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NASA NTRS2019

Mechanism of Reconnection on Kinetic Scales Based on Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission Observations

We examine the role that ions and electrons play in reconnection using observations from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission on kinetic ion and electron scales, which are much shorter than magnetohydrodynamic scales. This study reports observations with unprecedented high resolution that MMS provides for magnetic field (7.8 ms) and plasma (30 ms for electrons and 150 ms for ions). We analyze and compare approaches to the magnetopause in 2016 November, to the electron diffusion region in the magnetotail in 2017 July followed by a current sheet crossing in 2018 July. Besides magnetic field reversals, changes in the direction of the flow velocity, and ion and electron heating, MMS observed large fluctuations in the electron flow speeds in the magnetotail. As expected from numerical simulations, we have verified that when the field lines and plasma become decoupled a large reconnecting electric field related to the Hall current (1–10 mV/m) is responsible for fast reconnection in the ion diffusion region. Although inertial accelerating forces remain moderate (1–2 mV/m), the electric fields resulting from the divergence of the full electron pressure tensor provide the main contribution to the generalized Ohm’s law at the neutral sheet (as large as 200 mV/m). In our view, this illustrates that when ions decouple electron physics dominates. The results obtained on kinetic scales may be useful for better understanding the physical mechanisms governing reconnection processes in various magnetized laboratory and space plasmas.

W. M. Macek↗
NASA NTRS1995

Energy spectrum transfer equations of solar wind turbulence

The recent studies of transfer equations for solar wind magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence are reviewed with emphasis on the comparison with the statistical observational results. Helios and Voyager missions provide an opportunity to study the the radial evolution of the power spectrum. the cross-helicity the Alfven ratio and the minimum variance direction. Spectrum transfer equations are considered as a tool to explore the nature of this radial evolution of the fluctuations. The transfer equations are derived from incompressible MHD equations. Generally one needs to make assumptions about the nature of the fluctuations and the nature of the turbulent non-linear interactions to obtain numerical results which can be compared with the observations. Some special model results for several simple cases SUCH as for structures or strong mixing. for Alfven waves with weak turbulent interactions. and for a superposition of structures and Alfven waves. are discussed. The difference between the various approaches to derive and handle the transfer equations are also addressed. Finally some theoretical description of the compressible fluctuations are also briefly reviewed.

Tu, C.-Y.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Magnetohydrodynamic Convection in the Outer Core and its Geodynamic Consequences

The Earth's fluid outer core is in vigorous convection through much of the Earth's history. In addition to generating and maintaining Earth s time-varying magnetic field (geodynamo), the core convection also generates mass redistribution in the core and a dynamical pressure field on the core-mantle boundary (CMB). All these shall result in various core-mantle interactions, and contribute to surface geodynamic observables. For example, electromagnetic core-mantle coupling arises from finite electrically conducting lower mantle; gravitational interaction occurs between the cores and the heterogeneous mantle; mechanical coupling may also occur when the CMB topography is aspherical. Besides changing the mantle rotation via the coupling torques, the mass-redistribution in the core shall produce a spatial-temporal gravity anomaly. Numerical modeling of the core dynamical processes contributes in several geophysical disciplines. It helps explain the physical causes of surface geodynamic observables via space geodetic techniques and other means, e.g. Earth's rotation variation on decadal time scales, and secular time-variable gravity. Conversely, identification of the sources of the observables can provide additional insights on the dynamics of the fluid core, leading to better constraints on the physics in the numerical modeling. In the past few years, our core dynamics modeling efforts, with respect to our MoSST model, have made significant progress in understanding individual geophysical consequences. However, integrated studies are desirable, not only because of more mature numerical core dynamics models, but also because of inter-correlation among the geophysical phenomena, e.g. mass redistribution in the outer core produces not only time-variable gravity, but also gravitational core-mantle coupling and thus the Earth's rotation variation. They are expected to further facilitate multidisciplinary studies of core dynamics and interactions of the core with other components of the Earth.

