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At least 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1988

Superthermal electron processes in the upper atmosphere of Uranus - Aurora and electroglow

Strong ultraviolet emissions from the upper atmosphere of Uranus suggest that both auroral and electroglow phenomena are of significant aeronomical consequences in the structure of the upper atmosphere. Combined modeling and data analysis were performed to determine the effect of electroglow and auroral phenomena on the global heat and atomic hydrogen budgets in the Uranus upper atmosphere. The results indicate that the auroral and electroglow heat sources are not adequate to explain the high exospheric temperature observed at Uranus, but that the atomic hydrogen supplied by these processes is more than sufficient to explain the observations. The various superthermal electron distributions modeled have significantly different efficiencies for the various processes such as UV emission, heating, ionization, and atomic hydrogen production, and produce quite different H2 band spectra. However, additional information on the UV spectra and global parameters is needed before modeling can be used to distinguish between the possible mechanisms for electroglow.

Waite, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Combining electric field and aurora observations from DE 1 and 2 with ground magnetometer records to estimate ionospheric electromagnetic quantities

Global distribution of electric fields and currents in the high-latitude ionosphere was estimated using data from the ground-based network of magnetometers and from nearly simultaneous observations with DE 1 and DE 2 satellites. The electric field and current distributions at high altitudes were calculated from instantaneous ionospheric conductivity (estimated from the DE 1 auroral data), using the Kamide et al. (1981) magnetogram inversion technique; an optimum conductivity was then chosen iteratively so that the resultant electric fields would become consistent with electric field deduced from ion drifts measured along the DE-2 orbit. It is demonstrated that, when analyzing the large-scale electrodynamics of individual substorms, statistical conductivity models are not fully adequate for use with the magnetogram inversion technique.

Kamide, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Source location of Jupiter's decametric radiation and UV aurora

The source region of a component of Jovian Io-unrelated decametric radiation is inferred geometrically based on simultaneous observations from Voyager spacecraft and a ground-based observatory with the aid of a hollow cone beam model and model of the Jovian magnetic field. The results indicate that the sources of this component lie above the northern hemisphere, and on field lines that connect the Io plasma torus and the Jovian ionosphere in the so-called active sector. It is concluded that an interaction between the Io-torus plasma and the ionospheric plasma through a thin flux tube initiates the decametric radiation.

Maeda, Koitiro↗
NASA NTRS1990

Spaceport aurora: An orbiting transportation node

With recent announcements of the development of permanently staffed facilities on the Moon and Mars, the national space plan is in need of an infrastructure system for transportation and maintenance. A project team at the University of Houston College of Architecture and the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture, recently examined components for a low Earth orbit (LEO) transportation node that supports a lunar build-up scenario. Areas of investigation included identifying transportation node functions, identifying existing space systems and subsystems, analyzing variable orbits, determining logistics strategies for maintenance, and investigating assured crew return systems. The information resulted in a requirements definition document, from which the team then addressed conceptual designs for a LEO transportation node. The primary design drivers included: orbital stability, maximizing human performance and safety, vehicle maintainability, and modularity within existing space infrastructure. For orbital stability, the power tower configuration provides a gravity gradient stabilized facility and serves as the backbone for the various facility components. To maximize human performance, human comfort is stressed through zoning of living and working activities, maintaining a consistent local vertical orientation, providing crew interaction and viewing areas and providing crew return vehicles. Vehicle maintainability is accomplished through dual hangars, dual work cupolas, work modules, telerobotics and a fuel depot. Modularity is incorporated using Space Station Freedom module diameter, Space Station Freedom standard racks, and interchangeable interior partitions. It is intended that the final design be flexible and adaptable to provide a facility prototype that can service multiple mission profiles using modular space systems.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1992

