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Results for “IONOSPHERIC HEATING”

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 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Atmospheric heating by solar EUV radiation

A diurnal model of the mid-latitude ionospheric R region is used to calculate the diurnal variation of the neutral gas heating rates and neutral gas heating efficiency for conditions similar to those over Millstone Hill on March 23-24, 1970. The calculations show that the absorbed solar EUV (wavelength less than or equal to 1025 A) energy is almost equally split between photoelectrons and ion pair production. Photoelectrons heat the ambient electron gas by Coulomb collisions and by the quenching of certain excited ion species, whereas the ion gas is primarily heated by collisions with hot electrons and by chemical reactions. Heating processes above 300 km, between 170 and 300 km, and below 170 km are identified.

Stolarski, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The solar ultraviolet heating efficiency of the midlatitude thermosphere

In this paper we quantify the major channels by which solar UV energy is transferred to the atmosphere, and determine the UV heating efficiency for the thermosphere. Current knowledge of the solar ultraviolet fluxes, thermospheric chemistry and neutral atmosphere is used in a steady state, interhemispheric solution of the ionospheric continuity, momentum and energy equations. The heating efficiency is found to be a strong function of altitude, and peaks near the altitude of maximum EUV deposition at a value of approximately 50%.

Torr, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A research in support of NASA's space science

Thirty-nine papers on cosmic ray anisotropies, law energy auroral particles, helium and hydrogen airglow, ionospheric irregularities, thermospheric winds, interhemisphere ion transport, ion cyclotron heating, ion temperature morphology, ion chemistry, ion convection, and spacecraft interactions with the atmosphere and ionosphere are described.

Hanson, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Physics of heavy ions (1989-1990)

The results from studies on polar wind ion heating due to kinetic ion beam instabilities and the effects of such ion heating on the outflow of O(+) in the polar wind are presented and discussed. First, the linear instabilities associated with an O(+) and H(+) polar wind plasma in the presence of O(+) and H(+) beams for a range of O(+)/H(+) beam densities, T(sub e)/T(sub i), and ion beam speeds were examined. Then, nonlinear heating of the polar wind ions was studied, using numerical simulations. The O(+) and H(+) polar wind ions were modeled by isotropic Maxwellian distributions, and the electrons, O(+) beams, and H(+) beams were modeled by drifting Maxwellian distributions. The effects of the kinetic ion heating on the outflow of the polar wind ions were examined from the ionosphere, using a time-dependent hydrodynamic model. A numerical code to solve the O(+) and H(+) continuity and momentum equations in a flux tube from ionospheric to magnetospheric altitudes were developed. The effects of ion heating were included by allowing for the altitudinal variation of the ion temperatures in the momentum equation. The ion temperature profiles were specified based on the ion heating characteristics found from previous kinetic simulations. It was assumed that heating occurred above 1500 km and increased to a saturated value of temperature that was obtained directly from the kinetic simulation study. The characteristics of the dynamical polar wind without ion heating were studied, and a flux tube on closed field lines that suddenly became open at t = 0 was simulated. Then, the effects of ion heating were included. To gain some physical insight, two limiting cases were considered: preferential H(+) heating and preferential O(+) heating. How O(+) heating can lead to enhanced polar wind O(+) fluxes in the polar magnetosphere is shown.

Ashour-Abdalla, M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Model calculations of the dayside ionosphere of Venus - Energetics

A model of the energy balance of the dayside ionosphere of Venus is presented. Calculations of the dayside electron and ion temperature profiles are carried out and compared with data from experiments on the Pioneer Venus orbiter. The coupled heat conduction equations for electrons and ions are solved for several values of the solar zenith angle. It is shown that thermal conductivities are inhibited by the presence of a horizontal magnetic field. A realistic model of the magnetic field that includes fluctuations is employed in deriving an appropriate expression for the thermal conductivity. The contributions of photoelectrons, ion chemistry, Joule heating, and solar wind heating to the energy balance of the ionosphere are considered.

