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At least 91 records · Page 5

Do stony meteorites come from comets

The solar gas content of stony meteorites is used to determine their place of origin. The inert gas content and surface exposure age of meteorites and lunar regolith samples are compared, and the results suggest that gas implantation took place between 1 and 8 AU from the sun, i.e., in the asteroid belt. The prevalence of gas-rich meteorites is cited to indicate that the parent body must remain in the asteroid belt long enough to develop a substantial regolith, a condition which can be met by asteroids, but not by short period comets. It is concluded that all stony meteorite classes with gas-rich members, including carbonaceous chondrites, originated in asteroidal material.

Anders, E.↗

Reliability after inspection

The investigation is concerned with the derivation of relationships between the probability of having manufacturing defects, the probability of detecting a flaw, and the final reliability. Equations for the simple situation in which only one flaw can be present are used to introduce the relationships in a Bayes' theorem approach to the assessment of the final reliability. Situations which are prevalent in composites manufacturing are considered. Attention is given to a case involving the random occurrence of flaws on a laminate surface.

Davidson, J. R.↗

Oxygen isotopic constraints on the composition of the moon

The mean oxygen isotopic composition of 5 Apollo 17 soils, one Apollo 17 breccia and one Apollo 12 soil is delta O-18 = 5.63 + or - .05 and delta O-17 = 3.8 + or - .2%. These values are within several tenths of a part permil of the composition of a large fraction of the lunar interior. High-temperature condensate aggregates from Allende and other C2 and C3 chondrites are vastly enriched in O-16 compared to this composition. The moon cannot be a mixture of ordinary chondrites and Allende inclusions, nor can it be derived from such a mixture by chemical fractionation processes. The moon's isotopic composition is consistent with a mixture of high- and low-temperature condensates but the refractory fraction would have to be free of the O-16-rich component so prevalent in the meteoritic aggregates, a fact which makes such models less attractive than they once seemed.

Grossman, L.↗

Our present view of Mercury and Venus

The discipline of planetology received a quantum jump in new information on the planets Mercury and Venus from the Mariner 10 spacecraft. A detailed look at the ultraviolet markings in the upper atmosphere of Venus and their attendant motion has stimulated a considerable reevaluation of theories concerning the circulation, composition, and nature of this planet's upper atmosphere. The geologic history of Mercury as revealed by Mariner 10's television science data, from two close flybys, has challenged the prevalent theories of planetary evolution. The Mercury surface morphology and optical properties resemble those of the moon and seem to record a similar sequence of events despite their differences in density and proximity to both the sun and the asteroid belt.

Danielson, G. E., Jr.↗

Wavefront-error evaluation by mathematical analysis of experimental Foucault-test data

The diffraction theory of the Foucault test provides an integral formula expressing the complex amplitude and irradiance distribution in the Foucault pattern of a test mirror (lens) as a function of wavefront error. Recent literature presents methods of inverting this formula to express wavefront error in terms of irradiance in the Foucault pattern. The present paper describes a study in which the inversion formulation was applied to photometric Foucault-test measurements on a nearly diffraction-limited mirror to determine wavefront errors for direct comparison with ones determined from scatter-plate interferometer measurements. The results affirm the practicability of the Foucault test for quantitative wavefront analysis of very small errors, and they reveal the fallacy of the prevalent belief that the test is limited to qualitative use only. Implications of the results with regard to optical testing and the potential use of the Foucault test for wavefront analysis in orbital space telescopes are discussed.

Wilson, R. G.↗

A review of the theory of interstellar communication

The probability is analyzed that intelligent civilizations capable of interstellar communication exist in the galaxy. Drake's (1960) equation for the prevalence of communicative civilization is used in the calculations, and attempts are made to place limits on the search range that must be covered to contact other civilizations, the longevity of the communicative phase of such civilizations, and the possible number of two-way exchanges between civilizations in contact with each other. The minimum estimates indicate that some 100,000 civilizations probably coexist within several tens of astronomical units of each other and that some 1,000,000 probably coexist within 10 light years of each other. Attempts to detect coherent signals characteristic of intelligent life are briefly noted, including Projects Ozma and Cyclops as well as some Soviet attempts. Recently proposed American and Soviet programs for interstellar communication are outlined.

