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At least 559 records · Page 31
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

A new concept of plasma motion and planetary magenetic field for Venus

It is shown that the magnetohydrodynamic conditions of the Venus ionosphere near the terminator favor convection of a magnetic field rather than diffusion. Consequently, any planetary magnetic field which Venus may possess will be strongly affected by the global antisunward flow of the ionosphere which has been revealed by the Pioneer-Venus retarding potential analyzer. The magnetic flux from an internal magnetic field will accumulate in the night hemisphere. Details of the structure and dynamics of such accumulations depend on particular details of the magnetic field source and the time-dependent plasma flow pattern, but a simple interpretation of observational data yields a magnetic dipole moment of 7 x 10 to the 20th cu cm directed along the planet spin vector.

Knudsen, W. C.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Foundations of Modern Magnetic Reconnection Research

Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process operating in laboratory, space, and astrophysical plasmas. We understand today that it is the mechanism behind the often explosive release of the stored magnetic energy, and that it directly or indirectly powers as diverse a set of phenomena as solar eruptions, stellar flares, geomagnetic storms, the aurora, and even disruption events in fusion machines. It is also the mechanism powering the majority of the deleterious space effects collectively referred to as “space weather.” Owing to its importance, reconnection has been a research focus for many years, culminating in the research based on NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. A major component of foundational research involved studies of the stability and disruption of current sheets by collisionless tearing, which still plays a major role in the dynamical evolution of the interfaces between magnetic fields of different directions. This presentation will illuminate these beginnings, with special focus on the seminal work of Academician A. A. Galeev, and also provide a summary of the present state of knowledge. It will conclude with an outlook toward future reconnection research targets.

Plasma↗
NASA NTRS2023

Analytical model of foreshock ion interaction with a discontinuity: A statistical study

When a solar wind discontinuity interacts with foreshock ions, foreshock transients such as hot flow anomalies and foreshock bubbles can form. These create significant dynamic pressure perturbations disturbing the bow shock, magnetopause, and magnetosphere-ionosphere system. However, presently these phenomena are not predictable. In the accompanying paper, we derived analytical equations of foreshock ion partial gyration around a discontinuity and the resultant current density. In this study, we utilize the derived current density strength to model the energy conversion from the foreshock ions, which drives the outward motion or expansion of the solar wind plasma away from the discontinuity. We show that the model expansion speeds match those from local hybrid simulations for varying foreshock ion parameters. Using MMS, we conduct a statistical study showing that the model expansion speeds are moderately correlated with the magnetic field strength variations and the dynamic pressure decreases around discontinuities with correlation coefficients larger than 0.5. We use conjunctions between ARTEMIS and MMS to show that the model expansion speeds are typically large for those already-formed foreshock transients. Our results show that our model can be reasonably successful in predicting significant dynamic pressure disturbances caused by foreshock ion-discontinuity interactions. We discuss ways to improve the model in the future.

Terry Z. Liu↗
NASA NTRS1993

Observations of a transverse magnetic field perturbation at two altitudes on the equatorward edge of the magnetospheric cusp

On January 28, 1990, the Dynamic Explorer 1 (DE-1) and Akebono satellites crossed a magnetic field structure at the equatorward edge of the polar cusp at altitudes od 22,000 and 5000 km, respectively, within 6 min of each other. Locally measured plasma particles and fields and magnetometer data from a ground station near the foot of the magnetic field line are more consistent with an interpretation of the structure as that of a standing Alfven wave than that of a quasi-steady field-aligned current sheet. We discuss the observations supporting this conclusion and other related observations of field-aligned currents, Alfven waves, and ion energization near the equatorward edge of the cusp. These observations suggest that Alfven waves are commonly present near the equatorward edge of the cusp.

Peterson, W. K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Active magnetic bearings for optimum turbomachinery design

The design and shop test results are given for a high speed eight stage centrifugal compressor supported by active magnetic bearings. A brief summary of the rotor dynamics analysis is presented with specific attention given to design considerations for optimum rotor stability. The concerns for retrofit of magnetic bearings in existing machinery are discussed with supporting analysis of a four stage centrifugal compressor. Recommendations are given on design and analysis requirements for successful machinery operation of either retrofit or new design turbomachinery.

