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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 253 records · Page 14
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NASA NTRS1980

The effect of solar-cycle ultraviolet flux variations on cometary gas

The effects on comet gas of variations in the solar ultraviolet flux during solar cycle 21 are discussed. The photoionization, photodissociation, and resonance fluorescence and scattering rates of individual atoms and molecules increase by factors ranging up to 4, leading to potential order of magnitude variations in emission-line fluxes between minimum and maximum solar activity. These effects are illustrated for H2O and CO. Recent observations of comet Bradfield (1979) are discussed, and it is suggested that comets appearing near solar maximum be extensively observed to provide information on the response of cometary gas to solar flux variations, which can be used to discriminate between cometary models.

Oppenheimer, M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Study of the Solar Cycle from Space

The objectives of and benefits to be derived from a program of solar cycle research are discussed with emphasis on the role space observations will play in this venture. The strategy to be employed in the coming decade is considered as well as crucial missions, experiments, and the theoretical advances required.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1995

Periodicities of hard x-ray burst during the last solar cycle

By using power spectrum and standard FFT time series analysis, the Hard X-ray burst during solar cycle -22 were studied. This data of Hard X-ray burst spectrometer (HXRBS) on the solar maximum mission from Launch and February 14, 1980, through re-entry on December 2, 1989, by NASA artificial satellite. The results indicate that there are short and intermediate solar periodicities. Also it is found that there is a relation between the short periodicities (few minutes) with similar periodicities in solar radio emissions and in good agreement with the theoretical mode of solar oscillations.

Hady, Ahmed A.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Solar Sources and Geospace Consequences of Interplanetary Magnetic Clouds Observed During Solar Cycle 23

We present results of a statistical investigation of 99 magnetic clouds (MCs) observed during 1995-2005. The MC-associated coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are faster and wider on the average and originate within +/-30deg from the solar disk center. The solar sources of MCs also followed the butterfly diagram. The correlation between the magnetic field strength and speed of MCs was found to be valid over a much wider range of speeds. The number of south-north (SN) MCs was dominant and decreased with solar cycle, while the number of north-south (NS) MCs increased confirming the odd-cycle behavior. Two-thirds of MCs were geoeffective; the Dst index was highly correlated with speed and magnetic field in MCs as well as their product. Many (55%) fully northward (FN) MCs were geoeffective solely due to their sheaths. The non-geoeffective MCs were slower (average speed approx. 382 km/s), had a weaker southward magnetic field (average approx. -5.2nT), and occurred mostly during the rise phase of the solar activity cycle.

Gopalswamy, N.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Modulation of low-energy galactic cosmic rays over the present solar cycle

Explorer satellite observations of modulations in the cosmic ray spectrum during the entire period of the solar cycle show intensity variations in the proton and alpha modulated spectra. A positive correlation between plasma density and variation in cosmic ray intensity is found that breaks during the transition period when higher energy intensity is decreasing as the solar activity increases. It is suggested that the alpha particles lead the proton particles during transition periods and thus make the lag time shorter for high rigidity near the solar maximum and the solar minimum.

Vanhollebeke, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Modeling the Observed Solar Cycle Variations of the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO): Amplification by Wave Forcing

In several papers, the solar cycle (SC) effect in the lower atmosphere has been linked observationally to the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO) of the zonal circulation, which is generated primarily by small-scale gravity waves (GW). Salby and Callaghan (2000) in particular analyzed the QBO, covering more than 40 years, and discovered that it contains a large SC signature at 20 km. With our Numerical Spectral Model (NSM), we conducted a 3D study to describe the QBO under the influence of the SC, and some results have been published (Mayr et al., GRL, 2005,2006). For a SC period of 10 years, the relative amplitude of radiative forcing is taken to vary exponentially with height, i.e., 0.2% at the surface, 2% at 50 km, 20% at 100 km and above. Applying spectral analysis to filter out and identify the SC signature, the model generates a relatively large modulation of the QBO, which reproduces the observations qualitatively. Our numerical results demonstrate that the modulation of the QBO, with constant phase relative to the SC, persist at least for 60 years. The same model run generates in the seasonal variations a hemispherically symmetric Equatorial Annual Oscillation (EAO, with 12-month period), which is confined to low latitudes like the QBO and is also modulated by the SC. Although the amplitude of the EAO is relatively small, its SC modulation is large, and it is in phase with that of the QBO. The SC modulated EAO is evidently the pathway and pacemaker for the solar influence on the QBO. To shed light on the dynamical processes involved, we present model results that show how the seasonal cycle induces the SC modulations of the EAO and QBO. Our analysis further demonstrates that the SC modulations of the QBO and EAO are amplified by the GW interaction with the flow. The GW momentum source clearly shows a SC modulation that is in phase with the corresponding modulations of the QBO and EAO. By tapping the momentum from the upward propagating GWs, the QBO and EAO apparently serve as conduits to amplify and transfer to lower altitudes the larger SC variations in the UV absorbed in the mesosphere. Our model also produces in the temperature variations of the QBO and EAO measurable SC modulations at polar latitudes near the tropopause, and such signatures have been reported in the literature. Contrary to conventional interpretation, however, we suggest that the effects are generated at least in part by the meridional circulation, and planetary waves presumably, which redistribute the energy from the equatorial region where wave forcing is very efficient and thereby amplifies the SC influence.

