Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “OPACITY”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1997

Roto-Translational Collision-Induced Absorption of CO2 for the Atmosphere of Venus at Frequencies from 0 to 250 cm(exp -1), at Temperatures from 200 to 800 K

The collision-induced absorption (CIA)of gaseous CO2 is the primary source of far-infrared opacity of the atmosphere of Venus. At the temperatures and densities of the venusian atmosphere, the absorption is due mainly to binary collisions of CO2 molecules. Using a realistic anisotropic intermolecular potential and assuming the absorbing dipole to be due to the electrostatic induction and a quantum overlap, a series of molecular dynamics simulations were performed for the temperature range 200 to 800 K, and the roto-translational (RT) collision-induced absorption spectra at frequencies from 0 to 250 cm(exp -1) were derived. The absorption coefficient in the submillimeter region, used in constituency retrieval studies, decreases more than 10 times in the temperature range 200 to 800 K. On the other hand, the absorption coefficient at 800 K and at the frequency range above 150 cm(exp -1) was found to be almost 10 times higher than at 200 K. Earlier works relied on experimental RT CIA data at a fixed temperature of 300 K. The new, temperature-dependent absorption bands may, when included in the analysis of the atmospheric radiative transfer of the planet, help explain the observed high far-infrared opacity of the lower layers of the atmosphere. To make the results of the simulations readily available for atmospheric abundance and radiative transfer analysis, an analytic model of the roto-translational collision-induced absorption spectral profile, applicable from 200 to 800 K, is being proposed here. The FORTRAN computer code of this newly developed model is available from the authors on request.

Gruszka, Marcin↗
NASA NTRS1995

The composition and structure of white dwarf atmospheres revealed by extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy

The ROentgen SATellite (ROSAT) and Extreme UltraViolet Explorer (EUVE) all-sky surveys have resulted in an important change in our understanding of the general composition of hydrogen-rich DA white dwarf atmospheres, with the photospheric opacity dominated by heavy elements rather than helium in the hottest stars (T > 40, 000 K). Most stars cooler than 40,000 K have more or less pure H atmospheres. However, one question, which has not been resolved, concerned the specific nature of the heavy elements and the role of helium in the hottest white dwarfs. One view of white dwarf evolution requires that H-rich DA stars form by gravitational settling of He from either DAO or He-rich central stars of planetary nebulae. In this case, the youngest (hottest) DA white dwarfs may still contain visible traces of He. Spectroscopic observations now available with EUVE provide a crucial test of these ideas. Analysis of data from the EUVE Guest Observer programme and EUVE public archive allows quantitative consideration of the sources of EUV opacity and places limits on the abundance of He which may be present.

Barstow, Martin A.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Resonance Scattering of Fe XVII X-ray and EUV Lines

Over the years a number of calculations have been carried out to derive intensities of various X-ray and EUV lines in Fe XVII to compare with observed spectra. The predicted intensities have not agreed with solar observations, particularly for the line at 1.5.02 Angstroms; resonance scattering has been suggested as the source for much of the disagreement. The atomic data calculated earlier used seven configurations having n=3 orbitals and the scattering calculations were carried out only for incident energies above the threshold of the highest fine-structure level. These calculations have now been extended to thirteen configurations having n=4 orbitals and the scattering calculations are carried out below as well as above the threshold of the highest fine structure level. These improved calculations of Fe XVII change the intensity ratios compared to those obtained earlier, bringing the optically thin F(15.02)/F(16.78) ratio and several other ratios closer to the observed values. However, some disagreement with the solar observations still persists, even thought the agreement of the presently calculated optically thin F(15.02)/F(15.26) ratio with the experimental results of Brown et al. (1998) and Laming et al. (2000) has improved. Some of the remaining discrepancy is still thought to be the effect of opacity, which is consistent with expected physical conditions for solar sources. EUV intensity ratios are also calculated and compared with observations. Level populations and intensity ratios are calculated, as a function of column density of Fe XVII, in the slab and cylindrical geometries. As found previously, the predicted intensities for the resonance lines at 15.02 and 15.26 Angstroms exhibit initial increases in flux relative to the forbidden line at 17.10 Angstroms and the resonance line at 16.78 Angstroms as optical thickness increases. The same behavior is predicted for the lines at 12.262 and 12.122 Angstroms. Predicted intensities for some of the allowed EUV lines are also affected by opacity.

