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At least 775 records · Page 43

Observations and theory of the AMPTE magnetotail barium releases

The barium releases in the magnetotail during the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) operation were monitored by ground-based imagers and by instruments on the Ion Release Module. After each release, the data show the formation of a structured diamagnetic cavity. The cavity grows until the dynamic pressure of the expanding ions balances the magnetic pressure on its surface. The magnetic field inside the cavity is zero. The barium ions collect on the surface of the cavity, producing a shell. Plasma irregularities form along magnetic field lines draped over the surface of the cavity. The scale size of the irregularities is nearly equal to the thickness of the shell. The evolution and structuring of the diamagnetic cavity are modeled using magnetohydrodynamics theory.

Bernhardt, P. A.↗

Physical aging in epoxy matrices and composites

Postcured specimens of Thornell 300 carbon-fiber/Fiberite 934 epoxy as well as Fiberite 934 epoxy resin were quenched from above the glass transition temperature and annealed at 140, 110, or 80 C for times up to 100,000 min. No weight gain or loss was observed during annealing at these temperatures, but significant time-dependent variations were observed in density, modulus, hardness, damping, moisture absorption ability, and thermal expansion characteristics. The relations between the excess thermodynamic properties of epoxy glasses and their time-dependent behavior are discussed. The discussion is illustrated by results obtained by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, tensile testing, solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering.

Kong, Eric Siu-Wai↗

Flow downstream of the heliospheric terminal shock. I - Irrotational flow

Recent reports of remote detection of the heliospheric terminal shock place it near 50 AU. These conflict with standard models which, when combined with current data on the local interstellar medium, place the shock beyod 100 AU. Resolution of this discrepancy has led to hypotheses that invoke cosmic ray pressure, momentum exchange with interstellar neutrals, and magnetic field effects between the shock and the contact discontinuity dividing the solar wind from interstellar plasma. These hypotheses depend not only on properties of the interstellar medium, but also on the downstream three-dimensional flow between the shock and the contact discontinuity, in the region called the 'heliosheath'. The downstream flow field in the absence of magnetic fields is examined here under the assumptions that the flow everywhere outside the shock can be approximated as irrotational and incompressible. It is found, in particular, that the distance between the terminal shock and the contact discontinuity is less than the heliocentric distance to the terminal shock, effectively eliminating magnetic field effects in the heliosheath as being dynamically important.

Suess, Steven T.↗

Solar cycle effects on the structure of the electron density profiles in the dayside ionosphere of Venus

Results are presented of observations from the changes in the electron density structure of the dayside ionosphere of Venus that were brought about by changing solar activity. The ionopause height is generally low for values of the solar zenith angle below about 50 deg regardless of the phase in the solar cycle. At solar maximum, and at times of intermediate solar activity, the ionopause height for solar zenith angles greater than about 50 deg is highly variable, ranging from a minimum of about 200 km to a maximum of more than 1000 km. At times of solar minimum the great majority of all ionopause heights for all solar zenith angles are uniformly low, lying between 200 and 300 km. It is argued that the compressed nature of the Venus atmosphere at solar minimum is produced by permeation of the ionosphere by the solar wind magnetic field, which occurs when the solar wind dynamic pressure exceeds the ionospheric plasma pressure.

Kliore, Arvydas J.↗

An MHD study of the interaction between the solar wind and the interstellar medium

The overall objective of this research program is to obtain a better understanding of the interaction between the solar wind and the interstellar medium through the use of numerical solutions of the time-dependent magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations. The simulated results will be compared with observations where possible and with the results from previous analytic and numerical studies. The primary progress during the first two years has been to develop codes for 2-D models in both spherical and cylindrical coordinates and to apply them to the solar wind-interstellar medium interaction. Computations have been carried out for both a relatively simple gas-dynamic interaction and a flow-aligned interstellar magnetic field. The results have been shown to compare favorably with models that use more approximations and to modify and extend the previous results as would be expected. Work has also been initiated on the development of a 3-D MHD code in spherical coordinates.

Steinolfson, R. S.↗

Collapse and fragmentation of molecular cloud cores. I - Moderately centrally condensed cores

3D calculations of the collapse of moderately centrally condensed molecular cloud cores with varied thermal and rotational energies are presented. The calculations are carried out using a newly developed and tested second-order accurate radiative hydrodynamics code. Because of the use of a second-order accurate numerical scheme and initial clouds that resemble both observed prolate molecular cloud cores and magnetically supported clouds at the initiation of the dynamic collapse phase, the new models provide a superior estimate of the likelihood of fragmentation as a mechanism for binary star formation.

