Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Interplanetary particle acceleration”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2010

The Connection Between Small Gamma-Ray Flares and SEPs with COMPTEL/CGRO

While it is clear that particle acceleration is occurring during flares, what is less clear is the connection between the neutral radiation observed concommitant with the flare and the in-situ observations of SEPs. For the largest SEP events, where current instruments possess the sensitivity to observe nuclear-related gamma-ray emission, the origin of SEPs is generally divided between an escaping accelerated flare population and a population of coronal particles (or some admixture) accelerated through CME-driven shocks. Small flares, as defined by their X-ray emission, have been found to correlate with the presence of small "impulsive" (enriched in electrons and heavy nuclei) SEP events, suggesting that small SEP events are originally flare particles. The difficulty with this interpretation is that small flares lack detectable nuclear-related gamma-ray emission. Whether this emission is there or not is unclear because current instruments capable of high-energy gamma-ray observations operate above the sensitivity threshold for observing gammaray emission from small flares (< C-class). The COMPton TELescope (COMPTEL) aboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) provided unprecedented, and as yet unsurpassed, sensitivity to y rays in the 0.7 to 30 MeV energy range and neutrons in the 20 to 150 MeV energy range. This, combined with its nine years of operation, has produced a unique data set of observations for almost a complete solar cycle. The COMPTEL archival data offers the best possibility to investigate a connection between SEP observations in space and small-flare gamma-ray emission. We present preliminary results of a small-flare search within the COMPTEL archival data and discuss the correlation between already well-established compilations of SEP events and small impulsive or 3He-rich SEP events. Establishing a connection and determining the characterization of this connection, would signify an important development in our understanding of how and where flare particles are accelerated and how these very same particles escape into the interplanetary medium. Equally important would be demonstrating the inconsistencies or poor correlation between gamma-ray emission and small impulsive SEP events.

deNolfo, Georgia↗
NASA NTRS1990

Cosmic ray studies of solar and heliospheric physics - Goals for the 1990's and beyond

Recommendations are made for programs to meet high-priority objectives for solar and heliospheric physics. These priority areas include: the physics of the ISM and the heliospheric boundary; solar particle acceleration, transport, and composition; the ultraheavy composition of solar energetic particles; the large-scale structure of the heliosphere and solar modulation; the microphysics of interplanetary acceleration and shock acceleration. Measures that should be taken to continue and enhance ongoing programs are summarized.

Wiedenbeck, Mark E.↗
NASA NTRS2008

The International Heliophysical Year

It is now widely recognized that evolution in the solar system proceeds through a set of Universal Processes, i.e. reconnection, particle acceleration, plasma wave generation and propagation, etc. By studying these Universal Processes together, in diverse environments, and in a comparative way, new scientific insights will be gained. This is perhaps best understood by citing a few examples: (I) Shocks are observed in situ in the interplanetary medium, shocks are believed to play a role in the acceleration of particles in the solar corona, and standing bow shocks and termination shocks separate the major regions in the heliosphere. Shock formation, and particle acceleration are universal processes. (2) Aurorae are observed on Earth, Saturn, and Jupiter, and Jovian auroral "footprints" have been observed on 10, Ganymede and Europa. The formation of aurorae is observed to be the universal response of a magnetized body in the solar wind. The International Heliophysical Year (IHY) specifically highlights the cross-disciplinary study of universal physical processes in the solar system, observed in a variety of settings. The study of these processes will provide new insights that will lead to a better understanding of the universal processes in the solar system that affect the interplanetary and planetary environments, and pave the way for safe human space travel to the Moon and planets in the future, and it will serve to inspire the next generation of space physicists.

Davila, Joseph M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Cosmic-ray picture of the heliosphere

The existing data base on the characteristics of the heliosphere is discussed. It is known that solar gravity is less than necessary to hold all the solar material, and therefore a supersonic solar wind exists. Skylab soft X-ray photographs revealed the existence of coronal holes, which evolve in an 11 yr cycle. It has been proposed that all but the highest energy cosmic rays detected on earth can be attributed to solar and heliospheric origins, a controversial view which requires further empirical and theoretical work on particle acceleration processes and regions of interaction of the solar wind with interplanetary plasma. It is possible that a warped solar current sheet stretches to interplanetary space and organizes the solar magnetic field and thereby guides cosmic rays. An inverse correlation has been identified between the sunspot cycle and cosmic ray intensity. The features and effects of solar flares, subsequent shock waves and high speed particle streams are also discussed.

