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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 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Detection of the J = 6 - 5 transition of carbon monoxide

The J = 6 - 5 rotational transition of carbon monoxide has been detected in emission from the KL 'plateau source' in the Orion molecular cloud. The corrected peak antenna temperature is 100 K, and the FWHM line width is 26 km/sec. These observations were carried out using the 3 m telescope of the NASA IRTF (Infrared Telescope Facility) on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, and constitute the first astronomical data obtained at submillimeter wavelengths with a heterodyne system using a laser local oscillator. The data support the idea that the high-velocity dispersion CO in Orion is optically thin and set a lower limit to its temperature of approximately 180 K.

Goldsmith, P. F.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Simulation of the current-driven electrostatic ion cyclotron instability

Results are presented of a self-consistent particle simulation of the growth and saturation of electrostatic ion cyclotron (EIC) waves along auroral field lines. The driving mechanism for the waves is an initial drifting Maxwellian distribution for the electrons. The magnetic field is taken to lie in the simulation plane, so that modes such as the ion acoustic instability and the EIC instability can be excited, thus making it possible to study the behavior of EIC waves in the presence of ion acoustic turbulence. A dc electric field, which tends to keep the current constant along the field lines, is included. It is shown that the EIC instability grows to a moderate level before saturating due to plateau formation. The perpendicular ion temperature increases by typically 40%, with an increase arising from bulk heating only. The anomalous resistivity, associated with the EIC instability is determined and compared with previous calculations and with that due to the ion acoustic instability. Implications of the results for observation of ion cyclotron waves on auroral field lines are discussed.

Pritchett, P. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Description and discussion of the NRL TGDCC

The NRL thermal gradient diffusion cloud chamber (TGDCC) consists of two plates 7.5 cm in diameter separated by 1.25 cm and covered with saturated filter paper. The cylindrical wall separating the plates is glass. The top plate is at room temperature and the bottom plate is cooled with a thermoelectric cooler. The temperature difference is measured with several sets of thermocouples. The CCN concentration was determined from the video recording. This procedure of averaging the maximum count obtained on several successive recordings at the same supersaturation results in concentrations which are somewhat higher than concentrations calculated from an average across the plateau.

Hoppel, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Ridge systems of Mars

Mare-type ridges on the Planet Mars were mapped and described based on Viking images. The ridges mapped range from 5 to 400 km long and 1 to 8 km wide. Most ridges on Mars are on plains and plateau units; 4,321 ridges with a total length of 153,835 km were mapped on these unit types. Ridges which resemble lunar mare ridges were also mapped in craters, basins, and several volcanic calderas on Mars. Mapping of ridges on a global scale reveals that they are preferentially developed in older, thinner plains units probably of flood basalt origin. Measuring the trends of ridges in plains units on Mars shows that there is a planetwide predominance of north, northwest and northeast trends. It is proposed that ridges are compressional tectonic features which have formed in response to changes in the planet's rotational equilibrium figure early in its history. In addition, the Tharsis uplift has created a regional stress system which accounts for the trends of ridges in areas near by. Ridges in craters and basins are similarly caused by shortening across the basin in response to regional stresses.

Gifford, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Structure of the St. Francois Mountains and surrounding lead belt, S. E. Missouri: Inferences from thermal IR and other data sets

Day-IR, day-visible, and night-IR image data sets were analyzed. All three images were contrast enhanced, using a linear stretch. The night-IR image was destriped using a box-car filtering approach. Apparent thermal inertia images were generated from the data. The enhanced data and the apparent thermal inertia image were also registered and overlayed onto shaded relief images depicting topography and onto a colored version of the Missouri geologic map. The combination of the apparent thermal inertial image and the shaded relief map proved to have the greatest discriminability in terms of portraying linear features. The reason seems to be that the vegetation canopy on the Ozark Plateau is different topography, tend to emphasize subtle topographic effects.

Arvidson, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Future Propulsion Opportunities for Commuter Airplanes

Commuter airplane propulsion opportunities are summarized. Consideration is given to advanced technology conventional turboprop engines, advanced propellers, and several unconventional alternatives: regenerative turboprops, rotaries, and diesels. Advanced versions of conventional turboprops (including propellers) offer 15-20 percent savings in fuel and 10-15 percent in DOC compared to the new crop of 1500-2000 SHP engines currently in development. Unconventional engines could boost the fuel savings to 30-40 percent. The conclusion is that several important opportunities exist and, therefore, powerplant technology need not plateau.

