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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 469 records · Page 26
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NASA NTRS1984

Radial gradient of cosmic ray intensity from a comparative study of data from Voyager 1 and 2 and IMP 8

The IMP 8 satellite and Voyager 1 and 2 space probes obtained cosmic ray measurements during the late 1977 to mid-1982 period. Comparisons of 27-day averages of the data show that a positive radial intensity gradient existed on the average during this period, and that the cosmic ray intensity decrease toward solar maximum in 1980-1981 proceeds in a stepwise fashion. The cosmic ray minimum reached in late 1980/early 1981 appears almost simultaneously at 1 AU and at 10 AU, with and without propagation time delay effects, between IMP 8 and the Voyager spacecraft. These data are generally consistent with a heliolatitudinal gradient of 0 + or - 1 percent/deg. Attention is given to the implications of these results in the overall context of cosmic ray modulation theory.

Venkatesan, D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Variable-Temperature-Gradient Device for Solidification Research

Device for research in solidification and crystal growth allows crystallization of melt observed as occurs. Temperature gradient across melt specimen increased or decreased rapidly while solidification front proceeds at constant speed across sample. Device moves sample at same speed, thereby holding position of liquid/solid interface stationary within field of optical microscope. Device, variabletemperature-gradient microscope stage, used to study crystal growth at constant rate while thermal driving force is varied.

Kaukler, W. F.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Least squares inversion of Stokes profiles in the presence of velocity gradients

The Auer, Heasley and House Stokes inversion procedure in use at High Altitude Observatory is based on the analytic solution of the equation of transfer for polarized light where the representation of the thermodynamic and magnetic structure of the atmosphere is assumed to have a high degree of invariance, namely, a Milne-Eddington (ME) structure with a constant magnetic field. In the presence of invariance breaking gradients the resultant Stokes profiles are represented only approximately, if at all, by analytic forms. The accuracy of the inversion parameters and their significance as measures of actual structure are explored for the ME and the Landman-Finn sunspot models under the effects of velocity gradients. The resulting field parameters are good to a few percent and prove to be insensitive to the errors committed by the use of a ME-representation, but the resulting ME parameters yield a less precise measure of thermal structure.

Skumanich, A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The role of cell size in density gradient electrophoretic separation of mouse leukemia cells according to position in the cell cycle

Cultured mouse leukemia cells line L5178Y were subjected to upward electrophoresis in a density gradient and the slower migrating cell populations were enriched in G2 cells. It is indicated that this cell line does not change electrophoretic mobility through the cell cycle. The possibility that increased sedimentation downward on the part of the larger G2 cells caused this separation was explored. Two different cell populations were investigated. The log phase population was found to migrate upward faster than the G2 population, and a similar difference between their velocities and calculated on the basis of a 1 um diameter difference between the two cell populations. The G2 and G1 enriched populations were isolated by Ficoll density gradient sedimentation. The bottom fraction was enriched in G2 cells and the top fraction was enriched with G1 cells, especially when compared with starting materials. The electrophoretic mobilities of these two cell populations did not differ significantly from one another. Cell diameter dependent migration curves were calculated and were found to be different. Families of migration curves that differ when cell size is considered as a parameter are predicted.

Plank, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Differential measurement of cosmic-ray gradient with respect to interplanetary current sheet

Simultaneous magnetic field and charged particle measurements from the Voyager pacecraft at heliographic latitude separations from 10 deg to 21 deg are used to determine the latitude gradient of the galactic cosmic ray flux with respect to the interplanetary current sheet. By comparing the ratio of cosmic ray flux at Voyager 1 to that at Voyager 2 during periods when both spacecraft are first north and then south of the interplanetary current sheet, we find an estimate of the latitudinal gradient with respect to the current sheet of approximately -0.15 + or- 0.05%/deg under restricted interplanetary conditions.

Christon, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Radial and latitudinal gradients of anomalous oxygen during 1977 - 1985

The radial gradient of anomalous O remained constant during 1977 to 85 at approximately 10 to 15%/AU although the intensity changes by more than a factor of 100. These results can be used to deduce that most of the modulation of the intensities of these particles is occurring beyond 27 AU. Evidence for a latitudinal gradient of approximately +3%/degree at low energies (7.1 to 10.6 MeV/nucl) was also found.