Cravens, T. E.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Modeling of the coupled magnetospheric and neutral wind dynamos

Work at SRI involved modeling the exchange of electromagnetic energy between the ionosphere and magnetosphere to help interpret the DE-B Poynting flux observations. To describe the electrical properties of the high-latitude ionosphere, we constructed a numerical model, from the framework provided by the Vector Spherical Harmonic (VSH) model, that determines the ionospheric currents, conductivities, and electric fields including both magnetospheric inputs and neutral wind dynamo effects. This model development grew from the earlier question of whether an electrical energy source in the ionosphere was capable of providing an upward Poynting flux. The model solves the steady-state neutral wind dynamo equations and the Poynting flux equation to provide insight into the electrodynamic role of the neutral winds. The modeling effort to determine the high-latitude energy flux has been able to reproduce many of the large-scale features observed in the Poynting flux measurements made by DE-2. Because the Poynting flux measurement is an integrated result of energy flux into or out of the ionosphere, we investigated the ionospheric properties that may contribute to the observed flux of energy measured by the spacecraft. During steady state the electromagnetic energy flux, or DC Poynting flux, is equal to the Joule heating rate and the mechanical energy transfer rate in the high-latitude ionosphere. Although the Joule heating rate acts as an energy sink, transforming electromagnetic energy into thermal or internal energy of the gas, the mechanical energy transfer rate may be either a sink or source of electromagnetic energy. In the steady state, it is only the mechanical energy transfer rate that can generate electromagnetic energy and result in a DC Poynating flux that is directed out of the ionosphere.

Thayer, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Sources and Losses of Ring Current Ions

During geomagnetic quiet times, in-situ measurements of ring current energetic ions (few to few tens of keVs) from THEMIS spacecraft often exhibit multiple ion populations at discrete energies that extend from the inner magnetosphere to the magnetopause at dayside or plasma sheet at nightside. During geomagnetic storm times, the levels of fluxes as well as the mean energies of these ions elevated dramatically and the more smooth distributions in energies and distances during quiet times are disrupted into clusters of ion populations with more confined spatial extends. This reveals local plasma heating processes that might have come into play. Several processes have been proposed. Magnetotail dipolarization, sudden enhancement of field-aligned current, local current disruptions, and plasma waves are possible mechanisms to heat the ions locally as well as strong convections of energetic ions directly from the magnetotail due to reconnections. We will examine two geomagnetic storms on October 11, 2008 and July 22, 2009 to reveal possible heating mechanisms. We will analyze in-situ plasma and magnetic field measurements from THEMIS, GOES, and DMSP for the events to study the ion pitch angle distributions and magnetic field perturbations in the auroral ionosphere and inner magnetosphere where the plasma heating processes occur.

Chen, Sheng-Hsien↗
NASA NTRS1979

Relationship between the growth of the ring current and the interplanetary quantity

Akasofu (1979) has reported that the interplanetary parameter epsilon correlates reasonably well with the magnetospheric substorm index AE; in the first approximation, epsilon represents the solar wind coupled to the magnetosphere. The correlation between the interplanetary parameter, the auroral electrojet index and the ring current index is examined for three magnetic storms. It is shown that when the interplanetary parameter exceeds the amount that can be dissipated by the ionosphere in terms of the Joule heat production, the excess energy is absorbed by the ring current belt, producing an abnormal growth of the ring current index.

Akasofu, S.-I.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Effect of magnetospheric convection on thermal plasma in the inner magnetosphere

The effects of E x B convection on the distribution of plasma parameters in the inner magnetosphere have been examined. Analytical solutions describing density distributions along convective trajectories in the equatorial plane have been found. These solutions suggest the following dependence of plasma concentration n on the magnetic field B along convective trajectories: n proportional to B(exp alpha), where the parameter alpha varies between alpha is less than or = between 4/3 and 2. The alpha = 2 case corresponds to disregarding transport parallel to B. The lower bound alpha = 4/3 describes the situation when parallel transport dominates over convective motions perpendicular to B. A solution has also been obtained describing the effect of convection on diffusive equilibrium profiles in the dayside plasmasphere. In addition, ion temperature variations due to adiabatic effects associated with plasma convection have been analyzed in detail. Convective drifts lead to ion temperature anisotropies with the value and sign of the anisotropy contingent on density and temperature variations, local time, and the location of the convective trajectory with respect to the location of the plasmapause. We have also found that convective motions lead to a substantial exchange of energy between the ionosphere and the plasmasphere through electron heat fluxes.

Khazanov, G. V.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Space-borne power conversion into a microwave beam and its impact on the environment of the upper atmosphere

The possible effect of microwave beams transmitted from Solar Power Satellites on the ionosphere has been studied theoretically. Particular attention is given to microwave-beam-heating of the F and D layers and theoretical predictions of such ionospheric modifications are used to determine resulting effects on the transmission efficiency of communication and navigation systems. It is recommended that a three-pronged technology and demonstration program be established to study microwave effects. The program would include theoretical studies, ground-based heating experiments, and an orbital experimental program for phase control of the microwave power transmission system.