Strack, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Structure of the midcontinent basement. Topography, gravity, seismic, and remote sensing

Some 600,000 discrete Bouguer gravity estimates of the continental United States were spatially filtered to produce a continuous tone image. The filtered data were also digitally painted in color coded form onto a shaded relief map. The resultant image is a colored shaded relief map where the hue and saturation of a given image element is controlled by the value of the Bouguer anomaly. Major structural features (e.g., midcontinent gravity high) are readily discernible in these data, as are a number of subtle and previously unrecognized features. A linear gravity low that is approximately 120 to 150 km wide extends from southeastern Nebraska, at a break in the midcontinent gravity high, through the Ozark Plateau, and across the Mississippi embayment. The low is also aligned with the Lewis and Clark lineament (Montana to Washington), forming a linear feature of approximately 2800 km in length. In southeastern Missouri the gravity low has an amplitude of 30 milligals, a value that is too high to be explained by simple valley fill by sedimentary rocks.

Guinness, E. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Ignimbrites of Amazonis Planitia region of Mars

The terms ignimbrite and ash flow tuff are used to describe relatively thin but extensive sheets of material interpreted to be of pyroclastic origin and to consist of volcanic ash or pumice fragments. Criteria for distinguishing ignimbrites from other geologic materials are considered, and characteristics observed for rock units interpreted as ignimbrites in Amazonis Planitia are discussed. A series of rock units which are thought to represent ignimbrites have been mapped along an east-west border zone between the highland plateau and lowland plains of Amazonis Planitia. The area is roughly bounded by a triangle whose apices are the volcanoes Apollinaris Patera, Biblis Patera, and Olympus Mons. Attention is given to aspects of general geology, morphology and stratigraphy, and thickness and volume estimates. Correlations with other data are considered and some theoretical aspects of Martian ignimbrite emplacement are discussed.

Scott, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

An X-ray study of two Crablike supernova remnants - 3C 58 and CTB 80

The instruments on the Einstein Observatory have been used to study the X-ray properties of two Crablike SNRs: 3C 58 and CTB 80. Images of the objects are similar, showing an extended plateau of emission surrounding a pronounced central maximum consistent with the presence of a point source. The X-ray spectrum of 3C 58 is consistent with a power law of spectral index 0.5 + 0.5 or -0.2 modified by absorption in a hydrogen column density N sub H of (2 + or - 0.5) x 10 to the 21st/sq cm. These data suggest an analogy with the Crab Nebula, where the extended X-ray emission is nonthermal and the pointlike emission emanates from a central neutron star. Quantitative comparisons of the X-ray and radio properties for six Crablike remnants indicate significant differences which may reflect an evolutionary sequence.

Becker, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The Snake River Plain, Idaho - Representative of a new category of volcanism

Studies of the volcanic geology of the Snake River Plain, Idaho, and comparison with other basaltic regions suggest a new category of volcanic activity, termed basaltic plains volcanism. Typified by the Snake River Plain, this style of volcanism is intermediate between basaltic flood (or plateau) eruptions and Hawaiian volcanism. Characteristics that are common to both Hawaiian and plains volcanism are: multiple lava flow units which erupt primarily from point sources, formation of low shields, and frequent emplacement through lava tubes or channels. Characteristics that are common to both flood basalts and plains volcanism are: high volume flows, vents aligned along rift zones, and planar surfaces. The recognition of plains volcanism in other areas provides a means to interpret the style of eruption and volcanic history.

Greeley, R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Energy balance in solar and stellar chromospheres

Net radiative cooling rates for quiet and active regions of the solar chromosphere and for two stellar chromospheres are calculated from corresponding atmospheric models. Models of chromospheric temperature and microvelocity distributions are derived from observed spectra of a dark point within a cell, the average sun and a very bright network element on the quiet sun, a solar plage and flare, and the stars Alpha Boo and Lambda And. Net radiative cooling rates due to the transitions of various atoms and ions are then calculated from the models as a function of depth. Large values of the net radiative cooling rate are found at the base of the chromosphere-corona transition region which are due primarily to Lyman alpha emission, and a temperature plateau is obtained in the transition region itself. In the chromospheric regions, the calculated cooling rate is equal to the mechanical energy input as a function of height and thus provides a direct constraint on theories of chromospheric heating.

Avrett, E. H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Narrow components in the profiles of ultraviolet resonance lines - Evidence for a two-component stellar wind for O and B stars

The presence of narrow, shifted absorption features superposed on the wide P Cygni profiles of the UV resonance lines in the spectra of O and B stars is studied and possible explanations of the narrow components are discussed. Spectra from 26 stars of spectral types O4f to B1 Ib were examined for the presence of narrow components in the absorption part of the profiles, and positive evidence was detected in 17. The central velocities of the features are found to be similar for different ions of the same star, and typically equal to 0.75 times the terminal velocity of the stellar wind. The width of the narrow absorptions is about 18% of the terminal stellar wind velocity, with a column density generally not correlated with the effective temperature or mass loss rate. Possible explanations for the narrow components include peaks in the degree of ionization, a stationary stellar shell, a plateau in the stellar wind velocity law, a decelerating stellar wind, a variable mass loss rate or a two component stellar wind with low-velocity, low-density material found at a distance greater than 2 stellar radii, which explanation appears most likely.

