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At least 649 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

A case study of the Thunderstorm Research International Project storm of July 11, 1978. II - Interrelations among the observable parameters controlling electrification

This paper discusses electrical system parameters that would be consistent with observations of the Thunderstorm Research International Project storm at the Kennedy Space Center on July 11, 1978, described by Nisbet et al. (1990). Three-dimensional electrodynamic modeling of the thundercloud electrification made it possible to estimate the current moments and electrical power generated continuously throughout the evolution of the two cells of the storm. The current moments generated were compared with the current moments transferred by intercloud and cloud-to-ground lightning. It is shown that, for the southern cell, which produced a charge moment of about 8.4 MC m, lightning utilized about 84 percent of the charge moment separated; for the northern cell, which produced about 1.1 MC m, lightning utilized about 60 percent of the charge moment separated.

Nisbet, John S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Observations on thermospheric and mesospheric density disturbances caused by typhoons and convective storms

Atmospheric parameter observations have been conducted during the passage of typhoons and tropical storms, from the troposphere to the middle atmosphere, and thence to the thermosphere, using the VHF radar and HF Doppler sounder at an observation site in Taiwan. The density perturbations caused by the propagation of gravity waves due to the typhoons and tropical storms were calculated on the basis of these observations. The short-term middle atmospheric and thermospheric density changes are significant factors in spacecraft launches. The successful remote measurement of three-dimensional winds, gravity waves, and density perturbations is demonstrated for this subtropical site.

Hung, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Coronal mass ejections and large geomagnetic storms

Previous work indicates that coronal mass ejection (CME) events in the solar wind at 1 AU can be identified by the presence of a flux of counterstreaming solar wind halo electrons (above about 80 eV). Using this technique to identify CMEs in 1 AU plasma data, it is found that most large geomagnetic storms during the interval surrounding the last solar maximum (August 1978 - October 1982) were associated with earth-passage of interplanetary disturbances in which the earth encountered both a shock and the CME driving the shock. However, only about one CME in six encountered by earth was effective in causing a large geomagnetic storm. Slow CMEs which did not interact strongly with the ambient solar wind ahead were particularly ineffective in a geomagnetic sense.

Gosling, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The ionosphere as a focusing lens - A case study involving simultaneous type III solar radio storm measurements from the ISIS 1 and 2 and ISEE 3 satellites

The possibility of using terrestrial ionospheric focusing to improve the directivity of electric dipoles on space missions has been investigated by comparing simultaneous observations of a solar radio storm by the ISIS 1 and ISIS 2 spacecraft, in near earth orbit, and the ISEE 3 spacecraft located beyond the magnetosphere. To this end, a three-dimensional ray tracing in a spherically stratified ionosphere has been carried out for conditions appropriate to the observations by the ISIS spacecraft of a solar radio storm in September 1983. The procedure allows Poynting flux spectral densities measured on ISIS to be converted to spectral densities well outside the ionosphere where they can be compared directly with simultaneous observations on ISEE 3. The results demonstrate good agreement over their common observing frequency range (1-2 MHz).

James, H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

DE 2 observations of disturbances in the upper atmosphere during a geomagnetic storm

Results are presented of physical interpretations of a sequence of in situ measurements taken in the midlatitude dusk sector during the geomagnetic storm of November 24, 1982 by instruments on board the DE-2 spacecraft in polar orbit. The results represent the first comparison of nearly simultaneous measurements, obtained at different seasons in a common local time sector, of storm disturbances in dc electric fields, zonal ion convection, zonal winds, gas composition and temperature, and electron density and temperature.

Miller, N. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Inertial Oscillation of a Vertical Rotating Draft with Application to a Supercell Storm: Video Supplement to NASA-TP-3230

In this video (8 min., color, sound, VHS), animation depicts the inertial oscillation of a new mathematical model ('vertical rotating draft') for spinning up a single supercell storm. The oscillation consists of a long quiescent phase when the draft is large in diameter and rotates anticyclonically and a short intense phase when the draft is small and cyclonic. During the intense phase, the rotating draft resembles a supercell. The physical basis for the oscillation is depicted by tracking air parcels in the draft as they move along inertial circles (projected on a horizontal plane), where the horizontal pressure gradient is zero and the Coriolis force balances the centrifugal force. A side view of the oscillation shows that contraction and expansion are linked, respectively, to buoyantly driven compressible downdraft and updraft. An aerial view tracks the draft as it moves above the surface of the Earth and turns to the right during the intense phase. Radar echoes from a supercell storm are superimposed for comparison. The data appear to support only the intense phase. A critical experiment would measure the predominantly downward flow that theoretically occurs before the right turn in a supercell track and causes contraction and spin-up.