Maynard, O. E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The energetics of Titan's ionosphere

We have developed a comprehensive model to study the dynamics and energetics of the ionosphere of Titan. We solved the one-dimensional, time-dependent, coupled continuity and momentum equations for several ion species, together with single ion and electron energy equations, in order to calculate density, velocity, and temperature profiles. Calculations were carried out for several cases corresponding to different local times and configurations of the Titan-Saturn system. In our model the effects of horizontal magnetic fields were assumed to be negligible, except for their effect on reducing the electron and ion thermal conductivities and inhibiting vertical transport in the subram region. The ionospheric density peak was found to be at an altitude of about 1100 km, in accordance with earlier model calculations. The ionosphere is chemically controlled below an altitude of about 1500 km. Above this level, ion densities differ significantly from their chemical equilibrium values due to strong upward ion velocities. Heat is deposited in a narrow region around the ionospheric peak, resulting in temperature profiles increasing sharply and reaching nearly constant values of 800-1000 deg K for electrons and 300 deg K for ions in the topside, assuming conditions appropriate for the wake region. In the subram region magnetic correction factors make the electron heat conductivities negligible, resulting in electron temperatures increasing strongly with altitude and reaching values in the order of 5000 deg K at our upper boundary located at 2200 km. Ion chemical heating is found to play an important role in shaping the ion energy balance in Titan's ionosphere.

Roboz, A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Effects of thermospheric motions on the polar wind - A time-dependent numerical study

This paper presents the results of a numerical study investigating the effects of low-altitude short-duration plasma heating episodes (such as horizontal frictional heating) on transient heavy ion outflows from the polar ionosphere using a time-dependent model. In a previous set of calculations, where the effects of high-altitude transient heat sources were investigated, the low-altitude neutral atmosphere (z less than 800 km) acted as a very efficient heat sink, absorbing most of the energy conducted to this region and thus preventing large differences between the ion and neutral temperatures. One purpose of the present study was to investigate whether realistic, specified low-altitude frictional heating rates, based on published experimental data, can result in elevated ion temperatures and lift a part of the heavy ion population over the gravitational barrier before the extra energy is lost to the neutral atmosphere. In these model calculations the specified heating generated an upflowing O(+) disturbance (with a normalized peak flux of about 100 million/sq cm per sec) moving upward along the open magnetic field line with a velocity of about 2 km/s. The spatial extent of the disturbance was approximately equal to the disturbance velocity times the duration of the heat source. The model results provide a possible mechanism to explain recent European Incoherent Scatter observations of high-latitude O(+) upwellings.

Gombosi, T. I.↗
NASA NTRS1965

The upper atmosphere

Energy transfer, and heat sinks and sources in upper atmosphere for composition and temperature behavior

ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION↗
NASA NTRS1979

Initial observations of the Pioneer Venus orbiter solar wind plasma experiment

The ionosphere, ionosheath, ionopause, and bow shock wave of Venus are characterized. Venus is found to have a well-defined strong standing bow shock wave. In the ionosheath, downstream from the shock, compressed and heated postshock plasma apparently interacts directly with the ionosphere. Plasma ion velocity deflections suggest that the ionopause has a blunt shape. The positions of the bow shock and ionopause are variable and appear to respond to changes in the external solar wind pressure.

Wolfe, J.↗
NASA NTRS2010

ST5 Observations of the Imbalance of Region 1 and 2 Field-Aligned Currents and its Implication to the Cross-Polar Cap Pedersen Currents

In this study, we use the in-situ magnetic field observations from Space Technology 5 mission to quantify the imbalance of Region 1 (R1) and Region 2 (R2) currents. During the three-month duration of the ST5 mission, geomagnetic conditions range from quiet to moderately active. We find that the R1 current intensity is consistently stronger than the R2 current intensity both for the dawnside and the duskside large-scale field-aligned current system. The net currents flowing into (out of) the ionosphere in the dawnside (duskside) are in the order of 5% of the total R1 currents. We also find that the net currents flowing into or out of the ionosphere are controlled by the solar windmagnetosphere interaction in the same way as the field-aligned currents themselves are. Since the net currents due to the imbalance of the R1 and R2 currents require that their closure currents flow across the polar cap from dawn to dusk as Pedersen currents, our results indicate that the total amount of the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents is in the order of approximately 0.1 MA. This study, although with a very limited dataset, is one of the first attempts to quantify the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents. Given the importance of the Joule heating due to Pedersen currents to the high-latitude ionospheric electrodynamics, quantifying the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents and associated Joule heating is needed for developing models of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling.

