Discrete wave packets upstream from the Earth and comets

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA094iA04p03755· OSTI ID:5830183

Le, G; Russell, C T ^[1]; Smith, E J ^[2]

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1. Univ. of California, Los Angeles (USA)
2. Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, CA (USA)

Discrete wave packets are nearly monochromatic waves lasting several wave cycles which are frequently found on the leading edge of steepened low-frequency waves or shocklets upstream from the Earth's bow shock. They apparently are whistler mode waves which are generated as the shocklets steepen. These shocklets are blown back across the spacecraft, so that the structure is observed in reverse order. Similarly appearing waves are present at comet Giacobini-Zinner. To determine if these waves are the same as those observed at Earth the authors have undertaken a detailed comparison of the properties of the two sets of waves. The waves have very similar amplitudes, durations, and directions of propagation. Thus they feel that the source mechanism for the two phenomena must be the same, i.e., wave steepening.

• OSTI ID: 5830183
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (USA) Vol. 94:A4; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHARGED PARTICLES
COMETS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EARTH PLANET
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
INTERACTIONS
ION DENSITY
IONIZATION
IONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NOISE
PLANETS
POLARIZATION
RADIATIONS
RADIO NOISE
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
VARIATIONS
WAVE PACKETS
WHISTLERS