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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Straight lightning as a signature of macroscopic dark matter

Macroscopic dark matter (macros) is a broad class of alternative candidates to particle dark matter. These candidates would transfer energy to matter primarily through elastic scattering. A sufficiently large macro passing through the atmosphere would produce a straight channel of ionized plasma. If the cross-section of the macro is σx ≳ 6 × 10 –9 cm 2 , then under atmospheric conditions conducive to lightning (eg. a thunderstorm) the plasma channel would be sufficient to seed a lightning strike with a single leader. This is entirely unlike ordinary bolt lightning in which a long sequence of hundreds or thousands of few-meter-long leaders are strung together. This macro-induced lightning would be extremely straight, and thus highly distinctive. Neither wind shear nor magnetohydrodynamic instabilities would markedly spoil its straightness. The only photographically documented case of a straight lightning bolt is probably not straight enough to have been macro-induced. We estimate the region of macro parameter space that could be probed by a search for straight lightning from the number of thunderstorms happening on Earth at any time. In conclusion, we also estimate the parameter space that can be probed by carefully monitoring Jupiter, e.g. using the Hubble Space Telescope.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1985

Report of the Electrodynamic Interactions Panel

A wide range of opportunities is provided by the electrodynamic tether to more fully understand the generation of waves in plasmas, the behavior of field aligned currents, the behavior of large body-space plasma interactions, and for process simulation, using the electrodynamic tether to study processes and phenomena relevant to solar system and astrophysics plasma physics. The electrodynamic tether offers a means of study and experimentation in space which will provide a rich yield in new scientific results and will enhance the understanding of space plasma physics. It also has promising technological applications (e.g., the generation of electrical power and thrust) which may be highly significant to future space operations.

Stone, N. H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A NASA heliospheric program

Direct exploration of the heliosphere out to distances of about 40 AU has been carried out with Pioneer 10, 11 and Voyager 1, 2 while making use of supplementary observations by various spacecraft near 1 AU. In the past, these heliospheric observations have involved at least three divisions in the NASA Office of Space Science and Applications: Solar System Exploration, Astrophysics and Earth Observations. Consideration is now being given to combining the various missions into a single coordinated heliospheric program. A committee has been formed, the Heliospheric Science Working Group, consisting of the project scientists of the ongoing as well as future missions. The HSWG has drawn on appropriate members of the scientific community to assist in the development of a plan and in documenting it in a report. The highlights of the plan, with emphasis on both short range and long range scientific objectives, are described.

Smith, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The South African Astronomical Observatory

Topics discussed in the Overview of Year 1988 include the following: Supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud; Galaxies; Ground based observations of celestial x ray sources; the Magellanic Clouds; Pulsating variables; Galactic structure; Binary star phenomena; The provision of photometric standards; Nebulae and interstellar matter; Stellar astrophysics; Astrometry; Solar system studies; Visitors programs; Publications; and General matters.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1996

Beyond Our Boundaries: Research and Technology

Topics considered include: Propulsion and Fluid Management; Structures and Dynamics; Materials and Manufacturing Processes; Sensor Technology; Software Technology; Optical Systems; Microgravity Science; Earth System Science; Astrophysics; Solar Physics; and Technology Transfer.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1999

The Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission...Resolving Fundamental Processes in Space Plasmas

The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission is a multiple-spacecraft Solar-Terrestrial Probe designed to study the microphysics of magnetic reconnection, charged particle acceleration, and turbulence in key boundary regions of Earth's magnetosphere. These three processes, which control the flow of energy, mass, and momentum within and across plasma boundaries, occur throughout the universe and are fundamental to our understanding of astrophysical and solar system plasmas. Only in Earth's magnetosphere, however, are they readily accessible for sustained study through in-situ measurement. MMS will employ five co-orbiting spacecraft identically instrumented to measure electric and magnetic fields, plasmas, and energetic particles. The initial parameters of the individual spacecraft orbits will be designed so that the spacecraft formation will evolve into a three-dimensional configuration near apogee, allowing MMS to differentiate between spatial and temporal effects and to determine the three dimensional geometry of plasma, field, and current structures. In order to sample all of the magnetospheric boundary regions, MMS will employ a unique four-phase orbital strategy involving carefully sequenced changes in the local time and radial distance of apogee and, in the third phase, a change in orbit inclination from 10 degrees to 90 degrees. The nominal mission operational lifetime is two years. Launch is currently scheduled for 2006.

Curtis, S.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Solar system surveys

Below, we list and briefly describe the ongoing Near-Earth Objects programs.

solar system astrophysics↗
NASA NTRS2015

Funding and Strategic Alignment Guidance for Infusing Small Business Innovation Research Technology into NASA Programs Associated with the Science Mission Directorate

This report is intended to help NASA program and project managers incorporate Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) technologies that have gone through Phase II of the SBIR program into NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) programs. Other Government and commercial project managers can also find this information useful.

earth science↗
NASA NTRS2018

The LUVOIR Surveyor: Decadal Mission Concept Update

The Large Ultraviolet/Optical/Infrared (LUVOIR) Science and Technology Definition Team (STDT) identified a broad range of science objectives for LUVOIR that include the direct imaging and spectral characterization of habitable exoplanets and an array of general astrophysics and Solar System observations. To meet these objectives, the LUVOIR Study Office completed the first design iteration of a 15-m segmented-aperture observatory that includes four serviceable instruments: the Extreme Coronagraph for Living Planetary Systems (ECLIPS); the LUVOIR UV Multi-object Spectrograph (LUMOS); the High Definition Imager (HDI); and Pollux, a high-resolution UV spectro-polarimeter being contributed by Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES). The study team is now executing a second design iteration to further improve upon the 15-m concept, while simultaneously studying a 9-m concept. In these proceedings, we provide an update on these architectures.

