SCAN_89-01

89-01 SOLAR ASTRONOMY
Nov 22, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

Title:
Characterising Sunspot Complexity for Space Weather Applications
Document ID:
20090038398
Report #:
AD-A506641
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Gallagher, Peter T
Published:
20080101
Source:
Imagine Technologies Ltd. (Dublin, Ireland)
Pages:
10
Contract #:
FA8655-06-M-4006
Abstract:
This report results from a contract tasking Imagine Technologies Ltd as follows: Months 1-3. Collect and Process GONG and SOHO/MDI magnetograms: Ten years of solar magnetic field measurements from the Michelson Doppler Imaginer (MDI) onboard the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) will be collected, together with complimentary magnetograms from the global network of ground-based magnetographs, GONG. Using sunspot positions from daily USAF/NOAA Solar Region Summaries, a magnetogram will be extracted for each region over this ten-year period. This will result in a sample size of close to 10,000 sunspots groups. Sunspot magnetograms will then be corrected for line-of-site effects, by applying a cosine correction to the data. Sunspots at high latitudes or at longitudes of greater that approximately +/-60 degrees will be disregarded from our sample, due to the uncertainty associated with reconstructing their true magnetic fields. Each of these steps will be carried out using existing software from the Solar SoftWare library in addition to some additional purpose written routines.
Language:
English

89-02 STELLAR ASTRONOMY AND COSMOLOGY
Nov 22, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

Title:
Hard X-ray Optics Technology Development for Astronomy at the Marshall Space Flight Center
Document ID:
20090037668
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090037668
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 Copyright
Author(s):
Gubarev, Mikhail (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) Ramsey, Brian (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) Kilaru, Kiranmayee (Alabama Univ.)
Published:
20090922
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Grazing-incidence telescopes based on Wolter 1 geometry have delivered impressive advances in astrophysics at soft-x-ray wavelengths, while the hard xray region remains relatively unexplored at fine angular resolution and high sensitivities. The ability to perform ground-breaking science in the hard-x-ray energy range had been the motivation for technology developments aimed at fabricating low-cost, light-weight, high-quality x-ray mirrors. Grazing-incidence x-ray optics for high-energy astrophysical applications is being developed at MSFC using the electroform-nickel replication process.
Language:
English
Notes:
International Workshop on X-Ray Mirror Design, Fabrication, and Metrology Osaka 22-24 Sep. 2009

Title:
X-Ray and Multi-Wavelength Observations of Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs)
Document ID:
20090037672
Report #:
M09-0710
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Kouveliotou, Chryssa (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20090907
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The launch of the Italian (with Dutch participation) satellite BeppoSAX in 1996 enabled the detection of the first X-ray GRB afterglow, which in turn led to GRB counterpart detection in multiple wavelengths. This breakthrough firmly established the cosmological nature of GRBs. However, afterglow observations of GRBs took off in large numbers after the launch of NASA's Swift satellite in 2004. Swift enabled multiple major discoveries, such as the early lightcurves of X-ray afterglows, the first detection of a short GRB afterglow and opened more questions such as where are the elusive breaks in afterglow light curves. I will describe here these results and will discuss future opportunities and improvements in the field.
Language:
English
Notes:
ESA, NASA Agency Spatial Italiana Bologna 7-11 Sep. 2009

Title:
Magnetar Observations with Fermi/GBM
Document ID:
20090037674
Report #:
M09-0711
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Kouveliotou, Chryssa (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20090914
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
NASA's Fermi Observatory was launched June 11, 2009; the Fermi Gamma Ray Burst Monitor (GBM) began normal operations on July 14, about a month after launch, when the trigger algorithms were enabled. In the first year of operations we recorded emission from four magnetar sources; of these, only one was an old magnetar: SGR 1806+20. The other three detections were: SGR J0501+4516, newly discovered with Swift and extensively monitored with both Swift and GBM, SGR J1550-5418, a source originally classified as an Anomalous X-ray Pulsar (AXP) and a very recently discovered new source, SGR 0418+5729. I report below on the current status of the analyses efforts of the GBM data.
Language:
English
Notes:
Scientific Organizing Committee Venice 14-18 Sep. 2009

Title:
Ten Years of Chandra
Document ID:
20090038177
Report #:
M09-0731
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Weisskopf, Martin C. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20090907
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
We celebrated the 10-th anniversary of the Launch of the Chandra X-ray Observatory on July 13, 2009. During these 10 years data from this Great Observatory have had a profound impact on 21st century astrophysics. With its unrivaled capability to produce sub-arcsecond images, the Observatory has enabled astronomers to make new discoveries in topics as diverse as comets and cosmology. We shall review some of the highlights, discuss the current status, and future plans.
Language:
English
Notes:
X-Ray Astronomy 2009 Bologna 7-11 Sep. 2009

Title:
Probing Millisecond Pulsar Emission Geometry Using Light Curves From the Fermi Large Area Telescope
Document ID:
20090038184
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Venter, Christo (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Harding, Alice (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Guillemot, L.
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
An interesting new high-energy pulsar sub-population is emerging following early discoveries of gamma-ray millisecond pulsars (MSPs) by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). We present results from 3D emission modeling, including the Special Relativistic effects of aberration and time-of-flight delays and also rotational sweepback of 13-field lines, in the geometric context of polar cap (PC), slot gap (SG), outer gap (OG), and two-pole caustic (TPC) pulsar models. In contrast to the general belief that these very old, rapidly-rotating neutron stars (NSs) should have largely pair-starved magnetospheres due to the absence of significant pair production, we find that most of the light curves are best fit by SG and OG models, which indicates the presence of narrow accelerating gaps limited by robust pair production -- even in these pulsars with very low spin-down luminosities. The gamma-ray pulse shapes and relative phase lags with respect to the radio pulses point to high-altitude emission being dominant for all geometries. We also find exclusive differentiation of the current gamma-ray MSP population into two MSP sub-classes: light curve shapes and lags across wavebands impose either pair-starved PC (PSPC) or SG / OG-type geometries. In the first case, the radio pulse has a small lag with respect to the single gamma-ray pulse, while the (first) gamma-ray peak usually trails the radio by a large phase offset in the latter case. Finally, we find that the flux correction factor as a function of magnetic inclination and observer angles is typically of order unity for all models. Our calculation of light curves and flux correction factor f(_, _, P) for the case of MSPs is therefore complementary to the "ATLAS paper" of Watters et al. for younger pulsars.
Language:
English
Notes:
To be published in The Astrophysical Journal

