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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

Circulation anomaly mechanisms in the tropical Atlantic sector during the northeast Brazil rainy season - Results from the GISS general circulation model

The paper examines the effect of the SST pattern in the tropical Atlantic on the overlying atmosphere from a 7-yr run of the GCM of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) (period 1980-1986) and in comparison to upper air analyses of the ECMWF, surface ship observations and wind fields, and rainfall measurements in northeast Brazil. The GCM simulation reproduces the thermal and hydrostatic forcing of SST on the meridional gradients of lower-tropospheric thickness and pressure in the proper sense, albeit more weakly than observed. The modeled meridional wind component follows the meridional pressure gradient in the proper sense, but mean and range are smaller than observed, and the modeled interannual variability is not entirely consistent with observational evidence. Overall, the GISS GCM seems to reproduce reasonably well the response of lower-tropospheric thickness and near-surface pressure to SST, while the simulation of wind and rainfall is somewhat deficient.

Hastenrath, Stefan↗

Innovative Educational Aerospace Research at the Northeast High School Space Research Center

Northeast High Magnet School of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a proud sponsor of the Space Research Center (SPARC). SPARC, a model program of the Medical, Engineering, and Aerospace Magnet school, provides talented students the capability to successfully exercise full simulations of NASA manned missions. These simulations included low-Earth Shuttle missions and Apollo lunar missions in the past, and will focus on a planetary mission to Mars this year. At the end of each scholastic year, a simulated mission, lasting between one and eight days, is performed involving 75 students as specialists in seven teams The groups are comprised of Flight Management, Spacecraft Communications (SatCom), Computer Networking, Spacecraft Design and Engineering, Electronics, Rocketry, Robotics, and Medical teams in either the mission operations center or onboard the spacecraft. Software development activities are also required in support of these simulations The objective of this paper is to present the accomplishments, technology innovations, interactions, and an overview of SPARC with an emphasis on how the program's educational activities parallel NASA mission support and how this education is preparing student for the space frontier.

Audra Luyet↗

Interferometric Study of the Ice Stream in Interior Northeast Greenland

Initial work in Greenland with ERS-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery led to the discovery of a large ice stream which carries much of the ice discharge from the northeast quadrant of the ice sheet. The ice stream was identified based on the morphology of the surface, which indicated the influence of localized rapid ice flow. Continued investigations using repeat-pass interferometry from ERS-1 and ERS-2 allowed the character of the rapid motion to be determined, mapping the onset region in the deep interior of the ice sheet as well as more rapid motion downstream. Markers were placed on the ice sheet and are being tracked with the global positioning system (GPS) survey to provide tie-points for the interferometry, which will allow the absolute velocities to be determined in this very remote area.

Fahnestock, Mark↗

Ice Flow in the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream

As the use of satellite data for icesheet research has accelerated, new discoveries have changed the way that we think about ice discharge, and new tools have changed the way that we measure it. We have begun to apply a combination of remote sensing and ice sheet modeling techniques to study ice flow in the recently identified northeast Greenland ice stream. This ice stream shows evidence of organized flow far into the interior and has low-slope areas of rapid flow and regions of enhanced shear that resemble the ice streams of West Antarctica. The onset of rapid flow close to the ice divide and the evolution of its flow pattern, however, make this ice stream unique. Our investigation is aimed at increasing our understanding of this ice stream and its origins and role in the discharge of ice from the ice sheet and the effects that discharge may have on the history and evolution of the ice in northern Greenland. The ice flow data comes from satellite radar interferometry tied to reference points. We have applied this technique to measure the velocity over the entire ice stream, which is more than 700 km in length. The velocity contours reveal distinct, well-developed shear margins, which are coincident with linear features in the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) amplitude imagery. It is surprising to see such defined, enhanced flow so far inland and so close to the ice divide. The velocity data and topography data are being used to feed a modeling effort that allows us to study the dynamics and character rapid flow. Additional information is contained in the original.

