Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “winter”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1988

Rocket- and aircraft-borne trace gas measurements in the winter polar stratosphere

In January and February 1987 stratospheric rocket- and aircraft-borne trace gas measurements were done in the North Polar region using ACIMS (Active Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry) and PACIMS (PAssive Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry) instruments. The rocket was launched at ESRANGE (European Sounding Rocket Launching Range) (68 N, 21 E, Northern Sweden) and the twin-jet research aircraft operated by the DFVLR (Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchs-anstalt fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt), and equipped with a mass spectrometer laboratory was stationed at Kiruna airport. Various stratospheric trace gases were measured including nitric acid, sulfuric acid, non-methane hydrocarbons (acetone, hydrogen cyanide, acetonitrile, methanol etc.), and ambient cluster ions. The experimental data is presented and possible implications for polar stratospheric ozone discussed.

Arnold, F.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Intercomparison of synthetic- and real-aperture radar observations of Arctic sea ice during winter MIZEX '87

Active microwave measurements were made of various sea ice forms in March and April 1987 during the Marginal Ice Zone Experiment, at 1, 5, 10, 18, and 35 GHz using a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and helicopter and ship-based scatterometers. The X-band (9.8 GHz) SAR data were compared to the scatterometer data and it was determined that for 5 GHz and higher frequencies both the SAR and scatterometers can differentiate open water, new ice (5 to 30 cm), first-year ice with rubble (0.60 -1.5 m), and multiyear ice. The analysis further confirmed that the C-band (5 GHz) SAR's flying on ESA ERS-1 and Radarsat will differentiate the mentioned ice types.

Schuchmann, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Static stability variations during a winter marine cyclone development

The relationship between lower tropospheric static stability and a case of explosive marine cyclone development is examined. The case studied is a cyclone which developed between January 18-21, 1979, about 500 km south of Nova Scotia. Diagnoses of the static stability parameter for this case are presented. Also, the static stability parameters and sea level pressures during marine cyclone development and continental development are compared.

Tsou, Chih-Hua↗
NASA NTRS1988

Heat transfer in gas turbine engines and three-dimensional flows; Proceedings of the Symposium, ASME Winter Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, Nov. 27-Dec. 2, 1988

The present conference on heat transfer characteristics of gas turbines and three-dimensional flows discusses velocity-temperature fluctuation correlations at the flow stagnation flow of a circular cylinder in turbulent flow, heat transfer across turbulent boundary layers with pressure gradients, the effect of jet grid turbulence on boundary layer heat transfer, and heat transfer characteristics predictions for discrete-hole film cooling. Also discussed are local heat transfer in internally cooled turbine airfoil leading edges, secondary flows in vane cascades and curved ducts, three-dimensional numerical modeling in gas turbine coal combustor design, numerical and experimental results for tube-fin heat exchanger airflow and heating characteristics, and the computation of external hypersonic three-dimensional flow field and heat transfer characteristics.

Elovic, E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Recent advances in control of nonlinear and distributed parameter systems, robust control, and aerospace control applications; Proceedings of the Symposium, ASME Winter Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, Nov. 27-Dec. 2, 1988

Papers are presented on the control of distributed parameter systems using the coprime factorization approach, a hierarchy of geometrically exact models of rotating beams, and the temperature stability of a flux modulated radiant slab. Also considered are a network representation for robots, recovery from controller bounding, and the design of controllers for robust tracking and model following. Other topics include an active control law synthesis for flexible aircraft, the low-order control of large aerospsace structures using residual model filters, and a comparison of component cost methods for component model reduction.

Bentsman, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1989

Normal mode energetics and error analysis of GLA GCM simulations with different horizontal resolutions during a winter month

Comparative energetics is presented for a series of four general circulation model simulations for January 1979 conducted by the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres. The simulations include cases of coarse and fine horizontal model resolutions with two slightly different initial conditions. Using a three-dimensional normal mode expansion, it is found that the gravity-mode energy levels are significantly reduced in the higher wavenumbers and in the higher-order internal vertical modes by the increase of horizontal model resolution.

