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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Geometric Acoustics for Aircraft Noise Scattering

This paper discusses aircraft noise scattering by geometric acoustics, which consists of the basic features of sound propagation and reflection in rays or ray tubes, diffraction by smooth geometry in terms of surface creeping waves, and diffraction by abrupt geometry features such as the wing trailing edges. Based on the classic theories of these features, prediction methodologies can be constructed for aircraft noise scattering. The methodologies, however, require important modifications and extensions to account for unique features in aircraft noise applications, for both current conventional aircraft and future unconventional designs. These modifications and extensions include the derivation of a general reflection coefficient that contains the effects of surface geometry curvature, surface impedance, and mean flow. Corrections to the basic formulation of diffraction, both smooth geometry and sharp edges, are formulated to account for the finite dimensions of practical applications. For smooth geometry diffraction, a second order correction is used to continuously transition from insolified to shadow zones and an approach is presented to compute the properties of the geodesic path of surface wave propagation. A model is developed to make use of the ray propagation formulation for incoherent and partially coherent propagation and scattering, which is an important phenomenon in aircraft noise. Mean flow effect is also included in the methodology for low Mach number flows. Examples of calculations based on these theoretical developments are presented to illustrate the unique features in aircraft noise applications.

Yueping Guo↗

NASA NTRS1984

On the geodynamic setting of kimberlite genesis

The emplacement of kimberlites in the North American and African continents since the early Palaeozoic appears to have occurred during periods of relatively slow motion of these continents. The distribution of kimberlites in time may reflect the global pattern of convection, which forces individual plates to move faster or slower at different times. Two-dimensional numerical experiments on a convecting layer with a moving upper boundary show two different regimes: in the first, when the upper boundary velocity is high, heat is transferred by the large-scale circulation and in the second, when the upper boundary velocity is lower, heat is predominantly transferred by thermal plumes rising from the lower boundary layer. For a reasonable mantle solidus, this second regime can give rise to partial melting beneath the moving plate, far from the plate boundaries. The transition between these modes takes place over a small range of plate velocities; for a Rayleigh number of 1,000,000 it occurs around 20 mm/yr. It is suggested that the generation of kimberlite magmas may result from thermal plumes incident on the base of a slowly moving plate.

England, P.↗

NASA NTRS2013

Multitemporal Snow Cover Mapping in Mountainous Terrain for Landsat Climate Data Record Development

A multitemporal method to map snow cover in mountainous terrain is proposed to guide Landsat climate data record (CDR) development. The Landsat image archive including MSS, TM, and ETM+ imagery was used to construct a prototype Landsat snow cover CDR for the interior northwestern United States. Landsat snow cover CDRs are designed to capture snow-covered area (SCA) variability at discrete bi-monthly intervals that correspond to ground-based snow telemetry (SNOTEL) snow-water-equivalent (SWE) measurements. The June 1 bi-monthly interval was selected for initial CDR development, and was based on peak snowmelt timing for this mountainous region. Fifty-four Landsat images from 1975 to 2011 were preprocessed that included image registration, top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance conversion, cloud and shadow masking, and topographic normalization. Snow covered pixels were retrieved using the normalized difference snow index (NDSI) and unsupervised classification, and pixels having greater (less) than 50% snow cover were classified presence (absence). A normalized SCA equation was derived to independently estimate SCA given missing image coverage and cloud-shadow contamination. Relative frequency maps of missing pixels were assembled to assess whether systematic biases were embedded within this Landsat CDR. Our results suggest that it is possible to confidently estimate historical bi-monthly SCA from partially cloudy Landsat images. This multitemporal method is intended to guide Landsat CDR development for freshwaterscarce regions of the western US to monitor climate-driven changes in mountain snowpack extent.

