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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

The 1971 corn blight watch experiment data processing, analysis, and interpretation

The principle data acquisition centers are listed for the corn blight experiment. A data storage and retrieval system was established. The purpose of the system was to: (1) store data in organized library; (2) maintain a record of all data stored and reduced for future access; (3) report the data in simplest form to users; and (4) record data reduction results from photographic and multispectral scanner sensors. The procedures designed for handling the large amounts of data are also reviewed.

Phillips, T. L.↗

Analysis and interpretation of lunar laser altimetry.

About 4.5 revolutions of laser altimetry were obtained by Apollo 15. This altimetry indicates a 2-km displacement of the center of mass from the center of figure toward the earthside. The terrae are quite rough, with frequent changes of 1 km or more in successive altitudes at about 33-km intervals. The mean altitude of terrae above maria is about 3 km with respect to the center of mass, indicating a thickness of about 24 km for a high-alumina crust. The maria are extremely level, with elevations varying not more than plus or minus 150 m about the mean over some stretches of 200 to 600 km. However, different maria have considerably different mean elevations. The largest unanticipated feature found is a 1400 km wide depression centered at about 180 deg longitude, and 2 km deep with respect to a 1737-km sphere (about 6 km deep with respect to the surrounding terrae). This basin has the appearance of typical terrae, although there are indications of a ring structure of about 600-km radius in the Orbiter photography. Altitudes across circum-Orientale features suggest that Mare Orientale is also a deep basin. The data appear to corroborate a model of early large-scale differentiation of a crust, followed a considerable time later by short intense episodes of mare filling with low viscosity lavas.

Kaula, W. M.↗

Standard methods for analysis and interpretation of Lidar data for environmental monitoring

Lidar is similar in principle to microwave radar but uses a pulsed laser as the source and an optical telescope as the receiver. Lidar observations of elastic scattering from aerosols and more recently Raman scattering from molecules have been performed in the atmosphere with favorable results. A description of the Lidar technique is provided. Lidar measurements of remote visibility are discussed together with the measurement of remote visibility and the determination of molecular concentrations.

Melfi, S. H.↗

The analysis and interpretation of solar X-ray photographs

The paper examines methods of analyzing and interpreting solar X-ray photographs obtained by soft X-ray telescopes such as those used during the Skylab mission, to obtain information on the physical conditions that give rise to coronal X-ray emitting features revealed by inspection or microdensitometry of the X-ray photographs. First, the differential emission measure function is defined. By choosing models for this function and calculating the integral for the irradiance at the film for each filter, one calculates the effective temperature and emission measure. This method gives correct results only when applied to isothermal regions. For heterothermal regions, a modeling approach which predicts the run of temperature and density, and thus the form of the differential measure function, is used.

Underwood, J. H.↗

Analysis and interpretation of Viking labeled release experimental results

The Viking Labeled Release (LR) life detection experiment on the surface of Mars produced data consistent with a biological interpretation. In considering the plausibility of this interpretation, terrestrial life forms were identified which could serve as models for Martian microbial life. Prominent among these models are lichens which are known to survive for years in a state of cryptobiosis, to grow in hostile polar environments, to exist on atmospheric nitrogen as sole nitrogen source, and to survive without liquid water by absorbing water directly from the atmosphere. Another model is derived from the endolithic bacteria found in the dry Antarctic valleys; preliminary experiments conducted with samples of these bacteria indicate that they produce positive LR responses approximating the Mars results. However, because of the hositility of the Martian environment to life, and the failure to find organics on the surface of Mars, a number of nonbiological explanations were advanced to account for the Viking LR data. A reaction of the LR nutrient with putative surface hydrogen peroxide is the leading candidate. Other possibilities raised include reactions caused by or with ultraviolet irradiation, gamma-Fe2O3, metalloperoxides or superoxides.

Levin, G. V.↗

Distribution automation and control support; Analysis and interpretation of DAC working group results for use in project planning

The Executive Summary and Proceedings of the Working Group Meeting was analyzed to identify specific projects appropriate for Distribution Automation and Control DAC RD&D. Specific projects that should be undertaken in the DAC RD&D program were recommended. The projects are presented under broad categories of work selected based on ESC's interpretation of the results of the Working Group Meeting. Some of the projects are noted as utility industry projects. The ESC recommendations regarding program management are presented. Utility versus Government management responsibilities are noted.

