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Results for “strong scaling”

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 NTRS2006

A 70 Kiloparsec X-Ray Tail in the Cluster A3627

We present the discovery of a 70 kpc X-ray tail behind the small late-type galaxy ESO 137-001, in the nearby, hot (T=6.5 keV) merging cluster A3627, from both Chandra and XMM-Newton observations. The tail has a length-to-width ratio of approx. 10. It is luminous (L(0.5-2keV) approx 1041 ergs/s), with a temperature of approx. 0.7 keV and an X-ray gas mass of approx 10(exp 9) solar masses (approx 10% of the galaxy's stellar mass). We interpret this tail as the stripped interstellar medium of ESO 137-001 mixed with the hot cluster medium, with this blue galaxy being converted into a gas-poor galaxy. Three X-ray point sources are detected in the axis of the tail, which may imply active star formation there. The straightness and narrowness of the tail also imply that the turbulence in the intracluster medium is not strong on scales of 20-70 kpc.

Sun, M.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Meteorological Controls on Biomass Burning During Santa Ana Events in Southern California

Fires occurring during Santa Ana (SA) events in southern California are driven by extreme fire weather characterized by high temperatures, low humidities, and high wind speeds. We studied the controls on burned area and carbon emissions during two intensive SA burning periods in 2003 and 2007. We therefore used remote sensing data in parallel with fire weather simulations of the Weather and Regional Forecast model. Total carbon emissions were approximately 1800 gigagrams in 2003 and 900 gigagrams in 2007, based on a daily burned area and a fire emission model that accounted for spatial variability in fuel loads and combustion completeness. On a regional scale, relatively strong positive correlations were found between the daily Fosberg fire weather index and burned area/emissions (probability is less than 0.01). Our analysis provides a quantitative assessment of relationships between fire activity and weather during severe SA fires in southern California.

Santa Ana (SA)↗
NASA NTRS2020

Detectability of Molecular Signatures on TRAPPIST-1e through Transmission Spectroscopy Simulated for Future Space-based Observatories

Discoveries of terrestrial, Earth-sized exoplanets that lie within the habitable zone(HZ)of their host stars continu eto occur at increasing rates. Transit spectroscopy can potentially enable the detection of molecular signatures fromsuch worlds, providing an indication of the presence of an atmosphere and its chemical composition, includinggases potentially indicative of a biosphere. Such planets around nearby M-dwarf stars—such as TRAPPIST-1—provide a relatively good signal, high signal-to-noise ratio, and frequent transits for follow-up spectroscopy.However, even with these advantages, transit spectroscopy of terrestrial planets in the HZ of nearby M-stars willstill be a challenge. Herein, we examine the potential for future space observatories to conduct such observations,using a global climate model, a photochemical model, and a radiative transfer suite to simulate modern-Earth-likeatmospheric boundary conditions on TRAPPIST-1e. The detectability of biosignatures on such an atmosphere viatransmission spectroscopy is modeled for various instruments of the James Webb Space Telescope, Large UV/Optical/Infrared Surveyor, Habitable Exoplanet Observatory, and Origins. We show that only CO2at 4.3μm would be detectable at the>5σlevel in transmission spectroscopy, when clouds are included in our simulations.This is because the impact of clouds on scale height strongly limits the detectability of molecules in the atmosphere. Synergies between space- and ground-based spectroscopy may be essential in order to overcome these difficulties.

Daria Pidhorodetska↗
NASA NTRS1983

The scaling of oblique plasma double layers

Strong oblique plasma double layers are investigated using three methods, i.e., electrostatic particle-in-cell simulations, numerical solutions to the Poisson-Vlasov equations, and analytical approximations to the Poisson-Vlasov equations. The solutions to the Poisson-Vlasov equations and numerical simulations show that strong oblique double layers scale in terms of Debye lengths. For very large potential jumps, theory and numerical solutions indicate that all effects of the magnetic field vanish and the oblique double layers follow the same scaling relation as the field-aligned double layers.

