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At least 343 records · Page 19

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NASA NTRS1978

Saturn's rings: Particle composition and size distribution as constrained by microwave observations. I - Radar observations

The radar backscattering characteristics of compositional and structural models of Saturn's rings are calculated and compared with observations of the absolute value, wavelength dependence, and degree of depolarization of the rings' radar cross section (reflectivity). The doubling method is used to calculate reflectivities for systems that are many particles thick using optical depths derived from observations at visible wavelengths. If the rings are many particles thick, irregular centimeter- to meter-sized particles composed primarily of water ice attain sufficiently high albedos and scattering efficiencies to explain the radar observations. In that case, the wavelength independence of radar reflectivity implies the existence of a broad particle size distribution; a narrower size distribution is also a possibility. Particles of primarily silicate composition are ruled out by the radar observations. Purely metallic particles may not be ruled out on the basis of existing radar observations. A monolayer of very large ice 'particles' that exhibit multiple internal scattering may not yet be ruled out.

Cuzzi, J. N.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Chemical and structural studies of 'Brownlee' particles

Several techniques were applied to the study of small particles (around 10 microns) collected in the upper atmosphere by U-2 aircraft. The major element chemistry of roughly 1/3 of the particles is similar to that of chondritic meteorites, although considerable variation of element ratios is observed from particle to particle, and even within a given particle. All particles of 'chondritic' composition are polycrystalline aggregates. About half have fully re-entrant structures; the remaining ones have more compact structures ranging from platey to spherical morphologies. Micro-crystallites with various internal structures are observed in the size range from less than 100 A to several microns. Although tracks are clearly observed in transmission electron microscope examination of terrestrial analog crystals, no tracks of solar flare origin have yet been identified in the U-2 particles. Induced fission track analysis of one aggregate shows that the U concentration is less than 15 ppbm, lending support to the extraterrestrial origin hypothesis.

Flynn, G. J.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Compositions of energetic particle populations in interplanetary space

Study of the compositions of energetic particle populations in interplanetary space is reviewed emphasizing observations of helium and heavier particles with energies below about 10 to 20 MeV/nucleon. Three dominant constituents of interplanetary particles are considered: solar flare particles, co-rotating particle streams, and a so-called 'anomalous cosmic ray' component. The recent discovery of a class of solar flare particle events with heavy elements indicates highly selective solar injection mechanisms. Observations of positive radial intensity gradients and anisotropies in co-rotating particle streams suggest the existence of large-scale interplanetary acceleration in a region extending from about 2 to 4 AU. Although present observations exclude the sun as a direct source of the 'anomalous cosmic ray' component, its origin is still debated.

Gloeckler, G.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Particle boundary structures at the magnetopause and the plasma sheet

There are three classes of particle events in the vicinity of the magnetopause: a layer of particles right at the magnetopause which we identify with the boundary layer particles; spikes of particles just ahead of the magnetopause; and, sometimes, magnetosheath-like ions appearing inside the magnetosphere, the inclusion events. The energy spectra of these three classes of events are very similar, indicating a common particle source. The presence of a particle layer at the outer boundary of the plasma sheet is shown. This layer has typical dimensions of a few thousand km at 20 Earth radii. A typical velocity is a few tens of km/sec. These velocities and dimensions projected to ionospheric heights resemble those of visual auroras and suggest that aurorally associated particle phenomena are being detected.

Parks, G. K.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The effect of injection location on the spectrum of energetic magnetospheric particles

The role of local particle injections and accelerations in determining energetic particle spectra used as an indication of the radial diffusion of trapped magnetospheric particles is assessed. An idealized one-dimensional steady-state model of magnetospheric radial transport in which diffusion is balanced against particle sources and sinks is used to illustrate the effects of particle injection at a point and over a band of radii in which the observation point is immersed in particle spectra. For an injection spectrum uniformly distributed in space and a step function in energy, it is shown that the energy dependence of the measured spectrum is determined not only by adiabatic energization of the input spectrum but by the spatial structure of the injection and the radial dependence of the diffusion coefficient as well. The relevance of the results for observations of particle spectra in the terrestrial and Jovian magnetospheres is also considered

