Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “shock polar”

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.

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

At least 145 records · Page 8

A Design of Experiments Investigation of Offset Streams for Supersonic Jet Noise Reduction

An experimental investigation into the noise characteristics of a dual-stream jet with four airfoils inserted in the fan nozzle was conducted. The intent of the airfoils was to deflect the fan stream relative to the core stream and, therefore, impact the development of the secondary potential core and noise radiated in the peak jet-noise direction. The experiments used a full-factorial Design of Experiments (DoE) approach to identify parameters and parameter interactions impacting noise radiation at two azimuthal microphone array locations, one of which represented a sideline viewing angle. The parameters studied included airfoil angle-of-attack, airfoil azimuthal location within the fan nozzle, and airfoil axial location relative to the fan-nozzle trailing edge. Jet conditions included subsonic and supersonic fan-stream Mach numbers. Heated jets conditions were simulated with a mixture of helium and air to replicate the exhaust velocity and density of the hot jets. The introduction of the airfoils was shown to impact noise radiated at polar angles in peak-jet noise direction and to have no impact on noise radiated at small and broadside polar angles and to have no impact on broadband-shock-associated noise. The DoE analysis showed the main effects impacting noise radiation at sideline-azimuthal-viewing angles included airfoil azimuthal angle for the airfoils on the lower side of the jet near the sideline array and airfoil trailing edge distance (with airfoils located at the nozzle trailing edge produced the lowest sound pressure levels). For an array located directly beneath the jet (and on the side of the jet from which the fan stream was deflected), the main effects impacting noise radiation included airfoil angle-of-attack and airfoil azimuthal angle for the airfoils located on the observation side of the jet as well and trailing edge distance. Interaction terms between multiple configuration parameters were shown to have significant impact on the radiated noise. The models were shown to adequately describe the sound-pressure levels obtained for a configuration in the center of the design space indicating the models can be used to navigate the design space.

Jet Noise↗

Effect of Strongly Magnetized Electrons and Ions on Heat Flow and Symmetry of Inertial Fusion Implosions

This Letter presents the first observation on how a strong, 500 kG, externally applied B field increases the mode-two asymmetry in shock-heated inertial fusion implosions. Using a direct-drive implosion with polar illumination and imposed field, we observed that magnetization produces a significant increase in the implosion oblateness (a 2.5 × larger P2 amplitude in x-ray self-emission images) compared with reference experiments with identical drive but with no field applied. Here, the implosions produce strongly magnetized electrons (ω e τ e >> 1) and ions (ω i τ i > 1) that, as shown using simulations, restrict the cross field heat flow necessary for lateral distribution of the laser and shock heating from the implosion pole to the waist, causing the enhanced mode-two shape.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

A three-dimensional time-dependent model of the polar wind

A time-dependent three-dimensional multiion model of the polar wind was developed, which covers the altitude range of from 120 to 9000 km and takes into account supersonic ion outflow, shock formation, and ion energization during plasma expansion events. The model was used to study the temporal response of global polar wind to changing magnetospheric conditions, for the winter solstice and for solar-minimum conditions in the northern polar region. Graphs illustrating temporal changes with changes in T(e), T(i), and T(n) along the dawn, the trough, and the dusk convection trajectories and in the O(+), O, and H densities along the same convection trajectories are presented together with conntours of the H(+) and the O(+) densities along the three convection trajectories.

