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Wefel, J. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Wefel, J. P..

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1994

A model of solar energtic particles for use in calculating LET spectra developed from ONR-604 data

A model of Solar Energetic Particles (SEP) has been developed and is applied to solar flares during the 1990/1991 Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) mission using data measured by the University of Chicago instrument, ONR-604. The model includes the time-dependent behavior, heavy-ion content, energy spectrum and influence, and can accurately represent the observed SEP events in the energy range between 40 to 500 MeV/nucleon. Results are presented for the March and June, 1991 flare periods.

Chen, J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

A model of galactic cosmic rays for use in calculating linear energy transfer spectra

The Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) contain fully stripped nuclei, from Hydrogen to beyond the Iron group, accelerated to high energies and are a major component of the background radiation encountered by satellites and interplanetary spacecraft. This paper presents a GCR model which is based upon our current understanding of the astrophysics of GCR transport through interstellar and interplanetary space. The model can be used to predict the energy spectra for all stable and long-lived radioactive species from H to Ni over an energy range from 50 to 50,000 MeV/nucleon as a function of a single parameter, the solar modulation level phi. The details of this model are summarized, phi is derived for the period 1974 to present, and results from this model during the 1990/1991 Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) mission are presented.

Chen, J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

A model of solar energetic particles for use in calculating LET spectra developed from ONR-604 data

A model of solar energetic particles (SEP) has been developed and is applied to solar flares during the 1990/1991 CRRES mission using data measured by the University of Chicago instrument, ONR-604. The model includes the time-dependent behavior, heavy-ion content, energy spectrum and fluence, and can accurately represent the observed SEP events in the energy range between 40 to 500 MeV/nucleon. Results are presented for the March and June, 1991 flare periods.

unmanned↗
NASA NTRS1993

Balloon observations of Galactic cosmic ray helium before and during a Forbush decrease

The energy spectrum of Galactic cosmic ray helium was measured in two different balloon experiments launched four days apart from Canada: SMILI-I on Sept 1, 1989 and MASS on Sept 5, 1989. A slow Forbush decrease began on Sept 4, 1989 and had not reached its maximum at the time of the MASS flight. Comparison of the balloon measurements shows a fractional decrease of 0.37 to 0.15 in the Helium flux between 200 and 450 MeV/nucleon (1.2-2.0 GV). The rigidity dependence is analyzed in two models and found to be steeper than previous observations. Interplanetary particle data and ground-based Neutron Monitor results are consistent with the balloon observations. Probable sources for this Forbush decrease are discussed.

Clem, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Low-altitude trapped protons at the geomagnetic equator

Geomagnetically trapped protons in the 0.6- to 9-MeV energy range were measured at latitudes near the geomagnetic equator by the Phoenix 1 experiment on board the S81-1 mission from May to November 1982. The protons show a distribution in latitude along the line of minimum magnetic field strength with a full width at half maximum of about 10 deg but with no appreciable longitudinal variation. Between 170 and 290 Km the peak proton flux shows a fifth-power altitude dependence, in contrast to previous measurements at higher altitudes, possibly demonstrating source attenuation. The efficiency of the telescope is calculated as a function of particle pitch angle and used to investigate the time dependence (1969-1982) of the intensity.

Guzik, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Cosmic-ray propagation in the Galaxy and in the heliosphere - The path-length distribution at low energy

The energy dependence of the path-length distribution of cosmic rays at low energies, below relativistic velocities, is studied, and its implications for models of cosmic-ray confinement and propagation in the Galaxy and Galactic halo, including the effects of a possible Galactic wind, are studied. It is found that the mean free path in Galactic propagation must be fully energy-dependent, with the mean of an exponential path-length distribution increasing with increasing energy below 1 GeV per nucleon and decreasing with increasing energy above 1 GeV per nucleon. This indicates that, at low energies, diffusion is not the controlling process. The path-length distribution is not purely exponential but is depleted in short path lengths at low energies. This depletion is energy-dependent, being largest at low energies and decreasing with increasing energy.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Galactic propagation models consistent with the cosmic ray lifetime derived from Be-10 measurements

Using a propagation calculation with energy dependent parameters, including the depletion of short pathlengths, and incorporating experimental nuclear excitation functions, the variation of the Be-10/Be9 ratio with the matter densities in two nested confinement regions is investigated. It is shown that there is no unique correspondence between a Be-10/Be9 measurement at low energy and the density of matter in the galaxy. Be-10/Be9 measurements at both low and high energy are needed to fully specify the matter densities.

Guzik, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Implications of new measurements of O-16 + p + C-12,13, N-14,15 for the abundances of C, N isotopes at the cosmic ray source

The fragmentation of a 225 MeV/n O-16 beam was investigated at the Bevalac. Preliminary cross sections for mass = 13, 14, 15 fragments are used to constrain the nuclear excitation functions employed in galactic propagation calculations. Comparison to cosmic ray isotonic data at low energies shows that in the cosmic ray source C-13/C approximately 2% and N-14/0=3-6%. No source abundance of N-15 is required with the current experimental results.