Landsat↗

NASA NTRS1982

Constraints on the moon's origin from the partitioning behaviour of tungsten

An evaluation is conducted of the parameters which control the partitioning of W between metal and silicate in the moon, taking into account information on the possible magnitudes of the lunar W depletion and the possible lunar metal content. A major question regarding depletion of W during partial melting is found to be related to the very homogeneous W/La ratios in lunar samples. It is concluded that a metal content consistent with present geophysical constraints on the size of a metallic lunar core could account for the depletion of W observed in lunar rocks. The low W/La ratio of the moon cannot be used as evidence for the formation of the moon from the earth's mantle by fission following terrestrial core formation. The approximate coincidence of W/La ratios in the earth, moon, and eucrite parent body may only reflect the operation of the same depletion mechanism in similar conditions on several parent bodies.

Newsom, H. E.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Integrated In-space Transportation Plan

The purpose of this report is to provide the reader with a readily accessible reference volume and history for the Integrated In-Space Transportation Plan (IISTP) phase I effort. This report was prepared by Gray Research, Inc. as a partial fulfillment of the Integrated Technology Assessment Center subcontract No. 4400037135 in support of the IISTP phase I effort within the In-Space Investment Area of the Advanced Space Transportation Program managed at Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama. Much of the data used in the preparation of this report was taken from analyses, briefings, and reports prepared by the vast number of dedicated engineers and scientists who participated in the IISTP phase I effort. The opinions and ideas expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of NASA in whole or in part.

Advanced space transportation↗

NASA NTRS2001

NADH oxidase activity (NOX) and enlargement of HeLa cells oscillate with two different temperature-compensated period lengths of 22 and 24 minutes corresponding to different NOX forms

NOX proteins are cell surface-associated and growth-related hydroquinone (NADH) oxidases with protein disulfide-thiol interchange activity. A defining characteristic of NOX proteins is that the two enzymatic activities alternate to generate a regular period length of about 24 min. HeLa cells exhibit at least two forms of NOX. One is tumor-associated (tNOX) and is inhibited by putative quinone site inhibitors (e.g., capsaicin or the antitumor sulfonylurea, LY181984). Another is constitutive (CNOX) and refractory to inhibition. The periodic alternation of activities and drug sensitivity of the NADH oxidase activity observed with intact HeLa cells was retained in isolated plasma membranes and with the solubilized and partially purified enzyme. At least two activities were present. One had a period length of 24 min and the other had a period length of 22 min. The lengths of both the 22 and the 24 min periods were temperature compensated (approximately the same when measured at 17, 27 or 37 degrees C) whereas the rate of NADH oxidation approximately doubled with each 10 degrees C rise in temperature. The rate of increase in cell area of HeLa cells when measured by video-enhanced light microscopy also exhibited a complex period of oscillations reflective of both 22 and 24 min period lengths. The findings demonstrate the presence of a novel oscillating NOX activity at the surface of cancer cells with a period length of 22 min in addition to the constitutive NOX of non-cancer cells and tissues with a period length of 24 min.

Non-NASA Center↗

NASA NTRS1993

Discrimination of poorly exposed lithologies in AVIRIS data

One of the advantages afforded by imaging spectrometers such as AVIRIS is the capability to detect target materials at a sub-pixel scale. This paper presents several examples of the identification of poorly exposed geologic materials - materials which are either subpixel in scale or which, while having some surface expression over several pixels, are partially covered by vegetation or other materials. Sabol et al. (1992) noted that a primary factor in the ability to distinguish sub-pixel targets is the spectral contrast between the target and its surroundings. In most cases, this contrast is best expressed as an absorption feature or features present in the target but absent in the surroundings. Under such circumstances, techniques such as band depth mapping (Clark et al., 1992) are feasible. However, the only difference between a target material and its surroundings is often expressed solely in the continuum. We define the 'continuum' as the reflectance or radiance spanning spectral space between spectral features. Differences in continuum slope and shape can only be determined by reduction techniques which considers the entire spectral range; i.e., techniques such as spectral mixture analysis (Adams et al., 1989) and recently developed techniques which utilize an orthogonal subspace projection operator (Harsanyi, 1993). Two of the three examples considered herein deal with cases where the target material differs from its surroundings only by such a subtle continuum change.

