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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 37 records · Page 2

Meteorological radar methods for validating space observations of precipitation

Meteorological approaches to verification of space measurements of rainfall are examined; validation of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) observations is expected to depend significantly on ground-based radars. Two methods of comparison are initially contemplated. TRMM rainfall data over time periods of a month for large areas (500 x 500 km) are averaged and compared with similarly averaged ground truth measurements. Both the rainfall and height distribution data from TRMM are compared with the instantaneous values observed at one or more 'ground truth' stations and from airborne radar and radiometers as available.

Thiele, Otto W.↗

Deep Space Observations of Sun Glint from Oceans

Every hour or two, the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) onboard the DSCOVR satellite provides unique full-color images of the sunlit side of the Earth from the L1 Lagrangian point, which is four times farther the Moon. Casual glances at such images often reveal bright colorful spots that stand out markedly from their surroundings. Such spots often appear not only over ocean but also over land. Tracking the colorful spots using an automated image analysis algorithm reveals that they are caused by specular reflection of sunlight, sometimes from ocean surfaces and other times from clouds containing horizontally oriented ice crystals. The presented study characterizes these spots in terms of prevalence, location, color, and brightness, and provides insights into the factors that lead to their appearance.

ice crystals↗

The United States space observation policy

The steps pursued since 1978 to establish an operational civil space remote sensing system are outlined. The role of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency is defined, and the problems still remaining are discussed.

Chevrel, M.↗

Real-space observation of the dissociation of a transition metal complex and its concurrent energy redistribution

Mechanistic insights into photodissociation dynamics of transition metal carbonyls, like Fe(CO) 5 , are fundamental for understanding active catalytic intermediates. Although extensively studied, the structural dynamics of these systems remain elusive. Using ultrafast X-ray scattering, we uncover the photochemistry of Fe(CO) 5 in real space and time, observing synchronous oscillations in atomic pair distances, followed by a prompt rotating CO release preferentially in the axial direction. This behavior aligns with simulations, reflecting the interplay between the axial Fe-C distances’ potential energy landscape and non-adiabatic transitions between metal-to-ligand charge-transfer states. Additionally, we characterize a secondary delayed CO release associated with a reduction of Fe-C steady state distances and structural dynamics of the formed Fe(CO) 4 . Our results quantify energy redistribution across vibration, rotation, and translation degrees of freedom, offering a microscopic view of complex structural dynamics, enhancing our grasp on Fe(CO) 5 photodissociation, and advancing our understanding of transition metal catalytic systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Deep Space Observations of Sun Glints from Marine Ice Clouds

The Earth Polychromatic Camera (EPIC) onboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) spacecraft takes images of the sunlit face of Earth from a million miles away. Earlier work showed that EPIC detected the specular reflection of sunlight (that is, sun glint) from ice crystals floating in cold clouds over land; here we show that this phenomenon can also be detected over oceans. Furthermore, the results show that - using its observations at Oxygen A-band absorption bands - EPIC can distinguish glints off marine ice clouds from those off the ocean surface. The analysis of more than two years of EPIC data reveals that the two kinds of glints are detected with comparable frequency. Glints off clouds are shown to be generally brighter but smaller in spatial extent. It is also demonstrated that glints off ice clouds have a discernible effect on the regional mean reflectance and that EPIC observations can help constrain the radiative contribution of oriented ice crystals.

Atmosphere↗

Asteroseismology: Ground based efforts and the need for space observations

Detection of the oscillations expected to be present on solar-like stars is very difficult. Photometric observations from the ground suffer from two problems: (1) an atmospheric scintillation noise that drops only slowly with telescope aperture size, and (2) mode frequency spacings that require nearly continuous observations over at least several days for resolution. I will review the very limited possibilities for asteroseismology of solar-like stars from ground-based photometric observations. FRESIP could provide an excellent opportunity for pursuing asteroseismology observations of a far richer nature than can be contemplated from the ground.

Gilliland, Ronald L.↗

Space observations of aerosols and ozone; Proceedings of the Topical Meeting, Ottawa, Canada, May 16-June 2, 1982

The measurement of aerosols from space is discussed, taking into account the role of aerosols in climate, instrumentation and further measurement systems, retrieval procedures, measurements and observations, ground truth measurements, and effects on remote sensing and on climate. Aspects of ozone variability in the middle atmosphere are explored, giving attention to the quasi-biennial oscillation in equatorial stratospheric temperatures and total ozone, global pictures on the ozone field from high altitudes from DE-1, measurements of atmospheric ozone from aircraft and from balloons, a mesospheric ozone profile at sunset, periodic and aperiodic ozone variations in the middle and upper stratosphere, solar eclipse induced variations in mesospheric ozone concentrations, and solar UV and ozone balloon measurements. The determination of aerosol optical depth is considered along with a method for estimating cross radiance.

