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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10

Interplanetary disturbances in the solar wind produced by density, temperature, or velocity pulses at 0.08 AU

Time-dependent solutions of a one-fluid model of the interplanetary medium are investigated. This set of unsteady hydrodynamic equations has been written in conserved form in order to apply the Lax-Wendroff (1960) method for the solution of this problem. The initial disturbance is specified by a pulse at 0.08 AU. Physically, this pulse can be interpreted as having been caused by a solar flare, surge, or any other solar disturbance. The equilibrium condition is determined to be the steady solution of the governing equations and represents the quiet solar wind. Results are presented in terms of density, temperature, and velocity profiles of the interplanetary gas flow at heliocentric distances up to 6 AU at several times. Also, the trajectories of disturbances for various initial pulses are shown. Some June 1972 interplanetary observational data are compared with these theoretical calculations. On the basis of these results, the effects of solar disturbances on the interplanetary environment (such as the generation of large nonlinear wave trains in the shock wakes) can be inferred.

Wu, S. T.↗

Simulated traveling interplanetary disturbances initiated by various solar phenomena

Earlier studies have shown that interplanetary disturbances observed by spacecraft at large heliocentric distances from the sun can be directly associated with various solar activities such as surges, sprays, eruptive prominences, and flares. A digital computer code to simulate these phenomena is developed. This numerical code solves a set of conservation equations for an adiabatic time-dependent spherically-symmetric fluid flow. The solar events are simulated by perturbations in the dependent variables at the lower boundary of the quiet sun corona, and the time-dependent numerical solution simulates the coronal response. Three physical cases are simulated by using the proposed numerical code: (1) part of a surge, spray and prominence; (2) a single flare; and (3) two flares whose interplanetary consequences interact in space. Results for the first two cases are compared with both ground-based and space probe observations. Fairly good agreement with observations is found. A comparison of the third case with observations is presently under way.

Dryer, M.↗

Magnetohydrodynamic simulation of coronal mass ejections into the solar wind

A state of the art fluid continuum technique to describe the MHD transient respose of the corona below 10 solar radii during two well observed events (flares on 21 August 1973 and 5 September 1973) is reviewed. It is concluded that the computer simulation should be subjected to in situ verification of as many of its initial assumptions as possible. Its ability to provide a rational basis for physical understanding of mass ejections suggests its use as one of the tools used in the planning and analysis of such encounter missions.

Dryer, M.↗

Magnetohydrodynamics of atmospheric transients. II - Two-dimensional numerical results for a model solar corona

A systematic study of dynamic response of the inner solar corona is made within the context of two-dimensional, time-dependent plane hydromagnetics. The governing equations are written in r-phi coordinates (i.e., in the solar equatorial plane), and numerical solutions are obtained by introducing an impulsive temperature enhancement within a rectangular region (i.e., 'box') in an initially isothermal corona in magnetohydrostatic equilibrium. Effects of the magnetic field configuration are illustrated for initially open (radial) and closed (azimuthal) magnetic fields by comparison with the nonmagnetic response. The channeling or blocking effects by the magnetic fields on the mass motion of solar plasma as the consequence of the evolution of fast and slow mode MHD shock waves are demonstrated. Some physically significant applications of the results, useful for the interpretation of observations, are discussed. It is noted, for example, that coronal transients observed in white light probably occur within essentially radial field topologies.

Wu, S. T.↗

Dynamic MHD modeling of the solar wind disturbances during the August 1972 events

A time-dependent one-dimensional MHD theoretical model is tested by using plasma and magnetic field observations of Pioneer 9 and Pioneer 10 during the August 1972 events on the sun and in the interplanetary medium. These spacecraft were nearly aligned along a common heliocentric radius during these events, considered now to be the most spectacular and best-documented events during solar cycle 20. The observations of Pioneer 9 at 0.78 AU were used as input for the theoretical model. The plasma and magnetic field forcing functions were superimposed upon a preexisting ambient solar wind at this inner boundary, and the response was simulated as far as 8 AU. The simulated output at 2.2 AU is compared directly with the Pioneer 10 observations at 2.2 AU. Qualitative comparison is good, although several limitations of the one-dimensional theory are noted.

