Engineering topics

Stone, E. C.

Publications and source records attributed to Stone, E. C..

At least 109 records · Page 6

NASA NTRS1985

Elemental abundances of cosmic rays with Z 33 as measured on HEAO-3

The Heavy Nuclei Experiment on (HEAO-3) high energy astronomy observatory 3 uses a combination of ion chambers and a Cerenkov counter. During analysis, each particle is assigned two parameters, Z sub c and Z sub i, proportional to the square roots of the Cerenkov and mean ionization signals respectively. Because the ionization signal is double valued, a unique assignment of particle charge, Z, is not possible in general. Previous work was limited to particles of either high rigidity or low energy, for which a unique charge assignment was possible, although those subsets contain less than 50% of the total number of particles observed. The maximum likelihood technique was used to determine abundances for the complete data set from approx. 1.5 to approx. 80 GeV/amu.

Newport, B. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Abundances of secondary elements among the ultra heavy cosmic rays: Results from HEAO-3

Observations of the abundances of elements of charge 62 or Z or = 73 in the cosmic radiation from the HEAO-3 Heavy Nuclei Experiment (HNE) are discussed. These elements, having solar, and presumably source, abundances much less than the heavier Pt and Pb groups, are expected to be largely products of spallation. Thus they are indicators of the conditions prevailing during the propagation of cosmic rays. The abundances have changed from those reported previously due to a different data selection. This results in better charge resolution and in a higher mean energy for the particles. All the particles included were required to have had a cutoff rigidity R sub c 5 GV. This allowed the charge determination to be based solely on the Cherenkov measurement.

Klarmann, J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The Energy Spectrum of Jovian Electrons in Interplanetary Space

The energy spectrum of electrons with energies approx 10 to approx 180 MeV measured with the electron telescope on the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft in interplanetary space from 1978 to 1983 is studied. The kinetic energy of electrons is determined by double dE/dx measurements from the first two detectors (D sub 1, D sub 2) of a stack of eight solid state detectors and by the range of particle penetration into the remaining six detectors (D sub 3 to D sub 8) which are interleaved with tungsten absorbers. From 1978 to 1983 (radial range approximately 2 to a pproximately 12 AU) electrons of Jovian origin were clearly observable for electrons stopping in D(sub 3(E approximately greater than 4 MeV)) and in D(sub 4 (E approximately greater than 8 MeV)). For electrons stopping in D(sub 5(E approximately greather than 12 MeV)), the jovian flux dominated the galactic electron flux for a period of approximately one year near the encounter with Jupiter. Jovian electrons were also observed in D(sub 6(E approximately greater than 21 MeV)) but not in D(sub 7(E approximately greater than 28 MeV)). A detailed interpretation of the electron variations in all energy channels depends on an accurate subtraction of background induced by energetic protons of a few 100 MeV. This substraction is facilitated by laboratory calibration results at several energies. Further results on the differential energy spectrum of Jovian electrons and limits on the maximum detected energies will be reported.

Christon, S. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Precision Measurements of Solar Energetic Particle Elemental Composition

Data from the Cosmic Ray Subsystem (CRS) aboard the Voyager 1 and 2 spaceraft were used to determined, solar energetic particle abundances or upper limits for all elements with Z 30 from a combined set of 10 solar flares during the 1977 to 1982 time period. Statistically meaningful abundances were determined for several rare elements including P, C1, K, Ti and Mn, while the precision of the mean abundances for the more abundant elements was proved. When compared to solar photospheric spectroscopic abundances, these new SEP abundances more clearly exhibit the step-function dependence on first ionization potential previously reported.

Breneman, H.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Solar Coronal and photospheric abundances from solar energetic particle measurements

Solar energetic particle (SEP) elemental abundance data from the cosmic ray subsystem (CRS) aboard the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft are used to derive unfractionated coronal and photospheric abundances for elements with 3 Z or = 30. It is found that the ionic charge-to-mass ratio (Q/M) is the principal organizing parameter for the fractionation of SEPs by acceleration and propagation processes and for flare-to-flare variability, making possible a single-parameter Q/M-dependent correction to the average SEP abundances to obtain unfractionated coronal abundances. A further correction based on first ionization potential allows the determination of unfractionated photospheric abundances.

Breneman, H.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Latitude variation of recurrent fluxes in the outer solar system

Recurrent low energy (greater than or = to 0.5 MeV) proton flux enhancements, reliable indicators of corotating plasma interaction regions, were observed on the Voyager 1 and 2 and Pioneer 11 spacecraft in the heliographic latitude range 2 deg S to 23 N and the heliocentric radial range 11 to 20 AU. After a period of rather high correlation between fluxes at different latitudes in early 1983, distinct differences developed in the fluxes during an overall flux decrease. The flux intensities returned to higher levels in early 1984 and differences in both the recurrence frequency and flux intensity persisted into 1985, as Voyager 1 traveled to 23 AU and 25 N latitude. Intercomparison of data from the three spacecraft indicates that the flux differences are most likely due to latitudinal rather than radial or temporal variations.

