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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 361 records · Page 20

Flight experience with advanced controls and displays during piloted curved decelerating approaches in a powered-lift STOL aircraft

A program to assess the feasibility of piloted STOL approaches along predefined, steep, curved, and decelerating approach profiles was carried out with a powered-lift STOL aircraft. To reduce the pilot workload associated with the basic control requirements of a powered-lift aircraft equipped with redundant controls and operating on the backside of the power curve, separate stability augmentation systems for attitude and speed were provided, as well as a supporting flight director and special electronic cockpit displays. The control, display, and procedural features are described for the flight experiment that led to the conclusion that, given an adequate navigation environment, such constrained approaches may be feasible from a pilot acceptance point of view.

Hindson, W. S.↗

Broad-band flux density variations of the extragalactic radio source 1611+343

A flux density outburst at low radio frequencies (less than about 1 GHz) has been observed in the extragalactic radio source 1611+343 (= DA 406). Observations in the period from June 1976 to September 1978 were made with several telescopes covering the frequency range from 0.325 to 15.5 GHz. The outburst appears to have been simultaneous at all observed frequencies and had a steep spectrum above 0.400 GHz. Some physical implications of these observations are discussed.

Cotton, W. D.↗

Observations of ELF electromagnetic waves associated with equatorial spread F

Extreme low frequency electromagnetic waves have been observed below the F peak in the equatorial ionosphere by instruments onboard OGO-6. Electrostatic wave observations indicate that the steep gradient was unstable to the process which causes equatorial spread F above the region where the electromagnetic waves were observed. The data are very similar to observations near the polar cusp and give further evidence that ELF waves are excluded from regions of rapid and irregular density increases. Low level electromagnetic waves with similar properties were occasionally observed on the nightside by the OVI-17 electric field sensor and may be plasmaspheric hiss which has propagated to low altitude.

Kelley, M. C.↗

Optical spectroscopy of BL Lacertae objects and their relatives

Absorption lines from intervening gas along the line of sight to BL Lac objects are examined. The absorption line systems observed in several such objects are discussed, and detailed attention is given to the objects PKS 0735+178 and AO 0235+164. Random observations relevant to the nature of BL Lac objects are reviewed, including observations of steep-spectrum 3C QSOs and the peculiar object PKS 0528-250. The nature of the absorbing material is considered.

Smith, H. E.↗

X-ray emitting BL Lacertae objects located by the scanning modulation collimator experiment on HEAO 1

It is established that BL Lacertae objects constitute a class of X-ray emitter by precisely locating X-ray sources identified with Mrk 421, PKS 0548-322, PKS 2155-304, and 2A 1219+305. Irregular variations of the order of 1 mag, characteristic of BL Lacertae objects, are reported for the last two objects. The measurement of an extremely steep X-ray spectrum from Mrk 421, in contrast to previous flat X-ray spectra above 3 keV, suggests that different structural states of an accretion disk are being observed.

Schwartz, D. A.↗

Infrared observations of NGC 2071/IRS/ and AFGL 490 - Two low-luminosity young stars

Infrared observations are presented of two compact sources associated with molecular clouds. Photometry from 2 to 200 microns of the source associated with an OH maser in NGC 2071, OH 205.1-14.1, shows a steep increase in flux from 2 to 50 microns. Scans at several wavelengths fail to resolve the source. Photometry at 50-200 microns of the other object, GL 490, when combined with earlier 2-20-micron spectrophotometry, shows an infrared energy distribution that is much broader than that of the NGC 2071 source. Both sources are interpreted as young, possibly pre-main-sequence objects with differences in energy distributions due principally to differences in the distribution of circumstellar matter.

Harvey, P. M.↗

Ultraviolet spectrophotometry of degenerate stars

Observations of one helium- and three hydrogen-atmosphere degenerates made with the International Ultraviolet Explorer are discussed. Fluxes in the UV give temperatures in good accordance with those determined from the ground and from the ANS satellite data. Profiles of the strong L-alpha absorption in two DA's fit predictions for the expected temperatures. Gravity determination is vitiated by their steep temperature dependence. If one accepts that theoretical predictions should be correct, corrections to the absolute IUE calibration derived are an upward shift of 3-5%, with irregular residuals attaining + or - 7%.

