Large-Scale Structures in Comet Hale-Bopp

Details Large-Scale Structures in Comet Hale-Bopp Large-Scale Structures in Comet Hale-Bopp

Jun 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002em%26p...90...15b&link_type=abstract

Earth, Moon, and Planets, v. 90, Issue 1, p. 15-33 (2002).

Other

2

Scientific paper

The plasma tails of comets clearly show the demarcation of the solar wind into distinct equatorial and polar regions (Brandt and Snow (2000), Icarus 148, 52-64).The boundary is determined by the maximum extent in latitude of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). The observational record contains many well-observed equatorial comets, but observations of comets in the polar region are relatively rare. In addition to its size and brightness, comet Hale-Bopp had an orbital inclination of 89.4° and was well observed for months in the polar region. We document the comet's large-scale appearance throughout the apparition, including the polar region and its transition into the equatorial region. The bright dust tail hampered observations of the plasma tail, particularly near the head, but images taken with a CO+ filter show a very large disconnection event (DE) on May 7 and May 8, 1997. The time of disconnection is estimated at approximately May 4.0. This DE is associated with a crossing of the HCS. The model calculations of the HCS indicate that other crossings might have occurred in late April, but given the uncertainty in the calculation, the comet might have missed the HCS. Sparse observational coverage and the bright dust tail prevent further investigation of the potential earlier HCS crossings. The plasma tail shows anomalous orientations at the highest latitudes and possible explanations are discussed.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Large-Scale Structures in Comet Hale-Bopp 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 Large-Scale Structures in Comet Hale-Bopp, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Large-Scale Structures in Comet Hale-Bopp will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1893761