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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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

Geographic Information Systems for Assessing Existing and Potential Bio-energy Resources: Their Use in Determining Land Use and Management Options which Minimize Ecological and Landscape Impacts in Rural Areas

A management construct is described which forms part of an overall landscape ecological planning model which has as a principal objective the extension of the traditional descriptive land use mapping capabilities of geographic information systems into land management realms. It is noted that geographic information systems appear to be moving to more comprehensive methods of data handling and storage, such as relational and hierarchical data management systems, and a clear need has simultaneously arisen therefore for planning assessment techniques and methodologies which can actually use such complex levels of data in a systematic, yet flexible and scenario dependent way. The descriptive of mapping method proposed broaches such issues and utilizes a current New England bioenergy scenario, stimulated by the use of hardwoods for household heating purposes established in the post oil crisis era and the increased awareness of the possible landscape and ecological ramifications of the continued increasing use of the resource.

Jackman, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Expert system-based mineral mapping using AVIRIS

Integrated analysis of imaging spectrometer data and field spectral measurements were used in conjunction with conventional geologic field mapping to characterize bedrock and surficial geology at the northern end of Death Valley, California and Nevada. A knowledge-based expert system was used to automatically produce image maps from Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data showing the principal surface mineralogy. The imaging spectrometer data show the spatial distribution of spectrally distinct minerals occurring both as primary rock-forming minerals and as alteration and weathering products. Field spectral measurements were used to verify the mineral maps and field mapping was used to extend the remote sensing results. Geographically referenced image-maps produced from these data form new base maps from which to develop improved understanding of the processes of deposition and erosion affecting the present land surface. The 'northern Grapevine Mountains' (NGM) study area was reported on in numerous papers. This area is an unnamed northwestward extension of the range. Most of the research here has concentrated on mapping of Jurassic-age plutons and associated hydrothermal alteration, however, the nature and scope of these studies is much broader, pertaining to the geologic history and development of the entire Death Valley region. AVIRIS data for the NGM site were obtained during May 1989. Additional AVIRIS data were acquired during September 1989 as part of the Geologic Remote Sensing Field Experiment (GRSFE). The area covered by these data overlaps slightly with the May 1989 data. Three and one-half AVIRIS scenes total were analyzed.

Kruse, Fred A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A new image enhancement algorithm with applications to forestry stand mapping

The theory and applications are presented of a new image enhancement algorithm which refines computer classification maps of multispectral data. The refinement eliminates connected sets smaller than a prespecified size and merges them to the surrounding area. Conventional practices in forestry timber stand mapping requires small geographic areas to be absorbed by surrounding large areas to form homogeneous stands. This homogeneity is often incompatible with the statistical formulation of homogeneity. Elements within a timber stand which should be labeled as one feature often correspond to more than one class mapped by existing computer classification techniques. The new algorithm is designed to postprocess classification maps to result in more usable timber stand maps. The new image enhancement technique is compared with an accepted neighbor-checking postprocessing technique, demonstrating the superiority of the new technique for forestry stand mapping.

Kan, E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Use of satellites to determine optimum locations for solar power stations

Ground measurements of solar radiation are too sparse to determine important mesoscale differences that can be of major significance in solar power station locations. Cloud images in the visual spectrum from the SMS/GOES geostationary satellites are used to determine the hourly distribution of sunshine on a mesoscale in the continental United States excluding Alaska. Cloud coverage and density as a function of time of day and season are considered through the use of digital data processing techniques. Low density cirrus clouds are less detrimental to solar energy collection than other types; and clouds in the morning and evening are less detrimental than those during midday hours of maximum insolation. The seasonal geographic distributions of sunshine are converted to Langleys of solar radiation received at the earth's surface through the use of transform equations developed from long-term measurements of these two parameters at 18 widely distributed stations. The high correlation between measurements of sunshine and radiation makes this possible. The output product will be maps showing the geographic distribution of total solar radiation on the mesoscale which is received at the earth's surface during each season.

