Magnetohydrodynamic instabilities at Comet P/Halley - Giotto observations

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Bow Waves, Giotto Mission, Halley'S Comet, Magnetohydrodynamic Stability, Mass Spectrometers, Shock Waves, Interplanetary Space, Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence, Power Spectra

Scientific paper

We examine the plasma parameters observed by the ion mass spectrometer of the Giotto JPA experiment, downstream the bow shock and up to the closest approach of Comet P/Halley. From the analysis of the observations we have identified two regions where the Delta-V between the proton and water group ion bulk velocities is first parallel and later perpendicular, respectively, to the magnetic-field direction. In the parallel region, a strong MHD turbulence is observed that we suppose to be generated by a firehose instability mechanism driven by the velocity difference. At about 5 x 10 exp 5 km from closest approach, the center of mass switches from solar-wind protons to the cometary ions, while the velocity difference becomes perpendicular to the magnetic field, causing the quenching of the instability and the disappearing of the plasma fluctuations.

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

Magnetohydrodynamic instabilities at Comet P/Halley - Giotto observations 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 Magnetohydrodynamic instabilities at Comet P/Halley - Giotto observations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Magnetohydrodynamic instabilities at Comet P/Halley - Giotto observations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1870796

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