Christon, S. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Differential measurement of cosmic-ray gradient with respect to interplanetary current sheet

Simultaneous magnetic field and charged particle measurements from the Voyager spacecraft at heliographic latitude separations from 10 deg. to 21 deg. are used to determine the latitude gradient of the galactic cosmic ray flux with respect to the interplanetary current sheet. By comparing the ratio of cosmic ray flux at Voyager 1 to that a Voyager 2 during periods when both spacecraft are first nort and then south of the interplanetary current sheet, we find an estimate of the latitudinal gradient with respect to the current sheet of approximately -0.15 + or 0.05% deg under restricted interplanetary conditions.

Christon, S. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Implications of source abundances of ultraheavy cosmic rays

The ratio of cosmic ray source abundance to solar-system abundance was examined for individual elements. Correlations of these ratios with first-ionization potential (FIP) and the expected mass-to-charge ratio (A/Q) of the elements in a million-degree plasma are analyzed. The FIP correlation was examined and it is shown that the correlation is affected by the choice of C2 or C1 chondritic meteorites as the solar-system standard for comparison. An A/Q correlation is suggested as a consequence of the shock acceleration model in the hot interstellar medium. The correlations are presented.

Binns, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Measurements of Fe and Ar fragmentation cross sections

Measurements are reported of the yields of individual isotopes of Cr to Co(Z = 24 to 27) resulting from the fragmentation of Fe-56, and the isotopes of Mg to K(Z = 12 to 19) resulting from the fragmentation of Ar-40. Recent advances in the resolution and collecting power of cosmic ray instrumentation, have led to dramatic improvements in the precision of cosmic ray composition measurements, both elemental and isotopic. The interpretation of these measurements is presently limited by uncertainties in the fragmentation cross-sections needed to correct for nuclear interactions with the interstellar gas. Cosmic ray propagation codes now rely mainly on semi-empirical cross-section formulae developed by Silberberg and Tsao (S&T), which have a typical uncertainty of approximately 25%. Relative isotope yields from the fragmentation of approximately 380 MeV/nucleon Fe-56 e and approximately 210 MeV/nucleon Ar-40 r in CH2 targets, observed during the calibration of two cosmic ray spectrometers at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Bevalac are reported. These are compared with calculated yeilds based on the S&T cross-section formulae.

Lau, K. H.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Interactions of heavy nuclei, Kr, Xe and Ho, in light targets

Over the past few years, the HEAO-3 measurements of the abundances of ultra-heavy cosmic ray nuclei (Z 26) at earth have been analyzed. In order to interpret these abundances in terms of a source composition, allowance must be made for the propagation of the nuclei in the interstellar medium. Vital to any calculation of the propagation is a knowlege of the total and partial interaction cross sections for these heavy nuclei on hydrogen. Until recently, data on such reactions have been scarce. However, now that relativistic heavy ion beams are available at the LBL Bevalac, some of the cross sections of interest can be measured at energies close to those of the cosmic ray nuclei being observed. During a recent calibration at the Bevalac of an array similar to the HEAO-C3 UH-nuclei detector, targets of raphite (C), polyethylene (CH2), and aluminum were exposed to five heavy ion beams ranging in charge (Z) from 36 to 92. Total and partial charge changing cross sections for the various beam nuclei on hydrogen can be determined from the measured cross sections on C and CH2, and will be applied to the propagation problem. The cross sections on Al can be used to correct the abundances of UH cosmic rays observed in the HEAO C-3 detector for interactions in the detector itself.

Kertzman, M. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The response of ionization chambers to relativistic heavy nuclei

The LBL Bevalac for the Heavy Nuclei Experiment on HEAO-3, compared the response of a set of laboratory ionization chambers to beams of 26Fe, 36Kr, 54Xe, 67 Ho, and 79Au nuclei at maximum energies ranging from 1666 MeV/amu for Fe to 1049 MeV/amu for Au. The response of these chambers shows a significant deviation from the expected energy dependence, but only a slight deviation from Z sq scaling.

Newport, B. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A balloon-borne imaging gamma-ray telescope

A balloon-borne coded-aperture gamma-ray telescope for galactic and extragalactic astronomy observations is described. The instrument, called Gamma Ray Imaging Payload (GRIP), is designed for measurements in the energy range from 30 keV to 5 MeV with an angular resolution of 0.6 deg over a 20 deg field of view. Distinguishing characteristics of the telescope are a rotating hexagonal coded-aperture mask and a thick NaI scintillation camera. Rotating hexagonal coded-apertures and the development of thick scintillation cameras are discussed.

