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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 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Antenna radiation patterns in the whistler wave regime measured in a large laboratory plasma

Antenna radiation patterns of balanced electric dipoles and shielded magnetic loop antennas are obtained by measuring the relative wave amplitude with a small receiver antenna scanned around the exciter in a large uniform collisionless magnetized laboratory plasma in the whistler wave regime. The boundary effects are assumed to be negligible even for many farfield patterns. Characteristic differences are observed between electrically short and long antennas, the former exhibiting resonance cones and the latter showing dipole-like antenna patterns along the magnetic field. Resonance cones due to small electric dipoles and magnetic loops are observed in both the near zone and the far zone. A self-focusing process is revealed which produces a pencil-shaped field-aligned radiation pattern.

Stenzel, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Triaxial Probe Magnetic Data Analysis

The Triaxial Magnetic Moment Analysis software uses measured magnetic field test data to compute dipole and quadrupole moment information from a hardware element. It is used to support JPL projects needing magnetic control and an understanding of the spacecraft-generated magnetic fields. Evaluation of the magnetic moment of an object consists of three steps: acquisition, conditioning, and analysis. This version of existing software was extensively rewritten for easier data acquisition, data analysis, and report presentation, including immediate feedback to the test operator during data acquisition. While prior JPL computer codes provided the same data content, this program has a better graphic display including original data overlaid with reconstructed results to show goodness of fit accuracy and better appearance of the report graphic page. Data are acquired using three magnetometers and two rotations of the device under test. A clean acquisition user interface presents required numeric data and graphic summaries, and the analysis module yields the best fit (least squares) for the magnetic dipole and/or quadrupole moment of a device. The acquisition module allows the user to record multiple data sets, selecting the best data to analyze, and is repeated three times for each of the z-axial and y-axial rotations. In this update, the y-axial rotation starting position has been changed to an option, allowing either the x- or z-axis to point towards the magnetometer. The code has been rewritten to use three simultaneous axes of magnetic data (three probes), now using two "rotations" of the device under test rather than the previous three rotations, thus reducing handling activities on the device under test. The present version of the software gathers data in one-degree increments, which permits much better accuracy of the fit ted data than the coarser data acquisition of the prior software. The data-conditioning module provides a clean data set for the analysis module. For multiple measurements at a given degree, the first measurement is used. For omitted measurements, the missing field is estimated by linear interpolation between the two nearest measurements. The analysis module was rewritten for the dual rotation, triaxial probe measurement process and now has better moment estimation accuracy, based on the finer one degree of data acquisition resolution. The magnetic moments thus computed are used as an input to summarize the total spacecraft field.

Shultz, Kimberly↗
NASA NTRS2002

The Permanent and Inductive Magnetic Moments of Ganymede

Data acquired by the Galileo magnetometer on five passes by Ganymede have been used to characterize Ganymede's internal magnetic moments. Three of the five passes were useful for determination of the internal moments through quadrupole order. Models representing the internal field as the sum of dipole and quadrupole terms or as the sum of a permanent dipole field upon which is superimposed an induced magnetic dipole driven by the time varying component of the externally imposed magnetic field of Jupiter's magnetosphere give equally satisfactory fits to the data. The permanent dipole moment has an equatorial field magnitude 719 nT and is tilted by 176 degrees from the spin axis with the pole in the southern hemisphere rotated by 24 degrees from the Jupiter-facing meridian plane towards the trailing hemisphere. The data are consistent with an inductive response of a good electrical conductor of radius approximately 1 Ganymede radius. Although the data do not enable us to establish the presence of an inductive response beyond doubt, we favor the inductive response model because it gives a good fit to the data using only 4 parameters to describe the internal sources of fields, whereas the equally good dipole plus quadrupole fit requires 8 parameters. An inductive response is consistent with a buried conducting shell, probably liquid water with dissolved electrolytes, somewhere in the first few hundred km below Ganymede's surface. The depth at which the ocean is buried beneath the surface is somewhat uncertain, but our favored model suggests a depth of order 150 kilometers. As both temperature and pressure increase with depth and the melting temperature of pure ice decreases to a minimum at approximately 170 kilometer depth, it seems possible that near this location, a layer of water would be sandwiched between layers of ice.