Bhatia, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Our Sun IV: The Standard Model and Helioseismology: Consequences of Uncertainties in Input Physics and in Observed Solar Parameters

Helioseismic frequency observations provide an extremely accurate window into the solar interior; frequencies from the Michaelson Doppler Imager (MDI) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft, enable the adiabatic sound speed and adiabatic index to be inferred with an accuracy of a few parts in 10(exp 4) and the density with an accuracy of a few parts in 10(exp 3). This has become a Serious challenge to theoretical models of the Sun. Therefore, we have undertaken a self-consistent, systematic study of the sources of uncertainties in the standard solar models. We found that the largest effect on the interior structure arises from the observational uncertainties in the photospheric abundances of the elements, which affect the sound speed profile at the level of 3 parts in 10(exp 3). The estimated 4% uncertainty in the OPAL opacities could lead to effects of 1 part in 10(exp 3); the approximately 5%, uncertainty in the basic pp nuclear reaction rate would have a similar effect, as would uncertainties of approximately 15% in the diffusion constants for the gravitational settling of helium. The approximately 50% uncertainties in diffusion constants for the heavier elements would have nearly as large an effect. Different observational methods for determining the solar radius yield results differing by as much as 7 parts in 10(exp 4); we found that this leads to uncertainties of a few parts in 10(exp 3) in the sound speed int the solar convective envelope, but has negligible effect on the interior. Our reference standard solar model yielded a convective envelope position of 0.7135 solar radius, in excellent agreement with the observed value of 0.713 +/- 0.001 solar radius and was significantly affected only by Z/X, the pp rate, and the uncertainties in helium diffusion constants. Our reference model also yielded envelope helium abundance of 0.2424, in good agreement with the approximate range of 0.24 to 0.25 inferred from helioseismic observations; only extreme Z/X values yielded envelope helium abundance outside this range. We found that other current uncertainties, namely, in the solar age and luminosity, in nuclear rates other than the pp reaction, in the low-temperature molecular opacities, and in the low-density equation of state, have no significant effect on the quantities that can be inferred from helioseismic observations. The predicted pre-main-sequence lithium depletion is uncertain by a factor of 2. The predicted neutrino capture rate is uncertain by approximately 30% for the Cl-27 experiment and by approximately 3% for Ga-71 experiments, while the B-8 neutrino flux is uncertain by approximately 30%.

Boothroyd, Arnold I.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Resonance Scattering of Fe XVII X-Ray and EUV Lines

Over the years a number of calculations have been carried out to derive intensities of various X-ray and EUV lines in Fe XVII to compare with observed spectra. The predicted intensities have not agreed with solar observations, particularly for the line at 15.02 Angstroms; resonance scattering has been suggested as the source for much of the disagreement. The atomic data calculated earlier used seven configurations, 2s(sup 2) 2p(sup 6),2s(sup 2) 2p(sup 5)3s, 2s(sup 2) 2p(sup 5)3p, 2s(sup 2)2p(sup 5)3d, 2s2 p(sup 6)3s, 2s2p(sup 6)3p, and 2s2p(sup 6)3d, having n=3 orbitals and the scattering calculations in the distorted wave approximation were carried out only for incident energies above the threshold of the highest fine-structure level. These calculations have now been extended to thirteen configurations by adding six more configurations having n=4 orbitals, namely 2s(sup 2) 2p(sup 5)4s, 2s(sup 2) 2p(sup 5)4p, 2s(sup 2) 2p(sup 5)4d, 2s2p(sup 6)4s, 2s2p(sup 6)4p, and 2s2p(sup 6)4d, giving rise to 73 fine structure levels. The scattering calculations are carried out below as well as above the threshold of the highest fine-structure level. The incident energies below the threshold are 55.8, 65, 70, and 76 Ry and those above are 85, 127.5, 170, 212.5, 255, 340, and 425 Ry. The collision strengths are calculated up to total angular momentum L(sup T) = 33. Level populations and intensity ratios are calculated at various electron temperatures and densities. It is not possible to predict how the ratios would change when configurations with n=5 and 6 orbitals are added but some estimates have been made for a few transitions by Liedhal, who indicates an asymptotic convergence when n=5 and 6 orbitals are added. These improved calculations of Fe XVII change the intensity ratios compared to those obtained earlier, bringing the optically thin F(15.02)/F(16.78) ratio and several other ratios closer to the observed values: However, some disagreement with the solar observations still persists, even though the agreement of the presently calculated optically thin F(15.02)/F(15.26) ratio with the experimental results of Brown et al. and Laming et al. has improved. Some of the remaining discrepancy is still thought to be the effect of opacity, which is consistent with expected physical conditions for solar sources. EUV intensity ratios are also calculated and compared with observations. Level populations and intensity ratios are calculated, as a function of column density of Fe XVII, in the slab and cylindrical geometries. As found previously, the predicted intensities for the resonance lines at 15.02 and 15.26 Angstroms exhibit initial increases in flux relative to the forbidden line at 17.10 Angstroms and the resonance line at 16.78 Angstroms as optical thickness increases. The same behavior is predicted for the lines at 12.262 and 12.122 Angstroms. Predicted intensities for some of the allowed EUV lines are also affected by opacity.

