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At least 343 records · Page 19

Estimate of winter wheat yield from ERTS-1

A model for estimating wheat yield per acre has been applied to acreage estimates derived from ERTS-1 imagery to project the 1973 wheat yields for a ten county area in southwest Kansas. The results (41.04 million bushels) are within 3 per cent of the preharvest estimates for the same area prepared by the USDA Statistical Reporting Service (39.91 million bushels). The projection from ERTS data is based on a visual enumeration of all detectable wheat fields in the study area and was completed while the harvest was in progress. Visual identification of winter wheat is readily achieved by using a temporal sequence of images (band 5 for Sept.-Oct.; band 5 for Dec.-Jan.; and band 5 and 7 for March-April). Identification can be improved by stratifying the project area into subregions having more or less homogeneous agricultural practices and crop mixes. By doing this, small changes in the spectral appearance of wheat related to soil type, irrigation, etc. can be accounted for. The interpretation rules developed by visual analysis can be automated for rapid computer surveys.

Morain, S. A.↗

An evaluation of the partial reflection technique and results from the winter 1971 - 1972 D region

Fundamental physical and chemical processes, and measurement techniques on the D region are reviewed. Design considerations about a partial-reflection system are made, and the main characteristics of the partial-reflection system at the University of Illinois are presented. The nature of the partial reflections is discussed, particularly reflections produced by gradients in electron density and by random fluctuations in a locally homogeneous random medium. Possible reasons for disagreement between partial reflections and rocket measurements are discussed. Some suggestions are made to improve partial-reflection data reduction, including the use of only maximums of the reflections and deconvolution of the data. The results of partial-reflection measurements at Wallops Island, Virginia during the 1971-1972 winter are presented and compared to rocket measurements.

Dasilva, L. C.↗

The study of mesoscale phenomena, winter monsoon clouds and snow area

The author has identified the following significant results. The clouds under a moderate winter monsoon situation taken with S190A camera reveal existence of clouds with band structure of various wavelengths. The wavelength ranges from 0.4 to 3.5 kms. There was a good relationship between the longitudinal cloud band and vertical wind shear. There was a distinct difference in size of clouds between the Japan Sea side or upwind side and the Pacific Ocean side or downwind side of the Japanese mainland. Large solid cumulus clusters have the size of 20 x 35 sq km over the Japan Sea off the coast of Hokuriku District. It was found that S190A aerial color pictures showing shadows of fair weather cumuli over the sea could be successfully used in estimating cloud height while S190A station 1 picture was more useful over the land since it could more clearly distinguish shadow from vegetation. The height of fair weather cumuli estimated from shadows agree with the lifted condensation level. It was also found that these pictures were effectively used in delineating snow cover area. S192 data, especially IR channel, were found to be effective in finding topography of nimbostratus.

Tsuchiya, K.↗

Molecular oxygen measurements at 200 km from AE-D near winter solstice, 1975

Utilizing the fly-through mode, the open source neutral mass spectrometer on Atmosphere Explorer-D (AE-D) has measured O2 densities, as well as N2 densities and in situ neutral temperatures, at midmorning during winter solstice over the latitude range 90 degrees S to 90 degrees N. The expected seasonal variation in N2 was found at 200 km together with a more complex behavior in molecular oxygen than might be expected from a diffusive equilibrium model with constant lower boundary values. Under geomagnetically quiet conditions the equatorial 200 km value of O2 was about 1.7 x 10 to the 8th/cu cm. A local maximum in the 200 km O2 densities was found near 70 degrees N, where an average quiet time value was 2.5 x 10 to the 8th/cu cm, implying a 120 km density of 8.3 x 10 to the 10th/cu cm. The in situ temperature measurements confirm the presence of higher temperatures near 70 degrees N latitude, even during geomagnetically quiet conditions.

