Engineering topics

Desch, M. D.

Publications and source records attributed to Desch, M. D..

At least 109 records · Page 6

NASA NTRS1980

Io control of Jovian radio emission

The possibility of Io controlling Jovian decametric radio emission, particularly in the region below 22 MHz, is discussed. Results of a two-year survey at 26.3 at 26.3 MHz are presented which demonstrate the control of Io over a high-intensity storm component of the radio emission and the independence of a weak radio component from the phase of Io, as was observed at lower frequencies. It is thus hypothesized that Io control is a flux-dependent rather than a frequency-dependent phenomenon, and results of analyses at 18 and 10 MHz which support this hypothesis are presented. The apparent correlation between frequency and Io control is thus shown to result from a selection effect due to the increase of non-Io emission with decreasing frequency and relative antenna detection threshold. This result implies a contiguous Io-controlled source region extending out several Jovian radii along the Io flux tube.

Desch, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Voyager detection of nonthermal radio emission from Saturn

The planetary radio astronomy experiment on board the Voyager spacecraft has detected bursts of nonthermal radio noise from Saturn occurring near 200 kilohertz, with a peak flux density comparable to higher frequency Jovian emissions. The radiation is right-hand polarized and is most likely emitted in the extraordinary magnetoionic mode from Saturn's northern hemisphere. Modulation that is consistent with a planetary rotation period of 10 hours 39.9 minutes is apparent in the data.

Kaiser, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The occurrence rate, polarization character, and intensity of broadband Jovian kilometric radiation

The paper describes the major observational features of one new component of Jupiter's radio emission spectrum, the broadband kilometer wavelength radiation, or bKOM. This study, using the Voyager Planetary Radio Astronomy (PRA) experiments, reveals that the overall occurrence morphology, dynamic spectra, and polarization character of bKOM are strong functions of the latitude and/or local time geometry of the observations. The postencounter data show a decline in the mean occurrence rates and power level of bKOM and, in particular, a depletion in the occurrence rate at those same longitudes where the detection rate is a maximum before encounter. Additionally, the polarization sense undergoes a permanent reversal in sign after encounter, whereas the time-averaged wave axial ratio and degree of polarization remain relatively unchanged. Finally, no evidence of any control by Io is found. The strong dependence of the morphology on local time suggests a source whose beam is nearly fixed relative to the Jupiter-sun line

Desch, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Non-Io decametric radiation from Jupiter at frequencies above 30 MHz

Jovian Non-Io decametric radio events extending to frequencies of 30 MHz and above have been found in the Meudon-Nancay observations during 1978 and 1979, in the Voyager 1 PRA observations during February and March, 1979 and in the University of Colorado Radio Astronomy Observatory catalogue for 1960 to 1975. These events, which appear to be mostly associated with the Jovian A-source, query the existence of a cut-off, a little below 30 MHz, for the Non-Io emission and suggest the possibility of a single mechanism for both the Io and the Non-Io radiation.

Barrow, C. H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Radio Jupiter after Voyager: An overview of the Planetary Radio Astronomy observations

Jupiter's low frequency radio emission morphology as observed by the Planetary Radio Astronomy (PRA) instrument onboard the Voyager spacecraft is reviewed. The PRA measurement capabilities and limitations are summarized following over two years of experience with the instrument. As a direct consequence of the PRA spacecraft observations, unprecedented in terms of their sensitivity and frequency coverage, at least three previous unrecognized emission components were discovered: broadband and narrow band kilometric emission and the lesser arc decametric emission. Their properties are reviewed. In addition, the fundamental structure of the decameter and hectometer wavelength emission, which is believed to be almost exclusively in the form of complex but repeating arc structures in the frequency time domain, is described. Dramatic changes in the emission morphology of some components as a function of Sun-Jupiter-spacecraft angle (local time) are described. Finally, the PRA in suit measurements of the Io plasma torus hot to cold electron density and temperature ratios are summarized.

Boischot, A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Observations of electron gyroharmonic waves and the structure of the Io torus

Narrow-banded emissions were observed by the Planetary Radio Astronomy experiment on the Voyager 1 spacecraft as it traversed the Io plasma torus. These waves occur between harmonics of the electron gyrofrequency and are the Jovian analogue of electrostatic emissions observed and theoretically studied for the terrestrial magnetosphere. The observed frequencies always include the component near the upper hybrid resonant frequency, (fuhr) but the distribution of the other observed emissions varies in a systematic way with position in the torus. A refined model of the electron density variation, based on identification of the fuhr line, is included. Spectra of the observed waves are analyzed in terms of the linear instability of an electron distribution function consisting of isotropic cold electrons and hot losscone electrons. The positioning of the observed auxiliary harmonics with respect to fuhr is shown to be an indicator of the cold to hot temperature ratio. It is concluded that this ratio increases systematically by an overall factor of perhaps 4 or 5 between the inner and outer portions of the torus.

