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NASA NTRS1986

Greenstone belts: Their boundaries, surrounding rock terrains and interrelationships

Greenstone belts are an important part of the fragmented record of crustal evolution, representing samples of the magmatic activity that formed much of the Earth's crust. Most belts developed rapidly, in less than 100 Ma, leaving large gaps in the geological record. Surrounding terrains provide information on the context of greenstone belts. The effects of tectonic setting, structural geometry and evolution, associated plutonic activity and sedimentation are discussed.

Percival, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

A time-dependent model of polar cap arcs

In the present 2D time-dependent model of polar cap arcs, the electrodynamics of the polar cap arcs are treated self-consistently in the frame of the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere system. The focus of this work is a description of the features of the spatial structure and temporal evolution of the polar cap arcs. Results indicate that the time constant for the formation of the polar cap arcs is around 10 min; an initial single-arc precipitation pattern associated with a polar cap arc tends to split into multiple precipitation regions, yielding a multiple polar cap arc structure. Strong downward field-aligned currents can develop near the intensive upward field-aligned currents and form a pair structure of the field-aligned current in the polar cap arcs. The model predicts plasma flow crossing the polar cap arcs, but its amplitude is small and its characteristic time scale is much larger than the time constant for the formation of the polar cap arcs. While polar cap arcs are developing, the associated current system tends to become further localized.

Zhu, L.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Fast Particle Methods for Multiscale Phenomena Simulations

We are developing particle methods oriented at improving computational modeling capabilities of multiscale physical phenomena in : (i) high Reynolds number unsteady vortical flows, (ii) particle laden and interfacial flows, (iii)molecular dynamics studies of nanoscale droplets and studies of the structure, functions, and evolution of the earliest living cell. The unifying computational approach involves particle methods implemented in parallel computer architectures. The inherent adaptivity, robustness and efficiency of particle methods makes them a multidisciplinary computational tool capable of bridging the gap of micro-scale and continuum flow simulations. Using efficient tree data structures, multipole expansion algorithms, and improved particle-grid interpolation, particle methods allow for simulations using millions of computational elements, making possible the resolution of a wide range of length and time scales of these important physical phenomena.The current challenges in these simulations are in : [i] the proper formulation of particle methods in the molecular and continuous level for the discretization of the governing equations [ii] the resolution of the wide range of time and length scales governing the phenomena under investigation. [iii] the minimization of numerical artifacts that may interfere with the physics of the systems under consideration. [iv] the parallelization of processes such as tree traversal and grid-particle interpolations We are conducting simulations using vortex methods, molecular dynamics and smooth particle hydrodynamics, exploiting their unifying concepts such as : the solution of the N-body problem in parallel computers, highly accurate particle-particle and grid-particle interpolations, parallel FFT's and the formulation of processes such as diffusion in the context of particle methods. This approach enables us to transcend among seemingly unrelated areas of research.

Koumoutsakos, P.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Correlation of Coronal Plasma Properties and Solar Magnetic Field in a Decaying Active Region

We present the analysis of a decaying active region observed by the EUV Imaging Spectrometer on Hinode during 2009 December 7-11. We investigated the temporal evolution of its structure exhibited by plasma at temperatures from 300,000 to 2.8 million degrees, and derived the electron density, differential emission measure, effective electron temperature, and elemental abundance ratios of Si/S and Fe/S (as a measure of the First Ionization Potential (FIP) Effect). We compared these coronal properties to the temporal evolution of the photospheric magnetic field strength obtained from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Michelson Doppler Imager magnetograms. We find that, while these coronal properties all decreased with time during this decay phase, the largest change was at plasma above 1.5 million degrees. The photospheric magnetic field strength also decreased with time but mainly for field strengths lower than about 70 Gauss. The effective electron temperature and the FIP bias seem to reach a basal state (at 1.5 x 10(exp 6) K and 1.5, respectively) into the quiet Sun when the mean photospheric magnetic field (excluding all areas <10 G) weakened to below 35 G, while the electron density continued to decrease with the weakening field. These physical properties are all positively correlated with each other and the correlation is the strongest in the high-temperature plasma. Such correlation properties should be considered in the quest for our understanding of how the corona is heated. The variations in the elemental abundance should especially be considered together with the electron temperature and density.

