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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 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2007

Mesospheric Dynamical Changes Induced by the Solar Proton Events in October-November 2003

The very large solar storms in October-November 2003 caused solar proton events (SPEs) at the Earth that impacted the upper atmospheric polar cap regions. The Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Electrodynamic General Circulation Model (TIME-GCM) was used to study the atmospheric dynamical influence of the solar protons that occurred in Oct-Nov 2003, the fourth largest period of SPEs measured in the past 40 years. The highly energetic solar protons caused ionization, as well as dissociation processes, and ultimately produced odd hydrogen (HOx) and odd nitrogen (NOy). Significant short-lived ozone decreases (10-70%) followed these enhancements of HOx and NOy and led to a cooling of most of the lower mesosphere. This cooling caused an atmospheric circulation change that led to adiabatic heating of the upper mesosphere. Temperature changes up to plus or minus 2.6 K were computed as well as wind (zonal, meridional, vertical) perturbations up to 20-25% of the background winds as a result of 22 the solar protons. The solar proton-induced mesospheric temperature and wind perturbations diminished over a period of 4-6 weeks after the SPEs. The Joule heating in the mesosphere, induced by the solar protons, was computed to be relatively insignificant for these solar storms with most of the temperature and circulation perturbations caused by ozone depletion in the sunlit hemisphere.

Jackman, Charles H.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Impact of the dynamical core on the direct simulation of tropical cyclones in a high-resolution global model

Our paper examines the impact of the dynamical core on the simulation of tropical cyclone (TC) frequency, distribution, and intensity. The dynamical core, the central fluid flow component of any general circulation model (GCM), is often overlooked in the analysis of a model's ability to simulate TCs compared to the impact of more commonly documented components (e.g., physical parameterizations). The Community Atmosphere Model version 5 is configured with multiple dynamics packages. This analysis demonstrates that the dynamical core has a significant impact on storm intensity and frequency, even in the presence of similar large-scale environments. In particular, the spectral element core produces stronger TCs and more hurricanes than the finite-volume core using very similar parameterization packages despite the latter having a slightly more favorable TC environment. Furthermore, these results suggest that more detailed investigations into the impact of the GCM dynamical core on TC climatology are needed to fully understand these uncertainties. Key Points The impact of the GCM dynamical core is often overlooked in TC assessments The CAM5 dynamical core has a significant impact on TC frequency and intensity A larger effort is needed to better understand this uncertainty

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Future Changes of Subseasonal Precipitation Variability in North America During Winter Under Global Warming

Changes in subseasonal precipitation variability have important implications for predictability of weather and climate extreme. Here we explore the mechanisms that lead to future changes in subseasonal precipitation variability in North America during winter based on 20 state-of-the-art climate models. Modeling evidences indicate that in a warmer climate, the subseasonal precipitation variability consistently increases over most of North America, with intensified swing between the wet and dry extremes, but declines over Mexico. Using a moisture budget decomposition framework, two opposing mechanisms are established: the thermodynamic component from increasing moisture due to global warming intensifies the subseasonal precipitation variability, while the dynamic component from the projected reduction in subseasonal rainfall-related circulation variability has an opposite effect. Altogether, the thermodynamic effect wins the tug of war at the mid-to-high latitudes over most of North America, while the dynamic effect overwhelms the thermodynamic effect in Mexico, creating distinct changes in subseasonal precipitation variability.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Amplification of Waveguide Teleconnections in the Boreal Summer

While the influence of climate change on mid-latitude atmospheric circulation remains uncertain, hypotheses based on linear waveguide dynamics have been proposed suggesting amplification of circumglobal quasi-stationary Rossby wave events, which may have led to persistent and high-impact extremes in recent boreal summers. Furthermore, it is thus useful to synthesize these hypotheses and to discuss limitations of this simplified dynamical framework for explaining observed features.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

MFIX simulation of NETL/PSRI challenge problem of circulating fluidized bed

In this paper, numerical simulations of NETL/PSRI challenge problem of circulating fluidized bed (CFB) using the open-source code Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchange (MFIX) are reported. Two rounds of simulation results are reported including the first-round blind test and the second-round modeling refinement. Three-dimensional high fidelity simulations are conducted to model a 12-inch diameter pilot-scale CFB riser. Detailed comparisons between numerical results and experimental data are made with respect to axial pressure gradient profile, radial profiles of solids velocity and solids mass flux along different radial directions at various elevations for operating conditions covering different fluidization regimes. Overall, the numerical results show that CFD can predict the complex gas–solids flow behavior in the CFB riser reasonably well. In addition, lessons learnt from modeling this challenge problem are presented.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2012

AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE ABUNDANCE PATTERN IN THE HOT INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM IN NGC 4649