Schunk, R. W.↗

Accretion Flows in Magnetic White Dwarf Systems

We received Type A and B funding under the NASA Astrophysics Data Program for the analysis and interpretation of hard x-ray data obtained by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer and other NASA sponsored missions for Intermediate Polars (IPS) and Polars. For some targets, optical data was available. We reduced and analyzed the X-ray spectra and the X-ray and optical (obtained at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory) timing data using detailed shock models (which we constructed) to place constraints on the properties of the accreting white dwarfs, the high energy emission mechanisms of white dwarfs, and the large-scale accretion flows of Polars and IPS. IPS and Polars are white dwarf mass-transfer binaries, members of the larger class of cata,clysmic variables. They differ from the bulk of the cataclysmic variables in that they contain strongly magnetic white dwarfs; the white dwarfs in Polars have B, = 7 to 230 MG and those in IPS have B, less than 10 MG. The IPS and Polars are both examples of funneled accretion flows in strong magnetic field systems. The IPS are similar to x-ray pulsars in that accretion disks form in the systems which are disrupted by the strong stellar magnetic fields of the white dwarfs near the stellar surface from where the plasma is funneled to the surface of the white dwarf. The localized hot spots formed at the footpoints of the funnels coupled with the rotation of the white dwarf leads to coherent pulsed x-ray emission. The Polars offer an example of a different accretion topology; the magnetic field of the white dwarf controls the accretion flow from near the inner Lagrangian point of the system directly to the stellar surface. Accretion disks do not form. The strong magnetic coupling generally leads to synchronous orbital/rotational motion in the Polars. The physical system in this sense resembles the Io/Jupiter system. In both IPS and Polars, pulsed emission from the infrared to x-rays is produced as the funneled flows merge onto the white dwarfs through the formation of strong radiating shock waves. A comparative study of the IPS and Polars can elucidate the primary effects of the magnetic fields on the dynamics and thermodynamics in accreting white dwarf systems.

Imamura, James N.↗

First characterization of the emission behavior of Mrk 421 from radio to very high-energy gamma rays with simultaneous X-ray polarization measurements

Aims.We have performed the first broadband study of Mrk 421 from radio to TeV gamma rays with simultaneous measurements of the X-ray polarization from IXPE. Methods.The data were collected as part of an extensive multiwavelength campaign carried out between May and June 2022 using MAGIC,Fermi-LAT,NuSTAR,XMM-Newton,Swift, and several optical and radio telescopes to complement IXPE data. Results.During the IXPE exposures, the measured 0.2–1 TeV flux was close to the quiescent state and ranged from 25% to 50% of the Crab Nebula without intra-night variability. Throughout the campaign, the very high-energy (VHE) and X-ray emission are positively correlated at a 4σsignificance level. The IXPE measurements reveal an X-ray polarization degree that is a factor of 2–5 higher than in the optical/radio bands; that implies an energy-stratified jet in which the VHE photons are emitted co-spatially with the X-rays, in the vicinity of a shock front. The June 2022 observations exhibit a rotation of the X-ray polarization angle. Despite no simultaneous VHE coverage being available during a large fraction of the swing, theSwift-XRT monitoring reveals an X-ray flux increase with a clear spectral hardening. This suggests that flares in high synchrotron peaked blazars can be accompanied by a polarization angle rotation, as observed in some flat spectrum radio quasars. Finally, during the polarization angle rotation,NuSTARdata reveal two contiguous spectral hysteresis loops in opposite directions (clockwise and counterclockwise), implying important changes in the particle acceleration efficiency on approximately hour timescales.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Evolution of a superbubble blastwave in a magnetized medium

Researchers investigate the effects of interstellar magnetic fields on the evolution and structure of interstellar superbubbles, using both analytic and numerical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) calculations. These cavities of hot gas, surrounded by shells of cold dense material preceded by a shock wave result from the combined action of stellar winds and supernova explosions in OB associations. If the medium in which a superbubble goes off is homogeneous and unmagnetized, the blast wave expands isotropically. As the interstellar gas flows through the shock, it cools significantly and gets strongly compressed such that thermal pressure remains approximately equal to ram pressure. Hence, the swept up material is confined to a very thin shell. However, if the ambient medium is permeated by a uniform magnetic field B sub o approx. 3 mu G (typical value for the interstellar matter (ISM)), the configuration loses its spherical symmetry, and, due to magnetic pressure, the shell of swept up material does not remain thin. Researchers found the following qualitative differences: (1) Except in the immediate vicinity of the magnetic poles, the shell is supported by magnetic pressure. (2) The refraction of field lines at the shock and the thermal pressure gradient along the shell both contribute to accelerating the gas toward the equator. The resulting mass flux considerably decreases the column density at the magnetic poles. (3) Away from the poles, magnetic tension in the shell causes the field lines (particularly the inner boundary) to elongate in the direction of B sub o. In contrast, the shock wave radius increases with increasing theta. (4) The reduced inertia of a parcel in the polar neighborhood makes it easier to decelerate, and accounts for the dimple which appears at the poles in numerical simulations. This dimple also results from the necessity to call on intermediate shocks in order to insure a smooth transition between a purely thermal shock at the poles and a magnetic shock in the rest of the shell. (5) The shock wave propagates faster than in the absence of magnetic field, except near the poles where the reduced mass of the shell allows it to be more efficiently decelerated.