Guzik, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Workshop on Cosmic Ray and High Energy Gamma Ray Experiments for the Space Station Era, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, October 17-20, 1984, Proceedings

The potential of the Space Station as a platform for cosmic-ray and high-energy gamma-ray astronomy is discussed in reviews, reports, and specific proposals. Topics examined include antiparticles and electrons, science facilities and new technology, high-energy nuclear interactions, nuclear composition and energy spectra, Space Shuttle experiments, Space Station facilities and detectors, high-energy gamma rays, and gamma-ray facilities and techniques. Consideration is given to universal-baryon-symmetry testing on the scale of galactic clusters, particle studies in a high-inclination orbit, balloon-borne emulsion-chamber results on ultrarelativistic nucleus-nucleus interactions, ionization states of low-energy cosmic rays, a large gamma-ray telescope for point-source studies above 1 GeV, and the possible existence of stable quark matter.

Jones, W. V.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The path-length distribution for galactic cosmic-ray propagation - An energy-dependent depletion of short path lengths

It is shown that at low energies, the depletion of short path lengths in the interstellar cosmic-ray path-length distribution is a function of energy, decreasing in magnitude with increasing energy. The analysis leading to this conclusion is based on the comparison of compiled data for the B/C and sub-Fe/Fe ratios at 0.08-50 GeV per nucleon, with the results of detailed galactic propagation and solar modulation calculations, which include experimental values for the important nuclear cross sections. This energy dependence of the depletion resolves some of the conflicts between previous reports on the question of short path lengths and may be explained by models including a matter distribution around discrete sources or, possibly, by models invoking waves generated by particle-magnetic field interactions in the Galaxy.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The cosmic-ray pathlength distribution at low energy - A new probe of the source/acceleration regions

Compiled measurements of secondary to primary ratios covering the charge range Z = 3-26 and the energy range 0.05 - 50 GeV/nucleon are analyzed in energy dependent galactic propagation plus solar modulation calculations. The cosmic ray pathlength distribution is shown to consist of two energy dependent components interpreted as representing confinement in the galaxy and confinement in the 'source' regions.

Guzik, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Evidence for an energy dependence in the short pathlengths of the cosmic ray pathlength distribution

The energy dependence of the short pathlengths in the cosmic ray pathlength distribution is investigated in a galactic propagation plus solar modulation calculation. In order to reproduce, simultaneously, the compiled B/C and sub-Fe/Fe measurements, an energy dependent deficiency of short pathlengths is required which is largest at low energies and becomes negligible above a few GeV/nucleon. Such behavior could imply a significant contribution from matter in the vicinity of the cosmic ray source or the acceleration site.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Elemental and isotopic composition of solar energetic particles - Preliminary results from the Phoenix I telescope

The Phoenix I instrument on the S81-1 mission was designed to resolve isotopes in the charge range He to Ni. Analysis of four periods of moderate flare activity shows no strong evidence for mass dependent acceleration in the range C to Si; indeed, the mass abundance ratios are consistent with 'solar system' composition. However, the average Ne-22/Ne-20 ratio for these periods is 0.060 (+0.045, -0.023), i.e. about one standard deviation below ratios reported earlier for solar energetic neon.

Simpson, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The energy dependence of cosmic ray propagation at low energy

The interstellar propagation of cosmic rays is investigated using current 'best estimates' for the partial and total cross sections and their energy dependence and the current model of solar modulation. The experimental boron to carbon ratio is reproduced if the mean of the path length distribution decreases with decreasing energy below approximately 1 GeV/nucleon. This energy dependence is compared to shock acceleration models and dynamical halo models using different galactic wind velocities.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The source abundances of galactic cosmic rays

The galactic cosmic ray source abundances have been determined from two complete datasets, one at low and the other at high energy. For both exponential and truncated exponential pathlength distributions (PLD), the two sets of source abundances show significant differences for the primary elements, i.e., the Fe/O ratio. An energy dependent PLD reduces but does not eliminate the discrepancy, and this may indicate an energy dependence in the source composition. New source abundances for Na, P, Cl, Ca, and Mn are derived.

Dwyer, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The elements just beyond iron - Formation during explosive carbon burning

It is pointed out that the details of the synthesis of the elements just beyond iron are unclear. Thus, a reexamination of the role played by neutron-capture reactions during explosive carbon burning is indicated. A description is given of calculations of explosive carbon-burning nucleosynthesis using a complete neutron capture (n-process) computer code with a network extending from Cr through Zr and including not only (n,gamma), (gamma,n) reactions and beta-decay but also (p,n), (n,p), (p,gamma), and (p,alpha) reactions. Initial conditions indicative of the composition of a massive star following core helium burning were selected, and a comparison is made with conditions similar to those used by Howard et al. (1972). It is found that neutron reactions during explosive carbon burning are an important source for the elements just beyond iron.

Wefel, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The question of short pathlengths in interstellar propagation

Interstellar propagation calculations for cosmic rays, He-4 - Ni-64, are compared with currently available abundance ratios for B/C and sub-Fe/Fe. The calculations show that an exponential pathlength distribution (leaky box model) cannot reproduce both secondary to primary ratios in the interval 0.5-1 GeV/n unless some values of the propagation parameters are modified. The calculated ratios are shown to be particularly sensitive to the adopted cross sections, the presence of the sub-Fe elements in the source regions, the shape of the source energy spectrum, and ionization energy loss.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