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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 883 records · Page 49
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NASA NTRS1992

An IDL-based analysis package for COBE and other skycube-formatted astronomical data

UIMAGE is a data analysis package written in IDL for the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) project. COBE has extraordinarily stringent accuracy requirements: 1 percent mid-infrared absolute photometry, 0.01 percent submillimeter absolute spectrometry, and 0.0001 percent submillimeter relative photometry. Thus, many of the transformations and image enhancements common to analysis of large data sets must be done with special care. UIMAGE is unusual in this sense in that it performs as many of its operations as possible on the data in its native format and projection, which in the case of COBE is the quadrilateralized sphereical cube ('skycube'). That is, after reprojecting the data, e.g., onto an Aitoff map, the user who performs an operation such as taking a crosscut or extracting data from a pixel is transparently acting upon the skycube data from which the projection was made, thereby preserving the accuracy of the result. Current plans call for formatting external data bases such as CO maps into the skycube format with a high-accuracy transformation, thereby allowing Guest Investigators to use UIMAGE for direct comparison of the COBE maps with those at other wavelengths from other instruments. It is completely menu-driven so that its use requires no knowledge of IDL. Its functionality includes I/O from the COBE archives, FITS files, and IDL save sets as well as standard analysis operations such as smoothing, reprojection, zooming, statistics of areas, spectral analysis, etc. One of UIMAGE's more advanced and attractive features is its terminal independence. Most of the operations (e.g., menu-item selection or pixel selection) that are driven by the mouse on an X-windows terminal are also available using arrow keys and keyboard entry (e.g., pixel coordinates) on VT200 and Tektronix-class terminals. Even limited grey scales of images are available this way. Obviously, image processing is very limited on this type of terminal, but it is nonetheless surprising how much analysis can be done on that medium. Such flexibility has the virtue of expanding the user community to those who must work remotely on non-image terminals, e.g., via modem.

Ewing, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Analysis of ERTS-1 linear features in New York State

The author has identified the following significant results. All ERTS-1 linears confirmed to date have topographic expression although they may appear as featureless tonal linears on the imagery. A bias is unavoidably introduced against any linears which may parallel raster lines, lithological trends, or the azimuth of solar illumination. Ground study of ERTS-1 topographic lineaments in the Adirondacks indicates: outcrops along linears are even more rare than expected, fault breccias are found along some NNE lineaments, chloritization and slickensiding without brecciation characterize one EW lineament whereas closely-spaced jointing plus a zone of plastic shear define another. Field work in the Catskills suggests that the prominent new NNE lineaments may be surface manifestations of normal faulting in the basement, and that it may become possible to map major joint sets over extensive plateau regions directly on the imagery. Fall and winter images each display some unique linears, and long linears on the fall image commonly appear as aligned segments on the winter scene. A computer-processed color composite image permitted the extraction or additional information on the shaded side of mountains.

Isachsen, Y. W.↗
NASA NTRS2011

New Analysis of Lunar Prospector Radio Tracking Data Brings the Nearside Gravity Field of the Moon with an Unprecedented Resolution

A new analysis of the Doppler tracking data from the Lunar Prospector mission in 1999 revealed a number of previously-unseen gravity anomalies at spatial scales as small as 27 km over the nearside. The tracking data at low altitudes (50 km or below) were better analyzed to resolve the nearside features without dampening from a power law constraint, by partitioning the gravity parameters concentrated on either the nearside or farside. The resulting model presents gravity anomalies correlated with topography with a correlation coefficient of 0.7 or higher from degree 50 to 150, the widest bandwidth yet. The gravity-topography admittance of approx. 70 mGal/km is found from numerous craters of which diameters are 60 km or less. In addition, the new model produces orbits that fit to independent radio tracking data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Kaguya (SELENE) better than previous gravity models. This high-resolution model can be of immediate use to geophysical analysis of small craters. Our technique could be applied to an upcoming mission, the Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory and useful to extract short wavelength signals from the MESSENGER Doppler data.

