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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Absolute electron density measurements in the equatorial ionosphere

Accurate measurement of the electron density profile and its variations is crucial to further progress in understanding the physics of the disturbed equatorial ionosphere. To accomplish this, a plasma frequency probe was included in the payload complement of two rockets flown during the Condor rocket campaign conducted from Peru in March 1983. This paper presents density profiles of the disturbed equatorial ionosphere from a night-time flight in which spread-F conditions were present and from a day-time flight during strong electrojet conditions. Results from both flights are in excellent agreement with simultaneous radar data in that the regions of highly disturbed plasma coincide with the radar signatures. The spread-F rocket penetrated a topside depletion during both the upleg and downleg. The electrojet measurements showed a profile peaking at 1.3 x 10 to the 5th per cu cm at 106 km, with large scale fluctuations having amplitudes of roughly 10 percent seen only in the upward gradient in electron density. This is in agreement with plasma instability theory. It is further shown that simultaneous measurements by fixed-bias Langmuir probes, when normalized at a single point to the altitude profile of electron density, are inadequate to correctly parameterize the observed enhancements and depletions.

Baker, K. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

On the maintenance of the Venus nightside ionosphere - Electron precipitation and plasma transport

The relative contributions of electron precipitation and transport of dayside plasma to the maintenance of the Venus nightside ionosphere during the long Venusian night are investigated based on simultaneous Pioneer Venus Orbiter Retarding Potential Analyzer measurements of suprathermal electron fluxes and plasma densities. In about 20 orbits, the nightside integral electron flux of electrons with energies between 5 and 45 eV is observed to be relatively constant in time and altitude, while plasma density is observed to vary by a factor of 10 or more with no correlation with the electron flux. Ionization rates and ion density height profiles are computed for O(+) and O2(+) as a function of magnetic dip angle based on a typical electron spectrum, or a downward flux of O(+) ions. Comparison of the computed profiles with the measured median O(+) and O2(+) density profiles reveals that the measured profiles can only be reproduced by a downward flux of O(+) equal to about 10 to the 8th/sq cm per sec; suprathermal electron energy distributions produce O2(+) and O(+) levels only about half and one tenth those usually observed, respectively. It is thus concluded that transport of O(+) ions from the dayside Venus ionosphere is responsible for approximately 75% of the typical nightside ionization, with variations in O(+) transport mechanism responsible for most of the observed nightside density variations. The remaining ionization is attributed to suprathermal electrons, which contribute principally to the O2(+) peak.

Spenner, K.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Positive ion densities and mobilities in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere

A brief sketch of the theory concerning the use of the Gerdien condenser as a mobility spectrometer is presented. Data reduction of three parachute borne Gerdien condenser probes is given, as well as that of one blunt conductivity probe. Comparisons of concentrations calculated by two different methods indicate consistency of results. Mobility profiles demonstrating remarkable fine structure are discussed in detail. Finally, theoretical implications of the results on ionospheric structure, including possible night-day differences and latitudinal variations, are considered.

Leiden, S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A new concept for the daytime magnetosphere of Venus

A different type of interaction between the solar wind and the ionosphere of a non-magnetized planet suggested by the Pioneer Venus magnetic field measurements is presented. They found that the magnetic field of the shocked solar wind does not penetrate the ionosphere, and it appears that the latter acts approximately as a superconductor, excluding any substantial penetration of interplanetary magnetic field. Just beyond the ionopause is a magnetized region with little plasma whose magnetic pressure is approximately equal to the impact pressure of the solar wind. This suggests an interaction where the current system associated with the enhanced magnetic field region flows along the ionopause and is closed by currents in the shocked solar wind plasma, where the J times B forces slow down the plasma approaching the stagnation region and accelerate the plasma flowing away from it. Thus, the lack of magnetic constraint in the ionosphere would allow ionospheric plasma to flow freely from the day to the night side, and this flow could probably maintain the nighttime ionosphere.

