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NASA NTRS1979

Nonequilibrium ionization in solar and stellar winds

Substantial and systematic departures from ionization equilibrium can occur in the solar transition region and corona when mass outflows are present. Modeling calculations illustrate the general characteristics of the ionization balance in such regions. The presence of nonequilibrium conditions suggests a natural explanation for the extended region of EUV line emission that is observed above the solar limb. Comparison with observations of a coronal hole on the disk indicates that outflow may not start until temperatures of about 250,000 K are reached. Additional consequences include a diminution of the density discrepancy between ultraviolet and radio observations of coronal holes, and potential effects on the energy balance in solar and stellar atmospheres undergoing mass loss.

Dupree, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Localized deposition and sputtering of Jovian ionospheric sodium on Io

Because of relative motion between the innermost Galilean satellite Io and Jupiter's ionosphere, a current is drawn from the ionosphere that can be a source of both deposition on, and sputtering from, the surface of Io. It is shown that the ions in this current strike Io in a localized region in the quadrant bounded by a line connecting Io and Jupiter and a tangent line extended in the direction of Io's orbital motion. If these ions are the principal source of sodium that is sputtered from Io, then this current provides a simple explanation of the observation of a localized area from which sodium ions escape from Io. The geometry of this current may also affect the optical surface of Io. Several experimental tests are suggested that can determine the compatibility of this hypothesis with the directly observable properties of Io's surface.

Hill, T. W.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Electrostatic noise at the plasma frequency beyond the earth's bow shock

Scarf et al. (1971) and Dunckel (1974) have shown that there are, very frequently, intense electrostatic waves whose frequency is near the plasma frequency upstream of the earth's bow shock and that these waves are correlated with the presence of energetic electrons from the bow shock. Also, Fredericks et al. (1971) have postulated a two-stream instability. The paper investigates these phenomena further, by comparing electrostatic noise at or near the ambient solar wind plasma frequency with times when the interplanetary magnetic field probably connects to the shock. Evidence is presented that Scarf et al. and Fredericks et al. were correct in their explanation of the phenomenon, and that the double-humped distribution would be expected only in a region too small to be resolved by the plasma measurements made so far.

Filbert, P. C.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Vertical movement in mare basins - Relation to mare emplacement, basin tectonics, and lunar thermal history

A hypothesis is developed that the spatial and temporal distributions of linear rilles and mare ridges in the mare regions of the moon are the products of two superposed stress systems: a local stress due to lithospheric loading by basalt fill in the mare basin, and a global thermal stress due to the thermal history of the lunar interior. Quantitative models for stress in the Serenitatis basin area, including the global thermal stress associated with lunar thermal history, are presented and used to account for the spatial distribution, the orientations, and the formation times of rilles and ridges in that region. The models provide a simple explanation for the localization of the most recent eruption sites of mare basalt magmas to mare basin edges.

Solomon, S. C.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Spiral clouds on Mars - A new atmospheric phenomenon

Viking Orbiter images obtained during the 1978 northern summer on Mars show unusual spiral cloud patterns at high northern latitudes. Well-developed spirals occurred only during early summer at a time when the sublimation of the annual CO2 frost cap in the north had ceased. The systems ranged in size from 200 to 500 km and all spirals were wound in a counter-clockwise sense. An explanation is proposed, based on the radiatively driven instability described by Gierasch, Ingersoll, and Williams. The model predicts disturbances with the correct scale and lifetime. However, the successful development of the spirals depends on the existence of weak mean winds, suggesting that these instabilities can only develop at special null points in the general circulation. It is argued that such special circumstances are most likely to occur during early northern summer and are less likely to obtain at a comparable season in the Southern Hemisphere.

Gierasch, P.↗

NASA NTRS1978

UH cosmic rays - Possible origin in massive stars

The origin of the Z greater than 28, ultraheavy (UH) cosmic rays in supernova explosions of massive stars, at least about 10 solar masses, is considered. For Z greater than 70, the UH data are dominated by an r-process source distribution, but for the elements just beyond iron, Z from 29 to 36, the data cannot be explained by any single process of nucleosynthesis. This problem is solved naturally in a massive-star model by secondary neutron-capture reactions occurring during core helium burning (a limited s-process) and during explosive carbon burning. Interstellar-propagation calculations have been performed with these episodes of synthesis as source distributions, and the results offer an explanation for the current UH cosmic-ray data. Further, the heavy-element synthesis during explosive carbon burning is re-examined by using more realistic initial conditions given by the post-helium-burning configuration of the star. These results are compared with earlier work and the UH cosmic-ray data. Some effects of preferential acceleration, based upon ionization potential, are considered, and experimental tests for this model are discussed.

