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At least 595 records · Page 33

High latitude electric fields and the modulations related to interplanetary magnetic field parameters

The meaning and characteristics of basic and average convection (i.e., electric field) patterns are described. The continuous existence of the basic convection pattern argues against treating magnetic field merging mechanisms as the fundamental cause of magnetospheric convection. However, whether related to merging or to some other mechanism, interplanetary magnetic field conditions significantly modulate the distribution, magnitudes, and boundaries of the convection pattern. A previous correlation between azimuthal angles of the interplanetary magnetic field and asymmetries in polar cap electric field distributions as seen by OGO-6 is reviewed. A new approach is taken to reveal correlations with the north-south angle and magnitude of the interplanetary field as well as additional features which correlate with the azimuthal angle. Both significant correlations and conditions which show a lack of correlation are found. Several aspects of the correlations appear to be particularly important.

Heppner, J. P.↗

The magnetotail and substorms

The tail plays a very active and important role in substorms. Magmetic flux eroded from the dayside magnetosphere is stored here. As more and more flux is transported to the magnetotail and stored, the boundary flares more, the field strength in the tail increases, and the currents strengthen and move closer to the earth. Further, the plasma sheet thins and the magnetic flux crossing the neutral sheet lessens. The experimental evidence for these processes is discussed and a phenomenological or qualitative model of the substorm sequence is presented. In this model, the flux transport is driven by the merging of the magnetospheric and interplanetary magnetic fields. During the growth phase of substorms the merging rate on the dayside magnetosphere exceeds the reconnection rate in the neutral sheet.

Russell, C. T.↗

Convection in a Martian magnetosphere

Data from the Mars 2 and 3 orbiters suggest the existence of a Martian magnetosphere. We wish to point out that the Martian magnetosphere would probably be one in which the drag on magnetic field lines tied to a highly conducting day side ionosphere greatly inhibits the line-merging rate at the magnetopause. We deduce a maximum merging speed that is 1-2 orders of magnitude less than the local Alfven speed. We also conclude that the magnetospheric magnetic fields caused by ionospheric currents should be comparable to those due to the small intrinsic dipole moment implied by the spacecraft data. The shape and the size of the magnetosphere are likely to be highly variable.

Rassbach, M. E.↗

Is there an electrostatic field tangential to the dayside magnetopause and neutral line

Energy considerations are put forward which lead to the conclusion that the magnetopause current does not flow through the magnetospheric potential difference (of 60,000 V), and that the magnetopause is roughly an equipotential surface. Because of the necessary continuity of the tangential component of the electric field, this conclusion implies that no steady-state electric field exists along the neutral line located near the dayside magnetopause (in an open magnetospheric model). Since such an electric field is an essential part of the theory of merging of magnetic lines of force, it is concluded that the merging model does not hold for the electric field.

Heikkila, W. J.↗

A similarity solution of the Navier-Stokes equations with wall catalysis and slip for hypersonic, low Reynolds number flow over spheres

The slip conditions for a multicomponent mixture with diffusion, wall-catalyzed atom recombination and thermal radiation are derived. The more realistic multicomponent species slip conditions are shown to be necessary for accurate merged shock layer solutions on a sphere. These slip conditions are used in a first-order similarity solution of the Navier-Stokes equations with nonequilibrium chemistry for the merged shock layer. Results of this quick numerical solution are compared with a time dependent solution around the sphere and with measured arc jet results at low Reynolds numbers. The similarity solution, unlike the time dependent solution, shows smooth radial profiles of the pressure and smooth variations of velocity slip, skin friction, temperature slip and heat transfer around the body. The present first-order similarity solution is valid up to 25 deg from the stagnation point and takes less than 1% of the computer time to run a time dependent scheme. The smaller stand-off distance obtained from the similarity solution is supported by experimental data. The measured heat flux is closer to the similarity solution than the time dependent method at the stagnation point and shows the proper variation with circumferential angle up to at least 40 deg.

