Effects of background noise on fit parameters of plasma scattering angle distributions
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Georgios Nicolaou↗
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The BATSE Gamma-Ray Burst E-Peak Distribution
Gamma-ray burst observed by BATSE are found to have approximately the same characteristic energy, denoted as E_p. We examine whether instrumental effects can give rise to this observation. We simulate the derivation of E-p and determine that the values in the BATSE sample are accurate and complete above a minimum fluence. We simulate the triggering of BATSE on gamma-ray bursts, deriving the efficiency of detecting bursts as a function of characteristic energy. From this simulation, we model the observed E_p distribution function expected when the intrinsic distribution function is a power-law. We find that this distribution produces poor fits to the observations. We find that a log-normal intrinsic distribution with a power-law tail gives a good fit to the data. From these fits, we conclude that instrumental effects cannot produce the observed E_p distribution, and that the observed distribution is a consequence of a narrow intrinsic distribution of E_p in gamma-ray bursts.
Brainerd, Jerome J.↗
Effective Ice Particle Densities for Cold Anvil Cirrus
This study derives effective ice particle densities from data collected from the NASA WB-57F aircraft near the tops of anvils during the Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers (CRYSTAL) Florida Area Cirrus Experiment (FACE) in southern Florida in July 2002. The effective density, defined as the ice particle mass divided by the volume of an equivalent diameter liquid sphere, is obtained for particle populations and single sizes containing mixed particle habits using measurements of condensed water content and particle size distributions. The mean effective densities for populations decrease with increasing slopes of the gamma size distributions fitted to the size distributions. The population-mean densities range from near 0.91 g/cu m to 0.15 g/cu m. Effective densities for single sizes obey a power-law with an exponent of about -0.55, somewhat less steep than found from earlier studies. Our interpretations apply to samples where particle sizes are generally below 200-300 microns in maximum dimension because of probe limitations.
Heymsfield, Andrew J.↗
Investigation of low-latitude hydrogen emission in terms of a two-component interstellar gas model
High-resolution 21-cm hydrogen line observations at low galactic latitude are analyzed to determine the large-scale distribution of galactic hydrogen. Distribution parameters are found by model fitting, optical depth effects are computed using a two-component gas model suggested by the observations, and calculations are made for a one-component uniform spin-temperature gas model to show the systematic departures between this model and data obtained by incorrect treatment of the optical depth effects. Synthetic 21-cm line profiles are computed from the two-component model, and the large-scale trends of the observed emission profiles are reproduced together with the magnitude of the small-scale emission irregularities. Values are determined for the thickness of the galactic hydrogen disk between half density points, the total observed neutral hydrogen mass of the galaxy, and the central number density of the intercloud hydrogen atoms. It is shown that typical hydrogen clouds must be between 1 and 13 pc in diameter and that optical thinness exists on large-scale despite the presence of optically thin gas.
Baker, P. L.↗
Distribution of Cost Growth in Robotic Space Science Missions
Cost growth characterization is a critical factor for effective cost risk analysis and project planning. This study analyzed low level budget changes in Jet Propulsion Laboratory-managed space science missions, which occurred during the development of the project. The data was then curve fit, according to cost distribution categories, to provide a reference set of distribution parameters with sufficient granularity to effectively model cost growth in robotic space science missions.
cost↗
Liquid Water Cloud Properties During the Polarimeter Definition Experiment (PODEX)
We present retrievals of water cloud properties from the measurements made by the Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP) during the Polarimeter Definition Experiment (PODEX) held between January 14 and February 6, 2013. The RSP was onboard the high-altitude NASA ER-2 aircraft based at NASA Dryden Aircraft Operation Facility in Palmdale, California. The retrieved cloud characteristics include cloud optical thickness, effective radius and variance of cloud droplet size distribution derived using a parameter-fitting technique, as well as the complete droplet size distribution function obtained by means of Rainbow Fourier Transform. Multi-modal size distributions are decomposed into several modes and the respective effective radii and variances are computed. The methodology used to produce the retrieval dataset is illustrated on the examples of a marine stratocumulus deck off California coast and stratus/fog over California's Central Valley. In the latter case the observed bimodal droplet size distributions were attributed to two-layer cloud structure. All retrieval data are available online from NASA GISS website.
Electromagnetic scattering↗
The stress distribution in pin-loaded orthotropic plates
The performance of mechanically fastened composite joints was studied. Specially, a single-bolt connector was modeled as a pin-loaded, infinite plate. The model that was developed used two dimensional, complex variable, elasticity techniques combined with a boundary collocation procedure to produce solutions for the problem. Through iteration, the boundary conditions were satisfied and the stresses in the plate were calculated. Several graphite epoxy laminates were studied. In addition, parameters such as the pin modulus, coefficient of friction, and pin-plate clearance were varied. Conclusions drawn from this study indicate: (1) the material properties (i.e., laminate configuration) of the plate alter the stress state and, for highly orthotropic materials, the contact stress deviates greatly from the cosinusoidal distribution often assumed; (2) friction plays a major role in the distribution of stresses in the plate; (3) reversing the load direction also greatly effects the stress distribution in the plate; (4) clearance (or interference) fits change the contact angle and thus the location of the peak hoop stress; and (5) a rigid pin appears to be a good assumption for typical material systems.
