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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

Magnetic field compression at the dayside magnetopause

The degree of compression sustained by the solar wind field as it convects to the magnetopause has been determined empirically with magnetometer data from ISEE 3 in the solar wind and ISEE 1 in the magnetosheath. At the stagnation point, the strength B(SH) of the magnetosheath field may be expressed as B(SH) = square root of 4 X B(SW)' X B(ST), which implies that B(SH) is equal to the geometric mean of the stagnation field strength B(ST) and the shocked solar wind field, approximated by 4 X B(SW)'. For the usual spiral wind pattern of the solar wind field, B(SH) on the duskside of the magnetopause is about 20 percent stronger than it is on the downside. No dependence of B(SH) on the sign of the north-south component of the solar wind field is apparent.

Crooker, N. U.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Radial and Solar Cycle Variations of the Magnetic Fields in the Heliosheath: Voyager 1 Observations from 2005 to 2008

We discuss the magnetic field strength B(t) and polarity observed by Voyager 1 (V1) in the heliosheath at the heliographic latitude approximately equal 34 deg as it moved away from the sun from 2005 through 2008.82. The pattern of the polarity of the magnetic field changed from alternating positive and negative polarities to predominantly negative polarities (magnetic fields pointing along the Archimedean spiral field angle toward the sun) at approximately equal 2006.23). This transition indicates that the latitudinal extent of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) was decreasing in the supersonic solar wind, as expected for the declining phase of the solar cycle, and as predicted by extrapolation of the magnetic neutral line near the photosphere to the position of V1. However, the polarity was not uniformly negative in during 2008, in contrast to the predicted polarity. This difference suggests that the maximum latitudinal extent of the HCS was tending to increase in the northern hemisphere in the heliosheath, while it was decreasing in the supersonic solar wind. The large-scale magnetic field strength B(t) HCS was observed by V1 from 2005 through 2008.820. During this interval of decreasing solar activity toward solar minimum, B(t) at 1 AU was decreasing and the solar wind speed V at the latitude of V1 was increasing. Adjusting the temporal profile of B(t) observed by V1 for the solar cycle variations of B and V in the supersonic solar wind, we find that the radial gradient of B(R) in heliosheath from the radial distance R = 94.2 AU to 107.9 AU between 2005.0 and 2008.82 was 0.0017 nT/AU <= grad B <= 0.0055 nT/AU or grad B = (0.0036 +/- 0.0019) nT/AU

Burlaga, Leonard↗
NASA NTRS1981

Large-scale variations of the interplanetary magnetic field: Voyager 1 and 2 observations between 1-5 AU

Observations by the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft of the interplanetary magnetic field between 1 and 5 AU were used to investigate the large scale structure of the IMF in a period of increasing solar activity. The Voyager spacecraft found notable deviations from the Parker axial model. These deviations are attributed both to temporal variations associated with increasing solar activity, and to the effects of fluctuations of the field in the radial direction. The amplitude of the latter fluctuations were found to be large relative to the magnitude of the radial field component itself beyond approximately 3 AU. Both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 observed decreases with increasing heliocentric distance in the amplitude of transverse fluctuations in the averaged field strength (B) which are consistent with the presence of predominantly undamped Alfven waves in the solar wind, although and necessarily implying the presence of them. Fluctuations in the strength of B (relative to mean field strength) were found to be small in amplitude, with a RMS which is approximately one third of that for the transverse fluctuations and they are essentially independent of distance from the Sun.

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Observations of the Magnetic Field and Plasma in the Heliosheath by Voyager 2 from 2007.7 to 2009.4

The density and temperature profiles of the plasma measured by Voyager 2 (V2) behind the termination shock changed abruptly near 2008.6 from relatively large average values and large fluctuations during 2007.7 to 2008.6 (interval A) to relatively low average values and very small-amplitude fluctuations during 2008.6 to 2009.4 (interval B). This paper shows that the change in the magnetic field strength B(t) was less abrupt than the plasma changes, and the fluctuations of the magnetic field strength in interval B were of moderate amplitude, with indications of a quasiperiodic structure in part of the interval. The magnetic field was directed away from the sun (positive polarity) approx. 78% +/- 5% of the time in both interval A and interval B, changing in an irregular way from positive to negative polarities throughout the interval. The polarity distribution indicates that the minimum latitudinal extent of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) was near V2 throughout the interval, consistent with the extrapolated minimum latitudes of the HCS computed from solar magnetic field observations. Thus, V2 was observing magnetic fields from the southern polar coronal hole most of the time. The distribution of B was lognormal in interval A and Gaussian interval B.