Hendricks, W. L.↗

Geomagnetic responses to the solar wind and the solar activity

Following some historical notes, the formation of the magnetosphere and the magnetospheric tail is discussed. The importance of electric fields is stressed and the magnetospheric convection of plasma and magnetic field lines under the influence of large-scale magnetospheric electric fields is outlined. Ionospheric electric fields and currents are intimately related to electric fields and currents in the magnetosphere and the strong coupling between the two regions is discussed. The energy input of the solar wind to the magnetosphere and upper atmosphere is discussed in terms of the reconnection model where interplanetary magnetic field lines merge or connect with the terrestrial field on the sunward side of the magnetosphere. The merged field lines are then stretched behind earth to form the magnetotail so that kinetic energy from the solar wind is converted into magnetic energy in the field lines in the tail. Localized collapses of the crosstail current, which is driven by the large-scale dawn/dusk electric field in the magnetosphere, divert part of this current along geomagnetic field lines to the ionosphere, causing substorms with auroral activity and magnetic disturbances. The collapses also inject plasma into the radiation belts and build up a ring current. Frequent collapses in rapid succession constitute the geomagnetic storm.

Svalgaard, L.↗

Remote sensing impact on corridor selection and placement

Computer-aided corridor selection techniques, utilizing digitized data bases of socio-economic, census, and cadastral data, and developed for highway corridor routing are considered. Land resource data generated from various remote sensing data sources were successfully merged with the ancillary data files of a corridor selection model and prototype highway corridors were designed using the combined data set. Remote sensing derived information considered useful for highway corridor location, special considerations in geometric correction of remote sensing data to facilitate merging it with ancillary data files, and special interface requirements are briefly discussed.

Thomson, F. J.↗

Magnetic holes in the solar wind

An analysis is presented of high resolution interplanetary magnetic field measurements from the magnetometer on Explorer 43 which showed that low magnetic field intensities in the solar wind at 1 AU occur as distinct depressions or 'holes'. These magnetic holes are new kinetic-scale phenomena, having a characteristic dimension on the order of 20,000 km. They occurred at a rate of 1.5/day in the 18-day time span (March 18 to April 6, 1971) that was analyzed. Most of the magnetic holes are characterized by both a depression in the absolute value of the magnetic field, and a change in the magnetic field direction; some of these are possibly the result of magnetic merging. However, in other cases the magnetic field direction does not change; such holes are not due to magnetic merging, but might be a diamagnetic effect due to localized plasma inhomogeneities.

Turner, J. M.↗

Vortex interactions and decay in aircraft wakes

The dynamic interaction of aircraft wake vortices was investigated using both inviscid and viscous models. For the viscous model, a computer code was developed using a second-order closure model of turbulent transport. The phenomenon of vortex merging which results in the rapid aging of a vortex wake was examined in detail. It was shown that the redistribution of vorticity during merging results from both convective and diffusive mechanisms.

Bilanin, A. J.↗

Magnetic holes in the solar wind

An analysis of high-resolution magnetic field measurements from the Goddard Space Flight Center magnetometer on Explorer 43 showed that low magnetic field intensities (less than 1 gamma) in the solar wind at 1 AU occur as distinct depressions, or 'holes', in otherwise nearly average conditions. These magnetic holes are new kinetic scale phenomena, having a characteristic dimension of the order of 20,000 km. They occurred at a rate of 1.5/d in the 18-day interval (March 18 to April 6, 1971) that was considered. Most magnetic holes are characterized by both a depression in /B/ and a change in the magnetic field direction, and some of these are possibly the result of magnetic merging. However, in other cases the direction, does not change; such holes are not due to merging but might be a diamagnetic effect due to localized plasma inhomogeneities.

Turner, J. M.↗

Reconnexion

Reconnection is defined as the process whereby plasma flows across a surface that separates regions containing topologically different field lines. The magnitude of the plasma flow is a measure of the merging rate. Evidence for reconnection on the sun, in the solar wind, and in the magnetospheres of the terrestrial planets and Jupiter is briefly reviewed. Dependence of the merging rate on interplanetary conditions is discussed.

Russell, C. T.↗

Synthetic aperture radar/LANDSAT MSS image registration

Algorithms and procedures necessary to merge aircraft synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and LANDSAT multispectral scanner (MSS) imagery were determined. The design of a SAR/LANDSAT data merging system was developed. Aircraft SAR images were registered to the corresponding LANDSAT MSS scenes and were the subject of experimental investigations. Results indicate that the registration of SAR imagery with LANDSAT MSS imagery is feasible from a technical viewpoint, and useful from an information-content viewpoint.

