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At least 397 records · Page 22

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NASA NTRS1974

Interstellar abundances - Gas and dust

Data on abundances of interstellar atoms, ions and molecules in front of zeta Oph are assembled and analyzed. The gas-phase abundances of at least 11 heavy elements are significantly lower, relative to hydrogen, than in the solar system. The abundance deficiencies of certain elements correlate with the temperatures derived theoretically for particle condensation in stellar atmospheres or nebulae, suggesting that these elements have condensed into dust grains near stars. There is evidence that other elements have accreted onto such grains after their arrival in interstellar space. The extinction spectrum of zeta Oph can be explained qualitatively and, to a degree, quantitatively by dust grains composed of silicates, graphite, silicon carbide, and iron, with mantles composed of complex molecules of H, C, N, and O. This composition is consistent with the observed gas-phase deficiencies.

Field, G. B.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Non-equilibrium stagnation region aerodynamic heating of hypersonic glide vehicles

A simple method of predicting aerodynamic heating and corresponding radiation equilibrium surface temperature-time histories for critical locations on space shuttle orbiter-type vehicles is presented. The method is based on a generalization of correlation equations developed earlier by Rosner for predicting the energy transfer and radiation equilibrium temperatures of surfaces with arbitrary catalytic activity and total hemispheric emittance. Recently obtained experimental data for O and N atom recombination probabilities on candidate material surfaces above 1000 K are used to assess nonequilibrium effects for a range of nose radii and a specific space shuttle re-entry trajectory. It is concluded that low catalytic activity will be especially important in locations of large effective nose radii by both increasing oxidation-resistant coating lifetime and reducing energy transfer into the vehicle.

Rosner, D. E.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Quasars as very-accurate clock synchronizers

Quasars can be employed to synchronize global data communications, geophysical measurements, and atomic clocks. It is potentially two to three orders of magnitude better than presently-used Moon-bounce system. Comparisons between quasar and clock pulses are used to develop correction or synchronization factors for station clocks.

Hurd, W. J.↗

NASA NTRS1977

An experimental estimate of the O/+/-O resonant charge transfer cross section, collision frequency, and energy transfer rate

The resonant-charge-transfer cross section dominates the interaction between neutral and ionized atomic oxygen at temperatures greater than several hundred degrees Kelvin. This cross section is of direct importance to F-region studies of ion diffusion, ion thermal balance, and neutral atmospheric winds and pressure gradients, since it determines collision frequencies and energy and momentum transfer rates. However, the uncertainty in this cross section is roughly 25-40%. Incoherent-scatter measurements allow determination of the product of the atomic oxygen concentration multiplied by the cross section. If present-day atmospheric models are accepted as statistically representative of F-region atomic oxygen concentrations experimental (aeronomical) data presented indicate that the resonant-charge-transfer cross section is about 1.3 times greater than the value presently in general use, though in excellent agreement with the only other available (laboratory) experimental value. This revised cross section has obvious implications for thermospheric studies.

Carlson, H. C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The role of drop velocity in statistical spray description

The justification for describing a spray by treating drop velocity as a random variable on an equal statistical basis with drop size was studied experimentally. A double-exposure technique using fluorescent drop photography was used to make size and velocity measurements at selected locations in a steady ethanol spray formed by a swirl atomizer. The size-velocity data were categorized to construct bivariate spray density functions to describe the spray immediately after formation and during downstream propagation. It was found that a statistical treatment of drop velocity was supported by the data. Spray density function shapes and modal characteristics depended strongly on position and the amount of droplet-gas interaction that had occurred. Bimodal density functions were formed by environmental interaction during downstream propagation. Large differences were also found between spatial mass density and mass flux size distributions at the same location.