Joughin, Ian↗

ROSAT HRI and ASCA Observations of the Spiral Galaxy NGC 6946 and its Northeast Complex of Luminous Supernova Remnants

Analysis of 80 ks ASCA (Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics) and 60 ks ROSAT HRI (High Resolution Image) observations of the face-on spiral galaxy NGC 6946 are presented. The ASCA image is the first observation of this galaxy above approximately 2 keV. Diffuse emission may be present in the inner approximately 4' extending to energies above approximately 2-3 keV. In the HRI data, 14 pointlike sources are detected, the brightest two being a source very close to the nucleus and a source to the northeast that corresponds to a luminous complex of interacting supernova remnants (SNRs). We detect a point source that lies approximately 30" west of the SNR complex but with a luminosity -1115 of the SNR complex. None of the point sources show evidence of strong variability; weak variability would escape our detection. The ASCA spectrum of the SNR complex shows evidence for an emission line at approximately 0.9 keV that could be either Ne IX at approximately 0.915 keV or a blend of ion stages of Fe L-shell emission if the continuum is fitted with a power law. However, a two-component, Raymond-Smith thermal spectrum with no lines gives an equally valid continuum fit and may be more physically plausible given the observed spectrum below 3 keV. Adopting this latter model, we derive a density for the SNR complex of 10-35 cm(exp -3), consistent with estimates inferred from optical emission-line ratios. The complex's extraordinary X-ray luminosity may be related more to the high density of the surrounding medium than to a small but intense interaction region where two of the complex's SNRs are apparently colliding.

Schlegel, E.↗

Evaluating the Synergistic Use of Low-Altitude AVIRIS and AIRSAR Data for Land Cover Mapping in Northeast Yellowstone National Park

Current land cover maps are needed by Yellowstone National Park (YNP) managers to assist them in protecting and preserving native flora and fauna. Synergistic use of hyperspectral and radar imagery offers great promise for mapping habitat in terms of cover type composition and structure. In response, a study was conducted to assess the utility of combining low-altitude AVIRIS and AIRSAR data for mapping land cover in a portion of northeast YNP. Land cover maps were produced from individual AVIRIS and AIRSAR data sets, as well as from a hybrid data stack of selected AVIRIS and AIRSAR data bands. The three resulting classifications were compared to field survey data and aerial photography to assess apparent benefits of hyperspectral/SAR data fusion for land cover mapping. Preliminary results will be presented.

Berglund, Judith↗

Development of Ground Reference GIS for Assessing Land Cover Maps of Northeast Yellowstone National Park

GIS technology and ground reference data often play vital roles in assessing land cover maps derived from remotely sensed data. This poster illustrates these roles, using results from a study done in Northeast Yellowstone National Park. This area holds many forest, range, and wetland cover types of interest to park managers. Several recent studies have focused on this locale, including the NASA Earth Observations Commercial Applications Program (EOCAP) hyperspectral project performed by Yellowstone Ecosystems Studies (YES) on riparian and in-stream habitat mapping. This poster regards a spin-off to the EOCAP project in which YES and NASA's Earth Science Applications Directorate explored the potential for synergistic use of hyperspecral, synthetic aperture radar, and multiband thermal imagery in mapping land cover types. The project included development of a ground reference GIS for site-specific data needed to evaluate maps from remotely sensed imagery. Field survey data included reflectance of plant communities, native and exotic plant species, and forest health conditions. Researchers also collected GPS points, annotated aerial photographs, and took hand held photographs of reference sites. The use of ESRI, ERDAS, and ENVI software enabled reference data entry into a GIS for comparision to georeferenced imagery and thematic maps. The GIS-based ground reference data layers supported development and assessment of multiple maps from remotely sensed data sets acquired over the study area.

Spruce, Joe↗

Geochemical characteristics of organic compounds in a permafrost sediment core sample from northeast Siberia, Russia

We studied total organic carbon (TOC), hydrocarbons and fatty acids in a permafrost sediment core sample (well 6-90, length 32.0 m, 1.5-2.5 Ma BP) from northeast Siberia (approximately 70 degrees N, 158 degrees E), Russia, to elucidate their geochemical features in relation to source organisms and paleoenvironmental conditions. Long-chain n-alkanes and n-alkanoic acids (>C19) were most predominant hydrocarbons and fatty acids, respectively, so organic matter in the sediment core was derived mainly from vascular plants and, to a much smaller extent, from bacteria. Low concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids revealed that organic matter in the sediment core was considerably degraded during and/or after sedimentation. The predominance of vascular plant components, the major ionic components of nonmarine sources, and geological data strongly implied that the sediment layers were formed in shallow lacustrine environments, such as swamp with large influences of tundra or forest-tundra vegetation. Also, no drastic changes in paleoenvironmental conditions for biological activity or geological events, such as sea transgressions or ice-sheet influences, occurred at the sampling site approximately 100 km from the coast of the East Siberian Sea during the late Pliocene an early Pleistocene periods.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