Klang, E. C.↗
Fragmented Land Cover Types and Estimation of Area with Course Spatial Resolution Imagery
Imagery of coarse resolution, such weather satellite imagery with 1 sq km pixels, is increasingly used to monitor dynamic and fragmented types of land surface types, such as scars from recent fires and ponds in wetlands. Accurate estimates of these land cover types at regional to global scales are required to assess the roles of fires and wetlands in global warming, yet difficult to compute when much of the area is accounted for by fragments about the same size as the pixels. In previous research, we found that size distribution of the fragments in several example scenes fit simple two-parameter models and related effects of coarse resolution to errors in area estimates based on pixel counts. We report on progress to develop accurate area estimates based on modelling the size distribution of the fragments, including analysis of size distributions on an expanded set of maps developed from digital imagery and a test of a procedure to correct for effects of coarse spatial resolution.
Hlavka, Chris↗
Statistical Models of Areal Distribution of Fragmented Land Cover Types
Imagery of coarse resolution, such weather satellite imagery with 1 square kilometer pixels, is increasingly used to monitor dynamic and fragmented types of land surface types, such as scars from recent fires and ponds in wetlands. Accurate estimates of these land cover types at regional to global scales are required to assess the roles of fires and wetlands in global warming, yet difficult to compute when much of the area is accounted for by fragments about the same size as the pixels. In previous research, we found that size distribution of the fragments in several example scenes fit simple two-parameter models and related effects of coarse resolution to errors in area estimates based on pixel counts. We summarize our model based approach to improved area estimations and report on progress to develop accurate areas estimates based on modeling the size distribution of the fragments, including analysis of size distributions on an expanded set of maps developed from digital imagery.
Hlavka, C.↗
An extrasolar extreme-ultraviolet object. II - The nature of HZ 43
A variety of data are presented concerning the spectrum, distance, temperature, and evolutionary state of the hot white dwarf HZ 43, the first extrasolar object to be detected in the EUV band. The data include spectrophotometry of the star and its red dwarf companion (HZ 43B), a trigonometric parallax for the star, its tangential velocity, and results of soft X-ray and EUV observations. The main conclusions are that: (1) the spectrum of HZ 43A is that of a hot DAwk star, (2) HZ 43B is a dM3.5e star, (3) the distance of the system is about 65 pc, (4) the tangential velocity is not atypical of white dwarfs, and (5) the stellar energy distribution of HZ 43A is well fitted by a black body with an effective temperature of approximately 110,000 K. Evolutionary implications of the existence of an object as hot as HZ 43A are briefly considered, and it is suggested that the progenitors of hot DA stars must include objects hotter than spectral type sdB, with logical possibilities being nuclei of planetary nebulae and sdO stars.
Margon, B.↗
Statistical analysis of multivariate atmospheric variables
Topics covered include: (1) estimation in discrete multivariate distributions; (2) a procedure to predict cloud cover frequencies in the bivariate case; (3) a program to compute conditional bivariate normal parameters; (4) the transformation of nonnormal multivariate to near-normal; (5) test of fit for the extreme value distribution based upon the generalized minimum chi-square; (6) test of fit for continuous distributions based upon the generalized minimum chi-square; (7) effect of correlated observations on confidence sets based upon chi-square statistics; and (8) generation of random variates from specified distributions.
Tubbs, J. D.↗
IUE observations of E1405-451 - A new AM Herculis type cataclysmic variable
International Ultraviolet Explorer observations of the recently discovered AM Herculis type cataclysmic variable E1405-451 reveal a UV spectrum (1000-3000 A) similar to the other members of the type. The continuum flux distribution rises steeply at short wavelength and shows the effects of interstellar extinction. Best fit parameters for a blackbody spectrum are T = 25,500 + or - 2300 K with E(B-V) = 0.13 + or - 0.05. Many strong emission lines appear in the spectrum with similar intensities to those in AM Her. C IV 1550 and He II 1640 show some sign of a P Cygni profile. If these profiles are truly P Cygni, they indicate the intriguing possibility of a magnetically confined, radiatively driven wind present in all AM Her systems but only observable in a subset with an orientation like E1405-451.
Nousek, J. A.↗
Comet P/Halley - Spatial distributions and scale lengths for C2, CN, NH2, and H2O
Long-slit spectroscopic observations of Comet P/Halley on 12 dates between October 1985 and May 1986 were used to extract spatial profiles for C2, CN, NH2, and O I (1D) (which effectively map out the comet's H2O distribution), and Haser model scale lengths were fitted to these data. The preperihelion analysis yielded Haser model scale lengths of sufficient consistency that they could be used for the production rate determinations. It was found that the average parent scale lengths found for NH2 were consistent with photodissociation lifetimes for NH3 and confirm the dissociation chain NH3-NH2-NH.
