The Sun and the Solar System Commons^™

Particle Acceleration At Shock Pair, Lulu Zhao

Von Braun Symposium Student Posters

No abstract provided.

Two Suns In The Sky: Stellar Multiplicity Influence On Planet Formation, Ji Wang, Debra Fischer

Yale Day of Data

We found that a planet is less likely to exist around a binary star, and thus Tatooine may be just a dream.

A Journey Into Quantization In Astrophysics, Florentin Smarandache, Victor Christianto

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

The present book consists of 17 select scientific papers from ten years of work around 2003-2013. The topic covered here is quantization in Astrophysics. We also discuss other topics for instance Pioneer spacecraft anomaly. We discuss a number of sub-topics, for instance the use of Schrödinger equation to describe celestial quantization. Our basic proposition here is that the quantization of planetary systems corresponds to quantization of circulation as observed in superfluidity. And then we extend it further to the use of (complex) Ginzburg-Landau equation to describe possible nonlinearity of planetary quantization. Some of these papers have been published in journal …

Design And Evaluation Of A Fiber Optic Probe As A Means Of Subsurface Planetary Exploration, Robert Paul Pilgrim

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Optical Probe for Regolith Analysis (OPRA) is an instrumentation concept designed to provide spectroscopic analysis of the near subsurface of unconsolidated regolith on bodies such as moons, asteroids and planets. Below a chemically altered surface may lay the geological history in the form of stratigraphy that is shielded from degradation due to harsh external environments. Most of what we know about our solar system comes from remote platforms, such as satellites that are deployed into orbit around the target body. In the case of Mars, we have had several successful landers and rovers however, with the exception of the …

Distribution Of Plasmoids In Post-Coronal Mass Ejection Current Sheets, L.-J. Guo, A. Bhattacharjee, Y.-M. Huang

Dartmouth Scholarship

Recently, the fragmentation of a current sheet in the high-Lundquist-number regime caused by the plasmoid instability has been proposed as a possible mechanism for fast reconnection. In this work, we investigate this scenario by comparing the distribution of plasmoids obtained from Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) observational data of a coronal mass ejection event with a resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulation of a similar event. The LASCO/C2 data are analyzed using visual inspection, whereas the numerical data are analyzed using both visual inspection and a more precise topological method. Contrasting the observational data with numerical data analyzed with both methods, we …

Discovering Exoplanets Through Hidden Markov Model Analysis, Jon Drobny

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Research Publications

The goal for the project is to develop a Hidden Markov Model for the detection and characterization of extrasolar planets through the analysis of light curves.

Magnesium Isotopic Compositions Of The Moon And Achondrites: Implications For Their Origin And Evolution, Fatemeh Sedaghatpour

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The main objectives of this thesis are to estimate Mg isotopic compositions of the Moon and achondrites, to understand the behavior of Mg isotopes during magmatic differentiation processes in different planetary bodies, and to evaluate the extent of Mg isotopic heterogeneity in the solar system. In order to achieve these goals, Mg isotopes have been measured for 47 well-characterized lunar samples and 22 differentiated meteorites by MC-ICPMS. The limited Mg isotopic variations among mare and highland regolith, mare breccias, and highland impact-melt rocks reflect negligible Mg isotope fractionation during lunar surface processes (e.g. solar wind, cosmic rays, micrometeorite bombardments, meteorite …

On Chlorine Salts: Their Detection, Stability And Implications For Water On Mars And Europa, Jennifer Hanley

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chlorine salts (e.g. chlorides, chlorates and perchlorates) are an important factor in the stability of water on the surfaces of planetary bodies. Here we have shown that perchlorate and chlorate salts will lower the freezing point of water, allowing it to be liquid down to ~204 K. These salts will also slow down the evaporation rate, extending the lifetime of the liquid water solution. Chlorine salts have been detected on Mars, which has significant implications for the stability of water and hence its habitability. To study their effects on the stability of water on planetary surfaces, we need to first …

Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability Of The Cme Reconnection Outflow Layer In The Low Corona, Claire Foullon, Erwin Verwichte, Katariina Nykyri, Markus J. Aschwanden, Iain G. Hannah

Publications

New capabilities for studying the Sun allow us to image for the first time the magnetic Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instability developing at the surface of a fast coronal mass ejecta (CME) less than 150 Mm above the solar surface. We conduct a detailed observational investigation of this phenomenon, observed off the east solar limb on 2010 November 3, in the EUV with SDO/AIA. In conjunction with STEREO-B/EUVI, we derive the CME source surface position. We ascertain the timing and early evolution of the CME outflow leading to the instability onset. We perform image and spectral analysis, exploring the CME plasma structuring …