Dryer, M.↗

On the observation of a flare-generated shock wave at 9.7 AU by Pioneer 10

An apparent solar-flare-generated shock wave detected by Pioneer-10 at 9.7 AU on April 9, 1976 is discussed. The shock wave may be correlated with a radio emission burst from Jupiter not associated with Io (March 30). The fact that solar flares observed on March 20 were at the central meridian with respect to Jupiter and Pioneer-10 and the fact that solar activity was very low before March 20 contribute to the argument that a shock wave had propagated to the region of the spacecraft.

Dryer, M.↗

Numerical simulation of MHD shock waves in the solar wind

The effects of the interplanetary magnetic field on the propagation speed of shock waves through an ambient solar wind are examined by numerical solutions of the time-dependent nonlinear equations of motion. The magnetic field always increases the velocity of strong shocks. Although the field may temporarily slow down weak shocks inside 1 AU, it eventually also causes weak shocks to travel faster than they would without the magnetic field at larger distances. Consistent with the increase in the shock velocity, the gas pressure ratio across a shock is reduced considerably in the presence of the magnetic field. The numerical method is used to simulate (starting at 0.3 AU) the large deceleration of a shock observed in the lower corona by ground-based radio instrumentation and the more gradual deceleration of the shock in the solar wind observed by the Pioneer 9 and Pioneer 10 spacecraft.

Steinolfson, R. S.↗

Magnetohydrodynamic models of coronal transients in the meridional plane. I - The effect of the magnetic field

The propagation of coronal transients through the lower corona in the meridional plane is studied on the basis of numerical solutions of the time-dependent MHD equations of motion. The importance of the topology of the initial coronal magnetic field is demonstrated by considering two configurations: one which is essentially radial (open), and another which is essentially parallel to the solar surface (closed). The effect of coronal field magnitude is investigated by using values for the beta parameter of 1 and 0.1 at the coronal base. The consequences of including radiative losses and of varying the polytropic index are also considered. The solar event is simulated by a step-function increase in the pressure at the base of an initially hydrostatic atmosphere by a factor of 5, lasting for a period of 5 min.

Steinolfson, R. S.↗

Dynamic MHD modeling of solar wind corotating stream interaction regions observed by Pioneer 10 and 11

The use of the Pioneer 10 and 11 projects to test an MHD one-dimensional time-dependent model of corotating solar wind streams during the period from Sept. 30 to Nov. 25, 1973 is described. During this period, five or six corotating interaction regions streamed past the two spacecraft, and, as a result of multiple-spacecraft radial alignment and temporally varying conditions at the solar wind source, the pattern predicted by the Steinolfson et al. (1975) model could be compared with observations. The results, in general, support the validity of the model, although the neglect of thermal energy exchange leads to incorrect values for the proton temperature. A detailed analysis of a stream is discussed.

Dryer, M.↗

Dynamic modeling of coronal and interplanetary responses to solar events

Recent progress in the dynamic modeling of responses of the corona and interplanetary medium to solar events (such as surges, eruptive prominences, flares, etc.) is reviewed. In particular, coronal transients and wave phenomena are discussed in some detail including pertinent mathematical requirements. Within the context of hydrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics, a summary of both one- and two-dimensional time-dependent models is presented. A comparison of theoretical results with ground-based optical, radio, ATM Skylab observations, Pioneer 9 and Pioneer 10 solar wind observations is also presented. It is illustrated that: (1) substantial progress has been made in the theoretical (i.e., numerical) modeling of coronal and interplanetary responses within the last few years; (2) two-dimensional, time-dependent modeling is needed to examine the details of nonlinear wave coupling; and (3) theoretical results of modeling appear to reproduce physical consequences successfully.

Wu, S. T.↗

Magnetohydrodynamic models of coronal transients in the meridional plane. II - Simulation of the coronal transient of 1973 August 21

A two-dimensional planar MHD model of solar atmospheric transient events is used to simulate the flare-associated events of August 21, 1973. This event, observed in H-alpha, He II 304 A, soft X-ray, and coronal white light, provided sufficient information (especially in the latter diagnostic) for an assessment to be made of the model's ability to simulate major features of an actual solar event. It was found that a thermodynamic input pulse based on data provided by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center-Aerospace Corporation X-ray telescope (S-056) on Skylab was sufficient to produce the global geometry, shock and contact-surface velocities, excess mass contours, and energy budget which were, for the most part, observed by the High Altitude Observatory white-light coronagraph (S-052) on Skylab in the form of a forerunner and coronal transient.

