Plasma wave observations at comet Giacobini-Zinner

Details Plasma wave observations at comet Giacobini-Zinner Plasma wave observations at comet Giacobini-Zinner

Apr 1986

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986sci...232..377s&link_type=abstract

Science (ISSN 0036-8075), vol. 232, April 18, 1986, p. 377-381.

Physics

71

Giacobini-Zinner Comet, Plasma Diagnostics, Plasma Waves, Space Plasmas, Bow Waves, International Sun Earth Explorer 3, Interplanetary Dust, Ion Acoustic Waves, Plasma Oscillations, Spacecraft Trajectories, Comets, Giacobini-Zinner, Ice Mission, Mission Description, Comet Tails, Spacecraft Observations, Comae, Solar Wind, Interaction, Atmosphere, Plasma Wave Instrument, Acoustic Waves, Comet Nuclei, Whistlers, Waves, Electromagnetic Properties, Oscillations, Electrostatic Properties, Ions, Turbulence, Bow S

Scientific paper

The plasma wave instrument on the International Cometary Explorer (ICE) detected strong ion acoustic waves together with electromagnetic whistlers and low-level electron plasma oscillations when the spacecraft was within two million km of the nucleus of comet Giacobini-Zinner. As ICE approached the anticipated bow-shock location, electromagnetic and electrostatic wave levels increased significantly, but even amidst this turbulence, the wave instrument detected structures with familiar bow shock characteristics that were correlated with observations of localized electron heating phenomena. Just beyond the visible coma, high-amplitude broadband waves were detected accounting for the significant electron heating observed in this region. Near closest approach, broadband electrostatic noise was detected together with a changing pattern of weak electron plasma oscillations that yielded a density profile for the outer layers of the cold plasma tail. Near the tail axis, the plasma wave instrument also detected a nonuniform flux of dust impacts, and a preliminary profile of the Giacobini-Zinner dust distribution for micrometer-sized particles is presented.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Plasma wave observations at 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 Plasma wave observations at comet Giacobini-Zinner, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Plasma wave observations at comet Giacobini-Zinner will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1103832