A Statistical Analysis Of Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (Emic) Waves And Their Correlation To The 11-Year Solar Cycle, Erik A. Lindgren

Honors Theses and Capstones

This thesis presents a statistical analysis of EMIC waves measured at Halley Research Station from 2008 through 2012. An introduction covering the origin of and theory behind EMIC waves is provided, along with a background covering previous statistical research regarding EMIC waves. Guidelines regarding EMIC wave definition and analysis are described along with examples of how they were used. The data shows an increase in the total number of EMIC waves as well as the number and percentage of EMIC waves with maximum frequency above 1 Hz during the 5-year period. The results suggest that the total number of EMIC …

Determination Of Average Loss Lifetimes For Near‐Earth Electrons In Solar Storms, John Blears

Undergraduate Theses—Unrestricted

The rate of electron wave‐particle scattering in the near‐Earth magnetosphere is investigated using multiple simulations of solar storms from solar cycle 23 (1996‐2005). Simulations are created using the Hot Electron and Ion Drift Integrator (HEIDI) model, which analyzes the drifts of keV‐energy electrons through the inner magnetosphere and identifies the precipitation of these particles into the upper atmosphere. The loss lifetime formulation used by HEIDI, which represents the rate at which the keV‐energy of the electrons is extinguished, predicts unreasonably large loss lifetimes deep in the inner magnetosphere. This discrepancy between the values used by the HEIDI model and those …

Mars Up Close: Scott Murchie's Team Of Scientists Helps Uncover The Secrets Of The Red Planet, Tom Nugent

Colby Magazine

Planetary geologist Scott Murchie ’81 leads a team that built and operates the high-tech camera now orbiting Mars and analyzes images used to help select landing sites for the Phoenix lander and the Mars Science Laboratory, scheduled for launch in 2009. Murchie’s work is groundbreaking—literally.

Unsolved Problems In Special And General Relativity, Florentin Smarandache, Fu Yuhua, Zhao Fengjuan

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

This book includes 21 papers written by 23 authors and co-authors. All papers included herein are produced by scholars from People’s Republic of China, except two papers written by Prof. L. Sapogin, V. A. Dzhanibekov, Yu. A. Ryabov from Russia, and by Prof. Florentin Smarandache from USA. The editors hope that all these papers will contribute to the advance of scholarly research on several aspects of Special and General Relativity. This book is suitable for students and scholars interested in studies on physics. The first paper is written by Hua Di. He writes that Einstein’s general theory of relativity cannot …

Ensemble Forecasting Of Coronal Mass Ejections Using The Wsa-Enlil With Coned Model, D. Emmons, Ariel O. Acebal, A. Pulkkinen, A. Taktakishvili, Peter Macneice, D. Odstrcil

Faculty Publications

The combination of the Wang‐Sheeley‐Arge (WSA) coronal model, ENLIL heliospherical model version 2.7, and CONED Model version 1.3 (WSA‐ENLIL with CONED Model) was employed to form ensemble forecasts for 15 halo coronal mass ejections (halo CMEs). The input parameter distributions were formed from 100 sets of CME cone parameters derived from the CONED Model. The CONED Model used image processing along with the bootstrap approach to automatically calculate cone parameter distributions from SOHO/LASCO imagery based on techniques described by Pulkkinen et al. (2010). The input parameter distributions were used as input to WSA‐ENLIL to calculate the temporal evolution of the …

Book Review: Weird Worlds: Bizarre Bodies Of The Solar System And Beyond, T. D. Oswalt

Publications

This document is Dr. Oswalt’s review of Weird Worlds : Bizarre Bodies of the Solar System and Beyond by David A. J. Seargent. Springer, 2013 309p, 1461470633 $34.95, 9781461470632 $34.95.

