The time-dependent modulation of galactic cosmic rays in the heliosphere is studied by computing intensities using a two-dimensional, time-dependent modulation model. The compound approach of Ferreira and Potgieter (2004), which describes changes in the cosmic ray transport coefficients over a solar cycle, is improved by introducing recent theoretical advances in the model. Computed intensities are compared with Voyager 1 and 2, IMP 8 and Ulysses proton observations in search of compatibility. It is shown that this approach gives realistic cosmic ray proton intensities on a global scale at Earth and along both Voyager spacecraft trajectories. The results show that cosmic ray modulation, in particular during the present polarity cycle, is not just determined by changes in the drift coefficient but is also dependent on changes in the diffusion coefficients. Furthermore, a comparison of computations to observations along the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 trajectories illustrates that the heliosphere is asymmetrical. Assuming the latter, E > 70 MeV and 133-242 MeV cosmic ray proton intensities along Voyager 1 and 2 trajectories are predicted from 2012 onwards. It is shown that the computed intensities along Voyager 1 can increase with an almost constant rate since the spacecraft is close to the heliopause. However, the model shows that Voyager 2 is still under the influence of temporal solar activity changes because of the relatively large distance to the heliopause when compared to Voyager 1. Along the Voyager 2 trajectory the intensities should remain generally constant for the next few years and then should start to steadily increase. It is also found that without knowing the exact location of heliopause and transport parameters one cannot conclude anything about local interstellar spectra. The effect of a dynamic inner heliosheath width on cosmic ray modulation is also studied by implementing a time-dependent termination shock position in the model. This does not lead to improved compatibility with spacecraft observations so that a time-dependent termination shock along with a time-dependent heliopause position is required. The variation of the heliopause position over a solar cycle is found to be smaller compared to that of the termination shock. The model predicts the heliopause and termination shock positions along Voyager 1 in 2012 at 119 AU and 88 AU respectively and along Voyager 2 at 100 AU and 84 AU respectively. / Thesis (PhD (Space Physics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The time-dependent modulation of galactic cosmic rays in the heliosphere is studied by computing intensities using a two-dimensional, time-dependent modulation model. The compound approach of Ferreira and Potgieter (2004), which describes changes in the cosmic ray transport coefficients over a solar cycle, is improved by introducing recent theoretical advances in the model. Computed intensities are compared with Voyager 1 and 2, IMP 8 and Ulysses proton observations in search of compatibility. It is shown that this approach gives realistic cosmic ray proton intensities on a global scale at Earth and along both Voyager spacecraft trajectories. The results show that cosmic ray modulation, in particular during the present polarity cycle, is not just determined by changes in the drift coefficient but is also dependent on changes in the diffusion coefficients. Furthermore, a comparison of computations to observations along the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 trajectories illustrates that the heliosphere is asymmetrical. Assuming the latter, E > 70 MeV and 133-242 MeV cosmic ray proton intensities along Voyager 1 and 2 trajectories are predicted from 2012 onwards. It is shown that the computed intensities along Voyager 1 can increase with an almost constant rate since the spacecraft is close to the heliopause. However, the model shows that Voyager 2 is still under the influence of temporal solar activity changes because of the relatively large distance to the heliopause when compared to Voyager 1. Along the Voyager 2 trajectory the intensities should remain generally constant for the next few years and then should start to steadily increase. It is also found that without knowing the exact location of heliopause and transport parameters one cannot conclude anything about local interstellar spectra. The effect of a dynamic inner heliosheath width on cosmic ray modulation is also studied by implementing a time-dependent termination shock position in the model. This does not lead to improved compatibility with spacecraft observations so that a time-dependent termination shock along with a time-dependent heliopause position is required. The variation of the heliopause position over a solar cycle is found to be smaller compared to that of the termination shock. The model predicts the heliopause and termination shock positions along Voyager 1 in 2012 at 119 AU and 88 AU respectively and along Voyager 2 at 100 AU and 84 AU respectively. / Thesis (PhD (Space Physics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Thesis (M.L.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes special study report entitled : Solar applications to landscape design. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

