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At least 73 records · Page 4

Mineralogy of the Martian Surface: Crustal Composition to Surface Processes

The main results have been published in the refereed literature, and thus this report serves mainly to summarize the main findings and indicate where the detailed papers may be found. Reflectance spectroscopy has been an important tool for determining the mineralogic makeup of the near surface materials on Mars. Analysis of the spectral properties of the surface have demonstrated that these attributes are heterogeneous from the coarse spatial but high spectral resolution spectra obtained with telescopes to the high spatial but coarse spectral resolution Viking data (e.g. Arvidson et al., 1989; McEwen et al., 1989). Low albedo materials show strong evidence for the presence of igneous rock forming minerals while bright materials are generally interpreted as representing heavily altered crustal material. How these materials are physically and genetically related has important implications for understanding martian surface properties and processes, weathering histories and paths, and crustal composition. The goal of this research is to characterize the physical and chemical properties of low albedo materials on Mars and the relationship to intermediate and high albedo materials. Fundamental science questions to be pursued include: (1) the observed distributions of soil, rock, and dust a function of physical processes or weathering and (2) different stages of chemical and physical alteration fresh rock identified. These objectives will be addressed through detailed analyses and modelling of the ISM data from the Phobos-2 mission with corroborating evidence of surface composition and properties provided by data from the Viking mission.

Mustard, John F.↗

Stratospheric measurement requirements and satellite-borne remote sensing capabilities

The capabilities of specific NASA remote sensing systems to provide appropriate measurements of stratospheric parameters for potential user needs were assessed. This was used to evaluate the capabilities of the remote sensing systems to perform global monitoring of the stratosphere. The following conclusions were reached: (1) The performance of current remote stratospheric sensors, in some cases, compares quite well with identified measurement requirements. Their ability to measure other species has not been demonstrated. (2) None of the current, in-situ methods have the capability to satisfy the requirements for global monitoring and the temporal constraints derived from the users needs portion of the study. (3) Existing, non-remote techniques will continue to play an important role in stratospheric investigations for both corroboration of remotely collected data and in the evolutionary development of future remote sensors.

Carmichael, J. J.↗

Monitoring of environmental effects of coal strip mining from satellite imagery

This paper evaluates satellite imagery as a means of monitoring coal strip mines and their environmental effects. The satellite imagery employed is Skylab EREP S-190A and S-190B from SL-2, SL-3 and SL-4 missions; a large variety of camera/film/filter combinations has been reviewed. The investigation includes determining the applicability of satellite imagery for detection of disturbed acreage in areas of coal surface mining as well as the much more detailed monitoring of specific surface-mining operations, including: active mines, inactive mines, highwalls, ramp roads, pits, water impoundments and their associated acidity, graded areas and types of grading, and reclamed areas. Techniques have been developed to enable mining personnel to utilize this imagery in a practical and economic manner, requiring no previous photo-interpretation background and no purchases of expensive viewing or data-analysis equipment. To corroborate the photo-interpretation results, on-site observations were made in the very active mining area near Madisonville, Kentucky.

Brooks, R. L.↗

Temperatures of quiescent prominences measured from hydrogen Paschen and CaII IR lines

During 12 to 17 September 1983 a number of prominences were observed with the McMatch solar telescope of National Solar Observatories, using the Fourier transform spectrometer with a InSb detector (Brault 1979). The present study refers to three prominences observed 13 and 14 September. Prominence A: Large quiescent prominence at S28 E90 Prominence B. Stable prominence in weakly enhanced magnetic region at about NO8 E90 Prominence C: Quiescent prominence at N30 E90. Spectra were obtained at a total of 15 different locations in the three prominences in the wavelength range lambda, lambda 7740 to 14,000 Angstroms. The observed differences between T sub exc and T sub kin are hardly significant. Researchers conclude that the two methods for temperature determination when applied to optically thin lines give reasonably consistent results, i.e., the population of the excited levels of hydrogen is collisionally controlled. The well known increase in T and V towards the edge of equiescent prominences (Hirayama 1964) is not corroborated by the present data. One explanation for this could be that prominence A is atypical. The optical thickness of prominence emission lines tends to increase from center to edges as demonstrated by the case of He I lambda 10830 angstroms. If line opacity plays a significant role in earlier center to edge determinations of T and V, a smaller variation would be expected from measurements in optically thin lines, such as in the present case.

