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Physics of Solar Prominences: I—Spectral Diagnostics and Non-LTE Modelling
Heinzel, P.; Vial, J. -C.; Parenti, S. +5 more
This review paper outlines background information and covers recent advances made via the analysis of spectra and images of prominence plasma and the increased sophistication of non-LTE ( i.e. when there is a departure from Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium) radiative transfer models. We first describe the spectral inversion techniques that have bee…
Magnetic Turbulence in the Geospace Environment
Perri, S.; Alexandrova, O.; Sorriso-Valvo, L. +5 more
Magnetic turbulence is found in most space plasmas, including the Earth's magnetosphere, and the interaction region between the magnetosphere and the solar wind. Recent spacecraft observations of magnetic turbulence in the ion foreshock, in the magnetosheath, in the polar cusp regions, in the magnetotail, and in the high latitude ionosphere are re…
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Miniature Radio Frequency (Mini-RF) Technology Demonstration
Nozette, Stewart; Spudis, Paul; Bussey, Ben +8 more
The Miniature Radio Frequency (Mini-RF) system is manifested on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) as a technology demonstration and an extended mission science instrument. Mini-RF represents a significant step forward in spaceborne RF technology and architecture. It combines synthetic aperture radar (SAR) at two wavelengths (S-band and X-band…
Turbulence in the Solar Atmosphere and Solar Wind
Balogh, A.; Marsch, E.; Goldstein, M. L. +6 more
The objective of this review article is to critically analyze turbulence and its role in the solar atmosphere and solar wind, as well as to provide a tutorial overview of topics worth clarification. Although turbulence is a ubiquitous phenomenon in the sun and its heliosphere, many open questions exist concerning the physical mechanisms of turbule…
Chemical Composition of Icy Satellite Surfaces
Stephan, K.; Carlson, R. W.; McCord, T. B. +4 more
Much of our knowledge of planetary surface composition is derived from remote sensing over the ultraviolet through infrared wavelength ranges. Telescopic observations and, in the past few decades, spacecraft mission observations have led to the discovery of many surface materials, from rock-forming minerals to water ice to exotic volatiles and org…
Planetary Magnetic Field Measurements: Missions and Instrumentation
Balogh, André
The nature and diversity of the magnetic properties of the planets have been investigated by a large number of space missions over the past 50 years. It is clear that without the magnetic field measurements that have been carried out in the vicinity of all the planets, the state of their interior and their evolution since their formation would not…
Current Systems in Planetary Magnetospheres and Ionospheres
Glassmeier, Karl-Heinz; Fedorov, Andrei; Baumjohann, Wolfgang +1 more
The interaction of planets with the solar wind produces a diversity of current systems, yet these can be classified into only a few different types, which include ionospheric currents, currents carried by magnetospheric boundaries like the magnetopause or ionopause, magnetotail currents, and currents flowing inside the magnetospheres, like ring cu…
Magnetic Fields of the Satellites of Jupiter and Saturn
Khurana, Krishan K.; Kivelson, Margaret G.; Walker, Raymond J. +1 more
This paper reviews the present state of knowledge about the magnetic fields and the plasma interactions associated with the major satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. As revealed by the data from a number of spacecraft in the two planetary systems, the magnetic properties of the Jovian and Saturnian satellites are extremely diverse. As the only case …
Hipparcos, the New Reduction
van Leeuwen, Floor
An overview is presented on why and how the new reduction of the Hipparcos data was carried out, and in particular on how improved understanding of the dynamics of the Hipparcos satellite was obtained and made the new reduction possible. A brief description is given of the main torques acting on the spacecraft and some peculiar features in the sat…