Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “MAGNETIC CORE”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 397 records · Page 22

Microscopic, Multipoint Characterization of Foreshock Bubbles With Magnetosphere Multiscale (MMS)

This work presents the first detailed analysis of foreshock bubbles (FBs) using high‐resolution Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) data. Between October 2017 and January 2019, MMS captured 10 foreshock transient events with burst resolution data that we show are consistent with FBs. One “textbook” event is examined and described in detail. Employing the multipoint nature of MMS, we demonstrate how the size and orientation, expansion speed, and distance since formation can be estimated. From all 10 events, FB sizes ranged from 1.1 to 9.9 RE (average of 4.4 RE), and expansion speeds ranged from 139 to 377 km/s (average of 257 km/s). FBs formed under a usual range of solar wind conditions between 3 and 20 RE upstream of Earth's bow shock. We also report on new features of FBs: deep and localized magnetic “holes” within the cores of FBs, where the total field strength drops to <1 nT.

D. L. Turner↗

Effect of Cross-Correlation on Geomagnetic Forecast Accuracies

Surface geomagnetic observation can determine up to degree L = 14 time-varying spherical harmonic coefficients of the poloidal magnetic field. Assimilation of these coefficients to numerical dynamo simulation could help us understand better the dynamical processes in the Earth's outer core, and to provide more accurate forecast of geomagnetic secular variations (SV). In our previous assimilation studies, only the poloidal magnetic field in the core is corrected by the observations in the analysis. Unobservable core state variables (the toroidal magnetic field and the core velocity field) are corrected via the dynamical equations of the geodynamo. Our assimilation experiments show that the assimilated core state converges near the CMB, implying that the dynamo state is strongly constrained by surface geomagnetic observations, and is pulled closer to the truth by the data. We are now carrying out an ensemble of assimilation runs with 1000 years of geomagnetic and archeo/paleo magnetic record. In these runs the cross correlation between the toroidal and the poloidal magnetic fields is incorporated into the analysis. This correlation is derived from the physical boundary conditions of the toroidal field at the core-mantle boundary (CMB). The assimilation results are then compared with those of the ensemble runs without the cross-correlation, aiming at understanding two fundamental issues: the effect of the crosscorrelation on (1) the convergence of the core state, and (2) the SV prediction accuracies. The constrained dynamo solutions will provide valuable insights on interpreting the observed SV, e.g. the near-equator magnetic flux patches, the core-mantle interactions, and possibly other geodynamic observables.

Kuang, Weijia↗

The Flare/CME Connection

We present evidence supporting the view that, while many flares are produced by a confined magnetic explosion that does not produce a CME, every CME is produced by an ejective magnetic explosion that also produces a flare. The evidence is that the observed heliocentric angular width of the full-blown CME plasmoid in the outer corona (at 3 to 20 solar radii) is about that predicted by the standard model for CME production, from the amount of magnetic flux covered by the co-produced flare arcade. In the standard model, sheared and twisted sigmoidal field in the core of an initially closed magnetic arcade erupts. As it erupts, tether-cutting reconnection, starting between the legs of the erupting sigmoid and continuing between the merging stretched legs of the enveloping arcade, simultaneously produces a growing flare arcade and unleashes the erupting sigmoid and arcade to become the low-beta plasmoid (magnetic bubble) that becomes the CME. The flare arcade is the downward product of the reconnection and the CME plasmoid is the upward product. The unleashed, expanding CME plasmoid is propelled into the outer corona and solar wind by its own magnetic field pushing on the surrounding field in the inner and outer corona. This tether-cutting scenario predicts that the amount of magnetic flux in the full-blown CME plasmoid nearly equals that covered by the full-grown flare arcade. This equality predicts (1) the field strength in the flare region from the ratio of the angular width of the CME in the outer corona to angular width of the full-grown flare arcade, and (2) an upper bound on the angular width of the CME in the outer corona from the total magnetic flux in the active region from which the CME explodes. We show that these predictions are fulfilled by observed CMEs. This agreement validates the standard model. The model explains (1) why most CMEs have much greater angular widths than their co-produced flares, and (2) why the radial path of a CME in the outer corona can be laterally far offset from the co-produced flare.

Moore, Ron↗

Design and material selection for inverter transformer cores

Report is announced which studied magnetic properties of candidate materials for use in spacecraft transformers, static inverters, converters, and transformer-rectifier power supplies. Included are material characteristics for available alloy compositions in tabular form, including: trade names, saturated flux density, dc coercive force, loop squareness, material density, and watts per pound at 3 KHz.

