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At least 847 records · Page 47

Update on Apollo Data Restoration by the NSSDC and the PDS Lunar Data Node

The Lunar Data Node (LDN) , under the auspices of the Geosciences Node of the Planetary Data System (PDS) and the National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC), is continuing its efforts to recover and restore Apollo science data. The data being restored are in large part archived with NSSDC on older media, but unarchived data are also being recovered from other sources. They are typically on 7- or 9-track magnetic tapes, often in obsolete formats, or held on microfilm, microfiche, or paper documents. The goal of the LDN is to restore these data from their current form, which is difficult for most researchers to access, into common digital formats with all necessary supporting data (metadata) and archive the data sets with PDS. Restoration involves reading the data from the original media, deciphering the data formats to produce readable digital data and converting the data into usable tabular formats. Each set of values in the table must then be understood in terms of the quantity measured and the units used. Information on instrument properties, operational history, and calibrations is gathered and added to the data set, along with pertinent references, contacts, and other ancillary documentation. The data set then undergoes a peer review and the final validated product is archived with PDS. Although much of this effort has concentrated on data archived at NSSDC in the 1970's, we have also recovered data and information that were never sent to NSSDC. These data, retrieved from various outside sources, include raw and reduced Gamma-Ray Spectrometer data from Apollos 15 and 16, information on the Apollo 17 Lunar Ejecta And Meteorites experiment, Dust Detector data from Apollos 11, 12, 14, and I5, raw telemetry tapes from the Apollo ALSEPs, and Weekly Status Reports for all the Apollo missions. These data are currently being read or organized, and supporting data is being gathered. We are still looking for the calibrated heat flow data from Apollos 15 and 17 for the period 1975-1977, any assistance or information on these data would be welcome. NSSDC has recently been tasked to release its hard-copy archive, comprising photography, microfilm, and microfiche. The details are still being discussed, but we are concentrating on recovering the valuable lunar data from these materials while they are still readily accessible. We have identified the most critical of these data and written a LASER proposal to fund their restoration. Included in this effort are data from the Apollo 15 and 16 Mass Spectrometers and the Apollo 17 Par-UV Spectrometer and ancillary information on the Apollo 17 Surface Electrical Properties Experiment.

Williams, David R.↗

Report of the panel on geopotential fields: Magnetic field, section 9

The objective of the NASA Geodynamics program for magnetic field measurements is to study the physical state, processes and evolution of the Earth and its environment via interpretation of measurements of the near Earth magnetic field in conjunction with other geophysical data. The fields measured derive from sources in the core, the lithosphere, the ionosphere, and the magnetosphere. Panel recommendations include initiation of multi-decade long continuous scalar and vector measurements of the Earth's magnetic field by launching a five year satellite mission to measure the field to about 1 nT accuracy, improvement of our resolution of the lithographic component of the field by developing a low altitude satellite mission, and support of theoretical studies and continuing analysis of data to better understand the source physics and improve the modeling capabilities for different source regions.

Achache, Jose J.↗

Solar Active Region Coronal Jets: Hidden-onset Jets

Solar quiet- and coronal-hole region coronal jets frequently clearly originate from erupting minifilaments, but active-region jets often lack an obvious erupting-minifilament source. We observe a coronal-jet-productive active region (AR), AR12824, over 2021 May 22 0–8 UT, primarily using Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Atmospheric Imaging Array (AIA) EUV images and SDO/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager magnetograms. Jets were concentrated in two locations in the AR: on the south side and on the northwest side of the AR’s lone large sunspot. The south-location jets are oriented so that we have a clear view of the jets’ origin low in the atmosphere: their source is clearly minifilaments erupting from locations showing magnetic flux changes/cancelations. After erupting a projected distance ~5ʹʹ away from their origin site, the minifilaments erupt outward onto far-reaching field as part of the jet’s spire, quickly losing their minifilament character. In contrast, the northwest-location jets show no clear erupting minifilament, but the source site of those jets are obscured along our line of sight by absorbing chromospheric material. EUV and magnetic data indicate that the likely source sites were ~15ʹʹ from where the we first see the jet spire; thus, an erupting minifilament would likely lose its minifilament character before we first see the spire. We conclude that such AR jets could work like non-AR jets, but the erupting-minifilament jet source is often hidden by obscuring material. Another factor is that magnetic eruptions making some AR jets carry only a harder-to-detect comparatively thin (∼1ʹʹ–2ʹʹ) minifilament “strand.” A full report appears in Sterling, Moore, & Panesar (2024, ApJ, 960, 109).