Title:
Calibrating Cosmological Chronometers: White Dwarf Masses via Astrometry
Document ID:
20090038396
Report #:
AD-A506639
Sales Agency:
Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) No Copyright
Author(s):
Subasavage, John P Henry, Todd J Jao, Wei-Chun Nelan, Edmund P Harris, Hugh C Dahn, Conard C
Published:
20090101
Source:
Georgia State Univ. (Atlanta, GA United States)
Pages:
9
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
In an effort to increase the number of accurate dynamical masses for white dwarfs (WDs), we have begun an initiative using Hubble Space Telescope's Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS) to resolve suspected binary WDs. With the increasing number of WD trigonometric parallaxes becoming available via CTIO's and the USNO's ongoing parallax programs, we have targeted objects that are overluminous at V magnitude and are presumably unresolved multiple systems. A few targets were selected because of spectral anomalies or possible perturbations evident in the residuals of the trigonometric parallax solutions. A total of 16 HST orbits were designated to this program and 12 are completed. Of the eleven WDs observed thus far (one object was observed twice), all but one were unresolved. Analysis of a recent orbit's data indicate a pair was resolved with a separation of 70 mas and a delta V magnitude of 1.4. Coupled with astrometric data from the USNO parallax program, we have obtained preliminary constraints on component masses.
Language:
English
Notes:
Published in Journal of Physics: Conference Series, v172, 2009

Title:
Finding our Origins with the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes
Document ID:
20090038660
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Gardner, Jonathan P. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20091105
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
NASA is planning a successor to the Hubble Space Telescope designed to study the origins of galaxies, stars, planets and life in the universe. In this talk, Dr. Gardner will discuss the origin and evolution of galaxies, beginning with the Big Bang and tracing what we have learned with Hubble through to the present day. He will show that results from studies with Hubble have led to plans for its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope. Webb is scheduled to launch in 2014, and is designed to find the first galaxies that formed in the distant past and to penetrate the dusty clouds of gas where stars are still forming today. He will compare Webb to Hubble, and discuss recent progress in the construction of the observatory.
Language:
English
Notes:
Georgia Regional Astronomy Meeting Atlanta, GA 5-8 Nov. 2009

Title:
Black-hole Merger Simulations for LISA Science
Document ID:
20090038661
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Kelly, Bernard J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Baker, John G. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) vanMeter, James R. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Boggs, William D. (Maryland Univ.) Centrella, Joan M. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) McWilliams, Sean T. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The strongest expected sources of gravitational waves in the LISA band are the mergers of massive black holes. LISA may observe these systems to high redshift, z>10, to uncover details of the origin of massive black holes, and of the relationship between black holes and their host structures, and structure formation itself. These signals arise from the final stage in the development of a massive black-hole binary emitting strong gravitational radiation that accelerates the system's inspiral toward merger. The strongest part of the signal, at the point of merger, carries much information about the system and provides a probe of extreme gravitational physics. Theoretical predictions for these merger signals rely on supercomputer simulations to solve Einstein's equations. We discuss recent numerical results and their impact on LISA science expectations.
Language:
English
Notes:
Black-hole Merger Simulations for LISA Science Washington, DC 1 Jan. 2010

Title:
Measuring Massive Black Hole Binaries with LISA
Document ID:
20090038662
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Lang, Ryan N. (Institute for Energy Analysis) Hughes, Scott A. (Massachusetts Inst. of Tech.) Cornish, Neil J. (Montana State Univ.)
Published:
20090101
Source:
Institute for Energy Analysis (United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The coalescence of two massive black holes produces gravitational waves (GWs) which can be detected by the space-based detector LISA. By measuring these waves, LISA can determine the various parameters which characterize the source. Measurements of the black hole masses and spins will provide information about the growth of black holes and their host galaxies over time. Measurements of a source's sky position and distance may help astronomers identify an electromagnetic counterpart to the GW event. The counterpart's redshift, combined with the GW-measured luminosity distance, can then be used to measure the Hubble constant and the dark energy parameter $w$. Because the potential science output is so high, it is useful to know in advance how well LISA can measure source parameters for a wide range of binaries. We calculate expected parameter estimation errors using the well-known Fisher matrix method. Our waveform model includes the physics of spin precession, as well as subleading harmonics. When these higher-order effects are not included, strong degeneracies between some parameters cause them to be poorly determined by a GW measurement. When precession and subleading harmonics are properly included, the degeneracies are broken, reducing parameter errors by one to several orders of magnitude.
Language:
English

