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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 325 records · Page 18
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NASA NTRS1985

The heating of the solar wind by the interstellar neutral gas

Solar wind heating by ionization and assimilation of the interstellar neutral wind is investigated using a numerical model of the interaction. The model is a time-dependent, one-dimensional, spherically symmetric, one-fluid code which includes mass, momentum, and energy sources due to the efficient incorporation of ionized interstellar hydrogen. Solar wind data at 1 AU from October 12, 1978 to February 25, 1980 were input to the inner boundary of the model and propagated out to 10 AU. Then, 52-day averages of proton temperature as functions of radius were produced for three values of the interstellar hydrogen density: 0.0, 0.03, and 0.1 per cu cm. It is concluded that, within the context of the model, the observations of solar wind proton temperatures at Voyager 1 and Pioneer 11 are consistent with heating of the solar wind by an interaction with inflowing interstellar neutral hydrogen. The density of this inflowing gas is near 0.03/cu cm.

Isenberg, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The perturbed neutral circulation in the vicinity of a symmetric stable auroral arc

In the present investigation, a sophisticated high-resolution time-dependent numerical model is used to study the neutral response to changes in the E region electrodynamical forcing and particle heating associated with the appearance of a stable auroral arc. The initial condition is a nighttime ionosphere in the presence of a background precipitation of electrons associated with diffuse auroras. A simulation study is conducted of the perturbation in the neutral circulation. The simulations were performed on the basis of a model which describes nonlinear, nonhydrostatic viscous flow on a rotating atmosphere.

Walterscheid, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Effects of the interaction between plasma and neutrals on the stability of the cometary ionopause

It is pointed out that plasma in the cometary ionosphere is collisionally coupled to neutrals which flow out from the nucleus. The present study is concerned with the effects of this coupling on the stability of the cometary ionopause. Because of this coupling, a damping of waves occurs. However, it is found that the coupling alone cannot quench the Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) instability, in contradiction to the assumption by Galeev and Lipatov (1984). Notwithstanding the plasma-neutral drag, the entire cometary ionopause can be subjected to the K-H instability. This situation might be responsible for the penetration of the interplanetary magnetic field into the cometary ionosphere, as it has been suggested by Ershkovich and Mendis (1983).

Ershkovich, A. I.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Observations of neutral atoms in the Rho Ophiuchi cloud

New observations of lines from neutral atoms in the lines of sight to three stars in the Rho Oph cloud are combined with literature data to look for evidence of density-enhanced regions with higher elemental depletions than those characterizing the cloud as a whole. The depletions inferred from neutral species, however, are comparable to those measured directly from observations of ions, suggesting that no strong density enhancements exist in the observed lines of sight. This conclusion is supported by electron densities derived from the observed ionization fractions, which also show no evidence for a strong variation of density with depth in the cloud. It appears that the overall density (and overall level of depletion) in the cloud is higher than in typical diffuse clouds, despite the apparent lack of strong condensations with enhanced relative depletions.

Snow, T. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The neutral curve for stationary disturbances in rotating-disk flow

The neutral curve for stationary vortex disturbances in rotating-disk flow is computed up to a Reynolds number of 10 to the 7th using the sixth-order system of linear stability equations which includes the effects of streamline curvature and Coriolis force. It is found that the neutral curve has two minima: one at R = 285.36 (upper branch) and the other at R = 440.88 (lower branch). At large Reynolds numbers, the upper branch tends to Stuart's asymptotic solution while the lower branch tends to a solution that is associated with the wave angle corresponding to the direction of zero mean wall shear.

Malik, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Neutral gas measurements of comet Halley from Vega 1

The neutral gas experiment (ING) aboard the Vega 1 spacecraft detected cometary gas within a distance of 60,000 km from the nucleus of comet Halley. A preliminary inspection of the data permits an analysis of the variation in neutral gas density. Fine structure was detected in the spatial disribution of lower-mass species.

