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NASA NTRS1974

Geomagnetic responses to the solar wind and to solar activity

A unified overview of present knowledge of the geomagnetic response to the dynamic solar wind is reported. The formation of the magnetosphere and the magnetospheric tail is discussed the importance of electric fields is stressed, and the magnetospheric convection of plasma and frozen-in magnetic field lines under the influence of large scale magnetospheric electric fields is outlined. Ionospheric electric fields and currents are intimately related to electric fields and currents in the magnetosphere and the strong coupling between the two regions is discussed. The energy input of the solar wind to the magnetosphere and upper atmosphere is discussed in terms of the reconnection model where interplanetary magnetic field lines merge or connect with the terrestrial field on the sunward side of the magnetosphere. The merging model emphasizes the importance of the interplanetary magnetic field and especially the north-south component. The solar sector structure with its organized magnetic field and embeeded high speed plasma streams is identified as the source of recurrent geomagnetic disturbances while flare associated interplanetary shock waves are the source of most violet and sporadic geomagnetic storms.

Svalgaard, L.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Possible acceleration of charged particles through the reconnection of magnetic field lines in interplanetary space

Prominent intensity spikes in the flux of protons and alphas with less than 0.5 MeV per charge were observed in the region several hours behind an interplanetary shock front. The small spatial scale of these events and the high anisotropy of the particle flux suggest local acceleration. The spectra of the particles, which are cut off at equal energy per charge, suggest acceleration through an electric field. The possibility is examined that these events have their origin in active magnetic neutral sheets in the shocked solar wind.

Levy, E. H.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Expansion pattern of flare-associated disturbances near the earth's orbit during October 23 to November 4, 1968

A series of solar flares accompanying type II and type IV radio bursts were observed while the active region McMath No. 9740 was on the solar disk. Most of these flares were also associated with solar cosmic rays and SSC geomagnetic storms. The expansion pattern of these disturbances near the earth's orbit is considered. This pattern appears to be useful for studying the propagation of interplanetary shock waves which are generated by solar flares.

Sakurai, K.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Possible acceleration of charged particles through the reconnection of magnetic field lines in interplanetary space

Prominent intensity spikes in the flux of protons and alphas with less than 0.5 MeV per charge have been observed in the region several hours behind an interplanetary shock front. The small spatial scale of these events and the high anisotropy of the particle flux suggest local acceleration. The spectra of the particles, which are cut off at equal energy per charge, suggest acceleration through an electric field. The possibility that these events have their origin in active magnetic neutral sheets in the shocked solar wind is examined.

Levy, E. H.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Solar wind three; Proceedings of the Third Conference, Pacific Grove, Calif., March 25-29, 1974

Papers are presented relating to the study of solar abundances, the evolution of the solar wind, solar corona dynamics, solar wind interactions, and stellar winds. Some of the topics covered include the nuclear composition of cosmic rays, the solar wind as deduced from lunar samples, spectral characteristics of flares, numerical simulation of interplanetary shock ensembles, radial gradient of solar wind velocity from 1 to 5 AU, the enhancement of solar wind fluctuations with scale size near the proton gyroradius, solar wind-Venus interaction observed from magnetic field experiment on Mariner 10, and binary stellar winds. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Russell, C. T.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Direct observations of a flare related coronal and solar wind disturbance

Numerous mass ejections from the sun have been detected with orbiting coronagraphs. Here for the first time we document and discuss the direct association of a coronagraph observed mass ejection, which followed a 2B flare, with a large interplanetary shock wave disturbance observed at 1 AU. Estimates of the mass and energy content of the coronal disturbance are in reasonably good agreement with estimates of the mass and energy content of the solar wind disturbance at 1 AU. The energy estimates as well as the transit time of the disturbance are also in good agreement with numerical models of shock wave propagation in the solar wind.

Gosling, J. T.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Interplanetary acceleration of relativistic electrons observed with IMP 7

The intensities of 0.22- to 0.5-MeV and 0.5- to 0.8-MeV electrons in interplanetary space following the Oct. 29, 1972, solar particle event have been observed by the IMP 7 satellite. Intensity variations associated with the SSC disturbance of 1655 UT on October 31 are interpreted as suggesting interplanetary acceleration. The results are consistent with an energy-dependent acceleration process which is most effective for electrons of about 0.4 MeV. This is the first reported interplanetary-shock-wave acceleration of relativistic electrons of which the authors are aware.