Han, Shin-Chan↗
NASA NTRS2013

Damage Detection in Composite Structures with Wavenumber Array Data Processing

Guided ultrasonic waves (GUW) have the potential to be an efficient and cost-effective method for rapid damage detection and quantification of large structures. Attractive features include sensitivity to a variety of damage types and the capability of traveling relatively long distances. They have proven to be an efficient approach for crack detection and localization in isotropic materials. However, techniques must be pushed beyond isotropic materials in order to be valid for composite aircraft components. This paper presents our study on GUW propagation and interaction with delamination damage in composite structures using wavenumber array data processing, together with advanced wave propagation simulations. Parallel elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT) is used for the example simulations. Multi-dimensional Fourier transform is used to convert time-space wavefield data into frequency-wavenumber domain. Wave propagation in the wavenumber-frequency domain shows clear distinction among the guided wave modes that are present. This allows for extracting a guided wave mode through filtering and reconstruction techniques. Presence of delamination causes spectral change accordingly. Results from 3D CFRP guided wave simulations with delamination damage in flat-plate specimens are used for wave interaction with structural defect study.

Tian, Zhenhua↗
NASA NTRS2021

Depletion & Recovery of the O3 Layer Observed from Space Over the Past 50 Years of the Anthropocene

This year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the launch of the backscatter UV (BUV) instrument on NASA’s Nimbus-4 satellite. Since then 10 more advanced instruments, but based on the same basic measurement principle, have been launched on polar orbiting NASA and NOAA satellites. The datasets produced by these instruments are unique for they have captured the period before the onset of the decline of the ozone layer due to manmade chemicals, the declining period, and the present slow recovery period. This period includes the rapid development of the iconic anthropocene era feature called the “Ozone Hole” . However, stitching together data from 11 separate satellite instruments to create a homogeneous record has presented many challenges. The first two NASA instruments suffered considerable degradation after launch that required the development of novel techniques to characterize their calibration. The next 7 instruments were launched on NOAA’s polar orbiting weather satellites that were not designed for long-term monitoring of climate variables. In particular, they didn’t have the station keeping capabilities needed to maintain a stable equator crossing time. Drifting orbits not only stress the retrieval algorithm and the calibration system of UV instruments but also make the interpretation of data difficult because the upper stratospheric ozone has systematic and complex diurnal variabilities that are comparable to the anthropogenic signal one wants to extract. We will highlight our recent efforts in untangling this knot. Finally, we will discuss the results from the OMPS limb scattering instrument, a recent addition to this constellation, that has been operating on the Suomi NPP satellite since October 2011. It is helping us capture how the ozone layer in the lower stratosphere and troposphere is evolving in response to the climate change and rising chemical pollutants in some parts of the world, while the upper stratosphere slowly recovers due to phaseout of the chemicals that initiated the decline of the ozone layer in the late 70s.

P Bhartia↗
NASA NTRS1974

Natural resource inventories and management applications in the Great Basin

ERTS-1 resolution capabilities and repetitive coverage have allowed the acquisition of several statewide inventories of natural resource features not previously completed or that could not be completed in any other way. Familiarity with landform, tone, pattern and other converging factors, along with multidate imagery, has been required. Nevada's vegetation has been mapped from ERTS-1. Dynamic characteristics of the landscape have been studied. Sequential ERTS-1 imagery has proved its usefulness for mapping vegetation, following vegetation phenology changes, monitoring changes in lakes and reservoirs (including water quality), determining changes in surface mining use, making fire fuel estimates and determining potential hazard, mapping the distribution of rain and snow events, making range readiness determinations, monitoring marshland management practices and other uses. Feasibility has been determined, but details of incorporating the data in management systems awaits further research and development. The need is to accurately define the steps necessary to extract required or usable information from ERTS imagery and fit it into on-going management programs.

Tueller, P. T.↗
NASA NTRS2019

NICER Discovers Spectral Lines During Photospheric Radius Expansion Bursts from 4U 1820-30: Evidence for Burst-Driven Winds