In recent years the space industry has seen significant growth in numbers of sub 10kg satellite platforms now known more broadly in the industry as nanosatellites. Nanosatellites potential applicability is driven by flourishing technologies miniaturisation in the consumer electronics market and commercialisation of space. Currently nanosatellite mission operations are limited in both lifetime and manoeuvrability due to limitations in on board propulsion technologies. Further enhancement of mission operations relies on more effective integration of current reaction-mass-based propulsion technologies and further development of miniaturised propulsion systems. Paradoxically, the compact spacecraft size and mass that facilitate nanosatellite access to space is presently a drawback in terms of acceptable systems performance and propulsion systems capacity. Moreover characteristic power density and vulnerability to the space environment is already high in nanosatellites in contrast to major satellites, rendering the design, inclusion, and optimisation of propulsion technologies a challenging task. This thesis focuses on techniques to support mission planning and characterisation of propulsion technologies for nanosatellites. Acknowledging the outweighing significance of solar activity modulating space environment perturbations and particularly atmospheric drag, a robust solar forecast method is proposed to support lifetime estimations. Complementing the pivotal framework information for propulsion system design and management, the vulnerability to atmospheric drag is assessed to identify the profile of the current vaguely defined drag coefficient of standard nanosatellites. Finally, addressing a crucial task on emerging propulsion technologies for nanosatellite systems, a method to improve low thrust characterisation via in-orbit manoeuvres using standard elementary attitude determination resources is devised. The robust solar activity forecast is carried out using observed historic and reconstructed Sun’s polar magnetic field, to define the initial state of an up-to-date solar magnetohydrodynamics computational model; the method successfully reproduces recent solar cycles activity, anticipating moderate-to-low activity during the next 25th cycle. The identification of the drag coefficient profile in standard nanosatellites is enabled by the statistical assessment of observed orbital decay through an iterative fitting process of propagated orbits; the profile is physically consistent and descriptive mostly in orbits below 350km during moderate-to-high solar activity. Finally, the devised thrust characterisation method exploits the regular geometry and mass distribution of standard nanosatellites to identify low thrust actuation via actuated body angular rotation rates in an intermediate axis spinner; precise computer simulations show that it is possible to improve low thrust estimations from weak and noisy sensor signals using the proposed method against typical methods using body angular acceleration.

No description available.

Geomagnetic pulsations are ultra-low frequency (ULF) oscillations of the geomagnetic field that have been observed in the magnetosphere and on the Earth since the 1800’s. In the 1960’s in situ observations of the solar wind suggested that the source of pulsation activity must lie beyond the magnetosphere. In this work the influence of several solar wind plasma and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) parameters on Pc3 pulsations are studied. Pc3 pulsations are a class of geomagnetic pulsations with frequency ranging between 22 and 100 mHz. A large dataset of solar wind and pulsation measurements is employed to develop two empirical models capable of predicting the Pc3 index (an indication of Pc3 intensity) at one hour and five minute time resolution, respectively. The models are based on artificial neural networks, due to their ability to model highly non-linear interactions between dependent and independent variables. A robust, iterative process is followed to find and rank the set of solar wind input parameters that optimally predict Pc3 activity. According to the parameter selection process the input parameters to the low resolution model (1 hour data) are, in order of importance, solar wind speed, a pair of time-based parameters, dynamic solar wind pressure, and the IMF orientation with respect to the Sun-Earth line (i.e. the cone angle). Input parameters to the high resolution model (5 minute data) are solar wind speed, cone angle, solar wind density and a pair of time-based parameters. Both models accurately predict Pc3 intensity from unseen solar wind data. It is observed that Pc3 activity ceases when the density in the solar wind is very low, even while other conditions are favourable for the generation and propagation of ULF waves. The influence that solar wind density has on Pc3 activity is studied by analysing six years of solar wind and Pc3 measurements at one minute resolution. It is suggested that the pause in Pc3 activity occurs due to two reasons: Firstly, the ULF waves that are generated in the region upstream of the bow shock does not grow efficiently if the solar wind density is very low; and secondly, waves that are generated cannot be convected into the magnetosphere because of the low Mach number of the solar wind plasma due to the decreased density.

