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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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NASA NTRS1974

Non-relativistic solar electrons

Summary of both the direct spacecraft observations of nonrelativistic solar electrons, and observations of the X-ray and radio emission generated by these particles at the sun and in the interplanetary medium. These observations bear on three physical processes basic to energetic particle phenomena: (1) the acceleration of particles in tenuous plasmas; (2) the propagation of energetic charged particles in a disordered magnetic field, and (3) the interaction of energetic charged particles with tenuous plasmas to produce electromagnetic radiation. Because these electrons are frequently accelerated and emitted by the sun, mostly in small and relatively simple flares, it is possible to define a detailed physical picture of these processes. In many small solar flares nonrelativistic electrons accelerated during flash phase constitute the bulk of the total flare energy. Thus the basic flare mechanism in these flares essentially converts the available flare energy into fast electrons. Nonrelativistic electrons exhibit a wide variety of propagation modes in the interplanetary medium, ranging from diffusive to essentially scatter-free. This variability in the propagation may be explained in terms of the distribution of interplanetary magnetic field fluctuations.

Lin, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1999

International Cooperation With Japan in the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics/GGS Program

The origin of the Geotail Program and the collaboration with Japan traces back to the Origin of Plasmas in the Earth's Neighborhood (OPEN) Program, a fleet of four spacecraft studied at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in the early 1980s to conduct multipoint, coordinated measurements in the Earth's magnetosphere and the interplanetary medium. The OPEN program was the natural evolution of the early discovery missions, which although finding many new regions and plasmaphysical phenomena in the magnetosphere had problems separating cause-and effect relationships and resolving space-time ambiguities. The primary scientific objective was the coordinated study of the flow of energy, mass, and momentum from the Sun through the interplanetary medium and its eventual deposition in the Earth's atmosphere. This objective was to be achieved in a quantitative manner and to that extent theory, models, and ground-based observations were incorporated for the first time as an integral part of the project baseline. An ambitious ground system, capable of processing and visualizing the vast amounts of data generated by these spacecraft, was also conceived and incorporated in the OPEN concept.

Acuna, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Solar-Planetary Relationships: Magnetospheric Physics

The quadrennium 1975-1978 was a period of great advance for solar-wind studies, a period that combined exploration of new regions with increased maturity in established fields of study. The Helios, Pioneer, and Voyager spacecraft have been exploring the inner and outer regions of the solar wind. There has been a rebirth of the study of possible relations between solar variability and Earth's climate and weather, stimulated largely by Eddy's investigation of the Maunder Minimum; the solar wind may well prove to be a significant link in solar-terrestrial relations. Unique coronal data from the SKYLAB 1973-1974 mission, in combination with satellite and ground-based observations, provided the basis for identification of coronal holes as the main source of highspeed solar wind. The interplanetary medium has continued to serve as a laboratory for the study of plasma processes that cannot yet be studied in terrestrial laboratories, providing insights of potential importance both for controlled fusion research and for astrophysics. It is ironic that such a productive period, the legacy of many past space missions, was also a time of severely limited opportunity for new space investigations; the outlook for the future is equally austere. Especially regrettable is the dearth of career opportunities for young scientists in this field; comparison of the bibliography of this report with that of its predecessor 4 years ago shows few new names. Despite such problems, research has continued with enthusiasm and much has been learned. The present report will survey selected topics related to the origin, expansion, and acceleration of the solar wind and the plasma physics of the interplanetary medium. Companion reports deal with a number of closely related topics, including the heliocentric distance and latitude variation of the solar wind and its fluctuations topology of the interplanetary magnetic field morphology of solar-wind streams and shocks, sunweather studies, and interplanetary manifestations of type-3 bursts. Of the subjects that fall within the scope of this report, the study of the relationship between coronal holes and solar-wind streams, and the associated revision of our ideas about solar wind acceleration and heating, have had the most impact; hence I review these topics in considerable detail. In addition, I discuss the topics of hydromagnetic waves and turbulence, and interplanetary electrons, as items of particular importance during the past quadrennium.