Kuang, Weijia↗
NASA NTRS2007

On the Origin of Near-Radial Magnetic Fields in the Heliosphere: Numerical Simulations

Deviations from the direction of the "Parker spiral" can be found in in situ measurements of the interplanetary magnetic field on essentially all scales. One intriguing subset is the intervals of near-radial magnetic field, lasting for many hours. Some such intervals are obviously associated with coronal mass ejections, while others appear to be embedded within the ambient solar wind. Most occur on declining speed profiles, such that, when mapped back to the Sun, an entire radial field interval appears to have been launched at approximately the same time. It has been proposed that these events are the result of abrupt, semipermanent speed decreases on these field lines close to the Sun, and that such speed changes might be due to interchange reconnection. In this study, we use a three-dimensional, time-dependent magnetohydrodynamic model to assess to what extent this can account for near-radial magnetic fields observed relatively far out in the heliosphere. We find that sudden speed drops on the trailing portions of high-speed flows can produce strongly underwound (that is near radial) field lines in the heliosphere, although significantly larger speed gradients are required than are typically observed. Moreover, the simulations also reproduce the decreases in density, temperature, and magnetic field strength that are also commonly observed within these events. The question of what produces the abrupt speed drops remains to be answered.

Mikic, Zoran↗
NASA NTRS1998

Determination of Particle Sources for a Geotail Distribution Function Observed on May 23, 1995

On May 23, 1995, the Comprehensive Plasma Instrumentation (CPI) onboard the Geotail spacecraft observed a complex and structured ion distribution function near the magnetotail midplane at x approximately -10 R(sub E). On the same day, the Wind spacecraft observed a very high density (approximately 40/cubic cm) solar wind and an interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) that was predominantly northward but had several southward turnings. We have inferred the sources of the ions in this distribution function by following approximately 90,000 ion trajectories backward in time using time-dependent electric and magnetic fields obtained from a global MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) simulation. Wind data were used as input for the MHD model. We found that three sources contributed to this distribution: the ionosphere, the plasma mantle which had near-Earth and distant tail components, and the low latitude boundary layer (LLBL). Moreover, distinct structures in the low energy part of the distribution function were found to be associated with individual sources. Structures near 0 deg pitch angle were made up of either ionospheric or plasma mantle ions, while structures near 90 deg pitch angle were dominated by ions from the LLBL source. Particles that underwent nonadiabatic acceleration were numerous in the higher energy part of the ion distribution function, whereas ionospheric and LLBL ions were mostly adiabatic. A large proportion of the near-Earth mantle ions underwent adiabatic acceleration, while most of the distant mantle ions experienced nonadiabatic acceleration.

Ashour-Abdalla, M.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Kinetic Simulations of Current-Sheet Formation and Reconnection at a Magnetic X Line

The integration of kinetic effects into macroscopic numerical models is currently of great interest to the plasma physics community, particularly in the context of magnetic reconnection. We are examining the formation and reconnection of current sheets in a simple, two-dimensional X-line configuration using high resolution particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. The initial potential magnetic field is perturbed by thermal pressure introduced into the particle distribution far from the X line. The relaxation of this added stress leads to the development of a current sheet, which reconnects for imposed stress of sufficient strength. We compare the evolution and final state of our PIC simulations with magnetohydrodynamic simulations assuming both uniform and localized resistivities, and with force-free magnetic-field equilibria in which the amount of reconnect ion across the X line can be constrained to be zero (ideal evolution) or optimal (minimum final magnetic energy). We will discuss implications of our results for reconnection onset and cessation at kinetic scales in dynamically formed current sheets, such as those occurring in the terrestrial magnetotail and solar corona.