Keppler, E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Neutral sheet crossings by ISEE-3 in the distant magnetotail

Magnetic field data from ISEE-3 in the distant magnetotail at crossings of the field reversal (or neutral sheet) region were analyzed to determine the instantaneous direction of the normal component Bz at the crossing. A crossing identified as being almost always tailward of the steady-state X-line was selected. Data for 1 hr are discussed to illustrate difficulties. One particular smooth crossing shows that complicated microstructure can occur in times less than 1 min. Averaging over long times may eliminate essential information. Inspection of the magnetic field data at the highest resolution, however, shows that the direction of the plasma sheet flows and the sense of Bz across the neutral sheet do not always agree with the reconnection models. Rather, they indicate that the low latitude boundary layer may play a significant role in the dynamics of the magnetotail.

Heikkila, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Anisotropy of the neutral gas distribution of Comet Halley deduced from NGE/Vega 1 measurements

The neutral gas density profile of comet Halley measured by the Neutral Gas Experiment on Vega 1 showed an asymmetry between the inbound and the outbound legs during the fly-by on 6 March 1986. The implications of this asymmetry are discussed, and it is shown how the asymmetry detected by NGE on Vega 1 can be traced back to regions on or near the nucleus to obtain their relative gas production activities at specific times of emission.

Hsieh, K. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Neutral sheet crossings by ISEE-3 in the distant magnetotail

The magnetic field data from ISEE-3 in the distant magnetotail at crossings of the field reversal (or neutral sheet) region are analyzed to determine the instantaneous direction of the normal component B(z) at the crossing. Crossings in the middle of the aberrated magnetotail near the apogee A2 of the first deep-tail orbit of ISEE-3 in January-February, 1983 were selected. Data for an interval of one hour is discussed at length to illustrate some of the difficulties that can occur. One particular smooth crossing at 15:56 UT, February 4, 1983, shows that complicated microstructure can occur in times shorter than one minute; averaging over long times may eliminate essential information for this purpose. By inspecting the magnetic field data at the highest resolution, however, it is shown that the direction of the plasma sheet flows and the sense of B(z) across the neutral sheet do not always agree with the reconnection models. Rather, they indicate that the low latitude boundary layer may play a significant role in the dynamics of the magnetotail.

Heikkila, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Thermospheric ion and neutral composition and chemistry

A summary is presented of research contributions by U.S. scientists during the years 1983-1986, toward an increased understanding of the properties and behavior of the earth's thermosphere and F-region ionosphere. As part of the more extensive aeronomy report to IUGG, this review addresses specifically the composition and relevant chemical and thermal processes that influence this region of the atmosphere. The discussion focuses on the separate neutral and ion species, and on the temperatures of the electrons, ions, and neutral gas. Related aspects of the solar radiation and photoelectrons are also included. Direct observational results and analyses are emphasized, along with references to pertinent findings from basic laboratory and theoretical studies.

Breig, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Research and development at the Marshall Space Flight Center Neutral Buoyancy Simulator

The Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS), a facility designed to imitate zero-gravity conditions, was used to test the Experimental Assembly of Structures in Extravehicular Activity (EASE) and the Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structures (ACCESS). Neutral Buoyancy Simulator applications and operations; early space structure research; development of the EASE/ACCESS experiments; and improvement of NBS simulation are summarized.

Kulpa, Vygantas P.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Characteristics of wavelike fluctuations in Dynamics Explorer neutral composition data

Wavelike fluctuations in neutral composition data obtained with the neutral atmospheric composition system quadrupole mass spectrometer carried aboard the Dynamics Explorer (DE 2) satellite are at a maximum in the vicinity of the magnetic poles. Typical rms amplitudes near the poles for N2, O, He, and Ar fluctuations in the 400- to 4000-km-wavelength band are found to be 11, 6, 6, and 20 percent, respectively. Amplitudes near the equator are roughly a third of the polar amplitudes, and activity in the 50- to 400-km-wavlength band is roughly 20 percent of the longer-wavelength activity.

