Other
Scientific paper
Apr 1986
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986sci...232..374o&link_type=abstract
Science (ISSN 0036-8075), vol. 232, April 18, 1986, p. 374-377. SNSF-supported research.
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41
Giacobini-Zinner Comet, Heavy Ions, Helium Ions, International Sun Earth Explorer 3, Flux (Rate), Mass Distribution, Solar Wind, Velocity Distribution, Comets, Giacobini-Zinner, Ice Mission, Mission Description, Comet Tails, Spacecraft Observations, Comae, Solar Wind, Interaction, Atmosphere, Ion Composition Instrument, Ici, Ions, Charged Particles, Comet Nuclei, Water, Carbon Monoxide, Sodium, Magnesium, Velocity, Helium, Origin, Distribution, Electrical Fields, Ice, Sublimation, Ionization, Mass
Scientific paper
The International Cometary Explorer spacecraft passed through the coma of comet Giacobini-Zinner about 7800 kilometers antisunward of the nucleus on September 11, 1985. The ion composition instrument was sensitive to ambient ions with mass-to-charge ratios in the ranges 1.4 to 3 atomic mass units per electron charge (amu/e) and 14 to 33 amu/e. Initial interpretation of the measurements indicates the presence of H2O(+), H3O(+), probably CO(+) and HCO(+), and ions in the mass range 23 to 24; possible candidates are Na(+) and Mg(+) and Mg(+). In addition to these heavy ions, measured over the velocity range 80 to 223 kilometers per second, the instruments measured He(2+) of solar wind origin over the range 237 to 463 kilometers per second. The heavy ions have a velocity distribution which indicates that they have been picked up by the motional electric field, whereas the light ions are steadily decelerated as the comet tail axis is approached. These results are in agreement with the picture of a comet primarily consisting of water ice, together with other material, that sublimes, streams away from the nucleus, becomes ionized, and interacts with the solar wind.
Bochsler Peter
Coplan Michael A.
Geiss Johannes
Ogilvie Keith. W.
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