Integrated Solid Earth Science: the right place and time to discover the unexpected? (Arthur Holmes Medal Lecture)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cloetingh, Sierd

2013-04-01

The fascination of learning more about the way system Earth operates has driven generations of Earth scientists. This has been the case for early pioneers such as Arthur Holmes, focusing on the geological record in continental settings, as well as for the founding fathers of plate tectonics, who built upon the results of exploring the ocean floor. Two years ago we celebrated the centenary of the discovery by Mohorovicic of the seismic discontinuity that separates the crust from the mantle, which now carries his name. Reading the rocks and mapping the (sub)surface of the Earth has provided the foundation for a great deal of what we conceptually pursue today in developing and validating coupled deep Earth and surface processes. The unexpected is probably characterizing most of my scientific career. It started in 1968 when, as a student, entering the geology program of Groningen University headed by Professor Philip Kuenen, a pioneer in marine geology and sedimentology, the textbook of Arthur Holmes just happened to be my first purchase. It was during those years that plate tectonics drastically changed everything we were learning. I was also privileged to enter a few years later as an MSc student the Utrecht geophysics school at a time where Nico Vlaar as a young professor was developing a vigorous research program with a focus on seismology, attracting and stimulating many talented students. When he and Rinus Wortel started research on Tectonophysics in Utrecht, I decided to go for a PhD research project tackling the problem of the initiation of subduction, a first order problem in geodynamics, with still many aspects to be resolved. This research and the joint work with Rinus Wortel on modeling intraplate stresses in the Faralon, Nazca and Indo-Australian plates led quite unexpectedly to exploring, together with Kurt Lambeck, intraplate stress fluctuations in the lithosphere as possible tectonic causes for the origin of third-order cycles in relative sea-level. Those cycles were detected as a result of the pioneering work on the stratigraphic record of sedimentary basins and continental margins from all over the world by Peter Vail, Bilal Haq and others from Exxon. It was at this time, that sedimentary basins became a frontier in the integration of quantitative geology and geophysics. Sedimentary basins do not only provide a powerful source of information on the evolution of the underlying lithosphere and climate fluctuations, but also contain mankind's main reservoirs of geo-energy and geo-resources. It was Peter Ziegler, head of global geology at Shell International, who was the prime mentor in my somewhat unexpected scientific journey in sedimentary basins. These became the main research target of the Tectonics research group I established in 1988 in Amsterdam. In these years it became increasingly evident that the rheology of the lithosphere exerts a crucial control on the evolution of basins, but also on continental topography. It is on this topic that the cooperation over more than two decades with Evgenii Burov, addressing issues like the rheological structure of Europe's lithosphere, rift shoulder uplift and the interplay of lithospheric folding and mantle-lithosphere interactions, has, been very fruitful. Another unexpected milestone has been the opportunity to build up, parallel to the research efforts in field studies and numerical modeling, an analogue tectonic laboratory in our group. This brings me to another issue, also completely unforeseen: the integration of earth science in Europe, particularly taking off after the disappearance of the Iron Curtain. For my group, the latter marked the beginning of a very fruitful cooperation in particular with the groups of Frank Horvath in Budapest and Cornel Dinu in Bucharest, addressing the fascinating solid Earth dynamics of the Carpathians and Pannonian basin. Over the last few years, it has been become evident that integration in the solid earth science is the way to go. Not only on a national level, such as pursued by the Netherlands Research School of Integrated Solid Earth Science (ISES), but also on a full European scale, such as the TOPO-EUROPE research program. This goes hand in hand with setting the stage for a pan-European research infrastructure for solid earth science by the European Plate Observing System (EPOS). Much of the unexpected remains to be discovered. The Holmes medal awarded by the European Geosciences Union, itself an example of the immense progress European earth scientists have made in joining forces, means a lot to me. I share it with my co-workers in my group, the close to 70 PhD students who worked with us, and other numerous colleagues and friends that all contributed immensely to the unexpected.

Peter Koch: wizard of wood use

Treesearch

M.E. Lora

1978-01-01

Like his pioneer forefathers, Peter Koch sees opportunity where others see obstacles. And his vision is helping to reshape the wood industry. Since 1963 Koch has directed research on processing southern woods for the U.S. Forest Service's Southern Forest Experiment Station in Pineville, Louisiana. In that time, he has invented six revolutionary machines, developed...

Mercury Solar Transit

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-05-09

Boyertown Area High School astronomy teacher Peter Detterline prepares high powered binoculars with a solar filter so that his students may view the planet Mercury as it transits across the face of the sun , Monday, May 9, 2016, Boyertown Area High School, Boyertown, Pennsylvania. Mercury passes between Earth and the sun only about 13 times a century, with the previous transit taking place in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The esa earth explorer land surface processes and interactions mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Labandibar, Jean-Yves; Jubineau, Franck; Silvestrin, Pierluigi; Del Bello, Umberto

2017-11-01

The European Space Agency (ESA) is defining candidate missions for Earth Observation. In the class of the Earth Explorer missions, dedicated to research and pre-operational demonstration, the Land Surface Processes and Interactions Mission (LSPIM) will acquire the accurate quantitative measurements needed to improve our understanding of the nature and evolution of biosphere-atmosphere interactions and to contribute significantly to a solution of the scaling problems for energy, water and carbon fluxes at the Earth's surface. The mission is intended to provide detailed observations of the surface of the Earth and to collect data related to ecosystem processes and radiation balance. It is also intended to address a range of issues important for environmental monitoring, renewable resources assessment and climate models. The mission involves a dedicated maneuvering satellite which provides multi-directional observations for systematic measurement of Land Surface BRDF (BiDirectional Reflectance Distribution Function) of selected sites on Earth. The satellite carries an optical payload : PRISM (Processes Research by an Imaging Space Mission), a multispectral imager providing reasonably high spatial resolution images (50 m over 50 km swath) in the whole optical spectral domain (from 450 nm to 2.35 μm with a resolution close to 10 nm, and two thermal bands from 8.1 to 9.1 μm). This paper presents the results of the Phase A study awarded by ESA, led by ALCATEL Space Industries and concerning the design of LSPIM.

Properties of the moon, Mars, Martian satellites, and near-earth asteroids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, Jeffrey G.

1989-01-01

Environments and surface properties of the moon, Mars, Martian satellites, and near-earth asteroids are discussed. Topics include gravity, atmospheres, surface properties, surface compositions, seismicity, radiation environment, degradation, use of robotics, and environmental impacts. Gravity fields vary from large fractions of the earth's field such as 1/3 on Mars and 1/6 on the moon to smaller fractions of 0.0004 g on an asteroid 1 km in diameter. Spectral data and the analogy with meteor compositions suggest that near-earth asteroids may contain many resources such as water-rich carbonaceous materials and iron-rich metallic bodies. It is concluded that future mining and materials processing operations from extraterrestrial bodies require an investment now in both (1) missions to the moon, Mars, Phobos, Deimos, and near-earth asteroids and (2) earth-based laboratory research in materials and processing.

Surface topography analysis and performance on post-CMP images (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jusang; Bello, Abner F.; Kakita, Shinichiro; Pieniazek, Nicholas; Johnson, Timothy A.

2017-03-01

Surface topography on post-CMP processing can be measured with white light interference microscopy to determine the planarity. Results are used to avoid under or over polishing and to decrease dishing. The numerical output of the surface topography is the RMS (root-mean-square) of the height. Beyond RMS, the topography image is visually examined and not further quantified. Subjective comparisons of the height maps are used to determine optimum CMP process conditions. While visual comparison of height maps can determine excursions, it's only through manual inspection of the images. In this work we describe methods of quantifying post-CMP surface topography characteristics that are used in other technical fields such as geography and facial-recognition. The topography image is divided into small surface patches of 7x7 pixels. Each surface patch is fitted to an analytic surface equation, in this case a third order polynomial, from which the gradient, directional derivatives, and other characteristics are calculated. Based on the characteristics, the surface patch is labeled as peak, ridge, flat, saddle, ravine, pit or hillside. The number of each label and thus the associated histogram is then used as a quantified characteristic of the surface topography, and could be used as a parameter for SPC (statistical process control) charting. In addition, the gradient for each surface patch is calculated, so the average, maximum, and other characteristics of the gradient distribution can be used for SPC. Repeatability measurements indicate high confidence where individual labels can be lower than 2% relative standard deviation. When the histogram is considered, an associated chi-squared value can be defined from which to compare other measurements. The chi-squared value of the histogram is a very sensitive and quantifiable parameter to determine the within wafer and wafer-to-wafer topography non-uniformity. As for the gradient histogram distribution, the chi-squared could again be calculated and used as yet another quantifiable parameter for SPC. In this work we measured the post Cu CMP of a die designed for 14nm technology. A region of interest (ROI) known to be indicative of the CMP processing is chosen for the topography analysis. The ROI, of size 1800 x 2500 pixels where each pixel represents 2um, was repeatably measured. We show the sensitivity based on measurements and the comparison between center and edge die measurements. The topography measurements and surface patch analysis were applied to hundreds of images representing the periodic process qualification runs required to control and verify CMP performance and tool matching. The analysis is shown to be sensitive to process conditions that vary in polishing time, type of slurry, CMP tool manufacturer, and CMP pad lifetime. Keywords: Keywords: CMP, Topography, Image Processing, Metrology, Interference microscopy, surface processing [1] De Lega, Xavier Colonna, and Peter De Groot. "Optical topography measurement of patterned wafers." Characterization and Metrology for ULSI Technology 2005 788 (2005): 432-436. [2] de Groot, Peter. "Coherence scanning interferometry." Optical Measurement of Surface Topography. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2011. 187-208. [3] Watson, Layne T., Thomas J. Laffey, and Robert M. Haralick. "Topographic classification of digital image intensity surfaces using generalized splines and the discrete cosine transformation." Computer Vision, Graphics, and Image Processing 29.2 (1985): 143-167. [4] Wang, Jun, et al. "3D facial expression recognition based on primitive surface feature distribution." Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, 2006 IEEE Computer Society Conference on. Vol. 2. IEEE, 2006.

The Link Between Rare-Earth Peak Formation and the Astrophysical Site of the R Process

DOE PAGES

Mumpower, Matthew R.; McLaughlin, Gail C.; Surman, Rebecca; ...

2016-12-20

The primary astrophysical source of the rare-earth elements is the rapid neutron capture process (r process). The rare-earth peak that is seen in the solar r-process residuals has been proposed to originate as a pile-up of nuclei during the end of the r process. Here, we introduce a new method utilizing Monte Carlo studies of nuclear masses in the rare-earth region, that includes self-consistently adjusting β-decay rates and neutron capture rates, to find the mass surfaces necessary for the formation of the rare-earth peak. We demonstrate our method with two types of astrophysical scenario, one corresponding to conditions typical ofmore » hot winds from core-collapse supernovae and stellar-mass accretion disks, and one corresponding to conditions typical of the ejection of the material from the tidal tails of neutron star mergers. In each type of astrophysical condition, this method successfully locates a region of enhanced stability in the mass surface that is responsible for the rare-earth peak. Finally, for each scenario, we find that the change in the mass surface has qualitatively different features, thus future measurements can shed light on the type of environment in which the r process occurred.« less

The Link Between Rare-Earth Peak Formation and the Astrophysical Site of the R Process

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mumpower, Matthew R.; McLaughlin, Gail C.; Surman, Rebecca

The primary astrophysical source of the rare-earth elements is the rapid neutron capture process (r process). The rare-earth peak that is seen in the solar r-process residuals has been proposed to originate as a pile-up of nuclei during the end of the r process. Here, we introduce a new method utilizing Monte Carlo studies of nuclear masses in the rare-earth region, that includes self-consistently adjusting β-decay rates and neutron capture rates, to find the mass surfaces necessary for the formation of the rare-earth peak. We demonstrate our method with two types of astrophysical scenario, one corresponding to conditions typical ofmore » hot winds from core-collapse supernovae and stellar-mass accretion disks, and one corresponding to conditions typical of the ejection of the material from the tidal tails of neutron star mergers. In each type of astrophysical condition, this method successfully locates a region of enhanced stability in the mass surface that is responsible for the rare-earth peak. Finally, for each scenario, we find that the change in the mass surface has qualitatively different features, thus future measurements can shed light on the type of environment in which the r process occurred.« less

THE LINK BETWEEN RARE-EARTH PEAK FORMATION AND THE ASTROPHYSICAL SITE OF THE R PROCESS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mumpower, Matthew R.; McLaughlin, Gail C.; Surman, Rebecca

The primary astrophysical source of the rare-earth elements is the rapid neutron capture process ( r process). The rare-earth peak that is seen in the solar r -process residuals has been proposed to originate as a pile-up of nuclei during the end of the r process. We introduce a new method utilizing Monte Carlo studies of nuclear masses in the rare-earth region, that includes self-consistently adjusting β -decay rates and neutron capture rates, to find the mass surfaces necessary for the formation of the rare-earth peak. We demonstrate our method with two types of astrophysical scenario, one corresponding to conditionsmore » typical of hot winds from core-collapse supernovae and stellar-mass accretion disks, and one corresponding to conditions typical of the ejection of the material from the tidal tails of neutron star mergers. In each type of astrophysical condition, this method successfully locates a region of enhanced stability in the mass surface that is responsible for the rare-earth peak. For each scenario, we find that the change in the mass surface has qualitatively different features, thus future measurements can shed light on the type of environment in which the r process occurred.« less

Chemical evolution on Titan: comparisons to the prebiotic earth.

PubMed

Clarke, D W; Ferris, J P

1997-06-01

Models for the origin of Titan's atmosphere, the processing of the atmosphere and surface and its exobiological role are reviewed. Titan has gained widespread acceptance in the origin of life field as a model for the types of evolutionary processes that could have occurred on prebiotic Earth. Both Titan and Earth possess significant atmospheres (> or = 1 atm) composed mainly of molecular nitrogen with smaller amounts of more reactive species. Both of these atmospheres are processed primarily by solar ultraviolet light with high energy particles interactions contributing to a lesser extent. The products of these reactions condense or are dissolved in other atmospheric species (aerosols/clouds) and fall to the surface. There these products may have been further processed on Titan and the primitive Earth by impacting comets and meteorites. While the low temperatures on Titan (approximately 72-180 K) preclude the presence of permanent liquid water on the surface, it has been suggested that tectonic activity or impacts by meteors and comets could produce liquid water pools on the surface for thousands of years. Hydrolysis and oligomerization reactions in these pools might form chemicals of prebiological significance. Other direct comparisons between the conditions on present day Titan and those proposed for prebiotic Earth are also presented.

Immunotoxicity and genotoxicity testing for in-flight experiments under microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansen, Peter-Diedrich; Hansen, Peter-Diedrich; Unruh, Eckehardt

Life Sciences as Related to Space (F) Influence of Spaceflight Environment on Biological Systems (F44) Immunotoxicity and genotoxicity testing for In-flight experiments under microgravity Sensing approaches for ecosystem and human health Author: Peter D. Hansen Technische Universit¨t Berlin, Faculty VI - Planen, Bauen, Umwelt, a Institute for Ecological Research and Technology, Department for Ecotoxicology, Berlin, Germany Peter-diedrich.hansen@tu-berlin.de Eckehardt Unruh Technische Universit¨t Berlin, Faculty VI - Planen, Bauen, Umwelt, Institute a for Ecological Research and Technology, Department for Ecotoxicology, Berlin, Germany An immune response by mussel hemocytes is the selective reaction to particles which are identified as foreign by its immune system shown by phagocytosis. Phagocytotic activity is based on the chemotaxis and adhesion, ingestion and phagosome formation. The attachment at the surface of the hemocytes and consequently the uptake of the particles or bacteria can be directly quantified in the format of a fluorescent assay. Another relevant endpoint of phagocytosis is oxidative burst measured by luminescence. Phagocytosis-related production of ROS will be stimulated with opsonised zymosan. The hemocytes will be stored frozen at -80oC and reconstituted in-flight for the experiment. The assay system of the TRIPLELUX-B Experiment has been performed with a well-defined quantification and evaluation of the immune function phagocytosis. The indicator cells are the hemocytes of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). The signals of the immuno cellular responses are translated into luminescence as a rapid optical reporter system. The results expected will determine whether the observed responses are caused by microgravity and/or radiation (change in permeability, endpoints in genotoxicity: DNA unwinding). The samples for genotoxicity will be processed after returning to earth. The immune system of invertebrates has not been studied so far in space. The choice of phagocytes from invertebrates is justified to study the universal validity of innate immune responses. The TRIPLELUX-B Experiment contributes to risk assessment concerning immunotoxicity under space flight conditions. The components of the phagocytosis test system for the BIOLAB are now established and the technical realization of the TRIPLELUX- B Experiment is in final progess. The components of the fully automated AEC (Advanced Experimental Containment) will be demonstrated in the poster. There will be two AECs for reference measurements at 1xg and 0xg. The AEC of the TRIPLELUX-B experiment will contribute to a real time operational monitoring for immunotoxicity testing on earth. The AEC will allow "real time monitoring" providing automated observations of immunotoxicity in coastal and inland waters.

Science Syllabus for Middle and Junior High Schools. Block D, The Earth's Changing Surface.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

New York State Education Dept., Albany. Bureau of General Education Curriculum Development.

This syllabus begins with a list of program objectives and performance criteria for the study of three general topic areas in earth science and a list of 22 science processes. Following this information is a listing of concepts and understandings for subtopics within the general topic areas: (1) the earth's surface--surface features, rock…

Radiological and Nuclear Detection Material Science: Novel Rare-Earth Semiconductors for Solid-State Neutron Detectors and Thin High-k Dielectrics

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-11-01

Department of Physics and Astronomy , University of Nebraska Now post-doctoral associate, Department of Physics, University of California - Riverside...9320 Peter A. Dowben, Charles Bessey Professor of Physics, Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, Department of Physics and Astronomy ...pdowben@unl.edu Kirill D. Belashchenko, Associate Professor, Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, Department of Physics and Astronomy

COLLECTION EFFICIENCY OF THE HIGH VOLUME SMALL SURFACE SAMPLER ON WORN CARPETS

EPA Science Inventory

Collection Efficiency of the High Volume Small Surface Sampler on Worn Carpets

Erik R. Svendsen*?, Peter S. Thorne*, Stephen J. Reynolds*?, Patrick T. O'Shaughnessy*, Alba Quinones*, Dale Zimmerman*, and Nervana Metwali*

*University of Iowa College of Public Health<...

Paradoxes of a Long Life Learning: An Exploration of Peter Jarvis's Contribution to Experiential Learning Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dyke, Martin

2017-01-01

The paper explores the work of Peter Jarvis related to learning with particular reference to his definitions of learning and his models of the learning process. This exploration will consider different approaches to experiential learning and demonstrate the contribution Jarvis has made, noting how his writing on the subject has changed over time.…

EarthServer: Cross-Disciplinary Earth Science Through Data Cube Analytics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baumann, P.; Rossi, A. P.

2016-12-01

The unprecedented increase of imagery, in-situ measurements, and simulation data produced by Earth (and Planetary) Science observations missions bears a rich, yet not leveraged potential for getting insights from integrating such diverse datasets and transform scientific questions into actual queries to data, formulated in a standardized way.The intercontinental EarthServer [1] initiative is demonstrating new directions for flexible, scalable Earth Science services based on innovative NoSQL technology. Researchers from Europe, the US and Australia have teamed up to rigorously implement the concept of the datacube. Such a datacube may have spatial and temporal dimensions (such as a satellite image time series) and may unite an unlimited number of scenes. Independently from whatever efficient data structuring a server network may perform internally, users (scientist, planners, decision makers) will always see just a few datacubes they can slice and dice.EarthServer has established client [2] and server technology for such spatio-temporal datacubes. The underlying scalable array engine, rasdaman [3,4], enables direct interaction, including 3-D visualization, common EO data processing, and general analytics. Services exclusively rely on the open OGC "Big Geo Data" standards suite, the Web Coverage Service (WCS). Conversely, EarthServer has shaped and advanced WCS based on the experience gained. The first phase of EarthServer has advanced scalable array database technology into 150+ TB services. Currently, Petabyte datacubes are being built for ad-hoc and cross-disciplinary querying, e.g. using climate, Earth observation and ocean data.We will present the EarthServer approach, its impact on OGC / ISO / INSPIRE standardization, and its platform technology, rasdaman.References: [1] Baumann, et al. (2015) DOI: 10.1080/17538947.2014.1003106 [2] Hogan, P., (2011) NASA World Wind, Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Computing for Geospatial Research & Applications ACM. [3] Baumann, Peter, et al. (2014) In Proc. 10th ICDM, 194-201. [4] Dumitru, A. et al. (2014) In Proc ACM SIGMOD Workshop on Data Analytics in the Cloud (DanaC'2014), 1-4.

The surface of Mars: An unusual laboratory that preserves a record of catastrophic and unusual events

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chapman, M.G.

2009-01-01

Catastrophic and unusual events on Earth such as bolide impacts, megafloods, supereruptions, flood volcanism, and subice volcanism may have devastating effects when they occur. Although these processes have unique characteristics and form distinctive features and deposits, we have diffi culties identifying them and measuring the magnitude of their effects. Our diffi culties with interpreting these processes and identifying their consequences are understandable considering their infrequency on Earth, combined with the low preservation potential of their deposits in the terrestrial rock record. Although we know these events do happen, they are infrequent enough that the deposits are poorly preserved on the geologically active face of the Earth, where erosion, volcanism, and tectonism constantly change the surface. Unlike the Earth, on Mars catastrophic and unusual features are well preserved because of the slow modifi cation of the surface. Signifi cant precipitation has not occurred on Mars for billions of years and there appears to be no discrete crustal plates to have undergone subduction and destruction. Therefore the ancient surface of Mars preserves geologic features and deposits that result from these extraordinary events. Also, unlike the other planets, Mars is the most similar to our own, having an atmosphere, surface ice, volcanism, and evidence of onceflowing water. So although our understanding of precursors, processes, and possible biological effects of catastrophic and unusual processes is limited on Earth, some of these mysteries may be better understood through investigating the surface of Mars. ?? 2009 The Geological Society of America.

STS-81 crew present gift of oranges and grapefruit

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-02-20

STS081-343-014 (12-22 Jan. 1997) --- Oranges and grapefruit brought up from Earth get a popular reception by the Mir-22 crewmembers. Left to right astronauts Peter J. K. (Jeff) Wisoff and John M. Grunsfeld, along with cosmonauts Aleksandr Y. Kaleri and Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 flight engineer and commander respectively, view the microgravity behavior of the seasonal gifts. Astronaut Michael A. Baker, mission commander, looks on at frame's right edge.

Environmental Testing in Thermal Vacuum Chamber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

Inside a thermal vacuum at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, technicians prepare NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander for environmental testing.

The Phoenix lander was encapsulated in its aeroshell -- which included both the back shell and heat shield -- as it was subjected to extreme cold and heat in a vacuum, space-like condition. The spacecraft undergoes extensive environmental testing to confirm Phoenix will perform in the extreme conditions it will experience during its trip from Earth to Mars, during its arrival and landing, and while it works on the surface of Mars.

The Phoenix mission is led by Principal Investigator Peter H. Smith of the University of Arizona, Tucson, with project management at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and development partnership with Lockheed Martin Space Systems. International contributions for Phoenix are provided by the Canadian Space Agency, the University of Neuchatel (Switzerland), the University of Copenhagen, and the Max Planck Institute in Germany. JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

Hydrogeologic setting and the potentiometric surfaces of regional aquifers in the Hollandale Embayment, southeastern Minnesota, 1970-80

USGS Publications Warehouse

Delin, G.N.; Woodward, D.G.

1984-01-01

Potentiometric-surface maps for each aquifer indicate that movement of ground water is predominantly toward the major rivers. The St. Croix, Minnesota, and Mississippi Rivers constitute regional discharge boundaries for ground-water flow. A major ground-water divide in the St. Peter, Prairie du Chien-Jordan, Ironton-Galesville, and Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifers in the south-central part of the Hollandale embayment separates ground-water flow northward toward the Twin Cities area and southward toward Iowa. The St. Peter and Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifers in the southeastern part of the embayment contain ground-water mounds as high as 90 ft above the regional potentiometric surface. The mounds occur as a result of increased recharge where the Decorah-Platteville-Glenwood confining bed has been removed by erosion and the aquifers subcrop beneath drift that is about 20 ft thick. This head distribution produces a locally complex pattern of flow in which ground water moves southwesterly toward Iowa instead of directly toward the Mississippi River.

Multidisciplinary Investigations embedded in a photogrammatric three dimensional survey in an archaeological site and St Peter and Paul Church in Agro Valley (Messina, Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crupi, Vincenza; D'Amico, Sebastiano; Majolino, Domenico; Paladini, Giuseppe; Persico, Raffaele; Saccone, Mauro; Spagnolo, Grazia; Venuti, Valentina

2017-04-01

In the framework of the National School "Science and Cultural Heritage: from Non-Invasive Analysis to 3D Recostruction" (19-23 September 2016, Messina-Valle d'Agrò, Italy), organized by the Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences of the University of Messina, in co-opeartion with the Department of Geosciences of the University of Malta and in agreement with the Regional Order of Geologists of Sicily, non-invasive investigations have been performed aimed at the exploitation, fruition and safeguard of the archaeological site of Scifì and the St Peter and Paul Church in Agro Valley. Different georadar prospections [1-2] were carried out at both sites. Prospections have been performed by using a Ris-Hi mode system equipped with a dual antenna at the central frequencies of 200 and 600 MHz [3], and made along an orthogonal grid with 40 cm spacing. Data processing involved a zero timing, background removal on all tracks, a gain in-depth, a one-dimensional Butterworth filtering and a Kirchoff migration. Measurements of ambient vibrations were also performed [4-5], that revealed the absence of remarkable side heterogeneities, or large impedance contrasts associated surface stratigraphy. Measurements were also taken to measure the natural frequency of the church. In the two investigated sites, we also conducted spectroscopic investigations. The analysis was mainly focused on the study of variations, in terms of elemental composition by means of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements as well as Raman spectrospopy which allow to determine the elemental composition of the sample under investigation. In addition, several images (by means of drones) were also collected in order to create a detailed 3D model for each site the ultimate goal of creating a digital archive for the virtual use of sites of interest. References [1] M. Pieraccini, L. Noferini, D. Mecatti, C. Atzeni, R. Persico, F. Soldovieri, Advanced Processing Techniques for Step-frequency Continuous-Wave Penetrating Radar: the Case Study of "Palazzo Vecchio" Walls (Firenze, Italy), Research on Nondestructive Evaluation, vol. 17, pp. 71-83, 2006 [2] Masini N, Persico R., Rizzo E, Calia A, Giannotta M. T., Quarta G., Pagliuca A., "Integrated Techniques for Analysis and Monitoring of Historical Monuments: the case of S.Giovanni al Sepolcro in Brindisi (Southern Italy)." Near Surface Geophysics, vol. 8 (5), pp. 423-432, 2010. [3] F. Soldovieri, R. Persico and G. Leone, "Effect of source and receiver radiation characteristics in subsurface prospecting within the DBA", Radio Science, vol. 40, RS3006, May 2005.

Rare earth element scavenging in seawater

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Byrne, Robert H.; Kim, Ki-Hyun

1990-10-01

Examinations of rare earth element (REE) adsorption in seawater, using a variety of surface-types, indicated that, for most surfaces, light rare earth elements (LREEs) are preferentially adsorbed compared to the heavy rare earths (HREEs). Exceptions to this behavior were observed only for silica phases (glass surfaces, acid-cleaned diatomaceous earth, and synthetic SiO 2). The affinity of the rare earths for surfaces can be strongly affected by thin organic coatings. Glass surfaces which acquired an organic coating through immersion in Tampa Bay exhibited adsorptive behavior typical of organic-rich, rather than glass, surfaces. Models of rare earth distributions between seawater and carboxylate-rich surfaces indicate that scavenging processes which involve such surfaces should exhibit a strong dependence on pH and carbonate complexation. Scavenging models involving carboxylate surfaces produce relative REE abundance patterns in good general agreement with observed shale-normalized REE abundances in seawater. Scavenging by carboxylate-rich surfaces should produce HREE enrichments in seawater relative to the LREEs and may produce enrichments of lanthanum relative to its immediate trivalent neighbors. Due to the origin of distribution coefficients as a difference between REE solution complexation (which increases strongly with atomic number) and surface complexation (which apparently also increases with atomic number) the relative solution abundance patterns of the REEs produced by scavenging reactions can be quite complex.

The Theory of Magnetic Reconnection: Past, Present, and Future

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cassak, P. A.

2008-05-01

Magnetic reconnection underlies the energy release observed in eruptive events in the solar corona (such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections) and in the Earth's magnetosphere. The theory of magnetic reconnection was originally developed to understand observations by Ron Giovanelli, who discovered that solar flares occur where the coronal magnetic field changes directions. Pioneers in space plasma theory such as James Dungey, Peter Sweet, Eugene Parker, and Harry Petschek first elucidated the underlying physical effects that lead to this massive energy release. Since then, much effort has been made to understand what process or processes cause magnetic reconnection to be fast enough to be consistent with observations, such as anomalous resistivity, secondary instabilities, and the Hall effect. However, a thorough understanding of this important process remains a topic of intense study. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Parker's paper predicting the high-speed solar wind, this talk will review the history of the theory of magnetic reconnection. The present status of the field will be discussed, and remaining unanswered questions will be summarized.

Report on Results of Borehole Tilt Measurements from the Charlevoix Observatory, Quebec

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-11-30

with long baseline tiltmeters ; any mechanical in- " _____,_ stability in the sensor or of the instrument/rock 3 ,.w ,-- interface produces...KEY WORDS (Continue on reverse side if necessary and identify by block number) ’Earth tides, tiltmeters , tidal loading, seismic activity, linear and...Water Table, Variations in a Seismically Active Region ip Quebec, Canada’ b iH-J. Kiimpel, J.A. Peters, and D.R. Bower. The array of three tiltmeters is

What Are Red Sprites? An Art and Science Collaboration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLeish, P.

2013-04-01

Sprites are fleeting luminous shapes that shoot into the upper atmosphere during large thunderstorms as lightning simultaneously reaches down to Earth. For at least a century scientists have attempted to confirm and explain the existence of sprites with visual images and data. Peter McLeish's images, Lightning's Angels, supplement the documentation of sprites by exploring the properties of this natural phenomenon through digitally enhanced oil encaustic paintings set to music in a six-minute film.

Cellulose and Their Characteristic Ice Nucleation Activity- Freezing on a Chip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Häusler, Thomas; Felgitsch, Laura; Grothe, Hinrich

2016-04-01

The influence of clouds on the Earth's climate system is well known (IPCC, 2013). Cloud microphysics determines for example cloud lifetime and precipitation properties. Clouds are cooling the climate system by reflecting incoming solar radiation and warm its surface by trapping outgoing infrared radiation (Baker and Peter, 2008). In all these processes, aerosol particles play a crucial role by acting as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) for liquid droplets and as an ice nucleation particle (INP) for the formation of ice particles. Freezing processes at higher temperatures than -38°C occur heterogeneously (Pruppacher and Klett 1997). Therefore aerosol particles act like a catalyst, which reduces the energy barrier for nucleation. The nucleation mechanisms, especially the theory of functional sites are not entirely understood. It remains unclear which class of compound nucleates ice. Here we present a unique technique to perform drop- freezing experiments in a more efficient way. A self-made freezing- chip will be presented. Measurements done to proof the efficiency of our setup as well as advantages compared with other setups will be discussed. Furthermore we present a proxy for biological INPs, microcrystalline cellulose. Cellulose is the main component of herbal cell walls (about 50 wt%). It is a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to many thousands of β(1→4) linked D-glucose units. Cellulose can contribute to the diverse spectrum of ice nucleation particles. We present results of the nucleation activity measurements of MCCs as well as the influence of concentration, preparation or chemical modification.

Shallowing-upward cyclic patterns within larger-scale transgressive-regressive (T-R) sedimentary sequences, St. Peter through Decorah Formations, Ordovician, Iowa area

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Witzke, B.J.

1993-03-01

Four large-scale (2--8 Ma) T-R sedimentary sequences of M. Ord. age (late Chaz.-Sherm.) were delimited by Witzke Kolata (1980) in the Iowa area, each bounded by local to regional unconformity/disconformity surfaces. These encompass both siliciclastic and carbonate intervals, in ascending order: (1) St. Peter-Glenwood fms., (2) Platteville Fm., (3) Decorah Fm., (4) Dunleith/upper Decorah fms. Finer-scale resolution of depth-related depositional features has led to regional recognition of smaller-scale shallowing-upward cyclicity contained within each large-scale sequence. Such smaller-scale cyclicity encompasses stratigraphic intervals of 1--10 m thickness, with estimated durations of 0.5--1.5 Ma. The St. Peter Sandst. has long been regarded asmore » a classic transgressive sheet sand. However, four discrete shallowing-upward packages characterize the St. Peter-Glenwood interval regionally (IA, MN, NB, KS), including western facies displaying coarsening-upward sandstone packages with condensed conodont-rich brown shale and phosphatic sediments in their lower part (local oolitic ironstone), commonly above pyritic hardgrounds. Regional continuity of small-scale cyclic patterns in M. Ord. strata of the Iowa area may suggest eustatic controls; this can be tested through inter-regional comparisons.« less

Forecasting the response of Earth's surface to future climatic and land use changes: A review of methods and research needs

DOE PAGES

Pelletier, Jon D.; Murray, A. Brad; Pierce, Jennifer L.; ...

2015-07-14

In the future, Earth will be warmer, precipitation events will be more extreme, global mean sea level will rise, and many arid and semiarid regions will be drier. Human modifications of landscapes will also occur at an accelerated rate as developed areas increase in size and population density. We now have gridded global forecasts, being continually improved, of the climatic and land use changes (C&LUC) that are likely to occur in the coming decades. However, besides a few exceptions, consensus forecasts do not exist for how these C&LUC will likely impact Earth-surface processes and hazards. In some cases, we havemore » the tools to forecast the geomorphic responses to likely future C&LUC. Fully exploiting these models and utilizing these tools will require close collaboration among Earth-surface scientists and Earth-system modelers. This paper assesses the state-of-the-art tools and data that are being used or could be used to forecast changes in the state of Earth's surface as a result of likely future C&LUC. We also propose strategies for filling key knowledge gaps, emphasizing where additional basic research and/or collaboration across disciplines are necessary. The main body of the paper addresses cross-cutting issues, including the importance of nonlinear/threshold-dominated interactions among topography, vegetation, and sediment transport, as well as the importance of alternate stable states and extreme, rare events for understanding and forecasting Earth-surface response to C&LUC. Five supplements delve into different scales or process zones (global-scale assessments and fluvial, aeolian, glacial/periglacial, and coastal process zones) in detail.« less

Commons problems, common ground: Earth-surface dynamics and the social-physical interdisciplinary frontier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lazarus, E.

2015-12-01

In the archetypal "tragedy of the commons" narrative, local farmers pasture their cows on the town common. Soon the common becomes crowded with cows, who graze it bare, and the arrangement of open access to a shared resource ultimately fails. The "tragedy" involves social and physical processes, but the denouement depends on who is telling the story. An economist might argue that the system collapses because each farmer always has a rational incentive to graze one more cow. An ecologist might remark that the rate of grass growth is an inherent control on the common's carrying capacity. And a geomorphologist might point out that processes of soil degradation almost always outstrip processes of soil production. Interdisciplinary research into human-environmental systems still tends to favor disciplinary vantages. In the context of Anthropocene grand challenges - including fundamental insight into dynamics of landscape resilience, and what the dominance of human activities means for processes of change and evolution on the Earth's surface - two disciplines in particular have more to talk about than they might think. Here, I use three examples - (1) beach nourishment, (2) upstream/downstream fluvial asymmetry, and (3) current and historical "land grabbing" - to illustrate a range of interconnections between physical Earth-surface science and common-pool resource economics. In many systems, decision-making and social complexity exert stronger controls on landscape expression than do physical geomorphological processes. Conversely, human-environmental research keeps encountering multi-scale, emergent problems of resource use made 'common-pool' by water, nutrient and sediment transport dynamics. Just as Earth-surface research can benefit from decades of work on common-pool resource systems, quantitative Earth-surface science can make essential contributions to efforts addressing complex problems in environmental sustainability.

Parabolic flights as Earth analogue for surface processes on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhn, Nikolaus J.

2017-04-01

The interpretation of landforms and environmental archives on Mars with regards to habitability and preservation of traces of life requires a quantitative understanding of the processes that shaped them. Commonly, qualitative similarities in sedimentary rocks between Earth and Mars are used as an analogue to reconstruct the environments in which they formed on Mars. However, flow hydraulics and sedimentation differ between Earth and Mars, requiring a recalibration of models describing runoff, erosion, transport and deposition. Simulation of these processes on Earth is limited because gravity cannot be changed and the trade-off between adjusting e.g. fluid or particle density generates other mismatches, such as fluid viscosity. Computational Fluid Dynamics offer an alternative, but would also require a certain degree of calibration or testing. Parabolic flights offer a possibility to amend the shortcomings of these approaches. Parabolas with reduced gravity last up to 30 seconds, which allows the simulation of sedimentation processes and the measurement of flow hydraulics. This study summarizes the experience gathered during four campaigns of parabolic flights, aimed at identifying potential and limitations of their use as an Earth analogue for surface processes on Mars.

Feedbacks between geomorphology and biota controlling Earth surface processes and landforms: A review of foundation concepts and current understandings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corenblit, Dov; Baas, Andreas C. W.; Bornette, Gudrun; Darrozes, José; Delmotte, Sébastien; Francis, Robert A.; Gurnell, Angela M.; Julien, Frédéric; Naiman, Robert J.; Steiger, Johannes

2011-06-01

This review article presents recent advances in the field of biogeomorphology related to the reciprocal coupling between Earth surface processes and landforms, and ecological and evolutionary processes. The aim is to present to the Earth Science community ecological and evolutionary concepts and associated recent conceptual developments for linking geomorphology and biota. The novelty of the proposed perspective is that (1) in the presence of geomorphologic-engineer species, which modify sediment and landform dynamics, natural selection operating at the scale of organisms may have consequences for the physical components of ecosystems, and particularly Earth surface processes and landforms; and (2) in return, these modifications of geomorphologic processes and landforms often feed back to the ecological characteristics of the ecosystem (structure and function) and thus to biological characteristics of engineer species and/or other species (adaptation and speciation). The main foundation concepts from ecology and evolutionary biology which have led only recently to an improved conception of landform dynamics in geomorphology are reviewed and discussed. The biogeomorphologic macroevolutionary insights proposed explicitly integrate geomorphologic niche-dimensions and processes within an ecosystem framework and reflect current theories of eco-evolutionary and ecological processes. Collectively, these lead to the definition of an integrated model describing the overall functioning of biogeomorphologic systems over ecological and evolutionary timescales.

Theory connecting nonlocal sediment transport, earth surface roughness, and the Sadler effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schumer, Rina; Taloni, Alessandro; Furbish, David Jon

2017-03-01

Earth surface evolution, like many natural phenomena typified by fluctuations on a wide range of scales and deterministic smoothing, results in a statistically rough surface. We present theory demonstrating that scaling exponents of topographic and stratigraphic statistics arise from long-time averaging of noisy surface evolution rather than specific landscape evolution processes. This is demonstrated through use of "elastic" Langevin equations that generically describe disturbance from a flat earth surface using a noise term that is smoothed deterministically via sediment transport. When smoothing due to transport is a local process, the geologic record self organizes such that a specific Sadler effect and topographic power spectral density (PSD) emerge. Variations in PSD slope reflect the presence or absence and character of nonlocality of sediment transport. The range of observed stratigraphic Sadler slopes captures the same smoothing feature combined with the presence of long-range spatial correlation in topographic disturbance.

Historical Investigations of the Richard B. Russell Multiple Resource Area.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-11-01

for shipment; fields were cleaned, plowed, and prepared for spring planting. Planters who used fertilizer had it spread at this time. Wood was cut...lined mounds of earth called ’banks,’ corn was gathered and shucked, fodder was stored, ditches cleaned and repaired, wood cut and hauled, and new ground...a hint of what once was there. 0. F. W. 44 Demography FOOTNOTES 1Peter H. Wood , Black MajitN: Neroes in Colonial South Carolina from 1670 through the

Interactive Computing and Processing of NASA Land Surface Observations Using Google Earth Engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Molthan, Andrew; Burks, Jason; Bell, Jordan

2016-01-01

Google's Earth Engine offers a "big data" approach to processing large volumes of NASA and other remote sensing products. h\\ps://earthengine.google.com/ Interfaces include a Javascript or Python-based API, useful for accessing and processing over large periods of record for Landsat and MODIS observations. Other data sets are frequently added, including weather and climate model data sets, etc. Demonstrations here focus on exploratory efforts to perform land surface change detection related to severe weather, and other disaster events.

Studies of the Processing of Single Words Using Positron Tomographic Measures of Cerebral Blood Flow Change.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-01-01

BLOOD FLOW CHANGE Steven E. Petersen, Peter T. Fox, Michael I. Posner, Marcus Raichle McDonnell Center for Studies of Higher Brain Function...Single Words Using Positron Emission Tomographic Measurements of Cerebral Blood Flow Change *= ’I PERSONAL AUTHOR(S) * Petersen, Steven E. 13a. TYPE OF...CHANGE Steven E. Petersen, Peter T. Fox, Michael I. Posner, Marcus E. Raichle INTRODUCTION Language is an essential characteristic of the human

Combating Terrorism Within Local Policing Through Crime Reduction: Using Real-Time, Situational Awareness Within a Distributed Common Operating Picture to Combat all Crime and Terrorism V2I2SION Process and SAFECOP Pilot Project

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

Occurred on: Jul-07-2011 (Tbu.) 248 Approved on: Jul-07-2011 (Tbu.) by: 42505 - BAXTER, ROBERT M Report submitted by: 45158 - CHARBONNEAU , PETER A...Text Page(s) Document: CASE SUM:MARY Author: 45158- CHARBONNEAU , PETER A Subject: CASE SUM:MARY Related date/time: Jul-07-2011 (Tbu.) 248 On the

Massive impact-induced release of carbon and sulfur gases in the early Earth's atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marchi, S.; Black, B. A.; Elkins-Tanton, L. T.; Bottke, W. F.

2016-09-01

Recent revisions to our understanding of the collisional history of the Hadean and early-Archean Earth indicate that large collisions may have been an important geophysical process. In this work we show that the early bombardment flux of large impactors (>100 km) facilitated the atmospheric release of greenhouse gases (particularly CO2) from Earth's mantle. Depending on the timescale for the drawdown of atmospheric CO2, the Earth's surface could have been subject to prolonged clement surface conditions or multiple freeze-thaw cycles. The bombardment also delivered and redistributed to the surface large quantities of sulfur, one of the most important elements for life. The stochastic occurrence of large collisions could provide insights on why the Earth and Venus, considered Earth's twin planet, exhibit radically different atmospheres.

From tectonics to tractors: New insight into Earth's changing surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larsen, I. J.

2017-12-01

Weathering and erosion of rock and the transport of sediment continually modify Earth's surface. The transformation and transfer of material by both natural and anthropogenic processes drives global cycles and influences the habitability of our planet. By quantitatively linking erosional and depositional landforms to the processes that form them, we better understand how Earth's surface will evolve in the future, and gain the ability to look into the past to recognize how planetary surfaces evolved when environments were drastically different than today. Many of the recent advances in our understanding of the processes that influence landscape evolution have been driven by the development and application of tools such as cosmogenic nuclides, computational models, and digital topographic data. Here I present results gleaned from applying these tools to a diverse set of landscapes, where erosion is driven by factors ranging from tectonics to tractors, to provide insight into the mechanics, chemistry, and history of Earth's changing surface. I will first examine the landslide response of hillslopes in the Himalaya to spatial gradients in tectonic forcing to assess the paradigm of threshold hillslopes. Second, I will present soil production and chemical weathering rates measured in the Southern Alps of New Zealand to determine the relationship between physical erosion and chemical weathering in one of Earth's most rapidly uplifting landscapes, and discuss the implications for proposed links between mountain uplift and global climate. Third, I will discuss results from numerical flood simulations used to explore the interplay between outburst flood hydraulics and canyon incision in the Channeled Scablands of eastern Washington, and explore the implications for reconstructing discharge in flood-carved canyons on Earth and Mars. Finally, I will present new work that couples high resolution spectral and topographic data to estimate the spatial extent of agriculturally-induced topsoil loss in the Midwestern U.S., and discuss the economic and carbon cycle implications. These findings - in some cases unanticipated and exciting - highlight opportunities that stem from using a multi-faceted approach to gain new insights into the physical and chemical processes that modify Earth's changing surface.

Earth Survey Applications Division. [a bibliography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carpenter, L. (Editor)

1981-01-01

Accomplishments of research and data analysis conducted to study physical parameters and processes inside the Earth and on the Earth's surface, to define techniques and systems for remotely sensing the processes and measuring the parameters of scientific and applications interest, and the transfer of promising operational applications techniques to the user community of Earth resources monitors, managers, and decision makers are described. Research areas covered include: geobotany, magnetic field modeling, crustal studies, crustal dynamics, sea surface topography, land resources, remote sensing of vegetation and soils, and hydrological sciences. Major accomplishments include: production of global maps of magnetic anomalies using Magsat data; computation of the global mean sea surface using GEOS-3 and Seasat altimetry data; delineation of the effects of topography on the interpretation of remotely-sensed data; application of snowmelt runoff models to water resources management; and mapping of snow depth over wheat growing areas using Nimbus microwave data.

Visualizing Airborne and Satellite Imagery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bierwirth, Victoria A.

2011-01-01

Remote sensing is a process able to provide information about Earth to better understand Earth's processes and assist in monitoring Earth's resources. The Cloud Absorption Radiometer (CAR) is one remote sensing instrument dedicated to the cause of collecting data on anthropogenic influences on Earth as well as assisting scientists in understanding land-surface and atmospheric interactions. Landsat is a satellite program dedicated to collecting repetitive coverage of the continental Earth surfaces in seven regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Combining these two aircraft and satellite remote sensing instruments will provide a detailed and comprehensive data collection able to provide influential information and improve predictions of changes in the future. This project acquired, interpreted, and created composite images from satellite data acquired from Landsat 4-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+). Landsat images were processed for areas covered by CAR during the Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites (ARCT AS), Cloud and Land Surface Interaction Campaign (CLASIC), Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment-Phase B (INTEXB), and Southern African Regional Science Initiative (SAFARI) 2000 missions. The acquisition of Landsat data will provide supplemental information to assist in visualizing and interpreting airborne and satellite imagery.

Initiation of clement surface conditions on the earliest Earth

PubMed Central

Sleep, N. H.; Zahnle, K.; Neuhoff, P. S.

2001-01-01

In the beginning the surface of the Earth was extremely hot, because the Earth as we know it is the product of a collision between two planets, a collision that also created the Moon. Most of the heat within the very young Earth was lost quickly to space while the surface was still quite hot. As it cooled, the Earth's surface passed monotonically through every temperature regime between silicate vapor to liquid water and perhaps even to ice, eventually reaching an equilibrium with sunlight. Inevitably the surface passed through a time when the temperature was around 100°C at which modern thermophile organisms live. How long this warm epoch lasted depends on how long a thick greenhouse atmosphere can be maintained by heat flow from the Earth's interior, either directly as a supplement to insolation, or indirectly through its influence on the nascent carbonate cycle. In both cases, the duration of the warm epoch would have been controlled by processes within the Earth's interior where buffering by surface conditions played little part. A potentially evolutionarily significant warm period of between 105 and 107 years seems likely, which nonetheless was brief compared to the vast expanse of geological time. PMID:11259665

Initiation of clement surface conditions on the earliest Earth.

PubMed

Sleep, N H; Zahnle, K; Neuhoff, P S

2001-03-27

In the beginning the surface of the Earth was extremely hot, because the Earth as we know it is the product of a collision between two planets, a collision that also created the Moon. Most of the heat within the very young Earth was lost quickly to space while the surface was still quite hot. As it cooled, the Earth's surface passed monotonically through every temperature regime between silicate vapor to liquid water and perhaps even to ice, eventually reaching an equilibrium with sunlight. Inevitably the surface passed through a time when the temperature was around 100 degrees C at which modern thermophile organisms live. How long this warm epoch lasted depends on how long a thick greenhouse atmosphere can be maintained by heat flow from the Earth's interior, either directly as a supplement to insolation, or indirectly through its influence on the nascent carbonate cycle. In both cases, the duration of the warm epoch would have been controlled by processes within the Earth's interior where buffering by surface conditions played little part. A potentially evolutionarily significant warm period of between 10(5) and 10(7) years seems likely, which nonetheless was brief compared to the vast expanse of geological time.

Basic research and data analysis for the earth and ocean physics applications program and for the National Geodetic Satellite program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

Data acquisition using single image and seven image data processing is used to provide a precise and accurate geometric description of the earth's surface. Transformation parameters and network distortions are determined, Sea slope along the continental boundaries of the U.S. and earth rotation are examined, along with close grid geodynamic satellite system. Data are derived for a mathematical description of the earth's gravitational field; time variations are determined for geometry of the ocean surface, the solid earth, gravity field, and other geophysical parameters.

Washed Away!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheek, Kim A.

2013-01-01

Earth's surface is constantly changing. Weathering, erosion, and deposition break down Earth materials, transport those materials, and place them in new locations. Children see evidence of these processes all around them. The sidewalk or playground surface cracks and has plants growing in it. Pieces of a rock wall or the sides of a building…

The Earth on the Other Side of Life (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amundson, R.; Ewing, S. A.; Owen, J. J.

2010-12-01

There are important reasons for examining the role of life on Earth surface processes, including better understanding the long term feedbacks between the geosphere and biosphere that maintain Earth habitability, and bracing for the cumulative impact of the Earth’s most invasive species (Homo sapiens) on the earth system. Coming to grips with the importance of life is simply a matter of recognizing the obvious: life mantles most of the planet’s surface and the planet’s climatic boundary conditions would be profoundly different if life on Earth had not evolved. Nearly every process on this planet is mediated in some way by biology . The most difficult aspect of deciphering the exact role of life on Earth surface processes is observationally identifying a “control experiment”- e.g. one where life does not exist. Planetary habitability is linked to the presence of liquid water. Thus, there are two regions on Earth that largely fall outside the rainfall limits of life and that have maintained nearly abiotic conditions for millions of years: the Atacama Desert of northern Chile (warm and very dry) and the Dry Valleys of Antarctica (very cold and dry). Here, we examine the Atacama Desert for the reason that it is the dry end of a continuous decline in rainfall with decreasing latitude in western South America, such that (almost imperceptibly) one eventually crosses a rainfall threshold beyond which most life ceases to exist. The consequence of soil and geomorphic studies along this rainfall gradient have revealed that several important earth surface processes vary montonically with declining rainfall up to the point where vascular plants disappear. At this point, the rates or types of key processes appear to undergo fundamental changes. Geomorphically, soil production/hillslope denudation rates vary within a window of rates over broad ranges in rainfall. However, at the biotic abiotic boundary, erosion rates decline in concert with rainfall. This pattern appears to be related to the feedbacks between soil thickness and soil production rates, and the impact of biology on both reducing surface erosion, and in enhancing the conversion of saprolite to soil. Once plants no longer exist, soil is rapidly stripped as the biological controls are removed. As aridity increases further, soils reappear on the hillslopes due to dust/salt accumulation, but the processes of both soil production and transport shift to slow abiotic mechanisms. Geochemically, N content in soils declines monotonically with rainfall up to the point that plants diappear. At that point, N cycling shifts to entirely abiotic mechanisms, allowing the accumulation of the unusal nitrate deposits that characterize this desert. While the parts of earth without life are unusually dry and/or cold, they offer unique, but also complex, perspectives into the sometimes overwhelming role that life plays on the earth surface. The true challenge to the geosciences is to rapidly acquire this knowledge in order to predict the trajectory of a changing world.

1997 International Semiconductor Device Research Symposium (4th) Proceedings, Held in Charlottesville, Virginia on December 10-13, 1997

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-01-01

Matagne1𔃼, Jean -Pierre Leburton1 Jacques Destine2, Guy Cantraine2 1Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana, IL 61820...PROCESSES R. Peter Smith, Suzanne C. Martin, Moonil Kim, Jean Bruston, Imran Mehdi, Dexter Humphrey, Michael Gaidis, Neal Erickson*, and Peter H...SEV/VSE, Feb. 1981 G. Galup-Montoro, M. Schneider, S. Acosta, R. Pinto , Proc. Brazilian Microelectronics Conference SBMICRO󈨤,1996. A. Cunha, O

Bilateral anterior segment dysgenesis with the presumed Peters' anomaly in a cat.

PubMed

Park, Sangwan; Kim, Kiwoong; Kim, Youngbeum; Seo, Kangmoon

2018-02-20

A seven-month-old female domestic shorthaired cat was presented for buphthalmos in the right eye and corneal cloudiness in the left eye. Full ophthalmic examinations were performed for both eyes and enucleation was done for the right nonvisual eye. Congenital glaucoma caused by anterior segment dysgenesis was confirmed for the right eye. In the left eye, slit-lamp examination revealed focal corneal edema with several iris strands from iris collarette to the affected posterior corneal surfaces. Circular posterior corneal defect was suggested to be the cause of edema. Goniodysgenesis, additionally, was identified. Taken together, the diagnosis of Peters' anomaly which is a subtype of anterior segment dysgenesis was suggested in the left eye.

Global land-atmosphere coupling associated with cold climate processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dutra, Emanuel

This dissertation constitutes an assessment of the role of cold processes, associated with snow cover, in controlling the land-atmosphere coupling. The work was based on model simulations, including offline simulations with the land surface model HTESSEL, and coupled atmosphere simulations with the EC-EARTH climate model. A revised snow scheme was developed and tested in HTESSEL and EC-EARTH. The snow scheme is currently operational at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts integrated forecast system, and in the default configuration of EC-EARTH. The improved representation of the snowpack dynamics in HTESSEL resulted in improvements in the near surface temperature simulations of EC-EARTH. The new snow scheme development was complemented with the option of multi-layer version that showed its potential in modeling thick snowpacks. A key process was the snow thermal insulation that led to significant improvements of the surface water and energy balance components. Similar findings were observed when coupling the snow scheme to lake ice, where lake ice duration was significantly improved. An assessment on the snow cover sensitivity to horizontal resolution, parameterizations and atmospheric forcing within HTESSEL highlighted the role of the atmospheric forcing accuracy and snowpack parameterizations in detriment of horizontal resolution over flat regions. A set of experiments with and without free snow evolution was carried out with EC-EARTH to assess the impact of the interannual variability of snow cover on near surface and soil temperatures. It was found that snow cover interannual variability explained up to 60% of the total interannual variability of near surface temperature over snow covered regions. Although these findings are model dependent, the results showed consistency with previously published work. Furthermore, the detailed validation of the snow dynamics simulations in HTESSEL and EC-EARTH guarantees consistency of the results.

Theories of Power, Poverty, and Law: In Commemoration of the Contributions of Peter Bachrach--Power, Law, and Final Thoughts: The Contributions of Peter Bachrach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schneider, Elizabeth M.

2010-01-01

I am pleased to be part of this symposium to celebrate the life and work of Peter Bachrach. Although my focus is the relevance of Peter's ideas of power to law, I want to begin with some personal comments as well as raise some final thoughts, drawing on others' contributions. Like so many of Peter's other students, I adored him. Peter's joy in…

Geomorphology: Perspectives on observation, history, and the field tradition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vitek, John D.

2013-10-01

Other than a common interest in form and process, current geomorphologists have little in common with those who established the foundations of this science. Educated people who had an interest in Earth processes during the nineteenth century cannot be compared to the scholars who study geomorphology in the twenty-first century. Whereas Earth has undergone natural change from the beginning of time, the human record of observing and recording processes and changes in the surface Is but a recent phenomena. Observation is the only thread, however, that connects all practitioners of geomorphology through time. As people acquired knowledge related to all aspects of life, technological revolutions, such as the Iron Age, Bronze Age, agricultural revolution, the atomic age, and the digital age, shaped human existence and thought. Technology has greatly changed the power of human observation, including inward to the atomic scale and outward into the realm of space.Books and articles describe how to collect and analyze data but few references document the field experience. Each of us, however, has experienced unique circumstances during field work and we learned from various mentors how to observe. The surface of Earth on which we practice the vocation of geomorphology may not be much different from a hundred years ago but many things about how we collect data, analyze it and disseminate the results have changed. How we function in the field, including what we wear, what we eat, how we get there, and where we choose to collect data, clearly reflects the complexity of the human system on Earth and the processes and forms that arouse our interest. Computers, miniaturization of electronics, satellite communications and observation platforms in space provide access to data to aid in our quest to understand Earth surface processes. Once, people lived closer to nature in primitive shelters in contrast with life in urban environments. But as urban life continues to expand and people need to know how Earth operates, geomorphologists, therefore, serve humanity today as the primary observers and reporters in the realm of Earth surface processes.

Exploration of Venus' Deep Atmosphere and Surface Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glaze, L. S.; Amato, M.; Garvin, J. B.; Johnson, N. M.

2017-01-01

Venus formed in the same part of our solar system as Earth, apparently from similar materials. Although both planets are about the same size, their differences are profound. Venus and Earth experienced vastly different evolutionary pathways resulting in unexplained differences in atmospheric composition and dynamics, as well as in geophysical processes of the planetary surfaces and interiors. Understanding when and why the evolutionary pathways of Venus and Earth diverged is key to understanding how terrestrial planets form and how their atmospheres and surfaces evolve. Measurements made in situ, within the near-surface or surface environment, are critical to addressing unanswered questions. We have made substantial progress modernizing and maturing pressure vessel technologies to enable science operations in the high temperature and pressure near-surface/surfaceenvironment of Venus.

Making Waves

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fink, Kristi R.

2017-01-01

Earth's easily seen surface features (mountains, volcanoes, and islands)--and the movement of the tectonic plates that lie below--offer hints about the processes that produced them. Inquiries in seismology, the study of earthquakes and other ground movements, can help students learn about Earth's geologic processes. This article describes an…

Radar Imaging of Europa's Subsurface Properties and Processes: The View from Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blankenship, D. D.; Moore, W. B.; Young, D. A.; Peters, M. E.