Bhatia, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Thermal Emission Spectrometer Results: Mars Atmospheric Thermal Structure and Aerosol Distribution

Infrared spectra returned by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) are well suited for retrieval of the thermal structure and the distribution of aerosols in the Martian atmosphere. Combined nadir- and limb-viewing spectra allow global monitoring of the atmosphere up to 0.01 mbar (65 km). We report here on the atmospheric thermal structure and the distribution of aerosols as observed thus far during the mapping phase of the Mars Global Surveyor mission. Zonal and temporal mean cross sections are used to examine the seasonal evolution of atmospheric temperatures and zonal winds during a period extending from northern hemisphere mid-summer through vernal equinox (L(sub s) = 104-360 deg). Temperature maps at selected pressure levels provide a characterization of planetary-scale waves. Retrieved atmospheric infrared dust opacity maps show the formation and evolution of regional dust storms during southern hemisphere summer. Response of the atmospheric thermal structure to the changing dust loading is observed. Maps of water-ice clouds as viewed in the thermal infrared are presented along with seasonal trends of infrared water-ice opacity. Uses of these observations for diagnostic studies of the dynamics of the atmosphere are discussed.

Smith, Michael D.↗
NASA NTRS2002

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, entry probe radio signal absorption measurements, and earth-based or spacecraft-based radio astronomical (emission) observations can be used to infer abundances of microwave absorbing 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 the use of laboratory measurements of such properties taken under environmental conditions that are significantly different than those of the planetary atmosphere being studied, often leads to significant misinterpretation of available opacity data. Laboratory measurements have shown that the centimeter-wavelength opacity from gaseous phosphine (PH3) under simulated conditions for the outer planets far exceeds that predicted from theory over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. This fundamentally changed the resulting interpretation of Voyager radio occultation data at Saturn and Neptune. It also directly impacts planning and scientific goals for study of Saturn's atmosphere with the Cassini Radio Science Experiment and the Rossini RADAR instrument. 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 spacecraft entry probe and orbiter (or flyby) 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 NTRS2003

Mid-Infrared Imaging of Orion BN/KL With Keck I Telescope

We present new images of the Orion BN/KL infrared complex at 4.8, 8.0, 8.9, 9.9, 10.4, 11.7, 12.5, 17.6, 18.1, 20.0 and 22.0 microns obtained with the 10-meter Keck I telescope, with typically 0.3 arcsec resolution at 12.5 microns. The multi-wavelength observational image data is registered in a stack and a dust emission/extinction model is fitted to the resulting spectrum of each pixel to create a diffraction-limited "image" of the temperature, opacity and luminosity of the emitting dust, as well as the circumstellar and line-of-sight dust extinction. New source structure, temperature, opacity and luminosity detail is seen in the vicinity of IRc2-IRc7. The model results are used to develop a more complete picture of the structure and energetics of the BN/KL infrared complex.

Oegerle, William↗
NASA NTRS2003

Mid-Infrared Imaging of Orion BN/KL With Keck I Telescope

We present new images of the Orion BN/KL infrared complex at 4.8, 8.0, 8.9,9.9, 10.4, 11.7, 12.5, 17.6, 18.1,20.0 and 22.0 um obtained with the 10-meter Keck I telescope, with typically 0.3 arcsec resolution at 12.5 um. The multi-wavelength observational image data is registered in a stack and a dust emission/extinction model is fitted to the resulting spectrum of each pixel to create a diffraction-limited "image" of the temperature, opacity and luminosity of the emitting dust, as well as the circumstellar and line-of-sight dust extinction. New source structure, temperature, opacity and luminosity detail is seen in the vicinity of IRc2-IRc7. The model results are used to develop a more complete picture of the structure and energetics of the BN/KL, infrared complex.

