SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “PLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELD”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1982

Intense Ly-alpha emission from Uranus

The existence of intense atomic hydrogen Ly-alpha emission from Uranus is demonstrated here by utilizing the monochromatic imaging capabilities of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) spectrograph. Observations show increased emission in the vicinity of Uranus superimposed on the geocoronal/interplanetary background. If resonant scattering of solar Ly-alpha is the source of the 1.6 + or - 0.4 kR disk averaged brightness, then very high column densities of atomic H above the absorbing methane are required. Precipitation of trapped charged particles, i.e., aurora, could explain the emissions. This would imply a planetary magnetic field.

Durrance, S. T.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Magnetospheres of Jupiter and Saturn

During the time from 1973 to 1981, the giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn, have been studied with the aid of the spacecraft Pioneers 10, 11, and Voyagers 1 and 2. The present investigation is concerned with the study of the magnetospheres of these planets, taking into account the immediate region of their environment in which the planetary magnetic field is the dominant physical force, and the boundary of the magnetospheres which is formed by the interaction with the solar wind. Attention is given to the recent results obtained by the Voyagers. It is found that the basic features of the magnetospheres of Jupiter and Saturn are similar to those of the earth. There are, however, also differences with the earth which relate to the large amount of entrapped low energy plasmas that form a magnetodisk and an Io associated torus at Jupiter, while at Saturn there is a Titan torus and a substantial ring current.

Ness, N. F.↗

NASA NTRS1982

A post-Voyager view of Saturn's environment

Major results obtained by Voyager spacecraft encounters in the vicinity of Saturn are discussed, noting that the hydrogen torus dominates the Saturn magnetosphere without directly participating in its dynamics, being neutral. The average sunward location of the magnetopause has been found to generally lie beyond the orbit of Titan, and is determined by the pressure balance between the solar wind and the planetary magnetic field. Energetic electrons were observed during Voyager 1 traversal of the Saturn magnetic tail down to the magnetopause, indicating that field lines in the tail lobe of the Saturn magnetosphere are closed. The detailed analysis of Voyager 1 and 2 encounters with Saturn will continue for another two years, exploring the dynamics of the magnetosphere itself and of its interaction with the rings, satellites, and ionosphere of the planet.

Krimigis, S. M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Coordinate systems

Jovian coordinate systems are different from those employed in the case of the earth. Latitude and longitude coordinates are usually established relative to some solid surface. Because Jupiter does not have a solid surface (at least none which is visible through the clouds), arbitrary, but convenient, coordinate grids have been prescribed. A spin equator is made out from observations of cloud motion, and the direction of the planetary spin axis is, therefore, determined with relatively good accuracy. The problem in establishing a Jupiter longitude system is that the mean rotation period of the clouds is a function of latitude. The solution selected was to define two separate longitude grids. A third longitude system became necessary with the detection of radio signals which gave evidence for a rotating planetary magnetic field. Attention is also given to orbital phase angle and longitude conventions for satellites, and two latitude systems for Jupiter

Dessler, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Terrestrial Planets: Comparative Planetology

Papers were presented at the 47th Annual Meteoritical Society Meeting on the Comparative planetology of Terrestrial Planets. Subject matter explored concerning terrestrial planets includes: interrelationships among planets; plaentary evolution; planetary structure; planetary composition; planetary Atmospheres; noble gases in meteorites; and planetary magnetic fields.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1985

Lorentz resonances and the structure of the Jovian ring

Charged dust orbiting through spatially periodic planetary magnetic fields will experience time-variable electromagnetic forces. When the forcing frequencies are nearly commensurate with the particle's orbital frequency, the particle undergoes large out-of-plane and radial excursions. Specific 'Lorentz' resonances, corresponding to particular spatial periodicities in the magnetic field, occur on either side of synchronous orbit. Lorentz resonance locations and strengths for the Jovian and Saturnian rings are described. The boundaries of the halo of the Jovian ring, and perhaps other ring structures, are near resonances.

Burns, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Ground-based observations of the Jupiter plasma torus

The intensity variation of (SIII) 9531 A emission from the hot plasma torus of Jupiter was measured using a scanning Fabry-Perot spectrometer. During the observational period, which covered 43 rotations of Jupiter, the (SIII) intensities showed a periodic variation consistent with a zone of enhanced emission approximately 90 deg in longitude, rotating with a period of 10.2 hours, or 2.8% longer than Jupiter's rotational period. Dessler developed a theoretical model of account for Jovian magnetospheric phenomena that differ in repetition period by 3%. In his model, periodic modulation of magnetospheric phenomena is controlled in part by the spin period of magnetic features below the surface of the planet. The differing observed periods are then due to differential rotation of the subsurface magnetic features at different latitudes. A consequence that follows from this concept of differential rotation of the internal planetary magnetic field is that not all the apparent subcorotational plasma flow in the torus is caused by plasma mass loading, as described by Hill and his associates. As a result, the mass loading required to produce the residual subcorotational flow is less than previously estimated.

