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At least 271 records · Page 15

Application of IRTAM to Support ISS Program Safety

The International Space Station (ISS) orbits near the F-peak of the ionosphere (approximately 400 km altitude). Generally, satellites orbiting at this altitude would have a floating potential (FP) of approximately -1 V due to the electron temperature (Te). However, the ISS has 8 large negatively grounded 160 V solar array wings (SAW) that collect a significant electron current from the ionosphere. This current drives the ISS FP much more negative during insolation and is highly dependent on the electron density (Ne). Also, due to the size of the ISS, magnetic inductance caused by the geomagnetic field produces a delta potential up to 40 V across the truss, possibly producing positive potentials. During Extravehicular Activity (EVA) the negative FP can lead to an arcing hazard when it exceeds -45.5 V, and the positive FP can produce a DC current high enough to stimulate the astronaut's muscles and also cause a hazard. Data collected from the Floating Potential Monitoring Unit (FPMU) have shown that the probability of either of these hazards occurring during times with quiet to moderately disturbed geomagnetic activity is low enough to no longer be considered a risk. However, a study of the ionosphere Ne during severe geomagnetic storm activity has shown that the Ne can be enhanced by a factor of 6 in the ISS orbit. As a result, the ISS Safety Review Panel (SRP) requires that ionospheric conditions be monitored using the FPMU in conjunction with the ISS Plasma Interaction Model (PIM) to determine if a severe geomagnetic storm could result in a plasma environment that could produce a hazard. A 'Real-Time' plasma hazard assessment process was developed to support ISS Program real-time decision making providing constraint relief information for EVAs planning and operations. This process incorporates 'real time' ionospheric conditions, ISS solar arrays' orientation, ISS flight attitude, and where the EVA will be performed on the ISS. This assessment requires real time data that is presently provided by the FPMU including ISS floating potential, along with ionospheric Ne and Te, in order to determine the present environment. Once the present environment conditions are known to be either above, below, or near the current IRI values, the IRI is used to forecast what the environment could become in the event of a severe geomagnetic storm. If the FPMU should fail, the Space Environments team needs another source of data which is utilized to support a short-term forecast for EVAs. The IRI Real-Time Assimilative Mapping (IRTAM) model is an ionospheric model that uses real time measurements from approximately 70 digisondes to produce foF2 and hmF2 global maps in 15 minute cadence. The Boeing Space Environments team has used the IRI coefficients produced in IRTAM to calculate the Ne along the ISS orbital track. The results of the IRTAM model have been compared to FPMU measurements and show excellent agreement (figure 1). IRTAM has been identified as a potential FPMU back-up system will be used as a backup for the FPMU to support the ISS Program following completion of an FPMU/IRTAM validation campaign.

Hartman, William A.↗

Climatic History of the Northeastern United States During the Past 3000 Years

Many ecosystem processes that influence Earth system feedbacks - vegetation growth, water and nutrient cycling, disturbance regimes - are strongly influenced by multidecadal- to millennial-scale climate variations that cannot be directly observed. Paleoclimate records provide information about these variations, forming the basis of our understanding and modeling of them. Fossil pollen records are abundant in the NE US, but cannot simultaneously provide information about paleoclimate and past vegetation in a modeling context because this leads to circular logic. If pollen data are used to constrain past vegetation changes, then the remaining paleoclimate archives in the northeastern US (NE US) are quite limited. Nonetheless, a growing number of diverse reconstructions have been developed but have not yet been examined together. Here we conduct a systematic review, assessment, and comparison of paleotemperature and paleohydrological proxies from the NE US for the last 3000 years. Regional temperature reconstructions (primarily summer) show a long-term cooling trend (1000BCE - 1700CE) consistent with hemispheric-scale reconstructions, while hydroclimate data show gradually wetter conditions through the present day. Multiple proxies suggest that a prolonged, widespread drought occurred between 550 and 750CE. Dry conditions are also evident during the Medieval Climate Anomaly, which was warmer and drier than the Little Ice Age and drier than today. There is some evidence for an acceleration of the longer-term wetting trend in the NE US during the past century; coupled with an abrupt shift from decreasing to increasing temperatures in the past century, these changes could have wide-ranging implications for species distributions, ecosystem dynamics, and extreme weather events. More work is needed to gather paleoclimate data in the NE US to make inter-proxy comparisons and to improve estimates of uncertainty in reconstructions.