Black, C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A magnetohydrodynamic model for corotating interplanetary structures

A model is developed which treats interplanetary structures as a small-scale incompressible Alfvenic fluctuation superposed on a large-scale background flow, and uses the complete magnetohydrodynamic equations and the full energy equation to describe the interplanetary structures. For steady-state corotating structures the model assumes the background flow to be field aligned, and the nonlinear system is treated as being composed of two subsets: one dealing with the expansion of the solar wind in stream tubes, the other with the interaction between neighboring stream tubes. The expansion subset has a singularity at Parker's critical radius, and the interaction subset has a singularity at the Alfvenic point. Concerning the region where the flow velocity is super-Alfvenic, the characteristic equation is derived, and a general method of numerical solution for the three-dimensional problems based on the characteristics theory is discussed. In addition, a viscous WKB solution of the microscale system is presented.

Whang, Y. C.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Magnetohydrodynamic Jump Conditions for Oblique Relativistic Shocks with Gyrotropic Pressure

Shock jump conditions, i.e., the specification of the downstream parameters of the gas in terms of the upstream parameters, are obtained for steady-state, plane shocks with oblique magnetic fields and arbitrary flow speeds. This is done by combining the continuity of particle number flux and the electromagnetic boundary conditions at the shock with the magnetohydrodynamic conservation laws derived from the stress-energy tensor. For ultrarelativistic and nonrelativistic shocks, the jump conditions may be solved analytically. For mildly relativistic shocks, analytic solutions are obtained for isotropic pressure using an approximation for the adiabatic index that is valid in high sonic Mach number cases. Examples assuming isotropic pressure illustrate how the shock compression ratio depends on the shock speed and obliquity. In the more general case of gyrotropic pressure, the jump conditions cannot be solved analytically with- out additional assumptions, and the effects of gyrotropic pressure are investigated by parameterizing the distribution of pressure parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field. Our numerical solutions reveal that relatively small departures from isotropy (e.g., approximately 20%) produce significant changes in the shock compression ratio, r , at all shock Lorentz factors, including ultrarelativistic ones, where an analytic solution with gyrotropic pressure is obtained. In particular, either dynamically important fields or significant pressure anisotropies can incur marked departures from the canonical gas dynamic value of r = 3 for a shocked ultrarelativistic flow and this may impact models of particle acceleration in gamma-ray bursts and other environments where relativistic shocks are inferred. The jump conditions presented apply directly to test-particle acceleration, and will facilitate future self-consistent numerical modeling of particle acceleration at oblique, relativistic shocks; such models include the modification of the fluid velocity profile due to the contribution of energetic particles to the momentum and energy fluxes.

Double, Glen P.↗
NASA NTRS2009

MHD Modeling of the Solar Wind with Turbulence Transport and Heating

We have developed a magnetohydrodynamic model that describes the global axisymmetric steady-state structure of the solar wind near solar minimum with account for transport of small-scale turbulence associated heating. The Reynolds-averaged mass, momentum, induction, and energy equations for the large-scale solar wind flow are solved simultaneously with the turbulence transport equations in the region from 0.3 to 100 AU. The large-scale equations include subgrid-scale terms due to turbulence and the turbulence (small-scale) equations describe the effects of transport and (phenomenologically) dissipation of the MHD turbulence based on a few statistical parameters (turbulence energy, normalized cross-helicity, and correlation scale). The coupled set of equations is integrated numerically for a source dipole field on the Sun by a time-relaxation method in the corotating frame of reference. We present results on the plasma, magnetic field, and turbulence distributions throughout the heliosphere and on the role of the turbulence in the large-scale structure and temperature distribution in the solar wind.

Goldstein, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The magnetohydrodynamics of current sheets

Examples of current sheets are summarized and their formation is described. A universal phenomenon in cosmic plasmas is the creation of sheets off intense current near X-type neutral points (where the magnetic field vanishes). These sheets are important as sites where the magnetic-field energy is converted efficiently into heat and bulk kinetic energy and where particles can be accelerated to high energies. Examples include disruptions in laboratory tokamaks, substorms in the earth's magnetosphere, and flares on the sun. The basic behavior of a one-dimensional sheet is presented, together with an account of the linear tearing-mode instability that can cause the field lines in such a sheet to reconnect. Such reconnection may develop in different ways: it may arise from a spontaneous instability or it may be driven, either from outside by motions or locally by a resistivity enhancement. Various processes are described that may occur during the nonlinear development of tearing, along with the many numerical and laboratory experiments that are aiding our understanding of this intriguing cosmical process.