Mclyman, W. T.↗

Nonintrusive method and apparatus for monitoring the cure of polymeric materials

The invention is a nonintrusive method of monitoring the cure of a polymeric material using an electromagnetic field to sense a change of resistance of the polymeric material in the electromagnetic field that occurs during curing. This change of resistance is used to vary the impedance of an alternating voltage power supply that produces the electromagnetic field and which change of impedance is measured periodically or continuously to monitor the cure of said polymeric material. The apparatus for practicing the method of this invention may include a nonintrusive sensing head providing an inner, electromagnetic core within an open ended outer pot formed of magnet material. The open end of the pot core is positioned from a selected area of the surface of a sheet of the polymeric material. An alternating voltage supply circuit includes an inductance coil around the electromagnetic core and capacitor connected in parallel with the inductance coil forms a resonant tank circuit when energized. The resulting change in resistance of the polymeric material opposite the open end, a function of the curing, is measured as a corresponding change in the impedance of the power supply circuit to thereby monitor the cure of the polymeric material in the selected area.

Johnston, David F.↗

Unusual electron distribution functions in the solar wind derived from the Helios plasma experiment - Double-strahl distributions and distributions with an extremely anisotropic core

Electron distribution functions with unusual features, which have been observed on rare occasions in the solar wind by the Helios probes, are presented. Two examples show a strong symmetric bidirectional anisotropy in the energy regime of the halo up to particle energies of 800 eV (double-strahl distributions). Another example shows an unusually strong bidirectional anisotropy in the energy regime of the core (below 150 eV). The infrequently observed double-strahl distributions provide evidence that magnetic field loops can exist in the solar wind where electrons are trapped. In addition, they provide evidence that in the case of electrons trapped in closed magnetic field structures the break in the energy spectrum separating the core from the halo is produced only by collisions. On the other hand, the class of distribution functions with strongly anisotropic cores indicates that in the case of 'open' magnetic field lines the break between core and halo is largely determined both by the interplanetary electrostatic potential and by collisions.

Pilipp, W. G.↗

A lunar core of Fe-Ni-S.

It has been proposed that lunar samples were magnetized by a field created by a lunar core of molten Fe. Low abundances of siderophile elements in lunar rocks are compatible with formation of a metallic lunar core. A molten Fe core requires that the bulk of the moon was above, or close to, the melting point, a requirement which disagrees with most models of the lunar thermal regime. A core (or perhaps a layer or pockets) of molten Fe-Ni-S, at or close to the eutectic composition would act as a lunar dynamo, and be at a temperature (approximately 1000 C) consistent with some reasonable models of lunar thermal history. The existence of a Fe-Ni-S core would also partly explain the depletion in volatile elements in lunar basalts. Such a core, occupying up to 20% of the moon's radius, requires a bulk S content for the moon of only 0.3 wt %.

Brett, R.↗

Lunar physical properties from analysis of magnetometer data

The electromagnetic properties of the lunar interior are discussed with emphasis on (1) bulk, crustal, and local anomalous conductivity; (2) bulk magnetic permeability measurements, iron abundance estimates, and core size limits; (3) lunar ionosphere and atmosphere; and (4) crustal magnetic remanence: scale size measurements and constraints on remanence origin. Appendices treat the phase relationship between the energetic particle flux modulation and current disc penetrations in the Jovian magnetosphere (Pioneer 10 inbound) theories for the origin of lunar magnetism; electrical conductivity anomalies associated with circular lunar maria; electromagnetic properties of the Moon; Mare Serenitatis conductivity anomaly detected by Apollo 16 and Lunokhod 2 magnetometers; and lunar properties from magnetometer data: effects of data errors.

Daily, W. D.↗

Does the thermal wind exist near the Earth's core boundary?

Temperature distribution in the Earth core determines many important processes such as the following: convective motion, magnetic field generation, matter exchange between the core and the mantle, and the thermal flux. This distribution depends on conditions in the core-mantle boundary and on the distribution of the thermal conductivity in the mantle. Seismic tomography shows that large horizontal temperature and compositional gradients exists at the core-mantle boundary. The simple assumption that these inhomogeneities are extended into the top of the core contradicts the common opinion that the horizontal temperature gradient (the thermal wind) wipes them out in a short time. However, this conclusion has been obtained without taking into account that the core volume is closed and the motion, if it is started, can lead to a small redistribution of composition that stops this motion.

