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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
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NASA NTRS1973

Observations of noise bands associated with the upper hybrid resonance by the Imp 6 radio astronomy experiment.

The intense noise bands occurring near the upper hybrid resonance frequency have been observed with the Imp 6 GSFC radio astronomy experiment in the plasmasphere. The identification of the upper hybrid resonance provides an accurate measure of the local electron density and allows the observed noise data to be fit to the scale of characteristic frequencies in the plasma. The data are consistent with earlier theoretical interpretations in which noise is generated between the upper hybrid and plasma frequencies and propagates to region 4 of the CMA diagram, where it is reflected at the L = 0 plasma cutoff.

Mosier, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Modulation of the Jovian decametric radio emission by IO

It is argued that the sweeping of trapped energetic MeV protons by Io can result in induced emissions. The instability is caused by the density gradient occurring at the edge of the cavity. It is shown that the azimuthal Larmor drift of the energetic protons which is transverse to both the local magnetic field and the density gradient can excite extraordinary waves with frequencies slightly above the local electron cyclotron frequency. It is found that the emission coefficient is proportional to the square root of (n sub p/n sub t), where n sub p and n sub t denote the density of the energetic protons and the density of the thermal electrons, respectively. The theory also predicts a lower frequency cutoff. This cutoff frequency depends upon the density of thermal electrons in the source region.

Wu, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Electromagnetic radiation trapped in the magnetosphere above the plasma frequency

An electromagnetic noise band is frequently observed in the outer magnetosphere by the Imp 6 spacecraft at frequencies from about 5 to 20 kHz. This noise band generally extends throughout the region from near the plasmapause boundary to near the magnetopause boundary. The noise typically has a broadband field strength of about 5 microvolts/meter. The noise band often has a sharp lower cutoff frequency at about 5 to 10 kHz, and this cutoff has been identified as the local electron plasma frequency. Since the plasma frequency in the plasmasphere and solar wind is usually above 20 kHz, it is concluded that this noise must be trapped in the low-density region between the plasmapause and magnetopause boundaries. The noise bands often contain a harmonic frequency structure which suggests that the radiation is associated with harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency.

Gurnett, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

New source location measurements of terrestrial kilometric radiation

Two dimensional source locations of individual terrestrial kilometric radiation (TKR) events were measured by the Radio Astronomy Explorer-2 (RAE-2) spacecraft in lunar orbit. Although the average source location is above the polar regions near the earth there are a significant number of events which occur at 7 RE from the earth. Furthermore, there is considerable evidence for multiple sources and source motion over the time scale of tens of minutes. Recent TKR mechanism theories which assume that the emission occurs at or near the local electron gyrofrequency would predict generation much closer to the earth's surface. It was suggested that alternative emission mechanisms (other than gyroemission) are required to explain all TKR events.

Kaiser, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Electrostatic and electromagnetic turbulence associated with the earth's bow shock

Simultaneous measurements were made of the electric and magnetic field spectral densities in the earth's bow shock by a plasma wave experiment on the Imp 6 spacecraft. The frequency range of the plasma wave detector was 20 Hz to 200 kHz. Electric fields were measured with high-sensitivity 100-m long dipole antennas and magnetic fields were measured with single-turn loop antennas. Two components are distinguished in the electric field spectrum in the bow shock: one component has a broad peak centered in the region 200-800 Hz, while the other component increases monotonically with decreasing frequency. The magnetic field spectrum has only one component that increases monotonically with decreasing frequency and has an upper cutoff frequency near the local electron gyrofrequency. This magnetic field turbulence is judged to be caused by whistler mode waves. The monotonic component of the electric field spectrum is thought to be the electric field spectrum of these whistler mode waves.

Rodriguez, P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Source mechanism for terrestrial kilometric radiation

The intense electromagnetic radiation of near earth origin, observed by the OGO, IMP, and Hawkeye satellites, can be explained in terms of plasma oscillations near the upper hybrid frequency which are stimulated in the high latitude regions at distances within 5 earth radii. The wave energy is converted from the longitudinal electrostatic mode to the transverse electromagnetic mode as it travels in the slightly inhomogeneous magnetosphere, and it is reflected at the point where the wave frequency equals the local electron plasma frequency. Peak emission region occurs near 2 earth radii. The original plasma oscillations are generated in the turbulent plasma produced by precipitating electrons associated with discrete auroral arcs. The mechanism has possible applications to studies of the irregular structure of the magnetospheric thermal plasma and to models for the decametric radiation from Jupiter.

