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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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At least 847 records · Page 47
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NASA NTRS1980

The clouds of Venus - A synthesis report

The results presented represent a synthesis of data from those Pioneer Venus experiments directed toward studying cloud problems. These orbiter and multiprobe experiments show the cloud system to consist of three altitude regions populated by cloud particles and smaller haze particles which extend above and below as well as coexist with the cloud particles. The optical properties derived are only consistent with the largest particles, having platelike morphology. The smallest particles are shown to require changes in chemical composition to explain observed behavior. The medium-sized H2SO4 droplets of 2 micrometers diameter appear to be the least volatile and are the best understood. The role of the cloud particles in precipitation dynamical processes, lightning, and radiation are all discussed.

Knollenberg, R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

OSO-8 observations of the impulsive phase of solar flares in the transition-zone and corona

Several solar flares were observed from their onset in C IV 1548.2 A and 1-8 A X-rays using instruments on OSO-8. It is found that impulsive brightening in C IV is often accompanied by redshifts, interpreted as downflows, of the order of 80 km/s. The maximum soft X-ray intensity usually arrives several minutes after the maximum C IV intensity. The most energetic C IV event observed shows a small blueshift just before reaching maximum intensity; estimates of the mass flux associated with this upflow through the transition zone are consistent with the increase of mass in the coronal loops as observed in soft X-rays. Finally, it is suggested that the frequent occurrence of violent dynamical processes at the onset of the flare is associated with the initial energy release mechanism.

Lites, B. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Solar and interplanetary dynamics; Proceedings of the Symposium, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., August 27-31, 1979

The symposium focuses on solar phenomena as the source of transient events propagating through the solar system, and theoretical and observational assessments of the dynamic processes involved in these events. The topics discussed include the life history of coronal structures and fields, coronal and interplanetary responses to long time scale phenomena, solar transient phenomena affecting the corona and interplanetary medium, coronal and interplanetary responses to short time scale phenomena, and future directions.

Dryer, M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

On the spectrum of turbulent magnetic fields

Theoretical power spectra of magnetic fields subject to turbulent fluid motions in the kinematic regime are presented, and previous theories are reviewed, with reference to magnetic fields on the sun. Magnetic field diffusion in turbulence with persistent eddies is predicted to be described by an effective negative magnetic diffusivity. It is found that observations cannot be explained on the basis of turbulent kinematic theories unless the turbulent motions are three-dimensional, and the effective diffusivities are larger than the molecular diffusivities. Lower bounds on the turbulent viscosity are derived, suggesting that dynamical processes controlling the magnetic field spectrum occur at least 15,000 km below the surface. The results, which remain consistent with the assumption that effective diffusivity is uniform, suggest that surface magnetic field observations can be used as a diagnostic for subsurface flows.

Knobloch, E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Investigation and evaluation of a computer program to minimize three-dimensional flight time tracks

The program for the DC 8-D3 flight planning was slightly modified for the three dimensional flight planning for DC 10 aircrafts. Several test runs of the modified program over the North Atlantic and North America were made for verifying the program. While geopotential height and temperature were used in a previous program as meteorological data, the modified program uses wind direction and speed and temperature received from the National Weather Service. A scanning program was written to collect required weather information from the raw data received in a packed decimal format. Two sets of weather data, the 12-hour forecast and 24-hour forecast based on 0000 GMT, are used for dynamic processes in testruns. In order to save computing time only the weather data of the North Atlantic and North America is previously stored in a PCF file and then scanned one by one.

Parke, F. I.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Methodology of the interpretation of remote sensing data and applications in geology

Methods used for interpreting orbital (LANDSAT) data for regional geological mapping in Brazil are examined. Particular attention is given to the levels of analysis used for studying geomorphology, structural geology, lithology, stratigraphy, surface geology, and dynamic processes. Examples of regional mapping described include: (1) rock intrusions in SE Sao Paulo, the southern parts of Minas Gerais, and the states of Rio de Janeiro, and Espiritu Santo; (2) a preliminary survey of Pre-Cambrian geology in the State of Piaui; and (3) the Gondwana Project - surveying Jaguaribe plants. Mineral exploration in Rio Grande do Sul, and the geology of the Alcalino complex of Itatiaia are discussed as well as the use of automatic classifications of rock intrusions and of ilmenite deposits in the Floresta Region. Aerial photography, side looking radar, and thermal infrared scanning are other types of remote sensors also used in prospecting for geothermal anomalies in the city of Caldas Novas-Goias.

