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At least 163 records · Page 9

Voyager 1 and 2 Preliminary Observations Within Interplanetary Space of Upstream Suprathermal < 6 KeV Electrons Evidently Connected to Jupiter’s Bow Shock

We present for the first time the Voyager 1 and 2 plasma instrument observations within the interplanetary space of upstream suprathermal E < 6 keV electrons during times when close < 100 RJ from Jupiter’s bow shock. These measurements are a biproduct of our recovery of the Voyager Jupiter flyby measurements of the plasma electrons made by the Plasma Science Experiment (PLS) (Bridge et al., 1977). The initial ion and electron plasma observations were first reported by Bridge et al. (1979a, b). The periods were chosen to follow those reported by Zwickl et al. (1981) using energetic particle data with E ≥ 30 keV from the Low Energy Charged Particle (LECP) instrument (Krimigis et al., 1977). For this study we also use Voyager magnetic field data (Ness et al., 1979a, b) which is critical for this study. Basically, whenever the interplanetary magnetic field is nearly radially aligned relative to the spacecraft sun line, connection to the Jovian bow shock is believed to occur and one would expect those times when the keV suprathermal electron would be observed, but we also see them when the field is not radial but close to Jupiter’s bow shock. Whenever the magnetic field is radial the plasma instrument’s D cup or side sensor, which makes the electron observations (10 eV ≤ E ≤ 6 keV), is viewing ∼ 90 degree pitch angle electrons but evidently its wide field-of-view (FOV) allows one to see the keV electrons assumed to be field aligned. So, we will be looking into FOV alignment issues relative to the local magnetic field vector and any evidence for pitch angle scattering by plasma waves (see Scarf et al., 1981) that might broaden their width in pitch angle and allow their detection.

E C Sittler, Jr↗

Temperature and electrical conductivity of the lunar interior from magnetic transient measurements in the geomagnetic tail

Magnetometers were deployed at four Apollo sites on the moon to measure remanent and induced lunar magnetic fields. Measurements from this network of instruments were used to calculate the electrical conductivity, temperature, magnetic permeability, and iron abundance of the lunar interior. Global lunar fields due to eddy currents, induced in the lunar interior by magnetic transients in the geomagnetic tail field, were analyzed to calculate an electrical conductivity profile for the moon: the conductivity increases rapidly with depth from 10 to the minus 9 power mhos/meter at the lunar surface to .0001 mhos/meter at 200 km depth, then less rapidly to .02 mhos/meter at 1000 km depth. A temperature profile is calculated from conductivity: temperature rises rapidly with depth to 1100 K at 200 km depth, then less rapidly to 1800 K at 1000 km depth. Velocities and thicknesses of the earth's magnetopause and bow shock are estimated from simultaneous magnetometer measurements. Average speeds are determined to be about 50 km/sec for the magnetopause and 70 km/sec for the bow shock, although there are large variations in the measurements for any particular boundary crossing.

Dyal, P.↗

Lunar electrical conductivity, permeability,and temperature from Apollo magnetometer experiments

Magnetometers were deployed at four Apollo sites on the moon to measure remanent and induced lunar magnetic fields. Measurements from this network of instruments were used to calculate the electrical conductivity, temperature, magnetic permeability, and iron abundance of the lunar interior. Global lunar fields due to eddy currents, induced in the lunar interior by magnetic transients, were analyzed to calculate and electrical conductivity profile for the moon, and those profiles were used to calculate the lunar temperature for an assumed lunar material of olivine. Simultaneous measurements by magnetometers on the lunar surface and in orbit around the moon were use to construct a whole-moon hysteresis curve, from which the global lunar magnetic permeability is determined. Total iron abundance (sum of iron in the ferromagnetic and paramagnetic states) was calculated for two assumed compositional models of the lunar interior. Other lunar models with an iron core and with a shallow iron-rich layer also discussed in light of the measured global lunar permeability. Simultaneous magnetic field and solar plasma pressure measurements show that the remanent fields at the Apollo 12 and 16 sites interact with, and are compressed by, the solar wind. Velocities and thicknesses of the earth's magnetopause and bow shock were also estimated from simultaneous magnetometer measurements.

