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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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NASA NTRS1984

Gravity-wave spectra in the atmosphere observed by MST radar, part 4.2B

A universal spectrum of atmospheric buoyancy waves is proposed based on data from radiosonde, Doppler navigation, not-wire anemometer and Jimsphere balloon. The possible existence of such a universal spectrum clearly will have significant impact on several areas in the study of the middle atmosphere dynamics such as the parameterization of sub-grid scale gravity waves in global circulation models; the transport of trace constituents and heat in the middle atmosphere, etc. Therefore, it is important to examine more global wind data with temporal and spatial resolutions suitable for the investigation of the wave spectra. Mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere (MST) radar observations offer an excellent opportunity for such studies. It is important to realize that radar measures the line-of-sight velocity which, in general, contains the combination of the vertical and horizontal components of the wave-associated particle velocity. Starting from a general oblique radar observation configuration, applying the dispersion relation for the gravity waves, the spectrum for the observed fluctuations in the line-of-sight gravity-wave spectrum is investigated through a filter function. The consequence of the filter function on data analysis is discussed.

Scheffler, A. O.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Comparison of SAGE II ozone measurements and ozone soundings at Uccle (Belgium) during the period February 1985 to January 1986

The ozone profiles obtained from 24 balloon soundings at Uccle (50 deg 48 min N, 4 deg 21 min E) made with electrochemical ozonesondes were used as correlative data for SAGE II ozone profiles retrieved within a distance of at most 600 km from Uccle. The agreement between the two data sets is in general quite good, especially for profiles nearly coincident in time and space, and during periods of little dynamic activity over the area considered. The percent difference between the ozone column density of the mean balloon and SAGE profile is 4.4 percent (-3.3) percent in the altitude region between 10 and 26 km. From a statistical analysis it appears that there is a small but meaningful difference between the mean profiles at the level of the ozone maximum and around the 30-km level. An error analysis of both data sets give similar results, leading to the conclusion that these differences are instrumentally induced. However, differences between the mean profiles in the lower stratosphere are probably real and due to the high ozone variability in time and space in that altitude region.

De Muer, D.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Infrared measurements of atmospheric CH3CN

For the first time CH3CN has been measured in the Earth's atmosphere by means of infrared remote sensing. Vertical profiles of volume mixing ratio were retrieved from 12 solar occultation measurements by the balloon-borne JPL MkIV interferometer between 1993 and 2004. Profile retrieval is possible in an altitude range between 12 and 30 km with a precision of _20 ppt in the Arctic and _30 ppt at mid-latitudes. The retrieved CH3CN profiles show mixing ratios of 100-150 ppt a few kilometers above the tropopause that decrease to values below 40 ppt at altitudes between 22 and 30 km. The CH3CN mixing ratios show a reasonably compact correlation with the stratospheric tracers CH3Cl and CH4. The CH3CN altitude profiles and tracer correlations are well reproduced by a 2-dimensional model, suggesting that CH3CN is long-lived in the lower stratosphere and that previously-proposed ion-molecule reactions do not play a major role as loss processes of CH3CN.

infrared remote sensing↗
NASA NTRS1981

Microwave measurement of stratospheric and mesospheric ozone

It is pointed out that ozone has a rich rotational spectrum with many lines at millimeter wavelengths. Measurement of these lines can provide a means of remotely sensing stratospheric and mesospheric ozone. Technology has recently advanced to the state where it is reasonable to consider monitoring upper atmospheric O3 on a global scale by microwave radiometers in earth orbit. An investigation indicates that approximately 1% accuracy and approximately 2 km vertical resolution O3 mixing ratio measurements are reasonable goals for limb-viewing microwave radiometers in earth orbit. Mesospheric ozone can also be measured by the considered techniques using stronger (but more temperature-sensitive) O3 lines. A balloon-borne microwave limb sounder has recently been constructed to test the practical limitations on the measurement concepts. Also under study is a microwave limb sounder for operation in earth orbit.

