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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 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Kinetic structure of rotational discontinuities: Implications for the magnetopause

Magnetic field rotations in the high ion beta magnetosheath that are part of the magnetopause structure are expected to have only a small normal component. We have studied the properties of rotational discontinuities (RDs) under these conditions, viewed as the limit of weak intermediate shocks (ISs), by performing hybrid simulations with a reflecting wall boundary condition (piston method). With this dynamic formation, the sense and size of rotation are not arbitrarily predetermined, but rather evolve from the given upstream (magnetosheath) and downstream (magnetospheric) boundary conditions, similar to what takes place at the magnetopause. This work focuses on several aspects: the observed minimum shear of RDs, their width, their internal signature, and their relation to ISs in isotropic plasmas. Our simulation results are in agreement with the minimum shear observations, that is, the RDs choose the sense of rotation that corresponds to the minimum angle between the upstream and downstream field vector. The RDs are stable, with a unique scale size. Typical gradient scale half widths are one to four ion inertial lengths with a total width up to ten times of that, in agreement with magnetopause observations. We develop a generalized fluid theory of RDs and discuss the characteristic internal signatures of the rotational layer, comparing the kinetic simulation results to predictions from the generalized fluid theory. The results show that ion inertia, anisotropic pressure, finite Larmor radius effects, nonzero ion heat flux, and reflected ions all contribute to the signatures of RDs on kinetic scales. The RDs may have upstream or downstream wave trains, which become weak for high ion beta and small normal components of the magnetic field. We explain the presence and direction of wave trains in terms of the kinetic properties of the Alfven/ion-cyclotron mode. Away from the RD limit there is a smooth transition to weak intermediate shocks, which have small jumps close to expected Rankine-Hugoniot values. Apart from that, there are few kinetic plasma signatures that distinguish RDs from their neighboring ISs. However, noncoplanar ISs evolve in time into thin RDs. Using the properties of RDs and ISs, we make specific suggestions how these discontinuities can be distinguished observationally in the case of an isotropic plasma.

Krauss-Varban, D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Slow shock characteristics as a function of distance from the X-line in the magnetotail

Both particle and MHD simulations are performed to study the characteristics of slow shocks in the magnetotail. The particle simulations indicate that switch-off shocks exhibit large amplitude rotational wave trains, while magnetotail slow shocks with an intermediate Mach number M(An) less than M(c) of about 0.98 do not display such rotational wave trains. The MHD simulations show that the spontaneous reconnection process in the near-earth plasma sheet leads to the formation of a pair of slow shocks tailward of the reconnection line (X-line). The properties of slow shocks are found to vary as a function of the distance from X-line due to the formation of plasmoid. Slow shocks in most regions of magnetotail are found to be nonswitch-off shocks with M(An) of less than 0.98. The present results are used to discuss the lack of large amplitude rotational wave trains at slow shocks in the deep magnetotail.

Lee, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A model study of diurnal behavior of the ionosphere and the protonosphere coupling

A new method to study dynamic behavior of the ionosphere-protonosphere coupling within the plasmasphere is developed and used to calculate ion distributions above 500 km using observed electron densities at 500 km. The method is based on the relation between the total magnetic flux tube content of H(+) above some reference height (e.g., 3000 km) and the H(+) flux at that height, which is uniquely determined by the coupled momentum and continuity equations for the quasi-steady state. The O(+) profile is perturbed from diffusive equilibrium only by ion drag with H(+). The time dependency is taken into account by applying self-consistent boundary conditions which are obtained from the solution of the time-dependent equation for the tube content of H(+). Calculations are carried out for two models. The first model deals with the ion dynamics in a tube of force which rotates with the earth. In the second model, effects of the cross-L plasma drifts are considered. Both models produce diurnal variations of H(+) and O(+) densities near 1000 km similar to observational results.

Marubashi, K.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Pioneer 10 observation of the solar wind proton temperature heliocentric gradient

Solar wind isotropic proton temperatures as measured out to 12.2 AU heliocentric distance by the Ames plasma analyzer aboard Pioneer 10 are presented as consecutive averages over three Carrington solar rotations and discussed. The weighted least-squares fit of average temperature to heliocentric radial distance, R, yields the power law R sup -.52. These average proton temperatures are not correlated as well with Pioneer 10's heliocentric radial distance (-.85) as are the corresponding average Zurich sunspot numbers R sub z (-.95). Consequently, it is difficult to isolate the spatial gradient in the Pioneer 10 solar wind proton temperatures using that data alone.

