Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “MAGNETIC DIPOLES”

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 847 records · Page 47
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Statistical studies of impulsive events at high latitudes

A statistical study has been made of the high-latitude impulsive events that were observed during the 1985-1986 South Pole Balloon Campaign. The events were selected by searching for unipolar pulses greater than or equal to 10 nT above background in the vertical component of the magnetic field on the ground and/or pedestal or 'W' shaped horizontal electric field perturbations greater than or equal to 10 mV/m in amplitude and accompanied by perturbations in the vertical electric field at balloon altitude. A main event list comprising 112 events was compiled from the 468 hours of data available. Three aspects of the events were examined: the solar wind conditions prior to the event, local time of observation, and intrinsic properties of the events. The local time distribution was obtained from the 112 entry main event list and was found to be nearly uniform across the dayside, with no midday gap. The event rate found using our low-amplitude selection criteria was 0.7 event/hr, comparable to expectations based on in situ studies of the magnetopause. A total of 42 events were found for which data were available from Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (IMP) 8. Of these events, 12 occurred when the Z(sub GSM) component (B(sub Z)) of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) was northward and 30 occurred when B(sub Z) was southward or fluctuating. Only three of the B(sub Z) northward cases and only five of the B(sub Z) southward cases were preceded by pressure pulses greater than 0.4 nPa in amplitude. Ten of the events were studied in detail by means of a model-fitting method discussed elsewhere. This method infers values of several parameters, including the total current flowing in a coaxial or monopole system and a two-dimensional dipole system. The intrinsic properties of the events showed that only approximately 10% of the total current contributed to momentum transfer to the high-latitude ionosphere, that the direction of the motion depended more on local time of observation than IMF B(sub y), and that events were usually several hundred kilometers in size. The observed B(sub z) control found in the 42 event list and the prevalence of coaxial current dominated events are inconsistent with the predictions of the pressure pulse model.

Lin, Z. M.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Energetic Particles Dynamics in Mercury's Magnetosphere

We investigate the drift paths of energetic particles in Mercury's magnetosphere by tracing their motion through a model magnetic field. Test particle simulations solving the full Lorentz force show a quasi-trapped energetic particle population that gradient and curvature drift around the planet via "Shabansky" orbits, passing though high latitudes in the compressed dayside by equatorial latitudes on the nightside. Due to their large gyroradii, energetic H+ and Na+ ions will typically collide with the planet or the magnetopause and will not be able to complete a full drift orbit. These simulations provide direct comparison for recent spacecraft measurements from MESSENGER. Mercury's offset dipole results in an asymmetric loss cone and therefore an asymmetry in particle precipitation with more particles precipitating in the southern hemisphere. Since the planet lacks an atmosphere, precipitating particles will collide directly with the surface of the planet. The incident charged particles can kick up neutrals from the surface and have implications for the formation of the exosphere and weathering of the surface

Energetic particles↗
NASA NTRS1988

Mapping of auroral kilometric radiation sources to the aurora

Auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) and optical auroral emissions are observed simultaneously using plasma wave instrumentation and auroral imaging photometers carried on the DE 1 spacecraft. The DE 1 plasma wave instrument measures the relative phase of signals from orthogonal electric dipole antennas, and from these measurements, apparent source directions can be determined with a high degree of precision. Wave data are analyzed for several strong AKR events, and source directions are determined for several emission frequencies. By assuming that the AKR originates at cyclotron resonant altitudes, a candidate source field line is identified. When the selected source field line is traced down to auroral altitudes on the concurrent DE 1 auroral image, a striking correspondece between the AKR source field line and localized auroral features is produced. The magnetic mapping study provides strong evidence that AKR sources occur on field lines associated with discrete auroral arcs, and it provides confirmation that AKR is generated near the electron cyclotron frequency.

Huff, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Electrostatic waves in the magnetosphere.

Electric dipole antennas on magnetospheric spacecraft measure E field components of many kinds of electromagnetic waves. In addition, lower hybrid resonance emissions are frequently observed well above the ionosphere. The Ogo 5 plasma wave experiment has also detected new forms of electrostatic emissions that appear to interact very strongly with the local plasma particles. Greatly enhanced wave amplitudes have been found during the expansion phases of substorms, and analysis indicates that these emissions produce strong pitch angle diffusion. Intense broadband electrostatic turbulence is also detected at current layers containing steep magnetic field gradients. This current-driven instability is operative at the bow shock and also at field null regions just within the magnetosheath, and at the magnetopause near the dayside polar cusp. The plasma turbulence appears to involve ion acoustic waves, and the wave particle scattering provides an important collisionless dissipation mechanism for field merging.

