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At least 109 records · Page 6

Laser observations of the moon - Normal points for 1973

McDonald Observatory lunar laser-ranging observations for 1973 are presented in the form of compressed normal points, and amendments for the 1969-1972 data set are given. Observations of the reflector mounted on the Soviet roving vehicle Lunakhod 2 have also been included.

Mulholland, J. D.↗

Preliminary results from three USML-1 Glovebox experiments

Three simple experiments, namely, Marangoni convection in closed containers (MCCC), fiber pulling in microgravity, and stability of a double float zone are described which were conducted during the U.S. Microgravity Laboratory mission (USML) in July 1992. Results show that, in the MCCC experiment, there was no evidence of partial wetting between the liquid and the walls either in the wetting or nonwetting configuration. In the nonwetting system, the void formed a hemispherical bubble that remained pinned to the walls with considerable contact line resistance. Significant differences were observed in the ability to pull liquid strings in low gravity in those materials which readily form liquid strands in normal gravity and do not necessarily form strands in reduced gravity. The double float zone configuration appeared to be quite stable in both cylindrical and sheet form.

Naumann, Robert J.↗

Normalization Of Thermal-Radiation Form-Factor Matrix

Report describes algorithm that adjusts form-factor matrix in TRASYS computer program, which calculates intraspacecraft radiative interchange among various surfaces and environmental heat loading from sources such as sun.

Tsuyuki, Glenn T.↗

Laser observations of the moon - Normal points for 1972

The lunar laser observations taken at the McDonald Observatory during 1972 are presented in the form of compressed normal points, using the technique of an earlier paper. Refinements in the knowledge of the lunar motion have permitted corresponding increases in the ability to discriminate observations contaminated by equipment malfunctions; a list of amendments is given for the 1969-1971 data. The geometry of the telescope must be taken into account in the application of these data.

Shelus, P. J.↗

Space flight and bone formation

Major physiological changes which occur during spaceflight include bone loss, muscle atrophy, cardiovascular and immune response alterations. When trying to determine the reason why bone loss occurs during spaceflight, one must remember that all these other changes in physiology and metabolism may also have impact on the skeletal system. For bone, however, the role of normal weight bearing is a major concern and we have found no adequate substitute for weight bearing which can prevent bone loss. During the study of this problem, we have learned a great deal about bone physiology and increased our knowledge about how normal bone is formed and maintained. Presently, we do not have adequate ground based models which can mimic the tissue loss that occurs in spaceflight but this condition closely resembles the bone loss seen with osteoporosis. Although a normal bone structure will respond to application of mechanical force and weight bearing by forming new bone, a weakened osteoporotic bone may have a tendency to fracture. The study of the skeletal system during weightless conditions will eventually produce preventative measures and form a basis for protecting the crew during long term space flight. The added benefit from these studies will be methods to treat bone loss conditions which occur here on earth.

Non-NASA Center↗

Global gravity field to degree and order 30 from Geos 3 satellite altimetry and other data

A model of the geopotential field in spherical harmonics to degree and order 30 is obtained from Geos 3 satellite to sea surface altimetry data, terrestrial gravity measurements and satellite perturbation analysis. A general perturbation solution is employed for the calculation of the orbits of 10 satellites based on satellite laser ranging data, and 1 deg x 1 deg surface gravity data are used to compute 550 km x 550 km block anomalies by means of autocovariance analysis. Altimeter-determined sea-surface heights, which are taken as the geoid, are averaged for each 1 deg x 1 deg ocean surface area and treated by autocovariance analysis to obtain 550 x 550 km block undulations. Observation and normal equations are formed from the altimeter and surface gravity data, which together cover 1635 out of 1654 possible surface elements, and are combined with the available satellite-derived normal equations to obtain a solution for the spherical harmonics coefficients. In addition, a value of 6,378,138.23 + or - 1.3 m is obtained for the earth's semimajor axis.

