AWLYSIS of TRE SIMULATION of the SOLAR WIND2 1 DE Zuccaro

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

AWLYSIS of TRE SIMULATION of the SOLAR WIND2 1 DE Zuccaro AWLYSIS OF TRE SIMULATION OF THE SOLAR WIND2 D. E. Zuccaro 1 REZ'ERENCE: Zuccaro, D. E., "Analysis of the Simulation of the Solar Wind, " ASTM/IES/AIAA Space Simulation Conference, 14-16 September 1970. ABSTRACT: This analysis surveys the properties of the solar wind, establishes a set of requirements for solar wind simula- tion, and develops a conceptual design of a simulator system. The significant features of the design are the following. The protons are formed in an r-f excited plasma discharge ion source. A 20' deflection magnetic mass separator is used to purify the proton beam of other ions, energetic charge exchange neutrals, and Lyman alpha photons. The use of a small diameter beam permits differential pumping of the ion source and the sample chamber. The proton beam either can be expanded to flood the sample, or it can be scanned over the sample. KEY WORDS: solar wind, charge exchange, charge neutralization, sputtering, proton sources, mass separators, ion optics, ultra- high vacuum systems. I. INTRODUCTION The development of spacecraft thermal control coatings requires the laboratory evaluation of the coating's resistance to damage induced by solar photon and particulate radiation. As the characteristics of the solar wind (or solar particulate radiation) have been detemined rather recently, various types of simulators, which had different operating and performance characteristics, were fabricated. The Hughes Research Iabora- 'Ion Device Physics Dept. , Hughes Research Laboratories, Malibu, California. 2This work was performed under Contract NAS 2-5585. 261 tories has performed a study of the simulation of the solar wind for the Ames Research Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The goals of this program were to survey the properties of the solar wind, to establish the re- quirements for a solar wind simulator, to analyze the techni- ques and apparatus to be used in the system, and to establish an optimized system and its operating techniques. This publication is one of a pair that report the results of this study. The companion paper by King(1) analyzes the ion sources, mass separators, and ion optics systems needed to form a proton beam that uniformly irradiates a 10 cm diameter sample. This paper will survey the solar wind properties, the simulator requirements and, using the results of King's analy- sis, establish a conceptual optimized simulation system. 11. SOLAR WIND COMPOSITION The particle environments in space that are of principal interest to the designers of spacecraft are the solar wind and the radiation that exists at synchronous orbit. The latter been summarized in an extensive survey by Stanley and Ryan. (3" The properties of the solar wind, which have been measured by a number of satellite probes, will be summarized in this sec- tion of this paper. The solar wind is the term applied to the streaming plasma that is evolved from the sun. Because the energy of the par- ticles is much greater than that which can be associated with the corona temperatures, it is believed to result from a super- sonic expansion of the corona's charged particles coupled to the sun's magnetic field. The plasma is neutral, having an equal number of positive charges and electrons per unit volume. The ions and electrons have much different velocities. The most abundant type of ion is the hydrogen ion, H+(i.e., a proton). The second most abundant type is the doubly charged helium ion, He2+ (i.e., an alpha particle). The He2+ to ratio ( rl /rlp ) has been measured by the Vela and 3B satel- lites. (37 During a two year period, the ratio varied over the range of 1 to 8$, with an average value of 3.7%. The variation is believed to reflect time changes in the plasma composition. During periods of solar activity, i.e., solar flares, the plas- ma contains a much greater He2+ content. In a recent class 3 flare, an IIa/Qpratio of 0.22 was observed.(4) Under this con- dition nearly half the charge of the solar wind is carried by the He2+ ions. I1)The numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references appended to this paper. 