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At least 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Electron heating within interaction zones of simple high-speed solar wind streams

In the present paper, electron heating within the high-speed portions of three simple stream-stream interaction zones is studied to further our understanding of the physics of heat flux regulation in interplanetary space. To this end, the thermal signals present in the compressions at the leading edges of the simple high-speed streams are analyzed, showing that the data are inconsistent with the Spitzer conductivity. Instead, a polynomial law is found to apply. Its implication concerning the mechanism of interplanetary heat conduction is discussed, and the results of applying this conductivity law to high-speed flows inside of 1 AU are studied. A self-consistent model of the radial evolution of electrons in the high-speed solar wind is proposed.

Feldman, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A three-dimensional model of corotating streams in the solar wind. I - Theoretical foundations

The paper is concerned with the development of the theoretical and mathematical background pertinent to the study of steady, corotating solar wind structure in all three spatial dimensions. The dynamical evolution of the plasma in interplanetary space (defined as the region beyond roughly 35 Rs where the flow is supersonic) is approximately described by the nonlinear, single-fluid, polytropic magnetohydrodynamic or hydrodynamic equations. Efficient numerical techniques are outlined for solving this complex system of coupled, hyperbolic partial differential equations. The present formulation is inviscid and nonmagnetic, but the methods used allow for the potential inclusion of both features with only modest modifications. A simple, highly idealized hydrodynamic model stream is examined to illustrate the fundamental processes involved in the three-dimensional dynamics of stream evolution. It is found that spatial variations in the rotational stream interaction mechanism produce small nonradial flows on a global scale that lead to the transport of mass, energy, and momentum away from regions of relative compression and into regions of relative rarefaction. Comparison with simpler models demonstrates the essential nonlinear, multidimensional nature of the interplanetary dynamics.

Pizzo, V.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The relationship between Jovian electrons and solar wind stream structure

Near-earth observations of above-0.22-MeV Jovian electrons by the APL/JHU experiments on IMP-7 and 8 during 1972-1975, a period of stable recurrent solar wind, reveals 19 of 26 events in good association with solar wind streams. This pattern of positive correlation with solar wind streams is also observed in 3-6 MeV data from 1965-1972 during well-defined electron events. During their pre-encounter periods Pioneers 10 and 11 were nearly radially aligned with Jupiter and direct magnetic connection was highly unlikely. Jovian electrons above about 5 MeV in the UCSD experiments on Pioneers 10 and 11 were anticorrelated with solar wind velocity from about 3-4 AU until encounter. Reconstructions of the large-scale interplanetary magnetic field suggest that the near-earth events result from direct connection with the Jovian magnetotail and corotation of quasi-trapped populations while for Pioneer events electrons propagate out from the magnetosphere to a solar wind stream interaction, in along the interaction, then in to Pioneer on undisturbed field lines.

Gold, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Pitot pressure measurements in flow fields behind circular-arc nozzles with exhaust jets at subsonic free-stream Mach numbers

The flow field behind a circular arc nozzle with exhaust jet was studied at subsonic free stream Mach numbers. A conical probe was used to measure the pitot pressure in the jet and free stream regions. Pressure data were recorded for two nozzle configurations at nozzle pressure ratios of 2.0, 2.9, and 5.0. At each set of test conditions, the probe was traversed from the jet center line into the free stream region at seven data acquisition stations. The survey began at the nozzle exit and extended downstream at intervals. The pitot pressure data may be applied to the evaluation of computational flow field models, as illustrated by a comparison of the flow field data with results of inviscid jet plume theory.

Mason, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Wind tunnel investigation of the Titan Forward Skirt compartment vent from a free-stream Mach number of 0.80 to 1.96

A test was conducted to determine the flow characteristics of the Titan forward skirt compartment vent over a free stream Mach number range of 0.80 to 1.96. The vent was mounted in a flat plate and the plate was flush mounted to the tunnel side wall with coinciding center lines. Air was discharged from a duct, located on the tunnel side wall behind the plate, through a canted aft 30 deg honeycomb vent into the free stream. Data for the analysis of the Titan forward skirt compartment venting during ascent through the atmosphere are provided. Full scale simulated flight hardware, such as the honeycomb vent, duct corrugations and field joint ring were used. Boundary layer thicknesses were used to vary boundary height. The highest vent discharge coefficient for any given Mach number and vent pressure ratio generally occurred at the maximum displacement thickness. With no vent flow the static pressure in the vent region was generally less than the free stream static pressure. With vent flow, the static pressures upstream of the vent increased, and those downstream of the vent decreased.