Mccormick, M. P.↗

Deep space observations of the east-west asymmetry of solar energetic storm particle events - Voyagers 1 and 2

It has been well established that solar flare shock waves, propagating through the interplanetary medium, accelerate ambient energetic particles, giving rise to the formation of energetic storm particle (ESP) intensity enhancements. However, the acceleration mechanism which is responsible for the generation of ESP events is still under investigation. In the present investigation, energetic proton observations during solar flare ESP events made with the aid of the Voyagers 1 and 2 deep space probes are employed as a basis to examine further the acceleration processes responsible for the generation of ESP events under different 'interplanetary magnetic field-shock front' configurations. It is found that large ESP proton intensity enhancements are superimposed on the ambient solar energetic particle population for solar flare sites to the east of the sun-spacecraft medidian.

Sarris, E. T.↗

Deep Space Observations of Cloud Glints: Spectral and Seasonal Dependence

From a distance of about one and a half million kilometers, the Earth Polychromatic Camera (EPIC) onboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) spacecraft takes about 13 or 22 images a day of the sunlit side of Earth. Several earlier studies showed that these images often feature sun glint from water surfaces and from ice crystals that float inside clouds in a horizontal orientation. This presentation expands on the earlier analyses of observed glints caused by clouds, focusing on the way the appearance of these glints varies with wavelength and season. The statistical analysis of all EPIC images taken in 2017 reveals that the wavelength dependence of glints is shaped predominantly by the Rayleigh scattering and gaseous absorption caused by the atmosphere above the cloud top. The analysis also reveals that the radiative impact of cloud glints displays seasonal variations that are consistent with seasonal changes in the amount and temperature of ice clouds that were observed independently by the Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS).

ice cloud↗

Extracting free-space observables from trapped interacting clusters

The energy spectrum of two short-range interacting particles in a harmonic potential trap has previously been related to free-space scattering phase shifts. But the existing formula for systems with a nonzero interaction range is exact only in the limit of an infinitely shallow trap. Here I provide a systematically improved formula—describing the low-energy dynamics—that enables the use of finite traps. This paves the way for extracting nuclear scattering phase shifts from ab initio nuclear many-body structure calculations, a long-sought goal in nuclear physics. In this work, the derivation establishes effective field theory as a powerful framework for studying the connection between structure information of a trapped system (with two or more subclusters) and continuum physics in the fields of both nuclear and condensed-matter physics.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Validation of SCIAMACHY and TOMS UV Radiances Using Ground and Space Observations

Verification of a stratospheric ozone recovery remains a high priority for environmental research and policy definition. Models predict an ozone recovery at a much lower rate than the measured depletion rate observed to date. Therefore improved precision of the satellite and ground ozone observing systems are required over the long term to verify its recovery. We show that validation of satellite radiances from space and from the ground can be a very effective means for correcting long term drifts of backscatter type satellite measurements and can be used to cross calibrate all B W instruments in orbit (TOMS, SBW/2, GOME, SCIAMACHY, OM, GOME-2, OMPS). This method bypasses the retrieval algorithms used for both satellite and ground based measurements that are normally used to validate and correct the satellite data. Radiance comparisons employ forward models and are inherently more accurate than inverse (retrieval) algorithms. This approach however requires well calibrated instruments and an accurate radiative transfer model that accounts for aerosols. TOMS and SCIAMACHY calibrations are checked to demonstrate this method and to demonstrate applicability for long term trends.

Hilsenrath, E.↗

Validation of SCIAMACHY Radiances and Ozone Products Using Ground and Space Observations

Validation of SCIAMACHY data products are is key element for the detecting a stratospheric ozone recovery, which is a high priority for environmental research and environmental policy. Models predict an ozone recovery at a much lower rate than the measured depletion rate observed to date. Therefore improved precision of the satellite and ground ozone observing systems are required over the long term to verify its recovery. We show that validation of satellite radiances from space and from the ground can be an effective means for correcting long term drifts of backscatter type satellite measurements such as SCIAMACHY and can be used to cross calibrate all BUV instruments in orbit (TOMS, SBUV/2, GOME, OMI, GOME-2, OMPS). This method bypasses the retrieval algorithms used for both satellite and ground based measurements that are normally used to validate and correct the satellite data. This approach however requires well calibrated instruments and an accurate radiative transfer model that accounts for aerosols. In addition to comparing radiances, validation of SCIAMACHY ozone products will conducted by comparing total and profile ozone with TOMS and SBUV/2.