2007-12-01

A primary objective of future Europa studies will be to characterize the distribution of shallow subsurface water as well as to identify any ice-ocean interface. Another objective will be to understand the formation of surface and subsurface features associated with interchange processes between any ocean and the surface. Achieving these objectives will require either direct or inferred knowledge of the position of any ice/water interfaces as well as any brine or layer pockets. We will review the hypothesized processes that control the thermal, compositional and structural (TCS) properties, and therefore the dielectric character, of the subsurface of Europa's icy shell. Our approach will be to extract the TCS properties for various subsurface processes thought to control the formation of major surface (e.g., ridges/bands, lenticulae, chaos, cratering...) and subsurface (e.g., rigid shell eutectics, diapirs, accretionary lenses ...) features on Europa. We will then assess the spectrum of analog processes and TCS properties represented by Earth's cryosphere including both Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets, ice shelves and valley glaciers. There are few complete analogs over the full TCS space but, because of the wide range of ice thickness, impurities and strain rates for Earth's cryosphere, there are many more analogs than many Earth and planetary researchers might imagine for significant portions of this space (e.g., bottom crevasses, marine ice shelf/subglacial lake accretion, surging polythermal glaciers...).Our ultimate objective is to use these Earth analog studies to define the radar imaging approach for Europa's subsurface that will be most useful for supporting/refuting the hypotheses for the formation of major surface/subsurface features as well as for "pure" exploration of Europa's icy shell and its interface with the underlying ocean.

INTRODUCTION: Focus on Climate Engineering: Intentional Intervention in the Climate System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2009-12-01

Geoengineering techniques for countering climate change have been receiving much press recently as a `Plan B' if a global deal to tackle climate change is not agreed at the COP15 negotiations in Copenhagen this December. However, the field is controversial as the methods may have unforeseen consequences, potentially making temperatures rise in some regions or reducing rainfall, and many aspects remain under-researched. This focus issue of Environmental Research Letters is a collection of research articles, invited by David Keith, University of Calgary, and Ken Caldeira, Carnegie Institution, that present and evaluate different methods for engineering the Earth's climate. Not only do the letters in this issue highlight various methods of climate engineering but they also detail the arguments for and against climate engineering as a concept. Further reading Focus on Geoengineering at http://environmentalresearchweb.org/cws/subject/tag=geoengineering IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science is an open-access proceedings service available at www.iop.org/EJ/journal/ees Focus on Climate Engineering: Intentional Intervention in the Climate System Contents Modification of cirrus clouds to reduce global warming David L Mitchell and William Finnegan Climate engineering and the risk of rapid climate change Andrew Ross and H Damon Matthews Researching geoengineering: should not or could not? Martin Bunzl Of mongooses and mitigation: ecological analogues to geoengineering H Damon Matthews and Sarah E Turner Toward ethical norms and institutions for climate engineering research David R Morrow, Robert E Kopp and Michael Oppenheimer On the possible use of geoengineering to moderate specific climate change impacts Michael C MacCracken The impact of geoengineering aerosols on stratospheric temperature and ozone P Heckendorn, D Weisenstein, S Fueglistaler, B P Luo, E Rozanov, M Schraner, L W Thomason and T Peter The fate of the Greenland Ice Sheet in a geoengineered, high CO2 world Peter J Irvine, Daniel J Lunt, Emma J Stone and Andy Ridgwell Assessing the benefits of crop albedo bio-geoengineering Joy S Singarayer, Andy Ridgwell and Peter Irvine Can we control El Niño? Douglas G MacMynowski Geoengineering by cloud seeding: influence on sea ice and climate system Philip J Rasch, John Latham and Chih-Chieh (Jack) Chen

Process for preparing improved silvered glass mirrors

DOEpatents

Buckwalter, Jr., Charles Q.

1981-01-01

Glass mirrors having improved weathering properties are prepared by an improvement in the process for making the mirrors. The glass surface after it has been cleaned but before it is silvered, is contacted with a solution of lanthanide rare earths in addition to a sensitization solution of tin or palladium. The addition of the rare earths produces a mirror which has increased resistance to delamination of the silver from the glass surface in the presence of water.

Process for preparing improved silvered glass mirrors

DOEpatents

Buckwalter, C.Q. Jr.

1980-01-28

Glass mirrors having improved weathering properties are prepared by an improvement in the process for making the mirrors. The glass surface after it has been cleaned but before it is silvered, is contacted with a solution of lanthanide rare earths in addition to a sensitization solution of tin or palladium. The addition of the rare earths produces a mirror which has increased resistance to delamination of the silver from the glass surface in the presence of water.

Genetics Home Reference: Peters plus syndrome

MedlinePlus

... Facebook Twitter Home Health Conditions Peters plus syndrome Peters plus syndrome Printable PDF Open All Close All ... Javascript to view the expand/collapse boxes. Description Peters plus syndrome is an inherited condition that is ...

Make Earth science education as dynamic as Earth itself

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lautenbacher, Conrad C.; Groat, Charles G.

2004-12-01

The images of rivers spilling over their banks and washing away entire towns, buildings decimated to rubble by the violent shaking of the Earth's plates, and molten lava flowing up from inside the Earth's core are constant reminders of the power of the Earth. Humans are simply at the whim of the forces of Mother Nature—or are we? Whether it is from a great natural disaster, a short-term weather event like El Nino, or longer-term processes like plate tectonics, Earth processes affect us all. Yet,we are only beginning to scratch the surface of our understanding of Earth sciences. We believe the day will come when our understanding of these dynamic Earth processes will prompt better policies and decisions about saving lives and property. One key place to start is in America's classrooms.

Understanding Geomorphological Processes on the Earth's Surface from Laboratory Experiments and the Role of Communities of Practice in Generating Reusable Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, L.

2016-12-01

Geomorphological processes move masses of sediment across the face of the Earth, from mountain tops to hillslopes, rivers, flood plains, and coastlines, on a range of temporal and spatial scales that span many orders of magnitude. These processes, sometimes spanning millennia and sometimes occurring catastrophically, affect human communities that live on and near these surface landforms. Experiments conveniently scale these processes to time and space that can be observed and measured in the laboratory. As a result, the research community has produced remarkable experimental datasets for processes such as particle transport, hillslope erosion, channel migration, and coastline evolution. These datasets build a collection that quantifies a wide range of environmental processes and contributes to hazards mitigation and the understanding of long-term effects of climate and tectonics on landscape evolution. However, technology and data acquisition rates are outgrowing capabilities for storing, maintaining, and serving the data. Solutions that improve preservation, reuse, and attribution of geomorphological data from unique experimental set-ups are germinating at different research centers. These solutions allow the cross-disciplinary data integration that is often necessary to achieving a mechanistic and holistic understanding of the processes that shape the Earth's surface. Communities of practice such as the Sediment Experimentalist Network (SEN) and the U.S. Geological Survey's Community for Data Integration (USGS CDI) play a critical role in effectively facilitating information exchange about tools, methods, and results that accelerate experimental success. Through community interactions and a culture change to generate data more fit for reuse, broad challenges in reproducibility, scaling, and integration may be addressed, leading to more rapid progress in Earth surface process research.

EDITORIAL: Focus on Advances in Surface and Interface Science 2008 FOCUS ON ADVANCES IN SURFACE AND INTERFACE SCIENCE 2008

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scheffler, Matthias; Schneider, Wolf-Dieter

2008-12-01

Basic research in surface and interface science is highly interdisciplinary, covering the fields of physics, chemistry, biophysics, geo-, atmospheric and environmental sciences, material science, chemical engineering, and more. The various phenomena are interesting by themselves, and they are most important in nearly all modern technologies, as for example electronic, magnetic, and optical devices, sensors, catalysts, lubricants, hard and thermal-barrier coatings, protection against corrosion and crack formation under harsh environments. In fact, detailed understanding of the elementary processes at surfaces is necessary to support and to advance the high technology that very much founds the prosperity and lifestyle of our society. Current state-of-the-art experimental studies of elementary processes at surfaces, of surface properties and functions employ a variety of sophisticated tools. Some are capable of revealing the location and motion of individual atoms. Others measure excitations (electronic, magnetic and vibronic), employing, for example, special light sources such as synchrotrons, high magnetic fields, or free electron lasers. The surprising variety of intriguing physical phenomena at surfaces, interfaces, and nanostructures also pose a persistent challenge for the development of theoretical descriptions, methods, and even basic physical concepts. This second focus issue on the topic of 'Advances in Surface and Interface Science' in New Journal of Physics, following on from last year's successful collection, provides an exciting synoptic view on the latest pertinent developments in the field. Focus on Advances in Surface and Interface Science 2008 Contents Organic layers at metal/electrolyte interfaces: molecular structure and reactivity of viologen monolayers Stephan Breuer, Duc T Pham, Sascha Huemann, Knud Gentz, Caroline Zoerlein, Ralf Hunger, Klaus Wandelt and Peter Broekmann Spin polarized d surface resonance state of fcc Co/Cu(001) K Miyamoto, K Iori, K Sakamoto, H Narita, A Kimura, M Taniguchi, S Qiao, K Hasegawa, K Shimada, H Namatame and S Blügel Activated associative desorption of C + O → CO from Ru(001) induced by femtosecond laser pulses S Wagner, H Öström, A Kaebe, M Krenz, M Wolf, A C Luntz and C Frischkorn Surface structure of Sn-doped In2O3 (111) thin films by STM Erie H Morales, Yunbin He, Mykola Vinnichenko, Bernard Delley and Ulrike Diebold Coulomb oscillations in three-layer graphene nanostructures J Güttinger, C Stampfer, F Molitor, D Graf, T Ihn and K Ensslin Adsorption processes of hydrogen molecules on SiC(001), Si(001) and C(001) surfaces Xiangyang Peng, Peter Krüger and Johannes Pollmann Fermi surface nesting in several transition metal dichalcogenides D S Inosov, V B Zabolotnyy, D V Evtushinsky, A A Kordyuk, B Büchner, R Follath, H Berger and S V Borisenko Probing molecule-surface interactions through ultra-fast adsorbate dynamics: propane/Pt(111) A P Jardine, H Hedgeland, D Ward, Y Xiaoqing, W Allison, J Ellis and G Alexandrowicz A novel method achieving ultra-high geometrical resolution in scanning tunnelling microscopy R Temirov, S Soubatch, O Neucheva, A C Lassise and F S Tautz

Advancing land surface model development with satellite-based Earth observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orth, Rene; Dutra, Emanuel; Trigo, Isabel F.; Balsamo, Gianpaolo

2017-04-01

The land surface forms an essential part of the climate system. It interacts with the atmosphere through the exchange of water and energy and hence influences weather and climate, as well as their predictability. Correspondingly, the land surface model (LSM) is an essential part of any weather forecasting system. LSMs rely on partly poorly constrained parameters, due to sparse land surface observations. With the use of newly available land surface temperature observations, we show in this study that novel satellite-derived datasets help to improve LSM configuration, and hence can contribute to improved weather predictability. We use the Hydrology Tiled ECMWF Scheme of Surface Exchanges over Land (HTESSEL) and validate it comprehensively against an array of Earth observation reference datasets, including the new land surface temperature product. This reveals satisfactory model performance in terms of hydrology, but poor performance in terms of land surface temperature. This is due to inconsistencies of process representations in the model as identified from an analysis of perturbed parameter simulations. We show that HTESSEL can be more robustly calibrated with multiple instead of single reference datasets as this mitigates the impact of the structural inconsistencies. Finally, performing coupled global weather forecasts we find that a more robust calibration of HTESSEL also contributes to improved weather forecast skills. In summary, new satellite-based Earth observations are shown to enhance the multi-dataset calibration of LSMs, thereby improving the representation of insufficiently captured processes, advancing weather predictability and understanding of climate system feedbacks. Orth, R., E. Dutra, I. F. Trigo, and G. Balsamo (2016): Advancing land surface model development with satellite-based Earth observations. Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., doi:10.5194/hess-2016-628

Garver Google+ Hangout

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-31

NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver participates in a live "We The Geeks" Google+ Hangout hosted by the White House to talk about asteroids, Friday, May 31, 2013 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. An asteroid nearly three kilometers wide will pass by the Earth today at 3.6 million miles away. Garver is joined in the conversation by Bill Nye, Executive Director, Planetary Society; Ed Lu, former astronaut and CEO, B612 Foundation; Peter Diamandis, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, Planetary Resources and Jose Luis Galache, Astronomer at the International Astronomical Unions's Minor Planet Center. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Proceedings of the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory Workshop on Natural Charging of Large Space Structures in Near Earth Polar Orbit: 14-15 September 1982

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-01-25

and its sheatlwith respect to the ambient plasma. *The FPEG was designed and built by Dr. John Raitt of Utah State University apd Dr. Peter Banks of...S. J., and Kellog , P. J. (1978) Heating of the ambient ionosphere by an artificially injected electron beam, J. Geophys. Res. 83:16. 286 The above...Cartwright, D.G., Monsoon, S.J., and Kellog , P.J. (1978) Heating of the ambient ionosphere by an artificially injected electron beam, J. Geophys. Res. 83

STS-57 MS3 Wisoff, in EMU and atop the RMS, is maneuvered in OV-105's PLB

NASA Image and Video Library

1993-06-25

STS057-89-067 (25 June 1993) --- Backdropped against the blackness of space, astronaut Peter J. K. (Jeff) Wisoff, stands on a mobile foot restraint on the end of the Space Shuttle Endeavour's Remote Manipulator System (RMS). Astronauts Wisoff and G. David Low participated in a lengthy session of extravehicular activity (EVA) on the mission's fifth day in Earth-orbit. This view was recorded on 70mm film with a handheld Hasselblad camera inside the Space Shuttle Endeavour's crew cabin.

Seven Enigmas: The Universe Within and Without

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cogswell, J.

2013-04-01

Seven Enigmas was a multi-media collaborative performance work celebrating the capacity of the human spirit to imaginatively explore the universe outside and within. It was co-created by dancer and choreographer Peter Sparling and the author, a visual artist. Inspired by the spatial movement and gestural power of seven dance miniatures choreographed by Sparling, I mapped out a multimedia sculptural installation for our stage production: objects and surfaces in motion with human bodies, along with film and video projections. The piece was realized through the joint efforts of a team of artists, scientists, dancers, and musicians, and performed at the Power Center for the Performing Arts in Ann Arbor in July and again in September 1997 by the Peter Sparling Dance Company.

Antarctica obtained from a mosaic of 11 images taken by Galileo spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Galileo spacecraft image of the Earth recorded after completing its first Earth Gravity Assist. This image of Antarctica was obtained from a mosaic of 11 images taken during a ten minute period near 5:45 pm Pacific Standard Time (PST) 12-08-90 by the Galileo spacecraft imaging system. Red, green, and violet filters were used. The picture spans about 1,600 miles across the south polar latitudes of our planet. The morning day/night terminator is toward the right. The South Pole is out of sight below the picture; the visible areas of Antarctica are those lying generally south of South America. The violet-blue envelope of Earth's atmosphere is prominent along the limb to the left. At lower left, the dark blue Amundsen Sea lies to the left of the Walgreen and Bakutis Coasts. Beyond it, Peter Island reacts with the winds to produce a striking pattern of atmospheric waves. Photo provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) with alternate number P-37340, 12-19-90.

Short stature, brachydactyly, and Peters' anomaly (Peters'-plus syndrome): confirmation of autosomal recessive inheritance.

PubMed Central

de Almeida, J C; Reis, D F; Llerena Júnior, J; Barbosa Neto, J; Pontes, R L; Middleton, S; Telles, L F

1991-01-01

Two sibs with a phenotype characterised by short stature, brachydactyly, and ocular anomalies (Peters' anomaly) are reported (Peters'-plus syndrome). The consanguinity is in agreement with the proposed autosomal recessive inheritance. Images PMID:1856836

A Brief Summary of the Geomorphic Evidence for an Active Surface Hydrologic Cycle in Mars' Past

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, T. J.

2000-01-01

Because Mars is just over half the Earth's diameter (about 6800 km), it does not exhibit global tectonism on a scale comparable to Earth and Venus. But because it is still a large body compared to Mercury and the moon, it has had an atmosphere and climate over the history of the solar system. This is why Mars has been able to retain surfaces produced both through volcanic and climatic processes that are intermediate in age between volcanic surfaces on the moon and Mercury and both types of surfaces on Venus and Earth. For the purposes of this discussion, this has important implications about the origins and evolution of topographic depressions that potentially may have contained lakes. Tectonism is probably the most important process on Earth for producing closed depressions on the continents, and is clearly responsible for maintenance of the ocean basins through geologic time. This is probably also true for depressions in the highland terrains and lowland plains of Venus. On Mars, however, tectonism appears limited to relatively small amounts of regional extension, compression, and vertical motion largely due to crustal loading of the two major volcanic provinces - Tharsis and Elysium Impact craters and large impact basins (including all or parts of the northern plains) are clearly more important sites for potential lake basins on Mars, though they were likely more important on Earth, and Venus as well, during the period of heavy meteorite bombardment throughout the solar system prior to 3.5 Ga. Comparisons of the relative importance of other formative processes on Mars with those on Earth are less obvious, and some may be quite speculative, since our understanding of the early Martian environment is still rather limited. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Geobiology: A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Earth's Surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sumner, D. Y.

2016-12-01

A topic of study becomes a new field when it provides a useful conceptual framework for understanding suites of important processes. Geobiology integrates microbial biology with Earth sciences in a way that allows us to ask - and answer - deeper questions about Earth and the life on it. Recent studies of the oxidation of Earth's surface exemplify the impact of Geobiology as a new field. For decades, scientists have understood that Earth's surface was oxidized by photosynthesis. Geochemical records indicate dramatic redox changes both globally, e.g. the loss of MIF sulfur signatures due to formation of an ozone layer, and locally, as preserved in sedimentary rocks. However, these records depend critically on the dynamics of both the global biosphere and local microbial ecology. For example, an increase in global redox due to photosynthetic iron oxidation has different biogeochemical implications than an increase from oxygenic photosynthesis; O2 reacts very differently with organic matter and minerals than iron oxyhydroxides do, influencing microbial ecology as well as potential geochemical signatures in sedimentary rocks. Thus, studies of modern microbial communities provide insights into the interactions among metabolisms and geochemical gradients that have shaped Earth's redox history. For example, the ability of cyanobacteria to create O2 oases in benthic mats and soils on land provides a new framework for evaluating redox-sensitive elemental fluxes to the ocean. Similarly, genomic studies of Cyanobacteria have revealed close relatives, Melainabacteria, that are mostly obligate anaerobes. The evolutionary relationships between these two groups, as preserved in their genomes, reflect important microbial processes that led to oxidation of Earth's surface. By combining insights from microbial biology and sedimentary geochemistry, geobiologists will develop significantly more accurate models of the interactions between life and Earth.

The Travails of Criticality: Understanding Peter McLaren's Revolutionary Vocation. An Article Review of Peter McLaren, "Pedagogy of Insurrection" (New York: Peter Lang, 2015)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baldacchino, John

2017-01-01

This is an article review of Peter McLaren's "Pedagogy of Insurrection" (New York: Peter Lang, 2015). While it seeks to position McLaren's work within the context of critical pedagogy, this paper also assesses McLaren from the wider discussion of Marxist--Hegelian discourse as it evolved within the Left. Engaging with McLaren critically,…

ARC-1990-AC91-2017

NASA Image and Video Library

1990-12-19

This color picture of the limb of the Earth, looking north past Antarctica, is a mosaic of 11 images taken during a ten-minute period near 5:45 p.m. PST Dec. 8, 1990, by Galileo's imaging system. Red, green and violet filters were used. The picture spans about 1,600 miles across the south polar latitudes of our planet The morning day/night terminator is toward the right. The South Pole is out of sight below the picture; the visible areas of Antarctica are those lying generally south of South America. The violet-blue envelope of Earth's atmosphere is prominent along the limb to the left. At lower left, the dark blue Amundsen Sea lies to the left of the Walgreen and Bakutis Coasts. Beyond it, Peter Island reacts with the winds to produce a striking pattern of atmosperic waves. (JPL ref. No. P-37340)

R. S. Peters and the Periphery

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haynes, Bruce

2013-01-01

Paul Hirst claimed that Richard Peters "revolutionised philosophy of education". This does not accord with my experience in the Antipodean periphery. My experience of the work of Wittgenstein, Austin and Kovesi before reading Peters and Dewey, Kuhn and Toulmin subsequently meant that Peters was a major but not revolutionary figure in my…

F. Sherwood Rowland, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and the Thinning of the

Science.gov Websites

refrigerators was slowly destroying Earth's ozone layer ... . The compounds [chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs not live on Earth's surface. Moreover, the process would continue to get worse: CFCs were so hardy

Applications of Future NASA Decadal Missions for Observing Earth's Land and Water Processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luvall, Jeffrey C.; Hook, Simon; Brown, Molly E.; Tzortziou, Maria A.; Carroll, Mark; Escobar, Vanessa M.; Omar, Ali

2013-01-01

Misson Objective: To collect altimetry data of the Earth's surface optimized to measure ice sheet elevation change and sea ice thickness, while also generating an estimate of global vegetation biomass.

Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) algorithm theoretical basis document. volume 2; Geolocation, calibration, and ERBE-like analyses (subsystems 1-3)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wielicki, B. A. (Principal Investigator); Barkstrom, B. R. (Principal Investigator); Charlock, T. P.; Baum, B. A.; Green, R. N.; Minnis, P.; Smith, G. L.; Coakley, J. A.; Randall, D. R.; Lee, R. B., III

1995-01-01

The theoretical bases for the Release 1 algorithms that will be used to process satellite data for investigation of the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) are described. The architecture for software implementation of the methodologies is outlined. Volume 2 details the techniques used to geolocate and calibrate the CERES scanning radiometer measurements of shortwave and longwave radiance to invert the radiances to top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) and surface fluxes following the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) approach, and to average the fluxes over various time and spatial scales to produce an ERBE-like product. Spacecraft ephemeris and sensor telemetry are used with calibration coefficients to produce a chronologically ordered data product called bidirectional scan (BDS) radiances. A spatially organized instrument Earth scan product is developed for the cloud-processing subsystem. The ERBE-like inversion subsystem converts BDS radiances to unfiltered instantaneous TOA and surface fluxes. The TOA fluxes are determined by using established ERBE techniques. Hourly TOA fluxes are computed from the instantaneous values by using ERBE methods. Hourly surface fluxes are estimated from TOA fluxes by using simple parameterizations based on recent research. The averaging process produces daily, monthly-hourly, and monthly means of TOA and surface fluxes at various scales. This product provides a continuation of the ERBE record.

Our life is protected by the Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field: what aurora research tells us.

PubMed

Kamide, Y

2001-01-01

Our sun is an average middle-aged star. Without the sun, there would be no atmosphere, no water, and no life on the Earth. The sun is constantly changing, providing the Earth with energy through a complicated chain of processes that occur in space surrounding the Earth. This paper demonstrates that life on Earth is protected by two barriers, i.e., the atmosphere and the magnetic field, against otherwise menacing events in space. Because of these shielding effects, we, peacefully sitting on the Earth's surface, are not aware of a number of critical and potentially dangerous episodes that are taking place only 100 km above the Earth's surface. The aurora, which dances in the polar sky also because of the two barriers, is sending us a crucial hint about what is happening in space.

The Lakes and Seas of Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayes, Alexander G.

2016-06-01

Analogous to Earth's water cycle, Titan's methane-based hydrologic cycle supports standing bodies of liquid and drives processes that result in common morphologic features including dunes, channels, lakes, and seas. Like lakes on Earth and early Mars, Titan's lakes and seas preserve a record of its climate and surface evolution. Unlike on Earth, the volume of liquid exposed on Titan's surface is only a small fraction of the atmospheric reservoir. The volume and bulk composition of the seas can constrain the age and nature of atmospheric methane, as well as its interaction with surface reservoirs. Similarly, the morphology of lacustrine basins chronicles the history of the polar landscape over multiple temporal and spatial scales. The distribution of trace species, such as noble gases and higher-order hydrocarbons and nitriles, can address Titan's origin and the potential for both prebiotic and biotic processes. Accordingly, Titan's lakes and seas represent a compelling target for exploration.

Altitude and configuration of the potentiometric surface in East Nottingham and West Nottingham Townships, Chester County, Pennsylvania, April through June 2004

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hale, Lindsay B.

2006-01-01

The maps shows the potentiometric surface for an area along the western boundary of Chester County that includes parts of East Nottingham and West Nottingham Townships.  The study area is mostly uderlain by metamorphic rocks of the Peters Creek Schist and Wissahickon Formation(Sloto, 1994).  Ground water is obtained from these bedrock formations by wells that intercept fractures.

Maritime Territorial and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Disputes Involving China: Issues for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-01

lines from which the breadth of maritime entitlements are measured ) that are inconsistent with international law, including Vietnam and China, and...committed to pursue an arrangement whose intended purpose is equivalent to the Rules of Behavior Confidence Building Measure annex on surface-to-surface...International Studies), February 4, 2015; Mira Rapp-Hooper, “What’s in a Confidence Building Measure ?” Lawfare, February 8, 2015; Peter Dutton and

Insights on How NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) Monitors Our World Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

King, Michael D.

2000-01-01

The Earth Observing System (EOS) is a space-based observing system comprised of a series of satellite sensors by which scientists can monitor the Earth, a Data and Information System (EOSDIS) enabling researchers worldwide to access the satellite data, and an interdisciplinary science research program to interpret the satellite data. During this year, four EOS science missions were launched, representing observations of (1) total solar irradiance, (2) Earth radiation budget, (3) land cover and land use change, (4) ocean processes (vector wind, sea surface temperature, and ocean color), (5) atmospheric processes (aerosol and cloud properties, water vapor, and temperature and moisture profiles), and (6) tropospheric chemistry. In succeeding years many more satellites will be launched that will contribute immeasurably to our understanding of the Earth's environment. In this presentation I will describe how scientists are using EOS data to examine land use and natural hazards, environmental air quality, including dust storms over the world's deserts, cloud and radiation properties, sea surface temperature, and winds over the ocean.

Peter Wilcox: A new purple-skin, yellow flesh fresh market potato cultivar

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Peter Wilcox is a new, medium-maturing, purple-skin, yellow-flesh potato cultivar for fresh market. Peter Wilcox also produces light-colored chips, although it is being released primarily as a fresh market potato because of its skin and flesh colors. Tubers of Peter Wilcox are attractive, smooth, wi...

Mechanics of aeolian processes: Soil erosion and dust production

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mehrabadi, M. M.

1989-01-01

Aeolian (wind) processes occur as a result of atmosphere/land-surface system interactions. A thorough understanding of these processes and their physical/mechanical characterization on a global scale is essential to monitoring global change and, hence, is imperative to the fundamental goal of the Earth observing system (Eos) program. Soil erosion and dust production by wind are of consequence mainly in arid and semi arid regions which cover 36 percent of the Earth's land surface. Some recent models of dust production due to wind erosion of agricultural soils and the mechanics of wind erosion in deserts are reviewed and the difficulties of modeling the aeolian transport are discussed.

The 13 million year Cenozoic pulse of the Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jiasheng; Kravchinsky, Vadim A.; Liu, Xiuming

2015-12-01

The geomagnetic polarity reversal rate changes radically from very low to extremely high. Such process indicates fundamental changes in the Earth's core reorganization and core-mantle boundary heat flow fluctuations. However, we still do not know how critical such changes are to surface geology and climate processes. Our analysis of the geomagnetic reversal frequency, oxygen isotope record, and tectonic plate subduction rate, which are indicators of the changes in the heat flux at the core mantle boundary, climate and plate tectonic activity, shows that all these changes indicate similar rhythms on million years' timescale in the Cenozoic Era occurring with the common fundamental periodicity of ∼13 Myr during most of the time. The periodicity is disrupted only during the last 20 Myr. Such periodic behavior suggests that large scale climate and tectonic changes at the Earth's surface are closely connected with the million year timescale cyclical reorganization of the Earth's interior.

Progress in remote sensing of global land surface heat fluxes and evaporations with a turbulent heat exchange parameterization method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xuelong; Su, Bob

2017-04-01

Remote sensing has provided us an opportunity to observe Earth land surface with a much higher resolution than any of GCM simulation. Due to scarcity of information for land surface physical parameters, up-to-date GCMs still have large uncertainties in the coupled land surface process modeling. One critical issue is a large amount of parameters used in their land surface models. Thus remote sensing of land surface spectral information can be used to provide information on these parameters or assimilated to decrease the model uncertainties. Satellite imager could observe the Earth land surface with optical, thermal and microwave bands. Some basic Earth land surface status (land surface temperature, canopy height, canopy leaf area index, soil moisture etc.) has been produced with remote sensing technique, which already help scientists understanding Earth land and atmosphere interaction more precisely. However, there are some challenges when applying remote sensing variables to calculate global land-air heat and water exchange fluxes. Firstly, a global turbulent exchange parameterization scheme needs to be developed and verified, especially for global momentum and heat roughness length calculation with remote sensing information. Secondly, a compromise needs to be innovated to overcome the spatial-temporal gaps in remote sensing variables to make the remote sensing based land surface fluxes applicable for GCM model verification or comparison. A flux network data library (more 200 flux towers) was collected to verify the designed method. Important progress in remote sensing of global land flux and evaporation will be presented and its benefits for GCM models will also be discussed. Some in-situ studies on the Tibetan Plateau and problems of land surface process simulation will also be discussed.

Mapping land cover change over continental Africa using Landsat and Google Earth Engine cloud computing.

PubMed

Midekisa, Alemayehu; Holl, Felix; Savory, David J; Andrade-Pacheco, Ricardo; Gething, Peter W; Bennett, Adam; Sturrock, Hugh J W

2017-01-01

Quantifying and monitoring the spatial and temporal dynamics of the global land cover is critical for better understanding many of the Earth's land surface processes. However, the lack of regularly updated, continental-scale, and high spatial resolution (30 m) land cover data limit our ability to better understand the spatial extent and the temporal dynamics of land surface changes. Despite the free availability of high spatial resolution Landsat satellite data, continental-scale land cover mapping using high resolution Landsat satellite data was not feasible until now due to the need for high-performance computing to store, process, and analyze this large volume of high resolution satellite data. In this study, we present an approach to quantify continental land cover and impervious surface changes over a long period of time (15 years) using high resolution Landsat satellite observations and Google Earth Engine cloud computing platform. The approach applied here to overcome the computational challenges of handling big earth observation data by using cloud computing can help scientists and practitioners who lack high-performance computational resources.

Automated protocols for spaceborne sub-meter resolution "Big Data" products for Earth Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neigh, C. S. R.; Carroll, M.; Montesano, P.; Slayback, D. A.; Wooten, M.; Lyapustin, A.; Shean, D. E.; Alexandrov, O.; Macander, M. J.; Tucker, C. J.

2017-12-01

The volume of available remotely sensed data has grown exceeding Petabytes per year and the cost for data, storage systems and compute power have both dropped exponentially. This has opened the door for "Big Data" processing systems with high-end computing (HEC) such as the Google Earth Engine, NASA Earth Exchange (NEX), and NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS). At the same time, commercial very high-resolution (VHR) satellites have grown into a constellation with global repeat coverage that can support existing NASA Earth observing missions with stereo and super-spectral capabilities. Through agreements with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center is acquiring Petabytes of global sub-meter to 4 meter resolution imagery from WorldView-1,2,3 Quickbird-2, GeoEye-1 and IKONOS-2 satellites. These data are a valuable no-direct cost for the enhancement of Earth observation research that supports US government interests. We are currently developing automated protocols for generating VHR products to support NASA's Earth observing missions. These include two primary foci: 1) on demand VHR 1/2° ortho mosaics - process VHR to surface reflectance, orthorectify and co-register multi-temporal 2 m multispectral imagery compiled as user defined regional mosaics. This will provide an easy access dataset to investigate biodiversity, tree canopy closure, surface water fraction, and cropped area for smallholder agriculture; and 2) on demand VHR digital elevation models (DEMs) - process stereo VHR to extract VHR DEMs with the NASA Ames stereo pipeline. This will benefit Earth surface studies on the cryosphere (glacier mass balance, flow rates and snow depth), hydrology (lake/water body levels, landslides, subsidence) and biosphere (forest structure, canopy height/cover) among others. Recent examples of products used in NASA Earth Science projects will be provided. This HEC API could foster surmounting prior spatial-temporal limitations while providing broad benefits to Earth Science.

Integration of Geophysical and Geochemical Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamagishi, Y.; Suzuki, K.; Tamura, H.; Nagao, H.; Yanaka, H.; Tsuboi, S.

2006-12-01

Integration of geochemical and geophysical data would give us a new insight to the nature of the Earth. It should advance our understanding for the dynamics of the Earth's interior and surface processes. Today various geochemical and geophysical data are available on Internet. These data are stored in various database systems. Each system is isolated and provides own format data. The goal of this study is to display both the geochemical and geophysical data obtained from such databases together visually. We adopt Google Earth as the presentation tool. Google Earth is virtual globe software and is provided free of charge by Google, Inc. Google Earth displays the Earth's surface using satellite images with mean resolution of ~15m. We display any graphical features on Google Earth by KML format file. We have developed softwares to convert geochemical and geophysical data to KML file. First of all, we tried to overlay data from Georoc and PetDB and seismic tomography data on Google Earth. Georoc and PetDB are both online database systems for geochemical data. The data format of Georoc is CSV and that of PetDB is Microsoft Excel. The format of tomography data we used is plain text. The conversion software can process these different file formats. The geochemical data (e. g. compositional abundance) is displayed as a three-dimensional column on the Earth's surface. The shape and color of the column mean the element type. The size and color tone vary according to the abundance of the element. The tomography data can be converted into a KML file for each depth. This overlay plot of geochemical data and tomography data should help us to correlate internal temperature anomalies to geochemical anomalies, which are observed at the surface of the Earth. Our tool can convert any geophysical and geochemical data to a KML as long as the data is associated with longitude and latitude. We are going to support more geophysical data formats. In addition, we are currently trying to obtain scientific insights for the Earth's interior based on the view of both geophysical and geochemical data on Google Earth.

Peter F. Green - Deputy Laboratory Director, Science and Technology |

Science.gov Websites

NREL Peter F. Green - Deputy Laboratory Director, Science and Technology Peter F. Green - Deputy Laboratory Director, Science and Technology A photo of Peter Green. Green came to NREL in August than 250 collaborative publications and 20 patent disclosures. Green also served as the B.F. Goodrich

Surveys of the earth's resources and environment by satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nordberg, W.; Tiedemann, H.; Bohn, C.

1975-01-01

The potential and promise of observing the earth from the vantage point of space is discussed. The systematic surveying of processes and phenomena occurring on the surface of the earth by Landsat 1 and Nimbus 5 is considered to be useful in the following areas: assessment of water resources; mineral and petroleum exploration; land use planning; crop, forest, and rangeland inventory; assessment of flood, earthquake, and other environmental hazards; monitoring coastal processes; environmental effects of industrial effluents and of air pollution; mapping the distribution and types of ice covering the earth's polar caps and global soil moisture distributions.

KSC-2012-2042

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-04-12

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Peter Cullen, the voice of OPTIMUS PRIME from the "Transformers" franchise, addresses students and teachers involved with the NASA OPTIMUS PRIME Spinoff Video Contest in the Rocket Garden of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The contest challenged students in grades three through 12 to study NASA spinoff technologies and produce short, creative videos promoting their favorites. The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Innovative Partnerships Office in Greenbelt, Md., designed the contest to help students see the benefits of NASA technology here on Earth. NASA collaborated with Hasbro in using the OPTIMUS PRIME character. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Talking about Life

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Impey, Chris

2010-08-01

Preface; Part I. Introduction Timothy Ferris, Iris Fry, Steven Dick, Ann Druyan, Pinky Nelson, Neil Tyson, Steve Benner and William Bains; Part II. Earth Roger Buick, Lynn Rothschild, John Baross, Joe Kirschvink, Andrew Knoll, Simon Conway Morris, Roger Hanlon and Lori Marino; Part III. Solar System Chris McKay, David Grinspoon, Jonathan Lunine, Carolyn Porco, Laurie Leshin, Guy Consolmagno and Peter Smith; Part IV. Exoplanets Alan Boss, Geoff Marcy, Debra Fischer, Sara Seager, David Charbonneau and Vikki Meadows; Part V. Frontiers Jill Tarter, Seth Shostak, Ray Kurzweil, Nick Bostrom, Paul Davies, Martin Rees, Ben Bova and Jennifer Michael Hecht; Reading list; Glossary; Index.

Machupo Virus Glycoprotein Determinants for Human Transferrin Receptor 1 Binding and Cell Entry

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-01

conserved residues mapping to the surface of the determined MACV GP1 crystal structure (DNAStar Lasergene Software ). We identified ten residues of...2010) http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/ BiodefenseRelated/Biodefense/research/CatA.htm. 8. Peters CJ, Kuehne RW, Mercado RR, Le Bow RH, Spertzel RO, et

Observation of the Earth by radar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elachi, C.

1982-01-01

Techniques and applications of radar observation from Earth satellites are discussed. Images processing and analysis of these images are discussed. Also discussed is radar imaging from aircraft. Uses of this data include ocean wave analysis, surface water evaluation, and topographic analysis.

EarthShape: A Strategy for Investigating the Role of Biota on Surface Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ehlers, T. A.; von Blanckenburg, F.; Übernickel, K.; Paulino, L.

2016-12-01

EarthShape - "Earth surface shaping by biota" is a 6-year priority research program funded by the German science foundation (DFG-SPP 1803) that performs soil- and landscape-scale critical zone research at 4 locations along a climate gradient in the Chilean Coastal Cordillera. This region was selected because of its north-south orientation such that it captures a large ecological and climate gradient ranging from hyper-arid to temperate to humid conditions. The sites comprise granitic, previously unglaciated mountain ranges. EarthShape involves an interdisciplinary collaboration between geologists, geomorphologists, ecologists, soil scientists, microbiologists, geophysicists, geochemists, and hydrogeologists including 18 German and 8 Chilean institutions. EarthShape is composed of 4 research clusters representing the process chain from weathering of substrate to deposition of eroded material. Cluster 1 explores micro-biota as the "weathering engine". Investigations in this cluster quantify different mechanisms of biogenic weathering whereby plants, fungi, and bacteria interact with rock in the production of soil. Cluster 2 explores bio-mediated redistribution of material within the weathering zone. Studies in this cluster focus on soil catenas along hill slope profiles to investigate the modification of matter along its transport path. Cluster 3 explores biotic modulation of erosion and sediment routing at the catchment scale. Investigations in this cluster explore the effects of vegetation cover on solute and sediment transport from hill slopes to the channel network. Cluster 4 explores the depositional legacy of coupled biogenic and Earth surface systems. This cluster investigates records of vegetation-land surface interactions in different depositional settings. A final component of EarthShape lies in the integration of results from these 4 clusters using numerical models to bridging between the diverse times scales used by different disciplines.

Mesoscale mapping of available solar energy at the earth's surface by use of satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hiser, H. W.; Senn, H. V.

1980-01-01

A method is presented for use of cloud images in the visual spectrum from the SMS/GOES geostationary satellites to determine the hourly distribution of sunshine on the mesoscale. Cloud coverage and density as a function of time of day and season are evaluated through the use of digital data processing techniques. Seasonal geographic distributions of cloud cover/sunshine are converted to joules of solar radiation received at the earth's surface through relationships developed from long-term measurements of these two parameters at six widely distributed stations. The technique can be used to generate maps showing the geographic distribution of total solar radiation on the mesoscale which is received at the earth's surface.

Thematic Mapper research in the earth sciences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salomonson, Vincent V.; Stuart, Locke

1989-01-01

This paper's studies were initiated under the NASA program for the purpose of conducting the earth sciences research using the Landsat Thematic Mapper. The goals of the program include studies of the factors influencing the growth, health, condition, and distribution of vegetation on the earth; the processes controlling the evolution of the earth's crust; the earth's water budget and the hydrologic processes that operate at local, regional, and global scales; the physical and chemical interaction between different types of surficial materials; and the interaction between the earth's surface and its atmosphere. Twenty-seven domestic and five foreign investigations were initiated in 1985, with the results from most of them already published (one study was terminated due to the delay in the TDRSS). Twelve of the studies addressed hydrology, snow and ice, coastal processes, and near-shore oceanographic phenomena; seven addressed vegetation, soils, or animal habitat; and twelve addressed geologic subjects.

Size-Selective Modes of Aeolian Transport on Earth and Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swann, C.; Ewing, R. C.; Sherman, D. J.; McLean, C. J.

2016-12-01

Aeolian sand transport is a dominant driver of surface change and dust emission on Mars. Estimates of aeolian sand transport on Earth and Mars rely on terrestrial transport models that do not differentiate between transport modes (e.g., creep vs. saltation), which limits estimates of the critical threshold for transport and the total sand flux during a transport event. A gap remains in understanding how the different modes contribute to the total sand flux. Experiments conducted at the MARtian Surface WInd Tunnel separated modes of transport for uniform and mixed grain size surfaces at Earth and Martian atmospheric pressures. Crushed walnut shells with a density of 1.0 gm/cm3 were used. Experiments resolved grain size distributions for creeping and saltating grains over 3 uniform surfaces, U1, U2, and U3, with median grain sizes of 308 µm, 721 µm, and 1294 µm, and a mixed grain size surface, M1, with median grain sizes of 519 µm. A mesh trap located 5 cm above the test bed and a surface creep trap were deployed to capture particles moving as saltation and creep. Grains that entered the creep trap at angles ≥ 75° were categorized as moving in creep mode only. Only U1 and M1 surfaces captured enough surface creep at both Earth and Mars pressure for statistically significant grain size analysis. Our experiments show that size selective transport differs between Earth and Mars conditions. The median grain size of particles moving in creep for both uniform and mixed surfaces are larger under Earth conditions. (U1Earth = 385 µm vs. U1Mars = 355 µm; M1Earth = 762 vs. M1Mars = 697 µm ). However, particles moving in saltation were larger under Mars conditions (U1Earth = 282 µm; U1Mars = 309 µm; M1Earth = 347 µm; M1Mars = 454 µm ). Similar to terrestrial experiments, the median size of surface creep is larger than the median grain size of saltation. Median sizes of U1, U2, U3 at Mars conditions for creep was 355 µm, 774 µm and 1574 µm. Saltation at Mars conditions over the same surfaces was 309 µm, 695 µm and 1398 µm. For the mixed surfaces under Earth and Mars conditions, the size selection process resulted the formation of incipient ripples that migrated over a finer substrate. Determining the modes of transport under Martian conditions refines our understanding of the development of deflationary surfaces and bed forms.

An open source Bayesian Monte Carlo isotope mixing model with applications in Earth surface processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arendt, Carli A.; Aciego, Sarah M.; Hetland, Eric A.

2015-05-01

The implementation of isotopic tracers as constraints on source contributions has become increasingly relevant to understanding Earth surface processes. Interpretation of these isotopic tracers has become more accessible with the development of Bayesian Monte Carlo (BMC) mixing models, which allow uncertainty in mixing end-members and provide methodology for systems with multicomponent mixing. This study presents an open source multiple isotope BMC mixing model that is applicable to Earth surface environments with sources exhibiting distinct end-member isotopic signatures. Our model is first applied to new δ18O and δD measurements from the Athabasca Glacier, which showed expected seasonal melt evolution trends and vigorously assessed the statistical relevance of the resulting fraction estimations. To highlight the broad applicability of our model to a variety of Earth surface environments and relevant isotopic systems, we expand our model to two additional case studies: deriving melt sources from δ18O, δD, and 222Rn measurements of Greenland Ice Sheet bulk water samples and assessing nutrient sources from ɛNd and 87Sr/86Sr measurements of Hawaiian soil cores. The model produces results for the Greenland Ice Sheet and Hawaiian soil data sets that are consistent with the originally published fractional contribution estimates. The advantage of this method is that it quantifies the error induced by variability in the end-member compositions, unrealized by the models previously applied to the above case studies. Results from all three case studies demonstrate the broad applicability of this statistical BMC isotopic mixing model for estimating source contribution fractions in a variety of Earth surface systems.

President's message: We must remain committed to scientific integrity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McPhaden, Michael

2012-02-01

During the third week of February our global community of Earth and space scientists witnessed the shocking fall from grace of an accomplished AGU member who betrayed the principles of scientific integrity. In doing so he compromised AGU's credibility as a scientific society, weakened the public's trust in scientists, and produced fresh fuel for the unproductive and seemingly endless ideological firestorm surrounding the reality of the Earth's changing climate. Peter Gleick resigned as chair of AGU's Task Force on Scientific Ethics on 16 February, prior to admitting in a blog post that he obtained documents from the Heartland Institute under false pretenses. His transgression cannot be condoned, regardless of his motives. It is a tragedy that requires us to stop and reflect on what we value as scientists and how we want to be perceived by the public. Here are a few things that come immediately to mind:

The Contribution of GGOS to Understanding Dynamic Earth Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gross, Richard

2017-04-01

Geodesy is the science of the Earth's shape, size, gravity and rotation, including their evolution in time. Geodetic observations play a major role in the solid Earth sciences because they are fundamental for the understanding and modeling of Earth system processes. Changes in the Earth's shape, its gravitational field, and its rotation are caused by external forces acting on the Earth system and internal processes involving mass transfer and exchange of angular and linear momentum. Thus, variations in these geodetic quantities of the Earth reflect and constrain mechanical and thermo-dynamic processes in the Earth system. Mitigating the impact on human life and property of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, debris flows, landslides, land subsidence, sea level change, tsunamis, floods, storm surges, hurricanes and extreme weather is an important scientific task to which geodetic observations make fundamental contributions. Geodetic observations can be used to monitor the pre-eruptive deformation of volcanoes and the pre-seismic deformation of earthquake fault zones, aiding in the issuance of volcanic eruption and earthquake warnings. They can also be used to rapidly estimate earthquake fault motion, aiding in the modeling of tsunami genesis and the issuance of tsunami warnings. Geodetic observations are also used in other areas of the Earth sciences, not just the solid Earth sciences. For example, geodesy contributes to atmospheric science by supporting both observation and prediction of the weather by geo-referencing meteorological observing data and by globally tracking change in stratospheric mass and lower tropospheric water vapor fields. Geodetic measurements of refraction profiles derived from satellite occultation data are routinely assimilated into numerical weather prediction models. Geodesy contributes to hydrologic studies by providing a unique global reference system for measurements of: sub-seasonal, seasonal and secular movements of continental and basin-scale water masses; loading and unloading of the land surface due to seasonal changes of groundwater; measurement of water level of major lakes and rivers by satellite altimetry; and improved digital terrain models as basis for flux modeling of surface water and flood modeling. Geodesy is crucial for cryospheric studies because of its ability to measure the motions of ice masses and changes in their volumes. Ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice are intricately linked to the Earth's climate system. They store a record of past climate; they strongly affect surface energy budget, global water cycle, and sea-level change; and they are sensitive indicators of climate change. Geodesy is at the heart of all present-day ocean studies. Geodetic observations uniquely produce accurate, quantitative, and integrated observations of gravity, ocean circulation, sea surface height, ocean bottom pressure, and mass exchanges among the ocean, cryosphere, and land. Geodetic observations have made fundamental contributions to monitoring and understanding physical ocean processes. In particular, geodesy is the basic technique used to determine an accurate geoid model, allowing for the determination of absolute surface geostrophic currents, which are necessary to quantify heat transport of the ocean. Geodesy also provides the absolute reference for tide gauge measurements, allowing those measurements to be merged with satellite altimetric measurements to provide a coherent worldwide monitoring system for sea level change. In this presentation, selected examples of the contribution of geodetic observations to understanding the dynamic Earth system will be presented.

Hydrogeology for land-use planning: the Peters Creek area, Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brunett, Jilann O.; Lee, Michael

1983-01-01

Wells currently provide all water supplies in the area. Most wells obtain enough water for individual household needs from unconsolidated, principally glacial and glacioalluvial deposits. In some places, however, wells must be drilled into the underlying bedrock to obtain adequate supplies. It may be possible to develop small community supplies--for individual trailer courts or subdivisions--in areas where yields of 20 gallons per minute or greater are reported for private, domestic wells. Peters Creek is a potential source of surface-water supply, but it would have to be treated to remove glacial silt during summer months. The chemical quality of both ground water and surface water in the area in generally acceptable for most uses. Foundation and excavation conditions, the potential for water pollution from onsite disposal of wastewater through septic tank systems, and the suitability of specific areas for certain types of development may be affected by the following factors: wetlands and areas of shallow ground water underlie about 30 percent of the study area; landslope exceeds 20 percent in about a third of the area; areas of fine-grained, low-permeability sediments are present locally; bedrock is within 25 feet of the land surface in about a third of the area. (USGS)

Evidence for primordial water in Earth's deep mantle.

PubMed

Hallis, Lydia J; Huss, Gary R; Nagashima, Kazuhide; Taylor, G Jeffrey; Halldórsson, Sæmundur A; Hilton, David R; Mottl, Michael J; Meech, Karen J

2015-11-13

The hydrogen-isotope [deuterium/hydrogen (D/H)] ratio of Earth can be used to constrain the origin of its water. However, the most accessible reservoir, Earth's oceans, may no longer represent the original (primordial) D/H ratio, owing to changes caused by water cycling between the surface and the interior. Thus, a reservoir completely isolated from surface processes is required to define Earth's original D/H signature. Here we present data for Baffin Island and Icelandic lavas, which suggest that the deep mantle has a low D/H ratio (δD more negative than -218 per mil). Such strongly negative values indicate the existence of a component within Earth's interior that inherited its D/H ratio directly from the protosolar nebula. Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Climate-sensitive feedbacks between hillslope processes and fluvial erosion in sediment-driven incision models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skov, Daniel S.; Egholm, David L.

2016-04-01

Surface erosion and sediment production seem to have accelerated globally as climate cooled in the Late Cenozoic, [Molnar, P. 2004, Herman et al 2013]. Glaciers emerged in many high mountain ranges during the Quaternary, and glaciation therefore represents a likely explanation for faster erosion in such places. Still, observations and measurements point to increases in erosion rates also in landscapes where erosion is driven mainly by fluvial processes [Lease and Ehlers (2013), Reusser (2004)]. Flume experiments and fieldwork have shown that rates of incision are to a large degree controlled by the sediment load of streams [e.g. Sklar and Dietrich (2001), Beer and Turowski (2015)]. This realization led to the formulation of sediment-flux dependent incision models [Sklar and Dietrich (2004)]. The sediment-flux dependence links incision in the channels to hillslope processes that supply sediment to the channels. The rates of weathering and soil transport on the hillslopes are processes that are likely to respond to changing temperatures, e.g. because of vegetation changes or the occurrence of frost. In this study, we perform computational landscape evolution experiments, where the coupling between fluvial incision and hillslope processes is accounted for by coupling a sediment-flux-dependent model for fluvial incision to a climate-dependent model for weathering and hillslope sediment transport. The computational experiments first of all demonstrate a strong positive feedback between channel and hillslope processes. In general, faster weathering leads to higher rates of channel incision, which further increases the weathering rates, mainly because of hillslope steepening. Slower weathering leads to the opposite result. The experiments also demonstrate, however, that the feedbacks vary significantly between different parts of a drainage network. For example, increasing hillslope sediment production may accelerate incision in the upper parts of the catchment, while at the same time the channel bed in the lower parts become shielded from incision by a perpetual sediment cover and incision stalls. These differences cause transients of erosion to migrate through the drainage network. Beer, Alexander R., and J. M. Turowski. "Bedload transport controls bedrock erosion under sediment-starved conditions." Earth Surface Dynamics 3.3 (2015): 291-309. Herman, Frédéric, et al. "Worldwide acceleration of mountain erosion under a cooling climate." Nature 504.7480 (2013): 423-426. Lease, Richard O., and Todd A. Ehlers. "Incision into the Eastern Andean plateau during Pliocene cooling." Science 341.6147 (2013): 774-776. Molnar, Peter. "Late Cenozoic increase in accumulation rates of terrestrial sediment: how might climate change have affected erosion rates?." Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 32 (2004): 67-89. Reusser, Luke J., et al. "Rapid Late Pleistocene incision of Atlantic passive-margin river gorges." Science 305.5683 (2004): 499-502. Sklar, Leonard S., and William E. Dietrich. "Sediment and rock strength controls on river incision into bedrock." Geology 29.12 (2001): 1087-1090. Sklar, Leonard S., and William E. Dietrich. "A mechanistic model for river incision into bedrock by saltating bed load." Water Resources Research 40.6 (2004).

Early stages in the evolution of the atmosphere and climate on the Earth-group planets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moroz, V. I.; Mukhin, L. M.

1977-01-01

The early evolution of the atmospheres and climate of the Earth, Mars and Venus is discussed, based on a concept of common initial conditions and main processes (besides known differences in chemical composition and outgassing rate). It is concluded that: (1) liquid water appeared on the surface of the earth in the first few hundred million years; the average surface temperature was near the melting point for about the first two eons; CO2 was the main component of the atmosphere in the first 100-500 million years; (2) much more temperate outgassing and low solar heating led to the much later appearance of liquid water on the Martian surface, only one to two billion years ago; the Martian era of rivers, relatively dense atmosphere and warm climate ended as a result of irreversible chemical bonding of CO2 by Urey equilibrium processes; (3) a great lack of water in the primordial material of Venus is proposed; liquid water never was present on the surface of the planet, and there was practically no chemical bonding of CO2; the surface temperature was over 600 K four billion years ago.

STS-81 Flight Day 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

On this seventh first day of the STS-81 mission, the flight crew, Cmdr. Michael A. Baker, Pilot Brent W. Jett, Mission Specialists, John M. Grunsfeld, Marsha S. Ivins, Peter J.K. Wisoff, and John Blaha, and the cosmonauts of the Russian Space Station Mir continue to transfer hundreds of pounds of water, supplies, and logistical items to each other's spacecraft. More than 1,300 pounds of water have now been transferred from Atlantis to the Mir to resupply the Russian outpost, along with equipment that will be used by astronaut Jerry M. Linenger during his four-month research mission. A bioprocessing device and an experiment used to grow cartilage cells during astronaut John Blaha's four month stay on the Mir is also transferred to Atlantis for the trip back to Earth. Linenger spends most of the day collecting water samples from the Mir for analysis back on Earth and Blaha continues to exercise on a treadmill on the Mir to stay in shape for his return to Earth and a readaptation to gravity after four months of weightlessness.

Archiving, processing, and disseminating ASTER products at the USGS EROS Data Center

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jones, B.; Tolk, B.; ,

2002-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center archives, processes, and disseminates Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data products. The ASTER instrument is one of five sensors onboard the Earth Observing System's Terra satellite launched December 18, 1999. ASTER collects broad spectral coverage with high spatial resolution at near infrared, shortwave infrared, and thermal infrared wavelengths with ground resolutions of 15, 30, and 90 meters, respectively. The ASTER data are used in many ways to understand local and regional earth-surface processes. Applications include land-surface climatology, volcanology, hazards monitoring, geology, agronomy, land cover change, and hydrology. The ASTER data are available for purchase from the ASTER Ground Data System in Japan and from the Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center in the United States, which receives level 1A and level 1B data from Japan on a routine basis. These products are archived and made available to the public within 48 hours of receipt. The level 1A and level 1B data are used to generate higher level products that include routine and on-demand decorrelation stretch, brightness temperature at the sensor, emissivity, surface reflectance, surface kinetic temperature, surface radiance, polar surface and cloud classification, and digital elevation models. This paper describes the processes and procedures used to archive, process, and disseminate standard and on-demand higher level ASTER products at the Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center.

The Federal Republic of Germany and Left Wing Terrorism

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-12-01

Stoll, Peter Jurgen Boock, Susan Albrecht, Rolf Clemens Wagner, and Stefan Wisniewski. 49 Merkl , p. 199. 50 Ibid, p. 192. 51 Hans-Joachim Klein...during each 2 Peter H. Merkl , “Rollerball or Neo-Nazi Violence?,” in Peter H. Merkl (ed...commitment to non-violence is hypocritical.”28 Peter Merkl described the situation best when he said, “Terrorism, of course is not the logical result of

Seismic anisotropy and large-scale deformation of the Eastern Alps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bokelmann, Götz; Qorbani, Ehsan; Bianchi, Irene

2013-12-01

Mountain chains at the Earth's surface result from deformation processes within the Earth. Such deformation processes can be observed by seismic anisotropy, via the preferred alignment of elastically anisotropic minerals. The Alps show complex deformation at the Earth's surface. In contrast, we show here that observations of seismic anisotropy suggest a relatively simple pattern of internal deformation. Together with earlier observations from the Western Alps, the SKS shear-wave splitting observations presented here show one of the clearest examples yet of mountain chain-parallel fast orientations worldwide, with a simple pattern nearly parallel to the trend of the mountain chain. In the Eastern Alps, the fast orientations do not connect with neighboring mountain chains, neither the present-day Carpathians, nor the present-day Dinarides. In that region, the lithosphere is thin and the observed anisotropy thus resides within the asthenosphere. The deformation is consistent with the eastward extrusion toward the Pannonian basin that was previously suggested based on seismicity and surface geology.

The first Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nordberg, W.

1973-01-01

The first Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1) makes images of the earth's surface in four portions of the electromagnetic spectrum with sufficient spatial resolution and with a minimum of geometric distortions, so that these images may be applied experimentally to the study of geophysical processes relating to earth resources, to the exploration and conservation of these resources, and to the assessments of environmental stresses. During the first six months of operation, ERTS-1 has imaged 6.5 million square kilometers of the earth's surface every day, covering most major land masses and coastal zones as well as both polar regions of this planet. These images as well as the results of their analyses are available to all people throughout the world. Scientific investigators of all countries have been invited to participate in the utilization of ERTS-1 observations. Many of them have already demonstrated the great efficiency, economy, and reliability of making earth surveys from space.

The New IERS Special Bureau for Loading (SBL)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

vanDam, Tonie; Plag, Hans-Peter; Blewitt, Geoffrey; Boy, Jean-Paul; Francis, Olivier; Gegout, Pascal; Kierulf, Halfdan Pascal; Sato, Tadahiro; Scherneck, Hans-Georg; Wahr, John

2002-01-01

Currently, the establishment of the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) Special Bureau for Loading (SBL) is in progress as part of the IERS Global Geophysical Fluids Center (GGFC). The main purpose of the SBL is to provide reliable, consistent model predictions of loading signals that have been thoroughly tested and validated. The products will describe at least the surface deformation, gravity signal and geo-center variations due to the various surface loading processes in reference frames relevant for direct comparison with existing geodetic observing techniques. To achieve these goals, major scientific advances are required with respect to the Earth model, the theory and algorithms used to model deformations of the Earth as well as improvements in the observational data related to surface loading.

