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NASA NTRS1995

Monte Carlo simulations of particle acceleration at oblique shocks: Including cross-field diffusion

The Monte Carlo technique of simulating diffusive particle acceleration at shocks has made spectral predictions that compare extremely well with particle distributions observed at the quasi-parallel region of the earth's bow shock. The current extension of this work to compare simulation predictions with particle spectra at oblique interplanetary shocks has required the inclusion of significant cross-field diffusion (strong scattering) in the simulation technique, since oblique shocks are intrinsically inefficient in the limit of weak scattering. In this paper, we present results from the method we have developed for the inclusion of cross-field diffusion in our simulations, namely model predictions of particle spectra downstream of oblique subluminal shocks. While the high-energy spectral index is independent of the shock obliquity and the strength of the scattering, the latter is observed to profoundly influence the efficiency of injection of cosmic rays into the acceleration process.

Baring, M. G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A quantitative assessment of the role of the post-shock turbulent region in the formation of Forbush decreases

We present results of a survey of the relation between Forbush decreases, magnetic clouds, and interplanetary shocks during the period August 1978 to November 1982. We have used data from the ISEE-3 study of bidirectional ions associated with magnetic structures or clouds of Marsden et al. (1987), and ground-based observations of Forbush decreases from several neutron monitors. We use the two-step model of a Forbush decrease. We assume that the first step is due to the passage of the postshock turbulent region, and that the second is due to the passage of the magnetic cloud or structure which usually follows the postshock turbulent region. To determine the effectiveness of the postshock turbulent region in causing a Forbush decrease, we have evaluated the radial diffusion coefficient of the postshock turbulent region for the eight largest events during the above period using observations of the magnetic field. We have made a quantitative assessment of the relative importance of the postshock turbulent region in the formation of the Forbush decrease, concluding that the postshock turbulent region alone is not sufficient to cause a Forbush decrease.

Sanderson, T. R.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Coronal Mass Ejections and Solar Radio Emissions

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have important connections to various types of radio emissions from the Sun. The persistent noise storm radiation (type I storm at metric wavelengths, type III storms at longer wavelengths) can be clearly interrupted by the occurrence of a CME in the active region that produces the storm. Sometimes the noise storm completely disappears and other times, it reappears in the active region. Long-lasting type III bursts are associated with CME eruption, thought to be due to the reconnection process taking place beneath the erupting CME. Type II bursts are indicative of electron acceleration in the CME-driven shocks and hence considered to be the direct response of the CME propagation in the corona and interplanetary medium. Finally type IV bursts indicate large-scale post-eruption arcades containing trapped electrons that produce radio emission. This paper summarizes some key results that connect CMEs to various types of radio emission and what we can learn about particle acceleration in the corona) and interplanetary medium. Particular emphasis will be placed on type If bursts because of their connection to interplanetary shocks detected in situ.

Gopalswamy, Nat↗

NASA NTRS1981

Spectral and compositional variations of low energy ions during an energetic storm particle event

Attention is given to variations in the intensity, energy spectra, and composition of low-energy protons, helium, and heavy ions (C, O, and Fe) in the energy range 0.3-20 MeV per nucleon during an energetic storm particle event on September 28-29, 1978. The intensities of low enery (less than or equal to 0.6 MeV per nucleon) particles are found to increase exponentially with time before the arrival of the moving interplanetary shock front. The increase is largest for the particles of lowest energy. The spectral steepening, expressed in terms of differences in the spectral index, increases for particles of increasing mass per charge ratio from a difference of approximately 1 for protons to approximately 3 for iron. As a consequence, the He/O and C/O ratios at equal energy per nucleon are constant, whereas the He/p, Fe/He, and Fe/O ratios decrease by as much as one order of magnitude before passage of the shock. The observations are analyzed in terms of a first-order Fermi acceleration model with a rigidity dependent interplanetary mean free path.

