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At least 1,549 records · Page 86

On the diamagnetic effect of the plasma sheet near 60 earth radii.

The two-dimensional (YZ plane) spatial distribution of magnetic field magnitudes in the geomagnetic tail at the lunar distance is given in both the solar magnetospheric and the neutral-sheet coordinate systems by using three years of data from the Ames magnetometer on Explorer 35. The effect of changes in geomagnetic activity is also presented. In the magnetotail near 60 earth radii, a broad region in which the magnetic field intensity is relatively weak in comparison with that in the other region of the tail is located adjacent to the solar magnetospheric equatorial plane and the calculated neutral sheet. This depression of the field due to the diamagnetic effect of the plasma sheet is more evident during times of minimum geomagnetic activity.-

Meng, C.-I.↗

Fuel cell ion-exchange membrane investigation

The present deficiencies in the fluorocarbon sulfonic acid membrane used as the solid polymer electrolyte in the H2/O2 fuel cell are studied. Considered are: Adhesives selection, elastomeric formulations, scavenger exploration, and membrane characterization. The significant data are interpreted and recommendations are given for both short and long range further investigations in two of the four major areas: membrane adhesives and membrane stabilization.

Toy, M. S.↗

Explorer 18 study of the stability of the magnetopause using a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability criterion

Explorer 18 magnetometer and plasma probe data are used to calculate the magnitude of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability criterion for 42 crossings of the magnetopause. The 30 crossings through the dipole field region show that for low levels of geomagnetic disturbance ( Kp less than or equal to 2) large regions of the magnetopause near the nose are stable, whereas for higher levels of geomagnetic disturbance (Kp greater than 2) only a small region near the nose is stable. The unstable regions are found further downstream. Similarly, the 12 crossings through the tail show that the unstable regions are downstream of the stable regions. The Kelvin-Helmholtz mechanism might be the 'viscous interaction' discussed by Axford and Hines (1961) and the relevant parameter for worldwide geomagnetic disturbance, just as the southward interplanetary field has been firmly established as the major relevant parameter in the case of substorm activity.

Boller, B. R.↗

Magnetic field configuration in the magnetotail near 60 earth radii

The magnetic field line configuration in the geomagnetic tail near 60 earth radii is examined on the basis of nearly 3 years of magnetometer data from the lunar-orbiting Explorer 35 satellite. The magnetotail field line characteristics inside the plasma sheet and in the high-latitude tail, i.e., outside the plasma sheet, are separately examined. In the high-latitude tail the magnetic field lines systematically diverge in both longitudinal (east-west) and latitudinal (north-south) directions; the divergence angle between field lines near the dusk flank and those near the dawn flank is about 14 deg, but the divergence along the Z direction is only about 8 deg. The degree of divergence is found to be greater in the evening side than in the morning side and greater in the northern tail than in the southern tail. Inside the plasma sheet the field lines deviate by about 19 deg from the sun-earth line, and the spatial distribution of the field line deviation does not have any systematic tendency.

Meng, C.-I.↗

Case studies on the geological application of LANDSAT imagery in Brazil

The author has identified the following significant results. Sao Domingos Range, Pocos de Caldas, and Araguaia and Tocantins Rivers in Brazil were selected as test sites for LANDSAT imagery. The satellite images were analyzed using conventional photointerpretation techniques, and the results indicate the application of small scale image data in regional structural data analysis, geological mapping, and mineral exploration.

Demendonca, F.↗

Charge exchange of metastable 2D oxygen ions with N2 in the thermosphere

The charge exchange of metastable 2D oxygen ions with N2 in the thermosphere is investigated through analysis of N2 (+) measurements and related data obtained by the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite. The rate coefficient for the charge exchange process is found to be 5 + or - 1.7 times 10 to the negative 10th power cu cm per sec. A rate coefficient is also developed for atomic oxygen quenching of the metastable 2D oxygen ions.

Torr, D. G.↗

Magnetic ordering of the polar airglow

The visible airglow experiment on the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite has gathered sufficient data over the earth's polar regions to allow one to map the geographic distribution of particle precipitation using emissions at 3371 and 5200 A. Both of these features exhibit large variations in space and time. The 3371 A emission of N2(C cubed pi), excited by low energy electrons, indicates substantial energy inputs on the dayside in the vicinity of the polar cusp. More precipitation occurs in the morning than evening for the sample reported here, while the entire night sector between magnetic latitudes 65 and 77.5 deg is subjected to particle fluxes. Regions of enhanced 5200 A emission from N(D-2) are larger in horizontal extent than those at 3371 A. This smearing effect is due to ionospheric motions induced by magnetospheric convection.

Frederick, J. E.↗

Heat capacity mapping mission

A Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM), part of a series of Applications Explorers Missions, is designed to provide data on surface heating as a response to solar energy input. The data is obtained by a two channel scanning radiometer, with one channel covering the visible and near-IR band between 0.5 and 1.1 micrometers, and the other covering the thermal-IR between 10.5 and 12.5 micrometers. The temperature range covered lies between 260 and 340 K, in 0.3 deg steps, with an accuracy at 280 K of plus or minus 0.5 K. Nominal altitude is 620 km, with a ground swath 700 km wide.

Price, J. C.↗

The high-latitude winter F region at 300 km - Thermal plasma observations from AE-C

Results are presented for a comprehensive survey of thermal ion composition and electron temperature (Te) variations in the southern high-latitude winter F region near 300-km altitude. The data are obtained from the Atmosphere Explorer (AE-C) satellite during a magnetically quiet period centered on the June 1976 solstice. Prominent ionospheric features, including the nightside main trough, a high-latitude ionization hole, and the dayside auroral zone-cusp region, are characterized in terms of composition and Te variations. The structures under study are qualitatively interpreted in terms of known processes.