Scherb, F.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Characteristics of the Marslike limit of the Venus-solar wind interaction

The response of the Venus ionosphere to the solar wind when the latter exceeds the peak thermal pressure in the Venus ionosphere is characterized on the basis of observations from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter. At these times, the Venus ionosphere becomes increasingly magnetized until the total ionospheric pressure matches that of the solar wind. The ionopause becomes less distinct and asymptotically approaches a limiting altitude of about 220 km for extremely high pressures. When the ionopause is low, the hot regions of electrons which occurs within the ionopause gradient extends to lower altitudes. The ion temperatures show little change, and there is no discernible increase in plasma wave activity at the ionopause. The Venus observations at high dynamic pressure provide a framework for reassessing the available Mars observations. In particular, this study shows that solar wind standoff without sufficient ionospheric plasma pressure cannot by itself be used as evidence for a planetary magnetic field.

Luhmann, J. G.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Energy branching in the Io plasma torus - The failure of neutral cloud theory

Model calculations are used to explore the energy source characteristics of the energy branching of the hot Io plasma torus. It is assumed that the energy is derived from the kinetic energy acquired by ions created in the rotating planetary magnetic field, and that Coulomb collisions with the electron gas control the flow of energy to the ionizing and radiative processes. The results show that neutral cloud theory is qualitatively inadequate. It is shown that neutral cloud theory can only support a dominantly singly ionized system (at the measured electron densities in the plasma torus) and that it fails to predict observed plasma properties relative to variations in number density.

Shemansky, D. E.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Radial diffusion and losses of energetic protons in the 5 to 12 R(S) region of Saturn's magnetosphere

Phase space density profiles for nearly equatorial mirroring energetic protons, derived from Pioneer 11 measurements during the 1979 Saturn encounter, were analyzed using solutions of the time-averaged radial diffusion equation in a dipolar planetary magnetic field. Then, several loss models were considered, ranging from a model that takes into account satellite absorption only to the one that accounts for satellite plus ring-E absorption plus added distributed losses, and the corresponding form of the time-averaged radial diffusion coefficient was determined for each case by a minimum-variance fit to the data-derived phase space densiy profiles. The model comparisons clearly indicated the need for distributed losses, in addition to satellite absorption, in order to explain the smooth decline of the experimental energetic proton phase space density profiles in the 5-12-Saturn radius region of Saturn's magnetosphere.

Hood, L. L.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Radial diffusion in the Uranian radiatian belts - Inferences from satellite absorption loss models

Low-energy charged particle (LECP) phase space density profiles available from the Voyager/1986 Uranus encounter are analyzed, using solutions of the time-averaged radial diffusion equation for charged particle transport in a dipolar planetary magnetic field. Profiles for lower-energy protons and electrons are first analyzed to infer radial diffusion rate as a function of L, assuming that satellite absorption is the dominant loss process and local sources for these particles are negligible. Satellite macrosignatures present in the experimentally derived profiles are approximately reproduced in several cases, lending credence to the loss model and indicating that magnetospheric distributed losses are not as rapid as satellite absorption near the minimum satellite L shells for the particles. Diffusion rates and L dependences are found to be similar to those previously inferred in the inner Jovian magnetosphere (Thomsen et al., 1977) and for the inner Saturnian magnetosphere (Hood, 1985). Profiles for higher energy electrons and protons are also analyzed using solutions that allow for the existence of significant particle sources as well as sinks. Possible implications for radial diffusion mechanisms in the Uranian radiation belts are discussed.

Hood, L. L.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Neptune's visual albedo variations over a solar cycle - A pre-Voyager look at ion-induced nucleation and cloud formation in Neptune's troposphere

A model of Neptune's troposphere and stratosphere is used to estimate the cosmic-ray-induced ionization on Neptune at sunspot maximum and minimum for a range of possible planetary magnetic field strengths. The impact of this ionization on aerosol formation and the effect of the aerosol layer on the planet's albedo are examined. The results suggest that the 'white haze' theory may explain observations of the variation of Neptune's visible albedo with solar cycle (Lockwood and Thompson, 1986).

