Intershock observations during STIP intervals 17 and 18

The Prognoz-10/Intercosmos satellite (Intershock Project) carried out observations from Earth orbit from 26 April 1985 until 11 November 1985, covering STIP Intervals XVII and XVIII. Data obtained during the systematic measurements in the course of STIP Interval XVII and part of XVIII are presented; i.e., hourly averages of the solar wind velocity, temperature and ion concentration, ion flux changes (10 to the -1 to 10 to the -3 Hz), plasma wave parameters, energetic particles flux, magnetic fields, etc. Special attention is paid to solar wind distrubances causing abrupt and large effects on the shape of the bow shock (i.e., on 2 May 1985 and 14 September 1985). Generally, the observation period was very close to a minimum of solar activity and was quiet without significant interplanetary shocks

Super fast plasma streams as drivers of transient and anomalous magnetospheric dynamics

Abstract. We present multi spacecraft measurements in the magnetosheath (MSH) and in the solar wind (SW) by Interball, Cluster and Polar, demonstrating that coherent structures with magnetosonic Mach number up to 3 – Supermagnetosonic Plasma Streams (SPS) – generate transient and anomalous boundary dynamics, which may cause substantial displacements of the magnetospheric boundaries and the riddling of peripheral boundary layers. In this regard, for the first time, we describe a direct plasma penetration into the flank boundary layers, which is a candidate for being the dominant transport mechanism for disturbed MSH periods. Typically SPS's have a ram pressure exceeding by several times that of the SW and lead to long-range correlations between processes at the bow shock (BS) and at the magnetopause (MP) on one side and between MSH and MP boundary layers on the other side. We demonstrate that SPS's can be observed both near the BS and near the MP and argue that they are often triggered by hot flow anomalies (HFA), which represent local obstacles to the SW flow and can induce the SPS generation as a means for achieving a local flow balance. Finally, we also discuss other causes of SPS's, both SW-induced and intrinsic to the MSH. SPS's appear to be universal means for establishing a new equilibrium between flowing plasmas and may also prove to be important for astrophysical and fusion applications

КОНСТРУКЦИЯ ДАТЧИКОВ ПОТОКОВ КОСМИЧЕСКОЙ ПЛАЗМЫ НА ОСНОВЕ ЦИЛИНДРА ФАРАДЕЯ

Important tasks of modern space research are the study and continuous observations of the processes of cosmic and meteorological «weather». One of the electronic devices for carrying out such researches is a plasma sensor based on Faraday cup. The purpose of the work was to develop a constructive variant of the Faraday cup with precision sensitive (selective) elements in the form of metal grid microstructures and a four-sector collector, which has no analogues in the world technology.For the formation of grid nickel microstructures, a process has been developed for creating a matrix of nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide by photolithography as a precision shape (template) for depositing nanostructured metal layers. Methods for conducting testing for mechanical (vibrational) and thermocyclic impact that satisfies the requirements for space instruments have been developed.The grid microstructures are formed in a unified technological cycle with the production of ring-holders along the perimeter of the grid, with a square 20 × 20 μm2 section of the web and square cells with a size of 1 × 1 mm2. The transparency of each of the grids was more than 90 % for the normal incidence of light. Dimensions of holders and grid microstructures: internal diameters (34, 47, 60) ± 0.1 mm, external diameters of rings (42, 55, 68) ± 0.1 mm, respectively. The weight of one grid was less than 50 mg.The test results demonstrated the operability of the developed grid microstructures with multiple thermocyclic actions from –50 to +150 °C and vibrational and static overloads specific for space flights. Instruments for plasma measurements in the near of the Earth and in the interplanetary space will comprise six sensors with different angular orientations. This will make it possible to detect ions of cosmic plasma in a solid angle of about 180°.Важными задачами современных космических исследований являются изучение и непрерывные наблюдения процессов космической и метеорологической «погоды». Одним из электронных приборов для проведения таких исследований является датчик плазмы на основе цилиндра Фарадея. Цель работы состояла в разработке конструктивного варианта цилиндра Фарадея с прецизионными чувствительными (селектирующими) элементами в виде металлических сеточных микроструктур и четырехсекторным коллектором, не имеющего аналогов в мировой технике.Для формирования сеточных никелевых микроструктур разработан процесс создания с помощью фотолитографии матрицы из нанопористого анодного оксида алюминия как прецизионной формы (шаблона) для осаждения наноструктурированных металлических слоев. Разработаны методы проведения тестовых испытаний на механические (вибрационные) и термоциклические воздействия, соответствующие требованиям к космическим приборам.Сеточные микроструктуры сформированы в едином технологическом цикле с кольцами-держателями по периметру сетки, с квадратным 20 × 20 мкм2 сечением полотна и ячейками размером 1 × 1 мм2. Прозрачность каждой из сеток при нормальном падении света составила более 90 %. Габаритные размеры держателей и сеточных микроструктур: внутренние диаметры (34, 47, 60) ± 0,1 мм, внешние диаметры колец (42, 55, 68) ± 0,1 мм соответственно. Масса одной сетки составила менее 50 мг.Результаты испытаний продемонстрировали работоспособность разработанных сеточных микроструктур при многократных термоциклических воздействиях от –50 до +150 °С и вибрационных и статических перегрузках, характерных при космических полетах. В составе приборов для проведения плазменных измерений в окрестности Земли и в межпланетном пространстве будут использованы шесть датчиков с различной угловой ориентацией. Это обеспечит возможность фиксирования ионов космической плазмы в телесном угле около 180°