Monitoring Earth Surface Dynamics With Optical Imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leprince, Sébastien; Berthier, Etienne; Ayoub, François; Delacourt, Christophe; Avouac, Jean-Philippe

2008-01-01

The increasing availability of high-quality optical satellite images should allow, in principle, continuous monitoring of Earth's surface changes due to geologic processes, climate change, or anthropic activity. For instance, sequential optical images have been used to measure displacements at Earth's surface due to coseismic ground deformation [e.g., Van Puymbroeck et al., 2000], ice flow [Scambos et al., 1992; Berthier et al., 2005], sand dune migration [Crippen, 1992], and landslides [Kääb, 2002; Delacourt et al., 2004]. Surface changes related to agriculture, deforestation, urbanization, and erosion-which do not involve ground displacement-might also be monitored, provided that the images can be registered with sufficient accuracy. Although the approach is simple in principle, its use is still limited, mainly because of geometric distortion of the images induced by the imaging system, biased correlation techniques, and implementation difficulties.

Water temperature effects from simulated changes to dam operations and structures in the Middle and South Santiam Rivers, Oregon

USGS Publications Warehouse

Buccola, Norman L.

2017-05-31

Green Peter and Foster Dams on the Middle and South Santiam Rivers, Oregon, have altered the annual downstream water temperature profile (cycle). Operation of the dams has resulted in cooler summer releases and warmer autumn releases relative to pre-dam conditions, and that alteration can hinder recovery of various life stages of threatened spring-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhyncus tshawytscha) and winter steelhead (O. mykiss). Lake level management and the use of multiple outlets from varying depths at the dams can enable the maintenance of a temperature regime more closely resembling that in which the fish evolved by releasing warm surface water during summer and cooler, deeper water in the autumn. At Green Peter and Foster Dams, the outlet configuration is such that temperature control is often limited by hydropower production at the dams. Previously calibrated CE-QUAL-W2 water temperature models of Green Peter and Foster Lakes were used to simulate the downstream thermal effects from hypothetical structures and modified operations at the dams. Scenarios with no minimum power production requirements allowed some releases through shallower and deeper outlets (summer and autumn) to achieve better temperature control throughout the year and less year-to-year variability in autumn release temperatures. Scenarios including a hypothetical outlet floating 1 meter below the lake surface resulted in greater ability to release warm water during summer compared to existing structures. Later in Autumn (October 15–December 31), a limited amount of temperature control was realized downstream from Foster Dam by scenarios limited to operational changes with existing structures, resulting in 15-day averages within 1.0 degree Celsius of current operations.

Anterior segment dysgenesis correlation with epithelial-mesenchymal transition in Smad4 knockout mice.

PubMed

Li, Jing; Qin, Yu; Zhao, Fang-Kun; Wu, Di; He, Xue-Fei; Liu, Jia; Zhao, Jiang-Yue; Zhang, Jin-Song

2016-01-01

To explore the molecular mechanisms in lens development and the pathogenesis of Peters anomaly in Smad4 defective mice. Le-Cre transgenic mouse line was employed to inactivate Smad4 in the surface ectoderm selectively. Pathological techniques were used to reveal the morphological changes of the anterior segment in Smad4 defective eye. Immunohistochemical staining was employed to observe the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and α-SMA in anterior segment of Smad4 defective mice and control mice at embryonic (E) day 16.5. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to detect the expression of Snail, Zeb1, Zeb2 and Twist2 in lens of Smad4 defective mice and control mice at E16.5. Statistical evaluations were performed using the unpaired Student's t-test (two-tailed) by SPSS 11.0 software. Conditional deletion of Smad4 on eye surface ectoderm resulted in corneal dysplasia, iridocorneal angle closure, corneolenticular adhesions and cataract resembling Peters anomaly. Loss of Smad4 function inhibited E-cadherin expression in the lens epithelium cells and corneal epithelium cells in Smad4 defective eye. Expression of N-cadherin was up-regulated in corneal epithelium and corneal stroma. Both E-cadherin and N-cadherin were down-regulated at the future trabecular meshwork region in mutant eye. The qPCR results showed that the expression of Twist2 was increased significantly in the mutant lens (P<0.01). Smad4 is essential to eye development and likely a candidate pathogenic gene to Peters anomaly by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Twist2 can be regulated by Smad4 and plays an essential role in lens development.

Fundamental molecules of life are pigments which arose and evolved to dissipate the solar spectrum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michaelian, K.; Simeonov, A.

2015-02-01

The driving force behind the origin and evolution of life has been the thermodynamic imperative of increasing the entropy production of the biosphere through increasing the global solar photon dissipation rate. In the upper atmosphere of today, oxygen and ozone derived from life processes are performing the short wavelength UVC and UVB dissipation. On Earth's surface, water and organic pigments in water facilitate the near UV and visible photon dissipation. The first organic pigments probably formed, absorbed, and dissipated at those photochemically active wavelengths in the UVC that could have reached Earth's surface during the Archean. Proliferation of these pigments can be understood as an autocatalytic photochemical process obeying non-equilibrium thermodynamic directives related to increasing solar photon dissipation rate. Under these directives, organic pigments would have evolved over time to increase the global photon dissipation rate by; (1) increasing the ratio of their effective photon cross sections to their physical size, (2) decreasing their electronic excited state life times, (3) quenching radiative de-excitation channels (e.g. fluorescence), (4) covering ever more completely the prevailing solar spectrum, and (5) proliferating and dispersing to cover an ever greater surface area of Earth. From knowledge of the evolution of the spectrum of G-type stars, and considering the most probable history of the transparency of Earth's atmosphere, we construct the most probable Earth surface solar spectrum as a function of time and compare this with the history of molecular absorption maxima obtained from the available data in the literature. This comparison supports the conjecture that many fundamental molecules of life are pigments which arose and evolved to dissipate the solar spectrum, supports the thermodynamic dissipation theory for the origin of life, constrains models for Earth's early atmosphere, and sheds some new light on the origin of photosynthesis.

Elevation data fitting and precision analysis of Google Earth in road survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Haibin; Luan, Xiaohan; Li, Hanchao; Jia, Jiangkun; Chen, Zhao; Han, Leilei

2018-05-01

Objective: In order to improve efficiency of road survey and save manpower and material resources, this paper intends to apply Google Earth to the feasibility study stage of road survey and design. Limited by the problem that Google Earth elevation data lacks precision, this paper is focused on finding several different fitting or difference methods to improve the data precision, in order to make every effort to meet the accuracy requirements of road survey and design specifications. Method: On the basis of elevation difference of limited public points, any elevation difference of the other points can be fitted or interpolated. Thus, the precise elevation can be obtained by subtracting elevation difference from the Google Earth data. Quadratic polynomial surface fitting method, cubic polynomial surface fitting method, V4 interpolation method in MATLAB and neural network method are used in this paper to process elevation data of Google Earth. And internal conformity, external conformity and cross correlation coefficient are used as evaluation indexes to evaluate the data processing effect. Results: There is no fitting difference at the fitting point while using V4 interpolation method. Its external conformity is the largest and the effect of accuracy improvement is the worst, so V4 interpolation method is ruled out. The internal and external conformity of the cubic polynomial surface fitting method both are better than those of the quadratic polynomial surface fitting method. The neural network method has a similar fitting effect with the cubic polynomial surface fitting method, but its fitting effect is better in the case of a higher elevation difference. Because the neural network method is an unmanageable fitting model, the cubic polynomial surface fitting method should be mainly used and the neural network method can be used as the auxiliary method in the case of higher elevation difference. Conclusions: Cubic polynomial surface fitting method can obviously improve data precision of Google Earth. The error of data in hilly terrain areas meets the requirement of specifications after precision improvement and it can be used in feasibility study stage of road survey and design.

What's In a Proton?

ScienceCinema

Brookhaven Lab

2017-12-09

Physicist Peter Steinberg explains that fundamental particles like protons are themselves made up of still smaller particles called quarks. He discusses how new particles are produced when quarks are liberated from protons...a process that can be observed

Improving the detection of tectonic transients in Japan by accounting for Earth's deformation response to surface mass loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martens, H. R.; Simons, M.; Moore, A. W.; Owen, S. E.; Rivera, L. A.

2016-12-01

We explore the contributions of oceanic, atmospheric, and hydrologic mass loading to Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-inferred observations of surface displacements in Japan. Surface mass loading (SML) generates mm- to cm-level deformation of the solid Earth on time scales of hours to years, which exceeds the measurement uncertainties of most GNSS position estimates. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of the prediction and empirical estimation of SML response, we aim to reduce the variance of GNSS time series and therefore enhance the ability to resolve subtle tectonic signals, such as aseismic transients associated with subduction zone processes. Using the GIPSY software in precise point positioning mode, we estimate time series of sub-daily receiver positions for the GNSS Earth Observation Network System (GEONET) in Japan. We also model the Earth's elastic deformation response to a variety of surface mass loads, including loads of atmospheric (e.g., ECMWF) and oceanic (e.g., TPXO8-Atlas, ECCO2) origin. We extract periodic signals, such as the ocean tides and seasonal variations in hydrological loading, using harmonic analysis. Deformation caused by non-periodic loads, such as non-tidal oceanic and atmospheric loads, can be predicted and removed to further reduce the variance. We seek to streamline the workflow for estimating SML-induced surface displacements from a variety of sources in order to account for loading signals in routine GNSS data processing, thereby improving the ability to assess the mechanics of plate boundaries.

Sedimentary Processes on Earth, Mars, Titan, and Venus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grotzinger, J. P.; Hayes, A. G.; Lamb, M. P.; McLennan, S. M.

The production, transport and deposition of sediment occur to varying degrees on Earth, Mars, Venus, and Titan. These sedimentary processes are significantly influenced by climate that affects production of sediment in source regions (weathering), and the mode by which that sediment is transported (wind vs. water). Other, more geological, factors determine where sediments are deposited (topography and tectonics). Fluvial and marine processes dominate Earth both today and in its geologic past, aeolian processes dominate modern Mars although in its past fluvial processes also were important, Venus knows only aeolian processes, and Titan shows evidence of both fluvial and aeolian processes. Earth and Mars also feature vast deposits of sedimentary rocks, spanning billions of years of planetary history. These ancient rocks preserve the long-term record of the evolution of surface environments, including variations in climate state. On Mars, sedimentary rocks record the transition from wetter, neutral-pH weathering, to brine-dominated low-pH weathering, to its dry current state.

Earth observing system: 1989 reference handbook

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

NASA is studying a coordinated effort called the Mission to Planet Earth to understand global change. The goals are to understand the Earth as a system, and to determine those processes that contribute to the environmental balance, as well as those that may result in changes. The Earth Observing System (Eos) is the centerpiece of the program. Eos will create an integrated scientific observing system that will enable multidisciplinary study of the Earth including the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, polar regions, and solid Earth. Science goals, the Eos data and information system, experiments, measuring instruments, and interdisciplinary investigations are described.

Ordovician conodonts and stratigraphy of the ST. Peter sandstone and glen wood shale, central United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Witzke, B.J.; Metzger, R.A.

2005-01-01

The age of the St. Peter Sandstone in the central and northern Midcontinent has long been considered equivocal because of the general absence of biostratigraphically useful fossils. Conodonts recovered from the St. Peter Sandstone in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Kansas for this study help place some age constraints on this renowned formation in its northern and western extent. Faunas from the lower St. Peter include Phragmodus flexuosus, Cahabagnathus sp., and Leptochirognathus sp., and a late Whiterockian (Chazyan) correlation is indicated. Juvenile or immature elements of P. flexuosus from these collections show morphologies trending toward P. cognitus and P. inflexus, and paedomorphic derivation of these latter species is proposed. Diverse assemblages of hyaline forms also occur in the St. Peter strata (Erismodus spp., Erraticodon sp., Curtognathus sp., Coleodus sp., Archeognathus sp., Stereoconus sp., others) along with various albid elements (Plectodina sp., Eoplacognathus sp., others). The overlying Glenwood Shale contains abundant conodonts dominated by Phragmodus cognitus, Erismodus sp., and Chirognathus duodactylus, and the fauna is interpreted as an early Mohawkian (Blackriveran) association. Certain thin shale units in the St. Peter-Glenwood succession represent condensed intervals, in part reflected by their exceptionally high conodont abundances. Some organic-rich phosphatic shale units in the lower St. Peter of western Iowa have produced equivalent yields of tens of thousands of conodonts per kilogram, and many Glenwood Shale samples yield thousands of conodonts per kilogram. Previous depositional models have proposed that the St. Peter is primarily a succession of littoral and nearshore facies forming a broadly diachronous transgressive sheet sand. However, broad-scale diachroneity cannot be demonstrated with available biostratigraphic control. The recognition of condensed marine shale units, phosphorites, ironstones, and pyritic hardgrounds in the western facies tract of the St. Peter Sandstone has necessitated a re-evaluation of previous regional models of St. Peter deposition. The St. Peter is interpreted to be a composite stratigraphic interval deposited during a succession of transgressive-regressive sedimentary cycles. Transgressive episodes in some cycles were marked by offshore sediment condensation or starvation within a stratified seaway.

The Sun: Source of the Earth's Energy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, Barbara J.; Fisher, Richard R. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The Sun is the primary source of the Earth's energy. However, due to the complexity in the way the energy affects Earth, the various solar sources of the energy, and the variation exhibited by the Sun it is difficult to understand and predict the Earth's response to solar drivers. In addition to visible light the radiant energy of the Sun can exhibit variation in nearly all wavelengths, which can vary over nearly all timescales. Depending on the wavelength of the incident radiation the light can deposit energy in a wide variety or locations and drive processes from below Earth's surface to interplanetary space. Other sources of energy impacting Earth include energetic particles, magnetic fields, and mass and flow variations in the solar wind. Many of these variable energetic processes cannot be coupled and recent results continue to demonstrate that the complex dynamics of the Sun can have a great range of measurable impacts on Earth.

Crustal and subcrustal nodules in ejecta from Kilbourne Hole Maar, New Mexico

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitford-Stark, J. L.

1987-01-01

Nodules retrieved from the ejecta of volcanic craters serve as the source of two major items of information. The first is in providing details of the geochemistry and mineralogy of the Earth's interior by supplying samples of materials that cannot be obtained by existing drilling techniques. The other is in providing information regarding the process which led to their transport from the Earth's interior to the surface. The primary purpose of the present study was to examine the morphology of the nodules in an attempt to place some constraints on the process that brought them to the surface. This attempt is briefly discussed.

Physical and Chemical Behaviors of HCl on Ice Surface: Insights from an XPS and NEXAFS Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, X.; Waldner, A.; Orlando, F.; Birrer, M.; Artiglia, L.; Ammann, M.; Bartels-Rausch, T.

2016-12-01

Ice and snow play active roles for the water cycle, the energy budget of the Earth, and environmental chemistry in the atmosphere and cryosphere. Trace gases can be taken up by ice, and physical and chemical fates of the impurities could modify surface properties significantly and consequently influence atmospheric chemistry and the climate system. However, the understanding of chemical behaviour of impurities on ice surface are very poor, which is largely limited by the difficulties to apply high sensitivity experimental approaches to ambient air conditions, e.g. studies of volatile surfaces, because of the strict requirements of vacuum experimental conditions. In this study, we employed synchrotron-based X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and partial electron yield Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) in a state-of-the-art near-ambient pressure photoelectron (NAPP) spectroscopy end station. The NAPP enables to utilize the surface sensitive experimental methods, XPS and NEXAFS, on volatile surfaces, i.e. ice at temperatures approaching 0°C. XPS and NEXAFS together provide unique information of hydrogen bonding network, dopants surface concentration, dopant depth profile, and acidic dissociation on the surfaces1. Taking the advantages of the highly sensitive techniques, the adsorption, dissociation and depth profile of Hydrogen Chloride (HCl) on ice were studied. In brief, two states of Chloride on ice surface are identified from the adsorbed HCl, and they are featured with different depth profiles along the ice layers. Combining our results and previously reported constants from literatures (e.g. HCl diffusion coefficients in ice)2, a layered kinetic model has been constructed to fit the depth profiles of two states of Chloride. On the other side, pure ice and doped ice are compared for their surface structure change caused by temperature and the presence of HCl, which shows how the strong acid affect the ice surface in turn. 1. Orlando, F., et al., Top Catal 2016, 59, 591-604. 2. Huthwelker, T.; Malmstrom, M. E.; Helleis, F.; Moortgat, G. K.; Peter, T., J Phys Chem A 2004, 108, 6302-6318.

Data fusion with artificial neural networks (ANN) for classification of earth surface from microwave satellite measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lure, Y. M. Fleming; Grody, Norman C.; Chiou, Y. S. Peter; Yeh, H. Y. Michael

1993-01-01

A data fusion system with artificial neural networks (ANN) is used for fast and accurate classification of five earth surface conditions and surface changes, based on seven SSMI multichannel microwave satellite measurements. The measurements include brightness temperatures at 19, 22, 37, and 85 GHz at both H and V polarizations (only V at 22 GHz). The seven channel measurements are processed through a convolution computation such that all measurements are located at same grid. Five surface classes including non-scattering surface, precipitation over land, over ocean, snow, and desert are identified from ground-truth observations. The system processes sensory data in three consecutive phases: (1) pre-processing to extract feature vectors and enhance separability among detected classes; (2) preliminary classification of Earth surface patterns using two separate and parallely acting classifiers: back-propagation neural network and binary decision tree classifiers; and (3) data fusion of results from preliminary classifiers to obtain the optimal performance in overall classification. Both the binary decision tree classifier and the fusion processing centers are implemented by neural network architectures. The fusion system configuration is a hierarchical neural network architecture, in which each functional neural net will handle different processing phases in a pipelined fashion. There is a total of around 13,500 samples for this analysis, of which 4 percent are used as the training set and 96 percent as the testing set. After training, this classification system is able to bring up the detection accuracy to 94 percent compared with 88 percent for back-propagation artificial neural networks and 80 percent for binary decision tree classifiers. The neural network data fusion classification is currently under progress to be integrated in an image processing system at NOAA and to be implemented in a prototype of a massively parallel and dynamically reconfigurable Modular Neural Ring (MNR).

Rapid response tools and datasets for post-fire modeling: Linking Earth Observations and process-based hydrological models to support post-fire remediation

Treesearch

M. E. Miller; M. Billmire; W. J. Elliot; K. A. Endsley; P. R. Robichaud

2015-01-01

Preparation is key to utilizing Earth Observations and process-based models to support post-wildfire mitigation. Post-fire flooding and erosion can pose a serious threat to life, property and municipal water supplies. Increased runoff and sediment delivery due to the loss of surface cover and fire-induced changes in soil properties are of great concern. Remediation...

Global change research related to the Earth's energy and hydrologic cycle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perkey, Donald J.

1994-01-01

The following are discussed: Geophysical Modeling and Processes; Land Surface Processes and Atmospheric Interactions; Remote Sensing Technology and Geophysical Retrievals; and Scientific Data Management and Visual Analysis.

Biological and geophysical feedbacks with fire in the Earth system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Archibald, S.; Lehmann, C. E. R.; Belcher, C. M.; Bond, W. J.; Bradstock, R. A.; Daniau, A.-L.; Dexter, K. G.; Forrestel, E. J.; Greve, M.; He, T.; Higgins, S. I.; Hoffmann, W. A.; Lamont, B. B.; McGlinn, D. J.; Moncrieff, G. R.; Osborne, C. P.; Pausas, J. G.; Price, O.; Ripley, B. S.; Rogers, B. M.; Schwilk, D. W.; Simon, M. F.; Turetsky, M. R.; Van der Werf, G. R.; Zanne, A. E.

2018-03-01

Roughly 3% of the Earth’s land surface burns annually, representing a critical exchange of energy and matter between the land and atmosphere via combustion. Fires range from slow smouldering peat fires, to low-intensity surface fires, to intense crown fires, depending on vegetation structure, fuel moisture, prevailing climate, and weather conditions. While the links between biogeochemistry, climate and fire are widely studied within Earth system science, these relationships are also mediated by fuels—namely plants and their litter—that are the product of evolutionary and ecological processes. Fire is a powerful selective force and, over their evolutionary history, plants have evolved traits that both tolerate and promote fire numerous times and across diverse clades. Here we outline a conceptual framework of how plant traits determine the flammability of ecosystems and interact with climate and weather to influence fire regimes. We explore how these evolutionary and ecological processes scale to impact biogeochemical and Earth system processes. Finally, we outline several research challenges that, when resolved, will improve our understanding of the role of plant evolution in mediating the fire feedbacks driving Earth system processes. Understanding current patterns of fire and vegetation, as well as patterns of fire over geological time, requires research that incorporates evolutionary biology, ecology, biogeography, and the biogeosciences.

Teaching climate science within the transdisciplinary framework of Critical Zone science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, T. S.; Wymore, A.; Dere, A. L. D.; Washburne, J. C.; Hoffman, A.; Conklin, M. H.

2017-12-01

During the past decade a new realm of Earth surface and environmental science has evolved, Critical Zone (CZ) science. The CZ is the outermost layer of the continents spanning from the top of the vegetation canopy down to the bottom of the fresh groundwater zone. CZ science integrates across many disciplines and cross cutting concepts, including climate science, and much progress has been made by the CZ community to develop educational curricula - descriptions of the climate science aspects of two of those follows. An interdisciplinary team of CZ scientists developed an undergraduate course entitled "Introduction to CZ science". The semester-long course is modular, has been tested in multiple university settings, and the content is available online. A primary tenet of the course is that to achieve environmental sustainability, society must understand the CZ system, the natural processes and services of the CZ that are of value to society, and how those processes operate with and without the presence of humanity. A fundamental concept in the course is that the fluxes of water, C, energy, reactive gases, particulates and nutrients throughout the CZ are directly and indirectly related to climatic phenomenon and processes. Units on land-atmosphere interactions, weathering, and water budgets highlight the connection between CZ science and climate science, and are augmented by learning activities that consider climate links to soil development and landscape evolution. An online open-source course entitled "Earth 530: Earth Surface Processes in the Critical Zone'" is offered as part of The Pennsylvania State University's Masters of Education in Earth Sciences program. The course is designed to educate teachers interested in incorporating CZ science into their classrooms, though it is usable by anyone with a basic understanding of Earth surface and environmental science. Earth 530 introduces students to knowledge needed to understand the CZ through integration of transdisciplinary science. The course structure is organized into seven units; those covering the atmosphere and climate, water, and landforms, are of particular interest to this session. Earth 530 is unique from the introductory course discussed previously in that students also consider paleoclimate and future climate predictions as part of this curriculum.

Reproducibility of UAV-based earth surface topography based on structure-from-motion algorithms.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clapuyt, François; Vanacker, Veerle; Van Oost, Kristof

2014-05-01

A representation of the earth surface at very high spatial resolution is crucial to accurately map small geomorphic landforms with high precision. Very high resolution digital surface models (DSM) can then be used to quantify changes in earth surface topography over time, based on differencing of DSMs taken at various moments in time. However, it is compulsory to have both high accuracy for each topographic representation and consistency between measurements over time, as DSM differencing automatically leads to error propagation. This study investigates the reproducibility of reconstructions of earth surface topography based on structure-from-motion (SFM) algorithms. To this end, we equipped an eight-propeller drone with a standard reflex camera. This equipment can easily be deployed in the field, as it is a lightweight, low-cost system in comparison with classic aerial photo surveys and terrestrial or airborne LiDAR scanning. Four sets of aerial photographs were created for one test field. The sets of airphotos differ in focal length, and viewing angles, i.e. nadir view and ground-level view. In addition, the importance of the accuracy of ground control points for the construction of a georeferenced point cloud was assessed using two different GPS devices with horizontal accuracy at resp. the sub-meter and sub-decimeter level. Airphoto datasets were processed with SFM algorithm and the resulting point clouds were georeferenced. Then, the surface representations were compared with each other to assess the reproducibility of the earth surface topography. Finally, consistency between independent datasets is discussed.

The effects of forest canopy shading and turbulence on boundary layer ozone.

PubMed

Makar, P A; Staebler, R M; Akingunola, A; Zhang, J; McLinden, C; Kharol, S K; Pabla, B; Cheung, P; Zheng, Q

2017-05-18

The chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere close to the surface is known to be strongly influenced by vegetation. However, two critical aspects of the forest environment have been neglected in the description of the large-scale influence of forests on air pollution: the reduction of photolysis reaction rates and the modification of vertical transport due to the presence of foliage. Here we show that foliage shading and foliage-modified vertical diffusion have a profound influence on atmospheric chemistry, both at the Earth's surface and extending throughout the atmospheric boundary layer. The absence of these processes in three-dimensional models may account for 59-72% of the positive bias in North American surface ozone forecasts, and up to 97% of the bias in forested regions within the continent. These processes are shown to have similar or greater influence on surface ozone levels as climate change and current emissions policy scenario simulations.

The effects of forest canopy shading and turbulence on boundary layer ozone

PubMed Central

Makar, P. A.; Staebler, R. M.; Akingunola, A.; Zhang, J.; McLinden, C.; Kharol, S. K.; Pabla, B.; Cheung, P.; Zheng, Q.

2017-01-01

The chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere close to the surface is known to be strongly influenced by vegetation. However, two critical aspects of the forest environment have been neglected in the description of the large-scale influence of forests on air pollution: the reduction of photolysis reaction rates and the modification of vertical transport due to the presence of foliage. Here we show that foliage shading and foliage-modified vertical diffusion have a profound influence on atmospheric chemistry, both at the Earth's surface and extending throughout the atmospheric boundary layer. The absence of these processes in three-dimensional models may account for 59–72% of the positive bias in North American surface ozone forecasts, and up to 97% of the bias in forested regions within the continent. These processes are shown to have similar or greater influence on surface ozone levels as climate change and current emissions policy scenario simulations. PMID:28516905

Mutations at the PAX6 locus are found in heterogeneous anterior segment malformations including Peters' anomaly.

PubMed

Hanson, I M; Fletcher, J M; Jordan, T; Brown, A; Taylor, D; Adams, R J; Punnett, H H; van Heyningen, V

1994-02-01

Mutation or deletion of the PAX6 gene underlies many cases of aniridia. Three lines of evidence now converge to implicate PAX6 more widely in anterior segment malformations including Peters' anomaly. First, a child with Peters' anomaly is deleted for one copy of PAX6. Second, affected members of a family with dominantly inherited anterior segment malformations, including Peters' anomaly are heterozygous for an R26G mutation in the PAX6 paired box. Third, a proportion of Sey/+ Smalleye mice, heterozygous for a nonsense mutation in murine Pax-6, have an ocular phenotype resembling Peters' anomaly. We therefore propose that a variety of anterior segment anomalies may be associated with PAX6 mutations.

Wind Streaks on Earth; Exploration and Interpretation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cohen-Zada, Aviv Lee; Blumberg, Dan G.; Maman, Shimrit

2015-04-01

Wind streaks, one of the most common aeolian features on planetary surfaces, are observable on the surface of the planets Earth, Mars and Venus. Due to their reflectance properties, wind streaks are distinguishable from their surroundings, and they have thus been widely studied by remote sensing since the early 1970s, particularly on Mars. In imagery, these streaks are interpreted as the presence - or lack thereof - of small loose particles on the surface deposited or eroded by wind. The existence of wind streaks serves as evidence for past or present active aeolian processes. Therefore, wind streaks are thought to represent integrative climate processes. As opposed to the comprehensive and global studies of wind streaks on Mars and Venus, wind streaks on Earth are understudied and poorly investigated, both geomorphologically and by remote sensing. The aim of this study is, thus, to fill the knowledge gap about the wind streaks on Earth by: generating a global map of Earth wind streaks from modern high-resolution remotely sensed imagery; incorporating the streaks in a geographic information system (GIS); and overlaying the GIS layers with boundary layer wind data from general circulation models (GCMs) and data from the ECMWF Reanalysis Interim project. The study defines wind streaks (and thereby distinguishes them from other aeolian features) based not only on their appearance in imagery but more importantly on their surface appearance. This effort is complemented by a focused field investigation to study wind streaks on the ground and from a variety of remotely sensed images (both optical and radar). In this way, we provide a better definition of the physical and geomorphic characteristics of wind streaks and acquire a deeper knowledge of terrestrial wind streaks as a means to better understand global and planetary climate and climate change. In a preliminary study, we detected and mapped over 2,900 wind streaks in the desert regions of Earth distributed in approximately 500 sites. Most terrestrial wind streaks are formed on a relatively young geological surface and are concentrated along the equator (± 30°). They are categorized by the combination of their planform and reflectance; with linear-bright and dark are the most common. A site-specific examination of remote-sensing effects on wind streaks identification has been conducted. The results thus far, indicate that in images with varying spatial and spectral specifications some wind streaks are actually composed of other aeolian bedforms, especially dunes. Specific regions of the Earth were then compared qualitatively to surface wind data extracted from a general circulation model. Understanding the mechanism and spatial and temporal distribution of wind streak formation is important not only for understanding surface modifications in the geomorphological context but also for shedding light on past and present climatic processes and atmospheric circulation on Earth. This study yields an explanation for wind streaks as a geomorphological feature. Moreover, it is in this planet-wide geomorphological research ability to lay down the foundations for comparative planetary research.

The Greenhouse Effect and Climate Feedbacks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Covey, C.; Haberle, R. M.; McKay, C. P.; Titov, D. V.

This chapter reviews the theory of the greenhouse effect and climate feedback. It also compares the theory with observations, using examples taken from all four known terrestrial worlds with substantial atmospheres: Venus, Earth, Mars, and Titan. The greenhouse effect traps infrared radiation in the atmosphere, thereby increasing surface temperature. It is one of many factors that affect a world's climate. (Others include solar luminosity and the atmospheric scattering and absorption of solar radiation.) A change in these factors — defined as climate forcing — may change the climate in a way that brings other processes — defined as feedbacks — into play. For example, when Earth's atmospheric carbon dioxide increases, warming the surface, the water vapor content of the atmosphere increases. This is a positive feedback on global warming because water vapor is itself a potent greenhouse gas. Many positive and negative feedback processes are significant in determining Earth's climate, and probably the climates of our terrestrial neighbors.

Measured Fluid Flow in an Active H2O-CO2 Geothermal Well as an Analog to Fluid Flow in Fractures on Mars: Preliminary Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kieffer, Susan W.; Brown, K. L.; Simmons, Stuart F.; Watson, Arnold

2004-01-01

Water in the Earth's crust generally contains dissolved gases such as CO2. Models for both 'Blue Mars' (H2O-driven processes) and 'White Mars' (CO2-driven processes) predict liquid H2O with dissolved CO2 at depth. The fate of dissolved CO2 as this mixture rises toward the surface has not been quantitatively explored. Our approach is a variation on NASA's 'Follow the Water' as we 'Follow the Fluid' from depth to the surface in hydrothermal areas on Earth and extrapolate our results to Mars. This is a preliminary report on a field study of fluid flow in a producing geothermal well. For proprietary reasons, the name and location of this well cannot be revealed, so we have named it 'Earth1' for this study.

An Investigation of Low Earth Orbit Internal Charging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, Linda Neergaard; Minow, Joseph; Willis, Emily

2014-01-01

Internal charging is not generally considered a threat in low Earth orbit due to the relatively short exposure times and low flux of electrons with energies of a few MeV encountered in typical orbits. There are configurations, however, where insulators and ungrounded conductors used on the outside of a spacecraft hull may charge when exposed to much lower energy electrons of some 100's keV in a process that is better characterized as internal charging than surface charging. We investigate the conditions required for this internal charging process to occur in low Earth orbit using a one-dimensional charging model and evaluate the environments for which the process may be a threat to spacecraft.

Reflections on the Gall-Peters Projection.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robinson, Arthur H.

1987-01-01

Explains the cartographic qualities of rectangular world maps and compares the merits of various projections such as the Mercator and the recently-created Gall-Peters. States that the Gall-Peters projection does not provide a reasonable base for a general world map; that no rectangular projection does. (JDH)

Might Astrobiological Findings Evoke a Religious Crisis?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peters, T.; Froehlig, J. L.

2009-12-01

What might be the likely impact of confirmed discovery of extraterrestrial life—microbial or intelligent life—on terrestrial religion? Many have speculated that the anthropo-centrism and earth-centrism which allegedly have characterized our religious traditions would be confronted with a crisis. Would new knowledge that we are not alone in the universe lead to a collapse of traditional religious belief? This presentation will summarize the results of the Peters Religious Crisis Survey of 1325 respondents. This survey shows that the majority of adherents to Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism demonstrate little or no anxiety regarding the prospect of contact with extraterrestrial life, even if they express some doubts regarding their respective religious tradition and the traditions of others. This presentation will also show that theological speculation regarding other worlds has sparked lively debate beginning as far back as the middle ages and continuing into our present era. Ted Peters is a research and teaching scholar with the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He is co-editor of the journal, Theology and Science, and author of the books, The Evolution of Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Life (Pandora 2008) and Playing God? Genetic Determinism and Human Freedom (Routledge, rev. ed., 2003).

Remembering Peter Medway

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hardcastle, John; Clements, Simon

2015-01-01

Peter Medway was an exceptionally able teacher, researcher and thinker, and his work throws light on governments, inspectors and educators. In the early 1960s, Peter met a theory which "established language as a major means of constructing our realities". Later, after teaching English in secondary schools for two decades, he reflected on…

Ripples from a Passing Ship: Memories; and a Legacy of Richard Peters

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harris, Kevin

2013-01-01

This paper outlines aspects and dimensions of my "relationship" with Richard Peters from 1966 onward. The underlying suggestion is that, while Peters' contribution to philosophy of education was undeniably of major proportions, both that contribution and his legacy are institutional rather than substantive. (Contains 15 notes.)

77 FR 26538 - Vigue, Peter A.; Notice of Filing

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-04

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ID-6627-001] Vigue, Peter A.; Notice of Filing Take notice that on April 26, 2012, Peter A. Vigue submitted for filing, a supplement to the application for authority to hold interlocking positions filed on March 6, 2012, pursuant to...

77 FR 14773 - Vigue, Peter A.; Notice of Filing

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-13

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ID-6627-001] Vigue, Peter A.; Notice of Filing Take notice that on March 6, 2012, Peter A. Vigue submitted for filing, an application for authority to hold interlocking positions, pursuant to section 305(b) of the Federal Power Act, 16...

Mapping land cover change over continental Africa using Landsat and Google Earth Engine cloud computing

PubMed Central

Holl, Felix; Savory, David J.; Andrade-Pacheco, Ricardo; Gething, Peter W.; Bennett, Adam; Sturrock, Hugh J. W.

2017-01-01

Quantifying and monitoring the spatial and temporal dynamics of the global land cover is critical for better understanding many of the Earth’s land surface processes. However, the lack of regularly updated, continental-scale, and high spatial resolution (30 m) land cover data limit our ability to better understand the spatial extent and the temporal dynamics of land surface changes. Despite the free availability of high spatial resolution Landsat satellite data, continental-scale land cover mapping using high resolution Landsat satellite data was not feasible until now due to the need for high-performance computing to store, process, and analyze this large volume of high resolution satellite data. In this study, we present an approach to quantify continental land cover and impervious surface changes over a long period of time (15 years) using high resolution Landsat satellite observations and Google Earth Engine cloud computing platform. The approach applied here to overcome the computational challenges of handling big earth observation data by using cloud computing can help scientists and practitioners who lack high-performance computational resources. PMID:28953943

By Permission of the Mantle: Modern and Ancient Deep Earth Volatile Cycles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirschmann, M. M.

2011-12-01

The principle volatile elements, H and C, are of surpassing importance to processes and conditions in the interiors and the surfaces of terrestrial planets, affecting everything from mantle dynamics and large scale geochemical differentiation to climate and habitability. The storage of these volatiles in planetary interiors, their inventory in the near-surface environment and exchange between the interiors and the exosphere are governed by petrologic processes. Were it not for the effective incompatibility of these components in mantle lithologies, there might be no oceans, no habitable climate, and no biosphere on the surface. Consequently, deep Earth volatile cycles represent one of the best examples of how petrology influences nearly all other aspects of Earth science. The exosphere of the modern Earth has a high H/C ratio compared to that of the interior sampled by oceanic basalts. A potential explanation for this is that C is subducted to the deep mantle more efficiently than H, such that the exosphere C reservoir shrinks through geologic time. Unfortunately this hypothesis conflicts with the sedimentary record, which suggests that carbonate storage on the continents has increased rather than decreased with time. It also may not be applicable to the first 3 Ga of Earth history, when hotter typical subduction geotherms greatly reduced the efficiency of C subduction. An important question regarding deep Earth volatile cycles is the inventory of H and C in the interior and the exosphere that descend from Earth's earliest differentiation processes. Originally, much of Earth's volatile inventory was presumably present as a thick atmosphere, in part because volatiles were probably delivered late in the accretion history and owing to both the efficiency of impact degassing and of volatile release from early magma ocean(s). Early mantle H2O may descend from the magma ocean, in which portions of a steam atmosphere are dissolved in the magma and then precipitated with nominally anhydrous minerals. In contrast, low magmatic solubility of C-bearing species would suggest that the early mantle was depleted in carbon. Thus, the earliest Earth could have been characterized by an exosphere with low H/C and a mantle with high H/C - the reverse of the modern case. An alternative hypothesis is that significant C was sequestered in the early mantle as a reduced phase- diamond, carbide, or alloy - precipitated during magma ocean solidification. Despite low solubility in magmas, early atmospheric carbon may have been incorporated into solidifying mantle if C solubility diminished with increasing magma ocean depth. Volatile solubilities in magmas typically increase with increasing pressure, but the opposite could be true for C if conditions were more reducing at depth and more oxidizing near the surface. Such conditions would allow operation of a carbon pump, transporting early atmospheric carbon to the solidifying mantle. If such a process operated, then the modern mantle/exosphere H/C fractionation is likely a remnant of this early process. If not, some other explanation for Earth's distribution of H and C must be sought.

Data-driven exploration of copper mineralogy and its application to Earth's near-surface oxidation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morrison, S. M.; Eleish, A.; Runyon, S.; Prabhu, A.; Fox, P. A.; Ralph, J.; Golden, J. J.; Downs, R. T.; Liu, C.; Meyer, M.; Hazen, R. M.

2017-12-01

Earth's atmospheric composition has changed radically throughout geologic history.1,2 The oxidation of our atmosphere, driven by biology, began with the Great Oxidation Event (GOE) 2.5 Ga and has heavily influenced Earth's near surface mineralogy. Therefore, temporal trends in mineral occurrence elucidate large and small scale geologic and biologic processes. Cu, and other first-row transition elements, are of particular interest due to their variation in valance state and sensitivity to ƒO2. Widespread formation of oxidized Cu mineral species (Cu2+) would not have been possible prior to the GOE and we have found that the proportion of oxidized Cu minerals increased steadily with the increase in atmospheric O2 on Earth's surface (see Fig. 1). To better characterize the changes in Cu mineralogy through time, we have employed advanced analytical and visualization methods. These techniques rely on large and growing mineral databases (e.g., rruff.info, mindat.org, earthchem.org, usgs.gov) and allow us to quantify and visualize multi-dimensional trends.5

Canopies to Continents: What spatial scales are needed to represent landcover distributions in earth system models?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guenther, A. B.; Duhl, T.

2011-12-01

Increasing computational resources have enabled a steady improvement in the spatial resolution used for earth system models. Land surface models and landcover distributions have kept ahead by providing higher spatial resolution than typically used in these models. Satellite observations have played a major role in providing high resolution landcover distributions over large regions or the entire earth surface but ground observations are needed to calibrate these data and provide accurate inputs for models. As our ability to resolve individual landscape components improves, it is important to consider what scale is sufficient for providing inputs to earth system models. The required spatial scale is dependent on the processes being represented and the scientific questions being addressed. This presentation will describe the development a contiguous U.S. landcover database using high resolution imagery (1 to 1000 meters) and surface observations of species composition and other landcover characteristics. The database includes plant functional types and species composition and is suitable for driving land surface models (CLM and MEGAN) that predict land surface exchange of carbon, water, energy and biogenic reactive gases (e.g., isoprene, sesquiterpenes, and NO). We investigate the sensitivity of model results to landcover distributions with spatial scales ranging over six orders of magnitude (1 meter to 1000000 meters). The implications for predictions of regional climate and air quality will be discussed along with recommendations for regional and global earth system modeling.

An impact-induced terrestrial atmosphere and iron-water reactions during accretion of the Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lange, M. A.; Ahrens, T. J.

1985-01-01

Shock wave data and theoretical calculations were used to derive models of an impact-generated terrestrial atmosphere during accretion of the Earth. The models showed that impacts of infalling planetesimals not only provided the entire budget of terrestrial water but also led to a continuous depletion of near-surface layers of water-bearing minerals of their structural water. This resulted in a final atmospheric water reservoir comparable to the present day total water budget of the Earth. The interaction of metallic iron with free water at the surface of the accreting Earth is considered. We carried out model calcualtions simulating these processes during accretion. It is assumed that these processes are the prime source of the terrestrial FeO component of silicates and oxides. It is demonstrated that the iron-water reaction would result in the absence of atmospheric/hydrospheric water, if homogeneous accretion is assumed. In order to obtain the necessary amount of terrestrial water, slightly heterogeneous accretion with initially 36 wt% iron planetesimals, as compared with a homogeneous value of 34 wt% is required.

Whole exome sequence analysis of Peters anomaly

PubMed Central

Weh, Eric; Reis, Linda M.; Happ, Hannah C.; Levin, Alex V.; Wheeler, Patricia G.; David, Karen L.; Carney, Erin; Angle, Brad; Hauser, Natalie

2015-01-01

Peters anomaly is a rare form of anterior segment ocular dysgenesis, which can also be associated with additional systemic defects. At this time, the majority of cases of Peters anomaly lack a genetic diagnosis. We performed whole exome sequencing of 27 patients with syndromic or isolated Peters anomaly to search for pathogenic mutations in currently known ocular genes. Among the eight previously recognized Peters anomaly genes, we identified a de novo missense mutation in PAX6, c.155G>A, p.(Cys52Tyr), in one patient. Analysis of 691 additional genes currently associated with a different ocular phenotype identified a heterozygous splicing mutation c.1025+2T>A in TFAP2A, a de novo heterozygous nonsense mutation c.715C>T, p.(Gln239*) in HCCS, a hemizygous mutation c.385G>A, p.(Glu129Lys) in NDP, a hemizygous mutation c.3446C>T, p.(Pro1149Leu) in FLNA, and compound heterozygous mutations c.1422T>A, p.(Tyr474*) and c.2544G>A, p.(Met848Ile) in SLC4A11; all mutations, except for the FLNA and SLC4A11 c.2544G>A alleles, are novel. This is the frst study to use whole exome sequencing to discern the genetic etiology of a large cohort of patients with syndromic or isolated Peters anomaly. We report five new genes associated with this condition and suggest screening of TFAP2A and FLNA in patients with Peters anomaly and relevant syndromic features and HCCS, NDP and SLC4A11 in patients with isolated Peters anomaly. PMID:25182519

Landlab: A numerical modeling framework for evolving Earth surfaces from mountains to the coast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasparini, N. M.; Adams, J. M.; Tucker, G. E.; Hobley, D. E. J.; Hutton, E.; Istanbulluoglu, E.; Nudurupati, S. S.

2016-02-01

Landlab is an open-source, user-friendly, component-based modeling framework for exploring the evolution of Earth's surface. Landlab itself is not a model. Instead, it is a computational framework that facilitates the development of numerical models of coupled earth surface processes. The Landlab Python library includes a gridding engine and process components, along with support functions for tasks such as reading in DEM data and input variables, setting boundary conditions, and plotting and outputting data. Each user of Landlab builds his or her own unique model. The first step in building a Landlab model is generally initializing a grid, either regular (raster) or irregular (e.g. delaunay or radial), and process components. This initialization process involves reading in relevant parameter values and data. The process components act on the grid to alter grid properties over time. For example, a component exists that can track the growth, death, and succession of vegetation over time. There are also several components that evolve surface elevation, through processes such as fluvial sediment transport and linear diffusion, among others. Users can also build their own process components, taking advantage of existing functions in Landlab such as those that identify grid connectivity and calculate gradients and flux divergence. The general nature of the framework makes it applicable to diverse environments - from bedrock rivers to a pile of sand - and processes acting over a range of spatial and temporal scales. In this poster we illustrate how a user builds a model using Landlab and propose a number of ways in which Landlab can be applied in coastal environments - from dune migration to channelization of barrier islands. We seek input from the coastal community as to how the process component library can be expanded to explore the diverse phenomena that act to shape coastal environments.

Influence of Geometry on a High Surface Area-Solid Phase Microextraction Sampler for Chemical Vapor Collection

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-04

LCDR Greg Cook , PhD Date...Science Research Unit • Dr. Robert Mustacich of RVM Scientific • My thesis advisory committee: LtCol Peter LaPuma, LCDR Greg Cook , and Dr. Brian...which constitutes a mass spectrum. A computer compares the mass spectrum to a mass spectral library like a fingerprint. (McMaster and McMaster, 1997

Excellence in the Surface Coast Guard.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-01

about succesful business organizations in their book, IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE. What Peters and Waterman called "Productivity through People ", we talked as... PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT STUFF--------- 23 E. A GOOD SHIP LOOKS GOOD--------------------- 25 F. TRAINING THE TROOPS------------------------ 26 TV. THE...8217~. ~ . h ~ * ~ * ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors would like to thank the many Coast Guard - officers and enlisted people who took the time and effort to talk

Modification of the Near Surface Region Metastable Phases and Ion Induced Reactions

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-02-03

cell Si Dave Lilienfeld - amorphous Si layer thickness Au diffusion in metallic glasses Dave Lilienfeld & - low temperature Cu diffusion in Si Tim...Sullivan Fritz Stafford - defect characterization in implanted & annealed silicon-on-sapphire Peter Zielinski - Composition of CuZr metallic glass...ribbons 5. Prof. Johnson Dave Kuhn - measurement of Pd layer thickness Alexandra Elve - hydrogen profiles in metals Lauren Heitner - hydrogen diffusion in

Supporting the Spirit of Learning. When Process Is Content.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Costa, Arthur L., Ed.; Liebmann, Rosemarie M., Ed.

This book addresses the revision of the curriculum to meet the needs of the 21st century. After a foreword by Peter M. Senge and prefaces by the editors, the following chapters are included: (1) Process as Content in Education of Exceptional Children (Reuven Feuerstein, Rafi Feuerstein, and Yaron Schur); (2) Generative Topics for Process…

Designing Successful Science Contests for K-12

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwerin, T.; Colleton, N.

2006-12-01

Contests can engage, motivate, instruct and inspire students of all grade levels and interests. What are the ingredients necessary for a successful science contest? The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) has recommendations for designing science-based competitions that are both fun and educational for for elementary and secondary students. These recommendations were developed as a result of IGES' experience gained through two annual student competitions that focus on Earth science topics: An annual art contest, for grades 2-4, challenges U.S. students to explore a specific Earth science topic. For example, past themes have included Polar Explorations: Going to Extremes (2006); Connect-4: Air, Land, Water, and Life (2005); and Picture Me: What Kind of Earth Explorer Would I Be? (2004). The contest supports national science education standards for grades K-4, and includes suggested classroom activities, books, and movies. The Thacher Scholarship was founded in 2000 by IGES in honor of the late Peter S. Thacher, a former IGES board member and leader in promoting the use of satellite remote sensing. The $4,000 scholarship is awarded to exceptional high school students displaying the best use of satellite remote sensing in understanding our changing planet.

What You See Is Not What You Get

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White-McMahon, Meredith

2010-01-01

When upset, 15-year-old Peter overreacts, dumping verbal hostility on everyone, even those trying to help. Peter's attempt to see the principal--who was out of the office--led to an emotionally explosive crisis. In this life space crisis intervention (LSCI), staff calmly tried to help Peter clarify distorted reality. But patient questioning raised…

Ritual, Imitation and Education in R. S. Peters

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Warnick, Bryan R.

2009-01-01

This article reconstructs R. S. Peters' underlying theory of ritual in education, highlighting his proposed link between ritual and the imitation of teachers. Rituals set the stage for the imitation of teachers and they invite students to experience practices whose value is not easily discernable from the outside. For Peters, rituals facilitate…

78 FR 77673 - Proposed CERCLA Administrative Cost Recovery Settlement; Cadie Auto Salvage Site, Belvidere...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-24

... the proposed settlement may be obtained from Peter Felitti, Assoc. Regional Counsel, EPA, Office of... addressed to Peter Felitti, Assoc. Regional Counsel, EPA, Office of Regional Counsel, Region 5, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., mail code: C-14J, Chicago, Illinois 60604. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Felitti...

Advancements in medium and high resolution Earth observation for land-surface imaging: Evolutions, future trends and contributions to sustainable development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouma, Yashon O.

2016-01-01

Technologies for imaging the surface of the Earth, through satellite based Earth observations (EO) have enormously evolved over the past 50 years. The trends are likely to evolve further as the user community increases and their awareness and demands for EO data also increases. In this review paper, a development trend on EO imaging systems is presented with the objective of deriving the evolving patterns for the EO user community. From the review and analysis of medium-to-high resolution EO-based land-surface sensor missions, it is observed that there is a predictive pattern in the EO evolution trends such that every 10-15 years, more sophisticated EO imaging systems with application specific capabilities are seen to emerge. Such new systems, as determined in this review, are likely to comprise of agile and small payload-mass EO land surface imaging satellites with the ability for high velocity data transmission and huge volumes of spatial, spectral, temporal and radiometric resolution data. This availability of data will magnify the phenomenon of ;Big Data; in Earth observation. Because of the ;Big Data; issue, new computing and processing platforms such as telegeoprocessing and grid-computing are expected to be incorporated in EO data processing and distribution networks. In general, it is observed that the demand for EO is growing exponentially as the application and cost-benefits are being recognized in support of resource management.

Solid earth science in the 1990s. Volume 1: Program plan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

This is volume one of a three volume series. A plan for solid earth science research for the next decade is outlined. The following topics are addressed: scientific requirements; status of current research; major new emphasis in the 1990's; interagency and international participation; and the program implementation plan. The following fields are represented: plate motion and deformation; lithospheric structure and evolution; volcanology; land surface (processes of change); earth structure and dynamics; earth rotation and reference frames; and geopotential fields. Other topics of discussion include remote sensing, space missions, and space techniques.

Jim Peters' collapse in the 1954 Vancouver Empire Games marathon.

PubMed

Noakes, Tim; Mekler, Jackie; Pedoe, Dan Tunstall

2008-08-01

On 7 August 1954, the world 42 km marathon record holder, Jim Peters, collapsed repeatedly during the final 385 metres of the British Empire and Commonwealth Games marathon held in Vancouver, Canada. It has been assumed that Peters collapsed from heatstroke because he ran too fast and did not drink during the race, which was held in windless, cloudless conditions with a dry-bulb temperature of 28 degrees C. Hospital records made available to us indicate that Peters might not have suffered from exertional heatstroke, which classically produces a rectal temperature > 42 degrees C, cerebral effects and, usually, a fatal outcome without vigorous active cooling. Although Peters was unconscious on admission to hospital approximately 60 minutes after he was removed from the race, his rectal temperature was 39.4 degrees C and he recovered fully, even though he was managed conservatively and not actively cooled. We propose that Peters' collapse was more likely due to a combination of hyperthermia-induced fatigue which caused him to stop running; exercise-associated postural hypotension as a result of a low peripheral vascular resistance immediately he stopped running; and combined cerebral effects of hyperthermia, hypertonic hypernatraemia associated with dehydration, and perhaps undiagnosed hypoglycaemia. But none of these conditions should cause prolonged unconsciousness, raising the possibility that Peters might have suffered from a transient encephalopathy, the exact nature of which is not understood.

Space weathering on near-Earth objects investigated by neutral-particle detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plainaki, C.; Milillo, A.; Orsini, S.; Mura, A.; De Angelis, E.; Di Lellis, A. M.; Dotto, E.; Livi, S.; Mangano, V.; Massetti, S.; Palumbo, M. E.

2009-03-01

The ion-sputtering (IS) process is active in many planetary environments in the solar system where plasma precipitates directly on the surface (for instance, Mercury, Moon and Europa). In particular, solar wind sputtering is one of the most important agents for the surface erosion of a near-Earth object (NEO), acting together with other surface release processes, such as photon stimulated desorption (PSD), thermal desorption (TD) and micrometeoroid impact vaporization (MIV). The energy distribution of the IS-released neutrals peaks at a few eVs and extends up to hundreds of eVs. Since all other release processes produce particles of lower energies, the presence of neutral atoms in the energy range above 10 eV and below a few keVs (sputtered high-energy atoms (SHEA)) identifies the IS process. SHEA easily escape from the NEO, due to NEO's extremely weak gravity. Detection and analysis of SHEA will give important information on surface-loss processes as well as on surface elemental composition. The investigation of the active release processes, as a function of the external conditions and the NEO surface properties, is crucial for obtaining a clear view of the body's present loss rate as well as for getting clues on its evolution, which depends significantly on space weather. In this work, an attempt to analyze processes that take place on the surface of these small airless bodies, as a result of their exposure to the space environment, has been realized. For this reason, a new space weathering model (space weathering on NEO-SPAWN) is presented. Moreover, an instrument concept of a neutral-particle analyzer specifically designed for the measurement of neutral density and the detection of SHEA from a NEO is proposed.

Space weathering on near-Earth objects investigated by neutral-particle detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plainaki, C.; Milillo, A.; Orsini, S.; Mura, A.; de Angelis, E.; di Lellis, A. M.; Dotto, E.; Livi, S.; Mangano, V.; Palumbo, M. E.

2009-04-01

The ion-sputtering (IS) process is active in many planetary environments in the solar system where plasma precipitates directly on the surface (for instance, Mercury, Moon and Europa). In particular, solar wind sputtering is one of the most important agents for the surface erosion of a near-Earth object (NEO), acting together with other surface release processes, such as photon stimulated desorption (PSD), thermal desorption (TD) and micrometeoroid impact vaporization (MIV). The energy distribution of the IS-released neutrals peaks at a few eVs and extends up to hundreds of eVs. Since all other release processes produce particles of lower energies, the presence of neutral atoms in the energy range above 10 eV and below a few keVs (sputtered high-energy atoms (SHEA)) identifies the IS process. SHEA easily escape from the NEO, due to NEO's extremely weak gravity. Detection and analysis of SHEA will give important information on surface-loss processes as well as on surface elemental composition. The investigation of the active release processes, as a function of the external conditions and the NEO surface properties, is crucial for obtaining a clear view of the body's present loss rate as well as for getting clues on its evolution, which depends significantly on space weather. In this work, an attempt to analyze processes that take place on the surface of these small airless bodies, as a result of their exposure to the space environment, has been realized. For this reason, a new space weathering model (space weathering on NEO-SPAWN) is presented. Moreover, an instrument concept of a neutral-particle analyzer specifically designed for the measurement of neutral density and the detection of SHEA from a NEO is proposed.

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 27 Crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-03-20

ISS027-E-006501 (20 March 2011) --- A low pressure system in the eastern North Pacific Ocean is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 27 crew member in the Cupola of the International Space Station. This vigorous low pressure system has started to occlude?a process associated with separation of warm air from the cyclone?s center at the Earth?s surface. This view shows the arc of strong convection beyond the center of the low pressure, formed as the low occludes when the cold front overtakes the warm front. This occurs around more mature low pressure areas, later in the process of the system?s life-cycle.

Developments in Earth observation for the assessment and monitoring of inland, transitional, coastal and shelf-sea waters.

PubMed

Tyler, Andrew N; Hunter, Peter D; Spyrakos, Evangelos; Groom, Steve; Constantinescu, Adriana Maria; Kitchen, Jonathan

2016-12-01

The Earth's surface waters are a fundamental resource and encompass a broad range of ecosystems that are core to global biogeochemical cycling and food and energy production. Despite this, the Earth's surface waters are impacted by multiple natural and anthropogenic pressures and drivers of environmental change. The complex interaction between physical, chemical and biological processes in surface waters poses significant challenges for in situ monitoring and assessment and often limits our ability to adequately capture the dynamics of aquatic systems and our understanding of their status, functioning and response to pressures. Here we explore the opportunities that Earth observation (EO) has to offer to basin-scale monitoring of water quality over the surface water continuum comprising inland, transition and coastal water bodies, with a particular focus on the Danube and Black Sea region. This review summarises the technological advances in EO and the opportunities that the next generation satellites offer for water quality monitoring. We provide an overview of algorithms for the retrieval of water quality parameters and demonstrate how such models have been used for the assessment and monitoring of inland, transitional, coastal and shelf-sea systems. Further, we argue that very few studies have investigated the connectivity between these systems especially in large river-sea systems such as the Danube-Black Sea. Subsequently, we describe current capability in operational processing of archive and near real-time satellite data. We conclude that while the operational use of satellites for the assessment and monitoring of surface waters is still developing for inland and coastal waters and more work is required on the development and validation of remote sensing algorithms for these optically complex waters, the potential that these data streams offer for developing an improved, potentially paradigm-shifting understanding of physical and biogeochemical processes across large scale river-sea systems including the Danube-Black Sea is considerable. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Science and Technology Community in Crisis

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-05-01

centralized, highly bureaucratic, support system that considers itself an end, a point noted in the management literature by Peter Drucker :48 “What...Review Quarterly, Spring 2000. 48 Drucker , Peter F., Management : Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices, Apr 1993. 43 regionalization of personnel...technical areas as information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, etc. Peter Drucker , the well-known management expert once commented: “In

The Existential Concern of the Humanities R. S. Peters' Justification of Liberal Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cuypers, Stefaan E.

2018-01-01

Richard Stanley Peters was one of the founding fathers of analytic philosophy of education in the twentieth century. After reviewing Peters' disentanglement of the ambiguities of liberal education, I reconstruct his view on the status and the existential foundations of the humanities. What emerges from my reconstruction is an original…

Farewell to the Chairman - Marine Gen. Peter Pace

Science.gov Websites

oath of office from Marine Gen. Peter Pace, who retired after more than 40 years active duty military wife Lynne after giving the general his retirement certificate. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie A solutions, Marine Gen. Peter Pace said here today as he retired from the Marine Corps after more than 40

The Future of the Digital Library: An Interview with Tom Peters

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morrison, James L.; Peters, Tom

2005-01-01

This article presents an interview with Tom Peters, an academic librarian and founder of TAP Information Services, a firm that provides consulting services to libraries and other organizations in the information industry. Peters also serves as a consultant to LibraryCity, an ambitious project that seeks to make thousands of e-books in easy-to-use…

Otto Peters on Distance Education: The Industrialization of Teaching and Learning. Routledge Studies in Distance Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keegan, Desmond, Ed.

This book contains new and previously published translations of 11 essays and articles about the industrialization of teaching and learning in distance education that were originally published in German by Otto Peters between 1965 and 1993. A "Preface" (Desmond Keegan) and an introduction placing Peters' writings in their historical…

R. S. Peters' Normative Conception of Education and Educational Aims

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Katz, Michael S.

