Engineering topics

Clauer, C. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Clauer, C. R..

17 records

NASA NTRS1999

Polar UVI Observations of Auroral Oval Intensifications during a Transpolar Arc Event on December 7, 1996

The evolution of the northern hemisphere aurora is examined during a time when the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) makes three brief southward excursions after an extended period of northward IMF. POLAR UltraViolet Imager (UVI) provides images of the aurora while DMSP provides in situ measurements of precipitating particles, ionospheric plasma flows and ion density. Substorm-like events are correlated with northward turnings of the IMF, while the intensity of the ionospheric response is correlated with the duration of the southward IMF period prior to the northward turning. Observations indicate that when the transpolar arc reaches the highest latitudes it is located on a spatially narrow region of closed field lines which extends along the noon-midnight meridian. UV observations indicate a connection between the transpolar arc and the nightside auroral enhancements. Precipitating particles associated with both features are attributed to a plasma sheet boundary layer source in the magnetotail implying a magnetospheric connection between the transpolar arc and the nightside auroral oval intensification.

Cumnock, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Multi-Instrument Analysis of a Traveling Convection Vortex Event on July 24, 1996 Coordinated with the Polar UVI

We present the analysis of a coordinated set of observations from the POLAR Ultraviolet Imager (UVI), ground magnetometers, incoherent scatter radar, solar wind monitors, DMSP and GOES satellites, focused on a traveling convection vortex (TCV) event on 24th July 1996. Starting at approximately 10:48 UT, around magnetometers in Greenland and northern Canada observe pulsations consistent with the passing overhead of a series of alternating TCV filed-aligned current pairs. Azimuthal scans by the Sondrestrom incoherent scatter radar located near Kangerlussuaq (formerly Sondrestrom), Greenland, at this time show strong modulation in the strength and direction of ionospheric plasma flow. The magnetometer pulsations grow in magnitude over the next hour, peaking in intensity at 11:39 UT, at which time images form the UVI instrument show a localized intensification of auroral emissions over central and western Greenland. Subsequent images show the intensification grow in strength and propagate westward (tailward) until approximately 11:58 UT at which time the intensification fades. These observations are consistent with the westward passage of two pairs of moderately intense TCVs over central Greenland followed by a third very intense TCV pair. The intensification of auroral emissions at 11:39 UT is associated with the trailing vortex of the third TCV pair, thought to be the result of an upward field aligned current. The modulated flow observed by the radar is the result of the strong electric fields associated with the impulsive TCV related field aligned current systems as they pass through the field of view of the radar. Measurements of the solar wind from the V;IND and IMP-8 spacecraft suggest that a pressure change may be responsible for triggering the first two pairs of TCVS, and that a subsequent sudden change in the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field may have produced the intensification of the third TCV pair and the associated auroral brightening. Magnetometer data from the GOES satellite located over the eastern United States at geostationary orbit is consistent with a series of field-aligned moving tailward past the satellite. DMSP particle data indicated that the TCVs occur on field lines which map to the boundary plasma sheet (BPS).

Sitar, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1997

POLAR-UVI and other Coordinated Observations of a Traveling Convection Vortex Event Observed on 24 July 1996

Coordinated analysis of data from the POLAR UVI instrument, ground magnetometers, incoherent scatter radar, solar wind monitors IMP-8 and WIND, and DMSP satellite is focused on a traveling convection vortex (TCV) event on 24 July 1966. Starting at 10:48 UT, ground magnetometers in Greenland and eastern Canada measure pulsations consistent with the passing overhead of a series of alternating TCV field-aligned current pairs. Sondrestrom incoherent scatter radar measures strong modulation of the strength and direction of ionospheric plasma flow, The magnetometer pulsations grow in magnitude over the next hour, peaking in intensity at 11:39 UT, at which time the UVI instrument measures a localized intensification of auroral emissions over central and western Greenland. Subsequent images show the intensification grow in strength and propagate westward (tailward) until approximately 11:58 UT at which time the emissions fade. These observations are consistent with the westward passage of two pairs of moderately intense TCVs over central Greenland followed by a third very intense TCV pair. The intensification of auroral emissions at 11:39 UT is associated with the trailing vortex of the third TCV pair, thought to be the result of an upward field-aligned current. Measurements of the solar wind suggest that a pressure change may be responsible for triggering the first two pairs of TCVS, and that a subsequent sudden change in orientation of the IMF may have produced the intensification of the third TCV pair and the associated aurora] brightening. DMSP particle data indicate that the TCVs occur on field lines which map to the boundary plasma sheet or outer edge of the low latitude boundary layer.

