Rice University started its space research activity as a result of the historic JFK speech at Ric... more Rice University started its space research activity as a result of the historic JFK speech at Rice on September 12, 1962. The Department of Space Science was formed in 1963, one of the first in the country. The Department subsequently changed its name to the Department of Space Physics and Astronomy, and is now part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The space focus is housed in the Rice Space Institute. SIDE: The Suprathermal Ion Detection Experiment measured ions near the lunar surface. SIDE’s major discoveries included the following results (among others): 1. First detection of the plasma mantle at lunar distance. 2. First detection of water vapor ions. 3. IMF-dependent asymmetry of the magnetotail. 4. First measurement of Oxygen in the magnetotail. 5. First measurement of ions in the lunar exosphere. 6. Detection of impact-generated gas clouds at the lunar surface. 7. First measurement of lunar atmosphere loss rate. 8. First measurement of the electric potential of the ...
Our dynamic Sun offers exciting opportunities to share research discoveries of NASA's Sun-Ear... more Our dynamic Sun offers exciting opportunities to share research discoveries of NASA's Sun-Earth Connection with the general public. NASA's Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum (SECEF), a partnership between UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory and NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, coordinates programs for broad audiences that highlight solar and geospace missions and research programs. One of SECEF's primary goals is to facilitate space
The Office of Space Science (OSS) recently created a new Education ``Ecosystem'' ... more The Office of Space Science (OSS) recently created a new Education ``Ecosystem'' structure to reach out to the K-14 and general public communities with the wonder and excitement of NASA discoveries. As part of this Ecosystem, four Education Forums are being established at major institutions active in each of the space science themes: the Structure and Evolution of the Universe;
Two Black Brant IX sounding rockets were launched into the dark, dayside cusp near magnetic noon ... more Two Black Brant IX sounding rockets were launched into the dark, dayside cusp near magnetic noon on December 2 and 3, 1997, from Ny Alesund, Spitzbergen at 79degN reaching altitudes of approximately 450 km. Real-time ground-based and Wind (interplanetary magnetic field) IMF data were used to determine the launch conditions. The first launch, with Bz north conditions, crossed into and back out of an open field region with merging poleward of the projected trajectory. The second flight, into Bz south conditions, was timed to coincide with an enhancement in the merging rate from a increase in the negative Bz, while the (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) DMSP F13 satellite was situated slightly to the north of the rocket trajectory. Each payload returned DC electric and magnetic fields, plasma waves, energetic particles, photometer data, and thermal plasma data. Data from both flights will be shown, with an emphasis on the DC electric field results. In particular, the data gathe...
Conspicuous excess brightness, exceeding that expected from coronal and zodiacal light (CZL), was... more Conspicuous excess brightness, exceeding that expected from coronal and zodiacal light (CZL), was observed above the lunar horizon in the Apollo 15 coronal photographic sequence acquired immediately after orbital sunset (surface sunrise). This excess brightness systematically faded as the Command Module moved farther into shadow, eventually becoming indistinguishable from the CZL background. These observations have previously been attributed to scattering
The Office of Space Science (OSS) recently created a new Education ``Ecosystem'' structur... more The Office of Space Science (OSS) recently created a new Education ``Ecosystem'' structure to reach out to the K-14 and general public communities with the wonder and excitement of NASA discoveries. As part of this Ecosystem, four Education Forums are being established at major institutions active in each of the space science themes: the Structure and Evolution of the Universe;
The Office of Space Science (OSS) recently created a new Education Ecosystem structure to facilit... more The Office of Space Science (OSS) recently created a new Education Ecosystem structure to facilitate the participation of OSS scientists in K-14 education and outreach. As part of this Ecosystem, four Education Forums have been established at major institutions active in each of the space science themes: the Structure and Evolution of the Universe; the Astronomical Search for Origins and
We will present some of the programs and activities that NASA and its missions are preparing in o... more We will present some of the programs and activities that NASA and its missions are preparing in order to support public and K12 education in space science and astronomy using the 2004 transit of Venus as a focal event. The upcoming transit of Venus on June 8 offers a unique opportunity to educate students and the general public about the
Sharing the Sun-Earth Connection-the effects of our active Sun on geospace and beyond-is the prim... more Sharing the Sun-Earth Connection-the effects of our active Sun on geospace and beyond-is the primary goal of NASA's Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum (SECEF). SECEF is one of twelve national centers of space science education and public outreach (EPO) funded by NASA's Office of Space Science. SECEF is a partnership between NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center and UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory. We coordinate individual education and public outreach efforts from NASA Sun-earth Connection missions and research programs, facilitating scientist involvement. SECEF develops products and sponsors programs in partnership with the pre-college and informal education communities that maximize the impact of individual efforts. We will show several examples of high-visibility products and programs for broad audiences that adapt and highlight Sun-Earth Connection data, research results, and scientist involvement.