Waters, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Unusual behavior in the condensation nuclei concentration at 30 km

The result obtained with an improved balloon-borne condensation nuclei (CN) counter that is capable of operating to altitudes of at least 30 km are presented. Of major interest is the appearance of a quasiannual variation near 30 km which could be described by a sudden concentration increase of unusually small particles occurring in the winter or spring followed by a 1- to 3-month decay period to background levels. The magnitude of the variation has increased dramatically following the recent generally high levels of volcanic activity affecting the lower stratosphere. Several potential explanations for the event are considered, but none appear entirely satisfactory or complete at the present time. The explanation with the fewest drawbacks would attribute the production of growth of the new cn to a highly supersaturated H2SO4 vapor layer generated by any one of several proposed processes in the upper high latitude stratosphere.

Rosen, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Validation of Temperature Measurements from the Airborne Raman Ozone Temperature and Aerosol Lidar During SOLVE

The Airborne Raman Ozone, Temperature and Aerosol Lidar (AROTEL) participated in the recent Sage III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE) by providing profiles of aerosols, polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs), ozone and temperature with high vertical and horizontal resolution. Temperatures were derived from just above the aircraft to approximately 60 kilometers geometric altitude with a reported vertical resolution of between 0.5 and 1.5 km. The horizontal footprint varied from 4 to 70 km. This paper explores the measurement uncertainties associated with the temperature retrievals and makes comparisons with independent, coincident, measurements of temperature. Measurement uncertainties range from 0.1 K to approximately 4 K depending on altitude and integration time. Comparisons between AROTEL and balloon sonde temperatures retrieved under clear sky conditions using both Rayleigh and Raman scattered data showed AROTEL approximately 1 K colder than sonde values. Comparisons between AROTEL and the Meteorological Measurement System (MMS) on NASA's ER-2 show AROTEL being from 2-3 K colder for altitudes ranging from 14 to 18 km. Temperature comparisons between AROTEL and the United Kingdom Meteorological Office's model showed differences of approximately 1 K below approximately 25 km and a very strong cold bias of approximately 12 K at altitudes between 30 and 35 km.

Burris, John↗
NASA NTRS1977

An investigation of the temporal character of mesoscale perturbations in the troposphere and stratosphere

The effectiveness of mesoscale models in explaining perturbations observed in vertical detailed wind profile measurements in the troposphere and lower stratosphere is assessed. The structure and persistence of the data were analyzed and interpreted in terms of several physical models with the goal of establishing explanations for the observed persistent features of the mesoscale flow patterns. The experimental data used in the investigation were obtained by a unique detailed wind profile measurement system. This system is capable of providing resolution of 50 to 100 m wavelengths for the altitude region from approximately 200 m to 18 km. The system consists of a high-resolution tracking radar and special super-pressure balloon configuration known as a Jimsphere.

Vaughan, W. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Temperature sounding from the absorption spectrum of CO2 at 4.3 microns

A new method is described for obtaining the temperature profile in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere from observations of the absorption spectrum of the high J lines of carbon dioxide at 4.3 microns. This concept is based upon the measurement of the integrated absorption of individual CO2 lines whose strengths depend strongly on temperature and that the absorption of these lines are obtained from measurements of the solar or stellar spectrum through an atmospheric path. The technique involves a rapidly converging iterative process in which the equivalent widths of the individual vibration-rotation lines of CO2 are used. Theoretical calculations are presented for balloon and satellite observations using a model atmosphere. Experimental results are given from spectra obtained with a balloon-borne Fourier interferometer spectrometer in which the sun was observed at low zenith angles. The experimental results are compared to rocketsonde data.