Title:
Testing the Reliability of Cluster Mass Indicators with a Systematics Limited Dataset
Document ID:
20090038690
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090038690
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 Copyright
Author(s):
Juett, Adrienne M. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Davis, David S. (Maryland Univ. Baltimore County) Mushotzky, Richard (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
14
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
We present the mass X-ray observable scaling relationships for clusters of galaxies using the XMM-Newton cluster catalog of Snowden et al. Our results are roughly consistent with previous observational and theoretical work, with one major exception. We find 2-3 times the scatter around the best fit mass scaling relationships as expected from cluster simulations or seen in other observational studies. We suggest that this is a consequence of using hydrostatic mass, as opposed to virial mass, and is due to the explicit dependence of the hydrostatic mass on the gradients of the temperature and gas density profiles. We find a larger range of slope in the cluster temperature profiles at radii 500 than previous observational studies. Additionally, we find only a weak dependence of the gas mass fraction on cluster mass, consistent with a constant. Our average gas mass fraction results also argue for a closer study of the systematic errors due to instrumental calibration and modeling method variations between analyses. We suggest that a more careful study of the differences between various observational results and with cluster simulations is needed to understand sources of bias and scatter in cosmological studies of galaxy clusters.
Language:
English
Notes:
To be published in The Astrophysical Journal

Title:
Timing Behavior of the Magnetically Active Rotation-Powered Pulsar in the Supernova Remnant Kesteven 75
Document ID:
20090038692
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090038692
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 Copyright
Author(s):
Livingstone, Margaret A. (McGill Univ.) Gavriil, Fotis P. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Kaspi, Victoria M. (McGill Univ.)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
13
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
We report a large spin-up glitch in PSR J1846-0258 which coincided with the onset of magnetar-like behavior on 2006 May 31. We show that the pulsar experienced an unusually large glitch recovery, with a recovery fraction of Q = 5.9+/-0.3, resulting in a net decrease of the pulse frequency. Such a glitch recovery has never before been observed in a rotation-powered pulsar, however, similar but smaller glitch over-recovery has been recently reported in the magnetar AXP 4U 0142+61 and may have occurred in the SGR 1900+14. We discuss the implications of the unusual timing behavior in PSR J1846-0258 on its status as the first identified magnetically active rotation-powered pulsar.
Language:
English
Notes:
Sponsored in part by FQRNT, CIFAR and CFI

Title:
Eta Carinae in the Context of the Most Massive Stars
Document ID:
20090038698
Report #:
None
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090038698
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 Copyright
Author(s):
Gull, Theodore R. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Damineli, Augusto (Sao Paulo Univ.)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
26
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Eta Car, with its historical outbursts, visible ejecta and massive, variable winds, continues to challenge both observers and modelers. In just the past five years over 100 papers have been published on this fascinating object. We now know it to be a massive binary system with a 5.54-year period. In January 2009, Car underwent one of its periodic low-states, associated with periastron passage of the two massive stars. This event was monitored by an intensive multi-wavelength campaign ranging from -rays to radio. A large amount of data was collected to test a number of evolving models including 3-D models of the massive interacting winds. August 2009 was an excellent time for observers and theorists to come together and review the accumulated studies, as have occurred in four meetings since 1998 devoted to Eta Car. Indeed, Car behaved both predictably and unpredictably during this most recent periastron, spurring timely discussions. Coincidently, WR140 also passed through periastron in early 2009. It, too, is a intensively studied massive interacting binary. Comparison of its properties, as well as the properties of other massive stars, with those of Eta Car is very instructive. These well-known examples of evolved massive binary systems provide many clues as to the fate of the most massive stars. What are the effects of the interacting winds, of individual stellar rotation, and of the circumstellar material on what we see as hypernovae/supernovae? We hope to learn. Topics discussed in this 1.5 day Joint Discussion were: Car: the 2009.0 event: Monitoring campaigns in X-rays, optical, radio, interferometry WR140 and HD5980: similarities and differences to Car LBVs and Eta Carinae: What is the relationship? Massive binary systems, wind interactions and 3-D modeling Shapes of the Homunculus & Little Homunculus: what do we learn about mass ejection? Massive stars: the connection to supernovae, hypernovae and gamma ray bursters Where do we go from here? (future directions) The Science Organizing Committee: Co-chairs: Augusto Damineli (Brazil) & Theodore R. Gull (USA). Members: D. John Hillier (USA), Gloria Koenigsberger (Mexico), Georges Meynet (Switzerland), Nidia Morrell (Chile), Atsuo T. Okazaki (Japan), Stanley P. Owocki (USA), Andy M.T. Pol- lock (Spain), Nathan Smith (USA), Christiaan L. Sterken (Belgium), Nicole St Louis (Canada), Karel A. van der Hucht (Netherlands), Roberto Viotti (Italy) and GerdWeigelt (Germany)
Language:
English
Notes:
To be published in Highlights of Atronomy, Volume 14, 26th General Assembly of International Astronomical Union (IAU) Proceedings

Title:
Organic Chemistry in Space
Document ID:
20090038720
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Charnley, Steven (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Astronomical observations, theoretical modeling, laboratory simulation and analysis of extraterrestrial material have enhanced our knowledge of the inventory of organic matter in the interstellar medium (ISM) and on small bodies such as comets and asteroids (Ehrenfreund & Charnley 2000). Comets, asteroids and their fragments, meteorites and interplanetary dust particles (IDPs), contributed significant amounts of extraterrestrial organic matter to the young Earth. This material degraded and reacted in a terrestrial prebiotic chemistry to form organic structures that may have served as building blocks for life on the early Earth. In this talk I will summarize our current understanding of the organic composition and chemistry of interstellar clouds. Molecules of astrobiological relevance include the building blocks of our genetic material: nucleic acids, composed of subunits such as N-heterocycles (purines and pyrimidines), sugars and amino acids. Signatures indicative of inheritance of pristine and modified interstellar material in comets and meteorites will also be discussed.
Language:
English