Clauer, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1995

A prototype Upper Atmospheric Research Collaboratory (UARC)

The National Collaboratory concept has great potential for enabling 'critical mass' working groups and highly interdisciplinary research projects. We report here on a new program to build a prototype collaboratory using the Sondrestrom Upper Atmospheric Research Facility in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and a group of associated scientists. The Upper Atmospheric Research Collaboratory (UARC) is a joint venture of researchers in upper atmospheric and space science, computer science, and behavioral science to develop a testbed for collaborative remote research. We define the 'collaboratory' as an advanced information technology environment which enables teams to work together over distance and time on a wide variety of intellectual tasks. It provides: (1) human-to-human communications using shared computer tools and work spaces; (2) group access and use of a network of information, data, and knowledge sources; and (3) remote access and control of instruments for data acquisition. The UARC testbed is being implemented to support a distributed community of space scientists so that they have network access to the remote instrument facility in Kangerlussuaq and are able to interact among geographically distributed locations. The goal is to enable them to use the UARC rather than physical travel to Greenland to conduct team research campaigns. Even on short notice through the collaboratory from their home institutions, participants will be able to meet together to operate a battery of remote interactive observations and to acquire, process, and interpret the data.

Clauer, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Observations of filamentary field-aligned current coupling between the magnetospheric boundary layer and the ionosphere

A distinct class of dayside high-latitude magnetic pulsations can be identified from the spatial characteristics of the disturbance field. These pulsations exhibit traveling radial patterns such as would result from moving filaments of field-aligned current interacting with the ionosphere to produce cells of Hall current and vortexlike plasma flow. Time intervals containing a series of continuous multiple vortices are investigated here. The vortices occur on the boundary between sunward and antisunward ionospheric plasma convection. Low altitude DMSP satellite particle measurements indicate that the vortices are on magnetic field lines which map to the inner edge of the magnetospheric low latitude boundary layer. No repetitive solar wind disturbance (e.g., pressure variations) appears to be associated with the events, suggesting that the vortices are related to a local magnetospheric instability. No strong correlation between interplanetary field conditions and the detection of vortices is found.

Clauer, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Ionospheric traveling convection vortices observed near the polar cleft - A triggered response to sudden changes in the solar wind

Analysis of 20-second resolution magnetometer data from an array of temporary stations operated around Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland, during the summer of 1986 shows the signatures of localized ionospheric traveling convection vortices. An example of an isolated event of this kind observed near 08 local time is presented in detail. This event consists of a twin vortex pattern of convection consistent with the presence of two field-aligned current filaments separated by about 600 km in the east-west direction. This system of currents is observed to move westward (tailward) past the array of stations at about 4 km/sec. The event is associated with relative quiet time ionospheric convection and occurs during an interval of northward IMF. It is, however, associated with a large fluctuation in both the Z and Y components of the IMF and with a large sudden decrease in the solar wind number density. The propagation of the system is inconsistent with existing models of FTE current systems, but nevertheless appears to be related to a readjustment of the magnetopause boundary to a sudden change in the solar wind dynamic pressure and/or to a change in reconnection brought about by a sudden reorientation of the IMF.

