Engineering topics

Hoffman, J. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Hoffman, J. H..

At least 37 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1981

Neutral thermospheric temperature from ion concentration measurements

A technique for extracting information on neutral temperature from in situ F region measurements of O(+) and H(+) ion concentrations is analyzed and evaluated. Advantage is taken of the condition of charge-exchange equilibrium of these species in the neighborhood of 320 km to infer the associated relative abundances of neutral oxygen and hydrogen. Results are shown to be generally consistent with other concurrent in situ measurements.

Breig, E. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Measurement of the Venus lower atmosphere composition - A comparison of results

The data from seven gas analyzer measurements obtained from Pioneer Venus and the Venera 11 and 12 spacecraft are compared, and the chemical composition of the atmosphere from approximately 700 km to the surface is examined. In and near the clouds, the O2 mixing ratio is a few ten ppm, and the CO mixing ratio is 20-30 ppm. The existence of COS in the lower part of the atmosphere is doubtful, and its mixing ratio at higher altitudes does not exceed a few ppm. SO2 may exist below the clouds at a mixing ratio of about 100 ppm, whereas in the clouds it is less than 10 ppm. A discrepancy in the data still exists for the measurement of the water vapor abundance.

Hoffman, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The swept angle retarding mass spectrometer: Initial results from the Michigan auroral probe sounding rocket

Data from a sounding rocket flight of the swept angle retarding ion mass spectrometer (SARIMS) are presented to demonstrate the capability of the instrument to make measurements of thermal ions which are differential in angle, energy, and mass. The SARIMS was flown on the Michigan auroral probe over regions characterized first by discrete auroral arcs and later by diffuse precipitation. The instrument measured the temperature, densities, and flow velocities of the ions NO(+) and O(+). Measured NO(+) densities ranged from 10 to the 5th power up to 3 x 10 to the 5th power ions/cu cm, while the measured O(+) densities were a factor of 5-10 less. Ion temperatures ranged from 0.15 up to 0.33 eV. Eastward ion flows approximately 0.5 km/sec were measured near the arcs, and the observed flow magnitude decreased markedly inside the arcs.

Reasoner, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Molecular wake shield gas analyzer

Techniques for measuring and characterizing the ultrahigh vacuum in the wake of an orbiting spacecraft are studied. A high sensitivity mass spectrometer that contains a double mass analyzer consisting of an open source miniature magnetic sector field neutral gas analyzer and an identical ion analyzer is proposed. These are configured to detect and identify gas and ion species of hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, oxygen, nitric oxide, and carbon dioxide and any other gas or ion species in the 1 to 46 amu mass range. This range covers the normal atmospheric constituents. The sensitivity of the instrument is sufficient to measure ambient gases and ion with a particle density of the order of one per cc. A chemical pump, or getter, is mounted near the entrance aperture of the neutral gas analyzer which integrates the absorption of ambient gases for a selectable period of time for subsequent release and analysis. The sensitivity is realizable for all but rare gases using this technique.

Hoffman, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Light ion concentrations and fluxes in the polar regions during magnetically quiet times

Ion concentrations, flow velocities, and fluxes, measured by the ion mass spectrometer on the Isis 2 satellite for periods around the solstices and equinoxes of 1971 and 1972, have been used in a study of the polar wind morphology during magnetically quiet times. The results confirm the major tenets of polar wind theories; namely, that an upward flow of both H(+) and He(+) ions exists at all times over the entire polar region; H(+) fluxes are of the order of 10 to the 8th ions/sq cm s in both summer and winter polar regions. O(+) is the dominant ion specie at 1400-km altitude in regions of strong H(+) flows, and H(+) is depleted over the entire region where the polar wind flows. H(+) fluxes tend to be lower in winter than in summer, whereas He(+) fluxes are a factor of 10 higher in winter and tend to follow the neutral helium concentration near the F2 maximum. The latter agree well with model calculations of flux in the winter but lie above the model values by a factor of 2 in the summer. H(+) fluxes also agree well with ion flow models.

Hoffman, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

An unusual SAR arc observed during ring current development, 4 August 1972

An unusual SAR arc observed during the growth phase of the ring current is described. Proton precipitation was observed, with electron temperature enhancements throughout the region, and an F-region trough present at the equatorward boundary; a high flux of low energy at the SAR arc location and a 'slot' in the ambient electron density are characteristic of this event. Comparisons are made with S3-A spacecraft observations made in the equatorial region at the same time and with Isis-II observations of a more normal SAR arc; the kinetic Alfven process described by Hasegawa and Mima (1978) appears to account for the acceleration of these low energy electrons, although an auroral-type acceleration process cannot be excluded.

