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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 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Protons as the prime contributors to storm time ring current

Following a large sudden commencement on June 17, 1972, a large magnetic storm evolved, with a well-developed main phase and recovery phase. Explorer 45 (S3-A), with its apogee near 16 hours local time in June, measured the equatorial particle populations and magnetic field throughout this period. By use of data obtained during the symmetric recovery phase it is shown that through a series of self-consistent calculations, the measured protons, with energies from 1 to 872 keV, can account for almost all of the observed ring current magnetic effects within the limits of experimental uncertainties. This enables us to set an upper limit to the heavy ion contribution to the storm time ring current of a few percent of the proton contribution.

Berko, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Explorer 45 /S3-A/ observations of the magnetosphere and magnetopause during the August 4-6, 1972, magnetic storm period

The Explorer 45 (S3-A) satellite performed extensive field and particle measurements in the heart of the magnetosphere during the double magnetic storm period of August 4-6, 1972. Both the ground level magnetic records and the magnetic field deformations measured along the orbit by the satellite indicated the existence of only a moderate ring current. This was confirmed by the measurements of the total proton energy density by the on-board particle detectors, which showed a maximum energy density less than the densities observed during the December 1971 and June 1972 magnetic storms. The plasmapause in the noon quadrant was eroded continuously from the onset of the first storm at the beginning of August 4 to an altitude below L = 2.07 at about 1800 hours on August 5. Throughout the entire orbit during which the second sudden commencement occurred, a large amount of low-frequency electric and magnetic field noise was encountered. The most remarkable observation during this orbit was the contraction of the magnetopause to distances inside the satellite location at L = 5.2.

Hoffman, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Ring current proton decay by charge exchange

Explorer 45 (S3-A) measurements were made during the recovery phase of the moderate magnetic storm of February 24, 1972, in which a symmetric ring current had developed and effects due to asymmetric ring current losses could be eliminated. It was found that after the initial rapid decay of the proton flux, which is a consequence of the dissipation of the asymmetric ring current, the equatorially mirroring protons in the energy range 5-30 keV decayed throughout the L value range of 3.5-5.0 at the charge exchange decay rate calculated by Liemohn (1961). After several days of decay, the proton fluxes reached a lower limit where an apparent equilibrium was maintained, between weak particle source mechanisms and the loss mechanisms, until fresh protons were injected into the ring current region during substorms. While other proton loss mechanisms may also be operating, the results indicate that charge exchange is more than sufficient as a particle loss mechanism for the storm time proton ring current decay.

Smith, P. H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The aerosol distribution in Uranus' atmosphere - Interpretation of the hydrogen spectrum

New observations of Uranus' combined H2 spectrum have been obtained. An analysis, emphasizing the leverage provided by the S3(0) quadrupole line, leads to strong constraints on Uranus' bulk aerosol distribution with depth. Using an inhomogeneous model atmosphere program which includes Rayleigh scattering for gases and a 1 plus cos theta phase function for cloud layers, it is shown that Uranus' H2 spectrum implies a cloud layer (or dense aerosol) at a depth from 500 to 700 km-amagat H2. It also implies negligible aerosol scattering in the 280 to 450 km-amagat H2 region and a thin haze at 100 to 200 km-amagat H2 depths. The low albedo in very strong CH4 bands indicates that there is negligible aerosol scattering in Uranus' radiative zone. Hydrogen appears to be more abundant than the sum of all other atmospheric gases. The C/H ratio deep in Uranus' atmosphere is strongly enhanced over the solar value. Accurate limb-darkening measurements in and near strong CH4 bands would be effective in specifying Uranus' aerosol distribution in greater detail.

Trafton, L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Momentum source signatures in thermospheric neutral composition

Perturbations in the structure of the neutral atmosphere were measured in narrow latitude bands near the dayside polar cusp by mass spectrometers aboard the S3-1 and Esro 4 satellites. The disturbances are characterized by an in-phase variation of both the lighter and the heavier species. They are observed to occur in latitude bands of about 5-10 deg extent in the altitude region of 200 km during periods of increased geomagnetic activity. It is suggested that thermospheric winds driven by momentum sources associated with ion convection are the predominant cause for these disturbances. The narrow structure features associated with the momentum source are superimposed on the thermospheric changes caused by Joule heating. Both effects may be present simultaneously, resulting in a complex response pattern of the neutral gas composition in the thermosphere.