Marlon, Jennifer R.↗

Enhancing the ISIS-I Topside Digital Ionogram Database

Selected original analog telemetry tapes from three of the topside-sounder satellites of theInternational Satellites for Ionospheric Studies (ISIS) program, namely Alouette 2, ISIS I, and ISIS II, wereused in an earlier project to produce more than ½ million digital topside ionograms; the resulting digitaltopside ionograms from ISIS II were used to produce more than 86,000 globally distributed vertical topsideionospheric electron density profiles Ne(h) that cover a time span of more than a solar cycle. These Ne(h) wereproduced using the Topside Ionogram Scaler with True height algorithm auto-scaling software. Beforeattempting to automatically process Alouette-2 or ISIS-I ionograms, a data-enhancement project wasinitiated so as to increase the number of ionograms suitable for manual scaling and to increase theauto-processing success rate. These enhancements were mainly to correct problems that often occurredduring the analog-to-digital conversion of the original telemetry tapes. Here we illustrate the improvementsmade to the ISIS-I digital topside ionograms and compare Ne values at the satellite altitude and Ne(h)profiles, based on the manual scaling of selected ionograms, to both the auto-scaled values and thepredictions of the International Reference Ionosphere 2016 model. The results indicate the need to improvethe available auto-processing software for the new ISIS-I digital ionograms and that International ReferenceIonosphere 2016 predicts midlatitude winter topside Ne values that are too high in the late morning andat noon but too low in the early morning.

Benson, Robert F.↗

Modeling EUV Intensity at the Top of the Transition Region Using SPICE Data on Board Solar Orbiter

The Spectral Imaging of Coronal Environment (SPICE; SPICE Consortium et al. 2020) provides an extraordinary opportunity to study the chromosphere and transition region using EUV wavelengths, e.g., Ne VIII 770 Å, CIII 977 Å, OVI 1032 Å, and Lyman-𝛽 025 Å. We present results modeling Ne VIII 770 Å intensity using images from SPICE and the COronal DEnsity and Temperature (CODET) model. This model is based on relationships between the magnetic field, density, and temperature. It uses a flux transport model, the Potential Field Extrapolation model (PFSS), an emission model based on Chianti atomic database 10.0.2, and an optimization algorithm. In addition, we assume that the emission from the top of the transition region (Ne VIII 770 Å) can be described using the magnetic field in the coronal base at 1.014𝑅⨀ (from PFSS). We found the mean full disc electron density in the transition region obtained from the CODET model for Ne VIII 770 Å (𝑙𝑜𝑔10𝑇[𝐾] = 5.8) corresponds to ∼ 𝑙𝑜𝑔10𝑁 𝑐𝑚−3 >9, and temperature value is 𝑙𝑜𝑔10𝑇[𝐾]~6. This value agrees with the Ne VIII 770 Å temperature formation 𝑙𝑜𝑔10𝑇[𝐾]~5.8. The density above sunspots (𝐵 > 50 𝐺) corresponds to 𝑙𝑜𝑔10𝑁 𝑐𝑚−3 > 9, while in quiet Sun regions (𝐵 < 50 𝐺) the mean density is 𝑙𝑜𝑔10𝑁[𝑐𝑚−3 ] = 8 .

Jenny M Rodriguez Gomez↗

New lines of neon ions in the range 50-200 A.

About 180 new spectral lines of Ne V, Ne VI, Ne VII, and Ne VIII have been measured and identified on spectrograms obtained from a large theta-pinch apparatus. The spectrograms covered the range from 50 to 200 A. The lines were classified by means of isoelectronic extrapolations and interpolations.

Hermansdorfer, H.↗

Depth variation of cosmogenic noble gases in the approximately 120-kg Keyes chondrite.

