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At least 955 records · Page 53

AXIOM: Advanced X-Ray Imaging Of the Magnetosheath

AXIOM (Advanced X-ray Imaging Of the Magnetosphere) is a concept mission which aims to explain how the Earth's magnetosphere responds to the changing impact of the solar wind using a unique method never attempted before; performing wide-field soft X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of the magnetosheath. magnetopause and bow shock at high spatial and temporal resolution. Global imaging of these regions is possible because of the solar wind charge exchange (SWCX) process which produces elevated soft X-ray emission from the interaction of high charge-state solar wind ions with primarily neutral hydrogen in the Earth's exosphere and near-interplanetary space.

Sembay, S.↗

Mineralogy of chondritic interplanetary dust particle impact residues from LDEF

A detailed structural and compositional analysis of several impactor residues was performed utilizing transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and electron diffraction. Residues from the interior of several craters in gold surfaces were removed with a tungsten needle, mounted in EMBED-812 epoxy, and ultramicrotomed. The presence in these residues of equilibrated ferromagnesian minerals, recrystallization textures, glass, and melted metal and sulfide bodies decorating grain boundaries is indicative of varying degrees of shock metamorphism in all impact residues we have characterized.

Barrett, R. A.↗

Three views of two giant streams: Aligned observations at 1 AU, 4.6 AU, and 5.9 AU

A close radial alignment of the Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (IMP) and Pioneers 10 and 11 spacecraft in 1974 allows a nearly unambiguous, empirical study of the radial evolution of the interaction regions of two contrasting weak and strong, giant streams. The study confirms the main aspects of the standard model of corotating interaction regions: an expanding and strengthening pair of forward-reverse shocks sandwich a stream interface. It adds the follwoing concepts: stream group speed--the speed at the stream interface tends to remain constant with distance; corotating stream complexes--interaction regions can include features like noncompressive density enhancements and streamer belts; secondary interfaces--a possible precursor to the reverse shock; and emerging stream interfaces--one emerged between 1 AU and 4.6 AU. The study uses the conservation specific entropy to correlate features between spacecraft.

Siscoe, George↗

Initial Response of the Aurora to the January 10, 1997 Magnetic Cloud

On January 10th, 1997, a magnetic cloud originating at the Sun was incident on the Earth. The initial disturbance to the magnetosphere, as reflected in the intensification of the aurora, was measured by the Ultraviolet Imager on the Polar Spacecraft. The first activation of the aurora at local noon occurred within minutes of the arrival of the shock. The subsequent evolution of the aurora over the next 18 minutes shows that the magnetic disturbance proceeds from local noon, symmetrically around the dawn and dusk flanks to local midnight. The substorm onset was observed to occur 174 minutes after the initial brightening of the aurora and 78 minutes after the southward turning of the IMF (Interplanetary Magnetic Field). During the intervening time, significant polar cap precipitation is observed. The polar cap precipitation begins at the poleward edge of the oval in the post midnight region and develops to form several complex transpolar structures. The polar cap precipitation subsides and quiet conditions are observed for 40 minutes prior to the onset of the substorm. During this event we have observed several unusual unique auroral forms develop that are different from the standard substorm models. We will present interpretation of the development of the pre-substorm events in light of the interplanetary conditions.

Spann, James F., Jr.↗

High Silicate Crystalline-to-Amorphous Ratios in Comets C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) and Hale-Bopp

Crystalline silicates, by their apparent absence in the ISM, are dust grains that experienced high temperatures in the solar nebula. Mg-rich crystalline silicates formed either by condensation from hot nebular gases (1450 K) or by the annealing of Mg-rich amorphous silicates (approx. 1000 K) in shocks in the 5-10 AU region or by radial transport into and out of the hot inner zones, e.g., T(sub d) > 1000 K at r(sub h) < 5 AU, 10(exp -6) - 10(exp -5) M(sub O)/yr, alpha = 10(exp -4) of the early solar nebula. Mg-rich crystalline silicates are found in interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and produce IR spectral features in many Oort cloud comets. In May 2004, we discovered strong crystalline silicate features in the dynamically new Oort cloud comet C/2001 Q4 (NEAT). Thermal emission modeling of comets Q4 and C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) demonstrate that both these comets have similar, high silicate crystalline-to-amorphous ratios of 2.4 and 2.1, respectively, indicating that these icy planetesimals aggregated from similar reservoirs of material or that crystalline silicates were widely distributed within the comet-forming zone. This argues for efficient annealing mechanisms and radial mixing.