Trinks, H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Low-altitude measurements of precipitating protons, alpha particles, and heavy ions during the geomagnetic storm on March 26-27, 1976

During the geomagnetic storm of March 16-17, 1976, observations were made of precipitating protons, alpha particles, and heavy ions by two counter telescopes aboard the low-altitude S3-2 satellite. These observations are presented in this paper and their significance discussed. Briefly, a two-zone precipitation region is observed on the nightside, at L equals 2.7 and L equals 4.0 with an alpha/p ratio of about 0.008 in the low-latitude region and about 0.0009 at higher latitude at 0.4 MeV/necleon. The heavier ions, CNO nuclei, are seen in the low-latitude zone with a CNO/alpha ratio of about 0.056 at 0.25 MeV/nucleon.

Scholer, M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Coherent anomalous resistivity in the region of electrostatic shocks

Anomalous resistivity in a phase-coherent electrostatic ion cyclotron wave in the region of the auroral electrostatic shocks observed by the S3-3 satellite is considered. It is shown that current-driven shocks and anomalous resistivity will be most important above 5,000 km, where the electron drift velocity is maximized and parallel electric fields are possible. A model for the parallel field based on the dissipation of an Alfven wave pulse by current-driven electrostatic ion cyclotron turbulence is presented. In the model, coherent electrostatic ion cyclotron waves lead to anomalous resistivity by electron trapping, producing parallel electric fields greater than 1 mV/m, and may set up the parallel populations necessary to support oblique electrostatic shocks.

Lysak, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Motions of charged particles in the magnetosphere under the influence of a time-varying large scale convection electric field

The motions of charged particles under the influence of the geomagnetic and electric fields are quite complex in the region of the inner magnetosphere. The Volland-Stern type large-scale convection electric field with gamma = 2 has been used successfully to predict both the plasmapause location and particle enhancements determined from Explorer 45 (S3-A) measurements. Recently introduced into the trajectory calculations of Ejiri et al. (1978) is a time dependence in this electric field based on the variation in Kp for actual magnetic storm conditions. The particle trajectories are computed as they change in this time-varying electric field. Several storm fronts of particles of different magnetic moments are allowed to be injected into the inner magnetosphere from L = 10 in the equatorial plane. The motions of these fronts are presented in a movie format. The local time of injection, the particle magnetic moments and the subsequent temporal history of the magnetospheric electric field play important roles in determining whether the injected particles are trapped within the ring current region or whether they are convected to regions outside the inner magnetosphere.

Smith, P. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

An unusual SAR arc observed during ring current development, 4 August 1972

An unusual SAR arc observed during the growth phase of the ring current is described. Proton precipitation was observed, with electron temperature enhancements throughout the region, and an F-region trough present at the equatorward boundary; a high flux of low energy at the SAR arc location and a 'slot' in the ambient electron density are characteristic of this event. Comparisons are made with S3-A spacecraft observations made in the equatorial region at the same time and with Isis-II observations of a more normal SAR arc; the kinetic Alfven process described by Hasegawa and Mima (1978) appears to account for the acceleration of these low energy electrons, although an auroral-type acceleration process cannot be excluded.

Shepherd, G. G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Electrostatic model of a quiet auroral arc

The physics and equations used in the proposed electrostatic model of a quiet auroral arc are discussed. The procedure for obtaining approximate solutions of Poisson's equation coupled to ionosphere current conservation is given. A comparison with a specific discrete auroral arc as seen from the auroral satellite S3-3 is presented.

Chiu, Y. T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Oxidation state of the atmosphere and crust of Venus from Pioneer Venus results

Recent spacecraft observations of Venus permit a detailed model of sulfur chemistry in the atmosphere-lithosphere system. Pioneer Venus experiments confirm that, as predicted, COS and H2S are dominant over SO2 in the lower atmosphere, and that the equilibrium concentrations of S2 and S3 are significant. Many criteria serve to bracket the oxidation state of the crust: it is nearly certain that the S2(2-)/SO4(2-) buffer regulates the oxygen fugacity, and that FeO is at least as abundant as F2O3 in crustal silicates. A highly oxidized crust (as, for example, would result from O2 absorption complementary to escape of vast amounts of H2) is incompatible with the gas-phase sulfur chemistry. If the Pioneer Venus mass spectrometer estimates of the abundance of sulfur gases are correct, earth-like models for the bulk composition of Venus are seriously in error, and a far lower FeO content is required for Venus.

Lewis, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Results of the AEROS satellite program: Summary

Published literature reporting aeronomic data collected on two AEROS missions is summarized. The extreme ultraviolet solar radiation and other significant parameters of the thermosphere/ionosphere were investigated. Kinetic pressure, the quantity of atomic nitrogen, and partial densities of helium, oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and atomic nitrogen were determined. The thermal electron population, superthermal energy distribution, plasma density, ion temperature, and composition according to ion types were measured. The chief energy supply in the thermosphere was calculated. Aeronomic calculations showing that variations in the parameters of the ionosphere cannot be correlated with fluctuations of extreme ultraviolet solar radiation were performed. The AEROS data were compared with data from S3-1, ISIS, and AE-C satellites. Models of the thermosphere and ionosphere were developed.