Ferriere, Katia M.↗

Whistler waves associated with the Uranian bow shock - Outbound observations

High-resolution magnetic field measurements from the first outbound crossing of the Uranian bowshock by the Voyager 2 spacecraft between January 27 and 30, 1986, are examined. Evidence is found of enhanced whistler wave activity in the vicinity of three shock crossings but little or no evidence of such activity elsewhere. Two wave events display two separate and simultaneous wave enhancements each. From an investigation of these events using high-resolution field data, it is concluded that they are analogous to those whistler waves upstream of the earth's bow shock that are driven by beams of electrons. An instability analysis is presented to show that a single electron beam with reasonable parameters can penetrate both of the upstream and downstream of a shock crossing. This event displays only one relatively broad spectral enhancement in the same frequency regime and is left-hand polarized in the spacecraft frame. It is argued that this event is the result of a gyrating proton distribution associated with the oblique shock.

Smith, Charles W.↗

The delayed energetic particle event of June 6-10, 1979

Energetic particle observations carried out with the ISEE-3 Medium-Energy Cosmic Ray experiment during the flare event of June 6-10, 1979 are reported. An expanded time history of the He nuclei particle spectra is given, and particle trajectory angles are identified with respect to the earth-sun line. The backward flow of the particle stream following the shock was analyzed, and it is found that the shock continued to accelerate particles beyond 1 AU from the sun. Polar plots of the number of protons counted in each sector of observation are given with their corresponding magnetic field directions.

Von Rosenvinge, T. T.↗

Four Antarctic ureilites - Petrology and observations on ureilite petrogenisis

New data are presented on the petrography and mineral compositions of four recently recovered Antarctic ureilites: Yamato-790981, RKPA80239, ALHA81101, and PCA82506. Thin polished sections of the ureilites were analyzed by polarized and reflected light microscopy, and by electron microprobe. The low shock characteristics of most (with the exception of the ALHA81101) Antarctic ureilites have afforded excellent opportunities for understanding the petrographic relationships between graphite and silicate minerals in ureilites. New speculations concerning the petrogenesis of ureilites are offered.

Berkley, J. L.↗

Spectral analysis of magnetohydrodynamic fluctuations near interplanetary schocks

Evidence for two types of relatively large amplitude MHD waves upstream and downstream of quasi-parallel forward and reverse interplanetary shocks is presented. The first mode is an Alfven wave with frequencies (in the spacecraft frame) in the range of 0.025 to 0.07 Hz. This is a left-hand polarized mode and propagates within a few degrees of the ambient magnetic field. The second is a fast MHD mode with frequencies in the range of 0.025 to 0.17 Hz, right-hand polarization and propagating along the magnetic field. These waves are detected principally in association with quasi-parallel shock. The Alfven waves are found to have plasma rest frame frequencies in the range of 1.1 to 6.3 mHz with wavelengths in the order of 4.8 x 10 to the 8th power to 2.7 x 10 to the 9th power cm. Similarly, the fast MHD modes have rest frame frequencies in the range 1.6 to 26 mHz with typical wavelengths about 2.19 x 10 to the 8th power cm. The magnetic field power spectrum in the vicinity of these interplanetary shocks is much steeper than f to the -s/3 at high frequencies. The observed spectra have a high frequency dependence of f to the -2/5 to f to the -4.

Vinas, A. F.↗

The interaction of a very large interplanetary magnetic cloud with the magnetosphere and with cosmic rays

The observation of one of the largest magnetic clouds ever observed at a distance of 1 AU, with a diameter of greater than about 0.4 AU, is reported. The cloud is shown to be almost unchanged structurally by interaction with the earth bow shock. The first observations are reported of an auroral activity response to the passage of a magnetic cloud, with a nearly immediate increase in auroral activity when the IMF theta(B) angle reversed polarity to negative near the cloud center. The results provide strong evidence that turbulent magnetic fields behind interplanetary shocks are a possible cause of Forbush decreases, but contest the idea that relatively smooth, strong fields in clouds are a cause of such decreases. The cloud field modeling supports the existence of magnetic force-free fields in describing cloud structure.

