Particle tracking by repetitive phase-shift interferometric super resolution microscopy
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Gdor, Itay (ORCID:0000000259006082)↗
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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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Improvement of synoptic scale moisture and wind field analyses using the Nimbus 4 THIR 6.7 micron observations
The Nimbus 4 temperature-humidity infrared radiometer (THIR) monitors radiation in the 6.5 to 7.2 micron water vapor absorption with a 23 kilometer spatial resolution at the sub-satellite point. Radiation monitored in this spectral region results primarily from emission in the 250 to 500 millibar region of the upper troposphere. The THIR 6.7 micron observations are readily available in photofacsimile imagery form which shows very distinctive patterns associated with spatial variations in atmospheric water vapor. These radiometric observations were combined in several instances with moisture values measured in the upper troposphere by the standard radiosonde network. In each instance, the result is a much more consistent analysis showing increased spatial detail that agrees with the radiometric observations and does not compromise the conventional data. The improved moisture analyses show relatively dry and moist tongues that are very difficult or impossible to infer from the conventional data alone. The patterns in the moisture fields can be tracked over 12 and 24 hour periods. In addition, by keeping in mind the advective properties of the moisture field, success was achieved in improving streamline analyses at the 400 mb level over data sparse regions on a global scale.
Steranko, J.↗
Eleven-years inversion of the green corona emission
A cross correlation analysis of coronal green line intensity (5303A) and interplanetary magnetic field polarity for the period 1947-1970 shows that the coronal features are organized in a constant pattern with respect to the 4-sector structure through the solar cycle. A sudden inversion of the coronal pattern with respect to the sector structure takes place at the solar minima. The high emission regions of the green corona are located near the solar magnetic sector boundaries having polarities (-,+), (+,-), (-,+) during cycles 18, 19, 20 respectively in the Northern Hemisphere, and (+,-), (-,+), (+,-) in the Southern Hemisphere.
Antonucci, E.↗
Episodic release of Ar-40 from the interior of the moon
Measurements of lunar atmosphere made by the mass spectrometer at the Apollo 17 landing site during the first 9 lunations of 1973 show an apparently cyclical variation of radiogenic Ar-40, with maximum to minimum abundance ratio of about 2. There seems to be a 6-7 month periodicity in the oscillation, but the limited data base makes a fixed oscillatory pattern uncertain. The significance of the variation of atmospheric argon lies in the implication that its source is episodic in nature, ranging in strength from about 1% of the total rate of production of Ar-40 in the moon to near zero. This requires a presently active mechanism for transient venting of gas from deep within the moon.
Hodges, R. R., Jr.↗
Detecting residential land-use development at the urban fringe
Problems associated with the use of Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS) imagery for the detection of urban growth and land use patterns are discussed. The presence of vegetation, either original or added between scanning periods, has been found to dramatically effect the range of signatures in a given area. Different land use developmental stages have been successfully identified by means of 1:50,000 scale panchromatic aerial photography, a resolution only considered possible by spaceborne instrumentation with the advent of the Landsat D satellite. Textural information generated through the grey-tone spatial-dependency matrix for the Landsat band 5 data is compared for different years and a change detection algorithm is described. It is found that the addition of vegetation during development after the removal of natural vegetation resulted in error of omission in the single band data, which must therefore only be used in concert with other data sources.
Jensen, J. R.↗
Phase coherence of solar cycle minima over two 178-year periods
The phases of solar cycle minima are compared with an 'ideal' sunspot cycle of the mean period of 11.4 years. The observed departures from the ideal model form a pattern over 16 cycles (approximately 178 years) which appears to be repeated over the next 16 cycles. Both in mathematic sign and amplitude the two 178-year cycles are coherent to a statistically significant level of 98 percent. If true, this furnishes a basis for predicting sunspot cycle minima.