Johns, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Interplanetary gas. XXIV - Are cometary plasma tail disconnections caused by sector boundary crossings or by encounters with high-speed streams

The paper discusses and compares the original sector boundary model (Niedner and Brandt) and the alternative high-speed stream model (Ip and Mendis) suggested for explaining cometary plasma tail disconnection events (DE) within a largely observational framework not dependent on detailed plasma physics. Among the findings are: (1) the strong solar cycle phase dependence of the amplitude of the Rosenberg-Coleman effect (Svalgaard and Wilcox) yields inferred maximum latitudes of all of the DEs in the original survey to a one-time Rosenberg-Coleman effect measurement made by Pioneer 11, which indicated a disappearance of sectors above 16 deg latitude, and (2) approximately 70% of the post 1926 DEs in the expanded survey show a close association with corotated shorter-term polarity reversals. This result is difficult to reconcile with the predictions of the stream model, in which DEs should correlate more strongly with streams than with sector boundaries. It is concluded that the sector boundary model better describes the disconnection phenomenon and that the use of DEs as unique sector boundary markers is presently justified.

Niedner, M. B., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The dynamics of oceanic fronts. I - The Gulf Stream

The establishment and maintenance of the mean hydrographic properties of large-scale density fronts in the upper ocean is considered. The dynamics is studied by posing an initial value problem starting with a near-surface discharge of buoyant water with a prescribed density deficit into an ambient stationary fluid of uniform density; full time dependent diffusion and Navier-Stokes equations are then used with constant eddy diffusion and viscosity coefficients, together with a constant Coriolis parameter. Scaling analysis reveals three independent scales of the problem including the radius of deformation of the inertial length, buoyancy length, and diffusive length scales. The governing equations are then suitably scaled and the resulting normalized equations are shown to depend on the Ekman number alone for problems of oceanic interest. It is concluded that the mean Gulf Stream dynamics can be interpreted in terms of a solution of the Navier-Stokes and diffusion equations, with the cross-stream circulation responsible for the maintenance of the front; this mechanism is suggested for the maintenance of the Gulf Stream dynamics.

Kao, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Streaming energetic electrons in earth's magnetotail - Evidence for substorm-associated magnetic reconnection

This letter reports the results of a systematic study of streaming greater than 200 keV electrons observed in the magnetotail with the Caltech Electron/Isotope Spectrometers aboard IMP-7 and IMP-8. A clear statistical association of streaming events with southward magnetic fields, often of steep inclination, and with substorms as evidenced by the AE index is demonstrated. These results support the interpretation that streaming energetic electrons are indicative of substorm-associated magnetic reconnection in the near-earth plasma sheet.

Bieber, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Seasat altimeter observations of dynamic topography in the Gulf Stream region

A straightforward approach to altimeter data analysis in the Gulf Stream system is presented, using a detailed geoid model to remove the gravitational component. The resulting sea surface height profiles compare remarkably well with independent oceanographic observations. Specific features such as cold rings, warm rings, and no anomaly regions are analyzed and it is shown that known positions of cyclonic and anticyclonic rings correspond with depressions and elevations, respectively, with amplitudes as large as 95 cm. The apparent fluctuation of the Gulf Stream is indicated by the results, as in the finding that on time scales of a few days, surface transport indicated by the sea surface height difference across the stream varied by nearly 30%

Cheney, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Bi-directional streaming of solar wind electrons greater than 80 eV - ISEE evidence for a closed-field structure within the driver gas of an interplanetary shock

In near time coincidence with the arrival of helium enriched plasma driving the shock wave disturbance of November 12-13, 1978, strong bi-directional streaming of solar wind electrons greater than about 80 eV was observed with Los Alamos instrumentation on ISEE 3. The streaming persisted for many hours simultaneously parallel and anti-parallel to the interplanetary magnetic field which was directed roughly perpendicular to the sun-satellite line. This example of bidirectional streaming cannot be explained by field line connection to the earth's bow shock or the outward propagating interplanetary shock which passed ISEE 3 approximately 16 hours earlier. The event is explained if the local interplanetary field was a part of a magnetic bottle rooted at the sun or a disconnected loop propagating outward.

Bame, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Numerical solution of transonic stream function equation

The stream function equation, in conservation form, looks similar to the full potential equation and existing methods (e.g. artificial compressibility) can be readily applied. Rotational flows can be calculated once the vorticity (due to shocks or nonuniformity) is evaluated. There are, however, two main difficulties: First, the density is not uniquely determined in terms of the flux (there are two solutions; the subsonic and the supersonic branch with a square root singularity at the sonic point). Methods to overcome this difficulty are studied and results are presented with some remarks on inviscid separation and closed stream lines. Second, the need of two stream functions for three dimensional calculations is briefly discussed.

Hafez, M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

N-stream approximations to radiative transfer

Schuster's two-stream approximation (1905) is first derived from Chandrasekhar's radiative transfer equation (1950), and then extended to an arbitrary number of streams. The resulting technique for solving the transfer function similar to the discrete ordinate and spherical harmonic methods, is useful for modeling atmospheres with complicated phase functions and moderate optical depths. The resulting n coupled linear differential equations are simple and consume less computer time than other approximations, yet have the same required accuracy. The approximation is also flexible with respect to the choice of patch functions, and no approximations are made on the form of the phase function, other than its expansion into Legendre polynomials. A four-stream approximation is evaluated for a Henyey-Greenstein phase function with an asymmetry factor equal to 0.5.