Fink, Uwe↗
Algorithm for Compressing Time-Series Data
An algorithm based on Chebyshev polynomials effects lossy compression of time-series data or other one-dimensional data streams (e.g., spectral data) that are arranged in blocks for sequential transmission. The algorithm was developed for use in transmitting data from spacecraft scientific instruments to Earth stations. In spite of its lossy nature, the algorithm preserves the information needed for scientific analysis. The algorithm is computationally simple, yet compresses data streams by factors much greater than two. The algorithm is not restricted to spacecraft or scientific uses: it is applicable to time-series data in general. The algorithm can also be applied to general multidimensional data that have been converted to time-series data, a typical example being image data acquired by raster scanning. However, unlike most prior image-data-compression algorithms, this algorithm neither depends on nor exploits the two-dimensional spatial correlations that are generally present in images. In order to understand the essence of this compression algorithm, it is necessary to understand that the net effect of this algorithm and the associated decompression algorithm is to approximate the original stream of data as a sequence of finite series of Chebyshev polynomials. For the purpose of this algorithm, a block of data or interval of time for which a Chebyshev polynomial series is fitted to the original data is denoted a fitting interval. Chebyshev approximation has two properties that make it particularly effective for compressing serial data streams with minimal loss of scientific information: The errors associated with a Chebyshev approximation are nearly uniformly distributed over the fitting interval (this is known in the art as the "equal error property"); and the maximum deviations of the fitted Chebyshev polynomial from the original data have the smallest possible values (this is known in the art as the "min-max property").
Hawkins, S. Edward, III↗
Pin-loaded holes in large orthotropic plates
Pin-loaded holes commonly occur in engineering structures. However, accurate analysis of such holes presents formidable difficulties because of the load-dependent contact of the pin with the plate. Significant progress has recently been achieved in the analysis of holes in isotropic plates. This paper develops a simple and accurate method for the partial contact analysis of pin-loaded holes in composites. The method is based on an inverse formulation that seeks to determine loads in a given contact-separation configuration. A unified approach for all types of fit was used. Continuum solutions were obtained for infinitely large plates of various typical orthotropic properties with holes loaded by smooth rigid pins. These solutions were then compared with those for isotropic plates. The effects of orthotropy and the type of fit were studied through load-contact relationships, distribution of stresses and displacements, and their variation with load. The results are of direct relevance to the analysis and design of pin joints in composite plates.
Mangalgiri, P. D.↗
Electrical properties of lunar soil sample 15301,38
Electrical property measurements have been made on an Apollo 15 lunar soil sample in ultrahigh vacuum from room temperature to 827 C for the frequency spectrum from 100 Hz through 1 MHz. The dielectric constant, the total ac loss tangent, and the dc conductivity were measured. The dc conductivity showed no thermal hysteresis, but an irreversible (in vacuum) thermal effect was found in the dielectric loss tangent on heating above 700 C and during the subsequent cooling. This appears to be related to several effects associated with lunar glass above 700 C. The sample also showed characteristic low-frequency dispersion in the dielectric constant with increasing temperature, presumably due to Maxwell-Wagner intergranular effects. The dielectric properties may be fitted to a model involving a Cole-Cole frequency distribution that is relatively temperature-independent below 200 C and follows a Boltzmann temperature distribution with an activation energy of 2.5 eV above 200 C. The dc conductivity is fitted by an exponential temperature distribution and becomes the dominant loss above 700 C.
Olhoeft, G. R.↗
Load support system analysis high speed input pinion configuration
An analysis and a series of computerized calculations were carried out to explore competing prototype design concepts of a shaft and two taper-roller bearings systems to support the high-speed input pinion of an advanced commercial helicopter transmission. The results were used to evaluate designs both for a straddle arrangement where the pinion gear is located between the bearings and for a cantilever arrangement where the pinion is outboard of the two bearings. Effects of varying parameters including applied gear load, preload, wall thickness, interference fits, bearing spacing and pinion gear location on system rigidity, load distribution and bearing rating life were assessed. A comparison of the bearing load distributions for these designs demonstrated that the straddle more equally distributes both radial and axial loads. The performance of these designs over a range of shaft rotational speeds, with lubrication and friction effects included, is also discussed.
Gassel, S. S.↗
IUE spectra of HD 269665 (Sk -68 deg 110), a hot subdwarf in the direction of the Large Magellanic Cloud
Comparison of high- and low-resolution IUE spectra of HD 269665 (Sanduleak -68 deg 110) show that the star is a subdwarf with a temperature in the range 30,000-50,000 K. The visual spectrum shows Balmer lines and weak He II 4686 A lines. Balmer-line width and a fit of the UV-visual flux distribution using the Blackwell-Shallis (1977) algorithm yields an effective temperature between 30,000 and 38,000 K and log g = 5-6. A table is presented of photospheric UV spectral lines in HD 269665. The radial velocity of the star is found to be 5.8 + or - 0.5 km/s.
Hill, Robert S.↗