Wefel, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Search for short time-scale periodicity in the X-ray flux of 4U1700-37

The existence of a short-term periodicity in the X-ray light curve of the binary system 4U1700-37 was investigated by recent Copernicus observations. 4U1700-37 was observed for two complete binary cycles in July, 1978, with a sampling interval of 86.5 sec which allowed for the detection of periodicities down to 3 min. No evidence of the periodicity which had been previously reported in the ranges 20 to 30 min or 90 to 100 min was found, nor was there any in other ranges down to 3 min, even when X-ray noise caused by intense flares on 4U1700-37 was taken into account. Possible explanations for the recent absence of periodicity are proposed.

Branduardi, G.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Fractional crystallization of iron meteorites, an experimental study

Measurements of the distribution coefficients of various elements (Ni, Co, P, Pt, Ir, Ge, Cr, and Au) between solid and liquid phases were made for FeNi alloys. A high thermal gradient crystal growing furnace was employed in order to promote plane front solidification, rapid mixing in the liquid and a minimum of diffusion in the solid. Eight measurements of the nickel distribution coefficient gave an average value of 0.91 plus or minus 0.03 and this value was independent of the Ni concentration in the range 5.5 to 8.75 wt. % Ni. Equilibrium distribution coefficients were also calculated by correcting for the diffusion boundary layer present in the liquid. These values are within 20% of the measured distribution coefficient values. Except for Co and Ni, all the measured distribution coefficient values are closer to 1.0 than those calculated by Scott (1972) for the IIIAB irons. Using the experimental values and the calculated equilibrium values for ternary additions to FeNi melts, it appears that fractional crystallization processes will not explain the observed chemical variations in the major iron meteorite groups. Alternative explanations are suggested which also recognize the fact that cooling rates vary widely in several chemical groups.

Goldstein, J. I.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Mass effects on angular distribution of sputtered atoms

Sputtering metal targets at low ion energies (Hg or Ar at less than 300 eV) under normal ion incidence causes the lighter atoms (lighter isotopes or lighter elements of alloys) to be preferentially ejected in a direction normal to the target surface. Experimental results are shown for several elements and alloys at various bombardment energies. The amount of enrichment of the lighter species normal to the target surface decreases quite rapidly with increasing ion energy. The phenomenon is a result of reflective collisions because lighter atoms can be backscattered from heavier ones underneath but not vice versa. The effect provides an explanation of why solar-wind-exposed lunar material is enriched in the heavier isotopes, since sputtered lower-mass elements have a higher chance of achieving the lunar escape velocity.

Olson, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A relationship between maximum packing of particles and particle size

Experimental data indicate that the volume fraction of particles in a packed bed (i.e. maximum packing) depends on particle size. One explanation for this is based on the idea that particle adhesion is the primary factor. In this paper, however, it is shown that entrainment and immobilization of liquid by the particles can also account for the facts.

Fedors, R. F.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Energetic protons in the Jovian magnetosphere

Time histories, angular distributions and energy spectra of energetic protons were observed over an energy range of 0.2 to 20 MeV for the four passes of Pioneers 10 and 11 through the Jovian magnetosphere. The energetic particle data from these four passes are remarkably different. Azimuthal anisotropies appear to dominate with time variations also contributing to the very complex topology. On the inbound P-10 pass the expected corotation anisotropy was not observed in the outer magnetosphere. The simplest explanation is that the particle reference frame (the magnetospheric plasma) is moving nearly radially, suggesting the existence of a planetary wind at that time.