Fairbridge, R. W.↗
Cracked rotor demonstration
The purpose of this demonstration is to observe the behavior of a rotor with a single crack. This will be presented in oscilloscope orbits, 2X POLAR PLOTS, and spectrum cascade diagrams. Crack detection must be observed in all three formats and monitored over a period of time or start-ups. The change in the 2X behavior pattern provides an early warning that a crack potentially exists and that it is likely propagating toward total rotor fracture.
Bosmans, R. F.↗
The evolution of magnetic activity on V711 Tauri and evidence for a significant facular contribution
The nature of the long-term evolution of magnetic activity in the RS CVn binary V711 Tauri is investigated using the complete set of available archival IUE SWP low-dispersion spectra of V711 Tau for the period covering August 1978 - December 1984. An analysis of the spectra confirmed the pattern of a long-term smooth variation of chromospheric and transition region emission found previosly by Dorren et al. (1986). An explanation of the relationship between the different facets of the magnetic activity on V711 Tau is presented.
Dorren, J. D.↗
Late stages of accumulation and early evolution of the planets
Recently developed solutions of problems are discussed that were traditionally considered fundamental in classical solar system cosmogony: determination of planetary orbit distribution patterns, values for mean eccentricity and orbital inclinations of the planets, and rotation periods and rotation axis inclinations of the planets. Two important cosmochemical aspects of accumulation are examined: the time scale for gas loss from the terrestrial planet zone, and the composition of the planets in terms of isotope data. It was concluded that the early beginning of planet differentiation is a function of the heating of protoplanets during collisions with large (thousands of kilometers) bodies. Energetics, heat mass transfer processes, and characteristic time scales of these processes at the early stages of planet evolution are considered.
Vityazev, Andrey V.↗
Global patterns of cloud optical thickness variation with temperature
A global cloud climatology dataset is used to study patterns of cloud optical thickness variation with temperature. The data, which cover the period from July 1983 through June 1995, contain detailed information on the distribution of cloud radiative properties and their diurnal and seasonal variations, as well as information on the vertical distribution of temperature and humidity in the troposphere. For cold low clouds over land, the temperature coefficient of change in optical thickness has a value of about 0.04, which is similar to that deduced from Soviet aircraft observations and derived from thermodynamic considerations for the change of cloud liquid water with temperature. It is suggested that, in this cold-temperature range, cloud optical thickness variations are dominated by changes in the liquid water content of the cloud and that the liquid water content changes in accordance with the thermodynamic theory.
Tselioudis, George↗
Three-dimensional ionospheric plasma circulation
Examination of the ion drift velocity vector measured on the DE2 spacecraft reveals the significance of ionospheric flows both perpendicular and parallel to the magnetic field at high latitudes. During periods of southward directed interplanetary magnetic field the familiar two-cell convection pattern perpendicular to the magnetic field is associated with field-aligned motion predominantly upward in the dayside auroral zone and cusp, and predominantly downward in the polar cap. Frictional heating by convection through the neutral gas and heating by energetic particle precipitation are believed to be responsible for the bulk of the upward flow with downward flows resulting from subsequent cooling of the plasma. Some of the upward flowing plasma is apparently given escape energy at altitudes above about 800 km. The average flow of ions across the entire high-latitude region at 400 km is outward and comparable to the energetic ion outflow observed at much higher altitudes by DE 1.
Heelis, R. A.↗
Observational and modeling studies of heat, moisture, precipitation, and global-scale circulation patterns
The research sponsored by this grant is a continuation and an extension of the work conducted under a previous contract, 'South Pacific Convergence Zone and Global-Scale Circulations'. In the prior work, we conducted a detailed investigation of the South Pacific convergence zone (SPCZ), and documented many of its significant features and characteristics. We also conducted studies of its interaction with global-scale circulation features through the use of both observational and modeling studies. The latter was accomplished toward the end of the contract when Dr. James Hurrell, then a Ph.D. candidate, successfully ported the NASA GLA general circulation model (GCM) to Purdue University. In our present grant, we have expanded our previous research to include studies of other convectively-driven circulation systems in the tropics besides the SPCZ. Furthermore, we have continued to examine the relationship between these convective systems and global-scale circulation patterns. Our recent research efforts have focused on three objectives: (1) determining the periodicity of large-scale bands of organized convection in the tropics, primarily synoptic to intraseasonal time scales in the Southern Hemisphere; (2) examining the relative importance of tropical versus mid-latitude forcing for Southern Hemisphere summertime subtropical jets, particularly over the Pacific Ocean; and (3) estimating tropical precipitation, especially over oceans, using observational and budget methods. A summary list of our most significant accomplishments in the past year is given.