2009-01-01

This article aims to highlight why R. S. Peters' conceptual analysis of "education" was such an important contribution to the normative field of philosophy of education. In the article, I do the following: 1) explicate Peters' conception of philosophy of education as a field of philosophy and explain his approach to the philosophical analysis of…

Recognizing and Nurturing Hidden Creative Potential

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Connell, Elizabeth E.

2010-01-01

Peter, 7 years old, spends most of his time playing with his stick alone. After several unsuccessful attempts to get Peter to join his cousins, his aunt asks the boy's parents if they have considered having him evaluated by a psychologist. Peter's parents are not as concerned about the stick behavior as is his aunt. Although the attachment to his…

77 FR 3475 - Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-24

... Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55480-0291: 1. Samuel B. Gault, Saint Peter, Minnesota, and Lisa R. Gault, Chaska, Minnesota, each to acquire 25 percent or more of the shares of Saint Peter Agency, Inc., Saint Peter, Minnesota, and thereby indirectly acquire control of The Nicollet County Bank of Saint...

The "Physically Educated" Person: Physical Education in the Philosophy of Reid, Peters and Aristotle

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacAllister, James

2013-01-01

This article will derive a definition and account of the physically educated person, through an examination of the philosophy of Andrew Reid, Richard Peters and Aristotle. Initially, Reid's interpretation of Peters' views about the educational significance of practical knowledge (and physical education) will be considered. While it will…

Earth observations during STS-68 mission

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-10-06

STS068-237-055 (30 September - 11 October 1994) --- This coastal area, considered home by astronaut Peter J. K. (Jeff) Wisoff, was photographed from the Space Shuttle Endeavour during the Space Radar Laboratory (SRL-2) mission. Wisoff, a native of Norfolk, talked about this area during a post-flight crew awards and presentation event at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). He pointed out that the waterways are heavily used for commercial, recreational and military purposes. Piers near the mouth of the Elizabeth River are associated with the U. S. Naval Base and those down river support the activities of the city of Norfolk. Seashore State Park and the Ft. Story Military Reservation are visible at the mouth of the Chesapeake.

Fundamental molecules of life are pigments which arose and co-evolved as a response to the thermodynamic imperative of dissipating the prevailing solar spectrum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michaelian, K.; Simeonov, A.

2015-08-01

The driving force behind the origin and evolution of life has been the thermodynamic imperative of increasing the entropy production of the biosphere through increasing the global solar photon dissipation rate. In the upper atmosphere of today, oxygen and ozone derived from life processes are performing the short-wavelength UV-C and UV-B dissipation. On Earth's surface, water and organic pigments in water facilitate the near-UV and visible photon dissipation. The first organic pigments probably formed, absorbed, and dissipated at those photochemically active wavelengths in the UV-C and UV-B that could have reached Earth's surface during the Archean. Proliferation of these pigments can be understood as an autocatalytic photochemical process obeying non-equilibrium thermodynamic directives related to increasing solar photon dissipation rate. Under these directives, organic pigments would have evolved over time to increase the global photon dissipation rate by (1) increasing the ratio of their effective photon cross sections to their physical size, (2) decreasing their electronic excited state lifetimes, (3) quenching radiative de-excitation channels (e.g., fluorescence), (4) covering ever more completely the prevailing solar spectrum, and (5) proliferating and dispersing to cover an ever greater surface area of Earth. From knowledge of the evolution of the spectrum of G-type stars, and considering the most probable history of the transparency of Earth's atmosphere, we construct the most probable Earth surface solar spectrum as a function of time and compare this with the history of molecular absorption maxima obtained from the available data in the literature. This comparison supports the conjecture that many fundamental molecules of life are pigments which arose, proliferated, and co-evolved as a response to dissipating the solar spectrum, supports the thermodynamic dissipation theory for the origin of life, constrains models for Earth's early atmosphere, and sheds some new light on the origin of photosynthesis.

Crew Earth Observations: Twelve Years of Documenting Earth from the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Evans, Cynthia A.; Stefanov, William L.; Willis, Kimberley; Runco, Susan; Wilkinson, M. Justin; Dawson, Melissa; Trenchard, Michael

2012-01-01

The Crew Earth Observations (CEO) payload was one of the initial experiments aboard the International Space Station, and has been continuously collecting data about the Earth since Expedition 1. The design of the experiment is simple: using state-of-the-art camera equipment, astronauts collect imagery of the Earth's surface over defined regions of scientific interest and also document dynamic events such as storms systems, floods, wild fires and volcanic eruptions. To date, CEO has provided roughly 600,000 images of Earth, capturing views of features and processes on land, the oceans, and the atmosphere. CEO data are less rigorously constrained than other remote sensing data, but the volume of data, and the unique attributes of the imagery provide a rich and understandable view of the Earth that is difficult to achieve from the classic remote sensing platforms. In addition, the length-of-record of the imagery dataset, especially when combined with astronaut photography from other NASA and Russian missions starting in the early 1960s, provides a valuable record of changes on the surface of the Earth over 50 years. This time period coincides with the rapid growth of human settlements and human infrastructure.

Understanding our Changing Planet: NASA's Earth Science Enterprise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forehand, Lon; Griner, Charlotte (Editor); Greenstone, Renny (Editor)

1999-01-01

NASA has been studying the Earth and its changing environment by observing the atmosphere, oceans, land, ice, and snow and their influence on climate and weather since the agency's creation. This study has lead to a new approach to understanding the interaction of the Earth's systems, Earth System Science. The Earth Science Enterprise, NASA's comprehensive program for Earth System Science, uses satellites and other tools to intensively study the Earth. The Earth Science Enterprise has three main components: (1) a series of Earth-observing satellites, (2) an advanced data system and (3) teams of scientist who study the data. Key areas of study include: (1) clouds, (2) water and energy cycles, (3) oceans, (4) chemistry of the atmosphere, (5) land surface, water and ecosystems processes; (6) glaciers and polar ice sheets, and (7) the solid earth.

FEU Technology Digest No. 3.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Further Education Unit, London (England).

This digest contains four articles about technology and education in Britain. "The Development of an 'Additional Skills' Training Programme" (Peter Riley) details the organization and progress of a collaborative effort between Blackpool Processing Company and Flyde College's Additional Skills training program, a solution to achieving the…

Software Reviews Since Acquisition Reform - The Artifact Perspective

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-01-01

Risk Management OLD NEW Slide 13Acquisition of Software Intensive Systems 2004 – Peter Hantos Single, basic software paradigm Single processor Low...software risk mitigation related trade-offs must be done together Integral Software Engineering Activities Process Maturity and Quality Frameworks Quality

Iturralde Crater, Bolivia

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-09-17

NASA scientists will venture into an isolated part of the Bolivian Amazon to try and uncover the origin of a 5 mile (8 kilometer) diameter crater there known as the Iturralde Crater. Traveling to this inhospitable forest setting, the Iturralde Crater Expedition 2002 will seek to determine if the unusual circular crater was created by a meteor or comet. Organized by Dr. Peter Wasilewski of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., the Iturralde Crater Expedition 2002 will be led by Dr. Tim Killeen of Conservation International, which is based in Bolivia. Killeen will be assisted by Dr. Compton Tucker of Goddard. The team intends to collect and analyze rocks and soil, look for glass particles that develop from meteor impacts and study magnetic properties in the area to determine if the Iturralde site was indeed created by a meteor. This image was acquired on June 29, 2001 by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on NASA's Terra satellite. With its 14 spectral bands from the visible to the thermal infrared wavelength region, and its high spatial resolution of 15 to 90 meters (about 50 to 300 feet), ASTER will image Earth for the next 6 years to map and monitor the changing surface of our planet. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA03859

NASA scientists are flying over Alaska

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-08-29

As part of the Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE), NASA scientists are flying over Alaska and Canada, measuring the elevation of rivers and lakes to study how thawing permafrost affects hydrology in the landscape. This view of was taken from NASA’s DC-8 “flying laboratory” as part of the Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days and Seasons (ASCENDS) experiment. Scientists on NASA’s Air Surface, Water and Ocean Topography (AirSWOT) mission have been flying over the same location, investigating how water levels in the Arctic landscape change as permafrost thaws. Under typical conditions, the frozen layer of soil keeps water from sinking into the ground and percolating away. As permafrost thaws, the water has new ways to move between rivers and lakes, which can raise or lower the elevation of the bodies of water. These changes in water levels will have effects on Arctic life— plants, animals, and humans—in the near future. Credit: NASA/Peter Griffith NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Combined ground-based and satellite remote sensing of atmospheric aerosol and Earth surface in the Antarctic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaikovsky, Anatoli; Korol, Michail; Malinka, A.; Zege, E.; Katsev, I.; Prikhach, A.; Denisov, S.; Dick, V.; Goloub, P.; Blarel, L.; Chaikovskaya, L.; Lapyonok, A.; Podvin, T.; Denishchik-Nelubina, N.; Fedarenka, A.; Svidinsky, V.

2016-01-01

The paper presents lecture materials given at the Nineteenth International Conference and School on Quantum Electronics "Laser Physics and Applications" (19th ICSQE) in 2016, Sozopol, Bulgaria and contains the results of the 10-year research of Belarusian Antarctic expeditions to study the atmospheric aerosol and Earth surface in Antarctica. The works focus on the studying variability and trends of aerosol, cloud and snow characteristics in the Antarctic and the links of these processes with the long range transport of atmospheric pollutants and climate changes.

Lunar Module Communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Interbartolo, Michael A.

2009-01-01

This slide presentation reviews the Apollo lunar module communications. It describes several changes in terminology from the Apollo era to more recent terms. It reviews: (1) Lunar Module Antennas and Functions (2). Earth Line of Sight Communications Links (3) No Earth Line of Sight Communications Links (4) Lunar Surface Communications Links (5) Signal-Processing Assembly (6) Instrumentation System (7) Some Communications Problems Encountered

Estimation of lunar surface maturity and ferrous oxide from Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) data through data interpolation techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ajith Kumar, P.; Kumar, Shashi

2016-04-01

Surface maturity estimation of the lunar regolith revealed selenological process behind the formation of lunar surface, which might be provided vital information regarding the geological evolution of earth, because lunar surface is being considered as 8-9 times older than as that of the earth. Spectral reflectances data from Moon mineralogy mapper (M3), the hyperspectral sensor of chandrayan-1 coupled with the standard weight percentages of FeO from lunar returned samples of Apollo and Luna landing sites, through data interpolation techniques to generate the weight percentage FeO map of the target lunar locations. With the interpolated data mineral maps were prepared and the results are analyzed.

Personality as a Social Process: where Peter Giordano Meets Boris Parygin.

PubMed

Mironenko, Irina A

2018-06-01

In this paper I comment on the "Individual personality is best understood as process, not structure: A Confucian-inspired perspective" article by Peter Giordano (Culture & Psychology, 23(4), 502-518 (2017)), which addresses the question of how to comprehend a personality which is continuously changing and varying with changes in social contexts and situations. The issue which Giordano turns up I believe to be of great importance and topicality in the quickly changing globalizing contemporary world. Giordano's paper highlights an important problem in the development of contemporary personality psychology, but much remains to be clarified concerning his process-centric model. I introduce the theory of Boris Parygin, which can make a contribution to the discussion of personality as a process. Parygin's theory addresses the same issues that Giordano focuses on: human personality exists and develops in the context of social situation. Parygin's theoretical model of personality involves two personality schemas: a "static" one and a "dynamic" one. The "structure" and the "process" -centered approaches are joint here to complement each other. Personality life-span development, formation of personality structures, is considered as a process of interaction and dialectical confrontation with the social environment, in the course of which the personality, originally engendered by social factors, builds up its autonomy and realizes its unique individual spiritual potential.

Validating Experimental Bedform Dynamics on Cohesive Sand-Mud Beds in the Dee Estuary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baas, Jaco H.; Baker, Megan; Hope, Julie; Malarkey, Jonathan; Rocha, Renata

2014-05-01

Recent laboratory experiments and field measurements have shown that small quantities of cohesive clay, and in particular 'sticky' biological polymers, within a sandy substrate dramatically reduce the development rate of sedimentary bedforms, with major implications for sediment transport rate calculations and process interpretations from the sedimentary record. FURTHER INFORMATION Flow and sediment transport predictions from sedimentary structures found in modern estuaries and within estuarine geological systems are impeded by an almost complete lack of process-based knowledge of the behaviour of natural sediments that consist of mixtures of cohesionless sand and biologically-active cohesive mud. Indeed, existing predictive models are largely based on non-organic cohesionless sands, despite the fact that mud, in pure form or mixed with sand, is the most common sediment on Earth and also the most biologically active interface across a range of Earth-surface environments, including rivers and shallow seas. The multidisciplinary COHBED project uses state-of-the-art laboratory and field technologies to measure the erosional properties of mixed cohesive sediment beds and the formation and stability of sedimentary bedforms on these beds, integrating the key physical and biological processes that govern bed evolution. The development of current ripples on cohesive mixed sediment beds was investigated as a function of physical control on bed cohesion versus biological control on bed cohesion. These investigations included laboratory flume experiments in the Hydrodynamics Laboratory (Bangor University) and field experiments in the Dee estuary (at West Kirby near Liverpool). The flume experiments showed that winnowing of fine-grained cohesive sediment, including biological stabilisers, is an important process affecting the development rate, size and shape of the cohesive bedforms. The ripples developed progressively slower as the kaolin clay fraction in the sandy substrate bed was increased. The same result was obtained for xanthan gum, which is a proxy for biological polymers produced by microphytobenthos. Yet, the xanthan gum was several orders more effective in slowing down ripple development than kaolin clay, suggesting that the cohesive forces for biological polymers are much higher than for clay minerals, and that sedimentological process models should refocus on biostabilisation processes. The first results of the field experiments show that the winnowing of fines from developing ripples and the slowing down of current ripple development in mixed cohesive sediment is mimicked on intertidal flats in the Dee estuary. In particular, these field data revealed that current ripples in cohesive sediment are smaller with more two-dimensional crestlines than in non-cohesive sand. The wider implications of these findings will be discussed. COHBED Project Team (NERC): Alan Davies (Bangor University); Daniel Parsons, Leiping Ye (University of Hull); Jeffrey Peakall (University of Leeds); Dougal Lichtman, Louise O'Boyle, Peter Thorne (NOC Liverpool); Sarah Bass, Andrew Manning, Robert Schindler (University of Plymouth); Rebecca Aspden, Emma Defew, Julie Hope, David Paterson (University of St Andrews)

Uncovering the Chemistry of Earth-like Planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Li; Jacobsen, Stein; Sasselov, Dimitar D.

2015-01-01

We propose to use evidence from our solar system to understand exoplanets, and in particular, to predict their surface chemistry and thereby the possibility of life. An Earth-like planet, born from the same nebula as its host star, is composed primarily of silicate rocks and an iron-nickel metal core, and depleted in volatile content in a systematic manner. The more volatile (easier to vaporize or dissociate into gas form) an element is in an Earth-like planet, the more depleted the element is compared to its host star. After depletion, an Earth-like planet would go through the process of core formation due to heat from radioactive decay and collisions. Core formation depletes a planet's rocky mantle of siderophile (iron-loving) elements, in addition to the volatile depletion. After that, Earth-like planets likely accrete some volatile-rich materials, called 'late veneer'. The late veneer could be essential to the origins of life on Earth and Earth-like planets, as it also delivers the volatiles such as nitrogen, sulfur, carbon and water to the planet's surface, which are crucial for life to occur. We plan to build an integrative model of Earth-like planets from the bottom up. We would like to infer their chemical compositions from their mass-radius relations and their host stars' elemental abundances, and understand the origins of volatile contents (especially water) on their surfaces, and thereby shed light on the origins of life on them.

Seminar on Financing Education: The Budgetary Process Under Pressure. Proceedings of a Seminar (Ottawa, Ontario, March 1-2, 1976).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Canadian Teachers' Federation, Ottawa (Ontario).

The purpose of this seminar was to give members of the Canadian Teachers' Federation a better understanding of the educational budgetary process. The proceedings of the seminar included welcoming remarks by Russell D. Mosher followed by two addresses--"The Political Context of Budgeting" by Dr. Peter Atherton and "Resource…

Interview with Peter McLaren, on His Work, on His Visit to Turkey and on Ongoing Popular Struggles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fassbinder, Samuel Day

2013-01-01

Peter McLaren is, as the back cover of his (2005) Capitalists & Conquerors: a critical pedagogy against empire says, "professor of urban education at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles". Peter is also now a Distinguished Fellow in Critical Studies at Chapman…

Against the Corporate Culture Ideology: An Interview with Peter Mayo

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Suoranta, Juha

2010-01-01

This article presents an interview with Peter Mayo, author and expert in the field of sociology of adult education, on his major influences in this area, his books, and his views on the role of radical adult education and radical scholarship in the future. In the interview, Peter Mayo states that his initial view of adult education was quite a…

20 CFR 416.1166 - How we deem income to you and your eligible child from your ineligible spouse.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

.... Example 1. Mary, a blind individual, lives with her husband, John, and their disabled child, Peter. Mary and Peter have no income, but John is employed and earns $605 per month. We determine Mary's... is eligible; therefore, there is no income to be deemed to Peter. Example 2. Al, a disabled...

Report on Teaching: Analysis of Some of the Most Notable Improvements in Amesican Undergraduate Teaching. No. 4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Change Magazine, 1977

1977-01-01

The fourth in a series of reports on undergraduate teaching contains articles on three disciplines: (1) geography (William D. Pattison, Salvatore J. Natoli, Peter Binzen, Charles J. Sugnet, Edwin Kiester, Jr., Sally Valente Kiester, Evan Jenkins, Peter Kakela, David Lanegran, Paul W. English, Peter Gould, and Alan DeLucia); (2) music (Theodore A.…

Fiedler Trees for Multiscale Surface Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-01

geometry pro- cessing. In ACM SIGGRAPH ASIA Course Notes, 2009. [22] Peter Lindstrom . Out-of-core simplification of large polygonal models. In SIGGRAPH ’00...Graphics Forum, volume 27, pages 1341–1348. Blackwell Science Ltd, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX 2 0 EL, UK,, 2008. [29] Martin Reuter. Hierarchical shape...009-0278-1, 2009. [30] Martin Reuter, Silvia Biasotti, Daniela Giorgi, Giuseppe Patanè, and Michela Spagnuolo. Discrete laplace-beltrami operators for

Digenetic Changes in Macro- to Nano-Scale Porosity in the St. Peter Sandstone:L An (Ultra) Small Angle Neutron Scattering and Backscattered Electron Imagining Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anovitz, Lawrence; Cole, David; Rother, Gernot

2013-01-01

Small- and Ultra-Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS and USANS) provide powerful tools for quantitative analysis of porous rocks, yielding bulk statistical information over a wide range of length scales. This study utilized (U)SANS to characterize shallowly buried quartz arenites from the St. Peter Sandstone. Backscattered electron imaging was also used to extend the data to larger scales. These samples contain significant volumes of large-scale porosity, modified by quartz overgrowths, and neutron scattering results show significant sub-micron porosity. While previous scattering data from sandstones suggest scattering is dominated by surface fractal behavior over many orders of magnitude, careful analysis of ourmore » data shows both fractal and pseudo-fractal behavior. The scattering curves are composed of subtle steps, modeled as polydispersed assemblages of pores with log-normal distributions. However, in some samples an additional surface-fractal overprint is present, while in others there is no such structure, and scattering can be explained by summation of non-fractal structures. Combined with our work on other rock-types, these data suggest that microporosity is more prevalent, and may play a much more important role than previously thought in fluid/rock interactions.« less

Earth rocks on Mars: Must planetary quarantine be rethought

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melosh, H. J.

1988-01-01

Recent geochemical, isotopic, and rare gas studies suggest that eight SNC meteorites originated on the planet Mars. Since Martian rocks are found on Earth, consideration is being given to finding Earth rocks on Mars. Detailed consideration of the mechanism by which these meteorites were lofted into space strongly suggest that the process of stress-wave spallation near a large impact with, perhaps, an assist from vapor plume expansion, is the fundamental process by which lightly-shocked rock debris is ejected into interplanetary space. The theory of spall ejection was used to examine the mass and velocity of material ejected from the near vicinity of an impact. It seems likely that the half-dozen largest impact events on Earth would have ejected considerable masses of near surface rocks into interplanetary space. No computations were performed to indicate how long Earth ejecta would take to reach Mars.

Geological Mapping of Fortuna Tessera (V-2): Venus and Earth's Archean Process Comparisons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Head, James W.; Hurwitz,D. M.; Ivanov, M. A.; Basilevsky, A. T.; Kumar, P. Senthil

2008-01-01

The geological features, structures, thermal conditions, interpreted processes, and outstanding questions related to both the Earth's Archean and Venus share many similarities and we are using a problem-oriented approach to Venus mapping, guided by insight from the Archean record of the Earth, to gain new insight into the evolution of Venus and Earth's Archean. The Earth's preserved and well-documented Archean record provides important insight into high heat-flux tectonic and magmatic environments and structures and the surface of Venus reveals the current configuration and recent geological record of analogous high-temperature environments unmodified by subsequent several billion years of segmentation and overprinting, as on Earth. Elsewhere we have addressed the nature of the Earth's Archean, the similarities to and differences from Venus, and the specific Venus and Earth-Archean problems on which progress might be made through comparison. Here we present the major goals of the Venus-Archean comparison and show how preliminary mapping of the geology of the V-2 Fortuna Tessera quadrangle is providing insight on these problems. We have identified five key themes and questions common to both the Archean and Venus, the assessment of which could provide important new insights into the history and processes of both planets.

Biological modulation of planetary atmospheres: The early Earth scenario

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schidlowski, M.

1985-01-01

The establishment and subsequent evolution of life on Earth had a profound impact on the chemical regime at the planet's surface and its atmosphere. A thermodynamic gradient was imposed on near-surface environments that served as the driving force for a number on important geochemical transformations. An example is the redox imbalance between the modern atmosphere and the material of the Earth's crust. Current photochemical models predict extremely low partial pressures of oxygen in the Earth's prebiological atmosphere. There is widespread consensus that any large-scale oxygenation of the primitive atmosphere was contingent on the advent of biological (autotrophic) carbon fixation. It is suggested that photoautotrophy existed both as a biochemical process and as a geochemical agent since at least 3.8 Ga ago. Combining the stoichiometry of the photosynthesis reaction with a carbon isotope mass balance and current concepts for the evolution of the stationary sedimentary mass as a funion of time, it is possible to quantify, the accumulation of oxygen and its photosynthetic oxidation equivalents through Earth history.

Uncovering the Chemistry of Earth-like Planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Li; Sasselov, Dimitar; Jacobsen, Stein

2015-08-01

We propose to use the evidence from our solar system to understand exoplanets, and in particular, to predict their surface chemistry and thereby the possibility of life. An Earth-like planet, born from the same nebula as its host star, is composed primarily of silicate rocks and an iron-nickel metal core, and depleted in volatile content in a systematic manner. The more volatile (easier to vaporize or dissociate into gas form) an element is in an Earth-like planet, the more depleted the element is compared to its host star. After depletion, an Earth-like planet would go through the process of core formation due to heat from radioactive decay and collisions. Core formation depletes a planet’s rocky mantle of siderophile (iron-loving) elements, in addition to the volatile depletion. After that, Earth-like planets likely accrete some volatile-rich materials, called “late veneer”. The late veneer could be essential to the origins of life on Earth and Earth-like planets, as it also delivers the volatiles such as nitrogen, sulfur, carbon and water to the planet’s surface, which are crucial for life to occur. Here we build an integrative model of Earth-like planets from the bottom up. Thus the chemical compositions of Earth-like planets could be inferred from their mass-radius relations and their host stars’ elemental abundances, and the origins of volatile contents (especially water) on their surfaces could be understood, and thereby shed light on the origins of life on them. This elemental abundance model could be applied to other rocky exoplanets in exoplanet systems.

Uncovering the Chemistry of Earth-like Planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, L.; Jacobsen, S. B.; Sasselov, D. D.

2015-12-01

We propose to use the evidence from our solar system to understand exoplanets, and in particular, to predict their surface chemistry and thereby the possibility of life. An Earth-like planet, born from the same nebula as its host star, is composed primarily of silicate rocks and an iron-nickel metal core, and depleted in volatile content in a systematic manner. The more volatile (easier to vaporize or dissociate into gas form) an element is in an Earth-like planet, the more depleted the element is compared to its host star. After depletion, an Earth-like planet would go through the process of core formation due to heat from radioactive decay and collisions. Core formation depletes a planet's rocky mantle of siderophile (iron-loving) elements, in addition to the volatile depletion. After that, Earth-like planets likely accrete some volatile-rich materials, called "late veneer". The late veneer could be essential to the origins of life on Earth and Earth-like planets, as it also delivers the volatiles such as nitrogen, sulfur, carbon and water to the planet's surface, which are crucial for life to occur. Here we build an integrative model of Earth-like planets from the bottom up. Thus the chemical compositions of Earth-like planets could be inferred from their mass-radius relations and their host stars' elemental abundances, and the origins of volatile contents (especially water) on their surfaces could be understood, and thereby shed light on the origins of life on them. This elemental abundance model could be applied to other rocky exoplanets in exoplanet systems.

The mark of vegetation change on Earth's surface energy balance: data-driven diagnostics and model validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cescatti, A.; Duveiller, G.; Hooker, J.

2017-12-01

Changing vegetation cover not only affects the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases but also alters the radiative and non-radiative properties of the surface. The result of competing biophysical processes on Earth's surface energy balance varies spatially and seasonally, and can lead to warming or cooling depending on the specific vegetation change and on the background climate. To date these effects are not accounted for in land-based climate policies because of the complexity of the phenomena, contrasting model predictions and the lack of global data-driven assessments. To overcome the limitations of available observation-based diagnostics and of the on-going model inter-comparison, here we present a new benchmarking dataset derived from satellite remote sensing. This global dataset provides the potential changes induced by multiple vegetation transitions on the single terms of the surface energy balance. We used this dataset for two major goals: 1) Quantify the impact of actual vegetation changes that occurred during the decade 2000-2010, showing the overwhelming role of tropical deforestation in warming the surface by reducing evapotranspiration despite the concurrent brightening of the Earth. 2) Benchmark a series of ESMs against data-driven metrics of the land cover change impacts on the various terms of the surface energy budget and on the surface temperature. We anticipate that the dataset could be also used to evaluate future scenarios of land cover change and to develop the monitoring, reporting and verification guidelines required for the implementation of mitigation plans that account for biophysical land processes.

Instructional Design. [SITE 2002 Section].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

2002

This document contains the following papers on instructional design from the SITE (Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education) 2002 conference: "Faculty Guidelines for the Video Development Process" (Ronald J. Abate and Kathleen Benghiat); "Evolution of an Online Graduate Course in Educational Multimedia" (Peter Albion); "PT3…

Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Diner, David J. (Principal Investigator)

MISR views the sunlit Earth simultaneously at nine widely spaced angles and provides ongoing global coverage with high spatial detail. Its imagery is carefully calibrated to provide accurate measures of the brightness, contrast, and color of reflected sunlight. MISR provides new types of information for scientists studying Earth's climate, such as the regional and global distribution of different types of atmospheric particles and aerosols. The change in reflection at different view angles provides the means to distinguish aerosol types, cloud forms, and land surface cover. Combined with stereoscopic techniques, this enables construction of 3-D cloud models and estimation of the total amount of sunlight reflected by Earth's diverse environments. MISR was built for NASA by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. It is part of NASA's first Earth Observing System (EOS) spacecraft, the Terra spacecraft, which was launched into polar orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base on December 18, 1999. MISR has been continuously providing data since February 24, 2000. [Mission Objectives] The MISR instrument acquires systematic multi-angle measurements for global monitoring of top-of-atmosphere and surface albedos and for measuring the shortwave radiative properties of aerosols, clouds, and surface scenes in order to characterize their impact on the Earth's climate. The Earth's climate is constantly changing -- as a consequence of both natural processes and human activities. Scientists care a great deal about even small changes in Earth's climate, since they can affect our comfort and well-being, and possibly our survival. A few years of below-average rainfall, an unusually cold winter, or a change in emissions from a coal-burning power plant, can influence the quality of life of people, plants, and animals in the region involved. The goal of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) is to increase our understanding of the climate changes that are occurring on our planet, and the reasons for these changes, so we are better equipped to anticipate and prepare for the future. The MISR instrument is a part of EOS. Its role is to measure the amount of sunlight scattered in different directions under natural conditions. These measurements will help quantify the amount of solar energy that heats the Earth's surface and atmosphere, and the changes that occur in them over the lifetime of the MISR instrument. From the MISR observations, we are also learning more about those components of the Earth's environment that scatter sunlight: particles in the atmosphere, the planet's surface, and clouds. MISR monitors changes in surface reflection properties, in atmospheric aerosol content and composition, and in cloudiness. Scientists use these data to study land use changes, air pollution, volcanic eruptions, as well as processes such as desertification, deforestation, and soil erosion. As part of the EOS program, computer models that predict future climate will be improved by the results of these studies. [Temporal_Coverage: Start_Date=2000-02-24; Stop_Date=] [Spatial_Coverage: Southernmost_Latitude=-90; Northernmost_Latitude=90; Westernmost_Longitude=-180; Easternmost_Longitude=180].

Map showing high-purity silica sand of Middle Ordovician age in the Midwestern states

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ketner, Keith B.

1979-01-01

Certain quartz sands of Middle Ordovician age in the Midwestern States are well known for their purity and are exploited for a wide variety of industrial uses. The principal Middle Ordovician formations containing high-purity sands are the St. Peter Sandstone which crops out extensively from Minnesota to Arkansas; the Everton Formation principally of Arkansas; and the Oil Creek, McLish, and Tulip Creek Formations (all of the Simpson Group) of Oklahoma. The St. Peter and sandy beds in the other formations are commonly called "sandstones," but a more appropriate term is "sands" for in most fresh exposures they are completely uncemented or very weakly cemented. On exposure to air, uncemented sands usually become "case hardened" where evaporating ground water precipitates mineral matter at the surface; but this is a surficial effect. This report summarizes the available information on the extent of exposures, range of grain size, and chemical composition of the Middle Ordovician sands.

From Titan to the primitive Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raulin, F.; Gpcos Team

Our knowledge of the conditions prevailing in the environment of the primitive Earth is still very limited, due to the lack of geological data. Fortunately, there are a few planetary objects in the solar system which present similarities with our planet, including during its early history. Titan is one of these. With a diameter of more than 5100 km, Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is also the only one to have a dense atmosphere. This atmosphere, clearly evidenced by the presence of haze layers, extends to approximately 1500 km. Like the Earth, Titan's atmosphere is mainly composed of dinitrogen, N2 . The other main constituents are methane, CH4 , about 1.6% to 2.0% in the stratosphere, as measured by CIRS on Cassini and GC-MS on Huygens and dihydrogen (H2 , approximate 0.1%). With surface temperatures of approximately 94 K, and an average surface pressure of 1.5 bar, Titan's atmosphere is nearly five times denser than the Earth's. Despite of these differences between Titan and the Earth there are several analogies that can be drawn between the two planetary bodies. The first resemblances concern the vertical atmospheric structure. Although Titan is much colder, with a troposphere (˜94-˜70 K), a tropopause (70.4 K) and a stratosphere (˜70-175 K) its atmosphere presents a similar complex structure to that of the Earth. These analogies are linked to the presence in both atmospheres of greenhouse gases: CH4 and H2 on Titan, equivalent respectively to terrestrial condensable H2 O and non-condensable CO2 . In addition the haze particles and clouds in Titan's atmosphere play an antigreenhouse effect similar to that of the terrestrial atmospheric aerosols and clouds. Indeed, methane on Titan seems to play the role of water on the Earth, with a complex cycle, which still has to be understood. The possibility that Titan is covered with hydrocarbon oceans is now ruled out, but it is still possible that Titan's surface include lakes of methane and ethane. Moreover, the DISR instrument on Huygens has provided pictures of Titan's surface which clearly shows dentritic structures strongly suggesting recent liquid flow on the surface of Titan. In addition, the Huygens GCMS data show that methane mole fraction increases in the low troposphere (up to 5%) and reaches the saturation level at approximately 8 km altitude, allowing the possible formation of clouds and rain. Furthermore, GC-MS analyses recorded a 50% increase 1 in the methane mole fraction at Titan's surface, suggesting the presence of condensed methane on the surface near the lander. Other observations from the Cassini instruments clearly show the presence of various surface features of different origins indicative of volcanic, tectonic, sedimentological and meteorological processes.as we find on Earth .INMS on Cassini and GC-MS on Huygens have detected the presence of argon in the atmosphere. Similarly to the Earth atmosphere, the most abundant argon isotope is 40 Ar, which comes from the radioactive decay of 40 K. This strongly suggests that Titan's atmosphere is a secondary atmosphere, produced by the degassing of trapped gases. Analogies can also be made between the organic chemistry which is very active now on Titan and the prebiotic chemistry which was active on primitive Earth. In spite of the absence of permanent bodies of liquid water on Titan's surface, several of the organic processes which are occurring today on Titan imply some of the organic compounds which are considered as key molecules in the terrestrial prebiotic chemistry, such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN), cyanoacetylene (HC3 N) and cyanogen (C2 N2 ). A complex organic chemistry seems to be present in the three components of what one can call, always by analogy with our planet, the "geofluids" of Titan: air (gas atmosphere), aerosols (solid atmosphere) and surface (oceans). A recent study on the hydrogen escape from the primitive atmosphere of the Earth suggests that it may have been more reducing that we thought. If this is correct, the chemical processes involved in Titan's atmospheric chemistry may be even closer to those on the primitive Earth. References. Feng T., Owen B. T., Pavlov, A.A, and De Sterck, H. 2005. `A Hydrogen-Rich Early Earth Atmosphere'. Science 308, 1014-1017. Raulin, F. (2005), `Exo-Astrobiological Aspects of Europa and Titan: From Observations to Speculations', Space Science Review 116 (1-2), 471-496. Nature, (2005), `The Huygens probe on Titan', 8 News & Views, Articles and Letters 438, 756-802 2

Earth Core and Inner Core: What Can We Learn From a Bayesian Inversion of Combined Nutation and Surface Gravimetry Data?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lambert, S. B.; Ziegler, Y.; Rosat, S.; Bizouard, C.

2017-12-01

Nutation time series derived from very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) and time varying surface gravity data recorded by superconducting gravimeters (SG) have long been used separately to assess the Earth's interior via the estimation of the free core and inner core resonance effects on nutation or tidal gravity. The results obtained from these two techniques have shown recently to be consistent, making relevant the combination of VLBI and SG observables and the estimation of Earth's interior parameters in a single inversion. We present here the results of combining nutation and surface gravity time series to improve estimates of the Earth's core and inner core resonant frequencies. We use VLBI nutation time series spanning 1984-2016 derived by several analysis centers affiliated to the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry, together with surface gravity data from about 15 SG stations. We address the resonance model used for describing the Earth's interior response to tidal excitation, the data preparation consisting of the error recalibration and amplitude fitting to nutation data, and processing of SG time-varying gravity to remove any gaps, spikes, steps and other disturbances, followed by the tidal analysis with the ETERNA 3.4 software package. New estimates of the resonant periods are proposed and correlations between the parameters are investigated.

Combining nutation and surface gravity observations to estimate the Earth's core and inner core resonant frequencies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziegler, Yann; Lambert, Sébastien; Rosat, Séverine; Nurul Huda, Ibnu; Bizouard, Christian

2017-04-01

Nutation time series derived from very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) and time varying surface gravity data recorded by superconducting gravimeters (SG) have long been used separately to assess the Earth's interior via the estimation of the free core and inner core resonance effects on nutation or tidal gravity. The results obtained from these two techniques have been shown recently to be consistent, making relevant the combination of VLBI and SG observables and the estimation of Earth's interior parameters in a single inversion. We present here the intermediate results of the ongoing project of combining nutation and surface gravity time series to improve estimates of the Earth's core and inner core resonant frequencies. We use VLBI nutation time series spanning 1984-2016 derived by the International VLBI Service for geodesy and astrometry (IVS) as the result of a combination of inputs from various IVS analysis centers, and surface gravity data from about 15 SG stations. We address here the resonance model used for describing the Earth's interior response to tidal excitation, the data preparation consisting of the error recalibration and amplitude fitting for nutation data, and processing of SG time-varying gravity to remove any gaps, spikes, steps and other disturbances, followed by the tidal analysis with the ETERNA 3.4 software package, the preliminary estimates of the resonant periods, and the correlations between parameters.

Imaging Thermal He(+)in Geospace from the Lunar Surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gallagher, D. L.; Sandel, B. R.; Adrian, Mark L.; Goldstein, Jerry; Jahn, Joerg-Micha; Spasojevic, Maria; Griffin, Brand

2007-01-01

By mass, thermal plasma dominates near-earth space and strongly influences the transport of energy and mass into the earth's atmosphere. It is proposed to play an important role in modifying the strength of space weather storms by its presence in regions of magnetic reconnection in the dayside magnetopause and in the near to mid-magnetotail. Ionospheric-origin thermal plasma also represents the most significant potential loss of atmospheric mass from our planet over geological time. Knowledge of the loss of convected thermal plasma into the solar wind versus its recirculation across high latitudes and through the magnetospheric flanks into the magnetospheric tail will enable determination of the mass balance for this mass-dominant component of the Geospace system and of its influence on global magnetospheric processes that are critical to space weather prediction and hence to the impact of space processes on human technology in space and on Earth. Our proposed concept addresses this basic issue of Geospace dynamics by imaging thermal He(+) ions in extreme ultraviolet light with an instrument on the lunar surface. The concept is derived from the highly successful Extreme Ultraviolet imager (EUV) flown on the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) spacecraft. From the lunar surface an advanced EUV imager is anticipated to have much higher sensitivity, lower background noise, and higher communication bandwidth back to Earth. From the near-magnetic equatorial location on the lunar surface, such an imager would be ideally located to follow thermal He(+) ions to high latitudes, into the magnetospheric flanks, and into the magnetotail.

Quantitative Voxel-to-Voxel Comparison of TriBeam and DCT Strontium Titanate Three-Dimensional Data Sets (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-02-09

Peter Gumbsch Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Melanie Syha European Synchrotron Radiation Facility Peter Gumbsch Fraunhofer IWM 9...REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Cont’d 6. AUTHOR(S) 3) Melanie Syha - ESRF 4) Peter Gumbsch - Fraunhofer IWM 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S...4) Fraunhofer IWM , Woelerstr. 11, 79108 Freiburg, Germany Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std

Theories of Power, Poverty, and Law: In Commemoration of the Contributions of Peter Bachrach--The Challenge of Peter Bachrach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lukes, Steven

2010-01-01

Peter Bachrach had a remarkable impact on those who encountered him in person and on generations of readers. Judith Baer vividly captures, among other things, his inspiring, emboldening influence on his students and the sheer fun it was to be with him. My recollections are of exciting, forward moving, intense, and probing arguments, in private and…

Is R. S. Peters' Way of Mentioning Women in His Texts Detrimental to Philosophy of Education? Some Considerations and Questions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lees, Helen E.

2012-01-01

Discussion in this article considers the unfortunate way R.S. Peters made mention of women when it was pertinent to his argumentation: portraying them, directly or indirectly, as abuse-able (murderable), deficient, aberrant, clueless and inconstant. It is argued that the high profile and esteem within which Peter's texts are held within philosophy…

Reflections on Peters' View of the Nature and Purpose of Work in Philosophy of Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aspin, D. N.

2013-01-01

In this article I describe the analytic approach adopted by Peters, his colleagues and followers of the "London line" in the 1960s and 1970s and argue that, even in those times, other approaches to philosophy of education were being valued and practised. I show that Peters and his colleagues later became aware of the need for philosophy of…

Low degree Earth's gravity coefficients determined from different space geodetic observations and climate models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wińska, Małgorzata; Nastula, Jolanta

2017-04-01

Large scale mass redistribution and its transport within the Earth system causes changes in the Earth's rotation in space, gravity field and Earth's ellipsoid shape. These changes are observed in the ΔC21, ΔS21, and ΔC20 spherical harmonics gravity coefficients, which are proportional to the mass load-induced Earth rotational excitations. In this study, linear trend, decadal, inter-annual, and seasonal variations of low degree spherical harmonics coefficients of Earth's gravity field, determined from different space geodetic techniques, Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), satellite laser ranging (SLR), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Earth rotation, and climate models, are examined. In this way, the contribution of each measurement technique to interpreting the low degree surface mass density of the Earth is shown. Especially, we evaluate an usefulness of several climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) to determine the low degree Earth's gravity coefficients using GRACE satellite observations. To do that, Terrestrial Water Storage (TWS) changes from several CMIP5 climate models are determined and then these simulated data are compared with the GRACE observations. Spherical harmonics ΔC21, ΔS21, and ΔC20 changes are calculated as the sum of atmosphere and ocean mass effect (GAC values) taken from GRACE and a land surface hydrological estimate from the selected CMIP5 climate models. Low degree Stokes coefficients of the surface mass density determined from GRACE, SLR, GNSS, Earth rotation measurements and climate models are compared to each other in order to assess their consistency. The comparison is done by using different types of statistical and signal processing methods.

Feeling Gravity's Pull: Gravity Modeling. The Gravity Field of Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lemoine, Frank; Smith, David; Rowlands, David; Zuber, Maria; Neumann, G.; Chinn, Douglas; Pavlis, D.

2000-01-01

Most people take the constant presence of gravitys pull for granted. However, the Earth's gravitational strength actually varies from location to location. This variation occurs because mass, which influences an object's gravitational pull, is not evenly distributed within the planet. Changes in topography, such as glacial movement, an earthquake, or a rise in the ocean level, can subtly affect the gravity field. An accurate measurement of the Earth's gravity field helps us understand the distribution of mass beneath the surface. This insight can assist us in locating petroleum, mineral deposits, ground water, and other valuable substances. Gravity mapping can also help notice or verify changes in sea surface height and other ocean characteristics. Such changes may indicate climate change from polar ice melting and other phenomena. In addition, gravity mapping can indicate how land moves under the surface after earthquakes and other plate tectonic processes. Finally, changes in the Earth's gravity field might indicate a shift in water distribution that could affect agriculture, water supplies for population centers, and long-term weather prediction. Scientists can map out the Earth's gravity field by watching satellite orbits. When a satellite shifts in vertical position, it might be passing over an area where gravity changes in strength. Gravity is only one factor that may shape a satellite's orbital path. To derive a gravity measurement from satellite movement, scientists must remove other factors that might affect a satellite's position: 1. Drag from atmospheric friction. 2. Pressure from solar radiation as it heads toward Earth and. as it is reflected off the surface of the Earth 3. Gravitational pull from the Sun, the Moon, and other planets in the Solar System. 4. The effect of tides. 5. Relativistic effects. Scientists must also correct for the satellite tracking process. For example, the tracking signal must be corrected for refraction through the atmosphere of the Earth. Supercomputers can calculate the effect of gravity for specific locations in space following a mathematical process known as spherical harmonics, which quantifies the gravity field of a planetary body. The process is based on Laplace's fundamental differential equation of gravity. The accuracy of a spherical harmonic solution is rated by its degree and order. Minute variations in gravity are measured against the geoid, a surface of constant gravity acceleration at mean sea level. The geoid reference gravity model strength includes the central body gravitational attraction (9.8 m/sq s) and a geopotential variation in latitude partially caused by the rotation of the Earth. The rotational effect modifies the shape of the geoid to be more like an ellipsoid, rather than a perfect, circle. Variations of gravity strength from the ellipsoidal reference model are measured in units called milli-Galileos (mGals). One mGal equals 10(exp -5) m/sq s. Research projects have also measured the gravity fields of other planetary bodies, as noted in the user profile that follows. From this information, we may make inferences about our own planet's internal structure and evolution. Moreover, mapping the gravity fields of other planets can help scientists plot the most fuel-efficient course for spacecraft expeditions to those planets.

[Characteristics of mercury exchange flux between soil and atmosphere under the snow retention and snow melting control].

PubMed

Zhang, Gang; Wang, Ning; Ai, Jian-Chao; Zhang, Lei; Yang, Jing; Liu, Zi-Qi

2013-02-01

Jiapigou gold mine, located in the upper Songhua River, was once the largest mine in China due to gold output, where gold extraction with algamation was widely applied to extract gold resulting in severe mercury pollution to ambient environmental medium. In order to study the characteristics of mercury exchange flux between soil (snow) and atmosphere under the snow retention and snow melting control, sampling sites were selected in equal distances along the slope which is situated in the typical hill-valley terrain unit. Mercury exchange flux between soil (snow) and atmosphere was determined with the method of dynamic flux chamber and in all sampling sites the atmosphere concentration from 0 to 150 cm near to the earth in the vertical direction was measured. Furthermore, the impact factors including synchronous meteorology, the surface characteristics under the snow retention and snow melting control and the mercury concentration in vertical direction were also investigated. The results are as follows: During the period of snow retention and melting the air mercury tends to gather towards valley bottom along the slope and an obvious deposit tendency process was found from air to the earth's surface under the control of thermal inversion due to the underlying surface of cold source (snow surface). However, during the period of snow melting, mercury exchange flux between the soil and atmosphere on the surface of the earth with the snow being melted demonstrates alternative deposit and release processes. As for the earth with snow covered, the deposit level of mercury exchange flux between soil and atmosphere is lower than that during the period of snow retention. The relationship between mercury exchange flux and impact factors shows that in snow retention there is a remarkable negative linear correlation between mercury exchange flux and air mercury concentration as well as between the former and the air temperature. In addition, in snow melting mercury exchange flux is remarkably negatively linearly correlated to air mercury concentration and positively linearly correlated to air temperature. Furthermore, there is a general positive linear correlation between mercury exchange flux and soil temperature on the surface of earth after snow melting.

Areal lithologic changes in bedrock aquifers in southeastern Minnesota as determined from natural-gamma borehole logs methods

USGS Publications Warehouse

Woodward, D.G.

1984-01-01

Interpretation of natural-gamma logs indicates that the shaley and silty sandstones that comprise the basal St. Peter confining bed, which separates the St. Peter and Prairie du Chien aquifers, are as much as 80 feet thick in the Twin City basin, but are absent in the southern part of the embayment. Differences in potentiometric head across the basal St. Peter are about 30 feet in the Twin City basin where the confining bed is present but only 5 to 10 feet to the south where the confining bed is absent and where the St. Peter aquifer directly overlies the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer.

Motives for Language Change.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hickey, Raymond, Ed.

This collection of papers considers processes involved in language change and issues of how they can be modeled and studied. After "Introduction" (Raymond Hickey), there are 15 papers in 6 parts. Part 1, "The Phenomenon of Language Change," includes: (1) "On Change in 'E-language'" (Peter Matthews); and (2)…

Detection of oxygen isotopic anomaly in terrestrial atmospheric carbonates and its implications to Mars.

PubMed

Shaheen, R; Abramian, A; Horn, J; Dominguez, G; Sullivan, R; Thiemens, Mark H

2010-11-23

The debate of life on Mars centers around the source of the globular, micrometer-sized mineral carbonates in the ALH84001 meteorite; consequently, the identification of Martian processes that form carbonates is critical. This paper reports a previously undescribed carbonate formation process that occurs on Earth and, likely, on Mars. We identified micrometer-sized carbonates in terrestrial aerosols that possess excess (17)O (0.4-3.9‰). The unique O-isotopic composition mechanistically describes the atmospheric heterogeneous chemical reaction on aerosol surfaces. Concomitant laboratory experiments define the transfer of ozone isotopic anomaly to carbonates via hydrogen peroxide formation when O(3) reacts with surface adsorbed water. This previously unidentified chemical reaction scenario provides an explanation for production of the isotopically anomalous carbonates found in the SNC (shergottites, nakhlaites, chassignites) Martian meteorites and terrestrial atmospheric carbonates. The anomalous hydrogen peroxide formed on the aerosol surfaces may transfer its O-isotopic signature to the water reservoir, thus producing mass independently fractionated secondary mineral evaporites. The formation of peroxide via heterogeneous chemistry on aerosol surfaces also reveals a previously undescribed oxidative process of utility in understanding ozone and oxygen chemistry, both on Mars and Earth.

Detection of oxygen isotopic anomaly in terrestrial atmospheric carbonates and its implications to Mars

PubMed Central

Shaheen, R.; Abramian, A.; Horn, J.; Dominguez, G.; Sullivan, R.; Thiemens, Mark H.

2010-01-01

The debate of life on Mars centers around the source of the globular, micrometer-sized mineral carbonates in the ALH84001 meteorite; consequently, the identification of Martian processes that form carbonates is critical. This paper reports a previously undescribed carbonate formation process that occurs on Earth and, likely, on Mars. We identified micrometer-sized carbonates in terrestrial aerosols that possess excess 17O (0.4–3.9‰). The unique O-isotopic composition mechanistically describes the atmospheric heterogeneous chemical reaction on aerosol surfaces. Concomitant laboratory experiments define the transfer of ozone isotopic anomaly to carbonates via hydrogen peroxide formation when O3 reacts with surface adsorbed water. This previously unidentified chemical reaction scenario provides an explanation for production of the isotopically anomalous carbonates found in the SNC (shergottites, nakhlaites, chassignites) Martian meteorites and terrestrial atmospheric carbonates. The anomalous hydrogen peroxide formed on the aerosol surfaces may transfer its O-isotopic signature to the water reservoir, thus producing mass independently fractionated secondary mineral evaporites. The formation of peroxide via heterogeneous chemistry on aerosol surfaces also reveals a previously undescribed oxidative process of utility in understanding ozone and oxygen chemistry, both on Mars and Earth. PMID:21059939

Monitoring of the Earth's surface deformation in the area of water dam Zarnowiec

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mojzes, Marcel; Wozniak, Marek; Habel, Branislav; Macak, Marek

2017-04-01

Mathematical and physical research directly motivates geodetic community which can provide very accurate measurements for testing of the proposed models Earth's surface motion near the water dams should be monitored due to the security of the area. This is a process which includes testing of existing models and their physical parameters. Change of the models can improve the practical results for analyzing the trends of motion in the area of upper reservoir of water dam Zarnowiec. Since 1998 Warsaw University of Technology realized a research focused on the horizontal displacements of the upper reservoir of water dam Zarnowiec. The 15 selected control points located on the upper reservoir crown of the water dam were monitored by classical distance measurements. It was found out that changes in the object's geometry occur due to the variation of the water level. The control measurements of the changes in the object's geometry occurring during the process of emptying and filling of the upper reservoir of water dam were compared with the deformations computed using improved Boussinesqués method programmed in the software MATLAB and ANSYS for elastic and isotropic half space as derivation of suitable potentials extended to the loaded region. The details and numerical results of this process are presented This presentation was prepared within the project "National Centre for Diagnostic of the Earth's Surface Deformations in the Area of Slovakia", ITMS code: 26220220108.

Assessing the performance of structure-from-motion photogrammetry and terrestrial lidar 1 at reconstructing soil surface microtopography of naturally vegetated plots

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Soil microtopography or soil roughness is a property of critical importance in many earth surface processes but is often difficult to measure. Advances in computer vision technologies have made image-based 3D depiction of the soil surface or Structure-from-Motion (SfM) available to many scientists ...

EarthShape: A Strategy for Investigating the Role of Biota on Surface Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Übernickel, Kirstin; Ehlers, Todd Alan; von Blanckenburg, Friedhelm; Paulino, Leandro

2017-04-01

EarthShape - "Earth surface shaping by biota" is a 6-year priority research program funded by the German science foundation (DFG-SPP 1803) that performs soil- and landscape-scale critical zone research at 4 locations along a climate gradient in Chile, South America. The program is in its first year and involves an interdisciplinary collaboration between geologists, geomorphologists, ecologists, soil scientists, microbiologists, geophysicists, geochemists, hydrogeologists and climatologists including 18 German and 8 Chilean institutions. EarthShape is composed of 4 research clusters representing the process chain from weathering of substrate to deposition of eroded material. Cluster 1 explores micro-biota as the "weathering engine". Investigations in this cluster quantify different mechanisms of biogenic weathering whereby plants, fungi, and bacteria interact with rock in the production of soil. Cluster 2 explores bio-mediated redistribution of material within the weathering zone. Studies in this cluster focus on soil catenas along hill slope profiles to investigate the modification of matter along its transport path. Cluster 3 explores biotic modulation of erosion and sediment routing at the catchment scale. Investigations in this cluster explore the effects of vegetation cover on solute and sediment transport from hill slopes to the channel network. Cluster 4 explores the depositional legacy of coupled biogenic and Earth surface systems. This cluster investigates records of vegetation-land surface interactions in different depositional settings. A final component of EarthShape lies in the integration of results from these 4 clusters using numerical models to bridging between the diverse times scales used by different disciplines. The Chilean Coastal Cordillera between 25° and 40°S was selected to carry out this research because its north-south orientation captures a large ecological and climate gradient. This gradient ranges from hyper-arid (Atacama desert) to temperate to humid conditions without a dry season and pristine temperate Araucaria forest. All study sites comprise granitic, previously unglaciated mountain ranges. It is one of the very few regions on Earth with uniquely rich conditions for quantifying biotic interactions with topography. Here, we benefit from (1) similar rock type, (2) tectonic uplift providing a topographic gradient for erosion on geological time-scales, (3) glaciation free catchments, and (4) well-documented records of climate change (marine, and lacustrine sediment records available). The presentation provides an introduction to the EarthShape project and an overview of activities over the first year.

Synchronous separation, seaming, sealing and sterilization (S4) using brazing for sample containerization and planetary protection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Badescu, Mircea; Sherrit, Stewart; Bao, Xiaoqi; Lindsey, Cameron; Kutzer, Thomas; Salazar, Eduardo

2018-03-01

The return of samples back to Earth in future missions would require protection of our planet from the risk of bringing uncontrolled biological materials back with the samples. This protection would require "breaking the chain of contact (BTC)", where any returned material reaching Earth for further analysis would have to be sealed inside a container with extremely high confidence. Therefore, the acquired samples would need to be contained while destroying any potential biological materials that may contaminate the external surface of the container. A novel process that could be used to contain returning samples has been developed and demonstrated in a quarter scale size. The process consists of brazing using non-contact induction heating that synchronously separates, seams, seals and sterilizes (S4) the container. The use of brazing involves melting at temperatures higher than 500°C and this level of heating assures sterilization of the exposed areas since all carbon bonds (namely, organic materials) are broken at this temperature. The mechanism consists of a double wall container with inner and outer shells having Earth-clean interior surfaces. The process consists of two-steps, Step-1: the double wall container halves are fabricated and brazed (equivalent to production on Earth); and Step-2 is the S4 process and it is the equivalent to the execution on-orbit around Mars. In a potential future mission, the double wall container would be split into two halves and prepared on Earth. The potential on-orbit execution would consist of inserting the orbiting sample (OS) container into one of the halves and then mated to the other half and brazed. The latest results of this effort will be described and discussed in this manuscript.

KSC-02pd0328

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-02-26

VANDENBERG AFB, CALIF. -- The Aqua-EOS satellite rests on a stand in the Spaceport Systems International (SSI) payload processing facility on South Vandenberg AFB. Aqua will provide a six year chronology of the planet and its processes. Comprehensive measurements taken by its onboard instruments will allow scientists to assess long-term change, identify its human and natural causes and advance the development of models for long-term forecasting. The Focus for the Aqua Project is the multi-disciplinary study of the Earth's Interrelated Processes (atmosphere, oceans, and land surface) and their relationship to earth system changes. The global change research emphasized with the Aqua instrument data sets include: atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, clouds, precipitation and radiative balance; terrestrial snow and sea ice; sea surface temperature and ocean productivity; soil moisture; and the improvement of numerical weather prediction. Aqua-EOS is scheduled for launch aboard a Delta II 7920-10L vehicle on April 18, 2002

KSC-02pd0331

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-02-27

VANDENBERG AFB, CALIF. -- The Aqua-EOS satellite is lifted to vertical in the Spaceport Systems International (SSI) payload processing facility on South Vandenberg AFB. Aqua will provide a six year chronology of the planet and its processes. Comprehensive measurements taken by its onboard instruments will allow scientists to assess long-term change, identify its human and natural causes and advance the development of models for long-term forecasting. The Focus for the Aqua Project is the multi-disciplinary study of the Earth's Interrelated Processes (atmosphere, oceans, and land surface) and their relationship to earth system changes. The global change research emphasized with the Aqua instrument data sets include: atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, clouds, precipitation and radiative balance; terrestrial snow and sea ice; sea surface temperature and ocean productivity; soil moisture; and the improvement of numerical weather prediction. Aqua-EOS is scheduled for launch aboard a Delta II 7920-10L vehicle on April 18, 2002

KSC-02pd0329

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-02-27

VANDENBERG AFB, CALIF. -- The Aqua-EOS satellite is lifted by an overhead crane in the Spaceport Systems International (SSI) payload processing facility on South Vandenberg AFB. Aqua will provide a six year chronology of the planet and its processes. Comprehensive measurements taken by its onboard instruments will allow scientists to assess long-term change, identify its human and natural causes and advance the development of models for long-term forecasting. The Focus for the Aqua Project is the multi-disciplinary study of the Earth's Interrelated Processes (atmosphere, oceans, and land surface) and their relationship to earth system changes. The global change research emphasized with the Aqua instrument data sets include: atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, clouds, precipitation and radiative balance; terrestrial snow and sea ice; sea surface temperature and ocean productivity; soil moisture; and the improvement of numerical weather prediction. Aqua-EOS is scheduled for launch aboard a Delta II 7920-10L vehicle on April 18, 2002

KSC-02pd0332

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-02-28

VANDENBERG AFB, CALIF. -- The Aqua-EOS satellite is again horizontal for instrument deployment while in the Spaceport Systems International (SSI) payload processing facility on South Vandenberg AFB. Aqua will provide a six year chronology of the planet and its processes. Comprehensive measurements taken by its onboard instruments will allow scientists to assess long-term change, identify its human and natural causes and advance the development of models for long-term forecasting. The Focus for the Aqua Project is the multi-disciplinary study of the Earth's Interrelated Processes (atmosphere, oceans, and land surface) and their relationship to earth system changes. The global change research emphasized with the Aqua instrument data sets include: atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, clouds, precipitation and radiative balance; terrestrial snow and sea ice; sea surface temperature and ocean productivity; soil moisture; and the improvement of numerical weather prediction. Aqua-EOS is scheduled for launch aboard a Delta II 7920-10L vehicle on April 18, 2002

KSC-02pd0333

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-02-28

VANDENBERG AFB, CALIF. -- Workers in the Spaceport Systems International (SSI) payload processing facility on South Vandenberg AFB work on instrument deployment of the Aqua-EOS satellite. Aqua will provide a six year chronology of the planet and its processes. Comprehensive measurements taken by its onboard instruments will allow scientists to assess long-term change, identify its human and natural causes and advance the development of models for long-term forecasting. The Focus for the Aqua Project is the multi-disciplinary study of the Earth's Interrelated Processes (atmosphere, oceans, and land surface) and their relationship to earth system changes. The global change research emphasized with the Aqua instrument data sets include: atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, clouds, precipitation and radiative balance; terrestrial snow and sea ice; sea surface temperature and ocean productivity; soil moisture; and the improvement of numerical weather prediction. Aqua-EOS is scheduled for launch aboard a Delta II 7920-10L vehicle on April 18, 2002

KSC-02pd0327

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-02-26

VANDENBERG AFB, CALIF. -- The Aqua-EOS satellite is uncovered in the Spaceport Systems International (SSI) payload processing facility on South Vandenberg AFB. Aqua will provide a six year chronology of the planet and its processes. Comprehensive measurements taken by its onboard instruments will allow scientists to assess long-term change, identify its human and natural causes and advance the development of models for long-term forecasting. The Focus for the Aqua Project is the multi-disciplinary study of the Earth's Interrelated Processes (atmosphere, oceans, and land surface) and their relationship to earth system changes. The global change research emphasized with the Aqua instrument data sets include: atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, clouds, precipitation and radiative balance; terrestrial snow and sea ice; sea surface temperature and ocean productivity; soil moisture; and the improvement of numerical weather prediction. Aqua-EOS is scheduled for launch aboard a Delta II 7920-10L vehicle on April 18, 2002

Numerical simulations of regolith sampling processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schäfer, Christoph M.; Scherrer, Samuel; Buchwald, Robert; Maindl, Thomas I.; Speith, Roland; Kley, Wilhelm

2017-07-01

We present recent improvements in the simulation of regolith sampling processes in microgravity using the numerical particle method smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH). We use an elastic-plastic soil constitutive model for large deformation and failure flows for dynamical behaviour of regolith. In the context of projected small body (asteroid or small moons) sample return missions, we investigate the efficiency and feasibility of a particular material sampling method: Brushes sweep material from the asteroid's surface into a collecting tray. We analyze the influence of different material parameters of regolith such as cohesion and angle of internal friction on the sampling rate. Furthermore, we study the sampling process in two environments by varying the surface gravity (Earth's and Phobos') and we apply different rotation rates for the brushes. We find good agreement of our sampling simulations on Earth with experiments and provide estimations for the influence of the material properties on the collecting rate.

