Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Observer Variation”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 955 records · Page 53
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Software metrics: The quantitative impact of four factors on work rates experienced during software development

A model of a software development process is described. The software development process is seen to consist of a sequence of activities, such as 'program design' and 'module development' (or coding). A manpower estimate is made by multiplying code size by the rates (man months per thousand lines of code) for each of the activities relevant to the particular case of interest and summing up the results. The effect of four objectively determinable factors (organization, software product type, computer type, and code type) on productivity values for each of nine principal software development activities was assessed. Four factors were identified which account for 39% of the observed productivity variation.

Gaffney, J. E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Soft X-ray emission from active regions shortly before solar flares

Detailed examination of the variations in the intensity of soft X-ray emission prior to many solar flares are presented. In addition, these preflare intensity variations are contrasted with the variations typically observed for the same active regions in the absence of a flare. It is shown that a 5-20 min preflare brightening phase is not typically observed. These observations are discussed in context with other complementary investigations and theoretical models.

Wolfson, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Long-term variations of Cygnus X-1 observed with the HEAO-3 high resolution gamma-ray spectrometer

The HEAO-3 high resolution gamma-ray spectrometer observed Cygnus X-1 for a total of 148 days between Sept. 27, 1979 and June 2, 1980. During this period, an upward and a downward transition of the hard X-ray flux in the 48-300 keV range were observed. The time scales of these transitions were long (20-50 days) compared with previous observation of the same source. The second, downward, transition was anticorrelated with the 1-12 keV flux, a type of behavior observed previously; however, the upward transition was accompanied by an upward transition in the low-energy X-ray flux, a result contrary to previous experience.

Ling, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

An 80 day X-ray light curve of 3C 371

The Large Area Sky Survey (LASS) experiment on HEAO 1 that monitored the N galaxy/BL Lacertae object 3C 371 from August 19 to November 7, 1977 is discussed, noting that statistically significant threefold or larger intensity variations were observed in the flux range 0.5-20 keV. It is found that the degree of variability depends on the time of observation, with the source sometimes appearing constant and sometimes changing on time scales of 1 to 2 weeks. Also observed was an X-ray flare that lasted approximately 25 days. The total 80-day X-ray light curve is seen as suggesting either a superposition of X-ray flares or a variable injection rate that changes on weekly time scales. The observed X-ray flux is found to be consistent with that expected by extrapolating the nonthermal optical spectrum, suggesting that the optical to X-ray flux could be synchrotron radiation, provided that it is possible to account for the patterns of variability seen at optical and X-ray wavelengths and to dispose of inverse Compton difficulties.

Snyder, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

DE-2 cusp observations - Role of plasma instabilities in topside ionospheric heating and density fluctuations

Observations by the low altitude Dynamics Explorer satellite (DE-2) in the polar cusp show the ionospheric plasma electron temperature and the ratio of electron to ion temperature to be increased, and the electron density fluctuations to be enhanced. Also, downward fluxes of energetic eletrons and ions increase in the cusp, and the magnetic field structure are consistent with the existence of a field-aligned current. Simultaneously, there is characteristic broadband electrostatic noise (BEN) with amplitudes of 1-10 mV/m, peaking in the cusp but extending into the polar cap. These emissions range from far below the local 0(+) gyrofrequency F sub O(+) to the vicinity of the proton gyrofrequency, but below the oxygen lower hybrid frequency. The BEN observations are compared to the predictions of several theories. The amplitude of these waves is shown to be far too small to contribute significantly to the observed ionospheric heating or density fluctuations by local wave-particle interactions. Rather, the observed spatial variations are attributed to nonlocal field aligned heating processes and reflect the nonuniformity of the magnetosheath plasma's penetration into the ionosphere.

Curtis, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Detection of strength limiting defects in cellular glasses by dielectric measurements

The foamed glasses that are being considered for structural support in solar thermal energy system silvered glass concentrator mirrors are assessed for strength-limiting defects by a nondestructive technique which measures the capacitance of well defined regions. The feasibility of locating large defects is demonstrated for the case of one type of cellular mass. Observed capacitance variations are believed to be due to small voids or other irregularities in the material. If the defects are equal to or greater than approximately 20 times the glass matrix pore size, they can be resolved with sufficient accuracy to delineate their spatial extent.

