Possible DC electric field in the ionosphere related to seismicity

This paper presents the method for calculation of DC electric field in the atmosphere and the ionosphere generated by model distribution of external electric current in the lower atmosphere. Appearance of such current is associated with enhancement of seismic activity that is accompanied by emanation of soil gases into the atmosphere. These gases transfer positive and negative charged aerosols. Atmospheric convection of charged aerosols forms external electric current, which works as a source of conductivity current in the atmosphere–ionosphere electric circuit. It is shown that DC electric field generated in the ionosphere by this current reaches up to 10 mV/m, while the long-term vertical electric field disturbances excited near the Earth surface do not exceed 100 V/m. Such limitation of the near-ground field is caused by the formation of potential barrier for charged particles at the Earth surface in a process of their transport from soil to atmosphere.     

用蒙特卡罗方法研究质子在航天器内部充电中的作用

介绍了航天器内部充电的基本物理机制, 重点研究了质子在内部充电中的作用. 用蒙特卡罗方法模拟质子在介质中的输运过程, 计算了简化的平板介质在一定通量的粒子环境中的内部充电情况. 结果表明, 介质内部最大电场与入射质子能量有关, 当质子能量达到14 MeV时候, 内部电场最强; 当质子与电子的入射数目相同, 并且材料参数一样时, 质子产生的最大电场大于电子产生的最大电场. 选取2004年7月26日TC-2卫星姿控分系统故障前的质子和电子通量数据, 分别计算了二者可能引起的内部最大电场. 计算结果表明,质子产生的最大电场比电子产生的最大电场小2~4个数量级, 并且远小于击穿电场; 在某些极端情况下, 例如质子产生的电场和电子产生的电场方向一致的时候, 电场的叠加会使局地电场得到加强.      

The importance of restoration of the atmospheric electrical environment in closed Bioregenerative Life Supporting Systems.

Earth based Bioregenerative Life Supporting Systems (BLSS) are subject to 4 main physical factors: gravity, light, temperature and electrical environment. The first 3 are obvious to everyone, the Electrical Environment (EE) is not under the majority of prevailing conditions perceived directly by our senses. The EE is one of the important physical factors directly influencing some plants and in a less obvious way also the majority of plants. There are only two long range forces in nature: the electromagnetic and the gravitational forces. Gravity is very much weaker than the electromagnetic forces FG/FEL=10(-38), where FG is the gravitational Force and FEL are the electromagnetic Forces. The atmospheric electric field prevails all the time over the entire Earth with a mean intensity of 130 V/m. It is therefore a potent factor which may be used by some plants exposed throughout their entire life time to the atmospheric electric field. What effect should the normal atmospheric electric field have on plants? All living plants are good electrical conductors for electrostatic fields. The plants distort the normally vertical field lines, which have to be perpendicular to the plant tissue everywhere in order to avoid the extraction of energy from the field. The meristems concentrate the field lines, thus the electrically charged nutrients are supplied to the growing parts of the plant exposed to the field. This results in electrotropism in some plants. It is very well known that plants do have adaptive capabilities as compared to animals, it is important for their survival, because they cannot run away from trouble. It is found by careful observations of the behaviour of different plants that some plants do respond to the presence of the atmospheric electric field while other plants exposed to the same environment are indifferent to the atmospheric electric field. The plants growing in the Biosphere II were shielded by the metal structure of the Biosphere II. Because these plants which do make use of the atmospheric electric field are also to be found in the Biosphere II and must be deprived of this natural atmospheric electric field and in consequence of some of their natural nutrients. I have experimental evidence that at least some plants do respond to the atmospheric electric field. This effect is the most likely cause of the oxygen depletion and of the carbon dioxide accumulation in Biosphere II. Under the micro gravity encountered in space habitats the restoration of electric fields is even more important for plant growth than it is on the Earth.     

Modelling of protons spectra encountered in space using medical accelerator and its microdosimetric characterization

Radiation environments in space are mainly composed of protons coming from the Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) pervading the universe, the Solar Particle Events (SPEs) resulting from solar flares and coronal mass ejections, and the two Van Allen Belts surrounding the Earth due to the presence of the geomagnetic field trapping charged particles. Their wide spectra of energies up to hundreds of GeV imply diverse radiobiological effects to astronauts and radiation damage to electronics in the spacecraft. Even if lower in abundance, heavy ions such as He, C, O, Si, Fe are present in space and constitute an even bigger hazard due to their high penetrability and high linear energy transfer (LET). Most irradiation facilities available for research and testing worldwide provide usually only monoenergetic beams of high-energy protons or other heavier particles limiting studies of radiobiological effects and effects on electronics to a set of discrete energies.This paper introduces a procedure where a proton fluence spectra of interest for space radiation protection, previously generated by Monte Carlo simulations was delivered using a clinical proton therapy accelerator. Particularly, it reports the first results of modelling a proton radiation field in space in the energy range from 70 to 230 MeV during a single experimental session by programming a treatment planning system (TPS) to deliver required proton irradiation energies. Moreover, the angular distribution of the proton irradiation field has been varied to reproduce the isotropic exposure experienced by humans in space. The obtained proton radiation field was characterized using a 3D sensitive volume SOI microdosimeter developed by the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP), University of Wollongong, Australia.     

