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At least 487 records · Page 27

The primary cosmic ray electron spectrum 1978-1980

In August of 1978 the ISEE-3 spacecraft carried the University of Chicago electron spectrometer into interplanetary space. Strong intensity variations of Jovian electrons have been observed in the energy range from 5 to 25 MeV in conjunction with 3 Jovian seasons. The spectral shape of the extra electrons has a shallow maximum around 15 MeV. No measurable long term variation in the average electron spectrum has been observed since 1968 up to energies of about 50 MeV. However, strong solar cycle modulation occurs at energies around a few hundred MeV.

Evenson, P.↗

An estimate of atmospheric contamination of Allende coarse-grained inclusion 3529Z

Studies conducted by Zaikowski and Schaeffer (1979) have shown that minerals can take up rare gases when exposed to the atmosphere. Herzog et al. (1980) have conducted a laser microprobe study of coarse-grained Ca-Al-rich inclusions from the Allende meteorite. The amount of Ar-40 found in the Allende minerals is less than the equilibrium amount found for a synthetic serpentine by Zaikowski and Schaeffer. The present investigation has the objective to obtain a better estimate for the absorption of atmospheric argon by the minerals in Allende. Ar-38 was used as a tracer to investigate the diffusion of argon into a coarse-grained Ca-Al-rich inclusion from Allende. On the basis of the results obtained in the current investigation, it is believed that atmospheric contamination is not the cause for the extra argon and the above 4.55 G.y. ages in the case of the considered Allende inclusion.

Warasila, R.↗

Magnetic measurements of coronal holes during 1975-1980

Low latitude coronal holes are found to contain three times more flux near sunspot maximum than near minimum, despite the similarity of sizes in the two conditions, by measurements of photospheric magnetic fluxes and average field strengths beneath 33 coronal holes observed on 63 occasions during 1975-1980. Average magnetic field strengths ranged from 3-36 G near sunspot maximum, and 1-7 G near minimum. It is suggested that the low latitude coronal holes received a proportion of the extra flux available at low latitudes near sunspot maximum. The coronal hole magnetic measurements are presented in tabular form.

Harvey, K. L.↗

Portable Data Logger for Photovoltaic Panels

Instrument measures rapidly changing knee of V-I curve with extra care. Portable data logger runs on own batteries. Includes microcomputer, which controls voltage-, current-measurement increment, and solid state memory, which stores data until transferred to EPROM module. Data logger is light, compact and easily caried to remote field locations.

Cole, S. W.↗

Design considerations for on-orbit servicing

An overview of the general design of space vehicles serviced in orbit is presented. The basic space vehicle systems, subsystems, modules components, and associated appendages comprise the elements to be considered. Primary emphasis is given to the multi-disciplinary considerations in the development of requirements, and in particular, design of the space vehicle to facilitate orbital sevice by the extra-vehicular crew person(s).

Fisher, H. T.↗

Open cherry picker simulation results

The simulation program associated with a key piece of support equipment to be used to service satellites directly from the Shuttle is assessed. The Open Cherry Picker (OCP) is a manned platform mounted at the end of the remote manipulator system (RMS) and is used to enhance extra vehicular activities (EVA). The results of simulations performed on the Grumman Large Amplitude Space Simulator (LASS) and at the JSC Water Immersion Facility are summarized.

Nathan, C. A.↗

High-intensity sound in air saturated fibrous bulk porous materials

The interaction high-intensity sound with bulk porous materials in porous materials including Kevlar 29 is reported. The nonlinear behavior of the materials was described by dc flow resistivity tests. Then acoustic propagation and reflection were measured and small signal broadband measurements of phase speed and attenuation were carried out. High-intensity tests were made with 1, 2, and 3 kHz tone bursts to measure harmonic generation and extra attenuation of the fundamental. Small signal standing wave tests measured impedence between 0.1 and 3.5 kHz. High level tests with single cycle tone bursts at 1 to 4 kHz show that impedance increases with intensity. A theoretical analysis is presented for high-porosity, rigid-frame, isothermal materials. One dimensional equations of motion are derived and solved by perturbation. The experiments show that there is excess attenuation of the fundamental component and in some cases a close approach to saturation. A separate theoretical model, developed to explain the excess attenuation, yields predictions that are in good agreement with the measurements. Impedance and attenuation at high intensities are modeled.

Kuntz, H. L., II↗

Possible contributions of supernova remnants to the soft X-ray diffuse background (0.1 - 1keV)

Almost all of the B band (0.10-0.19 keV) and C band (0.15-0.28 keV) X-rays probably originate in a hot region surrounding the Sun, which Cox and Anderson modeled as a supernova remnant. This same region may account for a significant fraction of the M band (0.5-1 keV) X-rays if the nonequilibrium models of Cox and Anderson are applicable. A population of distant SNR similar to the local region, with center-to-center spacing of about 300 pc, could provide enough galactic M band emission to fill in the dip in the count rate in the galactic plane that would otherwise be present due to absorption of both the extra galactic power law flux and any large-scale-height stellar (or galactic halo) emission.

