Engineering topics

Smith, E. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Smith, E. J..

At least 361 records · Page 20

NASA NTRS1979

Chorus, energetic electrons and magnetospheric substorms

The paper investigates possible chorus generation mechanisms by means of simultaneous OGO-5 measurements of chorus, energetic (79 + or - 23 keV) electron fluxes and pitch angle distributions, and ambient magnetic fields. Further, the solar wind data during high-latitude dayside chorus events are examined. It is reported that the highly eccentric orbit had an apogee of 24 earth radii and an inclination of 30 deg to the geographic equator.

Tsurutani, B. T.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Compression of Jupiter's magnetosphere by the solar wind

Simultaneous sets of interplanetary and planetary data obtained by Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 are compared with a view toward identifying major changes in the solar wind and their possible influence on the Jovian magnetosphere. The results are discussed relative to variations in magnetopause location, pressure balance at the magnetopause, acceleration of energetic trapped radiation, plasma density from the response time of the Jovian magnetosphere, and time constants of magnetospheric circuit models. A major finding is that three out of four cases in which the Pioneers reentered the magnetosheath are the result of time variations associated with changing interplanetary conditions. The compressibility of the Jovian magnetosphere is enhanced because the field inside the magnetopause is not the planetary field but is primarily caused by currents inside the magnetosphere, presumably the equatorial current sheet.

Smith, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The radial dependences of the interplanetary magnetic field between 1 and 5 AU Pioneer 10

Pioneer 10 vector helium magnetometer data acquired in 1972-1973 during Bartels solar rotations 1896-1918 are used to investigate the radial dependences of the distant interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) between 1 and 5 AU. Least-square fits were determined for the radial dependences of the averages of the magnitudes of IMF components and total field and plane projections, and radial fits were prepared for the standard deviations of these variables over the solar rotation, one day, and three-hour intervals. The variation of the weighted averages of the radial component of the field with respect to the heliocentric distance, the variation of the tangential component of the field, and the characteristics of a subset corresponding to a relatively low average solar wind velocity are reported.

Rosenberg, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Dynamic MHD modeling of solar wind corotating stream interaction regions observed by Pioneer 10 and 11

The use of the Pioneer 10 and 11 projects to test an MHD one-dimensional time-dependent model of corotating solar wind streams during the period from Sept. 30 to Nov. 25, 1973 is described. During this period, five or six corotating interaction regions streamed past the two spacecraft, and, as a result of multiple-spacecraft radial alignment and temporally varying conditions at the solar wind source, the pattern predicted by the Steinolfson et al. (1975) model could be compared with observations. The results, in general, support the validity of the model, although the neglect of thermal energy exchange leads to incorrect values for the proton temperature. A detailed analysis of a stream is discussed.

Dryer, M.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The ISEE-C plasma wave investigation

The ISEE-C plasma wave investigation is designed to provide comprehensive information on interplanetary wave-particle interactions. Three spectrum analyzers with a total of 19 bandpass channels cover the frequency range 0.3 Hz to 100 kHz. The main analyzer, which uses 16 continuously active amplifiers, gives two complete spectral scans per second in each of 16 filter channels. The instrument sensors include a high-sensitivity magnetic search coil, and electric antennas with effective lengths of 0.6 and 45 m.

Scarf, F. L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The ISEE-C vector helium magnetometer

The ISEE-C magnetometer will make continuous observations of the interplanetary magnetic field near 1 AU. This paper describes the scientific objectives of the magnetometer experiment and gives attention to instrument design (sensor, electronics, and operating principles). A functional block diagram of the system is presented and attention is given to minor modifications required by the ISEE mission (the magnetometer is essentially one that served as the spare unit for the Pioneer 10 and 11 missions to Jupiter).

Frandsen, A. M. A.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The ISEE-1 and ISEE-2 plasma wave investigation

The ISEE-1 and ISEE-2 plasma wave experiments are designed to provide basic information on wave-particle interactions in the earth's magnetosphere and in the solar wind. The ISEE-1 plasma wave instrument uses three electric dipole antennas with lengths of 215, 73.5 and 0.61 m for electric field measurements, and a triaxial search coil antenna for magnetic field measurements. The ISEE-2 instrument uses two electric dipole antennas with lengths of 30 and 0.61 m for electric field measurements and a single-axis search coil antenna for magnetic field measurements. The primary scientific objectives of the experiments are described, including the resolution of space-time relationships of plasma wave phenomena and VLBI studies. The instrumentation is described, with emphasis on the antennas and the electronics.