Birmingham, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

New methods to detect particle velocity and mass flux in arc-heated ablation/erosion facilities

Arc-heated flow facilities with injected particles are used to simulate the erosive and ablative/erosive environments encountered by spacecraft re-entry through fog, clouds, thermo-nuclear explosions, etc. Two newly developed particle diagnostic techniques used to calibrate these facilities are discussed. One technique measures particle velocity and is based on the detection of thermal radiation and/or chemiluminescence from the hot seed particles in a model ablation/erosion facility. The second technique measures a local particle rate, which is proportional to local particle mass flux, in a dust erosion facility by photodetecting and counting the interruptions of a focused laser beam by individual particles.

Brayton, D. B.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Upstream particle spatial gradients and plasma waves

The upstream electron and ion fluxes detected by our experiment on ISEE 1/2 spacecraft undergo frequent time variations, from a few seconds to minutes. Many flux variations correlate with directional changes of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Particles propagating in the upstream region acted on by the solar wind electric field creates a quasi-stationary particle pattern in space. Evidently, the spacecraft frequently crosses the boundaries of these particle patterns. The present analysis strongly suggests that the particle time variations are usually spatial variations that have been convoluted into our data. Estimates of the thickness of the particle boundaries deduced is greater than or approximately equal to the Larmor radius (for both the upstream electron and the ion events). Plasma waves are observed in association with the upstream particle fluxes and a correlation between the amplitudes and the particle boundaries is suggested. We will theoretically show that the ion and electron density gradients across the boundary play an important role in exciting the ion acoustic-like and plasma waves.

Parks, G. K.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The mechanisms of fine particle generation and electrification during Mount St. Helens volcanic eruption

Microscopical investigation of volcanic ash collected from ground stations during Mount St. Helens eruptions reveal a distinctive bimodel size distribution with high concentrations of particle ranges at (1) 200-100 microns and (2) 20-0.1 microns. Close examination of individual particles shows that most larger ones are solidified magma particles of porous pumice with numerous gas bubbles in the interior and the smaller ones are all glassy fragments without any detectable gas bubbles. Elemental analysis demonstrates that the fine fragments all have a composition similar to that of the larger pumice particles. Laboratory experiments suggest that the formation of the fine fragments is by bursting of glassy bubbles from a partially solidified surface of a crystallizing molten magma particle. The production of gas bubbles is due to the release of absorbed gases in molten magma particles when solubility decreases during phase transition. Diffusion cloud chamber experiments strongly indicate that sub-micron volcanic fragments are highly hygroscopic and extremely active as cloud condensation nuclei. Ice crystals also are evidently formed on those fragments in a supercooled (-20 C) cloud chamber. It has been reported that charge generation from ocean volcanic eruptions is due to contact of molten lava with sea water. This seems to be insufficient to explain the observed rapid and intense lightning activities over Mount St. Helens eruptions. Therefore, a hypothesis is presented here that highly electrically charged fine solid fragments are ejected by bursting of gas bubbles from the surface of a crystallizing molten magma particles.

Cheng, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Particle-sampling statistics in laser anemometers Sample-and-hold systems and saturable systems

The effect of the data-processing system on the particle statistics obtained with laser anemometry of flows containing suspended particles is examined. Attention is given to the sample and hold processor, a pseudo-analog device which retains the last measurement until a new measurement is made, followed by time-averaging of the data. The second system considered features a dead time, i.e., a saturable system with a significant reset time with storage in a data buffer. It is noted that the saturable system operates independent of the particle arrival rate. The probabilities of a particle arrival in a given time period are calculated for both processing systems. It is shown that the system outputs are dependent on the mean particle flow rate, the flow correlation time, and the flow statistics, indicating that the particle density affects both systems. The results are significant for instances of good correlation between the particle density and velocity, such as occurs near the edge of a jet.