Wooden, D. H.↗

The Martian Ionospheric Response to the Co-Rotating Interaction Region That Caused the Disappearing Solar Wind Event at Mars

An unusually low density solar wind event was observed in December 2022 moving past both Earth and Mars. The source was traced back to a coronal hole and active region on the Sun's surface. The resulting solar wind lead to the development of a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) and trailing rarefaction region that lasted for multiple solar rotations. Within this structure, the solar wind conditions, including density, velocity, and magnetic field magnitude and orientation drastically changed. In this study we analyze the response of the Martian ionosphere using MAVEN data to these changing solar wind conditions. The low density solar wind region associated with the December event resulted in the expansion of the Martian ionospheric boundaries. We show that the ion composition boundary (ICB) is located at extreme altitudes that are beyond previously observed locations from the MAVEN mission between 2015 and 2018. Furthermore, the boundary between shocked solar wind and the Martian ionosphere identified using electron and ion data moved together on the dayside of the planet with the changing solar wind conditions. However, at the flank region these boundaries do not move together, and we show here that the decoupling of the two boundaries may be the result of a change in the interplanetary magnetic field azimuthal angle.

S. R. Shaver↗

Time scales for formation and spreading of velocity shells of pickup ions in the solar wind

This paper discusses the process of assimilation (pickup) by the solar wind of newly ionized atoms and molecules. Generally, the pickup process is considered to evolve in three stages: (1) the initial interaction of newly created ions with the interplanetary magnetic field to form the ring-beam distribution; (2) pitch angle scattering of the ring beam to form a hollow shell; and (3) slower velocity diffusion to form a partially filled-in shell distribution. Using numerical simulations of turbulence such as would occur naturally in the solar wind and such as would be encountered near cometary bow shocks, the processes of shell formation and evolution are studied, and the results are used to estimate the time scales for shell formation and diffusion in several situations of recent observational interest, the interstellar He data obtained by AMPTE and cometary ion pickup distributions obtained by various spacecraft at comets Giacobini-Zinner and Halley.

Gaffey, J. D., Jr.↗

Some features of the small-scale solar wind fluctuations

We have investigated small-scale variations of the solar wind ion flux measured with Faraday cups onboard the Prognoz-8 satellite. These measurements have a high time resolution of 1.24 seconds for intervals with a duration of several hours and as high as 0.02 seconds for some periods of about 1 hour duration. The main goal of this work is the determination of the quantitative features of fast ion flux fluctuations using mainly spectral analysis but also other methods. We also identify their association with interplanetary plasma parameters. Particularly, it is shown that the slope of the power spectra in the frequency range from 1E-4 to 6E-2 Hz is close to the classical Kolmogorov (-5/3) law. We also discuss some intervals with a very high level of the relative amplitude of flux fluctuations (10-20 percent) which were observed near the Earth's bow shock in the foreshock region. The use of the wavelet method for the long time series allows us to study the temporal evolution of power spectra.

Zastenker, G.↗

High Silicate Crystalline-to-Amorphous Ratios in Comets C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) and Hale-Bopp

Crystalline silicates, by their apparent absence in the ISM, are dust grains that experienced high temperatures in the solar nebula. Mg-rich crystalline silicates formed either by condensation from hot nebular gases (1450 K) or by the annealing of Mg-rich amorphous silicates (approximately 1000 K) in shocks in the 5-10AU region or by radial transport into and out of the hot inner zones, e.g., T(sub d) greater than 1000K at r(sub h) less than 5AU, 10(exp -6) -10(exp -5) solar mass per year, alpha = 10(exp -4) of the early solar nebula. Mg-rich crystalline silicates are found in interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and produce IR spectral features in many Oort cloud comets. In May 2004, we discovered strong crystalline silicate features in the dynamically new Oort cloud comet C/2001 Q4 (NEAT). Thermal emission modeling of comets Q4 and C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) demonstrate that both these comets have similar, high silicate crystalline-toamorphous ratios of 2.4 and 2.1, respectively, indicating that these icy planetesimals aggregated from similar reservoirs of material or that crystalline silicates were widely distributed within the comet-forming zone. This argues for efficient annealing mechanisms and radial mixing.

Wooden, D. H.↗

High-Nickel Iron-Sulfides in Anhydrous, Gems-Rich CP IDPs

Chondritic porous interplanetary dust particles (CP IDPs) that were not severly heated during atmospheric deceleration are the best preserved samples of the solids that condensed from the Solar protoplanetary disk, as well as pre-Solar grains thatr survived incorporation into the disk, currently available for laboratory analysis [1]. These CP IDPs never experienced the aqueous and/or thermal processing, gravitational compaction, and shock effects that overprinted the record of Solar nebula processes in meteorites.