Cosmic ray spallation produced He-3, Ne-21, Ne-22 and Ar-38 have been measured as a function of depth in three mutually perpendicular cores (56, 51, and 21 cm) taken from the 120-kg L chondrite found near Keyes, Oklahoma. The data obtained represent the first experimental determination of the depth variation in the production rates of these cosmogenic nuclides in a single stone meteorite. Fifteen samples across the 56-cm core showed maximum concentration changes of 14% He-3, 28% Ne-21, 19% He-3/Ne-21, and 5% Ne-22/Ne-21. The 51-cm core showed somewhat smaller concentration changes.

Wright, R. J.↗

In situ measurements of neon in the thermosphere

The open source neutral mass spectrometer on the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite has measured neon in the thermosphere. The absolute density of Ne is close to that predicted by using the ground level fraction by volume of Ne along with the assumption of diffusive equilibrium above 100 km. Data is presented for both geomagnetically quiet and disturbed circular orbits. At 290 km, a typical low latitude value of Ne is 3.0 x 10 to the 4th/cu cm. At this altitude Ne appears to be predominantly controlled by temperature except during magnetic disturbances, when offsetting forces due to wind systems may be present.

Potter, W. E.↗

Rare gases in etched 10084 ilmenite - A search for trapped solar-flare rare gases

Results are presented of rare-gas analyses of 10084 ilmenite samples which have been etched to depths of about 1 micrometer in an attempt to remove the surface layer of trapped solar-wind gases, thereby allowing detection of the more deeply implanted solar-flare ions in the remaining trapped gases. A tendency found for the Ne-20/Ne-22 ratios in the etched ilmenite to reflect the solar-wind ratio measured in the solar-wind composition experiment foils may represent a cancellation of mass-fractionation effects. The Ne-20/Ne-22 ratio in the saturated layer is lowered with respect to the solar wind by preferential diffusive loss, but is raised again in the gas diffusing inward by the same preferential mobilization of Ne-20 relative to Ne-22. Attention is also given to the significance of the findings in the case of argon, krypton, and xenon.

Leich, D. A.↗

Improvements to the accuracy of the IUE wavelength scales in high dispersion

The data base of Pt-Ne emission lines used to calibrate the IUE high dispersion wavelength scales was scrutinized to improve the internal consistency of the adopted laboratory wavelength values and provide a homogeneous, documented line list, which IUE Guest Observers may use to evaluate quantitatively those Pt-Ne spectra taken to calibrate their data. After deletion of incorrect or inappropriate data in the old data base (lines with incorrect wavelength assignments; lines which are too faint, too bright, or blended; lines which fall near reseau marks, etc.) and the addition of several new entries, a total of 172 Pt-Ne lines for the SWP camera and 164 Pt-Ne lines for the LWR camera are now used for routine wavelength calibration in the high dispersion mode.

Turnrose, B. E.↗

Forced torsional properties of PMR composites with varying nadic ester concentrations and processing histories

PMR polyimide resin was prepared from 4,4'-methylenedianiline, the dimethyl ester of 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid and the monomethyl ester of 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (NE). The NE group serves as a chain terminator and crosslinking site. PMR/Celion 6000 composites were fabricated from resins having varying NE concentrations using two molding processes, and the laminates characterized in forced torsion. Glass transition temperatures (T(g)) of 360-390 C were observed in the crosslinked resins, as compared with the literature value of 284 C reported for the uncrosslinked system. T(g) did not decrease with decreasing NE concentrations over the range from 2.0 to 1.25 moles. Stoichiometry, within the range studied, showed little influence on shear properties; however, a 25% variation in matrix shear modulus with processing was observed. The G(12) values determined in forced torsion were in excellent agreement with those reported from tensile tests of + or - 45 deg laminates. A branching and possible secondary crosslink mechanism is proposed based on dynamic mechanical behavior and infrared spectra of the composites.