Priest, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Broken Ergodicity in Two-Dimensional Homogeneous Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence

Two-dimensional (2-D) homogeneous magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence has many of the same qualitative features as three-dimensional (3-D) homogeneous MHD turbulence.The se features include several ideal invariants, along with the phenomenon of broken ergodicity. Broken ergodicity appears when certain modes act like random variables with mean values that are large compared to their standard deviations, indicating a coherent structure or dynamo.Recently, the origin of broken ergodicity in 3-D MHD turbulence that is manifest in the lowest wavenumbers was explained. Here, a detailed description of the origins of broken ergodicity in 2-D MHD turbulence is presented. It will be seen that broken ergodicity in ideal 2-D MHD turbulence can be manifest in the lowest wavenumbers of a finite numerical model for certain initial conditions or in the highest wavenumbers for another set of initial conditions.T he origins of broken ergodicity in ideal 2-D homogeneous MHD turbulence are found through an eigen analysis of the covariance matrices of the modal probability density functions.It will also be shown that when the lowest wavenumber magnetic field becomes quasi-stationary, the higher wavenumber modes can propagate as Alfven waves on these almost static large-scale magnetic structures

Shebalin, John V.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The stability of a compressible stratified shear layer

The stability of a shear layer under the effect of gravity is investigated using the compressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations, including an effective gravity term to represent the curvature effects of the flow and magnetic field line geometry. A general eigenmode equation is derived for a two-dimensional MHD fluid, and an energy-principle analysis to explain the effect of compressibility on the critical Richardson number is presented. For the case of a hyperbolic tangent shear flow and exponential density profile, it was found that, in the Boussinesq approximation, the compressibility raises the critical Richardson number from 1/4 to as much as 1/2, with the exact value depending on the value of the magnetic field at infinity. Under approximation of a strong asymptotic magnetic field, without invoking the Boussinesq approximation, it is shown both analytically and numerically that the density gradient terms cause the shear instability to be dispersive. The long-wavelength stability boundary for the Richardson number J = 0 is characterized by a normalized phase velocity c =

Wang, Z.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Hall Magnetohydrodynamic Power Generation and Drag Augmentation Using A Coaxial-Electrode Configuration During Hypersonic Entry

