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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

On possible interactions between upper and lower atmosphere

Comparison of geomagnetic data with data on tropospheric and stratospheric circulation characteristics shows a statistically highly significant shrinking in areal extent of the stratospheric vortex from the third to the eight day following a geomagnetic storm. During the contraction of the polar vortex edge, the mean height of the vortex central contour decreases only slightly. This indicates that a stratospheric warming event is associated with a steepening of the contour gradient rather than a warming over the entire area of the stratospheric polar vortex. The troposphere reacts to these weak, but nevertheless significant stratospheric warming events by a shrinkage of the area of the 500-mb cold air pool. It is shown that the observed warming of the stratosphere that follows a geomagnetically disturbed key day cannot be explained by simple radiation absorption.

Macdonald, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Argon: A thermometer of the upper atmosphere

The exospheric temperatures are derived from Ar, N2, O and He measurements obtained from the Aeros-1 NATE experiment. It is shown that the temperatures derived from Ar and N2 are very close to each other and show very similar seasonal, latitudinal and the day to night variations both under quiet and the geomagnetically disturbed conditions. The temperatures derived from O and He do not usually follow this pattern because of their large variabilities in the lower thermosphere. The differences in the inferred temperatures from these gases are particularly noticeable when the neutral composition data between 220-250 km are used. In this altitude region Ar appears to have some advantage over N2 for the purpose of deriving neutral temperature.

Chandra, S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Influence of solar wind variability on geomagnetic activity

A statistical study of solar wind data from the Explorer 33 satellite shows that interplanetary magnetic field irregularities are enhanced in the interaction region where a fast solar wind stream overtakes a slower solar wind stream. Comparison with geomagnetic AE and ap indexes further shows that these interplanetary irregularities enhance the level of geomagnetic disturbances. Thus while substorm occurrence is highly correlated with the dawn-dusk component of the solar wind electric field, the amplitude of the substorms is an increasing function of the variance in the interplanetary field. This result can be interpreted as a capacitative effect of the magnetopause that allows a time-varying solar wind electric field to penetrate the magnetosphere more effectively than a static solar wind electric field.

Garrett, H. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Coronal structure and the solar wind

Aspects concerning the open coronal structure and geomagnetic disturbances are considered along with the general coronal emission characteristics and relations between the open coronal structure and the interplanetary field. The nonstatistical indicators of coronal structure are examined and questions are investigated regarding the accuracy obtained in the determination of the emission latitude and longitude in the high corona for plasma, fields, and particles. Attention is given to the problem of particle population organization by low-coronal neutral line structures in the absence of a high coronal polarity structure.

Roelof, E. C.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Mid-latitude VLF emissions observed in the topside ionosphere

Narrow-band VLF emissions observed on different days by Alouette-2 are described. It is found that narrow-band VLF hiss (3.5-7.0 kHz) occurs at midlatitudes (at 54 to 64 deg) in the topside ionosphere during both the geomagnetically disturbed and quiet periods, although the hiss region moves towards the auroral zone during the disturbed period. It is likely that the midlatitude hiss at around 5 kHz is the origin of the narrow-band hiss (5 plus or minus 1 kHz) often observed at ground stations at low latitudes, since no VLF emissions above 2 kHz appear in the auroral zone. The midlatitude VLF hiss observed in the topside ionosphere may be generated by the transverse (electron cyclotron) resonance instability in the magnetosphere.

Ondoh, T.↗
NASA NTRS1975

On possible interactions between upper and lower atmosphere

Geomagnetic data was compared with data on tropospheric and stratospheric circulation characteristics; a statistically significant shrinking was found in areal extent of the stratospheric vortex from the third to the eighth day following a 'geomagnetic storm' The meridionality of the 30 640-m contour line at 10 millibars increases markedly from 5 to 8 days after the storm. During the contraction of the polar vortex edge, the mean height of the vortex central contour decreases only slightly. This indicates that a stratospheric warming event is associated with a steepening of the contour gradient rather than a warming over the entire area of the stratospheric polar vortex. The troposphere reacts to these weak, but significant, stratospheric warming events by a shrinkage of the area of the 500-millibar cold air pool. This shrinkage commences about 3 days after the stratospheric warming. The investigation indicates that the energy input into the stratosphere that is received in conjunction with the geomagnetic disturbance has to come at a propitious time, when the stratospheric-tropospheric circulation system is not already undergoing a major readjustment because of an inherent dynamic instability.