Hurwitz, F. I.↗

IRAS observations near young objects with bipolar outflows L1551 and HH 46-47

A 6-solar luminosity dust-embedded precursor of a low-mass (about 1 solar mass) pre-main-sequence star has been discovered with IRAS near the northeast lobe of the bipolar outflow region in the dust cloud L1551 and designated L1551 NE. Star formation is proceeding in at least two locations in L1551, reminiscent of the situation in regions of more massive star formation. If the position of NE in the flow from IRS 5 is indicative of the flow having initiated star formation in NE, then the object can be only about 24,000 years old. Alternatively, NE could appear by chance to lie in the flow from IRS 5. In the globule ES 0210-6A, a 12 solar luminosity dust-embedded precursor of a low-mass (about 1 solar mass) pre-main-sequence star is found which drives the bipolar flow responsible for the string of Herbig-Haro objects HH 46-47 A-D. In this globule, there is only one region of active star formation.

Emerson, J. P.↗

Observations relating changes in thermospheric composition to depletions in topside ionization during the geomagnetic storm of September 1982

In situ measurements taken over midlatitudes by the Dynamics Explorer 2 spacecraft during a geomagnetic substorm show that a direct correlation exists between depletions in the O/N2 density ratio and in the topside electron density, Ne. On the basis of this correlation, it is concluded that, for the storm of September 1982, losses of free electrons via oxygen and nitrogen chemistry near the F2 peak dominate over wind-induced plasma transport in determining the observed stormtime variations of topside Ne at higher latitudes. However, the appearance of an enhancement in topside Ne along 20-deg invariant latitude indicates that an equatorial wind did develop and was effective in increasing gas temperatures and in generating topside Ne enhancement at lower latitudes.

Miller, N. J.↗

Solar flare neon and solar cosmic ray fluxes in the past using gas-rich meteorites

Methods were developed earlier to deduce the composition of solar flare neon and to determine the solar cosmic ray proton fluxes in the past using etched lunar samples and at present, these techniques are extended to gas rich meteorites. By considering high temperature Ne data points for Pantar, Fayetteville and other gas rich meteorites and by applying the three component Ne-decomposition methods, the solar cosmic ray and galactic cosmic ray produced spallation Ne components from the trapped SF-Ne was resolved. Using appropiate SCR and GCR production rates, in the case of Pantar, for example, a GCR exposure age of 2 m.y. was estimated for Pantar-Dark while Pantar-Light yielded a GCR age of approx. 3 m.y. However the SCR exposure age of Pantar-Dark is two orders of magnitude higher than the average surface exposure ages of lunar soils. The possibility of higher proton fluxes in the past is discussed.

Nautiyal, C. M.↗

The 10Be contents of SNC meteorites

Several authors have explored the possibility that the Shergottites, Nakhlites, and Chassigny (SNC) came from Mars. The spallogenic gas contents of the SNC meteorites have been used to: constrain the sizes of the SNC's during the last few million years; to establish groupings independent of the geochemical ones; and to estimate the likelihood of certain entries in the catalog of all conceivable passages from Mars to Earth. The particular shielding dependence of Be-10 makes the isotope a good probe of the irradiation conditions experienced by the SNC meteorites. The Be-10 contents of nine members of the group were measured using the technique of accelerator mass spectrometry. The Be-10 contents of Nakhla, Governador Valadares, Chassigny, and probably Lafayette, about 20 dpm/kg, exceed the values expected from irradiation of the surface of a large body. The Be-10 data therfore do not support scenario III of Bogard et al., one in which most of the Be-10 in the SNC meteorites would have formed on the Martian surface; they resemble rather the Be-10 contents found in many ordinary chondrites subjected to 4 Pi exposures. The uncertainties of the Be-10 contents lead to appreciable errors in the Be-10 ages, t(1) = -1/lambda ln(1 Be-10/Be-10). Nonetheless, the Be-10 ages are consistent with the Ne-21 ages calculated assuming conventional, small-body production rates and short terrestrial ages for the finds. It is believed that this concordance strengthens the case for at least 3 different irradiation ages for the SNC meteorites. Given the similar half-thicknesses of the Be-10 and Ne-21 production rates, the ratios of the Be-10 and Ne-21 contents do not appear consistent with common ages for any of the groups. In view of the general agreement between the Be-10 and Ne-21 ages it does not seem useful at this time to construct multiple-stage irradiation histories for the SNC meteorites.