Multispectral observations of the Jovian aurora

The upper atmospheres of the Earth and the outer planets form a screen on which precipitating charged particles, like the electron beam in a television, trace fleeting, but revealing patterns of visible, ultraviolet, infrared, and x ray emissions that offer valuable clues to processes occurring within the planetary magnetospheres. At Earth, years of in situ measurements, as well as ground based observations, have yielded a picture (still fuzzy) where the interaction of the solar wind with the magnetosphere of the Earth provides a complex path for the storage and release of energy during magnetic substorms; the ultimate manifestation of terrestrial auroral processes. More recent global imaging of substorm events from high above the Earth (greater than 3.5 R(sub e)) by Dynamics Explorer have made a unique contribution towards understanding the global and temporal evolution of such auroral events by providing a morphological perspective and by providing the crucial observational link that allows the separation of spatial and temporal variations inherent in the interpretation of in situ data. A similar role was played by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) during the recent encounter of Ulysses with Jupiter in helping to define a new paradigm in Jovian auroral physics. The old paradigm portrayed Jupiter's magnetosphere as totally dominated by internal processes (i.e. Io related tori, heavy ions, etc.) where energetic heavy ion precipitation in the inner magnetosphere was solely responsible for the observed auroral phenomena. Ulysses and HST portray a more Earth-like paradigm where electron acceleration in the outer magnetosphere near the boundary with the solar wind plays a distinct role in the formation of auroral hot spots, yet energetic heavy ions also enter into the picture (similar to the role of the energetic ions from the terrestrial ring current during magnetic substorms). These heavy ions as a result of excitation during their transit through the atmosphere produce the x ray emissions observed in Roentgensatellit (ROSAT) x ray energy spectra.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1992

Proton aurora and substorm intensifications

Ground based measurements from the CANOPUS array of meridian scanning photometers and precipitating ion and electron data from the DMSP F9 satellite show that the electron arc which brightens to initiate substorms intensifications is formed within a region of intense proton precipitation that is well equatorward (about 4-6 deg) of the nightside open-closed field line boundary. The precipitating protons are from a population that is energized via Earthward convection from the magnetotail into the dipolar region of the magnetosphere and may play an important role in the formation of the electron arcs leading to substorm intensifications on dipolelike field lines.

Samson, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A low-altitude mechanism for mesoscale dynamics, structure, and current filamentation in the discrete aurora

The 2D nonlinear evolution of the ionization-driven adiabatic auroral arc instability is studied. We find: (1) the adiabatic auroral arc instability can fully develop on time scales of tens to hundreds of seconds and on spatial scales of tens to hundreds of kilometers; (2) the evolution of this instability leads to nonlinear 'hook-shaped' conductivity structures: (3) this instability can lead to parallel current filamentation over a wide range of scale sizes; and (4) the k-spectra of the density, electric field, and parallel current develop into inverse power laws in agreement with satellite observations. Comparison with mesoscale auroral phenomenology and current filamentation structures is made.

Keskinen, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Proton aurora and substorm intensifications

Ground based measurements from the CANOPUS array of meridian scanning photometers and precipitating ion and electron data from the DMSP F9 satellite show that the electron arc which brightens to initiate substorm intensifications is formed within a region of intense proton precipitation that is well equatorward (approximately four to six degrees) of the nightside open-closed field line boundary. The precipitating protons are from a population that is energized via earthward convection from the magnetotail into the dipolar region of the magnetosphere and may play an important role in the formation of the electron arcs leading to substorm intensifications on dipole-like field lines.

Samson, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Hubble Space Telescope Goddard high-resolution spectrograph H2 rotational spectra of Jupiter's aurora

We have observed the emission spectrum from Jupiter's north auroral atmosphere with 0.57 A spectral resolution over 1204-1241 A. Bright emissions have been detected from 50 deg to 60 deg latitude at locations consistent with 6 to 30 R (sub J) auroral ovals, with much fainter emissions away form the auroral ovals. The emission spectrum is well fitted by both laboratory spectra and theoretical models of optically thin electron excited H2, with added Doppler-broadened Lyman Alpha emission. The observed Lyman Alpha emission wings extend more than 1 A from line center and appear correlated in strength with the H2 brightness. Individual rotational lines in the H2 Werner band system are resolved, allowing a determination of the H2 rotational temperature at the altitude of the emission. We derive best-fit temperatures from 400-450 to 700-750 K, with the auroral emission layer temperature changing either across the auroral oval or over several days' time. These observations demonstrate for the first time the ability to measure the observed rapid H2 temperature variations across Jupiter's auroral atmosphere.