Sanders, W. T.↗

Hydrodynamic stability of jets produced by mass accreting systems

The existing model for pulsed X-ray emission from the source Hercules X-1 is reviewed. A necessary part of this model is a processing accretion disk which turns the source on and off with 35 day cycle. It is usually assumed that precession of the primary star in this binary system, Hz Hercules, slaves the disk to its precession rate. This model can account for the system behavior in a qualitative manner. Precession of Hz Hercules with 35 day period requires precession of the binary orbit. Pulse arrival times from Herc X-1 have been analyzed for orbital precession. The inclusion of precession does not significantly improve the results obtained assuming a non-precessing orbit. The fluid dynamical stability of extra-galactic jets and the possible consequences of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at the jet surface external medium interface are considered.

Hardee, P. E.↗

Turbulence measurements in a compressible reattaching shear layer

Detailed hot-wire measurements of the longitudinal component of the mass-flow fluctuations have been made in an approximately self-preserving free shear layer reattaching on a 20 degree ramp at Mach number of 2.9. The experimental configuration is especially designed to provide a well-defined initial condition for the reattachment process. The absolute mass-flow turbulence intensity increases dramatically through the compression in the reattachment region, which is in sharp contrast to similar subsonic reattachments. It is clear that the mean dilatation contributes significantly to the turbulence amplification. In addition, the length scale is affected strongly by the presence of extra strain rates. Prediction of this flow will require some sophisticated modelling, and the challenge to the predictor is clear.

Hayakawa, K.↗

The enchanted loom

The evolution of intelligence began with the movement of Crossopterygian fish onto land. The eventual appearance of large dinosaurs eliminated all but the smallest of mammalian creatures, with the survivors forced to move only nocturnally, when enhanced olfactory and aural faculties were favored and involved a larger grey matter/body mass ratio than possessed by the dinosaurs. Additionally, the mammals made comparisons between the inputs of various senses, implying the presence of significant memory capacity and an ability to abstract survival information. More complex behavior occurred with the advent of tree dwellers (forward-looking eyes), hands, color vision, and the ability to grip and manipulate objects. An extra pound of brain evolved in the human skull in less than a million years. The neural processes that can lead to an action by a creature with a brain are mimicked by the basic AND and OR gates in computers, which are rapidly approaching the circuit density of the human brain. It is suggested that humans will eventually produce computers of higher intelligence than people possess, and computer spacecraft, alive in an electronic sense, will travel outward to explore the universe.

Jastrow, R.↗

Deep diode arrays for X-ray detection

Temperature gradient zone melting process was used to form p-n junctions in bulk of high purity silicon wafers. These diodes were patterned to form arrays for X-ray spectrometers. The whole fabrication processes for these X-ray detectors are reviewed in detail. The p-n junctions were evaluated by (1) the dark diode I-V measurements, (2) the diode C sub I - V measurements, and (3) the MOS C-V measurements. The results showed that these junctions were linearly graded in charge distribution with low reverse bias leakage current flowing through them (few nA at -10 volts). The X-ray detection experiments showed that an FWHM of 500 eV was obtained from these diodes with a small bias of just -5 volts (for X-ray source Fe55). A theoretical model was proposed to explain the extra peaks found in the energy spectra and a very interesting point - cross talk effect was pointed out. This might be a solution to the problem of making really high resolution X-ray spectrometers.

Zemel, J. N.↗

Particle size effects on viscosity of silver pastes: A manufacturer's view

Particles from a variety of silver powders were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and particle size analyses. Particle size distribution curves and volume population graphs were prepared for these silver powders and for glass powders with optimum, extra fine and coarse particle sizes. The viscosity at a given shear rate and slope of viscosity over a range of shear rates were determined for thick film pastes made with these powders. Because of particle anomalies and variations, the need for flexibility to achieve the best printing qualities for silver pastes was evident. It was established that print quality, dried and fired film density and optimum contact of silver particles with silicon, important for cell electrical output, could be achieved by adjusting the slope of viscosity that fell outside of the range, -0.550 to -0.650. This was accomplished through organic vehicle technology that permitted a change in the slope of viscosity, up or down, while maintaining a constant silver and total solids content.

Provance, J.↗

Temporal and spatial distribution of exhumed topography

Perhaps the greatest chance for exhumation, or burial, of a landscape by terrestrial processes exists near the boundaries of the climatic belts. In the Southern Hemisphere, there is comparatively little land area within Budel's zone of extra-tropical valley formation, which contains most of the examples of exhumed topography in the Northern Hemisphere. The only examples of resurrected landforms that occur within Budel's tropical zone are located near the boundary of this zone, where climate may have changed during the Pleistocene. The ages of exhumed landforms sampled are not equally distributed through geologic time. Most of the exhumed features were created either during the Precambrian or the Tertiary periods which are commonly cited as episodes of significant landform development.

