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At least 559 records · Page 31
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

The plasmapause as a VLF wave guide

The properties of the plasmapause as a VLF wave guide are studied. The guidance that occurs is a form of gradient trapping of VLF wave energy. It is shown that guiding is possible at both the inner and outer edges of the plasmapause and that more efficient guiding occurs as the plasmapause gradients become stronger. In the case of strong gradients, waves coming from a latitude range of about 8 deg are focused tightly about the plasmapause field lines, resulting in a wave intensity increase of approximately 3 dB near the magnetic equatorial plane. It is shown that plasmapause-guided waves can be observed on the ground and can echo between hemispheres, precisely as can waves guided in normal whistler ducts. The single distinguishing feature of plasmapause-guided waves is a lowered upper cutoff frequency. The results indicate that the vicinity of the plasmapause represents a natural and readily accessible region of VLF wave guidance and focusing where both passive and active VLF experiments can be studied through ground and in situ satellite measurements.

Inan, U. S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Nuclear burst plasma injection into the magnetosphere and resulting spacecraft charging

The passage of debris from a high altitude ( 400 km) nuclear burst over the ionospheric plasma is found to be capable of exciting large amplitude whistler waves which can act to structure a collisionless shock. This instability will occur in the loss cone exits of the nuclear debris bubble, and the accelerated ambient ions will freestream along the magnetic field lines into the magnetosphere. Using Starfish-like parameters and accounting for plasma diffusion and thermalization of the propagating plasma mass, it is found that synchronous orbit plasma fluxes of high temperature electrons (near 10 keV) will be significantly greater than those encountered during magnetospheric substorms. These fluxes will last for sufficiently long periods of time so as to charge immersed bodies to high potentials and arc discharges to take place.

Pavel, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Plasma waves near the sun: Advances possible with a solar probe

A review is presented of current experimental and theoretical knowledge of plasma waves in the solar wind, with comments on the scientific importance of obtaining plasma wave measurements in the region near the sun with the solar probe. The waves discussed include the acoustic waves and shocks which are thought to be the primary source for heating the solar corona, Alfven waves, ion-cyclotron waves, whistler-mode turbulence, ion-acoustic waves, and electron plasma oscillations associated with solar radio emissions. A discussion is presented of the types of measurements which would be needed to study these waves on the solar probe, the constraints imposed on the spacecraft and the research and development which would be needed to provide the necessary instrumentation.

Gurnett, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Observation of beam-generated VLF hiss in a large laboratory plasma

The paper describes a lab experiment on a beam-plasma instability under conditions for which the theory of VLF hiss is applicable. An energetic electron beam is injected into a cold, dense, almost collisionless magnetoplasma. Beam and plasma dimensions are so large that oblique whistler wave propagation and growth are readily observable. The observations of frequency and wave number spectra, growth rate, and instability level are consistent with theory and satellite observation in regions of electron precipitation.

Stenzel, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Plasmapause signatures in the ionosphere and magnetosphere

Isis 2 observations of a variety of topside ionospheric 'signatures' of the plasmapause are compared with simultaneously acquired equatorial electron-density profiles obtained by the whistler technique. The satellite data were acquired at about 1400-km altitude at dusk and dawn in the sunlit Northern Hemisphere summer ionosphere within about 15 deg longitude of the VLF receiver. Results suggest that the dynamics of plasma coupling between the ionosphere and plasmasphere dominate the topside data and obscure the location of the equatorial plasmapause field line. The total density and light-ion troughs begin 2 to 10 deg equatorward of the field line through the equatorial plasmapause and are not clear plasmapause signatures. The invariant latitude of the region of steep spatial gradient in thermal plasma density, the plasmapause, appears to increase with altitude. Thus measurements of its position at different altitudes may give different results. Plasma-sheet electrons, however, are observed on field lines just outside the equatorial plasmapause at both dawn and dusk. Their low-latitude extent at 1400-km altitude can be used as a signature of the equatorial plasmapause position.

Foster, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Excitation of low frequency waves by streaming ions via anomalous cyclotron resonance

The effect of a small population of streaming ions on low-frequency waves with frequencies below the ion cyclotron frequency is analyzed for three modes of interest: Alfven waves, magnetosonic waves, and ion-cyclotron waves. The instability mechanism is the anomalous cyclotron resonance of the waves with the streaming ions. Conditions for excitation of the three types of waves are derived and expressions for the growth rates are obtained. Excitation of Alfven waves is possible even if the ratio of the densities of the streaming ions to the thermal ions is very small. For magnetosonic waves, excitation can easily occur if waves are propagating parallel or nearly parallel to the ambient magnetic field. As for ion-cyclotron waves, it is found that for the ion-whistler branch the excitation is suppressed over a broader range of wave frequencies than for the fast magnetosonic branch.