Groeneweg, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Ultraviolet spectrum of the Aurora /2000-2800 A/

Ultraviolet spectra between 2000 and 2800 delta-v of an IBC II(+) aurora were obtained by a rocket-borne Ebert-Fastie monochromator at 15-A resolution over Fort Churchill, Manitoba. The v-prime = 0-8 progressions of the N2 Vegard-Kaplan system, the delta-v = 8 sequence of the Lyman-Birge-Hopfield system, and a progression attributed to the Herman-Kaplan system were identified by a synthetic spectrum analysis. Relative populations of the first eight vibrational levels of the A3 Sigma u(+) state at high altitude were obtained from the theoretically generated spectra, and quenching rate coefficients were derived for these eight levels by using an atomic oxygen concentration derived from data from another experiment on board. For v = 0 the quenching rate coefficient was found to be 2.0 times 10 the minus 10th cu cm/sec and was not found to increase for higher vibrational levels. The intensity of the (0,2) band of the Herman-Kaplan system was found to be about 5 times the theoretically predicted value, but even so, the cascade from E3 Sigma g(+) provides less than 2% of the A3 Sigma u(+) state population.

Beiting, E. J., III↗

NASA NTRS1975

Atomic emission spectroscopy

The relationship between the Slater-Condon theory and the conditions within the atom as revealed by experimental data was investigated. The first spectrum of Si, Rb, Cl, Br, I, Ne, Ar, and Xe-136 and the second spectrum of As, Cu, and P were determined. Methods for assessing the phase stability of fringe counting interferometers and the design of an autoranging scanning system for digitizing the output of an infrared spectrometer and recording it on magnetic tape are described.

Andrew, K. H.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Dissociated Airflow Effects During Plasma-Arc Testing

Program computes heating rates and surface friction effects. COLDARC predicts heating rate and surface friction on test article during plasmaarc testing. Uses simplified frozen-flow model to represent dissociated airflow and predict heat flux and surface friction, including effects of retarded atomic recombination from test facility data. COLDARC written in FORTRAN IV.

Miller, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Direct nuclear-powered lasers

The development of direct nuclear pumped lasers is reviewed. Theoretical and experimental investigations of various methods of converting the energy of nuclear fission fragments to laser power are summarized. The development of direct nuclear pumped lasers was achieved. The basic processes involved in the production of a plasma by nuclear radiation were studied. Significant progress was accomplished in this area and a large amount of basic data on plasma formation and atomic and molecular processes leading to population inversions is available.

Jalufka, N. W.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Aerodynamic-wave break-up of liquid sheets in swirling airflows and combustor modules

Experimental mean drop diameter data were obtained for the atomization of liquid sheets injected axially downstream in high velocity swirling and nonswirling airflow. Conventional simplex pressure atomizing fuel nozzles and splash type fuel injectors were studied under simulated combustor inlet airflow conditions. A general empirical expression relating recirprocal mean drop diameter to airstream mass velocity was obtained and is presented. The finest degree of atomization, i.e., the highest value of the coefficient C, was obtained with swirl can combustor modules (C = 15) as compared with pressure atomizing nozzles (C = 12).

Ingebo, R.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Aerodynamic-wave break-up of liquid sheets in swirling airflows and combustor modules

Experimental mean drop diameter data were obtained for the atomization of liquid sheets injected axially downstream in high velocity swirling and nonswirling airflow. Conventional simplex pressure atomizing fuel nozzles and splash type fuel injectors were studied under simulated combustor inlet airflow conditions. A general empirical expression relating reciprocal mean drop diameter to airstream mass velocity was obtained and is presented. The finest degree of atomization, i.e., the highest value of the coefficient C, was obtained with swirl can combustor modules (C = 15) as compared with pressure atomizing nozzles (C = 12). Previously announced in STAR as N83-23545

Ingebo, R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

The significance of far-infrared spectra of the interstellar medium

This paper deals with the analysis of interstellar clouds through infrared and submillimeter observations. The determination of temperature, density, state of ionization and abundance of different chemical constituents is discussed for clouds exhibiting a range of optical depths. There is a preferred choice of spectral features useful for examining different types of gaseous complexes. The prospects for improving the understanding of chemical reaction schemes in interstellar clouds are outlined. Prime advances may be expected in improved data on the abundance of atoms; diatomic hydrides; other small, hydrogen-containing molecules; and their ions.