Macdonald, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Direct satellite observations on bremsstrahlung radiation as a technique to investigate its role in meteorological processes

It was suggested that bremsstrahlung radiation associated with strong auroras (in turn associated with geomagnetic disturbances) may cause increased ionization near the 300-millibar level, which, in turn, leads to the formation of cirrus clouds. These clouds could modify the outgoing black body radiation rates and influence weather patterns. The first satellite observations on bremsstrahlung radiation produced in the atmosphere by precipitating energetic electrons are discussed. This type of observation affords the possibility of directly monitoring the bremsstrahlung energy input to the lower atmosphere over large segments of earth and at frequent intervals. Detailed measurements on the spatial and energy distributions of the bremsstrahlung radiation are feasible with present techniques, and satellite data on widespread bremsstrahlung events are presented and discussed. From comparison of the ion production rates from cosmic rays with those calculated from bremsstrahlung from precipitating energetic electrons, it is concluded that bremsstrahlung radiation is a negligible contributor to the ionization near the 300-millibar level.

Johnson, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Conference on Interactions of the Interplanetary Plasma with the Modern and Ancient Moon, George Williams College, Lake Geneva, Wis., September 30-October 4, 1974, Proceedings

The papers deal with solar-wind and magnetospheric interactions with the moon, ancient and present-day lunar surface magnetic and electric fields, the dynamics and evolution of the lunar atmosphere, the lunar record of solar radiation, and nonmeteoric transport of lunar surface materials. Topics discussed include bow-shock protons in the lunar environment, energetic ion events during the lunar night, mapping of the lunar surface magnetic field from orbital observations of mirrored electrons, geomagnetic disturbances induced by the moon, the relationship between lunar topography and limb compressions, measurements of lunar sky brightness, atmospheric supply and loss mechanisms on the moon, the nature and composition of the lunar atmosphere, molecular gas species in that atmosphere, and vacuum-UV spectroscopic measurements of the surface properties of lunar materials. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1977

Ionosonde observations of the northern magnetospheric cleft during December 1974 and January 1975

During December 1974 and January 1975, the northern magnetospheric cleft was monitored by ionosondes at Cape Parry and Sachs Harbor, Northwest Territories, Canada, in support of rocket shots into the cleft. Ionograms were taken nominally at 15-min intervals but as rapidly as two per minute during times of particular interest. Analysis of 5 days of data shows the ionosphere at cleft latitudes to be very complex and dynamic. The ionograms often show considerable structure and can change appearance significantly in a minute or two. The cleft at times appears to move equatorward in response either to a southward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field or to the occurrence of geomagnetic disturbances. This response is in agreement with the conclusions of previous satellite studies. Behavior contrary to this generalization is not uncommon, however, and therefore it may not always hold on time scales considerably shorter than the satellite orbital period of at least 1 hour. The rate of the cleft's motion may vary from about 0.05 to 0.5 deg/min.

Stiles, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

VLF emissions associated with enhanced magnetospheric electrons

VLF emissions and enhancements of low-energy electrons have been simultaneously observed during periods of geomagnetic disturbances by the equatorial orbiting Explorer 45 satellite. These events are characterized by the following: (1) the VLF emissions occur outside the plasmasphere in the nightside of the magnetosphere, (2) the emissions consist of two frequency regimes, one below the local electron gyrofrequency, and the other above it, (3) the emissions below the gyrofrequency are relatively broadband whistler waves characteristic of chorus, (4) the emissions above the gyrofrequency are electrostatic and typically have components near 3/2 the gyrofrequency, (5) the onset of emissions coincides with abrupt increases outside the plasmasphere in 1-10 keV electrons to intensities of the order of 10 to the 8th el/sq cm/s/sr/keV, and (6) the cessation of the emissions coincides with a drop in the electron intensities to their preenhancement levels, which are of the order of 10 to the 6th el/sq cm/s/sr/keV or less.