262 Although there are spectroscopic data indicating the pres- ence of many other elements in the sun, only multi 1 charged oxygen ions O5+, O&, and 07+ have been identifiedP;Y 5 at this time. The heavy ion component could be resolved only under quiet sun conditions. During thi eriod it was about 0.5% (by number ratio) f the proton flux.f57 Other ions are believed to be present,r6) but their low relative abundance and the num- ber of ionic states makes it very difficult to identify them by means of energy per charge detectors. The foil collector experiments made during the recent Apollo flights should pro- vide more information about the heavy ion composition of the solar wind. The solar wind proton energies were first accurately mea- sured by the Mariner 2 satellite(7) in the final third of 19&. The average of the daily average proton energies for the period was 135 eV. The 3 hour averages ranged from a low energy of 540 eV (which is associated with quiet sun conditions) to a high energy of 3100 eV. The Vela 2A and 2B satellites made about 13,000 measurements(8) during a period of minimum solar activity from July 1964 to July 1965. The mean value of the proton energy was 920 eV. The largest number of cases was for a 550 eV particle energy, which is associated with the quiet sun condition that was prevalent throughout most of the period. This distribution of proton energies is shown in Fig. 1. The energy of the He2+ ions was 4 times that of the solar wind protons. The highly charged heavy ions (07+, Ob, and 05+), which could be resolved only during quiet sun periods, (5) had energies of about 20 times that of the protons. The solar wind ion flux is about 2 x 108 cm’2 sec-l during quiet sun conditions .( 6, This value is relatively constant, and its variation with solar activity generally less than a factor of 2. The determination of the solar wind electron properties is difficult because the low energy of the electrons means the spacecraft potential can perturb the measurements and the solar induced photoelectrons can cause erroneous measurements. The most accurate measurements are the recent Vela 4B observations@) which showed that electron energy spectrum has a broad maximum in the energy range of 20 to 40 eV. 111. SOLAR WIND SIMULATOR FG3QUIREMENTS The requirements for the laboratory simulation of the solar wind are established mainly by the solar wind properties that have been summarized in the previous section. Additional factors such as the duration of the tests, the cost and com- 263 plexity of the equipment, the need for accelerated testing, and the size and number of samples must be considered. A. Particle Composition The most important parameter to be specified is that of the ion composition. All efforts to date to simulate the solar wind have used either proton beams that were purified by mass separation, or mixed (unpurified) ion beams. The latter con- tain molecular hydrogen ions (H2+ and If3+) as well as other ions. Although it is possible to rule o t total simulation of the solar ion plasma (p,He2+, 07+, O&, and 05') because of the prohibitively expensive and complex apparatus required to produce such a plasma, it is important to note some of the pos- sible effects of these minor constituents. For example, t e sputter yield of oxygen ions is 100 times that of protons.Pl0) Thus, the oxygen ion component would have about the same sput- tering effect as the proton component of the solar wind. The interaction of highly charged ions, such as 07+, O&, and 05+, with the surface results in the formation of x-ray photons or Auger electrons. Both of these can produce secondary ioniza- tion in the target. In this case, the effect of the heavy ions is much greater than that of the protons. Based on the present limitations, simulation of the solar wind is limited to the use of pure proton beams. Nevertheless, one of the first tasks of this optimized simulator will be to determine if the simulation of the minor constituents of the solar plasma is necessary. This could be done with a less com- plex O+ or 02+ source in conbination with an x-ray source. B. Particle Flux T e simulation of the solar wind requires a proton flux of 2 x 108 cm-2 sec-l which corresponds to a ion current density of 3 x A an-'. Because this value is based on satellite data that were obtained during a period of decreasing and mini- mum solar activity, it may be necessary to modify the value for the period of maximum solar activity. The change should be a small one. A much higher flux level may be required to accel- erate the testing rate. This will be particularly true when radiation resistant coatings are developed. At present, accel- erated testing of photon (light) induced damage is performed with 5 to 50 equivalent suns, where limitation is the output of the sources and the reci rocit failure of the samples. A proton beam of 2 x 1011 cm-$ sec-l (ion current density of 3 x lom8A cm-2), which corresponds to a level of 1000 times the normal solar plasma flux, is readily obtained. This is an ac- ceptable design goal as far as the engineering aspects are con- 264 cerned.