Shepherd, G. G.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Pioneer Venus Sounder Probe Neutral Gas Mass Spectrometer

A neutral gas mass spectrometer was flown to Venus as part of the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe to measure the composition of its lower atmosphere. The instrument, mounted in the Sounder Probe, was activated after the probe entered the top of the atmosphere, and it obtained data during the descent from 62 km to the surface. Atmospheric gases were sampled through a pair of microleaks, the effluent from which was pumped by a combination of ion and getter pumping. A pneumatically operated valve, controlled by the ambient atmospheric pressure, maintained the ion source pressure at a nearly constant value during descent while the atmospheric pressure varied by three orders of magnitude. A single focusing magnetic sector field mass spectrometer with mass resolution sufficient to reasonably separate argon from C3H4 at 40 amu provided the mass analysis and relative abundance measurements. A microprocessor controlled the operation of the mass spectrometer through a highly efficient peak-tip stepping routine and data compression algorithm that effected a scan of the mass spectrum from 1 to 208 amu in 64 sec while requiring an information rate of only 40 bits/sec to return the data to earth. A subscale height altitude resolution was thus obtained. Weight, size, and power requirements were minimized to be consistent with interplanetary flight contraints.

Hoffman, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Composition and structure of the Venus atmosphere - Results from Pioneer Venus

The composition of the Venusian atmosphere was studied using a mass spectrometer on the Pioneer Venus sounder probe. The single-focusing magnetic-sector spectrometer scanned the mass range from hydrogen through mercury with a dynamic range of six decades. Data taken by the mass spectrometer were compared with those of a gas chromatograph, resulting in slight discrepancies due to the use of a sputter ion pump acting as a sink for entry of rare gases through the inlet leak. A surprisingly large concentration of primordial Ar-36 and Ar-38 was discovered in a ratio of 5 to 1. It was concluded that the large excess of primordial argon was a valid result and that the mixing of HCl in the lower Venusian atmosphere was less than a few parts per million. Arguments against the sun as the source for excess primordial gases on Venus were presented. Concentrations of other elements such as Ne, Kr, He, S, and O were discussed. Although the mass peaks in the spectrum were real, it was not clear whether all of the chemical reactions (i.e., COS production) actually occurred in the atmosphere. Until further analysis can be made, it will be uncertain how the inlet system, which is at atmospheric temperature, affected the results.

Hoffman, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The photochemistry of N/+/ ions

The photochemistry of N(+) ions in the daytime thermosphere is studied using the data base of the Atmosphere Explorer C Satellite. The reaction O(+) + N(2D) yields O + N(+) is considered a major source of N(+) ions at altitudes between 250 and 500 km. At altitudes below 300 km, N(+) is removed by reactions with O2, but at higher altitudes the reactions of N(+) with O and with H are the most important loss mechanisms. The empirical rate coefficients for reactions N(+) + O yields N and O(+) and N(+) + H yields N + H(+) are derived.

Constantinides, E. R.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Determination of the sources and sinks of N/+/ ions in the thermosphere

Measurements of atmospheric parameters made by the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite used to identify mechanisms for the production and loss of N(+) ions in the ionosphere are presented. Photo-dissociative ionization of N2 is the main source below 250 km. Above 250 km the reaction O(+)(4S) + N(2D) yields N(+)(3P) + O(3P) is dominant, and a possible minor source of N(+) is the reaction O(+)(2P) + N2 yields N(+) + NO. Photoionization of N(4S) and dissociative charge exchange of He(+) with N2 constitute detectable sources above 350 km. Charge exchange of N(+) with O is a significant sink above 300 km, and the rate coefficients for these reactions are derived.

Torr, D. G.↗

NASA NTRS1979

An experimental and theoretical study of the mean diurnal variation of O/+/, NO/+/, O2/+/, and N2/+/ ions in the mid-latitude F1 layer of the ionosphere

A theoretical model of the diurnal variations in the compositions of the ions O(+), NO(+), O2(+) and N2(+) in the midlatitude F1 layer is presented and compared with measurements made by AE-C. The theoretical model includes the rate coefficients and branching ratios for the dissociative recombination of NO(+), O2(+) and N2(+) with electrons and the ion-atom interchanges of O(+) with N2 and N2(+) with O. Input parameters to the model comprise measurements of ion and electron temperatures, neutral atmosphere composition, the solar EUV flux and the photoelectron spectrum. In general, model calculations are found to agree with satellite measurements, confirming the major ion sources and sinks of the photochemical model, which has an accuracy of + or - 60%.

Torr, D. G.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Pioneer Venus large probe neutral mass spectrometer

The Pioneer Venus large probe neutral mass spectrometer (LNMS) uses a single focusing magnetic sector field mass analyzer with mass range of 1-208 amu, resolution sufficient to separate the mercury isotopes, and sensitivity sufficient to detect minor constituents in the 1 ppm range relative to the CO2 in the Venus atmosphere. A combination of ion and chemical pumping is used to maintain a vacuum in the mass analyzer and to remove the atmosphere gases which enter the ion source chamber through a special leak. A microprocessor controls the operation of the instrument through a highly efficient peak stepping and data compression program, permitting acquisition of a complete mass spectrum roughly once each minute.