Borovsky, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Continuous wavelet analysis of coherent structures

We perform an analysis of planar cuts through three dimensional turbulent fields (planar channel flow and mixing layer) using the 2D continuous wavelet transform. We propose two new diagnostics: (1) a measure of intermittency I(r, vector x), which is the ratio of local energy and average energy at a given scale r; and (2) a local Reynolds number, defined on the local velocity contribution at a given scale, computed from the wavelet transform of the three velocity components, the scale of the transform, and molecular viscosity; this gives a representation of the local non-linearity of the flow viewed in both space and scale. We find, for the analyzed flows, strong small-scale intermittency located in the ejection regions for the channel flow and in the vortex core of the mixing layer.

Farge, M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Inviscid-viscous interaction on triple-deck scales in a hypersonic flow with strong wall cooling

The influence of wall temperatures on the flow structure in a region near a laminar separation is presently studied on the triple-deck scales, for the case of a high supersonic flow's inviscid-viscous interactions. A critical wall-temperature range is identified whose lower deck pressure-displacement relation departs from that of the classical formulation; below it, the pressure-displacement relation undergoes still greater transformations in conjunction with drastic scale-changes in the triple deck. The reduced lower-deck problem falls into supercritical, transcritical, and subcritical domains. A computational study is conducted for the compressive free-interaction solutions, and solutions are obtained for a sharp-corner ramp in the three wall-temperature ranges.

Brown, S. N.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The neutral circulation in the vicinity of a stable auroral arc

The effects of asymmetric potential distributions, arc-neutral feedback, and cross-arc winds on the neutral circulation near auroral arc were examined using a sophisticated two-dimensional high-resolution model of the neutral atmosphere which was preconditioned by allowing weak diffuse aurora to exist prior to the formation of an arc. Simulations were performed with asymmetric potential structures and with an initial state which was warmed and accelerated due to a preexisting diffuse aurora, as well as with arc-zonal wind feedback and with large-scale cross-arc flow. It is shown that, with a preexisting zonal flow and asymmetrical arc structures, strong zonal winds are generated within the arc. Simulations with the arc-zonal feedback indicate that the effect of feedback is not large because of the limited duration of an arc. Simulations with a strong large-scale cross-arc wind indicate that the zonal wind is not strongly sensitive to the large-scale wind.

Walterscheid, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Numerical Study of Rotating Turbulence with External Forcing

Direct numerical simulation at 256(exp 3) resolution have been carried out to study the response of isotropic turbulence to the concurrent effects of solid-body rotation and numerical forcing at the large scales. Because energy transfer to the smaller scales is weakened by rotation, energy input from forcing gradually builds up at the large scales, causing the overall kinetic energy to increase. At intermediate wavenumbers the energy spectrum undergoes a transition from a limited k(exp -5/3) inertial range to k(exp -2) scaling recently predicted in the literature. Although the Reynolds stress tensor remains approximately isotropic and three-components, evidence for anisotropy and quasi- two-dimensionality in length scales and spectra in different velocity components and directions is strong. The small scales are found to deviate from local isotropy, primarily as a result of anisotropic transfer to the high wavenumbers. To understand the spectral dynamics of this flow we study the detailed behavior of nonlinear triadic interactions in wavenumber space. Spectral transfer in the velocity component parallel to the axis of rotation is qualitatively similar to that in non-rotating turbulence; however the perpendicular component is characterized by a greatly suppressed energy cascade at high wavenumber and a local reverse transfer at the largest scales. The broader implications of this work are briefly addressed.

Yeung, P. K.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Atmospheric Diabatic Heating in Different Weather States and the General Circulation

Analysis of multiple global satellite products identifies distinctive weather states of the atmosphere from the mesoscale pattern of cloud properties and quantifies the associated diabatic heating/cooling by radiative flux divergence, precipitation, and surface sensible heat flux. The results show that the forcing for the atmospheric general circulation is a very dynamic process, varying strongly at weather space-time scales, comprising relatively infrequent, strong heating events by ''stormy'' weather and more nearly continuous, weak cooling by ''fair'' weather. Such behavior undercuts the value of analyses of time-averaged energy exchanges in observations or numerical models. It is proposed that an analysis of the joint time-related variations of the global weather states and the general circulation on weather space-time scales might be used to establish useful ''feedback like'' relationships between cloud processes and the large-scale circulation.