Friis-Christensen, E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

IMF control of geomagnetic activity

Recent work on the IMF control of geomagnetic activity is reviewed. The goal is to quantitatively express the temporal relation between the solar wind input and the ionospheric output from the magnetospheric system. Linear prediction filtering was used which treats the magnetosphere as a black box characterized by an impulse response. It is shown that an average impulse response can account for only about 40 percent of the variance in the AL index.

Mcpherron, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Observations of ionospheric convection vortices - Signatures of momentum transfer

Several classes of traveling vortices in the dayside ionospheric flow have been detected and tracked using the Greenland magnetometer chain. One class observed during quiet times consists of a continuous series of vortices moving generally antisunward for several hours at a time. Assuming each vortex to be the convection pattern produced by a small field aligned current moving across the ionosphere, the amount of field aligned current was found by fitting a modeled ground magnetic signature to measurements from the chain of magnetometers. The calculated field aligned current is seen to be steady for each vortex and neighboring vortices have currents of opposite sign. Low altitude DMSP observations indicate the vortices are on field lines which map to the inner edge of the low latitude boundary layer. Because the vortices are conjugate to the boundary layer, repeat in a regular fashion and travel antisunward, it is argued that this class of vortices is caused by surface waves at the magnetopause. No strong correlations between field aligned current strength and solar wind density, velocity, or Bz is found.

Mchenry, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Relationship of the interplanetary electric field to the high-latitude ionospheric electric field and currents Observations and model simulation

The electrical coupling between the solar wind, magnetosphere, and ionosphere is studied. The coupling is analyzed using observations of high-latitude ion convection measured by the Sondre Stromfjord radar in Greenland and a computer simulation. The computer simulation calculates the ionospheric electric potential distribution for a given configuration of field-aligned currents and conductivity distribution. The technique for measuring F-region in velocities at high time resolution over a large range of latitudes is described. Variations in the currents on ionospheric plasma convection are examined using a model of field-aligned currents linking the solar wind with the dayside, high-latitude ionosphere. The data reveal that high-latitude ionospheric convection patterns, electric fields, and field-aligned currents are dependent on IMF orientation; it is observed that the electric field, which drives the F-region plasma curve, responds within about 14 minutes to IMF variations in the magnetopause. Comparisons of the simulated plasma convection with the ion velocity measurements reveal good correlation between the data.

Clauer, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Dynamics-A explorer RIMS data analysis

Activities of the RIMS instrument during the extended mission are planned. The modes of operation for RIMS to achieve the science requirements utilizing the new and exciting information on the composition and dynamics of the low energy (0-50eV) ions in the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere are determined. The specific science problems and the required RIMS operational modes needed to acquire the desired data are identified. The analysis was performed on the RIMS data to achieve the science results and this new information was used in determining RIMS operations during the latter part of the mission. Necessary sensitivity tests of RIMS operating modes and instrument performance was suggested. The inflight results was compared with theoretical models.

Banks, P. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

The interplanetary electric field, cleft currents and plasma convection in the polar caps

The relationship between the pattern of plasma convection in the polar cleft and the dynamics of the interplanetary electric field (IEF) is examined theoretically. It is shown that owing to the geometrical properties of the magnetosphere, the East-West component of the IEF will drive field-aligned currents which connect to the ionosphere at points lying on either side of noon, while currents associated with the North-South component of the IEF will connect the two polar caps as sheet currents, also centered at 12 MLT. In order to describe the consequences of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) effects upon high-latitude electric fields and convection patterns, a series of numerical simulations was carried out. The simulations were based on a solution to the steady-state equation of current continuity in a height-integrated ionospheric current. The simulations demonstrate that a simple hydrodynamical model can account for the narrow 'throats' of strong dayside antisunward convection observed during periods of southward interplanetary IMF drift, as well as the sunward convection observed during periods of strongly northward IMF drift.

