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Holberg, J. B.

Publications and source records attributed to Holberg, J. B..

63 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

A new look at the ionosphere of Jupiter in light of the UVS occultation results

Neutral model atmospheres derived from the Voyager UV Spectrometer's solar and stellar occultation data are used to calculate Jupiter ionospheric electron density profiles, demonstrating the inadequacy of such methods. It is also shown that electron densities calculated by means of standard parameters are larger than those measured by both Pioneer and Voyager. McElroy's (1973) suggestion as to the importance of H2 vibrational excitation is investigated, and it is found that no single vibrational temperature is appropriate for the entire thermosphere. The long recombination time constants involved in the plasma's movement, due to either meridional winds or electric fields, through large vertical distances, is shown to account for the observed electron density profiles. It is suggested that the outflow, and possibly the inflow, of plasma may play a role in the definition of electron density profiles.

Mcconnell, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Extreme ultraviolet observations from the Voyager 2 encounter with Saturn

Combined analysis of helium (584 A) airglow and the atmospheric occultations of the star delta Scorpii imply a vertical mixing parameter in Saturn's upper atmosphere of K (eddy diffusion coefficient) of approximately 8 x 10 to the 7th sq cm per second, an order of magnitude more vigorous than mixing in Jupiter's upper atmosphere. Atmospheric H2 band absorption of starlight yields a preliminary temperature of 400 K in the exosphere and a temperature near the homopause of 200 K. Certain auroral emissions can be fully explained in terms of electron impact on H2, and auroral morphology suggests a link between the aurora and the Saturn kilometric radiation. Absolute optical depths have been determined for the entire C ring and parts of the A and B rings. A new eccentric ringlet has been detected in the C ring. The extreme ultraviolet reflectance of the rings is fairly uniform at 3.5 to 5 percent. Collisions may control the distribution of H in Titan's H torus, which has a total vertical extent of about 14 Saturn radii normal to the orbit plane.

Sandel, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The eccentric ringlet at 1.29 R sub S

Voyager 1 images, UV stellar occultation, and radio data on the eccentric ringlet in Saturn's C ring near the Titan 1:0 apsidal resonance are discussed. Kinematic analysis shows a ringlet precession rate equal to the mean motion of Titan and a width-radius relation expected for a ring maintaining itself against differential precession by self-gravity. The specific opacity estimated for this ringlet, 0.056 sqcm/gm, is comparable to that found for the eccentric ringlet at 1.45 Rs. Assuming that the eccentricity is completely forced by Titan, a more precise value can be determined for the location of the resonance than can be computed using the current values of Saturn's gravity coefficients.

Porco, C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Voyager UVS observations of stellar occultations by the rings of Saturn

During the Voyager 1 and 2 Saturn encounters the ultraviolet spectrometers observed 3 separate stellar occultations by Saturn's rings. The observations, which sampled the optical depth of the rings at resolutions from 3 to 6 km, were used to establish a highly accurate distance scale allowing the identification of numerous ring features associated with resonances due to exterior satellites. Three separate observations of an eccentric ringlet near the location of the Titan apsidal resonance are discussed along with other ringlet-resonance associations occurring in the C ring. Density waves occurring in the A and B rings are reviewed and the analysis of one of these features is discussed.

Holberg, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Overview of the Voyager ultraviolet spectrometry results through Jupiter encounter

The observations of a number of objects by the Voyager EUV instruments are summarized. The summary is considered to demonstrate the wide ranging application of the EUV spectroscopy. It also marks an important step forward in spectrography and emphasizes the continuing importance of the search and discovery nature of spectroscopic techniques.

Broadfoot, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Extreme ultraviolet observations from Voyager 1 encounter with Saturn

Hydrogen Lyman-alpha, helium and molecular hydrogen band ultraviolet emissions from Saturn and the Titan atmosphere are considered. The Saturn H2 band excitation mechanism, while qualitatively similar to that of Jupiter, is closely related to the solar flux. The occurrence of auroras at 80 deg latitude suggests an earth-like magnetotail activity. No ion emissions have been detected from the Saturn magnetosphere. Although nitrogen emissions excited by particles have been detected in the Titan dayglow and bright limb scans, no such emission has been detected from its dark atmosphere. Enhancement of the nitrogen emission is observed in the region of interaction between Saturn's corotating plasmasphere and the Titan atmosphere.

Broadfoot, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Extreme ultraviolet observations from Voyager 2 encounter with Jupiter

The extensive Voyager 2 EUV spectral observations of the Jovian planetary system have produced a number of significant results. The positions of the auroral zones have been defined with the aid of support imaging to the extent that the aurora is now known to correspond to the location of the planetary magnetic field lines intersecting the Io plasma torus. The observations do not preclude the possibility of a simultaneous magnetotail aurora, but if present it must not be a dominant component. Emission in molecular hydrogen has been detected from the equatorial regions of Jupiter, which indicates planetwide electron precipitation. Hydrogen Lyman alpha from the dark side of the planet has been measured at an intensity of about 1 kilorayleigh. Occultation of Alpha Leonis by Jupiter has been observed, and the data are being analyzed in detail.

Sandel, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Extreme ultraviolet observations from Voyager 1 encounter with Jupiter

Observations of the optical extreme ultraviolet spectrum of the Jupiter planetary system during the Voyager 1 encounter have revealed previously undetected physical processes of significant proportions. Bright emission lines of S(+2), S(+3), O(+2) indicating an electron temperature of 100,000 K have been identified in preliminary analyses of the Io plasma torus spectrum. Strong auroral atomic and molecular hydrogen emissions have been observed in the polar regions of Jupiter near magnetic field lines that map the torus into the atmosphere of Jupiter. The observed resonance scattering of solar hydrogen Lyman alpha by the atmosphere of Jupiter and the solar occultation experiment suggest a hot thermosphere (greater than or equal to 1000 K) with a large atomic hydrogen abundance. A stellar occultation by Ganymede indicates that its atmosphere is at most an exosphere.

Broadfoot, A. L.↗