Billingham, J.↗

Radiation protection and instrumentation

Radiation was found not to be an operational problem during the Apollo program. Doses received by the crewmen of Apollo missions 7 through 17 were small because no major solar-particle events occurred during those missions. One small event was detected by a radiation sensor outside the Apollo 12 spacecraft, but no increase in radiation dose to the crewmen inside the spacecraft was detected. Radiation protection for the Apollo program was focused on both the peculiarities of the natural space radiation environment and the increased prevalence of manmade radiation sources on the ground and onboard the spacecraft. Radiation-exposure risks to crewmen were assessed and balanced against mission gain to determine mission constraints. Operational radiation evaluation required specially designed radiation detection systems onboard the spacecraft in addition to the use of satellite data, solar observatory support, and other liaison. Control and management of radioactive sources and radiation-generating equipment was important in minimizing radiation exposure of ground-support personnel, researchers, and the Apollo flight and backup crewmen.

J. Vernon Bailey↗

California nearshore surface currents

During the oceanic period from July to November, the southward flowing California current dominates the nearshore current patterns. Commencing about the middle of November and extending to mid-February, the Davidson current, a northward moving countercurrent, is the dominant inshore transporter of water and suspensates. The phenomenon of upwelling is prevalent during the period from the middle of February to the end of July. Thus, every year along the coast of California, there are three successive current seasons: the oceanic, the Davidson, and the upwelling. This paper is a discussion of the nature of these nearshore currents. In addition, the capabilities of various remote sensing platforms and systems for providing methods of monitoring the coastal processes associated with the current seasons of California are demonstrated herein.

Pirie, D. M.↗

Solar wind structure at large heliocentric distances - An interpretation of Pioneer 10 observations

Examination of hourly values of the solar wind speed observed by the Pioneer 10 spacecraft beyond a heliocentric distance of 4 AU reveals (1) a prevalent 'sawtoothlike' speed-time profile, most speed fluctuations displaying a rapid rise and a much slower decline, and (2) the nearly universal appearance of abrupt (on the 1-hour time resolution of these data) changes in the speed on the rising portions of the speed fluctuations. These previously unreported characteristics, as well as the rate of decay of stream amplitudes derived earlier by Collard and Wolfe, are in general agreement with the predictions of stream propagation models that neglect any conversion of kinetic energy to thermal energy outside of shock fronts. Thus the Pioneer 10 observations give the first confirmation of the general concept of solar wind stream evolution employed in these models, i.e., that solar wind speed inhomogeneities appear to steepen to form shock waves and that the 'wave amplitudes' decay slowly as the shock waves propagate outward from the sun.

Hundhausen, A. J.↗

Anti-Ig autoantibody and complement-mediated destruction of neoplastic cells

Some immune response are effected through immunoglobulins (Ig), of which five classes have been recognized, namely, IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. Auto-antibodies associated with rheumatoid arthritis, termed rheumatoid factors (RF) react with antigenic determinants on IgG heavy chains. RF has predominant but not complete IgM specificity. This auto-antibody response was not detected in treated patients with primary brain tumors (where tissue is sequestered from the immune system by an intact bloodbrain barrier) or with multiple myeloma where humoral immunity is usually impaired. In addition, the prevalence of RF is not increased with solid tumors prior to initiation of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It is proposed that RF is related to prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy of tumors anatomically accessible to immunologic tissues capable of antibody responses. A primary IgG response occurs, antigen-antibody complexes form, complexed IgG becomes immunologic, and an RF response results.

Towmey, J. J.↗

An outline of planetary geoscience

A philosophy for planetary geoscience is presented to aid in addressing a number of major scientific questions; answers to these questions should constitute the basic geoscientific knowledge of the solar system. However, any compilation of major questions or basic knowledge in planetary geoscience involves compromises and somewhat arbitrary boundaries that reflect the prevalent level of understanding at the time.

Source record↗

NASA occupational medicine programs: Our obligation to management

Factors to be considered in forming policies for managing NASA's health maintenance program to provide optimum arrangement for quality medical care are discussed. Topics include scheduling routine physical examinations, job related stress, prevalence of chronic diseases, additions to the PROM data system, and disease trends among personnel.