Webber, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Surface voltage gradient role in high voltage solar array-plasma interaction: Center Director's discretionary fund

A large amount of experimental and analytical effort has been directed toward understanding the plasma sheath growth and discharge phenomena which lead to high voltage solar array-space plasma interactions. An important question which has not been addressed is how the surface voltage gradient on such an array may affect these interactions. The results of this study indicate that under certain conditions, the voltage gradient should be taken into account when evaluating the effect on a solar array operating in a plasma environment.

Carruth, M. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Differential measurement of cosmic-ray gradient with respect to interplanetary current sheet

Simultaneous magnetic field and charged particle measurements from the Voyager spacecraft at heliographic latitude separations from 10 deg. to 21 deg. are used to determine the latitude gradient of the galactic cosmic ray flux with respect to the interplanetary current sheet. By comparing the ratio of cosmic ray flux at Voyager 1 to that a Voyager 2 during periods when both spacecraft are first nort and then south of the interplanetary current sheet, we find an estimate of the latitudinal gradient with respect to the current sheet of approximately -0.15 + or 0.05% deg under restricted interplanetary conditions.

Christon, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Radial and latitudinal gradients of anomalous oxygen during 1977 - 1985

It is found that the radial gradient of anomalous O remains during 1977 to 1985 at approx. 10% to 15%/AU although the intensity changes by more than a factor of 100. These results can be used to deduce that most of the modulation of the intensities of these particles is occurring beyond 27 AU. Evidence is also found for a latitudinal gradient of approx. +3%/degree at low energies (7.1 to 10.6 MeV/nuc).

Webber, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The cosmic ray interplanetary radial gradient from 1972 - 1985

It is now established that the solar modulation of cosmic rays is produced by turbulent magnetic fields propagated outward by the solar wind. Changes in cosmic ray intensity are not simultaneous throughout the modulation region, thus requiring time dependent theories for the cosmic ray modulation. Fundamental to an overall understanding of this observed time dependent cosmic ray modulation is the behavior of the radial intensity gradient with time and heliocentric distance over the course of a solar modulation cycle. The period from 1977 to 1985 when data are available from the cosmic ray telescopes on Pioneer (P) 10, Voyager (V) 1 and 2, and IMP 8 spacecraft is studied. Additional data from P10 and other IMP satellites for 1972 to 1977 can be used to determine the gradient at the minimum in the solar modulation cycle and as a function of heliocentric distance. All of these telescopes have thresholds for protons and helium nuclei of E 60 MeV/nucleon.

Webber, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Galactic cosmic ray radial gradients and the anomalous He component near maximum solar modulation and to radii beyond 34 AU from the Sun

Radial gradients for relativistic galactic cosmic rays (E 70 MeV) remained nearly constant at approx. 2.5%/AU from 1978-84, which includes the period of maximum solar modulation in 1981-82. For energies 30-70 MeV/n, gradients decreased at solar maximum to values of 1%/AU (protons) and 4%/AU (helium), and appear to be increasing again in 1983-84 toward the values found for solar minimum. The anomalous helium component has not reappeared, either at 1 AU or at Pioneer 10 at R 34 AU.

Mckibben, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Voyager 1 and 2 measurements of radial and latitudinal cosmic ray gradients during 1981 - 1984

The cosmic ray radial gradient was determined during 1981-84 using data from very similar detectors onboard spacecraft Voyagers 1 and 2 (radial separation approx. 6 AU, heliolatitude separation approx. 25 deg.) and from the Earth-orbiting satellite IMP 8. The principal result is that the radial gradient over this period decreased at the rate approx. 2.0%/AU between 1 and 16 AU and approx. 0.6%/AU between approx. 16 and 22 AU.