Greenstein, J. L.↗

Wavelength dependence of polarization. XXXIV - Observations of Venus

Polarimetric observations of linear polarization on Venus are presented. The observations, which cover nine small disk areas as well as the whole disk, were made with seven filters between 0.3 and 1 micron and also with three filters in the range from 1.2 to 2.2 microns. A polarization wavelength dependence is determined which appears to confirm Landau's (1975) discovery of a steep rise in polarization near 3 microns. The dark UV markings on Venus are shown to be regions of more positive UV polarization and are interpreted as a general feature of a gaseous atmosphere in which sulfuric acid droplets are suspended.

Gehrels, T.↗

Spin flight research summary

An extensive general aviation stall/spin research program is underway at the NASA Langley Research Center. Flight tests have examined the effects of tail design, wing leading edge design, mass distribution, and minor airframe modifications on spin and recovery characteristics. Results and observations on test techniques are presented for the first airplane in the program. Configuration changes produced spins varying from easily recoverable slow, steep spins to unrecoverable, fast flat spins.

Patton, J. M., Jr.↗

A proposed physical model for the impregnated tungsten cathode based on Auger surface studies of the Ba-O-W system

Auger spectra and work function measurements are used to study the surface reactions between tungsten surface and adsorbed layers of barium, and barium and oxygen. The barium on an impregnated tungsten cathod seems to be an intermediate state, probably a coadsorbed barium-oxygen layer on tungsten. A slightly revised version of the previously suggested (1976) impregnated tungsten cathode model is proposed. This revised model assumes that the cathode surface during life has an adsorbed surface layer of a monolayer or less of both barium and oxygen on the surface. At end of life, steep drop in electron emission and resultant cathode failure occur. Recent NASA life test results on TWT type tubes are reported and explained by the proposed model.

Forman, R.↗

Evolution of Martian polar landscapes - Interplay of long-term variations in perennial ice cover and dust storm intensity

The discovery of a new type of Martian polar terrain, called undulating plain, is reported and the evolution of the plains and other areas of the Martian polar region is discussed in terms of the trapping of dust by the perennial ice cover. High-resolution Viking Orbiter 2 observations of the north polar terrain reveal perennially ice-covered surfaces with low relief, wavelike, regularly spaced, parallel ridges and troughs (undulating plains) occupying areas of the polar terrain previously thought to be flat, and associated with troughs of considerable local relief which exhibit at least partial annual melting. It is proposed that the wavelike topography of the undulating plains originates from long-term periodic variations in cyclical dust precipitation at the margin of a growing or receding perennial polar cap in response to changes in insolation. The troughs are proposed to originate from areas of steep slope in the undulating terrain which have lost their perennial ice cover and have become incapable of trapping dust. The polar landscape thus appears to record the migrations, expansions and contractions of the Martian polar cap.

Cutts, J. A.↗

A survey of interstellar C I - Insights on carbon abundances, UV grain albedos, and pressures in the interstellar medium

Interstellar atomic carbon has been sampled over 33 different paths with visual extinctions ranging from about 0.15 to 1.5 mag. The trend of C I vs different forms of hydrogen is found to be steep and somewhat erratic. It is concluded that the observed behavior can be explained by strong differences in the responses of C I, H I, and H2 equilibria to physical conditions, together with marked variations of these conditions within different interstellar clouds.

Jenkins, E. B.↗

Evidence for explosive volcanic density currents on certain Martian volcanoes

The morphologies of certain of the smaller Martian volcanoes are discussed as possible results of explosive volcanic density currents. An examination of newly-photographed flank and caldera features of the Martian volcanoes Ceraunius Tholus, Uranius Tholus, Uranius Patera and Hecates Tholus, including steep slope angles, Krakatoa-type caldera morphologies, erosional features (radial channels and anastamosing gullies) and constructional features (blanketed flanks and possible lava deltas) reveals their similarity to terrestrial cones and composite volcanoes such as Barcena Volcano. Crater age data from the surface of Martian domes and shields indicates that such explosive activity occurred more frequently early in Martian geologic history, consistent with the view that the volcanic density currents were base surges rather than nuees ardentes, with the melting of permafrost supplying the water required in base surge generation.

