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Schardt, A. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Schardt, A. W..

36 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

Source variations of interplanetary Jovian electrons - Voyagers 1 and 2 results

The large intensity of interplanetary Jovian electrons at 1 AU and near the Jovian magnetosphere have been attributed to the large scale solar wind structure. The only variations that can be definitely attributed to the source (i.e. the magnetosphere) are the 10 hour variations observed within about 1 AU of Jupiter. During the pre-Jupiter-encounter period, the Voyagers 1 and 2 spacecraft are separated by about 1 corotation day, facilitating the separation of variations due to corotating streams, which occur 1 day apart on the two spacecraft

Conlon, T. F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Voyager 2 - Energetic ions and electrons in the Jovian magnetosphere

The passage of Voyager 2 through the Jovian magnetosphere demonstrated that this magnetosphere is highly variable, even as close as 10 Jupiter radii from the planet. The cosmic-ray subsystem measured the flux, elemental composition, and anisotropy of energetic particles. Its high sensitivity was particularly valuable during the long passage through the magnetotail, where particle fluxes were orders of magnitude less than in the inner magnetosphere and approached interplanetary values. The new data confirm earlier observations that the Jovian magnetosphere is a giant accelerator of particles - electrons, protons, and heavy ions, including sulfur. Both spatial and temporal changes are observed in the magnetosphere as compared to prior observations with Pioneer 10 and 11 and Voyager 1. It is suggested that the 10-hr modulation of interplanetary Jovian electrons may be associated with the arrival at the dawn magnetopause of a rarefaction region each planetary rotation.

Vogt, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Voyager 1 - Energetic ions and electrons in the Jovian magnetosphere

The observations of the cosmic-ray subsystem have added significantly to our knowledge of Jupiter's magnetosphere. The most surprising result is the existence of energetic sulfur, sodium, and oxygen nuclei with energies above 7 MeV per nucleon which were found inside of Io's orbit. Also, significant fluxes of similarly energetic ions reflecting solar cosmic-ray composition were observed throughout the magnetosphere beyond 11 times the radius of Jupiter. It was also found that energetic protons are enhanced by 30 to 70% in the active hemisphere. Finally, the first observations were made of the magnetospheric tail in the dawn direction out to 160 Jupiter radii.

Vogt, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Energetic protons in the Jovian magnetosphere

Time histories, angular distributions and energy spectra of energetic protons were observed over an energy range of 0.2 to 20 MeV for the four passes of Pioneers 10 and 11 through the Jovian magnetosphere. The energetic particle data from these four passes are remarkably different. Azimuthal anisotropies appear to dominate with time variations also contributing to the very complex topology. On the inbound P-10 pass the expected corotation anisotropy was not observed in the outer magnetosphere. The simplest explanation is that the particle reference frame (the magnetospheric plasma) is moving nearly radially, suggesting the existence of a planetary wind at that time.

Mcdonald, F. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Plasma in the Jovian current sheet

A large body of spectral data for protons with energies greater than 200 keV has been analyzed. It is concluded that the main body of plasma in the Jovian current sheet observed by Pioneer 10 on its outbound pass probably has an energy well below the lowest threshold of the Pioneer 10 detectors. This premise is examined using a semiempirical model of the magnetic field in the magnetodisk and simple magnetohydrodynamic theory. Results indicate that the dominant contribution to the plasma pressure in the region from 25 to 65 Jovian radii is from as yet unobserved protons (ions) with energies of the order of 0.1 to 10 keV.

Goertz, C. K.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Energetic protons in the Jovian magnetosphere

The time histories, angular distributions and energy spectra of energetic protons were measured over an energy range extending from 0.2 - 20 MeV for the four passes of Pioneers 10 and 11 through the Jovian magnetosphere. Azimuthal asymmetries appear to dominate with time variations also contributing to the very complex topology. On the inbound P-10 pass the expected corotation anisotropy was not observed in the outer magnetosphere supporting the probable existence of a planetary wind in this region. Near the dawn meredian particle streaming away from the planet begins at about 15 RJ. On both the P-10 inbound and P-11 outbound passes, there are regions where only partial corotation is achieved. In the mid-magnetosphere, field-aligned streaming away from the near-equatorial current sheet region is the most prominent feature. At mid-latitudes in the subsolar regime, the streaming pattern is more chaotic and its magnitude is smaller. Qualitative discussions are presented for a number of possible mechanisms which could produce this streaming.

Mcdonald, F. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Anisotropies in the fluxes of Pioneer 10 protons

One-hour-averaged fluxes of 1.8- to 2.15-MeV protons observed by the LET2 detector on Pioneer 10 on the inbound trajectory showed anisotropies attributable to corotation of Jupiter's magnetodisc only when Pioneer was near the dipole equator. Most of the time the anisotropy greatly exceeded the value expected from corotation. Gradients in the distribution function can be used to account for this excess anisotropy, but the amount of gradient required is unacceptably large by 1-2 orders of magnitude. If they were taken as real, these gradients would predict almost complete disappearance of these protons from Jupiter's magnetosphere in a matter of hours. The remedy is to introduce into the model of the distribution function proton flow along field lines away from the equator into both the southern and the northern hemisphere. The parallel flux at the southernmost latitudes reached by Pioneer can reach 25% of the product of proton density and velocity, i.e., 25% of the maximum possible.