For interplanetary missions, a spacecraft must reduce its relative velocity from orbital speeds of multiple kilometers per second to zero in order to safely land on the surface of a planetary body. During this phase known as planetary reentry, the spacecraft undergoes high speed above Mach 5 up to Mach 30. This hyper-sonic flight regime imposes a strong bow shock in front of the vehicle that imparts extreme aerodynamic and thermal effects. In addition, during portions of this regime, a plasma is formed in the post-shock flow-field around the vehicle due to these high temperatures. Interaction between an applied magnetic field with this electrically conductive fluid, or magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) interaction, can be utilized to convert kinetic energy from the flow into storable electrical energy. Onboard MHD energy generation can benefit the spacecraft by increasing the power of active thermal control components and vehicle control systems during reentry. MHD interaction also exerts a Lorentz body force on the plasma flow that can be manipulated to act as an additional drag force through the vehicle body. MHD drag augmentation can benefit the spacecraft with an additional control mechanism that operates without moving parts. This can be utilized at higher altitudes and subsequently reduce convective heat transfer to the vehicle. MHD interaction with plasma flow suggests that both power generation and drag augmentation can be integrated together in one design. Modern numerical studies have only demonstrated the viability and potential of MHD energy generation and drag modulation separately for implementation into future spacecraft designs [1] [2] [3]. Steeves et. al. presented one possible generator design specifically for reentry vehicles that utilized a modular panel with two embedded electromagnets and two extruding electrodes for air plasma to flow between. Fujino et. al. presented results that indicated increased total drag with a permanent magnet embedded in the blunt body of the Orbital Reentry Experiment (OREX) trajectory. Furthermore, experimental investigations of these two MHD applications have been limited and separate due to the difficult technical nature of experimental de-sign and analysis. For MHD energy generation, there have been two designs which used a cylindrical fore-body with two embedded permanent magnets and two outward facing curved electrodes for tangency to an artificially ionized plasma that flowed along the body length [4] [5]. The first design was studied using an air microwave (MW) ionized supersonic plasma wind tunnel and the second design used radio frequency (RF) ionization of Argon, but both physically demonstrated the feasibility of MHD energy generation in reentry plasma conditions. For MHD drag modulation, one study involved a small-scale cylindrical blunt body embedded with permanent magnets immersed in plasma flow in an arcjet tunnel [6], and another utilized a spherical permanent magnet enclosed with a spherical forebody that was evaluated in a shock expansion tunnel [7]. Both experimental studies provided physical evidence of drag augmentation due to MHD interactions. Therefore, because of the multi-faceted effects of MHD along with both applications having been deemed feasible and beneficial during reentry, this indicates that a coupled power generation and drag modulation design could be achievable. The axi-symmetric nature of blunt bodies for reentry suggests that a spherical set of two ring electrodes near the nose along the body axis. Based on first principles, flow along the walls of the spherical body can then produce MHD interactions between the electrodes. As a result, two currents are generated: a Hall current that produces power and a primary inductive current that augments the drag force. The goal of this work is to provide a simulated design of a coaxial-electrode con-figuration for power generation and drag modulation for experimental testing.

E. Leong↗
NASA NTRS1999

Review of Recent Results in Global MHD Modeling: ISTP Project Scientist for Theory and Ground-Based Observations

Global MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) simulations have shown a remarkable ability to describe the global dynamics of geospace. The limitations of the physical approximations underlying MHD would seem to limit the effectiveness of these codes, since kinetic and hybrid effects should manifest themselves by cross-scale coupling from microscales to mesoscales to global scales. However three effects appear to allow the codes to operate much more successfully than one would at first believe. They are:(l) the globally self-consistent nature of the codes with very well defined exterior boundary conditions (the solar wind) which allows the proper intercommunication between magnetospheric regions on MHD scales, (2) the control by global dynamics of the boundary layer locations where micro and meso scale processes operate, and (3) the critical role of numerical diffusion and with a sufficiently high resolution grid, the use of an empirical resistivity term, which if set at a level where the major magnetosphere boundaries properly calibrate against their observed locations, appear to well represent the effects of kinetic and hybrid processes on the global dynamics. The effectiveness of the global MHD codes, which have been developed under the ISTP mission, in describing Wind, Polar and Geotail observations, as well as ground-based observations are described. Particular emphasis is placed upon the Polar imaging data which when combined with ground-based data and global MHD-based synthetic aurora and convection patterns provide a powerful tool in understanding the final link in the solar-terrestrial chain: coupling into the atmosphere and ionosphere.

Curtis, Steven↗
NASA NTRS1994

MHD simulations of boundary layer formation along the dayside Venus ionopause due to mass loading

A two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of mass-loaded solar wind flow around the dayside of Venus is presented. For conditions appropriate to a low-altitude ionopause the simulations show that mass loading from the pickup of oxygen ions produces a boundary layer of finite thickness along the ionopause. Within this layer the temperatures exhibit strong gradients normal to and away from the ionopause. Furthermore, there is a shear in the bulk flow velocity across the boundary layer, such that the (predominantly tangential) flow decreases in speed as the ionopause is approached and remains small along the ionopause, consistent with Pioneer Venus observations. The total mass density increases significantly as the flow approaches the ionopause, where the contribution of O(+) to the total number density is a few percent. Numerical simulations are carried out for various mass addition rates and demonstrate that the boundary layer develops when oxygen ion production exceeds approximately 2 x 10(exp 5)/cu m/s. For the upstream solar wind parameters and mass loading rates chosen for these simulations, the results are consistent with observations made on the dayside of Venus for average ionopause conditions near 300 km.