Gaposchkin, E. M.↗

Validating regional differences in modelled satellite microwave signatures

A three-part microwave T(B) brightness temperature model was tested for applicability in regions of differing climatic and vegetation regime. Model parameters were limited to vegetation in the form of the normalized vegetation index (NDVI) and climatically modeled soil moisture. The T(B) model was calibrated for two climatically contrasting areas and subsequently validated on different test sites of similar climatic character. Vegetative characteristics in the form of the mean NDVI was used to partition and lump data from different test sites. Good agreement was realized between estimated T(B) and Nimbus-7 SMMR T(B) at the 6.6 GHz horizontal channel.

Owe, Manfred↗

A computer program for calculating the perfect gas inviscid flow field about blunt axisymmetric bodies at an angle of attack of 0 deg

A method for the rapid calculation of the inviscid shock layer about blunt axisymmetric bodies at an angle of attack of 0 deg has been developed. The procedure is of an inverse nature, that is, a shock wave is assumed and calculations proceed along rays normal to the shock. The solution is iterated until the given body is computed. The flow field solution procedure is programed at the Langley Research Center for the Control Data 6600 computer. The geometries specified in the program are sphores, ellipsoids, paraboloids, and hyperboloids which may conical afterbodies. The normal momentum equation is replaced with an approximate algebraic expression. This simplification significantly reduces machine computation time. Comparisons of the present results with shock shapes and surface pressure distributions obtained by the more exact methods indicate that the program provides reasonably accurate results for smooth bodies in axisymmetric flow. However, further research is required to establish the proper approximate form of the normal momentum equation for the two-dimensional case.

Zoby, E. V.↗

Physical Conditions of the Interstellar Medium in Star-forming Galaxies at z~1.5

We present results from Subaru/FMOS near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy of 118 star-forming galaxies at z approximately equal to 1.5 in the Subaru Deep Field. These galaxies are selected as [O II] lambda 3727 emitters at z approximately equal to 1.47 and 1.62 from narrow-band imaging. We detect H alpha emission line in 115 galaxies, [O III] lambda 5007 emission line in 45 galaxies, and H Beta, [N II] lambda 6584, and [S II]lambda lambda 6716, 6731 in 13, 16, and 6 galaxies, respectively. Including the [O II] emission line, we use the six strong nebular emission lines in the individual and composite rest-frame optical spectra to investigate physical conditions of the interstellar medium in star-forming galaxies at z approximately equal to 1.5. We find a tight correlation between H alpha and [O II], which suggests that [O II] can be a good star formation rate (SFR) indicator for galaxies at z approximately equal to 1.5. The line ratios of H alpha / [O II] are consistent with those of local galaxies. We also find that [O II] emitters have strong [O III] emission lines. The [O III]/[O II] ratios are larger than normal star-forming galaxies in the local Universe, suggesting a higher ionization parameter. Less massive galaxies have larger [O III]/[O II] ratios. With evidence that the electron density is consistent with local galaxies, the high ionization of galaxies at high redshifts may be attributed to a harder radiation field by a young stellar population and/or an increase in the number of ionizing photons from each massive star.

interstellar↗

Effects of a 2X gravity environment on the ultrastructure of the gerbil parathyroid gland

A number of studies concerning the effects of hypergravity on bone have shown increases in bone mass or bone dimensions. Correlative studies, which could provide clues to the mechanism for such a response, have been lacking. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the ultrastructure of parathyroid glands of Mongolian gerbils exposed to a continuous 2 X gravity force for 60 d. It was found that the experimental animals had parathyroid glands which had a greater percentage of chief cells in the active stage of their secretory cycle when compared with control animals. This result was interpreted to indicate an increase in parathyroid gland secretory activity and, hence, an increase in parathyroid hormone release. It was suggested that increased parathyroid secretory activity was necessary to maintain serum calcium levels of hypergravity animals within normal limits. Cellular forms resembling water clear cells and highly compact, degenerating cells were described in experimental animals but not in controls. Areas suggestive of cellular dissolution and disorganization were also reported in experimental parathyroids.

