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Eastman, T. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Eastman, T. E..

35 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Generation of broadband electrostatic noise by ion beam instabilities in the magnetotail

Particle data from ISEE 1 sampled in the earth's magnetotail show the presence of energetic ion beams in the boundary layer of the plasma sheet. A theory of instabilities driven by the beams is developed and compared with wave data sampled simultaneously to the particle data. It is concluded that the ion beams generate broadband electrostatic bursts of noise. The electrostatic noise correlates well with the occurrence of the beams, and the spectrum is consistent with that predicted from a negative energy beam instability under magnetotail conditions. The theory predicts that a spectrum of growing waves can be driven for frequencies from 0.001 omega(pe) up to omega(pe), the electron plasma frequency, with a spectral peak typically near 0.01 omega(pe) or lower, in agreement with the wave data. Furthermore, as one moves away from the source region perpendicular to the magnetic field, the high frequency components of the observed wave spectra are predicted to disappear gradually, leaving the low frequency part of the spectrum, also as is observed. Evidence is given for significant pitch angle scattering of the beams by the broadband electrostatic noise, leading to more isotropic ion distributions.

Grabbe, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Streaming reversal of energetic particles in the magnetotail during a substorm

A case of reversal in the streaming anisotropy of energetic ions and in the plasma flow observed from the IMP 8 spacecraft during a substorm on February 8, 1978 is studied in detail using measurements of energetic particles, plasma, and magnetic field. Four new features emerge when high time resolution data are examined in detail. The times of streaming reversal of energetic particles in different energy ranges do not coincide with the time of plasma flow reversal. Qualitatively different velocity distributions are observed in earthward and tailward plasma flows during the observed flow reversal intervals. Strong tailward streaming of energetic particles can be detected during northward magnetic field environments and, conversely, earthward streaming in southward field environments. During the period of tailward streaming of energetic particles, earthward streaming fluxes are occasionally detected.

Lui, A. T. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The plasma sheet boundary layer

A spatially distinct, temporally variable, transition region between the magnetotail lobes and the central plasma sheet designated the plasma sheet boundary layer has been identified from a survey of particle spectra and three-dimensional distributions as sampled by the ISEE 1 LEPEDEA. The instrumentation and data presentation are described, and the signatures of the magnetotail plasma regimes are presented and discussed for the central plasma sheet and lobe and the plasma sheet boundary layer. Comparisons of plasma parameters and distribution fucntions are made and the evolution of ion velocity distributions within the plasma sheet boundary layer is discussed. The spatial distribution of the plasma sheet boundary layer is considered and ion composition measurements are presented.

Eastman, T. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Currents in the earth's magnetotail

Currents in the earth's magnetotail are detected with the plasma instrumentation on board the ISEE-1 spacecraft. Field-aligned currents directed into and out of the ionosphere are found in the boundary layer of the plasma sheet. Typical current densities are in the range of 5 x 10-9 to 5 x 10-8 A/m2. These currents are associated with the Region 1 current system that is observed previously at low altitudes. An intense current sheet is shown to exist at a discontinuity in convection electric fields during a period of great magnetic activity. Electron acceleration, similar to that for electron inverted-V precipitation regions at low altitudes, occurs in this current sheet. Examination of the plasma velocity distributions at a neutral-sheet crossing reveals that the neutral sheet current is carried by electrons and protons. The relative directions for the bulk flows of the proton and electron plasmas indicate that the first adiabatic invariant is not conserved for the protons, and quite possibly for the electrons also. These letter findings are in substantial agreement with a neutral sheet model for acceleration of charged particles in the presence of a weak electric field.

Frank, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Boundary layers of the earth's outer magnetosphere

The magnetospheric boundary layer and the plasma-sheet boundary layer are the primary boundary layers of the earth's outer magnetosphere. Recent satellite observations indicate that they provide for more than 50 percent of the plasma and energy transport in the outer magnetosphere although they constitute less than 5 percent by volume. Relative to the energy density in the source regions, plasma in the magnetospheric boundary layer is predominantly deenergized whereas plasma in the plasma-sheet boundary layer has been accelerated. The reconnection hypothesis continues to provide a useful framework for comparing data sampled in the highly dynamic magnetospheric environment. Observations of 'flux transfer events' and other detailed features near the boundaries have been recently interpreted in terms of nonsteady-state reconnection. Alternative hypotheses are also being investigated. More work needs to be done, both in theory and observation, to determine whether reconnection actually occurs in the magnetosphere and, if so, whether it is important for overall magnetospheric dynamics.

