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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 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

The Lewis Research Center geomagnetic substorm simulation facility

A simulation facility was established at the NASA-Lewis Research Center to determine the response of typical spacecraft materials to the geomagnetic substorm environment and to evaluate instrumentation that will be used to monitor spacecraft system response to this environment. Space environment conditions simulated included the thermal-vacuum conditions of space, solar simulation, geomagnetic substorm electron fluxes and energies, and the low energy plasma environment. Measurements for spacecraft material tests included sample currents, sample surface potentials, and the cumulative number of discharges. Discharge transients were measured by means of current probes and oscilloscopes and were verified by a photomultiplier.

Berkopec, F. D.↗
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

Coronal holes, solar wind streams, and recurrent geomagnetic disturbances - 1973-1976

Observations of coronal holes, solar-wind streams, and geomagnetic disturbances during 1973-1976 are compared in a 27-day pictorial format which shows their long-term evolution. The results leave little doubt that coronal holes are related to the high-speed streams and their associated recurrent geomagnetic disturbances. In particular, these observations strongly support the hypothesis that coronal holes are the solar origin of the high-speed streams observed in the solar wind near the ecliptic plane.

Sheeley, N. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Spectral line similarity in the geomagnetic dipole field variations and length of day fluctuations

Power spectral density analysis using Burg's maximum entropy method (MEM) was applied to the geomagnetic dipole field and its rate of change for the years 1901-1969. Both spectra indicate relative maxima at 0.015 cycle/yr and its harmonics. These maxima correspond approximately to 66-, 33-, 22-, 17-, 13-, 11-, and 9-year spectral lines. The application of the same analysis techniques to the length of day (l.o.d.) fluctuations for the period 1865-1961 reveals similar spectral characteristics. The existence of the common spectral peaks with periods of 66 and 33 years in the l.o.d. fluctuations and the geomagnetic dipole field is clearly established. The existence of the higher harmonics is somewhat uncertain because of the line-splitting problem in the MEM spectral analysis. It is suggested that the spectral line similarity in the l.o.d. fluctuations and the dipole field variations is related to the motion within the earth's fluid core during the past 100 years.

Jin, R.-S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

On the high correlation between long-term averages of solar wind speed and geomagnetic activity

Six-month and yearly averages of solar-wind speed from 1962 to 1975 are shown to be highly correlated with geomagnetic activity as measured by averages of the Ap index. On the same time scale the correlation between the southward component of the interplanetary magnetic field and geomagnetic activity is poor. Previous studies with hourly averages gave opposite results. The better correlation with the southward component on an hourly time scale is explained by its large variation compared with the relatively constant solar-wind speed. However, on a yearly time scale the magnitude of the variations in both parameters are about the same. This problem can be solved by invoking an energy transfer mechanism which is proportional to the first power of the southward component and a higher power of the solar-wind speed.

Crooker, N. U.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The Lewis Research Center geomagnetic substorm simulation facility

A simulation facility was established to determine the response of typical spacecraft materials to the geomagnetic substorm environment and to evaluate instrumentation that will be used to monitor spacecraft system response to this environment. Space environment conditions simulated include the thermal-vacuum conditions of space, solar simulation, geomagnetic substorm electron fluxes and energies, and the low energy plasma environment. Measurements for spacecraft material tests include sample currents, sample surface potentials, and the cumulative number of discharges. Discharge transients are measured by means of current probes and oscilloscopes and are verified by a photomultiplier. Details of this facility and typical operating procedures are presented.

Berkopec, F. D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Ionosphere and atmosphere of the moon in the geomagnetic tail

The paper presents calculations of the densities and energies of the various constituents of the lunar ionosphere during the time that the moon is in the geomagnetic tail; the surface concentrations of neon and argon are calculated from a theoretical model to be 3,900 and 1,700, respectively. It is found that a hydrostatic model of the ionospheric plasma is inadequate because the gravitational potential energy of the plasma is considerably smaller than its thermal energy. A hydrodynamic model, comparable to that used to describe the solar wind, is developed to obtain plasma densities and flow velocities as functions of altitude. The electromagnetic properties of the quiescent ionosphere are then investigated, and it is concluded that plasma effects on lunar induction can be neglected for quiescent conditions in the geomagnetic tail lobes.

