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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 271 records · Page 15
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NASA NTRS1981

The Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer on Dynamics Explorer-A

The thermal component of the magnetospheric plasma plays a key role in magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling processes, acting as a strong influence on ionospheric structure at low altitudes and as a source and modifier of the hotter plasma population at high altitudes. The Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer (RIMS) instrument on Dynamics Explorer-A is designed to measure this important thermal plasma component. Using a combination of retarding potential analysis and magnetic ion mass spectrometer techniques, the RIMS instrument will measure the bulk plasma parameters of ion density (0.1 to 1,000,000 ions/cu cm), temperature (0-45 eV), and bulk flow (greater than 0.5 km/sec) in the inner plasmasphere and ionosphere, and the specific ion pitch angle and energy spectral characteristics in the outer plasmasphere and plasma trough for a mass range of 1-32 amu. The energy and mass spectral step sequences, as well as the multiplexing of the resultant data, can be tailored to accomplish a variety of thermal ion measurements throughout the inner magnetosphere.

Chappell, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS2020

The Warm Gas in the MW: A Kinematical Model

We develop a kinematical model for the Milky Way Si IV-bearing gas to determine its density distribution and kinematics. This model is constrained by a column density line-shape sample extracted from the Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph archival data, which contains 186 active galactic nucleus sight lines. We find that the Si IV ion density distribution is dominated by an extended disk along the z-direction (above or below the midplane), i.e., n(z) = n0 exp(-(z z/0 ) 0.82 , where z0 is the scale height of - 6.3+1.5 -1.6 kpc (northern hemisphere) and 3.6+0.9 -1.0 kpc (southern hemisphere). The density distribution of the disk in the radial direction shows a sharp edge at 15–20 kpc given by, n(rXY) = n0 exp(-(rXY/r0) 3.36 , where r0≈12.5±0.6 kpc. The difference of density distributions over rXY and z directions indicates that the warm gas traced by Si IV is mainly associated with disk processes (e.g., feedback or cycling gas) rather than accretion. We estimate the mass of the warm gas (within 50 kpc) is log(M(50kpc) M(sun)) ≈ 8.1 (assuming Z≈0.5 Z(sun)), and a 3σ upper limit of log(M(250kpc) M(sun)) ≈ 9.1 (excluding the Magellanic system). Kinematically, the warm gas disk is nearly co-rotating with the stellar disk at vrot = 215 ± 3 km s-1, which lags the midplane rotation by about 8 km s-1 kpc-1 (within 5 kpc). Meanwhile, we note that the warm gas in the northern hemisphere has significant accretion with vacc of 69±7 km s-1 at 10 kpc (an accretion rate of -0.60+0.13- 0.11 M(sun) yr-1), while in the southern hemisphere, there is no measurable accretion, with an upper limit of 0.4M(sun) yr−1.

Zhijie Qu↗
NASA NTRS1983

Io: Escape and ionization of atmospheric gases

The partitioning of the major ion densities throughout the torus is described. This description is required as input information for the Io oxygen and sulfur cloud models. In the radial interval from 4.9 to 5.4 Rj ion partitioning information is used to initially explore that impact of charge exchange reactions between the neutral gas clouds and the plasma torus ions. Because of the spatial distribution of torus ions, these reactions may be able to introduce a magnetic longitudinal effect in the plasma torus properties. Modeling efforts for the Io oxygen and sulfur clouds and for the sodium cloud data are also discussed.

Smyth, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Shock normal determination for multiple-ion shocks

We have adapted the single-ion Vinas and Scudder (1986) solution to the Rankine-Hugoniot (R-H) problem to a multiple-on solution. Using this technique, we can calculate a shock normal direction, shock speed, best estimate of the upstream and downstream magnetic field and plasma asymptotic states, and theta(sub Bn), the angle between the shock normal and the upstream magnetic field. We test the multi-ion solution with a theoretical case but are restricted to a perpendicular shock in order to close the multi-ion Rankine-Hugoniot equations. For this test case both single-ion and multi-ion solutions are equally valid. We examine parameter regimes to look for differences between single-ion and multi-ion solutions of the R-H equations, and we find that the largest differences occur for quasi-parallel shocks, small values of solar wind speed, large values of heavy ion density, and very strong and very weak shocks. For both the inbound and outbound crossing of comet Halley we have a slow solar wind speed, small values of water group ions and fairly weak shocks. We examine both the quasi-perpendicular inbound crossing and the quasi-parallel outbound crossing at comet Halley.