Klock, P.↗

Analysis and interpretation of lidar observations of the stratospheric aerosol

Data obtained with a 48 in. telescope lidar system are compared with results obtained using a one-dimensional stratospheric aerosol model to analyze various microphysical processes influencing the formation of this aerosol. Special attention is given to the following problems: (1) how lidar data can help determine the composition of the aerosol particles and (2) how the layer corresponds to temperature profile variations. The lidar record during the period 1974 to 1979 shows a considerable decrease of the peak value of the backscatter ratio. Seasonal variations in the aerosol layer and a gradual decrease in stratospheric loading are observed. The aerosol model simulates a background stratospheric aerosol layer, and it predicts stratospheric aerosol concentrations and compositions. Numerical experiments are carried out by using the model and by comparing the theoretical results with the experimentally obtained lidar record. Comparisons show that the backscatter profile is consistent with the composition when the particles are sulfuric acid and water; it is not consistent with an ammonium sulfate composition. It is shown that the backscatter ratio is not sensitive to the composition or stratospheric loading of condensation nuclei such as meteoritic debris.

Hamill, P.↗

Analysis and Interpretation of Synthetic Time Strings of Oscillation Data

Artificial strings of solar oscillation data with gaps and noise, corresponding to the output of different spatial filter functions, were analyzed. Peaks in the power spectrum are identified for values of the degree l from 0 to 18, and rotational splitting is estimated. The filters prove effective in facilitating identification of essentially all the real peaks in the power spectrum. Estimates of peak frequencies and amplitudes and rotational splitting frequencies are in reasonably good agreement with the input values. Spurious peaks in autocorrelation spectra correspond to the frequency spacing between power peaks with the same order n, differing by one or two in the degree l.

Mihalas, B. W.↗

Analysis and interpretation of MAGSAT anomalies over north Africa

Crustal anomaly detection with MAGSAT data is frustrated by inherent resolving power of the data and by contamination from external and core fields. Quality of the data might be tested by modeling specific tectonic features which produce anomalies that fall within proposed resolution and crustal amplitude capabilities of MAGSAT fields. To test this hypothesis, north African hotspots associated with Ahaggar, Tibesti and Darfur were modeled as magnetic induction anomalies. MAGSAT data were reduced by subtracting external and core fields to isolate scalar and vertical component crustal signals. Of the three volcanic areas, only the Ahaggar region had an associated anomaly of magnitude above error limits of the data. Hotspot hypothesis was tested for Ahaggar by seeing if predicted magnetic signal matched MAGSAT anomaly. Predicted model magnetic signal arising from surface topography of the uplift and the Curie isothermal surface was calculated at MAGSAT altitudes by Fourier transform technique modified to allow for variable magnetization. Curie isotherm surface was calculated using a method for temperature distribution in a moving plate above a fixed hotspot. Magnetic signal was calculated for a fixed plate as well as a number of plate velocities and directions.

Phillips, R. J.↗

Constraints on lithospheric structure from satellite potential field data: Africa and Asia. Analysis and interpretation of MAGSAT anomalies over North Africa

Crustal anomaly detection with MAGSAT data is frustrated by the inherent resolving power of the data and by contamination from the external and core fields. The quality of the data might be tested by modeling specific tectonic features which produce anomalies that fall within the proposed resolution and crustal amplitude capabilities of the MAGSAT fields. To test this hypothesis, the north African hotspots associated with Ahaggar, Tibestia and Darfur have been modeled as magnetic induction anomalies due solely to shallower depth to the Curie isotherm surface beneath these features. The MAGSAT data were reduced by subtracting the external and core fields to isolate the scalar and vertical component crustal signals. The predicted model magnetic signal arising from the surface topography of the uplift and the Curie isotherm surface was calculated at MAGSAT altitudes by the Fourier transform technique modified to allow for variable magnetization. In summary it is suggested that the region beneath Ahaggar is associated with a strong thermal anomaly and the predicted anomaly best fits the associated MAGSAT anomaly if the African plate is moving in a northeasterly direction.

