A simulation study for anticipated accuracy of lunar gravity field model by SELENE tracking data

Results of numerical simulations are presented to examine the global gravity field recovery capability of the Japanese lunar exploration project SELENE (SELenological and ENgineering Explorer) which will be launched in 2007. New characteristics of the SELENE lunar gravimetry include 4-way satellite-to-satellite Doppler tracking of main orbiter and differential VLBI tracking of two small free-flier satellites. It is shown that the proposed satellite constellation will provide the first truly global satellite tracking data coverage. The expected results from these data are; (1) drastic reduction in far-side gravity error, (2) estimation of many gravity coefficients by the observation, not by a priori information, and (3) one order of magnitude improvement over existing gravity models for low-degree field.     

Energization of Plasma Species by Intermittent Kinetic Alfvén Waves

We propose a new phase-mixing sweep model of coronal heating and solar wind acceleration based on dissipative properties of kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs). The energy reservoir is provided by the intermittent ∼1 Hz MHD Alfvén waves excited at the coronal base by magnetic restructuring. These waves propagate upward along open magnetic field lines, phase-mix, and gradually develop short wavelengths across the magnetic field. Eventually, at 1.5–4 solar radii they are transformed into KAWs. We analyze several basic mechanisms for anisotropic energization of plasma species by KAWs and find them compatible with observations. In particular, UVCS (onboard SOHO) observations of intense cross-field ion energization at 1.5–4 solar radii can be naturally explained by non-adiabatic ion acceleration in the vicinity of demagnetizing KAW phases. The ion cyclotron motion is destroyed there by electric and magnetic fields of KAWs.     

Resonant MHD Waves in the Solar Atmosphere

The linear theory of MHD resonant waves in inhomogeneous plasmas is reviewed. The review starts from discussing the properties of driven resonant MHD waves. The dissipative solutions in Alfvén and slow dissipative layers are presented. The important concept of connection formulae is introduced. Next, we proceed on to non-stationary resonant MHD waves. The relation between quasi-modes of ideal MHD and eigenmodes of dissipative MHD are discussed. The solution describing the wave motion in non-stationary dissipative layers is given. It is shown that the connection formulae remain valid for non-stationary resonant MHD waves. The initial-value problem for resonant MHD waves is considered. The application of theory of resonant MHD waves to solar physics is discussed.     

Overview of Differential VLBI Observations of Lunar Orbiters in SELENE (Kaguya) for Precise Orbit Determination and Lunar Gravity Field Study

The Japanese lunar explorer SELENE (Kaguya), which was launched on September 14th, 2007, was the target of VLBI observations over the period November 2007 to June 2009. These observations were made in order to improve the lunar gravity field model, in particular the lower degree coefficients and the model near the limb. Differential VLBI Radio sources, called VRAD instruments, were on-board the subsatellites, Rstar (Okina) and Vstar (Ouna), and the radio signals were observed by the Japanese VERA (VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry) network, and an international VLBI network. Multi-frequency and same-beam VLBI techniques were utilized and were essential aspects of the successful observing program. Multi-frequency VLBI was employed in order to improve the accuracy of the orbit determination obtained from the phase delay from the narrow-band satellite signals, while the same-beam VLBI method was used to resolve the cycle ambiguity which is inherent in the multi-frequency VLBI method. The observations were made at three S-band frequencies (2212, 2218 and 2287 MHz), and one X-band frequency (8456 MHz). We have succeeded in correlating the recorded signals from Okina/Ouna, and we obtained phase delays with an accuracy of several pico-seconds at S-band.     

VLBI for better gravimetry in SELENE

The Japanese lunar explorer SELENE (SElenological and Engineering Explorer), to be launched in 2007, will for the first time utilize VLBI observations in lunar gravimetry investigations. This will particularly improve the accuracy to which the low degree gravitational harmonics and the gravity field near the limb can be measured, and when combined with Doppler measurements will enable three-dimensional information to be extracted. Differential VLBI Radio sources called VRAD experiment involves two on-board sub-satellites, Rstar and Vstar. These will be observed using differential VLBI to measure the trajectories of the satellites with the Japanese network named VERA (VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry) and an international VLBI network.