Height profiles of the electron density in the E-layer and upper D-region can be derived on a glo... more Height profiles of the electron density in the E-layer and upper D-region can be derived on a global scale using remote sensing of UV- and X-ray emissions by the UVI and PIXIE cameras onboard the Polar-satellite. The first step in the procedure is to use the UVI and PIXIE measurements to estimate the precipitating electron energy spectra from less than 1 keV to 100 keV. From the electron spectra, we then infer the height profiles of the electron density. In this study, we investigate the reliability of the derived electron density values by comparing with simultaneously measured height profiles of the electron density by the EISCAT radar located at Tromso, Norway.
Within a substorm recovery phase, a train of omega bands formed in the early morning sector of th... more Within a substorm recovery phase, a train of omega bands formed in the early morning sector of the auroral oval on June 26, 1998, from about 02-04 UT. Some of the omega bands extended far polewards as auroral torches. These phenomena were observed on a semiglobal scale using the UVI and PIXIE instruments on the POLAR satellite, allowing to estimate electron spectra and ionospheric conductance distributions. In addition, semiglobal scale estimates of horizontal currents, field-aligned currents, and Joule heating were calculated using the AMIE procedure. Simultaneously, the omega bands/ torches were observed in northern Scandinavia by the MIRACLE network, consisting of the IMAGE magnetometer network, the STARE coherent scatter radar, and all-sky cameras. The ground magnetic data was supplemented by the temporary BEAR network, the most extensive and dense magnetometer network set up in Scandinavia as yet. The ground-based data allow to calculate two-dimensional distributions of ionosph...
ABSTRACT The primary purpose of PEM/AXIS is to provide a global monitor of the energy input to th... more ABSTRACT The primary purpose of PEM/AXIS is to provide a global monitor of the energy input to the upper atmosphere due to energetic electrons. The design, development, and calibration of AXIS are described and an assessment of its excellent on-orbit performance is presented. The unique capabilities of X-ray imaging spectrometers to monitor the global patterns of electron energy deposition in the atmosphere are shown through an analysis of some specific cases during the first year of the UARS mission.
Rice University started its space research activity as a result of the historic JFK speech at Ric... more Rice University started its space research activity as a result of the historic JFK speech at Rice on September 12, 1962. The Department of Space Science was formed in 1963, one of the first in the country. The Department subsequently changed its name to the Department of Space Physics and Astronomy, and is now part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The space focus is housed in the Rice Space Institute. SIDE: The Suprathermal Ion Detection Experiment measured ions near the lunar surface. SIDE’s major discoveries included the following results (among others): 1. First detection of the plasma mantle at lunar distance. 2. First detection of water vapor ions. 3. IMF-dependent asymmetry of the magnetotail. 4. First measurement of Oxygen in the magnetotail. 5. First measurement of ions in the lunar exosphere. 6. Detection of impact-generated gas clouds at the lunar surface. 7. First measurement of lunar atmosphere loss rate. 8. First measurement of the electric potential of the ...
Our dynamic Sun offers exciting opportunities to share research discoveries of NASA's Sun-Ear... more Our dynamic Sun offers exciting opportunities to share research discoveries of NASA's Sun-Earth Connection with the general public. NASA's Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum (SECEF), a partnership between UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory and NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, coordinates programs for broad audiences that highlight solar and geospace missions and research programs. One of SECEF's primary goals is to facilitate space
The Office of Space Science (OSS) recently created a new Education ``Ecosystem'' ... more The Office of Space Science (OSS) recently created a new Education ``Ecosystem'' structure to reach out to the K-14 and general public communities with the wonder and excitement of NASA discoveries. As part of this Ecosystem, four Education Forums are being established at major institutions active in each of the space science themes: the Structure and Evolution of the Universe;
Two Black Brant IX sounding rockets were launched into the dark, dayside cusp near magnetic noon ... more Two Black Brant IX sounding rockets were launched into the dark, dayside cusp near magnetic noon on December 2 and 3, 1997, from Ny Alesund, Spitzbergen at 79degN reaching altitudes of approximately 450 km. Real-time ground-based and Wind (interplanetary magnetic field) IMF data were used to determine the launch conditions. The first launch, with Bz north conditions, crossed into and back out of an open field region with merging poleward of the projected trajectory. The second flight, into Bz south conditions, was timed to coincide with an enhancement in the merging rate from a increase in the negative Bz, while the (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) DMSP F13 satellite was situated slightly to the north of the rocket trajectory. Each payload returned DC electric and magnetic fields, plasma waves, energetic particles, photometer data, and thermal plasma data. Data from both flights will be shown, with an emphasis on the DC electric field results. In particular, the data gathe...