Edwards, R. V.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The propagation of solar flare particles in a turbulent coronal loop

Energetic solar flare particles, both electrons and protons, must survive the turbulent environment of a flaring loop and propogate to the lower corona or chromosphere in order to produce hard X-ray and gamma ray bursts. This plasma turbulence, often observed in soft X-ray line widths to be in excess of 100 km/s, is presumably capable of efficiently scattering the fast flare particles. This prevents to some degree the free streaming of accelerated particles and depending on the amplitude of the turbulence, restricts the particles to diffusive propagation along the length of the loop to the target chromosphere. In addition this turbulence is capable of performing additional acceleration of the fast particles by the second order Fermi mechanism. For compact flares with rise times 10s, the acceleration effect is small and the propagation of the particles is governed by spatial diffusion and energy loss in the ambient medium. The solution of the time dependent diffusion equation with velocity dependent diffusion and energy loss coefficients yields for the case of nonrelativistic protons particle precipitation rates which are necessary for calculating thick target gamma ray emission and also yields the total thin target emissivity.

Ryan, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Transport effects due to particle erosion mechanisms

Various processes can erode the surfaces of planetary ring particles. Recent estimates for Saturn's rings suggest that a centimeter-thick surface layer could be eroded from an isolated ring particle in less than 1000 yr by meteoroid impacts alone. The atoms, molecules, and chips ejected from ring particles by erosion will arc across the rings along elliptical orbits. For moderate ring optical depths, ejecta will be absorbed or inelastically scattered upon reintersecting the ring plane. Continuous exchange of ejecta between different ring regions can lead to net radial transport of mass and angular momentum, to changes in particle sizes, and to the buildup of chip regoliths several centimeters deep on the surfaces of ring particles. Because most of the erosional ejecta are not lost but merely exchanged over short distances, the net erosion rate of the surfaces of these ring particles will be much less than that estimated for an isolated particle. Numerical solutions for time-dependent ballistic transport under various assumptions suggest pile-up and spillover effects especially near regions of preexisting high optical depth contrast, such as the inner edges of A and B rings. Global redistribution could be significant over billions of years. Other features in planetary ring systems may be influenced by ballistic transport.

Durisen, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Accurate stratospheric particle size distributions from a flat plate collection surface

Flat plate particle collections have revealed the presence of a remarkable variety of both terrestrial and extraterrestrial material in the stratosphere. It is found that the ratio of terrestrial to extraterrestrial material and the nature of the material collected may vary significantly over short time scales. These fluctuations may be related to massive injections of volcanic ash, emissions from solid fuel rockets, or variations in the micrometeoroid flux. The variations in particle number density can be of great importance to the earth's atmospheric radiation balance, and, therefore, its climate. With the objective to assess the number density of solid particles in the stratosphere, an examination has been conducted of all particles exceeding 1 micron in average diameter for a representative suite of particles obtained from a single flat plate collection surface. Attention is given to solid particle size distributions in the stratosphere, and the origin of important stratospheric particle types.

Zolensky, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Estimation of particle size based on LDV measurements in a de-accelerating flow field

The accuracy of velocity measurements made with a laser velocimeter is strongly dependent upon the response of the seeding particles to the dynamics of the flow field. The smaller the particle the better the response to flow fluctuations and gradients and therefore the more accurate velocity measurement. In direct conflict is the requirement of light scattering efficiency to obtain signals with the laser velocimeter which, in general, is better as the particle size is increased. In low speed flow fields these two requirements on particle size overlap and accurate measurements may be obtained. However in high speed flows, where the velocity gradients may be severe, very small particles are required to maintain sufficient dynamic response characteristics to follow the flow. Therefore if velocity measurements are to be made in these flows, the laser velocimeter must be designed with sufficient sensitivity to obtain signals from these small particles. An insitu determination of the size distribution of kaolin particles (Al2O3, .2 + or - SiO2 . 2H2O) in the 16-foot Transonic Tunnel and the sensitivity characteristics of the laser velocimeter system is described.

Meyers, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Ignition of metals and alloys by high-velocity particles

The ignition of metals and alloys by impacting high-velocity particles in gaseous oxygen was investigated. A convergent/divergent nozzle was used to accelerate the flowing oxygen, which in turn accelerated the particles to velocities greater than 305 m/s (1000 ft/s). The test sample (target) was placed at the end of the chamber in the flow path. Aluminum 6061, type 316 stainless steel, type 304 stainless steel, and Inconel 718 were ignited with 1600-micron aluminum 2017 particles at elevated temperatures and pressures whereas Monel 400 could not be ignited. The ignition susceptibility of metals and alloys appeared to increase as the inlet pressure, sample temperature, and particle size were increased. Type 304 stainless steel particles required more extreme conditions for ignition of materials than similar sized aluminum particles. The results indicated that ignition and subsequent burning of the particles were required for ignition of the target materials with the possible exception of aluminum 6061.

