Engineering topics

Luehr, H.

Publications and source records attributed to Luehr, H..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS2016

Magnetopause Erosion During the 17 March 2015 Magnetic Storm: Combined Field-Aligned Currents, Auroral Oval, and Magnetopause Observations

We present multimission observations of field-aligned currents, auroral oval, and magnetopause crossings during the 17 March 2015 magnetic storm. Dayside reconnection is expected to transport magnetic flux, strengthen field-aligned currents, lead to polar cap expansion and magnetopause erosion. Our multimission observations assemble evidence for all these manifestations. After a prolonged period of strongly southward interplanetary magnetic field, Swarm and AMPERE observe significant intensification of field-aligned currents .The dayside auroral oval, as seen by DMSP, appears as a thin arc associated with ongoing dayside reconnection. Both the field-aligned currents and the auroral arc move equatorward reaching as low as approx. 60 deg. magnetic latitude. Strong magnetopause erosion is evident in the in situ measurements of the magnetopause crossings by GOES 13/15 and MMS. The coordinated Swarm, AMPERE, DMSP, MMS and GOES observations, with both global and in situ coverage of the key regions, provide a clear demonstration of the effects of dayside reconnection on the entire magnetosphere.

Le, G.↗

NASA NTRS1995

The response of ionospheric convection in the polar cap to substorm activity

We report multi-instrument observations during an isolated substorm on 17 October 1989. The European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) radar operated in the SP-UK-POLI mode measuring ionospheric convection at latitudes 71 deg Lambda - 78 deg Lambda. Sub-Auroral Magnetometer Network (SAMNET) and the EISCAT Magnetometer Cross provide information on the timing of substorm expansion phase onset and subsequent intensifications, as well as the location of the field aligned and ionospheric currents associated with the substorm current wedge. Interplanetary Monitoring Platform-8 (IMP-8) magnetic field data are also included. Evidence of a substorm growth phase is provided by the equatorward motion of a flow reversal boundary across the EISCAT radar field of view at 2130 MLT, following a southward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). We infer that the polar cap expanded as a result of the addition of open magnetic flux in the tail lobes during this interval. The flow reversal boundary, which is a lower limit to the polar cap boundary, reached an invariant latitude equatorward of 71 deg Lambda by the time of the expansion phase onset. We conclude that the substorm onset region in the ionosphere, defined by the westward electrojet, mapped to a part of the tail radially earthward of the boundary between open and closed magnetic flux, the distant neutral line. Thus the substorm was not initiated at the distant neutral line, although there is evidence that it remained active during the expansion phase.

Lester, M.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Statistical analysis of diffuse ion events upstream of the Earth's bow shock

A statistical study of diffuse energetic ion events and their related waves upstream of the Earth's bow shock was performed using data from the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers/Ion Release Module (AMPTE/IRM) satellite over two 5-month periods in 1984 and 1985. The data set was used to test the assumption in the self-consistent model of the upstream wave and particle populations by Lee (1982) that the particle acceleration through hydromagnetic waves and the wave generation are directly coupled. The comparison between the observed wave power and the wave power predicted on the observed energetic particle energy density and solar wind parameters results in a high correlation coefficient of about 0.89. The intensity of diffuse ions falls off approximately exponentially with the distance upstream from the bow shock parallel to the magnetic field with e-folding distances which vary from approximately 3.3 R(sub E) to approximately 11.7 R(sub E) over the energy range from 10 keV/e to 67.3 keV/e for both protons and alpha particles. After normalizing the upstream particle densities to zero bow shock distance by using these exponential variations, a good correlation (0.7) of the density of the diffuse ions with the solar wind density was found. This supports the suggestion that the solar wind is the source of the diffuse ions. Furthermore, the spectral slope of the diffuse ions correlates well with the solar wind velocity component in the direction of the interplanetary magnetic field (0.68 and 0.66 for protons and alpha particles) which concurs with the notion that the solar wind plays an important role in the acceleration of the upstream particles.