FLynn, G. J.↗

Hall Magnetohydrodynamic Power Generation and Drag Augmentation Using A Coaxial-Electrode Configuration During Hypersonic Entry

For interplanetary missions, a spacecraft must reduce its relative velocity from orbital speeds of multiple kilometers per second to zero in order to safely land on the surface of a planetary body. During this phase known as planetary reentry, the spacecraft undergoes high speed above Mach 5 up to Mach 30. This hyper-sonic flight regime imposes a strong bow shock in front of the vehicle that imparts extreme aerodynamic and thermal effects. In addition, during portions of this regime, a plasma is formed in the post-shock flow-field around the vehicle due to these high temperatures. Interaction between an applied magnetic field with this electrically conductive fluid, or magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) interaction, can be utilized to convert kinetic energy from the flow into storable electrical energy. Onboard MHD energy generation can benefit the spacecraft by increasing the power of active thermal control components and vehicle control systems during reentry. MHD interaction also exerts a Lorentz body force on the plasma flow that can be manipulated to act as an additional drag force through the vehicle body. MHD drag augmentation can benefit the spacecraft with an additional control mechanism that operates without moving parts. This can be utilized at higher altitudes and subsequently reduce convective heat transfer to the vehicle. MHD interaction with plasma flow suggests that both power generation and drag augmentation can be integrated together in one design. Modern numerical studies have only demonstrated the viability and potential of MHD energy generation and drag modulation separately for implementation into future spacecraft designs [1] [2] [3]. Steeves et. al. presented one possible generator design specifically for reentry vehicles that utilized a modular panel with two embedded electromagnets and two extruding electrodes for air plasma to flow between. Fujino et. al. presented results that indicated increased total drag with a permanent magnet embedded in the blunt body of the Orbital Reentry Experiment (OREX) trajectory. Furthermore, experimental investigations of these two MHD applications have been limited and separate due to the difficult technical nature of experimental de-sign and analysis. For MHD energy generation, there have been two designs which used a cylindrical fore-body with two embedded permanent magnets and two outward facing curved electrodes for tangency to an artificially ionized plasma that flowed along the body length [4] [5]. The first design was studied using an air microwave (MW) ionized supersonic plasma wind tunnel and the second design used radio frequency (RF) ionization of Argon, but both physically demonstrated the feasibility of MHD energy generation in reentry plasma conditions. For MHD drag modulation, one study involved a small-scale cylindrical blunt body embedded with permanent magnets immersed in plasma flow in an arcjet tunnel [6], and another utilized a spherical permanent magnet enclosed with a spherical forebody that was evaluated in a shock expansion tunnel [7]. Both experimental studies provided physical evidence of drag augmentation due to MHD interactions. Therefore, because of the multi-faceted effects of MHD along with both applications having been deemed feasible and beneficial during reentry, this indicates that a coupled power generation and drag modulation design could be achievable. The axi-symmetric nature of blunt bodies for reentry suggests that a spherical set of two ring electrodes near the nose along the body axis. Based on first principles, flow along the walls of the spherical body can then produce MHD interactions between the electrodes. As a result, two currents are generated: a Hall current that produces power and a primary inductive current that augments the drag force. The goal of this work is to provide a simulated design of a coaxial-electrode con-figuration for power generation and drag modulation for experimental testing.

E. Leong↗

Type 2 solar radio events observed in the interplanetary medium. Part 1: General characteristics

Twelve type 2 solar radio events were observed in the 2 MHz to 30 kHz frequency range by the radio astronomy experiment on the ISEE-3 satellite over the period from September 1978 to December 1979. These data provide the most comprehensive sample of type 2 radio bursts observed at kilometer wavelengths. Dynamic spectra of a number of events are presented. Where possible, the 12 events were associated with an initiating flare, ground based radio data, the passage of a shock at the spacecraft, and the sudden commencement of a geomagnetic storm. The general characteristics of kilometric type 2 bursts are discussed.

Cane, H. V.↗

Dynamical evolution of interplanetary magnetic fields and flows between 0.3 AU and 8.5 AU: Entrainment

The radial evolution of interplanetary flows and associated magnetic fields between 0.3 AU and 8.5 was analyzed using data from Helios 1 and Voyager 1, respectively. During a 70 day interval Voyager 1 observed two streams which appeared to be recurrent and which had little fine structure. The corresponding flows observed by Helios 1 were much more complex, showing numerous small streams, transient flows and shocks as well as a few large corotating streams. It is suggested that in moving to 8 AU the largest corotating streams swept up the slower flows (transient and/or corotating streams) and shocks into a relatively thin region in which they coalesced to form a single large amplitude compression wave. This combined process of sweeping and coalescence is referred to as entrainment. The resulting large amplitude compression wave is different from that formed by the steepening of a corotating stream from a coronal hole, because different flows from distinct sources, with possibly different composition and magnetic polarity, are brought together to form a single new structure.

