First Direct Observation of the Interaction between a Comet and a Coronal Mass Ejection Leading to a Complete Plasma Tail Disconnection

Details First Direct Observation of the Interaction between a Comet and a Coronal Mass Ejection Leading to a Complete Plasma Tail Disconnection First Direct Observation of the Interaction between a Comet and a Coronal Mass Ejection Leading to a Complete Plasma Tail Disconnection

Oct 2007

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007apj...668l..79v&link_type=abstract

The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 668, Issue 1, pp. L79-L82.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

23

Comets: Individual: Name: 2P/Encke, Sun: Coronal Mass Ejections (Cmes)

Scientific paper

This a discovery report of the first direct imaging of the interaction a comet with a coronal mass ejection (CME) in the inner heliosphere with high temporal and spatial resolution. The observations were obtained by the Sun-Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation (SECCHI) Heliospheric Imager-1 (HI-1) aboard the STEREO mission. They reveal the extent of the plasma tail of comet 2P/Encke to unprecedented lengths and allow us to examine the mechanism behind a spectacular tail disconnection event. Our preliminary analysis suggests that the disconnection is driven by magnetic reconnection between the magnetic field entrained in the CME and the interplanetary field draped around the comet and not by pressure effects. Further analysis is required before we can conclude whether the reconnection occurs on the day side or on the tail side of the comet. However, the observations offer strong support to the idea that large-scale tail disconnections are magnetic in origin. The online movie reveals a wealth of interactions between solar wind structures and the plasma tail beyond the collision with the CME. Future analyses of this data set should provide critical insights on the structure of the inner heliosphere.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

First Direct Observation of the Interaction between a Comet and a Coronal Mass Ejection Leading to a Complete Plasma Tail Disconnection 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 First Direct Observation of the Interaction between a Comet and a Coronal Mass Ejection Leading to a Complete Plasma Tail Disconnection, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and First Direct Observation of the Interaction between a Comet and a Coronal Mass Ejection Leading to a Complete Plasma Tail Disconnection will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-826004