Engvold, Oddbjorn↗

X-Ray Diffraction Based Phase Identification in NiTiHf Shape Memory Alloys with Variable Hf Content

NiTiHf type shape memory alloys have been studied for use in high temperature actuator applications, the most studied of which is the NiTi-20Hf atomic % composition. In this study, six samples of NiTi-Hf including 20Hf, 30Hf, 35Hf, 40Hf, 45Hf, and 50Hf were evaluated by both 1D and 2D X-ray diffraction (XRD) to elucidate what phases and crystal structures were present at room temperature. Given small sample sizes and relatively large grains, multiple cross-sections were measured to increase the sampling statistics, and 2D XRD frames were collected to corroborate the 1D XRD data. Rietveld and structureless refinements were both performed, allowing for adjustments in orientation lattice constant, and structure factor. At room temperature, the primary martensitic phase in the NiTiHf alloys with 20 at% and lower Hf is a monoclinic B19’ phase (P1121/m space group). This phase was identifiable, even in small amounts, in the higher Hf samples. The primary phase in the 30 -50 at% Hf samples is an orthorhombic B33 (Cmcm space group) phase. This work supported thermal analyses indicating the phase transition paths from the two different room temperature martensitic phases to the B2 austenitic phase.

Laura Wilson↗

Low frequency oscillations in total ozone measurements

Low frequency oscillations with periods of approximately one to two months are found in eight years of global grids of total ozone data from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) satellite instrument. The low frequency oscillations corroborate earlier analyses based on four years of data. In addition, both annual and seasonal one-point correlation maps based on the 8-year TOMS data are presented. The results clearly show a standing dipole in ozone perturbations, oscillating with 35 to 50 day periods over the equatorial Indian Ocean-west Pacific region. This contrasts with the eastward moving dipole reported in other data sets. The standing ozone dipole appears to be a dynamical feature associated with vertical atmospheric motions. Consistent with prior analyses based on lower stratospheric temperature fields, large-scale standing patterns are also found in the extratropics of both hemispheres, correlated with ozone fluctuations over the equatorial west Pacific. In the Northern Hemisphere, a standing pattern is observed extending from the tropical Indian Ocean to the north Pacific, across North America, and down to the equatorial Atlantic Ocean region. This feature is most pronounced in the NH summer.

Gao, X. H.↗

Low-frequency oscillations in total ozone measurements

Low frequency oscillations with periods of approximately one to two months are found in eight years of global grids of total ozone data from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) satellite instrument. The low frequency oscillations corroborate earlier analyses based on four years of data. In addition, both annual and seasonal one-point correlation maps based on the 8-year TOMS data are presented. The results clearly show a standing dipole in ozone perturbations, oscillating with 35 to 50 day periods over the equatorial Indian Ocean-west Pacific region. This contrasts with the eastward moving dipole reported in other data sets. The standing ozone dipole appears to be a dynamical feature associated with vertical atmospheric motions. Consistent with prior analyses based on lower stratospheric temperature fields, large-scale standing patterns are also found in the extratropics of both hemispheres, correlated with ozone fluctuations over the equatorial west Pacific. In the Northern Hemisphere, a standing pattern is observed extending from the tropical Indian Ocean to the north Pacific, across North America, and down to the equatorial Atlantic Ocean region. This feature is most pronounced in the NH summer.

Gao, X. H.↗

Secular acceleration of Phobos and Q of Mars

Reductions of Mariner 9 TV data of Phobos and Deimos tend to corroborate the existence of a secular acceleration of Phobos commensurate with two recently reported values based on a reprocessing of earth-based data. These values of secular acceleration have been used together with Mariner 9 data on the physical size of Phobos and earth-based photoelectric observations which infer a carbonaceous composition for Phobos to place upper and lower bounds of 50 and 150, respectively, on the tidal dissipation function of Mars. The corresponding upper and lower bounds on the tidal lag angle are 0.19 and 0.57 deg.