Farrand, William H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Grid generation for the solution of partial differential equations

A general survey of grid generators is presented with a concern for understanding why grids are necessary, how they are applied, and how they are generated. After an examination of the need for meshes, the overall applications setting is established with a categorization of the various connectivity patterns. This is split between structured grids and unstructured meshes. Altogether, the categorization establishes the foundation upon which grid generation techniques are developed. The two primary categories are algebraic techniques and partial differential equation techniques. These are each split into basic parts, and accordingly are individually examined in some detail. In the process, the interrelations between the various parts are accented. From the established background in the primary techniques, consideration is shifted to the topic of interactive grid generation and then to adaptive meshes. The setting for adaptivity is established with a suitable means to monitor severe solution behavior. Adaptive grids are considered first and are followed by adaptive triangular meshes. Then the consideration shifts to the temporal coupling between grid generators and PDE-solvers. To conclude, a reflection upon the discussion, herein, is given.

Eiseman, Peter R.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Grid generation for the solution of partial differential equations

Eiseman, Peter R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The magnetic field of Neptune

A model is given of the planetary magnetic field of Neptune based on a spherical harmonic analysis of the observations obtained by the Voyager 2. Generalized inverse techniques are used to partially solve a severely underdetermined inverse problem, and the resulting model is nonunique since the observations are limited in spatial distribution. Dipole, quadrupole, and octupole coefficients are estimated independently of other terms, and the parameters are shown to be well constrained by the measurement data. The large-scale features of the magnetic field including dipole tilt, offset, and harmonic content are found to characterize a magnetic field that is similar to that of Uranus. The traits of Neptune's magnetic field are theorized to relate to the 'ice' interior of the planet, and the dynamo-field generation reflects this poorly conducting planet.

Connerney, J. E. P.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Effect of a semi-annular thermal acoustic shield on jet exhaust noise

The effect of a semi-annular acoustic shield on jet exhaust noise is investigated with the rationale that such a configuration would reduce or eliminate the multiple reflection mechanism. A limited range of flow conditions for one nozzle/shield configuration were studied at model scale. Noise measurements for a 10 cm conical nozzle with a semi-annular acoustical shield are presented in terms of lossless free field data at various angular locations with respect to the nozzle. Measurements were made on both the shielded and unshielded sides of the nozzle. Model scale overall sound pressure level directivity patterns and comparisons of model scale spectral data are provided. The results show that a semi-annular thermal acoustic shield consisting of a low velocity, high temperature gas stream partially surrounding a central jet exhibits lower noise levels than when the central jet is operated alone. The results are presented parametrically, showing the effects of various shield and central system velocities and temperatures.

Goodykoontz, J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Petrogenesis of the Zagami meteorite - Inferences from synchrotron X-ray (SXRF) microprobe and electron microprobe analyses of pyroxenes

Major and minor element abundances in pyroxene, principally pigeonite, from Zagami meteorite samples were determined by electron microprobe; abundances of trace elements Ni, Cu, Zn, and Ga were obtained by synchrotron X-ray (SXRF) microprobe. Abundances of Ni and Cr in the magnesian zones and cores are partially decoupled from abundances of other compatible (Mg) and incompatible (Fe,Ti) elements. The textures, chemical zoning, and element decouplings in the pigeonites are consistent with igneous crystal growth at moderate cooling rates, not isothermally or near equilibrium. From element partitioning and mass balance, Zagami is estimated to contain 20 +/- 5 percent or less cumulus pyroxene (half augite and half pigeonite), half the proportion suggested by equilibrium distribution of Fe/Mg between pigeonite and melt. This inconsistency may be resolved if all pigeonite/melt element partitioning was affected by the rapid growth of the pigeonites. The inference that the pyroxene zoning patterns reflect only magmatic events is consistent with an igneous age of 180 m.y. for Zagami.