Boss, Alan P.↗

Reconnection of vorticity lines and magnetic lines

Magnetic field and fluid vorticity share many features. First, as divergence-free vector fields they are conveniently visualized in terms of their field lines, curves that are everywhere tangent to the field. The lines indicate direction and their density indicates field strength. The question arises of the extent to which the evolution of the fields can be treated in terms of the evolution of their field lines. Newcomb (1958) derived the general conditions on the evolution of vector fields that permit the identification of field lines from one instant to the next. The equations of evolution of the vorticity field and the magnetic field fall within Newcomb's analysis. The dynamics of the flows differ between these two systems, so that geometrically similar phenomena happen in different ways in the two systems. In this paper the geometrical similarities are emphasized. Reconnection will be defined here as evolution in which it is not possible to preserve the global identification of some field lines. There is a close relation between reconnection and the topology of the vector field lines. Nontrivial topology occurs where the field has null points or there are field lines that are closed loops.

Greene, John M.↗

Rotor dynamic behaviour of a high-speed oil-free motor compressor with a rigid coupling supported on four radial magnetic bearings

The combination of a high-speed motor, dry gas seals, and magnetic bearings realized in this unit facilitates the elimination of oil. The motor is coupled with a quill shaft to the compressor. This yields higher natural frequencies of the rotor than with the use of a diaphragm coupling and helps to maintain a sufficient margin of the maximum speed to the frequency of the second compressor bending mode. However, the controller of each bearing then has to take the combined modes of both machines into account. The requirements for the controller to ensure stability and sufficient damping of all critical speeds are designed and compared with the implemented controller. The calculated closed loop behavior was confirmed experimentally, except the stability of some higher modes due to slight frequency deviations of the rotor model to the actual rotor. The influence of a mechanical damper as a device to provide additional damping to high models is demonstrated theoretically. After all, it was not necessary to install the damper, since all modes cold be stabilized by the controller.

Schmied, J.↗

On the sources of interplanetary shocks at 0.72 AU

In order to understand the solar cycle variation of interplanetary shocks and their driving source at 0.72 AU, a survey of Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO) magnetometer and plasma data from 1979-1988 has been conducted. Known shock drivers at 1.0 AU include coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and fast/slow stream interactions. In our analysis, CMEs were identified by a decrease in plasma temperature to background or below accompanied by an increase in plasma density and dynamic pressure. It was also required that the magnetic field exhibit a coherent rotation over about a day and an increase and decline in magnitude on a timescale of hours to days. Stream interactions were identified by a characteristic increase in ion temperature and velocity coincident with a decrease in density and a coincident increase in the total magnetic field magnitude. These signatures were usually preceded within 24 hours by a change in flow angle. In all, 45 shocks were identified: 36 driven by CMEs, 6 resulting from fast/slow stream interactions, and 3 with sources that could not be defined. The shocks driven by CMEs show a solar cycle variation that roughly follows the sunspot number. These shocks all have normals consistent with radial propagation of the shock fronts from the sun. In contrast, the few stream interaction related shocks show a tendency to occur later in the solar cycle and have a broader distribution of shock normals.

Lindsay, G. M.↗

Statistical survey of pitch angle distributions in core (0-50 eV) ions from Dynamics Explorer 1: Outflow in the auroral zone, polar cap, and cusp

Core (0-50 eV) ion pitch angle measurements from the retarding ion mass spectrometer on Dynamics Explorer 1 are examined with respect to magnetic disturbance, invariant latitude, magnetic local time, and altitude for ions H(+), He(+), O(+), M/Z = 2 (D(+) or He(++)), and O(++). Included are outflow events in the auroral zone, polar cap, and cusp, separated into altitude regions below and above 3 R(sub E). In addition to the customary division into beam, conic, and upwelling distributions, the high-latitude observations fall into three categories corresponding to ion bulk speeds that are (1) less than, (2) comparable to, or (3) faster than that of the spacecraft. This separation, along with the altitude partition, serves to identify conditions under which ionospheric source ions are gravita- tionally bound and when they are more energetic and able to escape to the outer magnetosphere. Features of the cleft ion fountain inferred from single event studies are clearly identifiable in the statistical results. In addition, it is found that the dayside pre-noon cleft is a dayside afternoon cleft, or auroral zone, becomes an additional source for increased activity. The auroral oval as a whole appears to be a steady source of escape velocity H(+), a steady source of escape velocity He(+) ions for the dusk sector, and a source of escape velocity heavy ions for dusk local times primarily during increased activity. The polar cap above the auroral zone is a consistent source of low-energy ions, although only the lighter mass particles appear to have sufficient velocity, on average, to escape to higher altitudes. The observations support two concepts for outflow: (1) The cleft ion fountain consists of ionospheric plasma of 1-20 eV energy streaming upward into the magnetosphere where high-latitude convection electric fields cause poleward dispersion. (2) The auroral ion fountain involves field-aligned beams which flow out along auroral latitude field lines; and, in addition, for late afternoon local times, they experience additional acceleration such that the ion energy distribution tends to exceed the detection range of the instrument (greater than 50-60 eV).