We report the discovery with the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) of narrow emission and absorption lines during photospheric radius expansion (PRE) X-ray bursts from the ultracompact binary 4U 1820 −30. NICER observed 4U 1820−30 in 2017 August during a low-flux, hard spectral state, accumulating about 60 ks of exposure. Five thermonuclear X-ray bursts were detected, of which four showed clear signs of PRE. We extracted spectra during the PRE phases and fit each to a model that includes a Comptonized component to describe the accretion-driven emission, and a blackbody for the burst thermal radiation. The temperature and spherical emitting radius of the fitted blackbody are used to assess the strength of PRE in each burst. The two strongest PRE bursts (burst pair 1) had blackbody temperatures of ≈0.6 keV and emitting radii of ≈100 km (at a distance of 8.4 kpc). The other two bursts (burst pair 2) had higher temperatures (≈0.67 keV) and smaller radii (≈75 km). All of the PRE bursts show evidence of narrow line emission near 1 keV. By coadding the PRE phase spectra of burst pairs 1 and, separately, 2, we find, in both coadded spectra, significant, narrow, spectral features near 1.0 (emission), 1.7, and 3.0 keV (both in absorption). Remarkably, all the fitted line centroids in the coadded spectrum of burst pair 1 appear systematically blueshifted by a factor of 1.046±0.006 compared to the centroids of pair 2, strongly indicative of a gravitational shift, a wind-induced blueshift, or more likely some combination of both effects. The observed shifts are consistent with this scenario in that the stronger PRE bursts in pair 1 reach larger photospheric radii, and thus have weaker gravitational redshifts, and they generate faster outflows, yielding higher blueshifts. We discuss possible elemental identifications for the observed features in the context of recent burst-driven wind models.

Strohmayer, T. E.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Mapping of CO2 at High Spatiotemporal Resolution using Satellite Observations: Global distributions from OCO-2

Satellite observations of CO2 offer new opportunities to improve our understanding of the global carbon cycle. Using such observations to infer global maps of atmospheric CO2 and their associated uncertainties can provide key information about the distribution and dynamic behavior of CO2, through comparison to atmospheric CO2 distributions predicted from biospheric, oceanic, or fossil fuel flux emissions estimates coupled with atmospheric transport models. Ideally, these maps should be at temporal resolutions that are short enough to represent and capture the synoptic dynamics of atmospheric CO2. This study presents a geostatistical method that accomplishes this goal. The method can extract information about the spatial covariance structure of the CO2 field from the available CO2 retrievals, yields full coverage (Level 3) maps at high spatial resolutions, and provides estimates of the uncertainties associated with these maps. The method does not require information about CO2 fluxes or atmospheric transport, such that the Level 3 maps are informed entirely by available retrievals. The approach is assessed by investigating its performance using synthetic OCO-2 data generated from the PCTM/ GEOS-4/CASA-GFED model, for time periods ranging from 1 to 16 days and a target spatial resolution of 1deg latitude x 1.25deg longitude. Results show that global CO2 fields from OCO-2 observations can be predicted well at surprisingly high temporal resolutions. Even one-day Level 3 maps reproduce the large-scale features of the atmospheric CO2 distribution, and yield realistic uncertainty bounds. Temporal resolutions of two to four days result in the best performance for a wide range of investigated scenarios, providing maps at an order of magnitude higher temporal resolution relative to the monthly or seasonal Level 3 maps typically reported in the literature.

Hammerling, Dorit M.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Comparing Free-Free and Shaker Table Model Correlation Methods Using Jim Beam

Finite element model correlation as part of a spacecraft program has always been a challenge. For any NASA mission, the coupled system response of the spacecraft and launch vehicle can be determined analytically through a Coupled Loads Analysis (CLA), as it is not possible to test the spacecraft and launch vehicle coupled system before launch. The value of the CLA is highly dependent on the accuracy of the frequencies and mode shapes extracted from the spacecraft model. NASA standards require the spacecraft model used in the final Verification Loads Cycle to be correlated by either a modal test or by comparison of the model with Frequency Response Functions (FRFs) obtained during the environmental qualification test. Due to budgetary and time constraints, most programs opt to correlate the spacecraft dynamic model during the environmental qualification test, conducted on a large shaker table. For any model correlation effort, the key has always been finding a proper definition of the boundary conditions. This paper is a correlation case study to investigate the difference in responses of a simple structure using a free-free boundary, a fixed boundary on the shaker table, and a base-drive vibration test, all using identical instrumentation. The NAVCON Jim Beam test structure, featured in the IMAC round robin modal test of 2009, was selected as a simple, well recognized and well characterized structure to conduct this investigation. First, a free-free impact modal test of the Jim Beam was done as an experimental control. Second, the Jim Beam was mounted to a large 20,000 lbf shaker, and an impact modal test in this fixed configuration was conducted. Lastly, a vibration test of the Jim Beam was conducted on the shaker table. The free-free impact test, the fixed impact test, and the base-drive test were used to assess the effect of the shaker modes, evaluate the validity of fixed-base modeling assumptions, and compare final model correlation results between these boundary conditions.

