Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 666
Release: 1988
Genre: Aeronautics
ISBN:

Lists citations with abstracts for aerospace related reports obtained from world wide sources and announces documents that have recently been entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database.

Government Reports Annual Index

Government Reports Annual Index
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 1290
Release: 1993
Genre: Research
ISBN:

Sections 1-2. Keyword Index.--Section 3. Personal author index.--Section 4. Corporate author index.-- Section 5. Contract/grant number index, NTIS order/report number index 1-E.--Section 6. NTIS order/report number index F-Z.

Auroral Electron Energy and Flux from Molecular Nitrogen Ultraviolet Emissions Observed by the S3-4 Satellite

Auroral Electron Energy and Flux from Molecular Nitrogen Ultraviolet Emissions Observed by the S3-4 Satellite
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 15
Release: 1989
Genre:
ISBN:

The UV spectra over the southern hemisphere nightside auroral oval have been obtained from an AFGL spectral/photometric experiment on board the low-altitude polar-orbiting S3-4 satellite. A detailed analysis of nightside auroral spectra from seven orbits between mid-May and June 1978 was performed to estimate the average energy and total energy flux of incident electrons. This study was based on observations of the N2 LBH (3-10) (1928-A) band and the N2 VK (0-5) (2604 A) band emission intensities and the application of model calculations. Comparison of the estimated quantities with the statistical satellite measurement of incident particles indicates that the LBH (3-10) band emission intensity can be used to estimate the total energy flux of incident electrons, similar to the N2(+) 1N (0-0) (3914 A) band emission intensity in the visible region. In addition, the ratio of the LBH (3-10) to the VK (0-5) bande mission intensities indicates the average energy of incident auroral electrons in much the same way that the N2(+)1N (0-0) and O I (6300 A) emission ratio does in the visible region. This study shows the use of different constituent emissions, model calculations, and synthetic spectra to infer the inherent possibilities in these types of studies. Reprints. (jhd).

An Algorithm for Determining the Boundary of Auroral Precipitation Using Data from the SSJ/3 Sensor

An Algorithm for Determining the Boundary of Auroral Precipitation Using Data from the SSJ/3 Sensor
Author: David A. Hardy
Publisher:
Total Pages: 42
Release: 1980
Genre: Algorithms
ISBN:

In support of the Global Weather Central of the Air Weather Service, we have developed computer techniques to determine, in near real time, the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval using the data from the SSJ/3 sensors flown on board the DMSP satellites. The boundary is determined on both the morning and evening sides of the oval and in both northern and southern auroral zones. Three tests are used in the boundary determination, one on the evening side and two on the morning side of the auroral oval. On the evening side of the auroral zone, since low energy particles always are observed at the lowest latitude, the boundary is determined by testing the summed counts in the six channels of the SSJ/3 detector covering the energy range from 110 eV to 1000 eV. The boundary is chosen when the summed counts exceed 30 for 3 successive seconds. The data are always tested as a function of increasing magnetic latitude. On the morning side, high energy electrons are always observed first. Since the channels measuring high energy electrons may be contaminated by penetrating particles from the ring belts, two tests are required. The first test picks the boundary at the point where three successive ratios of 4-sec averages of channel 8 to channel 9 are less than 5. The second test chooses the boundary where the ratio of the summed counts in channels 1 through 4 of the SSJ/3 sensor to channels 5 through 8 exceeds 1.5 or is less than 0.5 for 3 successive seconds.

Polar Bear UV Images of Airglow and Aurora-Data Reduction and Analysis

Polar Bear UV Images of Airglow and Aurora-Data Reduction and Analysis
Author: Moshe Tur
Publisher:
Total Pages: 37
Release: 1988
Genre:
ISBN:

The AIRS scanning ultraviolet photometer aboard the Polar Bear satellite was launched in late 1986. It was designed to obtain UV images with high spatial and wavelength resolution at several emission lines simultaneously. The objective of the program is to geometrically and photometrically calibrate the data. The processing is designed to provide kilometer-scaled images that can be projected upon various coordinate systems. These tools afford studies of the spatial and temporal variability of airglow and aurora. Each data-stream from a pass is converted to a 240 x 240 image representing 5000 x 5000km records of intensity. The major progress during the report period has been modification and development of programs to accomplish the following: 1) A Chapman function correction to the solar flux dependence of the intensity, resulting with a successful daytime fit of power unity of above variable to pixel brightness. 2) Separation of night-glow domain to ordinary and continuous (24 hr) night regions. 3) Projection of images onto dipole & corrected geomagnetic coordinate systems. 4) Comparison of auroral arcs with known auroral oval and initiation of a UV oval from input images. Keywords: Aurora; Ultraviolet; Image processing; Airglow. (jhd).

The Polar Bear Ionospheric Experiments. A Pre-Launch Overview

The Polar Bear Ionospheric Experiments. A Pre-Launch Overview
Author: Edward J. Fremouw
Publisher:
Total Pages: 68
Release: 1986
Genre:
ISBN:

Polar BEAR (Polar Beacon and Auroral Research) will carry three ionospheric experiments: (1) a beacon functionally identical to that on HiLat, (2) a three-axis vector magnetometer for detecting the satellite's attitude, and (3) an improved imager, the Auroral/Ionospheric Remote Sensor (AIRS). In addition to providing images of the aurora and airglow at four visual and vacuum ultraviolet wavelengths, AIRS will function as an ultraviolet spectrophotometer. Using AIRS in its imaging mode and receiving stations it will be possible to obtain images of essentially the entire auroral oval in broad daylight as well as in darkness. Polar BEAR is scheduled for launch into a nearly circular orbit near 1000 km altitude an 82 inclination. That orbit will afford a broad view for AIRS and many opportunities for coordinated observations of (1) scintillation using the beacons on both HiLat and Polar BEAR, (2) major current systems flowing between the ionosphere and magnetosphere using the magnetometers on both satellites, and (3) energetic electron precipitation and ambient plasma convection at 800 km altitude as recorded with HiLat's electron spectrometer and thermal-plasma monitor. These observations should contribute to further understanding of plasma instrumental to the development of density irregularities in the highly dynamic high latitude ionosphere.

Study of Auroral Dynamics with Combined Spacecraft and Incoherent-Scatter Radar Data

Study of Auroral Dynamics with Combined Spacecraft and Incoherent-Scatter Radar Data
Author: National Aeronautics and Space Adm Nasa
Publisher: Independently Published
Total Pages: 28
Release: 2018-10-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781728883496

We have examined Sondrestrom incoherent-scatter radar observations of ionospheric plasma density and temperature distributions, as well as measurements of F-region ion drifts that were made during a prenoon pass by the DMSP-F7 satellite through the radar field of view. The spacecraft traversed a region of intense electron precipitation with a characteristic energy below approximately 200 eV. Particles with such low characteristic energies are believed to originate, either directly or indirectly, in the magnetosheath. The precipitation region had a width of about 2 deg invariant latitude. The corotating radar observed a patch of enhanced electron density and elevated electron temperature in the F2 region between about 10.5 and 12 magnetic local time in the same invariant latitude range where DMSP-F7 detected the soft-electron flux. The ion drift pattern, also obtained by radar, shows that it is unlikely that the plasma patch was produced by solar radiation and advected into the radar field of view. We suggest that the radar observed modifications of the ionospheric plasma distribution, which resulted from direct entry of magnetosheath electrons into the magnetosphere and down to ionospheric altitudes. Model calculations of the ionospheric response to the observed electron flux support our interpretation. Watermann, Juergen Unspecified Center NASW-4063; SRI PROJ. 2781