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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 127 records · Page 7

Proceedings: Workshop on the Need for Lightning Observations from Space

The results of the Workshop on the Need for Lightning Observations from Space held February 13-15, 1979, at the University of Tennessee Space Institute, Tullahoma, Tennessee are presented. The interest and active involvement by the engineering, operational, and scientific participants in the workshop demonstrated that lightning observations from space is a goal well worth pursuing. The unique contributions, measurement requirements, and supportive research investigations were defined for a number of important applications. Lightning has a significant role in atmospheric processes and needs to be systematically investigated. Satellite instrumentation specifically designed for indicating the characteristics of lightning are of value in severe storms research, in engineering and operational problem areas, and in providing information on atmospheric electricity and its role in meteorological processes.

Christensen, L. S.↗

Summary of the NASA/MSFC FY-79 Severe Storm and Local Weather research review

Significant acomplishments, current focus of work, plans for FY-80, and recommendations for new research are outlined for 36 research projects proposed for technical monitoring by the Atmospheric Sciences Division at Marshall Space Flight Center. Topics of the investigations, which were reviewed at a two-day meeting, relate to cloud physics, atmospheric electricity, and mesoscale/storm dynamics.

Source record↗

Solar activity and changes in atmospheric circulation

Several related investigations of the possible influence of the solar and interplanetary magnetic sector structure on the atmospheric circulation are described. The area of low pressure troughs in the northern hemisphere has a minimum about one day after a warped heliospheric current sheet has been carried past the earth by the solar wind. Possible physical mechanisms could relate to phase changes in meteorological processes, changes in atmospheric electricity or changes in solar extreme ultraviolet irradiation. A quantitative analysis suggests that the accuracy of weather forcasting decreases during the two days after the warped heliospheric current sheet has passed the earth. A description is given of several further investigations in progress.

Wilcox, J. M.↗

Proceedings: Third Annual Workshop on Meteorological and Environmental Inputs to Aviation Systems

The proceedings of a workshop on meteorological and environmental inputs to aviation systems are reported. The major objectives of the workshop are to satisfy such needs of the sponsoring agencies as the expansion of our understanding and knowledge of the interaction of the atmosphere with aviation systems, the better definition and implementation of services to operators, and the collection and interpretation of data for establishing operational criteria, relating the total meteorological inputs from the atmospheric sciences to the needs of aviation communities. The unique aspect of the workshop was the achievement of communication across the interface of the boundaries between pilots, meteorologists, training personnel, accident investigators, traffic controllers, flight operation personnel from military, civil, general aviation, and commercial interests alike. Representatives were in attendance from government, airlines, private agencies, aircraft manufacturers, Department of Defense, industries, research institutes, and universities. Full-length papers addressed the topics of training, flight operations, accident investigation, air traffic control, and airports. Winds and wind shear; icing and frost; atmospheric electricity and lightning; fog, visibility and ceilings; and turbulence were discussed.

Camp, D. W.↗

Proceedings: Fourth Annual Workshop on Meteorological and Environmental Inputs to Aviation Systems

The proceedings of a workshop on meteorological and environmental inputs to aviation systems held at The University of Tennessee Space Institute, Tullahoma, Tennessee, March 25-27, 1980, are reported. The workshop was jointly sponsored by NASA, NOAA, and FAA and brought together many disciplines of the aviation communities in round table discussions. The major objectives of the workshop are to satisfy such needs of the sponsoring agencies as the expansion of our understanding and knowledge of the interaction of the atmosphere with aviation systems, the better definition and implementation of services to operators, and the collection and interpretation of data for establishing operational criteria relating the total meteorological inputs from the atmospheric sciences to the needs of aviation communities. The unique aspects of the workshop were the diversity of the participants and the achievement of communication across the interface of the boundaries between pilots, meteorologists, training personnel, accident investigators, traffic controllers, flight operation personnel from military, civil, general aviation, and commercial interests alike. Representatives were in attendance from government, airlines, private agencies, aircraft manufacturers, Department of Defense, industries, research institutes, and universities. Full-length papers from invited speakers addressed topics on icing, turbulence, wind and wind shear, ceilings and visibility, lightning, and atmospheric electricity. These papers are contained in the proceedings together with the committee chairmen's reports on the results and conclusions of their efforts on similar subjects.