Sun: abundances↗

NASA NTRS2016

Coronal Polarization of Pseudostreamers and the Solar Polar Field Reversal

The reversal of the solar polar magnetic field is notoriously hard to pin down due to the extreme viewing angle of the pole. In Cycle 24, the southern polar field reversal can be pinpointed with high accuracy due to a large-scale pseudostreamer that formed over the pole and persisted for approximately a year. We tracked the size and shape of this structure with multiple observations and analysis techniques including PROBA2/SWAP EUV images, AIA EUV images, CoMP polarization data, and 3D tomographic reconstructions. We find that the heliospheric field reversed polarity in February 2014, whereas in the photosphere, the last vestiges of the previous polar field polarity remained until March 2015. We present here the evolution of the structure and describe its identification in the Fe XII 1074nm coronal emission line, sensitive to the Hanle effect in the corona.

magnetic field↗

NASA NTRS2011

Spatial and Temporal Signatures of Flux Transfer Events in Global Simulations of Magnetopause Dynamics

Flux transfer events (FTEs) were originally identified by transient bipolar variations of the magnetic field component normal to the nominal magnetopause centered on enhancements in the total magnetic field strength. Recent Cluster and THEMIS multi-point measurements provided a wide range of signatures that are interpreted as evidence for FTE passage (e.g., crater FTE's, traveling magnetic erosion regions). We use the global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) code BATS-R-US developed at the University of Michigan to model the global three-dimensional structure and temporal evolution of FTEs during multi-spacecraft magnetopause crossing events. Comparison of observed and simulated signatures and sensitivity analysis of the results to the probe location will be presented. We will demonstrate a variety of observable signatures in magnetic field profile that depend on space probe location with respect to the FTE passage. The global structure of FTEs will be illustrated using advanced visualization tools developed at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center

Kuznetsova, Maria M.↗

NASA NTRS2012

The Role of (Delta)C-13 in the Search for Reduced Organics on the Surface of Mars

The capabilities of the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) to detect trace amounts of organic carbon compounds are unprecedented, and MSL may be the first mission to reveal the presence of organic carbon on Mars. The search for reduced organic carbon on Mars is inextricably tied to: a) the preservation potential of the environment from which we take a solid sample, and b) the evolved gas analysis (EGA) techniques used by SAM to release volatiles from this solid sample. Several prospective targets have been identified for sample analysis at Gale Crater. Stratigraphic sequences of phyllosilicates and sulfates at Gale are thought to represent a period of global climate transition from a moderate pH lacustrine environment to an evaporitic environment, both of which could sequester organic carbon (Thomson et al. 2011). The sediment mound in Gale Crater contains a range of lithologies suggesting changes in redox conditions, and evidence of both lacustrine and fluvial depositional processes, which may have transported organic carbon from the layer in which it formed and resulted in its preservation elsewhere within the crater (Anderson and Bell, 2010). Inverted channel fills suggest erosion resistant material that could serve to preserve organics originally deposited in a low energy aqueous environment. The lithology sampled will affect not only the preservation of organics, but also our ability to detect organics during our evolved gas analysis, based on the sample matrix. For example, reduced organics may be trapped in the mineral structure, and thermal evolution of these organics will occur during thermal decomposition of the host mineral. If organics are occluded in minerals that have very high thermal decomposition temperatures, they may be, in effect, "too well preserved," and difficult to detect during EGA. Alternatively, the possible presence of perchlorate, or other strong oxidants in surface regolith, may result in destruction of structural information identifying organic molecules before reaching the QMS on SAM via oxidation to C02 during heating. If this is the case, the stable carbon isotopic composition (delta 13C) of the C02 evolved and measured by the Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) on SAM may help identify the presence of organics. On Earth, biological activity can cause large fractionations of 13C/12C, which can preserved in sedimentary deposits and distinguish the organic products of biotic processes from inorganic atmospheric and geological reservoirs. It is plausible that similar fractionations could occur on Mars and be preserved in reduced organic matter in sediments. Bulk delta 13C measurements alone may not reveal a signature of trace organic carbon that may be present along with inorganic carbon. If both organic and inorganic carbon compounds are present, it may be possible to detect the organic carbon by comparing the 013C of pyrolysis and combustion experiments. The TLS on SAM is capable of obtaining high precision measurements of delta13C from C02 evolved during pyrolysis and combustion of solid regolith samples. Because carbonates are expected to be present at abundances of 0.1-1 % in Martian soil, and organics in the ppb range (Webster and Mahaffy, 2011), analog samples must represent this mix of reduced organic carbon and carbonate. The work presented here will examine the use of delta13C of C02 produced during combustion of bulk Mars analog samples as a proxy for detection of reduced organic carbon.