Harwit, M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Adiabatic thermal models for planetary bodies

In a number of recent experiments it was found that the logarithmic derivative with respect to volume of the adiabatic temperature increase with pressure P to be an approximately constant quantity n. It was found that n decreases slightly with temperature, to be virtually unaffected by increasing pressure and to take values between 4 and 8 for a wide variety of materials. It is shown that these findings can be substantiated from thermodynamic arguments, finite strain theory, atomic potential theory and experimental data on the thermal expansion coefficient and the bulk modulus B. It will be shown that n is independent of pressure if it is exactly equal to dB/dP + 1. For these materials d log gamma/d log v = -1, where gamma is the thermodynamic Gruneisenparameter. It will increase with P during an isothermal transformation if n dB/dP + 1 and decrease of n dB/dP + 1. For most materials n is close to dB/dP and the changes will be slight if pressures do not become too extreme. During an adiabatic transformation n is virtually constant. Adiabatic thermal models for planetary bodies were calculated and are presented.

Spohn, T.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The microwave and far-infrared spectra of the O-(18)H radical

Far-infrared laser magnetic resonance (LMR) spectroscopy was used to calculate the frequencies, wavelengths, and line strengths for transitions of O-(18)H molecules at microwave and far-infrared frequencies. In this experiment, a molecular transition frequency is tuned into coincidence with that of a fixed frequency laser by the application of a variable magnetic field. The O-(18)H radicals, detected in natural abundance (0.20 percent), were produced by the reaction of hydrogen atoms with nitrogen dioxide. These data together with microwave frequencies ascertained by Gottlieb, Redford, and Smith (1974) were used to determine the parameters of an effective Hamiltonian. Rotational levels up to J = 5.5 were involved. Results are indicated schematically and the low-lying energy levels of O-(18)H are shown. It is concluded that the frequencies of transitions between levels studied directly in the LMR experiment are reliable.

Comben, E. R.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Degradation studies of SMRM teflon

Teflon samples returned from the Solar Max Satellite (SMS) suffered noticeable damage such as cracking and yellowing. This is in contrast to teflon exposed aboard STS-5 and STS-8 which showed no detectable changes. Selected teflon tape samples from SMS were studied to evaluate the extent and mechanism of degradation. ESCA studies revealed that these teflon samples contain hydrocarbon segments which were susceptible to oxygen atom degradation. Mechanical measurements also showed bulk property changes as a result of LEO exposure. A molecular model of material and energetic oxygen atom interaction was proposed. SMS data and the importance of developing correlation between accelerated exposure data from STS and ground-based testing and real time data will be presented.

Liang, Ranty H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The 630 nm dayglow

The daytime thermospheric emission at 630 nm from the (3P-1D) transition of atomic oxygen is examined using data from the Atmosphere Explorer C and E spacecraft. Observed altitude distributions of the emission rate measured using the Visible Airglow Experiment are compared with those calculated from in situ measurements of ion and neutral densities and temperatures, and from a model of the photon and photoelectron flux. Good agreement is obtained for most orbits with photoelectron impact on O, photodissociation of O2, and dissociative recombination of O2(+) providing most of the production. Implications for some of the controversial points of O(1D) chemistry, such as the solar EUV and Schumann-Runge continuum flux, the yield of O(1D) from the reaction of N(2D) with O2, the value of spontaneous transition coefficients, and the rate of quenching by O(3P) are discussed.

Solomon, Stanley C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

LDEF thermal control coatings post-flight analysis

The optical, physical, and chemical properties of selected spacecraft thermal control coatings, exposed for 10 months and 5.8 years on the leading edge (Row 9) of the LDEF, are reported. The following coatings were used: quartz/silver optical solar reflector; silvered FEP Teflon; S-13GLO, YB-71, and A-276 white paints; black paint; and sputter deposited coatings over graphite-epoxy composite substrates. The solar absorptance, total normal emittance, scanning electron and X-ray photoelectron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses will be compared for the control, the 10 month exposed, and the 5.8 year exposed specimens. Data suggests that the high atomic flux over the last 6 months of the LDEF mission may have influenced the results from from this coatings experiment.

Slemp, Wayne S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The solar spectrum

The UV-IR solar spectrum is presented and discussed with a view to the comparative value of the data and their application in atomic or molecular spectroscopy and in solar, atmospheric, planetary, cometary, or stellar physics. Attention is given to intensity spectra, terrestrial atmospheric spectra, the 296-1300 nm Solar Flux Atlas of Kurucz et al. (1984), and line identifications.

Kurucz, Robert L.↗