Daily, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Very large geomagnetic disturbance during sunspot cycle 21: A prediction

Evidence is presented which suggests that very large geomagnetic disturbances (350 gammas or greater at an invariant magnetic latitude of 50 degrees) occur once or twice per sunspot cycle, on the average. There is also some tendency for these disturbances to group in large odd numbered sunspot cycles similar to the current cycle, cycle 21. No such disturbance was noted during the past cycle although a series of major solar flares was observed in August 1972. At least one very large geomagnetic disturbance is expected during the current cycle; a prediction with perhaps serious consequences for electric power companies.

Sargent, H. H., III↗
NASA NTRS1979

Review of selected geomagnetic activity indices

Magnetic activity indexes are reviewed. Classifications of magnetograms from single observatories and the global range of potential associated with the equivalent currents which could have produced the variations monitored at a large array of recording sides are addressed. Principal magnetic activity indexes discussed include: the auroral electrojet index and its associated indexes (AU, AL and AO) useful for auroral zone studies; the Kp, ap, aa and am indexes which are measures of midlatitude geomagnetic activity; and the Dst index of magnetic activity recorded at low latitudes. It is concluded that geomagnetic activity indexes are useful in studies of the interaction between solar activity, the interplanetary magnetic field and solar wind, the magnetosphere, ring current, field aligned currents, and ionospheric currents.

Allen, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A statistical determination of the shape and position of the geomagnetic neutral sheet

Using 2.5-minute average field values from Imp 6, 7, and 8 magnetic field measurements, the standard magnetotail neutral sheet (MNS) model is examined. The best representation for the MNS is found to be an arched surface which crosses the solar magnetospheric equatorial plane on the flanks of the tail about 18 earth radii (ER) from the tail axis; the surface is anchored to the geomagnetic dipole at a hinging distance of 10.5 ER. In addition, the shape and position of the neutral sheet (NS) do not vary significantly with distance down the tail, but the NS is anchored somewhat closer to the earth during disturbed geomagnetic conditions.

Fairfield, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Solar wind control of auroral zone geomagnetic activity

Solar wind magnetosphere energy coupling functions are analyzed using linear prediction filtering with 2.5 minute data. The relationship of auroral zone geomagnetic activity to solar wind power input functions are examined, and a least squares prediction filter, or impulse response function is designed from the data. Computed impulse response functions are observed to have characteristics of a low pass filter with time delay. The AL index is found well related to solar wind energy functions, although the AU index shows a poor relationship. High frequency variations of auroral indices and substorm expansions are not predictable with solar wind information alone, suggesting influence by internal magnetospheric processes. Finally, the epsilon parameter shows a poorer relationship with auroral geomagnetic activity than a power parameter, having a VBs solar wind dependency.

Clauer, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Comparison of storm-time changes of geomagnetic field at ground and at MAGSAT altitudes

Computations concerning variations of the geomagnetic field at MAGSAT altitudes were investigated. Using MAGSAT data for the X, Y, and Z components of the geomagnetic field, a computer conversion to yield the H component was performed. Two methods of determining delta H normalized to a constant geocentric distance R sub 0 = 6800 were investigated, and the utility of elta H at times of magnetic storms was considered. Delta H at a geographical latitude of 0 at dawn and dusk, the standard Dst, and K sub p histograms were plotted and compared. Magnetic anomalies are considered. Examination of data from the majority of the 400 passes of MAGSAT considered show a reasonable delta H versus latitude variation. Discrepancies in values are discussed.

Kane, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Investigation of geomagnetic field forecasting and fluid dynamics of the core

Accomplishments to date were summarized in three parts submitted for publication. Goddard models and MAGSAT data were used heavily in the investigation which address: (1) the sensitivity of selected geomagnetic properties to truncation level of spherical harmonic expansions; (2) the pole strength of the Earth from MAGSAT, and magnetic determination of the core radius; and (3) frozen flux upper limits to the MAGSAT geomagnetic coefficients and relative multipole indices for Earth.