Reimers, C. E.↗

A piloted simulator investigation of helicopter precision decelerating approaches to hover to determine single-pilot IFR /SPIFR/ requirements

The results of single-pilot instrument flight rules (SPIFR) experiments conducted on the NASA-Ames V/STOLAND simulator are presented. Several factors having a significant impact on requirements for helicopter SPIFR decelerating, steep approaches to landing are considered: (1) approach weather conditions, (2) flight path geometry, (3) deceleration guidance law, (4) level of stability and command augmentation, (5) cockpit display sophistication, (6) accuracy of navigation aids, and (7) helipad lighting and visual aids. Particular emphasis is placed on the relative effects of deceleration profile, control augmentation, and flight director parameters on pilot performance, workload, and opinion rating. Problems associated with the development of a pilot acceptance analytical methodology are outlined.

Phatak, A. V.↗

X-ray emission from the region of gamma 195+5

In the present study, the region of the gamma 195 + 5 was searched for X-ray emission to a level of approximately 10 to the minus eleventh erg/sq cm-sec. A source is detected whose position is in agreement with the position of the gamma-ray source. The area of the X-ray box is approximately five times smaller than the estimated gamma-ray error region; it will guide further observations at X-ray and other wavelengths. The probability that the source is located by chance within the gamma-ray error region is estimated at 9%. The X-ray spectrum appears to be too steep to extrapolate simply toward the 100 MeV point.

Lamb, R. C.↗

Effects of bulk and surface conductivity on the potential developed by dielectrics exposed to electron beams

The charging and discharging of a dielectric material which has bulk and surface conductivities is discussed. Two model problems are solved. In the first problem, a semi-infinite dielectric plane, attached to an infinite grounded conducting substrate and exposed to a monoenergetic electron beam, is analyzed. Bulk and surface conductivities and secondary emission characteristics are taken into account as parameters. In the second problem the dielectric is charged but the electron beam is shut off so only the bulk and surface conductivities enter the calculation. The principal result of the latter calculation is to show that steep tangential gradients develop in the presence of a surface conductivity during decay, and that for asymptotic times the temporal behavior, for a fixed position, is proportional to the square root of t rather than exponential, as expected in the presence of a bulk conductivity.

Rotenberg, M.↗

Analytical and design techniques for drag reduction studies on wavy surfaces

Numerical models for two dimensional turbulent boundary layers over wavy surfaces were investigated. Computations for wavy wall boundary layers indicate possibilities of overall drag reduction in a parameter range of the geometry of the wall. The correction technique using integral methods for analyzing arbitrary surfaces was found to be unsuitable for some cases of interest in drag reduction; a Navier-Stokes solver for wavy walls was built to test these problems. Test results of the Navier-Stokes solver indicate that the solution techniques are accurate enough to handle complex geometries and steep variations in fluid properties.

Balasubramanian, R.↗

Measurement of soil moisture trends with airborne scatterometers

The author has identified the following significant results. Cursory examination of the data indicates that the listed row tillage practices at 90 deg to the radar beam are approximately 12.5db higher than other comparable agricultural land. The Seasat radar data show evidence that the high return occurs only at a narrow range in look direction near the 90 deg. Such a high increase in return compared to a 15db range in film response would indicate that rows seen crosswise would saturate optically processed data. This response to row direction will have an adverse effect on monitoring agricultural lands with L band radar systems. Preliminary examination indicates that there is no sensitivity to soil moisture at the 5 deg look angle when using a like-polarized L band system. Some sensitivity was evident at a look angle of 20 deg and only a weak sensitivity was indicated at 40 deg look angle. At both 20 deg and 40 deg there is a significant response to soil moisture and none to row direction. Steep angles or the 5 deg look angle using cross polarized (HB) L band system appear insensitive to row direction and soil moisture.

Blanchard, B. J.↗