Subduction in an Eddy-Resolving State Estimate of the Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Are eddies an important contributor to subduction in the eastern subtropical gyre? Here, an adjoint model is used to combine a regional, eddy-resolving numerical model with observations to produce a state estimate of the ocean circulation. The estimate is a synthesis of a variety of in- situ observations from the Subduction Experiment, TOPEX/POSEIDON altimetry, and the MTI General Circulation Model. The adjoint method is successful because the Northeast Atlantic Ocean is only weakly nonlinear. The state estimate provides a physically-interpretable, eddy-resolving information source to diagnose subduction. Estimates of eddy subduction for the eastern subtropical gyre of the North Atlantic are larger than previously calculated from parameterizations in coarse-resolution models. Furthermore, eddy subduction rates have typical magnitudes of 15% of the total subduction rate. Eddies contribute as much as 1 Sverdrup to water-mass transformation, and hence subduction, in the North Equatorial Current and the Azores Current. The findings of this thesis imply that the inability to resolve or accurately parameterize eddy subduction in climate models would lead to an accumulation of error in the structure of the main thermocline, even in the relatively-quiescent eastern subtropical gyre.

WATER MASS TRANSFORMATIONS↗

Phase IV: Deploying ESE Pilot Information Programs for State and Local Government in the Northeast, the Education Community and the Commercial Sector

This Summary of Research report is a final report which summarizes significant accomplishments achieved during NASA grant NAG 13-00044 entitled Phase IV: Deploying ESE Pilot Information Programs for State and Local Government in the Northeast, the Education Community and the Commercial Sector , for the period of September 27,2000 through September 26,2004. All activities under this grant have been successfully completed. It has been requested by NASA reviewers that the material contained herein also be considered in $iew of NASA s twelve national priority areas. During the grant period, the nature of the Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) Application Program has been significantly amended (two major restructurings). These amendments have been reviewed at several meetings, including a national gathering held in Washington DC. Additional meetings have occurred with NASA officials at headquarters and at IAGT offices as the newly emerging programs have become defined. The work described herein is considered "cross-cutting", meaning that it has relevancy to several of the national priority areas. The time period covered requires that the twelve national priority areas initially articulated by NASA be considered. (Subsequent NASA revision has eliminated "community growth" as a focus area. It is not clear how this area might be treated in the future NASA organizational structure, but it is noted that the work reported herein includes clear potential for application to the previously defined community growth area, as well as most of the other application areas.) As indicated in the accompanying figure, activity reports throughout this report can be "mapped" to the priority areas.

Brower, Robert N.↗

Results of 17 Independent Geopositional Accuracy Assessments of Earth Satellite Corporation's GeoCover Landsat Thematic Mapper Imagery. Geopositional Accuracy Validation of Orthorectified Landsat TM Imagery: Northeast Asia

This report provides results of an independent assessment of the geopositional accuracy of the Earth Satellite (EarthSat) Corporation's GeoCover, Orthorectified Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery over Northeast Asia. This imagery was purchased through NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) Scientific Data Purchase (SDP) program.

Smith, Charles M.↗

Compositions of Three Lunar Meteorites: Meteorite Hills 01210, Northeast Africa 001, and Northwest Africa 3136

We report on compositions obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis on three new lunar meteorites, MET 01210 (Meteorite Hills, Antarctica; 23 g), NEA 001 (Northeast Africa, Sudan; 262 g), and NWA 3136 (Northwest Africa, Algeria or Morocco; 95 g). As in previous similar studies, we divided our samples into many (8-9) small (approximately 30 mg) subsamples prior to analysis.

Korotev, R. L.↗

Evidence for Aqueously Precipitated Sulfates in Northeast Meridiani Using THEMIS and TES Data

Recently aqueously deposited sulfate-rich bedrock was found at the MER-B Meridiani landing site [1]. Additional sulfate was observed from orbit by the Mars Express OMEGA instrument [2]. In this work, I present midinfrared spectral evidence (using THEMIS and TES) for sulfate in and around a channel deposit that lies to the northeast of the hematite- strewn plains of Meridiani at approx.2degN, 1degW (Fig. 1).

Lane, Melissa D.↗

Results From the John Glenn Biomedical Engineering Consortium. A Success Story for NASA and Northeast Ohio

The John Glenn Biomedical Engineering Consortium was established by NASA in 2002 to formulate and implement an integrated, interdisciplinary research program to address risks faced by astronauts during long-duration space missions. The consortium is comprised of a preeminent team of Northeast Ohio institutions that include Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, The National Center for Space Exploration Research, and the NASA Glenn Research Center. The John Glenn Biomedical Engineering Consortium research is focused on fluid physics and sensor technology that addresses the critical risks to crew health, safety, and performance. Effectively utilizing the unique skills, capabilities and facilities of the consortium members is also of prime importance. Research efforts were initiated with a general call for proposals to the consortium members. The top proposals were selected for funding through a rigorous, peer review process. The review included participation from NASA's Johnson Space Center, which has programmatic responsibility for NASA's Human Research Program. The projects range in scope from delivery of prototype hardware to applied research that enables future development of advanced technology devices. All of the projects selected for funding have been completed and the results are summarized. Because of the success of the consortium, the member institutions have extended the original agreement to continue this highly effective research collaboration through 2011.

