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NASA NTRS1975

Planetary geology

The solar system is considered along with the significance of meteorites as samples of the universe, the origin of planets, and earth's-eye view of the moon, previews of the lunar surface, aspects of impact cratering, lunar igneous processes, the mapping of the moon, the exploration of the moon in connection with the Apollo lunar landings, and the scientific payoff from the lunar samples. Studies of Mars, Venus, and the planets beyond are discussed, taking into account the Mariner Mars program, the Mariner orbiting mission, missions to Venus, the Mariner flight to Mercury, and the Pioneer missions. Attention is also given to the origin of the moon, implications of the moon's thermal history, similarities and differences in planetary evolution, and the role of internal energy in planetary development.

Short, N. M.↗

NASA NTRS1976

The meteorology of Jupiter

From the point of view of meteorology the most important differences between Jupiter and the earth are related to the fact that Jupiter has an appreciable internal energy source and probably lacks a solid surface. The composition and vertical structure of the Jovian atmosphere is considered along with the composition of Jovian cloud particles, turbulence in Jupiter's atmosphere, data on the horizontal structure and motions of the atmosphere, and questions related to the longevity of Jupiter's clouds. Attention is given to the barotropic characteristics of Jupiter's atmosphere, the radiation balance in the atmosphere of the earth and of Jupiter, and studies of the Great Red Spot.

Ingersoll, A. P.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Encounters of spherical galaxies. I - Galaxy models with one stellar population. II - Galaxy models with two stellar populations

Close encounters between two spherical galaxies of equal size and consisting of only one stellar population are calculated using models of elliptical galaxies constructed according to King's (1966) method. The mass loss and the change in internal energy are computed under the assumption that the stars do not change their velocity or density distributions during the encounters. The results for a specific case are compared with the calculations of Gallagher and Ostriker (1972), who employed the observed brightness distribution and the derived density distribution of the E1 galaxy NGC 3379. For models with one stellar population, the results suggest that the radius of a galactic halo would have to be at least 200 kpc for appreciable mass loss to occur over the history of a galaxy in a rich cluster. The calculations are then extended to include a halo population characterized by a high central velocity dispersion. In this case, it is found that the halo population of sufficiently large galaxies can be dispersed without appreciably affecting the main population. It is suggested that the missing mass of many clusters of galaxies may be located in an intergalactic sea of faint stars making up an envelope for the centrally located gE galaxies.

Biermann, P.↗

NASA NTRS1976

On the origin of the solar system and of Jupiter and its satellites

The evolution of the middle part of the primitive solar nebula is traced through seven stages: (1) a gravitational instability which clumps condensed material into bodies of appreciable size; (2) the formation of a larger body as a result of mutual collisions; (3) gravitational condensation of the gas in the nebula; (4) subsequent hydrodynamic collapse of the gas onto a heavy-element planetary core; (5) the attainment of a highly distended hydrostatic configuration and its subsequent slow gravitational contraction; (6) the formation of a gaseous disk around proto-Jupiter; and (7) the formation of the Galilean satellites (and Amalthea) within this disk. Different theories on the origin of the primitive solar nebula are reviewed, models of Jupiter are evaluated, and the origin and evolution of the planet are traced through the indicated stages. It is proposed that Jupiter's current excess luminosity is due mostly to a loss of internal energy generated during the initially more rapid contraction period and, to a lesser degree, to the planet's current release of gravitational energy. The question of when the icy constituent was added to the outer two Galilean satellites is considered.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Photoionization and ion cyclotron resonance studies of the ion chemistry of ethylene oxide

The formation of the ethylene oxide molecular ion and its subsequent ion-molecule reactions leading to the products C2H5O(+) and C3H5O(+) have been studied using time-resolved photoionization mass spectroscopy, ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy, and photoelectron spectroscopy. An examination of the effects of internal energy on reactivity shows that the ratio of C3H5O(+) to C2H5O(+) increases by an order of magnitude with a single quantum of vibrational energy. The formation of (C2H4O/+/)-asterisk in a collision-induced isomerization is found which yields a ring-opened structure by C-C bond cleavage. The relaxed ring-opened C2H4O(+) ion reacts with neutral ethylene oxide by CH2(+) transfer to yield an intermediate product ion C3H6O(+) which gives C3H5O(+) by loss of H.