Tanaka, H. L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Dehydration in the lower Antarctic stratosphere during late winter and early spring, 1987

The history of minimum temperatures at 50 and 70 mb is examined from NMC, UK Met O and ECMWF analyses. MSU channel 24 data are similarly inspected. South Pole sonde data are used to calculate saturation humidity mixing ratio as a function of altitude and time throughout 1987. Saturation with respect to ice could be maintained for water mixing ratios of 3.5 ppmv for a period of about 80 days from mid-June to mid-September. Dehydration to mixing ratios of 1 ppmv or less was possible sporadically. Data from the ER-2 flights between 53 S and 72 S are used in conjunction with particle size measurements and air parcel trajectories to demonstrate the dehydration occurring over Antarctica. Water mixing ratios at the latitude of Punta Arens (53 S), in conjunction with tracer measurements and trajectory analysis, show that at potential temperatures from about 325 to 400 K, the dryness (less than 3 ppmv) had its origin over Antarctica rather than in the tropics. Water mixing ratios within the Antarctic vortex varied from 1.5 to 3.8 ppmv, with a strong isentropic gradient being evident in the region of high potential vorticity gradients.

Kelly, K. K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Energetics examination of winter blocking simulations in the Northern Hemisphere

Four numerical simulations of the global atmosphere for January 1979 are analyzed to study the formation of blocking in terms of Northern Hemisphere energetics. The Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres (GLA) 4 x 5 deg latitude-longitude grid general circulation model (GCM) and 2 x 2.5 deg grid GCM are employed with the GLA and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory initial datasets. Among four simulations, the simulations by the high resolution GCM produce realistically strong blockings with compatible spectral energetics as in the observed blockings episodes. The latitude-height cross sections of the energy variables of wavenumber 1 is presented to describe the dipole structure of blockings. Blocking development is also examined in time series of barotropic and baroclinic components of energy and associated conversions.

Kung, Ernest C.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A shallow water model of the winter stratosphere

The shallow water equations are used to investigate the interaction of planetary wave-breaking with a 'diabatic' forcing. The numerical integrations demonstrate the formation of a sharp gradient in potential vorticity at the edge of the polar vortex, despite 'diabatic relaxation' toward a smooth gradient. Successive cycles of Rossby wave-breaking accentuate the distinction between the vortex and the surf-zone. Persistent easterly acceleration in the tropics eventually produces a flow regime of little relevance to the atmosphere. For the period when the flow has some qualitative resemblance to the middle stratosphere diffusion coefficients are calculated from the meridional fluxes of potential vorticity and of passive tracers. It is found that the unique dynamical nature of potential vorticity among tracers is not reflected in its diffusion coefficient.

Juckes, Martin↗
NASA NTRS1989

Aircraft and ground vehicle friction measurements obtained under winter runway conditions

Tests with specially instrumented NASA B-737 and B-727 aircraft together with several different ground friction measuring devices have been conducted for a variety of runway surface types and wetness conditions. This effort is part of the Joint FAA/NASA Aircraft/Ground Vehicle Runway Friction Program aimed at obtaining a better understanding of aircraft ground handling performance under adverse weather conditions, and defining relationships between aircraft and ground vehicle tire friction measurements. Aircraft braking performance on dry, wet, snow-, and ice-covered runway conditions is discussed together with ground vehicle friction data obtained under similar runway conditions. For the wet, compacted snow- and ice-covered runway conditions, the relationship between ground vehicles and aircraft friction data is identified. The influence of major test parameters on friction measurements such as speed, test tire characteristics, and surface contaminant-type are discussed. The test results indicate that use of properly maintained and calibrated ground vehicles for monitoring runway friction conditions should be encouraged particularly under adverse weather conditions.

