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At least 829 records · Page 46
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Thermal-vacuum testing and in-situ optical alignment measurements of the HALOE telescope/sun sensor assembly

Design features, test data and projected performance levels of the telescope/sun sensor assembly for the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) on board the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite are described. HALOE will gather data on stratospheric chemical species with an IR telescope pointed through the atmosphere at the sun during occultation periods. The pointing accuracy will need to be 1 arcmin elevation and 1.6 arcmin azimuthal. Adjustments of the gimbaled instrument are guided by a sun sensor and its associated electronics. The components were subjected to thermal-vacuum, optical boresight stability tests and the data generated were compared with a finite element model of the telescope and sun sensor. The tests consisted of exposure to various thermal gradients while the telescope and sun sensor alignments were tracked by optical deflectometry. The thermal behavior was compared with predictions made with a finite difference model. Alignments were within tolerable ranges and the thermal behavior model was concluded valid for predicting the thermal behavior of orbiting instruments.

Foss, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Influence of the electron source distribution on field-aligned currents

The field-aligned current density above a discrete auroral arc has been deduced from the downward electron flux and magnetic field measurements onboard the rocket Porcupine flight 4. Both measurements show that the field-aligned current density is, in spite of decreasing peak energies towards the edge of the arc, about 4 times higher there than in the center of the arc. This can be explained by using the single particle description for an anisotropic electron source distribution.

Bruening, K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Dynamic alignment and selective decay in MHD

Under some circumstances, incompressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence will evolve toward a state in which the velocity fields and magnetic fields are aligned or anti-aligned. We propose a mechanism for this effect and illustrate with numerical computations. Under some other circumstances, the energy appears to decay selectively toward a minimum energy state in which the kinetic energy has disappeared. It has not been possible so far to identify a boundary in the phase space which divides the two regimes.

Matthaeus, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Alignment of velocity and field changes across tangential discontinuities in the solar wind

Three-dimensional IMP 8 and Voyager 2 plasma and field data are used to investigate the relative changes in direction of the velocity and magnetic field vectors across tangential discontinuities in the solar wind. It is found that Delta-v and Delta-B/rho exp 1/2 are closely aligned either parallel or antiparallel to each other in the sense associated with the propagation of Alfven waves or rotational discontinuities outward from the sun. This alignment is observed at all solar distances betwen 1 and 2.2 AU and is independent of the solar wind stream structure. Several possible causes of the effect are briefly discussed, including interplanetary turbulence, the propagation of large-amplitude Alfvenic fluctuations traveling independently through the solar wind on both sides of the discontinuities, and the propagation of surface waves on tangential discontinuities.

Neugebauer, M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Current carriers for the field-aligned current system

The Dynamics Explorer satellites have returned a large body of data containing high resolution magnetometer measurements and distributions of charged particles of all but thermal electrons. From these data the relations of the field aligned currents to particle precipitation structures were investigated and the charge carriers were identified. Results include the following: (1) during very quiet periods, field aligned currents exist primarily as fine structure; (2) during onset of substorms, region 1 and region 2 become clearly evident but contain significant structure; (3) as magnetic activity subsides, current regions become less distinct, and structure becomes more dominant; (4) the distribution of the upward currents derived from magnetometer data and calculated from suprathermal electron data agree remarkably well in shape but not necessarily in magnitude; (5) at all local times, 5 eV electrons seldom carry most of the upward current; (6) except for the accelerated inverted-V electrons, the dominant upward current carriers which are masured are below 500 eV and are distributed in energy; (7) dusk upward currents (region 1) are associated with the boundary plasma sheet; and (8) suprathermal electron bursts are important current carrying structures.

Hoffman, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

X-ray determination of parts alignment

A method for determining the alignment of adjoining metal objects is provided. The method comprises producing an X-ray image of adjoining surfaces of the two metal objects. The X-ray beam is tangential to the point the surfaces are joined. The method is particularly applicable where the alignment of the two metal objects is not readily susceptible to visual inspection.