Conspicuous excess brightness, exceeding that expected from coronal and zodiacal light (CZL), was... more Conspicuous excess brightness, exceeding that expected from coronal and zodiacal light (CZL), was observed above the lunar horizon in the Apollo 15 coronal photographic sequence acquired immediately after orbital sunset (surface sunrise). This excess brightness systematically faded as the Command Module moved farther into shadow, eventually becoming indistinguishable from the CZL background. These observations have previously been attributed to scattering
The Office of Space Science (OSS) recently created a new Education ``Ecosystem'' structur... more The Office of Space Science (OSS) recently created a new Education ``Ecosystem'' structure to reach out to the K-14 and general public communities with the wonder and excitement of NASA discoveries. As part of this Ecosystem, four Education Forums are being established at major institutions active in each of the space science themes: the Structure and Evolution of the Universe;
The Office of Space Science (OSS) recently created a new Education Ecosystem structure to facilit... more The Office of Space Science (OSS) recently created a new Education Ecosystem structure to facilitate the participation of OSS scientists in K-14 education and outreach. As part of this Ecosystem, four Education Forums have been established at major institutions active in each of the space science themes: the Structure and Evolution of the Universe; the Astronomical Search for Origins and
We will present some of the programs and activities that NASA and its missions are preparing in o... more We will present some of the programs and activities that NASA and its missions are preparing in order to support public and K12 education in space science and astronomy using the 2004 transit of Venus as a focal event. The upcoming transit of Venus on June 8 offers a unique opportunity to educate students and the general public about the
Sharing the Sun-Earth Connection-the effects of our active Sun on geospace and beyond-is the prim... more Sharing the Sun-Earth Connection-the effects of our active Sun on geospace and beyond-is the primary goal of NASA's Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum (SECEF). SECEF is one of twelve national centers of space science education and public outreach (EPO) funded by NASA's Office of Space Science. SECEF is a partnership between NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center and UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory. We coordinate individual education and public outreach efforts from NASA Sun-earth Connection missions and research programs, facilitating scientist involvement. SECEF develops products and sponsors programs in partnership with the pre-college and informal education communities that maximize the impact of individual efforts. We will show several examples of high-visibility products and programs for broad audiences that adapt and highlight Sun-Earth Connection data, research results, and scientist involvement.
Height profiles of the electron density in the E-layer and upper D-region can be derived on a glo... more Height profiles of the electron density in the E-layer and upper D-region can be derived on a global scale using remote sensing of UV- and X-ray emissions by the UVI and PIXIE cameras onboard the Polar-satellite. The first step in the procedure is to use the UVI and PIXIE measurements to estimate the precipitating electron energy spectra from less than 1 keV to 100 keV. From the electron spectra, we then infer the height profiles of the electron density. In this study, we investigate the reliability of the derived electron density values by comparing with simultaneously measured height profiles of the electron density by the EISCAT radar located at Tromso, Norway.
Within a substorm recovery phase, a train of omega bands formed in the early morning sector of th... more Within a substorm recovery phase, a train of omega bands formed in the early morning sector of the auroral oval on June 26, 1998, from about 02-04 UT. Some of the omega bands extended far polewards as auroral torches. These phenomena were observed on a semiglobal scale using the UVI and PIXIE instruments on the POLAR satellite, allowing to estimate electron spectra and ionospheric conductance distributions. In addition, semiglobal scale estimates of horizontal currents, field-aligned currents, and Joule heating were calculated using the AMIE procedure. Simultaneously, the omega bands/ torches were observed in northern Scandinavia by the MIRACLE network, consisting of the IMAGE magnetometer network, the STARE coherent scatter radar, and all-sky cameras. The ground magnetic data was supplemented by the temporary BEAR network, the most extensive and dense magnetometer network set up in Scandinavia as yet. The ground-based data allow to calculate two-dimensional distributions of ionosph...
ABSTRACT The primary purpose of PEM/AXIS is to provide a global monitor of the energy input to th... more ABSTRACT The primary purpose of PEM/AXIS is to provide a global monitor of the energy input to the upper atmosphere due to energetic electrons. The design, development, and calibration of AXIS are described and an assessment of its excellent on-orbit performance is presented. The unique capabilities of X-ray imaging spectrometers to monitor the global patterns of electron energy deposition in the atmosphere are shown through an analysis of some specific cases during the first year of the UARS mission.
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Papers by R. Vondrak