Exploring The Surface Liquid And Lake Regions Of Titan With Laboratory Experimentation And Cassini Spacecraft Data, Felix Casimir Wasiak

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The surface liquids and lake regions of Titan are studied utilizing three unique techniques, the results of which are reported in this dissertation. The development of a facility to simulate the surface conditions of Titan, and to conduct experiments on samples within that facility, brings an understanding of Titan's surface not possible through observation and modeling alone. The properties of this facility are presented, including conceptual methodology, design, implementation, performance, and experimental results. The facility, the main component of which is a simulation chamber, allows for Titan temperatures of 90 - 94 K and a 1.5 bar N2 atmosphere. The …

Penetration Forces For Subsurface Regolith Probes, Ahmed Elshafie

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Investigating planetary bodies using penetrometers can provide detailed information about its history and evolution. An estimation of subsurface density and porosity can be made from the shape of the penetration curve. Using penetrometers mounted on planetary platforms could be challenging due to the uncertainty of the subsurface composition and since the maximum allowed force for penetration is the weight of the lander or rover on the surface. Estimation of penetration forces can provide a reliable constraint on the maximum reachable depth without endangering the whole mission. Therefore, knowledge of the required penetration force to specific depths can be helpful in …

Abrupt Longitudinal Magnetic Field Changes And Ultraviolet Emissions Accompanying Solar Flares, B. M. Johnstone, G. J.D. Petrie, Jeffrey J. Sudol

Physics & Engineering Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Trajectories And Distribution Of Interstellar Dust Grains In The Heliosphere, Jonathan D. Slavin, Priscilla C. Frisch, Hans-Reinhard Müller, Jacob Heerikhuisen

Dartmouth Scholarship

The solar wind carves a bubble in the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM) known as the heliosphere. Charged interstellar dust grains (ISDG) encountering the heliosphere may be diverted around the heliopause or penetrate it depending on their charge-to-mass ratio. We present new calculations of trajectories of ISDG in the heliosphere, and the dust density distributions that result. We include up-to-date grain charging calculations using a realistic UV radiation field and full three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic fluid + kinetic models for the heliosphere. Models with two different (constant) polarities for the solar wind magnetic field (SWMF) are used, with the grain trajectory calculations done …

Development And Test Of A Vlf-Receiver For Monitoring Solar Flares, Liz Klar, Chris Phillips, Akito D. Kawamura, Eric Zirnstein

Von Braun Symposium Student Posters

No abstract provided.

Confronting A Solar Irradiance Reconstruction With Solar And Stellar Data, Philip G. Judge, G. Wesley Lockwood, Richard R. Radick, Gregory W. Henry, Alexander I. Shapiro, Werner Schmutz, Charles Lindsey

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Context. A recent paper by Shapiro and colleagues (2011, A&A, 529, A67) reconstructs spectral and total irradiance variations of the Sun during the holocene.

Aims. In this note, we comment on why their methodology leads to large (0.5%) variations in the solar TSI on century-long time scales, in stark contrast to other reconstructions which have ≲ 0.1% variations.

Methods. We examine the amplitude of the irradiance variations from the point of view of both solar and stellar data.

Results. Shapiro et al.’s large amplitudes arise from differences between the irradiances computed from models A and C of Fontenla and colleagues, …

Stability Of Phyllosilicates On Mars, Patricia Gavin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the stability of phyllosilicates on the surface of Mars through laboratory experiments and analysis of terrestrial analogs. Phyllosilicates are mostly found in the oldest Noachian terrains on Mars and hence hold clues to the planet's earliest aqueous and geologic history. Phyllosilicates relevant to Mars were heated up to ~1100°C for up to 24 hours and impacted with projectile velocities up to ~4.5 km/s. Heated samples were analyzed using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy in the near- (NIR, 1.0-2.5 µm) and mid-infrared (MIR, 5.0-15.0 µm) ranges. Impacted samples were also analyzed using Raman spectroscopy …

Orbital Periodicities Reflected In Ancient Surfaces Of Our Solar System And The Implications For A Record Of Early Life, Dixie Lee Androes

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Uniformitarian processes, governed by invariant physical laws, remain the most reliable source for reconstructing the past. Driving many of the repetitive, predictable processes are the orbital dynamics of the Sun-Planet-Moon systems. Astronomical periodicities range from a few hours (tides) to thousands of years (Milankovitch). These periodicities, combined with geomorphic observations of planetary surfaces, constrain the time-dependent processes and allow for reconstruction of events and conditions favorable for sedimentary accumulations. This research suggests that seasonal sedimentary processes are dominant on Titan and Mars, and have played a significant role in the formation of ancient banded-iron formations (BIF's) on Earth.