Mihalov, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Energetic particles in the predawn magnetotail of Jupiter

A detailed account of the energetic electron and proton populations as observed with Voyager 1 and 2 during their passes through the dawn magnetotail of Jupiter is given. As in the case of Pioneer 10, a thin plasma sheet is found at the magnetic equator which was already well developed near 23 Jupiter radii. It is pointed out that the plasma sheet positions in the magnetotail can be represented by a distorted disk which rotates about the Jovian spin axis.

Schardt, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Fine time structure in the 1979 March 5 gamma ray burst

Data on the impulsive phase of the 1979 March 5 gamma ray burst, taken by three identical detectors aboard the Prognoz 7, Venera 11, and Venera 12 spacecraft with 2 ms time resolution, are presented. The first 200 ms of the time history may be described by an exponential decay with time constant of approximately 120 ms up to approximately 100 ms, and time constant of approximately 30 ms thereafter; at low energies, a pulsating component with a period of approximately 23 ms appears. The data could be consistent with torsional vibrations of a neutron star, the rotation of a rapidly spinning neutron star, or oscillations caused by interactions between hot plasma and a magnetic field.

Barat, C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Magnetic field draping in the Comet Halley coma - Comparison of Vega observations with computer simulations

During the Vega-1 encounter with Comet Halley, the magnetometer observed draping and compression of the interplanetary magnetic field. These are reproduced well by a three-dimensional MHD simulation of the cometary interaction. Rotations in the magnetic field similar to those at closest approach are also observed 2.75 hours earlier. It is suggested that both rotations correspond to the same IMF interval and that the spacecraft had overtaken the plasma and encountered 'older' magnetic field as it penetrated the coma. Analysis of the MHD model indicates that it should take about 3 to 5 hours for a solar wind parcel to pass from the unperturbed solar wind to Vega-1 at closest approach. A simulated magnetic field profile composed of nested sections for different IMF orientations closely resembles the observations. This result supports the hypothesis of layered magnetic orientations in the coma.

Schwingenschuh, K.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Periodic oscillations of the quasi-parallel bow shock as observed with the AMPTE/CCE spacecraft

The AMPTE/CCE spacecraft has, on occasion, encountered the earth's bow shock near apogee (about 9 earth radii). During one encounter, on November 1, 1984, the bow shock was observed to pass back and forth over the spacecraft several times in a periodic fashion. The period of the oscillation was about 20 seconds, and an upstream wave with a similar period was observed in the solar wind just prior to the multiple shock crossings. Minimum variance analysis of the shock crossings shows that the magnetic field carried out a single rotation through 360 deg for each pair of shock crossings. This implies that the shock was responding to the rotation of the field in the upstream wave, and it is shown how the plasma displacement associated with the upstream wave can produce the observed oscillations. These data may provide support for the wavelike structure of quasi-parallel shocks predicted in simulations.

Strangeway, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

What are the gigahertz peaked-spectrum radio sources?

The astrophysical implications of recent radio and optical observations of the powerful compact gigahertz peaked-spectrum (GPS) radio sources are discussed. Some tentative conclusions are presented and a scenario based on the existing data is suggested. It is argued that the spectrum is due to synchrotron self-absorption, which is assumed as the basis for the present inferences from the radio spectral shape. The finding that some GPS sources have a very narrow spectral shape is consistent with the hypothesis that there is a narrow range of size scales which dominate the radio luminosity. The highly inverted LF radio spectrum is consistent with the hypothesis that the radio source is tightly confined. The conclusion that the radio polarization of these sources is systematically low is consistent either with a very tangled magnetic field or very large Faraday rotation measures. It is suggested that GPS radio sources are formed when the radio plasma is confined on the scale of the narrow-line region by an unusually dense and clumpy ISM. The existing optical spectroscopic results are also consistent with the existence of a dense and dusty nuclear ISM.