LUVOIR↗
NASA NTRS1991

Towards Other Planetary Systems (TOPS): A technology needs identification workshop

The workshop identified a strong commonality between the technology needs for NASA's TOPS program and the technology needs that were identified for NASA's astrophysics program through its Astrotech 21 survey. The workshop encourages NASA to have the Solar System Exploration and Astrophysics Div. work cooperatively to share in technology studies that are common to both programs, rather than to conduct independent studies. It was also clear, however, that there are technology needs specific to TOPS, and these should be pursued by the Solar System Exploration Div. There are two technology areas that appear to be particularly critical to realizing the ultimate performance that is being sought under the TOPS program, these areas are metrology and optics. The former is critical in calibration and verification of instrument performance, while the latter is needed to provide optical systems of sufficient quality to conduct a search for and characterization of other planetary systems at the more extreme levels of performance identified in TOPS program.

Black, David C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Supernovae and the origin of the solar system

A review is presented of the astrophysical reasoning that links supernovae to the origin of the solar system. Topics examined concerning the supernova connections include the abundances of the nuclides at the time the solar system formed, the collapse of a solar cloud by supernova triggering, the origins of isotopic anomalies in solar system samples, and the sputtering of interstellar dust with the attendant chemical and isotopic evolution of the interstellar medium. The controversies surrounding each of these topics are critically examined, focusing on the issues arising from the discovery of the isotopic anomalies in meteorites.

Clayton, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Solar System Science with the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope

We present a community-led assessment of the solar system investigations achievable with NASA's next-generation space telescope, the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST). WFIRST will provide imaging, spectroscopic, and coronagraphic capabilities from 0.43 to 2.0 m and will be a potential contemporary and eventual successor to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Surveys of irregular satellites and minor bodies are where WFIRST will excel with its 0.28 deg2 field-of-view Wide Field Instrument. Potential ground- breaking discoveries from WFIRST could include detection of the first minor bodies orbiting in the inner Oort Cloud, identification of additional Earth Trojan asteroids, and the discovery and characterization of asteroid binary systems similar to Ida/Dactyl. Additional investigations into asteroids, giant planet satellites, Trojan asteroids, Centaurs, Kuiper belt objects, and comets are presented. Previous use of astrophysics assets for solar system science and synergies between WFIRST, Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, JWST, and the proposed Near-Earth Object Camera mission is discussed. We also present the case for implementation of moving target tracking, a feature that will benefit from the heritage of JWST and enable a broader range of solar system observations.

Holler, Bryan J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Cs-135 - Ba-135: A new cosmochronometric constraint on the origin of the Earth and the astrophysical site of the origin of the solar system

It is argued that if Cs-135 was indeed present in the early solar system at the level inferred from evidence presented here, then two major conclusions follow. (1) A supernova contributed newly synthesized r-process matter into the protosolar reservoir within approx. 5 Ma of the Cs/Ba fractionation recorded in LEW 86010; (2) The strong Cs depletion in the bulk Earth reservoir (Cs-133/Ba-135 approx. 0.1) took place very early in solar system history. If this volatile loss was pre-accretionary, then the accretionary chronology of the Earth is not constrained. However, if it is a consequence of accretion, then the very tight time constraint of approx. less than 5 Ma (rel. to LEW 86010) is obtained for accretion of most of the Earth's mass.

Harper, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Meteorites and the Evolution of Our Solar System

The study of meteorites has long been of intense interest ever since these objects were discovered to be of extraterrestrial origin. Meteorite research contributes to unraveling the mysteries in understanding the formation and evolution processes of our solar system. Meteorites, of which there are a variety of widely diverse types of chemical and mineralogical compositions, are the most ancient of solar system objects that can be studied in the laboratory. They preserve a unique historical record of the astronomical and astrophysical events of our solar system. This record is being discerned by a host of ever evolving analytical laboratory methods. Recent discoveries of what are believed to be Martian meteorites, lunar meteorites, a meteorite containing indigenous water, and the recovery from the Cretaceous layer of a small meteorite fragment thought to be from the dinosaur-killing asteroid have fueled additional excitement for studying meteorites.

Nava, David F.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Reconnection-driven energy cascade in magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

Magnetohydrodynamic turbulence regulates the transfer of energy from large to small scales in many astrophysical systems, including the solar atmosphere. We perform three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations with unprecedentedly large magnetic Reynolds number to reveal how rapid reconnection of magnetic field lines changes the classical paradigm of the turbulent energy cascade. By breaking elongated current sheets into chains of small magnetic flux ropes (or plasmoids), magnetic reconnection leads to a previously undiscovered range of energy cascade, where the rate of energy transfer is controlled by the growth rate of the plasmoids. As a consequence, the turbulent energy spectra steepen and attain a spectral index of -2.2 that is accompanied by changes in the anisotropy of turbulence eddies. The omnipresence of plasmoids and their consequences on, for example, solar coronal heating, can be further explored with current and future spacecraft and telescopes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1987

Essays in Space Science

The papers presented cover a broad segment of space research and are an acknowledgement of the personal involvement of Frank McDonald in many of these efforts. The totality of the papers were chosen so as to sample the scientific areas influenced by him in a significant manner. Three broad areas are covered: particles and fields of the solar system; cosmic ray astrophysics; and gamma ray, X-ray, and infrared astronomics.

Ramaty, Reuven↗