Rhodes, D. D.↗

Real Surface Effects in Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication

Following a general discussion of real effects in EHL, consideration is given in detail to the role played by stochastic roughness superimposed on the nominal solid boundaries. Particular attention is given to the full-film EHL regime where incipient asperity contact bears a negligible fraction of the load. Flow, from which an averaged Reynolds equation can be formed, is nonetheless modified by the amplitude and texture of the roughness patterns. In describing these effects by means of certain well-defined flow factors, it is found that only two extra parameters are needed - the rms surface height and the ratio of the correlation lengths in the two principal roughness directions. In a lowest order perturbation expansion of these flow factors in powers of the ratio of rms roughness to nominal film thickness, no other properties of the roughness appear. In most cases of practical interest, the factors describing Poiseuille flow are separable into the sum of two single-surface flow factors which means that a combination of a single equivalent rough surface versus an ideal smooth surface can always be found. For flow entrained by slip velocity the factors separate instead into a difference of single-surface factors and it becomes significant which of the two surfaces carries the equivalent roughness. Results are discussed of some applications of the averaged Reynolds equation based on the flow factor method to the EHL line contact problem. Finally, the partial EHL regime is considered where comparable load fractions are carried by the hydrodynamic film and by incipient mechanical contact. An extension of the method into this regime by combining it with asperity contact models appears most encouraging.

John H Tripp↗

Stray light analysis of the Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE)

The straylight analysis of the diffuse infrared background experiment (DIRBE) on the cosmic background explorer (COBE) mission is discussed. From the statement of work (SOW), the purpose of DIRBE is to measure, or set upper limits on, the spectral and spatial character of the diffuse extra galactic infrared radiation. Diffuse infrared sources within our own galaxy are measured. The required reduction of the unwanted radiation imposes severe design and operating restrictions on the DIRBE instrument. To accomplish its missions, it will operate at a multitude of wavelengths ranging from 1.25 um out to 200 to 300 microns. The operating bands and the required point source normalized irradiance transmittance (PSNIT) are shown. The important straylight concepts in the DIRBE design are reviewed. The model and assumptions used in APART analysis are explained. The limitations due to the scalar theory used in the analysis are outlined.

Breault, R. P.↗

Case studies of NOAA 6/TIROS N data impact on numerical weather forecasts

The impact of satellite temperatures from systems which predate the launching of the third generation of vertical sounding instruments aboard TIROS N (13 Oct 1978) and NOAA 6 (27 June 1979) is reported. The first evaluation of soundings from TIROS N found that oceanic, cloudy retrievals over NH mid latitudes show a cold bias in winter. It is confirmed for both satellite systems using a larger data base. It is shown that RMS differences between retrievals and colocated radiosonde observations within the swath 30-60N during the 1979-80 winter were generally 2-3K in clear air and higher for cloudy columns. A positive impact of TIROS N temperatures on the analysis of synoptic weather systems is shown. Analyses prepared from only satellite temperatures seemed to give a better definition to weather systems' thermal structure than that provided by corresponding NMC analyses without satellite data. The results of a set of 14 numerical forecast experiments performed with the PE model of the Israel Meteorological Service (IMS) are summarized; these were designed to test the impact of TIROS N and NOAA 6 temperatures within the IMS analysis and forecast cycle. The satellite data coverage over the NH, the mean area/period S1 and RMS verification scores and the spatial distribution of SAT versus NO SAT forecast differences are discussed and it is concluded that positive forecast impact occurs over ocean areas where the extra data improve the specification which is otherwise available from conventional observations. The forecast impact for three cases from the same set of experiments was examined and it is found that satellite temperatures, observed over the Atlantic Ocean contribute to better forecasts over Iceland and central Europe although a worse result was verified over Spain. It is also shown that the better scores of a forecast based also on satellite data and verified over North America actually represent a mixed impact on the forecast synoptic patterns. A superior 48 hr 500 mb forecast over the western US due to the better initial specification afforded by satellite observed temperatures over the North Pacific Ocean is shown.

Druyan, L. M.↗

Microcrystalline silicon growth for heterojunction solar cells

Microcrystalline Si (m-Si) films with a 1.7eV energy bandgap and crystal size of several hundred A were e-beam evaporated on single crystalline Si (c-Si) to form a heterojunction with the substrate, or a window layer to a single crystalline p-n junction (heteroface structure). The goal was to enhance Voc by such uses of the larger bandgap m-Si, with the intriguing prospect of forming heterostructures with exact lattice match on each layer. The heterojunction structure was affected by interface and shunting problems and the best Voc achieved was only 482mV, well below that of single crystal Si homojunctions. The heteroface structure showed promise for some of the samples with p m-Si/p-n structure (the complementary structure did not show any improvement). Although several runs with different deposition conditions were run, the results were inconsistent. Any Voc enhancement obtained was too small to compensate for the current loss due to the extra absorption and poor carrier transport properties of the m-Si film.

Leung, D. C.↗