Gezari, Daniel Y.↗
NASA NTRS2004

[Predicting Spectra of Accretion Disks Around Galactic Black Holes]

The purpose of this grant was to construct detailed atmosphere solutions in order to predict the spectra of accretion disks around Galactic black holes. Our plan of action was to take an existing disk atmosphere code (TLUSTY, created by Ivan Hubeny) and introduce those additional physical processes necessary to make it applicable to disks of this variety. These modifications include: treating Comptonization; introducing continuous opacity due to heavy elements; incorporating line opacity due to heavy elements; adopting a disk structure that reflects readjustments due to radiation pressure effects; and injecting heat via a physically-plausible vertical distribution.

Krolik, Julian H.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Astronomy and the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer satellite

The extreme ultraviolet wave band (100 to 912 angstroms) was thought until recently to be useless to astronomy, primarily because the opacity of the interstellar medium would prevent observations at these wavelengths. However, the interstellar medium has been found to be markedly inhomogeneous in both density and ionization state and the sun is fortunately located in a region of low extreme ultraviolet opacity. The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer, launched in June 1992, has surveyed the sky in this wave band and has detected a wide variety of astronomical sources at considerable distances, including some extragalactic objects. Studies in the extreme ultraviolet band have already begun to increase our understanding of the contents of the universe.

EUVE Project↗
NASA NTRS2003

A Possible Bifurcation in Atmospheres of Strongly Irradiated Stars and Planets

We show that under certain circumstances the differences between the absorption mean and Planck mean opacities can lead to multiple solutions for an LTE atmospheric structure. Since the absorption and Planck mean opacities are not expected to differ significantly in the usual case of radiative equilibrium, nonirradiated atmospheres, the most interesting situations in which the effect may play a role are strongly irradiated stars and planets, and also possibly structures in which there is a significant deposition of mechanical energy, such as stellar chromospheres and accretion disks. We have presented an illustrative example of a strongly irradiated giant planet in which the bifurcation effect is predicted to occur for a certain range of distances from the star.

Hubeny, Ivan↗
NASA NTRS2005

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, entry probe radio signal absorption measurements, and earth- based or spacecraft-based radio astronomical (emission) observations can be used to infer abundances of microwave absorbing 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 the use of laboratory measurements of such properties taken under environmental conditions that are significantly different than those of the planetary atmosphere being studied, often leads to significant misinterpretation of available opacity data. For example, new laboratory measurements completed recently by Mohammed and Steffes (2003 and 2004) under this grant (NAG5-12122,5/1/02-4/30/05), have shown that the millimeter-wavelength opacities from both gaseous phosphine (PH3) and gaseous ammonia ("3) under simulated conditions for the outer planets vary significantly from that predicted by theory over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. These results have directly impacted planning and scientific goals for study of Saturn's atmosphere with the Cassini Radio Science Experiment, as discussed below. 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 spacecraft entry probe and orbiter (or flyby) 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 NTRS1994

(abstract) Line Mixing Behavior of Hydrogen-Broadened Ammonia Under Jovian Atmospheric Conditions

Laboratory spectral data reported last year have been used to investigate the line mixing behavior of hydrogen-broadened ammonia inversion lines. The data show that broadening parameters appearing in the modified Ben-Reuven opacity formalism of Berge and Gulkis (1976) cannot maintain constant values over pressure ranges that include low to moderate pressures and high pressures. Also, they cannot change drastically in value, as in the Spilker (1990) revision of the Berge and Gulkis formalism. It has long been recognized that at low pressures, less than about 1 bar of a Jovian atmospheric mixture, a VVW formalism yields more accurate predictions of ammonia opacity than Ben-Reuven formalisms. At higher pressures the Ben-Reuven formalisms are more accurate. Since the Ben-Reuven lineshape collapses to a VVW lineshape in the low pressure limit, this low pressure inaccuracy of the Ben-Reuven formalisms is surprising. By incorporating various behavior, a new formalism is produced that is more accurate than previous formalisms, particularly in the critical 'transition region' from 0.5 to 2 bars, and that can be used without discontinuity from pressures of zero to hundreds of bars. The new formalism will be useful in such applications as interpretation of radio astronomical and radio occultation data on giant planet atmospheres, and radiative transfer modeling of those atmospheres.