Gammell, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The use of large-area spectral data in wheat yield estimation

Large-area relations between satellite spectral data and end-of-season crop yield were investigated. Green Index Number (GIN) values from Landsat MSS data of sample segments throughout the U.S. Great Plains winter wheat belt in 1978 were correlated to county USDA-SRS reported yields. A linear relation between GIN and yield appeared to exist up to GIN values of 40 or 50, covering cases of severe to moderate stress. In a test on 1978 Texas winter wheat at the county level, GIN values for sample segments in the counties were used in conjunction with an agronomic-meteorological yield model. The combined fit explained significantly more of the observed yield variation at the county level than the agromet model alone.

Barnett, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Effects of vegetation canopy on the radar backscattering coefficient

Airborne L- and C-band scatterometer data, taken over both vegetation-covered and bare fields, were systematically analyzed and theoretically reproduced, using a recently developed model for calculating radar backscattering coefficients of rough soil surfaces. The results show that the model can reproduce the observed angular variations of radar backscattering coefficient quite well via a least-squares fit method. Best fits to the data provide estimates of the statistical properties of the surface roughness, which is characterized by two parameters: the standard deviation of surface height, and the surface correlation length. In addition, the processes of vegetation attenuation and volume scattering require two canopy parameters, the canopy optical thickness and a volume scattering factor. Canopy parameter values for individual vegetation types, including alfalfa, milo and corn, were also determined from the best-fit results. The uncertainties in the scatterometer data were also explored.

Mo, T.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Three dimensional global modeling of atmospheric CO2

A model was developed to study the prospects of extracting information on carbon dioxide sources and sinks from observed CO2 variations. The approach uses a three dimensional global transport model, based on winds from a 3-D general circulation model (GCM), to advect CO2 noninteractively, i.e., as a tracer, with specified sources and sinks of CO2 at the surface. The 3-D model employed is identified and biosphere, ocean and fossil fuel sources and sinks are discussed. Some preliminary model results are presented.

Fung, I.↗
NASA NTRS1984

An Investigation of the Effects of Scan Separation on the Sensitivity of the SETI All Sky Survey for the Case of Gaussian Noise

The scalloping problem for the case of Gaussian noise statistics is analyzed. The optimal weighting strategy for linearly combining two observations in adjacent beam areas is derived, and the sensitivity and scalloping for this weighting strategy are compared with those realized using a single observation or using equal weighting of two observations. The variation of the probability for detecting ETI signals with scan separation are calculated for the various weighting strategies, assuming that the transmitters are of equal strength and are uniformly distributed throughout space.

Lokshin, A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Magnetopause merging site asymmetries

Regions where a draped model magnetosheath magnetic field is nearly antiparallel to a model geomagnetic field are shown to be asymmetric for an interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) at the garden hose angle, as suggested by Heelis. When the IMF has a southward component, the asymmetry favors the dawn region for both IMF polarities. The dusk region is favored when the IMF has a northward component. If the regions of antiparallel fields are assumed to be sites of maximum magnetic merging, then the asymmetry is consistent with observed seasonal variations of geomagnetic activity and with dawn-displaced magnetospheric phenomena. In the alternate merging geometry of a line passing through the subsolar region, the asymmetry is predominantly north-south rather than dawn-dusk. Merging line geometry is consistent with the seasonal variations but not with the dawn-displaced phenomena.

Crooker, N. U.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Aboveground Biomass Estimation in a Tidal Brackish Marsh Using Simulated Thematic Mapper Spectral Data

Spectral radiance data were collected from the ground and from a low altitude aircraft in an attempt to gain some insight into the potential utility of actual Thematic Mapper data for biomass estimation in wetland plant communities. No attempt was made to distinguish individual plant species within brackish marsh plant associations. Rather, it was decided to lump plant species with similar canopy morphologies and then estimate from spectral radiance data the biomass of the group. The rationale for such an approach is that plants with a similar morphology will produce a similar reflecting or absorping surface (i.e., canopy) for incoming electromagnetic radiation. Variations in observed reflectance from different plant communities with a similar canopy morphology are more likely to be a result of biomass differences than a result of differences in canopy architecture. If the hypothesis that plants with a similar morphology exhibit similar reflectance characteristics is true, then biomass can be estimated based on a model for the dominant plant morphology within a plant association and the need for species discrimination has effectively been eliminated.