Banks, P. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Observation of interplanetary magnetic field and of ionospheric plasma convection in the vicinity of the dayside polar cleft

Dayside ionosphere convection at high latitudes has been examined during a series of experiments using the Sondrestrom radar together with ancillary observations of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) by the IMP-8 spacecraft. The radar experiments obtained a latitude coverage of 67.6 to 81.3 deg Lambda and a temporal resolution of between 14 to 25 minutes. A total of 17 rotations through the dayside cleft region during April, June and July, 1983 have been examined. The observations show two convection cells with sunward flow at lower latitudes and antisunward flow at higher latitudes. The flow commonly rotates through a 180 deg angle resulting in the predominant appearance of east-west flows. Rapid temporal variations in the convection velocities are frequently observed. Many of the high latitude variations in convection velocity appear to be directly related to variations in the IMF By component, with eastward (westward) velocity associated with negative (positive) By. This is strong evidence for a direct electrical coupling between the solar wind and dayside high latitude ionosphere.

Clauer, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Coupling of the solar wind to measures of magnetic activity

Linear prediction filtering was used to generate empirical response functions relating the solar wind electric field to the magnetic indices, AL, AU, Dst and ASYM. The empirical response functions were convolved with solar wind observations obtained during the International Magnetospheric Study to predict the indices. The predictions are compared with the observed indices during two, 3-day intervals. Differences between the observed and predicted indices are discussed in terms of the linear assumption and in terms of physical processes other than direct solar wind-magnetosphere interaction.

Mcpherron, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Solar wind control of the low-latitude asymmetric magnetic disturbance field

The extent to which the low latitude dawn-dusk magnetic asymmetry is controlled by the dawn-dusk solar wind motional electric field VBs and/or substorm processes measured by the westward auroral electrojet index AL is studied using the technique of empirical linear prediction filters. A new index, (ASYM), defined as the difference between dawn and dusk deviations in the X (geomagnetic Northward) magnetic field component, is used to measure the dawn-dusk asymmetry. Quantitative information which characterizes the coupling processes are provided by the empirically determined filters obtained from this analysis. Results indicate that some currents are directly driven by the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction and that their magnetic perturbations contribute to both the AL and ASYM indices. However, a portion of the AL index that is uncorrelated with VBs is correlated with ASYM which suggests that internal magnetospheric processes also contribute to AL and ASYM.

Clauer, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Solar wind control of auroral zone geomagnetic activity

Solar wind magnetosphere energy coupling functions are analyzed using linear prediction filtering with 2.5 minute data. The relationship of auroral zone geomagnetic activity to solar wind power input functions are examined, and a least squares prediction filter, or impulse response function is designed from the data. Computed impulse response functions are observed to have characteristics of a low pass filter with time delay. The AL index is found well related to solar wind energy functions, although the AU index shows a poor relationship. High frequency variations of auroral indices and substorm expansions are not predictable with solar wind information alone, suggesting influence by internal magnetospheric processes. Finally, the epsilon parameter shows a poorer relationship with auroral geomagnetic activity than a power parameter, having a VBs solar wind dependency.

Clauer, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Is energy storage and release part of the substorm process?

Models for magnetospheric substorms were considered. A modified model which includes the growth phase, a time interval prior to the onset of the expansion phase, during which energy was transferred from a solar wind to the magnetosphere and stored for subsequent release, is discussed. Evidence for energy storage in the tail prior to substorm expansion for both isolated and moderate substorm activity is reviewed.

Clauer, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Uncertainty in ring current parameters due to the quiet magnetic field variability at mid-latitudes

At midlatitudes the presence of Sq variation is a problem, as variability of Sq currents may produce magnetic perturbations comparable to the magnetic effects of the partial ring current on comparable time scales. The paper reports the results of an empirical determination of the quiet magnetic field, which includes the Sq variation and secular variation at 27 midlatitude magnetic observatories for the 1967-1968 period. The main concern is with the consequences of the quiet field uncertainty in terms of using midlatitude magnetic data to quantify the size and location of the magnetic disturbances caused by substorms and the ring current. Attention is given to investigating the error associated with the empirical model used. It is shown how the uncertainty can be reduced by examining the changes occurring in some interval of time.

Clauer, C. R.↗