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At least 1,567 records · Page 87
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NASA NTRS1979

A correlative study of magnetic flux transfer in the magnetosphere

The applied magnetic flux of the southward component of the IMF in GSM coordinates (Bz-) which impinges upon the sunward magnetopause is compared to the time integral of the auroral AL index during 56 intervals within a 3-month period in 1969 when interplanetary records from Heos 1 and Explorer 35 were available. The periods of magnetic activity were those for which Bz was greater than 0 and AL was less than 20gamma at the beginning and end of the interval. It was found that for these intervals, the time integral of the AL index was proportional to the applied magnetic flux with a correlation coefficient of 0.94. In addition, the empirical relationships between magnetic flux transfer, applied southward flux, and the time integral of AL arrived at by Holzer and Slavin (1978) on the basis of expansion and contractions of the forward magnetosphere observed with OGO 5 are reexamined and improved.

Holzer, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Evidence for earth magnetospheric tail associated phenomena at 3100 R sub E

Examination of Pioneer 7 NASA Ames Research Center plasma analyzer data obtained in February 1977 at about 3100 earth radii, downstream from earth in the vicinity of the expected extended geomagnetic tail indicate that tail-related phenomena may have been observed. These observations are characterized by intermittent intervals of extremely low levels of plasma ion flux. Corresponding Prognoz 5 Space Research Institute plasma ion data obtained in the vicinity of earth indicate typical solar-wind flux levels and a relatively steady character of the solar wind during this time. These recent Pioneer 7 observations in the vicinity of the expected geomagnetic tail at about 3100 earth radii are consistent with earlier Pioneer 7 observations in September 1966 at about 1000 earth radii and Pioneer 8 observations in January 1968 at about 500 earth radii and represent the most extended positive observational information of the extended nature of the geomagnetic tail. These measurements suggest that at times Jupiter's magnetosphere may have tail-associated phenomena extending to distances of about 10 AU downstream from the planet. These measurements also raise the possibility that at times comets may have tail-associated phenomena extending downstream from the visible tail.

Intriligator, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A search for geographic control on the occurrence of magnetospheric ELF emissions

Search coil magnetometer data obtained in the magnetosphere on Ogo 5 and Ogo 6 were studied for evidence of man-induced stimulation of the two dominant electromagnetic emissions, chorus and plasmaspheric hiss. Variability of chorus with geographic longitude and enhancements, onsets, and quantum jumps in chorus emissions at frequencies related to harmonics of the earth's transmission lines are discussed. The enhancement of weak emissions in the 340-360 deg dipole longitude region during quiet geomagnetic conditions is present only when ELF hiss is weak, and will not contribute to the non-adiabatic dynamics of radiation belt electrons. It is concluded that the data analyzed is consistent with a predominantly natural origin for chorus and plasmaspheric hiss, and that triggered waves do not play a major role in the non-adiabatic dynamics of geomagnetically trapped electrons.

Tsurutani, B. T.↗
NASA NTRS1979

In situ identification of various ionic species in Jupiter's magnetosphere

Continuing analysis of the Voyager 1 in situ measurements of the plasma (10-5,950 V) near Jupiter has revealed the existence of further atomic and molecular ions as minor constituents of the plasma. Ions with mass per charge values of 1, 8, 10-2/3, 16, 23, 32, 64, about 104, and about 160 were identified within 20 Jovian radii of Jupiter in the dayside magnetosphere. Wherever both protons and heavy ions were detected, the mass density was dominated by the heavy ions by a factor of about 100. The plasma ions moved with a common component of velocity which is not always the value expected geometrically from co-rotation. The ions with mass per charge values equal to or larger than 64 were probably molecular ions.

Sullivan, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Departure from rigid co-rotation of plasma in Jupiter's dayside magnetosphere

A preliminary analysis of detailed in situ measurements of the low-energy (10 eV to 5.95 keV) component of the Jovian magnetospheric plasma by the MIT plasma experiment on Voyager 1 is presented. The results show departure of the plasma flow from strict corotation at radial distances greater than about 10 Jovian radii. Evidence is provided which demonstrates conclusively that the observed departure from corotation is not a spacecraft-charging effect.

Mcnutt, R. L., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Magnetosphere, ionosphere and atmosphere interactions

In the present review, the general nature of the earth's space environment is discussed with particular reference to the physical processes which link the magnetosphere, the ionosphere, and the upper atmosphere. Recent theoretical and experimental research has revealed the existence of subtle couplings which closely link the electrical and mass properties of these regions. Some of these couplings have been known for many years. Recent discoveries include such couplings as the formation of the plasmasphere through the mutual action of convective electric fields and ionospheric plasma flows. However, there is still insufficient information to define accurately the basic processes associated with space plasma dynamics when cool thermal plasma of ionospheric origin interacts with the neutral atmosphere, the energetic plasma of the ionosphere, and the solar wind. The primary objective of the discussion is to provide a general introduction to the more challenging processes as they are presently known.

Banks, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Magnetospheric research

Research concerning the magnetosphere is discussed in terms of satellite data analysis, instrument studies and developments, solar terrestrial studies, meetings, and consultants.

Comfort, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Low energy magnetospheric plasma interactions with space systems: The role of predictions

The present status of low energy magnetospheric plasma interactions with space systems is reviewed. The role of predictions in meeting user needs in assessing the impact of such interactions is described. In light of the perceived needs of the user community and of the current status of modeling and prediction efforts, it is suggested that for most user needs more detailed statistical models of the low energy environment are required. In order to meet current prediction requirements, real-time in situ measurements are proposed as a near-term solution.