Trattner, K. J.↗

NASA NTRS1994

A search for upstream pressure pulses associated with flux transfer events: An AMPTE/ISEE case study

On September 19, 1984, the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracers Explorers (AMPTE) United Kingdom Satellite (UKS) and Ion Release Module (IRM) and International Sun Earth Explorers (ISEE) 1 and 2 spacecraft passed outbound through the dayside magnetopause at about the same time. The AMPTE spacecraft pair crossed first and were in the near-subsolar magnetosheath for more than an hour. Meanwhile the ISEE pair, about 5 R(sub E) to the south, observed flux transfer event (FTE) signatures. We use the AMPTE UKS and IRM plasma and field observations of magnetosheath conditions directly upstream of the subsolar magnetopause to check whether pressure pulses are responsible for the FTE signatures seen at ISEE. Pulses in both the ion thermal pressure and the dynamic pressure are observed in the magnetosheath early on when IRM and UKS are close to the magnetopause, but not later. These large pulses appear to be related to reconnection going on at the magnetopause nearby. AMPTE magnetosheath data far from the magnetopause do not show a pressure pulse correlation with FTEs at ISEE. Moreover, the magnetic pressure and tension effects seen in the ISEE FTEs are much larger than any pressure effects seen in the magnetosheath. A superposed epoch analysis based on small-amplitude peaks in the AMPTE magnetosheath total static pressure (nkT + B(exp 2)/2 mu(sub 0)) hint at some boundary effects, less than 5 nT peak-to-peak variations in the ISEE 1 and 2 B(sub N) signature starting about 1 min after the pressure peak epoch. However, these variations are much smaller than the standard deviations of the B(sub N) field component. Thus the evidence from this case study suggests that upstream magnetosheath pressure pulses do not give rise to FTEs, but may produce very small amplitude signatures in the magnetic field at the magnetopause.

Elphic, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Nonthermal ions and associated magnetic field behavior at a quasi-parallel earth's bow shock

Attention is given to ion and magnetic field measurements at the earth's bow shock from the AMPTE-UKS and -IRM spacecraft, which were examined in high time resolution during a 45-min interval when the field remained closely aligned with the model bow shock normal. Dense ion beams were detected almost exclusively in the midst of short-duration periods of turbulent magnetic field wave activity. Many examples of propagation at large elevation angles relative to the ecliptic plane, which is inconsistent with reflection in the standard model shock configuration, were discovered. The associated waves are elliptically polarized and are preferentially left-handed in the observer's frame of reference, but are less confined to the maximum variance plane than other previously studied foreshock waves. The association of the wave activity with the ion beams suggests that the former may be triggered by an ion-driven instability, and possible candidates are discussed.

Wilkinson, W. P.↗

NASA NTRS1993

The Cluster magnetic field investigation: Scientific objectives and instrumentation

The Cluster magnetic field investigation is presented. Cluster represents a qualitatively new type of space mission which will provide, for the first time, a three dimensional view of small scale plasma processes and structures in the different regions in and around the Earth's magnetosphere. Concepts of data analysis needed to interpret the four spacecraft magnetic field data in terms of magnetospheric processes and structures are outlined. The instrument itself, a vital component of the scientific payload, follows a long tradition of fluxgate magnetometers on space missions, yet represents an evolution in terms of built in functions and reliability. A detailed description of the instrument is given with emphasis on those aspects that are unique to the mission.

Balogh, A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Remote sensing of two-dimensional magnetopause structures

The study presents a technique for analyzing remote measurements made by a single spacecraft of 2D disturbances in the ambient magnetosheath or magnetospheric magnetic field caused, for example, by flux transfer events or pressure pulses. The methodology is based on a recent linear theory for isentropic field-aligned MHD flow over gently sloping 2D obstacles. The technique uses only magnetic field measurements and can provide information about the orientation and actual cross-sectional shape of the event, as well as information about the spacecraft trajectory relative to the bulge. Analysis of two sample events, one recorded by the AMPTE/IRM spacecraft in the magnetosheath and the other by AMPTE/CCE in the magnetosphere, indicates that the bulges on the magnetopause surface causing the magnetic field and flow perturbations for these events did not have the semicircular cross section suggested in previous work; instead they had a more elongated shape, the dimension tangential to the magnetopause being substantially larger than that normal to it.