Supercell thunderstorm↗
NASA NTRS1992

The effects of magnetic storm phases on F-layer irregularities

The effects of magnetic storm phases on F-layer irregularities from auroral to equatorial latitudes in a nearly constant western longitude zone are presented by considering scintillation, spread F, and low-energy (less than 12 eV) electron precipitation data for eight magnetic storms that occurred during the high solar flux period September-November 1981. In the equatorial region, F-layer irregularities can be inhibited during the main phase. In the high latitude region, F-layer irregularities are found to be generated at the auroral latitudes during the main phase. During the recovery phase, when there are conditions of low magnetic activity, low auroral irregularities, and low-energy electron precipitation crossing the subauroral regions, strong F-layer irregularities are found to be generated in the subauroral regions.

Balan, N.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The semiannual variation of great geomagnetic storms and the postshock Russell-Mcpherron effect preceding coronal mass ejecta

Recent results indicate that the intense southward interplanetary magnetic fields (IMFs) responsible for great storms can reside in the postshock plasma preceding the driver gas of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) as well as in the driver gas itself. It is proposed here that strong southward fields in the postshock flow result from a major increase in the Russell-McPherron polarity effect through a systematic pattern of compression and draping within the ecliptic plane. Differential compression at the shock increases the Parker spiral angle and, consequently, the azimuthal field component that projects as a southward component onto earth's dipole axis. The resulting prediction is that southward fields in the postshock plasma maximize at the spring (fall) equinox in CMEs emerging from toward (away) sectors. This pattern produces a strong semiannual variation in postshock IMF orientation and may account at least in part for the observed semiannual variation of the occurrence of great geomagnetic storms.

Crooker, N. U.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Three-dimensional simulation of the Denver 11 July Storm of 1988 - An intense microburst event

An account is given of results from a numerical simulation of an intense microburst-generating storm observed near Denver during a test operation of the Terminal Doppler Radar System, on July 11, 1988. The numerical simulation encompassed comparisons with 'observed' data from measurements by Doppler radar, aircraft flight data recorders, and surface field instruments. Model results are in excellent qualitative and quantitative agreement with major storm feature observations. The intense microburst that was generated some distance 'downshear' of the primary precipitation area was driven by cooling due to sublimating snow.

Proctor, Fred H.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Plasma transport in the equatorial ionosphere during the great magnetic storm of March 1989

We have modeled plasma transport in the low-latitude and equatorial ionosphere during the great magnetic storm of March 1989. Our goal was to provide a consistent explanation for the DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) observations of dramatic decreases in ion density and rapid ion drifts in the low latitude ionosphere over South America during the storm. The modeling effort supports the hypothesis that abnormally large upward drifts lifted F region plasma above the satellite's altitude and created the density depletions observed by DMSP. Modeled O(+) densities at the satellite's altitude have a strong qualitative resemblance to DMSP observations. Both the model and the observations indicate a deep density trough with extremely sharp boundaries surrounding the equator. The widths of both the modeled and the observed equatorial troughs increase with time. Vertical ion drifts predicted by the model also have been compared with DMSP measurements. Like the observed vertical drifts, the modeled drifts reversed sign near the trough boundaries. The modeled vertical drifts are of the same order and direction as the vertical component of E x B convection near the equator, but of opposite direction (downward) near the trough boundaries and outside of the trough.

Rasmussen, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Martian global dust storms - Zonally symmetric numerical simulations including size-dependent particle transport

A zonally symmetric primitive-equation grid-point model of the Martian atmosphere is coupled with an aerosol transport/microphysical model in order to numerically investigate the size-dependent transport of dust particles in the Martian atmosphere. The coupled model accounts for diabatic heating due to a radiatively active evolving dust field, but neglects feedbacks between atmosphere-surface interactions and surface dust lifting. The differing suspension lifetimes of dust particles of various sizes (radius = 1-80 microns), in conjunction with spatially varying atmospheric dynamics, result in latitudinal differences in several measurements of the column integrated particle concentration. This work indicates the importance of considering the full range of particle sizes (and shapes) of the suspended dust during Martian global dust storms and their impact upon the spatial extent and wavelength-dependent radiative influence of such storms.

Murphy, James R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Observations of the UARS Particle Environment Monitor and computation of ionization rates in the middle and upper atmosphere during a geomagnetic storm

In this paper we present observations made by the Particle Environment Monitor (PEM) instruments during the geomagnetic storm of 8-9 November, 1991. Ionization and energy deposition rates as functions of altitude in the middle and upper atmosphere by incident electrons and positive ions in the storm interval are computed. The suite of PEM instruments provides a systematic measurement of energetic particles and their associated X-rays over an energy range not fully covered by previous satellite missions.

Sharber, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Atmospheric energy input and ionization by energetic electrons during the geomagnetic storm of 8-9 November 1991

The Atmospheric X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (AXIS) of the Particle Environment Monitor investigation aboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite monitors energy input to the upper atmosphere due to energetic electrons. Analysis of the AXIS data from the major geomagnetic storm of 8-9 November 1991 is presented. During the November storm, electrons above a few keV flowing into a substantially expanded auroral zone provided the bulk of the ionizing power to the upper atmosphere. At the peak of the disturbance the total AXIS-observed power reached 40 GW. On 9 November the whole day average atmospheric ionization rate in the auroral zone at 80 km altitude exceeded the rate due to solar UV and solar X-rays by a factor of over 10 to 100.