Scarf, F. L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Rotation of the coronal magnetic field

The coronal magnetic field rotates differently than the photosphere. The field configuration of the corona can be calculated from the observed photosphpere field using a potential field model. Correlation of the field patterns at different latitudes with a lag near one solar rotation shows much less differential rotation than observed in the photospheric field; however, the peak is very broad and determines the rotation rate rather poorly. Consideration of longer lags reveals a more complex rotational structure and indicates different rotation rates in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Spectral analysis of the equatorial dipole component of the coronal field reveals an organization into just a few discrete rotation frequencies which are apparently present simultaneously. Spectral analysis of the field at different latitudes shows that the frequencies are present simultaneously. Spectra analysis of the field at different latitudes shows that the frequencies are present simultaneously, but in different hemispheres, and that the Southern Hemisphere fields rotate more slowly than those in the north in solar cycle 21.

Hoeksema, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The semiannual variation of great geomagnetic storms and the postshock Russell-Mcpherron effect preceding coronal mass ejecta

Recent results indicate that the intense southward interplanetary magnetic fields (IMFs) responsible for great storms can reside in the postshock plasma preceding the driver gas of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) as well as in the driver gas itself. It is proposed here that strong southward fields in the postshock flow result from a major increase in the Russell-McPherron polarity effect through a systematic pattern of compression and draping within the ecliptic plane. Differential compression at the shock increases the Parker spiral angle and, consequently, the azimuthal field component that projects as a southward component onto earth's dipole axis. The resulting prediction is that southward fields in the postshock plasma maximize at the spring (fall) equinox in CMEs emerging from toward (away) sectors. This pattern produces a strong semiannual variation in postshock IMF orientation and may account at least in part for the observed semiannual variation of the occurrence of great geomagnetic storms.

Crooker, N. U.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Theoretical study of the dipole moment of oxygen monofluoride (OF)

The ground-state potential curve and dipole-moment function of OF are calculated theoretically using the complete active-space self-consistent-field levels, externally contracted configuration-interaction levels, or multireference (singles plus doubles) configuration-interaction levels. Both an extended Gaussian basis set and a double-zeta-plus-polarization basis set were applied. The results are presented in extensive tables and graphs. Best results are achieved using a large Gaussian basis set and taking the valence-correlation energy into account. It is suggested that OF may best be detected by its laser-magnetic-resonance spectrum in the IR.

Langhoff, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The effect of magnetic topography on high-latitude radio emission at Neptune

Occultation by a local elevation on the surface of constant magnetic field is proposed as a new interpretation for the unusual properties of Neptune high-latitude emission. Abrupt changes in intensity and polarization of this broadband smooth radio emission were observed as the Voyager 2 spacecraft passed near the north magnetic pole before closest approach. The observed sequence of cutoffs with polarization reversal would not occur during descent of the spacecraft through regular surfaces of increasing magnetic field. The sequence can be understood in terms of constant-frequency (constant-field) surfaces that are not only offset from the planet center but are locally highly distorted by an elevation that occults the outgoing extraordinary-mode beam. The required occulter is similar to the field enhancement observed directly by the magnetometer team when Voyager reached lower altitude farther to the west. Evidence is presented that the sources of the high-altitude emission are located near the longitude of the minimum-B anomaly associated with the dipole offset and that the local elevation of constant-B surfaces extends eastward from the longitude where it is directly measured by the magnetometer to the longitude where occultation of the remote radio source is observed. Together, the radio and magnetometer experiments indicate that the constant-frequency surfaces are distorted by an elevation that extends 0.3 rad in the longitudinal direction.

Sawyer, C. B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Atmospheric helium and geomagnetic field reversals.

The problem of the earth's helium budget is examined in the light of recent work on the interaction of the solar wind with nonmagnetic planets. It is proposed that the dominant mode of helium (He4) loss is ion pumping by the solar wind during geomagnetic field reversals, when the earth's magnetic field is very small. The interaction of the solar wind with the earth's upper atmosphere during such a period is found to involve the formation of a bow shock. The penetration altitude of the shock-heated solar plasma is calculated to be about 700 km, and ionization rates above this level are estimated for a cascade ionization (electron avalanche) process to average 10 to the 9th power ions/sq cm/sec. The calculated ionization rates and the capacity of the solar wind to remove ionized helium (He4) from the upper atmosphere during geomagnetic dipole reversals are sufficient to yield a secular equilibrium over geologic time scales. The upward transport of helium from the lower atmosphere under these conditions is found to be adequate to sustain the proposed loss rate.

