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NASA NTRS1990

Observations of filamentary field-aligned current coupling between the magnetospheric boundary layer and the ionosphere

A distinct class of dayside high-latitude magnetic pulsations can be identified from the spatial characteristics of the disturbance field. These pulsations exhibit traveling radial patterns such as would result from moving filaments of field-aligned current interacting with the ionosphere to produce cells of Hall current and vortexlike plasma flow. Time intervals containing a series of continuous multiple vortices are investigated here. The vortices occur on the boundary between sunward and antisunward ionospheric plasma convection. Low altitude DMSP satellite particle measurements indicate that the vortices are on magnetic field lines which map to the inner edge of the magnetospheric low latitude boundary layer. No repetitive solar wind disturbance (e.g., pressure variations) appears to be associated with the events, suggesting that the vortices are related to a local magnetospheric instability. No strong correlation between interplanetary field conditions and the detection of vortices is found.

Clauer, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Response of the dipole magnetosphere to pressure pulses

The response of the magnetosphere to pressure pulses at the magnetopause has been studied using a three-dimensional model of ULF waves in a dipole geometry. Pressure pulses at the magnetosphere directly excite compressional waves, which then convert to shear mode Alfven waves due to inhomogeneity. The behavior of the system depends on the frequency of the source at the magnetopause, with vortex structure tending to form on field lines resonant with the source frequency. The perturbations between the vortices are skewed toward noon, in agreement with observations.

Lysak, Robert L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Effects of magnetospheric electrons on polar plasma outflow - A semikinetic model

The effect or hot magnetospheric electrons on the polar-plasma outflow was investigated, using a semikinetic model developed by Wilson et al. (1990) and Ho et al. (1991) to simulate the effect. The model is based on a hybrid particle-in-cell approach, in which the H(+) and O(+) ions are treated as adiabatic parallel-drifting gyrocenters injected as the upgoing portions of drifting bi-Maxwellian distributions at 1.6 R(E), while the electrons are treated as a massless neutralizing fluid. The results show that, in order to simulate the polar outflow under the influence of hot magnetospheric electrons, it is necessary to consider the effect of the electron temperature gradient.

Ho, C. W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Energetic particle signatures of satellites and rings in Neptune's magnetosphere

The cosmic ray system on Voyager 2 found a trapped radiation environment in Neptune's inner magnetosphere which is controlled primarily by absorption at the rings and satellite surfaces. The intensity of electrons with kinetic energies approximately greater than 1 MeV shows particularly strong and narrow signatures associated with absorption by the satellite 1989N1 at an orbital radius of 4.75 Neptune radii. Closer to the planet are several signatures of the inner satellites and rings. Absorption limits the intensity of the inner radiation belt sufficiently for the maximum intensity to occur outside the orbit of 1989N1 at a magnetic L shell of about 7. Radial profiles of the electron phase space density show that electrons diffuse inward from a source in the outer magnetosphere. Many of the inward-diffusing electrons are absorbed upon reaching a satellite orbital radius, but the finite absorption efficiency allows some of the electrons to pass by unaffected. The locations of the satellite and ring signatures also provide constraints on the nondipolar components of the planetary magnetic field.

Selesnick, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Survey of transient magnetic field events in the dayside magnetosphere

Data acquired with AMPTE/CCE are employed to investigate transient magnetic field events (TMFEs) in the dayside magnetosphere. TMFEs are found to occur more frequently near the magnetopause than deep in the magnetosphere, and the amplitude of a TMFE increases as the spacecraft comes closer to the magnetopause. It is inferred that they are generated at the magnetopause. From the MLT dependence of the rotational polarity of the transverse magnetic field perturbation, it is suggested that TMFE structures move longitudinally away from the noon meridian. Latitudinal motion away from the equator is also inferred from the latitudinal dependence of the occurrence rates of the standard and reverse events. The motion of TMFEs is tailward in both azimuthal and north-south directions. It is suggested that TMFEs carry oppositely directed twin field-aligned currents, separated in the direction perpendicular to the direction of motion and having the same current intensity.

Kawano, H.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Heavy ion dynamics and auroral arc formation in the Jovian magnetosphere

This paper gives a brief review of some of the current controversial issues surrounding the Jovian aurora. In particular, the manner of its excitation be it that of electron or heavy ion precipitation is examined critically in the context of proposed models for magnetospheric dynamics, particle energization, and auroral energy input. A model for the X-ray aurora based on bremsstrahlung by a primary electron beam and its ionization secondaries is high-lighted and the connection to the outward magnetospheric transport of heavy ion plasma from the satellite Io is made.