Lepping, R. P.↗

The Parsec-Scale Magnetic Field Properties of Low-Optical Polarization Blazars

Past variability studies of flat-spectrum, compact extra-galactic radio sources have suggested that low- and high-optically polarized quasars (LPQ/HPQ) are the same type of object, differing only in the angle their relativistic jets make to the line of sight. This view has been challenged, however, by recent millimeter-wave polarization observations which indicate intrinsic differences in the inner magnetic field properties of the two classes. The inner jets of LPQs tend to have lower fractional polarizations than HPQs, and inferred magnetic field directions that are mostly parallel to the jet. The magnetic fields of HPQs, on the other hand, lie mainly in a transverse direction. The latter configuration is a prediction of the standard shock-in-jet model, in which a portion of a jet undergoes a strong transverse compression, thereby enhancing the perpendicular components of an originally tangled magnetic field. The main goal of this study is to establish a connection between the optical polarization and magnetic field properties of the inner jets of blazars. The magnetic field orientations of several HPQs have been shown to be stable over many years, which may be due to standing shock(s) located close to the base of the jet. Since these shocks are able to produce large amounts of optically polarized synchrotron radiation, their presence may very well determine whether an object is classified as an HPQ or LPQ. We have imaged the parsec-scale jet regions and magnetic fields of 11 LPQs with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 43 and 22 GHz, and have obtained near- simultaneous optical polarization data for the sample. We discuss correlations between the optical and radio polarization data, and compare the LPQ properties to those of a sample of HPQs presently being monitored with the VLBA and JCMT at mm and sub-mm wavelengths, respectively. This research was performed in part at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract to NASA.

Lister, Matthew L.↗

Equatorial disk formation around rotating stars due to ram pressure confinement by the stellar wind

The axisymmetric 2D supersonic solution of a rotating, radiation-driven stellar wind presently obtained by a simple approximation predicts the formation of a dense equatorial disk, when the star's rotation rate lies above a threshold value that depends on the ratio of the wind's terminal speed to the escape speed of the star. The disk is formed because the trajectories of the wind leaving the stellar surface at high latitudes carry it down to the equatorial plane; there, the material passes through a standing oblique shock atop the disk; it is therefore the ram pressure of the polar wind that compresses and confines the disk.

Bjorkman, J. E.↗

Energy Characteristics of Auroral Electron Precipitation: A Comparison of Substorms and Pressure Pulse Related Auroral Activity

The Polar Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) observes auroral responses to incident solar wind pressure pulses and interplanetary shocks such as those associated with coronal mass ejections. The arrival of a CME pressure pulse at the front of the magnetosphere results in highly disturbed geomagnetic conditions and a substantial increase in both dayside and nightside auroral precipitation. Our observations show a simultaneous brightening over broad areas of the dayside and nightside aurora in response to a pressure pulse, indicating that more magnetospheric regions participate as sources for auroral precipitation than during isolated substorms. We estimate the average energies of incident auroral electrons using Polar UVI images and compare the precipitation energies during pressure pulse associated events to those during isolated auroral substorms. Electron precipitation during substorms has average energies greater than 10 keV and is structured both in local time and magnetic latitude. For auroral intensifications following the arrival of a pressure pulse or interplanetary shock, electron precipitation is less spatially structured and has greater ux of lower energy electrons (Eave _ 7 keV) than during isolated substorm, onsets. The average energies of the precipitating electrons inferred from UVI are consistent with those measured in-situ by the FAST spacecraft. These observations quantify the differences between global and local auroral precipitation processes and will provide a valuable experimental check for models of sudden storm commencements and magnetospheric response to perturbations in the solar wind.