Dyal, P.↗

Lunar electrical conductivity, permeability and temperature from Apollo magnetometer experiments

Magnetometers were deployed at four Apollo sites on the moon to measure remanent and induced lunar magnetic fields. Measurements from this network of instruments were used to calculate the electrical conductivity, temperature, magnetic permeability, and iron abundance of the lunar interior. The measured lunar remanent fields range from 3 gammas minimum at the Apollo 15 site to 327 gammas maximum at the Apollo 16 site. Simultaneous magnetic field and solar plasma pressure measurements show that the remanent fields at the Apollo 12 and 16 sites interact with, and are compressed by, the solar wind. Remanent fields at Apollo 12 and Apollo 16 are increased 16 gammas and 32 gammas, respectively, by a solar plasma bulk pressure increase of 1.5 X 10 to the -7th power dynes/sq cm. Global lunar fields due to eddy currents, induced in the lunar interior by magnetic transients, were analyzed to calculate an electrical conductivity profile for the moon. From nightside magnetometer data in the solar wind it was found that deeper than 170 km into the moon the conductivity rises from .0003 mhos/m to .10 mhos/m at 100 km depth. Recent analysis of data obtained in the geomagnetic tail, in regions free of complicating plasma effects, yields results consistent with nightside values.

Dyal, P.↗

Relativistic Electron Response to the Combined Magnetospheric Impact of a Coronal Mass Ejection Overlapping with a High-Speed Stream: Van Allen Probes Observations

During early November 2013, the magnetosphere experienced concurrent driving by a coronal mass ejection (CME) during an ongoing high-speed stream (HSS) event. The relativistic electron response to these two kinds of drivers, i.e., HSS and CME, is typically different, with the former often leading to a slower buildup of electrons at larger radial distances, while the latter energizing electrons rapidly with flux enhancements occurring closer to the Earth. We present a detailed analysis of the relativistic electron response including radial profiles of phase space density as observed by both Magnetic Electron and Ion Sensor (MagEIS) and Relativistic Electron Proton Telescope instruments on the Van Allen Probes mission. Data from the MagEIS instrument establish the behavior of lower energy (<1 MeV) electrons which span both intermediary and seed populations during electron energization. Measurements characterizing the plasma waves and magnetospheric electric and magnetic fields during this period are obtained by the Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science instrument on board Van Allen Probes, Search Coil Magnetometer and Flux Gate Magnetometer instruments on board Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms, and the low-altitude Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites. These observations suggest that during this time period, both radial transport and local in situ processes are involved in the energization of electrons. The energization attributable to radial diffusion is most clearly evident for the lower energy (<1 MeV) electrons, while the effects of in situ energization by interaction of chorus waves are prominent in the higher-energy electrons.

Magnetosphere↗

Plasmaspheric hiss observations in the evening and afternoon quadrants

Data obtained with an Explorer-45 instrument for detecting the magnetic components of ELF signals propagating in the magnetosphere are examined, showing that the strongest, most persistent signals were plasmaspheric hiss from a few hundred to a few thousand Hertz. Broad-band signals of 25 milligamma were common. The most intense hiss was observed in the recovery phase of magnetic storms at the inner edge of the ring current. Its source appears to be the outer plasmasphere. Most of the hiss is attributed to generation of hiss through cyclotron resonance with energetic electrons. Ring current protons, forming a peak in the proton flux between 10 and 100 keV, may be a source of some of the hiss.

Parady, B. K.↗

Energetic ion mass spectrometer

A new type of spectrometer for space application has been developed to measure separately mass/charge and the three-dimensional velocity distribution of incident ions. The instrument has relatively high resolution and allows rapid measurement of the four-dimensional set of mass/charge, speed, elevation angle, and azimuth angle. The instrument includes a sector magnet, an electrostatic deflector, microchannel plate detectors with position sensitive readout, and a set of grids with variable applied voltage.

Neugebauer, M.↗

Structure of a slow mode shock observed in the plasma sheet boundary layer

A detailed study of the plasma parameters and magnetic field measured using instrumentation aboard ISEE 2 during the recovery phase of a substorm on Apr. 24, 1979, is presented. The purpose of this study was to determine the nature and structure of the lobe-plasma sheet boundary layer. The analysis shows that the lobeward edge of the boundary is consistent with a freestanding slow mode shock. This shock is followed by a slow compression wave containing a trailing ion cyclotron wave which also stands in the flow. Measurement of the cross-tail current in the shock and the current system within the wave gives a shock thickness and wavelength comparable to but larger than both the upstream ion inertial length and the downstream proton gyroradius. Equality of the shock thickness with the standing ion cyclotron wavelength suggests that the steepness of the front is limited by dispersion rather than current-driven anomalous resistivity.

Feldman, W. C.↗

The magnetic field investigation on Cluster

The magnetic field investigation of the Cluster four-spacecraft mission is designed to provide intercalibrated measurements of the B magnetic field vector. The instrumentation and data processing of the mission are discussed. The instrumentation is identical on the four spacecraft. It consists of two triaxial fluxgate sensors and of a failure tolerant data processing unit. The combined analysis of the four spacecraft data will yield such parameters as the current density vector, wave vectors, and the geometry and structure of discontinuities.