Eastman, T. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Observations of ion streaming during substorms

The ion beam phenomenon at the plasma sheet boundary is examined for individually identifiable substorms, and the substorm-associated particle phenomena are evaluated in terms of the energy-angle distributions of the plasma population and three-dimensional energetic ion distributions. In all seven cases studied it is found that ion beams streaming earthward and/or tailward are always present at the edge of the plasma sheet adjacent to the tail lobe. Ion beams penetrating into the plasma sheet region with no detectable density gradient are also observed. Beams at tens to hundreds of eV often stream tailward and are often long lasting, suggesting that they may be related to ionospheric sources. Both tailward and earthward streaming beams are detected for ion beams above 1 keV, consistent with an origin from the distant tail, propagation toward earth, and mirroring back under single particle motions.

Lui, A. T. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Periodic substorm activity in the geomagnetic tail

On 19 May 1978 an anusual series of events is observed with the Quadrispherical LEPEDEA on board the ISEE-1 satellite in the Earth's geomagnetic tail. For 13 hours periodic bursts of both ions and electrons are seen in all the particle detectors on the spacecraft. On this day periodic activity is also seen on the ground, where multiple intensifications of the electrojets are observed. At the same time the latitudinal component of the interplanetary magnetic field shows a number of strong southward deflections. It is concluded that an extended period of substorm activity is occurring, which causes repeated thinnings and recoveries of the plasma sheet. These are detected by ISEE, which is situated in the plasma sheet boundary layer, as periodic dropouts and reappearances of the plasma. Comparisons of the observations at ISEE with those at IMP-8, which for a time is engulfed by the plasma sheet, indicate that the activity is relatively localized in spatial extent. For this series of events it is clear that a global approach to magnetospheric dynamics, e.g., reconnection, is inappropriate.

Huang, C. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1982

On the relationship of the plasmapause to the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval and to the inner edge of the plasma sheet

ISEE 1 observations of the plasmapause are compared with simultaneous observations of the electron plasma sheet and also the auroral oval observed in DMSP photographs. Only a limited amount of appropriate data was available for the comparisons: the plasmapause/plasma sheet inner edge comparisons were restricted to the early and late morning sectors, while there were two satisfactory comparisons of the plasmapause and the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval in the evening sector. However, these examples indicate that the plasmapause location often coincides to within a change in L of about 0.1-0.2 with both the plasma sheet inner boundary and the field line threading the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval. This co-location of the plasmapause and the plasma sheet inner edge may be due to shielding of the magnetospheric convection electric field by an Alfven layer located at the inner edge of the plasma sheet as discussed by Jaggi and Wolf (1973) and others.

Horwitz, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Plasma waves near the magnetopause

Plasma waves associated with the magnetosphere from the magnetosheath to the outer magnetosphere are investigated to obtain a clear definition of the boundaries and regions, to characterize the waves observed in these regions, to determine which wave modes are present, and to determine their origin. Emphasis is on high time resolution data and a comparison between measurements by different antenna systems. It is shown that the magnetosheath flux transfer events, the magnetopause current layer, the outer magnetosphere, and the boundary layer can be identified by their magnetic field and plasma wave characteristics, as well as by their plasma and energetic particle signatures. The plasma wave characteristics in the current layer and in the boundary layer are very similar to the features in the flux transfer events, and upon entry into their outer magnetosphere, the plasma wave spectra are dominated by intense electromagnetic chorus bursts and electrostatic emissions.

Anderson, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Characteristics of the ULF waves associated with upstream ion beams

A new class of upstream wave is reported with relatively high frequencies of about 1 Hz and small amplitudes compared to the more common larger amplitude, low-frequency (0.03 Hz) upstream wave. The waves were first noted in association with beams of ions reflected back upstream at the bowshock, and although beam presence appears to be a necessary condition for the observation of the waves, it is not a sufficient condition for the existence of the waves. Magnetometer measurements are used to determine intrinsic properties of the waves, and simultaneous two point measurements are used to calculate and eliminate Doppler shifting effects. Results indicate that the waves are right-hand elliptically polarized whistler mode waves with plasma rest frame frequencies of about 20-100 times the proton gyrofrequency and wavelengths of about 100 km.