Hustak, J.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Dual Electron Spectrometer for Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission: Results of the Comprehensive Tests of the Engineering Test Unit

The Magnetospheric Multiscale mission (MMS) is designed to study fundamental phenomena in space plasma physics such as a magnetic reconnection. The mission consists of four spacecraft, equipped with identical scientific payloads, allowing for the first measurements of fast dynamics in the critical electron diffusion region where magnetic reconnection occurs and charged particles are demagnetized. The MMS orbit is optimized to ensure the spacecraft spend extended periods of time in locations where reconnection is known to occur: at the dayside magnetopause and in the magnetotail. In order to resolve fine structures of the three dimensional electron distributions in the diffusion region (reconnection site), the Fast Plasma Investigation's (FPI) Dual Electron Spectrometer (DES) is designed to measure three dimensional electron velocity distributions with an extremely high time resolution of 30 ms. In order to achieve this unprecedented sampling rate, four dual spectrometers, each sampling 180 x 45 degree sections of the sky, are installed on each spacecraft. We present results of the comprehensive tests performed on the DES Engineering & Test Unit (ETU). This includes main parameters of the spectrometer such as energy resolution, angular acceptance, and geometric factor along with their variations over the 16 pixels spanning the 180-degree tophat Electro Static Analyzer (ESA) field of view and over the energy of the test beam. A newly developed method for precisely defining the operational space of the instrument is presented as well. This allows optimization of the trade-off between pixel to pixel crosstalk and uniformity of the main spectrometer parameters.

Avanov, Levon A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Evolution of magnetized protoplanetary disks

We investigate the global evolution of a turbulent protoplanetary disk in its viscous stage, incorporating the effects of Maxwell stress due to a large-scale magnetic field permeating disk. We assume that the viscous stress is given by an alpha model. A magnetic field is produced contemporaneously by an alpha omega dynamo mechanism and the resultant Maxwell stress assists the viscous stress in providing the means for disk evolution. The aim of this work is to compare the evolution of magnetized and nonmagnetized disks driven by turbulent viscosity of the same magnitude and thus assess the effects of a self-generated magnetic field on the structure and dynamical evolution of protoplanetary disks. Two illustrative examples corresponding to two different initial conditions are considered: a high-mass case that starts with a disk of 0.245 solar mass and angular momentum of 5.6 x 10(exp 52)g sq cm/s, and a low-mass that case starts with a disk of 0.11 solar mass and angular momentum of 1.8 x 10(exp 52)g sq cm/s. For each of these two cases the radial development of a disk is calculated numerically assuming a fiducial value of the dimensionless viscosity parameter alpha(sub ss) = 0.01, as well as alpha(sub ss) = 2 x 10(exp -3). In all cases the central star has a mass equal to 1 solar mass. The most striking feature of magnetized disk evolution is the presence of the surface density bulge located in the region of the disk where the dynamo mechanism cannot support a magnetic field. The bulge persists for a time of the order of 10(exp 5)-10(exp 6) yr. The presence and persistence of the surface density bulge may have important implications for the process of planet formation and the overall characteristics of resultant planetary systems.

Reyes-Ruiz, Mauricio↗
NASA NTRS2018

STEREO Observations of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections in 2007-2016