Putting Technology to Work in Science - How to Select Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and their Instrumentation for Atmospheric and Earth Surface Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teller, Amit; Lange, Manfred; Ioannou, Stelios; Keleshis, Christos

2010-05-01

The Autonomous Flying Platforms for Atmospheric and Earth Surface Observations project (APAESO) of the Energy, Environment and Water Research Center (EEWRC) at the Cyprus Institute is aimed at the dual purpose of carrying out atmospheric and earth-surface observations in the Mediterranean. The APAESO platforms will offer the unique potential to determine physical, chemical and radiative atmospheric properties, aerosol and dust concentrations, atmospheric dynamics, surface morphology, vegetation and land use patterns as well as ocean surface properties (biology, waves, currents) and to carry out archaeological site reconnaissance and contaminant detection at high spatial resolution. The first phase of APAESO was dedicated to the preliminary design and the selection of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) as the backbone of the APAESO infrastructure. Selection of a UAV suitable for the many research objectives as outlined above is challenging because the UAV technology is new and rapidly evolving. This notwithstanding, a very large number of systems, mostly utilized for defense purposes, are currently available. The major challenge in the selection process lies in considering the trade-off between different platform characteristics (e.g. payload weight, endurance, max. altitude for operation and price) and in optimizing the potential performance of the UAV. Based on the required characteristics for the UAV platform, a survey of possible UAVs and suitable sensors was prepared based on various data sources. We used an elimination process in order to consider only a few models for the final selection process out of about 1000 commercially available UAV models that were initially investigated. The presentation will discuss the main scientific objectives that determine the specification of the UAV platform, major considerations in selecting best available technology for our needs and will briefly describe the next phases of the project.

Laser Processed Condensing Heat Exchanger Technology Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hansen, Scott; Wright, Sarah; Wallace, Sarah; Hamilton, Tanner; Dennis, Alexander; Zuhlke, Craig; Roth, Nick; Sanders, John

2017-01-01

The reliance on non-permanent coatings in Condensing Heat Exchanger (CHX) designs is a significant technical issue to be solved before long-duration spaceflight can occur. Therefore, high reliability CHXs have been identified by the Evolvable Mars Campaign (EMC) as critical technologies needed to move beyond low earth orbit. The Laser Processed Condensing Heat Exchanger project aims to solve these problems through the use of femtosecond laser processed surfaces, which have unique wetting properties and potentially exhibit anti-microbial growth properties. These surfaces were investigated to identify if they would be suitable candidates for a replacement CHX surface. Among the areas researched in this project include microbial growth testing, siloxane flow testing in which laser processed surfaces were exposed to siloxanes in an air stream, and manufacturability.

Planetary Surface-Atmosphere Interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merrison, J. P.; Bak, E.; Finster, K.; Gunnlaugsson, H. P.; Holstein-Rathlou, C.; Knak Jensen, S.; Nørnberg, P.

2013-09-01

Planetary bodies having an accessible solid surface and significant atmosphere, such as Earth, Mars, Venus, Titan, share common phenomenology. Specifically wind induced transport of surface materials, subsequent erosion, the generation and transport of solid aerosols which leads both to chemical and electrostatic interaction with the atmosphere. How these processes affect the evolution of the atmosphere and surface will be discussed in the context of general planetology and the latest laboratory studies will be presented.

A Geological Model for the Evolution of Early Continents (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rey, P. F.; Coltice, N.; Flament, N. E.; Thébaud, N.

2013-12-01

Geochemical probing of ancient sediments (REE in black shales, strontium composition of carbonates, oxygen isotopes in zircons...) suggests that continents were a late Archean addition at Earth's surface. Yet, geochemical probing of ancient basalts reveals that they were extracted from a mantle depleted of its crustal elements early in the Archean. Considerations on surface geology, the early Earth hypsometry and the rheology and density structure of Archean continents can help solve this paradox. Surface geology: The surface geology of Archean cratons is characterized by thick continental flood basalts (CFBs, including greenstones) emplaced on felsic crusts dominated by Trondhjemite-Tonalite-Granodiorite (TTG) granitoids. This simple geology is peculiar because i/ most CFBs were emplaced below sea level, ii/ after their emplacement, CFBs were deformed into relatively narrow, curviplanar belts (greenstone basins) wrapping around migmatitic TTG domes, and iii/ Archean greenstone belts are richly endowed with gold and other metals deposits. Flat Earth hypothesis: From considerations on early Earth continental geotherm and density structure, Rey and Coltice (2008) propose that, because of the increased ability of the lithosphere to flow laterally, orogenic processes in the Archean produced only subdued topography (

Influence of slip-surface geometry on earth-flow deformation, Montaguto earth flow, southern Italy

USGS Publications Warehouse

Guerriero, L.; Coe, Jeffrey A.; Revellio, P.; Grelle, G.; Pinto, F.; Guadagno, F.

2016-01-01

We investigated relations between slip-surface geometry and deformational structures and hydrologic features at the Montaguto earth flow in southern Italy between 1954 and 2010. We used 25 boreholes, 15 static cone-penetration tests, and 22 shallow-seismic profiles to define the geometry of basal- and lateral-slip surfaces; and 9 multitemporal maps to quantify the spatial and temporal distribution of normal faults, thrust faults, back-tilted surfaces, strike-slip faults, flank ridges, folds, ponds, and springs. We infer that the slip surface is a repeating series of steeply sloping surfaces (risers) and gently sloping surfaces (treads). Stretching of earth-flow material created normal faults at risers, and shortening of earth-flow material created thrust faults, back-tilted surfaces, and ponds at treads. Individual pairs of risers and treads formed quasi-discrete kinematic zones within the earth flow that operated in unison to transmit pulses of sediment along the length of the flow. The locations of strike-slip faults, flank ridges, and folds were not controlled by basal-slip surface topography but were instead dependent on earth-flow volume and lateral changes in the direction of the earth-flow travel path. The earth-flow travel path was strongly influenced by inactive earth-flow deposits and pre-earth-flow drainages whose positions were determined by tectonic structures. The implications of our results that may be applicable to other earth flows are that structures with strikes normal to the direction of earth-flow motion (e.g., normal faults and thrust faults) can be used as a guide to the geometry of basal-slip surfaces, but that depths to the slip surface (i.e., the thickness of an earth flow) will vary as sediment pulses are transmitted through a flow.

A review of earth observation using mobile personal communication devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferster, Colin J.; Coops, Nicholas C.

2013-02-01

Earth observation using mobile personal communication devices (MPCDs) is a recent advance with considerable promise for acquiring important and timely measurements. Globally, over 5 billion people have access to mobile phones, with an increasing proportion having access to smartphones with capabilities such as a camera, microphone, global positioning system (GPS), data storage, and networked data transfer. Scientists can view these devices as embedded sensors with the potential to take measurements of the Earth's surface and processes. To advance the state of Earth observation using MPCDs, scientists need to consider terms and concepts, from a broad range of disciplines including citizen science, image analysis, and computer vision. In this paper, as a result of our literature review, we identify a number of considerations for Earth observation using MPCDs such as methods of field collection, collecting measurements over broad areas, errors and biases, data processing, and accessibility of data. Developing effective frameworks for mobile data collection with public participation and strategies for minimizing bias, in combination with advancements in image processing techniques, will offer opportunities to collect Earth sensing data across a range of scales and perspectives, complimenting airborne and spaceborne remote sensing measurements.

Design Automation for Streaming Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-12-16

which are FIFO buffered channels. We develop a process network model for streaming sys - tems (TDFPN) and a hardware description language with built in...and may include an automatic address generator. A complete synthesis sys - tem would provide separate segment operator implementations for every...Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing (ICASSP ’89), pages 988– 991, 1989. [Luk et al., 1997] Wayne Luk, Nabeel Shirazi, and Peter Y. K. Cheung

Interagency Conflict Assessment Framework: A Pragmatic Tool for Army Design

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-02

Peter Checkland and John Poulter, Learning for Action: A Short Definitive Account of Soft Systems Methodology and its use for Practitioners, Teachers...lend itself to mechanistic analytical methods.32 Peter Checkland and John Poulter suggest that each approach is neither right nor wrong, rather...their relationships. According to Peter Checkland , the use of what he describes as “rich pictures” are excellent tools for capturing the dynamics of a

Theories of Power, Poverty, and Law: In Commemoration of the Contributions of Peter Bachrach--Empowerment and Poverty

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levi, Margaret

2010-01-01

My subject is the way Peter Bachrach addressed the question of poverty. But given that I was his student and research assistant and that I am a political scientist largely because of him, it is impossible to resist a few words about the experience of being in his classrooms. Peter was an inspiring teacher of politics. The substantive content of…

Natural Zeolite Sample and Investigation Its Use in Oil Bleaching Sector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bilgin, Oyku

2017-12-01

In the sector of oil bleaching, the stored raw oil is subjected to physical and chemical methods such as degumming, neutralization, bleaching, deodorization and winterization. In the process of oil bleaching, the selection of correct bleaching earth in accordance with oil characteristics matters so much. Bleaching earth is an inorganic product used in removing impurities being available within the structures of vegetable, animal oil (sunflower, soya, corn, palm, tallow, rapeseed, fish oils…etc.) and fatty acids, mineral oils (glycerine, paraffin, mineral motor oils. etc.) with the adsorption process. The factors such as low cost of oil bleaching earth, low ratio of oil retaining, high bleaching capacity in spite of using them in small amounts, filter’s delayed blocking by the earth and non-increase of the free acidity of the oil should be taken into consideration. Bleaching earths are processed with some acids in order to widen their surface areas. During this process, a certain amount of acid is left within oil bleaching earths even if it is very little. These acids also increase oil’s acidity by oxidizing oil in the course of bleaching process. In this study, zeolite sample taken from Manisa -Demirci region was used. Following the processes of crushing and sieving, zeolite sample was subjected to chemical analyses according to their grain thickness, microscopic examination, the analyses of XRD and cation exchange capacity and their ore characteristics were determined. Afterwards, it was searched whether zeolite sample has oil bleaching ability or not or whether it can be used as oil bleaching earth or not.

Titan Saturn System Mission (TSSM) Enables Comparative Climatology with Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reh, Kim; Lunine, J.; Coustenis, A.; Matson, D.; Beauchamp, P.; Erd, C.; Lebreton, J.

2009-09-01

Titan is a complex world more like the Earth than any other: it has a dense mostly nitrogen atmosphere and active climate and meteorological cycles where the working fluid, methane, behaves under Titan conditions the way that water does on Earth. Its geology, from lakes and seas to broad river valleys and mountains, while carved in ice is, in its balance of processes, again most like Earth. Beneath this panoply of Earth-like processes an ice crust floats atop what appears to be a liquid water ocean. The Titan Saturn System Mission would seek to understand Titan as a system, in the same way that one would ask this question about Venus, Mars, and the Earth. How are distinctions between Titan and other worlds in the solar systems understandable in the context of the complex interplay of geology, hydrology, meteorology, and aeronomy? Is Titan an analogue for some aspect of Earth's history, past or future? Why is Titan endowed with an atmosphere when Ganymede is not? Titan is also rich in organic molecules_more so in its surface and atmosphere than anyplace in the solar system, including Earth (excluding our vast carbonate sediments). These molecules were formed in the atmosphere, deposited on the surface and, in coming into contact with liquid water may undergo an aqueous chemistry that could replicate aspects of life's origins. The second goal of the proposed TSSM mission is to understand the chemical cycles that generate and destroy organics and assess the likelihood that they can tell us something of life's origins. This work was performed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory-California Institute of Technology, under contract to NASA.

Evaluation of Environmental Information Products for Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System (SAROPS) - Version for Public Release

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-02-01

is called EFS-POM. EFS-POM is forced by surface atmospheric forcing (wind, heating / cooling , sea level pressure) and by boundary forcing derived from...Peter Olsson, University of Alaska Anchorage. Heating and cooling is given by the climatological monthly heat flux from COADS (Comprehensive Ocean...Environmental Information Products for Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System (SAROPS) - Version for Public Release FINAL REPORT February

The Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Golon, Danielle K.

2016-10-03

The Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC) operates as a partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey and is 1 of 12 DAACs within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS). The LP DAAC ingests, archives, processes, and distributes NASA Earth science remote sensing data. These data are provided to the public at no charge. Data distributed by the LP DAAC provide information about Earth’s surface from daily to yearly intervals and at 15 to 5,600 meter spatial resolution. Data provided by the LP DAAC can be used to study changes in agriculture, vegetation, ecosystems, elevation, and much more. The LP DAAC provides several ways to access, process, and interact with these data. In addition, the LP DAAC is actively archiving new datasets to provide users with a variety of data to study the Earth.

Jovian Substorms: A Study of Processes Leading to Transient Behavior in the Jovian Magnetosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, C. T.

2000-01-01

Solar system magnetospheres can be divided into two groups: induced and intrinsic. The induced magnetospheres are produced in the solar wind interaction of the magnetized solar wind with planetary obstacles. Examples of these magnetospheres are those of comets, Venus and Mars. Intrinsic magnetospheres are the cavities formed in the solar wind by the magnetic fields produced by dynamo current systems inside the planets: Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are known to have intrinsic magnetospheres. Intrinsic magnetospheres can be further subdivided as to how the circulating plasma is driven by external or internal processes. The magnetospheres of Mercury and Earth are driven by the solar wind. The magnetospheres of Jupiter and possibly of Saturn are principally driven by internal processes. These processes provide the energy for the powerful jovian radio signals that can be detected easily on the surface of the Earth.

Comparative Application of Dimensionless Bankfull Hydraulic Relations for Earth and Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parker, G.

2005-12-01

Recent evidence from the Huygens Probe of the Cassini Mission suggests that Titan, a satellite of Saturn, has rivers of flowing liquid methane which transport disaggregated crustal sediment in the form of ice. Surface images from the Huygens Probe show gravel-sized ice clasts that appear to be well-rounded by fluvial processes. If river morphodynamics on Earth is truly understood at a physical level, then relations that provide reasonable results on Earth ought to provide similarly reasonable results on Titan. These basic relations should be expressed in terms of dimensionless variabes. At least three dimensioned parameters that would be used to form the relevant dimensionless variables can be expected to vary notably between Earth and Titan. These are a) the acceleration of gravity, the kinematic viscosity of the flowing fluid and the submerged specific gravity of the sediment. Dimensionless relations for the threshold of motion, the threshold of significant suspension and bankfull hydraulic geometry that are known to work on Earth are used to predict features of rivers on Titan. Wildcards that make the predictions tentative include the formation of hydrocarbons on Titan that might add a kind of cohesivity not encountered on Earth and a freeze-thaw process of methane that might not be analogous to freeze-thaw processes in high-latitude rivers on Earth.

Beyond seismic interferometry: imaging the earth's interior with virtual sources and receivers inside the earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wapenaar, C. P. A.; Van der Neut, J.; Thorbecke, J.; Broggini, F.; Slob, E. C.; Snieder, R.

2015-12-01

Imagine one could place seismic sources and receivers at any desired position inside the earth. Since the receivers would record the full wave field (direct waves, up- and downward reflections, multiples, etc.), this would give a wealth of information about the local structures, material properties and processes in the earth's interior. Although in reality one cannot place sources and receivers anywhere inside the earth, it appears to be possible to create virtual sources and receivers at any desired position, which accurately mimics the desired situation. The underlying method involves some major steps beyond standard seismic interferometry. With seismic interferometry, virtual sources can be created at the positions of physical receivers, assuming these receivers are illuminated isotropically. Our proposed method does not need physical receivers at the positions of the virtual sources; moreover, it does not require isotropic illumination. To create virtual sources and receivers anywhere inside the earth, it suffices to record the reflection response with physical sources and receivers at the earth's surface. We do not need detailed information about the medium parameters; it suffices to have an estimate of the direct waves between the virtual-source positions and the acquisition surface. With these prerequisites, our method can create virtual sources and receivers, anywhere inside the earth, which record the full wave field. The up- and downward reflections, multiples, etc. in the virtual responses are extracted directly from the reflection response at the surface. The retrieved virtual responses form an ideal starting point for accurate seismic imaging, characterization and monitoring.

A Geochemical View on the Interplay Between Earth's Mantle and Crust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chauvel, C.

2017-12-01

Over most of Earth history, oceanic and continental crust was created and destroyed. The formation of both types of crust involves the crystallization and differentiation of magmas producing by mantle melting. Their destruction proceeds by mechanical erosion and weathering above sea level, chemical alteration on the seafloor, and bulk recycling in subduction zones. All these processes enrich of some chemical element and deplete others but each process has its own effect on chemical elements. While the flux of material from mantle to crust is well understood, the return flux is much more complex. In contrast to mantle processes, erosion, weathering, chemical alteration and sedimentary processes strongly decouple elements such as the rare earths and high-field strength elements due to their different solubilities in surface fluids and mineralogical sorting during transport. Soluble elements such as strontium or uranium are quantitatively transported to the ocean by rivers and decoupled from less soluble elements. Over geological time, such decoupling significantly influences the extent to which chemical elements remain at the Earth's surface or find their way back to the mantle through subduction zones. For example, elements like Hf or Nd are retained in heavy minerals on continents whereas U and Sr are transported to the oceans and then in subduction zones to the mantle. The consequence is that different radiogenic isotopic systems give disparate age estimates for the continental crust; e.g, Hf ages could be too old. In subduction zones, chemical elements are also decoupled, due to contrasting behavior during dehydration or melting in subducting slabs. The material sent back into the mantle is generally enriched in non-soluble elements while most fluid-mobile elements return to the crust. This, in turn, affects the relationship between the Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf and U-Th-Pb isotopic systems and creates correlations unlike those based on magmatic processes. By quantifying the difference between isotopic arrays created by magmatic processes vs. surface and subduction processes, we can determine how crust recycling creates isotopic heterogeneities in the mantle.

Scintillation of rare earth doped fluoride nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobsohn, L. G.; McPherson, C. L.; Sprinkle, K. B.; Yukihara, E. G.; DeVol, T. A.; Ballato, J.

2011-09-01

The scintillation response of rare earth (RE) doped core/undoped (multi-)shell fluoride nanoparticles was investigated under x-ray and alpha particle irradiation. A significant enhancement of the scintillation response was observed with increasing shells due: (i) to the passivation of surface quenching defects together with the activation of the REs on the surface of the core nanoparticle after the growth of a shell, and (ii) to the increase of the volume of the nanoparticles. These results are expected to reflect a general aspect of the scintillation process in nanoparticles, and to impact radiation sensing technologies that make use of nanoparticles.

Exploration for fossil and nuclear fuels from orbital altitudes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Short, N. M.

1975-01-01

A review of satellite-based photographic (optical and infrared) and microwave exploration and large-area mapping of the earth's surface in the ERTS program. Synoptic cloud-free coverage of large areas has been achieved with planimetric vertical views of the earth's surface useful in compiling close-to-orthographic mosaics. Radar penetration of cloud cover and infrared penetration of forest cover have been successful to some extent. Geological applications include map editing (with corrections in scale and computer processing of images), landforms analysis, structural geology studies, lithological identification, and exploration for minerals and fuels. Limitations of the method are noted.

KSC-2012-6494

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-12-19

VANDENBERG AFB, Calif.-- The Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. where NASA's Landsat Data Continuity Mission, or LDCM, satellite will be processed prior to launch. The Landsat Data Continuity Mission LDCM is the future of Landsat satellites. It will continue to obtain valuable data and imagery to be used in agriculture, education, business, science, and government. The Landsat Program provides repetitive acquisition of high resolution multispectral data of the Earth's surface on a global basis. The data from the Landsat spacecraft constitute the longest record of the Earth's continental surfaces as seen from space. It is a record unmatched in quality, detail, coverage, and value. Launch is planned for Feb. 11, 2013. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/landsat/main/index.html Photo credit: NASA

Lithospheric Structure and Dynamics: Insights Facilitated by the IRIS/PASSCAL Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meltzer, A.

2002-12-01

Through the development of community-based facilities in portable array seismology, a wide-range of seismic methods are now standard tools for imaging the Earth's interior, extending geologic observations made at the surface to depth. The IRIS/PASSCAL program provides the seismological community with the ability to routinely field experimental programs, from high-resolution seismic reflection profiling of the near surface to lithospheric scale imaging with both active and passive source arrays, to understand the tectonic evolution of continents, how they are assembled, disassembled, and modified through time. As our ability to record and process large volumes of data has improved we have moved from simple 1-D velocity models and 2-D structural cross sections of the subsurface to 3-D and 4-D images to correlate complex surface tectonics to processes in the Earth's interior. Data from individual IRIS/PASSCAL experiments has fostered multidisciplinary studies, bringing together geologists, geochemists, and geophysicists to work together on common problems. As data is collected from a variety of tectonic environments around the globe common elements begin to emerge. We now recognize and study the inherent lateral and vertical heterogeneity in the crust and mantle lithosphere and its role in controlling deformation, the importance of low velocity mobile mantle in supporting topography, and the importance of fluids and fluid migration in magmatic and deformational processes. We can image and map faults, fault zones, and fault networks to study them as systems rather than isolated planes of deformation to better understand earthquake nucleation, rupture, and propagation. An additional benefit of these community-based facilities is the pooling of resources to develop effective and sustainable education and outreach programs. These programs attract new students to pursue careers in earth science, engage the general public in the scientific enterprise, raise the profile of the earth sciences, and reveal the importance of earth processes in shaping the environment in which we live. Future challenges facing our community include continued evolution of existing facilities to keep pace with scientific inquiry, routinely utilizing fully 3-D and where appropriate 4-D data sets to understand earth structure and dynamics, and the manipulation, and analysis of large multidisciplinary data sets. Community models should be considered as a mechanism to integrate, analyze, and share data and results within a process oriented framework. Exciting developments on the horizon include EarthScope. To maximize the potential for significant advances in our understanding of tectonic processes, observations from new EarthScope facilities must be integrated with additional geologic data sets of similar quality and resolution. New real-time data streams combined with new data integration, analysis, and visualization tools will provide us with the ability to integrate data across a continuous range of spatial scales providing a new and coherent view of lithospheric dynamics from local to plate scale.

Gray Wave of the Great Transformation: A Satellite View of Urbanization, Climate Change, and Food Security

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Imhoff, Marc Lee; Kamiell, Arnon Menahem

2010-01-01

Land cover change driven by human activity is profoundly affecting Earth's natural systems with impacts ranging from a loss of biological diversity to changes in regional and global climate. This change has been so pervasive and progressed so rapidly, compared to natural processes, scientists refer to it as "the great transformation". Urbanization or the 'gray wave' of land transformation is being increasingly recognized as an important process in global climate change. A hallmark of our success as a species, large urban conglomerates do in fact alter the land surface so profoundly that both local climate and the basic ecology of the landscape are affected in ways that have consequences to human health and economic well-being. Fortunately we have incredible new tools for planning and developing urban places that are both enjoyable and sustainable. A suite of Earth observing satellites is making it possible to study the interactions between urbanization, biological processes, and weather and climate. Using these Earth Observatories we are learning how urban heat islands form and potentially ameliorate them, how urbanization can affect rainfall, pollution, and surface water recharge at the local level and climate and food security globally.

Land-Atmosphere Interactions in Cold Environments (LATICE): The role of Atmosphere - Biosphere - Cryosphere - Hydrosphere interactions in a changing climate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burkhart, J. F.; Tallaksen, L. M.; Stordal, F.; Berntsen, T.; Westermann, S.; Kristjansson, J. E.; Etzelmuller, B.; Hagen, J. O.; Schuler, T.; Hamran, S. E.; Lande, T. S.; Bryn, A.

2015-12-01

Climate change is impacting the high latitudes more rapidly and significantly than any other region of the Earth because of feedback processes between the atmosphere and the underlying surface. A warmer climate has already led to thawing of permafrost, reducing snow cover and a longer growing season; changes, which in turn influence the atmospheric circulation and the hydrological cycle. Still, many studies rely on one-way coupling between the atmosphere and the land surface, thereby neglecting important interactions and feedbacks. The observation, understanding and prediction of such processes from local to regional and global scales, represent a major scientific challenge that requires multidisciplinary scientific effort. The successful integration of earth observations (remote and in-situ data) and model development requires a harmonized research effort between earth system scientists, modelers and the developers of technologies and sensors. LATICE, which is recognized as a priority research area by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Oslo, aims to advance the knowledge base concerning land atmosphere interactions and their role in controlling climate variability and climate change at high northern latitudes. The consortium consists of an interdisciplinary team of experts from the atmospheric and terrestrial (hydrosphere, cryosphere and biosphere) research groups, together with key expertise on earth observations and novel sensor technologies. LATICE addresses critical knowledge gaps in the current climate assessment capacity through: Improving parameterizations of processes in earth system models controlling the interactions and feedbacks between the land (snow, ice, permafrost, soil and vegetation) and the atmosphere at high latitudes, including the boreal, alpine and artic zone. Assessing the influence of climate and land cover changes on water and energy fluxes. Integrating remote earth observations with in-situ data and suitable models to allow studies of finer-scale processes governing land-atmosphere interactions. Addressing observational challenges through the development of novel observational products and networks.

KSC-97pc120

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-01-08

The STS-81 flight crew conducts a press briefing on the runway of KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility after they arrive at the space center for the final countdown preparations for the fifth Shuttle-Mir docking mission. They are (from left): Mission Commander Michael A. Baker; Pilot Brent W. Jett, Jr.; and Mission Specialists Peter J. K. "Jeff" Wisoff; John M. Grunsfeld, Marsha S. Ivins, and J.M. "Jerry" Linenger. The 10-day mission will feature the transfer of Linenger to Mir to replace astronaut John Blaha, who has been on the orbital laboratory since Sept. 19, 1996 after arrival there during the STS79 mission. During STS-81, Shuttle and Mir crews will conduct risk mitigation, human life science, microgravity and materials processing experiments that will provide data for the design, development and operation of the International Space Station. The primary payload is the SPACEHAB-DM double module which will provide space for more than 2,000 pounds of hardware, food and water that will be transferred into the Russian space station during five days of docking operations. The SPACEHAB will also be used to return experiment samples from the Mir to Earth for analysis and for microgravity experiments during the mission

KSC-97pc123

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-01-08

The STS-81 flight crew is welcomed to KSC by NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin (far right) and Johnson Space Center Director George Abbey (second from right) as they arrive at the space center for the final countdown preparations for the fifth Shuttle-Mir docking mission. They are (from left): Mission Commander Michael A. Baker; Pilot Brent W. Jett, Jr.; and Mission Specialists Peter J. K. "Jeff" Wisoff; John M. Grunsfeld, Marsha S. Ivins, and J.M. "Jerry" Linenger. The 10-day mission will feature the transfer of Linenger to Mir to replace astronaut John Blaha, who has been on the orbital laboratory since Sept. 19, 1996 after arrival there during the STS-79 mission. During STS-81, Shuttle and Mir crews will conduct risk mitigation, human life science, microgravity and materials processing experiments that will provide data for the design, development and operation of the International Space Station. The primary payload is the SPACEHAB-DM double module which will provide space for more than 2,000 pounds of hardware, food and water that will be transferred into the Russian space station during five days of docking operations. The SPACEHAB will also be used to return experiment samples from the Mir to Earth for analysis and for microgravity experiments during the mission

KSC-97pc145

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-01-12

The Space Shuttle Atlantis transforms the early morning at KSC into near-daylight as its more than 7 million pounds of rocket thrust propels it from Launch Pad 39B at 4:27:23 a.m. EST Jan. 12 on its way to dock with the Mir space station for the fifth time.The 10-day mission will feature the transfer of Mission Specialist Jerry Linenger to Mir to replace astronaut John Blaha, who has been on the orbital laboratory since Sept. 19, 1996. The other STS-81 crew members include Mission Commander Michael A. Baker; Pilot Brent W. Jett, Jr.; and Mission Specialists John M. Grunsfeld, Peter J. K. "Jeff" Wisoff and Marsha S. Ivins. During the five-day docking operations, the Shuttle and Mir crews will conduct risk mitigation, human life science, microgravity and materials processing experiments that will provide data for the design, development and operation of the International Space Station. The primary payload is the SPACEHAB-DM double module that will provide space for more than 2,000 pounds of hardware, food and water that will be transferred into the Russian space station. The SPACEHAB will also be used to return experiment samples from the Mir to Earth for analysis and for microgravity experiments during the mission

KSC-97pc143

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-01-12

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Like a rising sun lighting up the night, the Space Shuttle Atlantis soars from Launch Pad 39B at 4:27:23 a.m. EST Jan. 12 on its way to dock with the Mir space station for the fifth time. The 10-day mission will feature the transfer of Mission Specialist Jerry Linenger to Mir to replace astronaut John Blaha, who has been on the orbital laboratory since Sept. 19, 1996. The other STS-81 crew members include Mission Commander Michael A. Baker; Pilot Brent W. Jett, Jr.; and Mission Specialists John M. Grunsfeld, Peter J. K. "Jeff" Wisoff and Marsha S. Ivins. During the five-day docking operations, the Shuttle and Mir crews will conduct risk mitigation, human life science, microgravity and materials processing experiments that will provide data for the design, development and operation of the International Space Station. The primary payload is the SPACEHAB-DM double module that will provide space for more than 2,000 pounds of hardware, food and water that will be transferred into the Russian space station.The SPACEHAB will also be used to return experiment samples from the Mir to Earth for analysis and for microgravity experiments during the mission

KSC-97pc142

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-01-12

Like a rising sun lighting up the night, the Space Shuttle Atlantis soars from Launch Pad 39B at 4:27:23 a.m. EST Jan. 12 on its way to dock with the Mir space station for the fifth time. The 10-day mission will feature the transfer of Mission Specialist Jerry Linenger to Mir to replace astronaut John Blaha, who has been on the orbital laboratory since Sept. 19, 1996. The other STS-81 crew members include Mission Commander Michael A. Baker; Pilot Brent W. Jett, Jr.; and Mission Specialists John M. Grunsfeld, Peter J. K. "Jeff" Wisoff and Marsha S. Ivins. During the five-day docking operations, the Shuttle and Mir crews will conduct risk mitigation, human life science, microgravity and materials processing experiments that will provide data for the design, development and operation of the International Space Station. The primary payload is the SPACEHAB-DM double module that will provide space for more than 2,000 pounds of hardware, food and water that will be transferred into the Russian space station.The SPACEHAB will also be used to return experiment samples from the Mir to Earth for analysis and for microgravity experiments during the mission

KSC-97pc119

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-01-08

The STS-81 flight crew poses on the runway of KSC Shuttle Landing Facility after they arrive at the space center for the final countdown preparations for the fifth Shuttle-Mir docking mission. They are (from left): Mission Commander Michael A. Baker; Pilot Brent W. Jett, Jr.; and Mission Specialists Peter J. K. "Jeff" Wisoff; John M. Grunsfeld, Marsha S. Ivins, and J.M. "Jerry" Linenger. The 10-day mission will feature the transfer of Linenger to Mir to replace astronaut John Blaha, who has been on the orbital laboratory since Sept. 19, 1996 after arrival there during the STS-79 mission. During STS-81, Shuttle and Mir crews will conduct risk mitigation, human life science, microgravity and materials processing experiments that will provide data for the design, development and operation of the International Space Station. The primary payload is the SPACEHAB-DM double module which will provide space for more than 2,000 pounds of hardware, food and water that will be transferred into the Russian space station during five days of docking operations. The SPACEHAB will also be used to return experiment samples from the Mir to Earth for analysis and for microgravity experiments during the mission

Peter Hacke | NREL

Science.gov Websites

photovoltaic (PV) modules, inspections for root cause of module failures in the field, and accelerated lifetime delamination. His research interests are in modeling of degradation processes of PV modules, module integrated analysis of PV degradation data. He also explores accelerated multi-stress and combined stress testing to

Diabetes Care and Treatment Project: A Joslin Telemedicine Initiative

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-10-01

threatening process or development of optic disc changes potentially associated with the development of glaucoma . The figures below illustrate the work...Hildebrand L, Federman J, Canahan L, Kuzmak P, Peters JM, Darkins A, Ahmed J, Aiello LM, Aiello LP, Buck G, Cheng YL, Cunningham D, GoodallE, Hope N

Critical Pedagogy Is Too Big to Fail

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shor, Ira

2009-01-01

This essay responds to Jane Danielewicz's and Peter Elbow's recent piece on contract grading in "College Composition and Communication" (December 2009). I discuss the similarities of their approach to my own contract process, finding that we share a quantitative/performative method for grading. I also explore our differences. While they guarantee…

Population Redistribution in the Midwest.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roseman, Curtis C., Ed.; And Others

The nine chapters in the book focus on the 1970s' metropolitan to nonmetropolitan migration stream and address both population patterns and processes and the impacts and policy issues associated with the resulting population redistribution in the Midwest. Peter A. Morrison places the Midwest in the national context of changing population structure…

Simulation of the Impact of Packet Errors on the Kademlia Peer-to-Peer Routing

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

during the routing process. Pastry [15] switches to a proximity based metric when approaching a node closely. This complicates the implementation...and Peter Druschel. Pastry : Scalable, distributed object location and routing for large-scale peer-to-peer systems. IFIP/ACM International Conference

Short-period variability in terrestrial water storage from GNSS observations of Earth surface deformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borsa, A. A.; Adusumilli, S.; Agnew, D. C.; Silverii, F.; Small, E. E.

2017-12-01

Modern geodetic observations of Earth surface deformation, initially targeted at processes such as tectonics and volcanism, also record the subtle signature of mass movements within Earth's atmosphere and hydrosphere. These observations, which track the elastic response of the solid earth to changing surface mass loads, are clearly evident in position time series from permanent Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations, which recent work has used to recover changes in terrestrial water storage (TWS) over seasonal and multi-annual time scales. Earth's elastic reponse is nearly instantaneous, which suggests the possibility of observing TWS changes at much shorter periods, limited only by the 24 hour resolution of standard GNSS data products and noise in the GNSS position estimates. We present results showing that TWS increases from individual storms can be recovered using the GNSS network in the United States, and that the water mass changes are similar to gridded precipitation estimates from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). The gradual decline we observe in TWS following each storm is diagnostic of runoff and local evapotranspiration, and varies by location. By greatly increasing the temporal resolution of GNSS-derived estimates of TWS, we hope to provide constraints on integrated water fluxes from hydrological models on all relevant timescales.

Imaging Systems Provide Maps for U.S. Soldiers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2012-01-01

Spanning nearly four decades, the remarkable Landsat program has continuously provided data about the Earth s surface, including detailed maps of vegetation, land use, forest extent and health, surface water, population distribution, as well as how these features have changed over time. Managed by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey, Landsat s series of satellites obtain data through passive remote sensing, or the use of sensors to read the energy reflected or emitted from the Earth s surface. After the data from the sensors is processed and analyzed, it can be applied to create information-rich images of the planet. While the Landsat program has launched seven satellites since 1972, only Landsat 5 and 7 are currently operating. The next spacecraft in line to ensure continuity of data for years to come is the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM). Planned for launch in 2012, LDCM will take measurements of the Earth in visible, nearinfrared, shortwave infrared, and thermal infrared bands. In addition to widespread use for land use planning and monitoring on local to regional scales, support for disaster response and evaluations, as well as water use monitoring, LDCM measurements will directly serve NASA s research in the areas of climate, the carbon cycle, ecosystems, the water cycle, biogeochemistry, and Earth s surface and interior.

Peter the Great: Linking Military Strategy to National Objectives in Imperial Russia

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-04-01

provisions) and because its forces could not move fast enough to overcome the Ottoman’s delaying tactics.1 Vasili Golitsyn, Alexei’s representative to...conclusion when, in 1694, he pitted six Streltsy regiments against his two new Guards regiments (Preobrazhenskii and Semenovskii) in mock combat. The...Press, 1971. Gray, Ian. Peter the Great: Emperor of all Russia. New York: J.B.Lippincott, 1960. Klychevsky, Vasili . Peter the Great. Boston: Beacon

Immersive Environments in ADL

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-08-20

Tracking and Storing In Browser 3-D 13 Questions or Comments? Peter Smith Team Lead, Immersive Learning Technologies peter.smith.ctr@adlnet.gov +1.407.384.5572 ...Immersive Environments in ADL Mr. Peter Smith, Lead, ADL Immersive Learning Team 08/20/2009 Report Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188...5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Advanced Decision Learning (ADL),1901 N

Konrad Adenauer’s Military Advisors

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-02-13

Ausgabe. Hans-Peter Schwarz and 45 Rudolf Morsey, Hg. Vol. 1, Briefe 1945-1947 hg. v. Hans Peter Mensing. Berlin: Siedler Verlag, 1983. Vol. 2, Briefe 1949...Dietrich, Rudolf Morsey and Hans-Peter Schwarz, ed. Quellen zur Geschichte des Parlarnentarismus und der politischen Partein. Bd. 3, Auftakt zur Ara...New York: Penguin, 1982. Steiner , Jirg. European Democracies. New York: Longman, 1986. Taylor, A.J.P. The Origens of the Second World War. 2d. ed. New

Set Based Program Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-10-01

Philosophy Thesis Committee: Peter Lee, Co-Chair Frank Pfenning, Co-chair Dana Scott Joxan Jaffar, IBM Neil Jones, DIKU, Copenhagen Copyright C 1992...much of this thesis represents joint work with him. I am also indebted to Peter Lee and Frank Pfenning, my advisors at CMU. Their encouragement...I am very grateful to Peter , Frank, Joxan and CMU that this has been a synergistic experience. I would like to thank Neil Jones and Dana Scott for

Antarctica: A Keystone in a Changing World

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bell, Robin E.; Luyendyk, Bruce P.; Wilson, Terry J.

2008-01-01

10th International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences; Santa Barbara, California, 26 August to 1 September 2007; The 10th International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences was convened at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where 350 researchers presented talks and posters on topics including climate change, biotic evolution, magmatic processes, surface processes, tectonics, geodynamics, and the cryosphere. The symposium resulted in 335 peer-reviewed papers, 225 of which are published online (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1047/). A proceedings book will also be published by the National Academies Press.

Workshop on Early Crustal Genesis: Implications from Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Phinney, W. C. (Compiler)

1981-01-01

Ways to foster increased study of the early evolution of the Earth, considering the planet as a whole, were explored and recommendations were made to NASA with the intent of exploring optimal ways for integrating Archean studies with problems of planetary evolution. Major themes addressed include: (1) Archean contribution to constraints for modeling planetary evolution; (2) Archean surface conditions and processes as clues to early planetary history; and (3) Archean evidence for physical, chemical and isotopic transfer processes in early planetary crusts. Ten early crustal evolution problems are outlined.

Definition and Proposed Realization of the International Height Reference System (IHRS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ihde, Johannes; Sánchez, Laura; Barzaghi, Riccardo; Drewes, Hermann; Foerste, Christoph; Gruber, Thomas; Liebsch, Gunter; Marti, Urs; Pail, Roland; Sideris, Michael

2017-05-01

Studying, understanding and modelling global change require geodetic reference frames with an order of accuracy higher than the magnitude of the effects to be actually studied and with high consistency and reliability worldwide. The International Association of Geodesy, taking care of providing a precise geodetic infrastructure for monitoring the Earth system, promotes the implementation of an integrated global geodetic reference frame that provides a reliable frame for consistent analysis and modelling of global phenomena and processes affecting the Earth's gravity field, the Earth's surface geometry and the Earth's rotation. The definition, realization, maintenance and wide utilization of the International Terrestrial Reference System guarantee a globally unified geometric reference frame with an accuracy at the millimetre level. An equivalent high-precision global physical reference frame that supports the reliable description of changes in the Earth's gravity field (such as sea level variations, mass displacements, processes associated with geophysical fluids) is missing. This paper addresses the theoretical foundations supporting the implementation of such a physical reference surface in terms of an International Height Reference System and provides guidance for the coming activities required for the practical and sustainable realization of this system. Based on conceptual approaches of physical geodesy, the requirements for a unified global height reference system are derived. In accordance with the practice, its realization as the International Height Reference Frame is designed. Further steps for the implementation are also proposed.

An Integrated High Resolution Hydrometeorological Modeling Testbed using LIS and WRF

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kumar, Sujay V.; Peters-Lidard, Christa D.; Eastman, Joseph L.; Tao, Wei-Kuo

2007-01-01

Scientists have made great strides in modeling physical processes that represent various weather and climate phenomena. Many modeling systems that represent the major earth system components (the atmosphere, land surface, and ocean) have been developed over the years. However, developing advanced Earth system applications that integrates these independently developed modeling systems have remained a daunting task due to limitations in computer hardware and software. Recently, efforts such as the Earth System Modeling Ramework (ESMF) and Assistance for Land Modeling Activities (ALMA) have focused on developing standards, guidelines, and computational support for coupling earth system model components. In this article, the development of a coupled land-atmosphere hydrometeorological modeling system that adopts these community interoperability standards, is described. The land component is represented by the Land Information System (LIS), developed by scientists at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, a mesoscale numerical weather prediction system, is used as the atmospheric component. LIS includes several community land surface models that can be executed at spatial scales as fine as 1km. The data management capabilities in LIS enable the direct use of high resolution satellite and observation data for modeling. Similarly, WRF includes several parameterizations and schemes for modeling radiation, microphysics, PBL and other processes. Thus the integrated LIS-WRF system facilitates several multi-model studies of land-atmosphere coupling that can be used to advance earth system studies.

Fire Hazard Assessment in Supporting Fire Protection System Design of a Chemical Process Facility

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-08-01

CSDP/Studies/FireHaz –i– 3/28/97 FIRE HAZARD ASSESSMENT IN SUPPORTING FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM DESIGN OF A CHEMICAL PROCESS FACILITY Ali Pezeshk...Joseph Chang, Dwight Hunt, and Peter Jahn Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group, Inc. Pasadena, California 91124 ABSTRACT Because fires in a chemical ...Assessment in Supporting Fire Protection System Design of a Chemical Process Facility 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6

Coupling surface and mantle dynamics: A novel experimental approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiraly, Agnes; Faccenna, Claudio; Funiciello, Francesca; Sembroni, Andrea

2015-05-01

Recent modeling shows that surface processes, such as erosion and deposition, may drive the deformation of the Earth's surface, interfering with deeper crustal and mantle signals. To investigate the coupling between the surface and deep process, we designed a three-dimensional laboratory apparatus, to analyze the role of erosion and sedimentation, triggered by deep mantle instability. The setup is constituted and scaled down to natural gravity field using a thin viscous sheet model, with mantle and lithosphere simulated by Newtonian viscous glucose syrup and silicon putty, respectively. The surface process is simulated assuming a simple erosion law producing the downhill flow of a thin viscous material away from high topography. The deep mantle upwelling is triggered by the rise of a buoyant sphere. The results of these models along with the parametric analysis show how surface processes influence uplift velocity and topography signals.

Successful Heliophysical Programs Emphasizing the Relation of Earth and the Sun

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morris, P. A.; Reiff, P.; Sumners, C.; McKay, G. A.

2007-05-01

Heliophysical is defined as the interconnectedness of the entire solar-heliospheric-planetary system. Our goals are to introduce easily accessible programs that introduce the Sun and other solar system processes to the public. The programs emphasize the impact of these processes on Earth and its inhabitants over geological time. These types of programs are important as these topics as generally taught as a secondary concept rather than an integrated approach. Space Weather is an excellent mechanism for integrating Earth and space science. Heliophysics, which includes Space Weather, is traditionally part of space science studies, but most students do not understand the effect of the Sun's atmosphere on Earth or the intense effects energetic particles can have on humans, whether traveling through space or exploring the surfaces of the Moon or Mars. Effects are not only limited to space travel and other planetary surfaces but also include effects on Earth's magnetosphere which, in turn, affect radio transmission, GPS accuracy, and on occasion spacecraft loss and terrestrial power outages. Meteoritic impacts are another topic. Impacts on planetary bodies without strong plate tectonic activities provide ample evidence of their occurrence over geological time. As an analog, impacts have also had an extensive record on Earth, but plate tectonics have been responsible for obliterating most of the evidence. We have developed effective and engaging venues for teaching heliophysics, via the internet, CD-Rom's, museum kiosks, and planetarium shows. We have organized workshops for teachers; "NASA Days" and "Sally Ride Festivals" for students, and "Sun-Earth Day" events for the public. Our goals are both to increase k-16 and public literacy on heliophysical processes and to inspire the next generation to enhance the workforce. We will be offering examples of these programs, as well as distributing CD's and DVD's of some of the creative works.

Quantifying Uncertainty in Near Surface Electromagnetic Imaging Using Bayesian Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blatter, D. B.; Ray, A.; Key, K.

2017-12-01

Geoscientists commonly use electromagnetic methods to image the Earth's near surface. Field measurements of EM fields are made (often with the aid an artificial EM source) and then used to infer near surface electrical conductivity via a process known as inversion. In geophysics, the standard inversion tool kit is robust and can provide an estimate of the Earth's near surface conductivity that is both geologically reasonable and compatible with the measured field data. However, standard inverse methods struggle to provide a sense of the uncertainty in the estimate they provide. This is because the task of finding an Earth model that explains the data to within measurement error is non-unique - that is, there are many, many such models; but the standard methods provide only one "answer." An alternative method, known as Bayesian inversion, seeks to explore the full range of Earth model parameters that can adequately explain the measured data, rather than attempting to find a single, "ideal" model. Bayesian inverse methods can therefore provide a quantitative assessment of the uncertainty inherent in trying to infer near surface conductivity from noisy, measured field data. This study applies a Bayesian inverse method (called trans-dimensional Markov chain Monte Carlo) to transient airborne EM data previously collected over Taylor Valley - one of the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica. Our results confirm the reasonableness of previous estimates (made using standard methods) of near surface conductivity beneath Taylor Valley. In addition, we demonstrate quantitatively the uncertainty associated with those estimates. We demonstrate that Bayesian inverse methods can provide quantitative uncertainty to estimates of near surface conductivity.

DigitalCrust – a 4D data system of material properties for transforming research on crustal fluid flow

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fan, Yin; Richard, Steve; Bristol, R. Sky; Peters, Shanan; Ingebritsen, Steven E.; Moosdorf, Nils; Packman, Aaron I.; Gleeson, Tom; Zazlavsky, Ilya; Peckham, Scott; Murdoch, Larry; Cardiff, Michael; Tarboton, David; Jones, Norm; Hooper, Richard; Arrigo, Jennifer; Gochis, David; Olson, John

2015-01-01

Fluid circulation in the Earth's crust plays an essential role in surface, near surface, and deep crustal processes. Flow pathways are driven by hydraulic gradients but controlled by material permeability, which varies over many orders of magnitude and changes over time. Although millions of measurements of crustal properties have been made, including geophysical imaging and borehole tests, this vast amount of data and information has not been integrated into a comprehensive knowledge system. A community data infrastructure is needed to improve data access, enable large-scale synthetic analyses, and support representations of the subsurface in Earth system models. Here, we describe the motivation, vision, challenges, and an action plan for a community-governed, four-dimensional data system of the Earth's crustal structure, composition, and material properties from the surface down to the brittle–ductile transition. Such a system must not only be sufficiently flexible to support inquiries in many different domains of Earth science, but it must also be focused on characterizing the physical crustal properties of permeability and porosity, which have not yet been synthesized at a large scale. The DigitalCrust is envisioned as an interactive virtual exploration laboratory where models can be calibrated with empirical data and alternative hypotheses can be tested at a range of spatial scales. It must also support a community process for compiling and harmonizing models into regional syntheses of crustal properties. Sustained peer review from multiple disciplines will allow constant refinement in the ability of the system to inform science questions and societal challenges and to function as a dynamic library of our knowledge of Earth's crust.

Program for integrating multizonal photographs of the Earth, taken by MKF-6 camera, in a computer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agapov, A. V.; Mosin, S. T.

1980-01-01

An algorithm and program are described, for integrating up to 6 simultaneously exposed photographs in different spectral ranges of the surface of the Earth, taken by MKF-6 cameras aboard Soyuz-22. Three of the reference marks are identified on 1 photograph and then are used to integrate the other photographs with the first. The program was compiled for the ES-1040 computer, as a standard subprogram in a system for computer processing of data of study of the Earth from space.

Surface modifications of hydrogen storage alloy by heavy ion beams with keV to MeV irradiation energies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abe, Hiroshi; Tokuhira, Shinnosuke; Uchida, Hirohisa; Ohshima, Takeshi

2015-12-01

This study deals with the effect of surface modifications induced from keV to MeV heavy ion beams on the initial reaction rate of a hydrogen storage alloy (AB5) in electrochemical process. The rare earth based alloys like this sample alloy are widely used as a negative electrode of Ni-MH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) battery. We aimed to improve the initial reaction rate of hydrogen absorption by effective induction of defects such as vacancies, dislocations, micro-cracks or by addition of atoms into the surface region of the metal alloys. Since defective layer near the surface can easily be oxidized, the conductive oxide layer is formed on the sample surface by O+ beams irradiation, and the conductive oxide layer might cause the improvement of initial reaction rate of hydriding. This paper demonstrates an effective surface treatment of heavy ion irradiation, which induces catalytic activities of rare earth oxides in the alloy surface.

We reside in the sun's atmosphere.

PubMed

Kamide, Y

2005-10-01

The Sun is the origin of all activities of the Earth, including its solid, liquid and gas states, as well as life on the Earth surface. Life was created on this planet and was further evolved after long physical/chemical processes, so that life here matches with what this planet requires. This paper contends that the Earth is located within the solar atmosphere, but we do not feel it in a daily life because of the blocking effects of the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, preventing the entry of the solar atmosphere directly into the Earth's domain. This paper emphasizes that we should not attempt to change the quality of the natural environment that delicate interactions between the Sun and the Earth have established for us by taking a long time.

Comparison of Continuous Wave CO2 Doppler Lidar Calibration Using Earth Surface Targets in Laboratory and Airborne Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jarzembski, Maurice A.; Srivastava, Vandana

1999-01-01

Routine backscatter, beta, measurements by an airborne or space-based lidar from designated earth surfaces with known and fairly uniform beta properties can potentially offer lidar calibration opportunities. This can in turn be used to obtain accurate atmospheric aerosol and cloud beta measurements on large spatial scales. This is important because achieving a precise calibration factor for large pulsed lidars then need not rest solely on using a standard hard target procedure. Furthermore, calibration from designated earth surfaces would provide an inflight performance evaluation of the lidar. Hence, with active remote sensing using lasers with high resolution data, calibration of a space-based lidar using earth's surfaces will be extremely useful. The calibration methodology using the earth's surface initially requires measuring beta of various earth surfaces simulated in the laboratory using a focused continuous wave (CW) CO2 Doppler lidar and then use these beta measurements as standards for the earth surface signal from airborne or space-based lidars. Since beta from the earth's surface may be retrieved at different angles of incidence, beta would also need to be measured at various angles of incidences of the different surfaces. In general, Earth-surface reflectance measurements have been made in the infrared, but the use of lidars to characterize them and in turn use of the Earth's surface to calibrate lidars has not been made. The feasibility of this calibration methodology is demonstrated through a comparison of these laboratory measurements with actual earth surface beta retrieved from the same lidar during the NASA/Multi-center Airborne Coherent Atmospheric Wind Sensor (MACAWS) mission on NASA's DC8 aircraft from 13 - 26 September, 1995. For the selected earth surface from the airborne lidar data, an average beta for the surface was established and the statistics of lidar efficiency was determined. This was compared with the actual lidar efficiency determined with the standard calibrating hard target.

Laboratory investigation of surface processes on airless bodies due to electrostatic dust mobilization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, X.; Hood, N.; Schwan, J.; Hsu, H. W.; Horanyi, M.

2017-12-01

Electrostatic dust mobilization on the surfaces of airless bodies due to direct exposure to solar wind and solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been suggested from a number of unusual planetary observations and supported by our recent laboratory experiments. This electrostatic process may have a significant contribution in the evolution of these surfaces in addition to other surface processes, e.g., thermal fragmentation. The critical questions are how this process changes the surface physical characteristics and how efficient this process can be. We report new laboratory experiments that record dust activities as function of the incoming fluxes of photons or energetic electrons over a long exposure time under Earth gravity. Dust is observed to hop and move on the surface, causing the significant change in surface morphology and becoming smoother over time. Our results indicate that the dynamics of dust mobilization may be complicated by temporal charging effect as dust moves. Various sizes and types of dust are examined, showing large effects on dust mobilization. These laboratory data will help us to predict the electrostatic surface processes and estimate their timescales in space conditions.

Evaluating the Utility of Satellite Soil Moisture Retrievals over Irrigated Areas and the Ability of Land Data Assimilation Methods to Correct for Unmodeled Processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kumar, S. V.; Peters-Lidard, C. D.; Santanello, J. A.; Reichle, R. H.; Draper, C. S.; Koster, R. D.; Nearing, G.; Jasinski, M. F.

2015-01-01

Earth's land surface is characterized by tremendous natural heterogeneity and human-engineered modifications, both of which are challenging to represent in land surface models. Satellite remote sensing is often the most practical and effective method to observe the land surface over large geographical areas. Agricultural irrigation is an important human-induced modification to natural land surface processes, as it is pervasive across the world and because of its significant influence on the regional and global water budgets. In this article, irrigation is used as an example of a human-engineered, often unmodeled land surface process, and the utility of satellite soil moisture retrievals over irrigated areas in the continental US is examined. Such retrievals are based on passive or active microwave observations from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR-E), the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2), the Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission, WindSat and the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT). The analysis suggests that the skill of these retrievals for representing irrigation effects is mixed, with ASCAT-based products somewhat more skillful than SMOS and AMSR2 products. The article then examines the suitability of typical bias correction strategies in current land data assimilation systems when unmodeled processes dominate the bias between the model and the observations. Using a suite of synthetic experiments that includes bias correction strategies such as quantile mapping and trained forward modeling, it is demonstrated that the bias correction practices lead to the exclusion of the signals from unmodeled processes, if these processes are the major source of the biases. It is further shown that new methods are needed to preserve the observational information about unmodeled processes during data assimilation.

Web-Based Mapping Puts the World at Your Fingertips

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2008-01-01

NASA's award-winning Earth Resources Laboratory Applications Software (ELAS) package was developed at Stennis Space Center. Since 1978, ELAS has been used worldwide for processing satellite and airborne sensor imagery data of the Earth's surface into readable and usable information. DATASTAR Inc., of Picayune, Mississippi, has used ELAS software in the DATASTAR Image Processing Exploitation (DIPEx) desktop and Internet image processing, analysis, and manipulation software. The new DIPEx Version III includes significant upgrades and improvements compared to its esteemed predecessor. A true World Wide Web application, this product evolved with worldwide geospatial dimensionality and numerous other improvements that seamlessly support the World Wide Web version.

Generic process for preparing a crystalline oxide upon a group IV semiconductor substrate

DOEpatents

McKee, Rodney A.; Walker, Frederick J.; Chisholm, Matthew F.

2000-01-01

A process for growing a crystalline oxide epitaxially upon the surface of a Group IV semiconductor, as well as a structure constructed by the process, is described. The semiconductor can be germanium or silicon, and the crystalline oxide can generally be represented by the formula (AO).sub.n (A'BO.sub.3).sub.m in which "n" and "m" are non-negative integer repeats of planes of the alkaline earth oxides or the alkaline earth-containing perovskite oxides. With atomic level control of interfacial thermodynamics in a multicomponent semiconductor/oxide system, a highly perfect interface between a semiconductor and a crystalline oxide can be obtained.

A description of a system of programs for mathematically processing on unified series (YeS) computers photographic images of the Earth taken from spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zolotukhin, V. G.; Kolosov, B. I.; Usikov, D. A.; Borisenko, V. I.; Mosin, S. T.; Gorokhov, V. N.

1980-01-01

A description of a batch of programs for the YeS-1040 computer combined into an automated system for processing photo (and video) images of the Earth's surface, taken from spacecraft, is presented. Individual programs with the detailed discussion of the algorithmic and programmatic facilities needed by the user are presented. The basic principles for assembling the system, and the control programs are included. The exchange format within whose framework the cataloging of any programs recommended for the system of processing will be activated in the future is displayed.

Critical Phenomena of Rainfall in Ecuador

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serrano, Sh.; Vasquez, N.; Jacome, P.; Basile, L.