Gurnett, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Dynamic MHD modeling of the solar wind disturbances during the August 1972 events

A time-dependent one-dimensional MHD theoretical model is tested by using plasma and magnetic field observations of Pioneer 9 and Pioneer 10 during the August 1972 events on the sun and in the interplanetary medium. These spacecraft were nearly aligned along a common heliocentric radius during these events, considered now to be the most spectacular and best-documented events during solar cycle 20. The observations of Pioneer 9 at 0.78 AU were used as input for the theoretical model. The plasma and magnetic field forcing functions were superimposed upon a preexisting ambient solar wind at this inner boundary, and the response was simulated as far as 8 AU. The simulated output at 2.2 AU is compared directly with the Pioneer 10 observations at 2.2 AU. Qualitative comparison is good, although several limitations of the one-dimensional theory are noted.

Dryer, M.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Observations of the interplanetary sector structure up to heliographic latitudes of 16 deg - Pioneer 11

In the past, observations of the sector structure of the interplanetary magnetic field have been limited to a heliographic latitude of +/- 7.25 deg because spacecraft trajectories have consistently been in or near the ecliptic. The postencounter trajectory of Pioneer 11, which is now en route from Jupiter to Saturn, takes this spacecraft to much higher latitudes than have been previously explored. A study of the sector structure has in this connection been conducted during the ascent of Pioneer 11 to a maximum heliographic latitude of 16 deg. The Pioneer 11 observations demonstrate the presence in interplanetary space of an equatorial current sheet tilted at an angle of about 15 deg to the solar equatorial plane. Thus there is actually only one sector boundary in interplanetary space, not several, as would have been the case if the orientation had been meridional.

Smith, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Two types of magnetospheric ELF chorus and their substorm dependences

The distribution of extremely low frequency (10-1500 Hz) magnetospheric chorus to all local times and latitudes is investigated in order to determine dependence on substorms, and to evaluate the conditions under which chorus is generated. The analysis carefully separates space and time effects by an investigation of data obtained by the OGO 5 search coil magnetometer. A study of spatial dependencies shows that chorus occurs in two magnetic regions: equatorial chorus is located near the equator, and high-latitude chorus is located above 15 degrees. An analysis of chorus in each of the regions illustrates that equatorial chorus is definitely related to substorm, whereas high-latitude chorus often occurs within magnetically quiet intervals.

Tsurutani, B. T.↗

NASA NTRS1977

August 1972 solar-terrestrial events - Observations of interplanetary shocks at 2.2 AU

Simultaneous magnetic field and plasma observations on Pioneer 10 were used to identify three shocks and a plasma driver (possible flare ejecta) at 2.2 AU caused by the four large solar flares of August 2-7, 1972. Two shocks, the first and third, were forward shocks, while the second was a reverse shock. The local inertial velocities of all three shocks were estimated under the assumption of quasi-perpendicularity, i.e., the shocks were assumed to be propagating principally across, rather than along, the interplanetary magnetic field.

Smith, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Pioneer 10, 11 observations of evolving solar wind streams and shocks beyond 1 AU

Observations between 1 and 5 AU by Pioneers 10 and 11 have led to the identification of large numbers of interplanetary shocks. Both forward and reverse shocks, which begin to develop beyond 1.5 AU and which frequently appear as shock pairs, are found to accompany solar wind streams. The number of forward shocks continues to increase out to at least 5 AU. Reverse shocks are seen less often than forward shocks and, in some instances, disappear at larger distances. There is evidence that the shocks are corotating in the solar frame, as anticipated theoretically. The evolution of solar wind streams beyond 1 AU is profoundly affected by the shocks. A thick interaction region, with large enhancements in density, temperature, field strength and fluctuation level, forms in the region originally characterized by a positive velocity gradient. The solar wind and magnetic field properties adjacent to, and within, the interaction regions have been studied to determine their qualitative behavior and characteristic changes with distance. Several interplanetary shocks generated by solar flares have also been identified and analyzed.