Smith, J. C.↗

Recent data quality and earth science results from the Landsat thematic mapper

The results of the NASA Landsat Image Data Quality Analysis (LIDQA) program are reviewed. Landsat-4 and Landsat-5 TM data quality with regard to image geometry and radiometry are discussed. The results indicate that the TM provides excellent imagery that can be used in the form of satellite image maps meeting cartographic standards at scales of 1:100,000 or smaller. These data can be used to locate features or guide the revision or updating of maps for scales up to 1:24,000. The TM sensor is also providing data of good radiometric quality and stability, with radiometric uncertainties of 1 percent or smaller. The temperature dependence in the absolute radiometry is on the order of 1 to 5 percent of full scale. In terms of bidirectional reflectance estimated at the satellite, the error is estimated at under 6 percent and commonly 3 percent. Preliminary results also corroborate the utility of the TM data for geological or geographical studies.

Salomonson, Vincent V.↗

Radiometric responsivity determination for Feature Identification and Location Experiment (FILE) flown on space shuttle mission

A procedure was developed to obtain the radiometric (radiance) responsivity of the Feature Identification and Local Experiment (FILE) instrument in preparation for its flight on Space Shuttle Mission 41-G (November 1984). This instrument was designed to obtain Earth feature radiance data in spectral bands centered at 0.65 and 0.85 microns, along with corroborative color and color-infrared photographs, and to collect data to evaluate a technique for in-orbit autonomous classification of the Earth's primary features. The calibration process incorporated both solar radiance measurements and radiative transfer model predictions in estimating expected radiance inputs to the FILE on the Shuttle. The measured data are compared with the model predictions, and the differences observed are discussed. Application of the calibration procedure to the FILE over an 18-month period indicated a constant responsivity characteristic. This report documents the calibration procedure and the associated radiometric measurements and predictions that were part of the instrument preparation for flight.

Wilson, R. G.↗

Circulation of Prince William Sound

The author has identified the following significant results. Visual examination of the available ERTS-1 and NASA NP-3 aircraft imagery has suggested that sediment-laden plumes from rivers may be useful in tracking surface circulation over the regions where these plumes retain their visible identities. Plumes of ice derived from tidewater glaciers are highly visible on the ERTS-1 imagery, but are generally of too small an areal extent to be useful in tracing surface circulation. Shore-fast ice is also highly visible on the ERTS-1 data. Practical scientific results include a corroboration of the westward flow just offshore in the Gulf of Alaska with inflow through Hinchinbrook Entrance into Prince William Sound. The tracer in this case was the Copper River Plume, which originates at the mouth of the Copper River east of Prince William Sound. A single partial image of Port Valdez, in northeastern Prince William Sound, suggests by the visible suspended sediment distribution that surface circulation there was cyclonic, as deduced previously from oceanographic baseline data. Surf along the shoreline of the Gulf of Alaska is highly visible on ERTS-1 imagery.

Muench, R. D.↗

Low-frequency atmospheric oscillations over the southeastern Pacific

A 40-50 day atmospheric oscillation has recently been reported in the southeastern Pacific based on analyses of satellite-derived microwave brightness temperature data. Prior to this, such oscillations have not been generally recognized in this region. The purpose of this note is to provide corroboration of the microwave analyses from an independent data set, four years of rawinsonde data from Easter Island. Significant spectral peaks with period 45-53 days were found in the zonal wind near the jet core (300-200 mb) and in the temperature on the underside of the jet. The signal is also present in the 100 mb temperature as shown by strong coherence between 100 and 400 mb temperature perturbations. Direct comparison of the 100 mb temperature perturbations and the microwave data shows good agreement. There is also an indication of a lower frequency signal, about 65-84 day period, in the meridional wind at 1000 mb. This signal appears to be vertically evanescent with maximum amplitude at the surface.

Graves, Charles E.↗

Cratering and obliteration history of the south polar region of Mars

Results are presented from a comprehensive analysis of crater size frequency distributions compiled from Viking Orbiter images of Martian south polar terrains. Depositional histories for the various terrain units are modelled based on deviations of cumulative crater size frequency plots from an assumed production function. Stratigraphic and morphologic data obtained from visual examination of Viking images are also used, primarily to corroborate inferences concerning ages and obliteration histories derived from the crater data.