Birmingham, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Narrow-band Jovian kilometric radiation - A new radio component

The paper describes a new component of Jupiter's radio spectrum. This component emits in a very narrow bandwidth (less than 40 kHz) near 100 kHz. Its waveform is a very smooth and gradual rise and subsequent fall in intensity over typically two hours. The emission is polarized with left-hand polarization associated with the Jovian northern magnetic hemisphere and righthand with the south. The most interesting feature of the emission is its deviation from a strict System III rotation period repetition rate. The emission source of this narrow-band component clearly rotates slower by 3-5% than all other forms of Jovian radio emission. Propagation considerations coupled with this observed lack of corotation point to a source region near the magnetic equatorial plane at the outer 'edge' of the Io plasma torus.

Kaiser, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Voyager detection of nonthermal radio emission from Saturn

The detection of bursts of nonthermal radio noise from Saturn by the planetary radio astonomy experiment onboard the Voyager spacecraft is discussed. The emissions occur near 200 kHz with a peak flux density comparable to higher frequency Jovian emissions. The radiation is right-hand polarized and is most likely emitted in the extraordinary magnetoionic mode from Saturn's northern hemisphere. Modulation is apparent in the data which is consistent with a planetary rotation period of 10 hr 39.9 min.

Kaiser, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Narrow-band Jovian Kilometric Radiation: a New Radio Component

A new component of Jupiter's radio spectrum is investigated. The component emits in a very narrow bandwidth (less than or equal to 40 kHz) near 100 kHz. Its waveform is a very smooth and gradual rise and subsequent fall in intensity, usually over two hours. The emission is polarized with left hand polarization associated with the Jovian northern magnetic hemisphere and right hand with the south. The emissions deviation from a strict system 3 rotation period repetition rate is examined. The emission source of the narrow band component which rotates 3 to 5 percent slower than all other forms of Jovian radio emission is determined from propagation considerations, coupled with the observed lack of corotation, to a source region near the equatorial plane at the outer edge of the Io plasma torus. The narrow band KOM (nKOM) form is examined using observations from the PRA instrument. The spectrum and occurrence statistics are described and contrasted with the tapered or broadband KOM (bKOM) characteristics.

Kaiser, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The Occurence Rate, Polarization Character, and Intensity of Broadband Jovian Kilometric Radiation

The major observational features of one new component of Jupiter's radio emission spectrum, the broadband kilometer-wavelenth radiation or bKOM are described. The Voyager planetary radio astronomy experiments reveal that the overall occurrence morphology, total power, and polarization character of bKOM are strong functions of the latitude and/or local time geometry of the observations. The post-encounter data show a decline in the mean occurrence rates and power level of bKOM and, in particular, a depletion in the occurrence rate at those same longitudes where the detection rate is a maximum before encounter. Additionally, the polarization sense undergoes a permanent reversal in sign after encounter, whereas the time-averaged wave axial ratio and degrees of polarization remain relatively unchanged. No evidence of any control by Io is found. The strong dependence of the morphology on local time suggests a source whose beam is nearly fixed relative to the Jupiter-sun line.

Desch, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Planetary radio astronomy observations from Voyager 2 near Jupiter

The Voyager 2 Planetary Radio Astronomy experiment to Jupiter has confirmed and extended to higher zenomagnetic latitudes results from the identical experiment carried by Voyager 1. The kilometric emissions discovered by Voyager 1 often extended to 1 megahertz or higher on Voyager 2 and often consisted of negatively, or less frequently, positively drifting narrowband bursts. On the basis of tentative identification of plasma wave emissions similar to those detected by Voyager 1, the plasma torus associated with Io appeared somewhat denser to Voyager 2 than it did to Voyager 1. The paper reports on quasi-periodic sinusoidal or impulsive bursts in the broadcast band range of wavelengths (800 to 1800 kHz). A Faraday effect appears at decametric frequencies, which probably results from propagation of the radiation near its sources on Jupiter. Finally, the occurrence of decametric emission in homologous arc families is discussed.

Warwick, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Decametric radio measurement of Jupiter's rotation period

Results of determinations of Jupiter's average decametric-wave rotation period are reported. The residual longitude drift of 18, 20 and 22.2 GHz emission observed at stations in Florida and Chile was calculated from measurements of the longitudes of source A peak centers for apparitions separated by 12 years; the drift was assumed to be the longitude shift which maximizes the cross correlation of histograms of occurence probability as a function of System III (1957.0) central meridian longitude. The weighted mean rotation period observed is 9 h 55 min 29.689 sec (standard deviation 0.005 sec), which is 0.022 sec less than the System III (1965) value. It is suggested that, if measurements are continued through the next maximum of Jovicentric earth declination, a secular drift in Jupiter's magnetic field may be observable.

