The ORSER System for the Analysis of Remotely Sensed Digital Data

The main effort of the University of Pennsylvania's Office for Remote Sensing of Earth Resources (ORSER) is the processing, analysis, and interpretation of multispectral data, most often supplied by NASA in the form of imagery and digital data. The facilities used for data reduction and image enhancement are described as well as the development of algorithms for producing a computer map showing various environmental and land use characteristics of data points in the analyzed scenes. The application of an (ORSER) capability for statewide monitoring of gypsy moth defoliation is discussed

Documenting Antarctic Alteration of Eucrites

When meteorites were discovered in Antarctica, it was anticipated that terrestrial alteration would be at a minimum because of their deepfreeze storage where chemical reaction rates would be low. However, early compositional and petrologic studies established the presence of terrestrial alteration phases (e.g., [1, 2]). These were especially prevalent in chondrites because metal and troilite are most susceptible to terrestrial alteration [3]. Howardites, eucrites and diogenites (HEDs) are less prone to alteration because they have low abundances of metal and troilite. Nevertheless, investigations of HED meteorites document a wide array of mineralogical, compositional and isotopic effects of terrestrial alteration (e.g., [4-8]). Studies of the mineralogical effects of alteration [4] were done with old scanning electron microscope (SEM) technology which could only image small regions at a time. The micro-context of alteration phases was revealed, but larger-scale context was difficult to establish. Here we demonstrate the utility of wholethin-section X-ray mapping of eucrites by modern SEMs to document large-scale distributions of alteration materials which serve to evaluate sample freshness, highlight regions for detail study, and facilitate testing a hypothesis for alteration of eucrites [8

Manual for extending the laser specklegram technique to strain analysis of rotating components

The theory, techniques, and equipment necessary for extending laser speckle techniques to analyze stresses in rotating blades are described. Details for setting up the equipment, for timing the events, for data recording, and for data analysis are discussed. Finite element techniques are investigated for analysis of speckle data. Advantages and limitations of the finite element analysis for the speckle data are discussed. The finite element program is listed

Development of basic theories and techniques for determining stresses in rotating turbine or compressor blades

A method for measuring in-plane displacement of a rotating structure by using two laser speckle photographs is described. From the displacement measurements one can calculate strains and stresses due to a centrifugal load. This technique involves making separate speckle photographs of a test model. One photograph is made with the model loaded (model is rotating); the second photograph is made with no load on the model (model is stationary). A sandwich is constructed from the two speckle photographs and data are recovered in a manner similar to that used with conventional speckle photography. The basic theory, experimental procedures of this method, and data analysis of a simple rotating specimen are described. In addition the measurement of in-plane surface displacement components of a deformed solid, and the application of the coupled laser speckle interferometry and boundary-integral solution technique to two dimensional elasticity problems are addressed

Atmospheric environment for space shuttle (STS-8) launch

Selected atmospheric conditions observed near Space Shuttle STS-8 launch time on August 30, 1983, at Kennedy Space Center, Florida are summarized. Values of ambient pressure, temperature, moisture, ground winds, visual observations (cloud), and winds aloft are included. The sequence of prelaunch Jimsphere measured vertical wind profiles is given. Also presented are wind and thermodynamic parameters representative of surface and aloft conditions in the SRB descent/impact ocean area. Final meteorological tapes, which consist of wind and thermodynamic parameters versus altitude, for STS-8 vehicle ascent and SRB descent/impact were constructed. The STS-8 ascent meteorological data tape was constructed

A maximum-likelihood method to improve faint source flux and color estimates

Flux estimates for faint sources or transients are systematically biased high because there are far more truly faint sources than bright. Corrections which account for this effect are presented as a function of signal-to-noise ratio and the (true) slope of the faint-source number-flux relation. The corrections depend on the source being originally identified in the image in which it is being photometered. If a source has been identified in other data, the corrections are different; a prescription for calculating the corrections is presented. Implications of these corrections for analyses of surveys are discussed; the most important is that sources identified at signal-to-noise ratios of three or less are practically useless

Numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for arbitrary two-dimensional multi-element airfoils

The development of a numerical simulation of time dependent, turbulent, compressible flow about two dimensional multi-element airfoils of arbitrary shape is described. The basis of this simulation is a technique of automatic numerical generation of coordinate systems fitted to the multiple bodies regardless of their number or shape. Procedures developed whereby the coordinate lines are automatically concentrated in the boundary layer at any Reynolds number are discussed. The compressible turbulent solution involves an algebraic eddy viscosity turbulence model. The laminar version was run for transonic flow at free stream Mach numbers up to 0.9

Development of computer software to analyze entire LANDSAT scenes and to summarize classification results of variable-size polygons

The Forest Pest Management Division (FPMD) of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry has the responsibility for conducting annual surveys of the State's forest lands to accurately detect, map, and appraise forest insect infestations. A standardized, timely, and cost-effective method of accurately surveying forests and their condition should enhance the probability of suppressing infestations. The repetitive and synoptic coverage provided by LANDSAT (formerly ERTS) makes such satellite-derived data potentially attractive as a survey medium for monitoring forest insect damage over large areas. Forest Pest Management Division personnel have expressed keen interest in LANDSAT data and have informally cooperated with NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) since 1976 in the development of techniques to facilitate their use. The results of this work indicate that it may be feasible to use LANDSAT digital data to conduct annual surveys of insect defoliation of hardwood forests

Stratospheric dynamics and transport studies

A three dimensional General Circulation Model/Transport Model is used to simulate stratospheric circulation and constituent distributions. Model simulations are analyzed to interpret radiative, chemical, and dynamical processes and their mutual interactions. Concurrent complementary studies are conducted using both global satellite data and other appropriate data. Comparisons of model simulations and data analysis studies are used to aid in understanding stratospheric dynamics and transport processes and to assess the validity of current theory and models