Alphonse C. Sterling↗

Pressure and current effects on the thermal efficiency of an MPD arc used as a plasma source

Measurements of arc voltage and energy loss to the cooled electrodes of a magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) arc, operating without an applied magnetic field, were made at chamber pressures of 26 to 950 torr, argon mass flow rates of 0.08 to 44 g/s and current of 200 to 2000 A. The resulting arc thermal efficiency varied from 22% at a chamber pressure of 26 torr to 88% at 950 torr. Thermal efficiency was only weakly dependent on arc current. It is concluded that the MPD arc operating without an applied magnetic field and at higher pressure than normally used in thruster applications is a reliable and efficient steady-state plasma source.

Pivirotto, T. J.↗

Consequences of narrow cyclotron emission from Hercules X-1

Explanations of the line feature in the hard X-ray (58 keV) spectrum of the compact X-ray source Hercules X-1 are presented. The most important characteristic of the emission (interpreted as a cyclotron emission from a strong magnetic field, i.e., B greater than one trillion Gauss) is that the FWHM is less than 12 keV, with a total observed luminosity in the line of approximately 1% of the total X-ray luminosity. If the source region is only at the magnetic poles of a neutron star, the electrons are confined to a path nearly parallel to the B-field lines, and the angle of emission will be narrow. Photon emission under such circumstances is also discussed; and it is suggested that photons can leave either through holes in the shell formed by the hard X-rays, or can escape through the shell itself. Attention is given to the accretion flow structure near the magnetopause, as a critical parameter of narrow line emission.

Weaver, R. P.↗

X-ray emission from chemically peculiar stars

We have searched the Roentgen Satellite (ROSAT) All-Sky Survey (RASS) database at the positions of about 100 magnetic Bp-Ap stars of the helium-strong, helium-weak, silicon, and strontium-chromium subclasses. We detect X-ray sources at the positions of 10 of these stars; in four cases the X-ray emission presumably arises from an early-type companion with a radiatively driven wind, while we believe that the magnetic chemically peculiar (CP) star is the most likely X-ray source (as opposed to a binary companion) in at least three and at most five of the six remaining cases. The helium-strong stars have X-ray emission levels that are characteristic of the luminous OB stars with massive winds (log L(sub x)/L(sub bol) is about -7), whereas the He-weak and Si stars (which generally show no evidence for significant mass loss) have log L(sub x)/L(sub bol) values that can reach as high as about -6. In contrast, we find no convincing evidence that the cooler SrCrEu-type CP stars are intrinsic X-ray sources. We discuss the X-ray and radio emission properties of our sample of CP stars, and argue that both types of emission may be magnetospheric in origin; however, there is clearly not a simple one-to-one correspondence between them, since many of the magnetic stars that are detected radio sources were not detected as X-ray sources in the present survey.

Drake, S. A.↗

Impacts of Cold Ionospheric Ions in Magnetic Reconnection at the Earth’s Magnetopause and Magnetotail

The Earth’s magnetosphere is filled by particles from two sources: the solar wind and the ionosphere. Ionospheric ions are initially cold and contain He+ and O+, in addition to to H+. Depending on their initial magnetic latitude and local time, and the state of the magnetosphere, they may contribute to the plasmasphere, the plasma sheet, the ring current, the warm plasma cloak etc. Depending on which path they follow in the magnetosphere, some of these ionospheric ions remain cold when they reach the two key reconnection regions: the Earth’s magnetopause and the plasma sheet in the tail. In this presentation, we will first review previous statistical works that quantify the number of cold/ionospheric ions near these two regions. Several works have attempted to quantify these populations, but they are inherently difficult to characterize due to their low energy, often below the spacecraft potential. We will also discuss the impacts they have on the magnetic reconnection process. Ionospheric ions mass-load the regions where reconnection takes place and change the characteristic Alfven speed, resulting in a smaller reconnection electric field. They also take a portion of the energy that is imparted to particles, affecting the energy budget of magnetic reconnection. Finally, they introduce new length and time scales, associated to their gyroradius and gyroperiod. We will discuss what are the implications of these impacts for the evolution of the magnetosphere – solar wind interactions.

Sergio Toledo Redondo↗

A Determination of the Source of Jovian Hectometric Radiation via Occultation by Ganymede

During the first Galileo flyby of Ganymede, Jovian radio emissions in the frequency range of 700 kHz to 5.6 MHz were completely occulted by the satellite. We take advantage of this serendipitous observation to determine the location of the radio emission source relative to Jupiter. The evidence suggests that the apparent source is along an L greater than or approximately equal to 7 magnetic field line near the central meridian longitude (approximately 160 deg) of the spacecraft and at 1 to 3 Jovian radii above the northern hemisphere of Jupiter. These results are consistent with a source located along either the Ganymede or Europa flux tube.

Kurth, W. S.↗

Nonthermal radio observations of the major planets

Seventeen years of observations have shown that Jupiter is a complex and intriguing source of emission over the entire radio spectrum accessible from the ground. The observations indicate the presence of intense radiation belts and a strong magnetic field inclined to the axis of rotation. At decametric wavelengths, several remarkably powerful sources are correlated with the rotation of the planet and the orbital motion of the satellite Io. Longer-term variations of these sources may be associated with the sunspot cycle, with Jupiter's orbital motion, or with changes in the internal structure of the planet. There is at most marginal evidence of nonthermal emission from Saturn, and as yet no evidence for such radiation from Uranus or Neptune.