Modal Test↗
NASA NTRS1991

Parameter trade-offs for imaging spectroscopy systems

With the advent of the EOS era and of configurable sensors, users of these instruments are faced with the twin problems of specifying data acquisition parameters and extracting desired information from the voluminous data. An application of a system model is made to explore system parameter trade-offs for a model sensor based on the High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer. Radiometric performance was studied, along with the effect on classification accuracy of several system parameters. Using a model scene based on typical agricultural reflectance and atmospheric conditions, the atmosphere and sensor are seen to have significant effects on the mean received signal and noise performance. The effect of random uncorrelated errors in the radiometric calibration of the detector array is seen to degrade system performance, especially in the spectral bands below 1 micron. Accurate pixel-to-pixel relative radiometric calibration and the use of the Image Motion Compensation option are seen to improve classification accuracy, especially at high solar zenith angles. Feature sets chosen from characteristics of the scene performed best overall, but ones chosen based on signal-to-noise ratios were seen to be more robust.

Kerekes, John P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Location of nanophase Fe-oxides in palagonitic soils: Implication for Martian pigments

Palagonitic materials from Mauna Kea, Hawaii, were identified as Mars analogs based on their spectral and magnetic properties. These materials probably resulted from hydrothermal alteration during eruption of the volcano and/or from weathering under ambient conditions. The reflectance spectra of the Mars surface obtained by Earth-based telescopes and the reflectance spectra of analogs obtained in the laboratory show features due to electronic transitions of Fe(III) in oxide particles that range in size from nanometer (nanophase) to micrometer sized or larger. The presence of Fe(III) suggests oxidizing conditions during the alteration process in Mars that may have occurred in the past or during a slow ongoing process. Two naturally altered basaltic samples from Hawaii (HWMK12 and HWMK13) and a laboratory-altered (PH-13-DCGT2) basaltic glass similar in elemental composition to the above two samples was examined. All three samples exhibited spectral characteristics similar to martian bright-region spectra. Chemical and mineralogical changes occurring at the surface of these basalts were studied in order to understand the basis for their Mars-like properties. The spectral properties of the three samples were examined after the removal of Fe oxides by chemical extractants.

Golden, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Flight test evaluation of predicted light aircraft drag, performance, and stability

A technique was developed which permits simultaneous extraction of complete lift, drag, and thrust power curves from time histories of a single aircraft maneuver such as a pull up (from V max to V stall) and pushover (to V max for level flight). The technique, which is an extension of nonlinear equations of motion of the parameter identification methods of Iliff and Taylor and includes provisions for internal data compatibility improvement as well, was shown to be capable of correcting random errors in the most sensitive data channel and yielding highly accurate results. Flow charts, listings, sample inputs and outputs for the relevant routines are provided as appendices. This technique was applied to flight data taken on the ATLIT aircraft. Lack of adequate knowledge of the correct full throttle thrust horsepower true airspeed variation and considerable internal data inconsistency made it impossible to apply the trajectory matching features of the technique.

Smetana, F. O.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Procedure for estimating stability and control parameters from flight test data by using maximum likelihood methods employing a real-time digital system

A maximum likelihood parameter estimation procedure and program were developed for the extraction of the stability and control derivatives of aircraft from flight test data. Nonlinear six-degree-of-freedom equations describing aircraft dynamics were used to derive sensitivity equations for quasilinearization. The maximum likelihood function with quasilinearization was used to derive the parameter change equations, the covariance matrices for the parameters and measurement noise, and the performance index function. The maximum likelihood estimator was mechanized into an iterative estimation procedure utilizing a real time digital computer and graphic display system. This program was developed for 8 measured state variables and 40 parameters. Test cases were conducted with simulated data for validation of the estimation procedure and program. The program was applied to a V/STOL tilt wing aircraft, a military fighter airplane, and a light single engine airplane. The particular nonlinear equations of motion, derivation of the sensitivity equations, addition of accelerations into the algorithm, operational features of the real time digital system, and test cases are described.