Mayr, Hans G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Intense magnetic fields at 1 AU: Solar cycle 20

Of the intense magnetic fields (greater than 13 gamma) observed at 1 AU during solar cycle 20 (1973-1975), 92% were associated with shocks, stream interfaces, or cold magnetic enhancements (CMEs). Most (52%) of the magnetic field intensity enhancements occurred at stream interfaces; 27% occurred behind shocks without interfaces; and 11% occurred in CMEs. The most intense fields (25 gamma to 37 gamma) followed shocks. Magnetic field intensities at interfaces did not exceed 25 gamma, suggesting a mechanism such as a magnetoacoustic wave limits the intensity ahead of streams. Intense magnetic fields persist longest behind shocks.

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1981

On the seat of the solar cycle

A discussion of some of the issues raised in connection with the seat of the solar cycle are presented. Is the cycle controlled by a strictly periodic oscillator that operates in the core, or is it a turbulent dynamo confined to the convection zone and possibly a thin boundary layer beneath it? Sunspot statistics are discussed, with a view to ascertaining the length of the memory of the cycle, without drawing a definitive conclusion. Also discussed are some of the processes that might bring about variations delta L and delta R in the luminosity and the radius of the photosphere. It appears that the ratio W = delta lnR/delta lnL increases with the depth of the disturbance that produces the variations, so that imminent observations might determine whether or not the principal dynamical processes are confined to only the outer layers of the Sun.

Gough, D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Intensity variations in the interplanetary magnetic field measured by Voyager 2 and the 11-year solar cycle modulation of galactic cosmic rays

New evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that the 11-yr solar cycle modulation of galactic cosmic rays is caused by strong diffusion inside long-lived merged interaction regions. To test this hypothesis, the 1D force-field approximation of the cosmic ray modulation equation is solved. It is assumed that a constant solar wind speed convects magnetic field compressions and rarefactions unchanged through a model heliosphere. The result is a reasonable simulation of the integrated high-energy cosmic ray intensity profile from about 1982 to mid-1989. This period encompasses both the full recovery portion of the last profile from about 1982 to mid-1989. This model responds to the Voyager 2 magnetic field data by correctly timing the beginning of the new modulation cycle in late 1987. It is concluded that the present hypothesis is consistent with the results of this simulation.

Perko, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A new twist to the solar cycle

Recent numerical simulations of magnetic buoyancy instabilities suggest a new mechanism for the variation with the solar cycle in the scale and structure of surface magnetic flux. The nonlinear evolution of a predominantly toroidal field is found to depend crucially on the distribution of the weaker poloidal ingredient. For certain field configurations large, helical magnetic fragments are produced; for others the escaping field is small-scale and untwisted. We propose that the observed structural variations in flux may be accounted for by small changes in the twist of a deep-seated field. The large fragments will appear at the surface as active regions, which dominate at solar maximum, while the small-scale field will emerge as ephemeral regions which constitute practically all of the flux at solar minimum.

Cattaneo, Fausto↗
NASA NTRS2002

Comparison of Total Solar Irradiance with NASA/NSO Spectromagnetograph Data in Solar Cycles 22 and 23

An earlier study compared NASA/NSO Spectromagnetograph (SPM) data with spacecraft measurements of total solar irradiance (TSI) variations over a 1.5 year period in the declining phase of solar cycle 22. This paper extends the analysis to an eight-year period which also spans the rising and early maximum phases of cycle 23. The conclusions of the earlier work appear to be robust: three factors (sunspots, strong unipolar regions, and strong mixed polarity regions) describe most of the variation in the SPM record, but only the first two are associated with TSI. Additionally, the residuals of a linear multiple regression of TSI against SPM observations over the entire eight-year period show an unexplained, increasing, linear time variation with a rate of about 0.05 W m(exp -2) per year. Separate regressions for the periods before and after 1996 January 01 show no unexplained trends but differ substantially in regression parameters. This behavior may reflect a solar source of TSI variations beyond sunspots and faculae but more plausibly results from uncompensated non-solar effects in one or both of the TSI and SPM data sets.

