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Neubauer, F. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Neubauer, F. M..

At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Titan's magnetospheric interaction

Voyager 1 encounter data are used to theoretically examine the interaction of Titan with the solar wind, the Saturn magnetosheath and the Saturn magnetosphere. The spacecraft data comprised magnetometer, plasma wave, radio signal and charged particle measurements. Attention is given to the Alfven (1.9) and Mach (0.57) numbers detected in the Saturn magnetosheath, along with a fast hydrodynamic Mach number of 0.55. Incident plasma interacted with the Titan atmosphere and produced a magnetosphere through mass capture and field-line draping. The tail region was loaded with N(+) and N2(+)/H2CN(+) ions instead of the strong H(+) signals typical of other regions. The magnetotail featured four lobes, and the Titan atmosphere was calculated to lose 10 to the 24th ions/sec. Finally, the Titan internal rotationally aligned magnetic field has an estimated strength of 7 x 10 to the 20th gauss/cu cm.

Neubauer, F. M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Observations of hydromagnetic turbulence in the solar wind

MHD turbulence is studied by analyzing magnetic field and plasma observations from Helios-1 and -2 at minimum solar activity. The steady conditions in the plasma flows and the magnetic field sector structure in 1975/1976 facilitate an investigation of the radial evolution of the turbulence from 0.29 to 1AU. In high speed streams the fluctuations in the solar wind velocity v and the magnetic field b are highly correlated (the correction coefficient almost being one), which indicates that the turbulence is mainly Alfvenic in high speed plasma. While some general fluctuation properties remain essentially unchanged from 0.29 to 1AU, power spectral analysis reveals a different frequency composition of the Alfvenic turbulence at different heliocentric distances. At 0.3AU much more 'high' frequency fluctuations contribute to the total power in the magnetic field and velocity fluctuations than at 1AU. The contributions of field magnitude fluctuations are found to be distance and frequency dependent. Magnetic field spectra with an extended frequency range up to 470Hz show certain frequency bands, where the steepness of the spectra is independent of the helicocentric distance.

Denskat, K. U.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The Giotto magnetic field investigation

The Giotto spacecraft will carry sensors for investigating the interplanetary magnetic field while en route and the interaction between the solar wind magnetoplasma and Halley's Comet neutral gas outflow during close approach. Giotto will carry an outboard biaxial fluxgate system and inboard electronics. The instrumentation draws 1.2 kW and weighs 1.31 kg. Sampling rates will be 28/sec during close encounter, covering selectable ranges from 16 nT to 65,535 nT. In-flight calibration techniques are under development to ensure magnetic cleanliness will be obtained. Measurements are also planned of the inbound bow shock, the magnetosheath and the cometary ionopause. The data will be collected as close as 1000 km from the comet surface.

Neubauer, F. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The induced magnetosphere of Titan

No evidence was found for an intrinsic magnetic field, nor for the development of a bow shock wave, as the corotating Saturnian magnetoplasma convected past Titan during the Voyager 1 close encounter of November 12, 1980. The observation of a well-developed, induced bipolar magnetic tail is evidence, however, of a strong electrodynamic interaction. Three thin, current-carrying regions were crossed which correspond to the inbound and outbound tail magnetopause and an imbedded tail neutral sheet. The interaction is unique among those observed to date in the solar system, in that it is intermediate with respect to sonic and Alfvenic Mach numbers by comparison with Titan in the solar wind and Io in the Jovian magnetosphere. The draping of the Saturnian magnetic field around the ionosphere of Titan is suggested by results of the analysis of magnetic field data.

Ness, N. F.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Magnetic field studies by Voyager 2 - Preliminary results at Saturn

Results of Voyager 2 studies of the magnetosphere and planetary magnetic field of Saturn are presented. Magnetometer studies have confirmed the results obtained by Voyager 1, indicating the magnetic field to be that of a centered dipole of moment 0.21 gauss Saturn radii-cubed, tilted approximately 0.8 deg from the rotation axis and a maximum measured field intensity of 1187 nT at latitude 17.3 deg N just before periapsis. Voyager 2 observed multiple bow shock and magnetopause crossings during its inbound and outbound trajectories, which were complementary to those of Voyager 1, including magnetopause crossing at 18.5 Saturn radii on the inbound trajectory, and at 48.4-50.9 Saturn radii outbound indicative of magnetospheric expansion due to changing solar wind conditions. Throughout the outbound passage, the magnetospheric field was observed to be relatively steady and smooth, with no evidence for any azimuthal asymmetry or magnetic anomaly. Results thus are incapable of accounting for the observed periodic modulation of the Saturnian kilometric radio emissions.