Walthour, D. W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The MHD structure of the plasmasheet boundary. I - Tangential momentum balance and consistency with slow mode shocks

The MHD structure of the plasmasheet boundary in the near tail is investigated on the basis of data from the AMPTE/IRM spacecraft. The relationship between the change in the tangential velocity predicted by the Rankine-Hugoniot relations for a discontinuity with a normal magnetic field and the measured change in the tangential velocity for about 80 crossings is presented. The measured change is almost always much less than the predicted value. It is suggested that either there is not usually a normal component of the magnetic field across the boundary (combined with previous work on pressure balance, this implies that the boundary is a tangential discontinuity), or the boundary is not usually well-modeled as a planar, time-stationary MHD discontinuity. It is proposed that the magnetic connection to the earth inhibits the formation of slow mode shocks.

Cattell, C. A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Magnetic field maxima in the low latitude boundary layer

The magnetic field often exhibits a maximum in the earth's low-latitude boundary layer. Examples of this behavior are shown using data from the AMPTE/IRM spacecraft, and it is argued that two fundamentally distinct causes exist for the excess field: (1) a depression, within the layer, of the population of medium-energy ions of magnetospheric origin and (2) field curvature effects associated with undulations of the magnetopause itself.

Sonnerup, B.↗

NASA NTRS1992

On the standing wave mode of giant pulsations

In order to determine the standing wave mode of giant pulsations, a systematic survey of magnetic field data from the AMPTE CCE spacecraft and from ground stations located near the geomagnetic foot point of CCE was made. One giant pulsation was associated with a compressional wave, while no giant pulsation was observed in association with transverse wave events. The CCE magnetic field record for the giant pulsation exhibited a remarkable similarity to a giant pulsation observed from the ATS 6 geostationary satellite near the magnetic equator. It is concluded that the compressional nature of the giant pulsation is due to an odd-mode standing wave structure, which places a strong constraint on the generation mechanism of giant pulsations.

Takahashi, K.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Bursty bulk flows in the inner central plasma sheet

High-speed flows in the inner central plasma sheet (first reported by Baumjohann et al. (1990) are studied, together with the concurrent behavior of the plasma and magnetic field, by using AMPTE/IRM data from about 9 to 19 R(E) in the earth magnetotail. The conclusions drawn from the detailed analysis of a representative event are reinforced by a superposed epoch analysis applied on two years of data. The high-speed flows organize themselves in 10-min time scale flow enhancements called here bursty-bulk flow (BBF) events. Both temporal and spatial effects are responsible for their bursty nature. The flow velocity exhibits peaks of very large amplitude with a characteristic time scale of the order of a minute, which are usually associated with magnetic field dipolarizations and ion temeperature increases. The BBFs represent intervals of enhanced earthward convection and energy transport per unit area in the y-z GSM direction of the order of 5 x 10 exp 19 ergs/R(E-squared).

Angelopoulos, V.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Propagation of perturbation energy fluxes in the subsolar magnetosheath - AMPTE IRM observations

The propagation properties of perturbation energy fluxes of subsolar magnetosheath fluctuations were studied. The Poynting flux, kinetic energy flux, and enthalpy flux are calculated using magnetic field and plasma measurements from the AMPTE IRM satellite during five intervals in 1984. The results are then compared with a disturbance indicator R of the magnetic field in the same magnetosheath region. It is shown that during disturbed periods with large transverse variations (low R level), the perturbation Poynting flux and the kinetic energy flux increase, and a significant portion of the fluxes consistently propagates toward the magnetopause. The Poynting flux of those fluctuations which consist of mainly compressional perturbations does not appear to propagate in any certain direction. The enthalpy flux of the perturbations does not propagate in any certain direction in any of the cases. The kinetic energy flux appears to be more important in exciting harmonic ULF waves in the dayside magnetosphere.

Lin, N.↗

NASA NTRS1991

A comparison of ULF fluctuations in the solar wind, magnetosheath, and dayside magnetosphere. I - Magnetosheath morphology. II - Field and plasma conditions in the magnetosheath

Simultaneous data from ISEE 1 and 2 in the upstream solar wind, from AMPTE IRM in the subsolar magnetosheath, and from AMPTE CCE in the dayside magnetosphere are used to investigate the properties of the magnetosheath responsible for the transmission into the magnetosphere the ULF waves generated in the solar wind upstream of a quasi-parallel bow shock. The data are used to characterize the magnetosheath both during the periods when azimuthally polarized resonant harmonic ULF magnetic pulsations were observed in the dayside outer maagnetosphere, and when they were not. In addition, a detailed analysis is carried out of magnetic field and plasma conditions in the subsolar magnetosheath during these and other periods.