Clarke, John T.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Ground and satellite observations of postdawn aurorae near the time of a sudden storm commencement

Meridian scanning photometer measurements taken in the magnetic postdawn sector at Longyearbyen, Svalbard, between 0300 and 0630 UT on December 29, 1981, are analyzed in conjunction with particle and field data retrieved during two near passes of the Dynamics Explorer 2 (DE 2) satellite. The interval included a sudden storm commencement (SSC) at 0455 UT. Pre-SSC optical and particle measurements showed a system of arcs that are spaced at approximately 1.1 deg intervals in magnetic latitude, embedded within the region 1 current system and span the convection reversal. The softer particle precipitation appears to have a source near the flanks of the magnetotail while the harder, more equatorward precipitation originates closer to Earth. During the SSC period the entire sky brightened, with enhanced 630.0-nm emissions extending from the northern horizon to south of magnetic zenith; intense but spatially separated 557.7-nm emissions dominated the southern horizon. DE 2 detected more than an order of magnitude increase and near isotropization of ring current electron fluxes, enhanced precipitation from the plasma sheet and significantly decreases auroral zone convection. Region 1/region 2 currents remained, with wavelike structures superposed. A dual timescale response to the SSC is consistent with ground and satellite measurements. On few minute travel timescales for hydromagnetic waves to pass through the system, magnetospheric particles accelerate and precipitate to increase the ionospheric conductivity. Global, field-aligned currents change more slowly. To maintain similar field-aligned currents with higher ionospheric conductances requires reduced electric fields. After 0520 UT the optical emissions settled into stable, but latitudinally separated bands of 630.0- and 557.7-nm emissions characteristic of cleft and plasma sheet precipitation, respectively.

Egeland, A.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Excitation of Plasma Waves in Aurora by Electron Beams

In this paper, we study numerically the excitation of plasma waves by electron beams, in the auroral region above 2000 km of altitude. We have solved the fully kinetic dispersion relation, using numerical method and found the real frequency and the growth rate of the plasma wave modes. We have examined the instability properties of low-frequency waves such as the Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) wave as well as Lower-Hybrid (LH) wave in the range of high-frequency. In all cases, the source of free energy are electron beams propagating parallel to the geomagnetic field. We present some features of the growth rate modes, when the cold plasma parameters are changed, such as background electrons and ions species (H(+) and O(+)) temperature, density or the electron beam density and/or drift velocity. These results can be used in a test-particle simulation code, to investigate the ion acceleration and their implication in the auroral acceleration processes, by wave-particle interaction.

daSilva, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Measurement of Atomic Oxygen in Diffuse Aurora and Ion Density in the E-Region

An ion mass spectrometer (IMS) was refurbished, calibrated and supplied to the University of Colorado payload (Dr. Charles Barth, P.I.) which was launched from White Sands in September of 1993 as NASA 33.062. The nose cone failed to deploy and their were problems with the ACS so the mission was declared a failure. However, the door covering the IMS deployed and the instrument obtained data. The launch occurred shortly after a payload carrying solar x-ray detectors was launched. Thus a small portion of the Colorado payload science was salvaged; namely, the NO(+)/O2(+) ratio to compare with the measured x-ray flux. Figure I shows the NO(+) to O2(+) ratio vs. altitude. The behavior is typical of the E-region.

Sharp, William E.↗
NASA NTRS1999

High-Resolution Spectroscopy of Auroras on Jupiter and Saturn/Earth Dayglow

The purpose of the grant was to allow the researcher to: (1) reduce and analyze Orbiting and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometers (ORFEUS) II observations of Jupiter (200s) and Saturn (1200s); (2) Reduce and analyze selected ORFEUS-II Earth Far Ultraviolet (FUV) airglow data; (3) Modify existing scripts for simulating Earth FUV airglow emissions to model a subset of the ORFEUS data.

Gladstone, G. Randall↗
NASA NTRS2000

Polar Spacecraft Based Comparisons of Intense Electric Fields and Poynting Flux Near and Within the Plasma Sheet-Tail Lobe Boundary to UVI Images: An Energy Source for the Aurora