O'Dea, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Numerical simulation of torus-driven plasma transport in the Jovian magnetosphere

The Rice convection model has been modified for application to the transport of Io-generated plasma through the Jovian magnetosphere. The new code, called the RCM-J, has been used for several ideal-magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical simulations to study how interchange instability causes an initially assumed torus configuration to break up. In simulations that start from a realistic torus configuration but include no energetic particles, the torus disintegrates too quickly (approximately 50 hours). By adding an impounding distribution of energetic particles to suppress the interchange instability, resonable lifetimes were obtained. For cases in which impoundment is insufficient to produce ideal-MHD stability, the torus breaks up predominantly into long fingers, unless the initial condition strongly favors some other geometrical form. If the initial torus has more mass on one side of the planet than the other, fingers form predominatly on the heavy side (which we associate with the active sector). Coriolis force bends the fingers to lag corotation. The simulation results are consistent with the idea that the fingers are formed with a longitudinal thickness that is roughly equal to the latitudinal distance over which the invariant density declines at the outer edges of the initial torus. Our calculations give an average longitudinal distance between plasma fingers of about 15 deg which corresponds to 20 to 30 minutes of rotation of the torus. We point to some Voyager and Ulysses data that are consistent with this scale of torus longitudinal irregularity.

Yang, Y. S.↗
NASA NTRS2005

NASA Tech Briefs, December 2005

Topics covered include: Video Mosaicking for Inspection of Gas Pipelines; Shuttle-Data-Tape XML Translator; Highly Reliable, High-Speed, Unidirectional Serial Data Links; Data-Analysis System for Entry, Descent, and Landing; Hybrid UV Imager Containing Face-Up AlGaN/GaN Photodiodes; Multiple Embedded Processors for Fault-Tolerant Computing; Hybrid Power Management; Magnetometer Based on Optoelectronic Microwave Oscillator; Program Predicts Time Courses of Human/ Computer Interactions; Chimera Grid Tools; Astronomer's Proposal Tool; Conservative Patch Algorithm and Mesh Sequencing for PAB3D; Fitting Nonlinear Curves by Use of Optimization Techniques; Tool for Viewing Faults Under Terrain; Automated Synthesis of Long Communication Delays for Testing; Solving Nonlinear Euler Equations With Arbitrary Accuracy; Self-Organizing-Map Program for Analyzing Multivariate Data; Tool for Sizing Analysis of the Advanced Life Support System; Control Software for a High-Performance Telerobot; Java Radar Analysis Tool; Architecture for Verifiable Software; Tool for Ranking Research Options; Enhanced, Partially Redundant Emergency Notification System; Close-Call Action Log Form; Task Description Language; Improved Small-Particle Powders for Plasma Spraying; Bonding-Compatible Corrosion Inhibitor for Rinsing Metals; Wipes, Coatings, and Patches for Detecting Hydrazines; Rotating Vessels for Growing Protein Crystals; Oscillating-Linear-Drive Vacuum Compressor for CO2; Mechanically Biased, Hinged Pairs of Piezoelectric Benders; Apparatus for Precise Indium-Bump Bonding of Microchips; Radiation Dosimetry via Automated Fluorescence Microscopy; Multistage Magnetic Separator of Cells and Proteins; Elastic-Tether Suits for Artificial Gravity and Exercise; Multichannel Brain-Signal-Amplifying and Digitizing System; Ester-Based Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Li-Ion Cells; Hygrometer for Detecting Water in Partially Enclosed Volumes; Radio-Frequency Plasma Cleaning of a Penning Malmberg Trap; Reduction of Flap Side Edge Noise - the Blowing Flap; and Preventing Accidental Ignition of Upper-Stage Rocket Motors.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2010

A Comparative Examination of Plasmoid Structure and Dynamics at Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn

The circulation of plasma and magnetic flux within planetary magnetospheres is governed by the solar wind-driven Dungey and planetary rotation-driven cycles. The Dungey cycle is responsible for all circulation at Mercury and Earth. Jupiter and Saturn's magnetospheres are dominated by the Vasyliunas cycle, but there is evidence for a small Dungey cycle contribution driven by the solar wind. Despite these fundamental differences, all well-observed magnetospheres eject relatively large parcels of the hot plasma, termed plasmoids, down their tails at high speeds. Plasmoids escape from the restraining force of the planetary magnetic field through reconnection in the equatorial current sheet separating the northern and southern hemispheres of the magnetosphere. The reconnection process gives the magnetic field threading plasmoids a helical or flux rope-type topology. In the Dungey cycle reconnection also provides the primary tailward force that accelerates plasmoids to high speeds as they move down the tail. We compare the available observations of plasmoids at Mercury, Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn for the purpose of determining the relative role of plasmoids and the reconnection process in the dynamics these planetary magnetic tails.

