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At least 631 records · Page 35

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NASA NTRS1975

A relationship between synchronous altitude electron fluxes and the auroral electrojet

Simultaneous observations during four substorms are reported from the Lockheed auroral particle spectrometer on ATS 5 and the University of Alberta meridian magnetometer chain. During the four events studied there was a good correlation between the magnitude of the trapped electron fluxes in the energy range from 1.8 to 53 keV and the magnitude of the electrojet current as measured by a station in the magnetometer chain at a latitude close to that expected for the ATS conjugate point. A model electrojet is constructed based on the work of Coroniti and Kennel (1972) which gives a good absolute agreement between the two measured quantities. The results are consistent with the convection electric field's remaining approximately constant during a substantial portion of each of the substorms studied. The temporal variations of the electrojet were apparently controlled by conductivity changes in the ionosphere as determined by the precipitating auroral electrons.

Sharp, R. D.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Iron abundance and magnetic permeability of the moon

A larger set of simultaneous data from the Apollo 12 lunar surface magnetometer and the Explorer 35 Ames magnetometer are used to construct a whole-moon hysteresis curve, from which a new value of global lunar permeability is determined to be mu = 1.012 + or - 0.006. The corresponding global induced dipole moment is 2.1 times ten to the eighteenth power gauss-cu cm for typical inducing fields of one ten-thousandth gauss in the lunar environment. From the permeability measurement, lunar free iron abundance is determined to be 2.5 + or - 2.0 wt %. Total iron abundance (sum of iron in the ferromagnetic and paramagnetic states) is calculated for two assumed compositional models of the lunar interior: a free iron/orthopyroxene lunar composition and a free iron/olivine composition. The overall lunar total iron abundance is determined to be 9.0 + or - 4.7 wt %. Other lunar models with a small iron core and with a shallow iron-rich layer are discussed in light of the measured global permeability. Effects on permeability and iron content calculations due to a possible lunar ionosphere are also considered.

Parkin, C. W.↗

NASA NTRS1975

A relationship between synchronous-altitude electron fluxes and the auroral electrojet, appendix A

Simultaneous observations during four substorms are reported from the Lockheed auroral particle spectrometer on ATS-5 and the University of Alberta meridian magnetometer chain (Canada). During the four events studied, there was a good correlation between the magnitude of the trapped electron fluxes in the energy range from 1.8 to 53 keV and the magnitude of the electrojet current as measured by a station in the magnetometer chain at a latitude close to that expected for the ATS conjugate point. The Hall effect was studied and a model electrojet was constructed which gave a good absolute agreement between the two measured quantities. The results are consistent with the convection electric field remaining approximately constant during a substantial portion of each of the substorms studied. The temporal variations of the electrojet were apparently controlled by conductivity changes in the ionosphere as determined by the precipitating auroral electrons.

Sharp, R. D.↗

NASA NTRS1975

The Rome-GSFC magnetic field experiment for Helios A and B /E 3/

The Rome-GSFC magnetic field experiment utilizes a triaxial fluxgate (saturable inductor) magnetometer. The sensor unit is mounted on the end of a boom approximately four meters from the spacecraft spin axis. The three analog outputs of the magnetometer are converted into three 9 bit digital words. The experiment utilizes an automatic inflight range switch to select the optimum dynamic range out of 4 ranges. A nonmagnetic thermally oscillating actuator is used to reorient the sensor unit by 90 deg to determine all three axes zero levels. The accuracy should be approximately plus or minus 0.1 gamma. The vector measurements are made at equal intervals in time ranging from 16 per second down to 1 per second depending on the telemetry bit rate.

Scearce, C.↗

NASA NTRS1976

A vector autopilot system

Current technology has evolved low cost, highly reliable solid state vector magnetometers with excellent angular resolution. This paper discusses the role of a three-axis magnetometer as a new instrument for aircraft attitude determination. Using flight data acquired by an instrumented aircraft, attitude is calculated using the earth's magnetic field vector and compared to measured attitudes. The magnetic field alone is not adequate to resolve all attitude variations and the need for a second reference angle or vector is discussed. A system combining the functions of heading determination and attitude measurement is presented to show that both functions can be implemented with essentially the same component count required to measure heading alone. It is concluded that with the correlation achieved in calculated and measured attitude there is a potential application of vector magnetometry in attitude measurement systems.