Orientador: Anderson Campos Fauth / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-28T23:49:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vasconcelos_DeboraNunesBarrosde_M.pdf: 12164737 bytes, checksum: b673ae31e92a75895beeb827173604e6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Desde os lançamentos dos satélites científicos, o estudo do Sol e a influência dos seus eventos nà Terra tem sido aprofundado constantemente devido as possíveis consequências no clima da Terra e a danos nos sistemas de comunicações. Entretanto, os detectores embarcados nos satélites tem limitações que não permitem medições de energias das partículas energéticas solares superiores a algumas centenas de MeV. Neste trabalho é descrita a construção, instalação e montagem do telescópio de múons, em Campinas-SP, denominado Muonca, para detecção dessas partículas da radiação cósmica secundária, originadas na atmosfera principalmente por interações de prótons. O principal objetivo deste experimento é a detecção de eventos solares transientes numa faixa de energia superior àquela operada pelos satélites. O fato do telescópio estár dentro, e próximo da região central, da Anomalia Magnética do Atlântico Sul, permite uma melhor detecção de partículas carregadas provenientes do espaço externo, pois o fluxo de partículas nessa região é maior. Foram construídos quatro detectores de partículas utilizando placas de cintilador plástico e tubos fotomultiplicadores que em conjunto formam os telescópios de múons do Muonca. Esses telescópios detectam múons verticais e inclinados a 45 graus vindos da direção Leste e da direção Oeste. Após a montagem do telescópio, a sua caracterização de eficiência de contagem foi realizada o seu valor é de (96,8 ± 0,4)%. O coeficiente barométrico foi medido, sendo seu valor igual a ? =(0,22 ± 0,04)%/mbar, condizente com outros experimentos de múons. Dados de 01 de abril de 2014 até 31 de janeiro de 2015 foram analisados e o mês de setembro de 2014 foi estudado detalhadamente. Neste mês foram um evento de decréscimo de Forbush da ordem de 1%. Os resultados do Muonca foram comparados com os resultados do monitor de nêutrons McMurdo o qual detectou o mesmo evento. Uma análise utilizando os resultados do satélite GOES15 da NASA mostrou que este Forbush foi originada por três CMEs, sendo que duas dessas ejeções foram associadas a flares de classe M4.6 e X1.6. O experimento Muonca foi construído com sucesso e está operando continuamente, permitindo o estudo da física solar através da detecção de múons no solo terrestre / Abstract: Since the launch of scientific satellites to study the Sun and the influence of their events on Earth has been constantly deepened because of the possible consequences in Earth's climate and the damage to the communications systems. However embedded in the satellite detectors have limitations relating to measurements of energies of the solar energetic particles larger than a few hundred MeV. This work describes the construction, installation and assembling of the muon telescope in Campinas-SP, called Muonca, to detect these particles of secondary cosmic radiation, originated in the atmosphere mainly by proton interactions. The main objective of this experiment is the detection of solar transient events in a higher energy that operated by satellites. The fact that the telescope be within, and near the central region of the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly, allows better detection of charged particles coming from outer space because the flux of particles in this region is higher. Four particle detectors, using plastic scintillator and photomultiplier tubes, which together form the muon telescopes Muonca were constructed. These telescopes detect vertical and inclined at 45 degrees muons coming from the East and West direction. After mounting the telescope, its counting efficiency was measured and its value is (96,8 ± 0,4)%. The barometric coefficient was measured, and its value of ? =(0,22 ± 0,04)%/mbar was obtained, beeing consistent with other muon experiments. Data from April 1st 2014 to January 31th 2015 were analyzed and September 2014 has been studied in detail. In this month the Muonca detected a Forbush decrease of the order of 1%. The results of Muonca were compared with the results of McMurdo neutron monitor which detected the same event. An analysis using the results of GOES15 NASA satellite showed that this Forbush originated three CMEs, and two of those ejections were associated with flares of M4.6 and x1.6 class. The Muonca experiment was successfull constructed and is operating continuously, allowing the study of solar physics through the muon detection in terrestrial soil / Mestrado / Física / Mestra em Física / 2012/1139485 / 2011/50193-4 / CAPES / FAPESP