Plaut, J. J.↗

Fluid manifold design for a solar energy storage tank

A design technique for a fluid manifold for use in a solar energy storage tank is given. This analytical treatment generalizes the fluid equations pertinent to manifold design, giving manifold pressures, velocities, and orifice pressure differentials in terms of appropriate fluid and manifold geometry parameters. Experimental results used to corroborate analytical predictions are presented. These data indicate that variations in discharge coefficients due to variations in orifices can cause deviations between analytical predictions and actual performance values.

Humphries, W. R.↗

Fatigue criterion for the design of rotating shafts under combined stress

A revised approach to the design of transmission shafting which considers the flexure fatigue characteristics of the shaft material under combined cyclic bending and static torsion stress is presented. A fatigue failure relation, corroborated by published combined stress test data, is presented which shows an elliptical variation of reversed bending endurance strength with static torsional stress. From this elliptical failure relations, a design formula for computing the diameter of rotating solid shafts under the most common condition of loading is developed.

Loewenthal, S. H.↗

Burst statistics of Viterbi decoding

A mathematical model of Viterbi decoder burst error performance is presented. This model allows for computer generation of Viterbi-like error sequences quickly and inexpensively for applications where large amounts of data are required. The model is corroborated through comparisons with actual software decoder simulations.

Deutsch, L. J.↗

Experimental and analytical study of ceramic-coated turbine-tip shroud seals for small turbine engines

The results of an experimental and analytical evaluation of ceramic turbine tip shrouds within a small turbine engine operating environment are presented. The ceramic shrouds were subjected to 1001 cycles between idle and high power and steady-state conditions for a total of 57.8 engine hr. Posttest engine inspection revealed mud-flat surface cracking, which was attributed to microcracking under tension with crack penetration to the ceramic and bond coat interface. Sections and micrographs tend to corroborate the thesis. The engine test data provided input to a thermomechanical analysis to predict temperature and stress profiles throughout the ceramic gas-path seal. The analysis predicts cyclic thermal stresses large enough to cause the seal to fail. These stresses are, however, mitigated by inelastic behavior of the shroud materials and by the microfracturing that tensile stresses produce. Microfracturing enhances shroud longevity during early life but provides the failure mechanism during life but provides the failure mechanism during extended life when coupled with the time dependent inelastic materials effects.

Biesiadny, T. J.↗

Radio stimulation and diagnostics of space plasmas

We have investigated the small-scale topside ionospheric plasma structures first observed at Millstone Hill, Massachusetts with the 440 MHz incoherent scatter radar. These small-scale obliquely propagating plasma modes occurring in the vicinity of the midlatitude ionospheric trough, have large radar cross-sections and narrow spectral widths. They have, until recently, been dismissed solely as hard target contamination of the incoherent scatter radar. The geophysical conditions associated with the ionospheric trough, such as the field-aligned current activity and steep plasma density gradients, suggest that these recently discovered small-scale topside ionospheric plasmas may also appear in the auroral and polar ionosphere. In fact, this speculation has been corroborated by the preliminary experiments and data analyses at Tromso, Norway and Sondrestromfjord, Greenland. The primary research results are highlighted. Described in Section 3 are the experiments conducted at Arecibo, Puerto Rico in the past summer for simulating the geophysical conditions of generating these topside ionospheric plasma structures. Recommendation for the future research is finally given. Attached as the appendix of this report are several chapters which present the detailed results of research in the concerned topside ionospheric clutter. Highlights of the research results include: (1) causes of the enhanced radar backscatter (ERB) phenomenon; (2) occurrence of the ERB phenomenon; (3) altitudes of the ERB phenomenon; (4) strength of the ERB returns; (5) range of altitudes of the ERB returns; (6) occurrence frequency of the ERB phenomenon; (7) Doppler effect of the ERB phenomenon; (8) persistency of the ERB; and (9) distinction between ERB phenomenon and space object signatures.

Lee, Min-Chang↗