Sannes, P. L.↗

General-relativistic astrophysics

The overall relevance of general relativity to astrophysics is considered, and some of the knowledge about the ways in which general relativity should influence astrophysical systems is reviewed. Attention is focused primarily on finite-sized astrophysical systems, such as stars, globular clusters, galactic nuclei, and primordial black holes. Stages in the evolution of such systems and tools for studying the effects of relativistic gravity in these systems are examined. Gravitational-wave astronomy is discussed in detail, with emphasis placed on estimates of the strongest gravitational waves that bathe earth, present obstacles and future prospects for detection of the predicted waves, the theory of small perturbations of relativistic stars and black holes, and the gravitational waves such objects generate. Characteristics of waves produced by black-hole events in general, pregalactic black-hole events, black-hole events in galactic nuclei and quasars, black-hole events in globular clusters, the collapse of normal stars to form black holes or neutron stars, and corequakes in neutron stars are analyzed. The state of the art in gravitational-wave detection and characteristics of various types of detector are described.

Thorne, K. S.↗

Dilution Jet Behavior in the Turn Section of a Reverse Flow Combuster

Measurements of the temperature field produced by a single jet and a row of dilution jets issued into a reverse flow combustor are presented. The temperature measurements are presented in the form of consecutive normalized temperature profiles, and jet trajectories. Single jet trajectories were swept toward the inner wall of the turn, whether injection was from the inner or outer wall. This behavior is explained by the radially inward velocity component necessary to support irrotational flow through the turn. Comparison between experimental results and model calculations showed poor agreement due to the model's not including the radial velocity component. A widely spaced row of jets produced trajectories similar to single jets at similar test conditions, but as spacing ratio was reduced, penetration was reduced to the point where the dilution jet flow attached to the wall.

Riddlebaugh, S. M.↗

Dilution jet behavior in the turn section of a reverse flow combustor

Measurements of the temperature field produced by a single jet and a row of dilution jets issued into a reverse flow combustor are presented. The temperature measurements are presented in the form of consecutive normalized temperature profiles, and jet trajectories. Single jet trajectories were swept toward the inner wall of the turn, whether injection was from the inner or outer wall. This behavior is explained by the radially inward velocity component necessary to support irrotational flow through the turn. Comparison between experimental results and model calculations showed poor agreement due to the model's not including the radial velocity component. A widely spaced row of jets produced trajectories similar to single jets at similar test conditions, but as spacing ratio was reduced, penetration was reduced to the point where the dilution jet flow attached to the wall.

Riddlebaugh, S. M.↗

The chemistry of rare earth elements in the solar nebula

The high concentration of rare earth elements (REE) in primitive CaS suggests that the REE along with the other normally lithophile elements form stable sulfides under the unusual conditions which existed during the formation of enstatite chrondites. In order to acquire a more quantitative framework in which to interpret these data, the behavior of the REE in systems with solar, or slightly fractionated solar, composition is being studied. These new data introduce modest changes in the behavior of some of the REE when compared to previous studies. For example, the largest differences are in the stabilities of the gaseous monoxides of Ce, Eu, Tb, Ho, and Tm, all of which now appear to be less stable than previously thought, and YbO(g) which is somewhat more stable. Much more significant are the changes in REE distribution in the gas phase in fractionated systems, especially those made more reducing by changing the C/O ratio from the solar value of 0.6 to about 1.0. In almost all cases, the exceptions being Eu, Tm and Yb whose elemental gaseous species dominate, the monosulfides become more abundant. Moreover, the solid oxides of Eu, Tm and Yb become less stable under more reducing conditions which, in effect, should reduce the condensation temperature of all REE in more reduced systems.