Title:
Astrophysical Gyrokinetics: Kinetic and Fluid Turbulent Cascades in Magnetized Weakly Collisional Plasmas
Document ID:
20090038786
Report #:
DE2009-953209, PPPL-4403
Sales Agency:
National Technical Information Service (NTIS) No Copyright
Author(s):
Schekochihin, A. A. Tatsuno, T. Hammett, G. W. Howes, G. G. Quataert, E.
Published:
20090923
Source:
Princeton Univ. (NJ United States)
Pages:
68
Contract #:
DE-AC02-09CH11466
Abstract:
This paper presents a theoretical framework for understanding plasma turbulence in astrophysical plasmas. It is motivated by observations of electromagnetic and density fluctuations in the solar wind, interstellar medium and galaxy clusters, as well as by models of particle heating in accretion disks. All of these plasmas and many others have turbulentmotions at weakly collisional and collisionless scales. The paper focuses on turbulence in a strong mean magnetic field. The key assumptions are that the turbulent fluctuations are small compared to the mean field, spatially anisotropic with respect to it and that their frequency is low compared to the ion cyclotron frequency. The turbulence is assumed to be forced at some system-specific outer scale. The energy injected at this scale has to be dissipated into heat, which ultimately cannot be accomplished without collisions. A kinetic cascade develops that brings the energy to collisional scales both in space and velocity. The nature of the kinetic cascade in various scale ranges depends on the physics of plasma fluctuations that exist there. There are four special scales that separate physically distinct regimes: the electron and ion gyroscales, the mean free path and the electron diffusion scale.
Language:
English
Notes:
Sponsored by Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

89-03 METEORS AND METEORITES
Nov 22, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

Title:
Recent Shuttle Post Flight MMOD Inspection Highlights
Document ID:
20090037665
Report #:
JSC-CN-19106
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Hyed, James L. (Barrios Technology, Inc.) Christiansen, Eric L. (NASA Johnson Space Center) Lear, Dana M. (NASA Johnson Space Center) Herrin, Jason S. (Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.)
Published:
20090101
Source:
Barrios Technology, Inc. (Houston, TX, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Post flight inspections on the Space Shuttle Atlantis conducted after the STS-11.5 mission revealed a 0.11 inch (2.8 mm) hole in the outer face sheet of the starboard payload bay door radiator panel #4. The payload bay door radiators in this region are 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) thick aluminum honeycomb with 0.011 in (0.279 mm) thick aluminum face sheets topped with 0.005 in (0.127 mm) silver-Teflon tape. Inner face sheet damage included a 0.267 in (6.78 mm) long through crack with measureable deformation in the area of 0.2 in (5.1 mm). There was also a 0.031 in (0.787 nun) diameter hole in the rear face sheet. A large approximately l in (25 mm) diameter region of honeycomb was also destroyed. Since the radiators are located on the inside of the shuttle payload bay doors which are closed during ascent and reentry, the damage could only have occurred during the on-orbit portion of the mission. During the August 2007 STS-118 mission to the International Space Station, a micro-meteoroid or orbital debris (MMOD) particle impacted and completely penetrated one of shuttle Endeavour's radiator panels and the underlying thermal control system (TCS) blanket, leaving deposits on (but no damage to) the payload bay door. While it is not unusual for shuttle orbiters to be impacted by small MMOD particles, the damage from this impact is larger than any previously seen on the shuttle radiator panels. One of the largest impacts ever observed on a crew module window occurred during the November 2008 STS-126 mission to the International Space Station. Damage to the window was documented by the crew on orbit. Post flight inspection revealed a 0.4 in (10.8 mm) crater in the window pane, with a depth of 0.03 in (0.76 mm). The window pane was replaced due to the damage caused by this impact. Analysis performed on residue contained in dental mold impressions taken of the site indicated that a meteoroid particle produced this large damage site. The post flight inspection after the subsequent mission, STS-119 in March of 2009, produced a large MMOD impact feature in a wing leading edge reinforced carbon-carbon panel. The crater measured 0.18 in (4.5 nun) in diameter and was nearly 0.037 in (0.93 nun) deep. The thickness of the silicon carbide coating that protects the carbon substrate is nominally 0.02 in (0.5 nun) to 0.04 in (1 mm), making this a significant impact into the RCC. The damage occurred on the upper surface of the panel, which experiences lower heat loads on re-entry. This poster will document the data collected from the impact sites and will include results of the Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX) analysis. Evidence will be presented that suggests a source of the impacts.
Language:
English
Notes:
11th Hypervelocity Impact Symposium Freiburg 11-14 Apr. 2010

Title:
Reading the Signatures of Extrasolar Planets in Debris Disks
Document ID:
20090038589
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Kuchner, Marc J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20091109
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
An extrasolar planet sculpts the famous debris dish around Fomalhaut; probably ma ny other debris disks contain planets that we could locate if only we could better recognize their signatures in the dust that surrounds them. But the interaction between planets and debris disks involves both orbital resonances and collisions among grains and rocks in the disks --- difficult processes to model simultanemus]y. I will describe new 3-D models of debris disk dynamics that incorporate both collisions and resonant trapping of dust for the first time, allowing us to decode debris disk images and read the signatures of the planets they contain.
Language:
English
Notes:
Satellite Workshop: Dynamics of Outer Planetary Systems Edinburgh, Scotland 9-11 Nov. 2009

90-01 GRAVITATION
Nov 22, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

Title:
LISA: Detecting Gravitational Waves from Space
Document ID:
20090038187
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Livas, Jeff (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20091011
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The laser interferometer space antenna (LISA), a joint NASA/ESA mission, will be the first dedicated gravitational wave detector in space. This presentation will provide a tutorial of the LISA measurement concept.
Language:
English
Notes:
Frontiers in Optics conference San Jose, CA 11-13 Oct. 2009