Moses, Julianne I.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Mars Aeronomy Observer: Report of the Science Working Team

The Mars Aeronomy Observer (MAO) is a candidate follow-on mission to Mars Observer (MO) in the Planetary Observer Program. The four Mariner and two Viking spacecraft sent to Mars between 1965 and 1976 have provided a wealth of information concerning Martian planetology. The Mars Observer, to be launched in 1990, will build on their results by further examining the elemental and mineralogical composition of the surface, the strength and multipolar composition of the planetary magnetic field, the gravitational field and topography, and the circulation of the lower atmosphere. The Mars Aeronomy Observer is intended to address the last major aspects of Martian environment which have yet to be investigated: the upper atmosphere, the ionsphere, and the solar wind interaction region.

Hunten, Donald M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Uranus atmospheric dynamics and circulation

The observations, models, and theories relevant to the atmospheric dynamics and meteorology of Uranus are discussed. The available models for the large-scale heat transport and atmospheric dynamics as well as diagnostic interpretations of the Voyager data are reviewed. Some pertinent ideas and questions regarding the global circulation balance are considered, partly in comparison with other planetary atmospheres. The available data indicate atmospheric rotation at midlatitudes nearly 200 m/s faster than that of the planetary magnetic field. Analysis of the dynamical deformation of the shape and size of isobaric surfaces measured by the Voyager radio-occultation experiment suggests a subrotating equator at comparable altitudes. Infrared temperature retrievals above the cloud deck indicate a smaller equator-to-pole contrast than expected for purely radiative-convective equilibrium, but show local variations implying a latitudinally correlated decrease with altitude in the cloud-tracked wind.

Allison, Michael↗

NASA NTRS1992

Energetic particle signatures of satellites and rings in Neptune's magnetosphere

The cosmic ray system on Voyager 2 found a trapped radiation environment in Neptune's inner magnetosphere which is controlled primarily by absorption at the rings and satellite surfaces. The intensity of electrons with kinetic energies approximately greater than 1 MeV shows particularly strong and narrow signatures associated with absorption by the satellite 1989N1 at an orbital radius of 4.75 Neptune radii. Closer to the planet are several signatures of the inner satellites and rings. Absorption limits the intensity of the inner radiation belt sufficiently for the maximum intensity to occur outside the orbit of 1989N1 at a magnetic L shell of about 7. Radial profiles of the electron phase space density show that electrons diffuse inward from a source in the outer magnetosphere. Many of the inward-diffusing electrons are absorbed upon reaching a satellite orbital radius, but the finite absorption efficiency allows some of the electrons to pass by unaffected. The locations of the satellite and ring signatures also provide constraints on the nondipolar components of the planetary magnetic field.

Selesnick, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Computer modeling of solar wind interaction with Venus and Mars

The fundamental ideas, successes, and shortcomings of fluid models based on MHD theory for the interaction of the solar wind and a planetary magnetic field and/or atmosphere are reviewed, with special attention to applications to Venus and Mars. An account, including new quantitative results, is given of a number of enhancements of a basic gasdynamic convected field approximation to the magnetohydrodynamic model that incorporate features of solar wind flow past a planet not treated previously. These permit solutions to be calculated for 3D, as opposed to axisymmetric, obstacle shapes, the effects of a magnetic barrier region just exterior to the ionopause, the complete MHD equations for the special case in which the interplanetary magnetic field is aligned with the flow, the effects of mass loading by pickup of ions newly created by photoionization of atmospheric neutrals, and for the unsteady effects associated with the passage of an interplanetary shock wave. Particular emphasis is placed on the information furnished by these models that can be compared with observations, and conversely on the observational data that provide critical tests of the models.

Spreiter, John R.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Analysis of energetic proton and electron data in Neptune's magnetosphere

This grant was for the analysis and interpretation of data obtained by the cosmic ray system (CRS) on Voyager 2 in the magnetosphere of Neptune. The research goals included the following: characterize the distribution and intensity of trapped electrons and protons; relate them to theoretical models of particle transport; study the particle absorption signatures of Neptune's moons and rings; develop planetary magnetic field models based on the particle data; and study Neptune's cosmic ray cutoff.

Stone, Edward C.↗

NASA NTRS1993

The sidereal rotation period of Neptune

The two main, low frequency radio components discovered at Neptune by the Planetary Radio Astronomy experiment carried aboard Voyager 2 have a well defined periodicity at about 16.1 hour. By analyzing all the available data, i.e. about 60 days around the closest approach for the 'Burst' component and 15 days for the 'Smooth' component, we determine, for each component, the best estimate of the radio period. We conclude that the two estimates are not statistically different. While the two kinds of radio emissions have very different characteristics (in particular their frequency ranges and beaming properties), and probably correspond to different emission processes, their modulation is very likely due to the rotation of the planetary magnetic field tied to the core of the planet, as it has already been assumed for the other giant planets. The deduced estimate of the sidereal rotation period of Neptune is 16.108 +/- 0.006 (or 16h06.5m +/- 0.04 m).

Lecacheux, A.↗