. IV - The lines of sight to Delta, Epsilon, and Iota Orionis

Deuterium absorption features in spectra of Delta, Epsilon, and Iota Ori obtained with Copernicus are analyzed. The Iota Ori line-of-sight analysis, which is quite detailed because of the high-velocity H I components superposed on the deuterium features, gives a D/H ratio (which is uncertain because of a complex profile) of 0.000014. A D/H ratio of the order of 7 millionths is determined for Delta and Epsilon Ori. For the complex line profiles involved, one may regard this as a formal lower limit. Several attempts were made to increase the ratio N(D I)/N(H I) in the context of reasonable models for the line of sight, but with no success; the derived values are therefore regarded as actual values, not lower limits. Since the derived value is an average on the line of sight, the possibility cannot be ruled out that the true ratios N(D I)/N(H I) in individual nearby components differ from the mean values. The mean value for these two directions is lower by a factor of 4 than the best value for the Zeta Pup line of sight (the highest yet derived for path lengths greater than 50 pc).

Laurent, C.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A one-dimensional model describing aerosol formation and evolution in the stratosphere. I - Physical processes and mathematical analogs. II - Sensitivity studies and comparison with observations

A new time-dependent one-dimensional model of the stratospheric sulfate aerosol layer is developed. The model treats atmospheric photochemistry and aerosol physics in detail and includes the interaction between gases and particles explicitly. It is shown that the numerical algorithms used in the model are quite precise. Sensitivity studies and comparison with observations are made. The simulated aerosol physics generates a particle layer with most of the observed properties. The sensitivity of the calculated properties to changes in a large number of aeronomic aerosol parameters is discussed in some detail. The sensitivity analysis reveals areas where the aerosol model is most uncertain. New observations are suggested that might help resolve important questions about the origin of the stratospheric aerosol layer.

Turco, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Composition and structure of the Venus atmosphere - Results from Pioneer Venus

The composition of the Venusian atmosphere was studied using a mass spectrometer on the Pioneer Venus sounder probe. The single-focusing magnetic-sector spectrometer scanned the mass range from hydrogen through mercury with a dynamic range of six decades. Data taken by the mass spectrometer were compared with those of a gas chromatograph, resulting in slight discrepancies due to the use of a sputter ion pump acting as a sink for entry of rare gases through the inlet leak. A surprisingly large concentration of primordial Ar-36 and Ar-38 was discovered in a ratio of 5 to 1. It was concluded that the large excess of primordial argon was a valid result and that the mixing of HCl in the lower Venusian atmosphere was less than a few parts per million. Arguments against the sun as the source for excess primordial gases on Venus were presented. Concentrations of other elements such as Ne, Kr, He, S, and O were discussed. Although the mass peaks in the spectrum were real, it was not clear whether all of the chemical reactions (i.e., COS production) actually occurred in the atmosphere. Until further analysis can be made, it will be uncertain how the inlet system, which is at atmospheric temperature, affected the results.

Hoffman, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Solar wind heavy ions from flare-heated coronal plasma

Information concerning the coronal expansion is carried by solar-wind heavy ions. Distinctly different energy-per-charge ion spectra are found in two classes of solar wind having the low kinetic temperatures necessary for E/q resolution of the ion species. Heavy-ion spectra which can be resolved are most frequently observed in the low-speed interstream (IS) plasma found between high speed streams; the streams are thought to originate from coronal holes. Although the sources of the IS plasma are uncertain, the heavy-ion spectra found there contain identifiable peaks of O, Si, and Fe ions. Such spectra indicate that the IS ionization state of O is established in coronal gas at a temperature of approximately 1.6 million K, while that of Fe is frozen in farther out at about 1.5 million K. On occasion anomalous spectra are found outside IS flows in solar wind with abnormally depressed local kinetic temperatures. The anomalous spectra contain Fe(16+) ions, not usually found in IS flows, and the derived coronal freezing-in temperatures are significantly higher. The coronal sources of some of these ionizationally hot flows are identified as solar flares.

Bame, S. J.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Erythropoietic effects of space flight

Various factors which are important in the regulation of erythropoiesis have been studied in dehydrated mice in the belief that some information would be gained relevant to the erythropoietic effects of space flight. Dehydration reduced the plasma volume and, because changes in red cell volume were minimal, the hematocrit was elevated. Thus a state of relative erythrocytosis was produced. Understanding of the mechanism whereby these changes decreased red cell production is uncertain and appears to differ somewhat from the erythroid suppression seen following elevation of the hematocrit in animals with an absolute erythrocytosis. It is suggested that factors outside of the normal erythropoietic control pathway (such as energy balance) may play an important role in the decrease in red cell volume seen in man following space flight.

Dunn, C. D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Oceanic geoid and tides derived from GEOS 3 satellite data in the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean

Two sets of GEOS 3 altimeter data which fall within about a 2.5-deg width are analyzed for ocean geoid and tides. One set covers a path from Newfoundland to Cuba, and the other a path from Puerto Rico to the North Carolina coast. Forty different analyses using various parameters are performed in order to investigate convergence. Profiles of the geoid and four tides, M2, O1, S2, and K1, are derived along the two strips. While the analyses produced convergent solutions for all 40 cases, the uncertainty caused by the linear orbital bias error of the satellite is too large to claim that the solutions represent the true ocean tides in the area. A spot check of the result with the Mode deep-sea tide gauge data shows poor agreement. A positive conclusion of this study is that despite the uncertain orbital error the oceanic geoid obtained through this analysis can improve significantly the short-wavelength structure over existing spherical harmonic geoid models.

Won, I. J.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Orbit determination strategy and results for the Pioneer Venus Orbiter mission

This paper examines the orbit of the Pioneer Venus Orbiter as determined from earth based radio data. The basic orbit determination strategy together with its associated accuracy is presented, and the effect of the changing earth-Venus geometry on that accuracy is discussed. Orbital evolution from insertion to the present time is described and related to the primary forces acting on the spacecraft as well as to the weekly periapsis altitude trim maneuvers. Lastly, the technique used for orbit prediction in the presence of the uncertain Venus atmosphere and gravity environment is discussed.

Jacobson, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Fundamental mechanisms that influence the estimate of heat transfer to gas turbine blades

Heat tranfer problems in aircraft gas turbines required for improved prediction of turbine blade or vane gas-side heat transfer are examined. Estimates of the heat transfer from the gas to vanes or rotating blades are uncertain due to the complexity of the heat transfer processes, since the gas flow is three dimensional with complex secondary viscous flow patterns that interact with the endwalls and blade surfaces. In addition, upstream disturbances, stagnation flow, curvature effects, and flow acceleration complicate the thermal transport mechanisms in the boundary layers. The thermal state and flow characteristics of the hot gases that enter the turbine blade row, analytical methods for calculating the gas-side heat transfer to turbine blades, and flow phenomena such as stagnation, curvature effects, acceleration, secondary flows, and transition that influences local heat transfer rates are discussed.

Graham, R. W.↗