Dejesusparada, N.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Hydrodynamic performance of an annular liquid jet: Production of spherical shells

An annular jet flow of liquid surrounding a flow of gas at its core is extremely unstable. Axisymmetric oscillations arise spontaneously, and grow with such rapidity along the axial dimension that a pinch-off of the liquid and an encapsulation of the core gas occurs within as few as four jet diameters. The shells which result thereby may be described as thick-wall bubbles, for which van der Waals forces are unimportant. A description is given of the fluid dynamic processes by which the shells are formed, and of means for preserving and promoting the geometrical of the product. The forming of metallic shells is mentioned.

Kendall, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Numerical prediction of the Mid-Atlantic states cyclone of 18-19 February 1979

A series of forecast experiments was conducted to assess the accuracy of the GLAS model, and to determine the importance of large scale dynamical processes and diabatic heating to the cyclogenesis. The GLAS model correctly predicted intense coastal cyclogenesis and heavy precipitation. Repeated without surface heat and moisture fluxes, the model failed to predict any cyclone development. An extended range forecast, a forecast from the NMC analysis interpolated to the GLAS grid, and a forecast from the GLAS analysis with the surface moisture flux excluded predicted weak coastal low development. Diabatic heating resulting from oceanic fluxes significantly contributed to the generation of low level cyclonic vorticity and the intensification and slow rate of movement of an upper level ridge over the western Atlantic. As an upper level short wave trough approached this ridge, diabatic heating associated with the release of latent heat intensified, and the gradient of vorticity, vorticity advection and upper level divergence in advance of the trough were greatly increased, providing strong large scale forcing for the surface cyclogenesis.

Atlas, R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Time-dependent calculations of Jupiter's ionosphere

Time-dependent calculations of the vertical distribution of protons in Jupiter's ionosphere show that the accumulation of protons in the topside ionosphere produced from solar ionizing radiation overwhelms the loss to vibrationally excited molecular hydrogen at vibrational temperatures as high at 1600 K. At 2500 K the ionization is decreased over the entire planet with little diurnal variation. For Voyager 1 then, unless the H2 vibrational temperature is as high as thousands of degrees and the topside density of H2 is asymmetric and larger by orders of magnitude, dynamical processes are more likely causes of the low electron densities seen in the nightside upper ionosphere. A calculation of the H3(+) density profile showed that the distribution above the turbopause is controlled by diffusion.

Chen, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Global simulation of auroral arcs

Numerical simulation of global formation of auroral arcs is carried out for a three-dimensional coupled ionosphere-magnetosphere system. With the presence of the stationary convection electric field, the field-aligned current driven by the polarization and drift of the ionospheric conductivity enhancement is shown to be responsible for the feedback instability of the shear Alfven wave. The simulation result demonstrates the dynamic process of auroral arc formation, where an ionospheric perturbation nearly resonant with the magnetospheric Alfven wave (toroidal mode) can eventually grow into auroral arcs. Many of the important characteristics of quiet auroral arcs are demonstrated, and it is shown that the overall distribution of auroras depends critically on the stationary state of the auroral oval characterized by the large-scale Birkeland current, the electric field, and the electron density distribution.

Miura, A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

AVE/VAS experiment: Synoptic summary and preliminary results

The AVE/VAS ground truth field experiment was conducted during the Spring of 1982 severe storms and weather research program. The experiment consisted of acquiring correlative ground truth measurements of rawinsonde data, corresponding to the time and space resolutions of VAS sounding data. The objectives of the AVE/VAS experiment are: (1) to acquire four dimensional data sets of the actual atmospheric structure down to the mesoscale; (2) to provide measurements for quantitative comparisons between ground based and VAS-derived atmospheric parameters; (3) to evaluate the impact of VAS data on diagnostic analysis of structural features and dynamical processes important to the development of mesoscale phenomena; (4) to evaluate the impact of VAS data on numerical model simulations, nowcasting, and other mesoscale forecasting systems.

Jedlovec, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Science return from ISEE-3 at comet Giacobini-Zinner

The spacecraft ISEE-3 will be sent to encounter the Giacobini-Zinner comet in September 1985 during the period of intense Halley observations. This mission provides a unique opportunity for comparative study of important dynamical processes at both short and long term comets.