Title:
The LISA Pathfinder Mission
Document ID:
20090038663
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Stebbins, Robin (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
LISA Pathfinder (formerly known as SMART-2) is a European Space Agency (ESA) mission designed to pave the way for the joint ESA/NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission by testing in flight the critical technologies required for spaceborne gravitational wave detection: it will put two test masses in a near-perfect gravitational free-fall and control and measure their motion with unprecedented accuracy. LISA Pathfinder is currently in the integration and test phase of the development, and is due to be launched on a dedicated launch vehicle in late 2011, with first results on the performance of the system being available approx 6 months later. This poster will describe the mission in detail, give the current status of the spacecraft development, and highlight the future milestones in the integration and test campaign.
Language:
English

Title:
Using Cassini CIRS Data to Constrain Enceladus' Libration State
Document ID:
20090038686
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Hurford, T. A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Helfenstein, P. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Spencer, J. R. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Nimmo, F. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20091004
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Given the non-spherical shape of Enceladus, the satellite may experience gravitational torques that will cause it to physically librate as it orbits Saturn. Physical Libration would produce a diurnal oscillation in the longitude of Enceladus' tidal bulge, which could have a profound effect on the diurnal stresses experienced by the surface of the satellite. Although Cassini ISS has placed an observational upper limit on Enceladus' libration amplitude, small amplitude librations may have geologically significant consequences. For example, a physical libration will affect heat production. along the tiger stripes as produced by tidal shear heating. We have modeled the expected power en-litted along the tiger stripes for various types of physical libration and have quantified which types of physical libration best reproduce the observed power flux as detailed in Cassini CIRS data. We find that including a physical libration does allow better fits to the observations and we have identified regions of the libration phase space that where these fits are optimized. A physical libration has important implications for tidal dissipation within Enceladus and if identified may provide an additional constraint on its interior mass distribution.
Language:
English
Notes:
41st annual meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society Fajardo 4-10 Oct. 2009

90-02 ASTROPHYSICAL PLASMAS
Nov 22, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

91-01 THE MOON
Nov 22, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

Title:
Constellation Architecture Team-Lunar Scenario 12.0 Habitation Overview
Document ID:
20090037663
Report #:
JSC-CN-19097
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Kennedy, Kriss J. (NASA Johnson Space Center) Toups, Larry (NASA Johnson Space Center) Rudisill, Marianne (NASA Langley Research Center)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
This paper will describe an overview of the Constellation Architecture Team Lunar Scenario 12.0 surface habitation approach, concept, and assessments performed during the study definition. The Lunar Scenario 12 architecture study focused on two primary habitation approaches: a horizontally-oriented habitation module (LS-12.0) and a vertically-oriented habitation module (LS-12.1). This paper will provide an overview of 12.0 lunar surface campaign, the associated outpost architecture, habitation functionality, concept description, system integration strategy, mass and power resource estimates. The Scenario 12 architecture resulted from combining three previous scenarios after the Lunar Surface Systems (LSS) Project Office meeting in April 28-30, 2009. The best attributes from Scenario 4 "Optimized Exploration", Scenario 5 "Fission Surface Power System" and Scenario 8 "Initial Extensive Mobility" were combined into Scenario 12 along with an added emphasis on defining the excursion ConOps while the crew is away from the outpost location.
Language:
English
Notes:
Earth and Space 2010 Honolulu, HI 15-17 Mar. 2010

Title:
Advanced Avionics and Processor Systems for Space and Lunar Exploration
Document ID:
20090037678
Report #:
M09-0738, M09-0761
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090037678
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 Copyright
Author(s):
Keys, Andrew S. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) Adams, James H. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) Ray, Robert E. (Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.) Johnson, Michael A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Cressler, John D. (Georgia Inst. of Tech.)
Published:
20090914
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
40
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
NASA's newly named Advanced Avionics and Processor Systems (AAPS) project, formerly known as the Radiation Hardened Electronics for Space Environments (RHESE) project, endeavors to mature and develop the avionic and processor technologies required to fulfill NASA's goals for future space and lunar exploration. Over the past year, multiple advancements have been made within each of the individual AAPS technology development tasks that will facilitate the success of the Constellation program elements. This paper provides a brief review of the project's recent technology advancements, discusses their application to Constellation projects, and addresses the project's plans for the coming year.
Language:
English
Notes:
AIAA SPACE 2009 Conference and Exposition Pasadena, CA 14-17 Sep. 2009

Title:
The Lunar Mapping and Modeling Project
Document ID:
20090037679
Report #:
M09-0751
Available Online:
http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20090037679
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A01 No Copyright
Author(s):
Noble, Sarah K. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) French, R. A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) Nall, M. E. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) Muery, K. G. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center)
Published:
20091116
Source:
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The Lunar Mapping and Modeling Project (LMMP) has been created to manage the development of a suite of lunar mapping and modeling products that support the Constellation Program (CxP) and other lunar exploration activities, including the planning, design, development, test and operations associated with lunar sortie missions, crewed and robotic operations on the surface, and the establishment of a lunar outpost. The information provided through LMMP will assist CxP in: planning tasks in the areas of landing site evaluation and selection, design and placement of landers and other stationary assets, design of rovers and other mobile assets, developing terrain-relative navigation (TRN) capabilities, and assessment and planning of science traverses.
Language:
English
Notes:
Lunar Exploration Analysis Group Meeting Houston, TX 16-19 Nov. 2009