Barbosa, D. D.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The pulsating magnetosphere and flux transfer events

The possible sources of magnetic field variations in the magnetosphere, the precipitation of energetic particles, and auroral emissions are investigated using magnetic field observations from the GOES 5, GOES 6, AMPTE/CCE, and Viking satellites and a ground station. An analysis of the observations supports the view that the magnetosphere often varies in a periodic way because of its own resonant processes and processes driven by the solar wind. UV images from Viking are used to examine the patterns of precipitating particles in the lower ionosphere.

Potemra, T. A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Energetic magnetospheric protons in the plasma depletion layer

The characteristics of energetic protons (between a few keV/e and about 100 keV/e) leaked from the magnetosphere were determined using observations for 13 plasma depletion layer events recorded by AMPTE/CCE. Results indicate that, when the IMF has orientation such that the angle between the IMF and the X(GSE) direction is 60 deg (the condition under which the energetic ion regions upstream and downstream from the quasi-parallel bow shock are located on the flanks of the dawnside bow shock), the magnetospheric leakage provides only about 10 percent of the energetic proton distribution in the energy range from a few keV/e to 100 keV/e in the region upstream from the earth's bow shock. The other 90 percent come from the bow shock accelerated source.

Fuselier, Stephen A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Plasma composition in Jupiter's magnetosphere - Initial results from the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer

The ion composition in the Jovian environment was investigated with the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer on board Ulysses. A hot tenuous plasma was observed throughout the outer and middle magnetosphere. In some regions two thermally different components were identified. Oxygen and sulfur ions with several different charge states, from the volcanic satellite Io, make the largest contribution to the mass density of the hot plasma, even at high latitude. Solar wind particles were observed in all regions investigated. Ions from Jupiter's ionosphere were abundant in the middle magnetosphere, particularly in the high-latitude region on the dusk side, which was traversed for the first time.

Geiss, J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Energetic charged-particle phenomena in the Jovian magnetosphere - First results from the Ulysses COSPIN collaboration

The Ulysses spacecraft made the first exploration of the region of Jupiter's magnetosphere at high Jovigraphic latitudes on the dusk side and reached higher magnetic latitudes on the day side than any previous mission to Jupiter. The cosmic and solar particle investigations (COSPIN) instrumentation achieved a remarkably well integrated set of observations of energetic charged particles in the energy ranges of about 1 to 170 megaelectron volts for electrons and 0.3 to 20 megaelectron volts for protons and heavier nuclei. The new findings include an apparent polar cap region in the northern hemisphere in which energetic charged particles following Jovian magnetic field lines may have direct access to the interplanetary medium; high-energy electron bursts on the dusk side that are apparently associated with field-aligned currents and radio burst emissions; persistence of the global 10-hour relativistic electron 'clock' phenomenon throughout Jupiter's magnetosphere; on the basis of charged-particle measurements, apparent dragging of magnetic field lines at large radii in the dusk sector toward the tail; and consistent outflow of megaelectron volt electrons and large-scale departures from corotation for nucleons.

Simpson, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The Inner Magnetospheric Imager (IMI): Instrument heritage and orbit viewing analysis

For the last two years an engineering team in the Program Development Office at MSFC has been doing design studies for the proposed Inner Magnetospheric Imager (IMI) mission. This team had a need for more information about the instruments that this mission would carry so that they could get a better handle on instrument volume, mass, power, and telemetry needs as well as information to help assess the possible cost of such instruments and what technology development they would need. To get this information, an extensive literature search was conducted as well as interviews with several members of the IMI science working group. The results of this heritage survey are summarized below. There was also a need to evaluate the orbits proposed for this mission from the stand point of their suitability for viewing the various magnetospheric features that are planned for this mission. This was accomplished by first, identifying the factors which need to be considered in selecting an orbit, second, translating these considerations into specific criteria, and third, evaluating the proposed orbits against these criteria. The specifics of these criteria and the results of the orbit analysis are contained in the last section of this report.

Wilson, Gordon R.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Imaging the magnetosphere in the extreme ultraviolet

A final report on research on magnetosphere imaging in the extreme ultraviolet is presented. The objectives of the research contract can be summarized in three related items: (1) investigate the feasibility of the EUV imaging concept by using Lockheed in-situ ion measurement data; (2) investigate the technical resources required to make scientific interpretations of such EUV images by end-to-end simulations of the imaging concept; and (3) construct and test the key element for EUV magnetosphere imaging, the multilayer mirror with normal-incidence reflectance designed for the selected solar resonance line.