Giles, B. L.↗

Magnetic Penetration Effects in Small Superconducting Devices

The temperature dependent behavior of a superconducting body in an applied magnetic field involves flux penetration/expulsion both from screening currents (within a magnetic penetration depth) and variations in the superconducting order parameter (locally to form vortices or a mixed state, or globally in the Meissner effect). The temperature dependence of the magnetic penetration depth, in particular, has been used to make highly sensitive macroscopic thermometers. For the microscopic device volumes required in sensitive low temperature photon detectors, properties of actual thin film materials, non-uniformity of applied magnetic fields, and the influence of measurement circuit dynamics are complicating factors. We discuss the various penetration effects as demonstrated in a particularly promising combination of material and geometry that we have used to make sensitive x-ray microcalorimeters.

Stevenson, T. R.↗

Observations, Modeling, and Predictions of Solar Activity From the Deep Interior to the Corona

Solar activity is a manifestation of magnetic self-organization processes that involve complex dynamical coupling of various layers of the Sun acting over a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. Synergy of observational, theoretical, and modeling efforts is key to understanding solar activity variation, dynamics, and evolution and to developing reliable physics-based forecasts of long-term solar cycles and short-term activity manifestations, “seasons of solar activity”, such as periods of enhanced flaring and CME activity. The session welcomes observers, modelers, and theoreticians to share their results and ideas and to discuss current challenges, development of emerging fields (such as data assimilation), and the analysis of historical and modern observational data using theoretical modeling, interpretations, and predictions.

Deep Interior↗

The Inner Solar System's Habitability Through Time

Earth, Mars, and Venus, irradiated by an evolving Sun, have had fascinating but diverging histories of habitability. Although only Earth’s surface is considered to be habitable today, all three planets might have simultaneously been habitable early in their histories to microbial life. We consider how physical processes that have operated similarly or differently on these planets determined the creation and evolution of their atmospheres and surfaces over time. These include the geophysical and geochemical processes that determined the style of their interior dynamics and the presence or absence of a magnetic field; the surface-atmosphere exchange processes that acted as a source or sink for atmospheric mass and composition; the Sun-planet interactions that controlled escape of gases to space; and the atmospheric processes that interacted with these to determine climate and habitability. The divergent evolutions of the three planets provide an invaluable context for thinking about the search for life outside the Solar System.

Anthony D. Del Genio↗

Back to Mars: The Mars Pathfinder Mission

Mars Pathfinder successfully landed on the surface of Mars on July 4, 1997, and ushered in a new era in Mars exploration. This era will feature numberous low cost missions which will perform important science investigations and engage the world's population in the excitement of planetary exploration.

Mars↗

Blunt Body Pitch Damping Measurements from Multiple Subsonic Free-to-Pitch Magnetic Suspension Trials

The yaw damping coefficients of two blunt entry vehicle models, measured from free-to-oscillate tests in the ODU/NASA subsonic magnetic suspension wind tunnel are presented. Multiple repeat trials were conducted for both models. Two separate data reduction methods were used to extract damping coefficients and yaw moment slope. Both methods identified similar damping and stability values, with differences being consistent with their known limitations.

magnetic suspension↗

Preliminary Measurement of Pitch Damping of Blunt Entry Vehicles in a Subsonic Magnetic Suspension Wind Tunnel

The yaw damping coefficients of two blunt entry vehicle models, measured from free-to-oscillate tests in the ODU/NASA subsonic magnetic suspension wind tunnel are presented. Multiple repeat trials were conducted for both models. Two separate data reduction methods were used to extract damping coefficients and yaw moment slope. Both methods identified similar damping and stability values, with differences being consistent with their known limitations.

magnetic suspension↗

Dynamic substorm injections - Similar magnetospheric phenomena at earth and Mercury

Correlations between energetic electrons, plasma electrons, and magnetic fields during the Mercury 1 energetic particle events are examined and comparisons are made with several well-documented substorm injections at the earth. The data reveal that the B and B-prime events possess the same characteristics as single-point observations of terrestrial dynamic injections. Several recently discovered correlations between the energetic electrons, plasma electrons, and magnetic fields at Mercury are discussed.

Christon, S. P.↗

Solar cycle variations of the corona and their implications for dynamics of the interior and the heliosphere

Using a simple potential field approximation to compute the coronal magnetic field from the surface magnetic field, it is argued that six distinctive solar cycle-associated variations of the solar corona can be understood in terms of solar cycle variations in the formation and dynamics of open and closed field line configurations. It is proposed that the X-ray emission of the sun should show solar cycle variations, and that it is possible to detect and study stellar magnetic cycles by monitoring X-ray emission of the stellar coronae over a long time span.

Yoshimura, Hirokazu↗