The effect of heavy ions on the formation and structure of cometary bow shocks

Details The effect of heavy ions on the formation and structure of cometary bow shocks The effect of heavy ions on the formation and structure of cometary bow shocks

Apr 1986

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986icar...66..165o&link_type=abstract

Icarus (ISSN 0019-1035), vol. 66, April 1986, p. 165-180. DOE-supported research.

Physics

Plasma Physics

22

Bow Waves, Cometary Atmospheres, Heavy Ions, Plasma Interactions, Plasma-Particle Interactions, Shock Waves, Solar Wind, Electromagnetic Fields, Mach Number, Maxwell-Boltzmann Density Function, Particle Motion, Plasma Physics, Rankine-Hugoniot Relation, Velocity Distribution, Comets, Bow Shock, Heavy Ions, Formation, Structure, Charged Particles, Solar Wind, Interaction, Electromagnetic Fields, Coupling, Simulations, Motion, Kinetics, Protons, Velocity, Distribution

Scientific paper

A hybrid simulation model is used to investigate the effects of heavy cometary ions on the formation and structure of a cometary bow shock. The calculations are carried out over various Mach numbers and heavy ion velocity distribution functions. The model is based on previous formulations for phenomena in the solar wind and at the earth's bow shock. The generation of the shock is described in terms of particles injected from one side of the simulation field and reflected from the other end of the field, i.e., a solid wall boundary model. This technique permits the steep buildup of the ion density near the cometary nucleus, followed by coupling of the incident and reflected ion streams to produce a shock. It is shown that at low Mach numbers (up to Mach 2) the shock is transitory and periodically formed by protons, then destroyed by heavy ions (O+). Slightly higher Mach numbers lead to a true stationary shock. An examination of coupling effects between the solar wind and the heavy ions at low Mach numbers by using the Rankine-Hugoniot relations reveals that the ions and the solar wind protons cannot be treated as a single fluid calculating the shock characteristics.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The effect of heavy ions on the formation and structure of cometary bow shocks does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The effect of heavy ions on the formation and structure of cometary bow shocks, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The effect of heavy ions on the formation and structure of cometary bow shocks will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1102619