Vincent, Dayton G.↗
Intraseasonal variability in a barotropic model with seasonal forcing
It has recently been suggested that oscillatory topographic instability could contribute to low-frequency variability over the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes. A barotropic potential vorticity model, with a hierarchy of forcing and topography configurations on the sphere, is used to investigate the nature of low-frequency oscillations induced by such instabilities. Steady-state solutions of the model include multiple unstable equilibria that sustain oscillatory instabilities with periods of 10 - 15 days, and 150 - 180 days, for a realistic forcing pattern, Time-dependent solutions exhibit chaotic behavior with episodic oscillations, featuring both the intraseasonal (35 - 50 day) and biweekly (10 - 15 day) modes. The former is dominated by standing spatial patterns, the latter by traveling wave patterns. The phases of the intraseasonal oscillation are robust for all cases, exhibiting a clear oscillatory exchange of atmospheric angular momentum with the solid earth via mountain troque. It is demonstrated, through linear stability analysis on the sphere, that the intraseasonal oscillations are induced by topographic instabilities. The role of the seasonal cycle is studied by prescribing an annual cycle in the forcing. In this case, the winter forcing is more favorable than the summer for the occurrence of episodic intraseasonal oscillations. Recent observations are consistent with this model result.
Strong, Christopher M.↗
Testing of a Loop Heat Pipe Subjective to Variable Accelerations: Start-up - Part 1
The effect of accelerating forces on the performance of loop heat pipes (LHP) is of interest and importance to terrestrial and space applications. They are being considered for cooling of military combat vehicles and for spinning spacecraft. In order to investigate the effect of an accelerating force on LHP operation, a miniature LHP was installed on a spin table. Variable accelerating forces were imposed on the LHP by spinning the table at different angular speeds. Several patterns of accelerating forces were applied, i.e. continuous spin at different speeds and periodic spin at different speeds and frequencies. The resulting accelerations ranged from 1.17 g's to 4.7 g's. This paper presents the first part of the experimental study, i.e. the effects of a centrifugal force on the LHP start-up. Tests were conducted by varying the heat load to the evaporator, sink temperature, magnitude and frequency of centrifugal force, and LHP orientation relative to the direction of the accelerating force. The accelerating force seems to have little effect on the loop start-up in terms of temperature overshoot and superheat at boiling incipience. Changes in these parameters seem to be stochastic with or without centrifugal accelerating forces. The LHP started successfully in all tests.
Ku, Jentung↗
Testing of a Loop Heat Pipe Subjective to Variable Accelerations: Temperature Stability - Part 2
The effect of accelerating forces on the performance of loop heat pipes (LHP) is of interest and importance to terrestrial and space applications. LHP's are being considered for cooling of military combat vehicles and for spinning spacecraft. In order to investigate the effect of an accelerating force on LHP operation, a miniature LHP was installed on a spin table. Variable accelerating forces were imposed on the LHP by spinning the table at different angular speeds. Several patterns of accelerating forces were applied, i.e. continuous spin at different speeds and periodic spin at different speeds and frequencies. The resulting accelerations ranged from 1.17 g's to 4.7 g's. This paper presents the second part of the experimental study, i.e. the effect of an accelerating force on the LHP operating temperature. It has been known that in stationary tests the LHP operating temperature is a function of the evaporator power and the condenser sink temperature when the compensation temperature is not actively controlled. Results of this test program indicate that any change in the accelerating force will result in a chance in the LHP operating temperature through its influence on the fluid distribution in the evaporator, condenser and compensation chamber. However, the effect is not universal, rather it is a function of other test conditions. A steady, constant acceleration may result in an increase or decrease of the operating temperature, while a periodic spin will lead to a quasi-steady operating temperature over a sufficient time interval. In addition, an accelerating force may lead to temperature hysteresis and changes in the temperature oscillation. In spite of all these effects, the LHP continued to operate without any problems in all tests.