Solar flares: an overview.

This is a survey of solar phenomena and physical models that may be useful for improving forecasts of solar flares and proton storms in interplanetary space. Knowledge of the physical processes that accelerate protons has advanced because of gamma-ray and X-ray observations from the Solar Maximum Mission telescopes. Protons are accelerated at the onset of flares, but the duration of any subsequent proton storm at 1 AU depends on the structure of the interplanetary fields. X-ray images of the solar corona show possible fast proton escape paths. Magnetographs and high-resolution visible-band images show the magnetic field structure near the acceleration region and the heating effects of sunward-directed protons. Preflare magnetic field growth and shear may be the most important clues to the physical processes that generate high energy solar particles. Any dramatic improvement in flare forecasts will require high resolution solar telescopes in space. Several possibilities for improvements in the art of flare forecasting are presented, among them: the use of acoustic tomography to probe for subsurface magnetic fields; a satellite-borne solar magnetograph; and an X-ray telescope to monitor the corona for eruptions.     

质子单粒子翻转截面计算方法

在分析质子与硅反应的基础上,建立了质子单粒子翻转截面理论计算模型,提出了模拟计算方法。计算得到了不同能量的高能质子与硅反应产生的次级粒子种类、截面、能谱和双微分截面。采用Monte Carlo方法模拟质子与硅的反应;应用TRIM程序计算次级粒子的射程;计算得到次级粒子在存储单元的灵敏区内沉积的能量,产生的电荷。通过与临界电荷的比较,判断是否导致单粒子翻转,从而得到单粒子翻转截面。计算得到的单粒子翻转截面与实验数据符合较好。     

影响地球环境的太阳质子事件的时间过程

利用1966年以来的大量太阳耀斑以及相应质子事件的资料,分析研究了质子事件到达时间和极大时间同耀斑经度位置的统计关系.结果表明当耀斑位置处于经过地球的行星际大尺度场磁力线足点位置附近时,上述两种时间过程最短.这个结果支持了太阳耀斑粒子经日冕传播再向行星际空间传播的二阶段传播模型.      

Field emission characteristics of gold dust grains

The space plasma environment usually contains charged dust grains. The grain charge is an important parameter determining its migration through the space, coagulation, formation of dust clouds and so on. The knowledge of its charge is thus one of the basic information we want to know. There are several emission processes leading to both positive and negative charges, among others photoemission, all kinds of secondary emissions, field emissions, etc. The present study is focused on a laboratory simulation of emissions caused by impacts by energetic ions. Our experiment is based on the Paul trap which gives us an opportunity to catch a single dust grain for several days inside the vacuum vessel and exposed it by electron/ion beams. This experimental approach allows us to separate an individual charging process. We have chosen spherically shaped gold grains and discussed the processes leading to the limitation of the grain charge. We suggested that the implantation of charging ions leads to deformations of the grain surface. The deformations enhance the local electric field strength that becomes sufficient for the field ionization.     

Single event upset investigations on the “Flying Laptop” satellite mission

The radiation effects in electronic parts are called single-event effects, which are deemed to be critical for space missions. This paper presents the Single Event Upsets that were observed in an onboard memory device of the Low Earth Orbit “Flying Laptop” satellite mission during its in-orbit operation. The Single Event Upsets were carefully mapped on the satellite orbital space itself and their root causes were investigated together with their rates of occurrence. Subsequently, the events were traced to show several root cause sources such as (i) trapped energetic protons leaking to low altitudes within the South Atlantic Anomaly, (ii) Solar Energetic Particles emitted by an impulsive event on 10 September 2017, and (iii) Galactic Cosmic Rays. A profound analysis was carried out on the observed flight data, and its corresponding results are actually in agreement with the standard energetic particle models. The presented results provide another important insight on the Single Event Upsets for future Low Earth Orbit satellite missions.     

南极中山站宇宙线观测

2014年由两个具有0.5m×0.5m闪烁体面积的探测器组成的宇宙线μ子望远镜在南极中山站建成,观测数据通过卫星链路传回并发布.通过对中山站μ子望远镜数据的气象效应分析,发现中山站的气压变化对宇宙线计数率影响显著并呈负相关.计算得到宇宙线高能质子在中山站的垂直截止刚度R_C为0.076GV,对比中国西藏羊八井和北京高能质子的垂直截止刚度,中山站非常有利于对太阳高能质子事件的观测.      