Kayser, D. C.↗

Response of winter and spring wheat grain yields to meteorological variation

Mathematical models which quantify the relation of wheat yield to selected weather-related variables are presented. Other sources of variation (amount of applied nitrogen, improved varieties, cultural practices) have been incorporated in the models to explain yield variation both singly and in combination with weather-related variables. Separate models were developed for fall-planted (winter) and spring-planted (spring) wheats. Meteorological variation is observed, basically, by daily measurements of minimum and maximum temperatures, precipitation, and tabled values of solar radiation at the edge of the atmosphere and daylength. Two different soil moisture budgets are suggested to compute simulated values of evapotranspiration; one uses the above-mentioned inputs, the other uses the measured temperatures and precipitation but replaces the tabled values (solar radiation and daylength) by measured solar radiation and satellite-derived multispectral scanner data to estimate leaf area index. Weather-related variables are defined by phenological stages, rather than calendar periods, to make the models more universally applicable.

Feyerherm, A. M.↗

Observations of the mid-latitude lower ionosphere in winter

Rocket observations of the lower ionosphere in the winter of 1971 at two locations show differences of electron density which are attributed to enhancements of nitric oxide and energetic electron fluxes precipitated into the mesosphere during the poststorm phase of a geomagnetic storm. Electron density distributions were observed above Wallops Island, Virginia, and Keweenaw, Michigan, larger values occurring at Keweenaw. Energetic electron fluxes were greater at Keweenaw (L = 3.9) than at Wallops Island (L = 2.5). While particle ionization was the dominant factor in establishing the electron density during one measurement at Keweenaw, particles were not present two days earlier, even though the electron density distribution was significantly larger than that observed at Wallops Island on both occasions. An accompanying ion composition profile measured at Keweenaw during the earlier flight showed NO(+) to be the dominant ion to 76 km, where the concentration of hydrated ions H3O(+).(H2O)n, exceeded that of NO(+).

Aikin, A. C.↗

Development of a winter wheat adjustable crop calendar model

The author has identified the following significant results. After parameter estimation, tests were conducted with variances from the fits, and on independent data. From these tests, it was generally concluded that exponential functions have little advantage over polynomials. Precipitation was not found to significantly affect the fits. The Robertson's triquadratic form, in general use for spring wheat, was found to show promise for winter wheat, but special techniques and care were required for its use. In most instances, equations with nonlinear effects were found to yield erratic results when utilized with daily environmental values as independent variables.

Baker, J. R.↗

Using Landsat data to estimate evapotranspiration of winter wheat

Results obtained from an evapotranspiration model as applied to Kansas winter wheatfields were compared with results determined by a weighing lysimeter, and the standard deviation was found to be less than 0.5 mm/day (however, the 95% confidence interval was between plus and minus 0.2 mm/day). Model inputs are solar radiation, temperature, precipitation, and leaf area index; an equation was developed to estimate the leaf area index from Landsat data. The model provides estimates of transpiration, evaporation, and soil moisture.

Kanemasu, E. T.↗

A GCM simulation of the earth-atmosphere radiation balance for winter and summer

The radiation balance of the earth-atmosphere system simulated by using the general circulation model (GCM) of the Laboratory for Atmospheric Sciences (GLAS) is examined in regards to its graphical distribution, zonally-averaged distribution, and global mean. Most of the main features of the radiation balance at the top of the atmosphere are reasonably simulated, with some differences in the detailed structure of the patterns and intensities for both summer and winter in comparison with values as derived from Nimbus and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) satellite observations. Both the capability and defects of the model are discussed.

Wu, M. L. C.↗

The high-latitude winter F region at 300 km - Thermal plasma observations from AE-C

Results are presented for a comprehensive survey of thermal ion composition and electron temperature (Te) variations in the southern high-latitude winter F region near 300-km altitude. The data are obtained from the Atmosphere Explorer (AE-C) satellite during a magnetically quiet period centered on the June 1976 solstice. Prominent ionospheric features, including the nightside main trough, a high-latitude ionization hole, and the dayside auroral zone-cusp region, are characterized in terms of composition and Te variations. The structures under study are qualitatively interpreted in terms of known processes.

Brinton, H. C.↗

The Relationship of Red and Photographic Infrared Spectral Data to Grain Yield Variation Within a Winter Wheat Field

Two band hand-held radiometer data from a winter wheat field, collected on 21 dates during the spring growing season, were correlated within field final grain yield. Significant linear relationships were found between various combinations of the red and photographic infrared radiance data collected and the grain yield. The spectral data explained approximately 64 percent of the within field grain yield variation. This variation in grain yield could not be explained using meteorological data as these were similar for all areas of the wheat field. Most importantly, data collected early in the spring were highly correlated with grain yield, a five week time window existed from stem elongation through antheses in which the spectral data were most highly correlated with grain yield, and manifestations of wheat canopy water stress were readily apparent in the spectral data.