Kessel, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Background and Pickup Ion Velocity Distribution Dynamics in Titan's Plasma Environment: 3D Hybrid Simulation and Comparison with CAPS T9 Observations

In this report we discuss the ion velocity distribution dynamics from the 3D hybrid simulation. In our model the background, pickup, and ionospheric ions are considered as a particles, whereas the electrons are described as a fluid. Inhomogeneous photoionization, electron-impact ionization and charge exchange are included in our model. We also take into account the collisions between the ions and neutrals. The current simulation shows that mass loading by pickup ions H(+); H2(+), CH4(+) and N2(+) is stronger than in the previous simulations when O+ ions are introduced into the background plasma. In our hybrid simulations we use Chamberlain profiles for the atmospheric components. We also include a simple ionosphere model with average mass M = 28 amu ions that were generated inside the ionosphere. The moon is considered as a weakly conducting body. Special attention will be paid to comparing the simulated pickup ion velocity distribution with CAPS T9 observations. Our simulation shows an asymmetry of the ion density distribution and the magnetic field, including the formation of the Alfve n wing-like structures. The simulation also shows that the ring-like velocity distribution for pickup ions relaxes to a Maxwellian core and a shell-like halo.

Lipatov, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Charging of mesospheric particles - Implications for electron density and particle coagulation

The relationship between N(e) and mesospheric aerosols near the mesopause is studied. The full distribution of charges on mesospheric aerosols is calculated, including dust and ice particles with radii ranging from 1 to 400 nm. The N(e) and ion density N(i) are obtained and ionization height profiles are calculated. The effects of dust and ice particles on N(e) and N(i) are studied for a wide range of assumed conditions. The results indicate that aerosol concentrations associated with visible polar mesospheric clouds are unlikely to cause a severe N(e) depletion. The pronounced 'bite-out' of N(e) at about 87 km in the summertime may be caused by a large concentration of small ice particles in a narrow cold layer near the mesosphere. Net negative charge on mesospheric aerosols may severely inihibit coagulation, so that mesospheric dust would not grow significantly. A higher supersaturation with respect to water vapor would be needed for heterogeneous nucleation of ice crystals.

Jensen, Eric J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Diurnal transport effects on the F-region plasma at Chatanika under quiet and disturbed conditions

High latitude ionospheric model predictions are compared with the diurnal variations of plasma convection velocities and electron densities observed at Chatanika, Alaska, on geomagnetically quiet and disturbed days near equinox. Since the time-dependent variation of the magnetospheric electric field was not known, plasma drift velocities and ion densities are calculated for two different convection-precipitation models, each of which corresponds to a different level of magnetic activity. Model calculations for the magnetically quiet day produced plasma drift velocities and electron densities that were in good agreement, both qualitatively and quantitatively, with the measurements. The two models have demonstrated the relative sensitivity of the high latitude ionosphere to different combinations of magnetospheric convection and induced vertical drifts associated with thermospheric winds.

Murdin, J.↗
NASA NTRS1971

ELF propagation in the plasmasphere based on satellite observations of discrete and continuous forms

The propagation of electromagnetic waves in a nonhomogeneous anisotropic medium is examined from the point of view of geometrical optics. In particular, the propagation of ELF waves in the magnetosphere is described in terms of the electron and ion densities and the intensity and inclination of the earth's magnetic field. The analysis of the variations of wave normal angle along the ray path is extended to include the effects of ions. A comparison of the relative importance of each of the above parameters in controlling the orientation of the wave normals is made in the region of the magnetosphere where most of the ion whistlers have been detected.