Title:
Spacesuit Cooling on the Moon and Mars
Document ID:
20090038609
Report #:
ARC-E-DAA-TN455
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Jones, Harry W. (NASA Ames Research Center)
Published:
20090712
Source:
NASA Ames Research Center (Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Pages:
--
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
NASA is planning to return to the moon and then explore Mars. A permanent base at the south pole of the moon will be the test bed for Mars. At the moon base, two crewmembers are expected to conduct Extravehicular Activity (EVA) six days every week. Current spacesuits are cooled by the sublimation of water ice into vacuum. A single 7 hour EVA near the lunar equator in daylight can expend up to 5 kilograms of water. Because of the high cost of transporting spacesuit cooling water to the moon, the water for one EVA could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The lunar south pole and Mars have low surface temperatures that make cooling much easier than at the lunar equator. Alternate cooling methods and keeping to cool environments can reduce or eliminate the loss of water for spacesuit cooling. If cooling water is not needed, a recycling life support system can provide all the required crew water and oxygen without transporting additional water from Earth.
Language:
English
Notes:
International Conference on Environmental Systems Savannah, G 12-16 Jul. 2009

Title:
Exploration Life Support Critical Questions for Future Human Space Missions
Document ID:
20090038740
Report #:
JSC-CN-19121
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Ewert, Michael K. (NASA Johnson Space Center) Barta, Daniel J. (NASA Johnson Space Center) McQuillan, Jeff (MEI Technologies, Inc.)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Exploration Life Support (ELS) is a project under NASA s Exploration Technology Development Program. The ELS Project plans, coordinates and implements the development of advanced life support technologies for human exploration missions in space. Recent work has focused on closed loop atmosphere and water systems for a lunar outpost, including habitats and pressurized rovers. But, what are the critical questions facing life support system developers for these and other future human missions? This paper explores those questions and discusses how progress in the development of ELS technologies can help answer them. The ELS Project includes Atmosphere Revitalization Systems (ARS), Water Recovery Systems (WRS), Waste Management Systems (WMS), Habitation Engineering, Systems Integration, Modeling and Analysis (SIMA), and Validation and Testing, which includes the sub-elements Flight Experiments and Integrated Testing. Systems engineering analysis by ELS seeks to optimize the overall mission architecture by considering all the internal and external interfaces of the life support system and the potential for reduction or reuse of commodities. In particular, various sources and sinks of water and oxygen are considered along with the implications on loop closure and the resulting launch mass requirements.
Language:
English
Notes:
International Conference on Environmental Systems Barcelona 11-15 Jul. 2010

Title:
Investigation of Transient Performance for a Sublimator
Document ID:
20090038750
Report #:
JSC-CN-19170
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Leimkuehler, Thomas O. (Paragon Space Development Corp.) Sheth, Rubik (NASA Johnson Space Center) Stephan, Ryan A. (NASA Johnson Space Center)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Sublimators have been used as heat rejection devices for a variety of space applications including the Apollo Lunar Module and the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). Sublimators typically operate with steady-state feedwater utilization at or near 100%. However, sublimators are currently being considered to operate in a cyclical topping mode during low lunar orbit for Altair and possibly Orion, which represents a new mode of operation for sublimators. In this mission phase, the sublimator will be repeatedly started and stopped during each orbit to provide supplemental heat rejection for the portion of the orbit where the sink temperature exceeds the system setpoint temperature. This paper will investigate the effects of these transient starts and stops on the feedwater utilization during various feedwater timing scenarios. The X-38 sublimator, which represents the state of the art in sublimator technology, was used to understand this behavior and to quantify the feedwater performance. Data from various scenarios will be analyzed to investigate feedwater utilization under the cyclical conditions. This paper will also provide recommendations for future sublimator designs and/or feedwater control.
Language:
English
Notes:
40th International Conference on Environmental Systems Barcelona 11-15 Jul. 2010

Title:
Approach for Mitigating Pressure Garment Design Risks in a Mobile Lunar Surface Systems Architecture
Document ID:
20090038752
Report #:
JSC-CN-19148
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Aitchison, Lindsay (NASA Johnson Space Center)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
The stated goals of the 2004 Vision for Space Exploration focus on establishing a human presence throughout the solar system beginning with the establishment of a permanent human presence on the Moon. However, the precise objectives to be accomplished on the lunar surface and the optimal system architecture to achieve those objectives have been a topic of much debate since the inception of the Constellation Program. There are two basic styles of system architectures being traded at the Programmatic level: a traditional large outpost that would focus on techniques for survival off our home planet and a greater depth of exploration within one area, or a mobile approach- akin to a series of nomadic camps- that would allow greater breadth of exploration opportunities. The traditional outpost philosophy is well within the understood pressure garment design space with respect to developing interfaces and operational life cycle models. The mobile outpost, however, combines many unknowns with respect to pressure garment performance and reliability that could dramatically affect the cost and schedule risks associated with the Constellation space suit system. This paper provides an overview of the concepts being traded for a mobile architecture from the operations and hardware implementation perspective, describes the primary risks to the Constellation pressure garment associated with each of the concepts, and summarizes the approach necessary to quantify the pressure garment design risks to enable the Constellation Program to make informed decisions when deciding on an overall lunar surface systems architecture.
Language:
English
Notes:
International Conference on Environmental Systems Barcelona 11-15 Jul. 2010

