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Simpson, J. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Simpson, J. A..

At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Origin and composition of heavy nuclei between 10 and 60 MeV per nucleon during interplanetary quiet times in 1968-1972

Results are reported for measurements of the relative abundances of nuclei from boron through iron in the energy range between 10 and 60 MeV/nucleon which were made with an instrument on board OGO 5 during the period of changing solar modulation from 1968 to 1971. The investigation was conducted to determine whether the heavy nuclei in this energy range were of solar or galactic origin. It is found that the relative abundances are in good agreement with the nuclear abundances of galactic cosmic rays, that the differential energy spectra of carbon and oxygen at these energies diverged from the characteristic modulated galactic spectrum, that changes in the C + N + O flux during this period underwent a temporal phase lag with respect to high-energy galactic cosmic rays, and that this phase lag was the same as that for helium nuclei of galactic origin with energies of 30 to 100 MeV/nucleon. It is concluded that the experimental evidence favors a galactic origin for the present nuclei. Some implications of the energy-spectrum results for cosmic-ray modulation theory are discussed.

Mogro-Campero, A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Jupiter revisited - First results from the University of Chicago charged particle experiment on Pioneer 11

The data obtained by Pioneer 11 confirmed results from Pioneer 10 and provided new information for an understanding of the physics of the Jovian magnetosphere. Attention is given to the significance of Pioneer 11 data in relation to two fundamentally different models which have been proposed to account for the variations in the electron flux observed in Jupiter's outer magnetosphere. Proton flux characteristics are considered, taking into account the intensity profiles of energetic particles trapped in the dipole region of Jupiter's magnetic field.

Simpson, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Energy dependence of the Si/Fe ratio in the galactic cosmic rays

New measurements are reported of the Si/Fe ratio and the differential energy spectra of galactic cosmic-ray Si and Fe, taking into account the energy range from 35 MeV to 4 GeV per nucleon. The measured data were obtained with the aid of satellite and balloon-borne instrumentation. It is found that for the region below 1 GeV per nucleon the local interstellar spectra computed are consistent with previous galactic cosmic-ray propagation models obtained by Shapiro and Silberberg (1970) and Mason (1972).

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Observations in interplanetary space of relativistic electrons from Jupiter

Evidence for the presence of Jovian electrons in interplanetary space as much as 1 AU inside the orbit of Jupiter is summarized. Electron flux patterns at Pioneer 10 can only rarely be correlated with solar activity. Clear variations in intensity and spectrum with a period of 10 hrs are seen at varying distances from Jupiter, consistent with similar observations inside the magnetosphere. Extrapolated electron flux maxima and minima are in good agreement with the observed phase at distances as large as 80 million km from Jupiter, indicating rapid propagation of electrons from the planet. Anisotropy is greatest during the rising phase of the 10 hr variations and in a direction consistent with the interpretation of electrons traveling toward the sun along interplanetary spiral field lines. The propagation time calculated by Chenette's derivation is much larger than that implied by the data.

Chenette, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

On the distortion of the Jovian magnetic field R greater than about 40 Jovian radii as deduced from charged particle studies

The relationship between the rotation of Jupiter's magnetic field and time variations in the intensity of nearly 6 to 30 MeV electrons observed by Pioneer 10 in the outer regions of Jupiter's magnetosphere is considered. The 6-30 MeV electron flux showed regular intensity variations with a period of approximately 10 hours. The behavior of this energetic electron flux is found to be most consistent with confinement of particles to a magnetic equatorial plane which is considerably distorted from the shape expected for rigid corotation of the magnetic field with Jupiter. The distortion is likely to arise from stresses resulting from interaction of the magnetosphere with the solar wind and from inertial effects of the magnetospheric plasma.

Mckibben, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Characteristics of Jovian trapped electrons and protons for the region within 20 Jupiter radii and their interaction with Io

A brief summary is given of Pioneer 10 observations of trapped particles in the inner-core region (within 20 Jupiter radii) of the Jovian magnetosphere. The three sensor systems used to study trapped radiation in this region are described. Intensity profiles are plotted as a function of magnetic-shell parameter (L) for electrons with energies of at least 3 MeV, protons with energies of at least 35 MeV, and protons with energies between 0.5 and 1.8 MeV. The effect of trapped-particle absorption by Io is clearly seen in the intensity profiles of all the observed particle species, and evidence is presented for preferential absorption of small-pitch-angle particles by Io. Conclusive evidence is given for the fact that Jupiter's trapped radiation is maintained by the inward diffusion of particles across L shells.