Recommended publications
  • USSR TRIAXIAL FLUXGATE MAGNETOMETER (SG So) LUNA 1,2 ELECTRON 2,4 FIGUR 28 Wide-Pass Ptase- Lamp OUTPUT Amplifier Shift Excitation
    https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700015897 2020-03-23T19:49:53+00:00Z VIC x-69o-70-78 PREPRI NT NASATIA 5S81 MAGNETOMETERS FOR SPACE RESEARCH Norman F. Ness* CR Laboratorio del Plasma nello Spazio Istituto di Fisica Citta Universita-Roma March 1970 *On leave from NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center -ACCELWN"7o2' - 25-9 51 0 (PAGES)CO f4 A (CTGRY) (NASA CR ORTMX OR AD NUMBER)C t~ AN/ICSERVICE - ! - / NATIONAL I NFIONTECHNICAL] SE CE sINgFotd ;a 2215 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 Introduction ............................................. I 1.1 Brief Summary of Major Results ...... ......................... 5 2.0 Magnetometer Fundamentals................................. 8 2.1 Induction or Search Coil ............................. 10 2.2 Fluxgate or Saturable Core .......................... 18 2.3 Proton Precession .................................. 26 2.4 Alkali Vapor Self-Oscillating ........................ 32 2.5 Helium Vapor Magnetometer ........................... 40 2.6 Instrument Testing and Calibration .................. 45 3.0 Response on Spacecraft ................................... 48 3.1 Response on Fixed-Attitude Spacecraft ............... 48 3.2 Response on Spin Stabilized Spacecraft .............. 50 3.3 Spacecraft Magnetic Interference .................... 62 3.4 Spacecraft Magnetic Testing ......................... 65 4.0 Data Processing .......................................... 68 4.1 Discrete Sampling and. Aliasing ...................... 71 4.2 On-Board Computers .................................. 74 4.3 Special Coordinate
    [Show full text]
  • Nasatia 5S81
    VIC x-69o-70-78 PREPRI NT NASATIA 5S81 MAGNETOMETERS FOR SPACE RESEARCH Norman F. Ness* CR Laboratorio del Plasma nello Spazio Istituto di Fisica Citta Universita-Roma March 1970 *On leave from NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center -ACCELWN"7o2' - 25-9 51 0 (PAGES)CO f4 A (CTGRY) (NASA CR ORTMX OR AD NUMBER)C t~ AN/ICSERVICE - ! - / NATIONAL I NFIONTECHNICAL] SE CE sINgFotd ;a 2215 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 Introduction ............................................. I 1.1 Brief Summary of Major Results ...... ......................... 5 2.0 Magnetometer Fundamentals................................. 8 2.1 Induction or Search Coil ............................. 10 2.2 Fluxgate or Saturable Core .......................... 18 2.3 Proton Precession .................................. 26 2.4 Alkali Vapor Self-Oscillating ........................ 32 2.5 Helium Vapor Magnetometer ........................... 40 2.6 Instrument Testing and Calibration .................. 45 3.0 Response on Spacecraft ................................... 48 3.1 Response on Fixed-Attitude Spacecraft ............... 48 3.2 Response on Spin Stabilized Spacecraft .............. 50 3.3 Spacecraft Magnetic Interference .................... 62 3.4 Spacecraft Magnetic Testing ......................... 65 4.0 Data Processing .......................................... 68 4.1 Discrete Sampling and. Aliasing ...................... 71 4.2 On-Board Computers .................................. 74 4.3 Special Coordinate Systems and Field Averages ...........................................