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1986

New measurements of photospheric magnetic fields in late-type stars and emerging trends

The magnetic fields of late-type stars are measured using the method of Saar et al. (1986). The method includes radiative transfer effects and compensation for line blending; the photospheric magnetic field parameters are derived by comparing observed and theoretical line profiles using an LTE code that includes line saturation and full Zeeman pattern. The preliminary mean active region magnetic field strengths (B) and surface area coverages for 20 stars are discussed. It is observed that there is a trend of increasing B towards the cooler dwarfs stars, and the linear correlation between B and the equipartition value of the magnetic field strength suggests that the photospheric gas pressure determines the photospheric magnetic field strengths. A tendency toward larger filling factors at larger stellar angular velocities is also detected.

Saar, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Large-scale interplanetary magnetic fields: Voyager 1 and 2 observations between 1 AU and 9.5 AU

The large-scale radial and temporal variations of the interplanetary magnetic field strength B observed by Voyagers 1 and 2 are discussed. Two components of the magnetic field strength were considered: (1) an average component, B sub zero, based on solar rotation averages, and (2) a fluctuation component, delta B, expressed by 10- or 24-hour averages of B normalized by the best-fit average field for the corresponding time and distance. Observations of the sector structure, interfaces, and shocks are presented to further describe magnetic field strength.

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Large-scale interplanetary magnetic fields - Voyager 1 and 2 observations between 1 AU and 9.5 AU

The large-scale radial and temporal variations of the interplanetary magnetic field strength B observed by Voyagers 1 and 2 are discussed. Two components of the magnetic field strength were considered: (1) an average component, B sub zero, based on solar rotation averages, and (2) a fluctuation component, delta B, expressed by 10- or 24-hour averages of B normalized by the best-fit average field for the corresponding time and distance. Observations of the sector structure, interfaces, and shocks are presented to further describe magnetic field strength.

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1986

On the interpretation of the beta(sub p) relation in interstellar clouds

Troland and Heiles (1986) have recently presented an updated compilation of observational data concerning the relationship between the interstellar magnetic field strength B and the gas density rho (or, equivalently, the particle density n). One of the main findings of their survey was that B remains constant over the density range 0.1 - approx. 100 cu. cm and shows evidence for increase only a higher densities. They compared this result with theoretical predictions based on the Parker-instability scenario for the formation and evolution of interstellar clouds in the presence of the galactic magnetic field. In this picture, low-density gas is driven by the magnetic Rayleigh-Taylor instability into magnetic valleys, where it accumulates into denser concentrations. The gas initially flows along the magnetic field lines and there is little increase of the field strength with density; B only starts to rise when n becomes large enough for self-gravity to begin competing with the magnetic stresses. For a cloud mass of approx. 1,000 sub M and the measured background field strength, the critical density for contraction in approx. 75 cu. cm. Troland and Heiles therefore concluded that this scenario is basically consistent with the observations. This conclusion is debated.

Koenigl, A.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Voyager Observations of Magnetic Fields and Cosmic Rays in the Heliosheath

The major features of the profile of >70 MeV/nuc cosmic ray intensity (CRI) observed by Voyager 1 (V1) in the heliosheath from 2005.8 - 2010.24 are described by the empirical "CR-B" relation as the cumulative effect of variations of the magnetic field strength B. The CRI profile observed by Voyager 2 (V2) from 2008.60 to 2010.28 in the heliosheath is also described by the CR-B relation. On a smaller scale, of the order of a hundred days, a sequence of 3 CRI decreases observed by V1 during 2006 was interpreted as the effect of a propagating interplanetary shock first interacting with the termination shock, then moving past V1, and finally reflecting from the heliopause and propagating back to V1. Our observations show that the second CRI decrease in this sequence began during the passage of a "Global Merged Interaction Region" (GMIR), approx. 40 days after the arrival of the GMIR and its possible shock. The first and third CRI decreases in the sequence were associated with local enhancements of B. The magnetic field observations associated with the second sequence of 3 cosmic ray intensity decreases observed by V1 in 2007/2008 are more difficult to reconcile with the scenario of Webber et al. and the CR-B relation. The discrepancy might indicate the importance of latitudinal effects.