Hiser, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Comparison of multi-temporal NOAA-AVHRR and SPOT-XS satellite data for mapping land-cover dynamics in the West African Sahel

Multi-resolution and multi-temporal remote sensing data (SPOT-XS and AVHRR) were evaluated for mapping local land-cover dynamics in the Sahel of West Africa. The aim of this research was to evaluate the agricultural information that could be derived from both high and low spatial resolution data in areas where there is very often limited ground information. A combination of raster-based image processing and vector-based geographical information system mapping was found to be effective for understanding both spatial and spectral land-cover dynamics. The SPOT data proved useful for mapping local land-cover classes in a dominantly recessive agricultural region. The AVHRR-LAC data could be used to map the dynamics of riparian vegetation, but not the changes associated with recession agriculture. In areas where there was a complex mixture of recession and irrigated agriculture, as well as riparian vegetation, the AVHRR data did not provide an accurate temporal assessment of vegetation dynamics.

Marsh, S. E.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Experiment Design and Visualization Techniques for an X-59 Low-boom Variability Study

This presentation outlines the design of experiments approach and data visualization techniques for a simulation study of sonic booms from NASA’s X-59 supersonic aircraft. The X-59 will soon be flown over communities across the contiguous USA as it produces a low-loudness sonic boom, or low-boom. Survey data on human perception of low-booms will be collected to support development of potential future commercial supersonic aircraft noise regulatory standards. The macroscopic atmosphere plays a critical role in the loudness of sonic booms. The extensive sonic boom simulation study presented herein was completed to assess climatological, geographical, and seasonal effects on the variability of the X-59’s low-boom loudness and noise exposure region size in order to inform X-59 community test planning. The loudness and extent of the noise exposure region make up the “sonic boom carpet.” Two spatial and temporal resolutions of atmospheric input data to the simulation were investigated. A Fast Flexible Space-Filling Design was used to select the locations across the USA for the two spatial resolutions. Analysis of simulated X-59 low-boom loudness data within a regional subset of the northeast USA was completed using a bootstrap forest to determine the final spatial and temporal resolution of the countrywide simulation study. Atmospheric profiles from NOAA’s Climate Forecast System Version 2 database were used to generate over one million simulated X-59 carpets at the final selected 138 locations across the USA. Effects of aircraft heading, season, geography, and climate zone on low-boom levels and noise exposure region size were analyzed. Models were developed to estimate loudness metrics throughout the USA for X-59 supersonic cruise overflight, and results were visualized on maps to show geographical and seasonal trends. These results inform regulators and mission planners on expected variations in boom levels and carpet extent from atmospheric variations. Understanding potential carpet variability is important when planning community noise surveys using the X-59.

X-59↗
NASA NTRS1984

Recent advances in multispectral sensing of ocean surface temperature from space

Visual and infrared measurements from the five channel AVHRR on the NOAA-7 satellite are used operationally to derive sea surface temperatures. The multichannel data perform daytime and nighttime cloud detection tests, and the several atmospheric window channels in the thermal infrared correct for atmospheric attenuation. Monitoring of the sea surface temperature product with buoy data indicates stability in mean bias and rms difference with little variation by season or geographic area. Global mapping enables the derivation of monthly mean isotherms, monthly and annual changes, and anomaly patterns relative to climatology. Problems are associated with noise in the 3.7 micro m window channel, and with the injection of substantial volcanic aerosol into the stratosphere by the El Chichon eruption. Multichannel sea surface temperature charts are used to study phenomena such as equatorial long waves and the recent El Nino episode.

Mcclain, E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

UV albedo of clouds from TOMS data

The Pilot Climate Data System (PCDS) was found to be useful in examining a subset of data from the Nimbus-7 Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS). The TOMS instrument scans with six channels between .3 and .4 micrometers. It was suggested that by analyzing albedo values from the longer wavelength channels of the TOMS, the effects of increasing optical depth could be determined. It is spectral relationship of albedo-to-optical depth that is investigated here. The question can be stated: Is there spectral differentiation in albedo with changes in the optical depth of clouds? Nimbus-7 TOMS data were obtained through the PCDS for an area and time period for which correlative NOAA AVHRR data were available. The AVHRR data were important in determining the existing cloud patterns. As expected, no spectral differentiation was observed at very high albedos (associated with high optical depths). However, at lower optical depths, evidence of spectral dependence on albedo was observed. Mapping the results geographically was deemed highly desirable but was not possible through the PCDS at the time. The PCDS can be viewed as an effective research tool to access selected portions of data. Without being intimately familiar with a data set, a PCDS user can successfully manipulate data in a scientific study.