Acquista, C.↗
NASA NTRS1952

General Correlation of Temperature Profiles Downstream of a Heated Air Jet Directed at Various Angles to Air Stream

An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the temperature profiles downstream of heated air jets directed at angles of 90 deg, 60 deg, 45 deg, and 30 deg to an air stream. The profiles were determined at two positions downstream of the jet as a function of jet diameter, jet density, jet velocity, free-stream density, free-stream velocity, jet total temperature, orifice flow coefficient, and jet angle. A method is presented which yields a good approximation of the temperature profile in terms of the flow and geometric conditions.

Ruggeri, Robert S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Several features of the earthward and tailward streaming of energetic protons /0.29-0.5 MeV/ in the earth's plasma sheet

The reported investigation represents an extension of a study conducted by Lui and Krimigis (1981) who have examined the question of transport of energetic protons measured by the Charged Particle Measurements Experiment on IMP 7 and 8 in the magnetotail. It has been shown that there is a substantial net earthward transport of these particles, with fluxes seemingly capable of replenishing the losses of outer radiation belt protons. In the current investigation the earlier study is extended by reporting several features of the earthward and tailward streaming of these energetic protons. Attention is given to selection criteria and isolation of magnetospheric protons, the dawn-dusk reversal in streaming anisotropy, the amplitude of streaming anisotropy, and spectral hardness.

Lui, A. T. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The influence of solar active region evolution on solar wind streams, coronal hole boundaries and geomagnetic storms

Solar and interplanetary data are examined, taking into account the identification of the heliographic longitudes of the coronal source regions of high speed solar wind (SW) streams by Nolte and Roelof (1973). Nolte and Roelof have 'mapped' the velocities measured near earth back to the sun using the approximation of constant radial velocity. The 'Carrington carpet' for rotations 1597-1616 is shown in a graph. Coronal sources of high speed streams appear in the form of solid black areas. The contours of the stream sources are laid on 'evolutionary charts' of solar active region histories for the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. Questions regarding the interplay of active regions and solar wind are investigated, giving attention to developments during the years 1973, 1974, and 1975.

Gold, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Field-aligned ion streams in the earth's midnight region

Plasma measurements from the University of California at San Diego auroral particles experiment on the geosynchronous Applied Technology Satellite 6 in the midnight region show that the low-energy ion fluxes (1-100 eV) are field aligned and are well characterized as thermal populations (1-10 eV) with a streaming velocity of 30-100 km/s along the magnetic field line. The lowest energies are found prior to injections, on quiet days, with an increase of the streaming velocity evident when an injection occurs near the satellite. Multiple peaks in the ion distribution functions are attributed to the presence of different ions species (H/+/, He/+/, O/+/, O/2+/) streaming at similar velocities, both during quiet times and as the plasma velocity increases in response to an injection.

Olsen, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Inlet free-stream turbulence effects on diffuser performance

The performance of a subsonic two dimensional diffuser was experimentally evaluated as a function of inlet free-stream turbulence parameters. Anisotropic inlet free-stream turbulence with the eddy axis perpendicular to the flow and parallel to the diverging walls of the diffuser appears to be more effective at transmitting energy to the diverging walls of the diffuser, thereby improving diffuser performance, as compared to isotropic turbulence or anisotropic turbulence with the eddy axis perpendicular to the diverging walls of the diffuser. The pressure recovery of the diffuser was found to be strongly dependent upon the inlet free-stream total turbulence intensity, was independent of eddy size for large eddy dimensions, and was dependent upon eddy size for small eddy dimensions. The improvement in the diffuser's static pressure recovery coefficient at a total included divergence angle of 20 deg, compared to the low inlet turbulence case, was found to be as much as 21 times larger than the pressure loss across the turbulence generators.

Hoffman, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The structure of a separating turbulent boundary layer. IV - Effects of periodic free-stream unsteadiness

Measurements were obtained of the sinusoidal unsteadiness of the free stream velocity during the separation of the turbulent boundary layer. Data were gathered by single wire and cross-wire, anemometry upstream of flow detachment, by laser Doppler velocimetry to detect the movement of the flow in small increments, and by a laser anemometer in the detached zone to measure turbulence and velocities. The study was restricted to a sinusoidal instability frequency of 0.61 and a ratio of oscillation amplitude to mean velocity of 0.3. Large amplitude and phase variations were found after the detachment, with unsteady effects producing hysteresis in the relationships between flow parameters. The detached shear layer decreased in thickness with increasing free-stream velocity and increases in the Reynolds shear stress. Deceleration of the free stream velocity caused thickening in the shear layer and upstream movement of the flow reversal location. The results are useful for studies of compressor blade and helicopter rotors in transition.

Simpson, R. L.↗