Grove, R. D.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Somatic Mutation in Mice on the International Space Station (ISS): Guanine Substitution Suggests Link to Cancer Risk

We conducted comprehensive analysis of single nucleotide somatic mutations in mice exposed to microgravity and other factors aboard the International Space Station (ISS), using data archived in GeneLab. Animals in the experimental cohort consisted of mice that spent 37 days on the ISS within the Rodent Habitat. Ground control animals consisted of mice of identical age, sex, strain, in a terrestrial Rodent Habitat controlled for temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels, to match ISS conditions as closely as possible. RNA extracted from eye, liver, skeletal muscle, and kidney tissue specimens was subjected to next-generation sequencing to acquire primary data. Our analysis employed cutting-edge software developed at NASA Ames Research Center, executed on the NASA Ames Supercomputer and on another high-performance computer, for accurate variant calling of single point mutations. ISS-flown mice exhibited a notably heightened level of somatic mutation compared to control mice. The degree of somatic mutation correlated with the degree of gene expression across the four tissue types, i.e., the greatest rate of mutation accumulation was seen in highly expressed genes. We discovered that guanine substitutions were the most common type of somatic mutation. This observation is consistent with the hypothesis that DNA mutation events stem from reactive oxygen/nitrogen/chlorine species-mediated guanine oxidation induced by the spaceflight environment. Since guanine oxidation is a prominent feature of the DNA mutation landscape that accompanies malignant transformation, our findings suggest a possible link between the spaceflight environment and cancer risk that is independent of radiation carcinogenesis.

ISS↗
NASA NTRS2023

Reflection and Timing Study of the Transient Black Hole X-Ray Binary MAXI J1803-298 with NuSTAR

The transient black hole X-ray binary MAXI J1803−298 was discovered on 2021 May 1, as it went into outburst from a quiescent state. As the source rose in flux it showed periodic absorption dips and fit the timing and spectral characteristics of a hard-state accreting black hole. We report on the results of a Target-of-Opportunity observation with NuSTAR obtained near the peak outburst flux beginning on 2021 May 13, after the source had transitioned into an intermediate state. MAXI J1803−298 is variable across the observation, which we investigate by extracting spectral and timing products separately for different levels of flux throughout the observation. Our timing analysis reveals two distinct potential quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) which are not harmonically related at 5.4 ± 0.2 Hz and 9.4 ± 0.3 Hz, present only during periods of lower flux. With clear relativistic reflection signatures detected in the source spectrum, we applied several different reflection models to the spectra of MAXI J1803−298. Here we report our results, utilizing high-density reflection models to constrain the disk geometry, and assess changes in the spectrum dependent on the source flux. With a standard broken power-law emissivity, we find a near-maximal spin for the black hole, and we are able to constrain the inclination of the accretion disk at 75° ± 2°, which is expected for a source that has shown periodic absorption dips. We also significantly detect a narrow absorption feature at 6.91 ± 0.06 keV with an equivalent width between 4 and 9 eV, which we interpret as the signature of a disk wind.

Benjamin M. Coughenour↗
NASA NTRS2007

Haughton-Mars Project/NASA 2006 Lunar Medical Contingency Simulation: Equipment and Methods for Medical Evacuation of an Injured Crewmember