Stern, J. C.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Probing the Sun with Imaging Spectrographs

EUV and X-ray images of the Sun have revolutionized our understanding of our closest star. With them, we can probe the morphology and temperature structure of the solar atmosphere and see how they evolve as a function of space and time. However, image data cannot be used to determine line-of-sight velocities, abundances, or densities. This information is required to calculate the energy budget of eruptive events, provide boundary conditions for global solar models, and explore fundamental processes occurring in the solar atmosphere. For those diagnostics, we require spectroscopy. Because the structures on the Sun are extended sources, most modern-day spectrometers observe the Sun through long narrow slits. Two-dimensional, spectrally pure solar images with velocity, abundance, and density information are built up by stepping the slit over regions of interest. This method implies that two-dimensional information is highly limited by cadence and the temporal evolution and spatial structure of these parameters can never be truly separated. Both spatial and spectral information can be obtained in a single snapshot with slitless spectrometers, which were often used in the 1950-1970s, but were abandoned due to the difficulty of unfolding the overlapping spatial and spectral information. Thanks to advances in computer processing speeds and machine learning algorithms, there have been several techniques developed to complete the spatial/spectral unfolding, unlocking the full capability of slitless spectrometers for solar observations. The goal of this talk is to give an overview of the capability of such instruments, including recent results from a sounding rocket flight, and demonstrate their usefulness in the next decade of solar observatories and beyond.

Amy Winebarger↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Probing the Sun with Imaging Spectrographs

Amy Winebarger↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Probing the Sun with Imaging Spectrographs

EUV and X-ray images of the Sun have revolutionized our understanding of our closest star. With them, we can probe the structure of the solar atmosphere and see how they evolve as a function of space and time. However, image data cannot be used to determine line-of-sight velocities, abundances, or densities. This information is required to calculate the energy budget of eruptive events, provide boundary conditions for global solar models, and explore fundamental processes occurring in the solar atmosphere. For those diagnostics, we require spectroscopy. Because the structures on the Sun are extended sources, most modern-day spectrometers observe the Sun through long narrow slits. Two-dimensional, spectrally pure solar images with velocity, abundance, and density information are built up by stepping the slit over regions of interest. This method implies that two-dimensional information is highly limited by cadence and the temporal evolution and spatial structure of these parameters can never be truly separated. Both spatial and spectral information can be obtained in a single snapshot with slitless spectrometers, which were often used in the 1950-1970s, but were abandoned due to the difficulty of unfolding the overlapping spatial and spectral information. Thanks to advances in computer processing speeds and machine learning algorithms, there have been several techniques developed to complete the spatial/spectral unfolding, unlocking the full capability of slitless spectrometers for solar observations. The goal of this talk is to give an overview of the capability of such instruments and demonstrate their usefulness in the next decade of solar observatories and beyond.

Amy Winebarger↗

NASA NTRS1987

Some models of the Geminids meteor stream formation

Further development of methods of investigations of meteor shower structure and a great deal of observational data have made it possible to obtain a precise flux density profile along the Earth's orbit for the Geminids meteor shower. This curve proved to be adequately described by a exponential law. Examined are: (1) which ejection model will fit the observed shower structure; and (2) to what extent the subsequent process of evolution modifies the formed structure. The following conclusions are drawn: (1) When studying the mechanism of formation of meteor streams, it is necessary to take into consideration the velocity distribution of particles that have been ejected from the parent body; (2) On the basis of the observed density variations, it is possible to determine what kind of ejection takes place (a single ejection or that around an orbital arch); and (3) The original structure of the Geminids cross section persists for no more than 1,500 to 2,000 years.