    [Show full text]
  • Magnetosheath Electrons at Lunar Distance
    RICE UNIVERSITY Magnetosheath Electrons at Lunar Distance by Patricia R. Moore A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE Thesis Director's Signature: Houston, Texas April, 1974 Magnetosheath Electrons at Lunar Distance by Patricia R. Moore ABSTRACT Properties of the electron population in the magnetosheath at lunar distance have been analyzed using measurements from the Apollo 14 Charged Particle Lunar Environment Experiment (CPLEE). Average magnetopause and bow shock locations are computed, and it is shown that the axis of symmetry of each is aligned with the aberrated solar-wind direction within the standard deviations of the measurements. Measured electron differential-flux spectra are fitted to appropriate distribution functions, and the distribution functions are integrated to yield number densities, most probable thermal energies, and flow velocities based on assumed flow directions. The lowest-energy electrons (40 eV < E < 100 eV) are well characterized by a nearly isotropic Maxwellian distribution, with number densities ranging from -3 -3 about 4-8 (cm ) at the bow shock to 1-3 (cm ) near the magnetopause. Most probable thermal energies fall in the range 15-25 eV. The spectra exhibit non-Maxwellian high-energy "tails", with flux enhance¬ ments at higher energies (100 eV < E < 2000 eV). The high-energy flux is anisotropic, and in general is more intense and more energetic in the dawn sheath, often taking the form of a secondary peak. This secondary peak is similar both in
    [Show full text]
  • U. of Iowa 67-16 Study of the Temporal Variations of 40 Kev
    ~ ~~ U. of Iowa 67-16 Study of the Temporal Variations of 40 keV Electrons in the Magnetosphere Duhg and After the Magnetic Storm on April 18, 1965* C. S. R. Rao Department of Physics and Astronomy The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa May 1967 * Research supported by NASA Grant NsG 23-62 and ONR Contract Nonr 1509 (06) . 2 ABSTRACT Temporal variations of the intensities of electrons E > 40 keV during the main phase and post-storm period of a large magnetic storm which occurred on April 18, 1965 are studied in th-aper from the data obtained at high latitudes by the University of Iowa Satellite Injun IV and at low latitudes by the NASA satellite OGO-1. The high latitude observations show a large inward movement of the cutoff boundary for trapped electrons to lower latitudes by as much as 8". On the storm day and during the post-storm period, the cutoff latitude shows a close and direct correlation with Dst and inverse correlation with 3-hour K index. The 'slot: which is P present at an invariant latitude of 61" before the storm, disap- pears on the storm day and is replaced by a peak. The post-storm variations of these storm-induced electrons at higher latitudes are uncorrected with the K index. The intensities decay accord- P ing to an exponential law. There appears to be an injection and inward diffusion of fresh electrons during the post-storm period, leading to the formation of the normal quiet dw profile. Varia- tions for precipitated electrons are generally similar.
    [Show full text]
  • Solar Or Interplanetary External Magnetic Field?
    Home Page _________________________________________________________ Solar or Interplanetary External Magnetic Field? Mahmoud E. Yousif E-mail: [email protected]/ C /O Physics Department - The University of Nairobi P. O. Box 30197 - 00100 - Nairobi-Kenya PAC No: 96.50.Ci; 96.50.Bh; 96.50.Fm; 07.55.Db; 94.30.cj; 52.35.-g; 96.60.T-, 96.60.Tf; 94.30.Lr ABSTRACT Analysis of Pioneer V engulfment with solar plasma on March 30, 1960, showed that solar magnetic field was not detected by the probe, rather a high interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) was later measured after first been recorded by Honolulu earth station; this questioned envisioned embedded solar magnetic field. A proposed mechanism of solar wind captured at and before the bow shock, producing Interplanetary-External Magnetic Field (I-ExMF), led to energization of these particles; while boundaries between IMF represent space between intermittent produced I-ExMF. Intense I-ExMF (II-ExMF) is produced around 12.5RE within magnetosheath, igniting transitory magnetic waves (lion roars); initiating the sudden commencement and related main phase. Explanation of these, and the propagation of magnetic disturbances and the interplanetary sector structure, is based on I-ExMF characteristics. Understanding these mechanisms will reflect positively on attaining the alternative renewable green energy that can protect our planet, environment and establishment of more advanced human society. 1.0 Introduction Contrary to the name, the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) refer to the magnetic field embodied in the solar plasma [Parker, 1958], that means, the solar magnetic field present in the Corona is carried by the emitted particles, hence the solar wind is said to carry an entrained magnetic field [McDonald, 2005], which means the solar wind and its entrained IMF, could be carried all along the nine planet to inflate the heliosphere [McComas et al, 2011], or as far as solar plasma can reach.