Smith, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Further evidence of a latitude gradient in the solar wind velocity

Simultaneous Mariner and Explorer data are used in the present paper to show that the large-scale gradient in the bulk velocity of the solar wind observed by Coles (1972) is a heliographic latitude gradient. A value of roughly 15 km/sec/deg for the gradient is derived by a correlation technique employed by Coleman and Rosenberg (1971). A simple model of the velocity/latitude dependence is developed and is shown to be consistent with a direct comparison of the observed Mariner and Explorer velocities. The gradient inferred from the Mariner and Explorer data is compared with values obtained from corresponding analyses of Vela and IPS data.

Rhodes, E. J., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1976

The August 1972 solar-terrestrial events - Interplanetary magnetic field observations

Interplanetary-magnetic-field measurements made by Pioneers 9 and 10, HEOS 2, and Explorer 41 during early August 1972 are reviewed. It is noted that the two Pioneers were nearly radially aligned during the flare events, with Pioneer 9 at a distance of 0.78 AU from the sun and Pioneer 10 at a distance of 2.2 AU. The data obtained by Pioneer 9, Pioneer 10, and the two near-earth satellites are analyzed separately, and the major flare-associated shocks are identified. An attempt is made to identify corresponding shocks at the different locations and to determine their propagation velocities in the region between 0.8 and 2.2 AU. It is found that there was an obvious tendency for the average shock velocities to decrease with increasing radial distance from the sun and that the local velocities at the Pioneer locations were significantly smaller than the appropriate average values. A comparison of these local velocities indicates that there was a large deceleration of the shocks between the sun and some distance within 0.8 AU but little, if any, deceleration beyond that distance. A plot of average shock velocities from the sun to 1.0 AU as a function of longitude separation between the flares and Pioneer 9 is shown to suggest a pronounced deviation of the shock fronts from spherical symmetry.

Smith, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Extraterrestrial magnetic fields - Achievements and opportunities

The major scientific achievements associated with the measurement of magnetic fields in space over the past decade and a half are reviewed. Aspects of space technology relevant to magnetic-field observations are discussed: magnetometers and how they operate, problems arising from spacecraft-generated magnetic fields and appropriate countermeasures and on-board processing of magnetometer data. The solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field, the earth's magnetic field in space, the interaction of the solar wind with the planets, planetary magnetic fields, and the permanent magnetic fields of the moon are discussed. A fairly complete bibliography lists original contributions as well as more recent publications and review articles.

Smith, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Evidence for open field lines in Jupiter's magnetosphere

A model for the night-side Jovian magnetic field is derived partly on the basis of theoretical considerations and partly on the basis of the magnetic-field data obtained during the outbound leg of the path of Pioneer 10. This model can explain the observed sawtooth modulation of energetic particle fluxes in terms of closed and open field lines that cannot contain the particles. The model is applicable only to the Jovian magnetotail.

Goertz, C. K.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Evidence of a large-scale gradient in the solar wind velocity

Measurements of the solar wind velocity are compared at two widely separated locations, using plasma data obtained by Mariner 5, en route to Venus, and with the near-earth satellites Explorer 33, 34, and 35. A previous study of the propagation of interplanetary sector boundaries between Mariner and the earth had implied the existence of large scale velocity gradient which was interpreted as a latitude gradient of approximately 13 km/sec per degree of latitude. The results of the present investigation in which the earlier results were extended to the overall solar wind, without regard to the presence of sector boundaries, suggests that a latitude dependence of the solar wind velocity is the most plausible interpretation of the large-scale velocity gradient.

Rhodes, E. J., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Magnetosheath lion roars

The characteristics of lion roars, which are intense packets of electromagnetic waves characteristically found in the magnetosheath, are studied. The average frequency of the emissions is 120 Hz, with over 90% occurring between 90 and 160 Hz (which is near one-half the local electron gyrofrequency); over 70% of all emissions last a mere 2 sec or less; the maximum amplitude of lion roars has an average value of 85 milligamma, over 80% being between 40 and 160 milligamma. Occurrence of lion roars is related to the level of geomagnetic activity, measured by Kp. The probability of occurrence ranges from 10% during magnetically quiet intervals to 75% during disturbed periods. Polarization and wave normal direction of lion roars, determined by variance analysis of triaxial wave forms, are righ-handed circularly polarized, with propagation essentially along the ambient magnetic field.

Smith, E. J.↗