Pietila, R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Extraterrestrial magnetic fields - Achievements and opportunities

The major scientific achievements associated with the measurement of magnetic fields in space over the past decade and a half are reviewed. Aspects of space technology relevant to magnetic-field observations are discussed: magnetometers and how they operate, problems arising from spacecraft-generated magnetic fields and appropriate countermeasures and on-board processing of magnetometer data. The solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field, the earth's magnetic field in space, the interaction of the solar wind with the planets, planetary magnetic fields, and the permanent magnetic fields of the moon are discussed. A fairly complete bibliography lists original contributions as well as more recent publications and review articles.

Smith, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Attitude transfer assembly design for MAGSAT

A description is given of a design for an instrument system that will monitor the orientation of a boom-mounted vector magnetometer relative to the main spacecraft body. The attitude of the magnetometer is measured with respect to X and Z axes lateral to the boom length and also a twist axis around the boom center line. These measurements are made in a noncontact optical approach employing a three-axis autocollimator system mounted on the main body of the spacecraft with only passive elements (reflectors) located at the end of the 20-foot boom.

Collyer, P. W.↗

NASA NTRS1977

A high accuracy all-angle gyroscope readout using quantized flux

Means are described to use SQUID magnetometer flux counting and the London moment of a spherical superconducting gyroscope to read out the gyroscope spin axis direction to an accuracy of at least 23 bits per quadrant. The system is discussed in analogy to optical fringe counting as applied to distance measurement. Several methods of applying both analog and digital SQUID magnetometers to the readout problem are given, as well as limitations on each. Described are two methods of increasing the flux available for measurement: magnetizing the gyroscope with a trapped field, and optimizing readout circuit inductances. Finally, the same principle on which the gyroscope readout is based is applied to a description of a high accuracy, flux counting, digital angle encoder.

Anderson, J. T.↗

NASA NTRS1976

The Jovian magnetosphere and magnetopause

The characteristics of the planet Jupiter's inner magnetosphere are examined, taking into account the Pioneer 10 and 11 magnetometer data. Data on the reliability of spherical harmonic expansions are presented in a table. The properties of the Jovian magnetosheath and magnetopause are described. Bow shock and magnetopause crossings were securely identified in plasma data and were usually identified in plasma data and were usually identifiable in the magnetometer data. Explanations for the large number of observed crossings are discussed. It is pointed out that in the case of the outer magnetosphere the observed field strength is nearly an order of magnitude larger than would be expected from Jupiter's dipole moment. The distinguishing characteristics of the magnetic field in the middle magnetosphere are also considered.

Davis, L., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Survey of the Pioneer 10 and 11 Jupiter mission

After a description of the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft, the following scientific experiments are discussed: Helium Vector Magnetometer, Fluxgate Magnetometer, Plasma Analyzer, Geiger Tube Telescope, Cosmic Ray Telescope, Trapped Radiation Detector, Ultraviolet Photometer, Imaging Photopolarimeter, Infrared Radiometer, Asteroid-Meteoroid Detector, and Meteoroid detector. Also reviewed are the mission profile and status.

Wolfe, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Magnetic evidence concerning a lunar core

Two different methods were used to determine the lunar electromagnetic response: (1) comparison of Apollo 12 and Explorer 35 magnetometer data; and (2) observation of the dipole field configuration by orbiting Apollo 15 and 16 subsatellites. The methods give significantly different results. The subsatellite observations require the existence of a core, while the Apollo 12 and Explorer magnetometer measurements allow, but do not require, the existence of a core. Despite this, an upper limit of 580 km has been computed for the radius of the core.