Approaches in the determination of plant nutrient uptake and distribution in space flight conditions.

The effective growth and development of vascular plants rely on the adequate availability of water and nutrients. Inefficiency in either the initial absorption, transportation, or distribution of these elements are factors which impinge on plant structure and metabolic integrity. The potential effect of space flight and microgravity conditions on the efficiency of these processes is unclear. Limitations in the available quantity of space-grown plant material and the sensitivity of routine analytical techniques have made an evaluation of these processes impractical. However, the recent introduction of new plant cultivating methodologies supporting the application of radionuclide elements and subsequent autoradiography techniques provides a highly sensitive investigative approach amenable to space flight studies. Experiments involving the use of gel based 'nutrient packs' and the radionuclides calcium-45 and iron-59 were conducted on the Shuttle mission STS-94. Uptake rates of the radionuclides between ground and flight plant material appeared comparable.     

The heliolongitudinal distribution of solar flares associated with solar proton events.

We find that the heliolongitudinal distribution of solar flares associated with earth-observed solar proton events is a function of the particle measurement energy. For solar proton events containing fluxes with energies exceeding 1 GeV, we find a Gaussian distribution about the probable root of the Archimedean spiral favorable propagation path leading from the earth to the sun. This distribution is modified as the detection threshold is lowered. For > 100 MeV solar proton events with fluxes > or = 10 protons (cm2-sec-ster)-1 we find the distribution becomes wider with a secondary peak near the solar central meridian. When the threshold is lowered to 10 MeV the distribution further evolves. For > 10 MeV solar proton events having a flux threshold at 10 protons (cm2-sec-ster)-1 the distribution can be considered to be a composite of two Gaussians. One distribution is centered about the probable root of the Archimedean spiral favorable propagation path leading from the earth to the sun, and the other is centered about the solar central meridian. For large flux solar proton events, those with flux threshold of 1000 (cm2-sec-ster)-1 at energies > 10 MeV, we find the distribution is rather flat for about 40 degrees either side of central meridian.     

Peculiarities of the submicroscopic organization of Chlorella cells cultivated on a solid medium in microgravity.

The submicroscopic organization of Chlorella vulgaris cells (strain LARG-1) growing over 30 days on a solid agarized medium aboard the orbital station "Mir" was studied. A number of differences in the ultrastructure of cells of the experimental population compared to the control has been revealed. Thus, changes in the membrane system of plastids, in particular, appearance of numerous vesicles of different diameter and outgrowths of the plastids and their contact with the plasmalemma as well as a considerable decrease of reserve polysaccharide number in the plastids. Moreover, an increase in the size of mitochondria, their cristae and lipid drops in cytoplasm, the formation of more complicated configuration folding of plasmalemma and appearance of small-granular material of mean electron density in the periplasmic space of Chlorella cells grown during space flight, are demonstrated. Comparative cytological analysis has revealed general regularities of rearrangements of the submicroscopic organization in Chlorella cells cultivated on both solid and semiliquid agarized nutrient media.     

The effects of proton exposure on neurochemistry and behavior.

Future space missions will involve long-term travel beyond the magnetic field of the Earth, where astronauts will be exposed to radiation hazards such as those that arise from galactic cosmic rays. Galactic cosmic rays are composed of protons, alpha particles, and particles of high energy and charge (HZE particles). Research by our group has shown that exposure to HZE particles, primarily 600 MeV/n and 1 GeV/n 56Fe, can produce significant alterations in brain neurochemistry and behavior. However, given that protons can make up a significant portion of the radiation spectrum, it is important to study their effects on neural functioning and on related performance. Therefore, these studies examined the effects of exposure to proton irradiation on neurochemical and behavioral endpoints, including dopaminergic functioning, amphetamine-induced conditioned taste aversion learning, and spatial learning and memory as measured by the Morris water maze. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received a dose of 0, 1.5, 3.0 or 4.0 Gy of 250 MeV protons at Loma Linda University and were tested in the different behavioral tests at various times following exposure. Results showed that there was no effect of proton irradiation at any dose on any of the endpoints measured. Therefore, there is a contrast between the insignificant effects of high dose proton exposure and the dramatic effectiveness of low dose (<0.1 Gy) exposures to 56Fe particles on both neurochemical and behavioral endpoints.     

Interaction of gravity with other environmental factors in growth and development: an introduction.

