Engineering Papers⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Vasyliunas, V. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Vasyliunas, V. M..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

Plasmaspheric Mass Loss and Refilling as a Result of a Magnetic Storm

Using the sounding measurements from the radio plasma imager on IMAGE, and a plasma density inversion algorithm, we derive the plasma density profiles along the magnetic field in a few L-shells every 14 hours at magnetic local noon before, during, and after the March 31,2001 magnetic storm. An empirical model of the plasmaspheric plasma density distribution is derived as a reference using the measurements before the storm. During the storm, the equatorial plasma was substantially depleted in a range of L-shells. The flux tubes were refilled after the storm. The filling ratio, the equatorial plasma density normalized by its quiet-time value before the storm, is introduced to assess the time evolution of the depletion and refilling processes. The depletion, more than two thirds of the quiet time content, appeared to occur rather quickly after the storm onset, as determined by the limited temporal resolution of the measurements. The refilling proceeded, although more slowly than the depletion process, significantly faster than the theoretical prediction of a 3-day time scale. Dynamic structures are observed in situ and confirmed by the extreme ultraviolet imager (EUV) measurements.

Reinisch, B. W.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Current Understanding of Magnetic Storms: Storm/Substorm Relationships

This paper attempts to summarize the current understanding of the storm/substorm relationship by clearing up a considerabel amount of controversy and addressing the question of how solar wind energy is deposited into the constituent elements that are critical to magnetospheric and ionospheric processes.

Magnetic↗
NASA NTRS1994

What is a geomagnetic storm?

After a brief review of magnetospheric and interplanetary phenomena for intervals with enhanced solar wind-magnetosphere interaction, an attempt is made to define a geomagnetic storm as an interval of time when a sufficiently intense and long-lasting interplanetary convection electric field leads, through a substantial energization in the magnetosphere-ionosphere system, to an intensified ring current sufficiently strong to exceed some key threshold of the quantifying storm time Dst index. The associated storm/substorm relationship problem is also reviewed. Although the physics of this relationship does not seem to be fully understood at this time, basic and fairly well established mechanisms of this relationship are presented and discussed. Finally, toward the advancement of geomagnetic storm research, some recommendations are given concerning future improvements in monitoring existing geomagnetic indices as well as the solar wind near Earth.

Gonzalez, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Neptune's polar cusp region - Observations and magnetic field analysis

This paper confirms and extends the results of Szabo et al. (1991) (which demonstrated some similarities of the Neptune's polar cusp region to the earth's cusp), but uses a different approach requiring plasma and vector magnetic field quantities. In addition, various MHD properties of the cusp-magnetopause boundary, which separates the cusp from the magnetosheath allowing thermal anisotropy, are obtained, including the magnetopause (MP) normal, mass, and normal momentum flux, the boundary speed (and thickness), and their relationships. Results demonstrate that the MP velocity is composed of two components: a propagation speed and the other component consistent with the rotational motion of the magnetosphere.

Lepping, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Plasma observations at Venus with Galileo

Plasma measurements were obtained with the Galileo spacecraft during an approximately 3.5-hour interval in the vicinity of Venus on February 10, 1990. Several crossings of the bow shock in the local dawn sector were recorded before the spacecraft passed into the solar wind upstream from this planet. Solar wind densities and bulk speeds were determined from the electron velocity distributions. A magnetic field-aligned distribution of hotter electrons or 'strahl' was also found in the solar wind. Ions streaming into the solar wind from the bow shock were detected. Electron heating at the bow shock, about 20 percent, was notably small, with substantial density increases by factors of 2 to 3 at the day side of the shock that decrease for shock crossings further downstream from the planet. A search for pickup ions from the hot hydrogen and oxygen planetary coronas yielded an upper limit for these densities in the range of 0.001 ion/cu cm, which is consistent with densities expected from current models of neutral gas densities.