Mcdonald, F. B.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Time structure of postmidnight energetic electron precipitation and the limit of stable trapping

The paper examines the detailed time structure of high-energy (over 30 keV) electron precipitation along the morningside and dayside of the auroral zone. To this end, available high time resolution data from the Ogo 6 energetic electron experiment are analyzed. The relationship between trapped flux levels and degree of precipitation observed is studied from an observational standpoint and compared with the critical flux levels estimated by Kennel and Petschek (1966). A possible explanation within the general framework of the Kennel-Petschek theory of the observed burstlike precipitation episodes is presented, and the implications of these features for the average lifetime of electrons in drifting clouds are discussed.

Trefall, H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

On some theoretical and practical aspects of multigrid methods

A description and explanation of a simple multigrid algorithm for solving finite element systems is given. Numerical results for an implementation are reported for a number of elliptic equations, including cases with singular coefficients and indefinite equations. The method shows the high efficiency, essentially independent of the grid spacing, predicted by the theory.

Nicolaides, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Observations of forbidden S III 18.71-micron emission in galactic H II regions

Emission of forbidden S III 18.71-micron radiation has been detected in the Orion Nebula, M17, NGC 2024, and W51, and an upper limit has been set for Sgr A. The line flux from M17 has been mapped with a resolution of 2.7 arcmin. A simple theory for predicting the forbidden S III flux from radio continuum observations is presented and compared with the data. It is found that Orion and M17 are in satisfactory agreement with the observations and that NGC 2024 is consistent with a low-excitation source behind a resonable amount of 18-micron dust extinction. In W51 the low observed flux may be explained either by low S(2+) abundance or, more likely, by dust extinction. In Sgr A attenuation by dust is the most plausible explanation.

Mccarthy, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1979

On the hard X-ray emission mechanism of active galactic nuclei sources

Within the framework of unsaturated Compton disk accretion onto a supermassive black hole as a model for power-law active-galactic-nuclei X-ray sources (as opposed to the synchro-Compton model), the hot-inner-disk model of Shapiro, Lightman, and Eardley (1976) is compared with the disk-corona model with balanced conduction and Compton losses. Both can generate electron temperatures of at least about 1 billion K in the supermassive case but promise other observable distinctions. The sandwich configuration of the disk corona provides a natural explanation of why Comptonization is unsaturated.

Liang, E. P. T.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The Martian polar vortex - Theory of seasonal variation and observations of eolian features

Observations of eolian features in the south polar region of Mars show strikingly axisymmetric patterns. The paper presents an explanation for the patterns in terms of the simplest dynamical model possible. Piraglia's (1975) model is simplified by neglecting compressibility and by assuming a cylindrical rather than spherical geometry, but this model is extended by including the nonlinear transport terms (of order Rossby number) and the seasonal mass transfer terms. The proposed model is therefore focused on determining the surface stress in polar regions rather than the atmospheric structure. The model is described, the parameter values are discussed, and the solutions are compared with observations. It is shown that the model predicts seasonal behavior which can be divided into four periods: formation of the south polar cap, its maximum extent, sublimation, and absence.

French, R. G.↗

NASA NTRS1979

On the interweaving of partial cross sections of different parity

Partial cross sections of definite parity, calculated for electronic-rotational energy transfer in the F +H2 collision system, interweave with increasing total angular momentum J. An explanation, in terms of diabatic curve crossings induced by the centrifugal potential in the body-fixed coordinate system, predicts the interweaving to occur only in systems having half-integer J.

Devries, P. L.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Hydrogen recombination in sealed nickel-cadmium aerospace cells

The paper presents a mechanism which offers an explanation of the observed behavior of nickel-cadmium cells during voltage reversal. Constant current reversals using aerospace Ni-Cd cells showed that at rates of C/100 and temperatures of 20 C, a steady condition of constant pressure is achieved with continuous overdischarge. Results of a test employing a battery pack of thirteen 24 Ah cells at 10 C showed that: (1) no net evolution of H occurs in Ni-Cd cells during overdischarge, (2) as H pressure increases the rate of pressure rise decreases, and (3) after attaining pressure equilibrium at a given overdischarge rate, a pressure decrease is noted when the discharge is lowered. Other tests using varying overdischarge rates were examined and have resulted in the development of a laboratory cell with a safe overdischarge capability of C/20 which is three times as great as state-of-the-art Ni-Cd cells.

Ritterman, P. F.↗