Hoppe, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Upstream particles observed in the earth's foreshock region

The characteristics and interrelationships of upstream suprathermal particles and plasma waves observed in the earth's foreshock region are examined on the basis of data from eight instruments, including the University of Iowa Lepedeas, and plasma wave instruments, the Berkeley high time resolution particle detectors, and the UCLA magnetometer on ISEE 1 and 2. It is found that suprathermal ions in the foreshock region travel along the magnetic field away from the bow shock. It is also found that ions observed in the foreshock region display gyrophase organization produced by ion clusters with a spatial scale of less than 1 Rg, and that dispersed ion distributions are produced primarily by direct sources at or near the bow shock.

Eastman, T. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Energetic magnetosheath ions and the interplanetary magnetic field orientation

Times when energetic ions are absent and present in ISEE 1 magnetosheath plasma spectrograms are correlated with ISEE 3 IMF orientation measurements. The study indicates that when the plasma at the spacecraft is traced along a streamline to the bow shock surface, the angle between the surface normal at that point and the IMF is greater than 60 deg when the energetic ions are absent and less than 60 deg when they are present. The pattern is consistent with the ions coming from the same regions of the bow shock where intermediate and diffuse ions are found on the upstream side. The 60 deg criterion is used to draw schematic patterns of the location of energetic ions in the magnetosheath as a function of IMF orientation. Some orientations result in layers adjacent to the magnetopause and other orientations give layers adjacent to the bow shock.

Crooker, N. U.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Upstream hydromagnetic waves and their association with backstreaming ion populations - ISEE 1 and 2 observations

Measurements from the Lepedea plasma instruments and the flux gate magnetometers on ISEE 1 and 2 are used to examine the nature of the hydromagnetic waves associated with the various classes of ions backstreaming from the earth's bow shock. The reflected ions, which are confined to a narrow energy and angular range, are accompanied by small amplitude (less than approximately 1/2 gamma peak to peak) left-handed waves at frequencies close to 1 Hz in the spacecraft frame. Diffuse backstreaming particles with a broad energy spectrum are associated with low frequency (approximately 30-s period), large amplitude (approximately 5 gamma peak to peak) waves. Intermediate particles are associated with a mixture of these two wave types. Often the waves associated with the diffuse beams steepen as if they were minishocks. The leading edge (trailing edge in the spacecraft frame) frequently appears to break up into a whistler mode wave packet. These discrete wave packets are right-hand polarized and have frequencies from below the proton gyrofrequency to well above it in the plasma frame and are blown back towards the earth by the solar wind.

Hoppe, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Plasma waves associated with energetic particles streaming into the solar wind from the earth's bow shock

Plasma wave and plasma data from ISEE 1 and 2 are examined. In the upstream solar wind, three dominant types of plasma waves are observed which are associated with energetic particle streams coming from the bow shock: ion acoustic waves, electron plasma oscillations, and whistler mode waves. The ion acoustic waves occur simultaneously with either ion beams or a dispersed ion population in the energy range from 0.5 to greater than 45 keV. The electron plasma oscillations are long-wavelength, nearly monochromatic electrostatic waves which are closely correlated with the flux of low-energy electrons, especially in the 0.2-1.5 keV range. Electromagnetic waves with frequencies below 200 Hz are observed when either ion beams or dispersed ion distributions are present; for these waves the refractive index determined from the wave B to E ratio is consistent with whistler mode radiation.

Anderson, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Observations of plasma depletion in the magnetosheath at the dayside magnetopause

In a set of 17 low- to mid-latitude crossings of the dayside and near-dayside magnetopause, Imp 6 plasma measurements show 11 cases of decreases in magnetosheath density just outside the boundary which are consistent with plasma depletion owing to magnetic flux tube compression as the field becomes draped against the magnetopause. Pressure anisotropies in the sense pressure perpendicular to the field direction greater than pressure parallel to it are a predicted result of the plasma depletion and field compression, and such anisotropies are observed. Application of the mirror instability criterion, which predicts growth of slow mode magnetoacoustic waves for values of the ratio between the cited pressures greater than a critical value, suggests that dayside magnetosheath plasma is usually unstable. One of the seventeen cases shows long-period waveforms in the 100-s density data that are 180 deg out of phase with simultaneous waveforms in the magnetic field strength. These data are interpreted as the signature of slow mode magnetoacoustic waves.

Crooker, N. U.↗