Benson, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Source location measurements of terrestrial kilometric radiation obtained from lunar orbit

Two-dimensional source locations of individual terrestrial kilometric radiation (TKR) events have been measured by the Radio Astronomy Explorer-2 (RAE-2) spacecraft in lunar orbit. Although the average source location at 250 kHz is above the polar regions near the earth (r nearly 2-3 earth radii), approximately 10% of the events occur at a distance larger than 7 earth radii from the earth. Furthermore, there is considerable evidence for multiple sources and source motion over the time scale of tens of minutes. Recent TKR mechanism theories which assume that the emission occurs at or near the local electron plasma or gyrofrequency would predict generation much closer to the earth's surface. Alternative emission mechanisms or special propagation conditions are required to explain many TKR events.

Kaiser, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Magnetosheath lion roars

The characteristics of lion roars, which are intense packets of electromagnetic waves characteristically found in the magnetosheath, are studied. The average frequency of the emissions is 120 Hz, with over 90% occurring between 90 and 160 Hz (which is near one-half the local electron gyrofrequency); over 70% of all emissions last a mere 2 sec or less; the maximum amplitude of lion roars has an average value of 85 milligamma, over 80% being between 40 and 160 milligamma. Occurrence of lion roars is related to the level of geomagnetic activity, measured by Kp. The probability of occurrence ranges from 10% during magnetically quiet intervals to 75% during disturbed periods. Polarization and wave normal direction of lion roars, determined by variance analysis of triaxial wave forms, are righ-handed circularly polarized, with propagation essentially along the ambient magnetic field.

Smith, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

On the polarization and origin of auroral kilometric radiation

Radio emissions were measured by the Hawkeye 1 satellite at low altitudes over the Southern Hemisphere along the auroral field lines, in the region where the intense nightside auroral kilometric radiation is believed to be generated. These measurements provide new evidence on the mode of propagation and origin of the auroral kilometric radiation. At low altitudes the auroral kilometric radiation is consistently observed to have a low frequency cutoff at the local electron gyrofrequency, f(-) sub g. Since the electron plasma frequency, f(-) sub p, is usually much smaller than f(-) sub g in the region where these observations are obtained, this cutoff corresponds closely with the propagation cutoff for the right-hand mode of propagation. These observations, therefore, provide a strong indication that the auroral kilometric radiation is right-hand polarized in agreement with previous conclusions made on the basis of the angular distribution of this radiation.

Gurnett, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Stereoscopic direction finding analysis of a type III solar radio burst - Evidence for emission at 2f/p-/

Stereoscopic direction finding measurements from the Imp 8, Hawkeye 1, and Helios 2 spacecraft over base line distances of a substantial fraction of an astronomical unit are used to directly determine the three-dimensional trajectory of a type III solar radio burst. By comparing the observed source positions with the direct in situ solar wind plasma density measurements obtained by Helios 1 and 2 near the sun, the relationship of the emission frequency to the local plasma frequency can be determined directly without any modeling assumptions. These comparisons show that the type III radio emission occurs near the second harmonic of the local electron plasma frequency. Other characteristics of the type III radio emission, such as the source size, which can be obtained from this type of analysis, are also discussed.

Gurnett, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

On the polarization and origin of auroral kilometric radiation

The initial results are presented from observations of auroral kilometric radiation at radial distances of about 2.0 R(E) over the auroral zone. These measurements provide important new evidence on the mode of propagation and origin of the auroral kilometric radiation. The observations were made with the aid of the Hawkeye 1 spacecraft which is in a highly eccentric polar orbit. The three types of high-frequency radio emissions commonly observed by Hawkeye 1 during the low-altitude passes over the southern hemisphere include continuum radiation, auroral kilometric radiation, and auroral hiss. In most cases it is found that the auroral kilometric radiation has a sharply defined low-altitude cutoff at the altitude where the local electron gyrofrequency is equal to the wave frequency. A few exceptional cases occur in which a low-frequency cutoff cannot be clearly identified.

Gurnett, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Voyager spacecraft radio observations of Jupiter - Initial cruise results

Low frequency (below 1326 kHz) observations of Jupiter obtained from November, 1977 through June, 1978 by the radio astronomy receivers carried by the two Voyager spacecraft are reported and compared with a large body of higher-frequency ground-based observations. Although the morphology of hectometric wavelength (HOM) emissions strongly resembles that of decametric (DAM) wavelength radio noise, they display opposite polarization. DAM emissions are strongly modulated by Io, whereas HOM emissions exhibit little or no influence from any satellite and appear to be modulated by the rotation phase of the planet. Several single-source models could possibly account for these results, including a model assuming emission at two well-separated frequencies above and below the local electron plasma frequency and the model proposed by Barbosa (1976) in which electrostatic waves at twice the upper hybrid frequency couple to both the ordinary and extraordinary electromagnetic modes. However, neither of these is entirely satisfactory.