We have conducted a survey of 341 interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) using STEREO A/B data, analyzing their properties while extending a Level 3 product through 2016. Among the 192 ICMEs with distinguishable sheath region and magnetic obstacle, the magnetic field maxima in the two regions are comparable, and the dynamic pressure peaks mostly in the sheath. The north/south direction of the magnetic field does not present any clear relationship between the sheath region and the magnetic obstacle. About 71% of ICMEs are expanding at 1 au, and their expansion speed varies roughly linearly with their maximum speed except for ICMEs faster than 700 km/s. The total pressure generally peaks near the middle of the well-defined magnetic cloud (MC) passage, while it often declines along with the non-MC ICME passage, consistent with our previous interpretation concerning the effects of sampling geometry on what is observed. The hourly average iron charge state reaches above 12+ approx. 31% of the time for MCs, approx. 16% of the time for non-MC ICMEs, and approx. 1% of the time for non- ICME solar wind. In four ICMEs abrupt deviations of the magnetic field from the nominal field rotations occur in the magnetic obstacles, coincident with a brief drop or increase in field strength-features could be related to the interaction with dust. In comparison with the similar phases of solar cycle 23, the STEREO ICMEs in this cycle occur less often and are generally weaker and slower, although their field and pressure compressions weaken less than the background solar wind.

Jian, L. K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Auroral zone electric fields from DE 1 and 2 at magnetic conjunctions

Nearly simultaneous measurements of auroral zone electric fields are obtained by the Dynamics Explorer spacecraft at altitudes below 900 km and above 4,500 km during magnetic conjunctions. The measured electric fields are usually perpendicular to the magnetic field lines. The north-south meridional electric fields are projected to a common altitude by a mapping function which accounts for the convergence of the magnetic field lines. When plotted as a function of invariant latitude, graphs of the projected electric fields measured by both DE-1 and DE-2 show that the large-scale electric field is the same at both altitudes, as expected. Superimposed on the large-scale fields, however, are small-scale features with wavelengths less than 100 km which are larger in magnitude at the higher altitude. Fourier transforms of the electric fields show that the magnitudes depend on wavelength. Outside of the auroral zone the electric field spectrums are nearly identical. But within the auroral zone the high and low altitude electric fields have a ratio which increases with the reciprocal of the wavelength. The small-scale electric field variations are associated with field-aligned currents. These currents are measured with both a plasma instrument and magnetometer on DE-1.

Weimer, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Design and testing of an electromagnetic coupling

Hostile environments such as the hard vacuum of space, and exposure to water or caustic fluids have fostered the development of devices which allow mechanical rotary feed throughs with positive sealing without the use of conventional dynamic seals. One such device is an electromagnetic coupling which transfers motion across a hermetic seal by means of a rotating magnetic field. Static pull-out torque and dynamic heat build-up and pull-out torque tests of a synchronous reluctance homopolar coupling are reported herein. Coupling efficiencies are estimated for a range of speeds and torques.

Anderson, William J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Dynamics of the outer radiation belts in relation to polar substorms and hot plasma injections at geostationary altitude

Geostationary satellite and ground measurements of dynamic variations of the outer radiation belts and their relations with the development of auroral structures during magnetospheric substorms are analyzed. A comparison of measurements of the H or X geomagnetic field components made by seven auroral stations with ATS-6 low-energy and high-energy particle measurements during the multiple-onset substorm of Aug. 16, 1974 is presented which demonstrates that while the decrease in energetic particle fluxed ends only at the time of a strong substorm onset, rapid motions of the outer radiation belts may occur during the flux decrease. All-sky photographs of auroral phenomena taken at Fort Yukon and College, Alaska are then compared with ATS-1 energetic particle flux measurements in order to demonstrate the relation between flux decreases and increases and distinct substorm phases. Results support the hypothesis of a magnetospheric substorm precursor which appears to be an instability growing at the inner boundary of the plasma layer and approaching the earth, and underline the importance of current and magnetic field variations in charged particle dynamics.

Sauvaud, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Data acquisition system for NASA LaRC impact dynamics research facility

A data system is designed to permit the simultaneous recording of 90 data channels on one 28 track magnetic tape recorder using a constant bandwidth FM multiplexing technique. Dynamic signals from transducers located in the test aircraft are amplified and fed to voltage controlled oscillators where they are converted to discrete FM signals. The signals from each group of five VCO's are fed to a mixer/distribution amplifier where they are combined into one composite signal and recorded, using direct recording techniques, on one magnetic tape recorder track. Millivolt signals from the recorders reproduce heads are amplified to one volt and then electronically switched to an FM demultiplexing system where appropriate frequency discrimination and signal filtering recover the original analog information.