Garrett, H. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Long term magnetospheric particle variations (1 day T infinity), appendix 2

Effects of solar variations on energetic particle propagation are discussed, as well as prediction techniques for such particles within the magnetosphere. Magnetic field models, magnetic energy stored in the tail, magnetic monitoring measurements in the geostationary orbit and at certain ground based stations are important elements concerning improving such techniques.

Vette, J. I.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Particle energization in the inner, nonazimuthally symmetric magnetospheres of neutron stars

The energization process of magnetic pumping, a combination of time dependent magnetic mirror fields with pitch-angle scattering, is applied to trapped charged particles drifting in corotating, azimuthally nonsymmetric neutron star magnetospheres. When particle energization is balanced by synchrotron radiation loss, it is found that protons, rather than electrons, reach considerable kinetic energies and radiate, in the X-ray regime, at rates up to the 10 to the 6th power MeV/proton/sec.

Borovsky, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Coordinated ionospheric and magnetospheric observations from the ISIS 2 satellite by the ISIS 2 experimenters. Volume 1: Optical auroral images and related direct measurements

A representative set of data from ISIS 2 covering a range of operating modes and geophysical conditions is presented. The data show the typical values and range of ionospheric and magnetospheric characteristics, as viewed from 1400 km with the ISIS 2 instruments. The definition of each data set depends partly on geophysical parameters and partly on satellite operating mode. Preceding the data set is a description of the organizational parameters and a review of the objectives and general characteristics of the data set. The data are shown as a selection from 12 different data formats. Each data has a different selection of formats, but uniformity of a given format selection is preserved throughout each data set.

Murphree, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Electron distribution functions associated with electrostatic emissions in the dayside magnetosphere

The analysis deals with electron distribution functions constructed from ISEE-1 dayside observations of low-energy magnetospheric electrons at low latitudes. The discussion covers some examples corresponding to three distinct types of odd half harmonic electrostatic emissions, observed in the plasma wave experiment on ISEE-1, which occur between the electron cyclotron frequency and the upper hybrid frequency.

Sentman, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Drift boundary approximations in simple magnetospheric convection models

The paper analyzes features of particle behavior in magnetospheric convection using simple analytic forms for the electrostatic potential. It is shown that analytic approximations for the shape and position of surfaces delimiting closed and open particle orbits can be derived. These approximations are good for any pitch angle and at most energies. They break down only for the medium-energy protons that are predicted by such models to penetrate far inside the plasmapause. The derived expressions allow rapid tests of a variety of electric field models when analyzing particle data, and this is illustrated by intercomparing field models with several observations.

Southwood, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Magnetospheric electrostatic emissions and cold plasma densities

A synoptic study of electric wave, magnetometer, and plasma data from Imp 6 has been carried out for times when banded electrostatic waves are observed between harmonics of the electron gyrofrequency in the earth's outer magnetosphere. Four separate classes of such waves have previously been identified by us. The spatial and temporal occurrences of waves in each class are summarized here, as are correlations of occurrence with geomagnetic activity. Most importantly, associations between the observations of waves of different classes and the relative portions of cold and hot electrons present at the position of the spacecraft are established. The cold to hot ratio varies in accordance with the predictions of our previous theoretical work, which models the emission as arising unstably from a hot loss cone distribution existing simultaneously with a cold isotropic electron component. Finally, evidence for the signature of the loss cone is sought in the plasma data.

Hubbard, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Solar and terrestrial noble gases in magnetospheric precipitation

Metal-foil collectors were installed on the external structure of Skylab to entrap precipitating magnetospheric particles. The foils were retrieved, and the entrapped helium, neon, and argon were isotopically analyzed in a high-resolution mass spectrometer. Solar and terrestrial helium and neon and terrestrial argon were detected. As expected, the isotopic composition of neon and argon in the high atmosphere was found to be strongly fractionated. Special techniques were used to estimate the initial particle energy of He-3. The measured He-3 flux is consistent with the assumption that precipitating solar He-3 is the major source of terrestrial He-3.

Lind, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Prediction of the occurrence and intensity of magnetospheric substorms

The solar wind and IMF data obtained by the Venus probe Mariner 5 (at a distance of 460 earth radii) and by the earthbound Explorer 34 satellite, on June 24, 25, and 26, 1967 were examined. It is demonstrated that the occurrence and intensity of magnetospheric substorms can be predicted about 1-3 hours prior to their onsets by monitoring the energy coupling function at a distance of a few hundred earth radii upstream of the solar wind. It appears that the 'epsilon signal' propagates with different speeds, perhaps depending on the propagation time of disturbances which increase epsilon.

Akasofu, S.-I.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A method of evaluating quantitative magnetospheric field models by an angular parameter alpha

The paper introduces an angular parameter, termed alpha, which represents the angular difference between the observed, or model, field and the internal model field. The study discusses why this parameter is chosen and demonstrates its usefulness by applying it to both observations and models. In certain areas alpha is more sensitive than delta-B (the difference between the magnitude of the observed magnetic field and that of the earth's internal field calculated from a spherical harmonic expansion) in expressing magnetospheric field distortions. It is recommended to use both alpha and delta-B in comparing models with observations.

Sugiura, M.↗