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At least 109 records · Page 6

Electromagnetic fields radiated from a lightning return stroke - Application of an exact solution to Maxwell's equations

A solution is presented for the electromagnetic fields radiated by an arbitrarily oriented current filament over a conducting ground plane in the case where the current propagates along the filament at the speed of light, and this solution is interpreted in terms of radiation from lightning return strokes. The solution is exact in the fullest sense; no mathematical approximations are made, and the governing differential equations and boundary conditions are satisfied. The solution has the additional attribute of being specified in closed form in terms of elementary functions. This solution is discussed from the point of view of deducing lightning current wave forms from measurements of the electromagnetic fields and understanding the effects of channel tortuosity on the radiated fields. In addition, it is compared with two approximate solutions, the traditional moment approximation and the Fraunhofer approximation, and a set of criteria describing their applicability are presented and interpreted.

D M Le Vine↗

Large Prandtl number finite-amplitude thermal convection with Maxwell viscoelasticity

It has long been known that the earth behaves viscoelastically. Viscoelasticity may be of importance in two aspects of mantle convection, including time-dependent behavior and local storage of recoverable work. The present investigation makes use of thermal convection in a box as a prototype of mantle flow. It is demonstrated that recoverable work can be important to the local mechanical energy balance in the descending lithosphere. It is shown that, even when assuming large viscoelastic parameters, an inherent time-dependence of viscoelastic convection appears only in local exchanges of mechanical energy. There is no strong exchange between buoyant potential energy and recoverable strain energy in the Rayleigh number range investigated. The investigation is mainly concerned with viscoelastic effects occurring on a buoyant time scale. It is found that viscoelastic effects have a negligible influence on the long term thermal energetics of mantle convection.

Ivins, E. R.↗

Eccentric ringlet in the Maxwell gap at 1.45 Saturn radii Multi-instrument Voyager observations

The results of Voyager experiments to characterize the eccentric ringlet at 1.45 Saturn radius are discussed. The Voyager I carried out microwave occultation trials with a dual-frequency transmitter, while Voyager 2 observed the occultation of delta Scorpii using an UV spectrometer and a photopolarimeter. The ringlet was associated with a basically empty region next to an edge of the C ring which decreased to a few hundred meters thickness. The width of the ringlet in the gap was estimated to vary from 38-88 km, and it maintains an elliptical shape. It precesses within the 265 km gap it occupies, and has a double-peaked core 15 km wide. The bulk of the ringlet is particles of less than 1 cm radius.

Esposito, L. W.↗

A time domain, weighted residual formulation of Maxwell's equations

A finite element model is developed and used to simulate two-dimensional electromagnetic wave propagation and scattering. The spatial discretization of the time-domain electrodynamic equations is accomplished by a Galerkin approach. The semi-discrete equations are solved explicitly using a second-order Runge-Kutta scheme. Both the electric and magnetic fields are discretized using a single grid, with the divergence-free conditions satisfied through a correction approach. Examples depicting the scattering of plane waves in 2D geometries are given to demonstrate the validity of the methodology.

Young, Jeffrey L.↗

From the Rocket Equation to Maxwell's Equations: Electrodynamic Tether Propulsion Nears Space Test

The US space program is facing a growing challenge to its decades-long, global leadership position, as current launch costs consume valuable resources and limit achievements in science, exploration, and commercial development. More than 40% of projected launches over the next 10 years have payloads with intended destinations beyond low-Earth orbit. Therefore, more cost-effective upper stages and on-board propulsion systems are critical elements in reducing total space transportation costs. A new type of space propulsion, using electrodynamic tethers, may be capable of performing multiple sequential missions without resupply and have a potential usable lifetime of several years. They may provide an in-space infrastructure that has a very low life cycle cost and greatly enhanced mission flexibility, thus supporting the goal of reducing the cost of access to space. Electrodynamic tether thrusters work by virtue of the force the Earth's magnetic field exerts on a wire carrying an electrical current. The effect is the basis for electric motors and generators. The Propulsive Small Expendable Deployer System (ProSEDS) experiment, planned for launch in the summer of 2000, will demonstrate the use electrodynamic tether thrust by lowering the altitude of a Delta-H rocket's upper stage on which it will be flying. Applications of the technology include a passive deorbit system for spacecraft at their end-of-life, reusable Orbit Transfer Vehicles, propellantless reboost of the International Space Station, and propulsion and power generation for future missions to Jupiter.

Johnson, Les↗

Marangoni Convection and Deviations from Maxwells' Evaporation Model

We investigate the convective dynamics of evaporating pools of volatile liquids using an ultra-sensitive thermal imaging camera. During evaporation, there are significant convective flows inside the liquid due to Marangoni forces. We find that Marangoni convection during evaporation can dramatically affect the evaporation rates of volatile liquids. A simple heat balance model connects the convective velocities and temperature gradients to the evaporation rates.

Segre, P. N.↗

Excising das All: Evolving Maxwell waves beyond Scri

We study the numerical propagation of waves through future null infinity in a conformally compactified spacetime. We introduce an artificial cosmological constant, which allows us some control over the causal structure near null infinity. We exploit this freedom to ensure that all light cones are tilted outward in a region near null infinity, which allows us to impose excision-style boundary conditions in our finite difference code. In this preliminary study we consider electromagnetic waves propagating in a static, conformally compactified spacetime.

vanMeter, James R.↗

Using Maxwell's Demon to Tame the "Devil in the Details" that are Encountered During System Development

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is the formalized application of modeling to support system requirements, design, analysis, verification and validation activities beginning in the conceptual design phase and continuing throughout development and later life cycle phases . This presentation will discuss the value proposition that MBSE has for Systems Engineering, and the associated culture change needed to adopt it.

Model Based Systems Engineering↗