Venkatesan, D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Interplanetary shocks preceded by solar filament eruptions

The solar and interplanetary characteristics of six interplanetary shock and energetic particle events associated with the eruptions of solar filaments lying outside active regions are discussed. The events are characterized by the familiar double-ribbon H-alpha brightenings observed with large flares, but only very weak soft X-ray and microwave bursts. Both impulsive phases and metric type II bursts are absent in all six events. The energetic particles observed near the earth appear to be accelerated predominantly in the interplanetary shocks. The interplanetary shock speeds are lower and the longitudinal extents considerably less than those of flare-associated shocks. Three of the events were associated with unusual enhancements of singly-ionized helium in the solar wind following the shocks. These enhancements appear to be direct detections of the cool filament material expelled from the corona. It is suggested that these events are part of a spectrum of solar eruptive events which include both weaker events and the large flares. Despite their unimpressive and unreported solar signatures, the quiescent filament eruptions can result in substantial space and geophysical disturbances.

Cane, H. V.↗
NASA NTRS2020

3D propagation of relativistic solar protons through interplanetary space

Context.Solar energetic particles (SEPs) with energy in the GeV range can propagate to Earth from their acceleration region near the Sun and produce ground level enhancements (GLEs). The traditional approach to interpreting and modelling GLE observations assumes particle propagation which is only parallel to the magnetic field lines of interplanetary space, that is, spatially 1D propagation. Recent measurements by PAMELA have characterised SEP properties at 1 AU for the∼100 MeV–1 GeV range at high spectral resolution. Aims. We model the transport of GLE-energy solar protons using a 3D approach to assess the effect of the heliospheric current sheet(HCS) and drifts associated to the gradient and curvature of the Parker spiral. We derive 1 AU observables and compare the simulation results with data from PAMELA. Methods. We use a 3D test particle model including a HCS. Monoenergetic populations are studied first to obtain a qualitative picture of propagation patterns and numbers of crossings of the 1 AU sphere. Simulations for power law injection are used to derive intensity profiles and fluence spectra at 1 AU. A simulation for a specific event, GLE 71, is used for comparison purposes with PAMELA data. Results. Spatial patterns of 1 AU crossings and the average number of crossings per particle are strongly influenced by 3D effects, with significant differences between periods of A+ and A−polarities. The decay time constant of 1 AU intensity profiles varies depending on the position of the observer and it is not a simple function of the mean free path as in 1D models. Energy dependent leakage from the injection flux tube is particularly important for GLE energy particles, resulting in a rollover in the spectrum.

S. Dalla↗
NASA NTRS1989

Interplanetary energetic particle observations of the March 1989 events

The IMP-8 spacecraft placed in an elongated orbit of approximately R(sub E) x R(sub E) orbit around the Earth was the only monitor of the energetic particle environment of the near interplanetary space during the period of the solar particle events associated with the Active Region 5395 in March 1989. Measurements of energetic ion and electron intensities were obtained in a series of channels within the energy range: 0.3 to 440 MeV for photons, 0.6 to 52 MeV/nuc for alpha particles, 0.7 to 3.3 MeV/nuc for nuclei with Z greater than or equal to 3, 3 to 9 MeV/nuc with Z greater than or equal to 20, and 0.2 to 2.5 MeV for electrons. The responses of selected energy channels during the period 5 to 23 March 1989 are displayed. It is clearly noted that the most prominent energetic ion intensity enhancements in that time interval were associated with the interplanetary shock wave of March 13 (07:42 UT) as well as that of March 8 (17:56 UT), which have distinct particle acceleration signatures. These shock waves play a major role in determining the near Earth energetic ion intensities during the above period by accelerating and modulating the ambient solar energetic particle population, which was already present in high intensities in the interplanetary medium due to the superposition of a series of solar flare particle events originating in AR 5395. The differential ion intensities at the lowest energy channel of the CPME experiment, which were associated with the March 13 shock wave, reached the highest level in the life of the IMP-8 spacecraft at this energy. At high energies, the shock associated intensity peak was smaller by less than a factor of 3 than the maxima of solar flare particle intensities from some other major flares, in particular from those with sites well connected to the Earth's magnetic flux tubes.