Lammerzahl, P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Rocket study of auroral processes

Abstracts are presented of previously published reports analyzing data from three Echo 3 rocket flights. Particle experiments designed for the Terrier-Malmute flight, the Echo 5 flight, and the Norwegian Corbier Ferdinand 50 flight are described and their flight performance evaluated. Theoretical studies on auroral particle precipitation are reviewed according to observations made in three regions of space: (1) the region accessible to rockets and low altitude satellites (few hundred to a few thousand kilometers); (2) the region extending from 4000 to 8000 km (S3-3 satellite range); and (3) near the equatorial plane (geosynchronous satellite measurements). Questions raised about auroral arc formation are considered.

Arnoldy, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Magnetospheric observation of large sub-auroral electric fields

An example of large subauroral poleward electric fields similar to those observed on OGO-6, S3-2 and AE-C (SAID) has been found in the magnetosphere near L = 4 and 2300 MLT using ISEE-1 electric field data. The event is located adjacent to and outside the plasmapause and occurs 1 1/2 hours into a substorm. The event is accompaned by a significant penetration of the convection electric field inside the plasmasphere. Data from similar regions on the next orbit occurring near the beginning of a substorm did not exhibit these effects. Recent theoretical models predict SAID to occur in the trough regions, where substorm dynamics force currents to flow in regions of low conductivity. These models provide a first-order interpretation of this phenomena; however, the overal picture is more complex.

Maynard, N. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Orbit accuracy assessment for Seasat

Laser range measurements are used to determine the orbit of Seasat during the period from July 28, 1978, to Aug. 14, 1978, and the influence of the gravity field, atmospheric drag, and solar radiation pressure on the orbit accuracy is investigated. It is noted that for the orbits of three-day duration, little distinction can be made between the influence of different atmospheric models. It is found that the special Seasat gravity field PGS-S3 is most consistent with the data for three-day orbits, but an unmodeled systematic effect in radiation pressure is noted. For orbits of 18-day duration, little distinction can be made between the results derived from the PGS gravity fields. It is also found that the geomagnetic field is an influential factor in the atmospheric modeling during this time period. Seasat altimeter measurements are used to determine the accuracy of the altimeter measurement time tag and to evaluate the orbital accuracy.

Schutz, B. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Quantitative simulation of a magnetospheric substorm. II - Comparison with observations

Results of the computer simulation of the behavior of the inner magnetosphere during the substorm-type event of September 19, 1976, are discussed. The computed electric fields are found to compare satisfactorily with electric fields measured from S3-2, although there are detailed differences. The three general features on which the model and observations are in good agreement are (1) the magnitude and direction of the high-latitude electric field, (2) the degree to which the low-latitude ionosphere is shielded from the high-latitude convection electric field, and (3) the fact that the poleward electric field on the duskside is significantly larger, on the average, than the equatorward electric field on the dawnside. Simple formulas are presented that give rough estimates of global Joule heating rates from observable parameters.

Harel, M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Inference of the ring current ion composition by means of charge exchange decay

The analysis of data from the Explorer 45 (S3-A) electrostatic analyzer in the energy range 5-30 keV has provided some new results on the ring current ion composition. It has been well established that the storm time ring current has a decay time of several days, during which the particle fluxes decrease nearly monotonically. By analyzing the measured ion fluxes during the several day storm recovery period and assuming that beside hydrogen other ions were present and that the decays were exponential in nature, three separate lifetimes for the ions were established. These fitted decay lifetimes are in excellent agreement with the expected charge exchange decay lifetimes for H(+), O(+) and He(+) in the energy and L value range of the data.

Smith, P. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Frequency band broadening of magnetospheric VLF emissions near the equator

The broadening of the whistler mode VLF emission band has frequently been observed by the equatorially orbiting S3-A (Explorer 45) satellite outside the midnight sector of the plasmasphere, during periods of geomagnetic disturbance. Prior to the broadening, the band of this emission is narrow with a sharp gap at the half electron gyrofrequency. The gradual broadening of the emission band on the low-frequency side is associated with the simultaneously observed spreading of the anisotropy of the ring current electrons to higher and wider energy ranges. Using the modeled distribution function, the linear growth rates of the cyclotron instability are calculated numerically. The results suggest that broadening of the VLF emission band near the plasmasphere can be caused by spreading of the ring current electron anisotropy toward higher energies.

Maeda, K.↗