The life of plants and other organisms is governed by the constant force of gravity on earth. The mechanism of graviperception, signal transduction, and gravireaction is one of the major themes in space biology. When gravity controls each step of the life cycle such as growth and development, it does not work alone but operates with the interaction of other environmental factors. In order to understand the role of gravity in regulation of the life cycle, such interactions also should be clarified. Under microgravity conditions in space, various changes are brought about in the process of growth and development. Some changes would be advantageous to organisms, but others would be unfavorable. For overcoming such disadvantages, it may be required to exploit some other environmental factors which substitute for gravity in some properties. In terrestrial plants, gravity can be replaced by light under certain conditions. The gravity-substituting factors may play a principal role in future space development.     

太阳质子通量模型研究

太阳质子事件对航天活动构成重要威胁, 预测一定时期内太阳质子通量对航天器抗辐射加固设计有重要的指导意义. 在第20至23太阳活动周的太阳质子事件数据统计分析的基础上, 建立了一个针对 E>10 MeV和 E>30 MeV太阳质子通量的新模型. 新模型与目前航天工程中常用的JPL模型相比较, 引入了太阳活动性对质子事件发生概率的影响因素, 能够评估不同太阳活动水平下的质子通量, 其结果更符合质子事件的分布特征.      

FEM code simulation of the magnetospheric proton fluxes

We report a study of the numeric solution to the diffusive transport equation for energetic protons magnetically trapped in the Earth's equatorial magnetosphere. The analysis takes into account the pertinent physical processes in this region, including deceleration of protons by Coulomb collisional interactions with free and bound electrons, the charge exchange process, cosmic ray albedo neutron decay source, and electric and magnetic radial diffusion. These results were obtained using the Finite Element Method with magnetic moment and geomagnetic L-shell as free variables. Steady state boundary conditions were imposed at L=1 as zero distribution function and at L=7 with proton distribution function extracted from ATS 6 satellite observations. The FEM-code yields unidirectional proton flux in the energy range of 0.1–1000 MeV at the equatorial top of the geomagnetic lines, and the results are found to be in satisfactorily agreement with the empirical NASA AP-8 model proton flux within the energy range of 0.5–100 MeV. Below 500 keV, the empirical AP-8 model proton fluxes are several orders of magnitude greater than those computed with the FEM-code at L<3. This discrepancy is difficult to explain by uncertainties of boundary spectrum parameters or transport coefficients.     

Ultrastructural and growth indices of Chlorella culture in multicomponent aquatic systems under space flight conditions.

Submicroscopic organization of Chlorella cells cultivated under space flight conditions in three-component aquatic system has been studied. Comparison of the experimental cells with that of the controls revealed certain rearrangements of cell organelles particularly, a reduction in the amount of reserve polysaccharides in chloroplasts, increase of cell vacuolization and mitochondrion volume, complication configuration of plasmalemma evaginations and invaginations, and also disturbances in the process of cytokinesis. More over an increase in the number of Chlorella cells infected by bacteria was shown in the experimental variant. No considerable differences were established in the growth characteristics of the experimental and control populations. A comparative cytological analysis revealed general regularities of organelles in Chlorella cells cultivated under space flight condition in the uni- and multicomponent systems.     

Effects of tailward stretching geomagnetic field on drift motion of plasma particles in the magnetospheric equatorial plane

Drift paths of electrons and protons are calculated in the equatorial plane of the superquiet (SQ) and superdisturbed(SD) Mead-Fairfield magnetospheric models in order to study effects of tailward stretching geomagnetic field on drift motion of plasma particles. Magnetospheric electric fields in the equatorial plane are given by vector sums of uniform dawn-dusk electric field of 0.1 mV/m or 0.4 mV/m and corotation electric field projected onto the equatorial plane from the earth's surface along the MF geomagnetic field lines. All particles start from a geocentric circle of 17 earth radii (R_E) in the tail equatorial plane. The late-evening stagnation point for zero-energy particles and low-energy electrons is produced by the anticlockwise corotation drift larger than the sunward electric-field drift in the outer magnetosphere. The late-morning stagnation point for energetic protons and the late-afternoon stagnation point for energetic electrons result from small radial gradient of the MF geomagnetic field in the late-morning and the late-afternoon outer magnetosphere respectively.     

A model of radiation conditions during spacecraft flights in the interplanetary space and in the Earth's magnetosphere.

Based on the available measurement data, simulations of radiation conditions during spacecraft flights in the interplanetary space and in the Earth's and Jupiter's radiation belts has been carried out. The > or = 10 MeV and > or = 30 MeV solar flare proton fluence forecast has been proposed for Cycle 22. Radiation conditions due to both magnetospheric electrons and protons and to solar flare protons, magnetic rigidity cutoff being taken into account, have been evaluated on spacecraft trajectories in the Earth's and Jupiter's magnetospheres.