Frank, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Low-frequency waves in the solar wind near Neptune

Plasma and magnetic field observations from the Voyager 2 spacecraft when it was outbound from Neptune reveal low-frequency waves in the solar wind which are clearly associated with the planet. The waves have frequencies below the proton cyclotron frequency f(cp), which is about 0.001 Hz during the periods waves are observed. The waves are present when the interplanetary magnetic field is oriented such that the spacecraft is connected to the bow shock by the magnetic field lines. The waves are identified to be Alfvenic waves propagating at about 140 deg to the ambient magnetic field and away from the bow shock. As at the other planets, these downstream waves are thought to be generated in the upstream region, where energetic protons created near the nose of the bow shock excite waves as they stream along solar wind magnetic field lines.

Zhang, Ming↗
NASA NTRS1990

Evidence for a diurnally rocking plasma mantle at Neptune

Voyager's post-encounter trajectory at Neptune allows the directions of the magnetic field in the magnetosheath produced by the draping of the typical interplanetary field and by alignment with the magnetotail to be distinguished. Changes of the field from the draped to the magnetotail-aligned direction accompanied by decreases of plasma velocity, density, and temperature, observed at intervals of approximately a Neptunian day, are consistent with the assumption that Voyager repeatedly encountered a plasma mantle region extending well in the magnetosheath and modulated by the rotation of the planet's magnetic dipole. Other interpretations are either implausible or inconsistent with the observations. Previously reported periodic velocity decreases in the magnetosheath of Uranus can be interpreted in the same way. Extended plasma mantles may thus be a general property of planetary magnetospheres interacting with the magnetized solar wind. Analogous effects at earth cannot yet be observed because of lack of suitable spececraft missions, but their existence is suggested by theoretical arguments.

Zhang, Ming↗
NASA NTRS1983

The giant planets and their satellites - Report on the Cospar Symposium, Ottawa, Canada, May 18-21, 1982

Some symposium lectures on the subject of the giant planets and their satellites are summarized. The general topics addressed include: planetary and satellite interiors and surfaces, satellite tori and plumes, aeronomy and dynamics, interaction of magnetospheric plasma with rings and satellites, plasma physics of the outer planets, and dynamics and electrodynamics of rings.

Kivelson, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The magnetic-anomaly model of the Jovian magnetosphere - A post-Voyager assessment

Predictions previously put forth (Dessler and Vasyliunas, 1979) as tests for the magnetic-anomaly model (in which the anomalously weak magnetic field region in the northern hemisphere of Jupiter influences the outer Jovian magnetosphere by one or more plasma interaction processes) are reexamined in the light of Voyager and other recent observations. With regard to the prediction of a restricted longitude range of enhanced interaction between Io and Jupiter's ionosphere, the longitudinal asymmetries seen both in ground-based observations of sulfur emissions from the Io torus and in Voyager observations of Jovian auroral emissions are found to agree well with the predicted asymmetries.

Vasyliunas, V. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Theories of magnetospheres around accreting compact objects

The paper reviews theoretical models of magnetospheres formed around neutron stars and other strongly magnetized compact objects in the presence of mass accretion from a companion star. Emphasis is placed on the interaction of the accretion process with the magnetic field of the compact object and the formation of a magnetosphere. The following models are discussed: magnetospheres with polar funnels; closed magnetospheres and their instabilities; models of internal flow; and disk accretion magnetospheres.

Vasyliunas, V. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Plasma observations near Jupiter - Initial results from Voyager 2

A preliminary report is presented of the results obtained by the Voyager 2 plasma experiment during the encounter of Voyager 2 with Jupiter from about 100 Jupiter radii before periapsis to about 300 Jupiter radii after periapsis, the instrument being identical to that on Voyager 1. The discussion covers the following: (1) the crossings of the bow shock and magnetopause observed on the inbound and outbound passes; (2) the radial variation of plasma properties in the magnetosphere; (3) variations in plasma properties near Ganymede; (4) corotation and composition of the plasma in the dayside magnetosphere; and (5) plasma sheet crossings observed on the inbound and outbound passes. From the planetary spin modulation of the plasma-electron intensity it is inferred that the plasma sheet is centered at the dipole magnetic equator out to a distance of 40-50 Jupiter radii and deviates from it toward the rotational equator at larger distances.

