Engineering topics

Thomsen, M. F.

Publications and source records attributed to Thomsen, M. F..

115 records · Page 7

NASA NTRS1977

On determining magnetospheric diffusion coefficients from the observed effects of Jupiter's satellite Io

A method is derived for determining the radial diffusion coefficient from observed satellite effects of the inner Jovian satellites on the energetic particle fluxes. The method is based on data from L values which are significantly removed from the actual sweeping region. With regard to the large losses to the protons at Io's L shell, it is suggested that in addition to satellite sweepup, the losses may be associated with an enhanced precipitation due to resonant interaction with ion cyclotron waves near Io's orbit. It is noted that such additional loss mechanisms may also apply to electrons, and that such losses may significantly affect the estimated diffusion coefficient.

Thomsen, M. F.↗

NASA NTRS1977

A determination of the L dependence of the radial diffusion coefficient for protons in Jupiter's inner magnetosphere

In a previous paper (Thomsen et al., 1977), a technique was proposed for estimating the radial diffusion coefficient (n) in the inner magnetosphere of Jupiter from the observations of the sweeping effect of the inner Jovian satellites on the fluxes of the energetic charged particles. The present paper extends this technique to permit the unique identification of the parameters D sub O and n, where the diffusion coefficient is assumed to be of the form D = D sub O L to the nth. The derived value of D sub O depends directly on assumptions regarding the nature and efficiency of the loss mechanism operating on the particles, while the value of n depends only on the assumed width of the loss region. The extended technique is applied to the University of Iowa Pioneer 11 proton data, leading to values of n of about O and D(6) of about 3 x 10 to the -8th (R sub J)-squared/sec, when satellite sweepup losses are assumed to be the only loss operating on the protons. The small value of n is strong evidence that the radial diffusion is driven by ionospheric winds.

Thomsen, M. F.↗

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

Galactic cosmic-ray intensity 0.99 to 5.26 astronomical units from the sun

The intensity of galactic cosmic radiation in interplanetary space has been observed over the heliocentric radial range 0.99 to 5.26 AU with five Geiger-Mueller tubes on Pioneer 10 and over the range 1.00 to 3.59 AU with three similar tubes on Pioneer 11. The observations span the time period 1972 March 3 to 1974 April 29, near the epoch of minimum solar activity. The contributions of solar energetic particles are eliminated. The effect of temporal trends is removed in a variety of ways - by comparison of simultaneous measurements on the two spacecraft; by comparison with data from Explorer 35 at 1.0 AU; and by comparison with terrestrial neutron monitor data. The radial gradient of the intensity of particles with energies greater than 80 MeV/nucleon is zero to within an experimental uncertainty of less than 2 per cent per AU over the range 0.99 to 5.26 AU. Hence, it is less than the theoretically expected value by at least a factor of 5.

Thomsen, M. F.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Pioneer 11 observations of energetic particles in the Jovian magnetosphere

A preliminary report is presented of energetic electrons and protons observed with the University of Iowa instrument on Pioneer 11. A graph shows absolute, spin-averaged unidirectional intensities of electrons and protons as a function of time during traversal of the central magnetosphere. Another graph shows the effects of the Jovian satellites Io and Amalthea on particle intensities. It is pointed out that a full analysis of satellite effects is the most promising technique for understanding the physical dynamics of the magnetosphere of Jupiter.

Van Allen, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1974

The magnetosphere of Jupiter as observed with Pioneer 10. II - Nonrigid rotation of the magnetodisc

The maximum count rates of energetic particles are observed earlier on the inbound pass and later on the outbound pass than one would expect if the Jovian magnetodisk moved rigidly with the planet. This lead and lag cannot be explained by the observed azimuthal distortion of the Jovian magnetic field alone. A possible explanation is that the foot of a magnetic field line in the ionosphere slips with respect to Jupiter's surface. The rate of slippage and the electric field necessary for this is estimated. The electric field may be as large as 2 V/m in the Jovian polar ionosphere.

Northrop, T. G.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Energetic electrons in the magnetosphere of Jupiter

Observations of energetic electrons (above 7 MeV) show that the outer magnetosphere of Jupiter consists of a thin disklike, quasi-trapping region extending from about 20 to 100 planetary radii. This magnetodisk is confined to the vicinity of the magnetic equatorial plane and appears to be an approximate figure of revolution about the magnetic axis of the planet. Hard trapping is observed within a radial distance of about 20 Jovian radii. The omnidirectional intensity of electrons with energy above 21 MeV between 3 and 20 Jovian radii is described by a provisional expression in terms of radial distance and magnetic latitude. There is tentative evidence for mild effects of the Galilean satellite Europa and possibly Io and Ganymede but not Callisto.

Van Allen, J. A.↗