Tucker, C. J.↗

Development of a winter wheat adjustable crop calendar model

The author has identified the following significant results. Least squares techniques were applied for parameter estimation of functions to predict winter wheat phenological stage with daily maximum temperature, minimum temperature, daylength, and precipitation as independent variables. After parameter estimation, tests were conducted using independent data. It may generally be concluded that exponential functions have little advantage over polynomials. Precipitation was not found to significantly affect the fits. The Robertson triquadratic form, in general use for spring wheat, yielded good results, but special techniques and care are required. In most instances, equations with nonlinear effects were found to yield erratic results when utilized with averaged daily environmental values as independent variables.

Baker, J. R.↗

Remote sensing of total dry-matter accumulation in winter wheat

The author has identified the following significant results. Red and photographic-infrared spectral data collected on 21 dates over the growing season with a hand-held radiometer was quantitatively correlated with total dry-matter accumulation in winter wheat. The spectral data were found to be highly related to vigor and condition of the plant canopy. Two periods of drought stress and subsequent recovery from it were readily apparent in the spectral data. Simple ratios of the spectral data compensated for variations in solar intensities and, when integrated over the growing season, explained 79% of the variation in total above-ground accumulation of dry matter.

Tucker, C. J.↗

Comparison of radar derived slant path rain attenuations with the COMSTAR beacon fades at 28.56 GHz for summer and winter periods

An experiment for testing and improving the accuracy of radar derived slant path attenuations of a 28.56-GHz COMSTAR beacon signal is described. The results of an additional data base consisting of five rain days during fall-winter periods of 1978-1979 are considered, over which 715 min of simultaneous radar and disdrometer data were obtained.

Goldhirsh, J.↗

Rocket observations of the vertical distribution of ozone in the polar night and during a mid-winter stratospheric warming

Rocket ozone soundings have been conducted in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere at high latitudes during winter. The collection of soundings show a high degree of variability when compared to ozone distributions measured during summer and at lower latitudes. The concurrently observed temperature and winds also show large variations which can be qualitatively related to the ozone profiles. Two most unusual ozone profiles were observed in January 1979 over Alaska during a stratospheric warming event. Both ozone profiles were consistent in showing the measured mixing ratios to be higher at 50 km than those measured at 40 km, a feature never reported before. This feature is related to the concurrently observed wind and temperature distributions and the NMC analyses of pressure height fields. The polar night ozone observations in the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere suggest some temperature dependence, but transports seem to play an important role.

Hilsenrath, E.↗

A theoretical study of the high-latitude winter F region at solar minimum for low magnetic activity

A simple plasma convection model is combined with an ionospheric-atmospheric composition model in order to study the high-latitude winter F region at the solar minimum for low magnetic activity. The high latitude ionospheric features, such as the main trough, the ionization hole, the tongue of ionization, the aurorally produced ionization peaks, and the universal time effects are a natural consequence of the competition between the various chemical and transport processes known to be operating in the high-latitude ionosphere. In the polar hole, the F region peak electron density is below 300 km, and the dominant process at 300 km for NO(+) ions is diffusion.

Sojka, J. J.↗

Theoretical predictions for ion composition in the high-latitude winter F-region for solar minimum and low magnetic activity

A simple plasma convection model is combined with an ionospheric-atmospheric density model in order to study the ion composition in the high-latitude winter F-region at solar minimum for low geomagnetic activity. The numerical study produces time-dependent, three-dimensional ion density distributions for the ions NO(+), O2(+), N2(+), O(+), N(+), and He(+). The high-latitude ionosphere above 54 deg N magnetic latitude is covered at altitudes between 160 and 800 km for one complete day. Among the conclusions are the following: the ion composition varies significantly with latitude, local time, altitude, and universal time; the variations in the ion composition with latitude and local time are in good agreement with the Atmosphere Explorer measurements both quantitatively and qualitatively; and at times and at certain locations the molecular ion density can be comparable to the O(+) density at 300 km, and at 200 km the O(+) density can be comparable to the molecular ion density.

Sojka, J. J.↗