Hilsenrath, E.↗

Momentum-Space Observation of Optically Excited Nonthermal Electrons in Graphene with Persistent Pseudospin Polarization

The unique optical properties of graphene, with broadband absorption and ultrafast response, make it a critical component of optoelectronic and spintronic devices. Using time-resolved momentum microscopy with high data rate and high dynamic range, we report momentum-space measurements of electrons promoted to the graphene conduction band with visible light and their subsequent relaxation. Here, we observe a pronounced nonthermal distribution of nascent photoexcited electrons with lattice pseudospin polarization in remarkable agreement with results of simple tight-binding theory. By varying the excitation fluence, we vary the relative importance of electron-electron vs electron-phonon scattering in the relaxation of the initial distribution. Increasing the excitation fluence results in increased noncollinear electron-electron scattering and reduced pseudospin polarization, although up-scattered electrons retain a degree of polarization. These detailed momentum-resolved electron dynamics in graphene demonstrate the capabilities of high-performance time-resolved momentum microscopy in the study of 2D materials and can inform the design of graphene devices.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Space observations of chemically peculiar and related normal stars

Progress in the spectroscopic study of CP stars and related sharp-lined normal stars from the IUE is briefly reviewed as a preamble to a discussion of the potential for research with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The substantial gains in spectral resolution, signal-to-noise ratio and photometric accuracy that will be realized with the High Resolution Spectrograph on the HST will dramatically increase the ability to disentangle the complex ultraviolet spectra of these stars and to carry out accurate quantitative analyses.

Leckrone, David S.↗

Global change and relevant space observations; Proceedings of Symposium 1 of the COSPAR 28th Plenary Meeting, The Hague, Netherlands, June 25-July 6, 1990

Topics discussed include the middle-atmosphere change, the detection of an enhanced greenhouse effect, large-scale biological/physical processes in the ocean and at the ocean/atmosphere interface, global to regional energy and water-balance parameters, physical/biological processes at the soil/atmosphere interface, and space systems' capabilities. Papers presented are on complications in determining trends in the stratosphere, changes in characteristics of planetary waves at 80-100 km over central and southern Europe since 1980, the 30-yr trend of observed greenhouse clouds over the tropical oceans, possible causes of enhanced greeenhouse effect as due to natural and anthropogenic phenomena, and advances in modeling ocean primary production and its role in the global carbon cycle. Attention is also given to a climatological analysis of rainfall for the wet pampa and northwest of the Buenos Aires province; the use of thermal IR remote sensing for water budget studies; hydrometeorological, oceanographic, and earth-resources satellite systems operated by USSR, and the NASA ocean data system at the JPL.

Fellous, J. L.↗

Real-space observation of fluctuating antiferromagnetic domains

Magnetic domains play a fundamental role in physics of magnetism and its technological applications. Dynamics of antiferromagnetic domains is poorly understood, although antiferromagnets are expected to be extensively used in future electronic devices wherein it determines the stability and operational speed. Dynamics of antiferromagnets also features prominently in the studies of topological quantum matter. Real-space imaging of fluctuating antiferromagnetic domains is therefore highly desired but has never been demonstrated. We use coherent x-ray diffraction to obtain videos of fluctuating micrometer-scale antiferromagnetic domains in Ni 2 MnTeO 6 on time scales from 10 -1 to 10 3 s. In the collinear phase, thermally activated domain wall motion is observed in the vicinity of the Néel temperature. Unexpectedly, the fluctuations persist through the full range of the higher-temperature helical phase. These observations illustrate the high potential significance of the dynamic domain imaging in phase transition studies and in magnetic device research.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The contribution of space observations to water resources management; Proceedings of the Symposium, Bangalore, India, May 29-June 9, 1979

The symposium focused on hydrology, soil moisture estimation and ground water exploration, wetlands monitoring and water quality estimation, hydrometeorology, snow and ice monitoring, and evapotranspiration estimation. Other problems discussed include surface water and flood mapping, watershed runoff estimation and prediction, and new space systems contributing to water resources management.

Salomonson, V. V.↗