Northrop, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Discrepancy in proton flux extrapolation along field lines in the middle Jovian magnetosphere

An attempt is made to explain the observed modulation of the electron and proton fluxes between 20 and 30 Jupiter radii on the basis of adiabatic theory and assumed symmetry with Jovigraphic longitude. Liouville's theorem is applied with the assumption that particles move conserving their magnetic moments. A magnetic model which matches the intensity and direction of the magnetic field along the Pioneer 10 trajectory is used for determining the positions of the equatorial crossings. Energetic electrons (1.3 MeV) compared in this way appear to be consistently described. Protons, on the other hand, show much weaker fluxes at the off-equatorial points than would be expected by this simple application of Liouville's theorem. Reasons for this discrepancy are offered.

Schardt, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

High beta plasma in the dynamic Jovian current sheet

The equatorial current sheet, which Pioneer 10 repeatedly encountered on its outbound pass through the Jovian magnetosphere, frequently was associated with intense fluxes of energetic protons. Simultaneous observations of the changes in the energetic proton flux and in the magnetic-field magnitude demonstrate that the current sheet is embedded in a high-beta plasma in which high-energy (above 60 keV) ions frequently are the dominant constituents. Large differences in the plasma temperature and the thickness of this plasma sheet between encounters only 10 hours apart indicate that the Jovian plasma sheet is very dynamic on a time scale of hours. Occasional observations of significant temporal variations in the magnetic field and particle populations during periods within the plasma sheet may represent in situ observations of Jovian magnetic disturbances. Comparison with previous observations suggests that low-energy (not more than 5 keV) plasma contributes less than 3% to the current-sheet energy density.

Walker, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Discrepancy in proton flux extrapolation along field lines in the middle Jovian magnetosphere

Fluxes of energetic electrons and protons in Jupiter's outer magnetosphere were observed to be modulated with the 10 hour rotation period of the planet. This modulation was due to the concentration of particles at the magnetic equator: the non-alignment of Jupiter's spin and rotation axes caused Pioneer-10 to oscillate between +20 deg and -19 deg magnetic latitude and hence, between regions of stronger and weaker fluxes. The relationship between electron and proton fluxes observed off the magnetic equator was countered with measurements at the equatorial crossing radii of the same flux tubes by applying Liouville's theorem with the assumption that particles move conserving their magnetic moments. A magnetic model which matches the intensity and direction of the magnetic field along the Pioneer 10 trajectory was used for determining the positions of the equatorial crossings. Energetic electrons compared in this way appear to be consistently described. Protons, on the other hand, show much weaker fluxes at the off-equatorial points than would be predicted by this simple application of Liouville's theorem.

Schardt, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Acceleration of protons at 32 Jovian radii in the outer magnetosphere of Jupiter

A rapid ten-fold increase of proton flux was observed at 32 Jovian radii in Jupiter's outer magnetosphere. The total event lasted about 30 minutes and was composed of many individual events. Both before and after the event, proton flux was similar to the low-flux level found between crossings of the magnetic equator. Measurements of angular distributions and the time histories of proton and alpha particle channels at different energies indicate that the flux increase is caused by local acceleration. It is suggested that the average particle population in the outer magnetosphere is caused by a state of dynamic equilibrium between acceleration and loss processes.

Schardt, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Acceleration of protons at 32 Jovian radii in the outer magnetosphere of jupiter

During the inbound pass of Pioneer 10, a rapid ten-fold increase of the 0.2 to MeV proton flux was observed at 32 Jovian radii (R sub J). The total event lasted for 30 minutes and was made up of a number of superimposed individual events. At the time, the spacecraft was in the outer magnetosphere about 7 R sub J below the magnetic equator. Before and after the event, the proton flux was characteristic of the low flux level normally encountered between crossings of the magnetic equator. Flux changes at different energies were coherent within 1 minute; a time comparable to the time resolution of the data. The angular distributions were highly anisotropic with protons streaming towards Jupiter. A field-aligned dumbbell distribution was observed initially, and a pancake distribution just before the flux decayed to its pre-event value. The alpha particle flux changed as rapidly as the proton flux but peaked at different times. The energetic electron flux behaved differently; it increased gradually throughout the period.

Schardt, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1968

Particles and fields

Particles and fields research in 1967, including solar wind interactions and cosmic ray data

Kavanagh, L. D., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1967

Particles and fields

Interplanetary magnetic field, magnetosphere, solar energetic protons, and galactic cosmic rays

MAGNETOSPHERE↗