Wu, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A theory for chorus generation by energetic electrons during substorms

Previous observations during magnetospheric substorms reveal the existence of relatively narrow band electromagnetic emissions occurring slightly above and below one half of the electron cyclotron frequency in the equatorial magnetosphere beyond the plasmapause. Between these two bands of emission there exists a gap of much lower emission intensity. In this paper an interpretation is presented for these chorus observations wherein the lower emission band is represented by whistler noise and the upper emission band is described by the lowest harmonic of the ordinary mode. These emissions are assumed to be locally generated at the observation point. Both emission bands are excited by power law-distributed energetic electrons with a variable spectral index and a weak loss cone feature. The form of these energetic electrons is similar to the forms observed simultaneously with the chorus emissions. The calculated growth rates show a frequency distribution similar to that of the measured emissions. In addition, the same energetic electron distribution can also produce the electrostatic gyroharmonic emissions often seen by observers in conjunction with chorus emissions during substorms.

Curtis, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Imp 6 measurements in the distant polar cusp during substorms

High time-resolution data from the magnetic field, plasma, energetic particle, and VLF wave experiments performed aboard Imp 6 in a study of the distant dayside cusp during substorms are described. The cusp was studied when its location was slightly equatorward of its normal location and the geomagnetic dipole was tilted in the appropriate direction. The data support both reconnection and diffusion as methods of particle entry to the magnetosphere. The evidence (1) indicates an acceleration process to explain enhancements of 400 to 600-km/sec protons above their magnetosheath intensities, and (2) suggests convection of field lines over the polar cap as a means of explaining the lack of low-energy protons near the low-latitude boundary of the cusp. Magnetic field fluctuations, a perturbation vector, ion cyclotron waves, and an abrupt change in the intensity of both whistler waves and electrostatic waves are characterized.

Fairfield, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Electromagnetic and electrostatic emissions at the cusp-magnetosphere interface during substorms

Strongly peaked electrostatic emissions near 10.0 kHz and electromagnetic emissions near 0.56 kHz have been observed by the VLF wave detector on board Imp 6 on crossings from the earth's magnetosphere into the polar cusp during the occurrence of large magnetospheric substorms. The electrostatic emissions were observed to be closely confined to the cusp-magnetosphere interface. The electromagnetic emissions were of somewhat broader spatial extent and were seen on higher-latitude field lines within the cusp. Using these plasma wave observations and additional information provided by plasma, magnetometer and particle measurements made simultaneously on Imp 6, theories are constructed to explain each of the two classes of emission. The electromagnetic waves are modeled as whistlers, and the electrostatic waves as electron-cyclotron harmonics. The resulting growth rates predict power spectra similar to those observed for both emission classes. The electrostatic waves may play a significant role via enhanced diffusion in the relaxation of the sharp substorm time cusp-magnetosphere boundary to a more diffuse quiet time boundary.

Curtis, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Evidence for lightning on Venus

Evidence for lightning on Venus obtained by the Pioneer Venus 1 Orbiter is presented. The first indications of lightning were detected by the electric field detector on board the Orbiter when the spacecraft periapsis, which is well within the ionosphere, moved into the night side of the planet. Impulsive wave signals were primarily detected at altitudes less than 25 km, and were found to be strongest at frequencies corresponding to propagation in the whistler mode, occurring at an average rate of about 0.5/sec. The signals were often observed during intervals of low and variable electron densities. It is tentatively concluded on the basis of the above observations that the impulsive events were caused by Venusian lightning.

Taylor, W. W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Diffuse Jovian aurora influenced by plasma injection from Io

The paper demonstrates that the broad band of whistler-mode waves observed within the high density torus surrounding Io is consistent with electron cyclotron generation. Cyclotron resonant instability of Jovian energetic electrons is enhanced due to the lower resonant electron energy within the equatorial high density plasma torus surrounding the orbit of Io. The higher energy resonant electron scattering and the corresponding energetic electron lifetimes indicate that an efficient local acceleration process is required to replenish the precipitating relativistic electrons. Calculated energy deposition into the Jovian atmosphere should provide a dominant source of middle atmospheric ionization and excite a continuous band of diffuse auroral emission. It is suggested that the diffuse Jovian aurora should be influenced by the variable volcanic activity on Io which is thought to be an important source of plasma, since the cyclotron scattering process is strongly influenced by the ambient equatorial thermal plasma density.

Thorne, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Siple station experiments on wave-particle interactions in the magnetosphere

Natural and controlled whistler-mode signals have been used to study nonlinear mechanisms of wave growth and wave-wave interactions (WWI) in the magnetosphere; three general classes of WWI (triggering, suppression, and entrainment) are identified and interpreted in terms of a model based on cyclotron resonance interaction. This model is also used to estimate the wave field intensity associated with different types of WWI. A new type of triggered emission, the band-limited impulse (BLI) is interpreted in terms of the switching of phase-bunched currents. In addition, an experiment to find a threshold for the excitation of the coherent wave instability is discussed, and observed VLF wave-induced transient bursts of X-rays, light and E-region ionization enhancements are considered with regard to a step function wave interacting with all resonant electrons in a given energy range.

