Engineering topics

Armstrong, T. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Armstrong, T. P..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS2007

Virtual Energetic Particle Observatory for the Heliospheric Data Environment

The heliosphere is pervaded by interplanetary energetic particles, traditionally also called cosmic rays, from solar, internal heliospheric, and galactic sources. The particles species of interest to heliophysics extend from plasma energies to the GeV energies of galactic cosmic rays still measurably affected by heliospheric modulation and the still higher energies contributing to atmospheric ionization. The NASA and international Heliospheric Network of operational and legacy spacecraft measures interplanetary fluxes of these particles. Spatial coverage extends from the inner heliosphere and geospace to the heliosheath boundary region now being traversed by Voyager 1 and soon by Voyager 2. Science objectives include investigation of solar flare and coronal mass ejection events, acceleration and transport of interplanetary particles within the inner heliosphere, cosmic ray interactions with planetary surfaces and atmospheres, sources of suprathermal and anomalous cosmic ray ions in the outer heliosphere, and solar cycle modulation of galactic cosmic rays. The Virtual Energetic Particle Observatory (VEPO) will improve access and usability of selected spacecraft and sub-orbital NASA heliospheric energetic particle data sets as a newly approved effort within the evolving heliophysics virtual observatory environment. In this presentation, we will describe current VEPO science requirements, our initial priorities and an overview of our strategy to implement VEPO rapidly and at minimal cost by working within the high-level framework of the Virtual Heliospheric Observatory (VHO). VEPO will also leverage existing data services of NASA's Space Physics Data Facility and other existing capabilities of the U.S. and international heliospheric research communities.

Cooper, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Encounter of the Ulysses Spacecraft with the Ion Tail of Comet McNaught

Comet McNaught was the brightest comet observed from Earth in the last 40 years. For a period of five days in early 2007 February, four instruments on the Ulysses spacecraft directly measured cometary ions and key properties of the interaction of the comet's ion tail with the high-speed solar wind from the polar regions of the Sun. Because of the record-breaking duration of the encounter, the data are unusually comprehensive. O3(+) ions were detected for the first time in a comet tail, coexisting with singly charged molecular ions with masses in the range 28-35 amu. The presence of magnetic turbulence and of ions with energies up to approximately 200 keV indicate that at a distance of approximately 1.6 AU from the comet nucleus, the ion tail McNaught had not yet reached equilibrium with the surrounding solar wind.

plasmas↗

NASA NTRS1995

Magnetosphere imager science definition team interim report

For three decades, magnetospheric field and plasma measurements have been made by diverse instruments flown on spacecraft in may different orbits, widely separated in space and time, and under various solar and magnetospheric conditions. Scientists have used this information to piece together an intricate, yet incomplete view of the magnetosphere. A simultaneous global view, using various light wavelengths and energetic neutral atoms, could reveal exciting new data nd help explain complex magnetospheric processes, thus providing a clear picture of this region of space. This report documents the scientific rational for such a magnetospheric imaging mission and provides a mission concept for its implementation.

Armstrong, T. P.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Magnetosphere imager science definition team: Executive summary

For three decades, magnetospheric field and plasma measurements have been made by diverse instruments flown on spacecraft in many different orbits, widely separated in space and time, and under various solar and magnetospheric conditions. Scientists have used this information to piece together an intricate, yet incomplete view of the magnetosphere. A simultaneous global view, using various light wavelengths and energetic neutral atoms, could reveal exciting new data and help explain complex magnetospheric processes, thus providing a clear picture of this region of space. This report summarizes the scientific rationale for such a magnetospheric imaging mission and outlines a mission concept for its implementation.

Armstrong, T. P.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Electromagnetic and corpuscular emission from the solar flare of 1991 June 15: Continuous acceleration of relativistic particles

Data on X-, gamma-ray, optical and radio emission from the 1991 June 15 solar flare are considered. We have calculated the spectrum of protons that produces gamma-rays during the gradual phase of the flare. The primary proton spectrum can be described as a Bessel-function-type up to 0.8 GeV and a power law with the spectral index approximately equal to 3 from 0.8 up to 10 GeV or above. We have also analyzed data on energetic particles near the Earth. Their spectrum differed from that of primary protons producing gamma-ray line emission. In the gradual phase of the flare additional pulses of energy release occurred and the time profiles of cm-radio emission and gamma-rays in the 0.8-10 MeV energy band and above 50 MeV coincided. A continuous and simultaneous stochastic acceleration of the protons and relativistic electrons at the gradual phase of the flare is considered as a natural explanation of the data.

Kocharov, L. G.↗

NASA NTRS1994

A two-dimensional particle-in-cell model of a dusty plasma

Dusty plasmas are present in comets, in the ring systems of the outer planets, and in the interstellar medium. A two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) model of a dusty plasma is presented in this paper. The PIC code is best suited for modeling the plasma-dust interaction for large grains, with diameters of the order of a centimeter. We have modeled the charging process for an individual dust grain and the associated potential pattern in the surrounding plasma. We have also considered the case of a large number of grains in a plasma, with intergrain separations of the order of the Debye length, and have shown that the plasma becomes depleted and the charge on a dust grain is reduced, as other workers in this field have predicted (cf. C. K. Goertz, 1989). We examine the electron and ion distribution functions in the vicinity of a charged grain and demonstrate that the ions near a grain have clearly been accelerated by the electrostatic potential.