Short, D.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Cockpit weather graphics using mobile satellite communications

Many new companies are pushing state-of-the-art technology to bring a revolution in the cockpits of General Aviation (GA) aircraft. The vision, according to Dr. Bruce Holmes - the Assistant Director for Aeronautics at National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Langley Research Center, is to provide such an advanced flight control system that the motor and cognitive skills you use to drive a car would be very similar to the ones you would use to fly an airplane. We at ViGYAN, Inc., are currently developing a system called the Pilot Weather Advisor (PWxA), which would be a part of such an advanced technology flight management system. The PWxA provides graphical depictions of weather information in the cockpit of aircraft in near real-time, through the use of broadcast satellite communications. The purpose of this system is to improve the safety and utility of GA aircraft operations. Considerable effort is being extended for research in the design of graphical weather systems, notably the works of Scanlon and Dash. The concept of providing pilots with graphical depictions of weather conditions, overlaid on geographical and navigational maps, is extremely powerful.

Seth, Shashi↗
NASA NTRS1991

A Collection of The Movies

This video contains computer-generated animation made from still data sets processed by computer to give the illusion of flying around the objects. 'Earth - The Movie' uses cloud data from satellites and geographical data from maps. 'L.A. - The Movie' was taken from Landsat data of the Los Angeles area. This was the first experimental demonstration of the technology. 'Mars - The Movie' was taken from Viking orbiter data. 'Miranda - The Movie' was made from a mosaic of 9 frames taken by Voyager of the Uranium moon, Miranda. The last movie is 'Monterey - The Bay.'

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2005

NASA GES DISC DAAC Satellite Data for GIS

NASA's Goddard Earth Science (GES) Data and Information Services Center (DISC) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) makes available a large and continually growing collection of spatially continuous global satellite observations of environmental parameters. These products include those from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on both Terra and Aqua platforms, and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). These data products are well suited for use within Geographic Information Systems (GIS), as both backdrops to cartographic products as well as spatial analysis. However, data format, file size, and other issues have limited their widespread use by traditional GIS users. To address these data usability issues, the GES DISC DAAC recently updated tools and improved documentation of conversion procedures. In addition, the GES DISC DAAC has also been working with a major GIS software vendor to incorporate the ability to read the native Hierarchial Data Format (HDF), the format in which most of the NASA data is stored. The result is the enabling of GIS users to realize the benefit of GES DISC DAAC data without a substantial expenditure in resources to incorporate these data into their GIS. Several documents regarding the potential uses of GES DISC DAAC satellite data in GIS have recently been created. These show the combinations of concurrent data from different satellite products with traditional GIS vector products for given geographic areas. These map products include satellite imagery of Hurricane Isabel and the California wildfires, and can be viewed at http://daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/MODIS/GIS/.

Nickless, Darryl↗
NASA NTRS2006

Central America Regional Climate Change Program: Tools for Your Use

USAID/E-CAM and EGAT's Global Climate Change Team, in partnership with EPA, NASA, Oak Ridge National Lab, and the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), have had a significant impact on the region's ability to monitor, mitigate, and adapt to environmental threats. Environmental decision-making tools and data are posted on a website (SERVIR: http://servir.nsstc.nasa.pov/home.html)that provides satellite and geographic data and maps to anybody with an Internet connection. The SERVIR program has been identified as the model for the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) - a major international effort to develop a 21st century system for environmental management and disaster response. In coordination with the USAID/EPA program, NASA has developed a GIs tool that enables countries to examine their forest cover and document changes on an annual basis. This information is used in calculating carbon emissions as part of greenhouse gas inventories, but also serves a valuable monitoring function. In addition, USAID/E-CAM and EGAT's Global Climate Change Team in collaboration with EPA are helping countries meet their obligations as signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). EPA is assisting Central American governments to improve the quality of their greenhouse gas emission inventories reported to the UNFCCC through the development of tools and improvements in data quality. New EPA tools developed include software to automatically calculate greenhouse gas emissions for the agricultural and forestry sector inventories, determine key sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and document institutional arrangements. Several of these tools are state of the art and are comparable to tools currently used in the U.S.