We present our X-ray imaging spectroscopic analysis of data from deep Suzaku and XMM-Newton Observatory exposures of the Virgo Cluster elliptical galaxy NGC 4649 (M60), focusing on the abundance pattern in the hot interstellar medium (ISM). All measured elements show a radial decline in abundance, with the possible exception of O. We construct steady-state solutions to the chemical evolution equations that include infall in addition to stellar mass return and Type Ia supernova (SNIa) enrichment, and consider recently published SNIa yields. By adjusting a single model parameter to obtain a match to the global abundance pattern in NGC 4649, we infer that introduction of subsolar metallicity external gas has reduced the overall ISM metallicity and diluted the effectiveness of SNIa to skew the pattern toward low {alpha}/Fe ratios, and estimate the combination of SNIa rate and level of dilution. Evidently, newly introduced gas is heated as it is integrated into, and interacts with, the hot gas that is already present. These results indicate a complex flow and enrichment history for NGC 4649, reflecting the continual evolution of elliptical galaxies beyond the formation epoch. The heating and circulation of accreted gas may help reconcile this dynamic history with the mostly passive evolution of elliptical stellar populations. In an Appendix, we examine the effects of the recent updated atomic database AtomDB in spectral fitting of thermal plasmas with hot ISM temperatures in the elliptical galaxy range.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Dynamics of Massive Atmospheres

The many recently discovered terrestrial exoplanets are expected to hold a wide range of atmospheric masses. Here the dynamic-thermodynamic effects of atmospheric mass on atmospheric circulation are studied using an idealized global circulation model by systematically varying the atmospheric surface pressure. On an Earth analog planet, an increase in atmospheric mass weakens the Hadley circulation and decreases its latitudinal extent. These changes are found to be related to the reduction of the convective fluxes and net radiative cooling (due to the higher atmospheric heat capacity), which, respectively, cool the upper troposphere at mid-low latitudes and warm the troposphere at high latitudes. These together decrease the meridional temperature gradient, tropopause height and static stability. The reduction of these parameters, which play a key role in affecting the flow properties of the tropical circulation, weakens and contracts the Hadley circulation. The reduction of the meridional temperature gradient also decreases the extraction of mean potential energy to the eddy fields and the mean kinetic energy, which weakens the extratropical circulation. The decrease of the eddy kinetic energy decreases the Rhines wavelength, which is found to follow the meridional jet scale. The contraction of the jet scale in the extratropics results in multiple jets and meridional circulation cells as the atmospheric mass increases.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1977

The N.A.S.A. earth and ocean dynamics programme

Practical applications of NASA space systems, science, and technology to the study of oceans and solid earth are discussed. Goals involving earth dynamics include earthquake hazard assessment and alleviation, and global surveying and mapping, while goals involving ocean dynamics include the determination of ocean currents and circulation, and the monitoring of ocean surface conditions. Satellites used to obtain data are described, and projects such as the study of open ocean tides and earth motion determination are reviewed, with consideration given to the techniques (e.g., laser ranging, satellite-to-satellite track) used in these studies. Several physical phenomena, the extent to which they presently can be measured, and possible future requirements for more accurate measurements are examined.

Vonbun, F. O.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A technique for real-time data preprocessing

A processing system is presented that implements simultaneously the efficiency of the special-purpose processor and the total applicability of the general-purpose computer - characteristics commonly thought of as being mutually exclusive. The solution adopted is that of specializing the machine by programming the hardware structure, rather than by adding software systems to it. Data are organized in circulating pages which form a plurality of local dynamic memories for each process. Programs are made up of modules, each describing a transient special-purpose machine. Applications to real-time processing of radar signals are referred to.

Schaffner, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Processing by data and program blocks

A processing system is presented that implements simultaneously the efficiency of the special-purpose processor and the total applicability of the general-purpose computer - characteristics commonly thought of as being mutually exclusive. This is achieved through specializing the machine by programming the hardware structure, rather than by adding software systems to it. Data are organized in circulating pages which form a multiplicity of local dynamic memories for each process. Programs are made up of modules, each describing a transient special-purpose machine. A characteristic of this approach is that the processes are data-driven, rather than program-driven. The programming language presents significant flexibility and efficiency in modeling certain classes of problems, and it may be of interest as an implementation model in a broader context. Applications to real-time processing of radar signals are reported. The relevance of characteristics of this system to problems in multiprogramming and multiprocessing systems is discussed.