Nall, Marsha M.↗

Influence of Averaging Method on the Evaluation of a Coastal Ocean Color Event on the U.S. Northeast Coast

Application of appropriate spatial averaging techniques is crucial to correct evaluation of ocean color radiometric data, due to the common log-normal or mixed log-normal distribution of these data. Averaging method is particularly crucial for data acquired in coastal regions. The effect of averaging method was markedly demonstrated for a precipitation-driven event on the U.S. Northeast coast in October-November 2005, which resulted in export of high concentrations of riverine colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) to New York and New Jersey coastal waters over a period of several days. Use of the arithmetic mean averaging method created an inaccurate representation of the magnitude of this event in SeaWiFS global mapped chl a data, causing it to be visualized as a very large chl a anomaly. The apparent chl a anomaly was enhanced by the known incomplete discrimination of CDOM and phytoplankton chlorophyll in SeaWiFS data; other data sources enable an improved characterization. Analysis using the geometric mean averaging method did not indicate this event to be statistically anomalous. Our results predicate the necessity of providing the geometric mean averaging method for ocean color radiometric data in the Goddard Earth Sciences DISC Interactive Online Visualization ANd aNalysis Infrastructure (Giovanni).

Acker, James G.↗

New Approach to Monitor Transboundary Particulate Pollution over Northeast Asia

A new approach to more accurately monitor and evaluate transboundary particulate matter (PM) pollution is introduced based on aerosol optical products from Korea's Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI). The area studied is Northeast Asia (including eastern parts of China, the Korean peninsula and Japan), where GOCI has been monitoring since June 2010. The hourly multi-spectral aerosol optical data that were retrieved from GOCI sensor onboard geostationary satellite COMS (Communication, Ocean, and Meteorology Satellite) through the Yonsei aerosol retrieval algorithm were first presented and used in this study. The GOCI-retrieved aerosol optical data are integrated with estimated aerosol distributions from US EPA Models-3/CMAQ (Community Multi-scale Air Quality) v4.5.1 model simulations via data assimilation technique, thereby making the aerosol data spatially continuous and available even for cloud contamination cells. The assimilated aerosol optical data are utilized to provide quantitative estimates of transboundary PM pollution from China to the Korean peninsula and Japan. For the period of 1 April to 31 May, 2011 this analysis yields estimates that AOD as a proxy for PM2.5 or PM10 during long-range transport events increased by 117-265% compared to background average AOD (aerosol optical depth) at the four AERONET sites in Korea, and average AOD increases of 121% were found when averaged over the entire Korean peninsula. This paper demonstrates that the use of multi-spectral AOD retrievals from geostationary satellites can improve estimates of transboundary PM pollution. Such data will become more widely available later this decade when new sensors such as the GEMS (Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer) and GOCI-2 are scheduled to be launched.

Data Assimilation↗

Statistical Downscaling and Bias Correction of Climate Model Outputs for Climate Change Impact Assessment in the U.S. Northeast

Statistical downscaling can be used to efficiently downscale a large number of General Circulation Model (GCM) outputs to a fine temporal and spatial scale. To facilitate regional impact assessments, this study statistically downscales (to 1∕8deg spatial resolution) and corrects the bias of daily maximum and minimum temperature and daily precipitation data from six GCMs and four Regional Climate Models (RCMs) for the northeast United States (US) using the Statistical Downscaling and Bias Correction (SDBC) approach. Based on these downscaled data from multiple models, five extreme indices were analyzed for the future climate to quantify future changes of climate extremes. For a subset of models and indices, results based on raw and bias corrected model outputs for the present-day climate were compared with observations, which demonstrated that bias correction is important not only for GCM outputs, but also for RCM outputs. For future climate, bias correction led to a higher level of agreements among the models in predicting the magnitude and capturing the spatial pattern of the extreme climate indices. We found that the incorporation of dynamical downscaling as an intermediate step does not lead to considerable differences in the results of statistical downscaling for the study domain.

extreme climate index↗