Slavin, James A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Energy branching in the Io plasma torus - The failure of neutral cloud theory

Model calculations are used to explore the energy source characteristics of the energy branching of the hot Io plasma torus. It is assumed that the energy is derived from the kinetic energy acquired by ions created in the rotating planetary magnetic field, and that Coulomb collisions with the electron gas control the flow of energy to the ionizing and radiative processes. The results show that neutral cloud theory is qualitatively inadequate. It is shown that neutral cloud theory can only support a dominantly singly ionized system (at the measured electron densities in the plasma torus) and that it fails to predict observed plasma properties relative to variations in number density.

Shemansky, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Spectrocopic measurements of water vapor plasmas at high resolution: The optical transition probabilities for OH (A 2 Sigma - X 2 Pi)

Emission and absorption spectra of water vapor plasmas generated in a wall-stabilized arc at atmospheric pressure and 4 current, and at 0.03 atm and 15 to 50 A, were measured at high spatial and spectral resolution. The gas temperature was determined from the shape of Doppler-broadened rotational lines of OH. The observed nonequilibrium population distributions over the energy levels of atoms are interpreted in terms of a theoretical state model for diffusion-controlled arc plasmas. Excellent correlation is achieved between measured and predicted occupation of hydrogen energy levels. It is shown that the population distribution over the nonpredissociating rotational-vibrational levels of the A 2 Sigma state of OH is close to an equilibrium distribution at the gas temperature, although the total density of this state is much higher than its equilibrium density. The reduced intensities of the rotational lines originating in these levels yielded Boltzmann plots that were strictly linear.

Klein, L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Magnetospheres of earth and Jupiter after Pioneer 10

Possible reasons are discussed for the marked differences observed between the magnetospheres of earth and Jupiter, and a model of Jupiter's magnetosphere is proposed which can explain the observations of the Pioneer 10 mission. It is shown that the corotating plasma in Jupiter's plasmasphere is in the form of a flattened disk due to inertial forces and that Jupiter's magnetosphere is, in part, a rigidly rotating warped skew 'magnetodisk'. According to the proposed model, the inner part of the magnetosphere consists of a warped magnetodisk, the dipole field lines are modified by a ring current, and the equatorial plasma density increases with distance in the region beyond the synchronous orbit radius. Considerable attention is given to the effects resulting from spiraling of the magnetic-field lines, the tilt in the magnetic dipole, and the strong viscous interaction of the solar wind on the dawn side of the magnetosphere.

Prakash, A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Plasma observations near Neptune - Results from Voyager 2

Results from observations made by the Plasma Science experiment on Voyager 2 at Neptune are reviewed. The magnetosphere of Neptune is filled with a tenuous plasma, which consists of at least two components: a light ion, probably H(+) and a heavy ion, probably N(+). Triton's atmosphere or ionosphere is thought to be the source of both heavy and light ions. Much of the low energy plasma in the inner magnetosphere is concentrated near the magnetic equator and near closest approach to the planet. The large tilt of the magnetic dipole axis from the rotation axis produces a dynamic magnetosphere which goes from an earthlike configuration to a pole-on configuration and back every 16 hours. The polar cusp regions change location and size as the planet rotates; at the time of the inbound magnetopause crossing, the phase of Neptune's rotation was such that the spacecraft entered the magnetosphere through the southern polar cusp region. Outbound from Neptune observations made in the magnetosheath show a possible signature of diurnal oscillation of the plasma mantle that grows, shrinks, and rocks, in a diurnal cycle. After the encounter with Neptune's magnetosphere, an upstream wave event was observed when the interplanetary magnetic field connected to the bow shock. The low frequency waves observed appear to be a mixture of Alfvenic and/or fast mode waves propagating away from the planet.

Zhang, Ming↗
NASA NTRS1980

The opportunities offered by SCADM for the study of surface phenomena related to interior structure and dynamics

The physical processes to be probed by experiments may be grouped as large scale flows, oscillations, and chromospheric/coronal diagnostics. While the fundamental concerns and observational equipments are similar within each class, different investigations may tell different things about the Sun. Observational requirements are listed for experiments to study (1) plasma-magnetic field interactions; (2) interior structure via oscillations; (3) chromospheric and coronal tracers; (4) rotation, meridional flows, and giant cells; (5) the depth dependence of rotation; (6) EUV luminosity; (7) intensity fluctuations and tracers; and (8) diameter oscillations, the effects of noise and timestring on experiment results are assessed.

Brown, T. M.↗