Sheldon, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Experimental test of magnetospheric models.

The barium cloud injection deep into the magnetosphere of Sept. 21, 1971, has revealed that the quiet-time near-equatorial nightside magnetic field is significantly different from that predicted by existing quite-time models. The influence of currents flowing on or near the geomagnetic equator gives the field a more tail-like structure at a distance as close as 5 earth radii. Several models have been tried out to obtain a best fit to the experimental observations of the shape of the field-aligned ion cloud. Although this method does not lead to a unique solution, the most acceptable option emerging from this analysis is a quiet-time tilted image-dipole model with a Williams-Mead tail field and a disclike ring current on the geomagnetic equator.

Barish, F. D.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Ultra-low-frequency magnetic pulsations in the earth's magnetosphere

Spacecraft observations have shown that geomagnetic pulsations originating in magnetospheric processes, in spite of their small amplitude on the ground, have amplitudes in space relative to the local magnetic field of 5-10 percent and occasionally up to about 50 percent. It is noted that by studying geomagnetic pulsations, a detailed comparison can be made between plasma physics theory and observations that are not possible in laboratory experiments. Also geomagnetic pulsations play a role in magnetospheric dynamics and energy transport, and their study forms an integral part of enhancing the knowledge of the magnetosphere. The importance of spacecraft observations are discussed and attention is given to such topics as waves in the magnetosphere, field-line resonances, the quantitative analysis of a dipole field, plasma instabilities, and energy flow.

Anderson, Brian J.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Do We Know the Actual Magnetopause Position for Typical Solar Wind Conditions?

We compare predicted magnetopause positions at the subsolar point and four reference points in the terminator plane obtained from several empirical and numerical MHD (magnetohydrodynamics) models. Empirical models using various sets of magnetopause crossings and making different assumptions about the magnetopause shape predict significantly different magnetopause positions (with a scatter greater than 1 Earth radius (R (sub E)) even at the subsolar point. Axisymmetric magnetopause models cannot reproduce the cusp indentations or the changes related to the dipole tilt effect, and most of them predict the magnetopause closer to the Earth than non axisymmetric models for typical solar wind conditions and zero tilt angle. Predictions of two global non axisymmetric models do not match each other, and the models need additional verification. MHD models often predict the magnetopause closer to the Earth than the non axisymmetric empirical models, but the predictions of MHD simulations may need corrections for the ring current effect and decreases of the solar wind pressure that occur in the foreshock. Comparing MHD models in which the ring current magnetic field is taken into account with the empirical Lin et al. model, we find that the differences in the reference point positions predicted by these models are relatively small for B (sub z) equals 0 (note: B (sub z) is when the Earth's magnetic field points north versus Sun's magnetic field pointing south). Therefore, we assume that these predictions indicate the actual magnetopause position, but future investigations are still needed.

Samsonov, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Some possible effects of Jupiter's rings on the Jovian inner plasmasphere

The ionospheric plasma density on magnetic field lines threading the Jovian rings which are located inside approximately 1.8 Jupiter radii on the jovigraphic equatorial plane is calculated by using a rotating ion exosphere model. It is found that the bulk of the ionospheric particles on these field lines are on ballistic trajectories. On field lines approximately symmetric with respect to the jovigraphic equator, the ring, which to a first approximation would absorb the population of trapped particles, consequently has little effect. On field lines which are made asymmetric by the higher-order multipoles of Jupiter's field and the tilt of the dipole axis, the rings may have a significant effect. It is suggested that better definition of the rings' atmospheric and ionospheric properties is required to model these localized effects. If the rings are found to be an important plasma source for the inner magnetosphere, the present exospheric model will have to be revised.

Luhmann, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Performance characteristics of a three-axis superconducting rock magnetometer

A series of measurements are carried out with the purpose of quantitatively determining the characteristics of a commercial 6.8 cm access superconducting rock magnetometer located in the magnetic properties laboratory at the Goddard Space Flight Center. The measurements show that although a considerable improvement in measurement speed and signal to noise ratios can be obtained using such an instrument, a number of precautions are necessary to obtain accuracies comparable with more conventional magnetometers. These include careful calibration of the sensor outputs, optimum positioning of the sample within the detection region and quantitatively establishing the degree of cross-coupling between the detector coils. In order to examine the uniformity of response for each detector, the responses are mapped as a function of position, using a small dipole.