Phillips, R. J.↗

Geodesy by radio interferometry: Studies of the forced nutations of the earth. I - Data analysis. II - Interpretation

Very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations of compact extragalactic radio sources collected in North America and Europe between July 1980-December 1984 are analyzed. The nutations derived from VLBI data are compared with the nutations in the Wahr series (1981). Good correlation of the data is observed; however, it is detected that a correction of -1.80 + or - 0.18-i(0.42 + or - 0.18) is required for the amplitude of the retrograde annual nutation in the Wahr series. The change in free core nutation resonance frequency is calculated to explain the derivation in the retrograde annual nutation. It is concluded that VLBI earth nutation measurements have sufficient accuracy to be sensitive to core-mantle boundary properties.

Herring, T. A.↗

Development of data processing, interpretation and analysis system for remote sensing of trace atmospheric gas species

Highly efficient methods were developed for the analysis and reduction of Measurement of Air Pollution from Satellite (MAPS) data. Specific attention was directed to analyzing the data from the Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications 3 (OSTA-3) correlative measurements of aircraft research flights and from the OSTA-3 shuttle flight. Methods were developed for error analysis of the aircraft and spacecraft instruments. The LSI 11/23 software system was modified and expanded for future data analysis.

Gormsen, B. B.↗

Data analysis and interpretation of UVSP and other experiments on board solar maximum mission

During the period of this contract (February 1 1980 to February 1987) there were two separate efforts involved: one was programmetric, i.e., the coordination of scientific working groups and the organization of workshops in the solar physics discipline; the second was scientific, i.e., to perform research to investigate the fundamental physical mechanisms of the energy and momentum transport from the solar surface to interplanetary space. In the former, 19 workshops, involving 88 scientists were organized. In the latter aspect, the following were investigated: solar flare energy buildup and release, coronal dynamics, energy and momentum transport from lower solar atmosphere to interplanetary space, numerical methods for the calculation of the nonlinear force-free field, and the evolution of the solar magnetic field.

Wu, S. T.↗

Analysis and interpretation of X-ray pulsars

By careful measurements of the fluctuations in pulsar pulse periods on time scales of days and longer, researchers determined that these fluctuations are caused by changes in the rotation rate of the stellar crust apparently arising from matter accretion. The study of these fluctuations is a particularly promising way to determine the properties of accreting pulsars, because stellar rotation is relatively simple in comparison to much other X-ray source physics and can be investigated in detail. Rotation rates can be determined precisely.

Boynton, Paul E.↗

Analysis and interpretation of satellite fragmentation data

The velocity perturbations of the fragments of a satellite can shed valuable information regarding the nature and intensity of the fragmentation. A feasibility study on calculating the velocity perturbations from existing equations was carried out by analyzing 23 major documented fragmentation events. It was found that whereas the calculated values of the radial components of the velocity change were often unusually high, those in the two other orthogonal directions were mostly reasonable. Since the uncertainties in the radial component necessarily translate into uncertainties in the total velocity change, it is suggested that alternative expressions for the radial component of velocity be sought for the purpose of determining the cause of the fragmentation from the total velocity change. The calculated variances in the velocity perturbations in the two directions orthogonal to the radial vector indicate that they have the smallest values for collision induced breakups and the largest values for low-intensity explosion induced breakups. The corresponding variances for high-intensity explosion induced breakups generally have values intermediate between those of the two extreme categories. A three-dimensional plot of the variances in the two orthogonal velocity perturbations and the plane change angle shows a clear separation between the three major types of breakups. This information is used to reclassify a number of satellite fragmentation events of unknown category.

Tan, Arjun↗

Analysis and interpretation of low gravity boiling experiments in the KC-135

Reduced gravity two phase flow boiling and condensing experiments were conducted in the NASA KC-135. In an attempt to gain a better understanding of two phase flow behavior in reduced gravity, the individual test runs were critically examined to determine their suitability to be taken as representative of two phase flow in microgravity. Selected runs were simulated using the two fluid thermal-hydraulic COBRA/TRAC computer code. The comparisons of these sophisticated codes with the observed flow behavior illustrate the generic shortcomings of current two phase modeling capabilities in application to reduced gravity conditions.

Cuta, Judith M.↗