In this paper, we present measurements from two passes of the Polar spacecraft of intense electric and magnetic field structures associated with Alfven waves at and within the outer boundary of the plasma sheet at geocentric distances of 4-6 R(sub E), near local midnight. The electric field variations have maximum values exceeding 100 mV/m and are typically polarized approximately normal to the plasma sheet boundary. The electric field structures investigated vary over timescales (in the spacecraft frame.) ranging front 1 to 30 s. They are associated with strong magnetic field fluctuations with amplitudes of 10-40 nT which lie predominantly ill the plane of the plasma sheet and are perpendicular to the local magnetic field. The Poynting flux associated with the perturbation fields measured at these altitudes is about 1-2 ergs per square centimeters per second and is directed along the average magnetic field direction toward the ionosphere. If the measured Poynting flux is mapped to ionospheric altitudes along converging magnetic field lines. the resulting energy flux ranges up to 100 ergs per centimeter squared per second. These strongly enhanced Poynting fluxes appear to occur in layers which are observed when the spacecraft is magnetically conjugate (to within a 1 degree mapping accuracy) to intense auroral structures as detected by the Polar UV Imager (UVI). The electron energy flux (averaged over a spatial resolution of 0.5 degrees) deposited in the ionosphere due to auroral electron beams as estimated from the intensity in the UVI Lyman-Birge-Hopfield-long filters is 15-30 ergs per centimeter squared per second. Thus there is evidence that these electric field structures provide sufficient Poynting flux to power the acceleration of auroral electrons (as well as the energization of upflowing ions and Joule heating of the ionosphere). During some events the phasing and ratio of the transverse electric and magnetic field variations are consistent with earthward propagation of Alfven surface waves with phase velocities of 4000-10000 kilometers per second. During other events the phase shifts between electric and magnetic fields suggest interference between upward and downward propagating Alfven waves. The E/B ratios are about an order of magnitude larger than typical values of C/SIGMA(sub p), where SIGMA(sub p), is the height integrated Pedersen conductivity. The contribution to the total energy flux at these altitudes from Poynting flux associated with Alfven waves is comparable to or larger than the contribution from the particle energy flux and 1-2 orders of magnitude larger than that estimated from the large-scale steady state convection electric field and field-aligned current system.

Wygant, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Quantification of Changes in Thermospheric O/N2 from Observations of UV Airglow and Aurora

The primary goal of the proposed research was to use images from the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) as remote monitors of changes in the ratio of thermospheric O to N2 at high latitudes in response to geomagnetic disturbances. The principal project tasks were to select UVI image data, develop and extend modeling/analysis tools, and, finally, correlate observed changes with geomagnetic activity. In particular, it was necessary to model the average expected dayglow surface to isolate changes from storms. Note that this research differs significantly from previous efforts in that the 'quiet-time' dayglow surface is modeled from first principles rather than being developed empirically from observations. This technique should thus be more generally applicable to observations from other missions.

Germany, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Dayside Aurora Dynamics

Images from the FUV (Far UltraViolet) instrument on board the IMAGE spacecraft will be presented to demonstrate the auroral dynamics in the dayside auroral zone and the polar cap region. optical emissions detected by three different detectors of FUV come from precipitations of energetic protons, electrons, and both species, respectively. In general, auroral activities in these regions responded very well to variations in the boundary conditions either external or internal to the magnetosphere, i.e., in the solar wind or the magnetotail. As a result, auroral images from FUV provide an excellent tool to investigate particle acceleration and transport processes within the geospace, such as shock acceleration, substorm injections, etc. we will interpret the observed auroral images using various models, discuss difference and similarity in the auroral activity from several typical cases, and assess conditions optimal to each type of auroral activity.

Spann, James F.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Simultaneous Chandra X-ray, HST Ultraviolet, and Ulysses Radio Observations of Jupiter's Aurora

Observations of Jupiter carried out by the Chandra ACIS-S instrument over 24-26 February, 2003, show that the auroral X-ray spectrum consists of line emission consistent with high-charge states of precipitating ions, and not a continuum as might be expected from bremsstrahlung. The part of the spectrum due to oxygen peaks around 650 eV, which indicates a high fraction of fully-stripped oxygen in the precipitating ion flux. A combination of the OVIII emission lines at 653 eV and 774 eV, as well as the OVII emission lines at 561 eV and 666 eV, are evident in the measure auroral spectrum. There is also line emission at lower energies in the spectral region extending from 250 to 350 eV, which could be from sulfur and/or carbon. The Jovian auroral X- ray spectra are significantly different from the X-ray spectra of comets. The charge state distribution of the oxygen ions implied by the measured auroral X-ray spectra strongly suggests that, independent of the source of the energetic ions - magnetospheric or solar wind - the ions have undergone additional acceleration. This spectral evidence for ion acceleration is also consistent with the relatively high intensities of the X-rays compared to the available phase space density of the (unaccelerated) source populations of solar wind or magnetospheric ions at Jupiter, which are orders of magnitude too small to explain the observed emissions. The Chandra X-ray observations were executed simultaneously with observations at ultraviolet wavelengths by the Hubble Space Telescope and at radio wavelengths by the Ulysses spacecraft. These additional data sets suggest that the source of the X-rays is magnetospheric in origin, and that the precipitating particles are accelerated by strong field-aligned electric fields, which simultaneously create both the several-MeV energetic ion population and the relativistic electrons observed in situ by Ulysses that are correlated with approximately 40 minute quasi-periodic radio outbursts.

Elsner, R. F.↗