Maurer, H. E.↗

Deconvolution of gas chromatographic data

The use of deconvolution methods on gas chromatographic data to obtain an accurate determination of the relative amounts of each material present by mathematically separating the merged peaks is discussed. Data were obtained on a gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector. Chromatograms of five xylenes with differing degrees of separation were generated by varying the column temperature at selected rates. The merged peaks were then successfully separated by deconvolution. The concept of function continuation in the frequency domain was introduced in striving to reach the theoretical limit of accuracy, but proved to be only partially successful.

Howard, S.↗

Preliminary evaluation of time and distance spacing cues using a cockpit displayed target

A simulator evaluation was conducted to compare time and distance selfspacing cues wherein a pilot establishes and maintains separation from a cockpit displayed target. Langley's terminal configured vehicle simulator which represents an advanced aircraft employing cathode ray tubes for primary flight displays and highly augmented flight control modes was used. Three tasks, two in trail rendezvous tasks (target straight and level and target turning) and one merge task were utilized. Three pilots flew each task twice, once with a time predictor cue and once with a distance predictor. Both time and distance spacing methods are operationally acceptable to the pilots. A slight preference was indicated by the pilots for the distance based predictor in performing rendezvous and merging tasks. Analysis of the recorded data showed the spacing performance with both predictors was essentially the same.

Kelly, J. R.↗

Improving streamflow estimates through the use of LANDSAT

Estimates of low flow and flood frequency in several southwestern Wisconsin basins were improved by determining land cover from LANDSAT imagery. With the use of estimates of land cover in multiple-regression techniques, the standard error of estimate (SE) for the least annual 7-day low flow for 2- and 10-year recurrence intervals of ungaged sites were lowered by 9% each. The SE of flood frequency in the 'Driftless Area' of Wisconsin for 10-, 50-, and 100-year recurrence intervals were lowered by 14%. Four of nine basin characteristics determined from satellite imagery were significant variables in the multiple-regression techniques, whereas only 1 of the 12 characteristics determined from topographic maps was significant. The percentages of land cover categories in each basin were determined by merging basin boundaries, digitized from quadrangles, with a classified LANDSAT scene. Both the basin boundary X-Y polygon coordinates and the satellite coordinates were converted to latitude-longitude for merging compatibility.

Allord, G. J.↗

Dependence of polar cap potential drop on interplanetary parameters

The convection potential drop across the polar cap is computed from data obtained on high-inclination low-altitude satellites. Potential measurements are correlated with various combinations of parameters measured simultaneously in the upstream solar wind. Most of the potential drop is successfully predicted by merging theory, although a significant background potential drop of 35 kV does not depend on IMF parameters and is attributed to a process other than merging. Results indicate that small values of the IMF are amplified by a factor of 5-10 at the dayside magnetopause, which, when taken into account, improves correlations between IMF parameters and polar cap potential drop. Potential drop is better correlated with IMF parameters than with geomagnetic indices, due to nonlinear response of the magnetosphere affecting geomagnetic activity indices.

Reiff, P. H.↗

An analysis of LANDSAT MSS scene-to-scene registration accuracy

Measurements were made for 12 registrations done by ERL for 8 registrations done by SRS. The results indicate that the ERL method is significantly more accurate in five of the eight comparison. The difference between the two methods are not significant in the other three cases. There are two possible reasons for the differences. First, the ERL model is a piecewise linear model and the EDITOR model is a cubic polynomial model. Second, the ERL program resamples using bilinear interpolation while the EDITOR software uses a nearest neighbor resampling. This study did not indicate how much of the difference is attributable to each factor. The average of all merged scene error values for ERL was 31.6 meters and the average for the eight common areas was 32.6 meters. The average of the eight merged scene error values for SRS was 40.1 meters.

Seyfarth, B. R.↗

Delineation of soil temperature regimes from HCMM data

The subsetting of HCMM data into ORSER format was completed for four dates using a modified SUBSET program. Large areas (approximately 2500 scan lines, 1680 elements) were selected to increase the occurrence of suitable control points for registration. Average daily temperatures (ADT) were calculated for each date. The MERGE program combined registered daytime temperature (DAY-IR) with nighttime temperature (NIGHT-IR) to form a separate two-channel data set. The SUBTRAN program averaged the DAY-IR and NIGHT-IR creating a third ADT channel. Registration equations for the four ADT data sets were generated. A one dimensional soil heat flow equation was modified to allow for mean annual soil temperature predictions using merged ADT data sets.

Day, R. L.↗