2014-02-01

Self-organized criticality (SOC) is characterized by a power law behavior over complex systems like earthquakes and avalanches. We study rainfall using data of one day, 3 hours and 10 min temporal resolution from INAMHI (Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e Hidrologia) station at Izobamba, DMQ (Metropolitan District of Quito), satellite data over Ecuador from Tropical Rainfall Measure Mission (TRMM,) and REMMAQ (Red Metropolitana de Monitoreo Atmosferico de Quito) meteorological stations over, respectively. Our results show a power law behavior of the number of rain events versus mm of rainfall measured for the high resolution case (10 min), and as the resolution decreases this behavior gets lost. This statistical property is the fingerprint of a self-organized critical process (Peter and Christensen, 2002) and may serve as a benchmark for models of precipitation based in phase transitions between water vapor and precipitation (Peter and Neeling, 2006).

Feasibility Study of a Novel Diet-Based Intervention for Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

Trial of Diet to Alter Disease Progression in Prostate Cancer Patients on Active Surveillance.” Peter Van Veldhuizen , Jr., MD will be joining the...Administrator Nathan Eriksen SWOG Prevention Committee Chairs Powel H. Brown, MD, PhD Gary E. Goodman, MD New SWOG Co-Chair Peter Van Veldhuizen , Jr...above. The Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) will be responsible for circulating all revisions of the protocol to Dr. Peter Van Veldhuizen , Jr

Identification of Genetic Markers of the Invasive Phenotype in Human Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-10-01

Genetic Markers of the Invasive Phenotype in Human Breast Cancer PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Peter Watson CONTRACTING ORGANIZATION: University of...Markers of the Invasive Phenotype DAMD17-97-1-7320 in Human Breast Cancer 6. AUTHOR(S) Dr. Peter Watson 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES...markers of the invasive phenotype in human breast cancer" Dr Peter H. Watson INTRODUCTION. The acquisition of the ability to invade is the single most

The Sensor Management for Applied Research Technologies (SMART) Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodman, Michael; Jedlovec, Gary; Conover, Helen; Botts, Mike; Robin, Alex; Blakeslee, Richard; Hood, Robbie; Ingenthron, Susan; Li, Xiang; Maskey, Manil;

In-Space Propulsion Assessment Processes and Criteria for Affordable Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zapata, Edgar; Rhodes, Russel

1999-01-01

In a world of high launch costs to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and of costs nearly twice as high to Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), it is clear that processes and criteria are required which will surface the path to greater affordability. Further, with propulsion systems making up a major part of the systems placed into multiple orbits, or beyond, it is clear that addressing propulsion systems for in-space propulsion (ISP) is a key part to breaking the barriers to affordable systems. While multitudes of Earth to Orbit transportation system efforts focus on reduced costs, the often neglected costs and related interactions of the in-space system equally require improvements that will enable broad end-to end customer affordability.

Evaluation of Ten Methods for Initializing a Land Surface Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rodell, M.; Houser, P. R.; Berg, A. A.; Famiglietti, J. S.

2005-01-01

Land surface models (LSMs) are computer programs, similar to weather and climate prediction models, which simulate the stocks and fluxes of water (including soil moisture, snow, evaporation, and runoff) and energy (including the temperature of and sensible heat released from the soil) after they arrive on the land surface as precipitation and sunlight. It is not currently possible to measure all of the variables of interest everywhere on Earth with sufficient accuracy and space-time resolution. Hence LSMs have been developed to integrate the available observations with our understanding of the physical processes involved, using powerful computers, in order to map these stocks and fluxes as they change in time. The maps are used to improve weather forecasts, support water resources and agricultural applications, and study the Earth"s water cycle and climate variability. NASA"s Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) project facilitates testing of several different LSMs with a variety of input datasets (e.g., precipitation, plant type).

Enabling Design

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-21

Figure 1. Methodology in Hierarchical Context. 2 Peter Checkland , Systems Thinking, System...Joint Forces Command, 2008. Checkland , Peter. Systems Thinking, System Practice. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 1981. FM 6-0 Mission Command: Command

Uterine sarcoma

MedlinePlus

... Churchill Livingstone; 2014:chap 88. Crum CP, Laury AR, Hirsch MS, Quick CM, Peters WA. Undifferentiated uterine sarcoma. In: Crum CP, Quick CM, Laury AR, Peters WA, Hirsch MS, eds. Gynecologic and Obstetric ...

Chemical trends in ocean islands explained by plume–slab interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dannberg, Juliane; Gassmöller, Rene

2018-04-01

Earth's surface shows many features, of which the genesis can be understood only through their connection with processes in Earth's deep interior. Recent studies indicate that spatial geochemical patterns at oceanic islands correspond to structures in the lowermost mantle inferred from seismic tomographic models. This suggests that hot, buoyant upwellings can carry chemical heterogeneities from the deep lower mantle toward the surface, providing a window to the composition of the lowermost mantle. The exact nature of this link between surface and deep Earth remains debated and poorly understood. Using computational models, we show that subducted slabs interacting with dense thermochemical piles can trigger the ascent of hot plumes that inherit chemical gradients present in the lowermost mantle. We identify two key factors controlling this process: (i) If slabs induce strong lower-mantle flow toward the edges of these piles where plumes rise, the pile-facing side of the plume preferentially samples material originating from the pile, and bilaterally asymmetric chemical zoning develops. (ii) The composition of the melt produced reflects this bilateral zoning if the overlying plate moves roughly perpendicular to the chemical gradient in the plume conduit. Our results explain some of the observed geochemical trends of oceanic islands and provide insights into how these trends may originate.

Titan and habitable planets around M-dwarfs.

PubMed

Lunine, Jonathan I

2010-01-01

The Cassini-Huygens mission discovered an active "hydrologic cycle" on Saturn's giant moon Titan, in which methane takes the place of water. Shrouded by a dense nitrogen-methane atmosphere, Titan's surface is blanketed in the equatorial regions by dunes composed of solid organics, sculpted by wind and fluvial erosion, and dotted at the poles with lakes and seas of liquid methane and ethane. The underlying crust is almost certainly water ice, possibly in the form of gas hydrates (clathrate hydrates) dominated by methane as the included species. The processes that work the surface of Titan resemble in their overall balance no other moon in the solar system; instead, they are most like that of the Earth. The presence of methane in place of water, however, means that in any particular planetary system, a body like Titan will always be outside the orbit of an Earth-type planet. Around M-dwarfs, planets with a Titan-like climate will sit at 1 AU--a far more stable environment than the approximately 0.1 AU where Earth-like planets sit. However, an observable Titan-like exoplanet might have to be much larger than Titan itself to be observable, increasing the ratio of heat contributed to the surface atmosphere system from internal (geologic) processes versus photons from the parent star.

Understanding the Cryosphere of Europa Using Imaging Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blaney, D. L.; Green, R. O.; Hibbitts, C.; Clark, R. N.; Dalton, J. B.; Davies, A. G.; Langevin, Y.; Hedman, M.; Lunine, J. I.; McCord, T. B.; Murchie, S. L.; Paranicas, C.; Seelos, F. P.; Soderblom, J. M.; Diniega, S.

2017-12-01

Europa's surface expresses a complex interplay of geologic processes driven by the ocean beneath the cryosphere that are subsequently modified by the Jovian environment once exposed on the surface. Several recent Earth-based observations of Europa's tenuous atmosphere suggest that there may in fact be active plumes [1,2,3]. However, the frequency and the duration of activity at any specific location cannot be precisely determined by these observations, but could be with spacecraft observations. For instance, recently active areas on Europa from plumes or other processes may result in distinctive spectral signatures on the surface. Possible spectral signatures that may indicate recent activity include: differences in ice grain size or ice crystallinity; the lack of radiolytic signatures (e.g. a deficit in species due to implantation, radiation darkening of salts, degradation of organic compounds); and thermal anomalies. The Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE) on NASA's Europa Clipper Mission will be able to map these species thus enabling the identification of these deposits and other young and/or least processed areas. These signatures may also enable a relative geochronology for Europa to be developed. For example, recent work by Proctor et al [4] finds that bands of different stratigraphic ages have different spectral features potentially due to radiation effects on the deposits. We will explore borrowing analyses techniques from earth observing missions of the Arctic. On Earth, data from the Airborne Visible / Infrared Imaging Spectrometer Next Generation (AVRIS-NG) (https://avirisng.jpl.nasa.gov/aviris-ng.html) is being used to explore Earth's cryosphere. AVRIS-NG data collected from the Greenland ice sheet and high latitude sea ice is being used to map of key ice properties such as grain size and contaminants. These data and processing approaches will be used to explore and validate imaging spectroscopy approaches which MISE might use on Europa.

Earth Sciences Division annual report 1990

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1991-06-01

This Annual Report presents summaries of selected representative research activities grouped according to the principal disciplines of the Earth Sciences Division: Reservoir Engineering and Hydrogeology, Geology and Geochemistry, and Geophysics and Geomechanics. Much of the Division`s research deals with the physical and chemical properties and processes in the earth`s crust, from the partially saturated, low-temperature near-surface environment to the high-temperature environments characteristic of regions where magmatic-hydrothermal processes are active. Strengths in laboratory and field instrumentation, numerical modeling, and in situ measurement allow study of the transport of mass and heat through geologic media -- studies that now include the appropriatemore » chemical reactions and the hydraulic-mechanical complexities of fractured rock systems. Of particular note are three major Division efforts addressing problems in the discovery and recovery of petroleum, the application of isotope geochemistry to the study of geodynamic processes and earth history, and the development of borehole methods for high-resolution imaging of the subsurface using seismic and electromagnetic waves. In 1989 a major DOE-wide effort was launched in the areas of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management. Many of the methods previously developed for and applied to deeper regions of the earth will in the coming years be turned toward process definition and characterization of the very shallow subsurface, where man-induced contaminants now intrude and where remedial action is required.« less

Zero-Base Budgeting Impact on Air Force Laboratories.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-08-01

discon- tinued. ZBB later surfaced, some think originated, at Texas Instruments, having been introduced by Peter Phyrr in 1968.21 Jimmy Carter, then...little more sense to some people and a little less to others. It just does not hang together as a presentation of agency policies. There are more...8217s the Air Force formed the Air Force Management Improvement Group to address people inter- actions and how they fit the future needs. The emphasis of

New worlds on the horizon: Earth-sized planets close to other stars.

PubMed

Gaidos, Eric; Haghighipour, Nader; Agol, Eric; Latham, David; Raymond, Sean; Rayner, John

2007-10-12

The search for habitable planets like Earth around other stars fulfills an ancient imperative to understand our origins and place in the cosmos. The past decade has seen the discovery of hundreds of planets, but nearly all are gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn. Recent advances in instrumentation and new missions are extending searches to planets the size of Earth but closer to their host stars. There are several possible ways such planets could form, and future observations will soon test those theories. Many of these planets we discover may be quite unlike Earth in their surface temperature and composition, but their study will nonetheless inform us about the process of planet formation and the frequency of Earth-like planets around other stars.

Ureterocele

MedlinePlus

... ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 128. Peters CA, Mendelsohn C. Ectopic ureter, ureterocele, and ureteral anomalies. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ...

49 CFR 37.53 - Exception for New York and Philadelphia.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association, Inc., James J. Peters, Terrance Moakley, and Denise Figueroa... between Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association of Pennsylvania, Inc., and James J. Peters, individually...

K istorii goroskopa Petra Velikogo %t On the history of horoscope of Peter the Great

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bronshtehn, V. A.

In the first part of the paper the question is discussed if Simeon Polotsky (1629-1680), poet and teacher of children of the Russian tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, was also the author of the horoscope of his son, in the future - Russian emperor Peter the Great, born in 1672. The poems by Simeon Polotsky with astrological contents are analyzed. The conclusion is supported that he could be the author of Peter the Great horoscope. In the second part a recently found text of the horoscope of Peter the Great reconstructed in 1775 by Russian astronomer Andrei Lexell of the request of historian G. F. Miller is published and discussed. It is also compared with texts previously published (in 1842) by Russian historians Pogodin and Polevoi.

FOREWORD: Peter Clay Eklund: a scientific biography Peter Clay Eklund: a scientific biography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cole, Milton W.; Crespi, Vincent H.; Dresselhaus, Gene F.; Dresselhaus, Mildred S.; Mahan, Gerald D.; Sofo, Jorge O.

2010-08-01

Peter Eklund grew up in Southern California and attended the University of California at Berkeley, majoring in physics. After working for one year at the Lockheed Missile and Space Company in Sunnyvale, California, he left to pursue graduate studies at Purdue University. There he carried out PhD research in strongly correlated electron and phonon systems under the supervision of J M Honig and L L van Zandt. Peter joined the group of Millie and Gene Dresselhaus at MIT in 1974 as a Postdoctoral Fellow after one year as an instructor at the University of Kentucky. At MIT, he continued work on strongly correlated systems in collaboration with Professor David Adler (who had an adjoining office), but for the most part he got excited about sp2 carbon systems and graphite intercalation compounds, a new research direction which the Dresselhaus group had started one year before Peter's arrival at MIT. Over the next 35 years Peter, Millie and Gene co-authored over 50 research articles, several review articles, and a big nine-hundred-and-fifty page book. In 1974, they saw graphite intercalation compounds as a long-neglected research direction of great promise. They studied these new materials together over the next 16 years, focusing on their optical spectroscopy. Their pioneering vibrational spectroscopy studies provided a means to characterize the fundamental properties of carbon materials. Optical spectroscopy became a centerpiece in the research portfolios of all three, both when they were together at MIT and after Peter left for the University of Kentucky in 1977 to start his independent career as an Assistant Professor of Physics. Peter became a full Professor at Kentucky in 1986. He continued to work with Millie and Gene and also acquired an ever-expanding network of students, postdocs and collaborators. As each new carbon nanostructure emerged—graphite intercalation compounds, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and most recently graphene—Peter was at the cutting edge, leading the charge forward. His work on fullerenes, starting around 1988, culminated in a book co-authored with Millie and Gene in 1996, The Science of Fullerenes and Carbon Nanotubes [1]. Through careful sample handling and analysis, his group at Kentucky discovered the mechanism of photo-polymerization in fullerenes. In 2000, Peter co-edited the research monograph Fullerene Polymers and Fullerene Polymer Composites with A M Rao, a former student [2]. His group at Kentucky also performed the first definitive Raman study of the phonons responsible for superconductivity in alkali-doped fullerene compounds. Peter was awarded the prestigious University of Kentucky Research Professorship for his contributions to graduate education and research discoveries in carbon materials. In the summer of 1991, Peter held early discussions with his two long-time collaborators on the possibility of carbon nanotubes. These discussions inspired a talk by Millie at a fullerene workshop the next day concerning the possible existence of single-walled carbon nanotubes [3]. The first papers by Iijima on the synthesis of multiwalled nanotubes appeared soon thereafter [4]. In 1994, Peter measured an early Raman spectrum on a sample containing just 1% of single-walled tubes. On the basis of this early work, he convinced Rick Smalley to provide him with a proper sample of single-walled carbon nanotubes in 1996; this is the sample on which the highly cited single-walled carbon nanotube Raman spectrum was taken [5]. Carbon nanotubes then became a central focus of the Eklund group. Peter, Millie and Gene worked together on many aspects of carbon nanotubes, including the study of infrared-active modes, Raman active modes, Raman spectra for single-walled nanotubes, and the differences in the Raman spectra of semiconducting and metallic tubes. In 2009 they combined efforts to investigate phonons in graphene. Peter was also an entrepreneur. He started a company, CarboLex, to make and sell nanotubes in large quantities, thereby giving industrial support to advancing fundamental science. He co-founded two additional companies: PhotoStealth produced computer-generated camouflage patterns printed on textiles and ICMR pursued laser-driven synthesis of nanoparticles and coatings. ICMR moved from Lexington to Silicon Valley and evolved into Nanogram, later reorganized as NeoPhotonics. Both CarboLex and NeoPhotonics are still actively engaged in the research and development of nano-materials. Peter joined the Physics Department at Penn State University in 1999, becoming a Distinguished Professor in 2008. In 2002, he also joined the faculty of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. In addition to further seminal work on carbon materials, Peter initiated a research effort in semiconducting nanowires, obtaining the first clear evidence of phonon confinement in 1D nanostructures. After the Novoselov-Geim work on monolayer graphene appeared, once again Peter Eklund was there to publish very early Raman spectra on monolayer, bilayer and few-layer graphene. Thus, the work of Peter Eklund unfolds the leading wave of discoveries in carbon nanostructures starting in 1974 and continuing over a thirty-five year period to August 2009. Peter mentored more than 40 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. He co-authored over 300 research articles and more than 20 chapters in monographs. His scientific oeuvre has been cited more than 16 000 times. Peter acquired three US patents with five more pending. He was recognized with the Japan Carbon Award (2008), the American Carbon Society Graffin Award (2005), American Physical Society Fellowship (1990), and visiting/honorary professorships in Nankai University, Yokohama City University, Shinshu University, Tokyo Science University, and (as a visiting scientist) in the Solid State Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. From 2003 to 2006 he was a member of the Solid State Sciences Committee of the US National Academy of Sciences. Peter enjoyed challenges. He was in his glory while interpreting the stories told by experimental data in partnership with his colleagues and research team of dedicated postdocs and students. Peter was admired all over the world for his creativity, his kindness, his engaging personality, his breadth of interests, his sensitive character and his quick wit. Several friends have shared their memories: Kumble Subbaswamy (University of Kentucky, USA): 'Peter, along with Karen, were the gentlest and most generous souls I have ever met. He picked up stray dogs and stray graduate students alike, nurturing them through sickness and health. I will never forget the hospice-like care he provided to one international student who worked in his lab, but succumbed to cancer. In his early days at Kentucky, when funds to support his research were very scarce, he made frequent visits to the military surplus store nearby and behaved like a kid in a candy store, bringing back all sorts of electrical and mechanical parts for his experiments. It is in no small measure due to this ability that he built such a successful career. Peter was without peer when it came to instrument design and fabrication. I mentioned to him, during my job interview at the University of Kentucky (where he arrived one year before me), my interest in studying the Raman spectra of molten alkali halides. Several months later when I arrived on campus, I was surprised to find he had constructed a beautifully crafted Raman chamber supporting a contactless molten sample! He had anticipated and addressed every possible complication.' Qihua Xiong (Nanyang Technical University, Singapore): 'Peter was a great mentor; he knew how to stimulate students to explore their full potential. Students could knock on his door with questions or with new data any time. He was always patient. He explained physics with his fountain pen on a notepad or with a marker on a white board until students understood. When students made mistakes, he never blamed the student, because he believed it is part of training to allow students to make mistakes. I once designed a mask adapter to connect our existing three-inch photomasks to Srinivas's four-inch mask aligner. The design looked beautiful and the machine shop did a perfect job to machine and polish the piece. Unfortunately, I made a stupid mistake. The central opening was slightly larger than the square vacuum groves behind the mask holder and as a result, it leaked! I was very disappointed in myself, as I not only wasted grant money but also delayed our experiment. Peter patted my shoulder, picked up a sharpie and wrote on the mask adapter, 'even great people make mistakes, but they learn.' So we machined another one, and it worked well. This failure piece still stands on my bookshelf. I keep it as a motto: it warns me not to make any mistakes like that, but more importantly it encourages me to be a supervisor like Peter.' Joe Brill (University of Kentucky, USA): 'Peter's occasional impetuousness and his love of physics are illustrated by the following anecdote. In December, 1979, I had just joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky, excited about the prospect of collaborating with Peter, who had arrived two years before. I was, therefore, dumbfounded when Peter abruptly announced his resignation to join IBM to do research on printer ink. After less than two days at IBM, however, he sheepishly asked to come back to the UK, explaining that he couldn't enjoy doing research that didn't involve 'h-bar'. His UK colleagues, who had not even had the chance to raid his lab, of course agreed with great amusement and relief. His joy and enthusiasm for physics remained contagious and unforgettable.' Milton Cole (Penn State University, USA): 'Somehow my very last conversation with Peter, two days before his death, typified the hundreds of conversations we had about science, or even philosophy. His first words after greeting me consisted of a hypothetical explanation of the physical mechanism of a new intravenous tube he was obliged to use. He conveyed on that occasion the very same excitement that he displayed years earlier when he volunteered to present a demonstration of electrical circuitry to a group of third-grade students. Those eight-year olds became as enthusiastic as Peter. It is no wonder that Peter was so admired and loved.' Jackie Bortiatynski (Penn State University, USA): 'I loved working with Peter on summer science camps for kids. He was creative, funny, brilliant, and an inspiration. I just don't know where he got all his energy. I will truly miss him as a colleague.' Toshiaki Enoki (Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan): 'Peter was very serious in his research work, but he also had an amiable personality with a very good sense of humour. I remember the occasion of a small international workshop, which was chaired by me in Ise, Japan in 1985. We had serious and intensive discussions in the scientific session, then in the evening we enjoyed an excursion and banquet in Ise, a small old town with a famous shrine named Ise Jingu. Peter romped out with joy wearing yukata (Japanese traditional night clothes) after taking a hot spring.' Robert Haddon (University of California, Riverside, USA): 'Peter was the driving force in creating a position for me at the University of Kentucky in 1997. After I joined Kentucky, we immediately focused on the large-scale synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes and we became one of a handful of research groups that could produce single-walled nanotubes in quantity. Soon after, we founded CarboLex and the university was awarded an NSF MRSEC on Advanced Carbon Materials. For most of the time that I spent at Kentucky, our research groups met as a unit and our collaboration greatly assisted me in making the transition to academia. Above all, Peter was a physicist in very much the same tradition as the great colleagues that I had been privileged to work with at the Bell Labs. Peter and Karen made me welcome in their home from the time I arrived in Lexington and I have fond memories of the time we spent together.' Photo Keith Williams (University of Virginia, USA): 'In 1993, Peter introduced me, in the dark, to his postdoc Apparao Rao, who was then doing Raman on C60 at Kentucky. I thought it was pretty interesting and that was how I began working for Peter. I was an exile from high-energy physics: the SSC had just been canceled and I had drifted in and out of biophysics and AMO and finally settled on Peter's brand of experimental nanomaterials physics. I immediately enjoyed Peter's ingenuity and his wonderful sense of humour. One aspect of Peter's character not widely appreciated by his students was his thrift: if something could be made, borrowed (with or without consent), or used after-hours then he always advocated that strongly. More than once, we got demo equipment, ran an all-nighter on it to collect data and then sent it back a day later. Almost nothing was bought off the shelf! Peter attributed these tendencies to his ancestry, and that was an unending joke between us. Of course, the strategy of making every penny count benefited me greatly in the long run, and last year I told him I had outdone him in my lab: almost everything was built from scratch, and everything else was on loan. He smiled a proud smile. On the personal side, however, Peter was always very generous; I fondly recall the dinners with him and Karen and the other students, their beloved dogs, with the Beach Boys inevitably playing in the background. Peter and Karen were wonderful to me and so many other students, and it didn't surprise me at all to learn that Peter's last scientific concern was that a proposal had been funded and that his students were going to be okay.' Kenichi Kojima (Yokohama City University, Japan): 'In 1997, Peter came to Yokohama as a Guest Professor at Yokohama City University to give his lectures to our graduate students. Peter was an excellent lecturer, of course. But when I played tennis with him for the first time, I found that he was an amazing tennis player as well. He hit the ball really hard, and his serves were amazingly fast. During his stay, Peter liked stopping over at a typical traditional Japanese-style pub for dinner by himself. One day he wanted to have a beer before dinner. However, he was not sure how to order draft beer in Japanese, and the manager of the pub did not understand English. He carefully listened to what the customers around him said when they ordered beer. He then said in a loud voice, 'Please give me a glass of mama beer.' In Japan, female servers in pubs are often called 'mama' by customers, and we call draft beer 'nama beer' because 'nama' means 'living' in Japanese. Probably 'nama' sounded like 'mama' to Peter. Later he proudly told me, with a happy smile, how he got a delicious draft Kirin beer. Peter loved not only science but also traditional Japanese culture. He was a polished person. I would like to show you the words written in his own hand in my visitor's book when he came to my home after playing tennis in 1997. May his soul rest in peace!' Photo Millie Dresselhaus (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA): 'At the time of Peter's entry into the study of sp2 carbons in 1974, the field was an eclectic area of science that only interested a small group of aficionados. Through his many contributions during the next 35 years as well as those of others, the field has grown dramatically, and now it is a major area of interest in condensed matter and materials physics worldwide. Working on joint projects together with Peter Eklund was both educational and enjoyable. In our joint efforts, I was responsible for the big picture, Peter was the master of experimental details and Gene Dresselhaus was the man responsible for getting things done well and on time. During the last 35 years of his life, starting from his postdoctoral period, we enjoyed a close working relation, especially for the first 25 of these years, overlapping with his stay at the University of Kentucky. As his career developed, our relationship changed from a postdoctoral advisor, to a collaborator, friend, and confidant. After his mother passed away I assumed the role of his 'second mother' as he called me. We remained very close personally, even though far away in location and despite his many other professional collaborators. Looking to the future, life without Peter will never be the same.' References [1] Dresselhaus M S, Dresselhaus G, and Eklund P C 1996 Science of Fullerenes and Carbon Nanotubes (New York: Academic Press) [2] Eklund P C and Rao A M 1999 Fullerene Polymers and Fullerene-Polymer Composites (Springer Series in Materials Science vol 38) (Berlin: Springer) [3] Dresselhaus M S 1991 Recent advances in electronic materials Proc. of the 38th Sagamore Army Mater. Res. Conf. (Watertown, MA, Materials Technology Laboratory) ed Thomas V Hynes p 45 [4] Iijima S 1991 Helical microtubules of graphitic carbon Nature 354 56-8 [5] Rao A M, Richter E, Bandow S, Chase B, Eklund P C, Williams K W, Fang S, Subbaswamy K R, Menon M, Thess A, Smalley R E, Dresselhaus G and Dresselhaus M S 1997 Diameter-selective Raman scattering from vibrational modes in carbon nanotubes Science 275 187-91

Anthropogenic disturbance of element cycles at the Earth's surface.

PubMed

Sen, Indra S; Peucker-Ehrenbrink, Bernhard

2012-08-21

The extent to which humans are modifying Earth's surface chemistry can be quantified by comparing total anthropogenic element fluxes with their natural counterparts (Klee and Graedel, 2004). We quantify anthropogenic mass transfer of 77 elements from mining, fossil fuel burning, biomass burning, construction activities, and human apportionment of terrestrial net primary productivity, and compare it to natural mass transfer from terrestrial and marine net primary productivity, riverine dissolved and suspended matter fluxes to the ocean, soil erosion, eolian dust, sea-salt spray, cosmic dust, volcanic emissions, and for helium, hydrodynamic escape from the Earth's atmosphere. We introduce an approach to correct for losses during industrial processing of elements belonging to geochemically coherent groups, and explicitly incorporate uncertainties of element mass fluxes through Monte Carlo simulations. We find that at the Earth's surface anthropogenic fluxes of iridium, osmium, helium, gold, ruthenium, antimony, platinum, palladium, rhenium, rhodium and chromium currently exceed natural fluxes. For these elements mining is the major factor of anthropogenic influence, whereas petroleum burning strongly influences the surficial cycle of rhenium. Our assessment indicates that if anthropogenic contributions to soil erosion and eolian dust are considered, anthropogenic fluxes of up to 62 elements surpass their corresponding natural fluxes.

Optimal Inflatable Space Towers with 3 - 100 km Height

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bolonkin, Alexander

2003-01-01

Theory and computations are provided for building inflatable space towers up to one hundred kilometers in height. These towers can be used for tourism, scientific observation of space, observation of the Earth's surface, weather and upper atmosphere, and for radio, television, and communication transmissions. These towers can also be used to launch space ships and Earth satellites. These projects are not expensive and do not require rockets. They require thin strong films composed from artificial fibers and fabricated by current industry. The towers can be built using present technology. The towers can be used (for tourism, communication, etc.) during the construction process and provide self-financing for further construction. The tower design does not require work at high altitudes; all construction can be done at the Earth's surface. The transport system for a tower consists of a small engine (used only for friction compensation) located at the Earth's surface. The tower is separated into sections and has special protection mechanisms in case of damage. Problems involving security, control, repair, and stability of the proposed towers are addressed in other publications. The author is prepared to discuss these and other problems with serious organizations desiring to research and develop these projects.

Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) algorithm theoretical basis document. Volume 1; Overviews (subsystem 0)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wielicki, Bruce A. (Principal Investigator); Barkstrom, Bruce R. (Principal Investigator); Baum, Bryan A.; Cess, Robert D.; Charlock, Thomas P.; Coakley, James A.; Green, Richard N.; Lee, Robert B., III; Minnis, Patrick; Smith, G. Louis

1995-01-01

The theoretical bases for the Release 1 algorithms that will be used to process satellite data for investigation of the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) are described. The architecture for software implementation of the methodologies is outlined. Volume 1 provides both summarized and detailed overviews of the CERES Release 1 data analysis system. CERES will produce global top-of-the-atmosphere shortwave and longwave radiative fluxes at the top of the atmosphere, at the surface, and within the atmosphere by using the combination of a large variety of measurements and models. The CERES processing system includes radiance observations from CERES scanning radiometers, cloud properties derived from coincident satellite imaging radiometers, temperature and humidity fields from meteorological analysis models, and high-temporal-resolution geostationary satellite radiances to account for unobserved times. CERES will provide a continuation of the ERBE record and the lowest error climatology of consistent cloud properties and radiation fields. CERES will also substantially improve our knowledge of the Earth's surface radiation budget.

Remote Sensing in Geography in the New Millennium: Prospects, Challenges and Opportunities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quattrochi, Dale A.; Walsh, Stephen J.; Jensen, John R.; Ridd, Merrill K.; Arnold, James E. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

As noted in the first edition of Geography in America, the term remote sensing was coined in the early 1960's by geographers to describe the process of obtaining data by use of both photographic and nonphotographic instruments. Although this is still a working definition today, a more explicit and updated definition as it relates to geography can be phrased as: "remote sensing is the science, art, and technology of identifying, characterizing, measuring, and mapping of Earth surface, and near earth surface, phenomena from some position above using photographic or nonphotographic instruments." Both patterns and processes may be the object of investigation using remote sensing data. The science dimension of geographic remote sensing is rooted in the fact that: a) it is dealing with primary data, wherein the investigator must have an understanding of the environmental phenomena under scrutiny, and b) the investigator must understand something of the physics of the energy involved in the sensing instrument and the atmospheric pathway through which the energy passes from the energy source, to the Earth object to the sensor.

Xe isotopic constraints on cycling of deep Earth volatiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parai, R.; Mukhopadhyay, S.

2017-12-01

The modern deep Earth volatile budget reflects primordial volatiles delivered during accretion, radiogenic ingrowth of volatile species (e.g., 40Ar produced by 40K decay), outgassing in association with mantle processing, and regassing via subduction. The noble gases are unique volatile tracers in that they are chemically inert, but are thought to be trapped within hydrous alteration phases in downwelling lithologies. Noble gases thus provide a tracer of volatile transport between the deep Earth and surface reservoirs. Constraints on the fluxes of noble gases between deep Earth and surface reservoirs over time can accordingly be used to provide insight into temperature conditions at subduction zones, limits on volatile cycling, and the evolving distribution of major volatile species in terrestrial reservoirs over time. Xe isotope systematics in mantle-derived rocks show that 80-90% of the mantle Xe budget is derived from recycling of atmospheric Xe, indicating that atmospheric Xe is retained in subducting slabs beyond depths of magma generation in subduction zones over Earth history. We present an integrated model of Xe cycling between the mantle and atmosphere in association with mantle processing over Earth history. We test a wide variety of outgassing and regassing rates and take the evolution of the atmospheric Xe isotopic composition [e.g., 1] into account. Models in which the deep Earth transitions from a net outgassing to net regassing regime best satisfy Xe isotopic constraints from mantle-derived rocks [2-6]. [1] Avice et al., 2017; Nature Communications, 8; [2] Mukhopadhyay, 2012, Nature 486, 101-104; [3] Parai et al., 2012, EPSL 359-360, 227-239; [4] Parai and Mukhopadhay, 2015, G-cubed 16, 719-735; [5] Peto et al., 2013, EPSL 369-370, 13-23; [6] Tucker et al., 2012, EPSL 355-356, 244-254.

Global-scale water circulation in the Earth's mantle: Implications for the mantle water budget in the early Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakagawa, Takashi; Spiegelman, Marc W.

2017-04-01

We investigate the influence of the mantle water content in the early Earth on that in the present mantle using numerical convection simulations that include three processes for redistribution of water: dehydration, partitioning of water into partially molten mantle, and regassing assuming an infinite water reservoir at the surface. These models suggest that the water content of the present mantle is insensitive to that of the early Earth. The initial water stored during planetary formation is regulated up to 1.2 OMs (OM = Ocean Mass; 1.4 ×1021 kg), which is reasonable for early Earth. However, the mantle water content is sensitive to the rheological dependence on the water content and can range from 1.2 to 3 OMs at the present day. To explain the evolution of mantle water content, we computed water fluxes due to subducting plates (regassing), degassing and dehydration. For weakly water dependent viscosity, the net water flux is almost balanced with those three fluxes but, for strongly water dependent viscosity, the regassing dominates the water cycle system because the surface plate activity is more vigorous. The increased convection is due to enhanced lubrication of the plates caused by a weak hydrous crust for strongly water dependent viscosity. The degassing history is insensitive to the initial water content of the early Earth as well as rheological strength. The degassing flux from Earth's surface is calculated to be approximately O (1013) kg /yr, consistent with a coupled model of climate evolution and mantle thermal evolution.

Incorporating Concept Sketching into Teaching Undergraduate Geomorphology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reusser, Lucas J.; Corbett, Lee B.; Bierman, Paul R.

2012-01-01

Constructing concept sketches (diagrams annotated with short captions in which students demonstrate their understanding of form, process, and interactions) provides a new and different way to teach Earth surface processes and assess the depth of student learning. During a semester-long course in Geomorphology, we used concept sketches as an…

Earth Scanner Bearing Accelerated Life Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dietz, Brian J.; VanDyk, Steven G.; Predmore, Roamer E.

2000-01-01

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) optical instrument for NASA Goddard will measure biological and physical processes on the Earth's surface and in the lower atmosphere. A key component of the instrument is an extremely accurate scan mirror motor/encoder assembly. Of prime concern in the performance and reliability of the scan motor/encoder is bearing selection and lubrication. This paper describes life testing of the bearings and lubrication selected for the program.

KSC-2011-2631

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-03-30

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft is transported to the Spaceport Systems International processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Earlier, a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane delivered the spacecraft from Campos, Brazil. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: VAFB/30th Space Wing

KSC-2011-2636

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-03-30

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft enters the Spaceport Systems International payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Earlier, a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane delivered the spacecraft from Campos, Brazil. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: VAFB/30th Space Wing

KSC-2011-2638

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-03-30

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft is in the Spaceport Systems International payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Earlier, a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane delivered the spacecraft from Campos, Brazil. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: VAFB/30th Space Wing

KSC-2011-2637

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-03-30

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft is in the Spaceport Systems International payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Earlier, a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane delivered the spacecraft from Campos, Brazil. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: VAFB/30th Space Wing

KSC-2011-2632

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-03-30

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft is transported to the Spaceport Systems International processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Earlier, a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane delivered the spacecraft from Campos, Brazil. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: VAFB/30th Space Wing

KSC-2011-2633

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-03-30

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft is transported to the Spaceport Systems International processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Earlier, a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane delivered the spacecraft from Campos, Brazil. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: VAFB/30th Space Wing

PEOPLE IN PHYSICS: Interview with Peter Higgs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fancey, Conducted by Norman

1998-01-01

Peter Higgs, FRSE, FRS held until recently a personal chair in theoretical physics at the University of Edinburgh and is now an emeritus professor. Peter is well known for predicting the existence of a new particle, the Higgs boson - as yet unconfirmed. He has been awarded a number of prizes in recognition of his work, most recently the Paul Dirac Medal and Prize for outstanding contributions to theoretical physics from the Institute of Physics and the 1997 High Energy and Particle Physics Prize by the European Physical Society.

Earth System Science at NASA: Teleconnections Between Sea Surface Temperature and Epidemics in Africa

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meeson, Blanche W.

2000-01-01

The research carried out in the Earth Sciences in NASA and at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center will be the focus of the presentations. In addition, one research project that links sea surface temperature to epidemics in Africa will be highlighted. At GSFC research interests span the full breath of disciplines in Earth Science. Branches and research groups focus on areas as diverse as planetary geomagnetics and atmospheric chemistry. These organizations focus on atmospheric sciences (atmospheric chemistry, climate and radiation, regional processes, atmospheric modeling), hydrological sciences (snow, ice, oceans, and seasonal-to-interannual prediction), terrestrial physics (geology, terrestrial biology, land-atmosphere interactions, geophysics), climate modeling (global warming, greenhouse gases, climate change), on sensor development especially using lidar and microwave technologies, and on information technologies, that enable support of scientific and technical research.

Counseling, Guidance, and the Morality of Help-Giving

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Patton, Michael J.

1971-01-01

A review of: (1) The Counseling Center in Higher Education, Phillip J. Gallagher and George D. Demos, (2) The Guidance Process, Herman J. Peters, (3) Counseling and Guidance in the Twentieth Century: Reflections and Reformulations, William H. Van Hoose and John J. Pietrofesa, and (4) Value Orientations in Counseling and Psychotherapy: The Meanings…

Ancient wet aeolian environments on Earth: Clues to presence of fossil/live microorganisms on Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mahaney, W.C.; Milner, M.W.; Netoff, D.I.; Malloch, D.; Dohm, J.M.; Baker, V.R.; Miyamoto, H.; Hare, T.M.; Komatsu, G.

2004-01-01

Ancient wet aeolian (wet-sabkha) environments on Earth, represented in the Entrada and Navajo sandstones of Utah, contain pipe structures considered to be the product of gas/water release under pressure. The sediments originally had considerable porosity allowing the ingress of living plant structures, microorganisms, clay minerals, and fine-grained primary minerals of silt and sand size from the surface downward in the sedimentary column. Host rock material is of a similar size and porosity and presumably the downward migration of fine-grained material would have been possible prior to lithogenesis and final cementation. Recent field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and EDS (energy-dispersive spectrometry) examination of sands from fluidized pipes in the Early Jurassic Navajo Sandstone reveal the presence of fossil forms resembling fungal filaments, some bearing hyphopodium-like structures similar to those produced by modern tropical leaf parasites. The tropical origin of the fungi is consistent with the paleogeography of the sandstone, which was deposited in a tropical arid environment. These fossil fungi are silicized, with minor amounts of CaCO3 and Fe, and in some cases a Si/Al ratio similar to smectite. They exist as pseudomorphs, totally depleted in nitrogen, adhering to the surfaces of fine-grained sands, principally quartz and orthoclase. Similar wet aeolian paleoenvironments are suspected for Mars, especially following catastrophic sediment-charged floods of enormous magnitudes that are believed to have contributed to rapid formation of large water bodies in the northern plains, ranging from lakes to oceans. These events are suspected to have contributed to a high frequency of constructional landforms (also known as pseudocraters) related to trapped volatiles and water-enriched sediment underneath a thick blanket of materials that were subsequently released to the martian surface, forming piping structures at the near surface and constructional landforms at the surface. This constructional process on Mars may help unravel the complex history of some of the piping structures observed on Earth; on Earth, evidence for the constructional landforms has been all but erased and the near-surface piping structures exposed through millions of years of differential erosion and topographic inversion now occur as high-standing promontories. If the features on both Earth and Mars formed by similar processes, especially involving water and other volatiles, and since the piping structures of Earth provided suitable environments for life to thrive in, the martian features in the northern plains should be considered as prime targets for physico/mineral/chemical/microbiological analyses once the astrobiological exploration of the red planet begins in earnest. ?? 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ancient wet aeolian environments on Earth: clues to presence of fossil/live microorganisms on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahaney, William C.; Milner, Michael W.; Netoff, D. I.; Malloch, David; Dohm, James M.; Baker, Victor R.; Miyamoto, Hideaki; Hare, Trent M.; Komatsu, Goro

2004-09-01

Ancient wet aeolian (wet-sabkha) environments on Earth, represented in the Entrada and Navajo sandstones of Utah, contain pipe structures considered to be the product of gas/water release under pressure. The sediments originally had considerable porosity allowing the ingress of living plant structures, microorganisms, clay minerals, and fine-grained primary minerals of silt and sand size from the surface downward in the sedimentary column. Host rock material is of a similar size and porosity and presumably the downward migration of fine-grained material would have been possible prior to lithogenesis and final cementation. Recent field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and EDS (energy-dispersive spectrometry) examination of sands from fluidized pipes in the Early Jurassic Navajo Sandstone reveal the presence of fossil forms resembling fungal filaments, some bearing hyphopodium-like structures similar to those produced by modern tropical leaf parasites. The tropical origin of the fungi is consistent with the paleogeography of the sandstone, which was deposited in a tropical arid environment. These fossil fungi are silicized, with minor amounts of CaCO 3 and Fe, and in some cases a Si/Al ratio similar to smectite. They exist as pseudomorphs, totally depleted in nitrogen, adhering to the surfaces of fine-grained sands, principally quartz and orthoclase. Similar wet aeolian paleoenvironments are suspected for Mars, especially following catastrophic sediment-charged floods of enormous magnitudes that are believed to have contributed to rapid formation of large water bodies in the northern plains, ranging from lakes to oceans. These events are suspected to have contributed to a high frequency of constructional landforms (also known as pseudocraters) related to trapped volatiles and water-enriched sediment underneath a thick blanket of materials that were subsequently released to the martian surface, forming piping structures at the near surface and constructional landforms at the surface. This constructional process on Mars may help unravel the complex history of some of the piping structures observed on Earth; on Earth, evidence for the constructional landforms has been all but erased and the near-surface piping structures exposed through millions of years of differential erosion and topographic inversion now occur as high-standing promontories. If the features on both Earth and Mars formed by similar processes, especially involving water and other volatiles, and since the piping structures of Earth provided suitable environments for life to thrive in, the martian features in the northern plains should be considered as prime targets for physico/mineral/chemical/microbiological analyses once the astrobiological exploration of the red planet begins in earnest.

Earth Sciences Division

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1991-06-01

This Annual Report presents summaries of selected representative research activities grouped according to the principal disciplines of the Earth Sciences Division: Reservoir Engineering and Hydrogeology, Geology and Geochemistry, and Geophysics and Geomechanics. Much of the Division's research deals with the physical and chemical properties and processes in the earth's crust, from the partially saturated, low-temperature near-surface environment to the high-temperature environments characteristic of regions where magmatic-hydrothermal processes are active. Strengths in laboratory and field instrumentation, numerical modeling, and in situ measurement allow study of the transport of mass and heat through geologic media -- studies that now include the appropriate chemical reactions and the hydraulic-mechanical complexities of fractured rock systems. Of particular note are three major Division efforts addressing problems in the discovery and recovery of petroleum, the application of isotope geochemistry to the study of geodynamic processes and earth history, and the development of borehole methods for high-resolution imaging of the subsurface using seismic and electromagnetic waves. In 1989, a major DOE-wide effort was launched in the areas of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management. Many of the methods previously developed for and applied to deeper regions of the earth will, in the coming years, be turned toward process definition and characterization of the very shallow subsurface, where man-induced contaminants now intrude and where remedial action is required.

Cystometric study

MedlinePlus

... dysfunction. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, ... children. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, ...

Uterine prolapse

MedlinePlus

... devices. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ... prolapse. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ...

27 CFR 9.107 - Lodi.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (Photorevised 1987); (3) Peters, CA 1952 (Photorevised 1968); (4) Stockton East, Calif. 1968 (Photorevised 1987... through the Peters, CA map, and ending on the Stockton East, Calif. map); (3) Then proceed north along...

Penis pain

MedlinePlus

... Priapism. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ... disease. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ...

Elimination patterns

MedlinePlus

... urethra. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ... disorders. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ...

Genital sores - male

MedlinePlus

... genitalia. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ... 26042815 . Review Date 8/26/2017 Updated by: Peter J Chen, MD, FACOG, Associate Professor of OBGYN ...

Retrograde ejaculation

MedlinePlus

... ejaculation. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ... infertility. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ...

Untangling the Chemical Evolution of Titan's Atmosphere and Surface -- From Homogeneous to Heterogeneous Chemistry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kaiser, Ralf I.; Maksyutenko, Pavlo; Ennis, Courtney

The arrival of the Cassini-Huygens probe at Saturn's moon Titan - the only Solar System body besides Earth and Venus with a solid surface and a thick atmosphere with a pressure of 1.4 atm at surface level - in 2004 opened up a new chapter in the history of Solar System exploration. The mission revealed Titan as a world with striking Earth-like landscapes involving hydrocarbon lakes and seas as well as sand dunes and lava-like features interspersed with craters and icy mountains of hitherto unknown chemical composition. The discovery of a dynamic atmosphere and active weather system illustrates further themore » similarities between Titan and Earth. The aerosol-based haze layers, which give Titan its orange-brownish color, are not only Titan's most prominent optically visible features, but also play a crucial role in determining Titan's thermal structure and chemistry. These smog-like haze layers are thought to be very similar to those that were present in Earth's atmosphere before life developed more than 3.8 billion years ago, absorbing the destructive ultraviolet radiation from the Sun, thus acting as 'prebiotic ozone' to preserve astrobiologically important molecules on Titan. Compared to Earth, Titan's low surface temperature of 94 K and the absence of liquid water preclude the evolution of biological chemistry as we know it. Exactly because of these low temperatures, Titan provides us with a unique prebiotic 'atmospheric laboratory' yielding vital clues - at the frozen stage - on the likely chemical composition of the atmosphere of the primitive Earth. However, the underlying chemical processes, which initiate the haze formation from simple molecules, have been not understood well to date.« less

Physical conditions on the early Earth

PubMed Central

Lunine, Jonathan I

2006-01-01

The formation of the Earth as a planet was a large stochastic process in which the rapid assembly of asteroidal-to-Mars-sized bodies was followed by a more extended period of growth through collisions of these objects, facilitated by the gravitational perturbations associated with Jupiter. The Earth's inventory of water and organic molecules may have come from diverse sources, not more than 10% roughly from comets, the rest from asteroidal precursors to chondritic bodies and possibly objects near Earth's orbit for which no representative class of meteorites exists today in laboratory collections. The final assembly of the Earth included a catastrophic impact with a Mars-sized body, ejecting mantle and crustal material to form the Moon, and also devolatilizing part of the Earth. A magma ocean and steam atmosphere (possibly with silica vapour) existed briefly in this period, but terrestrial surface waters were below the critical point within 100 million years after Earth's formation, and liquid water existed continuously on the surface within a few hundred million years. Organic material delivered by comets and asteroids would have survived, in part, this violent early period, but frequent impacts of remaining debris probably prevented the continuous habitability of the Earth for one to several hundred million years. Planetary analogues to or records of this early time when life began include Io (heat flow), Titan (organic chemistry) and Venus (remnant early granites). PMID:17008213

Physical conditions on the early Earth.

PubMed

Lunine, Jonathan I

2006-10-29

The formation of the Earth as a planet was a large stochastic process in which the rapid assembly of asteroidal-to-Mars-sized bodies was followed by a more extended period of growth through collisions of these objects, facilitated by the gravitational perturbations associated with Jupiter. The Earth's inventory of water and organic molecules may have come from diverse sources, not more than 10% roughly from comets, the rest from asteroidal precursors to chondritic bodies and possibly objects near Earth's orbit for which no representative class of meteorites exists today in laboratory collections. The final assembly of the Earth included a catastrophic impact with a Mars-sized body, ejecting mantle and crustal material to form the Moon, and also devolatilizing part of the Earth. A magma ocean and steam atmosphere (possibly with silica vapour) existed briefly in this period, but terrestrial surface waters were below the critical point within 100 million years after Earth's formation, and liquid water existed continuously on the surface within a few hundred million years. Organic material delivered by comets and asteroids would have survived, in part, this violent early period, but frequent impacts of remaining debris probably prevented the continuous habitability of the Earth for one to several hundred million years. Planetary analogues to or records of this early time when life began include Io (heat flow), Titan (organic chemistry) and Venus (remnant early granites).

The SBAS Sentinel-1 Surveillance service for automatic and systematic generation of Earth surface displacement within the GEP platform.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casu, Francesco; De Luca, Claudio; Lanari, Riccardo; Manunta, Michele; Zinno, Ivana

2017-04-01

The Geohazards Exploitation Platform (GEP) is an ESA activity of the Earth Observation (EO) ground segment to demonstrate the benefit of new technologies for large scale processing of EO data. GEP aims at providing both on-demand processing services for scientific users of the geohazards community and an integration platform for new EO data analysis processors dedicated to scientists and other expert users. In the Remote Sensing scenario, a crucial role is played by the recently launched Sentinel-1 (S1) constellation that, with its global acquisition policy, has literally flooded the scientific community with a huge amount of data acquired over large part of the Earth on a regular basis (down to 6-days with both Sentinel-1A and 1B passes). Moreover, the S1 data, as part of the European Copernicus program, are openly and freely accessible, thus fostering their use for the development of tools for Earth surface monitoring. In particular, due to their specific SAR Interferometry (InSAR) design, Sentinel-1 satellites can be exploited to build up operational services for the generation of advanced interferometric products that can be very useful within risk management and natural hazard monitoring scenarios. Accordingly, in this work we present the activities carried out for the development, integration, and deployment of the SBAS Sentinel-1 Surveillance service of CNR-IREA within the GEP platform. This service is based on a parallel implementation of the SBAS approach, referred to as P-SBAS, able to effectively run in large distributed computing infrastructures (grid and cloud) and to allow for an efficient computation of large SAR data sequences with advanced DInSAR approaches. In particular, the Surveillance service developed on GEP platform consists on the systematic and automatic processing of Sentinel-1 data on selected Areas of Interest (AoI) to generate updated surface displacement time series via the SBAS-InSAR algorithm. We built up a system that is automatically triggered by every new S1 acquisition over the AoI, once it is available on the S1 catalogue. Then, tacking benefit from the SBAS results generated by previous runs of the service, the system processes the new acquisitions only, thus saving storage space and computing time and finally generating an updated SBAS time series. The same P-SBAS processor underlying the Surveillance service is also available through the GEP as a standard on-demand DInSAR service, thus allowing the scientific community to generate S1 SBAS time series on areas not covered by the Surveillance service itself. It is worth noting that the SBAS Sentinel-1 Surveillance service on GEP represents the core of the EPOSAR service, which will deliver S1 displacement time series of Earth surface on a regular basis for the European Plate Observing System (EPOS) Research Infrastructure community. In particular, the main goal of EPOSAR is to contribute with advanced technique and methods, which have already well demonstrated their effectiveness and relevance, in investigating the physical processes controlling earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and unrest episodes as well as those driving tectonics and Earth surface dynamics.

The PROCESS experiment: amino and carboxylic acids under Mars-like surface UV radiation conditions in low-earth orbit.

PubMed

Noblet, Audrey; Stalport, Fabien; Guan, Yuan Yong; Poch, Olivier; Coll, Patrice; Szopa, Cyril; Cloix, Mégane; Macari, Frédérique; Raulin, Francois; Chaput, Didier; Cottin, Hervé

2012-05-01

The search for organic molecules at the surface of Mars is a top priority of the next Mars exploration space missions: Mars Science Laboratory (NASA) and ExoMars (ESA). The detection of organic matter could provide information about the presence of a prebiotic chemistry or even biological activity on this planet. Therefore, a key step in interpretation of future data collected by these missions is to understand the preservation of organic matter in the martian environment. Several laboratory experiments have been devoted to quantifying and qualifying the evolution of organic molecules under simulated environmental conditions of Mars. However, these laboratory simulations are limited, and one major constraint is the reproduction of the UV spectrum that reaches the surface of Mars. As part of the PROCESS experiment of the European EXPOSE-E mission on board the International Space Station, a study was performed on the photodegradation of organics under filtered extraterrestrial solar electromagnetic radiation that mimics Mars-like surface UV radiation conditions. Glycine, serine, phthalic acid, phthalic acid in the presence of a mineral phase, and mellitic acid were exposed to these conditions for 1.5 years, and their evolution was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy after their retrieval. The results were compared with data from laboratory experiments. A 1.5-year exposure to Mars-like surface UV radiation conditions in space resulted in complete degradation of the organic compounds. Half-lives between 50 and 150 h for martian surface conditions were calculated from both laboratory and low-Earth orbit experiments. The results highlight that none of those organics are stable under low-Earth orbit solar UV radiation conditions.

Human impact on the planet: an earth system science perspective and ethical considerations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Williams, Richard S.

2002-01-01

The modern Earth Narrative, the scientific story of the 4.5 billion-year natural and human history of the Earth, has emerged from the solid foundation of two factual concepts: Deep (or Geologic) Time and Biological Evolution. spread acceptance of the Earth Narrative is critically important as we begin the third millennium, because it provides a clear understanding of the growing impact of human population growth and associated activities on the Earth System, especially the negative impact on Earth?s biosphere. It is important for humans to realize that we are but one of 4,500 species of mammals that exist on Earth and that we are but one species in the estimated 30 to 100 million species that form the complex biosphere. We also need to recognize that all species exist within the physical limits imposed by the geosphere. We are totally dependent on the biosphere for food, oxygen, and other necessities of life. mans are one of the latest results of biological evolution operating over a long period of Geologic Time. We find ourselves on Earth, after 4.5 billion years of Earth history by chance, not by design. Humans have become so successful at modifying their environment that many of the natural limitations on the expansion of populations of our fellow animals have been overcome by technological and cultural innovations. According to Peter Raven, ?Humans, at a current population of 6 billion [expected to nearly double by 2050], are consuming or wasting about 50 percent of the total net biological productivity on land and 50 percent of the available supply of freshwater. The overwhelming and expanding human presence leaves less and less room in the environment for other biota.? st century will be a pivotal time in the fate of Earth?s biosphere. Whereas human modification of the geosphere will slowly recover over time, human changes to the biosphere are a far more consequential matter? extinction of a species is forever! Will humans effectively use our new knowledge of natural and human history to stop further degradation of Earth?s ecosystems and extinction of its biota? The fate of the biosphere, including humanity, depends on a reaffirmation by all humans of all cultures and religions of the global importance of a planet-wide conservation of the Earth?s biotic heritage. For the world?s religions it means elevation of stewardship of the Earth to a moral imperative and a goal of complete preservation of the Earth?s biotic inheritance, one which is based on a Do No Harm ethic.

Patent urachus repair

MedlinePlus

... children. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ... surgery. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ...

Inflatable artificial sphincter

MedlinePlus

... children. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ... women. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ...

Bladder outlet obstruction

MedlinePlus

... failure. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ... failure. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ...

Trajectory-based change detection for automated characterization of forest disturbance dynamics

Treesearch

Robert E. Kennedy; Warren B. Cohen; Todd A. Schroeder

2007-01-01

Satellite sensors are well suited to monitoring changes on the Earth's surface through provision of consistent and repeatable measurements at a spatial scale appropriate for many processes causing change on the land surface. Here, we describe and test a new conceptual approach to change detection of forests using a dense temporal stack of Landsat Thematic Mapper (...

Obituary: Peter Robert Wilson, 1929-2007

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snodgrass, Herschel B.