Chenette, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Auroral currents during the magnetic storm of November 8 and 9, 1991 - Observations from the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite Particle Environment Monitor

The development of the intensity and location of Birkeland currents associated with the magnetic storm of November 8-9, 1991 is reported. Total Birkeland currents exceed 30 MA, more than six times nominal values, indicating Joule heating of about 3 x lO exp 12 W. Birkeland currents below 50 deg, polar cap currents indicative of antisunward convection, and cusp particle signatures of southward IMF all persist at least eight hours into recovery phase of the storm.

Anderson, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Three-dimensional simulation of the Denver 11 July 1988 microburst-producing storm

A simulation of the July 11, 1988 thunderstorm near Denver, which produced a microburst of unusual intensity during the test operation of the Terminal Doppler Weather Radar system is carried out using the Terminal Area Simulation System also known as the NASA-Langley Windshear Model. The results show the evolution and structure of the storm, including hazard indices based on F-factor. Results of simulation show that the storm is of unusual structure, producing multiple low- to moderate-reflectivity microbursts formed downshear of the main precipitation shaft. The most intense of the microbursts contains a velocity differential exceeding 40 m/s, strong downdrafts, and hazardous windshear with F-factors approaching 0.2. A comparison with observations, including Doppler radar measurements and aircraft flight data, indicates that the model can proivide information that is not always apparent from observed data.

Proctor, F. H.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Proton flare and magnetic storm effect in the vicinity of the Earth

We have developed a model and associated computational procedure for estimating energetic proton exposures during a major solar proton event that occur in combination with a large magnetic storm. Transmission functions for solar protons are computed using geomagnetic vertical cutoff data for quiescent amd disturbed conditions. Predicted exposures in low altitude polar orbit are found to be orders of magnitude greater for severe magnetic storm conditions than are corresponding exposures in the absence of major disturbances. We examine the response scenario for the events of November 1960 as an example.

Nealy, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Footprints of storms on the sea: A view from spaceborne synthetic aperture radar

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) on board Seasat observed images of stormlike echoes on the sea in 1978. The core of these images is usually an echo-free hole which is attributed to the damping of the short (30-cm) radar detectable gravity waves by the intense rain in the storm core. Although 'the beating down of waves by rain' is consistent with observations by seafarers and with the first scientific explanation of the phenomenon by Reynolds (1875), neither theory nor experiment has provided definitive support. One experiment appears to provide the key; it shows that the kenetic energy of the rain produces sufficient turbulence in a thin fresh water layer to damp 30-cm waves in 10-20 s, thus producing the echo-free hole. A sequence of positive feedbacks then serves to damp the longer waves. The angular dependence of the sea surface echo cross sections seen by Seasat SAR outside the echo-free hole indicates winds diverging from the downdraft induced by the intense rain core. The wind-generated waves and associated echoes extend out to a sharply defined gust front. The sea surface footprint thus mimics the features of a storm microburst. The variations in surface radar cross section due to a combination of rain and wind effects impacts spaceborne measurements of surface winds by scatterometry and rainfall measurements by radar. Portions of this synthesis remain speculative but serve as hypotheses for further research.

Atlas, David↗
NASA NTRS1994

Ionospheric convection during the magnetic storm of 20-21 March 1991

We report on the response of high-latitude ionospheric convection during the magnetic storm of March 20-21 1990. IMP-8 measurements of solar wind plasma and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), ionospheric convection flow measurements from the Wick and Goose Bay coherent radars, EISCAT, Millstone Hill and Sondrestorm incoherent radars and three digisondes at Millstone Hill, Goose Bay and Qaanaaq are presented. Two intervals of particular interest have been indentified. The first starts with a storm sudden commencement at 2243 UT on March 20 and includes the ionospheric activity in the following 7 h. The response time of the ionospheric convection to the southward tuning of the IMF in the dusk to midnight local times is found to be approximately half that measured in a similar study at comparable local times during more normal solar wind conditions. A subsequent reconfiguration of the nightside convection pattern was also observed, although it was not possible to distinguish between effects due to possible changes in B(sub y) and effects due to substorm activity. The second interval, 1200-2100 UT 21 March 1990, included a southward turning of the IMF which resulted in the B(sub z) component becoming -10 nT. The response time on the dayside to this change in the IMF at the magnetopause was approximately 15 min to 30 min which is a factor of approximately 2 greater than those previously measured at higher latitudes. A movement of the nightside flow reversal, possibly driven by current systems associated with the substorm expansion phases, was observed, implying that the nightside convection pattern can be dominated by substorm activity.

Taylor, J. R.↗