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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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NASA NTRS1985

Net thermal radiation in the atmosphere of Venus

Estimates of the true atmospheric net fluxes at the four Pioneer Venus entry sites are presently obtained through corrections of measured values that are relatively small for the case of the clouds, but generally large deeper in the atmosphere. The correction procedure for both the small and large probe fluxes used model results near 14 km to establish the size of the correction. The thermal net fluxes obtained imply that the contribution of mode 3 particles to the IR opacity of the middle and lower clouds is smaller than indicated by the Pioneer Venus cloud particle spectrometer measurements, and the day probe results favor a reduction of only about 50 percent. The fluxes at all sites imply that a yet-undetermined source of considerable opacity is present in the upper cloud. Beneath the clouds, the thermal net fluxes generally increase with increasing latitude.

Revercomb, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Bremsstrahlung in the scattering of low-energy electrons by neutral atomic systems

By elementary methods, the cross section for electron-atom and electron-molecule bremsstrahlung is computed in the limit when the incident electron energy is much less than Ry. The procedure employs the classical soft-photon emission probability formula for general (h/2pi)(omega), yielding a simple expression for the bremsstrahlung cross section in terms of the total elastic scattering cross section. The validity of the method is discussed, and results are compared with more elaborate and accurate calculations. Comparison is made with ('free-free') opacity calculations for the associated process at the temperature (6300 K) of the solar atmosphere. For chi sub omega = (h/2pi)(omega)/kT = 1, the computed absorption coefficient is within 2, 7, and 12 percent of accurate calculations for scatterings by H, He, and H2, respectively. The general dependence of the opacity on chi sub omega is described well by the simple formula, although the error is larger for higher chi sub omega; it is suggested that the inaccuracy at high frequencies is due to the failure of the soft-photon approximation.

Gould, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Laboratory evaluation and application of microwave absorption properties under simulated conditions for planetary atmospheres

Radio absorptivity data for planetary atmospheres obtained from spacecraft radio occultation experiments and Earth-based radio astronomical observations can be used to infer abundances of microwave absorbing atmospheric constituents in those atmospheres, as long as reliable information regarding the microwave absorbing properties of potential constituents is available. The use of theoretically-derived microwave absorption properties for such atmospheric constituents, or laboratory measurements of such properties under environmental conditions which are significantly different than those of the planetary atmosphere being studied, often lead to significant misinterpretation of available opacity data. Steffes and Eshleman showed that under environmental conditions corresponding to the middle atmosphere of Venus, the microwave absorption due to atmospheric SO2 was 50 percent greater than that calculated from Van Vleck-Weiskopff theory. Similarly, the opacity from gaseous H2SO4 was found to be a factor of 7 greater than theoretically predicted for conditions of the Venus middle atmosphere. The recognition of the need to make such measurements over a range of temperatures and pressures which correspond to the periapsis altitudes of radio occultation experiments, and over a range of frequencies which correspond to both radio occultation experiments and radio astronomical observations, has led to the development of a facility at Georgia Tech which is capable of making such measurements.

Steffes, P. G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Infrared observations of planetary atmospheres

Infrared data was obtained on planetary atmospheres which provides critical information on atmospheric structure, composition, and cloud properties in support of planetary missions such as Voyager and Galileo. Mapping of Jupiter and Saturn in thermal and reflected solar radiation is a high-priority monitoring and exploratory activity. Some of these images of Jupiter are shown. Radiation at 17.8 micrometer probes the upper tropospheric temperature structure where spatial structure bears a strong resemblance to visible and near-infrared reflected sunlight such as at 2.0 micrometer. At 7.8 micrometer, stratospheric temperatures appear to have a three-banded structure, enhancements near the magnetic poles and occasional transient features such as the equatorial filament near the right limb. Clouds or hazes are observed high in the stratosphere looking at wavelengths such as 2.2 micrometer, where gaseous opacity is very strong. Other maps examine cloud properties from thermal radiation not strongly influenced by gaseous opacity and the distribution of condensable gases, such as ammonia. Millimeter and submillimeter filtered radiometric observations were made of Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune via collaborative work. Radiometric observations of Uranus and Neptune at 21 and 32 micrometer were acquired and analyzed as well as grating array spectra in the ranges of 8 to 14 micrometer, 16 to 23 micrometer, and 18 to 32 micrometer. These showed evidence for C2H2 in the stratosphere of Uranus and C2H4 in the stratosphere of Neptune.