Hardisky, M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Silicon solar cell process development, fabrication and analysis

Measurements of minority carrier diffusion lengths were made on the small mesa diodes from HEM Si and SILSO Si. The results were consistent with previous Voc and Isc measurements. Only the medium grain SILSO had a distinct advantage for the non grain boundary diodes. Substantial variations were observed for the HEM ingot 4141C. Also a quantitatively scaled light spot scan was being developed for localized diffusion length measurements in polycrystalline silicon solar cells. A change to a more monochromatic input for the light spot scan results in greater sensitivity and in principle, quantitative measurement of local material qualities is now possible.

Leung, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Three-dimensional ray tracing of the Jovian magnetosphere in the low-frequency range

Three-dimensional ray tracing of the Jovian DAM emission has been performed utilizing the O-4 magnetic field model (Acuna and Ness, 1979) and a realistic plasma model. Minimal assumptions about the emission mechanism have been made that include radiation in the right-hand extraordinary mode, propagating nearly perpendicular to the field line at source points located just above the RX cutoff frequency along Io flux tubes. Ray tracing has been performed in the frequency range from 2-35 MHz from successive Io flux tubes separated by ten degrees of central meridian longitude for a full circumference of northern hemisphere sources. The results show unusual complexity in model arc spectra that is displayed in a constant Io phase format with many similarities to the Voyager PRA data. The results suggest much of the variation in observed DAM spectral features is a result of propagation effects rather than emission process differences.

Menietti, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Observations relating changes in thermospheric composition to depletions in topside ionization during the geomagnetic storm of September 1982

In situ measurements taken over midlatitudes by the Dynamics Explorer 2 spacecraft during a geomagnetic substorm show that a direct correlation exists between depletions in the O/N2 density ratio and in the topside electron density, Ne. On the basis of this correlation, it is concluded that, for the storm of September 1982, losses of free electrons via oxygen and nitrogen chemistry near the F2 peak dominate over wind-induced plasma transport in determining the observed stormtime variations of topside Ne at higher latitudes. However, the appearance of an enhancement in topside Ne along 20-deg invariant latitude indicates that an equatorial wind did develop and was effective in increasing gas temperatures and in generating topside Ne enhancement at lower latitudes.

Miller, N. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Raman structural studies of the nickel electrode

Raman spectroscopy is sensitive to empirically controlled nickel electrode structural variations, and has unique potential for structural characterization of these materials. How the structure relates to electrochemical properties is examined so that the latter can be more completely understood, controlled, and optimized. Electrodes were impregnated and cycled, and cyclic voltammetry is being used for electrochemical characterization. Structural variation was observed which has escaped detection using other methods. Structural changes are induced by: (1) cobalt doping, (2) the state of change or discharge, (3) the preparation conditions and type of buffer used, and (4) the formation process. Charged active mass has an NiOOH-type structure, agreeing with X-ray diffraction results. Discharged active mass, however, is not isostructural with beta-Ni(OH)2. Chemically prepared alpha phases are not isostructural either. A disordered structural model, containing point defects, is proposed for the cycled materials. This model explains K(+) incorporation. Band assignments were made and spectra interpreted for beta-Ni(OH)2, electrochemical NiOOH and chemically precipitated NiOOH.

Cornilsen, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Urbana radar systems: Possibilities and limitations

The Aeronomy Laboratory Field Station of the University of Illinois at Urbana contains three different radar systems capable of probing various regions of the atmosphere below about 100 km. These are an mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere (MST) radar, a VHF meteor radar and an MF partial-reflection radar. All three radars can measure winds and waves in the ionospheric D region. The MST radar is, in addition, capable of probing the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere. A sodium (Na) LIDAR is also located at the Field Station and provides an additional way of studing winds and waves in the mesosphere by observing temporal variations in the sodium density profile.

Royrvik, O.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Sidereal anisotropies in the median rigidity range 60-600GV in 1978-1983

Observed sidereal variations are corrected for the influence of spurious variation by a method using the antisidereal diurnal variations produced from the same 2nd order anisotropy (Nagashima, et al., 1983). It is demonstrated that the corrected variations are a resultant product of two constituents of galactic origin: one is north-south (N-S) symmetric and the other is N-S asymmetric.

Ueno, H.↗