Magnetic field variations in the polar region during magnetically quiet periods and interplanetary magnetic fields

The concepts of near-pole magnetic field variations during magnetically quiet periods are explored, with special emphasis on the relationships of these variations to interplanetary magnetic field components. Methods are proposed for relating the variations which have been observed to the fields from the various sources, based on a thorough selection of reference levels. We assume that the field variations in the summer polar cap during magnetically quiet periods consist of the following components: (i) the middle-latitude S _qvariation extended to the polar region; (ii) the DPC(B _y) single-cell current system with a polar electrojet in day-side cusp latitudes; (iii) the DMC(B _z) two-cell current system of magnetospheric convection, in the form of a homogeneous current sheet in the polar cap towards the sun, with return currents through lower latitudes; (iv) the DPC(B _z) single-cell counterclockwise current system with a focus in the day-side cusp region. Quantitative relations between the near-pole variation intensities and the value and sign of the IMF azimuthal component, with a 1 hr time resolution, have been obtained and used to suggest ways of diagnosing the interplanetary magnetic field on the basis of ground observations.     

The Engineering Radiation Monitor for the Radiation Belt Storm Probes Mission

An Engineering Radiation Monitor (ERM) has been developed as a supplementary spacecraft subsystem for NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) mission. The ERM will monitor total dose and deep dielectric charging at each RBSP spacecraft in real time. Configured to take the place of spacecraft balance mass, the ERM contains an array of eight dosimeters and two buried conductive plates. The dosimeters are mounted under covers of varying shielding thickness to obtain a dose-depth curve and characterize the electron and proton contributions to total dose. A 3-min readout cadence coupled with an initial sensitivity of ～0.01 krad should enable dynamic measurements of dose rate throughout the 9-hr RBSP orbit. The dosimeters are Radiation-sensing Field Effect Transistors (RadFETs) and operate at zero bias to preserve their response even when powered off. The range of the RadFETs extends above 1000 krad to avoid saturation over the expected duration of the mission. Two large-area (～10 cm²) charge monitor plates set behind different thickness covers will measure the dynamic currents of weakly-penetrating electrons that can be potentially hazardous to sensitive electronic components within the spacecraft. The charge monitors can handle large events without saturating (～3000 fA/cm²) and provide sufficient sensitivity (～0.1 fA/cm²) to gauge quiescent conditions. High time-resolution (5 s) monitoring allows detection of rapid changes in flux and enables correlation of spacecraft anomalies with local space weather conditions. Although primarily intended as an engineering subsystem to monitor spacecraft radiation levels, real-time data from the ERM may also prove useful or interesting to a larger community.     

The story of the MIT Radiation Laboratory

The author relates how the MIT Radiation Laboratory came into existence, how it was run, and the research it did during World War II     

Radiation transmission in adverse weather

A simplified practical approach to determining the effects of weather on the transmission of radiation at visible, infrared (IR), and millimetre (mm) wavelengths, with particular reference to the aircraft landing problem, is outlined. Passive landing systems are studied. Landing categories related to visibility are defined. An extinction coefficient used to relate the effect of the atmosphere on the radiation detected by the human eye (or an imaging sensor onboard the aircraft) to the landing category and the calculation of this coefficient are discussed. The approach makes use of data from openly available literature. Results have been found useful in indicating the effects of adverse weather on imaging sensor performance for an enhanced vision aircraft-mounted landing system. As an example of the technique, the method of determining the extinction coefficients in fog for infrared radiation is outlined     

Gamma-ray pulsars in the MeV region

Space Science Reviews - Most models for the magnetosphere of pulsars assume ultrarelativistic primary particles streaming along the field lines; the resulting curvature photons can initiate...     

Fluctuating magnetic fields in the magnetosphere

The study of ULF waves in space has been in progress for about 12 years. However, because of numerous observational difficulties the properties of the waves in this frequency band (10^-3 to 1 Hz) are poorly known. These difficulties include the nature of satellite orbits, telemetry limitations on magnetometer frequency response and compromises between dynamic range and resolution. Despite the paucity of information, there is increasing recognition of the importance of these measurements in magnetospheric processes. A number of recent theoretical papers point out the roles such waves play in the dynamic behavior of radiation belt particles.At the present time the existing satellite observations of ULF waves suggest that the level of geomagnetic activity controls the types of waves which occur within the magnetosphere. Consequently, we consider separately quiet times, times of magnetospheric substorms and times of magnetic storms. Within each of these categories there are distinctly different wave modes distinguished by their polarization: either transverse or parallel to the ambient field. In addition, these wave phenomena occur in distinct frequency bands. In terms of the standard nomenclature of ground micropulsation studies ULF wave types observed in the magnetosphere include quiet time transverse — Pc 1, Pc 3, Pc 4, Pc 5 quiet time compressional — Pc 1 and Pi 1; substorm compressional Pi 1 and Pi 2; storm transverse — Pc 1; storm compressional Pc 4, 5. The satellite observations are not yet sufficient to determine whether the various bands identified in the ground data are equally appropriate in space.Publication No. 982. Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024.     