Brinton, H. C.↗

A comparison of contour maps derived from independent methods of measuring lunar magnetic fields

Computer-generated contour maps of strong lunar remanent magnetic fields are presented and discussed. The maps, obtained by previously described (Eliason and Soderblom, 1977) techniques, are derived from a variety of direct and indirect measurements from Apollo 15 and 16 and Explorer 35 magnetometer and electron reflection data. A common display format is used to facilitate comparison of the maps over regions of overlapping coverage. Most large scale features of either weak or strong magnetic field regions are found to correlate fairly well on all the maps considered.

Lichtenstein, B. R.↗

Failure prediction techniques for compression loaded composite laminates with holes

The degree of notch sensitivity of composites in compression and whether their failures can be predicted over a wide range of plate and hole sizes. The notch sensitivity of composites is investigated by comparing actual failure loads of laminates with circular holes, with the extreme failure that would be expected from an ideal notch insensitive material and from an ideal notch sensitive material. The predictability question is addressed by applying the point stress failure criterion to a wide range of plate widths and hole sizes and comparing with available experimental data. The severity of impact is explored by comparing strength reductions resulting from impact with those resulting from comparable size circular holes. Finally, comparison is made of the differences to be expected from the effects of cracks and circular holes on failure strength.

Mikulas, M. M., Jr.↗

The abundance of carbon in HU 2-1

A logarithmic carbon abundance of 8.61 + or - 0.3 is derived for the planetary nebula Hu 2-1 using data taken with the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite. This value is close to the logarithmic carbon abundance of 8.67 + or - 0.1, found for the sun by other investigators. The carbon abundance of Hu 2-1 is compared to those of other planetary nebulae and to the predictions of stellar evolution calculations.

Lutz, J. H.↗

A spectroscopic study of the high excitation nebula NGC 6302

The wonderfully intricate irregular gaseous nebula NGC 6302 shows a great range of excitation from the S I to Fe VII forbidden lines. Data obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) covering the spectral range of wavelengths 1200-3203 and with the image-photon counting system at the Anglo-Australian telescope emphasizing the region of wavelengths 3200-4880 are used for a new determination of the chemical composition of this object. No simple theoretical model can represent the observed intensities. Helium and nitrogen are enhanced in abundance, as noted by previous observers, but the enrichment of nitrogen is a whole order of magnitude. Carbon and oxygen are decreased in abundance, neon and heavier elements show a 'normal' abundance pattern, but calcium and possibly silicon are depleted; presumably they are concentrated in grains.

Aller, L. H.↗

A proposed new policy for planetary protection

A critical review of the present policy was conducted with emphasis on its application to future planetary exploration. The probable impact of recent data on the implementation of the present policy was also assessed. The existing policy and its implementation were found to: be excessive for certain missions (e.g., Voyager), neglect the contamination hazard posed by the bulk constituent organics of spacecraft, be ambiguous for certain missions (e.g., Pioneer Venus), and treat all extraterrestrial sample return missions alike. The major features of the proposed policy are planet/mission combinations, a qualitative top level statement, and implementation by exception rather than rule. The concept of planet/mission categories permits the imposition of requirements according to both biological interest in the target planet and the relative contamination hazard of the mission type.

Barengoltz, J. B.↗

Bibliographical index of objects observed by IUE

Six astronomical journals were searched and 343 papers describing studies using data obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite were identified. From a review of these papers, the names of the astronomical objects discussed were recorded and compiled into a list of 2460 entries, along with each reference, and sorted by object name or catalogue number. This index enables a user to tell immediately where to find published papers describing IUE observation of the objects of interest to him.

Mead, J. M.↗

NASA activities and plans

An overview is provided of the NASA tracking, data acquisition, communications, and mission control systems and capabilities. These systems include the NASA Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (STDN) which supports earth-orbital spacecraft, the Deep Space Network (DSN) which supports the planetary exploration and deep space missions, and the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) currently under development and scheduled to come into service in 1983. TDRSS will then displace STDN for support of low earth orbital spacecraft. A description is presented of the current status of the considered systems, and plans are discussed for future developments and new capabilities.

Smylie, R. E.↗

Galactic and zodiacal light surface brightness measurements with the Atmosphere Explorer satellites

Galactic and zodiacal light surface maps based on the Atmosphere Explorer-C, -D, and -E satellite data are presented at 7320, 6300, 5577, 5200, and 4278 A. A procedure used to generate these maps, which involves separation of the individual stars and diffuse starlight from the zodiacal light, is described in detail. The maps can be used in atmospheric emission studies to correct for galactic emissions which contaminate satellite as well as ground-based photometric observations. The zodiacal light maps show enhanced features which are important for understanding the nature of interplanetary dust.

Abreu, V. J.↗

Characteristics of a stable auroral red arc event

The present investigation is concerned with an analysis of the measurements of the stable auroral red (SAR) arc of October 23, 1981, using data from orbit 1192 of Dynamics Explorer (DE) 2, during which a magnetic coincidence occurred with the DE-1 spacecraft near the red arc field line, and for which simultaneous ground-based intensity measurements from Richland, WA were available. The altitude of the DE-2 satellite was approximately 850 km during arc passage in the Northern Hemisphere and approximately 395 km during the conjugate hemisphere passage. The DE-1 satellite was at an altitude of approximately 6000 km during the magnetic coincidence with DE-2 in the Northern Hemisphere. The described observations and calculations reconfirm a previous understanding that the actual excitation of the O(1D) state responsible for the 6300 A emission of red arcs is caused by hot ionospheric thermal electrons.

Kozyra, J. U.↗