Larimer, J. W.↗

A potpourri of pristine moon rocks, including a VHK mare basalt and a unique, augite-rich Apollo 17 anorthosite

The anorthosite fragment, 76504,18, the first of the Apollo 17's pristine anorthosites, was found to have: (1) a higher ratio of high-Ca pyroxine to low-Ca pyroxene, (2) higher Na in its plagioclase, (3) higher contents of incompatible elements, and (4) a higher Eu/Al ratio in comparison to ferroan anorthosites. With a parent melt having a negative Eu anomaly, 76504,18 closely resembles a typical mare basalt. This anorthosite was among the latest to be formed by plagioclase flotation above a primordial magmasphere; typical mare basalt regions accumulated at about the same time or even earlier. Another fragment 14181c, a very high potassium basalt, was studied and found to be similar to typical Apollo 14 mare basalt though it has a K/La ratio of 1050. It is suggested that this lithology formed after a normal Apollo 14 mare basaltic melt partially assimilated granite. New data for siderphile elements in Apollo 12 mare basalts indicate that only the lowest of earlier data are trustworthy as being free of laboratory contamination.

Warren, P. H.↗

Redistribution of radiation in the presence of velocity-changing collisions

Starting with the recent work of Cooper et al., a suitable form of the normalized redistribution function relevant for a treatment of redistribution in the presence of velocity-changing collisions is presented. Attention is devoted to provide practical estimates of the ratio between the usual line-broadening parameters and the velocity-changing rate. It is shown that for virtually all cases of astrophysical interest the effect of velocity-changing collisions is quite negligible.

Hubeny, I.↗

HI and FIR emission from S0 galaxies

A large body of work has accumulated in recent years which throws into disarray the traditional assumption that S0 systems are inert, non-starforming galaxies with uniform, old stellar populations. The copious 21-cm data have been recently reviewed and assessed by Wardle and Knapp (1986). This work showed that roughly a third of the several hundred observed S0's contain detectable amounts of neutral hydrogen (HI). More recently, Pogge and Eskridge (1987) have shown that a significant fraction of HI-rich systems also exhibit H alpha emission. Thronson et al. (1989) report detection of CO line emission from two thirds of the S0's in their sample. Both of these last papers, however, report on fairly small data sets (approx. 20 objects each). From co-added Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) data, Knapp et al. (1989) report that roughly two thirds of a sample of several hundred S0's are detected at 60 and 100 microns. Work by Bally and Thronson (1989) and Walsh et al. (1989) has shown that, while a large number of S0's follow a relation between radio continuum and far infrared radiation (FIR) emission similar to that found for spirals, significant numbers of both radio-bright, and FIR-bright S0's exist. Clearly, a large number of factors are involved in determining the state of the interstellar medium in S0 galaxies. The class is probably heterogeneous, suggesting that large data samples are required to sort out various sorts of objects. The 21 cm and FIR samples are the two largest currently available. It is therefore of interest to compare the two and see where this leads. The following results are already clear: HI and FIR flux data can be used to isolate strong candidates for systems which have gained their HI gas via accretion; a rough power-law relationship exists for galaxies which are undergoing relatively normal star-forming activity; a heterogeneous class of galaxies with strong FIR emission compared to their HI emission exists. Further work is required to determine the various physical processes responsible for this last class.

Eskridge, Paul B.↗

Basic research for the geodynamics program

The mathematical models of space very long base interferometry (VLBI) observables suitable for least squares covariance analysis were derived and estimatability problems inherent in the space VLBI system were explored, including a detailed rank defect analysis and sensitivity analysis. An important aim is to carry out a comparative analysis of the mathematical models of the ground-based VLBI and space VLBI observables in order to describe the background in detail. Computer programs were developed in order to check the relations, assess errors, and analyze sensitivity. In order to investigate the estimatability of different geodetic and geodynamic parameters from the space VLBI observables, the mathematical models for time delay and time delay rate observables of space VLBI were analytically derived along with the partial derivatives with respect to the parameters. Rank defect analysis was carried out both by analytical and numerical testing of linear dependencies between the columns of the normal matrix thus formed. Definite conclusions were formed about the rank defects in the system.

Source record↗