Toth, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Arctic Strato-Mesospheric Temperature and Wind Variations

Upper stratosphere and mesosphere rocket measurements are actively used to investigate interaction between the neutral, electrical, and chemical atmospheres and between lower and upper layers of these regions. Satellite temperature measurements from HALOE and from inflatable falling spheres complement each other and allow illustrations of the annual cycle to 85 km altitude. Falling sphere wind and temperature measurements reveal variability that differs as a function of altitude, location, and time. We discuss the state of the Arctic atmosphere during the summer 2002 (Andoya, Norway) and winter 2003 (ESRANGE, Sweden) campaigns of MaCWAVE. Balloon-borne profiles to 30 km altitude and sphere profiles between 50 and 90 km show unique small-scale structure. Nonetheless, there are practical implications that additional measurements are very much needed to complete the full vertical profile picture. Our discussion concentrates on the distribution of temperature and wind and their variability. However, reliable measurements from other high latitude NASA programs over a number of years are available to help properly calculate mean values and the distribution of the individual measurements. Since the available rocket data in the Arctic's upper atmosphere are sparse the results we present are basically a snapshot of atmospheric structure.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Midlatitude ClO below 22 km altitude - Measurements with a new aircraft-borne instrument

Midlatitude stratospheric ClO at altitudes below 22 km has been measured for the first time. Measurements were made at latitudes between 27 and 48 deg N during three flights from Moffett Field, CA, in June and July of 1987, with a new instrument flown on the NASA ER-2 aircraft. The result from these flights is that the ClO mixing ratio increases from less than 0.5 pptv at 16.8 km to 2.0 pptv at 18.3 km and 10.1 pptv at 21 km. These altitude profiles agree with an extrapolated profile from a May 1986 balloon-borne experiment (Brune and Anderson, 1986).

Brune, Wm. H.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Measurement of Reactive Nitrogen in the Stratosphere

We present volume mixing ratio profiles of NO, NO 2 , HNO 3 , HNO 4 , N 2 O 5 , and CINO 3 and their composite budget (NO y ), from 20 to 39 km, meassured remotely in solar occultation by the JPL MkIV Interferometer during a high-altitude ballon flight from Fort Sumner, New Mexico on 25 September 1993.

balloon↗
NASA NTRS1985

Finite field of view effects on inversion of limb thermal emission observations

It is pointed out that the technique of thermal emission spectroscopy provides an effective means for remote sounding of stratospheric temperature structure and constituent distributions. One procedure for measuring the stratospheric infrared spectrum involves the conduction of observations along ray paths tangent to the stratospheric limb. Thermal emission limb tangent observations have certain advantages compared to other types of observations. The techniques for determining temperature and trace gas distributions from limb thermal emission radiances are based on the assumption that the bulk of opacity lies near the tangent point. Ideally, the field of view (FOV) of the observing instrument should be very small. The effect of a finite FOV is to reduce the spatial resolution of the retrieved temperature and constituent profiles. The present investigation is concerned with the effects of the FOV on the inversion of infrared thermal emission measurements for balloon platforms. Attention is given to a convenient method for determining the weighting functions.

Abbas, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Ticosonde CFH at Costa Rica: A Seasonal Climatology of Tropical UT-LS Water Vapor and Inter-Comparisons with MLS and CALIPSO

Balloon sonde measurements of tropical water vapor using the Cryogenic Frostpoint Hygrometer were initiated in Costa Rica in July 2005 and have continued to the present day. Over the nine years through July 2014, the Ticosonde program has launched 174 CFH payloads, representing the longest-running and most extensive single-site balloon dataset for tropical water vapor. In this presentation we present a seasonal climatology for water vapor and ozone at Costa Rica and examine the frequency of upper tropospheric supersaturation with comparisons to cloud fraction and cloud ice water content observations from the Cloud Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) on the CALIPSO mission. We then make a critical comparison of these data to water vapor measurements from the MLS instrument on board Aura in light of recently published work for other sites. Finally, we examine time series of 2-km altitude averages in the upper troposphere-lower stratosphere at Costa Rica in light of anomalies and trends seen in various large-scale indices of tropical water vapor.

water vapor↗
NASA NTRS1988

Ozone measurements using balloon-borne ozonesondes

Vertical profiles of atmospheric ozone have been measured for a number of years by WFF personnel using small balloon borne ozonesondes. These sondes are interfaced with meteorological radiosondes so that both ozone data and meterological data (pressure, temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction) are obtained from ground level up to 30 to 35 km. Efforts at Wallops have been focused in three areas. The first involves biweekly launches from two sites (Wallops and Natal, Brazil), timed to coincide with overpasses of satellite borne ozone sensors such as the Solar Backscattered Ultraviolet. The resulting data are reported to the World Ozone Data Center and are used for satellite correlative support, as well as, for studies of both tropospheric and stratospheric ozone. The second activity consists of field campaigns in remote locations in support of special projects. The third is a continuing activity to quantitatively evaluate and improve the sonde's performance under stratospheric conditions.

