Theoretical calculations of ion acceleration in the vicinity of comet Giacobini-Zinner

Mathematics – Probability

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

4

Atmospheric Ionization, Cometary Atmospheres, Giacobini-Zinner Comet, Ion Distribution, Particle Acceleration, Solar Wind, Bow Waves, Ionic Diffusion, Particle Trajectories, Plasma Waves, Shock Waves

Scientific paper

Ionization of cometary neutral molecules produces ions which are picked up by the solar wind. The cometary ion pickup process for comet Giacobini-Zinner is studied in two ways: (1) with a test particle method in which trajectories are numerically calculated for several thousand ions whose initial locations were chosen randomly with probability proportional to the neutral density and (2) with a quasi-linear diffusion model. The cometary ion distribution function was calculated with the test particle model at several locations upstream of the bow shock and for several types of magnetic fluctuations (or waves). These waves were allowed to propagate in both directions along the magnetic field at the Alfven speed. Both pitch angle scattering and energy diffusion are evident in the derived ion distributions. The monochromatic waves result in less ion acceleration than turbulent fluctuations with about the same amplitude. The calculated ion distribution functions are in reasonable agreement with the distributions measured in the vicinity of comet Giacobini-Zinner in 1985 by particle detectors on the ICE spacecraft when the ratio of power in sunward propagating Alfven waves to the power in antisunward propagating waves is assumed to lie between about 20% and 50%. However, the quasi-linear diffusion model results agree best with the measured distribution functions when the power ratio is only about 3 percent.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Theoretical calculations of ion acceleration in the vicinity of comet Giacobini-Zinner 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 Theoretical calculations of ion acceleration in the vicinity of comet Giacobini-Zinner, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Theoretical calculations of ion acceleration in the vicinity of comet Giacobini-Zinner will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1259027

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.