27,983 research outputs found
Development and field testing of a Light Aircraft Oil Surveillance System (LAOSS)
An experimental device consisting of a conventional TV camera with a low light level photo image tube and motor driven polarized filter arrangement was constructed to provide a remote means of discriminating the presence of oil on water surfaces. This polarized light filtering system permitted a series of successive, rapid changes between the vertical and horizontal components of reflected polarized skylight and caused the oil based substances to be more easily observed and identified as a flashing image against a relatively static water surface background. This instrument was flight tested, and the results, with targets of opportunity and more systematic test site data, indicate the potential usefulness of this airborne remote sensing instrument
Non-circular features in Saturn's D ring: D68
D68 is a narrow ringlet located only 67,627 km (1.12 planetary radii) from
Saturn's spin axis. Images of this ringlet obtained by the Cassini spacecraft
reveal that this ringlet exhibits persistent longitudinal brightness variations
and a substantial eccentricity (ae=25+/-1 km). By comparing observations made
at different times, we confirm that the brightness variations revolve around
the planet at approximately the local orbital rate (1751.6 degrees/day), and
that the ringlet's pericenter precesses at 38.243+/-0.008 degrees/day,
consistent with the expected apsidal precession rate at this location due to
Saturn's higher-order gravitational harmonics. Surprisingly, we also find that
the ringlet's semi-major axis appears to be decreasing with time at a rate of
2.4+/-0.4 km/year between 2005 and 2013. A closer look at these measurements,
along with a consideration of earlier Voyager observations of this same
ringlet, suggests that the mean radius of D68 moves back and forth, perhaps
with a period of around 15 Earth years or about half a Saturn year. These
observations could place important constraints on both the ringlet's local
dynamical environment and the planet's gravitational field.Comment: 39 Pages, 11 Figures accepted for publication in Icarus Text slightly
modified to match corrections to proof
Comparison of Integrated Gasifier-Combined Cycle and AFB-steam turbine systems for industrial cogeneration
In the cogeneration technology alternatives study (CTAS) a number of advanced coal fired systems were examined and systems using a integrated coal gasifier IGCC or a fluid bed combustor AFB were found to yield attractive cogeneration results in industrial cogeneration applications. A range of site requirements and cogeneration sizing strategies using ground rules based on CTAS were used in comparing an IGCC and an AFB. The effect of time variations in site requirements and the sensitivity to fuel and electricity price assumptions are examined. The economic alternatives of industrial or utility ownership are also considered. The results indicate that the IGCC system has potentially higher fuel and emission savings and could be an attractive option for utility ownership. The AFB steam turbine system has a potentially higher return on investment and could be attractive assuming industrial ownership
Cluster Winds Blow along Supercluster Axes
Within Abell galaxy clusters containing wide-angle tailed radio sources,
there is evidence of a ``prevailing wind'' which directs the WAT jets. We study
the alignment of WAT jets and nearby clusters to test the idea that this wind
may be a fossil of drainage along large-scale supercluster axes. We also test
this idea with a study of the alignment of WAT jets and supercluster axes.
Statistical test neighbours indicate no alignment of WAT jets towards nearest
clusters, but do indicate approximately 98% confidence in alignment with the
long axis of the supercluster in which the cluster lies. We find a preferred
scale for such superclusters of order 25 Mpc .Comment: Latex, 5 pages, with 5 postscript figures. To be published in MNRAS.
Slight revisions to coincide with journal text. Linked to color image at
http://kusmos.phsx.ukans.edu/~melott/images/A2634SUW.jp
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