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Voyager Observations of Magnetic Fields and Cosmic Rays in the Heliosheath

The major features of the profile of greater than 70 MeV/nuc cosmic ray intensity (CRI) observed by Voyager 1 (VI) in the heliosheath from 2005.8-2010.24 are described by the empirical "CR-B" relation as the cumulative effect of variations of the magnetic field strength B. The CRI profile observed by Voyager 2 (V2) from 2008.60 to 2010.28 in the heliosheath is also described by the CR-B relation. On a smaller scale, of the order of a hundred days, a sequence on CRI decreases observed by V 1 during 2006 was interpreted as the effect of a propagating interplanetary shock first interacting with the termination shock, then moving past V1, and finally reflecting from the heliopause and propagating back to V1. Our observations show that the second CRI decrease in this sequence began during the passage of a "Global Merged Interaction Region" (GMIR), ~40 days after the arrival of the GMIR and its possible shock. The first and third CRI decreases in the sequence were associated with local enhancements of B. The magnetic field observations associated with the second sequence of 3 cosmic ray intensity decreases observed by V 1 in 2007/2008 are more difficult to reconcile with the scenario of Webber et al. (2009) and the CR-B relation. The discrepancy might indicate the importance of latitudinal effects

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS2024

A Floor in the Sun's Photospheric Magnetic Field: Implications for an Independent Small-scale Dynamo

Clette recently showed that F 10.7 systematically approaches a quiet Sun daily value of 67 solar flux units (sfu) at solar minima as the number of spotless days on the Sun increases. Previously, a floor of ∼2.8 nT had been proposed for the solar wind (SW) magnetic field strength (B). F 10.7 , which closely tracks the Sun's unsigned photospheric magnetic flux, and SW B exhibit different relationships to their floors at 11 yr solar minima during the last ∼50 yr. While F 10.7 approaches 67 sfu at each minimum, the corresponding SW B is offset above ∼2.8 nT by an amount approximately proportional to the solar polar field strength—which varied by a factor of ∼2.5 during this interval. This difference is substantiated by ∼130 yr of reconstructed F 10.7 (via the range of the diurnal variation of the East-component (rY) of the geomagnetic field) and SW B (based on the interdiurnal variability geomagnetic activity index). For the last ∼60 yr, the contribution of the slow SW to SW B has exhibited a floor-like behavior at ∼2 nT, in contrast to the contributions of coronal mass ejections and high-speed streams that vary with the solar cycle. These observations, as well as recent SW studies based on Parker Solar Probe and Solar Dynamics Observatory data, suggest that (1) the Sun has a small-scale turbulent dynamo that is independent of the 11 yr sunspot cycle; and (2) the small-scale magnetic fields generated by this nonvarying turbulent dynamo maintain a constant open flux carried to the heliosphere by the Sun's floor-like slow SW.

Solar magnetic fields↗
NASA NTRS2012

Behavior of Solar Cycles 23 and 24 Revealed by Microwave Observations

Using magnetic and microwave butterfly diagrams, we compare the behavior of solar polar regions to show that (1) the polar magnetic field and the microwave brightness temperature during solar minimum substantially diminished during the cycle 23/24 minimum compared to the 22/23 minimum. (2) The polar microwave brightness temperature (Tb) seems to be a good proxy for the underlying magnetic field strength (B). The analysis indicates a relationship, B = 0.0067Tb - 70, where B is in G and Tb in K. (3) Both the brightness temperature and the magnetic field strength show north-south asymmetry most of the time except for a short period during the maximum phase. (4) The rush-to-the-pole phenomenon observed in the prominence eruption (PE) activity seems to be complete in the northern hemisphere as of 2012 March. (5) The decline of the microwave brightness temperature in the north polar region to the quiet-Sun levels and the sustained PE activity poleward of 60degN suggest that solar maximum conditions have arrived at the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere continues to exhibit conditions corresponding to the rise phase of solar cycle 24. Key words: Sun: chromosphere Sun: coronal mass ejections (CMEs) Sun: filaments, prominences Sun: photosphere Sun: radio radiation Sun: surface magnetism

Gopalswamy, N.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Status of power generation experiments in the NASA Lewis closed-cycle MHD facility.

In this paper the design and operation of the closed-cycle MHD facility is discussed and results obtained in recent experiments are presented. The main components of the facility are a compressor, recuperative heat exchanger (preheater), heater, nozzle, MHD channel with 28 pairs of thoriated tungsten electrodes, cesium condenser, and an argon cooler. The heater can supply 1.1 MW of thermal power to a 2.27 kg/sec gas stream. The facility has been operated at temperatures up to 2100 K with a cesium-seeded argon working fluid. At low magnetic field strengths (B = 0.2 T), the open circuit voltage, Hall voltage and short circuit current obtained are 90, 69, and 47 percent of the theoretical equilibrium values, respectively. The Hall voltage and short circuit current decrease sharply with increasing magnetic field strength, however. Comparison of these data with a wall and boundary layer leakage theory indicates that the generator has shorting paths in the Hall direction.