Lienert, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Cone structure and focusing of VLF and LF electromagnetic waves at high altitudes in the ionosphere

The frequency and angle dependencies of the electric field radiated by an electric dipole E = E(sub 0) cos omega(t) are studied through numerical calculations of absolute value of E in the VLF and LF frequency bands where F is less than or equal 0.02 to 0.05 f(sub b) in a model ionosphere over an altitude region of 800-6000 km where the wave frequency and electron gyrofrequency varies between F approximately 4-500 kHz and f(sub b) is approximately equal (1.1 to 0.2) MHz respectively. It is found that the amplitudes of the electric field have large maxima in four regions: close to the direction of the Earth magnetic field line B(sub 0) (it is called the axis field E(sub 0), in the Storey E(sub St), reversed Storey E(sub RevSt), and resonance E(sub Res) cones. The maximal values of E(sub 0), E(sub Res), and E(sub RevSt) are the most pronounced close to the lower hybrid frequency, F approximately F(sub L). The flux of the electric field is concentrated in very narrow regions, with the apex angles of the cones Delta-B is approximately (0.1-1) deg. The enhancement and focusing of the electric field increases with altitude starting at Z greater than 800 km. At Z greater than or equal to 1000 up to 6000 km, the relative value of absolute value of E, in comparison with its value at Z = 800 km is about (10(exp 2) to 10(exp 4)) times larger. Thus the flux of VLF and LF electromagnetic waves generated at high altitudes in the Earth's ionosphere are trapped into very narrow conical beams similar to laser beams.

Alpert, Ya. L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Current disruptions in the near-earth neutral sheet region

Current disruption events observed by the Charge Composition Explorer during 1985 and 1986 are examined. Occurrence of current disruption was accompanied by large magnetic field turbulence and frequently with reversal in the sign of the field component normal to the neutral sheet. Current disruptions in the near-earth region are found to be typically shortlived (about 1-5 min), and their onsets coincide well with the ground onsets of substorm expansion or intensification in the local time sector of the footpoint of the spacecraft. These events are found almost exclusively close to the field reversal plane of the neutral sheet (within about 0.5 RE). Prior to current disruption the field strength can be reduced to as low as one seventh of the dipole field value and can recover to nearly the dipole value after disruption. The temporal evolution of particle pressure in the near-earth neutral sheet during the onset of current disruption indicates that the current buildup during the substorm growth phase is associated with enhancement in the particle pressure at the neutral sheet.

Lui, A. T. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Initial geomagnetic field model from Magsat vector data

Magsat data from the magnetically quiet days of November 5-6, 1979, were used to derive a thirteenth degree and order spherical harmonic geomagnetic field model, MGST(6/80). The model utilized both scalar and high-accuracy vector data and fit that data with root-mean-square deviations of 8.2, 6.9, 7.6 and 7.4 nT for the scalar magnitude, B(r), B(theta), and B(phi), respectively. The model includes the three first-order coefficients of the external field. Comparison with averaged Dst indicates that zero Dst corresponds with 25 nT of horizontal field from external sources. When compared with earlier models, the earth's dipole moment continues to decrease at a rate of about 26 nT/yr. Evaluation of earlier models with Magsat data shows that the scalar field at the Magsat epoch is best predicted by the POGO(2/72) model but that the WC80, AWC/75 and IGS/75 are better for predicting vector fields.

Langel, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Radial diffusion in magnetodiscs

The orbits of charged particles in magnetodiscs are considered. The bounce motion is assumed adiabatic except for transits of a small equatorial region of weak magnetic field strength and high field curvature. Previous theory and modeling have shown that particles scatter randomly in pitch angle with each passage through the equator. A peaked distribution thus diffuses in pitch angle on the time scale of many bounces. It is argued in this paper that spatial diffusion is a further consequence when the magnetodisc has a longitudinal asymmetry. A general expression for DLL, the diffusion of equatorial crossing radii, is derived. DLL is evaluated explicitly for ions in Jupiter's 20-35 radii magnetodisc, assumed to be represented by Connerney et al.'s (1982) Voyager model plus a small image dipole asymmetry. Rates are energy, species, and space dependent but can average as much as a few tenths of a planetary radius per bounce period.

Birmingham, T. J.↗