Barnes, Aaron↗
NASA NTRS1976

On the minimum variance direction of magnetic field fluctuations in the azimuthal velocity structure of the solar wind

The paper examines the properties of microscale magnetic field fluctuations for diverse classes of large-scale azimuthal velocity structures in the solar wind, with particular reference to the orientation of the wave normal vector for MHD waves in the interplanetary medium. It is shown that the direction of minimum variance does not exhibit any characteristic refraction pattern with respect to large-scale velocity structures in the solar wind. It is suggested that the direction of minimum variance is not indicative of the wave normal vector directions. The determination of the wave normal vector directions for the predominantly transverse MHD waves in the interplanetary medium is presently beyond the capability of single spacecraft observations.

Solodyna, C. V.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Discovery of nuclear tracks in interplanetary dust

Prior to capture by the Earth's atmosphere individual interplanetary dust particles (IDP's) have allegedly spent up to 10 to the 5th power years as discrete bodies within the interplanetary medium. Observation of tracks in IDP's in the form of solar flare tracks would provide hitherto unknown data about micrometeorites such as: (1) whether an IDP existed in space as an individual particle or as part of a larger meteroid; (2) the degree to which a particle was heated during the trauma of atmospheric entry; (3) residence time of an IDP within the interplanetary medium; and (4) possible hints as to the pre-accretional exposure of component mineral grains to solar or galactic irradiation. Using transmission electron microscopy tracks in several micrometeorites have been successfully identified. All of the studied particles had been retrieved from the stratosphere by U-2 aircraft. Three pristine IDP's (between 5 and 15 micro m diameter) have so far been searched for solar flare tracks, and they have been found in the two smaller particles U2-20B11 (11 micro m) and U2-20B37 (8 micro m).

Bradley, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Ultraviolet spectrometry of the inner solar system from Mariner 10

The significant results of Mariner 10 ultraviolet spectrometer observations of Mercury, the moon, the interplanetary medium, the comet Kohoutek, and Venus are summarized. The total surface pressure on Mercury was found to be less than (1-2) millionths mbar by the occultation experiment. Estimated number densities and upper limits for various species at the surface subsolar point of Mercury were obtained. Preliminary analysis of Kohoutek data shows possible detection of O and C associated with the comet head. Emissions from Lyman alpha in the interplanetary medium show maximum and minimum intensity directions that can be fitted by a model in which the interstellar wind penetrates the heliosphere from a direction of about 252 deg right ascension and -17 deg declination with a velocity of about 20 km/sec. There is evidence for a high-temperature scale height for hydrogen for Venus similar to that reported by Mariner 5.

Broadfoot, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Energetic particles in space

A review is presented of observations of suprathermal particles in the interplanetary medium along with new data on low energy particles from experiments aboard the ISEE spacecraft. Energy spectra of protons in the near earth atmosphere are plotted in the rest frame of the solar wind noting that at energies above 10 to the 9th eV, the galactic cosmic ray electron component has an unattenuated access into the heliosphere. Solar transient events such as flares accelerate and release energetic particles into the interplanetary medium; flare particle fluxes generate shock waves propagating past 1 AU following the event. It is concluded that the energy spectra for shock wave accelerations show a characteristic shape in accordance with the power law with a rapid steepening at high energies.

Lin, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

An interplanetary magnetic field ensemble at 1 AU

A method for calculation ensemble averages from magnetic field data is described. A data set comprising approximately 16 months of nearly continuous ISEE-3 magnetic field data is used in this study. Individual subintervals of this data, ranging from 15 hours to 15.6 days comprise the ensemble. The sole condition for including each subinterval in the averages is the degree to which it represents a weakly time-stationary process. Averages obtained by this method are appropriate for a turbulence description of the interplanetary medium. The ensemble average correlation length obtained from all subintervals is found to be 4.9 x 10 to the 11th cm. The average value of the variances of the magnetic field components are in the approximate ratio 8:9:10, where the third component is the local mean field direction. The correlation lengths and variances are found to have a systematic variation with subinterval duration, reflecting the important role of low-frequency fluctuations in the interplanetary medium.

Matthaeus, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

An interplanetary magnetic field ensemble at 1 AU

A method for calculation ensemble averages from magnetic field data is described. A data set comprising approximately 16 months of nearly continuous ISEE-3 magnetic field data is used in this study. Individual subintervals of this data, ranging from 15 hours to 15.6 days comprise the ensemble. The sole condition for including each subinterval in the averages is the degree to shich it represents a weakly time-stationary process. Averages obtained by this method are appropriate for a turbulence description of the interplanetary medium. The ensemble average correlation length obtained from all subintervals is found to be 4.9 x 10 to the 11th cm. The average value of the variances of the magnetic field components are in the approximate ratio 8:9:10, where the third component is the local mean field direction. The correlation lengths and variances are found to have a systematic variation with subinterval duration, reflecting the important role of low-frequency fluctuations in the interplanetary medium.