Anderson, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Solar cycle review /General aspects/

Several topics are discussed in this review of the solar cycle. The basic solar-interplanetary magnetic structure is considered, and the high speed solar wind streams and their sunspot cycle variation are described, with attention to the sunspot cycle variation, the high speed solar wind streams and geomagnetic disturbances, and the causes of changes of the north-south component of the interplanetary magnetic field. Solar storms, solar flares, and magnetic bubbles are examined with attention directed to the solar cycle variation of transient polar activities and the interplanetary disturbances associated with solar storms. Some features of cosmic rays, the 11-year cycle variation and the Forbush decreases, are considered. Attention is also directed to the terrestrial atmosphere and to the outer planets and their relation to the solar cycle.

Akasofu, S.-I.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Composition of the hot plasma near geosynchronous altitude

Although there were no direct measurements of the composition of the hot (keV) plasma at geosynchronous altitudes, the combination of other observations leads to the conclusion that, at least during geomagnetically disturbed periods, there are significant fluxes of ions heavier than protons in this region. Ion composition measurements below 8000 km altitude show upward streaming fluxes of both O(+) and H(+) ions in the L-region of the geosynchronous orbit. These observations are consistent with the conclusion that at least a portion of the total ion fluxes observed at geosynchronous altitude to be highly peaked near the magnetic field lines are heavier than protons and originate in the ionosphere.

Johnson, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Effect of solar activity on the frequency of occurrence of major anomalies in the Arctic

Major air pressure and temperature anomalies in certain arctic regions were studied with a view toward predicting their occurrence. Correlations are sought between the frequency of arctic anomalies and solar activity, or specifically the Wolf number and the index of geomagnetic disturbance. Graphic techniques are used to show that solar activity has a definite influence on the frequency of occurrence of major anomalies of pressure and temperature in the Arctic.

Bolotinskaya, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Variations of the solar wind and solar cycle in the last 300 years

The past history of the solar wind and solar cycle, inferred from records of geomagnetics and aurora, is examined. Records show that the solar wind apparently varied in a systematic manner throughout the period from 1770 to 1857 and that the period around 1810 resembled the 1901 minimum geomagnetic disturbance. Results show that the solar wind and hence the Sun changes on a time scale long compared to a solar cycle and short compared to the Maunder minimum. The inclusion of a study on the solar wind and solar cycle variations for the SCADM mission is discussed.

Feynman, J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

On the prediction of magnetospheric configuration

A simple model of magnetic flux transfer is reviewed along with empirical expressions for flux transfer rates based upon the auroral AL index and the eastward component of the interplanetary electric field. It is shown that the magnitude of the time integral of the AL index over isolated intervals of geomagnetic disturbance can be predicted from the the observed flux of southward interplanetary magnetic field lines incident on the front of the magnetosphere. Difficulties in the quantitative prediction of substorm onset time and intensity are discussed and magnetospheric stress index on both solar wind and ground based observations is proposed for this purpose. Finally, caveats concerning the use of both the AL index and interplanetary medium data in predicting the response of the magnetosphere to solar wind conditions are considered.

Slavin, J. A.↗
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.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Temperature variation of the plasma sheet during substorms

The temperature and density of the plasma in the earth's distant plasma sheet at downstream distances of about 20-25 earth radii, are examined during a high geomagnetic disturbance period. It is shown that the plasma sheet cools when magnetospheric substorm expansion is indicated by the AE index. During cooling, the plasma sheet temperature, T, and the number density, N, are related by T proportional to N to the 2/3 power (adiabatic process) in some instances, while by T proportional to 1/N (isobaric process) in other cases. The total plasma and magnetic pressure decreases when T is proportional to 1/N and increases when T is proportional to 1/N. Observation also indicates that the dawn-dusk component of plasma flow is frequently large and comparable to the sunward-tailward flow component near the central plasma sheet during substorms.

Lui, A. T. Y.↗