Pal, D. K.↗

Another neon nova - Early infrared photometry and spectroscopy of Nova Cygni 1992

Infrared photometry and spectrophotometry of Nova Cygni 1992 taken within 54 days of its eruption show a strong 12.8-micron Ne II forbidden emission line as well as hydrogen recombination lines. Spectra with lambda/Delta lambda of about 2000 resolve the Ne II forbidden and 12.37-micron Hu-alpha lines with about 2200 km/s (FWHM). The Ne II forbidden line shows multiple velocity components. The amount of forbidden Ne II required to produce the observed emission feature exceeds the solar abundance of neon by at least a factor of 4.

Hayward, T. L.↗

Norepinephrine content in discrete brain areas and neurohypophysial vasopressin in rats after a 9-d spaceflight (SLS-1)

The norepinephrine (NE) content in discrete brain areas and the vasopressin content in the neurohypophysial system were assessed in rats after a 9-d spaceflight and after a recovery period. The NE content in the locus coeruleus decreased significantly in spaceflight rats, but showed no difference between control and flight animals after a 9-d recovery. These findings were probably due to an acute stress undergone during landing. The NE content was unchanged in the A2 and A5 cell groups. In rats flown aboard SLS-1, the vasopressin content was increased in the posterior pituitary, and was significantly decreased in the hypothalamus. We conclude that the NE depletion in the locus coeruleus and the alteration in vasopressin release were consistent with an acute stress, likely occurring during and/or after landing. These changes tend to mask the actual neuroendocrine modifications caused by microgravity.

Fareh, Jeannette↗

Solar proton produced neon in shergottite meteorites

Cosmogenic radionuclides produced by near-surface, nuclear interactions of energetic solar protons (approx. 10-100 MeV) were reported in several lunar rocks and a very small meteorites. We recently documented the existence and isotopic compositions of solar-produced (SCR) Ne in two lunar rocks. Here we present the first documented evidence for SCR Ne in a meteorite, ALH77005, which was reported to contain SCR radionuclides. Examination of literature data for other shergottites suggests that they may also contain a SCR Ne component. The existence of SCR Ne in shergottites may be related to a Martian origin.

Garrison, D. H.↗

Periodic upright posture negates the suppression of neuroendocrine response to head down bedrest

Head down bedrest (HDT) decreases plasma neurohormone levels, attaining a nadir within four hours. The present study evaluates the effect of periodic standing or exercises (+G(z)) on this acute suppression of plasma neurohormones. Methods: Nine male subjects (mean plus or minus SE age 37 plus or minus 2 yr; height 182 plus or minus 2 cm; weight 83 plus or minus 3 kg) were admitted to the Human Research Facility on three occasions separated by one month. Subjects were assigned to head down tilt (minus 6 degrees) or 15-minutes of standing or moderate exercise at the end of each hour. Initially during an ambulatory period, subjects were placed in a supine position for 45-min and a control blood sample obtained. The next day following 4 hours of HDT with or without standing or exercise a blood sample was taken 45-min (3 3/4 hours into HDT) after the preceding stand or exercise. Blood was withdrawn and all plasma samples frozen for determination of neurohormone levels within the same assay. Plasma aldosterone, Plasma Renin Activity (PRA) vasopressin (AVP) and cortisol levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) levels were measured by electrochemical detection following HPLC. Values were compared by ANOVA, P less than 0.05. Results: Control levels following 45-min supine were not different between treatments. HDT suppressed plasma aldosterone (13.9 plus or minus 3.7 to 6.6 plus or minus 0.7 ng/dl) and NE levels (299 plus or minus 35 to 217 plus or minus 23 pg/dl), E (69 plus or minus 15 to 65 plus or minus 21 pg/ml), and PRA (0.64 plus or minus 0.13 to 0.58 plus or minus 0.17 ngAl/m/hr) were not significantly altered. Standing or exercise negated the decrease in aldosterone and NE levels due to HDT. Conclusions: Periodic upright posture (+G(z)) with or without exercise for 15-min out of each hour negates the acute suppression of aldosterone and NE associated with HDT.

Wade, C. E.↗