Armstrong, T. P.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Observations of protons not exceeding 1 MeV/nuc and ions during the September 1974 series of flares

Results are presented on observations of energetic particles made during an active solar period in September 1974, concentrating in particular on an ESP (Energetic Storm Particle) event observed in association with an interplanetary shock wave on 21 September. It is shown that the observed variations in the proton to alpha particle ratios and spectral indices can be explained either by pile-up or by acceleration models of ESP events.

Ipavich, F. M.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Behavior of low-energy protons and alpha particles during a disturbed time period

The paper presents observations of 130- to 1200-keV protons and 40- to 420-keV/nucleon alpha particles made on the earth-orbiting spacecraft Imp 8 and Imp 7 during an active solar period in September 1974, concentrating, in particular, on an energetic storm particle (ESP) event observed in association with an interplanetary shock wave on September 21. It is found that the observed variations in the proton-to-alpha particle ratios and spectral indices can be explained either by 'pileup' or by acceleration models of ESP events. Several instances of local acceleration of particles in the near-earth environment are also discussed.

Ipavich, F. M.↗

NASA NTRS1976

MHD solution of interplanetary disturbances generated by simulated velocity perturbations

An MHD time-dependent numerical simulation, restricted to the solar equatorial plane, is used to demonstrate the interplanetary disturbances caused by several simplified coronal holes. Each 'hole' is assumed to have a configuration such that the higher solar wind velocity produced within their longitudinal extent is Gaussian over a 7-day period at the inner boundary (0.3 AU) of the numerical simulation. A second, twin coronal hole is assumed to rotate on the solar disk behind its predecessor. It is shown that the first coronal hole-produced interplanetary shock ensemble is overtaken by the second ensemble because of the higher velocity, lower density environment into which the latter propagates. A number of features predicted by MHD similarity theory are confirmed by the numerical simulation. These features include (1) strong azimuthal magnetic and plasma density compression, accompanied with average temperature depression, at the contact surface between forward and reverse shock ensembles, and (2) increasing spatial separation distance between forward and reverse shocks.

Dryer, M.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Non-thermal processes in large solar flares

The paper examines the significance of particle acceleration processes in large solar flares, and the importance of accelerated particles in the generation of other flare phenomena. Comprehensive observations of the August 1972 series of large flares were used to obtain quantitative estimates of the energetic particle populations, the electromagnetic emissions, and the mass ejections. The fluxes of energetic electrons and protons were derived from observed X-ray and gamma-ray emissions, respectively. The energy input into the solar atmosphere from the collisional losses of these energetic particles is computed as a function of overlying column density, under the assumption that particles are accelerated at a point high in the solar atmosphere and then precipitate down to denser layers. The flash phase radiation, soft X-ray flare plasma, and the interplanetary shock wave can be consistently and quantitatively explained as a result of the interaction of nonrelativistic electrons with the solar atmosphere.

Lin, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Bidirectional anisotropies in solar cosmic ray events - Evidence for magnetic bottles

During the period 1967-1973 data were obtained from five satellites in order to investigate bidirectional anisotropies in low-energy solar protons and to study electron events. Detailed consideration is given to the characteristics of two observed solar electron events. It is particularly noted that (1) the mean duration of bidirectional anisotropy is about 9 hours, (2) for most events the bidirectional anisotropy occurs at the minimum of the associated Forbush decrease, (3) the existence of bidirectional anisotropy in subrelativistic electrons associated with an interplanetary shock is not expected as anisotropies in impulsive solar electron events usually decay quickly within a time of not more than an hour at 1 AU, and (4) simultaneous observations show a significant difference in the nature of the angular distributions first between electrons and protons and second between different proton energies. The formation of bidirectional anisotropy by propagation and by energy change is also discussed.