Benz, F. J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Primordial nucleosynthesis with decaying particles. I - Entropy-producing decays. II - Inert decays

The effect of a nonrelativistic particle X, which decays out of equilibrium, on primordial nucleosynthesis is investigated, including both the energy density of the X particle and the electromagnetic entropy production from its decay. The results are parametrized in terms of the X particle lifetime and the density parameter rm(X), where m(X) is the X particle mass and r is the ratio of X number density to photon number density prior to nucleosynthesis. The results rule out particle lifetimes greater than 1-10 s for large values of rm(X). The question of a decaying particle which produces no electromagnetic entropy in the course of its decay is addressed, and particles which produce both entropy and an inert component in their decay are discussed.

Scherrer, Robert J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Continuum theories for fluid-particle flows: Some aspects of lift forces and turbulence

A general framework is outlined for the modeling of fluid particle flows. The momentum exchange between the constituents embodies both lift and drag forces, constitutive equations for which can be made explicit with reference to known single particle analysis. Relevant results for lift are reviewed, and invariant representations are posed. The fluid and particle velocities and the particle volume fraction are then decomposed into mean and fluctuating parts to characterize turbulent motions, and the equations of motion are averaged. In addition to the Reynolds stresses, further correlations between concentration and velocity fluctuations appear. These can be identified with turbulent transport processes such as eddy diffusion of the particles. When the drag force is dominant, the classical convection dispersion model for turbulent transport of particles is recovered. When other interaction forces enter, particle segregation effects can arise. This is illustrated qualitatively by consideration of turbulent channel flow with lift effects included.

Mctigue, David F.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Concurrent Algorithm For Particle-In-Cell Simulations

Separate decompositions used for particle-motion and field calculations. General Concurrent Particle-in-Cell (GCPIC) algorithm used to implement motions of individual plasma particles (ions and electrons) under influence of particle-in-cell (PIC) computer codes on concurrent processors. Simulates motions of individual plasma particles under influence of electromagnetic fields generated by particles themselves. Performed to study variety of nonlinear problems in plasma physics, including magnetic and inertial fusion, plasmas in outer space, propagation of electron and ion beams, free-electron lasers, and particle accelerators.

Liewer, Paulett C.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Interplanetary energetic particle observations of the March 1989 events

The IMP-8 spacecraft placed in an elongated orbit of approximately R(sub E) x R(sub E) orbit around the Earth was the only monitor of the energetic particle environment of the near interplanetary space during the period of the solar particle events associated with the Active Region 5395 in March 1989. Measurements of energetic ion and electron intensities were obtained in a series of channels within the energy range: 0.3 to 440 MeV for photons, 0.6 to 52 MeV/nuc for alpha particles, 0.7 to 3.3 MeV/nuc for nuclei with Z greater than or equal to 3, 3 to 9 MeV/nuc with Z greater than or equal to 20, and 0.2 to 2.5 MeV for electrons. The responses of selected energy channels during the period 5 to 23 March 1989 are displayed. It is clearly noted that the most prominent energetic ion intensity enhancements in that time interval were associated with the interplanetary shock wave of March 13 (07:42 UT) as well as that of March 8 (17:56 UT), which have distinct particle acceleration signatures. These shock waves play a major role in determining the near Earth energetic ion intensities during the above period by accelerating and modulating the ambient solar energetic particle population, which was already present in high intensities in the interplanetary medium due to the superposition of a series of solar flare particle events originating in AR 5395. The differential ion intensities at the lowest energy channel of the CPME experiment, which were associated with the March 13 shock wave, reached the highest level in the life of the IMP-8 spacecraft at this energy. At high energies, the shock associated intensity peak was smaller by less than a factor of 3 than the maxima of solar flare particle intensities from some other major flares, in particular from those with sites well connected to the Earth's magnetic flux tubes.

Sarris, E. T.↗