Benton, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Revised age estimates of Brunhes palaeomagnetic events - Support for a link between geomagnetism and eccentricity

Revisions in the dates of reported geomagnetic excursions during the Brunhes Epoch are proposed in light of possible correlations between a section at Gioia Tauro, Italy, deep-sea cores, a core from Lake Biwa, Japan, and some lava flows. The anomalously long, double Blake Event reported at Gioia Tauro is here correlated with the Blake Event (approximately 110 kyr) and the Biwa 1 event (180 plus or minus 5 kyr); an hiatus may be present in the section between these two events. The alpha event at Gioia Tauro is correlated with the Biwa 2 event at about 295 kyr; the beta event with the 'Biwa 3' event at about 400 kyr; the gamma event with the Snake River event at 480 plus or minus 50; and the delta event, not recorded elsewhere, is estimated to have occurred at approximately 620 kyr. These proposed refinements in the age estimates of the excursions suggest an approximately 100 kyr cyclicity. If the events are real and the revised dating is correct, the timing of the geomagnetic events seems to coincide with times of peak eccentricity of the earth's orbit, suggesting a causal connection.

Rampino, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Geomagnetic modeling by optimal recursive filtering

The results of a preliminary study to determine the feasibility of using Kalman filter techniques for geomagnetic field modeling are given. Specifically, five separate field models were computed using observatory annual means, satellite, survey and airborne data for the years 1950 to 1976. Each of the individual field models used approximately five years of data. These five models were combined using a recursive information filter (a Kalman filter written in terms of information matrices rather than covariance matrices.) The resulting estimate of the geomagnetic field and its secular variation was propogated four years past the data to the time of the MAGSAT data. The accuracy with which this field model matched the MAGSAT data was evaluated by comparisons with predictions from other pre-MAGSAT field models. The field estimate obtained by recursive estimation was found to be superior to all other models.

Gibbs, B. P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Crustal geomagnetic field - Two-dimensional intermediate-wavelength spatial power spectra

Two-dimensional Fourier spatial power spectra of equivalent magnetization values are presented for a region that includes a large portion of the western United States. The magnetization values were determined by inversion of POGO satellite data, assuming a magnetic crust 40 km thick, and were located on an 11 x 10 array with 300 km grid spacing. The spectra appear to be in good agreement with values of the crustal geomagnetic field spatial power spectra given by McLeod and Coleman (1980) and with the crustal field model given by Serson and Hannaford (1957). The spectra show evidence of noise at low frequencies in the direction along the satellite orbital track (N-S). indicating that for this particular data set additional filtering would probably be desirable. These findings illustrate the value of two-dimensional spatial power spectra both for describing the geomagnetic field statistically and as a guide for diagnosing possible noise sources.

Mcleod, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Geomagnetic excursions and climate change

Rampino argues that although Kent (1982) demonstrated that the intensity of natural remanent magnetism (NRM) in deep-sea sediments is sensitive to changes in sediment type, and hence is not an accurate indicator of the true strength of the geomagnetic field, it does not offer an alternative explanation for the proposed connections between excursions, climate, and orbital parameters. Kent replies by illustrating some of the problems associated with geomagnetic excursions by considering the record of proposed excursions in a single critical core. The large departure from an axial dipole field direction seen in a part of the sample is probably due to a distorted record; the drawing and storage of the sample, which is described, could easily have led to disturbance and distortion of the record.

Rampino, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The zonally averaged circulation, temperature, and compositional structure of the lower thermosphere and variations with geomagnetic activity

A zonally averaged chemical-dynamical model of the thermosphere is used to examine the effect of high-latitude particle and Joule heating on the neutral composition, temperature, and winds at solstice for solar minimum conditions. The meridional circulation forced by solar heating alone is a summer-to-winter flow, with a winter enhancement in atomic oxygen. The high-latitude heat sources drive mean circulation cells that reinforce the solar-driven circulation in the summer hemisphere and oppose this circulation in the winter hemisphere. The changes in wind and temperature caused by the high-latitude heat sources increase the relative concentration of N2 and O2 in the high-latitude upper thermosphere and decrease the O concentration in the high-latitude lower thermosphere. For prolonged moderate levels of geomagnetic activity the peak atomic oxygen density in the polar regions can decrease by factors of 2-3 from geomagnetic quiet conditions.

Roble, R. G.↗