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At least 955 records · Page 53

Characteristics of the lunar photoelectron layer in the geomagnetic tail.

The charged particle lunar environment experiment, a part of the Apollo 14 lunar surface package, is an ion-electron spectrometer capable of measuring ions and electrons with energies between 40 eV and 50 keV. The instrument, with apertures 26 cm above the surface, has detected a photoelectron gas layer above the sunlit lunar surface. No detectable flux above 200 eV has been observed. Experimental data for periods while the moon was in the earth's magnetotail for electrons with energies 40 eV less than or equal to 200 eV follow a power-law spectrum. In the absence of photoelectrons with E greater than 200, we assume that the surface potential is at least 200 V. The modulation of this potential in the presence of intense plasma-sheet fluxes has been observed. Also, a detailed history of the Feb. 10, 1971, total lunar eclipse, to determine the source distribution of high-energy solar photons, is presented.

Reasoner, D. L.↗

Chromospheric flares and sudden commencements of geomagnetic storms

A catalogue of flare activity was compiled during 1957-1967 (the solar activity cycle). By comparing all reliable SC during this period with chromospheric flares, the following conclusions are drawn; (1) There is no statistically significant correlation between SC and chromospheric flares. (2) The assumption that a shock wave propagates throughout the entire hemisphere is unjustified and contradicts the fact of recurrence of SC. (3) A statistically significant correlation was established between SC and chromospheric flares, that is, a relationship between a SC and the moment that a flare active region transits the Central Meridian. (4) SC are caused by shock waves or tangential discontinuities formed at the western boundary of the quasisteady directed corpuscular flux or at the boundary between sectors.

Nesmyanovich, A. T.↗

Comments on the paper 'The internal structure of the geomagnetic neutral sheet' by K. Schindler and N. F. Ness

Criticism of Schindler and Ness' (1972) multiple neutral point hypothesis, noting that there are several alternative interpretations of the distribution of magnetic field values observed by Explorer 34. It is shown that it is possible to interpret the tail magnetic field observations of Schindler and Ness without requiring neutral point encounters. On the other hand, if it is assumed that the observed field variations were due to neutral point encounters, there may be a single oscillating neutral point, or there may be multiple neutral points in time or in space.

Russell, C. T.↗

Measurement of the lunar photoelectron layer in the geomagnetic tail

Stable photoelectron fluxes (with energies between 40 and 200 eV) were observed by the Apollo 15 Charged Particle Lunar Environment Experiment (CPLEE). These observations, made in the magnetotail under near vacuum conditions, are compared with numerically calculated photoemission spectra to determine the approximate potential difference between ground and CPLEE'S apertures (a distance of 26 cm). Numerically calculated density and potential distributions are compared with the measured values to provide an estimate of the photoelectron yield function of the dust layer covering the moon.

Reasoner, D. L.↗

Field-aligned fluxes in the geomagnetic equator

During 12 electron injection events observed by Explorer 45 during the December, 1971, and February, 1972, in magnetic storms it was found that the lowest observable pitch angle particles (down to 7 degrees in one case) arrived first. Pitch angle dispersion and shell-splitting effects are shown to be inadequate explanations for most of these pitch angle distributions. It is suggested that parallel electric fields may be supplying 1- to 5-keV electrons to the magnetosphere from the ionosphere. Various models of parallel electric fields are discussed.

Semar, C. L.↗

Intensity of the Fe XV emission line corona, the level of geomagnetic activity, and the velocity of the solar wind

The method of superposed epochs is used to determine the average solar wind velocity and the Kp index following central meridian passage of coronal weak and bright features identified from OSO 7 isophotograms of the Fe XV (284 A) emission line. It is found that bright coronal regions possess magnetic fields of closed configuration, thus reducing particle escape, while coronal holes possess open magnetic field lines favorable to particle escape or enhanced outflow of the solar wind.

Bell, B.↗

Provisional specification for satellite time in a geomagnetic substorm environment

Satellites in geosynchronous orbit have been experiencing operational anomalies. These anomalies are believed to be due to the environment charging the spacecraft surfaces to a point where discharges occur. In designing future satellites for long term operation at geosynchronous altitude, it is important that designers have a specification that will give the total time per year, the particle flux density, and particle energies that their satellites can be expected to encounter in these substorm environmental conditions. The limited data currently available on the environmental conditions was used to generate the provisional specification given.

Stevens, N. J.↗