Lamers, H. J. G. L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Aerodynamic characteristics of the 10-percent-thick NASA supercritical airfoil 33 designed for a normal-force coefficient of 0.7

A 10-percent-thick supercritical airfoil based on an off-design sonic-pressure plateau criterion was developed and experimental aerodynamic characteristics measured. The airfoil had a design normal-force coefficient of 0.7 and was identified as supercritical airfoil 33. Results show the airfoil to have good drag rise characteristics over a wide range of normal-force coefficients with no measurable shock losses up to the Mach numbers at which drag divergence occurred for normal-force coefficients up to 0.7. Comparisons of experimental and theoretical characteristics were made and composite drag rise characteristics were derived for normal-force coefficients of 0.5 and 0.7 and a Reynolds number of 40 million.

Harris, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Aerodynamic Characteristics of a 14-Percent-Thick NASA Supercritical Airfoil Designed for a Normal-Force Coefficient of 0.7

This report documents the experimental aerodynamic characteristics of a 14 percent thick supercritical airfoil based on an off design sonic pressure plateau criterion. The design normal force coefficient was 0.7. The results are compared with those of the family related 10 percent thick supercritical airfoil 33. Comparisons are also made between experimental and theoretical characteristics and composite drag rise characteristics derived for a full scale Reynolds number of 40 million.

Harris, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Analysis of the profile characteristics of corn and soybeans using field reflectance data

The typical patterns of spectral development (profiles) for corn and soybeans are presented, based on field-collected reflectance data transformed to correspond to LANDSAT-MSS Tasseled Cap coordinates. Reasonable variations in field conditions and cultural practices are shown to significantly influence profile features. The separability of the two crops is determined to be primarily related to the maximum value of the reflectance equivalent of Greenness, and to the plateau effect seen in corn Greenness profiles. The impact of changes in conditions on separability is described. In addition, association is made between profile features and stages of development for corn and soybeans. Corn is shown to peak at a stage well before tasseling or maximum LAI, while the characteristics of the soybean profile are shown to be unrelated to any particular stage of development.

Crist, E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

An investigation into the utilization of HCMM thermal data for the descrimination of volcanic and Eolian geological units

Analysis of HCMM data shows that the resolution provided by the thermal data is inadequate to permit the identification of individual lava flows within the volcanic test sites. Thermal data of southern California reveals that dune complexes at Kelso and Algodomes are found to be too small to permit adequate investigation of their structure. As part of the study of the San Francisco volcanic field, marked variations in the thermal properties of the region between Flagstaff and the Utah State border were observed. Several well-defined units within the Grand Canyon and the Colorado Plateau were recognized and appear to be very suitable for analysis with HCMM, SEASAT and LANDSAT images. Although individual volcanic constructs within the Cascade Range are too small to permit detailed characterization with the thermal data, the regional volcano/tectonic setting offers a good opportunity for comparing the possible thermal distinction between this area and sedimentary fold belts such as those found in the eastern United States. Strong intra-regional variations in vegetation cover were also tentatively identified for the Oregon test site.

Head, J. W., III↗
NASA NTRS1982

A study of the United States coal resources

Geologically significant coal resources were identified. Statistically controlled tonnage estimates for each resource type were prepared. Particular emphasis was placed on the identification and description of coals in terms of seam thickness, inclination, depth of cover, discontinuities caused by faulting and igneous intrusion, and occurrence as isolated or multiseam deposits. The national resource was organized into six major coal provinces: the Appalachian Plateau, the Interior Basins, the Gulf Coastal Plain, the Rocky Mountain Basins, the High Plains, and North Alaska. Each basin within a province was blocked into subareas of homogeneous coal thickness. Total coal tonnage for a subarea was estimated from an analysis of the cumulative coal thickness derived from borehole or surface section records and subsequently categorized in terms of seam thickness, dip, overburden, multiseam proportions, coal quality, and tonnage impacted by severe faulting and igneous intrusions. Confidence intervals were calculated for both subarea and basin tonnage estimates.

Ferm, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Water as a probe of star-forming regions

Preliminary calculations employing statistical equilibrium techniques were carried out to determine brightness temperatures of water transitions occurring in the submillimeter band. The interesting candidates appear to be the 325 GHz, 380 GHz, and 448 GHz transitions, they are compared with the 183 GHz and 380 GHz transitions observed in the Orion Kleinmann-Low nebula and the combined results seem to be consistent with H2 densities of 100,000 -1 million cm-3 and a water column density of approximately 10 to 18th power. This implies a relative abundance of approximately 0.00001 which means that water may be about one twentieth of CO. In addition, it was found that for the conditions of the Orion plateau source, the 448 GHz line is expected to be a mild maser.

Rodriguez-Kuiper, E. N.↗