Engebretson, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Observational features of field line resonances excited by solar wind pressure variations on 4 September 1984

The purpose of the study is to establish the most probable excitation mechanism of the magnetic storm occurred after an inverse sudden impulse on September 4, 1984. Geomagnetic pulsations in the Pc5-frequency range observed at magnetometer stations are evaluated. Attention is focused on two events of the enhanced activity: for the first one, conjugate observations on the ground are assessed and then compared with satellite-based observations on adjacent field lines; for the second event two hours later, data from an extended azimuthal range is employed. It is pointed out that the observations are consistent with the theory of filed-line resonance, and may be interpreted as excitations caused by pressure variations in the solar wind. Both magnetopause-surface waves and cavity resonances are excited; the cavity mode drives toroidal field-line oscillations at locations where its frequency matches the resonance frequency of the field lines.

Warnecke, J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Multipoint observations of a small substorm

Results are presented of multipoint observations of a small substorm which occurred at about 0110 UT on April 25, 1985, carried out by AMPTE CCE, AMPTE IRM, DMSP F6, and DMSP F7, as well as by ground auroral stations and midlatitude stations. These data yield information on the latitudinal extent of the polar cap and provide visual identification of substorm aurorae, magnetic perturbations produced directly beneath aurorae, and the situ magnetic field. In addition, they provide magnetic-particle observations of the disruption of the cross-tail current sheet and observations concerning the spatial expansion of the current disruption region. Evidence is presented that the current sheet disruption observed by CCE in the neutral sheet was located on field lines which mapped to the westward traveling surge observed directly overhead of the ground station at Syowa.

Lopez, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Upstream pressure variations associated with the bow shock and their effects on the magnetosphere

The AMPTE IRM solar wind data are analyzed to determine the relationship between upstream pressure fluctuations and magnetospheric perturbations. It is argued that the upstream pressure variations are not inherent in the solar wind but rather are associated with the bow shock. This conclusion follows from the fact that the upstream field strength and density associated with perturbations are highly correlated with each other, while they tend to be anticorrelated in the undisturbed solar wind, and that the upstream perturbations occur within the foreshock or at its boundary. The results imply a mode of interaction between the solar wind upstream and the magnetosphere whereby density changes produced in the foreshock subsequently convect through the bow shock and impinge on the magnetosphere. Upstream pressure perturbations should create significant effects on the magnetopause and at the foot of nearby field lines that lead to the polar cusp ionosphere.

Fairfield, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Multisatellite and ground-based observations of transient ULF waves

Transient ULF pulsations associated with variations in solar wind plasma density observed by the IMP 8 satellite are presently studied in light of observations obtained during a fortuitous alignment of the AMPTE and Viking satellites with respect to the EISCAT Magnetometer Cross. It is found that the isolated 10-min oscillation in solar wind plasma density produced magnetic field compression oscillations within the magnetosphere at the same frequency, thereby enhancing resonant oscillations at approximately twice the frequency which were already present. Support is seen for the periodic solar wind density variation's exciting of a tailward-traveling large-scale magnetosphere wave train which excites local field line resonant oscillations.

Potemra, T. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The diamagnetic effect during AMPTE's tail releases - Initial results

A series of four plasma injection experiments were performed by the AMPTE-IRM spacecraft in the nighttime magnetosphere between 12 and 18 earth radii geocentric distance during spring 1985. The most prominent effect of these tail releases is the creation of magnetic cavities. The lifetime of the cavities ranged from a few seconds to some minutes, depending mainly on the ion species and secondly on the ambient field strength. Due to the subsonic and sub-Alfvenic environment, the interaction between the plasma cloud and the ambient plasma flow played only a minor role in these cases (in contrast to the releases in the solar wind), and thus the diamagnetic effect could be studied extensively. The perturbation of the exterior field and fine structures in the current-carrying shell were observed. The thickness of the shell and the current distribution in this layer were deduced from the magnetic recordings each time IRM entered the cavity.

Luehr, H.↗