May, J.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Latitudinal beaming of Jupiter's low frequency radio emissions

Observations of Jupiter's radio emissions from Jovigraphic latitudes greater than 3.3 deg are reported. The measurements were obtained from the Voyager 2 spacecraft at declinations up to 6.5 deg, and when these results are compared with simultaneous observations from Voyager 1 near the ecliptic plane (at a Jovigraphic latitude of about 3 deg), they indicate that the latitudinal-beaming effects persist and may even become stronger with higher latitudes. The results were combined with earlier low-frequency measurements from periods with De as low as -3 deg in order to show the beaming effects the occurrence of the emission over a full 10 deg range of altitude. The results of observations at frequencies near 1 MHz are also discussed, which were obtained from Voyager 1 and 2 in 1978, Rae 1 in 1969, and Imp 6 in 1971-1972. The implications of the new results for models of Jupiter's radio-emission beam pattern are considered.

Alexander, J. K.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Simultaneous multifrequency observations of Jovian S bursts

The millisecond component of the Jovian decameter emission was studied at high resolution in order to examine the short-term behavior of the S-burst drift rates and to define the drift rate spectrum at high frequencies. By using dynamic spectra of 300 microsec and 3.3 kHz resolution and covering discrete frequency bands in the 26-33 MHz range, large systematic changes in the magnitude of the S-burst drift rates are observed on a time scale of seconds to minutes. The drift rate variability, its dependence on frequency, and absence of the predicted drift rate turnover in the spectrum are interpreted in terms of an ionospheric electron source. Low-resolution intensity-time tracings, abrupt changes in mean drift rates from group to group, and systematic variations in the group-to-group mean drift rates due to predictable temporal changes in the magnetic field gradient on the Io flux tube are discussed. These temporal changes are due to motion of the Io-associated magnetic flux tube in the Jovian magnetosphere.

Flagg, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Voyager 1 planetary radio astronomy observations near Jupiter

Results from the first low-frequency radio receiver to be transported into the Jupiter magnetosphere are reported. Dramatic new information was obtained, both because Voyager was near or in Jupiter's radio emission sources and because it was outside the relatively dense solar wind plasma of the inner solar system. Extensive radio spectral arcs, from above 30 to about 1 MHz, occurred in patterns correlated with planetary longitude. A newly discovered kilometric wavelength radio source may relate to the plasma torus near Io's orbit. In situ wave resonances near closest approach define an electron density profile along the Voyager trajectory and form the basis for a map of the torus. Detailed studies are in progress and are outlined briefly.

Warwick, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Voyager spacecraft radio observations of Jupiter - Initial cruise results

Low frequency (below 1326 kHz) observations of Jupiter obtained from November, 1977 through June, 1978 by the radio astronomy receivers carried by the two Voyager spacecraft are reported and compared with a large body of higher-frequency ground-based observations. Although the morphology of hectometric wavelength (HOM) emissions strongly resembles that of decametric (DAM) wavelength radio noise, they display opposite polarization. DAM emissions are strongly modulated by Io, whereas HOM emissions exhibit little or no influence from any satellite and appear to be modulated by the rotation phase of the planet. Several single-source models could possibly account for these results, including a model assuming emission at two well-separated frequencies above and below the local electron plasma frequency and the model proposed by Barbosa (1976) in which electrostatic waves at twice the upper hybrid frequency couple to both the ordinary and extraordinary electromagnetic modes. However, neither of these is entirely satisfactory.

Kaiser, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Voyager 1 Planetary Radio Astronomy Observations Near Jupiter

Results are reported from the first low frequency radio receiver to be transported into the Jupiter magnetosphere. Dramatic new information was obtained both because Voyager was near or in Jupiter's radio emission sources and also because it was outside the relatively dense solar wind plasma of the inner solar system. Extensive radio arcs, from above 30 MHz to about 1 MHz, occurred in patterns correlated with planetary longitude. A newly discovered kilometric wavelength radio source may relate to the plasma torus near Io's orbit. In situ wave resonances near closest approach define an electron density profile along the Voyager trajectory and form the basis for a map of the torus. Studies in progress are outlined briefly.

Warwick, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Voyager spacecraft radio observations of Jupiter: Initial cruise results

Jupiter's low-frequency radio emission were detected by the planetary radio astronomy instruments onboard the two Voyager spacecraft. The emission is surprisingly similar in morphology but opposite in polarization to the high-frequency Jovian radio noise that were observed with ground-based telescopes for more than two decades. Several possible explanations for the behavior of the low-frequency emission are examined, but none of them is completely satisfactory.

Kaiser, M. L.↗