Smith, A. G.↗

A comparative study of spherical and flat-Earth geopotential modeling at satellite elevations

Flat-Earth and spherical-Earth geopotential modeling of crustal anomaly sources at satellite elevations are compared by computing gravity and scalar magnetic anomalies perpendicular to the strike of variably dimensioned rectangular prisms at altitudes of 150, 300, and 450 km. Results indicate that the error caused by the flat-Earth approximation is less than 10% in most geometric conditions. Generally, error increase with larger and wider anomaly sources at higher altitudes. For most crustal source modeling applications at conventional satellite altitudes, flat-Earth modeling can be justified and is numerically efficient.

Parrott, M. H.↗

Could the Unidentified EGRET Sources in the Gould Belt be of Pulsar Origin?

We explore the possibility, within the polar cap model, that at least some of the recently identified new population of Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) sources in the Gould Belt sources are gamma-ray pulsars, viewed at large angles to the magnetic axis, such that the line-of-sight misses both the bright gamma-ray double cone and the radio beam. We estimate that the detectability of such off-beam gamma-ray sources is about a factor of 4-5 times higher than that of the on-beam sources. The off-beam gamma-ray pulsars also have a faint, soft nature, which is consistent with the observed properties of the Gould Belt sources. We conclude that at least some of the middle latitude sources might be such off-beam gamma-ray pulsars if they are indeed in the Gould Belt.

Zhang, Bing↗

Analysis of solar X-ray data

Type III solar bursts occurring in the absence of solar flares were observed to be accompanied by weak X-radiation. The energy scale of an OSO-3 soft X-ray ion chamber was assessed using realistic theoretical X-ray spectra. Relationships between soft solar X-rays and solar activity were investigated. These included optical studies, the role of the Type III acceleration mechanism in establishing the soft X-ray source volume, H alpha flare intensity variations, and gross magnetic field structure.

Teske, R. G.↗

Geology of Utah and Nevada by ERTS imagery

The author has identified the following significant results. Imagery for a portion of the study area was received, catalogued for in-house availability, and examined for relevant data. Topographic, geologic, aeromagnetic, and gravity maps were gathered to form a basis of comparison. Overlay drawings were prepared indicating significant features for further study and eventual field checking. The number of significant observations appears to be very great, and it is apparent that methods of handling the acquired information for easy access, for planning field checks, and for final presentation, must be improved. The tracing of lithologic variations and contacts is readily noted on many of the images. Some of the features vary from what is shown on geological maps but the correlation, or lack of same, is still to be studied in the field and by comparison of ground truth geological maps with the specific images. Numerous lineaments, based on tonal differences, are noted in the districts, some of which extend for tens of kilometers. Several positive and negative magnetic anomalies are noted with the suggestion that the sources of the mineralizing fluids were derived from hidden intrusives.

Jensen, M. L.↗

Development of a rotating gravity gradiometer for earth orbit applications (AAFE)

Some preliminary mission studies are described along with the design, fabrication, and test of a breadboard model of an earth orbital, rotating gravity gradiometer with a design goal of 10 to the minus 11th power/sec sq (0.01 EU) in a 35-sec integration time. The proposed mission uses a Scout vehicle to launch one (or two orthogonally oriented) spin-stabilized satellites into a 330-km circular polar orbit some 20 days before an equinox. During the short orbital lifetime, the experiment would obtain two complete maps of the gravity gradient field with a resolution approaching 270 km (degree 75). The breadboard model of the gradiometer demonstrated a combined thermal and electronic noise threshold of 0.015 EU per data channel. The design changes needed to reduce the noise to less than 0.01 EU were identified. Variations of the sensor output signal with temperature were experimentally determined and a suitable method of temperature compensation was developed and tested. Other possible error sources, such as sensor interaction with satellite dynamics and magnetic fields, were studied analytically and shown to be small.

Forward, R. L.↗

Electromagnetic hiss and relativistic electron losses in the inner zone

It is shown that ELF hiss is present in the inner radiation zone (L less than 2) during both storms and substorms. This presence is ascribed to propagation of waves into this region from a distributed source located at high altitude near the equatorial plasmapause. Two major effects allow hiss to reach the inner zone during storms and substorms: (1) the observed tendency for plasmaspheric hiss to be greatly intensified during the recovery phase as the outward-moving plasmapause encounters the electrons that have been freshly injected into the magnetosphere; (2) the displacement of the plasmapause, and the presumed source region, to low altitudes during high levels of magnetic activity.

Tsurutani, B. T.↗