Venkatesan, D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The influence of ocean surface temperature gradient and continentality on the Walker circulation. I - Prescribed tropical changes

A coarse mesh global climate model has been developed to assess ocean surface temperature (OST) gradient and continentality influences on the Walker circulation, which is characterized in the zonal plane by three pairs of clockwise and counterclockwise cells in the troposphere. The model response exhibits statistically significant changes in the intensity of the various cells and branches with small shifts in the east-west extent. The overall structure in the zonal plane for experiments with the coldest and with mean temperatures, however, remained unchanged. In an experiment involving the replacement of the South American continent by an ocean with OSTs linearly interpolated from the eastern Pacific to the western Atlantic, a dramatic change took place in the structure of the Walker circulation. It is concluded that both continentality and OST gradient are important Walker circulation forcing mechanisms.

Chervin, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Consequences of a chromospheric temperature gradient on the width of H-alpha in late-type giants

An analytic expression for the integrated H alpha optical depth profile is derived for a one dimensional slab geometry model chromosphere, with electron temperature increasing as a power law with height. The formula predicts H alpha opacity and profile width to be sensitive functions of the thermal gradient. Application of the model to observation reveals that broad H alpha absorption widths in G and K giant stars are consistent with a mean H alpha chromospheric optical depth of 50, while narrower widths in M stars indicate slightly lower opacities. It is proposed that differences in H alpha width between late-type giants of similar spectral type may be due, in part, to differences in their chromospheric thermal gradient, and associated H alpha opacity.

Zarro, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A class of airfoils having finite trailing edge pressure gradients

Some new developments relevant to the design of single-element airfoils using potential flow methods are presented. In particular, the ramifications of the unbounded trailing edge pressure gradients generally present in the potential flow solution for the flow over an airfoil are examined, and the conditions necessary to obtain a class of airfoils having finite trailing edge pressure gradients developed. The incorporation of these conditions into the inverse method of Eppler for the design of low-speed airfoils is discussed, and designs generated using the modified scheme are presented for consideration. A detailed viscous analysis of one of these airfoils demonstrates a significant reduction in the strong inviscid-viscid interactions generally present near the trailing edge. These reductions offer the possibility of improved airfoil performance, as well as the possibility of improved accuracy in the methods of airfoil design and analysis.

Ormsbee, A. I.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Radial gradients of galactic cosmic rays measured by Pioneer 10 from 1-29 AU through the period of solar maximum

During the approach to maximum solar modulation in 1982, the radial gradient of high energy galactic cosmic rays gradually increased to about 2.5 percent/AU from the solar minimum value of about 1.5 percent/AU. In the same period, at energies lower than 70 MeV/n, the radial gradients for protons decreased from about 8 percent/AU to about 1 percent/AU. It is found that at solar maximum, in contrast to solar minimum, essentially all of the modulation of low energy cosmic rays occurs outside R = 29 AU. The combined effects of solar flare shocks coalescing in the far outer heliosphere may account for this dramatic change in the radial dependence of modulation.

Mckibben, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Changes in radial gradients of low-energy cosmic rays between solar minimum and maximum: - Observations from 1 to 31 AU

Observations of the fluxes and radial gradients of protons and helium (with energies of 10-70 Mev per n) between the period of minimum solar modulation ending in 1977 and the period of maximum modulation in 1981-1983 show that, over the radial range 1-31 AU, radial gradients decreased for both species from their solar minimum values (5-10 percent per AU for galactic protons and helium) to values of 2-4 percent per AU or less. For these low-energy cosmic rays it is found that the variation in modulation with the phase of the solar cycle is much stronger at radii of 20-30 AU than at 1 AU, and that at solar maximum, more than 99 percent of the total modulation takes place beyond 31 AU.

Mckibben, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

High gradient directional solidification furnace

A high gradient directional solidification furnace is disclosed which includes eight thermal zones throughout the length of the furnace. In the hot end of the furnace, furnace elements provide desired temperatures. These elements include Nichrome wire received in a grooved tube which is encapsulated y an outer alumina core. A booster heater is provided in the hot end of the furnace which includes toroidal tungsten/rhenium wire which has a capacity to put heat quickly into the furnace. An adiabatic zone is provided by an insulation barrier to separate the hot end of the furnace from the cold end. The old end of the furnace is defined by additional heating elements. A heat transfer plate provides a means by which heat may be extracted from the furnace and conducted away through liquid cooled jackets. By varying the input of heat via the booster heater and output of heat via the heat transfer plate, a desired thermal gradient profile may be provided.

Aldrich, B. R.↗