Cooling↗
NASA NTRS2000

Extreme Winter/Early-Spring Temperature Anomalies in Central Europe

Extreme seasonal fluctuations of the surface-air temperature characterize the climate of central Europe, 45-60 deg North Temperature difference between warm 1990 and cold 1996 in the January-March period, persisting for more than two weeks at a time, amounted to 18 C for extensive areas. These anomalies in the surface-air temperature stem in the first place from differences in the low level flow from the eastern North-Atlantic: the value of the Index 1na of southwesterlies over the eastern North-Atlantic was 8.0 m/s in February 1990, but only 2.6 m/ s in February 1996. The primary forcing by warm advection to positive anomalies in monthly mean surface temperature produced strong synoptic-scale uplift at the 700 mb level over some regions in Europe. The strong uplift contributed in 1990 to a much larger cloud-cover over central Europe, which reduced heat-loss to space (greenhouse effect). Thus, spring arrived earlier than usual in 1990, but later than usual in 1996.

Otterman, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1986

Observations of vertical winds and the origin of thermospheric gravity waves launched by auroral substorms and westward travelling surges

Several sequences of observations of strong vertical winds in the upper thermosphere are discussed, in conjunction with models of the generation of such winds. In the auroral oval, the strongest upward winds are observed in or close to regions of intense auroral precipitation and strong ionospheric currents. The strongest winds, of the order of 100 to 200 m/sec are usually upward, and are both localized and of relatively short duration (10 to 20 min). In regions adjacent to those displaying strong upward winds, and following periods of upward winds, downward winds of rather lower magnitude (40 to about 80 m/sec) may be observed. Strong and rapid changes of horizontal winds are correlated with these rapid vertical wind variations. Considered from a large scale viewpoint, this class of strongly time dependent winds propagate globally, and may be considered to be gravity waves launched from an auroral source. During periods of very disturbed geomagnetic activity, there may be regions within and close to the auroral oval where systematic vertical winds of the order of 50 m/sec will occur for periods of several hours. Such persistent winds are part of a very strong large scale horizontal wind circulation set up in the polar regions during a major geomagnetic disturbance. This second class of strong horizontal and vertical winds corresponds more to a standing wave than to a gravity wave, and it is not as effective as the first class in generating large scale propagating gravity waves and correlated horizontal and vertical oscillations. A third class of significant (10 to 30 m/sec) vertical winds can be associated with systematic features of the average geomagnetic energy and momentum input to the polar thermosphere, and appear in statistical studies of the average vertical wind as a function of Universal Time at a given location.

Rees, D.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Optimal Configuration of an Array of Tabs for Mixing Enhancement in a Shear Layer

The large and small scale vortical motions produced by delta tabs in a two-stream shear layer have been studied experimentally. The tabs were placed at the trailing edge of a splitter plate, mounted in the test section of a wind tunnel, that produced the shear layer. Hot-wire measurements detailed the velocity, vorticity and small scale population distributions in the 3-D space behind the tabs. Small scale structures, which represent the peak in the dissipation spectrum, were identified and counted using the Peak-Valley-Counting technique. The optimal tab inclination angle, theta, and the optimal spanwise spacing, S, for a multiple tab array were identified. The optimal condition was that which maximized the small scale population and generated the strongest streamwise vorticity. Increasing the tab pitch angle from flush to normal to the splitter plate increased the streamwise vorticity as well as the overall small scale population. In fact, the increase in the overall small scale population correlated strongly with the increase in streamwise vorticity intensity. The optimal conditions for peak streamwise vorticity and peak small scale population, with minimum area blockage, were determined to be theta = 45deg and S = 1.5 tab widths.

Foss, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Galactic distribution models of gamma-ray burst sources

The log N-log S relationships for several galactic distribution models of gamma-ray burst sources are derived. The resulting curves are substantially different from the galactic curves usually assumed (slope = -1). There is a relatively weak dependence on the radial distribution assumed but a strong dependence on scale height. Available observational data from several experiments appear to rule out both thin disk distributions and extended halo distributions which have a strong radial density dependence. The prospects are good for obtaining self-consistent distribution data from future large-area detectors.