Mcgary, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Simulations of Solar Wind Turbulence

Recently we have restructured our approach to simulating magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence in the solar wind. Previously, we had defined a 'virtual' heliosphere that contained, for example, a tilted rotating current sheet, microstreams, quasi-two-dimensional fluctuations as well as Alfven waves. In this new version of the code, we use the global, time-stationary, WKB Alfven wave-driven solar wind model developed by Usmanov and described in Usmanov and Goldstein [2003] to define the initial state of the system. Consequently, current sheets, and fast and slow streams are computed self-consistently from an inner, photospheric, boundary. To this steady-state configuration, we add fluctuations close to, but above, the surface where the flow become super-Alfvenic. The time-dependent MHD equations are then solved using a semi-discrete third-order Central Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (CWENO) numerical scheme. The computational domain now includes the entire sphere; the geometrical singularity at the poles is removed using the multiple grid approach described in Usmanov [1996]. Wave packets are introduced at the inner boundary such as to satisfy Faraday's Law [Yeh and Dryer, 1985] and their nonlinear evolution are followed in time.

Goldstein, Melvyn L.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Current-Sheet Formation and Reconnection at a Magnetic X Line in Particle-in-Cell Simulations

The integration of kinetic effects into macroscopic numerical models is currently of great interest to the heliophysics community, particularly in the context of magnetic reconnection. Reconnection governs the large-scale energy release and topological rearrangement of magnetic fields in a wide variety of laboratory, heliophysical, and astrophysical systems. We are examining the formation and reconnection of current sheets in a simple, two-dimensional X-line configuration using high-resolution particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. The initial minimum-energy, potential magnetic field is perturbed by excess thermal pressure introduced into the particle distribution function far from the X line. Subsequently, the relaxation of this added stress leads self-consistently to the development of a current sheet that reconnects for imposed stress of sufficient strength. We compare the time-dependent evolution and final state of our PIC simulations with macroscopic magnetohydrodynamic simulations assuming both uniform and localized electrical resistivities (C. R. DeVore et al., this meeting), as well as with force-free magnetic-field equilibria in which the amount of reconnection across the X line can be constrained to be zero (ideal evolution) or optimal (minimum final magnetic energy). We will discuss implications of our results for understanding magnetic-reconnection onset and cessation at kinetic scales in dynamically formed current sheets, such as those occurring in the solar corona and terrestrial magnetotail.

Black, C.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Dynamical Evolution of a Coronal Streamer-Flux Rope System: 2. A Self-Consistent Non-Planar Magnetohydrodynamic Simulation

The dynamical response of a helmet streamer to a flux rope escape from the sub-photosphere is examined in a physically self-consistent manner within the approximation of axisymmetric three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics (i.e., so-called '2 1/2 D'). In contrast to the previous planar analyses of Paper 1 (Wu, Guo, and Wang), the present study shows, with the inclusion of out-of-plane components of magnetic and velocity fields, that the magnetic configuration represents a helical flux rope instead of a planar bubble as shown in Paper 1. Because of this more physically-realistic configuration, we are able to examine the dynamical evolution of the helical flux rope's interaction with the helmet streamer. This process leads to the formation of two parts of the solar mass ejection: (i) the expulsion of the helmet dome due to eruption of this flux rope, and (ii) the flux rope's eruption itself. When this two-part feature propagates out to the interplanetary space, it exhibits all the physical characteristics of observed interplanetary magnetic clouds. These numerical simulations also show that the dynamical behavior of the streamer-flux rope system has three distinct states: (i) quasi-equilibrium, (ii) non-equilibrium, and (iii) eruptive state depending on the energy level of the flux rope.

Wu, S. T.↗