Frost, Walter↗

Aviation meteorology research and development: A status report

The dynamic and rapid growth of technology in the area of aviation meteorology research and development are described with emphasis on the measurement of hazardous weather phenomena. Aspects of both onboard instrumentation and ground based facilities are evaluated in terms of their effectiveness of in avoiding hazards due to atmospheric electricity and lightning. Methods of alleviating terminal are hazards such as fog, low visibility and ceilings are also described.

Enders, J.↗

NASA research programs responding to workshop recommendations

The atmospheric electricity and lightning committee forecasts lightning and dissemination of information on the probability of occurrence. A data source with the F-106 flight program was established. The objective is to improve the detectability of lightning and severe storms and help develop operational avoidance procedures and to study the use of satellite and Doppler radar to detect thunderstorms and forecast the probability of lightning. Three recommendations are made: (1) to establish a national flying lightning laboratory; (2) strike models are considered and to gather strike data; (3) to find the best way to apply electrical field data to operations.

Tobiason, A. R.↗

The 1981 current research on aviation weather (bibliography)

Current and ongoing research programs related to various areas of aviation meteorology are presented. Literature searches of major abstract publications, were conducted. Research project managers of various government agencies involved in aviation meteorology research provided a list of current research project titles and managers, supporting organizations, performing organizations, the principal investigators, and the objectives. These are tabulated under the headings of advanced meteorological instruments, forecasting, icing, lightning and atmospheric electricity; fog, visibility, and ceilings; low level wind shear, storm hazards/severe storms, turbulence, winds, and ozone and other meteorological parameters. This information was reviewed and assembled into a bibliography providing a current readily useable source of information in the area of aviation meteorology.

Daniel, J.↗

The USRA workshop report: Electrostatic fog dispersal

The Workshop was held at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, on February 1-2, 1983. The Workshop was attended by seventeen experts in the scientific fields of fog and cloud physics, charged-particle electrodynamics, atmospheric turbulence, atmospheric electricity, and electro-gasdynamics. The major objective of the Workshop was to assess the scientific merits and scientific basis of the proposed system and to assess its potential for operational application.

Davis, M. H.↗

Cosmic rays, solar activity, magnetic coupling, and lightning incidence

A theoretical model is presented and described that unifies the complex influence of several factors on spatial and temporal variation of lightning incidence. These factors include the cosmic radiation, solar activity, and coupling between geomagnetic and interplanetary (solar wind) magnetic fields. Atmospheric electrical conductivity in the 10 km region was shown to be the crucial parameter altered by these factors. The theory reconciles several large scale studies of lightning incidence previously misinterpreted or considered contradictory. The model predicts additional strong effects on variations in lightning incidence, but only small effects on the morphology and rate of thunderstorm development.

Ely, J. T. A.↗

NASA/MSFC FY-84 Atmospheric Processes Research Review

The two main areas of focus for NASA/MSFC's atmospheric research program are: (1) global scale processes (geophysical fluid processes, satellite Doppler lidar wind profiler, and satellite data analyses) and (2) mesoscale processes (atmospheric electricity (lightning), ground/airborne Doppler lidar wind measurements, and mesoscale analyses and space sensors). Topics within these two general areas are addressed.

Vaughan, W. W.↗

Seventh Annual Workshop on Meteorological and Environmental Inputs to Aviation Systems 26-28 October 1983, Tullahoma, Tennessee

A summary of reports and recommendations resulting from the Workshop on Meteorological and Environmental Inputs to Aviation Systems is presented. The Workshops have been held to characterize the interaction between aircraft and airport operators with the atmosphere, identify necessary meteorological enhancements, and establish criteria for meteorological data needed by the aviation community. The topics covered included winds and wind shear, turbulence, fog, visibility and ceiling, lightning and atmospheric electricity, icing, frost and snow, rain, ozone and acid rain. The recommendations issued included a denser meteorological network with more automated stations, the development of radar systems for icing forecasts and wind shear alerts, the accumulation of a greater data base on convective cells and lightning strikes, and further study of the impact of rain on aircraft performance.