Overview of the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation

A brief review is given of some of the problems concerning the interactions of electromagnetic radiation with biological systems. It is emphasized that we cannot continue to expand the use and power of the electromagnetic spectrum without adequate consideration of its possible biological effects. New research efforts must be started in this area, utilizing a strong and well-coordinated interdisciplinary approach.     

Global behavior of the equatorial anomaly since 1999 and effects on GPS signals

Tools to generate VTEC maps were developed. These maps have been used to study the global behavior of the equatorial anomaly since 1999 up to now, and its effects on GPS signal. The VTEC data for any place around the world is based on IONEX data. In this way, a quick annual behavior of the VTEC may be analyzed, and also compared to the VTEC behavior for different places and different years. Based on these data an electron density model taking into account radial as well latitudinal and longitudinal gradients were developed. This model was incorporated in a 3D ray-tracing program. Using this program it was possible to compare the STEC conversion to the VTEC. As expected the results show that the lower the elevation angles of the Satellite Vehicle, the greater the error in the VTEC estimation.     

Air traffic implementation in the Asia-Pacific region

With the 21st century just around the corner, demands for air transport in the Asia and Pacific regions will increase further. Taking into account the opening of new airports and expansion of existing ones, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Shangai and Kimpo, it is estimated that the North Pacific traffic volumes will be 1.7 times greater by the year 2000 compared to that of 1992, and 2.9 times greater by the year 2010. In dealing with such traffic in that region use of the new Communications Navigation Surveillance Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) through Multi-Function Transport Satellite (MTSAT) system is indispensable     

Points of controversy in the study of magnetic storms

In the present review we concentrate on the most important and so far unresolved problems concerning morphology and physics of magnetic storms, namely, 1) which currents are responsible for the Dst variation; 2) which geophysical factors control the Dst index and what the underlying physics is; 3) why the latitude of the auroral electrojets and energetic particle precipitation region decreases during storms; 4) if there actually is a storm-to-substorm relation. We present major experimental results and theoretical views on each of the above problems.     

Wing stressed state in the region of torque discontinuities

A problem of determining the stressed state of the thin-walled beam in the zone of deplanation constraint caused by a torque discontinuity is considered using Odinokov’s formulation of mutually-balanced end loading.     

Meteorological control of the D region

After a short review of the characteristics of ionized state and meteorology of the mesopause region, the winter anomaly of the D region electron density and its variability are described as manifestations of meteorological control. A major mechanism is the redistribution of nitric oxide, another important mechanism is the strong temperature dependence of cluster ion formation rates. The meteorological control can be described either in a ‘concerted’ scenario of more or less independently acting mechanisms, or in a ‘unitary’ scenario where all mechanisms are regarded as effects of a common cause, viz., the strong winter vortex circulation of the middle atmosphere.     

Variations of the magnetic fields in large solar flares

We present preliminary results from high resolution observations obtained with the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) instrument on the SOHO of two large solar flares of 14 July 2000 and 24 November 2000. We show that rapid variations of the line-of-sight magnetic field occured on a time scale of a few minutes during the flare explosions. The reversibility/irreversibility of the magnetic field of both active regions is a very good tool for understanding how the magnetic energy is released in these flares. The observed sharp increase of the magnetic energy density at the time of maximum of the solar flare could involve an unknown component which deposited supplementary energy into the system. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Dielectronic satellite spectra in the soft X-ray region

Satellite lines, situated on the long wavelength side of the helium-like ion resonance line, can be observed in highly-ionized ions both in laboratory sources and from the Sun. Although seen for more than 30 years, these lines have only recently been classified in detail as inner-shell transitions in lithium-like ions. Laboratory experiments have shown that under steady-state conditions these satellites are produced by dielectronic recombination, although in transient ionizing plasmas direct inner-shell excitation can be important. Detailed calculations have been carried out for high Z ions up to copper, and the results can be compared with solar flare spectra in iron. Such comparisons allow both the electron temperature and the transient state of the plasma to be determined. Laboratory spectra from such high-Z ions are different in appearance, and may be dominated by processes resulting from the transient ionizing state of the plasma.     

高阶辐射换热有限元算法研究

随着航空航天技术的发展,飞行器热结构所需承受的温度越来越高,辐射换热变得非常重要;当前大部分商业软件对于辐射问题的有限元计算方法还是基于一致表面温度和辐射热流假设,使得计算精度和网格密度的矛盾越来越严重.进行了选用高阶单元、采用高斯积分精确计算单元表面变辐射热流方法的研究,从而摆脱了一致表面温度和辐射热流的假设,使得在相同网格密度的情况下计算精度大大提高;同时,从包含辐射换热问题的有限元计算方程出发,采用与有限元数值计算时相同的积分方案,只在独立的积分点处计算辐射热流,克服了积分方法计算效率低的缺点.经与ANSYS的计算结果对比,应用辐射热流积分方法于高阶单元能大大提高计算精度;并且在相同计算精度条件下,此方法的计算效率更高,具有一定的实用价值.     

航天器辐射式热防护系统

叙述了3种辐射式热防护系统(航天飞机的热防护系统、金属热防护系统和金属热减速伞)在不同航天器上的应用,介绍了辐射防热材料(外蒙皮材料、表面涂层材料和隔热材料)的发展与现状.