Dolginov, A. Z.↗

Mn-53 profiles in four Apollo surface cores

Mn-53 data are presented for four Apollo cores with an emphasis on the past 10-to-the-7th-year history of these samples: (1) Core 15011 has excess Mn-53 down to a depth of at least 9 cm, which is probably due to the continuous addition of near-surface irradiated material. (2) The Mn-53 profile for 64002 above 12 cm is relatively flat and in excess of that calculated for a static core, which suggests that the upper part of this core was deposited rapidly about 2 m.y. ago. (3) Results for the Apollo 17 drill stem show a large excess of Mn-53 from at least 3 cm downwards. Some magnetic separates obtained from this core have very high Mn-53 activities, probably due to the presence of agglutinates that were recently irradiated very near the surface. (4) The Mn-53 content of the upper part of 74002 is similar to that of trench samples collected nearby and indicates that the gray, orange, and black soils at this site have been exposed together near the surface for at least the last 10 m.y.

Nishiizumi, K.↗

The wall of reconnection-driven magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in a large solar flare

LaRosa and Moore (1993) recently proposed that the bulk dissipation of magnetic field that is required for the electron energization in the explosive phase of solar flares occurs in a 'fat current sheet', a wall of cascading magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence sustained by highly disordered driven reconnection of opposing magnetic fields impacting at a turbulent boundary layer. Here, we use the well-observed great two-ribbon eruptive flare of 1984 April 24/25 to assess the feasibility of both (1) the standard model for the overall three-dimensional form and action of the magnetic field and (2) the turbulent reconnection wall within it. We find (1) that the morphology of this flare closely matched that of the standard model; (2) the preflare sheared core field had enough nonpotential magnetic energy to power the flare; (3) the model turbulent wall required to achieve the flare's peak dissipative power easily fit within the overall span of the flaring magnetic field; (4) this wall was thick enough to have turbulent eddies large enough (diameters approximately 10(exp 8 cm) to produce the approximately ergs energy release fragments typically observed in the explosive phase of flares; (5) the aspect ratio (thickness/vertical extent) of the turbulent reconnection wall was in the 0.1-1 range expected by (Parker 1973). We therefore conclude that the viability of our version of the standard model (i.e., having the magnetic field dissipation occur in our turbulent reconnection wall) is well confirmed by this typical great two-ribbon eruptive flare.

Moore, R. L.↗

Weak magnetic fields and solar irradiance variations

NOAA active region 5643 was observed from August 17 to 21, 1989. Sets of video spectra-spectroheliograms including the Fe I line at 6302.5 A were made at least daily with the San Fernando Observatory 28 cm vacuum telescope and vacuum spectroheliograph. These give simultaneous, co-registered digital images representing monochromatic continuum intensity, line core intensity and line-of-sight magnetic field. Three different criteria are used to define the pixels representing the quiet sun and the facular portions of the images. These criteria are the magnetic field strength, the line core intensity, and the distribution of continuum intensities. Each of these definition schemes is used to estimate the irradiance change due to facular emission. The magnetic field and the continuum intensity distribution definitions give estimates which agree closely. The line core intensity definition leads to larger estimates of the facular irradiance contribution. Some model-dependent investigations of the contrasts and sizes of individual facular elements also are presented.

Lawrence, J. K.↗

Frozen-Flux Modelling for Epochs 1915 and 1980

The frozen-flux hypothesis for the Earth's liquid core assumes that convective terms dominate diffusive terms in the induction equation governing the behaviour of the magnetic field at the surface of the core. While highly plausible on the basis of estimates of physical parameters, the hypothesis has been questioned. To study this hypothesis, we improve the method which tests the consistency of magnetic observations with the hypothesis by constructing simple, flux-conserving core-field models fitting the data at pairs of epochs. We introduce a new approach that fixes the patch configurations at each of the two epochs before inversion, so that each configuration is consistent with its respective data set but possesses the same patch topology. We expand upon the inversion algorithm, using quadratic programming to maintain the proper flux sign within patches; the modelling calculations are also extended to include data types that depend non-linearly on the model. Every test of a hypothesis depends on the characterization of the observational uncertainties; we undertake a thorough review of this question. For main-field models, the primary source of uncertainty comes from the crustal field. We base our analysis on statistical models of the crustal magnetization, adjusted to bring it into better conformity with our data set. The noise model permits us to take into account the correlations between the measurements and requires that a different weighting be given to horizontal and vertical components. It also indicates that the observations should be fit more closely than has been the practice heretofore. We apply the revised method to Magsat data from 1980 and survey and observatory data from 1915.5, two data sets believed to be particularly difficult to reconcile with the frozen-flux hypothesis. We compute a pair of simple, flux-conserving models that fit the averaged data from each epoch. We therefore conclude that present knowledge of the geomagnetic fields of 1980 and 1915.5 is consistent with the frozen-flux hypothesis.