    [Show full text]
  • MAGNETOSHEATH PLASMA at 60 Re
    RICE UNIVERSITY MAGNETOSHEATH PLASMA AT 60 Re by Martha Ann Fenner A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE Thesis Director's signature: October 1971 ABSTRACT MAGNETOSHEATH PLASMA AT 60 Re by Martha Ann Fenner The Apollo 12 Suprathermal Ion Detector Experiment on the surface of the moon observes magnetosheath plasma as the moon passes out of the earth's magnetosphere. The first six months of SIDE data in the sheath were analyzed for this thesis. A composite display of the energies and magnitudes of fluxes was presented for each magnetosheath crossing. Inter¬ esting features of the sheath were labeled on the composite display and later illustrated by individual energy spectra. For the magnetically disturbed month of July, 1970, a third type of display presented all of the energy spectra plotted vertically versus time. The observed features of the sheath include: 1. High energy peaks (~lkev to 3kev) associated with the boundaries and with disturbances in the sheath 2. A sharp transition between two intensity levels, suggesting a sudden exit from a high density region or a sudden change in flow direction 3. Two types of magnetopause crossings 4. Hydromagnetic waves or turbulence near the boundar¬ ies 5. A strong correlation between sheath data and geo¬ magnetic activity. TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction 1 A. Magnetosheath 2 B. Magnetopause 5 C. Bow Shock 6 D. Solar Wind 7 E. Research Objective 10 II. Experiment 11 III. Magnetosheath Characteristics 14 A. Basic Magnetosheath Spectra 17 B. Multiple-peaked Energy Spectra 18 C. Transitions 19 D.
    [Show full text]
  • Direct Measurements 0 F Interplanetary Magnetic Field and Plasma
    X-612-67-293 , DIRECT MEASUREMENTS 0 F INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELD AND PLASMA c / . / 1 NORMANF~ NESS A / 867 - 3 07 45 a GPO PRICE $ e- > t: (PAG~S) i CFSTI PRICE(S1 $ 1: - 5373d I (NASA CR OR TMX OR AD NUMBER) (CATEGORY) Hard copy (HC) .y,fl Microfiche (MF) 6/ JUNE 1967 GODDARD SPACE FIGHT CENTER GREENBELT, MARYLAND To be presented at IQSY/CQSPAR Symposium July 18, 1967 m peria I College, I London, England X-612-67-293 . DIRECT MEASUREMENTS OF INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELD AND PLASMA* Norman F. Ness Laboratory for Space Sciences NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland USA June 1967 *To be presented at IQSY/COSPAR Symposium July 18, 1967 Imperial College London, England Direct Measurements of Interplanetary Magnetic Fields and Plasmas Norman F. Ness Laboratory for Space Sciences NASA-Goddard Space F 1ight Center . Greenbelt , Maryland Direct measurements on satellites and space probes since 1961 have demonstrated the existence of the solar wind, essentially as theoretically predicted by E. Ne Parker. Typical values at 1 A.U. of the interplanetary magnetic field are: 6 gamma average magnitude ranging between 2 to 40 gama; flux values range from lo8 to 10 10 2 ions/cm /sec. Additional first order results suggest that the solar wind source is located at 10' to 25' north heliographic latitude and appears (at 1 A.U) to come from approximately 1.5' east of the sun, a direct result of corotation of the inner solar corona. Synoptic studies of physical properties have indicated a sectoring of the direction of the interplanetary magnetic field and correlated variations of plasma velocity, density and temperature.