Sarris, E. T.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Particle injection and acceleration at earth's bow shock - Comparison of upstream and downstream events

The injection and acceleration of thermal solar wind ions at the quasi-parallel earth's bow shock during radial interplanetary magnetic field conditions is investigated. Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers/Ion Release Module satellite observations of complete proton spectra, and of heavy ion spectra above 10 keV/Q, made on September 12, 1984 near the nose of the shock, are presented and compared to the predictions of a Monte Carlo shock simulation which includes diffusive shock acceleration. It is found that the spectral observations are in good agreement with the predictions of the simulation when it is assumed that all accelerated ions originate in the solar wind and are injected into the acceleration mechanism by thermal leakage from the downstream plasma. The efficiency, which is determined directly from the downstream observations, is high, with at least 15 percent of the solar wind energy flux going into accelerated particles. The comparisons allow constraints to be placed on the rigidity dependence of the scattering mean free path and suggest that the upstream solar wind must be slowed substantially by backstreaming accelerated ions prior to undergoing a sharp transition in the viscous subshock.

Ellison, Donald C.↗
NASA NTRS2020

3D Propagation of Relativistic Solar Protons through Interplanetary Space

Context. Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs) with energy in the GeV range can propagate to Earth from their acceleration region near the Sun and produce Ground Level Enhancements (GLEs). The traditional approach to interpreting and modelling GLE observations assumes particle propagation only parallel to the magnetic field lines of interplanetary space, i.e. it is spatially 1D. Recent measurements by PAMELA have characterised SEP properties at 1 AU for the ~100 MeV-1 GeV range at high spectral resolution. Aims. We model the transport of GLE-energy solar protons using a 3D approach, to assess the effect of the Heliospheric Current Sheet (HCS) and drifts associated to the gradient and curvature of the Parker spiral. We derive 1 AU observables and compare the simulation results with data from PAMELA. Methods. We use a 3D test particle model including a HCS. Monoenergetic populations are studied first to obtain a qualitative picture of propagation patterns and numbers of crossings of the 1 AU sphere. Simulations for power law injection are used to derive intensity profiles and fluence spectra at 1 AU. A simulation for a specific event, GLE 71, is used to compare with PAMELA data. Results. Spatial patterns of 1 AU crossings and the average number of crossings are strongly influenced by 3D effects, with significant differences between periods of A+ and A- polarities. The decay time constant of 1 AU intensity profiles varies depending on the position of the observer and is not a simple function of the mean free path as in 1D models. Energy dependent leakage from the injection flux tube is particularly important for GLE energy particles, resulting in a rollover in the spectrum.

Solar energetic particles↗
NASA NTRS1975

The interplanetary acceleration of energetic nucleons

Co-rotating proton and electron streams are the dominant type of low-energy (0.1-10 MeV/nucleon) particle event observed at 1 A.U. The radial dependence of these events was studied between 1 and 4.6 A.U. using essentially identical low-energy detector systems on IMP 7, Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11. It was expected that at a given energy, the intensity of these streams would decrease rapidly with heliocentric distance due to the effects of interplanetary adiabatic deceleration. Instead it was found that from event to event the intensity either remains roughly constant or increases significantly (more than an order of magnitude) between 1 and 3 A.U. It appears that interplanetary acceleration processes are the most plausible explanation. Several possible acceleration models are explored.

Mcdonald, F. B.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Acceleration of energetic particles by shock waves from large solar flares

Time-intensity profiles for solar proton events are analyzed with respect to the acceleration of energetic particles from the ambient solar wind by an interplanetary shock. The time-intensity profiles are derived from the Helio 1 particle data base for 1974 to 1984. It is found that many of the large proton events display a prolonged plateau. The Fe/O abundances in the large proton events are studied. It is observed that initially the Fe/O ratio is high (about 1.0), but after proton intensities increase to about 100 protons/sq cm sr sec MeV the Fe/O ratio decreases to a value near 0.1.

Reames, Donald V.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Relative to the Caltech Electron/Isotope Spectrometer-IMP

The Electron Isotope Spectrometers (EIS) on IMP-8 was designed to provide measurements of low energy isotopes from H to O (1 less than or equal to Z less than or equal to 8) over the energy range from approx. 2 to approx. 40 MeV/nuc, as well as low energy electrons from approx. 0.2 to approx. 6 MeV. These measurements supported studies of the acceleration and transport of energetic particles originating on the Sun, in interplanetary space, in the Galaxy, and in Earth's and Jupiter's magnetosphere. IMP-8 was launched in October 1973 and still continues to provide key particles and fields measurements from orbit about the Earth. The IMP-8 EIS continued to operate flawlessly until 8/3/92, when a partial failure was suffered in a bias supply, which reduced the ability of the instrument to measure high energy particles. The EIS was subsequently turned off in 1995. A nearly identical instrument was flown on IMP-7 from 10/92 to 7/96, and many studies combined results from both instruments. For completeness, this report summarizes scientific results and publications from the entire IMP-7&8 effort, not just from the period covered by NAG5-727.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1976