Solar flares are common and strong demonstrations of solar activity. They are observable throughout the whole electromagnetic spectrum. If they show a broadband emission in the visible continuum, then we speak of white-light flares. The origin of white-light flares is not fully understood. We detected 24 white-light flares in SDO/HMI data and analyzed them using SDO/AIA wavelength bands at 1 700 ̊A and 304 ̊A and GONG Hα observations. According to our work, the emission in the 1 700 ̊A band is similar to the white-light emission but usually starts sooner. The positions of intensity enhancements in the 1 700 ̊A band are similar to the positions of the white-light flares and are connected by ribbons visible in the 304 ̊A band and in the Hα line. Then we studied the decay time of white-light flares and found that for most of the white-light flare points the typical decay time ranges in 2 - 3 min. 1

The ionospheric peak electron density NmF2, simulated with the Coupled Thermosphere Ionosphere Plasmasphere electrodynamics (CTIPe) model was used to study the ionospheric response to solar flux in years of low (2008) and high (2013) solar activity. The CTIPe NmF2 was compared to the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with Thermosphere and Ionosphere Extension (WACCM-X) and the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) NmF2 in March and July of 2008 and 2013. The comparison shows that the CTIPe NmF2 is lower than the COSMIC andWACCM-X NmF2. Both models successfully reproduce the semi-annual variations seen in the COSMIC observations. Analysis of the 27-day variations of the CTIPe NmF2 shows that the midnight NmF2 deviations are stronger than the midday deviations. In addition, at low solar activity, the 27-day variations of NmF2 are larger in the Southern Hemisphere, while at high solar activity, the 27-day variations of NmF2 are larger at the equator and in the Northern Hemisphere. An ionospheric delay was estimated with CTIPe simulated NmF2 at the 27-day solar rotation period during low and high solar activity. During low (high) solar activity, an ionospheric delay of about 12 (34) hours is predicted indicating an increasing ionospheric delay with solar activity. / Die maximale ionosphärische Elektronendichte NmF2, die mit dem Coupled Thermosphere Ionosphere Plasmasphere electrodynamics (CTIPe) Modell simuliert wurde, wurde zur Untersuchung der ionosphärischen Reaktion in Jahren mit geringer (2008) und hoher (2013) Sonnenaktivität verwendet. CTIPe vorhergesagte NmF2 wurde mit derjenigen des Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with Thermosphere and Ionosphere Extension (WACCM-X) und Messwerten des Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) im März und Juli der Jahre 2008 und 2013 verglichen. Der Vergleich zeigt, dass NmF2 aus CTIPe geringer ist als das COSMIC gemessene und von WACCM-X simulierte. Beide Modelle reproduzieren erfolgreich die von COSMIC beobachteten halbjährlichen Schwankungen. Die Analyse der 27-tägigen Schwankungen des CTIPe NmF2 zeigt, dass die mitternächtlichen NMF2-Abweichungen stärker sind als diejenigen am Mittag. Außerdem sind bei geringer Sonnenaktivität die 27-Tage-Abweichungen von NmF2 in der Südhemisphäre größer, während bei hoher Sonnenaktivität die 27-Tage-Abweichungen von NmF2 am Äquator und in der Nordhemisphäre größer sind. Die ionosphärische Verzögerung während geringer und hoher Sonnenaktivität wurde für die 27-tägige Sonnenrotation mit CTIPe simuliert. Bei geringer (hoher) Sonnenaktivität wird eine ionosphärische Verzögerung von etwa 12 (34) Stunden beobachtet, was auf eine zunehmende ionosphärische Verzögerung mit zunehmender Sonnenaktivität hinweist.

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