Kivelson, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Magnetic flux transport and the sun's dipole moment - New twists to the Babcock-Leighton model

The mechanisms that give rise to the sun's large-scale poloidal magnetic field are explored in the framework of the Babcock-Leighton (BL) model. It is shown that there are in general two quite distinct contributions to the generation of the 'alpha effect': the first is associated with the axial tilts of the bipolar magnetic regions as they erupt at the surface, while the second arises through the interaction between diffusion and flow as the magnetic flux is dispersed over the surface. The general relationship between flux transport and the BL dynamo is discussed.

Wang, Y.-M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Beaming of Uranian kilometric radiation and implications for the planetary magnetic field

Radio waves from Uranus at 481.2 kHz detected by Voyager 2 show a strong beaming effect. When the data are analyzed according to the magnetic latitude of the observer in an offset tilted dipole field model, a sharply defined emission beam extending from 25 to 55 deg latitude is evident consistent with a source over the south magnetic pole. The lack of prominent emission from the north magnetic pole can be attributed to the large spatial offset of the magnetic dipole resulting in much lower source frequencies. For proper alignment of the beam, an advance of the dipole axis longitude by 23 deg from the standard model is required. This phase shift is interpreted as the result of higher order magnetic moments producing a skew of the field lines at low altitudes in the polar source region. This conclusion further substantiates models of the interior of Uranus which predict a complex intrinsic field with significant nondipolar contributions to the surface magnetic field.

Barbosa, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Surface temperature of a magnetized neutron star and interpretation of the ROSAT data. 1: Dipole fields

We model the temperature distribution at the surface of a magnetized neutron star and study the effects on the observed X-ray spectra and light curves. Generalrelativistic effects, i.e., redshift and lensing, are fully taken into account. Atmospheric effects on the emitted spectral flux are not included: we consider only blackbody emission at the local effective temperature. In this first paper we restrict ourselves to dipole fields. General features are studied and compared with the ROSAT data from the pulsars 0833 - 45 (Vela), 0656 + 14, 0630 + 178 (Geminga), and 1055 - 52, the four cases for which there is strong evidence that thermal radiation from the stellar surface is detected. The composite spectra we obtain are not very different from a blackbody spectrum at the star's effective temperature. We conclude that, as far as blackbody spectra are considered, temperature estimates using single-temperature models give results practically identical to our composite models. The change of the (composite blackbody) spectrum with the star's rotational phase is also not very large and may be unobservable inmost cases. Gravitational lensing strongly suppresses the light curve pulsations. If a dipole field is assumed, pulsed fractions comparable to the observed ones can be obtained only with stellar radii larger than those which are predicted by current models of neutron star struture, or with low stellar masses. Moreover, the shapes of the theoretical light curves with dipole fields do not correspond to the observations. The use of magnetic spectra may raise the pulsed fraction sufficiently but will certainly make the discrepancy with the light curve shapes worse: dipole fields are not sufficient to interpret the data. Many neutron star models with a meson condensate or hypersons predict very small radii, and hence very strong lensing, which will require highly nondipolar fields to be able to reproduce the observed pulsed fractions, if possible at all: this may be a new tool to constrain the size of neutron stars. The pulsed fractions obtained in all our models increase with photon energy: the strong decrease observed in Geminga at energies 0.3-0.5 keV is definitely a genuine effect of the magnetic field on the spectrum in contradistinction to the magnetic effects on the surface temperature considered her. Thus, a detailed analysis of thermal emission from the four pulsars we consider will require both complex surface field configurations and the inclusion of magnetic effects in the atmosphere (i.e., on the emitted spectrum).