Scarf, F. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Do oblique impacts produce Martian meteorites

It is pointed out that several achondritic meteorites, classified as shergottites, nakhlites, and chassignites, have a number of unusual characteristics. Following the suggestion of Wood and Ashwal (1981) these meteorites are collectively referred to as SNC meteorites. The major element compositions of the SNC meteorites are, in general, distinct from those of other meteorites and lunar samples, and similar to certain terrestrial rocks. The geochemical and geochronological characteristics of the SNC meteorites strongly imply that their parent body was on the order of lunar size or larger and geologically active. Serious attention must be given to the hypothesis of a Martian origin of the SNC meteorites and to dynamic processes capable of delivering Martian meteorites to earth. In connection with the present investigation, it is suggested that oblique impacts of large meteoroids can produce ejecta which is entrained with the ricocheting projectile and accelerated to velocities in excess of Martian escape velocity.

Nyquist, L. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Radiative energy receiver for high performance energy conversion cycles

An analysis of gas dynamic processes pertinent to the functioning of earth-based and space-based solar electric power plants is presented, with attention given to potassium vapor as the working fluid. A device is described which features focused photon absorption by a nontransparent flowing gas. The feed flow is effected around the outside walls of a cavity receiver to raise efficiencies by trapping reemitted energy. A theoretical study of the interaction of a photon flux with a coaxial particle flux was performed, with the receiver flow treated as a Graetz flow. The critical parameters were defined, including a figure of merit as the gas enthalpy increase to absorbable energy ratio. A small-scale laboratory model was tested in comparison with the theoretically obtained values. Less than 15% of the absorbed energy was lost through dissipation while an 80% conversion efficiency was attained.

Rault, D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Nonlinear anelastic modal theory for solar convection

Solar envelope models are developed using single-mode anelastic equations as a description of turbulent convection which provide estimates for the variation with depth of the largest convective cellular flows, with horizontal sizes comparable to the total depth of the convection zone. These models can be used to describe compressible motions occurring over many density scale heights. Single-mode anelastic solutions are obtained for a solar envelope whose mean stratification is nearly adiabatic over most of its vertical extent because of the enthalpy flux explicitly carried by the big cell, while a subgrid scale representation of turbulent heat transport is incorporated into the treatment near the surface. It is shown that the single-mode equations allow two solutions for the same horizontal wavelength which are distinguished by the sense of the vertical velocity at the center of the three-dimensional cell. It is found that the upward directed flow experiences large pressure effects which can modify the density fluctuations so that the sense of the buoyancy force is changed, with buoyancy braking actually achieved near the top of the convection zone. It is suggested that such dynamical processes may explain why the amplitudes of flows related to the largest scales of convection are so weak in the solar atmosphere.

Latour, J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Heat transfer and horizontally averaged temperature of convection with large viscosity variations

It is pointed out that the understanding of convection in large-Prandtl-number Boussinesq fluids with uniform properties and contained in simple geometries is virtually complete. Present efforts are typically directed towards relaxing some of the original assumptions by going to lower Prandtl number, more complicated geometries, variable material properties, or introducing new dynamical processes such as the Lorentz forces. A description is given of experiments which are concerned with the effect on convection of relaxing the assumption of a uniform viscosity. The reported experiments were designed to measure both the horizontally averaged temperature as a function of depth and the heat transfer of convection over a range of viscosity variations up to 100,000.

Richter, F. M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Ozone and water vapor monitoring using a ground-based lidar system

Measurements of atmospheric ozone and water vapor profiles obtained using a differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique at Haute Provence Observatory are reported. The DIAL technique is based on the comparison of differences in attenuation in backscattered signals at wavelengths centered on strong absorptions or absorption lines of the species in question, and wavelengths corresponding to weaker or no absorption. The system in use is based on three lasers - a Nd:YAG Q-switched laser frequency doubled to emit at 532 nm, and two tunable narrowline dye lasers used to convert this emission into the IR or UV spectral regions. Ozone concentration profiles have been recorded up to a height of 30 km, and reveal large day-to-day variations in number density which were correlated with a decrease in tropopause height. Measurements of water vapor concentrations show a variability of the mixing ratio at heights up to 2.5 km representative of dynamic processes, and a variability above 2.5 km that is within the measurement error. Day-to-day variations in tropospheric mixing ratio were also observed.

Megie, G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Application of MAGSAT to Lithospheric Modeling in South America. Part 2: Synthesis of Geologic and Seismic Data for Development of Integrated Crustal Models

Research activities performed on MAGSAT scalar data over South America, Central America, and the adjacent marine areas are summarized. The geologic utility of magnetic anomalies detected by satellite is demonstrated by focusing on the spherical-Earth interpretation of scalar MAGSAT data in combination with ancillary geological and geophysical data to obtain lithospheric models for these regions related to their contemporary crustal dynamics processes, geologic history, current volcanism seismicity and natural resources.

Keller, G. R.↗