Bridge, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Plasma observations near Jupiter - Initial results from Voyager 1

Extensive measurements of low-energy positive ions and electrons were made throughout the Jupiter encounter of Voyager 1. The bow shock and magnetopause were crossed several times at distances consistent with variations in the upstream solar wind pressure measured on Voyager 2. During the inbound pass, the number density increased by six orders of magnitude between the innermost magnetopause crossing at approximately 47 Jupiter radii and near closest approach at approximately 5 Jupiter radii; the plasma flow during this period was predominately in the direction of corotation. Marked increases in number density were observed twice per planetary rotation, near the magnetic equator. Jupiterward of the Io plasma torus, a cold, corotating plasma was observed and the energy/charge spectra show well-resolved, heavy-ion peaks at mass-to-charge ratios equal to 8, 16, 32, and 64.

Bridge, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The magnetic anomaly model of the Jovian magnetosphere - Predictions for Voyager

The magnetic anomaly model, in which the anomalously weak magnetic field region in the northern hemisphere of Jupiter influences the outer Jovian magnetosphere by one or more plasma interaction processes, has been put forth to account for the various observed Jovian magnetospheric phenomena that show evidence of Jovian longitudinal asymmetry or planetary spin periodicity. From this model, normalized by empirical fitting to Pioneer 10 and 11 flyby data and to ground-based radio data, a series of predictions are made that are subject to test by the forthcoming flybys of Jupiter by Voyagers 1 and 2. These predictions cover: (1) the longitude range and time intervals of enhanced interaction between Io (and possibly Europa) and Jupiter's ionosphere, (2) plasma, energetic particle, and magnetic field periodicities in the outer magnetosphere, and (3) the sub-spacecraft System III longitude and the time, modulo 10 hours, of the first and subsequent magnetopause crossings.

Dessler, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Observations at the planet Mercury by the plasma electron experiment - Mariner 10

Two nightside encounters with Mercury's magnetosphere by Mariner 10 revealed bow shock and magnetosheath signatures in the plasma electron data that are entirely consistent with the geometry expected for an interaction between a planet-centered magnetic dipole and the solar wind. The geometrically determined distance between the planet's center and the solar wind stagnation point is 1.4 plus or minus 0.1 R sub M. Both diffuse and sharp shock crossings were observed on the two magnetosphere encounters.

Ogilvie, K. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Observations at the planet Mercury by the plasma electron experiment, Mariner 10

Plasma electron observations made onboard Mariner 10 are reported. Three encounters with the planet Mercury show that the planet interacts with the solar wind to form a bow shock and a permanent magnetosphere. The observations provide a determination of the dimensions and properties of the magnetosphere, independently of and in general agreement with magnetometer observations. The magnetosphere of Mercury appears to be similar in shape to that of the Earth but much smaller in relation to the size of the planet. Electron populations similar to those found in the Earth's magnetotail, within the plasma sheet and adjacent regions, were observed at Mercury; both their spatial location and the electron energy spectra within them bear qualitative and quantitative resemblance to corresponding observations at the Earth. The magnetosphere of Mercury resembles to a marked degree a reduced version of that of the Earth, with no significant differences of structure.

Ogilvie, K. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

On the flux and the energy spectrum of interstellar ions in the solar system

The flux density of ions created by ionization of interstellar neutral particles in the solar system and picked up by the solar wind is calculated as a function of the neutral particles. For atomic hydrogen the flux density is estimated to exceed 10,000/sq cm/sec over the distance range from a few to nearly 100 AU. The velocity space distribution of the interstellar ions is calculated under the assumption of no significant energy diffusion but with inclusion of adiabatic effects as well as a possible strong pitch angle diffusion. The energy spectrum is highly nonthermal and much broader than that of the solar wind ions; interstellar protons are easily distinguishable from solar wind protons by their location in velocity space. If charge exchange is an important contributor to the ionization of hydrogen, the observed local intensity of interstellar protons should exhibit time variations correlated with the density changes of the solar wind stream structure.

Vasyliunas, V. M.↗