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Trinks, H.

Publications and source records attributed to Trinks, H..

8 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Momentum source signatures in thermospheric neutral composition

Perturbations in the structure of the neutral atmosphere were measured in narrow latitude bands near the dayside polar cusp by mass spectrometers aboard the S3-1 and Esro 4 satellites. The disturbances are characterized by an in-phase variation of both the lighter and the heavier species. They are observed to occur in latitude bands of about 5-10 deg extent in the altitude region of 200 km during periods of increased geomagnetic activity. It is suggested that thermospheric winds driven by momentum sources associated with ion convection are the predominant cause for these disturbances. The narrow structure features associated with the momentum source are superimposed on the thermospheric changes caused by Joule heating. Both effects may be present simultaneously, resulting in a complex response pattern of the neutral gas composition in the thermosphere.

Trinks, H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Spherical asymmetry in thermospheric magnetic storms

It is suggested that spherical asymmetries in heat-input distribution during magnetic storms could be important in moving the center of thermospheric circulation toward the equator. Circumstantial evidence from neutral-composition data obtained by two satellites during a series of strong geomagnetic substorms is shown to suggest a pronounced hemispherical asymmetry in magnetic-storm-related energy deposition and to support the circulation concept. Ground-based observations of the F2 peak density in both hemispheres are used to complement the composition data and to confirm the concept of hemispherical asymmetry. The composition data are analyzed quantitatively on the basis of a linear circulation model for the cases of a zero heat source in the Northern Hemisphere, factor-of-two differences between the heat sources in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and identical heat sources in both hemispheres. The results are found to be in qualitative agreement with the suggestion of pronounced asymmetry in thermospheric circulation.

Mayr, H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Intercomparison of neutral composition measurements from the satellite Esro 4, Aeros A, Aeros B, and Atmosphere Explorer C

Number-density data obtained at orbital 'crossover' points with the neutral-gas mass spectrometers aboard the Esro 4, Aeros A, AE-C, and Aeros B satellites are intercompared. All the mass spectrometers were designed to measure the ambient number densities of atomic oxygen, molecular nitrogen, helium, and argon. It is found that the agreement for N2 and O is satisfactory within the experimental errors and that the He measurements exhibit unexpectedly large discrepancies far outside the error range. Calibration and instrument sources of error are considered.

Trinks, H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Auroral energy deposition and neutral composition changes observed simultaneously by ESRO 4 and AE-C at different altitudes

Neutral composition data obtained simultaneously from ESRO 4 and AE-C during geomagnetically disturbed conditions at different altitudes (160 and 230 km) are used to investigate the atmospheric response to geomagnetic storms and to infer information regarding the excitation mechanism. The data are compared with a theoretical model that estimates the composition effects in terms of wind induced diffusion. A parametric study was conducted bearing on the influence of energy deposition at different altitudes and with varying latitudinal extent. In one of the observed events the composition effects at 160 km are substantially smaller than at 230 km for which we inferred by comparison with the theory that the energy mainly was deposited at 150 km altitude over a wide latitude range. Another event required energy deposition at somewhat lower altitudes near 120 km with a more localized energy source. Significant variations of the turbopause level were not necessary to explain the observed variations.

Trinks, H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A two-satellite study of the neutral atmosphere response to a major geomagnetic storm

Simultaneous measurements of neutral composition from both Esro 4 and Aeros-A have provided a complementary set of data for studying the temporal and spatial characteristics of the thermosphere during a major geomagnetic storm. From the correlative studies of Ar and N2 number densities, the magnetic index Aps, and ground-based magnetograms, it is found that the Ap index only reflects the gross features of atmospheric disturbances. Superposed on the global component are localized regions of 'hot spots' which appear correlated with ground-based magnetograms. Because of these localized disturbances, the interpretation of the atmospheric response to geomagnetic storms becomes ambiguous.

Trinks, H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Large-scale neutral composition gravity waves in the thermosphere observed by ESRO 4

Neutral composition waves with a wavelength of about 5000 km and a wave period of about 2.5 h were observed by ESRO 4 in the altitude region of 250 km. The amplitudes are of the order of 25% for Ar, 15% for N2, and roughly 10% for He and O at 25 deg geographic latitude. The Ar and N2 waves are almost in phase, whereas He is in antiphase, and O is in between. The wave amplitudes are seen to decrease toward lower latitudes, suggesting that the composition waves are launched by auroral sources. Simultaneous ground-based ionosonde measurements of the F2 layer critical frequency at middle and low latitudes show a wave period consistent with the satellite observations. From the relation between wavelength and wave period these waves are identified as gravity waves. The theoretical investigation with a multicomponent model shows that diffusion plays a major role in explaining the observed phase and amplitude relations between atmospheric constituents.

Trinks, H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Neutral composition gravity waves in the thermosphere observed by ESRO 4

Neutral composition waves with a wave length of about 5000 km and a wave period of about 2.5 hours were observed by ESRO 4 in the altitude region of 250 km. The amplitudes are of the order of 25 percent for Ar, 15 percent for N2, and roughly 10 percent for He and O at 25 percent geographic latitude. The wave amplitudes are seen to decrease towards lower latitudes suggesting that the composition waves are launched by auroral sources. Simultaneous ground based ionosonde measurements of the F2 layer critical frequency at mid and low latitudes show a wave period consistent with the satellite observations. The theoretical investigation with a multi-component model shows that diffusion plays a major role in explaining these wave phenomena. The phase and amplitude relation between atmospheric constituents are sensitive to the altitude region in which energy is deposited thus suggesting that Joule heating or soft particle precipitation are the predominant energy sources.

Trinks, H.↗