Belkovich, O. I.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Probing the Sun with Imaging Spectrographs

EUV and X-ray images of the Sun have revolutionized our understanding of our closest star. With them, we can probe the morphology and temperature structure of the solar atmosphere and see how they evolve as a function of space and time. However, image data cannot be used to determine line-of-sight velocities, abundances, or densities. This information is required to calculate the energy budget of eruptive events, provide boundary conditions for global solar models, and explore fundamental processes occurring in the solar atmosphere. For those diagnostics, we require spectroscopy. Because the structures on the Sun are extended sources, most modern-day spectrographs observe the Sun through long narrow slits. Two-dimensional, spectrally pure solar images with velocity, abundance, and density information are built up by stepping the slit over regions of interest. This mode of operation implies that two-dimensional information is highly limited by cadence and the temporal evolution and spatial structure of these parameters can never be truly separated. Both spatial and spectral information can be obtained in a single snapshot with slitless spectrographs, which were often used in the 1950-1970s, but were abandoned due to the difficulty of unfolding the overlapping spatial and spectral information. Thanks to advances in computer processing speeds and machine learning algorithms, there have been several techniques developed to complete the spatial/spectral unfolding, unlocking the full capability of slitless spectrographs for solar observations. The goal of this talk is to give a broad overview of the capability of such instruments and demonstrate their usefulness in the next decade of solar observatories and beyond.

Amy Winebarger↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Dynamics and Structure of Main-Sequence Stars with Shallow Convection Zones

A dramatic increase in observational data from NASA’s Kepler, K2, and TESS missions and supporting ground-based observatories has opened new opportunities to investigate the internal structure, dynamics, and evolution of stars and their atmospheres. We present 3D radiative MHD simulations for several main-sequence stars with masses from 1.4 to 1.5M sun. The simulations are performed using the "StellarBox" code developed for modeling stellar turbulent convection and atmospheres with a high degree of realism. This presentation discusses similarities and differences between 3D realistic-type and 1D mixing-length models with regard to structural, thermodynamic, and turbulent property variations from the radiative zone to the convection zone and photosphere.

SMD↗

NASA NTRS2010

Simulation of Relativistic Shocks and Associated Self-Consistent Radiation

Plasma instabilities excited in collisionless shocks are responsible for particle acceleration. We have investigated the particle acceleration and shock structure associated with an unmagnetized relativistic electron-positron jet propagating into an unmagnetized electron-positron plasma. Cold jet electrons are thermalized and slowed while the ambient electrons are swept up to create a partially developed hydrodynamic-like shock structure. In the leading shock, electron density increases by a factor of about 3.5 in the simulation frame. Strong electromagnetic fields are generated in the trailing shock and provide an emission site. These magnetic fields contribute to the electrons transverse deflection behind the shock. We calculate the radiation from deflected electrons in the turbulent magnetic fields. The properties of this radiation may be important for understanding the complex time evolution and/or spectral structure in gamma-ray bursts, relativistic jets in general, and supernova remnants.

Nishikawa, K.-I.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Dynamics of quiescent prominences; Proceedings of the 117th Colloquium of IAU, Hvar, Yugoslavia, Sept. 25-29, 1989

Topics discussed include formation of a filament around a magnetic region, evolution of fine structures in a filament, the spatial distribution of prominence threads, high resolution analysis of quiescent prominences at NSO/Sacramento Peak Observatory, small-scale Doppler velocities in a quiescent prominence, Doppler velocity oscillations in quiescent prominences, oscillatory relaxation of an eruptive prominence, and matter flow velocities in an active region emission loop observed in H-alpha. Attention is also given to an automated procedure for measurement of prominence transverse velocities, the nonlinear evolution of magnetized filaments, thermal equilibrium of coronal loops and prominence formation, thermal instability in planar coronal strucutres, radiative transfer in cylindrical prominence threads, numerical simulation of a catastrophe model for prominence eruptions, and the law of evolution and destruction of solar prominences.