Le, Guan↗
NASA NTRS2011

ST5 Observations of the Imbalance of Region 1 and 2 Field-Aligned Currents and Its Implication to the Cross-Polar Cap Pedersen Currents

In this study, we use the in-situ magnetic field observations from Space Technology 5 mission to quantify the imbalance of Region 1 (R1) and Region 2 (R2) currents. During the three-month duration of the ST5 mission, geomagnetic conditions range from quiet to moderately active. We find that the R1 current intensity is consistently stronger than the R2 current intensity both for the dawnside and the duskside large-scale field-aligned current system. The net currents flowing into (out of) the ionosphere in the dawnside (duskside) are in the order of 5% of the total R1 currents. We also find that the net currents flowing into or out of the ionosphere are controlled by the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction in the same way as the field-aligned currents themselves are. Since the net currents due to the imbalance of the R1 and R2 currents require that their closure currents flow across the polar cap from dawn to dusk as Pedersen currents, our results indicate that the total amount of the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents is in the order of ~ 0.1 MA. This study, although with a very limited dataset, is one of the first attempts to quantify the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents. Given the importance of the Joule heating due to Pedersen currents to the high-latitude ionospheric electrodynamics, quantifying the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents and associated Joule heating is needed for developing models of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling.

Le, Guan↗
NASA NTRS2010

Space Technology 5 (ST-5) Observations of the Imbalance of Region 1 and 2 Field-Aligned Currents

Space Technology 5 (ST-5) is a three micro-satellite constellation deployed into a 300 x 4500 km, dawn-dusk, sun-synchronous polar orbit from March 22 to June 21, 2006, for technology validations. In this study, we use the in-situ magnetic field observations from Space Technology 5 mission to quantify the imbalance of Region 1 (R1) and Region 2 (R2) currents. During the three-month duration of the ST5 mission, geomagnetic conditions range from quiet to moderately active. We find that the R1 current intensity is consistently stronger than the R2 current intensity both for the dawnside and the duskside large-scale field-aligned current system. The net currents flowing into (out of) the ionosphere in the dawnside (duskside) are in the order of 5% of the total RI currents. We also find that the net currents flowing into or out of the ionosphere are controlled by the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction in the same way as the field-aligned currents themselves are. Since the net currents due to the imbalance of the R1 and R2 currents require that their closure currents flow across the polar cap from dawn to dusk as Pedersen currents, our results indicate that the total amount of the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents is in the order of approx. 0.1 MA. This study, although with a very limited dataset, is one of the first attempts to quantify the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents. Given the importance of the Joule heating due to Pedersen currents to the high-latitude ionospheric electrodynamics, quantifying the cross-polar cap Pedersen currents and associated Joule heating is needed for developing models of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling.

Le, Guan↗
NASA NTRS1989

Temporal features of the outflow of heavy ionospheric ions in response to a high altitude plasma cavity

Using a hydrodynamic model for the plasma, it is demonstrated that the auroral plasma cavity is capable of drawing an appreciably large flux of oxygen ions, which are normally gravitationally bound. This escape mechanism of O(+) does not involve any additional heating or acceleration of the plasma in the ionosphere. The temporal evolution of the outflow shows that it starts near the cavity and penetrates into the ionosphere with a flux front moving down with the ion-acoustic speed. A steady outflow is reached in a few hours for a cavity at a height of one R(e) if the cavity is maintained. This time reduces to less than 1 hour for cavity heights less than 3000 km. During the transient state the outflux can appreciably exceed that in the steady state. In view of the horizontal convection, the transient outflow is of special significance. As the cavity descends, the ionospheric flux of O(+) increases; for the lower edge of the cavity in the altitude range 3000-10,000 km, the steady flux is found to be in the range 10 to the 7th to 10 to the 9th. An analysis for the steady state shows that outflow is controlled by the density scale height in the cavity.

Singh, Nagendra↗