Palmer, I. D.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Comment on 'The origin of transient cosmic ray intensity variations' by S. P. Duggal and M. A. Pomerantz

Transient Forbush decreases in galactic cosmic ray intensity have generally been linked to interplanetary shocks and solar flares. However, Duggal and Pomerantz (1977) have concluded that the majority of transient intensity variations of galactic cosmic rays cannot be assigned directly to specific solar flares. The object of the present paper is to show that the observations of Duggal and Pomerantz are in fact consistent with the solar flare origin of most transient cosmic ray reductions (i.e., with the solar flare hypothesis). The consistency of the Duggal-Pomerantz observations with the flare hypothesis is demonstrated on the basis of a statistical model of modulation which reproduces the essential features of their observations. In response to the present analysis (by Parker), Duggal and Pomerantz have presented additional arguments to the effect that the majority of transient intensity modifications (not necessarily Forbush decreases) during the period 1964-1974 were indeed related to the central meridian passage of active centers rather than to any other visible solar feature.

Parker, G. D.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Study of the solar corona using radio and space observations

Optical, radio and X-ray evidence of violent mass motions in the corona has existed for some years but only recently have the form, nature, frequency and implication of the transients become obvious. The observed properties of coronal transients concentrating on the white-light and radio manifestations. The possible mechanisims involved in the radio bursts are discussed. The estimates of various forms of energy are reviewed. It appears that the magnetic energy transported from the Sun by the transient exceeds that of any other form, and that magnetic forces dominate in the dynamics of the motions. The conversion of magnetic energy into mechanical energy, by expansion of the fields, provides a possible driving force for the coronal and interplanetary shock waves.

Dulk, G. A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Intense interplanetary magnetic fields observed by geocentric spacecraft during 1963-1975

In the present paper, interplanetary magnetic field and plasma data are reviewed over a period exceeding one full solar cycle for intervals in which the magnetic intensity was greater than 13 gammas. One hundred forty nine intervals of this type, with almost complete plasma and magnetic field data, are identified. Most (79%) of these enhancements could be associated either with interplanetary shocks or with high-speed stream interfaces. Half of the remaining 21% of the enhancements could be identified as cold magnetic enhancements, while the other half could not be associated with a single shock, interface, or cold magnetic enhancement.

Burlaga, L. F.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The equatorial latitude of auroral activity during 1972-1977

The equatorial latitude of auroral activity has been derived from both electron and optical observations with the DMSP satellites. Virtually all of the observations obtained during the five-year interval June 1972-September 1977 have been used to construct a nearly continuous plot of invariant geomagnetic latitude versus time. This plot has two main characteristics: (1) a diurnal variation of approximately plus or minus 5 deg which is associated with the precession of the earth's magnetic dipole axis about the earth's rotation axis; and (2) an irregular variation of roughly 5-10 deg for intervals of one to several days associated with the occurrence of solar flares and coronal holes. Using a condensed, Bartels-type display of these measurements, it is concluded that: (a) modest auroral expansions (to latitude about 60 deg) occur during the main body of high-speed streams from coronal holes; (b) great expansions (to latitude less than 55 deg) occur only during intervals of intense interplanetary magnetic fields such as may occur at the leading edge of a high-speed stream or at a flare-produced interplanetary shock.

Sheeley, N. R., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Radio and white-light observations of coronal transients

Optical, radio and X-ray evidence of violent mass motions in the corona has existed for some years but only recently have the form, nature, frequency and implication of the transients become obvious. In this paper the observed properties of coronal transients are reviewed, with concentration on the white-light and radio manifestations. The classification according to speeds seems to be meaningful, with the slow transients having thermal emissions at radio wavelengths and the fast ones nonthermal. The possible mechanisms involved in the radio bursts are then discussed and estimates of various forms of energy are reviewed. It appears that the magnetic energy transported from the sun by the transient exceeds that of any other form, and that magnetic forces dominate in the dynamics of the motions. The conversion of magnetic energy into mechanical energy, by expansion of the field, provides a possible driving force for the coronal and interplanetary shock waves.

Dulk, G. A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Theoretical interpretation of Traveling Interplanetary Phenomena and their solar origins

A review is made of recent theoretical studies on Traveling Interplanetary Phenomena (TIP) and their possible solar origins in the context of mathematical methods and physical processes. Flare-generated interplanetary shocks are used as examples to illustrate the following set of contrasting approaches to the phenomena: analytical vs numerical, hydrodynamic vs magnetohydrodynamic, dissipative vs non-dissipative, continuum/macroscopic vs kinetic/microscopic. It is suggested in conclusion that future research should emphasize continuum/macroscopic physical processes together with the kinetic approach to deepen understanding of microscopic interactions.

Wu, S. T.↗