Chiu, Y. T.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Magnetotail structures in a simulated Earth's magnetosphere

The structure of the magnetotail is investigated in a laboratory simulated magnetosphere. Particular emphasis is placed on the region of distant magnetotail where the closed field line region of the plasma sheet terminates and the process of reconnection takes place. Our study builds upon the previous investigation of the magnetotail where the main results were based on the magnetic field measurements in the tail region of the simulated magnetosphere. In this paper, more elaborate measurements of plasma flow and electric field are presented. Besides these measurements, this region of distant magnetotail is also explored by high resolution imaging with a gated optical imager (GOI) and by digital image analysis. These images clearly reveal a Y-type magnetic neutral line for the northward 'interplanetary' field (IMF) and a usual X-type for the southward IMF that confirms our previous results deduced from the magnetic field measurements. In the neighborhood of these neutral points a strong component of dawn to dusk electric field (E(sub y)) and a counterstreaming plasma flow is also observed. Plasma flow is measured by using a double sided Faraday cup which is also used to measure the y-component of tail current (J(sub y)) at different locations. These measurements reveal that the tail current is not carried by ions as previously thought, rather it is carried by electrons alone.

Yur, G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Magnetospheric plasma flows associated with boundary waves and flux transfer events

We describe plasma flow perturbations in the outer magnetosphere during the passage of magnetopause boundary waves and cylindrically shaped flux transfer events (FTEs). Spacecraft which remain within the magnetosphere observe bipolar flows normal to the nominal magnetopause accompanied by flows nearly opposite to the direction of boundary wave and/or FTE motion. Flows are generally discontinuous across FTE and magnetopause boundaries, with reversals in the component of flow tangential to the nominal magnetopause expected during all magnetopause crossings and some entries into FTEs. No bipolar flows normal to the nominal magnetopause occur within FTEs unless they rotate and none occur in the magnetosheath unless the boundary waves propagate relative to the magnetosheath flow. IRM satellite observations on October 28, 1984 may be interpreted either in terms of FTEs or boundary waves.

Sibeck, D. G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Radial profiles of quiet time magnetospheric parameters

The quiet time magnetosphere is studied using ion measurements covering energies from about 1 keV to about 4 MeV from selected passes of the Charge Composition Explorer during low geomagnetic activity. The quiet time plasma pressure in the midnight sector was found to be comparable to that deduced by Spence et al. (1989) and Kan et al. (1992) from inverting the magnetic field models of Tsyganenko and Usmanov (1982) and Tsyganenko (1987). The radial profile of the total plasma pressure exhibited a peak at L = 3-4 and decreased monotonically from L = 4 and L = 9. Contrary to theoretical expectations for the magnetospheric closure of the region 2 field-aligned current system, no large-scale earthward decrease in plasma pressure was found to occur in these outer L shells.

Lui, A. T. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1992

High-order stimulated ionospheric diffuse plasma resonances - Significance for magnetospheric emissions

The paper presents Alouette 2/ISIS 1 data which furnish evidence for the stimulation of high-order D(n) resonances (n greater than 4) by topside sounders, confirming the prediction of Osherovich (1990) based on an analogy with naturally occurring narrowband magnetospheric emissions. The results indicate that observations of stimulated ionospheric emissions and naturally occurring magnetospheric emissions can be used as complementary data sets to address such fundamental questions as the nature of the excitation mechanism for these emissions and the nature of the waves (i.e., whether the waves predominantly electrostatic or with a significant magnetic component present), and the question of the dominance among the Dn, Dn(+), and Dn(-) resonances and the conditions required for all three to be present at the same time.

Benson, Robert F.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Multilayer mirrors and filters for imaging the earth's inner magnetosphere

The requirements for imaging the inner magnetosphere in the light of 304-A He(+) emission are examined. The expected EUV emission spectrum of the inner magnetosphere is used to establish guidelines for the performance of the imager's multilayer mirrors and filters. The design of multilayer mirrors and the results of a computer search that determines the best multilayer mirror design for this application are discussed. B4C, Be, Si, and SiC are identified as promising top-layer materials for a multilayer 304-A mirror, while Al, Mg, and Mg2Si are recommended for other layers. Si-passivated Te and a combination of Al or Si with B or C are promising filter materials for this application.

Schulze, Dean W.↗

NASA NTRS1993

A nonsingular model of the open magnetosphere

We present a modified version of the Toffoletto and Hill (1989) open magnetosphere model that incorporates a tail-like interconection field with a discontinuity 10 represent the slow-mode expansion fan that defines the high-latitude tail magnetopause. (The interconnection field is defined as the perturbation on an initially closed magnetosphere model to make it open.) The expansion fan controls the open field line region in the tail, and the intersection of the fan with the tail current sheet is, by design, the x line. The new interconnection field allows greater control of the tail field structure; in particular, it enables us to eliminate the nightside mapping singularity that occurs in previous models when the interplanetary magnetic field is nonsouthward. Also, in contrast to earlier models, the far tail x line extends farther downstream on the flanks than in the center of the tail, consistent with observations.

Toffoletto, F. R.↗