Johnson, F. S.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Ionospheric Refraction Corrections in the GTDS for Satellite-To-Satellite Tracking Data

In satellite-to-satellite tracking (SST) geographic as well as diurnal ionospheric effects must be contended with, for the line of sight between satellites can cross a day-night interface or lie within the equatorial ionosphere. These various effects were examined and a method of computing ionospheric refraction corrections to range and range rate measurements with sufficient accuracy were devised to be used in orbit determinations. The Bent Ionospheric Model is used for SST refraction corrections. Making use of this model a method of computing corrections through large ionospheric gradients was devised and implemented into the Goddard Trajectory Determination System. The various considerations taken in designing and implementing this SST refraction correction algorithm are reported.

Nesterczuk, G.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The atmosphere of Io from Pioneer 10 radio occultation measurements

The occultation of the Pioneer 10 spacecraft by Io (JI) provided an opportunity to obtain two S-band radio occultation measurements of its atmosphere. The day-side entry measurements revealed an ionosphere having a peak density of about 60,000 el/cu cm at an altitude of about 100 km. The topside scale height indicates a plasma temperature of about 406 K if it is composed of Na(+) and 495 K if N2(+) is principal ion. A thinner and less dense ionosphere was observed on the exit (night side), having a peak density of 9,000 el/cu cm at an altitude of 50 km. The topside plasma temperature is 160 K for N2(-) and 131 K for Na(+). If the ionosphere is produced by photoionization in a manner analogous to the ionospheres of the terrestrial planets, the density of neutral particles at the surface of Io is less than 10 to 1 trillion per cu cm, corresponding to a surface pressure of less than 10 to 1 nanobars.

Kliore, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Observed composition of the ionosphere of Venus - Implications for the ionization peak and the maintenance of the nightside ionosphere

Across the nightside of Venus, daily measurements from the PV Orbiter Ion Mass Spectrometer often indicate an ionosphere of relatively abundant concentration, with a composition characteristic of the dayside ionosphere. Such conditions are interspersed by other days on which the ionosphere appears to largely 'disappear' down to about 200 km, with ion concentrations at lower heights also much reduced. These characteristics, coupled with observations of strong day to night flows of O(+) in the upper ionosphere, support arguments that ion transport from the dayside is important for the maintenance of the nightside ionosphere. In the range 140-160 km, strong concentrations of O2(+) and NO(+) indicate that the ionization peak is at times composed of at least two prominent ion species. Nightside concentrations of O2(+) and NO(+) as large as 100,000 and 10,000/cu cm, respectively, appear to require sources in addition to that provided by transport. The most probable sources are considered briefly, and no satisfactory explanation is yet found for the observed NO(+) concentrations.

Taylor, H. A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Is the red arc a good indicator of ionosphere-magnetosphere conditions

Weak red arcs were observed on the two consecutive nights of July 12-13 and July 13-14, 1969, at Richland, Washington, whereas no red arcs were detectable on the nights preceding and following the observations. Satellite (Ogo 6) data of electron temperature and density, low-frequency ac electric field, and suprathermal electron flux corresponding to the conjugate region of Richland show no significant variations during these days. The data show elevated electron temperatures and enhanced low-frequency ac noise levels at the expected red arc position in the neighborhood of the density trough, as indicated by previous observations. The data appear to indicate that the optical criterion of red arc occurrence would lead to the conclusion of significantly different ionosphere-magnetosphere conditions during these four nights, whereas the more detailed in situ data show that the conditions were very similar.

Nagy, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Local Time Dependence of Jupiter's Polar Auroral Emissions Observed by Juno UVS

Auroral brightness and color ratio imagery, captured using the Juno mission's Ultraviolet Spectrograph, display intense emissions poleward of Jupiter's northern main emission, and these are split into two distinctly different spectral or “color ratio” regimes. The most poleward region, designated the “swirl region” by Grodent et al. (2003), https://doi.org/10.1029/2003ja010017, exhibits a high color ratio, while low color ratio emissions are found within the collar around the swirl region but still poleward of the main emission. We confirm the apparent strong magnetospheric local time control within the polar collar (Grodent et al., 2003, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003ja010017), with the dusk side bright “active region” emissions extending from ∼11 to 22 hr of magnetospheric local time. These bright emissions dim by at least an order of magnitude between ∼0 and 11 hr magnetospheric local time, in the midnight to dawn side “dark region.” This magnetospheric local time structure holds true even when the entire northern oval is located on the night side of the planet (in ionospheric local time), a geometry unstudied prior to Juno, as it is unobservable from Earth. The swirl region brightens at ionospheric dawn (∼5–7 ionospheric local time) and diminishes or completely disappears at ionospheric local times of ∼20–22 hr. Finally, the southern auroral polar emissions appear to share all of the local time dependencies of its northern counterpart, but at a reduced intensity