Chua, D.↗

Chemical nonequilibrium and viscous flow computation for conic aerobrake bodies

Three-dimensional analyses are presented for the viscous, reactive flow over a complete entry-body configuration with a wide-angle conic surface. The predictive method uses a split approach that solves iteratively the Navier-Stokes and the continuity equations of chemical species. The finite-difference formulation and the computational grid are adapted to the bow shock and the conformally mapped body such that the velocity components are in the computational spherical-polar space. Combinations of several conic forebody and afterbody configurations have been studied using wind-tunnel, Space Shuttle, and aerobraking orbital transfer vehicle (AOTV) entry conditions. The effects of the borebody bluntness and of finite-rate chemical reactions on the shock layer, the wall catalycity on the boundary layer, the shear-layer impingement on the afterbody, and the base-flow environment are discussed.

Li, C. P.↗

Global Remote Sensing of Precipitating Electron Energies: A Comparison of Substorms and Pressure Pulse Related Intensifications

The Polar Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) observes aurora responses to incident solar wind pressure pulses and interplanetary shocks such its those associated with coronal mass ejections. Previous observations have demonstrated that the arrival of it pressure pulse at the front of the magnetosphere results in highly disturbed geomagnetic conditions and a substantial increase in both dayside and nightside aurora precipitations. Our observations show it simultaneous brightening over bread areas of the dayside and nightside auroral in response to a pressure pulse, indicating that more magnetospheric regions participate as sources for auroral precipitation than during isolate substorm. We estimate the characteristic energies of incident auroral electrons using Polar UVI images and compare the precipitation energies during pressure pulse associated event to those during isolated substorms. We estimate the characteristic energies of incident auroral electrons using Polar UVI images and compare the precipitation energies during pressure pulse associated events to those during isolated auroral substorms. Electron precipitation during substorms has characteristic energies greater than 10 KeV and is structured both in local time and in magnetic latitude. For auroral intensifications following the arrival of'a pressure pulse or interplanetary shock. Electron precipitation is less spatially structured and has greater flux of lower characteristic energy electrons (Echar less than 7 KeV) than during isolated substorm onsets. These observations quantify the differences between global and local auroral precipitation processes and will provide a valuable experimental check for models of sudden storm commencements and magnetospheric response to perturbations in the solar wind.

Chua, D.↗

Subcritical dispersive shock waves upstream of planetary bow shocks and at Comet Giacobini-Zinner

The nonlinear evolution of ULF (magnetosonic) waves is studied using electromagnetic simulations. The waves were observed upstream of the planetary bow shocks at Comet Giacobini-Zinner. It is shown that as ULF waves generated by the resonant ion beam instability steepen, their polarization becomes linear. A high-frequency wave packet is generated by the steepening process. The steepened wave has a structure and a behavior similar to a subcritical dispersive shock. It is suggested that Comet Giacobini-Zinner did not have a single bow shock. It is concluded that the comet had a transition region consisting of a series of shocks which were convected by the solar wind.

Omidi, N.↗

Development of an Empirical Methods for Predicting Jet Mixing Noise of Cold Flow Rectangular Jets

This report presents an empirical method for predicting the jet mixing noise levels of cold flow rectangular jets. The report presents a detailed analysis of the methodology used in development of the prediction method. The empirical correlations used are based on narrow band acoustic data for cold flow rectangular model nozzle tests conducted in the NASA Langley Jet Noise Laboratory. There were 20 separate nozzle test operating conditions. For each operating condition 60 Hz bandwidth microphone measurements were made over a frequency range from 0 to 60,000 Hz. Measurements were performed at 16 polar directivity angles ranging from 45 degrees to 157.5 degrees. At each polar directivity angle, measurements were made at 9 azimuth directivity angles. The report shows the methods employed to remove screech tones and shock noise from the data in order to obtain the jet mixing noise component. The jet mixing noise was defined in terms of one third octave band spectral content, polar and azimuth directivity, and overall power level. Empirical correlations were performed over the range of test conditions to define each of these jet mixing noise parameters as a function of aspect ratio, jet velocity, and polar and azimuth directivity angles. The report presents the method for predicting the overall power level, the average polar directivity, the azimuth directivity and the location and shape of the spectra for jet mixing noise of cold flow rectangular jets.

Russell, James W.↗