Kaiser, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Structure and properties of Jupiter's magnetoplasmadisc

Voyager 1 plasma-wave observations have revealed the existence of an earthlike continuum radiation trapped in Jupiter's magnetospheric cavity at frequencies below the solar-wind plasma frequency. This radiation serves as an accurate diagnostic of the local electron number density throughout most of Jupiter's outer magnetosphere and yields information regarding the gross configuration of the magnetoplasmadisk as well as its kinematical properties. Magnetic-field observations are used to construct radial profiles of plasma pressure, density, and temperature from 20-80 Jupiter radii in the early-morning plasma sheet, along with plasma-sheet crossings and estimated thicknesses. The study suggests that hot protons (about 10 keV) are the dominant constituents of the plasma sheet (average thickness about 4.2 Jupiter radii) out to 80 Jupiter radii, beyond which centrifugal effects take over and distort the sheet toward the rotational equator.

Barbosa, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Plasma wave turbulence at the magnetopause - Observations from ISEE 1 and 2

An investigation of plasma wave electric and magnetic fields in the vicinity of the magnetopause using measurements from the ISEE 1 and 2 spacecraft is presented. Strong electric and magnetic field turbulence is often observed at the magnetopause; the electric field spectrum of this turbulence extends from less than a few hertz to over 100 kHz, and the magnetic field from a few hertz to about 1 kHz. Similar turbulence spectra are observed in association with flux transfer events and possible 'inclusions' of boundary layer plasma in the magnetosphere. Two possible plasma instabilities, the electrostatic ion-cyclotron and the lower-hybrid-drift instability, should explain the broad-band electric field turbulence; the narrow-band electrostatic emissions near the local electron plasma frequency are believed to be plasma oscillations or electrostatic waves near the upper-hybrid-resonance frequency.

Gurnett, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

X-ray line widths and coronal heating

Preliminary results of spectroscopy and imaging of a solar active region and flare plasma in soft X-ray emission lines are presented. Observed X-ray line widths in a nonflaring active region are broader than the Doppler width corresponding to the local electron temperature. An analysis of 41 soft X-ray flares within a single active region reveals a preference for flares to occur at locations that already show enhanced X-ray emission and to favor magnetic complexity over high gradient. However, flares do not appear to be directly responsible for the heating and X-ray production of the active regions.

Acton, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Nonlocal plasma turbulence associated with interplanetary shocks

Regions of plasma turbulence extending several tenths of an astronomical unit upstream or downstream of interplanetary shocks have been detected by the plasma wave instrument on ISEE 3. Highly impulsive electric field bursts at 1-10 kHz were found (hours upstream of quasi-parallel interplanetary shocks) whose average and peak amplitudes occasionally increased until the shock crossing, when they were suppressed. A 0.1-1 kHz electric field component was enhanced at nearly all shocks, and persisted downstream. A smooth, high-frequency continuum near and above the local electron plasma frequency was enhanced at, and persisted downstream of, every interplanetary shock studied. While no single interplanetary shock showed every effect, the ensemble of shocks contained at least one example of each type of plasma wave found upstream of the earth's bow shock.

Kennel, C. F.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Auroral hiss, Z mode radiation, and auroral kilometric radiation in the polar magnetosphere - DE 1 observations

The polar-orbiting DE 1 spacecraft has provided the first measurements of high-latitude auroral phenomena. Three types of plasma-wave emissions were observed: auroral hiss, Z-mode radiation, and auroral kilometric radiation. Whistler mode auroral hiss emissions were observed on virtually every pass over the auroral zone. The shape of the auroral hiss frequency-time spectrum is explained by a whistler mode propagation effect if the radiation is emitted from a spatially localized source below the spacecraft. Broadband Z emissions have been observed in the low-density region over the auroral zone and polar cap. The auroral hiss may be distinguished from the Z-mode radiation by the sharp upper cutoff of the whistler mode at the local electron plasma frequency. Auroral kilometric radiation usually occurs at frequencies above electron gyrofrequency, indicating that this radiation is propagating in the free-space R-X mode.

Gurnett, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A new radio emission at 3 kHz in the outer heliosphere

Evidence of a radio source in the outer heliosphere based on observations made by the plasma wave receivers on Voyagers 1 and 2 at heliocentric radial distances ranging from 13 to 20 AU is given. The radio emission is observed in the frequency range 2 to 3 kHz, and is above the local electron plasma frequency whenever supporting plasma density data are available. The maximum spectral density of the emission is 10 to the minus 14 th power V sq/m/Hz. The bandwidth of the radio noise is 1 kHz. One possible source for the emission is radiation at the second harmonic of the plasma frequency at the heliopause.

Kurth, W. S.↗