Young, B.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Electron distributions in the inner Jovian magnetosphere: Voyager 1 observations

Using several improvements in the analysis of the observations of the Low Energy Charged Particle (LECP) experiment on Voyager 1, electron phase space densities in the inner Jovian magnetosphere (5 - 10 R(sub J) were first calculated at constant first and second invariants (represented by mu and K, respectively), based on the LECP measurements. The calculated electron phase space density profiles show that in the inner Jovian magnetosphere there exist evident time and longitude variations, energetic electron injections, and present radial transport and distributed losses. To study the radial and pitch angle diffusions of Jovian electrons, we have calculated the phase space densities in the K-L space. It is found that the electron population in the inner Jovian magnetosphere seems to consist of two components: electrons radially diffusing from a main external source and electrons generated from local sources. The radially diffusing electrons have a relatively time stationary and isotropic distribution, while the locally created electrons mainly concentrate around the equatorial plane and have relatively lower energies, in comparison with the inward diffusing electrons. Consequently, the sources of precipitation losses to the ionosphere must be primarily electrons transported from outer sources, and the major precipitations occur in the inner magnetosphere (L less than 7.5 R(sub J). In the inner Jovian magnetosphere (L = 5 to approximately 10 R(sub J)) it is estimated that for electrons with magnetic moment mu = 300 MeV/G, the diffusion coefficient D is roughly 10(exp -8) to approximately 10(exp -6) R(exp 2)(sub J)/s, and the lifetime against the diffusion losses is of the order of 10(exp 4) to approximately 10(exp 6) s.

Ye, G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The hot plasma environment at Jupiter - Ulysses results

Initial results obtained from measurements made by the HI-SCALE (heliosphere instrument for spectra, composition, and anisotropy at low energies) experiment are reported. Data revealed that the Jovian magnetosphere is very extended, with the day-side magnetopause located at about 105 Jupiter radii. The relative abundances of sulfur, oxygen, and sodium to helium decreased with the decreasing radial distance from the planet on the day-side, which suggests that the abundances of Jupiter-derived species are dependent on latitude. Intense fluxes of counter-streaming ions and electrons were discovered in the dusk-side, high-latitude region from the edge of the plasma sheet to the dusk-side magnetopause. These beams of ions and electrons appeared to be very tightly aligned with the magnetic field and to be superimposed on a time- and space variable isotropic hot plasma background. The current carried by measured hot plasma particles are about 1.6 x 10 exp -4 microamps per sq m.

Lanzerotti, L. J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Low-energy solar electrons and ions observed at Ulysses February-April, 1991 - The inner heliosphere as a particle reservoir

Ulysses observations at 2.5 AU of 38-315 keV electrons and 61-4752 keV ions during February-April 1991 suggest in several ways that, during periods of sustained high solar activity, the inner heliosphere serves as a 'reservoir' for low-energy solar particles. Particle increases were not associated one-to-one with large X-ray flares because of their poor magnetic connection, yet intensities in March-April remained well above their February levels. The rise phase of the particle event associated with the great flare of 2245UT March 22 lasted most of two days, while throughout the one-week decay phase, the lowest-energy ion fluxes were nearly equal at Ulysses and earth (IMP-8).

Roelof, E. C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The effect of the shock of 15:43 UT March 23, 1991 on 50 keV to 5 MeV ions at Ulysses

The intensities, angular distributions, and energy spectra of 50 keV to 5 MeV ions are examined in the several hour time interval when an interplanetary shock passed the Ulysses spacecraft. The increase in intensity, evolution of pitch angle distribution from upstream flow away from the shock to a post-shock 'pancake' distribution, the earlier arrival of more energetic particles, and the presence of non-gyrotropic effects at the time of shock passage all can be understood in terms of kinematical behavior of the particles crossing the shock.

Armstrong, T. P.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Heliosphere Instrument for Spectra, Composition and Anisotropy at Low Energies

The Heliosphere Instrument for Spectra, Composition, and Anisotropy at Low Energies (HI-SCALE) is designed to make measurements of interplanetary ions and electrons throughout the entire Ulysses mission. The ions (E(i) greater than about 50 keV) and electrons (E(e) greater than about 30 keV) are identified uniquely and detected by five separate solid-state detector telescopes that are oriented to give nearly complete pitch-angle coverage from the spinning spacecraft. Ion elemental abundances are determined by Delta E vs E telescope using a thin (5 microns) front solid state detector element in a three-element telescope. Experimental operation is controlled by a microprocessor-based data system. Inflight calibration is provided by radioactive sources mounted on telescope covers which can be closed for calibration purposes and for radiation protection during the course of the mission. Ion and electron spectral information is determined using both broad-energy-range rate channels and a 32 channel pulse-height analyzer for more detailed spectra. Some initial in-ecliptic measurements are presented which demonstrate the features of the instrument.