Orton, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Pervasive small-scale structure in molecular clouds

An unbiased CO survey of molecular cloud cores was completed, and the profiles were analyzed within the context of a model for emission from clumpy clouds. It was found that all sources observed contain a significant amount of structure that is not resolved with our 2.3-arcmin beam, and that the parameters which describe the degree of clumping span a remarkably narrow range of the possible values. We studied two separate samples of cloud cores: a large sample of warm cores from the Massachusetts-Stony Brook 12CO survey of the first galactic quadrant, and a sample of cool cores in the Taurus dark clouds chosen primarily on the basis of H2CO emission. We observed all sources in the 1-0 transition of 12CO and 13CO with the 5-m telescope of the Millimeter Wave Observatory. The 12CO/13CO ratios can be explained if there is unresolved structure giving rise to significant variations of opacity across the beam. Our model cloud consists of a large number of identical clumps distributed randomly in the beam. These clumps have velocity widths v small compared to the width of the observed profile, which is determined by the relative motion of the clumps. The entire cloud is isothermal and in local thermodynamic equilibrium. With these assumptions the intensity and linewidth ratios depend on three parameters: the abundance ratio; the peak 13CO opacity through a single clump, tau(0); and the average number of clumps on a line of sight N. Small tau(0) and large N correspond to the microturbulent limit, which is indistinguishable from a uniform gas distribution. In the other extreme, large tau(0) and snall N, at a given velocity at most one clump contributes to the profile on each line of sight. A figure is presented which shows the model parameters which reproduce the measured intensity and linewidth ratios for the sample of warm cores, assuming an abundance ratio of 75.

Martin, B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The temperature structure in accretion flows onto massive protostars

Radiation transfer problems involved in the infall of dust and gas during star formation are studied. Dust properties are discussed, and modifications of spherical radiative transfer equations are presented that permit forward scattering by dust to be treated for the small size of the star relative to the inner radius of the shell. A procedure for deriving the stellar radiation field incident on the inner edge of the shell is developed. The temperature correction procedure of Cassinelli and Hartmann (1975) for extended stellar atmospheres is modified so that the multitemperature nature of the grains in the cloud may be derived. Temperature distributions for three schematic models in which the density is prespecified are discussed. Radiative acceleration of grains is addressed, showing that the proper mean opacity differs by a large factor from the Rosseland mean opacity that is commonly used. Emergent fluxes for the models are given.

Wolfire, Mark G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Corotation lag limit on mass-loss rate from Io

Considering rapid escape of H2O from Io during an early hot evolutionary epoch, an H2O plasma torus is constructed by balancing dissociation and ionization products against centrifugally driven diffusion, including for the first time the effects of corotation lag resulting from mass loading. Two fundamental limits are found as the mass injection rate increases: (1) an 'ignition' limit of 1.1 x 10 to the 6th kg/s, beyond which the torus cannot ionize itself and photoionization dominates; and (2) the ultimate mass loading limit of 1.3 x 10 to the 7th kg/s, which occurs when neutrals newly created by charge exchange and recombination cannot leave the torus, thereby bringing magnetospherically driven transport to a halt. Connecting this limit with the variations of Io's temperature in its early evolution epoch gives an estimate of the upper limit on the total mass loss from Io, about 3.0 x 10 to the 20th kg (for high-opacity nebula) and about 8.9 x 10 to the 20th kg (for low-opacity nebula). These limits correspond to eroding 8 km and 22 km of H2O from the surface. It is concluded that compared to the other Galilean satellites, Io was created basically dry.