Treiman, A. H.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Landsat-7 ETM+ On-Orbit Reflective-Band Radiometric Stability and Absolute Calibration

The Landsat-7 spacecraft carries the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) instrument. This instrument images the Earth land surface in eight parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, termed spectral bands. These spectral images are used to monitor changes in the land surface, so a consistent relationship, i.e., calibration, between the image data and the Earth surface brightness, is required. The ETM+ has several on- board calibration devices that are used to monitor this calibration. The best on-board calibration source employs a flat white painted reference panel and has indicated changes of between 0.5% to 2% per year in the ETM+ response, depending on the spectral band. However, most of these changes are believed to be caused by changes in the reference panel, as opposed to changes in the instrument's sensitivity. This belief is based partially on on-orbit calibrations using instrumented ground sites and observations of "invariant sites", hyper-arid sites of the Sahara and Arabia. Changes determined from these data sets indicate are 0.1% - 0.6% per year. Tests and comparisons to other sensors also indicate that the uncertainty of the calibration is at the 5% level.

FROM↗

NASA NTRS1994

Pressure sensor using liquid crystals

A pressure sensor includes a liquid crystal positioned between transparent, electrically conductive films (18 and 20), that are biased by a voltage (V) which induces an electric field (E) that causes the liquid crystal to assume a first state of orientation. Application of pressure (P) to a flexible, transparent film (24) causes the conductive film (20) to move closer to or farther from the conductive film (18), thereby causing a change in the electric field (E'(P)) which causes the liquid crystal to assume a second state of orientation. Polarized light (P.sub.1) is directed into the liquid crystal and transmitted or reflected to an analyzer (A or 30). Changes in the state of orientation of the liquid crystal induced by applied pressure (P) result in a different light intensity being detected at the analyzer (A or 30) as a function of the applied pressure (P). In particular embodiments, the liquid crystal is present as droplets (10) in a polymer matrix (12) or in cells (14) in a polymeric or dielectric grid (16) material in the form of a layer (13) between the electrically conductive films (18 and 20). The liquid crystal fills the open wells in the polymer matrix (12) or grid (16) only partially.

Parmar, Devendra S.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Net radiation method for enclosure systems involving partially transparent walls

The net radiation method is developed for analyzing radiation heat transfer in enclosure systems involving partially transparent walls. One such system is an enclosure with windows in it. The conventional net radiation method was developed for enclosures having opaque walls. If a partially transparent wall is present, it will permit radiation to enter and leave the enclosure. The net radiation equations are developed here for gray and semigray enclosures with one or more windows. Another system of interest, such as in a flat plate solar collector, consists of a series of parallel transparent layers. The transmission characteristics of such window systems are obtained by the net radiation method, and the technique appears to be more convenient than the ray tracing method which has been used in the past. Relations are developed for windows consisting of any number of parallel layers having differing absorption coefficients and differing surface reflectivities, and for systems composed of parallel transmitting layers and opaque plates.

Siegel, R.↗

NASA NTRS2009

Radar Differential Phase Signatures of Ice Orientation for the Prediction of Lightning Initiation and Cessation