Nelson, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A sun-aligned arc observed by DMSP and AE-C

On May 12, 1977, 8 minutes after a DMSP satellite photographed a sun-aligned auroral arc in the southern polar cap, AE-C crossed over the same arc. Precipitating electrons were observed with a peak energy flux of 0.94 erg per sq cm s but with no clear monoenergetic beam, and coincident ion precipitation was measured at energies of a few keV. A very sharp ion convection reversal was found coincident with the particle precipitation and embedded in a region of constant antisunward flow. Magnetic field data indicate that the arc occurred during the recovery phase of a weak magnetic storm, with the IMF in a toward sector and the Z component nearly zero. The data are consistent with a source of particles at altitudes of the order of 5-8 R(E) on field lines containing the plasma sheet boundary layer. The electron spectra do not indicate the existence of an electrostatic potential along the magnetic field lines projecting from the arc. The electrodynamic properties associated with the arc appear to be consistent with a simple model in which field-aligned currents are required along any boundary where the horizontal ionospheric current diverges.

Hoffman, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Production of flickering aurora and field-aligned electron flux by electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves

Recent observations have suggested that flickering aurora is produced by a modulation of the field-aligned component of the electron flux within an auroral arc. It is proposed that a portion of the field-aligned electrons are of ionospheric origin and that these electrons are accelerated and their flux modulated by electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves that occur below the main acceleration region on auroral arc field lines. A model of the electromagnetic ion cyclotron wave shows that the parallel phase velocity of the wave increase as the wave propagates toward the ionosphere. A test particle calculation shows that ionospheric electrons trapped or reflected by the wave are accelerated to energies of several keV and that their flux is modulated at the wave frequency. The relative amplitudes of the model wave electric fields are consistent with the observations of small-scale low-frequency ionospheric and magnetospheric electric fields near auroral arcs of approximately 10 mV/m and 100 mV/m, respectively. The large-amplitude ion cyclotron waves also produce a ponderomotive force and a self-consistent ambipolar electric field. Energy considerations show that the downward energy flux in the electromagnetic ion cyclotron wave can be several percent of the total downward auroral electron energy flux.

Temerin, M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The alignment of interstellar grains

The magnetic-field alignment of interstellar silicate grains containing superparamagnetic (SPM) inclusions is investigated theoretically. It is shown that the observed dependence of polarization on wavelength can be fully explained in terms of the alignment mechanisms and the size distribution of the SPM grains, at least for interstellar polarizations peaking at wavelength 550 nm or higher. The implications of this finding for models of grain coagulation and shattering are considered.

Mathis, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Magnetic field-aligned electric field acceleration and the characteristics of the optical aurora

The long-recognized association of brighter aurora with more deeply penetrating, and hence more energetic, electrons is examined. Using the Knight (1973) relation between the magnetic-field-aligned current density and potential drop (derived from the theory of single-particle motion in the presence of a magnetic-field-aligned electric field), an approximate expression relating the energy flux of the precipitating electrons over discrete aurora and the mean particle energy is derived. This expression is used in conjunction with an auroral optical excitation and emission model to specify the dependence of the red/blue ratio of auroral optical emissions on the brightness of the aurora. It is shown that the quantitative predictions of the discrete auroral theory are in accord with observations of the aurora.

Christensen, A. B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Optical alignment of Centaur's inertial guidance system

During Centaur launch operations the launch azimuth of the inertial platform's U-accelerometer input axis must be accurately established and maintained. This is accomplished by using an optically closed loop system with a long-range autotheodolite whose line of sight was established by a first-order survey. A collimated light beam from the autotheodolite intercepts a reflecting Porro prism mounted on the platform azimuth gimbal. Thus, any deviation of the Porro prism from its predetermined heading is optically detected by the autotheodolite. The error signal produced is used to torque the azimuth gimbal back to its required launch azimuth. The heading of the U-accelerometer input axis is therefore maintained automatically. Previously, the autotheodolite system could not distinguish between vehicle sway and rotational motion of the inertial platform unless at least three prisms were used. One prism was mounted on the inertial platform to maintain azimuth alignment, and two prisms were mounted externally on the vehicle to track sway. For example, the automatic azimuth-laying theodolite (AALT-SV-M2) on the Saturn vehilce used three prisms. The results of testing and modifying the AALT-SV-M2 autotheodolite to simultaneously monitor and maintain alignment of the inertial platform and track the sway of the vehicle from a single Porro prism.