Thomas Greathouse↗
NASA NTRS2010

Magnetic Flux Circulation During Dawn-Dusk Oriented Interplanetary Magnetic Field

Magnetic flux circulation is a primary mode of energy transfer from the solar wind into the ionosphere and inner magnetosphere. For southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), magnetic flux circulation is described by the Dungey cycle (dayside merging, night side reconnection, and magnetospheric convection), and both the ionosphere and inner magnetosphere receive energy. For dawn-dusk oriented IMF, magnetic flux circulation is not well understood, and the inner magnetosphere does not receive energy. Several models have been suggested for possible reconnection patterns; the general pattern is: dayside merging; reconnection on the dayside or along the dawn/dusk regions; and, return flow on dayside only. These models are consistent with the lack of energy in the inner magnetosphere. We will present evidence that the Dungey cycle does not explain the energy transfer during dawn-dusk oriented IMF. We will also present evidence of how magnetic flux does circulate during dawn-dusk oriented IMF, specifically how the magnetic flux reconnects and circulates back.

Mitchell, E. J.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Search for Dark Matter Ionization on the Night Side of Jupiter with Cassini

We present a new search for dark matter (DM) using planetary atmospheres. We point out that annihilating DM in planets can produce ionizing radiation, which can lead to excess production of ionospheric H 3 + . We apply this search strategy to the night side of Jupiter near the equator. The night side has zero solar irradiation, and low latitudes are sufficiently far from ionizing auroras, leading to a low-background search. We use data on ionospheric H 3 + emission collected three hours either side of Jovian midnight, during its flyby in 2000, and set novel constraints on the DM-nucleon scattering cross section down to about 10 − 38 cm 2 . We also highlight that DM atmospheric ionization may be detected in Jovian exoplanets using future high-precision measurements of planetary spectra. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1990

Ion cyclotron bands in VLF saucers

In the wideband VLF data obtained by the polar orbiting DE-1 satellite over the polar night ion trough region of the upper ionosphere, conspicuous frequency-band structures are found to occur both in absorption and emission, particularly associating with VLF saucers. The attenuation bands indicate that the ions of atomic hydrogen from the polar ionosphere are accelerated by the ac electric fields of VLF waves oscillating normal to the static magnetic field, analogous to a cyclotron accelerator. The observed frequencies of the cyclotron harmonics suggest that the acceleration is taking place in the layer below the satellite at a geocentric distance of less than about 1.5 earth radii. This example indicates the existence of upward propagating hiss at those altitudes inside the auroral zone. On the other hand, the frequency shifts of the emission bands are attributed to a combination of two different types of Doppler shift, one due to the orbital motion of the satellite and the other due to the upward motion of the medium at the emission source. This indicates the existence of an upward plasma flow at the source, with a velocity of the order of 20 km/s inside the saucer. The amount of this frequency shift decreases with increasing harmonic order, indicating a higher phase velocity for the electrostatic waves of higher harmonic order.