Jones, Harrison P.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Wavelength Dependence of Solar Rotation and Solar Cycle UV Irradiance Variations

It is shown that for the 5-year period 1982 to 1987 the solar irradiance decrease is estimated to be about 5 to 7 percent over the spectral interval 195 to 225 nm. This change becomes progressively smaller with increasing wavelength. For the 2-1/3 year period, January 1987 to April 1989, the irradiance increases about 6 percent at 195 to 205 nm and about 2 percent between 215 to 250 nm. Both 27-day and 13.5-day relative amplitudes peak at the time near solar maximum (1982) but remain comparatively small between 1983 and the onset of solar cycle 22. An average 280 day oscillation is noted for wavelengths up to 230 nm. No physical mechanism is offered for this variation.

London, Julius↗
NASA NTRS1979

Development of solar cycle 21 observed in EUV spectrum and atmospheric absorption

The results of AE-C and AE-E satellite observations of solar EUV irradiance and atmospheric absorption at wavelengths from 140 to 1850 A, which reflect unexpectedly large differences between the past solar cycle (20) and the present one (21), are discussed. While observations of the oxygen-dissociating solar UV flux above 1230 A show at most a 10% change between the two periods, the EUV minimum at other wavelengths was found to occur 14 months before the sunspot minimum, with a magnitude considerably greater in cycle 21 than in developing cycle 20. During the period of cycle transition, observed irradiance values did not correlate with conventional activity indices. Measurements of UV attenuation reveal no increase of optical depths around 300 km, indicating no corresponding rises in atmospheric density or temperature. The results are considered to present a major challenge to aeronomical models.

Hinteregger, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

An analysis of interplanetary space radiation exposure for various solar cycles

The radiation dose received by crew members in interplanetary space is influenced by the stage of the solar cycle. Using the recently developed models of the galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) environment and the energy-dependent radiation transport code, we have calculated the dose at 0 and 5 cm water depth; using a computerized anatomical man (CAM) model, we have calculated the skin, eye and blood-forming organ (BFO) doses as a function of aluminum shielding for various solar minima and maxima between 1954 and 1989. These results show that the equivalent dose is within about 15% of the mean for the various solar minima (maxima). The maximum variation between solar minimum and maximum equivalent dose is about a factor of three. We have extended these calculations for the 1976-1977 solar minimum to five practical shielding geometries: Apollo Command Module, the least and most heavily shielded locations in the U.S. space shuttle mid-deck, center of the proposed Space Station Freedom cluster and sleeping compartment of the Skylab. These calculations, using the quality factor of ICRP 60, show that the average CAM BFO equivalent dose is 0.46 Sv/year. Based on an approach that takes fragmentation into account, we estimate a calculation uncertainty of 15% if the uncertainty in the quality factor is neglected.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health↗
NASA NTRS2006

Solar Wind Helium Abundance as a Function of Speed and Heliographic Latitude: Variation through a Solar Cycle

We present a study of the variation of the relative abundance of helium to hydrogen in the solar wind as a function of solar wind speed and heliographic latitude over the previous solar cycle. The average values of A(sub He), the ratio of helium to hydrogen number densities, are calculated in 25 speed intervals over 27-day Carrington rotations using Faraday Cup observations from the Wind spacecraft between 1995 and 2005. The higher speed and time resolution of this study compared to an earlier work with the Wind observations has led to the discovery of three new aspects of A(sub He), modulation during solar minimum from mid-1995 to mid-1997. First, we find that for solar wind speeds between 350 and 415 km/s, A(sub He), varies with a clear six-month periodicity, with a minimum value at the heliographic equatorial plane and a typical gradient of 0.01 per degree in latitude. For the slow wind this is a 30% effect. We suggest that the latitudinal gradient may be due to an additional dependence of coronal proton flux on coronal field strength or the stability of coronal loops. Second, once the gradient is subtracted, we find that A(sub He), is a remarkably linear function of solar wind speed. Finally, we identify a vanishing speed, at which A(sub He), is zero, is 259 km/s and note that this speed corresponds to the minimum solar wind speed observed at one AU. The vanishing speed may be related to previous theoretical work in which enhancements of coronal helium lead to stagnation of the escaping proton flux. During solar maximum the A(sub He), dependences on speed and latitude disappear, and we interpret this as evidence of two source regions for slow solar wind in the ecliptic plane, one being the solar minimum streamer belt and the other likely being active regions.

Kasper, J. C.↗