Gordan, Andrew L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Transparent metal model study of the use of a cellular growth front to form aligned monotectic composite materials

The purpose of this work was to resolve a scientific controversy in the understanding of how second phase particles become aligned during unidirectional growth of a monotectic alloy. A second aspect was to make the first systematic observations of the solidification behavior of a monotectic alloy during cellular growth in-situ. This research provides the first systematic transparent model study of cellular solidification. An interface stability diagram was developed for the planar to cellular transition of the succinonitrile glycerol (SNG) system. A method was developed utilizing Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy which allows quantitative compositional analysis of directionally solidified SNG along the growth axis. To determine the influence of cellular growth front on alignment for directionally solidified monotectic alloys, the planar and cellular growth morphology was observed in-situ for SNG between 8 and 17 percent glycerol and for a range of over two orders of magnitude G/R.

Kaukler, William F.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Sun sensor boresight alignment testing for the Halogen Occultation Experiment

The boresight alignment testing for the sun sensor assembly on the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) is described. The sun sensor assembly consists of three sensors that provide feedback signals for controlling dual axes gimbals. Two energy balancing silicon detectors are operated as wideband sensors in the azimuth and elevation axes. The third sensor is a silicon photodiode array operated as a narrow-band sensor in the elevation axis. These sensors are mounted on a common Invar structure which is mounted to the HALOE telescope. A blackbody was used as the stimulating source to perform the initial boresight alignment and this was checked with a heliostat solar look and a direct solar look. These tests are explained with a comparison between each source used.

Moore, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Field-aligned electron flux oscillations that produce flickering aurora

Measurements of energetic electrons that produce flickering aurora were made by a pair of sounding rockets, launched during a slowly evolving auroral breakup. Both payloads passed through a broad inverted-V structure. A component of the electron distribution function was closely aligned with the magnetic field over a broad energy range that extended from low energies up to the inverted-V differential energy flux peak. Measurements of the field-aligned component showed the presence of order of magnitude coherent flux oscillations. Source altitudes between 4000 and 8000 km were derived from velocity dispersion of the flux oscillations.

Mcfadden, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A study of field-aligned currents observed at high and low altitudes in the nightside magnetosphere

Field-aligned current structures on auroral field lines observed at low and high altitudes using DE 1 and ISEE 2 magnetometer, and particle data observed when the spacecraft are in magnetic conjunction in the near-midnight magnetosphere, are investigated. To minimize latitudinal ambiguity, the plasma-sheet boundary layer observed with ISEE 2 and the discrete aurora at the poleward edge of the auroral oval with DE 1 are studied. The overall current observed at highest latitudes is flowing into the ionosphere, and is likely to be carried by ionospheric electrons flowing upward. There are, however, smaller-scale current structures within this region. The sense and magnitude of the field-aligned currents agree at the two sites. The ISEE 2 data suggests that the high-latitude downward current corresponds to the high-latitude boundary of the plasma-sheet boundary layer, and may be associated with the ion beams observed there.

Elphic, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Transmission X-ray diffraction grating alignment using a photoelastic modulator

A high-resolution alignment technique which utilizes the partial polarization property of fine period transmission gratings has been developed. It is especially useful when the grating period is sufficiently small so that there are no visible diffracted orders. This technique uses a photoelastic modulator (PEM) to produce an intensity signal that is proportional to the sine of twice the angle between the grating lines and the PEM crystal axis. The experimentally demonstrated resolution of this technique on 200-nm period gold transmission gratings is better than 1 arc sec. This technique was developed to align X-ray transmission gratings for spectroscopy and interferometry applications.

Anderson, Erik H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Self-Aligning Robotic End Effector And Receptacle

Industrial-robot hand (end effector) and mating receptacle include congruent male and female conical and V-shaped surfaces for positive alignment. Surfaces of end effector and receptacle keyed to each other for automatic alignment. Lifting pins inserted in receptacle to lock end effector and receptacle together. Tool turns mounting screw, and end effector lifts object.

Vansant, Glen J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Segment alignment control system

The segmented primary mirror for the LDR will require a special segment alignment control system to precisely control the orientation of each of the segments so that the resulting composite reflector behaves like a monolith. The W.M. Keck Ten Meter Telescope will utilize a primary mirror made up of 36 actively controlled segments. Thus the primary mirror and its segment alignment control system are directly analogous to the LDR. The problems of controlling the segments in the face of disturbances and control/structures interaction, as analyzed for the TMT, are virtually identical to those for the LDR. The two systems are briefly compared.

Aubrun, JEAN-N.↗