2009-01-01

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Peter Robert Wilson, a well-known and well-loved figure in the solar physics community. Peter was on the faculty of the Department of Applied Mathematics at the University of Sydney for 39 years, and Chair of the department for 24 of these years. He was the author or co-author of more than 80 scientific research papers and a book, Solar and Stellar Activity Cycles (1994), published by Cambridge University Press. He died suddenly of a heart attack, at his home in Glebe, Australia, in the early morning of 11 November 2007. Peter was an organizer of, and participant in, many international conferences and workshops. He traveled extensively, holding visiting appointments at the University of Colorado (JILA), at Cambridge University, at the College de France (Paris), and at the California Institute of Technology [CalTech]. Most of his work was in the field of solar physics, but he also did some work on the philosophy of science and on tides. Peter came from a line of mathematicians. His father, Robert Wilson, immigrated to Australia from Glasgow in 1911, and became a mathematics teacher at Scotch College, a private school in Melbourne. There his name was changed to 'Bill' because 'Bob' was already taken." Peter's enjoyment of this story as characteristic of Australian academia (as any fan of Monty Python would understand) is indicative of his infectious sense of humor. In a similar vein, he claimed ancestry traced back to the eighteenth-century Scottish mathematician Alexander Wilson, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Glasgow. That Wilson is famous in the solar physics community for his discovery, known as the "Wilson Effect," of the photospheric depressions associated with sunspots. Peter himself could not resist writing a paper on this subject, and was delighted when the bait was taken by some less-informed colleagues who chided him for "naming an effect after himself." "Bill" Wilson married Naomi Christian, a Melbourne native, and together they had three children. Peter was the eldest; he was born on 17 October 1929. He attended Scotch College, where his father taught, and went on to the University of Melbourne where he eventually earned an M. Sc. in experimental physics. This was not his cup of tea, however, and he first endeavored to follow in his father's footsteps, taking short-term appointments teaching mathematics at the secondary-school level abroad, in England, and in Scotland. After a few years Peter returned to Melbourne and took a post at Scotch College following his father's retirement. He soon decided, however, that teaching young boys in a private school was not his cup of tea either, and in 1959 he secured a position in applied mathematics at the University of Sydney. He had just married his first wife, Margaret, and they moved north together to start their family. Peter flourished at the University of Sydney, but his advancement in rank was hampered by the lack of a Ph. D. The problem was solved by Ron Giovanelli, Chief of the Division of Physics at Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization [CSIRO], an astrophysicist whose interest lay in the transfer of radiation through the outer layers in the Sun. Giovanelli took Peter on as a thesis student. This both earned him the needed Ph. D. and started him on his research career in solar physics. He now began to move up the academic ladder at Sydney. To satisfy his love of adventure, Peter was also able to take a series of visiting positions in the United States, working with Dick Thomas and others at JILA and Sacramento Peak Observatory (National Solar Observatory) in New Mexico. During this time he created a framework for further collaborations that became known as the Sydney-Boulder Astrophysics Association [SBAA]. In 1971 Peter was appointed Professor and Chair of the Department of Applied Mathematics at Sydney, and for the next two decades he worked hard to strengthen this department. He was very successful in this endeavor; he had a reputation for fairness and honesty and was well liked. Under his leadership the department grew in both size and quality. Peter fostered a group of outstanding students, including Chris Cannon, David Rees, and Lawrence Cram. One of his proudest accomplishments was to recruit several women onto the faculty and to increase the number of female students. One of these, Nalini Joshi, is presently Head of School. After Peter resigned as Chair, he went on to several other positions associated with the governance of the University, including the Academic Senate, the Governing Council of the Women's College, and the Board of Trustees. Peter and his first wife were divorced in 1982, after their two children, Sally and Michael, had grown up and left home. A few years later he met and married Geraldine Barnes, a Senior Lecturer in the English Department. This proved to be a fabulous match; they supported each other's academic pursuits, attended each other's conferences, enjoyed a rich social life centered around the university, and traveled extensively together. Their marriage helped both of them refocus their careers. Geraldine steadily advanced in rank, and is now Head of the School of Letters, Arts and the Media. Peter became one of the chief organizers of a series of workshops focused on the solar activity cycle. The first solar cycle workshop was held in 1986 at CalTech's Big Bear Solar Observatory [BBSO], and it was at this meeting that I first met Peter. There were three subsequent meetings, roughly a year apart, held at the University of Sydney, at Stanford's Fallen Leaf Lake in the Sierras, and at Sacramento Peak Observatory, and these were very successful in bringing together the main players in this research field. My subsequent association with Peter involved several trips back and forth between Portland (Oregon), Boulder, and Sydney and collaborations on about a dozen controversial research papers. Together with Peter Fox and Pat McIntosh, we became the solar-physics "gang of four." A dinner in Sydney with Geraldine, Peter, and their friends always meant liberal amounts of fine Australian wine, lively conversations on every imaginable topic (except physics), much laughter, and a deliciously endless meal. A weekend at their beach house in Killcare was even better, featuring long walks on the golden-sand beach and in the nearby bush. Kookaburras, Currawongs, and Rainbow Lorikeets frequented the outdoor deck, and the bush teemed with large and fascinating spiders. Back in Sydney, short-term visitors enjoyed lodgings and excellent breakfasts at the University of Sydney's Women's College, with Peter on the Council. Peter was a man of many interests. He was an expert sailor, a small-plane pilot who took colleagues and friends on adventurous flights, and a lover of sports. He was a skier, a hiker, and a good tennis player who disdained proper form but usually won the point. In 1994, one day after his 65th birthday, Peter suffered a serious stroke. Recovery from this was extremely difficult, painful, and slow; he did, however, recover to a remarkable degree. He had to learn to walk all over again and his vocal chords were partially paralyzed, but after several years of determined work, Peter was able to play a little tennis and squash, and he could bowl and hike. During the last decade of his life he traveled to Easter Island, to the Galapagos, and to the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. Peter continued to take pleasure in his research to the end, in collaboration with close colleagues who were always among his closest friends. Among these was Chris Durrant, who had been Head of the School of Mathematics and Statistics from 1994 to 1998. They were writing a series of papers on the mechanism of the Sun's polar field reversals. I was looking forward to joining them this coming summer. My last visit with Peter was in Phoenix, Arizona, where Geraldine was participating in a conference. We hiked into the Superstition Mountains, and I remember him walking slowly, being careful of his balance, but going the whole distance with pride and in good spirits. Peter was a truly remarkable man with, as Geraldine has put it, "a genuine gift for leadership and the encouragement of team spirit." He was a creative and productive scientist with a tremendous life force, a great sense of adventure, and a warm heart. My own collaborations with him were a joy. His death is a sad loss to all who knew him, and he will be sorely missed, but Peter R. Wilson lived life to the fullest and gave his best to the world. We should be glad for him. At the end of his (unpublished) autobiography, where he describes his recovery from the stroke, he writes: "So as I forecast in 1994, I have continued to 'soldier on', and must admit that a miracle has indeed occurred, at least 80%; I wouldn't have missed the past ten years for anything. Who knows what the inevitable advance of old age may hold, but I cannot complain that I have been 'short changed' in any way."

30 CFR 717.15 - Disposal of excess rock and earth materials on surface areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 3 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Disposal of excess rock and earth materials on surface areas. 717.15 Section 717.15 Mineral Resources OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND... STANDARDS § 717.15 Disposal of excess rock and earth materials on surface areas. Excess rock and earth...

30 CFR 717.15 - Disposal of excess rock and earth materials on surface areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 3 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Disposal of excess rock and earth materials on surface areas. 717.15 Section 717.15 Mineral Resources OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND... STANDARDS § 717.15 Disposal of excess rock and earth materials on surface areas. Excess rock and earth...

30 CFR 717.15 - Disposal of excess rock and earth materials on surface areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 3 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Disposal of excess rock and earth materials on surface areas. 717.15 Section 717.15 Mineral Resources OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND... STANDARDS § 717.15 Disposal of excess rock and earth materials on surface areas. Excess rock and earth...

30 CFR 717.15 - Disposal of excess rock and earth materials on surface areas.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 3 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Disposal of excess rock and earth materials on surface areas. 717.15 Section 717.15 Mineral Resources OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND... STANDARDS § 717.15 Disposal of excess rock and earth materials on surface areas. Excess rock and earth...

Technical note: Fu-Liou-Gu and Corti-Peter model performance evaluation for radiative retrievals from cirrus clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lolli, Simone; Campbell, James R.; Lewis, Jasper R.; Gu, Yu; Welton, Ellsworth J.

2017-06-01

We compare, for the first time, the performance of a simplified atmospheric radiative transfer algorithm package, the Corti-Peter (CP) model, versus the more complex Fu-Liou-Gu (FLG) model, for resolving top-of-the-atmosphere radiative forcing characteristics from single-layer cirrus clouds obtained from the NASA Micro-Pulse Lidar Network database in 2010 and 2011 at Singapore and in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA, in 2012. Specifically, CP simplifies calculation of both clear-sky longwave and shortwave radiation through regression analysis applied to radiative calculations, which contributes significantly to differences between the two. The results of the intercomparison show that differences in annual net top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) cloud radiative forcing can reach 65 %. This is particularly true when land surface temperatures are warmer than 288 K, where the CP regression analysis becomes less accurate. CP proves useful for first-order estimates of TOA cirrus cloud forcing, but may not be suitable for quantitative accuracy, including the absolute sign of cirrus cloud daytime TOA forcing that can readily oscillate around zero globally.

ARC-2007-ACD07-0152-030

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-08-12

Perseid Meteor flight on Google's Gulfstream Aircraft. P.I. Peter Jenniskens, SETI Group Peter Jenniskens, SETI - briefing w/L-R; J Nott, P Jenniskens, M Koop, D Holman and two Apex Aviation Corp reps.

1. DOWNRIVER VIEW OF BRIDGE, LOOKING SOUTHSOUTHWEST Peter J. Edwards, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

1. DOWNRIVER VIEW OF BRIDGE, LOOKING SOUTH-SOUTHWEST Peter J. Edwards, photographer, August 1988 - Four Mile Bridge, Copper Creek Road, Spans Table Rock Fork, Mollala River, Molalla, Clackamas County, OR

Chymotrypsin Test

MedlinePlus

... Peter Jacky, PhD, FACMG. Director of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, Airport Way Regional Laboratory, Portland, OR. Wu, A. ( ... Denise I. Quigley, PhD, FACMG. Co-Director Cytogenetics/Molecular Genetics, Airport Way Regional Laboratory, Portland, OR. Peter Jacky, ...

Trypsinogen Test

MedlinePlus

... Peter Jacky, PhD, FACMG. Director of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, Airport Way Regional Laboratory, Portland, OR. (Update October ... Denise I. Quigley, PhD, FACMG. Co-Director Cytogenetics/Molecular Genetics, Airport Way Regional Laboratory, Portland, OR. Peter Jacky, ...

78 FR 3034 - Sunshine Act Meeting; Agenda

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-15

... by email at [email protected] . FOR MEDIA INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Knudson (202) 314-6219 or by email at peter[email protected] . Dated: January 11, 2013. Candi R. Bing, Federal Register Liaison Officer...

Tutorials for Africa - Diarrhea: MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus

... Judith Allsaints Apio Chaudhari Mugdha Ramachandra Richard Lunyata Peter Agaba Elizabeth Nakabuye Team of medical students in ... Valentine Kahababo Art and audio team - Kampala, Uganda Peter Mukiibi Kenneth Nek Daniel Hama Contact the Makerere ...

Prostate resection - minimally invasive - discharge

MedlinePlus

... approaches. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ... hyperplasia. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ...

78 FR 64541 - Sunshine Act Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-29

... by email at [email protected] . FOR MEDIA INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Knudson, (202) 314-6100 or by email at peter[email protected] . Dated: Friday, October 25, 2013. Candi R. Bing, Federal Register Liaison...

Genetics Home Reference: Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome

MedlinePlus

... Breuning MH, Niedrist D, Hennekam RC, Schinzel A, Peters DJ. Genetic heterogeneity in Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome: delineation ... JT, van Ommen GJ, Breuning MH, Hennekam RC, Peters DJ. Genetic heterogeneity in Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome: mutations ...

Professor Peter Choyce: an early pioneer of intraocular lenses and corneal/refractive surgery.

PubMed

Pandey, Suresh K; Apple, David J

2005-06-01

Professor Peter Choyce, FRCS, DOMS, MS, was one of the pioneers of intraocular lens implant surgery. He developed an interest in artificial lens implantation following cataract surgery, a procedure that was widely criticized by the ophthalmic establishment in the UK, Europe, North America and other countries. Owing to the opposition to the intraocular lenses, Peter Choyce together with Sir Harold Ridley co-founded the International Intraocular Implant Club in 1966, which was responsible for the gradual acceptance of artificial lens implantation. Peter Choyce developed several models of intraocular lens, but did not patent the majority of them. The Choyce Mark IX, manufactured by Rayner Intraocular Lenses, became the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved intraocular lens in 1981. A review of Peter Choyce's record confirms a significant number of original innovations in the field of anterior segment surgery, including many procedures taken for granted today, but not associated with his name. These include early work on both kerato- and intraocular lens-refractive procedures, keratoprosthesis, pioneering paediatric implant procedures and others. Unfortunately his tenacious adherence to anterior chamber lens technology, while in general clinically sound, caused many to question his influence and hence he remained poorly understood even until after his death. He passed away on 8 August 2001 after a long fight with colon cancer. In this article, we provide evidence and elaborate Peter Choyce's accomplishments, which places him as one of the most innovative ophthalmologist in his surgical field in the twentieth century.

KSC-2014-2515

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-05-12

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The components of NASA's International Space Station-RapidScat scatterometer instrument await processing inside Kennedy Space Center's Space Station Processing Facility. ISS-RapidScat is the first scientific Earth-observing instrument designed to operate from the exterior of the space station. It will measure Earth's ocean surface wind speed and direction, providing data to be used in weather and marine forecasting. Built at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, ISS-RapidScat is slated to fly on the SpaceX-4 commercial cargo resupply flight in 2014. For more information, visit http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/iss-rapidscat. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

Estimating network effect in geocenter motion: Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zannat, Umma Jamila; Tregoning, Paul

2017-10-01

The network effect is the error associated with the subsampling of the Earth surface by space geodetic networks. It is an obstacle toward the precise measurement of geocenter motion, that is, the relative motion between the center of mass of the Earth system and the center of figure of the Earth surface. In a complementary paper, we proposed a theoretical approach to estimate the magnitude of this effect from the displacement fields predicted by geophysical models. Here we evaluate the effectiveness of our estimate for two illustrative physical processes: coseismic displacements inducing instantaneous changes in the Helmert parameters and elastic deformation due to surface water movements causing secular drifts in those parameters. For the first, we consider simplified models of the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman and the 2011 Tōhoku-Oki earthquakes, and for the second, we use the observations of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, complemented by an ocean model. In both case studies, it is found that the magnitude of the network effect, even for a large global network, is often as large as the magnitude of the changes in the Helmert parameters themselves. However, we also show that our proposed modification to the definition of the center of network frame to include weights proportional to the area of the Earth surface that the stations represent can significantly reduce the network effect in most cases.

Moon (Form-Origin)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsiapas, Elias

2016-04-01

When the Earth was formed, it was in a state of burning heat. As time went by, temperature on the planet's surface was falling due to radiation and heat transfer, and various components (crusts) began taking solid form at the Earth's poles. The formation of crusts took place at the Earth's poles, because the stirring of burning and fluid masses on the surface of the Earth was significantly slighter there than it was on the equator. Due to centrifugal force and Coriolis Effect, these solid masses headed towards the equator; those originating from the North Pole followed a south-western course, while those originating from the South Pole followed a north-western course and there they rotated from west to east at a lower speed than the underlying burning and liquid earth, because of their lower initial linear velocity, their solid state and inertia. Because inertia is proportional to mass, the initially larger solid body swept all new solid ones, incorporating them to its western side. The density of the new solid masses was higher, because the components on the surface would freeze and solidify first, before the underlying thicker components. As a result, the western side of the initial islet of solid rocks submerged, while the east side elevated. . As a result of the above, this initial islet began to spin in reverse, and after taking on the shape of a sphere, it formed the "heart" of the Moon. The Moon-sphere, rolling on the equator, would sink the solid rocks that continued to descend from the Earth's poles. The sinking rocks partially melted because of higher temperatures in the greater depths that the Moon descended to, while part of the rocks' mass bonded with the Moon and also served as a heat-insulating material, preventing the descended side of the sphere from melting. Combined with the Earth's liquid mass that covered its emerging eastern surface, new sphere-shaped shells were created, with increased density and very powerful structural cohesion. During the above mentioned process, the thick clouds surrounding Earth-Moon were causing heavy storms and on the outer surface of the rolling Moon, wherever small cavities - or pockets - existed, these would fill up with water. Then, due to the Moon's changing tilt, these pockets were sealed by sediments and as a result, small water tanks are scattered on the successive layers of the Moon, from its centre to its surface. . As this sphere (the Moon) continued to grow, the Earth-Moon system was displaying a double-planet image. The Moon's reverse rolling velocity increased according to the increase of its mass and volume. As the temperature on the surface of the Earth continued to fall, a larger number of bigger sized solid masses were descending from the poles towards the equator, and the Moon could no longer aggregate them. The gathering and interference of solid rocks of great mass acted as the catapult on which the Moon bounced off the Earth and was put into orbit around it.

Moon (Form-Origin)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsiapas, Elias; Soumelidou, Despina; Tsiapas, Christos

2017-04-01

When the Earth was formed, it was in a state of burning heat. As time went by, temperature on the planet's surface was falling due to radiation and heat transfer, and various components (crusts) began taking solid form at the Earth's poles. The formation of crusts took place at the Earth's poles, because the stirring of burning and fluid masses on the surface of the Earth was significantly slighter there than it was on the equator. Due to centrifugal force and Coriolis Effect, these solid masses headed towards the equator; those originating from the North Pole followed a south-western course, while those originating from the South Pole followed a north-western course and there they rotated from west to east at a lower speed than the underlying burning and liquid earth, because of their lower initial linear velocity, their solid state and inertia. Because inertia is proportional to mass, the initially larger solid body swept all new solid ones, incorporating them to its western side. The density of the new solid masses was higher, because the components on the surface would freeze and solidify first, before the underlying thicker components. As a result, the western side of the initial islet of solid rocks submerged, while the east side elevated. . As a result of the above, this initial islet began to spin in reverse, and after taking on the shape of a sphere, it formed the "heart" of the Moon. The Moon-sphere, rolling on the equator, would sink the solid rocks that continued to descend from the Earth's poles. The sinking rocks partially melted because of higher temperatures in the greater depths that the Moon descended to, while part of the rocks' mass bonded with the Moon and also served as a heat-insulating material, preventing the descended side of the sphere from melting. Combined with the Earth's liquid mass that covered its emerging eastern surface, new sphere-shaped shells were created, with increased density and very powerful structural cohesion. During the above mentioned process, the thick clouds surrounding Earth-Moon were causing heavy storms and on the outer surface of the rolling Moon, wherever small cavities - or pockets - existed, these would fill up with water. Then, due to the Moon's changing tilt, these pockets were sealed by sediments and as a result, small water tanks are scattered on the successive layers of the Moon, from its centre to its surface. . As this sphere (the Moon) continued to grow, the Earth-Moon system was displaying a double-planet image. The Moon's reverse rolling velocity increased according to the increase of its mass and volume. As the temperature on the surface of the Earth continued to fall, a larger number of bigger sized solid masses were descending from the poles towards the equator, and the Moon could no longer aggregate them. The gathering and interference of solid rocks of great mass acted as the catapult on which the Moon bounced off the Earth and was put into orbit around it.

Moon (Form-Origin)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsiapas, Elias

2015-04-01

When the Earth was formed, it was in a state of burning heat. As time went by, temperature on the planet's surface was falling due to radiation and heat transfer, and various components (crusts) began taking solid form at the Earth's poles. The formation of crusts took place at the Earth's poles, because the stirring of burning and fluid masses on the surface of the Earth was significantly slighter there than it was on the equator. Due to centrifugal force and Coriolis Effect, these solid masses headed towards the equator; those originating from the North Pole followed a south-western course, while those originating from the South Pole followed a north-western course and there they rotated from west to east at a lower speed than the underlying burning and liquid earth, because of their lower initial linear velocity, their solid state and inertia. Because inertia is proportional to mass, the initially larger solid body swept all new solid ones, incorporating them to its western side. The density of the new solid masses was higher, because the components on the surface would freeze and solidify first, before the underlying thicker components. As a result, the western side of the initial islet of solid rocks submerged, while the east side elevated. . As a result of the above, this initial islet began to spin in reverse, and after taking on the shape of a sphere, it formed the "heart" of the Moon. The Moon-sphere, rolling on the equator, would sink the solid rocks that continued to descend from the Earth's poles. The sinking rocks partially melted because of higher temperatures in the greater depths that the Moon descended to, while part of the rocks' mass bonded with the Moon and also served as a heat-insulating material, preventing the descended side of the sphere from melting. Combined with the Earth's liquid mass that covered its emerging eastern surface, new sphere-shaped shells were created, with increased density and very powerful structural cohesion. During the above mentioned process, the thick clouds surrounding Earth-Moon were causing heavy storms and on the outer surface of the rolling Moon, wherever small cavities - or pockets - existed, these would fill up with water. Then, due to the Moon's changing tilt, these pockets were sealed by sediments and as a result, small water tanks are scattered on the successive layers of the Moon, from its centre to its surface. . As this sphere (the Moon) continued to grow, the Earth-Moon system was displaying a double-planet image. The Moon's reverse rolling velocity increased according to the increase of its mass and volume. As the temperature on the surface of the Earth continued to fall, a larger number of bigger sized solid masses were descending from the poles towards the equator, and the Moon could no longer aggregate them. The gathering and interference of solid rocks of great mass acted as the catapult on which the Moon bounced off the Earth and was put into orbit around it.

Moon (Form-Origin)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsiapas, Elias

2014-05-01

When the Earth was formed, it was in a state of burning heat. As time went by, temperature on the planet's surface was falling due to radiation and heat transfer, and various components (crusts) began taking solid form at the Earth's poles. The formation of crusts took place at the Earth's poles, because the stirring of burning and fluid masses on the surface of the Earth was significantly slighter there than it was on the equator. Due to centrifugal force and Coriolis Effect, these solid masses headed towards the equator; those originating from the North Pole followed a south-western course, while those originating from the South Pole followed a north-western course and there they rotated from west to east at a lower speed than the underlying burning and liquid earth, because of their lower initial linear velocity, their solid state and inertia. Because inertia is proportional to mass, the initially larger solid body swept all new solid ones, incorporating them to its western side. The density of the new solid masses was higher, because the components on the surface would freeze and solidify first, before the underlying thicker components. As a result, the western side of the initial islet of solid rocks submerged, while the east side elevated. . As a result of the above, this initial islet began to spin in reverse, and after taking on the shape of a sphere, it formed the "heart" of the Moon. The Moon-sphere, rolling on the equator, would sink the solid rocks that continued to descend from the Earth's poles. The sinking rocks partially melted because of higher temperatures in the greater depths that the Moon descended to, while part of the rocks' mass bonded with the Moon and also served as a heat-insulating material, preventing the descended side of the sphere from melting. Combined with the Earth's liquid mass that covered its emerging eastern surface, new sphere-shaped shells were created, with increased density and very powerful structural cohesion. During the above mentioned process, the thick clouds surrounding Earth-Moon were causing heavy storms and on the outer surface of the rolling Moon, wherever small cavities - or pockets - existed, these would fill up with water. Then, due to the Moon's changing tilt, these pockets were sealed by sediments and as a result, small water tanks are scattered on the successive layers of the Moon, from its centre to its surface. . As this sphere (the Moon) continued to grow, the Earth-Moon system was displaying a double-planet image. The Moon's reverse rolling velocity increased according to the increase of its mass and volume. As the temperature on the surface of the Earth continued to fall, a larger number of bigger sized solid masses were descending from the poles towards the equator, and the Moon could no longer aggregate them. The gathering and interference of solid rocks of great mass acted as the catapult on which the Moon bounced off the Earth and was put into orbit around it..

Retrieving Land Surface Temperature and Emissivity from Multispectral and Hyperspectral Thermal Infrared Instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hook, Simon; Hulley, Glynn; Nicholson, Kerry

2017-04-01

Land Surface Temperature and Emissivity (LST&E) data are critical variables for studying a variety of Earth surface processes and surface-atmosphere interactions such as evapotranspiration, surface energy balance and water vapor retrievals. LST&E have been identified as an important Earth System Data Record (ESDR) by NASA and many other international organizations Accurate knowledge of the LST&E is a key requirement for many energy balance models to estimate important surface biophysical variables such as evapotranspiration and plant-available soil moisture. LST&E products are currently generated from sensors in low earth orbit (LEO) such as the NASA Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments on the Terra and Aqua satellites as well as from sensors in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) such as the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) and airborne sensors such as the Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer (HyTES). LST&E products are generated with varying accuracies depending on the input data, including ancillary data such as atmospheric water vapor, as well as algorithmic approaches. NASA has identified the need to develop long-term, consistent, and calibrated data and products that are valid across multiple missions and satellite sensors. We will discuss the different approaches that can be used to retrieve surface temperature and emissivity from multispectral and hyperspectral thermal infrared sensors using examples from a variety of different sensors such as those mentioned, and planned new sensors like the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) and the Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI). We will also discuss a project underway at NASA to develop a single unified product from some the individual sensor products and assess the errors associated with the product.

UV Signatures of Ices: Moons in the Solar System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hendrix, A. R.; Hansen, C. J.; Retherford, K. D.; Vilas, F.

2017-12-01

Using Earth-orbiting telescopes such as the International Ultraviolet Explorer and the Hubble Space Telescope, significant advances have been made in the area of ultraviolet observations of solar system objects. More in-depth studies have been made using interplanetary probes such as Galileo, Cassini and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). While the UV spectral range has traditionally been used to study atmospheric and auroral processes, there is much to be learned by examining solid surfaces in the UV, including surface composition, weathering processes and effects, and the generation of thin atmospheres. Here we focus on moons in the solar system, including Earth's moon and the Saturnian satellites. The diagnostic UV signature of H2O is used to study ice in the lunar polar regions as well as hydration at lower latitudes, in observations from LRO LAMP. The water ice signature is nearly ubiquitous in the Saturn system; Cassini UVIS datasets are used to study grain sizes, exogenic processes/effects and non-ice species.

Determination of technological parameters in strip mining by time-of-flight and image processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elandaloussi, Frank; Mueller, B.; Osten, Wolfgang

1999-09-01

The conveying and dumping of earth masses lying over the coal seam in lignite surface mining is done usually by overburden conveyor bridges. The overburden, obtained from connected excavators, is transported over the bridge construction using a conveyor belt system and poured into one front dump and three surface dumps. The shaping of the dump growth is of great importance both to guaranty the stability of the masses dumped to earth stocks as well as the whole construction and to prepare the area for re-cultivation. This article describes three measurement systems: one to determine the impact point of the dumped earth masses, one to determine the shape of the entire mining process and the other a sensor for the loading of the conveyor belt. For the first measurement system, a real-time video system has been designed, set-up and installed that is capable to determine the impact point of all three dumps simultaneously. The second measurement system is a connection of 5 special designed laser distance measuring instruments, that are able to measure the shape of the mining process under unfavorable environmental conditions like dust, high temperature changes, heavy shocks etc. The third sensor is designed for monitoring the transportation of the masses via the conveyor belt system.

A novel orbiter mission concept for venus with the EnVision proposal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Oliveira, Marta R. R.; Gil, Paulo J. S.; Ghail, Richard

2018-07-01

In space exploration, planetary orbiter missions are essential to gain insight into planets as a whole, and to help uncover unanswered scientific questions. In particular, the planets closest to the Earth have been a privileged target of the world's leading space agencies. EnVision is a mission proposal designed for Venus and competing for ESA's next launch opportunity with the objective of studying Earth's closest neighbor. The main goal is to study geological and atmospheric processes, namely surface processes, interior dynamics and atmosphere, to determine the reasons behind Venus and Earth's radically different evolution despite the planets' similarities. To achieve these goals, the operational orbit selection is a fundamental element of the mission design process. The design of an orbit around Venus faces specific challenges, such as the impossibility of choosing Sun-synchronous orbits. In this paper, an innovative genetic algorithm optimization was applied to select the optimal orbit based on the parameters with more influence in the mission planning, in particular the mission duration and the coverage of sites of interest on the Venusian surface. The solution obtained is a near-polar circular orbit with an altitude of 259 km that enables the coverage of all priority targets almost two times faster than with the parameters considered before this study.

Removal of herbicide paraquat from an aqueous solution by adsorption onto spent and treated diatomaceous earth.

PubMed

Tsai, W T; Hsien, K J; Chang, Y M; Lo, C C

2005-04-01

A spent diatomaceous earth from the beer brewery has been tentatively activated by sodium hydroxide at about 100 degrees C. The resulting product was used as a novel adsorbent for the adsorption of herbicide paraquat from an aqueous solution in a continuously stirred adsorber and batch flasks, respectively. The results showed that the adsorption process could be well described by the pseudo-second-order reaction model. From the view of the negatively charged surface of diatomaceous earth and cationic property of paraquat, the results were also reasonable to be explained by physical adsorption in the ion-exchange process under the effects of pH and temperature. Further, it was found that the Freundlich model appeared to fit the isotherm data better than the Langmuir model.

Jerks as Guiding Influences on the Global Environment: Effects on the Solid Earth, Its Angular Momentum and Lithospheric Plate Motions, the Atmosphere, Weather, and Climate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quinn, J. M.; Leybourne, B. A.

2010-12-01

Jerks are thought to be the result of torques applied at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) caused by either of two possible processes, working together or separately: 1) Electromagnetic Induction and 2) Mechanical Slippage. In the first case, it is thought that electromagnetic energy slowly builds-up at the CMB, reaches some critical level, and is then suddenly released, causing a geomagneticly induced torque at the CMB due to the differential electrical conductivity between the lower mantle and the surface of the outer core. The second case is driven by stress and strain increases that buildup mechanical potential energy, which is released when a critical level is reached, thereby generating a torque at the CMB. Generally, a trigger is required to start the Jerk process in motion. In the electromagnetic case, it is suggested that energy from the Sun may supply the requisite energy buildup that is subsequently released by a magnetic storm trigger, for instance. In the case of mechanical slippage, bari-center motion among the Earth, Moon, and Sun, as well as tidal forces and mass redistributions through Earth's wobbles combine to provide the accumulated stress/strain buildup and subsequent trigger. The resulting fluid flow changes at the CMB result in geomagnetic field changes and Joule heating throughout the solid Earth, its oceans, and atmosphere. It is shown that the Global Temperature Anomaly (GTA), which is measured at Earth's surface, correlates with changes in the geomagnetic non-dipole moment, and thus with core fluid motions. This links Global Warming and weather with core processes, important examples being the 1930's Dust Bowl Era and the 1947 Impulse. The CMB torque also affects Earth's angular momentum. But it appears that magnetic storms can as well. As a consequence, the Jet Stream, atmospheric circulation patterns, and the Global Oscillation System (i.e., El-Nino/Southern-Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, the Pacific Decade Oscillation, etc.) are modulated. These parameters in turn affect the weather and climate (e.g., the Dust Bowl Era, El Ninos, La Ninas, and hurricanes). The stress/strain within the Earth leads to Earth torsion, vibration, and mass redistribution, which leads to tectonic plate motion, seismicity, volcanism, and gravity waves, which drive atmospheric circulation and the teleconnection processes (i.e., a redistribution of magma beneath the plates) via surge tectonics. Various other connections among these processes and parameters will be discussed.

Quantifying the Role of Atmospheric Forcing in Ice Edge Retreat and Advance Including Wind-Wave Coupling

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-30

Quantifying the Role of Atmospheric Forcing in Ice Edge Retreat and Advance Including Wind- Wave Coupling Peter S. Guest (NPS Technical Contact) Naval...surface fluxes and ocean waves in coupled models in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. 2. Understand the physics of heat and mass transfer from the ocean...to the atmosphere. 3. Improve forecasting of waves on the open ocean and in the marginal ice zone. 2 OBJECTIVES 1. Quantifying the open-ocean

Navy CG(X) Cruiser Program: Background, Oversight Issues, and Options for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-22

and Options for Congress 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e . TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK...press report (Katherine McIntire Peters, “Navy’s Top Officer Sees Lessons in Shipbuilding Program Failures,” GovernmentExecutive.com, September 24, 2008...changes would have led to a bigger problem—a future surface combatant force that was both unaffordable and poorly aligned with projected mission needs

Single-Molecule Interfacial Electron Transfer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ho, Wilson

Interfacial electron transfer (ET) plays an important role in many chemical and biological processes. Specifically, interfacial ET in TiO 2-based systems is important to solar energy technology, catalysis, and environmental remediation technology. However, the microscopic mechanism of interfacial ET is not well understood with regard to atomic surface structure, molecular structure, bonding, orientation, and motion. In this project, we used two complementary methodologies; single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, and scanning-tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM and STS) to address this scientific need. The goal of this project was to integrate these techniques and measure the molecular dependence of ET between adsorbed molecules andmore » TiO 2 semiconductor surfaces and the ET induced reactions such as the splitting of water. The scanning probe techniques, STM and STS, are capable of providing the highest spatial resolution but not easily time-resolved data. Single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy is capable of good time resolution but requires further development to match the spatial resolution of the STM. The integrated approach involving Peter Lu at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and Wilson Ho at the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) produced methods for time and spatially resolved chemical imaging of interfacial electron transfer dynamics and photocatalytic reactions. An integral aspect of the joint research was a significant exchange of graduate students to work at the two institutions. This project bridged complementary approaches to investigate a set of common problems by working with the same molecules on a variety of solid surfaces, but using appropriate techniques to probe under ambient (BGSU) and ultrahigh vacuum (UCI) conditions. The molecular level understanding of the fundamental interfacial electron transfer processes obtained in this joint project will be important for developing efficient light harvesting, solar energy conversion, and broadly applicable to problems in interface chemistry and surface physics.« less

Protoplanetary Dust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apai, D.´niel; Lauretta, Dante S.

2014-02-01

Preface; 1. Planet formation and protoplanetary dust Daniel Apai and Dante Lauretta; 2. The origins of protoplanetary dust and the formation of accretion disks Hans-Peter Gail and Peter Hope; 3. Evolution of protoplanetary disk structures Fred Ciesla and Cornelius P. Dullemond; 4. Chemical and isotopic evolution of the solar nebula and protoplanetary disks Dmitry Semenov, Subrata Chakraborty and Mark Thiemens; 5. Laboratory studies of simple dust analogs in astrophysical environments John R. Brucato and Joseph A. Nuth III; 6. Dust composition in protoplanetaty dust Michiel Min and George Flynn; 7. Dust particle size evolution Klaus M. Pontoppidan and Adrian J. Brearly; 8. Thermal processing in protoplanetary nebulae Daniel Apai, Harold C. Connolly Jr. and Dante S. Lauretta; 9. The clearing of protoplanetary disks and of the protosolar nebula Ilaira Pascucci and Shogo Tachibana; 10. Accretion of planetesimals and the formation of rocky planets John E. Chambers, David O'Brien and Andrew M. Davis; Appendixes; Glossary; Index.

The Learning Curve in neurofeedback of Peter Van Deusen: A review article

PubMed Central

Ribas, Valdenilson Ribeiro; Ribas, Renata de Melo Guerra; Martins, Hugo André de Lima

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT The Learning Curve (TLC) in neurofeedback concept emerged after Peter Van Deusen compiled the results of articles on the expected electrical activity of the brain. This concept was subsequently tested on patients at four clinics in Atlanta between 1994 and 2001. The aim of this paper was to report the historical aspects of TLC. Articles published on the electronic databases MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science were reviewed. During patient evaluation, TLC investigates categories called disconnected, hot temporal lobes, reversal of alpha and beta waves, blocking, locking, and filtering or processing. This enables neuroscientists to use their training designs and, by means of behavioral psychology, to work on neuroregulation, as self-regulation for patients. TLC shows the relationships between electrical, mental and behavioral activity in patients. It also identifies details of patterns that can assist physicians in their choice of treatment. PMID:29213440

Multi-objective optimization of GENIE Earth system models.

PubMed

Price, Andrew R; Myerscough, Richard J; Voutchkov, Ivan I; Marsh, Robert; Cox, Simon J

2009-07-13

The tuning of parameters in climate models is essential to provide reliable long-term forecasts of Earth system behaviour. We apply a multi-objective optimization algorithm to the problem of parameter estimation in climate models. This optimization process involves the iterative evaluation of response surface models (RSMs), followed by the execution of multiple Earth system simulations. These computations require an infrastructure that provides high-performance computing for building and searching the RSMs and high-throughput computing for the concurrent evaluation of a large number of models. Grid computing technology is therefore essential to make this algorithm practical for members of the GENIE project.

1200130

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-03-19

PETER MA, EV74, WEARS A SUIT COVERED WITH SPHERICAL REFLECTORS THAT ENABLE HIS MOTIONS TO BE TRACKED BY THE MOTION CAPTURE SYSTEM. THE HUMAN MODEL IN RED ON THE SCREEN IN THE BACKGROUND REPRESENTS THE SYSTEM-GENERATED IMAGE OF PETER'S POSITION.

77 FR 3108 - Dividend Equivalents From Sources Within the United States

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-23

.... Erwin or D. Peter Merkel at (202) 622-3870 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION... is D. Peter Merkel, the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (International). Other personnel from the...

77 FR 53141 - Dividend Equivalents From Sources Within the United States

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-31

.... Peter Merkel at (202) 622-3870 (not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On... Information The principal author of these regulations is D. Peter Merkel, the Office of Associate Chief...

78 FR 25309 - Sunshine Act Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-30

... Bing, at (202) 314-6403 or by email at [email protected] . FOR MEDIA INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Knudson, at (202) 314-6100 or by email at peter[email protected] for the Safety Report--Reaching Zero: Actions...

78 FR 11660 - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development; Notice of Closed...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-19

... Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852 (Telephone Conference Call). Contact Person: Peter Zelazowski, Ph.D..., peter[email protected] . (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.864, Population...

Urinary catheters - what to ask your doctor

MedlinePlus

... incontinence. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ... incontinence. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 11th ed. Philadelphia, ...

Use of an automatic earth resistivity system for detection of abandoned mine workings

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peters, W.R.; Burdick, R.

1982-04-01

Under the sponsorship of the US Bureau of Mines, a surface-operated automatic high resolution earth resistivity system and associated computer data processing techniques have been designed and constructed for use as a potential means of detecting abandoned coal mine workings. The hardware and software aspects of the new system are described together with applications of the method to the survey and mapping of abandoned mine workings.

How to See a Recently Discovered Supernova

ScienceCinema

Nugent, Peter

2017-12-12

Berkeley Lab scientist Peter Nugent discusses a recently discovered supernova that is closer to Earth — approximately 21 million light-years away — than any other of its kind in a generation. Astronomers believe they caught the supernova within hours of its explosion, a rare feat made possible with a specialized survey telescope and state-of-the-art computational tools. The finding of such a supernova so early and so close has energized the astronomical community as they are scrambling to observe it with as many telescopes as possible, including the Hubble Space Telescope. More info on how to see it: http://newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2011/08/31/glimpse-cosmic-explosion/ News release: http://newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2011/08/25/supernova/

How to See a Recently Discovered Supernova

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nugent, Peter

2011-08-31

Berkeley Lab scientist Peter Nugent discusses a recently discovered supernova that is closer to Earth — approximately 21 million light-years away — than any other of its kind in a generation. Astronomers believe they caught the supernova within hours of its explosion, a rare feat made possible with a specialized survey telescope and state-of-the-art computational tools. The finding of such a supernova so early and so close has energized the astronomical community as they are scrambling to observe it with as many telescopes as possible, including the Hubble Space Telescope. More info on how to see it: http://newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2011/08/31/glimpse-cosmic-explosion/ News release:more » http://newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2011/08/25/supernova/« less

"Workshop to Promote and Coordinate U.S.A. Contributions to AMMA on Land Surface, Water Cycle, Aerosol and Radiation Budget Issues".

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lamb, Peter

2008-05-05

RIMS ID: ER64245-1028054-0012347 Consistent with the original proposal (dated February 28, 2006), the grant supported the participation in the above Workshop of a diverse group of West African, British, and American atmospheric scientists. All of these individuals contributed strongly to Workshop, with the result that ARM’s involvement in and contribution to AMMA was enhanced with respect to land surface, water cycle, aerosol, and radiation issues. Also, the Workshop gave these participants early exposure to ARM’s 2007 CLASIC Campaign over the U.S. Southern Great Plains, which is addressing parts of the same problem complex. The following eight individuals were fully fundedmore » (complete airfare, accommodations, registration, meals) to participate in the Workshop -- Dr. Aiguo Dai (NCAR, USA), Dr. Adamou Ousmane Manga (University of Niamey, Niger), Professor Abdelkrim Ben Mohamed (University of Niamey, Niger), Dr. Gary Robinson (University of Reading, UK), Dr. Amadou Gaye (University of Dakar, Senegal), Dr. Anne Jefferson (NOAA, USA), Dr. Aondover Tarhule (University of Oklahoma, USA), and Dr. Sally McFarlane (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, USA). Partial funding also was provided for Professor Peter Lamb (University of Oklahoma, USA). To deepen the involvement of ARM in AMMA, the grant also paid for participation in the AMMA Special Observing Period in Niamey during August (Professor Peter J. Lamb) and in a follow-up Workshop at Méteo France (Toulouse) in November (Dr. Zeinabou Mindaodou Souley, University of Niamey, Niger; Professor Peter J. Lamb). When he was in Niamey for 11 days in August, Professor Lamb had considerable involvement with the ARM Mobile Facility there. I am confident that the participation of the above individuals in the two AMMA Workshops and the AMMA Special Observing Period strengthened the ARM Program’s contribution to AMMA, increased the associated international attention on ARM, and provided a bridge to the ARM CLASIC Campaign for the atmospheric science community. We appreciate greatly this support from the ARM Program.« less

The Goddard Cumulus Ensemble Model (GCE): Improvements and Applications for Studying Precipitation Processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tao, Wei-Kuo; Lang, Stephen E.; Zeng, Xiping; Li, Xiaowen; Matsui, Toshi; Mohr, Karen; Posselt, Derek; Chern, Jiundar; Peters-Lidard, Christa; Norris, Peter M.;

3D Numerical modelling of topography development associated with curved subduction zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Munch, Jessica; Ueda, Kosuke; Burg, Jean-Pierre; May, Dave; Gerya, Taras

2017-04-01

Curved subduction zones, also called oroclines, are geological features found in various places on Earth. They occur in diverse geodynamic settings: 1) single slab subduction in oceanic domain (e.g. Sandwich trench in the Southern Atlantic); 2) single slab subduction in continental domain, (e.g. Gibraltar-Alboran orocline in the Western Mediterranean) 3); multi-slab subduction (e.g. Caribbean orocline in the South-East of the Gulf of Mexico). These systems present various curvatures, lengths (few hundreds to thousands of km) and ages (less than 35 Ma for Gibraltar Alboran orocline, up to 100 Ma for the Caribbean). Recent studies suggested that the formation of curved subduction systems depends on slab properties (age, length, etc) and may be linked with processes such as retreating subduction and delamination. Plume induced subduction initiation has been proposed for the Caribbean. All of these processes involve deep mechanisms such as mantle and slab dynamics. However, subduction zones always generate topography (trenches, uplifts, etc), which is likely to be influenced by surface processes. Hence, surface processes may also influence the evolution of subduction zones. We focus on different kinds of subduction systems initiated by plume-lithosphere interactions (single slab subduction/multi-slab subduction) and scrutinize their surface expression. We use numerical modeling to examine large-scale subduction initiation and three-dimensional slab retreat. We perform two kinds of simulations: 1) large scale subduction initiation with the 3D-thermomechanical code I3ELVIS (Gerya and Yuen, 2007) in an oceanic domain and 2) large scale subduction initiation in oceanic domain using I3ELVIS coupled with a robust new surface processes model (SPM). One to several retreating slabs form in the absence of surface processes, when the conditions for subduction initiation are reached (c.f. Gerya et al., 2015), and ridges occur in the middle of the extensional domain opened by slab retreat. Topography associated with slab retreat is curved. Coupling I3ELVIS with SPM yields more accurate topography of the curved subduction zone. This allows balancing the relative importance of surface and deep processes in the evolution of curved subduction zones and the development of their related topography. References: Gerya, T. V., & Yuen, D. A. (2007). Robust characteristics method for modelling multiphase visco-elasto-plastic thermo-mechanical problems. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 163(1), 83-105. Gerya, T. V., Stern, R. J., Baes, M., Sobolev, S. V., & Whattam, S. A. (2015). Plate tectonics on the Earth triggered by plume-induced subduction initiation. Nature, 527(7577), 221-225.

The Moon: Keystone to Understanding Planetary Geological Processes and History

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Extensive and intensive exploration of the Earth's Moon by astronauts and an international array of automated spacecraft has provided an unequaled data set that has provided deep insight into geology, geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology, chronology, geophysics and internal structure. This level of insight is unequaled except for Earth. Analysis of these data sets over the last 35 years has proven fundamental to understanding planetary surface processes and evolution, and is essential to linking surface processes with internal and thermal evolution. Much of the understanding that we presently have of other terrestrial planets and outer planet satellites derives from the foundation of these data. On the basis of these data, the Moon is a laboratory for understanding of planetary processes and a keystone for providing evolutionary perspective. Important comparative planetology issues being addressed by lunar studies include impact cratering, magmatic activity and tectonism. Future planetary exploration plans should keep in mind the importance of further lunar exploration in continuing to build solid underpinnings in this keystone to planetary evolution. Examples of these insights and applications to other planets are cited.

What causes the trends in Geocenter motion estimates?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rietbroek, Roelof; Schrama, Ernst

2015-04-01

Over time, the geometrical center of figure of the Earth (CF) and the center of mass of the Earth system (CM) exhibit small changes. This phenomena, generally referred to as 'geocenter motion', is mainly caused by present-day and past surface loading and (visco)-elastic deformation processes occurring near the surface of the Earth. It is now well known that the computation of surface loading variations from the GRACE product requires the application of geocenter corrections, and not doing so introduce significant errors in estimates of, for example, melt-rates of the cryosphere. But, to understand observed geocenter motion more closely, one can also ask how much the different surface loading phenomena contribute to it. In this study, we compare different estimates of the geocenter motion, and discuss the underlying causes, with a special focus on trends. Using a 'fingerprint' inversion approach, where predefined patterns are fitted to GRACE and altimetry data, we can now consistently break down the geocenter estimates into different contributions. We find that the present day melting in Antarctica and Greenland shift the CM-CF offset with 0.1 mm/yr and -0.3 mm/yr in the Z-direction respectively, while GIA additionally contributes with roughly -0.3 mm/yr.

Life Beneath Glacial Ice - Earth(!) Mars(?) Europa(?)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Carlton C.; Grasby, Stephen E.; Longazo, Teresa G.; Lisle, John T.; Beauchamp, Benoit

2002-01-01

We are investigating a set of cold springs that deposit sulfur and carbonate minerals on the surface of a Canadian arctic glacier. The spring waters and mineral deposits contain microorganisms, as well as clear evidence that biological processes mediate subglacial chemistry, mineralogy, and isotope fractionation . The formation of native sulphur and associated deposits are related to bacterially mediated reduction and oxidation of sulphur below the glacier. A non-volcanic, topography driven geothermal system, harboring a microbiological community, operates in an extremely cold environment and discharges through solid ice. Microbial life can thus exist in isolated geothermal refuges despite long-term subfreezing surface conditions. Earth history includes several periods of essentially total glaciation. lee in the near subsurface of Mars may have discharged liquid water in the recent past Cracks in the ice crust of Europa have apparently allowed the release of water to the surface. Chemolithotrophic bacteria, such as those in the Canadian springs, could have survived beneath the ice of "Snowball Earth", and life forms with similar characteristics might exist beneath the ice of Mars or Europa. Discharges of water from such refuges may have brought to the surface living microbes, as well as longlasting chemical, mineralogical, and isotopic indications of subsurface life.

Sometimes processes don't matter: the general effect of short term climate variability on erosional systems.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deal, Eric; Braun, Jean

2017-04-01

Climatic forcing undoubtedly plays an important role in shaping the Earth's surface. However, precisely how climate affects erosion rates, landscape morphology and the sedimentary record is highly debated. Recently there has been a focus on the influence of short-term variability in rainfall and river discharge on the relationship between climate and erosion rates. Here, we present a simple probabilistic argument, backed by modelling, that demonstrates that the way the Earth's surface responds to short-term climatic forcing variability is primarily determined by the existence and magnitude of erosional thresholds. We find that it is the ratio between the threshold magnitude and the mean magnitude of climatic forcing that determines whether variability matters or not and in which way. This is a fundamental result that applies regardless of the nature of the erosional process. This means, for example, that we can understand the role that discharge variability plays in determining fluvial erosion efficiency despite doubts about the processes involved in fluvial erosion. We can use this finding to reproduce the main conclusions of previous studies on the role of discharge variability in determining long-term fluvial erosion efficiency. Many aspects of the landscape known to influence discharge variability are affected by human activity, such as land use and river damming. Another important control on discharge variability, rainfall intensity, is also expected to increase with warmer temperatures. Among many other implications, our findings help provide a general framework to understand and predict the response of the Earth's surface to changes in mean and variability of rainfall and river discharge associated with the anthropogenic activity. In addition, the process independent nature of our findings suggest that previous work on river discharge variability and erosion thresholds can be applied to other erosional systems.

Rapid change of atmosphere on the Hadean Earth: Beyond Habitable Trinity on a tightrope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arai, T.; Maruyama, S.

2014-12-01

Surface environment of Hadean Earth is a key to bear life on the Earth. All of previous works assumed that high pCO2 has been decreased to a few bars in the first a few hundreds millions of years (e.g., Zhanle et al., 2011). However, this process is not easy because of material and process barriers as shown below. Four barriers are present. First, the ultra-acidic pH (<0.1) of 4.4Ga ocean prevented the precipitation of carbonates at mid-oceanic ridge through water-rock interaction after the birth of primordial ocean driven by plate tectonics or pseudo-plate tectonics system. To overcome this barrier, primordial (anorthosite + KREEP) continents must have been above sea-level to increase pH rapidly through hydrological process. Second, major cap rocks on the Hadean oceanic crust must have been komatiite with minor basaltic rocks to precipitate carbonates through water-rock interaction and transport them into mantle through subduction at higher than the intermediate P/T geotherm on the Benioff plane. If not, carbonate minerals are all decarbonated at shallower depths than the Moho plane. Komatiite production depends on mantle potential temperature which must have been rapidly decreased to yield only Fe-enriched MORB by 3.8Ga. Third, the primordial continents composed of anorthosite with subordinate amounts of KREEP basalts must have been annihilated by 4.0Ga to alter pH to be possible to precipitate carbonates by hydrothermal process. The value of pCO2 must have been decreased down to a few bars from c.a. 50 bars at TSI (total surface irradiance) = 75% under the restricted time limit. If failed, the Earth must have been Venus state which is impossible to bear life on the planet. Fourth is the role of tectonic erosion to destroy and transport the primordial continent of anorthosite into deep mantle by subduction. Anorthosite + KREEP was the mother's milk grow life on the Earth, but disappeared by 4.0Ga or even earlier, but alternatively granites were formed and accumulated on the Earth to supply nutrients for life. This is time-dependent process to increase new continents. Fifth is the water content of 3-5km thick, if the value was over, no way to bear life nor evolution afterwards. After all, the Hadean Earth has passed the really risky tightrope processes to bear life. If any of above five conditions was lost, life has not been appeared.

The TOPOMOD-ITN project: unravel the origin of Earth's topography from modelling deep-surface processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faccenna, C.; Funiciello, F.

2012-04-01

EC-Marie Curie Initial Training Networks (ITN) projects aim to improve the career perspectives of young generations of researchers. Institutions from both academic and industry sectors form a collaborative network to recruit research fellows and provide them with opportunities to undertake research in the context of a joint research training program. In this frame, TOPOMOD - one of the training activities of EPOS, the new-born European Research Infrastructure for Geosciences - is a funded ITN project designed to investigate and model how surface processes interact with crustal tectonics and mantle convection to originate and develop topography of the continents over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. The multi-disciplinary approach combines geophysics, geochemistry, tectonics and structural geology with advanced geodynamic numerical/analog modelling. TOPOMOD involves 8 European research teams internationally recognized for their excellence in complementary fields of Earth Sciences (Roma TRE, Utrecht, GFZ, ETH, Cambridge, Durham, Rennes, Barcelona), to which are associated 5 research institutions (CNR-Italy, Univ. Parma, Univ. Lausanne, Univ. Montpellier, Univ. Mainz) , 3 high-technology enterprises (Malvern Instruments, TNO, G.O. Logical Consulting) and 1 large multinational oil and gas company (ENI). This unique network places emphasis in experience-based training increasing the impact and international visibility of European research in modeling. Long-term collaboration and synergy are established among the overmentioned research teams through 15 cross-disciplinary research projects that combine case studies in well-chosen target areas from the Mediterranean, the Middle and Far East, west Africa, and South America, with new developments in structural geology, geomorphology, seismology, geochemistry, InSAR, laboratory and numerical modelling of geological processes from the deep mantle to the surface. These multidisciplinary projects altogether aim to answer a key question in earth Sciences: how do deep and surface processes interact to shape and control the topographic evolution of our planet.

Performance of the cometary experiment MUPUS on the body Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marczewski, W.; Usowicz, B.; Schröer, K.; Seiferlin, K.; Spohn, T.

2003-04-01

Thermal experiment MUPUS for the Rosetta mission was extensively experience in field and laboratory conditions to predict its performance under physical processes available on the Earth. The goal was not guessing a cometary material in the ground but available behavior of thermal sensor responses monitoring mass and energy transfer. The processes expected on a comet are different in composition and environmental from those met on the Earth but basically similar in physics. Nature of energy powering the processes is also essentially the same - solar radiation. Several simple laboratory experiments with freezing and thawing with water ice, with mixture of water and oil and water layers strongly diverged by salinity revealed capability of recognition layered structure of the medium under test. More over effects of slow convection and latent heat related to the layers are also observed well. Cometary environment without atmosphere makes process of sublimation dominant. Open air conditions on the Earth may also offer a change of state in matter but between different phases. Learning temperature gradient in snow layers under thawing show that effects stimulated by a cause of daily cycling may be detected thermally. Results from investigations in snow made on Spitzbergen are good proofs on capability of the method. Relevance of thermal effects to heat powered processes of mass transport in the matter of ground is meaningful for the cometary experiment of MUPUS and for Earth sciences much concerned on water, gas and solid matter transport in the terrestrial ground. Results leading to energy balance studied on the Earth surface may be interesting also for the experiment on the comet and are to be discussed.

Exchange processes from the deep interior to the surface of icy moons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grasset, O.

Space exploration provides outstanding images of planetary surfaces. Galileo space- craft around Jupiter, and now Cassini in the saturnian system have revealed to us the variety of icy surfaces in the solar system. While Europa, Enceladus, and maybe Titan present past or even active tectonic and volcanic activities, many other moons have been dead worlds for more than 3 billions years. Composition of ices is also complex and it is now commonly admitted that icy surfaces are never composed of pure ices. Water ice can be mixed with salts (Europa?), with hydrocarbons (Titan?) or with silicates (Callisto). The present surfaces of icy moons are the results of both internal (tectonic; volcanism; mantle composition; magnetic field; . . . ) and external processes (radiations, atmospheres, impacts, . . . ). Internal activity (past or present) is almost unknown. While the surfaces indicate clearly that an important activity existed (Ganymede, Europa, Titan, . . . ) or still exists (Enceladus, Titan?, . . . ), volcanic and tectonic processes within icy mantles are still very poorly understood. This project proposes some key studies for improving our knowledge of exchange processes within icy moons, which are: 1) Surface compositions: Interpretation of mapping spectrometer data. It addresses the interpretation of remote sensing data. These data are difficult to understand and a debate between people involved in Galileo and those who are now trying to interpret Cassini data might be fruitful. As an example, interpretation of Galileo data on Europa are still controversial. It is impossible to affirm that the "non-icy" material which does not present the classic infrared signature of pure ice is due to the presence of magnesium hydrates, sodium hydrates, magnesium sulfurs, "clays", or even altered water ice. Discussion on the subject are still needed. On Titan, the presence of the atmosphere impedes to link IR data from Cassini to the composition of the surface. 2) Past and present dynamics of icy surfaces: erosion, tectonics and cryovolcanism. This second topic is devoted to the description of the surface features. A synthesis of what has been seen in the jovian system and a presentation of what is now discovered in the saturnian system might be useful. 3) Internal processes: dynamics of icy mantles. Many works have been done specifically for icy moons (rheology of icy mantles, heating modes, effect of ice composition, internal activity of small moons, internal oceans,. . . ). Icy mantles present so many different convective processes, depending on parameters such as the ice composition, the heating mode, . . . , that a full review of the recent progress on the subject is required. 4) Physics and chemistry of ices: experimental constraints on hydrates, clathrates and organics. Nothing can be done without experimental data. Thermodynamical constraints, phase diagrams, but also mechanical properties of icy materials are required for constraining all models. Many progress have been made these last five years, especially for clathrate structures so important in the case of Titan. A review of these progresses is required. 5) Earth analogs: a tool for understanding surface/ internal features. Tectonic and volcanic features on icy moons are sometimes confronted to Earth structures. This procedure is very interesting. While materials are different (on Earth the melt is lighter than the rock, but on icy moons it is the contrary), tectonic and volcanic features can be very similar. Our good understanding of the Earth can be very useful for describing the processes responsible of tectonic/volcanic features on the moons. Discussing around the five themes described above may provide some constraints on open questions such as the characteristics of liquid layers within icy moons, the cryovolcanism on Titan, the resurfacing of Europa, the composition of Titan's surface, and the activity on Enceladus. 2

A Molecular Vestige of the Origin of Life on Minerals: Phosphorybosyl-Disphosphate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akouche, M.; Jaber, M.; Maurel, M.-C.; Lambert, J.-F.; Georgelin, T.

2017-07-01

Nucleotides were synthesized from Ribose, Adenine, and phosphates on silica surfaces in one pot process. A important molecular intermediate was enlightened, the phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate. This molecule is a molecular relic of early earth.

Activities at the Lunar and Planetary Institute

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burke, K.

1984-01-01

The scientific and administrative activities of the Lunar and Planetary Institute are summarized. Recent research relating to geophysics, planetary geology, the origin of the Earth and Moon, the lunar surface, Mars, meteorites, and image processing techniques is discussed.

Lunar magnetic field measurements with a cubesat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garrick-Bethell, Ian; Lin, Robert P.; Sanchez, Hugo; Jaroux, Belgacem A.; Bester, Manfred; Brown, Patrick; Cosgrove, Daniel; Dougherty, Michele K.; Halekas, Jasper S.; Hemingway, Doug; Lozano, Paulo C.; Martel, Francois; Whitlock, Caleb W.

2013-05-01

We have developed a mission concept that uses 3-unit cubesats to perform new measurements of lunar magnetic fields, less than 100 meters above the Moon's surface. The mission calls for sending the cubesats on impact trajectories to strongly magnetic regions on the surface, and transmitting measurements in real-time to a nearby spacecraft, or directly to the Earth, up until milliseconds before impact. The cubesats and their instruments are partly based on the NSF-funded CINEMA cubesat now in Earth orbit. Two methods of reaching the Moon as a secondary payload are discussed: 1) After launching into geostationary transfer orbit with a communication satellite, a small mother-ship travels into lunar orbit and releases the cubesats on impact trajectories, and 2) The cubesats travel to the Moon using their own propulsion after release into geosynchronous orbit. This latter version would also enable other near-Earth missions, such as constellations for studying magnetospheric processes, and observations of close-approaching asteroids.

KSC-2011-2725

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-04-01

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Technicians begin to unpack and unveil the Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft in the Spaceport Systems International payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The container protected the spacecraft on its journey from Campos, Brazil, aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

KSC-2011-2635

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-03-30

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft is transported to the Spaceport Systems International payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Earlier, a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane delivered the spacecraft from Campos, Brazil. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: VAFB/30th Space Wing

KSC-2011-2726

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-04-01

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Technicians unpack and unveil the Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft in the Spaceport Systems International payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The container protected the spacecraft on its journey from Campos, Brazil, aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

KSC-2011-2634

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-03-30

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft is transported to the Spaceport Systems International payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Earlier, a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane delivered the spacecraft from Campos, Brazil. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: VAFB/30th Space Wing

KSC-2011-2724

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-04-01

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Technicians prepare to unpack and unveil the Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft in the Spaceport Systems International payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The container protected the spacecraft on its journey from Campos, Brazil, aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

KSC-2011-2727

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-04-01

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft is unpacked and unveiled in the Spaceport Systems International payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The container protected the spacecraft on its journey from Campos, Brazil, aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

KSC-2011-2728

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-04-01

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft is unpacked and unveiled in the Spaceport Systems International payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The container protected the spacecraft on its journey from Campos, Brazil, aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch to low Earth orbit. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. Salinity is a key measurement for understanding how changes in rainfall, evaporation and the melting of freezing of ice influence ocean circulation and are linked to variations in Earth's climate. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

Enthalpy restoration in geothermal energy processing system

DOEpatents

Matthews, Hugh B.

1983-01-01

A geothermal deep well energy extraction system is provided of the general type in which solute-bearing hot water is pumped to the earth's surface from a relatively low temperature geothermal source by transferring thermal energy from the hot water to a working fluid for driving a primary turbine-motor and a primary electrical generator at the earth's surface. The superheated expanded exhaust from the primary turbine motor is conducted to a bubble tank where it bubbles through a layer of sub-cooled working fluid that has been condensed. The superheat and latent heat from the expanded exhaust of the turbine transfers thermal energy to the sub-cooled condensate. The desuperheated exhaust is then conducted to the condenser where it is condensed and sub-cooled, whereupon it is conducted back to the bubble tank via a barometric storage tank. The novel condensing process of this invention makes it possible to exploit geothermal sources which might otherwise be non-exploitable.