Matthaeus, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Low energy proton bidirectional anisotropies and their relation to transient interplanetary magnetic structures: ISEE-3 observations

It is known that the interplanetary medium in the period approaching solar maximum is characterized by an enhancement in the occurrence of transient solar wind streams and shocks and that such systems are often associated with looplike magnetic structures or clouds. There is observational evidence that bidirectional, field aligned flows of low energy particles could be a signature of such looplike structures, although detailed models for the magnetic field configuration and injection mechanisms do not exist at the current time. Preliminary results of a survey of low energy proton bidirectional anisotropies measured on ISEE-3 in the interplanetary medium between August 1978 and May 1982, together with magnetic field data from the same spacecraft are presented.

Marsden, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Interplanetary stream interfaces

At l AU there is a distinct boundary (the stream interface) at the leading edge of a stream in the solar wind, characterized by an abrupt drop in density, a similar increase in temperature and a small increase in speed. It is suggested that stream interfaces form in the interplanetary medium as a consequence of the non-linear evolution of streams generated by an increase in temperature in the solar envelope. This evolution eventually leads to the formation of a reverse shock behind the interface and a forward shock ahead of it. Two instances in which both a stream interface and a reverse shock had developed at l AU are presented. Examples of flare generated shocks which passed through a stream and were observed near a stream interface are also presented. It is shown that stream interfaces are definitely not the same structures as piston boundaries. It is noted that slow shocks, like stream interfaces, always occur ahead of streams and may develop in the interplanetary medium.

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Coronal Mass Ejections: a Summary of Recent Results

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have been recognized as the most energetic phenomenon in the heliosphere, deriving their energy from the stressed magnetic fields on the Sun. This paper highlights some of the recent results on CMEs obtained from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) missions. The summary of the talk follows. SOHO observations revealed that the CME rate is almost a factor of two larger than previously thought and varied with the solar activity cycle in a complex way (e.g., high-latitude CMEs occurred in great abundance during the solar maximum years). CMEs were found to interact with other CMEs as well as with other large-scale structures (coronal holes), resulting in deflections and additional particle acceleration. STEREO observations have confirmed the three-dimensional nature of CMEs and the shocks surrounding them. The EUV signatures (flare arcades, corona) dimming, filament eruption, and EUV waves) associated with CMEs have become vital in the identification of solar sources from which CMEs erupt. CMEs with speeds exceeding the characteristic speeds of the corona and the interplanetary medium drive shocks, which produce type II radio bursts. The wavelength range of type II bursts depends on the CME kinetic energy: type II bursts with emission components at all wavelengths (metric to kilometric) are due to CMEs of the highest kinetic energy. Some CMEs, as fast as 1600 km/s do not produce type II bursts, while slow CMEs (400 km/s) occasionally produce type II bursts. These observations can be explained as the variation in the ambient flow speed (solar wind) and the Alfven speed. Not all CME-driven shocks produce type II bursts because either they are subcritical or do not have the appropriate geometry. The same shocks that produce type II bursts also produce solar energetic particles (SEPs), whose release near the Sun seems to be delayed with respect to the onset of type II bursts. This may indicate a subtle difference in the acceleration of the ions and 10 keV electrons needed to produce type II bursts. Surprisingly, some shocks lacking type II bursts are associated with energetic storm particle events (ESPs) pointing to the importance of electron escape from the shock for producing the radio emission. CMEs slow down or accelerate in the interplanetary medium because of the drag force, which modifies the transit time of CMEs and shocks. Halo CMEs that appear to surround the occulting disk were known before the SOHO era as occasional events. During the SOHO era, they became very prominent because of their ability to impact Earth and producing geomagnetic storms. Halo CMEs are generally more energetic than ordinary CMEs, which means they can produce severe impact on Earth's magnetosphere. Their origin close to the disk center of the Sun ensures direct impact on the magnetosphere, although their internal magnetic structure is crucial in causing storms. The solar sources of CMEs that produce SEP events at Earth, on the other hand, are generally in the western hemisphere because of the magnetic connectivity. Thus, CMEs are very interesting from the point of view of plasma physics as well as practical implications because of their space weather impact.

