Joseph H. King

Magnetic field observations of the 1.3-year solar wind oscillation

A 1.3-year oscillation in the IMP-8 and Voyager 2 solar wind plasma radial speed observations for the period of 1987–94 was recently reported [Richardson et al., 1994]. The same periodicity is identified for the same time period in the North-South component of the interplanetary magnetic field at 1 AU when studied with a dynamic power spectrum. This observation sheds new light on the nature of these unusual oscillations.

Twenty years of interplanetary magnetofluid variations with periods between 10 days and 3 years

A new dynamic periodogram technique has been developed to study variations in the solar wind plasma and magnetic field parameters collected primarily by IMP-8 during its more then twenty years of mission life. The long data set and the new technique allows the determination of changes in the various periodicities as a function of time. For example, a 1-year oscillation is shown to be most pronounced during solar minima, while during solar maxima half-year and 2-year periodicities are dominant. Many other periodicities (∼36, 50, 73, ∼154 days, ∼9 months, and 1.3-years) are identified and their time dependencies investigated.

IRI related data and model services at NSSDC

Abstract NASAs National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) provides internet access to a large number of space physics data sets and models. We will review and explain the different products and services that might be of interest to the IRI community. Data can be obtained directly through anonymous ftp or through the SPyCAT WWW interface to a large volume of space physics data on juke-box type mass storage devices. A newly developed WWW system, the ATMOWeb, provides browse and sub-setting capabilities for selected atmospheric and thermospheric data. NSSDC maintains an archive of space physics models that includes a subset of ionospheric models. The model software can be retrieved via anonymous ftp. A selection of the most frequently requested models can be run on-line through special WWW interfaces. Currently supported models include the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI), the Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter (MSIS) atmospheric model, the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) and the AE-8/AP-8 radiation belt models. In this article special emphasis will be given to the IRI interface and its various input/output options. Several new options and a Java-based plotting capability were recently added to the Web interface.

Magnetospheric geomagnetic coordinates for space physics data presentation and visualization

Abstract Corrected geomagnetic coordinates, which account for the multipolar geomagnetic field, are frequently used to organize the ionospheric-altitude data. However, realistic organization of data measured simultaneously in the magnetosphere and ionosphere in a some sort of magnetic coordinate system requires a combination of the high-altitude external magnetic fields and the multipolar low-altitude field. Such combinations have been non-existent in the past. A new magnetospheric geomagnetic coordinate system is introduced providing such a combination.

Space weathering investigations enabled by NASA's virtual heliophysical observatories

Space weathering by the plasma and energetic particle radiation environment of the heliosphere contributes to the physical and chemical evolution of exposed surfaces on airless bodies such as the Moon, asteroids, comets, and icy bodies of the outer solar system. The Multi-Source Spectral Plot (MSSP) service of the NASA Virtual Energetic Particle Observatory (VEPO) enables enhanced access and comparative global heliospheric analysis of ion flux spectra from the past and present fleet of interplanetary spacecraft for modeling of space weathering effects. Commonly red colors of low-inclination Classical Kuiper Belt Objects may be the result of specific compositional origin and spectral irradiation effects in the outer heliosphere. VEPO also enables easy comparison of flux spectra to check intercalibration issues.

King receives 2004 Edward A. Flinn Award

Joseph H. King received the Flinn Award at the AGU Joint Assembly Honors Ceremony, which was held on 19 May 2004 in Montreal, Canada. The award honors “individuals who personify the Unions motto ‘unselfish cooperation in research’ through their facilitating, coordinating, and implementing activities“

Additional spacecraft data sources contributing to the ISTP program

Abstract Descriptions of the most salient characteristics of several spacecraft and associated data relevant to the science objectives of the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) program are given. An appendix uniformly describes all relevant spacecraft and lists URLs when available. The body of the paper gives further descriptive material concerning the subset of these spacecraft that have not been considered as “core” ISTP spacecraft. The core spacecraft are further described in the accompanying papers in this proceedings.