    [Show full text]
  • THE LARGE-SCALE STRUCTURE of the SOLAR WIND An
    https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19730002047 2020-03-17T07:22:24+00:00Z THE LARGE-SCALE STRUCTURE OF THE SOLAR WIND JohnH. Wolfe An invited review ABSTRACT The large-scale structure of the solar wind is reviewed on the basis of experimental space measurements acquired over approximately the last decade. The observations cover the fading portion of the last solar cycle up through the maximum of the present cycie. The character of the interplanetary medium is considered from the viewpoint of the temporal behavior of the solar wind over increasingly longer time intervals, the average properties of the various solar wind parameters and their interrelationships. Interplanetary-terrestrial relationships and the expected effects of heliographic latitude and radial distance are briefly discussed. INTRODUCTION SHORT-TERM VAR IAT1 ONS The purpose of this paper is to review our knowledge of Short-term variations are defined here to pertain to the the large-scale structure of the solar wind. This review solar wind behavior over periods of days and months, as will be considered from measurements made from 1962 opposed to years for long termvariations. Figure 1 is to the present. Results discussed represent data obtained taken from the Mariner 2 results reported by during the fading portion of the last solar cycle (cycle Neugebauer and Snyder [ 19661 and shows the variation 19) up to approximately the peak of the present cycle. in the solar wind velocity and temperature averaged over Only proton results will be considered here since they 3-hr intervals. The data were taken over approximately represent the major energy-carrying constituent of the 4112 solar rotations in late 1962.
    [Show full text]
  • Horváth István
    dc_1101_15 Horváth István GAMMAKITÖRÉSEK értekezés az MTA Doktora cím elnyeréséhez 2016 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) dc_1101_15 Tartalomjegyzék ELŐSZÓ ........................................................................................................................... 4 1. TÖRTÉNETI BEVEZETŐ ........................................................................................... 5 1.1. A gammakitörések felfedezése ............................................................................... 5 1.2. Bolygóközi hálózat ................................................................................................. 7 2. LÁGY GAMMAISMÉTLŐK ...................................................................................... 9 3. MEGFIGYELŐ MŰHOLDAK .................................................................................. 11 3.1. A Compton Gamma Űrobszervatórium ................................................................ 12 3.2. Beppo-SAX ‒ a források optikai azonosítása ....................................................... 13 3.3. Swift, a gyorsan forduló műhold .......................................................................... 14 3.4. A Fermi Gammasugár Űrtávcső ........................................................................... 16 3.5. További nagyenergiás csillagászati eszközök ...................................................... 19 4. A FORRÁSOK ELOSZLÁSA ................................................................................... 20 5. A KITÖRÉSEK LEÍRÁSA .......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • SATÉLITES MILITARES Compendium
    SATÉLITES MILITARES Compendium JUNIOR MIRANDA HOMEM DO ESPAÇO HOMEM DO ESPAÇO - COMPENDIUM SATÉLITES MILITARES Pág 1 SATÉLITES MILITARES (1ª Edição) O reconhecimento por satélite afetou profundamente a Guerra Fria, mas era feito com tanto sigilo que suas contribuições para a estabilidade internacional durante esse conflito não foram amplamente anunciadas. Militarmente, o uso do espaço oferece oportunidades únicas para monitorar o inimigo e melhora significativamente a eficácia das forças armadas em tempos de paz e em condições de combate. Os programas de reconhecimento e combate por satélite de vários tipos têm como objetivo auxiliar isso. As informações nestas páginas são baseadas em registros anteriormente secretos e divulgados com o passar do tempo. Este trabalho é um relato do desenvolvimento mais significativo em Inteligência nas últimas décadas - o satélite de reconhecimento. HOMEM DO ESPAÇO - COMPENDIUM SATÉLITES MILITARES Pág 2 OS PRIMEIROS PROJETOS O significado principal do primeiro esforço de satélite de fotorreconhecimento dos EUA, o programa CORONA, pode ser melhor entendido no contexto do balanço nuclear estratégico entre os EUA e os soviéticos. Pode-se argumentar com firmeza que o CORONA foi um fator importante na definição do caráter desse equilíbrio durante a década de 1960 e até mais além. Os satélites de fotorreconhecimento tinham que estar em uma órbita polar para maximizar sua cobertura do globo, que girava sob o satélite enquanto ele viajava de polo a polo. As instalações de lançamento existentes em Cabo Canaveral não puderam ser usadas porque os veículos de lançamento sobrevoariam áreas povoadas. O Camp Cooke, localizado próximo ao Point Arguello, na Califórnia, já selecionado como o local de lançamento dos veículos Atlas do programa WS-117L, era perfeito para os propósitos do CORONA.
