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Detailed Reference Information |
Glassmeier, K. and Neubauer, F.M. (1993). Low-frequency electromagnetic plasma waves at comet P/Grigg-Skjellerup: Overview and spectral characteristics. Journal of Geophysical Research 98: doi: 10.1029/93JA02583. issn: 0148-0227. |
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Large-amplitude electromagnetic plasma waves are one of the dominant features of the solar wind-comet interaction. Wave characteristics strongly depend on parameters such as the solar wind flow and Alfv¿n velocities and the angle between flow and interplanetary magnetic field as well as the production rate. With respect to the latter the flyby of the spacecraft Giotto at comet P/Grigg-Skjellerup provides a unique possibility to study such waves in further detail. Pickup ion-related wave signatures have been observed up to a distance of 600,000 km from the nucleus. Peak spectral power in the spacecraft frame of reference occurs at frequencies mainly somewhat below the water group ion gyrofrequency. From this the waves are determined to be mainly left-hand polarized waves, causing one-sided pitch angle diffusion outbound. The wave activity strongly increases close to the comet; upstream it exhibits a quadratic dependence on the water group pickup ion free energy. Furthermore, a phenomenological study of the wave characteristics provides a unique description of the fine-structure of the interaction region. Indications of steepened magnetosonic waves have been found in the outbound magnetosheath region. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1993 |
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BACKGROUND DATA FILES |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Planetology, Comets and Small Bodies, Interactions with solar wind plasma and fields, Planetology, Comets and Small Bodies, Magnetic fields, Planetology, Comets and Small Bodies, Plasma and MHD instabilities, Space Plasma Physics, Waves and instabilities |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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