inversion lines formalisms radiative transfer mode↗
NASA NTRS2008

Titan's Surface Temperatures Measured by Cassini CIRS

A large fraction of 19-micron thermal radiation from the surface of Titan reaches space through a spectral window of low atmospheric opacity. The emergent radiance, after removing the effect of the atmosphere, gives the brightness temperature of the surface. This atmospheric window is covered by the far-infrared channel of the Composite Infrared spectrometer1 (CIRS) on Cassini. In mapping Titan surface temperatures, CIRS is able to improve upon results of Voyager IRIS, by taking advantage of improved latitude coverage and a much larger dataset. Observations are from a wide range of emission angles and thereby provide constraints on the atmospheric opacity and radiance that are used to derive the surface temperature. CIRS finds an average equatorial surface brightness temperature of 93.7+/-0.6 K, virtually identical to the HASI temperature at the Huygens landing site. Mapping in latitude shows that the surface temperature decreases toward the poles by about 2 K in the south and 3 K in the north. This surface temperature distribution is consistent with the formation of lakes seen at high latitudes on Titan.

Jennings, Donald E.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Titan Surface Temperatures as Measured by Cassini CIRS

Thermal radiation from the surface of Titan reaches space through a spectral window of low opacity at 19-microns wavelength. This radiance gives a measure of the brightness temperature of the surface. Composite Infrared Spectrometer' (CIRS) observations from Cassini during its first four years at Saturn have permitted latitude mapping of zonally averaged surface temperatures. The measurements are corrected for atmospheric opacity using the dependence of radiance on emission angle. With the more complete latitude coverage and much larger dataset of CIRS we have improved upon the original results from Voyager IRIS. CIRS measures the equatorial surface brightness temperature to be 93.7+/-0.6 K, the same as the temperature measured at the Huygens landing site. The surface brightness temperature decreases by 2 K toward the south pole and by 3 K toward the north pole. The drop in surface temperature between equator and north pole implies a 50% decrease in methane saturation vapor pressure and relative humidity; this may help explain the large northern lakes. The H2 mole fraction is derived as a by-product of our analysis and agrees with previous results. Evidence of seasonal variation in surface and atmospheric temperatures is emerging from CIRS measurements over the Cassini mission.

Jennings, Donald E.↗
NASA NTRS2010

High-Resolution Spectroscopy of Stratospheric Ethane Following the Jupiter Impact of 2009

We report on high-resolution infrared spectroscopy of ethane (C2H6) performed at the latitude of an impact site on Jupiter discovered on 19 July 2009 by A. Wesley from a location in Murrumbateman, Australia. The observations used the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Heterodyne Instrument for Planetary Wind and Composition (HIPWAC) at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. HIPWAC is a mid-infrared (9-12 microns) heterodyne spectrometer operating at the highest limit of spectral resolving power (lambda\Delta\lambda > l06), providing information on atmospheric constituent abundance and temperature through fully resolved tine shapes. Ethane is a stable trace product of methane photochemistry that is nearly uniformly mixed in Jupiter's stratosphere, providing an effective probe of that altitude region. Ethane emission line profiles near 11,74 microns in the Ug band were measured in Jupiter's stratosphere at 25 MHz (11.00083/cm) resolution. A sequence of spectra of ethane acquired over a range of longitude at the impact latitude (56S planetocentric) probes constituent abundance and temperature profile, both on and off the impact region. Near the site of the impact, ethane emission increased above levels measured well outside the impact region. Radiative transfer analysis indicates increased ethane mole fraction (30% greater). Variation in the measured continuum level and line intensities within 75deg of the impact longitude indicate the presence of an opacity source (haze) at altitudes near and above the tropopause and as high as the 10-mbar level near the impact site. The indication of possible haze opacity up to the 10-mbar level in the atmosphere is consistent with measurements made by HIPWAC's predecessor as part of the IRTF Shoemaker Levy-9 campaign in 1994.

Fast, Kelly↗