Balogh, A.↗

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy peak assignment for perfluoropolyether oils

Perfluoroalkylpolyether (PFPE) oils are increasingly being used as vacuum pump oils and as lubricants for magnetic recording media and instrumentation for satellites. In this paper, the relative binding energies of three PFPE oils are determined. When sample oils are continuously irradiated during X-ray spectroscopy (XPS) measurements, the relative peak intensity of the spectra is altered significantly, indicating that gaseous products form from the oils during XPS measurements. Thus, attention should be paid to chemical changes when XPE is used to characterize fluorinated carbons such as PFPE oils.

Mori, Shigeyuki↗

America's foremost early astronomer

The life of 18th century astronomer, craftsman, and partriot David Rittenhouse is detailed. As a craftsman, he distinguished himself as one of the foremost builders of clocks. He also built magnetic compasses and surveying instruments. The finest examples of his craftsmanship are considered two orreries, mechanical solar systems. In terms of astronomical observations, his best-known contribution was his observation of the transit of Venus in 1769. Rittenhouse constructed the first diffraction grating. Working as Treasurer of Pennsylvania throughout the Revolution, he became the first director of the Mint in 1792. Astronomical observations in later life included charting the position of Uranus after its discovery.

Rubincam, David Parry↗

Polar Cap Plasma and Convection

This presentation will describe the character of the polar cap plasma in 10% AGU Spring 1998 particular the convection velocities at the perigee (about 1.8 Re) and apogee( about 8.9 Re) of Polar in relationship to Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) and solar wind parameters. This plasma is thought to be due to several sources; the polar wind, cleft ion fountain, and auroral outflow. The plasma in the polar cap tends to be mostly field-aligned. At any given point in the polar cap, this plasma could be from a different regions since convection of magnetic field lines can transport this material. it is quite difficult to study such a phenomena with single point measurements. Current knowledge of the polar cap plasma obtained by in situ measurements will be presented along with recent results from the Polar mission. This study also examines the direct electrical coupling between the magnetosphere and ionosphere by comparing convection velocities measured by the Thermal Ion Dynamics Experiment (TIDE) and Magnetic Field Experiment (MFE) instruments in magnetosphere and measurements of the ionosphere by ground-based radars. At times such a comparison is difficult because the Polar satellite at apogee spends a large amount of time in the polar cap which is a region that is not coverage well by the current SuperDam coherent radars. This is impart due to the lack of irregularities that returns the radar signal.

Elliott, Heather A.↗

Thermal Noise Reduction of Mechanical Oscillators by Actively Controlled External Dissipative Forces

We show that the thermal fluctuations of very soft mechanical oscillators, such as the cantilever in an atomic force microscope (AFM), can be reduced without changing the stiffness of the spring or having to lower the environment temperature. We derive a theoretical relationship between the thermal fluctuations of an oscillator and an actively external-dissipative force. This relationship is verified by experiments with an AFM cantilever where the external active force is coupled through a magnetic field. With simple instrumentation, we have reduced the thermal noise amplitude of the cantilever by a factor of 3.4, achieving an apparent temperature of 25 K with the environment at 295K. This active noise reduction approach can significantly improve the accuracy of static position or static force measurements in a number of practical applications.

Liang, Shoudan↗

RAD750 SBC Usage for the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Program

This presentation focuses on the first space weather research mission in the Living with a Star (LWS) Program. The science objective of the mission is to understand the solar variations that influence life on Earth. The mission is developed and managed by NASA/GSFC with a launch date in 2008 on a five-year mission using a geosynchronous inclined orbit. Involved with the mission are three science instruments: a helloseisic and magnetic imagery (HMI), extreme ultraviolet variability experiment (EVE), and solar helispheric activity research prediction program (SHARPP). 6U qualification Vib test has been completed with successful results (no interrupts detected at 1 nanosecond). Other test result to be reported at workshop.

Li, Kenneth↗

Crab Flares and Magnetic Reconnection in Pulsar Winds

The striped winds of rotation-powered pulsars are ideal sites for magnetic reconnection. The magnetic fields of the wind near the current sheet outside the light cylinder alternate polarity every pulsar period and eventually encounter a termination shock. Magnetic reconnection in the wind has been proposed as a mechanism for transferring energy from electromagnetic fields to particles upstream of the shock (the "sigma" problem), but it is not clear if, where and how this occurs. Fermi and AGILE have recently observed powerful gamma-ray flares from the Crab nebula, which challenge traditional models of acceleration at the termination shock. New simulations are revealing that magnetic reconnection may be instrumental in understanding the Crab flares and in resolving the "sigma" problem in pulsar wind nebulae.

Harding, Alice K.↗