Camp, D. W.↗

Middle-atmosphere positive ion measurements during solar eclipses

Solar effects on middle-atmosphere electrical parameters, as demonstrated by eclipse-associated responses of conductivity, ion mobility, and charge density, are considered for the total solar eclipses at Red Lake, Ontario, Canada on February 26, 1979 and at San Marco range, Kenya, on February 16, 1980. Negative-conductivity measurements for the Canadian eclipse and probe-current measurements for the Kenyan eclipse demonstrate a rapid loss of free electrons below 80 km at totality. During the Kenyan eclipse, positive-ion responses were different for each of two distinct ion mobility groups. Between 45 and 60 km, eclipse-related positive-ion responses are associated with the low-mobility ions. It is shown that these ions are lost at totality and that an excess buildup occurs following totality. Above 70 km, positive-ion loss at totality is associated with the more mobile ions and only low-mobility positive ions are measured in this region. The buildup in total ion density following totality is thought to result from a reduction in ion loss associated with weak-electron recovery in the region.

Mitchell, J. D.↗

NASA/MSFC FY-85 Atmospheric Processes Research Review

The two main areas of focus for the research program are global scale processes and mesoscale processes. Geophysical fluid processes, satellite doppler lidar, satellite data analysis, atmospheric electricity, doppler lidar wind research, and mesoscale modeling are among the topics covered.

Vaughan, W. W.↗

Storm severity detection (RF)

Atmospheric electrical emissions occurring in association with Hurricane Alicia were observed by two crossed baseline phase linear interferometers. The sensors were located in San Antonio, Texas, and at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, Alabama. An analysis of the data has indicated that the direction finding (DF) performance of the San Antonio site was extremely good while the DF performance at the MSFC site evidenced erratic behavior. A check of the data acquisition hardware revealed an intermitted problem in one of the radio receiver channels. Since the system has experienced several lightning strikes during the early spring of 1984, it was necessary to ship the entire rack of equipment back to SwRI for refurbishment. Analysis of the DF data from the interferometer site at San Antonio is being done. A limited subset of the MSFC data acquired during Hurricane Alicia has been found to be valid. These were data which satisfied the phase linearity criteria. Approximately 2,000 location estimates have been produced on the valid data. The results of the DF analysis and the location data are being correlated with the McIDAS data base at Marshall Space Flight Center, and with the radar summary data provided by the Hurricane Research Division using the National weather Service radar Facility at Galveston, Texas.

Johnson, R. L.↗

Atmospheric Science and Remote Sensing Laboratory

During the contract year, scientific research on lightning and lightning hazards was carried out for the Atmospheric Electricity Group in the MSFC Remote Sensing Branch (ED43). These tasks included research on modeling the interaction of lightning optical pulses and cloud particles, estimating lightning hazard threats to the STS system, a small field project to determine the charge structure of winter and stratiform thunderstorms, and analysis of optical pulse data. These activities were performed in conjunction with the ED43 mission to develop a lightning mapper to be placed on one of the GOES-next operational satellites.

Mach, Douglas↗

Middle Atmosphere Program. Handbook for MAP, volume 29. Part 1: Extended Abstracts, International Symposium on Solar Activity Forcing of the Middle Atmosphere. Part 2: MASH Workshop

The proceedings of the symposium is presented. Eight different sessions were presented: (1) Papers generally related to the subject; (2) Papers on the influence of the Quasi Biennial Oscillation; (3) Papers on the influence of the solar electromagnetic radiation variability; (4) Papers on the solar wind and high energy particle influence; (5) Papers on atmospheric circulation; (6) Papers on atmospheric electricity; (7) Papers on lower ionospheric variability; and (8) Solar posters, which are not included in this compilation.

Lastovicka, Jan↗

Natural and artificially initiated lightning

An evaluation is made of the development status of theories and experimental results concerning both natural and artificially triggered lightning, with a view to prospective research efforts able to deepen understanding of these phenomena. Over the last decade, great progress has been made in methods for identifying and locating natural cloud-to-ground lightning; nationwide lightning-sensor networks employing wideband magnetic direction-finding technology to yield lightning locations in real time are currently operational in the U.S., France, Japan, and Sweden. Triggered lightning, which is the primary atmospheric electricity hazard to aircraft and launch vehicles, research must be done on meteorological and electrical environments associated with the threat.

Uman, Martin A.↗