Maeda, Kaichi↗
NASA NTRS2001

Meteoric Ions in Planetary Ionospheres

Solar system debris, in the form of meteoroids, impacts every planet. The flux, relative composition and speed of the debris at each planet depends on the planet's size and location in the solar system. Ablation in the atmosphere evaporates the meteoric material and leaves behind metal atoms. During the ablation process metallic ions are formed by impact ionization. For small inner solar system planets, including Earth, this source of ionization is typically small compared to either photoionization or charge exchange with ambient molecular ions. For Earth, the atmosphere above the main deposition region absorbs the spectral lines capable of ionizing the major metallic atoms (Fe and Mg) so that charge exchange with ambient ions is the dominant source. Within the carbon dioxide atmosphere of Mars (and possibly Venus), photoionization is important in determining the ion density. For a heavy planet like Jupiter, far from the sun, impact ionization of ablated neutral atoms by impacts with molecules becomes a prominent source of ionization due to the gravitational acceleration to high incident speeds. We will describe the processes and location and extent of metal ion layers for Mars, Earth and Jupiter, concentrating on flagging the uncertainties in the models at the present time. This is an important problem, because low altitude ionosphere layers for the planets, particularly at night, probably consist predominantly of metallic ions. Comparisons with Earth will be used to illustrate the differing processes in the three planetary atmospheres.

Pesnell, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS2010

A New Display Format Relating Azimuth-Scanning Radar Data and All-Sky Images in 3-D

Here we correlate features in a sequence of all-sky images of 630 nm airglow with the three-dimensional (3-D) structure of electron densities in the F region above Arecibo. Pairs of 180 azimuth scans (using the Gregorian and line feeds) of the two-beam incoherent scatter radar (ISR) have been plotted in cone pictorials of the line-of-sight electron densities. The plots include projections of the 630 nm airglow onto the ground using the same spatial scaling as for the ISR data. Selected sequential images from the night of 16-17 June 2004 correlate ionospheric plasma features with scales comparable to the ISR density-cone diameter. The entire set of over 100 images spanning about eight hours is available as a movie. The correlation between the airglow and the electron densities is not unexpected, but the new display format shows the 3-D structures better than separate 2-D plots in latitude and longitude for the airglow and in height and time for the electron densities. Furthermore, the animations help separate the bands of airglow from obscuring clouds and the star field.

Swartz, Wesley E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Chemistry of the nightside ionosphere of Venus

The present 1D model of the nightside ionosphere of Venus assumes that ionization is maintained by day-to-night transport of atomic ions. Attention is given to the sources and sinks for molecular ions. If the ionosphere is primarily maintained by transport, the ratio of the peak densities of O(+) and O2(+) indicates the downward flux of O(+), independent of the absolute magnitudes of the densities. An examination is conducted of the inbound and outbound portions of six early nightside orbits with low periapsis.

Fox, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Stability of the Venus ionopause

The ionopause of the Venus ionosphere, as indicated by Mariner 5 electron density data, and which occurs at 500km on the day side, and 2500km on the night side is discussed in terms of the solar wind interaction with the ionosphere. It is concluded that for a source of stabilization by heating to be effective, a small horizontal magnetic field is required to reduce the downward heat conduction of charged particles, and it has been shown that such a magnetic field is present.

Herman, J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Effect of interplanetary magnetic field on ionosphere over the magnetic equator

Large and quick changes of the latitude of the interplanetary magnetic field from its southward to northward direction are shown to be associated with the disappearance of the Es-q layer (Knecht, 1959) at the equatorial ionosphere during the daytime or with the reversal of E region horizontal and F region vertical electron drifts during both night and day. This phenomenon is suggested as the imposition of an electric field in the ionosphere in a direction opposite to that of the Sq electric field. The resultant electrostatic field on the equatorial ionosphere would be decreased or even reversed from its normal direction, resulting in the reduction of electron drift velocity. When the normal Sq field is over-compensated by the magnetospheric electric field, the electron drifts are reversed and the irregularities in the E region due to the cross-field instabilities are inhibited, resulting in the sudden disappearance of the Es-q layers.

Rastogi, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The effect of vertical drift on the equatorial F-region stability

Time-dependent ionospheric model calculations for day-time and night-time solutions are presented. The behavior of the growth rate and ion-electron recombination rate for the Rayleigh-Taylor instability on the F-region bottomside is examined as a function of the vertical eastward electric field-magnetic field strength drift velocity. It is observed that on the bottomside F-layer the growth rate exceeds the ion-electron recombination rate even without vertical drift; however, an eastward electric field-magnetic field strength drift can produce an increase in the growth rate by an order of magnitude. The calculated data are compared with previous research and good correlation is detected. The formation of bubbles from a seeding mechanism is investigated.

Hanson, W. B.↗