Dryer, M.↗

Two-dimensional, time-dependent MHD description of interplanetary disturbances Simulation of high speed solar wind interactions

A two-dimensional, time-dependent nonlinear MHD model is used to simulate the general features of multiply-interacting, transient solar wind flows. The major advantage of the two-dimensional model over the one-dimensional one is the proper consideration of azimuthal gradients. In addition, the new model can provide contour maps for disturbed plasma properties in the equatorial plane, thereby enabling one to perform essential tests of the physical assumptions through direct comparison with space probe data.

Wu, S. T.↗

Requirements for predictions and real-time monitoring for the study of travelling interplanetary phenomena

Physical processes within quiescent as well as disturbed flows of solar wind plasma, energetic particles, and magnetic and electric fields from the Sun are considered. Specifically, travelling interplanetary phenomena to be studied during the years of the solar maximum of solar cycle 21 are covered. It is noted that predictions, while needed for long range, logistical planning, is secondary to the requirements of synoptic real time monitoring over a wide range of particle energies and spectral bandwidths.

Dryer, M.↗

Energy deposition in the earth's atmosphere due to impact of solar activity-generated disturbances

Energy deposition in and dynamic responses of the terrestrial atmosphere to solar flare-generated shocks and other physical processes - such as particle precipitation and local heating - are investigated self-consistently in the context of hydrodynamics, the problem being treated as an initial boundary-value problem. It is extremely difficult to construct a general model for the line solar activity-magnetosphere-atmosphere; however, a limited model for this link is possible. The paper describes such a model, and presents some results on energy deposition into the earth's atmosphere due to solar activity-generated disturbances. Results from the present calculations are presented and discussed.

Wu, S. T.↗

Mass ejections

Observations and model simulations of solar mass ejection phenomena are examined in an investigation of flare processes. Consideration is given to Skylab and other observations of flare-associated sprays, eruptive prominences, surges and coronal transients, and to MHD, gas dynamic and magnetic loop models developed to account for them. Magnetic forces are found to confine spray material, which originates in preexisting active-region filaments, within steadily expanding loops, while surges follow unmoving, preexisting magnetic field lines. Simulations of effects of a sudden pressure pulse at the bottom of the corona are found to exhibit many characteristics of coronal transients associated with flares, and impulsive heating low in the chromosphere is found to be able to account for surges. The importance of the magnetic field as the ultimate source of energy which drives eruptive phenomena as well as flares is pointed out.

Rust, D. M.↗

Magnetohydrodynamic models of coronal transients in the meridional plane. IV - Effect of the solar wind

A two-dimensional, time-dependent magnetohydrodynamic model in the meridional plane with and without an ambient solar wind in an ambient radial magnetic field has been used to investigate mass motions associated with coronal transients. It is shown that the solar wind does not significantly affect the general dynamic characteristics of the mass motion. The ambient solar wind, however, increases the velocity of the mass motion and produces a moderate change in the thermodynamic properties of the coronal plasma.

Wu, S. T.↗

Solar and interplanetary dynamics; Proceedings of the Symposium, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., August 27-31, 1979

The symposium focuses on solar phenomena as the source of transient events propagating through the solar system, and theoretical and observational assessments of the dynamic processes involved in these events. The topics discussed include the life history of coronal structures and fields, coronal and interplanetary responses to long time scale phenomena, solar transient phenomena affecting the corona and interplanetary medium, coronal and interplanetary responses to short time scale phenomena, and future directions.

Dryer, M.↗

An acceleration mechanism for loop transients in the outer corona

The heliocentrifugal motion of coronal loop transients is likely driven largely by the buoyant force exerted by the ambient medium. In the outer corona where the solar wind is well formed, the buoyant force results mainly from the rapid outward decrease in the ambient pressure of the solar wind. The contribution from magnetic buoyancy is not so significant as in the vicinity of the solar surface. Therefore, the pertinent features of the loop transients in the outer corona are basically gasdynamical. As a conspicuous part of coronal expansion, the motion of the compressible masses in the transient loops is largely controlled by thermal forces. The translational motion of heliocentrifugal expansion is driven by the hydrodynamic buoyant force, and the lateral motion of peripheral expansion is driven by the pressure difference between the dense plasma of the ejecta and the tenuous plasma of the ambient medium.

Yen, T.↗