Mccormick, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Merged interaction regions and large-scale fluctuations observed by the Voyager 2 in the distant heliosphere

The merged interaction regions (MIRs) and large-scale fluctuations of the heliospheric magnetic field play a major role in the dynamics of the solar wind, the position and motion of the termination shock and heliopause, the triggering of radio emissions, and the modulation of cosmic rays. The structure of MIRs and large-scale fluctuations varies with distance from the sun and with solar activity. Here we compare Voyager 2 observations near the maximum of solar activity (1989 through 1991) with those during the declining phase of solar activity (1992 thorough 1994). Global MIRs with strong magnetic fields, preceded by a strong shock, were observed near solar maximum. During the declining phase of the solar cycle, the MIRs had significantly weaker magnetic fields. In both cases the pickup protons, identified by an analysis of pressure balanced structures, play a major role in the dynamical evolution of the MIRs beyond 30 AU. The large-scale magnetic field fluctuations have significantly greater amplitudes near solar maximum than during the declining phase of the solar cycle.

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Dynamic modeling of brushless dc motors for aerospace actuation

A discrete time model for simulation of the dynamics of samarium cobalt-type permanent magnet brushless dc machines is presented. The simulation model includes modeling of the interaction between these machines and their attached power conditioners. These are transistorized conditioner units. This model is part of an overall discrete-time analysis of the dynamic performance of electromechanical actuators, which was conducted as part of prototype development of such actuators studied and built for NASA-Johnson Space Center as a prospective alternative to hydraulic actuators presently used in shuttle orbiter applications. The resulting numerical simulations of the various machine and power conditioner current and voltage waveforms gave excellent correlation to the actual waveforms collected from actual hardware experimental testing. These results, numerical and experimental, are presented here for machine motoring, regeneration and dynamic braking modes. Application of the resulting model to the determination of machine current and torque profiles during closed-loop actuator operation were also analyzed and the results are given here. These results are given in light of an overall view of the actuator system components. The applicability of this method of analysis to design optimization and trouble-shooting in such prototype development is also discussed in light of the results at hand.

Demerdash, N. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Solar wind control of magnetospheric configuration

The solar wind exerts intimate control of the configuration of the magnetosphere by the reconnection of interplanetary magnetic field with the magnetospheric magnetic field. Thus the solar wind controls the energization of the magnetosphere proper including the ring current as well as the transport of magnetic flux to the tail and the consequent storage of energy there. The dynamics of the magnetopause are also controlled closely by the interplanetary magnetic field. The formation of flux transfer events, twisted tubes of flux across the dayside magnetopause, arise for southward interplanetary magnetic fields. Whether these flux tubes are connected to closed field lines or are completely open is not yet clearly resolved.

Russell, C. T.↗
NASA NTRS1994

High resolution studies of sunspots and flux tubes

This contract is for a three-year research study of sunspots and magnetic flux tubes in the solar atmosphere, using tunable filter images collected with a CCD camera during observing runs at the Canary Islands observatories in Spain. The best observations are analyzed and compared with theoretical models, to study the structure and dynamics of sunspots, their connections with surrounding magnetic fields, and the properties and evolution of smaller flux tubes in plage and quiet sun. Scientific results are reported at conferences and published in the appropriate journals. The contract is being performed by the Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory, part of the Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory (LPARL) of the Research and Development Division (RDD) of Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Inc. (LMSC). The principal investigator is Dr. Alan Title, and the research is done by him and other scientific staff at LPARL and Solar Physics Research Corporation (SPRC), often in collaboration with visiting scientists and students from other institutions. Highlights during this reporting period include completing the final version of a paper on the Evershed effect, writing a paper on magnetic diffusion, continuing work on contrast of small flux tubes, and work on the development of new models to interpret our sunspots observations.

Title, Alan↗