Yager, Thomas J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Winter frost at Viking Lander 2 site

This paper presents quantitative evidence for cold trapping (frost redeposition) at the Viking Lander 2 site. This evidence consists of the frost surface coverage and color transition, the timing of this transition, and the limited vertical mixing and horizontal water transport. It is argued that cold trapping must be a general property of seasonal frost and, therefore, must be considered in order to understand the evolution of the surface environment of Mars.

Svitek, Thomas↗
NASA NTRS1990

Stratospheric temperatures during the 88-89 Northern Hemisphere winter

The Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (AASE) was conducted during January and February 1989. The polar stratosphere during this period was characterized by cold conditions from January to mid-February. A mid-February wave 2 major warming considerably warmed the polar stratosphere, but did not immediately lead to a lower stratospheric vortex breakup. As inferred from temperature data, January temperatures were sufficient for polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) formation. PSC regional extent was greater than the long-term average, but not significantly larger than in previous years.

Newman, Paul A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A comparison of Arctic lower stratospheric winter temperatures for 1988-89 with temperatures since 1964

Lower stratospheric temperatures during the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition are compared with temperatures available since January, 1964. January, 1989, was the coldest averaged January in the last 26 years at high latitude, lower stratospheric levels. There have been other months with temperatures almost as low as the level of January, 1989, and localized temperatures (e.g., minimum polar vortex temperatures) have been lower than that encountered in January 1989. February, 1989, was warmer than average and March, 1989, had some of the highest polar vortex temperatures in the last 26 years. Conditions were therefore not very favorable for Polar Stratospheric Cloud (PSC) formation into early spring.

Nagatani, Ronald M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Airborne measurements of stratospheric constituents over the Arctic in the winter of 1989

A Fourier transform spectrometer aboard the NASA DC-8 aircraft was used during the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (AASE) to record infrared absorption spectra of the polar stratosphere. From these high resolution spectra, vertical column amounts above flight altitude were derived of O3, CH4, N2O, H2O, HCl, HF, NO, NO2, ClONO2, and HNO3 for eleven flights poleward of 60 deg N. In this paper, measurements on the flight of January 26, 1989 were derived when the flight path during the observations crossed from outside the polar vortex to inside. This allowed a clear comparison of the conditions of the air within the vortex with that outside. Observations of passive tracers such as CH4 and HF indicate that air of a certain composition within the polar vortex occurs at lower altitude than air outside. Within the vortex, markedly reduced columns of HCl and NO2. The ratio of HCl to HF column dropped from its typical midlatitude value of 4.5 to as low as 1.7 within the vortex, implying that the HCl had been chemically or physically removed from the air in the vortex. In contrast to the Antarctic observations, HNO3 values were elevated within the vortex.

Mankin, William G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Loss of ozone in the Arctic vortex for the winter of 1989

Measurements of ClO (Brune et al., 1990) acquired during the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition are used to infer concentrations of reactive chlorine (ClO + 2 x Cl2O2). Observed fields of potential temperature and potential vorticity are used to extrapolate in situ data to larger regions of the vortex. Calculated values of the loss rate of O3, based on estimates of reactive chlorine and measurements of BrO (Toohey et al., 1990), suggest that the loss of O3 was abut 12 pct for levels of the atmosphere with potential temperatures between 440 and 470 K over the 39 day duration of the ER-2 flights into the polar vortex. Calculated loss rates agree with observed rates of removal of O3, although significant uncertainties exist for each.

Salawitch, Ross J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Observations of denitrification and dehydration in the winter polar stratospheres

It is argued that denitrification of the Arctic stratosphere can be explained by the selective growth and sedimentation of aerosol particles rich in nitric acid. Because reactive nitrogen species moderate the destruction of ozone by chlorine-catalyzed reactions by sequestering chlorine in reservoir species such as ClONO2, the possibility of the removal of reactive nitrogen without dehydration should be allowed for in attempts to model ozone depletion in the Arctic. Indeed, denitrification along with elevated concentrations of reactive chlorine observed in 1989 indicate that the Arctic was chemically primed for ozone destruction without an extended period of temperatures below the frost point, as is characteristic of the Antarctic.

Fahey, D. W.↗