Hedin, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Propagation of charge-neutral beams in space - Modifications when negative ions are present

Two-dimensional (three velocity component) electrostatic simulations are used to investigate the properties of a charge-neutral beam consisting of H(+), H(-), and electrons which will be used in the Beams on Rockets (BEAR) experiment to be launched in late 1987 or early 1988. For cross-field injection and beam densities much greater than the ambient plasma density, the beam splits into two approximately charge-neutral beams: a H(+)-e(-) beam that propagates down the field lines and a H(+)-H(-) beam that propagates at nearly the initial beam velocity on time scales less than the ion gyroperiod. Because of this splitting, space-charge oscillations are induced in the H(+)-H(-) component, which lead to its breakup. At lower beam densities, particularly when the beam electron density is less than about the density of the ambient plasma, the ambient plasma response reduces the space-charge fields as the beam splits and the space-charge oscillations are suppressed.

Winglee, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Neutral upper atmospheres of Venus and Mars

Results obtained over the last 21 years from satellite measurements of the neutral upper atmospheres of Venus and Mars are discussed. Particular attention is given to the chemistry of the neutral upper atmospheres of the two planets, the exospheric temperatures, and the sensitivity of their atmospheric temperatures to solar activity. Various theoretical models used to interpret the planetary atmospheric data are discussed.

Keating, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Energy branching in the Io plasma torus - The failure of neutral cloud theory

Model calculations are used to explore the energy source characteristics of the energy branching of the hot Io plasma torus. It is assumed that the energy is derived from the kinetic energy acquired by ions created in the rotating planetary magnetic field, and that Coulomb collisions with the electron gas control the flow of energy to the ionizing and radiative processes. The results show that neutral cloud theory is qualitatively inadequate. It is shown that neutral cloud theory can only support a dominantly singly ionized system (at the measured electron densities in the plasma torus) and that it fails to predict observed plasma properties relative to variations in number density.

Shemansky, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A general model for Io's neutral gas clouds. II - Application to the sodium cloud

A previously developed neutral cloud model is applied to the neutral sodium cloud produced by Io. Past models for the cloud are reviewed and the motivation for developing better models is discussed. The interactions of sodium in the plasma torus are discussed. It is shown how the new model can be used to provide a consistent physical explanation for the basic physical characteristics of the spatially extended Io sodium cloud and for the east-west intensity asymmetry observed very near Io. This leads to definite conclusions regarding the flux distribution and density of sodium in Io's exosphere, the level of the collisional exobase in the atmosphere, the nature of the interaction of the corotating plasma torus and the satellite atmosphere/corona, and the presence of an east-west electric field in the planetary system.

Smyth, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Observations of energetic ion enhancements and fast neutrals upstream and downstream of Uranus' bow shock by the Voyager 2 spacecraft

Measurements of energetic ions and electrons upstream and downstream from Uranus obtained during the low energy charged particle experiment on Voyager 2 are discussed. The results indicate that energetic ions were present upstream of Uranus' bow shock and that their charcteristics, in terms of anisotropies and energy spectra, are consistent with an Uranian magnetospheric origin and are inconsistent with predictions of in situ acceleration via the Fermi mechanism. An upper limit to the flux of energetic neutrals escaping the magnetosphere is established, and the volume-averaged neutral hydrogen density inside 5 Uranian radii is constrained.

Krimigis, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Plasma flows near the neutral sheet of the magnetotail

The Lepedea on board ISEE 1 is used to investigate the bulk flow plasma in the neutral sheet region (defined as the area where BX approx = O) of the magnetotail. For the majority of crossings there is no appreciable change in the macroscopic plasma parameters, i.e., the density, temperature and velocity of the plasma remain constant through the neutral sheet. This is true even during active periods, when AE is somewhat greater than 100nT. However, for a small number of crossings, all during disturbed times, large plasma bulk velocities abs. val V is greater than or = 300 km/s are observed. The velocity distributions during these events are qualitatively similar to those of the plasma sheet boundary layer that is usually observed at higher latitudes. The acceleration mechanism which creates the plasma sheet boundary layer extends to relatively small radial distances during these active periods.

Huang, C. Y.↗