Hoffman, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Venus lower atmospheric composition - Preliminary results from Pioneer Venus

Initial examination of data from the neutral mass spectrometer on the Pioneer Venus sounder probe indicates that the abundances of argon-36, argon-38, and neon-20 in the Venus atmosphere are much higher than those of the corresponding gases in Earth's atmosphere, although the abundance of radiogenic argon-40 is apparently similar for both planets. The lower atmosphere of Venus includes significant concentrations of various gaseous sulfur compounds. The inlet leak to the mass spectrometer was temporarily blocked by an apparently liquid component of the Venus clouds during passage through the dense cloud layer. Analysis of gases released during the evaporation of the droplets shows the presence of water vapor to some compound or compounds of sulfur.

Hoffman, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Charge exchange of metastable 2D oxygen ions with molecular oxygen - A new source of thermospheric O2/+/ ions

Reactions involving metastable ions are difficult to study in the laboratory. Much new information on these reactions has been derived from satellite measurements of aeronomic parameters. In this paper, Atmosphere Explorer D data are used to study charge exchange of metastable O(+)(2D) ions with O2. Using direct measurements of the O2 at 200 km to compute O2 densities at 300 km and supporting ionic concentrations and temperature observations, we find the rate coefficient for this reaction to be 1 + or - 0.6 times 10 to the minus 9th cu cm/sec. The process constitutes a significant source of O2(+) ions in the F2 layer at times when the N2 and O2 densities are enhanced. This finding leads to the conclusion that charge exchange with O2 must be a major sink for O(+)(2D) and an important source of O2(+) ions in the E region, because of the increase in the O2 concentration/N2 concentration ratio with decreasing altitude. The results imply that 80% of all O(+) ions formed in the E region are converted to O2(+) and that only about 20% of the metastable O(+) ions are converted into N2(+) through charge exchange with N2.

Torr, D. G.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The EUV flux inferred from AE-C He/+/ abundances

The ionization rate of helium in the thermosphere is inferred from He(+) abundances determined by instrumentation on the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite. The inferred ionization rate is independent of the particular geophysical parameters of the thermosphere for solar zenith angles less than 80 deg and altitudes between 280 and 360 km. The ionization rate is consistent with a value calculated from the EUV flux of Hinteregger (1976) below 504 A.

Oppenheimer, M.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Ionospheric and magnetospheric 'plasmapauses'

The locations of Explorer 45 plasmapause crossings are studied as a likely indicator of ionospheric and magnetospheric trough locations. Attention is given to vertical flows of H(+) ions in the light ion trough, as detected by the magnetic ion mass spectrometer aboard Isis 2 (which was operating in conjunction with Explorer 45 during August 1972). The possibility of an equatorial plasmapause is discussed, whose field lines map into the ionosphere at latitudes poleward of the H(+) density decrease, probably due to the refilling of magnetic flux tubes in the outer plasmasphere.

Grebowsky, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Plasmapause signatures in the ionosphere and magnetosphere

Isis 2 observations of a variety of topside ionospheric 'signatures' of the plasmapause are compared with simultaneously acquired equatorial electron-density profiles obtained by the whistler technique. The satellite data were acquired at about 1400-km altitude at dusk and dawn in the sunlit Northern Hemisphere summer ionosphere within about 15 deg longitude of the VLF receiver. Results suggest that the dynamics of plasma coupling between the ionosphere and plasmasphere dominate the topside data and obscure the location of the equatorial plasmapause field line. The total density and light-ion troughs begin 2 to 10 deg equatorward of the field line through the equatorial plasmapause and are not clear plasmapause signatures. The invariant latitude of the region of steep spatial gradient in thermal plasma density, the plasmapause, appears to increase with altitude. Thus measurements of its position at different altitudes may give different results. Plasma-sheet electrons, however, are observed on field lines just outside the equatorial plasmapause at both dawn and dusk. Their low-latitude extent at 1400-km altitude can be used as a signature of the equatorial plasmapause position.

Foster, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Ionospheric and magnetospheric plasmapauses'

During August 1972, Explorer 45 orbiting near the equatorial plane with an apogee of about 5.2 R sub e traversed magnetic field lines in close proximity to those simultaneously traversed by the topside ionospheric satellite ISIS 2 near dusk in the L range 2-5.4. The locations of the Explorer 45 plasmapause crossings during this month were compared to the latitudinal decreases of the H(+) density observed on ISIS 2 near the same magnetic field lines. The equatorially determined plasmapause field lines typically passed through or poleward of the minimum of the ionospheric light ion trough, with coincident satellite passes occurring for which the L separation between the plasmapause and trough field lines was between 1 and 2. Vertical flows of the H(+) ions in the light ion trough as detected by the magnetic ion mass spectrometer on ISIS were directed upward with velocities between 1 and 2 kilometers/sec near dusk on these passes. These velocities decreased to lower values on the low latitude side of the H(+) trough but did not show any noticeable change across the field lines corresponding to the magnetospheric plasmapause.

Grebowsky, J. M.↗