Fishman, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Mixing processes within the polar night jet

Lagrangian material line simulations are performed using U.K. Meteorological Office simulated winds and temperatures to examine mixing processes in the middle- and lower-stratospheric polar night jet during the 1992 Southern Hemisphere spring and Northern Hemisphere winter. The Lagrangian simulations are undertaken to provide insight into the effects of mixing within the polar night jet on observations of the polar vortex made by instruments onboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) during these periods. A moderate to strong kinematic barrier to large-scale isentropic exchange, similar to the barrier identified in General Circulation Model (GCM) simulations, is identified during both of these periods. Characteristic timescales for mixing by large-scale isentropic motions within the polar night jet range from 20 days in the Southern Hemisphere lower stratosphere to years in the Northern Hemisphere middle stratosphere. The long mixing timescales found in the Northern Hemisphere polar night jet do not persist. Instead, the Northern Hemisphere kinematic barriers are broken down as part of the large-scale stratospheric response to a strong tropospheric blocking event. A series of Lagrangian experiments are conducted to investigate the sensitivity of the kinematic barrier to diabatic effects and to small-scale inertial gravity wave motions. Differential diabatic descent is found to have a significant impact on mixing processes within the Southern Hemisphere middle-stratospheric jet core. The interaction between small-scale displacements by idealized, inertial gravity waves and the large-scale flow is found to have a significant impact on mixing within the polar night jet in both hemispheres. These sensitivity experiments suggest that scales of motion that are unresolved in global assimilated datasets may contribute to mass exchange across the kinematic barrier to large-scale isentropic motion.

Pierce, R. Bradley↗
NASA NTRS1981

Accretion disk models for QSOs and active galactic nuclei - The role of magnetic viscosity

The inner regions of standard accretion disk models are known to be thermally unstable, and when scaled to quasar black hole masses, optically thin. Alternative accretion disk models are constructed under the assumption of a purely magnetic viscosity in the limiting cases of equipartition of gas and magnetic pressures and global flux conservation. The inner regions of these models are considerably denser than the standard model and therefore remain optically thick in all regions. The equipartition model is thermally stable throughout, while flux conservation leads to a localized thermal instability at the gas pressure/radiation pressure boundary and marginal stability as the radial distance approaches zero. The outer regions of quasar scaled accretion disks are strongly self-gravitating, leading to a vertical scale height which is smaller than that found in the inner region. Most of the outer region is gravitationally unstable, implying that the outer parts of galactic nuclei accretion disks are populated by dense self-gravitating gas clouds or possibly by stars.

Sakimoto, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Constraints on the origins of lunar magnetism from electron reflection measurements of surface magnetic fields

The paper describes a new method of detecting lunar surface magnetic fields, summarizes electron reflection measurements and correlations of surface field anomalies to moon geologic features, and discusses the constraints on the origin of lunar magnetism. Apollo 15 and 16 measurements of lunar surface magnetic fields by the electron reflection method show patches of strong surface fields distributed over the lunar surface, and a positive statistical correlation is found in lunar mare regions between the surface field strength and the geologic age of the surface. However, there is a lack of correlation of surface field with impact craters indicating that the mare does not have a strong large-scale uniform magnetization as may be expected from an ancient lunar dynamo. Fields were found in lunar highlands which imply that the rille has a strong magnetization associated with it as intrusive, magnetized rock or as a gap in a uniformly magnetic layer of rock.

Lin, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Upscale integration of normalized difference vegetation index - The problem of spatial heterogeneity

An analysis is conducted of the correspondence between the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) calculated from average reflectances, or M(NDVI), and the I(NDVI) that is integrated from individual NDVIs, by simulating AVHRR data from high spatial resolution SPOT 1 radiometer and Landsat TM data. The West African and French sites analyzed at 300-1000 m scale show a strong correlation between the two types of index; the relationship is almost perfectly linear, with a slope that is somewhat dependent on vegetation cover. Effecting the scale change using M(NDVI) instead of I(NDVI) does not introduce significant errors.

Aman, Angora↗
NASA NTRS1993

A kinetic description of electron beam ejection from spacecraft

A model based on the Boltzmann kinetic equation describing electron beam ejection from spacecraft is presented. Results are shown for steady-state, beam-atmosphere interaction (BAI) and for beam-plasma interaction (BPI). The BPI considered is that of elastic scattering of beam electrons with strong, short-scale Langmuir turbulence. This mechanism has been suggested for prompt echoes of beam electrons observed in sounding rocket experiments. It is shown that the interaction is sufficiently strong to account for observations of back-scattered electrons at the beam accelerator energy. However, it is clear from observations that particles undergo diffusion in energy at a rate exceeding levels expected for BAI. Inelastic scattering in BPI must therefore also be important.

Khazanov, George V.↗