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At least 199 records · Page 11

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NASA NTRS1976

Simultaneous observations of the proton ring current and stable auroral red arcs

Explorer 45 observed the equatorial proton ring current in the plasmapause region and Fritz Peak Observatory observed stable auroral red (SAR) arcs on Dec. 17, 1971 during a geomagnetic storm. An estimate of energy lost from the ring current was obtained by using Explorer 45 observations of pitch angle distribution transitions which are probably due to pitch angle diffusion-driven resonant interactions with ion cyclotron waves. Estimates of the equatorial loss rate yield values greater than the required SAR arc energy input rate, and the location of the peaks in these loss rates agrees with the observed location of the arcs. It is thus concluded that this energy loss is sufficient to sustain the SAR arcs.

Williams, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Ionospheric composition in SAR-arcs

Theoretical ion and electron density profiles in the SAR-arc region are calculated using a model of the ionosphere based on the coupled continuity, momentum, and energy equations for O(+), NO(+), and O2(+). It is found that an increase in the reaction O(+) + N2 yields NO(+) + N, which results from enhanced N2 vibrational excitation due to the high electron temperatures found in SAR arcs, can cause a reduction in F-region electron densities by up to a factor of two. The increase in the O(+) + N2 reaction rate is shown to result in a marked change in the ion composition in SAR arcs, with NO(+) being an important ion up to altitudes of about 350 km at night. Since observed electron-density depressions in SAR arcs generally vary between factors of two and seven, it is concluded that the increase in the O(+) + N2 reaction rate cannot account for these depressions by itself.

Raitt, W. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

The dc arc characteristics in subsonic orifice nozzle flow

The cold air flow field for a 1/27 cm orifice nozzle was determined for subsonic flow velocities. In addition, d.c. arc voltage, current, and diameter measurements were made for a range of velocities and arc gaps. Average voltage gradients increased rapidly as an arc extinguishing velocity was approached. Measured values of current and diameter were used as an input for relaxation solution of an energy balance equation to compute radial temperature profiles. Calculated arc voltage gradients compare favorably with measured average voltage gradients.

Nagamatsu, H. T.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Vacuum ultraviolet radiometry. III - The argon mini-arc as a new secondary standard of spectral radiance

A miniature argon arc has been designed and tested as a new transfer standard of spectral radiance for the wavelength range from 114 nm to 330 nm. Calibration has been performed using two primary standard sources: the hydrogen arc from 130 nm to 330 nm and the blackbody line radiator from 114 nm to 130 nm. The mini-arc provides an intense, stable, and reproducible UV continuum with dc power requirements of less than 1.5 kW. The arc characteristics have been investigated, and the sensitivity of the radiant power output to various operating parameters has been measured. The rms uncertainty in the spectral radiance is estimated to be 5.3% above 140 nm and 10.1% between 114 nm and 140 nm, due primarily to uncertainties in the primary standard sources.

Bridges, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Detached auroral arcs in the trough region

In a previous paper, Moshupi et al. (1977) have reported on the occurrence of rare auroral 'patches' equatorward of the normally well-defined boundary of diffuse aurora. Some less spectacular but more common arclike features were observed in the same 'trough' region (between the plasmapause and the auroral oval) during the period 1972-1975. These 'detached' arcs show some similarities to stable auroral red arcs in terms of their location and occurrence, but are completely different spectroscopically in that the stable auroral red arcs produce almost pure atomic oxygen red line emissions, whereas the detached arcs are deficient in red line emission - a feature implying totally different production mechanisms. The characteristics of the detached lines are described, including their unusual local time/longitude dependence.

Anger, C. D.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Effects of arcing due to spacecraft charging on spacecraft survival

A quantitative assessment of the hazard associated with spacecraft charging and arcing on spacecraft systems is presented. A literature survey on arc discharge thresholds and characteristics was done and gaps in the data and requirements for additional experiments were identified. Calculations of coupling of arc discharges into typical spacecraft systems were made and the susceptibility of typical spacecraft to disruption by arc discharges was investigated. Design guidelines and recommended practices to reduce or eliminate the threat of malfunction and failures due to spacecraft charging/arcing were summarized.

