Giotto data analysis: Electron plasma and heavy ion composition measurements at Comet Halley

Details Giotto data analysis: Electron plasma and heavy ion composition measurements at Comet Halley Giotto data analysis: Electron plasma and heavy ion composition measurements at Comet Halley

Mar 1992

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992ucb..reptq....l&link_type=abstract

Final Report, 1 May 1988 - 31 Aug. 1991 California Univ., Berkeley. Space Sciences Lab.

Computer Science

Electron Distribution, Electron Plasma, Giotto Mission, Halley'S Comet, Heavy Ions, Plasma Composition, Plasma Interactions, High Energy Electrons, Molecular Ions, Negative Ions, Solar Wind, Temperature Effects

Scientific paper

This investigation involved the analysis of electron plasma and heavy ion composition measurements made by the COPERNIC (COmplete Positive ion, Electron, and Ram Negative Ion measurements near Comet Halley) plasma experiment during the close fly-by of Halley by the European Space Agency's Giotto spacecraft. The experiment provided measurements of the full 3-dimensional distribution of 10 eV-30 keV electrons, and mass analysis of cold cometary ions from 10-210 amu. The analysis of the COPERNIC data has yielded some remarkable results, including: The discovery of negatively charged ions in the inner coma; the discovery of far heavier (mass is greater than 50 amu) ions than predicted, dominated by complex molecular ions made up of C, H, O, and N; the discovery of an adiabatic heating effect on electrons from the compression of the solar wind plasma; the identification of several organic and sulfur bearing ions; and the discovery of a new 'mystery region' where electrons are accelerated to high energies. These discoveries were in addition to the detailed analysis of 'expected' features at Comet Halley. Although this grant has expired, analysis continues on the data at a low (unfunded) level, and it is expected that more significant results will be obtained. A bibliography of the papers resulting from this research is attached, and a copy of each paper is included.

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