Althouse, W. E.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Changes in the energy spectrum of anomalous oxygen and helium during 1977-1985

Data was used from the cosmic ray experiment on the Voyager spacecraft to measure the energy spectrum of anomalous O and He during the period 1977 to 1985. These spectra are found to change dramatically after the middle of 1980, with the peak of plateau region of the differential spectrum shifting to a higher energy. This change appears to be related to the reversal of the solar magnetic field and could imply that particle drifts are important to the acceleration of propagation of these particles.

Cummings, A. C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Solar cycle variations of the anomalous cosmic ray component

The intensity of the anomalous cosmic ray component, consisting of He, N, O, and Ne, has long been known to be especially sensitive to the effects of solar modulation. Following its discovery in 1972, this component dominated the quiet time flux of cosmic ray nuclei below approx. 30 MeV/nucleon during the 1972 to 1978 solar minimum, but then became essentially unobservable at 1 AU with the approach of solar maximum conditions. One recent theoretical model predicts substantial differences in the intensity of the anomalous fluxes from one solar minimum period to the next because of the reversal of the solar magnetic field. Using data from the Caltech experiments on IMP-8 and ICE (ISEE-3), the intensity of anomalous O and He at 1 AU during the years 1972 to 1985 is reported in particular. Whether the anomalous fluxes will return to their 1972-1978 levels, as predicted by spherically symmetric modulation models, or whether they will fail to return to 1 AU, as suggested by modulation models in which gradient and curvature drifts dominate are to be determined. The preliminary analysis of data from 1984 shows that the intensity of 8 to 27 MeV/nucleon O is still more than an order of magnitude below its 1972 to 1978 levels, while the intensity of 25 to 43 MeV/nucleon He is a factor of Approx. 8 below its maximum level in 1977.

Mewaldt, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Radial and latitudinal gradients of anomalous oxygen during 1977 - 1985

It is found that the radial gradient of anomalous O remains during 1977 to 1985 at approx. 10% to 15%/AU although the intensity changes by more than a factor of 100. These results can be used to deduce that most of the modulation of the intensities of these particles is occurring beyond 27 AU. Evidence is also found for a latitudinal gradient of approx. +3%/degree at low energies (7.1 to 10.6 MeV/nuc).

Webber, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Solar modulation and interplanetary gradients of the galactic electrons flux, 1977 - 1984

The flux of electrons with energy from approx. 10 to 180 MeV measured with the electron telescope on the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft in the heliocentric radial range 1 - 22 AU between 1977 and 1984 is reported. Jovian electrons were clearly observable between 1978 and 1983 (radial range 2 - 12 AU) at energies below approx. 50 MeV. Above approx. 50 MeV the electron intensity exhibited temporal variations generally related to the 11 year modulation of protons 75 MeV. The overall magnitude of the electron intensity changes between the maximum intensity observed in 1977 and the minimum intensity in 1981 was a factor approx. 2, also comparable to that observed for 75 MeV protons. By early 1985 the electron intensity had apparently recovered to the level observed in 1977 whereas the proton intensity was still about 20% lower. A detailed interpretation of these electron variations in all energy channels depends on an accurate subtraction of background induced by energetic protons of a few 100 MeV. This subtraction is facilitated by calibration results at several energies.

Christon, S. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Research in particles and fields

Research activities in Cosmic Rays Gamma Rays, and Astrophysical Plasmas are covered The investigation of the astrophysical aspects of cosmic rays and gamma rays and of the radiation and electromagnetic field environment of the Earth and other planets are studied. These investigations are carried ut by means of energetic particle and photon detector systems flown on spacecraft and balloons. The emphasis is on precision measurements with high resolution in charge mass and energy. An extensive bibliography is given.

Stone, E. C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Latitude variation of recurrent MeV-energy proton flux enhancements in the heliocentric radial range 11 to 20 AU and possible correlation with solar coronal hole dynamics

Recurrent low energy (not less than 0.5 MeV) proton flux enhancements, reliable indicators of corotating plasma interaction regions in interplanetary space, have been observed on the Voyager 1 and 2 and Pioneer 11 spacecraft in the heliographic latitude range 2 deg S to 23 deg N and the heliocentric radial range 11 to 20 AU. After a period of rather high correlation between fluxes at different latitudes in early 1983, distinct differences develop. The evolution of the fluxes appears to be related to the temporal and latitudinal dynamics of solar coronal holes, suggesting that information about the latitudinal structure of solar wind stream sources propagates to these distances.

Christon, S. P.↗