Rosen, A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

'GAIM' - Gas-addition, impedance-matched arc driver

A conceptual view for a GAIM energy/driver system to maximize shock-tube performance through efficient interfacing of the energy source with the gas dynamics of the arc driver is presented. Electrical and arc-chamber requirements are evaluated utilizing two new computer codes. One code calculates the shock wave generated for a selected time rate and magnitude of arc-energy input; the other computes the values of external circuit elements required to produce the selected energy input, with the driver represented as the load element of the electrical discharge circuit. Results indicate that the energy-storage capability and the driver arrangement needed to produce the highest shock Mach number can be achieved by means of driver gas addition and by impedance matching (GAIM). Design criteria are presented for arc energy requirements necessary to produce given shock-wave speeds. Shock velocities as high as the 70 km/sec required for simulating Jovian entry now seem possible in shock-tube operation. Practical implementation of a GAIM system is discussed.

Dannenberg, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Low cost solar array project silicon materials task. Development of a process for high capacity arc heater production of silicon for solar arrays

The experimental verification system for the production of silicon via the arc heater-sodium reduction of SiCl4 was designed, fabricated, installed, and operated. Each of the attendant subsystems was checked out and operated to insure performance requirements. These subsystems included: the arc heaters/reactor, cooling water system, gas system, power system, Control & Instrumentation system, Na injection system, SiCl4 injection system, effluent disposal system and gas burnoff system. Prior to introducing the reactants (Na and SiCl4) to the arc heater/reactor, a series of gas only-power tests was conducted to establish the operating parameters of the three arc heaters of the system. Following the successful completion of the gas only-power tests and the readiness tests of the sodium and SiCl4 injection systems, a shakedown test of the complete experimental verification system was conducted.

Fey, M. G.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Implications of arcing due to spacecraft charging on spacecraft EMI margins of immunity

Arcing due to spacecraft charging on spacecraft EMI margins of immunity was determined. The configuration of the P78-2 spacecraft of the SCATHA program was analyzed. A brushfire arc discharge model was developed, and a technique for initiating discharges with a spark plug trigger was for data configuration. A set of best estimate arc discharge parameters was defined. The effects of spacecraft potentials in limiting the discharge current blowout component are included. Arc discharge source models were incorporated into a SEMCAP EMI coupling analysis code for the DSP spacecraft. It is shown that with no mission critical circuits will be affected.

Inouye, G. T.↗

NASA NTRS1981

On a theory of temporal fluctuations in the electrostatic potential structures associated with auroral arcs

A possible mechanism is presented for the generation of large-amplitude temporal fluctuations in the structure of the electron energization region associated with auroral arcs. The mechanism is based on the observation that the auroral arc system resembles a laboratory circuit consisting of the series connection of battery, resistance and a forward biased diode containing collisionless plasma in which large-amplitude relaxation oscillations are sometimes observed to be superimposed on the steady-state current. It is shown that in both the laboratory and auroral systems, in which a localized auroral arc dynamo, the ionosphere and the electron energization region are involved, the oscillations are controlled by the times for ions and electrons to traverse the acceleration region, which also characterize the low- and high-frequency structure of the fluctuating waveform. It is demonstrated that a plausible one-dimensional double-layer model of the auroral arc acceleration region exhibits the dynamic negative resistance necessary for the generation of oscillations by the present mechanism. Finally, consideration is given to two kinds of auroral phenomena which might be associated with the mechanism: the 10-Hz quasi-periodic flickering aurora and 10-Hz modulations in the intensity of electrostatic hydrogen cyclotron waves.

Silevitch, M. B.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Surface flashover arc orientation on Mylar film

A study of the arc discharge patterns and resultant damage patterns on thin Mylar films exposed to a 20 keV electron beam is described. In particular, it is established that there is a broad directional correlation among the directions associated with visible linear arcs, damage tracks, the 'slow' optical direction and the longitudinal marks left on the films surface as a result of chemical etching. Transverse etch marks also appear to be associated with secondary groups of damage track directions. The 'fast' optical direction is associated with the absence of visible arcs or arc damage.

Gossland, M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Chatanika radar measurements of the electrical properties of auroral arcs

Ionospheric parameters measured in the presence of auroral arcs by the incoherent scatter Chatanika radar are used to define properties of the arcs. The radar broadcasts at 3-5 MW with a range resolution of 4.5 km along the radar line-of-sight, and has yielded auroral measurements on the variation of electron density, Hall and Pederson conductivity, horizontal electric fields, electrojet currents, precipitating electron energy flux, and the Joule heating rate. Elevation-scan techniques have been utilized to study the latitude and altitude variation of the ionospheric plasma parameters, and fixed-position scans allow determination of ionization conditions, including the electric fields and the acceleration of precipitating auroral electrons. Arcs in the diffuse aurora have been found to be local conductivity enhancements, while discrete arcs correspond to the boundary plasma sheet and have an asymmetric electric field pattern reduced on the northward side.