Simpson, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The low energy cosmic ray H-2 and He-3 spectra and the anomalous He-4 component

Measurements of the 1974 low-energy spectra of H-2, He-3, and He-4 with the IMP-8 satellite reveal the continued presence of the anomalous flat He-4 spectrum first reported in 1972 for roughly below 50 MeV/nucleon. Measurements of the isotope quartet H-1, H-2, He-3, He-4 are reported and compared, for 1974 quiet time, and are compared to 1965 observations at near solar minimum. Comparison of H-3 and He-3 data with accepted models of interstellar propagation and solar modulation supports a galactic origin for these isotopes down to about 10 MeV/nucleon. No evidence is found for a low-energy breakdown or other anomalous behavior of galactic propagation or solar modulation models capable of accounting for the anomalous He-4 component.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The isotopic composition of galactic cosmic ray Li, Be, and B

New measurements are reported of the isotopes of cosmic-ray Li, Be, and B and of the elements C, N, and O, with cosmic ray telescopes on board the IMP-7 and IMP-8 satellites during 1973-74 in the energy range 35-210 MeV/nucleon. High mass resolution and stability together with a set of data more extensive than in previous experiments lead to a clear isotopic separation. The measured isotopic and chemical abundances provide a stringent test for models of interstellar propagation and solar modulation. We find not only that for a steady state propagation and solar modulation model all light isotopes and medium element abundances are explained by 5 g/sq cm average pathlengths, as was earlier found from element analysis, but that also these results, taken along with our Be-10 measurements, indicate a longer lifetime for cosmic rays than predicted by the usual assumption of an average interstellar density of 1 to 3 atoms/cu cm.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The relative abundances of galactic cosmic ray Be-7, Be-9, and Be-10

The isotopic composition of galactic cosmic ray Be near 100 MeV/nucleon was measured in interplanetary space with high-resolution solid-state telescopes on the IMP-7 and IMP-8 satellites during 1973-1974. These two independent measurements yield Be-10/Be ratios above 10%. Taken together with the galactic propagation model described in the text, these results show that the cosmic ray 'clock' lifetime (most probable value of roughly 20 million years) is significantly greater than that deduced for a nominal interstellar gas density of about 1 to 3 atoms/cu cm.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Cosmic ray radial intensity gradients measured by Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11

The paper reports revised and updated measurements of the cosmic ray radial intensity gradient made with Pioneer 10 and 11 over the radial range 1-5 AU in differential energy windows from 10-70 MeV/nucleon, and for the integral intensity exceeding 70 MeV/nucleon. In most cases small positive gradients are found of the order of a few percent per AU, with evidence for significant temporal variations. Spectral studies show the presence of the 'anomalous' helium component below 50 MeV at all radial distances from 1-5 AU.

Mckibben, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The protons and electrons trapped in the Jovian dipole magnetic field region and their interaction with Io

Detailed analysis of electrons equal to or greater than 3 MeV and of protons 0.5 to 1.8 MeV and equal to or greater than 35 MeV for both the inbound and the outbound passes of the Pioneer 10 spacecraft. Conclusive evidence is obtained that the trapped radiation in Jupiter's inner magnetosphere is maintained and supplied by inward diffusion from the outer regions of the trapped radiation zone. It is shown that the time required for isotropization of an anisotropic flux by pitch angle scattering inside L approximately equal to 6 is long in comparison with the time required for particles to diffuse inward from L approximately equal to 6 to L approximately equal to 3, that the high-energy protons were not injected at high energies by the Crand (cosmic ray albedo neutron decay) process but were accelerated in the magnetosphere of Jupiter, and that the main conclusions of this analysis are unaffected by use of either the D sub 1 or the D sub 2 magnetic field models. Theoretical studies of the capture of trapped electrons and protons by Io have been carried out, and it is found that the probability of capture by Io depends strongly upon the particle species and kinetic energy.

Simpson, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Evidence from charged particle studies for the distortion of the Jovian magnetosphere

Consideration of the relationship between the rotation of Jupiter's magnetic field and time variations in the intensity of approximately 6- to 30-MeV electrons observed by the University of Chicago experiment on Pioneer 10 in the outer regions of Jupiter's magnetosphere (R greater than 20 Jupiter radii). For R equal to or greater than 40 Jupiter radii the authors' observations are found to be consistent with rigid corotation of the magnetosphere with Jupiter. For R equal to or greater than 40 Jupiter radii, significant deviations from rigid corotation appear with the observed phase of the intensity variations leading the phase expected for rigid corotation on the inbound pass and lagging on the outbound pass. From a different point of view it is found that the time delay between the observed times of intensity minimums and the times expected on the basis of a rigid 9 hour 55 minute period for the intensity variations increased steadily while Pioneer 10 was within the magnetosphere and had reached approximately a ten hour time difference when the spacecraft left the magnetosphere at R approximately equal to 98 Jupiter radii outbound.