Earth, Mars, …

Sodium Atoms In The Lunar Exotail: Observed Velocity And Spatial Distributions, Michael R. Line, E. J. Mierkiewicz, R. J. Oliversen, J. K. Wilson, L. M. Haffner, F. L. Roesler

Physical Sciences - Daytona Beach

The lunar sodium tail extends long distances due to radiation pressure on sodium atoms in the lunar exosphere. Our earlier observations measured the average radial velocity of sodium atoms moving down the lunar tail beyond Earth (i.e., near the anti-lunar point) to be ∼12.5. km/s. Here we use the Wisconsin H-alpha Mapper to obtain the first kinematically resolved maps of the intensity and velocity distribution of this emission over a 15° × 15 ° region on the sky near the anti-lunar point. We present both spatially and spectrally resolved observations obtained over four nights bracketing new Moon in October 2007. …

The Ages And Metallicities Of Type Ia Supernova Host Galaxies From The Nearby Galaxies Supernova Search Program, Suzanna Sadler

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

We seek to better understand the physical constraints under which White Dwarf stars ultimately become Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), an important test of the robustness of these tools in precisely measuring Dark Energy, as the definite progenitor system still remains elusive. The host galaxy environments of Type Ia supernovae provide our best opportunity for constraining the mechanism(s) of SN Ia production, i.e., the stars involved and the incubation times (tied to stellar ages), and the sensitivity of SNe Ia to changes in the local metallicity. We have measured the ages and metallicities of approximately 60 galaxies from a sample …

Modeling Water Stability And Transport On Mars And Iapetus: Exploring Their Effects On Geomorphic And Atmospheric Processes, Edgard Giovanni Rivera-Valentin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The stability and transport of water on solid planetary surfaces strongly affects both atmospheric and surfaces processes. In this work, two bodies are specifically investigated where transport of water is relevant: Iapetus and Mars. Iapetus, an icy Kronian satellite, has a drastic albedo contrast on its surface and one of the darkest surfaces in the solar system. This extreme brightness contrast is suggested to occur via the transport of water ice from the leading hemisphere to the trailing hemisphere and the poles. Here a global heat and mass transfer model is developed for Iapetus in order to study the current …

Experimental Simulations Of Dark Slope Streaks On Mars, Kelly Howe

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Martian slope streaks were first observed in Viking images but their formation still remains ambiguous. Martian slope streaks are currently occurring geological phenomenon on Mars, which requires any formation theory to be in agreement with Mar's current temperature and pressure conditions. Planar morphology of martian slope streaks suggest a potential fluvial formation, but current conditions on Mars are not conducive to water remaining liquid long enough to erode the surface. Debris flows, fluid stains and dry dust avalanches have all been previously cited as a potential formation mechanism for martian slope streaks. Recent experimental simulations indicate that a fluvial source …

Asteroid Retrieval Feasibility Study, John Brophy, Fred Culick, Louis Friedman, Pedro Llanos, Et Al.

Publications

This report describes the results of a study sponsored by the Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) to investigate the feasibility of identifying, robotically capturing, and returning an entire Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) to the vicinity of the Earth by the middle of the next decade. The KISS study was performed by people from Ames Research Center, Glenn Research Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Johnson Space Center, Langley Research Center, the California Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard University, the Naval Postgraduate School, University of California at Los Angeles, University of California at Santa Cruz, University of Southern …

Phreatomagmatic Activity On The Moon: Possibility Of Pseudocraters At Mare Frigoris, Jose Humberto Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The discovery of water on the Moon raises the possibility that lava-water, or phreatomagmatic, interactions have occurred on the lunar surface in the past. Such interactions may have formed pseudocraters, crater-like landforms that result from steam explosions that occur when lava flows come in contact with surface or near-surface water or ice. We present a study of Mare Frigoris, a volcanic plain just north of the Mare Imbrium impact basin on the Moon. Clusters of irregular, circular features on the basaltic lava flows in this area resemble pseudocrater fields in Iceland, and they are located in a region with inferred …

Characterization Of Thrust Faults On The Moon Using Fault Dynamics And 3d Visualizations, Jaclyn Danielle Clark

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Many small, lobate scarps, interpreted to be the surface traces of thrust faults, have been found all over Earth's moon by previous researchers. Fault dynamical calculations, assuming an initially completely molten Moon, have shown that these scarps can form due to compressional stresses that accumulate over time as the result of large-scale contraction of the Moon as it cooled. With high-resolution images from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC), previously undetected lobate scarps can be found globally and viewed at high resolution. By investigating these fault scarps, we can determine better constraints on the amount of crustal shortening and improve …