Muzzio, J. L. R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The production and escape of nitrogen atoms on Mars

The lack of agreement between our previously computed values and those measured by Viking of the N-15:N-14 isotope enhancement ratio has led us to reevaluate our model of the Martian ionosphere. In previous models, we were unable to reproduce the ion profiles measured by the RPA on Viking using electron temperatures that were higher that the ion temperatures. When we increased the electron temperatures to 2500-3000 K and with a zero flux upper boundary condition, the ion densities at high altitudes exceeded the measured values by a large factor. We found that we can better fit the observed profiles if we impose a loss process at the upper boundary of our model. If the horizontal fluxes of ions do not constitute a net loss of ions, then the escape of N due to dissociative recombination is also inhibited and better agreement with the measured isotope ratio is found. The production of escaping nitrogen atoms is closely related to the production of thermospheric odd nitrogen; therefore, the densities of NO measured by Viking provide a convenient check on our nitrogen escape model. Our standard model NO densities are less that the measured values by a factor of 2-3, as are those of previous models. We find that reasonable agreement can be obtained by assuming that the rate coefficient for loss of odd nitrogen in the reaction of N with NO is smaller at temperatures that prevail in the lower Martian thermosphere than the standard value, which applies to temperatures of 200-400 K. Other aspects of this investigation are presented.

Fox, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Dynamics of the Venus ionosphere revisited

The Whitten et al. (1984) dynamical model of the Venus ionosphere is presently modified in order to obtain a better match between observations and predictions. It is found that the nighttime ion densities are comparatively insensitive to the height of the ionopause above a value of 450 km. The density increases by only about 25 percent when the ionopause is raised to 800 km, but is noted to be very sensitive to the choice of a neutral model atmosphere, and to the ion and electron temperatures that influence both plasma scale height and ion diffusivity.

Mccormick, P. T.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Ion Composition of Titan's Ionosphere Observed During T9 Magnetotail Crossing

In a recent paper, Sittler et al., (2010) presented new results on the T9 encounter by the Cassini spacecraft when it passed through Titan s induced magnetotail. Two crossings were observed, but the first crossing, event 1, is thought to be out flowing ionosphere plasma. T9 is ideal for CAPS IMS probing of the ionosphere, since the ion densities at the higher altitudes of the T9 flyby approx. 10,000 km, allows measurements to be made down to 1 eV without saturating its detectors. Sittler et al., (2010) reported possible detection of NH4+ ions, but favored the detection of CH5+ and C2H5+ ions. In this report we investigate both the medium mass resolution (straight through (ST)) and high mass resolution (linear electric field (LEF)) composition data from the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) Ion Mass Spectrometer (IMS). We present a more in depth analysis of the composition data and make comparisons with ionospheric models including nitrogen chemistry such as that by Vuitton et al. (2007). The LEF data does not support NH4+ identification, but favors a CH5+ and C2H5+ identification, but also molecular ions C2N+ and CH2NH2+ are chemically allowed possibilities.

Sittler, Edward↗
NASA NTRS1987

Magnetotails at unmagnetized bodies - Comparison of Comet Giacobini-Zinner and Venus

It is found that the near ionopause environs play a crucial role in the tail formation process at both Venus and G-Z and that draping at the two very different sized bodies occurs on ionopause scale sizes. On the other hand, ion densities, downtail mass fluxes, tailward J x B forces, and lobe betas are factors of about 10,000, 50, 100, and 20 times greater in the G-Z tail than in Venus', while bulk flow speeds and ion temperatures are factors of about 15 and 240 times lower. These large quantitative differences in the properties within the two magnetotails are attributable to the significantly greater upstream mass loading of the solar wind by the extended neutral atmosphere at G-Z (comets in general) compared to the gravitationally bound atmosphere of Venus.