Klecker, B.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Solar wind ions accelerated to 40 keV by shock wave disturbances

Observations in the solar wind with the LASL/MPI fast plasma experiment on ISEE 1 and 2 reveal the common presence of ions with energies extending from 100 eV up to at least 40 keV in a broad region, typically 10 million kilometers wide, following interplanetary shocks. Peak differential fluxes up to 5000/sq cm s sr keV at 28 keV are observed either at the shock or within the first 1.5 hours following shock passage. In the solar wind frame the distribution function of these ions is roughly isotropic, peaks near zero velocity, and above 5 keV can adequately be characterized as power law in energy with a spectral index of 2.7. The effective 'temperature' of these ions generally exceeds 100 million K. These suprathermal interplanetary ions are almost certainly solar wind ions which have been accelerated by some mechanism associated with the shock wave disturbance. Present evidence leads the authors to favor stochastic particle acceleration involving electrostatic and/or electromagnetic turbulence in the postshock flow.

Gosling, J. T.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Acceleration of energetic particles by shock waves from large solar flares

Time-intensity profiles for solar proton events are analyzed with respect to the acceleration of energetic particles from the ambient solar wind by an interplanetary shock. The time-intensity profiles are derived from the Helio 1 particle data base for 1974 to 1984. It is found that many of the large proton events display a prolonged plateau. The Fe/O abundances in the large proton events are studied. It is observed that initially the Fe/O ratio is high (about 1.0), but after proton intensities increase to about 100 protons/sq cm sr sec MeV the Fe/O ratio decreases to a value near 0.1.

Reames, Donald V.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Observations of interaction regions and corotating shocks between one and five AU - Pioneers 10 and 11

Interaction regions between adjacent solar-wind streams have been identified between 1 and 5 AU by Pioneer 10 and 11 magnetic-field and plasma measurements. Beyond 1 AU, a relatively large fraction of the interaction regions have been found to be accompanied by either forward shocks, reverse shocks, or shock pairs. The observations are consistent with previous theoretical proposals that the interaction between adjacent streams leads to the development of corotating interplanetary shocks.

Smith, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

High time resolution observations of corotating interaction region proton events by Pioneer 11

Pioneer 11 high-time resolution, 1-min observations of energetic (about 1 MeV) proton events associated with the corotating interaction regions (CIR) are presented, together with pitch angle distributions and crude differential spectra in the energy range 0.6-3.4 MeV. The principal finding of the study is evidence for the persistent flow of protons with energies about 1 MeV away from CIR shocks. This evidence comes from the analysis of pitch angle distributions. The observations are found to be in good agreement with the hypothesis of local interplanetary shock acceleration.

Pesses, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The acceleration of particles on the sun and in the heliosphere

Within the heliosphere, the sun, the interplanetary medium, and at least four planetary magnetospheres contain acceleration sites which produce significant fluxes of energetic particles. The detailed study of the acceleration processes which produce the different energetic particle populations in the heliosphere is of great importance for cosmic-ray astrophysics. Shock acceleration has been recognized as one of the dominant mechanisms for providing energetic particles. Because of their unique importance to cosmic rays, the present investigation is concerned with shock acceleration processes within the heliosphere. The mechanism by which particles gain energy through their interaction with shocks is briefly reviewed. Attention is given to particle acceleration in the region of the earth's bow shock, interplanetary acceleration processes, solar flare acceleration processes, and particle acceleration at the solar wind termination shock.

Mcdonald, F. B.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Plasma waves as indicators of the termination shock

The plasma wave receivers on the Voyager spacecraft will likely provide indicators of both the actual crossing of the termination shock as well as precursors of the shock crossing. Since the electron foreshock can extend considerable distances upstream of the termination shock, the detection of these waves can provide as many as several weeks warning that a crossing of the termination shock is imminent. Electrostatic turbulence associated with planetary bow shocks themselves is also an expected feature of the solar wind termination shock and will provide an important signature with which to identify the shock and to provide information on its thickness and fundamental processes. Both upstream Langmuir waves and electrostatic wave turbulence can often be found in conjunction with interplanetary shocks, although the generally weaker nature of these shocks often leads to weaker plasma wave signatures than observed at planetary bow shocks. We demonstrate with Voyager observations that the amplitudes expected for each of these phenomena are well within the range of detectability by the Voyager plasma wave receiver even for termination shock distances exceeding 100 AU.