Torres, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Imaging spectrometer for high resolution measurements of stratospheric trace constituents in the ultraviolet

A high-resolution spectrometer has been developed for studies of minor constituents in the middle atmosphere at ultraviolet wavelengths. In particular, the instrument is intended for observations of upper stratospheric UV bands. The spectrometer has a slit width of 0.08 A obtained by means of an echelle grating and a cross-disperser grating. The image plane detector is an intensified CCD consisting of a high gain proximity focused image intensifier that is fiber optically coupled to a two-dimensional CCD array. An instantaneous bandwidth of 9.2 A is resolved across 488 pixels at 0.018 A/pixel, permitting simultaneous acquisition of multiple lines of selected OH bands and the neighboring background. The spectrometer and the approach have been successfully demonstrated as a technique for measuring the concentration of OH on two high-altitude balloon flights. This paper reports the instrument design and its achieved performance.

Torr, Marsha R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Atmospheric variations - Vacillations and index cycles

Zonal indices, momentum flux, and mean and perturbation kinetic energies of the Southern Hemisphere upper troposphere, derived from the EOLE constant density balloon data set, are found to possess strong 18-23 day variations which are statistically significant to a posteriori levels. Cross-spectra and phase relationships suggest that the variation appears as a barotropic interaction between the middle latitude mean westerlies and ultra large-scale perturbations. Long-period and high-amplitude variations in energy conversion between eddy and mean kinetic energies are found which average out in the long term mean to be very small and positive, consistent with previously measured average hemispheric energetics. Furthermore, the variation is shown to possess an ultra-long wave preference. Examination of two independent data sources, time series of total ozone and stratospheric thickness data from the Selective Chopper Radiometer, suggests that the periodicity is a property of general hemispheric motion rather than just a property of the EOLE data set.

Webster, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Classification of Ascension Island and Natal Ozonesondes Using Self-Organizing Maps

Ozone profiles from balloon-borne ozonesondes are used for development of satellite algorithms and in chemistry-climate model initialization, assimilation and evaluation. An important issue in the application of these profiles is how best to treat variations where varying photochemical and dynamical influences can cause the ozone mixing ratio in the tropospheric segments of the profile to change by of a factor of 2-3 within a day. Clustering techniques are an ideal way to approach the statistical classification of profile data and we apply self-organizing maps to tropical tropospheric SHADOZ data, hypothesizing that the data will sort according to various influences on ozone, namely anthropogenic sources like biomass burning, meteorological conditions, and stratospheric or extra-tropical intrusions. Self-organizing maps, that use a learning algorithm to reveal the most prominent features of a data set according to a specified number of clusters, have been determined for the 1998-2009 SHADOZ profiles over Ascension Island (512 profiles, 7.98 deg. S, 14.42 deg. W) and Natal, Brazil (425 profiles, 5.42degS, 35.38degW). The 2 × 2 self-organizing map, which creates 4 clusters, reveals that deviations from the average ozone in the free troposphere include both increased ozone resulting from seasonal biomass burning in Africa and locally reduced ozone brought about by convective lifting of unpolluted boundary-layer air. Expanding to a 4 × 4 self-organizing map shows how biomass burning influences the yearly cycle of tropospheric ozone at Ascension Island and captures the seasonality of ozone at both Ascension Island and Natal. Comparing Ascension Island and Natal using a 4 × 4 self-organizing map at each site reveals similarities in mid-tropospheric ozone, but shows differences in lower-tropospheric ozone due to Ascension Island being closer to African biomass burning and more affected by descent from the mean Walker circulation, with less convective activity, than Natal.

algorithms↗