Mccomas, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Positive ion composition in the polar D and E regions measured during moderate ionospheric absorption

During the MAC/Epsilon campaign a mass spectrometer probe was flown on a rocket launched from Andoya (Norway) on 12 November 1987 at 0021 UT providing partial ion density profiles in the altitude range between less than 50 to 125 km. Due to the short sampling period of 0.17 seconds structural features could be observed at approx. 150 m height resolution in the regimes where metal ions occur and where cluster ions are dominant. The observations were made during stable ionospheric absorption of 1 to 1.5 dB. Preliminary results are presented and discussed.

Laemmerzahl, P.↗
NASA NTRS1972

The light-ion trough, the main trough, and the plasmapause.

Although the plasmapause has been detected as a global phenomenon by both VLF and ion composition measurements, the electron and ion density troughs have been identified primarily as nightside features. This problem, as well as the difficulty in explaining various inconsistencies in relating the position of the plasmapause and the ionization trough, is explained by a close examination of the ion composition, generally unavailable in previous trough studies. In particular, ion composition results from the polar-orbiting Ogo satellites identify the persistence of a pronounced light-ion trough (LIT) in H(+) and He(+), often identified by order-of-magnitude decreases in the light-ion concentrations, that occurs within a few degrees of latitude and reaches residual concentration levels of 100 to 1000 ions/cu cm near 60 deg dipole latitude. The LIT, observed both within the thermosphere and at high latitudes in the magnetosphere, has been correlated directly with the VLF whistler identification of the plasmapause.

Taylor, H. A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Efficient ionisation of calcium, strontium and barium by resonant laser pumping

Efficient ionization has been observed when an atomic vapor of strontium, barium or calcium was illuminated with a long pulse tunable laser at the frequency of the atomic resonance line. The variation in the degree of ionization with neutral density and laser intensity has been measured using the 'hook' method. The maximum ionization observed was 94%. Excited state populations were measured yielding an excitation temperature (depending on exact experimental conditions) in the region of 0.4 eV. The decay of ion density after the laser pulse was monitored and the recombination coefficients determined. The results are interpreted in terms of an electron heating model.

Skinner, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The Jovian nebula - A post-Voyager perspective

Voyager 1 carried a diverse collection of magnetospheric probes through the inner Jovian magnetosphere in March 1979. The ensuing data analysis and theoretical investigation provided a comprehensive description of the Jovian nebula, a luminous torus populated with newly released heavy ions drawn from Io's surface. Recent refinements in earth-based imaging instrumentation are used to extend the Voyager in situ picture in temporal and spatial coverage. An analysis of S III and S II forbidden-line optical emissions observed during the Jovian apparitions of 1981 through 1983 reveals three distinct torus components. Regularities have been identified in the ion partitioning and ion densities in the hot outer and inner tori, sharply defined radial structure is found in the plasma near Io, and the relative permanence of the cool inner torus is inferred. An extended cloud of neutral material is required as a source of fresh ions in the nebula.

Trauger, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Observations of mirror waves and plasma depletion layer upstream of Saturn's magnetopause

The two inbound traversals of the Saturn's magnetosheath by Voyagers 1 and 2 have been studied using plasma and magnetic field data. In a great portion of the subsolar magnetosheath, large-amplitude compressional waves are observed at low frequency (approximately 0.1 f(sub p)) in a high-beta plasma regime. The fluctuations of the magnetic field magnitude and ion density are anticorrelated, as are those of the magnetic and thermal pressures. The normals to the structures are almost orthogonal to the background field, and the Doppler ratio is on the average small. Even though the data do not allow the determination of the ion thermal anisotropy, the observations are consistent with values of T(sub perpendicular)/T(sub parallel) greater than 1, producing the onset of the mirror instability. All the above features indicate that the waves should be most probably identified with mirror modes. One of the two magnetopause crossings is of the high-shear type and the above described waves are seen until the magnetopause. The other crossing is of the low-shear type and, similarly to what has been observed at Earth, a plasma depletion occurs close to the magnetopause. In this layer, waves with smaller amplitude, presumably of the mirror mode, are present together with higher-frequency waves showing a transverse component.

Violante, L.↗