    [Show full text]
  • Center for Space Research Massachlsetts Institute of Technology
    CENTER FOR SPACE RESEARCH MASSACHLSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (ACESS O NIBER) ;- (T"°°) 0O. (PAGES) (CODE) S(NASA CR OR T X OR AD NUM*BER) (CATEGORY) Reroduced by NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE U S Department of Commerce Sprngfld VA 22151 Explorer 33 and Explorer 35 Plasma Observations of the Interaction Region Between the Solar Wind and the Magnetic Field of the Earth* by Herbert Charles Howe, Jr. [ NGR-2209-372 CSR-TR-71-1 * Submitted to the Physics Department on May 7, 1971 in partial fulfillment of the requirements for tha degree of Doctor of Philosophy. ii ABSTRACT Title. Explorer 33 and Explorer 35 Plasma Observations of the Interaction Region Between the Solar Wind and the Magnetic Field of the Earth Author Herbert Charles Howe, Jr. Submitted to the Department of Physics on May 7, 1971 in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The magnetopause, magnetosheath, and bow shock are studied using data from the M I.T plasma experiments on the earth-orbiting Explorer 33 and the lunar-orbiting Explorer 35 The bow shock shape is determined between the = sub-solar point and XSE -115 R The shock crossings at XSE= -115 RE indi­ cate the bow shock is still well defined, though weak, at this distance. The magnetopause shape is determined between the sub-solar point and XSE = -80 RE Discrepancies are noted between the observed shape and shapes pre­ viously calculated using hydrodynamic theory The magnetotail boundary be­ tween XSE = -40 R and XSE = -80 RE is rotationally symmetric about an axis aligned with the average solar wind flow direction.
    [Show full text]
  • THE LARGE SCALE N73-28826 STRUCTURE of the SOLAR WIND (NASA) 10F P HC $7.CZ CSCL 63B Unclas G3/29 15128
    -f THE LARGE SCALE STRUCTURE OF THE SOLAR WIND By John H. Wolfe Presented at Solar Wind Conference Asilomar Conference Grounds Pacific Grove, California March 21-26, 1971 (NASA-TM-X-69342) THE LARGE SCALE N73-28826 STRUCTURE OF THE SOLAR WIND (NASA) 10f p HC $7.CZ CSCL 63B Unclas G3/29 15128 NASA-Ames Research Center Moffett Field, California 94035 V~F~ A B ,S TRACT A review of the large scale structure of the solar wind is presented based on experimental space measurements acquired over approximately the last decade. The observations cover the fading portion of the last solar cycle up through the maximum of the present cycle. The character of the inter- planetary medium is considered from the viewpoint of the temporal behavior of the solar wind over increasingly longer time intervals, the average properties of the various solar wind parameters and their interrelationships. A brief dis- cussion of interplanetary-terrestrial relationships and the expected effects of heliographic latitude and radial distance is also included. The Large Scale Structure of the Solar Wind John H. Wolfe Introduction The purpose of this paper is to review our knowledge of the large scale structure of the solar wind. This review will be considered from measurements made from 1962 to the present. Results discussed represent data obtained during the fading portion of the last solar cycle (cycle 19) up to approximately the peak of the present cycle. Only proton results will be considered here since they represent the major energy carrying constituent of the solar wind and discussions of solar wind composition and solar wind electrons will be covered separately later in the conference.
    [Show full text]