Huang, T. S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Laboratory evaluation and application of microwave absorption properties under simulated conditions for planetary atmospheres

In the first half of this grant year, laboratory measurements were conducted on the millimeter-wave properties of atmospheric gases under simulated conditions for the outer planet. Significant improvements in the current system have made it possible to accurately characterize the opacity from gaseous NH3 at longer millimeter wavelengths (7 to 10 mm) under simulated Jovian conditions. In the second half of the grant year, it is hoped to extend such measurements to even shorter millimeter-wavelengths. Further analysis and application of the laboratory results to microwave and millimeter-wave absorption data for the outer planets, such as results from Voyager Radio Occultation experiments and earth-based radio astronomical observations will be continued. The analysis of available multispectral microwave opacity data from Venus, including data from the most recent radio astronomical ovservations in the 1.3 to 3.6 cm wavelength range and newly obtained Pioneer-Venus Radio Occulatation measurements at 13 cm, using the laboratory measurements as an interpretative tool will be pursued.

Steffes, Paul G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Giant-scale supernova remnants - The role of differential galactic rotation and the formation of molecular clouds

The evolution of remnants produced by the total supernova power from an evolved OB association in a differentially rotating galactic disk is presented. The calculations at 5 kpc and 10 kpc from the galactic center lead to column densities across the remnant shell, or across sections of the remnants, which eventually exceed the opacity criterion of Franco and Cox (1986) and thus form molecular clouds. The resultant clouds have masses larger than 100,000 solar masses, dimensions of several hundred parsecs, and a separation larger than 1 kpc. In contrast, at 20 kpc from the galactic center the opacity criterion is never fulfilled.

Tenorio-Tagle, G.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Ozone on Mars - The effects of clouds and airborne dust

Photochemistry in the winter polar atmosphere of Mars is examined for several latitudes, cloud types, and dust abundances. Variations in cloud opacities and cloud types change O3 abundances by only a few percent. However, typical dust abundances induce 10-50 percent increases in O3 abundances, primarily because photodissociation rates are drastically reduced by dust absorption. Furthermore, annual, latitudinal, and seasonal cycles in dust opacity cause variations of 50 percent or greater in the corresponding cycles in O3 abundances. The reflectance spectroscopy technique that has been used to measure the O3 abundance may have difficulty detecting these variations.

Lindner, Bernhard Lee↗
NASA NTRS1988

Hydrogen and helium excitation by EUV radiation for the production of white-light flares

Non-LTE radiative transfer calculations for hydrogen and helium in a simple model atmosphere are used to demonstrate that EUV radiation cannot be the main energy source for white-light flares. The opacities in the Lyman continuum and the helium I and II continua are found to be much larger than the enhanced opacity in the visible hydrogen continuum. It is shown that the EUV radiation is absorbed before it can have a significant effect on the visible light continuum.

Poland, A. I.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Origin and anisotropy of the cosmic submillimeter background

Some cosmological implications of the recently discovered submillimeter background (SMB) are discussed. Opacity and isotropy arguments show that if the background is due to dust emission it must originate at a high redshift z greater than about 10. Isotropy measurements are used to constrain the amplitude of dust optical-depth fluctuations and hence the scale of dust inhomogeneity. The observed flux, the inferred high z and high opacity imply that on small scales the mock gravitational instability driven by radiation pressure may have dominated gravitational effects.

Hogan, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The thermal structure of Titan's atmosphere

The present radiative-convective model of the Titan atmosphere thermal structure obtains the solar and IR radiation in a series of spectral intervals with vertical resolution. Haze properties have been determined with a microphysics model encompassing a minimum of free parameters. It is determined that gas and haze opacity alone, using temperatures established by Voyager observations, yields a model that is within a few percent of the radiative convective balance throughout the Titan atmosphere. Model calculations of the surface temperature are generally colder than the observed value by 5-10 K; better agreement is obtained through adjustment of the model parameters. Sunlight absorption by stratospheric haze and pressure-induced gas opacity in the IR are the most important thermal structure-controlling factors.

Mckay, Christopher P.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Laboratory evaluation and application of microwave absorption properties under simulated conditions for planetary atmospheres

Radio absorptivity data for planetary atmospheres obtained from spacecraft radio occultation experiments and earth-based radio astronomical observations can be used to infer abundances of microwave absorbing atmospheric constituents in those atmospheres, as long as reliable information regarding the microwave absorbing properties of potential constituents is available. Work performed has shown that laboratory measurements of the millimeter-wave opacity of ammonia between 7.5 mm and 9.3 mm and also at the 3.2 mm wavelength require a different lineshape to be used in the theoretical prediction for millimeter-wave ammonia opacity than was previously used. The recognition of the need to make such laboratory measurements of simulated planetary atmospheres over a range of temperatures and pressures which correspond to the altitudes probed by both radio occultation experiments and radio astronomical observations, and over a range of frequencies which correspond to those used in both radio occultation experiments and radio astronomical observations, has led to the development of a facility at Georgia Tech which is capable of making such measurements. It has been the goal of this investigation to conduct such measurements and to apply the results to a wide range of planetary observations, both spacecraft and earth-based, in order to determine the identity and abundance profiles of constituents in those planetary atmospheres.