Sovie, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS2007

The Width of a Solar Coronal Mass Ejection and the Source of the Driving Magnetic Explosion: A Test of the Standard Scenario for CME Production

We show that the strength (B(sub F1are)) of the magnetic field in the area covered by the flare arcade following a CME-producing ejective solar eruption can be estimated from the final angular width (Final Theta(sub CME)) of the CME in the outer corona and the final angular width (Theta(sub Flare)) of the flare arcade: B(sub Flare) approx. equals 1.4[(Final Theta(sub CME)/Theta(sub Flare)] (exp 2)G. We assume (1) the flux-rope plasmoid ejected from the flare site becomes the interior of the CME plasmoid; (2) in the outer corona (R > 2 (solar radius)) the CME is roughly a "spherical plasmoid with legs" shaped like a lightbulb; and (3) beyond some height in or below the outer corona the CME plasmoid is in lateral pressure balance with the surrounding magnetic field. The strength of the nearly radial magnetic field in the outer corona is estimated from the radial component of the interplanetary magnetic field measured by Ulysses. We apply this model to three well-observed CMEs that exploded from flare regions of extremely different size and magnetic setting. One of these CMEs was an over-and-out CME, that is, in the outer corona the CME was laterally far offset from the flare-marked source of the driving magnetic explosion. In each event, the estimated source-region field strength is appropriate for the magnetic setting of the flare. This agreement (1) indicates that CMEs are propelled by the magnetic field of the CME plasmoid pushing against the surrounding magnetic field; (2) supports the magnetic-arch-blowout scenario for over-and-out CMEs; and (3) shows that a CME's final angular width in the outer corona can be estimated from the amount of magnetic flux covered by the source-region flare arcade.

Moore, Ronald L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Magnetic field evolution in white dwarfs: The hall effect and complexity of the field

We calculate the evolution of the magnetic fields in white dwarfs, taking into account the Hall effect. Because this effect depends nonlinearly upon the magnetic field strength B, the time dependences of the various multipole field components are coupled. The evolution of the field is thus significantly more complicated than has been indicated by previous investigations. Our calculations employ recent white dwarf evolutionary sequences computed for stars with masses 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 solar mass. We show that in the presence of a strong (up to approximately 10(exp 9) G) internal toroidal magnetic field; the evolution of even the lowest order poloidal modes can be substantially changed by the Hall effect. As an example, we compute the evolution of an initially weak quadrupole component, which we take arbitrarily to be approximately 0.1%-1% of the strength of a dominant dipole field. We find that coupling provided by the Hall effect can produce growth of the ratio of the quadrupole to the dipole component of the surface value of the magnetic field strength by more than a factor of 10 over the 10(exp 9) to 10(exp 10) year cooling lifetime of the white dwarf. Some consequences of these results for the process of magnetic-field evolution in white dwarfs are briefly discussed.

Muslimov, A. G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Numerical calculations of the collapse of nonrotating, magnetic gas clouds

Results of the first self-consistent numerical calculations of the dynamic collapse of a magnetized protostellar gas cloud are presented. Symmetry about an axis parallel to the initial magnetic field direction has been assumed, so that the calculations could be performed on a two-dimensional grid. Also, the cloud was taken to be nonrotating and isothermal, and the magnetic field was assumed to remain frozen in to the gas. As starting models for the calculations, gas spheres with uniform density and magnetic field were used. The time evolution of the clouds has been calculated for roughly two initial free-fall times, at which point the central density has increased by a factor of approximately 10,000 to 1,000,000. Several such calculations have been performed for different values of the cloud's initial thermal, magnetic, and gravitational energies. In virtually all cases it is found that, once a flattened core forms in the cloud, the central magnetic field strength, B, varies with gas density, rho, according to (d log B/d log rho) = 1/2. This behavior is independent of the initial energy ratios mentioned above. It is also found that the magnetic field is able to prevent completely the collapse of part of the outer envelope of the cloud.

Scott, E. H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Equilibria in Strongly Magnetized Pair Plasmas

Positron-electron pair densities for a thermal plasma in the steady-state equilibrium where pair production balances pair annihilation are found as a function of temperature kT / mc(2) approx. 1, source size R and magnetic field strength B. When the plasma is strongly magnetized, B 10(12) G, the important processes are synchrotron radiation, one-photon (magnetic) pair production and two-photon pair annihilation. An analytic solution for the equilibrium pair density, found under certain simplifying assumptions, shows that optically thin equilibria exist only for sufficiently small source sizes.

Harding, A. K.↗