Page, Dany↗
NASA NTRS1966

Geomagnetic geometry tables

Geomagnetic field geometry tables for trapped radiation and particles using scalar magnetic field intensity, invariant polar coordinants, and dipole moment

GEOMAGNETIC FIELD↗
NASA NTRS1991

Transient particle acceleration in strongly magnetized neutron stars. II - Effects due to a dipole field geometry

Sheared Alfven waves generated by nonradial crustal disturbances above the polar cap of a strongly magnetized neutron star induce an electric field component parallel to B. An attempt is made to determine the manner in which the strong radial dependence of B affects the propagation of these sheared Alfven waves, and whether this MHD process is still an effective particle accelerator. It is found that although the general field equation is quite complicated, a simple wavelike solution can still be obtained under the conditions of interest for which the Alfven phase velocity decouples from the wave equation. The results may be applicable to gamma-ray burst sources.

Fatuzzo, Marco↗
NASA NTRS1990

Is the earth's dipole actually inclined with respect to the rotation axis?

Planetary exploration by deep space probes in recent years has shown that the dipole moment of some magnetized planets has a surprisingly large inclination angle with respect to the rotation axis. Applying the method developed for the source surface magnetic field of the sun (a spherical surface of 2.5 solar radii), it is suggested that the main dipole of the earth and the magnetized planets may actually be axial (the magnetic moment being parallel or antiparallel to the rotation axis), and that two or three smaller dipoles near the core surface could be responsible for the apparent inclination of the main dipole. In formulating a dynamo theory of the planetary magnetic field, such a possibility should be considered, as well as the inclined dipole case.

Akasofu, S.-I.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Moon-magnetosphere interaction and estimates of possible lunar core size

It is shown that estimates of the size of a possible lunar core are negligibly affected by currents due to a directed plasma flux toward the moon. A theory for the compression of an induced lunar dipole by an incoming sub-Alfvenic flux of cold plasma is presented for the time-independent case where the external magnetic field, induced dipole moment, and plasma velocity vector are all aligned, and it is demonstrated that, at very long time periods, effects due to the inertia of an incoming flow of cold plasma can be ignored. A theory for time-dependent fluctuations in a stationary plasma is modified to include the effects of incoming flux.

Goldstein, B. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Initial vector magnetic anomaly map from Magsat

Global magnetic component anomaly field maps have been derived from the Magsat vector magnetometer data obtained from November 1979 through May 1980. The amplitude of variations of the components over the maps are between 10 and 15 nT, well above the noise in the data. Averaged data, in 2-by-2 deg blocks, exhibit standard errors of the mean of about 1 nT over most of the X and Z maps, and about 2 nT over most of the Y maps. Errors rise to about twice these amounts near the auroral belts. Most of the anomalies in the component data are consistent with a crustal magnetization model which incorporates dipoles aligned only in the direction of the main field. However, there appear to be some regions which require dipoles aligned in some other direction i.e., remanent magnetization.

Langel, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Lunar magnetic anomalies and surface optical properties

Consideration is given to the influence of lunar magnetic anomalies on the darkening of the lunar surface by solar wind ion bombardment. It is shown that lunar magnetic anomalies with dipole moments much greater than 5 x 10 to the 13th gauss cu cm will strongly deflect the typical solar wind, producing local plasma voids at the lunar surface. Direct measurements of lunar magnetic fields have shown most lunar magnetic fields to have moments below this level, with the exception of anomalies detected in the areas of the Reiner Gamma albedo feature, the Van de Graaff-Aitken region and Mare Marginis. Such magnetic anomalies are shown to be capable of accounting for the higher albedo and swirl-like morphology f these features by the deflection and focusing incident solar wind ions, which tend to darken the surface upon impact.

Hood, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Magnetic coordinates for the Pioneer 10 Jupiter encounter

The magnetic coordinates of the Pioneer 10 spacecraft and the five innermost satellites are given around the time of Jupiter encounter, Dec. 1-8, 1973. The D sub 2 offset dipole model of Smith et al. (1974) is used to make the calculations. Magnetic coordinates are needed for the interpretation of the trapped particle measurements, including the absorption effects of the satellites. Contours of constant field magnitude and magnetic latitude are given at the surface of Jupiter for the D sub 2 model. The system III longitude of a spacecraft at Jupiter is derived, and formulas are given for the relationships between system I, II, and III longitudes. The longitude of the magnetic dipole increases by about 3 deg/yr, owing to the inaccurate rotation rate used to define system III longitude.