Corderman, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1977

The structure of the atmosphere of Uranus

Models of the interior of Uranus suggest that the abundances of such substances as CH4 are greatly enhanced with respect to solar abundances of heavy elements. Such enhancement leads to a new type of model atmosphere for Uranus, which agrees with observation if the internal energy flux is small (no more than 10%) compared with the absorbed solar energy. An important feature of the models is the presence of a cloud of CH4 droplets whose top is at a temperature of approximately 90 K and a pressure of about 4 atm. Above the cloud, the atmosphere is stable because of the rapid decrease in the thermal flux with depth. Being saturated, most of the observable gaseous CH4 is near the cloud; the CH4 abundance above the cloud, of the order of 5 km-am, is a very sensitive function of the cloud-top temperature.

Danielson, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Far-infrared and submillimeter observations of the planets

Broadband observations in several passbands between 30 and 500 microns of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus are presented. The best agreement between the data and various thermal models of Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus is obtained with a slightly cooler absolute temperature scale than that previously adopted by Armstrong et al. (1972). The effective temperature of Uranus is 58 + or - 2 K, which is in agreement with its solar equilibrium temperature. The existence of an internal energy source for Saturn has been reconfirmed; its output must lie within the range of 0.9 to 3.2 times the absorbed solar flux. A depression exists in the spectra of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus between 80 and 300 microns, which may be a result of NH3 opacity.

Loewenstein, R. F.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Infrared observations of the planets

Four areas in outer solar system research affected by IR observational findings are surveyed: the nature of comets, the structure of the atmospheres of the outer planets, the surface of small bodies present in the outer solar system, and the history of contraction of the outer planets. Advances in the study of the relation of cometary dust to interstellar material and to the surface material on outer solar system satellites, and of the connection between internal energies of the large planets and the properties of their satellites in terms of calculations of the contraction history of the large planets, are reported.

Rieke, G. H.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Thermodynamic and related properties of oxygen from the triple point to 300 K at pressures to 1000 bar

The results of an experimental program are presented in the form of PVT data in the temperature range 58 to 300 K at pressures up to 800 bar. Tables of the derived thermodynamic properties on isobars to 1000 bar are given, including density, internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, specific heats at constant volume and constant pressure, velocity of sound, and the surface derivatives (delta P/delta T) sub rho and (delta P/delta Rho) sub T. Auxiliary tables in engineering units are also given. The accuracy of the data is discussed and comparisons are made with previous data.

Weber, L. A.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Shock effects from a large impact on the moon

The paper calculates the shock and shear deformation-induced internal energy distribution associated with a major basin-forming hypervelocity meteorite impact on the moon. The Hageman and Walsh formulation of the axisymmetric two-dimensional conservation equations in finite difference form is used, and the flow field induced upon impact of an iron meteorite traveling at 15 km/sec with a gabbroic anorthosite lunar crust is calculated for sequential time steps over a grid of hoop-shaped zones fixed in space. If an energy of 5 times 10 to the 32nd power ergs for the projectile energy is required to excavate a basin of Imbrium size, than a flow field of approximately 210 km in radius approximately 19 seconds after impact is indicated. The meteorite residue, the melt, and the ejecta are discussed, and the results are compared with the Gault and Heitowit (1963) formulation.

Okeefe, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1980

IEA/SPS 500 kW distributed collector system

Engineering studies for an International Energy Agency project for the design and construction of a 500 kW solar thermal electric power generation system of the distributed collector system (DCS) type are reviewed. The DCS system design consists of a mixed field of parabolic trough type solar collectors which are used to heat a thermal heat transfer oil. Heated oil is delivered to a thermocline storage tank from which heat is extracted and delivered to a boiler by a second heat transfer loop using the same heat transfer oil. Steam is generated in the boiler, expanded through a steam turbine, and recirculated through a condenser system cooled by a wet cooling tower.

Neumann, T. W.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The bounds of the heat production rate within the moon

A new approach is proposed to the evaluation of the lower and upper bounds of the global heat production rate within planetary interiors. The approach is based on the relationship between the internal energy change and the volume change of a planetary object. For illustration, the approach is applied to the moon. Using an average global surface heat flux of 18 erg/sq cm-sec, and assuming constancy of the lunar radius during the past 3.2 billion years. the lunar heat release within the past 3.2 billion years is estimated at (30 to 40) x 10 to the tenth erg/cu cm. This is equivalent to the present day uranium concentration of 35 to 50 ppb provided the radiogenic isotopes are of the same proportion as that given by Toksoz et al. (1978).