Vondrak, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Global simulation of auroral arcs

Numerical simulation of global formation of auroral arcs is carried out for a three-dimensional coupled ionosphere-magnetosphere system. With the presence of the stationary convection electric field, the field-aligned current driven by the polarization and drift of the ionospheric conductivity enhancement is shown to be responsible for the feedback instability of the shear Alfven wave. The simulation result demonstrates the dynamic process of auroral arc formation, where an ionospheric perturbation nearly resonant with the magnetospheric Alfven wave (toroidal mode) can eventually grow into auroral arcs. Many of the important characteristics of quiet auroral arcs are demonstrated, and it is shown that the overall distribution of auroras depends critically on the stationary state of the auroral oval characterized by the large-scale Birkeland current, the electric field, and the electron density distribution.

Miura, A.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Global observations of a SAR arc

A description is presented of the first results from observations of a stable auroral red (SAR) arc with the global auroral imaging instrumentation on board Dynamics Explorer (DE) 1. This instrumentation includes three spin-scan imaging photometers and a data control unit. The last visible-wavelength imaging sequence prior to onset of the geomagnetic storm begins at 0517 UT on October 20, 1981. An auroral substorm is observed in progress two orbits later, and as the substorm subsides and the diffuse aurora retreats poleward a narrow band of 630-nm emissions is observed at latitudes previously occupied by the aurora. This band is detected at 630 nm only, and is identified as the first optical observation of the SAR arc with DE 1. The third orbit of observations commences at 0830 UT on October 21 with the arc remaining visible across the nightside of earth. No visual signature of the SAR arc is detected during the sixth orbit.

Craven, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Characteristics of a stable auroral red arc event

The present investigation is concerned with an analysis of the measurements of the stable auroral red (SAR) arc of October 23, 1981, using data from orbit 1192 of Dynamics Explorer (DE) 2, during which a magnetic coincidence occurred with the DE-1 spacecraft near the red arc field line, and for which simultaneous ground-based intensity measurements from Richland, WA were available. The altitude of the DE-2 satellite was approximately 850 km during arc passage in the Northern Hemisphere and approximately 395 km during the conjugate hemisphere passage. The DE-1 satellite was at an altitude of approximately 6000 km during the magnetic coincidence with DE-2 in the Northern Hemisphere. The described observations and calculations reconfirm a previous understanding that the actual excitation of the O(1D) state responsible for the 6300 A emission of red arcs is caused by hot ionospheric thermal electrons.

Kozyra, J. U.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Circuit transients due to negative bias arcs on a high-voltage solar array in low Earth orbit

Arcing to negatively biased, exposed solar cell interconnects on solar arrays placed in plasma environments was established. Arcing, however, may cause damaging interference with the operation of electrical power systems in spacecraft planned to be driven with high-voltage solar arrays. An analytical model was developed to estimate the effects of netagive bias arcs on solar array power system performance. Solar cell characteristics, plasma interactions, and power system features are modeled by a linear, lumped element transient circuit, and the time domain equations are solved. Numerical results for solar array common mode and load voltage transients are calculated for typical conditions. Acceptable load transients are found for a range of arc current amplitudes and time constants.

Metz, R. N.↗

NASA NTRS1985

An investigation of arc discharging on negatively biased dielectric conductor samples in a plasma

Proposals are now being developed for the construction of high-power photovoltaic systems for operation in low Earth orbit, where the plasma number density is about 1,000 to 1,000,000 per cubic cm. Existing data indicate that interactions between the plasma and high-voltage surfaces of an orbiting power system will occur. In ground tests, where the applied voltage is increased negatively from ground, the array current collection shows an approximately linear rise until it terminates in arcing at greater than several hundred volts negative. This arcing may reduce the power generation efficiency and could possibly affect the low-level logic circuits of the spacecraft. Therefore it is important that the arcing phenomenon be well understood. This study is a survey of the behavior of different dielectric-conductor samples, including a solar cell module, that were biased negatively in a low-density plasma environment with the intent of defining arc discharge conditions and characteristics. Procedures and results are discussed.

Miller, W. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Why does the perpendicular electric field increase at the edge of auroral arcs?

Radar, rocket and satellite measurements often indicate that there is a strong increase and subsequent decrease in the perpendicular electric field when traversing one edge of an auroral arc. The analysis of rocket measurements, presented here, shows that above an auroral arc there is a small gradient in the electric field due to polarization effects in the ionosphere, but that the strong increase at the edge of the arc can only be explained if the field-aligned currents associated with the arc are taken into account.

Bruening, K.↗