Ruzdjak, Vladimir↗

NASA NTRS2012

ORIGIN: Metal Creation and Evolution from the Cosmic Dawn

ORIGIN is a proposal for the M3 mission call of ESA aimed at the study of metal creation from the epoch of cosmic dawn. Using high-spectral resolution in the soft X-ray band, ORIGIN will be able to identify the physical conditions of all abundant elements between C and Ni to red-shifts of z=10, and beyond. The mission will answer questions such as: When were the first metals created? How does the cosmic metal content evolve? Where do most of the metals reside in the Universe? What is the role of metals in structure formation and evolution? To reach out to the early Universe ORIGIN will use Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) to study their local environments in their host galaxies. This requires the capability to slew the satellite in less than a minute to the GRB location. By studying the chemical composition and properties of clusters of galaxies we can extend the range of exploration to lower redshifts (z approx. 0.2). For this task we need a high-resolution spectral imaging instrument with a large field of view. Using the same instrument, we can also study the so far only partially detected baryons in the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM). The less dense part of the WHIM will be studied using absorption lines at low redshift in the spectra for GRBs. The ORIGIN mission includes a Transient Event Detector (coded mask with a sensitivity of 0.4 photon/sq cm/s in 10 s in the 5-150 keV band) to identify and localize 2000 GRBs over a five year mission, of which approx.65 GRBs have a redshift >7. The Cryogenic Imaging Spectrometer, with a spectral resolution of 2.5 eV, a field of view of 30 arcmin and large effective area below 1 keV has the sensitivity to study clusters up to a significant fraction of the virial radius and to map the denser parts of the WHIM (factor 30 higher than achievable with current instruments). The payload is complemented by a Burst InfraRed Telescope to enable onboard red-shift determination of GRBs (hence securing proper follow up of high-z bursts) and also probes the mildly ionized state of the gas. Fast repointing is achieved by a dedicated Controlled Momentum Gyro and a low background is achieved by the selected low Earth orbit.

Kouveliotou, C.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Utilitarian models of the solar nebula

Models of the primitive solar nebula based on a combination of theory, observations of T Tauri stars, and global conservation laws are presented. The models describe the motions of nebular gas, mixing of interstellar material during the formation of the nebula, and evolution of thermal structure in terms of several characteristic parameters. The parameters describe key aspects of the protosolar cloud (its rotation rate and collapse rate) and the nebula (its mass relative to the Sun, decay time, and density distribution). For most applications, the models are heuristic rather than predicted. Their purpose is to provide a realistic context for the interpretation of solar system data, and to distinquish those nebular characteristics that can be specified with confidence, independently of the assumtions of particular models, form those that are poorly constrained. It is demonstrated that nebular gas typically experienced large radial excursions during the evolution of the nebula and that both inward and outward mean radial velocities on the order of meters per second occured in the terrestrial planet region, with inward velocities predominant for most ofthe evolution. However, the time history of disk size, surface density, and radial velocities are sensitive to the total angular momentun of the protosolar cloud, which cannot be constrained by purely theoretical considerations.It is shown that a certain amount of 'formational' mixing of interstellar material was an inevitable consequenc of nebular mass and angular momentum transport during protostellar collapse, regardless of the specific transport mechanisms invloved. Even if the protosolar cloud was initially homogeneous, this mixing was important because it had the effect of mingling presolar material that had experienced different degrees of thermal processing during collapse and passage through the accertion shock. Nebular thermal structure is less sensitive to poorly constrained parameters than is dynamical history. A simple criterion is derived for the condition that silicate grains are evaporated at midplane, and it is argued that this condition was probably fulfilled early in nebular history. Cooling of a hot nebula due tocoagulation of dust and consequent local reduction of optical depth is examined, and it is shown how such a process leads naturally to an enrichment of rock-forming elements in the gas phase.

Cassen, Patrick↗

NASA NTRS2009

Simulation of Relativistic Shocks and Associated Radiation from Turbulent Magnetic Fields

Plasma instabilities excited in collisionless shocks are responsible for particle acceleration. We have investigated the particle acceleration and shock structure associated with an unmagnetized relativistic electron-positron jet propagating into an unmagnetized electron-positron plasma. Cold jet electrons are thermalized and slowed while the ambient electrons are swept up to create a partially developed hydrodynamic-like shock structure. In the leading shock, electron density increases by a factor of about 3.5 in the simulation frame. Strong electromagnetic fields are generated in the trailing shock and provide an emission site. These magnetic fields contribute to the electron's transverse deflection behind the shock. The jitter'' radiation from deflected electrons in turbulent magnetic fields has different properties than synchrotron radiation, which is calculated in a uniform magnetic field. This jitter radiation may be important for understanding the complex time evolution and/or spectral structure in gamma-ray bursts, relativistic jets in general, and supernova remnants. New spectra based on simulations will be presented.

Nishikawa, K.-I.↗