Lanzerotti, L. J.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The magnetosphere of Neptune - Hot plasmas and energetic particles

An overview is presented of the hot plasmas and energetic (not less than 20 keV) particles observed in the vicinity of Neptune by the Low Energy Charged Particle (LECP) experiment aboard the Voyager 2 spacecraft. The LECP findings are presented on the shock, the magnetosheath, the magnetopause, and the cusp of the Neptune's magnetosphere; the middle magnetosphere; the inner magnetosphere and material interactions; the magnetotail and the substorms; and the characteristics of Triton's plasma. It is shown that, in sharp contrast to the Uranian magnetotail, the Neptunian magnetotail shows no evidence of substorm processes.

Mauk, B. H.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Energetic particles at Venus - Galileo results

At Venus the Energetic Particles Detector (EPD) on the Galileo spacecraft measured the differential energy spectra and angular distributions of ions above about 22 keV and electrons above about 15 keV in energy. The only time particles were observed by EPD was in a series of episodic events near closest approach (0559:03 UT). Angular distributions were highly anisotropic, ordered by the magnetic field, and showed ions arriving from the hemisphere containing Venus and its bow shock. The spectra showed a power law form with intensities observed into the 120- to 280-keV range. Comparisons with model bow shock calculations show that these energetic ions are associated with the Venusian foreshock-bow shock region. Shock-drift acceleration in the Venusian bow shock seems the most likely process responsible for the observed ions.

Williams, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Ion phase space densities in the Jovian magnetosphere

The Voyager Low Energy Charged Particle ion data from the Jovian magnetosphere were analyzed to determine the phase-space densities of particles in the region between 5 and 80 Jupiter radii. Data from the Jovian current sheet crossings for locally mirroring particles were used. These are the first calculations of phase-space densities in the nondipolar field region containing the Jovian magnetodisk current sheet. The profiles are consistent with lossy inward radial transport and a source in the outer magnetosphere. The inferred loss rate in a radial diffusion model measuring how quickly particles are scattered out of the neutral sheet exceeds the usual strong diffusion loss rate.

Paranicas, C. P.↗

NASA NTRS1990

New interplanetary proton fluence model

A new predictive engineering model for the interplanetary fluence of protons with above 10 MeV and above 30 MeV is described. The data set used is a combination of observations made from the earth's surface and from above the atmosphere between 1956 and 1963 and observations made from spacecraft in the vicinity of earth between 1963 and 1985. The data cover a time period three times as long as the period used in earlier models. With the use of this data set the distinction between 'ordinary proton events' and 'anomalously large events' made in earlier work disappears. This permitted the use of statistical analysis methods developed for 'ordinary events' on the entire data set. The greater than 10 MeV fluences at 1 AU calculated with the new model are about twice those expected on the basis of models now in use. At energies above 30 MeV, the old and new models agree. In contrast to earlier models, the results do not depend critically on the fluence from any one event and are independent of sunspot number. Mission probability curves derived from the fluence distribution are presented.

Feynman, Joan↗

NASA NTRS1990

Solar proton events during solar cycles 19, 20, and 21

Earlier studies based on a single solar cycle had resulted in a sharp division of events into 'ordinary' and 'anomalously large' events. Two such entirely separate distributions imply two entirely separate acceleration mechanisms, one common and the other very rare. The sharp division is neither required nor justified by this larger sample. Instead the event intensity forms a smooth distribution for intensities up to the largest observed implying that any second acceleration mechanism cannot be rare. Also, a clear bimodal variation of annual integrated flux with solar cycle phase but no statistically significant tendency for the large events to avoid sunspot maximum is found. There is almost no relation between the maximum sunspot number in a solar cycle and the solar cycle integrated flux. It is also found that for annual sunspot numbers greater than 35 there is no relation whatsoever between the annual sunspot numbers and annual integrated flux.

Feynman, J.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Hot plasma and energetic particles in Neptune's magnetosphere

Voyager 2's low energy charged particle instrument employed an array of solid-state detectors in various configurations to measure energetic electrons and ions within the Neptune magnetosphere in several energy channels. Various features of the intensity, spectral, and anisotropic data obtained suggest that the Triton satellite exerts an important controlling influence over the outer regions of the Neptunian magnetosphere. Composition measurements have indicated the presence of H, H2, and He-4 at 1300:1:0.1 relative abundances, respectively, suggesting a Neptunian ionospheric source for the trapped particle population.

Krimigis, S. M.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A new proton fluence model for E greater than 10 MeV

Researchers describe a new engineering model for the fluence of protons with energies greater than 10 MeV. The data set used is a combination of observations made primarily from the Earth's surface between 1956 and 1963 and observations made from spacecraft in the vicinity of Earth between 1963 and 1985. With this data set we find that the distinction between ordinary proton events and anomalously large proton events made in earlier work disappears. The greater than 10 MeV fluences at 1 AU calculated with the new model are about twice those expected on the basis of models now in use. In contrast to earlier models, results do not depend critically on the fluence from any one event.

Feynman, Joan↗