Physics
Scientific paper
Sep 1987
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1987esasp.278..621c&link_type=abstract
In ESA, Proceedings of the International Symposium on the Diversity and Similarity of Comets p 621-626 (SEE N88-21884 14-91)
Physics
2
Comets, Gas Dynamics, Hydrogen, Lyman Alpha Radiation, Photochemical Reactions, Thermalization (Energy Absorption), Gas Temperature, Monte Carlo Method, Velocity Distribution
Scientific paper
Two interrelated aspects of the thermalization of cometary hydrogen were addressed using a three-dimensional Monte Carlo particle trajectory model: photochemical heating of the coma and the velocity distribution of cometary hydrogen leaving the inner coma that produces the extended Lyman-alpha coma. Observed cometary conditions were examined, ranging from productive comets like Kohoutek at very small heliocentric distances to intrinsically small comets like Giacobini-Zinner at 1 AU. The collisional decoupling of hydrogen yields bulk flow speeds and gas temperatures which are smaller than generally predicted in hydrodynamic models. By properly including these conditions the hydrogen velocity distribution required to produce the observed Lyman-alpha coma can be derived naturally. The two-dimensional morphology of the H coma is diagnostic of the physical conditions in the inner coma.
Combi Michael R.
Smyth William H.
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