Helliwell, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Possible generation mechanisms of low-frequency waves /less than about 50 Hz/ with application to the bow shock plasma

Generation mechanisms of waves observed at the earth's bow shock or in its vicinity within the frequency range extending up to about 50 Hz are reviewed. Observations and theories regarding waves in the solar wind upstream of the bow shock (both low-frequency 0.01-0.05 Hz and high-frequency 0.5-4 Hz waves), waves in the bow shock itself and magnetosheath waves arising from processes of generation or amplification in the bow shock are considered. Hydromagnetic, ion-acoustic and whistler type waves are discussed.

Dangelo, N.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Analysis of data from Viking RPA's

Measurements of the martian ionosphere performed by Viking Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA) are reported. Viking RPA measurements of low energy electron fluxes out to 16,000 km above the Mars surface are discussed including both energy spectra and periods of continuous monitoring of the total flux above 15 ev. The mean electron current at energies greater than ev increases montonically by nearly two orders of magnitude from about 9000 km down to 700 km, but no clear signature of the bow shock is seen. The total wave power in the 2 sec measurement intervals for this current does, however, show a broad peak near 1700 km altitude. These variations in the low energy electron fluxes are related to whistler mode oscillations in the solar wind plasma. It is concluded that there may be a highly turbulent shock structure that masks a clear signature of the bow shock in the time averaged data.

Hanson, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Solar zenith angle dependence of ionospheric ion and electron temperatures and density on Venus

The measurements taken during the first year of the Pioneer Venus orbiter retarding potential analyzer indicate the changes of ion and electron temperatures with solar zenith angles. The ion density decreases by an order of magnitude from dayside to nightside; median ion temperatures above 300 km are constant with the solar zenith angle below 150 deg and reach 2300 K at the ionopause. The ion temperatures below 300 km are almost constant with solar zenith angles during the dayside, but increase with the angles on the nightside. The electron temperatures suggest a constant heat flux into the electron gas at the ionopause which may be supplied by dissipation of energy by the whistler mode plasma waves at the ionopause and/or conduction of heat from the ionosheath through the mantle.

Miller, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Quantitative simulation of a magnetospheric substorm. III - Plasmaspheric electric fields and evolution of the plasmapause

Results of a substorm simulation are used to investigate the penetration of substorm-associated electric fields into the plasmasphere. Near 4 earth radii in the equatorial plane, the time-dependent electric field model is characterized by eastward components in the dusk-midnight local time sector and westward components after midnight. With the exception of a small region just before dusk, the model predicts eastward electric field components throughout the daytime sector. The characteristic radial component is directed inward at all local times with the exception of a small region just after dawn. It is noted that these results compare favorably with available whistler and incoherent-scatter radar measurements obtained during magnetically disturbed periods. By assuming an initial plasmapause shape and by following the computed E x B drift trajectories of plasma flux tubes from that initial boundary, the short-term evolution of the plasmapause during the substorm-like event of September 19, 1976, is examined.

Spiro, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Intercomparison of various measurements of thermal plasma densities at and near the plasmapause

Four methods of investigating the thermal plasma density near the plasmapause are intercompared for the period of July 1 to 15, 1972. These methods are whistlers, the double floating probe on Explorer 45, three IMP I plasma wave signatures, and observations made aboard both Prognoz 1 and Prognoz 2. Explorer 45 data have provided new information on the plasmapause bulge which, during this period, occurs at 16 L.T. This displacement from the accepted time of 18 L.T. or even later is substantiated by the Russian satellites. All methods give the result that the plasmapause is found at an electron number density somewhere between 20 and 120 per cu cm or, alternatively, at 60 per cu cm, to within a factor of 2.

Williams, D. V.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Frequency band broadening of magnetospheric VLF emissions near the equator

The broadening of the whistler mode VLF emission band has frequently been observed by the equatorially orbiting S3-A (Explorer 45) satellite outside the midnight sector of the plasmasphere, during periods of geomagnetic disturbance. Prior to the broadening, the band of this emission is narrow with a sharp gap at the half electron gyrofrequency. The gradual broadening of the emission band on the low-frequency side is associated with the simultaneously observed spreading of the anisotropy of the ring current electrons to higher and wider energy ranges. Using the modeled distribution function, the linear growth rates of the cyclotron instability are calculated numerically. The results suggest that broadening of the VLF emission band near the plasmasphere can be caused by spreading of the ring current electron anisotropy toward higher energies.

Maeda, K.↗