OBrien, Michael S.↗

CHAMP Magnetic Anomalies of the Antarctic Crust

Regional magnetic signals of the crust are strongly masked by the core field and its secular variations components and hence difficult to isolate in the satellite measurements. In particular, the un-modeled effects of the strong auroral external fields and the complicated- behavior of the core field near the geomagnetic poles conspire to greatly reduce the crustal magnetic signal-to-noise ratio in the polar regions relative to the rest of the Earth. We can, however, use spectral correlation theory to filter the static lithospheric and core field components from the dynamic external field effects. To help isolate regional lithospheric from core field components, the correlations between CHAMP magnetic anomalies and the pseudo magnetic effects inferred from gravity-derived crustal thickness variations can also be exploited.. Employing these procedures, we processed the CHAMP magnetic observations for an improved magnetic anomaly map of the Antarctic crust. Relative to the much higher altitude Orsted and noisier Magsat observations, the CHAMP magnetic anomalies at 400 km altitude reveal new details on the effects of intracrustal magnetic features and crustal thickness variations of the Antarctic.

Kim, Hyung Rae↗

Magnetic Direct-Current-Measuring Circuits

Two circuits measure large direct currents in main conductors by use of magnetic fields produced by currents in glassy metal toroidal ferromagnetic cores surrounding main conductors. In both circuits, direct currents to be measured deduced from transient voltages generated in multiturn windings by transitions between magnetic fields produced by measured currents and saturation magnetic fields of cores.

Sullender, Craig C.↗

Magnetic Nanoparticle Extraction of Lithium from Produced Waters - CRADA 483 (Final Report)

The demand for lithium in the energy production industry is expected to increase sharply, development of simple and cost-effective techniques for lithium production and recovery from various lithium sources is essential. In this project, core/shell magnetic nanoparticles were successfully designed to selectively extract lithium from aqueous lithium sources as an extension of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s magnetic nanofluid extraction technology. The core/shell magnetic nanoparticles are composed of manganese oxide-based lithium ion sieve shells, which allow selective lithium uptake from brines with multiple coexisting ions, over iron oxide cores, which can respond to external magnetic fields for effective recovery and reuse of adsorbents from a liquid. The synthesized lithium ion-sieves and core/shell magnetic nanoparticles were characterized using several techniques to reveal their crystallinity and morphology. The lithium uptake properties of the lithium ion-sieves and core/shell magnetic nanoparticles were evaluated in terms of lithium adsorption capacity, removal percentage, selectivity, and cycling performance in simulated and natural brines. Magnetic properties of the core/shell magnetic nanoparticles were tested by measuring magnetic saturation, and magnetic response of colloidal solutions containing the core/shell magnetic nanoparticles was tested with permanent magnets.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Discovery of a quasar with a wide angle radio tail in a distant cluster of galaxies

Radio, optical, and X-ray observations of two extended radio sources separated by 99 arc sec (4C 08.66) are reported. Both sources are identified with quasars: z = 0.6227 for the northern source, and z = 0.2282 for the southern. A faint cluster of galaxies is found near the northern source, and the radio structure of this source is interpreted as providing evidence for relative motion between the quasar and the cluster gas, just as Hintzen et al. (1981) interpreted their quasar-cluster association, 3C 275.1. Physical parameters for the core and the extended emission of the northern quasar are estimated. Limits on the magnetic field strength and angular diameter are derived from the radio spectrum of the core and the magnetic field direction in the jet is found from polarization measurements. The morphology of the X-ray source is consistent with inverse-Compton emission from relic radio lobes, but an origin from the quasar itself or cluster gas cannot be ruled out.

Harris, D. E.↗