Kurth, W. S.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Variations in plasma characteristics near D sheets in the solar wind

A strong interplanetary shock was detected by the Pioneer 8 magnetometer, plasma probe, and wave instrument at 0048 UT, on June 11, 1968. During the rest of this day the interplanetary medium was highly disturbed as seven well-defined current layers or D sheets, as well as a number of other localized interaction regions, swept past the spacecraft. The local plasma characteristics that were best correlated with passage of the D sheets appeared to involve changes in the suprathermal electron population. Changes in the 400-Hz wave levels were also detected near the discontinuities during periods when the local ion plasma frequency was near 400 Hz, but the limited measurement capability of the Pioneer 8 wave instrument does not allow an unambiguous identification of the wave-particle interactions associated with these measurements.

Scarf, F. L.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Ion injection and acceleration at quasi-perpendicular shocks

We present and discuss results of a new model for ion injections and acceleration at quasi-perpendicular collisionless shocks. We use the one-dimensional hybrid simulation (kinetic ions/fluid electrons) and impose an assumption on the ion motion so that diffusion across the magnetic field (normal to the shock front) is possible. These motions are otherwise suppressed by both one- and two-dimensional simulations. We find that, even in strictly perpendicular shocks, when scattering normal to the field is included, a fraction of the incident ions are accelerated to suprathermal energies. When reasonable scattering times are considered, only pickup ions are injected, whereas thermal solar wind ions are not. The acceleration of these ions is very rapid. We have found that a few of the initially low-energy pickup ions can reach many tens to a few hundred times the plasma ramming energy in less than 100 gyroperiods. Furthermore, highly field aligned energetic ions are found to exist upstream of the slightly oblique shock. The most direct applications of this study is toward the interpretation of observations of both solar wind and interstellar pickup ion distributions in the vicinity of interplanetary shocks which are most often quasi-perpendicular. This work also directly addresses a fundamental issue with regard to our current understanding of the anomalous component of cosmic rays.

Giacalone, J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Intershock observations during STIP intervals 17 and 18

The Prognoz-10/Intercosmos satellite (Intershock Project) carried out observations from Earth orbit from 26 April 1985 until 11 November 1985, covering STIP Intervals XVII and XVIII. Data obtained during the systematic measurements in the course of STIP Interval XVII and part of XVIII are presented; i.e., hourly averages of the solar wind velocity, temperature and ion concentration, ion flux changes (10 to the -1 to 10 to the -3 Hz), plasma wave parameters, energetic particles flux, magnetic fields, etc. Special attention is paid to solar wind distrubances causing abrupt and large effects on the shape of the bow shock (i.e., on 2 May 1985 and 14 September 1985). Generally, the observation period was very close to a minimum of solar activity and was quiet without significant interplanetary shocks.

Zastenker, G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The effect of the shock of 15:43 UT March 23, 1991 on 50 keV to 5 MeV ions at Ulysses

The intensities, angular distributions, and energy spectra of 50 keV to 5 MeV ions are examined in the several hour time interval when an interplanetary shock passed the Ulysses spacecraft. The increase in intensity, evolution of pitch angle distribution from upstream flow away from the shock to a post-shock 'pancake' distribution, the earlier arrival of more energetic particles, and the presence of non-gyrotropic effects at the time of shock passage all can be understood in terms of kinematical behavior of the particles crossing the shock.