Hsui, A. T.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Observations of SO in dark and molecular clouds

The 1(0)-0(1) transition of SO at 30 GHz has been observed in several sources, including the first detection of sulfur monoxide in cold dark clouds without apparent internal energy sources. The SO transition appears to be an excellent tracer of structure in dark clouds, and the data support suggestions that self-absorption is important in determining emission profiles in such regions for large line-strength transitions. Column densities estimated from a comparison of the results for the two isotopic species indicate a high fractional abundance of SO in dark clouds.

Rydbeck, O. E. H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Time-dependent, optically thick accretion onto a black hole

A fully relativistic hydrodynamics code which incorporates diffusive radiation transport is used to study time-dependent, spherically symmetric, optically thick accretion onto a black hole. It is found that matter free-falls into the hole regardless of whether the diffusion time scale is longer or shorter than the dynamical time. Nonadiabatic heating due to magnetic field reconnection is included. The internal energy thus generated affects the flow in a purely relativistic way, again ensuring free-fall collapse of the inflowing matter. Any matter enveloping a black hole will thus be swallowed on a dynamical time scale with relatively small net release of energy. The inclusion of angular momentum will not necessarily affect this conclusion.

Gilden, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Electron temperature anisotropy in the polar wind

The steady state flow of a fully ionized H(+)-O(+)-electron plasma along geomagnetic field lines in the high-latitude topside ionosphere is investigated theoretically, with emphasis on the electron temperature anisotropy and heat flow in the polar wind. The 13-moment system of transport equations developed by Schunk (1975, 1977), which contains a continuity, momentum, internal energy, stress tensor and heat flow equation for each species, is employed to represent the electrons, with a simplified set of transport equations used for the ions, and the transport equations are solved at altitudes from 1500 to 12,000 km for both subsonic and supersonic H(+) outflows. For subsonic H(+) outflows, the electron gas is found to remain collision dominated to high altitudes. For supersonic H(+) outflows, the electron gas is also found to be collision dominated at altitudes below 2500 km, with an anisotropy in electron temperature distribution developing such that the temperature of the perpendicular electrons is greater than that of the parallel electrons at higher altitudes. In addition, the magnitude of downward electron heat flux at 1500 km is shown to have a dramatic effect on the individual parallel and perpendicular electron temperatures.

Schunk, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Radiation force on a relativistic plasma and the Eddington limit

Calculations of the radiation force due to Thomson scattering on a relativistic plasma are presented and discussed in relation to certain astronomical objects which operate within a few orders of magnitude of their Eddington luminosity. The radiation force on a hot isotropic plasma is shown to exceed that on a cold plasma by a factor depending on the electron Lorentz factor, which can be substantial in a relativistic plasma. In such a plasma, radiative bulk acceleration is found to occur through the anisotropic loss of internal energy during the Thomson scattering, resulting in an effect termed a Compton rocket. The Compton rocket is shown to be a relevant acceleration mechanism in situations where a relativistic electron plasma lies in the vicinity of a luminous source operating near the classical Eddington limit, including compact galactic X-ray sources and objects associated with active galactic nuclei (quasars, blazars, and Seyfert nuclei).

Odell, S. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The satellites of Jupiter; Proceedings of the Fifty-seventh Colloquium, Kailua, Hawaii, May 13-16, 1980

Among the topics covered by the colloquium on the satellites of Jupiter are: the internal energy and thermophysics of the surface of Io, plume volcanism on Io, the photometric variability of Io, the near-surface flow of volcanic gases on Io, and the sodium emission cloud of Io and its north-south asymmetry. Also considered are: the physical processes and origins of Jupiter's ring and its possible effect on the Jovian inner plasmasphere, the composition of such moons of Jupiter as Amalthea, Ganymede, Europa and Callisto and their lithospheric and ice evolutions. Particular attention is given such topographic features as the domes and grooved terrain on Ganymede, water frost and ice, and the photometric properties of these outer satellites of Jupiter.

Burns, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Laboratory measurements of the cometary photochemical phenomena

Laboratory experiments are described that provide fundamental information about photochemical processes in comets. The yield of cometary radicals such as CN, OH, etc. can be determined as a function of photolyzing wavelength. Quantum state distributions of the internal energy of the cometary radicals can also be measured as a function of wavelength permitting one to define the recoil velocity of the fragments. This type of information supplies the data needed for more elaborate models to interpret the data being obtained on comets.

Jackson, W. M.↗