The interplanetary acceleration of energetic nucleons

Corotating proton and electron streams are the dominant type of low-energy (i.e., 0.1-10 MeV per nucleon) particle event observed at 1 AU. The radial dependence of these events has been studied between 1 and 4 AU using essentially identical low-energy detector systems on IMP-7, Pioneer-10, and Pioneer-11. It had been expected that at a given energy, the intensity of these streams would decrease rapidly with heliocentric distance due to the effects of interplanetary adiabatic deceleration. Instead, it is observed that from event to event, the intensity either remains roughly constant or increases significantly (more than an order of magnitude) between 1 and 4 AU. It appears that interplanetary acceleration processes are the most plausible explanation. Several possible acceleration models are discussed.

Mcdonald, F. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

On ion acceleration in interplanetary quasi-perpendicular shock waves

The kinematic and pitch angle scattering constraints for multiple shock encounters to occur are investigated. The results suggest that (1) large particle anisotropies and a large number of shock encounters are not mutually exclusive and (2) solar wind ions are not directly injected into the nearly perpendicular interplanetary shock acceleration process. Also, the average number of shock encounters required to accelerate an ion between two energies is calculated. The results are consistent with the shock geometry dependence observed in interplanetary shock spike and corotating interaction region associated energetic ion events.

Pesses, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Acceleration of energetic particles at solar wind shocks

A review of the acceleration of energetic ions at interplanetary shocks is presented with an emphasis on the theory of diffusive shock acceleration and interplanetary traveling shocks. The basic theory is discussed briefly, including wave excitation. Ten predictions of the theory as outlined by Kennel et al. (1985) are presented and found to compare favorably with the observations of the 11, 12 November 1978 event. Some problems are presented which should be addressed by future theoretical/experimental work. A simple illustrative application of diffusive acceleration theory is made to the acceleration of ions at shocks in the distant heliosphere and compared qualitatively with the intensity profiles observed by Pioneer 10. Finally, Some brief thoughts on shock acceleration at high solar latitudes are presented.

Lee, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Fast electrons in small solar flares

This review summarizes both the direct spacecraft observations of nonrelativistic solar electrons, and observations of the X-ray and radio emission generated by these particles at the sun and in the interplanetary medium. These observations bear on the basic astrophysical process of particle acceleration in tenuous plasmas. We find that in many small solar flares, the nearly 5-100 keV electrons accelerated during flash phase constitute the bulk of the total flare energy. Thus the basic flare mechanism in these flares essentially converts the available flare energy into fast electrons. These electrons may produce the other flare electromagnetic emissions through their interactions with the solar atmosphere. In large proton flares these electrons may provide the energy to eject material from the sun and to create a shock wave which could accelerate nuclei and electrons to much higher energies.

Lin, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A close-up of the sun

NASA's long-range plan for the study of solar-terrestrial relations includes a Solar Probe Mission in which a spacecraft is put into an eccentric orbit with perihelion near 4 solar radii (0.02 AU). The scientific experiments which might be done with such a mission are discussed. Topics include the distribution of mass within the Sun, solar angular momentum, the fine structure of the solar surface and corona, the acceleration of the solar wind and energetic particles, and the evolution of interplanetary dust. The mission could also contribute to high-accuracy tests of general relativity and the search for cosmic gravitational radiation.

Neugebauer, M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

On solar cosmic rays

The report summarizes the major results obtained over the last four years in the following areas: (1) transport in interplanetary space which includes solar particle observations combined with theoretical efforts to develop models which simulate the dynamics of the event; (2) transport in the solar corona and release of particles in the interplanetary medium; and (3) characteristics of source spectra and acceleration models. Modelling the propagation of solar cosmic rays through interplanetary space and establishing the magnitude and the radial and energy dependence of the diffusion coefficient K are considered. An important result due to statistical observation is that the coronal propagation must be independent of or weakly dependent on both rigidity and energy. Increasing evidence is found for prolonged injection at the sun.

Van Hollebeke, M. A. I.↗