Ness, N. F.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Solar wind helium ions - Observations of the Helios solar probes between 0.3 and 1 AU

A Helios solar probe survey of solar wind helium ion velocity distributions and derived parameters between 0.3 and 1 AU is presented. Distributions in high-speed wind are found to generally have small total anisotropies, with some indication that, in the core part, the temperatures are greater parallel rather than perpendicular to the magnetic field. The anisotropy tends to increase with heliocentric radial distance, and the average dependence of helium ion temperatures on radial distance from the sun is described by a power law. Differential ion speeds with values of more than 150 km/sec are observed near perihelion, or 0.3 AU. The role of Coulomb collisions in limiting differential ion speeds and the ion temperature ratio is investigated, and it is found that collisions play a distinct role in low-speed wind, by limiting both differential ion velocity and temperature.

Marsch, E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Solar wind protons - Three-dimensional velocity distributions and derived plasma parameters measured between 0.3 and 1 AU

Such nonthermal features as temperature anisotropies, heat fluxes, and proton double streams have been observed by a Helios solar probe survey of solar wind three-dimensional proton velocity distributions between 0.3 and 1 AU. It is found that a strong anisotropy in the core of proton distributions, with a temperature that is larger perpendicular rather than parallel to the magnetic field, is a persistent feature of high-speed streams, becoming most pronounced in the perihelion, or about 0.3 AU. Isotropic distributions have been detected only close to, and at, magnetic sector boundaries, and the flattest radial temperature profiles are found in high-speed streams. These observations indicate that local heating or proton heat conduction occurs in the solar wind.

Marsch, E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Large-scale variations of the interplanetary magnetic field: Voyager 1 and 2 observations between 1-5 AU

Observations by the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft of the interplanetary magnetic field between 1 and 5 AU were used to investigate the large scale structure of the IMF in a period of increasing solar activity. The Voyager spacecraft found notable deviations from the Parker axial model. These deviations are attributed both to temporal variations associated with increasing solar activity, and to the effects of fluctuations of the field in the radial direction. The amplitude of the latter fluctuations were found to be large relative to the magnitude of the radial field component itself beyond approximately 3 AU. Both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 observed decreases with increasing heliocentric distance in the amplitude of transverse fluctuations in the averaged field strength (B) which are consistent with the presence of predominantly undamped Alfven waves in the solar wind, although and necessarily implying the presence of them. Fluctuations in the strength of B (relative to mean field strength) were found to be small in amplitude, with a RMS which is approximately one third of that for the transverse fluctuations and they are essentially independent of distance from the Sun.

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Standing Alfven wave current system at Io - Voyager 1 observations

The enigmatic control of the occurrence frequency of Jupiter's decametric emissions by the satellite Io has been explained theoretically on the basis of its strong electrodynamic interaction with the corotating Jovian magnetosphere leading to field-aligned currents connecting Io with the Jovian ionosphere. Direct measurements of the perturbation magnetic fields due to this current system were obtained by the Goddard Space Flight Center magnetic field experiment on Voyager 1 on March 5, 1979, when it passed within 20,500 km south of Io. An interpretation in the framework of Alfven waves radiated by Io leads to current estimates of 2.8 x 10 to the 6th A. A mass density of 7400-13,600 proton mass units/cu cm is derived, which compares very favorably with independent observations of the torus composition characterized by 7-9 proton mass units per electron for a local electron density of 1050-1500/cu cm. The power dissipated in the current system may be important for heating the Io heavy ion torus, inner magnetosphere, Jovian ionosphere, and possibly the ionosphere or even the interior of Io.

Acuna, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Fine-scale characteristics of interplanetary sector boundaries

The study examines the structure of the interplanetary sector boundaries observed by Helios 1 within sector transition regions during the time interval from December 1974 to April 1975. The transition regions are found to be complex in character, consisting of intermediate average field orientations in some cases as well as a number of large-angle directional discontinuities (DDs). It is suggested that the observed DDs represent multiple traversals of the global heliospheric current sheet caused by local fluctuations in the position of the sheet. There is evidence that such fluctuations are sometimes produced by wavelike motions or surface corrugations of scale length 0.05-0.1 AU, superimposed on the large-scale structure.