Armstrong, T. P.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Interplanetary energetic particle observations of the March 1989 events

The IMP-8 spacecraft placed in an elongated orbit of approximately R(sub E) x R(sub E) orbit around the Earth was the only monitor of the energetic particle environment of the near interplanetary space during the period of the solar particle events associated with the Active Region 5395 in March 1989. Measurements of energetic ion and electron intensities were obtained in a series of channels within the energy range: 0.3 to 440 MeV for photons, 0.6 to 52 MeV/nuc for alpha particles, 0.7 to 3.3 MeV/nuc for nuclei with Z greater than or equal to 3, 3 to 9 MeV/nuc with Z greater than or equal to 20, and 0.2 to 2.5 MeV for electrons. The responses of selected energy channels during the period 5 to 23 March 1989 are displayed. It is clearly noted that the most prominent energetic ion intensity enhancements in that time interval were associated with the interplanetary shock wave of March 13 (07:42 UT) as well as that of March 8 (17:56 UT), which have distinct particle acceleration signatures. These shock waves play a major role in determining the near Earth energetic ion intensities during the above period by accelerating and modulating the ambient solar energetic particle population, which was already present in high intensities in the interplanetary medium due to the superposition of a series of solar flare particle events originating in AR 5395. The differential ion intensities at the lowest energy channel of the CPME experiment, which were associated with the March 13 shock wave, reached the highest level in the life of the IMP-8 spacecraft at this energy. At high energies, the shock associated intensity peak was smaller by less than a factor of 3 than the maxima of solar flare particle intensities from some other major flares, in particular from those with sites well connected to the Earth's magnetic flux tubes.

Sarris, E. T.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Stream structures in the outer heliosphere

Nineteen magnetic clouds are identified in the years from 1978 through 1982 and studied by the superimposed epoch method. The magnetic fluctuations, density, and temperature are enhanced ahead of the clouds preceded by shocks. Strong magnetic field intensities and low proton temperatures are observed in the clouds. A relatively large (2.5%) decrease in cosmic ray intensity is caused by the turbulent sheath behind an interplanetary shock ahead of a magnetic cloud. Only a small (0.5%) decrease in intensity is associated with the magnetic cloud itself. Magnetic clouds can produce geomagnetic activity with a decrease in the Dst index of the order of 100 gammas. The magnitude of the change in Dst index for the case when southward fields arrive first is comparable to that for the case of northward fields first, and the phase is such that geomagnetic activity is associated with the southward fields.

Whang, Y. C.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Monte Carlo shock-like solutions to the Boltzmann equation with collective scattering

The results of Monte Carlo simulations of steady state shocks generated by a collision operator that isotropizes the particles by means of elastic scattering in some locally defined frame of reference are presented. The simulations include both the back reaction of accelerated particles on the inflowing plasma and the free escape of high-energy particles from finite shocks. Energetic particles are found to be naturally extracted out of the background plasma by the shock process with an efficiency in good quantitative agreement with an earlier analytic approximation (Eichler, 1983 and 1984) and observations (Gosling et al., 1981) of the entire particle spectrum at a quasi-parallel interplanetary shock. The analytic approximation, which allows a self-consistent determination of the effective adiabatic index of the shocked gas, is used to calculate the overall acceleration efficiency and particle spectrum for cases where ultrarelativistic energies are obtained. It is found that shocks of the strength necessary to produce galactic cosmic rays put approximately 15 percent of the shock energy into relativistic particles.

Ellison, D. C.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Motion of the heliospheric termination shock. 4: MHD effects

In this paper we generalize earlier gasdynamic analyses of the motion of the heliospheric termination shock in response to upstream disturbances (Barnes, 1993, 1994; Naidu and Barnes, 1994), to include magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) phenomena. We assume that the termination shock is a strong, perpendicular shock and that the initial upstream disturbance is a tangential discontinuity. The resulting configuration after the interaction is very similar to that in the gasdynamic models after an interaction with a contact discontinuity or interplanetary shock, and for an increase (decrease) in dynamic pressure consists of an outward (inward) propagating termination shock and an outward propagating shock (MHD rarefraction wave) that carries the signal of the disturbance into the far downstream plasma. The plasma immediately behind the new termination shock is separated from the downstream signal by a tangential discontinuity. The results of the model show that the speed of the new termination shock depends mainly on the magnitude of the change in dynamic pressure and are typically of order approximately 100 km/s, comparable to the results of the gasdynamic models.

Naidu, Kamcilla↗