Goldstein, B. E.↗

NASA NTRS1977

A new source of lunar electromagnetic induction - Forcing by the diamagnetic cavity

Analysis of the power spectral densities (PSD's) of eight 50-hour time series from Apollo 12 lunar surface magnetometer (LSM) and isochronous Explorer 35 Ames magnetometer data points to the existence of a new source of electromagnetic induction in the interior of the moon which is independent of the transverse electric mode. This source is hypothesized to arise from extension of the cavity diamagnetic field into the moon in analogy with the fringing field of a solenoid.

Sonett, C. P.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Magnetic field experiment for Voyagers 1 and 2

The magnetic field experiments of the Voyager program involve studies of the planetary fields of Jupiter, Saturn, possibly Uranus, and several satellites; the solar wind and satellite interactions with the planetary fields, as well as large- and micro-scale features of the interplanetary magnetic field will also be investigated. Dual low field and high field magnetometer systems with dynamic ranges of + or - 0.5 G and + or - 20 G respectively provide high reliability for the missions and permit the separation of the spacecraft and ambient fields. Quantization uncertainty, rms noise levels and data compaction schemes of the magnetometer systems are also mentioned.

Behannon, K. W.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Geologic-magnetic correlations on the moon - Apollo subsatellite results

Comparison of the magnetic-field measurements of the Apollo subsatellite magnetometers with USGS geologic maps suggests that the ancient lunar field may have been greater during the Imbrian Period than the earlier Pre-Nectarian and Nectarian periods. Further, the field seems to have varied in direction. These data are consistent with a model in which the ancient lunar magnetizing field arises from a core dynamo which does not form until the Imbrian Period. Impacts during this period then result in magnetized crater melt and ejecta blankets. It is emphasized, however, that the area sampled by the subsatellite magnetometers is but a small fraction of the lunar surface. These results must be confirmed with studies of independent regions of the lunar surface before they can be considered conclusive.

Russell, C. T.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Satellite to study earth's magnetic field

The Magnetic Field Satellite (Magsat) designed to measure the near earth magnetic field and crustal anomalies is briefly described. A scalar magnetometer to measure the magnitude of the earth's crustal magnetic field and a vector magnetometer to measure magnetic field direction as well as magnitude are included. The mission and its objectives are summarized along with the data collection and processing system.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1978

Biomagnetic instrumentation and measurement

The instruments and techniques of biomagnetic measurement have progressed greatly in the past 15 years and are now of a quality appropriate to clinical applications. The paper reports on recent developments in the design and application of SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) magnetometers to biomagnetic measurement. The discussion covers biomagnetic field levels, magnetocardiography, magnetic susceptibility plethysmography, ambient noise and sensor types, principles of operation of a SQUID magnetometer, and laboratory techniques. Of the many promising applications of noninvasive biomagnetic measurement, magnetocardiography is the most advanced and the most likely to find clinical application in the near future.

Iufer, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Improved LEEM ranges over four decades

Low-energy electron magnetometer is suitable for terrestrial and aerial applications. Electron beam strikes tantalum collector plates in device, amplifying current and converting it to frequency. Current difference increases with beam deflection, providing measure of local field strength. LEEM operation requires no liquid helium unlike superconducting quantum interference device. LEEM sensitivity compares favorably with that of optical absorption magnetometers, and microsecond response range makes analyzing fast magnetic transients and signatures possible.

Singh, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Space applications of superconductivity - Low frequency superconducting sensors

Although this paper deals with several low-frequency instruments and devices, most of the discussion relates to SQUID (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) magnetometers and gradiometers, since these are perceived as the instruments with the greatest potential for space applications. The discussion covers SQUID for magnetic field measurements; present state of the art of SQUID technology; ultimate potential performance; applications to magnetic measurements in space; SQUID galvanometers, voltage and current sensors, and wide-band amplifiers; magnetic shielding, and superconducting dc transformer. SQUIDS are superior to all other magnetic sensors in sensitivity, frequency response, range, and linearity. It is suggested that SQUID instruments, both magnetometers and gradiometers, would be valuable in studies of the dynamics of interplanetary and planetary fields. SQUID gradiometers are useful for detection and mapping of magnetic anomalies at short to moderate ranges.

Zimmerman, J. E.↗