Mckibben, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Bursts of relativistic electrons from Jupiter observed in interplanetary space with the time variation of the planetary rotation period

Bursts of Jovian electrons in the energy range 3 to 30 Mev have been detected to distances of the order of 1 AU from the planet. The duration of each burst was about two to three days, and the maximum intensity increased with increasing distance from the sun. These events could not be correlated with known solar activity. The conclusion that these electrons originated at Jupiter and were accelerated within the Jovian magnetosphere is based on observations of three of these bursts. The power spectrum of the temporal variations of the 6- to 30-MeV electron flux showed a persistent peak at Jupiter's rotation frequency (corresponding to the ten hour rotation period) out to distances greater than 100,000,000 km from the planet. The slope, or spectral index, of the differential energy spectrum measured as a function of time displayed the ten-hour cyclic variation in the value of the index, which was earlier found to be characteristic of the electrons within the Jovian magnetosphere.

Chenette, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Electrons and protons accelerated in Mercury's magnetic field

Fluxes of protons with energies of about 550 kev and electrons with energies of about 300 kev which exceed approximately 10,000 and 100,000 per sq cm per sec, respectively, have been discovered in the magnetosphere of Mercury. Electron fluxes greater than 1000 per sq cm per sec are also observed in the outbound pass of the Mariner 10 spacecraft through the magnetosheath. The intensity vs time profiles of the particle fluxes in the magnetosphere appear with sudden onsets beginning at interplanetary background levels and persisting for times equivalent to their being distributed spatially over regions having a scale size comparable to the planetary radius. It is shown that the radiation events observed in the magnetosphere and magnetosheath are transient and are not interpretable in terms of stable trapped particle populations.

Simpson, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Search by Mariner 10 for electrons and protons accelerated in association with Venus

Results of a search, with the aid of Mariner 10, for electrons and protons produced by acceleration occurring from the interaction of the solar wind and interplanetary field with the Venusian ionosphere. No evidence was found for Venus-associated particle fluxes with instrumentation capable of measuring flux variations approximately 1000 times smaller than those of the Mariner 5 detectors for charged particles, although the Mariner 10 measurements were made in the presence of an interplanetary particle flux that was extremely stable and characteristic of minimum solar activity. In addition, no evidence was obtained for electron or proton fluxes in the vicinity of the planet, nor any evidence for electron bursts in or near the observed bow shock, thus giving rise to the conclusion that Venus has no magnetosphere.-

Simpson, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Protons and electrons in Jupiter's magnetic field - Results from the University of Chicago experiment on Pioneer 10

Fluxes of high energy electrons and protons are found to be highly concentrated near the magnetic equatorial plane from distances of about 30 to about 100 Jovian radii. The 10-hour period of planetary rotation is observed as an intensity variation, which indicates that the equatorial zone of high particle fluxes is inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the planet. At radial distances below 20 Jovian radii, the synchrotron-radiation-producing electrons with energies above 3 MeV rise steeply to a maximum intensity near the periapsis at 2.8 Jovian radii. The flux of protons with energies above 30 MeV reaches a maximum intensity at 3.5 Jovian radii, with the intensity decreasing inside this radial distance.

Simpson, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Isotopic composition of low energy beryllium in the galactic cosmic rays

The multielement charged-particle telescope on the IMP-5 satellite obtained data essentially continuously for more than three years in the interplanetary medium under stable instrument conditions which have made it possible to separate the H, He, and Be isotopes in the galactic cosmic radiation using the technique of double dE/dx vs residual E and particle range measurements. Special emphasis is placed on demonstrating that in the energy range from 50 to 150 MeV/nucleon the instrument clearly resolved Be-7 vs Be-9. A detailed analysis of approximately 100 Be events collected over the mission lifetime yields the ratios (Be-7/Be) = 0.50 plus or minus 0.07, (Be-9/Be) = 0.41 plus or minus 0.10, and (Be-10/Be) = 0.09 plus or minus 0.10. These results are consistent with current models of galactic cosmic ray propagation after taking account of the effects of solar modulation.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