The majority of lightning-related casualties typically occur during thunderstorm initiation (e.g., first flash) or dissipation (e.g., last flash). The physics of electrification and lightning production during thunderstorm initiation is fairly well understood. As such, the literature includes a number of studies presenting various radar techniques (using reflectivity and, if available, other dual-polarimetric parameters) for the anticipation of initial electrification and first lightning flash. These radar techniques have shown considerable skill at forecasting first flash. On the other hand, electrical processes and lightning production during thunderstorm dissipation are not nearly as well understood and few, if any, successful techniques have been developed to anticipate the last flash and subsequent cessation of lightning. One promising approach involves the use of dual-polarimetric radar variables to infer the presence of oriented ice crystals in lightning producing storms. In the absence of strong vertical electric fields, ice crystals fall with their largest (semi-major) axis in the horizontal associated with gravitational and aerodynamic forces. In thunderstorms, strong vertical electric fields (100-200 kV m(sup -1)) have been shown to orient small (less than 2 mm) ice crystals such that their semi-major axis is vertical (or nearly vertical). After a lightning flash, the electric field is typically relaxed and prior radar research suggests that ice crystals rapidly resume their preferred horizontal orientation. In active thunderstorms, the vertical electric field quickly recovers and the ice crystals repeat this cycle of orientation for each nearby flash. This change in ice crystal orientation from primarily horizontal to vertical during the development of strong vertical electric fields prior to a lightning flash forms the physical basis for anticipating lightning initiation and, potentially, cessation. Research has shown that radar reflectivity (Z) and other co-polar back-scattering radar measurements like differential reflectivity (Z(sub dr)) typically measured by operational dual-polarimetric radars are not sensitive to these changes in ice crystal orientation. However, prior research has demonstrated that oriented ice crystals cause significant propagation effects that can be routinely measured by most dual-polarimetric radars from X-band (3 cm) to S-band (10 cm) wavelengths using the differential propagation phase shift (often just called differential phase, phi(sub dp)) or its range derivative, the specific differential phase (K(sub dp)). Advantages of the differential phase include independence from absolute or relative power calibration, attenuation, differential attenuation and relative insensitivity to ground clutter and partial beam occultation effects (as long as the signal remains above noise). In research mode, these sorts of techniques have been used to anticipate initial cloud electrification, lightning initiation, and cessation. In this study, we develop a simplified model of ice crystal size, shape, orientation, dielectric, and associated radar scattering and propagation effects in order to simulate various idealized scenarios of ice crystals responding to a hypothetical electric field and their dual-polarimetric radar signatures leading up to lightning initiation and particularly cessation. The sensitivity of the K(sub dp) ice orientation signature to various ice properties and radar wavelength will be explored. Since K(sub dp) is proportional to frequency in the Rayleigh- Gans scattering regime, the ice orientation signatures should be more obvious at higher (lower) frequencies (wavelengths). As a result, simulations at radar wavelengths from 10 cm down to 1 cm (Ka-band) will be conducted. Resonance effects will be considered using the T-matrix method. Since most K(sub dp) Vbased observations have been shown at S-band, we will present ice orientation signatures from C-band (UAH/NASA ARMOR) and X-bd (UAH MAX) dual-polarimetric radars located in Northern Alabama. Issues related to optimal radar scanning for the detection of oriented ice will be discussed. Preliminary suggestions on how these differential phase signatures of oriented ice could contribute to lightning initiation and cessation algorithms will be presented.

Carey, L.D.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Some aspects of understanding changes in the global carbon cycle

The collective character of carbon exchanges between the atmosphere and other pools is partially revealed by comparing the record of CO2 concentration beginning in 1958 with estimates of the releases from fossil fuels during this period. In analyzing the secular increase in CO2 concentration induced by fossil fuel use, the atmosphere is generally treated as a single well-mixed reservoir; however, to study finer structure in the CO2 records, the influence of atmospheric circulation must be more carefully considered. The rate of carbon uptake by the oceans, the primary sink for fossil fuel CO2, is assessed more reliably than influences on the atmosphere due to interactions with other pools. Models of the global carbon cycle are being substantially refined while data that reflect the response of the cycle to fossil fuel use and other perturbations are being extended.

Emanuel, W. R.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Constraints on the surface materials of Ryugu from spectral and water analysis of experimentally-heated CI carbonaceous chondrite

We performed heating experiments of the Orgueil CI chondrite in vacuum conditions at fO2 around I/W to evaluate systematic changes in mineralogy, water contents, and visible to infrared spectral features. Our goal is to interpret the spectra of Ryugu, the target C asteroid of the Hayabusa2 mission, because Ryugu shows spectral features similar to partially dehydrated carbonaceous chondrites. However heated carbonaceous chondrites can be easily contaminated by terrestrial water, which makes it almost impossible for laboratory data to be compared with spectra of asteroids directly. Therefore, our heated samples were analyzed without exposure to the air after experimental heating to minimize the effects of terrestrial water. The depth of the 2.7-µm absorption band and the water content of the heated Orgueil form a positive correlation trend which follows the results of experimental heating of CM and Tagish Lake meteorites using our experimental procedures. It is found that 500-°C heated Orgueil sample shows the best spectral match with Ryugu in terms of the low reflectance (~2%) at visible wavelengths and a weak absorption (~10%) at around 2.72 µm owing to survival of Mg-rich phyllosilicates. We suggest that Ryugu might have experienced heating and dehydration at a temperature around 500 °C, after aqueous alteration, and presently contains a small quantity of hydrated minerals equivalent to 1-2 wt.% of water at the surface.

K. Amano↗