Irwin, Dan↗
NASA NTRS1988

History of wildland fires on Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

The fire history of the past 50 years for Vandenberg AFB, California was determined using aerial photography, field investigation, and historical and current written records. This constitutes a record of the vegetation age classes for the entire base. The location, cause, and fuel type for sixty fires from this time period were determined. The fires were mapped and entered into a geographic infomation system (GIS) for Vandenberg. Fire history maps derived from this GIS were printed at 1:9600 scale and are on deposit at the Vandenberg Environmental Task Force Office. Although some ecologically significant plant communities on Vandenberg are adapted to fire, no natural fire frequency could be determined, since only one fire possibly caused by lightning occurred in the area now within the base since 1937. Observations made during this study suggest that burning may encourage the invasion of exotic species into chaparral, in particular Burton Mesa or sandhill chaparral, an unusual and geographically limited form of chaparral found on the base.

Hickson, Diana E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Space imagery and some geomorphological problems of the Guiana Shield, South America

Some ongoing involvement in regional geomorphologic research in South America is described. Because of association with LARS at Purdue University, there has been engagement, vicarious or adivsory, in projects which led to LANDSAT 1-2 mapping of the natural resources of Bolivia (1:8,000,000 scale), and preparation of a geographic information system which mapped the general hydrology, geology, soils, and vegetation of Ecuador (1:4,000,000 scale). Currently we are involved more specifically in geological-geomorphological mapping of the Venezuelan portion of the Guiana shield, and because of manuscript limitations only questions pertinent to this region are posed in the ensuing discussion.

Melhorn, W. N.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Arizona land use experiment

Utilization of new sources of statewide remote sensing data, taken from high-altitude aircraft and from spacecraft is discussed along with incorporation of information extracted from these sources into on-going land and resources management programs in Arizona. Statewide cartographic applications of remote sensor data taken by NASA high-altitude aircraft include the development of a statewide semi-analytic control network, the production of nearly 1900 orthophotoquads (image maps) that are coincident in scale and area with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7. 5 minute topographic quadrangle map series, and satellite image maps of Arizona produced from LANDSAt multispectral scanner imagery. These cartographic products are utilized for a wide variety of experimental and operational earth resources applications. Applications of the imagery, image maps, and derived information discussed include: soils and geologic mapping projects, water resources investigations, land use inventories, environmental impact studies, highway route locations and mapping, vegetation cover mapping, wildlife habitat studies, power plant siting studies, statewide delineation of irrigation cropland, position determination of drilling sites, pictorial geographic bases for thematic mapping, and court exhibits.

Winikka, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Assessment of vegetation change in a fire-altered forest landscape

This research focused on determining the degree to which differences in burn severity relate to postfire vegetative cover within a Michigan pine forest. Landsat MSS data from June 1973 and TM data from October 1982 were classified using an unsupervised approach to create prefire and postfire cover maps of the study area. Using a raster-based geographic information system (GIS), the maps were compared, and a map of vegetation change was created. An IR/red band ratio from a June 1980 Landsat scene was classified to create a map of three degres of burn severity, which was then compared with the vegetation change map using a GIS. Classification comparisons of pine and deciduous forest classes (1973 to 1982) revealed that the most change in vegetation occurred in areas subjected to the most intense burn. Two classes of regenerating forest comprised the majority of the change, while the remaining change was associated with shrub vegetation or another forest class.

Jakubauskas, Mark E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Temperate zone sporadic-E maps /f/0/E/s/ greater than 7 MHz/

Three maps are presented of f(0) sporadic-E greater than 7 MHz for temperate zones. During map preparation it was assumed that: (1) the geographical area would be between plus and minus 60 deg geomagnetic latitude, excluding the equatorial zone, (2) the maps would be for f(0) sporadic-E greater than 7 MHz, (3) sunspot cycle variation would be ignored, (4) one map would represent the peak sporadic-E period with a discontinuity at the geographic equator, (5) one map would represent non-peak periods with a discontinuity at the geographic equator, (6) one map would represent all twelve months with no equatorial discontinuity, and (7) previously determined coefficients for median and upper decile f(0) sporadic-E would be extrapolated to 7 MHz.

Smith, E. K.↗