Title:
Lunar Outpost Life Support Architecture Study Based on a High Mobility Exploration Scenario
Document ID:
20090038753
Report #:
JSC-CN-19187
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Lange, Kevin E. (Jacobs Technologies Engineering Science Contract Group) Anderson, Molly S. (NASA Johnson Space Center)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
As scenarios for lunar surface exploration and habitation continue to evolve within NASA s Constellation program, so must studies of optimal life support system architectures and technologies. This paper presents results of a life support architecture study based on a 2009 NASA scenario known as Scenario 12. Scenario 12 represents a consolidation of ideas from earlier NASA scenarios and includes an outpost near the Lunar South Pole comprised of three larger fixed surface elements and four attached pressurized rovers. The scenario places a high emphasis on surface mobility, with planning assuming that all four crewmembers spend roughly 50% of the time away from the outpost on 3-14 day excursions in two of the pressurized rovers. Some of the larger elements can also be mobilized for longer duration excursions. This emphasis on mobility poses a significant challenge for a regenerative life support system in terms of cost-effective waste collection and resource recovery across multiple elements, including rovers with very constrained infrastructure resources. The current study considers pressurized rovers as part of a distributed outpost life support architecture in both stand-alone and integrated configurations. A range of architectures are examined reflecting different levels of closure and distributed functionality. Different lander propellant scavenging options are also considered involving either initial conversion of residual oxygen and hydrogen propellants to water or initial direct oxygen scavenging. Monte Carlo simulations are used to assess the sensitivity of results to volatile high-impact mission variables, including the quantity of residual lander propellants available for scavenging, the fraction of crew time away from the outpost on excursions, total extravehicular activity hours, and habitat leakage. Architectures are evaluated by estimating surpluses or deficits of water and oxygen per 180-day mission and differences in fixed and 10-year-total equivalent system mass (ESM) relative to a reference case. Results are presented based on current assumptions for Scenario 12 and based on Monte Carlo simulations with assumed probability distributions for the high-impact mission variables. The calculated probability of no water or oxygen resupply from Monte Carlo simulations provides a quantitative measure of system robustness that can be used for cost/benefit analyses to identify leading architecture candidates. Areas of technology improvement that are likely to have a significant impact are also suggested.
Language:
English
Notes:
International Conference on Environmental Systems Barcelona 11-15 Jul. 2010

91-02 PLANETARY SCIENCES AND EXPLORATION
Nov 22, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

Title:
Laboratory Studies of Ethane Ice Relevant to Outer Solar System Surfaces
Document ID:
20090038667
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Moore, Marla H. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Hudson, Reggie (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Raines, Lily (Eckerd Coll.)
Published:
20091005
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Oort Cloud comets, as well as TNOs Makemake (2045 FYg), Quaoar, and Pluto, are known to contain ethane. However, even though this molecule is found on several outer Solar System objects relatively little information is available about its amorphous and crystalline phases. In new experiments, we have prepared ethane ices at temperatures applicable to the outer Solar System, and have heated and ion-irradiated these ices to study phase changes and ethane's radiation chemistry using mid-IR spectroscopy (2.2 - 16.6 microns). Included in our work is the meta-stable phase that exists at 35 - 55 K. These results, including newly obtained optical constants, are relevant to ground-based observational campaigns, the New Horizons mission, and supporting laboratory work. An improved understanding of solid-phase ethane may contribute to future searches for this and other hydrocarbons in the outer Solar System.
Language:
English
Notes:
41st annual meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the American Astronomical Society Fajardo 5-9 Oct. 2009

Title:
Sensitivity of Rocky Planet Structures to the Equation of State
Document ID:
20090038813
Report #:
PB2009-115581, LLNL-TR-414058
Sales Agency:
National Technical Information Service (NTIS) No Copyright
Author(s):
Swift, D. C.
Published:
20090619
Source:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (Livermore, CA United States)
Pages:
12
Contract #:
DE-AC52-07NA27344
Abstract:
Structures were calculated for Mercury, Venus, Earth, the Moon, and Mars, using a core-mantle model and adjusting the core radius to reproduce the observed mass and diameter of each body. Structures were calculated using Fe and basalt equations of state of different degrees of sophistication for the core and mantle. The choice of equation of state had a significant effect on the inferred structure. For each structure, the moment of inertia ratio was calculated and compared with observed values. Linear Gruneisen equations of state fitted to limited portions of shock data reproduced the observed moments of inertia significantly better than did more detailed equations of state incorporating phase transitions, presumably reflecting the actual compositions of the bodies. The linear Gruneisen equations of state and corresponding structures seem however to be a reasonable starting point for comparative simulations of large-scale astrophysical impacts.
Language:
English
Notes:
Sponsored by Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

93-01 COSMIC RADIATION
Nov 22, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

Title:
First Year Results from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope
Document ID:
20090038180
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Hays, Elizabeth (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20091019
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
After one year of survey observations and more than 70 billion triggers, Fermi is revealing an unprecedented view of the high energy gamma-ray sky. The observatory .carries two instruments, the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GB, 8 keV - 40 MeV) and the Large Area Telescope (LAT, 20 MeV greater than or equal to 300 GeV), which in combination cover over 7 orders of magnitude in energy for transient phenomena. The LAT provides substantially more sensitivity than previous instruments in this waveband and has opened up the energy window from 10-100 GeV. The first year has produced many important results, from detections of extremely energetic and distant gamma-ray bursts, to monitoring daily variations in emission caused by massive black holes at the cores of galaxies, to identifying a new population of gamma-ray bright pulsars, to measuring the spectrum of diffuse emission from our own. Galaxy and the spectrum of the local cosmic electrons. I'll review highlights from the first year and discuss how the data are answering questions from the past and raising new ones for the future.
Language:
English
Notes:
First Year Results from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope conference Stony Brook, NY 19 Oct. 2009

Title:
A First Year View of the Galaxy with the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope
Document ID:
20090038680
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Hays, Elizabeth (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20090928
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
After one year of survey observations and more than 70 billion triggers, Fermi is revealing an unprecedented view of the high energy gamma-ray sky. The observatory carries two instruments, the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM, 8 keV - 40 MeV) and the Large Area Telescope (LAT, 20 MeV - X300 GeV), which in combination cover over 7 orders of magnitude in energy. The LAT provides substantially more sensitivity than previous instruments in this waveband and has opened up the energy window from 10-100 GeV. This is particularly relevant for the study of gamma-ray sources in the Galaxy. The first year data have revealed new classes of Galactic emitters as well as providing spectacular detail on some old friends. I'll review the fascinating range of Galactic emission now seen - from pulsars their nebulae to X-ray binaries and supernova remnants - with particular emphasis on the impact of the Fermi pulsars.
Language:
English
Notes:
A First Year View of the Galaxy with the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope Montreal 28-30 Sep. 2009