Steffes, Paul G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A rotating, expanding disk in the Wolf-Rayet star EZ Canis Majoris?

The discovery of linear polarization changes across the extended wings of He II lines, mainly the strong 4-3 transition at 4686 A, in the WN5 star EZ CMa, is reported. When the polarization across the line profiles is plotted in the Stokes parameters plane, it traces loops clockwise from the blue wing through line center to the red, rather than straight lines. Such polarization loops are reminiscent of what is observed in the Balmer lines of Be stars. The continuum polarization in EZ CMa can be understood by an axisymmetric, electron-scattering envelope, with the decrease in polarization in He II being caused by an increase in absorptive opacity in the lines and dilution by unpolarized line emission, while the variations in position angle are due to the Doppler-shifted absorptive opacity and/or scattered line photons. As the sense of rotation in the loops is also independent of phase of this alleged Wolf-Rayet + compact binary, the polarized line profiles are the signature of a rotating, expanding wind geometry around a single star.

Schulte-Ladbeck, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Thomson scattering in a magnetic field. II - Arbitrary field orientation

This paper presents solutions to the equation of transfer for Thomson scattering in a constant magnetic field of arbitrary orientation. Results from several atmospheres are combined to give the flux from a dipole star. The results are compared to the polarization data of the magnetic white dwarf Grw + 70 deg 8247. The fit is good, though it implies a very large polarization in the ultraviolet. Thomson scattering is not thought to be an important opacity source in white dwarfs, so the good fit is either fortuitous or is perhaps explained by assuming the magnetic field affects the polarization processes in all opacities similarly.

Whitney, Barbara A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Optical properties of grains in molecular clouds and accretion disks

A baseline model of the composition and abundances of grains and gases in molecular cloud cores and accretion disks around young stars is defined by employing: a wide range of astronomical data and theory; the composition of primitive bodies in the solar system; and solar elemental abundances. It is proposed that in the coldest portions of these objects the major grain species include amorphous olivine, amorphous orthopyroxene, volatile and refractory organics, water ice, troilite, and metallic iron. Using a combination of laboratory measurements of optical constants and asymptotic theory, values of the real and imaginary indices of refraction of these grain species over a wavelength range that runs from the vacuum UV to the radio domain are derived. Auxiliary information for these grain species, such as their vaporization temperatures bulk densities, and their fractional abundances by mass. The above information on grain properties in molecular cloud cores and accretion disks is used to estimate the Rosseland mean opacity of the grains in both environments and the IR and microwave opacity of grains in accretion disks.

Pollack, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Study and interpretation of the millimeter-wave spectrum of Venus

The effects of the Venus atmospheric constituents on its millimeter wavelength emission are investigated. Specifically, this research describes the methodology and the results of laboratory measurements which are used to calculate the opacity of some of the major absorbers in the Venus atmosphere. The pressure broadened absorption of gaseous SO2/CO2 and gaseous H2SO4/CO2 has been measured at millimeter wavelengths. We have also developed new formalisms for computing the absorptivities of these gases based on our laboratory work. The complex dielectric constant of liquid sulfuric acid has been measured and the expected opacity from the liquid sulfuric acid cloud layer found in the atmosphere of Venus has been evaluated. The partial pressure of gaseous H2SO4 has been measured which results in a more accurate estimate of the dissociation factor of H2SO4. A radiative transfer model has been developed in order to understand how each atmospheric constituent affects the millimeter wave emissions from Venus. Our results from the radiative transfer model are compared with recent observations of the micro-wave and millimeter wave emissions from Venus. Our main conclusion from this work is that gaseous H2SO4 is the most likely cause of the variation in the observed emission from Venus at 112 GHz.

Fahd, Antoine K.↗