Ku, Jentung↗
The SMART Ground-based Remote Sensing for Terra/MODIS Validation
A ground-based remote sensing system - SMART (Surface Measurements for Atmospheric Radiative Transfer) - was deployed during both the SAFARI-2000 and the ARREX-1999 dry season campaigns. The measurement site is the Skukuza airport. The operation period for 1999 is from August 16 to September 10. The main instruments include shortwave (approximately 0.28-2.8 micrometers) and longwave (approximately 4-50 micrometers) broadband radiometers, a shadow-band radiometer, a micro-pulse lidar, and a microwave radiometer. We also did some measurements of solar spectral flux by using an ASD spectrometer. The operation period for 2000 is from August 15 to September 22. This time we added a few new features to the SMART system: a solar tracker for direct and diffuse components of solar fluxes; the scanning capability to the microwave radiometer; a whole sky camera for documenting the sky conditions every minute; and a mini-weather station for atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, wind speed/direction. A surface SSFR (Solar Spectral Flux Radiometer) from NASA Ames also joined us for the measurements. This is a unique data set with reasonably long observational period and high accuracy. The data show good correlation with the local weather patterns. We also see diurnal change and some special events, such as fierce fires nearby. To quantify the surface radiative forcing of biomass burning aerosols, many pyranometers, pyrgeometers, and pyrheliometers measure the global, direct, and diffuse irradiance at the surface. These fluxes combining with the collocated optical thickness retrievals from sun photometer (or shadow-band radiometer), the solar radiative forcing, proportional to delta F/delta tau, can be investigated. Integrated with measurements of other instruments at the site, these data sets will serve as "ground truth" for the satellite measurements and modeling.
Tsay, Si-Chee↗
Plausible Explanations for Trends in Project Programmatic Findings
This paper investigates several published hypotheses to determine which might explain the observed cyclic pattern in programmatic findings by independent review teams over a ten-year period. The data does not neatly support any of the intra-project theories considered; however, something is obviously triggering these findings. A closer examination of the narratives associated with the programmatic findings did reveal consistency. The recurring themes that appeared with more numerous findings were unclear roles and staffing problems. Other explanations, external to the project teams, were also explored and the data supported a distributed political influence on project performance.
Parsons, Vickie S.↗
Gravity and light control of the developmental polarity of regenerating protoplasts isolated from prothallial cells of the fern Ceratopteris richardii
A procedure has been developed for isolating protoplasts from prothalli of Ceratopteris richardii which can be cultured and are capable of regeneration. Protoplasts were isolated from 2-week-old gametophytes in a medium containing wall-digesting enzymes in 0.5 M sucrose, followed by purification of the released protoplasts by floating them up into a 0.5 M sorbitol layer. Regeneration occurred over a period of 10-24 days, and, under optimal osmotic conditions, followed the developmental pattern seen during spore germination, in that the first division gave rise to a primary rhizoid. Thus, prothallial protoplasts are comparable to germinating spores as suitable models for studies of developmental polarity in single cells. As in germinating spores, the polarity of development in regenerating protoplasts is influenced by the vectors of gravity and unilateral light. However, the relative influence of light in fixing this polarity is greater in regenerating protoplasts, while in germinating spores, the influence of gravity is greater.
NASA Discipline Plant Biology↗