93-02 SOLAR RADIATION AND ACTIVITY
Nov 22, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

Title:
Investigating Changes in the High-Latitude Topside Ionosphere During Large Magnetic Storms
Document ID:
20090038179
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources Copyright
Author(s):
Fainberg, Joseph (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Benson, Robert F. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Osherovich, Vladimir (Catholic Univ. of America) Truhlik, Vladimir (Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic) Wang, Yongli (Maryland Univ. Baltimore County) Fung, Shing (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) Bilitza, Dieter (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20091213
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
2
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
A search was conducted to locate periods of nearly simultaneous solar-wind and high latitude topside-ionospheric data during magnetic storms. The focus was on the 20-yr interval from 1965 to 1985 when both solar-wind and Alouette/ISIS topside-sounder data are potentially available. The search yielded 125 large magnetic storms (minimum Dst less than 100) and 280 moderate magnetic storms (minimum Dst between -60 and -100). Solar wind data were available for most, but not all, of these storms. A search of the available high-latitude topside electron-density Ne(h) profiles available from the National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC), both from manual inspection of 35-mm film ionograms in the 1960s and more recent auto-processing of ISIS-2 topside digital ionograms using the TOPIST software, during 9-day intervals associated with the 125 large magnetic storm minimum Dst times yielded the following results: 31 intervals had 10 or more manual-scaled profiles (21 intervals had more than 100 profiles and 5 of these had more than 1,000 profiles), and 34 intervals had 10 or more TOPIST profiles (2 intervals had more than 100 profiles). In addition, a search of the available Alouette-2, ISIS-1 and ISIS-2 digital ionograms during the above periods has yielded encouraging initial results in that many ISIS-1 ionograms were found for the early time intervals. Future work will include the search for 35-mm film ionograms during selected intervals. This presentation will illustrate the results of this investigation to date.
Language:
English
Notes:
12228-10-ST 2009 Fall AGU Conference San Francisco, CA 13-19 Dec. 2009

Title:
The Role of Flux Transfer Events in Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Coupling
Document ID:
20090038185
Report #:
None
Sales Agency:
Other Sources No Copyright
Author(s):
Dorelli, John C. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Published:
20090101
Source:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pages:
1
Contract #:
None
Abstract:
Recent global MHD simulations of Flux Transfer Events (FTE's)[Dorelli and Bhattachar ee, JGR, 114, 2009] demonstrate that they are topologically complex flux ropes which extend large distances away from the subsolar magnetopause. Thus, FTE's represent a significant perturbation to the magnetopause magnetic field topology. Specifically, prior to the formation of the first FTE of the simulation, the dayside magnetopause has a relatively simple topology consisting of a single magnetic separator draping northward (even for southward IMF) over the dayside magnetopause (in a manner similar to the "overdraping" which occurs under northward IMF conditions). After the first FTE forms, however, the magnetopause becomes topologically more complex, consisting of multiple separators and braided flux domains. One consequence of this topological complexity is that open flux tubes have direct access to the magnetosphere near the subsolar region (such direct access is not possible during steady separator reconnection). Since the magnetopause topology affects the mapping of the solar wind electric field to the magnetosphere, an interesting question arises: What is the effect of FTE generation on the global magnetospheric convection pattern? In this talk, we address this question by exploring the differences between magnetospheric and ionospheric convection before and after the formation of the first FTE of the simulation.
Language:
English
Notes:
2009 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting San Francisco, CA 12-20 Dec. 2009

93-03 RADIATION BELTS
Nov 22, 2009 -- Additions to the NASA scientific and technical information knowledge base

Title:
Science-Driven Scenario for Space Exploration: Report from the European Space Sciences Committee (ESSC)
Document ID:
20090038453
Report #:
PB2009-114646
Sales Agency:
CASI Hardcopy A03 No Copyright
Author(s):
(Author(s) Not Available)
Published:
20080901
Source:
European Space Agency (Paris, France)
Pages:
30
Contract #:
ESA-21012
Abstract:
In 2005 the ESA Directorate for Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration (D-HME) commissioned a study from the ESF's European Space Sciences Committee (ESSC) to examine the science aspects of the Aurora Programme in preparation for the December 2005 Ministerial Conference of ESA Member States, held in Berlin. ESSC was asked in the summer of 2006 to initiate a broad consultation to define a science-driven scenario for the Aurora Programme. This exercise ran between October 2006 and May 2007. ESA provided the funding for staff support, publication costs and costs related to meetings of a Steering Group, two meetings of a larger ad hoc group (7 and 8 December 2006 and 8 February 2007), and a final scientific work-shop on 15 and 16 May 2007 in Athens. As a result of these meetings a draft report was produced and examined by the Ad Hoc Group. Following their endorsement of the report and its approval by the plenary meeting of the ESSC, the draft report was externally refereed, as is now normal practice with all ESSC-ESF reports, and amended accordingly. The Ad Hoc Group defined overarching scientific goals for Europe's exploration programme, dubbed 'Emergence' and co-evolution of life with its planetary environments, focusing on those targets that can ultimately be reached by humans, i.e. Mars, the Moon and Near Earth Objects. Mars was further recognised as the focus of that programme, with Mars sample return as the recognised primary goal; furthermore the report clearly states that Europe should position itself as a major actor in defining and leading Mars sample return missions. This is the final report to ESA, European national space agencies and the space science community.
Language:
English
Notes:
Sponsored by European Science Foundation, Strasbourg (France). Space Science Committee.