Arnoldt, L. B.↗

Sound-producing dune and beach sands

Acoustic and seismic outputs of booming sands and singing (squeaking) sands in response to shearing are investigated, with samples of silent sands studied for controls. A vertical-axis geophone buried at shallow depth and an air microphone were used in the studies. The frequency spectra of the acoustic and seismic responses, propagation delays, comparison of acoustic and seismic traces, grain size and grain surface texture, particle morphology, coherent behavior of grains in assemblages, and relation to prevalent local winds were studied. Mechanisms are still obscure and disputed; slumping and avalanches were induced artificially in some studies. Existence of booming dune phenomena on Mars or on the moon is conjectured.

Lindsay, J. F.↗

Fractography of the high temperature hydrogen attack of a medium carbon steel

Results are reported for an experimental study of the microscopic fracture processes associated with hydrogen attack of a commercially produced plain carbon steel in a well-controlled high-temperature hydrogen environment of high purity. In the experiments, sheet samples were exposed to laboratory-grade hydrogen at a pressure of 3.5 MN/sq m and a temperature of 575 C. The fractography of gas-filled fissures and failed tension specimens is analyzed in an effort to identify any predominant microstructural defect associated with fissure formation, the prevalent modes of fracture, and the contribution of gas-filled fissures to the overall failure process. It is found that the tensile properties of the examined steel were significantly degraded after as few as 136 hr of exposure to a high-purity hydrogen atmosphere at 575 C; that the yield strength, ultimate strength, and elongation at fracture were all reduced progressively with increasing exposure time; and that the yield and ultimate strengths were reduced more than 40% after 408 hr while elongation was reduced to less than 2%.

Nelson, H. G.↗

Auroral hiss on the ground at L approximately equal to 4

Auroral hiss is rarely detected at subauroral-zone ground stations, but during the 4-month period January to April 1976 it became very prevalent in the wide-band audio-frequency synoptic whistler records at Farewell, Alaska (L = 4.2). A possible reason for this is that in the normal reduction and retreat of auroral zone effects to higher latitudes at sunspot minimum the reduction in the particle precipitation which causes auroral absorption is greater than that in the softer precipitation which causes auroral hiss. The occurrence of auroral hiss at Farewell showed, at 21 hours LMT (local magnetic time), the same strong diurnal peak found at auroral zone and polar cap stations. The low-frequency cutoff of auroral hiss on the ground is also discussed.

Morgan, M. G.↗

Effect of thermal exposure on lubricating properties of polyimide films and polyimide-bonded graphite fluoride films

The effect of thermal exposure on the weight loss, adherence, friction, and wear properties of polyimide films and polyimide bonded graphite fluoride films was investigated. Films bonded to 304 stainless steel or 440C-HT steel were thermally exposed at temperatures of 315 ,345, 370, or 400 C for 100 hours or more and then evaluated, using a pin-on-disk machine, at temperatures of 25, 315, or 345 C in atmospheres of dry or moist air. Polyimide films were brittle after thermal exposure. Polyimide bonded graphite fluoride films had adherence and gave low friction and wear results; thus, they appear to be good candidates for solid lubrication applications where long thermal soaks are prevalent.

Fusaro, R. L.↗

Definition of air quality measurements for monitoring space shuttle launches

A description of a recommended air quality monitoring network to characterize the impact on ambient air quality in the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) (area) of space shuttle launch operations is given. Analysis of ground cloud processes and prevalent meteorological conditions indicates that transient HCl depositions can be a cause for concern. The system designed to monitor HCl employs an extensive network of inexpensive detectors combined with a central analysis device. An acid rain network is also recommended. A quantitative measure of projected minimal long-term impact involves the limited monitoring of NOx and particulates. All recommended monitoring is confined ti KSC property.

Thorpe, R. D.↗

The mantle of Mars - Some possible geological implications of its high density

The high density of the Martian mantle probably implies an iron-rich composition expressed by a higher concentration of FeO than that in the earth's mantle. Examination of high-pressure mineralogies suggests that the model Martian mantle has an oxide-garnet wehrlite phase assemblage. This mantle model would be likely to yield ultrabasic (ferrobasaltic) melts of very low viscosity. The prevalence of low-viscosity material is consistent with large eruption rate and copious lava flow on the planet. Furthermore, ferro-kimberlite volcanic ash may be an abundant constituent in the Martian soil, especially if there was much volatile material within the early accreting Mars.

Mcgetchin, T. R.↗