Gopalswamy, Nat↗
NASA NTRS1995

Ulysses-ARTEMIS radio observation of energetic flare electron

Type 3 radio bursts allow us to follow energetic electrons ejected by solar flares into the interplanetary medium, even when the observer is far away from the electrons. The emission frequency f(sub p) is related to the ambient density n(sub e) by f(sub p) varies as the square root of n(sub e), and as a function of the distance r to the sun we have approximately n(sub e) varies as r(exp -2); as a consequence, on a 1/f - t dynamic spectrum type 3 bursts appear as nearly straight traces, whose slope gives an estimation of the source speed. We used the data of the URAP radio receiver on Ulysses (1-1000 kHz), observing sources in the solar wind, and the ground data of the ARTEMIS spectrograph (100-500 MHz), observing sources of the corona, over the years 1991-1994. We found a surprisingly large number of excellent high-frequency - low-frequency associations. A type 3 burst group on ARTEMIS (10 to 100 bursts over 1 to 10 minutes) typically gives rise to one isolated burst on Ulysses. As bursts often start in high frequencies during the maximum phase of flares, this demonstrates in a very convincing manner that some of the flare electrons themselves make it all the way to the interplanetary medium. We discuss decorrelation cases in the context of geometrical configuration between the active region and the two observing sites. We also study how apparent electron speeds vary with the distance to the sun.

Hoang, S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Acceleration of electrons in solar flares

Observations pertaining to the acceleration and emission of 10 to 100 keV electrons in small solar flares are reviewed. The energy spectrum of the accelerated electrons is obtained from observations of X-rays and escaping electrons. The loss of the electrons through various processes, such as collisions with the ambient medium, escape to the interplanetary medium, and emission of X-rays and radio waves, is considered, and quantitative energy loss estimates obtained for each process. The role of the accelerated electrons in the overall flare mechanism is examined and an attempt is made to develop a consistent picture of a small electron flare.

Lin, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Overview of the CDAW Events

In this paper, I present an overview of the solar and interplanetary characteristics of the events selected to be analyzed during the workshop. The events were selected based on the following criteria: 1. The events must be well observed in the interplanetary medium as shock-driving interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs), 2. The ICMEs should have corresponding CMEs near the Sun, observed in white-light coronal images, and 3. The heliographic coordinates of the solar sources must be within 15 degrees from the Sun Center. This presentation will set the stage for the rest of the discussion during the workshop

Gopalswamy, Nat↗
NASA NTRS2011

A Summary of the Flux-Rope CDAW events

In this paper, I summarize some of the results obtained during previous CDAW on the events selected for analysis. The events were selected based on the following criteria: 1. The events must be well observed in the interplanetary medium as shock-driving interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs), 2. The ICMEs should have corresponding CMEs near the Sun, observed in white-light coronal images, and 3. The heliographic coordinates of the solar sources must be within 15 degrees from the Sun Center. In all, 24 magnetic cloud (MC) events and 35 non-MC evens were analyzed. Of the 35 non-MC events selected for analysis, it was possible to fit flux ropes to 31/35 events if different boundaries and multiple flux ropes are used. The four events without flux rope structure seem to be poor events (short duration, poor magnetic and plasma signatures). Coronal flux rope fitting suggests (at least for a subset) that non-MC events become non-central during propagation. It was also found that MCs have high charge states; half of the non-MC events also have high charge states. The direction parameter of CMEs seems to be high for MCs. All these results are consistent with the idea that alll CMEs may be flux ropes.

Gopalswamy, Natchimuthuk↗
NASA NTRS1974

Research in particles and fields

Investigations, by particle-detectors flown on spacecraft, of the astrophysical aspects of cosmic radiation and the radiation environment of the earth are reported along with the research of the interplanetary medium, and planetary magnetic fields. The cosmic ray interactions with the interplanetary and interstellar medium, and radio scintillation theory were also studied.

Vogt, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1967

Satellites in concert.

Satellite observations made by two or more satellites simultaneously on interplanetary medium

INTERPLANETARY SPACE↗