Schaffner, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Remote sensing of seasonal distribution of precipitable water vapor over the oceans and the inference of boundary-layer structure

From the depth of the water vapor spectral lines in the 8-9 micron window region, measured by the Nimbus 4 Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer (IRIS) with a resolution of about 3/cm, the precipitable water vapor over the oceans is remotely sensed. In addition the IRIS spectral data in the 11-13 micron window region have been used to derive the sea surface temperature (SST). Seasonal maps of w on the oceans deduced from the spectral data reveal the dynamical influence of the large-scale atmospheric circulation. With the help of a model for the vertical distribution of water vapor, the configuration of the atmospheric boundary layer over the oceans can be inferred from these remotely sensed w and SST. The gross seasonal mean structure of the boundary layer inferred in this fashion reveals the broad areas of trade wind inversion and the convectively active areas such as the ITCZ. The derived information is in reasonable agreement with some observed climatological patterns over the oceans.

Prabhakara, C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Magnetospheric and ionospheric plasmas; Proceedings of the Ninth Symposium and Topical Meeting, Graz, Austria, June 25-July 7, 1984

Papers are presented on the physics of the magnetosphere-ionosphere connection, with attention given to theory and modeling, auroras, plasma dynamics and irregularities, waves and electron beams, the dynamics of the thermosphere, and planetary plasmas. Plasma circulation in the magnetosphere is also discussed; consideration is given to observations of magnetospheric convection from low altitudes, the structure and properties of the earth's plasmasphere, and the circulation of energetic ions of terrestrial origin in the magnetosphere.

Schmerling, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The observed life cycle of a baroclinic instability

Medium-scale waves (zonal wavenumbers 4-7) frequently dominate Southern Hemisphere summer circulation patterns. Randel and Stanford have studied the dynamics of these features, demonstrating that the medium-scale waves result from baroclinic excitation and exhibit well-defined life cycles. This study details the evolution of the medium-scale waves during a particular life cycle. The specific case chosen exhibits a high degree of zonal symmetry, prompting study based upon zonally averaged diagnostics. An analysis of the medium-scale wave energetics reveals a well-defined life cycle of baroclinic growth, maturity, and barotropic decay. Eliassen-Palm flux diagrams detail the daily wave structure and its interaction with the zonally-averaged flow.

Randel, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A method of calculating the total flow from a given sea surface topography

Using a simple dynamical model of a wind-driven ocean circulation of the Stommel type, and an analytical basis developed to objectively analyze the sea surface height residuals from an altimeter and, in the process, to determine the total flow instead of just the near surface geostrophic component associated with the given sea surface topography. The method is based on first deriving the solution to the forced problem for a given wind stress required to develop a hypothetical true or perfect data field and to establishing the basis for the objective analysis. The stream function and the surface height field for the forced problem are developed in terms of certain characteristic functions with the same expansion coefficients for both fields. These characteristic functions are simply the solutions for a homogeneous elliptic equation for the stream function and the solutions of an inhomogeneous balance equation for the height field. For the objective analysis, using a sample of randomly selected height values from the true data field, the height field characteristic functions are used to fit the given topography in a least squares sense. The resulting expansion coefficients then permit the synthesis of the total flow field via the stream function characteristic modes and the solution is perfectly well behaved even along the equator. The method of solution is easily adaptable to realistic ocean basis by straight forward numerical methods. The analytical basis of the theory and the results for an ideal rectangular basin on a beta plane are described.

Rao, Desiraju B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Dynamic aspects of the Southern-Hemisphere medium-scale waves during the southern summer season

The role of medium-scale waves on three dynamic aspects of the Southern-Hemisphere general circulation is examined using data generated by the FGGE analyses of the ECMWF. The momentum and sensible heat transports by the medium-scale waves are discussed. The effects of medium-scale waves on atmospheric circulation of the Southern Hemisphere during the summer, in particular the vacillation of atmospheric energetics, are investigated. The horizontal and vertical structures and the transport properties of this wave regime and their relation to downstream development in the Southern Hemisphere are analyzed. It is observed that medium-scale waves supply about a half of the total eddy transport of sensible heat and momentum; the wave regime contributes to the time average of various energy contents and energetic components of atmospheric motion during the southern summer; and the wave regime is amplified during the developing stages of downstream development.

Chen, Tsing-Chang↗
NASA NTRS1987

Large-scale motions on the sun - An overview

The history and present status of observations of large-scale velocity fields in the solar atmosphere are reviewed. Observations of the torsional oscillation and of mean meridional circulation suggest a connection of large-scale dynamics with the solar cycle. Significant problems must be solved before Doppler observations can match the precision of tracer measurements, particularly allowing for the effects of changes in line-profile asymmetries and for scattered light. Coordinated observations would establish the reliability of Doppler techniques, but Doppler measurements with precision of order 1 m/s made in a proper spatial-temporal window appear necessary for the identification of sub-global velocity fields varying with time-scales less than that of the solar cycle.

Bogart, Richard S.↗