Burlaga, L. F.↗

Statistical analysis of diffuse ion events upstream of the Earth's bow shock

A statistical study of diffuse energetic ion events and their related waves upstream of the Earth's bow shock was performed using data from the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers/Ion Release Module (AMPTE/IRM) satellite over two 5-month periods in 1984 and 1985. The data set was used to test the assumption in the self-consistent model of the upstream wave and particle populations by Lee (1982) that the particle acceleration through hydromagnetic waves and the wave generation are directly coupled. The comparison between the observed wave power and the wave power predicted on the observed energetic particle energy density and solar wind parameters results in a high correlation coefficient of about 0.89. The intensity of diffuse ions falls off approximately exponentially with the distance upstream from the bow shock parallel to the magnetic field with e-folding distances which vary from approximately 3.3 R(sub E) to approximately 11.7 R(sub E) over the energy range from 10 keV/e to 67.3 keV/e for both protons and alpha particles. After normalizing the upstream particle densities to zero bow shock distance by using these exponential variations, a good correlation (0.7) of the density of the diffuse ions with the solar wind density was found. This supports the suggestion that the solar wind is the source of the diffuse ions. Furthermore, the spectral slope of the diffuse ions correlates well with the solar wind velocity component in the direction of the interplanetary magnetic field (0.68 and 0.66 for protons and alpha particles) which concurs with the notion that the solar wind plays an important role in the acceleration of the upstream particles.

Trattner, K. J.↗

Plasma Waves Associated with Mass-Loaded Comets

Plasma waves and instabilities are integrally involved with the plasma "pickup" process and the mass loading of the solar wind (thus the formation of ion tails and the magnetic tails). Anisotropic plasmas generated by solar wind-comet interactions (the bow shock, magnetic field pileup) cause the generation of plasma waves which in turn "smooth out" these discontinuities. The plasma waves evolve and form plasma turbulence. Comets are perhaps the best "laboratories" to study waves and turbulence because over time (and distance) one can identify the waves and their evolution. We will argue that comets in some ways are better laboratories than magnetospheres, interplanetary space and fusion devices to study nonlinear waves and their evolution.

instabilities↗

A simple test of the induced nature of the Martian tail

The cross flow direction of the interplanetary magnetic field is strongly correlated with the cross flow direction several hours earlier and later. This correlation allows a simple test of the nature of the magnetic field in the Martian magnetotail. If the magnetotail is entirely induced, then the cross tail direction of the magnetic field should be along the direction of the cross flow component just upstream of the bow shock. We find that these directions of the tail field and the implementary magnetic field are so highly correlated that any intrinsic magnetic field of Mars must make at most a small contribution to the magnetotail. We estimate an upper limit to the magnetic moment of Mars to be about 4 x 10(exp 11) T(cu m).

Russell, C. T.↗

Global MHD Simulation of Mesoscale Structures at the Magnetospheric Boundary

The research carried out for this protocol was focused on the study of mesoscales structures at the magnetospheric boundary. We investigated three areas: (1) the structure of the magnetospheric boundary for steady solar wind conditions; (2) the dynamics of the dayside magnetospheric boundary and (3) the dynamics of the distant tail magnetospheric boundary. Our approach was to use high resolution three-dimensional global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere. We first considered simple variations of the interplanetary conditions to obtain generic cases that helped us in establishing the basic cause and effect relationships for steady solar wind conditions. Subsequently, we used actual solar wind plasma and magnetic field parameters measured by an upstream spacecraft as input to the simulations and compared the simulation results with sequences of events observed by another or several other spacecraft located downstream the bow shock. In particular we compared results with observations made when spacecraft crossed the magnetospheric boundary.

Berchem, Jean↗

Comparison Between Path Lengths Traveled by Solar Electrons and Ions in Ground-Level Enhancement Events

We have examined the Wind/3DP/SST electron and Wind/EPACT/LEMT ion data to investigate the path length difference between solar electrons and ions in the ground-level enhancement (GLE) events in solar cycle 23. Assuming that the onset time of metric type II or decameter-hectometric (DH) type III radio bursts is the solar release time of non-relativistic electrons, we have found that within an error range of plus or minus 10% the deduced path length of low-energy (approximately 27 keV) electrons from their release site near the Sun to the 1 AU observer is consistent with the ion path length deduced by Reames from the onset time analysis. In addition, the solar longitude distribution and IMF topology of the GLE events examined are in favor of the coronal mass ejection-driven shock acceleration origin of observed non-relativistic electrons.We have also found an increase of electron path lengths with increasing electron energies. The increasing rate of path lengths is correlated with the pitch angle distribution (PAD) of peak electron intensities locally measured, with a higher rate corresponding to a broader PAD. The correlation indicates that the path length enhancement is due to the interplanetary scattering experienced by first arriving electrons. The observed path length consistency implies that the maximum stable time of magnetic flux tubes, along which particles transport, could reach 4.8 hr.

electrons↗