Introduction: Achieving NASA's Space Exploration Vision scientific objectives will require human access into cratered and uneven terrain for the purpose of sample acquisition to assess geological, and perhaps even biological features and experiments. Operational risk management is critical to safely conduct the anticipated tasks. This strategy, along with associated contingency plans, will be a driver of EVA system requirements. Therefore, a medical contingency EVA scenario was performed with the Haughton-Mars Project/NASA to develop belay and medical evacuation techniques for exploration and rescue respectively. Methods: A rescue system to allow two rescuer astronauts to evacuate one in incapacitated astronaut was evaluated. The systems main components were a hard-bottomed rescue litter, hand-operated winch, rope, ground picket anchors, and a rover-winch attachment adapter. Evaluation was performed on 15-25deg slopes of dirt with embedded rock. The winch was anchored either by adapter to the rover or by pickets hammered into the ground. The litter was pulled over the surface by rope attached to the winch. Results: The rescue system was utilized effectively to extract the injured astronaut up a slope and to a waiting rover for transport to a simulated habitat for advanced medical care, although several challenges to implementation were identified and overcome. Rotational stabilization of the winch was found to be important to get maximize mechanical advantage from the extraction system. Discussion: Further research and testing needs to be performed to be able to fully consider synergies with the other Exploration surface systems, in conducting contingency operations. Structural attachment points on the surface EVA suits may be critical to assist in incapacitated evacuation. Such attach points could be helpful in microgravity incapacitated crewmember transport as well. Wheeled utility carts or wheels that may be attachable to a litter may also aid in extraction and transport. Utilizing parts of the rover (e.g. seats) to deploy as a litter may be considered. Testing in simulated 1/6-g to determine feasibility of winch operation and anchor establishment will further reduce implementation uncertainties.

Chappell, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

High temperature co-axial winding transformers

The analysis and design of co-axial winding transformers is presented. The design equations are derived and the different design approaches are discussed. One of the most important features of co-axial winding transformers is the fact that the leakage inductance is well controlled and can be made low. This is not the case in conventional winding transformers. In addition, the power density of co-axial winding transformers is higher than conventional ones. Hence, using co-axial winding transformers in a certain converter topology improves the power density of the converter. The design methodology used in meeting the proposed specifications of the co-axial winding transformer specifications are presented and discussed. The final transformer design was constructed in the lab. Co-axial winding transformers proved to be a good choice for high power density and high frequency applications. They have a more predictable performance compared with conventional transformers. In addition, the leakage inductance of the transformer can be controlled easily to suit a specific application. For space applications, one major concern is the extraction of heat from power apparatus to prevent excessive heating and hence damaging of these units. Because of the vacuum environment, the only way to extract heat is by using a cold plate. One advantage of co-axial winding transformers is that the surface area available to extract heat from is very large compared to conventional transformers. This stems from the unique structure of the co-axial transformer where the whole core surface area is exposed and can be utilized for cooling effectively. This is a crucial issue here since most of the losses are core losses.

Divan, Deepakraj M.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Diurnal and Seasonal Cold Lands Signatures in SSM/I-scale Microwave Radiometry of the North Slope of Alaska

In this paper, we explore scaling and data assimilation-related issues associated with utilizing passive microwave satellite observations of Cold Lands-in this case, the climatologically and ecologically sensitive arctic tundra. Our approach expands on our earlier work using a one-year dataset from the Radiobrightness Energy Balance Experiment-3 (REBEX-3). REBEX-3 featured a tower-based SSM/I (Special Sensor Microwave/Imager) simulator deployed on the North Slope of Alaska in 1994-95. Two findings are significant here. First, a comparison of tower and satellite signatures at 19 and 37 GHz strongly suggested that the North Slope is radiometrically homogeneous for spatial scales up to SSM/I footprints (approximately 25 km), an unusual and valuable characteristic for monitoring and retrieving land surface conditions. And second, at the plot scale, signatures of snow/no-snow and freeze/thaw transitions were identifiable for tussock tundra land cover, so that even snow-free frozen tundra could be unambiguously distinguished from tundra covered with dry snow, another unusual and valuable characteristic. We present results from analyzing satellite brightness signatures of selected North Slope pixels corresponding to instrumented sites along a transect from the Brooks Range to the Arctic Ocean. A custom EASE (Equal Area Scalable Earth)-Grid processor was used to extract SSMJI data for every orbit with observations of this region during the 1994-95 year. The resulting high temporal-resolution (4-8 points/day), gridded data were then analyzed for evidence of the same diurnal and seasonal signatures seen at the plot scale (through micrometeorological and/or brightness data). Differences between satellite and tower brightness observations are quantified for various conditions at the REBEX-3 site. Such differences from the less-frequent and/or larger-scale satellite observations represent a form of input 'noise' in data assimilation applications. For the other sites, the performance of snow/no-snow and freeze/thaw discriminators vs. ground truth represents an opportunity to gauge the homogeneity of other pixels.

Kim, Edward J.↗