Behannon, K. W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Magnetic field studies by Voyager 1 - Preliminary results at Saturn

Confirmation and refinement of Saturnian magnetosphere features established by the Pioneer 11 emission are claimed for Voyager 1 magnetic field studies of the planet. The radius of the magnetopause at the subsolar point is 23 Saturn radii, and a magnetic tail of 80 Saturn radii diameter was discovered. The tail extends away from the sun and is similar to both type II comet tails and the terrestrial and Jovian magnetic tails. Data from Voyager's very close flyby of Titan, which is located within the Saturn magnetosphere, shows an absence of any substantial, intrinsic satellite magnetic field.

Ness, N. F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Standing Alfven wave current system at Io: Voyager 1 observations

The enigmatic control of the occurrence frequency of Jupiter's decametric emissions by the satellite Io is explained theoretically on the basis of its strong electrodynamic interaction with the corotating Jovian magnetosphere leading to field aligned currents connecting Io with the Jovian ionosphere. Direct measurements of the perturbation magnetic fields due to this current system were obtained by the magnetic field experiment on Voyager 1 on 5 March 1979 when it passed within 20,500 km south of Io. An interpretation in the framework of Alfven waves radiated by Io leads to current estimates of 2.8 million amps. A mass density of 7400 to 13600 proton mass units per Cu cm is derived which compares very favorably with independent observations of the torus composition characterized by 7-9 proton mass units per electron for a local electron density of 1050 to 1500 per cu cm. The power dissipated in the current system may be important for heating the Io heavy ion torus, inner magnetosphere, Jovian ionosphere, and possibly the ionosphere or even the interior of Io.

Acuna, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Fine-scale characteristics of interplanetary sector

The structure of the interplanetary sector boundaries observed by Helios 1 within sector transition regions was studied. Such regions consist of intermediate (nonspiral) average field orientations in some cases, as well as a number of large angle directional discontinuities (DD's) on the fine scale (time scales 1 hour). Such DD's are found to be more similar to tangential than rotational discontinuities, to be oriented on average more nearly perpendicular than parallel to the ecliptic plane to be accompanied usually by a large dip ( 80%) in B and, with a most probable thickness of 3 x 10 to the 4th power km, significantly thicker previously studied. It is hypothesized that the observed structures represent multiple traversals of the global heliospheric current sheet due to local fluctuations in the position of the sheet. There is evidence that such fluctuations are sometimes produced by wavelike motions or surface corrugations of scale length 0.05 - 0.1 AU superimposed on the large scale structure.

Behannon, K. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Magnetic field studies at Jupiter by Voyager 2 - Preliminary results

The Voyager 2 magnetic field experiment, for which the instrumentation is identical to that on Voyager 1, operated flawlessly throughout the second Jupiter encounter. The paper presents a brief overview of the results obtained to date on the Jovian magnetosphere, the bow shock, the magnetopause, and the extended magnetic tail. The results and the magnetic field geometry confirm the earlier conclusion from Voyager 1 that Jupiter has an enormous magnetic tail, approximately 300-400 Jupiter radii in diameter, trailing behind the planet with respect to the supersonic flow of the solar wind. Additional observations of the distortion of the inner magnetosphere by a concentrated plasma show a spatial merging of the equatorial magnetodisk current with the current sheet in the magnetic tail. Disturbances near Ganymede are discussed.

Ness, N. F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Jupiter's magnetic tail

Voyager 1 observations of the Jovian magnetosphere are discussed which are most naturally interpreted in terms of a well-developed magnetic tail on the nightside of the planet. It is shown that this tail, with a 'neutral sheet' separating the upper and lower lobes of opposite field polarity, is formed and controlled by external forces associated with the solar wind. The inner magnetosphere's current tail is found to merge with the magnetotail's neutral sheet. It is concluded that this configuration leads to a strong local-time control of the outer Jovian magnetosphere rather than planetary control.

Ness, N. F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Magnetic field studies at Jupiter by Voyager 2: Preliminary results

The Voyager 2 magnetic field experiment is described and compared to the Voyager 1 experiment and data. The magnetosphere, the bow shock, the magnetopause, and the extended magnetic tail of Jupiter are discussed. Two crossings of the near equatorial current sheet were observed in the magnetosphere and its tail every 10 hour rotation period of the planet. A definitive mapping of the geometry and character of these enhanced plasma and depressed magnetic field regions is discussed. The interaction of the satellite Ganymede with the Jovian magnetosphere, which leads to disturbances as the Jovian magnetosphere corotates with the planet past the satellite is analyzed.

Ness, N. F.↗