Mead, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Electrostatic and electromagnetic turbulence associated with the earth's bow shock

Simultaneous measurements were made of the electric and magnetic field spectral densities in the earth's bow shock by a plasma wave experiment on the Imp 6 spacecraft. The frequency range of the plasma wave detector was 20 Hz to 200 kHz. Electric fields were measured with high-sensitivity 100-m long dipole antennas and magnetic fields were measured with single-turn loop antennas. Two components are distinguished in the electric field spectrum in the bow shock: one component has a broad peak centered in the region 200-800 Hz, while the other component increases monotonically with decreasing frequency. The magnetic field spectrum has only one component that increases monotonically with decreasing frequency and has an upper cutoff frequency near the local electron gyrofrequency. This magnetic field turbulence is judged to be caused by whistler mode waves. The monotonic component of the electric field spectrum is thought to be the electric field spectrum of these whistler mode waves.

Rodriguez, P.↗
NASA NTRS2013

The North-South Asymmetry of the Heliospheric Current Sheet: Results of an MHD Simulation

A displacement of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) south of the helioequator by approx.10deg was proposed by Simpson et al. (1996) as a possible explanation of the north-south asymmetry in the galactic cosmic rays observed by Ulysses during its first fast transit in 1994-1995. The idea was not supported by magnetic field measurements on Ulysses and, on this ground, was dismissed by Simpson et al. (1996). In addition, Erdos & Balogh (1998) argued that any north-south symmetry was unlikely as there should be flux balance between the magnetic sectors of opposite polarity. Nonetheless, many in the scientific community have accepted the original suggestion of Simpson et al. (1996) that a displacement of the HCS was responsible for the cosmic ray asymmetry. In this paper, using a magnetohydrodynamic model of the solar corona and solar wind that includes both dipole and quadrupole magnetic source terms, we show that a north-south asymmetry of the magnetic field on the Sun does not give rise to a displacement of the HCS. The lack of displacement of the HCS results from a latitudinal redistribution of magnetic flux near the Sun where the plasma beta much < 1. The latitudinal redistribution is a direct consequence of the magnetic field gradient between pole and equator. Near the Sun, the latitudinal gradient in magnetic field generates meridional flows directed equatorward that tend to relax the gradient in the magnetic field (to make it more latitude-independent) as heliocentric distance increases. If there is an asymmetry between north and south magnetic field strength then the meridional flows are also asymmetric (i.e., stronger in the hemisphere of stronger magnetic field). Because the magnetic fluxes (positive and negative) in the hemispheres must be equal, the redistribution shifts the HCS into balance by approx. 16 R(solar mass). At larger distances, where the magnetic field is relatively weak (beta much > 1), the HCS can be displaced if there is a difference in total pressure between the hemispheres.

solar wind↗
NASA NTRS1991

An anomalous component of Neptune radio emission - Implications for the auroral zone

The Voyager planetary radio astronomy experiment detected a bursty, narrow-band radio emission originating in Neptune's magnetosphere. The time of occurrence of nearly all of the episodes of this bursty radio emission can be explained on the basis of a radio source located just above and to the east of the south magnetic offset tilted dipole (OTD) tip (Farrell et al., 1990). However, several episodes of bursty emission do not occur at the usual frequency and planetaray rotation phase for emissions of this type. The occurrences of these rarely seen anomalous episodes are shifted systematically in planetary longitude so as to be consistent with a source of emission to the southwest of the southern magnetic OTD pole. Owing to the proximity of these sources to the magnetic polar region, they are associated with an active auroral region. Therefore, at least from the standpoint of the radio emission, the picture that emerges is of an auroral zone with two emission hot spots approximately diametrically east and west of the south magnetic pole. The possibility of a complete radio-active auroral oval is discussed.

Desch, M. D.↗