Science Matters Podcast: Questions and Answers with EPA's Dr. Peter Grevatt

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Listen to a podcast with Dr. Peter Grevatt, the director of EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection, as he answers questions about children's health, or read some of the highlights from the conversation here.

78 FR 17419 - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development; Notice of Closed...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-21

... Person: Peter Zelazowski, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, Division of Scientific Review, Eunice Kennedy..., Bethesda, MD 20892, 301-435-6902, peter[email protected] . (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance...

77 FR 60447 - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development; Notice of Closed...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-03

..., 6100 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852 (Telephone Conference Call). Contact Person: Peter..., 301-435-6902, peter[email protected] . (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.864...

Autonomy in R. S. Peters' Educational Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cuypers, Stefaan E.

2009-01-01

Autonomy is, among other things, an actual psychological condition, a capacity that can be developed, and an educational ideal. This paper contextualises, analyses, criticises and extends the theory of Richard S. Peters on these three aspects of autonomy.

75 FR 81644 - Hearing of The Judicial Conference Committee on Criminal Rules

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-28

... San Francisco, CA FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter G. McCabe, Secretary, Rules Committee Support.... Dated: December 21, 2010. Peter G. McCabe, Rules Committee Support Office. [FR Doc. 2010-32415 Filed 12...

Taking the Reins: Institutional Transformation in Higher Education. The ACE Series on Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eckel, Peter D.; Kezar, Adrianna

2011-01-01

Peter Eckel and Adrianna Kezar have written this book to offer insight to campus leaders who face transformational change--to help them mount a proactive, rather than a reactive, process to effect transformation. They believe that most institutional leaders have little to no experience with implementing large-scale change and lack a solid…

The Processing and Mechanical Properties of High Temperature/High Performance Composites. Book 2. Constituent Properties and Macroscopic Performance: CMCs

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-04-01

Evans. Zok). Cyclic loading into the stress range at which matrix craiks exist is known to modify the interface sliding stress and may weaken the...Leiske and Duwayne Brodnicky; the engineering staff: Jennifer Heine and Barrie Peters; and the management: Brad Cowles and Doug Nethaway. Mackin et

The War against People: Adult Education Practice for Critical Democracy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Connolly, Brid; Hussey, Peter

2013-01-01

The purpose of this article is to explore the role of adult education for critical democracy, in order to address the social suffering that these authors have encountered in their work as critical adult community educators. Brid Connolly and Peter Hussey explored this through dialogue, as a process of education and research. Dialogue is the moment…

Overcoming Fear and Loathing in Advertising Copywriting Courses.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pearce, R. Charles

Writing techniques espoused by Peter Elbow, applied to the teaching of writing in advertising copywriting classes can help students develop into better writers, generating better copy ideas. The shift of focus from writing a finished piece the first time to concentrating on the process of writing allows for a freer flow of ideas and creativity.…

The Interaction between Intuitive and Formal Mathematical Thinking: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farmaki, V.; Paschos, T.

2007-01-01

This paper reports studies of the interaction between the intuitive, the formal and the procedural aspects in the processes of mathematical understanding of Peter, a first-year undergraduate of Mathematics. Using an activity and an interview, an attempt is made to analyse his mental operations. The way in which he handles visual-graphic…

Anterior segment dysgenesis (Peters' anomaly) in two snow leopard (Panthera uncia) cubs.

PubMed

Hamoudi, Hassan; Rudnick, Jens-Christian; Prause, Jan U; Tauscher, Kerstin; Breithaupt, Angele; Teifke, Jens P; Heegaard, Steffen

2013-07-01

Two sibling snow leopards, a male and a female, with bilateral anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD), are reported. Both snow leopards also had colobomas of both upper eyelids. All eyes exhibited a central corneal opacity associated with a defect in posterior corneal stroma, endothelium and Descemet's membrane. Iris strands were present attached to the termination of Descemet's membrane and to the periphery of the posterior corneal defect. The iris was hypoplastic, and cataract was present in all four eyes. The left eye of the female was microphthalmic, with no trabecular meshwork and with persistent remnant of the hyaloid artery. The male had hydrocephalus and thus some of the features of Peters' plus syndrome (Peters' anomaly in addition to systemic malformations). The histological findings in the eyes of these snow leopard siblings are identical with those described in humans with Peters' anomaly. © 2012 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

Mass Redistribution in the Core and Time-varying Gravity at the Earth's Surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuang, Wei-Jia; Chao, Benjamin F.; Fang, Ming

2003-01-01

The Earth's liquid outer core is in convection, as suggested by the existence of the geomagnetic field in much of the Earth's history. One consequence of the convection is the redistribution of mass resulting from relative motion among fluid parcels with slightly different densities. This time dependent mass redistribution inside the core produces a small perturbation on the gravity field of the Earth. With our numerical dynamo solutions, we find that the mass redistribution (and the resultant gravity field) symmetric about the equator is much stronger than that anti-symmetric about the equator. In particular, J(sub 2) component is the strongest. In addition, the gravity field variation increases with the Rayleigh number that measures the driving force for the geodynamo in the core. With reasonable scaling from the current dynamo solutions, we could expect that at the surface of the Earth, the J(sub 2) variation from the core is on the order of l0(exp -16)/year relative to the mean (i.e. spherically symmetric) gravity field of the Earth. The possible shielding effect due to core-mantle boundary pressure variation loading is likely much smaller and is therefore negligible. Our results suggest that time-varying gravity field perturbation due to core mass redistribution may be measured with modem space geodetic observations, which will result a new means of detecting dynamical processes in the Earth's deep interior.

Earth observing satellite: Understanding the Earth as a system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soffen, Gerald

1990-01-01

There is now a plan for global studies which include two very large efforts. One is the International Geosphere/Biosphere Program (IGBP) sponsored by the International Council of Scientific Unions. The other initiative is Mission to Planet Earth, an unbrella program for doing three kinds of space missions. The major one is the Earth Observation Satellite (EOS). EOS is large polar orbiting satellites with heavy payloads. Two will be placed in orbit by NASA, one by the Japanese and one or two by ESA. The overall mission measurement objectives of EOS are summarized: (1) the global distribution of energy input to and energy output from the Earth; (2) the structure, state variables, composition, and dynamics of the atmosphere from the ground to the mesopause; (3) the physical and biological structure, state, composition, and dynamics of the land surface, including terrestrial and inland water ecosystems; (4) the rates, important sources and sinks, and key components and processes of the Earth's biogeochemical cycles; (5) the circulation, surface temperature, wind stress, sea state, and the biological activity of the oceans; (6) the extent, type, state, elevation, roughness, and dynamics of glaciers, ice sheets, snow and sea ice, and the liquid equivalent of snow in the global cryosphere; (7) the global rates, amounts, and distribution of precipitation; and (8) the dynamic motions of the Earth (geophysics) as a whole, including both rotational dynamics and the kinematic motions of the tectonic plates.

THE ALBEDOS OF KEPLER'S CLOSE-IN SUPER-EARTHS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Demory, Brice-Olivier, E-mail: bod21@cam.ac.uk

Exoplanet research focusing on the characterization of super-Earths is currently limited to the handful of targets orbiting bright stars that are amenable to detailed study. This Letter proposes to look at alternative avenues to probe the surface and atmospheric properties of this category of planets, known to be ubiquitous in our galaxy. I conduct Markov Chain Monte Carlo light-curves analyses for 97 Kepler close-in R{sub P} ≲ 2.0 R {sub ⊕} super-Earth candidates with the aim of detecting their occultations at visible wavelengths. Brightness temperatures and geometric albedos in the Kepler bandpass are constrained for 27 super-Earth candidates. A hierarchicalmore » Bayesian modeling approach is then employed to characterize the population-level reflective properties of these close-in super-Earths. I find median geometric albedos A{sub g} in the Kepler bandpass ranging between 0.16 and 0.30, once decontaminated from thermal emission. These super-Earth geometric albedos are statistically larger than for hot Jupiters, which have medians A{sub g} ranging between 0.06 and 0.11. A subset of objects, including Kepler-10b, exhibit significantly larger albedos (A{sub g} ≳ 0.4). I argue that a better understanding of the incidence of stellar irradation on planetary surface and atmospheric processes is key to explain the diversity in albedos observed for close-in super-Earths.« less

Inflatable antenna for earth observing systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hong-Jian; Guan, Fu-ling; Xu, Yan; Yi, Min

2010-09-01

This paper describe mechanical design, dynamic analysis, and deployment demonstration of the antenna , and the photogrammetry detecting RMS of inflatable antenna surface, the possible errors results form the measurement are also analysed. Ticra's Grasp software are used to predict the inflatable antenna pattern based on the coordinates of the 460 points on the parabolic surface, the final results verified the whole design process.

Low-cost Tools for Aerial Video Geolocation and Air Traffic Analysis for Delay Reduction Using Google Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zetterlind, V.; Pledgie, S.

2009-12-01

Low-cost, low-latency, robust geolocation and display of aerial video is a common need for a wide range of earth observing as well as emergency response and security applications. While hardware costs for aerial video collection systems, GPS, and inertial sensors have been decreasing, software costs for geolocation algorithms and reference imagery/DTED remain expensive and highly proprietary. As part of a Federal Small Business Innovative Research project, MosaicATM and EarthNC, Inc have developed a simple geolocation system based on the Google Earth API and Google's 'built-in' DTED and reference imagery libraries. This system geolocates aerial video based on platform and camera position, attitude, and field-of-view metadata using geometric photogrammetric principles of ray-intersection with DTED. Geolocated video can be directly rectified and viewed in the Google Earth API during processing. Work is underway to extend our geolocation code to NASA World Wind for additional flexibility and a fully open-source platform. In addition to our airborne remote sensing work, MosaicATM has developed the Surface Operations Data Analysis and Adaptation (SODAA) tool, funded by NASA Ames, which supports analysis of airport surface operations to optimize aircraft movements and reduce fuel burn and delays. As part of SODAA, MosaicATM and EarthNC, Inc have developed powerful tools to display national airspace data and time-animated 3D flight tracks in Google Earth for 4D analysis. The SODAA tool can convert raw format flight track data, FAA National Flight Data (NFD), and FAA 'Adaptation' airport surface data to a spatial database representation and then to Google Earth KML. The SODAA client provides users with a simple graphical interface through which to generate queries with a wide range of predefined and custom filters, plot results, and export for playback in Google Earth in conjunction with NFD and Adaptation overlays.

Connectivity to the surface determines diversity patterns in subsurface aquifers of the Fennoscandian shield.

PubMed

Hubalek, Valerie; Wu, Xiaofen; Eiler, Alexander; Buck, Moritz; Heim, Christine; Dopson, Mark; Bertilsson, Stefan; Ionescu, Danny

2016-10-01

Little research has been conducted on microbial diversity deep under the Earth's surface. In this study, the microbial communities of three deep terrestrial subsurface aquifers were investigated. Temporal community data over 6 years revealed that the phylogenetic structure and community dynamics were highly dependent on the degree of isolation from the earth surface biomes. The microbial community at the shallow site was the most dynamic and was dominated by the sulfur-oxidizing genera Sulfurovum or Sulfurimonas at all-time points. The microbial community in the meteoric water filled intermediate aquifer (water turnover approximately every 5 years) was less variable and was dominated by candidate phylum OD1. Metagenomic analysis of this water demonstrated the occurrence of key genes for nitrogen and carbon fixation, sulfate reduction, sulfide oxidation and fermentation. The deepest water mass (5000 year old waters) had the lowest taxon richness and surprisingly contained Cyanobacteria. The high relative abundance of phylogenetic groups associated with nitrogen and sulfur cycling, as well as fermentation implied that these processes were important in these systems. We conclude that the microbial community patterns appear to be shaped by the availability of energy and nutrient sources via connectivity to the surface or from deep geological processes.

Thermal Evolution of the Earth from a Plate Tectonics Point of View

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grigne, C.; Combes, M.; Le Yaouanq, S.; Husson, L.; Conrad, C. P.; Tisseau, C.

2011-12-01

Earth's thermal history is classically studied using scaling laws that link the surface heat loss to the temperature and viscosity of the convecting mantle. When such a parameterization is used in the global heat budget of the Earth to integrate the mantle temperature backwards in time, a runaway increase of temperature is obtained, leading to the so-called "thermal catastrophe". We propose a new approach that does not rely on convective scaling laws but instead considers the dynamics of plate tectonics, including temperature-dependent surface processes. We use a multi-agent system to simulate time-dependent plate tectonics in a 2D cylindrical geometry with evolutive plate boundaries. Plate velocities are computed using local force balance and explicit parameterizations for plate boundary processes such as trench migration, subduction initiation, continental breakup and plate suturing. The number of plates is not imposed but emerges naturally. At a given time step, heat flux is integrated from the seafloor age distribution and a global heat budget is used to compute the evolution of mantle temperature. This approach has a very low computational cost and allows us to study the effect of a wide range of input parameters on the long-term thermal evolution of the system. For Earth-like parameters, an average cooling rate of 60-70K per billion years is obtained, which is consistent with petrological and rheological constraints. Two time scales arise in the evolution of the heat flux: a linear long-term decrease and high-amplitude short-term fluctuations due to tectonic rearrangements. We show that the viscosity of the mantle is not a key parameter in the thermal evolution of the system and that no thermal catastrophe occurs when considering tectonic processes. The cooling rate of the Earth depends mainly on its ability to replace old insulating seafloor by young thin oceanic lithosphere. Therefore, the main controlling factors are parameters such as the resistance of continental lithosphere to breakup or the critical age for subduction initiation. We infer that simple convective considerations alone cannot account for the complex nature of mantle heat loss and that tectonic processes dictate the thermal evolution of the Earth.

Lunar far side surface navigation using Linked Autonomous Interplanetary Satellite Orbit Navigation (LiAISON)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hesar, Siamak G.; Parker, Jeffrey S.; Leonard, Jason M.; McGranaghan, Ryan M.; Born, George H.

2015-12-01

We study the application of Linked Autonomous Interplanetary Satellite Orbit Navigation (LiAISON) to track vehicles on the far side of the lunar surface. The LiAISON architecture is demonstrated to achieve accurate orbit determination solutions for various mission scenarios in the Earth-Moon system. Given the proper description of the force field, LiAISON is capable of producing absolute orbit determination solutions using relative satellite-to-satellite tracking observations alone. The lack of direct communication between Earth-based tracking stations and the far side of the Moon provides an ideal opportunity for implementing LiAISON. This paper presents a novel approach to use the LiAISON architecture to perform autonomous navigation of assets on the lunar far side surface. Relative measurements between a spacecraft placed in an EML-2 halo orbit and lunar surface asset(s) are simulated and processed. Comprehensive simulation results show that absolute states of the surface assets are observable with an achieved accuracy of the position estimate on the order of tens of meters.

Some unique surface patterns on ignimbrites on Earth: A "bird's eye" view as a guide for planetary mappers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Silva, Shanaka L.; Bailey, John E.

2017-08-01

Observations of terrestrial analogs are critical to aiding planetary mappers in interpreting surface lithologies on other planets. For instance, the presence of ignimbrites on Mars has been debated for over three decades and is supported by analogy with deposits on Earth. Critical evidence includes the geomorphic and surface expression of the deposits, and those in the Central Andes of South America are amongst the most-cited analogs. Herein we describe some prominent surface textures and patterns seen in ignimbrites on the scale of high-resolution remotely sensed data (10-1 m per pixel). These include pervasive joints and fractures that contribute to yardang form and development as well as prominent mounds, fissures, and fracture networks ("spiders", "bugs", "boxworks") on ignimbrite surfaces. While all these features are related to intrinsic cooling and degassing processes, the involvement of external water buried by hot pyroclastic flows enhances fumarolic activity, advective cooling, and joint development. Observations of these geomorphic expressions using remote sensing are only possible with the highest resolution data and limited surface erosion. For Mars, where similarly high resolution datasets are available (for example, the High Resolution Imaging Sensor Experiment or HiRISE) extensive dust cover may limit the recognition of similar features there. However significant relief on some of these features on Earth indicate they might still be detectable on Mars.

What is Life? On Earth and Beyond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Losch, Andreas

2017-07-01

Introduction Andreas Losch; 1. Reflections on origins, life, and the origins of life Marie-Christine Maurel; 2. The search for another Earth-like planet and life elsewhere Joshua Krissansen-Totton and David C. Catling; 3. The shape of life: morphological signatures of ancient microbial life in rocks Beda A. Hofmann; 4. Precellular evolution and the origin of life: some notes on reductionism, complexity and historical contingency Antonio Lazcano; 5. Science and philosophy faced with the question of life in the twenty-first century Michel Morange; 6. What is life? And why is the question still open? Claus Beisbart; 7. Is the origin of life a fluke? Why the chance hypothesis should not be dismissed too quickly Christian Weidemann; 8. Some contemporary – and persistent – fallacies and confusions about astrobiology Milan M. Ćirković; 9. Superintelligent AI and the postbiological cosmos approach Susan Schneider; 10. What theology can contribute to the question 'what is life?' Andreas Losch; 11. Autopoietic systems and the theology of creation: on the nature of life Alexander Maßmann; 12. Where there's life there's intelligence Ted Peters; 13. Life in the universe, incarnation and salvation Juan Pablo Marrufo del Torro, SJ; 14. Talking lions, intelligent aliens and knowing God – some epistemological reflections on a speculative issue Taede A. Smedes; 15. What is life? On Earth and beyond: conclusion Andreas Losch; 16. A skeptical afterword Antonio Lazcano.

Asteroid Redirect Mission Update

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

Dr. Holdren (left), Administrator Bolden (center) and Dr. Michele Gates (right) discuss the ARM mission during a live NASA TV briefing. Behind them is a mockup of robotic capture module for the Asteroid Redirect Mission. More info: Asteroid Redirect Mission Update – On Sept. 14, 2016, NASA provided an update on the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) and how it contributes to the agency’s journey to Mars and protection of Earth. The presentation took place in the Robotic Operations Center at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Assistant to the President for Science and Technology Dr. John P. Holdren, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and NASA’s ARM Program Director, Dr. Michele Gates discussed the latest update regarding the mission. They explained the mission’s scientific and technological benefits and how ARM will demonstrate technology for defending Earth from potentially hazardous asteroids. The briefing aired live on NASA TV and the agency’s website. For more information about ARM go to www.nasa.gov/arm. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Peter Sooy NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Publications of the Western Earth Surfaces Processes Team 2005

USGS Publications Warehouse

Powell, Charles; Stone, Paul

2007-01-01

Introduction The Western Earth Surface Processes Team (WESPT) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts geologic mapping, earth-surface process investigations, and related topical earth science studies in the western United States. This work is focused on areas where modern geologic maps and associated earth-science data are needed to address key societal and environmental issues such as ground-water quality, landslides and other potential geologic hazards, and land-use decisions. Areas of primary emphasis in 2005 included southern California, the San Francisco Bay region, the Mojave Desert, the Colorado Plateau region of northern Arizona, and the Pacific Northwest. The team has its headquarters in Menlo Park, California, and maintains smaller field offices at several other locations in the western United States. The results of research conducted by the WESPT are released to the public as a variety of databases, maps, text reports, and abstracts, both through the internal publication system of the USGS and in diverse external publications such as scientific journals and books. This report lists publications of the WESPT released in 2005 as well as additional 2002, 2003, and 2004 publications that were not included in the previous lists (USGS Open-File Reports 03-363, 2004- 1267, 2005-1362). Most of the publications listed were authored or coauthored by WESPT staff. The list also includes some publications authored by non-USGS cooperators with the WESPT, as well as some authored by USGS staff outside the WESPT in cooperation with WESPT projects. Several of the publications listed are available on the World Wide Web; for these, URL addresses are provided. Many of these web publications are USGS Open-File reports that contain large digital databases of geologic map and related information. Information on ordering USGS publications can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/, or by calling 1-888-ASK-USGS. The U.S. Geological Survey's web server for geologic information in the western United States is located at http://geology.wr.usgs.gov/. More information is available about the WESPT is available on-line at http://geology.wr.usgs.gov/wgmt.

Chromium isotopes in siliciclastic sediments and sedimentary rocks as a proxy for Earth surface redox

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reinhard, C. T.; Planavsky, N. J.; Wang, X.; Owens, J. D.; Johnson, T. M.; Fischer, W. W.; Lyons, T. W.

2013-12-01

Chromium (Cr) isotopes are an emerging and potentially promising proxy for tracking redox processes at Earth's surface. However, recent efforts to reconstruct the Cr isotope record through time have primarily focused on sporadically deposited iron-rich chemical sediments, with large temporal gaps and limited capacity to explore the Cr isotope record relative to modern and recent marine processes. However, the basic inorganic chemistry of Cr suggests that anoxic marine basins factor prominently in the global Cr cycle, and that likewise sediments deposited within anoxic basins may offer an unexplored Cr isotope archive throughout Earth's history. We present authigenic δ53Cr data from sediments of the Cariaco Basin, Venezuela--a ';type' environment on the modern Earth for large, perennially anoxic basins with relatively strong hydrological connections to the global ocean. Combined with currently available constraints on the δ53Cr composition of modern Atlantic seawater, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that anoxic marine basins can serve as a chemical archive of the first-order features of seawater δ53Cr variation. We employ a simple quantitative model to explore the implications of this hypothesis for global Cr isotope mass balance and the possible utility of authigenic δ53Cr in anoxically deposited siliciclastic sediments and sedimentary rocks as a global paleoredox proxy. Our focus is a basic analysis of the primary controls on seawater δ53Cr as related to both the marine redox landscape and the processes involved in the weathering and aqueous-particulate transport of Cr at Earth's surface. As a case study, we provide analysis of new bulk δ53Cr data through a Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE-2), which shows a well-defined ~1.0‰ negative excursion during the event coupled with evidence for a drawdown of the marine Cr reservoir. We present a conceptual model to explain these observations, and interpret this shift to suggest a shutdown of internal oceanic Cr isotope fractionation associated with a perturbation to benthic marine redox.

Large-scale experimental technology with remote sensing in land surface hydrology and meteorology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brutsaert, Wilfried; Schmugge, Thomas J.; Sellers, Piers J.; Hall, Forrest G.

1988-01-01

Two field experiments to study atmospheric and land surface processes and their interactions are summarized. The Hydrologic-Atmospheric Pilot Experiment, which tested techniques for measuring evaporation, soil moisture storage, and runoff at scales of about 100 km, was conducted over a 100 X 100 km area in France from mid-1985 to early 1987. The first International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Program field experiment was conducted in 1987 to develop and use relationships between current satellite measurements and hydrologic, climatic, and biophysical variables at the earth's surface and to validate these relationships with ground truth. This experiment also validated surface parameterization methods for simulation models that describe surface processes from the scale of vegetation leaves up to scales appropriate to satellite remote sensing.

Aromatic, Alphatic, Enigmatic: The Chemistry of Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horst, Sarah

2017-10-01

The extraordinary complexity of Titan’s atmospheric chemistry far surpasses that of any other solar system atmosphere. With its thick N2 atmosphere and stable bodies of liquid on its surface, Titan also possesses many physical processes that are similar to those that occur on Earth. The connection between Titan’s surface and atmosphere is unique in our solar system; atmospheric chemistry produces materials that are deposited on the surface and subsequently altered by surface-atmosphere interactions such as aeolian and fluvial processes resulting in the formation of extensive dune fields and expansive lakes and seas. Titan’s atmosphere is favorable for organic haze formation, which combined with the presence of some oxygen-bearing molecules indicates that Titan’s atmosphere may produce molecules of prebiotic interest. The combination of organics and liquid, in the form of water in a subsurface ocean and methane/ethane in the surface lakes and seas, means that Titan may be the ideal place in the solar system to test ideas about habitability, prebiotic chemistry, and the ubiquity and diversity of life in the universe. I will review our current understanding of chemistry on Titan forged from the powerful combination of Earth-based observations, remote sensing and in situ spacecraft measurements, laboratory experiments, and models. I will conclude with some of the questions that remain after Cassini-Huygens.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies in adults: A comparative study of Bohan and Peter and European Neuromuscular Center 2004 criteria.

PubMed

Challa, Sundaram; Jakati, Saumya; Uppin, Megha S; Kannan, Meena A; Liza, Rajasekhar; Murthy Jagarlapudi, M K

2018-01-01

Bohan and Peter criteria are widely used for the diagnosis of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). Recently, European Neuromuscular Center (ENMC) formulated criteria to identify subgroups of IIMs. To compare the two diagnostic criteria in adult IIMs. This was a retrospective review of case records of histologically confirmed IIMs in adults between January 2014 and May 2015. Both the Bohan and Peter, and ENMC 2004 criteria were applied in the same group of patients to subgroup the IIMs. Muscle biopsy was evaluated in all the four domains: muscle fiber, inflammatory, connective tissue, and vascular, with the basic panel of histological stains. Sporadic inclusion body myositis (s-IBM) was diagnosed using ENMC IBM diagnostic research criteria 2011. During the study period, 69 patients fulfilled the ENMC criteria for IIMs including 16 patients with s-IBM. The subgrouping as per the ENMC criteria (53) was: dermatomyositis (DM) in 30; polymyositis (PM) in 2; immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) in 9; and nonspecific myositis (NM) in 12 patients, whereas subgrouping by the Bohan and Peter criteria was DM in 9 and PM with and without connective tissue disease (CTD) in 26 patients only. There was underdiagnosis of DM, as perifascicular atrophy is not recognized as a diagnostic histological feature, and overdiagnosis of PM with and without CTD due to poor characterization of histological features in PM by the Bohan and Peter criteria. Systematic evaluation of muscle biopsy according to the ENMC criteria with basic panel of histochemical stains improved the diagnostic yield of IIM significantly when compared to the Bohan and Peter criteria.

NASA to Survey Earth's Resources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mittauer, R. T.

1971-01-01

A wide variety of the natural resources of earth and man's management of them will be studied by an initial group of foreign and domestic scientists tentatively chosen by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to analyze data to be gathered by two earth-orbiting spacecraft. The spacecraft are the first Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-A) and the manned Skylab which will carry an Earth Resources Experiment Package (EREP). In the United States, the initial experiments will study the feasibility of remote sensing from a satellite in gathering information on ecological problems. The objective of both ERTS and EREP aboard Skylab is to obtain multispectral images of the surface of the earth with high resolution remote sensors and to process and distribute the images to scientific users in a wide variety of disciplines. The ERTS-A, EREP, and Skylab systems are described and their operation is discussed.

Coastal hazards: hurricanes, tsunamis, coastal erosion

USGS Publications Warehouse

Vandas, Stephen; Mersfelder, Lynne; Farrar, Frank; France, Rigoberto Guardado; Yajimovich, Oscar Efraín González; Muñoz, Aurora R.; Rivera, María del C.

1996-01-01

Oceans are the largest geographic feature on the surface of the Earth, covering approximately 70% of the planet's surface. As a result, oceans have a tremendous impact on the Earth, its climate, and its inhabitants. The coast or shoreline is the boundary between ocean environments and land habitats. By the year 2025, it is estimated that approximately two-thirds of the world's population will be living within 200 kilometers of a coast. In many ways, we treat the coast just like any other type of land area, as a safe and stable place to live and play. However, coastal environments are dynamic, and they constantly change in response to natural processes and to human activities.

75 FR 81644 - Meeting of the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Rules of Appellate Procedure

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-28

... Mason Street, San Francisco, CA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter G. McCabe, Secretary, Rules... (202) 502-1820. Dated: December 21, 2010. Peter G. McCabe, Rules Committee Support Office. [FR Doc...

75 FR 81644 - Meeting of the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-28

..., Courtroom 5, 95 Seventh Street, San Francisco, CA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter G. McCabe... 20544, telephone (202) 502-1820. Dated: December 21, 2010. Peter G. McCabe, Rules Committee Support...

75 FR 81645 - Meeting of the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Rules of Criminal Procedure

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-28

..., Pioneer Courthouse, 700 SW. Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter G..., Washington, DC 20544, telephone (202) 502-1820. Dated: December 21, 2010. Peter G. McCabe, Rules Committee...

75 FR 81645 - Meeting of the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Rules of Evidence

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-28

..., Philadelphia, PA 19104. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter G. McCabe, Secretary, Rules Committee Support.... Dated: December 21, 2010. Peter G. McCabe, Rules Committee Support Office. [FR Doc. 2010-32433 Filed 12...

42 CFR 406.34 - Determination of months to be counted for premium increase: Reenrollment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

.... Peter M enrolled during his initial enrollment period, terminated his first coverage period in August... through March, 1980) were not enough to require any increase in the premium. Peter terminated his second...

State of the Oceans: A Satellite Data Processing System for Visualizing Near Real-Time Imagery on Google Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, C. K.; Bingham, A. W.; Hall, J. R.; Alarcon, C.; Plesea, L.; Henderson, M. L.; Levoe, S.

2011-12-01

The State of the Oceans (SOTO) web tool was developed at NASA's Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (PO.DAAC) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as an interactive means for users to visually explore and assess ocean-based geophysical parameters extracted from the latest archived data products. The SOTO system consists of four extensible modules, a data polling tool, a preparation and imaging package, image server software, and the graphical user interface. Together, these components support multi-resolution visualization of swath (Level 2) and gridded Level 3/4) data products as either raster- or vector- based KML layers on Google Earth. These layers are automatically updated periodically throughout the day. Current parameters available include sea surface temperature, chlorophyll concentration, ocean winds, sea surface height anomaly, and sea surface temperature anomaly. SOTO also supports mash-ups, allowing KML feeds from other sources to be overlaid directly onto Google Earth such as hurricane tracks and buoy data. A version of the SOTO software has also been installed at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to support the Land Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE). The State of the Earth (SOTE) has similar functionality to SOTO but supports different data sets, among them the MODIS 250m data product.

Integrated Instrument Simulator Suites for Earth Science

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tanelli, Simone; Tao, Wei-Kuo; Matsui, Toshihisa; Hostetler, Chris; Hair, Johnathan; Butler, Carolyn; Kuo, Kwo-Sen; Niamsuwan, Noppasin; Johnson, Michael P.; Jacob, Joseph C.;

Cloud Forcing and the Earth's Radiation Budget: New Ideas and New Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barkstrom, Bruce R.

1997-01-01

1. NEW PERSPECTIVES ON CLOUD-RADIATIVE FORCING. When the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) produced the first measurements of cloud-radiative forcing, the climate community interpreted the results from a context in which the atmosphere was a single column, strongly coupled to the Earth's surface. 2. NEW PERSPECTIVES ON CLOUD-RADIATION OBSERVATIONS. The climate community is also on the verge of adding a new dimension to its observational capability. In classic thinking about atmospheric circulation and climate, surface pressure was a readily available quantity. As meteorology developed, it was possible to develop quantitative predictions of future weather by bringing together a network of surface pressure observations and then of profiles of temperature and humidity obtained from balloons. 3. ON COMBINING OBSERVATIONS AND THE - ORY. With this new capability, it is natural to seek recognizable features in the observations we make of the Earth. There are techniques we can use to group the remotely sensed data in the individual footprints into objects that we can track. We will present one such image-processing application to radiation budget data, showing how we can interpret the radiation budget data in terms of cloud systems that are organized into systematic patterns of behavior - an ecosystem-like view of cloud behavior.

Spectroscopy from Space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, R. N.; Swayze, G. A.; Carlson, R.; Grundy, W.; Noll, K.

2014-01-01

This chapter reviews detection of materials on solid and liquid (lakes and ocean) surfaces in the solar system using ultraviolet to infrared spectroscopy from space, or near space (high altitude aircraft on the Earth), or in the case of remote objects, earth-based and earth-orbiting telescopes. Point spectrometers and imaging spectrometers have been probing the surfaces of our solar system for decades. Spacecraft carrying imaging spectrometers are currently in orbit around Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Saturn, and systems have recently visited Jupiter, comets, asteroids, and one spectrometer-carrying spacecraft is on its way to Pluto. Together these systems are providing a wealth of data that will enable a better understanding of the composition of condensed matter bodies in the solar system. Minerals, ices, liquids, and other materials have been detected and mapped on the Earth and all planets and/or their satellites where the surface can be observed from space, with the exception of Venus whose thick atmosphere limits surface observation. Basaltic minerals (e.g., pyroxene and olivine) have been detected with spectroscopy on the Earth, Moon, Mars and some asteroids. The greatest mineralogic diversity seen from space is observed on the Earth and Mars. The Earth, with oceans, active tectonic and hydrologic cycles, and biological processes, displays the greatest material diversity including the detection of amorphous and crystalline inorganic materials, organic compounds, water and water ice. Water ice is a very common mineral throughout the Solar System and has been unambiguously detected or inferred in every planet and/or their moon(s) where good spectroscopic data has been obtained. In addition to water ice, other molecular solids have been observed in the solar system using spectroscopic methods. Solid carbon dioxide is found on all systems beyond the Earth except Pluto, although CO2 sometimes appears to be trapped in other solids rather than as an ice on some objects. The largest deposits of carbon dioxide ice are found on Mars. Sulfur dioxide ice is found in the Jupiter system. Nitrogen and methane ices are common beyond the Uranian system. Saturn's moon Titan probably has the most complex active extra-terrestrial surface chemistry involving organic compounds. Some of the observed or inferred compounds include ices of benzene (C6H6), cyanoacetylene (HC3N), toluene (C7H8), cyanogen (C2N2), acetonitrile (CH3CN), water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and ammonia (NH3). Confirming compounds on Titan is hampered by its thick smoggy atmosphere, where in relative terms the atmospheric interferences that hamper surface characterization lie between that of Venus and Earth. In this chapter we exclude discussion of the planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune because their thick atmospheres preclude observing the surface, even if surfaces exist. However, we do discuss spectroscopic observations on a number of the extra-terrestrial satellite bodies. Ammonia was predicted on many icy moons but is notably absent among the definitively detected ices with possible exceptions on Charon and possible trace amounts on some of the Saturnian satellites. Comets, storehouses of many compounds that could exist as ices in their nuclei, have only had small amounts of water ice definitively detected on their surfaces from spectroscopy. Only two asteroids have had a direct detection of surface water ice, although its presence can be inferred in others.

Characterization of the Interior Density Structure of Near Earth Objects with Muons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prettyman, T. H.; Sykes, M. V.; Miller, R. S.; Pinsky, L. S.; Empl, A.; Nolan, M. C.; Koontz, S. L.; Lawrence, D. J.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Reddell, B. D.

2015-12-01

Near Earth Objects (NEOs) are a diverse population of short-lived asteroids originating from the main belt and Jupiter family comets. Some have orbits that are easy to access from Earth, making them attractive as targets for science and exploration as well as a potential resource. Some pose a potential impact threat. NEOs have undergone extensive collisional processing, fragmenting and re-accreting to form rubble piles, which may be compositionally heterogeneous (e.g., like 2008 TC3, the precursor to Almahata Sitta). At present, little is known about their interior structure or how these objects are held together. The wide range of inferred NEO macroporosities hint at complex interiors. Information about their density structure would aid in understanding their formation and collisional histories, the risks they pose to human interactions with their surfaces, the constraints on industrial processing of NEO resources, and the selection of hazard mitigation strategies (e.g., kinetic impactor vs nuclear burst). Several methods have been proposed to characterize asteroid interiors, including radar imaging, seismic tomography, and muon imaging (muon radiography and tomography). Of these, only muon imaging has the potential to determine interior density structure, including the relative density of constituent fragments. Muons are produced by galactic cosmic ray showers within the top meter of asteroid surfaces. High-energy muons can traverse large distances through rock with little deflection. Muons transmitted through an Itokawa-sized asteroid can be imaged using a compact hodoscope placed on or near the surface. Challenges include background rejection and correction for variations in muon production with surface density. The former is being addressed by hodoscope design. Surface density variations can be determined via radar or muon limb imaging. The performance of muon imaging is evaluated for prospective NEO interior-mapping missions.

MIT Project Apophis: Surface Evaulation & Tomography (SET) Mission Study for the April 2029 Earth Encounter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Binzel, R. P.; Earle, A. M.; Vanatta, M.; Miller, D. W.

2017-12-01

Nature is providing a once-per-thousand year opportunity to study the geophysical outcome induced on an unprecedentedly large (350 meter) asteroid making an extremely close passage by the Earth (inside the distance of geosynchronous satellites) on Friday April 13, 2029. The aircraft carrier-sized (estimated 20 million metric ton) asteroid is named Apophis. While many previous spacecraft missions have studied asteroids, none has ever had the opportunity to study "live" the outcome of planetary tidal forces on their shapes, spin states, surface geology, and internal structure. Beyond the science interest directly observing this planetary process, the Apophis encounter provides an invaluable opportunity to gain knowledge for any eventuality of a known asteroid found to be on a certain impact trajectory. MIT's Project Apophis [1] is our response to nature's generous opportunity by developing a detailed mission concept for sending a spacecraft to orbit Apophis with the objectives of surveying its surface and interior structure before, during, and after its 2029 near-Earth encounter. The Surface Evaluation & Tomography (SET) mission concept we present is designed toward accomplishing three key science objectives: (1) bulk physical characterization, (2) internal structure, and (3) long-term orbit tracking. For its first mission objective, SET will study Apophis' bulk properties, including: shape, size, mass, volume, bulk density, surface geology, and composition, rotation rate, and spin state. The second mission objective is to characterize Apophis' internal structure before and after the encounter to determine its strength and cohesion - including tidally induced changes. Finally, the third objective studies the process of thermal re-radiation and consequential Yarkovsky drift, whose results will improve orbit predictions for Apophis as well as other potentially hazardous asteroids. [1] https://eapsweb.mit.edu/mit-project-apophis

Sediment transport simulation in an armoured stream

USGS Publications Warehouse

Milhous, Robert T.; Bradley, Jeffrey B.; Loeffler, Cindy L.

1986-01-01

Improved methods of calculating bed material stability and transport must be developed for a gravel bed stream having an armoured surface in order to use the HEC-6 model to examine channel change. Good possibilities exist for use of a two layer model based on the Schoklitsch and the Einstein-Brown transport equations. In Einstein-Brown the D35 of the armour is used for stabilities and the D50 of the bed (sub-surface) is used for transport. Data on the armour and sub-surface size distribution needs to be obtained as part of a bed material study in a gravel bed river; a "shovel" sample is not adequate. The Meyer-Peter, Muller equation should not be applied to a gravel bed stream with an armoured surface to estimate the initiation of transport or for calculation of transport at low effective bed shear stress.

The physics of Martian weather and climate: a review.

PubMed

Read, P L; Lewis, S R; Mulholland, D P

2015-12-01

The planet Mars hosts an atmosphere that is perhaps the closest in terms of its meteorology and climate to that of the Earth. But Mars differs from Earth in its greater distance from the Sun, its smaller size, its lack of liquid oceans and its thinner atmosphere, composed mainly of CO(2). These factors give Mars a rather different climate to that of the Earth. In this article we review various aspects of the martian climate system from a physicist's viewpoint, focusing on the processes that control the martian environment and comparing these with corresponding processes on Earth. These include the radiative and thermodynamical processes that determine the surface temperature and vertical structure of the atmosphere, the fluid dynamics of its atmospheric motions, and the key cycles of mineral dust and volatile transport. In many ways, the climate of Mars is as complicated and diverse as that of the Earth, with complex nonlinear feedbacks that affect its response to variations in external forcing. Recent work has shown that the martian climate is anything but static, but is almost certainly in a continual state of transient response to slowly varying insolation associated with cyclic variations in its orbit and rotation. We conclude with a discussion of the physical processes underlying these long- term climate variations on Mars, and an overview of some of the most intriguing outstanding problems that should be a focus for future observational and theoretical studies.

Landforms of the United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hack, John T.

1969-01-01

The United States contains a great variety of landforms which offer dramatic contrasts to a crosscountry traveler. Mountains and desert areas, tropical jungles and areas of permanently frozen subsoil, deep canyons and broad plains are examples of the Nation's varied surface. The present-day landforms the features that make up the face of the earth are products of the slow, sculpturing actions of streams and geologic processes that have been at work throughout the ages since the earth's beginning.

Landforms of the United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hack, John T.

1988-01-01

The United States contains a great variety of landforms which offer dramatic contrasts to a cross-country traveler. Mountains and desert areas, tropical jungles and areas of permanently frozen subsoil, and deep canyons and broad plains are examples of the Nation's varied surface. The presentday landforms the features that make up the face of the Earth are products of the slow sculpturing actions of streams and geologic processes that have been at work throughout the ages since the Earth's beginning.

Proceedings of the Space Shuttle Sortie Workshop. Volume 2: Working group reports

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Details are presented on the mission planning progress in each of the working paper reports. The general topics covered are the following: space technology; materials processing and space manufacturing; communications and navigation; earth and ocean physics; oceanography; earth resources and surface environmental quality; meteorology and atmospheric environmental quality; life sciences; atmospheric and space physics; solar physics; high energy cosmic rays; X-ray and gamma ray astronomy; ultraviolet-optical astronomy; planetary astronomy; and infrared astronomy.

Publications of the Western Earth Surface Processes Team, 1999

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stone, Paul; Powell, Charles L.

2000-01-01

The Western Earth Surfaces Processes Team (WESPT) of the U.S. Geological Survey, Geologic Division (USGS, GD), conducts geologic mapping and related topical earth- science studies in the western United States. This work is focused on areas where modern geologic maps and associated earth-science data are needed to address key societal and environmental issues such as ground-water quality, potential geologic hazards, and land-use decisions. Areas of primary emphasis currently include southern California, the San Francisco Bay region, and the Pacific Northwest. The team has its headquarters in Menlo Park, California, and maintains field offices at several other locations in the western United States. The results of research conducted by the WESPT are released to the public as a variety of databases, maps, text reports, and abstracts, both through the internal publication system of the USGS and in diverse external publications such as scientific journals and books. This report lists publications of the WESPT released in 1999 as well as additional 1997 and 1998 publications that were not included in the previous list (USGS Open-file Report 99-302). Most of the publications listed were authored or coauthored by WESPT staff. The list also includes some publications authored by non-USGS cooperators with the WESPT, as well as some authored by USGS staff outside the WESPT in cooperation with WESPT projects.

Coupling dry deposition to vegetation phenology in the Community Earth System Model: Implications for the simulation of surface O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Val Martin, M.; Heald, C. L.; Arnold, S. R.

2014-04-01

Dry deposition is an important removal process controlling surface ozone. We examine the representation of this ozone loss mechanism in the Community Earth System Model. We first correct the dry deposition parameterization by coupling the leaf and stomatal vegetation resistances to the leaf area index, an omission which has adversely impacted over a decade of ozone simulations using both the Model for Ozone and Related chemical Tracers (MOZART) and Community Atmospheric Model-Chem (CAM-Chem) global models. We show that this correction increases O3 dry deposition velocities over vegetated regions and improves the simulated seasonality in this loss process. This enhanced removal reduces the previously reported bias in summertime surface O3 simulated over eastern U.S. and Europe. We further optimize the parameterization by scaling down the stomatal resistance used in the Community Land Model to observed values. This in turn further improves the simulation of dry deposition velocity of O3, particularly over broadleaf forested regions. The summertime surface O3 bias is reduced from 30 ppb to 14 ppb over eastern U.S. and 13 ppb to 5 ppb over Europe from the standard to the optimized scheme, respectively. O3 deposition processes must therefore be accurately coupled to vegetation phenology within 3-D atmospheric models, as a first step toward improving surface O3 and simulating O3 responses to future and past vegetation changes.

An age-colour relationship for main-belt S-complex asteroids.

PubMed

Jedicke, Robert; Nesvorný, David; Whiteley, Robert; Ivezić Z, Zeljko; Jurić, Mario

2004-05-20

Asteroid collisions in the main belt eject fragments that may eventually land on Earth as meteorites. It has therefore been a long-standing puzzle in planetary science that laboratory spectra of the most populous class of meteorite (ordinary chondrites, OC) do not match the remotely observed surface spectra of their presumed (S-complex) asteroidal parent bodies. One of the proposed solutions to this perplexing observation is that 'space weathering' modifies the exposed planetary surfaces over time through a variety of processes (such as solar and cosmic ray bombardment, micro-meteorite bombardment, and so on). Space weathering has been observed on lunar samples, in Earth-based laboratory experiments, and there is good evidence from spacecraft data that the process is active on asteroid surfaces. Here, we present a measurement of the rate of space weathering on S-complex main-belt asteroids using a relationship between the ages of asteroid families and their colours. Extrapolating this age-colour relationship to very young ages yields a good match to the colour of freshly cut OC meteorite samples, lending strong support to a genetic relationship between them and the S-complex asteroids.

A post-Cassini view of Titan's methane-based hydrologic cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayes, Alexander G.; Lorenz, Ralph D.; Lunine, Jonathan I.

2018-05-01

The methane-based hydrologic cycle on Saturn's largest moon, Titan, is an extreme analogue to Earth's water cycle. Titan is the only planetary body in the Solar System, other than Earth, that is known to have an active hydrologic cycle. With a surface pressure of 1.5 bar and temperatures of 90 to 95 K, methane and ethane condense out of a nitrogen-based atmosphere and flow as liquids on the moon's surface. Exchange processes between atmospheric, surface and subsurface reservoirs produce methane and ethane cloud systems, as well as erosional and depositional landscapes that have strikingly similar forms to their terrestrial counterparts. Over its 13-year exploration of the Saturn system, the Cassini-Huygens mission revealed that Titan's hydrocarbon-based hydrology is driven by nested methane cycles that operate over a range of timescales, including geologic, orbital (for example, Croll-Milankovitch cycles), seasonal and that of a single convective storm. In this Review Article, we describe the dominant exchange processes that operate over these timescales and present a post-Cassini view of Titan's methane-based hydrologic system.

Climate-induced tree mortality: Earth system consequences

USGS Publications Warehouse

Adams, Henry D.; Macalady, Alison K.; Breshears, David D.; Allen, Craig D.; Stephenson, Nathan L.; Saleska, Scott; Huxman, Travis E.; McDowell, Nathan G.

2010-01-01

One of the greatest uncertainties in global environmental change is predicting changes in feedbacks between the biosphere and the Earth system. Terrestrial ecosystems and, in particular, forests exert strong controls on the global carbon cycle and influence regional hydrology and climatology directly through water and surface energy budgets [Bonan, 2008; Chapin et al., 2008].According to new research, tree mortality associated with elevated temperatures and drought has the potential to rapidly alter forest ecosystems, potentially affecting feedbacks to the Earth system [Allen et al., 2010]. Several lines of recent research demonstrate how tree mortality rates in forests may be sensitive to climate change—particularly warming and drying. This emerging consequence of global change has important effects on Earth system processes (Figure 1).

Lateral temperature variations at the core-mantle boundary deduced from the magnetic field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bloxham, Jeremy; Jackson, Andrew

1990-01-01

Recent studies of the secular variation of the earth's magnetic field over periods of a few centuries have suggested that the pattern of fluid motion near the surface of earth's outer core may be strongly influenced by lateral temperature variations in the lowermost mantle. This paper introduces a self-consistent method for finding the temperature variations near the core surface by assuming that the dynamical balance there is geostrophic and that lateral density variations there are thermal in origin. As expected, the lateral temperature variations are very small. Some agreement is found between this pattern and the pattern of topography of the core-mantle boundary, but this does not conclusively answer to what extent core surface motions are controlled by the mantle, rather than being determined by processes in the core.

Use of EO-1 Hyperion Data for Inter-Sensor Calibration of Vegetation Indices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huete, Alfredo; Miura, Tomoaki; Kim, HoJin; Yoshioka, Hiroki

2004-01-01

Numerous satellite sensor systems useful in terrestrial Earth observation and monitoring have recently been launched and their derived products are increasingly being used in regional and global vegetation studies. The increasing availability of multiple sensors offer much opportunity for vegetation studies aimed at understanding the terrestrial carbon cycle, climate change, and land cover conversions. Potential applications include improved multiresolution characterization of the surface (scaling); improved optical-geometric characterization of vegetation canopies; improved assessments of surface phenology and ecosystem seasonal dynamics; and improved maintenance of long-term, inter-annual, time series data records. The Landsat series of sensors represent one group of sensors that have produced a long-term, archived data set of the Earth s surface, at fine resolution and since 1972, capable of being processed into useful information for global change studies (Hall et al., 1991).

Molecular-dynamics simulations of thin films with a free surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peter, Simone; Meyer, Hendrik; Baschnagel, Joerg

2007-03-01

We present results [1,2] from molecular-dynamics simulations for a model of non-entangled short polymer chains in a free standing and a supported film geometry. We investigate the influence of confinement on static and dynamic properties of the melt. We find that the relaxation at the surfaces is faster in comparison to the bulk. We perform a layer-resolved analysis of the dynamics and show that it is possible to associate a gradient in critical temperatures Tc(y) with the gradient in the relaxation dynamics. This finding is in qualitative agreement with experimental results on supported polystyrene (PS) films [Ellison et al, Nat. Mater. 2, 695 (2003)]. Furthermore we show that the y-dependence of Tc(y) can be expressed in terms of the depression of Tc(h), the global Tc for a film of thickness h, if we assume that Tc(h) is the arithmetic mean of Tc(y) and parameterize the depression of Tc(h) by Tc(h)=Tc/(1+h0/h), a formula suggested by Herminghaus et al [Eur. Phys. J E 5, 531 (2001)] for the reduction of the glass transition temperature in supported PS films. We demonstrate the validity of this formula by comparing our simulation results to results from other simulations and experiments. [1] S. Peter, H. Meyer and J. Baschnagel, J. Polym. Sci. B, 44, 2951 (2006) [2] S. Peter, H. Meyer, J. Baschnagel and R, Seemann, J. Phys: Condens. Matter (2007)

Investigation of Seasonal Landscape Freeze/Thaw Cycles in Relation to Cloud Structure in the High Northern Latitudes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Cosmo

2011-01-01

The seasonal freezing and thawing of Earth's cryosphere (the portion of Earth's surface permanently or seasonally frozen) has an immense impact on Earth's climate as well as on its water, carbon and energy cycles. During the spring, snowmelt and the transition between frozen and non-frozen states lowers Earth's surface albedo. This change in albedo causes more solar radiation to be absorbed by the land surface, raising surface soil and air temperatures as much as 5 C within a few days. The transition of ice into liquid water not only raises the surface humidity, but also greatly affects the energy exchange between the land surface and the atmosphere as the phase change creates a latent energy dominated system. There is strong evidence to suggest that the thawing of the cryosphere during spring and refreezing during autumn is correlated to local atmospheric conditions such as cloud structure and frequency. Understanding the influence of land surface freeze/thaw cycles on atmospheric structure can help improve our understanding of links between seasonal land surface state and weather and climate, providing insight into associated changes in Earth's water, carbon, and energy cycles that are driven by climate change.Information on both the freeze/thaw states of Earth's land surface and cloud characteristics is derived from data sets collected by NOAA's Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I), the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer on NASA's Earth Observing System(AMSR-E), NASA's CloudSat, and NASA's SeaWinds-on-QuickSCAT Earth remote sensing satellite instruments. These instruments take advantage of the microwave spectrum to collect an ensemble of atmospheric and land surface data. Our analysis uses data from radars (active instruments which transmit a microwave signal toward Earth and measure the resultant backscatter) and radiometers (passive devices which measure Earth's natural microwave emission) to accurately characterize salient details on Earth's surface and atmospheric states. By comparing the cloud measurements and the surface freeze-thaw data sets, a correlation between the two phenomena can be developed.

Small unmanned aircraft systems for remote sensing and Earth science research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hugenholtz, Chris H.; Moorman, Brian J.; Riddell, Kevin; Whitehead, Ken

2012-06-01

To understand and predict Earth-surface dynamics, scientists often rely on access to the latest remote sensing data. Over the past several decades, considerable progress has been made in the development of specialized Earth observation sensors for measuring a wide range of processes and features. Comparatively little progress has been made, however, in the development of new platforms upon which these sensors can be deployed. Conventional platforms are still almost exclusively restricted to piloted aircraft and satellites. For many Earth science research questions and applications these platforms do not yet have the resolution or operational flexibility to provide answers affordably. The most effective remote sensing data match the spatiotemporal scale of the process or feature of interest. An emerging technology comprising unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), is poised to offer a viable alternative to conventional platforms for acquiring high-resolution remote sensing data with increased operational flexibility, lower cost, and greater versatility (Figure 1).

Effect of simulated microgravity on growth and production of exopolymeric substances of Micrococcus luteus space and earth isolates.

PubMed

Mauclaire, Laurie; Egli, Marcel

2010-08-01

Microorganisms tend to form biofilms on surfaces, thereby causing deterioration of the underlaying material. In addition, biofilm is a potential health risk to humans. Therefore, microorganism growth is not only an issue on Earth but also in manned space habitats like the International Space Station (ISS). The aim of the study was to identify physiological processes relevant for Micrococcus luteus attachment under microgravity conditions. The results demonstrate that simulated microgravity influences physiological processes which trigger bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. The ISS strains produced larger amounts of exopolymeric substances (EPS) compared with a reference strain from Earth. In contrast, M. luteus strains were growing faster, and Earth as well as ISS isolates produced a higher yield of biomass under microgravity conditions than under normal gravity. Furthermore, microgravity caused a reduction of the colloidal EPS production of ISS isolates in comparison with normal gravity, which probably influences biofilm thickness and stability as well.

Historical change and evolutionary theory.

PubMed

Masters, Roger D

2007-09-01

Despite advances in fields like genetics, evolutionary psychology, and human behavior and evolution--which generally focus on individual or small group behavior from a biological perspective--evolutionary biology has made little impact on studies of political change and social history. Theories of natural selection often seem inapplicable to human history because our social behavior is embedded in language (which makes possible the concepts of time and social identity on which what we call "history" depends). Peter Corning's Holistic Darwinism reconceptualizes evolutionary biology, making it possible to go beyond the barriers separating the social and natural sciences. Corning focuses on two primary processes: "synergy" (complex multivariate interactions at multiple levels between a species and its environment) and "cybernetics" (the information systems permitting communication between individuals and groups over time). Combining this frame of reference with inclusive fitness theory, it is possible to answer the most important (and puzzling) question in human history: How did a species that lived for millennia in hunter-gatherer bands form centralized states governing large populations of non-kin (including multi-ethnic empires as well as modern nation-states)? The fragility and contemporary ethnic violence in Kenya and the Congo should suffice as evidence that these issues need to be taken seriously. To explain the rise and fall of states as well as changes in human laws and customs--the core of historical research--it is essential to show how the provision of collective goods can overcome the challenge of self-interest and free-riding in some instances, yet fail to do so in others. To this end, it is now possible to consider how a state providing public goods can--under circumstances that often include effective leadership--contribute to enhanced inclusive fitness of virtually all its members. Because social behavior needs to adapt to ecology, but ecological systems are constantly transformed by human technology and social behavior, multilevel evolutionary processes can explain two central features of human history: the rise, transformations, and ultimate fall of centralized governments (the "stuff" of history); and the biological uniqueness of Homo sapiens as the mammalian species that colonized--and became top carnivore--in virtually every habitable environment on the earth's surface. Once scholars admit the necessity of linking processes of natural selection with human transformations of the natural world, it will seem anomalous that it has taken so long to integrate Darwinian biology and the social sciences.

Observation duration analysis for Earth surface features from a Moon-based platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Hanlin; Guo, Huadong; Liu, Guang; Ren, Yuanzhen

2018-07-01

Earth System Science is a discipline that performs holistic and comprehensive research on various components of the Earth. One of a key issue for the Earth monitoring and observation is to enhance the observation duration, the time intervals during which the Earth surface features can be observed by sensors. In this work, we propose to utilise the Moon as an Earth observation platform. Thanks to the long distance between the Earth and the Moon, and the vast space on the lunar surface which is suitable for sensor installation, this Earth observation platform could have large spatial coverage, long temporal duration, and could perform multi-layer detection of the Earth. The line of sight between a proposed Moon-based platform and the Earth will change with different lunar surface positions; therefore, in this work, the position of the lunar surface was divided into four regions, including one full observation region and three incomplete observation regions. As existing methods are not able to perform global-scale observations, a Boolean matrix method was established to calculate the necessary observation durations from a Moon-based platform. Based on Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) ephemerides and Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP), a formula was developed to describe the geometrical relationship between the Moon-based platform and Earth surface features in the unified spatial coordinate system and the unified time system. In addition, we compared the observation geometries at different positions on the lunar surface and two parameters that are vital to observation duration calculations were considered. Finally, an analysis method was developed. We found that the observation duration of a given Earth surface feature shows little difference regardless of sensor position within the full observation region. However, the observation duration for sensors in the incomplete observation regions is reduced by at least half. In summary, our results demonstrate the suitability of a Moon-based platform located in the full observation region.

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Romantic Resonances in the Rhetoric of Peter Elbow's "Writing Without Teachers."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yager, Kristi

1996-01-01

Seeks to uncover the historical roots within English Romanticism of Peter Elbow's thinking in order to show the depth and complexity of his assumptions about writing. Implicitly refutes charges questioning the intellectual credibility of Elbow's work. (TB)

Peter Andreas Hansen and the astronomical community - a first investigation of the Hansen papers. (German Title: Peter Andreas Hansen und die astronomische Gemeinschaft - eine erste Auswertung des Hansen-Nachlasses. )

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwarz, Oliver; Strumpf, Manfred

The literary assets of Peter Andreas Hansen are deposited in the Staatsarchiv Hamburg, the Forschungs- und Landesbibliothek Gotha and the Thüringer Staatsarchiv Gotha. They were never systematically investigated. We present here some results of a first evaluation. It was possible to reconstruct the historical events with regard to the maintenance of the Astronomische Nachrichten and the Altona observatory in 1854. Hansen was a successful teacher for many young astronomers. His way of stimulating the evolution of astronomy followed Zach's tradition.

High-frequency flux transfer events detected near Mercury

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schultz, Colin

2013-01-01

The physical process that creates connections between the magnetic fields emanating from the Sun and a planet—a process known as magnetic reconnection—creates a portal through which solar plasma can penetrate the planetary magnetic field. The opening of these portals, known as flux transfer events (FTEs), takes place roughly every 8 minutes at Earth and spawns a rope of streaming plasma that is typically about half of the radius of the Earth. As early as 1985, scientists analyzing the Mariner 10 observations, collected during their 1974-1975 flybys, have known that FTEs also occur at Mercury. However, using the measurements returned from the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft now orbiting Mercury, Slavin et al. found that Mercurial flux transfer events are proportionally much larger, stronger, and more frequent than those at Earth.